Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

Banker by passion and writer by profession.. Oops the reverse! Co-founder, Zvest Financial Services LLP amazon.in/Suicide-Father… Joined October 2009

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

3 days ago

The jewellery sparkles under the shop lights… but when we bring it home, it somehow doesn’t shine the same. The clothes fit perfectly in the trial room… yet at home, they’re either too loose or too tight. The perfume feels irresistible at duty-free… but at home, it fades…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

6 days ago

Japan, once the world’s second-largest economy, has had virtually zero GDP growth for the last 35 years. Today, it’s fourth largest. India, on the other hand, has recorded positive GDP growth every single year since 1979 (except during Covid). From 15th rank in the 1990s to 4th…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

a week ago

We don’t start cooking by switching on the stove - we begin by planning what to cook. We don’t start a trip by booking the airport cab - we begin with an itinerary. We don’t plan family finances at kindergarten - we do it when we start earning. The same applies to AI. It’s not…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

a week ago

While most of us may have our share of complaints about @realDonaldTrump , I’ve always admired him for two traits that are rare to find together: Hands-on leadership : Whether it’s his speeches, his Truth Social posts, or certain decisions, they carry an unmistakable Trump…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

a week ago

My grandfather lived through Partition. He had to relocate and often told me how his generation faced volatility both in life and in work. My father lived through the Emergency and the assassination of a sitting Prime Minister. He too would say his generation saw a lot of…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

a week ago

A small amount of alcohol can improve pronunciation and fluency in a new language by lowering social anxiety. A small amount of chocolate can significantly boost mood. A small amount of Red Bull can sharpen focus during exams. A small amount of salt is essential for the body’s…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

2 weeks ago

Walk into any trendy café in Bangalore and you’ll be offered everything from caramel macchiatos to matcha-infused lattes. But rarely does anyone suggest the humble filter coffee. For those like me who made Bangalore home in our 30s - and for those born here - filter coffee is…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

2 weeks ago

Have you ever seen a jawan rise to the rank of an Army General? Officers and soldiers are on separate entry tracks. How often do we see the best coder becoming the CEO of a tech company? How many airline CEOs have themselves ever flown a plane? Look at the owners of IPL teams,…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

3 weeks ago

Infosys spending since 2017: 1. Buybacks & Dividends: $17 Billion 2. Research & Development: $1.01 Billion 3. Acquisitions: $1.3 Billion For many of us born before 2000 in India, spending-whether as individuals or in organisations-still feels uncomfortable. Anything that…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

3 weeks ago

Change sounds exciting. But too much of it? Since 1951, Nepal has had 63 prime ministerships - an average tenure of just 14 months. Since World War II, Italy has had 70+ governments in 79 years - barely a year each. And in the corporate world, WeWork went through five CEOs in…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

3 weeks ago

When was the last time you changed your hair stylist - and actually liked it? When was the last time you switched your coffee shop and walked out happier? When was the last time you had to visit another doctor because yours was unavailable - and still felt truly satisfied?…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

3 weeks ago

Bigger isn’t always better. Sometimes, it’s just… unnecessary. 1. Why wrestle an SUV in Benares lanes when a small car slips through with ease? 2. Why fly a Boeing 777 from Bangalore to Goa when a 737 MAX does the trick? 3. Why run to a super-speciality hospital for a scratch…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

4 weeks ago

A single evolved priest often does the work of a hundred soldiers - far more cheaply and effectively. A single good orphanage does the work of a hundred police officers - in a better and more sustainable way. A single quality school does the work of a hundred employment…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

4 weeks ago

The best hires don’t upload CVs on job portals. The best businesses don’t line up for an IPO. The best life partners aren’t scrolling marriage apps. The best restaurants don’t franchise… and you won’t find them scrolling on Zomato or Swiggy either. And the best money…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

4 weeks ago

A few years back, if you were unhappy with your job, you’d quit - even without another one in hand. A few years back, even if you weren’t giving your 100%, chances were you’d still get promoted. Things have changed. In today’s weak job market, it’s common to see unhappy,…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

a month ago

I was speaking to my niece in Punjab who shared that her school holidays have been extended till the 7th. Thankfully, her city has no waterlogging-unlike large parts of Punjab that remain flooded. On the other hand, one of my relatives who lives on the Punjab-Haryana border has…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

a month ago

If you never missed a flight, you probably spent too much time waiting at airports. If you’ve never had an overcooked meal, you’ve likely spent too much time watching over the stove. If you’re always the first to reach the gym, you’ve wasted more time figuring out lights and…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

a month ago

This morning during the Pooja at our apartment, I casually asked a few friends - if you had one wish, what would it be? The answers ranged from health, wealth, and prosperity… but interestingly, quite a few wished for forgiveness of their sins. That made me pause. If we…

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Harsh Kumar, CFA @smilingharsh

a month ago

For the first time in US history, the number of ETFs (4,300+) has overtaken the number of listed stocks (4,200). Back in the day, the big investor dilemma was simple: Which stock to buy? The market’s answer: ETFs - giving diversification, convenience, and sparking the DIY…