Latest news with #Akshat_World
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Great at coding, yet stuck with old thinking: Is India wasting its 'economic supremacy' potential? Akshat Shrivastava explains
India may have some of the world's best engineering minds, but true technological dominance remains a distant goal. Financial educator and entrepreneur Akshat Shrivastava has drawn attention to the widening gap between India's potential and its current trajectory, attributing the stagnation not to a lack of talent, but to systemic misalignments. Historical Patterns of Power and Technology In a post shared on social media platform X, Shrivastava highlighted that throughout history, civilizations that led in technology also held economic power. Citing examples from Mesopotamia and Rome to modern giants like the US and China, he emphasized that tech dominance has consistently paved the way for economic supremacy. The pattern is clear, he noted—nations that invest in and embrace innovation inevitably shape global influence. India's Untapped Talent Pool Despite having a highly skilled engineering workforce, India has not yet translated its talent into global tech leadership. Shrivastava suggested that while the nation takes pride in its technical graduates and innovation hubs, there remains a visible hesitation toward emerging technologies. As an example, he pointed out that mainstream attitudes toward blockchain and cryptocurrency remain skeptical, with many still dismissing these sectors as unstable or speculative. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo — Akshat_World (@Akshat_World) Cultural and Structural Challenges Beyond just technology adoption, Shrivastava criticized certain old societal trends that, in his view, reflect a lack of scientific temperament. He expressed concern over the growing acceptance of pseudoscience, gambling, and astrology, suggesting these are signs of regression rather than progress. He also referenced India's reluctance to fully embrace app-based services, contrasting it with the country's ongoing reliance on traditional systems like local taxi unions. Misaligned Incentives at the Core The real hurdle, Shrivastava argued, lies in the incentives that drive political and economic decisions. According to him, while economic growth rewards forward-looking, tech-driven planning, politics often favors short-term populist moves that do not necessarily align with long-term innovation goals. This divergence, he said, is what holds India back from achieving true tech supremacy. Shrivastava's reflections come at a time when India is trying to position itself as a global tech hub, yet faces challenges in execution and policy alignment.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Akshat Shrivastava shares 5 hard-hitting lessons to escape the middle-class trap, busts popular investing myths
Investor and entrepreneur Akshat Shrivastava , known for his candid insights on personal finance and macroeconomics, has once again stirred a timely conversation—this time through a sharp, no-nonsense X (formerly Twitter) post about the middle-class struggle in India . Drawing from his own journey of 'escaping' the middle class, Shrivastava offers five hard-earned lessons that challenge conventional beliefs about money, investment, and success in modern India. 'Making money in India is tough': Shrivastava's financial reality check Akshat begins his thread with an unsparing truth: building wealth in India isn't just difficult—it's like trying to sprint with an anchor tied to your legs. Taxes, inflation, and a deeply layered broker economy create obstacles that go unnoticed by many. 'Earn, save, hustle—make money. Investing alone won't make you rich. So stop with the trading BS,' he writes, calling out those who rely too heavily on market shortcuts rather than building income through strategic action. His insight hits home for many in the middle class who are caught between aspiration and affordability. The dream of financial security, he suggests, won't be realized by passive investing or trading gimmicks. Instead, it demands consistent income growth, discipline, and smarter money choices. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologist Reveals: The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo — Akshat_World (@Akshat_World) Investing isn't optional; bad investing is While he calls out the illusion of quick wealth through trading, Shrivastava firmly advocates for investing—but only the kind that outpaces inflation. 'Growing your wealth at 5% post taxes, when inflation is at 10%, is stupidity at scale,' he warns. The message is clear: fixed deposits and low-yield savings aren't just outdated—they're dangerous. Without sound investment strategies, the middle class risks silently slipping toward poverty, despite earning and saving regularly. Be contrarian and break away from the herd Perhaps his most provocative advice is to think differently. Shrivastava urges people to be contrarian in their financial strategies, particularly when it comes to mainstream products like SIPs and mutual funds . While these tools are often pushed as safe long-term investments, he suggests they may not be enough to generate transformative wealth. 'It might very well become the new ULIPs,' he writes, alluding to the once-popular insurance-linked investment plans that fell out of favor due to hidden costs and underperformance. You Might Also Like: Akshat Shrivastava once earned Rs 10,000 per month. Now saves 95% of his income, thanks to one rule The parasite of the Indian economy Shrivastava takes aim at what he calls India's 'broker economy,' where intermediaries at every level—from real estate to finance—shave off value from individual earnings. 'They eat into everything like parasites,' he notes. His advice? Cut the middlemen wherever possible—be it in buying property, investing in stocks, or starting a business. The digital age offers tools for direct access—it's time the middle class starts using them. See the problem, solve the problem, and stay realistic His final lesson leans into mindset but with a hard edge. 'Being positive does not mean living in la-la land,' Shrivastava says. Instead, it means acknowledging the systemic flaws, finding practical solutions, and moving forward with resilience. In a world saturated with motivational fluff, his brand of realism strikes a rare balance between hope and hard truth. A voice of experience Akshat Shrivastava's credentials lend weight to his words. An INSEAD alumnus and founder of Wisdom Hatch , he has built multiple businesses and mentored hundreds of students into top global universities. His background in strategy, consulting, and investment positions him as more than just an influencer—he's a seasoned financial thinker who understands both the global economy and the Indian middle-class psyche. His X thread may be hard to digest for some, but perhaps that's precisely what makes it necessary. In an economy where the rules are constantly shifting and the margins of error are slim, Akshat's brutally honest advice offers not just financial guidance—but a mirror. You Might Also Like: Akshat Shrivastava on exam race in India: 'There is life outside IIT/ UPSC/ CAT/ NEET. Your talent could be used to...'
