Comment Essays for The National Abu Dhabi
Party Animal?
My Life: negotiating new roles as we age Shoba Narayan Jan 4, 2012 I've noticed a curious phenomenon: men get more introverted as they get older and women more extroverted. I see it in several of my married friends. [...]
About Christmas and Inspiration
Christmas inspiration takes a note from many cultures Shoba Narayan Dec 25, 2011 Our largely Hindu community in Bangalore, India, is practising Christmas carols and I am trawling the world for inspiration. I like the majestic rendition of Joy to [...]
For The National Abu Dhabi on Singapore
From durian to Kampong Glam Shoba Narayan (Writer) Sep 19, 2009 It is 4pm and the Ramadan bazaar in Geylang Serai, the Malay enclave of Singapore, is bustling. Tomorrow is Hari Raya Puasa, the local name for Eid al Fitr [...]
Hotel Business
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 [...]
Losing weight without exercise
Want to lose weight without the pain? Try a little instability Shoba Narayan (Writer) Mar 3, 2010 It is a truth universally acknowledged that every single human in possession of good fortune still must be in want of a better body. [...]
Reinventing last year’s fashion: upcycling, recycling: for The National Abu Dhabi
Altered notions: recycling last year's fashions Shoba Narayan (Writer) Mar 22, 2010 next previous It is a problem that afflicts every fashion designer: what to do with last season's clothes that didn't sell? In India, unlike the US or Europe, [...]
MF Hussain: India shamed as its greatest painter is driven abroad: The National Abu Dhabi
India shamed as its greatest painter is driven abroad Shoba Narayan (Writer) Mar 10, 2010 India's treasured painter Maqbool Fida Hussain officially handed over his Indian passport and became a Qatari citizen yesterday. He is never returning home and Indians should [...]
For The National Abu Dhabi on the Kumbh Mela
The spectacle of Hindu pilgrims converging near the Ganga.
Secular India
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 [...]
Secular India
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 [...]
Microfinance
Microfinance has become a big deal for India's poorest Shoba Narayan (Writer) Aug 7, 2010 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 arguably most [...]
Cappadoccia
Cappadocia: wonders above and below Shoba Narayan (Writer) May 29, 2010 next previous When my father-in-law turned 70 a few years ago, he had two wishes: to visit Turkey and Angkor Wat. Angkor made sense for this gentle scholar of [...]