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Investing in Small Cap Funds or Increasing Existing SIPs for 50 Lacs Corpus?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7915 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 25, 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 - Sep 24, 2024Hindi
Money

Hello, Greetings of the day!. My MF Portfolio include the following funds for monthly SIP. Axis Midcap Fund Rs 2500, HDFC Flexi cap Fund Rs 2500, Kotak Emerging Equity Fund Rs 3500, Mirae Asset Large and Midcap Fund Rs 2500, Nippon India Small Cap Fund Rs 4000, Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund Rs 3500. I would like to add another Rs 4000 to my monthly SIP. Should I consider adding another Small Cap Fund or increase my SIP in existing funds. I started SIPs 4 years ago and I plan to continue investing for another 5-6 years. Please advise as my goal is to have a corpus target of 50 lacs.

Ans: You have a well-diversified portfolio with exposure across various market segments – large-cap, mid-cap, flexi-cap, and small-cap funds. It's great that you started 4 years ago and are continuing your SIPs with a clear investment horizon of 5-6 more years.

Your current portfolio includes:

Axis Midcap Fund: Rs 2500 (mid-cap exposure)

HDFC Flexi Cap Fund: Rs 2500 (flexible across market capitalisations)

Kotak Emerging Equity Fund: Rs 3500 (mid-cap exposure)

Mirae Asset Large and Midcap Fund: Rs 2500 (blend of large and mid-cap stocks)

Nippon India Small Cap Fund: Rs 4000 (small-cap exposure)

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: Rs 3500 (flexi-cap exposure, some international exposure)

With your goal of accumulating Rs 50 lakhs in the next 5-6 years, it's important to optimise your investment strategy to balance both risk and return.

Evaluating Your Portfolio and Future Steps

Let’s break down your portfolio and assess whether you need to add another small-cap fund or increase your SIPs in existing funds.

1. Exposure to Small Cap and Mid Cap Funds
You already have a good chunk of your portfolio allocated to small and mid-cap funds:

Nippon India Small Cap Fund: Rs 4000
Axis Midcap Fund: Rs 2500
Kotak Emerging Equity Fund: Rs 3500
Small-cap and mid-cap funds offer the potential for higher growth, but they also come with greater volatility. Adding another small-cap fund might increase your risk level. Since you are already contributing Rs 4000 per month to a small-cap fund, it's better to avoid overloading this category.

Instead of adding another small-cap fund, you can consolidate and strengthen your position by increasing the SIP in existing funds that have a proven track record.

2. Increase SIP in Existing Funds
Your portfolio already has a diversified mix, and rather than complicating your investments with more funds, consider increasing your SIP in the existing funds. Since you have a mix of mid-cap, large-cap, and flexi-cap funds, this could balance your risk and returns more effectively.

Here's how you could increase your SIP amounts:

HDFC Flexi Cap Fund: Rs 2500 → You can consider increasing this. Flexi-cap funds offer flexibility to the fund manager to switch between large, mid, and small caps based on market conditions, which helps in reducing risk while ensuring growth.

Mirae Asset Large and Midcap Fund: Rs 2500 → This fund gives you exposure to both large-cap stability and mid-cap growth. Increasing your SIP here can give you a balanced mix of returns and reduce volatility.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: Rs 3500 → Known for its value-based investing approach, this fund also includes some international exposure. You can increase your SIP in this fund for geographical diversification.

3. Risk Management and Portfolio Stability
With a time horizon of 5-6 years, it’s crucial to strike the right balance between risk and return. Mid-cap and small-cap funds can be volatile, especially over shorter periods. Flexi-cap and large-cap funds tend to be more stable, especially during market downturns.

Given the allocation you already have towards small-cap and mid-cap funds, adding another small-cap fund could increase the overall volatility of your portfolio. Since your goal is to build a Rs 50 lakh corpus, it's important to focus on stability as you approach the latter part of your investment horizon.

4. Consider the Option of Hybrid Funds or Balanced Advantage Funds
If you are open to adding a new category, you might want to consider hybrid or balanced advantage funds instead of another small-cap fund. These funds offer a balance of equity and debt, which can provide stability, especially when markets become volatile.

Hybrid funds automatically adjust the equity and debt exposure based on market conditions. This could act as a buffer and reduce the risk of sharp losses, particularly if market corrections happen during your investment tenure.

