Bombay businessmen have historically trod a fine line between minding their own interests with the need to keep in the good books of the powers-that-be
Farrokh Jijina
The coastal port city of Bombay "gave space to 18th century traders to become business barons — there was more latitude to expand, than say, in Calcutta; the pathshalas (local schools) honed the mathematical skills of their students… this was a major asset in business; businessmen displayed a fine sense of balance between the need to keep the administration happy and at the same time further their own interests,” according to special features editor of The Economic Times (ET) Vikram Doctor. He was speaking at a panel discussion on "Building Bombay: Business Families and the City,” organized by public programming......