Stupendous Start-Ups : Amit Mishra's Uniting Earth

Gone are the days when career options used to come with limited scope in traditional strata. Nowadays, the Young India loves to explore beyond boundaries and challenge their limits. They welcome the risks of new ventures, work out on the strategies and emerge as winners.

Amit Mishra, with his venture “Uniting Earth”, is the new face in this league. The idea of giving new spectrum to Journalism was the reason behind its conception. He along with his team defines new age Journalism in a very artistic way. Whole functioning of “Uniting Earth” itself displays their zeal towards their goal as the team mates haven’t even met in reality but their operations never face any miscommunications.

Team “Uniting Earth” comprises enthusiastic young bloods who hail from different locations of our country giving true meaning to their venture.

Amit Mishra is the chairman of “Uniting Earth”. He is an alumnus of St. Xavier’s School, Sahibganj. He is also the co-founder & Partner (Operations) of Financial Freedom (A Partnership Firm), which renders services on Financial Matters. With years of studies & experience in overall management at different levels he stepped in at St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata for his Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication & Public Relations. While he had completed only half the course, he decided to launch his venture, i.e; Uniting Earth.

Prerna Daga is the co-founder & Chief Editor of Uniting Earth. Education carved out an engineer of her but passion fastened her with the wings to quit mundane hours and pilot her dreams to be an editor. She has volunteered with Feeding India, a social organization working to establish a hunger-free nation. She has a long list of writings which have been published at various platforms. She is alongside pursuing her Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication & Public Relations from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata.

Kriti Dhara is the Associate Editor of Uniting Earth. Having graduated from management stream and with a wish to fly higher, she chose the field of Journalism to fulfill her dreams. She has worked in the Public Relations Department of a famous daily Newspaper. She then got admitted in St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata to pursue in Mass Communication & Public Relations. She is also going to change the news reporting pattern that has been followed for years in the world.

Isha Sharma is the Editor & overall in-charge for Hindi section of Uniting Earth. She is a bilingual writer and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) from Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad (Uttar Pardesh). She has a passion for writing and her articles are published on various Online & Offline media houses/publications. She has also been editor for different Organisations. In 2015, she was awarded “Aagman Yuva Pratibha Sammaan” by Aagman group in Greater Noida.

Adrija Shrivastav is handling the HR department of Uniting Earth. Although a novice in this area, she has the mental ability and tact in dealing with people intelligently and em-pathetically. Been an active social service volunteer since school days and also interned with IIM-C on a project to help reach out to the unprivileged children by providing free education. She has also interned with an advertising agency for a short period of time. Being a Xaverian for the past 18 years and counting, she takes pride in having a moral sense to discriminate between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, ‘just’ & ‘unjust’ and that’s where the quality of a true HR professional lies.

These beautiful young souls create a perfect harmony in operating their venture. They mostly communicate via phone calls and emails. For the comfort of operations for this Proprietary Firm which is registered under the “Udyog Adhar”, they have divided team in two groups. Isha, Kriti and Prerna are in the First group which supervises the Core Activity including Editing and Publishing. Adrija and Amit manage all other activities. Any disputes or difference of opinion is handled and settled mutually considering the opinion of the person’s expertise in the area.

Amit Mishra, the chairman of “Uniting Earth” agreed to share few words.

     Q - What is it in journalism that attracts you so much?

Amit - According to me, “It’s better to be unique than trying to be perfect”. Journalism gives this option. Unlike all other career development paths, Journalists can convey to the world in their own way, whatever they feel, think & analyse. These days Journalists act as perfect Opinion Leaders for the masses. Being hungry for knowledge, I will also get the privilege to information, people & places easily.

      Q - What in "Uniting Earth" makes it unique?

Amit - We wish we will be able to Unite the people on the Earth into one family, i.e; Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (वसुधैवकुटुम्बकम), as in Maha Upanishad. Uniting earth is a start up with young blood, college going students, who will write & report based on facts and at this age anyone gives the most in their workplace. These days, print & electronic media are being replaced by social/new media and we wish to work totally on them. We are virtually connected & from the very beginning we are getting writers from international locations. We wish to keep the writing open for everyone, from every location and on variant of topics starting from World Updates, National Updates, Political articles, Government (State & Central) Plans & Programmes, Business, Science & Technology, Social Affairs, Environment, Spirituality, Lifestyle, Health & Education, Food & Recipes and anything to everything you can imagine of. The writer’s content will be published only when the editorial team deems it to be fit.

