Sujata Burla’s life took an ugly turn on June 9, 2001. On a pilgrimage to Shirdi, where the Sai Baba temple in Maharashtra is located, from Hyderabad, she met with an accident.
Four months later, the doctors and physiotherapists treating her told her she could not walk for the rest of her life. The accident had turned her into a paraplegic. It meant Sujata was immobile below the shoulders. She was just 21.
Soon people who she thought were her friends abandoned her and Sujata was left alone. Compounding her tragedy was her father’s death in March 2004. Not one to be easily cowed down by her circumstances, she started learning about the stock markets that year.
Now she trades like a pro and earns anywhere between Rs 200,000 and Rs 250,000 every month. On a day like Wednesday, September 19, 2007, when the Nifty was up 186 points, Sujata made a cool Rs 600,000 in a single day.
Sujata moves around in a wheelchair and does not regret this fact. Financial independence is what she strove for and that is exactly what she has got through sheer determination and discipline.
How do you cope with such a trauma?
Before, I could not even write or type. Now I have got used to it. I can easily type and trade on my computer and laptop.
In the first four months after my accident I did not even know I would never be able to walk again. I went into a depression feeling that this was the end of life for me.
Does your condition make you dependent on others?
I am the kind of person who doesn’t like to depend on anybody — whether financially, physically or mentally. So, it was very tough for me to physically depend on somebody. I soon realized that financial independence could get me much more freedom in life.
So I started thinking how I could earn money. I worked with my sister, who is a fashion designer, and learned a bit about it. I soon started a textile workshop where I employed 10 people. However, the workers took undue advantage of my physical disability leading to losses. I closed my workshop and moved towards stock market trading.
How did you get into the stock markets?
I realized that if at all I have to succeed in life I would have to do something for which I don’t have to depend on anybody. Through a friend of mine I came to know about the stock markets in 2004. It took me almost a year to understand the various nuances of the stock market and it was in 2005 that I actually started trading.
What was your first trading/investment experience like?
My first investment was in blue chip companies like Reliance Industries, Hero Honda, ACC and IDBI. However, the Rs 100,000 that I invested did not earn me any returns. It was my first investment and I did not know when to sell or the right time to sell my stocks. That learning experience helped me to hone my skills in the stock markets.
How much do you make from trading in stocks now?
My turnover for a month is over Rs 3 crore. But my actual investment is only Rs 15 lakhs. I make anywhere between 10 to 15 per cent per of this investment per month. It is like I earn 20 to 30 per cent sometimes and lose 10 per cent at other times. This takes my average monthly return to 10 to 15 per cent every month of my total investment of Rs 15 lakhs.
Could you share your success mantras for our readers?
* Read all the advice that you get from various business television channels, newspapers, friends who understand the stock markets but be extremely cautious and disciplined when you act on this advice.
* Never extend your trading bets beyond your means. I speak to my friends; get investment and trading ideas from my brokerages (she is registered for online trading with Reliance Money, Indiabulls and Kotak Securities).
How would you identify yourself as a stock market player?
I am a short-term trader; I am surely not a long-term investor.
Do you trade intra-day?
Well, if my bets appreciate considerably then I take home my profits on the same day. Otherwise, I wait for my investments to bear at least 7 to 8 per cent returns before I actually sell it.
Intra-day trading, though, is very risky as most traders tend to burn their fingers trying to time the market. And I have lost quite a bit of money trading intra-day in the cash market, believe me.
How much have you deposited with all these brokerage companies?
As I told you earlier, my total deposit with all the three brokers is Rs 15 lakhs. Using this amount I buy Call Options within my overall limits. There is no concept of margin money in options. Whatever money I have earned till now is only through Option trading. You can do risk-less trading in Options using a small amount.
As a safe strategy I never write a Put Option. Put Options are very risky. That way I am a very safe trader. In Puts I can even make 50 per cent a month on my investments; but then I can lose the same amount too. My principle is if I make money I make it; I shouldn’t lose money at all.
I usually write a Call Option on the Nifty. I am always long (buying first and then selling at a higher price to make profit) on the markets and whenever the market is too overbought I wait for the markets to cool down.
Do you have friends?
Before the accident I had many friends but they all ran away after my accident. They were all false friends. People like this go where there is money, success and happiness. People like these don’t chase failures.
After my accident I have a different set of friends. I have a few friends now but they are my true friends. They have been with me through my bad times. They really care for me.
Via rediff.com
nice to here sujata story but one should not expect such a easy success in market. I also suggest sujata to get knowledge more and more so that u never get unsuccessful. god bless you but you shouldnot forget of unsuccess which is really path to success.
