body {
    font-family: 'Celia', sans-serif;
}

:root {
    --primary-color: #0f1343;
    --secondary-color: #0f1343;
    --third-color: #0f1343;
    --text-color: #000;
    --clr: #fff;
}

/* Navbar */
#navbar {
    background: transparent;
    z-index: 999;
    transition: 0.4s;
}

#navbar.scrolled {
    background-color: var(--clr);
    box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
}

/* Logo */
.logo-img {
    height: 30px;
    width: auto;
}

/* Navbar links */
.navbar-nav .nav-link {
    color: var(--third-color);
    font-weight: 500;
    font-size: 17px;
    position: relative;
    transition: 0.3s;
}

/* Hover underline */
.navbar-nav .nav-link::after {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    width: 0%;
    height: 2px;
    bottom: 0;
    left: 0;
    background-color: var(--third-color);
    transition: 0.3s;
}

.navbar-nav .nav-link:hover::after {
    width: 100%;
}

/* Dropdown menu base */
.dropdown-menu {
    background: #fff;
    border: none;
    box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
    padding: 0.5rem 0;
}

/* Dropdown item */
.dropdown-item {
    color: var(--secondary-color);
    font-size: 16px;
    padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
    transition: 0.3s;
}

.dropdown-toggle{
   padding-top:5px ;
}

/* Dropdown submenu - instant open on hover */
.dropdown:hover>.dropdown-menu {
    display: block;
    opacity: 1;
    transition: none;

}



.dropdown-submenu:hover>.dropdown-menu {
    display: block;
    opacity: 1;
    transition: none;
}

.dropdown-item:hover {
    color: var(--clr);
    background-color: var(--secondary-color);
}

/* Nested submenu - desktop */
.dropdown-submenu {
    position: relative;
    min-width: 300px;

}


.dropdown-submenu>.dropdown-menu {
    display: none;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 100%;
    /* right side for nested menu */
    min-width: 380px;
}

.dropdown-submenu:hover>.dropdown-menu {
    display: block;
}

.dropdown-submenu>a::after {
    content: " ";
    /* arrow for desktop */
    float: right;
    margin-left: 5px;
}

/* Mobile/tablet view ≤768px */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .dropdown-menu {
        position: static !important;
        box-shadow: none;
        padding: 0.5rem 0;
        white-space: normal;
    }

    .captcha-box {
        transform: scale(0.6);
        transform-origin: 0 0;
        width: fit-content;
    }


    .dropdown-submenu>.dropdown-menu {
        display: none;
        position: relative !important;
        left: 0 !important;
        width: 100% !important;
        margin-left: 0;
        padding-left: 0.5rem;
        white-space: normal;
        word-break: break-word;
        box-sizing: border-box;


    }

    .dropdown-submenu.show>.dropdown-menu {
        display: block;
        /* show on click */
    }

    .dropdown-submenu>a::after {
        content: "";
        float: right;
        margin-left: 5px;
        /* down arrow on mobile */
    }

    .dropdown-item {
        padding-left: 1rem;
        font-size: 14px;
        white-space: normal;
        /* wrap long text */
    }

    .dropdown-submenu .dropdown-item {
        padding-left: 1.5rem;
        /* width: 200px; */
    }

}

/* Contact button-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
.main-button {
    position: relative;
    color: var(--third-color);
    border: 1px solid #303d8f !important;
    /* background-color: var(--secondary-color); */
    font-weight: 500;
    border-radius: 20px;
    font-size: 17px;
    padding: 6px 22px;
    overflow: hidden;
    transition: color 0.1s ease, border-color 0.1s ease;
    z-index: 1;
}

.main-button::before {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 50%;
    width: 0%;
    height: 100%;
    /* background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--secondary-color), var(--primary-color)); */
    background-color: var(--third-color);
    transition: all 0.4s ease;
    transform: translateX(-50%);
    z-index: -1;
}

.main-button:hover::before {
    width: 100%;
}

.main-button:hover {
    color: var(--clr);
    border-color: var(--third-color) !important;
}


/* all extra btn  css start------------------------------------------------------------- */

.second-button {
    position: relative;
    color: var(--third-color);
    /* border: 1px solid #444 !important; */
    border: 1px solid #303d8f !important;
    background-color: var(--clr);
    font-weight: 500;
    font-size: 17px;
    padding: 6px 22px;
    overflow: hidden;
    border-radius: 20px;
    /* transition: color 0.1s ease, border-color 0.1s ease; */
    z-index: 1;

