Dr Dhiman Bhattacharya 🇮🇳 🇮🇳 🇮🇳@DrdhimanBhatta1
A Heartfelt Tribute to Parag Parikh: Bharat’s Value Investing Legend.
@npparikh6
@PPFAS
@ActusDei
Ten years ago today, on May 3, 2015, Bharat lost a guiding light in the world of finance—Parag Parikh, the pioneer of value investing, who left us too soon in a tragic car crash in Omaha, USA.
His story is one of wisdom, humility, and a relentless passion for empowering the common investor. Here’s an emotional journey through his life.
1. The Humble Beginnings:
Parag Parikh, born in Mumbai, stepped into the chaotic world of Dalal Street in 1979 as a sub-broker.
Guided by his mentor, Chandrakant Sampat, he chose a path less traveled—value investing. Unlike the tip-driven frenzy of the time, Parag believed in research, patience, and buying businesses, not just stocks. His heart was set on creating wealth with integrity.
2. A Rebel with a Cause:
In the 1990s, when foreign investors flooded India post-liberalization, Parag stood out. His firm, Parag Parikh Financial Advisory Services (PPFAS), was among the first to offer detailed research reports, earning respect from global giants like Julian Robertson.
He wasn’t just a broker; he was a visionary who challenged the status quo.
3. The Contrarian Spirit:
Parag’s conviction was his superpower. During the dotcom boom, he shunned overhyped tech stocks, earning both critics and admirers. “En vazhi thani vazhi” (my way is a different way), he lived this Tamil proverb, proving that patience and discipline could outshine market mania.
His courage inspired a generation.
4. A Teacher of Behavioral Finance:
Parag wasn’t just an investor; he was a scholar of human emotions.
His books, Stocks to Riches and Value Investing and Behavioral Finance, became bibles for Indian investors.
He taught us to conquer fear and greed, urging us to wear a “cloak of patience.”
His words still echo in our hearts.
5. Building PPFAS AMC:
In 2013, Parag launched PPFAS Mutual Fund with a single scheme—PPFAS Long Term Value Fund.
He wanted every Indian, not just the elite, to access wealth creation. “I don’t want to market my fund; I want people to buy it,” he said.
His fund was his baby, built on trust and transparency.
6. Skin in the Game:
Parag practiced what he preached. He invested his own money in his fund, as did his employees. “How can we ask others to invest if we haven’t?” he asked.
This wasn’t just business; it was a moral code. His integrity made investors feel safe, like family.
7. The Omaha Pilgrimage:
A devout follower of Warren Buffett, Parag traveled to Omaha annually for Berkshire Hathaway’s shareholder meetings.
In a cruel twist of fate, it was in Buffett’s hometown, on May 3, 2015, that a car crash took him from us. He was 61, leaving behind his wife, Geeta, and sons, Neil and Sahil.
8. A Legacy in Mourning:
The news shook India’s investing community. “We’ve lost an original thinker, a contrarian investor, and a good human,” tweeted Nirmal Jain.
Parag’s death, just months after his mentor Sampat’s passing, felt like the end of an era. Yet, his philosophy lived on through PPFAS.
9. Neil Carries the Torch:
At 32, Neil Parikh faced the daunting task of filling his father’s shoes. With assets dipping to ₹450 crore, doubts loomed.
But Neil, fueled by Parag’s vision, grew PPFAS to ₹90,000 crore by 2024. Every rupee managed reflects Parag’s timeless wisdom. “He lives in our hearts,” Neil says.
10. Parag’s Eternal Lesson:
Today, as we mark a decade without Parag, his voice still guides us: “Investment success comes from following the emotionally difficult path.” Let’s honor him by investing with patience, humility, and courage.
Share his story, read his books, and keep his legacy alive. RIP, Parag Parikh. 🙏
My regards to this legend.🙏
paragparikh.in