A warm welcome to everyone in this meeting of the National Executive in Delhi today. We had met in Nagpur. We fought the 15th Lok Sabha elections with our full political strength.

India squandered a rollicking start and lost the plot towards the end as they went down to New Zealand by nine runs in a warm-up match ahead of the World Twenty20 at Lord's on Monday. Chasing 171 for victory, India rode on sterling knocks from Rohit Sharma (36), Suresh Raina (45) and Ravindra Jadeja (41 not out) to cruise to what seemed an imminent win before eventually ending up with 161 for six in their 20 overs.

Get Ahead financial planning expert Vetapalem Sridhar advises you on how to look at unit linked insurance plans as an investment.

Zaheer Khan ripped through the New Zealand top order to give India complete control of the third and final Test in Wellington, on Saturday. Zaheer took five for 65 to help bundle out New Zealand for 197 in reply to India's first innings score of 379. In their second essay, India reached 51 for 1 in their second innings, stretching their overall lead to 233.

Harbhajan Singh showed the way with a cracking knock of 60 as the lower order rose to the occasion to give India the edge on day one of the third and final Test in Wellington, on Friday. Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with 62, while Harbhajan and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (52) came up with timely half-centuries to help India reach a healthy 375 for nine at close on the opening day.

How do you go about making a financial plan for you and your family? What are the benefits of making a financial plan? Do you need huge amount of money to start one?

The 81st Annual Academy Awards, if trends are anything to go by, seem to be more or less on the same page with me this season, which is a peculiar feeling indeed since I'm used to ranting about the results. However, this year the Academy's likely winners and my who-should-win picks are uncannily mirroring each other, a fact displayed in this list of the nominees. The Academy picks are marked by the [A] sign, my picks are marked by the [R] sign.

Industrial policy isn't dead. It's thriving in the statesand may be the start of a U.S. comeback strategy

In an hour-long chat on rediff financial planning expert Vicky Mehta offered some valuable tips on financial planning.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori struck in the last over to reduce the West Indies to 258 for 6 at the close of a fascinating first day of the second Test in Napier on Friday. Chanderpaul was unbeaten on 100.

Is there a particular age when you should think about having a financial plan? What are the requirements of making a good financial plan? Is it good to take help of a financial advisor? How to find a good financial advisor?

US Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain's speech delivered at the Republican National Convention in St Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday at 10 pm was preceded by a video displaying footage of him being shot down in Vietnam and his survival and torture in what was called the 'Hanoi Hilton' and his refusal to get out early even though he was offered such a release.

Should you continue investing in stocks and mutual fund SIPs even as Indian stock markets keep sliding every other day and there is gloom all around?

The class act which Obama has put up signifies a new 21st century America. In the past, most Democratic Party nominees hailed from a chic, upper class, White liberal background. Franklin Roosevelt and John F Kennedy had family wealth written over them. Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were professionals who had made a lot of money before they got the ticket. That is why Obama's defeat at the hands of Hillary Clinton was considered natural by political pundits.

The markets represented by the BSE Sensex had become very expensive in terms of valuations, so one should not get panicky, says financial planning expert Rahul Goel.

The historic triumph against Australia in Perth has assured India a rise to the second place in the ICC Test rankings.

Investing in mutual funds through systematic investment plans can help you create wealth for your family believes financial expert Vetapalem Sridhar.

Whether you invest one time, or in multiple installments, the entry load will be the same. the load is charged on the value of the investment. The money is invested in installments so as to average out the cost of acquisition of mutual fund units, says personal finance expert Rahul Goel.

Most mutual fund investors fear their monthly statement that teh fund houses send them. Here are a few things that can help you read your MF statement to your satisfaction.

The most common mistake investors make is to inevst in funds wich have offered the highest return in recent times, says personal finance expert Rahul Goel.

Rediff businees desk brings to you a few world's first.

Mutual funds provide the right opportunity to the millions of investors

A century in each Test of the Bangladesh series propelled the ace batsman to 15th position in the ICC rankings.

Are you riding on the horses or on the laggards

Warne clean bowled England opener Andrew Strauss for 50 on the second ball of his fourth over.

Six wickets from Muttiah Muralitharan helped Sri Lanka win the second and final Test against New Zealand by 217 runs on Monday to square the series at 1-1.

New Zealand secured a nervous five-wicket victory in the low-scoring first Test match against Sri Lanka.

The Kiwis dismissed the touring side for 154 before reaching 85 for two at the close in Christchurch on Thursday.

Take the rediff biz quiz to find out how much you know about vintage cars.

Transcript of the weekly market chat.

While Kallis was left holding the fort for his teammates after he chose not to attend the British musician's show.

West Indies were 256 for four after rain and poor light ended the second day early on Sunday.

New Zealand beat West Indies by 10 wickets in the second Test to take a series lead of 2-0

New Zealand were 335 for seven at the close on the second, 143 runs ahead of West Indies

The New Zealand seamer took five for 44 off 17 overs, as the visitors slumped to 182 for eight at the end of the first day.

The Kiwis wrapped up a 27-run victory, bowling West Indies out for 263 after setting them 291 for victory.