In a proposal targeted at the senior citizens belonging to below poverty line (BPL) families, the Himachal Pradesh government has planned to offer free denture replacement and dental treatment across 100 health institutions of the state.
The project, Happy Smile, has been approved by the Centre and is in the last stage of being finalised for implementation.
Looking at the high cost of complete denture replacement, the dental health services department decided to provide these free to members of BPL families, said a senior official. Those listed under the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) are also likely to be included in the lost of beneficiaries later.
The scheme was discussed at a meeting of health officials with Health Minister Rajeev Bindal and others on Wednesday.
As many as 174 health institutions currently have dental mechanics as well as medical officers (dental). Of these, 100 institutions will provide this facility.
Source:
Senior citizens of BPL families get a reason to smile (25 February 2010)
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Senior-citizens-of-BPL-families-get-a-reason-to-smile/584052
http://snipurl.com/ui945
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Culinary Tips from seniors: How to thicken Sambar
Culinary Tips from seniors: How to thicken Sambar
I asked a group of senior citizens some help on cooking Sambar. Being a South Indian, I frequently make Sambar. But it is almost always very thin due to insufficient dal in it. How to thicken the Sambar was my problem. This query gave me a good number of tips from my friends – summarized below:
1. Add a tablespoonful of Rice floor, nicely dispersed in a little water; re-cook for a couple of minutes
2. If you have some cooked potatoes, then mash up one or two and add it to Sambar. Simmer on low heat for a couple of minutes
3. In the place of Rice floor you can use Chenna dal Powder (Besan) also.
4. If you have a few pieces of bread, you may crush them just with hands and add it to Sambar; simmer for a few minutes
5. A little of cooked rice may by be ground in a mixie and added.
6. Finely chopped onion may be added to improve consistency
7. If the Sambar if left as such for a few hours excess water would be at the top. Simply decant it off to get some Rasam!
8. Simply heat the Sambar for sufficiently long time to allow excess water to evaporate but not long enough for the whole of it to char away into nice activated carbon!
9. Of course if you have cooked dal readily available you may add this and re-cook.
10. Don't do anything. Use it for a IDLI-Sambar session where you necessarily need only thin Sambar.
Wav! What a collection of ideas, tips and tricks I could gather. If you are a senior citizen and would like to interact with others via email only, then send an email to:
sss-global-subscribe at yahoogroups.com
You may ask almost question of interest to retired persons and there are friends who answer – all through your free membership in a virtual world that you can participate sitting at your PC.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Why are we constantly irritated in life?
From my friend Dr PV Vaidyanathan's note in Facebook:
===
One thing I have noticed about most people is that we spend a lot of time being extremely irritated. On deeper examination and analysis, I realized that most often, our irritations stem from the fact that life is not behaving as we want it to, at this moment of time. Most of us want the weather to be a little more cold or hot, a little more dry or humid, we want our workload to be lesser than what it is, we want our incomes to be more than what it currently is, we want people around us to understand us more that what they are currently doing, we want to be a few kilos more or less than what we are, we want the prices of commodities to be less than what they actually are------basically, our minute to minute irritations in life stem from the fact that all of us have fixed an ideal, some sort of gold standard about most aspects of life, and are peaceful only when life matches this gold standard.
While this does happen once in a while, more often than not, our expectations are not fully met, leaving us irritated. It is my estimate that most of us spend more than half our lives, in an irritable mood, wishing and wanting things to change, to suit our convenience. This behavior on our part is quite understandable, and one can empathize and sympathize with the fact that every human being wants life to proceed according to his own whims and fancies. However, life obviously seems to have its own set of plans, its own blueprint which are not shown to us. The day we really understand this, at the innermost level and not just at an intellectual level, we are ready to let go, and to float and get carried by the river of life, wherever it takes us, without straining and pushing to change the flow of events. Once we give up the need to control---anything and everything-----our irritations disappear and life becomes more tolerable, more live-able, and all the energy that we have been busy employing trying to change or alter the course of life is now free and available to us, to engage is some form of creative pursuit or hobby. Of course, you must be very careful and aware to see that you don't start trying to control the outcomes of your creativity also, or you will be back to square one----that of feeling irritable.
Facebook | Pudugram Vaidyanathan: Why Are We Constantly Irritated In Llife? (19 February 2010)
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=312482835763
http://snipurl.com/uf2fv
==
===
One thing I have noticed about most people is that we spend a lot of time being extremely irritated. On deeper examination and analysis, I realized that most often, our irritations stem from the fact that life is not behaving as we want it to, at this moment of time. Most of us want the weather to be a little more cold or hot, a little more dry or humid, we want our workload to be lesser than what it is, we want our incomes to be more than what it currently is, we want people around us to understand us more that what they are currently doing, we want to be a few kilos more or less than what we are, we want the prices of commodities to be less than what they actually are------basically, our minute to minute irritations in life stem from the fact that all of us have fixed an ideal, some sort of gold standard about most aspects of life, and are peaceful only when life matches this gold standard.
