DIARY OF MAHERNOZ

My 2nd Server in Travian (2011 server) ts2.travian.in

2025-06-28T01:18:00.000+05:30

How this one started?

The 1st server i played of travian was a learning experience for me. I learned the basics of travian. But you might be surprised that i wasn't very keen to play new server. I found travian to be a game where its very restless. I had the chance to run away. I didnt join any other servers even though i knew of some who were started. But i did keep on reading about Travian a lot, about Catas, about different Hammer compositions, battle plans, etc.

My friendship with Driveshaft was going good. We were chatting on yahoo messenger (the only messenger he used apart from Travian messenger). We became close buddies. One day he invited me to play his account which he will start. I said i dont want to create an account, instead i will just assist him. So, he created the account name Driveshaft with his email id and shared with me the password.

Another reason i joined this server was because of Flocks Team. Flocks touted themselves as professional alliance and challenged all the indian players to play against them by joining ts2.travian.in , i wanted to do something about it, my patriotism got at peaked. Also it would be great to fight a world class alliance. Many of the UK players were part of the Flocks team and some Indian players too were veterans in Flocks team.

We decided that the account should be a NonGold Gaul Anvil. Now, i was and is a very active dual, hardly leave anything for driveshaft to work upon. I really got too much involved in that account. I named all my villages with names of Asterix Villas. In those days, travian had too much graphics which look like taken from Asterix comics. In those days playing travian without buying gold was very much possible if your planning is correct and you are willing to put the hardwork.

There was another player also who had joined from mobile. His account name was MostWanted (probably taken from the Game NeedForSpeed MostWanted). He was our PD (personal defender). While driveshaft account, i was busy in estabishing a firm base, our defense needs were met by MostWanted. So here was our plan, we will take our 7x7. (7 squares from all sides should be ours) but to achieve that kind of superiority we obviously needed to make a few offensive troops.

So, here me and driveshaft had our first dispute, i was probably too busy with my own plan of clearing our 7x7 and driveshaft just wanted to have some fun and sit with some phalanx. One account two plans never goes well. So, we decided to split our villas, some villas we will make defense, and the capital villa we will make some small hammer to clear the 7x7 of all potential threats.

If today i was told to replan this, i would first of all never choose the same location where i have spawned, this server most of the problems we had was because we establish our base in the center. There were 2 15c nearby and obviously we were so delighted! The problem in establishing a base so close to the center is , you are near to the center of action. You can never sim peacefully. Its very much like holding a WW, and attack can come from any direction and at any time. Also, when clearing our 7x7 we had problems in dealing with our neighbours, who too wanted to settle on that same 2 15cs.

Here i am discussing about Driveshaft account, the Urman account will come into picture later in this story. And yes, its an interesting story.

Clearing the 7x7 and securing Driveshaft account of any threats.

There was this player Jagdish, now as many of them told , he was a pro player and he too wanted that same 7x7 as we wanted. So, driveshaft handling defenses with phalanx and also the mostwanted account phalanx, we had enough defenses to counter any threat if Jagdish pose any problems.

I had already developed Catas and swordsmen and TTs. Now i knew that Jagdish only had clubs as i scouted him periodically and he had no scouts with him, he also didnt had the defense, so we had some advantage here. Also, our account Driveshaft was probably the 1st account to have catas.

So, here was what i did to counter Jagdish. I was looking at pop of Jagdish if it didnt move for a long time he probably is not online, many of the attacks i made were like 1am attacks where people are not online (atleast in 2011 this was true for most players). first wave i sent was of TTs, which cleared all his clubs, i must say jagdish was a pro-raider but not a pro-player here. He used to make a large number of clubs per day, and at night i used to send TTs to clear them, as soon as TTs clear them, the 2nd wave (no, those were not same second attacks, i had to still learn that) consisted of Swordsmen and Catas. 1000 swordsmen and around 20 catas in each wave. First the catas were less then we started sending even more. Jagdish account was in seige with no friends to help him.

Although, we were not part of ally yet, it made more sense to join INN ally. I dont remember what INN stands for.

Till now we had no ally. I suggested Driveshaft to get an ally and choose sides quickly but he wanted to keep an air of mystery though we had our connections with INN. So, we expected they wont allow Jagdish to join the ally.

But, we were wrong, Jagdish got joined in INN. We were told by the INN chief to stop attacking jagdish as he is our ally friend. But i persisted in keeping the seige, i played a gamble here, you need to choose either me or Jagdish. Also, no one in INN had catas to punish me. INN finally decided in my favour and kicked out Jagdish. In the meanwhile some days were passed, and jagdish did raised his club count. And one fine night, when he got kicked i charged at Jagdish and he lost the 15c he had taken and also other villas, his only villa was left with 2 pop. Jagdish account was pounded with heavy artillery fire. He refused to quit, as soon as he make 10 pop , i again attacked him.

There were other small players also, but those were not a threat to us, we could kill them at any moment, and they were farms for us. Sorry, i dont remember the names, and very sorry if i have forgotten your name to mention here! 😃

A Knight of Hell for MostWanted and Jagz

Jagz was the person in chief or thats how we knew him since initial days of the server. Now, day and night we were developing most wanted account so he might be sending messages to MostWanted but Mostwanted didnt replied any of those messages maybe because driveshaft didnt wanted to reveal his PD. jagz came to the wrong conclusion that he can be a ghost hammer trying to ghost nearby INN players. (Ghosting means sending your fastest cavalry to clear some clubbies or hammer sitting there, the way i cleared Jagdish clubbies was an example of Ghosting).

So, at night, MostWanted got pounded in the same way as Jagdish got pounded but Jagz attacks were more better timed than mine. And i was impressed about that fact. Those following attacks hardly had any gaps. It was a new thing for me, i immediately searched on internet, there was this trick in firefox which he used to send same second attacks.

If anyone is interested, he can refer here. https://travianmanual.wordpress.com/2009/03/07/how-to-land-multiple-attacks-at-the-same-second/

Driveshaft now have to expose his PD mostwanted. And matter was sorted out peacefully. Mostwanted joined INN ally and Driveshaft account too joined the ally. Jagdish too deleted his account and wrote a note saying that its just because of me, he is deleting his account. He too wanted to play. I am sorry Jagdish, we couldnt allow that 15c to go away.

A small ally attacking driveshaft

One more fun thing did happened here. Most probably some friends of Jagdish decided to attack driveshaft, we got like say 40 incomings from one ally and that too from another Quad. Most probably they were some kids who were having a good time, and suddenly they were forced into a war. Now, it was like 20 players against Driveshaft account. Now, i had some trappers in Driveshaft account. We had probably 2 or 3 trappers which i had kept. And without touching our defenses, all their troops were in the trapper. Their ally total troop count was less than 600-700 only. Someone sent a note from their ally, that our whole ally troops are in your trapper, please release them!

Why do i make trappers?

I dont make trappers to trap the enemy, i make it to evade the attack, i just release the troops immediately, and increase my trapper levels. This allows me some time to repair my trapper. One trapper can hold 400 troops. And thats a lot considering the early stage of the game, plus your phalanx count remains intact and 24x7 you are churning more phalanx. This approach had benefited me a lot to use the trapper that way. Once i reach that stage where i have shortage of slots, i would remove those trappers and make something useful.

Driveshaft planning sessions at Oberoi Mall

So far, without gold in our account, we had managed to clear our 7x7, be the guys who were the earlier guys in our quad to get catas, we had cata many players and we were sitting on 10000 phalanx. Every Sunday i would go to Oberoi Mall Crossword store to meet Driveshaft, as he was working there. We used to have a McDonalds (he loved MacD more than me) meal together as lunch and used to discuss various strategies on what we should do next week. Life was going great, but not for too long.

Urman Episode (Dante Hammer Gone!)

All the other episodes i have marked with a normal ink, the Urman episode i would mark with a Red Ink because it does deserve it. So far, there was not a stone being thrown from either USE or INN on each other. The border was at peace, and we from Driveshaft account lived right next to that border. We were the 1st line of defense against any enemy attack. And that day came, Urman was one of our good player who had good amount of clubs and he was attacked by Dante (Dante was Rank 1 player at that time)or probably he attacked Dante first? i dont remember now. He pinged me as i am his nearest neighbour and a well known Anvil of the server.

Here, me and Driveshaft had a difference of opinion

Driveshaft view: We should preserve our phalanx and should not be concerned. Instead we should aim for 20k phalanx in the coming weeks. Urman is a 3-4 villa player.

My view: We should stop this attack so that USE doesn't dare to attack us. If Urman is finished, we could be next. If we defend this attack, this would make USE scare about our anvils. USE had lots of hammers and if they got confidence against INN, they can use those hammers to plan something more to wipe our players out. So, the best way is to psychologically demotivate them by denting their hammer so that they cannot even think of doing it again.

Its you the reader now who has to decide on which player was right in this case?

We decided to defend Urman!

We came to know from our sources (lots of spies are there in travian always) that Dante has sent his full hammer along with Catas. We had very less time to arrange a defense, i made some calculation, if we acted now 100% of our defenses could reach urman and some were arranged by our ally. As soon as the attack landed, we lost 10000 of our phalanx and Dante hammer got killed. Dante, the Rank 1 player lost his hammer before an Arti from a nongold player called Driveshaft attacking a 3-4 villa player!

That was the trick, the whole act was unpredictable due to which Dante lost his hammer. Dante could never have imagined in all the probabilities that he can loose his hammer in this way. How can an ally defend a 3-4 villa player with so much defense forces and severe crop issues? I woke up till 3am to manage all the crop issues in that small cap of Urman and many ally players had sent us the reinforcements and crops with around 80% coming from Driveshaft account.

Once the attack was finished and we successfully defended i sent 1 clubbie to Dante in reinforcement mode. Indicating that let's have peace.

That blow was too much for Dante, he switched to Anvil mode most probably. Urman became inactive and shared his account details with me and driveshaft took our Urman account as its own account. Now, that we had one more account, i can make more offense troops in Urman and Defense troops in Driveshaft and Mostwanted. Now me and driveshaft no longer need to fight in one account!

Why send one soldier as a reinforcement to the enemy?

This is my old trick, its psychological and it says hey, i am here as your friend. Sometimes words are not needed, one should try it, its beautiful!

Aftermatch of Urman

Here, Driveshaft was not happy to loose 10k phalanx on a 3 villa player. He wanted to up his count to 20k but now he had to redo everything again.

I can understand the issue, but i was adamant at that point that

1) we had to stop the first steps of our enemies and give a severe blow to them.

2) The border was very peace and quiet for the coming months only because the first attack of their failed miserably. A well earned peace in exchange of 10k phalanx!

3) one of their top player now lost his hammer before Artis.

One more 15c , one more trouble

When you are in center, you will have lots of 15c and also lots of trouble with that, because many people are around and so all want your 15c, 15c are very dangerous villas, an enemy can take that 15c and can make a ghost hammer with lots of EI or TTs and can anytime attack us with surprise.

There was this 15c, if you see the Driveshaft account all our villas are mostly in (-,-) co-ordinates, one villa is in (+,-). 03 Celtica (2,-31) this is the villa. This was just 6 tiles away from our capital, god forbid, it was in +,- quad so our enemy has full rights to settle there. And it was in our 7x7!

So, our 7x7 was not only filled with lots of noobs whom we catapulted but also some squares were of a different quad, cant think of a better place!

So, after taking one 15c, 02 Lutetia (the capital), we straight away took the 2nd 15c 03. Celtica. and atleast secured that 15c. for our use.

Now, USE was right in believing that it was their Quad, and we were right in believing that it was our 7x7! So, now or tomorrow the struggle was going to happen.

Meanwhile, i was having problem with crops, because we were a non gold account and we took 2 15c, which means there was inequality.

Only Crops 9k per hour generated in 10 level 15c with 25% oasis bonus. so, we had lots of crop and very few other resources.

But still we had to take this pain, because if we dont take this square, USE will definitely plant something there.

AngelBabe (deadlyhunter)

Historic Letter Response (British Museum) From The Persian Emperor "Yazdegerd III Sassanid" To The Islamic Caliph "Omar ibn Al-Khattab" (Circa 637 AD).

2017-02-06T00:09:00.002+05:30

Historic Letter Response (British Museum) From The Persian Emperor "Yazdegerd III Sassanid" To The Islamic Caliph "Omar ibn Al-Khattab" (Circa 637 AD).

From: Omar ibn Al-Khattab (Islamic Caliph)
To: Yazdegerd III Sassanid (Persian Emperor)

Bismillah, al-Rahman, al-Rahim.

I do not foresee a good future for you and your nation, save your acceptance of my terms and your submission to me. There was a time when your country ruled half the world, but now see how your sun has set.

On all fronts your armies have been defeated and your nation is condemned to extinction. I point out to you the path whereby you may escape this fate. Namely, that you begin worshipping the one god, the unique deity, the only god who created all that is. I bring you his message; order your nation to cease the false worship of fire and to join us, that they may join the truth.

Worship Allah the creator of the world. Worship Allah and accept Islam as the path of salvation.

End now your polytheistic ways and become Muslims that you may accept Allah-u-Akbar as your savior. This is the only way of securing your own survival and the peace of your Persians.

You will do this if you know what is good for you and for your Persians. Submission is your only option.

Allah-u-Akbar.

Islamic Caliph,
Omar ibn Al-Khattab.

From: Yazdegerd III Sassanid (Persian Emperor).
To: Omar ibn Al-Khattab (Islamic Caliph).

In the name of Ahura Mazda, the creator of life and wisdom.

In your letter you summon us Persians to your god whom you call Allah-u-Akbar; and because of your barbarity and ignorance, without knowing who we are and whom we worship, you demand that we seek out your god and become worshippers of Allah-u-Akbar.

How strange that you occupy the seat of the Arab caliph but are as ignorant as any desert roaming Arab. You admonish me to become monotheistic in faith. Ignorant man (Mardak), for thousands of years we Persians have, in this land of culture and art, been monotheistic and five times a day have we offered prayers to god’s throne of oneness. While we laid the foundations of philanthropy, righteousness, and kindness in this world, and held high the ensign of good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, you and your ancestors were desert wanderers who ate snakes and lizards, and buried your innocent daughters alive.

You Arabs who have no regard for god’s creatures, who mercilessly put people to the sword, who mistreat your women, who attack caravans and are highway robbers, who commit murder, who kidnap women and spouses; how dare you presume to teach us, who are above these evils, to worship god?

