- The truth is hidden from view- for example latent brands.
- Your reward lies in the hereafter- for example insurance for your family!!, charity!!
- True happiness in only available to the initiated, the "insiders."- for example, premium and exclusive offers for discerning customers!!
- Everyday reality is a sham, a waste of time, an illusion- for example an advt asking you to think beyond your shackles of this world
- We are all defective, our personal experiences have no legitimacy without the validation of priests.- for example sponsors, expert opinion, using Sachin/ Sharukh in ads
Monday, June 7, 2010
The similarity between Marketing and Religon
What is in a name?Ask Indian Cos?
But, our Indian companies seem to believe in this strongly. Where else would you see a sugar company have the name of an engineering company- for example Triveni Engineering? Or a financial services company have the name "Vakrangee Software"?
I could go on and on, but I think the point is clear. Such names are quite misleading to any lay person. Any person who goes on the basis of a hot stock tip will not know the truth. SEBI should wake up and delist such companies- or at least have them, change their names to reflect their substance
Unity is Strength-really?
Right from the Air India strike to banks, autos, we have seen it all. One can almost predict that a PSU strike will be timed with long extended weekends/ successive holidays. The Govt will as usual condone it and sanction them bonuses and hike their DA, while the customer watches helplessly.
The power behind these strikes is the union(s) which every now and then need to flex their muscles. After all, their importance is realised then. The unions which were set up for a noble cause of 'promoting worker's unity and cordial employer-employee relationships' have only partly achieved their goal. They have ensured pay-but not performance. Bonus-but not dedication.
Gandhi and other proponents of the unions would surely be turning in their grave if they saw the present state of affairs- where people like Datta Samant used the workers as a cats paw tp achieve their political ends.
In Kerala, even debt collectors and private sector bank employees- have formed their own unions. Closer home, we have the Central Railway SC/ST employeed union!. I can understand organisation based unions but caste based unions!. Anyway, this is why the industries choose to produce/ manufacture in Baddi and Vapi where contract labour relieves their employee headache. Here of course, the loser is the contact labourer who gets underpaid- but then, why would the Mumbai unions care?
The power behind these strikes is the union(s) which every now and then need to flex their muscles. After all, their importance is realised then. The unions which were set up for a noble cause of 'promoting worker's unity and cordial employer-employee relationships' have only partly achieved their goal. They have ensured pay-but not performance. Bonus-but not dedication.
Gandhi and other proponents of the unions would surely be turning in their grave if they saw the present state of affairs- where people like Datta Samant used the workers as a cats paw tp achieve their political ends.
In Kerala, even debt collectors and private sector bank employees- have formed their own unions. Closer home, we have the Central Railway SC/ST employeed union!. I can understand organisation based unions but caste based unions!. Anyway, this is why the industries choose to produce/ manufacture in Baddi and Vapi where contract labour relieves their employee headache. Here of course, the loser is the contact labourer who gets underpaid- but then, why would the Mumbai unions care?
Its a dog's life
While reading the 2007 budget speech, I noticed the import subsidy on dog food. Then, it had sparked a lot of good natured(and some bad natured) ribaldy that the FM cared more for dogs/cats than for the common man. One of our better known MP's has been quoted to say that 'yeh kutta billi ka budget hai'. The Mumbai HC recently advised societies to adopt a stray dog each- for security reasons!. With this much of news prominence, though this country is not going to the dogs(or cats!) as yet, a dog is still quite lucky.
If it is born to a pet, it is gifted away or sold to happy recipent families. If it is born on the streets, then also it lives. Some members of our nation love to feed our stray canine friends daily- even if there are more pressing matters elsewhere. Many South Mumbai residents consider it a badge of pride to be an 'animal lover', and indulge in armchair criticizm of the dog control measures. They mind paying parking, suffering load shedding and consider themselves above the rest of us, but have no hesitation to condemn their suburban Mumbaikars to a dog's life of barking noise, bite, droppings and fear. Dogs nowadays get moved down less often then people sleeping on the pavements. So, Man's best friend does have it good nowadays.
If it is born to a pet, it is gifted away or sold to happy recipent families. If it is born on the streets, then also it lives. Some members of our nation love to feed our stray canine friends daily- even if there are more pressing matters elsewhere. Many South Mumbai residents consider it a badge of pride to be an 'animal lover', and indulge in armchair criticizm of the dog control measures. They mind paying parking, suffering load shedding and consider themselves above the rest of us, but have no hesitation to condemn their suburban Mumbaikars to a dog's life of barking noise, bite, droppings and fear. Dogs nowadays get moved down less often then people sleeping on the pavements. So, Man's best friend does have it good nowadays.
Do these loaded words deceive YOU?
Open any national daily( apart from the TOI- more on that later) and you invariably see coverage of certain socio-economic- political issues like inflation. poverty, SEZ, reservations, criminalisation of politics, black money etc- this list could fill an whole blog. While the coverage itself is mostly unbiased, what is a burning concern is WORDS. Yes, you read that right.
We read words like "worker", " backward" " small" " justice" " freedom" " poor" all twisted out of context. Who would imagine for example that for BPL purposes, poverty is about Rs 25000/ year, but for creamy layer of OBC reservation- it is Rs 2,50,000/ year.
Similarly, people who have never done a day's honest labour in their lives- like social workers and politicians- claim to represent the working class. My question is- Who is a worker? A daily wage person or an IIT/IIM salaried employee?
Similarly, " social justice" is often used to justify reservations. This misses out the point that not only those who were oppressed by caste system ( like SC's) get reservations, but also those who did not suffer that stigma do so- like ST's/ OBC's etc.
Also, to justify public display of affection/ porn like movies, people say that freedom is must. Yes, "freedom" is OK, as long as it does not affect freedom of other people to have uncontaminated minds.
As far as " small goes'" , the local kiranawala opposes Wal- Mart as he says that they will gobble him up. But so what? These small shop keepers evade income tax, and mostly do not pass on the service tax/ VAT they collect from customers. That is unjust enrichment, which perpetuates the poor-rich divide. Also, the income of these "small" vendors is inflation prone- unlike salaried income.
So, to allow atleast an informed debate on these issues- let us clarify the meaning of words used in a certain context. It would throw up some surprises.
We read words like "worker", " backward" " small" " justice" " freedom" " poor" all twisted out of context. Who would imagine for example that for BPL purposes, poverty is about Rs 25000/ year, but for creamy layer of OBC reservation- it is Rs 2,50,000/ year.
Similarly, people who have never done a day's honest labour in their lives- like social workers and politicians- claim to represent the working class. My question is- Who is a worker? A daily wage person or an IIT/IIM salaried employee?
Similarly, " social justice" is often used to justify reservations. This misses out the point that not only those who were oppressed by caste system ( like SC's) get reservations, but also those who did not suffer that stigma do so- like ST's/ OBC's etc.
Also, to justify public display of affection/ porn like movies, people say that freedom is must. Yes, "freedom" is OK, as long as it does not affect freedom of other people to have uncontaminated minds.
As far as " small goes'" , the local kiranawala opposes Wal- Mart as he says that they will gobble him up. But so what? These small shop keepers evade income tax, and mostly do not pass on the service tax/ VAT they collect from customers. That is unjust enrichment, which perpetuates the poor-rich divide. Also, the income of these "small" vendors is inflation prone- unlike salaried income.
So, to allow atleast an informed debate on these issues- let us clarify the meaning of words used in a certain context. It would throw up some surprises.
What people say- and what they really mean.
Consultant- Agent -Real estate consultant
unemployed- Freelance consultant
Backward- In namsake- Backward caste
Public interest -My interest- File notings in RTI not disclosed due to public interest
national benefit- Helps votebank- Slum rehabilitation helps nation
Social Justice -Injustice otherwise- Reservations are for social justice
Public servant -who takes tips -Ministers are public servants
Restructuring -Sack people -Corporate restructuring
Rationalisation- Reduce -Rationalisation of taxes. staff
Service charges- Bribes/ Loot- Service charges in hotel bills
Revision -Hike- Revision of tariffs
People -Me -Walmart's entry/ cheap imports affects people Premium Costly Premium quality
Empowerment -for the camera- Companies want to empower their employees
detention: arrest
adult entertainment: porn
mature: old
senior: old
correction: Abroad, this means the jails Dept!
dental cream: Means paste
Quiz: In foreign text books, means question bank
assessment: Exam
So, you feel India's No.1 job is of an IIT/IIM grad? Read this Orkut expose!!
Monthly Salary
Expense for Constitution per month
Office expenditure per month
Traveling concession (Rs. 8 per km)
Daily DA TA during parliament meets
Charge for 1 class (A/C) in train
Charge for Business Class in flights
Rent for MP hostel at Delhi
Electricity costs at home
Local phone call charge
TOTAL expense for a MP per year
TOTAL expense for 5 years
For 534 MPs, the expense for 5 years : 8,54,40,00,000 (nearly 855 cores)
And they are elected by THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, by the largest democratic . process in the world, not intruded into the parliament on their own or by any qualification. This is how all our tax money is been swallowed and price hike on our regular commodities......Are we responsible for the spread of beggars?
