“Blue”

“Lavender”

These were the status messages of my Female chat friends. At first I thought it may be coincidence. but the 2 more status messages “navy blue” and “white” compelled me to ask one of my friends about the status message. the reply was – “its the color of my Bra!!!”. Bra color?? why would anyone keep Brassiere Color as status message? The reply was -” my friend said so, and all other girls also have kept the status message on same lines.”

Why would anyone share their color of Brassiere with the whole internet? Strangely, Nobody (of my friends) knew the reason! Another example of ‘herd mentality’

Google came for rescue again . . . So here’s the reason:

Accotding to Mashable:

A Detroit blog suggests that the color update craze was started by women in Detroit who are trying to raise awareness around Breast Cancer (though October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month). Another blog backs up that notion and includes the following Facebook message:

“Some fun is going on…. just write the color of your bra in your status. Just the color, nothing else. It will be neat to see if this will spread the wings of breast cancer awareness. It will be fun to see how long it takes before people wonder why all the girls have a color in their status… Haha .”

Hmm.. A nice thought and we must admit that it worked. . . it became Viral, and people who dont know the reason also participated in it. Some even declared it as a new Social media case study.

I strongly deny that. I agree it was viral and reached to a large audience but people talked about Innerwear, colours, exchanged views but what they didnt do was – ‘talking about breast cancer‘. and that where it fails. It would have been better if it had message about preventing it. or rise awareness about it. The Facebook Message itself states that “It will be fun to know. .. “. So it was just for fun not on any serious note.

There are already 3-4 groups/pages supporting/against the campiagn, largest being “I Really Dont Care What Color Your Bra Is” – with arnd 2500 Members (as of now). So some other pages have crop up which will die eventually.

So, if you updated your status mentioning your Bra color, even after knowing all this, then we’ll know why you did that, the same reason for which everyone does – Seeking Attention!!!

Now that you got to know about the Bra colors, why not share this, I am sure it will be more helpful: http://www.breastcancer.org/

And with these Reality shows the Bollywood stars are also turning up to Small Screen – Amitabh Bachchan in Big Boss (Not to forget inviting Ritesh Deshmukh, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina to promote their films ), Genelia in Big Switch (Priyanka Chopra in an episode), and other TV biggies in multi star shows such as Pati Patni aur Woh (Rakhi Sawant, Apurva, Mauni, Juhi, Shilpa etc) and Raaz pichhle Janam Ka(Shekhar Suman, Monica Bedi etc)

Now Our own AB Baby, Junior Bachchan, Abhishek is all set to start his TV Stint. Yes, Abhishek Bachchan is soon to host a show on Colors.

A website for the show is already up: http://www.abhishekaaramclasses.com/ It has a Are you Aarami Game, Downloads videos etc. It doesnt have any sign saying this is a reality/game show!

All we can say to Junior Bachchan is – What an Idea Sir Ji!!!

My friend Ramit (name changed on request) called me late Friday night. He sounded quite agitated. “You know, Haagen Dazs has opened its Delhi outlet”.  I reacted with a joke. “Good, now you can spend a lot more on an ice cream than you normally would. But why are you agitated?”

“Because I am not allowed to enter”, he said. Now, Ramit is not like one of the politician’s son or into drugs, the sort who are often in news in India’s capital for all the wrong reasons, nor is he the kind who will shoot someone down because she refused to serve him a cone of ice cream.

He did not waste much time and said he has taken a picture and is mailing me the reason. I switched on my mail, and clicked on the attachment. I couldn’t believe what I saw. Was I in India, 62 years after gaining independence, and years after South Africa officially ended apartheid?

The banners outside the outlet said: Exclusive Preview for International Travellers. And under that, in an even finer print, the real bombshell: Access restricted only to holders of international passports.

I immediately called Ramit. “You are an international traveler, and you have a passport, so you can go in”, I said. Ramit’s response was instant: I tried to enter but they said you are not allowed for you don’t have an international passport.

I am normally not given to immediate emotional reactions, but I couldn’t resist this time.  I was, to be honest, upset. How can they do this to an Indian, in India? Do a story on TOI or NBT? Do it for print or Online? Call other media friends and colleagues? I simply didn’t know how to react. Print would have a better impact, but should I wait that long?