While this does happen once in a while, more often than not, our expectations are not fully met, leaving us irritated. It is my estimate that most of us spend more than half our lives, in an irritable mood, wishing and wanting things to change, to suit our convenience. This behavior on our part is quite understandable, and one can empathize and sympathize with the fact that every human being wants life to proceed according to his own whims and fancies. However, life obviously seems to have its own set of plans, its own blueprint which are not shown to us. The day we really understand this, at the innermost level and not just at an intellectual level, we are ready to let go, and to float and get carried by the river of life, wherever it takes us, without straining and pushing to change the flow of events. Once we give up the need to control---anything and everything-----our irritations disappear and life becomes more tolerable, more live-able, and all the energy that we have been busy employing trying to change or alter the course of life is now free and available to us, to engage is some form of creative pursuit or hobby. Of course, you must be very careful and aware to see that you don't start trying to control the outcomes of your creativity also, or you will be back to square one----that of feeling irritable.
Facebook | Pudugram Vaidyanathan: Why Are We Constantly Irritated In Llife? (19 February 2010)
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=312482835763
http://snipurl.com/uf2fv
==
Thursday, February 18, 2010
IGNOAPS to be reviewed
Feb 6, 2010
Old Age Solutions : Aid policy for elderly
Government to evaluate old age pension scheme
from Old Age Solutions by Prakash Sharma
January 29, 2010 11:15 IST
The Centre has decided to evaluate a major old age pension scheme involving Rs 5,200 crore (Rs 52 billion) for undertaking mid-course corrections.
The evaluation of the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme would cover 30 states, a rural development ministry official said.
"The government is spending Rs 5,200 crore (Rs 52 billion) in 2009-10 and the benefits of such expenditure need to be measured and the implementation problems need to be identified for undertaking mid-course corrections," he said.
"Now that the IGNOAPS is two years old, it is the right time to conduct concurrent evaluation. A decision has been taken to get the programme evaluated in each state through reputed institutions or organisations," he said.
Officials said the broad objective of the study is to evaluate the extent to which the programme has achieved its aim and find out the factors responsible for its progress and suggest remedial measures needed to overcome the difficulties.
Specific objective of the evaluation will include documentation of the extent and type of benefits received by BPL families from various social security schemes being implemented by the government, he said.
Officials will also evaluate the selection procedure adopted to identify the beneficiaries in states and see whether the BPL list was used in this regard.
They will also assess the level of awareness and clarity about the scheme amongst the stakeholders besides assessing the existing monitoring and supervision mechanism and its effectiveness at various levels.
Source: http://business.rediff.com/report/2010/jan/29/govt-to-evaluate-old-age-pension-scheme.htm
Google Reader (1000+) (18 February 2010)
https://www.google.com/reader/view/?tab=my#stream/feed%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Foldagesolutions.blogspot.com%2Ffeeds%2Fposts%2Fdefault
Old Age Solutions : Aid policy for elderly
Government to evaluate old age pension scheme
from Old Age Solutions by Prakash Sharma
January 29, 2010 11:15 IST
The Centre has decided to evaluate a major old age pension scheme involving Rs 5,200 crore (Rs 52 billion) for undertaking mid-course corrections.
The evaluation of the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme would cover 30 states, a rural development ministry official said.
"The government is spending Rs 5,200 crore (Rs 52 billion) in 2009-10 and the benefits of such expenditure need to be measured and the implementation problems need to be identified for undertaking mid-course corrections," he said.
"Now that the IGNOAPS is two years old, it is the right time to conduct concurrent evaluation. A decision has been taken to get the programme evaluated in each state through reputed institutions or organisations," he said.
Officials said the broad objective of the study is to evaluate the extent to which the programme has achieved its aim and find out the factors responsible for its progress and suggest remedial measures needed to overcome the difficulties.
Specific objective of the evaluation will include documentation of the extent and type of benefits received by BPL families from various social security schemes being implemented by the government, he said.
Officials will also evaluate the selection procedure adopted to identify the beneficiaries in states and see whether the BPL list was used in this regard.
They will also assess the level of awareness and clarity about the scheme amongst the stakeholders besides assessing the existing monitoring and supervision mechanism and its effectiveness at various levels.
Source: http://business.rediff.com/report/2010/jan/29/govt-to-evaluate-old-age-pension-scheme.htm
Google Reader (1000+) (18 February 2010)
https://www.google.com/reader/view/?tab=my#stream/feed%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Foldagesolutions.blogspot.com%2Ffeeds%2Fposts%2Fdefault
RE: [sss-global] Go for inflation-indexed bonds
Dear Doctor Vyasamoorthy
There is a small correction - the headlines of the news item that I sent - it is a suggestion in an article in the businessline suggesting the govt to
Go for inflation-indexed bonds in the budget for the benefit of senior citizens.
Wg Cdr (Retd) A B Bhushan
ABB
To: sss-global@yahoogroups.com; sss_global_backup-garchive-17697@googlegroups.com; vyasamoorthy@gmail.com
CC: vyasamoorthy1.kaaranam-ketkadhe@blogger.com
From: vyasamoorthy@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:43:09 +0530
Subject: [sss-global] Go for inflation-indexed bonds
Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now.
