Friday, November 30, 2012

3 Effects of Kidney Disease on Weight

Obesity is one of the leading causes of kidney disease, but having the disease itself can be a factor in other kinds of weight problems. If you have kidney disease, the best thing for you to do is to focus not on your actual weight, but instead on adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle that can regulate your body and improve function of your kidneys. Not only is this one effective way to manage your health, but you'll be better able to handle the different cycles of weight gain and loss caused by the disease, plus potentially prolong some of the inevitable side effects that may come in time.

1. Retention

One of the side effects of kidney disease is fluid retention, also called edema. A normal kidney naturally flushes out water, salt and other fluids from our bodies on a regular basis, but a malfunctioning kidney is much more slow at this process. The result is weight gain that results from retained water as the fluids are not properly excreted into the urine. Normally this weight gain and puffiness can be seen in certain areas of the body, such as the ankles, feet, legs, hands, belly and face. As stages of kidney disease advance, this water retention can lead to additional problems. To prevent this, you may wish to limit certain types of food and fluids to help put less of a burden on the kidneys.

2. Weight Fluctuation

Patients with kidney disease will often experience significant weight fluctuation. Many people experience unexplained weight loss during very early stages of kidney failure, but then find themselves eating an overabundance of certain foods in response to different cravings created by toxic buildup as the disease progresses. Because of the buildup of toxins in the body during kidney disease, the body experiences many rapid and ongoing changes as it attempts to readjust and remain healthy. As mentioned, water retention will make it seem that you've gained weight, but loss of appetite and lack of energy can lead to weight loss as well. These effects may happen in cycles, leading you to feel as though your weight has become uncontrollable.

3. Rapid Weight Loss

Rapid weight loss normally occurs during the end stages of kidney disease. For this reason, there are many different levels and processes that will need to be monitored carefully during this time. The toxins released, but not filtered by the body, are essentially whittling away at important storage facilities within the body, such as healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. Replacement of this storage is vital by increasing caloric intake, while limiting fluids, proteins, salts and electrolytes. Your weight will likely be difficult to maintain at this point and should become less of a focal point, next to the more important issues of staying healthy until proper treatment, such as dialysis or a kidney transplant, becomes available.


Thursday, November 29, 2012

Re: Pharma field needs competent graduates

MYSORE: JSS University vice-chancellor and Pharmacy Council of India president B Suresh on Tuesday advised the students of JSS College of Pharmacy to focus more on skill development to ensure better employment opportunities.

"Gone are the days when just a degree was enough to get jobs. The situation has now been changed completely. Pharmaceutical industry is fast changing, and they require only competent persons," Suresh felt, while addressing the inaugural session of four-day 51st National Pharmacy Week. The event is being organized by JSS College of Pharmacy and Indian Pharmaceutical Association at the college campus here on Tuesday.

"Every year, tens of thousands of graduates pass out from colleges, but still, the industry is not finding them suitable because they are not competent enough to handle the assignments. Today, industry wants job-ready candidates. They are not ready to invest for training, which may take six months to one year," he said adding: "Mere degrees will not a fetch graduates lucrative jobs in the present competitive world. Students need to focus on their goals and hone skills required for specific jobs, besides keeping themselves abreast of all the latest developments in the industry."

Earlier, Semler Research Centre Private Ltd chief scientific officer Dr Suresh Venkataram said students should prepare themselves to take on big challenges, than mere settling for a jobs after graduation.

This year's event, themed on 'Pharmacist in public health', aims at creating awareness among general public about the role of pharmacists in public health. Public rally, health camp, blood donation camp and guest lectures will mark the celebrations. National Pharmacy Week is celebrated every year in the last week of November.

On the occasion, 26th volume of college magazine 'Jaspharm' was released, and around a dozen of students donated blood. College principal H G Shivakumar was present.

This is a funny news considering the state of the PCI knowledge of pharmacy. they themselves do not know the defination of the word "Pharmacist" when asked for the same in an RTI application.



Pharma field needs competent graduates

MYSORE: JSS University vice-chancellor and Pharmacy Council of India president B Suresh on Tuesday advised the students of JSS College of Pharmacy to focus more on skill development to ensure better employment opportunities.

"Gone are the days when just a degree was enough to get jobs. The situation has now been changed completely. Pharmaceutical industry is fast changing, and they require only competent persons," Suresh felt, while addressing the inaugural session of four-day 51st National Pharmacy Week. The event is being organized by JSS College of Pharmacy and Indian Pharmaceutical Association at the college campus here on Tuesday.