      Q- Do you think it is easy to convert your hobby into job especially in India?

Amit -  Answering on personal level, I love any work in which I become responsible and I get an opportunity to act as a leader. So, my work is generally my hobby.

Answering on a mass level, yes if one wishes and gives his/her best during the college & initial days of job, hobby can be converted to job in India too. Love what you do, and it becomes easy going.

      Q- What challenges you are facing in your venture?

Amit - To be very honest, since we are open from anything to everything and still very new, major challenges are yet to come. However, the number of people in the team will increase, and that has to be managed efficiently, and hope it to be easy as the communication channel (via internet) has become so smooth these days. The biggest challenge, which we are considering is trying to reach our article to maximum number of readers.

     Q- Your message to our readers.

Amit - Uniting Earth – In Search of Truth, as the name suggest, we will always provide true & fair information. We also wish the world attains our Objective, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, i.e. the attributes of an individual who has attained the highest level of spiritual progress. We make the option available to the readers, to join our Family of Writers by getting in touch with the HR Manager (hr@unitingearth.com). We wish to keep our contents crisp, true & related to the headline of the article. Also wish, you remain tuned to our website, i.e. www.unitingearth.com.

Good Luck to Amit and his team for their venture!

RBI Notification : Everything answered on Withdrawal of Legal Tender Character of the existing Bank Notes in the denominations of ` 500/- and ` 1000/- [Anne. 4]

1. Why is this scheme introduced? 

The incidence of fake Indian currency notes in higher denomination has increased. For ordinary persons, the fake notes look similar to genuine notes, even though no security feature has been copied. The fake notes are used for antinational and illegal activities. High denomination notes have been misused by terrorists and for hoarding black money. India remains a cash based economy hence the circulation of Fake Indian Currency Notes continues to be a menace. In order to contain the rising incidence of fake notes and black money, the scheme to withdraw has been introduced. 

2. What is this scheme? 

The legal tender character of the existing bank notes in denominations of ₹ 500 and ₹ 1000 issued by the Reserve bank of India till November 8, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as Specified Bank Notes) stands withdrawn. In consequence thereof these Bank Notes cannot be used for transacting business and/or store of value for future usage. These Bank Notes can be exchanged for value at any of the 19 offices of the Reserve Bank of India or at any of the bank branches or at any Head Post Office or Sub-Post Office. 

3. How much value will I get? 

You will get value for the entire volume of notes tendered at the bank branches / RBI offices. 

4. Can I get all in cash? 

No. You will get upto ₹ 4000 per person in cash irrespective of the size of tender and anything over and above that will be receivable by way of credit to bank account. 

5. Why I cannot get the entire amount in cash when I have surrendered everything in cash? 

The Scheme does not provide for it, given its objectives. 

6. ₹ 4000 cash is insufficient for my need. What to do? 

You can use balances in bank accounts to pay for other requirements by cheque or through electronic means of payments such as Internet banking, mobile wallets, IMPS, credit/debit cards etc. 

7. What if I don’t have any bank account? 

You can always open a bank account by approaching a bank branch with necessary documents required for fulfilling the KYC requirements. 

8. What if, if I have only JDY account? 

A JDY account holder can avail the exchange facility subject to the caps and other laid down limits in accord with norms and procedures. 

9. Where can I go to exchange the notes? 

The exchange facility is available at all Issue Offices of RBI and branches of commercial banks/RRBS/UCBs/State Co-op banks or at any Head Post Office or Sub-Post Office. 

10. Need I go to my bank branch only? 

For exchange upto 4000 in cash you may go to any bank branch with valid identity proof. For exchange over 4000, which will be accorded through credit to Bank account only, you may go to the branch where you have an account or to any other branch of the same bank. In case you want to go to a branch of any other bank where you are not maintaining an account, you will have to furnish valid identity proof and bank account details required for electronic fund transfer to your account. 

