US China relations
US and China must forge mutual trust to end currency war Shoba Narayan Oct 24, 2010 It was at the Expo 2010 Shanghai that I encountered Song Hongbing's bookThe Currency War. I was with a few Chinese acquaintances, introduced [...]
Tourist Traps
I'll buy my share of tourist tat, but skip the hard sell Shoba Narayan Nov 14, 2010 next previous The first time it happened was in Egypt. I walked out of the Pyramids of Giza, dying to buy a [...]
Master Bazaar Economics
Master bazaar economics and drive a hard bargain Shoba Narayan Oct 31, 2010 next previous I am driving my Scorpio van with two kids and a Labrador in the back. At 7am, Bangalore is cool and quiet, its roads [...]
Obama and Singh
Obama and Singh meet at crossroads Shoba Narayan Nov 7, 2010 Pity Barack Obama. The President of the US is in India for his first visit and expectations, in terms of symbolism and substance, are sky-high. "Great Expectations to [...]
Maids, Mothers in law, Chores
Maids, mother-in-laws and the Zen of housework Shoba Narayan Nov 1, 2010 It happens to me everywhere - from Dubai to Delhi, from Saudi Arabia to Singapore, from Bahrain to Bengal. Wherever I have lived, when a group of [...]
Middle Class Car Buying
India's middle class is entitled to cars its new money can buy Shoba Narayan Nov 21, 2010 Car sales are booming all over India. That's the old news. How to manage the upsurge? That's the future. Before I get to [...]
Spices Pepper McCormic
McCormick must work hard to spice up Indian market Shoba Narayan Nov 28, 2010 next previous Here is how we make garam masala seasoning in my house: we buy the dozen or so spices separately from a variety of [...]
Ratan Tata
The quiet man of Indian big business finds his voice Shoba Narayan Dec 5, 2010 next previous It was a cool day in the middle of last month when Ratan Tata, 73, the chairman of Tata Sons, the promoter [...]
Holistic Health Care
Between nature and the laboratory, a cure for all our ills Shoba Narayan Dec 12, 2010 As healthcare debates rage on throughout the world, a heartening event is occurring in my hometown, Bangalore. Backed by state and central governments, [...]
Savings tips for household help
In the new year, a savings tip for hired help Shoba Narayan Dec 19, 2010 It is that time of year when many of us are thinking about Christmas and year-end bonuses for those who help us. Most of [...]
Energy, Onions, India
All focus on energy for India but no heat to cook curry Shoba Narayan Dec 26, 2010 next previous Horamavu village seems like an odd place to take stock of the year, but it is in this little hamlet [...]
Tourism Bedside Manners
Tourists appreciate bedside manners and smart service Shoba Narayan Jan 2, 2011 next previous So where did you go for New Year's? For much of Asia and indeed the world, it would have been the Middle East. According to a [...]