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By:

Kaustubh Kale

10 September 2024 at 6:07:15 pm

Significance of Adhik Month

As Adhik Maas comes to a close, it is the right time to reflect on the deeper meaning of this sacred month. Adhik Maas, also known as Purushottam Maas, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered one of the most auspicious periods in the Hindu calendar. It is a month associated with prayer, discipline, reflection, charity and positive action. Why Adhik Maas Is Added Adhik Maas occurs roughly once every three years. The traditional Hindu calendar is lunisolar, which means it follows lunar...

Significance of Adhik Month

As Adhik Maas comes to a close, it is the right time to reflect on the deeper meaning of this sacred month. Adhik Maas, also known as Purushottam Maas, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered one of the most auspicious periods in the Hindu calendar. It is a month associated with prayer, discipline, reflection, charity and positive action. Why Adhik Maas Is Added Adhik Maas occurs roughly once every three years. The traditional Hindu calendar is lunisolar, which means it follows lunar months while also staying connected with the solar year and the seasons. Since the lunar year is shorter than the solar year, a difference gradually develops between the two. To bring the calendar back into balance, an extra month is added after almost every three years to synchronise the lunar and solar cycles. In simple words, Adhik Maas is a month of adjustment, alignment and correction. A Lesson for Our Own Lives This idea has a beautiful message for our own lives. Just as the calendar needs realignment, our life also needs regular realignment. Our habits, priorities, relationships, health, career and finances cannot be left unattended forever. From time to time, we must pause and ask ourselves whether our actions are matching our goals. Realignment in Investments The same principle applies to investments. Many people begin investing with good intentions, but after that, they do not review their investments and financial goals regularly. A SIP may be started, but it may not be increased for years. Lumpsum investments may be delayed even when money is lying idle in the bank. Financial goals may change, income may increase, responsibilities may increase, but the investment plan remains the same. Increase SIPs and Do Something Extra For long-term goals beyond three years, money should be invested in growth-oriented assets such as stocks, equity mutual funds, hybrid mutual funds and gold. If your income has increased in the last one year, your SIP should also increase. Ideally, one should try to invest at least 30% of monthly income through SIPs. This sacred month also teaches us the importance of doing something extra. In investments, that extra effort can be in the form of lumpsum investing. Whenever you receive additional money such as bonus, incentive, business profit, gift or surplus cash, it should be put to productive use. Correction Is Necessary for Growth Adhik Maas reminds us that correction is not a negative thing. In fact, correction is necessary for growth. The market also corrects to adjust itself and build a stronger foundation for newer highs in the future. That is why markets remain volatile and uncertain in the short term, but over the long term, they reward patience, discipline and consistency. Questions to Ask Before Adhik Maas Ends The end of Adhik Maas should not be seen only as the end of a religious period. It should be seen as an opportunity to take stock of life and money. Are your SIPs aligned with your current income? Have you invested your surplus cash? Are your investments sufficient for your future goals? Are you taking action, or only waiting? Reflection Must Become Action As Adhik Maas ends on 15 June, let us carry its message forward. Realign where needed. Correct what has been ignored. Add the extra effort required. A sacred month becomes truly meaningful when reflection turns into action. (The author is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor. Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)

India working on logistics of Tahawwur Rana's extradition

  • PTI
  • Feb 14, 2025
  • 3 min read

Updated: Feb 18, 2025

Tahawwur Rana

Washington: India is working on the logistics of Tahawwur Rana's surrender and extradition from the US, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has said, as President Donald Trump announced that his administration has given the go-ahead to extradite the 26/11 terror attack accused “to face justice".

“This is an issue on which the US authorities have taken very clear decisions. I think you've seen the President announce it himself from the White House podium" the decision of the US to extradite Rana, Misri said at a press conference here on Thursday.


During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the White House, US President Donald Trump announced that his administration has approved the extradition of "very evil" Tahawwur Rana, wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, "to face justice in India”.


In response to a question by PTI on the timeframe by when Rana will be extradited to India, Misri said: "We are working on the logistics of his surrender and extradition to India. There are a few final steps to be completed. The two sides are in touch on this particular issue.”


The India-US joint statement issued during the Prime Minister's visit to the US notes that Modi and Trump reaffirmed that the global scourge of terrorism must be fought and terrorist safe havens eliminated from every corner of the world.

“They committed to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats from groups, including Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Jaish-e Mohammad, and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba in order to prevent heinous acts like the attacks in Mumbai on 26/11 and the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021," the joint statement said.


“Recognising a shared desire to bring to justice those who would harm our citizens, the US announced that the extradition to India of Tahawwur Rana has been approved," it said.


The leaders further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, and Pathankot attacks and ensure that its territory is not used to carry out cross-border terrorist attacks.

"The leaders also pledged to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors,” the joint statement added.

Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is currently lodged at a metropolitan detention centre in Los Angeles. He is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks.

Speaking at the joint press meet, Trump said "Today I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters and very evil people of the world, and having to do with the horrific Mumbai terrorist attack, to face justice in India. So, he is going back to India to face justice."


The extradition of Rana was cleared by the US Supreme Court in January as it rejected his review petition in the case.


India last month said it was working with American authorities for the early extradition of Rana.


"The US Supreme Court on January 21 declined to hear a petition from the accused. We are now working with the US side on procedural issues for early extradition to India of the accused in the Mumbai terror attack," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said.


In November 2012, Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving gunman among the Pakistani group, was hanged to death in Yerawada Jail in Pune.

-PTI

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