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How can a 48-year-old with 3.43 crore saved retire in 2 years with a monthly salary of 2.3 lakh and expenses between 80,000 and 1 lakh?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8151 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 07, 2025

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 - Jan 30, 2025Hindi
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I am 48 and need to retire by 50. Current corpus - agri only land 70 lacs Bank - 45 lacs FDs - 30 lacs NPS 25 lacs Stock Foreign - 30 lacs PPF 28 lacs PF - 70 lacs Expected salary next 2 years - 2.3 lacs per month Average Monthly expense between 80k to 1lac

Ans: Retiring at 50 is possible with structured financial planning. Your assets are well-distributed, but careful allocation is necessary for stability. Let’s evaluate your situation and create a sustainable withdrawal strategy.

Current Financial Position
Agricultural Land: Rs 70 lakh

Bank Balance: Rs 45 lakh

Fixed Deposits: Rs 30 lakh

NPS: Rs 25 lakh

Foreign Stocks: Rs 30 lakh

PPF: Rs 28 lakh

Provident Fund (PF): Rs 70 lakh

Total Liquid Assets (Excluding Land): Rs 2.28 crore

Expected Salary (Next 2 Years): Rs 2.3 lakh per month

Monthly Expenses: Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh

Your net worth is strong. However, liquidity management and investment strategy must be planned carefully.

Key Financial Challenges
1. Ensuring a Regular Income Post-Retirement
Your current expenses are Rs 1 lakh per month.
After retirement, you need Rs 12 lakh annually.
This must be generated without depleting your corpus too soon.
Solution: Build a structured withdrawal plan from stable investment sources.

2. Managing Inflation Impact
At 6% inflation, monthly expenses will double in 12 years.
Your investment returns must outpace inflation.
Solution: Invest a portion in high-return options to maintain purchasing power.

3. Balancing Risk and Liquidity
Equity provides growth but is volatile.
Fixed-income instruments provide stability but lower returns.
A balance is essential for steady cash flow.
Solution: Allocate assets for short-term, mid-term, and long-term needs.

Retirement Corpus Allocation Strategy
1. Emergency Fund (Rs 25 Lakh)
Keep Rs 15 lakh in bank FD and Rs 10 lakh in a liquid fund.
This ensures liquidity for medical or unexpected expenses.
2. Short-Term Expenses (Next 5 Years)
Withdraw monthly income from low-risk instruments.
Use FDs, PPF, and debt mutual funds for this period.
This ensures stability while other assets grow.
3. Medium-Term Growth (5-10 Years)
Invest a portion in balanced mutual funds.
Keep funds in moderate-risk instruments to generate returns.
4. Long-Term Growth (10+ Years)
Maintain equity exposure for long-term wealth appreciation.
Use actively managed mutual funds instead of index funds.
Keep foreign stocks for global diversification.
Cash Flow Plan After Retirement
First 5 Years: Withdraw from FDs and debt funds.
5 to 10 Years: Withdraw from balanced funds and dividends.
Beyond 10 Years: Withdraw from long-term growth funds.
This staggered approach ensures financial security.

Additional Considerations
1. Managing Foreign Stocks
Keep foreign investments diversified.
Avoid over-dependence due to currency fluctuations.
2. NPS Withdrawal Strategy
NPS allows partial withdrawal at 50.
Plan lump sum withdrawals and annuity balance smartly.
3. Healthcare Planning
Health insurance must be enhanced for post-retirement security.
Keep a dedicated medical corpus aside.
Finally
Your financial base is strong, but structured withdrawals are necessary.

Allocate funds wisely to ensure a steady income.
Balance equity and fixed-income investments for stability.
Manage inflation risk by keeping a portion in growth assets.
Maintain liquidity for emergencies and health expenses.
A well-planned approach will help you retire comfortably at 50 without financial stress.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

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

Janak Patel  |21 Answers  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on Jan 29, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 26, 2025Hindi
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My age is 40 and i want to retire in nxt 10 years my corpus in mf = 5 crores - ppf = 1 crore - term insurance 3.75 crore - lic = 2 crore - mediclaim = 50 lakh - owned house - land = 50 lakjs - other recurring income monthly = 16 lakhs a month
Ans: Hi,

There are many things to consider for an early retirement (around age 50 as you mentioned), first is to start thinking about it in a more realistic manner. An early retirement has different meaning to each individual - opportunities to relax and pursue your passion and interests and live life on your own terms. So do think about how to keep yourself occupied once you retire.

At 50 years of age, it a still a long life ahead. Considering the investments and assets mentioned in your query, it may seem more than adequate, but some critical information are missing in it for a full assessment. What are your expenses, liabilities and plans/goals in life and also who are your dependents and what are your financial responsibilities. These need to be considered before concluding if you are well placed for the long retirement ahead.

There are many aspects that will need planning and expert guidance -
• Expense management - Regular income to cover your monthly expenses and ad-hoc/annual expenses
• Investment management - Optimize investment portfolio and plan on reinvesting maturing benefits of LIC that are aligned to your requirements
• Tax optimization of investments and reimbursements - Tax is applicable on gains from most sources of income except a few and in your case LIC (depending on the policy type) and PPF balance are tax exempt
• Risk management - besides health insurance (increase it to 1 Cr), do you need any other type of insurance, that needs to be assessed/calculated
• Succession and inheritance planning - passing of your assets and investments to family, friends or anyone you wish

I recommend you to connect with a good advisor / Certified Financial Planner who will study all aspects of your life and provide guidance and feedback and help you plan the retirement.

Thanks & Regards
Janak Patel
Certified Financial Planner.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8151 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 04, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 26, 2025Hindi
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My age is 40 and i want to retire in nxt 10 years my corpus in mf = 5 crores - ppf = 1 crore - term insurance 3.75 crore - lic = 2 crore - mediclaim = 50 lakh - owned house - land = 50 lakjs - other recurring income monthly = 16 lakhs a month
Ans: You have built a strong financial foundation. Retiring in 10 years is possible with proper planning.

Understanding Your Current Financial Position
Mutual funds corpus: Rs 5 crores

PPF balance: Rs 1 crore

Term insurance cover: Rs 3.75 crores

LIC policy: Rs 2 crores

Mediclaim: Rs 50 lakhs

Owned house: No housing cost after retirement

Land: Rs 50 lakhs, but not a liquid asset

Recurring monthly income: Rs 16 lakhs

Evaluating Your Retirement Readiness
Your assets are strong and well-diversified.

Your medical and life insurance coverage is adequate.

Recurring income of Rs 16 lakhs monthly provides high financial security.

A structured withdrawal plan is needed for your corpus.

Strengthening Your Retirement Plan
Mutual funds should be balanced with equity and debt.

PPF maturity should be used for safe returns.

LIC policies should be reviewed for efficiency.

Recurring income should be managed wisely to ensure sustainability.

Investment Strategy for the Next 10 Years
Continue investing in mutual funds for long-term growth.

Increase debt exposure closer to retirement for stability.

Keep emergency funds for at least 2 years of expenses.

Avoid real estate as it locks funds and reduces liquidity.

Managing Expenses After Retirement
Define annual expense needs post-retirement.

Plan systematic withdrawals from investments.

Keep a portion of funds in low-risk instruments for liquidity.

Review your plan regularly with a Certified Financial Planner.

Final Insights
Your financial position is strong for early retirement.

Focus on asset allocation and risk management.

Keep reviewing and adjusting your plan as needed.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8151 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 04, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 27, 2025Hindi
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I am 47. I wanted to retire this year. I have around 5 crore commercial property and 35 residential plots worth 3.5 crore. no house, 2 daughter of 6th std and 2nd std. Monthly expense 50k and monthly income 1 lk.
Ans: You have done well in accumulating assets. However, your retirement plan must focus on liquidity, stability, and growth. Real estate is illiquid and needs careful management. Let's assess your situation and build a structured financial plan.

Key Challenges in Your Retirement Plan
Your wealth is in real estate, which lacks immediate liquidity.

You have two young daughters, requiring future education and marriage funds.

Your monthly income is Rs 1 lakh, but real estate income is often inconsistent.

You have no house, meaning you might need to buy or rent one.

Healthcare costs will increase, and medical emergencies can arise.

Real Estate – A Major Concern
You have 35 residential plots and commercial property worth Rs 8.5 crore in total.

Real estate is illiquid and cannot generate stable cash flow.

Managing multiple properties requires time, effort, and ongoing expenses.

Selling during an emergency can lead to financial losses.

It is crucial to convert a portion of real estate into liquid investments.

Immediate Steps for a Secure Retirement
1. Secure a Stable Monthly Income
Relying on real estate income is risky as tenants may vacate, or rental income may fluctuate.

Sell some residential plots and reinvest in mutual funds for steady cash flow.

Avoid annuities as they lock money and limit flexibility.

Choose actively managed funds for growth and income generation.

2. Buying a House – Essential for Stability
Consider buying a house within your budget to secure your stay.

Renting may seem affordable now, but long-term rental costs can become a burden.

3. Children's Education and Marriage Fund
Your daughters are still in school, so their higher education expenses will rise.

Set up a dedicated education fund using actively managed mutual funds.

Avoid direct mutual funds, as they require constant monitoring.

Invest through a Certified Financial Planner to build a structured portfolio.

4. Emergency and Medical Fund
Healthcare costs will increase significantly after retirement.

Keep at least 3 years' worth of expenses in liquid assets.

Ensure you have adequate health insurance for yourself and your family.

Investment Strategy for Financial Freedom
Selling at least 10-15 plots can generate a diversified investment portfolio.

Invest in a mix of equity and fixed-income instruments.

Keep a portion in actively managed mutual funds for long-term growth.

Invest in regular mutual funds through a Certified Financial Planner for guidance.

Avoid index funds, as they do not offer risk protection in market downturns.

Final Insights
Convert illiquid assets into liquid investments to ensure financial stability.

Build a structured portfolio with active fund management.

Plan for children’s education, medical expenses, and monthly cash flow.

Ensure you have a house to live in without financial strain.

Avoid index funds, direct funds, and annuities for a flexible and growth-focused retirement.

Retirement is not just about assets but also income stability and liquidity. A structured approach will ensure you enjoy financial independence without stress.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8151 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 07, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 07, 2025Hindi
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I am 48 now want to retire at 54 PPF 32 lacs, MF 50 lacs, 20 Lacs of NSC, 13 lacs in PF, 1.3 crs in Bank FD, Stocks 10 lacs. Monthly income 1 lacs. My own house 3600 sq feet.No loans No liabilities Monthly Expenses 70 K. Only one Girl child in 12 th Commerce. pl suggest.
Ans: You have a well-structured financial base. Your savings and investments are diversified. You have no loans or liabilities. Your expenses are well within your income.

However, retiring at 54 requires careful planning. Your goal is to sustain expenses for a lifetime. You also need to plan for your child's education and unexpected costs.

Current Financial Status
PPF: Rs. 32 lakhs
Mutual Funds: Rs. 50 lakhs
NSC: Rs. 20 lakhs
PF: Rs. 13 lakhs
Bank FD: Rs. 1.3 crore
Stocks: Rs. 10 lakhs
Total Corpus: Rs. 2.55 crore
Monthly Income: Rs. 1 lakh
Monthly Expenses: Rs. 70,000
House: 3,600 sq. ft (self-occupied)
You have a strong corpus. But early retirement means managing funds carefully. Inflation, healthcare costs, and market risks must be considered.

Key Considerations for Retirement at 54
You need income for at least 30-35 years.

Inflation will increase expenses over time.

Medical costs will rise as you age.

Your child's higher education needs to be funded.

Fixed deposits lose value over time due to inflation.

A mix of safe and growth investments is required.

Adjustments Needed in Your Portfolio
1. Reduce Heavy Dependence on Fixed Deposits
FD interest rates are low and taxable.

Inflation will reduce the real value of your FDs.

Shift some FD amounts into better options.

Keep only 2-3 years of expenses in FDs.

Use a mix of bonds, mutual funds, and dividend-paying funds.

2. Optimise Mutual Fund Investments
Continue SIPs until retirement.

Review fund performance regularly.

Reduce exposure to low-performing funds.

Keep a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and flexi-cap funds.

Increase allocation to balanced and conservative hybrid funds.

3. Use PPF and NSC Strategically
PPF is a great tax-free long-term investment.

Avoid withdrawing PPF in bulk at retirement.

Use PPF maturity for medical or emergency needs.

NSC is locked for five years. Plan withdrawals accordingly.

4. Review Stock Investments
Stock investments should not be too high post-retirement.

Direct stocks are risky for retirement income.

Shift some stock holdings to diversified mutual funds.

5. Plan for Healthcare and Insurance
Medical costs will be a major expense in later years.

Ensure a strong health insurance plan.

Increase coverage if needed.

Have a separate medical emergency fund.

6. Plan Your Daughter’s Higher Education
Higher education costs are rising.

Estimate the required amount now.

Use a mix of FDs, mutual funds, and debt funds for this goal.

Avoid taking money from retirement savings.

7. Retirement Income Strategy
Do not withdraw all funds at once.

Create a systematic withdrawal plan.

Use mutual fund SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan) for regular income.

Keep emergency funds in liquid assets.

Review investments annually to adjust for inflation.

Finally
You are on the right path to early retirement. But small adjustments will help sustain wealth longer.

A Certified Financial Planner can guide you in structuring withdrawals and investments for stability.

Plan well today, so you enjoy a worry-free retired life.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

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

..Read more

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Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |1136 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Mar 25, 2025

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Hello! Advait ji, My Mom is 82 and gets family pension. She has 70 lakhs FD maturing in March 25. I would like to invest 10 lakhs in FD as emergency fund. Kindly advice how to invest the remaining 60 lakhs, which is risk free and gives good returns (better than FD) She has the following investment - 1. 10 lakhs in Edelweiss Multicap Fund - Gr 2. 2 lakhs 40 thousand in HDFC Flexicap Fund -Gr 3. 2 lakhs 40 thousand in HDFC Midcap Opportunities Fund 4. 2 lakhs 50 thousand in Invesco India Focused Fund 5. 2 lakhs 50 thousand in LIC MF Infrastructure Fund 6. 2 lakhs 50 thousand in Motilal Oswal Large and Mid-Cap 7. 2 lakhs 40 thousand in Nippon India Large Cap Fund 8. 2 lakhs 40 thousand in Nippon India Multicap Fund 9. 2 lakhs 40 thousand in Nippon India Small Cap Fund 10. 2 lakhs 40 thousand in Quant Small Cap Fund. Total Mutual fund investment of 32 lakhs. Apart from MF she has invested in Bajaj Allianz Life insurance plan, where she will investRs 2 Lakhs per year for 10 years. This is a guaranteed plan. She is comfortable running the house with her pension. However, please suggest shorter duration investments (5 yrs) Regards Namrata
Ans: Hello;

She may opt for any of these investment avenues:

1. Post office time deposit scheme(FDs offered by post office for 1,2,3 & 5 year tenure); Joint holding allowed; Premature withdrawal allowed after 6M. (Current ROI 6.9-7.5%)

2. NSC with a fixed tenure of 5 years; No premature withdrawal allowed. Can be held jointly(Current ROI 7.7%)

3. KVP: Although tenure is 9 yrs and 5 months, you may do premature encashment after 2.5 years; joint holding allowed;(Current ROI 7.5%)

You may approach a reliable postal agent to process these investments to avoid hassle of frequent post visits and associated hardships.

These are backed by GOI so no risk of default.

Hope this meets your requirements.

Best wishes;

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1061 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Mar 25, 2025

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I am a first year student at MIT Manipal,currently pursuing Electrical and Electronics engineering(EEE),and I am have been given a choice to apply for branch change in my institute either to CSE,Mathematics and Computing(MnC) or ECE in my second year. I did not study Computer Science in 11th and 12th, and I coding in C for the first time as part of my 1st year syllabus.I am not very much interested to coding,but I am learning it since it is there in the course syllabus. My parents suggest switching to CSE, but they are not engineers and do not have insights into the current job market. Since my batch will be passing out in 2028, I want to understand the job scenario for CSE, MnC, ECE, and EEE graduates by then. Among these,which branch provides better opportunities for core engineering jobs with good or decent salary and stability? I have heard that many ECE graduates end up in IT jobs due to lack of core industries-is that true?Would ECE be a better alternative to CSE for core jobs or is it better to stay in EEE? Also between CSE, ECE, and EEE, which has less competition in the job market while still offering good career prospects? Additionally, I want to know which branch is broader, with ample opportunities in both the government and private sectors, especially for core jobs with good pay and stability. base on futuret rends, would it be a wise decision to change my branch, or should I continue with EEE?
Ans: Happy to see that you have asked very logical questions. I can say that, since you are already in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) at MIT Manipal and have the opportunity to change to CSE, Mathematics and Computing (MnC), or ECE, your decision should be based on:


Your Interests (Core Engineering vs Coding)
Job Market Trends for 2028 and Beyond
Competition & Industry Demand

Future Job Market (2028 & Beyond) for Each Branch
Branch Core Job Scope IT/Software Jobs Govt Jobs Competition Salary Stability
CSE Low (Software Focused) High Limited Very High High but Unstable
MnC Medium (AI/ML, Finance) High Limited High High but Research-Oriented
ECE Medium (VLSI, Chip Design, Telecom, IoT) High Moderate (ISRO, DRDO, PSU) High Medium-High
EEE High (Power, EVs, Automation, Energy, PSU) Moderate High (Railways, NTPC, BHEL, Govt) Low-Medium High & Stable

Should You Switch to CSE, MnC, or ECE?
If You Want Core Engineering Jobs with Stability
Best Option: Stay in EEE

If You Want a Balance Between Core & Software Jobs
Best Option: ECE

If You Want a High-Paying Private Sector Career (But Not Core Engineering)
Best Option: MnC or CSE

Hope this will help you in decision making.

...Read more

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |1136 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Mar 25, 2025

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Hi sir I am investing when ever i have money not like in SIP. my most of investments are around 6 L invested in Quant different mutual funds. No a days i can see my all the Quant funds are going down. Im 34 years old female. My plan is 10 years. Can i exit from quant and invest in any some MF rather than getting more loss? Can you please review my portfolian. Do i need to exit from any MF. Since i'm maintaining too many MF. Thanks in advance. Mutual Funds List No' Scheme Name AMC Category Sub-category ISIN 1 DSP Small Cap Direct Plan Growth DSP Mutual Fund Equity Small Cap INF740K01QD1 2 Quant Focused Fund Direct Growth Quant Mutual Fund Equity Focused INF966L01853 3 Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund Direct Growth PPFAS Mutual Fund Equity Flexi Cap INF879O01027 4 Mirae Asset ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Mirae Asset Mutual Fund Equity ELSS INF769K01DM9 5 JM Flexicap Fund Direct Plan Growth JM Financial Mutual Fund Equity Flexi Cap INF192K01CC7 6 Axis Growth Opportunities Fund Direct Growth Axis Mutual Fund Equity Large & MidCap INF846K01J46 7 Parag Parikh ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth PPFAS Mutual Fund Equity ELSS INF879O01100 8 Quant Small Cap Fund Direct Plan Growth Quant Mutual Fund Equity Small Cap INF966L01689 9 Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Canara Robeco Mutual Fund Equity Small Cap INF760K01JC6 10 Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct Growth Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund Equity Mid Cap INF247L01445 11 Nippon India Multi Cap Fund Direct Growth Nippon India Mutual Fund Equity Multi Cap INF204K01XF9 12 Nippon India Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Nippon India Mutual Fund Equity Small Cap INF204K01K15 13 ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Direct Growth ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund Equity Value INF109K012K1 14 Quant Flexi Cap Fund Direct Growth Quant Mutual Fund Equity Flexi Cap INF966L01911 15 Nippon India Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Nippon India Mutual Fund Equity Small Cap INF204K01K15 16 Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Quant Mutual Fund Equity ELSS INF966L01986 17 Aditya Birla Sun Life PSU Equity Fund Direct Growth Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund Equity Sectoral / Thematic INF209KB1O82 18 Quant Mid Cap Fund Direct Growth Quant Mutual Fund Equity Mid Cap INF966L01887 STOCKS LIST 1 APOLLO TYRES-EQ RE 1 2 ASIAN PAINTS EQ 1/ 3 BRITANNIA IND-EQ1/- 4 CG POWER-EQ2/ 5 IRCTCL-EQ2 6 NHPC LIMITED - EQ 7 TATA STEEL-EQ1/ 8 Deepak nitrate 9 LT 10 Narayana Hrudayalaya
Ans: Hello;

6 L worth investment in 18 different funds is spreading it too thin.

You have a time horizon of 10 years but how much corpus you want to accumulate after 10 years kindly clarify?

Also if you can specify the goal for which this investment is aimed at then it will help us to suggest suitably.

I will recommend you strategy to rationalize you MF holdings once you revert on the above points.

Thanks;

...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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