Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2008..goodbye forever

Finally!! It the last day of the year and what a day at that!!

While I read people's plan for the new year's eve, I can't help but rue at lack of any plans for my evening ahead. But that is not the reason I am happy this year is over. I mean when I look back at the last 365 days, I don't have any one thing that I will associate with this year 10 years down the line - nothing!! This year seems to have gone by in a state of sleep walking with nothing to shake me out of my slumber.

So I decided to note the random few things that have made this year special in many ways.
  • Mansukh Mann deserves a very special mention in this category. Not so much for the 'no trouble period' that I had with her (coz that was virtually non existent) but for the many movies that she made me sit through (mostly against my will), the many sandwiches and parathas she fed me, the one time that we both went to Big Chill (amazing) and her endless counseling days (no prizes for guessing who counsels)!!
  • Blob coz he has just been adorable and for making me get up every working day at 6:30. But more so because he has very patiently listened to my rambling (he basically didn't have a choice!!)
  • Malvika Varma for making endless trips to India so that I (nee we) don't forget what she looks like...ever and for all those endless rounds of laughter between her and Mansukh on each visit and also for her dollops of 'humor' on g talk!!
  • And now that I have mentioned two devils, I might as well mention the third one. Neha Varma who, above all, has been a constant fixture of all the future plans (whether or not she has been involved in making them), including those that involve notorious kids ;)
  • Massi's retirement. Yeah that was an event in itself and I absolutely loved it.
  • Blogging!! While I still haven't achieved the eutopian target of one post every day, I have considerably improved from last year. So am sure 2009 is going to be a rocking year in those terms.
  • Rab ne bana di jodi - Surinder Sahni. Period.

So that is all for what this year held for me. I do hope that 2009 is more eventful and far more rocking than this one proved to be. And for all those stepping out tonight, have a great year end and an even greater start to 2009. Be safe.

God bless!!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Memories of a Childhood

Every time I heard Jagjit Singh sing,

"Yeh daulat bhi lelo
Yeh shaurat bhi lelo
Bhale cheen lo mujhse meri jawani
magar mujhko lauta do
bachpan ka saawan
woh kaagaz ki kashti
woh baarish ka paani"
I would lose myself to the music, to his silky voice. All these years.But never to the thought. It just never occurred. Until today...
Now that I hear the song over and over again, I would do anything to be taken back to those days. Well, I didn't really have many a kaagaz ki kashti to mark my childhood, but I did have many a coloured clip with matching rubber bands and absolutely fairy like dresses (what everyone insists on calling frocks). I did have careless abandon (well not really but i'd like to believe I did and I am sure it adds more sentiment to this post). I did have days of endless hide and seek after grilling homework sessions and days of 'stepu'. Yeah yeah that was a game we played!! I did have a childhood of endless Christmas parties (okay not really endless) and Teacher's Day and Children's Day celebrations. Not that it was all pleasant. I also had dictations (this was a weekly affair with dad taking his role very seriously). I did have days when I was beaten black and blue for getting a 65 in Maths (I guess the only reason my mom spared me to live another day was so that she could beat me harder the next time). I did have a few horrible-which-I-would-like-to-forget PTA meetings.
I did have a childhood that I would die to have back. Yes, with all the beatings and bad marks and everything.
I am listing below some things that I distinctly remember from 'the good old days'.
  • I remember each day when we would get up to go to school (most of them).
  • I remember each of my class sections (for the record, KG C, I A, 2 D, 3 A, 4 D, 5 B, 6 A, 7 A, 8 A, 9 D, 10 D, 11B, 12 C...hehe).
  • I remember the names of all my class teachers (Pooja Bhambri, Ma'am Anama, Ma'am Mohan, Jyoti Sausan, Ma'am Nandini, Ma'am Anju, Ma'am Deepshikha, Ritu Puri, Seema Sharma, Ritu Puri, Sir Prince, Dinesh, Ma'am George)
  • I remember Tina Younis was my first best friend in school.
  • I remember that I could not spell banana (always wrote an extra nana at the end) and running (with a single n) in KG.
  • I remember I had cried when I got a 9/10 in a dictation in KG :)
  • I remember almost all my classmates, some of who were very nice to me, others who were not so nice and some who were plain scared (evil) .
  • I remember each time my mom beat me when I didn't get a top 3 rank in class (yeah they did that).
  • I remember the first time I made a single plat to school and what Ma'am Deehikhs had said.
  • I remember the 'many' times I was made the Class Monitor
  • I remember each time I was made the Cupboard Incharge (now that was no mean feat. Only the trusted one got the keys to the teacher's cupboard where she kept everything from test papers to attendance registers. In those days, these things meant more than a treasure)
  • I do remember that Megha Kumar had joined our school in Class 4 and she became my partner.
  • I remember Tanya Mathews joined us in Class 5 and her mom took my notes (Her mom later became my Biology teacher but never returned the favor...damn!!)
  • I remember each time my sister (brat) would gobble up her up chocolates and sweets and then have mine too (which, by the way, were carefully kept away after having a small bite so that they could be relished for a longer time...but of course that was never to be with that brat around).
  • I remember each of the houses we stayed in...GK, Saket, Gulmohar Park and every time we moved
  • I remember Shekhar Ganguly, who was my partner in Class 7 and I remember how much I had troubled him. He also had run across half the school one day to hand me the umbrella I had forgotten when my mom had come to pick me early from school. He was the sweetest boy I knew in school.
  • I remember Tanav Chopra, Puneet Sharma, Rahul Anand and there is a reason I mention them together
  • I remember almost all Christmas parties in school
  • I remember Marsala aunty and that she made amazing Plum cake for Christmas
  • I do remember that Sandy was shorter than me till Class 9
  • I do remember also that he was my partner in Class 8 and that I slapped him hard once :)
  • I remember that Ma'am Bhat was my Biology and Chemistry teacher in Class 7 and well..
  • My English teachers..Ma'am S Kumar, Ma'am Deepshikha, Ritu Puri, Monica, Dilara, Ma'am Susan Jacob (my favourite), Ritu Puri, Susan Jacob, Ma'am George
  • I remember the stupid crushes
  • I remember the even more stupid 'pairs'
  • I remember Faraz and how he could never stand still, even during the National Anthem
  • I remember the morning assembly and the school prayers (We had three different ones)
  • I remember 'On Life's venture' and even have it on my laptop now..
  • I remember Chakshu Biala was my house captain I don't know how many times. I also remember the only guy who gave him competition was Abheek Nangia
  • I remember Bharath Nangia was among my favourite juniors
  • I remember all Agnel Darpan meetings
  • I remember that most of my sister's friends confused me for her
  • I remember my sister would give the illiest grin everytime she saw me in school
  • I remember the Fsarewell we gave to our seniors and the titles we made
  • I remember the Farewell we got and 'Miss Agnel'
  • I remember 'Mrutti'
  • I remember Father (and I miss him too)

I remember to never forget. I remember!!

