My Maid Election Predictor: Better Than Opinion Polls?


Over the last three Tamil Nadu elections, I accidentally discovered my own election prediction system.

No exit polls.
No survey agency.
No political strategist.

Just… asking my maids whom they would vote for.

And strangely, every single time, their answer matched the eventual winner.

At this point, I’m seriously wondering whether I should stop watching political debates and simply do “Maid Josiyam” before every election.

In 2016, the overall perception around me was that DMK would come back to power. Social media discussions, public conversations, and political analysts all leaned toward a DMK comeback.

One day, I casually asked my maid:

“Whom will you vote for?”

Without even thinking for a second, she replied:

“Amma.”

That was it. No analysis. No manifesto. No policy discussion. Just emotional conviction toward .

AIADMK won.

Then came 2021.

This time the political atmosphere was different. Amma was gone. Again, I casually asked another maid whom she would vote for.

Her answer:

“Till Amma was there, my vote was for Amma. Now my vote is for DMK.”

Once again, simple answer. Straight from the heart. No overthinking.

That year, DMK won.

Now comes 2026.

Again, the broad perception in many circles was that DMK would comfortably return to power. But by now, I had started trusting my unofficial election forecasting model more than TV channels.

So I asked my maid:

“Who are you voting for?”

She smiled and said:

“My grandchildren asked me to vote for Vijay. So I’ll vote for Vijay.”

At that exact moment, I got goosebumps.

Three elections.
Three different maids.
Three different emotional reasons.
Three winning waves.

At this point, this no longer feels like political discussion. It feels like Tamil Nadu-style kili josiyam.

Like those roadside parrots that pick one card and silently predict your future.

Only difference here is: instead of parrots, my maids are predicting Chief Ministers.

What fascinates me is that these conversations happen completely outside political noise. No one is trying to sound intellectual. No one is quoting data. These are raw emotional voting signals from ordinary homes.

And Tamil Nadu politics has always been emotional:

  • MGR
  • Amma
  • Kalaignar
  • cinema charisma
  • welfare connection
  • family influence

Maybe elections are not decided in TV studios after all.

Maybe somewhere inside kitchens, while making coffee and discussing family matters, Tamil Nadu quietly decides its next government.

Cot & Mattresses getting ready for Studio Apartments!!


Cot made of Mahagony wood…
Silk Cotton (Ilavam Panju) Mat

Working hard for Alternate Income


I was 24 when I read this book Rich Dad Poor Dad and it’s been 13 years!!! 

Before getting into the subject, let me give a brief about me!!!

I’m an entrepreneur managing 3 entities which are into Technology Services, Management Consulting and Coffee Business. 

Also I’m fairly doing good with my business!!!

But now where I keep failing for last 13 years is my efforts on creating residual income, which keeps coming even if I don’t work.

In these 13 years I’ve;

  • Purchased Properties
  • Invested in MF’s & Stocks
  • Did Angel Funding & Seed Funding 

After doing all these I found India to be over priced on Properties, MF’s & Stocks. Income from these investments are far less than what is showcased on the book. 

All I can make is the profits that comes from exits and not from Rent or Dividends!!

Also I’ve burned my fingers on Angel & Seed Funding because I made these investments even before the Startup boom and almost all the entities I invested are dead!!! 

But I always enjoyed the experience of being associated with a startup and diverse subject knowledge I gained!!!

With all these failed attempts I’ve come to the conclusion that India is not the right place for creating residual income.

Just looking for anyone who has followed Rich Dad Poor Dad recommendation and made it big in India or is India a wrong place for Rober Kiyosaki’s concepts??

Am expecting response from readers!!

Help select a Logo for Startup Coffee Lounge


Startup Coffee Lounge Logo
Startup Coffee Lounge Logo Contest

Dear Friends,

Opened a contest to design Logo for my Coffee Shop… Created poll to get choose from the 8 logos from 120+ entries… Pls VOTE and help me choose the best one…

Thank You,

Regards,
Anand Nataraj

Job Description of an Entrepreneur!!!


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Been thru it and couldn’t agree more…

When I started 14 years back I was the Scavenger, the Accountant, the Cleaner, the Accountant, the Barista etc.

