Most people remember their first pay cheque. Fewer remember being taught what to do with it. That gap was the focus of a masterclass held at Hinduja College on 26th October 2026, titled “Building Your First Investment Portfolio: Balancing Equity, Debt, and Gold.”

The Setting

The masterclass ran from 11 am to 12:30 pm in Room No. 03. It was organised by Hinduja College in collaboration with the Economic Research and Training Foundation (ERTF), the Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC) and the IMC Young Leaders Forum. It gave students a chance to learn from someone who has spent a career in the markets.

A Speaker with a Landmark Career

The session was led by Mrs. Deena Mehta, Partner at Himalaya Funds AIF and former President of the Bombay Stock Exchange. She is a Chartered Accountant, investor, financial adviser and social activist. She was among the first women members of the Bombay Stock Exchange, and went on to become its first woman President. For students in a commerce college, hearing from someone who has worked at that level was a rare opportunity.

Honouring the Guests

The guests and resource persons were felicitated by Principal Prof. (Dr.) Navin M. Punjabi, Dr. Sheetal Mody and Dr. Jagruti Darji. The gesture recognised their contributions to the financial and business sectors, and set a respectful tone for the session.

What the Masterclass Covered

The session introduced participants to the fundamentals of investment planning and portfolio management. Its central theme, as the title suggests, was how equity, debt and gold each play a part in a portfolio, and why balance matters. Students also gained insight into financial decision-making, the idea of diversification and the value of a disciplined approach to managing personal finances.

Why Fundamentals Matter

For many students, investing can feel like a subject for later in life. A masterclass like this one shows that the basics are worth learning early. Understanding what different investment avenues are, how they differ and why they are often considered together gives students a framework to build on, whatever they decide to do with it later.

The Role of IMC-ERTF

The programme drew on the expertise and industry network of IMC-ERTF, which was established in 1958 to carry out research, training and policy-oriented discussion on economic and business issues. The partnership reflects the college’s commitment to promoting financial awareness and connecting classroom learning with industry experience.

Learning from Real-World Experience

Beyond the concepts, the masterclass gave students a direct conversation with an accomplished professional. Hearing practical perspectives on investment and wealth management helped strengthen their financial literacy, and gave them a clearer picture of how real financial markets work.

A Strong Step Toward Financial Confidence

By the end of the session, students had a better understanding of how to think about building a portfolio and the habits that support good financial decisions. It was a worthwhile way to spend a morning, and a reminder that financial confidence begins with learning the fundamentals.

Want to see more financial literacy events at Hinduja College? Visit Hinduja College to see what’s next.