NRI investment options:here n back home

Howdy,

After debating for a long time, if I should blog or not.

I finally took it to blogging to gather more ideas on my topics of interest.

Today I want to talk about Finance options for non-citizens in USA, who may in the future either move back to their home country or decide to stay.

Options if one is employed

401 K/IRA, HSA and ESPP are options here.

Stock market hasn't been really thriving here in the US for couple of years now.Investing here is long haul .....

I also thought about talking to a desi financial consultant, but heard they would push for policies/plans in which they get commissions.

Buying property(land and/or apartments) in India is another option,not sure how profitable it is.

Buying precious metals and stones .....like our parents and grandparents ..

Buying mutual funds .....any good ones out there ?

I also read about investing in financial institutions in India, so that you could start a career in teaching if and when when u return ....

what do you think ....I would love to here more on this ......

Thnx in Advance,

sne

Life Of A Desi@NC State - II

Now let’s talk about the academic life of a student once the semester has started. Classes, lectures, assignments, projects, submissions, midterms, exams etc are the only words which you will hear once the semester is on. No time for anything else….sometimes you don’t have enough time to study also. It seems that the deadline is too early or near for you to complete your assignment or prepare for the exams. Slowly and gradually begins the real life of a desi student in US. Everyone gets engaged in the coursework so much that sometimes you don’t get to meet & talk with your roommates for 4-5 days (No kidding....ask my roommies).

Night outs in the lab, banging your head with the pc to get your code working, trying hard enough to understand what’s going on but sometimes in vain, helping each other (or may be not), going to the TA (teaching asst) for getting some assistance (most of the time its of no use), flooding the message boards with all sorts of queries (I personally find it useful…not always though :D), struggling very hard till the end to get the output…these are some commonly observed phenomenon among desis just before few days when the project is due. Sometimes students even spend 24 hrs in the labs (ask me…I can write an essay on ‘24hrs@AFC’) forgetting about their hunger, thirst or rest. Thank God they have vending machines at all places which turn out to be really helpful during exam time. Library is occupied with students as it is the only place where one can study quietly and peacefully and can also sleep on the couches placed there. I liked to study in D.H.Hill library as we have ‘Hill of Beans’ (a coffee shop inside the libr) which is open till late and thus you can study till late:).
Studying, doing an On-campus job, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, managing your expenses and other stuff….all together makes it a tough life. At times you might feel homesick, incapable of handling everything alone and want to go back to your family but still you won’t give up and continue striving for the best. After one semester this becomes a routine and you get used to it. Fall break, spring break, celebration of Indian festivals, movies, picnic and other such on-campus activities give some break from your hectic and busy schedule, which is very important in life, but the struggle continues.

After one whole semester of hard work and efforts students are eagerly waiting for 2 important things….In first semester you wait for Grades and Vacation. You will learn here that perfection is the only key to success….one mistake and your GPA is gone. Although GPA doesn’t matter much but still you have to maintain it in order to fetch you an internship or a full time job.
During Second semester one will wait for Career Fair & Internship. In my view, job fairs help to a certain extent where one does get interview call/s from companies which may eventually lead to an offer. People try hard to get an internship as it aids in finding a full time job….but ‘Luck’ is one more factor which should not be neglected completely in this case. And finally in the last semester the two most awaited events are Graduation & a Full time Job. Graduation or the commencement ceremony makes you feel on top of the world…as if you have done something extraordinary (which I think I did:D coz pursuing MS and that too in US was not an easy task for me). One will really feel proud of him/her self after graduating. It is all together a great feeling after years of hard work and struggle.

