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By:

Kaustubh Kale

10 September 2024 at 11:37:15 pm

Modak and the Art of Investing

As the aroma of freshly steamed Modaks fills homes during Ganesh Utsav, the festive spirit comes alive instantly. My mouth is already watering at the thought! The humble Modak, prepared with love to honour Lord Ganesha, may look simple from the outside. But anyone who has tried making one knows that a good Modak depends on several things coming together - the right ingredients, the right recipe, patience with the process, and finally, enjoying the result. Investing is surprisingly similar....

Modak and the Art of Investing

As the aroma of freshly steamed Modaks fills homes during Ganesh Utsav, the festive spirit comes alive instantly. My mouth is already watering at the thought! The humble Modak, prepared with love to honour Lord Ganesha, may look simple from the outside. But anyone who has tried making one knows that a good Modak depends on several things coming together - the right ingredients, the right recipe, patience with the process, and finally, enjoying the result. Investing is surprisingly similar. Choose the Right Ingredients A Modak is only as good as the ingredients that go into it. Fresh coconut, good-quality jaggery, properly prepared rice flour and the right flavours all contribute to the final result. Our investments and financial products are the ingredients of our financial plan. Equities, mutual funds, fixed income, gold and other investments each have a specific role to play. The objective is not to pick whatever appears most exciting at the moment, but to select suitable, good-quality investments that match our financial goals, time horizon and ability to take risks. Health and life insurance are equally important ingredients. Adequate coverage helps protect savings, the family, and their financial goals and dreams. Good ingredients provide the foundation. But ingredients alone are not enough. Get the Recipe Right You may have the finest ingredients in the kitchen, but if the proportions are wrong, the Modak may still not turn out well. The same applies to investing. Asset allocation is the recipe of a financial plan. Too much of one ingredient can spoil a Modak. Similarly, excessive concentration in one asset or too much money in low-return products can spoil a portfolio. Balance is key. A thoughtfully constructed portfolio brings different investments together in the right proportions. To keep asset allocation very simple - short-term goals can be planned through bank fixed deposits, recurring deposits and debt mutual funds. For long-term goals, one can consider hybrid mutual funds, equity mutual funds or direct stocks. Trust the Process Once the Modak is shaped and placed for steaming, constantly checking whether it is ready will not make it cook faster. Investors often make the same mistake. We keep checking markets, reacting to every correction, chasing recent performers or changing strategies because of short-term noise. Good investing requires patience and discipline. Invest regularly, review periodically and allow your financial plan enough time to work. Compounding is powerful precisely because it rewards those who remain invested for long periods. Sometimes, the best thing an investor can do is simply avoid unnecessary interference. Enjoy What You Have Created Finally comes the most important part - eating the Modak! The purpose of investing is not merely to accumulate the largest possible number on a statement. Wealth should eventually help us fulfil our goals, support our families, create financial security and enjoy life with greater peace of mind. A good Modak needs the right ingredients, the right recipe and trust in the process. A good investment journey needs exactly the same. This Ganesh Utsav, may Bappa bless us with the wisdom to make good financial choices, the patience to stay disciplined, and the prosperity to enjoy the fruits of our efforts. Ganpati Bappa Morya! (The author is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor. Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)

Beyond Academics: Preparing Children with Essential Life Skills

Writer: Asha Tripathi
Asha Tripathi
Jul 20
2 min read

A child who understands money, personal boundaries, and responsibility is better prepared for the challenges of adulthood.

For decades, education has been measured primarily by marks, grades, and academic excellence. While these continue to remain important indicators of academic achievement, they are no longer enough on their own to prepare children for the realities and challenges of everyday life. Today's world demands much more than just textbook knowledge or examination success. It demands awareness, responsibility, confidence, practical life skills, and the ability to make informed decisions.


One such essential life skill is financial literacy. Children should learn the value of money from an early age so that they develop a healthy understanding of its importance. They should understand the difference between needs and wants. They should recognise the importance of saving and develop the habit of spending wisely. Simple practices such as maintaining a piggy bank, earning rewards through responsibility, preparing a small budget, or understanding how banks work can gradually build lifelong financial discipline. They also help children develop good financial habits. A financially aware child is more likely to grow into an adult who saves regularly, avoids unnecessary debt, and makes sound financial decisions throughout life.


Another equally important aspect of modern education is age-appropriate sex education. For many years, this topic was considered a taboo subject. Families and schools often avoided discussing it because they believed that silence would protect children from unnecessary exposure. Today, however, we know that silence does not protect. Instead, it simply leaves children uninformed, unprepared, and vulnerable.


In an age of rapid urbanisation, increasing digital exposure, and easy access to information, children are exposed to situations that previous generations rarely encountered. Research studies and child protection cases have consistently shown that many incidents of sexual abuse are committed by people known to the child rather than by strangers. This makes awareness, education, and open communication even more important than ever before.


Age-appropriate sex education is not about encouraging early relationships. It is about teaching children to understand their bodies and respect personal boundaries. It also helps them recognise inappropriate behaviour, understand the difference between safe and unsafe touch, and develop the confidence to speak to a trusted adult without fear or shame. Such education empowers children to protect themselves, recognise warning signs, and seek help whenever it is needed.


Parents and schools share the responsibility of preparing children not just for examinations but for life itself. Along with mathematics, science, and languages, children must also learn financial responsibility, emotional intelligence, personal safety, digital citizenship, and strong ethical values. These essential lessons help shape character and build resilience. They also strengthen judgement and prepare young minds to navigate an increasingly complex and ever-changing world with confidence.


The purpose of education is not merely to create successful professionals but also to nurture responsible, aware, and confident human beings. When we combine academic excellence with practical life skills, we equip our children with the knowledge, understanding, and tools they need. This enables them not only to earn a living but also to live wisely, safely, responsibly, and with dignity.


(The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

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