sop - hrd – fluency in english – v2 – 2008 12 03
(ver. 02:12/2008)
(In mid-2006, I prepared this write-up for the benefit of few staff who wanted to improve their fluency in English language. Before posting on the blog in December 08, the content has been slightly modified to cover ‘Online Dictionary’,…. I am sure, a careful read might throw up some errors in my writing as well, but that does not deter me. For, learning is a life long exercise. And, it is fun too.)
SCOPE & OBJECTIVE:
The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is an essential quality every person must possess, and continually improve upon it. Individually, no one will be able to learn every aspect of any subject; one has to work with others as a team; even Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam would have not risen to this level, had he not worked with a team; that is, even Dr. Kalam did not achieve everything all by himself.
All of us have to grow in our respective area of work/profession from a Dependent level to an Independent level, and then to an Interdependent level. For this, communication (read, write and speak) is imperative. A poor communication skill will be a handicap; but, it can be overcome.
This write up has been prepared for the benefit of those who would like to improve their fluency in English language. Depending upon the proficiency of the reader, he/she can decide to choose/skip certain steps.
This write up contains only a few tips; it is not an exhaustive treatise on this subject.
RESPONSIBILITY:
Self. We have to motivate ourselves into this activity. We should not expect others to motivate us.
SYSTEM/PROCEDURE:
Few tips on ‘how one can improve one’s fluency in written and spoken English’ are provided below.
Audible Reading:
Read audibly for 10 minutes each day for six months. Choose the reading matter of your interest. Ensure that the language is good because the whole idea is to improve our language.
Also develop a habit of reading (not audibly) a book or magazine of your interest before going the bed each day.
Purpose of audible reading:
Our ear will get used to our own voice while speaking English and will therefore, prevent us from being ‘too conscious’ while speaking. This will also help in improving our pronunciation and diction.
Disadvantage of audible reading:
‘Audible reading’ limits one’s reading speed. Hence, practice ‘audible reading’ for only 10 minutes each day. And, do discontinue this exercise after six months.
Cassette Recording:
Once a week or once in ten days, record (for about 5 minutes) the matter that you read audibly. Also record the date of your recording. Re-play the last recording each time. At the rate of ‘one recording of 5 minutes duration’ each week, a sixty minutes cassette will last for three months. When we replay the entire cassette after it is full, we can assess for ourselves, the definite improvement in our reading, pronunciation, diction, …. This exercise may be discontinued after six months.
Purpose:
We can find out for ourselves how we sound to others when we read/speak, (i.e. the clarity, pronunciation, diction, pace, …). And accordingly, we can take necessary corrective steps.
Writing:
Write one page each day. Read a complete sentence and then write. (That is, do not read one or two words and write.) After completing the page, read the written matter. Date each page whenever we write, so that it will auto-prompt us to be regular, if we are not.
Purpose of this exercise:
To improve one’s command over the use of prepositions, punctuations, phrases, correct spelling, writing speed, etc. This will also improve one’s flow-of-writing (along one’s train of thought) as well as one’s handwriting. This exercise may be stopped after one year.
Listening:
Listen to `NEWS’, watch `CARTOON NETWORK’, watch good English serials on TV, etc. In case of any flaw in our pronunciation or language, we can notice it for ourselves and can correct accordingly.
Cartoon Network and English Serials will also give us exposure to `spoken language’, especially the typical phrases that are used while speaking.
Speak:
Speak in English with our friends and colleagues without any hesitation. Do not be conscious of making mistakes. A true friend or a true colleague will not make fun of us if we make a mistake; instead they will co-operate with us.
As we speak, the fear of making a mistake will vanish and, over a period of time, we will be at ease with English language as much as we are with our mother tongue.
Use ‘Active’ Sentences:
Active sentences are more effective than passive sentences. We can see for ourselves from the following examples of active and passive sentences.
Passive Sentence: ‘The rat was killed by the cat’.
Active Sentence: ‘The cat killed the rat’.
Though both these sentences are grammatically correct, the active sentences are effective. We must note that our aim is towards an ‘effective communication skill’; not just ‘communication skills’.