You tell me to cease the worship of fire and to worship god instead. To us Persians the light of fire is reminiscent of the light of god. The radiance and the sunlike warmth of fire exuberates our hearts, and the pleasant warmth of it brings our hearts and spirits closer together, that we may be philanthropic, kind, considerate, and that gentleness and forgiveness may become our way of life, and that thereby the light of god may keep shining in our hearts.

Our god is the great Ahura Mazda. Strange is this, that you too have now decided to give god a name, and you call god by the name of Allah-u-Akbar.

But we are nothing like you. We, in the name of Ahura Mazda, practice compassion, love, goodness, righteousness, forgiveness, and care for the dispossessed and the unfortunate; but you, in the name of your Allah-u-Akbar commit murder, create misery, and subject others to suffering. Tell me truly who is to blame for your misdeeds? Your god who orders genocide, plunder, and destruction, or you who do these things in god's name; or both?

You, who have spent all your days in brutality and barbarity, have now come out of your desolate deserts, and are resolved to teach by the blade and conquest, the worship of god to a people who have for thousands of years been civilised, and have relied on culture, knowledge, art as mighty edifices.

What have you, in the name of your Allah-u-Akbar taught these armies of Islam besides destruction, pillage, and murder, that you now presume to summon others to your god?

Today, my people’s fortunes have changed. Their armies, who were once subjects of Ahura Mazda, have now been defeated by the Arab armies of Allah-u-Akbar; and they are being forced, at the point of the sword, to convert to the god by the name of Allah-u-Akbar, and are forced to offer prayers five times a day but now in Arabic, since apparently your Allah-u-Akbar only understands Arabic.

I advise you to return to your lizard infested deserts. Do not let loose upon our cities your cruel barbarous Arabs who are like rabid animals. Refrain from the murder of my people. Refrain from pillaging my people. Refrain from kidnapping our daughters in the name of your Allah-u-Akbar. Refrain from these crimes and evils.

We Persians are a forgiving people, a kind and well meaning people. Wherever we go, we sow the seeds of goodness, amity, and righteousness; and this is why we have the capacity to overlook the crimes and the misdeeds of your Arabs.

Stay in your desert with your Allah-u-Akbar, and do not approach our cities; for horrid is your belief and brutish is your conduct.

Persian Emperor,
Yazdegerd III Sassanid.

2017-02-03T22:35:00.001+05:30

Biggest Hammer Record on Indian Server

Sam Account, played by GDS and Morphy.
http://travian-reports.net/us/report/41563820d40

same report without statistics in image format)

694k hammer by sam account in in3 (2016) , handled by Morphy, GDS, Gags and Nikunj. Thankful to defence support by Gaurav(zera) and Aditya(braveheart).
Leading the attack and Killed 589k opponent troops with 2.5million in ww and destroying the wall.

Most Rams in a Rammer, most probably a world record.
31063 Rams.

GDS made some videos of the sam account.
https://youtu.be/B89gKPG_TKg
https://youtu.be/uH18D_tYwbM

After this attack, subsequent attacks followed, which led to destroying of opponent's ww.
http://travian-reports.net/us/report/41563820d40,4156396b345,41564094205,415641f433d,41 56437046f,415644386bd,415645676a9,415646d332a

We are thankful to our team and leaders of Life & Death Alliance for all the co-operation and trust given to our account.

- Morphy

Who's a "Happy Soul" ?

2016-02-16T23:35:00.002+05:30

Who's a "Happy Soul" ?
Definition provided by Buddhist Lamas...
1. A Happy Soul stops trying to change others, but instead focus on changing self.
2. A Happy Soul is one who accepts people for who they are.
3. A Happy Soul is one who understands that everyone is right in one's own perspective.
4. A Happy Soul is one who learns to "let go".
5. A "Happy Soul is one who is able to drop expectations from every relationship and gives for the sake of giving.
6. A Happy Soul is one who understands that whatever we do, we do it for our own peace.
7. A Happy Soul is one who stops proving to the world, how intelligent one is.
8. A Happy Soul is one who does not seek approval from others.
9. A Happy Soul is one who stops comparing with others.
10. A Happy Soul is one who is at peace with oneself.
11. A Happy Soul is one who is able to differentiate between "need" and "want" and is able to let go of one's wants.
12. A Happy Soul is one who stops attaching "happiness" to material things.
Here's wishing all, a life of a Happy Soul...!!

My Life as a travian player in s2.in 2009(My First Server!)

2015-10-11T15:23:00.001+05:30

My association with Travian is what i enjoy most right now in my life, i chose the roman tribe when playing s2.in, i must say that i really enjoyed each and every moment of my travian game play. The game is really very good.

My coming on s2.in was entirely accidental, at that time i was just a noob(a term used to describe a new player in travian) so instead of s3.in server i by mistake chose the s2.in server, i later discovered this many months afterwards. so, i was having a late start, but fortunately even after 7 months, i found that there were people like me who had started late.

I made a new account with my own name in capital letters MAHERNOZ.It seemed to me to generate some kind of mystical power if something is written in capital. It later turn out that very few people use their own name or pet name in making their travian names. The idea behind is, two things.
1) They play different servers and make enemies, so their enemies wont recognize them if they changed names.
2) Most noobs who play travian for the first time, make account names with their own names. It signifies some kind of noobality.

I registered on a Travian 3.5 version server on 15th August 2009. It was a national holiday, a saturday(weekend off too!) and seeing so many Ads on the internet, i decided that i will give it a try as i was sitting alone at home. So i started my account at morning at 9 i guess.

My initial first impression was "it should be like Age of Empires"(a game i previously played), but it wasn't it was a bit different. I also saw they had a forum to discuss things related to travian. Also searching on google, later some days i also found guides related to travian as how to make a good start, etc. I also found a youtube video as there were two friends/brothers explaining travian, there are many videos..

Travian Beginner Videos

So, armed with my beginner knowledge. I started to make my army and my village. But my progress was very slow. Later i came to know that Romans are a very slow tribe to start with, and as far as beginners go, they should choose the Gauls rather than Romans. However, it wasn't my undoing this time, because the travian startup screen wrongfully used to advice new players to take up romans if they are new to travian, later, i guess in 2011, they changed it to Gaul as the preferred tribe for new players.

A word of Advice
Romans could be a tricky tribe at the beginning of the game for nongold players. It gives you option of putting two things in queue without using gold. One for resources and others for buildings. If you put both in queue, you will have very less resources left and slow development. The trick is to avoid the 2nd queue of buildings as much as possible and to use it only when necessary(for example Main Building, Warehouse, Granary are a necessity) unless you have atleast one village fully developed resource tiles.

Well, then i received an alliance requests. I decided to join an alliance called Maximus(to be later named as newname), at that time everything was going good, but when RavDev an experienced player came we were very happy, but later some dispute arose and RavDev kicked off many players excluding me and phk (who were close neighbours), i received a lot of advice from phk. He looked like a guru to me. So, a player named phk was my first guru in travian. Later on many gurus came into my life, and i learned a lot from each of them. I learned a lot of basic stuff from phk.

My village progress showed something which cannot be under-estimated, i am working in such a busy project for almost 12-14 hrs a day, people will forget everything about their lives, but i wanted to make a point that in-spite of the fact that my life is so busy i will still do something for my own self. As i was living alone and my family way back in baroda, so right now it's travian which can be called my "personal life". It turns out later that i chose a very trivial purpose to live, that is to make my village and then to make more villages, to get a truckload of villages! I guess that's the reason i also got emotionally attached with travian.

When loosing almost all the friends(who all later formed an alliance named UOA), me and phk decided to join the UOA allliance where most of our friends were. first phk joined and later the next day i also joined UOA. Slowly i was getting grasp of the game, and there were many attacks daily coming from Soco players, but i made a very solid defense and with great difficulty i made my 2nd village.

this went on and i went on to my 3rd village. So, having made 3 villages,I made a village each from my family member's name.

Here is the full profile on getter.

Now, here i made one mistake, i established myself and thought that i should now bring down my enemies. I started making Equites legati. In large numbers maybe 200 of them. But later when i sent my attack, it turned out that this troop is just a scout unit, there is no attacking or killing ability of this troop. Uh, bad choice!

A photo of Equites Legati.(scouts)

The Choice between EC and EI
So, once again i researched the internet, as i had not properly done.. or maybe i never researched anything. I also asked phk, and he too confirmed the same, that ECs are the strongest.

Equites Caesaries


Value at troop level 0	180	80	105

Speed	10 Fields per hour
Can carry	70 Resources

Equites Imperatoris


Value at troop level 0	120	65	50

Speed	14 Fields per hour
Can carry	100 Resources

EI had speed, more resource carrying capacity.

EC had more attack power and powerful defenses.

Now i was in office most of the time, so i thought that if somone attacks me, i would be having more chances for my troops to suvive if they are more stronger.

Though ECs are less in speed and less in resource carrying capacity(loot) they are more sustainable. So, i decided that i should go for the safer option of making ECs. So, this time i came to the conclusion that i should be building Equites Caesaries.

Now, these guys are the strongest troops in not only the Roman tribe but the whole of travian tribes. But they were quite costly. I was making ECs(short name for Equites Caesaries) 24x7 but now i needed more resources as i had only 3 villas fully developed. I came to know about a site called gettertools.com where i can search for inactives and start raiding them. When i raid, i loot resources from them. So, now all was set. I had around 75 ECs and i sent my first attack on a player named ddesarkar3. This guy had 3 villages. But i was too scared to send my ECs as it took my long time to make those 75 ECs, but i dont remember whether i scouted or not. But my first raid was a fully bounty. So, it was confirmed that this guy was a farm and inactive for a pretty long time.

So, each day, i came back from office, send my raids, and it took 1hr 18 mins to reach the ECs and an equal time to come back. I used to send 2 raids in a day, one in evening and other at morning, as i got up at 7am and send the raids, by the time the raids come back after 2hrs 36 mins, i was in office. So, there was no chance of getting more raids. The same thing happened in evening... i send the raids at 8pm and they used to come back at 11pm, if i was still not sleep, i send more raids to the same 3 villas of ddeserkar3.

After that i become more greedy, i wanted to capture as much raiding time as possible, so i woke up early in morning, my laptop was always on, so no time wasted in switching on the machine, i used to keep alarms, so that i can send a raid every 2.36 hrs, as soon as i sent raids i once again went back to sleep. So, in this way, my EC count grew to 750. Now i never raided anyone else but only ddeserkar3 but i raided only 1 village of his, now i wanted to raid his other villas too!

If you remember, i had too much reluctance while sending my first raid to ddeserkar3, and now i was planing to raid his all villas. But for that i needed to remove his defenses. This Reluctance was now gone, and instead i started making plans and ways to get more raids. I removed his defenses with help of making more Imperians.

Now, these imperians were very good at attacking. I removed all the defenses from his other villages. Also, at the same time, i was making more villages, this time for name of my mom and dad too!

I remember two more incidents... there was a lady player from SOCO who was kind enough to support me. I had a 15c, of which i didnt knew how to use, as i thought i made a bad choice! This 15c had a lot of crops, and daily i use to give her around 50-60k crops and in return i use to get 100k-120k resources of whatever i asked her whether its lumber,wood,clay. And she in-spite of being a big player allowed me to trade. On the other hand, if any raid came, i never conceded any resources to the raider, i used to quickly send it to her, and in return she would send me the required resources. I thank that lady even today, too bad i don't remember her player name.

There was also another player from Soco-I called Gagan0177 whom i asked advice as he was near to me, instead he sent me a link, that opened nothing but a new tab in the browser. Later it was known that he was playing some joke.

2nd incident was the going away of my guru phk. He wrote me that he is quitting the game, i told him please dont (this is my habit even today, i dont allow players to delete and instead motivate them to finish the server). He said dont worry, i will send you all my ECs for your defenses. I was delighted, that now i will also have phk ECs as defenses. He promptly send me the defenses as promised and after three days, he got deleted. (Travian has a 3 day waiting period after you select delete so that if you want to change your mind you have those 3 days, an excellent strategy to get players hooked to the game). But as soon as he got deleted, at my horror all his troops also vanished. I came to realize that my guru had tricked me but while going he taught me an important lesson, to check the facts before saying yes to something even if its from your guru himelf, and 2ndly a travian concept that in travian, when a player deletes, everything goes away with the player. Nothing remains of him on the server.

So, i went on to play, i didn't wanted to get deleted like my guru, but i wanted to learn the game on my own, with or without a guru.

My Friendship with Driveshaft, the UOA alliance lead
Now, there was a player called driveshaft, who was the leader of our alliance UOA. I found that he had a yahoo messenger account, i installed the yahoo messenger, and found him online, i pinged him and we daily had some chat about travian and alliance strategy and everything, at that time i found it thrilling to talk to the leader of such a big alliance. We even exchanged our phone numbers, and we talked on the phone too. (At that time we had not whatsapp on our phones).

One fine day, i was at Crossword stores, and i got his call. i picked it up, and started talking, he asked me where i am , i said i am at crossword, he asked me which crossword? i found it strange, but i said to him the crossword at oberoi mall in goregaon.. he asked me oh, which section you are at? i replied him the finance/business books section(since crossword dont have an IT section and 2ndly at that stage of my life, i was learning about how investing in stocks worked). A person who wore a crossword badge came behind me and he asked me "Are you Mahernoz?" i was surprised, i said yes, who are you? .. he replied "He is Driveshaft! and he is the manager of this crossword store!". His real name was Amit Popat. It was really a surprise for me, that i was standing in his store, and i got a phone call from him at the same time... he said he recognized the background music was from his own store.... that's the reason he asked me where exactly i am standing. I met amit popat, and since then i believed that it was work of god, that he introduced me in the most amazing way. We became real life friends till date. We had our quarrels(in the next server!) but we were like friends and we forgive each other because we value our friendship more than anything else. We had lunch in the food court of oberoi mall and every week we used to discuss about travian strategies. We were great pals together.

Amit even allocated me a sitter called samchand (its a functionality in travian where one person can sit for two more persons using his own password if those persons had given him sitter access). He used to keep tabs on my account when i was in office, so now my account was safe even when i was in office.. and i had no reason to worry about my troops! Sitter functionality is a very important part of survival for any travian alliance at the later part of the game, where most players quit or stop playing.. and so the sitter, who is an active player manages the account. Now, this samchand, was not that of an active sitter, but i urged him to atleast look for any incoming attacks and move the troops, i expected nothing more from him.

