A close friend of mine started treating another friend’s wife as his “sister,” but over time his behaviour became uncomfortable. He would make jokes with her, hug her frequently and touch her casually, almost as if calling her a “sister” gave him the right to cross normal personal boundaries. My wife noticed this behaviour and brought it to my attention, which made me look at the situation differently. Now I’m confused about how I should react. I don’t want to judge my friend or create unnecessary problems based only on what I have observed, but at the same time, I don’t want to ignore behaviour that makes my wife or me uncomfortable.

Ans: Hello

Thanks for asking the question, very relevant in todays times.

At the outset, let me state neither approach is better on its own. What matters is whether you are learning new skills, your pay is increasing and are you growing overall in the job. Tenure is only a rough proxy for that.

Lets look at why long stays can work? and where they go wrong?

Staying put gives you deep expertise, trust, and stability, and loyalty; which matters when you have a family and fixed expenses. The danger is that the risk is hidden. Your salary can drift below the market rate, your skills can narrow to one company’s way of working, and your outside network can shrink. You then discover the cost only when you’re forced to look, such as in a layoff, a restructuring, or a new boss. Staying feels safe because nothing visibly changes, but the risk builds up slowly and quietly, its like frog in the water, where the gas flame is simmering. Initially the frog enjoys the warm water, by the time water reaches boiling point, it is too late for the frog to jump out.

Why frequent switching works, and where it goes wrong

Changing every 2-3 years is usually the fastest way to raise pay, because external offers typically beat internal increments. It also exposes you to new problems and people. The costs are real, though. You may never see a project through to results, you restart your credibility each time, and in a downturn the newest joiner is often the first to go. Many short stints can also look like restlessness unless each move has a strong reason behind it.

What the evidence tends to favour:

The people who do best long-term are usually neither extreme. They stay as long as they’re learning and being rewarded fairly, which is often 4-7 years, and they move when growth stalls. Staying for stability is a reasonable choice. Staying only out of fear, with no growth, is the costly one.

A practical way to decide

Ask yourself these questions:

- Learning: Am I doing something meaningfully new compared to two years ago?
- Pay: If I interviewed today, would I be offered notably more than I earn now?
- Options: If this job vanished next month, how quickly could I land another?
- Trajectory: Is there a believable path to a bigger role here within 1-2 years?

If most answers are “no,” staying is probably costing you more than a move would. If they’re mostly “yes,” then stay put.

A middle path that cuts the risk

You don’t have to choose between “stay forever” and “jump now.” You can quietly test the market by updating your profile, talking to recruiters, and interviewing without committing. You can ask for a bigger role or new responsibilities internally, and see whether the company responds. And you can keep 6+ months of expenses saved before any move, which makes the family-responsibility risk far more manageable. A real offer in hand gives you facts instead of fear to decide with.

Hope this helps. All the best.

