I have often wondered what is it that makes certain communities better at certain things than others.

What, for example, makes Bengalis and Maharashtrians -- as a community -- better at arts or music? Or why is it that Sikhs wield the sword better than others? What is it that makes 'South Indians' better at technology and math? Or what makes Gujaratis and Marwaris better traders?

Maybe, 'better' is not the word I seek. What I am getting at is there are specific traits common to particular communities. Let’s take the Gujaratis, for instance. As a community, Gujaratis are most likely to be traders or businessmen. There are, of course, exceptions to the rule: like me.

Yet, by and large, one finds that communities like the Marwaris and the Gujjus tend to wield the account books and the don trader's cap more than, say, write a software programme.

Is it because they are just money-minded? Or possessed of a sharper business acumen? Is it in the genes? Is there something historic about it? Or is this by pure chance?

Indeed, there are other communities as hard-working as the Gujaratis, but not all tend to display the same entrepreneurial spirit.

So, dear friend, could you enlighten me as to what makes some communities better at business than others?

Tailpiece: Here're the lies that the wit spread about the Gujjus :-)

• One Gujju is a share-broker in a Mumbai local train
• Two Gujjus is a rummy game in a Mumbai local train
• Three Gujjus is Mumbai's noisiest restaurant
• Four Gujjus is a stock market scam