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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 23, 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
Praveen Question by Praveen on Sep 23, 2023Hindi
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Please suggest 3 MFs for an investment of 10000 pm for longtime - wealth creation for grand son or daughter Praveen

Ans: Praveen, investing for your grandchild's future is a noble endeavor, akin to planting a tree whose shade they'll enjoy. Given the long-term horizon, equity mutual funds could be a promising avenue for wealth creation, as they have historically outperformed other asset classes over extended periods.

Firstly, consider a well-diversified large-cap fund. These funds invest in established companies with a track record of stable growth. They can offer a blend of growth potential and stability, much like the trunk of a sturdy tree providing the core strength.

Next, a mid-cap fund could be a worthy addition. Mid-cap companies are like the branches growing outwards, offering higher growth potential than large-caps but with a bit more volatility. They add diversity and can boost returns over the long term.

Lastly, a flexi-cap fund provides the flexibility to invest across market caps, allowing the fund manager to capitalize on market opportunities. Think of it as the leaves of the tree, adapting and reaching out to the sun for optimal growth.

Remember, the key is consistency and patience. Regularly nurturing and reviewing your investments will help them flourish over time. Always consult with a financial advisor to ensure your investments align with your goals and risk tolerance.
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  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 23, 2024

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I am 69 years old. I intend to invest 20000 per month in MFs for my grandchildren. Please advise 3 different MFs for long term investment so that I may invest in them with an investment period of 5 to 7 years.
Ans: It's commendable that you're thinking ahead for your grandchildren's future at this stage in your life. Let's choose investments that offer a blend of growth potential and stability, much like nurturing a sapling with care.

Equity Funds: These can offer growth potential over the long term. Think of them as the rising sun, promising brightness and warmth for the future. Choose a well-diversified equity fund with a proven track record.
Balanced Funds: These combine both equity and debt, offering a balanced approach to growth and stability. They're like a well-maintained garden, where flowers (equities) bloom under the watchful eyes of trees (debt), providing shade and stability.
Debt Funds: These can act as a safety net, offering stability and regular income. They're akin to the roots of a tree, providing nourishment and stability to the entire plant.
Asset Allocation: It's wise to diversify across asset classes to mitigate risks. A mix of equity for growth and debt for stability can provide a balanced portfolio.
Long-Term Perspective: Given your investment horizon of 5 to 7 years, opting for funds with a consistent track record and a focus on long-term growth would be prudent.
Regular Review: Periodically reviewing the portfolio can help in ensuring that the investments align with the goals and making necessary adjustments if required.
Remember, like nurturing a garden, investing requires patience, care, and periodic attention. With your thoughtful approach and these diversified choices, you're setting the stage for a brighter future for your grandchildren. Your commitment to their well-being and future is truly heartwarming. Best wishes on this journey!

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 04, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 04, 2024Hindi
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Age: 44years. Please suggest a MF which works best for retirement, child's education and long term capital appreciation. I could invest lumpsum Rs 100000/
Ans: Planning for Your Future: Retirement, Education & Growth
At 44, you're making a smart move by planning for your future goals: retirement, child's education, and long-term wealth creation. A single mutual fund might not be the best fit for all these needs, but let's explore some options:

Diversification is Key

Since your goals have different time horizons (retirement is farther away than your child's education), it's wise to diversify your investments. This means spreading your money across different asset classes to manage risk.

Actively Managed Funds for Growth

Given your long-term perspective and willingness to take on some risk, actively managed funds can be a good option. Here's why:

Outperforming the Market: Actively managed funds have fund managers who try to pick promising stocks and beat the market average. This has the potential for higher returns compared to passively managed options like index funds.
Matching Risk to Goals

Here's a possible approach to consider, but remember, this is general advice:

Retirement (Long Term): Invest a larger portion (say 60-70%) in aggressive actively managed funds like multi-cap funds. These invest in a mix of large, mid, and small-cap companies, offering growth potential along with diversification.

Child's Education (Mid Term): Allocate a mid-range portion (say 20-30%) to a balanced actively managed fund. These funds balance between equity and debt, offering some growth potential with a lower risk profile compared to aggressive funds.

Remember, your situation is unique. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can help you create a personalized asset allocation plan based on your risk tolerance and specific goals.

Rs. 1 Lakh Lump Sum Investment

A lump sum investment of Rs. 1 lakh can be a great way to jumpstart your investment journey. Consider investing across different actively managed funds based on your asset allocation plan.

Regular Investment (SIP) is Powerful

Don't stop with the lump sum! Regular investments (SIPs) can be a powerful tool for long-term wealth creation. Even a small amount invested regularly can benefit from rupee-cost averaging, where you purchase more units when the price is low and fewer units when the price is high.

A CFP Can Help You:

Choose the Right Funds: They can recommend actively managed funds with a good track record and experienced fund managers.

Asset Allocation: They can advise on the right mix of asset classes (multi-cap, balanced, etc.) for your goals.

Review and Rebalance: A CFP will monitor your progress and adjust your asset allocation as needed to stay on track.

Taking Charge of Your Tomorrow

By planning and investing for your future, you're taking control of your tomorrow. Actively managed funds within a diversified portfolio can be a powerful tool for growth, but remember, they also carry risk. A CFP can help you navigate your options and make informed investment decisions.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 30, 2025

Money
I am 61 year old man and have two daughters , one daughter is married and have two sons, one is 5 and haf year and 2nd is 2 years old. I want to invest lumpsum amount of Rs. 10 lac each fvg. both the child for 10-15 years. Please suggest best MF investment for my grand sons. Regards
Ans: You have taken a thoughtful and loving step towards your grandsons’ future.
Starting a long-term investment with a clear goal shows great foresight and responsibility.