"Every year, tens of thousands of graduates pass out from colleges, but still, the industry is not finding them suitable because they are not competent enough to handle the assignments. Today, industry wants job-ready candidates. They are not ready to invest for training, which may take six months to one year," he said adding: "Mere degrees will not a fetch graduates lucrative jobs in the present competitive world. Students need to focus on their goals and hone skills required for specific jobs, besides keeping themselves abreast of all the latest developments in the industry."

Earlier, Semler Research Centre Private Ltd chief scientific officer Dr Suresh Venkataram said students should prepare themselves to take on big challenges, than mere settling for a jobs after graduation.

This year's event, themed on 'Pharmacist in public health', aims at creating awareness among general public about the role of pharmacists in public health. Public rally, health camp, blood donation camp and guest lectures will mark the celebrations. National Pharmacy Week is celebrated every year in the last week of November.

On the occasion, 26th volume of college magazine 'Jaspharm' was released, and around a dozen of students donated blood. College principal H G Shivakumar was present.

This is a funny news considering the state of the PCI knowledge of pharmacy. they themselves do not know the defination of the word "Pharmacist" when asked for the same in an RTI application.


Disable Print Stylesheets (CSS) When Printing a Website


I recently needed to get a snapshot of a website exactly as it is shown on my screen. That is, I wanted the background color, I wanted the ads, I wanted the full layout.

One option is to take sequential screenshots as you scroll down the page, then piece them back together in Photoshop. This is time consuming and leaves you with a low-resolution (72dpi) image.

Another way to do this is to Print the page, then "save as" a PDF instead of actually printing. This works quite well for pages that do not define a different layout for printing a page versus viewing the page.

Unfortunately for me, it has become increasingly popular to include a "print" stylesheet on a website, which defines new page styles when a user tries to print the website. This is defined in the header and looks something like this:

  <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" media="print" href="/css/print.css" />

I have found only one option that truly addresses my needs: The "Web Developer" add-on / extension developed by Chris Pederick.

Web developer extension for Chrome

With this plugin you can very easily disable ALL styles, Default styles, inline styles, embedded styles, and, you guessed it, print styles!

It is currently available for Firefox and Chrome. I truly hope a Safari extension will come some day, as I primarily use Safari. The only option I have found for Safari is to disable ALL styles - a feature that comes by default with the newest version (5.0.3) of the browser. This is useful during development to see how your site will be viewed on a text-only browser but without the ability to select which styles you're disabling it has limited utility.

Hope that helps!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

7 Money Mindset Myths That Are Keeping You Poor

Budgeting and managing your money is never a happy experience – IF you're in the red. Yet, if you're like most people, there are 7 common money mindset myths that are keeping you that way.

Change your mind and change your numbers. This sounds simple, but it works.

Money Mindset Myth #1 – A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned

Not losing that penny by saving it is helpful, but it takes so much more than not giving that penny to the cashier to create meaningful wealth. In addition to saving, you must also multiply that those cents that you are saving to truly feel the effects. Even if the adage is accurate, it is also incomplete, and certainly not something you can base your future fortune around. Saving pennies is good, but you also need to earn more.

Money Mindset Myth #2 – I Don't Need Money Help

Paying for people to coach you in precision pilates is a want, but if you have zero experience straightening your finances, then shooting from the hip while going solo will likely only set you right back where you started from.

Investing in a money coach will lead you down a safer road lined with superior choices, better decisions, and ultimately a finish line you'll likely never reach alone.

Invest in a coach and train for financial success.

Money Mindset Myth #3 – Budgeting Saves Me Money

As noble as that might be, it isn't accurate. Write everything you earn, subtract everything you spend, and allot a certain amount toward your saving. Then you're gold, right?

No, not really. You can record your pluses and minuses all day, but if you're not acting on what you wrote, your budget means nothing.

Carefully plot and plan, then follow through by making improvements to see optimum success.

Money Mindset Myth #4 – If I Earn More, I Can Spend More

You worked 60 hours last week. Dog tired, you came home and collapsed into bed. The exhaustion is fine, at least your paycheck will be fat.

When it's time to reap the rewards, you happily head out, paycheck in hand to shop.

"Look at all this overtime! I deserve a 'little' something for working so hard!"

That's why you'll stay right where you are in your finances.

