Random Ramblings, Random Reflections!!

I don’t even remember when I last bogged! There was a time when I was jobless in a job and had nothing else to do, but put my thoughts to paper. Times have changed, jobs have changed and I have no time on hand to think of anything. I have witnessed and been part of the birth of three media products- Autocar Middle East, F1 Racing Middle East and a Bangalore based magazine. The birth pangs of none on these have been as intense as what I am experiencing now. I joined this company on July 7th and have hadn’t had time till date to think of anything, take time off for myself or even to get things done at the home front. But I am not complaining. This has been one assignment that has kept me on my toes, helped me reduce my paunch and most importantly learn a lot! Blame it on naivety or ignorance for having thought that I know quite a lot of things about media. Blame it on the genes or the self confidence that I can pull off anything for such a thought. Of the many things I like about this pl...

Im curious to know why the likes of Ms. Kiran M Shaw and Mr. Mohandas Pai have made statements saying that business will be hit once the airport moves out from the current location to the new one. Cochin which had its international airport operating from the Naval base moved out of town- 28 kms away from the city sometime back. People did make a hue and cry at time about the connectivity problems and the time taken to get there. Over time, air travelers have got used to it. Connectivity has improved by leaps and bounds and the time taken to reach Cochin International airport is not an issue at all. I am sure if there has been an impact with the opening up of new airport in Cochin, it has only been to improving infrastructure and a manifold increase in business in the state. Bangalore is going through the same phase now and its only a matter of time that issues are sorted out. Well, to remind the likes of Mr. Pai and Ms. Shaw, it still takes a good hour and a half t...

The last couple of weeks has witnessed a huge increase in the number of news reports that are coming in the national dailies on rape cases and rape victims. Seven year olds to seventy year olds being raped by men of all ages. Is this a social reflection on where the country is going? Is this a reflection of the socio-economic pressures on the people? Or has it anything to do with the overbearing spread of globalisation? Issues that need to be analysed. The Rapist Psyche I have been thinking about the psyche of a rapist- why does someone rape another person and what satisfaction do you get from raping! Sex has always been called as a union of two people- body, mind and soul acting in unison as one. Why is that men, across strata fail to understand this union of minds? Is the tendency to be a rapist/molester more in the lower strata of the society? I personally feel that upbringing has a major role to play in men’s attitudes towards women. Your attitude to women is ingrained into the min...

I am fed up seeing one particular picture daily in The Times of India. I am fed up seeing one man making statements left, right and center- any topic under the sun, he has a comment on it! From being an unknown commodity a few months ago to being a celebrity who is called in for his opinion on anything in the country, he is the perfect example of a media created man- a nuisance in this case. The Times of India, with its tremendous reach in the country, decided that it isn’t just enough to provide news and views to the citizens. They decided to go on a co-creation mode- work in partnership with the common man and influence opinion and decision making at a political level. This need to create an opinion bank of a set of educated, well to do, opinionated middle class led to two campaigns – Refresh Bangalore and Lead India campaigns. Refresh Bangalore ended with people sitting over tea, talking and analyzing issues with the outcome to the common man being a predictable zilch...

In my 10 year work career, i have known a few bosses- i have seen and worked with some of the best and the worst.. But only one whom i would sure like to emulate.. when in charge, he is the one who should become... a few traits that make him a great boss: --> Inspiring people to do what they want to do --> Giving a long rope and making you feel responsible for your actions --> Backing you to the hilt - internally and externally --> Taking your pants off when u are in the wrong - but only inside the chief's cabin ... and then walking out with hands on shoulders as if nothing has happened --> Giving more responsibilites --> Helping you out with career planning (I've never known another boss with whom i could discuss quitting the job 6 months before putting in my papers..) Fav line during brain storming sessions: " think like a lunatic.. one of the ideas will be a revenue churner" Happy Boss's day! Wish the breed of great bosses multipy manifold!!

Finally, I experienced birth pangs... Pangs of the birth of our new magazine... an assisted delivery which had a bunch of women and men wielding their pens and cursers... making sure that the baby's positions are millimeter perfect and following the grid. Memorable Quotes Asha: “Apparently, there is some problem with the title registration” { heard it 'n' times, huh!} Alak: “Whatever may happen, we have to follow the grid” {there she goes... :) } Vishwa: “Actually maam, the gutter space has to be 5 cms Kalpana: “Any news for us?” “Ho jayega… ads will come in on time…” Prof. Dev Sukumar, PhD, Visiting Professor, Azure Media Kudos to the bunch of women (and a few good men!) perched precariously on the mezzanine floor for bringing out an amazing product. Lets continue keeping Bangalore glued on to the magazine… thus taking the burden out of me… the more readers, easier it is for me to sell ads.. Three cheers to our team: Asha / Kalpana / Sonya / Dev / Rajitha / Nidhi / Bhanu /...

The search for greener pastures continues... The search for more money continues... The search for new advertisers continue... The search for greater challenges continue... The search for the meaning of life forever continues.......