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Roller Coaster: An Affair with Banking | Beyond Debit & Credit: The Untold Story of Indian Bankers
Beyond Debit & The Untold Story of Indian Bankers
Do you know what it meant when bankers said “Chinese cuisine”, “Punjabi food”, or “Gujarati thali”?
An RBI governor let down his hair at his
farewell dinner to swing to “Lungi Dance” from the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chennai Express.
The chairman of a financial institution relied on “signals” from the idol of a goddess kept in his cabin for clearing loan proposals.
A public sector bank chairman liked to munch hot chilies with his lunch. A kitchen help was deputed to mop up the sweat from his bald head!
Roller Coaster is a string of such stories and revelations from the country’s foremost banking journalist's affair with the industry—even though banks were not ideal partners for such liaisons. He has seen the industry and dramatis personae grow over two and a half decades, first as a rookie reporter, then as an editor and a columnist, and, finally, as an author.
The book brings to light the lives of India’s commercial and central bankers. But it does not discuss their successes, failures, or the ever-evolving dynamics of monetary and fiscal policies. It's about their persona, warts and all—how they are as leaders, how they evolved, and how they changed the culture and ethos of the Indian banking sector.
Dive in for inside information about some of the biggest names associated with Indian banking—Uday Kotak, Sandeep Bakhshi, Amitabh Chaudhry, V. Vaidyanathan, as well as C. Rangarajan, Bimal Jalan, Y. V. Reddy, D. Subbarao, Raghuram Rajan, Urjit Patel, Shaktikanta Das, and many more.
Do you know what it meant when bankers said “Chinese cuisine”, “Punjabi food”, or “Gujarati thali”?
An RBI governor let down his hair at his
farewell dinner to swing to “Lungi Dance” from the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chennai Express.
The chairman of a financial institution relied on “signals” from the idol of a goddess kept in his cabin for clearing loan proposals.
A public sector bank chairman liked to munch hot chilies with his lunch. A kitchen help was deputed to mop up the sweat from his bald head!
Roller Coaster is a string of such stories and revelations from the country’s foremost banking journalist's affair with the industry—even though banks were not ideal partners for such liaisons. He has seen the industry and dramatis personae grow over two and a half decades, first as a rookie reporter, then as an editor and a columnist, and, finally, as an author.
The book brings to light the lives of India’s commercial and central bankers. But it does not discuss their successes, failures, or the ever-evolving dynamics of monetary and fiscal policies. It's about their persona, warts and all—how they are as leaders, how they evolved, and how they changed the culture and ethos of the Indian banking sector.
Dive in for inside information about some of the biggest names associated with Indian banking—Uday Kotak, Sandeep Bakhshi, Amitabh Chaudhry, V. Vaidyanathan, as well as C. Rangarajan, Bimal Jalan, Y. V. Reddy, D. Subbarao, Raghuram Rajan, Urjit Patel, Shaktikanta Das, and many more.
- GenresBankingNonfiction
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2023
37 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Tamal Bandyopadhyay
18 books56 followersTamal Bandyopadhyay is an Indian business journalist, known for his weekly column on banking and finance Banker's Trust published in Mint, an Indian business daily brought out by HT Media Ltd. He has authored four books namely From Lehman to Demonetization: A Decade of Disruptions, Reforms and Misadventures Bandhan: The Making of a Bank, Sahara: The Untold Story and A Bank for the Buck.
He is popular for his weekly column on banking and finance called Banker's Trust which is published every Monday. His frequent blog Banker's Trust Real Time on livemint.com analyses major developments in the financial sector.
Between April and November 2011, he ran a 32 episode series on Bloomberg India TV, called Banker's Trust, where senior central bankers, commercial bankers, and economists were interviewed every week.
