The country's reconstruction attempt was doomed from the outset. When the Taliban acquired power, they began pursuing and executing Afghans who worked with the US to form a civil government. The US abandoning of Afghans, along with the Taliban's violent strategy, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Afghans.

American Betrayal In Afghanistan (Part -3)

The Afghan Debacle

The Afghan war started in October 2001 in the aftermath of the Twin Tower attacks and lingered for 20 years without any decisive outcome. It was the longest and most expensive war for the USA. 

 

The resilience of Taliban fighters shocked and exposed the limitations of the American war machine. With most of its allies have withdrawn their forces in 2014, American troops also changed their strategy. The US forces limited their activities to training Afghan troops for a combat role. They were only available to the Afghan army in a supporting role, encouraging Afghan National Security Forces to be at the forefront. 

After a prolonged period of fighting, the escalating cost of war and no remedy in sight to end the stalemate forced the US to start looking for a face-saving exercise by entering into 'peace talks' with the Taliban. Moreover, ending the war and bringing troops home became a burning election issue in America, with successive Presidential candidates focusing on troop withdrawal. Eventually, the Biden administration decided to conclude the operations and ordered a retreat.

 

It is necessary to emphasize that despite the world community's constant support and good intentions, the elected politicians couldn't bring stability to Afghanistan.

Taliban Returned to its Old Ways

The global community attempted to reconcile and play a role in reconstruction, but all efforts were futile. In the end, it was the Taliban who triumphed and began harassing citizens, especially women and religious minorities.

 

The world community tried its best to usher in a new era of development and to wean Afghanis away from radical ideology and bloodshed. International donors poured billions of dollars in aid to support the noble cause. Countries such as India, which has a strategic interest in the stability of Afghanistan, have contributed over $750 million in assistance to Afghanistan.

 

However, the inefficiencies of the Afghan administration, large-scale corruption, infighting among politicians who were former warlords, and crimes committed by government officials have disappointed the Afghanis. In addition, the ineffectiveness of the Afghan National Army in protecting vast swathes of territory and civilians from terrorists further eroded the confidence of civilians.

The Taliban shifted gears and continuously changed their strategy until they captured Kabul. During their struggle, they undermined the government machinery and remained aggressive. Taliban is attempting to win the people's confidence by adopting a dual strategy. 

 

They were threatening violence against civilians supporting the erstwhile government and reminding people of times when the Taliban succeeded in stamping out corruption and lawlessness and making the roads and areas under their control safe for commerce to flourish. The tactics eventually proved successful. 

What Fueled the Taliban's Rise to Power?

The Taliban, who regrouped successfully under the leadership of Mulla Omar with tacit support from the Pakistan Military, had sound financial backing. The Taliban leadership was well-funded and protected, which helped them strategize to take on their enemies at will. With an annual income of around $1.7 billion, the Taliban emerged as a powerful self-funding terror group well entrenched.

 

Since 2002, the money collected through different sources such as drug trade, illegal mining of natural resources, taxation on goods and transit fees on vehicles plying in controlled areas helped the Taliban maintain the insurgency and finance more attacks on the establishment. 

Pakistan's tacit support and hobnobbing with terror outfits benefited the Taliban immensely.

 

The Final Betrayal

Sadly, Afghanistan today has become a battleground for all major powers to extract a pound of flesh for themselves. As a result, the vested interests of groups within and outside Afghanistan have become a stumbling block to lasting peace in Afghanistan.

 

In this tug-of-war between negotiators and the Taliban, Afghan society stands to lose the most. In the last 20 years, the narratives and goals of the Afghan war kept changing. Unfortunately, the values for which the war started and was once a noble effort has long been forgotten. Supporters of women's rights, human rights, and civil society are dismayed today.

