Some Randomness by me :-)
About Me
- Avu
- A travel n gadget freak and @ the same time I try and make some Sense in the #Sensex
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
All you want to know about investing in fixed deposits
Ask any youngster these days about investments and they will talk about stocks, mutual funds, unit linked insurance plans, real estate... the list will go on.
Investing money in safe and secure bank fixed deposits (FDs) will figure in the end, if at all. Rakesh, my neighbour, who was all of 19 and into her first job in a trading company is one such example.
She was happy that her first job as a sales assistant was fetching her a cool salary of Rs 14,000 per month and after her expenses she managed to save more than Rs 7,500 every month. She wanted to buy her own house before 30, and after discussing it with her friends, she wanted to invest in all the investment avenues mentioned above but not in fixed deposits.
Why not fixed deposits? Because she didn't know much about this investment opportunity and her friends told her that investing in stocks and mutual funds would get her higher returns. Though investment in stocks and mutual funds would give her superior returns in the long term (that's what the common belief is and history too supports this claim) she wanted her investments to bear her safe and steady returns so that she could use the money saved to chip in with her contribution for buying a house.
Investing a neat sum of money in fixed deposits every year would help her achieve that.
Here are the most commonly asked questions -- and their answers -- about fixed deposits by youngsters like Rakesh
Who is eligible to apply for a fixed deposit account?
Any individual or institution is eligible to apply for the account.
How do I apply for an FD account?
You can get a bank FD at any bank.
You have to open an FD account with the bank to make the deposit. Some banks may also insist that you maintain a savings account with them to operate an FD account.
When you open the FD account, you are issued a deposit receipt or an account statement. This statement can be updated, depending on the duration of the FD and the frequency of interest calculation. Make sure you check deposit receipts carefully to see that all particulars have been properly and accurately filled in.
How will investing in fixed deposits benefit me?
Apart from the fixed rate of return on your FD investment, you can withdraw the FD at any time before maturity without any difficulty. You can avail loans up to 85 percent of the principal, that is, the amount you invested in the FD. You can also avail of a loan with overdraft facility from the bank against the FDs.
Is there a minimum amount that can be deposited into a fixed deposit account?
The minimum deposit amount required for the FD account is Rs 1,000. There is no fixed multiple or upper limit.
Can I redeem my fixed deposits before the original term?
Yes, an FD can be closed before its original term. If the FD is closed before completing the original term of the deposit, the interest will be paid as per the interest rate applicable on the date of deposit, for the period the deposit has remained with the bank.
Some banks may also charge a penal rate of interest as prescribed by the bank on the date of deposit.
Do senior citizens get any extra benefit on the fixed deposits (FD)?
Yes, senior citizens get higher interest rates on their FDs.
Do I have to pay tax deducted at source (TDS) for FDs?
Tax is deducted at source on the interest accrued on FDs as applicable, as per the Income Tax Act, 1961.
What is the range of tenure for which I can open an FD account?
You can deposit money for a period as short 15 days to as long as 10 years.
Now that Rakesh knew how bank fixed deposits work she was happy and ready to invest a lumpsum amount at the end of each year. This she said would help her save a tidy sum of money in the next 11 years which she will use to buy her dream house.
When she joined her first job Rakesh had set herself a target to buy her own dream house before 30. And she was convinced that saving money in a fixed deposit will help her achieve her dream.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Charity, for the sole
Nandan Pandya of Belapur distributes sandals among the poor people he sees barefoot at traffic signals or at railway stations
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So, don't be surprised if, on any given day, you happen be in Navi Mumbai and see a young lad surrounded by street urchins. Pandya (21), who recently moved with his family from Kandivli to Belapur, is trying to understand his new neighbourhood better. Not by looking around for the nearest malls and cineplexes, but by looking for the spaces where poor people can be found in abundance — and small footwear shops. The philanthropist in Nandan awoke one day in early 2008 when he noticed an old man near a temple at Kandivli walking barefoot. Upon enquiring why he didn’t wear any sandals to protect his feet, the man had replied that due to old age, his feet had expanded and he was unable to find cheap sandals for his large foot size anymore. A shaken yet determined Nandan bought a pair of slippers the next day and gave it to that man. Thus began the beginning of Nandan’s fascination with people’s feet. “Then I would buy sandals randomly and would never have a plan about where would I being distributing them. I would give the sandals to whomever I would see was without any footwear. And Mumbai abounds with such kind of people; you will see them anywhere, from traffic signals to railway station platforms,” says the shy Nandan, who prefers to live and do his work in oblivion. At the time, Nandan was studying at KJ Somaiya College in Sion and he had located the shops from where he could purchase sandals, at each station on his way from Kandivli to Sion. On any day, his notebooks would jostle for space with at least three pairs of average size rubber sandals in his bag, and he would spend Rs 800 a month buying them. Nandan is now extending his help around Belapur, as he tries to familiarise himself with the place. “I feel it is necessary to buy sandals from the small shops so that they too can get a chance to earn. If