Releasing Tamal's first book, A Bank for the Buck, in November 2012, then finance minister P Chidambaram said, "In a period of great financial illiteracy, it's refreshing to have a book written by somebody very literate about matters relating to finance". In his foreword to the book, former governor of Reserve Bank of India, Y. Venugopal Reddy, wrote, "It's a sort of recent oral history of a financial institution. Tamal has set a new trend in the dissemination of knowledge."
Tamal's second book, Sahara: The Untold Story, details the beginnings and the current day working of the secretive Sahara India Parivar. Well researched, with umpteen interviews with people concerned including Subrata Roy, the book was also cause of a stay order later requested by the Sahara group. In December 2013, the Sahara India Pariwar, moved Calcutta High Court, got a stay on the publication of the book and filed a Rs 2 billion defamation suit against the author and its publisher, Jaico Publishing House.[8] In April 2014, both the parties reached an out of court settlement following which the book carries a disclaimer by Sahara which says, among other things, the book has "defamatory content" --something unprecedented in Indian publishing history, as narrated in Sue the Messenger by Subir Ghosh, with Paranjoy Guha Thakurta. [9]
He has also published a book of poems in Bengali Anupam Meenrashi in January 2014.
He is popular for his weekly column on banking and finance called Banker's Trust which is published every Monday. His frequent blog Banker's Trust Real Time on livemint.com analyses major developments in the financial sector.
Between April and November 2011, he ran a 32 episode series on Bloomberg India TV, called Banker's Trust, where senior central bankers, commercial bankers, and economists were interviewed every week.
Releasing Tamal's first book, A Bank for the Buck, in November 2012, then finance minister P Chidambaram said, "In a period of great financial illiteracy, it's refreshing to have a book written by somebody very literate about matters relating to finance". In his foreword to the book, former governor of Reserve Bank of India, Y. Venugopal Reddy, wrote, "It's a sort of recent oral history of a financial institution. Tamal has set a new trend in the dissemination of knowledge."
Tamal's second book, Sahara: The Untold Story, details the beginnings and the current day working of the secretive Sahara India Parivar. Well researched, with umpteen interviews with people concerned including Subrata Roy, the book was also cause of a stay order later requested by the Sahara group. In December 2013, the Sahara India Pariwar, moved Calcutta High Court, got a stay on the publication of the book and filed a Rs 2 billion defamation suit against the author and its publisher, Jaico Publishing House.[8] In April 2014, both the parties reached an out of court settlement following which the book carries a disclaimer by Sahara which says, among other things, the book has "defamatory content" --something unprecedented in Indian publishing history, as narrated in Sue the Messenger by Subir Ghosh, with Paranjoy Guha Thakurta. [9]
He has also published a book of poems in Bengali Anupam Meenrashi in January 2014.
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March 8, 2023Roller Coaster: An Affair with Banking by Tamal Bandopadhyay is a captivating account of the Indian banking industry, as seen through the eyes of one of the country's most experienced financial journalists. The book offers readers a unique glimpse into the world of Indian banking, providing insights into the lives of some of the industry's most prominent personalities, including bankers, central bankers, and policymakers.
The book is structured as a series of anecdotes, each offering a fascinating insight into the personalities and idiosyncrasies of the individuals that make up the Indian banking industry. From RBI governors who let their hair down on the dance floor to bankers who rely on divine intervention to clear loan proposals, the book offers a rich tapestry of stories that provide a deep insight into the personalities that have shaped the Indian banking industry.
One of the key strengths of the book is its author's deep knowledge and experience of the Indian banking industry. As one of the country's foremost banking journalists, Bandopadhyay has a wealth of knowledge and insight into the workings of the industry. He draws on this knowledge to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of the Indian banking industry, covering its evolution over the past two and a half decades, as well as the personalities that have shaped it.
The book's focus on the personalities and idiosyncrasies of the individuals that make up the Indian banking industry makes it a refreshing read. Rather than focusing on the dry, technical aspects of banking, Bandopadhyay provides readers with a lively and engaging account of the human side of the industry. This focus on the personalities and idiosyncrasies of the individuals that make up the industry is what sets the book apart from other accounts of the Indian banking industry.
