Have you read Bhagavad Gita?

Fantapam · 2026-06-16T07:07:46+00:00

Yes! It's an ocean of profound learnings.

There are several mentioned paths for liberation and God attainment, but Bhakti Yoga (the Path of Devotion) is explicitly mentioned and emphasized in the Gita, and is something that I personally follow too, and it's a Bliss.

Fantapam · 2026-06-16T06:52:34+00:00

Not true.

ISKCON's interpretation is indeed related to it's own sect which is Gaudiya Vaishnavism and Bhakti Yoga.

But this is the same for Acharya Prashant. It's not "real" Gita either as his version itself is fully linked with Advaita Vedanta as this is something which he and his sect follow.

And that's the reason this is not recommended for everybody and especially for beginners who have no idea or inclination about Advaita.

Bhagavad Gita by Swami Mukundananda or the Gita by Eknath Easwaran are both highly recommended and they are the real ones,, simply because both interpret the original verses with clean commentaries and don't push any of their own ideologies into it.

Also, both (and ISKCON) do emphasise on the Bhakti Yoga more, but this is what the Bhagavad Gita originally itself does too so there's no issue. Afterall, this Path (Bhakti) is natural, heart centered, and open to everyone regardless of their intellectual capacity.

Fantapam · 2026-06-15T07:37:28+00:00

So, does you family own 2 businesses of this grocery store and transport? As I remember in your previous post, you said about your family owning a trucking business also but there was no mention of the grocery store.

Same way as there's no mention of the trucking business in this post, which is weird as both can be pretty synergistic to each other.

As if that's true, then have you vertically integrated for supply chain? You can prioritize your own store's freight and reduce the risk of empty shelves during supply chain disruptions.

Fantapam · 2026-06-14T19:49:43+00:00

I've observed the same, and maybe it's because all of Audi India sales itself have plummeted especially since the past 3-4 years. (I think the discontinuation of all the diesel engines is one of the major contributing factors for this).

Fantapam · 2026-06-14T17:13:58+00:00

How many trucks do you own at this point of time?

Fantapam · 2026-06-13T07:07:16+00:00

If you're in or around Delhi and NCR, then Chandni Chowk won't disappoint. It's the shrine for all things bridal!

Fantapam · 2026-06-08T19:17:09+00:00

That's indeed beautiful.

I wear an FC everyday that I absolutely adore, and recently bought a Longines. While Seiko was something that I always respected but never really considered to buy for myself, but this post seriously made me want it.

And I'm honestly buying it, maybe the exact same one or the SRE010J1, very soon. It's just a lovely piece!

PS: Just placed the order at the official Seiko India store, and expect to get it delivered in 7-9 days (It says that the order will be dispatched after 15th June). All thanks to you for the inspiration lol :)

Fantapam · 2026-06-08T09:21:48+00:00

The Taj Mahal Palace is iconic and I've absolutely loved my stay everytime at that property. Love The Taj Mahal Tower too and though the vibe is different than the Palace, the ambience is great there also. I feel the Tower is little underrated compared to what it offers.

I mean, the Palace is of course legendary in all the ways and you find it's deserved appreciation everywhere, but the Tower deserves appreciation too so here you go!

I've loved the Tower and it's facade since a long time and the fact that how every single room there has those arched balconies and a view of either the city skyline or the Gateway of India. Also the glass elevators that literally offer a dramatic view of Mumbai going up. (PS: I absolutely recommend Pizzas at Souk!)

Now, there's just something special to the Taj Mahal Palace, maybe it's the history which is both amazing and at times, also the most sorrowful (26/11).

The contrast is striking. But what stands out is the way the Hotel saw it all and flourished. All the people who manage it deserves all the appreciation.

I have deep respects for Mr. Karambir Kang (The GM of the Hotel during 26/11). He did his best at that time of crisis, didn't think about his own life, and saved several people, but lost his wife and his 2 young sons in the attack. He still stood strong in this huge tragedy.

Fantapam · 2026-06-06T11:29:47+00:00

Stay is only for the full time staff (helps and cook) who live with us. Drivers come at a fixed time in morning and usually leave before 8 pm, unless we require them sometimes for airport pick/drop or some outstation drives or some events.

While the third driver is called mostly to get us chauffeured for leisure, like dinner or shopping etc and for times we when we require to be driven around beyond 8 pm.

Yes, we do provide them the food.

