Madurai District Collector Honarable Mr. Sagayam, IAS

I happened to hear a wonderful lecture delivered by the present Madurai District Collector Mr. Sagayam, who is known for his straight forwardness, sincerity and fearlessness on 1st May,2011 in Madurai Readers Club meet. The result for his straight forwardness and honesty is that, he got transferred 15 times to different posts, all due to political moves. The present Madurai Collector is a man who really serves the country very silentlly. A man who is very clever and who knows how to use his powers for the well being of the society.

He started his speech with the uniques of each and every country - America known for its economic development, Russia for the Socialistic philosophy, China  a land of ancient knowledge and wisdom, Japan for its hard working and good people and India, for its democratic nature  despite its varying cultures and languages.

He said each and every individual should be a responsible citizen. He said he just exercised his duty as a collector to ensure fair elections as per the guidelines of the election commision. He thanked the people of Madurai and the Readers Club members for behaving like a responsible citizen by exercising their right to vote.

The collector said that whenever he visits a village he made it a habit to visit the government schools to see the facilities and quality of education provided there. He used to interact with poor children to test their knowledge level. He said that " the government schools are the last hope for the poor children to come up in their life". While during such visits teachers in that schools used to say that "that  student of this school has become a Doctor, that student of this school has become an well known scientist, engineer etc. Sagayam used to ask " All right, how many of them you educated turned out to be good and honest human beings?  The nation does not want teachers, scientists, engineers. It badly need good teachers, good scientists and good engineers and the good here means their character.    

The Collector also narrated a incident in a school during which he questioned a 4th standard boy. The collector said that even the student of 7th or 8th std student in government school will fail to answer correctly for a simple question posed in english " What's your father?" Most of them will tell their fathers name as reply. But to his surprise the fourth standard boy answered " My father is a Potter". The collector said he was taken aback by the answer. Definitely this would have not been taught at school and the boy would have managed to learn by himself from elseware. When the collector posed him a question " What you want to become in future?" the boy answered " I am a doctor" The collector again said him you are just a fourth standard boy and how can you say that you are a Doctor now itself?   The boy thought for a moment and replied " I am a future Doctor' The collector was all in praise for the student from a remote school who was intelligent and wished him good luck in future.

The Collector Mr.Sagayam also added that the language tamil grows and retains its value only because of students who learn in tamil in government schools and disseminate that learnings to others in their action and deed while they grow up and not because of others. 

During independence the literacy rate was just around 30 %. But now the literacy rate has gone above 80 % in Tamilnadu. But earlier more people were good and honest. But now more were lacking character. What we study does not makes one educated. The degress like B.A, M.A, M.BA, B.E,  M.E, M.sc, B.ed and doctoral degrees are just trainings that a person receives. They are not educated if they lack character. Unfortunately our education fails to build character.

He spoke about Diogenes who went with a lamp searching for something in the streets of Athens here and there. After watching him search for long time few people went and asked him " What are you searching for?" Diogenes replied " I am searching for good people". The collector added if that was the case 2000 years before imagine the plight now"

He stated that he is just an ordinary person who lives in the salary drawn from money people pay as taxes. All government servants are so and they take a oath that they serve the people with absolute integrity. Hence all government servants must exercise his duty with sincerity and honesty. Most of the time the government servants begins their life as a honest person. When they are sub collector they will remain honest. When they become deputy collector their honesty will degrade a bit. and when they become collector, it is likely that he will lose his honesty for safe guarding his personal interests. The political system and the external pressure exercised on a honest person makes him to change his stand. A true honest person is one who does not change his stand despite pressures and personal loses.

He added  Martin Luther Kings quote that "the world is not bad because of bad people who are smaller in number. It is the inaction of good people against such bad people and bad things, that makes the world worse to live". So being honest is not only true to oneself but also being fearless to act against anything that is happening undue around oneself.

He narrated a incident when a disabled person made a request to him through a petition for a wheelchair (tri cycle for disabled). Normally such a request will take a minimum time of three months to be processed. Sagayam decided to help him up front. For this he has to verify only two things.

1. Whether the person is the native of that particular village which comes under the district of Namakkal
2. Whether he is really poor.