However, the book is not without its weaknesses. One of the main criticisms that can be levelled at the book is its limited scope. The book focuses mainly on the governors of RBI and CEOs of leading private sector banks, in the post-liberalisation era. This means that the book's coverage of the Indian banking industry is somewhat limited, and readers looking for a more comprehensive account of the industry may be left wanting.
In conclusion, Roller Coaster: An Affair with Banking is a fascinating and engaging account of the Indian banking industry. It provides readers with a unique glimpse into the lives of some of the industry's most prominent personalities, offering a deep insight into the human side of the industry. While its limited scope may be a weakness, the book is a must-read for anyone interested in the Indian banking industry, or for anyone looking for an engaging and entertaining read.
The book is structured as a series of anecdotes, each offering a fascinating insight into the personalities and idiosyncrasies of the individuals that make up the Indian banking industry. From RBI governors who let their hair down on the dance floor to bankers who rely on divine intervention to clear loan proposals, the book offers a rich tapestry of stories that provide a deep insight into the personalities that have shaped the Indian banking industry.
One of the key strengths of the book is its author's deep knowledge and experience of the Indian banking industry. As one of the country's foremost banking journalists, Bandopadhyay has a wealth of knowledge and insight into the workings of the industry. He draws on this knowledge to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of the Indian banking industry, covering its evolution over the past two and a half decades, as well as the personalities that have shaped it.
The book's focus on the personalities and idiosyncrasies of the individuals that make up the Indian banking industry makes it a refreshing read. Rather than focusing on the dry, technical aspects of banking, Bandopadhyay provides readers with a lively and engaging account of the human side of the industry. This focus on the personalities and idiosyncrasies of the individuals that make up the industry is what sets the book apart from other accounts of the Indian banking industry.
However, the book is not without its weaknesses. One of the main criticisms that can be levelled at the book is its limited scope. The book focuses mainly on the governors of RBI and CEOs of leading private sector banks, in the post-liberalisation era. This means that the book's coverage of the Indian banking industry is somewhat limited, and readers looking for a more comprehensive account of the industry may be left wanting.
In conclusion, Roller Coaster: An Affair with Banking is a fascinating and engaging account of the Indian banking industry. It provides readers with a unique glimpse into the lives of some of the industry's most prominent personalities, offering a deep insight into the human side of the industry. While its limited scope may be a weakness, the book is a must-read for anyone interested in the Indian banking industry, or for anyone looking for an engaging and entertaining read.
May 27, 2023
It was an average read, some of the insights of the banking sector is interesting, however there is no value addition in terms of content.
September 24, 2023
The book wasn't what I expected it to be. I thought that a lot of intricate formulas and technical issues will be discussed. But the book is more anecdotal and it highlights the practices and happenings at the ground level from higher executive level to branch level. The author has also covered the central bank of our country through the tenure of its various heads and has given a bird's eye view of their functioning style and how they steered the nation out of the contentious situations which the nation faced during their tenure. Highlights of the story that I loved are as follows:
1) The author talks about his first interview as a reporter in Times of India, Mumbai. He shares his experience of the interview in which he was asked why does he want to pursue this profession? His answer was quite impressive. He recited a poem by Robert Browning, "A grammarian's funeral". The poem tells a story about a grammarian. His interest in knowing the mysteries of the world and human life led him to spend his existence reading and gaining knowledge. He lived in a world far away from common people. Even after his death, there was nobody around him and only vultures could give his grave company on the mountaintop. So, the author said that he doesn't want to be a grammarian in his pursuit of knowledge and experience. He wants to learn new knowledge and experience but wants to share them as well and journalism according to him is the best platform to do this
