Book Review: Rokda – How Baniyas do business by Nikhil Inamdar

‘Rokda – How Baniyas do business’ is a delightful little book about the Baniya community in India. A compilation of the business stories of five luminary businessmen from the Baniya community, 'Rokda' manages to enthrall and keep the reader hooked till the end.

Capturing the life stories of Rohit Bansal (Snapdeal), V. K. Bansal (Kota’s famous Bansal Classes), R. K. Somany (HSIL  who makes Hindware), Neeraj Gupta (Meru Cabs) and Radheshyam Gupta & Radheshyam Aggarwal (Emami Group), ‘Rokda’ manages to bring to life the spirit and enterprise of the indefatigable Baniya. Exceedingly well written and paced almost like a thriller in parts, Inamdar’s ‘Rokda’ is the kind of book that should ideally be setting bestseller charts ablaze.

Where ‘Rokda’ fails to some extent is explain exactly ‘how Baniyas do business’ which is maybe the reason a lot of businessmen or bright eyed B-School goers will pick up the book (having read it on the cover). However, it needs to be read as what it actually is – a biography of India told through five different stories – how five enterprising individuals whether through luck or gumption and always through the never-give-up Baniya spirit managed to thrive in India not because of, but despite a paralytic unfriendly socio-political business environment.

The book doesn’t really spell out what Baniyas actually do but that to a large extent, is in clear sight: one way or the other, they simply manage to thrive in a country that has always been anti-business. On reading the book, one gets the sense that is not really something that can be taught. The Baniya’s greatest trait (aside from his all-pervasive frugality) is that he never gives up. He adapts. It’s in his blood. It will take a great deal of psychological evolution for other businessmen and perhaps even Multinationals to react in the same manner.

Nikhil Inamdar won me over with his charming story about India through the eyes of five Baniyas. My personal favorites were the Meru Cabs and Emami group stories. Especially in the case of Emami group it is amazing how there is so little (apparent) discord between the extend families of Radheshyam Gupta & Radheshyam Aggarwal, all of whom are involved in the business. Such stories are indeed rare.

A page turner. (I finished the book in four hours flat.) And, highly recommended.