So he asked his assistant to make a call to the VAO of the concerned village and verify the credentials. As this is the era of cell phone the VAO was reached (he added sarcastically that VAOs can be reached because of this facility even if they are not present in their respective village). He then asked the concerned BDO to prepare a note for issuing the tricycle. Within an hour the tricycle was given to the petitioner. After giving the tricycle to the petitioner he asked the poor man " how you are going to take this tri cycle to your village which is 30 km away in a remote place?" The poor disabled man does not have a specific answer. So the collector came upon an idea. He asked the deputy commissioner to do vehicle checking of the lorries passing by the collector office and if anyone is found without records, he asked him to levy a fine. The collector said that the traffic regulations are so often offended, that the very first lorry they checked was found to be without proper documents. The lorry driver was given with two options - whether to pay Rs2000/ or to drop the poor disabled man along with the wheel chair in his village. The lorry driver preferred the later and the issue was solved. He said what would be more heartening for a collector than helping people like this?                 

On 5th Sept,2010 the collector was on his way to a educational institution owned by a freedom fighter's son to address on the teachers day event. On the way he observed two youth on a motor cycle, which was running out of control. He got suspicious and asked his assistants to check whether they are drunk and without any records. On checking it was found that the youth where in a drunken state. Also they did not carry even a valid driving license. The collector got angry and informed the RTO and asked them to seize the vehicle and register a case. One of the youth came to the collector and started pleading " please sir, please let us go. we will not repeat this mistake again" Saying this he took out a hundred rupee note from the pocket and tried to bribe the collector. The collector said " in this country one thing a person is very clear even in a much intoxicated state is this- You can get things done by giving bribe" What the collector said his true.People are accustomed and ready to give bribe since it has become a practice and as a unwritten rule in the government departments.

He narrated another incident during which a 6th standard boy came with a petition to see him. While interacting with him the boy said that his father and mother were of different castes. Owing to the love over her wife,his father has written the only property a hut house in the name of the boy's mother. His mother developed a relationship with another man, left his father and also forced him to evict the house along with his three children. The collector asked the boy to wait until he finishes up with other petitioners. Then he took the boy along with him to his house for the lunch. While having lunch, the collector enquired about his studies. The boy said he scored second rank in his class. On further enquiry the boy said that he used to run around in the school ground early in the morning, with a aim to become a IPS officer in future. The collector wished him good luck, presented him a dictionary and also said that he will take necessary action in three days. He assigned a deputy commissionar to the task and asked him to resolve the matter in three days. But the matter did not get resolved since the mother migrated to thirupur and also spoke through a lawyer. She did not turn up for disussion. The deputy commisionar was later assigned to Senthamizh maanadu duty at coimbatore and the matter remained pending. Later one day the Collector got shocked to read in a newspaper that a father committed suicide along with three children and presumably the boy was the one who sought help from him. He felt sad that he could not help a poor family even after their plight is brought to his notice.

He also stated, that he borrowing from a friend  to meet the hospital expenses of her girl child Yazhini is a natural phenomena that could occur to any government servant who lives only with the salary given by the government for his services. ( Earlier a speaker praised him for this activity in a situation where he can demand lakhs of rupees as bribe). Peoples integrity will be put to test by such moments and one should not lose it.

He also said the story of clay buddha.One day in Japan, a buddha statue made of clay was transported from a old temple to a newly built temple. While transporting it started to rain heavily. The people got worried that the statue will dissolve and they tried to cover it. However the rain was so intense that it started to dissolve the clay. To their surprise, as the clay dissolved they saw a statue of Golden Buddha emerging. They realized that the ancient emperor who installed the Golden Buddha statue has covered it with clay to keep it safe from the hand of thieves. The collector quoting this story said that each and every one of us has a Golden buddha inside and only that we do not realize it. We should realize our inner strength and use it to fight against the evils like corruption which is plaguing the country        

His way of speech was so inspiring and emotional that many of the people who participated in the meeting had tears accumulating in their eyes.

It is very rare to see a straight forward, honest, sincere, clever and fearless official. 

One of the member in the felicitation speech said that "most of  the bureaucrats will be ready to crawl when they are asked to bend a little: But the collector  has the backbone to stand upright. It true.