That "little" something extra is called overtime pay, and THAT is your reward. Stick all your "extra" earnings in a special fund or savings account, then leave it there so you can watch it grow, rather than disappear.

Money Mindset Myth #5 – If I Don't Risk It, I Can't Lose It

Playing a smart financial game means taking intelligent risks. You will never make a mint if you don't make smart investments. Fail to take SMART risks with your money, and you will keep the blooms from blossoming on the branches of your money tree.

Stock valuations are volatile, but individual investors can still profit on the expansion of the economy by buying into a broadly diversified index fund that tracks the total market as long as they have a long term vision.

Know a good investment when you see it, and be smart enough to make it.

Money Mindset Myth #6 – I Make Enough

You bring home your check every two weeks. Your house payment is always made on time. And your bills are current. Yet, you have nothing left for savings, and little if any for life's extras. You might make enough, but you'll never reach financial independence if you can't get ahead. You don't want to be 50 without any retirement assets.

Assets determine your worth, and if you want to grow your financial portfolio, you must find a way to start saving while you invest to increase your assets at the same time.

Money Mindset Myth #7 – My Today Is Taken Care Of

Too many people live in the moment. In today's economy, it's difficult to look past now to see the promise of tomorrow. Yet, right now is when it's essential to plan ahead. What will your reserves be like as you head into retirement? Not putting away what you can now is a near guarantee that you'll not have enough when you need it in the future.

10 reasons to choose Ubuntu 12.10 over Windows 8

Microsoft's Windows 8 dominated countless headlines in the weeks leading up to its launch late last month, but October saw the debut of another major operating system as well.


Canonical's Ubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" arrived a week ahead of its competitor, in fact, accompanied by a challenge: "Avoid the pain of Windows 8." That slogan appeared on the Ubuntu home page for the first few hours after the OS's official launch, and attracted considerable attention.


Apparently Canonical decided to tone down its message later in the day—the slogan now reads "Your wish is our command"—but it seems fair to say that the underlying challenge remains.


Ubuntu comes with a variety of software packages, including Firefox, Thunderbird, and the full-featured productivity suite LibreOffice.

Window of opportunity


Ubuntu is a widely popular open-source Linux distribution with eight years of maturity under its belt, and more than 20 million users. Of the roughly 5 percent of desktop OSs accounted for by Linux, at least one survey suggests that about half are Ubuntu. (Windows, meanwhile, accounts for about 84 percent.)


The timing of this latest Ubuntu release couldn't be better for Windows users faced with the paradigm-busting Windows 8 and the big decision of whether to take the plunge.


Initial uptake of Windows 8 has been unenthusiastic, according to reports, and a full 80 percent of businesses will never adopt it, Gartner predicts. As a result, Microsoft's big gamble may be desktop Linux's big opportunity.

So, now that Canonical has thrown down the gauntlet, let's take a closer look at Ubuntu 12.10 to see how it compares with Windows 8 from a business user's perspective.


Perhaps the biggest surprise for many users of Windows 8's mobile-style Modern UI is that it has no Start button.

1. Unity vs. Modern UI


Both Microsoft and Canonical have received considerable flak for the default user interfaces in their respective OSs. In Microsoft's case, of course, it's the Modern UI, formerly known as Metro; in Canonical's case, it's Unity. Both are designed with touchscreens in mind, and borrow heavily from the mobile world.


By removing the Start button and overhauling the way users interact with the operating system, Windows 8's Modern interface poses a considerable challenge for users, who face a significant learning curve.


Unity, on the other hand, became a default part of Ubuntu back in April 2011 with Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal." It has definitely undergone growing pains, but more than a year has passed, and Canonical has revised the interface accordingly. Although it still has numerous critics, most people concede that it has matured and improved. Some observers, in fact, have even suggested that it may feel more familiar to many longtime Windows users than does Windows 8.


One advantage of Ubuntu Linux is that it supports multiple workspaces.

2. Customizability


Linux has long been known for its virtually limitless customizability, but given the current controversy surrounding desktop interfaces, that feature has become more salient than ever.


This is a point on which Windows 8 and Ubuntu differ considerably. Yes, Windows 8 does allow users to customize some aspects of their environment, such as by specifying the size of Live Tile icons, moving commonly used tiles to the left side of the screen, or grouping tiles by program type.


