Re: SIP in mutual funds
Forget about cheques.
If you have HDFC account, assuming it is either NRE/NRO account. Just forward them your PAN copy, either you can send them scanned copy or photo copy. As soon as it reaches them, you can start investing in mutual funds.
You can even send your PAN card details to your family member and ask them to handover it to bank along with covering letter. That should do the job.
As far as SIP allowed through HDFC bank account, as of now you can invest in HSBC, HDFC, Tata, DSP ML, Sundaram BNP Paribas, AIG, Franklin and couple of others.
No SIP investment facility available through HDFC account for Birla, Kotak and Reliance (but you can make manual SIP's..
)
You can Pick from
2 funds from DSP ML Top 100, HSBC Equity, HDFC Top 200 - Large Cap
DSP ML Equity and/or
HDFC Growth (Currently no SIP facility for HDFC Equity ) - Mixed Cap
Tata Infrastructure (Sector fund, but well diversified one) - Sector (only if you have high risk apetite)
All the above listed funds, you can invest by SIP through HDFC Bank account.
Good luck..