11. Can I go to any branch of my bank? 

Yes you can go to any branch of your bank. 

12. Can I go to any branch of any other bank? 

Yes, you can go to any branch of any other bank. In that case you have to furnish valid identity proof for exchange in cash; both valid identity proof and bank account details will be required for electronic fund transfer in case the amount to be exchanged exceeds ₹ 4000. 

13. I have no account but my relative / friend has an account, can I get my notes exchanged into that account? 

Yes, you can do that if the account holder relative/friend etc. gives you permission in writing. While exchanging, you should provide to the bank, evidence of permission given by the account holder and your valid identity proof. 

14. Should I go to bank personally or can I send the notes through my representative? 

Personal visit to the branch is preferable. In case it is not possible for you to visit the branch you may send your representative with an express mandate i.e. a written authorisation. The representative should produce authority letter and his / her valid identity proof while tendering the notes. 

15. Can I withdraw from ATM? 

It may take a while for the banks to recalibrate their ATMs. Once the ATMs are functional, you can withdraw from ATMs upto a maximum of ₹ 2,000/- per card per day upto 18th November, 2016. The limit will be raised to ₹ 4000/- per day per card from 19th November 2016 onwards. 

16. Can I withdraw cash against cheque? 

Yes, you can withdraw cash against withdrawal slip or cheque subject to ceiling of ₹ 10,000/- in a day within an overall limit of ₹ 20,000/- in a week (including withdrawals from ATMs) upto 24th November 2016, after which these limits shall be reviewed. 

17. Can I deposit Specified Bank Notes through ATMs, Cash Deposit Machine or cash Recycler? 

Yes, Specified Bank Notes can be deposited in Cash Deposits machines / Cash Recyclers. 

18. Can I make use of electronic (NEFT/RTGS /IMPS/ Internet Banking / Mobile banking etc.) mode? 

You can use NEFT/RTGS/IMPS/Internet Banking/Mobile Banking or any other electronic/ non-cash mode of payment. 

19. How much time do I have to exchange the notes? 

The scheme closes on 30th December 2016. The Specified banknotes can be exchanged at branches of commercial banks, Regional Rural Banks, Urban Cooperative banks, State Cooperative Banks and RBI till 30th December 2016. For those who are unable to exchange their Specified Bank Notes on or before December 30, 2016, an opportunity will be given to them to do so at specified offices of the RBI, along with necessary documentation as may be specified by the Reserve Bank of India. 

20. I am right now not in India, what should I do? 

If you have Specified banknotes in India, you may authorise in writing enabling another person in India to deposit the notes into your bank account. The person so authorised has to come to the bank branch with the Specified banknotes, the authority letter given by you and a valid identity proof (Valid Identity proof is any of the following: Aadhaar Card, Driving License, Voter ID Card, Pass Port, NREGA Card, PAN Card, Identity Card Issued by Government Department, Public Sector Unit to its Staff) 

21. I am an NRI and hold NRO account, can the exchange value be deposited in my account? 

Yes, you can deposit the Specified banknotes to your NRO account. 

22. I am a foreign tourist, I have these notes. What should I do? 

You can purchase foreign exchange equivalent to ₹ 5000 using these Specified Bank Notes at airport exchange counters within 72 hours after the notification, provided you present proof of purchasing the Specified Bank Notes. 

23. I have emergency needs of cash (hospitalisation, travel, life saving medicines) then what I should do? 

You can use the Specified Bank Notes for paying for your hospitalisation charges at government hospitals, for purchasing bus tickets at government bus stands for travel by state government or state PSU buses, train tickets at railway stations, and air tickets at airports, within 72 hours after the notification. 

24. What is proof of identity? 

Valid Identity proof is any of the following: Aadhaar Card, Driving License, Voter ID Card, Pass Port, NREGA Card, PAN Card, Identity Card Issued by Government Department, Public Sector Unit to its Staff. 

