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Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
AMFI leads economic transformation with 3 decades of building an investor-first India
Synopsis AMFI's 30-year journey reflects India's economic transformation, from UTI's monopoly era to a ₹75 trillion AUM industry today, driven by SIPs, regulation, awareness, and growing retail participation, supporting PM Modi's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. AMFI celebrates 30 years of fostering trust, awareness, and inclusion, with mutual fund AUM tripling to ₹75 trillion, supporting India's vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. A few years ago, our Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, articulated a bold and compelling vision - to see India emerge as a Viksit Bharat (Developed Nation) by 2047. At Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), this vision is deeply personal. For us, nation building is not only about infrastructure, industry or GDP numbers. It is equally about mobilising savings, fostering an investment mindset, and ensuring every citizen – from the largest city to the smallest village – has the tools and knowledge to achieve financial independence. When I look back at AMFI's 30-year journey, I see it running parallel to India's own transformation - from a closed, cautious economy in the early 1990s to a confident, investment-aware nation today. And at the heart of this change lies one simple, yet powerful idea: an informed investor is an empowered citizen. Starting from 1963 and well into the 1980s, the mutual fund industry was a single player domain- dominated by the state-owned UTI - catering to a limited number of investors. Market maturity was low, retail participation was negligible, and large institutions often influenced market movements. The early 1990s were a turning point. The early 1990s were a turning point. Economic liberalisation opened India's economy, and the creation of SEBI as an independent regulator brought much-needed structure, credibility, and investor protection to our capital markets. It was in this backdrop that AMFI was born in 1995, with a mission far greater than industry representation — to instill trust, transparency, and investor-centricity in the DNA of mutual funds, and to take investment awareness to every corner of India. Over the years, AMFI worked alongside SEBI to strengthen regulation and set benchmarks for self-regulation. The shift to NAV-based pricing was a watershed moment — for the first time, investors could see the daily value of their holdings, making wealth creation transparent and the late 1990s, we introduced Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) — a quiet revolution that democratised investing. No longer was wealth creation the privilege of the affluent. Even the smallest saver could participate in India's growth story with as little as ₹500 a such as the Riskometer, Scheme Categorisation Norms, and Uniform Disclosure Standards simplified mutual funds for millions. KYC norms, and later e-KYC, streamlined onboarding, while technology opened new frontiers for distribution and industry faced its share of challenges — the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, the 2012 Taper Tantrum, and volatile market cycles. Each time, we emerged stronger, not just in numbers but in investor the mid-2010s, mutual funds had crossed ₹10 trillion in assets under management (AUM). Between 2014 and 2017, AUM doubled to ₹20 trillion, and by November 2020, crossed ₹30 last five years have been the most remarkable yet. From June 2020 to July 2025, AUM has tripled to ₹75 trillion. Investor folios now exceed 240 million, with nearly 2.5 million new folios being added every month — a clear testament to growing trust and surge is no longer limited to metros. Today, a first-time earner in a Tier-3 town is just as likely to start their financial journey with a mutual fund as someone in Mumbai or turning point was 2017, when AMFI launched the 'Mutual Fund Sahi Hai' campaign — breaking the myth that mutual funds were only for the wealthy, and speaking to every Indian in their own language. It took investment awareness to the smallest towns, rural markets, and digital screens across the has been a game changer — with smartphones and UPI, investing in a mutual fund has become as simple as sending a text message. Improve financial literacy in schools, colleges, workplaces, and communities. Create financial independence by empowering citizens with the knowledge to save, invest, and plan for their future. Reach the unreached — the hundreds of millions of Indians who have yet to take their first step into formal investing. We envision a future where every Indian household has an investment plan, where women and youth lead the way in disciplined savings, and where financial security becomes a way of life, not a journey has always been about more than products or performance. It has been about trust built patiently over decades, discipline nurtured through awareness, and empowerment delivered through AMFI, we remain steadfast in keeping the investor-first approach at the heart of everything we do. Because when investors grow, India grows. And when India grows, the dream of Viksit Bharat will not just be a vision — it will be a reality. 'Karmanye vadhikaraste, Ma phaleshou kada chana' You have the right to perform your actions, but not to the fruits thereof. This timeless wisdom captures the spirit that guides us — to act with integrity, dedication, and unwavering purpose. At AMFI, our commitment remains clear: to empower every Indian with the knowledge and tools to invest wisely and build a secure future. Because when we focus on the right actions, the outcomes — for the investor, the industry, and the nation — will follow. (The author Venkat N Chalasani is Chief Executive – Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI). Views are own) (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of
