For me, bonds have been a safer option compared to stocks or mutual funds. FD is always a safer bet, but the interest rate and the lock-in period handicapped my investments. I still believe in investing in an FD, but I also don't want to put all my eggs in one basket. Initially, when I went in for mutual funds, it was great, but for almost a year, I did not have any substantial growth in my fund. Even with a direct stock portfolio, it needed a lot of time investment, which I couldn't give. So considering the time factor, the risk factor, and the lock-in period, I felt bonds were a safer, less risky bet. And having interest from bonds every month or quarterly is a breather because, in a short period, there is the satisfaction of interest.