2) I didn't know that the CMDs of public sector banks and EDs of the same bank are of the same rank. The author points out that there is a culture of EDs not listening to their EDs because the ED may become a CMD of some other bank in near future
3) Uday Kotak's ideology of "only paranoids survive", "If you don't believe in god and god doesn't exist, that is fine, but if you don't believe in God and God exists, then there is a big problem", "Leadership is not a popularity contest and some calls will have to be bold and being the boss, I need to take those calls"
4) Pygmalion effect or Rosenthal effect makes people around him believe that they can do more than what they are doing and Mr. V Vaidyanathan (CEO of IDFC first bank) brought this to the table with himself
5) Consumers pick the bank, investors pick their banker
6) It is assumed that Shaktikanta Das had the hardest task of managing the ship due to Covid-19 pandemic or D Subbarao had it when he had to manage the global economic meltdown of 2008. However, the hardest task of an RBI governor, according to the author, was in the tenure of Mr. S. Venkatiraman when India had to undergo LPG reforms and he had to go to different countries with a begging bowl for loans
7) Prime minister's office matters for a governor's survival while Finance Minister has the last word for the deputy governors
8) Raghuram Rajan was not a big fan of preparing a comprehensive theory of economy and then applying it on one go. He believed in an age old Chinese proverb, "Cross the river by feeling the stones". It basically means take the first step and feel your way through the next step. It allows one to be more practical about one's decisions
9) The idea of demonetization was first introduced at the time of Raghuram Rajan and he categorically disagreed with it. He went ahead and made his position known to the public. I didn't know that such moves have been suggested before 2016 as well and they were opposed by the then RBI governors as well. This same thing happened in 1946 when C D Deshmukh opposed it. I.G Patel opposed it in 1978. Even the 2016 exercise failed to attain its state objective of flushing out black money as out of Rs. 15.41 trillion cash in circulation at that time, Rs. 15.31 trillion came back which is 99.3%
10) Urjit patel was a Kenyan before he came to join RBI. He got his Indian citizenship in 2013
11) Any bank private or public needs RBI approval for appointment of its chairman. This same approval is not required for its directors
I am sure that this book shall entertain anyone who is interested in knowing about Indian financial sector through a historical perspective. Coincidentally, rise of the sector has coincided with the life of this author which makes it a more compelling read
1) The author talks about his first interview as a reporter in Times of India, Mumbai. He shares his experience of the interview in which he was asked why does he want to pursue this profession? His answer was quite impressive. He recited a poem by Robert Browning, "A grammarian's funeral". The poem tells a story about a grammarian. His interest in knowing the mysteries of the world and human life led him to spend his existence reading and gaining knowledge. He lived in a world far away from common people. Even after his death, there was nobody around him and only vultures could give his grave company on the mountaintop. So, the author said that he doesn't want to be a grammarian in his pursuit of knowledge and experience. He wants to learn new knowledge and experience but wants to share them as well and journalism according to him is the best platform to do this
2) I didn't know that the CMDs of public sector banks and EDs of the same bank are of the same rank. The author points out that there is a culture of EDs not listening to their EDs because the ED may become a CMD of some other bank in near future
3) Uday Kotak's ideology of "only paranoids survive", "If you don't believe in god and god doesn't exist, that is fine, but if you don't believe in God and God exists, then there is a big problem", "Leadership is not a popularity contest and some calls will have to be bold and being the boss, I need to take those calls"
4) Pygmalion effect or Rosenthal effect makes people around him believe that they can do more than what they are doing and Mr. V Vaidyanathan (CEO of IDFC first bank) brought this to the table with himself
5) Consumers pick the bank, investors pick their banker
6) It is assumed that Shaktikanta Das had the hardest task of managing the ship due to Covid-19 pandemic or D Subbarao had it when he had to manage the global economic meltdown of 2008. However, the hardest task of an RBI governor, according to the author, was in the tenure of Mr. S. Venkatiraman when India had to undergo LPG reforms and he had to go to different countries with a begging bowl for loans
