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Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |609 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on May 16, 2025

Ravi Mittal is an expert on dating and relationships.
He founded QuackQuack, an online dating platform, in 2010 with just two people. Today, it has over 20 million users in India.... more
Asked by Anonymous - May 16, 2025
Relationship

Hi. I am 42 year old single but once think about marriage I am getting angry. I didn't interested in marriage before once I think for marriage the age is passed nearly 40. I am controlling my mind on this situation because sometimes negative impacts coming in real and in dream. I also touch with one lady which she is widow but not much qualified we speak friendly. Shall I wait to get girl which she will be qualified and working. Please let me know.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
The first question is, are you interested in getting married or are you pushing yourself because of age and pressure? If you are interested, then great. You can either ask your lady friend if she has interest in you and see where things go. Or you can ask friend and relatives to find you someone suitable. If you want to handle things yourself then register on a matchmaking app. It would give you more freedom and control over your own love life. Now, if you are not interested in marriage, you should not force yourself. Take your time to understand what exactly you want– in the meantime, you can find some compatible women on the matchmaking app and interact with them for sometime. There’s no pressure to commit there. But you have a fair idea whether or not you are cut out to live the married or committed life.
Hope these help.

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |609 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on May 19, 2023

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Relationship
I'm 48 years old never married guy. I once suffered from rare cancer which is cured now. Also hv epilepsy whose treatment will go life long. Doctor says that i should disclose my health issue with whom I'm thinking of getting married but no one takes talks further. I'm infact ready for divorcee or widow too but failed. Some ppl reject me as my salary is mot much, some says that i dont hv my own hm etc but i hv many friens who are getting less salary but are happily married. My whole family if highly educated although I'm also pg but still get rejected. My dad expired n was too worried for my marriage. Now my mother is with me n i dont know what to do. I hv spend approx 35k on matrimonial advertisements but got no success. Im currently in touch with girl for last 1+ year but dont know whether she likes me or not although i hd expressed my feelings to her many times but she never respond n get silent on that. Kindly help whether i should approach this girl or leave her. I like this girl very much. Should i still search for a bride or leave this issue. Kindly help.
Ans: Dear Shashank,

If you have been straightforward about your feelings for this woman and expressed the same and yet she has never reciprocated it even once so far, it might be because she does not feel the same about it. I'd suggest you talk to her about this. Instead of leaving it open-ended, like "I like you," and letting her react to it, be direct. For instance, "I like you. What about you? Do you like me?" Being direct would definitively fetch you some real answers. If she replies to your question, there you go; you have your answer. If she ignores it still, you can safely assume that she doesn't feel the same way as you do. Don't delay this; ask her as soon as possible. Stretching a relationship that ultimately leads to a dead-end will harm your peace and happiness in the longer run.

..Read more

Kanchan

Kanchan Rai  |615 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Apr 17, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 17, 2025Hindi
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Relationship
Hello I am 41 years old but due to careless in life I can't take decision for marriage but now I am realising something wrong happened i started searching alliance but didn't get I want to be relation soon. Please guide me
Ans: It’s completely okay to have taken time figuring out what you wanted in life. Sometimes we don’t move forward simply because we weren’t ready, or we lacked the clarity or emotional support needed at the time. But that doesn't mean you're behind. Everyone’s timeline is different, and yours is still very much unfolding.

Now that you're feeling ready for a serious relationship, here are a few steps you can take to approach this new chapter with confidence and self-awareness.

Start with clarity. Reflect on what kind of partner you're looking for—not just in terms of age or background, but emotionally and mentally. What values matter to you? What kind of connection are you seeking? Are you open to someone who has been married before? Children? When you’re clear, it becomes easier to recognize the right person when they appear.

At the same time, look inward. Do some emotional housekeeping. Ask yourself: What kind of partner do I want to be? Am I emotionally available? Am I still carrying regret, fear, or pressure about being “late” to marriage? Because entering a relationship out of guilt or urgency often leads to settling. But entering it from a place of self-respect and genuine desire creates something meaningful.