Most of the changes you can make in Windows 8, however, are largely cosmetic, and they don't include a built-in way to set the OS to boot to the traditional Windows desktop. A growing assortment of third-party utilities such as Pokki can restore that capability, but otherwise you're stuck with Modern UI. Windows 8 offers what you might call a "tightly coupled" interface—in other words, one that you can't change substantially.


Microsoft's Windows Store was sparsely populated at launch, but company executives have said that the number of apps will increase quickly.

Ubuntu's Unity, in contrast, is more of a loosely coupled UI. First and foremost, you can easily replace it with any one of several free alternatives, including KDEXfce, LXDE,GNOME 3 Shell, Cinnamon, and MATE.

Also available for Unity are third-party customization tools, including the increasingly popular Ubuntu Tweak, while a raft of "look" sites are available for myriad Linux interfaces with a variety of themes to change the desktop's appearance.

The rule of thumb with Linux in general and Ubuntu in particular is, if you don't like it, swap in something else. Also worth mentioning is the fact that Ubuntu supports multiple workspaces, essentially letting you run up to four different desktops; Windows 8 Pro does not.

3. Apps


Whereas Windows 8 Pro comes bundled with Microsoft's Internet Explorer 10 browser, Ubuntu comes with a wide assortment of open-source software packages such as Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, and more, offering both individual and business users a pretty full suite of functionality.


Similar to Microsoft's SkyDrive, Ubuntu One allows users to back up and access their files from Ubuntu, Windows, the Web, or a mobile device.

Beyond those bundled programs, both Ubuntu and Windows 8 offer app stores to help users find the additional software they need.

Dating back to 2009, the Ubuntu Software Center now houses more than 40,000 apps, ranging from games to productivity tools to educational resources. In addition, by usingWine or CodeWeaver's CrossOver, you can run Windows programs on top of Linux.


The Windows Store just launched with Windows 8, and at the time of its debut it includedjust over 9000 apps. Microsoft execs have said that they hope to provide 100,000 apps in the Windows Store within 90 days of the Windows launch.


Operating system binaries and drivers, however, will not come from the Windows Store. Rather, it will have both Windows RT (ARM) apps and Windows desktop ("legacy") apps. Entries for legacy desktop apps in the Windows Store will take users to separate sites where they can purchase or download the apps. Ubuntu's repository, on the other hand, centrally stores all operating system and app binaries and drivers.


As a result, aside from numbers, a key difference between the two app stores involves security. Ubuntu provides a GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG) keyring-protected repository system wherein each application and driver has a unique keyring identity to verify its authenticity and integrity as having come only from the Ubuntu repo system. The keyring method of protection has been highly effective at ensuring that no rogue applications find their way into the repo—or onto users' PCs.


Historically, Microsoft Windows has lacked such a keyring-protected repository. Although Microsoft does support its OS with monthly Windows Updates, no comparable third-party vendor support for updates exists. Because of this situation, users have had to venture online to obtain their own third-party-supported updates manually at separate websites. The Windows Store was developed to mitigate that risk and is specifically designed to curate apps, screen apps, and provide the capability to purchase apps. Time will tell how well it succeeds.


Much like the Windows Store, the Ubuntu Software Center gives users instant desktop access to thousands of applications, many of them free.

4. Hardware compatibility

To run Windows 8 on your PC, you'll need a processor that's 1GHz or faster with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2. You'll also need a minimum of 1GB RAM for the 32-bit version or 2GB for the 64-bit version, along with 16GB (32-bit) or 20GB (64-bit) of space on your hard drive. For graphics processing, you'll need a Microsoft DirectX 9-compatible graphics device with a WDDM driver, Microsoft says.

Of course, that's the minimum. If you want to take advantage of Windows 8's touch features, obviously you'll need a multitouch device. To make the most of the software, you'll want considerably more than that.

Ubuntu's requirements, however, are much more modest: Canonical recommends 512MB of RAM, plus 5GB on the hard drive. You'll also find versions such as Lubuntu and Xubuntu for lower-spec machines. In short, if hardware is a constraining factor for you, Ubuntu is most likely the better choice.

Microsoft's SkyDrive service lets users upload and sync files to the cloud and then access them from virtually any browser or local device.

5. Cloud integration

Starting with the launch of Ubuntu One in 2009, the cloud has played a key role in Ubuntu Linux for some time, enabling users to store files online and sync them among computers and mobile devices, as well as to stream audio and music from the cloud to mobile devices.


Ubuntu One works on Windows, OS X, iOS, and Android, as well as on Ubuntu. Users of Ubuntu Linux get 5GB of Ubuntu One storage for free; 20GB costs $30 per year.


