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By:

Kaustubh Kale

10 September 2024 at 11:37:15 pm

Nine Financial Tips for a Prosperous Navratri

As Navratri draws to a close, I wish you and your family happiness, prosperity, and continued success. Festivals are a time of celebration, but they also serve as a valuable reminder to reflect on our financial habits and strengthen our financial discipline. In the spirit of the nine days of Navratri, here are nine essential financial tips to help you stay on track with your financial goals and make your journey towards financial freedom smoother and more secure. Build an Emergency Fund Make...

Nine Financial Tips for a Prosperous Navratri

As Navratri draws to a close, I wish you and your family happiness, prosperity, and continued success. Festivals are a time of celebration, but they also serve as a valuable reminder to reflect on our financial habits and strengthen our financial discipline. In the spirit of the nine days of Navratri, here are nine essential financial tips to help you stay on track with your financial goals and make your journey towards financial freedom smoother and more secure. Build an Emergency Fund Make sure you have at least six months of living expenses saved in a bank fixed deposit or a debt mutual fund. This reserve will serve as your emergency fund for unforeseen situations and ensures you are prepared for any rainy days. Review Your Asset Allocation Revisit your investments to ensure they align with your goals. For short-term goals within three years, bank fixed deposits, recurring deposits, or debt mutual funds are appropriate. For long-term goals beyond three years, a diversified combination of hybrid/equity mutual funds, direct equities, and gold should be preferred. Do Sufficient SIPs Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) are the backbone of disciplined investing. At least 25-30 percent of your in-hand monthly income should ideally be invested through SIPs in mutual funds, equities, and gold. This consistent approach will steadily build wealth over time. Make Lumpsum Investments Along with SIPs, voluntary lumpsum contributions into long-term assets whenever you have surplus funds can accelerate wealth creation. Even occasional lumpsum additions make a significant difference to the overall corpus. Increase Your SIPs Annually As your income increases, make sure your investments grow as well. Increasing your SIP amounts every year helps your wealth stay in line with inflation and your rising lifestyle needs. Increase your SIPs yearly and anchor them to at least 30 percent of your monthly income. Stay Invested Remain invested until your financial goals are achieved. Avoid redeeming investments unnecessarily. Frequent withdrawals disrupt compounding. If liquidity is required, consider taking an overdraft loan against your investments rather than breaking them prematurely. Health Insurance Safeguard your family with adequate health insurance. Opt for a minimum cover of 25 lakhs per family member with comprehensive features. Remember that relying only on employer-provided insurance is risky. Independent health insurance is essential. Term Life Insurance Protect your loved ones with a pure term life insurance policy. Ensure a cover of at least ten times your annual income, along with provisions for any outstanding loans. Stay away from mixing insurance with investments. A simple term plan is the most effective solution. Consult a Financial Advisor A full-time, well-qualified financial advisor can simplify your financial journey. Professional guidance ensures disciplined planning, correct product selection, and proper execution of your financial strategy. May this festive season bring abundance and lasting financial peace. (The author is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor. Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)

A sharp, entertaining mirror to Gen-Z

Chandrakant Shinde
Nov 23, 2025
2 min read

In an era where artificial intelligence quietly slips into every corner of modern life, "Chiranjiv Perfect Bighadalay" arrives as a timely, refreshing, and deeply relevant theatrical experience. Presented by seasoned theatre stalwart Chandrakant Kulkarni, the play captures the quirks, conflicts, and chaos of today's tech-driven youth with wit, emotional depth, and striking clarity.


Originally born as a one- act play that swept all awards at this year's Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad's state-level competition, the script by writer-director Vinod Ratna showcases remarkable observational humor. Ratna dissects the Gen-Z mindset - its overdependence on AI, its obsession with efficiency, and the widening emotional gap technology sometimes creates.


The play revolves around Apeksha and Anand, a young married couple navigating mis- matched priorities. Apeksha, an AI specialist, seeks flawless precision in life, while Anand drifts happily through the world with a "live and let live" approach. Their imbalance forms the foundation of the drama - until Chiranjiv, an unexpected catalyst, enters the story and flips everything upside down.


Vaibhav Randh we, as Chiranjiv, delivers a performance that is nothing short of electric. His timing, presence, and layered portrayal elevate the narrative far beyond a typical social satire. Samruddhi Kulkarni (Apeksha) and Shreyas Joshi (Anand) complement him beautifully, grounding the play with authenticity and emotional nuance.


Chandrakant Kulkarni's theatrical instincts shine through in the staging. His decision to retain the original competition cast allows the raw energy of young performers to radiate across the stage. The production is further enhanced by Rutuja Bothe's minimal yet effective set design, Abhipray Kamathe's purposeful lighting, and Kaladarshan Pune's evocative musical design.


"Chiranjiv Perfect Bighadalay" is not just a comedy it is a commentary, a warning, and at times, a gentle nudge to step back from the glowing screens that dominate our lives. It cleverly blends humor with introspection, ensuring audiences laugh, think, and perhaps reconsider their own relationship with technology.


In a theatre landscape craving fresh themes and fresh talent, this production stands out as bold, youthful, and extraordinarily relevant. A must- watch for every generation - especially the one convinced it is 'perfect.'

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