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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.)

Hindu community in Pak's Sindh protests against illegal occupation of temple land

PTI
Jun 2, 2025
2 min read


Karachi: Members of the Hindu community in Pakistan's Sindh province held a protest against the illegal occupation of six acres of land belonging to a historical temple in Hyderabad city.


The protest took place on Sunday in the Tando Jam town of the Musa Khatiyan district, about 185 kilometres from Karachi.


¿These people have already started illegal construction on the land belonging to the Shiv Temple Shivala in Musa Khatian,¿ Hindu community leader Seetal Meghwar told the media.


The protesters, including women and children, came out on the call of the Pakistan Dalit Ittehad (Pakistan Dravid Alliance), which fights for the welfare and rights of the Hindu community.


¿The temple is sacred for us and these builders have started construction on the land surrounding the temple including a cremation ground for the community,¿ another community leader Ram Sundar said.


The protesters demanded immediate action from the government against the builders belonging to the influential Kashkheli community in Sindh.


The protest concluded with a demonstration in front of the Tando Jam Press Club following sit-ins at different spots in the town.


The protesters said the builders had also blocked the access points to the Shiv temple, making it difficult for the community to hold its weekly prayer.


¿Despite submitting written complaints to the police and district administration, no legal action has been taken. Due to the political influence of the land grabbers, the police are unwilling to remove the encroachments,¿ said Shiva Kaachi, who heads the PDI.


He warned that if the government and local authorities didn't take notice they would hold protests in Hyderabad city in the next phase and also approach the courts for justice.

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