Then I felt, why not use the power of the social media? Next thing I knew was that I had put up a few pictures on facebook, added a caption and also sent out a tweet with a request it be retweeted. In a few hours, it had turned into a viral and I started getting messages from angry Indians all over. Why just Indians, even friends in international media wrote to say “this is the stupidest thing they have seen in a long time”.

I didn’t stop at that. I ended up calling a few MPs I knew I could speak to bluntly and told them about it, taunting them about it.

I don’t know what finally worked, but it seems word did get around to the outlet’s franchisee and they started claiming there never was any restriction on anybody entering the outlet.

While this may be considered a victory for people power, I am still unable to figure out who in his right senses would have advised the dessert company to do something so stupid. Was it a way to generate controversy for free publicity? Did they think it will work subliminally on Indians mind that now that it has been ‘certified’ by international travelers it would be good for them too?

Whatever it is, it is idiotic. I checked later and found that the franchisee is an Indian company based in Delhi and the man incharge is also an Indian.

I have often maintained that we ourselves are our biggest enemies. Our mentality is that of slaves and we think anything is good only if its approved by foreigners, or the “holders of international passport”.

Perhaps the Indian franchisee had this in mind. And a comment on the picture I put up on the facebook by an Indian who migrated to Australia decades ago sums it up:

Most international travellers don’t want HD in India when they can get it in their own backyard. Its a commodity not a special thing for them. They would also see this as pure cashing in and thinking they are idiots – ‘India taking them for a ride.’ Have to remember not every international traveler is American; makes an average salary of squillion dollars; can often be allergic to dairy (yes); is in India to have an ‘authentic Indian’ experience and by golly even enjoy kulfi, falooda, lassi, dosa! This is all about how India and Indians see themselves. Foreigners have nothing to do with it.

Source: Times Of India

What’s your opinion? Is it a market gimmick? Should we boycott HD? Any other suggesstions??

The fallen giant, the largest U.S. industrial company ever to enter bankruptcy, is shedding some 21,000 jobs and 2,600 dealers. Sparing few communities, the retrenchment amounts to one-third of its U.S. work force and 40 percent of its dealerships.

 

“We are acting as reluctant shareholders because that is the only way to help GM succeed,” Obama said of the temporary nationalization of the 100-year-old company.

Obama lauded what he called a “viable, achievable plan that will give this iconic American company a chance to rise again” as GM followed Chrysler LLC into bankruptcy court. Of Detroit’s “Big Three” automakers, only Ford Motor Corp. has avoided bankruptcy restructuring and has not taken federal bailout money.

The prepackaged GM bankruptcy deal — crafted by the administration, the company, the United Auto Workers union and a group of bondholders — would give the U.S. government a 60 percent controlling stake in what was once the world’s largest automaker. An additional 12.5 percent would be under Canadian government ownership.

“What I have no interest in doing is running GM,” Obama said. His only goal, he said, was to get GM back on its feet and then “to get out quickly.”

“Ultimately, I think that GM is going to be a strong company, and we are going to be pulling out as soon as the economy recovers and they’ve completed their restructuring,” he said. “My hope … is that we will see both GM and Chrysler having emerged from this restructuring process leaner, meaner, more competitive with a set of product lines that appeal to consumers, good cars that are fuel efficient and that look at the markets of tomorrow.”

Obama also predicted a rebound in the automotive market when the economy recovers.

“You are looking at a substantial market that is going to be available for U.S. automakers if they’ve made some good decisions now, and if they are building the kinds of fuel-efficient, high-performance cars that American consumers are hungry for,” he said.

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Note:  This article has been authored by Mrinalini aka Meenu (as we fondly call her), who has accepted my request to be a Guest Author at Umennet. She has been my one of the best friends, knows me in n out. Has been my, philosopher and guide too. Meenu has worked as  a recruitment HR with an MNC, Recently married and settled in Atlanta, US of A. She has her own set of rules, her own observation and her own conclusions.  So, to have a new look towards everything, I requested her to be a guest author which she happily agreed. I am sure this new relation as a blogger would really last long. I would prefer saying – forever!!!

Altering the National Anthem is not new. Earlier A R Rahman also, altered with the tune and despite some little controversies, people liked it. Now, the multiplexes in mumbai play the Rahman version of National Anthem before every show.

But this time the story is different. This time the lyrics has been altered. Again a new way to be in the news!!

Now, today Mumbai Mirror had an article on it.  Censor Board has not approved it, saying:

… the lyrics of the national anthem cannot be played around with. In the film’s case, the lyrics of the national anthem have been mixed with other words.

