From an INSIDER to an INSIDER TRADER...

Humpty dumpty had a great fall….

We all have been hearing this rhyme since our childhood days. But I have now seen its real life existence.

Mr. Rajat gupta, a corporate turk, had experienced only the “highs” in his career to finally have an “irreparable low”. The US judiciary has accused him of insider trading and has been given a sentence of 25 years in jail. While working in Goldman Sachs, he gave off secret information about many investment plans (most crucial being the Berkshire Hathaway investment) which were not to be revealed. He leaked the confidential details to his former business associate and a fallen hedge fund manager, Mr. Rajaratnam. The mighty mogul had no other option but to stand in shame as another indian, Mr. Preet bahara , US attorney, convicted him.

Well, the jurors have given their decision but what is it that we learn from all this egregious fiasco?

First and the foremost, GREED IS GOOD BUT NOT GODLY!!

One always aspires to rise higher in their own fields. As soon as we start gaining name and fame, greed and avarice must not overcome our principles. Knowingly or unknowingly, Mr. Rajat became a victim to vices just to attain a share of the profits of Rajaratnam’s firm – The Galleon Group. Greed is insidious and FATAL! He had already reached at great positions in every firm he was recruited to. Then what was the need for greed?

 His hubris has put all his efforts into debris.

Secondly, ONLY ONE FROG CAN MAKE THE WHOLE POND DIRTY.

Mr. Rajat Gupta had co-founded ISB (Indian school of Business) with Mr. Anil Kumar. Initially, when Mr. Rajaratnam offered him the incentive, both got swayed away. Due to the evil intentions of the hedge fund titan, both the aspiring businessmen lost their identity.  After burning the midnight oil for the past 10 years, he had gained high reputation and experience.  He just forgot that his small mistake can cause a sea change in Wall Street mechanisms. Had he responded to Mr. Rajaratnam’s offer acrimoniously, he would have lost an “acquaintance” but not his “self-respect”.

Your associate circle can make or mar you !

Thirdly, VINCIT OMNIA VERITAS – Truth conquers all.

Mr. Rajat might consider his mistake as small. However, he can’t deny the fact that he has caused a loss of $ 5 billion to Goldman Sachs. He has indirectly given away the earnings of Goldman Sachs (for three quarters) for no benefit of the company. This is surely the work of a TRAITOR ! The jurors in Manhattan said that they tried their best to save Mr. Rajat but the evidences were so strong against him that they couldn’t help much. The diatribe which Mr. Rajat Gupta is facing is certainly not what he wished for but his careless actions have led him into a pandemonium.

 Let’s wish the best for him and hope that other corporate professionals would learn from his life story.

 After all, Success is a ladder not an elevator.