I came across this interesting FB comment at 10:30 pm on a Sunday night. Then I saw like 4 people "Like" it by 10:45pm, as they may not have anything better to do. The first thought that came to my mind was something I could not comment on FB. Firstly I do not know this person very well and Second, I did not wish to hurt someone that was a mere acquaintance, as it is not my business.
On reading that comment, I was like: "Why the F*** are you thinking about Monday on a Sunday night. Why worry right now, take life as it comes tomorrow ... Frankly, those who have reasons to enjoy, will realise only tomorrow morning that it is already Monday ..."
I was like even if God was to grant you 4 more hours today (or any Sunday for that matter), you would end up worrying about the Monday during those 4 additional hours. The best thing for such people is their Monday happens sooner. At least their cause of concern would have materialised by then ;-) God Bless Them.
Reminds me of my nephew, who is "(Unnecessary) Tension" personified ... To me there are two types of people - Warriors and Worriers. :-D Good night to the Worriers, as they will be awake all night and Good morning to the Warriors, as they will wake up tomorrow morning to fight their own battles.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Beware of New scams in the investment market
I have had calls from two reputed "aggressive" investment companies. One of them offered more then Assured wealth Plan while other offered a guaranteed Double return Plan. 140% returns on first Investment/Premium, Almost double the amount in 3-5 years, etc are some of the features mentioned by these agents. A guy named Shivam from Mumbai spoke to me about it. Told me of very lucrative returns. I was surely interested. When I asked him to send across the details on mail - he was not ready. He told me name of the plan details being on internet. I did not find it on their website. I looked for it - all they have is a similar named plan whose returns do not match with what was told verbally to me. There are no details/brochures of "Assured Wealth Plus Plan". The idea of these agents is to tell all these things verbally and make a customer agree to it. Then send an executive. As they do not give you anything else at that point in time. Later on when you get the actual policy the fine print negates or imposes weird Terms & Conditions, restricting your returns significantly. When I asked him to write all these things on his company letterhead for me before I invest my money, he was mad and started yelling at me. He started saying that I should also give in writing that I will invest money, once he puts this thing in writing. His agent has not showed up yet, till date.
Today morning a lady from the other aggressive reputed company called, with the similar features. When I asked her for the website URL or email containing these details, she was reluctant. She said they have guaranteed 7.75% returns. It had medical and life-insurance included in the policy. I asked if the returns are tax-free and she said yes. Then I asked her if it is "Tax-free" or "Tax-exempted" which she could not answer. She did not know the difference. Later when she told me it was under section 10-10-D, I checked to see if she knew the limit of exemption, which again was a bouncer for her. Again when I switched to topic to website URL or email, she started blabbering at which I disconnected the phone.
Bottom-line: None of these people are ready to give anything in writing. Ask for it and you will know their worth.
On a little more inquiry with close friends working in the same field, I got to know that these agents of these 2 companies do this kind of overselling, to meet their targets. They do not care about any commitments to the customers. Once the customer signs up for a policy, the Bank/Insurance Agency and customer have to sort it out. They get their commission and are out of the picture. One of them agreed, off the record, that the banks are aware of these kind of marketing techniques but care more about the revenue, not the ethics.
Most of them claim it to be an Online policy, closing in a few days. Most of them do double your wealth but after a duration longer than a Fixed deposit giving you same returns. Interestingly the non-aggressive players like LIC, SBI & HDFC do not promise such returns. They maybe conservative in their projections but have lot more clarity.
All of them talk about return projections of 12-15% p.a., way above the IRDA approved limits.
Most customers never realize this till maturity dates of their investments i.e. Many years later. Some even realize this as soon as they get their policy & they read its fine print. Till then they are already bound by the contract. All those having policies from such players would have realized the same by now. With most of the administrative, allocation, insurance charges are deducted from the very first premium, you cannot get anything by canceling the policy in the first 3 years. After that till the 7th Year, you get upto 30% of the premium paid, which generally is the return on the investment. You never get the principal back. As most of the policies are market/unit linked - these institutions also control the NAV as well as allocation charges. All of them make merry at the customers cost.
