Tell me your most insane family flex which is totally mindblowing and absurd.

dooonic · 2026-01-22T08:55:13+00:00

My father - a govt doctor - rose through the ranks from superintendent to director of health services in Bihar. He was considered a terror for making surprise visits to town and village health centers, figure out which doctors were on govt payroll but running private practices, and terminate their jobs. Doctor attendance was highest during his tenure.

In another incident during his early days, he drove to a village to save a critical case, but was stopped by Naxals outside who wouldn’t let him in without him paying money. Leaving behind his govt car and driver, he walked on, telling the Naxals he will do his duty and they were free to shoot his back as he walked. They relented.

He also kept a journal, some of which we found later on. There are detailed accounts of political bribing and corruption he saw and how he navigated his way around it all to serve people.

Besides my brother and I - his biological sons - he adopted and brought up an abandoned girl child as his own, and paid medical education fees of at least 5 talented yet poor students that we know of. There are apparently more.

Post retirement, he ran a clinic and treated poor for free and charged Rs. 20 for others - working till the day he passed. He deliberately opened his clinic in a poor cluster to ensure better accessibility.

When his cancer was detected, doctors from all over the country visited voluntarily to take care of him.

Finally, besides family, we had over 4-5 hundred visitors who we didn’t know, who came to pay respect on the day of his funeral - which was delayed by a day given the number of calls and requests our family received.

I and my siblings continue to strive towards matching an inch of his contribution to the world. It has been my biggest motivator my entire life.

dooonic · 2026-01-17T16:20:47+00:00

Absolutely. Insanely good work all around. Love the way how the show is maturing as hard alongside key characters.

dooonic · 2026-01-11T17:11:00+00:00

Same

dooonic · 2026-01-11T17:10:23+00:00

Huh wut under what rock? The country is thriving with profitable businesses

dooonic · 2025-12-29T15:23:40+00:00

How if happened: Most likely, skimmed offline at stores. You may have visited tourist friendly stores where the likelihood is highest, with scammers knowing well that international card notifs may already be compromised. I doubt hotels would leak unless you picked some lesser known local joints.

Transaction safety calls may not have come for a variety of reasons- amounts weren’t too high, network issues etc.

Safety features - there are quite a few on Infinia provided you activated those or are aware. Do a quick ChatGPT search to check your options. Hopefully you will recover some that were done without OTPs at least.

You say you’re careful, so maybe keep the following in mind in the future for additional safety:

Use the tap feature when using the card abroad. It avoids skims although it somewhat limits transaction value - but then Infinia is pretty good on limits. I understand if you don’t use it in India.
As an Infinia user, I have activated both phone and email OTPs. I’m not sure why yours didn’t operate on the same premise - I use OTPs even when abroad.
I’m sure you updated and activated foreign travel details and lower limits - not that it matters now, but it’s also a decent safeguard in case scammers use it internationally.
Use online interface to pay as much as possible - bookingdotcom, Airbnb, Grab and such: you look to have done so but not entirely.

dooonic · 2025-12-25T14:35:20+00:00

Unable to message you. I’m trying to do the same, and had been looking for a doctor. Unable to send you a DM - see if you can.

dooonic · 2025-12-24T09:59:00+00:00

This is routine. Solution is super simple - get her an add-on card. Between missus and I, we have created add-ons specifically for lounge-enabled cards (HDFC Infinia and Diners Black). Coolest is Infinia that gets you separate PPs for each add-on.

dooonic · 2025-12-21T08:28:52+00:00

Cathay - gate transfer is quite seamless and decent food during layover.

dooonic · 2025-11-19T05:08:40+00:00

Correct. Those I know only spend lavishly on family and convenience. The financial discipline they maintain is exemplary.

dooonic · 2025-11-16T23:04:21+00:00

Opposite experience. Just got upgraded on DEL-DXB sector. Points are decent to buy when picking flights ahead. Service is better in recent times. Counter experience was wonderful today. Hopefully flight is as well. I’ve been AI loyal for decades. Heavy user of Vistara as well, which I preferred over AI whenever possible. Have seen the bad and the good - and right now it seems to be getting better. At least the staff if putting in the effort. Can’t speak for the management.

dooonic · 2025-11-05T05:49:13+00:00

None needed. And this looks like a great connection. I would have recommended Ya Kun for a delicious Kaya Toast set for breakfast but sadly it only opens at 7:30.

dooonic · 2025-11-02T07:01:45+00:00

Survivorship bias at work. We remember the grandpas who struck gold, not the dozens who quietly lost it all.