There is a small correction - the headlines of the news item that I sent - it is a suggestion in an article in the businessline suggesting the govt to
Go for inflation-indexed bonds in the budget for the benefit of senior citizens.
Wg Cdr (Retd) A B Bhushan
ABB
To: sss-global@yahoogroups.com; sss_global_backup-garchive-17697@googlegroups.com; vyasamoorthy@gmail.com
CC: vyasamoorthy1.kaaranam-ketkadhe@blogger.com
From: vyasamoorthy@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:43:09 +0530
Subject: [sss-global] Go for inflation-indexed bonds
Go for inflation-indexed bonds
S. S. TARAPORE
The elderly need to be protected from inflation through instruments that promise a real rate of return of, say, 2 per cent over the rise in consumer prices. Inflation will not spin out of control, as is feared. The move will, in fact, signal the government's intent to contain inflation, says S. S. TARAPORE.
If the governmentis serious about the welfare of the disadvantaged sections and the elderly, it should be willing to float inflation indexed bonds.
All governments claim that they are committed to inflation control, but at some stage or the other they fail to achieve this objective. The segments most affected by inflation are fixed income earners who have no indexation facilities, the retired population and the deprived.
The devastation caused by inflation is best illustrated by a simple arithmetical calculation. A small saver invests Rs 100 in the present Post Office Senior Citizen Scheme for five years at a rate of interest of 9 per cent per annum. If the inflation rate is 5 per cent, the real rate of interest is only 4 per cent; moreover, at the end of the five year maturity period the real value of the capital is Rs 78.4 and at the end of 10 years Rs 61.4.
The authorities, continue to swear by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), which does not reflect consumer prices. The world over, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is used as an indicator of inflation. In India we have four sets of CPI and it should be possible to work out a weighted average CPI, based on the four CPIs. The latest year-on-year (unweighted) average of the four CPIs is around 14 per cent.
MERITS OF INDEXATION
.Using this indicator the 9 per cent Senior Citizen Scheme yields a negative real rate of interest of 5 per cent per annum. In real terms, a savings of Rs 100 is worth only Rs 51.9 and at the end of five years and Rs 27 at the end of 10 years.
In India, governments, from time to time, have toyed with the idea of introducing inflation-indexed bonds, but on each occasion the authorities have backed off. The ostensible reason is that such bonds would serve as a signal for indexation of the entire economy, and the authorities fear that they would lose control over inflation.
Imprudent macroeconomic policies, and not indexation, are a cause of inflation. The real reason for rejecting the indexation idea is that governments do not trust their ability to control inflation.
If the government is serious about the welfare of the disadvantaged segments of society and the elderly, it should be willing to float inflation indexed bonds for senior citizens with a maturity of, say, five years. The scheme should offer a real rate of interest of only 2 per cent per annum; if the CPI at the end of the year shows an increase of 14 per cent, the saver should be paid a nominal rate of interest of 16 per cent for that year.
If the government vows to bring down the CPI inflation to, say, 4 per cent, the saver would be paid a nominal rate of interest of only 6 per cent per annum. Each year's interest can be paid at the end of the year, based on the CPI inflation rate.
The real value of the capital should be protected and if, over the five-year period, the CPI inflation rate averages 14 per cent, on an initial investment of Rs 100, on maturity the saver should be paid back an amount of Rs 192. But if the inflation rate averages only 4 per cent, the amount returned on maturity would be only Rs 122.
Instead of being apprehensive about floating an inflation-indexed bond when the CPI inflation rate is high, as at present, the government should launch the scheme at precisely such a time. It would act as a signal that the government is determined to bring down the inflation rate to very low levels. A determined move by the government can alter inflationary expectations.
PROPOSED FEATURES
The bond should protect both interest as well as capital. The scheme could be open only to citizens above the age of 60 years and subject to an overall ceiling of Rs 5 lakh which should be applied jointly to a husband and wife. The bond should be kept open each year only from April 1-15 so as to avoid complex calculations.
The nominal rate of interest on the bond should be subject to income tax and there should be no Section 80C deduction at the time of investment. Therefore, there should be no tax on the maturity corpus. The nominal capital appreciation should not be subject to capital gains tax.
To the extent that inflation is moderated there would be an inflation control dividend for the government. The Finance Minister could announce the scheme on February 28, 2010, and the scheme should be put into operation on April 1, 2010.
===
Source
The Hindu Business Line : Go for inflation-indexed bonds (18 February 2010)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/02/12/stories/2010021250310800.htm
http://snipurl.com/uek4u
==
S. S. TARAPORE
The elderly need to be protected from inflation through instruments that promise a real rate of return of, say, 2 per cent over the rise in consumer prices. Inflation will not spin out of control, as is feared. The move will, in fact, signal the government's intent to contain inflation, says S. S. TARAPORE.
