The blackberry boys..

Blackberry was introduced in the market as a smart phone which was targeted at business men. It was sold on the USP that it can perform multi functions and easy web browsing. However as markets can be dynamic and unpredictable, it was soon seen that Blackberry appealed to the whims and fancies of even the youth. Marketers were quick to note this transition and put on their thinking caps to woo the young adults.
 
The new Vodafone Blackberry commercial very aptly depicts the change in the way Blackberry is consumed today. Businessmen are not the only ‘Blackberry Boys’, today amongst the youth, it is a style statement and ice breakers in many conversations. The youth have embraced it in a way that has never been done before.

The new commercial begins with five men in classy business suits, dancing and singing ‘We are the Blackberry Boys’. The men are soon joined with hundred other people, all dressed in collegian outfits. The message almost seems to be, “Back away businessmen, Blackberry is ours too’. The expressions of the men in suits change hilariously, as they are surrounded with young individuals, singing what was apparently their song. The jingle is catchy and peppy.

Blackberry is beyond just office work. Teenagers and young individuals are already using Blackberry to surf the net and to chat and connect with friends. Today parents can afford to purchase a 15 or 16 K phone for their kids, but the monthly expenditure goes out from their pockets.Blackberry has recognized their market in the youth a while ago, which explains the Blackberry being available in vibrant colours now. This ad campaign has charmed everyone to such an extent that it is all over social networking sites and hot topic in conversations.

Indian television is now coming of age

The current brouhaha over some reality TV shows marks how Indian television is coming of age. The decision of the government to shift Bigg Boss and Rakhi Ka Insaaf to late-night slots is sensible, yet it would have been better if this gesture had come from the producers of the shows themselves. It is never a good idea for the media to force the government to intervene in matters of creative expression. At the same time, TV producers must be tuned not only to the desires of society but also to propriety.

As for those who grumble about the low standards on reality TV, there is one easy response: do not watch it. As long as the producers and channels follow existing laws, they are well within their rights to broadcast their programmes. It is undoubtedly true that such shows pander to some of the worst excesses of human sentiment. But so what? People have as much a right to be lowbrow as they have to be snobbish or high-minded. Reality TV appeals to our atavistic desire to peep and pry into other people’s private lives and this fits with the current zeitgeist, where you have to live your life in full public view to full public scrutiny. It is true for A Raja as much as it is for Rakhi Sawant.

Dowry

Though Indians miss no opportunity to boast of their richness, the provincialism and chauvinistic mannerism manage to dictate their perceptions at critical junctures. The future of modern living would certainly get dominated by saga of depression and pains if we don’t come to annihilate futile man- made complexities.

However, the marriages in India turn out to be testing times for bride’s parents even as they leave no stone unturned to dissipate the whims and fancies of bridegroom’s family. To an extent, the bride’s parents never hesitate to resort to unfair means to serve the demands of boy’s family.

No doubt, as per of provisions of law to enter into dowry related deals is a crime, the compulsions of pragmatic approach turn them redundant. This whole tamasha (drama) takes place with least resistance from either sides as it’s a ‘prestige issue’ for both of them. One cannot expect miraculous changes in future unless the newer generation gets determined to checkmate such unholy practices.

For instance, Radhika  Agarwal’s dowry death is not a stray case. In June, 2010 two judges, a father-son duo, were arrested for demanding dowry from the daughter-in-law.

There are many more such cases that go unreported. Just visit your local police station and you’ll be shocked to see an average of at least 60 pending dowry cases every month.

Dowry menace is prevalent among the rich, well educated and high profile people in society too. A few crores of rupees to start life with, partnership in the family business and a fully funded honeymoon are a few requests which they feel they have a right to ask. They view marriage as a source of regular income and feel no remorse in demanding the moon from the bride and her family.

Sadly the archaic society view an unwed or divorced daughter is a burden or symbol of a doomed life and this prevents parents from supporting their child. Girls are told to adjust and compromise. Nobody realises that only if one is in a happy marriage are you blessed. Otherwise you are better off single. Ill-treatment at the first instance should be punished, not accepted. Marital status should not be given priority, happiness should. Girls should learn to stand up for themselves, work towards being financially independent.