2009: The Year That Was….(A photo post)

As 2009 is coming to an end now, let's have a recap of this year in pictures..

So, here I go highlighting some major events of 2009 in India!

The Satyam Fraud Case

One of the most respected companies in India becomes an overnight joke... And you know how!

Tata Nano Unveiled

Tata Nano a.k.a the People's Car launched with much anticipation and affordability. What sets it apart is its affordable price tag and is also the most fuel-efficient car in India!

 Lok Sabha Elections 2009

This year, Elections were a major thing in our nation... Well, anyway, the UPA won it. I am sure about the votes, but not too confident about people's dreams and hearts...

Swine Flu ‘Flew’

Aha.. The most exciting news of 'em all - Swine Flu! It seemed all news agencies and channels fell in love with this stupid disease... Though diseases like AIDS, malaria and typhoid devour more victims, unnecessary media hype and attention was given to Swine Flu.. Too bad!

26/11: A Year Later…

This 26/11 anniversary was in itself a turning point in 2009.  As you can see above, on 26 November 2009, Hindustan Times Mumbai dedicated its front page to the iconic image of smoke rising from the dome of Taj Mahal Hotel, Colaba, Mumbai. With all these initiatives, the Mumbaikars (citizens of Mumbai) have of course, realized the plight of their own city... I hope those inspiring articles and action plans for a better Mumbai are implemented some day...

Copenhagen and India

The only similarity between Copenhagen and India is that they both are places. The Copenhagen Climate Summit did nothing except creating unrealistic hopes of achieving targets. As a result, no conclusion came out of it and it collapsed miserably. Whereas in India, our per capita carbon emissions are the lowest in the world. With an arsenal of a billion creative minds, we can easily contribute towards saving the environment in a significant way. What's say?

The Indian World!

Surprised? Well, I personally feel that The Indian World blog is also a new thing for India! :)

Maybe, one day, this blog will create a major difference in this nation... Let's see..

So, guys, this was all of this post. Can you add any more important events to this list? What have you got to say about the year 2009? 

P.S. For those who are wondering where the image sources are, you can simply click on any photo and it shall take you to its respective post. Neat, isn't it?!

The Century!

Today, The Indian World blog has hit a century with its 100th post! Yohoo!


It is a great feeling for me since we have achieved a super-duper milestone today!


Blogging is so much fun and I've had a million learning experiences with it. This glorious moment of publishing my 100th post reminds me of the day I started blogging...


The day was 26 February 2009. Just after the stroke of midnight, I had my first post published. My first-ever-post, India Revisited was actually written for my 10th Standard English elocution oral exams.. The response to this elocution was so cheerful, that I finally started writing on the Internet (And I'm glad that I did!).


As you observe many of my posts, you will see a fine and distinct streak of patriotism, optimism and a hope to a see a better, developed India. I feel all my readers get some sort of inspiration and a drive to do something for the country... But very few realize the hard work and commitment that goes behind to continue with the same zeal and fulfill everyone's expectations with this blog. I feel I have developed some kind of strong attachment and relationship with my blog. If I am unable to write on my blog, I see myself full of guilt and remorse.


Talking about the relationship I have with my blog, while writing this post, I got an SMS from a friend which best describes this scenario:

A Relationship is just like The Taj Mahal... Everybody will wonder how beautiful it is, but nobody can understand how difficult it was to build it...! 

So, well, I also expect you guys, as readers of my blog, to express your views and give your feedback and comments...


Well, since this is my 100th post, I must say that this blog has really come a long, long way...


As a writer, blogging has given me a platform to express my views and perspectives about various aspects... It has really been an amazing learning experience. It has also helped me to enrich my English vocabulary and communication skills, for sure! I feel there is something very deep and profound in the very act of blogging..there's a lot of social interaction, you get a chance to develop your analytical skills and broaden your horizons and viewpoints with others' comments and feedback as well... The blogosphere, as a whole, has also helped me to make some really interesting and smart friends...!


Overall, as a matter of concluding remarks, I would like to thank all my readers, feed and e-mail subscribers from all over the world..!! 


Thank You, guys!

[Image Source]

1 Change I would like to make for India...

The other day, I gave an impromptu speech in my English class on the above given topic - 1 Change I would like to make for India! I just wanted to share my views here in my domain...and I also wanted to elaborate on it a little further...


Today (i.e. on 17 December), due to a technical snag in the Central Railways, railway stations became a place of complete chaos. Since trains also seemed to be delayed, one could easily notice a pinch of frustration and irritation on people's faces. I stood on the railway platform...I saw hordes of people..just like one would notice in some huge public gathering. 


Just as the train arrived, people scrambled to get in...a crowd slowly converted itself into a sort of stampede... At a place like this, getting onto the train is an achievement in itself! Well, this is how our Government treats us.. there are no efficient laws and policies for public transport..and the currently available facilities also seem antiquated..


Don't misunderstand my tone for a condemned one. It is just a tone arising out of care and love. Care for the people and love for the country. Criticism that comes out of love and care, is not criticism. It is just a way of showing that there is a lot of room for improvement. Anyway, talking about governments and administrations in our nation, I feel that there is not a single thing that proves India's exceptional organizational abilities.

Someone has said it so brilliantly, "If there is God anywhere in the World, it is in India". That is not because India has the largest number of Gods and is highly inclined towards religion and spirituality. It is just because we can only trust God in the working of our nation, leaving aside greedy politicians and ineffective laws. Only God can do something to save us from the webs of corruption and red-tapism. Even so, I wouldn't be surprised if a DJ makes a remix like ... India ki naiyya hai ram ke bharose...


The 1 change I would like to see is in the quality of intellect and knowledge right at the top, where decisions for the entire nation are made. There is a change we need... We need men of strong leadership, courage, determination and ambition to hold the highest posts in our Government. They would definitely be much much better than those bunch of 7th pass ministers exercising their power over a nation of a billion. I feel there is a need of passion and aggression in our current political system. We need young blood to replace corrupt fools in the Government. A chance must be given to the young citizens to tap their hidden potential and become great statesmen...

Just like those high-profile CEO and MD posts of any company, let there be educational and intellectual qualifications for our very own ministers so that power is not misused. Just like those SC, ST, OBC and what-not quotas, we should have specific quotas for IIT and IIM alumni to contest elections. Thus, there shall definitely be some people in the Parliament with a rare commodity known as 'Brains'.

There is no greater and respectful post than that of a minister or a civil servant. Having known all the facts, still, there are no educational qualifications for these guys. Civil servants go through competitive exams like UPSC and stuff like that, but as soon as they step into the murky waters of greed and corruption, they are soon devoured. Ministers may not know the ABC's of their assigned portfolios, but they are scholars in bribery and red-tapism.

There is a time for everything...and now is the time for change! Someone has to flush out those murky waters and murkier motives, because problems can never be solved without taking any action, you see.

There is a change we need....

5 Examples of Brainless Marketing

I wanted to write this post long, long ago...but things just didn't seem to work out. Anyway, here I go with this  post on foolish and senseless marketing with some valuable lessons to learn... And since Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year has finally released which revolves around sales and marketing, I believe you guys will relate to this post even better...

     1. The following advertisement is the best example of sub-standard promotions in India. In fact, this stuff is too idiotic to be even shown on-air...

What to learn:

We need to be more innovative and sensible in our marketing approach. The above ad may have increased the sales of Kurkure, but, from a logical point of view, this video is complete nonsense! In fact, a comment on this video on YouTube just paraphrases my views -

Absurdity with intelligence is a a sure winner for a commercial. . This is a run of the mill idea.Grow up guys Think BIG !! Get your market fundas.......in to the thrash and be innovative.

     2.  Manali is a famous hill station in Himachal Pradesh. It is known for its beautiful scenery and cool, pleasant climate. One would find it to be the perfect tourist destination in North India, but for one annoying reason - marketing. The shopkeepers over there are crazy fellows who try to get in customers by all sort of stupid ways. Their modus operandi to find customers is as follows: A person from a particular shop stands outside on the road. He searches for innocent tourists walking by... When he finds a victim, he will actually force that person to listen to what he is selling..and will even drag that tourist to his shop for buying his product... Too weird to believe, right?

What to learn:

This is, supposedly, a force method to get customers... In fact, there are several institutions and organizations strewn across India which practise this method. I personally feel that forcing someone indirectly generates some feeling of disinterest and resentment against that particular product. This is not a recommended way to promote one's products and business. Instead, a polite and gentle way in dealing with customers will go a long way in not only increasing sales, but also developing quality human relations...

