Dear Komal
In the last year, I have developed high BP and am on medication for the same.
I am 45 years old and overweight but not obese.
Can this be controlled by diet and exercise?
Please suggest how.
Chitra Salian

Ans: Hello;

The "exchange rate volatility" from Indian perspective is relatively sharp downfall of the Rupee against the USD in short span of time. There are moments of temporary bounce back but overall direction is downwards.

India imports more then 87% of its crude oil requirement which is priced in USD so our cost of oil imports rise leading to rise in petrol(even if crude oil price is stable, if it rises too then it's a double whammy for us), diesel and gas price hikes.

This fires up inflation for every product and service due to cascading price hikes.

Therefore being frugal in your discretionary expenses becomes important.

Given below are some of the investment options to deal with such events:
1. Exposure to International equity
2. Use of currency derivatives to hedge forex volatility risk.(Mainly used by corporates who have dollar denominated liabilities)
3. Investment in stocks(Indian) that benefit from Rupee downfall. (eg. IT Cos.)
4. Investment in Gold (ETFs/MFs)
5. Use of multi currency account to retain your USD holdings

Best wishes;

Ans: Consult a lawyer and send a notice to your company.

Ans: Both are good. Prefer BMSCE if based in Karnataka, provided you score below 500-1000 rank in K-CET/COMEDK. All the best for your admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

Ans: Investing Rs 10,000 per month for 10 years is a great decision. It will help you build substantial wealth over time. Here’s a detailed assessment of the best investment options and the potential returns you can expect.

Investment Options for Rs 10,000 Per Month
1. Equity Mutual Funds (Actively Managed)
Suitable for long-term wealth creation.

Professional fund managers make investment decisions.

Offers better flexibility compared to direct stock investment.

Can generate high returns over a 10-year period.

Ideal for those who can take moderate to high risk.

2. Debt Mutual Funds
Provides stability to your portfolio.

Lower risk compared to equity mutual funds.

Useful for balancing risk and return.

Returns are better than FDs over a long period.

3. Hybrid Mutual Funds
Invests in both equity and debt.

Suitable for investors looking for stability with some growth.

Balances market volatility better than pure equity funds.

4. Gold Investment (Sovereign Gold Bonds - SGBs)
Offers capital appreciation and fixed interest income.

Safe investment backed by the Government of India.

Can act as a hedge against inflation.

5. Public Provident Fund (PPF)
Tax-free returns.

Provides capital protection.

Best for those looking for safe and guaranteed returns.

Lock-in period of 15 years, but partial withdrawals allowed after 5 years.

6. National Pension System (NPS)
Ideal for retirement savings.

Provides tax benefits under Section 80C and 80CCD.

Investment mix of equity, corporate bonds, and government securities.

Partial withdrawal allowed after a few years.

Suggested Investment Allocation
Equity Mutual Funds: Rs 6,000 per month

Debt Mutual Funds: Rs 2,000 per month

Gold (SGBs): Rs 1,000 per month

PPF: Rs 1,000 per month

This diversified approach helps reduce risk and maximize returns.

Expected Wealth Creation After 10 Years
The wealth you create depends on returns from different assets. Here’s an estimate:

Equity Mutual Funds: Can generate higher returns over 10 years.

Debt Mutual Funds: Provides stability with moderate returns.

Gold (SGBs): Prices depend on market demand and inflation.

PPF: Offers safe and steady returns.

You can expect to build a significant corpus by following this plan.

Why Not Index Funds?
Index funds do not offer active management.

They simply track market movements without strategy.

Actively managed mutual funds can beat index funds over time.

Fund managers adjust portfolios based on market conditions.

Higher potential for wealth creation with actively managed funds.

Final Insights
A mix of equity, debt, gold, and PPF creates a balanced portfolio.

Stay invested for 10 years to benefit from compounding.

Review your investments every year.

Consider increasing your SIP amount whenever possible.

Invest through a Certified Financial Planner for better guidance.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

Ans: Hello Dear.
I am glad to hear that you love 3D animation and graphics and want to pursue a career in it. Many colleges offer diploma courses in this field. If you are an expert, salary is no barrier in this profession. Your parents are understandably not convinced, as you mentioned. It would be wise to focus more on your upcoming state-level and national-level engineering entrance tests to secure admission to a promising computer-related B.Tech course. While pursuing your undergraduate degree, you will learn more about coding, which will enhance your skills in 3D animation and graphics. Merely learning software and its applications will help to build your career to some extent, but in the long term, the chances of failure are higher. Listen to your parents and prioritize admission to top-tier engineering colleges. You are still young to make a life-altering decision at this stage. Best of luck for your bright future. Thank you.
Follow me if you like the reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Yes, a Higher Secondary candidate who passed their Class 12 exam in 2024 can appear for JEE Main in 2026, as long as they also passed in 2025 or are appearing for it in 2026.

Ans: Hello;

If you have an active UAN then you can easily link your previous pf accounts to your UAN by following simple process given on EPFO portal.

You need to access the EPFO portal, navigate to "One Member - One EPF Account (Transfer Request)," verify your details, and initiate the transfer request, ensuring you have your old and current employer's details available.

Best wishes;

Ans: There is a huge gap of 6+ years. Either go for M.Sc Biotechnology or prepare for competitive exams if your age permits. At least do an online MBA for enhancing your qualification. Best of luck. Professor.........................:)

Ans: Yes, a Higher Secondary candidate of 2025 can appear for JEE Advanced in 2026, as the eligibility criteria allows for two consecutive attempts after passing the Class 12 or equivalent examination. So you can appear. Professor........:)