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Kanchan

Kanchan Rai  |656 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jan 07, 2024

Kanchan Rai has 10 years of experience in therapy, nurturing soft skills and leadership coaching. She is the founder of the Let Us Talk Foundation, which offers mindfulness workshops to help people stay emotionally and mentally healthy.
Rai has a degree in leadership development and customer centricity from Harvard Business School, Boston. She is an internationally certified coach from the International Coaching Federation, a global organisation in professional coaching.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Nov 26, 2023Hindi
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Relationship

Hello Kanchan, it is in regard to my furst question to decluttter my mind if you remember .... I am fed up with the awkwardness in workplace with that collegue...whatever happened I want to feel normal with him like friendly colleague not like the ones with whom we have some tension...it affects our work naturally. So sometimes I feel like I should talk to him directly about all this awkwardness and ask him to take things lightly as I feel he is not making any eye contact with me ...just greets me when he comes and goes back from office. While all have seen us talking nonstop... Will it not be ok ?

Ans: Direct communication can be a positive step, but it's important to approach the conversation with sensitivity and professionalismApproach the conversation with a calm and neutral tone. Avoid sounding accusatory or confrontational. Express your observations and feelings without blaming the other person. Emphasize the importance of maintaining a professional and collaborative work environment. Reaffirm your commitment to working together productively and professionally. He may not be receptive to such conversations, so be prepared for various outcomes. However, taking the initiative to address the issue demonstrates your commitment to a healthy work environment and can contribute to a more positive atmosphere.

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Kanchan Rai  |656 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Nov 04, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 04, 2023Hindi
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Relationship
Hi! I want to declutter my mind . Please help me. I am a working married women. One of married collegue in office started appreciating me and i took notice of him. Initially I felt it awkward but later I started enjoying the attention. It went in and I started feeling good. I started to give more time to myself to look good. Then that person is very handsome, and uses slangs that are not appropriate in office. I overlooked everything as he became my favorite. I even overlooked his mistakes. He started coming late , going early also. He helped me in my office work a lot. I felt very comfortable in his company. He was like work spouse for me. He became a habit for me. Than one day there came a situation, one should take responsibility for the wrong decision in office.it was his call and he could have avoided it being reported to my seniors as I helped him previously for same situation but he reported. I still had feelings for him. Now I felt bad. But it was ok. Than one or two times he accidentally touched me , It was not acceptable to me as if I am being taken for granted.i even don't know if it was intentional ... Some other junior also tried to outsmart me. Than I went to my senior and asked the solution for smooth Functioning in office and asked office to sensitize employees for appropriate behaviour. Now that person has for whom I still have crush , took it personally and stopped talking to me properly. Where was I wrong , also I took this step as reminder of sexual harrasment to avoid any further advancement of touching and all . The problem is I still like him and it's a void I am feeling and I feel I miss that happy vibe in office. Things are not normal. I am stressed ...I know I did nothing wrong. How to calm myself and stop longing for him when I see him everyday. I feel like I should talk to him to behave normally but can not do that. What should I do. I am ok when I don't see him but I feel bad when he is talking with others normally . he used to be coordinating with me for all office things but now he does not do that.he does with other. He used to wish me on festival.he stopped doing that too. I really feel bad. Please help me with my thought process.
Ans: It seems like you've been through a challenging situation at work, and it's completely normal to have mixed feelings and experience stress in such circumstances. It's important to address your feelings and find a way to navigate this situation in a healthy manner. Here are some steps you can consider:

Reflect on the situation: Take some time to reflect on your feelings and the events that have transpired. Consider why you started to enjoy the attention and what it meant to you. Understand that it's natural to develop feelings for someone when you spend a lot of time together.
Maintain professional boundaries: It's crucial to maintain professional boundaries at the workplace. While it's okay to have friendly relationships with colleagues, it's important not to cross the line into unprofessional behavior. Recognize the importance of professionalism and how it can impact your work environment.
Focus on self-improvement: Instead of seeking validation or attention from your coworker, channel your energy into self-improvement. Continue taking care of yourself and striving for personal and professional growth.
Seek support: Talk to a trusted friend or family member about your feelings and concerns. They can provide emotional support and an outside perspective on the situation. Venting to someone you trust can help relieve some of your stress.
Speak to a manager or HR: It's commendable that you took the step to approach your senior about the need for sensitivity in the workplace. Continue to communicate your concerns about inappropriate behavior, whether it's from your coworker or anyone else in the office, to your HR department or a higher-up. They should be able to address these issues appropriately.
Accept that people change: It's possible that your coworker's behavior changed after you raised the issue with your senior. People's actions can be influenced by various factors, and it's essential to accept that he might have his reasons for acting differently.
Create a support network: Build strong relationships with other colleagues who share your values and provide a positive work environment. This can help reduce the impact of missing the interactions with your previous work spouse.
Manage your expectations: Understand that things might not go back to the way they were before. Colleagues change, and your coworker may have chosen to distance himself for personal or professional reasons.
Focus on your well-being: Prioritize self-care, both physically and mentally. Engage in activities that make you happy and help reduce stress. A healthy work-life balance can greatly improve your overall mood and well-being.
Seek professional help if necessary: If your stress and emotional struggles persist, consider talking to a therapist or counselor who can provide guidance and support for your emotional well-being.
Remember, it's important to prioritize your mental and emotional health. It may take time to adjust to the changes in your workplace dynamics, but with the right approach and support, you can find a way to navigate this situation and move forward positively.

..Read more

Anu

Anu Krishna  |1778 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Apr 09, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 29, 2025Hindi
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Relationship
I recently join a new workplace and there I found this male married colleague of my age. At first everything is professional. He sometime message me on WhatsApp to just ask about office just in friendly way. I thought him as a workplace friend and we chat in a friendly way but one day he told me not to mention to anyone that he message me on WhatsApp. I found this weird. I mean it's nothing between us that should be hide then why he told me to keep it private.I want to confort him about this incident But then I think that maybe I overthink this situation and as we have to work together so I think it become awkward also o am very new at workplace so I sweep it under the rug. But next day he act normal at office like totally friendly so o think that I might be overthink about the situation. But later one day when he visit home he specifically told me not to message him. I mean I what is this. I never message him first. I only reply him. I never started it. If we are just friends why he want to keep it private. I find it little bit weird and also I don't like it. I want to comfort it about that but also not want make it awkward at office. I want to know that what kind of his intentions. I don't want any trouble.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Have fun but 'secretly' is fun no? That's what he is happily enjoying...
Obviously he cares about his reputation and what if you get too involved in him; so he's making sure he has fun but in a way that has a boundary.
I would suggest let him not have the pleasure of drawing that boundary so there is not need for you to respond to any of his messages...And you are absolutely right in asking: "If we are just friends why he want to keep it private." There lies your answer. For him, possibly it has gone beyond this in his mind and hence he keeping it private. Draw your boundary NOW. Better later than never.

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

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11089 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Mar 30, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 30, 2026Hindi
Money
Hi, I am 44 years old salaried having monthly income of 2 lakhs living in Gurgaon, planning to retire by 2030. we are family of 3, me wife & daughter in class 9th. Sharing below details, m i on right track & what advice would help me maximizing gains out of below portfolio. 1- Term plan of 2 crores 2- Family health cover 10 lakhs 3- 2BHK house loan free in Gurgaon having resale price of 1 cr. 5 years old property high rise. 4- 3 BHK house loan free in Gurgaon, current value 1.3 cr. 5- EPF accumulation till now 50 lakhs. 6- SIP accumulation 53 lakhs with monthly SIP of 1,07,000. mix of LC,MC &small cap. 7- OLD lic jeewan anand poly maturing in 2033 - 20 lakhs 8- PPF accumulation till now 11 lakhs 9- SSY for kid accumulation 11 lakhs. 10- Rental income 22k from 2 bhk. Booked another 3 BHK "2 cores", possession in 2028, Bank loan. current EMI is 52k, as loan is partial loan disbursed. Do not posses any inherited property or money. Is it wise to retire by age 50 with above investment. planning to repay bank loan before retirement either by selling 2 bhk & remaining by savings. Monthly expenses including school fees stands 50-60 k today.
Ans: You have built a very strong financial base by age 44. Two debt-free houses, strong SIP discipline, EPF accumulation, child education savings and protection planning show clarity and commitment. Early retirement by age 50 is possible in many cases like yours, but it needs careful adjustment in the next 5 years because your retirement horizon is long (almost 35+ years after retirement).

