Chapter: Pune
Everything you need to know about Fixed Deposit
What is a Fixed Deposit?
A fixed deposit signifies an investment pattern that, banks, Co-op Credit societies, post-offices, and other non-banking financial institutions provide. FDs offer superior returns on the principal invested when equated to the returns produced from a regular savings account.
How does it work?
In the case of Fixed Deposits, you invest for a fixed amount of time and get a fixed interest rate, hence the name. Based on a consumer’s investment portfolio, the FD investment period can either be short-term or long-term. The interest rates on fixed deposits may vary from one financial institution to another.
Fixed deposit investors cannot withdraw money before maturity without any financial repercussions. In emergencies, early withdrawal is possible after the payment of penalties.
In today’s times of increasing market volatilities, investing in a Fixed Deposit can help you get secure returns and stable growth of capital so you can build your savings with absolutely no effect of market uncertainties.
What are the benefits of investing in Fixed Deposits?
Fixed Deposit investors expect the following benefits from their investment
- Fixed returns – Unlike most other investment plans, FDs offer assured returns on the deposited amount. So, no matter how interest rates move or economy acts, you will get the returns promised at the time of investing.
- Assurance: At the end of the investment tenure, you get back the amount you put in along with the accumulated interest.
- Flexibility – The best FD plans offer flexibility when it comes to the tenure of the plan. Based on the investment goals, you can either open short-term FD accounts or long-term FD accounts. Most financial institutions offer maturity tenures extending from 31 days to 5 years.
- Low-Risk Level- There are various ways to invest your money. The investment options such as mutual funds, bonds and stocks give you high returns, however, they are volatile in nature as they are linked to market risks. People who do not want to or are not ready to take such risks can invest in FD. They are a great option for people with long-term financial goals.
- Higher interest for Senior Citizens: For Senior citizens pursuing safe investment avenues to invest their life savings, there are several benefits of Mudra fixed deposit. As a senior citizen, you can easily gain additional rate benefit of 0.5% over and above the regular interest rate.
- A surplus source of income – The investor can select the frequency of interest payout for non-cumulative fixed deposit plans. Therefore, they can act as an added source of income.
Who offers a Fixed Deposit?
As stated earlier, fixed deposit investments are offered by banks, Co-op Credit societies, post-offices, and other non-banking financial companies. In India, investors have numerous options to open fixed deposit accounts. However, they must compare the interest rates, the credibility of the financial institution, and other features before depositing their funds.
What are the Prevailing FD Rates?
There is no one fixed rate on FD investments across the financial domain. The rate of return for an investor greatly depends on the Co-op Credit society, bank or financial institution offering the investment option. Each one provides different interest rates on deposits. Moreover, the return rate also depends on the age of the investor. Senior citizen investors can expect greater returns when compared to individuals below 60 years.
At Mudra, you get attractive FD interest rates of up to 9% (9.5% for senior citizens) so you can save for your goals easily. Investing in a Mudra Fixed Deposit is easy, as you can invest from the comfort of your home through an end-to-end paperless online investment process in 3 easy steps. Link – https://www.mudraonline.in/fd
Who should invest in Fixed Deposit?
Fixed deposits are perfect investment tools for investors across varied profiles, objectives,s and age groups. Further, gain-seeking, risk-averse individuals can benefit significantly from such schemes. Since FDs offer assured returns, there is no risk involved.
Who is eligible to open an FD account?
The following people are eligible to invest in a fixed deposit:
- Residents
- Hindu Undivided Family (HUF)
- Group Companies, Limited Companies, Partnership Firms
- Sole Traders
- Associations, Clubs, and Societies
- Family Trusts
- Minors (through their natural or legally appointed guardian)
Why consider FD for a diversified portfolio?
Investors may be prone to risks when they invest in market-linked instruments to earn higher returns. Hence, to ensure equalized financial growth, investors need to seek safer investment options as well.
Fixed deposits are safe and lead to guaranteed returns, as opposed to risk-prone instruments. Therefore, even when an investor loses money on other investment instruments, they can recover a portion of their losses from the FD investments.
Are there special rates for senior citizens?
Most financial institutions do offer special interest rates for senior citizens.
Can I break a Fixed Deposit before maturity?
Yes. If you need funds urgently you can avail of premature withdrawal of your Fixed Deposit.