Was not a comfortable feel then… Looking back feeling great and happy now :)…

Meeting with Balaji Vijayaraghavan & Hrish Thota


image

Had wonderful & productive time with Balaji & Hrish Thota.

We discussed Social Media, Startup ecosystem at Chennai & Bangalore, Food, Social Media between 2008 – 2010 and many more…

Thanks guys for making my day…

The teen aged Entrepreneurs from Madurai


Last week got a call from my sales folks that a 13 year old CEO from Madurai wanted to meet me… Get impressed by this kids approach and immediately gave them an appointment the next day…

Since his father was busy that day, he was not in a position to make it to office… I didn’t want to disappoint the kid and went to a nice-cream shop near to his house…

He came along with his 15 year old co-founder and they gave a brief intro about them and their ataWAB.COM venture… Frankly got startled to see the way they projected, the vision and clarity they have…

I asked them to come with the expectations on me, swami & cogzidel… The next day kids came with their 14 year old co-founder and the list…

The list goes like this;

– Hosting Support
– Gadgets to review
– Infrastructure
– Mentoring

Without a moment to think we agreed to help these kids and be a part of their success…

Would be glad if you can go thru ataWAB.com and pass your feedback…

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Last to First: S.Anand Nataraj, Syed, Abshiek & Swami…

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Roshan & Anand

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This is how we brainstormed at IBACO…

My Business Ventures and Failed Venture Lessons


I started as a freelance at the age if 18 and evolved as an entrepreneur from the age of 20… In last 13 years I’ve had my hand on couple of ventures…

FreeLancer: Between 1998 – 2000 I’ve been a freelance and I’ve been into web design and manpower consultancy…

Agriya: This was my first entrepreneurship venture… Agriya was a Web Services company… I learned the nuances of entrepreneurship… I’ve been a part of this company for 8 years and it was a #success…

Distributor Of a Pharma Product: Invested in this venture to help my friend and I had no earlier experience on the domain… This venture was a #failure…

People Justice: Invested and Operated a fortnightly Tamil Magazine which is into investigative journalism… Learned the nuances of the business where I came to know the types of printing, selecting paper, networking with journalist, editorial, layout design, proof reading and distribution…This venture can also be considered #failure… But still we occasionally keep releasing the issue…

Real Estate Venture: Tried my hands on Real Estate which has created a lot of millions in India… Unfortunately this venture is also a #failure…

Cogzidel Technologies: Cogzidel is a Web, Mobile & Social Media services company… I’m a part of this company for last four and half years…

Cogzidel Consultancy Services: CCS is an accounting and business services company… I’m a part of this company for last four and half years…

In all my #failed ventures I was an investor and I invested to help a friend of mine to settle down… Though I learned from those ventures my main take away is;

– Don’t invest if there is no investment from other partner…
– Don’t invest until the person requesting investment does a business plan and show you some commitment…
– Make tough things in written (agreement) and especially make exit difficult for the person…
– Never invest to help someone… If they give-up you loose your money and the purpose of gesture gets defeated…

Planning to set a Stationary Shop


For sometime I’m looking at options and opportunities in setting up some shop either directly or a franchisee… Looking at options where investment is less and less risk… This is more to engage my dad post retirement…

Also I’m fond of entrepreneurship, trying and learning new things.

Yesterday my friend was telling me about setting up a Stationary Shop ti engage his dad or dad-in-law… He chose a Stationary Shop because he has his cousin who is already into the business for some time and knows the nuances of the trade. His cousin has also volunteered in helping in shop choice, setting the shop, introducing to dealers & vendors, guiding in customer spotting and creation…

Mostly by this week we might start with Business Plan and understand the risks and opportunities… As we did an oral planning it was low investment and low return business… But I’m thrilled as I’m entering into trade and retail…

Am very eager to prepare the business plan… Also friends if you have any subject experience or any ideas or thought please share it….

Great resource for entrepreneurs


Wanted to share this wonderful resource site shared by Mr.Harendhiraprasad M N which covers all information a startup needs. A must read resource for all entrepreneurs.

For more visit http://www.gabrielweinberg.com/startupswiki/Ask_YC_Archive