Tips for saving money with no extra efforts

• Only keep necessary bank accounts. Each bank has minimum balance ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 25000. SMS charges are charged in every quarter.

• Use limited debit cards. Each debit card has an annual maintenance charges ranging from Rs 100 to Rs. 200.

• Pay the utility bills on time to avoid the late payment penalty.

• Get discount on early online payment of electricity bills

• Opt for paperless electricity bill that will save your Rs. 10 every month.

• Discount on paperless BSNL bill is also available.

• If you have BSNL phone or internet then make advance yearly payment, that will save your one month charges. BSNL is giving one month discount on advance yearly payment. Current BSNL is offering 25% extra discount other than one month discount on advance yearly payment.

• Pay house tax in the month of April. Some municipal corporation gives 10% discount.

• You can earn loyalty points on online bank transactions. All most all banks give this facility. E.g. SBI Rewardz. Using these loyalty points, you can shop on their website or make recharge of mobile or DTH.

• Book gas cylinder online and make payment through debit card so that you will get Rs. 5 discount. If you pay by net banking then company will charge you more than Rs. 5 as a service charge.

• Pay online while refilling the petrol or diesel that will give you little discount.

• Pay your insurance premium on yearly (rather than monthly or quarterly) basis. Yearly premium will cost you less that monthly or quarterly premium.

• Buy mutual funds, health insurance and life insurance directly from the company’s website that will save your good amount. In such direct purchase, commission of agents will be not incurred from you.

A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned (not said by Benjamin Franklin but statement has a meaning)

Review of Melghat Tiger Reserve and Chikhaldara

I visited Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) and Chikhaldara on 2-4 April 2017 with family and friends. We stayed at Semadoh Ecotourism Complex on 2^nd and 3^rd Apr and we visited Chikhaldara hill station on 4^th Apr 2017.

In this article, I am going to write my experiences of visiting Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR). The reviews and information, I got from web which old and does not show current situation (like there is a solar system for electricity or there is no air cooler provided). I am not saying that the information is wrong but the things are changed.

Firstly, I want to clear that, if you going to visit Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) to see Tiger then you will be disappointed (But recent news proves that there is existence of tigers but there are rare chances of tiger sighting in Jungle safari). If you are expecting to see lot animals in Jungle safari then also you will not be happy with your trip, but if you want to enjoy the untouched beauty of nature then this is the place for you. I think, this is one of the best places for honeymoon.

Current situation and my experiences in detail -

1. Bookings:

There are four types of booking for MTR.

a.   Jungle safari - This can be done online and offline. The online booking for jungle safari can be done through https://nationalpark.mahaonline.gov.in/User/Availability.aspx Jungle safari booking includes jungle safari entry fees and vehicle parking at Semadoh Ecotourism Complex. The MTR entry fee is Rs. 30 per adult person and Rs. 15 per child. The vehicle entry fee is Rs. 60 (online booking) or Rs. 100 (offline booking). Online processing fess is Rs. 35. At the time of online booking, system asks jungle safari date, time and MTR core area entry gate. My guide suggests that, it is better to take jungle safari in the evening time rather than morning time. There are four gates to enter in MTR’s core area. Pipalpadav (recently changed to Semadoh) and Sipna are two main gates. Pipalpadav (recently changed to Semadoh) is the best gate to enter in the core area of MTR, but the only thing is that, you have to start early morning otherwise visitor’s rush minimises the chances of wild animals sighting.  While online booking for jungle safari, do not worry about gate because guide chooses the best gate as per the situation. In our case, we have booked for Pipalpadav gate but we started late, so our guide suggested us to enter from Sipna gate and exit from Pipalpadav gate.

If you have an online booking then keep extra copies of booking with you because receptionist at MTR office will keep a copy of each online booking with him/her. And staffs at the gates are not educated to understand online things, otherwise be ready to pay vehicle entry charges again at exit gate. If in case you pay again check that all details like date, vehicle no etc are filled or not.

