The Long Road to the First Crore

Accumulating the first crore is often the most challenging financial milestone. Madhu, a disciplined investor, started investing at 25 with a monthly systematic investment plan of ₹10,000. Despite consistently earning 12% annual returns, it took her 20 years to reach ₹1 crore.

Had she increased her SIP contributions, the journey would have been shorter, but it would still have taken over a decade of disciplined investing:

The Challenge of Continuing Investments

By the time Madhu reached ₹1 crore, her financial responsibilities had grown. She had home loan EMIs, rising education expenses for her child, and ageing parents requiring support. With these obligations, continuing SIPs became difficult, though ideally, she should have continued contributing, even if at a reduced amount.

However, she decided to leave her ₹1 crore investment untouched, allowing it to grow at 12% annually.

The Power of Compounding at Work

Once Madhu stopped investing, her existing wealth continued to grow without additional contributions. Here’s how her portfolio has multiplied over the years:

In just 6 years, her ₹1 crore doubled to ₹2 crore. By the end of 10 years, her portfolio reached ₹3.11 crore through compounding alone. While the first crore took her 20 years to build, the next 2 crores were achieved in just 10 years, all due to compounding.

Impact of Lower Returns

Even if Madhu’s portfolio earned a more modest 10% return, her money would still grow significantly:

• ₹1 crore doubles to ₹2 crore in 7 years
• ₹2.6 crore is reached in 3 additional years

Although growth slows slightly, compounding continues to create substantial wealth over time.

The Key: Staying Invested

Compounding allows money to generate more returns over time, but the challenge is psychological—resisting the urge to withdraw.

Madhu faced the temptation to withdraw a small portion for luxuries like a car. She considered withdrawing ₹15 lakh, just 15% of her corpus. However, a simple calculation showed that withdrawing ₹20 lakh would reduce her future wealth by nearly ₹2 crore over 20 years, leaving her with ₹7.7 crore instead of ₹9.6 crore.

Conclusion

The journey from ₹1 crore to ₹3.11 crore in 10 years does not require fresh investments—just time, patience, and discipline. The key lesson from Madhu’s story is that the hardest part of building wealth is not just earning returns but staying invested long enough for compounding to work. Resisting the temptation to withdraw and allowing money to grow uninterrupted can lead to exponential wealth creation over time.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Formation of the Joint Venture

Wilmar International, a Singapore-based agribusiness group, and the Adani Group, a diversified Indian conglomerate, established a 50:50 joint venture in January 1999. The partnership combined Adani’s strong domestic market presence and logistics expertise with Wilmar’s global sourcing capabilities and technical know-how.

The joint venture played a key role in shaping India’s edible oil industry, becoming a market leader. Fortune, one of its most recognised brands, contributed significantly to this success.

Adani’s Exit from the Joint Venture

On December 30, 2024, Adani Enterprises announced its decision to sell its entire 44% stake in Adani Wilmar Limited in a deal worth approximately $2 billion.

• 31% of the stake was acquired by Wilmar International, increasing its control over the business.
• The remaining 13% was sold in the open market to comply with regulatory requirements.

This marked Adani’s complete exit from the joint venture, allowing Wilmar to take a more dominant role in managing the company.

Wilmar’s Growing Stake in the Business

With Adani’s departure, Wilmar International now holds a majority stake, consolidating its leadership in the edible oil sector. While the company continues to benefit from Adani’s established logistics network in India, Wilmar’s global expertise is expected to drive its future growth.

The restructuring has not impacted the operational strength of the business, as Wilmar remains committed to expanding its presence in India’s edible oil market.

Conclusion

The partnership between Adani and Wilmar played a key role in shaping India’s edible oil industry. With Adani Enterprises fully exiting the joint venture in December 2024, Wilmar International now assumes full control, strengthening its position in the market. Despite this ownership shift, the business remains well-positioned, continuing to leverage its strong distribution network and brand presence in India.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Understanding Cash Limits for NRIs Entering India

NRIs travelling to India must adhere to specific regulations governing the amount of foreign and Indian currency they can carry. While there is no restriction on bringing foreign exchange into India, certain limits require a declaration to customs authorities upon arrival.

NRIs can bring up to $5,000 in cash and a total of $10,000, including traveller’s cheques, demand drafts, and other financial instruments without any declaration. If the amount exceeds these limits, it must be disclosed to customs using the Currency Declaration Form at the airport.

For Indian currency, NRIs can carry up to ₹25,000 without any declaration.

Declaration Requirements for Cash and Foreign Exchange

Penalties for Exceeding Cash Limits

Failure to declare amounts beyond the permitted thresholds can result in penalties. Depending on the severity of the violation, fines may be imposed under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and the Customs Act, 1962.