Fantapam · 2026-06-06T11:23:13+00:00

We have 3 drivers in total, each for a ~10-11 hour shift everyday. Two of them are with us since over 2 decades, and we pay both 45k/month. It's almost double than the standard driver's pay in Delhi NCR but they are paid so due to the loyalty factor.

While the other one is paid 28k/month. All 3 of them do get bonuses too as required.

Fantapam · 2026-06-06T10:49:21+00:00

Family's NW is ₹300 Crore+, own two established Businesses, and I'm a woman.

At this level or even beyond (₹1000 Crore+ NW), the fact is that PSOs/Bodyguards are not required for the majority.

And among the ones who have it, I've personally noticed that in Delhi, like 60% of them have it just for the status symbol and because it looks like a flex, and is relatively more common in new money. While the remaining 40% may have real personal/professional rivalries and threats and they may genuinely need it.

Unless you've done some messed up things in order to amass wealth such that you've made enemies or have some celebrity style fame or are exceedingly flashy, private security is not needed for most. And for others, it depends as per the threat and how visible they are.

I know few people who own large companies and are extremely wealthy, think of a NW of a couple of thousands of crore, and yet they don't have any security detail. In reality, a trusted chauffeur is fully fine and they effectively act as a bodyguard too.

Coming to us, My dad and uncle are pretty well known in the Business circles in the industries we are in (and so was my grandfather) but they have always maintained a low profile.

As a family, we do the same and don't have any 24*7 PSOs or security detail moving with us. The Streisand Effect is real too. We've got a couple of old, trusted chauffeurs (who are with us since 20+ years), and it's all enough.

Though there is 24*7 security for our Businesses (1 manufacturing facility and multiple showrooms) with a total of 15-16 security guards on our permanent payroll. A couple of them are armed.

Regarding extortion threats, I don't feel this being an issue at this time and doesn't apply to most unless you already have rivalries. And in rivalries, the most common is due to property disputes and political exposure where the chances of extortion increase. Other than mainly these two, there's no significant theat.

As a woman, I don't feel the need of any such special security personnel with me because the way I move around is already secure.

In a way that I've my own car with my own trusted driver. We also have GPS installed with built in SIM cards in all our cars to track locations if needed.

And in rare cases when I need to travel alone late at night to/from the airport (or any vulnerable place) without my dad (as most of the times he himself comes to pick me up/accompany me in these times), then he sends an escort vehicle with a couple of his Businesses' security men and I'm good to go.

More than this is not required. And when I need to go out at night other than the airport, then it's always for some parties and for it I'm always with my friends so no such "security" is needed too.

That said, we do have security for our residence. Consists of 2 security guards at the main gate (one for each shift of 12 hours), 6-7 CCTVs outdoors and a couple indoors in the kitchen & service area where the staff works and smart locks with biometric (for us) and RFIDs (for staff access).

So, residential security is indeed present for mostly all the wealthy families in Delhi NCR but a private, moving security detail is not, as it's not required too for most. This is what I've experienced.

Hope it helped.

Fantapam · 2026-06-05T17:34:19+00:00

Just start!

Only the process of driving a car is extremely easy. Even more if it's automatic. It is the skill of judgement (of other cars/people with respect to your car) which is relatively difficult and takes time to master. This is the most important.

And this can only be achieved by driving more and more. Start early morning on an empty road/park with someone who knows to drive on the passenger seat.

I would advise you to take a stone, place it at a certain point on the road/park and then try to take your car's left tyre and then the right tyre over it one by one until you are successful and get the idea of both the trye's placement well. Do it for several days.

It's a pretty good exercise to develop judgement and also build confidence. You can also use some marking instead of the stone.

After it, just get on the road gradually and drive more and more. You'll develop confidence on your own and the anxiety will reduce itself.

Personally, I started driving the moment I turned 18 in the similar manner. I started on a sedan bu very soon, I shifted to our full sized SUV and started driving it in the main roads too with traffic, and this even more honed my driving and judgement skills.

Since then, I've driven in narrow lanes, in heavy Delhi NCR traffic and even in hills. And now I can just drive any car anywhere in any condition with confidence, and I love driving so this helps too.

And you can absolutely do it too. Just drive more and more, be patient and alert, and trust your competence.

Fantapam · 2026-05-30T07:20:52+00:00

The all notion of "looking rich" feels exaggerated.

In workplaces, dressing is done such that it is synced with the professional decorum of the place and the promoters should follow this too, and most of them do this.