Since you're actively searching, it’s okay to use all tools at your disposal—matrimonial sites, family networks, friends, or even a good matchmaker if culturally appropriate. But be patient and realistic. Finding someone who is also ready, aligned with your values, and emotionally compatible can take time.

Also, try not to let pressure—internal or external—rush you. You don’t need a "perfect" partner; you need someone who sees you, respects you, and is willing to grow with you.

And here’s something to hold on to: many people find love in their 40s, 50s, even later—and those relationships are often more conscious, mature, and fulfilling, because they’re built on real-life experience and emotional wisdom, not just youthful impulse.

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Radheshyam

Radheshyam Zanwar  |4908 Answers  |Ask -

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Jul 07, 2025

Career
Sir my daughter will apssout from Diploma course in ENTC from Pune. She is topper in her college with average score of 90% and above through out all semister and expected to get around 93% in final semister also, she has intrest in aerospace engineering and would be applying for lateral entry for direct 2nd year.. can she apply for outside maharashtra also? Or it need to be in Maharashtra, if in Maharashtra which are the collage she can try, she has clear goal to do her master's also in Europe.. Nayan, Pune
Ans: Hello dear
Congratulations on your daughter’s excellent academic performance! Yes, she can apply for lateral entry (direct 2nd year B.E./B.Tech.) programs outside Maharashtra as well, since many universities across India accept diploma holders from other states under AICTE-approved programs. However, she should verify each university's eligibility criteria, as some states reserve a certain number of seats for local candidates. For Maharashtra, she can apply through the DTE Maharashtra CAP (Centralized Admission Process) for direct second-year engineering. Given her strong academic record and interest in aerospace engineering, she can consider top institutes in Maharashtra like COEP, VJTI, MIT-WPU, and PICT; although not all may offer aerospace engineering directly, she can choose mechanical, electronics, or related branches that provide pathways into aerospace for higher studies. Since she aims to pursue her Master’s in Europe, she should select a college with a strong academic foundation, good research exposure, and international collaborations to support that goal.
Good luck!
Follow me if you like this reply. Thanks!
Radheshyam

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8128 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 07, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 05, 2025Hindi
Career
Sir I am a girl student and my home state is Maharashtra. I have the following choices- ECE at nit nagpur CSE and ECE at nit allahbad CSE at COEP Pune Electrical engineering at NIT Warangal Electrical engineering at nit rourkela I am confused between CSE and ECE but inclined more towards ECE as I fear that due to high level of competition in CSE I would have to struggle for placement. I aspire to do MS abroad. Pls guide me and help me to choose between CSE and ECE and respective nits.
Ans: All the institutes under consideration—NIT Nagpur, NIT Allahabad, COEP Pune, NIT Warangal, and NIT Rourkela—hold NAAC-accredited status with predominantly PhD-qualified faculty and modern laboratory infrastructure encompassing AI/ML, VLSI, communications, and software development facilities. These institutions maintain robust academic standards through NBA-aligned curricula, mandatory internship programs, and strong industry collaborations with leading organizations including Microsoft, Intel, TCS, and international research institutions. For aspiring MS candidates abroad, NIT Warangal stands out with its NIRF engineering ranking of #21 and established international partnerships, including collaborations with universities in Thailand, France, and the USA, while maintaining a balanced research-to-teaching focus through its 65 active doctoral students and funded projects worth Rs. 300 lakhs. COEP Pune leverages its 170-year legacy with recent initiatives including MOUs with the University of Alabama Birmingham for dual-degree programs and University of Calgary for Project Management, providing structured pathways for international academic transitions. IIIT Allahabad distinguishes itself through active European Union collaborations, including the prestigious ERASMUS+ project with THM University Germany and established partnerships with Carnegie Mellon University, MIT, and UC Berkeley, offering direct research exchange opportunities that strengthen MS abroad applications. NIT Allahabad maintains strong international ties with Queen's University Canada, University of Missouri USA, and Asian Institute of Technology Thailand, while fostering research publications in IEEE journals and supporting interdisciplinary projects that enhance graduate school readiness. ECE programs across these institutions provide comprehensive coverage of emerging technologies including 5G, IoT, embedded systems, and signal processing, while CSE programs emphasize cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and software engineering, both offering excellent preparation for specialized MS programs abroad.


