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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.)

Omar welcomes Indus Water Treaty suspension, calls it “most unfair document” for J&K



SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday welcomed the Central government’s decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives. He also referred to the treaty as the “most unfair document” for the people of J&K.


“The Government of India has taken some steps. As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, let’s be honest. We have never been in favour of the Indus Waters Treaty. We have always believed it to be the most unfair document to people of J&K,” Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar after meeting representatives from the tourism, trade, and industry sectors. However, he noted that the long-term impact of this move is still uncertain.


The IWT suspension is part of India’s response to the brutal attack. Other actions include expelling Pakistani military attaches and shutting down the Attari land-transit point immediately.


When questioned about the impact of the April 22 attack on the region’s tourism industry, Abdullah dismissed concerns about monetary losses. “At this juncture, we are not counting rupees or paisa. Not one of the businessmen or stakeholders in the tourism industry who attended the meeting lamented the loss of business. Not one of them expressed any concern about what would happen to them.”


“Right now, our priority is to express solidarity with the bereaved,” he said, adding, “At some point in future, we may sit down to discuss the financial implications (of the attack) on J&K’s economy. But not a single stakeholder present in the meeting raised a demand for monetary relief for the losses they are suffering.”


Omar described the tourist exodus from J&K after the massacre as “heartbreaking”. The future of the Valley’s tourism sector remains uncertain, with widespread trip cancellations following the attack.

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