These are some of the achievements of Present Madurai  collector Mr.Sagayam 

• First collector in India to disclose his assets in public.
• While working as DRO in Kanchipuram district, he sealed and locked the premises of a MNC soft drink company on complaint that one of the cool drink bottle contained impurities and after the lab reports said that the cool drink was unfit to be drunk. When he returned home after some field visits, he came to know from his wife that many politicians and even collector had made a call to him. He just replied that he was ready to face any action, if his action was found to be out of the way.
• While working in Namakkal district he put a halt to smuggling of kerosene and rice from ration shop by frequent raids. He has taken action against 300 transport vehicles on his own during his period as collector there.
• He put an end to a pollution problem caused by a unit where mass killing of Goat and sheep took place and their debris polluted the near by water bodies.
• "Kattidangaluku naduve kaanagam" ( Forest amidst buildings) is the scheme through which he planted more than7 lakhs trees in Namakkal district and also followed up for its maintanence.
• Uzavar Unavagam  is the new concept he introduced in Namakkal district in which farmers where given a business opportunity of running a food stall serving traditional foods during evening hours in the same place where the Uzhavar Sandhaai is held.
• Instead of making people meeting him he went to villages along with other officials, stayed there during night and took action for any genuine request to fulfill their needs. Soon the people of Namakkal started praying that the collector should make a visit to their village.
• He visited various schools especially government schools and inspired both the students and teachers.
• He passed a circular insisting VAOs that they should stay only in their functional village as per their job guidelines which made VAOs to protest but on the other hand made people to come in full support of him.
• In Madurai after he was posted to ensure fair election here, he made even the most rude and adamant politician to run for his money by putting a check on all type of malpractices. A false complained was lodged against the collector that he was supporting ADMK, while actually he was performing his duty in a  un biased manner.
• He raided the shops and godowns which stored Mangoes which where artificially ripened with Calcium Carbide and captured more than 100 tons of such mangoes, forcing the traders to come to a agreement on their won that they will hear after will not artificially ripen the mangoes.

His action will continue. provided if he continues in Madurai. All Madurai residents should pray that he should be in Madurai at least for two more years. That time is sufficient for him to transform madurai. But sure he will remain a night mare to non performing and fraudulent officials and criminal politicians.               

Aandammal - A Born Leader

Aandammal, a fat black lady from a remote village of Madurai district, Tamilnadu is a woman who is to be worshipped. Born in poor family and her mother committing suicide, she took the responsibility of raising her two younger sisters. She used to work a agricultural laborer and as Chittal in building construction work. Her poor family condition forced her to marry Mr.Balu, 20 years elder than her and who had a girl of Aandammals age, through his first wife.

Balu has married her just for her age and did not perform the duties of a husband. He was a drunkard and spendthrift. Aandammal continued to work as a agricultural labourer. She toiled for her own food. Soon she gave birth to a male child.

Aandammal heard about the women self help groups functioning in her village, but was always reluctant to join. But her credit needs left her with no other option and hence she joined Vinayagar Kalanjiam, a women SHG functioning under Palamedu Vattara Kalanjiam, a federation of women SHGs.

Despite being poor and uneducated, Aandammal had a sharp mind. She never let her problems to undermine her enthusiasm. Also she had natural leadership skills. Her presence of mind and leadership skills soon made her the leader of the women SHG. Then within a year, she became the cluster leader and then rose to the leadership position of Palmedu Vattara Kalanjiam. Selected as a executive member of the Board of Palamedu Vattara Kalanjiam, she became its president. She also learned to put her signature in due course.

Though uneducated, she developed the habit of looking at the minutes books of SHGs and other accounts books. Her natural ability helped her to find the mistakes in the books of accounts, even which a learned person misses. She asked to question the members based on this.

Her untiring work, made the Vellayampatti cluster to which her SHG belongs, from a bad cluster to the best cluster in Palamedu Vattara kalanjiam. Her regular visits to groups, strict follow up of loans, efforts in forming new groups and the rapport she developed with other SHG women helped in the growth of the cluster.

At federation too, she performed her role very well. She by her casual talk filled with field reality, she was able to convince the bank managers to get loan for SHGs. She also follow up the loans for proper repayment which fetched her a good name with the bank.

Always in a humorous mood, she gave her time mostly for the development of the SHG federation. And all these, she did without even getting a wage. Her way of tackling the issues in a SHG, negotiating with people, reviewing the federation staff about their work and sudden practical ideas which jumps up from her mind made the federation to grow.

The federation which was in repayment problems due to housing loans given to rural poor, slowly recovered. The income of the federation also increased and it became self sustainable on its own.

