Biswa Kalyan Rath, more popularly known as just Biswa, is not a finance professional. However, his comedic lens provides insightful, albeit hilarious, observations on various aspects of the Indian financial landscape and societal attitudes toward money.
Biswa’s stand-up routines and online content frequently touch upon the middle-class Indian’s relationship with saving, investing, and general financial anxiety. He often jokes about the pressure to secure a “good” job, typically defined as one that offers financial stability and social validation. He pokes fun at the aspiration of owning property, especially in expensive metropolitan areas, and the struggles that come with paying EMIs for decades.
One recurring theme in his comedy is the perceived wisdom passed down through generations regarding finances. These often involve risk-averse strategies like Fixed Deposits (FDs) or gold, presented as foolproof methods of securing the future. Biswa humorously highlights the limitations of these traditional approaches, particularly in a rapidly changing economic environment where inflation and market volatility play significant roles.
His jokes indirectly shed light on the lack of financial literacy in India. He often uses relatable scenarios to illustrate how people make financial decisions based on limited information or influenced by societal norms rather than well-informed research. This is evident in his observations about investment advice received from family members or friends, often leading to suboptimal choices.
Biswa’s comedic portrayal of the Indian startup scene also touches on the financial aspects of entrepreneurship. He satirizes the hype surrounding unicorn valuations, the obsession with funding rounds, and the pressure to achieve rapid growth, often at the expense of profitability. He highlights the inherent risks involved in pursuing the “startup dream” and the potential for financial ruin if not approached with caution.
While not providing formal financial advice, Biswa’s comedy serves as a form of social commentary on the Indian financial psyche. He encourages his audience to think critically about their financial decisions, question traditional wisdom, and be more informed about the options available to them. His humor resonates with a large segment of the population who grapple with similar financial anxieties and aspirations, making his content both entertaining and thought-provoking.
In conclusion, Biswa Kalyan Rath’s contribution to the discussion of finance in India is through relatable humor that exposes the anxieties, misconceptions, and pressures surrounding money. He doesn’t offer solutions, but he effectively encourages awareness and critical thinking about personal finances, indirectly prompting viewers to seek better understanding and make more informed choices.