Warm Regards
KK

ps: For more insights please follow me on RediffGurus

Ans: I believe I have already addressed your question in my earlier response, but I noticed that you have posted it again. Nevertheless, please note that NIOS Mathematics can be an option, but certain eligibility conditions apply. Passing Mathematics alone may not automatically establish JEE eligibility. JEE Main 2027 requires the prescribed subject combination, including Physics, Mathematics, a language and other specified subjects. NIT admissions also have specific subject requirements. Please verify the latest NTA and JoSAA guidelines before enrolling for the additional subject. All The Best for Your Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Souradeep, I hope you have been preparing for engineering entrance examinations alongside your regular school studies since Class XI. If you are aiming for reputed institutions, consider factors such as institutional reputation, quality of education, industry exposure, and career opportunities, and target very strong academic performance, preferably 98+ percentile in relevant entrance examinations, wherever applicable. Please remember that ROI is influenced not only by the institution but also by your academic performance, technical skills, personality traits (communication, presentation, EQ/EI Level, resilience etc.), specialisation and the recruiting companies. Here are some of the best options to consider: 1. JEE Main / JEE Advanced: The application process for JEE Main has commenced. Target the top NITs, such as NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal and NIT Surathkal, and the leading IITs, including IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur and IIT Kanpur. These are ambitious options, particularly for CSE and ECE, where admission generally requires exceptionally high percentiles and competitive All India Ranks. 2. BITSAT – BITS Pilani: Aim for approximately 320+ marks out of 390, particularly if you are targeting the Pilani campus and preferred branches. The other campuses may offer relatively lower cut-offs, depending on the programme and admission cycle. This is also an ambitious option. 3. IIIT Hyderabad: Consider UGEE for its five-year dual-degree programmes. A competitive rank, preferably within approximately 160, would strengthen your chances. For four-year programmes through JEE Main, CSE/ECE admission is exceptionally competitive, with a very high percentile generally required. 4. IIIT Bangalore: Check the 2027 admission policy carefully, as its accepted entrance examinations and selection criteria may change. Based on earlier admission trends, a strong JEE rank is important for securing preferred programmes. 5. KIIT Bhubaneswar: Appear for KIITEE and target a rank below approximately 3,000 for preferred branches, keeping in mind that closing ranks may vary across admission phases. 6. COMEDK UGET: This is a useful option for students from across India. A rank within approximately 1,000 would improve your chances of targeting leading Bengaluru engineering colleges, making it a comparatively more accessible option than the institutions mentioned above. 7. WBJEE: Do consider your home-state entrance examination. How would you categorise your current preparation and expected performance in WBJEE—as ambitious, moderate or safe? Since you have not mentioned whether you are attending offline/online coaching or your present preparation level, I would strongly recommend keeping additional backup options such as Manipal (MET), VIT (VITEEE) and Amrita (AEEE), rather than depending entirely on the seven options above. You may also explore ISI if you have a genuine interest in Statistics and mathematical sciences. The objective should be to create a balanced admission strategy with ambitious, moderate and safe choices while keeping your preferred engineering branches and long-term career goals in focus. All The Best for Your Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Yes Upasana but conditionally. Pure PCB students can pursue eligible B.Tech programmes and subsequently apply for M.Tech at IITs/NITs. However, qualifying GATE alone does not guarantee admission. Each institute specifies acceptable undergraduate branches and GATE papers. CSE, ECE, EE and CE have different eligibility restrictions. Verify departmental criteria before selecting B.Tech. It is also advisable to keep the maximum possible backup options for UG admission, considering your long-term goal of pursuing an M.Tech. All The Best for Your Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Yes Upasana but conditionally. Pure PCB students can pursue eligible B.Tech programmes and subsequently apply for M.Tech at IITs/NITs. However, qualifying GATE alone does not guarantee admission. Each institute specifies acceptable undergraduate branches and GATE papers. CSE, ECE, EE and CE have different eligibility restrictions. Verify departmental criteria before selecting B.Tech. It is also advisable to keep the maximum possible backup options for UG admission, considering your long-term goal of pursuing an M.Tech. All The Best for Your Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Sir, you can try these 3 options: (1) OISD External Safety Auditor: Explore empanelment opportunities to conduct safety audits in the oil and gas sector, subject to prescribed eligibility criteria. (2) ONGC / CEIL Consultancy Assignments: Explore retired personnel panels, consultant engineer positions and HSE-related contracts involving safety audits and technical consultancy & (3) Independent HSE Consultant and Corporate Safety Trainer: Provide industrial safety audits, risk assessments, compliance advisory and specialised safety training to oil and gas companies, contractors and energy enterprises. All The Best!

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Ans: I can understand your frustration. Having the same documents returned 7–8 times over seven years is certainly unacceptable from a service perspective.

Since you have held Gujarat Gas shares since 1992, it is important to get the ownership records corrected and updated.

My suggestion is to stop handling this as a routine document-submission exercise. Instead, escalate it as a formal investor grievance.

» Escalate the Matter

I suggest the following steps:

– Write one final consolidated complaint to KFin Technologies grievance redressal team.

– Clearly mention that the matter has been pending since 2019 and documents have been returned repeatedly.

– Attach a chronological list of all previous submissions and objections raised by KFintech.

– Ask them to provide one consolidated list of all pending requirements instead of raising new objections with every submission.

– Request escalation to their senior investor services team and a written resolution within a specified timeframe.

» Escalation Through Gujarat Gas

Do not restrict your complaint to KFintech alone.

– Send a formal complaint to the Company Secretary and Investor Grievance Department of Gujarat Gas Limited.

– Explain that KFintech is the company's Registrar and Transfer Agent, and the repeated rejection is causing hardship.

– Request Gujarat Gas management to intervene and instruct KFintech to resolve the matter.

– You can also copy KFintech's Compliance Team at compliance.corp AT kfintech.com.

