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Thursday, June 21, 2012

The power of compounding


“Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it ... he who doesn't ... pays it.” ― Albert Einstein
In the book, “Once Upon a Wall Street”, Peter Lynch, one of the most successful mutual fund managers the Wall Street has ever seen, narrates a story. “Consider the Indians of Manhattan, who in 1625 sold all their real estate to a group of immigrants for $24 in trinkets and beads. For 362 years the Indians have been the subjects of cruel jokes because of it – but it turns out that they may have made a better deal than the buyers who got the island. At 8% interest on $24 ( note: let’s suspend our disbelief and assume they converted the trinkets to cash) compounded over all those years, the Indians would have built up a net worth just short $30 trillion, while the latest tax records from the Borough of Manhattan show the real estate to be worth only $28.1 billion. Give Manhattan the benefit of doubt: That $28.1 billion is the assessed value, and for all anybody knows, it may be worth twice that on the open market. So Manhattan’s worth $56.2 billion. Either way, the Indians could be ahead by $29 trillion and change.
This little story shows you the power of compounding and the points out the fact that the earlier you start investing the better it gets.






Illustration
Let’s try and understand this through an example of two friends, Ram and Shyam. Both start working at the same time at the age of 23. Ram starts saving when he turns 25 and invests Rs 50,000 every year. Assuming that on this he earns a return of 10% every year, at the end of ten years, Ram would be able to accumulate Rs 8.77 lakh. After this, due to financial constraints Ram is not able to invest any more money. But at the same time he does not touch the fund that he has already accumulated, hoping to live of it when he retires.

He lets the Rs 8.77 lakh grow and assuming that it continues to earn a return of 10% p.a., he would be able to accumulate around Rs 95 lakh by the time he turns 60. So the Rs 5 lakh (Rs 50,000 x 10 years) he had invested in the first ten years of his working life would have grown to Rs 95 lakh. This even though he stopped investing entirely after the first ten years.
Now let’s take the case of Shyam. Shyam believed in enjoying life, spending freely rather than saving regularly. However, at the age of 35 as reality dawns, he starts putting aside Rs 50,000 every year. Unlike his friend Ram, who stopped after the first ten years, Shyam religiously invests the amount each year for all of next twenty five years i.e. till he turns 60. Now, assuming he also earns a return of 10% per year on his investments, in the end, Shyam would have managed to accumulate Rs 54.10 lakh.
Putting it differently, even after investing Rs 50,000 regularly for twenty five years, Shyam has managed to accumulate Rs. 41 lakh lesser in comparison to Ram. Remember Ram has ended up investing only Rs 5 lakh in total over the ten years that he invested. In comparison, Shyam over the twenty five years invested Rs 12.5 lakh (Rs 50,000 x 25 years). So even by saving two and half times more than Ram, Shyam has managed to build a corpus which is 43% lower! This happened because Ram started investing earlier which in turn allowed the money to compound for a greater period of time.
Also as the corpus grows, the impact of compounding is greater. Ram as we know had managed to accumulate Rs 8.77 lakh after ten years after which he stopped investing, allowing the accumulated corpus to compound for twenty years more. In other words, the total life of the investment was for thirty years. However, had his investment time frame been till he turned 55 i.e. had the money compounded for twenty five years instead of thirty then at the end Ram would have accumulated a corpus of around Rs 59 lakh. By choosing to let his investment run for just an additional five years, Ram managed to accumulate Rs 45 lakh more.
Real Life Illustration
In terms of a practical example, let’s take the case of HDFC Equity Fund. The five year return of this fund is around 9.31% p.a. On the other hand, from inception (December 1994), the fund has returned 20.2% p.a. Now, had an investor invested say Rs. 50,000 five years back, the investment would have grown to around Rs. 78,000. However, had the investment been made at inception (allowing the money to compound over a greater period of time) the investment would have grown over 24 times to around Rs. 12 lakh.

As mentioned in the beginning of the column, Albert Einstein himself has called the power of compounding the eighth wonder of the world. In this article we have given various examples of how potent this power is when combined with its ally --- Father Time. It’s never too early nor too late to begin investing. Or to put it differently, better late than later.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

How To Avoid Becoming A Fraud Victim

Given the varied and diverse nature of financial scams, it is hard to estimate exactly how much of consumers' hard earned money is lost each year. Despite this, however, it is possible to gain some insight into the magnitude of fraud in the United States, simply by evaluating individual scams and the losses that are accrued by each.
Avoid-Becoming-a-Scam-Victim-Daniel-Stoica-Accounting-Professional1.jpg (353×331)



