174-year-old Munshi Naan in Hyderabad to shut shop due to Metro work
Munshi Naan is a corner bakery in the wall that has been in continued existence from 1851. For generations of residents of the Hyderabad's old city, Munshi Naan means a warm square bread, that is torn, dunked in a nihari or soup and savoured. Now, nearly 174 years later, the days of Munshi Naan at Purani Haveli are numbered as the shop and bakery are marked for demolition for the Hyderabad Metro Rail phase II corridor which includes the metro's lines connecting Hyderabad to the airport, and also a line connecting Chandrayangutta to MGBS line for the Old City.
It is one of the oldest bakeries in the area and starts work as early as 5.30am. Business is slow, because it is summer, but the warm square breads keep getting baked and packed for buyers who keep streaming in parking, paying and taking away the packages.
Hameed says he is waiting for the compensation cheque from the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL). He said, 'A few establishments received their cheques and moved out. We are waiting and also searching for places to take on rent. With the news of demolition, the areas that are unaffected have hiked rents and are quoting nothing less than ₹50,000 per month for rent. The deposit amount is also high.'
Hameed says after losing this shop that was established by his grandfather in 1871, there is no way he can afford to purchase another space. Any new space, would have to be taken on rent. ₹
A staple
Munshi Naan bakes char kona naan, a bread that is popular in Hyderabad's old city. Munshi Naan gets name from its founder Mohammed Hussain, who worked as a munshi (clerk) in the office of Hyderabad's fourth Nizam, Nasir-us-Daula. He learnt the recipe from Delhi and started his own establishment in 1851. This naan shop has been baking the breads in the bhatti, (a traditional tandoor), from its inception.
Fermented dough is shaped in squares by hand. These are then placed on a dense pillow made with cloth. A very basic design is made with a metal comb, a quick water wash (like egg wash) and then it is stuck into the walls of the circular oven. Within a matter of 10-15 minutes the naans are ready. At a time 42 naans can be baked. Each naan is priced ₹20.
These naans are thick, ideal as dip breads for Indian soups like paya, shorba and marag. When out of the oven, the crust is crisp with a dense body, making it ideal to soak in the liquid gravies.
When asked if the affected establishments have written to the departments concerned requesting a change of plan, 'As asked by the Hyderabad Metro Department, we wrote letters and petitions with suggestions and alternative plans. We have no response yet,' Hameed says.
Will they continue to be in Old City when they re-establish after the demolition? 'Yes, we will continue to be in the Old City, because Munshi Naan's story is connected to this place,' adds Hameed.
It is where the bhatti lies, and where the bhatti will remain.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
10 mid-tier IT companies join $1 billion club in last 5 years
Bengaluru: Call it the mid-tier IT firm's breakout moment. Over the past decade, 15 companies crossed the $1 billion revenue mark—10 of them in just the last five years, with several more on the cusp. This marks a structural shift in the mid-tier segment, packing a bigger punch. Take Coforge, for instance. It aims to achieve a revenue milestone of $2 billion by fiscal 2027. The company surpassed $1 billion in revenue during the financial year 2022-23, demonstrating a year-on-year growth of 22.4% in constant currency terms. Digital engineering company Nagarro's revenue crossed $1 billion in the 2023 financial year, up from $908 million in the corresponding period last year. Nagarro follows a January to December financial year. The company recorded a growth of 9.4% in constant currency in 2023. Of Nagarro's 18,000 employees, 12,000 are based in India across 12 cities. While these companies were growth-ready, former Cognizant India CMD Ramkumar Ramamoorthy, in a LinkedIn post, said three powerful forces have redefined their trajectory. Seasoned leaders from tier-1 firms brought strategic clarity, global perspective, and execution muscle—sharpening the edge of mid-tier companies. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Private equity as a growth engine and an imbibed long-term value mindset accelerated transformation and scaling ambitions. Mid-tier players rapidly built and scaled advanced digital capabilities—closely aligned with evolving client expectations. Ramamoorthy said, "One of the best things that happened to Indian IT after Y2K is senior management attrition. Seasoned leaders who built and ran large portfolios in IT companies such as Cognizant, Infosys, and HCL took on CXO roles in mid-sized firms and built the much-needed muscles to gracefully scale these companies. With more such leaders being made available today, in the years to come, we should see a larger number of companies get past the magical $1 billion in revenue, ably compete with Tier-1 players, and catalyse growth. " He is also a partner in tech growth advisory