If you want to be a serious investor, start with a serious study of market history. It will surprise you how risky equities are, says Debashis Basu

In the third week of May, thousands of housewives, college students and new part-time traders felt a rude shock. As the Sensex collapsed by over 2500 points over 10 days, there was bewilderment and panic all round. 'What was wrong? Why was the...