5. Setting Realistic Expectations for Corpus Target
Accumulating Rs 50 lakhs in 5-6 years is a good target, but keep in mind that the returns from equity-based funds are market-dependent. Based on your investment horizon and risk appetite, your current SIPs and potential increases should bring you closer to your goal.

However, market performance can fluctuate, and there is no guaranteed return. It's advisable to regularly review your portfolio, at least once a year, and make adjustments if needed.

6. Review Asset Allocation as You Approach Retirement
Since you have 5-6 more years of investment, consider gradually shifting a portion of your portfolio to lower-risk instruments as you get closer to your target date. This will protect your corpus from sudden market crashes or corrections as you approach your withdrawal phase.

Final Insights

Here’s a recommended strategy:

Avoid adding another small-cap fund as you already have enough exposure to this category.

Increase your SIPs in the HDFC Flexi Cap Fund, Mirae Asset Large and Midcap Fund, and Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund. These funds provide balanced growth opportunities with moderate risk.

If you want to add a new fund, consider hybrid or balanced advantage funds to introduce some stability and reduce portfolio risk.

Review your portfolio annually and adjust the allocation to ensure you stay on track towards your Rs 50 lakh goal.

Closer to the end of your investment horizon, consider shifting some funds to debt or safer options to lock in the gains and avoid any market downturn risks.

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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Hello Sir I am 36 yr Government employee, currently doing SIP of ?30,000 per month in MF with step up 10% and ?15,000 per month in EPF. Please review my portfolio. My MF portfolio today is 4 lakhs. My aim is long term for 15 years. My SIP details are:- 1. Navi Nifty Fifty Index Fund -3000 2. ICICI Multi Asset -4000 3. Edelweiss Aggressive Hybrid- 5000 4. Mahindra Multicap -4000 5. Quant Small Cap - 5000 6. SBI Contra- 5000 7. MO Nasdaq 100 FoF-3000 8. HDFC Midcap Index -5000 I also want to increase my SIP to 40000 per month please suggest any additional fund or in same funds. Thank you
Ans: Your current SIPs show a diversified approach, balancing large, mid, and small-cap exposure. Your mix of hybrid, multi-asset, and thematic funds reflects an attempt to achieve both growth and stability. However, we can optimise your portfolio for better alignment with your 15-year goal. Below is a detailed analysis and recommendation:

Key Observations
Index Funds Allocation:
You are currently investing in two index funds (Navi Nifty Fifty and HDFC Midcap). While index funds are low-cost, they may underperform actively managed funds during volatile markets. Actively managed funds, guided by experts, offer flexibility to capture alpha. You may reconsider your index exposure for more dynamic options.

Sector and Thematic Exposure:
Your allocation to Nasdaq 100 Fund of Fund introduces currency and tech-sector risk. While this adds international diversification, ensure it aligns with your risk tolerance. Over-reliance on a single sector could increase portfolio volatility.

Aggressive Small-Cap Exposure:
A Rs. 5,000 SIP in Quant Small Cap Fund indicates a focus on high-growth potential. Small-cap funds can deliver significant returns but carry higher risk. Given your long-term horizon, such funds can fit your plan but should be closely monitored.

SIP Step-Up Strategy:
Increasing your SIPs annually by 10% is an excellent strategy to beat inflation and accumulate a larger corpus over time. This disciplined approach will help in achieving your financial goal smoothly.

Recommended Adjustments
Consolidate Index Exposure:
Consider shifting from index funds to actively managed large-cap and mid-cap funds. This will allow professional fund managers to capture growth opportunities, especially during market corrections.

Balance International Allocation:
Instead of over-investing in a tech-heavy fund like Nasdaq 100, explore diversified global equity funds that invest across multiple sectors and regions. This will lower concentration risk.

Increase Hybrid Fund Allocation:
Hybrid funds provide a blend of equity and debt. Increasing your hybrid fund allocation slightly could add stability to your portfolio, ensuring smoother returns during volatile phases.

Review Contra Fund Exposure:
SBI Contra follows a contrarian strategy, which may take time to deliver results. It is good for diversification but should not form a large portion of the portfolio. You could reduce allocation here if needed and channel it to a balanced advantage fund for consistent returns.