firm Catalincs. In the last four months, nearly a dozen mid-sized firms saw top deck changes. LTIMindtree welcomed Venu Lambu as their new chief executive, while Virtusa brought in Nitin Banga from Global Logic to lead as their CEO. Rohit Kedia, who brings 28 years of experience in technology and digital engineering, was appointed CEO at ChrysCapital-owned digital engineering company Xoriant. He previously served as chief growth officer at LTIMindtree. Engineering services firm Cyient appointed Sukamal Banerjee as CEO of its DET (digital, engineering and technology) business. "Also, with dozens of PE firms making a beeline for the IT industry, the investee companies are a big draw for these leaders not only for CXO roles but also for Board positions. These firms bring in global best practices across all aspects of business—people, process, platforms, partnerships, among others—which also helps fast-track the journey to a billion dollars and more." Peter Bendor-Samuel, founder and chairman of US-based IT advisory Everest Group, said, "However, perhaps the most important factor has been the PE firm's ability to change the mindset of these firms and attract some of the industry's most capable executives to run them. The combination of first-rate executives, acquisitions, and focused investments in sales and marketing has proven a sure-fire recipe to drive highly profitable and fast growth. " These shifts have repositioned mid-tier companies as credible contenders, not just fast followers—rewriting what growth looks like in the industry's next chapter.
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Tech Wizard Saurabh Verma Is Ready To Launch Powerful AI Innovation GlideBotx
VMPL New Delhi [India], June 10: In today's world, where content creation, personal branding, influencer marketing, and marketing teams are on the rise, there is a growing need to make data-driven decisions and generate creative content. These professionals must also optimize marketing strategies, predict audience behavior, write social media captions, craft newsletters, manage AI-driven calendars, and much more. As these roles continue to expand, they need a powerful tool that can handle all of this effortlessly. This is where GlideBotx comes into play. GlideBotx is no ordinary AI tool. Once launched with the power of AI, it is going to take care of many aspects related to personal branding, customer communication, and content automation to newer heights. It is not only going to save time for the users but it will also help build more accurate, impactful and lasting engagement with the users. GlideBotx is an innovative and a revolutionary AI tool in a sense that it helps build one of the most consistent and compelling brand voice across all platforms. The tool has some of the amazing features like AI-generated emails, blogs, and captions, Data-backed content calendars, Automated sales copy & CTA, Audience behavior prediction, Personal brand tone cloning etc. This game changing AI tool has been designed in such a way that it is tremendously going to help digital coaches, content creators and business owners. GlideBotx is ready to redefine the current digital marketing and coaching models. It will introduce its innovative and fantastic features like data-driven decision-making, automated content strategy and AI-generated insights. GlideBotx brings together powerful features including AI-generated emails, blogs, and social media captions, data-driven content calendars, automated sales copy, audience behavior predictions, and personal brand tone cloning. This innovative platform enables users to automate critical workflows while building a consistent, high-impact brand presence across channels. The launch is backed by The Modernist Media Network, known for its work in empowering creators and brands with cutting-edge media solutions. GlideBotx is positioned to support India's growing digital economy by equipping entrepreneurs with the technology needed to expand their global reach. GlideBotx is not just another media venture but it is sort of a cultural movement. The Modernist Media has become a launchpad for creators, brands and thought leaders who are aiming to make global impressions through strategic content, media features and high impact storytelling. Known for his innovative ideas in the field of modern technology, Saurabh Verma is the brain behind GlideBotx which is an advanced AI tool. Saurabh Verma is a globally awarded mentor whose aim is to empower Indian entrepreneurs with scalable business models and amplify India's voice globally through media related innovation. He is also a certified business automation coach and the co-founder of The Modernist Media Network. Interestingly, since 2023 he has been able to deliver over 800 online webinars, inspiring and educating a staggering 4.9 lakh people across geographies. His programs aren't just informative but they are also known to be catalytic. Backed by over 5,000 testimonials, Saurabh's teachings have helped over 15,000 business owners achieve 10X growth within just two years, a testament to his strategic approach to automation, scalability, and mindset reprogramming.