25. Where can I get more information on this scheme? 

Further information is available at our website (www.rbi.org.in) and GoI website 

26. If I have a problem, whom should I approach? 

You may approach the control room of RBI by email or on Telephone Nos 022 22602201/022 22602944

[source - RBI]

RBI notification on withdrawal of Rs. 500/- and Rs.1000/- banknotes as legal tender : Annexures 2

RBI notification on withdrawal of Rs. 500/- and Rs.1000/- banknotes as legal tender

Annexure 2 -

Withdrawal of Legal Tender Character from existing series of Bank Notes in the denominations of ` 500 and ` 1000 - Salient features of the scheme 

1. In terms of Gazette Notification No 2652 dated November 08, 2016 issued by Government of India, existing series of banknotes in the denominations of ` 500/- and ` 1000/- issued by the Reserve Bank of India upto November 8, 2016, hereinafter referred to as Specified Bank Notes (SBN), shall cease to be legal tender in payment or on account at any place with effect from the 9th November, 2016. 

2. SBN held by a person other than a bank or Government Treasury may be exchanged at the 19 Issue Offices of the Reserve Bank of India and all branches of public sector banks, private sector banks, foreign banks, Regional Rural Banks, Urban Cooperative Banks and State Cooperative banks only upto and including December 30, 2016, on tender of the SBN subject to the following conditions: 

(a) SBN of aggregate value upto ` 4000 only held by a person can be exchanged by him/her at any bank branch or Issue Office of Reserve Bank of India for any other denomination of Banknotes, provided a Requisition Slip as per format prescribed in Annex-5 is presented with proof of identity (as indicated in Annex-5), along with the High Denomination Banknotes. 

(b) Where the aggregate value of the SBN tendered exceeds ` 4000, the equivalent value will be credited to the account of the tenderer maintained with the bank where the High Denomination Banknotes are tendered. The limit of ` 4000/- for exchanging SBN at bank branches or at Issue Offices of Reserve Bank of India will be reviewed after 15 days. 

(c) There will be not be any limit on the quantity or value of SBN to be credited to the account of the 

tenderer, maintained with the bank where the SBN are tendered. 10 

(d) The equivalent value of the SBN tendered can be credited to an account maintained by the tenderer at any bank in accordance with standard banking procedure and on production of valid proof of Identity. 

(e) The equivalent value of the SBN tendered can be credited to a third party account provided specific authorization therefor accorded by the said account holder is presented to the bank, following standard banking procedure and on production of valid proof of Identity of the person actually tendering. 

(f) In accounts where compliance with extant Know Your Customer (KYC) norms is not complete, a maximum value of ` 50,000/- of SBN can be deposited. 

(g) Cash Withdrawal from a bank account over the counter will be restricted to ` 10,000/- subject to an overall limit of ` 20,000/- in a week for the first fortnight. 

(h) There will be no restriction on the use of any non-cash method of operating the account which will include cheques, demand drafts, credit/debit cards, mobile wallets and electronic fund transfer mechanisms. 

(i) Withdrawal from ATMs would be restricted to ` 2,000/- per day per card up to November 18, 2016. The limit will be raised to ` 4,000/- per day per card from November 19, 2016 onwards. All ATMs will dispense ` 100 and/or ` 50 denomination Banknotes only until further instructions from RBI. 

(j) For those who are unable to exchange their SBN on or before December 30, 2016, an opportunity will be given to them to do so at specified offices of the RBI until a later date, along with necessary documentation as may be specified by the Reserve Bank of India.

[source - RBI]

RBI notification on withdrawal of Rs. 500/- and Rs.1000/- banknotes as legal tender

Withdrawal of Legal Tender Character of existing ₹ 500/- and ₹ 1000/- Bank Notes

In terms of Gazette Notification No 2652 dated November 08, 2016 issued by Government of India, ₹ 500 and ₹ 1000 denominations of Bank Notes of the existing series issued by Reserve Bank of India (hereinafter referred to as Specified Bank Notes) shall cease to be legal tender with effect from 9th November, 2016, to the extent specified in the Notification. A new series of Bank Notes called Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series having different size and design, highlighting the cultural heritage and scientific achievements of the country, will be issued. Bank branches will be the primary agencies through which the members of public and other entities will be exchanging the Specified Bank Notes for Bank Notes in other valid denominations or depositing the Specified Bank Notes for crediting to their accounts, upto and including the December 30, 2016. Therefore, banks have to accord highest priority to this work.

