What makes Marwaris a business success?

A new book on the community lauds them for their felexibility and ability to adapt to situations

From musty establishments in the dusty lanes of Kolkata's Burra Bazaar to towering office blocks in the financial nerve center of the country, Mumbai, the Marwaris play a crucial role in turning the wheels of the country's economy as innovators, entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Their extraordinary success forms the primary subject for Thomas A Timberg in his book - "The Marwaris: From Jagat Seth to the Birlas".

Speaking at a recent panel discussion here with author Gurcharan Das, Timberg attempted to answer the fundamental question that cropped up - What makes the Marwaris so successful as a business community?

"One of the reasons they are so successful, I think, is because of their ability to to adapt to situations. A flexibility of mind is surely an important trait responsible for their extraordinary success" he said.

"The answer also probably lies in the fact the the commercial communities in general, and Marwaris in particular, have successfully implemented attitudes, skills and support systems," he added.

Elaborating further, Gurcharan Das enumerated a few characteristic traits which he attributed to the community.

"Their entrepreneurial instinct, credibility as businessmen and their community spirit are big factors in their success," he said.