Life Of A Desi@NC State - I

After spending almost 2 years in Raleigh I would now like to share some thoughts on how we, the Indian Students at NC State, try to save $$ no matter how much ever spendthrift we were in India.
1. This begins from finding an Apt. Obviously Off campus….coz On-campus housing is too expensive. Another disadvantage is that you cannot cook in residence halls and above all….you will not find any ‘Desi’ over there.
2. Now comes the roommate with whom you will share your appt. Not less than 3. Why? Arey because rent is so high. Also grocery, electricity and other amenities. Even if you are funded you will try to save some bucks by sharing the appt with 3-4 other roommates. No matter after 6 months you feel that your decision was wrong….wait for another 6 months and shift elsewhere.
3. Got roommates to share the appt….what next??? Now start looking for second hand furniture (minimum requirement includes couch, a study table and chair). Most important is a Mattress to sleep on. Of course a 'used' one. Sounds odd…but can’t help it coz a new brand mattress will cost you around 200$. That’s why many of them prefer to sleep on carpet or in their sleeping bag itself.
4. Along with the above mentioned searches, students are busy searching something else also. Yeah…..On-campus Job or going from one Prof to another to get a TA or RA ship. Students are ready to do any kind of work at any insane hours of the day….but they won’t give up unless they get one. Even though it’s illegal, many students try to work more than 20 hrs/wk also.
5. Students get trained in walking 4-5 miles a day especially if your classes are held at Centennial campus or if it’s a weekend/break. You can buy a car if you don’t wanna walk but you should be ready to spend few thousand dollars. One more option is…you can get a bike/bicycle for just 50-100$. Don’t think that how can you ride a bike or walk down the street as in India you used to drive a car. Here it’s different. Conversion rate is almost 50 times. Hence everyone thinks twice.
6. Also you will try to save some money by cooking yourself or if this doesn’t work then by eating out at places like Burger King or Taco Bell. Champion’s Pizza is routine whereas Papa John’s Pizza is treat:)
7. One will not miss any seminar ever after coming to US. Not because they are informative…it’s because they serve you Pizza and drinks and other goodies. Many students are there just to KPK…who cares what the seminar is all about.
8. Waiting for some great deals, discounts and rebates becomes practice after coming to US. Not only on electronic stuff but also on fruits & vegetables. I have seen people buying bananas instead of apples:) You can get a discount of a dollar or two by using MVP card…so don’t forget it.
9. One gets use to wearing same unwashed clothes again and again till its high time to wash them because doing laundry once will cost you up to 2.25$.
10. Last but not the least…you will learn one more trick from your seniors to save few more bucks. It’s called ‘Cancel Print’. Canceling your print job once it’s in the queue will never reduce your print quota. Thus you can print unlimited pages just for 5$ which otherwise will cost you some 6c per page.

GOOD MORNING INDIA.......

Here are my favorite lines from one of my favorite film 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' which really applies to all of us:)

Guuuuuud Morniiiiiiiiiiiiiing Mumbai....................

Shaher ki is daud me daud ke karna kya hai?
Jab yehi jeena hai dosto to phir marna kya hai?
Paheli barish me train late hone ki fikr hai
Bhul gaye bhigte hue tahelna kya hai?
Serials ke kirdaaro ka saara haal hai malum
par maa ka haal puchhne ki fursat kise hai?
Ab ret pe nange pao tahelte kyu nahi?
108 hai channel phir dil bahelte kyu nahi?
Internet ki duniya ke to touch me hai,
lekin pados me kon raheta hai jaante tak nahi.
Mobile, Landline sab ki bharmaar hai,
Lekin jigri dost tak pahuche aise taar kaha hai?
Kab dubte hue suraj ko dekha tha yaad hai?
Kab jaana tha shaam ko woh bahana kya hai?
To Dosto Shaher ki is daud me daud ke karna kya hai
Jab yahi jeena hai to phir Marna kya hai?

