Cashing in on the elections 2009

General elections this year are different. Our netas have gone hi-tech. Hope you’ve noticed that most candidates have their own websites and many use SMS to reach the voters. Most parties are talking about development while suppressing issues like caste, dynasty etc.(seems like we’re maturing as a democracy). Also, this time media played a very vital role in turning around the election wave. Remember the radio spot – vote ka dot hai to hot hai.

Anyway, my point here was different.

This time business houses too were cashing in on the elections. Last weekend, capital’s popular pub F-Bar and Lounge had invited all youngsters, who have voted and carried the vote mark, to walk in for free and party for no expenses paid at all.(Those who don’t know, F Bar and Lounge is famous pub and nightclub at The Ashok).

Other than this, a retail shop in South Extension, Part II offered discounts up to 20% to all those who had voted. This retailing units deals in men’s wear and hosts popular brands like Allen Solley, Louis Vitton etc. (Will try to get a photo for this shop).

There should be many more places offering such offers/discounts. If you know of any, please add to the list in the comments section.

Happy reading.

iPhone to help quit smoking

Guys, there's no end to innovation. Video-phones and bio-metric silicon chips are considered remote now. Latest is that iPhone will provide some relief to smokers. iPhone's new app will help smokers kick the habit :)

Read details - "Developed by The George Washington University’s School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) and the National Tobacco Cessation Collaborative (NTCC), My QuitLine app also provides evidence-based treatment for quitting.

It connects the user to the National Cancer Institute’s quitline service where they speak to a live quitline coach or use live text to get advice on quitting."

My questions are:
- How has technology improved/degraded your life?
- What according to you has been a path-breaking discovery/invention till now?

Is shoe-slinging the best way to protest?

Former US-President George Bush is a trend-setter of sorts. It’s just not about his occasional gaffes, here it is about the shoe-throwing episode. After he missed the shoe-attack by Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi, it has become the most popular way of protesting in the modern age. 

Recently, two of our politicos were ‘shoe-stung’ – PC Chidambaram and Naveen Jindal – at different places for different reasons. Of course, both these netas ‘forgave‘ the offenders. 

- But is this the right way to display anger and frustration?

How does the blog look now?

Guys, I have just changed the design and UI (in simple terms the look and feel) for my blog. Just lemme know if you like it.

Love.

Nano: Yes-yes or no-no?

Guys, Rattan Tata launched his much awaited car Nano yesterday in Mumbai. It looks sleek, colors are amazing and the best of all it is dearth cheap as compared to other four wheeler options available.

Some folks are loving it, but others are ruing about the fact that a cheap car would mean more traffic on the already congested Indian roads. While, middle-income families are happy that they may be able to own a ‘gaadi’ of their own, some snooty souls believe that Nano’s advent would increase class consciousness among people as the wealthy may not want to be seen driven around in Rs1 lakh car.

What’s your take about it?
- Yes, Nano
- No Nano

Let’s talk about this cutie while I read up more stuff on Nano.

Do we really care so much about Bapu?

The auction of Mahatma Gandhi’s personal belongings became a matter of international debate. Indian politicians, as hypocrite as they always are, asserted that they would give anything to get Bapu’s memorabilia. In the end, liquor baron Vijay Mallya got hold of Bapu’s belonging for $1.8 mln at an auction in New York.

Do these articles/personal belongings only classify as Bapu’s heritage?

Aren’t his teachings and experiences his real heritage?

If the politicos, pseudo leaders and self-acclaimed representatives of Indians care so much about Bapu’s heritage then why don’t they adopt his principles of honestly and self-less service to the nation?

Slumdog Millionaire and the hoopla

Slumdog Millionaire (SM) is the latest buzz word in the gossip circles. Almost everybody is talking about their contribution to the film, except may be the director Danny Boyle. People are going ga-ga about the lead actors, the child actors, the hair dressers or how Frieda Pinto ‘dumped’ her ‘fiancée’ or why she wore a John Galliano for Oscars and not traditional Indian thing.

Guys, we have had enough of this crazy gossip. Can we let these people breathe easy? Please let them be. Why are we so star struck? OF course there are million reasons to cheer for Rahman but what is SM’s contribution to India for that matter. At best, this hoopla can translate into big bucks for the film crew and lead actors. But will it materalise into anything for the others? Will it make life easier for slum kids? Don't know. Don't think so.