You can't miss them. Whether in rags, or ochre robes outside temples, or with a bowl, or with a car cleaning cloth at traffic signals, they are omnipresent. We usually ignore them- or at best drop a 50p/ 1 Re coin. Do we ever think of what happens after that?
Madhur Bhandarkar's movie " Traffic Signal" has potrayed the nexus between the underworld and the beggar mafia. These people even go to the extent of maiming children to graduate them into the begging industry. Besides, we have able bodied beggars who still prefer this work to sweating out a living.
Some of you may feel- so what- that's only a buck. Poor fellow can hardly live. What we forget is some of these poor fellows have bulging bank balances and posh houses, as per a Mumbai Mirror expose.
My views are that giving books to kids or food to beggars is OK, but not cash in any form. That may go to the mafia, or even worse- to buy drugs.
Madhur Bhandarkar's movie " Traffic Signal" has potrayed the nexus between the underworld and the beggar mafia. These people even go to the extent of maiming children to graduate them into the begging industry. Besides, we have able bodied beggars who still prefer this work to sweating out a living.
Some of you may feel- so what- that's only a buck. Poor fellow can hardly live. What we forget is some of these poor fellows have bulging bank balances and posh houses, as per a Mumbai Mirror expose.
My views are that giving books to kids or food to beggars is OK, but not cash in any form. That may go to the mafia, or even worse- to buy drugs.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Are "bleeding heart liberals" justified?
You probably know whom I'm referring to. The types who feed stray dogs, stand up for human rights(even of criminals), oppose police/military brutality. In short, the ones who support the underdog even against majority opinion.
Every time the State takes a beating in guerilla warfare(witness Dantewada, Maharashtra etc), there is a a temporary upswell of public support for the State. Critics are not welcome since they do not criticize the non State actors(the guerrillas). And why would they? The access to these areas would be cut-off for ever if they criticize the guerillas. And then, it is fashionable to criticize the State for everything.
I guess that the liberals would never condemm attacks against the State. Still, they are needed to monitor that the State does not turn against its own helpless citizens
Every time the State takes a beating in guerilla warfare(witness Dantewada, Maharashtra etc), there is a a temporary upswell of public support for the State. Critics are not welcome since they do not criticize the non State actors(the guerrillas). And why would they? The access to these areas would be cut-off for ever if they criticize the guerillas. And then, it is fashionable to criticize the State for everything.
I guess that the liberals would never condemm attacks against the State. Still, they are needed to monitor that the State does not turn against its own helpless citizens
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Name calling & branding-2 sides of the same coin?
"Name calling" or attacking some one's views based on his reputation/personal attributes is perceived as an intellectually dishonest debate tactic. By that token, why is advertising/ branding not perceived as such? After all, in both, the person's reputation/image/past achievements/ credibility etc clouds how his ideas are accepted. This is the "halo effect".
My point is that if it is OK to brand something, then why isn't name calling also OK?
My point is that if it is OK to brand something, then why isn't name calling also OK?
Monday, October 12, 2009
The corrupt are responsible for the Naxal problem..
Recently in Western Maharashtra, there have been a spurt of attacks on the police killing several & creating a fear psychosis. Predictably, the State has reacted with intensifying armed presence, displaying bravado etc. Naxal leaders are arrested, cadres are fought etc. But no one focuses on the roots..
Why do such movements arise only in the developmentally backward areas? It is because people feel neglected & deprived with no better prospects than to join such anti-national movements which guarantee comfortable(albeit unsafe) living, protection from the State and rewards on surrendering. And why do areas remain backward? Natural & logistical reasons form one part of the puzzle. But corruption is a major reason. Rajov Gandhi's estimate that only 15% funds reach the poor would be even lesser today say 1%. People are deprived of good roads, water supply, education, healthcare, subsidized food due to nexus of contractors, Govt employees, teachers, healthcare workers, doctors who shirk their work. And it is this apathy which breeds resentment in the affected areas
Why do such movements arise only in the developmentally backward areas? It is because people feel neglected & deprived with no better prospects than to join such anti-national movements which guarantee comfortable(albeit unsafe) living, protection from the State and rewards on surrendering. And why do areas remain backward? Natural & logistical reasons form one part of the puzzle. But corruption is a major reason. Rajov Gandhi's estimate that only 15% funds reach the poor would be even lesser today say 1%. People are deprived of good roads, water supply, education, healthcare, subsidized food due to nexus of contractors, Govt employees, teachers, healthcare workers, doctors who shirk their work. And it is this apathy which breeds resentment in the affected areas
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Who is " small" anyway?