}

.second-button::before {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 50%;
    width: 0%;
    height: 100%;
    border-color: var(--text-color);
    background-color: var(--text-color);
    transition: all 0.4s ease;
    transform: translateX(-50%);
    z-index: -1;
}

.second-button:hover::before {
    width: 100%;
}

.second-button:hover {
    color: var(--clr);
    border-color: var(--text-color);
}

.button-container {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: center;
    /* Horizontal center */
    align-items: center;
    /* Vertical center (optional) */
}

/* all extra btn css end ---------------------------------------- */


/* Scrolled navbar */
#navbar.scrolled .nav-link {
    color: var(--third-color) !important;
}

#navbar.scrolled .nav-link::before,
#navbar.scrolled .nav-link::after {
    background-color: transparent;
}

#navbar.scrolled .nav-link:hover::before,
#navbar.scrolled .nav-link:hover::after {
    background-color: var(--secondary-color);
}

#navbar.scrolled .main-button {
    color: var(--third-color);
    border-color: var(--third-color) !important;
}

#navbar.scrolled .main-button:hover {
    color: var(--clr);
}



/* hero section end -------------------------------- */
.hero-section {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    height: 80vh;
    overflow: hidden;
    background-repeat: no-repeat;
    background-position: center;
        background-size: cover;
}

.hero-slider {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    position: relative;
}

.slide {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
   
    

    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    padding-left: 70px;
    position: relative;
}

/* Optional dark overlay (text clearly visible) */
.slide::after {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25);
    /* Light overlay */
    z-index: 1;
}

.hero-content {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 2;
    max-width: 550px;
    color: white;
}

.hero-content h1 {
    font-size: 48px;
    font-weight: 700;
    margin-bottom: 15px;
}

.hero-content p {
    font-size: 18px;
    line-height: 1.6;
}

/* Responsive */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .hero-section {
        height: 320px;
    }

    .slide {
        padding-left: 20px;
    }

    .hero-content h1 {
        font-size: 26px;
    }

    .hero-content p {
        font-size: 14px;
    }
}


/* Responsive-----------------------------all responsive css here----------------------------------------- */
@media(max-width:768px) {
    .hero-section {
        height: 40vh;
        /* reduce height for mobile */
        /* padding: 0px auto; */
    }

    /* Navbar links */
    .navbar-nav .nav-link {
        color: var(--clr) !important;
        font-weight: 500;
        /* padding: 0.5rem 1rem; */
        font-size: 12px;
        position: relative;
        font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif !important;
        transition: all 0.3s ease;
    }



    .slider-dots {
        bottom: 280px;
        left: 15px;
        gap: 8px;
    }

    /* Slides */
    .slide {
        position: absolute;
        top: 0;
        left: 0;
        width: 100%;
        height: 70%;
        background-position: center;
        background-size: contain;
        /* Perfect cover */
        background-repeat: no-repeat;
        opacity: 0;
        transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out;
        z-index: 1;
    }

    .slide img {
        width: 100%;
        height: 60%;
        object-fit: contain;
        background-position: center;
        background-size: cover;
        /* proper scaling without distortion */
    }

    .dot {
        width: 8px;
        height: 8px;
    }

    .slide {
        background-size: contain;
        /* Mobile: fit image fully */
        background-position: center;
    }


    .main-button {
        position: relative;
        color: var(--third-color);
        border: 1px solid #303d8f !important;
        background-color: var(--clr);
        font-weight: 500;
        border-radius: 35px;
        font-size: 12px;
        padding: 6px 20px;
        overflow: hidden;
        transition: color 0.1s ease, border-color 0.1s ease;
        z-index: 1;
    }


    .main-button::before {
        content: "";
        position: absolute;
        top: 0;
        left: 50%;
        width: 0%;
        height: 100%;
        /* background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--secondary-color), var(--primary-color)); */
        background-color: var(--third-color);
        transition: all 0.4s ease;
        transform: translateX(-50%);
        z-index: -1;
    }

    .main-button:hover::before {
        width: 100%;
    }

    .main-button:hover {
        color: var(--clr);
        border-color: var(--third-color) !important;
    }
}

/* Mobile ---------------------------------------------- */
.navbar-toggler {
    background-color: var(--secondary-color);
    border: none;
}