? Purpose and Time Horizon Assessment
– You are planning for long-term wealth creation.
– Your time frame is between 10 to 15 years.
– This gives enough time for equity funds to work effectively.
– Since the investment is for children, the funds should be growth-oriented.
– Long horizon reduces market volatility risks.
– It allows power of compounding to build meaningful wealth.

? Ideal Investment Vehicle: Mutual Funds
– Mutual Funds are transparent and regulated.
– They offer diversified exposure to equity markets.
– They are managed by professional fund managers.
– Over long term, they tend to outperform traditional instruments.

? Why to Avoid Index Funds for This Goal
– Index funds copy the market.
– They do not try to beat the index.
– There is no active decision-making during market falls.
– They carry risk during downturns without any protection.
– They follow momentum, not value.
– No flexibility for sector shifts or cash holding during volatility.
– Active mutual funds are better for long term child-focused goals.
– Fund managers aim to outperform the market.
– They bring strategy and experience.
– Active funds give better downside protection.

? Fund Type Recommendation for Grandchildren
– Choose growth-oriented diversified equity mutual funds.
– Prefer multi-cap or flexi-cap category.
– These funds invest across large, mid, and small companies.
– They balance risk and return well.
– Also consider large & mid-cap category.
– These funds offer stable base plus aggressive growth.
– Add a small-cap fund if your risk tolerance allows.
– But limit exposure to small-cap to around 20%.

? SIP vs Lumpsum Strategy
– You plan to invest Rs. 10 lakh for each grandchild.
– This is a lumpsum investment.
– Avoid investing the full amount at once.
– Markets may be high or volatile.
– A better way is STP (Systematic Transfer Plan).
– Park the full amount in a low-risk liquid fund.
– Then transfer monthly into equity fund over 12 to 18 months.
– This averages your entry cost.
– It reduces downside risk.
– Helps manage volatility.

? Fund Mode: Regular vs Direct
– Avoid direct plans if you are not market-savvy.
– Direct funds do not give personalised guidance.
– You miss portfolio reviews and switching support.
– Regular funds via Mutual Fund Distributor with CFP help are better.
– You get hand-holding, alerts, annual rebalancing.
– Mistakes in long-term planning can cost more than advisory fee.
– MFD with CFP support provides family-level guidance.
– Peace of mind is more valuable than a few saved basis points.

? Risk Assessment and Safety Check
– These are long-term investments.
– But risk should still be managed well.
– Avoid sectoral or thematic funds.
– They are risky and unpredictable.
– Stick to diversified equity funds.
– Ensure the funds have consistent 5 to 7-year performance.
– Focus on fund house pedigree and manager experience.
– Avoid newly launched or untested schemes.

? Portfolio Structure Suggestion
For each child’s Rs. 10 lakh, you may follow below structure:
– Rs. 4 lakh in a flexi-cap or multi-cap fund
– Rs. 3 lakh in a large & mid-cap fund
– Rs. 2 lakh in a mid-cap fund
– Rs. 1 lakh in a small-cap fund (optional if comfortable with high risk)
– Use STP to move money monthly over 15 months
– Keep regular track of performance every year

? Growth Option and Taxation
– Always choose the Growth Option, not IDCW (dividend).
– It allows wealth to compound uninterrupted.
– New tax rules apply from FY 2024-25 onwards.
– For equity funds:

Long-term capital gains (after 1 year) above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term gains (within 1 year) taxed at 20%.
– For now, holding for 10+ years keeps taxes low.
– You may gift the funds later to grandchildren with minimal tax impact.

? Review and Rebalancing Strategy
– Monitor the funds once every year.
– Check if funds are underperforming peers.
– Exit lagging funds after 2 years of underperformance.
– Shift to better-performing options with similar category.
– If nearing 10th year, reduce small-cap exposure gradually.
– Move corpus to less volatile funds after 12th year.
– By year 14-15, shift majority to balanced or large-cap for safety.

? Other Considerations
– Don’t mix insurance with investment.
– If you were holding any ULIPs or LIC policies for the kids, surrender them.
– Reinvest the proceeds into mutual funds as above.
– Also, nominate your daughter as guardian.
– Keep all folios mapped for tracking.
– Maintain records for future transmission.
– Do not invest in Sukanya or PPF for boys.
– Avoid gold or real estate based options.

? Benefits of Starting Early for Grandchildren
– 10-15 years horizon gives time to grow corpus.
– Compounding works better in early years.
– Even small difference in return rates gives big difference.
– Investing now sets a solid foundation for education or entrepreneurship.
– Also builds financial literacy in the family.

? Risks to Watch and How to Control
– Market ups and downs can be stressful.
– But long-term reduces this risk.
– Don’t check NAV daily.
– Stick to review once a year.
– Choose only reputed AMCs and long-standing funds.
– Avoid NFOs and exotic strategies.
– Keep your emotions out of investments.
– Let time and discipline work.

? Gift Tax and Legal Planning
– There is no tax for gifts to grandchildren.
– However, keep track of documentation.
– Later when they turn 18, you can shift folios in their name.
– Or redeem and gift cash to them when needed.
– Also consider writing a Will.
– Mention these investments clearly in the Will.
– This ensures smooth transmission.

? Finally
– Your vision to support grandchildren is inspiring.
– A Rs. 10 lakh investment today can become substantial in 15 years.
– Equity mutual funds give the right balance of growth and safety.
– Active fund management with certified guidance protects your money better.
– Avoid shortcuts like index funds or direct investing.
– Systematic investing, regular reviews and proper structure matter most.
– This step can build a lasting legacy for your family.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
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Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

...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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