The 21st World Cup is here and there cannot be a better opening game for the hosts Russia as they thrashed hapless Saudi Arabia 5-0 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Not since 1950, has an opening game of the World Cup finished with such an imposing scoreline.&nbsp;

Since the inception of the World Cup back in the 1930s, there have been some notable trends in goals scored.&nbsp;

The first games of the inaugural World Cup in Uruguay had set the tone for the tournament. Eight goals were scored as France beat Mexico 4-1 and the USA saw off Belgium 3-0 on the opening day.

Champions Uruguay smashed in 15 goals in four games en route to becoming the first world champions, including a 6-1 victory over Yugoslavia in the semi-finals.&nbsp;

The tournament finished without a single draw, a ratio of 3.89 goals per game and with an average winning margin of 2.7 goals.

The next four editions of the tournament - Italy 1934, France 1938, Brazil 1950 and Switzerland 1954 - saw even more goals with averages of 4.1, 4.67, 4 and a whopping 5.38 per game respectively.

However, the number of goals scored per game at the Word Cups since 1958, has declined more or less consistently and now hovers around the 2 mark.

The last game which saw the average cross 3 mark was in 1958 in Sweden.

The following World Cups in Chile 1962, England 1966, Mexico 1970 and the others were limited to 2.78, 2.78 and 2.97 respectively.

Even the South Africa World cup in 2010 and Brazil 2014 saw the average land at 2.23 and 2.7 respectively.

If goals were the sole measure of excitement, one could rightly claim that World Cups were better in the good old days.

Germany has scored more goals than any other side – 224 in 106 matches.

The difference for the teams that follow is notable as Brazil has scored 221 goals in 104 appearances, while Argentina has notched 131 in just 77 matches.&nbsp;

Italy netted 128 times in 83 games and France come in fifth with 106 goals in just 59 games.

Games are undeniably tighter these days, with weaker teams able to put up more of a defensive fight than in the past.

And based on the opener's result, it won't be a big surprise if the teams bring back the good old average number of goals scored per game, this football tournament.&nbsp; &nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ZMCL)

Hosts Russia thrashed hapless Saudi Arabia 5-0 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow yesterday

The 21st World Cup is here and there cannot be a better opening game for the hosts Russia as they thrashed hapless Saudi Arabia 5-0 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Not since 1950, has an opening game of the World Cup finished with such an imposing scoreline. Since the inception of the World Cup back in the 1930s, there have been some notable trends in goals scored. The first games of the inaugural World Cup in Uruguay had set the tone for the tournament. Eight goals were scored as France beat Mexico 4-1 and the USA saw off Belgium 3-0 on the opening day. Champions Uruguay smashed in 15 goals in four games en route to becoming the first world champions, including a 6-1 victory over Yugoslavia in the semi-finals. The tournament finished without a single draw, a ratio of 3.89 goals per game and with an average winning margin of 2.7 goals. The next four editions of the tournament - Italy 1934, France 1938, Brazil 1950 and Switzerland 1954 - saw even more goals with averages of 4.1, 4.67, 4 and a whopping 5.38 per game respectively. However, the number of goals scored per game at the Word Cups since 1958, has declined more or less consistently and now hovers around the 2 mark. The last game which saw the average cross 3 mark was in 1958 in Sweden. The following World Cups in Chile 1962, England 1966, Mexico 1970 and the others were limited to 2.78, 2.78 and 2.97 respectively. Even the South Africa World cup in 2010 and Brazil 2014 saw the average land at 2.23 and 2.7 respectively. If goals were the sole measure of excitement, one could rightly claim that World Cups were better in the good old days. Germany has scored more goals than any other side – 224 in 106 matches. The difference for the teams that follow is notable as Brazil has scored 221 goals in 104 appearances, while Argentina has notched 131 in just 77 matches. Italy netted 128 times in 83 games and France come in fifth with 106 goals in just 59 games. Games are undeniably tighter these days, with weaker teams able to put up more of a defensive fight than in the past. And based on the opener's result, it won't be a big surprise if the teams bring back the good old average number of goals scored per game, this football tournament. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why goals have dried up in modern football

It will be a 'last-ball six' for Hyderabad as they will rise above expectations to beat the lion 'Chennai and will seize the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 trophy.

The two teams lock horns today for the fourth time in the eleventh edition but Hyderabad are a completely revived opponent.&nbsp;

The team posses nonpareil bowlers to defend low totals. Have registered nine-wicket wins on two occasions and consistent skipper Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan’s brilliance is the 'cherry on the cake'.

Chennai's strength stands in its batting which was depleted by Hyderabad bowlers in Qualifier 1.

The Afghan tweaker delivered an absolute beauty to clean bowled Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Faf du Plessis, who is touted as the architect of Chennai's win, became ineffectual.&nbsp;

Despite his half-century knock, he was failing to take the 'Yellow Brigade' to the victory side and it was Shradul Thakur's 'lucky shots' which brought Chennai back to the game.&nbsp;

If analysed, the shots were the free runs a team gets in any match.

Another advantage which Hyderabad has today is 'Wankhede'. Shikhar Dhawan is well aware with the ground and its conditions which adds depth to the batting line.&nbsp;He has played many splendid innings here to register a win for his team.

However, today's game won't be a cakewalk, as it will require special efforts from Kane Williamson side to stop the Chennai juggernaut and snatch the food (trophy) from lion's mouth.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The two teams lock horns today for the fourth time in this season

It will be a 'last-ball six' for Hyderabad as they will rise above expectations to beat the lion 'Chennai and will seize the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 trophy. The two teams lock horns today for the fourth time in the eleventh edition but Hyderabad are a completely revived opponent. The team posses nonpareil bowlers to defend low totals. Have registered nine-wicket wins on two occasions and consistent skipper Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan’s brilliance is the 'cherry on the cake'. Chennai's strength stands in its batting which was depleted by Hyderabad bowlers in Qualifier 1. The Afghan tweaker delivered an absolute beauty to clean bowled Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Faf du Plessis, who is touted as the architect of Chennai's win, became ineffectual. Despite his half-century knock, he was failing to take the 'Yellow Brigade' to the victory side and it was Shradul Thakur's 'lucky shots' which brought Chennai back to the game. If analysed, the shots were the free runs a team gets in any match. Another advantage which Hyderabad has today is 'Wankhede'. Shikhar Dhawan is well aware with the ground and its conditions which adds depth to the batting line. He has played many splendid innings here to register a win for his team. However, today's game won't be a cakewalk, as it will require special efforts from Kane Williamson side to stop the Chennai juggernaut and snatch the food (trophy) from lion's mouth. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why Hyderabad will have their hands on glistening IPL 2018 trophy

There are more bad moments than good in a cricket match but what differentiates the two is how well and soon you make a comeback.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) enters its last week, the first qualifier will be played between the two best teams of the seasons, Hyderabad and Chennai. &nbsp; 
Both are the top two teams on points table following the conclusion of the league stage and it grants them two shots to make it to the final.