Visit Book Shops, Book Exhibitions:
Make it a habit to visit a good book shop (like Walden, Crossword, Odyssey, …) once a month, even if we do not plan to buy a book. We can know the variety of books available, the new arrivals, the best sellers, … and we may develop an interest in some book(s). It also automatically pre-empts any mental inertia in us.
Dictionary & Note Book:
We must keep a good dictionary within our reach while reading. Also buy a good quality note book.
Reader’s Digest has a book titled ‘Word Power’ where every word is used in various sentences to explain its different meaning in different contexts. If one can afford it, it is definitely worth the money. It had cost Rs 1299.00 in late 90s. Can be purchased by VPP.
While reading or listening to others, we will come across words whose meaning we may not know. There will be words that will be useful to us in our personal/official life; there will also be other words that may not be useful to us. Words, whose usage we come across frequently, are the useful words as far as we are concerned. Refer the dictionary for its meaning.
If we find the word interesting and useful to us, write in our note book, the sentence where we came across the word, its meaning and its proper pronunciation. One or two words a day is good enough.
Date all entries in the note book. If our pace of learning new words gets slow later, the date will auto-prompt us.
While speaking or writing, our stock of words will come to our mind/tongue automatically; that is, we do not have to consciously remember each and every word. Over a period a time, we will be surprised to notice the increase in our stock of words. We will thus be able to read, write and speak fluently and effectively.
Those who have access to internet can add to the ‘favourites’ an Online Dictionary. Most online dictionaries also have audible pronunciation feature that is represented by a speaker symbol. We can hear the pronunciation upon clicking the speaker symbol. Normally, two types of pronunciation would be available --- British pronunciation and American pronunciation. These are represented by their respective national flag symbols beside the speaker symbol.
All the best.
VERSION & AMENDMENTS:
Ver. 02:12/2008 Second version.
Ver. 01:05/2006. First version.
xxxxx
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
WILL - Information and Sample Formats
Note to Visitors:
“I had received a hardcopy of this blog content from a friend few years ago. Thought of sharing it with others thru the blog now.” Jaikishan 16th Nov 2008.
A ‘WILL’ is “the legal declaration of the intention of the testator, with respect to his property, which he desires to be carried into effect, after his death.”
In lay terms, a will or a testament is simply a document that a person can make to declare how he would like to dispose off his property after his death.
It is advisable to leave behind a will and not legal battles for our successors.
ORGANISE YOUR IDEAS FIRST:
Get your ideas organized before you sit down to make a Will. Outline your objectives, make an exhaustive inventory of your assets, your outstanding debts or other liabilities. Make a list of your family members and other beneficiaries.
Ask for yourself how you want your assets to be distributed. Consider how it could be made as tax exempt as possible. When you have young children, consider the formation of a trust, the appointment of guardians, etc.
Outstanding debts should naturally be paid by your estate before the beneficiaries get their dues. The name of the beneficiaries should be very clear and specific so that there is no mix-up or contests.
The person who makes the will should not be a minor, should be of sound mind, and free from fraud, coercion or undue influence.
HOW TO WRITE A WILL?
There is no prescribed form for a Will. For the WILL to be effective, it has to be properly signed and attested. It should also be initialed by the testator (the person writing the Will) at the end of every page and next to any alteration or correction made in it.
The WILL can be written in any language. It can be written in ordinary, simple language, without technical or legal words. But the terms should be very clear and unambiguous so that no doubts are raised over the meaning, and so that the intention of the testator is reflected in the WILL.
No stamp duty is required on a WILL. It need not be made on Stamp Paper.
The WILL should be attested by two (2) witnesses. These 2 individuals must witness the testator executing the will. The witnesses should sign the will in the presence of each other and the testator.
A witness cannot be an executors or a legatee of the Will under Parsi and Christian Laws. Hindu law, however, allows a legatee to be a witness to the Will.
Under Muslim Law, a Muslim is not required to have his Will attested if it is in writing.
REGISTRATON OF A WILL:
In India, it is not compulsory to register the WILL even when it refers to immovable properties. Non-registration does not make the WILL invalid or gave any inference about its genuineness.