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
The ₹1 crore illusion: Why financial advisor Akshat Shrivastava says your money won't be worth what you think in the future
Imagine owning a 2BHK flat valued at ₹1 crore. Now imagine that, a year later, without any damage or market crash, its value drops to ₹90 lakh. That kind of loss would feel devastating to most people. But according to finance educator Akshat Shrivastava , this is exactly what's happening to your wealth every year—only it's not as visible. In a post on X, Shrivastava wrote, 'Imagine that your 2BHK flat is worth ₹1 crore. The next year, its value falls to ₹90 lakh. How would you feel? I guess pretty bad, right? What if I tell you: this is actually happening—without you even taking a note of this.' — Akshat_World (@Akshat_World) His point is not about real estate prices falling. It's about the value of money itself quietly eroding over time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Air strikes, Operation Sindoor answer to those imposing war on country: CM Yogi Adityanath The Economic Times Undo The real culprit: Currency devaluation Shrivastava explains that the real threat to your wealth is currency devaluation . This isn't just about the rupee weakening against the dollar. It's about your money losing its ability to buy the same things it could a year ago. Over time, this loss in purchasing power adds up. One of the main reasons for this, he says, is that governments can print money whenever they choose. And they often do. After the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, the United States printed nearly 20% of its total money supply in just one year. While this helped stimulate the economy in the short term, it also flooded the system with cash, pushing prices up and reducing the value of existing money. Live Events Inflation is quiet, but it's costing you When more money is chasing the same amount of goods and services, prices naturally rise. This is inflation in action. And it's not just a theoretical concept—it affects your everyday life. Shrivastava breaks it down clearly, 'If the rate of money printing is 10%, and your post-tax deposit rate is 6%, your money is losing 4% of its value each year.' In simpler terms, if you're keeping your money in a savings account or fixed deposit, and inflation or money printing is rising faster than your interest earnings, you are effectively becoming poorer over time. Your money may appear to grow on paper, but in reality, it buys you less. Why most people don't notice or care Despite the seriousness of the issue, Shrivastava believes that most people remain unaware or indifferent. He attributes this to a lack of financial education and a general disinterest in economics. 'People don't protest. Because most of them don't bother with economics. Cricket and politics keep them busy,' he said. This lack of awareness allows inflation to quietly erode wealth year after year, without most people even realising it. How to defend your wealth To protect against this slow but steady loss, Shrivastava recommends investing in assets that tend to hold or increase in value over time. These include stocks, high-quality real estate, gold, and Bitcoin. 'Stocks, (good quality) real estate, gold, and Bitcoin are all hedges,' he said. However, he also cautions that these investments are not risk-free. Timing matters. Buying the right asset at the wrong time can still lead to poor returns. To illustrate this, he offered a real-world example, 'If you would have bought BTC on its 2021 high, you would have made 0% returns for 3 years—even though its 10-year CAGR is 88%.' This means that even assets with strong long-term performance can deliver flat or negative returns if purchased without proper analysis or timing. The bigger problem: Knowing how to invest properly Shrivastava believes that the real challenge is not just choosing the right assets, but knowing how to invest wisely. This includes understanding when to buy, how to evaluate value, how much to invest, how much cash to keep for emergencies, and when to take profits. 'Most people don't know how to execute these points: what assets to buy when, how to analyse value, how much to buy, how much cash to keep, and how to book profits,' he explained. Without this knowledge, even the best investment options can fail to protect your wealth. Practical advice for everyday investors Shrivastava's advice is straightforward and practical. He encourages people to diversify their investments rather than keeping all their money in one place. He also stresses the importance of learning about economics and financial planning, even if it seems complex or dull at first. He advises against chasing trends or hype, urging people to focus on value and long-term growth instead. Most importantly, he reminds us that building wealth takes time and discipline—but losing it can happen quickly if we're not careful. Shrivastava's message is clear and urgent. Inflation is real. Currency devaluation is happening. And if you're not paying attention, your savings may already be worth less than you think. 'Every year, their wealth keeps going down—in real terms,' he warned. The solution is not panic, but preparation. Stay informed. Invest wisely. And don't let your money sit idle while the world around it changes.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Billionaire boom: This financial adviser says India is minting billionaires much faster than millionaires across the world