The winner today will stay in Mumbai while the loser goes to Kolkata, with the hope of making it back to Wankhede.

The intriguing fact of the game today are the skippers - Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kane Williamson. The qualifier 1 is not just limited to these two names, it is more than that.

It is ‘best defenders vs best chasers’. &nbsp;

However, the chasers have been inconsistent in comparison to the defenders, and this is exactly what makes them a week team today.&nbsp; And the worst part, Hyderabad know it.

Dhoni-led Chennai which returned to the fray after serving out a two-year suspension, started its campaign by registering one-wicket win against defending champions Mumbai.

However, the credit goes to a single player - Dwayne Bravo. His 30-ball 68 was the only reason why the 'Yellow Brigade' won. &nbsp;

With openers falling cheaply the middle and lower order failed to provide any momentum and gave away their wickets. And this problem still exists when they enter the qualifiers today.

Whenever Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu have fallen cheaply, Chennai’s middle-order hasn’t shown the ability to withstand the pressure and in the end has left too much for Dhoni to do on his own.

Though Suresh Raina has done well in patches, his strike rate hasn’t been great.&nbsp; Sam Billings, too, barring a match-winning knock against Kolkata, hasn’t had much of an impact.

Another problem which adds to Dhoni's woes is absence of a death-over specialist.

Dhoni is worried with his bowlers leaking too many runs in the last few overs. Lack of options has seen Dhoni handing over the ball to different bowlers. But as the tournament progressed Bravo came out to be better while others completely struggled.

Chennai’s worry list also includes senior players - Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja. Though both have done well in containing the opposition but haven’t impressed with the wickets.

In 14 games played, Jadeja clinched only 9 wickets and made just 86 runs, while Singh has 7 wickets to his name in 12 games and only 27 runs contribution. The best part about Chennai is they have never been dependent on a single batsman or bowler, but the inconsistency factor will be major trouble for the team. &nbsp;

But, no matter what happens today, the loser gets another opportunity in qualifier-2 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on May 25.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Today's game is ‘best defenders vs best chasers’

There are more bad moments than good in a cricket match but what differentiates the two is how well and soon you make a comeback. As the Indian Premier League (IPL) enters its last week, the first qualifier will be played between the two best teams of the seasons, Hyderabad and Chennai. Both are the top two teams on points table following the conclusion of the league stage and it grants them two shots to make it to the final. The winner today will stay in Mumbai while the loser goes to Kolkata, with the hope of making it back to Wankhede. The intriguing fact of the game today are the skippers - Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kane Williamson. The qualifier 1 is not just limited to these two names, it is more than that. It is ‘best defenders vs best chasers’. However, the chasers have been inconsistent in comparison to the defenders, and this is exactly what makes them a week team today. And the worst part, Hyderabad know it. Dhoni-led Chennai which returned to the fray after serving out a two-year suspension, started its campaign by registering one-wicket win against defending champions Mumbai. However, the credit goes to a single player - Dwayne Bravo. His 30-ball 68 was the only reason why the 'Yellow Brigade' won. With openers falling cheaply the middle and lower order failed to provide any momentum and gave away their wickets. And this problem still exists when they enter the qualifiers today. Whenever Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu have fallen cheaply, Chennai’s middle-order hasn’t shown the ability to withstand the pressure and in the end has left too much for Dhoni to do on his own. Though Suresh Raina has done well in patches, his strike rate hasn’t been great. Sam Billings, too, barring a match-winning knock against Kolkata, hasn’t had much of an impact. Another problem which adds to Dhoni's woes is absence of a death-over specialist. Dhoni is worried with his bowlers leaking too many runs in the last few overs. Lack of options has seen Dhoni handing over the ball to different bowlers. But as the tournament progressed Bravo came out to be better while others completely struggled. Chennai’s worry list also includes senior players - Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja. Though both have done well in containing the opposition but haven’t impressed with the wickets. In 14 games played, Jadeja clinched only 9 wickets and made just 86 runs, while Singh has 7 wickets to his name in 12 games and only 27 runs contribution. The best part about Chennai is they have never been dependent on a single batsman or bowler, but the inconsistency factor will be major trouble for the team. But, no matter what happens today, the loser gets another opportunity in qualifier-2 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on May 25. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why MS Dhoni-led Chennai will lose against Hyderabad in IPL Qualifier 1

Indian Premier League (IPL) is all about talent. Over the years it has become a platform for the young cricketers to display fearless and ruthless cricket to the world.&nbsp;Better the talent, the chance of players being selected for the national side are more.&nbsp;

Similarly, the eleventh edition of the IPL has witnessed some tremendous performances by players and have taken this league to a different level.&nbsp;

So, as the season approaches its business end, let's look at the top players who deserve to be promoted to the national team.&nbsp;

1. Ambati Rayudu&nbsp; 
Rayudu, is the most consistent performer for Chennai and his stats is a testament to that. He has scored 423 runs in just 10 games played. He is the first batsman to cross the 400-mark. The orange cap holder has performed at an average of 151.61 to top the list of highest run-getters of the season. Over the years, Rayudu has switched his batting slots and has matured when comes to shot selection, making him a suitable player for the Indian team.&nbsp;

2. Rishabh Pant 
The 20-year-old Delhiite, Pant has taken the IPL by storm with his ability to hit the ball. He cracked a blistering 69 against Rajasthan that gave Delhi a nervy four-run victory at home. He also played a match-winning knock against Mumbai where he scored 47 off just 25 balls. Pant hammered 85 off just 48 balls against Bangalore but couldn't get his team through on that occasion. In 10 games he has scored 393 runs at a strike rate of 173.12. &nbsp;In his innings, he has slammed 41 boundaries and 20 sixes. &nbsp;This score must have certainly impressed the selectors and could very well be in contention to join the Indian cricket brigade. &nbsp;

3. Prithvi Shaw: India's star captain in their successful U-19 World Cup campaign has set batting standards for experienced players in this year's IPL. He showcased his talent and ended up with scores of 94, 57 (not out), 40, 41 and 29. &nbsp;Shaw excels in playing on the front foot, with his cover drives being a joy to watch. His playing capabilities are often compared to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. In five matches, he has scored 205 runs, which includes two half-centuries. &nbsp; 
With 65 runs being his highest, he has a strike rate of 170.83. He will be a strong contender to open the batting for the Indian side.