All I can say right now is, "Those were the days my friend, We'd thought they'd never end"!! But end they did. If only, if only I could have them back..

I will give all the Maths and Chemistry exams again. I am ready to be paired opposite the stupidest guy around. Or anything else it would take. Just oh just give me back that time!!

Happy Happy Birthday


So finally, the last birthday of the year in the family!! The 'little one' turns 21 and it is time to celebrate...yay!!


So Miss Varma, a little something for you...



Just another day, or is it
Just another one, or is she
Just another time
But we know it is not!

Just another one, or is she
She is not, she is not
It is her we celebrate
Not the day

She is not, she is not
You are not
It is you we celebrate
Not the day

Go on share the joy
Pass the love that you hold
Smile on those who
Know not what it is

Celebrate each moment
Make merry each day
Celebrate yourself
Hold the doubts at bay

Twenty One years ago
What came to us
We didn't know
It would mean so much

It is not just another day
It is not just another year
It is a moment
That will stay forever

It is not just another someone
It is not just another you

So darling, wish you a great birthday and a super turning 21!! Have a blast with all the food (pun intended) and gifts and everything else. And may the year ahead bring you lots of happiness, success and a lot many good movies which you can watch.

Happy birthday again.
Lots of love..
from all of us

Friday, December 19, 2008

Order Order!!!

Finally!!! There are some voices that say we have been wrong all through. There are some that say we did get carried away. And then there are some which say that absolutely nothing is wrong!!

Finally, all these voices have been heard. And it has been ruled that the Indian media must maintain 'order order'. The court ruling today which suggests that the Indian media were fairly off the mark while covering the Mumbai attacks seems vindicating for many of us. For me at least they do. And I am not a cynic. I am not against the power of the media. For a one-time wannabe journalist, I am most certainly not any of the above. But yes, I do believe in self regulation. And if that is not forthcoming, well then, let's go and regulate them. I do believe that families and little children need not be shown the horrendous image of a blood laced face or body. I do believe that we can be spared the blame and counter blame, specially when the attack on our sovereignty is still on.

So, while the debate continues about what is right and wrong, I think it is time we take an unbiased stand and decide on what we need v/s what we want. Sensationalism is a want. Information is a need. Nee, balanced information is a need. And I do hope that with today's ruling, it becomes more effective. I do hope that after this, there is 'some semblance of sense' in how we project ourselves and our country.

The choice is clear; between blood thirsty hounds or responsible journalists.

Rabba Rabba..

And Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is a super hit!!!

Well, this news lays the foundation of a perfect weekend ahead for a Shah Rukh fan like me. It is not like this is a result of the trials or tribulations of the man we call Baadshah, but it nothing short of that if you ask a loyalist :)

The King Khan is smiling as are Yash Raj films (all the way to the bank). The audience are smiling a great deal as the film has lifted a veil of broodiness from the society which had descended post the 26/11 attacks. So while Mr Khan, you talk of eating gol gappas in love or making every common man's story a love story to remember, a little fan waves her hand out to you shyly, secretly smiling at your success :)

BTW, I should kill myself. I still haven't seen the movie (yeah yeah). But I will, this weekend for sure. Like I said, this is just the start to a perfect weekend :)

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Is there something called Perfection

The race to perfection has no finish line.

Had this one very interesting discussion with Ankur (my dearest boss!!!) about whether perfection is attainable. In fact, whether perfection as an idea truly exists!!
Got us thinking.

Ankur: I don't think there is anything called perfection.
Me: I think there is. And it is a concept that exists in the absolute sense. And of course, it is ever evolving.
Well that formed the basis of a discussion that carried well beyond 2 hours. Fruitful utilization of a working day :)
So, like I said above, according to me, perfection is much more than just an idea. It is a pursuit. It is an ever evolving process, which is just as personal to someone as his/her likes or dislikes. Your idea of perfection need not resonate with mine. Your quest need not overlap mine. These can exist as parallel and also, in rare situations, converge. But this does not dilute the fact that perfection exists.

As an individual, I will always desire to learn more. I will continue to evolve. But in my current situation, given my limitations, I can desire to achieve perfection. And work well towards it. Now my idea of perfection may be above or below yours but that doesn't make it inferior or non existent. The want to be perfect is what drives humans to get better of themselves, to push the limits and challenge the boundaries. This urge to be the best that one can be is second nature to those who actually have made a mark in their lives. Because they don't rest on their laurels and know that they can give more to the situation, they achieve more. And this drive is mostly driven by the sub conscious.

So, while the discussion did not yield much in terms of a conclusion, I am convinced that my quest for perfection will not be in vain. And I know how to get to the finish line.

With nothing to say....

Another day has gone by
Not a very pleasant one at that
Some truths from the past caught up
Some talk of future lay undiscovered

The past should exactly be that
It becomes much too hard to bear
When it leaps into my present
Aiming at being witness to my future

It rings no bell
It doesn't sound familiar
But it leaves me with a sinking feeling
A feeling that deepens with every word they say

A hidden guilt
Not quite something I deserve
Not quite something I asked for
Not something that I want

Some truths from the past
Was it really that
Or was it a misconceived perception
That has fed your thoughts of what was

I keep the good times
You choose the bad ones
We had both, aplenty
We could have had more

I don't know who is to blame
For what is not
I am not looking away
But it could just be you

Every thought of the future
Left us smiling
Every talk of the past
Now brings a tear

Don't know if this was meant to be
Or Not
We left each other
With nothing to say....

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

On the Floor

One of the recent good radio spots I came across was for NITCO tiles...

It's quite a simple philosophy actually. This one really off-the-tune guy is singing Oh Carol and intersperses each sentence with 'on the floor'. Very simple. Critics might even argue that it follows a been-there-done-that approach. But what the heck!! It sure catches your attention. I am sure this will do some good to the brand, much more than the idea of using random models posing seductively 'on the floor' :)

Good job!!

Play to the gallery Miss Mann

June 30, 1987 is not a day I am likely to forget in a hurry. It changed the course of my life. I was only about 3 years old to actually grasp the magnitude of what happened but now, it has begun to sink in. All these years (21 and a half) have passed by, shrouded either in ignorance or denial. But now, finally, I am beginning to accept that 'The Miss Mann' is an active and 'loud' part of my life. It's more like I have to. PHEW!!

Like every other 3 year old, I was a bundle of excitement (mmmm...maybe), apprehension (at the attention slipping away from me) and wonder (at my mom's changing appearance). I faintly recall my mom explaining to me what the fuss was all about and trying to infuse excitement about the impending arrival of a younger sibling. I don't know how I reacted then but looking at the years gone by, I would want to hit myself hard for having jumped with joy if I did :)

Anyhow, the day arrived. Like any lazy morning, I went about my day with nonchalance. And then... unknown to me, my life changed forever. I was taken to the hospital to see what the newest member of our family looked like. Well I hate to admit, but she was a beautiful chubby child (chubby is euphenised). And then began the story...

