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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.)

India: A Continent Within a Country

Writer: Archita Redkar
Archita Redkar
Feb 19
3 min read

Travelling the world taught me that humanity is universal.

Travel, for me, has never been about ticking destinations off a map. It has always been about understanding people.


As a global traveller, I have been endlessly fascinated by cultural differences. Landscapes may leave us speechless and monuments may tell stories of the past, but it is the living culture — the people, their values, their emotions — that truly stays with us long after we return home.


When I travelled to different countries, I chose not to remain just a visitor. I chose to observe, to listen, and to learn. I shared meals with locals, watched families interact, understood their daily routines, and formed friendships that went beyond language barriers.


I heard stories of struggles and celebrations. I observed various forms of worship — some silent and meditative, others grand and ceremonial. I observed different parenting styles, different food habits, and different ways of greeting and gathering.


Everything looked different. And yet, at the core, everything felt the same. Every prayer carried hope. Every parent carried dreams. Every family sought security and love. Every individual worked tirelessly for dignity and growth.


That realisation humbled me. It reminded me that culture may shape expressions, but values shape humanity. Wealth does not define character. Religion does not determine kindness. What truly shapes a human being is sincerity, effort, compassion, and integrity.


Travel taught me that borders divide land, not hearts.


But if I look honestly at my journey, I must admit something important — my understanding of cultural diversity did not begin overseas. It began at home, within India.


My journey

I started travelling when I was very young, exploring India with my parents. Those early journeys quietly shaped my worldview.


Growing up in Maharashtra, I quickly discovered that crossing a state border felt like entering a new cultural universe. When we travelled to neighbouring states, everything changed — the language, the flavours, the clothing, and the traditions. Even the tone of conversation felt different.


My parents never showed me only monuments or tourist attractions. They showed me how people truly lived. We visited local markets, observed kitchens, tasted regional staples, and understood how food blended with faith and tradition.


That is when I learned a powerful lesson: food is not just nourishment — it is identity.


In many communities, Brahmins are strictly vegetarian. Yet in coastal regions, even they consume fish because geography shapes tradition. When the sea feeds you, it naturally becomes a part of your life.


Geography shapes culture. Climate influences customs. Environment becomes identity.


As we travelled north, east, and south, I saw how mountains, deserts, fertile lands, and coastlines created completely different lifestyles. Temple architecture rose like poetry in stone. Festivals painted cities in vibrant colours. Local cuisines narrated stories of history and survival.


Within one country, diversity unfolded every few hundred kilometres. India did not feel like a single nation. It felt like a living, breathing continent.


Soul of tourism

Tourism within India is far more than travel. It is an emotional awakening.


From snow-covered peaks to golden deserts, from serene backwaters to dense forests and sunlit beaches — India offers extraordinary geographical richness within one border.


But beyond landscapes lies something deeper — faith, history, celebration, and connection.


Pilgrimages transform journeys into spiritual experiences. Monuments whisper stories of legacy. Festivals unite entire communities in devotion and joy. Food connects hearts across regions. Wildlife, wellness, yoga, and Ayurveda offer healing and balance.


India welcomes every traveller — the explorer, the pilgrim, the historian, the foodie, and the seeker.


Most importantly, domestic tourism strengthens unity. When we travel within our own country, we replace assumptions with understanding. We realise that while languages differ and rituals vary, warmth and hospitality remain constant.


Travelling the world taught me that humanity is universal. Travelling within India taught me that diversity is strength. And today, I carry both lessons in my heart.


Because before we explore the world, India itself is a lifetime journey waiting to be understood.


Explore the soul of India and enrich yourself with unique experiences!


(The writer is a tourism professional and runs a company, Global Voyages. She could be contacted at goglobalvoyages@gmail.com. Views personal.)


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