There are lot of site which show the cricket world cup 2007 for free, here are they
1. one
2.two
3. three
4.four
5. Five added 3/17/07
6.six added 3/19/07
There could be more, I will post it here.
Also, many theaters (The Almedan, Naz), temples (sunnyvale) in bay area showing for free.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Medical Treatment in US
Most of the people on the other side of this country thinks that the Medical Treatment is best in the United States. I simple hope they are true. While I notices that there are lot of new technology/computers they used in medical treatment, there is a pros and cons of them.
Nowadays, in the hospitals, all goes by number generated by digital instruments for the test of Blood Suger, Blood Pressure, Heart beats, Cholestrol level, Fever etc. They even don't bother to look at the other sympotoms which is critical and use this as a reliable instumensts which is not IMO. Doctor just look at the Reports generated by RNs rather than on looking at the patient. And yes, doctor need more administrative skill (70%) than the medical skill, except for the surgon I guess. Most of the medical works done by the nurses and doctors give the orders. They need to know more about insurance and paper works. And their treatment is based on your medical insurance.
I have also noticed that sometime doctor give order over the phone by chating with the nurse. Hmmm this sound familer. Do Doctor have to worry about their job can outsource? You bet! It can be done either by do consultation over the phone or by simple patient going to other country to do the medical procedures as it is so much costly here. Some of the Medical Facilities has already tried first option. You have to pay $35 for consultation over the phone compared to over $100 personally. The medical facility that I go they already doing this over the email, yes that is consultation with doctor through email, and it is so much cheap ie $65/year.
Nowadays, in the hospitals, all goes by number generated by digital instruments for the test of Blood Suger, Blood Pressure, Heart beats, Cholestrol level, Fever etc. They even don't bother to look at the other sympotoms which is critical and use this as a reliable instumensts which is not IMO. Doctor just look at the Reports generated by RNs rather than on looking at the patient. And yes, doctor need more administrative skill (70%) than the medical skill, except for the surgon I guess. Most of the medical works done by the nurses and doctors give the orders. They need to know more about insurance and paper works. And their treatment is based on your medical insurance.
I have also noticed that sometime doctor give order over the phone by chating with the nurse. Hmmm this sound familer. Do Doctor have to worry about their job can outsource? You bet! It can be done either by do consultation over the phone or by simple patient going to other country to do the medical procedures as it is so much costly here. Some of the Medical Facilities has already tried first option. You have to pay $35 for consultation over the phone compared to over $100 personally. The medical facility that I go they already doing this over the email, yes that is consultation with doctor through email, and it is so much cheap ie $65/year.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Recession !!! Are we there yet?
Mr Greenspan has warned that he see the recession within one year. (See the news) However today he realized that it has big negative impact on the financial market. So today, he corrected that recession is possible not probable. I think he just try investor not to panic, which they already. First correction happens in India, down 5%, then in China down 9% (Remeber China Stock Market went up from 1000 to 2200 in just one year), then US down 3.5%, then Europe down 2%, who is next? It can be any of above.
What is Recession? It is the name of period where economic growth is negative for two consecutive quarters. I do not belive completely with this defination. To me, when corporate profit are sinking and household income/cash flow are reducing cause slowing economic activities. This can happen in cycle, corporate profit sinks followed by increase in unemployment and then hit by consumer and eventually hit hard on corporate.
We have not faced real recession for 15+ years. What we saw in 2001-2002 was sinking in corporate profit only and dot com bust, but the consumer spending were never went down significantly, and eventually it brougt up the corporate profit. How did consumer get the money to spend during this period? I think majority of due to very low/zero percent loan and big home equity due to significant increase in house prices. Internatial growth from China and India also help during last 4 years and it will continue to help.
Lately I saw everyday one company announce layoff and M&A activity. M&A is good for short term but longer term there will be more lay offs. And this is happening right now even though the job market is tight. Today I saw this news, which mention corporate layoff increases 33% in Feb 2007, it may be because of slowdown in Housing and Auto sector. But if it continue to like this you will see higher unemployment and lower corporate profit that mean recession.
What is Recession? It is the name of period where economic growth is negative for two consecutive quarters. I do not belive completely with this defination. To me, when corporate profit are sinking and household income/cash flow are reducing cause slowing economic activities. This can happen in cycle, corporate profit sinks followed by increase in unemployment and then hit by consumer and eventually hit hard on corporate.
We have not faced real recession for 15+ years. What we saw in 2001-2002 was sinking in corporate profit only and dot com bust, but the consumer spending were never went down significantly, and eventually it brougt up the corporate profit. How did consumer get the money to spend during this period? I think majority of due to very low/zero percent loan and big home equity due to significant increase in house prices. Internatial growth from China and India also help during last 4 years and it will continue to help.
Lately I saw everyday one company announce layoff and M&A activity. M&A is good for short term but longer term there will be more lay offs. And this is happening right now even though the job market is tight. Today I saw this news, which mention corporate layoff increases 33% in Feb 2007, it may be because of slowdown in Housing and Auto sector. But if it continue to like this you will see higher unemployment and lower corporate profit that mean recession.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
End of Housing Boom
I would not say that we through to the Housing Bubble, but due to lender program and risk-taker buyer put the housing market on the roof. Lately everyone has a concern on deliquencies in housing due to problem in subprime mortgage. Subprime mortgage means lender give loan to the people who has less credit scores, who either miss the payment or did late payment. They give loan to this people with few documents. This kind of loan reaches 1.3Trillion, 13% of them is already in trouble. As you can imagine, if this loans are bad, it will hit lender and financial market big time resulting in more foreclosures and cool down in housing market. Atleast 20 lenders are already in trouble. The subprime loan is huge now a day, just only in 2006, 20% of total new loan is subprime mortgage.
Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Friday, February 09, 2007
Stress-free Career
New Scientist reveals how to keep your hair and ditch your high blood pressure without emigrating to a Pacific island.
This feature is a part of the New Scientist Careers Guide 2007, available for free download.
1. Create a good space
A freezing office or an ill-placed coffee machine will probably cause less stress than a psychotic boss or an inhumane workload, but even if the working environment only accounts for a small slice of your daily stress. Take an open-plan office. This trade-off between privacy and a need for interaction can be just as important in a lab.
2. Raise your status
Are you the secretary? Working in the post room? The technician in a lab full of big shots? Beware: having lower status can shorten your life.
