top of page

By:

Correspondent

23 August 2024 at 9:59:04 pm

Safety First

The death of two people and injuries to five others after a 22-foot Ganesh idol collapsed during its arrival ceremony in Mumbai is a deeply disturbing accident. It is particularly unfortunate that such an incident should occur barely three weeks before Ganeshotsav begins on September 14. A festival that is synonymous with devotion, community and celebration must not begin under such a gloomy shadow. The incident took place in Bhuleshwar, as the idol of Bhuleshwaracha Raja was being...

Safety First

The death of two people and injuries to five others after a 22-foot Ganesh idol collapsed during its arrival ceremony in Mumbai is a deeply disturbing accident. It is particularly unfortunate that such an incident should occur barely three weeks before Ganeshotsav begins on September 14. A festival that is synonymous with devotion, community and celebration must not begin under such a gloomy shadow. The incident took place in Bhuleshwar, as the idol of Bhuleshwaracha Raja was being transported from Byculla to its pandal. Preliminary information points to the unravelling of loose nuts and bolts in the idol’s supporting frame. Whatever the final findings of the investigation, the fact remains that a structure weighing many tonnes and being moved through a crowded urban neighbourhood cannot be allowed to become a lethal hazard. The prompt mobilisation of the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, traffic police, 108 ambulance service and civic ward staff deserves recognition. But emergency response, however efficient, is no substitute for prevention. By the time emergency services arrive, lives may already have been lost. That is the lesson Mumbai and Maharashtra must absorb before the festival begins. Ganeshotsav is among the biggest public celebrations in the state. Its arrival processions draw enormous crowds, with towering idols, decorated vehicles, music, electrical installations and devotees converging on narrow streets. The scale of the celebrations has grown dramatically, but safety practices must grow with it. Every Ganesh pandal preparing for this year’s festival should treat structural safety as seriously as religious and logistical arrangements. Frames, fasteners, lifting equipment, transport vehicles and securing mechanisms must be inspected by competent personnel before an idol is moved. Organisers should not assume that a structure is safe simply because it has been used before. A single loose bolt can have catastrophic consequences. The authorities, too, cannot leave safety entirely to organisers. Civic agencies should conduct systematic inspections of large idols and their transportation arrangements, particularly where processions pass through densely populated areas. Traffic management, crowd control, overhead electrical infrastructure and emergency access routes need to be planned in advance. Safety checks should be mandatory, documented and meaningful, not just a box-ticking exercise. There is still time to act. The accident should be treated not merely as an isolated mishap but as a warning. Maharashtra has barely three weeks to ensure that every major pandal and procession has robust safety protocols in place. Ganeshotsav should begin with faith, excitement and the unmistakable sense of a city coming together and not with the memory of preventable deaths. The best tribute to those who lost their lives in Bhuleshwar would be to ensure that no family has to suffer such grief during the celebrations ahead.

Mangoes and Wealth Creation

Every summer, as crates of golden mangoes make their way into our homes and hearts, they remind us of a simple truth - good things take time. The sweetness of a mango is earned, not rushed. And in that lies one of the most underrated lessons of investing.


The Mango Tree Lesson

Imagine planting a mango tree. You water it regularly, protect it from pests, and make sure it gets enough sunlight. But no matter how eager you are, you cannot force it to bear fruit immediately. The tree grows at its own pace. Yet when the right season arrives, and it has received enough patience and care, it gives back generously.


Investing Works the Same Way

Investing works in a very similar way. We start SIPs in mutual funds, buy stocks, or allocate money to gold and then, like anxious gardeners, keep checking every few weeks. Has it grown? Should I book profits? Should I shift my money somewhere else if investments are not growing? The urge to pluck returns before they are ready is difficult to resist.


Do Not Pull Out Too Early

But withdrawing too early can cost you the magic of compounding that only time can create. It is like biting into an unripe mango - sour, disappointing, and completely avoidable.


Markets Have Seasons Too

The markets, too, have their seasons. There will be sunshine and storms. There will be volatility, corrections, and dry spells. But if you have planted your financial tree in good soil - diversified, goal-aligned, and thoughtfully selected investments - then your role is to nurture it and allow it to grow.


Activity Is Not Always Progress

Do not mistake activity for progress. Constantly switching funds, trying to time entries and exits, or chasing short-term trends may feel productive, but often does more harm than good. In investing, as in nature, time is the best fund manager.


The Real Reward of Waiting

So the next time you feel tempted to judge your portfolio too quickly, remember the mango. Let it ripen. Let it mature. The real rewards are not always visible immediately. They are built quietly, steadily, and patiently over time. In both mangoes and money, the sweetest outcomes are reserved for those who wait.


The Practical Takeaway

The practical takeaway is equally important. For short-term goals, especially those within the next three years, it is better to use bank RDs, FDs, or debt mutual funds. For long-term goals, hybrid funds, equity mutual funds, direct equities, and gold can play a meaningful role. The right mix ensures your money is working efficiently for your future.


Four Simple Actions

For the above-mentioned long-term assets, focus on four simple actions - start sufficient SIPs, increase them every 12 months, add lumpsum investments alongside SIPs whenever possible, and most importantly, stay invested.


The Value of Guidance

Finally, do not underestimate the value of a trusted financial advisor. Their education, wisdom, expertise, and experience can help you nurture your financial tree with confidence and turn it into a fruitful legacy.


(The writer is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor. Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)

Comments

bottom of page