I'm deciding between NIT Patna and NIT Surat for Mechanical Engineering. Which one should I choose?

Ans: Your daughter is pursuing an integrated BA LLB course in corporate law, which opens up numerous opportunities both domestically and internationally. To excel in this field, she should focus on core subjects like contract law, company law, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property rights, taxation, and securities law. Internships with law firms, corporate organizations, or government agencies will provide valuable practical experience.

Developing strong research, analytical, and communication skills will be essential for her success. Additionally, pursuing certifications or specializations in corporate law can enhance her expertise and career prospects. A postgraduate degree from a reputed institution will further strengthen her knowledge base.

Networking with professionals in the industry and joining a reputable law firm can help her build important connections. Potential career paths include working at law firms, serving as in-house counsel, or specializing in corporate litigation.

Finally, it’s important for her to manage stress effectively and maintain a healthy work-life balance to sustain long-term career success. All the Best for Your Properous Future.

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Ans: Dear Piyush,
Aap ek engineer ho...naukri toh lagi hogi na aapki...phir bhi 3 dinon se kuch khaaya nahin, yeh kaise?
Police kya karegi yahaan? Mujhe lagtaa hai ki aapko pehle apni samasya samajhna hoga, uske baad likhiye yahaan taaki hume bhi samajh aaye ki aap kis cheez se pareshaan hain aur kya kar sakte hain.

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

Ans: Sameer, A BA in Psychology offers numerous career paths, including Clinical Psychologist, Counselor/Therapist, Human Resources (HR), School/College Counselor, Psychiatric Technician, Rehabilitation Specialist, Forensic Psychologist, Market Research Analyst, Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, Social Worker, Health Educator/Promoter, Research Assistant, Public Health Professional, and Content Writing/Journalism. These roles require further studies, such as a Master's or Doctorate, to diagnose and treat mental health disorders, help individuals cope with emotional and life challenges, and work in various settings. Further qualifications or certifications may be required depending on the specific career path. All the Best for Your Properous Future.

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Ans: Aparna Madam, some of the top schools in Coimbatore offering the ICSE board include TIPS, PSG Public School, Sree Kumaran Public School, Bishop Cotton Girls' School, Camford International School, Coimbatore Public School, Lawrence School, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Nava Bharath National School, and Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya. These schools are well-known for their excellent academic and extracurricular programs, modern teaching approaches, well-rounded education, academic rigor, and emphasis on values-based learning.

I recommend researching these schools and shortlisting 4-5 options that best align with your requirements. After that, choose the one that suits your needs. It’s also important to consider the pros and cons of the ICSE curriculum. If your son's short- and long-term goals align with what the ICSE board offers, it would be a good fit for him. All the Best for Your Properous Future.

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Ans: Auzan, I completed the T&D course from ISTD when I was in Delhi in 1996 after completing my PGDIR/PM from Bhartiya Vidya Bahwan (Delhi) & also Diploma in Labour Law from Madras University. Yes, it is valid, and most recruiters recognize it. The quality of the materials provided by ISTD is excellent. You also will have to complete a Project Work. Please check its website, if it has or call them to know more. All the Best for Your Properous Future.

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Ans: Dear Anonymous,
No, nothing is right or wrong; it's just the way we perceive things (a point of view that almost makes everything seem right).
But I am sure there are other reasons that have prompted you to write in here. It's a guy who is much younger. Is this young man also interested in you like you are to him? Is he misplacing his lack of love from his mother through this relationship with you?

Be very cautious about relationships that come from a place of NEED. When the need is filled, the relationship invariably breaks. In your case, with no great close relationships and love from them, you seem to be deriving that from the attention that you get from this young man. He's young and has a whole life ahead of him. He has the luxury to choose who he wants as his life partner by actually getting into the dating scene, right? Where will that leave you?

This line of thinking that I am guiding you into is not to dampen your spirits but to make sure that you are closing all these loose ends before thinking of a relationships. How can you do this? By actually pondering over the questions that I have asked you. That may also involve some talk with the young man as well BUT at his age and maturity there is only that much that he can give you. If you are looking for emotional stability, then think really hard about what is going on...

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
It can be very distressing to go blank at times. But neither you nor me can pinpoint the exact cause for it. It might be a good idea to actually check this out medically if the head injury in fact did cause what you are facing now. Otherwise, you will just find yourself thinking of whether this or that caused what...
Once a cause is known, the path to remedy it becomes simpler. So, my suggestion to you to deal with the situations as you have mentioned is to seek medical help and if there is any therapy that is suggested after that, it will help improve cognitive skills and mind state. But first, consult a doctor.

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

Ans: You are 43 years old and wish to retire next year.

Your financial assets include Rs 50 lakh in PPF, FD, and NSC.

You will receive Rs 26 lakh from an insurance maturity next year.

You own a house in Bangalore and earn Rs 15,000 monthly rent.

You also own two plots worth Rs 50 lakh and agricultural land in Maddur.

Your monthly expense is Rs 60,000, covering your family’s needs.

You have no EMIs, which is an advantage.

You have medical insurance for yourself and your family.

Understanding Your Retirement Corpus
Your liquid assets will be Rs 76 lakh next year.

Your rental income provides Rs 1.8 lakh per year.

Your real estate holdings are not income-generating.

Your expenses amount to Rs 7.2 lakh per year.

Inflation will increase your cost of living over time.

Your corpus should sustain expenses for the next 40+ years.

Analysing Whether You Can Retire Next Year
Income vs. Expenses
Your rental income will cover a small part of expenses.

Your investments must generate Rs 5.4 lakh annually.

Without active income, wealth depletion is a risk.

A well-structured investment strategy is needed.

Inflation Impact on Expenses
Inflation will erode purchasing power over time.

