The Marcom Avenue (TMA), marketing agency, launches its own production house, The Woah Films.
The Woah Films aspires to establish itself as a comprehensive hub catering to all production requirements, providing a wide array of services encompassing Brand Films, DVCs, Script Writing, Video Production, 2D and 3D Animation, Concept Photoshoots, Product Photoshoot, Artist Management, VFX & Post, and CGI & Animation.
Sid Sagar Virmani, Group Account Head, The Marcom Avenue: “We are incredibly excited to introduce The Woah Films to the world,”. “Our new venture will cater to the paradigm shift in advertising, moving away from standard TV commercials (TVCs) towards short videos keeping the art of storytelling still intact. The virality factor of the content relies on a compelling storyline that addresses pain points and touches hearts. In the information age, people are bombarded with information, resulting in a significantly reduced attention span. If your content fails to capture attention within 3-4 seconds, it is likely to be scrolled away. We recognize the importance of integrating technology into the realm of video production, and with AI in the picture, the game has completely changed. Our team comprises exceptional individuals equipped with state-of-the-art resources and modern studios, enabling us to bring each story to life.”
We thought it would be good to get the views of our Wizard with Words on this development. Here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the June 1 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…
If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/
Q. The BBC is hiring its first ever Chief Brand Officer to brace itself as it looks at a digital-first future. Do you think Indian broadcasters should be getting inspired?
A. Hiring a Chief Brand officer (CBO) – may be under different designations – has been a practice for eons, especially in multinational FMCG/ durable companies. The arrival of a digital ecosystem has only created more urgency for it as consumer activism is getting articulated (true or fake) through a ubiquitous presence of social media and earned media.
Usually a CBO is expected to play a critical role in driving value for the consumers, across the value chain of the company’s operating environment so that the brand’s core integrity resonates in each and every activity of the Brand. In case of BBC , I can imagine that the CBO will work pan-BBC, across all Content (TV , audio, video and website) platforms. The audience / consumer value is evaluated on the metric of whether the present and potential consumers are willing to pay to enjoy the services of the Brand ( BBC, in this case). This evaluation would permeate both supply side and demand side of the business. As a specialist function, CBO can really orchestrate ( if other departments allow- hence the CBO must directly report to the CEO) a homogeneous brand message for each and every activities of the Brand. This is a good move, specially in india where BBC is increasing its footprints in multiple languages and the CBO has to be highly alert about relationship with host country regulators.
Recently, while researching different disabilities and their representation in the media, I stumbled upon a blog dedicated to fiction for adults, young adults and children which contain characters living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The creator, Jennie Minor who works in Brooklyn, decided to write her master’s thesis on Understanding Disability through Literature while in graduate school. Her mother was diagnosed with MS when Jennie was 13 years old.
Around 2.8 million people are estimated to live with Multiple Sclerosis worldwide. While the prevalence of MS in India was valued at nearly 1/1,00,000 in the 1980s, reports suggest that annual diagnoses have almost doubled, as per more recent data collected from hospitals across the country.
Yet the average Indian knows so little about this condition.
May 30 is observed as World Multiple Sclerosis Day. The theme for 2023 is ‘Connections’. People with MS often feel lonely and socially isolated, so this year, MS advocates around the world urged people to build personal and community connections for better services, support systems and quality care.
Anjali Vyas
I spoke to a young MS advocate in India who has been living with this condition since 2014. Anjali Vyas hails from Bhandara, a town near Nagpur. She is a Chemical Engineer by qualification and an English language trainer by profession. Currently pursuing a fellowship on disability at National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), Anjali writes and propagates stories about people with MS and other invisible disabilities on social media.
Q: For the benefit of our readers, can you articulate what is Multiple Sclerosis? And how does it affect the life of someone living with this condition?
A: MS, known as Multiple Sclerosis (a tongue twister), is an autoimmune, neurological disorder. This means that one’s own immune system attacks the body, to be particular, the protective layer on the nerve fibres. This protective layer is called Myelin sheath which acts as an insulation of the nerve fibres and helps in smooth transmission of the messages from the body to the brain and vice versa. Just like we have insulated wires in our homes that support the flow of electricity by protecting the copper wires inside it! Now when this message to and from the body as well as the brain is not delivered on time, it disables a person to respond or performa particular task. And this entire process is invisible, which also leads to extreme fatigue, brain fog, urinary incontinence, pain, tingling, numbness and weakness. It’s very difficult to make people understand the challenges due to the invisible symptoms while struggling to manage the condition. This further adds to the stigma around MS and hampers the quality of life of a person with MS and their caregivers/ family.
Q: You have been involved in raising awareness around MS. What differences have you noticed in the awareness levels of people here in India versus abroad, in other countries?
A: MS usually manifests in young adults, typically between the ages 20-30 and its prevalence is twice in women than in men. As per the India MS map (www.indiamsmap.org), 70% of the registered members at Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) fall in the age group, 19-45; which is a working class population. Despite being recognised as a disability in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act 2016, the awareness on MS is very low. MS is prevalent in the western countries and hence is comparatively better known and understood by people, including health professionals and policy makers. In India, the awareness among general physicians and government officials is still low.
When I had my first relapse in the form of temporary vision loss, my ophthalmologist had no idea about MS. Even to get a disability certificate, people with MS find it extremely challenging as the members in the assessment panel and the government officials don’t know much about this condition and its invisible symptoms. There is only one organisation, MS Society of India, that’s been working for the welfare of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis since 1985 and the fact that it exists was also not well-known until the RPWD Act came into force.
Q: In your experience, are people living with MS comfortable in coming out and talking about their disability? Are they accepting of their own condition? Do they feel they can talk about it with others without the fear of being judged?
A: Had this question been asked several years ago, I would definitely have said that people with MS aren’t comfortable talking and accepting it. Employed adults with MS are often uncomfortable disclosing it to their employers or colleagues due to the fear of job loss or fear of getting treated differently/ unfairly. But in the past 2-3 years, in my experience, I have seen things improve. While there still exists stigma and fear, people are getting vocal about their disability and being more acceptable of MS. I personally feel that this shift in mindset is owing to the impact of social media and role models, especially in the field of cinema.
Yes, there’s always a fear of being misjudged or misunderstood and that will only disappear gradually when there will be more conversations around MS or for that matter, any invisible disability. I too, was in denial for almost a year after my diagnosis and wasn’t ready to share my condition until I decided to educate myself on MS, in the right manner. Ever since then, my journey as a self-advocate on MS, began.
Q: Famous American actor Selma Blair who announced her MS diagnosis on Instagram in 2018, shared in an interview to The Guardian, that her doctors urged not to go public as no one would understand and she wouldn’t get work. She did make an appearance at the Oscars in 2019 with a bejewelled cane and she was applauded as a warrior, a hero. How do you respond to that?
A: Before the news on Selma Blair getting diagnosed with MS came out, most people with MS didn’t even know of her as an established actor. Still today, some don’t. But as soon as the news aired, I remember some of my MS friends called me and said, they suddenly felt empowered. In fact, very recently, Selma Blair was also on the Vogue cover, which added to the confidence and feeling of belongingness amongst people with MS. Afterall, it was the first, international representation of the MS community.
On the other hand, I personally also feel that labelling people with disability as warriors or heroes or glorifying them because of the disability, is not as fair. Terms like these, act as catalysts in shaping the stigma on disability around us. To ensure inclusion, we need to normalise the notion that every person with disability is as good an achiever as anyone without disability.
Q: The lead actress in the Netflix series, ‘Dead to Me’, Christina Applegate received her diagnosis during filming the show in 2021. It was tough for her, and Netflix paused production and even considered doing away with it altogether. But she wanted to finish it. When Applegate was doing publicity for the latest season, her condition was also public. And there were a lot of social media responses to it. Do you think how we react to such news/ information today, has changed over the years?
A: As I mentioned earlier, cinema and social media have been instrumental in demystifying the myths and alleviating stigma around disability over the past few years. Earlier, the portrayal of disabled characters had always been that of subject of pity. They were always seen as helpless and dependent. I always wondered about the impact of the female disabled characters on the impressionable minds. As the times changed, technology advanced and the youth became more involved and sensitive towards important issues. A shift in such narratives on disability was observed. In my recent experiences, I have seen that most of the younger generation has become proactive and pursues the issues around disability, empathetically yet logically.
Q: While there are various Bollywood movies which have looked at protagonists with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Amnesia and so on, the only character I recall with MS, was of Meenu in Mani Ratnam’s Guru. Vidya Balan plays Meenu, who builds a strong friendship with the lead, Gurukant Desai, portrayed by Abhishek Bachhan. What do you think of the portrayal of MS in our films and television?
A: Firstly, there has not been enough representation of disabilities in the mainstream cinema, let alone conditions like MS. Also, it’s unfortunate that the characters who play the role of a disabled are themselves non-disabled. No offence, but talking about portrayal of MS in Guru does not hold true for most of the Persons with MS (at least in the present times) as many of us do not exhibit any visible symptoms or disability. Hence, I also feel that persons with MS must be provided the platform for right depiction of the many forms of this disability. I must add that very recently, a documentary on a woman with MS and her life, called ‘I am a Limited Edition’ was premiered in Chennai. It will be soon released on OTT platforms too.
Q: What about the mainstream news media? Do you think journalists understand issues facing persons with MS, and report these adequately?
A: Nobody can deny the fact that mainstream media has not been as heedful towards the issues of disability as they have been towards criminal stories. It’s only on the occasion of the paralympics that one can see media even talking about disability. Frankly, I am not sure if the media knows enough about ‘disabilities’. The gap can be observed clearly when the just a couple of news channels have only 10 minutes of news for the Deaf with Sign Language Interpretation, that too in the odd hours of afternoon. Using language like, ‘Despite being disabled…’ further segregates us from the matters, that matter the most.
Q: How can the media help with normalizing MS or any disability for that matter?
A: It all starts with using the correct terms/ language around ‘disability’. Calling us differently-abled or specially-abled doesn’t help in normalising disability conversations, as we are neither different nor special. It’s also important that media should make their news accessible for the disabled and make them a part of the dialogues that happen on any national issue that can impact the disabled population equally. For instance, the pre-budget discussions that air on news channels days before the budget session, should have at least one speaker or representation from the disability community. It’s as basic as that. To Leave No One Behind, inclusion in all forms is essential.
Given that India is an emerging economy with a rising population of persons with MS in the country, it is high time that prime issues of people with MS and other disabilities be adequately reported by the media with appropriate disability terminologies.
So why are we publishing this column on an A&M site? Well, we strongly feel that the media can dramatically transform the world of persons with disabilities. And this series can help bring forth issues that the media must champion to create a truly inclusive and accessible India. To write this column, we invited Shruti Pushkarna, a former journalist who is now a disability inclusion advocate based in New Delhi. Her views here are personal. To access the archives of her 70-odd columns, please visit: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/ columns/shruti-pushkarna/
If you have a view on the issues raised or would like to align with MxMIndia on this cause, write to us at editor [at] mxmindia.com.
We thought it would be good to get the views of our Wizard with Words on an issue on which we have asked him a question in the past. Here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the June 2 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…
If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar or click here: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/columns/das-ka-dum/
Q. While it was a CSK v/s GT finale, there was as much action off the field with Linear Television battling it out with Streaming. Who, would you say, won?
A. The jury is still out on the subject, as there are claims and counter-claims about the actual viewership. It has a direct implication on the advertising monetisation model. There is no third party data (not known to me at least) to conclusively declare who is the winner, unlike the IPL trophy winner.
IMHO, the consumer/ audience is the real winner. They have choices and how! For some time to come, both the formats will co-exist and consumption behaviour would differ by age cohorts and region. The more granular and trustworthy the data would be, the advertiser would get better ROI for their investments.
Much as I rant and rave against the abomination that is TV news in India, I find that a large proportion of older people are totally addicted to their favourite anchors and newsreaders. The Adani takeover of NDTV has particularly upset their regulars, as names like Ravish Kumar, Nidhi Razdan, Sreenivasan Jain and now Sarah Jacob have all quit. I often see pleas on social media: where have they gone, what will happen and so on.
As a print journalist, one of the first lessons I learnt is that “yesterday’s newspaper is today’s bhel puri wrapping”. And indeed, one did occasionally see one’s name on a piece of re-used, recycled paper. It kept one grounded and less full of self-importance. Like having to explain to people, as a junior staffer, that being a ‘sub-editor’ did not mean that you were next in line to be The Editor.
Sadly for print journalists, whether grounded, humble, full of themselves or ego maniacs, they can never command the sort of fan following that faces which enter your homes and bedrooms can do. You feel you know them, that they speak to you and what they say is worthwhile. This is regardless of what they actually say, which is often meaningless or written by someone else or they just act as a vehicle for someone else to have their say.
From a journalism perspective, the primetime debate is an abomination, a supreme act of calculated manipulative laziness. They are used to stoke passions and in the wrong hands, inflate hatred and even cause violence. Very little journalism goes into them. No truth to power, no investigation into wrongdoing, no revelations of fraud or crime. Try and recall the last time you watched an Indian TV channel present an investigation programme like the BBC’s Panorama or Horizon. Revelations against Big Tobacco were made on the American programme 60 Minutes. The 1999 film The Insider documented that.
Indian TV journalism has missed most boats when it comes to journalism. The love that people have for the faces and voices of anchors aside. A TV journalist with NDTV explained to me once why she had to quit because journalism ended quite early in Indian TV.
Over the years, the degradation has been complete. Many prominent anchors are now just propagandists. I just watched a clip of an anchor on Aaj Tak, which is the money-spinner for the India Today group, claim that cows breathe oxygen in and out and other scientific marvels. Several major TV anchors are out on Twitter defending the Modi government against Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in the US. These are the same anchors who were silent when India’s female wrestlers were manhandled by the Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar, just to reduce possible embarrassment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he inaugurated his vanity project.
The situation in Manipur remains volatile. Comparisons are being made to civil war. Television is still not on top of that story. The government is BJP. Manipur is in India. Nothing from the IT cell for our celebrities to tweet about. Revelations of the FIRs against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh by the wrestlers have appeared in The Indian Express. They make for stomach-churning reading.
On the 6th of May, the new monarch of England held up a sceptre.
On the 28th of May, the reigning prime minister of India raised one too.
Reminded me of a poem by Yeats aptly titled ‘The great day’ that goes…
Hurrah for revolution and more cannon-shot!
A beggar upon horseback lashes a beggar on foot.
Hurrah for revolution and cannon come again!
The beggars have changed places, but the lash goes on.
Symbolism is very important in communication and strategy. When employed, at every event planning meeting, the key question used to be, “What will be the showstopper?”. Basically, our bosses used to ask us how we would make the event memorable enough for the employees or network partners to make it a talking point, a differentiator and a motivator for them to carry on with the task for one more year. This used to be the toughest bit of the event as everything else was almost the same as any competitor would do. This is where creativity would play a role, along with the ability to execute it. On occasions, the proposals were so audacious that the bosses would ask us to ‘take it easy’. But on those rare moments when the boss smacked his/ her lips and asked us to go ahead, it did end up creating the desired impact right then and the ripple effect for long afterwards.
Event management is one of the toughest asks for anyone in marketing and brand management. That is why it has its own tribe of domain experts. Every event is contextual. There is an event purpose and an event objective. The two should never be mixed. The former is the long-term aim of the task while the latter has a more here-and-now role. The purpose of every annual dealer conference for an automaker is to relive, reinvigorate, recognise and recharge the network partners in the collective mission of maintaining market leadership. The objective for a specific year could be to improve service profitability, work on customer retention and focus on hybrids and CNG while the competition talks of electrification. The purpose is to carry forward the vision. The objective is to specifically focus and divert attention.
And the balance is crucial. One cannot be sacrificed at the altar of the other.
And that is what makes the raising of the sceptre so impactful in the context of Brand India.
We consciously gave up some symbols 75 years ago. And we deliberately did not want to incorporate some either. The Constitution was chosen as the symbol of a new brand called India. A symbol that painstakingly incorporated the best from the world to stand for a nation that was a new benchmark for a war-traumatised, colonial world for how to attain self-determination and independence while preserving one’s self-respect. The Preamble was not just the first page but the essence of this symbol that represented Brand India.
562 kings, nawabs and princes were brought under the single umbrella of Brand India in 1947-48. Nehru had declared in May 1947 that any ruler who did not join the Constituent Assembly will be considered an enemy of new India. Jodhpur negotiated for a ‘better deal’ with Pakistan. Junagadh had actually joined Pakistan but brought back. Kashmir and Hyderabad had decided to be independent. While the tiny Piploda, a total of 155 sq kms. in the Malwa region, took time till March 1948 to join. Finally, monarchy was formally out. The foreign as well as the local. Though the mindset of “hukum”, “maaibaap” and “ji huzoor” could not be wiped out, a conscious effort was made not to visually keep any symbols of monarchy especially when the nation chose ‘democracy’.
There have been good monarchs for sure in the annals of time but they have been so as exceptions. They chose to be good and so have been recorded in history as good. It was not by the choice of the people or even their circle of ministers. Ashok was ‘great’ because he chose to. So did Akbar and Rajaraja Chola. People did not demonstrate, carry a procession or submit a representation asking any of them to be benevolent despots. That is why in a 4000 year history of this land we have so few monarchs who have been collectively applauded by historians and sociologists as “great”. That is why as a new nation we consciously chose the “Dharma Chakra” from the Ashokan edict to be part of our national flag and the Lion Capital of Sarnath as our national emblem, both acts that I have always felt are improper and disrespectful of the Constitution.
Democracy has no room for choosing to be good. At least theoretically. The representative is expected to be good, trustworthy, ethical and beneficial for his / her constituency. And the electorate always has the last word. Democracy is a fundamental pillar of Brand India. It has no room for any trait of monarchy creeping in, either in person or a product. If the Constitution as the conscience keeper of the brand abhors it, it has to be complied with.
But even after 75 years of “independence”, we ‘rule’ and do not ‘govern’. The popular Sanskrit term used for the practice is “Raaj-niti” and not “Shaasan-niti”. Or not simply “Sushaasan”. Even the epitome of good rule has been termed and popularised as “Ram Rajya” and not the example of the Vajjika League of 6th century BC. The beggar has changed, as Yeats lamented, but the lashing continues.
So, after 75 years, when our last, and possibly most brutal, coloniser was having debates about the relevance of monarchy in today’s England, with some even openly protesting about the entire coronation circus, we, its crown jewel, whipped out a symbol of monarchy and brandished it before the country and the world as an act of reaffirmation of our civilizational heritage.
562 monarchs were removed in 1947 by the will power of a new democracy.
543 representatives of the same democracy brought monarchy back 75 years later.
As Tagore had described the British rule as, “Boniker mandondo pohale sarbari dyakha dilo raajdondo rupey.” [as the dark night ended, the trader’s weighing scale transformed into the ruler’s sceptre], we possibly are being part of some of the most exciting times in the timeline of Brand India, where showstoppers and symbols take centrestage to the joy of the event-hungry millions while a handful of sceptics look on!
L&K Saatchi & Saatchi has put out the next installation in its ‘Shopping Aisa, India Jaisa’ campaign for JioMart. The two-film campaign taps into this consumer behaviour to bring alive the shopping experience that JioMart on WhatsApp offers all its shoppers.
Said Kartik Smetacek, Jt. NCD at L&K Saatchi and Saatchi: “As if we weren’t already spending too much time on WhatsApp, JioMart has now made it possible to also shop there. In a way that’s simple, seamless, and intuitive. That’s what the films demo in a fun and entertaining way.”
Vedantu, in partnership with Dentsu Creative India, has developed a patented network aggregator device nestled in a book titled, ‘The Everything Book’. The device aims to bridge the connectivity gap by providing high-speed internet access to the most remote and disconnected parts of India. The goal is to provide children in these areas with a fair opportunity to access the education they rightfully deserve.
Said Pulkit Jain, Co-founder, Vedantu: “We want to bring quality education to every child in the country, but without the internet, you cannot stream online courses. Children of rural India have so much potential which we’re losing out on because of a lack of supporting infrastructure. We worked with DENTSU CREATIVE to bring the idea ‘Everything Book’ alive to make sure quality learning reaches as many children as it could in our country.”
Added Aalap Desai, Chief Creative Officer, Creative Experience, West, Dentsu Creative India: “The Everything Book has the potential to democratise education in the country. It is simple to use, is portable, and can be easily held and moved around letting children who don’t even have a proper classroom to sit in, let alone proper books and resources, to study connect to the internet and stream the latest syllabus and learn from the best teachers at Vedantu.”
Dry fruits and nuts specialist, Farmley, has announced the appointment of Rahul Dravid as its first brand ambassador.
Said Abhishek Agarwal – Co-Founder, Farmley: “Having him on board with Farmley is heart-warming, and we are proud to welcome Rahul Dravid to the family. Being a celebrated cricketer, Dravid has always been committed to being healthy, which helps us rightly position ourselves as a brand that believes in keeping the healthy in the dry fruits & nuts segment intact by eliminating the middlemen and offering adulteration-free products. With Rahul’s support, we aim to further expand our brand presence and connect with a wider audience, while upholding our promise of delivering premium and pure dry fruits & nuts.”