Offline jungle safari booking means spot booking at Semadoh Ecotourism Complex. Offline booking does not guarantee of availability of jungle safari, so it is better to book it online.

b.  Vehicle - You can take your vehicle for Jungle safari, it cost Rs. 300 as an entry fee but it is advisable to hire gypsy. There is no way to book gypsy in advance but it is easily available if you inquire at village or Semadoh Ecotourism Complex. Each gypsy can carry 6 persons + 1 compulsory guide. We paid Rs. 2000 for gypsy, you can negotiate for gypsy. Appropriate cost for a gypsy is Rs. 1500. Our gypsy driver was Sharad and his number is 09209050405.

c.  Guide - You have to take a guide with you, whether you take own vehicle or hire gypsy. Before you start your Jungle safari, you have to pay entry fee (if you have not booked and paid online) and guide fee at Semadoh Ecotourism Complex. There is no online facility for paying guide fee. The person at reception will allot you a guide. We paid Rs. 240 as a guide fees, from June 1, 2017 it will be Rs. 300. 

d. Accommodation - Accommodation is available at Semadoh Ecotourism Complex, Kolkaz Ecotourism Complex and Chikhaldara Ecotourism Complex. The accommodation booking can be done online and offline. The online booking for accommodation can be done through https://accommodation.mahaonline.gov.in/Home/Index.aspx. We booked eco huts (cottage) at Semadoh Ecotourism Complex that cost Rs. 750/room/day. The cottage rates are same for Semadoh Ecotourism Complex and Kolkaz Ecotourism Complex. Semadoh Ecotourism Complex is better than Kolkaz Ecotourism Complex in context of rooms, jungle safari, interpretation centre and access to village. But if you want quiet place then Kolkaz Ecotourism Complex is the place for you. My advice to book FRH suite (VIP Rest House) at Kolkaz that cost Rs. 1600/suit/day, but it is worth to spend this money because it has a very nice landscape view of Sipna river and forest. You can find details on above mentioned website.

Melghat semadoh room rate

Melghat Semadoh dormentary rate

Melghat kolkaz suite rate

Melghat kolkaz room rate

Melghat kolkaz dormentary rate

2. Route:

To enter in MTR area, there are three check gates Harisal, Akot and Memna (Chikhaldara). We have to visit Chikhaldara after MTR, so we entered through Harisal check gate to enjoy the forest. Many people wrote in their review that, from Burhanpur to Semadoh is bad road but fact is that Burhanpur to MP border road is very nice, but onwards it is so-so (can drive @60 km/hr). And in MTR, some part of road is too good and some part is too bad (road repair work was going on). Google map shows correct travelling time. To go to the Chikhaldara we exited from Memna (Chikhaldara) check gate. Do not travel at night time from Semadoh to Chikhaldara though Mamna check gate. The road is very lonely and it is also difficult to drive at night.

3. Seasons:

In my opinion pre-winter is the best time to enjoy beauty of MTR. Everything is green; river is flowing and descent weather. If you want to see animals then summer is the best period, but do not spend afternoon at Semadoh Ecotourism Complex.

4. Accommodation facility:

We stayed in eco hut (cottage) at Semadoh Ecotourism Complex. The cottage was so neat and clean. There were two separate cots, bed, white bed sheet, pillow and blanket. Also, the cottage was equipped a table, two chairs, small dressing table, small water camper, glass and cupboard. The cottage has two electricity plugs to charge electronic devices, one fan (not cooler, as I read in various reviews), and one light which low in fluorescence. Bathroom and toilet were very clean and it has two buckets, two mugs and electric (not solar) water geyser. Forest department is providing beyond my expectations within core forest area in a very cheap rate. The problem is about availability of electricity. In various reviews, I read that, solar panels are the source of electricity so it will be available between 8 pm to 10 am, but now solar panels are damaged, so we have to rely on Maharashtra Electricity Board for the electricity. When we stayed, there was a huge electricity load shedding (from 2 pm to 10 pm and also at night time). There is diesel electricity generator facility to provide electricity from 8 pm to 10 pm.

Even though, there was no electricity at night time of summer, it was quite cold (just think about winter’s night). As there was no electricity in the afternoon, we felt uneasy in the room because there was around 35° C temperature.

5. Food facility:

Canteen is available at Semadoh ecotourism complex. Also, you will find some small hotels in the village. We had taken lunch, dinner and breakfast at canteen. Do not expect too much, but the food (especially dal tadka and aaloo paratha) was good. Food bill (1 lunch, 1 dinner and 1 breakfast) of 8 persons was Rs. 2285. People at canteen are very cooperative. They assured us that they will be available for us at night also. If small child is with you then milk can be arranged from canteen. Contact number for canteen is 09209932824 (Kunal).