Change of Phone (for Travian?)
I bought a new phone, the Nokia Xpress Music 5800. My old sony phone had stopped working, so i had to buy one in hurry, and fortunately it turned out to be a very good phone.

Now, this phone had a web browser and unlike my old Sony phone w700i (which was the best music phone), this phone though it didnt had as good music as the w700i had other features like Internet Browsing (the site looked almost exactly as it was on desktop). It also had GPS, so i used that a lot, instead of asking for a route, i used to take out my phone and follow the GPS. In Travian terms, I even now had more raiding time as i could send raids from the office during lunch hours using my mobile phone and also ensure safety of my troops. Plus any excess crops if getting overflown were promptly sent to "The lady" who in exchange sent me other crops. But i never gave any resource to any raider.

First Major Attack on Me
Now a sad incident happened, my grandma died and there was no chance at that time, that i could be online in those times. After finishing the rites, i came back home only to find that some player had finished off all my troops.

Now, everything had to be brought back again, after this also he had sent multiple waves and destroyed much of my infra, i did saw that in my mobile, but i was not willing to give any reply at such a moment. I hoped that my sitter samchand comes online, but i didn't had any inclination also at that time, to write to samchand to look at the account. I dont remember that player's name now, in 2015 who attacked me at the wrong time, in 2009. I just remember that he was a Saints Alliance player. Bad memory, i dont remember that name!

The World Wonder Wars
The World wonder fight time started, but i was not aware about it. I was just playing my own game, my guru had left, so there was no one to guide me on whats it all about, my friend google once again came to my rescue.

A travian world wonder as shown above.

This is what i read about the Travian World Wonder at Travian Wiki Page.
http://travian.wikia.com/wiki/World_Wonder
World Wonder is part of the final stage of play on each Travian server.

Alliances scramble to build 100 levels at enormous cost and some risk as other alliances try to prevent this by attacking. The first alliance to successfully build a World Wonder to level 100 wins the Travian server.

Our alliance UOA was full of first time players like me, who had no experience of building a travian world wonder. The players with most number of villas was driveshaft (5 villas). So, it was obvious that UOA should either mix with Saints or SOCO (the two big alliances or i might say two big METAs, a collection of alliances, fighting for supremacy). UOA had to decide whether to join Saints or SOCO. Driveshaft got invite from both Saints and SOCO. He decided to join with Saints as they had better winning chances compared to SOCO.

On the other hand, i decided to join with SOCO. Mainly because SOCO players had been kind to me previously and Saints players were trying to raid me all the time. Also that incident where a Saints player finished all my troops was fresh in my mind. Further, to join SOCO and "strengthen" a weak team and in the process learn to play the game with the friendly SOCO players as they were always ready to give me advice whenever i asked for it (apart from google, my best friend), so in my first server i chose learning over winning. I knew i would loose by this decision, but staying with SOCO i had better chances of learning the game.

Joining soco sounded a more wonderful idea to me than joining an alliance like Saints which were a far bigger team and i would be like a nobody there. So, i joined SOCO-I for the last month of the server by leaving UOA, which was named as renamed as SaintsGN.

A huge fight erupted between Saints and SOCO, some of the reports are given below. SOCO had IronFist WW, and Saints were the supreme players, and they had two WWs, one obviously SOCO would bring it down but another would continue to ensure victory for the saints.

If you are more interested to see the reports of this epic fight, you can see them still at Travian Forum Archives linkhttp://forum.travian.in/forumdisplay.php?f=100
You will need to create a free account to view the forum.

On my part of the story, instead of UOA, a small alliance which never took a fight to anyone, i was now in the fighters club the Soco-I alliance. I spoke again to "The Lady" and she arranged my inclusion to SOCO.

As you can see, in 55 members alliance, i was the last guy! Standing proud!

Now, having lost all my troops to a saints player, and i was now in saint's rival alliance soco, it was my turn to take revenge on saints alliance! So, i was planning to bring down the Saints WW!

I toiled hard now, day and night, to make the army, the killer army which would bring down atleast one saints ww. The Saints were approaching near to level 100 mark, which would ensure that victory and to our dismay the SOCO leadership was not doing anything about it. There came Level 87, when a player called Avalanche was frustrated and he and along with some guys decided to throw their hammers on Saints WW. Actually, as per my understanding today, Avalanche was wrong, and SOCO leaders were right in waiting for the right moment. As per the World Wonder, it takes more build time to finish off the later levels, and more resources too.. so if we attack after level 95, it would be more damage to the Saints. But, beginners dont actually understand this and start to get impatient, depressed when enemy WW reaches 80+.

But at that time, i thought that Avalanche was right, and I asked him that i have my troops ready, and i want to bring down Saints WW, he asked me how many troops. I said 5000 Imperians. He laughed, saying that the defenses are in lakhs, what would 5000 imperians do? Well, send it! At-least some damage would be done. But here too Avalanche was wrong, instead of making me send the hammer, he should have told me to wait till level 95 and make as much more imperians.

So, i send my hammer much before time and it got killed. The Hammer travelled 63:03:34, 63 hours, 3 minutes and 34 seconds to reach its destination. I never got to know how many troops i killed in my first failed attack, but someone in forum posted his troop count, and so, i am recreating the report below from that.

But one thing i did experienced it, its a great feeling to attack a world wonder!

In my next days, i figured out that i could not make a significant contribution in terms of hammer size, and the last attack was indeed a blunder. So, instead of hammer i began to make Praetorians and Legions. I figured out that in hammer, i could make a proper hammer in only one villa, but i can make more defenses for the alliance in the given time. So, instead of one Imperians or EC, i made 5 pretorians at the same time. I started pumping Praetorians now. They were quite good at defending against Infantry.

One fine day, SOCO WW was brought completely down.
http://travian-reports.net/us/report/590552bc68e
http://travian-reports.net/us/report/590564c55e0
http://travian-reports.net/us/report/59061da6a0e
http://travian-reports.net/us/report/5915088e0a2

As you can see, IronFist had 779k defenses only, and out of the 348k defenses, some prets like 10k belonged to me. On the other hand Vins, the winner of the server had 2000k defenses.

Driveshaft, on the other hand, was going an easy life, along with his mates, he had chosen the Saints alliance, but never attacked a WW. He just went on simming along with his friends to reach a pop of 2072 with 5 villages, on the other hand i had made a pop of 1963 with 5 villages but i had also made troops!
Such comparision with Driveshaft was predominant in my early years, but then i moved forward and there was no driveshaft any more, he was left far behind, there were even bigger players, the best of them who would come in my next servers and with whom i would compete with them, not on any Travian Stats page only, but also on the Travian Hall of Fame!

- Morphy
Year August 2009-March 10. s2.in server

Creating an Extender Control to Associate a Client Behavior with a Web Server Control, without a Class library project (aka in Visual Studio Express 2010)

2014-02-17T18:49:00.001+05:30

I am referring to the article
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb386403(v=vs.90).aspx

where one can make Extender Controls, but i figured out that as i have an express edition i can't do practice of control extenders. But i did wanted to find out a way by which this can be achieved even without making a separate project. The only option i had was asp.net's code folder.

You need to follow every step mentioned there..plus the sections mentioned below.. after this you will be stuck. as your project wont run. You will get Assembly Samples not found error. Here my article would be useful for you.

1) Download the sample from microsoft page.
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=185643

Refer sections Dynamically Compiling the Extender Control for Testing & Testing the Dynamically Compiled Extender Control in a Web Page

Now here, there are some more steps which have not been mentioned which i am mentioning here. The downloaded code will be useful as you dont have to type all the stuff again, but if someone wants to do it, he can surely do it. And when he is done, he can check the accuracy of his writing by the website http://www.diffnow.com/

Now follow these steps....

1) Make your register control declaration like
<%@ Register Namespace="Samples.CS" TagPrefix="sample" %> remove the word assembly.
If you dont remove it will expect an assembly and will give the error Assembly . As you want to develop without using dependencies and would be using only the App_Code then its better to remove the words 'Assembly="Samples"'

2) Modify your script manager tag, by adding reference to the javascript file FocusBehavior.js
Your script manager tag on your aspx should look like this...
<asp:ScriptManager ID="ScriptManager1" runat="server">
<Scripts>
<asp:ScriptReference Path="~/Scripts/FocusBehavior.js" />
</Scripts>
</asp:ScriptManager>

If you dont do, this you will get the Error Type is Not defined. and javascript on your page wont work.
3) You can put all the styles mention in the page to the styles.css and refer the css file in your aspx page, but that step is optional.
4) Go to App code, and from your downloaded code, add the FocusExtender.cs there.
5) Go to FocusExtender.cs and change this method on line 34.
protected override IEnumerable<ScriptReference> GetScriptReferences()
{
ScriptReference reference = new ScriptReference();
reference.Path = ResolveClientUrl("FocusBehavior.js");
//reference.Assembly = "Samples";
//reference.Name = "Samples.FocusBehavior.js";

return new ScriptReference[] { reference };
}

Note that as we are not using an Assembly and we are using App_Code folder, we wont be needing the two lines. Also, as our js will not be a compiled resource we are not using reference.Name property. It is also worthy to comment the first line(as it was in downloaded code) and uncomment remaining lines to see what errors it produce. Its' kinda fun and educative. After you changed this method.

7) Now you run the project. You will be having the same Extender Control without a need for a Class library project all of the things needed were App_Code and Scripts.

Important thing to note that getting all these extender control functionality in the class library and making the resource as a compiled resource does make more sense, this solution is only for those guys who are in project where App_Code is the order of the day and they still needed the functionality of an extender control.

Thanks.

Should i Go for the Reliance Iphone 5s/5c Contract offer or the Airtel Iphone Contract Offer...... or No Contract Offer! ?

2013-11-03T20:06:00.003+05:30

Many of the people are confused whether to buy an Iphone from Reliance or Airtel or just continue with the old way of buying from a store and installing your old sim in that.

I am providing this calculations, so that you dont have to do the hard work to figure out which iphone buying option is best for you.

To understand the benefits one needs to know the exact cost of ownership such ownership provides. This cost of ownership includes the interest component you may loose while investing in your iphone.

The Iphone 5s

In the table below four offers are clubbed together.
1) Citibank Offer
2) Reliance Unlimited Offer
3) Airtel Offer
4) Vodafone/Idea offer.

Here is the Total cost of ownership, for Iphone 5s

Table A: Cost of Ownership of Iphone 5S

	Citibank Offer	Airtel 200MB	Airtel 500MB	1024MB(Standard vodafone 1GB)Rs.351	Airtel 1200MB	2048MB(Standard Vodafone 2GB)Rs.551	Airtel 3072MB	Reliance Unlimited
Airtel	Without Citibank Cashback 10%	Rs. 71,208.40	Rs. 77,079.40	N/A	Rs. 85,885.40		Rs. 91,756.40	N/A
Airtel	With Citibank Cashback 10%	Rs.64,968.16	Rs. 70,839.16	N/A	Rs. 79,645.16		Rs. 85,516.16	N/A
Reliance	Without Citibank Cashback 10%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A		N/A	Rs.88,032
Others (Buying from Flipkart and Installing a Vodafone SIM)	Without Citibank Cashback 10%	N/A	N/A	Rs. 71560.40	N/A	Rs. 76,779.40
	With Citibank Cashback 10%	N/A	N/A	Rs 65, 320.16	N/A	Rs.70,539.16

If you want to know, how these figures were pulled out, you are free to navigate to my page

http://mahernozdiary.blogspot.com/2013/11/should-i-go-for-reliance-iphone-5s5c.html

This page clearly explains all the aspects and how to calculate the cost of ownership of buying the Iphone 5s.

So, from where should we buy the Iphone 5s?

Here are the winners
1) Airtel 200 MB plan is the most cheapest.
2) Vodafone Standard 1 GB plan with buying the mobile from Flipkart.
3) Vodafone Standard 2 GB plan with buying the mobile from Flipkart.
4) Airtel 500 MB plan is the 2nd cheapest.

Although Airtel plan is the most cheapest, the 200 MB cap, one can easily cross the line and can inflate the bill. So, its not a viable and safe option in today's times of smartphone usage. So, the 1st ranker is disqualified.

The best solution would be getting the mobile from Flipkart/Croma/Others and then getting a prepaid internet 3g connection. As you know your usage is 1GB to 2GB per month, and you can easily fill up the talktime, and it comes to around Rs.351 per month. Even if you double your talktime, you still wont spend Rs.1125 (as in airtel) or Rs.1144 (as in reliance).

How is this option better than reliance?
Reliance acquisition cost is Rs. 88032, which means it is Rs.22711.84 more than the option of Rs.61954.16. So per month you are spending Rs. 946.33 more than your current usage, which is not advisable. So reliance option is not advisable.

How is this option better than Airtel?
If one does have an Citibank Card, one still cant go fro 200 MB option, as its impractical. Even 500 MB is very less, considering that its 3G. Let's take 1.2 GB which is near to our 1GB plan, which is of Rs. 79,645.16 , which is more by Rs. 14325, which means one needs to spend Rs. 596.88 extra compared to our plan. Airtel option is not advisable.

So, our best bet is Buying the mobile from a online/retail outlet like Flipkart or Croma and use the prepaid internet facility.

The Iphone 5c

Here is the Total cost of ownership, for Iphone 5C

Table B: Cost of Ownership of Iphone 5C

	Citibank Offer	Airtel 200MB	Airtel 500MB	1024MB(Standard vodafone 1GB) Rs. 351	Airtel 1200MB	2048MB(Standard Vodafone 2GB) Rs. 551	Airtel 3072MB	Reliance Unlimited
Airtel	Without Citibank Cashback 10%	Rs. 57,678.16	Rs. 63,549.16	N/A	Rs. 72,355.16		Rs. 78,226.16	N/A
Airtel	With Citibank Cashback 10%	Rs. 52,790.94	Rs. 58,661.94	N/A	Rs. 67,467.94		Rs. 73,338.94	N/A
Reliance	Without Citibank Cashback 10%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A		N/A	Rs.76,290
Others (Buying from Flipkart and Installing a Vodafone SIM)	Without Citibank Cashback 10%	N/A	N/A	Rs.58,030.16	N/A	Rs. 63,249.16
	With Citibank Cashback 10%	N/A	N/A	Rs. 53,142.94	N/A	Rs.58,361.94

If you have doubts, regarding how these figures were coming from please refer my other article which has the detailed analysis of this table.

http://mahernozdiary.blogspot.com/2013/11/should-i-go-for-reliance-iphone-5s5c.html

So, from where should we buy the Iphone 5c?