30 DAYS IN PARADISE

I had a great time back home in Ahmedabad. It was rocking. Family, friends, food, films, festivals and fun….I enjoyed them all a lot :) especially if you meet or get them after one and half year. Everything was the same, the people; the place; the food…..only thing that had changed was my outlook towards them/it. Even the simple dal-roti tasted so good as if you are having a delicacy. I felt as if one month is too short a period to enjoy everything to its fullest. Still I tried my best not to miss any single home-cooked dish and tried to meet each and every relative of mine in Ahmedabad. Everyone treated me as if I am a celebrity in town just for a month… The feeling was completely different and overwhelming. I was surprised to see a whole new array of shopping malls & coffee shops whose interior makes you feel as if you are in US. Watched all good bollywood flicks and ate out in almost all my favorite restaurants, hotels and not to mention those roadside laaris…Also didn’t miss the ride in an Auto rickshaw….very convenient mode of transportation, isn’t it. I also went to a circus with my cousins after almost 10 years. I was able to celebrate uttarayan (the kite flying festival on 14th & 15th of Jan) while I was in India. This was the time when I realized the importance and significance of our festivals, in true sense. It was exciting. No doubt I shopped a lot…didn’t miss any of the malls :) One can easily say that after looking at my two big baggage…obviously I had to pay for extra luggage at Mumbai airport…but never mind. After one whole month of enjoyment it was time to return back to Uncle Sam. Again the same gloomy and unhappy feeling in a corner of my heart which was hard to cast away. It was even worse than the first time when I came to US….because then I was bit excited about America but now …. :(
My flights, my itinerary, airports….everything was same while returning also….but this time it was hard for me to kill the time….felt very depressing and sad. It was bit hard to adjust here once again after a month of complete respite in India. Now I am back to college and routine life.

"Meeting & Parting is the Way of life,

But Parting & Meeting is the hope of life!!!"

MY ARTICLE IN AHMEDABAD TIMES

‘Americans are very accommodating, co-operative and friendly’

Nimisha Jain, an engineering student in Raleigh, gets nostalgic as she tells AT about her experience of staying and studying in a country that made her confident and independent. (published on 9th Jan 2007)

Raleigh — ‘the city of oaks’ is a very beautiful, peaceful and a safe place to live in, although not so big. I am pursuing my master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the NC State University at Raleigh.

After spending one and a half year in the US, I really feel the need and importance of overseas education. I find the education system here to be different and much better than in India. Staying in the US can give a hands-on experience with the latest technology and help gain up-to-date knowledge. This is particularly important for engineers as they should have practical experience in their respective fields which eventually prepares them for the commercial world.

Being the first person from my entire community to go abroad for higher education, it was quite challenging and tough for me to adapt to a new place and adjust among new people with completely different culture and climate. But Americans are very accommodating, co-operative and friendly. And there are a lot of Indian students at NC State with whom I celebrate Indian festivals. It makes me feel at home but even then the nostalgic feeling continues to persist in a corner of my heart.

When I think about all those things that I miss the most about Ahmedabad, the first and the foremost that comes to my mind is my family. The second thing which I terribly miss is the delicious and mouth watering Indian food especially junk food like panipuri, bhelpuri, vada pau, dabeli, puff, samosa and sandwich. Nothing can replace the food in India, really. The next on my ‘miss’ list are my friends. I have made a lot of them here, too, but it takes a long time to grow an old and true friend. And how can I forget our festivals! Gifts, sweets, tasty delicacies and a whole day of enjoyment is what they are all about in India. Be it Diwali, Holi, Rakhi, Uttarayan or Navratri— each and every festival is unique of its kind and full of fun and excitement. I also miss the films. You can watch Hindi movies here too (if time permits) but the theatres are not like the ones we have over there. There is no balcony system, no seat numbers, less capacity and most of all, they are very expensive. And last but not the least I miss out on all the fun I had going out for dinner, lunch or simply walking on the CG road, going for long drives on the highways or having a large family gathering.

Besides all this, I feel that by studying and living in the US I have gained knowledge, skills, confidence and an air of independence which will definitely help me attain my career goals.

