The Buzz
- Soon after Tata Steel announced its plan to acquire the one million tonne steel business of Kolkata based Usha Martin for up to Rs 4,700 crore, the founder of the wire and specialty steel maker, Basant Jhawar and his son Prashant issued a statement seeking clarity on the end-use of sale proceeds.
- A surge in crude past $80 a barrel and rupee falling towards the 73 level have suddenly become a headache for policymakers.
- India's fifth largest bank was well on track for a complete transformation with new professional management when a government announcement changed its entire game plan.
- India can potentially triple its existing $19 billion worth goods trade with South Asia to $62 billion, says a World Bank study.
- The government sounds confident that it can crack NPAs with the Insolvency and the Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
- Service providers are irate after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued new draft guidelines for Mobile Number Portability.
- The Rs 22-lakh crore Non Banking Finance Companies (NBFC) space grew robustly though the last few years were very challenging. The tide, however, appears to be turning now.
- Three Indian states - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, alone are home to over 3.5 crore poor, and deprived families.
- Debate and vigil over Aadhaar linking need to continue.
Fine Art Spaces
Apart from offering the ultimate luxurious experiences to their guests, luxury hotels are also home to priceless works of art. The huge spurt in young art collectors is expected to boost the Indian art market. A personal 'spiritual' journey towards finding that perfect drink. While luxe hotels offer standardised services, homestays are about privacy, and experience. The silence of the car will be a luxury in itself. Many luxury consumers buy exclusive residences not just as an investment but also with a desire to leave these for future generations. Watchmakers charge top dollar not just for the expensive materials they use, but also for the stellar reputations they have built, and innovation. The 20-year-old King of Jaipur turns fashion icon. Disruptions such as electrification, autonomous driving and connected technologies will pave the way for luxury cars that will be more futuristic and cutting-edge than ever.The Many Hues of Luxury Shopping
As the number of uber-rich continues to rise, expect heated action in high-end retail in the coming years. As security needs become more complex, the rich and the famous are cherry picking the best from India's armed forces to protect themselves and their families. High-end suites are getting increasingly popular with corporate travellers, and hotels are lapping it up. Bill Lumsden's innovation leads to new flavours for connoisseurs to enjoy in each sip.Mumbai: The New Gourmet Capital
How, and why, India's commercial capital is home to the most exciting culinary innovations in the country. Owning a citizenship is a sought after luxury among the world's rich, and countries are not letting the opportunity pass. Four Seasons private jet tours allow you to hop across continents and feast your senses on fresh experiences, while travelling in the comfort of a private jet. Hotels in India organise pop-ups with Michelin-starred chefs to give guests the experience of a lifetime.A Billion Dollar Balancing Act
How ultra-rich stay rich; their world of trusts, private bankers and offshore destinations.
Leaderspeak
"Two things are essential for success. One is passion, which drives us to heroic acts, and the other is innovation, which gives us an identity."
The Experiential Luxury
Every year, a number of very respectable organisations - management consultancies, wealth managers, tax advisors, property consultants, and media firms - try to find out the number of super wealthy people worldwide and, of course, in individual countries.