For example, the Paragould Daily Press, estimated that 15 million Americans experience loss through identity theft every single year, which equates to a combined financial deficit of $50 billion in tax payers' money. This sizeable sum of money is just a drop in the ocean when it comes to the total cost of international fraud, however, and the challenge facing the victims is how to protect themselves and ultimately recoup their losses should they fall prey to such scams.
The Most Common Fraudulent Scams
It is important to consider which scams are most prevalent in 2012, and understand the methods used to target different demographics. One of the most common is known simply as advanced fee fraud. Its basic premise is to offer the targeted individual a significant sum of cash in exchange for a small financial payment or the victim's current bank details. The victim is informed that this amount of capital is to cover transaction fees, which of course proves to be as bogus as the promise of a huge cash settlement once the process is completed. Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this scam is that it targets ordinary individuals who cannot afford to lose cash in the current economic climate.
This scam is usually conducted online through the medium of email, and this is reflective of the majority of scams that remain popular in 2012. According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IS3), in 2011 reports of remote online fraud rose by 3.4% compared to figures from 2010, with more than 300,000 received complaints accounting for an estimated $485.3 million in losses. Approximately $20 million of this sum was lost through work from home scams, whereby applicants are encouraged to pay a registration fee or offer bank details in order to work remotely and earn huge amounts of cash. Not only does the payoff not materialize, but the unsuspecting victims are often used to launder criminal proceeds during the process.
The Rise of Online Fraud
The perpetrators of these scams may use alternative incentives to entice their victims, but they follow a similar template in terms of targeting lower income individuals, and use the promise of wealth to snare bank details, credit information or even lump sum payments. Not only this, but the scams are primarily conducted remotely through email or online interaction, which make those responsible harder to trace and reprimand. Given the difficulty in locating online fraudsters and the money taken from their prey, there remains a clear emphasis on educating the public in how to detect a scam and be more proactive when protecting finances.
In terms of online fraud, the most important step is to invest in good quality anti-virus and malware software, as this can help to detect emails that are not necessarily sent from the location that they claim to be. While there is a plethora of anti-virus programs that can be sourced for free, the free ones do not offer the comprehensive level of protection afforded by the paid subscription options. Aside from featuring more regular and reliable malware signature updates, paid products are also supported by a better infrastructure and troubleshooting network. Given the fact that spammers and online fraudsters continue to adopt more sophisticated means of tricking people, however, you must also be vigilant when it comes to assessing the content and nature of any email that manages to slip through the net.
Recouping Your Money After a Scam
For those of you who have already lost money at the hands of online fraudsters, however, the most significant challenge is attempting to recoup some or all of your cash. The simplicity of this process is determined by the nature of the fraud committed in the first instance, and how responsibly you acted as a consumer. For example, with remote scams such as the advance fee fraud and work from home schemes, it is extremely difficult to reclaim any of your lost money, simply because the perpetrators almost exclusively operate overseas and coerce their victims into offering direct payments or bank details voluntarily.
The Bottom Line
With so many diverse and sophisticated types of fraud thriving in 2012, you must know your own rights as a consumer and also understand how tricksters are looking to steal your hard earned money. Whether you are targeted by online advance fee fraudsters who solicit your money or identity thieves that steal cash directly and without your prior knowledge, however, it is clear that prevention is better than a cure and by adopting a responsible approach to your personal security you can help to keep your assets safe.

Top 10 Tips for Healthy Fathers

Work-life balance: Most Indian urban homes today are a mix of traditional and modern. So while men are still the primary providers; they’re also heavily involved in bringing up their kids, maintaining fulfilling 
Top 10 Tips for Healthy F …
marriages with their wives and being good sons to their parents. Doing it all perfectly is an impossible task for anyone. Understand your limitations, and try and maintain a balance between the different facets of your life.
Top 10 Tips for Healthy F …


Talk: Men are not big on talking. Especially on topics besides cricket and the share market! But do make an effort to talk to your wife and kids. Would you rather have your kids remember you as a strict old man who sat and grunted or a communicative dad who taught them important life lessons?

Top 10 Tips for Healthy F …


Go outside: Life is undoubtedly busy. And most parents, especially dads, don’t get to spend as much time with their kids as they’d like to. So it’s important that in the time you do spend with them, a large chunk should be spent outdoors. Outdoor activity makes you both healthier and time away from the TV and breathing fresh air is always a good idea.

Top 10 Tips for Healthy F …


Eat your greens: Dad or not, everybody likes junk food. However, now you have an extra responsibility towards your kids’ and your own health. So set an example of healthy eating by enjoying your greens on the dinner table. They’re good for you and your the little ones!

