R. K. Mohapatra has an MBA in Finance and is a Fellow of The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI). He has a rich experience in the field of finance in India and abroad, is now working as General Manager of Finance at IRCON (Ircon International Limited). He is also a very successful and renowned Indian author in the field of non-fiction self-help books on financial planning and retirement planning for individuals. His book Mutual Funds: A Powerful Investment Avenue for Individuals is ideal for investors who are looking for a deeper understanding of mutual funds.

I chat with him about his book Mutual Funds, what inspired him to write this book, book recommendations, and much more.

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself!

I am an author, have vast experience of 27 years in the field of Finance & Accounts, and coupled with my profound knowledge about various investment avenues, I am also known for my work on cash and wealth management, portfolio analysis, financial planning, and retirement planning for individuals.

I have authored three books, Retirement Planning: A Simple Guide for Individuals, Investment Risk & Growth: A Guide for Investors about Investment Vehicles, and Mutual Funds: A Powerful Investment Avenue for Individuals.

I have been conferred two prestigious international awards: the 18th Edition Asia Pacific HRM Congress – Exemplary Leader Award 2019 and the 19th Edition Asian Leadership – Hall of Fame Award 2021 for my excellent and enormous contribution in developing best practices and innovative strategies.

Tell us about your book Mutual Funds: A Powerful Investment Avenue for Individuals. What can readers expect?

Mutual Funds: A Powerful Investment Avenue for Individuals was published by Blue Rose Publishers in 2020, and it is an excellent guide for investors who are looking for a deeper understanding of mutual funds, their risks and returns, and the benefits of investing in mutual funds. 

The book is of 172 pages, and consists of six concise but comprehensive chapters which will help you understand the basics of different types of mutual funds and provide more general self-help techniques of your goal setting and money management once profits begin to be made.

The book offers a holistic view of wealth creation and elaborate practical advice with an in-depth analytical study of the subject of equity and equity-related securities. This book describes various categories of mutual funds:

Large-cap funds

Multi-cap funds

Mid & small-cap funds

Interval funds

Hybrid value funds

Debt funds 

The term ‘Mutual Fund’ has a broad meaning, and mutual fund products have vast demand in India and abroad. It is one of the best investment vehicles today, and its future is bright compared to the return of all other investment products. 

The readers of the book may be individuals, companies, or students. All have different attitudes and aptitude about mutual funds. As far as individuals are concerned, they read this book for wealth creation in the long run and to fulfil their dreams. Hence, the book Mutual Funds: A Powerful Investment Avenue for Individuals helps all (irrespective of age) construct a good and balanced investment portfolio, enabling them to achieve their financial goals in life. This book is being used in tertiary institutions for students studying Financial Accounting, Economics, Banking & Finance courses, and other related study programs.

What inspired you to write this book?

It is my deep-rooted interest in the subject of Finance & Accounts, Planning & Budgeting, Insurance & Will, Provident Fund, economic reforms, GST & Taxation, cash & wealth management, portfolio analysis, etc. coupled with profound knowledge on various investment avenues: Equity, Equity Mutual funds, Debt Mutual funds, Gold, Gold funds, Gold ETF & Gold bonds, PPF, NPS, and Bonds that inspired me to release a series of books.

I was inspired to write the book Mutual Funds: A Powerful Investment Avenue for Individuals by my colleagues, friends, and fans. This book was awarded the Literary Titan Gold Book Award.

I emphatically conveyed through the book that every individual can make constructive and meaningful decisions, and also the relevance of focusing on specific goals to achieve them in time by investing in the right investment products at the right time.

What is your advice for beginners and for those who don’t know much about mutual funds, but are interested in investing in diverse portfolios? Where should they begin?

The beginners should learn the concept of mutual funds, the risk involved in different mutual funds products, and the return generated on those products. I have also replied to the same question to Jescilia Karayamparambil, in an article published on 30th May 2017 in The Free Press Journal, that “For a first time MF investor, I would recommend they go for blue-chip companies/ funds and have a diversified approach, Most of the first time investors look for returns (with low and medium risk).” I also recommend that first-time investors invest through SIP mode and have an index fund in their portfolio (Nifty 50/ Sensex).

In this comprehensive handbook, you have outlined the details of mutual funds and their composition. Can you tell us in brief about this?

The book's purpose is twofold: to provide the readers with a fundamental knowledge of investment products and equip them with the skills necessary for achieving their financial goals through proper investment planning.

The reader can delve into six concise but comprehensive chapters of the book – “Mutual Funds”, “Investment in shares & Debt Mutual Funds”, “Assessment of Risk in Mutual Funds investment”, “Evaluation of portfolio”, “Future prospects of Mutual Funds in India”, and “Analysis of HDFC Mid-Cap Opportunity Funds”.

The book portrays mutual funds: Large-cap funds, Multi-cap funds, Mid-cap funds, Small-cap funds, Hybrid funds, Index and Debt Mutual Funds, their composition, and the operational and regulatory mechanism of Mutual Funds, magic power of compounding, and strategy in the investment.

What is the message that you want readers to take away from this book?

This book helps readers/ prospective investors to construct a good and balanced investment portfolio, enabling them to achieve their financial goals in life. Ample of tips, practical examples, and taxations on mutual fund returns, also help them assess their funds’ future return.

The book is an insightful guide that details extensively and expansively the topic of financial planning for an individual along with the future growth of financial products in India. The book enables readers to know about the concept of mutual funds, their structure, regulation, types, risk, and returns.

The tips given to investors are valuable and will help them plan, invest and review portfolios regularly. And readers would also get to know the benefit of direct investment of mutual funds and tax implications.

How have you been coping with the current pandemic and what will be the new normal for you post it?

The current pandemic has given me the right direction towards society and family. I think that I now understand my family very closely. I thank God for saving my family and me from this deadly virus. As per my view, we all have to tactfully manage our work-life along with taking adequate precautionary measures in our daily lives. We all should take vaccines as per government orders and guidelines and keep vigilant at all times.

As far as investment is concerned, the investors should follow the principle of asset allocation while investing and build a balanced portfolio based on current market conditions, which benefits them in the long run. It becomes more vital to take a cautious approach during a tough time while investing in equity and equity-related products.

Uncertain outcomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic have halted economic activities around the world. The impact of lockdown all over India has brought down all the business activities, especially the real estate and infrastructure sector businesses have halted drastically, and this has led to a massive liquidity crisis. On the other hand, the lockdown of plants and factories has a cascading impact on the economy, creating a vicious circle of lower corporate CAPEX, weaker consumer demand, and an unprecedented level of unemployment in the country. The social and economic implications of this epidemic have to be understood by the people and the government.

Lastly, are you currently reading anything and do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

I am incredibly grateful to you for conducting a realistic interview about my book Mutual Funds.

Right now, I am working on the topic of ‘One nation One Pension Scheme’. I have already submitted my suggestions to the Prime Minister of India about the ‘One nation One Pension Scheme’. I hope for the best and am still thinking about how this one pension scheme can help the people of India. Also, the Hindi translation of my first book is in process, which may publish within two or three months.

Currently, I am reading The QGLP Checklist by Raamdeo Agrawal. It is a thematic study for wealth creation by Motilal Oswal. The readers may read this book to better know about the stock market and wealth creation strategy, as to what our Guru has exemplified.

Thank you so much.

The book ‘Mutual Funds: A Powerful Investment Avenue for Individuals’ is available online and at your nearest bookstore.