Category: News Fact

Elephant Finds Work

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The recession hit world has seen more and more people jobless for reasons known and unknown to them; but of course best known to their bosses. It is even interesting to know that some point out factors like negative vibes and lack of energy as the reasons to save their own insecure positions. At such a time, the news of elephants finding a new job comes as a pleasant surprise.

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This is the story of Sharoon, Ambika, Sumitra and Mohini that have joined the Pench and Satpura tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh, their new office. The four elephants lost their job in Andaman and Nicobar after the Apex Court in 2001 banned the felling of trees in the Islands.

The poor elephants had nothing to do. Also maintaining the animals, given their diet, they were soon turning into a financial burden. The size of course matters. But thanks to our tourism industry, the elephants found a transfer to the mainland to take up their new role.

“We brought these four elephants few days back and of them, two each have been involved in Pench and Satpura in the job of patrolling the jungles and ferrying tourists,” said H S Pabla Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife).

Here, I am reminded of the song, “Friends of Elephant”, composed by Paul Hippeau.

The elephant is a friend to man
More than the dog, it’s constant.
And now indeed our turn has come
To be the Friend of the Elephant.

Smile Children, It’s Jai Ho

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Children forget to live their lives in the role play cut to shape for them by others who have vested interest. The most recent example is the kids of Slumdog Millionaire. From slum to millionaire is a beautiful portrayal of aspiration, but not so when it comes to the characters in flesh and blood.

The starry nights from Oscars to Golden Globe to National awards and Filmfare is a fairy tale story for all those children of streets and slums. Their life goes for a further makeover with every opportunity that follows them. Whether they understand fashion or politics is immaterial, the children are part of every possible event. Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail of Slumdog fame not only walked the ramp with models and actors at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in Delhi but also participated as the prop for election campaigns.

The shutter bugs, as usual, are busy chasing their beats. Even when Azharuddin is beaten up by his father, it made to pages of the daily and reason for discussions in television.

Yet thanks to their nose for news, and unbiased approach, they managed to trace some “star” children who got recognition world wide and were out of sight all this while. Did anyone of us ever wonder what could happen to such children once they grow up?

A flashback. With millions of dreams and million dollar question in heart the children, who were part of the Oscar-winning documentary Born Into Brothels in 1995, walked the stage of Kodak Theatre to receive the prestigious Oscars.

It was also a once in a lifetime chance to change their lives.

Zana Briski, the director of the film, along with well wishers had offered to help these children. Currently while two of them are pursing education abroad, others are educating themselves living in India. Ironically Preeti Mukherjee who decided to return, today lives to tell the real story as a sex worker. It is very unfortunate to see her join her mother in the profession.

Though Zana has been upset that she could not rescue the kid, “At this age, I have a flat, a laptop, costly phones and plenty of money. What do I lack?” Preeti has been quoted saying.

It is no surprise then to find the children of Slumdog still living in anticipation even if their schools have closed door on them for their non-attendance. They have got a second chance – Rubina and Azharuddin have been awarded scholarships for free education, a noble attempt by a self-help group.

“I want to make full use of this opportunity and study hard and when I grow up I want to become a successful actor like Salman Khan.” That is Azharuddin’s dream.

For Pinki, the main protagonist of Oscar winning documentary Smile Pinki, it has been a journey from being a social outcast in her village to her acceptance. Back in school with many friends, it is difficult to even picture her with no friends and the truth that she was once ostracised and teased. “Today, she’s the star.”

It is almost a month since the Oscars. However, the media has not let the fever die. The news chasers, in the process, has unknowingly hit upon information that really needed some follow ups. Perhaps their efforts can be a turning point.

Stars have reasons to shine, and a future that can strike gold. These children are reaping the timely benefits that are coming their way. Like most, even these children are innocent and naïve. Long term plans are still under wraps. Who decides their future, would remain unanswered. However, one can only hope that Rubina, Azharuddin and Pinki are not in the yet another making of victim of circumstance.

Secure Your Valentine Financially

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Valentine’s Day has turned out to be one of the best phases at the time of economic slowdown. If Cupid’s arrow has struck the right chord of love, there are better ways to ensure financial security for a lifetime than just a V-Day special momentary gift.

From financial strength to financial security, the various practical investment practices can permanently bind the hearts for ever.

