How a collector’s field visit pushes ideas

Indu Rani Jakhar charts a development vision including waterfalls to village pathways for Palghar during her extensive leg work Palghar: A zipline soaring above lush valleys, a glass skywalk overlooking a majestic waterfall, homestays nestled in tribal villages, and roads connecting some of the district’s most remote hamlets—these are among the transformative ideas taking shape in Jawhar and Mokhada following an extensive field visit by Palghar District Collector Indu Rani Jakhar on Sunday....

min read

How a collector’s field visit pushes ideas

Indu Rani Jakhar charts a development vision including waterfalls to village pathways for Palghar during her extensive leg work Palghar: A zipline soaring above lush valleys, a glass skywalk overlooking a majestic waterfall, homestays nestled in tribal villages, and roads connecting some of the district’s most remote hamlets—these are among the transformative ideas taking shape in Jawhar and Mokhada following an extensive field visit by Palghar District Collector Indu Rani Jakhar on Sunday. Accompanied by Apoorva Basur, Assistant Collector and Project Officer, Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), Jawhar, along with senior officials from the Forest Department, Public Works Department (PWD), Zilla Parishad, Women and Child Development Department, Revenue Department and other concerned agencies, Jakhar spent the day reviewing development projects, tourism infrastructure and public service initiatives across the two tribal talukas. At Kasatwadi, the Collector reviewed the upcoming approximately Rs. 1.2 crore Two-Way Zipline project and emphasised that successful tourism extends beyond attractions to creating a complete visitor experience. She directed officials to provide sanitation facilities, seating arrangements, food services and other essential amenities while ensuring strict safety standards. The project is expected to become operational within the next month. The visit then moved to Dabhosa Waterfall, where plans are underway for a Sky Walk Glass Bridge, with an approximate budget of Rs. two crore ‘Calling Dabhosa’ one of the district’s most valuable tourism assets, Jakhar instructed PWD officials to prepare a comprehensive development plan on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, incorporating parking facilities, ticket counters, waiting areas, food courts, gazebos, toilets and visitor guidance systems. She also suggested creating rest points and refreshment facilities for tourists descending to the waterfall. Ground Reality A field inspection of the unconnected Kogda-Khairmal road highlighted the region’s connectivity challenges. To assess the situation firsthand, Jakhar and the accompanying team trekked nearly four kilometres through difficult terrain to reach Khairmal village before proceeding to Gatepada. Recognising the tourism potential of the area, she suggested converting an existing traditional tribal structure into a homestay facility to generate local employment and promote rural tourism. She also directed Zilla Parishad officials to repair a dilapidated government-owned Anganwadi building and shift the existing centre, currently operating from rented premises, into the renovated structure. To improve connectivity, the Executive Engineer of PWD (Jawhar) was instructed to prepare and submit a proposal for a bridge on the Gatepada-Ayare route under the District Planning Committee. Restoring Work Reviewing water conservation structures constructed by the Forest Department, Jakhar directed officials to prioritise repairs and restoration of existing gabion and check dams before proposing new projects. Desilting and restoration work, she noted, would improve water storage capacity ahead of the monsoon and benefit local farmers. Similar instructions were issued to the Minor Irrigation Department, Zilla Parishad and Water Conservation Department to focus on repairing and strengthening existing structures. She also proposed planning future bridge-cum-barrage projects to simultaneously improve water conservation and rural connectivity. Bridging Gaps In Mokhada, the Collector inaugurated a newly established Aadhaar and Maha e-Seva Centre within the Tehsil office premises. The facility is expected to make services such as Aadhaar enrolment, caste certificates, income certificates and domicile certificates more accessible to residents of remote tribal villages. At Hanuman Point, one of Jawhar’s most visited tourist destinations, Jakhar stressed the importance of cleanliness and visitor management. She directed the municipal administration to improve sanitation, install proper signboards and strengthen waste management systems. Directions were also issued to address garbage accumulation across Jawhar town and implement a plastic-free campaign. Acknowledging that several villages continue to face seasonal isolation during the monsoon, the Collector directed officials to prepare a comprehensive district-wide plan for unconnected roads. She also instructed authorities to prepare a tourism development plan for Bhopatgad, another site with significant tourism potential. The final stop of the visit was Jawhar Camping at Dhaparpada, a community-led tourism initiative supported by the Tribal Development Department. Developed with assistance provided to a local self-help group, the project has begun attracting visitors from Mumbai, Nashik and Gujarat through online bookings.

Why Women Are Better Investors Than Men

Kaustubh Kale
Mar 9, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Mar 10, 2025

As the world celebrated International Women's Day, discussions centered around women's achievements in various fields—business, leadership, science, and beyond. But one area where women consistently outperform men, yet receive little recognition, is investing.

Despite money management often being seen as a male-dominated field, women have quietly and consistently proven to be better investors than men. With patience, discipline, and a long-term mindset, women naturally possess qualities that make them superior money managers.

A Perfect Blend of Knowledge and Wealth

In Hindu mythology, Goddess Saraswati symbolizes knowledge, while Goddess Lakshmi represents wealth—two essential pillars of investing. The ability to manage wealth wisely stems from a deep understanding of financial principles, and this is where women excel. They take the time to learn, analyze, and make informed investment decisions rather than rushing into trends or speculation.

Why Women Make Better Investors

Several traits make women stand out as investors:

Patience and Long-Term Vision: Unlike men, who may be more prone to impulsive trading and get-rich-quick schemes, women tend to have a longer term mindset. Their ability to stay calm, especially during market fluctuations, leads to better returns over time.

Disciplined and Goal-Based: Women prioritize consistent savings and goal-based investing. This disciplined approach helps them build wealth steadily. Women naturally excel at budgeting, planning, and structuring investments to align with future goals, whether it’s children’s education, home buying, or retirement security. Their emotional connection with goals is what makes them stick to discipline.

Risk-Aware, Not Risk-Averse: Contrary to the stereotype, women are not afraid of risks—they are just more calculated about them, through appropriate asset allocation. Eventually, this approach ensures maximum returns with minimal risks.

Trust and Willingness to Learn: Women value education and expertise, making them more likely to seek guidance from a well-qualified financial advisor. Unlike men, who often overestimate their investing abilities, women approach financial decisions with a willingness to learn. Once they find a trusted expert, they follow sound advice instead of making emotional, short-term moves.

Women Leading the Financial World

These qualities are why many of the world’s leading financial institutions are now led by women. In India and abroad, we see prominent banks, asset management companies, and investment firms thriving under female leadership. Their ability to combine strategic thinking with emotional intelligence makes them exceptional at managing money—both at a personal and professional level.

Final Thoughts

With their trust in expert advice and a strong focus on financial education, more women should embrace their strengths and take control of their financial futures!