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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8103 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 02, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Apr 12, 2024Hindi
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Hi, i have 20,000$ USD available to invest. Will transfer them to my NRE account this month. Please suggest best ways i can invest money in india for max returns - both short term and long term

Ans: That's a significant amount to invest, and it's great that you're considering your options carefully. Since you're looking to invest in India, Mutual Funds (MFs) can offer a diversified and potentially rewarding investment avenue. Here's a suggestion for both short-term and long-term investment:

Short-term Investment:
Consider investing a portion of your funds in Liquid Mutual Funds. These funds invest in short-term debt instruments with a maturity period of up to 91 days, providing liquidity and stability. They are ideal for parking funds temporarily while you decide on your long-term investment strategy. The repatriable nature of these funds allows you to easily convert your investment back to USD whenever needed.
Long-term Investment:
For long-term wealth accumulation, you can explore Equity Mutual Funds. These funds invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, offering the potential for higher returns over the long term. Since you have a longer investment horizon, you can consider a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and flexi-cap funds to spread risk and optimize returns. Equity Mutual Funds have the potential to outperform other asset classes over extended periods.
It's essential to assess your risk tolerance, investment goals, and time horizon before making investment decisions. Additionally, ensure that the investments you choose offer the repatriable feature, allowing you to repatriate the funds back to your foreign account if needed. Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner can provide personalized guidance tailored to your financial objectives and help you make informed investment choices.
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8103 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 03, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 03, 2024Hindi
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Money
Hi Sir, I am a Non-Resident Indian with 10 lakhs in my NRE account. Currently, I do not need this money for six months. I am hesitant to put this money into Fixed Deposits or Savings accounts. Would it be advisable to invest in Mutual Funds? Alternatively, could you please suggest a safe investment option other than Fixed Deposits and Savings accounts?
Ans: It’s great that you have Rs. 10 lakhs in your NRE account. Having this liquidity gives you a lot of flexibility. Let’s explore your options to grow this money effectively while balancing safety and potential returns.

Understanding Your Situation
You mentioned you do not need this money for six months. That gives you a short-term investment horizon. We need to consider both safety and potential returns.

Mutual Funds: A Balanced Approach
Mutual funds can be an excellent option. They offer diversification, which spreads risk across various assets. Since you are looking for a short-term investment, we should focus on categories suited for shorter horizons.

Types of Mutual Funds for Short-Term Investment
Liquid Funds:

These are ideal for short-term investments. They invest in very short-term debt instruments. They offer higher returns than savings accounts and are relatively low risk.

Ultra-Short Duration Funds:

These funds invest in debt instruments with slightly longer maturities than liquid funds. They offer a balance between safety and returns.

Short-Term Debt Funds:

If you can extend your investment horizon slightly beyond six months, short-term debt funds are worth considering. They invest in debt instruments with maturities of one to three years.
Arbitrage Funds:

These funds exploit price differences in different markets. They are relatively safe and provide returns comparable to short-term debt funds.

Money Market Funds:

These invest in short-term instruments like treasury bills, commercial paper, and certificates of deposit. They are low-risk and suitable for short-term investments.
Advantages of Mutual Funds
Diversification:

Your investment is spread across multiple securities, reducing risk.

Professional Management:

Fund managers make informed decisions based on market research and analysis.

Liquidity:

You can easily redeem your investments without significant penalties.

Flexibility:

You can choose funds based on your risk appetite and investment horizon.

Risks to Consider
Market Risk:

Even though short-term debt funds are relatively stable, they are not entirely risk-free.

Interest Rate Risk:

Changes in interest rates can affect the returns of debt funds.

Regular vs. Direct Funds
Investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can be beneficial. Regular funds through an MFD with CFP credentials provide professional guidance. Direct funds might seem cost-effective, but the lack of expert advice can lead to suboptimal decisions.

I appreciate your cautious approach. It's wise to consider alternatives to traditional fixed deposits. Your decision to explore mutual funds shows your willingness to grow your wealth while managing risk. It’s also great that you’re seeking advice to make informed choices.

Final Insights
Investing Rs. 10 lakhs for six months requires a balanced approach. Mutual funds, especially liquid and ultra-short duration funds, offer a good mix of safety and returns. They provide diversification, professional management, and liquidity. If you prefer not to invest in mutual funds, treasury bills and money market funds are safe alternatives.

Always consider your risk tolerance and investment horizon. Consulting a Certified Financial Planner can help tailor investments to your needs. They can provide valuable insights and help you navigate the investment landscape effectively.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8103 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 16, 2024Hindi
Money
Hi, I stay in Germany as NRI for past 2.5 years. I do invest in India through my SBI account through mutual funds (SIPs) as INR 10K per month but I have leverage to invest upto INR 40K per month. Can you please suggest below? 1) Can I directly invest in India through my NRE account or I first need to transfer funds to NRO account for transactions in India? 2) If I need a corpus of INR 10 Cr in next 10 years, is investing 40K per month enough? If not please suggest alternate strategy. 3) Please suggest some good mutual funds for investments as per my requiremets.
Ans: You have an excellent opportunity to grow your wealth by investing in mutual funds from Germany. Your current monthly SIP of Rs 10,000 can be increased to Rs 40,000 to align with your future financial goals. Let’s address your queries step by step.

1) Can You Invest Through an NRE Account?

As an NRI, you can invest in Indian mutual funds using either an NRE (Non-Resident External) or NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) account. Here's a breakdown of how both accounts work for investment purposes:

NRE Account: You can invest directly through your NRE account. The money you transfer from abroad into your NRE account can be used for investments in mutual funds. Funds invested through the NRE account are fully repatriable, meaning you can easily transfer the money back to your foreign account, including the profits.

NRO Account: If your money is in an NRO account, it generally consists of funds sourced from within India (such as rent or dividends). Investments made from an NRO account are subject to certain repatriation limits, and the tax implications are different. This option is more suitable if you have Indian income sources that you wish to invest.

Recommendation: Since you are based in Germany and earning abroad, investing directly from your NRE account is simpler and tax-efficient. You won’t need to transfer funds to an NRO account unless you have local income in India.

2) Is Rs 40,000 Monthly Enough for a Rs 10 Crore Corpus?

Your goal of accumulating Rs 10 crores in 10 years is ambitious and achievable with the right strategy. However, investing Rs 40,000 per month alone may not be sufficient, depending on the expected rate of return. Let’s evaluate this:

Assumed Rate of Return: Equity mutual funds in India have historically given returns ranging from 12% to 15% per annum. However, achieving a corpus of Rs 10 crores in 10 years with a Rs 40,000 SIP would require an extraordinarily high return, which is highly improbable.

Possible Scenario: With Rs 40,000 per month, even assuming a 12-15% return, your corpus might reach around Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 crores. To bridge the gap between Rs 2 crores and Rs 10 crores, you would need to significantly increase your monthly investments or consider other strategies.

Alternative Strategy to Achieve Rs 10 Crore:

Increase SIP Amount: To reach Rs 10 crores, you would likely need to invest more than Rs 40,000 per month. Depending on the returns, increasing your SIP to Rs 1 lakh or more per month could bring you closer to your goal.

Lump Sum Investments: Consider making additional lump sum investments when possible. This can come from bonuses, salary hikes, or any other windfall earnings.

Diversify Investments: While equity mutual funds should be the core of your investment portfolio, you could also consider other avenues such as international funds to hedge currency risk and provide better returns. However, stay focused on your risk tolerance and long-term goals.

Stay Invested for Longer: If you can extend your investment horizon beyond 10 years, it becomes easier to reach your Rs 10 crore target with consistent SIPs. The longer you stay invested, the more power compounding has to grow your wealth.

3) Recommended Mutual Funds for Your Investment:

For a long-term goal like yours, equity mutual funds are ideal because of their potential to deliver inflation-beating returns. Here are some fund types that would suit your needs:

Small-Cap Funds: Small-cap funds can deliver higher returns, but they come with increased volatility. Over a long horizon, they can be an excellent wealth builder, provided you have the risk appetite.

Mid-Cap Funds: Mid-cap funds offer a balance between risk and return. They have the potential to outperform large-cap funds in the long run and are a good mix for a growth-focused portfolio.

Large-Cap Funds: Large-cap funds provide stability. They invest in the top 100 companies and are less volatile compared to small-cap and mid-cap funds. For a 10-year horizon, having a portion of your portfolio in large-cap funds is essential for risk mitigation.

Flexi-Cap/Multicap Funds: These funds invest across market capitalizations. They offer flexibility, allowing fund managers to shift between small, mid, and large caps based on market conditions. This adds diversification and balance to your portfolio.

Sectoral/Thematic Funds: If you want to bet on a specific sector like technology or banking, thematic funds are an option. However, they carry a higher risk as they are concentrated in one sector. Consider them only if you understand the sector well.

Active Management over Passive Investments:

Avoid index or passive funds for your goal. Actively managed funds have the potential to outperform the benchmark over the long term, especially in a growing economy like India. Passive funds, while lower in expense, will only deliver market-level returns and may not help you achieve a 10-crore target.

Regular Plans over Direct Plans:

While direct mutual funds have lower expense ratios, they require active monitoring and decision-making. Since you are an NRI, it is more beneficial to invest through a certified financial planner (CFP) via regular plans. The guidance from a CFP will ensure proper asset allocation, fund selection, and regular portfolio rebalancing based on market conditions and your life stage.

Other Important Considerations:


Rebalancing Portfolio: Over time, as markets change and your financial situation evolves, rebalancing your portfolio is essential. For example, you may want to move from high-risk small-cap funds to more stable large-cap or debt funds as you approach your goal.

Regular Reviews: Keep reviewing your portfolio at least once a year. This will help ensure that your investments are aligned with your financial goals. If required, make adjustments based on market conditions or your personal life changes.

Finally: A Path to Rs 10 Crore

Achieving a corpus of Rs 10 crores in 10 years is an ambitious goal. Here’s a quick action plan for you:

Invest through your NRE account for simplicity and repatriation benefits.

Increase your monthly SIP to more than Rs 40,000 to stay on track for your Rs 10 crore goal.

Diversify your investments across small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap funds for optimal risk-adjusted returns.

Consider additional lump sum investments and stay disciplined with your long-term investment strategy.

Work with a certified financial planner (CFP) who can help you monitor and adjust your portfolio as needed.

With a well-planned strategy and disciplined investments, you can grow your wealth significantly and get closer to your goal.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Dr Nagarajan Jsk

Dr Nagarajan Jsk   |285 Answers  |Ask -

NEET, Medical, Pharmacy Careers - Answered on Mar 16, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 13, 2025Hindi
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Career
I am a bsc graduate and in two months I will be 23 years old but mbbs is my dream and goal. I would like to purse it now and preparing for neet exam. Can you give you advice on this sir
Ans: ELIGIBILITY RELATED TO AGE:
Eligibility for appearing in NEET (UG), as per related Regulations of NMC
and DCI are as follows:-
5.1.1. He/she has completed 17 years of age at the time of admission or will
complete that age on or before 31 December of the year of his/her
admission to the first year of the Undergraduate Medical Course.
Accordingly, the lower age limit shall be as under:
For Candidates of General (UR)/General-EWS born on or
before
31.12.2008
For Candidates of SC/ST/OBCNCL/
PwBD/PwD Category
5.1.2. Upper age limit: As per Letter No. U-11022/2/2022-UGMEB,
dated 09 March 2022 received from National Medical
Commission (NMC), Under Graduate Medical Education Board
(UGMEB) regarding the upper age limit, there is no upper age
limit.

ELIGIBILITY RELATED TO COURSE:
CODE: 06
B.Sc. Examination of an Indian University provided that
he/she has passed the B.Sc. Examination with not less than
two of the subjects Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany,
Zoology)/Biotechnology and further that he/ she has passed
the earlier qualifying examination with Physics, Chemistry,
Biology, and English.

KINDLY NOTE: Based on the facts and guidelines surrounding NEET, I would like to offer the following comments.
There is no need to worry about the age limit because the NTA is not concerned about your upper age limit. However, your educational qualifications must match the requirements. You fall under the Code 6 category.

If you have completed your undergraduate degree in Science (which you didn’t mention, but I’m predicting), consider whether stating your BSc is worthwhile. Ultimately, your eligibility depends on matching your Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) qualifications. If your HSC does not align with the requirements, you will not be eligible to appear for NEET. If you are eligible based on your HSC, then focus on your HSC score rather than Code 6.

Wishing you the best of luck!

POOCHO. LIFE CHANGE KARO!

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1553 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Mar 16, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 07, 2025Hindi
Relationship
I had a very bad past where I was in physical relationship with like 10 guys that was due to the earlier relationship I had where I was being used financially and physically that hurt and me and I got really f***** up in my mind so I started dating guys just for physical relationship then the last guy I was in relationship with I got pregnant with a baby and I aborted it because I did not want to have a future with him and also I did not have confidence to grow that baby. then 4 months later I met my husband I fell in love with him at the first meet and we had physical thing at the very first meet. during the second meet he read the group chat between me and my friends where we spoke bad words ,my husband was not okay with that and he was really feeling bad about it and he started to talk about our break up.I was waiting for my final yr results when I met him soon I got my result then I have to start my internship my husband paid 5 lacs rupees for me but he was anxious that I will be with the friends who I was talking bad words with in college and he wanted to have a breakup and he fighted everyday with that reason .I promised him that I will not be that person anymore and I won't talk to my friends. one day I helped my friend with work for which my husband got angry and he wanted to have a break up and he started to talk about the last guy which I said that he was a friend before and I don't talk to him anymore then he raised question about him and then I told him that I was having a Friends with benefit relationship with him, then things got bitter and he seriously wants break up this time,.everyday he talks to me about that and fights with me I stop going to college .one day I made a suicide attempt and then 2 days after he started talking to me normally. soon again he started asking all those questions about the last guy I have been with, he asked very minute questions about the day and dates and he fighted with me everyday for that. there is a friend of mine who knows everything about my past ,in all these chaos,things got bitter between me and her and we stop talking. one day my husband talked to her and he asked everything about me and he got to know all about my past and he said that he took all the history of my chats ,apps and photos and asked me questions repeatedly and I told him everything completely without hiding anything. then things got messed up. I was really distressed, then my family got involved and things got very bitter, he told everything about my past to my mother. one day, they made me stop talking to him. he sent message to my sister in law and brother about my past, then my mother went to my husband's sister and told her that my husband is making a big mess not allowing me to go to internship and he has all our intimate pictures then things got Messed up more and he stopped talking to me. he was just asking me the 5 lakhs rupees he paid for me and then we stopped talking for about a week, I turned completely insane during that period and I sent him txt that I am not able to live without him .then we started talking, few days after he was okay with me going to the college then again he started fighting he was not ok with me to go to college. then we decided to get register married which a day later he denied.then I ran away from my house to him ,he received me and I was with him for 3 months we lived together for 3 months during which period he spoke really bad of me because of my past which I endured because I was really feeling guilty of my past and I thought I deserved it. he was asking even all those small personal things and he hurted me so much with his words which was mere verbal abuse ,meanwhile I got pregnant then he introduced me to his family and then we got married registered in front of our family. it was an inter religious marriage. all this time he controls me for every little thing like I should do this and I should do that which I did not take seriously then. now everything got secured my mom wanted me to complete my degree in my hometown because I was not able to complete it anywhere else but my husband was not ok with me going to my hometown to complete my degree because of my past things. I have financial things to take care of because of the money spent for my degree so I was thinking to make a deal either to finish my degree or I wanted my husband to give back the money that was spent for my degree because he said so but then later he started to humiliate my family for expecting money from me and he told that they we just see me as an investment to earn back the money they spent on me. But my family wanted me to complete the degree at the first place.this created a lot of arguments between me and him . Finally,one day my mom approach his family and she wanted me to come with her to complete my degree but my husband was not ok with it and I was still supporting him my mom told that she will die if I didn't complete my degree because that was all that she dreamed for me her entire life. then they sent me to my hometown with my mom to complete my degree. after coming here my husband did not talk to me for 2 days, then he texted me that he does not want to live with me. he told that I and my family were being fake and we were using him and we broke him into pieces and made him go through the pain which he did not deserve. I got really emotional and I told him that I wanted to go back to him. he told me that he will take me to him the next day that he will book a bus for me to reach back to him but he did not contact me the next day .then a day later he started making arguments again this time, he said that he wanted divorce from me because he cannot have a life with me .he told that he does not want to be in my life and our child's life, if I want he can give financial support for my child's growth. I denied the money and I told him that I am not willing for a divorce unless or otherwise he wants to marry another girl then he 3 hrs later, he sent a letter of intent to divorce and I did not reply for it .what should I do now?
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
As bad or hurtful as it may sound to you, you have simply thrown your life at the mercy of others. They have used you as a puppet only because you have given them permission to do so...past relationships and even now.
What you should do now is:
1. Ask an elder member (not your mother) of the family to intervene and talk to him and his side of the family to see if there is any scope for reconciliation. If there is, then your husband has got to stop playing these games of wanting you one day and then not wanting you the next. It's highly toxic to live with someone who trusts you for a moment and then asks you to prove your innocence the next moment. The two of you will need to get into Intensive Therapy as a couple to put things back together.
2. If there is no scope for reconciliation, please get a good lawyer who can secure the baby's future and yours.