6. Things to do:

As I mentioned earlier that do not expect too much in Jungle safari but you can enjoy the nature. Other than jungle safari you can do other things.

Semadoh campus - At Semadoh ecotourism complex, there is an interpretation centre. When we visited Semadoh, it was under renovation. Semadoh ecotourism complex campus is very nice.

 

Kolkaz campus - You can visit Kolkaz ecotourism tourist complex without paying extra. The only thing is that, you have to show entry slip (online booking slip).

Kolkaz ecotourism complex has a better scenery view of Sipna river and forest landscape than Semadoh ecotourism complex. You can have chance to view wild animals in morning and evening time at the bank of Sipna river. We saw sloth bear with her baby at evening.

7. Mobile coverage:

Local guys told us that there is TATA indicom range. In some places, you can get Idea and Vodaphone range. But, it is good to spend holidays without a cell phone.

8. ATM:

There is no nearby ATM facility.

Note:

In case of emergency, there is primary health centre in the village.

Wear drark green or brown shed dress during safari. Don’t wear fancy, attractive dress.

In Chikhaldara, there are few places to visit like Hurricane Point, Prospect Point, Devi Point, Gavilgad and Narnala Fort, the Pandit Nehru Botanical Gardens, the Tribal Museum and the Semadoh Lake. In Chikhaldara few points are good. Monsson and winter seasons are good to visit Chikhaldara. Do not think to visit Chikhaldara in summer season.

Good Places to Stay and Eat in Dhule, Nandurbar and Jalgaon District

Name of Hotel	Address	Contact Number	Remark
Shri Maha Ganesh Residency	Opp. Shri Saptasrungi Mata Mandir,Dondaicha Road, Shahada	02565-225644	Very nice in a cheap rate and quality service
Patel Residency & Restaurant	Vrindavan Chowk, Dadawadi Road, Shahada	02565-224222 02565-225000	Not as good as “Shri Maha Ganesh Residency” for service but restaurant is good
Aadarsh Hotel and Lodging	Beside Essar Petrol Pump, Dandpaneshwar Road, Sakri-Dhule Bypass, Nandurbar	09923983601 09764642541
Hotel Amit Plaza	Near Agrasen Statue, 80 feet crossing, Malegaon Road, Dhule	02562-237094 02562-282044 9422787170	Very nice in a cheap rate
Hotel Sachin	Nandurbar Road, Dondaicha	9822299918 8888744991	Very nice in a cheap rate and Food is also nice

Name of Restaurant	Address	Contact Number	Remark
Uttam Bhoj	Polan Peth, Shahunagar, Jalgaon	0257- 2229701
Sayali Restaurant	25, Ring Road, Pratap Nagar, Jalgaon	0257-2224433
Chetana Dining Hall	Jain Mandir Corner Gat No 2, Dhule	02562-235971	Very nice food but crowdy place
Hotel New Mayur	Opp Rajkamal Talkies, Near SBI, Agra Road, Dhule	02562-233355 9011922957
Sai Balaji	Beside Anand Petroleum, Satana Road, Pimpalner	9404817741	Excellent food

Water Camper Provider	Address	Contact Number
Vidhata Jal	55, Saraswati Colony, Shahada	9372465742 7588873120
Raj Water	Sarkri	9637851291 9545000490
Rekhai Jaldhara	Sakri	7798375852 9172849789
Viraj Aqua	Pimpalner	9404565683 7276030328

Note: I have visited above mentioned places and preferences are written as per my likes.  The contact details and addresses are when I am posting this, later it may changes.

५००, १००० रुपयांच्या नोटा वरील बंदी आणि काळा पैसा

अर्थशास्त्राचा विद्यार्थी म्हणून नोटांवरील बंदीच्या घटनेला वेगळ्या दृस्तीकोनातून बघतो. या लेखामधून नाण्याची दुसरी बाजू समोर मांडणे हा माझा उद्देश.