The best solution would be getting the mobile from Flipkart and then getting a prepaid internet 3g connection. As you know your usage is 1GB to 2GB per month, and you can easily fill up the talktime, and it comes to around Rs.351 per month. Even if you double your talktime, you still wont spend Rs.1125 (as in airtel) or Rs.949.58 (as in reliance).

How is this option better than reliance?
Reliance acquisition cost is Rs. Rs.76,290 which means it is Rs.23147.06 more than the option of Rs.Rs. 53,142.94. So per month you are spending Rs. 964.46 more than your current usage, which is not advisable. So reliance option is not advisable.

How is this option better than Airtel?
If one does have an Citibank Card, one still cant go fro 200 MB option, as its impractical. Even 500 MB is very less, considering that its 3G. Let's take 1.2 GB which is near to our 1GB plan, which is of Rs. 67,467.94 , which is more by Rs. 14325 compared to our best plan, which means one needs to spend Rs. 596.88 extra compared to our plan. Airtel option is not advisable.

So, our best bet is Buying the mobile from a online/retail outlet like Flipkart or Croma and use the prepaid internet facility.

*********************************************************************************
My conclusions for Iphone 5s: Dont go for either reliance or airtel offer. In Reliance you loose Rs. 26077.84(which is less by Rs.435.22 than what you loose in Iphone 5c: Rs.26513.06 ) more than what is necessary to give. The only plus factor you can go for reliance is when you dont want any cap on the usage. In Airtel you loose Rs. 17691 more than what is necessary than you usually give.

So, best option is to buy a phone from a retail outlet and get the Citibank 10% cashback and choose a prepaid 3g plan, and opt for a 2GB or 1 GB plan, whichever suits you.

My conclusions for Iphone 5c: Dont go for either reliance or airtel offer. In Reliance you loose Rs. 26513.06(which is more by Rs.435.22 than what you loose in Iphone 5s: Rs.26077.84 ) more than what is necessary to give. The only plus factor you can go for reliance is when you dont want any cap on the usage. In Airtel you loose Rs. 17691 more than what is necessary than you usually give.

Best Option
So, best option is ignore both Airtel and Reliance Offer and to buy a phone from a retail outlet and get the Citibank 10% cash back and choose a prepaid 3g plan, and opt for a 2GB or 1 GB plan, whichever suits you.

Choose reliance only if you want a cap on your telephone bills and your telephone bills are on the higher side, the unlimited Call, Text, Data and a fixed billing amount can really help such an individual, in that case only reliance looks like a better choice.

If your usage is low, then its better to avoid both this offers and as follow the old way of buying from retail and inserting a prepaid sim.

I hope my calculations saved you lots of hard work.
*********************************************************************************

Should i Go for the Reliance Iphone 5s/5c Contract offer or the Airtel Iphone Contract Offer...... or No Contract Offer! ? A Detailed Analysis

2013-11-03T18:29:00.002+05:30

Note: Those who dont want to go through all the calculations and want a direct answer can choose to go to Table A for Iphone 5s and Table B for Iphone 5c.This article is meant for Indian Customers only.

I am providing these calculations, so that you dont have to do the hard work to figure out which iphone buying option is best for you.

If you find the calculations too hard to follow, you can switch to this other article, which explains in a summarized manner without going into further details...

http://mahernozdiary.blogspot.com/2013/11/should-i-go-for-reliance-iphone-5s5c_3.html

While googling, for "Iphone Offer 50%" i came across another offer by Reliance which gives a 16GB Iphone 5c and 16GB Iphone 5s for free, if taken on a 2 years contract of Rs.2599 and Rs.2999 respectively. There is a very informative page on firstpost.com describing both these offers by Airtel and Rcom.

http://www.firstpost.com/business/is-reliances-rs-2599-and-rs-2999-iphone-5-offer-worth-it-1206719.html

Also, i found another page, which describes Airtel's offer
http://www.bgr.in/news/airtel-offering-plans-for-iphone-5s-and-iphone-5c-at-50-percent-discount/

I decided to explore more about it, but couldn't find more information on Rcom's website, my main questions were, "what would happen after the 24 months contract?".

Anyways, i decided that this offer is really nice by reliance, but somehow my inner maths person, wanted to confirm it. Whether its better than Airtel or better than without an offer.

So, i got up and fired my excel and here are the calculations which i am sharing with you, so that you dont have to do the hard work.

Airtel vs Reliance vs Others 5s 16 GB Offers:

1. The Reliance Iphone 5s 16GB Offer
EMI: Rs. 2999
Service Tax(12.5%) : Rs.374.875
Your Monthly bill: Rs. 3373.875
Contract Period: 24 Months

Total Monthly Bill Amount for full contract period: 24x3373.875 = Rs.80973.

The price of the Iphone 5s if Rs.53500. As per the advertisement you pay Rs.2999(service tax is not included in advertisements). But if we consider it, then the calculations are like...

Rs. 80973(what you pay) - Rs. 53500 (for the phone) = Usage Charges = Rs.27473 for 24 months. So, for each month we pay Rs. 1144.70 towards usage charges.

Now, my calculations dont stop there.. you are spending Rs.3373.875 per month for the Iphone 5s 16 GB, what if you had not purchased this phone and instead put that same amount in a recurring deposit for 24 months. My point is, how much interest you are loosing on getting this phone, instead of investing this amount?

For this, we need to open the recurring deposit calculator for indian banks(Freely available on internet) on
http://www.allbankingsolutions.com/Recurring-Deposit-Calculator-India.shtml

For my calculations, i assumed the current rate of 8% in the Recurring Deposit(RD).

If Iphone 5s Offer is taken, there is a total interest loss of Rs.7059 for 24 months.

From the calculations it's easily seen that there is a total interest loss of Rs.7059 for 24 months.
Your total cost = Rs.80973(24x3373.875) + Rs. 7059 = Rs.88,032.

I really dont know whether there is a Cashback from Citibank on EMI. If its there then the cost of acquisition is Rs.79,228.70

2. The Airtel 5s 16 GB Offer
http://www.bgr.in/news/airtel-offering-plans-for-iphone-5s-and-iphone-5c-at-50-percent-discount/

Iphone 5s Price: Rs. 53500
Usage/month : Rs. 1000 (as reliance is offering unlimited calls, sms, data in india, i am selecting the most costliest offer of Rs.2000, as we are getting 50% discount, we get this offer for Rs.1000)
Plan Features: 1500 local mins, 600 Free SMS, 3GB 3G Data.
Service Tax 12.5%: Rs.125
Your Monthly Bill: Rs.1000+ Rs.125 = Rs.1125
My Usage for entire contract is : Rs.1125 * 24 = 27000

So, let's see how much is my cost using this route. The price of the Iphone 5s if Rs.53500 which you can buy from Airtel. You have two options, either you choose to buy the Citibank Credit Card and you get a decent 10% cashback or you can buy without it and get no Cashback offer.

Refer here
http://www.aegindia.org/2013/11/citibank-10-cash-back-offer-on-purchase-of-iphone-5c-and-iphone-5s-using-citibank-credit-cards/2135380.html

Let's see each of them.
If i have a Citibank Credit card, my cost would be Rs. 53500 - Rs.5350 (10% cash-back) = Rs. 48150
If without a Citibank Credit Card, my cost is Rs. 53500.

Now, our calculations dont stop from here. Instead of buying the Iphone 5s, if i had invested the amount of Rs.53500 for 2 years(24 months), then what interest i would have earned. So, how much interest i lost by choosing to buy this phone rather than investing in a Fixed Deposit (FD).

a) Without Citibank 10% cashback offer
I assume rate of interest is 8%
Rs .53500
Rs. 4280 8% of 53500, compound interest of Year 1(12 months)
---------
Rs. 57780
Rs. 4622.40 8% of 57780, compound interest of Year 2(24 months)
-------------
Rs. 62402.40

So, my phone cost is around Rs.62402.40
Now, my usage cost is Rs. 27000.00
So, my total of phone cost plus usage is Rs. 89402.40 ( Rs. 62402.40 + 27000)

b) If i have a citibank Credit card, my cost would be Rs. 53500 - Rs.5350 (10% cash-back) = Rs. 48150.

Rs. 48150.
Rs. 3852 8% of 53500, compound interest of Year 1(12 months)
---------
Rs. 52002
Rs. 4160.16 8% of 57780, compound interest of Year 2(24 months)
-------------
Rs. 56162.16

So, my phone cost is around Rs.56162.16
Now, my usage cost is Rs.27000.00
So, my total of phone cost plus usage is Rs. 83162.16 ( Rs. 56162.16 + 27000)

We had selected the costliest offer for per month is Rs.1125 (which is giving us only 3GB of internet usage, time to think about this Airtel!)

If we had put the same amount in a Recurring Deposit, how much interest would i have had earned. So, getting my phone recharged how much interest i am loosing.

Referring to the same link
http://www.allbankingsolutions.com/Recurring-Deposit-Calculator-India.shtml

With inputs
Monthly Installment Amount: Rs.1125
Annual Interest Rate: 8%
Period in Months: 24

I come to know that the interest i loose is Rs. 2354 for period of 24 months.
a) If without Citibank Credit Card
So, i need to add this to the cost as well which comes to Rs.  89402.40 +  2354 = Rs. 91, 756.40
b) If with Citibank Cashback 10% offer
So, i need to add this to the cost as well which comes to Rs.   83162.16  + 2354 = Rs. 85, 516.16

Note that there is a difference of Rs. 6240.24(Rs. 91, 756.40 -  Rs. 85, 516.16 , though you got Rs.5350 as a cashback. The additional amount Rs. 890 is the interest component.

Airtel's Citibank 10% cashback offer makes it less costly than Reliance. It beats the reliance offer by Rs. 2515.84 for a period of 24 months contract. But note that, still it restricts your usage to a level which may bring you dissatisfaction and can overrun your bills if you overspend above the plan.

Here is the table showing different plans of airtel

Plan	Units	600	1,000	1,600	2,000
Local mins	Minutes	500	900	1,400	1,500
Free SMS	Number	300	400	500	600
3G Data	MB	200	500	1,200	3,072
Discount		50 percent	50 percent	50 percent	50 percent
You Pay	Rs	300	500	800	1,000

A thought, if i choose some other Airtel plan what would be my cost(shown above). As due to space restriction its impossible to show all my calculations. I am giving you the final output.

Here is the table showing total cost in 24 months, if different plans are chosen, the plans are shown with their discounted value of 50% rather than their original value.

Offer	300	500	800	1000
Without Citibank Cashback 10%	Rs. 71,208.40	Rs. 77,079.40	Rs. 85,885.40	Rs. 91,756.40
With Citibank Cashback 10%	Rs. 64,968.16	Rs.70,839.16	Rs. 79,645.16	Rs. 85,516.16
	You can choose the offer based on your preference and budget

For those of you, who still want to choose Airtel because they trust its network coverage or services can refer the table below and make your choices. The Cheapest offer of Rs.300 beats the Reliance Cost by Rs. 23063.84( 88032 - Rs 64,968.16). One can go for 1GB data and still have a decent cost of acquisition of Rs. 85,885.40 (without Citibank) and Rs. 79,645.16 for those fortunate to have a Citibank Credit Card.

3. The Others
There is one common scenario where i dont buy from any of them(Reliance or Airtel), instead i buy it from Flipkart or Croma and then i carry on with my Vodafone prepaid 3G plan which gives me 1 GB for Rs.251 and my usual Rs.100 talktime. (i talk less and surf more!), which means my monthly prepaid amount is only Rs.351. If i want a 2 GB, my bill amount is Rs. 451 + Rs.100 = Rs.551

Refer here
https://www.vodafone.in/internet/pages/for_your_phone.aspx?cid=mum

So, let's see how much is my cost using that route.

Iphone 5s Price: Rs.53500 (for e.g. i buy it from Flipkart)
Usage/month: Rs.351 (my usage is 1 GB data and 100 Rs. talktime per month)
Usage/24 months: Rs.351*24 = Rs.8424
Service Tax: Nil (As its a prepaid, service tax is already included in my recharge amount).

Now, my calculations dont stop from here. Instead of buying the Iphone 5s, if i had invested the amount of Rs.53500 for 2 years(24 months), then what interest i would have earned. So, how much interest i lost by choosing to buy this phone rather than investing in a Fixed Deposit (FD).

The price of the Iphone 5s if Rs.53500. You have two options, either you choose to buy the Citibank Credit Card and you get a decent 10% cashback or you can buy without it and get no Cashback offer.

Refer here
http://www.aegindia.org/2013/11/citibank-10-cash-back-offer-on-purchase-of-iphone-5c-and-iphone-5s-using-citibank-credit-cards/2135380.html

a) Without Citibank 10% cashback offer
I assume rate of interest is 8%
Rs.53500
Rs. 4280 8% of 53500, compound interest of Year 1(12 months)
---------
Rs. 57780
Rs. 4622.40 8% of 57780, compound interest of Year 2(24 months)
-------------
Rs. 62402.40

So, my phone cost is around Rs.62402.40
Now, my usage cost is Rs. 8424
So, my total of phone cost plus usage is Rs. 70826.40 ( Rs. 62402.40 + 8424)

b) If i have a citibank Credit card, my cost would be Rs. 53500 - Rs.5350 (10% cash-back) = Rs. 48150.

Rs. 48150.
Rs. 3852 8% of 53500, compound interest of Year 1(12 months)
---------
Rs. 52002
Rs. 4160.16 8% of 57780, compound interest of Year 2(24 months)
-------------
Rs. 56162.16

So, my phone cost is around Rs.56162.16
Now, my usage cost is Rs. 8424
So, my total of phone cost plus usage is Rs. 64586.16 ( Rs. 56162.16 + 8424)

Now, my usage is Rs.351 per month, which i believe is a very sufficient usage for me, but you can tweak this setting as per your usage. In the reliance and Airtel offer, we had calculated that if we had put the same amount in a Recurring Deposit, how much interest would i have had earned. So, getting my phone recharged how much interest i am loosing.

