0“Stock market is like gambling; too risky and unnecessary for middle-class people like us” - this is what I was made to understand till 1st June 2009. Sitting at a cash counter of ICICI Bank Limited (Mill Road branch, Coimbatore) I lost a whopping Rs. 90000/-. Not in equity, commodity, F&O or any other stock market instrument but “HOT PHYSICAL CASH”. That was my first day at a cash counter as an employee of the bank. Starting at 9 am, I had handled around 300 customers for the day. End of the day my tally sheet was showing -90000. I thought something was wrong with the excel sheet. I tried correcting it, but then there was nothing to fix. I called in my senior to look at it, and his grim look said it all. I had lost Rs.90000/- in a single day (without investment). I had probably given away Rs.100000/- against a cheque of Rs.10000/-. That was too much to digest considering my salary itself at that time was Rs.84000/- per annum.
In the next few moments, all my colleagues gathered at the counter, each of them trying to find what happened. I was a bit cool, yup; the branch was under CCTV surveillance. After all the hue and cry, everyone agreed to watch the show on CCTV. Around 9.30 PM, with me taking center stage, everyone was waiting for a thriller. That’s when reality struck me hard. Shocking end to the thriller came when the movie ended even before it started. The whole branch was under the camera except the one counter where I was sitting. I had no other option than to pay it from myself and my pocket wasn’t that deep. Coming to terms with the situation was difficult. With Rs.90000/- missing, I was the prime suspect. I was questioned, bullied and was asked not to leave the branch premises until I pay for it. Around 2 am on 2nd June, and my father bailed me out. Till that date, I thought I have a career with India’s leading bank which will take care of me and reward me for the service I render. For obvious reasons, I could not sleep for days to come. It was not about Rs.90000/- but the whole idea of studies, job, salary and career. Everything looked fake to me. The bank premises felt like jail. Few thoughts kept lingering;
I was not into horse trading but was still under substantial loss.
I was not stealing but was still the prime suspect.
I was not arrested but was still waiting to be bailed out.
My colleagues did sympathise, yet it was painful. I became an example of a poor first-day show. It was so depressing to be at the receiving end of sympathy. Life taught me hard lessons. I realised anything is possible, and success is not guaranteed in any aspect of life. I understood that risk is a part of living and no job or career in this world is permanent.
I realised that it was the time I should develop a skill which will make me independent. I badly wanted an extra income and was ready to do anything for that. The fear of losing kept chasing me. There was no option to earn without risk. Every business needed investment upfront and many have lost their investment even in the most lucrative industry. I visited a few local shops in Coimbatore, looking for some business opportunity. The working hours of the bank did not allow me to do anything outside of it. I had to start something where I depend on myself alone. The only possible solution was the Stock Market. During the initial days of learning I asked a veteran investor:
Is it a cakewalk to earn by trading/investing in the stock market?
He said “No.”
Does one always make a profit??
Again “No”
He shot back with the same questions:
Do cake walk business models exist? Do businesses always run in profit?
Well, No!
I understood that it is all about managing risk. Instead of trying to avoid risk, learn to handle it. Risk never comes with a warning, and it is better to be prepared.
