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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.)

US Vice President JD Vance, his family arrive in Delhi

  • PTI
  • Apr 21, 2025
  • 2 min read


NEW DELHI: US Vice President J D Vance arrived here on Monday on a four-day visit to India against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between the two strategic partners to address a variety of issues, including tariff and market access.


Vance is accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha Chilukuri and their three children Ewan, Vivek, Mirabel and a delegation of senior US government officials.


The US Vice President and the Second Lady were received at the Palam air base by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.


The American leader was also accorded a ceremonial welcome on his arrival.

In the evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a dinner for the Vances after holding wide-ranging talks with the US Vice President.


External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Indian ambassador to US Vinay Mohan Kwatra are expected to be part of the Indian team to be led by PM Modi at the talks.


The focus of the meeting is likely to be on early finalisation of the proposed bilateral trade pact as well as ways to boost overall trajectory of ties between the two countries.


Besides Delhi, Vance and his family will travel to Jaipur and Agra.

Vance's first visit to India comes weeks after US President Donald Trump imposed and then paused a sweeping tariff regime against around 60 countries, including India.


New Delhi and Washington are now holding negotiations to seal a bilateral trade agreement that is expected to address a variety of issues, including tariff and market access.


Vance and his family are scheduled to leave for Jaipur on Monday night.

In Delhi, the US Vice President and his family are staying at the ITC Maurya Sheraton hotel.


On April 22, the Vances will visit a number of historical sites in Jaipur, including the Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort. The fort is a UNESCO world heritage site.


In the afternoon, the US Vice President is scheduled to address a gathering at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur.


Vance is expected to delved into broader aspects of India-US relations under the Donald Trump administration during his speech that is expected to be attended by diplomats, foreign policy experts, Indian government officials and academia.


The US Vice President and his family will travel to Agra on the morning of April 23, people familiar with the matter said.


In Agra, they will visit the Taj Mahal and Shilpgram which is an open air emporium showcasing various Indian artefacts, they said.


After concluding their visit to Agra, the Vances will return to Jaipur on the second half of April 23.


The US Vice President and his family will depart for the US from Jaipur on April 24, according to the people cited above.

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