If the governmentis serious about the welfare of the disadvantaged sections and the elderly, it should be willing to float inflation indexed bonds.
All governments claim that they are committed to inflation control, but at some stage or the other they fail to achieve this objective. The segments most affected by inflation are fixed income earners who have no indexation facilities, the retired population and the deprived.
The devastation caused by inflation is best illustrated by a simple arithmetical calculation. A small saver invests Rs 100 in the present Post Office Senior Citizen Scheme for five years at a rate of interest of 9 per cent per annum. If the inflation rate is 5 per cent, the real rate of interest is only 4 per cent; moreover, at the end of the five year maturity period the real value of the capital is Rs 78.4 and at the end of 10 years Rs 61.4.
The authorities, continue to swear by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), which does not reflect consumer prices. The world over, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is used as an indicator of inflation. In India we have four sets of CPI and it should be possible to work out a weighted average CPI, based on the four CPIs. The latest year-on-year (unweighted) average of the four CPIs is around 14 per cent.
MERITS OF INDEXATION
.Using this indicator the 9 per cent Senior Citizen Scheme yields a negative real rate of interest of 5 per cent per annum. In real terms, a savings of Rs 100 is worth only Rs 51.9 and at the end of five years and Rs 27 at the end of 10 years.
In India, governments, from time to time, have toyed with the idea of introducing inflation-indexed bonds, but on each occasion the authorities have backed off. The ostensible reason is that such bonds would serve as a signal for indexation of the entire economy, and the authorities fear that they would lose control over inflation.
Imprudent macroeconomic policies, and not indexation, are a cause of inflation. The real reason for rejecting the indexation idea is that governments do not trust their ability to control inflation.
If the government is serious about the welfare of the disadvantaged segments of society and the elderly, it should be willing to float inflation indexed bonds for senior citizens with a maturity of, say, five years. The scheme should offer a real rate of interest of only 2 per cent per annum; if the CPI at the end of the year shows an increase of 14 per cent, the saver should be paid a nominal rate of interest of 16 per cent for that year.
If the government vows to bring down the CPI inflation to, say, 4 per cent, the saver would be paid a nominal rate of interest of only 6 per cent per annum. Each year's interest can be paid at the end of the year, based on the CPI inflation rate.
The real value of the capital should be protected and if, over the five-year period, the CPI inflation rate averages 14 per cent, on an initial investment of Rs 100, on maturity the saver should be paid back an amount of Rs 192. But if the inflation rate averages only 4 per cent, the amount returned on maturity would be only Rs 122.
Instead of being apprehensive about floating an inflation-indexed bond when the CPI inflation rate is high, as at present, the government should launch the scheme at precisely such a time. It would act as a signal that the government is determined to bring down the inflation rate to very low levels. A determined move by the government can alter inflationary expectations.
PROPOSED FEATURES
The bond should protect both interest as well as capital. The scheme could be open only to citizens above the age of 60 years and subject to an overall ceiling of Rs 5 lakh which should be applied jointly to a husband and wife. The bond should be kept open each year only from April 1-15 so as to avoid complex calculations.
The nominal rate of interest on the bond should be subject to income tax and there should be no Section 80C deduction at the time of investment. Therefore, there should be no tax on the maturity corpus. The nominal capital appreciation should not be subject to capital gains tax.
To the extent that inflation is moderated there would be an inflation control dividend for the government. The Finance Minister could announce the scheme on February 28, 2010, and the scheme should be put into operation on April 1, 2010.
===
Source
The Hindu Business Line : Go for inflation-indexed bonds (18 February 2010)
http://www.thehindu
http://snipurl.
==
__._,_.___
.
__,_._,___
Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now.
Go for inflation-indexed bonds
Go for inflation-indexed bonds
S. S. TARAPORE
The elderly need to be protected from inflation through instruments that promise a real rate of return of, say, 2 per cent over the rise in consumer prices. Inflation will not spin out of control, as is feared. The move will, in fact, signal the government's intent to contain inflation, says S. S. TARAPORE.
If the governmentis serious about the welfare of the disadvantaged sections and the elderly, it should be willing to float inflation indexed bonds.
All governments claim that they are committed to inflation control, but at some stage or the other they fail to achieve this objective. The segments most affected by inflation are fixed income earners who have no indexation facilities, the retired population and the deprived.
The devastation caused by inflation is best illustrated by a simple arithmetical calculation. A small saver invests Rs 100 in the present Post Office Senior Citizen Scheme for five years at a rate of interest of 9 per cent per annum. If the inflation rate is 5 per cent, the real rate of interest is only 4 per cent; moreover, at the end of the five year maturity period the real value of the capital is Rs 78.4 and at the end of 10 years Rs 61.4.
The authorities, continue to swear by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), which does not reflect consumer prices. The world over, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is used as an indicator of inflation. In India we have four sets of CPI and it should be possible to work out a weighted average CPI, based on the four CPIs. The latest year-on-year (unweighted) average of the four CPIs is around 14 per cent.
