Every once in a while, Nilanjan Biswan, 46, who is an officer in the Indian Railways by profession and a naturalist by passion, takes a solo trip. He loves those few days of solitude and wanderlust, away from the daily grind of administrative work and household responsibilities of grocery shopping and attending parent-teacher meetings at his son’s school.
Early this year, he took a whirlwind trip across Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia and came back after 21 days with lots of stories and souvenirs. A week before his trip, he saw a documentary on Lolong, the largest saltwater crocodile recorded at 6.17 metres (20.24 feet) long and weighing over a tonne, that was captured around the Bunawan Creek in the Philippines, and the reported sightings of even bigger specimens that still lurk in the waters around SE Asia. Though he managed sightings of saltwater crocodiles at nature parks, the big one was elusive.
Human beings have been explorers by nature and have unearthed hidden places over centuries. It was the unknown continents and sea routes during Columbus’ time, the hinterlands of Africa during the Victorian Age, the poles during the Golden Age of Polar Exploration or space exploration, which started in the aftermath of World War II on the back of advances in rocketry, and which remains an ongoing pursuit, as does the exploration of the deepest parts of our oceans, which has fascinated our interest since the times Jules Verne came out with his seminal science fiction novels more than 200 years ago, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and Mysterious Island.
Most of us look for that little window to unwind ourselves and rush off to our own El Dorados in quest of our passion, wanderlust, tranquility or solitude or to simply take a break from the daily humdrum of life. The Covid-19 pandemic did put the brakes to our journeys, but only for so long.
Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Outlook Money.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Outlook Money.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
BUDGET & YOU: NEW REGIME BEATS OLD IN FY26
Lower tax slabs and nil tax on incomes up to 12 lakh has not only provided relief to middle-class families but also rendered the old tax regime irrelevant for most of them. The government also renewed its focus on senior citizens
Consistent Returns In Hybrid Space
The Indian equity market is going through rough waters, leaving investors uncertain about whether to choose equity or fixed-income investments. Experts, meanwhile, predict higher volatility and recommend a safer approach.
BEHIND THE MIND GAMES THAT END IN 'DIGITAL ARREST'
The new scam of digital arrest employs psychological pressure to dupe vulnerable victims, who go through a phase of trauma and fear. We tell you how it works, whether the government is doing enough to curb the menace, and how you can keep yourself safe
Boost To Consumption, But Don't Buy Blindly
With the budget putting more money into the hands of people to boost consumption and increasing foreign direct investment in insurance, certain consumer-oriented sectors, such as FMCG, auto, as well as manufacturing are expected to do well, but think before investing
Pre-Existing Diseases In Insurance
Understanding pre-existing diseases (PEDS) in health insurance is crucial because they can affect your coverage and premiums. Pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, are health issues you may already have and know of before purchasing insurance.
'Govts Are Often Influenced By Private Interests, And Don't Focus On Health'
Longevity is not about going to the gym or having superfoods, but living in an environment that promotes a healthy lifestyle. Dan Buettner, the Blue Zones founder, National Geographic fellow, best-selling author and the producer of the Emmy Award-winning 'Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zone' series, learnt this during his decades-long research into five blue zones of the world. In an interview with Nidhi Sinha, Editor, Outlook Money, as part of the Wealth Wizards series, he talks about another kind of wealth, a healthy and fulfilling long life. He also talks about blue zones, and how policy matters when it comes to improving the health, lifestyle and longevity of the population
The 'Gap' In Long-Term Returns
There is a significant gap in the nominal and inflation-adjusted returns across asset classes. So, reading long-term trends is important before making investing decisions
Changed Jobs? Where is Your EPF Money?
For many employees, transfer of EPF becomes a nightmare when changing jobs. We give you the likely problem scenarios and what you should do for a seamless transfer of your EPF upon changing jobs and states
Old-New Break-Even Point Is High
The break-even point for deductions to choose between the old and new tax regimes has increased to ₹8.50 lakh for income of ₹24.75 lakh and above. Normally, deductions and exemptions commonly claimed by salaried individuals do not exceed ₹8.50 lakh
How Not To Be Financially Vulnerable
We often naïvely assume that our monthly pay cheques will cover whatever life throws our way. But it may not cover all our emergencies, which is why we need to create a safety net