The service she rendered to the federation for more than a decade is commendable by any means. I had the opportunity of working in that federation as Managing Director. Half of my burden was reduced by Mrs.Aandammal. I learned a lot about managing SHG and its members through her. Field visits with her increased my leadership skills and negotiating skills. We worked like a double barrel gun. If we aim and shoot, the target will never be missed. My 4.5 years of experience in that women SHG federation, is so far the most pleasurable moment in my work life, I did not feel like working. I felt like living.

I was able to manage the staffs pretty well and solve any dispute arising between them. Aandammal, being a lady moves with the female staffs and brings even their house hold problems to my notice. We supported them wherever possible. There is not time limit for our work. Like a policemen we both were available 24 hours to solve any problem in the field.          

In return for her selfless work, she expected only one thing- a acknowledgement for her good deeds and a respect which she deserves to have.

The so called educated placed as Managing Directors of women SHG federations find difficult to relate with poor people and with the Board of Directors of the federation, which is the common scenario I observe. Mostly, they dominate the Board and gets things done according to their need. However, on contrary I gave respect not only to Aandammal but all the poor and also the volunteers who are less paid.

Aandammal is the woman, I admire most than my mother. A woman who does not care about her dressing, doesn’t even oil her hair or comb unless during special events has a wonderful talent and wonderful heart. When she passes by you, you won’t even take note of her. But in her lies a great leader.   

Flirting girls with make ups and no brains has to learn a lot from her.

Edging God Out (EGO)-2

I narrate a incidence which happened during my college years. I was Studying B.Sc (agri), then. Of the 50 students in the class, only 14 were girls. Of the 14, 9 were Keralites, most of them very beautiful. Naturally there was a fight among the boys to win the friendship of the girls, especially Keralites. Of the many love stories, only one ended in marriage. That too the boy loved one girl previously and switched over to another girl and they both got married. Hope they are living a happy life.

In the third year, enmity broke between two groups (which started because of a gal) and they started fighting with each other often. One time one group took cricket bats and started attacking another group. Our hostel was of dormitory type. But nothing serious happened. Then we entered into fourth year. Fourth year students will become the member of cultural club and again fight began between two group, for the post of Club secretary and Sports secretary. The fight was so intense for sports secretary that the college management decided to split it into two posts –Sports secretary and Games secretary and each one of the groups were afforded with a post. There were bad and selfish elements in both the groups only few of them, because of whom the problem went on increasing. When we entered the fourth year, selection of Class Representative for the Final Year was also to be made. Both groups decided that the person should be neutral.

There were only 6 persons who were neutral and I was one among them. Since I had a good name both the groups wished that I should become the Class Representative. I agreed without any hesitation. Though I never was in any leadership position I accepted the task for the good of the class. But soon the problem began,

What ever decision taken, one group will support and other will oppose vehemently. Then came a College function to welcome the Juniors. Usually th Club will Organize such events. But one group said that, we will not support the function If Club plays a role in it and that Only the Class representative should handle it. It was later agreed my both the groups. I arranged for the function with the support of few volunteers. But on the stage, while speaking, the principal praised the Club for organizing the function. Even I got annoyed by the background works done by one group. The other group, which did not want the Club to conduct the function, also became angry over me.

Every move I made ended in a failure. The efforts made by me to bring them together did not materialize till we left the college.

I could not forget the incident that happened during the last days at the college. The principal asked the entire class to assemble for a group Photo, which is a usual practice to remember the students who are about to leave. Everyone gathered in the crowd except one group of persons. They of course did this as a protest against another group

I could not stand what was happening and broke into tears.

Later when we are about to depart many came and asked sorry for the incident. Even in the autographs they have asked sorry to me.

But the wound caused was very deep and I am still carrying it. 

BEAUTY AND UGLY

One day Beauty and Ugly went to take bath in a near by river, early in the morning. Both got undressed themselves and started having a good bath. They both enjoyed the bath. After the bath, Ugly came out of water first and wore the clothes of beauty and left the place. After some time, Beauty came and saw her clothes gone missing. She saw the clothes of Ugly near by and understood what has happened. She had no other go but to wear Ugly’s dress.

From then onwards we started thinking Beauty as Ugly and Ugly as Beauty

This is a small story by Kahlil Gibran, asking us to look at inner beauty and not the external appearances.  

Where is my Wife?

I am reproducing what I read in a tamil blog as a real life incident.

Our blogger was fast asleep one night when he got a call to his mobile past midnight.