What can you do about stress caused by low status and lack of control? Well obviously if you were in a position to choose, you’d have complete control over all aspects of your working life. So-called “stress” in the top ranks is different from the frank lack of control experienced by underlings. But in the meantime, here are some things you can try:
1. Negotiate your hours, control over your working hours and days off makes less stress.
2. Educate Yourself: Those with a master’s had an 8.5 per cent risk of death.
3. Develop team rituals - Working as a team is essential to taking control
They found that stressed employees were much more likely to develop what’s known as “metabolic syndrome”, a constellation of characteristics such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high fasting glucose levels, which together increase the likelihood of heart problems. It seems that prolonged exposure to work stress directly affects the autonomic nervous system, raising levels of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenalin. These findings, the researchers say, provide a plausible explanation for how psychosocial stress at work can cause heart disease.
3. Be social
Hang out at the water cooler. Lunch with your supervisor. Booze it up together after work. Confide.
No matter how monotonous your job or how close you are to being laid off, social support from work colleagues will help lower your stress levels. But make sure do not do over.
4. Don't be too social
Being sociable is great, but sociability to the point of not getting anything done is stressful. The day often follows this kind of pattern: you’re intent on getting the data crunched, but in the cracks between replying to “urgent” emails, trading gossip with your neighbour and attending a string of impromptu meetings, there’s just no time.
5. Learn to switch off
Being able to forget about work after hours is good for you. So-called “psychological detachment” from the office has been associated with less fatigue, more positive mood and fewer days off work. If that’s true, though, why do so many people keep a BlackBerry or a cellphone in their pocket?
6. Modern stress-busting
Even with the perfect office, great colleagues and a harmonious home life, the demands of work can cause stress. Some people try yoga, deep breathing or lunchtime walks. But what if you need something a little more powerful to alleviate your angst?
You’re never more relaxed than when you’re asleep, and a nap may soon be as easy to buy as a haircut. In New York, for instance, MetroNaps will sell you 15 minutes of shut-eye for just $14. You can tuck yourself into a “pod” and doze until a gentle shaking and raising of the lights rouses you.
This feature is a part of the New Scientist Careers Guide 2007, available for free download.
1. Create a good space
A freezing office or an ill-placed coffee machine will probably cause less stress than a psychotic boss or an inhumane workload, but even if the working environment only accounts for a small slice of your daily stress. Take an open-plan office. This trade-off between privacy and a need for interaction can be just as important in a lab.
2. Raise your status
Are you the secretary? Working in the post room? The technician in a lab full of big shots? Beware: having lower status can shorten your life.
What can you do about stress caused by low status and lack of control? Well obviously if you were in a position to choose, you’d have complete control over all aspects of your working life. So-called “stress” in the top ranks is different from the frank lack of control experienced by underlings. But in the meantime, here are some things you can try:
1. Negotiate your hours, control over your working hours and days off makes less stress.
2. Educate Yourself: Those with a master’s had an 8.5 per cent risk of death.
3. Develop team rituals - Working as a team is essential to taking control
They found that stressed employees were much more likely to develop what’s known as “metabolic syndrome”, a constellation of characteristics such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high fasting glucose levels, which together increase the likelihood of heart problems. It seems that prolonged exposure to work stress directly affects the autonomic nervous system, raising levels of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenalin. These findings, the researchers say, provide a plausible explanation for how psychosocial stress at work can cause heart disease.
3. Be social
Hang out at the water cooler. Lunch with your supervisor. Booze it up together after work. Confide.
No matter how monotonous your job or how close you are to being laid off, social support from work colleagues will help lower your stress levels. But make sure do not do over.
4. Don't be too social
Being sociable is great, but sociability to the point of not getting anything done is stressful. The day often follows this kind of pattern: you’re intent on getting the data crunched, but in the cracks between replying to “urgent” emails, trading gossip with your neighbour and attending a string of impromptu meetings, there’s just no time.
5. Learn to switch off
Being able to forget about work after hours is good for you. So-called “psychological detachment” from the office has been associated with less fatigue, more positive mood and fewer days off work. If that’s true, though, why do so many people keep a BlackBerry or a cellphone in their pocket?
6. Modern stress-busting
Even with the perfect office, great colleagues and a harmonious home life, the demands of work can cause stress. Some people try yoga, deep breathing or lunchtime walks. But what if you need something a little more powerful to alleviate your angst?
You’re never more relaxed than when you’re asleep, and a nap may soon be as easy to buy as a haircut. In New York, for instance, MetroNaps will sell you 15 minutes of shut-eye for just $14. You can tuck yourself into a “pod” and doze until a gentle shaking and raising of the lights rouses you.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Another Y2K ?
Did you remember Y2K problem and how people was worried about what's going to happen on 31-Dec-2000. Well, here it comes again. Energy Department has changed the Day Light Saving time dates. Beginning in 2007, the United States and Canada will extend Daylight Saving Time by three weeks in the Spring and one week in the Fall. Daylight Saving Time will begin the second Sunday in March and end the first Sunday in November. Previously, Daylight Saving Time began the first Sunday in April and ended the last Sunday in October
Read here full story.
During 2000, It was really funny when you saw few people taking action, some went to the top of the hill where there is no computer network etc, some go to country side, some fly out to third world and so on.
On 1 Jan 2001, we noticed that nothing happenend.
Now here it comes again, media has not focused this yet, but its getting heat now and people are worrying about it again. This time is good for IT Professional as many of them getting contract to work on resolving this issue.
To me its nothing much again, it just a time that need to change accordingly.
Good Luck.
Read here full story.
During 2000, It was really funny when you saw few people taking action, some went to the top of the hill where there is no computer network etc, some go to country side, some fly out to third world and so on.
On 1 Jan 2001, we noticed that nothing happenend.
Now here it comes again, media has not focused this yet, but its getting heat now and people are worrying about it again. This time is good for IT Professional as many of them getting contract to work on resolving this issue.
To me its nothing much again, it just a time that need to change accordingly.
Good Luck.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Scandal everywhere
Last few years we saw many scandal from Financial Analyst, Corporate Executives, Accounting Firm and Politician who tied to the Wall Street for their own financial benefits. We also saw some of them get punished. Due to this problem, Law enforment reform the law such as Sarbanes-Oaxley, Earning Statment signed by CEO/CFO etc. But this is what we know now. Is it enough? We don't know until another scandal comes out.
Did we know that Doctors also come into this cateogory. You bet.
Today, American Socity of Clinical Oncology found many doctors are involved with Wall Street/ financial link with the company for their drug research. ASCO now requires the doctor to disclose this financail link if any. Just like, you see on television, when some analayst recommend stock, they disclose that they own or do not own the stock of the company he/she talking about.
The updated disclosure policy, among the most strict of any medical group, says cancer physicians must disclose all consulting or advisory arrangements they have with either investment or commercial interests.
For more detail check out this article from bloomberg.
Right now one question comes into my mind, who will be the next?
Did we know that Doctors also come into this cateogory. You bet.