For strongest international research exposure and ERASMUS+ partnerships facilitating European university transitions, the recommendation is IIIT Allahabad CSE. Next, consider NIT Warangal ECE for balanced research opportunities and established international collaborations, followed by COEP Pune CSE for structured dual-degree pathways and NIT Allahabad ECE, then NIT Rourkela ECE for solid technical foundations. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9441 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 03, 2025Hindi
Money
Hello, I am 24 years old and would like to retire by 40 years of age. I have no loans/debts and I am earning 65k per month. My personal expenses would be around 30k. Kindly let me know how much should I invest in SIP monthly so that I can manage my expenses at the age of 40. As per my observation, physical gold investment is increasing day by day. So, could continous SIP beat gold investment? Also, I am planning to invest in buying a plot/land. But, I guess I am too young to invest in it and pay EMIs. I would like to know if I should rather invest in SIP or gold. Please let me know if SIP can beat gold periodically and if buying house/plot in EMIs is beneficial for future. And I would like to retire at 40 years. Kindly let me know how much should I invest in order to do swp of atleast 60k ( in today's worth) at that time.
Ans: You are 24 now.
You want to retire at 40.
That gives you 16 years to build wealth.
You are earning Rs 65,000 per month.
You spend Rs 30,000. You save the rest.
No loans. That is a great start.

Early retirement is possible with strong financial habits.
But it needs high savings, discipline, and right investment choices.
Let us build your roadmap step by step.

Monthly Surplus Is the Key Strength

You spend Rs 30,000 monthly.
That means you can save Rs 35,000 per month.
This is a very strong surplus at your age.
If you invest this smartly, you can reach financial freedom.

You must focus on:

High-quality mutual fund SIPs

Strong emergency fund

Term insurance and health insurance

Avoiding debt-based assets like property

Avoiding gold as a major investment

Let us plan your money smartly.

Emergency Fund Comes First

You must have emergency money for six months of expenses.
Your expenses are Rs 30,000 monthly.
So target Rs 1.8 lakhs in an emergency fund.

Keep this in a savings-linked RD or liquid fund.
Do not put emergency money in gold or SIPs.
It must be liquid and safe.

Start saving Rs 5,000 monthly till you reach Rs 1.8 lakhs.
After that, stop and shift focus to long-term investments.

Insurance Is Not Optional

You are young and healthy.
But life and health cover is still necessary.

Buy a pure term plan with Rs 50 lakhs cover.
This is cheap and protects your dependents.
Avoid any LIC or ULIP or endowment plans.

Also take a personal health cover of Rs 5 lakhs.
Do not depend only on employer health policy.
If you change jobs, that cover will go away.

Both these insurances are part of financial freedom.
They protect your future wealth from damage.

Mutual Fund SIPs Are the Main Engine

You want to do SWP of Rs 60,000 per month after 40.
In today’s money, Rs 60,000 will be more in future due to inflation.
You need a large corpus by 40.

You must invest regularly in mutual funds from now.
Start with Rs 30,000 per month in mutual fund SIPs.

Split this SIP into 3 to 4 good funds only:

One flexi-cap

One mid-cap

One hybrid aggressive

One ELSS or small-cap

Avoid index funds.
Index funds copy the market. They fall fully in crash.
They do not have a fund manager to protect you.
Actively managed funds adjust portfolios.
They can avoid weak sectors.

That is why Certified Financial Planners prefer active funds.
You also get fund strategy, sector analysis, and rebalancing.

Avoid direct mutual funds if you are not an expert.
Direct funds need you to do all fund selection and rebalancing.
You may make wrong switches or miss the timing.

Instead, use regular plans via MFD working with CFP.
You get tracking, updates, and advice when market changes.

SIP is your growth tool.
Start with Rs 30,000 now. Increase it every year with salary hike.

If you get bonus, invest it as lump sum in same funds.

Can SIP Beat Gold? Absolutely Yes

Gold is emotional for Indians.
But for wealth building, gold is not ideal.

Gold gives 5-8% return on average.
Sometimes 10%. But with long flat periods.
Also, gold gives no income. You cannot get monthly returns from it.