Future medical and lifestyle costs will rise.

Your corpus must grow above inflation.

Longevity and Financial Security
You may live for 40+ years post-retirement.

A corpus of Rs 76 lakh is insufficient for long-term stability.

More passive income sources are required.

Optimising Your Retirement Strategy
Delay Retirement for 3-5 Years
Working a few more years will strengthen your corpus.

Additional savings will improve financial security.

Investing during this period will compound wealth.

Shift to Income-Generating Investments
Your rental income is fixed but insufficient.

Invest in mutual funds for better returns.

Avoid keeping excess funds in low-yield instruments.

Withdraw from Real Estate Strategically
Your plots are non-income-generating assets.

Consider selling or leasing for passive income.

Reinvest proceeds in better financial instruments.

Risk Management for a Secure Retirement
Maintain an Emergency Fund
Keep at least 2 years’ expenses in liquid assets.

This ensures financial stability during market downturns.

Avoid dipping into long-term investments.

Adequate Health and Life Coverage
Your medical insurance should cover major treatments.

Increase coverage if needed for better protection.

Life insurance should secure dependents financially.

Asset Allocation and Rebalancing
Equity exposure should support long-term growth.

Debt investments provide stability for withdrawals.

Regular portfolio reviews will optimise risk and returns.

Tax Efficiency for Maximum Savings
Tax Planning for Investment Withdrawals
Equity gains above Rs 1 lakh attract LTCG tax.

Debt fund withdrawals have indexation benefits.

Tax-efficient withdrawals will extend corpus life.

Smart Tax-Saving Strategies
Use PPF, debt funds, and SCSS for stable returns.

Mutual fund investments provide better post-tax returns.

Avoid heavy tax burdens on premature withdrawals.

Finally
Retiring next year is financially risky.

Delaying by 3-5 years will ensure better security.

Investing wisely will maximise corpus longevity.

Generating passive income is crucial for sustainability.

Proper planning will ensure a stress-free retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Ans: Understanding Your Retirement Goal
You aim for a corpus of Rs 1.25 crore by July 2032.

Your current mutual fund investments stand at Rs 30 lakhs.

You invest Rs 30,000 per month in SIPs.

You have started a step-up SIP of Rs 3,000 from Feb 2025, increasing by Rs 3,000 yearly till Jan 2031.

Your strategy is disciplined and systematic, which is great.

Let’s assess if this plan will help you reach your goal.

Evaluating Your Current Investment Plan
Your existing SIPs and portfolio growth will contribute significantly.

The power of compounding will help boost your corpus over time.

Your step-up SIP strategy will increase investments, accelerating corpus growth.

Market volatility can affect returns, so diversification is key.

Your goal is achievable, but returns depend on market performance.

Key Factors That Impact Your Retirement Corpus
Investment Tenure
You have about 7.5 years left until retirement.

Long-term investments generally perform well, but shorter durations require better strategy.

A balanced allocation between equity and debt will ensure growth and stability.

Expected Rate of Return
Equity mutual funds historically offer strong returns over long periods.

Realistic expectations are crucial to avoid over-optimism.

A moderate-to-aggressive approach suits your timeline.

Inflation Consideration
Inflation erodes purchasing power over time.

Your corpus must account for post-retirement expenses.

A well-planned portfolio should grow above inflation.

Optimising Your Investment Strategy
Continue and Monitor SIPs
Stick to your Rs 30,000 monthly SIPs consistently.

Review fund performance annually.

If funds underperform for 3+ years, switch to better options.

Enhance Step-Up SIP Strategy
Your Rs 3,000 annual step-up is beneficial.

Consider increasing it to Rs 5,000 if feasible.

Higher contributions earlier will ease the pressure later.

Diversification for Stability
Invest across different fund categories for risk management.

Balance equity-heavy investments with some stable debt funds.

Asset allocation should align with risk tolerance.

Reduce Home Loan Burden
If possible, prepay some home loan principal.

Lower EMIs can free up cash flow for investments.

Avoid over-extending finances at the cost of liquidity.

Risk Management for Secure Retirement
Emergency Fund Maintenance
Keep 6-12 months’ expenses in liquid funds.

This ensures financial stability in case of market downturns.

Avoid using retirement funds for emergencies.

Adequate Health Insurance
Medical costs can be high post-retirement.

Ensure sufficient health coverage for yourself and dependents.

A Rs 15-25 lakh health cover is advisable.

Asset Rebalancing as Retirement Nears
As you approach 2032, shift some equity to safer debt funds.

This protects against last-minute market volatility.

Gradual transition ensures stability in the final years.

Post-Retirement Strategy
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)
Instead of withdrawing lump sum, use an SWP for steady income.

This ensures tax efficiency and continued investment growth.

Avoid premature withdrawal of mutual funds.

Senior Citizen Investment Options
Keep a portion of the corpus in safe instruments.

Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) and debt mutual funds offer stable returns.

Maintain liquidity for unexpected expenses.

Tax Efficiency for Maximum Returns
Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) Planning
Equity gains above Rs 1 lakh per year attract 10% tax.

Use systematic redemption to optimise tax liability.

Invest tax-efficiently to retain maximum returns.

Retirement Tax-Free Instruments
PPF remains tax-free at maturity.

Debt mutual funds held long-term have indexation benefits.

Choose funds that provide post-tax efficient returns.

Final Insights
Your Rs 1.25 crore goal is achievable with consistent investing.

A slight increase in step-up SIP can ensure a smoother journey.

Monitor fund performance and rebalance periodically.

Manage risks with proper insurance and an emergency fund.

Tax-efficient strategies will help maximise post-retirement income.

Planning beyond accumulation is essential for financial security.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment