If one person's misery is the other's happiness, then it is also true that people make fun of things that they fear like the carnage in the stock market.

In the middle of turmoil, the stock markets have become the butt of jokes being circulated across media such as the Web and mobile phones.

"Bankrupt allowed to return to their native place without ticket -- (Railway Minister) Lalu Prasad," goes one rude SMS joke.

Other 'jokes' border on being stupid: "Good time to invest in stocks of Rupa Frontline, VIP underwear, Jockey briefs etc. 'Sab ki chaddi utar gayi' (everyone has lost their briefs). So, everyone will buy a new one."

Share market investors have lost over Rs 14 trillion in the last seven days, which saw stock prices fall sharply over fears about a possible recession in the United States.

"Bankrupt will be given red imported wheat free on ration - (Agriculture Minister) Sharad Pawar," was one other joke that a self-styled funnyman came up with.

Also from his stable, was a joke about Finance Minister P Chidambaram announcing a decision to treat 'all losses in the market as tax deducted at source.'

Another jester came up with this spoof on the Ambanis, whose group companies usually drive the market: "Latest blockbuster movie 'Saare Zameen Par' (stars bite dust; a spoof on the Bollywood hit film, Taare Zameen Par) -- premiere on BSE and NSE directed, produced and acted by Ambani brothers. Power on, market gone."

Only 4.3 million of India's over one billion people invest in stock markets.

• Don't panic, economy robust: FM
• Crash? Stay invested, say experts
• Why the stock market crashed
• External link: Subprime-hit banks may sell Indian assets
• The 10 biggest falls in Sensex history
• Market correction? What's that?