Mutual funds give better returns.
Equity funds grow wealth faster.

They also give tax-efficient returns.
You can do SWP in mutual funds.
You cannot do monthly withdrawal from gold.

Also remember:

Gold returns are volatile

Gold is taxed as per slab when sold

Gold has making charges, storage issues

SIP in equity funds beats gold over 10-15 years.
Gold can be 5% of your portfolio. But not more.

If you want to invest in gold, do it only for diversification.
Not for long-term wealth.

Avoid Buying Land or Plot Now

You want to buy land. But that is not wise now.
You are 24. You want to retire by 40.
Land investment will create EMI.
It will reduce your SIP power.

Also land gives no monthly income.
Land price may not grow fast.

You will also pay stamp duty, taxes, and registration charges.
No tax benefit unless you build house and live there.

Plot is an illiquid asset.
You cannot sell part of it in need.

EMI on land will lock your income for 10–15 years.
That will delay your financial freedom.
Avoid this mistake.

Focus on liquid, flexible, and growing investments.
Mutual funds are best suited for this.

Build corpus first. Then decide about house later.
Rent if needed. But do not block money into land.

How Much Corpus Do You Need at 40?

You want Rs 60,000 monthly after retirement.
At age 40, your needs will be more due to inflation.
Rs 60,000 today will become more in future.
Assume Rs 1 lakh per month is needed in future value.

So you need a retirement corpus that can give Rs 1 lakh monthly.
That is Rs 12 lakhs per year.
You need corpus of Rs 2.5 to 3 crore minimum by age 40.

This corpus will generate income using SWP.
You can do monthly withdrawal from mutual funds after retirement.
You can use hybrid funds or balanced advantage funds post-40.
They give stable returns and lower volatility.

To build Rs 3 crore in 16 years, you need to invest:

Rs 30,000 monthly SIP now

Step up SIP by 10% every year

Invest bonuses and incentives also

Stay invested for full 16 years

Do not withdraw midway

Rebalance funds every year

Avoid new risky ideas or fancy stocks

You need discipline more than high returns.

How to Use SWP After Age 40

At 40, stop SIPs.
Start SWP from same mutual fund corpus.
Withdraw Rs 1 lakh monthly using SWP.

Plan the SWP like this:

Use hybrid funds for less risk

Keep 2 years’ income in debt fund

Keep 3 to 4 years’ income in hybrid fund

Keep rest in flexi-cap fund

This mix will give you stability and growth.
Meet your Certified Financial Planner every year.
Rebalance based on return and market.

Don’t try to pick funds yourself.
Get help from MFD backed by CFP.
They guide you based on age and need.

Tax Planning Is Important Too

When you withdraw SWP, taxes will apply.
Mutual fund capital gains have new rules now.

For equity funds:
LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%
STCG is taxed at 20%

For debt funds:
Gains are taxed as per your income slab

You must plan redemptions in tax-efficient way.
This will protect your post-retirement income.

Don’t exit large amount in one shot.
Use SWP route. Take monthly amount.
It spreads your capital gains over many years.

Your Yearly Plan of Action

Every year, do this:

Increase SIP by 10% with salary hike

Review fund performance with MFD and CFP

Rebalance your equity and debt mix

Avoid stopping SIPs for short-term goals

Avoid switching funds unless required

Keep gold allocation to less than 5%

Avoid real estate unless you have surplus

Track your net worth every 6 months

This gives you full control over your future.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Don’t buy land or plot using EMI

Don’t go for index funds

Don’t invest in direct funds without expert

Don’t depend on gold returns

Don’t ignore insurance needs

Don’t miss SIP even one month

Don’t use retirement fund for short-term goals

Don’t take loans for investment purpose

Finally

You have time, energy, and savings power.
Use all three wisely from today.

Focus on SIPs in quality mutual funds

Avoid land, gold, and risky ideas

Build emergency fund and insurance

Invest Rs 30,000 monthly from now

Aim for Rs 3 crore corpus by age 40

Use SWP to get monthly income after 40

Retiring at 40 is possible.
But it needs full commitment and zero distractions.

Start now. Stay consistent.

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

...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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