SMIT DESAI

[Ramesh Srivats @rameshsrivats]

All this could have been avoided if only our Pradhan Mantri had quickly sacked Pradhan, the mantri.

[Harsh Goenka @hvgoenka]

Rather long but I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did:

I am an Indian,
and everyone says I lack civic sense.

They can burn streets,
and vandalize a city after a championship game.
I dance at an airport excited about my first foreign trip, and suddenly I am the face of poor civic sense.

I am an Indian,
and everyone says I steal jobs.

They move factories across oceans,
shift profits through tax havens.
I study, compete, earn a visa, work 18 hours a day, sometimes multiple jobs and somehow I am the one stealing jobs and scamming the system.

I am an Indian,
and everyone says I am everywhere.

I build your software,
treat your illness,
teach your children,
drive your taxis,
and open your stores.
The world became a village,
yet my presence remains a problem.

I am an Indian,
and everyone says I am too loud.

The evening news screams outrage.
The internet echoes with anger day and night.
I celebrate a wedding, a festival, a victory,
and I am told my joy is too loud.

I am an Indian,
and everyone says I smell of curry.

The world smells of gunpowder,
of hatred,
of division,
of endless arguments about race and religion.
I carry the fragrance of spices from my grandmother's kitchen,
and somehow that is what offends.

I am an Indian,
and everyone says I have no culture.

I come from a civilization that counted the stars
when much of the world was still learning maps.
I speak languages older than nations.
I celebrate hundreds of traditions,
yet I am told I have no culture.

I am an Indian,
and everyone says I am backward.

I send missions to the Moon.
I build vaccines for millions.
I run companies across continents.
Yet a viral video of one fool becomes evidence against a billion people.

I am an Indian.

I celebrate my favorite actor's success
with flowers, music, and a few glasses of milk.

Others worship influencers who sell outrage, turn every disagreement into a battlefield, and every opinion into a war.
Yet my celebration is the one that makes headlines.

I am an Indian,

and everyone says I gather in crowds.

We walk together in processions,
celebrating our faith, our culture, our traditions.

Everyone is welcome.
No shops are looted.
No neighborhoods are burned.
No one is threatened for thinking differently.

We sing.
We dance.
We pray.
And somehow our gathering becomes the problem.

I am an Indian,

and everyone says I bring my culture everywhere.

I light a lamp in a foreign land.
I wear a saree in the snow.
I teach my children the language of their grandparents.

Others build walls between neighbors,
argue endlessly over identity,
and forget where they came from.
Yet I am told I should leave my culture behind.

I am an Indian,

and everyone says I live in the past.

But my past gave me yoga,
mathematics, philosophy, meditation,
and the idea that the world is one family.

The future keeps borrowing from my past,
while telling me to be embarrassed by it.

I am an Indian,
and everyone says I should be ashamed.

Ashamed of my accent.
Ashamed of my food.
Ashamed of my festivals.
Ashamed of my traditions.
Ashamed of existing.

But I am not ashamed.

I am the child of farmers and philosophers,
scientists and saints, workers and dreamers.

*I come from a land that taught the world
that truth can be many-sided,
that all paths deserve respect,
and that the entire world is one family.*

*Yes, we have flaws. Every nation does.*

*But judge me by my actions, not by your stereotypes.*

For I am an Indian.

*And before you tell me what is wrong with me, look honestly at what you have normalized in yourself.*

For I am an Indian.

The world may mock my accent,
question my customs,
laugh at my celebrations,
and judge me through a thousand stereotypes.

*Yet I stand tall. For I belong to a civilization older than empires, a culture richer than prejudice, and a people whose spirit refuses to bend.*

For I am an Indian.

[Prof. Krishnamurthy V Subramanian @SubramanianKri]

Did you know that the U.S. defaulted on its sovereign obligations in 1971 when it unilaterally reneged on dollar-gold convertibility.
Russia defaulted in 1998 and 2022.
Argentina: 9 times since independence.
Pakistan: required IMF bailouts 23 times.
Greece defaulted in 2012.
And India? Zero defaults. Not even in 1991!

