POWER in the NAME

Shakespeare said “Whats in a name” and signed underneath.

A few brand names which say it all....

When its noodles – its got to be Maggi

When its mineral water – its Bisleri

And the most popular one being XEROX.

 A brand which is widely known in the marketplace acquires brand recognition. When brand recognition builds up to a point where a brand enjoys a critical mass of positive sentiment in the marketplace, it is said to have achieved the ultimate.It has not been a cake walk for these brands though.

Before Parle bought Bisleri in 1969, the company had been unable to market bottled water and wanted to exit the market.They did not have target group and the mighty problem being “How to advertise bottled water that is colourless, tasteless and odourless”?In 2000 , the company saw growth of nearly 400 %.In spite of a lot of brands joining the race , Bisleri is still - BRAND BOTTLED WATER.

XEROX is a name so synonymous with photocopy that the word “Xeroxed” is officially in the English dictionary. XEROX ,STD , ISD , PCO is the most common board anyone sees in India. It is CANONized as the only photocopier brand.

Maggi – This five letter word is what kids call an earthworm also. Jokes apart , this instant noodles brand has become a trustworthy  companion for breakfast ,lunch,dinner ,anytime anywhere.Probably this is the only brand of which you read and you start craving.I think the marketers are yet to come up with a term for such a consumer behavior.

 

Terror and tears again !

I was watching a movie when my cell beeped - "Watch TV....Terror attack in Mumbai again".I log on to the net.It says firing on and 15 injured.I dont even read it fully and curse the Shivsena.I continue watching the movie,shut my laptop and go into my world of dreams when my fellow Indians in Mumbai who were innocent and vulnerable were subjected to what is now called the worst terror attacks ever.When the media was busy covering all this , when people sat glued to the TV , when desperate families in Mumbai tried calling their relatives , I was dreaming of a nice future.The only thing I knew was that my term 1 is over and I need rest.

Next morning I walk out of the hostel picking the economic times - " Terror rips apart Mumbai , 78 dead".We are shocked !! (Thats it.I coulndt do anything.Called friends and family In Mumbai to know if they were safe").I read through the newspaper and we watched the videos of the attack in class.

Did I do something about it? Could my friends do anything about it?

We are all helpless.All we can do is to keep refreshing the ibnlive website for more news and not go out coz Bangalore is also on high alert.

Amitabh Bachan in his blog says "Last night, as the events of the terror attack unfolded in front of me I did something for the first time and one that I had hoped never ever to be in a situation to do. Before retiring for the night, I pulled out my licensed .32 revolver, loaded it and put it under my pillow. For a very disturbed sleep" 

Vrushali Haldipur of Cnn Ibn says "Words almost seem pointless at times like these, but it's the only way to try and make sense of what is happening to Bombay now"

All of us who are not the direct victims can only feel helpless and hope that peace is restored asap.We can also get angry on the ruthless terrorists and blame terrorism which doesnt even have proper definition.No wonder! How else can fear in different countries & different languages be explained.Though the cloud is full of tears,there is still a silver lining - The Indian army is doing its best to get the country out of this crisis.

For one of the speeches in school "If i were the defense minister" , I concluded saying "If u want peace,be prepared for war". Today I know the impact of it but I am a helpless Indian who can only pray for the Mumbaikars and hope that they show the famous Mumbaiyya spirit and come out of this crisis.

PS:Log on to www.ibnlive.com, light a candle and take a pledge to fight terror

This day that year

Do you remember the games we played in kindergarten or pre school?Those were the subtle days of "Fire in the mountain-run run run", Color color which color do u want....
All we knew was that it was time to play and thats what our friends,teachers or mamma taught us.Newspaper was something that dad read over a cup of coffee and we were asked not to speak when ma n pa watched news on DD 1.
The world has changed and please help me with a more effective word for this metamorphosis.
My six year old cousin's favourite game is to detect bombs(Beat that!!!).He has different books for Computer Science and Information Technology(Yes! Believe me).The last day in kindergarten is called "Graduation day" (n for what fun??? Does it mean I graduate like some 6 or 7 times?).

They say the world has changed for good,But i think my subtle and quite childhood which had only my friends , my dolls ,my family was so much better in many ways.I liked my protected childhood where I was not particular about Nike shoes or Wildcraft bags.I was thrilled to go to school with a new red n black pencil.In fact I loved it when my pencil had a sharper lead.

I know I wont get those days back and I also dont know if I can really compare them to others ,all I know is that my kids would know so much more than me but the innocence will be lost.

The "FAG" end

Ladies and Gentlemen! A round of applause for the Health minister , Mr.Anbumani Ramadoss for the commendable initiative he has taken.He dared to say "No more puff-stuff".He chose the best day for it too(Oct2)!!!

I am doing my part of being a responsible citizen.I stopped three men from smoking in public.i m not scared about their reaction anymore.I have the rules of my country to support me.Are u being good too?? Ask yourself......

A restaurant with a 30 seater capacity if fine with smoking.......Ahem! Ye baat kuch hazam nai hui. Dint the Health minister think about CCD and Barista?An amendment in this point will do wonders.Can u hear me?