🏔️ Langtang Valley: Where Friendship Climbs Higher Than Altitude

A Trekkiyer’s tale told by yours truly, Vaidhyanathan (aka Vaidy, aka Malli, aka “Did you pack the pulikachal?”)

Every year, as the Himalayas whisper our names and our knees whisper “Are you sure?”, the Trekkiyers assemble. What began in 2018 as a modest mountain mission with me, Ramesh (my brother-in-law and chai philosopher), Sridhar (my school buddy and trekking purist), and Dr. Narayanaswamy (Swamy, our in-house medic and spiritual anchor), has grown into a full-blown annual tradition. (The link to our first trek when the idea of Trekkiyers was mooted - https://itsmevaidy.blogspot.com/2018/03/annapurna-circuit-dream-trek.html ) 

Over time, we welcomed Srinivasan (my actual brother, not just in altitude), Sumathi (Swamy’s wife and our culinary savior), and Vishagan (my cousin and 2024’s recruit). Each year, someone new joins. Each year, someone’s knees regret it. But the spirit? Unshakable.

This year, Langtang Valley was our chosen playground. And what a playground it turned out to be  - complete with yaks, landslides, and SIM cards that worked only when you didn’t need them.

After having half a dozen VDO calls and numerous thoughts and rethoughts on the decision for the trek , first we had the regime change at Nepal which lead to a lot of sleepless nights as to the fate of the trip and then closer to the dates was the Natural calamity with scary visuals of houses being washed away in the floods. All this happened between August and October 2025.

🎬 Saturday, 4 October 2025  - – The Flight That Did a U-Turn

We were airborne. We were excited. We were... rerouted. Thanks to Kathmandu’s moody weather, our flight was canceled midair. After a refueling pitstop in Lucknow (where we waved at the samosas), we returned to Mumbai. It was like a teaser trailer for the real trek—frustrating, dramatic, and oddly energizing. The nine hour journey from Mumbai to Mumbai in retrospect was funny. 

🛬 Monday, 6 October – Kathmandu, Finally

Take two! This time, we made it. Srinivasan, Ramesh, and I landed in Kathmandu after a scenic detour via Delhi. Ramesh, ever the smart one, had taken a direct flight and was already sipping coffee like a local.

We met Sameer Tawde (my neighbor and surprise trekker), and headed to Backpackers Lodge. Swamy and Sumathi had arrived earlier and were already acclimatized  - and possibly scouting SIM cards. We bought two each, because in the Himalayas, one network drops faster than your trekking stamina.

Evening brought us to Pashupatinath Temple, where Rudram chanting echoed through the air. Spirituality met signal strength. Both were patchy but powerful.

🚙 Tuesday, 7 October – Jeeps, Jams, and Jam Sandwiches

Decked in our matching “Trekkiyers” T-shirts (because nothing says ‘serious mountaineers’ like coordinated cotton), we posed, chanted “Ganpati Bappa Morya,” and boarded our Scorpio for a 7-hour drive that felt like a rollercoaster designed by Mother Nature. ( The roads beyond the City limits have to be experienced !!) 

Lunch was a gourmet affair of banana chips, curd, and biryani  - because why not confuse your stomach before a trek? We reached Country Villa Hotel by 3 PM, where a full moon ( Sharad Poornima) and full tummies made for a magical night walk. My pedometer said 10 km. My legs said, “Liar.”

🌊 Wednesday, 8 October – Waterfalls and Wobbly Bridges

After a hot bath and tomato soup (yes, in that order), we set off on a 7-hour trek that featured waterfalls, suspension bridges, and enough wet socks to start a laundry business. Porters turned engineers, building stone steps over landslides like it was just another Wednesday.

Sea buckthorn juice became our unofficial sponsor  - tangy, refreshing, and possibly magical. Dinner was a fusion of dal baath and South Indian spice, proving that even at 10,000 feet, you can’t escape puliyodarai.

🐂 Thursday, 9 October – Yaks, Yarns, and a Yak Attack

Fueled by coffee and a maida roti thick enough to double as a frisbee, we marched on. The trail was kinder, the views grander, and the socks  - still damp. A yak decided to spice things up by charging a fellow trekker (expectedly clad in a bright red Tee) . We took it as a sign of affection from Nandi's Nepali cousin.

