Kulhad Wali Chai… December 20, 2011

Oh I love Winters… my favourite time of the year… the warmth of the blankets and the rajaais, the dohars and the shawls, the oh-so-clumsy monkey caps and the very sylish mufflers… the dread of touching cold water, the romanticism of sitting by a camp fire, the soft smelling cold-creams and moisturisers, the wearing of skin-coloured socks with hawai-chappals, the roasted moongphalis, the garma garam kababs, the strong espresso and the earthy tea in a kulhad nestled in between our palms and the warmth of the kulhad adding to the coziness that winter brings in our life…. oh, i miss winter and i love winter and most of all, I love and miss Kulhads!

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What are kulhads… well they are traditional terracotta cups without handles used to serve tea, coffee, lassi, kulfi …
They are unglazed and crude to look at and the hot tea would have lent a moist wet earthy fragrance to the entire experience of sipping chai from a kulhad and that is what makes it so amazing

image: facebook.com

My mum’s from Uttar Pradesh and our winters in childhood were always in UP… Kanpur and Varanasi to be precise and we used to look forward to the kulhad experience… We never had that in Bombay and we hated the cheap plastic cups and thermocol glasses that were handed out to us in the trains when we asked for tea or coffee…

I miss the kulhad… there is so much being talked about the environment and the harm that the plastics can do to us… then why isn’t anyone trying to revive the Kulhad? While I do know that one minister in India had tried to bring back the kulhad to it’s good old glamour and utility, but it fizzled out because of the continued use of plastic and paper cups.

There are lots of things that constituted to make my childhood earthy and beautiful which I fear my little one may not even get exposed to by the time she is a little older. I am not an environmentalist and wouldn’t know the intricacies of choosing or not choosing kulhads over paper cups. I wouldn’t even know the nitty-gritties of business if there were any, attached to the whole idea of wanting to get back the kulhad…

All I know that as a consumer I am losing out on some amazing experience, miss some very earthy memories and really wish we could do our bit to bring it back… however, obsolete many people may think it was or is, the kulhad sure holds a prized place in my memory and my winters are not complete without it.

image: glowimages.com

Playing The Part July 13, 2011

“Oh Wow… you are a mother of two children?… Man, you don’t look it?!”
“OMG… you don’t look married… that’s awesome!”
“What…. your children are in Engineering?! I thought your kids were in KG!”

“What?! You have a few months old child?! I thought you would have elder kids”…….. Okay, now that is usually what I get… while the ones above are what my peers and people around me get…
And that has got me to write this post…

Increasingly there is added pressure on Not looking the part… you are not meant to look what you actually are or rather what your actual status is…

So if you are in college, you should look like a school going girl; if you are married or working young you should look like you are still in college, if you have kids you should look like someone who is not married at all and so on and so forth.
And not surprisingly the men do not have any such social issues or problems or concerns for looking their part…I mean they can look and be all that they are and not are and its okay… but Woman… you have to NOT look your part…
So the market is flooded with anti-ageing creams and wrinkle fading creams, ads show younger looking moms with each passing day with grown up kids, Kellogs would have you believe that Lara can owe all her svelte sexy figure to them and them only and I am now left completely confused about not what is my role in life now but surely how the world expects to see me….

mirror_reflection - Image courtesy - the sgl.com

It is a quiet dissension in my head and it is growing with each passing day. So I am walking a few good miles, running the treadmill, am on all fours working my *** off at home and trying to lose all the pregnancy fat… and while some may say, isn’t that good for you and your health?! and while I do agree that it is good… what is not good is the pressure under which I am doing it.
I may choose not to give into that pressure, but trust me, men if you are reading this and the women who are reading it will agree, the pressure is daunting!

I have friends of my age and older who are looking younger by the day, married ones are sexily carrying off haulter necks with sindurs almost as a fashion accessory, the ones with kids are tiptoeing on stilettos and are slipping into stretch jeans and are throwing abundantly the statements of vanity and may I also paradoxically add determination of getting back their youthful halo.