In order to enable the members of public and other entities to exchange their existing ₹ 500/- and ₹ 1000/- notes, the following arrangements have to be made by the banks.

2. Action to be taken on November 09, 2016

i) November 09, 2016 (Wednesday) shall be a non-business working day for all banks. However, branches will function on that day to carry out preparations for implementing the scheme as per this circular.

ii) The Specified Bank Notes stocked in ATMs, Cash Deposit Machines, Cash Recyclers, Coin Vending Machines, any other cash dispensing/receiving machine, CIT Companies and Business Correspondents attached to the branch will have to be called back forthwith. The sponsor banks of White Label ATMs will be responsible for recalling the Specified Bank Notes from the White Label ATMs sponsored by them.

iii) Banks should take steps to stop issuing Specified Bank Notes through their branches, business correspondents from November 9, 2016.

iv) All ATMs, Cash Deposit Machines, Cash Recyclers and any other machine used for receipt and payment of cash shall be shut on 9th and 10th November, 2016.

v) All ATMs and cash dispensing machines will have to be re-configured to disburse bank notes of ₹ 100/- and ₹ 50/- denominations prior to reactivation of the machines on 11th November, 2016; however banks should await separate instructions from Reserve Bank of India on issuing Mahatma Gandhi (New) series Notes through ATMs and cash dispensing machines though they can be issued over the counters from Nov 9, 2016.

vi) Every banking company defined under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and every Treasury shall complete and forward a return in the format specified in Annex-1 showing the details of the Specified Bank Notes held by it at the close of business as on 8th November 2016, not later than 13:00 hrs on November 10, 2016 to the concerned Regional Office of Reserve Bank of India under whose jurisdiction the Head office of the bank is located. The return should also include details of Specified Bank Notes recalled from ATMs, Cash Deposit Machines, Cash Recyclers, Coin Vending Machines, CIT Companies, Business Correspondents, etc.

vii) Arrangement should be made by the branches to promptly deposit these Specified Bank Notes with the linked currency chest / RBI and get the amount credited to their account.

viii) Branches should estimate their cash requirement and obtain from the linked / nearby currency chest /RBI Bank Notes of other valid denominations.

ix) Cash Deposits machines / Cash Recyclers should continue to accept Specified Bank Notes upto December 30, 2016.

x) Information Material for educating the public regarding withdrawal of Legal Tender character of the Specified Bank Notes (as per Annex-2) and salient features of the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series Bank Notes (Annex-3) are required to be printed/copied in adequate quantity and distributed to the public / displayed in the banking hall / ATM kiosks.

xi) Banks should identify the staff for managing the exchange counters and brief them properly about the scheme and the procedure to be followed. A copy of the FAQs provided in Annex-4 may be supplied to the staff manning the exchange counters.

xii) Banks should provide adequate number of note counting machines, UV Lamps, note sorting machines etc. at their counters to take care of the work load and timely detection of counterfeit notes. As already advised vide our circular No DCM (FNVD) No.1134/16.01.05/2016-17 dated October 27, 2016, the banking hall, public areas and counters should be under CCTV surveillance and recording should be preserved.

3. Action to be taken on November 10, 2016

a. Bank branches will commence normal operations on November 10, 2016.

b. Banks have to accord top priority to provide facility for exchanging / accepting deposits of Specified Bank Notes and open additional counters to meet the public demand and keep the counters open for extended ours, if necessary. Maximum staff should be deployed for this purpose. If necessary banks may consider hiring retired employees for a temporary period to take care of additional work load.

c. Provision of Exchange Facility:

The specified bank notes held by a person other than a banking company referred to in sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 1 or Government Treasury may be exchanged at any Issue Office of the Reserve Bank or any branch of public sector banks, private sector banks, foreign banks, Regional Rural Banks, Urban Cooperative Banks and State Cooperative Banks for a period up to and including the 30th December, 2016, subject to the following conditions, namely:—