Though no special sanctity has been given to the WILL by registering it before appropriate authorities, the testator himself evidences the genuineness of the WILL.
Once the WILL is registered, it is placed in the safe custody of the Registrar. It follows that it cannot be tampered with, altered, destroyed, mutilated or stolen.
Any WILL has to be proved as duly and validly executed as required by the Indian Succession Act.
If you wish to register your WILL, is to be done with the Registrar or Sub-Registrar for a nominal registration fee, in the registrar’s office, by the testator personally alongwith his 2 witnesses.
The testator, at any time when he is competent to dispose off his property can revoke, alter or change the WILL by executing a new WILL, and revoking his earlier WILL and registering the new WILL (if he had registered the old WILL). Or he can destroy the old WILL (if it was not registered earlier). Or he can make a codicil.
A codicil is an instrument made in relation to a WILL, explaining, altering or adding to its dispositions and it is deemed to be part of the WILL. Like the WILL, the codicil has to be executed by the testator and attested by witnesses. A codicil is governed by the same rules as a WILL.
A WILL stands revoked on the marriage of a Parsi or a Christian testator. This does not apply to Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists.
The executor is the legal representative for all purposes of a deceased person (the testator) and all the property of the testator vests in him. The executor is appointed in the WILL.
A probate is mandatory in Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai for a WILL to be executed by a Hindu, Christian or Parsi. Official evidence of an executor’s authority is granted by a probate.
A probate means a copy of the WILL, certified under the seal of a competent Court with a grant of administration of the estate to the executor of the testator.
The laws applicable to a WILL are The Indian Succession Act, 1925, Hindu Personal Laws, Muslim Personal Laws, The Indian Registration Act, 1908.
When a person dies without making a WILL, he is said to have died intestate, and certain rules apply in the disposal of the property left behind by the deceased.
It is advisable to get the legal advice of an attorney to make your WILL absolutely foolproof so that no loopholes are found by conniving individuals to hamper the execution of a testator’s last wishes.
--- xxx ---
FORM OF A WILL --- Sample # 01
I, ……………….., residing at …………… and ………….. by religion, occupation ………………… do make this my last Will and Testament.
To the best of my knowledge, I have not made any Will or other testamentary document, but if I have made any such Will and Testament earlier, I, ……………, do hereby revoke all earlier Wills, Testamentary documents, Codicils made by me and declare this to be my last Will and Testament.
I hereby appoint (i) ………………… residing at ………………….. and (ii) …………… residing at …………………….. as the executors of this Will.
My family consists of ……………………………………..
My property consists of: (i) ………….. (ii) …………….. (iii) …………..
I hereby give and bequeath all my property in whatever form existing at the time of my death to X absolutely. In the event X pre-deceases me, then on my death, I do hereby bequeath all my estate then existing whether mentioned in this Will or not, to Y and Z absolutely, in equal shares and the executors for the time being of the said estate under this Will shall transfer the same among the said Y and Z.
I hereby give and bequeath all the rest and residue of estate which I may die possessed of and entitled to, to …………….. absolutely.
My executors will also spend out of the corpus of my estate such amounts as may be required by ……………….. for my funeral expenses, management of the said property and payment of my debts, if any.
My executors shall obtain probate of this Will from a competent court, if required in law, and shall pay all the probate fees and other expenses required for such probate and also pay as first charge all my other liabilities by way of taxes or otherwise whatsoever.
I,……………………, have made this Will in sound mind, memory and understanding and without undue influence, coercion or fraud and in witness thereof, I have put my signature hereunder in the presence of witnesses on this ……………… day of ………….., ………
Signed by the within named testator, ………………….., in the presence of witnesses who in the testator’s presence and at his request in the presence of each other, have put their signatures as witnesses hereunder.
1. ……………………………. 2. ………………….
--- xxx ---
ANOTHER FORM OF A WILL --- Sample # 02
I, ……………….., residing at …………… and ………….. by religion, occupation ………………… do make this my last Will and Testament.
