I missed it sooo much - The Sea!!

Those who live by the sea can hardly form a single thought of which the sea would not be part. Broch, Hermann

This quote is so true. Its been 8 months that I left Mumbai to study in London but there have had endless discussions remembering Mumbai seashore and rains. I realised how much I was missing sea when I visited Whitstable, near Canterbury this week. The site of calm water with men, women and kids enjoying themselves was so soothing and refreshing.

Born and brought up in Mumbai, my memories are filled with the sea. The childhood trips to Dadar 'chowpatty' as we call it, eating Mumbai street food and making sand dunes and wells on the beach. How can one forget those long drives and bike rides along the queens necklace, Bandra and Worli Sea face. The fishermen boats anchored at Versova, Juhu or Worli. The salty stink one is exposed to while crossing the Mahim causeway. Ah and the sea roar and splash during rainy, windy, Mumbai monsoons. The joy of drenching in those splashing sea waves at Marine Drive or Worli Sea Face cannot be described. The soaring sea, rough sea, sometimes calm sea is witness to the several romantic, gentle, emotional moments in the lives of us Mumbaikars. It swallows our sadness, frustration, anger and celebrates our joy. I am so longing to go back and feel that familiar cool and salty sea breeze in my beloved city - Mumbai.

Apple wants to bite the growing Indian belly - the middle class

Apple has relaunched its 3G iPhone model in India with a lower price tag of Rs 20,000. The first reaction from my friends was again the company had introduced old model and no one will buy 3G when iPhone 4 is officially available. To think of it - I feel its the smart move to capture the mid-market segment and increase Apple's market share in India.

Though Apple products have created a niche in the market and many Indians already have or can buy these products, Apple still has a long way to go in India. Many are buying iPhones, iPads and other gadgets from overseas, but the fact remains that Apple does not have a definitive market share in India compared to more established Nokia, Sony, Samsung and LG. All electronic brands in some way for the other have to capture the Indian middle class, which will give them volume in this growing economy. Last year 3G telephony was introduced in India, with service providers now juggling to capture this market. Its a shrewd move from Apple to relaunch 3G phone when additional services are available and customers are willing to pay. It can leverage on the existing brand awareness and aspirations to grow in this market.

On a broader perspective Indian and MNCS are trying to tap the growing middle class consumer with innovative products, services and marketing initiatives. Bottom of the pyramid theory, coined by late C K Prahlad and Stuart Hart, has become a set benchmark for companies to launch low price and low budget products and services in India. FMCG companies are said to first have focussed on this segment with the launch of sachets for shampoos, detergents , which had now extended to oil, toothpastes, jams, instant noodles and the list is increasing.

When I became a kid again - Cadbury World

For most of us the first memory of eating a chocolate will be relish Cadbury Dairy Milk. I remember those days when a guest at home use to bring a Cadbury Dairy Milk or Five Star as a token of love. My father's love for chocolates - specifically Dairy Milk, makes me a child, which in a way I experienced this week.

The not on agenda trip to CadburyWorld at Birmingham, UK was an amazing experience to know how my favourite chocolate is produced and learn about its origin. What drew my attention was how an interactive experience is created, instead of making tourists go through standard bill boards and posters at an exhibition or a museum. The 4D screen shows of origins of Cadbury and other stories involves you as a visitor. The shadow games, chocolate mould imaging and Cadbara Car are all introduced considering the huge children following. And not to forget the free cadbury chocolates and some hot melted chocolate that you get to taste here. I would love going back to this world of chocolates !

Portobello Market - London's Colaba Causeway

Yesterday was my first experience to venture on the streets of London, and I discovered Portobello Market. Situated in West London, Portobello market was once a farm and is now a famous market to shop for antique items and vintage goods. Recently it has become popular as the shooting destination of Julia Roberts starer film Notting Hill.

The Portobello Street, which turns into a market, is dotted with small stalls and shops selling a variety of antiques from old parking boards, posters, cameras, old CDs,old momentos and many other things. The common site was see stalls of oxidised imitation jewellery. Beautiful hand crafted rings, earrings, necklaces studded in silver. What struck me was its uncanny resemblance to the Colaba Causeway in Mumbai.

Like Portobello market, Colaba Causeway in South Mumbai, attracts tourists and city shoppers alike with stalls selling imitation jewellery, clothes, accessories and electronic items. Both these streets are vibrant with shopping buzz, hotels, restaurants and pubs. I live you today with a glimpse of Portobello Market - London's Colaba Causeway.