Author: Rohan Arora

Introduction If you’ve swiped a card recently, whether at a metro kiosk, a local café or online; you’re part of India’s unfolding “swipe economy”. What started as the simple replacement of cash has, over the past decade, evolved into a full-blown transformation of how Indians pay, borrow, spend and live.This article traces the journey from debit-card dominance to credit-card growth, explores what’s driving the boom in card usage, highlights the key enablers and bottlenecks, and offers a critical view of what could go wrong. 1. Setting the Scene: India’s Payment Shift India’s payments landscape has changed dramatically. The Unified Payments…

When lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) first entered the jewellery scene, they looked like a disruptor’s dream: chemically and visually identical to mined diamonds, cheaper to produce, marketed as ethical and sustainable. In India and globally, they were poised for rapid growth. Yet just a few years in, the narrative is shifting. What once promised luxury with conscience is now facing supply gluts, steep price drops, consumer uncertainty, and financial strain for producers. For many stakeholders—manufacturers, exporters, retailers, investors—the lab-diamond boom is morphing into a hard-lesson downturn. In this article we’ll explore: 1. What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds—and Why Did They Matter? 1.1…

“Why spend on myself when there are so many others to look after?” If you’ve heard or whispered that question yourself, you’re not alone. In India, the story of money is often told in duty, sacrifice, restraint and only sometimes in pleasure, worth, or splurging. As incomes rise and wealth grows, a curious contradiction emerges: many Indians have money to spend, yet feel uneasy spending it on themselves. In this article, we unpack this phenomenon: we’ll explore the cultural roots of spending-guilt, the modern psychology of wealth in India, the behaviour patterns and data, the cost of denying oneself, and…

Think the stock market is risky, complex, or only for experts? Here are 12 common misconceptions debunked with real insights for smarter investing.

✈️ The Airline That Promised “Good Times” Once upon a time, India had an airline that wasn’t just a way to fly — it was a way to be seen. Kingfisher Airlines launched in 2005 with one mission: to make flying feel like a five-star hotel in the sky. Champagne, gourmet meals, personalized entertainment — the works. It wasn’t about air travel; it was about the experience. The airline’s tagline, “Fly the Good Times,” reflected both its founder’s personality and its promise. But within a few years, those good times came crashing down — leaving behind billions in unpaid debt,…

Have you ever wondered if there’s a connection between one of India’s most significant spiritual gatherings and the stock market? Believe it or not, there is! Let’s dive into the fascinating relationship between the Kumbh Mela and the Sensex, uncovering a pattern that has persisted for the last two decades. The Kumbh Mela Effect on Sensex Recent research by SAMCO Securities has revealed an intriguing trend: during the Kumbh Mela period, the Sensex consistently shows negative returns3. This pattern has held true for the last six Kumbh Melas, spanning over 20 years. Let’s break down the numbers: Understanding the Dip…

India’s renewable energy sector has seen unprecedented growth in 2024, achieving record-breaking milestones that have significantly impacted the power sector. This surge in clean energy development is reshaping the country’s energy landscape and boosting investor confidence in power stocks. In this post, we’ll explore how this growth is influencing the stock market, India’s ambitious renewable energy goals, and future opportunities for investors. Key Highlights of India’s Renewable Energy Growth in 2024: Impact on Power Stocks India’s renewable energy growth has had a notable impact on the stock market, with power stocks experiencing significant gains: Why Are Power Stocks Surging? India’s…