Vinayak Azad, regional officer (CBFC) 

I quickly had a look on the video and this is what I found:

and here are the lyrics:

But, I dont feel any thing wrong. This alteration has not been done for some entertainment or cheap publicity. This time the song has a message,  a request.  According to Sheetal Talwaar, Co-Producer of Rann:

We believe the song reflects the current state of the country. Also, according to our constitution, one has the right to freedom of expression and speech. We are not violating any law or dishonoring the national anthem at all. There is no violation of copyright either.

And Ram Gopal Verma Says:

I have not tinkered with the anthem or treated it in a disrespectful manner. The song has been used to express the angst of some characters of the film against the current situation in the country. It does not say anything that is not true. I think by the words and the visuals, everyone can see the dignity with which it has been treated.

Now, this song violates the freedom of right or not, but it definitly strikes the chord.

As described in the Press release, The movie is about the media. how the media is used to earn money, used to play polictics, used for business.  Some of the quotes from Movie:

To control people’s mind is to control MONEY

Aaj mandir me baithe bhagwaan se bhi log ‘ENTERTAINMENT‘ chahte hain

Rajneeti ki teen patti me trumpcard hai MEDIA

FILM walon aur hum me fark sirf itna hai ki hum humari filmon ko NEWS kehte hain
(This is the best one!!)

Aaj BURI khabar, bhali hai

Aaj IDEAS kam hain aur COMPETITION jyaada

And with the news channels such as India TV, Aaj Tak etc showing all crap, I hope this movie will definitely pass the message of using the media effectively and responsibly. Atleast the video does so.

Whats your opinion on the alteration of National Anthem & Video?

Nano is the biggest Launch this year. All the auto experts in the world were waiting eagerly for the launch of, world’s cheapest car which costs less than $2000!!! Finally it is launched and it is up to the expectations. But as per our Indian tradition, there are people opposing it. Here are few points which have been said against NANO, and its answers

Its Too small: Yes, it is Small, but Spacious. Tata Engineers have built a small car, which looks like a toy, but it still has 20% more space than Maruti 800!! The back seats can easily accommodate 2 persons, without them being uncomfortable. The front of Tata nano has a space of around 80 Lts, which can be increased to 500 Ltr, by folding the back seats. Tata Nano is taller than Santro Zing, making it easy for tall persons also to sit easily.

Its not safe: Tata Nano is not made of fiber or other light material as Reva. Its a normal CAR. Its made of sheet metal, with a strong framing inside. It is as strong as any other car. yes, It lacks ABS & Air bags ( to be provided in future versions), but it still is safer than 3-4 people travelling on a bike.

Its cheap so compromization in Standards : Wrong. Tata has been known for their strict standard adherence. Tata Nano has been built up to standards and no compromise has been made.

It will cause pollution - Again Wrong!! Nano’s emission norms are Euro-4 ready. where as most other vehicles in India are just Euro-3!!

So, how come Tata can build such a car for such a low budget?? here’s the answer:

1 – The engine of car is rear mounted. So there is no load on front wheels which makes it easy to maneuver. so no need of power steering.

2 – Base model of Nano has no AC, No power windows

3 – Engineering, Nano Engineers has designed Nano with some specialties to save money on  production. For e.g., the Rack & Pinion system for steering is generally in 2 parts, but Tata Engineers made it 1 unit so that the assembly time & money is reduced.

All these points add to make Nano the cheapest car in the world!!!

And lastly,

1 – Its a Dream Car!! –  yeah!! in India every family dreams of having an four wheeler. We cant negelct this dream by giving excuses of traffic! Its the Govt.’s duty to have more wider roads, and proper traffic managing.

2 – We dont say a word, when long, wide, costly cars ( taking up space of 2 small cars) are allowed in India, costing from  few lakhs to some crores (Hyundai i10 to Rolls Royce), but you cant digest a car which is affordable by most of the Indians.

3 – Now a days, parking is a big problem. parking Smaller car means small parking area.

4 – Can you imagine, if Nano is replaced with all the taxis & autos, It can be more comfortable, cheap n safe. Tata are going to launch CNG and even battery operated Nano. Its much more safer for kids, makes city beautiful, The foriegners coming to India will feel good about India.

5 – last but not least, We should be proud of India being the first country to produce our very own “The peoples’ Car”. Which every car manufacturer has always dreamt since years!!!

Bollywood has been exremely popular all over the world. In recent times many of the bollywood Actors, characters have been used in other ways such as toys (Krish, Ghazini), Or Stickers etc.

Soon we would see Bollywood glam girl Priyanka Chopra as a comic strip heroine in an international comic book series.

British businessman Richard Branson is all for Priyanka Chopra. After showering accolades on the actress, the entrepreneur is keen on turning her into a comic strip heroine for his publishing house, Virgin Comics. The character will look like Priyanka and will also be named after her. With this new facet as a comic strip heroine, Priyanka becomes the first Bollywood star and the second in India (after Sachin Tendulkar) to be featured in Virgin Comics.

An excited Priyanka is all thankful for Branson. She Says: “It’s a great honour. Big filmmakers and actors like John Woo, Nicholas Cage, Shekhar Kapoor and Terry Gilliam are associated with Branson’s comics. Even our Sachin has a comic book series with him. I’m working on two projects. One is a completely fictional story and character. The other will be a super hero who looks like me and will borrow incidents from my life.”

But This is not the first time any Bollywood actor has been roped in for comic book series. Star Comics had created A Superhero was also based on our own Millenium Superstar Amitabh Bachchan named – Supremo. created by None other than Gulzar, It was an instant hit among all the age groups. 

“Supremo was supposed to be the costumed alter ego of Indian film superstar Amitabh Bachchan. He has 2 boy sidekicks -Vijay and Anthony (they are again normal human beings and do not wear any special costume). He has a falcon, named Shaheen,  as a pet, who also acts as scout.” 

Identity/Class: Normal human
Affiliations: Vijay, Anthony (sidekicks); Shaheen (falcon)
Costume: Conventional superhero couture of undies-over-tights has been avoided, and Supremo has a piece of brown cloth draped coyly around his waist, held there by a hip-holster.
Base of Operations: India
First Appearance: Adventures of Amitabh Bachchan (Star Comics)
Powers/Abilities: Supremo has no super-powers. He has the combination of strength to defeat his human adversaries and intelligence to get out of traps laid for him.

you can find a group related to supremo here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amitabh-Bachchan-Supremo/36098809810

You can also see some pictures and even read his comics!!!

If the latest shown through Reality TV was to offer us a window into what the next generations have in store for us, I believe we could be in for a rude shock! Either  channels look for the kind who should not be permitted to breed, let alone be aided in the process of getting them together and finding perfect matches! Or then… THIS IS IT!!! This is what the crux of India’s youth consists of…. Badly brought-up, selfish brats of low intellect who have zero sense of loyalty or integrity.

To begin with, I strongly feel that INDIANS CANNOT DO REALITY. It just doesn’t fit the frame. We’re too conscious, with no wit and atrocious senses of humour. That’s a fact. When a camera is put in front of us, all these qualities assume gigantic proportions and due to insecurity woven into the very fabric of our beings, the result is anything but candid. To further develop on the idea, Reality shows involving typical Indian youth is even more unbearable… I have nothing against any TV channel but the fact that shows such as Splitsvilla and Roadies originate from the similar shed, is hard to miss. Yes, it’s the same TG…agreed. But what are we trying to project to the  impressionable lot?

• That’s it’s quite alright to live your life oblivious of any social or civic responsibilities?
• That I can cheat and lie as long as no one finds out. Even if they do, it’s their bad luck?
• That I can get fame and money by being a total B*&^% ?!
• I don’t need to have respect for ANYONE, let alone any elders. When I’m rich and famous, none of this will matter in any case!!
• That abusive language sounds cool and peer pressure is to be bowed down to?
• I have no family that matter.  The friends I make because of this show are those who will be by my side throughout!

You get the drift, I’m sure.

The dismay according to me however is manifold. Primarily, I worry about the motivation that lures the youth into aspiring to be associated with these programs. I have managed to sit through a few episodes in which starry eyed juveniles claim that it is their dream to be on “so and so…” program. How does a platform where you will be subjected to embarrassing and aggravating situations appear as a dream to you? Where are those ambitions that aim to lead with innovative yet honest ways? 

This reminds me of one episode which I must mention here, no names, no references but more real than reality itself… The teams were offered laxatives after a heavy loaded meal. Post consumption, anyone who could not ‘hold it in’, would get out and let his/her team down. The rest is up to you to imagine… I know that the brainstorming department of this particular episode, must have been mighty pleased with itself, but how is this of interest or entertainment to anyone….I fail to understand. And what is it a test of? The most constipated bowels?? I don’t get it! Maybe I am getting too old…

Another aspect is that of the viewer – It’s the youth who watch of course (right on target with the TG) but why? Some think that they’re so much better that the idiots on TV and so are highly amused! Others are just like them and so can identify totally. The shows, mind you, don’t really require any qualifications except a good face and or body for camera. They also tend to make special efforts to select those who possess the power to aggravate the viewer the most!

Overall, my worry however is the tendency of our society to take part in and then watch these shows, week after week. According to me, they encourage ‘wrong’ and validate it. As Indians, we are known to put one another down and revel in another’s defeat but the behavior being displayed in these programs takes disgust to the next level. I’m sure the families of the participants cannot be watching and encouraging their children, and if they are, God help us all! As such are the families from which those that can go to the extent of murder in the name of ragging originate. 

With a youth potential of almost 50% of our total population, there are some important questions we should be asking apart from which of Satan’s creations will win this week’s episode!

It’s not the show concepts that are faulty, it’s more the bi-products and after effects that need to be given due attention to….as the TRP’s keep rising….!!! 

Note: This write-up has been authored by Barkha Prabhakar, who is a Guest Author at Umennet.wordpress.com.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Our blog umennet.wordpress.com has got the Maximum Votes in the Best Mumbai Blog Contest held by Mumbai Bloggers.

Out of 59 blogs in contest and 296 total votes, we recieved 57 votes!!

Here is a glimpse -

The top 5 blogs in the contest will be reviewed by a panel of judges. Based on the combined scores of Judges & Public the best 3 blogs will be announced on 15th March!!

A Bloggers’ meet has been organised on 21st March. Hope you have already registered for it. If not, you can register here.  The registration is compulsory for the event.

The Moment of Truth, hosted by Emmy nominated, Mark Walberg,  has been a bold show in the real sense. The host asks contestants a series of 21 questions for the chance to win half a million dollars.

Whats new in that??? Here comes the answer -

The questions are based on the contestants’ personal life. This is the only game show where participants know both the questions and the answers before they begin to play. Prior to playing, participants are strapped to a lie detector and asked a series of questions by a polygraph expert, who records their answers. At any time, between the polygraph and the televised game, participants can change their answers or walk away from the competition.

To win, participants have to answer either yes or no to the questions asked. The questions are easier when the stakes are low  but as the prize amount increases, they will be challenged to face the questions which they might normally answer a lie. Some questions are dangerously revealing as participants reveal the answers in front of spouses, relatives and friends, hanging on every word. If the contestant answers honestly, according to the lie detector results, he has to face the next question. However, if the answer is false (as as per the lie detector) or a refusal is made to answer a question after it has been asked, the game ends.

The difficulty and the nature of question (in personal front) increases with every question asked. To this date no one has reached the last question. Sometimes as a surprise, the contestant’s friend, relative or ex-partner also join in to ask questions. During & after the show, sometimes, contestants (or their relatives) break in to tears, or even break relationships.

Wonderhow serious the show question-answer can be?/ Here is an example -

Contestant Lauren Cleri admitted to committing adultery and that she believes she is meant to be married to an ex-boyfriend instead of her husband..The latter was a replacement question after Lauren’s sister hit the button to keep her from answering the question of whether she’d leave her husband if the same ex-boyfriend (who was present to read this question and the replacement question to her) wanted her back. She won $100,000 and went on to play for $200,000, but lost everything on the question, “Do you think you’re a good person?” She answered “Yes,” which, according to the polygraph, was revealed to be false. In May 2008, Frank Cleri filed for divorce.

Considering the Indian scenario, where such personal openness is still a taboo, it would be interesting to watch how the game is setup for Indians. And the contestants, will they be ready to face such questions? and even if everything is OK, how will they deal with the protests against the show or its pattern.

But When  Roadies, Big Boss & MTV Splitsvilla can be accepted in India, This too can be accepted. and it has more than one reasons to be accepted. We Indians crave to peep in to others lives. And what better than people themselves accepting this openly.

Any which ways, this game is sure to raise money as well as some eyebrows too!!

And the Indian version of “The Moment of Truth” can be called – “Sach ka Pal” or “Dil Sachcha aur Chehra Jhootha” or may be following the tradition of “K- Series” it can be “Kuch Pal Sach Ke”!!

Any more suggesstions? Whats your opinion?