.navbar-toggler:focus {
    box-shadow: none;
}

.navbar-toggler-icon {
    filter: invert(1);
}

/* Mobile view: navbar always white */
@media (max-width: 991px) {
    #navbar {
        background-color: white !important;
        box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);
    }

    #navbar .nav-link {
        color: var(--secondary-color) !important;
    }

    #navbar .nav-link::before,
    #navbar .nav-link::after {
        background-color: transparent;
    }

    #navbar .nav-link:hover::before,
    #navbar .nav-link:hover::after {
        background-color: var(--secondary-color);
    }


    /* .dropdown-menu {
        background-color: var(--primary-color);
    } */

    .dropdown-item {
        color: var(--text-color);
    }

    .dropdown-item:hover {
        color: var(--third-color);
        background-color: #fff;
    }

    .back_clr:hover {
        background-color: var(--secondary-color);
        color: var(--clr);
    }

}

/* Desktop: links center */
@media (min-width: 992px) {
    .navbar-nav {
        justify-content: center;
    }
}

.text-justify {
    text-align: justify;
    color: #222;
    font-size: 16px;

}

/* about sections text start----------------------------- */
.txt_fix {
    font-size: 15px;
    font-weight: 400;
    color: var(--text-color);
    font-family: "Open Sans",
        sans-serif;
}


/* about sections text start----------------------------- */

/* Cards Section */


.card_sect .card {
    background-color: #f4f4f4;
    /* Light card background */
    border-radius: 12px;
    border: none;
    transition: transform 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease;

    /* box-shadow: 0 2px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); */
    padding: 40px 20px;
    min-height: 250px;
    /* Ensure all cards have same height */
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    justify-content: center;
    align-items: center;
}

.card_sect .card:hover {
    transform: scale(1.01);
    box-shadow: 0 6px 20px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
}

.card_sect .counter {
    font-size: 48px;
    font-weight: 600;
    color: #222;
    /* Secondary color */
    margin-bottom: 15px;
}

.card_sect p {
    font-size: 17px;
    font-weight: 500;
    color: #222;
}

/* Responsive adjustments */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .card_sect .counter {
        font-size: 2rem;
    }

    .card_sect p {
        font-size: 1rem;
    }
}

/* image corousels section start ----------------------------------------- */
.infra_section {
    background: #f4f4f4;
    overflow: hidden;
    /* padding-bottom: 30px; */
}

.infra_card {
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
    height: 345px;
    flex: 0 0 23%;
    /* 4 cards in a row with gap */
    min-width: auto;
}

.infra_card img {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: auto;
    transition: transform 0.7s ease;
}

.infra_overlay {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.988);
    display: flex;
    justify-content: center;
    align-items: flex-end;
    padding: 20px;
    transition: all 0.4s ease;
}

.infra_text h5 {
    font-size: 20px;
    font-weight: 600;
    text-shadow: 1px 1px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
}

.infra_text a {
    display: none;
    /* margin-top: 70px; */
}

.infra_card:hover .scle {
    transform: scale(1.1);
}

.infra_card:hover .infra_overlay {
    background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(80, 94, 149, 0.564), rgba(159, 189, 212, 0.411));
    align-items: flext-end;
    padding-top: 40px;
}

.infra_card:hover .infra_text a {
    display: inline-block;
    animation: fadeInUp 0.4s ease forwards;
}

@keyframes fadeInUp {
    from {
        opacity: 0;
        transform: translateY(10px);
    }

    to {
        opacity: 1;
        transform: translateY(0);
    }
}

/* Responsive */
@media (max-width: 991px) {
    .infra_card {
        flex: 0 0 48%;
        height: 260px;
    }

    /* 2 cards per row */
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .infra_card {
        flex: 0 0 100%;
        height: 400px;
        /* min-width: 50px !important; */
        padding: 10px;
    }


}

/* image corousels section end ----------------------------------------- */

/* why chose us section  css start-------------------------------------------------------------- */
.content_card_section {
    background: #fff;
}

.content_card_box {
    background: #1e1e1e;
    border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
    border-radius: 10px;
    padding: 60px 10px;
    text-align: left;
    transition: all 0.4s ease;
    height: 90%;
    box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);
    position: relative;

}

.content_card_box:hover {
    background: var(--secondary-color);
    color: #fff;
    /* transform: translateY(-8px); */
    box-shadow: 0 8px 20px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
}

.icon_box {
    position: absolute;
    top: 15px;
    left: 20px;
    font-size: 24px;
    color: var(--clr);
    transition: transform 0.4s ease;
}

