Non-resident Indians (NRIs) haven't gone big on the Indian stock market story despite the post-pandemic boom. While domestic participation through mutual funds (MFs) and dematerialised accounts has soared, NRI participation figures show limited signs of a similar rise.
Uttam Ghosh wonders why the slightest hint of dissent so irks the most authoritarian government since Indira Gandhi's time that it deploys the agencies at its command to try and silence dissenting voices.
Uttam Ghosh offers his unique take on the prime minister's birthday.
Young investors with a higher risk appetite are better off with a combination of term insurance and equity funds.
'The (Maoist) organisation is in visible decline. Their senior leaders are ageing. Forest life is unforgiving -- older leaders simply cannot cope physically.' 'Earlier, they attracted educated youth from cities. That stream has dried up. Today's recruits largely come from poor village backgrounds and lack ideological depth.'
Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com offers his take on the raging controversy over the Ghar Vapsi -- conversion of Muslim and Christians -- programmes planned by fundamentalist Hindu outfits, which has disrupted Parliament all week.
As Rahul Gandhi resumed the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Nanded district on November 9, Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com spoke with yatris who have walked from Kanyakumari for more than 63 days.
From the Sensex pack, Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Finance, Sun Pharma, Zomato, Tata Steel and Nestle were the biggest gainers. UltraTech Cement, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tech Mahindra and State Bank of India were among the major laggards.
Uttam Ghosh offers his take on these contrasting images of Freedom of Speech that exists in our great land.
Uttam Ghosh offers his take on the RBI's revelation that Rs 15.28 lakh crore, or 99 per cent of the junked 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, have returned to the banking system.
Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com offers his unique perspective on several issues of the day.
Uttam Ghosh offers his take on the Aamir Khan controversy.
'Active funds have the ability to manage downside risk.'
Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com offers his perspective on the political circus that poll-bound Uttar Pradesh has turned into.
Uma Bharti, sanyasin and India's minister for river welfare, sourced the inspiration for demonetisation when she told the Economic Times earlier this week that Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'has implemented Karl Marx's idea on black money.'
'An asset must generate income. Equities yield dividends, bonds pay coupons, deposits give interest, and real estate earns rent.' 'Gold, silver, and even Bitcoin produce no income, they merely store value. So, they should not be compared to productive assets.'
The government's decision to permit in-flight calls gave Uttam Ghosh a shudder as he imagines what may ensue on domestic flights once Indians get talking on their cell phones.
American sourcing firms and exporters in China are approaching Indian companies to supply goods to the US as high tariffs imposed by Washington are making it difficult for them to ship directly to America, apex exporters' body FIEO said on Monday. The US has imposed 145 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods entering the American market. For India, the duty is just 10 per cent.
Uttam Ghosh on how the government's move to give 'yoga visas' may backfire.
Uttam Ghosh On the controversy surrounding Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's World Culture Festival.
India Inc, which is sitting on cash balances of 13.5 trillion, is using the funds to meet capital expenditure as well as brownfield expansion, resulting in 'anaemic' demand for bank loans, State Bank of India (SBI) chairman CS Setty said at an event on Monday. He added that a slowdown in corporate credit is mainly due to lack of demand.
Following Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's promise to extend sops given in her state tp all over India if she becomes prime minister, Rediff.com's Uttam Ghosh offers his perspective.
A team of US officials is expected to visit India in the coming weeks for the next round of discussions on the proposed interim trade agreement between the two countries, sources said. The visit gains importance as India and the US are likely to agree on an interim trade agreement before July 9, with New Delhi pushing for full exemption from the 26 per cent reciprocal tariff on domestic goods.
India's mergers & acquisitions (M&As) market recorded deals worth $45.44 billion in the first half of 2025, up nearly 3.3 per cent from a year ago, even as ultra large-ticket transactions remained subdued. During the first half, the 7.1 per cent rise in deal count to 1,614 signals continuing appetite among domestic conglomerates and private equity (PE) funds for mid-sized and smaller assets.
Foreign investors continue to show confidence in the country's equity market, infusing Rs 14,167 crore so far this month, largely driven by favourable global cues and robust domestic fundamentals. Notably, this inflow has come despite the ongoing military tensions between India and Pakistan.
India's consumer price index (CPI)-based retail inflation rate is likely to have cooled further in June, thus remaining below the 4 per cent target of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a fifth consecutive month, giving the central bank wiggle room to focus on growth. Economists reckon that the decline is on account of easing prices in various categories of goods, especially food items, and a favourable base effect.
Uttam Ghosh offers his take on the events of August 5, 2020.
Uttam Ghosh offers his take on the Kerala floods and the Centre's relief response.
'Given the proportion of the global leak, it is very likely that the data of Indian citizens might be on the dataset.'
Uttam's Take: Narendra Modi's Chai Pe Charcha
Uttam Ghosh offers his take on the ultimate sacrifice by then soldiers of the Madras Regiment on the Siachen glacier, the world's highest battlefield.
surveys the scene in Jammu and Kashmir following separatist leader Masarat Alam's release.
'Maintain a balanced approach with a preference for short-to medium-duration funds.'
The five initial public offerings (IPOs) that closed on Monday attracted cumulative bids worth Rs 1.4 trillion against Rs 2,909 crore they were looking to raise. These offerings were subscribed between 11 and 195 times. Mamata Machinery, a limited manufacturer of machines used for making plastic bags, saw the highest oversubscription at 195x.
Uttam Ghosh outlins the festive madness
Domestic institutional investors (DIIs), mostly mutual funds and insurance companies, overtook foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) in ownership of NSE-listed companies in the March quarter of 2025. According to Prime Database, DIIs held a 17.62 per cent stake, up from 16.89 per cent in the December 2024 quarter.
Uttam Ghosh pays tribute to V Gangadhar, the long-time Rediff.com columnist who passed into the ages on Monday, October 10, 2023.
They are not just underreporting income; they are reshaping what the income tax system perceives, says study.
'Indian markets may underperform global peers for the next two quarters.' 'But beyond that, India should catch up and resume its long-term growth path.'