 

The Taliban's refusal to respect Afghanis' human rights, uphold international laws, avoid violence, and give equal rights to Afghan women during discussions was not taken into account by negotiators. Unfortunately, the US and its partners were more interested in a face-saving formula than negotiating a meaningful settlement with the Taliban. As a result, the civilized world bowed down in the face of lunatics. 

Image courtesy - Google Images 

Though the US possessed the firepower to demolish the Taliban government and claim moral victory, the US government had a poor strategy and ignored warnings about Afghanistan.The Taliban's foot soldiers adopted a simple strategy of blending in with the local populace and waiting for the right moment to strike back and seek vengeance.

American Betrayal In Afghanistan (Part -2) 

America Strikes Back

Following the breakdown of negotiations, battle lines were drawn between the mighty American war machine and deeply rooted Taliban fighters with a history of wrestling Russia. The military campaign began 27 days after approximately 3000 Americans were killed in the horrific twin towers attack.

 

The main goal of the United States 'Operation Enduring Freedom' was to demolish Al-Qaeda's infrastructure by ousting the Taliban from power. On the ground, fighters loyal to the Northern Alliance joined the military operation against the Taliban. 

 

The United States was aided in its fight against terror by its allies. Yet, at the same time, the Taliban received no open backing from any nations that recognized its authority, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. 

As the U.S. started its campaign, the Taliban couldn't withstand the military might of US-led forces and, within two months, lost most of the Afghan territory under its control. By December 17, 2001, the Taliban were knocked out of power, and American-led forces built military bases near major cities nationwide to provide security.

The Emergence of Civil Society

As the Taliban retreated, the U.N. Security Council, led by the United States, advocated the establishment of Afghan National Security Forces to protect Afghan land from the Taliban. International Security Forces led by the United States were to train Afghan forces to take up the task when it was ready.

On the political front, Hamid Karzai was appointed as the leader of the transitional administration to supervise the start of the country's diplomatic process. Following successful elections in 2004, Hamid Karzai was elected the first President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. 

 

Civil liberties were introduced with some semblance of peace returning to Afghanistan, and women's rights were actively supported. Moreover, the establishment emphasized the improvement of necessary physical infrastructure along with economic and educational reforms.

 

Afghanistan received generous cooperation from the international community in the form of Billions of dollars to improve health, education, human rights, etc.

 

Afghan women and girls treated as second-class citizens during the Taliban era were permitted to return to school and university and contribute to their country's development.

However, with all these development activities taking place in Afghanistan, there's always a danger of the Taliban lurking around. It is essential to understand that they were forced out of power but not defeated by the USA.

 

 Pakistan Comes to the Taliban's Aid 

Contrary to popular belief, most al-Qaeda and Taliban members were neither arrested nor killed. Instead, they quickly fled to adjacent Pakistan over the porous border or withdrew to Afghanistan's rural or distant mountainous districts, away from American strikes. 

 

Following that, the Taliban gradually began reorganizing within the safe havens of tribal areas of Pakistan under the command of Mulla Omar. Then, despite continuous American ground and air forces, the Taliban, more acclimatized to the mountainous environment, unleashed an audacious guerilla attack against US-led troops across the Pakistan border. 

The Taliban's more brutal and deceptive tactics were victorious against the ill-prepared US-led troops, who began losing soldiers in more significant numbers. Since the beginning of the conflict, America has lost almost 2300 troops and another 20,500 injured, although the number of casualties among all allies is far greater.

 

Despite some initial setbacks, the Taliban adapted well to the changing scenario of the battlefield. They started their offensive from bordering areas of the AF-PAK border and quickly escalated to the heart of the country. As the Taliban increased its strength, massive-scale attacks on government buildings, military bases and suicide attacks on civilian locations in urban areas increased exponentially.

Taliban Were Waiting in the Shadows

Patience and perseverance proved effective in the Taliban's win over Western nations. With time, the Taliban steadily regained power and lost ground, owing to battle-hardened warriors and geography that supported their combat strategy. Using patience and tenacity, the Taliban gradually expanded their authority across Afghanistan, leaving vast swaths of the country unstable and prone to murder.