Today, American Socity of Clinical Oncology found many doctors are involved with Wall Street/ financial link with the company for their drug research. ASCO now requires the doctor to disclose this financail link if any. Just like, you see on television, when some analayst recommend stock, they disclose that they own or do not own the stock of the company he/she talking about.
The updated disclosure policy, among the most strict of any medical group, says cancer physicians must disclose all consulting or advisory arrangements they have with either investment or commercial interests.
For more detail check out this article from bloomberg.
Right now one question comes into my mind, who will be the next?
Friday, January 05, 2007
Still looking for New Year Resolution?
We have Bigger houses and smaller families, more Conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees But less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, More problems, more medicine, but Less wellness.
We laugh too little, drive too fast, get Too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read Too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate Too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've Been all the way to the moon and back, but have Trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We write more (hmm exculde this writing please), but learn less. We plan more, but Accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to Wait. We build more computers to hold more Information, to produce more copies than ever, but We communicate less and less.
These are the Days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier Houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick Trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one Night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do Everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a Time when there is much in the showroom window and Nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can Bring this writing to you. But I know less will read.
Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, Because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to You in awe, because that little person soon will Grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, Because that is the only treasure you can give with Your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your family and Your loved ones, but most of all mean it. Give time to love, give time to speak,! And give time To share the precious thoughts in your mind.
Good Luck and Happy New Year.
We laugh too little, drive too fast, get Too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read Too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate Too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've Been all the way to the moon and back, but have Trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We write more (hmm exculde this writing please), but learn less. We plan more, but Accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to Wait. We build more computers to hold more Information, to produce more copies than ever, but We communicate less and less.
These are the Days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier Houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick Trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one Night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do Everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a Time when there is much in the showroom window and Nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can Bring this writing to you. But I know less will read.
Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, Because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to You in awe, because that little person soon will Grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, Because that is the only treasure you can give with Your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your family and Your loved ones, but most of all mean it. Give time to love, give time to speak,! And give time To share the precious thoughts in your mind.
Good Luck and Happy New Year.
Monday, January 01, 2007
The conspiracy theory of 9/11 attack
There are few people out there who belives the attack on the World Trade Center (WTC) was in the Businessman (Larry Silverstone) and/or Government (Guess who? ) interest.
I found tons of website and videos over the internet floating around, with different theory. There are certain facts (not conclusion) I want to list here.
1. Larry Silverstone (LS) build 47 Stories WTC 7 in 1980. (He bid it and won to lease and build)
2. In 1987, stock market crashed, and due to this, there was lot of vacancy, so NY/NJ Port of Authority (PA) who own WTC Buildings and LS was loosing the money, so in 1995 , Mayor and PA decided to lease for 99 year the lease process begun in 2000.
3. In Jan 2001, LS bid for it for 3.2B, first he outbid by 50M, but then other party withdrew it (hmmm why?) . So eventually LS got it in Jul 2001.
4. Since management changed, a new security contaract has been given to company, whose member Board of Director was Brother (guess).
5. There was a power outage (9/8 and 9/9), so no security camera/checking was availble for 48 hours, according to the employee of one of the company. Can something happen here? Read more here
6. CIA warns government about possible attack.
7. On 9/11, every one know what happen right? Twin Tower crashed. But may be few including me does not know that WTC-7 was crashed later in the evening, there was no jet crash on that building and it collapsed like Twin Tower.
8. Many Gov Agency ask to try to investigate but no access was given, after long time they gave that access. One of them was NIST, here is there latest conclusion.
9. LS in the interview on PBS says : "We've had such terrible loss of life, maybe the smartest thing to do is pull it. And they made that decision to pull and we watched the building collapse." What "pull it" means ? either building or fireworker, he later said he was referring fireworker. (who belives?)
Now look at the possible benefits.
1. LS who put only 14M his money (out of 3.2B) to lease WTC walk away with 5B from 9 insurer. He has to pay only 102M/Year to PA. And now he has a right to build a building.
2. US War: it cost us 355B so far cost to us as a taxpayer means income to someone. Other cost is uncountable such a death of 3000 soldiers and 6000 civilian in WTC.
3. Senior Bush repeatedly said that he regret Saddam is still in power. It is just one unfinished business. Well on last day of 2006 Saddam is now resting (click to watch execution).
4. LS give right back to PA to build Freedom Tower, who got funding through $8B Liberty Bond.
Many people has a mixed openion.
Whatever it happened it was unforgettable Tregedy.
I found tons of website and videos over the internet floating around, with different theory. There are certain facts (not conclusion) I want to list here.
1. Larry Silverstone (LS) build 47 Stories WTC 7 in 1980. (He bid it and won to lease and build)
2. In 1987, stock market crashed, and due to this, there was lot of vacancy, so NY/NJ Port of Authority (PA) who own WTC Buildings and LS was loosing the money, so in 1995 , Mayor and PA decided to lease for 99 year the lease process begun in 2000.
3. In Jan 2001, LS bid for it for 3.2B, first he outbid by 50M, but then other party withdrew it (hmmm why?) . So eventually LS got it in Jul 2001.
4. Since management changed, a new security contaract has been given to company, whose member Board of Director was Brother (guess).
5. There was a power outage (9/8 and 9/9), so no security camera/checking was availble for 48 hours, according to the employee of one of the company. Can something happen here? Read more here
6. CIA warns government about possible attack.
7. On 9/11, every one know what happen right? Twin Tower crashed. But may be few including me does not know that WTC-7 was crashed later in the evening, there was no jet crash on that building and it collapsed like Twin Tower.
8. Many Gov Agency ask to try to investigate but no access was given, after long time they gave that access. One of them was NIST, here is there latest conclusion.
9. LS in the interview on PBS says : "We've had such terrible loss of life, maybe the smartest thing to do is pull it. And they made that decision to pull and we watched the building collapse." What "pull it" means ? either building or fireworker, he later said he was referring fireworker. (who belives?)
Now look at the possible benefits.
1. LS who put only 14M his money (out of 3.2B) to lease WTC walk away with 5B from 9 insurer. He has to pay only 102M/Year to PA. And now he has a right to build a building.
2. US War: it cost us 355B so far cost to us as a taxpayer means income to someone. Other cost is uncountable such a death of 3000 soldiers and 6000 civilian in WTC.
3. Senior Bush repeatedly said that he regret Saddam is still in power. It is just one unfinished business. Well on last day of 2006 Saddam is now resting (click to watch execution).
4. LS give right back to PA to build Freedom Tower, who got funding through $8B Liberty Bond.
Many people has a mixed openion.
