Caption: One morning-

Akbar (curious): Isn’t that the newlywed couple, Ayaan and Meher? They look quite distressed, Birbal.

Birbal (concerned): Yes, Maharaj. There seems to be trouble in paradise.

Visual: Akbar and Birbal are walking in the royal gardens. In the distance, we can see the outline of a couple. Akbar is pointing in their direction.

Caption: They decided to enquire-

Ayaan (sad): Maharaj, we are blessed with a wonderful life, but...

Akbar (Concerned): But? What is bothering you both?

Visual: Ayaan and Meher are bowing to Akbar. They both look a bit sad. Birbal is observing the scene.

Meher (casual): Maharaj, our relatives gifted us a handsome amount of money for the wedding. We wish to invest it...

Ayaan (confused): …but we are confused as to how to go about it.

Akbar (relieved): Is that it?! Don’t worry. Mantriji will help you.

Visual: They are all strolling in the garden now. Akbar is gesturing at Birbal with his hand.

Birbal (smiling): Tell me, Ayaan, Meher, do you like gardening?

Meher (confused): Gardening?!

Ayaan (confused): Mantriji, what’s gardening got to do with financial planning?

Visual: Show Birbal, Meher and Ayaan in close-up only.

Birbal (smiling): Everything, my young friends! Growing wealth is just like nurturing a garden.

Visual: Birbal is now holding several saplings of different plants, in his hand. Show only Birbal in this panel.

Birbal (casual): Now, shall we plant these saplings?

Meher (still confused): Okay. Let me get some more pots.

Visual: Birbal is placing the saplings on the ground, in a line. There is a big pot lying near Birbal’s foot.

Birbal (casual): Why? We can just put them in this pot. It has enough space.

Ayaan (convincing): But they won’t grow properly. Their needs are different.

Meher (convincing): Also, if one gets rotten, it’ll spoil the others too. We need to plant them separately.

Visual: Birbal is pointing to the big pot. Ayaan and Meher are holding two smaller pots each, in their hands.

Birbal (casual): Exactly! These saplings are like goals in your life, each of which needs a specific time frame and financial planning. Just like different saplings require different pots to grow.

Visual: All the pots are placed on the ground in a neat line. Each pot has one sapling. Near each pot, Birbal has written on muddy ground (with a stick):

Pot 1 – Baby’s Birth, Pot 2 – Home, Pot 3 – Travel, Pot 4 – Education, Pot 5 – Future. Birbal is pointing towards the pots, he has a long stick in his hand.

Ayaan (realisation): Different goals require different plans!

Meher (confused): But how will we know which plan to choose?

Visual: Ayaan and Meher are finishing planting. They are arranging the soil in the pots; they are holding small garden tools in their hands.

Birbal (casual): Hmm… some of these saplings require regular watering and sunlight to thrive, while some need less water. Some may grow quickly, while some may take years to bear fruits.

Visual: Birbal is pouring water into one of the pots, using a watering can. We can see all the five pots

Birbal (casual): Similarly, some plans provide assured returns in a short period of time. Such plans can be used for your immediate goals.

Visual: Birbal is pointing to the pot that has the label ‘baby’, while Meher is sprinkling water from a watering can. She is imagining a toddler playing with a rattle. She has a warm, motherly smile on her face.

Birbal (casual): While other plans require regular deposits of amount for a longer period but will give a lumpsum profit.

Ayaan (realisation): Like a mango sapling growing into a tree and bearing countless mangoes!

Visual: Ayaan is gently patting the mango sapling in a large pot, which is marked ‘Future’.

Ayaan (realisation): We simply need to nurture it to reap the benefits in our future.

Visual: Ayaan is imagining their future. He and Meher are standing in a garden; there is a beautiful house in the background. Two kids are playing with them. They are all dressed in beautiful, rich clothes.

Birbal (casual): But at all times, a ‘contingency pot’ must be kept close by so that your ‘saplings’ don’t suffer in case of an unexpected damage.

Meher (realisation): Ah! Like a backup fund in case of emergencies.

Visual: Meher is holding a new, empty pot in her hands. Birbal is pointing towards a big crack on the pot which had been marked ‘Travel.’

Birbal (casual): So, plant your ‘dreams’ wisely, my friends.

Akbar (casual): And tend to them regularly, with patience.

Ayaan (happy): Soon, our ‘investment garden’ will be in full bloom!

Meher (happy): Then we can all enjoy a stroll in our ‘Garden of Prosperity!’

Visual: We can see that all saplings are now planted. Meher is holding the watering can, while Ayaan is holding the garden tools in his hands.

Activity

Ayaan and Meher are in a fix. They have three options to utilise the gift money, but only one can help them grow their money. Help them choose the correct option.

Option 1: Invest based on unverified online or social media tips

Option 2: Give the money to a relative who knows something about investing

Option 3: Invest with help of a SEBI registered investment advisor

Birbal has provided step-by-step instructions to Ayaan and Meher to help with their financial planning and investment. However, in their excitement, Ayaan and Meher have jumbled the steps. Help them put the steps in the correct order.

Invest amount in the selected scheme

Assess your risk appetite

Identify investment goals

Gather information about investment planning and procedure

Chart a time frame for investments—short term or long term

Answers:

Option 3 (Invest with help of an investor advisor)

Correct order is (c, b, e, d, a)