To the best of my knowledge, I have not made any Will or other testamentary document, but if I have made any such Will and Testament earlier, I, ……………, do hereby revoke all earlier Wills, Testamentary documents, Codicils made by me and declare this to be my last Will and Testament.
I appoint my husband/wife ……………… to be the sole executor/executrix of my estate.
I hereby give and bequeath all my properties, moveable or immovable, in any form that I may die possessed of and entitled to my said husband/wife absolutely but subject to payment of all my debts, funeral expenses and testamentary expenses.
I,……………………, have made this Will in sound mind, memory and understanding and without undue influence, coercion or fraud and in witness thereof, I have put my signature hereunder in the presence of witnesses on this ……………… day of ………….., ………
Signed by the within named testator, ………………….., in the presence of witnesses who in the testator’s presence and at his request in the presence of each other, have put their signatures as witnesses hereunder.
1. ……………………………. 2. ………………….
--- xxx ---
ANOTHER FORM OF A WILL --- Sample # 03
I, ………………….., wife of …………………, aged … years, ……………… by religion, residing at ……………………….., do hereby revoke all my former Wills, Codicils and Testamentary dispositions made by me. I declare this to be my last Will and Testament.
I maintain good health, and possess a sound mind. This Will is made for me of my own independent decision and free volition. I have not been influenced, cajoled or coerced in any manner whatsoever.
I hereby appoint my sons ………………….. and ……………………….. as the joint Executors of this Will. (Not mandatory).
The name of my husband is ……………………….. We have two sons namely, (1) …………… and (2) ……………………. and one daughter ……………………….
I own the following immovable and movable assets:
I own bonds worth approximately Rs. ……………………. (in words) in IFCI.
I have various fixed deposits with HDFC Ltd amounting to approximately Rs. ……….. (in words).
I have investment worth Rs. …………….. (in words) in UTI.
I have deposit with the Post Office in its Monthly Income Scheme and the Recurring Deposit Scheme totaling to approximately Rs. ………….. (in words).
I also have balances in my various savings accounts.
It is my wish that after my death, the above assests be first used for paying the expenses for my last rites and other expenses and the balance be distributed and used as under:
a. Rupees Two lakhs to my …………
b. ……
After distributing the assets listed above in the manner stated, the balance remaining is to be used for Charity and specifically for education of underprivileged and other children. As far as possible, only the interest on the amount should be used. My executors can use the principal also for the same purpose if they so wish.
I have already distributed my jewellery to the respective family members to whom I wished to give, and they shall own the same.
I have invested most of the assets mentioned above in Joint Names with my various children, grand children and great-grand children. The entire amounts in these investments belong to me and these joint names are only for operational convenience. The investments are to be distributed as stated above and not based on the joint names.
I have been very fortunate in my life and am proud of my children, grand children and great grand children and pray that they peacefully co-exist with each other and also since when I die, I would have died after living a very fulfilling life, I do not want them to grieve even for a day.
I do not understand English and this Will has been drafted as per my instructions and I have in witness whereof hereunto set my hands on this ………….. day of …………, 20.. at Hyderabad after the contents of this Will were explained to me by Sri ……………….., in the presence of many of my family members.
Signed by the abovenamed Testator(………) as
her last Will and Testament in our presence, who
appear to have perfectly understood and approved
the contents in the presence of both of us presents,
at the same time who in her presence and in the presence
of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as
witnesses.
Witnesses:
1. …………………….. 2. …………………….
--- xxx ---
“I had received a hardcopy of this blog content from a friend few years ago. Thought of sharing it with others thru the blog now.” Jaikishan 16th Nov 2008.
A ‘WILL’ is “the legal declaration of the intention of the testator, with respect to his property, which he desires to be carried into effect, after his death.”
In lay terms, a will or a testament is simply a document that a person can make to declare how he would like to dispose off his property after his death.
It is advisable to leave behind a will and not legal battles for our successors.
ORGANISE YOUR IDEAS FIRST:
Get your ideas organized before you sit down to make a Will. Outline your objectives, make an exhaustive inventory of your assets, your outstanding debts or other liabilities. Make a list of your family members and other beneficiaries.