MERITS OF INDEXATION
.Using this indicator the 9 per cent Senior Citizen Scheme yields a negative real rate of interest of 5 per cent per annum. In real terms, a savings of Rs 100 is worth only Rs 51.9 and at the end of five years and Rs 27 at the end of 10 years.
In India, governments, from time to time, have toyed with the idea of introducing inflation-indexed bonds, but on each occasion the authorities have backed off. The ostensible reason is that such bonds would serve as a signal for indexation of the entire economy, and the authorities fear that they would lose control over inflation.
Imprudent macroeconomic policies, and not indexation, are a cause of inflation. The real reason for rejecting the indexation idea is that governments do not trust their ability to control inflation.
If the government is serious about the welfare of the disadvantaged segments of society and the elderly, it should be willing to float inflation indexed bonds for senior citizens with a maturity of, say, five years. The scheme should offer a real rate of interest of only 2 per cent per annum; if the CPI at the end of the year shows an increase of 14 per cent, the saver should be paid a nominal rate of interest of 16 per cent for that year.
If the government vows to bring down the CPI inflation to, say, 4 per cent, the saver would be paid a nominal rate of interest of only 6 per cent per annum. Each year's interest can be paid at the end of the year, based on the CPI inflation rate.
The real value of the capital should be protected and if, over the five-year period, the CPI inflation rate averages 14 per cent, on an initial investment of Rs 100, on maturity the saver should be paid back an amount of Rs 192. But if the inflation rate averages only 4 per cent, the amount returned on maturity would be only Rs 122.
Instead of being apprehensive about floating an inflation-indexed bond when the CPI inflation rate is high, as at present, the government should launch the scheme at precisely such a time. It would act as a signal that the government is determined to bring down the inflation rate to very low levels. A determined move by the government can alter inflationary expectations.
PROPOSED FEATURES
The bond should protect both interest as well as capital. The scheme could be open only to citizens above the age of 60 years and subject to an overall ceiling of Rs 5 lakh which should be applied jointly to a husband and wife. The bond should be kept open each year only from April 1-15 so as to avoid complex calculations.
The nominal rate of interest on the bond should be subject to income tax and there should be no Section 80C deduction at the time of investment. Therefore, there should be no tax on the maturity corpus. The nominal capital appreciation should not be subject to capital gains tax.
To the extent that inflation is moderated there would be an inflation control dividend for the government. The Finance Minister could announce the scheme on February 28, 2010, and the scheme should be put into operation on April 1, 2010.
===
Source
The Hindu Business Line : Go for inflation-indexed bonds (18 February 2010)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/02/12/stories/2010021250310800.htm
http://snipurl.com/uek4u
==
S. S. TARAPORE
The elderly need to be protected from inflation through instruments that promise a real rate of return of, say, 2 per cent over the rise in consumer prices. Inflation will not spin out of control, as is feared. The move will, in fact, signal the government's intent to contain inflation, says S. S. TARAPORE.
If the governmentis serious about the welfare of the disadvantaged sections and the elderly, it should be willing to float inflation indexed bonds.
All governments claim that they are committed to inflation control, but at some stage or the other they fail to achieve this objective. The segments most affected by inflation are fixed income earners who have no indexation facilities, the retired population and the deprived.
The devastation caused by inflation is best illustrated by a simple arithmetical calculation. A small saver invests Rs 100 in the present Post Office Senior Citizen Scheme for five years at a rate of interest of 9 per cent per annum. If the inflation rate is 5 per cent, the real rate of interest is only 4 per cent; moreover, at the end of the five year maturity period the real value of the capital is Rs 78.4 and at the end of 10 years Rs 61.4.
The authorities, continue to swear by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), which does not reflect consumer prices. The world over, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is used as an indicator of inflation. In India we have four sets of CPI and it should be possible to work out a weighted average CPI, based on the four CPIs. The latest year-on-year (unweighted) average of the four CPIs is around 14 per cent.
MERITS OF INDEXATION
.Using this indicator the 9 per cent Senior Citizen Scheme yields a negative real rate of interest of 5 per cent per annum. In real terms, a savings of Rs 100 is worth only Rs 51.9 and at the end of five years and Rs 27 at the end of 10 years.
In India, governments, from time to time, have toyed with the idea of introducing inflation-indexed bonds, but on each occasion the authorities have backed off. The ostensible reason is that such bonds would serve as a signal for indexation of the entire economy, and the authorities fear that they would lose control over inflation.
Imprudent macroeconomic policies, and not indexation, are a cause of inflation. The real reason for rejecting the indexation idea is that governments do not trust their ability to control inflation.
If the government is serious about the welfare of the disadvantaged segments of society and the elderly, it should be willing to float inflation indexed bonds for senior citizens with a maturity of, say, five years. The scheme should offer a real rate of interest of only 2 per cent per annum; if the CPI at the end of the year shows an increase of 14 per cent, the saver should be paid a nominal rate of interest of 16 per cent for that year.
If the government vows to bring down the CPI inflation to, say, 4 per cent, the saver would be paid a nominal rate of interest of only 6 per cent per annum. Each year's interest can be paid at the end of the year, based on the CPI inflation rate.
