SBenegaL

Category: Business History

  • Dhanda – Shobha Bondre

    This book has been on my to-do list for quite some time, and I needed to complete it earlier since it is part of a trio of books – Paiso, Rokda, and Dhanda. Each book highlights the stories of different entrepreneurs and their experiences within their communities. Paiso centers on the Sindhi community, Rokda on the Baniya community, and Dhandha on the Gujarati community. Together, these are packaged in a collection titled – “The Indian Business.”

    I believe this book is the most readable of the three in the collection. I think it is due to a combination of two factors that enhance the ease of reading: the author’s connection to the context and the quality of the translation. It includes the stories of:

    1. Bhimjibhai Patel
    2. Mohanbhai Patel
    3. Dalpatbhai Patel
    4. Jaydev Patel
    5. Hasu and Hersha Shah

    This is an insightful read for anyone seeking to gain an understanding of the various early challenges faced by the entrepreneurs discussed in the book.

  • Against all odds: The IT story of India – Kris Gopalkishnan and others

    I first heard about this book when one of the doctoral program alumna of IIMB, Dayasindhu, shared the book he had written on the WhatsApp group. As someone who is excited by history and likes to read about it, I wanted to get my hands on this as soon as I could. I thought this would have several overlaps with the other book by Kiran Karnik about the NASSCOM, but I was pleasantly surprised there was little to no repetition. 

    The book is written by 3 authors—Kris Gopalkrishnan, N. Dayasindhu, and Krishnan Narayanan. Dyasindhu and Krishnan are founders of the itihaasa Research and Digital, which has been working on the IT history project for quite some time. This book is possibly the most comprehensive story about the evolution of the IT industry in India, right from the import of the systems at various IITs through to the proliferation of the IT companies across many metros. I have read a few books (mostly anecdotal and personal accounts) about the IT history in the country, but this one scores it very high on the documented history. The authors take you on a wonderful journey. 

    If you are looking to learn about the IT industry’s trajectory over the years, This is possibly where you need to start and then fit the other personal narratives into the story. 

    Happy Reading!

  • Rokda – Nikhil Inamdar

    Image of the book's coverpage

    Part of “The Indian Business” Box set, ‘Rokda’ focuses on five Baniya businessmen who have disrupted their respective industries. The book sheds light on the story of Emami, Snapdeal, Meru, Hindware, and Bansal classes.

    The book is a light read for the enthusiasts who want to know the stories. Do not expect any deep insight about the community or the style of doing business.

    Happy Reading!