New Delhi, July 16 -- Imagine it is 2022. You are gingerly getting back on your feet after the brutal covid lockdowns, which ended the previous year. You have seen tumultuous changes in the world around you, and are determined to bolster your defenses, not just medically but also financially. After all, who knows what fresh hell tomorrow might bring?

After resisting the repeated exhortations of your friends to invest in the stock market, you finally decide to take the plunge. But I don't know anything about stocks, where should I invest? Don't worry, your wise friends counsel you, just stick to quality companies, and you will be fine. Also, they add solemnly, don't look for quick profits, have a long-term horizon.

Great, thanks! You the...