Hi Kirtan, I am 55 Yrs. working in private company, with monthly income of 3.0 lacs. Current investments in SIP since 2018 are - (1)Aditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Growth-4000/ month(2)HDFC Mid-Cap Opportunities Fund - Growth- 4000/ month (3)ICICI PRu Value discovery G - 4000/- (4)UTI Transportation & Logistics G- 4000/ month(5) From 2023 : 1)SBI Contra direct Plan Growth - 10000/month (2)Canara Rebeco small cap fund direct growth - 10000/month. Would like to achieve for retirement corpus of 2 crore- Kindly review my investments , and suggest if any modifications required. I have other investments in FD- 50 lac, can take risk for till retirement Raj

Ans: Hi!!
A working mother, husband working abroad, there is only so much you can do. Spend quality time with your daughter, bond with her on stuff other than studies, that brings happiness to both of you.
If you as a mother know your child's potential then, this should be good. You are saying she is an average student then set a certain percentage that she can score, when she scores that much then celebrate it. Let her live a balanced life, right amount of time spent on studies and other skills. Expose her to other skills like, music, sports, debating, story telling... she will soon discover something where she excels!!

Set a time for studies, let her study during that time and rest of the time don't keep talking about studies, discuss and do something else. Explain to her why studying is important, make gaining knowledge, studying a rewarding experience. Every child comes with their set of strengths and success. As a mother cherish your child and enjoy your time together. Your child is unique, do not compare her with anyone else.
Inspire her to be happy, healthy and knowledgeable by you being so!!

Happy Parenting! Best wishes

Ans: Starting a career in interior design requires a combination of education, skill development, practical experience, and networking. Consider pursuing a formal education in interior design from a reputable institution. Look for programs that offer comprehensive coursework, hands-on training, and opportunities for internships or practical experience. You can choose from diploma programs, bachelor's degrees, or master's degrees in interior design or related fields. Familiarize yourself with the principles and elements of design, spatial planning, color theory, materials, furniture styles, and construction techniques. Develop proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, and Adobe Creative Suite, which are commonly used in the industry. Create a portfolio showcasing your design projects, concepts, and creative abilities. Include a variety of projects that demonstrate your skills in different areas of interior design, such as residential, commercial, hospitality, or retail spaces. Your portfolio is your visual resume and will be essential when applying for jobs or seeking clients. Seek opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, apprenticeships, or entry-level positions in design firms, architectural firms, or interior design studios. Practical experience will provide valuable insights, mentorship, and hands-on experience in real-world design projects. Seek opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, apprenticeships, or entry-level positions in design firms, architectural firms, or interior design studios. Practical experience will provide valuable insights, mentorship, and hands-on experience in real-world design projects. Decide whether you want to work as an independent freelance designer or join a design firm or agency. Starting your own business offers flexibility and autonomy but requires entrepreneurial skills and the ability to manage clients, projects, and finances effectively. Regarding salary packages in interior design, they can vary significantly based on factors such as location, experience, specialization, clientele, and the type of projects undertaken. Entry-level interior designers may start with modest salaries, but as they gain experience and reputation in the industry, their earning potential increases. 

The average salary for an interior designer in India varies by experience and company, starting from entry level with less than three years of experience earning an average salary of ?2.6 lakhs per year; mid-career between 4–9 years of experience earns an average salary of ?4.5 lakhs per year; experienced: 10–20 years of experience earns an average salary of ?7.1 lakhs per year; independent: ?50,000–1 lakh per month or more; and top companies can pay ?22–24 lakhs per year on average, up to ?44 lakhs per year with relevant experience as well.

Ans: Deciding between UPSC Civil Services and UPSC Engineering Services requires careful consideration of your interests, strengths, and career goals. Reflect on your interests, strengths, and career aspirations. If you have a passion for public administration, policymaking, and addressing societal issues, UPSC Civil Services may be a better fit for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy technical challenges, problem-solving, and contributing to infrastructure development, UPSC Engineering Services may align better with your interests. UPSC Civil Services often involve a diverse range of roles, including administrative, diplomatic, and policymaking positions, with opportunities to work at the national, state, or district levels. UPSC Engineering Services primarily focuses on engineering roles in government departments and organizations, with responsibilities related to project management, design, and implementation of infrastructure projects. I would recommend that you pursue civil services, which may indeed be a better choice for you. Civil services provide opportunities to lead and make decisions that influence public policies, programs, and initiatives. As a civil servant, you can contribute to governance, social development, and nation-building by addressing key issues and challenges facing the country. Civil services offer avenues for continuous learning, professional growth, and skill development. You can undertake training programs, attend workshops, and participate in capacity-building initiatives to enhance your knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities throughout your career. Civil services provide the job security, stability, and prestige associated with serving in the government sector. Civil servants enjoy various perks, benefits, and allowances, along with opportunities for promotion and career advancement based on performance and seniority.

Ans: Hello!!
The addiction to mobile after COVID is a menace every parent is facing. The good part is she is aware about her exams and studies at least one week before her exams.

