Despite the lack of passion with studying finance theory from the books during my MBA, I've loved to follow the general goings on in the financial world. Especially, the crazy world of the equity markets. Its fun following it on TV, the likes of CNBC et al going "today has been a landmark day with the Sensex crossing the 20,000 mark..." etc etc.
Although what happens there doesn't directly affect me (I've no investments), the whole packaging and the passion involved in their reporting really captivates me. It also helps lift or in some cases even dim my spirits sometime! When there's a bull run, example, with all the smiling presenters going ga-ga over how great the economy is, it kinda rubs off on me too and I find myself smiling too. They say, smile and the world smiles with you... clear case of that I guess.
Off late, the gloom in the markets has the presenters coming in with gloomy faces and muffled voices. I feel the drop in their energy levels and its difficult not let it affect me as well.. Its like watching a sad movie praying there's a happy ending. I can't even begin to imagine what it is like for people whose investments have been hit. The same thing that made them happy a few months back is now stealing that happiness away from them. And... also those who've lost their jobs.
Because of some smart-ass derivatives structurers, people have had to part with their life earnings or the source of it. UNFAIR.
Sitting here, in a small town away from the mayhem, it makes me feel small and powerless. It would be easy to drown myself in the melancholy along with the rest of em... But I open my eyes and I also see happy locals all around as it is raining! The landscape is lush green (pics from my new phone soon :P )and the weather is near-perfect. (Apparently, since the rains were really bad this year, some major puja was done a coupla weeks back at Tirumala, specially to appease the Rain Gods - and now the whole most of South India is under threat from floods :-P )
Anyways, people around are happy and rejoicing, with Diwali also round the corner.... Happiness is most certainly about managing expectations... People here have only few (compared to what a city-dweller would for example).
Its probably a reason why we see so many happy faces in the villages and little towns... Something for us city-bred folk to think and reflect on perhaps...
Here's a link to Subbu's post, which along with a chat with him about this, got me thinking on this subject... More thoughts over the weekend perhaps...
xx
Dude, take this comment in the right sense, and not too much to heart.
ReplyDeleteBut words like "since it didn't quite directly affect me, I wasn't quite bothered about the entire financial crisis" is sad to hear, especially from someone who walked the same corridors that I did on 'the hill' two years ago.
As Indore alumni, it is our job to project the image of responsible corporate citizens who know our facts and allay the fears of regular people (read non IIM grads) out there in the corporate world.
Take this from someone who stayed in B-316 of IIM Indore Hostels, you need to pick up on your financial current affairs and put up some post about that.
Cheers.....Jam (IIMI - batch of '06)
So the legend is true, there was indeed a Jam in B-316! ;) Heard a lotta stories from Jo!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment & feedback!
Maybe I have been too focused on this as a blog for my friends who want some light reading at work.
Being a responsible corporate citizen is something that I certainly did not give thought to, despite the fact that this blog is in the public space.
Although I cannot promise a serious post about the financial crisis (perhaps Mahesh can tell you why :) ) , you can rest assured that, if and when I do put it, it will be after a thorough research.
Thanks again & happy reading & writing...
..Dopey.
Let me put it this way. That comment was more of a 'initiation test' than anything else.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to see how you would react to one adverse comment, that too from a senior.
Both Jo and Mahesh are really good friends of mine, and am sure they had only kind words for me. As for Govar, well, he's more than just any other friend. I guess B-31x ers share more than just friendships.
As for the serious post about the financial crisis, I guess too much about it has already been said and written about. So just go ahead, chill out and write about whatever you want dude. Just ensure that you don't tarnish either the name of your current, past employers or the lovely B School with which we share our names with.
Cheers.........Jam