You can either break your FD or partially withdraw it, although there are penalties for the early closure.
This will attract a penal interest which will be charged/deducted from the interest rate of the tenure completed by the fixed deposit. In the case of partial withdrawal, similar rules of premature withdrawal are applicable.
What happens if the depositor passes away?
In case of unforeseen circumstances, the Fixed Deposit amount can be claimed by the nominee on maturity. This can differ depending on the mode of holding.
The best sustainable and ethical engagement rings to buy now
In a post-pandemic world that’s redefining meaningful luxury, a symbol of love and commitment needs to be chosen thoughtfully. These rings are just right for the cautious consumer who’s eyeing a low-carbon lifestyle without compromising on aesthetics
The Lab-Grown Sparkler

Adore the planet as much your fiancée? Declare your love with a lab-grown diamond solitaire. These sparklers mimic the natural process of diamond growth – over billions of years under extreme pressure and heat in the crust of the Earth – in a laboratory. Not only are they excellent value for money (at a price 10-30% less than natural diamonds) and offer the same durability as ‘real’ diamonds but they’re ‘cleaner’, minus the environmental damage and human conflict associated with mining. A recent study reported that mining diamonds produces 4,383 times more waste than manufactured gems, uses 6.8 times as much water, and consumes 2.14 times the energy per carat produced. How’s that for low impact dazzle!
The Dazzler Next Door

Real diamonds aren’t the blood-soaked villains that they’re made out to be! While mining is historically problematic, there is a conscious move towards accountability (Members of the decade-old United Nations-mandated Kimberley Process Certification Scheme produce about 99.8% of the rough diamonds worldwide.) Lab-made diamonds aren’t 100% clean either. In your enthusiasm to embrace sustainability, try to avoid being greenwashed by companies pushing dubious ‘clean’ and ‘ethical’ labels. Stay vigilant and conscious, but don’t be rigid (or plain illogical!) While you can insist on traceability certificates for natural diamonds, there are other… simpler ways to ensure that your engagement ring doesn’t come with a huge carbon footprint. One of the easiest is to head to your neighbourhood jeweller and have it handcrafted – usually from recycled gold – instead of choosing from a large inventory of machine-made rings.
The Pre-loved Beauty

Vintage is all the rage amongst eco-conscious lovers. You can get the diamonds from your grandmother’s ring re-set into a modern band for your fiancée, or refresh a heirloom setting with a new gemstone. Re-using precious metal (gold) and sturdy gemstones like diamonds, rubies and sapphires (emeralds fall lower on the Moh’s Hardness Scale, so get a skilled jeweller to appraise any vintage ones you plan to revive) is a fantastic way to substantially diminish the carbon footprint of your engagement ring and while raising it on the sentimentality and ethics scales.
The Colourful Star

As an eco-conscious consumer, you may want to consider coloured gemstones over diamonds. Both (diamond and gemstone) mining industries are stepping up on newer, sustainable methods of mining with transparent supply chains. But if you opt for unusual gemstones, chances are it originated at an artisanal mine with lesser environmental degradation and worker exploitation (80% of coloured gems are mined at a smaller scale originate in comparison to diamond mining which is 85% industrialized). So when shopping for a ring for your better half, consider the beauty of amethysts, Muzo emeralds, Australian Opals and sustainably-mined pearls.
The virtual future forming on the horizon
The decade ahead will bring a seaping change in our lifestyle. Convergence & Interfacing of devices (such as telephone, TV, computers, LCD projector, Video, etc), Speech interface (as against keyboard & mouse), high-speed networking & supercomputing in miniature devices will revolutionize the way we will, conduct our business & live our day to day life. Impact of Computing devices ( smart and intelligent) and internet connectivity has let businesses embrace Information Technology in a friendly and big way. Data Retrieval and analysis, Net meetings, Video conferences, Tracking of objects are some of the common technologies used by businesses worldwide.

