MxMIndia

Tag: Hard Knocks

  • Here's my vishesh tippani on some of Chiduji's outstanding proposals, all based on street logic. Which is actually the best way to analyze a budget

    Anil Thakraney: Budget: The Hard Ground Realities

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    I am no Nani Palkhivala. Therefore, if you are looking for insights on fiscal deficit and other such financial jargon, you are at the wrong place. Regardless, here’s my vishesh tippani on some of Chiduji’s outstanding proposals, all based on street logic. Which is actually the best way to analyze a budget.

     

    10 percent super tax on the super rich: Good. As I said in an earlier post, if our bada seths won’t be generous voluntarily, they have to be compelled. The sad reality, of course, is that this will be a super tax on the super rich on their ‘white’ income. So you can well imagine what the fat cats’ POA will be to counter this new menace.

     

    Cigarettes will cost more. Wow, that’s a new one! How imaginative, Chiduji! I think time has come to thank our smoker pals. Year after year they help to narrow India’s fiscal deficit. And we keep kicking them out of public places. Unfair!

     

    India’s first All-Women Bank: Well, I can already see the bank robbers smiling. Jokes apart, this is not what India’s aam aurat needs. What she needs is things like public toilets, especially ladies from the lower strata.

     

    Nirbhaya Fund of Rs 1000 crore for women’s safety: Firstly, it’s injustice to the dead girl that this is not being drafted in her own name, but in a pseudonym coined by a newspaper sub. Secondly, I don’t know if the fund will go into keeping our women safe, but it does sound like a lottery win for some netas and babus. Both, male and female.

     

    TDS of 1 percent on property sales exceeding Rs 50 lakh: This will take us right back to the ‘B&W’ era. Even high end apartments will go for 49.5 lakh rupees.

     

    Service tax in air-conditioned restaurants: You are all welcome home. And please invite me too.

     

    My dream of owning an SUV now looks more unreal than ever. Nano, here I come!

     

    One last thing: My maid was swabbing the floor when Chiduji was busy delivering his address to the nation. She asked how the budget will change her life. I said she’ll now have her own bank, so no need to mingle with us lecherous men. Her swift response (which I have politely translated from her Marathi): “But where’s the money to deposit, sahib? I am okay with lecherous men, give me some money instead. That’s more important.”

     

    Good luck to the UPA for the 2014 elections.

     

    ***

     

    PS: While on the subject of budgets, I have just one thing to say on the railway one: The mantri forgot an easy revenue source. He should find a way to penalize passengers who litter the compartments and dirty the loos. This will result in many of us ditching air travel and returning to the trains. Make no mistake about this: Railway is the most beautiful way to travel in this country. Unless you own an SUV, which, thanks to Chiduji, is now way out of my league.

     

  • I have been faithfully watching the Oscars for donkey's years, and I have to say this: This year's event was most definitely the worst show put up by the Academy Awards organizers

    Anil Thakraney: Oscar Disaster

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    First, let me vent my frustration with Star Movies. Their Oscar capsule, which was telecast from 8pm on Monday, ran for five long hours. The over-the-top Filmfare guys haven’t sunk this low. And that was mainly because of the zillion ad breaks. Now, I know the channel would want to maximize revenues on a blue chip show, and yet, surely there has to be a healthy balance between content and commerce. Surely there’s no gain in pissing people off. There has been talk of limiting advertising time on television programming, Star Movies has made me hope that becomes a reality.

     

    Having got that off my chest, let’s discuss the show itself. I have been faithfully watching the Oscars for donkey’s years, and I have to say this: This year’s event was most definitely the worst show put up by the Academy Awards organizers. It was intolerably dreary, very, very wannabe, they tried too hard to please, and ended up with a mighty egg on the face.

     

    Host Seth McFarlane’s ‘jokes’ (who the hell is this dude? Did they pick him up from an NYC street theatre group?) were sick and desperate. It was almost like he was begging, pleading with us to laugh. What I badly wanted was to swat his silly face. Hope never to meet this guy ever again on television.

     

    Most of the live performances were insipid (aside from Adele, who’s always good). I have often dissed item numbers at desi award fests, but after watching the Oscar sham, I am having second thoughts. Perhaps they should have invited Angelina Jolie to shake with ‘Sheila Ki Jawaani’. Yes, it was THAT boring.