I see someone without sandals at a particular place and I am not carrying the sandal of that size on that day, I buy it the next day and give it to them. When I am with my friends, I am no different and my friends have no qualms either,” says Nandan. Nandan ensures to buy only rubber sandals as they are more durable, especially given Mumbai’s monsoon and flooding history. However, there have also been times where a person he remembers giving away a pair of sandals to was seen with no sandals the next day. But he shrugs it off, saying, “The poor cannot do much with a pair of sandals other than just passing it off to someone else. Of course, since the person to whom the sandal is being passed does not have a pair for himself or herself, I am fine in giving a pair of sandals twice to the same person.” Just out of college, it comes as no surprise that Nandan is contemplating about starting an initiative with his friends, which will distribute food among the poor. All he needs is a push, some help from corporates to fund his work, and the constant encouragement from his parents who are proud of their young son. |
'Indian executives happy with their jobs'
In a contrast to the gloomy sentiment in the
According to an Executive Quiz by global executive recruitment firm Korn/Ferry International, close to 50 per cent of the Indian executives surveyed are either extremely or satisfied with their current position compared to just 37 per cent in the US.
"Despite the lacklustre job market (Indian) executives are happy with their jobs, have high employee morale and trust for corporate leadership. There was a 10 per cent variation that was seen with the satisfaction levels in their current position where 37 per cent were satisfied in the
In terms of employee morale within their company, 79 per cent of Indian executives said it was 'good' or 'outstanding', followed by 'fair' by 21 per cent but no one said it was poor.
However, 45 per cent of employed executives in the US said the morale was either 'fair' or 'poor' followed by 55 per cent who said 'good' or 'outstanding', the survey revealed.
"In this economic environment, it is heartening to see Indian executives are showing positive signs across parameters such as trust, employee morale and aspirations to climb corporate ladder," Deepak Gupta, managing director, Korn/Ferry International said.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Why is wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger
Why is wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger ?
This is interesting. Try it out !
Why should the wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger?
There is a beautiful and convincing explanation given by the Chinese.....
Thumb represents your Parents
Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
Middle finger represents your-Self
Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner
& the Last (Little) finger represents your children
Firstly, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers and hold them together - back to back
Secondly, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip
(As shown in the figure):
open, because your parents are not destined to live with you lifelong, and have to leave you sooner or later.
Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings)... .., they will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their own separate lives.
Now join the Index fingers and separate your Little fingers (representing your children)... ., they will open too, because the children also will get married and settle down on their own some day.
Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse).
You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT....., because Husband & Wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin!!
Please try this out......... ....
ISN'T THIS A LOVELY THEORY?
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Dont Lose Temper!
| This is a true story which happened in the States. To his puzzlement, his three-year-old son was happily hammering dents into the shiny paint of the truck. The man ran to his son, knocked him away, hammered the little boy's hands into pulp as punishment. Although the doctor tried desperately to save the crushed bones, he finally had to amputate the fingers from both the boy's hands. "Daddy, I'm sorry about your truck."
People make mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes. Pause and ponder. Think before you act. Be patient. Forgive & forget. Love one and all. If you judge people, you have no time to love them. |
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The World's Biggest Exercise in Democracy
New York Times reader comment on
The nation where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism were born, which is the second largest Muslim nation on Earth; where Christianity has existed for 2000 years; where the oldest Jewish synagogues and Jewish communities have resided since the Romans burnt their 2nd temple; where the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile reside; where the Zorostrians from Persia have thrived since being thrown out of their ancient homeland; where Armenians and Syrians and many others have to come live; where the Paris-based OECD said was the largest economy on Earth 1500 of the last 2000 years, including the 2nd largest only 200 years ago; where 3 Muslim Presidents have been elected, where a Sikh is Prime Minister and the head of the ruling party a Catholic Italian woman, where the President is also a women, succeeding a Muslim President who as a rocket scientist was a hero in the nation; where a booming economy is lifting 40 million out of poverty each year and is expected to have the majority of its population in the middle class, already equal to the entire US population, by 2025; where its optimism and vibrancy is manifested in its movies, arts, economic growth, and voting, despite all the incredible challenges and hardships; where all the great powers are vying for influence, as it itself finds its place in the world.
Where all of this is happening, is
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Why do we read Bhagavat Geeta?
Why do we read Geeta, even if we can't understand a Sanskrit word???
