FROM 'NIMBU PANI' TO 'NARASIMHA AVATAR’

A ‘DECADAL JOURNEY’ OF INVESTMENT

- Lakshmi Iyer, Group President, Investments & CEO of Bajaj

Alternates shares why wealth creation is a ‘decadal journey’ that rejects ‘instant gratification, the ‘Cinderella treatment’ of debt, and argues that the evolution of the Indian investor is a ‘nonnegotiable’ shift achieved through a Digical ecosystem on Simple Hai!, the financial podcast hosted by Vivek Law.

Iyer views her professional philosophy as "Go with the Flow,” often comparing herself to water that takes the shape of the container, emphasising the importance of direction over rigid planning. Have you seen Vidya Balan's Dirty Picture? Iyer asked. "What works in movies is ‘Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment’, but if you enter the world of investment, what will work is ‘Patience, Patience, Patience’. She believes people frequently forget that wealth creation is a decadal journey, not a process measured in months, weeks, or even a few years. Just as a plant needs nurturing, water, and sunshine to grow into a tree, investments require time and attention. While many mutual fund schemes have outperformed benchmarks like those of Warren Buffett over 20 or 30 years, few investors remain invested for the full duration. This lack of persistence is often rooted in the modern desire for instant gratification, fueled by comparison with social media metrics like likes, which provides a dopamine rush. This craving for quick results is detrimental to a sound financial journey. Ultimately, investors must look within themselves to determine if they are giving their investments the necessary time.

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