Though you haven't asked me this, for your own good I suggest:
Please understand that no man is going to make you happy. So, depending on them despite the fact that can act toxic, is only draining you mentally and emotionally. Evaluate for yourself what you want from life besides being in relationships constantly. A break from it all will actually help you, you know. At least it will give you sense of how you can be by yourself and what you value the most in your life. Once you get past this stage, you will be stronger to draw boundaries and know how to enforce them. No one will be able to walk over you and you will be able to reclaim your identity.
You come first and your baby is going to need a strong mother raising them. So, step up NOW!

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

...Read more

Dr Nagarajan Jsk

Dr Nagarajan Jsk   |285 Answers  |Ask -

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Anu Krishna  |1553 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Mar 16, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 06, 2025Hindi
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Relationship
My father in law dislikes my cooking. My husband also feels I can learn a thing or two from my mother in law. Honestly, I am not passionate about cooking or household chores. I can make my tea, fold my clothes, keep my room organised. Beyond that I cannot contribute because I also have a day job. I don't like being compared to other women who can cook, clean, do the dishes and also manage their work. This conversation always leads to arguments at home. What should I do?
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Integrate yourself well into the family; showing interest in cooking and actually doing it are two different things. At times, family members just end up testing you through what you do or not do. Showing interest and in fact praising you mother-in-law and actually learning a dish or two the way she makes it isn't going to hurt you or put a dent in your work life. In fact, they will appreciate that you tried and leave you alone.
Going on a tangent to prove that you have a day job and that you don't like to be compared etc leads to unwanted conversations and arguments. But what is it getting you other than putting you on a spotlight where they target you again. Instead take the spotlight off of you by integrating better; they will leave you alone and in fact even support you. Right now, all this nagging is only to gain your attention and you are giving into it...Integrate...

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

...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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