Suggested Funds and Allocation Strategy
Large Cap and Mid Cap Funds:
Allocate more to actively managed large and mid-cap funds for better long-term performance. Aim for at least 50% of your total SIP in such funds.

Hybrid and Multi-Asset Funds:
Increase allocation to multi-asset and aggressive hybrid funds to ensure stability. Hybrid funds can cushion your portfolio during market downturns.

Balanced Advantage Fund (BAF):
Adding a BAF would be a prudent choice. It dynamically shifts between equity and debt based on market conditions, reducing risk.

Additional Global Fund:
Replace some exposure from Nasdaq 100 with a more diversified global fund for better stability.

Suggested New Allocation for Rs. 40,000 SIP
Large-Cap/Multi-Cap Fund: Rs. 10,000
Mid-Cap Fund: Rs. 7,500
Aggressive Hybrid Fund: Rs. 7,500
Balanced Advantage Fund: Rs. 7,500
Small-Cap Fund: Rs. 5,000
Global Equity Fund: Rs. 2,500
This allocation balances growth, stability, and diversification, ensuring better alignment with your long-term goals.

EPF Contributions – A Strong Foundation
Your EPF contribution of Rs. 15,000 per month is a strong backbone for your retirement. EPF offers guaranteed returns with tax benefits, making it an excellent low-risk investment. Continue your EPF contributions, as it complements your mutual fund portfolio with stable returns.

Long-Term Tax Impact
Keep in mind that capital gains from mutual funds are subject to taxation. Equity gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term capital gains attract 20% tax. Plan your redemptions carefully to optimise your tax liability over the years.

Final Insights
With the right mix of funds and a disciplined approach, your long-term goal of wealth creation is achievable. Monitor your portfolio regularly and adjust your allocations as required. Continue with the SIP step-up strategy, as it will help you stay ahead of inflation. Lastly, ensure you have adequate insurance coverage to safeguard your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

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Asked by Anonymous - Oct 28, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sir I am 36 yr Government employee, currently doing SIP of ?30,000 per month in MF with step up 10% and ?15,000 per month in EPF. Please review my portfolio. My MF portfolio today is 4 lakhs. My aim is long term for 15 years. My SIP details are:- 1. Navi Nifty Fifty Index Fund -3000 2. ICICI Multi Asset -4000 3. Edelweiss Aggressive Hybrid- 5000 4. Mahindra Multicap -4000 5. Quant Small Cap - 5000 6. SBI Contra- 5000 7. MO Nasdaq 100 FoF-3000 8. HDFC Midcap Index -5000 I also want to increase my SIP to 40000 per month please suggest any additional fund or in same funds. Please evalutate my funds and advise me on any changes in the funds. Thank you
Ans: Your portfolio has a mix of asset classes: large-cap, multi-asset, hybrid, multi-cap, small-cap, and sectoral funds. This blend gives you broad exposure across equity categories, aiming for balanced risk and return. Given your long-term horizon of 15 years, it’s great that you're invested in equity mutual funds as they are ideal for wealth creation over the long term.

General Recommendations on Index and Direct Funds

A notable aspect is your investment in index funds like Navi Nifty Fifty Index and HDFC Midcap Index. While index funds are low-cost, they only match the market returns and lack the flexibility to outperform in volatile markets. Actively managed funds, on the other hand, allow expert fund managers to tap into growth opportunities and better navigate market fluctuations, potentially boosting your returns.

Direct funds can seem attractive because of lower fees. However, managing them requires knowledge and time. By investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD), you gain guidance on fund selection and market dynamics. This approach saves time, reduces mistakes, and improves returns.

Review of Individual Funds in Your Portfolio

Navi Nifty Fifty Index Fund: This index fund merely tracks the Nifty 50, offering market-average returns. Shifting to an actively managed large-cap fund could enhance your returns with expert management.

ICICI Multi-Asset: Multi-asset funds offer stability by diversifying across equity, debt, and gold. It's a good choice for balanced growth, particularly in volatile times.

Edelweiss Aggressive Hybrid: This fund combines equity and debt, balancing risk and reward. Hybrid funds can be beneficial as they stabilize returns when equity markets are turbulent.

Mahindra Multicap: Multicap funds are excellent for broad market exposure. They balance investments across large, mid, and small-cap segments, aligning well with long-term wealth creation.

