Why Health Insurance is Important in India In India, people often say “health is wealth.” But when a medical emergency strikes, most families realise how fragile their financial health actually is. Medical costs in our country are rising faster than our incomes, and one sudden hospitalisation can wipe out years of savings. This is why health insurance is not a luxury anymore — it is a necessity.   Banner Title Lorem Ipsum is simply dumy text of the printing typesetting industry lorem ipsum. Click here A Common Story in Every Household Imagine a middle-class family in Bengaluru. The father, 45 years old, suffers a sudden heart attack. The family rushes him to the hospital. Doctors save his life, but the bill crosses ₹6 lakhs in just a week. The family had no health insurance. To pay, they break fixed deposits, sell gold, and even borrow from relatives. Financially, they are shaken for years. Now, take the same family with a good health insurance plan of ₹10 lakhs. The hospital bill would be taken care of by the insurer. The family could focus only on the father’s recovery, not on arranging money at midnight. This is the difference health insurance makes. Sadly, in India, the first story is far more common than the second. Rising Medical Costs – A Harsh Reality In private hospitals, a simple appendix surgery can cost ₹70,000 to ₹1 lakh. Cancer treatment can easily cross ₹10–15 lakhs. Even a few days of ICU stay with ventilator support can cost ₹50,000 per day. According to surveys, over 60% of hospital expenses in India are paid from people’s own pockets. This is one of the biggest reasons for families falling into debt or poverty. Why Do Indians Avoid Health Insurance? There are some common beliefs: “I am young and healthy, why should I take it now?” – But accidents and sudden illnesses don’t come with a warning. “It is a waste if I don’t get admitted.” – In reality, not using insurance is a blessing. We don’t regret not claiming car insurance every year, do we? “Government hospitals are enough.” – Truth is, quality private healthcare is what people turn to in emergencies, and that is very expensive. How Health Insurance Works in Simple Words You pay a yearly premium to the insurance company, let’s say ₹15,000 for a cover of ₹5 lakhs. If you are hospitalised, the insurer pays the bill up to ₹5 lakhs. If you are healthy and don’t use it, your money is not wasted — you have bought peace of mind, and many policies give bonuses for claim-free years. In short: small yearly cost vs. massive unexpected bill. Real Examples We See Around Us During COVID-19, many families without insurance spent ₹3–5 lakhs on hospital bills within 10 days. Some even mortgaged property. A friend of mine once told me how his father’s cataract surgery cost ₹80,000 in a private hospital. Luckily, their insurance covered it fully. He said, “We realised that we should have taken a bigger cover earlier itself.” The Way Forward for Indians Start early, because premiums are cheaper when you are young. Choose a family floater so everyone is protected. Don’t just look at the cheapest policy — look at hospitals covered, claim settlement record, and features like critical illness cover. Increase your cover as medical costs rise. Final Thought Health insurance in India is not just about saving money, it is about saving dignity. It spares families from begging relatives, selling assets, or depending on charity during the toughest times of their lives. The question is not “Can I afford health insurance?” — the real question is “Can I afford to be without it?”

How Stock Market Works – A Simple Guide for Indians The stock market often looks like a complicated world full of numbers, charts, and jargon. But in reality, it is nothing but a platform where buyers and sellers come together to trade shares of companies. If we understand the basics, the market becomes less scary and more of an opportunity to grow wealth. What is a Stock? A stock, also called a share, simply represents ownership in a company. For example, if you buy shares of Infosys, you become a part-owner of Infosys. The percentage might be very small, but you still get rights as a shareholder – like dividends, voting rights, and most importantly, a chance to benefit from the growth of the company. How Does the Market Work? The stock market in India mainly works through two exchanges: NSE (National Stock Exchange) and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange). Companies list their shares here, and investors like you and me buy and sell them using a broker (for example, Zerodha, Angel One, Upstox, etc.). Prices move up and down every second depending on demand and supply. If more people are interested in buying a share, the price goes up. If more people are selling, the price falls. It’s as simple as a vegetable market, just happening digitally and at lightning speed. Why Do People Invest in the Stock Market? Indians are slowly realising that keeping money only in savings accounts or FDs won’t beat inflation. Stock markets give a chance to grow wealth faster. Here are some reasons people invest: Wealth Creation: Over time, stocks have given better returns than gold, real estate, or fixed deposits. Ownership in Companies: You literally own a piece of India’s biggest businesses. Dividends: Many companies share a part of their profit with shareholders. Liquidity: You can buy and sell easily whenever you want. What Moves the Stock Market? Many factors affect the ups and downs: Company Performance – Profits, sales, and future plans. Economy – Inflation, interest rates, government policies. Global Events – Oil prices, wars, foreign markets. Sentiment – Sometimes, just investor mood pushes the market. Common Misconceptions in India “Stock market is gambling.” – It’s not, if you invest with knowledge and discipline. Gambling is blind; investing is informed. “You need lakhs to start.” – Wrong. You can start even with ₹100. “Only experts can make money.” – With proper learning, even beginners can grow wealth. How Can a Beginner Start? Open a Demat and Trading account. Start small, maybe with mutual funds or SIPs. Learn the basics of financial statements and stock analysis. Never blindly follow tips. Most importantly, stay patient – wealth in stock market is built over years, not overnight. Final Word The stock market is like a mirror of the economy. It rewards those who respect it with knowledge, discipline, and patience. For Indians, understanding and participating in the stock market is no longer optional – it’s becoming a necessity for financial freedom.