She was brought home in a special car and kept in an AC room (wow!!) while I am certain I must have been made to sweat it out (pun intended). The next few years saw a repeat of the above. Neha Varma (now who doesn't know her, my real sister Part 2) and I fought endlessly over who will play with Miss Mann. We went to the same school, where to much of my joy, most teachers knew her as my sister (grin grin). Then came the horrendous days. I think both of us fell just short of throwing each other out of the house...I don't know if all siblings go through this phase but we certainly did. Each of us would have a mini celebration when the other was away. I am sure she must have jumped the day I passed out of school. Clearly, we were never the best of friends. Anyhow, the days passed, the months did and finally the years.

And then finally, the ice broke. To cut the very long 21 years short, we finally share happily one room in the house, while she decides what bedsheets go up and the matching curtains, I take up the responsibility of keeping it clean [not quite my favorite job, but since she won't do it, I have to :)]. Finally, people don't know her just as my sister but as Mansukh Mann and/or Miss Mann (these people are few but they do great amount of good to her ego and some even know me as her sister and this could largely be attributed to be the reason behind her health). We (read SHE) make plans about movies (what else when she is involved), about our future and about food. She proposes and disposes plans for my wedding on an hourly basis. We love to constructively deconstruct people behind their backs. We even tend to play advocate for the other when mother dear makes unappetising food. We still pull each other's hair out while sharing clothes (mine mostly because she is too lazy to buy her own). And amidst all this nonsense, she occassionally surprises me with talk of wisdom.

And then it dawns upon me. Finally, I know that it is time for me to pass the mantle of being Miss Mann. Atleast I can't stake lone claim to it anymore. All I want to tell her is that I have loved this title more than anything. I have loved it every time when someone has called me Miss Mann either out of respect, envy or love. The name will continue to be a reflection of you but since you have done a fairly decent job with yourself, I am sure you will add color and vibrance to this tag as well. It brings with it immense amount of glamour (you will see), love and hatred in equal measure from the 'lesser few', responsibility (i would love to tell you that you have some really big shoes to fill :)) and lots of fun.

So play to the gallery Miss Mann and enjoy every moment of it.

And do get well soon!!!

Friday, December 12, 2008

PM says "I am Sorry"...

This day has to be historic!! The Parliament did not witness ugly scenes between the ruling party and the Opposition. Almost all who spoke, spoke in unison. Spoke against terror. And spoke against a certain not-so-friendly-neighbour. And I think, spoke for the common man. Just this one time maybe, but I am not letting my optimism subside.

While the PM can not say "Sorry" and shirk off what happened at Mumbai, what is really unique is that he said Sorry on national television. He accepted his mistakes and those of his government in safeguarding the country and its people, standing at the holiest ground of Indian democracy. He truly hailed the spirit of democracy.

But what really makes this day even more special is that the Opposition did not do a fist beating act during the session and extended full support to the government in combating terror and terrorism. This is a landmark day for India, not yet there as America getting Obama as a president but getting there. I am no fan of Indian politicians but when Mr Advani said, "We will support the government in all efforts to safeguard the country and its people.", I think he meant it. When Rahul Gandhi spoke about moving out of the 'laal batti' syndrome of security in India, it reeked of sincerity at some level. I might not have witnessed the greatness of my country through the walk in space but today I am indeed very very proud of what I saw. There is a faint hope that this country has a future, how bright I don't know. But I wish to. Finally, the last few weeks of cynicism and negativity seem to be ending. This is important for us and the society. We need to express our opinion but in ways that would invite some action, and not 'lipstick-powder' comments. We cannot allow to channelise our opinion, our action and our efforts in a negative way such that it rips apart the bare thread of democracy that this country stands on. The base that allows me to write what I want to, to say what I feel. The tool that lets me voice my anger, my anguish at the failure of my leaders to safeguard the lives of my brothers and sisters, and all this on a very public platform of the national television.

I am still clueless about what steps to take in the days ahead but I surely am a more aware citizen of this country. And I do hope that others like me take inspiration from late Major Unnikrishnan's father when he said after his son's death that 'he is not against the system. He strongly believes in the power of the system and knows that this country and its people will not let his son's sacrifice be forgotten.'

I am sure that I will not!!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Some semblance of sense

Finally, the election resluts are out! And they have been surprisingly pleasant.
Out of the five states that saw the results of their vote come out on Monday, December 8, what matters most to me is Delhi. Yes, Mizoram, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and MP are equally important important in the national sense but Delhi is what affects me directly. So in many ways I am happy that Congress won in Delhi and we have Sheila aunty back as our CM (prospective CM). And considering this is the first time I voted and that too for the winning candidate, I am doubly pleased with the result.
Anyhow, what stands out with these results is that largely people have voted for development and honest governance. Take Delhi for instance. Sheila aunty has actually done considerable work on her vision of making Delhi a world class city (yes yes she has made some very insensitive comments at inappropriate times but she has accepted her mistakes). We have a highly improved transport system (I shall leave BRT out of this discussion and focus solely on the modes of transport), a far cleaner city thanks to CNG, more transparent and accountable education system in the city. In the run up to the elections, BJP ran a campaign that showed no vision, no plan for the city if they were voted to power. They singularly concentrated their campaign to highlight the 'failures' of the Congress government and since they had lost the 1998 elections to onions, this time they decided to turn the tables on Congress with tomatoes!! Thankfully, people saw the larger development and voted for a clean leader who is willing to admit her mistakes and doesn't seem to take her position for granted.
So, all in all, I am very happy that my sister will not be leaving the city, which she would have done had mr. V K Malhotra become the CM. And I am even happier that my city will have a government that acts on its promises(this could be a double edged sword..)
Sheila aunty ki jai ho :)

Is Baar Nahin!!!

We have reading reports of public angst against the politicians and the system after the Mumbai attacks. Nothing sums this up better than Prasoon Joshi, who has penned a poem titled 'Is Baar Nahin', which if transalted in English means 'Not this time'. I don't think it could have captured the essence and the mood of the entire country better than it did.
It says that not another time, will we pretend to be okay when we are not. Not another time will we tell someone to look away. This time we will let the pain reside so that we are constantly reminded.

Absolutely beautiful. Read on..