4. Shreyas Iyer 
The newly-appointed Daredevils skipper showed his class on Friday in his very first match as captain. &nbsp;He played a blistering knock, scoring 93 runs off just 40 deliveries, having walked out to bat at No 3, and thus helped his side post a mammoth total on the board. He has reached the half-century mark four times in 10 games at an average of 149.36. But, the 21-year-old top-order batsman from missed out of the India team spot despite being one of the main reasons behind Mumbai’s Ranji triumph this year. Shreyas scored a whopping 1321 runs from 11 matches at an average of 73.38 and with a very impressive strike-rate of 92.70. He also smashed four centuries and seven fifties along with a brilliant double-hundred.&nbsp;

5. Shivam Mavi&nbsp; 
India rarely produces out-and-out fast bowlers, but Shivam Mavi proved in the U-19 World Cup that he could bowl regularly at 140 kph. Mavi performed consistently throughout the World Cup, notably taking 3-45 against Australia and 2-27 against Bangladesh. An opening bowler, Mavi was bought by the Kolkata in the IPL auction and went for a very high 3 crores. So far, he had a decent inning in IPL. In seven matches he has played, Mavi claimed just three wickets abut is surely expected to stand to his billing. Mavi's line and length makes him a perfect piece for the Indian side.

They have performed remarkably well in the eleventh edition of the Indian Prmier League

Indian Premier League (IPL) is all about talent. Over the years it has become a platform for the young cricketers to display fearless and ruthless cricket to the world. Better the talent, the chance of players being selected for the national side are more. Similarly, the eleventh edition of the IPL has witnessed some tremendous performances by players and have taken this league to a different level. So, as the season approaches its business end, let's look at the top players who deserve to be promoted to the national team. 1. Ambati Rayudu Rayudu, is the most consistent performer for Chennai and his stats is a testament to that. He has scored 423 runs in just 10 games played. He is the first batsman to cross the 400-mark. The orange cap holder has performed at an average of 151.61 to top the list of highest run-getters of the season. Over the years, Rayudu has switched his batting slots and has matured when comes to shot selection, making him a suitable player for the Indian team. 2. Rishabh Pant The 20-year-old Delhiite, Pant has taken the IPL by storm with his ability to hit the ball. He cracked a blistering 69 against Rajasthan that gave Delhi a nervy four-run victory at home. He also played a match-winning knock against Mumbai where he scored 47 off just 25 balls. Pant hammered 85 off just 48 balls against Bangalore but couldn't get his team through on that occasion. In 10 games he has scored 393 runs at a strike rate of 173.12. In his innings, he has slammed 41 boundaries and 20 sixes. This score must have certainly impressed the selectors and could very well be in contention to join the Indian cricket brigade. 3. Prithvi Shaw: India's star captain in their successful U-19 World Cup campaign has set batting standards for experienced players in this year's IPL. He showcased his talent and ended up with scores of 94, 57 (not out), 40, 41 and 29. Shaw excels in playing on the front foot, with his cover drives being a joy to watch. His playing capabilities are often compared to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. In five matches, he has scored 205 runs, which includes two half-centuries. With 65 runs being his highest, he has a strike rate of 170.83. He will be a strong contender to open the batting for the Indian side. 4. Shreyas Iyer The newly-appointed Daredevils skipper showed his class on Friday in his very first match as captain. He played a blistering knock, scoring 93 runs off just 40 deliveries, having walked out to bat at No 3, and thus helped his side post a mammoth total on the board. He has reached the half-century mark four times in 10 games at an average of 149.36. But, the 21-year-old top-order batsman from missed out of the India team spot despite being one of the main reasons behind Mumbai’s Ranji triumph this year. Shreyas scored a whopping 1321 runs from 11 matches at an average of 73.38 and with a very impressive strike-rate of 92.70. He also smashed four centuries and seven fifties along with a brilliant double-hundred. 5. Shivam Mavi India rarely produces out-and-out fast bowlers, but Shivam Mavi proved in the U-19 World Cup that he could bowl regularly at 140 kph. Mavi performed consistently throughout the World Cup, notably taking 3-45 against Australia and 2-27 against Bangladesh. An opening bowler, Mavi was bought by the Kolkata in the IPL auction and went for a very high 3 crores. So far, he had a decent inning in IPL. In seven matches he has played, Mavi claimed just three wickets abut is surely expected to stand to his billing. Mavi's line and length makes him a perfect piece for the Indian side.

IPL players who deserve a chance in Indian Cricket Team

In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra upheld that the &#39;fundamental right to life and dignity&#39; includes &#39;right to refuse treatment and die with dignity&#39;.

In three concurring opinions, the bench said the right to a dignified life extends up to the point of having a dignified death.

By allowing euthanasia and, at the same time, spelling out strict guidelines on how it is permissible, the apex court has walked a step further in recognizing the exact interpretation of &lsquo;right to live with human dignity&rsquo; mentioned in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.&nbsp;

However, for some, legalising euthanasia would mean to send a message to those contemplating suicide that life was not important.

So, what is it? Murder or mercy killing?

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/35226" target="_blank">Euthanasia and Aruna Shanbaug: The case that started it all</a>

In several other countries, the fundamental right to a meaningful existence also includes a person&#39;s choice to die without suffering.

A person can choose not to remain in a vegetative state on a life support system if a person goes into a state when it will not be possible to express their wishes.&nbsp;

A term which originated from the case of Aruna Ramachandra Shanbaug, who had been lying in a PVS in the KEM hospital Mumbai for 42 years.&nbsp;

But many may take up the advanced directive owing to the other environmental or community pressure, which is definitely not a suffering.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Therefore, it becomes important to differentiate and clearly understand what the SC meant by Euthanasia.

Passive euthanasia involves withholding or discontinuing treatment for a terminally ill person whereas active euthanasia involves injecting a lethal dose to a terminally ill person.&nbsp;

And active euthanasia is banned in India.

The outcome of the Passive euthanasia is a progressive and humane verdict that lays down a broad legal framework for protecting the dignity of a terminally ill patient or one in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) with no hope of cure or recovery.&nbsp;

In other words, it is about accelerating the process of death for reducing the period of suffering of a terminally ill person, who has no chance of practical recovery.&nbsp; &nbsp;

What is the point of burdening a dying patient with life-prolonging treatment and equipment just because medical technology has advanced?&nbsp;

Doing so would be destructive of his or her dignity.

And therefore in such a situation, individual interest has to be given priority over the state interest.