The story from the Bible about David and Goliath always strikes a chord with even the most indifferent people. We have been brought to admire the small entrepreneur who makes it big from a rags to riches story. But a recent spate of media activity has got me thinking- are we abusing this word small?
Daily, we are deluged by the description 'small'. Whether it is SSI's begging for protection or the Hon Finance Minister exempting small service providers from service tax, or shopkeepers and chemists protesting the entry of organized retail into India, there are many interpretations of the word 'small'. For example, would you call an unit with 5 crore worth machinery small? I would not. Would you exempt a 'small' company from making proper accounts as per Accounting standards- just because it has bank borrowings<10 crores? Or, would you call a shopkeeper small- even though he gets a TAX free income more than even many salaried people?
The purpose of my queries are not to demean 'small' industries or units. On the contrary, I feel it is must to harmonize the various definitions of 'small' under various acts, so that the subsidies and benefits offered by the Govt do not go in vain
Daily, we are deluged by the description 'small'. Whether it is SSI's begging for protection or the Hon Finance Minister exempting small service providers from service tax, or shopkeepers and chemists protesting the entry of organized retail into India, there are many interpretations of the word 'small'. For example, would you call an unit with 5 crore worth machinery small? I would not. Would you exempt a 'small' company from making proper accounts as per Accounting standards- just because it has bank borrowings<10 crores? Or, would you call a shopkeeper small- even though he gets a TAX free income more than even many salaried people?
The purpose of my queries are not to demean 'small' industries or units. On the contrary, I feel it is must to harmonize the various definitions of 'small' under various acts, so that the subsidies and benefits offered by the Govt do not go in vain
Sunday, April 15, 2007
BEST- the best!!
It has become fashionable to bash the familiar red bus( dat is BEST) for all the travails on Mumbai roads. In fact, the Mumbai Mirror even run a 3 day piece of this issue- more on that later.
Still, for a government organization, BEST has really pulled up its socks in the last one year. Some reforms are as follows:
(1) Smart Card system for monthly pass:
BEST has made available these monthly passes at rates from 45 Rs- for a 1 wk ltd pass, to a Rs 1200 1 month pass for all routes all buses. This is superb for regular travellers, who now will save quite a bit
(2) Plastic grip handles
These have replaced the old string like system. Paid for by Advt, this is a win-win for all parties concerned. The advertiser gets cheap out door advt, the BEST gets free handles, and the traveller gets better grip while standing
(3) Pay phones!!
Yes, this is not a joke. Hutch has installed these phones for you, if you ever feel like talking on the move!. Yet, at a rate of Rs 3/ minute- very few will feel tempted to use this one.
(4) Bill drop box
Again a scheme of Hutch, this allows BEST to get revenue with no extra costs, merely by using unutilised space behind the driver
(5) Show hand stop bus
This exists on short routes with poor usage. To boost the headcount on these routes, one can catch a bus as easily as an auto- merely with a wave of the hand
This is not to glorify the BEST- they are not perfect. But still, even the devil should be given its due, and BEST is not a devil
Still, for a government organization, BEST has really pulled up its socks in the last one year. Some reforms are as follows:
(1) Smart Card system for monthly pass:
BEST has made available these monthly passes at rates from 45 Rs- for a 1 wk ltd pass, to a Rs 1200 1 month pass for all routes all buses. This is superb for regular travellers, who now will save quite a bit
(2) Plastic grip handles
These have replaced the old string like system. Paid for by Advt, this is a win-win for all parties concerned. The advertiser gets cheap out door advt, the BEST gets free handles, and the traveller gets better grip while standing
(3) Pay phones!!
Yes, this is not a joke. Hutch has installed these phones for you, if you ever feel like talking on the move!. Yet, at a rate of Rs 3/ minute- very few will feel tempted to use this one.
(4) Bill drop box
Again a scheme of Hutch, this allows BEST to get revenue with no extra costs, merely by using unutilised space behind the driver
(5) Show hand stop bus
This exists on short routes with poor usage. To boost the headcount on these routes, one can catch a bus as easily as an auto- merely with a wave of the hand
This is not to glorify the BEST- they are not perfect. But still, even the devil should be given its due, and BEST is not a devil
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