Whatever it happened it was unforgettable Tregedy.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Do you use 401k?
Many people take lightly on retirement saving and focus on current sitiuation, however the retirment will be the big concern in the coming year as most of the Pension plan is underfunded and people are not puting money in 401k. Suddenly, they wake up and realize its not enought to live here, what to do? Well, you can leave comfortably if you ready to move in third world countries. Or start putting money right now, its never too late.
Make sure you read this
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/retirement/interviews/bogle.html
and watch this
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/retirement/view/
Make sure you read this
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/retirement/interviews/bogle.html
and watch this
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/retirement/view/
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
India: Strong Growth Momentum
Recent economic data continue to reflect the continuation of the strong growth momentum in the Indian economy. The key driver behind the accelerated growth rate is the industrial sector, especially manufacturing which has benefited from infrastructure spending, the improving competitiveness of Indian businesses, rationalization of import tariffs and excise duties and increasing credit penetration. Agriculture continues to remain sluggish in dire need of reforms.
With overall growth strong and global commodity prices high, inflation is likely to remain elevated. In addition to global commodity prices, a key driver has been food price inflation. Allowing the currency to appreciate could help mitigate the impact of rising international prices on domestic inflation. However, given the concerns over the impact of a strengthening rupee on Indian exports - especially at a time when the market is concerned over a U.S. slowdown - the RBI has not been very open to this option. In fact, the central bank has been actually intervening in recent weeks to stem rupee’s rise.
Given the sharp growth in credit and money supply at a time of still high inflation, the RBI has been concerned that the economy could be ‘over-heating.’ The economy’s strong growth rate and the appreciating rupee imply that the fundamentals for the capital inflows the country has enjoyed are merited.
Checkout recent article
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/16169012.htm
http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=8326793
With overall growth strong and global commodity prices high, inflation is likely to remain elevated. In addition to global commodity prices, a key driver has been food price inflation. Allowing the currency to appreciate could help mitigate the impact of rising international prices on domestic inflation. However, given the concerns over the impact of a strengthening rupee on Indian exports - especially at a time when the market is concerned over a U.S. slowdown - the RBI has not been very open to this option. In fact, the central bank has been actually intervening in recent weeks to stem rupee’s rise.
Given the sharp growth in credit and money supply at a time of still high inflation, the RBI has been concerned that the economy could be ‘over-heating.’ The economy’s strong growth rate and the appreciating rupee imply that the fundamentals for the capital inflows the country has enjoyed are merited.
Checkout recent article
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/16169012.htm
http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=8326793
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Don't Sit Up Straight, It's Bad For Your Back
Since I have a back problem I follow news related to it. Now, researcher says don't sit up straigt its bad for you back, this is contarary what they found earlier in 90s. So I am confuse whom to follow or just don't care this kind of news. The research keep changing by the time you follow previous research its too late.
I think just ignore this kind of news, do what the best you figure out for you.
BTW, here is the article.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=57654
I think just ignore this kind of news, do what the best you figure out for you.
BTW, here is the article.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=57654
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Websites for the kids
http://www.pbskids.org
http://www.noggin.com/
http://www.junglewalk.com/
http://www.playhousedisney.com
http://www.starfall.com
http://www.thomasandfriends.com/usa/
http://www.nickjr.com/playtime
http://www.sesameworkshop.org
http://www.disney.go.com/playhouse
http://www.noggin.com
http://www.peepandthebigwideworld.com
http://www.bright-productions.com/kinderweb/
http://www.starfall.com
http://www.crpusd.sonoma.edu/Goldridge/kgames.htm
http://www.kinderhive.net/techgames.html
http://www.fisher-price.com/us/fun/games/abc/
http://www.fisher-price.com/us/playtime/default.asp?age=Toddler
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/categories/preschool.shtml
http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Dell/4678/kindergarten.html
http://www.barbie.com
http://www.thinkquest.org
http://www.noggin.com/
http://www.junglewalk.com/
http://www.playhousedisney.com
http://www.starfall.com
http://www.thomasandfriends.com/usa/
http://www.nickjr.com/playtime
http://www.sesameworkshop.org
http://www.disney.go.com/playhouse
http://www.noggin.com
http://www.peepandthebigwideworld.com
http://www.bright-productions.com/kinderweb/
http://www.starfall.com
http://www.crpusd.sonoma.edu/Goldridge/kgames.htm
http://www.kinderhive.net/techgames.html
http://www.fisher-price.com/us/fun/games/abc/
http://www.fisher-price.com/us/playtime/default.asp?age=Toddler
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/categories/preschool.shtml
http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Dell/4678/kindergarten.html
http://www.barbie.com
http://www.thinkquest.org
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Bill Gates Thoughts
Gates on dropping out of Harvard to start Microsoft: To be clear, I didn’t really leave. I went ON leave. I could go back.
On remaining challenges for the PC industry: The PC I dreamed for myself [when Microsoft started] is far better than what we have today.
On the road ahead for PCs: There are dreams that have been around for a while…a tablet computer for students instead of text books. We’ve wanted that for ages. A computer that can see, that can learn…computing today is really in its infancy.
On the challenges in global health care: People write articles about a plane crash in India…1000 times as many people will have died that day from diseases we should get rid of. Somehow, we are allowed to think the world at large is like the situation that we’re in.
On living on $1 a day (how would he know about that?): If you need to live on under $1 a day go to northern Thailand, not Calcutta.
On the rest of the world gaining ground on the U.S. economy: The U.S. has to get used to the fact that our relative share of everything – military power, economic power, innovation – won’t be so out of line with our 5% of world population as it is today – the U.S. has been sort of spoiled by being a leader for so long.
On immigration policy for skilled workers: One of our great edges is that smart people around the world want to come and work in the United States. Many come and stay there whole life. It’s an unfair advantage for us – but we’re making it tougher with our immigration policies.
On the success of the Apple iPod: Phenomenal, unbelievable, fantastic.
On remaining challenges for the PC industry: The PC I dreamed for myself [when Microsoft started] is far better than what we have today.
On the road ahead for PCs: There are dreams that have been around for a while…a tablet computer for students instead of text books. We’ve wanted that for ages. A computer that can see, that can learn…computing today is really in its infancy.
On the challenges in global health care: People write articles about a plane crash in India…1000 times as many people will have died that day from diseases we should get rid of. Somehow, we are allowed to think the world at large is like the situation that we’re in.
On living on $1 a day (how would he know about that?): If you need to live on under $1 a day go to northern Thailand, not Calcutta.
On the rest of the world gaining ground on the U.S. economy: The U.S. has to get used to the fact that our relative share of everything – military power, economic power, innovation – won’t be so out of line with our 5% of world population as it is today – the U.S. has been sort of spoiled by being a leader for so long.
