Lifestreams Channel Online Activity... - PR 2.0

Brian talks here about lifestream and workstream and aggregation of them. Nice read.

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PR 2.0 - MicroMedia Paves the Way for Macro Influence

Brian talks about MicroMedia and Media Snacker. Interesting read..

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Web Pioneers - The old websites which made what Internet is today

A interesting list of pioneering website, which gave birth to what we now know as World Wide Web and Internet. This interesting mix of websites brings a wisp of nostalgia for people who have been following the Internet from the start. I personally still remember the days when I brought the Internet for dummies to learn about this whole new world. I also remember the days here in India when I payed 120 buck!!!(ya its in rupees, but for a kid in 8th standard, that was princely sum) to surf the Internet at my local cyber-cafe. I just went crazy with it. It opened up a new world, much better than pen pals,etc. I still remember the dial up connection with its weird alien like sound that the dialer made to connect to Internet. Viewing these sites brought a smile...

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Sexual suggestions and realisations 2008! - Jhoomur Bose

A very nice read...in fact down right funny....BUT it hits the nail on the head!!!....and above all its written by a good looking chick...:)...

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Gandhi did not utter a word after being shot

A very interesting school of thought which I am sure will be very controversial in India. And I think it must be very near the truth that Gandhi did not utter a word when he was shot! In India , I have seen this tendency to treat the Father figures and members of some political families like Gandhi family as taboo subject. Is this a democracy?

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No more big pay hike, bonus for IT staff in India?

So are we in for a long winter? Well I don't think so and its not that I am some kind of eternal optimist. Its just that I believe the dynamics of the our economy is such now that we will get less hit by any recession in US. And this time around, recession in US should be manageable. Lets us all still have a dream to dream...

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Young guy suddenly thinking of Investment!!!

Today there were guys from our company's bank to talk about investments as it was nearing the end of financial year. Now guys like me i.e. young londas who are earning well, have no apparent responsibilities as they are not married or no need to support parents /family, tend to blow up there money. And think investment is for tomorrow, when we have more responsibilities or are married no need to think about it now. Well at least I used to think like that for last two year(the duration I have been earning my keep by self). Well thats is where we make the most elementary and naive mistake. We should actually invest more since we are young and not the other way round. And I also realized that I was losing out on lot of money and saving options.
Here are some hard facts about various investment option which gives tax breaks according to government rules:-
1. Under 80(c) the tax break is allowed on the following investment tools:-
(a.) ULIP (Unit Linked Insurance Plan)
(b.) ELSS (Equity Linked Saving Scheme)
(c.) LIC (Life Insurance Certificate)
(d.) Tution Fee of your kids
(e.) FD (Fixed Deposit)
(f.) NSC (National Saving Certificates)
(g.) PPF (Public Provident Fund)
Now under 80(c), the maximum a you are allowed to invest is between 1,00,000/- to 1,10,0000/- per financial annum.
2. Under 80(d) the tax break is allowed on the following investment tools:-
(a.) Medical Reimbursement
Now under 80(d), the maximum a you are allowed to invest is 15,000/- per financial annum.

Also the Lock-In period (for those who did not get it like me the first time - lock-in period is the minimum period for you need to remain invested in any above options to get the tax break) for various investment tools, so that we can benefit the tax break are:-

1. FD has 5 yr lock-in
2. PPF has 15yr lock-in
3. ELSS has 3 yrs lock-in

Before I go, just a note, NAV means "Net Asset Value".ULIP and ELSS are calculated in terms of NAV and this is publicly publised everyday.