८ नोव्हेंबरची प्रंतप्रधान मोदीजींची घोषणा ही खरच उत्तेजित करणारी होती. घोषणेबद्दल पेपरमध्ये वाचून मी पण सामान्य माणसा सारखा प्रभावी झालो. ज्या पद्धतीने योजनेची घोषणा झाली (५० दिवसात नोटा बदलून मिळतील, काळ्या पैश्याला चरकाप, ११ तारखेपासून ATM मधून ५००/२००० च्या नोटा मिळतील) त्यामुळे असे वाटले की, मोदीजींनी चांगला अभ्यास करून चांगलीच तयारी केलीली दिसतेय आणि खरच काहीतरी मोठा बदल घडेल. पण लवकरच माझा भ्रमनिरास झाला आणि मग जरा सद्सदविवेक बुद्धीने विचार करू लागलो.

या घोषणेने काळा पैसा बाहेर येईल अस म्हणतात, पण खरच असे होईल का? आणि काळा पैसा बाहेर आला तर किती येईल? आणि जितका येईल तितका येण्याकरिता १२५ कोटी जनतेला वेठीवर धरणे योग्य आहे का?

भारतात सर्व चलनाची कींमत १६.४१ लाख कोटी रुपये असून यातील ५०० व १००० रुपयांचे मूल्य १४.१ लाख कोटी रुपये आहे. महसूल सचिव सहमुख अढीया यांच्या मते ५-७ लाख कोटी रुपये काळा पैसा बाजारात आहे. पण ते आणि इतर अर्थतज्ञ मान्य करतात की, काळा पैसा हा रोख पैश्यांच्या स्वरुपात कमी असून, त्याचा मोठा भाग हा सोने आणि इतर स्वरुपात आहे पण तो शोधणे फार कठीण आहे.

सध्याच्या गोंधळलेल्या व्यवस्थेबदल काही गोष्टी अधोरेखित करू इच्छितो.

          १.  मला सुरुवातील वाटले होते की खूप विचारपूर्वक निर्णय असेल आणि तशी व्यवस्था सरकारने केली असेल. पण मला कीव येते की सरकारचा कोणतही निर्णय हा विचारपूर्वक आणि धोरणात्मक नव्हता. जुन्या नोटा सरकारी ठिकाणी चालण्याची पहिली तारीख ११ नोव्हेंबर नंतर..... १४ नोव्हेंबर आणि आता २४ नोव्हेंबर.... पैसे काढण्याची मर्यादा २००० रुपये असून ती १५ दिवसानंतर बदलली जाईल पण अवघ्या ४ दिवसात ती आता बदलली.....२५०० रुपये.....आधी म्हटलं होत की ४००० रुपयेच्या नोटा बदलता येतील आणि १५ दिवसांनी ही मर्यादा वाढविली जाईल.....पण ४ दिवसात मर्यादा ४५०० रुपये केली.......तसेच ३१ डिसेंबर ही शेवटची तारीखही पुढे ढकलली जाऊ शकते.......काय धोरण ठरवून असे निर्णय बदलत जात आहेत? नक्कीच याचे गोंडस उत्तर असे असेल की सर्वसाधारण माणसांना विचारात घेऊन असे निर्णय घेतले जात आहे....पण हे ही उत्तर किती फसवे आहे......सरकारलाही योजना राबवण्याबाबत सर्व यंत्रणेचा आणि सामान्य जनतेचा अंदाजच आला नाही.......म्हणून नाईलाजाने असे निर्णय सरकारला बदलावे लागत आहेत. अर्थमंत्री म्हणतात....ATM दुरुस्त करायला २-३ आठवडे लागतील.....नवीन नोटांचा आकार आणि ATM.....बद्दल आधी विचार नव्हता केला का????