On immigration policy for skilled workers: One of our great edges is that smart people around the world want to come and work in the United States. Many come and stay there whole life. It’s an unfair advantage for us – but we’re making it tougher with our immigration policies.
On the success of the Apple iPod: Phenomenal, unbelievable, fantastic.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Stock Trading Guidelines
1. Never, under any circumstance add to a losing position.... ever! Nothing more need be said; to do otherwise will eventually and absolutely lead to ruin!
2. Trade like a mercenary guerrilla. We must fight on the winning side and be willing to change sides readily when one side has gained the upper hand.
3. Capital comes in two varieties: Mental and that which is in your pocket or account. Of the two types of capital, the mental is the more important and expensive of the two. Holding to losing positions costs measurable sums of actual capital, but it costs immeasurable sums of mental capital .
4. The objective is not to buy low and sell high, but to buy high and to sell higher. We can never know what price is "low." Nor can we know what price is "high." Always remember that sugar once fell from $1.25/lb to 2 cent/lb and seemed "cheap" many times along the way.
5. In bull markets we can only be long or neutral, and in bear markets we can only be short or neutral. That may seem self-evident; it is not, and it is a lesson learned too late by far too many.
6. "Markets can remain illogical longer than you or I can remain solvent," according to our good friend, Dr. A. Gary Shilling. Illogic often reigns and markets are enormously inefficient despite what the academics believe.
7. Sell markets that show the greatest weakness, and buy those that show the greatest strength. Metaphorically, when bearish, throw your rocks into the wettest paper sack, for they break most readily. In bull markets, we need to ride upon the strongest winds... they shall carry us higher
than shall lesser ones.
8. Try to trade the first day of a gap, for gaps usually indicate violent
new action. We have come to respect "gaps" in our nearly thirty years of watching markets; when they happen (especially in stocks) they are usually very important.
9. Trading runs in cycles: some good; most bad. Trade large and aggressively when trading well; trade small and modestly when trading poorly. In "good times," even errors are profitable; in "bad times" even the most well researched trades go awry. This is the nature of trading; accept it.
10. To trade successfully, think like a fundamentalist; trade like a technician. It is imperative that we understand the fundamentals driving a trade, but also that we understand the market's technicals. When we do, then, and only then, can we or should we, trade.
11. Respect "outside reversals" after extended bull or bear runs. Reversal days on the charts signal the final exhaustion of the bullish or bearish forces that drove the market previously. Respect them, and respect even more "weekly" and "monthly," reversals.
12. Keep your technical systems simple. Complicated systems breed confusion; simplicity breeds elegance.
13. Respect and embrace the very normal 50-62% retracements that take prices back to major trends. If a trade is missed, wait patiently for the market to retrace. Far more often than not, retracements happen... just as we are about to give up hope that they shall not.
14. An understanding of mass psychology is often more important than an understanding of economics. Markets are driven by human beings making human errors and also making super-human insights.
15. Establish initial positions on strength in bull markets and on weakness in bear markets. The first "addition" should also be added on strength as the market shows the trend to be working. Henceforth, subsequent additions are to be added on retracements.
16. Bear markets are more violent than are bull markets and so also are their retracements.
17. Be patient with winning trades; be enormously impatient with losing trades. Remember it is quite possible to make large sums trading/investing if we are "right" only 30% of the time, as long as our losses are small and our profits are large.
18. The market is the sum total of the wisdom ... and the ignorance...of all of those who deal in it; and we dare not argue with the market's wisdom. If we learn nothing more than this we've learned much indeed.
19. Do more of that which is working and less of that which is not: If a market is strong, buy more; if a market is weak, sell more. New highs are to be bought; new lows sold.
20. The hard trade is the right trade: If it is easy to sell, don't; and if it is easy to buy, don't. Do the trade that is hard to do and that which the crowd finds objectionable. Peter Steidelmeyer taught us this
twenty five years ago and it holds truer now than then.
21. There is never one cockroach! This is the "winning" new rule
submitted by our friend, Tom Powell.
22. All rules are meant to be broken: The trick is knowing when... and how infrequently this rule may be invoked!
2. Trade like a mercenary guerrilla. We must fight on the winning side and be willing to change sides readily when one side has gained the upper hand.
3. Capital comes in two varieties: Mental and that which is in your pocket or account. Of the two types of capital, the mental is the more important and expensive of the two. Holding to losing positions costs measurable sums of actual capital, but it costs immeasurable sums of mental capital .
4. The objective is not to buy low and sell high, but to buy high and to sell higher. We can never know what price is "low." Nor can we know what price is "high." Always remember that sugar once fell from $1.25/lb to 2 cent/lb and seemed "cheap" many times along the way.
5. In bull markets we can only be long or neutral, and in bear markets we can only be short or neutral. That may seem self-evident; it is not, and it is a lesson learned too late by far too many.
6. "Markets can remain illogical longer than you or I can remain solvent," according to our good friend, Dr. A. Gary Shilling. Illogic often reigns and markets are enormously inefficient despite what the academics believe.
7. Sell markets that show the greatest weakness, and buy those that show the greatest strength. Metaphorically, when bearish, throw your rocks into the wettest paper sack, for they break most readily. In bull markets, we need to ride upon the strongest winds... they shall carry us higher
than shall lesser ones.
8. Try to trade the first day of a gap, for gaps usually indicate violent
new action. We have come to respect "gaps" in our nearly thirty years of watching markets; when they happen (especially in stocks) they are usually very important.
9. Trading runs in cycles: some good; most bad. Trade large and aggressively when trading well; trade small and modestly when trading poorly. In "good times," even errors are profitable; in "bad times" even the most well researched trades go awry. This is the nature of trading; accept it.
10. To trade successfully, think like a fundamentalist; trade like a technician. It is imperative that we understand the fundamentals driving a trade, but also that we understand the market's technicals. When we do, then, and only then, can we or should we, trade.
11. Respect "outside reversals" after extended bull or bear runs. Reversal days on the charts signal the final exhaustion of the bullish or bearish forces that drove the market previously. Respect them, and respect even more "weekly" and "monthly," reversals.
12. Keep your technical systems simple. Complicated systems breed confusion; simplicity breeds elegance.
13. Respect and embrace the very normal 50-62% retracements that take prices back to major trends. If a trade is missed, wait patiently for the market to retrace. Far more often than not, retracements happen... just as we are about to give up hope that they shall not.
14. An understanding of mass psychology is often more important than an understanding of economics. Markets are driven by human beings making human errors and also making super-human insights.
15. Establish initial positions on strength in bull markets and on weakness in bear markets. The first "addition" should also be added on strength as the market shows the trend to be working. Henceforth, subsequent additions are to be added on retracements.
