Life of regrets and Missed opportunities

Most of the Senior Citizens, today, would have the difficulty in accepting the 'erosion of old value systems and the evolution of a new way of doing things.' Many persons, after retirement, takes up some job (or part-time job), for a dual objective of getting engaged and an earning to support himself (or the family). But they face a serious cultural shift in the new Organisation. Earlier, we used to get respect and give respect (our value system). But now, there's no one getting respect at all anymore. Because no one gives respect ! It's a world of competition. No one respects the other, irrespective of the age or position.
The work culture is different now. The strong value system has almost disappeared. As a critic said "Even companies are encouraging people to be dishonest".

Over the last three decades, money also has changed. In its quantity and quality. In early 1970s, a good salary was in hundreds. Later, during 80s and 90s, they were in thousands. And now, for the modern youngsters, the salaries are in terms of Lakhs ! This is not just the case of figures, but also in terms purchasing power. During the 70s, we had to shell out almost 6months of our gross earnings to buy a two wheeler. Now, the youngies buy luxury cars for their 6 month net salary. Money, over these years, have made all the difference. But, all those changes have not so been very good for the society.

Many of our Senior Citizens, whom I have come across, talks these sharp facts. The thoughts over these leads to a feel of "regrets". Oh.. I could have done that... I could have done the other way.. and so on.. all regrets. Added to this, almost all of them talk about missed opportunities. 'May be, I should have planned better.. '. At the same time, all of them are aware that it is all past and you cant turn your wheels back. All these thoughts leads to cases of feeling bad and subsequent hypertensions.

This is about how you look at life. It depends on the individual. But the reality is that the only solution is to 'Keep thinking positive.. Never think of regrets and missed opportunities'. Think of your acghievements.. that will make you happy... and will create a 'feel good' factor. This is a dramatic and dynamic force in all our lives.

Counselling Centres for R M S

In a bid to make Senior Citizens aware about the REVERSE MORTGAGE SCHEME, the National Housing Bank (NHB) is planning to setup counselling centres at Chennai, Bangalore, Kalkotta, Pune, and Mumbai.
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The bulging purses

The purses of over 5 million Central Government employees are quite heavy and bulging out now. There’s lot of money with them, with the wind fall gains following the 6CPC implementation.

As in last time (in 1997), most of these huge amounts (received as arrears) will land up in the consumer durables market. That’s exactly why most of these companies are vigorously in the market with attractive schemes and offers ( Navaraathri is just another added reason).

Experts on Personal Finances have a piece of advice to these new millionaires -

“Caution …. before spending all your money on cars, TVs, and PCs, keep in mind the future value of money”.

Here are the important DOs and DON’Ts, (on how to spend your arrear amounts), these Experts suggest.

1. Keep 3 months (household) expenses aside for contingencies.
2. Pay-off Credit Card dues (if any, in full).
3. Prepay Home Loans (if any), as much as possible.
4. Take a Medical Insurance (if not covered by other schemes).
5. Make a Mutual Fund deposit (may consider the Tax gains too).
6. Charity- contribute you might
7. DO NOT park your money in Fixed deposits (or in SB accounts) , as you will most probably end up in a loss, accounting for inflation.

Regarding the increased monthly salary, experts suggest that only a part of your raise be used for household expenses. The balance amount (of your increased salary) should be put in a recurring deposit or SIP into a suitable Mutual Fund.

Retired Employees also would get their revised increased pension. The arrears and the increased monthly pension should be dealt carefully and wisely ( Remember, hard times are ahead, it looks ). You can’t expect any raise in your pension , in the near future (for another 10 years ) !

Retired persons should consider regular expenses (going up always) , contingencies (any time guest !) and growth of capital (to beat inflation).

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Concessions for Senior Citizens

Senior Citizens' Friends Welfare Association, in its State Conference here, called upon the Government for resolving issues and provision of certain concessions.
The main areas are :

1. Form a separate Department for the welfare of the elderly.
2. Enforce the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act.
3. Fix 60 as the age for getting 'senior citizen benefits'.
4. Provide 50 % concession for Senior Citizens undergoing treatment at Private Hospitals.
5. Sanction pension for destitute widowers and unmarried senior citizens, on the lines of the widow-pension scheme.
6. Issue concession passes for the Senior Citizens traveling in public transport.
7. Ensure 5% reservation in seats (in public transport).

Let's hope the authorities act positive in these genuine demands, immediately.
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Blogging for a "Retyred life'

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Age is a mental condition. People tend to 'rust out', long before they 'wear out'. Opt for an active lifestyle.
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Quoting lessons from someone is easy. Practicing the lessons are the difficult part. But, my dear friends, practicing this lesson is 'Very Very Important'. For leading an active life, the first step is to identify a suitable activity (if you are not already active). We'll think of further steps later. Did you identify your activity ?

Hint : Blogging is an excellent activity... ideal for the Senior Citizens.. If you require any HELP on this, please get in touch with me.
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Astronaut, Cosmonaut, Spationaut, Taikonaut and Anthanaut

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Do you know who is an ‘Anthanaut’ ? If not, just check whether you know the following terms.

Astronaut, Cosmonaut, Spationaut, and Taikonaut.

Got it ? Now, you may know. Space travelers from America, Russia, France, and China, are respectively called the above names.But how about ‘Anthanaut’ ? For us in India, ‘Anthariksh’ means Space. So, the right name for a space traveler from India would be ‘Anthanaut’ (or Antharnaut ? ). ‘Indianaut’ or ‘Bharanaut’, if someone coins, doesn’t sound good !

Please check who is the first ‘Anthanaut’ ! May be that’s too early !!

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Promises : for the Senior Citizens

International Day of Older Persons (October 1) &
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act

On October 1, the day of the 'Older Persons', was 'celebrated' by our State Govt too. The authorities made a special note that the demographic proportion of senior citizens in Kerala poses fresh challenges for the State. There are 31.5 Lakh Senior Citizens in the State. The major issues here are : Majority are widows, poverty, gender inequality, and lack of security. Most serious being the “lack of family support”.

Here are a few proposals / offers by the Minister for Health and Social Welfare (Govt of Kerala).
1. Government had drawn up a plan to equip District Hospitals and Geriatirc Care Centres and separate out-patient counters for the Senior Citizens.
2. These facilities would be extended to Taluk Hospitals and Medical College Hospitals in due course.
3. District level Tribunals would be set up to enforce MWP&SC Act.
4. Domestic Violence Act would be invoked to prevent atrocities against Senior Citizens.
5. A project to improve the infrastructural facilities in old age homes being workedout.
6. Free eye camps, Free surgery and spectacles, awareness camps for the inmates of the OldAge homes.
7. The Social Security Mission, announced by the Govt, would take care of the needs of the elderly people also.

I think we should be happy that the Government is really concerned about the Senior Citizens. Let's all be optimistic and wish for the early materialisation of the promises.
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