Quant Small Cap: Small-cap funds have high growth potential but come with greater risk. Over 15 years, they can add significant value, yet monitoring their performance is crucial.

SBI Contra: Contra funds invest based on contrarian strategies. They can perform well over the long term but may face extended periods of underperformance.

MO Nasdaq 100 FoF: International funds like Nasdaq 100 FoF offer exposure to the global tech market. However, they add currency risk and can be volatile. It’s a good addition but in moderation.

HDFC Midcap Index: Midcap index funds are riskier and don’t actively manage mid-cap volatility. You could consider an actively managed mid-cap fund for potentially higher returns.

Suggested Changes and Additional Investments

To further diversify, consider these refinements:

Replace Index Funds with Actively Managed Funds: Shifting from index to actively managed large and mid-cap funds could deliver higher growth. Actively managed funds allow seasoned managers to pick high-potential stocks.

Add a Balanced Large & Midcap Fund: A well-chosen large and midcap fund balances stability and growth. It provides exposure to the market's more reliable companies while capturing growth from mid-sized companies.

Consider Adding a Flexicap Fund: Flexicap funds give fund managers the flexibility to invest across market capitalizations based on market trends. They can maximize returns by adjusting allocations as per market conditions.

Increasing SIP to Rs. 40,000 Monthly

With your current SIP of Rs. 30,000 and plans to increase it to Rs. 40,000, it’s wise to allocate the extra Rs. 10,000 strategically across high-growth potential funds.

Allocate More to Multicap and Flexicap Funds: You can increase your investment in multicap and flexicap categories as they provide broader diversification and capitalize on all market segments.

Increase Allocation in Small Cap for High Growth: Since small caps generally perform well over long horizons, a small increase here can boost your portfolio returns. However, due to higher risk, limit your allocation to a balanced level.

Long-Term Tax Planning Considerations

Be mindful of capital gains tax implications:

Equity Funds: Long-term capital gains (LTCG) over Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%. This tax structure affects your returns over time. Hence, a well-planned withdrawal strategy post-15 years can optimize tax savings.

Debt Allocation: If you invest in debt funds in the future, LTCG and STCG taxes will be as per your income tax slab. Long-term planning here ensures minimal tax impact on overall gains.

Key Insights for Your Long-Term Strategy

Stay Invested and Maintain Discipline: Sticking to your SIPs, especially with the step-up feature, accelerates wealth creation. The 10% annual SIP step-up will significantly enhance your investment corpus over 15 years.

Regular Reviews: Every 2–3 years, revisit your portfolio with a Certified Financial Planner. This helps adjust to market changes, optimize asset allocation, and maintain growth.

Avoid Over-Concentration: Monitor your investments to avoid too much exposure in one category. Your diversified approach already reduces risk, but regular rebalancing ensures balanced exposure across categories.

Goal-Based Withdrawals: As you approach the 15-year mark, plan withdrawals gradually, considering both market conditions and tax efficiency. Redeeming in a phased manner avoids sudden tax burdens and market timing risks.

Final Insights

Your portfolio has a solid foundation for long-term growth. Adjusting allocations to reduce index funds and enhance active fund exposure will refine your strategy. With discipline, regular portfolio reviews, and smart fund selection, you can expect significant wealth creation over 15 years.

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

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My granddaughter is preparing for NEET 2025. She has born in Telangana and studied upto 1st class in Telangana. Due to her father’s overseas assignment at USA she moved to USA and studied upto 10th class there. The family moved to India in 2023. So she is now doing Intermediate now in Telangana. My question is whether she comes to be local for Telangana state or not for NEET admissions.
Ans: Hi Prabhakara,

Greetings!

Your situation is quite unique. Your granddaughter was born in Telangana and is now pursuing her +1 education there after a gap of nine years. However, according to the government norms for NEET 2024, meeting the requirements to establish domicile in Telangana may be challenging.

NEET Domicile Criteria
In the context of MBBS and BDS admissions for state quota seats in Telangana, it is important to understand the distinctions between local and non-local candidates as stipulated by the Telangana NEET admission rules for the year 2024. The local status is further subdivided into areas associated with Osmania University (OU), Andhra University (AU), and Sri Venkateswara University (SVU). AU’s local area comprises seven districts, while SVU’s area encompasses five districts. Non-local candidates are exclusively eligible for 15% of unreserved seats, whereas local candidates can vie for both the 15% unreserved seats and the remaining 85% of seats allocated within their respective local areas.