16. Bear markets are more violent than are bull markets and so also are their retracements.
17. Be patient with winning trades; be enormously impatient with losing trades. Remember it is quite possible to make large sums trading/investing if we are "right" only 30% of the time, as long as our losses are small and our profits are large.
18. The market is the sum total of the wisdom ... and the ignorance...of all of those who deal in it; and we dare not argue with the market's wisdom. If we learn nothing more than this we've learned much indeed.
19. Do more of that which is working and less of that which is not: If a market is strong, buy more; if a market is weak, sell more. New highs are to be bought; new lows sold.
20. The hard trade is the right trade: If it is easy to sell, don't; and if it is easy to buy, don't. Do the trade that is hard to do and that which the crowd finds objectionable. Peter Steidelmeyer taught us this
twenty five years ago and it holds truer now than then.
21. There is never one cockroach! This is the "winning" new rule
submitted by our friend, Tom Powell.
22. All rules are meant to be broken: The trick is knowing when... and how infrequently this rule may be invoked!
Friday, November 03, 2006
What I think and feel
I feel horrible that I'm the only guy in the world who thinks the U.S. economy isn't heading into recession. Everyone thinks I'm a naive fool. A wishful thinker. A permabull. Don't all the economic numbers released in the last couple weeks prove beyond any doubt that the economy is slowing sharply? How can I be so stupid?
I feel wonderful that I'm the only guy in the world who thinks the U.S. economy isn't heading into recession. In over a quarter century as an investment professional, I've never made any money except when I stood against the crowd.
The crowd is almost always wrong. If you want to make money in investing, when the crowd says "white" you should say "black." Right now the crowd is saying "recession." You should be saying "growth."
And even when the crowd turns out to be right, you won't lose much by betting the other way. Anytime the crowd all believes something, that belief gets reflected completely in stock and bond prices.
Look at what happened with bonds this morning when U.S. payroll job growth came out at a weaker-than-expected 92,000. Bonds should have soared on this supposed sign of economic weakness. Instead, they tanked. The crowd had priced bonds for so much bad news that this just wasn't enough.
Bonds are still priced for recession, with yields on long-term Treasurys lower than the yields of money-market funds. Stocks are priced for recession, too. The S&P 500's price/earnings multiple is as low today as it was on the day of the panic bottom on Oct. 9, 2002.
If there is a recession, can bond yields actually go much lower from here? Can P/E multiples get much lower? Maybe, but not much. So there's nothing to be gained by betting on recession, and therefore little to lose by betting against it.
But there's plenty to be gained by betting on growth. If the economy re-accelerates from here, earnings will grow and stock multiples will expand — stocks will blow out to new higher highs. And yields are going to rise at the same time, and fortunes will be made by shorting long-term Treasurys.
Now you could make those bets out of sheer contrariness, and that's probably not a bad strategy. But it just so happens that I have a number of very good reasons for expecting growth to re-accelerate. So you can be more than a lonely contrarian here — you can be a contrarian with a vision, one that will keep you going for the weeks and months ahead while you're waiting to be proven right.
I feel wonderful that I'm the only guy in the world who thinks the U.S. economy isn't heading into recession. In over a quarter century as an investment professional, I've never made any money except when I stood against the crowd.
The crowd is almost always wrong. If you want to make money in investing, when the crowd says "white" you should say "black." Right now the crowd is saying "recession." You should be saying "growth."
And even when the crowd turns out to be right, you won't lose much by betting the other way. Anytime the crowd all believes something, that belief gets reflected completely in stock and bond prices.
Look at what happened with bonds this morning when U.S. payroll job growth came out at a weaker-than-expected 92,000. Bonds should have soared on this supposed sign of economic weakness. Instead, they tanked. The crowd had priced bonds for so much bad news that this just wasn't enough.
Bonds are still priced for recession, with yields on long-term Treasurys lower than the yields of money-market funds. Stocks are priced for recession, too. The S&P 500's price/earnings multiple is as low today as it was on the day of the panic bottom on Oct. 9, 2002.
If there is a recession, can bond yields actually go much lower from here? Can P/E multiples get much lower? Maybe, but not much. So there's nothing to be gained by betting on recession, and therefore little to lose by betting against it.
But there's plenty to be gained by betting on growth. If the economy re-accelerates from here, earnings will grow and stock multiples will expand — stocks will blow out to new higher highs. And yields are going to rise at the same time, and fortunes will be made by shorting long-term Treasurys.
Now you could make those bets out of sheer contrariness, and that's probably not a bad strategy. But it just so happens that I have a number of very good reasons for expecting growth to re-accelerate. So you can be more than a lonely contrarian here — you can be a contrarian with a vision, one that will keep you going for the weeks and months ahead while you're waiting to be proven right.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
How will be the housing market?
I am traking the the few company that ultimately track the real estate/housing market in the US. Recently they annoucned the result and they disappoint the investor with their outlook. We should listent what the executive of this company has to say abou the outlook of the market. The sample of the compnay are Washington Mutual, Caterpiller, and Dhi
Here is the caterpiller executive says
"Housing construction dropped sharply in the U.S., and the recent reversal in mortgage rates is unlikely to revive activity much this year," according to the company's forecast. It predicts housing starts to decline to about 1.75 million units in 2007.
Here is Washington Mutual executive says
"This is about the most difficult environment we've seen in the mortgage banking industry since the early to mid-90s," Steve Rotella, president and chief operating officer, said Wednesday in a conference call with analysts.
D.R. Horton offered buyers $120,000 in savings last month at the Tuscan Estates in the Elk Grove area near Sacramento. A Pulte development near there advertises homes valued between $456,000 and $654,000. And Beazer Homes USA Inc. offered no monthly payments for six months at Fieldstone Meadows in Folsom, Calif.
Citigroup economist Steven Wieting said, "It's possible the price statistics are not reflecting the incentives." In a recent report, Wieting wrote, "In August, the median new home sales price fell 1.3 percent. Building 'incentives' are probably much larger."
When come what they really means always read the 10Q and 10K where they have to discolse the business condition.
Here is the caterpiller executive says
"Housing construction dropped sharply in the U.S., and the recent reversal in mortgage rates is unlikely to revive activity much this year," according to the company's forecast. It predicts housing starts to decline to about 1.75 million units in 2007.
Here is Washington Mutual executive says
"This is about the most difficult environment we've seen in the mortgage banking industry since the early to mid-90s," Steve Rotella, president and chief operating officer, said Wednesday in a conference call with analysts.