This is beautiful story - if inspired pls. forward else keep it can't say when it might inspire you!
Story:
An old Farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bhagavat Geeta. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Bhagavat Geeta just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bhagavat Geeta do?"
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water."
The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house.
The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.
"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bhagavat Geeta. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of
"Celebrate Life. Care for others and share whatever you have with those less fortunate than you. Broaden your vision, for the whole world belongs to you."
Monday, April 13, 2009
RATAN TATA - WHY NOT ON FORBES LIST
Here is a Real Story of Ratan Tata.
So many people around the world want to know that "What is the Net
Worth of Ratan Tata"?
TATA Group is running 96 businesses and out of which 28 Companies are
publically listed on the various stock exchanges.
Tata Group is world's top 50 Group according to Market capitalization
and Reputation.
Have you ever thought why Ratan tata's name is not in the list of
billionaire's club? why Ratan Tata is not a billionaire on the Forbes
magazine list of billionaire people of the world?
The reason is that, TATA Group's 96 companies are held by its main
Company "TATA Sons" and the main owner of this TATA Sons is not Ratan
Tata but various charitable organizations developed and run by TATA
Group.
Out of which JRD TATA Trust & Sir Ratan Tata Trust are the main.
65% ownership of TATA Sons which is the key holding company of the
other 96 TATA Group Company is held by various charitable
organizations.
So this 65% ownership ownership of Tatasons Limited is not reflected
on Ratan Tata's personal Financial Statement but on the various
charitable organizations. and this is the reason why Ratan Tata is not
in the list of Billionaire club.
if we put this 65% ownership of Tata Sons in Ratan TATA's own personal
financial statement then Ratan Tata's Net worth can become more than $
70 billion. and that's much more than the Warren Buffet's Current Net
Worth of $ 62 billion, the world's richest person according to Forbes
magazine 2008.
However, it doesn't mean that Ratan Tata is poor. In one interviews he
had told the reporter that, "I have my own Capital". He is the
chairman of Tata Group so obviously he earns lots of money every year
as a bonus, remuneration and salary. However, Ratan Tata's Net worth
is not $ 1 Billion.
He is not a billionaire on paper. but in reality he is the richest
person of the world. His net worth in reality is more than Bill Gates
and Warren Buffet.
SO the good thing about Tata Group is that, They do Charity out of
their Money...
And that is the reason TATA Group has generated so much of Goodwill
over last 5 generations.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Some beautiful sayings
You must experience and accept the extremes. Because if the contrast is lost, you lose appreciation; and when you lose appreciation, you lose the value of everything. –Philippos
Always put yourself in the other’s shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the person too.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Oh!! City overheats as temp touches 40°C
Gearing up for another torrid summer of discontent is a routine grudgingly treaded by Mumbaikars every year, but to have the temperatures shoot through the roof much earlier than normal is a tragic double whammy.
On Wednesday, the maximum daytime temperature recorded at Colaba was 34.5C while
If April is so hot, how terrible will May be?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Email in Indian languages
Email in Indian languages
When you compose a new mail in Gmail, you should now see an icon with an Indian character, as the screenshot below shows. This feature is enabled by default for Gmail users in India. If you do not see this function enabled by default, you will need to go the "Settings" page and enable this option in the "Language" section.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
I love being Mukesh's wife: Nita Ambani
Source : DNA
Mumbai: It's almost four when we approach Sea Wind, the Ambani family's residence, amidst heavy security, which includes a sniffer dog. Understandable post the Mumbai terror attacks last November, and given the family's status.
Nita Ambani strolls in 10 minutes later. Dressed in jeans and an emerald green top, the educationist/philanthropist is now even slimmer than when we met her last. Pleasantries over, we are informed she has to rush off for a meeting in an hour. So, we get right down to it....
What's the best thing about being Mrs Nita Ambani? Without a pause, she says, "I love being Mukesh's wife!" The warmth with which she talks about one of
In December, she and Mukesh complete 25 years of being together. Ask her, in this age of affairs and divorces, how the two have managed to keep it together and she reveals, "First and foremost, we are great friends. Both of us have very different operating styles, but we value each other's opinions. We are willing to listen to each other, which I think is very important in a relationship."
Mukesh, she says, enjoys watching her perform bharatnatyam. "He loved my performance at my mum-in-law's (Kokilaben Ambani) birthday recently. I like to do things that he likes. He likes Indian art and culture, and I make it a point to take interest in those things," she adds.
And while we assume there will be big celebrations, given it is their silver anniversary, Nita says, "We'll probably go off to the jungles and relax there."