Top 10 Tips for Healthy F …


Learn to compartmentalise: Often we bring work stress back home, as well as take our worries about our family to work with us. To stay sane and be able to give your best to different spheres of your life, it’s essential to learn to compartmentalise.

Top 10 Tips for Healthy F …


Go have fun: Just because you’re a dad now does not mean you can’t play golf or go out for an adults only evening every now and then. Go have a good time. Your children will appreciate a happy dad.

Top 10 Tips for Healthy F …


Get a health check-up: Regular health checks can save lives. Take the time to get your annual health check-up and lead a healthy, worry-free life.

Top 10 Tips for Healthy F …


Spiritual health counts: Be it meditation, religion or an inspirational book or music, you must take the necessary measures to improve your spiritual health. It’ll bring you the peace of mind and focus required to juggle your many roles.

Top 10 Tips for Healthy F …


Make time for yourself: Alone time is essential in everybody’s life. And while it can get difficult to do it with all the different people and projects that want your attention, do make it a point to keep some time just for yourself. Pursue a hobby, go for a run or just sit and think by yourself.

Top 10 Tips for Healthy F …



Go offline: Now that you’re done reading this article, shut down your computer, turn off the TV, switch off your smart phone and just go spend some quality time with your family.

Happy Father’s Day!

Monday, June 18, 2012

How to survive a quarter-life crisis

Your twenties can be a difficult time. It is generally a time of transition, where nothing is fully established. You may have an overwhelming amount of decisions to make but limited opportunities, and you may feel like you are struggling to make it in the “real world” with the anxieties of careers, relationships and debt. According to research by Gumtree.com, 86 per cent of young people feel under pressure to succeed in their relationships and careers before the age of 30, while research by Vodafone suggests that 73 per cent of 26 to 30 year olds are experiencing a quarter life crisis. However, while it may not feel like it now, your quarter-life crisis can be overcome. Here are 10 ways to survive a quarter-life crisis.

How to survive a quarter-life …

Share your problems: If you are experiencing a quarter-life crisis it is common to feel alone, as though you are the only one facing this. It can seem as though everybody else is breezing through life, following their dreams, picking up promotions and falling into movie-worthy relationships as they go. However, if you open up to your friends about how you are feeling, you may be surprised to find you’re not the only one having these thoughts, and just hearing that you are not alone can make a big difference to how you feel.
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How to survive a quarter-life …


Acknowledge your feelings: It can be easy to take onboard the flippant advice of others that “you’re young and have your whole life ahead of you” and to feel guilty or self-indulgent for harboring doubts or feelings of dissatisfaction with life. However, it is important to realize that it’s completely acceptable to have these emotions and your thoughts are perfectly valid whatever your age. Know that you are entitled to your feelings and that they deserve to be taken seriously and addressed, not ignored.
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How to survive a quarter-life …


Decide what you want from life: To increase your satisfaction in life, you have to decide what you want from it. We often compare ourselves with others and think we want what they have, but everybody is different and just because something makes somebody else happy it doesn’t mean that it is right for you. Stop comparing yourself with others and feeling pressured to strive for goals that aren’t on your personal to-do list (such as starting a family, earning more money or buying your own home). Think about what you want and what would make you happy.
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How to survive a quarter-life …


Make an action plan: Once you have outlined your priorities and needs it is helpful to set some goals, not only to help increase your future happiness but also to help you feel proactive and in control of your life rather than a helpless back-seat driver. Set specific goals relating to both your personal life and career, dividing your ambitions into short, medium and long term goals. Think about what you want and how you can get there, then take small steps to achieving these goals; whether this is by starting a career-driven course, taking steps to start a relationship or getting help to sort out your finances.
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How to survive a quarter-life …


Redefine success: Many of us define success by what we own and have, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness if you are not where you want to be financially. Rather than obsessing over your status and finances, try taking a step back and redefining success for yourself based on what you have to offer and how you can make a difference to others. Make a commitment to doing something selfless such as volunteering. This will not only add some interest into your life and routine, it will also help you to appreciate your value and worth.
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Spend time with people of different ages: Life can sometimes seem like a competition and it can be difficult to stop yourself from comparing your success and lifestyle with that of those around you. To take some time out from this, try to spend time with people from all walks of life and of different age groups, so that you are not constantly feeling in ‘competition mode’. Spending time with different people with a wide variety of issues and life stories will also help to give you some perspective and to realize that one path in life does not suit all.
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How to survive a quarter-life …


Don’t be afraid to try things: It can be tempting to live life from the safety of your comfort zone and to feel as though you are not good enough to achieve your dreams. However, stepping out of your comfort zone and giving things a go is not only the perfect way to break out of a rut, it is also the only way that you can have any hope of achieving the things that you want in life. If you have a dream or something you have been longing to do for a while, don’t let the fear hold you back. It might not work out but at least you can say you tried rather than living to regret not giving it a go.
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Be flexible: When making plans for your future it is important not to get too focused on time. For instance, deciding you want to own your own home by 26, be married by 27 and have kids by 28 will only make you feel despondent if life doesn’t pan out this way. Real life hardly ever works to a perfect schedule, and things will happen in their own time. Stop comparing yourself with others and bear in mind that life is not a race. Remember that a change of plan is not a failure, and being prepared to adapt and change your timing or goals may be necessary to your happiness and success in life.