The real value of the capital should be protected and if, over the five-year period, the CPI inflation rate averages 14 per cent, on an initial investment of Rs 100, on maturity the saver should be paid back an amount of Rs 192. But if the inflation rate averages only 4 per cent, the amount returned on maturity would be only Rs 122.
Instead of being apprehensive about floating an inflation-indexed bond when the CPI inflation rate is high, as at present, the government should launch the scheme at precisely such a time. It would act as a signal that the government is determined to bring down the inflation rate to very low levels. A determined move by the government can alter inflationary expectations.
PROPOSED FEATURES
The bond should protect both interest as well as capital. The scheme could be open only to citizens above the age of 60 years and subject to an overall ceiling of Rs 5 lakh which should be applied jointly to a husband and wife. The bond should be kept open each year only from April 1-15 so as to avoid complex calculations.
The nominal rate of interest on the bond should be subject to income tax and there should be no Section 80C deduction at the time of investment. Therefore, there should be no tax on the maturity corpus. The nominal capital appreciation should not be subject to capital gains tax.
To the extent that inflation is moderated there would be an inflation control dividend for the government. The Finance Minister could announce the scheme on February 28, 2010, and the scheme should be put into operation on April 1, 2010.
===
Source
The Hindu Business Line : Go for inflation-indexed bonds (18 February 2010)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/02/12/stories/2010021250310800.htm
http://snipurl.com/uek4u
==
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Caring for Senior Citizens : Dignity Foundation
Caring for the senior citizens
Reporter
Friday, January 22, 2010 AT 12:22 PM (IST)
PUNE: The Dignity Foundation has come up with something that vouches to help change the post-retirement life in India. The NGO working for the cause and care of elderly citizens since many years launched a Dignity Donor Privilege Programme (DDPP) on Wednesday by Gandhian and social worker Shobhana Ranade. Also lending her support for the cause was singer Usha Uthup, who also performed for the Foundation's programme later in the evening.
Through this launch and revamped programme, which involves a set of unique services and privileges for the 50+ citizens, Dignity Foundation plans to reach out to 91 million senior citizens of our country. Every member of the DDPP becomes a donor to support this social cause while enjoying the benefits of their association with the foundation. The various benefits include Dignity Dialogue Magazine, Dignity Second Careers, 24/7 Helpline, Networking with peers, Dignity Discounts, Dignity Special Events, Trusted Information on call, Volunteer at Will, Professional Counsel and Security with Dignity, among others.
"There is no voice for the senior citizens in India and we are aiming at creating that voice. And to do so, the involvement of the government is very essential, which we intend to do through this programme. We have started advocacy by recommending five policies concerning elder citizens to the Cabinet Minister. Through this programme, we are inviting the older segment to come and be a part of the government," Sheilu Sreenivasan, founder president, Dignity Foundation, said. Along with the programme's launch, the foundation would also be launching the coloured version of its magazine, Dignity Dialogue in English and Hindi.
"Age is all in the mind. All one needs is that extra spark. We have to discover that within us. One of the most important things that I believe in is to make people feel that they are worth it and that they belong to us. Loneliness is the biggest killer and we need to remove that out," Uthup said.
Source:
Sakaal Times (16 February 2010)
http://www.sakaaltimes.com/SakaalTimesBeta/20100122/5092440427329946278.htm
http://snipurl.com/udvg1
Namaste!
Dr P Vyasamoorthy,
30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph 040-27846631 / 9490804278
http://www.google.com/profiles/vyasamoorthy.
Reporter
Friday, January 22, 2010 AT 12:22 PM (IST)
PUNE: The Dignity Foundation has come up with something that vouches to help change the post-retirement life in India. The NGO working for the cause and care of elderly citizens since many years launched a Dignity Donor Privilege Programme (DDPP) on Wednesday by Gandhian and social worker Shobhana Ranade. Also lending her support for the cause was singer Usha Uthup, who also performed for the Foundation's programme later in the evening.
Through this launch and revamped programme, which involves a set of unique services and privileges for the 50+ citizens, Dignity Foundation plans to reach out to 91 million senior citizens of our country. Every member of the DDPP becomes a donor to support this social cause while enjoying the benefits of their association with the foundation. The various benefits include Dignity Dialogue Magazine, Dignity Second Careers, 24/7 Helpline, Networking with peers, Dignity Discounts, Dignity Special Events, Trusted Information on call, Volunteer at Will, Professional Counsel and Security with Dignity, among others.
"There is no voice for the senior citizens in India and we are aiming at creating that voice. And to do so, the involvement of the government is very essential, which we intend to do through this programme. We have started advocacy by recommending five policies concerning elder citizens to the Cabinet Minister. Through this programme, we are inviting the older segment to come and be a part of the government," Sheilu Sreenivasan, founder president, Dignity Foundation, said. Along with the programme's launch, the foundation would also be launching the coloured version of its magazine, Dignity Dialogue in English and Hindi.
