MAM
Is your kid watching too much TV?
Television viewing among children in India is growing strong, a fact that underlines the ambitious plans by several broadcasters to launch kids’ channels this year. But it is not just children’s channels that the young latch on to. As kids’ viewing habits go from bad to worse, indiantelevision.com talks to experts and parents to check if a middle path can be chosen.
“Our Bablu doesn’t eat food unless we switch on MTV,” wails Bablu’s mother. “Tina watches television all day. I think I am going to cut off the cable connection next year,” complains Tina’s mother.
Parents complain daily about the growing impact of TV on their children.
Kids wake up to TV flashing news, come home from school to watch Jerry bashing up Tom or check out another child thrusting his pelvis in a kids’ talent show. More often then not, the kids eat and sleep to saas and bahu spewing venom on TV.
With long hours at school, tuition’s and ever increasing loads of homework threatening to take over a child’s life, TV is the only recreational activity available and accessible to child. So if a kid is watching more TV than he ideally should, whose fault is it? Lets take a look at the guilty corner…
The parents:
How many times do you come home and reach for the remote? How many times do you switch on the TV so that your child leaves you alone or doesn’t make a fuss while eating.
Swati Salunkhe, director of Growth Centre, which specialises in psychological counseling of young children, says, “Working parents don’t have enough time to interact with their children. When both husband and wife come tired and late, who will have the patience to read out a story or play Scrabble? Most families can’t even afford to enroll their children for swimming, tennis or karate classes or take them bowling.”
Even as they complain about television, parents themselves are completely addicted to it. “Parents are so engrossed in watching TV that they don’t even think what kind of affect a soap opera might have on a child’s mind. And anyway, its is not as if the child learns to switch on the TV set while he is in his mothers womb. Obviously, the parents teach the kid,” comments Salunkhe.
Salunkhe laments that divorces, marriages, love affairs and extramarital affairs shown so frequently at prime family viewing time have made children casual about human relations. Religious channels can increase bias about certain communities. Soaps about black magic, obsessive and compulsive disorders makes them believe that these things are normal. Most of the characters try to get what they want either by hook or crook and that’s the moral the kids imbibe. Too much exposure to bomb blasts, terrorist attacks, cartoons beating up each other, has also desensitized them to violence and aggression.
“Coupled with parent negligence, exposure to such programmes can be detrimental to a child’s personality. Children’s entertainment too is mainly based fantasy or magic based. While the children’s programmes in the past like Vikram Aur Vetaal, Dada Dadi Ki Kahani and Potli Baba Ki, had a fantasy element, they did imparted some learning. Unfortunately such programmes are no longer made. If not juvenile programmes, children have to make do with entertainment meant for adults. What we lack seriously is healthy entertainment for children,” Salunkhe surmises.
The channels
Lack of meaningful programming aside, the ill effects of television has on the kids health that parents need to take into account.
While poor eyesight and obesity are some of the problems that children these days suffer because of TV, longer exposure to cathode rays from TV also is supposed to affect the right brain.
Since an average Indian child watches TV for at least two hours a day, it leaves very little time to do creative or interactive work.
Kids product aside, even the ads for adult brands now target the kids. The young minds often fail to understand the true value of the products. It is because of such misleading ads that skimpy tops, trendy clothes, ultra slim physique has become a necessity.
TV has made most children smarter but not necessarily intelligent. For example, they can SMS but they don’t know the logic behind it.
Children these days have extremely small attention spans. Since television commercial breaks occur every 12 minutes, research shows that they can’t concentrate beyond 12-15 minutes on an average.
One cannot expect the television to shoulder the responsibility as it is a commercial medium and will continue to function as long as the method is effective. The onus lies completely on the parents. If the consumption stops even the production will too.
So what can the parent do? Cutting off the cable connection is not the solution. In fact, it will only make the child feel inferior to others. He might feel left out from discussions about TV and make him feel more curious about TV programmes.
Here is what experts recommend:
Parents can make television time a learning experience by asking them to enumerate the ads shown during the last commercial break.