The future of Digital Technology is going from large devices in size to smaller yet powerful devices. The smartphone is one such device. Gone are the days when we looked at a handset as a mere calling device. Now calling a friend is just a basic function. Smartphones are doing almost 90% jobs of a Laptop computer and by 2026 we all will see an LCD projector getting embedded in a smartphone and all this at an affordable price. The mobile phone has become an integral part of our life. Using a phone was a luxury 20 years back. Today it’s a necessity. When a person leaves home, he is reminded of taking his wallet and phone. Many have started using multiple phones as well. For some, thinking of cellphones brings up images of teenagers constantly texting or adults sharing private phone conversations in inappropriate places, such as riding the train to work. But mobile phones offer benefits that extend beyond basic communication. People often structure their professional and personal daily lives around the use of a cellphone. Mobile phones make it easy to keep in touch with family and friends, whether you’re killing time during a long commute or quickly reminding your wife to buy milk at the grocery store. If you don’t have time for a conversation, send a quick text message. This allows you to stay connected even during business meetings or in public places where a voice conversation would be inappropriate, People use mobile phones in emergency situations to call the police, a tow truck, or to let the family know where they are. Cellphones offer a safety net by allowing you to call for directions if you’re lost, or to keep a friend on the phone while you walk through a dark parking garage. More recent technology advances include onboard GPS locators, making it easier for emergency services to find you if you require rescuing, such as after a car accident. This feature is also handy for parents of teens who want to track their movements. Mobile phones allow you to telecommute or travel to work without losing touch with employees and customers. Between calls, texts, emails, mobile document software, and photo messaging, most office jobs can be completed using only a smartphone. Now, most people look at mobile as a companion (like a pet dog).
In short Digital Technology of Today is slowly but surely bringing Different ways and means to improvise our lifestyle (professional as well as Personal). Devices are becoming smaller , cheaper and feature packed with strength. This is opening many vistas for Innovation to help the mankind. IT for Value Addition is now the new success mantra. IT is now becoming Essential for us and not a fashion statement or only for business anymore. For some, the Internet and social media have become an integral part of our day to day life. One can’t imagine now life without Internet.. Roti Kapda Makan Mobile ,Bijli and Bandwidth is new slogan for Survival today. In countries like Norway Internet access is considered a human right .Impact of IT is also taking place on the way we gather information , knowledge and keep track of things.
Today, there are about 130 crore cell phone users with the figure increasing by 50 to 60 lacs per month. At the same time, reduction in the prices of computers is also going to bring a cognizable increase in their usage. It wouldn’t be wrong to state that these communication gadgets are creating a new ‘E’ life style. Information on any subject, services and facilities is readily available anywhere in the world. This has resulted in a substantial increase in online shopping and online banking, which today is a very common thing.
Wearable computersalso known as body-borne computers is the next wave. These are miniature electronic devices that are worn by the bearer under, with or on top of clothing. One of the main features of a wearable computer is consistency. There is a constantinteraction between the computer and user, i.e. there is no need to turn the device on or off. Another feature is the ability to multi-task. It is not necessary to stop what you are doing to use the device; it is augmented into all other actions. These devices can be incorporated by the user to act like a prosthetic. It can therefore be an extension of the user’s mind and/or body./p>
Not only on personal level, but also on industrial, social and public level, the different versions of computers are growing to bring revolution with their long-lasting effects. This will lead to a discard in a number of traditional concepts, giving a chance to new systems to prove their mettle. This will be more evident in governmental and administrative fields as “Inline“ will soon transform into “Online“ when it comes to a number of tasks. Of course, this will take a little time but will definitely happen.
All this means Digital Age (ICE Age – Information Communication Entertainment) has really arrived.
PUNE INTELLECT POP – UP
Guide to your digital marketing strategy in the post-pandemic era
We have seen an unprecedented acceleration and adoption of digital across businesses and the daily lives of people.
Consumers are spending more time on digital, eCommerce, OTT, Gaming, and eSports than ever before.
While businesses are reorienting themselves to the new normal – marketing functions within organizations will need to refresh and reinvent quickly to help put the businesses back on the growth track.
An obvious direction is to dial up your presence on digital. Skew efforts in favor of digital channels. While this may seem like the promising way ahead – if not done right, this can also be a drain on resources with very little or no change in results.
The sheer number of players flocking for discovery and visibility on digital platforms has made it mandatory to pause and assess.
The need for an integrated and singular brand narrative on digital:
The digital media landscape is complex. Ever-increasing and dynamic platforms, content formats, advertising assets coupled with the need to consistently create content to be in touch with the consumers have left brands looking confused, with no linearity in communication and single thought holding them together.
