2010 - THE LISTS AND REVIEWS

This one from MSN is comprehensive:
click here for 2010 in pictures

Educational Sector Watch: Top Universities of the World

A list of the top Universities of the World:

Click Here for the top 10 Global Universites

Click Here for the Universities ranked 11 to 20

Click Here for Universities 21 to 30

Click Here for Universities 31 to 40

Click Here for the Universities 41 to 50

Monetisation and Copyright Checks on YouTube

An interesting article on Youtube.
CLICK HERE

Charles Cadell on the Indian Advertising Industry

A very interesting, balanced and candid assessment of the Indian Advertising Industry. Charles Cadell was the CEO of Lowe Lintas for over three years and is credited with having put together a structure in place and some systems for a genuine performance appraisal. I have met the man and he struck me as a genuine person, a good human being and a thorough professional. Polite to a fault, he is firm where he has to be and is a good judge of people. Lot to learn from this gentleman and hope he does well at McCann too.
CLICK HERE

Related Link on the Deloitte Survey of Indian advertising salaries.CLICK HERE

Love, in the middle of Cancer. A tale of love and inspiration

The boy met the girl, fell in love, the villain appeared,caused havoc, the brave boy and the girl fought back the challenge and they lived happily ever after. Sounds cliched, but his format was what lay ahead for a young couple. Read this:
CLICK HERE

Songs for a better life

Kishore Kumar : Aa chalke tujhe leke chaloon.



Aa chal ke tujhe, main le ke chaluun
ik aise gagan ke tale
jahan gam bhii na ho, aansoo bhi na ho
bas pyaar hii pyaar pale

Aa chal ke tujeh main le ke chaluun
ik aise gagan ke tale
jahan gam bhi na ho, aansoo bhi na ho
bas pyaar hi pyaar pale
ik aise gagan ke tale

Suraj ki pahali kiran se, aashaa kaa savera jaage (2)
chandaa kii kiraN se dhul kar, ghanaghor andhera bhaage (2)
kabhi dhuup khile kabhi chhaav mile
lambii sii Dagar na khale
jahan gam bhi na ho, aansoo bhi na ho
bas pyaar hi pyaar pale
ik aise gagan ke tale

Jahan door nazar daud aae, aazaad gagan laharaae laharaee (2)
jahan rang birange panchhi, aashaa kaa sandesaa laayen (2)
sapano me pali hansati ho kali
jahan shaam suhaani dhale
jahan gam bhi na ho, aansoo bhi na ho
bas pyaar hi pyaar pale
ik aise gagan ke tale

Sapano Ke aise jahan mein jahan pyaar hi pyaar khila ho
hum jaa ke vahan kho jaaye shikuva na koyi ghila ho
kahin bhair na ho koyi ghair na ho
sab milke chalte chale
jahan gam bhi na ho aansoo bhi na ho
bas pyaar hi pyaar pale
ik aise gagan ke tale
aa chal ke tujeh mein leke chaluun
ik aise gagan ke tale
jahan gam bhi na ho aansoo bhi na ho
bas pyaar hi pyaar pale
ik aise gagan ke tale

And there you have John Lennon whose imagination runs on similar lines.



Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

Meera Bhajans: Vani Jayaram

Mere to Giridhar Gopal...



This one has a devotional touch and the flute is more prominent.



Jo tum todo piya...

Hindustani Classical Music: Kishori Amonkar's music

This one has some stunning pictures of Lord Krishna.


Raag sampoorna malkauns: Krishna Bhajan

Hindustani Classical Music: Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan's music

Kya karoo sajni and Yaad Piya ki aye.



The Yesudas version from the film Swami.


Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan singing Raag Bihag Drut Teental

HP's E-Printer Campaign from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners is a hit !

Goodby, Silverstein & Partners seems to have come up with yet another campaign that has hit the bulls eye, going by this article in Ad Age!
HP's E Printer campaign is working!

Alanis Morissette: One hand in my pocket

Taking care of the elderly is your moral duty and a legal one

Taking care of your parents is something well brought up individuals without being prompted. Those who think otherwise have something to think twice about. Read this :
Court orders TV anchor to care for her aged parent!

How to end nuisance calls on your mobile

I have activated the DND ( do not disturb) service on my cell through Vodafone, however, I still get SMS's from all kinds of people including Dr Batra whose homeopathic pills promise to relieve me of piles and baldness and variety of diseases which I have not heard of. Sometimes there are calls when I am in meetings and my battery is about to die from Share Khan whose representative thinks I should play the stock market by giving his company  access to my funds:) I was therefore relieved and happy to see this link which promises succor for harassed souls like me :).

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4661213

The only option till now was to act funny like the radio host "ghantal" and irritate the caller! A sample of this funny call is attached below:)
http://mayanmuse.blogspot.com/2010/05/call-centres-in-india-very-important.html

HDFC Standard Life Insurance: Sar Udhake Jiyo! Hold Your Head High!

I am perhaps the only one in my family, who is not in the  "playing with widows money" industry, or, as it is officially known,  the life insurance industry!. My parents were LIC employees and my sister is now employed with them. I am by exception, an advertising professional and my only exposure to the insurance industry as a professional was in 2004, when I handled the HDFC Standard Life Insurance account as an advertising agency representative.
Deepak Satwalekar the head of HDFC Standard Life Insurance, was a man I had immense respect for and someone I knew through his son Abhijit, who trained under me at PSLMcCann Erickson in the late nineties. Deepak was one of the key leaders behind the success of HDFC, a housing finance institution, which made the dreams of many Indians for a home they could call their own,come true. HDFC was very rooted and humane, a trait which probably was a reflection of its top management and I was therefore keen  on working on the HDFC Standard Life business. Deepak had got on board a very grounded but aggressive and clear headed marketing head by the name of Sanjay Tripathy. We hit it off from the word go and I was happy to learn that we were both IRMA Alumni!
I left the agency after a very short stint, since I did not share their view of life and means of doing business, but the relationship with Deepak and Sanjay continued. During my stint, Sanjay and Deepak approved the proposition of "self -respect" as an emotional payoff  that came with financial independence.The tag line, "sar udhake jiyo", which was coined by Harish, a writer who worked with the Delhi branch of the agency, came into being. The first film was directed by Nikhil Advani and the print was photographed by Suresh Natarajan.
I had an issue with the film, in that it focused on the "physical" aspect rather than the "fiscal" aspect, but I had to bow down to the team decision:) Sanjay, however, thought the same and with Leo Burnett as his agency, he came out with campaigns which were bang on target!
Under his stewardship the brand became one of the most salient in the category.Though it never won awards, it is one of the most respected brands in the country today and I am told, it appears in popular choices, very often.
Sanjay Tripathy has also been savvy in terms of media planning and media buying. The brand has been visible and has maintained salience which explains the high recall scores it has got. The sponsorship with Rajasthan Royals is a case in point. The Shane Warne and Yousuf Pathan commercials stayed true to the brand which is a hallmark of a clear headed strategy and Sanjay Tripathy deserves full credit for it, along with the team at Leo Burnett,  which is headed by K.V.Sridhar (Pops) and Arvind Sharma.