And this is exactly what Supreme Court allowed.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

The SC said the right to a dignified life extends up to the point of having a dignified death

In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra upheld that the 'fundamental right to life and dignity' includes 'right to refuse treatment and die with dignity'. In three concurring opinions, the bench said the right to a dignified life extends up to the point of having a dignified death. By allowing euthanasia and, at the same time, spelling out strict guidelines on how it is permissible, the apex court has walked a step further in recognizing the exact interpretation of ‘right to live with human dignity’ mentioned in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. However, for some, legalising euthanasia would mean to send a message to those contemplating suicide that life was not important. So, what is it? Murder or mercy killing? Also read: Euthanasia and Aruna Shanbaug: The case that started it all In several other countries, the fundamental right to a meaningful existence also includes a person's choice to die without suffering. A person can choose not to remain in a vegetative state on a life support system if a person goes into a state when it will not be possible to express their wishes. A term which originated from the case of Aruna Ramachandra Shanbaug, who had been lying in a PVS in the KEM hospital Mumbai for 42 years. But many may take up the advanced directive owing to the other environmental or community pressure, which is definitely not a suffering. Therefore, it becomes important to differentiate and clearly understand what the SC meant by Euthanasia. Passive euthanasia involves withholding or discontinuing treatment for a terminally ill person whereas active euthanasia involves injecting a lethal dose to a terminally ill person. And active euthanasia is banned in India. The outcome of the Passive euthanasia is a progressive and humane verdict that lays down a broad legal framework for protecting the dignity of a terminally ill patient or one in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) with no hope of cure or recovery. In other words, it is about accelerating the process of death for reducing the period of suffering of a terminally ill person, who has no chance of practical recovery. What is the point of burdening a dying patient with life-prolonging treatment and equipment just because medical technology has advanced? Doing so would be destructive of his or her dignity. And therefore in such a situation, individual interest has to be given priority over the state interest. And this is exactly what Supreme Court allowed. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Euthanasia - dignified death to a dignified life

The Indian government wants only electric vehicles to ply on its roads by 2030 as part of its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the global agreement on climate change

The move also serves as a path of government&#39;s vision to reduce spending on oil imports, which, according to an estimate, could double to an annual $300 billion by that year.

However, the path is riddled with challenges, albeit among several opportunities.

A hybrid vehicle is one which utilises more than one form of onboard energy to achieve propulsion.&nbsp;

In practice, that means a hybrid will have a traditional internal-combustion engine and a fuel tank, as well as one or more electric motors and a battery pack.

Hybrid cars are sometimes mistakenly confused with electric vehicles.&nbsp;

Hybrids are most often gasoline-burning machines that utilize their electric bits to collect and reuse energy that normally goes to waste in standard cars.&nbsp;

Theoretically, diesel-electric hybrids would be even more fuel-efficient, but hybrid systems and diesel engines both represent extra cost.&nbsp;

So far, installing both in the same vehicle has proven to be prohibitively expensive.

In comparison to the American market, buyers of plug-in hybrids benefit from a tax credit ranging between $2,500 and $7,500 depending on the size of the battery in the car, and a few states in the U.S provide additional benefits to electric car owners.&nbsp;

Whereas in the United Kingdom, the government provides a grant of up to 5,000 Great Britain Pound (GBP) on plug-in hybrids, alongside other benefits like exemption from congestion charges, etc.

The government is leapfrogging to an electric vehicles future when they have an alternative to Hybrid.&nbsp;

But then why India is discouraging hybrids?

Seeing the taxes levied by GST on hybrid cars, it seems to be discouraging car buyers from purchasing these green cars.

There are very few hybrids on sale in India right now, and all of them already sell in dismal numbers.&nbsp;

Honda sold only one unit of the Accord in April and none in May, last year.

Toyota sold only 113 units of the Camry in April and 119 in May, and it is safe to assume that the Hybrid variants of the Camry would have clocked just single-digit sales.&nbsp;

With the high tax rates being levied on these Hybrids now, sales can only be expected to go down.

While most countries slowly climb the ladder of green mobility by promoting hybrids first, then plug-in hybrids, and finally all-electric cars, it seems like the Indian government is thinking futuristically, or maybe leapfrogging to electric cars.

The government&#39;s 2030 aim is indeed a good plan for the environment but on the whole, it definitely is over-ambitious when one considers our market size and requirement.

The country lacks the required infrastructure for electric cars,&nbsp; which will take them more years than promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The move also serves as a path of government's vision to reduce spending on oil imports

The Indian government wants only electric vehicles to ply on its roads by 2030 as part of its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the global agreement on climate change The move also serves as a path of government's vision to reduce spending on oil imports, which, according to an estimate, could double to an annual $300 billion by that year. However, the path is riddled with challenges, albeit among several opportunities. A hybrid vehicle is one which utilises more than one form of onboard energy to achieve propulsion. In practice, that means a hybrid will have a traditional internal-combustion engine and a fuel tank, as well as one or more electric motors and a battery pack. Hybrid cars are sometimes mistakenly confused with electric vehicles. Hybrids are most often gasoline-burning machines that utilize their electric bits to collect and reuse energy that normally goes to waste in standard cars. Theoretically, diesel-electric hybrids would be even more fuel-efficient, but hybrid systems and diesel engines both represent extra cost. So far, installing both in the same vehicle has proven to be prohibitively expensive. In comparison to the American market, buyers of plug-in hybrids benefit from a tax credit ranging between $2,500 and $7,500 depending on the size of the battery in the car, and a few states in the U.S provide additional benefits to electric car owners. Whereas in the United Kingdom, the government provides a grant of up to 5,000 Great Britain Pound (GBP) on plug-in hybrids, alongside other benefits like exemption from congestion charges, etc. The government is leapfrogging to an electric vehicles future when they have an alternative to Hybrid. But then why India is discouraging hybrids? Seeing the taxes levied by GST on hybrid cars, it seems to be discouraging car buyers from purchasing these green cars. There are very few hybrids on sale in India right now, and all of them already sell in dismal numbers. Honda sold only one unit of the Accord in April and none in May, last year. Toyota sold only 113 units of the Camry in April and 119 in May, and it is safe to assume that the Hybrid variants of the Camry would have clocked just single-digit sales. With the high tax rates being levied on these Hybrids now, sales can only be expected to go down. While most countries slowly climb the ladder of green mobility by promoting hybrids first, then plug-in hybrids, and finally all-electric cars, it seems like the Indian government is thinking futuristically, or maybe leapfrogging to electric cars. The government's 2030 aim is indeed a good plan for the environment but on the whole, it definitely is over-ambitious when one considers our market size and requirement. The country lacks the required infrastructure for electric cars, which will take them more years than promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India leapfrogging to electric cars despite hybrid alternative

&quot;Vaise to hu mai sakth launda, par 14th February ko pigal jata hu,&quot; my feelings on being excluded from the love club on the year&rsquo;s most romantic day, Valentine&#39;s Day.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

If you&#39;re single, the option left is to be at home, scoff a whole can of Pringles with some liquor and collapse in a heap.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

But trust me, inside, nobody wants it to be like this.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Who would mind to hang out or dine with a beautiful girl or a handsome man of their age? Hold each other&#39;s hands and have a real conversation, discussing their future or telling them how much they value to each other.