D.R. Horton offered buyers $120,000 in savings last month at the Tuscan Estates in the Elk Grove area near Sacramento. A Pulte development near there advertises homes valued between $456,000 and $654,000. And Beazer Homes USA Inc. offered no monthly payments for six months at Fieldstone Meadows in Folsom, Calif.
Citigroup economist Steven Wieting said, "It's possible the price statistics are not reflecting the incentives." In a recent report, Wieting wrote, "In August, the median new home sales price fell 1.3 percent. Building 'incentives' are probably much larger."
When come what they really means always read the 10Q and 10K where they have to discolse the business condition.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
TV anywhere
I recently baught Slingbox to watch the TV anywhere. I think its a great tool for anyone who is on the go and for the family to share the content across the various places.
Things like I can show our kids birthday party to my brother in India live. Amaizing! isn't it?
Not only that, you are waiting on the Airport, your kids are boaring, hook this up with wi-fi and you are just like in your home.
Let see their Business Perspective, with this kind of box, I can see people will watch more and more TV, rather that only surfing and chating. With life so busy and hactic, it hard to find the slot to watch the TV. Earlier we had a TiVo so we can record the program, but there is nothing new, you could have done the same with VCR, DVD Recorder. But this will bring you to see live TV. This will happy TV advertisements publishers, Cable operator. I don't see they will raise any issue with SlingMedia as long as they provide one connection at a time.
What you need is to get the Laptop and find the wireless connection. In couple of year, you will find plenty of free wireless connection, as company like Google already plan to make San Francisco Wireless, Mountain View, Sunnyvale already free wireless available. Verizon off wireless connection anywhere you go in Metro area for 50bucks. So you can have your laptop on in your car and have your family watch live TV.
So far I feel good to have a little gadget like this.
Things like I can show our kids birthday party to my brother in India live. Amaizing! isn't it?
Not only that, you are waiting on the Airport, your kids are boaring, hook this up with wi-fi and you are just like in your home.
Let see their Business Perspective, with this kind of box, I can see people will watch more and more TV, rather that only surfing and chating. With life so busy and hactic, it hard to find the slot to watch the TV. Earlier we had a TiVo so we can record the program, but there is nothing new, you could have done the same with VCR, DVD Recorder. But this will bring you to see live TV. This will happy TV advertisements publishers, Cable operator. I don't see they will raise any issue with SlingMedia as long as they provide one connection at a time.
What you need is to get the Laptop and find the wireless connection. In couple of year, you will find plenty of free wireless connection, as company like Google already plan to make San Francisco Wireless, Mountain View, Sunnyvale already free wireless available. Verizon off wireless connection anywhere you go in Metro area for 50bucks. So you can have your laptop on in your car and have your family watch live TV.
So far I feel good to have a little gadget like this.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Another free lunch
Today, Bank of America declared that they will allow investor to trade free, yes FREE, by Feb 2007, Eastern state like NY,NJ, CT is already started.
http://www.bankofamerica.com/investing/
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=as7tPSHtD7Sw&refer=home
I can sense here what all the online services looking for "Advertisement Revenue". Basically, they all want to attract more hit to their site so that they can sell the advertisement, not a bad idea, at all, considering Google buyout Youtube.com (2 yr old company) for $1.6B, the only reason is they got 100m hit everyday.
Other interesting thing I like about this annoucement is Gorilla Marketing, they only rollout the services to Eastern State, so by the time everybody know they have the service and infrastructure ready. This is exactly what youtube.com did, no major advertisement.
With this annoucement, discount broker like etrade, TDWH, etc are under pressure. They have to follow the suite or they have to provide better services to the investor. I can clearly see the company Zocco.com, who annouced free trade 2 days back, will have trouble of serviving.
Other online services like Yahoo Voip just annouced they they let people to call India for free on the day of Diwali, and significant lower rate during the period of Diwali (1 week). Another way to attract visitor.
But hey, I like this idea and it make lots of sense.
71 202-238135
http://www.bankofamerica.com/investing/
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=as7tPSHtD7Sw&refer=home
I can sense here what all the online services looking for "Advertisement Revenue". Basically, they all want to attract more hit to their site so that they can sell the advertisement, not a bad idea, at all, considering Google buyout Youtube.com (2 yr old company) for $1.6B, the only reason is they got 100m hit everyday.
Other interesting thing I like about this annoucement is Gorilla Marketing, they only rollout the services to Eastern State, so by the time everybody know they have the service and infrastructure ready. This is exactly what youtube.com did, no major advertisement.
With this annoucement, discount broker like etrade, TDWH, etc are under pressure. They have to follow the suite or they have to provide better services to the investor. I can clearly see the company Zocco.com, who annouced free trade 2 days back, will have trouble of serviving.
Other online services like Yahoo Voip just annouced they they let people to call India for free on the day of Diwali, and significant lower rate during the period of Diwali (1 week). Another way to attract visitor.
But hey, I like this idea and it make lots of sense.
71 202-238135
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Law regarding buying Properties in India
The law has come a long way since the days of the Fera (Foreign Exchange Regulation Act) regime, when buying or selling of immovable property was governed by the citizenship of a person.
Under Fema (Foreign Exchange Management Act), the thrust is on residential status. But before we go into the details of the law, let's get the definitions straight. An NRI is an Indian citizen residing outside India. A citizen of another country is a PIO (person of Indian origin) if he has held an Indian passport at any time or if he, his father or his grandfather has been a citizen of India. A citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, China, Iran, Nepal or Bhutan is not regarded as a PIO.
With the emphasis on residential status, a foreign citizen who is a resident of India can buy and sell properties without prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India, subject to a general ban on citizens of the eight countries mentioned above and restrictions on buying certain properties.
A foreign citizen of non-Indian origin cannot acquire agriculture land/farm house/plantation property in India without the prior approval of the RBI, whereas a foreign citizen of Indian origin can acquire such properties without the prior approval of the RBI but only by way of inheritance. Leasing of immovable property for a period of five years or less is freely permitted.
The RBI does not determine the residential status of a person for the purpose of acquisition of immovable property in India. Under Fema regulations, residential status is determined by operation of law. The onus is on the individual to prove his residential status, if questioned by any other authority.
Acquisition by way of purchase
A general permission is available to NRIs or PIOs to purchase only residential/ commercial property in India. There is no restriction on the number of residential/commercial properties that an NRI or a PIO can buy. The name of a foreign national of non-Indian origin cannot be added as a second holder of a residential/commercial property purchased by an NRI or a PIO.
A foreign national of non-Indian origin, resident outside India, cannot acquire any immovable property in India by way of purchase without the RBI's nod. However, a foreign national of non-Indian origin, including a citizen of the eight countries mentioned above, may acquire only residential accommodation on lease, for not more than five years.