I am caught hence, wondering everyday on what should I look like today… a young mother?! or just a mother?! a homemaker?! a content homemaker?! a young mother aspiring to get back to work?! And while I am still struggling everyday with these questions, the wardrobe throws back the same quandary of what should I wear to look the part that I don’t look and then finally and obviously what should I look like?

The television is increasingly defining what women are supposed to look like in my country…

I have never found myself being hit so badly by the advertising world or by the society we live in… I have very quietly always been able to manage an offbeat fashion, a style, and always carried the look and lived the part of a self aware woman who was more keen to set standards rather than be following the ones around her…

But sadly I have become a victim today…. find myself in a quagmire of self effacing questions and social concerns…

I know the part I am playing now… but I am so sure I don’t know what to show…So Are you not supposed to look the part? Will my child be made fun of if her mother looks a mother and not someone out of the Dettol and Santoor ads?

This post is more a reflection of my mind today than ever before and all my posts before this…. would love to hear your views and get inspired.

Eeeks…. Help with the Ads June 16, 2011

Have you ever realized that the Harpic ads are invariably aired during lunchtime, dinner time and breakfast….

Yelp… hate them…. who plans the Harpic ads….. please be kind to our churning guts!!!

eeks.... not food time please

Of Nagging Salespeople and Lifetime Membership Cards… October 6, 2010

The moment you reach the cash counter after you have waded past the nagging salespeople, and their not so great attempts at persuading you to buy something…I say, not so good attempt since most of them, or rather majority of them have little or no knowledge of what they are trying to sell to you… so ya, just when you have reached the cash counter, the executive starts to mumble under his breath of whether you want the Lifetime Membership Card… and he won’t stop rambling….

I keep saying No!… No!!… No!!!… And they still wouldn’t stop…. And they wouldn’t stop till they have narrated the entire deal to you…. I DON’T CARE Man!!!!

If I had thought you were the best that I could get, I would surely have taken that Lifetime Membership Card… but No, you are not the best one around… you are just more accessible and around … and may be only today… coz tomorrow some one else may take that place and I could be in some other part of town… You are not the best one around since most of you nowadays sell the same thing, the schemes are predictable, the decoration is, the slogans are and your people do not still know what they are selling…

shut-up - Image Courtesy: Ronmartin.net

Be it that flamboyant international bakery and coffee brand, or the big lifestyle brand with fluorescent bags or the so called multicolored music store from a giant Media house … frustration peaks when the salesperson does all the deal of Namaskar Madam and then doesn’t know what to say next and has a ‘BLAH’ moment!!! Exasperated I am then… I am reminded of that scene from ‘You’ve Got Mail’ where Meg Ryan enters the large book store owned by Tom Hanks which is surely pretty and attractive, but has a salesperson who doesn’t know all about the Shoe Books… Does he need to know about everything in the store… well, not exactly, but at least show the gesture of wanting to try and finding it out for the customer…?

My dad has run a business of sarees for many years now and I learnt it from him to at least show a kind gesture for the customer… whether they wanted to know more about a yarn, or the origins of a saree, or a design in particular… my dad gave the customer that undivided attention trying to understand his or her need and when he did found out the details, he would call up the customer and share it with him or her. The customers would be pleasantly surprised most times and completely overwhelmed for they could never imagine a business man taking the pains to understand one simple enquiry of theirs and make an effort to know more about it… and trust me, I think that was Customer Service!

I stopped working in a Call Centre because I found myself in a crowd where I couldn’t help and was not supposed to help…I was only supposed to take the calls… and then of course we were given sessions on customer service!!!

Try to hard sell something only when you can help the customer make a prudent decision… and for God’s sake, please stop rambling about the Lifetime Membership Cards… I really do not care you know…

We look up to … Who?! April 28, 2010

In a day and age, when we are bombarded with programmes on youth icon of the year, leaders of the century, fresh talent of the year or anything on those lines…. I still find myself starved of one face and icons who I can identify with… oh forget identify… least of all remember….