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Aquapeya: Our Name Is Our Identity - A Journey of Resilience, Purpose, and Innovation
VMPL New Delhi [India], June 10: In today's fast-evolving business world--where startups emerge and disappear overnight--Aquapeya stands tall as a symbol of resilience, integrity, and innovation. From its humble beginnings in 2018 to becoming a recognizable name in India's beverage landscape, the story of Aquapeya is not just about building a brand--it's about standing for something bigger. Aquapeya: Our Name Is Our Identity For the founders and their team, Aquapeya is more than just a name. It's their identity, their philosophy, and their promise to consumers. Inspired by the Latin word "Aqua" (meaning water), the name reflects values of purity, transparency, and essential truth. In a crowded industry filled with flashy packaging and marketing buzzwords, Aquapeya chooses to represent clarity, honesty, and trust. "We believe water is colorless, tasteless, and truthful. Our brand stands for those very qualities--unfiltered, pure, and without pretenses," says the founder. 2018: The Seed of an Idea The vision of Aquapeya took root in 2018. With a bold tagline--"All IN"--the team set out to redefine the beverage experience in India. But this wasn't just about launching a product. It was about building a brand grounded in sustainability, community engagement, and uncompromised quality. 2019: Establishing the Foundation The next year was all about setting up strong operational structures. Aquapeya focused on building reliable supply chains and distribution networks. Partnerships began to flourish, fueled by the belief that impactful growth is a collaborative journey. The brand gained traction in niche urban spaces and started to explore regional markets with cautious optimism. 2020-2021: Rising Through Crisis When the pandemic hit, Aquapeya adapted instead of retreating. With operations paused and consumer behavior rapidly shifting, the team pivoted toward digital outreach and community engagement. "We didn't just aim to sell--we wanted to serve," recalls a team member. This human-first approach helped the brand stay relevant and build deeper emotional connections with its audience. 2022: Expanding into Carbonated Drinks With growing brand awareness, 2022 marked Aquapeya's entry into the carbonated beverage segment. But this wasn't just a typical expansion--it was a reflection of creative growth. Unlike traditional fizzy drinks, Aquapeya offered cleaner, naturally flavored alternatives with minimalist branding. These products quickly resonated with younger, health-conscious consumers looking for something fresh and fun. 2023: Launch of Fruit-Based Beverages Aquapeya continued to evolve by introducing a line of fruit-based beverages in 2023. Focused on real ingredients and transparent labeling, the new segment struck a chord with Indian households. The tagline "Thirsty Trust" emerged, capturing the brand's dual commitment to satisfaction and sincerity. 2024: The Shark Tank Breakthrough In 2024, Aquapeya reached a defining moment--appearing on Shark Tank India. Their pitch was not just about investment; it was a powerful story of perseverance and purpose. The platform catapulted the brand into national consciousness, offering mentorship, funding, and widespread visibility. Audiences connected deeply with both the product and the vision. 2025: Legal Challenges and Reinvention Every success story faces a defining test. For Aquapeya, that moment came in March 2025 when a legal notice arrived from industry giant Bisleri, claiming copyright and color scheme infringement. But the team didn't back down. "Water has no color--so why should our labels?" became Aquapeya's powerful response and a rallying cry for creative freedom. By June 2025, the brand had fully reimagined its visual identity. The new look wasn't just cosmetic--it embodied a renewed commitment to originality, honesty, and bold independence. With fresh distribution strategies in place, Aquapeya regained consumer trust and market strength. Final Thoughts: A Brand Built on Spirit Aquapeya's story is more than a business case study--it's a testament to what purpose-driven entrepreneurship can achieve. Through every challenge and triumph, one core belief has remained: "Entrepreneurship is always about never giving up." As Aquapeya charts its path forward, its mission stays strong: to be a brand that not only quenches thirst but also nourishes trust, transparency, and authenticity in every drop. Join us on this journey--because just like water, Aquapeya believes in being pure, true, and unmistakably real.