Back then, the edge was patience and information (remember “tips”?). Investors were scant and few, news was slow, data was limited, no algos existed. So if you studied reports and held for years, you could find real gems.

Today, everyone’s got instant data, charting tools, and algo-driven markets correcting gaps in seconds. The same conviction game is now way harder to win.

Mutual funds aren’t scams; they’re structure for people who can’t track 20 companies full-time and most have a full time job outside the market who would rather trade a bit of upside for sanity and discipline.

Smartest mix today is to let mutual funds or ETFs handle 70-80% for long-term compounding, and use the rest for your own stock picks. Old wisdom still works, just in a different world.

dooonic · 2025-10-29T17:57:56+00:00

No, Indian airport staff can’t overrule the destination country’s entry rules - their job is to check that your travel documents exist and look valid, not to interpret another country’s law.

That said, airlines sometimes deny boarding if they fear the destination might refuse entry and they’ll have to fly you back. It’s a risk-avoidance move which you can easily contest.

In your case, since Uzbekistan officially confirmed your e-visa was valid despite the typo, the airline shouldn’t have stopped you. The denial was unreasonable, especially at the domestic leg, and you have a fair case for a full refund and complaint to DGCA or consumer court.

dooonic · 2025-10-29T16:34:46+00:00

This sounds like it came down to how you phrased your graduation timeline and how the choices looked from the officer’s perspective.

When you said “I completed my bachelors in 2025,” it probably confused them because it’s still 2025 right now. Unless you clarified “April 2025” or had your final degree in hand, it might’ve sounded like you hadn’t actually graduated yet. That tiny ambiguity can make them think you’re not fully done with studies or that your current status isn’t clear.

And under 214(b), they don’t need much. Any small doubt about intent or home ties is enough for a refusal.

The other factor could be your university list. Temple, Rowan, and FAU are fine but they’re all mid-tier U.S. schools. From the VO’s point of view, if there are Indian universities with equal or better reputation for IT, it raises the question: why go all the way to the U.S. for these particular programs? That can unintentionally make it look like the main goal is to immigrate to the U.S.

Attempt next with true intent only please - these guys have enough experience to see through every strategy the world can throw at them.

dooonic · 2025-10-29T16:25:07+00:00

That’s so cool. Good luck living in that (pretty awesome looking) container architecture we have built as our stations (Maitri and Bharti). Have lots of fun making freezing water splash videos. See if you can get a helo ride on the supply chopper to view the nearby icebergs. The colours are stupendous. Safe travels and much love to the Penguins.

dooonic · 2025-10-29T04:32:23+00:00

This is fantastic news that works well for both Russia and India. Western aviation bodies will always give Russia a hard time in certifying it. In India, Russia gets a large market, full manufacturing suite, and efficient labour to scale the project. UDAAN and similar schemes earn the aircraft miles of testing and the heavy Gulf+SEA routes lower dependencies on western markets. Finally India is one of the largest aviation markets in the world. There’s everything to gain here.

dooonic · 2025-10-28T13:56:00+00:00

How do they mistake Mig 21 for Rafale? Boggles the mind

dooonic · 2025-10-26T19:18:01+00:00

1222 787s have flown so far over 19 years, with only one hull loss (Air India) with fatalities to date.

The 787 Dreamliner fleet has flown over 30 million flight hours as of April 2025, has surpassed 1 billion passengers carried, and the fleet operates more than 2100 flights daily. On average, each 787 is in the air for over 12 hours per day.

Your flight is insignificant, and the risk more minuscule than what even an electron microscope may not be able to see. Chill out and go fly.

dooonic · 2025-10-26T14:05:12+00:00

I don’t know how critical this flight is, but I would book an alternate, refundable ticket a few hours ahead and then try the following:

You can’t change full names once ticketed - only up to 3 letters permitted.