Is baar jab woh choti si bachchi mere paas apni kharonch le kar aayegi
Main usey phoo phoo kar nahin behlaoonga
Panapney doonga uski tees ko
Is baar nahin
Is baar jab main chehron par dard likha dekhoonga
Nahin gaoonga geet peeda bhula dene wale
Dard ko risney doonga,utarney doonga andar gehrey
Is baar nahin

Is baar main na marham lagaoonga
Na hi uthaoonga rui ke phahey
Aur na hi kahoonga ki tum aankein band karlo,gardan udhar kar lo main dawa lagata hoon
Dekhney doonga sabko hum sabko khuley nangey ghaav
Is baar nahin
Is baar jab uljhaney dekhoonga,chatpatahat dekhoonga
Nahin daudoonga uljhee door lapetney
Uljhaney doonga jab tak ulajh sake
Is baar nahin

Is baar karm ka hawala de kar nahin uthaoonga auzaar
Nahin karoonga phir se ek nayee shuruaat
Nahin banoonga misaal ek karmyogi ki
Nahin aaney doonga zindagi ko aasani se patri par
Utarney doonga usey keechad main,tedhey medhey raston pe
Nahin sookhney doonga deewaron par laga khoon
Halka nahin padney doonga uska rang
Is baar nahin banney doonga usey itna laachaar
Ki paan ki peek aur khoon ka fark hi khatm ho jaye
Is baar nahin

Is baar ghawon ko dekhna hai
Gaur se
Thoda lambe waqt tak
Kuch faisley
Aur uskey baad hausley
Kahin toh shuruat karni hi hogi
Is baar yahi tay kiya hai
... Prasoon Joshi

The English Translation:

This time when that little girl comes to me with her bruises,
I will not blow gently at her wound, nor distract her,
I will let her pain grow.
Not this time.
This time when I see pain on faces
I will not sing the song that eases pain
I will let the pain seep in, deep.
Not this time.

This time I won't apply any balm
Nor will I ask you to shut your eyes and turn your head
While I gingerly apply medicine
I will let everyone see the open, naked wounds
Not this time.
This time when I see difficulty, uneasiness

I will not run to solve the problems
I will let them become complicated
Not this time.

This time I won't pick up my tools as a matter of duty
I will not make a new beginning
Nor will I stand as an example of one dedicated to my job
I will not let life easily return to normalcy
I will let it descend into muck, on the twisting paths
I will not let the blood on the walls dry out
Nor will I let its colour fade away
This time I won't let it become so helpless
That you can't tell blood from paan-spit
Not this time.

This time the wounds need to be watched
Carefully
For a long time
Some decisions are needed
And then some brave moves to be made
We have to begin somewhere
This time this is what I have resolved


I might not have been able to do full justice to the poet's thought in the translation but I think he has done justice. He has done justice to all those of us who get ready every morning to go to work no matter what. No matter how much we are hurt, we look away and wipe our tears. We will not pretend to be strong. In effect, we will not let our strength become our weakness in the eyes of those who sit in their chambers wearing the cloak of our leaders. We will not.

Content Courtesy : Prasoon Joshi and rediff

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

the voice at large

Some links that I have come across over the last few days highlighting vaious aspects of the Mumbai attacks:

http://smallchange.in/
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=mDyTPnj4LVg

Will add more as they come along...

Monday, December 1, 2008

The Great Indian Tamasha

The video of Barkha Dutt talking to a family member of one of the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks is supposed to make you cry or atleast suppress a sob. The lady in question goes on asking rather edgy questions to the family member and when they finally break down or are close to tears, she 'understandably' places a consoling hand on their back in a way that says 'I so understand what you are going through'..
Well Ms Dutt, let me give you an eye opener...You don't. You don't understand what they are going through. None of us, who watched the entire tragic episode glued to our television sets for those 3 days, will ever understand what the victims' families are going through. Simply because we can't.

And the Indian media has made a grand tamasha of this tragedy, giving our politicians suitable company. When will we ever understand that the media's role is not just to sensationalise. It is in fact, not to sensationalise at all. It is to inform, to educate. It is to share. And those ingredients are masterfully missing from what we are fed day after day after day. While hundreds died in Mumbai at the hands of those heartless men, the media showed restraint for the first few hours. But soon, it was back to business. The business of higher TRPs, more revenue etc. And sadly, the business of tragedy. Over the years, our politicians had mastered this art, visiting the homes and families of the martyred. The very same people, who had faced flak for being honest and doing their duty (as in the case of Hemant Karkare) or had lived in obscurity till that day; the same people whose families had lived in conditions not deserving the honest servants of the motherland. These politicians visited the families at their time of grief promising huge financial rewards to the dead in honour of their service to the country. But like all promises, these too were broken. Most of the times, the rewards did not reach the families simply because they were never meant to. They were meant to win the public votes and in most cases, they did.

The after days of any terror attack witness a surge in advertisements and hoardings that carry pictures of these martyrs, nee soldiers ( I will just call them soldiers from here on and not add to the sycophancy of the politicians and the media who choose to serve their vested interests. These men lived and died as soldiers and they will be just as happy if we call them that and spare the hypocrisy) with the logos of various political parties. What point are we exactly trying to make here? The soldiers who died did not die for a BJP or a Congress or a BSP or a Maharashtra or Punjab or Tamil Nadu. They died for India. They died for us. They died so that these people could shamelessly mock over their deaths by playing such dirty games of politics and business.

As an Indian, I am shamed when a Narendra Modi goes to Mr Karkare's funeral and offers Rs 1 Crore to his family. I am shamed and I am angry. He has no business to be there, he and his brothers from the BJP who criticized Mr. Karkare while he was alive. He was termed a traitor!! And all this for just doing his job!! He has no business to demean the sacrifice that the man and his family has made. He has no business to take away the grief from his family and turn it into a public spectacle. Mr. Modi had no business to go to Trident or the Taj with his commandos tagging along. If he was so concerned about the victims, why did he not stay at home and ever think of giving up his security cover so that these commandos can do a more worthwhile job of serving the country rather than serving the corrupt politico.

The tamasha had Mr. Advani playing his role to perfection. At first, the gentleman called the PM to 'discuss' the attack (sic) and then suggested that they should go to Mumbai together. But as I understand, haste got the better of Mr Advani and he 'rushed' to Mumbai, understandably to win more brownie points.

But what beats them all is what follows. Ms. Dutt chooses to host a talk show over the tragedy and invite several celebrity guests. During the show, one of the guests (a celebrated talk show host herself) goes on to say that 'If you go up a high rise in Mumbai and look down at the slums below, you will actually see Pakistani flags flying high!!!'. This absolutely irresponsible comment got an agitated member of the audience to yell into the camera that the enemy we need to fight is nowhere else but the lady in question and many others like her. The ever so dignified lady just let her veil of sophistication slip for a nano second before she regained composure after the verbal attack on her. And the channel actually aired it...evidently to build on TRPs!!! The same channel that caused a revolution in the way Indian news and Indian journalists were perceived by the others not too long ago. Sad as it is, the mighty have fallen and with them they have taken the dignity that this noble profession deserves. Alas, Mr. Roy you could not save yourself from the evil forces you once despised!