Even when pressure was put on Pakistan to rein in terrorists on its soil or with successful raids by U.S. forces to filter out terrorists, it didn't do much in blunting the Taliban's offensive capabilities. 

 

To some extent, the United States achieved its initial objective of denying terror groups like al-Qaeda sanctuary while neutralizing its senior leadership. Nonetheless, the momentum seems to have shifted in favour of the Taliban.

 

The U.S., for its part, gradually started realizing the futility of the continuity of the conflict it was sucked into. Despite constant commitment towards Afghanistan regarding men and material, US-led forces were losing much more than human lives.

Tide Has Turned Now

Sensing fatigue in enemy camps, the Taliban also increased its offensive. Emboldened by the violence unleashed against the U.S.-led forces and civilians, the Taliban re-emerged as a force to reckon with that can no longer be sidelined.

 

As the bodies began to pile up, the divisions within U.S. allies came to the fore. They were no longer interested in committing their troops to the battlefront, forcing the U.S. to shoulder the responsibility alone. The limitations of the U.S.-led forces, large-scale corruption in governance, and tribal divisions within government provided a suitable ground for the Taliban to get a seat at the negotiating table.

 

With no end to the war in sight and the resurgence of the Taliban visible, the U.S. was pressured to negotiate with the Taliban to end the stalemate.

Image courtesy - Google Images 

The Afghans who relied on the global community for a peaceful and prosperous future are being abandoned. We, as a whole, and the United States in particular, not only crushed their aspirations, but also plunged them into a black pit from which there is no exit out.

American Betrayal In Afghanistan (Part -1) 

When did the Taliban first taste blood?

Afghanistan has traditionally been a religiously conservative, intolerant society. There was never a lack of radicalized soldiers capable of fighting barefoot with practically little sustenance. All it takes is a call to fight infidels, and thousands of young zealots will line up. 

 

Though they are rational in their way, the outside world is unaware of their heinous methods of operation. It was in 1995-96 that the world first saw their hideous face. They came to power via the use of American money and weapons, and what followed was a shameless dance of death that no civilized civilization could boast of. 

The brutal murder of Dr Najibullah Ahmadzai, Afghanistan's ousted president, was a watershed moment in the country's power struggle. With the killing, the Taliban declared their takeover of power in 1996. How Afghanistan's ex-President was hauled from the United Nations complex and gruesomely assassinated demonstrated that the Taliban had no regard for international law or human rights. 

 

The dawn of Taliban rule

With the rise of Taliban authority over Afghanistan, Sharia law, or rigid Islamic laws and regulations, was brutally imposed on Afghani society. As a result, all forms of amusement were prohibited, children were debarred from modern education, guys were required to wear beards, and so on.

 

This Sharia-inspired law had a significant impact on Afghan women. The authorities prohibited them from obtaining education or working outside their houses, among other limitations that made them second-class citizens.

 

While the rest of the world stayed silent about the Taliban's atrocities against its inhabitants, the victims' silence supported the ruthless regulations. The public flogging of accused violators, the open execution of offenders, and the amputation of alleged thieves became the norm.

 

The Taliban administration did not hesitate to perpetrate human and cultural genocide. Despite the international uproar, the demolition of the Bamiyan Buddha sculptures is a prominent example. 

Afghanistan became a refuge for terrorists

With Taliban securing control over 90% of Afghanistan by 1998, its cadres, educated, taught, sponsored, and armed at Madrasas right next in neighbouring Pakistan, gradually began to exhibit solidarity with terrorist organizations operating in various parts of the world.

 

As a result, there has been a large influx of radical Islamic cadres from all over the world into Afghanistan. In addition, funding from Saudi Arabia and weaponry from Pakistan quickly poured into Afghanistan, creating a haven for terrorist organizations to act against other countries.