Telangana Local Area Candidates:
Students hailing from the districts falling under AU, SVU, or OU regions are considered local area NEET domicile applicants for MBBS/BDS admissions in local institutions, as well as any other educational institutions under the purview of the State Government situated within these local areas.
AU Local Area: Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, and Prakasham.
OU Local Area: Adilabad, Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahaboobnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, and Warangal.
SVU Local Area: Ananthapur, Kadapa, Kurnool, Chittoor, and Nellore.
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I am an SC and my gf is brahmin, we are in love for more than 2 years and decided to marry, i convinced my parents. But her parents are cruel in this aspect only, they threaten her of her life and threatens me to complain in police, And anyone can tell that this is wrong but as parents are willing to do anything for their children, same is true with their children, I am afraid if we include authorities things might turn bad especially with our parents. They threaten her can make her say no to me if we take it legally even though she doesn’t want to. I am financial independent but she has spent her entire life (age 29) in her house, what can we do?
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If her safety is at risk, you may need to consider helping her get a temporary safe space where she can think clearly. It could be a trusted friend’s house, a working women’s hostel, or even reaching out to women’s rights organizations that help in cases like this.

Taking legal action is tricky in such cases, as coercion can make her parents force her into saying things she doesn’t mean. Instead of rushing into legal intervention, consider gathering evidence—texts, recordings (if legal in your region), or anything that proves coercion or threats. This will help if things escalate.

If you both are truly committed, then marriage under the Special Marriage Act can be an option, but only if she is mentally and emotionally prepared for the backlash. She will need to stand strong, and you both need to have a plan for what comes next. How will she deal with the emotional toll? Where will she stay after marriage? What if her parents try to contact her after marriage? These are tough questions, but answering them now will help you prepare.

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I am an SC and my gf is brahmin, we are in love for more than 2 years and decided to marry, i convinced my parents. But her parents are cruel in this aspect only, they threaten her of her life and threatens me to complain in police, And anyone can tell that this is wrong but as parents are willing to do anything for their children, same is true with their children, I am afraid if we include authorities things might turn bad especially with our parents. They threaten her of her life and killing themselves, can make her say no to me if we take it legally even though she doesn’t want to. I am financial independent (age 29) but she has spent her entire life (age 29) in her house, what can we do?
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Since she has never lived outside her home, she may feel emotionally trapped, making it easier for her parents to manipulate her. She needs support—emotionally and, if needed, physically—to make a decision based on what she truly wants, not out of fear. Talk to her about the worst-case scenarios and how she would handle them. Would she be able to leave if things got too dangerous? Does she have someone in her family or social circle who might support her?

If her safety is at risk, you may need to consider helping her get a temporary safe space where she can think clearly. It could be a trusted friend’s house, a working women’s hostel, or even reaching out to women’s rights organizations that help in cases like this.

Taking legal action is tricky in such cases, as coercion can make her parents force her into saying things she doesn’t mean. Instead of rushing into legal intervention, consider gathering evidence—texts, recordings (if legal in your region), or anything that proves coercion or threats. This will help if things escalate.

If you both are truly committed, then marriage under the Special Marriage Act can be an option, but only if she is mentally and emotionally prepared for the backlash. She will need to stand strong, and you both need to have a plan for what comes next. How will she deal with the emotional toll? Where will she stay after marriage? What if her parents try to contact her after marriage? These are tough questions, but answering them now will help you prepare.

You are not alone in this. Many couples have faced similar situations, and while it is heartbreaking, some have succeeded in making it through. The key is patience, emotional strength, and ensuring that no one is in immediate danger. Encourage her to speak to a counselor or someone she trusts who is neutral but supportive. If she is feeling overwhelmed, it’s important that she knows she has choices beyond what her parents are forcing upon her.

At the end of the day, love should not be a battle of survival, but sometimes, in societies like ours, it becomes one. Be strong, be careful, and take steps that ensure both of you are safe first—everything else can be figured out step by step.