I am so sickened by what I have seen over the last few days that I know this will alter the course of my life in many ways. I have never been more thankful to be alive and to have those I love around me. I don't know in how many ways this would have affected those who lost their loved ones to this ghastly act. I have asked myself time and again over the last few days, are we really so helpless that we can't even try to get up when someone hits us hard in the gut? Have we really lost the motivation, the drive? Have we after all, become a part of the crowd? Have we surrendered ourselves to a fate of being mute spectators to the Great Indian Tamasha??

I am longing to hear that voice within that says no. I am longing to hear any voice that doesn't reek of lies and hypocrisy.

P.S: And also, Ms Dutt, we didn't understand when you gallantly went ahead during your coverage of the Kargil war and announced your location , which resulted in the killing of some soldiers. We didn't understand why you would do that...is the race for publicity and fame so blinding after all??

Happy Birthday Moshe..

For a two year old, the one gift that he surely didn't want was the news of his parents' death. And blame it on fate if you must, that is exactly what he got!!

The Mumbai massacre (no less) has many unforgettable images, which the media is shamelessly pasting around as the 'faces of tragedy'. But for me, what has stood out more than any other is the image of an inconsolable Moshe Holtzberg, crying aloud for his parents' touch as he turns 2 on November 27.

Absolutely heartbreaking. The sight renders you feeling numb, weak and helpless.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Yet another time we live to tell the tale

This is not the first time and surely not the last! What we are seeing in Mumbai has virtually sent around a wave of helplessness across the entire country, much more than any previous bomb attacks could have done. In a way, this situation is unprecedented. This is for the first time, at least in recent history, that there have been hostages in any such terror attack. But in many more ways, this attack bears an uncanny resemblance to what has been happening over the last 15 years in India.
Let's face it, terror has become a way of life with us. It just doesn't bother us the way it used to, and more importantly, the way it should!! Every story of a bomb attack is followed by 'Oh-no-not-again' like statements and then soon forgotten about as we get back to the push and pull of our life. There is some blame game played by the authorities for some days but as the story fades away from Page 1 of the newspapers, so it does from our consciousness. And this is where the problem lies!!
Every terror attack whether it happens in local trains or in crowded marketplaces or on the citadel of Indian democracy, is preceded by public callousness and inadvertently followed by indifference.
Before every attack, the public goes about their lives as though we live in a completely immune world with no sense of responsibility towards the society at large. This includes giving our houses on rent to people without verification, not reporting suspicious movements to the police for the fear of legal hassles, not looking around hard enough to notice the subtle hints that the prospective culprits provide and turning a blind eye to the not-so-subtle ones. All as long as we are not affected directly. Reading today's newspapers, I came across a report where a Taj Hotel employee witnessed some suspicious movement near the Gateway of India, where the terrorists responsible for Mumbai attacks came from, just a few minutes before the carnage started. Looking at their huge back packs and general demeanour, he even stopped and asked them who they were. In reply, they said that they were students. The employee was not satisfied with the response but let it go. (Atleast he bothered to ask) The fate of those killed might have been very different if he had not let them go but reported the matter to the local police which is present in the area in large numbers. I am not blaming the gentleman for lack of action, atleast he bothered to ask them who they were while most of us would have just ignored them as long as we were safe. I am just pointing at the larger public consciousness or the lack of thereof. While he lived to tell the tale, many were not as lucky. It is a mere if-but situation, but had the gentleman alerted the police, many many lives could have been saved.

What happens after every attack is even more heart breaking. For a few hours/days after the attack, we find it occupying the place of prominence in all conversation circles. But soon it dies a natural death. With it, also dies the thought for those who have been impacted for life through the attacks, either through physical injury that will leave its scars for a long time or through the loss of dear ones or loss of property etc. Here, is when we also become indifferent to what happens around us. We refuse to learn from our mistakes and will never do till we are affected directly. We never raise fingers at laxity of the authorities when the time is right. We do it only when something has gone miserably wrong. We do it only when the next attack happens (and again for a few days only). At that time, we should infact be asking ourselves if we could have done something to stop the killings, the attacks.
It is always easy to blame the government machinery for not being able to provide security to its citizens. But what we need to understand are a few things:
  • We can't have a billion member strong police and security forces to match the country's population. We can't have a security personnel attached with every citizen. We need to be more aware of our responsibilities as citizens. We need to stop looking around for someone else to pin the blame on and need to start looking at ourselves to shoulder it.
  • Criminals will not stop being criminals. We need to stop being passive. We need to stop being indifferent. We can't pretend that we are back on our two feet when a deadly blow has been dealt to our backbone. Else, sooner than later, this pretence will cost us very dear. Let us not show them that we are not scared therefore we will let them be. Let us instead show them that we are not scared therefore, we will hunt them down and flush them out of our system. We will not let them maim us. Not this time. Not anytime again.
  • We need to understand that terrorism is not a thing of the past. Uptil now, we have been victimised by external forces. In the future, that is not an area which should bother us much since we will be faced with enough difficulty from within our borders. And this will prove to be a far graver challenge because this time we just can't dust our hands of the responsibility that we have by passing the buck to another country. It is the country of those very people who will cause terror and will kill their brothers and sisters in the country. This is a problem that needs more a pro-active approach rather than a reactive one. We need to know how to suppress the problem before it raises its ugly head. We need to identify the problems that will cause another 26/11. We should learn from our mistakes what we didn't learn at the time of Kashmir. Regionalism needs an active approach. It has torn our country and it will only become worse if it is not nipped now. And at that time, let us not look amazed.

Today, I would like to make another point. We really need to make people realise what is right and what merely is their perception of it. In a time that an attack of such magnitude has injured the city, not just for the present but for many days and many months to come, we have surprisingly not seen Mr. Raj Thackrey, the biggest advocate of the 'Mumbaikars cause'. While he sits in the safe confines of his house, hundreds are dying. And in an effort to save to them, we have the national army commandos going out there and risking their lives to save those who are trapped but more importantly, to salvage the reputation of the city. Those commandos who have not thought about even once if they belong to Maharashtra or Bihar or Punjab or Karnataka!! I would really like to ask Mr. Thackrey if we should now leave it to the Mumbaikars alone to handle the mess and also clean it up!!!

When I set out to write this post, I didn't know myself that I had so much to say. But then like I said above, this attack is unprecedented in some ways. For once our politicians are not gunning for each other and are focussing on finding a solution to this menace. But then, we don't know for how long this show of maturity will last.

Just like we don't know if we will live another time to tell the tale....