Al-Qaeda left its mark

Despite rising allegations of terror organizations such as Al-Qaeda plotting and threatening to use violence against modern societies, the world has remained chiefly unaware of the disaster created within Afghanistan. Moreover, while Afghanistan's close neighbours, such as India and Iran, bore the brunt of terror assaults, these organizations stayed off the radar of major international powers such as the United States.

 

As Afghanistan plunged into the dark ages due to the governance of the Taliban, its land was used by terror groups as a haven to arm, operate and execute their plans. However, small resistance within the Afghan society started brewing against the terror establishment by this time. Here, it is essential to underline that the Afghan community is profoundly religious and divided on ethnic grounds.

The Taliban cadres, who belonged to the largest ethnic tribe Pashtuns (Sunni), endorsed tribal norms and rivalries that helped the Taliban achieve power on about 90% of Afghan terrain. Other tribal groups, including Hazaras, Uzbeks, and Tajiks, endured persecution under the Taliban, as did religious minorities, which fueled instability.

 

The Northern Alliance, led by Ahmad Shah Massoud, was the Taliban regime's primary opponent within Afghanistan. As the Taliban placed the war-torn country under strict Islamic authority, terror groups linked with the administration incited sectarian killing within and outside Afghanistan.

 

More significantly, the upheaval in Afghanistan allowed a terrorist organization like AlQaeda to attack civilians and government troops they deemed unIslamic or an impediment to the propagation of extreme doctrine.

The world gradually recognised the horror of the Taliban

Due to political, military, and economic circumstances, the United States, once a supporter and financier of Mujahadeen factions against Russia, has emerged as an arch-opponent of Al-Qaeda. In 1998, Al-Qaeda carried out a suicide attack against American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania to prevent America from intervening in countries designated as Muslim territory. A horrific attack on the World Trade Centre in New York by Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists followed these.

 

The demolition of the twin towers on September 9th, 2001, was the defining moment that forced America to commit itself fully to a war against Al-Qaeda led by Osama bin Laden and their patron Taliban.

 

As the USA threatened the Taliban with consequences to support Al-Qaeda, the wheel has turned full circle. The erstwhile alliance forged between the Taliban and USA was in tatters, and the war between the two sides was on the anvil. The Taliban refused to entertain any negotiations, and the result was the planned invasion of Afghanistan by U.S. forces.   

The US onslaught

Afghans who once favoured the Taliban against the corrupt, violent warlords were now reeling under an extreme orthodox regime. The invasion of Afghanistan by the USA and their allies brought a ray of hope among civilians that it will end their tyranny.

 

Once again, Afghanistan was at the cusp of history, and Afghans were bracing for the bloodshed that has become their destiny. As the negotiations drew blank, U.S. President George W. Bush announced counterstrikes against the Afghan Taliban regime, its military installations and power centres.

 

The American strikes commenced on October 1st, 2001, against the Taliban establishment in Afghanistan. The main objective of the American attack was to dislodge the Taliban regime and substitute it with a more favourable establishment. The perpetrators responsible for orchestrating the attack on American soil were also actively pursued.

With the commencement of Airstrikes, the ground was being prepared for the next course of action by U.S. ground forces.

Image coutesy: Google

One of the primary advantages of IELTS online training is the fact that you will learn all of the most modern techniques and tips online.

Online IELTS Training 

The International English Language Testing System(IELTS) is conducted annually to check the English proficiency level of non-native English speakers. The candidates are judged based on their speaking, writing, listening and reading skills in the English language.

 

With an increasing number of people attempting to clear IELTS, there's growth in several online institutions that train the candidates for exams.

IELTS Online Coaching Advantages!

Online IELTS training has many benefits, such as:

1)  An average student can get personalized attention from the teacher that enhances his confidence. It helps in removing doubts, as to one on one student-teacher ratio allows the teacher to work on weak points and devise a strategy for a particular student.

