Mitesh G Desai banks on ex-City role to write debut novel
Desai’s debut novel, The Big Shot Trader, tells the story of Kerpal, who has landed a job as a trader in the “shark-infested watersâ€� of investment banking
By Sarwar AlamDec 08, 2023
FORMER City worker turned author Mitesh G Desai revealed he began writing as a form of escapism after becoming “disillusioned” with life in the finance sector.
His debut novel, The Big Shot Trader, which has just been published, tells the story of Kerpal, who has landed a job as a trader in the “shark-infested waters” of investment banking and his journey of survival in the sector.
“He’s obviously a really smart kid. He gets into the industry and he’s immediately confronted with some awkward moral decisions he has to make in order to be successful – which is totally normal in the industry,” Desai told Eastern Eye. “Initially, he makes this decision that yes, he just wants to do whatever he can to survive and to succeed. So he pushes himself really hard in terms of his work base and trying to fit in.”
While Desai said Kerpal’s character was not actually based on him, the 38-year-old conceded he used his previous experience of working in investment banking to write the novel.
“I have five or six really good friends who still work in finance and they have all been kind enough to read the book. Almost every single one of them has come back to me and said, ‘oh my God, did you base this character on my old boss or this other character on this colleague?’
“These characters all exist in the industry. So while it’s not me, I think there’s lots of elements that really resonate with what actually happens in the industry,” Desai said.
“It gives a real insight into the world of finance and the sacrifices, risks and moral choices that those in the industry make in order to survive, thrive and get paid,” he added.
“People are always talking about banking and whether it’s for good or evil. But the truth is that so many people don’t quite understand why it’s good or evil.
“Yes, there’s big sums of money being exchanged and yes, there is this cut-throat nature. But, actually, this is maybe one of the few times where you get to see the ways in which people cut corners or break the law or do things that are morally very dubious in order to make money.”
Desai got into investment banking when he was selected by Goldman Sachs to be on their internship programme. He was sponsored to study economics at Warwick University.
“I started at university in 2005 and at the time, investment banking was just seen as this incredibly attractive and lucrative profession that everyone was trying to get into. I still remember in my first year, there was a talk by Goldman Sachs in a hall that was attended by over 1,000 students,” he said.
“Finance was considered this amazing way to essentially earn a lot of money very quickly at a very young age. That was probably my primary motivator at the time.”
Over five years, Desai worked as a trader for JP Morgan and Royal Bank of Canada. He said the industry’s “silliness came in a range of forms” and there wasn’t just one reason that led him to quitting the profession.
“People in the industry make this really grave mistake of confusing the fact that they deal with a lot of rich people’s money with thinking that they themselves are incredibly important.
“And the truth is that a lot of these roles in finance are not really that important. We’re not doctors, we are not lawyers,” said Desai.
“The other thing was that people often develop these idiosyncracies in their own personalities that everyone else seems to treat as absolutely normal. For example, I had a boss who would refuse to read anything written in red pen. Loss was reported in red and so he just didn’t like the colour red.
“The fact that people had to kind of bend to these odd and curious whims was really strange. People thought, if you’re a trader, you make money and we’re going to do anything that you ask us to do, as a result.”
Desai initially started writing what would go on to become The Big Shot Trader in 2011 while he was still a trader. He published snippets of his experiences in the form of a blog. But he left the story to one side as a family emergency put his life on a different path.
“The thing that triggered me into leaving finance was actually my dad had a heart attack. He, thankfully, came through it and was fine. But I became very aware of the fact that I was spending no time with him, my mum and my sisters,” said Desai.
He started teaching economics at a private school and also helped out in the family pharmacy business.
“I ended up helping my sisters at our pharmacy store, Landys Pharmacy in Golders Green,” he said.
“At the time they really wanted to try and develop a website so I started to kind of tinker and play around with the idea and the business grew really quickly.”
The online pharmacy now serves customers in more than 100 countries and Desai works fulltime in order to develop the business.
In 2021, when his wife became pregnant, he decided that if he did not finish the novel he had started over a decade earlier, then he would never get it finished.
“That was probably the first time that I really sat down and made a commitment to writing almost every evening. And then it took about a year from that point to get it to a good position for it to be published,” said Desai.
He hopes he will soon be able to write a follow-up to The Big Shot Trader.
“I have three or four ideas for follow-up novels. And one of them does involve the pharma industry. Right now, I’m just focused on trying to help The Big Shot Trader be as successful as possible.
A RARE oil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, believed to be the only one he sat for the artist to paint, has fetched triple its estimate at £152,800 in a Bonhams auction in London.
