How Illiberal Politics is Impacting Business and Economies

For the past several centuries the world has made much of its progress on the back of the relationship between citizens, governments and businesses. From the time of the Magna Carta, when aristocratic barons seized privileges and rights from the monarchy, businesses have had the upper hand in the relationship. As agents of innovation and… Continue reading How Illiberal Politics is Impacting Business and Economies

Does India’s Budget 2020 Rev Up Growth: Owl Wisdom Podcast

The Indian government just presented the Union Budget for 2020-21 a few days ago, and this one was more anticipated than those in years gone by for the simple reason that the current slowdown in the Indian economy is unprecedented. In this Indian budget special edition of the Owl Wisdom Podcast, I examine the highlights… Continue reading Does India’s Budget 2020 Rev Up Growth: Owl Wisdom Podcast

Five Highs and Lows in 2020: Owl Wisdom Podcast

It's not a New Year resolution, but I thought it might be a good idea for me to attempt podcasting in 2020 as a way of adding another dimension to my blog. And in keeping with the tradition of my blog, the podcasts too will be written at the intersection of business, economics, politics and… Continue reading Five Highs and Lows in 2020: Owl Wisdom Podcast

A Paean to Thymos

Over a year ago, I had written a post on identity politics as it exists around the world, including in India, and in it I had referred to an excerpt from Francis Fukuyama’s new book, Identity, that I happened to read online on Quillette. I had then said that I would like to read the… Continue reading A Paean to Thymos

Revisionism Stirring a Hornet’s Nest in India

What started out in the state of Assam as a citizenship determination exercise, has now snowballed into a national and constitutional crisis. The government at the Centre justifies its stand on the grounds that they are correcting a historical wrong and are meeting an election promise. And they are determined to make both CAA (Citizenship… Continue reading Revisionism Stirring a Hornet’s Nest in India

Why Britain Might Be Leaving Its Future Behind in 2019 Election

Never was there a parliamentary election in the UK more consequential and important than the one that just concluded a fortnight ago. It was supposed to be about Britain searching for her identity, her place in the world. Instead, it was just another referendum on Brexit, as was expected. After all the political theatre around… Continue reading Why Britain Might Be Leaving Its Future Behind in 2019 Election

Creative vs Strategy: What Difference Does Which Make?

For as long as I have been in advertising and brand communications, which is several decades, there has been a debate on which is more important: brand strategy or the creative idea. In other words, the message or how that message is communicated. I came across some international campaigns recently which brought up the question… Continue reading Creative vs Strategy: What Difference Does Which Make?

When Lady Courage Wields Her Pen

Let me start by confessing that I am embarrassed that it has taken me a year to read the books that I had bought last year, and write about them. There has just been so much to read through the year, that I kept putting off reading the books that I had bought at last… Continue reading When Lady Courage Wields Her Pen