• Penalties may be up to 3 times the undeclared amount, depending on the intent and severity of non-compliance.
• Serious violations could lead to further scrutiny under FEMA and customs regulations.

Regulatory Provisions

• Section 13 of FEMA: Governs penalties for violating foreign exchange regulations.
• Customs Act, 1962: Grants customs authorities the right to impose fines and initiate legal action for unreported currency.

Conclusion

NRIs travelling to India must adhere to cash limits to avoid penalties and legal issues. While foreign exchange can be brought without restriction, amounts exceeding $5,000 in cash or $10,000 including traveler’s cheques require declaration, and Indian currency is capped at ₹25,000. Non-compliance may lead to fines under FEMA and the Customs Act, 1962, making it essential for travellers to stay informed and comply with regulations for a smooth entry into India.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

JioHotstar, a part of Reliance group and the official digital broadcaster of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has announced a partnership with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) for the upcoming tournament. This collaboration aims to leverage the league’s popularity to promote financial literacy and mutual fund investments to a wider audience.

Partnership Details

As an associate partner, AMFI will receive extensive digital exposure across JioHotstar’s platforms. The agreement includes in-stream advertisements during live broadcasts, sponsored segments on financial literacy, and other promotional activities to engage viewers.

With the tournament being one of the most-watched sporting events in India, this partnership offers AMFI a unique opportunity to educate millions about mutual funds and encourage investment adoption.

Bridging Finance and Sports

The strategic alliance between JioHotstar and AMFI highlights the growing intersection of sports and finance. AMFI aims to simplify mutual fund investments and attract new investors by tapping into the tournament’s diverse and engaged viewership.

This partnership follows JioHotstar’s recent collaborations, including My11Circle as a co-presenting sponsor and Birla Opus as a co-powered-by partner for the tournament’s live stream.

The 2025 season kicks off on March 22, 2025, with a match between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, at 7:30 pm IST.

AMFI Introduces 3 Key Initiatives to Expand Investor Base

Alongside its IPL partnership, AMFI has announced 3 new initiatives aimed at making mutual fund investments more accessible to a broader segment of investors. These include:

Sachetisation of mutual funds

• Fund houses will offer systematic investment plans starting at ₹250, making investments more accessible for first-time investors and underserved communities.
• This move aligns with the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s recent consultation paper, which explored ways to lower entry barriers for investors.

Tarun Yojana: Financial literacy for school students

• This programme aims to introduce financial literacy training in schools for both teachers and students.
• Top-performing students in an AMFI examination will receive ₹2,400 in their mutual fund systematic investment plan accounts.
• In the pilot phase, AMFI will reach 5,000 students, with the top 20% receiving ₹100 per month in their accounts for two years.
• Students can redeem the funds two years after the last investment instalment, ensuring long-term financial awareness.

MITRA: Mutual fund investment tracing and retrieval assistant

• This platform enables investors and their legal heirs to track and recover inactive or forgotten mutual fund holdings through MF Central.
• The initiative aims to ensure unclaimed assets are recovered efficiently.

Conclusion

By associating with the tournament, AMFI aims to drive financial awareness through engaging, large-scale promotions. The combination of the league’s unmatched reach and AMFI’s financial education initiatives is expected to encourage more investors to explore mutual funds as an investment avenue.

The JioHotstar-AMFI collaboration underscores the growing role of sports sponsorships in financial education, ensuring that investment awareness reaches a larger, younger audience across India.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Ultraviolette’s Entry into the Electric Scooter Market

Bengaluru-based Ultraviolette Automotive, known for its premium electric motorcycles, has expanded into the mass-market segment with the launch of its first electric scooter, the Tesseract. The model is priced at ₹1.45 lakh (ex-showroom) but is available at an introductory price of ₹1.20 lakh (ex-showroom) for the first 50,000 bookings, an increase from the earlier limit of 10,000.

The overwhelming response to the launch saw over 20,000 pre-bookings within 48 hours, prompting the company to extend its special pricing offer. Interested buyers can pre-book the Tesseract for ₹999, with deliveries set to begin in the first quarter of 2026.

Industry Trends and Competition

Ultraviolette’s strong entry into the electric scooter market comes at a time when competition is intensifying. While Tesseract recorded high initial demand, Ola Electric saw a sharp decline in sales. Once a dominant player in India’s electric two-wheeler market, Ola recorded a year-on-year drop of 74.5%, with sales falling from 33,906 units in February 2024 to 8,647 units in February 2025.

The Tesseract will compete in a highly competitive segment that includes models such as TVS Motor’s iQube, Ather 450, Vida V2 Pro, River Indie, Simple One, and Ola’s S1 Pro.