 

2)  A student can himself assess his performance based on IELTS score and can seek guidance under challenging areas while skipping the easy points. For example, some people are fluent in writing while others in speaking. Based on internal assessment, a student can work to hone his skills with the help of online training.  . 

3)  Online IELTS training is provided by expert teachers who are skilled to conduct online classes successfully. These certified instructors have a proven track record and are available throughout the day. The course material offered is continuously updated to improve the performance of the students.  . 

4)  The online classes are interactive. It helps the students to overcome their inhibitions and speak fluently with trainers and other attendees. Mock tests conducted by trainers help the students immensely.   .

5)  Another benefit of online IELTS training is, one can assess the class from anywhere, including the confines of your home. A student only needs a laptop or smartphone to study. Apart from flexibility to study it also saves time wasted in commuting.  

Final Takedown 

The IELTS test is beneficial to students who wanted to study abroad. The academic institutions of Canada, Britain, NewZealand, Australia, European countries and the USA accept the test scores. Getting a good score in IELTS is also beneficial to those workers who wanted to migrate and settle down in the countries mentioned above. The online IELTS reputed training institutes help in improving your skills in the English language and make your dream come true. 

On the Indian side, there are a handful white pigeons who obviously refuse to accept the evil that lurks among ordinary Pakistanis. The book "The Line of Control: Travelling with the Indian and Pakistani Armies" attempts to whitewash Pakistan's atrocities and normalise its terrorist actions.

The Line of Control: Travelling with the Indian and Pakistani Armies (Review)

About The Book

The Line Of Control: Travelling with the Indian and Pakistani Armies is a non-fictional book by Happymon Jacob. The book written by an "esteemed" writer, is a cacophony of bizarre ideas of an academician.      

I will try to explain how this book is one of the worst nightmares for any genuine book reader. Any reader who's not perturbed about the writer's credentials or the review posted on it by two "prominent lawmakers" of India will be dismayed.

Why Is the Book Branded Propaganda?

It seems the writer himself is confused about what made him write this useless book. It could be the lost privilege that such "intellectuals" of India enjoyed in erstwhile regimes. People who considered themselves essential, are now on the sideline, causing pain and anguish, which is perceptible.      

The second reason seems to be the itch to showcase the critical "contacts" such people have developed across the border, which he boasted repeatedly. The third and essential reason is to continue with the "agenda" of a lobby in India that is determined to hurt the Indian interests for multiple reasons.

Why Waste Time On Fallacies?

What amazes me is, the book with 200 pages has only "pakoras and chai" of Pakistan as an achievement till page 93. It is so ridiculously dull that one doesn't mind, the JNU professor subtly telling us to be more receptive to the Pakistanis when they visit India. The only thing the "esteemed" author forgets to understand is, we Indians are tired of this bigoted radical next-door neighbour. The "pakoras and chai" can't obscure the cruel intentions of Pakistanis that professor enjoys.         

The author shamelessly boasts that the Pakis invited him and cleared his visit at the highest level after reading his articles on the Indian government. Abusing India, Hindus, Hindu civilization is an excellent rewarding job and perfected by few in the garb of "FOE".

Summary

Finally, I can convincingly say that this book is complete garbage, a waste of energy and time. It is neither a travelogue nor any thriller to enjoy. In the end a despicable attempt by an idiot to tarnish Indian government through his silly effort.  

Image courtesy: Google Images

Based on Romain Puertolas' novel, the film follows an Indian street magician on an extraordinary voyage to Paris in quest of his father.

 The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir

If movies are supposed to take you on a whimsical journey, then you are in for a surprise with a beautifully executed simple story of 'The extraordinary journey of the Fakir'. The storyline and the flow act as glue and binds you to your place.  The remarkable performance of Fakir aka Dhanush is intoxicating and makes you wonder, what confines him to South movies? Aren't we short of 'actors/performers' in Bollywood?