The rude behaviour, lack of focus on studies is all stemming from the mobile games. They are highly addictive and the thrill they give is beyond imagination. Slowly but surely you have to take away the mobile from her, that's the only way to help her look for other sources to keep her busy .Friends, new skills and studies will get her attention only when the mobile is away.

Allocate time for food, sleep, studies, play time and also mobile time( can't just take away the mobile, has to be weaned away from it gradually), in a day. Set a timer for the mobile usage, she has to return the mobile as soon as the timer bell rings.

Pls remember you are the adult here, she is just a child. Guide her, lead her towards better and interesting things to do. You all as a family have to stop sitting with the mobile, start reading books ,play board games , learn a new skill, sing songs, cook together, bake together, you make everything at home an interesting activity, joyful activity, why will a child sit on the mobile?
It is a going to be lot of hard work for you and if the end result of this is seeing your daughter away from the mobile, laughing and talking to her friends, playing around, studying well.....then this is worth all the effort.

Ans: Absolutely, there are remote job opportunities available for individuals with a diverse range of skills and experiences, including those who have retired from traditional office-based roles. With your administrative experience from your role as an office superintendent at BSNL, you could work as a virtual assistant, providing administrative support to businesses or entrepreneurs remotely. Tasks may include email management, scheduling appointments, data entry, and conducting research. Many companies hire remote customer service representatives to handle customer inquiries, resolve issues, and provide support via phone, email, or chat. Your communication skills and experience in dealing with customers could be valuable in this role. If you have a strong understanding of subjects like English or commerce, you could explore opportunities for online tutoring. Many platforms offer remote tutoring positions where you can teach students of various ages and levels. Leverage your extensive experience in the telecommunications industry by offering consulting services to businesses or individuals remotely. You could provide advice, guidance, and expertise in areas related to telecommunications, customer service, or administration. When exploring WFH job opportunities, be sure to research reputable companies, familiarize yourself with remote work tools and technologies, and tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences. Additionally, consider networking within your industry or joining online communities to connect with potential employers or clients. With the right approach and determination, you can find fulfilling WFH opportunities that suit your skills and preferences.

Ans: Hello Saket!!

It is unfair to expect a child all of 08 to come back home from school late in the evening and study(I am assuming he is home by 6.30 PM). You can shift his study time to the morning hours, say from 8 to 10 AM.

Now to manage his well being after coming back from school.
Take care of the following-
1. it's a good time to introduce time management to your 8yr old son
2. on a Sunday when both of you are relatively free, involve him to make a time table for studies. Stick the time table in a place where it is visible to him
3.let him relax for an hr after coming back from school
4.if you assume 10 PM is his sleeping time( the child needs 9-12 hrs of sleep), and 7:45 PM is dinner time, some where between dinner time and sleeping time, see if you can manage a little bit of HW/studies
5. there is so much happening at school apart from studies, he is developing - social skills, coping mechanism, developing new ideas ,etc....let home be a place where he is loved, nourished and a place to relax and rejuvenate
6. have fixed time to study and make him study during those hours.

You cannot be rigid, every child's requirements are different try out what suits you and your family!!

Happy parenting!!

Ans: Dear Teena,

I am glad you found someone you love and who loves you back. But I am confused as to why you can't speak to him. Is it because you feel uneasy to open up to him? I need a little more context to comment on the matter. For now, I would suggest spending quality time with each other. For some people it can take a little more time to open up to each other. Be patient.

Things will hopefully get better soon.

Best wishes.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,

What you are facing is very common. The first step is to remember that you are not alone. Even the best of us face it. Second, have you tried dating apps? There is no speaking face to face, which substantially helps with the nervousness. You can chat with people for days before you even decide to meet them in person. You can also attract the people who can perfectly match your vibe, making it easier for you to feel more comfortable and relaxed with them.

Other than that, here are few tips you can try-

Start small. Start with small talks. You don't need to have a full blown conversation in the very first attempt. Say Hi, smile, or ask her about her day. If you feel shy to speak, master the art of listening. Women love a man who can actively listen. Third, be genuine and be yourself. The more you pretend to impress a girl, the trickier it can be to keep up the act. Moreover, you will be preoccupied with your pretense and won't focus on the quality of the conversation. Be you. Fourth, learn from your experience. Good or bad, experiences can teach us a lot. Reflect on the past conversations; the ones that went well and ones that didn't. Identify what worked and what needs improvement. And lastly, be patient. Building confidence can take a while. Not all of us are naturally blessed with it. Some of us have to work for it. But in the end, it will be worth your while.

Best Wishes.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,

I am sorry to hear about your breakup. It is also common to not be able to move on and go back to each other. It's about the comfort in familiarity. It does take time. But if you are serious about the breakup, you have to follow through. This 'break up and patch up' thing will only end up hurting you more. It always ends with one person moving on in the process and the other being stuck in a relationship that died long back.

You might have great bonding but that is no reason to set yourself up for inevitable pain. Please tread carefully.

Best Wishes.