.content_card_box:hover .icon_box {
    color: #fff;
    animation: rotateIcon 0.3s ease;
}

/* Text Styles */
.content_card_box h4 {
    font-size: 24px;
    font-weight: 700;
    margin-top: 50px;
    line-height: 1.4;
    color: var(--clr);
    transition: color 0.3s ease;
}

.content_card_box p {
    font-size: 16px;
    margin-top: 10px;
    color: var(--clr);
    transition: color 0.3s ease;
}



/* Icon Shake Animation */
@keyframes rotateIcon {
    0% {
        transform: rotate(0deg);
    }

    100% {
        transform: rotate(360deg);
    }
}

/* Responsive */
@media (max-width: 576px) {
    .content_card_box {
        padding: 20px;
        text-align: center;
    }

    .icon_box {
        position: relative;
        top: 0;
        left: 0;
        margin-bottom: 10px;
    }
}

/* why chose us section  css end----------------------------------------------------------- */

/* our testimonial sectionn css----------------------------------------------------start---- */

.testimonial-container {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.testimonial-track {
    display: flex;
    transition: transform 0.6s ease;
}

.testimonial-card {
    min-width: 100%;
    padding: 40px 20px;
    /* background: #fff; */
    border-radius: 15px;
    /* box-shadow: 0 0 15px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); */
}

.testimonial-text {
    font-size: 1.1rem;
    line-height: 1.7;
    color: #333;
}


.client-logo {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 175px;
    height: auto;
    transition: transform 0.3s ease, filter 0.3s ease;
    padding: 10px;
    filter: grayscale(50%);
}

.client-logo:hover {
    transform: scale(1.08);
    filter: grayscale(0%);
}
/* Remove gap between banner & footer---------------------------------section start -------------- */
.lnk_provide {
    margin-bottom: 0 !important;
    /* padding: 45px 35px; */
    background-image: url('../images/ftr1.png');
    background-size: auto;
    background-position: center;
    background-repeat: no-repeat;
    text-align: center;
    color: #fff;
}

/* Footer main */
.footer-section {
    background-image: url('./images/ftrrr.png');
    background-size: cover;
    background-position: center;
    background-repeat: no-repeat;
    position: relative;
    margin-top: 0 !important;
}

.footer-section::before {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.907);
}

.footer-section .container {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 2;
}

/* Perfect equal spacing left/right */
.footer-row {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-evenly;
    gap: 50px;
}

/* Make each column equal */
.footer-section .col-md-4 {
    flex: 1;
}

/* Footer links */
.footer-links {
    list-style: none;
    padding: 0;
    margin: 0;
    text-align: left;
}

.footer-links li,
.footer-links a {
    color: var(--clr);
    padding: 2px 0;
    display: block;
    text-decoration: none;
}

.footer-links a:hover {

    scale: calc(1.05) ease;
    text-decoration: underline;
}

/* Divider */
.footer-section hr {
    border-color: var(--clr);
}

/* Bottom line left-right */
.footer-bottom {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: center;
}

/* MOBILE FIX */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .footer-row {
        flex-direction: column;
        gap: 25px;
    }

    .footer-section .col-md-4,
    .footer-links,
    .footer-bottom p {
        text-align: left !important;
        width: 100%;
    }

    .footer-bottom {
        flex-direction: column;
        align-items: flex-start;
        gap: 8px;
    }
}

/* footer css end -------------------------------------- */







/* all process pages css start------------------------------- */
.heading_underline {
    display: inline-block;
    position: relative;
    /* font-weight: 700; */
    /* color: var(--secondary-color); */
    padding-top: 10px;
    /* space between line & text */
}

.heading_underline::before {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 75%;
    /* exactly text width */
    height: 3px;
    /* line thickness */
    background-color: var(--third-color);
    /* your theme color */
    border-radius: 2px;
}

.banner {
    position: relative;
    background-size: cover;
    background-position: center;
    background-repeat: no-repeat;
    height: 65vh;
    width: 100%;
    padding: 0;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    color: #fff;
    text-align: center;
}



/* Overlay layer */
.banner::before {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.57);
    /* dark overlay */
    z-index: 1;
}

/* Banner text */
.banner-content {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 2;

}


.banner-steel {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-hot-strip {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-cold-roll {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}


.banner-graphite {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-cored-wire {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-carden {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-tongs {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}