We met a Nepali guide who spoke Tamil and Malayalam, thanks to his stint in Qatar. Proof that South Indians are everywhere  - even in the Himalayas. Dinner was a delightful mix of local fare and our trusty pulikachal. The homestay was cozy, and the fruit was fresher than our jokes.

🩺 Friday, 10 October – High Altitude, Higher Drama

Ramesh gave us a scare with a fever and low oxygen levels. Swamy, ever the calm doctor, sprang into action with his medical kit and reassuring smile. Ramesh stayed back to recover while the rest of us trekked to Kyanjin Gumba.

Electric blankets ( not working though) , sunshine, and khakra choora awaited us. Plans to climb Kyanjin Ri were shelved due to cloudy weather  ( Explanation - The climb was for the view and with the weather playing spoilsport there was no point in testing our knees further)   - clearly, even the mountains wanted a day off. Dinner was a carb-lover’s dream: French fries, momos, and sandwiches that looked like they’d been arranged by a Michelin chef.

🏁 Saturday, 11 October – The Great Descent

We reunited with a rejuvenated Ramesh and posed for a group photo with the Indian flag  - because patriotism hits different at 12,000 feet. The descent was swift, the puliyodarai was spicy, and the milk coffee at Hotel Woodland was divine.

As darkness fell, porters met us with torches, guiding us like Himalayan fireflies. We reached the hotel, tired but triumphant.

🌸 Kadmom Mein Padam - A Reflection from the Trail

As we descended from the heights of Langtang,

legs weary, hearts full,

I found myself walking not just through valleys,

but through verses of remembrance.

Each step - a Kadam.

Each moment - a Padam.

Not just a lotus blooming beneath,

but a trillionfold blessing unfolding above.

For when the soul walks in divine memory,

the trail transforms.

The rocks soften, the winds whisper,

and the journey multiplies -

not in kilometers, but in Padams of grace.

We didn’t just trek.

We offered each stride as a prayer,

each laugh as a hymn,

each silence as a sanctuary.

🛤️ Sunday, 12 October – Slippery Slopes and Sweet Goodbyes

Our final trek featured landslide zones, rescue crews, and a restaurant that believed in slow food  - very slow. Thankfully, the dreaded log crossing was avoided, and we returned to the hotel for hot baths and heartfelt thanks to our porters and guide Ram Sharan, who had become more like family , though it still took some time to understand his quaint lingo.

🚙 Monday, 13 October – Back to Kathmandu

We bid farewell to Syabru Besi and bounced our way back to Kathmandu, stopping for fruit, border checks, and a visit to Ram’s ancestral village. Thamel welcomed us with shopping, temples, and ice cream  - because nothing says “spiritual fulfillment” like a double scoop of chocolate chip.

🙏 Tuesday, 14 October – Pashupati, Parathas, and Parting Shots

Our last day began with coffee, aloo parathas, and a soulful visit to Pashupati Nath Temple. Rudram chants echoed once more, sealing our bond with Nepal.

After some last-minute shopping and a tea with Rajan Simkhada, we headed to the airport  - legs sore, hearts full, and memories packed tighter than our rucksacks.

Langtang Valley wasn’t just a trek. It was a test of knees, nerves, and network coverage. But above all, it was a celebration of friendship, resilience, and the joy of walking uphill just to come back down.

And yes, the pulikachal survived. Just like we did.

PS : I look forward to reading your comments 

The Ultimate Father's Day Gift: Financial Freedom For Him

 

The Ultimate Father's Day Gift: Financial Freedom For Him

This Father's Day, as you scour for the perfect gift - another wallet, a gadget he'll use, or a "World's Best Dad" mug - stop and consider what truly resonates. What if, this year, your gift transcended the material and offered something profoundly impactful, something that lasts a lifetime and beyond?

We're talking about financial freedom.

For many fathers, the relentless pursuit of providing, protecting, and planning often comes at the cost of their own financial well-being. They're the silent anchors, the unwavering pillars, often putting everyone else's needs before their own long-term financial security.