Referring to the same link
http://www.allbankingsolutions.com/Recurring-Deposit-Calculator-India.shtml

With inputs
Monthly Installment Amount: Rs.351
Annual Interest Rate: 8%
Period in Months: 24

I come to know that the interest i loose is Rs. 732 for period of 24 months.

a) If without Citibank Credit Card
So, i need to add this to the cost as well which comes to Rs. 70826.40 + 734 = Rs. 71, 560.40
b) If with Citibank Cashback 10% offer
So, i need to add this to the cost as well which comes to Rs. 64586.16 + 734 = Rs. 65, 320.16

Note that there is a difference of Rs. 6240.24(Rs.71560.40 - Rs.65,320.16), though you got Rs.5350 as a cashback. The additional amount Rs. 890 is the interest component.

a) Read this, if without a Citibank Credit Card
Surprisingly, without any offer, my total cost for an Iphone 5s is Rs.71, 560.40 compared to Reliance Offer of Rs. 88032. So, it means there is a savings of Rs. 16,471.6 for 24 months compared to reliance offer, if i dont choose any offers, and just buy an Iphone 5s and continue with my usage habits.
b) Read this if with a Citibank Credit Card (10% cashback offer)
Surprisingly, my total cost for an Iphone 5s is Rs. 65, 320.16 with Citibank Credit Card option, which is the lowest.

Now, we do understand what the total cost of ownership means.. we formulate a table based on the 3G data pack that we receive and the price of each phone.

Table A: Cost of Ownership of Iphone 5S

	Offer	200MB	500MB	1024MB(Standard vodafone 1GB)Rs.351	1200MB	2048MB(Standard Vodafone 2GB)Rs.551	3072MB	Unlimited
Airtel	Without Citibank Cashback 10%	Rs. 71,208.40	Rs. 77,079.40	N/A	Rs. 85,885.40		Rs. 91,756.40	N/A
Airtel	With Citibank Cashback 10%	Rs. 64,968.16	Rs. 70,839.16	N/A	Rs. 79,645.16		Rs. 85,516.16	N/A
Reliance	Without Citibank Cashback 10%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A		N/A	Rs.88,032
Others (Buying from Flipkart and Installing a Vodafone SIM)	Without Citibank Cashback 10%	N/A	N/A	Rs. 71560.40	N/A	Rs. 76,779.40
	With Citibank Cashback 10%	N/A	N/A	Rs 65, 320.16	N/A	Rs.70,539.16

Note: Not sure whether reliance gives a 10% Cashbank to Citibank Customers, if it gives then we have total cost of Ownership as Rs.79,228.70

While going through this table, you need to keep an eye on the cost and also your usage needed each month. Here is a good link to help you while deciding the usage.

https://www.vodafone.in/3gworld/pages/3g_tariff_calculator.aspx?cid=mum

Here are the winners
1) Airtel 200 MB plan is the most cheapest.
2) Vodafone Standard 1 GB plan with buying the mobile from Flipkart.
3) Vodafone Standard 2 GB plan with buying the mobile from Flipkart.
4) Airtel 500 MB plan is the 2nd cheapest.

Although Airtel plan is the most cheapest, the 200 MB cap, one can easily cross the line and can inflate the bill. So, its not a viable and safe option in today's times of smartphone usage. So, the 1st ranker is disqualified.

The best solution would be getting the mobile from Flipkart and then getting a prepaid internet 3g connection. As you know your usage is 1GB to 2GB per month, and you can easily fill up the talktime, and it comes to around Rs.351 per month. Even if you double your talktime, you still wont spend Rs.1125 (as in airtel) or Rs.1144 (as in reliance).

How is it better than reliance?
Reliance acquisition cost is Rs. 88032, which means it is Rs.22711.84 more than the option of Rs.61954.16. So per month you are spending Rs. 946.33 more than your current usage, which is not advisable. So reliance option is not advisable.

How is it better than Airtel?
If one does have an Citibank Card, one still cant go fro 200 MB option, as its impractical. Even 500 MB is very less, considering that its 3G. Let's take 1.2 GB which is near to our 1GB plan, which is of Rs. 79,645.16 , which is more by Rs. 14325, which means one needs to spend Rs. 596.88 extra compared to our plan. Airtel option is not advisable.

So, our best bet is Buying the mobile from a online/retail outlet like Flipkart or Croma and use the prepaid internet facility.

Where should i buy Iphone 5c from?
Well, its clear who the winner was in Iphone 5s. As now, you are familiar with basic concepts like cost of acquisition. I would straight away show you the table for Iphone 5c.

Table B: Cost of Ownership of Iphone 5C

	Offer	200MB	500MB	1024MB(Standard vodafone 1GB) Rs. 351	1200MB	2048MB(Standard Vodafone 2GB) Rs. 551	3072MB	Unlimited
Airtel	Without Citibank Cashback 10%	Rs. 57,678.16	Rs. 63,549.16	N/A	Rs. 72,355.16		Rs. 78,226.16	N/A
Airtel	With Citibank Cashback 10%	Rs. 52,790.94	Rs. 58,661.94	N/A	Rs. 67,467.94		Rs. 73,338.94	N/A
Reliance	Without Citibank Cashback 10%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A		N/A	Rs.76,290
Others (Buying from Flipkart and Installing a Vodafone SIM)	Without Citibank Cashback 10%	N/A	N/A	Rs.58,030.16	N/A	Rs. 63,249.16
	With Citibank Cashback 10%	N/A	N/A	Rs. 53,142.94	N/A	Rs.58,361.94

Note: Not sure whether reliance gives a 10% Cashbank to Citibank Customers, if it gives then we have total cost of Ownership as Rs.68,661.70

While going through this table, you need to keep an eye on the cost and also your usage needed each month. Here is a good link to help you while deciding the usage.

https://www.vodafone.in/3gworld/pages/3g_tariff_calculator.aspx?cid=mum

Here are the winners
1) Airtel 200 MB plan is the most cheapest.
2) Vodafone Standard 1 GB plan with buying the mobile from Flipkart.
3) Vodafone Standard 2 GB plan with buying the mobile from Flipkart.
4) Airtel 500 MB plan is the 2nd cheapest.

Although Airtel plan is the most cheapest, the 200 MB cap, one can easily cross the line and can inflate the bill. So, its not a viable and safe option in today's times of smartphone usage. So, the 1st ranker is disqualified.

The best solution would be getting the mobile from Flipkart and then getting a prepaid internet 3g connection. As you know your usage is 1GB to 2GB per month, and you can easily fill up the talktime, and it comes to around Rs.351 per month. Even if you double your talktime, you still wont spend Rs.1125 (as in airtel) or Rs.949.58 (as in reliance).

How is it better than reliance?
Reliance acquisition cost is Rs. Rs.76,290 which means it is Rs.23147.06 more than the option of Rs.Rs. 53,142.94. So per month you are spending Rs. 964.46 more than your current usage, which is not advisable. So reliance option is not advisable.

How is it better than Airtel?
If one does have an Citibank Card, one still cant go fro 200 MB option, as its impractical. Even 500 MB is very less, considering that its 3G. Let's take 1.2 GB which is near to our 1GB plan, which is of Rs. 67,467.94 , which is more by Rs. 14325 compared to our best plan, which means one needs to spend Rs. 596.88 extra compared to our plan. Airtel option is not advisable.

So, our best bet is Buying the mobile from a online/retail outlet like Flipkart or Croma and use the prepaid internet facility.

*********************************************************************************
My conclusions for Iphone 5s: Dont go for either reliance or airtel offer. In Reliance you loose Rs. 26077.84(which is less by Rs.435.22 than what you loose in Iphone 5c: Rs.26513.06 ) more than what is necessary to give. The only plus factor you can go for reliance is when you dont want any cap on the usage. In Airtel you loose Rs. 17691 more than what is necessary than you usually give.

So, best option is to buy a phone from a retail outlet and get the Citibank 10% cashback and choose a prepaid 3g plan, and opt for a 2GB or 1 GB plan, whichever suits you.

My conclusions for Iphone 5c: Dont go for either reliance or airtel offer. In Reliance you loose Rs. 26513.06(which is more by Rs.435.22 than what you loose in Iphone 5s: Rs.26077.84 ) more than what is necessary to give. The only plus factor you can go for reliance is when you dont want any cap on the usage. In Airtel you loose Rs. 17691 more than what is necessary than you usually give.

Best Option
So, best option is ignore both Airtel and Reliance Offer and to buy a phone from a retail outlet and get the Citibank 10% cash back and choose a prepaid 3g plan, and opt for a 2GB or 1 GB plan, whichever suits you.

Choose reliance only if you want a cap on your telephone bills and your telephone bills are on the higher side, the unlimited Call, Text, Data and a fixed billing amount can really help such an individual, in that case only reliance looks like a better choice.

If your usage is low, then its better to avoid both this offers and as follow the old way of buying from retail and inserting a prepaid sim.

I hope my calculations saved you lots of hard work.
*********************************************************************************

A Good Explanation of EuroZone by Tata MF, Prof Simply Simple

2013-04-26T19:20:00.001+05:30

What is EuroZone Crisis?

Italy recently had its election and quite expectedly the people voted against “austerity” measures. The party who spoke of austerity was vanquished. Unemployment rates have been soaring. The economy is shrinking. Their debt is 150% of their GDP. At such times one of the tools available with government is to tinker with the currency. Unfortunately the Italians cannot do so because they share their currency with other nations of the EURO region.

To understand their predicament one needs to imagine the EURO ZONE as a train.

Now imagine the various countries as the bogies (compartments) of this train. Let’s say the train is trudging along smoothly and all seems well. Suddenly a few of the passengers in the “Italy” bogie fall sick. So, they send a request to the engine driver, via a telecommunication contraption that is fitted in the bogie, to speed up. They need to reach their destination fast as they are feeling unwell.

The engine driver then sends a message to all the other bogies that they have received a “speed up” request from the Italians due to an emergency. On hearing this announcement, the German passengers seated in the German bogie take serious objection. They want to enjoy the journey at a leisurely pace and vehemently object to the “speed-up” suggestion. Their contention being that they had paid a premium for enjoying this leisurely journey and were not prepared to get short-changed. They caution the engine driver that if he were to “speed up”, then they would demand a refund.

The engine driver finding himself in an “impossible” situation is left with no choice but to maintain status quo. The poor Italians are left with no choice but to suffer their ordeal.

One of the Italians regrets his decision to have travelled by train. He feels that had they travelled by their own car, the decision of speeding up would have been theirs. But now since they are a part of the train, they can do little to influence its speed.

The situation in Europe is similar to the story of the Euro train. The common currency, “EURO” is like the train. Some countries like Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Ireland are not comfortable with the valuation of the EURO (it is exactly how the Italians were not comfortable with the speed of the Euro train). These countries are facing a slow down and need to revive their economy. One of the best ways to do that is to sell more products to the world and reduce debt. And in order to do that, it is vital to devalue the currency. But since the currency (EURO) is common for all the countries, just a handful countries cannot decide about changing the valuation of the EURO all by themselves. This is just like how the Italians in the EURO train failed to “Speed- Up” the train. For countries like Germany and France who are not in a “debt” problem like the Italians and Greeks, a reduction in the value of the EURO works against their interest because it unnecessarily makes their imports more expensive and prices of commodities in general increases. Basically the tinkering of the currency works in opposite ways for two sets of countries. Had Greece or Italy had their own currency, they could have easily devalued their currency to make their exports more attractive. This would have boosted their economy by creating demand and thereby jobs. This would be like their having to travel in their own car instead of being part of a larger train.

Hope the above example would have helped you to understand the currency dilemma that is causing concern to several European countries like Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Ireland who find themselves sinking in debt.

Also, hope this article has also clarified why some other countries of the European Union like Germany do not share the needs of the weaker nations and hence their currency strategy runs opposite to that of the troubled nations.

For feedback / questions, email professor@tataamc.com

Gollum's Riddles for The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings (LOTR) Fan

2012-12-20T23:06:00.000+05:30

Riddle 1
What has roots as nobody sees,
Is taller than trees,
Up, up it goes,
And yet never grows?

One of Gollum's riddles for Bilbo. The answer is "mountain".

Riddle 2
Thirty white horses on a red hill,
First they champ,
Then they stamp,
Then they stand still.

One of Bilbo's riddles for Gollum. The answer is "teeth".

Riddle 3

Voiceless it cries,
Wingless flutters,
toothless bites,
Mouthless mutters.

One of Gollum's riddles for Bilbo. The answer is "wind".

Riddle 4

An eye in a blue face
Saw an eye in a green face.
"That eye is like to this eye"
Said the first eye,
"but in low place
Not in high place."

One of Bilbo's riddles for Gollum. The answer is "sun on the daisies".

Riddle 5

It cannot be seen, cannot be felt,
Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt.
It lies behind stars and under hills,
And empty holes it fills.
It comes first and follows after,
Ends life, kills laughter.

One of Gollum's riddles for Bilbo. The answer is "dark".

Riddle 6

A box without hinges, key, or lid,
yet golden treasure inside is hid.

One of Bilbo's riddles for Gollum. The answer is "egg".

Riddle 7

Alive without breath,
As cold as death;
Never thirsty, ever drinking,
All in mail never clinking.

One of Gollum's riddles for Bilbo. The answer is "fish".

Riddle 8

No-legs lay on one-leg,
Two-legs sat near on three-legs,
Four-legs got some.

One of Bilbo's riddles for Gollum. The answer is "fish on a little table, man at table sitting on a stool, the cat has the bones".

Riddle 9

This thing all things devours:
Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats high mountain down.

One of Gollum's riddles for Bilbo. The answer is "time".

Theory: French Defense Advance Varation

2012-10-23T15:22:00.002+05:30

A very good explanation of French Defense Advance Variation.. .

This is part 2 of the video

Hope you enjoy the video!

- Mahernoz Daruwala

Analysis of Companies performance in 2008-09 and Safe Stocks to invest in 2012.

2012-01-01T14:08:00.000+05:30

I have taken note of the performance of various Indian companies in that period when everyone was crying on the wall street. The figures reflected here show the most bearish period ever, these figures have been taken from Business Standard, a Financial Daily.

Companies with Positive Growth (in 2008-09)
There were only 5(five) companies which gave positive returns.

