When I first joined IIFM, I had no idea where life would take me. My goal? To learn management—not how to identify trees or wrestle wild boars. But as fate would have it, IIFM equipped me with skills that turned out to be useful everywhere—whether in boardrooms or in the concrete jungle.
Case studies were my first taste of real-world complexity. Field visits? A reality check. Turns out that navigating through dense forests wasn’t that different from navigating office politics. And the biggest revelation? The corporate world operates just like a jungle—complete with predators, scavengers, and the occasional wise old elephant.
Fast forward 30+ years, and I somehow ended up deep in the world of capital markets and banking—something I never saw coming! But thanks to IIFM, I had the right survival instincts to handle market crashes, corporate chaos, and the occasional Excel spreadsheet that refused to cooperate.
Since then, my life has been all about learning, making small but meaningful contributions, and ensuring that along the way, I build friendships and have fun. And honestly? That formula still works like a charm.
From Capital Markets to Life Markets: Trading Suits for Sneakers and Stocks for Serenity
If my corporate career had a tagline, it would be: “Entered with a bang (Mumbai blasts, 1993), exited with a pandemic (COVID, 2021)!” Clearly, I don’t do things the ordinary way.
After nearly three decades of navigating financial storms—Harshad Mehta, Asian Currency crisis, Ketan Parikh, Lehman Brothers, and more—I realized something profound during the pandemic: Life is too short to spend it stuck in boardrooms and spreadsheets. The real wealth isn’t just in balance sheets but in experiences, health, and the freedom to live life on your own terms.
So, what am I up to now? Well, let’s just say I’ve swapped “market volatility” for “muscle flexibility.” Having spent over 20 years as a long-distance runner and triathlete, I now coach people (and their families) in leading a healthy, active, and fulfilling life through fitness, nutrition, meditation, and lifestyle changes. Nothing beats the joy of seeing someone go from “I can’t do this” to “Wow, I feel amazing!”
But wait—finance is still in my blood! Only this time, I trade derivatives, not my time. I found a mentor, learned the ropes, and now train others in achieving true financial freedom—the kind where you work because you want to, not because you have to.
And when I’m not training people—on health or wealth—I’m out on my motorcycle, riding long distances across India, trekking in the mountains, proving that mid-life isn’t about crisis, but about adventure!
Looking back, I realize that every experience—education, financial crises, sports, and even the scams—was just life training me for this phase. Because, in the end, the real purpose of life is simple:
Live fully, give your best, and most importantly, have fun! 🚀🏍️💰🏃♂️
28 Years in Financial Services: A Rollercoaster Ride Without a Seatbelt
Back in 1992, fresh out of IIFM, I stepped into the world of financial services, completely unaware that I had just signed up for a lifetime subscription to the ultimate thriller—”The Great Indian Capital Market & Banking Saga.”
In these 28 years, I’ve seen more crashes, booms, and scams than a Bollywood potboiler. From Harshad Mehta’s bull run to Ketan Parikh’s tech bubble, I’ve had a front-row seat to it all. In fact, after witnessing the KP scam so closely, I’ve developed a sixth sense for spotting financial frauds. Don’t ask me how—it’s an acquired skill, like recognizing fake smiles at networking events!
I’ve lived through the era of stockbrokers screaming like fish market vendors in the BSE trading ring, survived price and quantity disputes that felt like courtroom dramas, and watched it all transform into seamless electronic trading. Gone are the days of physical settlements and frauds; today, it’s all about T+0 and algorithmic precision. Somewhere along the way, we traded shouting for silence, chaos for codes, and frauds for (hopefully) fewer frauds.
The journey has been nothing short of exhilarating—witnessing the rise of regulations, the battle of the exchanges, the explosion of trading volumes, and the arrival of new players. Capital markets have gone from being a club for the privileged few to a democratized arena where anyone with a smartphone and a demat account thinks they’re the next Warren Buffett.
Looking back, these years have been a blend of learning, adventure, and occasional heart-stopping moments. If markets teach you anything, it’s that nothing is permanent—booms, busts, trends, and even jobs! But what remains is the experience, the stories, and the ability to say, Been there, seen that, survived it all!
The first half of my career was spent navigating the wild waters of the capital markets—scams, settlements, shouting brokers, and the birth of algorithmic trading. Just when I thought I had seen it all, I switched gears and entered the world of banking, where I quickly realized that finance is like an iceberg—what you think you understand is just the tip, and the real risks lurk beneath.
