IndianMaze

People (and politicians in particular) believe that public memory is short and as long as one can get a couple of weeks pass, people will get back to "life's like that". This appears to be a part of popular Indian way of life "यहाँ सब चलता है". On the question of accountability - does it rest with only politicians and public service (servants). Mumbai attacks seem to have changed the way we keep our short memories. Just in aid of those who would like to change the system, let me propagate public accountability of those who are neither politicians nor in government . It is about media accountability. I received an emotion charged mail. It made me think that even without the emotional outburst, there is something to ponder about. What will be the results? Will the "culprit" own up? Will the concerned organisation "take action"? Will the action be in line with action demanded from the establishment? Quote Appalling journalism. Absolute blasphem...

Reams of paper, scores of channels, 72 hrs of non stop coverage, paralysis by analysis. My only moment of self satisfaction. For the doer who claims no PR, coverage etc An anonymous NSG commando's response to "How difficult was the operation?" " हमारे लिए कुछ भी मुश्किल नहीं है " " Nothing is difficult for us" Of all the mantras, it is the spirit and confidence that makes a difference. Salute to the "doers"

Worst ever attack on Indian soil. Touching the soul of ordinary citizens. With bomb blasts, train blasts and now this attack I think not a single family is untouched by the tragedy for there is someone known who has suffered at the hand of terrorists in these cases. Panic is hitting the streets. One of the junior of a friend lost life today, two cops known to a close friend lost their lives. A freind's wife was in complete hysteria last night when she heard Taj attack and her husband being in Taj for a function. She could not even hear when he called to say that he was in Taj Land's End in Bandra and not in Colaba. She kept on yelling "come back, come back". There has been non stop coverage in all TV channels across the country. What was happening at one of the leading newspaper in the capital whose editor decided that this news is good for a byline and anchor story has to be on Delhi elections? Citizens - both directly and through media should start pushing the syste...

Few friends were drowning their sorrows in the respective preference of drinks at a club. This is usual but for the venue. Normally, these suited friends would be seen in the 5 Star bars and drinks would be Single Malts, Rose wines etc. Club menu offers limited choices and almost half the prices offered by 5 Star bars. Expected. The interesting bit was when one asked "what would people do when they want to save money but still pass time?" Opportunity strikes in most adverse circumstances. To cut a long story short, consensus was that people will spend more time socialising at home with families and friends and consume more food (part home cooked and part packaged/ordered from nearby restaurant) and consume more media. I sense an opportunity for TV channels (more time spent), magazines (more readership per copy and time spent), radio, video rentals. Does it mean more DVD players being sold? why not? Are creative guys working on it? Opportunity for more advertising?

Life takes turns..... a little too swiftly in Indian consumers' case. I was having discussions with a close friend yesterday evening while sipping a large cup of Black Assam Tea brewed perfectly by the expert from the pantry (more on that a little later in the post). The discussions went to media industry where both of us have personal and professional interests. He was very interested in niche channels of interest that otherwise get lost in the sea of offerings. He was very keen to move from one DTH operator to another as his favourite channel was not being shown. We got discussing new channels and the future of channels in India. Back to the choice issue after sipping more of delicious tea, we got to look at the comprehensive offerings made by two of the leading DTH operators. It just so happened that none of the two had a full choice of this friend of mine. Now the issue came that actually there are a few of his (and his family's) choices that are not available on either of...

The great Indian shopper continues to amaze the marketeers. It was a leisurely sunday mid morning and I wanted to avoid the crowds in the shops. It was just an illusion. There were a large number of people, largely younger lot. Great, they were not shopping around the aisles of the large format super store on the Malls Road of Gurgaon. They were all enjoying some snacks and coffee from innumerable stalls within the store. It was a breakfast time, snack time and more importantly leisure time away from the daily chores. The other thing that caught the eye was the proliferation of localised media in the mall. Great outpout quality but poor content. Can we not have some nice stuff when sipping a coffee... Advertisers are few but surely will explore this very soon.