This Father's Day, let's redefine the gift of appreciation. Instead of temporary trinkets, let's empower the fathers in our lives with the tools, knowledge, and impetus to achieve true financial liberation.

Why is Financial Freedom the Ultimate Gift?

Peace of Mind:

Imagine a life where financial worries no longer dictate decisions. This isn't just about wealth; it's about the security and peace of mind that comes from knowing you're prepared for anything.

Empowerment of Choice:

Financial freedom unlocks a world of choices. The choice to pursue passions, to retire on his terms, to travel, to spend more time with loved ones, or to simply enjoy life without the constant pressure of the next paycheck.

A Legacy Beyond Money:

Teaching and enabling financial freedom isn't just about managing assets; it's about instilling a mindset of security, growth, and responsibility that can be passed down through generations. It's a legacy far more valuable than any inheritance.

Reduced Stress, Improved Health:

Financial stress is a silent killer. Alleviating this burden can lead to significant improvements in physical and mental health, allowing him to truly enjoy his golden years.

How You Can "Gift" Financial Freedom:

This isn't about simply handing over money. It's about strategic investment and education.

Start a SIP - A Gift That Grows Over Time

Initiating a SIP in a mutual fund is a powerful way to leverage compounding over time. Think of SIP as a monthly reminder of your love and care. It's more than an investment; it's a commitment to his long-term financial wellness. You can even choose to top up the SIP each year as your income increases - making it an evolving gift that grows with your ability to give. Mutual funds offer a diversified portfolio managed by experts, ensuring a balanced approach that can significantly grow his wealth and secure his future.

Gift Him Health Insurance - A Shield That Grows with Age

As our parents age, health-related expenses start to chip away at their savings. Medical issues can become both emotionally and financially draining, especially without adequate coverage.

This Father's Day, a comprehensive health insurance policy could be one of the most meaningful gifts you give. A good policy not only safeguards his health but also protects his hard-earned savings. You're ensuring that should the need arise, your dad can receive the best medical care without worrying about draining his retirement corpus or other investments. When buying a policy, choose a plan tailored to his age and health needs. Ensure it covers the vital components like hospitalization, day care procedures, and critical illness cover, with fewer conditional claims. Remember - medical insurance isn't just a cost, it's an investment in his future.

Set Up an Emergency Fund - A Cushion for Unseen Storms

Life throws curveballs, and an emergency fund ensures your dad never has to dip into his savings or investments unexpectedly. Whether it's a medical crisis, a home repair, or sudden travel, an emergency fund provides instant liquidity and peace of mind.

• Secretly setting up a separate emergency fund in his name is a beautiful surprise
• Add to it during birthdays, anniversaries, or as a yearly tradition
• Link it to a liquid fund for easy access

SWP for His Retirement - Monthly Income with Market Growth

If your father is nearing or in retirement, or if you're building a corpus for his future, consider initiating a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP). This allows your father to receive a fixed amount regularly from his mutual fund investments - just like a pension.

Here's why SWP is a powerful retirement gift:

• Ensures steady, tax-efficient income without liquidating the entire corpus
• The remaining amount stays invested and continues to grow
• Offers flexibility in terms of amount and frequency of withdrawals

It's a thoughtful way to ensure his retirement is truly comfortable and financially independent.

The Unsung Hero: A Trusted Mutual Fund Distributor

Let's face it - not all dads are comfortable with money talk or market jargon. That's where a mutual fund distributor becomes your strongest ally in giving financial freedom.

Here's how they help:

• Education about mutual fund products and simplify complex financial jargon and concepts
• Assistance in selecting the right mutual funds based on your father's age, lifestyle, and financial needs
• Provide ongoing support for portfolio assessment and rebalancing
• Handle documentation, monitoring, and strategy revisions over time
• Provide unbiased guidance that aligns with your intent - his comfort and security

Introducing your father to a mutual fund distributor is like giving him a lifelong coach - someone who helps manage not just money, but dreams and dignity.