Below is a structured assessment and improvement roadmap.

» Your Present Financial Strength

– Term cover of Rs 2 crore is appropriate for your income level and responsibilities
– Family health cover of Rs 10 lakh is good, but can be strengthened
– Two loan-free houses worth about Rs 2.3 crore together provide stability
– EPF corpus Rs 50 lakh is a strong retirement backbone
– SIP corpus Rs 53 lakh with monthly investment Rs 1.07 lakh is excellent discipline
– Child education corpus already started through SSY Rs 11 lakh
– PPF Rs 11 lakh adds safe retirement cushion
– Rental income Rs 22,000 supports future passive income planning
– One traditional insurance maturity expected Rs 20 lakh in 2033 adds support

Overall, your base is strong for someone targeting retirement at 50.

» One Important Reality About Early Retirement

Retiring at 50 means your wealth must support:

– Household expenses for 35+ years
– Child higher education and possibly marriage
– Medical inflation
– Lifestyle inflation
– Loan closure before retirement

So the focus now should shift from accumulation only to income sustainability planning.

» Your Current Monthly Expense vs Retirement Need

Today expenses are Rs 50–60k including school fees.

After retirement:

– School fees will reduce later
– But lifestyle expenses increase with inflation
– Medical costs increase after age 55
– Travel and personal goals increase after retirement

Practically, your retirement income target should be higher than today's number.

Your rental income already supports part of this.

That is a strong advantage.

» Impact of the New 3 BHK Purchase

Booking another property worth Rs 2 crore is the only area where caution is required.

Because:

– Loan continues till retirement window
– EMI reduces SIP flexibility
– Possession in 2028 means financial pressure close to retirement year
– Real estate concentration becomes high in total portfolio

Your idea of selling 2 BHK before retirement to close the loan is sensible and practical.

This improves retirement safety significantly.

» Health Insurance Needs Immediate Upgrade

Current cover Rs 10 lakh is not sufficient for a family of three in a metro city.

Suggested improvement:

– Increase family cover to Rs 25–30 lakh using top-up structure
– This protects retirement corpus from medical shocks

This is very important before age 50.

» Education Planning for Daughter

Child is in class 9 now.

Higher education timeline:

– Only 3–5 years away

SSY corpus Rs 11 lakh is a good start.

But education costs may require additional support from:

– SIP accumulation
– LIC maturity Rs 20 lakh (2033)
– Partial EPF later if required

Plan this carefully so retirement corpus is not disturbed.

» Retirement Income Planning Strategy

Your future retirement income sources may include:

– Rental income from one house
– EPF withdrawals after retirement
– Mutual fund SWP income
– PPF maturity support
– LIC maturity amount
– Possible second property decision

Because you already have multiple income sources, retirement at 50 becomes realistic if loan closes before retirement.

» SIP Strategy – Continue Aggressively Till 2030

Your SIP of Rs 1.07 lakh is the strongest engine in your portfolio.

Maintain this for next 5 years without interruption.

Also ensure:

– Allocation remains diversified across large, mid and small companies
– Periodic portfolio review every 12 months
– Avoid stopping SIP during market corrections

This step alone can decide early retirement success.

» EPF Should Be Preserved Till Retirement

Do not withdraw EPF before retirement unless emergency arises.

EPF acts as:

– capital stability layer
– longevity protection layer
– inflation balancing support

This is your safest retirement pillar.

» LIC Policy – Keep Till Maturity

Since maturity is approaching in 2033 and value is reasonable, continue it.

It will support mid-retirement liquidity needs.

» Asset Allocation Observation

Currently your portfolio has:

– strong real estate exposure
– strong equity SIP exposure
– strong retirement accumulation through EPF
– safe allocation through PPF and SSY

This is a balanced structure already.

Only improvement required:

Increase financial asset share slightly over next 5 years.

» Is Retirement at Age 50 Possible?

