Ashwani Nexus

       Assessing progress towards "Insurance for all by 2047" in the life insurance sector requires evaluating not only the number of policies sold, but also the evolution of risk cover (Sum Assured) and the cost of insurance. This analysis focuses on individual non-single premium policies, as Individual   single premium policies, often annuities , do not accurately reflect risk coverage trends.This is a study further to my previous study (Linked in- Beyond Policy Count:Analysing the growing sum assured   and declining Premium rates in Indian life insurance - https://lnkd.in/dKpYTH2y ) to get a confirmation of trend observed before. Examination of data across different timeframes, specifically comparing FY 2018-2019 with FY 2024-2025 , and integrating recent quarterly data (Upto 30 June 2022 and Upto 30 June 2025) , reveals a significant and consistent shift in the individual non-single premium life insurance landscape. While there has been an overall d...

  The afternoon sun, filtering through dust motes dancing in the workshop, cast long shadows as I walked past. My attention was drawn to a small cluster of men huddled on the concrete floor, not around a blueprint or a coffee machine, but around a single, half-f itted doorframe. At the center was the workshop owner, a man I knew by reputation for his meticulous work, but rarely saw in such a posture. He wasn't barking orders from a distance; he was on their level, literally. His team, faces etched with concentrati on and a touch of frustration, pointed to a hinge, then to a misaligned screw hole. Murmurs of "just a fraction" and "it's catching here" filled the air. The workshop owner, his brow furrowed in thought, picked up a spirit level, then a measuring tape, his fingers tracing the lines of the doorframe with almost surgical precision. He wasn't just observing; he was actively diagnosing. His years of experience were clearly evident in the way he ...

  Yesterday, I spoke with a friend who just retired after a remarkable 32-year career in Civil Services. He told me, "I wouldn't have been in civil services without you." While I initially deflected, crediting his inherent abilities, his words led me to reflect on the early days of our unexpected friendship. As a junior executive, I was once informed by my boss that a "troublesome" new person  was joining my team. The complaints were familiar: he wouldn't work, asked too many questions, and frequently took leave. When this young, sharp individual finally arrived, I decided to understand the situation firsthand. Over lunch, he revealed his aspirations: he was preparing for competitive exams. I then pressed him on his frequent absences. He explained that, coming from a rural area, he struggled with English comprehension. While his core subject knowledge was excellent, new vocabulary and complex language in News or new concepts  often hindered his understanding...

  "Sir, I wanted to know your view on XYZ stock. How are the company's fundamentals?" This was how a conversation began with a young person, around 25 years of age. I explained my understanding: the basics of the company, its posi tion within the industry, key financial highlights, and potential concerns. That, I thought, was the end of our discussion. However, just two days later, the same individual called again, seeking clarification on specific issues related to the very same co mpany. Despite my detailed explanation, he remained unconvinced about a particular point I had raised. To help him further, I recommended some reference material for him to read. Interestingly, the company in question wasn't a widely discussed name in inve stment circles, yet in my view, it presented a solid opportunity for long-term growth. This interaction perfectly encapsulates the approach to investment decision-making prevalent among millennials. Many individuals in this age gro...

I recently encountered a fascinating case in personal finance that significantly reshaped my own perspectives. Initially, I was quite skeptical when a friend, a seasoned corporate executive with a substantial salary and seemingly robust financial habits, asked me to review his personal finances. He appeared to have it all: significant investments, consistent monthly savings, a well-structured inv estment plan, comprehensive health insurance, and adequate term life coverage. My immediate thought was, "Wow, this is truly impressive! He hardly needs my guidance." As a result, I didn't feel the need to delve into the finer details of his budget or expe nditure. However, a single question from my end caused everything to unravel. I asked, "How much do you have in your emergency fund?" His response was startling: "Oh, I have enough credit cards with good limits to take care of any eventuality." A significa nt red flag immediately went up in my mind. Thi...

              Drawing upon years of experience in the investment field, I've observed a recurring pattern that significantly contributes to negative outcomes for individual investors: indisciplined and emotionally driven decision-making . While numerous pitfalls can lead to wealth destruction in personal investing, this fundamental flaw often underlies and amplifies many others. Emotional decision-making primarily manifests in three dist inct behaviors: Chasing Performance: When a stock experiences rapid, substantial gains (e.g., 20-25%), an emotional investor often perceives a missed opportunity. This "Fear of Missing Out" (FOMO) can lead them to purchase the stock near its peak, only to suffer significant losses when the price inevitably corrects. Panic Selling: During periods of market decline, an anxious investor, observing continued price drops, may succumb to panic and sell their holdings. This often occu...

    I had lunch with a friend today, and his energetic voice, full of life experiences, is still fresh in my mind. The "Googly" Life Threw "M an, you wouldn't believe the googly life threw at me a few years back," my friend began, savoring his cappuccino. "You know, I was always the go-to guy, a professional life insurance agent, right? Had my whole life mapped out, clients lining up. Then, out of nowhere, BAM! Hit a massive problem, something I never saw coming. I lost everything, had to shut down, stopped working completely." He paused, a distant look in his eyes. "It was brutal, seriously. For a while there, I felt like a ship without a rudder . No income, no direction, just... lost. But you know me, I'm not one to stay down for long. I started thinking, 'Okay, this door closed, but what other doors are out there?'" "That's when the idea of a new financial services practice in health insurance s tart...