     

    Lastly, and this isn’t the organisers’ fault… it’s in keeping with their poor run this year… even the award acceptance speeches were utterly disgusting. Only Daniel Day Lewis was witty, all others should have said ‘thanks’, and then vamoosed.

     

    Here’s the key problem, as I see it: The Oscar suits are trying too hard to connect with the younger audiences, and that’s why all those sick sexist jokes and the ‘We Saw Your Boobs’ sort of trash. This is exactly like the 58 year old Chairman of a large company, an otherwise prim and propah gentleman, arriving at an office party dressed in Bermuda shorts and floral shirt. So that younger colleagues can treat him as a friend, as one of them. Doesn’t work Sirji, it never has! Stay serious, dear Mr Oscar, keep the suit on. We like you thataways.

     

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    PS: Haha. Very, very cute ad for Volkswagen Jetta, I love the idea. Which is that when you are facing death, your entire life flashes by you. Except that in this case the protagonist is a newly born baby, and this makes the TVC hilarious.

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”220″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcF5Y7WIRVM[/youtube]

     

     

  • A big salaam to Azim Premji. One thing's for sure: He must definitely sleep well at night, certainly better than a whole lot of other Indian industrialists. Sharing happiness can do that to one, others should try it out

    Anil Thakraney: Role Model Premji

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    I have always harboured a major grouse about our tagda industrialists: Which is that our kanjoos sethjis abhor the idea of sharing money. Hoarding wealth seems to be a part of the great Indian culture, and that habit really stinks in a third world nation like India where millions of people crave for a roti, where many have no torn blanket to cover themselves with in bitter cold. Whatever little charity is done is actually naam ke vaaste effort, aimed at gaining quick brownie points on Page 3.

     

    Which is why I was shell shocked when I read the news about Azim Premji’s decision to transfer millions of Wipro’s equity shares, worth Rs. 12,300 crore (wow!), to a trust. A trust that will do philanthropy, focusing mainly on primary education. In fact, Premji has already donated a percentage of his personal stock in Wipro for social work. So the latest donation is over and above that! This is simply sensational news, because, as I said, richie rich Indian people don’t like sharing, in fact they don’t seem to even care what the have-nots think. A good example is that extremely distasteful monstrosity called Antilla in South Bombay. As someone said, that’s the owner’s way of showing the finger to India’s starving masses.

     

    Anyway, all we can do is puff up our chests with pride knowing that we have a Premji in our midst. And the rest of the tycoons can hang their heads in shame. Apparently the government is working on a proposal to slap higher taxes on the super rich. I am quite doubtful if this will ever happen, the super rich enjoy too much clout in the corridors of power, they will be able to quickly demolish such a plan. But am hoping it happens. If our bada seths aren’t going to loosen their purse strings for charity work, then we have to find a way to force them to do it. It’s only fair.

     

    So, a big salaam to Azim Premji. One thing’s for sure: He must definitely sleep well at night, certainly better than a whole lot of other Indian industrialists. Sharing happiness can do that to one, others should try it out.

     

    ***

     

    PS: Ah! A kindly clock that gives us second chances, and freezes important moments in our lives. What would we not give to get our hands on such a marvel? I would freeze the moment when Shri Advani started out his Rath Yatra, and took the nation down the tube. I won’t allow the Rath to move an inch. Cool ad from Guinness. And wonderfully shot too.

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”220″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAaNbzydxiA[/youtube]

     

     

     

  • Tony Fernandes of AirAsia inherited a bleeding airline in 2001, and turned it around within a year. This isn't a liquor baron who's decided to suddenly fly, Fernandes is a hardcore airline man

    Anil Thakraney: AirAsia: Will shake up Indian skies

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    AirAsia’s decision to fly into Indian skies is great news, both, for the newly formed venture that will run the desi operations, and for the Indian flyers. AirAsia is purely a low-cost carrier, that’s the market they understand, that’s their expertise. And the Indian market has been crying out for another low-cost airline so that the ticket pricing gets more realistic. So that train travellers can start taking air travel a little more seriously. For example, if last-minute travel from Mumbai to Bangalore costs me Rs 8,000, we certainly aren’t talking low cost out here. In any case, competition is always good, and with Kingfisher as good as dead, there is an opportunity for a new player.

     

    AirAsia has tied up with the Tatas, which is also good news. This means the Tata Group will return to the airline business after decades, after their exit from what is now called Air India. The group will want to ensure the project shines, their name is on the line. And Tony Fernandes of AirAsia is a kickass airline man. He inherited a bleeding airline in the year 2001, and turned it around within a year. This isn’t a liquor baron who’s decided to suddenly fly, Fernandes is a hardcore airline man. Which is why this team gives me huge hope. And you do need a power team like this to deal with all the problems that operating in India comes with, mainly high fuel costs and crazy taxes.

     

    I believe they will initially fly in the smaller cities and towns, but am guessing that strategy is to test the Indian waters (or skies, in this case), and am sure within a year AirAsia will connect the metro towns, that’s where the traffic lies. If I wish to fly Mumbai to Delhi, and have taken that decision three days earlier, and if the ticket price is about three thousand rupees, we have a sure winner here.

     

    Net net: A great team, perfect timing, correct product offering and a desperate need in the marketplace. This is one venture that can’t possibly go wrong. And sadly, Dr Mallya will have to grab a Kingfisher beer and watch AirAsia’s aircraft take to the skies. And ponder over what might have been. Alas!

     

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    PS: Meanwhile, here’s what’s happening with the Indian carriers. With too much free time on hand, and being stuck with ‘aunty’ air hostesses, Air India pilots are looking for fun elsewhere. This dude decided to write an obscene rap song and also star in it. Of course, the video’s gone viral, of course, the pilot’s in trouble, but who cares? We, the janata, are funding all this nonsense. One more reason why an AirAsia is badly needed here. We want pilots, not rappers. Anyway, it’s a fun video, enjoy!

     

  • There's an opportunity here for a new Hindi cinema award, whose biggest promise is credibility. Where the judging is totally transparent and the entire focus of the event is on cinema, good cinema, and nothing else. In short, all that the Oscars are to Hollywood

    Anil Thakraney: Want to launch an Oscar in India?

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Let me make it abundantly clear that I have nothing against the Filmfare awards, they are as worthy or as trashy as you deem the rest of the Bollywood awards to be (and there are plenty!). If you are a discerning cinema purist, you would be appalled by what goes on in the name of awards. However, if you are someone who enjoys dance, masti and street humour, and aren’t really a true cinema buff (in other words, a fan of crap called Dabangg and Rowdy Rathore), you would totally enjoy all these gigs.

     

    These were the thoughts swimming in my head as I watched the Filmfare awards show. The same old item numbers, the same old crass jokes by SRK and Saif (Balki & Bulky? You gotta be kidding me, guys!), and the same old thakela faces in the front row (Rekha, her ‘secy’ and Chunky Panday have become furniture items at these events). And as usual, a long, yawny, four-hour television extravaganza, which had nothing to do with cinema per se.

     

    And worse of all, the perpetual question mark that hangs like a sword on all Bollywood awards: What about credibility, dude? That still appears to be sorely missing. Case in point: Only the winners in the important categories land up at these events. And Shri Aamir Khan continues to shun these nautankis, because they lack the one most important thing for ANY award event: Trust. Sadly, nothing seems to be changing year after year, it’s always the same issues.

     

    Which then brings me to the point: Very, very clearly, there’s an opportunity out here for a media brand (or any corporate) to institute a new Hindi cinema award, whose biggest promise is credibility. Where the judging is made totally transparent (perhaps televised), and the entire focus of the event is on cinema, good cinema, and nothing else. In short, all that the Oscars are to Hollywood. If someone can pull this off, earn the film industry’s respect over a period of time, all other award shows will pale into insignificance, a couple might even be compelled to shut shop.

     

    I see an opportunity here. A gaping hole in the market waiting to be filled. Don’t you?

     

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    PS: Want to know how to make food advertising look sexy? Hottie Padma Lakshmi shows you how it’s done. Suddenly, all of us men want that damned burger. And suddenly, all of us men envy Salman Rushdie, and wonder why he let Padma go. Idiot! 🙂

     

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”220″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQDit9-z1Xw[/youtube]

     

  • There cannot be a greater joy for a journalist than an expose well executed. It also makes the audiences take news channels more seriously. Am hoping this will be a turning point for news television in India

    Anil Thakraney: Need more Choppergate stories

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    I think someone’s gotta do a viewership measurement study for the Choppergate coverage. No, not to suss which channel got the most eyeballs (I can already see Arnab babu claiming the championship), but to check exactly how many Indians actually watched the television coverage. This is because I am beginning to suspect India is tiring of scam stories, the janata may have reached a point of disinterest in corruption. And this is because there’s a financial scam happening every other day, and it’s now become an Indian way of life, much like spitting and pissing on the streets. Naturally, our politicians and babus would be mighty elated if indeed that is the case.

     

    Having (ruefully) said the above, the media still has to do its job, it still has to report the bloody scams. And what gladdened me is that almost all the TV channels went into the investigative mode on Choppergate. Reporters got flown to Milan (lucky guys!), anchors went deep into facts and figures, and there was a healthy competition to unearth more dirt than the rival channel. I particularly liked NDTV’s Vishnu Som’s work, who presented his bar charts as if he was talking to school students. While it was a bit funny, I liked the analytical passion he displayed. Now this is television I appreciate. Because this is asli journalism, as against the gasbag debates that happen each evening. When the same group of farts arrives, and farts about every possible thing under the sun. And it gets particularly noxious during TV dinners. It is these mindless debates that have driven many viewers away from desi TV news. That’s not journalism, that’s nautanki.

     

    Choppergate reminded us that the news channel folks do have the will and the skill to carry out investigative journalism when they deign to. And am hoping we get to watch more of it in the future. In any case, there cannot be a greater joy for a journalist than an expose well executed. It also makes the audiences take news channels more seriously. Am hoping this will be a turning point for news television in India, though I suspect I am wrong. For some reason, editors seem to enjoy all the prime time gassing. Sigh!

     

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    PS: Very good slice-of-life commercial. Brits in particular would identify with this. And surprisingly, it comes from McDonald’s, who aren’t renowned for great advertising work (though their ad for McSpicy, which I reviewed last week, isn’t bad). Wonderful story that culminates naturally with the brand.

     

     

  • The idea is to create two such Big Days each month. Especially in those months when there is no important festival. And then, in tandem with the media, market that day to the hilt

    Anil Thakraney: Marketers must conjure up more V Days

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    I write this piece on the lovely Valentine’s Day. Romance is in the air, and the social media is bursting with it. Even the mass media is doing its two bits to promote love. More so in Mumbai, now that the Shiv Sena has stopped beating up the heart shaped balloonwallahs.

     

    Guess it’s a huge day for florists, card sellers and other marketers. And I quietly snigger at the plight of all those dolts who forgot it’s the great V Day, and bought nothing for their partners. They’ve had it, I say! And in order to ‘make good’ for their crime, they will now have to rush to buy expensive goodies. When viewed as a gullible consumer, this sort of purchase pressure is kinda exploitative. However, this is an industry portal, so I am on the side of the canny marketers, and shall suggest that the Valentine’s Day Sales Carnival can easily be extended to an all year long bonanza. Leading to windfalls for the industry.

     

    The idea is to create two such Big Days each month. Especially in those months when there is no important festival. And then, in tandem with the media, market that day to the hilt. Imagine these: Daughter’s Day. Son’s Day. Granny’s Day. Chachi’s Day. Bhabhi’s Day. Cousin’s Day. Mother-in-law’s Day. And so on. I believe Father’s Day and Mother’s Day already exist, but for some strange reason, marketers haven’t been aggressive on them. They should be. India is a country of relations, we are emotional fools, people feel a strong sense of bonding with family, even the extended one. Wonder why CEOs have been sleeping on this goldmine. When heavy sales can happen even if there’s absolutely no need/want for the goods in the consumers’ lives.

     

    So go for it, guys. Declare a Special Day. Create a buzz around it. Get celebs talking about it. This will get the mass media interested. The social media chatter will follow. And voila! You have another day in the calendar to embellish the toplines.

     

    On that thought, happy belated Valentine’s Day. Hope, for your own well being, you didn’t forget to buy her/him an expensive gift. 🙂

     

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    PS: Cute idea from Scotland to promote tourism. They dressed up a couple of ponies in cardigan sweaters made out of local wool, used them in ads, and these creatures have turned into celebrities! And they help generate a great deal of curiosity about Scotland. We should do something similar with stray dogs and cows that line our streets. Dress them up in khadi kurtas. And Gandhi topis. 🙂

     

  • I was not just impressed with the BAFTA awards presentation, I think the way they conducted the show should be the benchmark for all movie award shows, both, abroad and in India. Here's a checklist of all the things they did right

    Anil Thakraney: BAFTA Awards: The perfect show

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Some readers of this blog might recall my review of the Golden Globes 2013. I was not very excited by the endless rambling by some of the award-winners. I had also suggested that a few cinematic insights ought to be provided to viewers, stuff that we usually never get to know.

     

    Well, the Brits seem to have given me a good hearing, hehe. I was not just impressed with the BAFTA awards presentation, I think the way they conducted the show should be the benchmark for all movie award shows, both, abroad and in India. Here’s a checklist of all the things they did right.

     

    The show (Sony Pix) was completed in two and a half hours (including various ad breaks). Perfect timing. This is the length of an average flick. This ensures viewers don’t tire out or fall asleep by the time the big awards are declared. A lesson to be learnt by Bollywood awards organisers.

     

    There was just one host, Stephen Fry. The man is naturally witty, and the script provided to him shone. Plus, he did not get into verbose jokes, he was quick and sharp. And because he was performing solo, the possibility of juvenile exchange with a co-host got ruled out. (I am so not looking forward to the mindless banter between SRK and Saif at the Filmfare awards show, scheduled for telecast this weekend.)

     

    Fry set the ground rules very early. He made it abundantly clear that winners should be crisp and rapid in their award acceptance speech. And everyone obliged, there was no need for music to be blared to stop the offenders. I am hoping to watch a repeat of this at the Oscars.

     

    Interesting insights were provided on all the major movies, with comments from crew members. Special capsules were created for this. So much better than the idiotic spiel belted out by the so-called ‘humorous’ anchors/guests. Awards are about cinema, and the focus must remain on that.

     

    Even the red carpet parade was short and sweet. Movie stars weren’t asked asinine questions by TV channel reporters. All we wanted was to see their designer dresses, and that’s what we got.

     

    And yes, there was no item number. You don’t need those, we get to watch them in the movies. Don’t know when Bollywood will understand this.

     

    Really hope other award organisers take a leaf from the BAFTA guys. Movie award shows should be fun to watch. They mustn’t be an ordeal.

     

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    PS: Sometimes the ad guys need to objectify men too, so that the ladies can have fun. Director Guy Ritchie has done just that for David Beckham Bodywear (H&M). As the sexy footballer runs through Beverly Hills in nothing but his skin-hugging chaddies. Enjoy!

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”220″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQCd1xVAkow[/youtube]

     

     

     

  • All these heated discussions, post-mortem of the man’s trial, and worse of all, controversies over the disposal of the body and chest-thumping by some TV anchors will only help in fanning anger in the valley

    Anil Thakraney | Guru execution: Media frenzy may do damage

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    To be honest, I am not quite sure on how the media should have dealt with the Afzal Guru hanging. Yes, it’s a big, big story (after all, how often does this softie nation hang criminals?), and the man was behind an outrageous attack on Parliament, no less. So his execution had to be covered, no option, really.

     

    And yet, I saw no point of all the TV discussions and the detailed newspaper reports. What was the use of re-visiting the terror attack in graphic detail, of re-living the doubts expressed by some on the fairness of Guru’s trial, of debating the timing of the execution, of playing out angry comments from Kashmiri separatists, etc? Now that the man is dead and gone, what purpose does this really serve? All these issues/controversies should have been debated while the convict was still alive, that would have made sense, perhaps it would have impacted Guru’s destiny. To my mind, a story on the execution itself, on how they went about it, would have been more than sufficient.

     

    In fact, all these heated discussions, post-mortem of the man’s trial, and worse of all, controversies over the disposal of the body and chest-thumping by some TV anchors will only help in fanning anger in the valley. Make no mistake about this: Despite the calm we have witnessed in Kashmir in recent times, there’s simmering rage amongst many locals who don’t like the idea of being a part of India. My worry therefore is this: Did the media, with its over-the-top coverage, unintentionally provide a handle to the disgruntled elements? I strongly suspect this might be the case, and I really hope we don’t suffer as a nation in the coming years. Hope that we don’t have to deal with more Afzal Gurus.

     

    Yes, the terrorist had to die, it was always only about when. Yes, it’s a big story, and yes, the media had to do its job. But I continue to get haunted by one thought: Perhaps editors and content heads could have handled this one differently. Because, in the end, national interest must come above all else.

     

    And yet, this is a gray zone, there is no ready black-and-white answer, I concede that. Let’s just hope we didn’t screw this one up.

     

    ***

     

    PS: An excellent example of how to talk price for cars without damaging the brand image. Because in this category, status is everything. A must watch for all brand managers on how to offer discounts without discounting the brand appeal.

     
  • Now only if Narendra Modi adds one more to S (for Sorry) to his 3S mantra, he will definitely be PM in 2014, writes Anil Thakraney

    Anil Thakraney: CEO Modi

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    In an earlier post, I have matched Brand Rahul with Brand Modi. The television media has only got into the act now, so this should tell you the internet is the medium of the future. But Modi’s speech at the Delhi college gave us an insight into why the corporate honchos adore this man. By the way, I was watching the speech live, and out of curiosity, surfed all the news channels. And found that every single one was fixated on Modi, except for DD News, which was dutifully recycling an ancient Manmohan Singh speech. Sigh! Guess some things never change.

     

    Anyway, on to Motabhai’s talk show. This wasn’t a political neta speaking. Modi’s speech was a full-on sales pitch by a businessman. It had all the elements in place: Furious marketing of the state of Gujarat, which Modi treats as his personal portfolio. A clear vision for future growth. A tangible business mantra: Speed, Scale, Skill. A positive outlook to the future. And an extremely competitive pitch… he missed no opportunity to tell you why Gujarat (his brand) prospers, while the Rest of India (the brand he wishes to own) has lagged behind. It’s well known that Modi goes out of his way to welcome the Tatas and the Ambanis to his state, and therefore the industrialists never fail to pay him compliments. But after listening to him, I realized that Modi is more a dhandhewala than a neta, which explains his corporate fan following more accurately.

     

    And that’s a good thing for this nation. We desperately need a leader who can think big, and who has the ability to get work done. A man who operates likes a CEO. Look at the mess that’s happening in Mumbai in terms of infrastructure, and you will understand why Modi is blue chip stock. The Scale is missing, Mumbai is still planning flyovers, when the metro rail should have covered the entire city decades ago. The Speed is missing, projects go on for years and years. And sadly, even the Skill is missing, people keep dying every other day under falling debris. And potholes magically appear on freshly minted roads.

     

    In short, Officer Modi’s time has come. Now only if he adds one more ‘S’ to his 3S mantra, he’d definitely be PM in 2014. And that ‘S’ is a big ‘Sorry’. To the Indian Muslims.

     

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    PS: Brilliant! There was a power cut at the Super Bowl for a few minutes. As most fans (and brand managers) were left groping in the dark, the Oreo guys swung into action. And quickly came up with this winner. Smart work. This sort of on-the-feet thinking you have to admire.

     

     

  • Before these unfortunate young ladies abort their promising gig, an MTV or a Radio One should show some enterprise. Go ahead and adopt the band, people. If for nothing else, do it for the love of music, and for the love of Young India

    Anil Thakraney: Someone please adopt the Kashmiri band!

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    We all know what’s happened with most of the desi television music channels. They now do everything but play the frickin music. Completely juvenile reality shows are now integral to their programming mix. The FM radio stations at least play the songs (thank heavens for small mercies!), but all the musical fun gets demolished due to the constant chatter from the jocks, and from the (usually) boring guests they invite to their studios.

     

    Here’s a wonderful opportunity for one of these buggers to change things, to get the focus back on music, and to build their own brand. Whichever is the smartest one of the lot shall waste no time in adopting the all-girl rock band from Kashmir, the band that’s planning to shut shop following the rape and death threats from some lunatic locals. It’s gotten so bad for these girls that even J&K’s chief minister hesitates to openly denounce the threat senders. Guess he’s worried about ‘hurting’ religious sentiments, because Kashmir’s Grand Mufti has declared the girls’ band as ‘Un-Islamic’.