Of course, winning your partner to listen to you is in your hands. But before you start going ahead with your wise investment plans, do a complete homework to be aware and well informed about the various available investment resources. Also as a novice, taking help from investment consultants is very essential. The final call will be any day yours.

“Where to begin” finds answer in trying out the time-tested investment avenue. “Gold is best suited for occasions like these, as it results in a successful marriage of investment objective and consumption needs,” suggested financial advisors.

Gold as an investment has been resorted by the wealthy families world over for centuries because they are portable as well as compact. “With uncertainty in the stock market and decline in the US dollar, investors are taking a fresh look at gold as an investment option. Gold works as a perfect hedge against investment in other assets,” experts explained.

“In fact, when other investments take a beating, gold investment tends to stabilise.”

There are banks offering gold coins. Other than that, Gold ETFs and gold deposit schemes floated by jewellery houses too fit the bill. Not far in the market, India Post, in association with World Gold Council and Reliance Money, is planning to launch a gold accumulation plan, which facilitates the purchase of small quantities when investors have the money during a particular month.

Indeed, most financial planners recommend gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) to physical gold. “The savings start right from the purchase stage. All sellers, including banks, charge a commission on the actual gold price. This can be 1-5 per cent.

“In case of an emergency, the real value of gold cannot be realised. Banks don’t buy back, they only lend against it. Jewellers buy it at a discount. Gold ETFs have none of these problems,” experts explained.

In comparison to buying jewellery, a gold fund or ETF would be a better option as it has shown steady returns even during the most uncertain times.

Going beyond gold, there are other ways to secure for life. A health or life insurance policy for your loved ones, mutual funds with monthly or yearly returns, or even the monthly income scheme with post offices are a marriage of two souls to financial well-being.

“Like the sale schemes being offered by retailers across the country, the stock market too is in discount mode, with several large-cap stocks being available at extremely low valuations.

Moreover, the ongoing tax-saving season provides you with an opportunity to help your spouse plan his/her taxes as well. An equity-linked savings scheme (ELSS) with a good track record would be the ideal choice, as its lock-in feature would eliminate the chances of making withdrawals before three years.”

The underlying cause for many couples to take the extreme step to separation or divorce has for ages been the aspect of money and wealth. Financial security not only ensures a safe relationship, but also a healthy family reunion. V-Day is only an open invitation to think for a better tomorrow, if still you are not sure.

Gold Wins Valentine

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Gold wins heart yet again. Love is in the air as lovers are lost in thought – “what is the best gift to bring a smile on her face?” – for the special occasion of Valentine’s Day. History be history, love is love, and it comes for a price. The latest survey sums up gold jewellery as the most preferred gift for women across the globe.

“The higher gold price has added to gold jewellery’s desirability despite these challenging economic times. Gold’s perceived value and enduring emotional appeal are not mutually exclusive and sets it apart from other traditional gifts and apparently, holds the key to women’s hearts on Valentine’s Day,” World Gold Council’s (WGC) 2008 jewellery survey said.

“In contrast to jewellery, which has clear financial value, other luxury consumables were viewed as having short-term aesthetic appeal and, therefore, lacked the investment value and the longevity of gold.”

Even the younger generation who are “typically more interested in spending money on gadgets such as mobile phones than spending their disposable income on jewellery, appreciate the romance of gold jewellery.”

Women and gold have a long association. They would love to have gold jewellery if gifted on special occasions – birthdays, wedding anniversary, and festivals to name a few. And they also buy for themselves as and when situations are opportune.

On a more serious note, women especially Indians, regard gold as “an indicator of emotional ties”.

According to the survey, “81 per cent women claim that the amount spent on gold jewellery reflects how valued someone is.”

For women in the USA and China, there is more of romantic sentiment behind buying gold as a gift. To them gold “is a symbol of love”.

Probably on a more practical note, women in Turkey and Saudi Arabia cite a key reason for buying it as a gift is because “gold will not lose its value”.

The perception of women regarding gold varies across the world. In fact the prized possession is more about the psychology of women. It is therefore, a crucial phase for both the gold jewellery trade and the gold market as a whole to understand the consumer.

Valentine’s Day is an important occasion for receiving gold jewellery for women in different regions around the world. The yellow metal reiterates its power not just as a dead investment but also a matter of pride and heart. Reason: “it is everlasting”.

Published in Merinews.com; Gold Wins Valentine by Deeya Nayar-Nambiar