Malala: The True Hero!

Last week we read a lot about Malala Yousafzai. Malala was a strong contender for Nobel Peace Prize which she highly deserved. After all she was shot in the face at a close range, lived through it and all this did not dissuade her from spreading the message of peace.

I am amazed by the response this sixteen-year-old girl made to a question in a recent talk show. When Jon Stewart, the host of the Daily talk show asked her how she reacted when she learned that the Taliban wanted her dead.

I started thinking about that, and I used to think that the Talib would come, and he would just kill me. But then I said, 'If he comes, what would you do Malala?' then I would reply to myself, 'Malala, just take a shoe and hit him.'  But then I said, 'If you hit a Talib with your shoe, then there would be no difference between you and the Talib. You must not treat others with cruelty and that much harshly, you must fight others but through peace and through dialogue and through education.' Then I said I will tell him how important education is and that 'I even want education for your children as well.' And I will tell him, 'That's what I want to tell you, now do what you want.'

No doubt that Malala is brave. More than what she said, it is the conviction with which she spoke that matters. It is well understood why she is such a terror for Taliban. She is attacking Taliban’s fundamentals and its thought process; and by becoming an advocate of girl's education she is giving hope to millions of children; a hope that is about a better future and a better world.

I commend her courage and resolve. At such a tender age, she has more wisdom than vast majority of people on this globe. I wish I was 10% as brave and cool as Malala. In this world full of artificial heroes, she is the real hero!

I am looking forward to read more about about her in the book 'I am Malala'. 

When will you start your Retirement Planning?

It is an interesting topic. Is not it? I know you disagree with me. We all in thirties-to-forties believe that it is too early to think about retirement. It is many years away. True but is it really that away? I have a friend who wants to retire at 55, pursue a hobby and he is already 38 now. Last week, we met over dinner and suddenly topic turned to retirement planning. He was reluctant due to same old reason. Come on! It is too early! This time, we spent a little more than nanoseconds on the topic and he was quick to realize that is fast approaching. Another common friend who is elder of both of us was as if thunderstruck. We asked him, “Hey buddy, what happened?” He felt that he is left with too little time to plan for his retirement.

That is the hard reality! We wake up when it is too late.

I have recently learnt that it has become extremely difficult to do retirement planning, primarily due to following reasons:

Mortality Rates are low – Should that not be good news? Yes, the life expectancy is increasing with time, thanks to advancement in medical technology and increased general awareness toward healthcare. But that means more money is required to plan for additional years. Let me make it simple. Imagine retiring at 60 and expect to live till 90 years of age. For that, you need money to live 30 years without a regular source of income. Is not that a long period to plan for?

Low current interest rates – When I first realized this one, it acted like a bummer. I wish I would not have been that stupid. But I am. I always felt that low interest rates are good.  For example, low interest rates mean low monthly mortgage installment. Is not it? But Low interest rates also mean that low income on your investments including the ones that belong to retirement segment. You need much more money to save to maintain a similar living standard after retirement.

Do you agree?