&nbsp;

But the point is is it so important to have a partner and for what. Need to give it a thought.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In the past few years what I have realised is &#39;it pays to be single&#39;.

&nbsp;

The realisation is further perceived when people keep on asking why don&#39;t find someone and get in love.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The statement seems similar to buying food from market, &quot;bhaiya 2 kg pyaar karne wala partner dena.&quot;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Even the bouncers standing at the any club&#39;s gate refuse to give you an entry. And the worst part is that &#39;no entry&#39; board is only for boys.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

On V-day, if you roam around without a girl, you are considered a lonely man and that lonely man if tries to get into a Restro Bar, just to have a drink or to have a nice meal, is assumed to be a stalker by some.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The bouncer&#39;s decision of not giving entry is as firm as Amitabh Bachchan&#39;s dialogue in movie Pink, &#39;no means no&#39;.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

And the only reason they have to give you is its Valentine&#39;s Day special.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Their answer is equal to rubbing salt on one&rsquo;s wound because the only thing he wants you to know is &#39;no woman means no entry.&#39;

&nbsp;

Imagine you are going to a foreign location for a holiday with all bags packed and when you arrive at the airport you realise you forgot your passport.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Another thing is, over the years having a Boyfriend or a Girlfriend is no more related to emotions but a trend being followed blindly.

&nbsp;

The world, especially the younger generation, is accustomed to settling with anything, just to say they have something.&nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Sometimes it does hurt, not being single but of the fact, that will such people ever understand the real meaning of &#39;love&#39;.

&nbsp;

Many of them won&#39;t be knowing why exactly Valentine&#39;s Day is celebrated.&nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Another trend the people have adopted is to end the relationship if not happy.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The &#39;not being happy&#39; part isn&#39;t related to any sort of torture or harassment but they get irritated over little things, a clear sign of how week the acceptance level among people is right now.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It is so obvious, that as two people get to know each other more, problems start to accept their imperfect side. And that is exactly what being in love is, accepting the person the way he or she is.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

But they prefer to part ways by ending things on a so-called good note than sitting and discussing the problems in order to make it work.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

And in a world like such, it takes a strong person to remain single.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

There is wait and patience to find my kind of a person than settling for anything and later regretting it.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

There is wait and patience to find my kind of a person than settling for anything and later regretting it.

"Vaise to hu mai sakth launda, par 14th February ko pigal jata hu," my feelings on being excluded from the love club on the year’s most romantic day, Valentine's Day. If you're single, the option left is to be at home, scoff a whole can of Pringles with some liquor and collapse in a heap. But trust me, inside, nobody wants it to be like this. Who would mind to hang out or dine with a beautiful girl or a handsome man of their age? Hold each other's hands and have a real conversation, discussing their future or telling them how much they value to each other. But the point is is it so important to have a partner and for what. Need to give it a thought. In the past few years what I have realised is 'it pays to be single'. The realisation is further perceived when people keep on asking why don't find someone and get in love. The statement seems similar to buying food from market, "bhaiya 2 kg pyaar karne wala partner dena." Even the bouncers standing at the any club's gate refuse to give you an entry. And the worst part is that 'no entry' board is only for boys. On V-day, if you roam around without a girl, you are considered a lonely man and that lonely man if tries to get into a Restro Bar, just to have a drink or to have a nice meal, is assumed to be a stalker by some. The bouncer's decision of not giving entry is as firm as Amitabh Bachchan's dialogue in movie Pink, 'no means no'. And the only reason they have to give you is its Valentine's Day special. Their answer is equal to rubbing salt on one’s wound because the only thing he wants you to know is 'no woman means no entry.' Imagine you are going to a foreign location for a holiday with all bags packed and when you arrive at the airport you realise you forgot your passport. Another thing is, over the years having a Boyfriend or a Girlfriend is no more related to emotions but a trend being followed blindly. The world, especially the younger generation, is accustomed to settling with anything, just to say they have something. Sometimes it does hurt, not being single but of the fact, that will such people ever understand the real meaning of 'love'. Many of them won't be knowing why exactly Valentine's Day is celebrated. Another trend the people have adopted is to end the relationship if not happy. The 'not being happy' part isn't related to any sort of torture or harassment but they get irritated over little things, a clear sign of how week the acceptance level among people is right now. It is so obvious, that as two people get to know each other more, problems start to accept their imperfect side. And that is exactly what being in love is, accepting the person the way he or she is. But they prefer to part ways by ending things on a so-called good note than sitting and discussing the problems in order to make it work. And in a world like such, it takes a strong person to remain single. There is wait and patience to find my kind of a person than settling for anything and later regretting it. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: It pays to be single on Valentine's Day

&ldquo;Auto Expo is set to take place around 7th February. I have mailed you the link for the Expo&rsquo;s accreditation; fill it as early as possible,&rdquo; were the words of my editor, leaving me stunned.&nbsp;

I tried to contain my excitement and with all my strength I went up to him saying, sir, I have never covered any automobile event before. Moreover, I doubt I will be able to do it as per your expectations.

The only thing he said to me was, &ldquo;There is always a first time.&rdquo;

It wasn&rsquo;t that I had never heard this phrase before, but the confidence he expressed in me was almost similar to a hard blow to the head, with my inner voice firmly saying, let&rsquo;s do it.

The date arrived and with all my equipment I entered the India Expo mart in Greater Noida to cover the biggest automotive event of the country.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The bi-annual Auto Expo pulls in international manufacturers vying to capture the Indian market, said to be one of the fastest growing automobile markets in the world.

Among the things that attracted me on the first day of the expo was unveiling of a concept car by market leader Maruti.

The &#39;Future S&#39; was not just eye-catchy but also one of a kind, and I said to myself &#39;let&#39;s book this car&#39;, forgetting it&rsquo;s just a concept and letting the novice in me run amok.

I was jolted out of my dream by my colleague who reminded me that we have to cover many launch events. Hyundai, Honda, BMW, Mahindra, Tata and Toyota - almost every company had lined up their concept vehicles at the expo.

Soon, the attraction turned into love as every single concept displayed at the expo was worthy of attention.

The major display at the expo was of Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. which unveiled six electric vehicles, including a three-wheeler. And to cover it, the media gathering was uncountable.

From shutterbugs to video cameras, everybody was trying to get a close shot of the unveiling concepts. Amongst them was I, trying to cover it from my phone.

I realised how competitive the industry is. Every single person was in a rush to cover it first. To send it first to their organisation and then ever body can run in as their exclusives.

I was pushed many times while I was clicking pictures but the difference was I kept silent while some raised their voice at others.

I also realised that during such moments, nobody actually cares for the other person standing beside him. What matters is how good your shots are.