Medscape
5 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Recurring UTIs? 9 Proven Nonantibiotic Solutions
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more common in women due to anatomical and behavioral factors. Half of all women experience at least one UTI in their lifetime. Approximately 25% of patients develop recurrent UTIs, defined as three episodes in the past 12 months or two episodes in the past 6 months, with at least one confirmed by urine culture. At the 25th Annual Congress of the Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases (2025), Sandra Aronson, MD, general practitioner, geriatrician, and infectious disease specialist at Hospital J.A. Fernández and Hospital Italiano in Buenos Aires, Argentina, noted that 5% of recurrent UTIs occur within 2 weeks of the initial episodes. These are usually caused by microorganisms persisting in areas where antibiotics cannot reach or by inappropriate antibiotic use. The remaining 95% were reinfected with new strains. Recent international guidelines recommend the initiation of nonantibiotic strategies to prevent recurrence, reserving antibiotics as a last resort. 'We have nonantibiotic tools available, some with proven efficacy and others with great promise,' Aronson said. Patient Education Challenges Speaking with Medscape Spanish, Aronson acknowledged that promoting behavioral changes or nonantibiotic measures can be more challenging than prescribing medication. 'Patients often value a prescription more than advice to drink more water,' she said. 'It's similar to respiratory infections. It is much easier to give antibiotics to a patient with a cold than to explain why they are not necessary. These conversations take longer. But those of us who genuinely believe antibiotic resistance is or will become a problem aim to reserve these drugs for when they are truly needed.' Nine Nonantibiotic Strategies Aronson presented nine nonantibiotic strategies for the initial management of recurrent UTIs. She stated that the supporting evidence is uneven but stronger than in the past, making clinicians more likely to recommend these measures. Behavioral Changes Recommendations include drinking at least 1.5 L of water daily, emptying the bladder regularly, maintaining good hygiene, urinating after sexual intercourse, and avoiding spermicides, diaphragms, tampons, tight clothing, and douching. In a 2017-2018 study of 140 women with recurrent UTIs who drank less than 1.5 L of water daily, those who increased their intake by 1.5 L for 1 year had a 50% reduction in new episodes (1.7 vs 3.2) and in antibiotic use (1.9 vs 3.6). Estrogens Vaginal estrogens increase glycogen levels in the vaginal mucosa, which promotes Lactobacillus colonization, lowers pH, and prevents the growth of local uropathogens. A meta-analysis of eight studies involving approximately 5,000 women found that vaginal estrogen significantly reduced recurrent UTIs compared to placebo (risk ratio, 0.42). Adverse effects, including vaginal discomfort, irritation, and itching, were mild. No benefits were observed with the administration of oral estrogen. A recent US study of 40 primary care physicians reported that 96% prescribed vaginal estrogens for recurrent UTIs, with 58% doing so frequently. Vaginal estrogen is the leading nonantibiotic treatment option in clinical practice. Cranberries Cranberries may acidify urine, and their proanthocyanidins can prevent Escherichia coli and other bacteria from adhering to uroepithelial cells, particularly in postmenopausal women. 'Not all cranberry products contain the same amount of this compound,' Aronson noted. A 2023 Cochrane review found that cranberries reduced the risk of recurrent UTIs by approximately 25% in certain groups, including women. The European Association of Urology recommends cranberries to prevent recurrent cystitis, citing a favorable benefit-harm profile despite limited evidence. The recommended intake is 200-300 mL of juice daily for 6 months. Probiotics Probiotics may restore normal vaginal microbiota, create an acidic pH, and prevent bacterial adhesions. Evidence from meta-analyses and systematic reviews is mixed; however, some studies have reported up to a 50% reduction in the number of UTI episodes. 'Not all lactobacilli are the same,' Aronson emphasized. 'Preparations should contain Lactobacillus crispatus and certain other strains.' D-mannose D-mannose is a natural sugar that blocks the attachment of type 1 bacterial fimbriae to the uroepithelium. A meta-analysis of 390 patients found that it was effective in preventing recurrent UTIs compared with placebo, with efficacy comparable to that of antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin. Another systematic review reported improved quality of life, fewer recurrences, and longer infection-free periods. 'Evidence is still limited, and more studies are needed, but side effects are few none of which are serious,' Aronson said. Methenamine Methenamine hippurate or mandelate hydrolyzes formaldehyde and ammonia, creating an acidic bactericidal environment by denaturing bacterial proteins. A 2021 meta-analysis suggested a 'trend toward benefit' in preventing recurrent cystitis, although no significant differences were observed compared with other approaches. A subsequent clinical trial involving 240 patients showed that methenamine hippurate administered twice daily for 12 months was noninferior to antibiotic prophylaxis, with similar rates of adverse events. Oral Vaccines MV140 is a sublingual vaccine containing inactivated E coli V121, Klebsiella pneumoniae V113, Enterococcus faecalis V125, and Proteus vulgaris V127 strains. It is one of the most studied immunomodulatory options and has shown promising results. Three cohort studies found that MV140 reduced cystitis compared to antibiotic prophylaxis. Protein extracts from 18 uropathogenic E coli strains have also shown some benefits, but Aronson noted that further studies are needed before they can be recommended with any level of evidence. Hyaluronic Acid/Chondroitin Sulfate The evidence is stronger for combining hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate than for using either alone. A systematic review of 13 studies involving 764 women found that a combination of gentamicin (80 mg) was effective in managing recurrent UTIs. Aronson recommended reserving this approach for specific cases. Phage Therapy Phage therapy uses bacteriophage viruses that cause rapid bacterial cell death and alter the microbial population. It is used more frequently for treatment than for prevention. 