The blogger said “Hello”

The Caller replied “Hello. And he asked “Where is my wife?”

What? Your wife! Our blogger lost his sleep and got up and sat up What ? Why are you asking me your wife?

The Caller said “I know you are having my wife. Give her back to me”

You might have dialed a wrong number. Saying this Our blogger cuts the call

Again the call comes.

The Blogger says “hello”

The Caller says now in angry tone “Give back my wife or I will find you and Kill You”

The blogger in turn gets angry and says “You might me dialing the wrong number. Say the number you have dialed.

The caller says exactly his number

The blogger gets confused and ask “by the by who said I am having your wife”

The Caller replied “You are having my Wife’s phone number with you. Then my Wife must also be with you”

The blogger gets a relief. He just got a new number 10 days back. Probably this number might have been used by the Callers wife.

He laughs and Says “I just got this number 10 days back, look for your wife somewhere else”

The Caller replies “Don’t Bluff. I know she is with you.

The blogger gets angry and switches off his phone.

Again he switch on his phone by 6.30 am

The first call was “Where is my wife, tell me and no more playing with me”

This time our Blogger thought its enough talking in tamil. Let me reply him in English and says “How many times I have to say? Don’ t  disturb me again. Your wife is not with me. Do you understand?”

The Caller now Exclaims “Ahh! What I doubted is true. My wife has run away with an English Man”

The Blogger replies “You   Idiot I am not a English Man and Cuts his Phone.

Again the Phone rang and the Caller this time spoke in a soft Voice and Said “See, we not have problem over this issue. Let’s come to a Understanding. You can have my wife. But please give back that Mobile phone. It’s a costlier one and my favorite. I cannot afford one like that again

Great men think great

This is an incident which happened when I went to market a Insurance product. The person we met is a Millionaire. I went along with my senior to meet him. We got a prior appointment over phone, during which he said that he will meet us in his house. Though I have been to his office many times, this was the first time I am going to his house, in which he has invested more than a crore. A very posh house really. When we went inside the house, there was a room, at the entrance in which he used to do his business dealings.  As we went inside I was surprised to see him in his casual out looks. More over, he was having his breakfast (Idli). He asked us to excuse him and he carried the empty plate by himself and left the room. Then he came back wiping his hands.

We have already briefed him the purpose of our visit. We had a target in our mind, getting not less than Rs1,00,000/- premium from him. Before sitting in his chair he opened the near by locker and pulled out some documents. Then he spread them in front of us.

He said “these are the different policy documents in my name, my spouse name and my son’s name . We each have a policy of more thaan two crores” I think its already sufficient. What you want me to  do?

What a way to say no

We said that taking a policy for an additional one crore is not at all a matter for him and that it will in turn only be useful for him

We were about to hand over him a delivery order for 1000 tonnes of urea (urea was in great demand at that him), neglecting the request of other small dealers. That was the right time for us to press him for policy and we know we won’t get such an opportunity again.

Suddenly he came up with an Idea that he will take a policy in the name of her son’ s  wife ( his daughter in law) who just got married last month. The idea was good to us, but we had a constraint.  For making a investment of Rs100000, the policy holder should be a income earner and his daughter in law is just a house wife.

The man opposite to us just laughed and said. I will give an employment to her. Any way I have to transfer some of my earnings in her name. Saying this he asked us to come next week.

The man keeps his promises. So we agreed and came back to him next week. Her daughter in law was appointed in one of his business units as Managing Director by the time. So we completed the formalities and made the policy.

We understood why he could earn good income and run his business with success. He has a very sharp mind, he leads a simple life and respects people. Though business is always in his mind, he never misses an opportunity to treat people in right way.

His daughter in law must also have got pleased with the responsibility given

Great men think great

        

INSURANCE AND INVESTMENT

I am not a Financial Consultant by profession. Also I do not invest or save much. But with my little knowledge I try to give some ideas about investment.

1.      The first amount spent on your salary should be savings. I never did that and hence I know its drawbacks. Sometimes, when I am need of urgent money to meet the unexpected need, I have no other option except to borrow. So kindly save.