Given below is the showreel of commercials.

The launch commercial - 2004 December.- Pension Plans



The bicycle commercial- Pension Plans

This incidentally is among my favourite TVC's! From the physical and filmi to the fiscal and grounded!! Perfect!



Childrens Plans - Father and Daughter - US Scholarship

Another favourite! The brand retains its identity in this category also which is where mature and savvy marketing minds score!



Childrens Plans- Child and Father- Astronaut




HDFC Unit Linked Savings Plans- Father's car!

Interesting how the brand promise has been extended into other sub-categories! There is no confusion in terms of brand character and the proposition is crystal clear. I think it is also a case of client and agency working well together!



Back to Pension Plans - Singapore sling!



Recent posts and links

The logo has undergone a change and the association with HDFC is being strengthened. Standard Life is no longer part of the identity.

Business Standard Article on Rebranding of HDFC Life

The new commercial: 2010 December





 


Wishing Sanjay and his team...Boniface, Salil and the people at Leo Burnett- Arvind, Pops .. the very best!

Creative Coincidence or Plagiarism - Update on Skoda Advertising

I had blogged some time back about the likelihood of the Skoda Fabia advertising being very similar in concept to an ad I had done in 2002.
creative-coincidence-plagiarism Skoda Car Ad for Fabia

I had also written to Pushpinder Singh the founder of Saints and Warriors,India, regarding this. I am happy to  say that Pushpinder paid heed to my request and has revised the ad for Skoda to avoid any likelihood of plagiarism. This is indeed appreciated and speaks volumes for the sense of ethics and fair play that he espouses.

Career Planning , Handling the Interview and Bogus Recruiters

RECRUITMENT INTERVIEW OR FREE IDEA SHOPPING FESTIVAL?
 A CAVEAT FOR THE INNOCENT FREELANCER AND JOB HUNTER.
Getting the right job  entails a lot more than doing well in an interview. There is a need to ascertain whether the recruiter is serious or not. Increasingly, there are instances of interviews being conducted as  "free ideas shopping festivals". Candidates are asked to come back with presentations on what they would do if they joined. Feedback on this is never given and invariably some of the suggestions and ideas are then implemented by the recruiting firm! Sometimes, the intent is to obtain competitive data and interviews of candidates from rival firms offers this in plenty. An advertising agency head who was posted in one of the southern metros in India, always made it a point to interview every single candidate who applied. He was not familiar with the city nor could speak the local language and therefore spent most of his time interviewing candidates! Not surprisingly the agency soon lost most of its clients and there was no one willing to join the place when the actual necessity came!.
I am giving below an example of one such instance wherein an advertising agency head which handles pharma clients, called me to discuss possibilities of a long term association as a dedicated  account planning consultant. After an hour long interview where he went into my whole life story and horoscope, he wanted a presentation of my strategy planning cases. This took another 3 hours and post this there was yet another session, this time on a "pitch" he was working on. I did the presentation and never got a response. On repeated followups, I was told that his team also came up with similar ideas and therefore he did not see the need for a planning resource! I asked him if I could see the presentation finally made. This he agreed and a date was given where his deputy showed me the presentation. My worst fears were confirmed. The presentation was based on the key recommendations I made with some superficial slides to mask the source and to create the impression of originality. His deputy was more candid and admitted that my presentation was of great use and was used in parts!!
I sent them a bill for the work done which was 50% of the actual fees.But it was never paid though they did use the ideas!! This is a well known group and not a hole in the wall agency!!
A letter sent to them is pasted below and for legal reasons  and since some well wishers still work for the agency, the name of the agency is with held.

16th  September 2009

To

XXXXXXXXX

Sub: NuvaRing Presentation

Dear all,

The purpose of this note is to table a point of view on the whole “recruitment exercise” that I have willingly participated in. It is understandable that one should recruit carefully and complete the due diligence. Appreciate the time spent by all of you.

After a detailed interview and going through three of my presentations, we had agreed to look at a test exercise to see how I would tackle a pharmaceutical  strategy pitch. I had agreed and mailed the suggestions for the “Nuvaring” exercise in a “powerpoint”. There was no discussion on compensation.

 I was heartened to finally receive a response from XXX that I would be shown the presentation made to the client finally. On inspection, it seemed that quite a few decision points were on the same lines as the presentation as mine and YYYY did admit that some points were used. The segmentation variable of using only those women who were in a committed relationship, or mono-androus, whether married or not, was found to be used as the final "demand idea"or creative concept “ring of commitment”! This was not my recommendation. I however did recommend recommending the semiotics of the product, since it had cultural cues and had given creative hot buttons as example. The creative hot buttons were liked by XXX and YYY.

I understand that the recruitment option is now ruled out but not because there is something “wrong” with the presentation made. Apparently standards are higher?. I have no issues with this. XXX has however mentioned that they are open to the idea of doing freelance work as and when it comes up. So apparently there is some utility in terms of strategic contributions and it is a case of organizational fit?

In the light of all this, I am suggesting that a usage fee be paid for the time spent and the effort taken. Admittedly “some” of the “points” were used.  There is some utility seen which has prompted an offer of freelance.We are in the “ideas” business and ideally time spent is not the criteria for payment, however in the freelance business, it is a criteria and the fee paid is on the scale of the assignment.

I am suggesting therefore, a lump sum of Rs 75,000 (seventy five thousand only) being the minimum fee chargeable for a five day assignment +service tax as the total amount payable. I am also attaching an invoice to facilitate payment. You are free to disregard this and I am not going to pursue this.

 

Having burnt my fingers and having heart burns in a couple of cases where recruitment interviews have ended up being “free ideas shopping festivals” and the culprits are the champions of copyright protection and ethics, I am a tad disillusioned and now am going to be unrelenting on business safeguards.

Thanking you all for the time and for being transparent in your dealings. If you had not answered my calls and shown me your work, I would not have known what happened to the work I did! I am therefore not pressing this and merely suggesting this as a closure on a note of goodwill.

 Yours sincerely

Vinod Natesan,

 Mayan Consultants International

Mumbai 86

The assignment done is attached with this link. I then got the entire creative done with the help of a freelance art director and copyrighted the work. The client was also informed of this by my lawyer. The agency did not won the pitch and therefore this idea was never seen in the media.

Pitch for the Vaginal Rings account through a pharma agency

 This is being published in public interest and as a caveat for freelancers and job aspirants. Lack of ethics is not a "small agency" phenomenon, even the so called top draw entities do it!!