Mahindra and Mahindra was a major attraction but it was the most unorganised event. They had six cars put up at different locations, and every time one unveiling finished, the media had to run and set their equipment again to cover the next concept.

Another reason why media used to run after every concluded event was to get their press kits or, in simpler words, the &lsquo;free gifts&rsquo; brand offers to journalists.

People standing with dull faces, looking tired and almost exhausted were suddenly charged with some unknown energy to grab these kits. Some even left their cameras behind to get it, making me think is this the reason why they came here?

I preferred to stop thinking over it as there were many other events still left to cover.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The excitement surrounding the Expo took another level after celebrities added to the glamour at the Auto Expo 2018.

Tata was briefing the audience about its H5X concept and its future roadmap when Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar made a blazing entry on top of the new compact truck &lsquo;Intra&rsquo; launched by Tata Motors.

The situation went haywire with many breaking the boundary line to catch a glimpse and click pictures of the &#39;Khiladi Kumar&#39;. Forgetting the consequences, I followed the same path and pushed my way through the crowd, finally managing to reach at a point to click his photographs.&nbsp;

Was just done with 4-5 pictures and a notification appeared on my phone, informing that my phone&rsquo;s battery had exhausted.

Left with no option, I requested and pleaded to executives standing at reception to help me get my phone charge but all in vain. I wasn&rsquo;t worried about Akshay anymore as I had few pictures but it was the upcoming events that haunted me.

After a half-an-hour of zero battery, I managed to get a socket to charge my phone.

With 50% battery, I covered events of BMW, Toyota and Mahindra.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The other celebrities that added glamour included Sachin Tendulkar, who unveiled BMW&rsquo;s sedan M5, first-ever BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo at the Auto Expo 2018.

Shah Rukh Khan too unveiled &#39;Swachh Can&#39;, a portable bin for users of Hyundai cars. It was launched under Hyundai Motor India Limited&#39;s &#39;Swachh Move&#39; that supports Modi&#39;s cleanliness campaign

Sonakshi Sinha along with popular Indian car designer Dilip Chhabria showcased DC&#39;s new TCA Sportcase.

Cricketer Gautam Gambhir and former Indian Test captain Mohammad Azharuddin also arrived to add charm at the expo.

&nbsp;Given that top brands such as Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Ford, Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover and Fiat Chrysler chose to give the event a skip meant that it was really up to the others to try and hold things together.

However, the same levels of energy were not present on the second day even while the Expo opens its gates to the public till February 14.

The fizz was just not there this time around, which was particularly odd for a country tipped to be the automobile powerhouse of the future after China and the US.

But for a first-timer like me, Auto Expo 2018 was phenomenal.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp;

I realised how competitive the industry is. Every single person was in a rush to cover it first. To send it first to their organisation and then ever body can run in as their exclusives.

“Auto Expo is set to take place around 7th February. I have mailed you the link for the Expo’s accreditation; fill it as early as possible,” were the words of my editor, leaving me stunned. I tried to contain my excitement and with all my strength I went up to him saying, sir, I have never covered any automobile event before. Moreover, I doubt I will be able to do it as per your expectations. The only thing he said to me was, “There is always a first time.” It wasn’t that I had never heard this phrase before, but the confidence he expressed in me was almost similar to a hard blow to the head, with my inner voice firmly saying, let’s do it. The date arrived and with all my equipment I entered the India Expo mart in Greater Noida to cover the biggest automotive event of the country. The bi-annual Auto Expo pulls in international manufacturers vying to capture the Indian market, said to be one of the fastest growing automobile markets in the world. Among the things that attracted me on the first day of the expo was unveiling of a concept car by market leader Maruti. The 'Future S' was not just eye-catchy but also one of a kind, and I said to myself 'let's book this car', forgetting it’s just a concept and letting the novice in me run amok. I was jolted out of my dream by my colleague who reminded me that we have to cover many launch events. Hyundai, Honda, BMW, Mahindra, Tata and Toyota - almost every company had lined up their concept vehicles at the expo. Soon, the attraction turned into love as every single concept displayed at the expo was worthy of attention. The major display at the expo was of Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. which unveiled six electric vehicles, including a three-wheeler. And to cover it, the media gathering was uncountable. From shutterbugs to video cameras, everybody was trying to get a close shot of the unveiling concepts. Amongst them was I, trying to cover it from my phone. I realised how competitive the industry is. Every single person was in a rush to cover it first. To send it first to their organisation and then ever body can run in as their exclusives. I was pushed many times while I was clicking pictures but the difference was I kept silent while some raised their voice at others. I also realised that during such moments, nobody actually cares for the other person standing beside him. What matters is how good your shots are. Mahindra and Mahindra was a major attraction but it was the most unorganised event. They had six cars put up at different locations, and every time one unveiling finished, the media had to run and set their equipment again to cover the next concept. Another reason why media used to run after every concluded event was to get their press kits or, in simpler words, the ‘free gifts’ brand offers to journalists. People standing with dull faces, looking tired and almost exhausted were suddenly charged with some unknown energy to grab these kits. Some even left their cameras behind to get it, making me think is this the reason why they came here? I preferred to stop thinking over it as there were many other events still left to cover. The excitement surrounding the Expo took another level after celebrities added to the glamour at the Auto Expo 2018. Tata was briefing the audience about its H5X concept and its future roadmap when Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar made a blazing entry on top of the new compact truck ‘Intra’ launched by Tata Motors. The situation went haywire with many breaking the boundary line to catch a glimpse and click pictures of the 'Khiladi Kumar'. Forgetting the consequences, I followed the same path and pushed my way through the crowd, finally managing to reach at a point to click his photographs. Was just done with 4-5 pictures and a notification appeared on my phone, informing that my phone’s battery had exhausted. Left with no option, I requested and pleaded to executives standing at reception to help me get my phone charge but all in vain. I wasn’t worried about Akshay anymore as I had few pictures but it was the upcoming events that haunted me. After a half-an-hour of zero battery, I managed to get a socket to charge my phone. With 50% battery, I covered events of BMW, Toyota and Mahindra. The other celebrities that added glamour included Sachin Tendulkar, who unveiled BMW’s sedan M5, first-ever BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo at the Auto Expo 2018. Shah Rukh Khan too unveiled 'Swachh Can', a portable bin for users of Hyundai cars. It was launched under Hyundai Motor India Limited's 'Swachh Move' that supports Modi's cleanliness campaign Sonakshi Sinha along with popular Indian car designer Dilip Chhabria showcased DC's new TCA Sportcase. Cricketer Gautam Gambhir and former Indian Test captain Mohammad Azharuddin also arrived to add charm at the expo. Given that top brands such as Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Ford, Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover and Fiat Chrysler chose to give the event a skip meant that it was really up to the others to try and hold things together. However, the same levels of energy were not present on the second day even while the Expo opens its gates to the public till February 14. The fizz was just not there this time around, which was particularly odd for a country tipped to be the automobile powerhouse of the future after China and the US. But for a first-timer like me, Auto Expo 2018 was phenomenal. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: My first experience of covering Auto Expo was phenomenal

Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL), the number two passenger vehicle company in India, has said it is aligned to the government&#39;s philosophy of all-electric vehicles in the country and claimed it will launch its first commercial all-electric vehicle a year before Maruti.

