Trailblazing Entrepreneur

A career can sometimes take us exactly where we planned to go. At other times, it introduces us to possibilities we never imagined. Sweta Singh’s journey reflects the second kind of story. Her professional life has been shaped by more than 16 years of experience in Human Resources and Talent Acquisition across India and the Asia-Pacific region. She has worked with organisations, leaders and professionals through hiring, growth, transformation and change. But somewhere along that journey, another passion began taking shape. The professional who spent years helping people navigate their careers discovered a desire to create stories that explored what happens inside people—their emotions, relationships, fears, choices and hopes. Today, Sweta is building two parallel identities: an experienced HR leader and an emerging fiction author. A Small-Town Beginning Long before the corporate meetings, leadership discussions and published books, there was a young girl growing up in a small town with...

For many Indian buyers, spending ₹10–15 lakh on a car can lead to an important question: should you buy a brand-new car or use the same money to enter a higher segment through the used-car market? At this budget, both options can look attractive. A new car may offer the latest design, updated technology, a manufacturer's warranty and the peace of mind that comes with being the first owner. But a pre-owned car can potentially give buyers a larger vehicle, more premium features and better equipment for the same amount of money. However, there is more to this decision than the price displayed on the car. A used premium car may cost less to buy, but it could be more expensive to maintain. Similarly, a new entry-level car may have fewer features but could provide more predictable ownership costs. The right decision starts with understanding where your money will go after you drive the car home. Start With Your Driving Needs Before comparing models, buyers should first understand how the...

Imagine standing at a crowded grocery counter with your shopping bags packed and payment ready, only to see your phone stuck on a loading screen. The mobile network has disappeared, and the payment app refuses to connect. For many Indians, this can be frustrating because UPI has become a regular part of everyday payments. But losing internet connectivity does not always mean you have to stop making digital payments. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) have supported several payment solutions designed to work with limited or no internet connectivity. Depending on your phone, bank and the service supported by your payment app, you may be able to use UPI Lite, UPI Lite X, UPI 123PAY, USSD *99#, or emerging offline capabilities of the digital rupee. Here are five options you should know about. 1. UPI Lite: Useful for Everyday Small Payments If you regularly make small-value payments, UPI Lite can be a convenient option. UPI Lite allows user...

घर, फ्लैट या जमीन खरीदना अपने आप में एक बड़ी प्रक्रिया है। अगर प्रॉपर्टी किसी अनिवासी भारतीय (NRI) से खरीदी जा रही हो, तो टैक्स से जुड़े नियमों के कारण यह प्रक्रिया और भी जटिल हो सकती है। अब ऐसे ही खरीदारों के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण बदलाव होने जा रहा है। 1 अक्टूबर 2026 से पात्र निवासी व्यक्ति और हिंदू अविभाजित परिवार (HUF), NRI से अचल संपत्ति खरीदने पर कुछ TDS रिपोर्टिंग प्रक्रियाओं के लिए अपने PAN का इस्तेमाल कर सकेंगे। इसके लिए उन्हें अलग से TAN यानी Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number लेने की जरूरत नहीं होगी। हालांकि, यहां एक जरूरी बात समझना बेहद महत्वपूर्ण है। TAN की जरूरत खत्म होने का मतलब यह नहीं है कि TDS की जिम्मेदारी खत्म हो गई है। खरीदार को लागू नियमों के अनुसार TDS काटना, जमा करना और उसकी सही रिपोर्टिंग करना अभी भी जरूरी होगा। 1 अक्टूबर से क्या बदलेगा? 1 अक्टूबर 2026 से पहले लागू व्यवस्था के तहत, अगर कोई निवासी व्यक्ति या HUF किसी NRI से प्रॉपर्टी खरीदता था, तो संबंधित TDS प्रक्रिया के लिए TAN की जरूरत पड़ सकती थी। किसी व्यक्ति के लिए, जो सिर्फ एक घर या जमीन खरीद रहा है...

For many people, property ownership seems simple: if someone has been living on a piece of land or using a house for decades, they may eventually believe that the property has become theirs. This belief, however, can be legally misleading. A person may live in a house for 20 or 30 years, use a plot of land for a long period, or even cultivate agricultural property, but long-term possession alone does not automatically create ownership . This issue is particularly important in property disputes involving Adverse Possession , a legal concept that is often misunderstood. According to the information provided, the Supreme Court recently clarified this issue in the case of Bhagat Singh v. Basant Kaur and Others , in a decision dated September 10, 2026. The ruling highlights an important distinction between simply possessing a property and legally establishing a claim of adverse possession. Long Possession Is Not the Same as Ownership Imagine that a person has been using a piece of land for ...

Housing Society Rules: Who actually has the final say in a cooperative housing society—the chairman, the secretary, the managing committee or the members? This is a question that often comes up when disputes arise over maintenance, repairs, expenses, redevelopment, meetings or other society decisions. In many housing societies, members believe that once a managing committee is elected, it gets complete control over the society. This can sometimes lead to a situation where members hesitate to question decisions taken by office-bearers. However, a cooperative housing society does not work like a private company where one person can simply exercise unlimited authority. Its functioning is governed by the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960, applicable rules and the society's registered bye-laws . The law creates different responsibilities for the general body, managing committee and office-bearers. Understanding this difference can help members know when a committee can take ...

कोऑपरेटिव हाउसिंग सोसायटी में मेंटेनेंस और मरम्मत के खर्च को लेकर सदस्यों के बीच विवाद होना आम बात है। ऐसा ही एक सवाल तब सामने आता है, जब ग्राउंड फ्लोर या पहली मंजिल पर रहने वाले सदस्य लिफ्ट की मरम्मत का खर्च देने से इनकार करते हैं। उनका तर्क होता है कि वे लिफ्ट का इस्तेमाल नहीं करते, इसलिए लिफ्ट की मरम्मत का पैसा भी उन्हें नहीं देना चाहिए। लेकिन क्या कोई सदस्य केवल इस आधार पर किसी कॉमन सुविधा के खर्च से खुद को अलग कर सकता है कि वह उस सुविधा का इस्तेमाल नहीं करता? आम तौर पर सिर्फ किसी कॉमन सुविधा का इस्तेमाल न करने से उस सुविधा से जुड़े लागू सोसायटी खर्च से सदस्य को छूट नहीं मिलती। लिफ्ट भी बिल्डिंग की साझा सुविधाओं और इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर का हिस्सा होती है। वह सवाल जो कई सोसायटी सदस्यों के मन में होता है मान लीजिए किसी बिल्डिंग की लिफ्ट में बड़ी खराबी आ गई है और उसकी मरम्मत पर काफी खर्च आने वाला है। ग्राउंड फ्लोर और पहली मंजिल के कुछ सदस्य कहते हैं: “हम लिफ्ट का इस्तेमाल नहीं करते, इसलिए हम लिफ्ट की मरम्मत का पैसा नहीं देंगे। जो लोग लिफ्ट इस्तेमाल करते हैं, वही इसका खर्च उठाएं।” ऐसी स्थित...