'Anything that helps us avoid antibiotic use is welcome,' Aronson concluded. Aronson reported no having relevant financial relationships. This story was translated from Medscape's Spanish edition.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Best flexi cap mutual funds to invest in August 2025
Live Events Best flexi cap schemes to invest in August 2025 Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund HDFC Flexi Cap Fund (new addition) UTI Flexi Cap Fund PGIM India Flexi Cap Fund Aditya Birla Sun Life Flexi Cap Fund SBI Flexi Cap Fund Canara Robeco Flexi Cap Fund Many mutual fund investors, especially the new and inexperienced investors, are extremely concerned about the current volatility and uncertainties in the market. They don't know whether to bet on the large caps or mid cap or some others. Also, they wonder how they will know when to switch from one category to another when the market mood changes. Are you in the same boat? Here is an easy way out. You can consider investing in flexi cap mutual funds Flexi cap mutual funds offer the fund managers the freedom to invest across market capitalisations and sectors/themes. It means the fund managers can invest anywhere based on his outlook on the market. Flexi cap schemes are typically recommended to moderate investors to create wealth over a long period of time. Ideally, one should invest in these schemes with an investment horizon of five to seven said earlier, these schemes have the freedom to invest anywhere depending on the view of the fund manager. For example, he or she might invest more in large cap stocks. Or in a bull market she might invest more in mid cap or small cap stocks. Investors should be extremely careful about this aspect. Investors should make sure that they are choosing a scheme that is in line with their risk appetite. For example, some flexi cap schemes may be more conservative than others. It is for you to identify the one that suits your you are planning to invest in flexi cap funds, here are our recommendations. We will closely watch the performance of these schemes and update you about it every Birla Sun Life Flexi Cap Fund has been in the second quartile in the last five months. The scheme had been in the third quartile earlier. UTI Flexi Cap Fund has been in the fourth quartile for 27 months. Canara Robeco Flexi Cap Fund has been in the third quartile for 26 months. PGIM India Flexi Cap Fund has been in the fourth quartile for 18 months. HDFC Flexi Cap Fund has been in the first quartile in the last five months. Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund has been in the second quartile in the last three months. The scheme had been in the first quartile earlier. has employed the following parameters for shortlisting the equity mutual fund daily for the last three Exponent, H is used for computing the consistency of a fund. The H exponent is a measure of randomness of NAV series of a fund. Funds with high H tend to exhibit low volatility compared to funds. The H exponent is a measure of randomness of NAV series of a fund. Funds with high H tend to exhibit low volatility compared to funds with low H.i) When H = 0.5, the series of returns is said to be a geometric Brownian time series. This type of time series is difficult to When H is less than 0.5, the series is said to be mean When H is greater than 0.5, the series is said to be persistent. The larger the value of H, the stronger is the trend of the seriesWe have considered only the negative returns given by the mutual fund scheme for this measure.X = Returns below zeroY = Sum of all squares of XZ = Y/number of days taken for computing the ratioDownside risk = Square root of ZIt is measured by Jensen's Alpha for the last three years. Jensen's Alpha shows the risk-adjusted return generated by a mutual fund scheme relative to the expected market return predicted by the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). Higher Alpha indicates that the portfolio performance has outstripped the returns predicted by the returns generated by the MF Scheme =[Risk Free Rate + Beta of the MF Scheme * {(Average return of the index - Risk Free Rate}For Equity funds, the threshold asset size is Rs 50 crore
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
You know the feeling: You've just finished going to the bathroom, and you walk to the sink to wash your hands. Maybe you peek in the mirror and smooth down your flyaways or reapply lipstick. Then it hits you. You have to pee again. So why is this happening? There's no simple answer since bladder frequency can be caused by many things, from a UTI to pelvic floor disorders. According to a 2025 study published in BMC Women's Health, nearly 50 percent of women will experience some form of pelvic disorder in their lifetime. But a significant education gap remains, starting with who can experience what. Many people assume that issues like urinary frequency and incontinence center around people who have given birth or those over 55. This is especially true when the word 'prolapse' comes into play. The Oxford Dictionary defines prolapse as 'a displacement of a part or organ of the body from its normal position.' A pelvic organ prolapse refers to a displacement of any organ in the pelvic region, like the uterus, bladder, or rectum. What is pelvic prolapse? While a prolapse can only be diagnosed by a medical professional, it can happen to anyone with a vagina. They might be post-partum or post-menopausal, as young as 11 or as old as 92. Yes, women have been dealing with prolapse since the beginning of time, but 'that doesn't mean it's normal,' says Meghan Markowski, PT, DPT, a board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. What causes pelvic organ prolapse? How do one's organs shift? Some use the analogy of a house to explain the mechanics of the pelvic floor: the bones are like a foundation, the muscles provide the floor and stability, and the connective tissue functions like beams, linking everything together. It's when the muscles are weakened and instability occurs that prolapses begin to happen. Pregnancy, thanks to hormonal changes and the increased weight of the uterus, is one common cause. 