» Approach SEBI and Stock Exchanges

If the matter is still unresolved, escalate it through the following channels:

– SEBI SCORES: https://scores.sebi.gov.in/

– You can also approach the investor grievance department of NSE or BSE.

– If the grievance remains unresolved, consider the SMART ODR platform for online dispute resolution: https://smartodr.in/

Keep all complaint reference numbers and previous rejection letters ready.

» One Important Suggestion

Prepare a single document containing:

– Your original request submitted in 2019.
– All 7–8 rejection letters received from KFintech.
– Documents submitted against each objection.
– Details of the latest pending objection.

Ask KFintech to identify all remaining deficiencies in one communication and confirm that no further requirements will be raised after compliance with that list, unless a genuine regulatory requirement arises.

» Final Insights

You have already spent seven years following up. I would not recommend continuing the same process through repeated letters.

Escalation through Gujarat Gas management, followed by SEBI SCORES, is a better approach.

Your objective should be to get one accountable officer to review the entire case and provide a final resolution.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

AMFI-Registered MFD – ARN 4188

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/

Ans: Your concern is valid, particularly because the policy has been continued for 17 years with regular premium payments. Being a senior citizen, you should not have to face uncertainty about your medical coverage at the time of a major surgery.

There are two important issues here:

– The insurer has reduced the Annual Claim Limit from Rs. 20 lakhs to Rs. 4 lakhs.

– There is a dispute regarding the interpretation of the original policy certificate and the terms and conditions.

The key question is whether the insurer has the contractual right to reduce your benefits during an ongoing policy, especially when the earlier policy documents stated otherwise.

Do not accept the revised benefit limits merely because the insurance company has quoted a clause. Ask them to establish clearly how that clause applies to your original policy.

» Immediate Actions Recommended

I suggest the following steps:

– Obtain the original policy document issued in 2009, including the complete terms and conditions.

– Compare it with the revised policy document issued in September 2026.

– Ask the insurer to provide a written explanation identifying the exact clause that permits the reduction of the Annual Limit.

– Ask them to explain why the original policy certificate and the revised terms differ.

– Request a written clarification on the exact benefits payable for knee replacement surgery, including surgical and convalescence benefits.

– Preserve all premium receipts and correspondence. Continue paying premiums to avoid any disruption in policy continuity.

» Escalate to the Insurance Ombudsman

Since you have already approached IRDAI and the insurer has not resolved the matter, I suggest approaching the Insurance Ombudsman in Mumbai.

The Insurance Ombudsman provides an independent grievance redressal mechanism.

You can seek the following relief:

– Restoration of the original Annual Limit of Rs. 20 lakhs, subject to the original policy terms.

– A declaration regarding the correct interpretation of the policy benefits.

– Written confirmation of your knee replacement surgery entitlement.

– Appropriate relief for any deficiency in service by the insurance company.

You generally need to approach the Ombudsman within one year of receiving the insurer's rejection or unsatisfactory decision. Please do not delay this escalation.

» Regarding Your Knee Replacement Surgery

This is particularly important because your medical requirement should not suffer due to an ongoing insurance dispute.

– Ask the hospital insurance desk to submit a pre-authorisation request, if this facility is available under your policy.

– Obtain the insurer's written response before admission, wherever medically feasible.

– Do not rely only on verbal assurances from the insurance company.

– If surgery is medically urgent, discuss the timing with your treating orthopaedic surgeon. Do not postpone necessary treatment solely because of this dispute.

– Keep all hospital estimates, medical advice and insurance correspondence safely.

Also, do not surrender or discontinue this 17-year-old policy while the dispute is pending.

» Our Assessment

Your strongest point appears to be the difference between the original policy certificate and the revised

However, the actual entitlement will depend on the contractual terms, benefit definitions and any valid amendments applicable to your policy.

The insurer should not simply quote isolated clauses without explaining their applicability to your original policy.

Given your age and the significant medical expenses involved, I would recommend getting an insurance lawyer to examine both policy documents and represent your case before the Ombudsman, if required.

You have maintained the policy for 17 years. It is important to protect your contractual rights and obtain clarity before incurring substantial medical expenses.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

AMFI-Registered MFD – ARN 4188

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/

Ans: You need to question this - can you manage a Long Distance Relationship? If yes then do not join him, if you cannot then join him.