COPE – HO – JAYENGE (Climate trouble)

The governments are fighting it out at Copenhagen. Lets let them!

The fight there is a classical one – the haves vs the have-nots. Each one is trying for a best deal for themselves and their ilk. Bullying, arm-twisting, cheekiness and downright slyness – we are witnessing it all. As always, the ‘haves’ do not want to give. Only this time the ‘have-nots’ are well aware of their rights and are determined to protect them. Bravo to them!

But in the mean time the damage to our lovely planet is on too. What each human has to remember is that there is no other world to escape to – when climate becomes unbearable here, possibly not right away as in tomorrow or the year after but definitely by the time our grandkids are ready to take their first steps. And the time when our grandkids start appearing in this world is not so much in distant future. That time is so near in future, that our generation will be very much alive.

This is what the 15000 odd delegates in Copenhagen, from both the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-not’ sides, seem to have lost sight of. There is no time for you vs. me any longer. A win-win solution to the current stalemate is the only answer.

While they fight it out there or find a win-win solution, what stops us from doing our bit towards this cause – it will all be in self-interest too!! Any little change – never much by itself – but if adopted by even a few hundred million out of a world population of 6.8 billion humans has a strong propensity to make a distinct even measurable difference.

I wonder why I cannot adopt most of the following measures:

·  Say no to plastic bags. All it requires of me is to carry a couple of spare cloth bags in my bag / car. Plastic bags are the single biggest urban menace to environment.

·  Opt for e-billing for my utilities like electricity, water and phone. Saves paper and trees.

·  Opt for e-statement for my bank accounts and credit cards. I don’t open the paper statements anyways!!

·  Make a habit of switching off any extra lights on. The only risk here is my family members and my colleagues will label me ‘maniac’ but that too only till I convert them into believers.

·  Replace bulbs with CFLs. CFLs though costing more than a bulb, are cost effective in the long run.

·  Make sure to check the energy label while buying any new appliance. After all I do check the ISI mark. 

·  Keep my vehicle pollution free. It needs a regular pollution check and spot rectification, if any required.

·  Check if CNG is a better option to run my car on.

·  Explore options for carpool. Even if the arrangement works out for just a couple of days every week it saves both money and fuel.

·  Indulge in an invigorating walk to the corner grocery store rather than jumping into my car every time I need something.

·  Have a bucket bath instead of a shower.  All right not everyday!! Lets do it on alternate days.

·  Keep the tap off while brushing teeth. Can replace the background music produced by running water with lovely music playing on radio.

We just have to put up our thinking caps on to find simple easy everyday solutions to ease the planets misery. These small simple ways may not be cataclysmic in nature but if the 6.8 billion humans inhabiting the world were to adopt a few small simple measures as a way of their life things are bound to take a brighter turn. Expecting the government alone to fight our battles at Copenhagen and then implementing rules is not the answer to this humungous problem. It is just a matter of awakening our conscience and doing at least a couple of things right!!

 

I too want a state of my own!

K Chandrashekhar Rao has triumphed in his Houdini act. On his part it was either a truly brave step in the name of his cause or a calculated gamble in the wake of a weak administration following YSR’s untimely death. Whatever it was, KCR has emerged victorious. He has clinched an issue that has been festering of 40 long years.

But the Centre’s decision to initiate the process of formation of Telangana state has awakened a number of sleeping (wannabe) tigers.

All those harbouring even a germ of an idea of a separate state on the lines of language, region or culture have received a shot in their arms for their respective demands. Demands for Vidarbha and Gorkhaland are likely to be the loudest followed by, in lower decibels, demands for Coorg, Harit Pradesh, Bodoland, Gondwana etc etc.

How much real progress and growth is actually clocked in after creation of newer states is anybody’s guess and nobody’s business. Prior to Nov 2000, there was one set of politicians lining up their pockets in the then Bihar state. Now two sets of politicians are thriving within the same geographical area comprising the states of Bihar and Jharkhand.

While in theory all this hiving-off of large states for better governance and uniformity sounds great, the subsequent amelioration and advancement have been no better than the original situation, neither in the newly formed entities nor in the residual state. Unless state divisions are based on real solutions to problems and time bound goals, merely hiving off a geographical territory will not be an answer for all the real and imagined ills of any region.

As a natural corollary to KCR’s triumph, a unique race, demanding a unique skill set, must be on within all the groups desirous of a state on the basis of a separate language or culture or color or food or whatever else they believe in. There must be a clamoring to prove who is a champion fast observer in each of these groups. I would say they should call upon the services of their women workers. Indian women are well versed in the art of fasting – not that KCR has done badly. Earlier, a separatist group has a poster boy/girl “faster”, earlier the chances of realizing their dream for a separate state.

I wonder if this is good time for me to put up a demand for a utopian state myself. Sadly, I being a true Indian – originating from Bihar, living in Delhi and working all over India – don’t have maniacal affinities to my language or my caste or my class. So a utopian island for me and some other likeminded individuals would be the best bet for me. I raise a demand for a utopian state that has no bad roads, 24 hours water supply, 24 hours electricity supply, has enough food for all, education and employment opportunities for all etc etc. And I seek this state right where I live, in the middle of Delhi city. It may be my best and only chance to ever be a Chief Minister.

All it requires from me is to develop an ability to survive without food for a dozen days. Anything in the name of a higher cause!!

 

Public Money – for a memorial for the dead or for a homage to the living?

Recently two figures caught my attention – figures of monetary nature to be precise. Both are in Rupees crores and the sheer wasteful nature of their spending / proposed spending has made me cringe. One pertains to Rs. Eight crores spent on a report on Babri Masjid demolition by the Liberhan Commission and the other is a demand for Rs. 116 crores by none other than the minister for Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr. Babulal Gaur, for memorializing the Bhopal Gas tragedy. Using such big amounts of public money for either of these purposes is truly symbolic of sheer wastage of public money so rampant in India – Public money, which can otherwise be put to a much better use.

We Indians are wont to bemoan that the country is no longer a land of plenty as in times of yore. But we take such wastage of public money in our strides. Those holding public offices may argue that Rupees eight crores is a miniscule amount when even 1000s of crores fall short for successful completion of social projects. But my commonsensical layman understanding of money and its purchasing power says that if not a huge project, small yet significant differences can still be made with a kitty of even eight crores. This amount could have given a decent education to at least a 1000 kids or solved potable water problem for a dozen villages or provided permanent shelter to a couple of 1000 homeless persons.

But all this was lost in a ‘quest’ to bring the guilty to book. And all the report does is mouth some platitudes, has triggered numerous allegations and counter allegations in political circles and some heated debate in Parliament, most of which will lie forgotten in a month’s time.

If so much is possible with eight crores, imagine what more can be done with 116 crores, an amount 14 times of eight crores. The demand for 116 crores to build a memorial to a tragedy seems more ludicrous when the victims of the tragedy are still crying out for help and when the toxic materials at the abandoned Union Carbide factory continue to lethally pollute the environment and ground water in its vicinity. What Bhopal needs is not a destination for Disaster Tourism but a thorough clean-up of the gas tragedy site so that the city’s future generations may live and breathe easy. What the victims of the tragedy need is not a reminder of the grim tragedy but all sorts of state help to regain whatever health they can. What use is homage to dead when those alive are being forced to encounter a 1000 deaths in this lifetime itself.

And isn’t a memorial built to signify a befitting end to its raison d’être. It seems then that the H’nble minister is in a hurry to close down his own ministry despite the reason for its existence nowhere near completion.

It would have made for a bigger memorial if the minister had made an impassioned plea for the same money on behalf of the victims. What use a memorial that stands on the dead hopes of very much alive but continually suffering victims?

Mr. Gaur, do explore your human side – especially as you hold a public office – and answer truthfully what do people of Bhopal need more – a memorial for the dead or a homage to the living?

 

Gains from the Liberhan report leak.

Commissions and their reports have never held any interest for the common man in India. It is an accepted fact that all such reports are always way beyond late, rarely nail the actual wrongdoers and can never force the hand of the government to take action.

Therefore, more intriguing and interesting than the findings and recommendations of the Liberhan report is its ‘leakage’ and the timing of its leak.

As suggested by media reports, the leakage serves to shatter the recent opposition unity as displayed in the sugarcane prices issue. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Liberhan-report-leak-source-still-a-mystery/articleshow/5265606.cms

If we conduct a close examination of the timing of this leakage and the consequent infighting and name calling amongst the political parties, there are some major gains from this discord for the perpetrator of this leak.

The first and the most important gain is that this infighting will ensure that the government will face a lesser degree of heat as the nation faces the first anniversary of Mumbai terror attacks – a sore point in the Indian hearts.

Two, it diverts attention from a close scrutiny of PM’s US visit.

Three, it will also ensure that the ruling party is not pulled up on important issues like inflation, high price rise in essential items and the recessionary state of the economy in the ongoing session of the parliament.

Four, the dramatisation of the leak and the subsequent reactions have once again brought the Hindu-Muslim factor to the forefront. Politicos stand to gain only if the communities remain divided in India.

And of course the most obvious of the lot is to further weaken an already battered major opposition party. 

The drama here lies not in the content of the report but in the timing of the ‘leak’. It makes for a good example of the opportunistic nature of politics. The game of politics has been played extremely adroitly!

 

Marketers’ fear – No Indians for Indian jerseys!

No takers for Team India sponsorship!! http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/No-takers-for-Team-India-sponsorship/articleshow/5262362.cms

BCCI may be puzzled but it is not so unthinkable – at least at BCCI’s current asking price. Gone are the days when miniature radios literally grew out of common man’s ears for the entire five days duration of a test match. Or half the office personnel took a ‘sick leave’ because a crucial one – dayer was on. 

The nation was cricket-mad for long but in recent times interest in the game is witnessing a continual decline. There is an overdose of cricket. And overdoses KILL. Add in not enough match wins and fewer championship wins and the public has enough and valid reasons to lose interest in the game. In recent times the laurels brought in by Team India have been few and far between. The first T20 World Cup seems a thing of the distant past.

The marketer is savvy too. He has an option of lot more avenues to choose from for his rupee and for his brand’s visibility – especially in these economically hard times.

This is the most obvious explanation as to why the marketers have shied away from the BCCI tender.

BUT there might be a deeper and more valid reason for the marketer to be afraid of committing hara-kiri!! If someone like Sachin Tendulkar is being berated for being an Indian first and Marathi next – what if there comes a time when there is no ‘Indian’ team left! The sponsor would then be left with holding empty jerseys with no ‘Indians’ to adorn them.

 

Deny thy nationality to save your Maratha pride – so says Bal Thackarey!!

The ‘marathi manoos’ has spoken and as expected they are berating him. The manoos here is none other than the purebred marathi mulga (boy) Sachin Tendulkar who has (dared to) publicly declared that he is an Indian first and a Maharashtrian next. We were never in doubt of his nationality but thanks Sachin for reiterating it to the whole world.

It is the senior politico Bal Thackarey who seems to have lost his comprehension of the words nationality and ethnicity, their meanings and the differences between the two.

Licking his wounds from the complete rout in the recent state elections, Bal Thackarey is indulging in cheap ways in a bid to gain lost grounds. He is guilty of fostering unforgivable separatist sentiments. The educated people realize the dirty intentions behind such comments and ‘friendly advices’. All educated maharashtrians today must have felt ashamed at letting such people as Bal Thackarey be their leader. But the uneducated masses can be gravely affected by such irrational thoughts. This is one fire that can spread like a wild fire and cause widespread damage.

Infact we are all guilty of contributing to this non-issue. If the media were to ignore such ramblings not many would be able to add much to this non-issue. We all are actually playing into the hands of the Raj and Bal Thackarey combine by giving them and their separatist sentiments enough importance and news space. It is not Sachin whom the Sena supremo is interested in giving a ‘friendly advice’; it is the marathi junta he is keen to address. And we are doing a superb job of doing their dirty work. Instead of ignoring such ramblings, the media is giving them enough news bytes and column space  to spread the word to even those who have not heard so earlier.

Let us all unanimously dare the Thackarey duo to publicly deny their nationality and proclaim their ethnicity instead. And then they should be stripped off their Indian passports. Let them be outsiders in their own country if they so desire.

They aren’t alive anyways – as Sir Walter Scott said so poignantly:

BREATHES there the man with soul so dead,

Who never to himself hath said,

‘This is my own, my native land!’

Whose heart hath ne’er within him burn’d

As home his footsteps he hath turn’d

From wandering on a foreign strand?

If such there breathe, go, mark him well;

For him no Minstrel raptures swell;

High though his titles, proud his name,

Boundless his wealth as wish can claim;

Despite those titles, power, and pelf,

The wretch, concentred all in self,

Living, shall forfeit fair renown,

And, doubly dying, shall go down

To the vile dust from whence he sprung,

Unwept, unhonour’d, and unsung.

 

Maratha pride survives much but crumbles under a few Hindi words

 

The Marathi Manoos’ pride is hurt! And how? Just because one of the people’s representative to the Maharashtra state assembly chose to (defy an unofficial strongarm diktat and) take his oath of allegiance not in the state language but in the official language Hindi. By the way this is totally within the ambit of our constitution. Infact the Parliament allows oath taking in any of the 22 languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The commonsensical fact here being that what is allowed in Parliament automatically gets sanctity in state assemblies. After all no individual state can supersede the nation. The self-appointed guardians of the Maratha pride have chosen to demonstrate that their pride and self-respect is dependent on the usage of the state language. The underlying irony (or ironies) is totally lost to the perpetrators of this whole episode. What they have infact demonstrated is that the Maratha pride is strong enough to withstand indulgence in hooliganism by its elected state representatives right in the middle of the assembly hall but it falls apart with mere utterance of a language other than Marathi.

 This so called pride stands tall in the face of people defecating in the open all along the western express highway in Mumbai but crumbles when it hears words in hindi. To the uninitiated let me explain that this highway is the only gateway to all air travellers – both domestic and international – to and from megacity Mumbai. And not to forget that when amchi Mumbai was under terrorist attack last year these self appointed guardians were sound asleep with their pride under careful wraps.

 Expending energies on a linguistic fight especially when it is a non-issue just goes on to show the extent of intelligence bankruptcy of not only the actual culprits but also their leaders who issue such useless diktats. Or have I missed something here? Has Maharashtra become Utopia overnight – that its politicians have nothing better and more meaningful to think and fight about? But no! Farmers from Vidarbha region have been committing suicide due to abject poverty according to latest reports. Mumbai still boasts of the biggest slums in Asia.

 But looks like for these politicians, real problems are actually the non-issues. Or may be they indulge in such bytes-grabbing activities to hide their inability to tackle real issues and real problems. Next they might just ban Hindi films from being screened in theaters across the state. Or will they expel the Hindi film industry from Mumbai? To most that would be unthinkable – no one kills the goose that lays golden eggs (and employs thousands of marathi manoos’ as well). But with its demonstrated levels of mental intelligence, the MNS may just end up doing so after reading this piece. And all non-marathi speaking Indians might be required to get a visa to enter Mumbai from their next trip onwards.

 I am dead sure that a typical Marathi Manoos will be saddened to know that his pride is constrained by the language he hears. And the average Maharashtrian (by Maharashtrian here, I mean the people who reside in Maharashtra and have a right to cast his vote for the state assembly) must be left wondering whether he had chosen his representative for a show of muscle power or for good social governance.

But then as we sow so we shall reap. We Indians have consistently been guilty of not electing our representatives on merit. When it comes to politicians and political leaders we let all things other than intelligence and discretion override our sensibilities. In reality we apathetically allow our self-serving representatives to chisel away at the secular and all-inclusive foundations on which this country stands which in turn is bound to have immensely negative repercussions in the times to come. Until the Indian public at large gets its act together, reap we must the fruits of our follies.

 

 

 

 

Rahul Gandhi prepares for a long haul with strategic and solid groundwork

A curious phenomenon is unfolding in the Indian political scene these days. As a stand-alone event it is nothing new. A few politicians have indulged in such an activity once or twice in their political lifespan. But by virtue of it being a frequent occurrence it is generating enough curiosity and heat.

Here I am talking about Rahul Gandhi’s much-publicized visits and stays at the abodes of the humble poor in different parts of the country in the last few weeks.

The Indian political scene is witnessing this interesting series of events wherein no less than the ruling Congress party’s General Secretary (and heir apparent) Rahul Gandhi has been visiting rural households in the far-flung reaches of the country for no apparent reason other than to connect with the rural poor. What makes this series of events more interesting is that at the moment there is no general election season even on the distant horizon. The elections, in fact, have been over just about five months back and have brought his party back in power with a solid presence.

Altruism seems to be THE motive behind this series of his visits. Rahul Gandhi has foregone the prime ministerial and ministerial race in favor of strengthening his party at grassroots level and furthering his own social grounding. He has opted to connect with the masses. This ‘sacrifice’ of his will stand him in good stead in times to come. It is a brilliant move on his part. Residents of each area he visits, are unlikely to forget his charisma in a hurry. A visit by a politico of his stature is likely to leave a lifetime impact on the area.

While you and me might be content at looking at this series of events as his display of public spirit and leaving it at that, for a lot of others (read other seasoned politicos) they have become a matter of concern. So much so that people are either dismissing them as a gimmick or crying themselves hoarse that this is all within a well-formed strategy or a plan.

I say that if this series of connecting with the masses is not within a well-formed Congress / Rahul strategy then it should be. Rahul has opted to keep himself away from the ministerial responsibilities for the next five years. This is a golden time for him to see much of India first hand and form his own opinions rather than rely on hearsay. The Gandhi scion is showing an amazing foresight in putting in solid groundwork before assuming the mantle of prime minister. He will be prepared with a mature understanding of reality unlike his father who had the responsibility thrust upon him without much experience to fall back on. 

As for those crying foul or calling it a gameplan – nothing or no one has ever stopped them from connecting with the masses in the time interim two elections. How many times have we seen our politicians making an effort of reaching out to the real people let alone the poor, unless it is the election season? Even those who are self-appointed messiahs of the down trodden remain inaccessible to he very same populace.

And if Rahul is doing it with an eye to the next general election, all kudos for such forward thinking should go to the young politico. Indian political scene has a habit of remaining drab between elections. It is the grouse of common people that ‘netas’ are visible only once in five years. It is in fact for the first time we are seeing that despite having a recent successful election behind him, a politician is making such efforts and has actually chosen to abdicate his powers for the time being.

The disgruntled ones may argue that Rahul has a home advantage here by virtue of his birth. The throne shall be awaiting the prince whenever he chooses to ascend it. But then by the same argument I contend that with such a ‘birthright’ Rahul is one politician who does not NEED to undertake this trip of self-discovery. That he is making a real effort makes it a more commendable act.

There should be another natural corollary to all that is unfolding. Culture percolates from top down in all organizations. With none other than Rahul Gandhi taking it upon himself to connect with the grassroots, other major and minor Congress ‘netas’ will be compelled to follow the same route.

If some of Rahul’s true altruism rubs on to them as well, it will be an all round advantage for all.

 

Austerity drive – a reality check

Sonia Gandhi is traveling economy class. Rahul Gandhi is hopping on to a Shatabdi Express. Austerity drive is on full throttle. The Congress leadership is setting examples with their affirmative actions.

The current diktat from the powers that be to ministers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and other public servants is – Self-regulate and self-impose cut backs in conspicuously wasteful and avoidable perks. This order is an attempt of the ruling party to empathize and solidarize with the draught and recession hit masses. A commendable sentiment indeed!

The ministers and administrators are being encouraged to exchange luxuries like business class seats, chartered flights, five-star extravagances, large and nonessential entourages and cavalcades with more economical alternatives. Our luxury-lapping, security-totting ministers are in for reliving some forgotten experiences of (their) yore once again. Once again they will (be forced to) savour the fun of riding a bus / traveling in train and brushing elbows with fellow passengers in the economy class seats. Some may even rediscover some simple joys of life like enjoying a cup of tea in a kullarh during a train ride.

 ‘Frugal’ is not a word that one can easily associate with Indian ministers but this time the elephant is supposed to sport only one set of teeth. (from the popular hindi phrase haathi ke daant khane ke aur dikhane ke aur). None less than Mrs Gandhi and her son have set the stage making it impossible for lesser minions to defy the diktat. So much so that even personal expenses of extravagant nature in the line of duty is being frowned upon and discouraged.

As for the impact of this drive  – the scenarios can be many. This austerity drive must be a security nightmare. Unfortunately even an SPG protection is no guarantee to safety. Especially when such protectees choose easily accessible and extremely vulnerable public transports. The Chief of securities for VVIPs must be living out a never-ending nightmare these days.

And what of the poor public? This ‘netaji’ brand of austerity comes at an enormous cost of inconvenience to the common man. The innocent public has to bear extra checks, blockages, restrictions, sanitizations and scrutiny just because some VVIP or VIP happens to be traveling in their midst. Average passengers have to grin and bear the hardships. Though we commoners are being given the privilege of carrying home, cherished memories of sharing the same breathing space with a VVIP – always assuming that we commoners will still manage to book a seat on the already over-booked flight and over-loaded train that is.

And for how long is this drive for? Till the next flooding? Or till the sensex takes on a steadier upward move? Or is this to be a way of life? How much of a difference will such measures make to the exchequer? Will it be substantial enough to make a difference to aam aadm? As a gesture of goodwill such austerity measures make for excellent news bytes but no more.

All those covered within the purview of this drive are slowly agreeing to a year-long 20% cut in their salary. But then that is the easiest option. After all it is an open secret that no MP / ministerial household ever runs on its respective salary. Even an 80% cut in the ‘salary’ will not make a dent in their lifestyle. Herein lies the real crux of a successful austerity drive then!!   

How about an austerity drive, which solely aims at reduction in siphoning of public funds? An order that prohibits even a single rupee of drought relief package from ending up in the pockets of politicians and civil servants – just this once! How about an exhortation from the leadership to self-regulate and self –impose limits on corruption for a year? A diktat to stop misuse of public property and public money for a year / six months! An order to live within ones genuine and legal means for a period of one year!

I am sure there can be many more such real possibilities. This austerity drive can be more than mere tokenism and rise above symbolism if there is a genuine desire to empathize with the masses. 

Let the Tharoors and Nilekanis enjoy their five-star privacy. Let the Pawars travel business class – a relief to both his bottom line and his privacy – and leave those economy class seats and railway coaches for the teeming masses.

 

RADAG’s Confrontational Advertising adds an interesting dimension to Business Communications

 I am bored!

Ahem…I mean the communications man inside me is once again bored with the front pages of morning papers. Lately the front pages had kept me engrossed with some unprecedented communication format and styles. First it was the scare laden flu stories.

And then there was the ingenious and volatile advertising from the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. The advertisements, which ran in the national dailies, were related to distribution and sale price of gas produced at KG basin by Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Industries. (Refer : Front Page August 17, 2009 issue of nearly three dozen publications including TOI / DNA http://epaper.timesofindia.com/archive/skins/pastissues2/navigator.asp or http://digital.dnaindia.com/epapermein.aspx?queryed=9&parenteditioncode=9&eddate=08/17/2009&arc=)

Though the advertisements have stopped, I am still musing over the path breaking and innovative though controversial series. I am neither qualified nor interested in commenting on the whys and wherefores of the issue itself or even on who is right and who is wrong. The dispute is anyways awaiting a hearing in the Supreme Court.

 My interest lies in this unique style and format of Confrontational & Coercive Communication if ever we have come across one of this kind before. These advertisements and their communication implications can be viewed from multiple angles.

On a basic level it is simply another form of communication arsenal being fired in a fierce corporate rivalry battle.

On a higher level, this newfangled adform is a new method of communication intended to garner public support. It is corporate lobbying in a new format aimed at generating a widespread public awareness and interest (possibly even an outcry) for issues that have no immediate and ostensible social or public bearings.

 Till now this kind of corporate advertising has been limited to defending one’s own company and agendas. It has been used as a media tool for fighting fierce corporate battles. For the first time such combative and confrontational advertisements have openly named the government as an accused party. For the first time ads have pointed to government’s decisions being contrary to larger public interest. The ads caught the government on back-foot with the concerned ministry scurrying to issue counter statements.

Going to the junta durbar has always been a politician’s prerogative. A corporate has employed it for the first time putting the very same politico/s in the dock. The RADAG group intends to corner the government with such public statements.

 Since the matter is sub-judice (and the series has been timed to coincide with the period just prior to the hearing), it can also be viewed as a blatant yet indirect attempt to influence the judiciary. The advert series has been brazen enough to make the designated bench sit-up and notice the accusations and re-look into the matter from all possible obvious and not so obvious angles, if they haven’t done so earlier.

Though raising public support for sub-judice matters is not a new idea – the beleaguered designer Anand Jon’s mother and sister have been doing it frequently to get government and public support even as the case was being argued in the US courts. But most of these campaigns have been to appeal for support from the government rather than accuse those in power. The communiqué here seeks to bring to fore underhand dealings on the part of government and its purported unfair dealings at the cost of public sector corporates.

 Will this kind of communication then have repercussions for Anil Ambani from those in power? Or will these ads serve to deter the alleged collusions between the government of the day and Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries?

Will these ads be trendsetters used for a kind of ‘whistle blowing’? Will more corporates dare to take on other corporates and the government through this route? This remains to be seen and only time will tell.

One certainly needs to be a heavyweight in his/her own right to indulge in communication of such accusatory nature. 

 The advertisements have been successful in creating a lot of public interest and have made for heated coffee bar discussions. The world and its neighbour always watch with interest whenever two brothers fight. With the government involvement in the entire hullabaloo it covers the entire socio-economic-politico spectrum. And with the legal angle thrown in it makes for a Communication potboiler!!