"Age is all in the mind. All one needs is that extra spark. We have to discover that within us. One of the most important things that I believe in is to make people feel that they are worth it and that they belong to us. Loneliness is the biggest killer and we need to remove that out," Uthup said.
Source:
Sakaal Times (16 February 2010)
http://www.sakaaltimes.com/SakaalTimesBeta/20100122/5092440427329946278.htm
http://snipurl.com/udvg1
Namaste!
Dr P Vyasamoorthy,
30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph 040-27846631 / 9490804278
http://www.google.com/profiles/vyasamoorthy.
Arun Nanda's Helpline for senior citizens
A Helpline for Senior Citizens by Arun Nanda
M&M's Arun Nanda is stepping down as executive director to become a
social entrepreneur. He talks with Forbes India about his past success
and beyond
by Shloka Nath | Jan 22, 2010
Arun Nanda
Title: Stepped down as excecutive director on the board of Mahindra & Mahindra
Age: 60
Career: He joined M&M in 1973, when he was 23 years of age, in the
accounts department as a management trainee. Was promoted to the board
in 1992 at the age of 40. In 1994 was put in charge of the services
sector.
Education: Chartered accountant
Hobbies: Classical singing, playing golf and playing the tabla
Looking back on your time at Mahindra & Mahindra, what stands out?
You people only look at my successes, I've had failures also. But to
the credit of Mr. Mahindra he told me something which was very
interesting. He said Arun, if you did not take risk, I'd be worried.
The actual credit for finding an entrepreneur in me — that
transformation from an accountant to this — goes to Anand. He was the
one who actually saw the entrepreneur in me, before I knew I was an
entrepreneur.
You have worked here for over 30 years…
I have worked here so long — for 36 years — and never, ever have I
appeared for an interview elsewhere. There are two reasons. Firstly,
we were never treated as employees. Even today, Anand or Mr. Keshub
Mahindra — if they introduce me they will never say, Arun works for
us; which most people would say. They always say meet my colleague on
the board. The value of a human being was one. And second is the
ethics – not one day did I go to bed with my conscience telling me I
did something which was not right.
Why drop it all now? You've just launched one of the most successful
IPOs in 2009 and you've been awarded the highest civilian honour by
France, you're at the height of your career some would say.
This [M&M] has been home. I joined the company in 1973 as a
23-year-old. Twenty-three to sixty is a long time. It's a very
important decision — at the peak of your career, to give up money and
power is not a very easy decision to take. I started thinking of it
honestly, two years ago. Because if I want to do something and I want
to grow it — I must start at a time when I still have the energy to do
it. There's no point doing it post retirement.
Why social entrepreneurship?
What I have observed is people are living longer and the joint family
system has virtually disappeared. And even your own children whether
they go abroad or within the country they are more mobile in their
work. So senior citizens are very lonely. So I'm going to build up
community centres where every afternoon people can go and meet
like-minded people. And I will have social workers who will organise
activities there. And the second thing I'm going to start is a
helpline. You'll be surprised. You read in the newspaper about child
abuse, there's lots of adult abuse in this country. So the helpline is
where we can provide all sorts of facilities. We will tie up the
backend with providers. For the present I am going to create an NGO —
a trust which I will fund personally to start with. I'm also going to
build an NPO. I'm looking for people to join me — people who've worked
in industry and are now thinking like me. I will use my vision but I
will get people to translate that vision, like I have done at
Mahindras.
What is the role you will retain at M&M and within the group companies?
I talked to Anand [Mahindra] about my plans and he was very generous.
He said since what you are going to do is not conflicting with M&M why
don't we find a way that you can be involved here as well as follow
your passion. So I will give up my executive position and continue in
a non-executive role. But my role is actually going to be fairly
significant. I'll continue to be the chairman of Mahindra Holidays
which I started. I was the vice-chairman of Mahindra Lifespaces, the
real estate company, and now Anand is proposing to elevate me as
chairman of that company. Plus I will continue to look after the
infrastructure interests of the Group like Mahindra Water — the
Tirupur Water Project and also Mahindra Consulting Engineers.
Speaking of the IPO, what made you take the plunge with an IPO when
everyone else was taking the private equity route? Your IPO was seen
by analysts as a test of whether or not the market had the appetite
for investments in IPOs.
Everybody thought I was mad! This is not the first time Mahindras did
it. Even Tech Mahindra, when it came, it was after a lull. I am a
trained accountant. The mind is not only conservative but also you
think rationally. But I also think somewhere I have got this gift to
think through the stomach. And sometimes you have to listen to your
gut. The story was very good, because the company was growing at 73
percent CAGR. We could see that the market needed some and as a
responsible company we thought that we have to lead the way. I don't
think I took a risk. I was confident that it is a good issue. Because
the track record was good. Tech Mahindra had done well. And look at
the stock — the issue at 300 rupees was quoting at 465 in less than
six months time. WSJ has quoted that this was one of the best Indian
IPOs in 2009. After us there was a spate. But in a war, it's the first
guy who goes who is the most vulnerable.
