naps stories naps stories naps stories naps stories –––– 06 06 06 06

Sincere thanks to all those unknowns

who wrote these articles and to those who forwarded to the rest of the

mankind.

Compiled & Prepared by A.Narayana Prasad.,

narayanaprasad_a@yahoo.com

Contents

01. Worn out at work 03 02. India way of doing business 05 03. Ways to use tax savings07 04. The train that never stops 11

Worn out at work?

Back-to-back meetings, endless brainstorming and missed deadlines. Is there time for much else, you wonder?

Well, you couldn't be further from the truth, if authors Jim Loehr and Tony Shwartz are to be believed. In their book, The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal, they emphasise the basic premise that performance, health and happiness are grounded in the skilful management of energy. The number of hours in a day is fixed, but the energy waiting to be tapped upon is not. And fuelling the fire requires physical fitness.

"It's imperative for people to stick to regular fitness routines. And it's not always about an hour," says Vikram Bhatia, Managing Director, Fitness First. As the MD of this global chain of health clubs, Bhatia's work involves frequent travelling, too, but there's no missing the daily workout. "I didn't have much time to spare today, but I just got done with a 22-minutes Cross Fit Marine workout. Can people not spare 22 minutes in a day?"

Bhatia goes on to say that both the benefits and ill-effects of workouts are often underestimated. "Consistency is important. Try to be regular with your workouts, but it doesn't have to be time-specific. The important point is not missing it." If you're regular with exercises, you're bound to get more results in the same

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time. Even 30 minutes of exercises three times a week, should suffice. "You look fitter, feel better and energetic and are able to do a lot more. It could be working out at the gym or a walk at the park," he says.

Equally important is setting realistic measurable, goals and routines and sticking to them. What about diet? "Fried, fatty foods are bound to sap you of all your energy and they make you sleepy and lethargic," says Dr Jyoti Arora, Team Leader (Nutrition and Dietics), Artemis Health Institute, Gurgaon.

"Skip high calorie desserts in summer and opt for lemon juice, coconut water and buttermilk to cool down instead." Arora also suggests lighter post-lunch snacks like steamed idlis, dhoklas and pasta salads to keep you going.

"Don't be wary of big brand chains. Most of them maintain stringent quality control measures and it's always advisable to opt for Subway sandwiches and Tetra Pak juices over roadside joints." With some basic dietary and fitness plans in place, managing your energy could be a cinch.

Seven steps to managing your energy

Get up early and broadly plan your entire day.

Set realistic, measurable goals. Create a priority list.

Start your day with regular walks or jogs.

Exercise. Putting in 30 minutes three times a week would suffice, too.

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Have a good breakfast. Foods rich in nutrients will see you through the day.

While at work, take a 15-minute walk outside to soak in fresh light and air.

Drink lots of water. Even slight dehydration can slow you down.

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The India Way Of doing Business

Ten terrorists launched a violent attack on India's main business center in November 2008. The three-day rampage ended with the death of more than 170 people, including 28 foreigners, the chief of Mumbai's antiterrorist squad and the chairman of Yes Bank. One of India's most prominent business leaders, Anil D. Ambani, executive chairman of Reliance ADA Enterprises, was scheduled to visit the U.S. a few days after the attack. India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, asked him to remain at home as a sign of stability. Not only did Ambani heed the call, but in a well-publicized event the veteran marathoner jogged with several friends near one of the scenes of the carnage just hours after it had been secured. A newspaper called the act "a symbolic display of the resilience for which Mumbai is widely admired." In India business leaders have come to be emblematic of national achievement and fortitude. When Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited India sixth months after the terrorist attack, she arrived first not in New Delhi, the political capital, but in Mumbai, the business capital, where she began by meeting with Indian business leaders, including Mukesh Ambani, executive chairman of Reliance Industries, and Ratan Tata, head of the $62 billion Tata Group. India has a way of doing business that brings together business leadership with national leadership and societal leadership. Many heads of