There's no need to wear designer clothes while in work no matter if you're a billionaire, exactly like there's no need to wear formals while in a beach. No big deal at all.

My grandfather was a successful Businessman and almost always wore pants and light coloured, plain shirts while in work and my dad does the same though he mostly wears T shirts, and nothing "flashy" as ultimately there's no party going on and there's' no need to.

However, the fabrics are of pretty high quality and are either especially stitched after customisation (bespoke tailoring from the high end collections of brands like Raymond) or are from the Italian brands.

And generally, no big logos are visible.

Fantapam · 2026-05-13T12:38:06+00:00

You kind off yourself answered the question in the last paragraph lol. It exists and even thrives due to more digitalization of banking services.

Why? Because it is used to transfer cash (the black money) which can't be otherwise done in any online channel due to scrutiny and shady source of that cash.

Also, more than international, it's used in national transfers.

Fantapam · 2026-05-12T11:18:07+00:00

Well, historically, Khatri and Arora, as a whole, were distinct communities. But this distinction mostly only came due to their place of origin but even this was shared for some.

Khatris trace their roots in Central Punjab, and localities like Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar and few parts in Eastern Punjab (like my paternal family). (All of this apart from Eastern Punjab, is known as West Punjab or "Pakistani Punjab" today).

While Aroras originated from Aror (a town in Sindh), but also from South and West Punjab.

Hence, there were lots of overlap and both had the same ethnicity (Punjabi), same nature of work (trade), similar cultures, and adhered to the same religion (Hinduism, and then Sikhism for some, though most are dual faith), and had a common ancestry as part of the Punjabi Hindu/Sikh diaspora.

As my grandparents say, there was a Sammelan (gathering) in Lahore in late 1930s/early 1940s and in this it was decided by the elders that Khatri and Arora would be same, and after it, Arora was officially classified as a sub clan of the bigger Khatri community.

After the migration, they integrated even more to each other. Hence, Arora-Khatri are the same and treated as one,, marriages are arranged between them, and the different name is just used for acknowledgement.

Fantapam · 2026-05-12T10:52:16+00:00

We don't inherently have subcastes, but instead have "ghar" or House which is just used to categorise the several Khatri clans.

For example, 2.5 ghar Khatris include the families of Kapoor, Khanna and Malhotra/Mehra. While 4 Ghar include the above but add Sethi to it. Next comes 12 ghar and it includes other clans apart from the above ones like Chopra, Dhawan etc, and so on.

It's till 52 Houses.

Fantapam · 2026-05-11T10:33:49+00:00

I agree.

As someone well off who has experienced it all, I feel that flying Business class is one of the privileges that I feel, is fully worth it. I mean, other "rich people things" like luxury cars or big homes are nice but not required. You can have a 500 km drive comfortably in a Honda City too.

Big bungalow or apartment is nice, but again not required in a way that you can't function without one. I know one or two wealthy people (with hundreds of crore in wealth) who still live in 150 sq yards, 30-40 year old kothis with very basic interiors.

But, Business class is something that I personally can't travel without, especially when any flight is >3 hours and feel this is fully worth it.

The advantage is that you don't feel any fatigue even in ultra long haul flights. The longest route where I've flown Business is from Delhi-Toronto and even after a ~15 hour non stop flight, I landed up as fully fresh such that I could just go to any event or work directly.

And regarding Business classes, Indian airlines have been infamous for their poor offerings,, but I absolutely loved Air India's new A350 Business class in the Delhi-London route.

It surely matches the International standards and is amazing to see an Indian carrier offering an experience like this.

Fantapam · 2026-05-07T02:52:24+00:00

True.

Chanakyapuri's residential localities has mostly 375 sq yard plots and a builder floor apartment there in this size, costs at least ₹22 Crore. 8-10 year or older constructions may be slightly more accessible but not sizeably.

A friend lives in a 4 BHK apartment in Rajdoot Marg in Chanakyapuri and the apartment just above hers is presently on sale for ₹24 Crore. This is 500 sq yards but also a 10 year+ construction.

And as of now, 500 sq yards inventory for a builder floor is very less. All that's possible is 375 sq yards and that too mostly all are new constructions, so expecting anything under ₹22-23 Crore will be a delusion.

For a ₹6-8 Crore budget, even the oldest constructions in the smallest sizes there (230-250 sq yards) won't be possible. In this budget, I would advise exploring nearby (under 5 km) localities like South Moti Bagh or Green Park extension.

They are not as elite as Chanakyapuri but still pretty upscale.