On a more positive note, here is a link on preparing for interviews. Common sense, but I guess that is rather uncommon these days:)
A good article on doing well in an interview.

http://www.campaignjobs.asia/article/304658/10-tips-to-stand-out-at-an-interview/

Personality Development: How to handle snoring

Snoring can be handled:) without manhandling the snorer:)
http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20101128/1536/tls-here-are-the-top-tips-to-avoid-snori_1.html

Healthwatch:: Spice , Wise, Baby !

Interesting links on spices

http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/health/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4607137

http://scene-india.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

Indian Media : The highs and the lows

The rot started when the story of "paid news" made its rounds during the electiions.

This time, the deafening silence maintained by the mainline media on the tapes that recorded instructions being given by a PR agency to leading editors on the content that they were to publish, has angered many. Santosh Desai, a leading media and advertising professional has in his kept his cool and with calm logic raised this in his column which is carried by one of the largest publications in the country.. The TOI.
http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Citycitybangbang/entry/the-silence-of-the-hacks

It has prompted people to make videos and post them on Youtube. Since the veracity of the tapes has not been questioned, I guess this is bound to happen.



People are wondering if journalists need to be told whether they are human beings and citizens  first and journalists second. The instance of this photograph has come up for discussion.

http://bit.ly/eOD47j

The photographer of this picture could not/did not help this child and it died. Though awarded and lauded for the picture, it is rumored that the photographer went down with a nervous breakdown soon after and gave up his career. Probably his conscience was not totally dead. 

While it is appreciated that immediate action is not possible, a journalist has to do what is feasible and is powers to help another human being. It is not about simply reporting news.
In Tirunalveli, Tamil Nadu, a police Inspector lay dying on the main rod after an attack on him by assailants with swords, with a journalist shooting his death on video. The chap did not even call the hospital... there was a raging debate on this and many media professionals claimed that saving lives is not a journalists job, it is to report loss of lives!! This is what is worrying!!

It is high time the spotlight was focused on the "hidden persuaders". The 9pm news seems to have become, according to an irate viewer, the hour of "prime-time prostitutes".We have  a surfeit of 'usual suspects', i.e., characters willing to say anything for money  hogging prime time and making the telecast resemble a "nautanki" in a fish market with frequent pandemonium, shouting, slanging, mud -slinging, jibes and what not. Naturally, genuine news is the last thing that gets featured here! No wonder that people prefer the sober and factual  BBC or the 10pm bulletins when the hysteria is over and the main clowns anchoring the show take reprieve.


The issue is simple and apples to everyone, not just the "hacks". Every professional, whether he is a journalist, lawyer,doctor, engineer or whatever, has an obligation to his fellow being first.This transcends the obligations of our "work". By this logic, an engineer should never risk human life at work by endangering workers, or design buildings and objects which risk lives, a doctor has to follow the Hippocrates oath in spirit,the lawyer has to ensure that "justice" is served and if this means pleading guilty and asking for clemency, should advise his client to do so. (I doubt if any lawyer will do that in India. Some of them, the upright one's don't take up the case out of moral issues)
For journalists this is vital and even more important. Once they loose credibility, they loose everything.. it is the case of the boy who cried wolf! It is therefore not surprising that they get beaten up by the public very often these days. Total lack of sensitivity and sole focus on "breaking news" and often manufacturing it!!

There is a lovely Malyalam film called "swantham lekhakan" which has Srinivasan and Dillep. Brilliant take on the media establishment and its loss of its soul. The movie compares them to vultures!!

The international media has taken this up, thankfully...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/22/AR2010112203831.html 

GuruNanak Jayanti - Ek Omkar

I heard this prayer, "Ek Omkar", in this movie Rang De Basanti and never really noticed it. Recently, a friend posted it on facebook and I heard it carefully. It has a soothing quality and it does invite a contemplative, calm mood. It is in Gurmukhi and is part of the Guru Granth Sahib which contains all the relevatory verses of Guru Nanak the founder of the Sikh religion. Guru Nanak is known to have preached the concept of "Oneness of God".Guru Nanak’s teaching is understood to be practiced in three ways:Naam Japna: Chanting the Holy Name and thus remembering God at all times (ceaseless devotion to God).Kirat Karō: Earning/making a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud. Vaṇḍ Chakkō: Sharing with others, helping those with less who are in need.

Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated in the month of November on the full moon night. This year it was observed on November the 21st. People who follow his teachings are called Sikhs.

 

Ik-oNkaar sat naam kartaa purakh nirbha-o nirvair
akaal moorat ajoonee saibhaN gur parsaad.
One Universal Creator God. The Name Is Truth.
Creative Being Personified. No Fear. No Hatred.
Image Of The Undying, Beyond Birth, Self-Existent.
...By Guru's Grace ~

jap.aad sach jugaad sach.
Chant And Meditate:
True In The Primal Beginning. True Throughout The Ages.

hai bhee sach naanak hosee bhee sach.
True Here And Now. O Nanak, Forever And Ever True.

sochai soch na hova-ee jay sochee lakh vaar.
By thinking, He cannot be reduced to thought, even by
thinking hundreds of thousands of times.

chupai chup na hova-ee jay laa-ay rahaa liv taar.
By remaining silent, inner silence is not obtained,
even by remaining lovingly absorbed deep within.

bhukhi-aa bhukh na utree jay bannaa puree-aa bhaar.
The hunger of the hungry is not appeased, even by
piling up loads of worldly goods.

sahas si-aanpaa lakh hohi ta ik na chalai naal.
Hundreds of thousands of clever tricks, but not even
one of them will go along with you in the end.

kiv sachi-aaraa ho-ee-ai kiv koorhai tutai paal.
So how can you become truthful? And how can the veil
of illusion be torn away?

hukam rajaa-ee chalnaa naanak likhi-aa naal.
O Nanak, it is written that you shall obey the Hukam
of His Command, and walk in the Way of His Will.

Marketing vanishes into Advertising?

Interesting take on how the marketing function is evolving..or is it evaporating?
http://www.afaqs.com/news/story.html?sid=28764_Guest+article:+Ramakanta+Panda:+Why+marketing+is+becoming+synonymous+with+advertising

Manipulating the Message : Media as the Middleman.

Legal Disclaimer: The vidoes posted here are from the Youtube site and I have no means to verify their authenticity or veracity of their contents. I am merely sharing what I found in public interest. If these tapes are true, then what is contained herein is of serious consequence and every citizen of this country should be seized of this matter. The reader is advised to conduct his own due diligence.The captions "death to traitors " and "fail" etc are captions provided by the person who has put it up and I do not endorse it.
________________________________________________________________
Meet the new middleman- The media professional.