The increased decibels online-only compound this problem further.
Therefore, building a digital brand identity document is not an option anymore. While the document should honour the fundamentals of brand identity, it should build in definitions, checkpoints, and guardrails for all platforms and content formats on digital. And remember that this document by the very nature of digital will be ever-evolving, and thus agile.
The need for personalization
Cookies are likely to be history soon. While advertisers have a reason to be upset, I also believe there is an interesting and perhaps a more powerful alternative—which is opt-in personalization.
Consumers are now more likely to opt-in for richer and relevant experiences. And as brands, we need to be prepared to give them the best and the most memorable experiences.
This is the job of data and technology.
Priority one is to structure your customer data in meaningful ways. And next – use creativity and technology to make it worthwhile for your consumers that you have their data.
The data that consumers are willing to leave behind for you will be your biggest asset and also your biggest responsibility.
Some ways in which we have done this at DViO are by personalizing branded videos with consumer data at scale, intercepting high potential brand conversations on social and leveraging the opportunity to amplify the brand narrative.
Notable among our personalization initiatives is how we used technology to make every fan of Game of Thrones appear on the key art poster of Game of Thrones.
These are the kind of experiences consumers will remember forever.
The need for conversations
An integral part of personalization is conversations. And brands now have both public platforms (social media) and private platforms (messengers) for conversations with consumers.
Personalized conversations add value, build affinity, and have the potential to build powerful brands.
And thus, the adoption of rule-based conversations or machine learning-based conversations on chatbots enabled across websites, apps and commonly used messenger platforms like Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, etc. will need to become the norm.
Another high potential enabler for conversations is Voice Technology. As per a Google report- 27 % of online audiences are already using voice in some way.
Voice is poised to change the game on Search. Thus, when you enable your brand for voice search, you are preparing the ground to build a personalized relationship and equity with your consumer.
The need for gamification
Tell me, I will forget. Show me, I may remember. Involve me, and you got me.” – This is the power of gamification.
Nothing will have more impact in digital marketing than finding ways to involve the consumer – and gamification allows exactly for that.
And the fact that adoption of gaming has exceeded the growth projection owing to Covid1-9– multiplies the power of gamification.
This could involve in-game integration, creating custom gamified digital experiences using AR, VR, and chatbots, or even using new tech platforms on social media like Spark AR from Facebook or Lens Studio from Snapchat.
The need for immersive storytelling
As 5G becomes mainstream, the video should become the preferred format of content for brands to build their brand narratives. Audio Visual formats by far are the most impactful channels of communication today. It moves, immerses, and triggers mirror neurons of empathy.
The amount of time spent on Facebook Watch, Reels, YouTube, and video-first platforms like Tiktok stand testimony to this.
But for the brands to meet the demands of the volume of videos to be created – the democratization of video creation is the solution. AV can no longer remain the privilege of brands with large budgets.
While most popular social media apps have native video capture and editing DIY capabilities built in—the need for automation, technology, and AI-enabled video production will be more pronounced.
It’s also noteworthy that Facebook’s oculus is also making fast advancements and will open up a whole new dimension of storytelling in VR.
The need for innovating
Brands active on digital will step up even more aggressively, those moderately present will make digital their primary channel and those who ignored digital so far – will be forced adopt digital to be in business.
Thus, innovation for marketers is not a choice, it’s is a responsibility. There is likely to be a barrage of communication towards consumers, and thus information fatigue. The question creative strategists should as ask themselves is:
Q. Is my content adding value in some way to my consumer—entertaining him, telling him more about what he is already interested in, and surprising her/him in a way that will create marvel or bring a smile on her/his face?
One way of doing this is to reimagine and play with the user experience and user interface on platforms that you use to communicate with your consumers regularly.
The need for going beyond digital
And last but not least – find ways for your communication to go beyond digital and impact and engage the consumer in their daily, physical lives.
As marketers, it is our responsibility to find ways to connect with people and humanize the world. It is the social and human fabric of the society that ultimately is the base or even reason for any commerce to happen. And this need for encouraging connections is even more pronounced as we recover from the Covid19 era.
With so much going on about a digitized world – let’s not forget we are living in a physical world, with real people, real emotions that value touch and care.