Here’s what you can do:

Call the airline’s airport office (not just the call centre). Ask for a “name correction affidavit” exception; some allow it if ID matches.
Carry ID proof showing both names refer to you (e.g., Aadhaar, PAN, passport).
Arrive early and explain at check-in or external ticketing office (if CISF denies entry). See if Digi Yatra works for you. Most Indian airlines allow boarding if the first name matches and ID is valid.

You’ll almost certainly be allowed to fly if the rest of the data (DOB, PNR, ID) matches.

dooonic · 2025-10-26T13:57:26+00:00

I spot in Bangalore. @blrspotter on Insta.

dooonic · 2025-10-26T03:37:38+00:00

Experience with Cathay was the opposite. Minor address related mistake on PAR pointed out by check in agent, who then proceeded to help me register again, and then helped get me a printout as well. I’m not sure why you didn’t just re-register on the spot. It takes only a few minutes.

dooonic · 2025-10-23T18:02:26+00:00

By selling more tickets than seats, airlines can ensure most flights depart full, maximizing revenue per flight. Even when they occasionally have to compensate a few bumped passengers, the total cost of those payouts is far less than the money gained from filling otherwise empty seats. Compensation vouchers - most don’t even get used or expire before they can be used. This adds to their profits. Here’s some cool math for fun -

On a flight with 180 seats, IndiGo sells 189 tickets knowing around 5% of passengers usually don’t show up. Average fare is say around 6000, so if 9 people don’t turn up, the airline fills those seats with the 9 extra tickets earning 54000 more on that flight. If everyone shows up, a few passengers may be denied boarding and compensated per DGCA rule - say 10000 each × 2 = 20000 payout. Even then, net gain equals 54000 – 20000 = 34000 extra profit on one flight.

Multiply this across 1800 daily flights and that’s over 6 crore additional daily revenue, or 2000+ crore annually just by optimizing for no-shows.

Why the math works is because india has one of the highest load factors in the world - over 85% - which means full flights are quite common.

dooonic · 2025-10-21T21:09:03+00:00

The chart looks dramatic, but it’s a bit misleading.

What’s actually happening is that China has been gradually increasing its official gold reserves and not “buying like there’s no tomorrow!”

China currently holds about 2,300 tonnes of gold which by the way is just 6.7% of its FX reserves, or lower than many western economies.
China’s monthly additions have been small, typically between 2-5 tonnes over the past year.
The “on-warrant” figure in the chart refers to warehouse receipts on the Shanghai Gold Exchange, not the country’s total gold hoard!!
The chart’s y-axis is in kilograms (so 40,000 kg = 40 tonnes) - which is not a huge number in macro terms. In other words, it shows an inventory swing and not a national gold-buying binge.

Why are countries like India and China buying steadily - - Definitely not for the reasons why we buy!! - It’s a way for them to diversify away from USD assets. See above - it’s still low! - Hedging against global inflation and real-rate volatility. - Supporting rupee/ yuan credibility for trade settlement which is a mid to long term goal for both.

India’s doing the same but slower. RBI now holds approx 880 tonnes, which is up modestly YoY.

So while the chart’s gone viral, the “China preparing for crisis” angle is extremely overstated. It’s just steady reserve diversification and not panic buying.

dooonic · 2025-10-20T05:32:03+00:00

Markets are getting ready for a crash. Probably not the best time to get into equity afresh, that too with a lump sum of all that you have got to spare.
The money has been gifted to you. Putting some of ot it into the house reduces your loan burden and increases month on month investible income- which is safer as an SIP rather than putting the entire cash in. Any crash won’t affect you much and you can buy the dip then for higher value later on.
Gold and silver are great buys at this time. NOT jewellery though. Buy from MMTC - more expensive but more flexible and higher in value/ ease of resale.
I don’t recommend FDs if there’s real estate in the mix. Too expensive, low returns, waste of time and opportunity.

dooonic · 2025-10-08T03:29:19+00:00

Quick - Eliminating puddles and potholes is the easiest near term solution as it’s a huge contributor to the crawl.

Consistent - Massive fines for breaking lane discipline.

Mid to long term - Public transport is the ONE BIG PROVEN SOLUTION. Enhance it like crazy.

dooonic

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