He does not require the RBI's permission for this. A person resident outside India (that is, an NRI, a PIO or a foreign national of non-Indian origin) cannot acquire agricultural land/plantation/farm house in India by way of purchase.
Acquisition by way of gift
An NRI or a PIO may acquire residential/commercial property by way of gift from a resident of India, an NRI or a PIO. However, a foreign national of non-Indian origin resident outside India cannot acquire residential/commercial property in India by way of gift. A person resident outside India cannot acquire agricultural land/plantation/farm house in India by way of gift.
Acquisition by way of inheritance. A person resident outside India can hold immovable property in India acquired by way of inheritance from a person resident in India. Further, with the approval of the RBI, he may hold immovable property in India acquired through inheritance from a person resident outside India, provided the bequeathor had acquired the property in accordance with Fema or the foreign exchange law in force at the time of acquisition.
Sale of immovable property
An NRI can sell residential/commercial property in India to a person resident in India, an NRI or a PIO. However, a PIO can sell residential/commercial property in India only to a resident of India. He would need prior approval of the RBI for sale of residential/commercial property in India to an NRI or a PIO.
A foreign national of non-Indian origin whether resident in India or outside India would require prior approval of the RBI for sale of residential property in India acquired with the specific permission of the RBI to a person resident in India or outside India.
An NRI or a PIO may sell his agricultural land/plantation/ farm house in India to an Indian citizen resident in India. However, a foreign national of non-Indian origin, resident outside India, would require prior approval of the RBI to sell agricultural land/plantation/farm house acquired in India.
Gift of immovable property in India. An NRI or a PIO may gift residential/commercial property in India to a person resident in India, an NRI or a PIO. Further, an NRI or a PIO may gift agricultural land/plantation/farm house in India to an Indian citizen resident in India.
However, a foreign national of non-Indian origin resident outside India would need prior approval of the RBI to gift agricultural land/plantation/ farm house acquired by him in India.
Acquisition of immovable property for carrying on a permitted activity in India
A person resident outside India who has established a liaison office in India in accordance with Fera/Fema regulations cannot purchase immovable property in India. Practically, all liaison offices in India acquire premises on lease for not more than five years for which no permission is required from the RBI.
However, a person resident outside India who has established a branch office or other place of business in India in accordance with Fera/Fema regulations can purchase immovable property in India provided it is necessary for, or incidental to, carrying on the activity he is engaged in and all applicable laws have been complied with.
For details on other related issues, you may approach the chief general manager, RBI, Foreign Investment Division, Central Office, Mumbai.
Under Fema (Foreign Exchange Management Act), the thrust is on residential status. But before we go into the details of the law, let's get the definitions straight. An NRI is an Indian citizen residing outside India. A citizen of another country is a PIO (person of Indian origin) if he has held an Indian passport at any time or if he, his father or his grandfather has been a citizen of India. A citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, China, Iran, Nepal or Bhutan is not regarded as a PIO.
With the emphasis on residential status, a foreign citizen who is a resident of India can buy and sell properties without prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India, subject to a general ban on citizens of the eight countries mentioned above and restrictions on buying certain properties.
A foreign citizen of non-Indian origin cannot acquire agriculture land/farm house/plantation property in India without the prior approval of the RBI, whereas a foreign citizen of Indian origin can acquire such properties without the prior approval of the RBI but only by way of inheritance. Leasing of immovable property for a period of five years or less is freely permitted.
The RBI does not determine the residential status of a person for the purpose of acquisition of immovable property in India. Under Fema regulations, residential status is determined by operation of law. The onus is on the individual to prove his residential status, if questioned by any other authority.
Acquisition by way of purchase
A general permission is available to NRIs or PIOs to purchase only residential/ commercial property in India. There is no restriction on the number of residential/commercial properties that an NRI or a PIO can buy. The name of a foreign national of non-Indian origin cannot be added as a second holder of a residential/commercial property purchased by an NRI or a PIO.
A foreign national of non-Indian origin, resident outside India, cannot acquire any immovable property in India by way of purchase without the RBI's nod. However, a foreign national of non-Indian origin, including a citizen of the eight countries mentioned above, may acquire only residential accommodation on lease, for not more than five years.
He does not require the RBI's permission for this. A person resident outside India (that is, an NRI, a PIO or a foreign national of non-Indian origin) cannot acquire agricultural land/plantation/farm house in India by way of purchase.
Acquisition by way of gift
An NRI or a PIO may acquire residential/commercial property by way of gift from a resident of India, an NRI or a PIO. However, a foreign national of non-Indian origin resident outside India cannot acquire residential/commercial property in India by way of gift. A person resident outside India cannot acquire agricultural land/plantation/farm house in India by way of gift.
Acquisition by way of inheritance. A person resident outside India can hold immovable property in India acquired by way of inheritance from a person resident in India. Further, with the approval of the RBI, he may hold immovable property in India acquired through inheritance from a person resident outside India, provided the bequeathor had acquired the property in accordance with Fema or the foreign exchange law in force at the time of acquisition.
Sale of immovable property
An NRI can sell residential/commercial property in India to a person resident in India, an NRI or a PIO. However, a PIO can sell residential/commercial property in India only to a resident of India. He would need prior approval of the RBI for sale of residential/commercial property in India to an NRI or a PIO.
A foreign national of non-Indian origin whether resident in India or outside India would require prior approval of the RBI for sale of residential property in India acquired with the specific permission of the RBI to a person resident in India or outside India.
An NRI or a PIO may sell his agricultural land/plantation/ farm house in India to an Indian citizen resident in India. However, a foreign national of non-Indian origin, resident outside India, would require prior approval of the RBI to sell agricultural land/plantation/farm house acquired in India.
Gift of immovable property in India. An NRI or a PIO may gift residential/commercial property in India to a person resident in India, an NRI or a PIO. Further, an NRI or a PIO may gift agricultural land/plantation/farm house in India to an Indian citizen resident in India.
However, a foreign national of non-Indian origin resident outside India would need prior approval of the RBI to gift agricultural land/plantation/ farm house acquired by him in India.
Acquisition of immovable property for carrying on a permitted activity in India
A person resident outside India who has established a liaison office in India in accordance with Fera/Fema regulations cannot purchase immovable property in India. Practically, all liaison offices in India acquire premises on lease for not more than five years for which no permission is required from the RBI.
However, a person resident outside India who has established a branch office or other place of business in India in accordance with Fera/Fema regulations can purchase immovable property in India provided it is necessary for, or incidental to, carrying on the activity he is engaged in and all applicable laws have been complied with.
For details on other related issues, you may approach the chief general manager, RBI, Foreign Investment Division, Central Office, Mumbai.
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