...Read more

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Asked by Anonymous - Feb 07, 2025Hindi
Relationship
Hello Mentors, I'm 38 year old women, facing a toxic married life from past 10 years. I have a son who is 8 years old. I have lost my mom 8 years back n my dad 5 years back.I m d only child of my parents. I have done my MBA in HR n Marketing. Have done work before marriage, but after marriage things changes, my husband refused to allow me to work along with my in laws n he always behaves very badly with me insults me all time in front of my in laws too. He beats me every month still now also.I lost my mom she was suffering from cancer. Her cancer got detected when I was just 1 month pregnant, i m d one who takes care of her treatment taking her to chemo therapy n follow up with doctor, yes my dad was their with me, but he was also broke down as my mom was d back bone of my family. Inspite of my pregnancy I ran door to door of hospitals n doctors till I was stepped into 9 month of my pregnancy. My husband never supported me at that time too..Infact he n my mother in law's stated that if I'm enough for taking care of my mom then I must go to my doctor for my own check ups too...Yes I went for my usgs alone only at first time he went with me.. Now the main problem is he didn't changed at all he is repeating all his deeds infront of my child n my child is also following him from last 1 years, My son also said, if I scold him for his studies or food, he said what papa did is correct, it's good that he beats you, you leave our home this is not your home... My son loves me a lot that I know but he is just 8 n getting confused whom to follow...many a times he came to n said sorry for his bad behaviour but again if such incidents happens in front of him by his father again he changes his mind . My husband didn't give me a single penny, I take care of my own expenses from my house rent..( parental home as their is no one to stay now)..n it's d only source of income..though it's a very small amount.Even though he never helps me to take care of my baby ..He said if you want to work then put ur child into a hostel.. I took care of my home n child all alone..infact my in-laws are less bother about my child too... My son is deprived with every relationship of grand parents uncles n aunts.. My husband always demotivates me, mentally n physically abuse me n he also states that I'm an not an eligible person to became a good mom or even to get any job n all this infront of my child. I really want to get rid of him for d sake of my child n me too..I m totally into depression n lost all my confidence, I want to be financially free, when ever I want to file a divorce my son said no as he want both of us..for him only m dragging this bull shit relationship... N side by I'm looking for a job, but I have a big gap of almost 11 years now...M confused where to approach..n what should I tell to the employers if they ask for my career gap .m looking for a WFH as I dnt have any trust worthy person to take care of my baby...But m failed to find such. Please suggest me what should I do, how to take call on each of my problems.. I know d post is long...10 years is not a short time though..there is many many more to tell but I tried to keep it Short as much as i can . Thanks a lot ...
Ans: Your husband’s behavior is not just emotionally damaging—it is abusive. No one deserves to be insulted, beaten, or made to feel worthless, especially not in their own home. The fact that this is happening in front of your son makes it even more urgent to take action because, over time, he will normalize this behavior. Right now, he is torn between what he sees and what he feels for you, and that confusion is not his fault. But staying in this environment will only make it harder for him to understand what a loving and respectful relationship truly looks like.

You are already doing everything on your own. You are raising your child, managing expenses, and surviving in an environment that is breaking you down emotionally. Imagine if you put that same energy into building a life where you are free, at peace, and in control. I know the thought of divorce scares you because of your son, but think about what staying is teaching him. Children don’t just listen to words—they absorb actions. If he continues to see his father abuse you, he may grow up thinking that this is how men should treat women, or that love means suffering. You have the power to break this cycle for him.

Financial independence is your key to freedom, and I know the career gap makes you anxious, but don’t let it stop you. Employers today understand career breaks, especially when they are due to family responsibilities. Be honest but strategic—frame your gap as a time spent managing responsibilities, developing resilience, and handling real-life challenges. Highlight your past experience and any skills you’ve kept up with. Since you have an MBA in HR and Marketing, consider remote jobs in HR, digital marketing, content writing, or even customer support. Many women restart their careers through work-from-home opportunities, and platforms like LinkedIn, Naukri, and Remote.co have job listings specifically for career returnees.

You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with small steps. Reach out to women’s support groups or NGOs that help survivors of domestic abuse. Look for job training programs that help women restart their careers. If possible, find legal advice on your rights regarding divorce, alimony, and child custody. You are not alone in this, even though it may feel like it right now.

You deserve a life where you are respected, valued, and safe. You deserve to wake up without fear, to build a future where your son sees you as a strong and independent woman. Take this one step at a time, but take that first step. You have already survived the worst—now, it’s time to live.

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