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Condemnation of relativity

Have we condemned ourselves to live in a relative world? Everything in its every state is 'not-as-bad-as-the-other-one' or 'better-than-most'. Whether it is a Mc Donald' burger or a cheap print on a piece of synthetic or a horrific case of mass murder or an individual himself or the economy or anything else!! We seem to enjoying ourselves with the burden of an unnecessary comparison all the time.
There was a bomb blast that killed 5. Oh no!! But thank god it wasn't as bad as the last one that killed 20.
Sakshi scored an 87% in her board exams. That's nice but Lavanaya scored 93%.
Indian economy is growing at 8% every year. Damn!! The Chinese beat us at that too.
Virendra Sehwag made 300 runs in his last test against Australia. But he is still behind Sachin's record of 39 test centuries (I hope that's the correct number).
I fail to understand the logic. Is an achievement not good enough in itself? Is an act of wrong doing more rightful if it harms lesser number of people?
Now, the critics might argue that comparisons push you to perform better, raise the standard and achieve more in life. Maybe, but that is a comparison that one should make to himself. My take on the matter is completely different though. The comparisons, for most, are severely limiting because the limits of another can't be the reflection of your caliber. We should be able to judge how good we have been and how much better we can get, without or without having someone else's performance as a benchmark.
I earn a million dollars and I don't care about the guy who earns 10 million or the one who earns 100 dollars!! I am happy earning my million. But I am not yet complacent because I know I can earn more. And I will, no matter if nobody else does or everybody does.
I am not fair and I will make dark beautiful, with or without a story of a black swan to guide me.

Alexander never conquered the world by comparing himself to any other ruler or kingdom. He knew what he could and wanted to achieve and set out to do just that. And we need to do just that. After all, for how long do we want someone's failure to be a measure of our success? Or vice versa.

Friday, September 5, 2008

The Objectivity of Selfishness


"I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction."

- Ayn Rand

This is a statement that makes me think after the sessions over the last two days and it really does. I have never known that selfishness could perhaps be a virtue.

And this made me look up the meaning of selfish in the dictionary. It says, 'Concerned chiefly or only with oneself'...

And now I think that if it is actually what the definition says, it is MAYBE, not a bad thing. Afterall, be a judge yourself and say, which part of the statement exudes negativity? None actually...so what makes it bad? What would make it bad is when you do the above at the cost of someone else, overstepping someone's interests for your own such that it leads to their downfall.

Stop. Pause. Think.

Spare a minute and you will realise that there is, probably, no greater service than service to self. Because an unhappy soul is not the agent of happiness to the outside world. He can not be.

This thought actually compelled me to read Ayn Rand's Virtue of Selfishness...

Maybe, yet another selfish pursuit to the need for an introspective today!!!

Monday, August 18, 2008

The darkness of the KNIGHT

....And to make the most of the uneventful weekend, I watched The Dark Knight!!
And this is absolutely, most certainly, the most amazing performance ever by anyone...it looked like the film was about the character out of a playing cards deck and not about Batman!!
All in all, I loved it absolutely...

More to follow..

Monday, August 4, 2008

The kiss and the Miss...not so happening

I am no under cover journalist. And I am not likely to spill any beans on Ms Sherawat.
And I most definitely am wondering to myself as I write this, if the lady is actually worth occupying this space on "my blog"!!
What the heck!
This Saturday, I watched Ugly aur Pagli. Yes, the same movie which has the very unlikely pairing of Mallika Sherawat and Ranvir Shorey. What would a 'thinking actor' be doing with a woman whose claim to fame was 17 onsecreen kisses in her debut movie!! But I am sure, the 'thinking actor' did give this situation considerable thought :)
Afterall, he shares screen space with Mallika Sherawat, who as much as you and I hate her or love her, we just can't ignore her. And the lady sure knows how to get the curiosity levels sky high about her movies, her wardrobe or the lack of it or her co stars and also the steamy scenes with her co stars.
Anyhow, my take on the movie...
  • The 99 slaps line worked wonders..got everyone thinking
  • The movie was lukewarm compared to the 'sizzling' Pyaar ke side effects. Now the reasons may be varied. Maybe, PKSE wasn't so much of a Mallika movie. It gave equal footing to both Rahul and Mallika. Rahul, of course, played the perfect restraining act and maybe that took away a little from Ms Sherawat's over-the-top performance, which made it bearable and to some extent endearing. UAP, on the contrary, is out and out Mallika's playground. While Ranvir, thankfully, is not a mere prop but still he has precious littleto do in the movie. So, it's Ms Sherawat all the way. And, honestly, that gets alittle too much!!
  • The 1 promised kiss was so completely lost in all the drama of 99 slaps (which beyond 23, I stopped counting )
  • PNC has always made better movies. This was just not upto the mark.

And as for the leading lady of the movie, I mean I do like the woman for her honesty. But she could really work upon her crying. It just has to look beyond glycerine and half a choke.

Rest, it was okay.Time pass. Paisa vasool...hmmm..I would say so.

But then, just dont go with sky high expectations of seeing the Ugly getting slappred 99 times by the beauty and then the magic of the one kiss. U just won't find it.

Not here atleast.

The discoveries of a Monday morning

It is not really a discovery in a way. But it is not even inconsequential. It matters a lot!!

Atleast to me it does. And I have decided, this is how it is going to be..

No more mindless chase, no charade, nothing. It matters to me. It is important. Period!!

This rather uneventful Monday morning gave me two very important 'discoveries':
  • I hate Maths and I hate it more than I ever did in school. And I wonder why Aryabhatta wanted to be a famous man? And I wonder why we invented all the logarithms and the twenty different kinds of numbers. Yes, the simple 1, 2, 3, 4.... have atleast 20 different names to them. I wonder why...
  • And chocolate is the puuuurrrfect solution to alll miseries in life..rich, dark, tempting, melted and mmmmm....(serve at room temperature. Do yourself a favor, don't eat it cold)

Friday, August 1, 2008

a vacuum of journalistic dignity

Just a couple of days back, we had a young man of Indian origin die under "mysterious circumstances" in Maldives. Over the last 3 days, all that I have seen or heard in media is about that young man..and some of it extremely disturbing. I don't think anyone who heard the news could have been spared the heartbreak. I don't think there is an exception to those who think how difficult it must be for the family. But what deems an exception is how the media has gone about in a circus like ritual for the TRPs.
In the bargain, what they talked and showed on national television was a mini biography and had some very disturbing content. All the channels and newspapers alike, carried end to end information about the young man starting last year when he was suddenly catapulted to fame after winning a reality show. They went ahead and even talked about his singing ability (or the lack thereof) and discussed openly what the judges of the shows he had participated in had to say about him, some good and some not-so-good!!
The point here is, that is extremely important for the masses to know about a 'story' in detail and the media must cover all ends in this pursuit. But what they must remember is that the dead deserve some dignity. So go ahead and talk about the man, his school, his family, his singing, his shows, his friends but do spare the negatives. Don't just lampoon about trying to create a sensation by calling every sentence a 'Breaking News'. It is, after all, a dead man we are talking about who really can't defend himself in any manner. Let's not go about showing a disfigured face of the dead man on national television. The content is viewed even by children and the elderly and this is purely against journalistic ethics.
The Arushi murder case was a similar story of going overboard to get ahead in the race for TRPs. No channel/newspaper spared the family in the days after the murder, when the family needed the time most to remember the loved one they had lost. It is appalling how the police could character assassinate a 12 year old girl who was no more. But what was worse was how the media jumped at this carrot being dangled in front of them and made it worse. This is where some restraint should have been exercised to spare the family those embarrassing moments.
When I studied journalism, I always though that the talk of self regulation by the media was purely meant for the books. Now,as an outsider, I couldn't agree more on how important it is to know not just what will get you the eyeballs, but more importantly, if it's actually worth it!!!