MOTHERLAND CALLING - V

We both were very happy and glad to meet each other. My other cousins had also come to the airport to welcome me. Then we went to the Domestic Airport from where we had to catch the Indian Airline flight to Ahmedabad my home city. It was just 30 min journey but still we were served with mouthwatering Indian breakfast. At last after waiting for so long…I reached Ahmedabad at 6:00AM. I was able to feel that warmth and homeliness in the zephyr as soon as I stepped down on my homeland - Ahmedabad. I was overjoyed to see all my family members who were waiting for me on the airport. After one & half year, there came my most awaited moment of life when I met my Mom and Dad. I gave them a big hug and felt as if I am in the seventh heaven at that very second. Both were too happy and proud to see me. One can imagine the joy and excitement when someone meets their near and dear ones after a long time. Unforgettable Moments...Sweet Memories :)

Thus overall it was a ‘BON VOYAGE’

MOTHERLAND CALLING - IV

As soon as we entered the plane, we were given Times Of India and served with candies and chocolates. After almost a year I was reading TOI as a hard copy and hence was pleasedJ I got more pleased to see that I have got a window seat. The panoramic view of London city, when the plane took off, is hard to describe in words. It was very beautiful. Then they started serving snacks, juices, tea, coffee and other beverages. In every one hour they use to serve something which keeps you busy and on the same hand makes your journey enjoyable. Lunch was also awesome. Jet Airways also has a good collection of some 20 Bollywood & Hollywood movies from which you can select and watch whichever movie you like. I watched three of them and that’s how I didn’t realize that the flight was of 8 hours. As soon as we reached Bombay airport, at around 12:30AM (IST), my eyes started searching for my Brother who was suppose to come at the airport to pick me up. Although I knew that visitors are not allowed in the security lounge I was still looking for him…then after waiting for almost one and half hour…I got my luggage, did all the security checks and rushed towards the gate with trolley in my hands. I was still searching for him in such a huge crowd near the gate when a voice came from behind….’Nimisha’….I turned around and there saw my brother standing with a flower bouquet in his hand. I can’t describe how I felt at this very moment. I was not able to control myself and hence broke down in his arms.

MOTHERLAND CALLING - III

We landed on London-Heathrow (LHR) airport at around 6:30 AM and had a connecting flight to Mumbai after 3 hours. On LHR airport, for a moment, I felt as if I am in India because majority of the airport staff and also the local public was Indian….Sardarji to be specific. I found the management to be very poor as there was no one to guide you in a proper manner. Also if you are going anywhere via LHR airport then please take a notice of this…just carry only one luggage/bag with you as a cabin luggage because they don’t allow more than one baggage in the flight. This was sick as it is the airports’ policy and not the airlines’. As a result I had to go to the check-in counter of jet airways and got one of my carry-on bags checked in….for this I was given a 24 hr UK Visa. Strange but true.
For this whole procedure it took me some 2 hours but after that I was relaxed and then again for an hour did some surfing on the internet…I still had that TMobile Internet account activated. Also one of my friends had Yahoo Voice Chat a/c with the help of which we all called up our home to inform that we have reached LHR safely. And finally we boarded the Jet Airways flight 9W 119 at around 9:20 AM which took off at 9:55AM….and there begins my final voyage towards my country…INDIA.

MOTHERLAND CALLING - II

At 12:50PM I was there at Dulles airport. I had to go to terminal C for which there was a Shuttle service at the airport. For the first time I had seen such a big, huge and spacious shuttle. Got on the terminal had something to eat and then what to do….because my connecting flight was at 6:06PM….almost five hours to go. So what else…found a hotspot and got a 24hr (paid) Net Connection from TMobile. I found it useful as I chatted with many of friends, checked my emails (had many e-cards in my inbox) and also did some of my project work from the airport J I even got a surprise bday gift (Electronic Sudoku puzzle) on the Dulles airport from one of my friend in Raleigh. I never expected such a surprise and hence will never forget it. Finally at 5:30, boarding call came for the passengers of flight UA918 and then I made some last minute calls to few of my friends in Raleigh to bid them goodbye because after this (i.e. outside US) my cell phone was not going to work. At the gate they took our I-94 form wishing us happy & safe journey. It was almost 8 hours flight till London. I know…it was very long and tiring trip…but I was very excited to reach home. Got a corner/aisle seat 41G in the middle column. Saw few movies…obviously Angrezi flick hence got bored very soon and slept in between. Then we were served with Dinner…mine was special Indian Veggie platter…wanna know what??? Naan, Chhole, Paneer & Mix Veg, Pulao, Salad and Badam halwa….it was really good. Then after sometime they served some snacks and drinks.