2.    Regarding Insurance do not get cheated by the MNCs and their insurance products, that promises higher returns. Most of this products, called equity linked products (the amount you pay will be invested in shares, after deduction for actual insurances) promises that the amount will be doubled in a span of three to five years. It’s a myth and all depends on the market trend. When I was working with a Fertilizer concern, the company became the corporate agent for a Multinational Insurance company. The CEO of our company and a person from the Insurance Company used to visit the same church and that’s how the deal was made. For some of the products, the company offered even 40 % commission. The minimum premium for some of the products were in the range of Rs50000. Rs1,00,000 etc. Sufficient training was given to us and we started to market insurance products. For marketing Insurance, we should have cleared the exam conducted by IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and Development authority). But the rules were by passed. If I logged a policy, it will be done in some other person’s code.  

We used to target fertilizer dealers and well to do farmers for the policy. The main aim is to cheat them. For eg. There was a product with a minimum premium of Rs100000, for which we will computerized projection of returns ranging from 18 %, 24 % and 30 %.  We will say the customer that he has to invest only for three years and the coverage will be for 20 years or until he attains the age of 60. The amount can be in excess of Rs100000 (even 2, 3 or more lakhs/year based on his capacity). Lured by the projections, they will agree (they can choose the insured amount also).

We will collect the necessary documents and also a cheque for Rs100000. Finally the policy will arrive. The customer will have a utter shock, after seeing that only Rs60000/ is invested. Then he will call us on phone and ask what happened to the rest of the amount. We will reply coolly to look at the pamphlet given on the product and read it word by word. Yes, 40 % of the amount goes as charges under different heads. The customer has no other go to keep paying for next two more years.

Sad to note that even LIC launched similar such products (of course the charges were high, but less compared to MNCs). So is it safe to invest in normal endowment plans, money back plans that comes under different names? Sadly it is also not a good option. Because, the returns for investment will be harldy 4 % per annum and not more than that.  Calculate the returns of any such plan and you will know the truth.

But Insurance is essential. Then what to do? The best option is term plan i.e for example you pay Rs500/year for coverage of Rs100000/ and the money will be never returned. (For coverage of endowment plan for Rs100000 coverage you have to pay Rs6000/year)  Now you will be left with Rs5500/ which can be invested in bonds which gives higher returns, Fixed deposits (care should be taken about the time of investment) and mutual funds.

Insure in your name. Because, its only your loss that will cause a financial constraint to the kid i.e only income generating member should be insured and that is the basis of insurance. The kids plans asking you to invest in kids for their education  is myth. Instead you can invest that amount in a high interest giving deposit.

There is a accidental policy for Rs60/year for a coverage of Rs100000/. The policy is with almost all general insurers ( United India, New India assurance, Royal Sundaram etc)

Health insurance is a must these years, as health costs are escalating. Choose a product based on your need. Go for the Government general insurance companys rather than the private, since their conditions for settlement are harsh ( rarely you will get the entire payment promised). Again read the entire policy guidelines fully and clarify yourself with the agent.

Do not go for a policy since the agent is your friend or relative. You have to choose your own plants for the garden of your life.

Always break your investment like this

1.      Insurance- 20 %

2.    Deposits with assured returns/tax saving bonds – 40 %

3.    Gold- 20 % ( not Jewels)

4.    Mutual funds with good track record in SIP mode – 20 %

The systematic monthly investment in mutual funds (starts from Rs500/month). The advantage is you can buy units at the existing rate every month. Even if the  Unit value goes down, you will buy it at a lower rate and hence it will not affect your profit  much. Provided if you keep it long term and invest in a good fund ( do the trend analysis yourself or seek the support of internet www.moneycontrol.com) Do not go by the advice of the agent alone.

Surrender the fund even if you realize a return of 18 %.  Again split the amount and reinvest if you wish. And always do not invest in more than three mutual funds.

About investing in shares? It is too risky and don’t try your hand in this unless you have a surplus amount that you do not mind losing.

Investing in land is a very good option. Choose a land with low value but with future prospects of growth. Your intuition and careful observation about the schemes of government ( IT park announced, four lane road to come,  other infrastructural facilities to come etc). Check the parent documents, measure the boundaries with your own surveyor, check with the registrar office for any Villangam, existing baseline value of the land and also a legal expert. Beware even sea shores got sold in Tamilnadu by real estate tycoons. Fence the land after purchase if you are not going to sell for 3 or more years to come.  

This for people in lower, middle and upper middle income group. The basic remains the same. 

Finally all that I said is for you and not for me ( ha ha ha I spend a lot and do not save, and I do not repent for this now. May be I may repent later)