Forbes India - A Helpline for Senior Citizens by Arun Nanda (16 February 2010)
http://business.in.com/interview/exit-interview/a-helpline-for-senior-citizens-by-arun-nanda/9342/1
http://snipurl.com/udvfd
=========
Monday, February 15, 2010
Senior citizens take to social networking in a big way (Story in The Hindu)
It is 5.30 a.m., a time when it is a struggle to get out of their
beds. But for the 75-year-old Kalpakam Srinivasamurthi it is time for
an online appointment on a popular social networking website she will
not like to give a miss. Her grandchildren, relatives and friends
staying abroad eagerly wait for paati's comments from Chennai.
beds. But for the 75-year-old Kalpakam Srinivasamurthi it is time for
an online appointment on a popular social networking website she will
not like to give a miss. Her grandchildren, relatives and friends
staying abroad eagerly wait for paati's comments from Chennai.
She logs on again in the evening for some time without fail before
retiring for the day. She does not call herself a Facebook addict but
thinks the knowledge of various applications on the site makes her
feel young.
Facebook, Orkut and other social networking sites are no longer the
domain of youngsters alone. Senior citizens are increasingly turning
to technology to catch up with like-minded people.
Ms. Kalpakam, for instance, was initiated in to the social networking
site a year ago by her grandson who left it for her to explore the
features further. "I don't like to seem ignorant when everybody around
talks about a subject, that is how I learnt about Facebook. It is a
wonderful way to stay connected," says the septuagenarian who attended
a computer course for homemakers 10 years ago.
Since then it has been a journey of self-learning on the World Wide
Web, something even Vasanthy Devasahayam (62) will vouch. Ms.
Devasahayam recalls how someone had left a comment on her profile
thinking she is a known acquaintance. "Later, I remembered her and
brought out the connection that her mother-in-law was my mother's
friend," says the former advertisement professional who reserves 10.30
p.m. to 1.30 p.m. for browsing the social networking site.
Ever since A. Raman, (65) joined the social networking community he
has renewed his hobby in photography. The member of Humour Club has
uploaded over 200 photographs and has quite a fan following. "The
beauty is that I have renewed many contacts and at the same time I am
cautious on whom to invite as friends and whom not," he says.
For a majority of people, post-retirement social networking sites have
become a good way to stay connected, reminisce memories, get rid of
the boredom or simply to play games from the many features and
applications.
P. Vyasamoorthy of Hyderabad moderates the web group sss-global
(Society for Serving Seniors). "There are 550 members, all retired and
net savvy. We exchange about 30 messages daily. Most of the topics
related to elders are discussed. There are quite a few persons from
Chennai who are members of the group," he says.
A year after social networking site www.verdurez.com was launched for
those above 55 years, the creators see its membership increasing – a
majority of them are from the South.
"Connecting like-minded peers helps them alienate loneliness and to a
great extent we could regulate that through our membership. Some lost
their spouse and get advice from others in the group or share
experiences, something which they would not like to discuss with all,"
says Ishita Sukhadwala, founder, Verdurez. One of the oldest members
is an 85 year old, and for many the site with its games and puzzles is
an addiction, she says
===
Source :
news | explorenews (15 February 2010)
http://snipurl.com/ud3l1
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Oscar/: The cat that can predict death
OSCAR: The Strange Cat that Predicts Death
Osacar was born in 2005. He is a part of Steere House Nursing and
Rehabilitation center in Rhode Island. He is a 'therapy cat' who can
predict death just within a few hours before the event . The hospital
specializes in caring for patients suffering from dementia,
Alzheimers Disease and Parkinsons. His score so far is over 50
deaths – all in the same hospital. He goes round the facility like
regular hospital staff and when he knows that a patient is about to
die, he would snuggle and sleep with him till last minute. Most
families are happy about someone being around to give company at the
time of death. The comfort and company he gives in last moments to a
dying patient is appreciated by family members. One should remember
that dementia patients do not know what is happening to them.
Oscar is not really people friendly – that is, to people who are alive
and healthy. He would purr when someone other than a patient starts
taking interest in him or tries to be friendly. No one knows for sure
how this ability was acquired. Guesses are that he smells certain
types of ketones released by a dying person. Or perhaps he can sense
"no activity" or stillness in patient. Some believe it is sixth
sense.
He has proven doctors wrong. In one case where the doctor thought a
patient is fast approaching death the cat simply walked away. He came
in again after some eight hours later – that patient died within two
hours. In another case the cat simply walked away and the doctor
thought that the predictive powers are over. He went to another
patient who died within an hour – he acted as if he knew that his
services were required more urgently elsewhere. He always predicted
death just within two to three hours giving sufficient time for
informing kith and kin.
Dr David Dosa, who has studied the cat at close quarters almost right
from his birth, has presented many stories and interviews including
articles in New England Journal of Medicine. And now to consolidate
all his findings he has written a book: 'Making Rounds With Oscar: The
Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat'. That's why Oscar is making
news again.
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