Business Today readers' feedback on the magazine's coverage

Business Today readers share their feedback on the magazine's coverage -

MIND-BOGGLING COLLECTIONS

This refers to your special issue on luxury (September 13). Well, luxury means different things to different people. I tried a Google search on "luxury" images and the results included a gold-plated shower-head, Rolls-Royce Phantom, a jewel-studded palm tree and a villa exterior - just to name a few. "Some people think luxury is the opposite of poverty. It is not. It is the opposite of vulgarity," according to Coco Chanel. Says US fashion designer Michael Kors: "For me, true luxury can be caviar or a day with no meetings, no appointments and no schedule." All said and done, I feel when the common man is feeling the pinch of high inflation, the BT team seems to be enjoying an awesome sense of humour by coming out with a Luxury Issue, as if to divert the common man's attention from the necessities of life. Reading about how the filthy rich and the famous simply splurge on things they want/desire makes readers like me feel depressed to know what exactly they are missing. However, the luxury collection was, indeed, mind-boggling. Kudos to the BT family for bringing out a fabulous edition. - J.S. Broca, New Delhi

REVOLUTION IN BANKING SECTOR

This refers to your article on payments banks (Changing the Game, September 13). The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) in-principle nod for 11 payments banks - which include the country's two major telecom players, three large corporate houses and others - has already created a revolution in the banking sector. The most surprising is the selection of National Securities Depository Ltd against some popular names like Pay Point and Mobikwik Systems. Under the RBI's differentiated banking approach, these payments banks can give stiff competition to retail banks in India. - Ankur Chopra, Pune

GM's BARRA DESERVES RICH ENCOMIUMS

This refers to an interview with Mary Teresa Barra, CEO of General Motors (August 30). It was an excellent interaction. GM's indication that 20 per cent of the global investment is being earmarked for India despite its move to close down the plant in Gujarat stresses the fact that India is still in the list of desired destinations for substantial investment. Its target of 30 per cent Indian volumes through the Talegaon plant for export must be complemented with certain regulatory relaxation, fetching increased foreign exchange to India. The company's apprehension about manufacturing electric vehicles in India is misplaced. In fact, the government must give tax holidays for such an endeavour so that GM is able to compete with Mahindra, resulting in advantage to consumers. Barra's unassuming attitude towards her leadership engagement and her honest advice for education of the youth deserve rich encomiums. - B. Rajasekaran, Bangalore

ENJOYING LOW FARES, COMFORTABLE RIDES

This refers to your feature on the ongoing changes in the taxi sector (Taxi Wars, August 30). Technology has revolutionised the operating models in almost each sector. So, it is no surprise that even the taxi sector is now a part of it. Today, it is all about apps, shifting the power to the consumer. Many players are jostling for a slice of this lucrative pie. The challenges ahead are many. The first one is retaining cab drivers. Ask any cab driver and he has multiple apps on his phone. He switches the one which helps him earn more. While that sounds correct from their point of view, it also gives them a sort of power to muscle the company into paying more. We never know when a market leader may be toppled by a new entrant. Or, probably a new model could change the dynamics of this sector. Till then, let us sit back, enjoy the low fares and comfortable rides, and witness the change. - Gaurav Gupta, Pune