       २.  मोदीजी ८ नोव्हेंबरला म्हणतात की पुढील २ दिवस अर्थव्यवस्था ही १४% चलनांवर म्हणजेच २.३१ लाख कोटी रुपये वर चालेल....मला खुपच आश्चर्य वाटल जेव्हा मी चलनांचे विश्लेषण केले. २.३१ लाख कोटी रुपये पैकी १०० रुपयेचे चलन हे १.६ लाख कोटी रुपये आहे. संपूर्ण भारताचा विचार केला तर हे फारच तुटपुंजे आहे आणि इथून सुरु झाला सामान्य माणसाला त्रास....खिशात पैसे आहेत पण १०० च्या नोटांचा तुटवडा....मग सरकारने ५०० रुपये न देता पाठवले २००० रुपये....तेही कुणाला मिळाले कुणाला नाही....ज्याला मिळाले त्याला परत तोच त्रास....२००० चे सुट्टे पैसे नाही कारण १०० रुपयेच कुणाकडे नाही........५०० रुपयेची नोट तर फक्त whatsapp वरच दिसली.....आता सरकार हे ही चौकशी करत आहे की या नोट चे फोटो काढलेले चित्र कुणी लिक केले..........याचा अर्थ एकच तो म्हणजे......सावळा गोंधळ.

       ३. यात कुणाचा फायदा झाला असेल तर तो झाला Paytm, Ola wallet, बेरोजगारांचा आणि महानगरपालिकांचा.  बेरोजगारांचा वेगवेगळया पद्धतीने पैसे मिळायला लागले.....कुणी ५०० चे ४०० रुपये देऊन...तर कुणी रांगेतील नंबरकरिता १०० रुपये.....तर कुणाला नोटा बदलून देण्याच कमिशन.......

        ४. पूर्ण अर्थव्यवस्था ठप्प झालीय.....आणि याचा सर्वात जास्त तडाखा बसतोय तो रोजंदारीवर पोट भरणा-यांना.....काम आहे पण त्यांना मजुरी द्यायला मालकाकडे सुट्टे पैसे नाही.....तसेच काही ठिकाणी ग्राहक नाही म्हणून विक्री नाही म्हणून त्यामुळे काम नाही.......असे लोक की ज्यांचे दररोजचे पोट त्यांच्या दिवसाच्या कमाईवर असते त्यांनी काय करावे???? याचे चटके नोकरदार, मध्यमवर्गीय लोकांना पण लवकरच बसेल कारण आपण ATM वर जास्त अवलंबून असल्यामुळे जास्त पैसे बाळगत नाही.....आणि सरकार, बँक म्हणते plastic money चा वापर करा......पण दुध आणि भाजी घ्यायची असेल तर????

(Whatsapp msg) “मगरमच्छ पकडणे के लिये पुरा तालाब ही सुखा दिया गया............करोडो छोटी मच्छली बिना कसूर मारी गयी......”

       ५. काळा पैसा संपूर्ण खरच रोख पैश्यांच्या स्वरुपात असतो का? नक्कीच नाही......कारण ज्या लोकांना दररोज रोखीने पैश्यांचा व्यवहार (हवाला, सट्टा, शैक्षणिक संस्था, बांधकाम व्यावसायिक, राजकीय पक्ष) करावे लागतात असेच लोक काळा पैसा हा रोख पैश्यांच्या स्वरुपात बाळगतात पण संपूर्ण काळ्या पैश्याच्या तुलनेत हे प्रमाण फार कमी आहे. काळा पैसा हा सोने, जमीन, विदेशी चलन, बांधकाम क्षेत्र गुंतवणूक या स्वरुपात जास्त आढळतो. असे असण्याचे कारण की, पैसा सोडून बाकी साधनांचा शोध घेता येत नाही, चलन स्वरुपात पैसा ठेवण्यात जोखीम असते.

      ६.  तुम्ही कोणत्या करोडपतीला बँकेबाहेर रांगेत उभे राहून त्यांचे पैसे जमा किंवा बदलवत करतांना बघितलं का? याउलट सामान्यच माणसे बँकेबाहेर गर्दी करतांना दिसतात...

       ७. एखाद्याकडे काळा पैसा हा रोख पैश्यांच्या स्वरुपात असला तरी तो जास्तीत जास्त ५ कोटी रुपये पर्यंत असेल, आणि हा पैसा बँकेच्या खात्यात टाकण्याने कर वजा करून ५० लाख पर्यंतच मिळणार असतील तर तो कशाला बँकेत जमा करेन? तो पैसा वेगळ्या पद्धतींनी जितका वळवता येईल तितका वळवण्याचा प्रयत्न करेन आणि अशांना मार्ग दाखवणारे भारतात खुपच मिळतील. (जर एखाद्याकडे व्यक्तीकडे ३०-४० कोटी रुपये पैश्यांच्या स्वरुपात असतील तर त्याला व्यक्तीला मुर्खचं म्हणता येईल आणि त्यातील बराचसा पैसा वाया जाण्याशिवाय दुसरा पर्यायच नाही).....तज्ञ म्हणतात की या योजनेने १० ते १५ % चा काळा पैसा बाहेर येईल पण म्हणून १२५ कोटी जनतेला वेठीवर धरणे योग्य आहे का?