Am not sure if you are faced with this dilemma, but I have this persistent feeling that we are a generation deprived of leaders, examples, innovations, discoveries and icons.

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The 20^th century was dotted with wars and events and industrialization helped in technological innovations and changes. There were mass movements and leaders who changed the course of history in more times than one. Good or bad, evil or holy, leaders there were…Music evolved and so did Art! Science laid the foundations of advanced discoveries to be made and ease human existence….and I don’t even want to reiterate on the various leaders, artistes, scientists, innovators who opened the doors for the Gen X and Y to feel like the Chosen Ones

 And while the 21^st century has seen a surge in terrorism, political instability across the world, larger platforms for talent exposure et al… and still there is not one person, or movement that has yet defined the way we can re-look at our generation to be more historically significant.

Barack Obama has not even become a leader because of his leadership because that is something the world is yet to see… he has tweeted his way up the white house and has published the so called jingoistic speeches which someone else has penned down for him. There is an APJ Kalam with his pathbreaking ideas but had the most wasted office in the whole world, wherefrom ideas hardly ever get materialized.

This generation is surely communicating a lot, tweeting a lot, is seeing more of each other on Facebook and Youtube and it’s probably a richer and more dynamic generation… at least, that’s what we are made to believe… but still there is something lacking… the spirit to stand up and give our thoughts a voice is lacking… the spirit to start a revolution is lacking… and I am not even saying that I can do it… coz I know I can’t. I belong to this world cocooned in innumerable TV shows and press clippings that gives me the ethereal buoyancy that I have done more than my bit by sending a SMS to the mayor or writing a blog.

It’s a generation of bandwidths and speed, of indigo kids and 15min celebrities, of animated superheroes and monks who sold their integrity… Am not sure if the Reality TV shows effort to find the Youth Icon of the year is of any consequence unless we as a nation are collectively responsible for what and who we are choosing as leaders and who do we look up to? If not, they will be nothing less than just brands and ambassadors and would hardly fulfill their role of being role models!

Brand Ramdev :) March 18, 2010

Say, everyone knows about Anulom-Vilom and Bharsika, Kapaalbharti and Bhrambhri… its common jargon and not the elusive language of yoga anymore… Ramdev Baba … what a brand…!

Do I feel awkward calling him a brand… yes… but it’s not because I don’t think he is one, coz I respect him and his teachings myself… and in today’s parlance we end up creating a brand from everything… and I think he surpasses all such definitions…

He has single handedly brought together an entire spectrum of audiences from across the globe and converted them into one homogenous mass of audience who is perceptive to his words, his speeches, his teachings, his innovations and who very naturally take up the responsibility of becoming brand ambassadors and custodians on his behalf … (all for your well being). It seems like a  simple strategy in the words of Seth Godin, a simple strategy of “Flipping the Tunnel”, - Turn strangers into friends / Turn friends into customers / And then… do the most important job / Turn your customers into salespeople …

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Right from his simple teaching of Pranayam Yoga and making it accessible and be known to all and sundry, to creating a health conscious society, to help build back the faith in Ayurveda (replete with quality, well packaged, simple designing and clear details of the ingredients that goes into the medicines and loud and clear testimonials from everyone who has benefited through this routine) … it’s a well rounded approach with a desired objective of serving the society, of helping the country regain it’s lost culture and knowledge of the Yoga Sciences and creating a society of well being and good health, creating a ”Disease Free Society – Medicines Free World”.

Whether you mock it, be cynical about it, loathe it or simple ignore it… Brand Ramdev Baba is here to stay… for the sheer sincerity of concept, thought and intention… and well, if you think I am evangelizing… well… I have practiced it and have benefited …  

Raahu, Ketu and Us in a Time Warp February 3, 2010

So I have been losing precious time, days, hours, months and years only under the forever discussions of Raahu, Ketu and many such improbable or ugly cosmic misgivings. I am not a non-believer and I do believe in a whole lot of things… but I am part rationalist too. So to stall all work for a couple of hours a day sounds daunting to me… when I mean stall all work, I mean something new and consequential and not the routine. So while you can continue to cook and bathe and watch television during Rahu kaal but you cannot sign a deal, make new ties and associations… not do anything precious or auspicious. I will not get into explaining Rahu and Ketu to you… you can Google it  :)

 With an overflowing list of programs on television nowadays that are dedicated to stars, star signs, constellations and astrology, I wonder if it is helping people to get any wiser or is it only encouraging superstitions  approach to viewing calendars!