 

The Power of Simplicity in Investing (SIP power) : Why Less is More

In the world of investing, there's a common misconception that complexity equals sophistication. However, the truth is quite the opposite. Keeping the investment process simple can often lead to better outcomes and greater peace of mind. For example a simple SIP helps build wealth Here’s why:

Clarity Over Complexity: Simplicity brings clarity. By focusing on a few key principles and avoiding overly complex strategies, investors can make more informed and confident decisions. Understanding where your money is going and why it’s performing in a certain way becomes much easier when your investment plan is straightforward.

Cost Efficiency: Complex investment strategies often come with higher fees and expenses. Simpler portfolios, such as those based on index funds or ETFs, typically have lower costs, which can significantly boost long-term returns.

Consistency and Discipline: A simple investment approach helps maintain consistency and discipline. It’s easier to stick to a plan that’s easy to understand, especially during market fluctuations. Simplicity reduces the temptation to constantly tweak and change your strategy, which can lead to poor timing and unnecessary risk.

Focus on Fundamentals: By keeping things simple, you can focus on the fundamentals of investing—diversification, asset allocation, and long-term growth. This approach aligns with the tried-and-true principles that have historically driven successful investment outcomes.

Emotional Control: Investing can be an emotional rollercoaster. A simple strategy reduces stress and helps keep emotions in check, preventing panic-driven decisions that can derail your financial goals.

Remember, simplicity doesn’t mean sacrificing returns. In fact, many of the world’s most successful investors, like Warren Buffett, advocate for straightforward strategies. So, next time you’re tempted by a complex investment scheme, think twice. Embrace simplicity and watch your investments flourish with less effort and more confidence. 🚀📈

Pawn - The future Queen, SIP - The Wealth creator

Chess teaches us that the smallest chess piece, the pawn, can become the most powerful one, the queen. Similarly, even a small amount of money has the potential to grow into a significant fortune.

 Just like the pawn's gradual progress on the chessboard, consistent and incremental investments or savings can accumulate and compound over time, leading to financial prosperity. This is known as compounding, where wealth generates returns or interest that are reinvested and further compounded, accelerating its growth.

 However, this journey from small savings to substantial wealth requires patience, discipline, and a long-term perspective. Just as strategic chess moves are crucial, making consistent financial choices is important too. Even though individual contributions may seem modest initially, the power of compounding ensures their impact multiplies over time.

 However, the transformation from a pawn to a queen in chess and from small savings to significant wealth is far more than just limited to compounding. Just as the promotion of a pawn to a queen opens up new possibilities, accumulating wealth opens doors to financial opportunities.

 Nevertheless, it is essential to be prudent and wise on this journey. Making strategic decisions, diversifying investments, managing risks, and seeking professional help are all vital for wealth creation. Informed choices and a well-executed financial plan maximize the potential of small savings.

 

The path from a pawn to a queen, or from small savings to substantial wealth, may have challenges. Patience and perseverance are key. Just as chess players analyse each move, financial decisions should be made thoughtfully.

To summarize, the transformation of a pawn into a queen in chess and the conversion of small savings into significant wealth demonstrate the power of incremental growth, compounding, and the potential for significant transformation. By recognizing the potential of small beginnings, making disciplined financial choices, and harnessing the power of compounding, individuals can embark on a remarkable journey towards building substantial wealth and securing a prosperous future.

 Remember, even a small amount of money has the potential to evolve into significant wealth. Start today, embrace the journey, and witness the incredible transformation as your small savings manifest into a force to be reckoned with. 

SWP – A fabulous tool for investors

Here’s how you can Understand & use SWP effectively

 

The four pillars of personal finance are Assets , Liabilities , Income and Expense.

Planning for your expenses or cash outflows are a vital component of your financial plan. Because of a range of reasons like inflation and anticipated and unanticipated exigencies regular Cash flow is vital for a smooth life. It is rightly said that in Business Working Capital is like blood to the business. Similarly it is vital for our personal finances too .

 

If you are looking for regular and predictable cash flow from your investments then the automatic choice for most of us would be the traditional avenues like bank FDs and postal deposits ( and Pension/ annuity plans if we are lucky to have planned for them) . However, the falling /low-interest rates on these schemes and inflation have made people worry about their future. The big questions are, will the cashflows it be sufficient and how long will the investment last?