        ८.  मला यातून हे सांगायचे आहे की, काळा पैसा बाळगणारे जर तो पैसा वेगवेगळ्या पद्धतींनी वळवतील किंवा जाळून टाकतील पण बँकेच्या खात्यात भरून सरकारच्या नजरमध्ये नाही येणार.....तर मग या योजनेचा मुळ उद्देश कुठे सफल होतो आहे का????? कारण जे लोक रांगेमध्ये उभे राहून बँकेच्या खात्यात पैसा भरत आहेत ते सामान्य नागरिक आहे, ते त्यांचा कष्टाचा पैसा भरत आहे.....काळा पैसा नाही.....आणि त्रासही सहन करतायेत.....असेच होत आहे महानगरपालिकेतील करांच्या बाबतीत......तिथेही सामान्यचं नागरिक ५००/१००० रुपयांच्या नोटा बदलवण्याच्या प्रयत्नात कर भरत आहे.......

       ९.  सरकार सुरुवातीला म्हटले की, बनावट चलन आणि काळ्या पैश्याला आला घालण्यासाठी असा निर्णय घेण्यात आला आहे. पाकिस्तानने पाठवलेले बनावट चलन बाद करणे हा ही या मागचा हेतू आहे......मला हे फार हास्यास्पद वाटते......सरकारला हे माहीत आहे की, पाकिस्तानने असे बनावट चलन मोठ्या प्रमाणात पाठवले आहे...पण तुमची यंत्रणा त्याला आळा घालू शकली नाही आणि त्यामुळे सर्व चलन बाद करून त्याला आळा घालातायेत का???? पण आता सरकारकडून कुणी बनावट चलनावर कुणी भाष्यच करत नाहीये......फक्त काळ्या पैश्याबाबत बोलत आहेत.

   १०. सरकार म्हणते काळा पैश्याला प्रतिबंध करण्यासाठी ५००/१००० रुपयांच्या नोटा चलनातून बाद करतोय......पण जर सरकारचा हेतू याबद्दल चांगला असता तर त्यांनी ५०० रुपयांपेक्षा मोठे चलन बाद केले असते...कारण मोठे चलन बाद केले तर भ्रष्टाचाराला आळा बसेल........Transparency International ही संस्था म्हणते मोठ्या मूल्याच्या नोटाच भ्रष्टाचाराला कारणीभूत असतात. अमेरिका, इंग्लड, चीन सारख्या देशात भ्रष्टाचाराला आळा बसण्याकरिता मोठे चलन बाद केले आहे......त्या उलट सरकारने २००० रुपयांचे चलन आणले.......प्रत्यक्ष कर बोर्डने २०१२ साली २००० रुपयांची नोट बाजारात आणू नये अशी सूचना केली होती.....पण त्या सूचनेला या सरकारने दुर्लक्षित केले आहे.

 ११. ‘द हिंदू’ वृत्तपत्राने केलेल्या अभ्यासानुसार, ५००/२००० रुपयांच्या नवीन नोटा प्रिंट करून बाजारात आणायला १२००० कोटी रुपये अतिरिक्त खर्च येणार.......हा पैसा येणार कुठून???? काळा पैसा किती जमा होईल यावर अजून शंकाच आहे.......त्यावर हा नवीन खर्च........

१२. ५००/१००० रुपयांच्या बाद झालेल्या १३२० कोटी नोटामुळे होणारे अवमूल्यन........या नोटांना नष्ट करण्याकरिता येणार खर्च........त्यामुळे होणारा पर्यावरणावरील अतिरिक्त परिणाम......याला जबाबदार कोण????

१३. २००० रुपये च्या नोटचा कलर जातोय.......चलनाच्या नोटचा कलर जाण..... हे नवीन प्रकरण समोर येतंय...