 What if I did not know about the impending Raahu or Ketu Kaal in a particular point of time in the day and went ahead with some negotiations or business transactions? Would it still not come through? Would it not be successful? I am not questioning faith, but I am not okay with not being able to go ahead with normal life and planned businesses because of some time in the day, everyday!!!

In my view, all these so called programs on television are attaching more fear to stars, signs, constellations etc. I think cosmic events are beautiful, scientific and a natural occurrence. Why associate it with fear, misfortune and impending doom? Why make them reasons for our own natural crisis? Are we less fearful of nature? Why can’t we just love it, for what it is and for what it gives us?

 It’s a time warp… where I am left helpless for not being able to do much as there are many others influencing that call of decision to observe the so called not-so-good times of the day. I am livid at all the national channels producing these baba-giri programs where babas with straightened hairs and devis with huge coloured rock-studded rings on their hands are creating an environment of fear, mythical misperceptions and stealing confidence from the hearts and minds of people.

Jaago and Jagaao… Arise…Awake :) December 27, 2009

Tata Tea:  What a Brand… a feisty cup of tea that has challenged the country to rid itself of a malice that seeps deep down – Corruption!

Started in August 2009, Tata Tea first brought up the issue across all media to look around and take notice of the fact that corruption was the biggest hurdle that was holding the country back in its progress… individually and socially. Taking cue from the simple fact that a cup of tea is what jagaao’s or awakens millions of Indians every morning… they took it to the next level of metaphor – an awakening not just from sleep but from everything that is pinning you down … wake up to stop all that is regressing and vicious… wake up to being a good citizen and not just an individual… take charge of things around you and stop the mammoth demon that threatens to wipe off the very texture of our society. I can almost find some similarities with what Swami Vivekananda said… “We are responsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves. If what we are now has been the result of our own past actions, it certainly follows that whatever we wish to be in future can be produced by our present actions; so we have to know how to act.” It almost seems that Tata Tea’s is a call to everyone to act on it… to act on the malaise of corruption and be responsible as citizens to eradicate it and work towards a greater society.

Khilana Bandh... Pilana Shuru

They launched an integrated campaign “Khilana Bandh Pilana Shuru” whereby the call is to everyone to not just abstain from taking bribe but also not give bribes or engage in any other form of corruption. Tata Tea activated the Khilana Bandh, Pilana Shuru campaign, through various media. The campaign has garnered 25,000 online pledges through www.jaagore.com and 18,000 mobile pledges. The activation included distribution of pledge booklets through its distribution network to the channel partners and trade. This activity led to 1.1L pledges. In addition, Tata Tea tied up with Outlook for a school activation program, thus reaching out to students and their parents in 285 schools across 13 cities. This resulted in 26,000 pledges.

They also started on a nationwide bus yatra called Vrath Yatra – a 38 day bus journey across the country to connect with the youth and urge them to pledge against corruption. The Vrath Yatra, has been designed in association with Radio Mirchi and Fever.

Also do have a dekko at the revised Jaago Re Website – which facilitates the flow of information and resources between individuals / groups / organizations – by bringing together, onto a common platform, those who possess info and resources and those who need them. The understanding behind the website is that people have the desire and the resources to contribute meaningfully to social causes that they believe in.