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business are deeply involved in matters from climate change to child nutrition, and they find it entirely appropriate and even necessary to make their views on such matters public. Some of this has to do with a need for development. The heads of many Indian businesses believe that national growth is essential for their own profitable expansion. Also, India has a long-standing tradition of business largesse, with many companies committed to social betterment through philanthropic giving and investment in infrastructure near their facilities. But the melding goes well beyond private profit and public charity. Indian leaders care as much about national purpose as about financial results. Thus the co-chairman and former chief executive of Infosys Technologies ( INFY - news - people ), Nandan Nilekani, has accepted a call to direct India's mammoth effort to provide a unique digital identification number for every one of its 1.1 billion citizens, which will make possible more effective delivery of social services across the country. And thus Hindustan Unilever has launched Project Shakti, which has used the principles of microfinance to create a sales force in some of the subcontinent's most remote regions. And big-name businesses have built community hospitals, grade schools and virtual universities across the country. This India way of doing business has fueled an economy that even in perilous global times remains a dynamo, driven by big companies that are bent on growing at prodigious rates. India's gross domestic product has been expanding more than twice as fast as the U.S.'s. Infosys Technologies employed 10,700 in 2002, but more than 100,000 just seven years later.

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The essence of the India Way is best expressed by those business leaders themselves. We "think in English and act in Indian," observed R. Gopalakrishnan, the executive director of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group. The Tata Group comprises some 98 enterprises that employ 290,000 and book annual revenue equal to 3.2% of the nation's GDP.

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Ways to use your tax savings Here are 10 suggestions to choose from based on your financial circumstances and life stage.

Prepay your home loan

If you have a home loan, it's a good idea to use the tax savings to prepay it. For, even though the new base rate structure to be implemented by banks from July will make your floating rate home loan more transparent, interest rates may rise and extend your loan term. Some banks have already stopped offering teaser rates, while others have increased interest rates. Experts say there is a possibility of lending rates rising by 0.75-1 per cent in the medium term. Don't underestimate the saving potential of this strategy. At 10 per cent, the interest on Rs 50,000 over 10 years is Rs 29,290. Most lenders allow prepayment up to 25 per cent of the outstanding amount in a year. Anything above this attracts a 2 per cent penalty. However, PSU banks don't levy any prepayment penalty.

Start saving to buy a house

If you've always dreamt of owning a house, the budget has landed you an opportunity to realise it. Don't rush out with a chequebook though. The attractive deals and offers in real estate are likely to become sweeter in the months to come. Start putting away your tax savings in a debt fund or a sweep-in bank account. This cash will come in handy when you go shopping for a house. If you have saved enough, a bigger down payment will allow you to dictate terms to the seller. Besides, you will have to take a smaller loan, which means a shorter tenure or a lower EMI. You might also be in a position to

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consider a house bigger than you could have afforded earlier. At a nominal growth rate of 8 per cent, a monthly saving of Rs 4,000 will grow to nearly Rs 50,000 in a year's time.

Reinvest in your property

A house is often the largest investment and biggest asset for an individual. This could be the right time to reinvest in this asset by adding a floor or a room to your house. Take a home improvement loan (interest rate is the same as that for home loans) and use the largesse from the budget to pay the EMI. The EMI for a Rs 4 lakh loan for 10 years at 9 per cent is Rs 5,000. This is roughly what is needed to build about 400 sq ft of additional residential space. If you rent out the additional area, factor in the rental income in your calculation. The Direct Taxes Code proposes to do away with tax deductions on self-occupied houses, but those given on rent will continue to enjoy these benefits.

Build an emergency fund

What happens if you suddenly lose your job? Or if somebody in the family takes ill? You cannot prevent emergencies, but you can be prepared for them. One way to do this is to build a contingency fund that can be accessed at any time. Financial planners say you need to have an emergency fund to cover at least 4-6 months' expenses. If you haven't already built such a corpus, now's the time to do it. Set aside the monthly gain from the tax cuts in a debt mutual fund or a sweep-in bank account. The first option is better because it prevents the investor from dipping into the fund for routine expenses. If you are disciplined, even a savings bank works, though a sweep-in account earns higher interest.

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Review your insurance cover

Have you reviewed your life cover lately? Are you sure that the life insurance policy you took five years ago is enough to cover your family's needs today? Often, people take an insurance cover without factoring in the impact of inflation as well as changes in their financial circumstances. Use the surplus money to buy more insurance if you have taken a big-ticket loan or if your living expenses have gone

up. The best form of life insurance is a pure protection term plan. For a 40-year-old, a 25-year term cover for Rs 30 lakh will cost about Rs 15,000 a year. That's a low price for ensuring that your family's future is safe.

Start SIP in an equity fund

The budget has given a new direction to the markets. Experts are optimistic that the lowering of fiscal deficit and other measures will boost global confidence in the Indian economy and increase the FII inflow. This means it's a good time to enter the markets. If you are looking for longterm wealth creation, use the extra cash you get every month to start an SIP in an equity mutual fund. Go for an ELSS fund if you also want tax deduction under Section 80C.

Diversify in gold

The price of gold has come down from its peak but analysts say this could be a seasonal correction. Gold prices are expected to climb up because of several factors, including rising inflation, high crude prices, a shaky dollar and the need for a safe haven. It is predicted to touch Rs 20,000 per 10 gram by March 2011. However, this doesn't mean that one

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should make a drastic change in one's asset allocation. Experts say no more than 10 per cent of your total wealth should be in gold. If you have allocated less than this, you can use your tax savings to start buying gold in small quantities, preferably as gold ETF units. They are liquid, easy to hold, and cheap. Pity you can't wear them to a party.

Insure your family's health

A health cover is a must in any financial plan. But many people keep putting off the decision to buy health insurance because they look at it as a needless expense. It's good if your employer offers adequate health coverage, but if you are self-employed or don't have health cover, buy one for yourself and your family right away with your tax gain. It

doesn't cost too much and allows you to access the best healthcare facilities when you need them the most. Choose a floater plan instead of individual covers. A Rs 3 lakh floater cover for a family of four (husband, wife and two children) will cost about Rs 7,000 a year. You even get income-tax benefits on the premium under Section 80D.

Add accidental death and disability cover

Accidents can be debilitating, physically as well as financially. If the victim is badly injured, he will not be able to work for several months. If he is permanently disabled, he could lose his livelihood. You can safeguard yourself against such a situation by taking an accidental death, disability and dismemberment cover. A Rs 10 lakh cover costs

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barely Rs 1,300 a year. This is equal to what you will save every month in tax if you earn Rs 5 lakh a year. You can also take this as a rider along with a life insurance policy. Be sure to read the fine print though. It is best to opt for a personal accident cover, which also includes loss of livelihood and offers a lump sum to the insured.

Buy infrastructure bonds

The budget puts more money in your hands, but some of this will come to you only if you invest Rs 20,000 in infrastructure bonds under the new Section 80CCF. Keep this sum aside to avoid a cash crunch when the issue opens. You can save up to Rs 6,180 if you invest in these bonds. The income is fully taxable.

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The train that never stops at

a station

A brilliant new Chinese train innovation - get on & off the bullet train without the train stopping. VERY COOL CONCEPT! No time is wasted. The bullet train is moving all the time. If there are 30 stations between Beijing and Guangzhou, just stopping and accelerating again at each station will waste both energy and time. A mere 5 min stop per station (elderly passengers cannot be hurried) will result in a total loss of 5 min x 30 stations or 2.5 hours of train journey time! How it works

1. For those who are boarding the train: The passengers at a station embarks onto to a connector cabin way before the train even arrives at the station. When the train arrives, it will not stop at all. It just slows down to pick up the

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connector cabin which will move with the train on the roof of the train. While the train is still moving away from the station, those passengers will board the train from the connector cabin mounted on the train's roof. After fully unloading all its passengers, the cabin connector cabin will be moved to the back of the train so that the next batch of outgoing passengers who want to alight at the next station will board the connector cabin at the rear of the train roof. 2. For those who are getting off: As stated after fully unloading all its passengers, the cabin connector cabin will be moved to the back of the train so that the next batch of outgoing passengers who want to alight at the next station will board the connector cabin at the rear of the train roof. When the train arrives at the next station, it will simply drop the whole connector cabin at the station itself and leave it behind at the station. The outgoing passengers can take their own time to disembark at the station while the train had already left. At the same time, the train will pick up the incoming embarking passengers on another

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connector cabin in the front part of the train's roof. So the train will always drop one connector cabin at the rear of its roof and pick up a new connector cabin in the front part of the train's roof at each station.

Innovation?

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