Bramesh thanks for sharing such a nice and motivating story.
Sujata’s story is an inspiring one while giving us food for thought.
Should one wait until he/she is in distress and then is forced to learn tricks of the trade to become a successful trader?
If one can succeed when in a distressing situation,then why not become successful BEFORE a distressful situation? The success is waiting for us…..only we need to have that foresight to learn from all the wisdom that is around us and put the leanings to fruitful use.
THINK PEOPLE THINK
Regards to all.V Happy for Sujata and wish her all the best
.
True hero. A winner in all aspects. Champ of soaring spirit. Hope her life is filled with onlly glory.
Dear sir, Your efforts are commendable in view a large number of unemployed youth in India as this is a big questionmark what to do for livelyhood for them after completing education.Your blog may help in skill development to youth and thus prove to be a great work in national interests.Sujata,s story is really inspiring. Many Thanks for sharing. Would you be kind enough to further post her entry and exit strategies with examples to further elaborate the points for buying calls as this is a big no no to retail traders.I think during bear markets selling puts might have given losses and unprcedented rally like 2014 buying calls handsome profits but the name of game is consistency that too by buying calls is definitely a hard work and praiseworthy and hence needs further exploration and elaboration on methods employed psychological bentup of mind required for the same.Regards.
Dear Dr Srivathsava, Please understand trading is neither a nation building endeavor nor a productive work. It is zero sum game. However, investing helps to build nation. However, I am a trader cum investor.
I have not shared the story to discuss trading strategies but to discuss the with hard work,determination and control over emotions anyone can make money in stock market.
Rgds,
Bramesh
Inspiring story Bramesh! Thanks for putting this up! 🙂
Kudos. It is a great lesson for all of us. I feel the story is half narrated. With the type of trades Sujatha doing, it is a bit difficult to earn 2-2.5 L per month. But, I strongly believe that she is gifted with some of finest qualities a trader needs – Courage, Discipline, Patience and Impartial. Add to that, by her hard work and determination, she has transformed herself as a great trader. We are all happy about her achievement.
ONE OF EXCELLENT COMPILATION BY BRAMESHJI
MORAL:- FAILURE IS FERTILIZER
MENTAL STRENGTH / ABILITY WILL ALWAYS OVERCOME PHYSICAL DISABILITY
Bravo sujatha wish you happy martial life
may I please know your brokerage house I trade in icici direct there charges are to high
Thank Bramesh for the inspiring article
Basavaraj, One such cheap brokerage is South Asian Stocks, Delhi based. You can contact me at 9845204605, if need more help.
Thank you sir my email id is hbasavaraj1961@gmail.com
Very Nice Bramesh Sir I think if all follow correct method after taking right training all will also can make same profit.
God bless her…
Very very inspiring story. Hats off to her courage and determination.
great to see old story again .. this is what inspired me at start .. Thanks for show again .. Bramesh ji one question though , should retail traders buy options or not ? after reading this story ?
This is a real good one
This is how she did that
Actually, it is celebration time for me. I made 80 per cent returns today (September 19, the Nifty was up 186 points or 4.09 per cent). Most of the Nifty Calls went up by 80 per cent today. However, I did not invest the entire Rs 15 lakhs because I am sitting on a bit of cash as the markets have run up too fast in the recent past. I invested only 50 per cent of Rs 15 lakhs on which I made an 80 per cent return (Editor’s note: That’s a cool Rs 600,000; don’t rub your eyes in disbelief; you read it right!).
Regards
Shankar
Also one small correction here, if you don’t mind
We should not say handicapped and better way is
Physically challenged to safe guard their feelings
I think specially abled is much better
Hats of sister….Wonderful inspiring story…bull market will give her return always..but in bear market or like 2008 like sell of times i dont know how to survive with this strategy..anyway her timing is good.wishing her a huge success in her trading life.
Great to see comments from both ilango sir and bramesh sir on same blog
SUPER SIR
Very inspiring…..Hats off to sujata……Thnx Bramesh sir for sharing
Wonderful…..
Good one. Really Inspiring. Wish her all the best.
Bramesh this is one of your best articles
Hats off to her! This was a good read.
Her “Call” came; and she promptly “Put” her money.
Art of surrendering to the flow…
Only when cornered, human beings dip into their wealth of talents in their deep reservoir. And other times, they are complacent….
Dear Master,
Its an Honor to see your comment. Thanks for visiting and sharing your valuable inputs.
Rgds,
Bramesh
Should appreciate the simple strategy she follows “never write Put options” because of time value decay she avoids . It does not mean it is right always, but she plays somewhat safe..