Please be careful when investing in any such policies.
Free ki advice hai, leni hai to lo varnaa jaane do ... ;-)
Today morning a lady from the other aggressive reputed company called, with the similar features. When I asked her for the website URL or email containing these details, she was reluctant. She said they have guaranteed 7.75% returns. It had medical and life-insurance included in the policy. I asked if the returns are tax-free and she said yes. Then I asked her if it is "Tax-free" or "Tax-exempted" which she could not answer. She did not know the difference. Later when she told me it was under section 10-10-D, I checked to see if she knew the limit of exemption, which again was a bouncer for her. Again when I switched to topic to website URL or email, she started blabbering at which I disconnected the phone.
Bottom-line: None of these people are ready to give anything in writing. Ask for it and you will know their worth.
On a little more inquiry with close friends working in the same field, I got to know that these agents of these 2 companies do this kind of overselling, to meet their targets. They do not care about any commitments to the customers. Once the customer signs up for a policy, the Bank/Insurance Agency and customer have to sort it out. They get their commission and are out of the picture. One of them agreed, off the record, that the banks are aware of these kind of marketing techniques but care more about the revenue, not the ethics.
Most of them claim it to be an Online policy, closing in a few days. Most of them do double your wealth but after a duration longer than a Fixed deposit giving you same returns. Interestingly the non-aggressive players like LIC, SBI & HDFC do not promise such returns. They maybe conservative in their projections but have lot more clarity.
All of them talk about return projections of 12-15% p.a., way above the IRDA approved limits.
Most customers never realize this till maturity dates of their investments i.e. Many years later. Some even realize this as soon as they get their policy & they read its fine print. Till then they are already bound by the contract. All those having policies from such players would have realized the same by now. With most of the administrative, allocation, insurance charges are deducted from the very first premium, you cannot get anything by canceling the policy in the first 3 years. After that till the 7th Year, you get upto 30% of the premium paid, which generally is the return on the investment. You never get the principal back. As most of the policies are market/unit linked - these institutions also control the NAV as well as allocation charges. All of them make merry at the customers cost.
Please be careful when investing in any such policies.
Free ki advice hai, leni hai to lo varnaa jaane do ... ;-)
Friday, August 06, 2010
Story of 3 fishes
Bhishma told king Yudhishthira about two types of people, who will always be happy: One that provides for the future, and one possessed of presence of mind. The man of procrastination, however, is lost. In this connection, listen attentively to the following excellent story of a procrastinating person in the matter of settling his course of action.
In a lake that was not very deep but abundant with fishes, there lived three fishes that were friends. Amongst those three - one had foresight and always liked to provision for future, another had great presence of mind and the third was procrastinating.
One day a fishermen came that lake . He started to bale out waters to a lower ground through diverse outlets. He intended to reduce the water level, making it easier for fishing. The foresighted fish was quick in realising this. He warned his two companions about the dangerleaving creatures in the lake. He suggested to speedily exit the lake with the outlets while there was time. He that resists future evil by the aid of good policy never incurs serious danger.
The procrastinating fish answered "All was Well". He felt no need for such haste, resisting the migration. The presence-of-mind fish clarified that When the time for anything comes, he provides for it accordingly.
Hearing these answers of his two companions, the foresighted immediately set out by a current, migrating to another deeper lake.
Once the water was baled out, the fisherman began to catch the fish. The procrastinating was caught with many others. When the fishermen began to tie to a long string to the fishes they had caught, the alert-minded thrust himself into the company of those that had been so tied and remained quietly among them, biting the string, giving the appearance of being caught.
The fishermen assumed that all the fishes attached to the string had been caught. They then removed them to a piece of deep water for washing them. Just at that time the presence of minded, leaving the string, quickly escaped. The procrastinating one unfortunately met with death, in captivity.
Thus everyone procrastinating meets with destruction. Only, one with foresight or presence of mind, succeed in obtaining happiness. He, however, that is procrastinating meets with destruction.