7) Prime minister's office matters for a governor's survival while Finance Minister has the last word for the deputy governors
8) Raghuram Rajan was not a big fan of preparing a comprehensive theory of economy and then applying it on one go. He believed in an age old Chinese proverb, "Cross the river by feeling the stones". It basically means take the first step and feel your way through the next step. It allows one to be more practical about one's decisions
9) The idea of demonetization was first introduced at the time of Raghuram Rajan and he categorically disagreed with it. He went ahead and made his position known to the public. I didn't know that such moves have been suggested before 2016 as well and they were opposed by the then RBI governors as well. This same thing happened in 1946 when C D Deshmukh opposed it. I.G Patel opposed it in 1978. Even the 2016 exercise failed to attain its state objective of flushing out black money as out of Rs. 15.41 trillion cash in circulation at that time, Rs. 15.31 trillion came back which is 99.3%
10) Urjit patel was a Kenyan before he came to join RBI. He got his Indian citizenship in 2013
11) Any bank private or public needs RBI approval for appointment of its chairman. This same approval is not required for its directors
I am sure that this book shall entertain anyone who is interested in knowing about Indian financial sector through a historical perspective. Coincidentally, rise of the sector has coincided with the life of this author which makes it a more compelling read
April 2, 2023
Roller Coaster:An affair with Banking is not just a book it's a journey.
On one hand, it depicts the ambition, inhibition, and challenges of a young boy who relocates to Bombay (now Mumbai) upon bagging employment at TOI ( Times of India), and on the other hand, the transformation of Banking from " the days of babugiri" to "binary" & "big data" is beautifully enumerated in simple, lucid language.
The beauty of the book is the journey of the Journalist (author) and the banking is expressed in a balanced manner.
Being a PSU banker from the City of Kolkata ( popular for bandhs, gheraos, and babugiri). I could visualize several incidents narrated in the Book.
The book took me through the orbital changes in the banking industry& also the psyche of the Bankers.
The details about our "big daddy" RBI are very enriching. It was like a director narrating the detail of occurrences behind the camera lens.
I had often heard about "Gujarati thali" "Punjabi food" and "Chinese cuisine"but I got much deeper insights from the book.
I was happy to read about the vision, personality traits, and leadership ability of some of the leading honchos of the industry.
(Indeed a takeaway for me)
It's a book without heavy technical words, it will help you to understand the general psyche of the people who play a pivotal role in the economy i.e. the Bankers.
If you are a Banker, I am sure you will resonate with many instances narrated in the book. #bankingindustry
A must-read book.
Thank you Tamal Bandyopadhyay sir for taking us through a wonderful journey !!
On one hand, it depicts the ambition, inhibition, and challenges of a young boy who relocates to Bombay (now Mumbai) upon bagging employment at TOI ( Times of India), and on the other hand, the transformation of Banking from " the days of babugiri" to "binary" & "big data" is beautifully enumerated in simple, lucid language.
The beauty of the book is the journey of the Journalist (author) and the banking is expressed in a balanced manner.
Being a PSU banker from the City of Kolkata ( popular for bandhs, gheraos, and babugiri). I could visualize several incidents narrated in the Book.
The book took me through the orbital changes in the banking industry& also the psyche of the Bankers.
The details about our "big daddy" RBI are very enriching. It was like a director narrating the detail of occurrences behind the camera lens.
I had often heard about "Gujarati thali" "Punjabi food" and "Chinese cuisine"but I got much deeper insights from the book.
I was happy to read about the vision, personality traits, and leadership ability of some of the leading honchos of the industry.
(Indeed a takeaway for me)
It's a book without heavy technical words, it will help you to understand the general psyche of the people who play a pivotal role in the economy i.e. the Bankers.
If you are a Banker, I am sure you will resonate with many instances narrated in the book. #bankingindustry
A must-read book.
Thank you Tamal Bandyopadhyay sir for taking us through a wonderful journey !!