For those who switch on the TV to be informed of what is happening in the country, this would be disturbing. Media demigods who are supposed to impassively inform us seem to be actively manufacturing and manipulating the message and the motive is abundantly clear, millions!! After watching these videos one would probably double check what is reported on televisions and dailies and probably look at multiple media reports before concluding on anything. Any journalist who puts himself or herself up for sale will probably realize this , that "credibility" is something they should never put up for sale. It is the proverbial  kiss of death. I hope what is shown here is somehow not true.. I am not sure though..

Barkha Dutt and Nira Radia Tapes 1 to 4



 



 

VIR SANGHVI TAPES 1 TO 3.









Other Links on the topic

http://openthemagazine.com/article/nation/what-kind-of-story-do-you-want

http://indiasreport.com/magazine/data/the-radia-papers-raja-tata-ambani-connection/

A common journalist brings down a "Raja" and other stories

Once upon a time, in 2007, if you need to precise, lived a freelance journalist called Gopikrishnan J. He did work from Thiruvananthapuram for a publication called "The Pioneer". Since the edition out of Kochi did not do anything to justify its name, it was soon shut down. Gopikrishnan shifted to Delhi and on his request and "pleading", was granted a "stipend" which according to his own editor, was a joke. He persisted and persevered, as do most Malayali's once they leave their homeland. His diligence was rewarded with a proper appointment letter and a salary instead of a stipend, which probably means that poverty would not be a permanent companion.
It is here that the story becomes interesting. Unlike most spoiled  brats who would justify the low salary and poor living conditions to avoid work, Gopikrishnan soldiered on diligently. Hard work and a stubborn adherence to ethics and honesty, brought him as if in a fairy tale ending, unprecedented laurels and recognition. Rarely do you come across integrity and moral rectitude of this kind and it seems in the fitness of things that the man is the toast of the country.

It is an inspiring story for journalists and youngsters. It illustrates the real "dharma " of a journalist, which about preserving the integrity of the printed word, of the telecast message, of the broadcast sound. Even as we are assailed by stories of  how suit clad, make up painted ,cliche sprouting media demi-gods, who thunderously holding court on prime time and froth at the mouth about alleged mis-demeanors of powers that be, are actually purveying their integrity and prostituting  their skills to lobbyists and showing scant regard for the truth, stories of J Gopikrishnan's who strive on minimal salaries and reject life changing monetary deals, to ensure that the truth gets told, is uplifting and inspiring.
As long as we have Gopikrishnan's and Vinod Mehtas of the country we can still have a hope and it won't be in hell.
To know more about J Gopikrishnan's work read this interview which appeared in the Pioneer. I could not locate the link and hence I have pasted it here. I have since this article, become a regular visitor to their site :)

The man who felled a king
November 16, 2010   8:25:20 AM

Chandan Mitra | New Delhi

The Pioneer felicitates J Gopikrishnan, who unearthed the spectrum scam

For a long time, I did not even know that J Gopikrishnan was a stringer based in Thiruvananthapuram working for The Pioneer’s now-aborted Kochi edition. So when he came
to Delhi pleading for a job at the headquarters once the Kochi edition shut in 2007, I was rather sceptical. I told Bureau chief Navin Upadhyay that although I had noticed a few bylined stories by him, Gopi had no exposure to Delhi and, therefore, was unlikely to have any worthwhile contacts here. Navin, however, persuaded me to try him out for three months. In fact, the letter of appointment specifically mentioned this along with a “stipend” that was truly laughable by Delhi standards.

Gopi did not break any earth-shaking stories during the trial period. But his sincerity, diligence,
 dogged pursuit of stories and pleasing personality made up for that. He was given a proper appointment letter after three months although his salary remained rather low. My opinion began to change after friends in Left parties began to mention him to me in Parliament’s Central Hall, pointing to the depth of his knowledge of the telecom sector. Officially, he was on the Left beat so I still did not attach too much significance to that.

Then the cascade began. Starting mid-2008, he broke one story after another on scandalous ramifications of the 2G spectrum allotment. The issue was complex and most people don’t understand its intricacies even now. But Gopi had cracked the scandal. And as one exclusive report followed another, information flowed to him like a magnet attracting pins. Navin worked hard on these reports, filling up missing links, polishing them and quoting relevant documents.
The 2G scam was Gopi’s passion and he scoured the Net, apart from visiting officers in their offices and homes, gathering material. He had friends across the political “spectrum”; Gopi, despite his Kerala origins, was ideology-neutral.

I don’t know how much pressure he came under and from which quarters. But I faced more pressure over these reports than anything else in my 27 years of journalism, of which nearly 20 have been spent in senior editorial positions. I am proud to have withstood them. But even more proud that I gave a dynamic young man from Kerala a break in the national media, a break he used to do the nation a sterling service. J Gopikrishnan has made history and The Pioneer basks in his achievement.

The Pioneer Investigative Team asked Gopi to unravel his journey from a fledgling political reporter to giant killer. Excerpts from a chat:

Q: How did you come across the 2G scam story?

A: We sensed a scam when Swan and Unitech started offloading shares at whopping prices of `4,500 crore and `6,200 crore in September 2008. Bureau chief Navin Upadhyay asked me to dig for information and luckily we got a great whistleblower, who knew the ins and outs of the Telecom Ministry. He once told me the PM was totally unhappy with Raja and had summoned him to ask what was going on.

Slowly, the whistleblower narrated the entire range of corruption in the Ministry. Those days, Minister Raja was making false claims that he had followed his predecessors. This young Government officer told me about the parking of funds in front companies by the Minister and his associates in the name of relatives. He told me who the actual beneficiaries of the scam were, including corporates, politicians and lobbyists.

This officer asked me to talk to my Editor and get his consent and only then would he reveal further. The Editor told me to go ahead and the whistleblower became a goldmine of hidden information for The Pioneer. Days and nights of discussion and checking the authenticity of facts happened in his office and at many crowded places in the city, once it became important to avoid detection.

Q: Which was the first story you did and what was the reaction?

A: After finding out the gamut of front companies dealing in real estate, we decided to expose Raja’s ill-gotten wealth. Chandan Mitra and Navin Upadhyay saw all documents and decided to go ahead with the series. The first story appeared on December 11, 2008, on Raja’s main real estate front company, Green House Promoters. The details of other companies and hidden irregularities in the spectrum scam were published over the following days.

Q: Did you come under pressure to stop the campaign? How did you ward them off?

A: I met Raja after the first report, as directed by the Editor. He alleged that I was being funded by his rivals in the party and even told me some names. He was visibly shaken asking me how I got the details of his personal assets. He requested me to avoid writing. My reply was that I had been deputed by the Editor only to take his version, nothing else. Raja agreed to speak, but repeatedly requested me to stop writing further on this. Similarly, many corporate groups were after me with the same plea. I must say none threatened or behaved badly.

