New Delhi, Aug. 13 -- Borrowing today isn't just about covering a cash shortfall; it's become a deliberate part of financial planning. People take loans for many reasons: to buy a home or vehicle, to invest in a business, or simply to enjoy aspirational purchases without liquidating investments.

Increasingly, borrowers weigh the opportunity cost of selling long-term investments against the cost of borrowing. Many prefer to keep investments that have performed well over the past four to five years and instead borrow at rates they believe are lower than the returns they'd forgo by selling. In these cases, borrowing is a strategic choice, not a last resort.

India has seen strong credit growth with roughly 14-16% in recent years, and that e...