August 11, 2023
This book has a mini biography of the author , then some general pre liberalization tidbits, then a mini biography of all the bankers, after that a mini biography of recent RBI governors and finally ending with literal diary extracts (Bank manager during DeMon 2016 and and conference transcripts of a meeting.
The prose is well written. The attributes of every individual are very well highlighted , there was no "this person is better than another" but more of "all are different but good".
I would have liked a more personal touch. When I read this book it feels more like the market's opinion of the individuals has been distilled into one PoV.
The diary of the bank manager is unbelievable idealistic at times. But its a really good book if one wishes to familiarize oneself with the Indian Bank Ecosystem.
The prose is well written. The attributes of every individual are very well highlighted , there was no "this person is better than another" but more of "all are different but good".
I would have liked a more personal touch. When I read this book it feels more like the market's opinion of the individuals has been distilled into one PoV.
The diary of the bank manager is unbelievable idealistic at times. But its a really good book if one wishes to familiarize oneself with the Indian Bank Ecosystem.
January 11, 2023
A very invigorating read and a ring side view of the behaviours and character traits about the leaders of the banking industry. A rare insight and anecdotes of powerful players both in public and private sector bank undertakings. Tamal beautifully captures about dynamics between the government and the RBI as well as sneak peek into the lives of the Governors of RBI and understanding of the critical decisions they took in the interest of the autonomy as well as economy.
July 13, 2023
📌𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
🔺Roller Coaster is a string of stories and revelations from the country’s foremost banking journalist’s affair with the industry—even though banks were not ideal partners for such liaisons.
🔺He has seen the industry and dramatis personae grow over two and a half decades, first as a rookie reporter, then as an editor and a columnist, and, finally, as an author.
🔺The book brings to light the lives of India’s commercial and central bankers. But it does not discuss their successes, failures, or the ever-evolving dynamics of monetary and fiscal policies.
🔺It’s about their persona-how they are as leaders, how they evolved, and how they changed the culture and ethos of the Indian banking sector.
📌𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸
🔺The book avoids the conventional approach of discussing successes and failures, instead offering a window into the evolution and transformation of these leaders over the span of two and a half decades.
🔺Through a careful examination of their journeys, the book paints a vivid picture of the individuals who have shaped and influenced India's banking landscape.
🔺It was an okayish read for me overall and a learning that this genre didn't go well with me🙆🏻♀️ anyways it was still a learning experience.
🔺No doubts, it is a fact based and people interested in this field will find it intriguing!
📌𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
A well researched and a factful read for someone who's into analysis and banking industry or would love to explore the same!
🤔𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱?
If you are someone who is keen enough to understand the details Insights behind the banking systems, strategies and analysis, you might like this one!
🔺Roller Coaster is a string of stories and revelations from the country’s foremost banking journalist’s affair with the industry—even though banks were not ideal partners for such liaisons.
🔺He has seen the industry and dramatis personae grow over two and a half decades, first as a rookie reporter, then as an editor and a columnist, and, finally, as an author.
🔺The book brings to light the lives of India’s commercial and central bankers. But it does not discuss their successes, failures, or the ever-evolving dynamics of monetary and fiscal policies.
🔺It’s about their persona-how they are as leaders, how they evolved, and how they changed the culture and ethos of the Indian banking sector.
📌𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸
🔺The book avoids the conventional approach of discussing successes and failures, instead offering a window into the evolution and transformation of these leaders over the span of two and a half decades.
🔺Through a careful examination of their journeys, the book paints a vivid picture of the individuals who have shaped and influenced India's banking landscape.
🔺It was an okayish read for me overall and a learning that this genre didn't go well with me🙆🏻♀️ anyways it was still a learning experience.
🔺No doubts, it is a fact based and people interested in this field will find it intriguing!
📌𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
A well researched and a factful read for someone who's into analysis and banking industry or would love to explore the same!
🤔𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱?
If you are someone who is keen enough to understand the details Insights behind the banking systems, strategies and analysis, you might like this one!