अशा प्रकारचा मोठा निर्णय घेण्यापूर्वी खूप विचारपूर्वक योजना आखायला पाहिजे होती जेणेकरून हा सर्व गोंधळ टळला असता. सरकारने ५००/१००० रुपयांच्या नोटांचे प्रमाण हळूहळू कमी करून १०० रुपयांच्या नोटांचे प्रमाण वाढविले असते तर हा गोंधळ उडाला नसता. कारण सामान्य माणसांकडे ५००/१००० रुपये इतके १०० रुपये चे चलन राहिले असते त्यामुळे एवढी १०० रुपये च्या सुट्ट्यांची चणचण भासली नसती. तसेच सरकारने अतिआवश्यक सेवा म्हणजे दवाखाने आणि मेडिकल मध्ये ५००/१००० चे चलन चालण्याची मुभा दिली असती व तिथे काळा पैसा बदलवण्यावर प्रतिबंध म्हणून त्यावर निगराणी ठेवता आली असती. जर असे केले असते तर सामान्य माणसांना याचा त्रास झाला नसता.

या योजने द्वारे किती काळा पैसा सरकारी तिजोरी मध्ये जमा झाला यावरच या योजनेची सफलता समजू शकेल. जर अपेक्षे इतका काळा पैसा जमा नाही झाला तर ही योजना सरकार वरच बुमरँग ठरेल.

मी कालच्या ‘दिव्य मराठी’ वृत्तपत्राच्या संपादकीय मध्ये वाचल की, “कोणताही निर्णय चांगला की वाईट याचा अंदाज जनतेच्या चेह-यावर येतो. आणि सध्या हे चेहरे हिरमुसलेले, संतापले आहेत.”

Things to know before buying a new laptop or desktop computer

I purchased my laptop on 09^th Aug 2007. Those days, I was not that much technically sound in hardware. But, I compared a lot models, explored technology forums and after in depth comparative study, I made a decision on a model (HP Pavillion dv 6516tx). Most of people blindly purchase laptop or desktop computer without understanding the technical details of the configuration. In the article, Laptop or Desktop Computer - what should I purchase? I discussed about the best computer match for you. Here, I am going to discuss about importance of each key part of computer system. In this article, some parts of computer will not be applicable for laptop computer like monitor, keyboard but other parts will be same for both.

1.  Processor: This is one of the most important parts of computer system. As the name suggest, it processes/controls all activities of computer system with the help of operating system. I recommend Intel processor because they have a very good research in the development of desktop processors. It is always better to buy higher bit processor i.e. 64 bits processor is better than 32 bits processor, provided that, operating system and all other software will be of 64 bits.

2.    Cache memory: This is one of the ignored parts of computer system but cache memory is very important in terms of speed of computer system. Processor uses the cache memory to store frequently required data.

3.   RAM: This is the second most important part of computer system after processor. RAM is working space of computer system i.e. all the computer operations are carried out in RAM. If computer has a large RAM, then big number of applications can be run simultaneously.

4.   Operating System: This is another most important part of computer system. Processor controls all computer activities through operating system. Unless and until, there is no good software to run the hardware, that hardware will not make sense, so operating system plays a big role in operating computer system. Though, the system has a fast processor and large RAM and not compatible operating system then the PC will not give a better performance. For example, if processor is 64 bits and the operating system is 32 bits then that hardware utilise its half working capacity and half will be idle. So, 64 bits operating system and software should be installed on the system.

5.      Hard disk: This is used to store the data like documents, music files, photos, and videos. Usually people give more important to the hard disk size, but I don’t. I suggest do not buy a large capacity hard disk, rather you should buy additional external hard disk (preferably, solid state drive) to safely save the data. Don’t think about storing about videos and music files just think about your personal data, because you can transfer the music files and videos from someone but once your personal data gets loss then it cannot be recovered.

Hard disk is used to store the data like text documents, audio file or video files. Usually people think to have big size storage medium. But in my view, you should purchase maximum 500 GB hard disk because our personal data (not music files and movies) does not exceed 500 GB. I would recommend extra 500 GB external hard disk to store your personal data as a back safely.