Yet Western investors classify India as "emerging risk" and call U.S. Treasuries the "risk-free rate."

This isn't risk analysis. This is cognitive bias a la Daniel Kahneman's book "Thinking, Fast and Slow". Humans systematically overweight culturally proximate information while underweighting statistical patterns that don't fit our mental models.

Western strategic planners trust Western partners not because the data supports it, but because the cultural markers feel familiar.

Three facts that challenge everything about how we assess partnership risk:

FACT 1: Across 5,000 years of recorded history, India has rarely waged wars of territorial conquest. Not in 3000 BCE when the Indus Valley Civilization had technological superiority. Not in 1000 CE when Indian mathematics and metallurgy exceeded Europe by centuries. Not in 2026 when it possesses nuclear weapons and the world's 4th-largest military. Not in 2047 when it projects to be a top-two economy.

Compare: China (annexed Tibet 1950, 14 territorial disputes, South China Sea expansion). Russia (Georgia 2008, Crimea 2014, Ukraine 2022). Europe (500 years of colonial conquest across three continents). U.S. (military interventions in 20+ countries since 1945).

This pattern is observable strategic behavior anchored in the Arthashastra, Kautilya's 2,300-year-old treatise arguing that short-term territorial expansion undermines the systemic conditions for sustained prosperity. The concept of "mandala" (circle of states) recognizes that each power's long-term interest depends on system equilibrium.

FACT 2: India has never defaulted on debt, treaties, or security guarantees since independence in 1947. The most revealing test: 1991 balance of payments crisis. Reserves fell to $1.2 billion = just three weeks of imports. Default appeared certain. Instead, India implemented painful reforms, honored every obligation. India didn't use political costs as an excuse to default. Commitments were kept.

This behavior isn't accidental. It's anchored in the Sanskrit concept of ṛṇānubandhaḥ, that obligations are metaphysically binding across time. The Mahabharata established 2,000 years ago that rulers who break commitments violate cosmic order and create systemic instability.

Philosophy became institutional architecture: investment-grade credit through multiple crises, $600B forex reserves (6th globally), zero defaults on government securities across 77 years.

FACT 3: During COVID-19, India exported 300 million vaccine doses to 110 countries while its own vaccination was incomplete. 96 countries received doses free through "Vaccine Maitri."

Meanwhile: U.S. ordered 1.2 billion doses for 330 million people (4x population). EU ordered 4.6 billion for 450 million (10x population). Canada ordered 400 million for 38 million people (10x population).

Western nations didn't begin international distribution until domestic targets were substantially met.

The distinction? India's Economic Survey 2020-21 quoted Sanskrit: "āpadā hi prāṇa rakṣā hi dharmasya prathama aṅkuraḥ" (in calamity, protecting life is the first duty). Not Indian life. Life in general.

This aligns with Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world as one family), not as rhetoric but as policy. India supplies 60% of global vaccines and 20% of generic medicines normally, maintained production during its own constraints, built digital public infrastructure (UPI processes more transactions than all nations combined) and offers it open-source to developing countries.

WHY THIS MATTERS NOW:

Every CFO, sovereign wealth fund, and policymaker is asking: "Who can we depend on for the next 50 years?"

Ukraine shattered the illusion that economic integration prevents aggression. COVID exposed single-source dependencies. Taiwan reveals semiconductor concentration risk.

The global economy is re-optimizing from efficiency to trust.

But here's where Kahneman's research becomes critical: most strategic planners are making decisions using "System 1" thinking (fast, intuitive, pattern-matching based on cultural familiarity) rather than "System 2" thinking (slow, analytical, data-driven assessment of long-horizon behavioral patterns).

The result? Systematic mispricing of partnership risk.