Those days, Raja was planning to conduct the 3G auction at cheap base rates without Cabinet’s approval. Many agents from the corporate sector requested us to stop our series of exposes, saying our reports would force the Government to refer the 3G auction to an EGoM. We told them that was exactly what we wanted. But I must say some friends with contacts in high places warned me I may be targeted. It was a hidden warning, which I ridiculed. It would not be fair to reveal what kind of offers were made by different entities to avoid the 3G issue going to an EGoM. But finally, the Cabinet referred it to an EGoM, which put Raja out of the picture and the nation netted `1.06 lakh crore.

Q: Did any political or corporate entity offer you financial inducements to stop writing on this?

A: Yes, they did. The figures were mind-boggling. Corporate lobbyists and Raja’s people even asked me to stop informing the Editor and end the series abruptly. I told them even the meeting with them was in the knowledge of the Editor and the Bureau chief. Some shameless fellows tried to access Raja, claiming friendship with me. Some were acting as double agents. One top lobbyist was actually a double agent. That person was leaking information against Raja while providing information to him too. Pressure on the whistleblower was enormous by now, but he stood by us fearlessly. There were several politicians who enlightened and encouraged me. Some bureaucrats and police officials also guided our investigations.

Q: Do you think the matter will end with Raja’s resignation or will more heads roll?

A: I personally feel the court cases filed by Subramanian Swamy and Prashant Bhushan would come to logical conclusions, leading to the cancellation of all licences which were found illegal by CAG. The court may direct auctions to be held like the old petrol pump scam of Satish Sharma. I don’t expect anything from the Government in this matter. Some persons, including Raja, may face the wrath of the law. I don’t think anything harsh will happen to corporates from the Government’s side. After the CAG report and PAC findings, if the Government has the willpower, it can -- by executive order -- cancel all licences and order auction, which will definitely fetch around `2-3 lakh crore.

Q: How do you think the Government can make the spectrum policy transparent and above board?

A: Spectrum management should be handed over to ISRO, but no politician would like that for obvious reasons. In India, spectrum is not yet audited. No one knows how much spectrum is available. This was purposefully done for making easy money.First the Government should ask an organisation like ISRO to audit spectrum availability in all departments. Only then will transparency come.

Q: After Telecom what? Do you have more targets in mind?

A: No idea. I felt totally exhausted upon learning of Raja’s resignation. I was expecting good news on Sunday, when sources told me Pranab Mukherjee had firmly asked Karunanidhi at 11.30 am to remove Raja. This was doubly confirmed when they later said Raja was forced to sign the papers around 5.30 pm. Anyway, no idea what’s for me next…life will go on. I was covering Health and Left (parties) those days. By a stroke of luck, Raja came on our radar…

Virtual pat on back

Within minutes of A Raja submitting his letter of resignation to the Prime Minister late Sunday night, India’s twitterati erupted into joyous celebrations. Pouring ridicule and vitriol on the scam-tainted Minister, twitterers across India heaped praise on The Pioneerand tweeted congratulatory messages to J Gopikrishnan by the hundreds. Several of the tweets were RT’ed, or re-tweeted, amplifying the overwhelming outpouring of goodwill for the paper. Had the news not broken on a Sunday, that too late in the night, when people are usually offline, both The Pioneer and Gopi would have trended globally, which they almost did, such was the enthusiastic response. The congratulatory tweets continued to pour in through Sunday night and Monday from Indians around the world. Tellingly, many of the tweets pointed out that The Pioneer
 persisted with a story that no ‘big’ paper would touch or 24x7 news channels would report. Along with Raja, Delhi’s self-appointed ‘MSM’, or mainstream media, was the clear loser!

Footnote:
The fact that a "stringer" who was made a journalist in the recent past has been given his due share of credit, speaks volumes about the publication and its management. Hats off to "The Pioneer" and its editor Chandan Mitra!  Bravo!!
 =====================================================================
J Gopikrishnan
To follow his work you could log onto this blog.
http://jgopikrishnan.blogspot.com/

Jail Term for Ragging: Aman Kachroo case verdict

The verdict on the Aman Kachroo case will be welcomed by every human being with a conscience. Aman Kachroo was a medical student who was murdered by his seniors during a macabre ritual of initiation in the college which is loosely referred to as "ragging". Elsewhere, the term "hazing" is applied to it. New students are bullied by their seniors who know each other and are therefore better organized and in larger numbers. In many cases, bullying takes on horrendous, ugly amd sadistic forms. Sodomy and other demeaning acts aimed at destroying the dignity of the individual happens.Sexual abuse and the trauma that follows sometimes results in suicides or severe mental problems rendering the life of the student futile. Parents end up being mute witnesses since the college authorities rarely report this for fear of loosing their "reputations". Witnesses are hard to come by since most other "freshers" fear for their careers and lives. It would be impossible to continue studies if one were to be a witness.
After his son's death Dr Kachroo waged a lonely but relentless battle to remove the scourge of "ragging" from the Indian campuses and this verdict is a battle that he has won, but as he says, the war will be over only when this monstrosity of ragging is wiped out in India.

LINKS
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/4-year-jail-for-all-convicts-in-Aman-Kachroo-ragging-case/articleshow/6907399.cms



http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/nov/121110-News-Delhi-killers-Raj-Kachroo-Aman.htm

http://mayanmuse.blogspot.com/2010/01/anti-ragging-campaign-jail-graduate.html

Many parents will be hoping that these convicted students get a taste of their own medicine when they land in Jail. They are after all newcomers to the jail system!! Hopefully even the short few years they spent here will feel like all eternity!! Small solace for the poor boy's soul which hopefully will rest now in peace.

Personal Grooming and Hygiene: Bad breath

Everyone feels vulnerable about oral hygiene and bad breath. Simply because one never knows till it is made embarrassingly evident by someone else. The causes may vary from tooth decay, in which a visit to the dentist is the solution, gingivitis which is decay of the gums which requires medical treatment, food particles in cavities, or plaque which requires proper brushing and flossing as also gargling. It could also be due to the tongue having a coating which requires cleaning or plain indigestion. Problems with the tonsils and nose are also possible reasons.
Given below are some links to this problem which may be of use.

http://living.oneindia.in/beauty/shimmering-smiles/2010/bad-breath-remedies-prevention-101110.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halitosis

http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Halitosis.html

Alex Bogusky of Crispin Porter and Bogusky

Interesting personality portrait of Alex Bogusky, the creative whiz at Crispin Porter and Bogusky.
http://www.fastcompany.com/alex-bogusky-tells-all?page=0%2C0

Sahir Ludhianvi- Film songs and poetry Kabhi Kabhi

I always liked this one. The kind of song that anyone who has ever fallen in love and had to give up his passion would wistfully listen to. This was visualised with rare sensitivity by Yash Chopra in the movie Kabhie Kabhie. Amitabh Bachan reciting this in his baritone voice lends it a timeless aura all its own. I think the Nazm at the start of the song is simply poetry at its consummate best.

This version has the lyrics and the song is played to a remix rhythm.
 


