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Sushil

Sushil Sukhwani  |594 Answers  |Ask -

Study Abroad Expert - Answered on Apr 20, 2023

Sushil Sukhwani is the founding director of the overseas education consultant firm, Edwise International. He has 31 years of experience in counselling students who have opted to study abroad in various countries, including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. He is part of the board of directors at the American International Recruitment Council and an honorary committee member of the Australian Alumni Association. Sukhwani is an MBA graduate from Bond University, Australia. ... more
Ajoy Question by Ajoy on Apr 18, 2023Hindi
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Career

My son has done his BBCA from MIT (ATSC affiliated to Pune University) and was placed with an MNC AMDOCS Pune where he would complete two years of job ex in Aug 23. We are of the opinion that he should do his masters from some good college in Australia, Ireland or Germany. 1. Which country would you recommend (is there widespread racism in the last mentioned?)? 2. Should he apply for a job in these countries and do his masters part time or study full time and work part time?

Ans: Hello Ajoy,

To begin with, thank you for contacting us. The following details could be useful:

1. The choice of a country for master's study depends on a number of variables, such as the standard of education, employment prospects, cost of living, and cultural milieu. International students seeking higher education often choose to study in Australia, Ireland, or Germany. Each country has its unique set of advantages and disadvantages:
• Australia: Australia, which is renowned for its excellent educational system and diversified cultural environment, places a heavy focus on research and innovation. While racism does exist in some Australian communities, it is not pervasive, and the majority of colleges have policies in place to support diversity and inclusivity.

• Ireland: Ireland is renowned for its extensive literary and cultural past, and its educational system is well-regarded. Racism does occur in some nations, including Ireland, however it is typically thought to be less pervasive than in some other nations.

• Germany: German universities are well-known for their robust engineering and technology programs, and several of them offer courses in English. Although isolated acts of racism and discrimination might happen anywhere, Germany has stringent laws against them.

When selecting a country for master's degree study, it's crucial to conduct extensive research and take into account a variety of aspects, including racism. It is advised to speak with current students, former students, or academic advisors to better understand the cultural setting and experiences of international students in these nations.

1. Depending on his individual circumstances, aspirations, and master’s program requirements, your son should decide whether to work part-time while pursuing his degree full-time or the other way around. While some master's programs may be rigorous and need full-time dedication, others may allow flexibility for part-time employment. Prior to making a choice, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate the prerequisites and workload of the master's program, as well as your son's career objectives and financial position. Furthermore, acquiring a job in a foreign nation may be contingent on issues such as language skills, work permits, and employment market conditions, all of which should be considered. Consultation with academic advisors, career counselors, or immigration advisors can provide valuable guidance in making this decision.

For more information, you can visit our website.
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Sushil

Sushil Sukhwani  |594 Answers  |Ask -

Study Abroad Expert - Answered on May 27, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 25, 2024Hindi
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Career
My son wants to go for masters (Robotics/Automation/Industrial engg) in UK or Germany. What would be the best country to do his masters and get PR without any hassles? How will be the job opportunities in these countries for the course he did?
Ans: Hello,

To begin with, thank you for contacting us. I am happy to hear that your son aspires to pursue his Masters in Robotics/Automation/Industrial Engineering in the UK or Germany. To answer your question first, I would like to let you know that several variables, including possibilities for employment following graduation and permanent residency (PR) need to be taken into account when deciding between Germany and the UK for pursuing a Masters in Robotics, Automation, or Industrial Engineering.

I would like to tell you that Germany and the UK both are renowned for having robust engineering and technology industries with outstanding educational programs and research possibilities offered in these fields. Nevertheless, with regard to gaining permanent residency, Germany has simpler procedures than the UK.

Germany’s immigration laws, especially the Blue Card scheme, aims to attract competent laborers, including graduates from universities in Germany. On competing their Masters degrees in Germany, students have the chance to prolong their residence permits for the purpose of seeking employment and finally switch to a Blue Card, which can result in permanent residency.