Ask for yourself how you want your assets to be distributed. Consider how it could be made as tax exempt as possible. When you have young children, consider the formation of a trust, the appointment of guardians, etc.
Outstanding debts should naturally be paid by your estate before the beneficiaries get their dues. The name of the beneficiaries should be very clear and specific so that there is no mix-up or contests.
The person who makes the will should not be a minor, should be of sound mind, and free from fraud, coercion or undue influence.
HOW TO WRITE A WILL?
There is no prescribed form for a Will. For the WILL to be effective, it has to be properly signed and attested. It should also be initialed by the testator (the person writing the Will) at the end of every page and next to any alteration or correction made in it.
The WILL can be written in any language. It can be written in ordinary, simple language, without technical or legal words. But the terms should be very clear and unambiguous so that no doubts are raised over the meaning, and so that the intention of the testator is reflected in the WILL.
No stamp duty is required on a WILL. It need not be made on Stamp Paper.
The WILL should be attested by two (2) witnesses. These 2 individuals must witness the testator executing the will. The witnesses should sign the will in the presence of each other and the testator.
A witness cannot be an executors or a legatee of the Will under Parsi and Christian Laws. Hindu law, however, allows a legatee to be a witness to the Will.
Under Muslim Law, a Muslim is not required to have his Will attested if it is in writing.
REGISTRATON OF A WILL:
In India, it is not compulsory to register the WILL even when it refers to immovable properties. Non-registration does not make the WILL invalid or gave any inference about its genuineness.
Though no special sanctity has been given to the WILL by registering it before appropriate authorities, the testator himself evidences the genuineness of the WILL.
Once the WILL is registered, it is placed in the safe custody of the Registrar. It follows that it cannot be tampered with, altered, destroyed, mutilated or stolen.
Any WILL has to be proved as duly and validly executed as required by the Indian Succession Act.
If you wish to register your WILL, is to be done with the Registrar or Sub-Registrar for a nominal registration fee, in the registrar’s office, by the testator personally alongwith his 2 witnesses.
The testator, at any time when he is competent to dispose off his property can revoke, alter or change the WILL by executing a new WILL, and revoking his earlier WILL and registering the new WILL (if he had registered the old WILL). Or he can destroy the old WILL (if it was not registered earlier). Or he can make a codicil.
A codicil is an instrument made in relation to a WILL, explaining, altering or adding to its dispositions and it is deemed to be part of the WILL. Like the WILL, the codicil has to be executed by the testator and attested by witnesses. A codicil is governed by the same rules as a WILL.
A WILL stands revoked on the marriage of a Parsi or a Christian testator. This does not apply to Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists.
The executor is the legal representative for all purposes of a deceased person (the testator) and all the property of the testator vests in him. The executor is appointed in the WILL.
A probate is mandatory in Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai for a WILL to be executed by a Hindu, Christian or Parsi. Official evidence of an executor’s authority is granted by a probate.
A probate means a copy of the WILL, certified under the seal of a competent Court with a grant of administration of the estate to the executor of the testator.
The laws applicable to a WILL are The Indian Succession Act, 1925, Hindu Personal Laws, Muslim Personal Laws, The Indian Registration Act, 1908.
When a person dies without making a WILL, he is said to have died intestate, and certain rules apply in the disposal of the property left behind by the deceased.
It is advisable to get the legal advice of an attorney to make your WILL absolutely foolproof so that no loopholes are found by conniving individuals to hamper the execution of a testator’s last wishes.
--- xxx ---
FORM OF A WILL --- Sample # 01
I, ……………….., residing at …………… and ………….. by religion, occupation ………………… do make this my last Will and Testament.
To the best of my knowledge, I have not made any Will or other testamentary document, but if I have made any such Will and Testament earlier, I, ……………, do hereby revoke all earlier Wills, Testamentary documents, Codicils made by me and declare this to be my last Will and Testament.
I hereby appoint (i) ………………… residing at ………………….. and (ii) …………… residing at …………………….. as the executors of this Will.
My family consists of ……………………………………..