The 109-minute movie depicts Dhanush's life moments starting from his poverty-ridden yet funny childhood to becoming a street performer busy with tricks to dupe foreigners. As the story progresses, Dhanush's main ambition in life - travel to Paris and visit the IKEA store and Eiffel tower to search for his father came to the fore. As the luck favours the protagonist, We are taken on a joy ride full of adventures with a touch of global problems sprinkled in-between to make it intriguing.

'The extraordinary journey of the Fakir' is one roller coaster ride with light-hearted moments. A fun-filled entertaining story with beautiful life moments perfectly weaved to give a magical emotional touch, you will be submerged into. A simple story with brilliant narration makes the movie a pleasurable and relaxing experience. 

Images courtesy- Google

Barbarika, also known as Khatu Shyam, is a Hindu divinity who is revered throughout the country. He was one of the fortunate few to witness Lord Krishna in his heavenly glory on the battlefield of Kurukshetra

Barbarika - The Greatest Warrior

One of the amazing stories of a warrior in "Mahabharata" that I have come across is that of Barbarika. Few individuals are aware of his existence. In reality, if he had been permitted to participate in the great war of "Mahabharata" to demonstrate his skill, things may have turned out quite differently.

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According to legend, Barbarik is Bheema's grandson and Ghatotkacha's son. He held three invincible arrows bestowed upon him by Lord Shiva, which might have finished the warfare in moments.

Barbarika's Word to His Mother

As the story develops, Barbarika promises his mother that he would back the weaker side to ensure its victory. This means that he had no prior allegiance to either side, in other words, he was non-committal. This disturbed Lord Krishna since he had the ability to affect the result of the fight.

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Lord Krishna discloses to him the true cost of his participation on the losing side. Krishna warns him that any side he supports will simply render the other side weak owing to his might, since no one will be able to beat him. As a result, he would be obligated to back the opposing side, which has gotten weaker as a result of his promise to his mother.

Due of his pledge, he will continue to fluctuate between the two sides in a real war scenario. This was risky since it meant destroying both sides' armies until just him survived. As a result, because he will be the single survivor, neither side wins. This prompted Krishna to implore that Barbarika refrain from taking part in the war by demanding his head in charity, which he readily accepts.

Barbarika's Account of the Mahabharata War

Before beheading himself, Barbarika told Krishna how much he wanted to see the next war and asked him to make it happen. Krishna consented and positioned the head atop a hill overlooking the battleground. The head of Barbarika witnessed the entire conflict from the mountaintop till the conclusion.

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Following the combat, the triumphant Pandava brothers disputed about who was to credit for their victory. Krishna proposed that Barbarika's head, which had witnessed the entire conflict, be permitted to judge.

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Krishna, according to Barbarika's head, was solely responsible for the triumph. "All I could see were two objects," Barbarika responds. One was a heavenly chakra that spun throughout the battlefield, killing everybody who was not on Dharma's side. The other was Goddess Mahakali, who stretched her tongue over the battlefield and devoured all sinners as her sacrifice."

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As the Pandavas discover this, they realise that it was Lord Narayan and Goddess Mahamaya who genuinely cleansed the universe of Adharma, and the Pandavas were only tools.

 

Barbarika As Deity

Barbarika had won a blessing from Krishna that he would be revered and recognised by Krishna's own name (Shyam) during the Kaliyuga era. Krishna had said that Barbarika's worshippers will be benefited just by saying his name aloud from the bottom of their hearts. If people worship Shyamji (Barbarika) with sincere devotion, their desires would be granted and their worries will be gone. He is known as "KhatuShyam ji" and is revered in Sikar, Rajasthan.

Image Courtesy: https://detechter.com/warrior-ended-mahabharata-war-minute/

http://www.astrosaathi.com/battle-of-kurukshetra-could-have-ended-in-a-minute-1483959088.html

https://www.myguru.in/The-KhatuShyam-Barbareek.htm 

Online shopping is both easy and fun. To get the best bargains, however, it is necessary to check and compare the costs of items before picking where to buy.

 How to Shop Smartly Online?

The increasing penetration of the internet and the ease to shop from home has led to exponential growth in online shopping. Moreover, the e-commerce sites provide a level playing field to all entrepreneurs and connect them directly to potential buyers. The platform is mutually beneficial to both the retailers and the consumers. However, online shopping has its own demerits.

An unsuspecting consumer is an easy prey for smart retailers who may dupe them with expensive good. Hence, it is prudent to follow specific steps that can help consumers to save money while doing online shopping. 

What are the different steps to shop online smartly?

A handful of tips that can make you a smart online shopper are :

1) Track prices
On E-commerce sites, the prices of the products are continually changing. Based on different analogies, the prices of goods vary. Even on the same day, the costs can change multiple times. It is therefore essential to keep track of the prices of the products you want to purchase. Nowadays, e-commerce sites send email alerts during the sale or any other promotional event. You can register yourself on e-commerce websites and get the benefit of email marketing.

You can also create an account and receive alerts during a sale or can use websites like savelist and camelcamelcamel  to track the prices of goods. By monitoring the prices, you can purchase the products at the discount prices. 

2) Use Cashback or Reward shopping sites
Certain websites help consumers get cashback or discount on their online purchase. These sites offer discount coupons and help consumers save money. A consumer should create an account on these sites to avail the offers. Some of these sites are: 

• Ebates
• Wikibuy
• Earny 
• Swagbucks
• Bitwalking
• Fronto
• Mobee
• Mypoints 

Checking for reward coupons or cashback is one of the easiest and simple way to drive a bargain while purchasing goods online.

3) Search on promo codes sites

In case of failure to get any bargain from discount coupon sites, a consumer can also check for promo codes on different sites such as:

• Retailmenot.com
• Groupon.com
• Coupons.com

This is one way of getting the goods at a bargain and become a smart shopper. 

4) Compare products across different e-commerce sites
Before making a purchase, it is essential to check all the options available on various e-commerce sites. Apart from the prices, there are some other things a consumer should dwell on, such as:

• Return policy
• Easy instalments
• Warranties
• Shipping chargesDate and time of delivery

By comparing the goods on various sites, a consumer can drive a bargain and also strike a deal that is best suited to his requirement. There are certain price-comparison websites like mysimon or bizrate that help consumers to compare goods prices and take the decisions accordingly. 

5)  Search goods on Google 

Before purchasing any item, type its name in Google, and you get a comparable price chart of the product available on different e-commerce sites. Another website that can make your work simple is priceblink . This is another way to shop smartly online. 

Shop Smartly
Online shopping is secure and fun if you abide by the rules and take smart steps to drive the best bargain. You will feel good about your decisions; however, for getting the best deals online, you need to go that extra mile and learn the tricks to become a smart shopper. 

Image courtesy - Google images

Protein insufficiency affects about 1 billion individuals globally and is rare in the industrialised world. Insufficient protein consumption leads to a variety of health complications, including muscle loss and an increased risk of bone fracture, among others.

9 Hidden Signs of Protein Deficiency

What are Proteins?

Proteins are the large molecules, building blocks of tissues that are required by our body to perform various functions. Proteins are generally required for : 

Cells require protein to produce enzymes and hormones. 

Protein helps in the healing of body tissues.

It helps in blood clotting.

It makes the immune system strong.

Protein plays a vital role in the absorption of essential nutrients in our body.

It is the foundation of your hair, body muscles, and skin.

It helps in transporting oxygen.

In an emergency (due to low carbohydrate), protein also provides energy to the body. 

How Much Protein is Required? 

The body's protein requirement is based on various factors such as age, gender, and physical activity of an individual. Since protein is required to perform different metabolic functions, the protein requirement varies for every individual. However, according to RDA(Recommended Dietary Allowance), adults need .8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight every day.