Strategic planners face a choice:

- China: manufacturing efficiency + demonstrated willingness to weaponize interdependence (sanctions on South Korea over THAAD, Australia over COVID inquiry, Lithuania over Taiwan, Belt & Road debt traps in 60+ countries)

- Russia: resource access + repeated weaponization (invaded Ukraine despite economic integration, cut gas to freeze European cities)

- U.S.: innovation + extraterritorial enforcement (billions in fines on European banks for transactions legal in Europe, CLOUD Act overrides local privacy laws, "America First" tariffs hit Canada, Mexico, EU alongside rivals)

- India: 5,000-year track record of territorial restraint + zero defaults + systemic thinking during crises +
challenges (infrastructure gaps, bureaucratic complexity, uneven state capacity).

The question isn't perfection. It is: which risk profile aligns with 50-year partnership objectives when analyzed through System 2 rather than System 1 thinking?

THE UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH:

If India's pattern suggests lower long-duration risk, why is trust in India still "emerging"?

Kahneman would predict exactly this outcome. Three cognitive biases at work:

1. **Availability bias:** We assess risk based on vivid, recent, culturally proximate information. NATO expansion incorporated Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary rapidly because they registered as "European." India's democracy, rule of law, English-language business environment gets discounted because cultural markers differ.

2. **Confirmation bias:** Western institutions have decades of frameworks built around current partnerships. New data contradicting established models gets filtered out rather than integrated.

3. **Status quo bias:** Existing relationships are comfortable. The U.S.-Europe alliance, U.S.-Japan partnership, Five Eyes intelligence sharing operate with established protocols. Structural change requires crisis-level disruption to overcome inertia.

The crisis arrived.

For boards evaluating long-term partnerships—semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, digital infrastructure, maritime security, critical minerals—India presents a risk profile worth systematic, System 2 analysis.

Because of demonstrated behavior across sufficient time horizons to be statistically meaningful.

In an era of fragmentation, weaponized interdependence, and trust deficits, historical patterns become predictive indicators.

Kahneman spent decades showing that intuitive judgments systematically diverge from statistical reality. Strategic partnership assessment is no exception.

The question is: Are we assessing risk based on data, or based on what feels familiar?

In the 21st century, power matters. But trust may matter more.

And trust should be measured by track record, not by cultural proximity.

[SMIT DESAI @desaismit5]

@theskindoctor13

[Matt Shumer @mattshumer_]

https://t.co/ivXRKXJvQg

[SMIT DESAI @desaismit5]

@EtihadHelp Sent details on dm

[SMIT DESAI @desaismit5]

Such pathetic experience @etihad
10 45 pm international flight, and check in has not started yet at the airport. Its 7 10 pm and there is no staff! Everyone is just waiting without any clue.

[SMIT DESAI @desaismit5]

@AxisMaxLifeIns There was no convenience fee on premium payment done through credit card when i bought my policy. Now on renewal you are charging a convenience fee! You cant make profit out of customers this way!
@joinditto

[SMIT DESAI @desaismit5]

There is absolutely no trust in the legal system of our country, that in my society even when we know the existing committee is doing fraud, no one even wants to make an effort to fight the wrong, and the wrong doers are taking advantage of this very system!
#indianlegalsystem

[SMIT DESAI @desaismit5]

@flipkartsupport The support team seems to be made of bots, sending same automated replies without understanding the issue even after explaining a couple of times @Flipkart @flipkartsupport
Not worth wasting time shopping on flipkart!

[SMIT DESAI @desaismit5]

@flipkartsupport Have shared the details. But yet to hear back @Flipkart @flipkartsupport

[SMIT DESAI @desaismit5]

I understand it may be out if stock. But why did it take so many days for the seller to update and cancel the order. I could have ordered something else earlier

[SMIT DESAI @desaismit5]

@flipkartsupport I have shared all the details. Hoping for a quick resolution!

