VENKATESH Naik Mohandas, who started VNM Gold & Precious in Calicut 112 years ago, was originally from Goa. When the Portuguese invaders arrived, Hari Naik, the patriarch, fled with his family down the coast. He came to the Malabar region and laid the foundation for a gold business there that his son, Venkatesh, was to change totally. From a small trader concept, it became a massive gold enterprise, going from being a household name in Calicut to markets in Cannanore and Cochin. The business is now run by the third generation, Rajeev Mohandas Naik, and his wife Ranjana.

The VNM showroom at Palayam Road in Calicut, is a trendy and glittering building, friendly and professional salespersons man the counters on the various levels, and huge Raja Ravi Varma paintings in which the women are shown wearing classical jewellery encourge the buyer from the walls to spend more. Rajeev says the USP of VNM is that the ordinary man finds their jewellery affordable. �Our jewellery is crafted well, we offer good service, and we back each customer in whatever his purchase might be. We are a household name in Calicut. VNM has got the entire market's trust.