12 pics and me


This is one of the few times that I have actually followed a tag and I must admit, I loved what "I" look like and what "I" have to offer to those who know me and those who don't. And before unravelling the mystery, I would like to credit Aishwarya Rao for introducing me to this.
And now for a better understanding, here go the rules and my answers:

1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
2. Using only the first page, pick an image.
3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into
fd’s mosaic maker.

1. What is your first name?
Ruchi Mann, and I liked the image of the girl’s feet..
2. What is your favorite food? Right now?
Always, dal rice…frugal but I love it!!
3. What high school did you go to?
Father Agnel School, Delhi.
4. What is your favorite color?
Black…and the picture is apt
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
Rahul Gandhi, not since long though
6. Favorite drink?
Orange Juice (and I always like it served with exactly two cubes of ice)
7. Dream vacation?
Tahiti
8. Favorite dessert?
Chocolate Chip Ice cream
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Happy..but this is a strange picture showing happiness but the best on the first page
10. What do you love most in life?
People around me
11. One Word to describe you.
Mine (cheeky smile)
12. Your Flickr name.
Fish out of water


Monday, May 19, 2008

The ecstasy of being Number 6!!

There is nothing...absolutely nothing..that drives the flow of this blog. It is the start of another week after a not-so-exciting weekend; there is the apparent drain of Kolkata Knight Riders losing to Chennai Super Kings rather unfortunately; the not-so-subdued disappointment at a certain Mr Khan choosing to call his dog by another Mr. Khan's name and then rather shamelessly putting it on his blog for all to read, some to snigger and some to laugh; there are gory pics that remind you of the inhuman action of the Jaipur blasts and amidst all this there is the GPTW announcement of American Express as the 6th Best Employer in the country!!!!

And I am REALLY TRYING to find my sanity amidst all the unwarranted action!!

And the phone rings...more to follow later.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

The Big Fat Rich Indian Wedding

That goes without saying. A wedding in India, it has to be big. Sometimes we even succeed in making it fairly classy. Just sometimes.

While the love for all things Indian grows in the parts of the world that see sunlight later (!!!!), Indians are slowly moving towards sleek affairs. No more ostentation, less noise, fewer relatives (selected gathering as they call it) and the works. Essentially, we are well en route the western civilisation path. But this is true to anything but the weddings.

Weddings still have to be large, huge and any synonym that you might want to attach to it. Then whether it is Sabeer Bhatia or Bhatia uncle's youngest son's sister-in-law, the rule is as universal as it gets. So today when my best friend told me he is getting married sometime next year, I was already imagining a lavish wedding with fancy jewelry and great food and cool gifts even before he finished the sentence (and no, he is not Punjabi!!). Just for that one moment, easy gone were the inhibitions of being perceived desi (snigger).

I guess, like all Indians, weddings are an integral part of my existence too. The reds and the golds have dominated and will do so, at least for a very long time to come. The day when the geographies are forgotten. And the way Punjabi bhangra has pervaded even the south and the west, just acts as another unifying factor (the various versions are hilarious).

So while I get ready for a Gujju wedding, and decide what to wear and what to gift, may the Indian wedding become bigger!!!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

???

Confusion over the Queen's language:

Is it "THAT IS IT" or "THIS IS IT"!!!!

YAWN...

It's the middle of the week, and I am already awaiting the end!! It's usually not me, since Wednesday, for some unknown reason, has been quite my favourite day always. But today, its absolutely unlike it..I am waiting for the day to end, more than I ever waited for the Chemistry class to end!!
I have been chewing on Mentos (the lemon flavor, mind you, not the mint) and that is about it!! Have only about two pages full of To-Dos and haven't even tick-marked one since the wretched morning...and that is it!!
Oh please oh please oh lord, i even had to force myself to write this stuff.
THAT IS IT....I badly need a break

Friday, March 14, 2008

creative justice..

while most of the ads that I have seen lately, are nothing but clever imagery (and they make this apparent, which is why there is no differentiating factor among those), some are a backed with a good thought process and actually manage to make a point. Notable, is Incredible India (marked shift from the place showing ads to colour inspiring ones...but they too have overdone it and some of those like ethnic pink and mustard yellow just don't make the cut!) . Bipasha in Reebok - good move, fantastic hoardings.

A look at some of the good ones:


And then there are the Colas!! While I do maintain that God has his designs in the success of these drinks but still what I can never understand is why is there such a dearth of craetivity when it comes to their advertising! On one hand we have Ranbir and Deepika with Shahrukh in Youngistaan (both the newcomers look cold as ice together and prove once again that few off screen couples can put the screen on fire, anyway, ). The concept lacks depth. It lacks execution. It lacks the pull. What it has is a name (Youngistan, for the uninitiated) and thats it! And then we have Hrithik creating street food stalls out of thin air and giving bechara bachchas something to chew upon (that something happens to be that we dont need a reason to celebrate with Coke or something in that vein). And we have Akshay Kumar in Thums Up almost killing himself and the girl next to him due to his love (unger, passion, whatever) for a bottle of Thums Up. While I wouldn't say that this ad would encourage mass behavior but still the creative professional should simply be sacked for the rather pathetic job!! And we also have the 'bina guthali ka aam' just to spread some colour.
Cola advertising seems to digress ever so often. My dear friends, what is the brand promise? Why would Coke move away from 'little drops of joy' to junk-like street food (pun intended). If your answer is 'to appeal to the common man', then go back and get Aamir to redo the paanch series!! (please dont have him in the stupid mindless waiter in the train getup). We dont need our heroes to climb over walls and create havoc in the city traffic departmnet to drink Coke/Pepsi/Thums Up.
Really, we need a break from this. And to think, summer hasn't even started!!



of wishes and fantasies

a teacher at 7
a doctor at 9
a teacher at 10 (again)
a singer at 10
a dancer at 11
a ballerina at 13
astro physics at 16
journalist at 17
media mogul at 19
'event'ful existence at 21
at 24,
events, communication, international relations, MBA, marketing, writing, blah!!!
...still figuring it out!!
I just sat thinking about what all I have ever wanted to be in my life, ranging from the staple doctor and teacher to a dancer and a ballerina (when I have 1 and a half left feet, not two, not just yet!!)Out of all of these I think a profession in astro physics was the least informed choice (actually completely compelled by the urge to take up a cool sounding profession (in hindsight, that might actually have scared off a few people). A journalist was a 'glamorous' yet "murky" choice (the single quotes signify the perception and the double quotes, the experience, the truth). Events were a digression from PR (the loved one) and actually was 'event'ful (tribute to the glorious days). And now....ahem ahem

Essentially, am back at the very crossroads where I started. Yes, a little better. I mean I have some work-ex to boast about (some of it really good). And more information on a lot many choices...nah nah, dont even begin to cheer. This overbearing information is too much to behold and has caused a major jam to the thinking prowess of yours truly!! An MBA vs a Masters vs a lot more work. Salary jumps vs. work satisfaction. Professional growth vs. personal. MAN!!!