How to survive a quarter-life …
Recognise your achievements: We often spend so much time fixated on what we want out of life that it can be easy to ignore what we already have. A major key to coping with a quarter-life crisis is to spend some time remembering all the things that you have achieved and that you should be proud of or grateful for. Whether you have graduated from university, learned a valuable skill or life lesson, or established a good quality friendship, reflect on everything you have achieved so far and the things that have given your life value and enjoyment.
How to survive a quarter-life …

Put some fun into your life: Adult life can sometimes seem like hard work. The wild nights of university become fewer and further between, financial restrictions rear their ugly head and you can easily settle into the drudgery of a 9 to 5 with the feeling that all your best days are behind you. However, this needn’t be the case! To help overcome your quarter-life crisis, the most important thing is to inject some fun into your life again. Have a think about the activities you enjoy and the things that make you feel excited, then plan to spend time doing these things. Remember to make fun a priority.

Why do some important friendships become dispensable?


Ever wondered how some relationships that you hold so close to your heart suddenly seem completely irrelevant, how you just can't relate to someone who was once your soul sister, how there's a complete disconnect with friends who you once shared an almost telepathic connection with?
4-jpg_055151.jpg (630×354)
My colleague was just telling me the other day, how she can no longer have a normal conversation with her childhood friend anymore. Every time she tried having a coherent conversation, all her friend could talk about was the latest trick her three-year-old was up to.  She had so much to tell that she had no time to listen to my colleague. You might say, "Oh c'mmon, there's nothing wrong with being an indulgent mother." No, there's nothing wrong with being indulgent about the apple of your eyes but are we so busy obsessing about our little wonders that we have no time to listen to a friend who probably just needs a patient ear?
My cousin had a friend who was so indispensable that after a point he too became family. He would be there for birthdays, weddings, festivals, deaths, hospital visits, late night parties ... okay, you get the drift. Even after my cousin got married a few years back, his friend continued to be a part of the extended family. I met my cousin last month and for the first time in years there was just no mention of the omnipresent friend. I wondered what had gone wrong and on further prodding heard that the "friend" was now a married and changed person. I guess, that says it all, some people after signing on the dotted line manage to mutate into a being you just can't identify with anymore.
My best friend, my drinking mate, my dancing buddy, my non-judgmental soul-mate has suddenly transformed into this burkha-clad smug-married woman who can't stop gushing about her husband and how wonderful he is. I understand her excitement about the new change of status but what happened to the fun person I knew a few weeks back? Instead I have this health-conscious teetotaler who is forever talking about the ill-effects of smoking and drinking, especially among women.
Don't get me wrong, I am neither underplaying the excitement of marriage/motherhood/parenthood nor am I advocating alcohol use, all I am saying is do these roles demand such dramatic change of personality, that you become unrecognizable to friends who once knew you the best? And, indeed if it does, then you sure can't expect to keep your friends to be as accepting of you in your new avatar.

How To Avoid Becoming A Fraud Victim


Given the varied and diverse nature of financial scams, it is hard to estimate exactly how much of consumers' hard earned money is lost each year. Despite this, however, it is possible to gain some insight into the magnitude of fraud in the United States, simply by evaluating individual scams and the losses that are accrued by each.