Company Name	Returns %	P/E Ratio
Glaxo	11.34	24.13
Hero Honda	20.93	14.57
HUL	15.42	28.94
Lupin	0.66	9.91
Sun Pharma	2.85	11.28

Market P/E was at 9.84 in the horrifying period (this is a comfort zone in which FII tend to invest), the EPS at that time is of no concern here but can be figured it out very easily.
Today’s Market P/E is at 17.10, Sensex is at 16167 which signifies an increase of 73.78% in P/E in last 2 yrs,
Today’s Sensex

Sensex Value	16167
P/E	17.10
Current EPS of Sensex	945.43

If today, sensex were to return back to horrific period(P/E of 9.84) sensex has to look like this.

Sensex Value if that horrifying period returns	9303.03
P/E	9.84
Current EPS of Sensex	945.43

Other companies having single digit P/E and their comparisons

Company Name	P/E in horrifying times	Current P/E
Aban	9.64	4.05
ACC	6.39	20.61
Allahabad Bank	2.33	5.10
Ambuja Cement	9.41	18.16
Andhra Bank	4.67	4.48
Ansal Infra	2.24	4.59
Ashok	4.77	11.43
Aurobindo Pharma	8.26	23.90
Bajaj Auto	9.03	13.54
Bajaj holding	4.64	4.01
BOB	5.71	6.59
BOI	6.80	7.20
Bharat Electronics	7.44	13.64
Bharat Forge	9.57	21.43
Bhushan Steel	2.64	6.76
Bombay Rayon	5.64	17.85
Canara Bank	4.60	5.65
Century Textiles	8.02	40.23
CESC	7.49	11.78
Chambal Fert	6.83	15.36
Chennai Petro	1.48	5.56
Core Proj & Tech	3.98	11.72
Deccan Chronicles	3.02	51.19
Dena Bank	2.51	3.19
DLF	4.10	23.08
Federal Bank	7.40	11.12
Finan Tech	2.52	0
GE Shipping	1.87	10.29
Gail	9.53	12.27
Gitanjali Gems	2.79	6.63
Grasim	4.25	8.83
Great Offshore	4.58	14.58
HCL Techno	7.50	16.34
HDIL	1.99	3.44
Hind Zinc	3.81	8.36
Hindalco	3.56	9.67
Hotel Leela	4.82	34.86
HPCL	6.98	5.74
ICSA	2.71	1.80
IDBI	5.82	5.95
IDFC	9.43	11.51
IFCI	1.55	2.37
Ind Overseas Bank	2.97	5.40
India Cements	4.64	34.15
India Infoline	5.91	10.87
Ind Bulls Real	7.26	13.83
Indian Bank	5.22	4.67
Indian Hotel	9.15	0
Indian Oil	6.60	8.33
IVRCL	4.51	18.65
Jindal saw	1.42	7.64
JP Hydro	6.73	23.16
JSW Steel	3.26	15.12
Karnataka Bank	3.88	6.94
Lanco	7.31	12.05
Lic Hsg	5.21	10.78
Lupin	9.91	22.59
M&M	5.34	14.23
Maruti	9.51	11.76
Mercator	2.13	0
Mic Electr	3.63	2.65
Monnet Ispat	4.70	8.11
Mphasis	8.72	7.20
MRPL	4.62	10.31
MTNL	8.93	0
Nag Constru	7.84	4.62
National Alum	6.91	12.74
NDTV	2.37	0
NIIT	8.94	7.84
ONGC	6.98	9.97
Opto	8.02	9.15
Oracle	7.77	15.72
Orbit	0.80	5.79
Oriental Bank	4.78	6.37
Parsvanath	2.30	13.63
Petronet LNG	6.01	13.69
Polaris Soft	3.27	6.08
Praj Ind	6.84	19.73
Punj Lloyd	7.38	0
Punj National Bank	6.51	6.38
Rajesh Exp	3.24	11.63
Rel cap	9.94	41.89
Rel Comm	6.28	14.14
Rolta	6.95	2.45
Rural Electr	7.82	7.36
Skumar	2.28	2.34
SAIL	4.31	7.16
Satyam	0.81	39.81
SBI	8.13	10.32
SESA GOA	2.68	4.66
Shipping Corp	3.50	0
Sintex	6.64	6.30
Sobha Dev	2.71	14.29
Sterlite	4.01	6.23
Suzlon	7.48	14.41
Syndicate Bank	3.81	5.56
Tata Chem	3.84	11.13
Tata Motors	3.64	6.43
Tata Steel	1.21	3.46
Tata Tea	7.11	13.09
TCS	9.52	21.96
Tech Mahindra	2.98	8.47
Thermax	7.26	13.14
Tulip	5.79	5.66
UCO	4.97	3.67
UltraTech	4.60	23.57
Union Bank	5.25	5.84
Unitech	2.93	15.61
Vijaya Bank	9.25	5.11
Voltas	7.54	8.73
Walchand	9.30	21.08
Welspun guj	5.10	0
Wipro	9.62	17.20
Yes Bank	9.32	11.65
Zee Enter	9.65	18.19

Stocks which have increased in value either in terms of price or the earnings have declined for that stock, for those stocks the P/E ratio has climbed up also the stock whose p/e ratio have increased highest in terms of percentages and the p/e ratio itself being 10 or more than 10 will be considered as a risky proposition.
Similarly, the stocks which are showing negative growth in P/E reflects that either the price have not increased that much or the earnings have been more than the price that has increased...
Safe Stocks

Company Name	P/E in horrifying times	Current P/E	Increase/Decrease %
Rolta	6.95	2.45	-64.75
Aban	9.64	4.05	-57.99
Vijaya Bank	9.25	5.11	-44.76
Nag Constru	7.84	4.62	-41.07
ICSA	2.71	1.80	-33.58

The top 5 companies are

Rolta
Aban
Vijaya Bank
Nagarjuna Constructions
ICSA
MIC Electronics

Now, as we got list of “safe” companies, we will now test those companies which have given good growth in horrifying times of 2008/09.
Current Situation

Company Name	P/E Ratio	Current P/E Ratio	Increase / Decrease %	Dividend Yield (in %)
Glaxo	24.13	29.59	22.62%	2.04
Hero Honda	14.57	19.42	33.28%	5.16
HUL	28.94	36.89	27.47%	1.70
Lupin	9.91	22.59	127%	0.6
Sun Pharma	11.28	28.09	149%	0.6

Its clearly seen that the “safe” companies are now no longer safe as the Current P/E is more than 10 and in some cases they have increased more than 100%. So we need a new list of companies as per the current market statistics. "New Safe Companies" list.

New Safe companies along with their dividend yields.

Company Name	P/E Ratio in 2008-09	Current P/E Ratio	Increase / Decrease %	Dividend Yield In %	Score
Rolta	6.95	2.45	-64.75	5.92	383.32
Vijaya Bank	9.25	5.11	-44.76	4.80	214.85
ICSA	2.71	1.80	-33.58	4.38	147.08
UCO Bank	4.97	3.67	-26.16	4.88	127.66
Nag Constru	7.84	4.62	-41.07	2.50	102.68
HPCL	6.98	5.74	-17.77	4.85	86.18
Bajaj Holdings	4.64	4.01	-13.58	4.79	65.05
Aban	9.64	4.05	-57.99	1.01	58.57
NIIT	8.94	7.84	-12.30	3.53	43.42
Indian Bank	5.22	4.67	-10.54	3.95	41.63
Rural Electr	7.82	7.36	-5.88	3.89	22.87
Mphasis	8.72	7.20	-17.43	1.27	22.13
Andhra bank	4.67	4.48	-4.07	5.42	22.05
Punj National Bank	6.51	6.38	-2	2.39	4.78
Sintex	6.64	6.30	-5.12	0.68	3.48
Tulip	5.79	5.66	-2.25	1.25	2.81
MIC Electronics	3.63	2.65	-27	0	0

The last column is a score column in which i have given scores to the stock which has better P/E ratio and also which gives better Dividend Yield. Company having both is given better score. A decrease in the P/E ratio is termed as better score. Score is derived by multiplying the Decrease with the Dividend Yield by which we are targeting to get best of both worlds.

Score = Decrease * Dividend Yield (an increase in P/E will give a negative score but if the P/E is still below 10, the investor can consider that stock.)

So, according to this table, and a combination of both the safety moat by declining in prices and dividend appreciation, i would recommend them.
My ratings based on Dividend Yields and safety, would be as follows

Rolta
Vijaya Bank
ICSA
UCO Bank
Nagarjuna Construction
HPCL
Bajaj Holdings

All these five stocks(not including banks) will give you safety as well as good dividend yield(there are two bank stocks, you can remove them if you don’t trust bank stocks). The reason sometimes banks are excluded from analysis is because they don’t tend to do well in case of economic downturns, and they are the last to recover, also they are more complex to understand than other stocks.

If only stocks based on Dividend Yield are only to be selected and ignoring the safety factor, then my ratings would be

Rolta
Andhra Bank
UCO Bank
HPCL
Vijaya Bank
Bajaj Holdings
ICSA
Indian Bank
Rural Electrical

There are 4 banks in the list, if you don’t believe in bank stocks then you can remove them and you can find only 5 stocks

Still in both these list the following stocks are common...

Rolta
UCO Bank
Vijaya Bank

If banks are excluded then

Rolta
ICSA
HPCL

So, my tip for the year 2012 is Rolta,UCOBank and Vijaya Bank, in that order, and if we are excluding Bank Stocks(which normally dont do well in Bad Economy conditions then I would recommend you to buy Rolta, ICSA, HPCL.

Regards,

Mahernoz

28th November 2011

S4.IN UltimateWarrior

2011-01-01T14:09:00.046+05:30

1. Highest Number of Villas on an Indian Server

We made 45 villas, the highest in the indian server achieved so far, the previous record was in s2.in where GTO made 44 villas.

* Our Villa Names, having so many villages, sometimes we didnt even knew what to name them!

* This was Our Medals Cupboard

2. Initally, our Hammer(a place where offense troops are built to destroy the enemy) was attacked but we managed to still put up a big number afterwards.

3. First Attack on our WorldWonder(WW), even before we level it up. :D

4. As soon as we started leveling up, we got the 1st Natar Attack, which we defended it successfully.

* Natars first clearing wave

* Natars first cata wave

The natars attack begin to increase with each leveling up of our WW, and so did our defenses. But then we got bored, but something happened. War started between DA and Sims. We were at war with Sims and we recieved a hit on our WW from Sims.

5. The First Big Hit on our WW.

Sadly, we were out of the WW race due to that hit. Now, we needed a revenge, and we did that in less than 24 hours.

6. Our Reply to Sims, we destroyed their World Wonder completly! :D

7. An accident happens.. and we again lost most of our hammer as it got countered, but you can see that our hammer's defense points were good enough to destroy fortuner's mini hammer!

8. Another attack on our World Wonder, it took two hammers of Two Top Players of Sims to destroy our World Wonder Completely.

The 2nd attack destroyed our WW, though both the enemy hammers were destroyed as well.

8. We received fakes in the middle of the night a lot many times.

9. Having lost our Hammer in a counter, we had to make a clubbies and rams rammer. r_vamshi (the winner of the race) had great defences, yet our rammer did marginally a successful job. Joro and Rustam followed us and he was down a few levels as well.

10. Even the winner of the server r_vamshi didnt had that kinda hammer which would have affected our World Wonder even one level (i know he is aiming at Great Warehouse and not the World Wonder, but i am just pulling his leg :) ) . All credit goes to our friends and alliance mates. We were few in numbers but we played really well. Thanks to all. r_vamshi's attack failed against our defenses.

Unfortunately due to New Year,travian had a Cease Fire(it is a rule in which we cannot kill any troops of other players) and Natars hammers also returned and he was able to sim to level 100 quickly. As no hammers were left, he was sure to be a winner, even if we had hammers we would not be able to attack him due to cease fire rules. Having a cease fire at this juncture of the game, really spoiled the endgame fun that we were having.

11. Our Last Natars attack.

* Clearing Wave

* Cata Wave

12. We and Sims were so busy fighting each other that we fought till the end allowing r_vamshi to sim successfully to level 100. We congratulate our good friend viper for keeping us busy till the end of the server. He also lost his hammer against us, but he did had something better to show.

13. We had a Capital Hammer. Our Hammer Villa at the end of the server. All Crop tiles to Level 18 besides, we also flirted with Level 19 once. Its heavily defended right now because we had a world wonder construction plan there.

14. Our Hammer Buildings Structure.

15. Strangely enough, nobody attacked our Account Level Diet artifact throughout the server. Only 500 phalanx were guarding it, and thats the most funniest thing.

16. The World Wonder Race at the End.

17. Our Own World Wonder

18. Our Defenses at World Wonder.

"dont teach me this game, or else i mightfall in love with it"

20. We Enjoyed a lot!!
Thanks a lot to all our friends. DA Rocks!!

From,
- Mahernoz on behalf of UW Team.
UW Team
UW: Monish
UW's Duals:
Zin, Mahernoz

How to be a Hammer Player in Travian

2010-09-05T19:12:00.004+05:30

Here are the points the player should always keep in mind while playing travian.

Culture Points
The main thing is high culture points, the more culture points you have, the better chances are there for you to create more villas.

Here is a quick way to increase culture points
1) Market to high level.
2) Embassy Level 10 in all villages
3) Get townhall in all villages(also make celebrations)
4) Get Academy up everywhere

At a later stage you can increase the Embassy to Level 20.

If you just follow these steps in all your villas, then your CP would be closer to 400 in each villa, make sure your CP is 0.9 to your population atleast, which means if your

Total Pop for a Villa = 500
Your CP for a Villa must be 450 atleast

Then you throw celebrations everyday from townhall. You can expand 1 village every 9 days, doing these stuff. By the end of the first month you should have 2 15C and 3 6Cs

So, if you are a 1000 pop, your CP would be around 1000-1100 per day.

Follow these steps and you will have enough CP for the rest of your villages.

Celebrations
Make sure you run some large celebrations also along with small ones in your villas.

How many 15Cs one need?
One needs only one 15C well developed with 150% crop oasis. Reason being you can develop resource tiles more than 10 in only one place that is your capital, so even if you get many 15Cs it hardly matters. You can get max it to 10 and 1 oasis. But it is good if these additional 15Cs are near to your capital or hammer. Going miles away from your capital to make an additional 15C is superwaste, you cant even use that raid or crop of 15C which is away from your hammer as you will run into various logistic problems.