Beginning with Ubuntu 12.10, the OS also integrates Web apps and online searches directly into the Unity desktop for a more seamless experience.


With Windows 8, the cloud is coming to the forefront of Microsoft's platform as well. For storage, Microsoft's SkyDrive offers users 7GB of space for free. If you need more than that, you can have an extra 20GB for $10, 50GB for $25, or 100GB for $50 annually.

Storage isn't the only benefit of the cloud, however. Beginning with this new release, the new Microsoft Account sign-in (formerly Live ID) lets you use a single username and password to establish common preferences among all the Windows-based hardware and services with which you work. The idea is to employ the cloud to connect your PCs, tablets, and smartphones through a common, user-specific experience.


Ubuntu doesn't fully compete with Windows in this regard, since it doesn't offer counterparts to Windows Phone 8 or Windows 8 RT that are tailored specifically to non-PC devices. However, Ubuntu for Android is in the works.


Offering a browser-based control panel, Ubuntu's Landscape administrative tool can perform most Windows Active Directory tasks.

6. Security

Although Windows RT apps run within a sandboxed environment for greater security, Windows 8 Pro desktop legacy apps have no equivalent. Instead, third-party software developers are left to their own devices to add security measures to their apps.

Windows 8 and Ubuntu Linux provide their own firewalls, however, as well as the option for full disk encryption.


Despite the fact that Windows 8 Pro offers some security improvements over Windows 7, the new OS still carries forward with the WinNT legacy kernel, which is at least partially responsible for the litany of security issues Windows has suffered over the years.

To mitigate some of those issues, Microsoft created in conjunction with partnering OEMsSecure Boot, an extension to UEFI. Windows 8 now provides Secure Boot support on OEM systems, while Ubuntu 12.10 offers a raft of advanced security features such as support for installation with Secure Boot systems.


Additionally, Ubuntu Linux comes with Linux Security Modules (LSM) installed by default. Other security-enhancing measures include chroot, seccomp, seccomp-bpf, and the newest addition—LinuX Containers (LXC)—for third-party developers and users alike.

Just as an aside, it's interesting to note that, each year at Pwn2Own, hackers get a chance to hack Windows and Apple Mac systems, but Linux is not included in the contest. No exploit can escalate against (and gain root privilege on) Ubuntu Linux running AppArmor-sandboxed Firefox.

7. Administrative tools


For administrative controls, Windows provides Active Directory, using dedicated Active Directory servers.

Canonical supports Active Directory as well, and Ubuntu Linux clients can join to an Active Directory Domain using third-party software such as Likewise Open or Centrify.


In addition, Canonical provides Landscape, an enterprise administrative tool of its own that can perform most Windows Active Directory tasks. Landscape presents an easy-to-use, browser-based control panel through which you can manage desktops, servers, and cloud instances.


Both Windows 8 and Ubuntu Linux 12.10 offer support for popular VPN protocols.

8. VPN support

Users who require virtual private network support will find it in both Windows 8 and Ubuntu 12.10.

In Ubuntu repositories, the provided utility is OpenVPN, which uses a custom security protocol based on SSL/TLS for key exchange. Both operating systems offer support for varied protocols, however, depending on site-specific and inter-site needs.



9. User support


Microsoft offers support for Windows 8 Pro users through its TechNet subscription service, which is priced starting at $149 per year.

Canonical offers Ubuntu Advantage service-level agreements starting at about $80 per yearat the standard desktop level, including legal coverage and use of the Landscape administrative tool.

10. Price

Last but certainly not least, Ubuntu Linux is free, while Windows 8 Pro will reportedly cost $199 after the current introductory upgrade offer of $39 to $69 expires.

So which operating system is better for small-business users? The answer, of course, is in the eye of the beholder. If one thing is clear, however, it's that any lead Windows may have once had over competing operating systems is shrinking every year. Depending on your needs, Ubuntu Linux 12.10 could provide a compelling alternative. If nothing else, it's almost certainly worth your while to try it online or take it for a free test drive.

