Saturday, May 8, 2010

Advertising. Is it attack on Indian traditions?

Why do the advertisers and the media time and again try to attack the Indian cultural roots to sell their products, inspiring the youth and the consumers to get away from their roots?

All of us distinctly remember the time when shampoos had entered into the Indian markets. It was promoted as useful agent to get rid of stickiness from hair oil. Indeed a necessary and an on target point, but at what cost? People reduced the oil usage. Youngsters opposed hair oil usage. And what happened? The younger generation of yesterday, the working generation of today; is facing heavy hair loss, dandruff and various other hair problems. You may argue that these problems were already present thousands of years ago when Ayurveda was discovered, but were these problems so aggravated? We had many other natural options which could effectively cleanse the hair of the extra oil and also give strong and silky hair like “areetha”, “shikakai”, etc. But to get ahead in the race to use the latest products the people started using shampoos. But when they could not see any good benefit they stopped using both shampoo and also oil. Effect – More damage.

Now the companies are bringing in products which are catering to the above problem by instilling in the minds of people that “look you people, you don’t have time for putting on hair oil. We have this shampoo which contains oil. Use this”. Phase shift of ideology for shampoo industry?

This is just an example. This is happening in other products too which had competed against the use of traditional items. Best example is soft drinks. All the soft drink brands pitched in as the new youth drink. This is “THE” drink, and the alternative natural drinks are no use. And now these soft drink companies are in a race to capture the natural health drink product markets. Interesting!

Some may term it as “Market Capture” – Erase traditional products, then re-introduce them with new packaging. To me this can be termed as “Re - Laying the base”. [I resist from using the term “Foundation” as that’s not what is being remade.]

So the question which props the mind is does selling means just sell and no ethics? No values to the inherent ideology of the nation, the traditions? I was and am still searching for the answers.

I am divided with the answers I have got till now. Sometimes the “Brain” says it’s all in the business. You need to sell the product come what may. While the “Heart” says don’t do this, its unethical. Don’t fool your traditions. But then I recollect a line from the movie “Lord Of Wars” –

Never go to war. Especially with yourself.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

har cheez ki ek umar (nahi) hoti hai?


A very interesting article
Sourced from here

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"Bete, har cheez ki ek umar hoti hai", parents used to say.

There is a time to focus on studies.
A time to build your career.
A time to shoulder responsibilities.

But in the Indian scheme of things you are never 'old enough' to really live your life the way you want to.Until ultimately you are old and telling other - "Bete, har cheez ki ek umar hoti hai..." Philosophy aside, there is a very real dilemma facing parents today. My ten year old daughter (if you ask her she'll say, "11 in 3 months time!") wants to join Facebook. Now officially you have to be over 13 to be on Facebook but you know how simple it is to circumvent that rule. Her point is, lots of kids in class have Facebook accounts. I have no way to verify that - and neither should be the basis of my decision. So what do I do?This is but one example. There is the 'when can I get a cellphone' question. When can I go to the mall with my friends - and no adult escort?Recently I was stumped by when can I get a manicure (just want to try it once).My standard response is:"When you are in class 10". But I doubt I will actually be able to hold out for another five years.

So what are my concerns, why stop her from 'having it all' as soon as possible?

Well, like all parents, I want to protect her. From the big bad world out there. And yet, I do not want to spy. And I do not want to worry when I don't spy (and therefore don't know what company she is keeping). The hope is, the older you get, the wiser you get. But is there any such guarantee in this world?At best, you are postponing the inevitable. I've let her read the 'Twilight' series (it's supposed to be teen fiction but hey.. it's a rage among kids her age).

I switch off 'Desperate Housewives' when she is around but she's just discovered 'Friends' and funny as it is, the storylines are definitely 'adult'. I've handed down my ipod to her (but strictly forbidden taking it out of home).Yes, kids are growing up faster - physically and mentally. But you know they're still kids when they ask you - can we do this or that? The day they 'just do it' is the day they have grown up.

Har cheez ki ek umar hoti hai. The question for parents is, when will be old and wise enough to let go?