&quot;At Hyundai, we are very very conscious about our responsibility towards the country. That&#39;s why we have unveiled our first mass-produced electric vehicle, the Ioniq, at the Auto Expo today. We are ready for the technology, Ioniq is being sold in various countries. We are very sure that when the government&#39;s framework is ready, we will be the first company to launch the mass-produced electric vehicles in India,&quot; Puneet Anand, Marketing GM, Hyundai India, told WION.

&quot;We will be one year ahead of Maruti. We have already announced that by 2019, Hyundai will be launching an electric vehicle in India,&quot; he added.

Anand, however, said the onus is now on the government to expedite the process of going fully electric by 2030.

&quot;It&#39;s a very ambitious target, and we thank the government for taking this initiative. But at the same time, we have to look at the infrastructure and challenges, because it&#39;s a very big country. Looking at all these factors, I think the adoption of electric vehicles will be slow, but we will always be ready for that,&quot; Anand said.

The South Korean automaker today launched a new version of its premium compact hatchback <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/auto-expo-2018-hyundai-motor-india-unveils-all-new-elite-i20-for-for-rs-534-lakh-32070">Elite i20</a> priced between Rs 5.34 lakh and Rs 9.15 lakh.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/auto-expo-2018-next-generation-honda-amaze-unveiled-32059">Also Read: Next generation Honda Amaze unveiled</a>

The company has already announced its plans to invest over US $1 billion (around Rs 6,300 crore) in India in the next three years on new products, development of powertrain and setting up of a new office building.

The company plans to launch an electric vehicle next year and is also gearing up for the possible comeback of its popular model Santro around Diwali this year. 
HMIL has lined up nine products to be introduced between 2018 and 2020.

The company, which is completing 20 years in the Indian market, sold 6.78 lakh units last year in the country with a market share of around 16.5 per cent in the passenger vehicle segment.

Anand, however, said the onus is now on the government to expedite the process of going fully electric by 2030.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL), the number two passenger vehicle company in India, has said it is aligned to the government's philosophy of all-electric vehicles in the country and claimed it will launch its first commercial all-electric vehicle a year before Maruti. "At Hyundai, we are very very conscious about our responsibility towards the country. That's why we have unveiled our first mass-produced electric vehicle, the Ioniq, at the Auto Expo today. We are ready for the technology, Ioniq is being sold in various countries. We are very sure that when the government's framework is ready, we will be the first company to launch the mass-produced electric vehicles in India," Puneet Anand, Marketing GM, Hyundai India, told WION. "We will be one year ahead of Maruti. We have already announced that by 2019, Hyundai will be launching an electric vehicle in India," he added. Anand, however, said the onus is now on the government to expedite the process of going fully electric by 2030. "It's a very ambitious target, and we thank the government for taking this initiative. But at the same time, we have to look at the infrastructure and challenges, because it's a very big country. Looking at all these factors, I think the adoption of electric vehicles will be slow, but we will always be ready for that," Anand said. The South Korean automaker today launched a new version of its premium compact hatchback Elite i20 priced between Rs 5.34 lakh and Rs 9.15 lakh. Also Read: Next generation Honda Amaze unveiled The company has already announced its plans to invest over US $1 billion (around Rs 6,300 crore) in India in the next three years on new products, development of powertrain and setting up of a new office building. The company plans to launch an electric vehicle next year and is also gearing up for the possible comeback of its popular model Santro around Diwali this year. HMIL has lined up nine products to be introduced between 2018 and 2020. The company, which is completing 20 years in the Indian market, sold 6.78 lakh units last year in the country with a market share of around 16.5 per cent in the passenger vehicle segment.

Auto Expo 2018: Hyundai says will launch electric vehicle '1 year ahead of Maruti'

In an exclusive chat <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/auto-expo-2018-hyundai-motor-india-unveils-all-new-elite-i20-for-for-rs-534-lakh-32070">RS Kalsi</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/auto-expo-2018-hyundai-motor-india-unveils-all-new-elite-i20-for-for-rs-534-lakh-32070">, senior director marketing</a> and sales of Maruti Suzuki India spoke to WION about&nbsp;the&nbsp;Concept Future-S, SUVs and the future of electric cars in India at the Auto Expo in Delhi.

Q: Congratulations for coming up with the Concept Future-S, so when can we expect the model to be on sale?

Ans: Thank you, well I must tell you, worldwide this same principle is followed. First, the concept car is launched then the feedback from the customer is sought and then the working model is put in place. We have already initiated the process...

The idea of doing this was that customer preference is moving towards SUVs and SUV-like models. It is a revolutionary concept, for the first time in a sub-compact category we are giving SUV-like features.

<a href="http://http://www.wionews.com/india-news/auto-expo-2018-maruti-suzuki-unveils-conceptfutures-compact-car-concept-32056">Also See:&nbsp;Maruti Suzuki unveils Concept Future-S compact car concept</a>

Q: What about the competition?

Ans: A leader has multiple responsibilities, one of them is to expand the market and the other is to raise the bar - we have nobody else to look up to since we are the leader, we continuously seek to lead and have a customer-centric approach.

We are not driven by competition, we are driven by the customers. India is a young country and it has many aspirations, so we have to keep the interest of the youth in mind.

Q: What kind of business do you think the&nbsp;Future-S will be able to generate?

A: It is too early to predict at this stage but I am sure it will become a category leader and create excitement in the market...

Q: What about mileage and price, since India is a very price conscious market...&nbsp;

A: It is in Maruti&#39;s DNA to produce products keeping the customers in mind, we produce fuel-efficient cars at a price which is very comfortably priced and we will continue to move in that direction.

Q: It is also believed that it may cost more, is it true?

A: It is too premature to talk about the price. However, our intent is to keep it competitive&nbsp;

Q: Are there any chances that the design may change?

A: There would certainly be some design refinements since it would be&nbsp;based on customer feedback.

Q: What about Maruti&#39;s electric car strategy?

A: Our electric car plan is already in place, we intend to launch it in 2020.&nbsp;

Q: Do you think government&#39;s 2030 deadline of converting all cars into electric is possible?