In a lake that was not very deep but abundant with fishes, there lived three fishes that were friends. Amongst those three - one had foresight and always liked to provision for future, another had great presence of mind and the third was procrastinating.
One day a fishermen came that lake . He started to bale out waters to a lower ground through diverse outlets. He intended to reduce the water level, making it easier for fishing. The foresighted fish was quick in realising this. He warned his two companions about the dangerleaving creatures in the lake. He suggested to speedily exit the lake with the outlets while there was time. He that resists future evil by the aid of good policy never incurs serious danger.
The procrastinating fish answered "All was Well". He felt no need for such haste, resisting the migration. The presence-of-mind fish clarified that When the time for anything comes, he provides for it accordingly.
Hearing these answers of his two companions, the foresighted immediately set out by a current, migrating to another deeper lake.
Once the water was baled out, the fisherman began to catch the fish. The procrastinating was caught with many others. When the fishermen began to tie to a long string to the fishes they had caught, the alert-minded thrust himself into the company of those that had been so tied and remained quietly among them, biting the string, giving the appearance of being caught.
The fishermen assumed that all the fishes attached to the string had been caught. They then removed them to a piece of deep water for washing them. Just at that time the presence of minded, leaving the string, quickly escaped. The procrastinating one unfortunately met with death, in captivity.
Thus everyone procrastinating meets with destruction. Only, one with foresight or presence of mind, succeed in obtaining happiness. He, however, that is procrastinating meets with destruction.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Friday, July 02, 2010
Butterflies
A Butterfly is usually symbol of a new beginning or a fresh start. Butterflies have had a great historical significance for people.
The Greeks believe that a human soul is born every time a butterfly comes out from its cocoon.
The Irish, on the other hand, believe that butterflies stand for the dead souls waiting to meet their maker.
The Japanese say that one butterfly represents a young woman while two butterflies symbolize marital bliss. Many of the extraordinary kimonos worn by geishas have butterflies on them.
The Native American tribes also have strong beliefs about butterflies.
The Blackfoot tribe believes that butterflies bring dreams, while the Zuni tribe thinks that a white butterfly predicts the beginning of summer.
The Greeks believe that a human soul is born every time a butterfly comes out from its cocoon.
The Irish, on the other hand, believe that butterflies stand for the dead souls waiting to meet their maker.
The Japanese say that one butterfly represents a young woman while two butterflies symbolize marital bliss. Many of the extraordinary kimonos worn by geishas have butterflies on them.
The Native American tribes also have strong beliefs about butterflies.
The Blackfoot tribe believes that butterflies bring dreams, while the Zuni tribe thinks that a white butterfly predicts the beginning of summer.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Baghban - My perspective
I've had this discussion with a lot of people who claim to have liked Baghban and it being a great movie, Fantastic social message, etc. I've been wanting to understand what is so great about the movie? I have been unable to understand the message attempted out of a movie that shows the following things:
A father, whose all 4 children are a rot, while a sponsored orphan is rocking. To me it seems like all the 4 children that he invested in, turned out to be liability. A fluke investment of sponsoring a orphan turned out to the best-seller. Seems like he and his wife ruined the upbringing of their 4 children, while the professionals at the orphanage did a better job. What kind of "values (sanskar)" did these parents pass on? If you want more evidence, look at the grand-children in whose upbringing these 2 people have not been involved. If the grand-children are better people, give it to their mothers as they did not let the children inherit anything from their useless fathers or paternal grandparents.
If you are wondering about the financial terms like "liability" and "assets" earlier, it is because the father - Raj Malhotra(played by Mr. Bachchan) is shown to be a banker. A banker who has lived in a rented house, all his life. Who could not manage buying a house of his own. The bank also would not have cared to help this employee (manager - to be precise), right? Except for like 1-2 lakh rupees, this guy has no savings. On one hand he is supposedly very successful in his profession (Banking & Finance) while on the other he sucks at his personal finance management.