Loan against various collaterals
The easy availability of personal loans has caught the imagination of most borrowers these days. Banks and financial institutions are processing collateral-free loans at record speed, and catering to a wider customer base. However, you cannot deny the apparent benefits of borrowing, when you opt for a loan against collateral.
The idea behind a loan against collateral is quite simple. Apply for one and pledge an asset that you own as collateral. We will discuss the various physical and paper-based assets that you can pledge as collateral in India. But let us also look at the advantages of exploring the possibility of availing a loan against collateral, whenever you require some cash.
Why go for a loan against collateral?
Firstly, when you attach collateral against the loan, the credit risk of the lender reduces. In the event of default by the borrower, the lender can recover the outstanding amount from the pledged asset. Due to the lower risk, lenders are willing to offer loans against collaterals at a significantly lower rate of interest. So, the first benefit you get is a low-interest cost on your loan.
An unsecured loan is disbursed after assessing your income flow, credit score, and repayment capacity. In a loan against collateral, it is the value of the collateral that decides the loan amount. If you pledge a valuable asset, your approved loan amount automatically increases.
A loan against collateral can also warrant a relaxed repayment term. For instance, a housing loan, which is secured against the purchased property, can be spread across 20 or even 30 years. If offered as an overdraft, interest on the loan against collateral is charged based on utilization rather than disbursal.
What to pledge in a loan against collateral?
Loan against Shares – When you avail of a loan against your Demat shares, your shares are held as collateral by the lender. You can avail of a loan against shares seamlessly by applying to the same institution with whom you have the Demat account. You will continue to receive and retain dividends earned against these shares during the loan period. You will also be eligible for bonuses and right issues. This loan is offered against shares held in the individual borrower’s name. Simple documentation like proof of income, address, and identity is required.
A loan against Mutual funds is similar to overdraft facilities that are available in bank accounts. Most banks and NBFCs offer loans against mutual funds, by holding the mutual fund units as a pledge. Being a secured loan, the interest rate would be comparatively lower, which can be further low if you have a good banking relationship and a high credit score. The lender would generally ask a mutual fund registrar to mark a lien against the mutual fund units offered by you as a pledge. These units will remain irredeemable during the tenure of the loan.
In the case of equity mutual funds, only around 50% of the net asset value is offered as a loan. The lender may also have a specified minimum and maximum limit on the loan against the mutual fund. Once you repay the loan, the lender will intimate the fund house to lift the lien. You can also request a partial lifting of the lien. In case of default, the lender can intimate the fund house to redeem the units and reimburse the lender for the default amount.
Loan against Debt Instruments – Apart from shares and mutual funds, a loan can also be applied against the bonds, debentures, and other debt instruments that you hold. For instance, if you have National Saving Certificates, you can apply for a loan against them. In this case, all you need to do is to pledge the NSCs with the bank by visiting the post office where you bought those NSCs. After you submit the pledged NSCs along with the loan application form and other required documents, your loan against debt instruments will be processed. Many banks categorize them under loan against property and offer an overdraft-like facility as a loan.
Unlike shares and equity mutual funds, debt funds, bonds, debentures, etc. have a higher loan to value ratio. Age limits and limits on loan amounts may be in place, which may vary from lender to lender. For easy processing, instruments held in Demat form are preferable. However, physical assets can also be pledged by following the pledging procedure.
Loan against LIC Policies – A life insurance policy is helpful not only beyond death but also during your lifetime. If you have an urgent cash requirement you can use your policy as a pledge for a loan. Income-generating life insurance policies are generally accepted as collateral for this type of loan. This includes plans like unit-linked policies, whole life plans, endowment plans, and other income plans. You can arrange up to 80% of the surrender value against such policies.
To avail of this loan, you have to fill out the loan application form, along with the original policy papers, and proofs of income, identity, and address. The documentation is further minimal if you apply to the lender with whom you have an active banking or financial relationship. Loans against LIC policies, too, are offered in the form of an overdraft facility. The greatest benefit of this arrangement is that you end up paying interest only on the amount used or withdrawn, rather than the entire loan amount.
Loan against Gold – Gold is a much-desired possession in Indian households and a popular form of investment. The yellow metal comes in handy when you need financial assistance. Pawning gold for money has been in practice since ancient times. In modern-day loans against gold schemes, you can pledge your gold jewelry, coins, billions, or even digitally held gold to avail of a secured loan.
