Spent time with four mutual fund distributors across small-town India for our Independence Day special. Their journeys are fascinating.
Dev from Korba went from delivering newspapers at 5 AM for ₹300/month to managing ₹115 crore of client money.
@PrabinCFP in Siliguri cracked guerrilla billboard advertising—his ads stayed visible even when bigger brands covered them up.
But here's what really stood out: These guys are turning government employees and small business owners into equity investors. 95% of Dev's flows go into equity funds. That's more aggressive than most metro investors!
From ₹1,000 SIPs in 2008 to ₹60,000 monthly investments today—one client's portfolio now worth ₹1.5 crore.
Small towns contribute 19% of India's total MF assets. The financial revolution isn't happening in Mumbai or Delhi. It's quietly unfolding in Korba, Tinsukia, Amreli, and Siliguri. And many more such small towns.
My story, as part of our Freedom Special
@ET_Wealth issue, this week. (You can read the full story on
@EconomicTimes website)