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Monday 19 March 2012

At times development and unemployment go hand in hand…

Posted by Js Cheema


Govind is 18 years old he has just passed his matriculation and is willing to take admission in B.A 1st year in nearby degree college. His father is not having enough income from small land to pay for his higher education so Govind sells watermelon and cantaloupe in summers near Sharda rail cum road bridge when there is traffic near the bridge. The single lane bridge plays an important role in life of people like Govind. Because the traffic has to pass from both sides and also the train has to pass from same bridge it gives immense oppourtunity to sell different items. I remember bollywood movie ‘Traffic signal’ here. There are children and other adults who are dependent on this traffic, whose age range from 11 to 28 years, they speak quickly and act fast. Some sell ground nuts, cucumber, namkeen, gutkha and some children selling gutkha have even started taking it.
There was one time when people derived livelihood from it, but now the story has changed as a new double lane bridge has been erected in recent years and is ready for the vehicles to  pass. So, no traffic, no selling and no education for Govind. We can imagine how development of new bridge is going to effect all those who were earlier dependent on traffic for livelihood near 100 years old Sharda bridge.

Thursday 26 May 2011

They never read Philip Kotler

Posted by Js Cheema

They never read Philip Kotler

A number of companies all over the world invest a lot on selling their product investments could be for advertising, training salesmen which would reap profits in the near future. But there is one more element of our life that prepares us for this (selling a product) that’s when there are no option to switch over certain jobs and the ambience we are in which I experienced while I was travelling from Punjab to New Delhi. In the running train a Salesperson approached us with around 20 watches surrounding his hand which were manufactured by a local manufacturer. The Salesman sold that with the name of Sonata but on examining I came to know it was rather written Soneta , Titan as Tittan and Maxima as Maximam. A youngster (from Bihar) purchased a watch for his younger brother though some of them around him told that salesman is selling costly but he told that it is usual I spend around Rs.50 daily where I earn Rs.200.

Later I saw a salesman selling gold plated chain for Rs.10 saying “Rs. 10 mein bech rahan hoon bazaar main Rs.20 se kam ki nahi Sone (gold) se kam nahi kho jaye to gam nahi”.In around 2 minutes he sold 2 chains a Bhaiya ji (brother) was taking it for her little daughter and the other one  for her newly married wife Kamla such people cannot afford gold jewellery at least they can purchase jewellery like gold and for them that is comfort. On interrogating I came to know that the  salesman  daily sold chains of Rs. 200 and that too mostly to labourers going back to their homes.

The last person that we met was really impressing a ‘Chana-wala’  selling his Chana (grams) for just Rs.5.His stylish way of presenting his product ‘Chana’ even attracted me and my friend. U can realize I haven’t forget his single line ,His hard hit stocked words ’76 ka masala 77 ka surag’, ’ khaiye garma garam bhauji (wife of brother) ke hath k baney chaney’. When I remember those masala grams my mouth gets watery.

What was unique about them was such combination of entrepreneurs and salesman  had no targets, never trained even then they did good sales as they have all in built qualities of good salesperson even when they never read Philip Kotler.

Saturday 19 March 2011

THE CRAZE of ITEM SONGS

Posted by Js Cheema

THE CRAZE of ITEM SONGS
Some traditions and culture remain long-lasting. After successful hit of songs like “Mera naam Chin-Chin Choo”,Mehbooba-2,Ik do teen bollywood still follows the old practice of using “Item Songs”.
“Item Songs” or “Item Number” are performed by female actor, dancer who is known as Item Girl. Now it could be upto listener if he likes to take her  as Dream Girl. Ofcource why not such item girls put such a good impression that it lasts like a good branded perfume. Such songs have ingredient of revealing clothes, catchy words and  provocative dance.
In Mumbai “item” is a slang word used for a sexy woman.
Songs like Beedi from Omkara and Munni from Dabang were made with blend of local languages- “Sasuri”, “Jalaile”.
Item Girl could not be a character of movie  she could appear for a point of time and act like SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) in promoting the movie. I think this song category is the only category that is repeated on DJ’s and sung by all age group. A small child who did not know the meaning could sing that because of number of naughty ingredients the same case also follows  with foreign countries where they love to beat their feats on floor playing such songs.
Even though some “item songs” went hand in hand with controversies but still such songs will always be used ,sung and played, what if “Munni” got badnaam, Sheela soon got young and took the charge….