     

     3. Talking about marketing and stuff, an incident comes to my mind. Although it does not have any sort of impact on consumers, it somewhat influences our cultural backgrounds. Many years ago, when I was a kid, I had been to an exhibition in Mumbai. There was one stall, I recollect, which sold some type of hair dryers. A marketing guy stood outside the stall, and tried his best to get in customers. He saw one of his victims in a Sikh lady with a 7-year-old child. Trying some new marketing strategy, he started doing Bhangra, the Punjabi folk dance with a hair-dryer one on hand just to arouse the child. This act not only worked against the salesman with the lady running away, but also created a sort of cultural rift between the two.

What to learn:

Cultural marketing is a tricky thing to do. While marketing, care has to be taken not to harm the customer's sentiments and cultural background.

     4. Don't go by the title of this video! It is not at all funny, in fact, it is the most foolish and stupid way to endorse a TV channel...

The funda (concept) behind this video is itself meaningless. When the kids are born, they are named Mano & Ranjan. But they have no dad to call their own. All in the village keep asking them about their Dad's return. Finally he returns...  Manoranjan's dad i.e. Dad of all entertainment... A Sony Programme!

What to learn:

The target audience is very vulnerable to ads with high emotional intensity and drama. The above advertisement was dramatized to a large extent. Although this ad gets its message across, it actually defeats the purpose of a sensible, practical Indian advertisement. Let modern ads not keep the audience hooked to such nonsense stuff because it not only wastes the viewer's time, but also reduces the moral value of the advertisement in the viewer's eye...

     5. Last but not the least... Facebook! 

         Facebook is slowly turning into an advertiser's paradise... Advertisers and marketing experts are luring users into joining attractive groups. Some of these attractive groups include:

  If 1,170,000 People Join, My Girlfriend Will Marry Me!

If 1,000,000 People Join I'll Legally Change My Name To Edward Cullen

Join to get a "Dislike" Button! - TAKES 30 SECONDS

If 5,000,000 people join my mom will stop smoking

Facebook Users normally do get attracted to such nonsense titles... I don't know why, though!

What to learn:

Do not go in for absurd advertisements. These Facebook groups promise unrealistic things and ensure that you will have those things only if you invite your friends. Therefore, these stupid groups not only get a larger fan base, but also a wide variety of things to advertise about. So, it is better not to get into fraudulent business...

Well, my list ends here... but would you like to add more to this amazing list? What are your views on brainless marketing and its repercussions on our nation's economy?\

A Special Message...

Dishonesty and greed is the mother of all con artists...


Whenever we do anything wrong, there's this inner voice in us that makes us reluctant...And that tiny, inner voice is our conscience. According to H.L.Mencken, "Conscience is the inner voice which warns us that someone may be looking."

Look at our dear India..we have corrupt politicians ruining our government, and we have greedy shopkeepers degrading our health with food adulterants. In fact, it seems these guys don't give much importance to their pure conscience and rather rely on acquiring more money and power. Well, these are just 2 simple examples, but I wonder whether our politicians feel a sense of remorse and guilt whenever they do something wrong...

At this point, just remember 1 simple thing -

The only person you will have to live with for the remaining part of your life is you. There is no assurance that your family members shall be with you throughout your life. But, as long as you are here on Planet Earth, you will reap the benefits of your own hard work and efforts. Your knowledge, abilities and talents are what will make you joyous and able to live life to the fullest.

So, when we talk about the conscience, it is the inner feeling that one possesses to judge one's decisions. We are not measured by what we take from our life, but rather, by what we give. Well, here is a poem that speaks about our inner voice and its significance.

To the greedy politician, to the sly shopkeeper, to the deceiving trader and to the classic cheater, I dedicate this beautiful poem penned down by some anonymous soul.

The Man In The Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self

And the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to the mirror and look at yourself

And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife

Whose judgment upon you must pass.

The fellow whose verdict counts most in you life

Is the one staring back from the glass.

You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum

And think you’re a wonderful guy.

But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum

If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

He’s the fellow to please-never mind all the rest,

For he’s with you clear to the end.

And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test

If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years

And get pats on the back as you pass.

But your final reward will be heartache and tears

If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

What are your views about this subtle and not-so-minute Conscience? Do you feel that deceiving oneself is much more painful than deceiving others..?