WOMEN’S DAY – Can Real Estate be a good investment option?

With the conversation on women and their empowerment gaining momentum, there is increased focus on this demographic that has often been ignored especially when it comes to real estate investment. Citrus Ventures aims to address this gap with ‘Motown Vega’, their integrated housing project with friendly price points that can be a great value add to any woman’s investment portfolio.

When it comes to investment, women are commonly encouraged to invest in FD’s or mutual funds or other low risk options with better returns. Dabbling in real estate is often considered a risky proposition, because market conditions, maintenance costs, loans and property valuations change frequently and are considered too much for women to handle.

However, contrary to general perception, real estate is a very good investment option for women, which works to their advantage in the long run.

There are many reasons for the above statement;

• Valuing real estate for cash flow and not capital gains – Investing in real estate must be thought of as a long-term strategy and women play the waiting game very well. By assessing the property carefully and investing for good returns, a good cash flow can be maintained continuously for many years.
• Using Other People’s Money – Unlike other investment options which have to be paid from your own pocket, real estate requires a 20% down payment with 80% valuation put up by the bank. Women can take advantage of this as a better option compared to other popular investment instruments.
• Rental payments cover debt – With real estate investment, real value is in the rent generated. It covers initial cash investment and loan amount, and women can benefit from the steady income it provides.
• Hidden Profit areas – Investment in property also translates into lowering of taxable income, re-investment into other real estate and minimal tax options on assets. These are all profit areas that can be considered which works beneficially for women in the long run.

Motown Vega, an affordable housing project of Citrus Ventures comprises residential units that work as a great investment option for women. As a small integrated mini-township, these 1 BHK residential units located on Old Madras Highway NH4 are right at the heart of the automobile industry in an area that is witnessing rapid growth in economic activity, retail and infrastructure. Our project empowers women to consider real estate as a viable investment by providing pocket-friendly options that have all amenities and can be meticulously planned as an investment or living option.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s 120th Birth Anniversary

Subhash Chandra Bose was one of the most celebrated freedom fighters of India. He was a charismatic influencer of the youth and earned the epithet ‘Netaji’ by establishing and leading the Indian National Army (INA) during India’s struggle for independence. Although initially aligned with the Indian National Congress, he was ousted from the party due to his difference in ideology. He sought assistance from Nazi leadership in Germany and Imperial forces in Japan during the World War II, to overthrow the British from India. His sudden disappearance post-1945, led to the surfacing of various theories, concerning the possibilities of his survival.

Swami Vivekananda’s 154th birth anniversary

A simple boy from an aristocratic family of North Calcutta, Narendranath Dutta, more commonly known as Swami Vivekananda, grew up to inspire generations and became the spiritual guide for an entire nation and even beyond. The most admired Hindu monk of the modern era, Swamiji spread the words of humanity and brotherhood among all men and women and called for global integrity through spiritual upliftment.

 National Youth Day is celebrated on 12 January every year on the birthday of Swami Vivekananda.

A Tribute To Late PM Lal Bahadur Shastri On His Death Anniversary

Most of us would have studied about Shastri in our school textbooks in which we were taught that he was initially a freedom fighter, then became prime minister after Nehru, and later died in Tashkent. That’s all we know.

 

If you combine dedication, ethics, honesty, integrity, responsibility, & austerity, you get Shastri!! Can we think of today’s politician doing his job in flight like this? Forget flight, do they do their jobs with this much of dedication even in their office?

Talking about integrity & responsibility

There was a major railway accident sometime in the 1950s. Being the railway minister at that time, he took moral responsibility and offered his resignation (However, Nehru did not accept it). That shows the moral standards he maintained.

Talking about honesty and ethics

During the freedom struggle, when he was jailed by the British, he was informed that his daughter was sick. So he asked for 15 days permission and was granted on the condition that he will not participate in freedom struggle in these 15 days. By the time he reached his home, his daughter had died. After performing the funeral for 3 days, he immediately returned back to jail in spite of having 12 more days of freedom from jail!!