My property consists of: (i) ………….. (ii) …………….. (iii) …………..
I hereby give and bequeath all my property in whatever form existing at the time of my death to X absolutely. In the event X pre-deceases me, then on my death, I do hereby bequeath all my estate then existing whether mentioned in this Will or not, to Y and Z absolutely, in equal shares and the executors for the time being of the said estate under this Will shall transfer the same among the said Y and Z.
I hereby give and bequeath all the rest and residue of estate which I may die possessed of and entitled to, to …………….. absolutely.
My executors will also spend out of the corpus of my estate such amounts as may be required by ……………….. for my funeral expenses, management of the said property and payment of my debts, if any.
My executors shall obtain probate of this Will from a competent court, if required in law, and shall pay all the probate fees and other expenses required for such probate and also pay as first charge all my other liabilities by way of taxes or otherwise whatsoever.
I,……………………, have made this Will in sound mind, memory and understanding and without undue influence, coercion or fraud and in witness thereof, I have put my signature hereunder in the presence of witnesses on this ……………… day of ………….., ………
Signed by the within named testator, ………………….., in the presence of witnesses who in the testator’s presence and at his request in the presence of each other, have put their signatures as witnesses hereunder.
1. ……………………………. 2. ………………….
--- xxx ---
ANOTHER FORM OF A WILL --- Sample # 02
I, ……………….., residing at …………… and ………….. by religion, occupation ………………… do make this my last Will and Testament.
To the best of my knowledge, I have not made any Will or other testamentary document, but if I have made any such Will and Testament earlier, I, ……………, do hereby revoke all earlier Wills, Testamentary documents, Codicils made by me and declare this to be my last Will and Testament.
I appoint my husband/wife ……………… to be the sole executor/executrix of my estate.
I hereby give and bequeath all my properties, moveable or immovable, in any form that I may die possessed of and entitled to my said husband/wife absolutely but subject to payment of all my debts, funeral expenses and testamentary expenses.
I,……………………, have made this Will in sound mind, memory and understanding and without undue influence, coercion or fraud and in witness thereof, I have put my signature hereunder in the presence of witnesses on this ……………… day of ………….., ………
Signed by the within named testator, ………………….., in the presence of witnesses who in the testator’s presence and at his request in the presence of each other, have put their signatures as witnesses hereunder.
1. ……………………………. 2. ………………….
--- xxx ---
ANOTHER FORM OF A WILL --- Sample # 03
I, ………………….., wife of …………………, aged … years, ……………… by religion, residing at ……………………….., do hereby revoke all my former Wills, Codicils and Testamentary dispositions made by me. I declare this to be my last Will and Testament.
I maintain good health, and possess a sound mind. This Will is made for me of my own independent decision and free volition. I have not been influenced, cajoled or coerced in any manner whatsoever.
I hereby appoint my sons ………………….. and ……………………….. as the joint Executors of this Will. (Not mandatory).
The name of my husband is ……………………….. We have two sons namely, (1) …………… and (2) ……………………. and one daughter ……………………….
I own the following immovable and movable assets:
I own bonds worth approximately Rs. ……………………. (in words) in IFCI.
I have various fixed deposits with HDFC Ltd amounting to approximately Rs. ……….. (in words).
I have investment worth Rs. …………….. (in words) in UTI.
I have deposit with the Post Office in its Monthly Income Scheme and the Recurring Deposit Scheme totaling to approximately Rs. ………….. (in words).
I also have balances in my various savings accounts.
It is my wish that after my death, the above assests be first used for paying the expenses for my last rites and other expenses and the balance be distributed and used as under:
a. Rupees Two lakhs to my …………
b. ……
After distributing the assets listed above in the manner stated, the balance remaining is to be used for Charity and specifically for education of underprivileged and other children. As far as possible, only the interest on the amount should be used. My executors can use the principal also for the same purpose if they so wish.
I have already distributed my jewellery to the respective family members to whom I wished to give, and they shall own the same.
I have invested most of the assets mentioned above in Joint Names with my various children, grand children and great-grand children. The entire amounts in these investments belong to me and these joint names are only for operational convenience. The investments are to be distributed as stated above and not based on the joint names.