Yes, possible if these conditions are followed:

– Close housing loan before retirement
– Continue SIP till 2030 without reduction
– Increase health insurance cover
– Avoid additional liabilities
– Preserve EPF till retirement stage
– Plan daughter education separately from retirement corpus

If these steps are followed, retirement at 50 becomes achievable and comfortable.

» Action Steps For Next 5 Years

– Continue SIP Rs 1.07 lakh monthly
– Increase health insurance protection
– Avoid new liabilities
– Close upcoming housing loan before retirement
– Build additional emergency fund equal to 12 months expenses
– Review portfolio once every year with a Certified Financial Planner
– Keep rental income reserved for future retirement buffer

» Finally

You are already ahead of many professionals in your age group.

Your discipline, debt-free properties and strong SIP commitment create a solid base for early retirement success. With small corrections in health protection, loan closure timing and retirement income structuring, retiring at age 50 can become a practical and safe decision instead of a risky one.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/

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Pushpa

Pushpa R  |71 Answers  |Ask -

Yoga, Mindfulness Expert - Answered on Mar 30, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 30, 2026Hindi
Health
I’m a 34-year-old with a desk job, and I’ve been dealing with constant stiffness and lower back pain. Can yoga for back pain relief actually fix posture issues caused by long sitting hours, or is it just temporary relief? Which yoga poses are most effective for office workers?
Ans: Yes, yoga can do more than temporary relief. For many office workers, lower back pain comes because long sitting makes the hips tight, weakens the core, and rounds the back. This changes posture. If posture does not improve, pain keeps returning.

Yoga helps by stretching tight muscles and strengthening weak muscles. Slowly, the body learns to sit and stand correctly again. This is why regular yoga can give long-term relief, not just short relief.

For desk-job back pain, these poses are very useful:

Cat-Cow stretch – reduces stiffness in the spine.
Child’s Pose – relaxes the lower back.
Bhujangasana (cobra pose) – opens the chest and improves posture.
Marjariasana with gentle twist – helps release back tension.
Setu Bandhasana (bridge pose) – strengthens the back and hips.
Pavanamuktasana – reduces lower back tightness.
Tadasana – teaches correct standing posture.

Also, every 45–60 minutes, stand up, stretch, and walk for 2 minutes. Small changes in sitting posture help a lot.

Please do not practice only from videos. Wrong posture during yoga can increase pain. A qualified yoga or meditation coach can understand your body and guide you safely for lasting results.

R. Pushpa, M.Sc (Yoga)
Online Yoga & Meditation Coach
Radiant YogaVibes
https://www.instagram.com/pushpa_radiantyogavibes/

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Pushpa

Pushpa R  |71 Answers  |Ask -

Yoga, Mindfulness Expert - Answered on Mar 30, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 30, 2026Hindi
Health
I’m 29 and I’ve tried gym, diet plans, even walking regularly but nothing seems to stick. My friend tells me that yoga is good for weight loss and belly fat, but I don’t understand how slow movements can actually burn fat. Can you give me some real life examples to help me understand how yoga helps reduce weight?
Ans: Many people think yoga is “too slow” for weight loss. But weight gain is not only because of food. Stress, poor sleep, emotional eating, hormones, slow digestion, and sitting for long hours also increase weight and belly fat.

Yoga works on all these together.

For example, think of two people. One does hard gym for 1 hour but feels stressed, sleeps badly, and eats more later. The other does 30 minutes of yoga daily, sleeps better, feels calmer, digests food well, and stops emotional eating. Slowly, the second person often loses weight more easily.

Another example: belly fat is like water filling a bucket. Food is one tap, but stress is another tap. Yoga closes the stress tap. Practices like Surya Namaskar, twisting poses, plank, and breathing improve metabolism and burn calories. Meditation reduces cravings and mindless eating.

Many of my students say they first lost inches, then their clothes became loose, and later the weight reduced. Yoga may look gentle, but when done regularly, it changes the body from inside.

Please do not practice only from videos. Weight loss yoga must suit your body, routine, and health. A qualified yoga and meditation coach can guide you safely and help you stay consistent.

R. Pushpa, M.Sc (Yoga)
Online Yoga & Meditation Coach
Radiant YogaVibes
https://www.instagram.com/pushpa_radiantyogavibes/

...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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