cyber crime.jpg (450×385)
For example, the Paragould Daily Press, estimated that 15 million Americans experience loss through identity theft every single year, which equates to a combined financial deficit of $50 billion in tax payers' money. This sizeable sum of money is just a drop in the ocean when it comes to the total cost of international fraud, however, and the challenge facing the victims is how to protect themselves and ultimately recoup their losses should they fall prey to such scams.
The Most Common Fraudulent Scams
It is important to consider which scams are most prevalent in 2012, and understand the methods used to target different demographics. One of the most common is known simply as advanced fee fraud. Its basic premise is to offer the targeted individual a significant sum of cash in exchange for a small financial payment or the victim's current bank details. The victim is informed that this amount of capital is to cover transaction fees, which of course proves to be as bogus as the promise of a huge cash settlement once the process is completed. Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this scam is that it targets ordinary individuals who cannot afford to lose cash in the current economic climate.
This scam is usually conducted online through the medium of email, and this is reflective of the majority of scams that remain popular in 2012. According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IS3), in 2011 reports of remote online fraud rose by 3.4% compared to figures from 2010, with more than 300,000 received complaints accounting for an estimated $485.3 million in losses. Approximately $20 million of this sum was lost through work from home scams, whereby applicants are encouraged to pay a registration fee or offer bank details in order to work remotely and earn huge amounts of cash. Not only does the payoff not materialize, but the unsuspecting victims are often used to launder criminal proceeds during the process.
The Rise of Online Fraud
The perpetrators of these scams may use alternative incentives to entice their victims, but they follow a similar template in terms of targeting lower income individuals, and use the promise of wealth to snare bank details, credit information or even lump sum payments. Not only this, but the scams are primarily conducted remotely through email or online interaction, which make those responsible harder to trace and reprimand. Given the difficulty in locating online fraudsters and the money taken from their prey, there remains a clear emphasis on educating the public in how to detect a scam and be more proactive when protecting finances.
In terms of online fraud, the most important step is to invest in good quality anti-virus and malware software, as this can help to detect emails that are not necessarily sent from the location that they claim to be. While there is a plethora of anti-virus programs that can be sourced for free, the free ones do not offer the comprehensive level of protection afforded by the paid subscription options. Aside from featuring more regular and reliable malware signature updates, paid products are also supported by a better infrastructure and troubleshooting network. Given the fact that spammers and online fraudsters continue to adopt more sophisticated means of tricking people, however, you must also be vigilant when it comes to assessing the content and nature of any email that manages to slip through the net.
Recouping Your Money After a Scam
For those of you who have already lost money at the hands of online fraudsters, however, the most significant challenge is attempting to recoup some or all of your cash. The simplicity of this process is determined by the nature of the fraud committed in the first instance, and how responsibly you acted as a consumer. For example, with remote scams such as the advance fee fraud and work from home schemes, it is extremely difficult to reclaim any of your lost money, simply because the perpetrators almost exclusively operate overseas and coerce their victims into offering direct payments or bank details voluntarily.
The Bottom Line
With so many diverse and sophisticated types of fraud thriving in 2012, you must know your own rights as a consumer and also understand how tricksters are looking to steal your hard earned money. Whether you are targeted by online advance fee fraudsters who solicit your money or identity thieves that steal cash directly and without your prior knowledge, however, it is clear that prevention is better than a cure and by adopting a responsible approach to your personal security you can help to keep your assets safe.

The Mahatma Gandhi plaza, the carnival city & Rio+20


By Narayani Ganesh
Editor's Note: This article is in partnership with Federation of Environmental Journalists of India.

Why its holiday time for locals
“What do you feel about the UN Earth Summit returning to Rio after 20 years,” I ask a 20-something Brazilian seated next to me on the flight to Rio. He was helping me fill the landing form that was in Portugese. “It will be holiday time for many of us in Rio,” he grins, as most offices and educational establishments would simply shut down during the summit days as the streets would overflow with demonstrators, protestors and of course, more traffic. “And what do you think world leaders will discuss here, would it interest him?” “I guess it will be about energy and renewables and all that. In Brazil we have plenty of hydro power, and renewables too, mainly ethanol, so we don’t really have to worry.” He was going home after a holiday with friends in London and looking forward to a few more days off during the Rio+20 summit to be held June 20-22.

Global attention, local issues


Teachers protest against poor working conditions in Rio

Across the street from the hotel where I checked in, I could see a moving river of protestors shouting slogans into megaphones while others held up posters and waved banners: “Give us better salaries and working conditions! Shame on Brazil’s education system! Government, do something!” They were poorly paid teachers, seeking the attention of huge numbers of media persons and policymakers converging here for the Rio+20 Conference. What better way to draw attention than to embarrass the Dilma Rousseff government (she is Brazil’s first woman president) before its international guests? More than 50,000 Rio+20 participants are here, making it the biggest UN conference ever.

The city’s sidewalks are telling stories




In the morning, walking in Rio’s Lapa district, I came across an exhibition titled ‘Terra Vista’-Beautiful photographs sharing environmental stories from around the world. The blow ups,  displayed on either side of the path leading up to the Theatro Municipol building. And on the other side, the exhibition faced Bapu’s statue in the Mahatma Gandhi Plaza and the road named after him. Walking past the telling images and captions, at last I found what I was looking for – something from India! It was a photograph of field cultivation near Jodhpur Rajasthan, a woman in bright coloured clothes wielding a sickle. The caption says despite producing a large amount of cereal, India is yet to address its distribution problems as well as those of water conservation and irrigation.  Other photos include the Perito Morino glacier in Argentina that is receding, melting ice caps in Greenland, plastic rubbish in open dumps in the Dominican Republic and Flamingos converging on Lake Naruku in Kenya. Setting the mood for the conference that will discuss all these issues and more.