 

Against this backdrop, Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWPs) offered by mutual funds are increasingly gaining popularity and can be a great choice for investors looking to generate regular cash flow from their investments .. In this post, we shall seek to give some insights about SWPs.

 

What is SWP?

 

The SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan) is like the reverse of the popular concept of SIP wherein instead of investing money at regular intervals, investors withdraw/redeem a fixed amount from a scheme (in an automated way).

 

The SWP serves as a very good tool for planning for that phase in your life where you are dependent on regular cash inflows, for whatever reason. Here, the investor would typically make an initial investment in the chosen fund and then plan for SWP, either immediately or defer it to a later date. The investor has the flexibility to customize the amount as per their requirement, the withdrawal frequency, the period of withdrawal – whether fixed instalments or till the withdrawable balance is available in the fund. The investment lying in the fund would continue to grow, generating wealth for the investor, helping beat inflation and making sure that the fund lasts longer and the SWP continues for a longer period of time. The SWP is also a smarter and more tax-friendly way of withdrawing money. The growing corpus is also a good Estate Planning tool while the regular withdrawals ensure liquidity during lifetime of the investor.

 

When can SWP be used?

 

Typically SWP is a great tool to use in the following scenarios

 

1] Retirement planning /creating own pension/annuity

 

A very common use of SWP is in retirement planning. Here, a part of the retirement corpus is invested in a chosen Mutual fund scheme, typically with a mix of both asset classes - equity and debt, giving the best of both worlds. The equity is for the long term, for that extra boost of growth and the debt is usually for short-term safety. The choice of the fund category and scheme, however, depends on your needs, the risk profile, and the investment horizon, before the start of SWP.

 

2] Creating a secondary source of income

 

A SWP can also be started in situations where there is a temporary need to supplement your income, for example like the recent pandemic. If you have adequate investments, an SWP could be used to meet your temporary financial needs. Also, instead of withdrawing a big amount in one go, one can smartly use SWP to maintain some stability in your inflow .

 

 

3] Meeting specific cashflow needs for someone

 

Another smart use of SWP would be in scenarios where you invest for a specific objective/regular expense and an SWP is created to take care of that. The corpus would keep growing slowly while small withdrawal amounts would be credited to the bank account and from this, the intended expenses would be met. As an investor / donor , all you need to do you would only need to keep track of the fund balance from time to time and replenish it, if required. There can be many scenarios where such an approach can be used in financial planning. A few examples are cited below.

 

- SWP for education fees and pocket money  of Children

- SWP for monthly household expenses, etc.

- SWP for meeting regular  expenses of dependent parents

 

The right withdrawal rate :

 

This is an interesting question. What should be your sustainable or safe rate of withdrawal in order to make sure that your fund lasts for the required period of time and even longer? A complementary question would be, what should be my investment corpus to have the desired stream of money last for the required period of time? This is in fact at the heart of everyone trying to retire early and for those who are reaching retirement soon.

 

The withdrawal rate is the percentage of corpus you intend to withdraw every year. So a 5% rate on a corpus of Rs.50 lakhs would mean that you are withdrawing Rs.2,50,000 every year (Rs.20,833 monthly). Obviously, the lower the withdrawal rate and the higher the investment corpus, the better. Also, the expected returns from the fund also matter in replenishing itself and growing to finance withdrawals for a longer period of time. While a rate of up to 5-6% may be considered safe, a lower rate can help account for market volatility, uncertainties and lifestyle improvements. The withdrawal rate should be as per your need - a higher rate would mean that your corpus gets exhausted early and a lower rate would be insufficient. It also helps to invest and let the Corpus grow for some time before starting the withdrawals.

 

In Conclusion

 

SWP is an efficient tool and optimal way to plan for regular cash inflows. However, one must be careful and keep the financial objectives in mind. Remember, unplanned and unnecessary SWPs can cut short your wealth-creation journey. It is rightly said that compounding is the eighth wonder of the World and SWP is a need based tool to be used prudently.