The painting, which had never before been offered at auction, had been on offer for an online auction with a guide price range between £50,000 and £70,000 and was the top lot of the Travel and Exploration sale, which concluded on Tuesday (15).
The portrait artist, Clare Leighton, was introduced to Gandhi when he visited London in 1931 to attend the Second Round Table Conference.
"Thought to be the only oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi which he sat for, this was a very special work, which had never before been offered at auction," said Rhyanon Demery, Bonhams head of sale.
"Completed in London by the artist Clare Leighton, mainly known for her wood engravings, this work was a testament to Gandhi's power to connect with people far and wide, and presented a lasting document of an important moment in history."
It remained in the artist's collection until her death in 1989, after which it was passed down through her family.
"It is no wonder that this work sparked such interest across the globe," added Demery.
At the time of painting it, Leighton was in a relationship with the political journalist Henry Noel Brailsford. A passionate supporter of Indian independence, Brailsford had travelled to the country in 1930, later publishing the book 'Rebel India' in support of the Indian independence cause.
It was through this connection that Leighton was introduced to Gandhi when Brailsford first met him at the Round Table Conference.
Bonhams said that Leighton was one of the very few artists admitted to his office and was allowed to sit with him on multiple occasions to sketch and paint his likeness.
In November 1931, Leighton showcased her portrait of Gandhi in an exhibition at the Albany Galleries in London. Journalist Winifred Holtby attended the opening and wrote about the event in her column for the trade union magazine The Schoolmistress, stating: "Members of Parliament and ex-Members, artists, journalists and art critics, stood among exquisite Indian women in bright saris, and the dignified figures of some of the chief Hindu representatives at the Conference. Mrs Naidu, the statesman-poet, was there... and Sir Purshotamdas Thakurdas, one of the Mahatma's colleagues."
Gandhi himself did not attend the party, but it was noted that he was vitally present in the works on display, which included the portrait of him in oil.
Describing the painting in more detail, Holtby said at the time: "The little man squats bare-headed, in his blanket, one finger raised, as it often is to emphasise a point, his lips parted for a word that is almost a smile. That is very much as I saw him when he came as guest to a big luncheon in Westminster at which I was present a little while ago.
"He was the political leader there, the subtle negotiator, the manipulator of Congress, the brilliant lawyer, the statesman who knows just how to play on the psychology of friends and enemies alike."
The following month, Gandhi's personal secretary Mohadev Desai wrote a letter to Leighton, a copy of which is attached to the backing board of the portrait.
It reads: "It was such a pleasure to have had you here for many mornings doing Mr Gandhi's portrait. I am sorry I didn't see the final result, but many of my friends who saw it in the Albany Gallery said to me that it was a good likeness. I am quite sure Gandhi has no objection to its being reproduced."
There does not appear to be any record of Leighton's oil portrait of Gandhi being exhibited again until 1978, when the Boston Public Library staged an exhibition of Leighton's work. However, according to the artist's family, the portrait was thought to have been on public display in 1974 when it was attacked with a knife by a person.
A label attached to the backing board confirms that the painting was restored in 1974 by the Lyman Allyn Museum Conservation Laboratory.
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This film marks the first cinematic release under the new unified DC Universe banner
India’s CBFC trimmed a 33-second kiss between Superman and Lois Lane, calling it “too sensual”.
James Gunn’s Superman has earned approximately £177 million worldwide and around £2.9 million in India during its opening weekend.
American media and audiences criticised India’s censor board for its conservative edits.
Indian fans and celebrities also slammed CBFC’s inconsistent standards on romance versus violence.
The Indian film board’s decision to cut a 33-second kiss between Superman and Lois Lane in James Gunn’s Superman, calling it “too sensual,” has sparked backlash both in India and abroad. While the film has soared at the box office, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)’s censorship of romantic scenes has been widely criticised by fans and media alike.
Poster of Superman film releasing on July 11 Instagram/superman
CBFC Superman kiss cut for UA rating
To achieve a UA (13+) rating in India, the Indian film board removed two kissing scenes and muted several expletives in Superman. The most discussed was a mid-air kiss between Superman (David Corenswet) and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) that was shortened from 33 seconds to just a few fleeting moments. Officials reportedly found the visuals “overly sensual.”
The edit has left Indian viewers frustrated, with many calling out how the scene now feels abrupt and incomplete. The trimmed moment, a beautifully choreographed sequence set after Superman’s final battle, was intended to be a cinematic highlight.