The 2007/08 financial crisis hit like a wrecking ball, and suddenly, the entire banking world was asking, “Do we REALLY understand our business and risk?” The collective answer was a resounding NO! Experts pretended otherwise, but deep down, we all knew we were just figuring it out as we went along.
The next five years were spent understanding the mess, and the following nine years were spent fixing it—kind of like a home renovation project that you regret starting but can’t afford to abandon. Along the way, I picked up some golden rules that apply to both business and life:
- Keep it simple – Whether it’s business models or life decisions, complexity is the enemy.
- Focus on the bottom line – Profits in business, health in life. Neglect either at your own risk.
- Improve just 0.1% every day – Small, consistent progress beats overnight miracles.
- Align your goals with a greater purpose – The best businesses (and people) create lasting value beyond themselves.
Most importantly, enjoy the process and have fun—because whether it’s stock markets, banking, or life itself, it’s all one big unpredictable ride. And as I sign off from my corporate innings, I do so with a heart full of experiences, a mind sharpened by crises, and a sixth sense for spotting financial frauds (but I won’t say how).
Here’s to 28 years of nerves and never-ending learning while having adventure and fun along all the way! 🍾🎉
My Organic Farming Experiment
Since I was trained at IIFM, how could I not try my hand at something related to nature and environment. Well I did….and did my 2-year experiment with organic farming.
Post-COVID, like everyone else, I got interested in my health and well-being. Since I knew a thing or two about exercise and nutrition, I thought, “Why not study nutrition?” Six months later, I found myself with a certification and a new obsession—eating natural food.
The problem? Finding organic vegetables and fruits in Mumbai that didn’t cost as much as my gym membership. That’s when I had a brilliant idea: “Why not grow my own and supply it to others?” My grand plan was to deliver organically grown vegetables to 50 families in my locality once a week—at local prices, not the absurd “organic tax” people are used to paying.
Enter YouTube and Google, my trusted professors. I dived into terms like active biological soils, crop rotation, cow dung elixirs (aka bijamrut and jeevamrut), mulching, pest control, zero-budget natural farming—you name it. Armed with this newfound wisdom, I found a suitable plot of land and got to work.
The results? Well, let’s just say nature had a sense of humour. The vegetables we managed to grow were of fantastic quality—just not in the quantity we hoped for. Apparently, the land decides what it wants to grow, not me. Variety? Forget it. Nature doesn’t take requests.
Here’s what I learned:
- Farmers and Land Have a Special Bond: You don’t control the land; it controls you. Only when you build a deep understanding relationship with the aim of preserving it and not exploiting it, does the land start start yielding to your love and hardwork.
- Farming is Not a Get-Rich-Quick Scheme: If you think farming is the road to riches, think again. Investment is upfront, results are unknown, and the weather loves playing pranks on your hard work.
- Market Forces Will Laugh at You: If your harvest is great, prices will crash. If your yield is bad, prices will soar. Either way, you don’t win.
- Working Capital? What’s That?: You make money only if nature allows it. Otherwise, good luck planting the next batch.
- Eat What the Land Gives You: Forget fancy diet plans. Nature knows what’s best, and it will give you just enough to stay happy and healthy—nothing more.
At the end of the day, I realized farming is the only job where you eat well, stay healthy, get three months of vacation, and don’t pay taxes. The catch? You might not make any money. But hey, at least you won’t be short on fresh veggies!
Life has been an true adventure and it seems IIFM was the training ground for it 🙂
My Entrepreneurial Journey at IIFM Bhopal: Lessons Beyond the Classroom
During my two years of postgraduate studies at IIFM Bhopal, I was eager to put my classroom learnings into actual practice. What better way to test our management knowledge than to start a small business? My batch mate, Siva, and I decided to venture into poultry farming to apply the concepts we had learned.
The Beginning of Our Venture
With limited financial resources, we started small—purchasing just 12 birds from a weekly market. The journey back to campus itself was our first lesson in logistical challenges. Lacking proper transportation for the birds, we bought a small cloth bag to carry them. However, even before reaching campus, we faced our first setback—one bird managed to escape at a red signal light, marking our first loss before the business had even begun!
Once we reached our hostel, we housed the birds in our room, thinking our accommodation challenge was solved. However, feeding them posed another issue. We initially fed them rice grains from the hostel mess but soon discovered that improper feed could be fatal—two birds choked, bringing our inventory down by 25%. This was a harsh but valuable lesson in understanding the specific needs of our business and investing in the right resources. We quickly corrected our mistake by purchasing appropriate bird feed.