Even their three kids -- Akash, Eisha and Anant -- love wildlife, and in fact they have more than 100 stray dogs at their Jamnagar property and a few pets (including two snakes!) at this home in Cuffe Parade.
"All our vacations arespent in the jungles, roughing it out. We have the best time of our lives there," she says.
Sunday is family time at the Ambani home, which includes an elaborate Gujarati meal, a walk at the
A trip to Mysore Café at Matunga is also often on the cards. "It's a treat for Mukesh and the kids to go there. You know, Mukesh is one of their oldest customers...he used to go there since his chemical engineering days in the '80s. They have a picture of him on their menu, and the children get most thrilled seeing that!" she smiles.
And while lots could be written about her accomplishments, Nita says she would like to be remembered as "a good mom first, and then a good human being who tried to make a difference."
Sent wrong email? No sweat, just recall
Now, recall is possible. And you've got to thank Gmail for that.
Sending an email with a bunch of expletives may be your online equivalent of exploding in a fit of rage. Or absentmindedly sending spicy gossip about a person to that very person. The after-effects often have to be dealt with later, causing enough embarrassment to make you cringe a long time.
Giving an email a second read can avoid many such goof-ups. Google's Gmail now gives users an "Undo Send" feature for exactly such situations. Introduced in Google's email programme, this feature holds a message for five seconds before sending it. Gmail's sent mail confirmation message now includes an "Undo" link. Clicking it will return a message to its draft form.
The feature does not allow users to recall a message that has already been sent. "It holds the message for five seconds so you have a chance to hit the panic button," Google said in its blog post on Thursday announcing the feature.
Last year, Google introduced a feature, "Mail Goggles", designed to prevent users from sending drunken emails by forcing users to solve five simple math problems in less than a minute.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Quite a feet!
A disability is never a handicap. There is always a way out,” says 15-year-old Nadeem Shaikh as he flips the pages of his drawing book.
Born without hands Nadeem, an SSC student, wrote all his papers using only his feet. Though he could have asked for a writer, Nadeem chose to answer his papers on his own and expects to score over 60 per cent.
Nadeem, a student of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Hindi school, Worli carries his notes and reference books to school in a bag slung across his chest. But unlike other students, he sits on the bench and writes his exam with his right toes.
The Worli resident manages everything — from writing, to holding up books and even eating and combing his hair — using only his feet. “I never thought that I lacked anything, or was inferior to others.
I cannot wear clothes on my own, but can do everything else using my feet. I didn’t ask for a writer for my exams as I wanted to learn to write on my own. I love making portraits and sketches. And I wish to become a famous artist when I grow up,” he said.
“Nadeem is usually engrossed in making portraits and sketches. He is a very supportive and understanding boy.
He was born without hands, but has never complained about anything. He has made his disability his strength and we are proud of him,” said Noorjahaan, his mother.
An authority at Nadeem’s school said, “He moved to our school two years ago from Agripada’s
Friday, March 20, 2009
'123456' is world's worst password used on the Internet
'123456' is the most common password used by people on the Internet.
Obscenities, names of fast cars and even ncc1701 - the ship number for Star Trek's Starship Enterprise, have made it to the list of top 500 worst passwords of all time.
Compiled by Whatsmypass.com, the list features passwords most commonly used by Internet users.
And topping the list of the most common password is 123456, followed by "password" in second place.
Other popular password choices were first names, repeated letters and numbers, pop-culture references.
Even batman, bond007 and cocacola made it to the list, reports the Courier Mail.
The website said that almost one out of nine people use at least one of the passwords mentioned on the list, and one out of every 50 people use one from the top 20.
In fact, a study commissioned by digital communications agency @www found that an average adult had as many as 15 passwords to remember.
But 61 per cent of people used the same passwords for as many different accounts as possible in order to make life easier.
Train availability calendar..really amazing!
;
R u searching for train availability??? Here s an easy way to find Seat
availability of all trains in a single hit..
Found this site useful - Train availability calendar - Authorized site
http://www.cleartrip.com/trains/calendar
Do check it out.. it's amazing!
Online Crosswords

No points for guessing what a site is about when it’s called www.onlinecrosswords.net. Still, the streamlined interface is worthy of note.
Divided into simple tabs, it’s self-explanatory: ‘Play’ lets you solve free puzzles; ‘Stuck?’ offers a few clues; and ‘Solutions’ will answer what stumped you.
And yes, there are even options to print the crosswords and create your own, using templates. All in all, a great resource for those who love their word games.
Gods Pharmacy
| It's been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish... All before making a human.
He made and provided what we'd need before we were born. These are best & more powerful when eaten raw.
We're such slow learners... God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body!
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Grapes
A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function. 
Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body. 

Sweet Potatoes
Olives
Onions