IndiaDotcom Digital Private, Limited (IDPL), formerly known as Zee Digital, has announced the launch of its entertainment portal ScreenBox.in. The platform will offer coverage from the world of showbiz across various genres, including World Cinema, Bollywood, Hollywood, Regional Cinema, OTT, TV and music industry.
Speaking on the market demand in terms of news content consumption, Roshan Tamang, Chief Content Officer, IndiaDotcom Digital Private Limited, said: “Video is now the preferred format of content on Digital. However, classic film journalism in text format is also hard to beat. So ScreenBox.in was born to be a perfect blend of both. We hope our users will be delightfully engaged with an innovative coverage of happenings from the world of entertainment.”
Added Shridhar Mishra, CRO, IndiaDotcom Digital Private Limited: “IDPL has been consistent in delivering programme content package as per the market demand. The launch of video-first website ‘ScreenBox’ will also encourage stakeholders and advertisers to strengthen visibility in terms of branding via video during different timeslots throughout the day.”
Raffles Udaipur is pleased to announce the appointment of Swati Sahoo as the new Head of Marketing. With 10+ years of experience in the hospitality industry, Swati brings a wealth of expertise to her new role at Raffles Udaipur.
As Head of Marketing, Swati will be overseeing the hotel’s marketing and communications efforts, aiming to elevate the hotel’s profile and establish a remarkable presence. Collaborating closely with the management team, she will play a vital role in formulating and executing strategies that enhance the hotel’s visibility. Swati will actively explore strategic partnerships and collaborations that align with Raffles Udaipur’s brand value. By forging alliances with like-minded organizations, she aims to create unique experiences for guests and enhance the hotel’s reputation among its competitors.
Said Rajesh Namby, General Manager, Raffles Udaipur: “We are excited to have Swati on board with us, at the first Raffles in India. Her dynamic personality coupled with her passion for marketing and hospitality will definitely prove to be an asset to us.”
Shell engine oil and lubricants has launched an initiative for the mechanic community. ‘Sapne Honge Apne’, seeks to support their dreams and aspirations by being a partner in their journey. The initiative is backed by a recent internal survey conducted by Shell Lubricants.
Aiming to reach more than 80,000 mechanics enrolled with the Shell SHARE app, Sapne Honge Apne will support the community in India by financially empowering mechanics to achieve their dreams and strengthen their future.
Amit Ghugre, Automotive Sales and Marketing Manager, Shell Lubricants India, said: “At Shell, we have supported and empowered India’s mechanic community in multiple ways over the years. They have been a trusted partner for Shell bringing their deep experience, irreplaceable knowledge, and strong work ethic to make every journey a success. ‘Sapne Honge Apne’ is a token of our appreciation for their efforts, and we hope this will allow them and their families to dream boldly.”
Shell Lubricants India announced the first winner of ‘Sapne Honge Apne’ initiative, Nitin Sood from Dharamshala, “I have been associated with Shell Lubricants India for the past 6-7 years and was encouraged by the team to participate. I dream of increasing my income, growing my customer base, and expanding my shop. It is my father’s dream that I take my shop to great heights and make a name for myself and my family,” Nitin said.
The initiative adds to Shell Lubricants India’s existing trade community initiatives that have enhanced opportunities for mechanics by upskilling them or upgrading their workshops and adding value to their lives.
We thought it would be good to get the views of our Wizard with Words on this development. Here’s Dr Bhaskar Das in the June 1 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…
Recently, while researching different disabilities and their representation in the media, I stumbled upon a blog dedicated to fiction for adults, young adults and children which contain characters living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The creator, Jennie Minor who works in Brooklyn, decided to write her master’s thesis on Understanding Disability through Literature while in graduate school. Her mother was diagnosed with MS when Jennie was 13 years old.
Much as I rant and rave against the abomination that is TV news in India, I find that a large proportion of older people are totally addicted to their favourite anchors and newsreaders. The Adani takeover of NDTV has particularly upset their regulars, as names like Ravish Kumar, Nidhi Razdan, Sreenivasan Jain and now Sarah Jacob have all quit. I often see pleas on social media: where have they gone, what will happen and so on.
On the 6th of May, the new monarch of England held up a sceptre.