The version featuring Sahir Ludhianvi's complete Nazm. The Nazm is recited well. But the song is sung off key by a chap called Malhotra and I would suggest you move onto the Mukesh version which comes below this video once you are through with the Nazm:)



For those who love the filmi version. the Music is by Khayyam and sung by Mukesh.

Malayalam Film songs: Chandrakantam kondu. Film: Padheyam

 
 
This song seems to be a favourite with my niece and hence is on my blog:)
Film: Padheyam. Lyrics: Kaithapram. Music : Bombay Ravi. Singer: Yesudas
Chandrakantham kondu naalukettu.
Athil chandana padiyulla ponnunjal.
Rithukal namukayi paniyum swargathil.
Aakasha gangayum aambalkulam
Aathira penninde vennila palkudam
Neeyonnu thotapol payethu poyi (2)
Mazhavil thamburu  meetumbol
En sneha swarangal poomazhayayi
 Sneha swarangal poomazhayayi
Padaswaram thirkum poonchola
Ninmani thumbile muthukalayayi
Rithukal namukayi paniyum swargathil
Aakashagangayum aambalkulam
chandrakantham
Kumkumam charthiya ponusha sandhyathan
Vasantha neeralam neeyaninju (2)
Manjil mayangiya thazhvarayil nee
Kanan sreeyayi thulumbi veenu
Ambaram chutum valathu vaikam
Naam oru venmegha theril eri
Rithukal namukayi paniyum swargathil
Aakasha gangayum aambalkulam

Related links
http://itgalarysongs.blogspot.com/2009/03/chandrakantham-kondu-paadheyam-1993.html

Malayalam Film songs: Thumbayum Thulasiyum. Film: Megham

This song has a lilting tune given by Ousepachhan and some stunning lines by Girish Puthencherry.
The scenes are typical of Kerala and I loved it for all these reasons. The girl is Punjabi- Priya Gill and the actor is Mamooty. The movie is Megham.

Stand up to Cancer: Stories of Courage.

At the start of the millenium, my visiting card had the JWT Mumbai address . This was at Lakshmi Building in Fort. As one got off the rickety elevator on the 5th Floor and entered the JWT office, the desk facing the corridor on the right wing from the reception foyer, used to be a work station which had a dusky, thin occupant. When I joined and was introduced around, I was told that she was with the films department and her name was Vandana Natu. As with introductions, one forgot it the moment the next face was introduced. Since I always saw her as I came to office and walked into my cabin, I followed a diurnal ritual of a Good morning and an official smile which was part of my office couture. With time, I started registering the people behind the names and I developed affiliations. Vandana Natu was not someone I need to build equations with, since film making was not part of the responsibilities of an AVP and Strategic Planning Director, but she did help me out when I need guidance on using a handycam for consumer interviews. The help was given promptly and without any airs or nakhras. This was unusual in advertising, where everyone from the lift operator, to the tea boy, to the Creative Director never miss an opportunity to emphasize his or her perceived importance and indispensability to your life and continued existence in the organization. The manner was sober and respectful and it left a very positive impression on me. In a sea of youngsters given to boisterous behaviour, often bordering on the licentious, this one was a welcome relief. In fact, she came across as a a nice young lady and struck me as the kind  you would always hope, would find some one nice, settle down and live happily ever after.

I was therefore shocked to read this piece about her tryst with cancer and am glad and relieved it is behind her. I would have lost all faith in “doing the right thing” if the script had been otherwise. Bad things should not happen to good people. I am glad she had the courage to fight it out. I am also glad that JWT for a moment showed character and considered the human aspect and not bureaucratic rules.

Here is to hoping that the worst is behind for this lady and her family.
Amen

My Life in one song : "My way" - Elvis Presley.

This song almost encapsulates what my life has been all about:)

Health tips: Home Remedies for Acidity

http://living.oneindia.in/health/disorders-and-ailments/2010/acidity-home-remedies-041010.html

Changing Educational Paradigms - Ken Robinson

Kiss the Rain

Lovely composition by Yiruma. Came across this one, thanks to my nephew who has a refined and impeccable taste in music.
 
  With female vocals. I liked the instrumental one better:)

Music from Morocco and Algiers

Casablanca is what Morocco immediately brings to mind, but this post is about a couple of songs which were forwarded by friends. One is by Khaled who sang "Didi" which got all the Bhaiyas and Didis and Betas and Betis on the dance floor. This one is Aisha and it has nothing to do with the movie of the same name.:) This one is in French and the English translation has been provided by Mary Jane a friend.

Like I didn't exist she walked by beside me. Without one look, Queen of Sabbath I said: Aicha take it, everything is for... y...ou* Look here, these pearls, these jewels. Also the gold surrounding you. Fruit, well ripened with the taste of honey. My life, Aicha if you love me Aicha, li...sten to me, Aicha, Don't leave, Aicha look at me, Aicha answer me! *

I will go where your breath takes usin lands of ivory and ebonyI will wipe off your tears, your pain. Nothing is too beautiful for a woman so pretty*I will say words of poemsI will play music of the sky. I will take the rays of the sunto lighten up your queen eyes.Aicha Listen to me, Aicha don't leave...*

She said :" Look at your treasures...I need better than all that.Strong bars, even trellis in gold. I want the same rights as you. And respect for every day. I don't want anything but love"* 

Like I didn't exist she passed me by without one look, Queen of SabbathI said: Aisha take it, everything is for you Aicha, listen to me Aisha don't leave.

 Cheb Mami collaborated with Sting in the Desert Rose. This too is a nice song and he has collaborated with the Italian rock singer Zucchero. A word about Cheb Mami though. I do not care much for the person since he has been tried and found guilty of trying to kidnap and perform a forced abortion on his girlfriend. He has been imprisoned in France. The music however is a team effort and sounds good. Strange how talent seems to reside in these kind of people!! Roman Polanski and Woody Allen immediately come to mind.

The translation of the French lyrics is by  "Righteous Fool ".

"Another sun as the day is leaving will set in my soul when I'm alone 

for those who ...hope and now keep on believing one love is calling for everyone 

And I believe again in every promise

Faith is returning; She's my babyand I can live again for all tomorrowsFaith is returning; She's my... baby

 When the day is fading, I will remain to love you better and lose my fears born on this morning, soft as the rainroses are falling through my tears..

.Good bye to misery and empty hours

Faith is returning, she's my baby And I can live again coz love will save me

Faith is returning, she's my baby"

Why talent alone will not ensure success.

 Harsha Bhogle at IIM Ahmedabad on Excellence

An interesting presentation by Harsha Bhogle, which is insightful and gives you a possible  explanation as to why kids who topped the class, never topped it in life and the talented hotshots never took the winner's podium and why it is that we find ourselves applauding the supposedly "mediocre",or as a teenager once told me at the gym.. "why is it that, it is  the  #@%+,  who always gets the girl and has the BMW"?