 

Similarly, one day, while in jail, he was told that his son was sick and this time he got a permission of 7 days of leave from jail. He stayed with his son all the 7 days. The son had still not recovered, but Shastri went back to jail to keep up his word!! (Fortunately, the son survived)

Talking about austerity

He is popularly called “The politician who made no money”. He was born in a poor family, he lived his life in simplicity and austerity. And he died as a poor man. He really knew what austerity meant.These are the kind of leaders we need today who can demonstrate what real austerity means. Not by someone who boards a train for the first time in his life at the age of 38, and spends a night in huts to prove that he is asture. We need austerity lessons from people who have really experienced poverty so that they understand what real poverty means. Not by someone who has zillions in swiss banks and talks about eradicating poverty here.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

A  Non-Resident Indian Day, is celebrated in India on 9 January every year to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India. The day commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa in Bombay on 9 January 1915. Established in 2003, it is sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs of the government of India and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region of India. A celebratory event is held on 7–9 January every year in an Indian city: a forum for issues concerning the Indian Diaspora is organised and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are given.

Ab Door Nahin

This blog does not have any allegiance to a party or a personality or school of thought. As we wind up 2016, it was quite difficult not to pen a very interesting comparison between Mahatma Gandhi and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The comparison between Mahatma Gandhi and Narendra Modi cannot just be limited to the fact that both were Gujaratis nor the fact that one remains a bachelor and the other chose to remain a bachelor.

The key character traits which make them comparable are:

1. Persistence – The ability to stick to a long arduous chosen path and never take a short cut to success.
2. Ground level knowledge – While Gandhiji travelled and learned about the country before immersing headlong into the freedom movement, as a party workman Modi is known to have spent a good amount of time on the ground in various states of India for his party at the cadre level.
3. Ability to Unite – Just as Gandhiji united the entire nation on the path-breaking protest of civil disobedience, some of the current economic policies are completely out of the box and the majority of the nation is supportive.
4. Pushing for self-reliance – Gandhiji redefined revolution by involving people to become self reliant whether it was salt or clothes. Whether the Make in India campaign can achieve the same is something only time will tell.
5. The spirit of India – Both achieved this spirit of India as a nation in a completely different way. Rural India and Non-Resident India will attest to the fact that the pride of being an Indian and the respect commanded as an Indian is something which hasn’t experienced since Gandhiji.

The freedom to write this and enjoy the fruits of democracy was delivered by Gandhiji and many daring leaders of his generation and millions of freedom fighters. He achieved this despite objections, murmurs and disagreement with fellow freedom fighters and over a 25 year period.

Narendra Modi can deliver a new India for our children and the next generation.

“At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity with some pride”

Nehru’s speech on the eve of Independence (above) finds reason right here in 2016. We are at the cusp of a generational shift and as Indian we hereby pledge to create for our nation and her people absolute freedom:

1. Freedom from corruption
2. Economic freedom
3. Freedom of choice

Jai Hind

Does Boxing Day Have Anything to Do with Boxing?

The holiday known as Boxing Day is generally obscure in the States. But in Britain, the celebration is ubiquitous—and doesn’t usually involve a boxing ring. Let’s spend a minute with the origin of the box in the pugilistic sense of boxing. The brutal sport most likely gets its name from the Germanic word boke, “a blow.” Rest assured that the day after Christmas has nothing to do with bopping friends and family in the head. Dating back to the Middle Ages, Boxing Day has been associated with the tradition of giving gifts to employees or those in need. There are different folk etymologies regarding how Boxing Day got its name. A common version centers on the Christmas box, a clay box that was once commonly found in artisan shops in England. Donations to workers would be placed inside. After Christmas, the box would be broken and the workers in the shop would divvy up the contents. In a similar tradition, churches would collect donations in a designated box. The charity would then be distributed to the less fortunate. In modern times, Boxing Day in some places has actually become associated with sporting events. For example, in some of the African Commonwealth nations, prize-fighting contests are held on Boxing Day. The day has gained commercial associations, similar to Black Friday.

Kargil Vijay Diwas

Kargil Vijay Diwas, named after the success of Operation Vijay. On this day, 26 July 1999, India successfully took command of the high outposts which had been lost to Pakistani intruders. The Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days, ended on 26 July. and resulted in the loss of life on both sides, India and Pakistan. Pakistan retreated after international diplomatic pressure Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26 July every year in honour of the Kargil War’s Heroes. This day is celebrated in the Kargil – Dras sector and the national capital New Delhi, where the Prime Minister of India, pays homage to the soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyothi at India Gate every year. Functions are also organized all over the country to commemorate the contribution of the Armed forces.