If you have physical gold, you need to carry the same to the lender. The lender assesses the weight and purity of the gold and determines its market value. Up to 80% of the market value may be offered as a loan against gold. After the documents are verified, your gold loan is speedily processed and you end up with the loan cash on the same day. Your credit score and income flow don’t have the same influence on gold loans as it is highly secured loan. Apart from the fast processing, there is no or minimal processing fee and foreclosure charges in gold loans.
Loan against property – If you own any residential, commercial, or industrial land and property, you can pledge the same to get a loan against property. The loan to value ratio differs from lender to lender but can range from 50 to 80% of the property value. A loan against property is an effective way of releasing the dormant worth of your property and utilizing it in productive or important expenditures. Businesses use loans against property to finance their business expansion plans as well.
With the benefit of a low-interest rate and easy availability, loans against collaterals are a recommended mode of arranging money as and when you need it. With timely repayment and utilization, you can leverage the assets you own to finance your present and future financial needs and growth initiatives
Journey of leadership: from the prehistoric era to the new modern age world
How to get comfortable on Camera while filming a Food Vlog
Fundamentally, what does a food Blogger/vlogger do? A food Blogger/vlogger eats!
Food as we know it is a gateway to the soul. Like water, it’s something that our body and mind need. It comes in different forms, different opinions, different cultures, and different beliefs, but it is something we cannot do without.
Food ironically is a fascinating subject globally. And its dynamics are a bit farfetched. Although the 21st century, we still have the primitive tribal in the heart of Kenya that drink the warm blood of their kill, to the tribal in the amazon that forges the forest for 3 straight days to find bush meat, to a 5 Michelin star restaurant in NYC, they all have one thing in common, the culture that we have grown up in and that reflects on what comes on our plates.
Food is not just an art, it’s not just a science, it’s a lifestyle, and important for all of us to have a basic idea of what goes on around us on the globe we live in reflected through the food that we eat.
Let’s face it, like sex, food is often taboo as well. I mean, how many of us can eat a rotten 4-day old bush meat like the tribal in the amazon, or have dog meat in some provinces in China, or have the fresh pig blood delicacy in Vietnam?
Not many of us. We, simply put, do not have the mindset and the stomach for it, but it’s important for us to know what is going on where we live. Here education suddenly plays an important role across all age groups, genders, nationalities, and races.
This can be achieved via elaborated but interesting content.
People love to know about the unique cuisines of the street food in Thailand, to the diversity of the taste in the Indian Cuisine, to the gut-wrenching weird food in the back ally markets in China, to the multinational cuisines in the food courts, and to the high end $500 per plate Michelin restaurants.
Although we have segregation in Non-vegetarian, vegetarian, and vegan in our fellow citizens of the world – they all still have a sense of curiosity. This very golden tool within the human mind, paths ways for multiple bloggers and vloggers who have it within them, to put across fascinating content for the people.
Equipped with just a mobile phone, one can begin this journey and make it as natural as possible. The food blogging life begins within the 1km radius of where we live and we gradually extend the geographies once we have a certain established formula for the food blogs, we begin traveling and exploring more.
With the help of Youtube, Instagram, and Facebook – there are so many people who live through knowledge that can be touched and influenced.
Ironically, a seasoned Blogger/vlogger also knows that local businesses (eateries, restaurants, QSR, etc) can also be impacted via the Blogger/vlogger, consistently and comprehensively. That’s why many of us now adapt the #vocalforlocal
With the current race of hardware for a better consumer experience, we will soon have the market flooded with cheap mobiles and cameras that will make things so much easier for the Blogger/vlogger than it was, let’s say two years ago.
Lastly, how is a food blogger/vlogger wired?
You can’t be disgusted, but, opinionated you can be.
You can have boundaries but not conditions.
The real tough part here is that if you have any emotions about what you eat, it will show on your face and that can piss people off or ruin your shot.
Hence, comfort for a food vlogger begins on the plate.
Then it’s the team. You have to have great chemistry with the person behind the camera. They often give you exactly what you need when you are yourself. You look straight into the camera with arrow focus on the lens and what you say. That’s it.
Much love and more food power to you.