What should be the locations of your villas?
You should not care about your first village location. Instead take your time and find a suitable plot where there are nearby 15C or 9C. Then make additional villas there.
Clear all the neighbors from that new place. All your subsequent villas should be build on this new place.

What is the secret of being online all the times?
Get your team of duals and sitters. The team should not be very large as such. Maximum of 3-4 players are enough, 3 players team is the ideal setup.

Capital Hammer & Non-Capital Hammers
You got many types of villages 5-4-3-6, 4-4-4-6,1-1-1-15 and we have different types of oasis. So to utilize those oasis properly we should plan like this

If there is a village of 5-4-3-6, then it is best contender for an oasis which gives wood bonus. That means that 5-4-3-6 will have more wood. Like that the same goes for others.

Now Cropper 15C, you can extend your tiles beyond Level 10 only in one place that is your capital. You need 150K+ Crop Hammer to destroy or impact a wonder at the end game. So if you create these many troops in a normal village you will go into a huge crop negative, which you wont be able to sustain.

Also the hammer should always be at one place and not scattered in all villages. Plus one needs to do blacksmith research in that village only.

A Hammer can be made in two different ways

a) Inside Capital
b) Side village near to your capital

Your capital when developed fully tiles at 19+ level will give around 140k crop / hour. You can create troops in this village – 15c itself. Which gives you very less negative.

Also you can create troops just nearest to your capital which will give you same problem of huge negative crops but you got one awesome advantage of great barracks and great stable. You can build two barracks and two stables and produce troops simultaneously, so your troops production will be in double speed than a normal capital hammer player.

In capital, you cannot make great barracks or great stable.

What about the cost of the troops,aren’t the troops in great barracks and great stable more costly?

When you have 22+ feeders feeding it then you will realize that having quicker troops is more important than having cheaper troops. Great Stable and Great barracks should not be made at the start but in the late game. When you have many villas around your hammer.

Raiding or Simming
To make a WW Hammer of 150k you need maximum 3 months and nothing more than that. So you can play till then in two ways.

a) Troops Way – Raiding must
b) Simming way – no troops only SIM SIM

Most people do both, but that is no point. Your aim is not fulfilled if you try to do both. Your aim is to reach 22+ villages fully developed, feeding your hammer or capital, then you can stop raids. After that just keep on passing resources and queue troops, but if you have not built any troops till that time and only simming then you need artifacts, which will help you gain momentum.

Artifacts
You will need the trainers artifact which will create troops 2x speed. Imagine, a non-cap hammer having trainers 2xSpeed + 2 barracks + 2Stables producing troops 24/7.

You need to use all the artifacts to make a good hammer.

• You need to get tiles to level 19 minimum, for that you need storage artifact.
• You need diet to create troops
• You need boots to raid faster (if you are a Gaul, then TT + 3x boots is awesome combination)
• You need trainers to increase your production
• The WW holder should have an Architect Artifact and
• Eagles eyes should be kept in a common area and when one wants to use it one should be allowed to take it and make use of it.

All artifacts should be planned and used.

Dilbert One Liners!

2010-08-25T20:46:00.000+05:30

Hey Friends,

Some dilbert one liners, the last one is the best!

1. I say no to alcohol, it just doesn't listen.
2. A friend in need is a pest indeed.
3. Marriage is one of the chief causes of divorce.
4. Work is fine if it doesn't take too much of your time.
5. When everything comes in your way you're in the wrong lane.
6. The light at the end of the tunnel may be an incoming train.
7. Born free, taxed to death.
8. Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don't have film.
9. Life is unsure; always eat your dessert first.
10. Smile, it makes people wonder what you are thinking.
J 11. If you keep your feet firmly on the ground, you'll have trouble putting on your pants.
12. It's not hard to meet expenses, they are everywhere.
13. I love being a writer... what I can't stand is the paperwork.
14. A printer consists of 3 main parts: the case, the jammed paper tray and the blinking red light.
15. The guy who invented the first wheel was an idiot. The guy who invented the other three, he was the genius.
16. The trouble with being punctual is that no one is there to appreciate it.
17. In a country of free speech, why are there phone bills?
18. If you cannot change your mind, are you sure you have one?
19. Beat the 5 O'clock rush, leave work at noon!
20. If you can't convince them, confuse them.
21. It's not the fall that kills you. It's the sudden stop at the end. 22. I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.
23. Hot glass looks same as cold glass. - Cunino's Law of Burnt Fingers 24. The cigarette does the smoking you are just the sucker.
25. Someday is not a day of the week
26. Whenever I find the key to success, someone changes the lock.
27. To Err is human, to forgive is not a Company policy.
28. The road to success.... Is always under construction.
29. Alcohol doesn't solve any problems, but if you think again, neither does Milk.
30. In order to get a Loan, you first need to prove that you don't need it.
31. All the desirable things in life are either illegal, expensive, fattening or in love with someone else

Top 15 rules and strategies for Topalov after game 4 against Anand.

2010-04-30T19:36:00.001+05:30

1. Topalov can have two kings. This will decrease chances of losing by half.

2. Topalov can queen his pawn once it reaches rank 5.

3. Anand must play left handed. Topalov can use both hands (new Sofia rule)

4. Topalov can use unlimited phone a friend, but only to Nigel Short.

5. Topalov reserves the right to dial 911 when his pieces come under fire.

6. Topalov will choose a color and then switch sides half way through the game.

7. Topalov can hide under the table until the storm passes above.

8. Topalov can call Ban Ki Moon to initiate peace efforts and prevent King take over.

9. Topalov will invoke the Geneva convention. Once Anand takes a piece he must return it after brief detention.

10. Topalov will talk to Kamsky for a shoulder after a loss.

11. Topalov will be warned on 10 different occasions (at least) before a check mate.

12. Topalov will sit with the arbiter so he can offer the draw before he screws it up further.

13. Topalov will not be asked difficult questions by the press such as "Where did it go wrong?"

14. Topalov will go to Frankfurt and drive back for 40 hours and watch Lord of the rings.

15. Topalov will go to Iceland and get stuck and postpone the championship.

Courtesy: chessisjoy.blogspot.com

My Favorite Videos part III

2010-04-27T01:39:00.001+05:30

My Favorite Videos Part II

2010-04-27T01:33:00.002+05:30

My All time favorite videos... Part I

2010-04-27T01:21:00.002+05:30

The Power of EMI based stock investing

2010-04-23T22:44:00.009+05:30

Hi Friends,

Today i am going to point out a very important method to get rich.

You cannot get rich by other people's advice, you need to do it yourself, and you need to have the discipline in order to get rich.

All i ask from you is a little disciplined approach towards Investment. It's known as the EMI approach to investment.

Many of you must be having their Insurance Premium EMI(s) or Mutual Fund EMI(s) ranging from 3-5 years and many of them also have it for 5-10 years.

When i went through the book of Warren Buffet of Intelligent Investor i came across this method of investing an equal amount monthly. There are some conditions to it.

1) The stock fundamentals must be good.
2) It should have a steady growth
3) There should be a steady flow of dividends (very important factor after some years).

Now, let me explain to you why i also believe that the stock market will act like a voting machine at the short term and a weighting machine at the long term.

1) Never think about selling for 10 years.
2) Invest an equal amount every month, it can be also more but not less than that amount, so decide that amount you are comfortable with and start investing every month.
3) choose a date, i chose 28th of every month where after F&O expiry, there is better chance sometimes of getting a good price.
4) Never change the date, buy it in a disciplined way, in the long term you will gain!

If i had invested Rs.2500 in Reliance Industries, when i joined my college in 2002. At that time, till now, if i had been regularly investing my money then i would have got a great fortune! Copy this table in excel and see for yourself that how stock market is like a weighting machine! The more the quantity the better you are in long term.

Note: The reliance shares got 1:1 bonus in Nov 2009. So, Cum Qty of Shares gets doubled.

Note: Copy the below table in excel

Date	Inv Amount	Qty	Close	Amt	Cum Cost	Cum Qty	Value	Profit	Profit %
4/20/2010	2500	2	1068	2136	227710.73	681	727308	499597.27	219.3999685
3/29/2010	2500	2	1094.3	2188.6	225574.73	679	743029.7	517454.97	229.3940327
2/26/2010	2500	3	979.3	2937.9	223386.13	677	662986.1	439599.97	196.7892859
1/19/2010	2500	2	1085.9	2171.8	220448.23	674	731896.6	511448.37	232.0038451
12/29/2009	2500	2	1080	2160	218276.43	672	725760	507483.57	232.4958173
11/30/2009	2500	2	1058	2116	216116.43	670	708860	492743.57	227.9991253
10/28/2009	2500	1	2036.2	2036.2	214000.43	334	680090.8	466090.37	217.7988007
9/29/2009	2500	1	2154.52	2154.52	211964.23	333	717455.16	505490.93	238.4793557
8/28/2009	2500	1	2055.61	2055.61	209809.71	332	682462.52	472652.81	225.2768997
7/28/2009	2500	1	1891.01	1891.01	207754.1	331	625924.31	418170.21	201.2813273
6/29/2009	2500	1	2065.55	2065.55	205863.09	330	681631.5	475768.41	231.1091367
5/28/2009	2500	1	2196.76	2196.76	203797.54	329	722734.04	518936.5	254.6333484
4/28/2009	2500	1	1724.61	1724.61	201600.78	328	565672.08	364071.3	180.5902239
3/30/2009	2500	2	1525.71	3051.42	199876.17	327	498907.17	299031	149.6081299
2/27/2009	2500	2	1247.98	2495.96	196824.75	325	405593.5	208768.75	106.0683425
1/28/2009	2500	2	1278.3	2556.6	194328.79	323	412890.9	218562.11	112.4702675
12/29/2008	2500	2	1242.46	2484.92	191772.19	321	398829.66	207057.47	107.9705405
11/28/2008	2500	2	1128.2	2256.4	189287.27	319	359895.8	170608.53	90.13206752
10/28/2008	2500	2	1148.38	2296.76	187030.87	317	364036.46	177005.59	94.63977257
9/29/2008	2500	1	1932.36	1932.36	184734.11	315	608693.4	423959.29	229.4970268
8/28/2008	2500	1	2072.51	2072.51	182801.75	314	650768.14	467966.39	255.9966685
7/28/2008	2500	1	2164.21	2164.21	180729.24	313	677397.73	496668.49	274.8135775
6/30/2008	2500	1	2070.52	2070.52	178565.03	312	646002.24	467437.21	261.7742175
5/28/2008	2500	1	2501.48	2501.48	176494.51	311	777960.28	601465.77	340.7844074
4/28/2008	2500	1	2562.04	2562.04	173993.03	310	794232.4	620239.37	356.4736875
3/28/2008	2500	1	2319.69	2319.69	171430.99	309	716784.21	545353.22	318.1182235
2/28/2008	2500	1	2512.58	2512.58	169111.3	308	773874.64	604763.34	357.6126137
1/28/2008	2500	1	2539.29	2539.29	166598.72	307	779562.03	612963.31	367.9279829
12/28/2007	2500	1	2873.64	2873.64	164059.43	306	879333.84	715274.41	435.9849416
11/28/2007	2500	1	2750.98	2750.98	161185.79	305	839048.9	677863.11	420.547686
10/26/2007	2500	1	2666.75	2666.75	158434.81	304	810692	652257.19	411.6880564
9/28/2007	2500	1	2272.2	2272.2	155768.06	303	688476.6	532708.54	341.9882998
8/28/2007	2500	1	1864.65	1864.65	153495.86	302	563124.3	409628.44	266.8661161
7/30/2007	2500	1	1828.79	1828.79	151631.21	301	550465.79	398834.58	263.029346
6/28/2007	2500	1	1673.74	1673.74	149802.42	300	502122	352319.58	235.1895116
5/28/2007	2500	1	1705.29	1705.29	148128.68	299	509881.71	361753.03	244.2153876
4/30/2007	2500	2	1544.2	3088.4	146423.39	298	460171.6	313748.21	214.2746524
3/28/2007	2500	2	1335.43	2670.86	143334.99	296	395287.28	251952.29	175.7786358
2/28/2007	2500	2	1331.83	2663.66	140664.13	294	391558.02	250893.89	178.3638018
1/29/2007	2500	2	1361.18	2722.36	138000.47	292	397464.56	259464.09	188.0168162
12/28/2006	2500	2	1255.22	2510.44	135278.11	290	364013.8	228735.69	169.0855158
11/28/2006	2500	2	1231.59	2463.18	132767.67	288	354697.92	221930.25	167.1568462
10/27/2006	2500	2	1204.02	2408.04	130304.49	286	344349.72	214045.23	164.2654294
9/28/2006	2500	2	1150.15	2300.3	127896.45	284	326642.6	198746.15	155.3961427
8/28/2006	2500	2	1104.95	2209.9	125596.15	282	311595.9	185999.75	148.0935124
7/28/2006	2500	3	964.09	2892.27	123386.25	280	269945.2	146558.95	118.7806178
6/28/2006	2500	3	985.65	2956.95	120493.98	277	273025.05	152531.07	126.588125
5/29/2006	2500	3	931.48	2794.44	117537.03	274	255225.52	137688.49	117.1447756
4/28/2006	2500	3	972.41	2917.23	114742.59	271	263523.11	148780.52	129.6645997
3/28/2006	2500	3	770.61	2311.83	111825.36	268	206523.48	94698.12	84.68393931
2/28/2006	2500	4	690.71	2762.84	109513.53	265	183038.15	73524.62	67.13747607
1/30/2006	2500	4	692.85	2771.4	106750.69	261	180833.85	74083.16	69.39829616
12/28/2005	2500	3	850.17	2550.51	103979.29	257	218493.69	114514.4	110.1319311
11/28/2005	2500	3	826.2	2478.6	101428.78	254	209854.8	108426.02	106.8986731
10/28/2005	2500	3	722.62	2167.86	98950.18	251	181377.62	82427.44	83.30196064
9/28/2005	2500	3	779.96	2339.88	96782.32	248	193430.08	96647.76	99.86096634
8/30/2005	2500	4	689.49	2757.96	94442.44	245	168925.05	74482.61	78.86561381
7/28/2005	2500	4	680.96	2723.84	91684.48	241	164111.36	72426.88	78.99579078
6/28/2005	2500	4	613.44	2453.76	88960.64	237	145385.28	56424.64	63.42652211
5/30/2005	2500	5	513.32	2566.6	86506.88	233	119603.56	33096.68	38.25901477
4/28/2005	2500	5	522.61	2613.05	83940.28	228	119155.08	35214.8	41.95220697
3/28/2005	2500	5	543.99	2719.95	81327.23	223	121309.77	39982.54	49.16254986
2/28/2005	2500	5	534.52	2672.6	78607.28	218	116525.36	37918.08	48.23736427
1/28/2005	2500	5	501.85	2509.25	75934.68	213	106894.05	30959.37	40.77105481
12/28/2004	2500	5	496.76	2483.8	73425.43	208	103326.08	29900.65	40.72247176
11/29/2004	2500	5	489.89	2449.45	70941.63	203	99447.67	28506.04	40.18238656
10/28/2004	2500	5	517.56	2587.8	68492.18	198	102476.88	33984.7	49.61836519
9/28/2004	2500	5	476.91	2384.55	65904.38	193	92043.63	26139.25	39.66238663
8/30/2004	2500	6	448.95	2693.7	63519.83	188	84402.6	20882.77	32.87598534
7/28/2004	2500	6	452.5	2715	60826.13	182	82355	21528.87	35.39411434
6/28/2004	2500	6	424.45	2546.7	58111.13	176	74703.2	16592.07	28.55231003
5/28/2004	2500	6	415.8	2494.8	55564.43	170	70686	15121.57	27.21447876
4/28/2004	2500	5	513.26	2566.3	53069.63	164	84174.64	31105.01	58.61169562
3/29/2004	2500	5	502.25	2511.25	50503.33	159	79857.75	29354.42	58.12373164
2/27/2004	2500	5	526.85	2634.25	47992.08	154	81134.9	33142.82	69.05893639
1/28/2004	2500	5	546.79	2733.95	45357.83	149	81471.71	36113.88	79.61994655
12/29/2003	2500	5	510.27	2551.35	42623.88	144	73478.88	30855	72.38899884
11/28/2003	2500	5	462.59	2312.95	40072.53	139	64300.01	24227.48	60.45907259
10/28/2003	2500	6	440.99	2645.94	37759.58	134	59092.66	21333.08	56.49713265
9/29/2003	2500	6	412.49	2474.94	35113.64	128	52798.72	17685.08	50.36527116
8/28/2003	2500	7	373.93	2617.51	32638.7	122	45619.46	12980.76	39.77106931
7/28/2003	2500	8	327.87	2622.96	30021.19	115	37705.05	7683.86	25.59478821
6/30/2003	2500	8	308.59	2468.72	27398.23	107	33019.13	5620.9	20.51555885
5/28/2003	2500	9	273.54	2461.86	24929.51	99	27080.46	2150.95	8.628127869
4/28/2003	2500	10	253.82	2538.2	22467.65	90	22843.8	376.15	1.674184884
3/28/2003	2500	9	266.18	2395.62	19929.45	80	21294.4	1364.95	6.848909528
2/28/2003	2500	9	274.85	2473.65	17533.83	71	19514.35	1980.52	11.29542148
1/28/2003	2500	10	259.84	2598.4	15060.18	62	16110.08	1049.9	6.97136422
12/30/2002	2500	9	277.42	2496.78	12461.78	52	14425.84	1964.06	15.76066982
11/28/2002	2500	9	271.17	2440.53	9965	43	11660.31	1695.31	17.01264425
10/28/2002	2500	12	204.96	2459.52	7524.47	34	6968.64	-555.83	-7.386965461
9/30/2002	2500	11	235.87	2594.57	5064.95	22	5189.14	124.19	2.45194918
8/28/2002	2500	11	224.58	2470.38	2470.38	11	2470.38	0	0