What will this Rio conference really do?
“There is a real spirit of compromise and determination among delegations to produce a document that can be endorsed by Heads of State and Government,” said Sha Zukang, Rio+20 Secretary-General. “Rio+20 will provide the inspiration and the guidance to accelerate progress on the sustainability agenda.” It is also the first major UN conference where there are more civil society representatives attending from developing countries than from the developed world.

The UN Framework Convention for Climate Change has declared that Rio+20 is expected to produce three types of outcomes: a negotiated document that will promote international cooperation and action on sustainable development; the recommendations of civil society during four Dialogue Days (June 16-19); and the announcement or launch of many major initiatives and commitments that will advance results on the ground.

A UN spokesperson said: “At the heart of the political document is a call for a renewed political commitment to sustainable development, and proposals for how the green economy could help achieve sustainable development and poverty eradication, as well as the institutions needed to promote and support sustainable development at the global level. In the negotiations, there has been widespread support for a process to determine a set of sustainable development goals. The goals may be similar in fashion to the Millennium Development Goals -- agreed to in 2000 with targets set for 2015 related to eradicating extreme poverty and hunger and improving global health -- but possibly with a broader reach for all countries.”

Blame it on Rio - a cult but ordinary movie of yesteryears, is a refrain no member of civil society wants.  Some things hopefully should move.


The king of the Hill


His is the storyline that reads straight out of a rags-to-riches screenplay: A young boy from a small town, with big dreams who moves to the big city/country and pursues his dream career. For Thirumalai “Hill” Krishnan, the story of the American dream is a reality and one that he is unapologetic about enjoying. Hill Krishnan’s claim to fame, as it were, is that he is the first Indian-American to be running for New York City council. Krishnan who is a professor in the Global Affairs Department at New York University and an adjunct professor at the political science department of Yeshiva University in New York City dreamed bigger than just getting a job in the United States. From practicing his spoken English by talking to himself for hours on end in Central Park, to delivering extempore speeches on a podium, Krishnan’s drive is evident. Here he shares his story and reveals why America is the land of possibilities, to him. 
Where did your story begin? 
I was born in Dohnavur, Tamil Nadu in the southern tip of India. As an infant (7 months) I got very sick and was about to die. Because my 21-year- old father’s $4 dollars-per-month salary (Rs. 180) and my 16-year-old uneducated mother’s care was not enough to nourish me back to life, my maternal grandmother took me away. My grandmother looked after me by pawning the pots and pans in her kitchen. There were times when my grandmother and her younger daughter had to ask for free idlis from the neighboring idli store owner to feed me when they didn’t have utensils to pawn, or money to buy milk. 
As a teenager I grew up in a cosmopolitan city (Coimbatore) with caring and loving parents who were more mature, and more stable providers. This new city life gave me an opportunity to thrive in performing arts like dancing and acting, and mimicry on stage. When the time to go to college came I wanted to go to the capital of the state (Chennai) to act in movies. My Dad said he would let me go only if I got into a good engineering college. Although my first attempt failed, the next one was a success after studying 10 hours-a-day for 18 months. 


Why did you go to America? Did you see no chance or opportunity in India?
I came to America to get my masters in Industrial Engineering. My first masters was in Ergonomics & Biomechanics from New York University. I dreamed about going to America for years because of the possibilities of different opportunities. 
"I want to do something for this country."What do you have to say to naysayers who boo those Indians who go abroad and do more for their adopted country than their own homeland? What would you do for India?
Every individual has his or her own unique journey to discover. It is different for everyone. This is mine. There has never been an Indian ever elected to the prestigious New York City council. If I get elected I will be able to bring pride to Indians around the world. 

What do you aim to achieve by running for city council in New York?
To improve the 5 Es – Education, Elders, Environment, Economy and Enrichment. As an educator the first one is particularly important for me. Education changed my life and is the single strongest factor for upward mobility for anyone regardless of color, race, or gender and I want to offer that opportunity for every child in New York City.

Is there a larger political dream here?
My focus is to give back to the City that has given me so much. This is America. Anything is possible. As Abraham Lincoln said “I will study and get ready and perhaps my chance will come.”

You've said somewhere that NYC is a city that saved you and your father's life. Is that what drives you to pursue politics?
NYC offered me so many things. Apart from literally saving and sustaining his life after a sudden heart attack during his visit, the city has offered me education, free food and a place to crash while pursuing my education through the good-will of others, loans and scholarships to study, a job, the remarkable honor of US Citizenship, and best of all a kind and compassionate wife. I owe a lot in return. Public service through politics is my best answer to return my gratitude to this country.

