22 February, 2009

Ready Reckoner for Tax Planning

Filing of income tax returns is a civil responsibility of all eligible citizens of the country. However the procedures involved bog down even the
best of professionals. We at ETIG make an effort to ease the task of filing return of income (ROI) for our readers. Some of the basic queries and rules that individuals must bear in mind while filing their tax returns are highlighted below.

LAST DATE FOR FILING ROI :For all other assessees who have to get their books of account audited under Income Tax law the last date of filing return of income is Sept 30, 2009, else July 31, 2009. If individuals file their returns after the last date mentioned above, they will be charged a penal interest at the rate of 1% per month of delay. However, if such a return is filed after March 31, 2010, apart from the penal interest, they will also be liable for a penalty of Rs 5,000 PHYSICAL FILING OF ROI: The return should be filed with the Assessing Officer (AO) who assessed taxpayer in the preceding assessment year or to whom the records have since been transferred. The new assessee should file return to the AO, who has territorial jurisdiction over the residence or the principal place of business of the assessee.
FILING OF E-RETURN: An individual having PAN and who has income from ‘salaries’ but does not have income from 'profit and gains of business or profession' and who is assessed in any of the specified city may, at his option, may furnish his income tax return on internet. However it is compulsory for companies to file electronic returns.
ROI OF MINOR CHILD: A minor child is not required to file a separate return of income. However, this income has to be included in the hands of either of the parents, although it might be a small amount of bank interest

Silver outshines gold in return

Everyone's talking about gold and its glitter but check the returns silver
has delivered this year. After falling around 10% in 2008, silver has outperformed its much hallowed yellow counterpart. Based on Saturday's closing in the Mumbai bullion market, ready silver (.999) at Rs 23,230 per kg has given returns of 28% this year. In comparison, gold (99.5 purity) has returned 17%. Analysts say silver has the potential to outperform gold in future too and investors should keep their eyes open while parking their money in the precious metals space. While silver fluctuated in the wide range of Rs 16,400 to Rs 27,000 in 2008, and finally ended the year 2008 at levels which were around 10% lower than in 2007, gold has had an unprecedented bull run and finished 2008 with over 20% returns. This at times when stock markets were down, enhanced the proposition of gold for investors, say market experts. But commodity gurus like Jim Rogers have been betting on silver for sometime. He has recently announced that if pushed to choose between the two precious metals, the Singapore-based investor would choose silver. When TOI contacted him on silver's fortunes, the man who was one of the first to call the commodities boom right said, "I own it." People like him, who own silver in India have seen the metal rise from Rs 18,100 per kilo (on December 31, 2008) to Rs 23,320 in around 50 days in Mumbai bullion market. This is no different from what has happened in other bullion markets like those at Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore and Kolkata. Gold, which started the year at which Rs 13,435/gm, closed at Rs 15,745/gm on Saturday-giving close to 17% returns in the same period. Though people may be obsessed with tracking gold prices, precious metal experts believe that silver has the potential to outperform gold in future also. Like gold made an all-time high the past week, silver too climbed to a five-month high. "If one has Rs 100 to invest in precious metals, he/she could invest Rs 60 in silver and the rest (Rs 40) in gold. It's a good investment option," Mandar Pote, who tracks bullion at Angel Commodities said. At commodity exchanges such as NCDEX and MCX, silver has been the top gainer amongst commodities with 9-10% gain this week while gold was the second best giving returns of 7-8%, data shows. According to investment advisory firm SMC Global, silver contracts for March delivery at MCX are showing an uptrend while the weekly stock position shows rise of 3,649 kilograms for the week ended February 19.

21 February, 2009

Disadvantages of Mutual Fund


Drawbacks of Mutual Funds

Mutual Funds, like every investment, have their own share of advantages and disadvantages. Before you venture out to make your investment in Mutual Funds, it is advisable that you do a thorough study of the pros and cons of Mutual Funds. Just like you can list a number of Mutual Funds advantages, you will find drawbacks of Mutual Funds as well if you do a market research. Some of the common drawbacks of Mutual Funds in India are listed below:


Disadvantages of Mutual Funds in India

There are several shortcomings of Mutual Funds in India. Some of these Mutual drawbacks are as follows:
No Guarantees: Every investment comes with some sort of risk. If the value of an entire stock market falls, it will directly affect the mutual fund shares as its values will also decline, irrespective of the portfolio balance. However, the risks involved in mutual funds are much lesser than buying and selling of stocks on your own. This is because when you are investing through a mutual fund you do not have this risk of money loss.

Taxes: In a typical year, the mutual funds which are most efficiently managed have the capacity to sell anywhere from 20 - 70 % of their portfolio securities. If the money you invest in Mutual Fund earns a profit, you will be required to pay the taxes on the dividend received by you. You have to pay the taxes even if you make your money reinvest in Mutual Fund.

Fees and Commissions: An administrative fee is required by all kinds of funds to meet the expenses. There are many funds which even charge commission on sales or "loads" to pay financial consultants, brokers, financial institutions or financial planners. If you buy stocks or shares from Load Fund, you have to pay a commission on sales irrespective of the fact that you are consulting a financial advisor or a broker.

Risk Management: It depends on the right decision of the fund manager that you will get a satisfactory return or not. This is unlike Index Funds where there is no management risk involved because of the absence of managers.



Advantages of Mutual Fund

Advantages
A Mutual Fund can be defined as a trust wherein the savings of the investors with the same financial goal are pooled in. The collected money then goes for investment in capital market instruments. These can include debentures, shares and other such securities. These investments in turn yield an income. The income and capital appreciation are distributed amongst its unit holders. The advantages of mutual funds are many. Some of the advantages of mutual funds in India are listed below:

Mutual Funds Advantages
There are several advantages of investing in a Mutual Fund and that is why more and more people are taking to it. Some of the major benefits of mutual funds in India are as follows:

Diversification: The top Indian mutual funds create their portfolio designs in such a manner that the interested individuals who invest in mutual funds react differently even under similar economic conditions. This can be explained with an example. An increase in the rates of interest may lead to the diminishing of the asset value of securities in the portfolios. Again, an increase in the value may result to the appreciation in value of the other set of portfolio securities. Over time, a balance is created in the portfolio which leads to an overall increase of the portfolio, even if some security values diminish.

Professional Management: A majority of the mutual funds in India employ the leading professionals in their investments management. These managers make decisions on what securities, the buying and selling of the funds will take place.
Regulatory oversight: There are certain rules and regulations framed by the government which every Mutual fund are required to follow. This is to protect the investors from any fraudulent activities.

Liquidity: Getting your money out from the mutual fund is no difficult task. All you have to do is just write a check, make a telephone call and you are done.

Convenience: Mutual fund shares can be bought via phone, mail, or even over Internet.

Low cost: The expenses of the Mutual fund seldom cross the 1.5 % mark of the investment you make. The Index Funds expenses are usually lesser. Instead, the company stocks are bought by them which are found on the specific index.

Ease of process: Investing in a mutual fund is easy if you are a bank account holder and you posses a PAN card. All you will need to do is fill up the application form, attach the PAN card (for transactions over Rs 50,000), sign the cheque and your Mutual Fund investment is complete.
Well regulated: The SEBI (Securities Exchange Board of India) regulates the India mutual funds for the security and convenience of the investors. SEBI ensures that a transparency is maintained by keeping a strict vigilance on the mutual funds. This keeps the investor informed and helps him/her to make his/her choice. To keep a track whether the investment in Mutual Fund is in line with the objective or not, SEBI demands the disclosure of portfolios once in every six months.

HANUMAN CHALISA with meaning

Shree Guru Charan Saroj Raj, Nij Man Mukar Sudhari,
Barnau Raghuvar Bimal Jasu, Jo dayaku Phal Chari

With the dust of Guru's Lotus feet, I clean the mirror of my mind and then
narrate the sacred glory of Sri Ram Chandra, The Supereme among the Raghu
dynasty. The giver of the four attainments of life.

Budhi heen Tanu Janike, Sumirow, Pavan Kumar,
Bal Buddhi Vidya Dehu Mohi, Harahu Kalesh Bikaar

Knowing myself to be ignorent, I urge you, O Hanuman, The son of Pavan! O
Lord! kindly Bestow on me strength, wisdom and knowledge, removing all my
miseries and blemishes.

Jai Hanuman Gyan Guna Sagar
Jai Kipis Tihun Lok Ujgaar

Victory of Thee, O Hanuman, Ocean of wisdom and virtue, victory to the Lord of
monkeys who is well known in all the three worlds

Ramdoot Atulit Bal Dhamaa,
Anjani Putra Pavansut naamaa.

You, the Divine messager of Ram and repository of immeasurable strength, are also
known as Anjaniputra and known as the son of the wind - Pavanputra.

Mahebeer Bikram Bajrangi,
Kumati Nivaar Sumati Ke Sangi.

Oh Hanumanji! You are valiant and brave, with a body like lightening. You are the
dispeller of darkness of evil thoughts and companion of good sense and wisdom.

Kanchan Baran Biraaj Subesaa,
Kanan kundal kunchit kesa.

Shri Hanumanji's physique is golden coloured. His dress is pretty, wearing
'Kundals' ear-rings and his hairs are long and curly.

Hath Bajra Aur Dhvaja Birjai,
Kandhe Moonj Janeu saage.

Shri Hanumanji is holding in one hand a lighting bolt and in the other a banner
with sacred thread across his shoulder.

Shankar Suvna Kesari Nandan,
Tej Pratap Maha Jag Vandan.

Oh Hanumanji! You are the emanation of 'SHIVA' and you delight Shri Keshri.
Being ever effulgent, you and hold vast sway over the universe. The entire
world proptiates. You are adorable of all.

Vidyavaan Guni Ati Chatur,
Ram Kaj Karibe Ko Atur

Oh! Shri Hanumanji! You are the repository learning, virtuous, very wise and
highly keen to do the work of Shri Ram,
Prabhu Charittra Sunibe Ko Rasiya,
Ram Lakhan Sita man basyia.

You are intensely greedy for listening to the naration of Lord Ram's lifestory and
revel on its enjoyment. You ever dwell in the hearts of Shri Ram-Sita and Shri
Lakshman.
Sukshma roop Dhari Siyahi Dikhwana,
Bikat roop Dhari Lank Jarawa

You appeared beofre Sita in a diminutive form and spoke to her, while you
assumed an awesome form and struck terror by setting Lanka on fire.

Bhim roop Dhari Asur Sanhare,
Ramchandra Ke kaaj Savare.

He, with his terrible form, killed demons in Lanka and performed all acts of Shri
Ram.
Laye Sajivan Lakhan Jiyaye,
Shri Raghubir harashi ur laye.

When Hanumanji made Lakshman alive after bringing 'Sanjivni herb' Shri Ram
took him in his deep embrace, his heart full of joy.

Raghupati Kinhi Bahut Badaai,
Tum Mama Priya Bharat Sam Bahi.

Shri Ram lustily extolled Hanumanji's excellence and remarked, "you are as dear
to me as my own brother Bharat"

Sahastra Badan Tumharo Jas Gaave,
Asa kahi Shripati Kanth Laagave.

Shri Ram embraced Hanumanji saying:
"Let the thousand - tongued sheshnaag sing your glories"

Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa,
Narad Sarad Sahit Aheesa

Sanak and the sages, saints. Lord Brahma, the great hermits Narad and
Goddess Saraswati along with Sheshnag the cosmic serpent, fail to sing the
glories of Hanumanji exactly

Jam Kuber Digpal Jahan Te,
Kabi Kabid Kahin Sake Kahan Te

What to talk of denizens of the earth like poets and scholars ones etc even Gods
like Yamraj, Kuber, and Digpal fail to narrate Hanman's greatness in toto.

Tum Upkar Sugrivahi Keenha,
Ram Miali Rajpad Deenha

Hanumanji! You rendered a great service for Sugriva, It were you who united
him with SHRI RAM and installed him on the Royal Throne.

Tumharo Mantro Bibhishan Maana,
Lankeshwar Bhaye Sab Jag Jaana.

By heeding your advice. Vibhushan became Lord of Lanka, which is known all
over the universe.

Juug Sahastra Jojan Par Bhaanu,
Leelyo Taahi Madhur Phal Jaanu

Hanumanji gulped, the SUN at distance of sixteen thousand miles considering
it to be a sweet fruit.

Prabhu Mudrika Meli Mukha Maaheen,
Jaladhi Langhi Gaye Acharaj Naheen.

Carrying the Lord's ring in his mouth, he went across the ocean. There is no
wonder in that.

Durgam Kaaj Jagat Ke Jeete,
Sugam Anugrah Tumhre Te Te.

Oh Hanumanji! all the difficult tasks in the world are rendered easiest by your
grace.
Ram Duware Tum Rakhavare,
Hot Na Aagya Bin Paisare.

Oh Hanumanji! You are the sentinel at the door of Ram's mercy mansion or His
divine abode. No one may enter without your permission.

Sab Sukh Lahen Tumhari Sarna,
Tum Rakshak Kaahu Ko Darnaa.

By your grace one can enjoy all happiness and one need not have any fear under
your protection.

Aapan Tej Samharo Aapei,
Tanau Lok Hank Te Kanpei

When you roar all the three worlds tremble and only you can control your might.

Bhoot Pisaach Nikat Nahi Avei,
Mahabir Jab Naam Sunavei.

Great Brave on. Hanumanji's name keeps all the Ghosts, Demons & evils spirits
away from his devotees.

Nasei Rog Hare Sab Peera,
Japat Niranter Hanumant Beera

On reciting Hanumanji's holy name regularly all the maladies perish the entire
pain disappears.

Sankat Te Hanuman Chhudavei,
Man Kram Bachan Dhyan Jo Lavei.

Those who rembember Hanumanji in thought, word and deed are well guarded
against their odds in life.

Sub Par Ram Tapasvee Raaja,
Tinke Kaaj Sakal Tum Saaja

Oh Hanumanji! You are the caretaker of even Lord Rama, who has been hailed as
the Supreme Lord and the Monarch of all those devoted in penances.

Aur Manorath Jo Koi Lave,
Soi Amit Jivan Phal Pave.

Oh Hanumanji! You fulfill the desires of those who come to you and bestow
the eternal nectar the highest fruit of life.

Charo Juung Partap Tumhara,
Hai Parsiddha Jagat Ujiyara.

Oh Hanumanji! You magnificent glory is acclaimed far and wide all through the
four ages and your fame is radianlty noted all over the cosmos.

Sadho Sant Ke Tum Rakhvare,
Asur Nikandan Ram Dulare.

Oh Hanumanji! You are the saviour and the guardian angel of saints and sages
and destroy all the Demons, you are the seraphic darling of Shri Ram.

Ashta Siddhi Nau Nidhi Ke Data,
Asa Bar Din Janki Mata.

Hanumanji has been blessed with mother Janki to grant to any one any YOGIC
power of eight Sidhis and Nava Nidhis as per choice.

Ram Rasayan Tumhare Pasa,
Sadaa Raho Raghupati Ke Dasa.

Oh Hanumanji! You hold the essence of devotion to RAM, always remaining His
Servant.

Tumhare Bhajan Ramko Pavei.
Janam Janam Ke Dukh Bisravei.

Oh Hanumanji! through devotion to you, one comes to RAM and becames free
from suffering of several lives.

Anta Kaal Raghubar Pur Jai,
Jahan Janma Hari Bhakta Kahai.

After death he enters the eternal abode of Sri Ram and remains a devotee of
him, whenever, taking new birth on earth.

Aur Devata Chitt Na Dharai,
Hanumant Sei Sarva Sukh Karai

You need not hold any other demigod in mind. Hanumanji alone will give all
happiness.

Sankat Kate Mitey Sab Peera,
Jo Sumirei Hanumant Balbeera

Oh Powerful Hanumanji! You end the sufferings and remove all the pain from
those who remember you.

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai
Kripa Karahu Gurudev Ki Naiee

Hail-Hail-Hail- Lord Hanumanji! I beseech you Honour to bless me in the
capacity of my supreme 'GURU' (teacher).

Jo Sat Baar Paath Kar Koi,
Chhutahi Bandi Maha Sukh Hoi.

One who recites this Hanuman Chalisa one hundred times daily for one hundred
days becames free from the bondage of life and death and ejoys the highest
bliss at last.

Jo Yah Padhe Hanuman Chalisa,
Hoy Siddhi Sakhi Gaurisa

As Lord Shankar witnesses, all those who recite Hanuman Chalisa regularly are
sure to be benedicted

Tulsidas Sada Hari Chera,
Keeje Nath Hriday Mah Dera.

Tulsidas always the servant of Lord prays. "Oh my Lord! You enshrine within my
heart.!

Chopai

Pavan Tanay Sankat Haran , Mangal Murti Roop.
Ram Lakhan Sita Sahit, Hriday Basahu Sur Bhoop.

O Shri Hanuman, The Son of Pavan, Saviour The Embodiment of
blessings, reside in my heart together with Shri Ram, Laxman and Sita
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How can cyanide affect children?

Like adults, children can be exposed to cyanide by breathing air, drinking water, touching soil or water, or eating foods that contain cyanide, but the amounts are usually low. Breathing second-hand tobacco smoke is a more important source of cyanide exposure for children. Serious exposures can occur when children accidentally eat certain fruit pits, such as apricot kernels, containing a cyanide-releasing substance. A high blood level of thiocyanate is a sign of cyanide exposure in children, as well as adults. If a pregnant mother is exposed to cyanide, for example, by exposure to tobacco smoke, the fetus will be exposed to both cyanide and thiocyanate crossing the placenta. Animal studies show that cyanide and thiocyanate can be transferred into milk and pass to nursing baby animals, and suggest that this may also occur in humans.
Effects reported in exposed children are like those seen in exposed adults. Children who ate large quantities of apricot pits, which naturally contain cyanide as part of complex sugars, had rapid breathing, low blood pressure, headaches, and coma, and some died. Cyanide has not been reported to directly cause birth defects in people. However, among people in the tropics who eat cassava root, children have been born with thyroid disease because of the mothers' exposure to cyanide and thiocyanate during pregnancy. Birth defects occurred in rats that ate cassava root diets, and harmful effects on the reproductive system occurred in rats and mice that drank water containing sodium cyanide.

What is water pillow?

A water-based pillow is not simply a pillow that's filled with water. Rather, in addition to having a water pouch which is secured at the bottom, the pillow has a polyester fiber layer that floats over the top. In this sense, the pillow could more accurately be called a water / fiber hybrid pillow.

One of the most important things to know about water-based pillows is that they have been shown in several credible studies, including a published clinical study conducted at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, to reduce pain and improve quality of sleep.