The UK on the contrary, has modified its immigration laws recently, implementing a points-based system that gives preference to highly qualified personnel. Although overseas students are permitted to remain in the UK for a brief period of time following graduation in order to seek work, the routes to obtaining permanent residency are more difficult and competitive in comparison to Germany.

I would like to let you know that both the nations have booming engineering sectors that provide a wealth of work opportunities, nevertheless, the manufacturing industry in Germany is particularly strong with several jobs in automation, robotics, and industrial engineering. An abundance of opportunities for graduates in these sectors are offered by Germany’s robust industrial sector, including well-known corporations viz., Volkswagen, Siemens, and Bosch.

The UK also boasts a thriving engineering industry, particularly in aerospace, automotive, and technology. Nevertheless, employment prospects for overseas graduates in the UK may be impacted by Brexit concerns and its possible effects on immigration and employment laws.

Lastly, while outstanding possibilities to pursue a Master’s degree in Robotics, Automation, or Industrial Engineering are offered by both Germany and the UK, a more simpler route to obtain permanent residency and ample employment prospects in these sectors may be offered by Germany. Nevertheless, in order to make an educated choice depending on your son’s aspirations and situation, I would recommend that you conduct an extensive study on certain courses, universities, and well as labor markets in both the nations.

For more information, you can visit our website: www.edwiseinternational.com

You can also follow us on our Instagram page: edwiseint

..Read more

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8327 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 09, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 09, 2025
Money
Dear Sir, I am 55 and I am a stage 4 cancer patient for the past 5 years. Presently working with a salary of Rs.30 LPA. I have Rs.75 L in SB account. Rs.25 L in shares out of which Rs.12 L is loss. Rs.12 L in mutual funds. Rs.3 L in EPF. No commitments or liabilities. I need to know how I can get Rs. 70 K per month in case I lose my job. Kindly advise.
Ans: I truly appreciate your courage and clarity even in the face of health challenges. With your current financial resources and the need to secure a monthly income of Rs. 70,000, a detailed and careful plan is very much possible.

Let me give you a full 360-degree solution below, step-by-step.

Understanding Your Present Financial Picture
You are 55 years old and have been living with stage 4 cancer for 5 years.

You are still employed and drawing a salary of Rs. 30 lakhs per year.

You have Rs. 75 lakhs in your savings bank account.

You hold Rs. 25 lakhs in shares, with Rs. 12 lakhs in losses.

You have Rs. 12 lakhs in mutual funds.

Rs. 3 lakhs is in your EPF account.

You have no loans or financial commitments.

Your main concern is to receive Rs. 70,000 every month if the job stops.

You are not looking to take risks.

You want regular, reliable income without physical involvement.

Step 1: Emergency Medical and Health Fund
Health comes first. Keep money aside just for medical needs.

This fund should cover two years of your full household and medical costs.

Keep Rs. 15 to 20 lakhs aside for this purpose.

This money should be in ultra-safe places.

Prefer a savings bank account and liquid mutual funds.

This should remain untouched unless truly needed.

This emergency buffer gives peace and avoids panic in tough times.

Step 2: Generate Rs. 70,000 Monthly Income
Rs. 70,000 monthly means Rs. 8.4 lakhs needed per year.

Aim for post-tax cash flow from your investments.

Break your funds into income generation buckets.

Use your Rs. 75 lakhs from savings bank as the core capital.

Avoid keeping the full amount idle in SB account.

Allocate funds into low-risk, stable return instruments.

Prefer investment avenues offering quarterly or monthly payouts.

Choose options where you can withdraw in parts if needed.

Step 3: Structured Investment Allocation
Short-Term Bucket: 1 to 2 Years

Set aside Rs. 18 to 20 lakhs for short-term needs.

Put this money into highly liquid options.

Use only those that protect capital and give fixed income.

These funds will generate stable income for the next two years.

Prefer options offering monthly or quarterly payouts.

This will help replace your salary if job stops.

You don’t need to sell any shares or mutual funds right away.

You get time to think clearly, plan calmly.

Medium-Term Bucket: 3 to 5 Years

Keep around Rs. 25 to 30 lakhs here.

Invest in actively managed hybrid mutual funds.

Choose regular plans through a mutual fund distributor with CFP credentials.

Do not go for direct funds.

Direct plans do not come with personalised guidance.

There is no one to help you rebalance, switch or review.

Regular plans through a Certified Financial Planner offer ongoing support.

With hybrid funds, risk is moderate and returns are better than FDs.

Use SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan) to get monthly income.

You can set up SWP of Rs. 40,000 to 50,000 from this bucket.

These funds will last for years while also growing gradually.

Long-Term Bucket: 5+ Years

Keep Rs. 10 to 15 lakhs for the long-term.

This is not for current income, but for inflation beating growth.

Invest in actively managed large cap or balanced advantage funds.

Again, use regular plans with Certified Financial Planner.

These funds will build wealth for later stages.

You can shift gains to the medium bucket after 5 years.

Step 4: Shareholding Review and Action Plan
You have Rs. 25 lakhs in shares.

Out of this, Rs. 12 lakhs are in losses.

Do not sell them in a hurry.

Some may recover if you wait patiently.

First, make a list of all companies and their quality.

Exit poor-quality stocks even at a loss.

Retain good quality stocks with strong future.

If the whole portfolio is confusing, take help from a Certified Financial Planner.

You can harvest the loss now to set off gains later.

Book losses smartly to reduce future capital gains tax.

After cleaning up, move the proceeds to your medium bucket.

Step 5: Mutual Fund Review
You hold Rs. 12 lakhs in mutual funds.

Find out the type of each fund.

If these are equity funds, hold them long-term.

If returns are low or risk is high, shift to hybrid funds.

Avoid investing in index funds.

Index funds cannot protect capital in falling markets.

They simply copy the market blindly.

Actively managed funds are safer.

Professional fund managers take timely actions.

They reduce your risk and improve consistency.

Step 6: EPF Strategy
You have Rs. 3 lakhs in EPF.

EPF earns stable tax-free interest.

Do not withdraw unless it’s urgent.

Keep it as part of your long-term reserve.

Step 7: Monthly Income Setup
Use short-term and medium-term buckets to get income.

Start SWP from mutual funds for Rs. 40,000 monthly.

Use fixed income tools for Rs. 30,000 more.

Review this every year with a Certified Financial Planner.

Adjust amounts if needed based on inflation.

Step 8: Tax Planning and Awareness
Income from mutual funds is taxable.

Long-term capital gains above Rs. 1.25 lakhs taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term gains taxed at 20%.

Debt fund gains taxed as per your slab.

Plan redemptions to avoid tax shocks.

Harvest profits in a planned manner.

Step 9: Avoid These Common Mistakes
Do not invest in real estate.

It is illiquid and needs physical handling.

Do not buy annuities.

They give poor returns and lock your money.

Do not fall for insurance + investment combos.

If you already hold such policies, review them.

Consider surrender if return is poor.

Reinvest the proceeds into mutual funds.

Step 10: Use a Certified Financial Planner
A Certified Financial Planner gives structured and unbiased advice.

They help you with fund selection, SWP setup, rebalancing.

They guide you with tax-saving and risk control.

Their ongoing service is crucial at your life stage.

Choose someone with experience and clear credentials.

Finally
You are in a better financial position than many.

You have no loans, no dependents, and have built good savings.

With a calm and simple plan, you can replace your income safely.

You do not need to take risky steps now.

You have already shown strength by managing your life and job for 5 years.

Now your money should serve you with peace and stability.

Break your capital into buckets.

Get monthly income through safe withdrawals.

Review regularly with a Certified Financial Planner.

Avoid unnecessary complexity or noise.

You deserve a peaceful financial life.

Your health is precious. Let money be your quiet support.

Invest safe. Withdraw smart. Sleep well.

You are already doing well. Just add clarity and structure.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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