This film marks the first cinematic release under the new unified DC Universe banner X/ ErikDavis
Superman Lois Lane scene censored draws US media fire
The censorship has not gone unnoticed overseas. US media outlets picked up the story, reporting that the Superman Lois Lane scene was censored for being “too sensual.”
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Social media responses were quick and biting. “Didn’t they literally write the Kama Sutra?” one joked. Others mocked the inconsistency: “You’re fine with gore but scared of a kiss?” The sentiment was clear, many viewers found the move out of touch with the realities of a modern global audience.
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India censor board criticism echoes online
It wasn’t just international viewers speaking up. Indian celebrities and creators added their voices to the backlash. Actor Shreya Dhanwanthary tweeted, “If this is true, this is RIDICULOUS!!! Some ridiculous crap happens every day.” Digital creator Amol Jamwal commented on X, “You can have beheadings in Jaat, crude jokes in Housefull 5, but not a kiss in Superman?”
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Some viewers also compared the Indian film board's actions to their leniency with films like Animal, which was allowed to release with explicit violence and suggestive content. One post read, “They chopped a kiss in Superman but let Animal run wild? That’s hypocrisy in action.”
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Superman 2025 James Gunn romance edit controversy
This isn’t an isolated incident. Indian certification board has been criticised repeatedly in 2025 for similar censorship decisions. Earlier this year, Thunderbolts was released in India with muted language, and F1 had its middle-finger emoji replaced with a fist. In 2023, the CBFC also added a CGI dress to a nude scene in Oppenheimer, triggering international mockery.
Since the 2021 dissolution of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal, filmmakers have had no fast-track way to challenge the CBFC’s decisions. Legal appeals through Indian courts are time-consuming and costly, a major concern for global studios with simultaneous international releases.
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Singer Anne-Marie gave an open and emotional interview on BBC Radio 2
Anne-Marie discussed the challenges of motherhood and returning to work in music
Revealed struggles with postnatal anxiety and depression after birth of daughter Seven
Praised therapy as a crucial support tool and advised others to seek help
Shared insights into life with two young children and how routines have changed her
Confirmed she will perform at the Women’s Rugby World Cup opening ceremony on 22 August
Anne-Marie opens up about motherhood and mental health
Singer Anne-Marie gave an open and emotional interview on BBC Radio 2 this morning (16 July), speaking to Scott Mills about the mental and physical challenges she has faced after becoming a mother of two. The artist, known for hits including 2002 and Friends, reflected on the impact of motherhood on her mental health and creative life.
Returning to music while raising a family
Anne-Marie revealed that adjusting to life with two children while returning to the music industry has been “really difficult”. She is mother to daughter Seven, aged one, and a baby son who is just two months old.
“Getting back into music and being a mum has been really difficult,” she said during the interview. “Having a second one, it’s like the attention spread of the two is difficult.”
Despite the challenges, she described her children as “the most beautiful little things you’ve ever seen”, adding that moments of calm—such as looking at photos of them while they sleep—make the exhaustion feel worthwhile.
Anxiety and postnatal mental health
The singer spoke frankly about how she experienced intense anxiety after the birth of her first child. “I actually had anxiety so bad when I first had Seven and I didn’t want to be left alone,” she said.
Anne-Marie admitted that she had only been aware of postnatal depression, not postnatal anxiety, until experiencing it herself. She went on to say that her postnatal depression developed around six months after Seven’s birth.
The role of therapy and learning to ask for help
Anne-Marie highlighted the importance of therapy in her recovery. First starting sessions during lockdown, she said she had periods where she paused, particularly after making her third album, believing she no longer needed support. However, after becoming a mother, she returned to therapy and now attends weekly sessions.
“I’m sorry if you saw any of the interviews where I said I don’t need you anymore,” she joked, referring to her therapist. “Can I have you back?!”
She encouraged others to reach out, saying, “Therapy is my best friend. But also tell people, because I never asked for help, and that’s why I got so tired. People think that you’re sweet when you’re pretending to be okay.”
Speaking about the lifestyle shift, Anne-Marie described how routines have become a major part of her day-to-day life. “When I think about routines, it stresses me out. If I don’t do it right, it stresses me out,” she said. “And now I have to make three meals a day to make sure she’s good, you know? So it’s all just a massive change, and now I’m in a routine that’s my life.”
She also reflected on how her body and mind have changed since becoming a mother, saying, “I look different. I feel different. My brain is rewired. I swear everything has changed.”
Looking ahead: TV, sport and live appearances
Anne-Marie also spoke about her daughter recognising her on TV, recent performances at Glastonbury, and practising karate. She confirmed she will be performing at the Women’s Rugby World Cup opening ceremony, which takes place at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on Friday 22 August.