Oh yeah, you could argue that with 4 children (+1 orphan) one could not afford to buy a house. Did he not know about Family planning and Quality of Life (for children, his own children)? If yes, what was the problem? If he did understand and still wanted to have so many kids - why does he feel to be getting a raw deal. You only reap what you sow, aint it so?
The book getting published was another great co-incidence, no credit to the loser. People around him have not only been smart but also very helpful and caring, else this one would have been a pauper for the rest of his life.
The scene where they get treated like dirt by a car-dealer, who humiliates them. This guy does not even have the sense for handling the situation and avoiding the insult not only to himself but his wife too. Fortunately the orphan child (Salman Khan) comes to his help there.
I can understand B R Chopra was interested on minting money from a movie picked from a Marathi original "Tu tithe Mi". Unfortunately in attempt to Bollywood-ise the plot, destroyed the original theme and its fiber ... I wonder if they paid any royalty to the Marathi director, especially when talking about Copyright violation & Piracy.
In one of the scene, Raj Malhotra is left hungry as the son, daughter-in-law and grandson go out for dinner. Why - because Mr. Malhotra did not take care of informing his daughter-in-law. Buddy if you tell everyone in the morning that you are fasting, for your wife, why would someone cook for you? Why can't we give the sons and daughter-in-laws the benefit of doubt?
A father, whose all 4 children are a rot, while a sponsored orphan is rocking. To me it seems like all the 4 children that he invested in, turned out to be liability. A fluke investment of sponsoring a orphan turned out to the best-seller. Seems like he and his wife ruined the upbringing of their 4 children, while the professionals at the orphanage did a better job. What kind of "values (sanskar)" did these parents pass on? If you want more evidence, look at the grand-children in whose upbringing these 2 people have not been involved. If the grand-children are better people, give it to their mothers as they did not let the children inherit anything from their useless fathers or paternal grandparents.
If you are wondering about the financial terms like "liability" and "assets" earlier, it is because the father - Raj Malhotra(played by Mr. Bachchan) is shown to be a banker. A banker who has lived in a rented house, all his life. Who could not manage buying a house of his own. The bank also would not have cared to help this employee (manager - to be precise), right? Except for like 1-2 lakh rupees, this guy has no savings. On one hand he is supposedly very successful in his profession (Banking & Finance) while on the other he sucks at his personal finance management.
Oh yeah, you could argue that with 4 children (+1 orphan) one could not afford to buy a house. Did he not know about Family planning and Quality of Life (for children, his own children)? If yes, what was the problem? If he did understand and still wanted to have so many kids - why does he feel to be getting a raw deal. You only reap what you sow, aint it so?
The book getting published was another great co-incidence, no credit to the loser. People around him have not only been smart but also very helpful and caring, else this one would have been a pauper for the rest of his life.
The scene where they get treated like dirt by a car-dealer, who humiliates them. This guy does not even have the sense for handling the situation and avoiding the insult not only to himself but his wife too. Fortunately the orphan child (Salman Khan) comes to his help there.
I can understand B R Chopra was interested on minting money from a movie picked from a Marathi original "Tu tithe Mi". Unfortunately in attempt to Bollywood-ise the plot, destroyed the original theme and its fiber ... I wonder if they paid any royalty to the Marathi director, especially when talking about Copyright violation & Piracy.
In one of the scene, Raj Malhotra is left hungry as the son, daughter-in-law and grandson go out for dinner. Why - because Mr. Malhotra did not take care of informing his daughter-in-law. Buddy if you tell everyone in the morning that you are fasting, for your wife, why would someone cook for you? Why can't we give the sons and daughter-in-laws the benefit of doubt?
Some good thoughts on Friendship (Marathi)
कमळपत्रा वरील पाण्याला कधी थांब म्हणायचं नसतं
नीसटणार्या क्षणांना कधी जवळ करायचं नसतं
माणसाच आयुष्य हे असच असतं
बाकी काहीही हरवलं तरी, त्यापेक्षाही जास्त उरलेल असतं.