6.    Graphics Card: This is the part of computer system that helps the processor to process the graphics stuff i.e. picture, video or animation. So, this is an additional processor to handle graphics. Usually, people buy this part without knowing its use. Actually, this should be purchased by those who professionally work in graphics and multimedia field like animators, graphics editors etc or CAD design field or HD game lovers. The users who don’t play HD games, those should not buy graphics card, it will unnecessarily increase the cost of computer system. The graphics card produces heat and if computer system has not proper air ventilation then system will be heated and this may cause IC burning problem. I have experienced the same incident. I talked with technician; he told me that most of such problems happened in summer.

7.   Battery: This part is not applicable for desktop computer but for laptop this is an important part. Average battery life of laptop computer is 2-3 years provided that you have used it properly. If you want to extend the battery life period then follow the rule that - “Plug charger to laptop when battery goes below 10% and completely charge it until it reaches to 100%. Do not plug in charger until it reaches to 10%”. Replacing battery with new one is the recurring expense for the laptop.

8.     Monitor: This is most known part of computer system. The monitor is used to display the output through screen. Technically, screen is the display device not monitor. The screen is fitted in monitor so in general speaking monitor is called display device. LED monitor/ screen should be purchased because of low consumption of electricity. In my opinion, touch screen should not be purchased because it is impractical to use touch screen for a big display devices. It is ok with mobile devices like cell phone or phablet or tablet.

9.   Fan: Fan is used to drain out heat which is generated by electronic components of computer. There should be sufficient heat sink for the computer.

10. USB Port: USB port facilitates faster communication between computer and external devices. There should be at least 3 USB ports to the system. In which at least one port should be USB 3.0 or eSATA or Thunderbolt because these are the next generation port for faster data transfer.

11.  Keyboard: Keyboard is used to give inputs to computer system. The inputs are in the forms of text or commands. I would recommend using HCL keyboard.

12. Mouse: Mouse is used to handle various computer activities like clicking, dragging etc. You can use USB wired or wireless mouse, but wireless mouse are expensive. For laptop users, I would recommend use mouse rather than touchpad. It’s easy to handle the computer through mouse. 

     In my view, while purchasing a computer, you need to select good & high speed processor and large RAM by considering a long term view.

Laptop or Desktop Computer - what should I purchase?

Since 14 years, many people asked me this question. In my view, answer of the question varies according to individual's requirement. I experienced that, while buying a computer most of the people get confused due to misguided suggestions from seller or non-technical person. Here, I tried to consider different scenarios to answer the question. Consider the following scenarios,

§  If you are a general user who surf web and use computer for personal use (like letter typing, home budgeting) then you should buy desktop computer only. Desktop computer is robust and cheap for maintenance.

§  If you are a businessman or marketing person who is frequently traveller then surely netbook, laptop or notebook (preferably Netbook) should be the best choice. Netbook is a light weight laptop which has basic computing facilities. Notebook is light weight, thin, advanced but expensive laptop.

§  If you are a small scale businessman (like medical, shop owner) who need to enter the data and take a print outs then buy a low-middle range desktop computer.

§  If you are a student, you need computer for education purpose and you stay at one place only then I suggest you to buy a low-middle range desktop computer. A desktop computer is easily upgradable and low maintenance as compare to laptop. If you are reallocating student then laptop may be the choice.

§  If you are an mechanical or civil engineering, geospatial technology or multimedia  student/user who use software like AutoCAD, ProE, ArcGIS, Erdas, 3DMax then you can purchase big screen high range laptop or workstations with ATI or nVIDIA graphics card  as per the budget.

§  If you are a game lover then buy a big screen desktop computer with ATI or nVIDIA graphics card. Laptop’s keyboard maintenance is not affordable because if any key fails, you need to replace whole keypad. Also, game playing experience is enjoyable at big screen only.

One more question arises while buying desktop computer, should I purchase branded (Like HP, Dell) or assembled computer? Today, desktop computer prices are very low, so if you have good budget then you can buy branded computer. I suggest HP or Dell as brands to purchase for laptop as well as desktop computer. If you know an authentic seller for assembled computer then you can purchase assembled computer. I give emphasis on authentic seller because duplicate parts are available in the market with the same brand name.

Note: Technology is changing extremely fast, so what you buy today, it will be outdated after 5 years.