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FILE PHOTO: The cockpit of a Singapore Airlines' Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner is pictured after a delivery ceremony at the Boeing South Carolina plant in North Charleston, South Carolina, US. REUTERS/Randall Hill.
INDIA and Singapore ordered their airlines to examine fuel switches on several Boeing models with South Korea set to do the same after the devices came under scrutiny following last month's crash of an Air India jet that killed 260 people.
Singapore said it detected no problems with switches on its airlines' Boeing aircraft in the wake of a preliminary Indian-issued report found the devices flipped from run position to cutoff shortly after takeoff.
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued the order on Monday (14) to investigate the locking feature on the fuel control switches of several Boeing models, including 787s and 737s.
The order came after Boeing notified operators that the fuel switch locks on its jets were safe.
But it was in line with a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2018, which recommended inspection of the locks to ensure they could not be moved accidentally.
"It has come to the notice of DGCA, that several operators -- internationally as well as domestic -- have initiated inspection on their aircraft fleet as per the SAIB," DGCA said in a statement.
In view of the SAIB, all airline operators of the affected aircraft must complete the inspection by July 21, it added.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was headed from Ahmedabad in western India to London when it crashed, killing all but one of the 242 people on board as well as 19 people on the ground.
In a letter to employees on Monday, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the investigation into the crash was ongoing and it would be unwise to jump to "premature conclusions".
Singapore reported that it had examined fuel switches on its airlines' Boeing aircraft.
"Our checks confirmed that all fuel switches on SIA (Singapore Airlines) and Scoot's Boeing 787 aircraft are functioning properly and comply with regulatory requirements," an SIA spokesperson said.
South Korea was also going to order its airlines to examine fuel switches on Boeing jets, Seoul's transport ministry said on Tuesday (15).
"The ministry is preparing to order all South Korean airlines that operate Boeing aircraft to examine fuel switches in accordance with the FAA 2018 directives," said a ministry spokesperson.
The Lufthansa Group said it had re-checked switches on its 787s since the Air India incident, after initially inspecting them in 2018, and found no issues. Japan's ANA and Japan Airlines said they were conducting inspections in accordance with the 2018 advisory.
Taiwan's EVA Air said that it understood that no further inspections of Boeing 787s were required. US carrier Alaska Air said it has not received guidance from Boeing and is not currently taking action.
Southwest Airlines said it completed inspections of the affected fuel cutoff switches on its fleet in 2018, immediately after the FAA issued its advisory.
"We remain engaged with the FAA and Boeing and will take additional action as necessary," a Southwest spokesperson said.
(Agencies)
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FILE PHOTO: Passengers gather in front of the ticket counter of Air India airlines in Delhi, India, June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Bhawika Chhabra.
AIR INDIA said on Tuesday (15) it would partially restore its international flight schedule that was scaled back following the crash involving its flight last month that killed 260 people.
As part of the restoration, Air India will start a thrice-weekly service between Ahmedabad and London Heathrow from August 1 to September 30, replacing the currently operating five-times-a-week flights between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick.
A Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London from the Indian city of Ahmedabad began to lose thrust and crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12. All but one of the 242 people on board and 19 others on the ground were killed.
Air India reduced some of its international flights following the crash as part of a "safety pause" that the carrier said allowed it to perform additional precautionary checks on its Boeing 787 aircraft.
The partial service resumption will see some flights being restored from August 1, with full restoration planned from October 1, 2025, Air India said.
The airline has reinstated two weekly flights on the Delhi-London (Heathrow) route that were previously cancelled, with all 24 weekly flights on this route now operating from Wednesday (16) onwards.
The Bengaluru-London (Heathrow) service remains reduced from seven flights per week to six flights per week and will be further reduced to four flights per week from August 1. The Amritsar-Birmingham route continues to operate at a reduced frequency of twice weekly instead of three times weekly until August 31, after which normal three-times-weekly service will resume from September 1. The Delhi-Birmingham route remains reduced from three flights per week to two flights per week, a statement said.
Air India has also temporarily suspended the Amritsar-London (Gatwick) route, which normally operates three times weekly, and the Goa (Mopa)-London (Gatwick) route, also a three-times-weekly service. Both suspensions will continue until September 30.
As part of the partial resumption, it also reduced flights to some destinations in Europe and North America. These include reductions in the frequency of Delhi-to-Paris flights to seven times a week from 12, effective August 1.
Flights on the Delhi-Milan route have been reduced to three times a week from four earlier.
The frequency of flights from Mumbai and Delhi to New York JFK has been cut to six times a week from seven earlier, the airline said.