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....

min read

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.)

Purvodaya Scheme: Linking Industry, Connectivity, and Tourism

Dipti Sawant

Feb 14

3 min read

Purvodaya aims to strengthen tourism potential and enhance connectivity in East and Northeast India.

The Government of India has recently launched the Purvodaya Scheme to promote economic and tourism development in the eastern and northeastern regions of the country. The scheme aims to strengthen tourism potential and enhance connectivity under the East Coast Industrial Corridor, with Durgapur emerging as a key connecting node.

The initiative focuses on five major states—Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh—and includes the deployment of nearly 4,000 electric buses (e-buses) to improve sustainable transportation. In addition, the scheme has been specially designed to promote the Buddhist tourism circuit across Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. As stated by the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, the programme will cover the preservation of temples and monasteries, the establishment of pilgrimage interpretation centres, and the development of essential pilgrim amenities.

Tourism Potential of the Seven Sisters

The northeastern states, popularly known as the “Seven Sisters of India”—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura—represent a unique blend of rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, and scenic natural landscapes.

Arunachal Pradesh is known for its spectacular landscapes, rivers, and religious sites such as Tawang Monastery, one of the most important Buddhist centres in India. Although tourism growth has been moderate, it continues to attract cultural and nature-based tourists.
Assam is famous for Kaziranga National Park, Brahmaputra River cruises, tea gardens, and cultural heritage. It remains the largest contributor to tourism in the Northeast, with steady growth in both domestic and foreign tourist arrivals.
Manipur, known for Loktak Lake, rolling hills, and cultural festivals, has experienced a sharp decline in tourist visits in recent years, presenting challenges for tourism development.
Meghalaya offers major ecotourism attractions such as Balpakram and Nokrek Biosphere Reserve and has recorded consistent growth in both domestic and international tourism.
Mizoram is characterised by dense forests, tribal culture, and adventure tourism and has emerged as the fastest-growing tourism destination in the region.
Nagaland, known for the Hornbill Festival and vibrant tribal traditions, shows gradual growth in tourism.
Tripura is recognised for its historical temples and cultural heritage and has witnessed strong growth in domestic tourism.

Tourist Growth Trend (in million visitors)

State	2014	2019	2023–25	Trend
Assam	4.3	6.7	7.5+	Strong growth
Meghalaya	0.6	1.2	1.5+	Steady growth
Tripura	0.3	0.5	0.6+	Good growth
Mizoram	0.1	0.2	0.5	Fastest growth
Arunachal	0.15	0.3	0.25	Moderate
Nagaland	0.1	0.15	0.13	Slow
Manipur	0.2	0.17	0.02	Sharp decline

Overall, tourism in Northeast India has more than doubled since 2014. Domestic

Tourist visits increased from approximately 7 million in 2014 to 12.5 million in 2023, while foreign tourist arrivals reached over 221,000 in 2023. Assam contributes the highest share of tourism revenue, followed by Meghalaya and Tripura. Mizoram and Nagaland show growing potential, while Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur continue to record relatively lower revenues due to limited tourist footfall.

E-Buses in Promoting Tourism

The introduction of electric buses under the Purvodaya Scheme plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable and green tourism. E-buses provide clean, comfortable, and

affordable transport, improving connectivity to tourist destinations. They reduce carbon emissions, protect environmentally sensitive regions, and align with ecotourism.

policies. Moreover, cities adopting e-buses are perceived as modern, smart, and sustainable, which enhances their attractiveness to both domestic and international tourists.

The Purvodaya Scheme, supported by infrastructure development and sustainable mobility solutions such as e-buses, has significant potential to transform.

Tourism in Eastern and Northeastern India. With proper implementation, the region can emerge as a major hub for cultural, religious, and eco-tourism, contributing

substantially to economic growth and regional development.

(Writer is a Mumbai based Finance expert. Views personal.)

Modak and the Art of Investing

Purvodaya Scheme: Linking Industry, Connectivity, and Tourism

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