A: The government&#39;s plan is flexible. However, as I see it, a strong hybrid is an attempt towards moving in the &quot;full electric&quot; direction. It also reduces emissions, it is a total package which we&nbsp;hope to offer in the future. It will also be environment-friendly...

Q: Do you think we are ready...&nbsp;

A: There is always a cost involved, we need to take the first step, unless we don&#39;t go in that direction we will never be able to get there.... 
&nbsp;

The idea of doing this was that customer preference is moving towards SUVs and SUV-like models, Kalsi said.

In an exclusive chat RS Kalsi, senior director marketing and sales of Maruti Suzuki India spoke to WION about the Concept Future-S, SUVs and the future of electric cars in India at the Auto Expo in Delhi. Q: Congratulations for coming up with the Concept Future-S, so when can we expect the model to be on sale? Ans: Thank you, well I must tell you, worldwide this same principle is followed. First, the concept car is launched then the feedback from the customer is sought and then the working model is put in place. We have already initiated the process... The idea of doing this was that customer preference is moving towards SUVs and SUV-like models. It is a revolutionary concept, for the first time in a sub-compact category we are giving SUV-like features. Also See: Maruti Suzuki unveils Concept Future-S compact car concept Q: What about the competition? Ans: A leader has multiple responsibilities, one of them is to expand the market and the other is to raise the bar - we have nobody else to look up to since we are the leader, we continuously seek to lead and have a customer-centric approach. We are not driven by competition, we are driven by the customers. India is a young country and it has many aspirations, so we have to keep the interest of the youth in mind. Q: What kind of business do you think the Future-S will be able to generate? A: It is too early to predict at this stage but I am sure it will become a category leader and create excitement in the market... Q: What about mileage and price, since India is a very price conscious market... A: It is in Maruti's DNA to produce products keeping the customers in mind, we produce fuel-efficient cars at a price which is very comfortably priced and we will continue to move in that direction. Q: It is also believed that it may cost more, is it true? A: It is too premature to talk about the price. However, our intent is to keep it competitive Q: Are there any chances that the design may change? A: There would certainly be some design refinements since it would be based on customer feedback. Q: What about Maruti's electric car strategy? A: Our electric car plan is already in place, we intend to launch it in 2020. Q: Do you think government's 2030 deadline of converting all cars into electric is possible? A: The government's plan is flexible. However, as I see it, a strong hybrid is an attempt towards moving in the "full electric" direction. It also reduces emissions, it is a total package which we hope to offer in the future. It will also be environment-friendly... Q: Do you think we are ready... A: There is always a cost involved, we need to take the first step, unless we don't go in that direction we will never be able to get there....

Concept Future-S offers revolutionary SUV-like features: Maruti's RS Kalsi at Auto Expo

Two times Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday left the auction room with the least number of players in a squad for the upcoming XIth season.

The franchise invested all its money on young talents, which from the outside looks favourable but may turn out to be critical for one of the best performing teams.&nbsp;

Starting with its retention policy, KKR surprisingly went with Sunil Narine for Rs 12.5 cr and Andre Russell for Rs 8.5 cr, leaving its captain Gautam Gambhir, who led the team to great heights in all its previous seasons.&nbsp;

Gambhir had spent 7 years with the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise and, according to reports, he himself wished not to be retained, owing to some undisclosed challenge. &nbsp;

The southpaw was later&nbsp;purchased by Delhi Daredevils at Rs 2.8 crore. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
His departure is the most crucial gap which KKR failed to fill.

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<h5>KKR came with Rs 59 crore and emptied the purse on just 19 cricketers, with six players ending up as millionaires</h5>
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During the two days of the auction, KKR had bid for several marquee players including Mitchell Starc (9.4 cr) and Chris Lynn (9.6 cr) but overlooked the leadership figure which other 7 franchises had it on top. &nbsp;

KKR came with Rs 59 crore and emptied the purse on just 19 cricketers, with six players ending up as millionaires.

The best buy of the team was Chris Lynn, who needs no introduction as when in-form he is a one-man army.&nbsp;

However, they didn&#39;t pick any of the popular candidates for the skipper&#39;s job in the auction as they didn&#39;t have enough money to spend on it.&nbsp;

Kolkata invested a lot in young uncapped talent, with India U-19 stars Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi making their way to the franchise.

Apart from the two speedsters, KKR also bought U-19 top-order batsman Shubman Gill who scored three fifties in four matches at the U-19 World Cup.

There are other two visible areas in which the team is lacking.&nbsp;

One is the absence of a current Indian fast bowler in the line-up, a role that was fulfilled by Umesh Yadav in the previous seasons.&nbsp;

Second, the lack of an experienced Indian middle-order batsman has also not gone unnoticed.

All in all, the team bidders made some insane selections, which may harm the team&#39;s performance, particularly in absence of a leader to lead to the young squad.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

The franchise invested all its money on young talents

Two times Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday left the auction room with the least number of players in a squad for the upcoming XIth season. The franchise invested all its money on young talents, which from the outside looks favourable but may turn out to be critical for one of the best performing teams. Starting with its retention policy, KKR surprisingly went with Sunil Narine for Rs 12.5 cr and Andre Russell for Rs 8.5 cr, leaving its captain Gautam Gambhir, who led the team to great heights in all its previous seasons. Gambhir had spent 7 years with the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise and, according to reports, he himself wished not to be retained, owing to some undisclosed challenge. The southpaw was later purchased by Delhi Daredevils at Rs 2.8 crore. His departure is the most crucial gap which KKR failed to fill. KKR came with Rs 59 crore and emptied the purse on just 19 cricketers, with six players ending up as millionaires × During the two days of the auction, KKR had bid for several marquee players including Mitchell Starc (9.4 cr) and Chris Lynn (9.6 cr) but overlooked the leadership figure which other 7 franchises had it on top. KKR came with Rs 59 crore and emptied the purse on just 19 cricketers, with six players ending up as millionaires. The best buy of the team was Chris Lynn, who needs no introduction as when in-form he is a one-man army. However, they didn't pick any of the popular candidates for the skipper's job in the auction as they didn't have enough money to spend on it. Kolkata invested a lot in young uncapped talent, with India U-19 stars Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi making their way to the franchise. Apart from the two speedsters, KKR also bought U-19 top-order batsman Shubman Gill who scored three fifties in four matches at the U-19 World Cup. There are other two visible areas in which the team is lacking. One is the absence of a current Indian fast bowler in the line-up, a role that was fulfilled by Umesh Yadav in the previous seasons. Second, the lack of an experienced Indian middle-order batsman has also not gone unnoticed. All in all, the team bidders made some insane selections, which may harm the team's performance, particularly in absence of a leader to lead to the young squad. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: KKR fails to fill Gautam Gambhir's shoes at IPL auction

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Jhalak Nagpal

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Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.