Hi Rathna,
As per my opinion, I would definately say Real estate is the best investment that anyone can think of to have some positive hope that we can put on....
My second choice would have been go for Gold (not too much)...
These days here in USA, if you put FD's in banks also i dnt think they are having very good interest return you get back but atleast you get some thing.....
based on individual budget limits etc, they plan as per their limitations and based on that one may go for one or the other ...... tht really varies from eachone to the other ....