(i) the specified bank notes of aggregate value of ₹ 4,000/- or below may be exchanged for any denomination of bank notes having legal tender character, with a requisition slip in the format specified by the Reserve Bank and proof of identity; the limit of ₹ 4,000/- for exchanging specified bank notes shall be reviewed after fifteen days from the date of commencement of this notification and appropriate orders may be issued, where necessary;

(iii) there shall not be any limit on the quantity or value of the specified bank notes to be credited to the account maintained with the bank by a person, where the specified bank notes are tendered; however, where compliance with extant Know Your Customer (KYC) norms is not complete in an account, the maximum value of specified bank notes as may be deposited shall be ₹ 50,000/-;

(iv) The equivalent value of specified bank notes tendered may be credited to an account maintained by the tenderer at any bank in accordance with standard banking procedure and on production of valid proof of Identity;

(v) the equivalent value of specified bank notes tendered may be credited to a third party account, provided specific authorisation therefor accorded by the third party is presented to the bank, following standard banking procedure and on production of valid proof of identity of the person actually tendering, as indicated in Annex-5;

(vi) cash withdrawal from a bank account over the counter shall be restricted to ₹ 10,000/- per day subject to an overall limit of ₹ 20,000/- a week from the date of the notification until the end of business hours on 24th November, 2016, after which these limits shall be reviewed;

(vii) there shall be no restriction on the use of any non-cash method of operating the account of a person including cheques, demand drafts, credit or debit cards, mobile wallets and electronic fund transfer mechanisms or the like;

(viii) withdrawal from Automatic Teller Machines (hereinafter referred to as ATMs) shall be restricted to ₹ 2,000 per day per card up to 18th November, 2016 and the limit shall be raised to ₹ 4,000 per day per card from 19th November, 2016;

(ix) any person who is unable to exchange or deposit the specified bank notes in their bank accounts on or before the 30th December, 2016, shall be given an opportunity to do so at specified offices of the Reserve Bank or such other facility until a later date as may be specified by it.

(x) Business Correspondents (BCs) may also be allowed to exchange Specified Bank Notes upto ₹ 4000/- per person as in the case of bank branches, against valid identity proof and requisition slip. For this purpose banks may, at their discretion, enhance the cash holding limits of BCs at least till December 30, 2016.

(xi) While crediting the value of Specified Bank Notes to Jan Dhan Yojna Accounts, the usual limits will apply mutatis mutandis.

4. Reporting Mechanism

Each bank branch exchanging Bank Notes in the denominations of ₹ 500/- and ₹ 1,000/- shall report at the close of business on each day starting from November 10, 2016 till the closure of the scheme on December 30, 2016 (or till any other date thereafter as may be advised by RBI) by email or Fax to their Controlling Office a statement as per Annex-6 showing the details of Specified Bank Notes exchanged by it and the respective Controlling Offices will aggregate these as per Annex-6A and report to the Department of Currency Management, RBI, Central Office by email on a daily basis.

5. Banks may issue detailed instructions to their branches advising them to strictly adhere to the norms of the scheme and procedures laid down above. The staff at the branch level, particularly the tellers, should be adequately sensitized. For this purpose, information as available at our website (www.rbi.org.in) and Government of India website may be used. Staff should familiarise themselves with the FAQs (as per Annex-4).

6. Banks should make copies of information material (As available at Annex-2, Annex-3 and Annex-4) and distribute these to the public.

7. Bank should issue instructions to BCs, ATM Switch Operators and CIT Companies on various aspects of the above scheme relevant to them.

8. Banks should monitor the implementation of the scheme on a day to day basis through a monitoring cell headed by an Officer not below the rank of a General Manager, who will act as a Nodal Officer. The Contact details of the Nodal officer will be reported to the concerned Regional Office of RBI, with a copy to RBI Central Office, Mumbai through email as indicated below.

9. RBI has opened a Control Room at its Central Office for monitoring the progress and providing guidance to banks and members of public. The email id and telephone numbers of the Control room are as under:

Email id: bankquery@rbi.org.in
Telephone No: 022 22602804 / 022 22602944

[source - RBI]