If you are short of time, go to part II and to the 7th minute of the presentation, where he talks about, the importance of talent in achieving excellence. He mentions how people who are talented, always depend on talent to see them through and when it does not, they are lost and rarely are able to bounce back.  To me this was one of the most significant points he made.

I have seen many talented people who studied with me and who worked with me, who never reached the heights they could have and should have. It was not merely luck that explained it. There were other issues. Harsha mentions attitude and work ethic. He contrasts Vinod Kambli with Sachin Tendulkar. I however think that is too simplistic. I believe, emotional intelligence and the ability to network and form successful relationships by reading the political equations right is a sine qua non in the times we live in. This possibly explains the success of a Saurav Ganguly. Dravid had the attitude and the work ethic. He also and a modicum of talent and an astute and technically refined cricketing brain. He was also a well behaved professional who could never be faulted for his behavior. Yet he lacked the political savvy and the emotional intelligence that Ganguly had. Ganguly therefore, was a much more effective captain and player than Dravid, in spite of serious drawbacks in his technique and even in his attitude and work ethic.  Dhoni is another example of excellence and success.He has only limited talent, but is very adaptive and strong when it comes to emotional intelligence, networking and reading the political equation right. He staved off challenges from Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh and still calls the shots. He also has the unique advantage of a cool temperament and is never seen as egoistical in his dealings. He seems to be unconcerned about results and seizes opportunities. Luck also seems to be on his side :)

The moral of the story seems to be as it says in the Bhagvat Geetha:

A) Attitude
Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachna
Karmaphalehtur bhurma te sangostvakarmani.

which means
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action। Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.

 As Harsha says .. we need to focus on the process and getting it right, the results take care of themselves. Have a goal and a plan of action to achieve it. The focus should be on executing it and in the now. The end result will take care of itself. "Get the runs and the dollars will come " !
'Living the moment' , 'enjoying what you do' and 'being in the now' , the journey is as important as the destination are all offshoots of this premise:)

B)  Having a mentor and a Godfather.
Harsha does not say this. I am mentioning this from experience. Sachin had Gavaskar as a mentor  and Mark Telly of World tel, who managed his career. Arjuna had Krishna. Most industry leaders have had a godfather or a mentor who pulled them along. Politics is inevitable. Even if you mind your own business, you end up being a political factor: Finding someone to look up to and ensuring that you work for him is a career strategy that may yield dividends in the long run.  Irrespective of the company, it is the boss who can make or break your career and affect your life day in and day out. Never loose a good boss if you find one. Make sure he grows and you should grow too.:)

C) Networking:
Many call this being a "team player". Playing the 'non-striker' and taking your 'catches' when the team is bowling  and making the "other guy look good" is a currency to use and something to focus on. Negotiators call this the win - win equation!! Striking this equation is easier said than done and that is where people skills come in. The trick is in ensuring that  you are not taken for granted and can call in the social debts  when required. Having such social investments, results in being able to influence behaviour and results in social power and effectiveness :)

D) "Living life on your terms" is a nice line in an advertisement. It does not happen in life. Get real. Compromise or Cooperate, is the name of the game ("kindly adjust")and the smart ones know where the line should be drawn so that success is not traded for ethics, self -respect and happiness. Breaking the law in pursuit of success is a folly some make, regret it and they pay for it all their lives and sometimes with their lives. Being reasonable, flexible and adapting to situations is the mantra here and keeping the ego out of the equation, helps.



Lastly actions speak louder than words and therefore it ends here

:)

India as a "Soft Power": Shashi Tharoor

Shashi Tharoor may not have proved to be a good Member of Parliament or even a Foreign Minister, but in academia he seems to find his groove. This speech at TED is a perfect example of exhaustive research, excellent editorial skills, fabulous felicity with words and an impeccable diction. For those who are trend spotting, this one is a little gem on India.

Shashi Tharoor: Why nations should pursue "soft" power | Video on TED.com

Creative Coincidence, Plagiarism, Inspiration or Adaptation? Skoda - Is it Fab?

 Way back in 2002 an advertisement was done for BHIMA Jewellers in Trivandrum promoting solitaire diamonds. BHIMA was a revered and traditional name in Trivandrum and was patronized  for generations by some of the older and established families. The ad is attached below:

The Headline says : Shout with a whisper and the body copy says "They say old money whispers, while new money shouts. Make your point with our solitaires collection. Bhima, for those who know better."
his was blogged and uploaded into my portfolio in .http://vinodnatesansportfolio.blogspot.com/2008/04/2002-2005-mayan-consultants.html
Going by web analytic data, the blog has been viewed by almost 9700 people. It was also uploaded on the afaqs creative showcase almost a year ago and has been viewed by more than 195 people.
BHIMA JEWELLERS SOLITAIRE DIAMOND DONE BY MAYAN CONSULTANTS- VINOD NATESAN


 I was therefore shocked to see an ad last week for Skoda Fabia done by Saints and Warriors titled "Style shouts, pedigree whispers' which seems to be quite similar in intent and approach to the  ad that I had done in 2002 for Bhima Jewellers. It then  talks about lineage in the body copy.  The advertisement that appeared in the Economic Times of 15th October 2010 for the brand Skoda Fabia. This  has the key number of Saints and Warriors (SAW/SKODA956-10).

While I do admit that creative coincidences are unavoidable and  this one seems to be "inspired" and almost "imitated",there is possibly a second opinion also,  that even if inspired, it is an adaptation and therefore acceptable. I frankly don't know. I guess the jury is out on this one.

Anyway,  as far as aggrieved  parties go, I don't seem to be in a club of one. A writer overseas also is in this august group and in her case, the accused is the editor of one of the most respected weeklies in India :)

http://www.slate.com/id/2271859/?from=rss&ref=nf

Some interesting comments have started comming in. This link is dedicated to plagiarism or copy cat advertising:)

 http://bloganubis.com/category/copy-cat-ads/

DECEMBER 5TH 2010 - UPDATE

Post this blog and social media posts, Saints and Warriors have changed the Skoda advertising. We salute the gesture and are grateful to Pushpinder Singh for making the effort and doing the right thing.
creative-coincidence-or-plagiarism Skoda Fabia Revised ad

Indian Economics and Politics:The Bihar Story

Ever since the Government of Nitish Kumar came to power, the State of Bihar has been on the path to progress. It used to be famous for kidnappings, caste wars and  lawlessness and its people started migrating out in large numbers leading to unrest in cities like Mumbai. Things have changed dramatically and with an improvement in law and order, the economy of the State has grown rapidly.
This link provides you with the details.
http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4483599

Indian Culture: Hindu Religious Practices: Sahasranamas. Lalitha Sahasranama

 17th October 2010
I consider myself an agnostic, however, I do find myself dabbling in religious thought and spiritual pursuits.. I do not practice most rituals except to be part of a group and to join in when family members get together. I realize the social function that these rituals perform and respect it for that.  
Today is  VijayDashmi, which falls after the 9 day Navratri festival. It is also celebrated all over North India as Dussehra . While Vijay dashmi and Dussehra are celebrated for various reasons, the common theme is the victory of good over evil. In the North, it is believed that Lord Rama vanquished Ravana and in the East, it denotes the killing of the demon Mahisha by Goddess Durga.

