Category Archives: Business Column

The hardest set of columns I have written. For the Business pages of The National

Royal Enfield

Posted on June 7, 2012 by

Royal Enfield reinventing the wheels Shoba Narayan Jun 7, 2012 In what could have been a risky manoeuvre, the 119-year old brand of Royal Enfield redesigned its motorbikes.next previous In what could have been a risky manoeuvre, the 119-year old … Continue reading →

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About Starbucks

Posted on February 5, 2012 by

Starbucks has to wake up and smell the coffee in India Shoba Narayan Café Coffee Day, an Indian coffee chain, will offer serious competition to Starbucks, which aims to open 50 outlets by the end of the year. Aijaz Rahi … Continue reading →

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Hotel Business

Posted on December 16, 2011 by

In the hotel business, bigger isn’t always better Shoba Narayan (Writer) Jan 27, 2010   Mohammed is afraid of losing his job. I met the middle-aged man from Kerala in Bahrain’s transit lounge. Emboldened by my few words of Malayalam, and since we … Continue reading →

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Secular India

Posted on December 16, 2011 by

A tolerant and secular India is a myth to make real Shoba Narayan (Writer) Mar 29, 2010   While the roots of Hindu-Muslim enmity in India run deep, every now and then – and dishearteningly, with increasing frequency – certain events … Continue reading →

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Microfinance

Posted on December 16, 2011 by

Microfinance has become a big deal for India’s poorest Shoba Narayan (Writer) Aug 7, 2010 next previous   For all the controversy surrounding SKS Microfinance’s initial public offering (IPO) last week, its shares were fully subscribed. SKS is India’s largest and … Continue reading →

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Money Buys Happiness

Posted on December 16, 2011 by

Money makes the world go round and can buy happiness Shoba Narayan (Writer) Aug 28, 2010 Experiences bring more happiness than objects.   BLOOMBERG next previous Go to photo 0   Last week, I did something I have never done before. … Continue reading →

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Quintessentially

Posted on December 16, 2011 by

India’s super-rich a quintessentially complicated bunch Shoba Narayan Sep 26, 2010 next previous   I have a request for Paul Drummond, the boyish co-founder of Quintessentially, the UK-based luxury concierge service: can he get me into elBulli before it closes … Continue reading →

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Indian Pharma

Posted on December 16, 2011 by

A dose of Indian state support will keep drug firms healthy Shoba Narayan Oct 3, 2010   Indians are not pill poppers. Or so I thought until a report in the Lancet Infectious Disease Journal linked an antibiotic-resistant “superbug” to … Continue reading →

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Oberoi Hotels

Posted on December 16, 2011 by

White knight to old man’s rescue when black-tie party’s over Shoba Narayan (Writer) Sep 4, 2010 next previous   Hotel insiders in India have been wondering about the fate of the Oberoi hotels group for some time now, given that its … Continue reading →

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Indian Exuberance is misplaced

Posted on December 16, 2011 by

Indian exuberance is misplaced Shoba Narayan Oct 10, 2010   The odious comparison comes up all the time, especially during the recent run up to the Commonwealth Games. Every time a walkway collapsed or an official complained about filthy toilets, … Continue reading →

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