.banner-chocks {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-crop-shear {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-crop-shear-knives {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-gear-box {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-cast-rolls {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-forged {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}


.banner-exit {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-down {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}


.banner-level {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}


.banner-sink {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}


.banner-magnet {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-gear {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-valves {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-about {
    background-image: url("../images/akmain.jpg");
}

.banner-ctnct {
    background-image: url("../images/imgi_28_valued-1536x360.jpg");
}
/* all process  pages css end------------------------------- */

/* steel melting pages css start ---------------*/

.product_sect .product-img {
    width: 48%;
    max-width: 250px;
}


@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .product_sect .row {
        text-align: center;
    }

    .product_sect .product-img {
        width: 70%;
    }
}

/* steel melting pages css end ----------------*/


/* abouts us page css start --------------------------------------------------------------------- */

/* our_vision_mission section------------------- */
.our_vision_mission {
    --vm-bg: var(--clr);
    --vm-card: var(--secondary-color);
    /* dark text/card bg if you want dark cards change */
    --vm-accent: var(--third-color);
    /* accent color (change to your theme) */
    --vm-muted: var(--text-color);
}

/* Container spacing */
.our_vision_mission .container {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 1;
}

/* Card */
.vm-card {
    background: var(--clr);
    border-radius: 10px;
    padding: 1.6rem;
    box-shadow: 0 6px 18px rgba(15, 23, 36, 0.06);
    transition: transform 200ms ease, box-shadow 200ms ease;
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
}

/* Subtle hover scale */
.vm-card:hover {
    transform: scale(1.03);
    box-shadow: 0 18px 38px rgba(15, 23, 36, 0.12);
}



/* Icon circle */
.vm-icon {
    width: 52px;
    height: 52px;
    min-width: 52px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    display: inline-grid;
    place-items: center;
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgb(229, 233, 235), rgb(232, 235, 238));
    color: var(--vm-accent);
    font-size: 20px;
    box-shadow: 0 6px 14px rgba(9, 133, 227, 0.08);
}





/* Ensure equal height cards on row */
@media (min-width: 768px) {
    .vm-card.h-100 {
        height: 100%;
    }
}

/* Responsive tweaks */
@media (max-width: 767.98px) {
    .vm-icon {
        width: 46px;
        height: 46px;
        min-width: 46px;
        font-size: 18px;
    }

    .vm-title {
        font-size: 1.125rem;
    }

    .vm-card {
        padding: 1.1rem;
    }

    .our_vision_mission {
        padding-top: 2rem;
        padding-bottom: 2rem;
    }
}


/* our_vision_mission section- end------------------ */
/* abouts us page css end --------------------------------------------------------------------- */


/* contact us page css start---------------------------------------------------------------------- */
/* Contact Us Section */
.contact_us {
    background: #f8fafc;
}

.contact_us .cu-title {
    font-size: 1.6rem;
    font-weight: 700;
}

.contact_us .cu-info {
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    color: #374151;
}

.contact_us .cu-connect {
    font-weight: 600;
    color: #111827;
    font-size: 1.1rem;
}

.contact_us .cu-form .form-control {
    border-radius: 6px;
    padding: 10px 12px;
}

/* Responsive */
@media (max-width: 767.98px) {
    .contact_us .cu-title {
        font-size: 1.4rem;
    }

    .contact_us .cu-connect {
        font-size: 1rem;
    }
}


/* Clean Inputs */
.cu-input {
    border: none;
    border-bottom: 2px solid #ccc;
    border-radius: 0;
    padding-left: 0;
    background: transparent;
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

/* Focus underline effect */
.cu-input:focus {
    border-bottom: 2px solid #303d8f;
    /* blue underline */
    box-shadow: none;
    outline: none;
}

/* Labels spacing */
.cu-form .form-label {
    font-weight: 600;
    margin-bottom: 4px;
}

/* Responsive Inputs */
@media (max-width: 767px) {
    .cu-input {
        margin-bottom: 10px;
    }
}

/* contact us page css end---------------------------------------------------------------------- */
/* product pages css  start----------------------------------------------------- */
.ak_con table th,
.ak_con table td {
    text-align: center;
    vertical-align: middle;
    font-size: 14px;
    border: 1px solid #ccc;
}

.ak_con .header-dark {
    background: #0a1a2b;
    color: white;
}

.ak_con img {
    max-width: 45px;
}

.ak_con .table-responsive {
    overflow-x: auto;
}

/* product pages css end------------------------------------------------------ */