During Navratri, it is common to hear prayers in praise of the female form which is worshiped as Goddess Saraswati( Goddess of learning), Lakshmi ( Goddess of Wealth) and Durga (Destroyer of Evil). Sankaracharya, the renowned philosopher saint who expounded the thesis of Advaita, composed the Lalitha Sahasranama which is a 1000 name evocation of the female Goddess Lalitha ( a version of Goddess Durga) who is described as the consort of Lord Kameshawara, a  form of Lord Shiva. I always felt that there was an allegorical truth behind this prayer and my cousin provided it.  Lalitha Shasranama, has a nama which goes thus, "Kameshwara, mukhaloka kalpitha Shree Ganeshwara". It suggests that Vigneshwara, or Lord Ganesha the destroyer of obstacles, was born, when Shiva or Kameshwara, looked at the face of the Universe( mukha aloka) and decreed(kalpitha), the birth of Vigneshwara. The implication, I think is that if one were to contemplate the Universe and try to be one with it, the key to removing obstacles, manifests itself. Vigneshwara incidentally also overcomes "ignorance"( the rat). I believe this to be true. On many occasions problems which were vexing, have been solved when one has thought about it dispassionately and sometimes it manifests itself in what someone says innocently about something that is completely unrelated. I guess things sometimes happen when you let them and don't force them:) The eternal truth is not to be hung upon results and cosequences, but to do things with joy, playfully, savoring the task and with complete presence of mind... the power of now... Kameshwara mukhaloka kalpitha .. shree ganeshwara....

The link below gives you all that you need to know about the Lalitha Sahasranamam
http://www.scribd.com/doc/21737584/Sree-Lalitha-Sahasranama-Stotram

The rise of Class I and II towns in India: Aurangabad and Mercedez Benz

Data on small towns ( 1 million+population) indicates that they may be around 35 in number, and they are driving volumes for most luxury goods, durables, FMCG, telecom products and what have you. DTH penetration is also rising geometrically here.

 Mercedez sold nearly 150 cars on the auspicious day of Navratri. Vijay Deshmi is considered equally opportune for investments and you can find jewelry and real estate deals happening nineteen to the doazen.
http://autos.in.msn.com/autonews/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4462137

Related Link:http://www.slideshare.net/indicusanalytics/metros-mini-metros-and-various-tier-towns

Healthwatch: Drinks that calm you down

Don't know if this is true but it came in yahoo and I guess they must have cross checked sources.:)
http://in.yfittopostblog.com/2010/10/14/5-drinks-that-calm-you-down/

Pepper the King of Spices.

To know more about the medical benefits of pepper. This is grown extensively in Kerala, India.http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/health/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4450136

At the end of this slide show you will find links to the benefits of red onion and brocolli :)

Mindtools: Mind mapping

 Tools for self - improvement and understanding how the brain functions.
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm

How to write unforgettable covering letters for job applications!

Read this link... not for the faint hearted...
http://www.boingboing.net/2010/10/05/hunter-s-thompsons-1.html

GOLD JEWELRY- TANISHQ

Tanishq seems to doing interesting work of late.

http://www.afaqs.com/news/story.html?sid=28440_Tanishq:+All+that+glitters+is+a+golden+deed

http://www.afaqs.com/news/story.html?sid=27052_Ready+to+marry+for+Tanishq

Steve Jobs at the Stanford Graduation Ceremony

Strongly recommended. Brilliant !!
http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jobs_how_to_live_before_you_die.html


Below is a pro-bono effort to promote adoption that I had done. Steve Job was the inspiration.

Simon and Garfunkel: Kathy's Song

Sound of silence started me on Simon and Garfunkel.
http://mayanmuse.blogspot.com/2009/12/simon-sound-of-silence.html

Ever since then  I have been following their songs and always, always  taking care always to follow the lyrics. This is often difficult because of sound quality and also because of the accent.:)
Keeping in mind this  difficulty, I have always kept the version with the lyrics."Kathy's song" is something I just came across and the lyrics too are available here. Heartbreak it seems is often the best muse for poetry , the world over :)

Products for women: Vanishing creams, hair removers, depilators..

Interesting slides on how  hair removing creams came into being...
http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/fashion/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4428455

UIDAI PROJECT : AADHAR an update

The Unique Identification Authority of India has a new name; Aadhar and Nandan Nilakeni has managed to rope in some of the brightest minds to get it going...
http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/sep/23/slide-show-1-tech-top-it-bosses-now-working-with-uidai.htm#contentTop

Manthan the movie and IRMA

Manthan was a  movie on the cooperative movement in  Gujarat which revolutionized the dairy industry. It was based on Dr Varghese Kurien's life and it was brilliantly made by Shyam Benegal.
 This is a song from that movie which was popular on the IRMA campus where I did my post graduation in management studies. This movie was influential in my choosing to do my post-graduation at IRMA. I gave up a highly coveted MBA seat at the Cochin University to join up and have never regretted it since.
Post IRMA I joined the NDDB and was deputed to the World Bank team to appraise the Operation Flood ii projects.

Top world Universities and Best Colleges in India

Top Universities of the World
http://in.news.yahoo.com/240/20100919/1301/twl-7934465.html

Best Colleges in India

http://in.yfittopostblog.com/2010/06/30/best-colleges-to-study-in-india/

Best Indian Business Schools: Business Standard Survey 2010

IIM's continue to keep the pole position. 
http://education.in.msn.com/news/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4351883

ASCI Code for Educational Services

Let us hope that this code on advertising educational services is followed:
http://www.afaqs.com/advertising/story.html?sid=28076_ASCI+to+tighten+grip+on+education+sector

Interesting article on the digital media in India

http://www.afaqs.com/advertising/story.html?sid=28107_EEMA+2010:+Neeraj+Roy:+In+the+digital+space+a+brand+is+a+media+channel+in+itself

Education: Great University Campuses by Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/2010/08/31/beautiful-campuses-lifestyle-education-colleges-10-university-architecture_slide.html

Indian Hindu Mythologies: Mahabharata Revisited

An interesting take on the Mahabharata. There are details which are interesting.

India's UID Program

An update on India's UID program.
http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4322145

Lawrie Baker, G.Shankar and the Habitat architects

A very interesting group of architects who are into low cost, environment friendly architecture. They are based in Trivandrum, Kerala.

http://www.habitattechnologygroup.org/