     

    Before these unfortunate young ladies abort their promising gig, an MTV or a Radio One should show some enterprise. The channel/station could relocate the girls to Mumbai or Delhi, provide them with free accommodation, take care of their education, and most importantly, finance and support their musical journey. Result: The brand will get to own this band, and its success will benefit the TV or the radio station enormously. And not to forget all the goodwill that will get generated because of the social work involved in helping these poor damsels in distress.

     

    If one of the CEOs doesn’t move swiftly to make this happen, it would be a wonderful opportunity lost in brand building. And it will lead to the death of budding talent. Go ahead and adopt the band, people. If for nothing else, do it for the love of music, and for the love of Young India.

     

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    PS: SodaStream is a manufacturer of bubbly soda. For the Super Bowl, they decided to run a commercial that makes rival brands, Coke and Pepsi, look like bumbling fools. Sadly, the TV network, CBS, did not allow this one to be aired, because they found it too ‘explicit’ in its attack. Wow! Methinks this is harmless stuff compared to the ad attacks Coke and Pepsi regularly launch on each other. I suspect CBS chickened out, not wishing to annoy big advertisers. What a pity!

     

    Link: http://www.youtube.com/user/SodaStreamGuru?v=68al-o2XSpE

     

  • One more 'Justice for Jessica Lal' moment has arrived for the Indian media. Now, only intense media scrutiny will put some pressure on the judiciary to follow the spirit of the law, and not its letter, at least in this case

    Anil Thakraney: Let’s go after Mr Juvenile

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Well, it’s pretty clear now that the man/boy who not only participated in the Delhi gang rape but played a key part in the torture will be out on the streets in a few years. Out to commit more heinous crimes. The Juvenile Justice Court has decided to treat his school certificates as gospel truth (the bone ossification test has been rejected), therefore as per the law, there’s no way this chap will get punished under the IPC.

     

    And so, one more ‘Justice for Jessica Lal’ moment has arrived for the Indian media. All journalists and proprietors of media companies will have to get after Mr. Juvenile with jihadic fervour. Now, only intense media scrutiny will put some pressure on the judiciary to follow the spirit of the law, and not its letter, at least in this case. Television debates and news reports have been done. The social media is active. But we need sustained, continuous, 360 degree pressure. Till full justice is done to the unfortunate girl, and till all the six criminals get their just desserts. I am convinced the destiny of this young rapist/killer is now in the hands of the Indian media. People, we have to rise and shine.

     

    And by the way, no, I don’t believe Mr. Juvenile wasn’t old enough to know what he was doing. Here’s what I was up to when I was 17 years plus.

     

    Furiously (but unsuccessfully) pursued a girl in my junior college class.

    Dabbled in stocks with my pocket money to earn some quick (albeit tiny) profits.

    Took a train ride to Nagpur all by myself for a med entrance exam. And successfully negotiated a deal with a low cost hotel.

    Went on a road trip to Jaipur and Ajmer, all by myself.

    Had beer with college pals. Many times.

    Stole dad’s cigarettes. Many times.

    Got involved in a street brawl.

    Got an ageing neighbour admitted to a hospital.

    Lodged a written complaint against a BEST conductor for refusing to give me change.

    Cheated in my chemistry exam.

    Cheated in my physics exam.

    Screamed at a driver in our residential apartment, because he would habitually ‘eve tease’ the maids.

    Argued with a professor at a private tutorial class on his faulty teaching methods.

    Learnt to ride a Bajaj scooter.

    Had heated discussions with dad on the Partition.

     

    And these few memories are still fresh in the head. Yup, I knew exactly what I was doing, as also the ramifications of those actions. And would have felt enormously insulted if someone called me a ‘juvenile’. Hope the Indian law makers are reading this post.

     

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    PS: Speaking of the rape and murder, we simply have to quit this ‘Nirbhaya’, ‘Damini’ and ‘Amanat’ nonsense. Perhaps a PIL needs to be filed in a court for this. We must remember, respect, honour and cherish the girl by her real name. She’s sparked a massive change in this nation, and history needs to record that.