For the many millions who leave their homeland, India, what would you say to them?
Follow your life journey as god has planned for you. On the way if possible please strive for a better world through service to the larger humanity of the 7 billion.

Would you consider coming back and living in India, if the opportunity arose? 
My wife and I have created a life for ourselves in the United States. India will always have a special place in my heart. 

For several Indians around the world, racism is a huge issue that they have to deal with on a daily basis. Did you ever face this, when you moved to the US? How do you tackle it?
Immediately after I moved to Texas, United States my Indian roommate was shot by multiple rubber bullets by a fast driving car full of boisterous young white men. My roommate was in severe pain and agony and we called the police. However, in general the United States is very welcoming and many times Americans were very kind and generous. 

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Who is the most stylish dad?


With Father's Day coming in the UK, we wanted to put celebrity dads under the fashion spotlight. As a new dad, it was interesting to see Orlando Bloom fly straight into the charts and clinch the top spot as the most stylish celebrity dad', femalefirst.co.uk quoted Andy Barr, marketing director of the MyCelebrity website as saying.
stylish celebrity dads


Bloom picked up 71 per cent of the votes with respondents praising the 'diversity of his look', closely

stylish celebrity dads

followed by Beckham with 66 percent and singer Peter Andre, who received 59 percent.

stylish celebrity dads


The top ten Most Stylish Celebrity Dads are: 2. David Beckham (66)

stylish celebrity dads


The top ten Most Stylish Celebrity Dads are: 3. Peter Andre (59)

stylish celebrity dads


The top ten Most Stylish Celebrity Dads are: 4. Jude Law (53)

stylish celebrity dads


The top ten Most Stylish Celebrity Dads are: 5. Matthew McConaughey (46)

stylish celebrity dads


The top ten Most Stylish Celebrity Dads are: 6. Hugh Jackman (41)

stylish celebrity dads


The top ten Most Stylish Celebrity Dads are: 7. Will Smith (36)

johnny depp

'
The top ten Most Stylish Celebrity Dads are: 8. Johnny Depp (29)

stylish celebrity dads
The top ten Most Stylish Celebrity Dads are: 9. Ben Affleck (26)
stylish celebrity dads

The top ten Most Stylish Celebrity Dads are: 10. Brad Pitt (22).

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Part_2...World’s 30 best metro rail systems

Taipei

Taipei
The Taipei Metro, more commonly known as the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit or Metro Rail Transit) or formally as the Taipei Rapid Transit System, is a rapid transit system serving metropolitan Taipei in Taiwan. The system is built and operated by the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (TRTC) and consists of 96 stations and 110.1 km (68.4 mi) of revenue track. The system carried an average of over 1.66 million passengers per day in December 2011.

Photo by Yulu at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
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Copenhagen


Copenhagen
The S-train network is a combined urban rapid transit and suburban rail network serving Metropolitan Copenhagen, Denmark. It connects the city center with the inner suburbs of Copenhagen, and has close to half of the stations within the urban city. The first line was opened in 1934. Today the network forms the heart of the public transportation infrastructure in the city, serving more than 357,000 passengers a day.

Photo by Stig Nygaard from Copenhagen, Denmark [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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Prague


Prague
The Prague Metro comprises three lines, each of which is represented by its own colour on the maps and signs: Line A (green), Line B (yellow) and Line C (red). There are 57 stations in total (three of which are transfer stations) connected by nearly 60 kilometres of mostly underground railways. The metro service operates between 4-5 am till midnight from Sunday till Thursday (on Friday and Saturday the last trains journey start at 1am), with about two- to three-minute intervals between trains during rush hours. Over 500 million passengers use the Prague Metro every year.
By Che via Wikimedia Commons
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Vancouve


Vancouver Sky Train
SkyTrain is a light rapid transit system in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. SkyTrain has 68.7 km (42.7 mi) of track and uses fully automated trains on grade-separated tracks, running mostly on elevated guideways, which gives passengers views across the city and helps SkyTrain to hold consistently high (over 95%) on-time reliability.

Photo by Haizhebear (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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Dockland


Docklands Light Railway
The Docklands Light Railway is an automated light metro or light rail system opened in 1987 to serve the redeveloped Docklands area of London. It reaches north to Stratford, south to Lewisham, west to Tower Gateway and Bank in the City of London financial district, and east to Beckton, London City Airport and Woolwich Arsenal. This was the first automated regular train service in London. The system is not entirely unmanned, though it uses minimal staffing on board trains and at major interchange stations. This has led to proposals to fully automate the Tube, which also would increase service capacity.

Photo by Dr Neil Clifton [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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Miami


Miami
The Miami Metrorail, officially Metrorail and commonly called the Metro, is the heavy rail rapid transit system of Miami, Florida, United States, serving the Greater Miami area. The Metro is operated by Miami-Dade Transit (MDT), a departmental agency of Miami-Dade County. Opened in 1984, it is Florida's only rapid transit metro system, and is currently composed of 22.4 miles (36.0 km) of line with 22 stations.

Photo by Miami92 at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
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Brazil


Sao Paulo Brazil
The São Paulo Metro is the principal rapid-transit system in the city of São Paulo and the largest in Brazil. It is also the second largest system in South America and the third largest in Latin America, behind Mexico City and Santiago. The Companhia do Metropolitano de São Paulo - Metro was founded on 24 April 1968. Eight months later, work on North-South line was initiated. Today, São Paulo Metro is considered the best rail transportation system in the Americas. The Metro has a length of 74.3 kilometres (46.2 mi), distributed into five lines with 64 stations.

Photo by Luís Guilherme (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pereira/3248917758/) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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Montreal


Montreal
The metro system is Canada's busiest subway system in total daily passenger usage, serving an average of 1,111,700 daily passengers on an average weekday (as of Q1 2011). In 2011, 308.7 million riders (transfers not included) used the Metro. According to the STM website the metro system has transported over 7 billion passengers as of 2010, roughly equivalent to the world's population.

Photo by Mike Babiarz ([1] Uploaded by Skeezix10http://start.producersdesktop.yahoo.com:9999/v1/index.html#bugreporter_hide00) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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Guangzhou


Guangzhou Metro
Daily service hours start at 6:00 am and end at midnight, and ridership averages 5 million. Having delivered 1.64 billion rides in 2011, Guangzhou Metro is the sixth busiest metro system in the world. Guangzhou Metro operates 144 stations, including 14 interchange stations, and 236 km of tracks.

Photo by TraineeCupid (Own work (Taken by me)) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Dubai



Bangkok




The Dubai Metro is a driverless, fully automated metro rail network in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai. The Red Line and Green Line are operational, with three further lines planned.
Considering that Bangkok is a low-lying plain which is prone to flooding, all of the Metro's station entrances are raised about one metre above the ground level and are equipped with built-in floodgates in order to avoid water inundating the system.

Life In Egypt One Hundred Days After The Resignation Of President Mubarak



Cairo Metro The Cairo Metro in Egypt is the first of only two full-fledged metro systems in Africa, and the Arab World. The system consists of three operational lines. On all Cairo metro trains, the middle two cars (4th and 5th) of each train are reserved for women (the 5th car becomes a mixed use after 21:00). These cars are used as an option for women who do not wish to ride with men in the same car; however, women can still ride other cars freely. As of 2011, the metro carried nearly 4 million passengers per day.
(Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
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Santiago





Metro de Santiago is South America's most extensive metro system with 5 lines, 108 stations and 103 kilometres of track making it the second longest in Latin America after that of Mexico City. The metro system serves the city of Santiago, Chile.

[By Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) (Own work) [By Julián Ortega Martínez [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons]

delhi

Delhi
The Delhi Metro network consists of six lines with a total length of 189.63 kilometres (117.83 mi) with 142 stations of which 35 are underground. It has a combination of elevated, at-grade and underground lines and uses both broad gauge and standard gauge rolling stock. Delhi Metro is being built and operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC). The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has been certified by the United Nations as the first metro rail and rail-based system in the world to get “carbon credits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions” and helping in reducing pollution levels in the city by 630,000 tons (630 Gg) every year.

Photo by Rohit Krishna Kumar (flickr.com) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Bangalore

In a major breather for the five million people of Pune, the Maharashtra government has given the green signal for the state's second Metro rail project after Mumbai here, a top official said. Here are some of India's other metro systems:
Bangalore has Namma Metro, which is being built in phases. Phase I of Namma Metro covers a total of 42.30 km and will be completed by the end of 2014. Phase II spans a length of 72.1km.

Photo by Ramnath Bhat [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Kolkata


Kolkota
The Kolkata Metro or Calcutta Metro is a mass rapid transit system serving the city of Kolkata and the districts of South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas in Indian state of West Bengal. The network consists of one operational line (Line 1) and five lines currently under construction. It was the first such form of transportation in India, opening commercial services in 1984.

Which one is better between Delhi Metro, Kolkata Metro and Bangalore Metro? You tell us by posting a comment below.

Photo by Windrider24584 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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