 Windows 8 Pro (x86)Ubuntu 12.10
License fee$39 to $69 upgradeFree
CPU architectures supportedx86, x86-64x86, x86-64, ARM, PPC
Minimum RAM1GB, 2GB512MB
Minimum hard-disk space20GB5GB
Concurrent multiuser supportNoYes
WorkspacesOneTwo or more
VirtualizationHyper-VKVM
LicenseNot applicableGPL Open Source: Main, Non-GPL: Restricted
Productivity software includedNoneLibreOffice
Graphics tools includedNoYes

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Lenders eye UB Group money in next week's KFA meet: Sources

Kritika Saxena, Reporter, CNBC-TV18
Show me the money! That's what lenders of debt-laden Kingfisher Airlines want at this point of time. With buzz of a possible stake sale gathering steam, all eyes are now on what kind of a recapitalization plan KFA presents at the much-awaited meeting between the management and lenders next week. CNBC-TV18's Kritika Saxena reports.

KFA has a debt of over Rs 7,000 crore, with SBI having an exposure Rs 1,500 crore. Sources tell CNBC-TV18 there will be detailed recapitalisation and revival plan presented by KFA at the meet. There will a demarcation of how much the lenders will get from UB Group and from other prospective investors. So far there hasn't been any clarity on this aspect.


However, lenders cannot bank on the prospective investors that could be coming in because those talks haven't really gone into final stages yet. The important clarity sought will be exactly how much the UB Group will be paying towards KFA's loan.

"They (Kingfisher management) need to act to their top speed and there is a consortium meeting scheduled for next week. So we are not putting any deadlines but we are again putting this point to the fore that things need to be done on a very urgent basis. And this Diageo deal that affects USL, so we cannot infer that automatically that brings in money to KFA. That the company has to disclose and tell us what their plans are," SBI chairman Pratip Chaudhuri told reporters today.

As far as the investment is concerned, CNBC-TV18 understands, the KFA management will be presenting a plan as to the exact details that have been submitted to private equity lenders and prospective investors. CNBC-TV18 had reported that TPG was one of the players. Aside from that, there is also a possible investment coming from sale of non-core assets.

Will Air India's Jaldi Jaldi scheme trigger fare war?

Moneycontrol Bureau

At a time when airline operators are crying hoarse about higher operating cost and steep losses, will Air India's 'Jald Jaldi' scheme upset them?

Air India has launched a special promotional scheme in which an all inclusive Mumbai-Delhi fare would be Rs 3,699 which is almost 80% less than what it is on other days. The sale opens on November 19 and closes on 21st of the same month and tickets booked through the scheme is for travel on specified domestic sector between Jan 16-March 31, 2013.

The fares, inclusive of all taxes, under this scheme have been kept low ranging from Rs 1,799 to Rs 4,199. The fares quoted are for one-way journeys. The fares have been launched for travel on more than 325 city pairs.

Some of the fares under the scheme include Kolkata-Bhubaneswar Rs 1,799, Delhi-Kolkata Rs 3,699; ChennaiMumbai Rs 2,699; Delhi-Mumbai Rs 3,699; Chennai-Kolkata Rs 2,699; Kochi-Trivandrum Rs 1,799 and Chennai-Pune Rs 1,799. The tickets can be booked through the airline's website.

Why has Air India come out with the scheme when all airlines are bleeding?

Air India is going aggressive to re-gain market which it has lost to rival carriers due to strikes and flight cancellations in the past. It is slowly gaining market share which is very critical for it to sustain in times to come.

Subash Goyal, chairman of hospitality chain STIC said that overall airlines have 75% load factors on an average. Air India has taken a smart move by offering discounts on seats which are anyways remain unsold. "Seats on an aircraft are a perishable commodity and once the aircraft takes off, seat which is unsold will never fetch any yields. Hence AI is offering discounts but on limited seats on each sector," added Goyal.


Will other airlines follow trend?
As of now, none of the airlines have either announced or have indicated that they will offer  seats at lower rates to attract customers in lean season. In fact other airlines like GoAir, SpiceJet   and even bigger rival Jet Air on and off announce special discounts on limited seats on first come first serve basis just to fill seats which are unlikely to get takers in lean season.

Customers often have a complain that the seat they had desired to book ifs already sold because of limited availability. This is because airlines have hardly 10% seats to offer in such schemes and on metro routes the precentage of seats on sale shrinks further.

These offers can be considered an eyewash because, say industry watchers as there are hardly a  few seats at that price especially on heavy density routes like a Mumbai-Delhi or Delhi-Kolkata route.

Once bitten, twice shy:  The sector has gone through the phase of fare war two years ago and hurt itself brutally in terms of yields and revenues. Now, can one expect a grand sale for masses when all airlines are in red?

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