Note: Copy the above table in excel

As you can see that there was a profit booking opportunity when sensex was at 21k, and at that time the reliance shares were quoting at 2800+. But still the investor would have been better off not to sell it and continue buying because after a reduction there might again be another rise in prices as seen from Oct 2008 to April 2010. My point in staying with the game, is just that we cannot time the markets so, we need to do what we do best and that is to sit tight.

Further with addition to profits, there would have been dividends also.

Dividends	period	stocks	value
5	Mar-03	71	355
5.25	Mar-04	154	808.5
7.5	Mar-05	218	1635
10	Mar-06	265	2650
11	Mar-07	294	3234
13	Mar-08	308	4004
13	Oct-09	333	4329
		681	17015.5

I would have earned 17k+ dividends by now...

What i really did....

I never invested like this, though i always had the idea that i should do it with atleast a very small amount like Rs.2500 or so, instead i tried my hands at F&O, and betting and short sales,etc. And never earned that much but got to learn a lot.

I also believe that all these fund managers are lucchas and chors(thieves), at 21k sensex they told you to stick for the long term, on tv they also told people that to invest for the long term when sensex was at 21k and they were telling about India's growth story, and at that time, they were selling their stocks with profits.

They also told people to stay away from the markets, and when the markets jumped they called it as "Dead Cat Bounce" or maybe a "Short term rally" but they were all liars to the core, they had the details but they kept on fooling the common people so that they can buy on lows and they can sell on highs. Atleast at that time, in Oct 2008, the foreign investors like Warren Buffet and Marc Faber told the truth to the people. That they should look for good investments and Warren Buffet was truthful about it and made a call to his fellow value investors to go on investing when sensex was at 7-10k.

In this long term approach my profit would have been a whopping Rs.499597 + Rs.170157 which means i would have earned a profit of around 226% just by doing nothing but just investing an equal amount every month. I mean i never even wanted in this period to look at the stock screen, etc... and i just needed to work where i was working and continued to invest an equal amount every month! If i get a call from Mutual Fund people (who also have their Fund Management charges, entry load, exit load,etc), i will say sorry,all these i dont want it, i just need to invest an equal amount every month on a specific date. That's it!

It's time to start an EMI for stocks! So, that some retirement planning can be done.

Lyrics - Yeh Hain meri kahani (Zinda Movie)

2010-01-18T17:02:00.007+05:30

yeh hai meri kahani
khamosh zindagani
sannata keh raha hai
kyun zulm seh raha hai

ek dastaan purani
tanhayi ki zubani
her zakham khil raha hai
kuch mujh se keh raha hai

chubtay kantay yadoon ke daaman say chunta hoon
girti deewaron ke aanchal mai zinda hoon

bass yeh meri kahani
benishaan nishaani
ek darr beh raha hai
kuch mujh se keh raha hai

chubtay kaanten yadoon ke daaman se chunta hoon
girti deewaron ke aanchal mein zinda hoon

bajay pyaar ki shabnum mere gulistaan mein
baraste rehte hain har simt maut ke saye
siyahiyon se ulajh padti hain meri aankhein
koi nahi .. koi bhi nahi jo batlaye
kitni der ujalon ki raah dekhe
koi nahi hai koi bhi nahi
na pass na durr
yeh pyaar hai
dil ki dharkan
apni chahat ka jo ellan kiye jaati hai
zindagi hai jo jiye jaati hai
khoon k ghoont peay jaati hai
khwaab aankhon se siye jaati hai

ab na koi paas hai
phir bhi ehsaas hai
sihaeeyon mai uljhi padi
jeene ki ek aas hai
yadoon ka jungle yeh dil
kaanton se jal thal yeh dil

chubtay kaanten yadoon ke daaman se chunta hoon
girti deewaron ke aanchal mein zinda hoon

My Wish Come True Song - from Movie Kisna

2009-12-10T00:00:00.002+05:30

Hold Me Let Me Feel You
In My Arms Again
Softly You Whisper My Life
My Best Friend.

A Moment Is All I'm Searching For
Just A Moment In Love With You
A Moment So Special So Beautiful
In A Moment My Wish Come True

Save Me From The Future
Take Me Back In Time
The Words They Have No Meaning
Without You In My Life

Let Me Walk The Rainbow
In Times Of Sweet Surprise
To When I Was A Little Girl
And I Had You In My Life

Time Has No Answer
For Words Left Unsaid
For Words Have No Meaning
There's No Read Ahead

A Moment Is All I Am Searching For
Just A Moment In Love With You
A Moment So Special So Beautiful
In A Moment My Wish Comes True

I Am Looking For A Reason
To Smile Once Again
Through Every Changing Season
The Pain I Can't Explain
I See The Magic All Around
Shining Down On Me
With You My Life Would Be So Right
If Only It Could Be

May Be This World Is A Mystery To Me- 2
But If You Could Be Here For Eternity

A Moment Is All I Am Searching For
Just A Moment In Love With You
A Moment So Special So Beautiful
In A Moment My Wish Comes True

A Moment Is All I Am Searching For
Just A Moment In Love With You
A Moment So Special So Beautiful
In A Moment My Wish Comes True

My Wish Comes True

About Warren Buffets Burlington Northern Santa fe Deal...

2009-11-21T23:48:00.016+05:30

Warren Buffet recently acquired Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BSNF)

The news that Warren Buffet has made his biggest acquisition came as a flyer around the world.
News Video: Warren Buffet Buys Burlington Northern, Bets on the U.S. Economy

It is a very good thing that the legendary investor Warren Buffet is giving me the chance just like Chess Masters did, when they showed the scores of game to us so that we can study the game and learn from them why a particular decision was taken and also get a chance to study their technique.

About Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. (The company to be acquired)

http://www.bnsf.com/aboutbnsf/history/index.html

This is the balance sheet buffet must have seen....

The Balance Sheet of BSNF(Burlington Northern Santa Fe)

The Diluted Earnings per share is a factor which is to be seen here for the growth of the company. In 2004 BSNF was having an EPS of $2.14, and in 2008, the same value is $6.08

According to the formula, the average growth rate i.e. the CAGR rate is 23.22%, which means BSNF in it's last 5 years has made an aggregate progress of 23.22% yearly.

You can find the formula for CAGR here...

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cagr.asp

Why Aggregate?

It also needs to be mentioned here upon studying the chart that buffet is not considering one year loss period which was there in 2007. So, he must have considered the Average growth. The reason being that latest reports may not reflect the true picture of company so reports of at least 10 years needs to be there with us, so that the aggregate growth can be computed to get a more fair picture.

Buffet's Deal Details

Now, it needs to be noted that for Buffet the growth rate of 23.22% in past earnings is sufficient. which means a satisfactory growth rate, and as Buffet looks atleast 10 years down the line then he can expect the company to grow more than 200% in 10 years.

Let me make this simple, buffet believes that in 1 year(this is just an example because buffet never thinks below 10 years) my $100 per share will be $123.22 per share plus the dividends i will get.

Let us also look in the chart for dividend payouts of this company.

The dividend in 2004 is $0.64 and is $1.44 in 2008, which means it also grows annually by 17.61%

If you look at the 5 year chart of Google Finance (http://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE:BNI) you will also find that BNSF is very regular in giving dividend payments and gives dividends every quarter. (which is very important criteria for buffet)

So, buffet would expect that in one year he will get $123.22 + (1.44+0.25=1.69) = $124.91

Now, let us look at the price that he bought the BSNF. Is it a good deal in terms of valuation...

The price at which buffet bought the shares are at $100 per share and that too 77.4% of the total shares.

You can find the details of the deal here... http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/03/buffett-takes-ride-on-the-bnsf-railroad-buys-burlington-norther/

If you see at the last EPS figure of $6.08 per share then buffet's P/E ratio to buy is

$100/$6.08 = 16.45 P/E Ratio (the multiple of the value of the company which market is willing to pay)

It should be noted that buffet may have bought some stocks before the announcement was made by him publicly but who knows that factor is present or not in this deal.

Before the deal was announced the shares were available at $75

http://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE:BNI

The price was $75 when it closed the next day it opened at $97... still buffet wanted to buy the stock because the investment principles indicate that a P/E of 16.45 is still manageable.

The Deal after 10 years (the minimum holding period for Warren Buffet)

So, how much buffet can earn after 10 years with this deal?

As the EPS of the stock will increase by about 23.22%, then after 10 years i have computed that EPS of one share will be $49.08, which means if we keep the P/E ratio of 16.45 as intact then also the stock will earn and the fair price of the stock will be $807.20 per share.

Plus if we include the dividends each year then the sum of the dividend in each year amounts to $40.51 per share.

So, buffet's gain will be $807.20(Expected selling value) + $40.51 (Dividend earnings) - $100 (purchasing price)

$807.20+$40.51-$100 = $747.71 profit per share which was bought at $100!!

Is the Past Performance been done in that fashion?

Yes, if you see the same chart in google shows that the P/E of Santa FE has been around 16.54 for the last 5 years and Warren Buffet got this deal closed at 16.45.

Conclusions of this Deal

Buffet is a great believer of the American Economy, now he is also one of the RailRoad Tycoons of USA. He believes that the US Economy will gain and there would be a very heavy transport need for RailRoads.

Main Points are

1) It is a solid Frachise business.

2) It is a value deal and not expensive.

3) Company's growth is also good.

4) The Dividends are regular

5) Ignore Short Term Market Sentiment (See Current Year Section below)

My only concern is that the P/E of 16.45 is nearer to P/E of 20, so his margin of safety principle is little exercised here.

However, He also believes that in coming days, the transportation of goods would be more preferred by Railroads which may mean that other means of transportation needs Oil (like Airplanes,Roads) and he may be believing that oil based transportation may be very costly in near future because

1) Oil rates will rise 2) Dollar is going to fall 3) USA's Relationships with the Middle East

So, in this scenario Rail Roads are surely a better option.

More details of this deal conclusions can be found in the below video

Warren Buffett's All-In Bet - Morningstar Video

The Current Year

In Current Year the aggregrate of 3 quarters adjusted to 4th quarter and according to that estimate the EPS of Current Year is $4.61, which means a loss in EPS of around 25%, but it should be seen that inspite of this Buffet is going for the deal. He is not looking for only the near future or current year, he has a long term view of the prospect of the company (as discussed earlier that this company also faced loss in 2007 as given in graph). What matters to buffet is the performance in the long term.

Readers, I am sure that you will also buy stock in the same manner as described here.

Regards,

Mahernoz Daruwala

Apple Ads

2009-10-25T22:16:00.000+05:30

http://www.apple.com/getamac/ads/

Reallly awesome Ads!

A good video

2009-10-17T11:15:00.006+05:30

This video is quite good! Just observe what he wrote at first and what he finally came up

with at last...!