I have been very fortunate in my life and am proud of my children, grand children and great grand children and pray that they peacefully co-exist with each other and also since when I die, I would have died after living a very fulfilling life, I do not want them to grieve even for a day.
I do not understand English and this Will has been drafted as per my instructions and I have in witness whereof hereunto set my hands on this ………….. day of …………, 20.. at Hyderabad after the contents of this Will were explained to me by Sri ……………….., in the presence of many of my family members.
Signed by the abovenamed Testator(………) as
her last Will and Testament in our presence, who
appear to have perfectly understood and approved
the contents in the presence of both of us presents,
at the same time who in her presence and in the presence
of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as
witnesses.
Witnesses:
1. …………………….. 2. …………………….
--- xxx ---
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Greetings Card Content - Jan 2008 - 'Maintaining Marketability Till Retirement'
MAINTAINING MARKETABILITY TILL RETIREMENT
Instead of sending an SMS on this New Year, I thought of sharing my mind on a subject that would invariably be relevant to all.
Each year, we attempt an introspection and a SWOT analysis to decide on a New Year Resolution. Among the resolutions, one of them would invariably be to enhance our skillsets and knowledge so as to maintain our marketability & relevance in this dynamic world.
We would live beyond 75 years of age. Very few can plan to retire at 58 years and to live (not sustain) purely on pension/savings/investments. Here, I particularly refer to those who are not entrepreneurs or businessmen. Thus, it is imperative to defer our retirement beyond 65 years; may be to 70 years, so long as health permits. And, to touch our savings/investments after that ‘deferred-retirement’.
Therefore, we have to continually and consciously enhance our knowledge & skillsets such that our experience & services would remain relevant to any organization, even at 70.
On this New Year, I wish you the very best in choosing the right resolution(s) and in its accomplishment during the year.
I also wish Good Health and Blissful Life to you and your family on this occasion.
Instead of sending an SMS on this New Year, I thought of sharing my mind on a subject that would invariably be relevant to all.
Each year, we attempt an introspection and a SWOT analysis to decide on a New Year Resolution. Among the resolutions, one of them would invariably be to enhance our skillsets and knowledge so as to maintain our marketability & relevance in this dynamic world.
We would live beyond 75 years of age. Very few can plan to retire at 58 years and to live (not sustain) purely on pension/savings/investments. Here, I particularly refer to those who are not entrepreneurs or businessmen. Thus, it is imperative to defer our retirement beyond 65 years; may be to 70 years, so long as health permits. And, to touch our savings/investments after that ‘deferred-retirement’.
Therefore, we have to continually and consciously enhance our knowledge & skillsets such that our experience & services would remain relevant to any organization, even at 70.
On this New Year, I wish you the very best in choosing the right resolution(s) and in its accomplishment during the year.
I also wish Good Health and Blissful Life to you and your family on this occasion.
Greetings Card Content - Jan 2006 : Point To Ponder
Note: "Point To Ponder" ( ". 2 ponder") was printed in my New Year Greetings Card in Jan 2006.
. 2 ponder
Water – the Elixir of Life – is scarce. It’s hard to believe but that is the fact. Even though the earth is surrounded by a vast expanse of oceans and seas, availability of potable water is scarce; and on top of it, a substantial amount of potable water flows into the seas every year. All of us should therefore consciously conserve water lest it be too late.
We take the availability of potable water for granted but, non-supply of tapped water, even for a day, significantly disrupts our routine. Most of us unknowingly waste water everyday; almost all of us can brush our teeth, wash our hands, take bath, wash the utensils, wash the clothes, wash our car, … with much less water than what we consume now.
Let us learn to conserve water at home and at our workplace. Let us inculcate in our children the habit of conserving water. And, let us do it consciously and with determination. Let water conservation become a habit in every Indian, like brushing the teeth in the morning.
It is our company’s good fortune that we are in the Water related industry. Let all of us resolve that from this day, we shall consciously conserve water – for the present as well as for the future generations.
Wishing you and your family a very Blissful, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.
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