May 1, 2023
This is a breezy read. It isn’t tightly sequenced and feels like Tamal regaling you with stories from his many decades as a financial reporter. You will find the book even more enjoyable if you have been in the financial markets during those years.
July 27, 2023
More of a gossip column than a book. Indian journalists should stop compiling gossip into books, its getting old. I assumed Tamal (after Bandhan) and other financial journalists were different, but naah. I just set my expectations too high. Not worth anybody's time.
May 12, 2024
Lucidly captures some of the interesting facets and important personalities of the Indian banking over the last four to five decades. More like a newspaper article than a book on finance and banking. Good for a light reading and also a pictorial description of our times.
June 23, 2024
Anecdotes without real names is extremely boring. Readers are left guessing which Banker/Bank/Company/MLA/MP/Minister you are referring to.
Only chapter 8-'Who's bigger- The Bank or the Banker' and PartIII-The Enagagement are worth reading.
Rest all is time waste.
Only chapter 8-'Who's bigger- The Bank or the Banker' and PartIII-The Enagagement are worth reading.
Rest all is time waste.
December 29, 2024
Bits and pieces about the Indian banking industry and some of its key actors. It was interesting for me in parts, because of having worked with/ heard personal accounts of working with some of these personalities. Not much insight into banking or the regular ways of working in the sector though.
January 15, 2023
A retired banker
Light reading for bankers. A number of tit-bits put together in book form. A quick read for leisurely times full of fun.
Light reading for bankers. A number of tit-bits put together in book form. A quick read for leisurely times full of fun.
March 17, 2023
No new information if u compare with Tamal's last book.
May 27, 2023
"Roller Coaster" by Tamal Bandyopadhyay is an intriguing account of the Indian banking sector, providing readers with an in-depth analysis of its highs and lows. Bandyopadhyay's extensive research and expertise in financial journalism shine through, making this book a valuable resource for those interested in understanding the complexities of the Indian banking system.
The author skillfully navigates through the turbulent history of Indian banking, covering significant events such as the nationalization of banks, economic reforms, and major crises. Bandyopadhyay's storytelling abilities make the book engaging, presenting complex financial concepts in a digestible manner.
However, "Roller Coaster" has a tendency to delve into excessive detail, overwhelming readers with a barrage of names, dates, and technical jargon. This could be challenging for those without a prior understanding of the subject matter.
Despite this minor flaw, the book provides a balanced perspective, examining both the successes and failures of the Indian banking system. Bandyopadhyay's analysis of the key players, regulatory challenges, and systemic issues offers valuable insights into the sector's evolution.
In conclusion, "Roller Coaster" is an informative and well-researched book that sheds light on the roller coaster ride of the Indian banking sector. While it may be overwhelming for some readers, its balanced approach and comprehensive coverage make it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of India's financial landscape.
The author skillfully navigates through the turbulent history of Indian banking, covering significant events such as the nationalization of banks, economic reforms, and major crises. Bandyopadhyay's storytelling abilities make the book engaging, presenting complex financial concepts in a digestible manner.
However, "Roller Coaster" has a tendency to delve into excessive detail, overwhelming readers with a barrage of names, dates, and technical jargon. This could be challenging for those without a prior understanding of the subject matter.
Despite this minor flaw, the book provides a balanced perspective, examining both the successes and failures of the Indian banking system. Bandyopadhyay's analysis of the key players, regulatory challenges, and systemic issues offers valuable insights into the sector's evolution.
In conclusion, "Roller Coaster" is an informative and well-researched book that sheds light on the roller coaster ride of the Indian banking sector. While it may be overwhelming for some readers, its balanced approach and comprehensive coverage make it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of India's financial landscape.
December 25, 2025
this book provides an unique plot on the life of eminent bankers across the spectrum . The book has moved with the path chartered by Indian banking system and these bankers moved up with the time .
Banking is a very boring job but reading this banking commentary was indeed not .
Banking is a very boring job but reading this banking commentary was indeed not .
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews