Tag: Personal Freedom

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Wake up

How often have you been accosted by someone selling you insurance? I am not referring to telecallers but someone from your friend or family circle, an acquaintance? Quite often right?. Many times a person ‘buys’ an insurance policy just because all their neighbours were buying it. Some buy policies for their beloved without even inquiring mode of payment when the policy matures and how exactly does the beloved benefit.

Very few agents bother to explain details to you unless you ask. Even then some are not really clued up. Agents get ‘commission’ for all policies they sell. This may be up to 15-30% of the first premium you pay (can even go up to 60% in some cases!!). That means if you pay Rs 10,000 the amount actually going towards your corpus will be only Rs 7,000. Read this article on livemint.com for more. For some policies (called products) almost the entire first premium goes towards agents’ commission, marketing costs etc.

Did you know that? Did you ever find out?
I admit I did not.

Yesterday I watched a very interesting interview of Mr Swarup, Chairman PFRDA on NDTV Profit by Manisha Natrajan. The organisation is in the process of revamping the process of selling insurance in India. The entire exercise is totally focused on the consumer (you and me who buy policies). The aim is to bring in transparency and accountability to the process of insurance selling by agents. I was impressed by Mr. Swarup’s clarity of thought and determination. He has a tough job ahead of him as obviously agents will resist this move tooth and nail.

Visit this link for a PDF on a consultation paper the PFRDA has released on its website. It covers common minimum standards for financial advisors and financial education. Its long (30 pages) but very simply written and all of us MUST read and understand implications of this major and radical move by PFRDA.

Not many nations in the world have such systems in place but must we always be ‘followers’ can we not be ‘leaders’ in financial reforms?

When buying insurance understand what is it that you really need cover for, which products offer it to you, what does the fine print say, what is not covered. Most important, your agent has to answer all these questions and guide you to a proper choice. He also has to reveal the commission that he will get (that is embedded in the premium you pay). His job is not only to help fill up forms and give you service at home, he must give you service for the entire duration of the policy (15/20/30 years etc).

Don’t we pick and choose our potatoes and onions and look for the best bargain when buying a new HD TV?
Then why this laxity when buying insurance? In times of crisis this is what will help you.
Wake up. Be aware.

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The Men behind the flying machines

Fighter pilots are a rare breed of human beings. They lead intense lives fully appreciating each moment to its utmost. Up at the crack of dawn, they seem to have an endless store of energy even if called on to work 24X7. Flying over inhospitable terrain or unfriendly/enemy territory actually brings out their best.

One way to recognise a pilot away from his airbase, is from his characteristic Ray-ban Aviator sunglasses. This iconic brand is almost synonymous with pilots. Sunny or cloudy the weather conditions are immaterial…

The use of aeronautical jargon is often carried through into daily lives such as “what time do we leave?” is often replaced with “wheels roll time”; a sudden downpour is due to a CB (cumulonimbus cloud); all procedures need thorough SOPs (standard operating procedure) from making tea to emergencies like a hot water scald; a family picnic needs a ‘briefing’ for all members, each one is “detailed” for a duty (games in-charge, food i/c, tpt i/c)….

There are some other distinguishing personality traits that all of us from the IAF family have experienced. To name a few: attention to detail, a systematic manner of executing tasks (even its just buying subjee), a pathological disregard for inactivity, ready to take a joke about themselves…

Before you think I am prejudiced read these that were part of an email forwarded to me…
Jokes apart, we wouldn’t want things any other way….

Q: How do you know if there is a fighter pilot at your party?

A: He’ll tell you.

Q: What’s the difference between God and fighter pilots?
A: God doesn’t think he’s a fighter pilot.

Q: What’s the difference between a fighter pilot and a jet engine?
A: A jet engine stops whining when the plane shuts down.

08 October is celebrated as Air Force Day in the Indian Air Force.
Happy Landings!

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Mask for everyone…

This candid photo from the Times of India dated 10 Aug 2009.

For those of you who want to learn the correct way to wash your hands, follow this link:
http://www.who.int/gpsc/clean_hands_protection/en/index.html

Stay well!

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Why swearing may be good for you…

Cut your hand/ stumbled on a stone and hurt your toe nail/ finger caught in the door hinge…
One usually swears whenever such accidents occur. Ever wondered why?

A study published in the journal NeuroReport by experts from the Keele University found that study participants who cursed freely were able to tolerate pain about 50% more than those who did not swear. Click here to read the full news. Though the exact link between swear words and pain relief was not found, researchers attributed the analgesic (pain relief) effect of ‘colourful’ language to the ‘fight-flight’ response it triggers in our body.

Keeping a ‘stiff upper lip’ while in pain may not be such a good idea after all…
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U Turn

Just watched the Marathi play ‘U Turn’. Its not for me to answer why many new Marathi plays have English titles but that in any way does not take away from merits of this play. The play explores loneliness of a spouse when a husband-wife are not together any more- either due to death of one partner or divorce. Some choose to go in for a ‘companion’ yet will society or more pertinently will their family members accept this arrangement?

U Turn explores the developing relation between a divorced Major of the Indian Army (played by Dr Girish Oak) and a widow (Ila Bhate). The strict, no-nonsense disciplinarian Major is very lonely and has advertised for a companion in a newspaper. Rama Gokhale happens to ring his door bell and from there on both go on an emotional roller coaster. Rama often delved into the days gone by whereas the Major firmly stayed only in the present. Both dote on their only children who inturn have often expressed concern for their parent’s loneliness.
As the couple enters this new relation that has as not yet really received social sanction, they naturally assume full support from their respective kids. Rama befriends and opens her heart to Madhu, the Major’s daughter who is in the final stages of pregnancy, ready to offer all support necessary at this delicate stage. The Major goes all out to learn of the well being of Sahil, Rama’s son when news of terrorist attacks in London reaches them- which is where Sahil lives.
All through this phase, Dr Oak and Ila Bhat beautifully depict the subtle changes in the Major and Rama’s personalities, their fears, joys, anger and grief as the situation unfolds before them. Do the children really accept their parent’s new found partner and joy? Can the parents handle the reaction? Do they live for their children or should they think of themselves now that their children are independant adults? Does this couple follow the direction of the time trodden path or do they take a U Turn?
The cast, director and other team members have won several awards at the state level. This two act two character play is heavily recommended.
Be Happy!
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The Son Rise

While political analysts may have felt slightly deprived at the speed with which our new government was formed- they had a field day in speculating and counter speculating strategies, names and potential situations if the Congress ‘allies’ had decided to support the government from outside.

The dust has finally settled. With the second round of  swearing in India can now get back to business. 
While the exclusion of Rahul Gandhi in the cabinet did raise some questions, the Cabinet is well sprinkled with scions of political families. Sons, daughters and all manner of relatives that were political heirs have come into their own and landed ministerial appointments. 
In a country with a huge youth population, there are high hopes from the young ministers. They need to set the bar high and work towards it despite political, social or other pressures. This article talks of performance being the criteria. 
Many have questioned if we are a dynastic society. Does a constituency vote blindly for the progeny of the previous popular leader? Is pedigree all that matters? What about performance by the next gen?
Results across India would suggest as much which will explain why every such politician makes an extra effort to ‘nurse’ that region towards more growth. 
A sociologist would give us a better perspective on this. In the meantime,
the son has risen
there is hope on the horizon
a new day
a new beginning
time to start afresh…
Jai Hind!
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More about car colours and insurance premiums

My last post was about the relation between car colours and driving skills (06 May 09). To my surprise the Economic Times dated 11 May 2009 also carried an article on similar lines – relating car colour to insurance premium. Read the entire article here.

Their take was that vibrant coloured cars may end up paying higher premium as they are more susceptible to accidents. For insurers’ better visible colours like silver are less risky and may carry lesser premium. The article cited Rahul Agarwal of Optima Insurance Brokers as saying that “insurers who have conclusive data on the colour factor may tweak their premiums to charge more or less.”

If this works out then one may have to think before buying that red fast number to zip through the city. 
Irrespective of  what wheels  you own, remember drive safely. For someone waiting at home for you. For yourself.
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Of Car Colours and Brands

I recently came across this article that talks about car colours and insurance premiums and human personality. I know that colours are associated with emotions but this was new to me. 

I would like to go one step beyond this.
Are car brands associations with certain personality types limited to flaunting ones wealth, social status or machismo? Have you observed performance of  hatchback/ SUV/ sedan and multiple other passenger vehicle category drivers that zoom past us at signals, on highways, tiny streets and by lanes, at day or night? 
More often than not a particular brand recurrently tends to jump signals, overtake persistently from the left, honk endlessly and generally make their presence felt when driving on roads. Some incidents often get known by their car types more than the incident itself. Read this and this and this…
Similarly there are some vehicle types that are ones that I found to be maximally adhering to traffic rules. 
One thing I know for sure. The presence of a female pillion rider almost always sends the speedometer of any two wheeler driven by a young male, zooming in the clockwise direction. 
Whatever be the psychologists’ verdict (on relation between behaviour related to road safety and traffic rules and car brands), safe driving is as important to a driver, vehicle occupants as it is to pedestrians and other vehicle drivers.
Follow traffic rules.
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Shoe gate

Its election time and in the current financial environment, politicians should be ready for the worst and I don’t mean only in terms of tough journalists’ questions and an irate and disgruntled vote bank.

Along with former US President George W Bush who had a shoe thrown at him other global leaders too have faced the same fate. The same offending flying object made its way into our Home Minister’s press conference yesterday.

Channels and other media are thoroughly dissecting this incident so let us just think what it means going forward…

  • Security prior to entry to hallowed precincts to be graced by the political VIPs will be toughened. In addition to leaving behind our belongings, we would have to leave our footwear outside. But what of other tools like pens, stinky socks etc…
  • Politicians must undergo training sessions to learn ‘duck and smile and stay cool’ techniques before addressing a press conference. By the looks of things, the current lot have done very well.
  • In addition to learning tricks of journalism, newbie journalists and old ones too must undergo training to improve accuracy in throwing shoes.
  • Boost decision making skills for journos- is one shoe enough, go for both of a pair or also take up the neighbour’s shoes. Others must train to hold on to their ‘soles’ if an emotional journo tries to grab their shoes.

Will the paradigm change to shoe being mightier than the pen?
What do you think?

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White Lily and Night Rider

A common feeling among family members, friends is that despite talking all the time we actually do not communicate. With misunderstandings galore there is obviously something missing. Within a home, it can cause a family to break up. 
‘White Lily and Night Rider‘ is an one act ‘experimental’ play that deals with communication  issues prevalent today. Often trust that is the basic premise of all social transactions is lacking. Two individuals may speak, write/mail/message each other but do they really convey what they want to say? Does the other person understand?
Milind Phatak and Rasika Joshi who have also written, directed the play and coordinated the sets and lights have explored such facets.


A couple in their late 30’s chat anonymously on the Internet and decide to meet with the option of marriage. What transpires is both hilarious and poignant. Has the Internet made us afraid of real life issues?  Along with the protagonists we too may question the foundations of relationships… Are we living our real self or is it hidden away inside us waiting for a virtual release? 

Though the play is in Marathi, me thinks this topic is valid for all. 
Make it a point to watch White Lily and Night Rider. 
Best!
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