Scooter Features

The Tesseract is designed as a high-performance electric scooter with a claimed range of 261 km on a single charge. It features a 20.1 bhp electric motor, achieving 0-60 kmph in just 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of 125 kmph. The battery can be charged from 0 to 80% in under an hour.

The scooter comes with several advanced features, including:

• 7-inch touchscreen TFT instrument console with onboard navigation
• Dual dashcams (front and rear)
• Wireless charging
• Haptic feedback on handlebars
• Dual-channel ABS, traction control, and hill hold assist
• Dynamic stability control

A key highlight is its radar-based Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), making it India’s first scooter to offer this technology. The ADAS suite includes:

• Blind spot detection
• Overtake alerts
• Lane change assist
• Collision warnings

Ultraviolette offers a standard 3-year or 75,000 km warranty, which can be extended to 8 years or 2,00,000 km.

Conclusion

Ultraviolette’s entry into the electric scooter segment with the Tesseract signals a strong challenge to existing players in the market. With an aggressive pricing strategy and record-breaking pre-bookings, the model is set to reshape competition in the industry. While competitors have experienced fluctuating sales, the growing demand for high-performance electric scooters suggests a shift in consumer preference. The coming months will determine whether the Tesseract can sustain its momentum and establish itself as a major contender in the segment.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Leadership Transition at HCL Group

Shiv Nadar, the founder of HCL Group, has transferred 47% of his stake in HCL Corporation Private Limited and Vama Sundari Investments (Delhi) Private Limited (Vama Delhi) to his daughter, Roshni Nadar Malhotra. This move makes Malhotra the majority shareholder of both entities and reinforces her control over the group. The restructuring was carried out as an inter-se transfer via a gift deed, maintaining the promoter group’s total shareholding in HCL Technologies.

Promoter Holdings Remain Unchanged

Before the transfer, the promoter and promoter group collectively held 1,65,03,00,415 equity shares, representing 60.814% of HCL Technologies. The transaction does not involve a direct sale of HCL Technologies shares but restructures the ownership within promoter entities.

The transfer includes:

• 0.17% in HCL Corporation
• 44.17% in Vama Sundari Investments (Delhi) Private Limited

As a result, while Shiv Nadar reduces his stake, the overall promoter holding in HCL Technologies remains unchanged at 60.814%, ensuring continuity in ownership and governance.

Gift Deed Ensures Seamless Transition

HCL Technologies confirmed that two gift deeds were executed on March 6, 2025, transferring ownership from Shiv Nadar to Roshni Nadar Malhotra. Before the transaction, Shiv Nadar held 51%, while Malhotra had 10.33% in both HCL Corp and Vama Delhi. With this transfer, Malhotra consolidates her leadership role within the group.

Shiv Nadar continues to hold 736 direct shares in HCL Technologies, which remains unchanged. The restructuring primarily impacts promoter entities rather than the listed company itself.

No Impact on Voting Rights or Share Capital

HCL Technologies’ equity share capital remains at ₹5,42,73,30,192, with no dilution or additional issuance of shares. The transfer does not alter voting rights, as control remains within the promoter group.

HCL Infosystems also confirmed that Roshni Nadar Malhotra would gain control over the 12.94% stake held by Vama Delhi and 49.94% held by HCL Corp in the company.

Strengthening Leadership at HCL Group

Since taking over as chairperson of HCL Technologies in July 2020, Roshni Nadar Malhotra has played a crucial role in steering the $12 billion IT services and consulting firm. An alumna of Northwestern University with an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, she has been actively shaping the company’s strategic direction.

This transition reinforces her leadership role, ensuring stability within the group while continuing the legacy of Shiv Nadar’s vision.

Stock Performance

HCL Technologies’ stock closed at ₹1567.85 up 1.20% on March 11, 2025, amid a weak broader market. Over the past year, the stock has declined over 5%. It has continued its downward trend, falling 1.5% in March, extending losses for the third consecutive month. In February, the stock dropped 9%, following a 10% decline in January.

As Malhotra consolidates her leadership position, investors and market participants will closely watch HCL’s strategic direction in the coming months.

Explore the world of investing. Download the Angel One stock trading app for reliable information and insights anytime, anywhere.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Fleet Operators Driving Growth

Electric two-wheelers have seen increased adoption in the e-commerce and logistics sectors. Fleet operators are transitioning to electric vehicles to lower costs and comply with environmental regulations. The need for low-maintenance, cost-effective transport solutions has led to widespread adoption for last-mile deliveries.

The demand has created opportunities for manufacturers offering innovative solutions, including Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS), which lowers the cost of ownership.

Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) Boosting Adoption

BaaS is transforming the electric vehicle market by offering flexible ownership models:

1. Battery Leasing – Customers can own an EV without purchasing a battery, instead opting for a monthly subscription starting at ₹999. This reduces the initial cost of an EV by up to 40% and provides a lifetime battery warranty, making EVs more affordable for fleet operators and individual riders.
2. Battery Swapping + Leasing – Along with leasing, users can swap batteries at designated stations, reducing downtime and eliminating range concerns. This has particularly benefited gig workers, who earn ₹200-300 more per day due to uninterrupted rides.

By reducing financial barriers, BaaS enhances affordability, allowing users to access high-speed EVs at lower costs while addressing maintenance and battery replacement concerns.

Rising Consumer Interest in EVs

While fleet demand has been substantial, individual consumers are also showing increased interest in electric two-wheelers. A McKinsey report projects that by 2030, electric two-wheelers will account for 60-70% of new sales in India. Millennials and Gen Z in urban areas are shifting towards EVs due to their affordability, sustainability, and efficiency in navigating congested city streets.

Beyond environmental concerns, rising fuel prices and maintenance costs of petrol scooters are pushing consumers towards electric mobility. Government incentives further encourage adoption, making electric two-wheelers an economical alternative.

Policy and Infrastructure Support

Government initiatives continue to support electric mobility growth. The PM E-DRIVE Scheme, launched on September 11, 2024, with an allocation of ₹109 crore (US$1.3 billion) over two years, focuses on EV purchase incentives, public transport electrification, and charging infrastructure expansion. These measures are expected to accelerate EV adoption across consumer segments.

The Road Ahead

The 24% increase in electric two-wheeler sales post-budget highlights the growing shift towards electric mobility in India. Fleet operators remain key drivers of adoption, while BaaS is lowering barriers for both businesses and individual commuters. As consumer awareness and infrastructure improvements continue, electric two-wheelers are set to play a significant role in India’s transport landscape.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Exports of gems and jewellery in January 2025 declined by 7.01% to USD 2,237.14 million, compared to USD 2,405.78 million in the same period last year, according to data released by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The decline is attributed to economic uncertainty and the tariff threats issued by US President Donald Trump following his return to power.

Imports of gems and jewellery for January 2025 stood at USD 1,421.61 million, marking a sharp decline of 37.83% compared to USD 2,286.55 million for the same period last year. The lower import figures indicate increased domestic demand being met by local jewellery manufacturers, reducing reliance on international players for finished jewellery products.

Cut & Polished Diamonds Witness a Decline

Exports of cut and polished diamonds declined by 12.48% in January 2025, standing at USD 1,015.98 million compared to USD 1,160.79 million in the same period last year. Weak consumer demand in key global markets has impacted diamond exports from India, which is the world’s largest hub for diamond cutting and polishing.

Imports of cut and polished diamonds fell significantly by 67.04%, amounting to USD 54.0 million in January 2025 compared to USD 163.87 million in January 2024.

Decline in Rough Diamond Imports

Imports of rough diamonds in January 2025 totalled USD 8,746.70 million, a 22.49% decline from USD 11,284.26 million in the same period last year. This reduction is linked to weak global demand amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and renewed tariff threats from the US administration. With investors shifting focus towards safe-haven assets like gold, demand for diamonds, a non-yielding asset, has been impacted.

Lab-Grown Diamonds See a Drop in Exports

Exports of polished lab-grown diamonds in January 2025 stood at USD 85.44 million, reflecting a 24.95% decline compared to USD 113.85 million in January 2024. Weak global demand and price fluctuations in this segment have contributed to the downturn.

Gold Jewellery Exports See Positive Growth

In contrast, the export of gold jewellery registered an increase, reaching USD 949.46 million in January 2025, up by 20.48% from USD 788.06 million in the previous year. Global economic uncertainty has driven investors towards gold, which has been witnessing consistent price appreciation.

Coloured Gemstones Segment Records a Dip

Exports of coloured gemstones in January 2025 stood at USD 353.92 million (₹2,979.69 crore), marking a 9.62% decline compared to USD 391.57 million (₹3,238.89 crore) in January 2024. The coloured gemstones segment caters to a niche market, and while there is a temporary downturn, it is expected to remain stable over time.

Industry Experts React

Commenting on the sector’s performance, Colin Shah, MD of Kama Jewelry, said, “With Trump coming back into power and aggressively pushing massive tariff hikes, the impact of the same is visible on overall global trade activities. We are in a wait-and-watch situation to monitor Trump’s tariff stance, which will decide how the global market will navigate through these times. However, a gradual rebound in trade activities could be seen in the upcoming months once there is absolute clarity.”

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.