काही नाती बांधलेली असतात, ती सगळीच खरी नसतात
नीसटणार्या क्षणांना कधी जवळ करायचं नसतं
माणसाच आयुष्य हे असच असतं
बाकी काहीही हरवलं तरी, त्यापेक्षाही जास्त उरलेल असतं.
काही नाती बांधलेली असतात, ती सगळीच खरी नसतात
बांधलेली नाती जपावी लागतात, काही जपून ही पोकळ राहतात
काही मात्र आपोआप जपली जातात,
कदाचित त्यांनाच मैत्री म्हणतात.
मोहाच्या नीसटत्या क्षणी परावृत्त करते ती मैत्री,
जीवनातल्या कडूगोड क्षणांना निशब्द करते ती मैत्री,
जीवनाच्या आंतापर्यंत प्रत्येक पावलला साथ देते ती मैत्री,
आणि जी फक्त आपली असते, ती मैत्री।
- Author unknown (just liked it, hence sharing).
काही मात्र आपोआप जपली जातात,
कदाचित त्यांनाच मैत्री म्हणतात.
मोहाच्या नीसटत्या क्षणी परावृत्त करते ती मैत्री,
जीवनातल्या कडूगोड क्षणांना निशब्द करते ती मैत्री,
जीवनाच्या आंतापर्यंत प्रत्येक पावलला साथ देते ती मैत्री,
आणि जी फक्त आपली असते, ती मैत्री।
- Author unknown (just liked it, hence sharing).
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Short versus Long Term
I was reading this (as a) joke and it made me think very seriously.
In a small town in America, a person decided to open up his bar business, which was right opposite to a church. The church and its congregation started a campaign to block the bar from opening with petitions and prayed daily against his business.
Work progressed. However, when it was almost complete and was about to open a few days later, a strong lightning struck the bar and it was burnt to the ground.
The church folk were rather smug in their outlook after that, till the bar owner sued the church authorities for $2 Million on the grounds that the church through its congregation & prayers was ultimately responsible for the demise of his bar shop, either through direct or indirect actions or means.
In its reply to the court, the church denied all responsibility or any connection that their prayers were reasons to the bar shop's demise. In support of their claim they referred to the Benson study at Harvard that inter-cessionary prayer had no impact !
As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork and at the hearing and commented:
"I don't know how I am going to decide this case, but it appears from the paperwork, we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer and we have an entire church and it's devotees that doesn't."
Many a times, in pursuit of our short term objectives, we may contradict our long term strategy.
In a small town in America, a person decided to open up his bar business, which was right opposite to a church. The church and its congregation started a campaign to block the bar from opening with petitions and prayed daily against his business.
Work progressed. However, when it was almost complete and was about to open a few days later, a strong lightning struck the bar and it was burnt to the ground.
The church folk were rather smug in their outlook after that, till the bar owner sued the church authorities for $2 Million on the grounds that the church through its congregation & prayers was ultimately responsible for the demise of his bar shop, either through direct or indirect actions or means.
In its reply to the court, the church denied all responsibility or any connection that their prayers were reasons to the bar shop's demise. In support of their claim they referred to the Benson study at Harvard that inter-cessionary prayer had no impact !
As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork and at the hearing and commented:
"I don't know how I am going to decide this case, but it appears from the paperwork, we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer and we have an entire church and it's devotees that doesn't."
Many a times, in pursuit of our short term objectives, we may contradict our long term strategy.
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Perfection vs. Excellence. Lessons To Remind Our Children, By an Unknown Author
Perfection vs. Excellence. Lessons To Remind Our Children, By an Unknown Author: "
Perfection is being right
Excellence is willing to be wrong
Perfection is fear
Excellence is risk
Perfection is anger & frustration
Excellence is powerful
Perfection is control
Excellence is spontaneous
Perfection is judgment
Excellence is accepting
Perfection is taking
Excellence is giving
Perfection is doubt
Excellence is confidence
Perfection is pressure
Excellence is flowing
Perfection is a destination
Excellence is a journey
And so it is up to you—you are in charge
(via ghostlybird)
"Tuesday, April 27, 2010
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