Kids should be given small tasks like drawing so that they don’t just stare at the television. Parents have to have a hawks eye over what the kid is watching. If a kid is watching an offensive music video, don’t just ask him to switch channels. Tell him why he has to switch the channel.
Don’t just tell him that television is not good for him. Ask him to explain what he thinks is great about watching television. Let him understand what’s good and bad for him.
Encourage him to questions. May be when he does question you about a TV mom wear make up to bed, you can help in differentiate between real life and a television act.
Don’t be engrossed in the TV yourself.
Point out inconsistencies in reality while you are watching TV. Parents need to make the kids aware about the fantasy element in serials like Shaktimaan, Karishma Ka Karishma. They could take the kid to TV shooting and point out how things are shot.
Most glamour and lifestyle shown on TV makes children think that earning money is simple. Let them see what kind of hard work goes into making a TV serial.
Parents should ask the child what he has learnt from the programme just watched. Whenever possible, the parents should instill right thoughts so that he doesn’t take anything at face value and is encouraged to think and differentiate between right and wrong.
Fix a time to watch TV. Try and not tune in to TV as soon as you enter home or any time other than the schedule.
Plan what programmes you can watch along with your child in that hour. It could be news, cartoons or soaps, all the family should watch it together.
If there is an episode about TV villain kidnapping a child and asking for a ransom of Rs 100 crore, take the opportunity to help kid understand the difference between hundred, thousand, lakh and crore.
In short, take control over the small box before it starts ruling you…
Gold has evolved from a traditional family heritage to one of the most effective instruments for high-speed liquidity in the rapidly changing financial world of 2026. With 22K gold prices remaining stable at ₹14,440 per gram and 24K gold hitting ₹15,752 per gram as of February 21, 2026, the Indian gold market is seeing a historic increase. A rather small quantity of jewels can now unleash significant cash due to their increased worth.
Finding the best gold loan, however, takes more than simply visiting the closest branch because there are several banks and NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Companies) vying for your business. It necessitates a strategic grasp of how lenders set their product prices. The cost of borrowing in 2026 is no longer a “one-size-fits-all” number; rather, it is a variable that depends on your loan amount, the state of the market, and particular regulation slabs. You may make sure that you leverage your gold holdings at the best gold loan interest rates by taking a methodical approach.
Recognise the Tiered LTV Framework for 2026
The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) introduction of tiered Loan-to-Value (LTV) criteria is one of the biggest changes. Depending on your unique financial needs, this policy directly affects which lender can provide you with the best gold loan.
The LTV limitations for 2026 are set up as follows:
- Loans up to ₹2.5 Lakh: 85% LTV eligibility
- Loans up to 80% LTV are eligible for those between ₹2.5 Lakh and ₹5 Lakh
- Loans over ₹5 lakh are eligible for up to 75% LTV
You must match your borrowing with these levels to determine the lowest gold loan interest rate. Because there is less risk involved, a lender may frequently give a cheaper rate for a 75% LTV plan than for an 85% LTV plan. Choosing a lower LTV bracket is a tried-and-true method to get the finest gold loan conditions if you don’t require the highest amount of cash on hand.
Compare the Offerings of Banks and NBFCs
The best gold loan is determined by your preference for quickness or cheaper cost. The service and pricing differences between ordinary banks and specialised gold lending NBFCs have grown.
Public and Private Banks: The interest rates on gold loans offered by public and private banks are often the lowest on the market, frequently beginning as low as 8.75% to 9.50% annually. Borrowers seeking a long-term or overdraft-like facility who already have a savings account will find it appropriate.
NBFCs: They are the industry leader in offering a genuine, rapid gold loan experience, even if their interest rates may be a little higher than those of banks. They are frequently the best gold loan option for urgent needs when speed surpasses a 1% yearly cost difference, thanks to doorstep services and quick disbursals.