Jaagore

Jagaao

Jagaao is the direct engagement section of the website – a place where individuals and organizations (NGOs) register and create a profile. It is the social exchange wherein NGOs can post various requirements – in the form of projects requiring man-hours or specific skills etc. Similarly, individuals can post their interest areas and availability. Individuals can search for projects by location, dates, causes etc. NGOs can also actively search for people using the filters provided.

www.jaagore.com

And while it is a corporate initiative, I think this is what we need… more and more Corporates to come forth, pick up issues and help create a force of like minded people, create a movement and help revive India – Our India. I believe in the Jaago Re Campaign… and I am willing to believe in every other such social issue concerning us that is raked up by Corporates at large. It’s a good start and I hope many more get on the bandwagon of creating responsible citizens.

Wockhardt…A Hospital With A Heart :) December 25, 2009

Over the past two days, I got a glimpse of what makes a great brand…

• Efficient, well informed and well behaved staff
• Experts
• Quality in technology and applications
• Resourcefulness
• Super quick service
• Empathy towards the customer

I am talking of Wockhardt Hospitals…

What a Heart

Wow… what an experience… no, it may sound like am talking of some hospitality brand… and while the past few days have been a tad harrowing personally, but somewhere just being in Wockhardt was an assurance and a feeling that they are going to make everything right… at least they will try their best.

So my Mother – in – Law (MIL) fell ill with a mild stroke … yeah, mild for sure, but a stroke is a stroke is a stroke and it’s not the most comforting of news when you are all by yourself without family in a city with no known doctors or medical practitioners. And as if by destiny, Wockhardt happened to be right next to my workplace. So I just rushed my MIL there and that’s where I had a rendezvous with ‘Dedication’.

Not only was the Cardiologist a thorough gentleman, but was empathetic, had a great ear to hear out, made some good observations that were authenticated by the medical reports done later… and he was around till my MIL left the hospital guiding me through everything. Then of course were the nurses, the dieticians, the on-duty doctor, the peon, the liftman, the security personnel, the administration… they all seemed to be bound by a common pledge… a pledge for Customer Care!

If they did not have a specific arrangement within the hospital premises, like the CT scan, they had her sent to a diagnostic centre with complete care and arrangements and helped me get the reports on time. They all networked amongst themselves so well, that you would wonder, when???

And then I thought the hospital bills would be sky rocketing… but I was in for the biggest surprise when I saw the bill too… and that was not like a private hospital…no ways like a private hospital…it was humane… it reflected a sincerity towards the patient, an oath of service and an intent to see through the patient to better-ness without any harassment…

Wockhardt… A Hospital with a HEART

Crusty Evolution of PR December 10, 2009

Yeah… So I wish I was in advertising… at least there is a place to propose ideas and execute them… The Client feels obliged to let you bring some of those ideas to life… he is paying for those ideas …

 So I wish I was in journalism… at least if I was not happy about something in the system, I could voice it and create a movement to help it get back on track…

But I am neither in Advertising and Journalism (despite the repeated beliefs of everyone around me that I should have been in either of the two)… but I am not…

I am in PR… In Public Relations… !!! Is it bad?! I don’t know you know… Coz’ it’s surely not the best thing…

While I am given to believe that with a job like mine, I change the course of communication and bring a revolution to the way my Clients perceive publicity and to help journalists see something more …

 So shouldn’t it give me the soundest sleep and the most satisfied feeling I could ever get… actually No!

PR is Media Relations in India… just that… nothing more, nothing less. So while you do have Clients participating in The Second Life, glorifying the advent of PR 2.0, the multiplying effect of Social Networking Sites that PR could benefit from… the final cake still goes to the Economic Times Coverage and the Forbes Story …

So if that Agency will finally be reviewed on that and if that finally is the mandate on which the Client judges your performance; then why invite for the Digital PR section in your PR Strategy? Why give the impression to the Agency or the PR consultant that you take the Science of Communication seriously? Coz you don’t!

And while I know I will invite debaters on this, I am more than happy to get this discussion going… my sense is that we only like to indulge in drawing room discussions about the evolution of PR, while we (Client and Agency) refuse to move out of the orthodox norms and measurements of evaluating PR performance…

 And that growing nagging feeling of a crusty evolution of the industry is what is snowballing into a dissatisfaction…of wanting to do more, of wishing I could contribute to a larger cause of the PR industry and I need to figure the starting point soon…