Scaling and Operational Challenges
The presence of birds in our room soon became a problem, as the smell from the birds and their feed became unbearable. We had to relocate our “production facility” within a week, eventually securing a small space at the top of the staircase. However, this space lacked a door, posing another challenge. Thinking creatively, we constructed a temporary two-foot brick wall to keep the birds contained. This was our first real-world experience in problem-solving and adaptive decision-making.
With our operational setup seemingly in place, we focused on growing our birds, feeding them daily, and waiting for them to mature for sale. Unexpectedly, we started developing an emotional bond with them, identifying their different personalities—some mischievous, others docile.
Regulatory Hurdles and Compliance Lessons
Just when things were running smoothly, we were summoned by Prof. Pethiya, who informed us that our venture violated institute policies. Until then, we had completely overlooked the regulatory and compliance aspect of running a business. Another crucial lesson was learned—the importance of obtaining necessary permissions before starting any venture.
Using our negotiation skills, we convinced Prof. Pethiya that the birds were living beings and could not simply be abandoned. We secured an extension of 3-4 weeks to wind down our operations—another lesson in stakeholder management and handling regulatory constraints.
Market Challenges and Exit Strategy
Unexpectedly, our inventory started dwindling. A cat was preying on our birds, reducing our stock to six. The external environment had shifted, making survival in our small market difficult. Realizing that we needed to cut our losses, we made a quick strategic decision—transforming our loss into an enjoyable dinner. With the help of Chandu, we prepared the best chicken meal we ever had, effectively ending our venture on a delicious note.
The next day, we officially reported to Prof. Pethiya that we had complied with his directive and closed the business.
Key Takeaways from the Experience
1. Resource Constraints Foster Innovation: Limited funds forced us to think creatively about logistics, housing, and feeding our birds.
2. Understanding Market Needs is Crucial: Proper planning and understanding of operational requirements can prevent losses.
3. Regulatory Compliance is Non-Negotiable: Ignoring policies can jeopardize business continuity.
4. Stakeholder Management is Key: Negotiating with regulators and adapting to external constraints is a vital skill.
5. Be Ready to Pivot: The market environment can change unexpectedly, and a successful entrepreneur must be ready to adapt or exit when necessary.
The Football World Cup Betting Venture: Lessons in Risk and Opportunity
This experience, though short-lived, was immensely valuable. It transformed theoretical knowledge into practical insights and taught us lessons that no classroom lecture could ever fully convey. Looking back, our poultry business may not have been a financial success, but it was undoubtedly a masterclass in real-world entrepreneurship.
During the football World Cup, the excitement on campus was palpable—everyone had an opinion on which team would win and why. Seeing this, Bhinder and I spotted a business opportunity: a small-scale bookie operation!
Managing Risk and Maximizing Gains
We began by going room to room, offering betting odds on upcoming matches. Without formal knowledge of the betting business, we relied on common sense and instinct. Our approach was simple—set initial odds, collect bets, and continuously adjust the odds as we moved through the hostel to ensure that we could turn a profit regardless of the match outcomes.
A key lesson we quickly learned was that market conditions change dynamically. If our initial odds left us exposed to losses, we adjusted them before reaching the next group of bettors. By carefully balancing risk and ensuring we never took on more liability than we could handle, we created a system where we would always end up in the green.
Key Takeaways from the Experience
At the end of the World Cup, our efforts paid off—we made enough money to treat ourselves to a lavish chicken dinner at the market. More importantly, we gained invaluable business insights.
1. Opportunities Exist Everywhere: Markets continuously present opportunities—you just need to recognize and capitalize on them.
2. Leverage Other People’s Money: Smart business strategies allow you to make money without investing your own capital.
3. Adapt to Market Conditions: Keeping a close eye on the market and adjusting strategies in real time is crucial.
4. Manage Risk Wisely: Never take on a loss that could wipe you out. We capped our potential loss at ₹50 each, ensuring financial safety.
5. Simplicity Works: A successful business doesn’t always require a production facility, overhead costs, or complex processes. Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the most effective.
This venture reinforced a fundamental truth—business is about spotting opportunities, managing risk, and staying adaptable. While it was a small-scale operation, the lessons from this experience have stayed with me, shaping my perspective on entrepreneurship and risk management.