Make Use of Purity’s Power
The most potent “multiplier” in your loan computation is the karat of your jewellery. Lenders have shifted to highly standardised assaying procedures. Declaring high-purity materials helps you get a higher valuation and a better loan amount.
Make sure you are offering hallmarked jewels in order to receive the best gold loan. Because the collateral risk is essentially zero, hallmarked gold (BIS 916) lowers the lender’s uncertainty during appraisal and frequently enables them to provide a more alluring gold loan interest profile.
Consider the Mode of Repayment
The best gold loan is one that doesn’t negatively impact your monthly cash flow. Below are a few repayment options you may consider:
- Bullet Repayment: At the conclusion of the term, which is usually 12 months, you pay the whole amount. Although the cumulative interest cost of the gold loan may be somewhat greater, this is great for short-term liquidity.
- Monthly Interest Payment: You just pay the interest each month; the principal is paid at the end. As a result, the monthly burden is minimal.
- EMI (Principal + Interest): The most organised approach to loan closure is through EMI (principal + interest), which progressively lowers your principal and, as a result, your overall interest expense.
Use a computerised gold loan calculator to determine which option delivers the biggest savings before you sign the contract. Even a 0.5% change in the repayment schedule might save you thousands of rupees on a big loan in the expensive year of 2026.
Be Aware of Unexpected Fees and Penalties
High administrative costs can occasionally be concealed by a low headline interest rate on gold loans. Searching for the finest gold loan requires you to consider the “Total Cost of Credit.”
- Processing costs: For loans up to ₹3 lakh in 2026, several banks provide “Nil” processing costs.
- Make sure valuation fees are clear and do not represent a portion of the loan balance.
- Prepayment and Foreclosure Penalties: You shouldn’t have to pay a large penalty if you decide to end your gold loan early.
- Late Payment Fees: Examine gold loan interest “steps up” if you fail to make a payment. Some lenders charge 2% monthly punitive interest on the past-due balance, which can easily get out of hand.
Conclusion
Finding the greatest gold loan in 2026 requires striking a balance between the historic worth of your gold, i.e., ₹14,440 per gram, and a lender who understands your desire for quickness and transparency. You may make sure that your gold is a bridge to your financial objectives rather than a burden by comparing the tiered LTV brackets and selecting a repayment schedule that corresponds with your income. The knowledgeable borrower usually prevails in a market where gold loan interest rates are more competitive than ever. Spend some time evaluating at least three lenders, confirming that they are in accordance with the RBI as of 2026, and confidently discovering the actual worth of your assets.
FAQs
How much can I borrow in gold today, per gram?
The maximum credit amount for loans under ₹2.5 lakh (85% LTV) is around ₹12,274 per gram as of February 21, 2026, when 22K gold is valued at ₹14,440 per gram. Make sure your decorations are made of pure gold with minimal stone deductions to receive the greatest gold loan value.
Does my gold loan interest rate depend on my credit score?
In general, no. The majority of lenders offering a quick gold loan do not significantly rely on your CIBIL score because it is a secured loan. However, with certain private banks in 2026, having a solid credit history might help you get greater loan amounts or “preferred” gold loan interest rates.
How can I figure out how much interest is due on a gold loan?
The straightforward calculation is as follows: Principal x Annual Rate x Tenure (in years). Many lenders include a best gold loan calculator on their smartphones for a more accurate 2026 figure. This tool automatically adjusts for your selected repayment method and particular LTV tier.
In 2026, would I be able to obtain a gold loan for 18K jewellery?
Yes, most lenders accept 18K gold. However, the interest rate on the gold loan and the value per gram will be different because the purity is 75% as opposed to 91.6% for 22K. Before using the current market cost of ₹14,440 per gram, lenders first convert your 18K weight into a 22K equivalent.
If I close my gold loan early, will I be penalised?
Prepayment penalties are not imposed by the majority of respectable lenders providing the best gold loan in 2026. However, if you end the loan nearly immediately after disbursement, some may demand a minimum interest payment of seven to fifteen days. Verify your agreement’s “Foreclosure” clause at all times.