Look Out for Nine Hidden Signs of Protein Deficiency

Doctors prescribe a balanced diet with an adequate quantity of protein for healthy living. Protein deficiency has significant health hazards for individuals. The following nine hidden signs of protein deficiency should never be overlooked :

1)  Weak Immune system  

Deficiency of protein results in a weak immune system. As a result of protein deficiency, an individual falls sick very frequently.

2)  Changes in your skin, hair, and nails

Brittle nails, dry skin, hair loss, and dull hair are also signs of protein deficiency.  

3)  Your body healing suffers.  

Proteins help repair and rebuild new cells and tissues in our bodies—the deficiency of protein results in the body's slow healing process.

4)  Bones fracture easily

   Your body needs a sufficient quantity of protein to build muscles and increase bone density. The deficiency of protein results in muscle wasting and increases the threat of bone fracture.

5)  Loss of concentration 

Lack of concentration or difficulty focusing on things and problems in retaining information also indicates protein deficiency. Proteins are required for the proper functioning of neurotransmitters in your brain. The lack of protein thus results in poor concentration.

6)  Difficulty in sleeping 

Protein is required to create neurotransmitters like serotonin that regulates the sleep cycle. The deficiency of protein causes serotonin deficiency leading to insomnia.  

7)  Mood swings and depression 

Mood controlling neurotransmitters such as dopamine are synthesized by protein. These compounds, when available in less quantity due to protein deficiency results in mood swings or depression.

8)  Loss of stamina or fatigue 

Protein intake facilitates the absorption of vital nutrients such as iron in our body. With a low nutrient intake body, stamina suffers adversely. A person feels fatigued quickly, another hidden sign of protein deficiency.

9)  Unexplained hunger 

The protein-rich diet reduces ghrelin levels, a hormone responsible for stimulating hunger. Thus protein deficiency can lead to increased sugar cravings and body weight gain.

What Are The Diseases Caused Due To The Deficiency of Protein?  

Two major diseases caused due to protein deficiency are-

1)  Kwashiorkor - Some common symptoms of kwashiorkor are :

Ø Edema

Ø Failure of growth

Ø Moon face

Ø Skin and hair changes

Ø Irritable behaviour

2)  Marasmus -  Some common symptoms of Marasmus are:

Ø Muscle wasting

Ø Failure to thrive

Ø Growth failure

Ø Different kind of infections

Both the diseases caused due to deficiency of protein intake is frequently detected among poor young children in developing nations.

How big is the problem of protein deficiency in India?

According to the recent studies conducted by IDA (Indian Dietetic Association), the protein consumption among Indians is deficient. Studies further elaborated that nearly 84% population in the country are protein deficient. Moreover, inferior health muscle is prevalent among 71% of Indians. The problem of protein deficiency is found in both urban and rural India.

How is Protein Deficiency Detected?

The deficiency of protein in the body can be easily detected through blood tests. Test to determine the level of protein in the blood is called the total protein test. By identifying the level of two proteins, namely, albumin and globulin in the blood, protein deficiency can be ascertained.

What Are The Causes of Protein Deficiency? 

There are different causes of protein deficiency in the body. Some of these causes are discussed below.

1) The poor dietary choice is one of the prime reasons for protein deficiency. A large section of Indians are vegetarians that augment the problem of protein deficiency.

2) Liver and kidney disorders are also responsible for protein deficiency in the body.

3) Lack of awareness among the general population regarding the requirement of an adequate protein intake quantity is another major factor for protein deficiency.

4) Celiac disease can also lead to protein deficiency.

5) Inflammatory bowel disease is another cause of deficiency of protein in the body.  

Summary 

Protein is an essential nutrient for a healthy human body. The proteins are required to perform various normal body functions; hence protein deficiency may result in health impairment. Therefore, it is advisable to consume sufficient protein quantity in our daily diet to remain healthy.