Disclaimer: this post is focused on our economic affairs 😊.

As a human, 75 years is a time to enjoy one’s retired life. However, as a nation, 75 years still makes you very young and full of possibilities. The report card on India might be a mixed bag and the glass might be half-full or half empty (depending on how one sees it). I am sure, you must have seen or read several videos and articles on our achievements, so I wouldn’t go into data. I would love to share a story, which for me, best describes us as a country. I keep repeating this story and there is a ‘risk’ that you might have heard it from me 😊.

The Context

This is an anecdote shared by Mr. Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director at Godrej Agrovet Ltd, at a conference (I was in the audience). Godrej Agrovet is a company deeply entrenched into the Indian rural and agrarian economy (you might know of its most famous product, ‘Real Good’ chicken). Mr. Balram joined the company as a management trainee in 1990, so he knows a thing or two about BHARAT.

The Story

During one of his visits to Punjab, he was invited by one of his dealers for a dinner at the dealer’s home. While they were chatting, the dealer’s 10-year-old son comes to say hi. As is the case with most Indian middle-class households, it’s important for a father to showcase his child’s prowess. As part of this exercise, he asks his son, ‘Beta uncle ko batao, 5 * 5 kitna hota hai’ (Son, please tell uncle, what’s 5 multiplied by 5). The son immediately replies, ‘23 papa’. The dealer says, ‘Shabaash beta !!!’ (Well done son) and rewards him with a 5 star (I know there are too many 5s here). Mr. Yadav is bemused and asks, ‘Why did you reward (we are not getting into the demerits of sugar here) him, even though his answer was wrong’. The dealer’s replies, ‘Arre kal tak tho 21 bata raha tha, aage badh raha hai’ (till the other day, he was answering it as 21, this is still progress).

This is BHARAT. We are not perfect, far from it. But we are better off today, than we were yesterday (on most economic parameters). We have a long way to go and there should be no ambiguity on that. As an active and tiny participant in this process, I am strongly bullish on India (my small tribute to recently deceased Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, who was perpetually long on India).

Your Role

Also, I must reiterate to all of us, who are investing in the Indian capital markets (both debt and equity), that you are contributing towards nation-building by providing the much-needed capital to Indian entrepreneurs. This exercise is creating more jobs and nudging India on the path of sound economic future. So, this Independence Day, give yourself a little pat on the back😊.

Disclaimer: Any calculation shown in this post is only for illustrative purposes  and based on prevailing tax laws and the past performance of a fund or investment is not an indicator of it’s future performance. The data used in this presentation has been taken from several sources. Neither BuckSpeak nor any of its employees or Subir Jha vouches for the authenticity of the data. Investing in mutual fund comes with market risk. Please read all Scheme Information Documents (SID) /Key Information Memorandum (KIM) and addendums issued thereto from time to time information and other related documents carefully before investing. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Please consider your specific investment requirements before choosing a fund. Investment should be done in consultant with a financial planner/consultant, who would recommend products aligned to your needs and risk profile. There are no guaranteed returns.  Neither BUCKSPEAK NOR ITS EMPLOYEES, makes any warranties or representations, express or implied, on products offered and would be responsible for any losses from these investments. The company earns commission from Asset Management Companies when the user buys mutual funds. However, the recommendations on funds is not influenced by the commission earned