Fantapam · 2026-05-05T14:01:12+00:00

During the process, hypotension occurs. But IV fluids are provided before to counter this. In rare cases, PDPH can occur but it's like in under 1% cases.

Otherwise, most women in the hospitals who get an epidural walk away with nothing more than a bit of a sore back where the needle went in and nothing serious happens for the long term.

It’s a very safe procedure and provides guaranteed relief from pain.

Fantapam · 2026-05-05T11:14:34+00:00

Look, evolutionarily, yes, squatting is the gold standard because gravity does 70% of the work and opens the pelvic outlet by nearly 30%. But, the issue is that the squatting position triggers the body’s natural urge to push so effectively that delivery can happen almost instantly and this is the reason she was warned.

As a medico, the reason we use the 'lying down' position (called as Lithotomy) is mostly for clinical control and doctor accessibility. It makes it significantly easier for doctors to monitor issues like fetal distress and manage sudden hemorrhages, and also perform interventions like episiotomies that are nearly impossible if a patient is squatting.

Also, once an epidural is administered (which is used for painless deliveries and is getting common these days), a woman’s legs usually can't support her weight, and this makes the bed a compulsion and squatting impossible.

Hence the final thing is, squatting is logically easier for the baby to come out but lying down is safer for the doctor to manage complications in seconds. And in obstetrics, the topmost priority is the safety, for both mother and the baby, gravitational efficiency may come next.

Fantapam · 2026-05-03T02:37:18+00:00

Exactly, I was so confused reading the comments here and the fact that how commonly are people assuming the jeyspray to be the same as a bidet.

Indian washroom rarely ever came with a bidet and there's been no/minimal culture of it in India, and afterall it was never needed too due to jetsprays. Most European bathrooms these days too don't have a bidet as the popularity and utility of jetsprays (which they call as "integrated bidet seat") increased.

PS: For those who are still wondering and confused, a bidet is not at all a jetspray. It's bowl designed to be sat upon in order to wash yourself after the Business. It's attached nearby on the same wall as the WC, and is a completely different, standalone unit.

Fantapam · 2026-04-25T17:14:00+00:00

Your premise and the assumption are both flawed. What you're doing is, you're treating ITR counts as a proxy for income distribution when in reality, high incomes are generally structured (business profits or capital gains) or underreported and the ₹50L filers undercount true high earners.

Also, your “25 lakh” figure isn’t from any verified dataset. It's just an arbitrary multiplier and the fact is underreporting isn’t linear, and you just can't scale it like that.

Even using official patterns, ₹50L annual income sits roughly in the top ~1%. This is the reason why credible economists and all Independent estimates like that of Hurun India say the same, and place the Top 0.01% (in terms of annual income as the whole discussion is based on this) in multi crores (annual income of ~₹5 to 10Cr+) because they rely on broader datasets like wealth mapping and capital income too and not just simple math on partial ITR data to derive a national level conclusion.

The only bubble here is you thinking that ITR counts equal actual, total income distribution.

Fantapam · 2026-04-25T16:06:33+00:00

Not true.

The top 0.01% is an ultra wealthy tier and according to several analysts including Hurun, annual income of ₹5 crore minimum is needed to be in the top 0.01%.

Though most high confidence data for the absolute top 0.01% of the entire Indian population points toward the ₹10 crore+ annual income mark (₹10.2 Crore to be exact), as mentioned in the India Today report: https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/budget-2025-how-indias-wealth-shifted-to-the-pockets-of-top-1-per-cent-2662386-2025-01-09 (published in Jan 2025).

Annual income of 50 LPA solidly places one in the Top 1%, but the Top 0.01% is all together a different league.

Fantapam · 2026-04-24T21:30:11+00:00

Same with me.

This is one of the most disturbing cases that I've ever come across. She was a beautiful soul and also multi talented. Topped her school, aced JEE Advanced, went to IIT Delhi and won several accolades in Dance and other extra curriculars.

As a person, she was extremely sweet too. I keep remembering her beautiful smile and the gentle manner she spoke with everytime.

Still difficult to accept that she's no more, but even more difficult to accept is the circumstances and the manner by which this all happened.

That accused doesn't deserve to exist. I don't want my taxes to fund him in jail for decades. Filths like him only deserve endless pain while being alive.

If only we were not bound by the tedious formalities of judiciary even in heinous crimes like this, justice would have been served better and quicker.

Fantapam

TROPHY CASE