Monday, February 12, 2007

Thou shall eat in Mess

(All names changed to maintain confidentiality)

Today, Shrianant would be the happiest soul in Manipal. Why not? At last his clinical trials have passed successfully and soon whole world would be able to taste Papad chapatti. As the name suggests, Papad chapatti is a delicious hybrid of Chapati and Papad.

Not only Shrianant but all the members of our mess will be in the books for all good reasons. After so many years, a new Indian dish on global scene. For me, it is a great feeling to be part of this whole exercise. For last one and half years, my taste buds were delighted by this tasty hybrid of Roti.

One more recipe that our mess has developed is Halua Manchurian. It is India’s answer to the east. It is a Manchurian (Veg, gobhi or any other) that is so soft that it will melt in your mouth on touching your tongue. Your tooth won’t even come to know. I know you are jealous of me. But what can I do if God is biased.

There is one good thing that we are never charged anything extra other than the fixed cost for consuming any of the items reserved for clinical trials. Devana has a philosophy that a country can grow only by research and development. That is why all trial stuff is not at any additional price. And to discourage our routine habits, he charges a nominal price on the traditional food and calls it extra to remind us that we should not deviate from participating in evolution of new recipes.

To be continued…………

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Monday, February 05, 2007

Branded Marriages

Generally, marriage is a costly affaire and a cost center in accounting terms. I believe there is an immense opportunity of using a marriage for advertising. Today, when media have so much of clutter, it is one space which is still not at all explored.

I am thinking of getting my marriage sponsored (after 2-3 years) by some matrimonial site. Jeevansaathi.com presents Shakun weds XYZ. Sounds crazy Na. But it is a win-win for both parties. My cost center i.e. marriage will become a profit center and Jeevansaathi.com (or any other brand) will get a lot of publicity at very nominal prices. I hope local dailies will cover it and that again will help the brand.

There is a possibility of other sponsorships. Like for food sponsored by some rice brand, Orchestra sponsored by a music company, games sponsored by a gaming site, makeup sponsored by loreal, and photography by Kodak and there are a lot of things that can be sponsored.

Also, a new marriage t-shirt can be released. It can be bought at a nominal price. Accessories related to marriage. I mean marriage will also become a shopping place other than the rituals in which people are least interested.


Disclaimer: This article has nothing to do with me being a bania. This is just a crazy idea.