(Name changed to protect privacy)
Investor Snapshot: Raj Mehta
Age: 34
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Profession: IT Consultant in Bangalore
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Monthly Income: ₹1,20,000
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Financial Goal: Build a corpus of ₹1.5 Crore for retirement in 20 years
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Risk Profile: Moderate to High
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Investment Style: Systematic and long-term focused
Investment Portfolio Before the Crisis
Raj began his mutual fund journey in 2018 with the help of a financial advisor. His monthly SIP contributions totaled ₹15,000 across three fund types:
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₹7,000 in an Equity Flexi-Cap Fund
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₹5,000 in a Balanced Advantage Fund
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₹3,000 in a Short-Term Debt Fund
He also planned to top-up ₹5,000 every year and conduct a portfolio review every six months.
The Market Crash of March 2020
When COVID-19 hit in early 2020, global stock markets crashed. The Nifty 50 index fell by over 35% in just a few weeks. Raj’s mutual fund portfolio lost nearly 25% of its value.
Media headlines were alarming:
"Markets in Freefall"
"Investors Losing Lakhs Overnight"
"Is It Time to Exit?"
Several of Raj’s friends panicked and withdrew their investments to avoid further losses.
The Emotional Dilemma
Raj was deeply concerned.
"I was scared. Every time I opened the app, my portfolio was in red. I wondered — should I stop SIPs? Should I withdraw everything?"
Before making any decision, he reached out to his advisor for guidance.
The Strategy: Staying the Course
With his advisor’s support, Raj decided to:
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Continue all his existing SIPs
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Invest an additional ₹50,000 as a lump sum into his Flexi-Cap Fund while NAVs were low
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Increase his monthly SIP by ₹2,000 from April 2020 onward
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Maintain his asset allocation, with a slightly higher equity tilt
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Avoid checking portfolio performance frequently and stay focused on his 20-year goal
His advisor advised:
"Volatility is temporary. Staying invested during market lows is when real wealth is built."
The Outcome: From Fear to Growth
By mid-2023, the market had not only recovered but reached new highs. Raj’s disciplined approach paid off:
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Portfolio CAGR over 5 years: 13.2%
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Total portfolio value: ₹9.6 lakhs
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Total investment: ₹6.5 lakhs
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Marching towards his retirement goal
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Maintained peace of mind and confidence in his investment journey
Key Takeaways from Raj’s Story
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Staying invested during a market downturn can lead to strong long-term gains
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SIPs are most effective during volatile periods due to rupee cost averaging
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Emotional decisions often result in missed opportunities
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A trusted mutual fund advisor provides clarity during uncertain times
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Volatility should be viewed as an opportunity, not a threat
Final Words from Raj
"Looking back, I’m so glad I didn’t follow the crowd. I added when others exited. The market rewarded my patience. My advisor was right — discipline is more powerful than timing."

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