'But prolapse is not exclusive to pregnancy and delivery,' says Markowski. Some people have a genetic predisposition, and anyone suffering from a condition that puts repeated stress on the pelvic floor, like a chronic cough or asthma, may also be susceptible. Then there's the blessing (and occasional complication) of being hypermobile. A clear benefit to athletes like gymnasts and cheerleaders, hypermobility affects the entire body, including the connective tissues of the pelvis. When these supportive beams are overstretched and weakened, the entire pelvic floor is destabilized. Karen Kowenski, a Houston-based pelvic floor physical therapist and owner of Empower Yourself PT, has seen children as young as 11 dealing with a weakened pelvic floor. There can also be a correlation between certain forms of aggressive exercise and incontinence. 'If we're constantly jumping and pushing, or lifting heavy weights, and we don't have a strong support system, little by little by little, our organs are going to start to change position,' says Markowski. 'Those types of activities can be good for you, but they could exacerbate these issues' if performed improperly or excessively. You don't have to eschew this type of exercise, but a strong and coordinated pelvic floor will help prevent a possible prolapse or other pelvic floor disorders. Reducing urinary frequency caused by prolapse There are small changes you can make to reduce urinary frequency. Kowenski says the first order of business is to assess any lifestyle patterns. 'Are you constipated? Do you hold your breath when you lift weights? How do you move around?' Sometimes it's just about better body mechanics. Kowenski observed a teen horseback rider who would experience incontinence after she landed from a jump. Kowenski watched the way she positioned her body on the landing: 'Her back was arched, and this [impact] was putting extra pressure on the bladder.' A slight repositioning of her torso while jumping immediately eliminated the leakage. 'There's a lot that we can do about [pelvic floor issues],' says Markowski, but there are also things you can try on your own, like a technique called the double void. Typically, when we go to the bathroom, we sit on a toilet and relax our pelvic floor muscles to release urine. If everything is in the perfect place, your bladder will naturally empty in one sitting; however, even a small prolapse can cause the bladder to become slightly askew. This displacement can cause a section of the organ to sit behind the urethra, making it impossible for the bladder to drain effectively in the typical seated position. This is why you may have the sensation of emptying your bladder, but after standing up and allowing gravity to move things around, you realize there's more urine waiting to be emptied. This is the thinking behind the double void; sometimes, we just have to physically encourage urine to leave the body by repositioning the bladder. 'If we're suspicious that there's a change in the position of your bladder, you can stand up and lean forward to try to reposition where your bladder is on top of the urethra,' says Markowski. After you stand briefly, you sit back down on the toilet and try again. All of this shifting and standing should take less than one minute. If necessary, you can add some rocking movements: Kowenski recommends 'sitting on the toilet, and rocking back and forth, side to side.' With that physical encouragement, any trapped urine should see the light of day. A little movement and an extra minute will help ensure you're really done. The post What Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse? appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jim Cramer Supports Universal Technical Institute as a Hedge Against AI Disruption
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer shared insights on. A caller asked what they should do with the stock during the lightning round. Cramer said: 'No, I thought, look, I think the technical schools are the way of the future. I think that the real jobs are not going to be white collar jobs. All those can be taken away from AI. It's going to be blue-collar jobs where people have steady income, and that place really helps. That's my take.' Stock market reports printed on a sheet of paper. Photo by RDNE Stock Project on Pexels Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) provides education and training programs in transportation, skilled trades, and healthcare, awarding certificates, diplomas, and degrees under multiple specialized brands. Additionally, the company offers advanced manufacturer-specific training through campus-based and sponsored programs. In a May episode, a caller inquired about the company, and Cramer responded: 'Okay, this is what we need in the country. It's a trade school and I think that it jives very well with where we are in the economy. So I'm going to tell you, I think it can continue to go higher because it fits the thesis of what we expect in an era of AI and the need to be on your game in non-AI jobs.' While we acknowledge the potential of UTI as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