The fear of this being the much fabled 'mid-life' crisis creeps around. But then, I am still on the right side of 25 (smirk) and not married and no kids so dont quite think thats the case. It's not been the most settled dawn for a new year in my life. Too many questions (mind you a few nagging doubts too) and too many damn people to talk (none to advise)...

Now, if only it could be a life spent watching films (good/bad/animation/romance/action or the Jodhaa Akbar category), reading, playing the piano (learning to play it first) and dancing...

like i said, its a life of wishes and fantasies!!

laziness!!

Have been plain lazy to update the blog with anything!! and whenever i came online and visited others' blogs, well, caught them napping so really not much inspiration there, you see!!

But its been long and am dying to write, just don't know what to write about...well, i celebrated my birthday a few days back and felt depressed getting another year closer to being on the wrong side of 25 (sic!!!) and then spent the rest of the day doing this and that and nothing. And then i have been coming to office day after day after day, back to the same drudgery..so really not much to write about!! so really, have an absolute dearth of things of any interest even to myself..

YAWN!!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

A cup full of creativity- part 2

N24 channel MTV Mastercard Lycra
Levis Johnie Walker - Keep walking Jansport Hungarian Dance Academy - sexist but good History Files Harley Davidson Greenpeace Golds Gym Garnier ELLE Durex Duragres Tiles DHL De Beers Clearasil CCRJ Homeless children association California Milk Advisory
Buttero Boots Bhopal Medical Aid - read the copy Audi - lovely Aquafresh Absolut Vodka

A cup full of creativity!!

Advertising.

Take a moment. What does this one word bring to your mind. Products, brands, promotions, shahrukh in numerous ads, some abstract jingle you heard while getting a haircut at the salon? Well, advertising is much more than all of these. It is, probably, the highest form of make believe. The advertisers will convince you that you look old, that your husband/boyfriend would love you just that much more if you use this cream every night for the next 30 days or wear this rather sexy pair of jeans that looks 'Oh-my-God-gorgeous' on Sushmita Sen. But what advertising does best is convincing you that you can actually look like Sushmita Sen or that model in that particular red dress in that ad (and you will pose in front of the mirror to see if you actually do even if it is hidden away from the rest of the world). And all advertisers do this obviously for the 'holier than thou' client of theirs. Now none of this should suggest that I don't like ads. I love them and I absolutely adore subtle intelligent advertising. Obviously, Govinda in some red kurta saying Thanda thanda cool cool is not my idea of an ad, but Shahrukh telling me that he has used Nokia for years is (and this has nothing to so with their screen image). It is just the intelligent use of the personality for a classic showcase of the product that convinces you to try that product that advertising aims at. It is, without doubt, the best medium to create a brand image that pervades the psyche of the consumer, if done well.

I belong to a generation that has seen some really good ads from our days in the cradle. From Lalitaji (plain, simple, direct) to Aishwarya and Aamir in Pepsi to Aamir Khan in Coke paanch series to the adorable pug in the Hutch ads to cricket in Nike on bus tops and finally to the borderless Airtel. At the same time we have been exposed to some rather horrendous gimmickry that only they would call advertising! But still, in my opinion advertising, if done properly and intelligently can serve a purpose and actually build a brand.

So yesterday, as I sat in my office working I came across this collection of ads that left me spellbound. Some of them purely because they were really clever and the others simply because they weren't ads at all! leave aside the bad ones to their own existence, I am putting up some of the ones I really liked in the following post.

And we can leave the point of least resistance, the reach and effectiveness et al for a later discussion.

Monday, January 21, 2008

dilbert at day end


Self praise of a new kind

Reading a few blogs here and there I noticed a largely popular trend.

Many people bask in the glory of self pity!! And make their sordid tales and sad sorry lives everybody's business!! SIC.

Mindless chatter of a Monday morning

It simply amazes me! On a rather nippy (cold it was) winter morning, this bunch of women, dressed snazzily [worth a mention the attire: two of them in sleeveless tops and the other in a simple full sleeved shirt!], chirping away at the main entrance to my rather dominating office building.

Getting off the car, i grant them a half hearted look. Trying to manage the three large ( it surprises me how women carry "purses" that measure no longer than my finger span. But that's another story) bags I carry (one is for the laptop, one is for all the other things other women need to carry as well and the third for the food, which probably is the largest of them all and being a Punju it shudn't even surprise anyone) and the access card (most important in this 'high security office' which is perenially at risk) and the damn turnstiles which make more nuisance than any sense, I just about managed to stand upright on my two rather pretty feet in 4 inch heels (THAT is another story. Not that I need heels owing to my decent-ish height but it does impart a secret pleasure with men who stand at 5 ft nothing looking up at you. Whatever happened to tall dark handsome). While I bravely shoulder the burden of the universe on my dainty shoulders, I can't help but overhear their converstaion (of the three women, remember this is about them who might have gotten lost in my endless rambling about trivial pursuits of my lilfe).

Anyhow, back to the conversation..it starts with a reference to some sale at M- Block market where the women saw some really "cool" stuff with faux fur on it!! I couldn't help but recoil at the talk..It is a Monday morning. The weekend hangover is still not gone. And it is freezing at 5 degree celcius. And amidst all this, these women find the time and the will to brave the odds
(read cold) and discuss mundane things which are even beyond the trivialities, and all this in practically non existent clothes!! I am just surprised. And then....it hit me. I was actually surprised at myself for finding this conversation ridiculous. Not long ago while in college, the sales and their talks were indeed what 'bonded' practically everyone in the class, even those you try your best to ignore! And then.. I just grew up from one Monday to another. The mindlessness of their talk actually made me think. The pseudo intellectualism that pervades our society and mocks at Himesh Reshammiya and the aunties in strange clothes is completely turning a blind eye to the popular culture. Not that I like either of the two but then again, I wouldn't have baulked at these women talking about strange things in strange clothes on a maniacal Monday morning a few years back.

I just about pull myself to my room and dump the stuff. I sat back and thought over a cup of Hot Mocha from Costa about the things that this morning has offered and what lies in store. Well, am back to my weekend (and the weekend years) having moved over the maniacal Monday.