India's wealth creation is speeding up—but it's not what most people think. The real shift isn't just more millionaires. It's the speed at which billionaires are being created. Financial expert and Wisdom Hatch founder Akshat Shrivastava put it plainly: 'India has roughly 250 billionaires, just half that of China (which has roughly 520 billionaires),' he posted on X (formerly Twitter). 'But, the data is very interesting for millionaires (in USD): The US has 22 million millionaires (25X that of India), China has 6 million millionaires (7X that of India), India has 850K millionaires.' Then came the clincher: 'One could become a millionaire from a job. But, it is unlikely that one would become a billionaire from a job. India is a land of business opportunities, not necessarily job opportunities.' Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo — Akshat_World (@Akshat_World) The message is clear: India is building a new class of wealth not from employment, but from enterprise. Live Events India's wealth class is expanding, and fast The World Wealth Report 2025, released by the Capgemini Research Institute , backs Shrivastava's view with data. India's population of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) grew by 5.6% in 2024. Their total investable wealth? It rose 8.8%. By the end of 2024, India had 378,810 millionaires, with a combined asset base of $1.5 trillion. While this number still trails Japan's 3.99 million millionaires ($9.9 trillion) and China's 1.5 million ($7.9 trillion), India posted one of the highest regional growth rates in both wealth and millionaire count. The 'millionaire next door' segment—Indians with assets between $1 million and $5 million—now includes 333,340 people, together holding nearly $629 billion. At the top end, India counted 4,290 ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), each with over $30 million in assets. In contrast, China has 22,780 and Japan has 13,620 UHNWIs. A tectonic generational shift But what's driving this shift? Inheritance plays a big part. According to the report, 50 percent of Indian HNWIs will receive inherited wealth by 2030. By 2040, that figure is expected to reach 93 percent. This transfer of wealth is changing how India's young rich manage money. Offshore investment is now a key focus. Nearly all—98 percent—of next-gen HNWIs plan to grow their offshore assets by more than 10 percent by 2030. Why move wealth abroad? Forty-nine percent cited more favourable tax or political conditions. Others pointed to better investment choices (55 percent), higher quality services (65 percent), and stronger market access (54 percent). For younger HNWIs, the decision to relocate isn't just financial—it's strategic. Fifty-nine percent of Gen Z Indian HNWIs have already changed their tax residency for inheritance planning, well above the global average of 39 percent. Digital demands and the future of wealth management The next generation of Indian wealth is digital-first. Among young HNWIs, 85 percent say they will switch their wealth managers within one to two years—higher than the global average of 81 percent. The top complaints? Lack of digital service channels (51 percent) and substandard digital transaction tools (41 percent). Yet personal connection still matters: 67 percent said they would follow their existing relationship manager to a new firm. Demands vary across age groups. Seventy-six percent of Indian millennial HNWIs expect top-tier digital services. Among Gen Z, the figure is 52 percent. Millennials are also the most likely to want personalised service—70 percent say it's important. That drops slightly for Gen Z (60 percent) and Gen X (49 percent). What the wealthy are buying HNWI portfolios globally are shifting, and India's wealthy are paying close attention. As of January 2025, 25–28 percent of holdings were in cash. Fixed income took up 19 percent. Real estate held 16–19 percent, and equities made up 20–25 percent. Alternative investments—venture capital, private equity, hedge funds—are also gaining ground. They now account for 14–17 percent of portfolios, especially among younger investors. Millennials in particular are showing a stronger appetite for these higher-risk, higher-reward options. India's new wealthy aren't following the old playbook. They're rewriting it. Driven by enterprise, boosted by inheritance, and demanding global options with digital ease, they are changing what it means to be wealthy in modern India. They're not just chasing growth. They're shaping it. And that, perhaps, is the most powerful shift of all.