[Wasim Jaffer @WasimJaffer14]

Only 35 overs were bowled across the first 3 days. To get a win in the next 2 days Ind had to dismiss Ban, declare with a lead, dismiss Ban again, then chase the target. They did it with half a day to spare! Stand up & applaud the greatness 👏🏻👏🏻 #INDvBAN

[Subramoney.com @pvsubramanyam]

I have read the full budget document...it is brilliant. There are 2 ways to reduce the Income tax that you pay:
a) die or b) reduce your legitimate income.
No 3rd way. All loopholes plugged. True since time immemorial !!

[Vishal Bhargava @VishalBhargava5]

India's middle class is for the BJP - what India's Muslims are for the non-BJP parties

They get nothing but they are so paranoid about the alternatives - that they yet flock to vote for them.

[Shreya @shreyamatsharma]

If there was a term that could be coined for "living under the shadows", it should be called Rahul Dravid. He is the epitome of it. You go ask someone who is your most favorite Indian cricketer, answer is almost never going to be Rahul Dravid.

Dravid once himself said "If my grandchildren don't remember the fact that I scored 10,000 runs in test and ODI cricket, I am confident they will remember that Sachin Tendulkar used to be my team mate"

But isn't that expected? Who in sane mind pays attention to a wall which guards gods, princes and kings of Indian cricket?

Some may call it sheer coincidences but I prefer to name it Dravid's tryst with fate. He is not fate's favorite child but he keeps smiling on. Isn't he the sincere one, the innocent one? Next time you think someone else stole your thunder or rub of the green isn't with you, remember this:

- Dravid scored a gritty 95 on debut against England at Lords, batting at no 7 only to be eclipsed by other debutant Ganguly who scored equally brilliant 131

- Scored a 145, a personal best for him in ODI against Sri Lanka only to be overshadowed by Ganguly's 183, coincidentally his career best too

- Scored a 153 few months later, hoping fate will be smiling upon him this time, bettered his personal best ODI score against NZ in world record partnership with Sachin at that time, but only remembered by Sachin's personal best 186*

- Scored a 270 which is 2nd highest score by an Indian in away test match but it faded away, only remembered for Sehwag's 309 and declaration controversy when Sachin was at 194* in that series

- Scored 180 in 2nd innings following on in that famous 2001 come from behind Australia test, but better remembered by Laxman's 281 and Harbhajan's hattrick

- Dravid as captain is always labelled a transitional captain between Ganguly and Dhoni but he won test series in WI and ENG when winning a single test away for India was a dream. He also got first test win for India in SA. Captained India to WR most consecutive ODI victories chasing and joint most consecutive victories in ODIs at that time. But his captaincy got associated to only the 2007 WC failure and Greg Chappel - Ganguly controversy. That's all his captaincy is remembered for

- Every single one of his last game that he played for India across formats before his retirement India lost. Never got a grand farewell
Even his last ever game in IPL in 2013 got overshadowed because it was also Sachin's last ever IPL game. Yes he lost that one too!

- 2023 Ahmedabad WC final was going to be his last coaching stint for India and redemption of sorts to be a world cup winning Indian coach, something none of his peers under whose shadows he lived had achieved, but even that ended in heartbreaking defeat. Only to be lamented as failing to win a rigged world cup

28 years since his debut, and he had never won a WC, IPL or a champions trophy as a player or coach and it could very well remain that way. But everything changed after that fateful phone call from Rohit.

One stormy afternoon in 2024, Rahul finally won. He didn't just lift the world cup in Barbados, he lifted his caged bottled up years of frustration, disappointment and infuriating tryst with fate. This WC win for Dravid meant he could finally beat fate in its own game and raw emotions were true testament to it. His curse was finally broken.

My hope is, this WC triumph does not get overshadowed by that fact that this was also Virat's and Rohit's retirement to T20Is, otherwise fate will have the most wicked way of getting back at him

[Iceland Cricket @icelandcricket]

In this photo of India's World Cup party, you can see 20 times more people than our national population.

[Rohan Das @rohaninvestor]

Don't miss this 28-minute masterclass by Aswath Damodaran if you're into investing: 👇

Save it for later🔖

[Dhaval (Investment Books) @InvestmentBook1]

Save this in your gallery forever ❤️