Do it yourself

India is entering the final stretch of the festive season. The symbolic victory of light over darkness is behind us; the wedding calendar is in full flow; preparations for Christmas and the New Year have begun. Financial markets, too, seem to have moved past a despondent summer, supported by improving global liquidity, softer inflation prints, and resilient domestic earnings. This period also offers a moment for reflection. Every year, I revisit the legend of Rāma as narrated by Goswami Tulsidas in the Ramcharit Manas—not as mythology, but as behavioural wisdom. Hidden in its verses are principles that map surprisingly well to the discipline of Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs), especially for household investors. The two lessons below may be familiar to regular readers, but they remain worth revisiting. When to start SIP and how long to continue it सम   प्रकास   तम   पाख   दुहुँ   नाम   भेद   बिधि   कीन्ह। ससि   सोषक   पोषक   समुझ...

“Life is about the journey, not the destination” . This is a popular quote (often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson) amongst motivational speakers, self-help and mindfulness coaches, therapists, and teachers. I have spent a good part of my life aimlessly wandering in the hinterlands of India. During these journeys I have learned a lot not only about my country, people, culture, traditions, treasures, and problems; but have also explored my inner self. I can therefore relate deeply with this saying. However, a grave situation could arise when governments, businesses and other institutions begin to take this saying seriously; not realizing that it is about self-help and mindfulness at an individual level. Policy makers and institutions focusing on journeys rather than destinations may frustrate millions, depending on them for governance and livelihood, by causing avoidable agony and making their lives miserable. Unfortunately, prima facie , our governments have been taking this saying to...