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By:

Kaustubh Kale

10 September 2024 at 11:37:15 pm

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....

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. 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.)

Veteran Actor Manoj Kumar Passes Away at 87

Correspondent
Apr 4, 2025
2 min read


Legendary Hindi film actor Manoj Kumar has died at the age of 87. He passed away at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where he had been admitted due to heart-related complications. As per the hospital’s medical certificate, a secondary cause of death was decompensated liver cirrhosis.

 

Manoj Kumar, known for his iconic patriotic films, left a lasting mark on Indian cinema with classics such as Shaheed (1965), Upkar (1967), and Purab Aur Paschim (1970). His deep connection with patriotic themes earned him the nickname ‘Bharat Kumar’. Over the years, he also starred in memorable films like Hariyali Aur Raasta, Woh Kaun Thi, Himalaya Ki God Mein, Do Badan, Patthar Ke Sanam, Neel Kamal, and Kranti.

 

In recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 1992 and the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015.

 

Born as Harikrishan Giri Goswami in what is now Pakistan, Manoj Kumar not only acted but also ventured into filmmaking. In an interview with rediff.com, he recalled how his directing journey began unexpectedly:

 

“I never intended to be a director in the first place. I became one by default when during Shaheed I had to direct the film unofficially. Then Lal Bahadur Shastri raised the slogan of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan. That’s how I made Upkar.”

 

Paying tribute on social media, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared old photographs of the late actor and wrote:

 

“Deeply saddened by the passing of legendary actor and filmmaker Shri Manoj Kumar Ji. He was an icon of Indian cinema, who was particularly remembered for his patriotic zeal, which was also reflected in his films. Manoj Ji’s works ignited a spirit of national pride and will continue to inspire generations. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.”

 

Actor Akshay Kumar, whom Manoj Kumar once referred to as his ‘natural successor’, also shared a heartfelt message:

 

“I grew up learning from him that there’s no emotion like love and pride for our country. And if we actors won’t take the lead in showing this emotion, who will? Such a fine person, and one of the biggest assets of our fraternity. RIP Manoj Sir. Om Shanti.”

 

Speaking about being known as ‘Bharat Kumar’, he told Lehren TV:

 

“Bharat ka to taaj yeh jo bharatwashiyon ne mujhe pehnanya hai woh filmon aur vyaktigat jeewan mein nibhana bahot bada bhoj aur zimmedari hai. Yeh bada upkar hai unka mujpar. Main kitna safal aur asafal hua, woh mere deshwashi jante hai. Main ek sadharan sa nagrik hoon.”(“The crown of Bharat that my fellow countrymen have placed on me is a huge responsibility, both in films and in personal life. It’s a great honour. How successful I’ve been, only my fellow citizens can tell. I am just an ordinary man.”)

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