Food Bloggers: The New Influencers

First thing I realised after joining work after almost 2 years was blogging has arrived in India. It was the same client, familiar work profile, but a visibly changed media space.  As a PR professional and out of my liking to try 'new restaurants and food', I started following some food bloggers on Twitter. 

Twitter became the best place to know of a new restaurant and a cafe or latest food trivia. Mainline media was writing about how people have developed their blogs as a source of specialised information, thus generating revenues too. Professional reasons apart, I found myself relating to food differently through these blogs. Born and brought up in Dadar, Aaswad and Godbole stores are not new to me. But Kalyan Karmarkar's blog  of writing about Maharashrian breakfast at Aaswad puts these known things in a different perspective. Nikhil Merchant's pictures give another glimpse of the a culinary journey. On the other hand I met Manisha Talim who lucidly presents the health benefits - be is an Asparagus or a Seafoood Festival. 

No wonder foood blogger have become the new influencers and my door to  culinary wonders - be it new restaurants, new cuisines, trying new recipe, simply planning an evening or even a vacation!

Want to become backpacker again soon!!

Cafe at Hostel

Apart from the beautiful Scottish landscapes my recent holiday introduced me to budget travel and backpacking. The four days of travel were very different from the family holidays and tours we are used to in India. Must say I am looking forward to become a backpacker again!

Unlike in India, booking a tour did not mean I was offered a ‘posh’ hotel and three meals of the day with services to carry my luggage and local transport. It was fun to learn to travel light, which is so impossible for us Indians. I was amazed to see how western travellers manage to travel for weeks and months with a small suitcase or a travel sack. Here I was with a similar bag travelling for four days.

Travel wagon shaped bar

It was a pleasant surprise to enjoy the ambience that backpacking provides with the company of fellow travellers from different countries. So we had Team Australia, Team China, Team Turkey, Team Korea, etc on our bus. Having read about budget hotels as a professional, I had some idea what backpacking hostels would offer. The most happening part of the hostel was the pub or the cafe where travellers would relax after an early dinner. The self catering kitchen was ready with cutlery, utensils and chopping boards for those who fancy cooking. The lounge was a perfect setting to play cards or for net surfing.

The hostel I stayed in Edinburgh offered complimentary walking tours, pub crawl and pool competitions. It was this walking tour that I realised such hostels also employ backpackers who earn while travelling. Our walking tour guide was a Canadian student on a break, travelling around Europe with Edinburgh as his base.  He is in the city for 10 months, has travelled around Europe, UK and works at the hostel.  “What a wonderful life. I would love to become backpacker like him”, I thought.

Enduring faith in Indian values and parenting

The following article Raised to rampage, made me write this blog and further endorsed my faith in the Indian values and parenting. Pointing towards timid adults and fearless children, the article blames the parents for the UK having ‘most indisciplined and frighteningly moronic youngsters in Europe’.

It is the same fear that instilled disciplined and taught us values. As kids everyone of us was scared of mother, father, or some elder. It was a daunting task to hide those low grades, complaints or mischief from parents or elders for the fear of been punished or scolded. In return were encouraged to obey and respect elders, not to misbehave and still enjoy the joy of childhood. Once my friend mentioned about her professor stamping on the stack of lecture notes while teaching when an Indian student interrupted and asked him not to do that as Indians consider books as god. Another friend working in a fast food chain regularly narrates incidences of how children throw away money while paying for their favourite fries and Diet Coke.

Early days in London we use to adore chubby kids moving around in buggies on the streets and buses. My friend said ‘don’t adore them so much, the same kid will become a spoilt brat when he grows up’. His comment in a sense summed up the youngsters in general we observe here. As many now opine, the youngsters here can use their freedom and independence constructively to show dissent for the right cause instead of looting shops for frivolous reasons. One needs to reflect why opinion leaders have to emphasise parents to ask tough questions to their children.

We in India have always been given examples of how youth in the western countries start living independently and work from young age. But I believe what we forget is –With freedom comes responsibility. My stay in London tells me, sure youth here are independent and free but lack responsibilities: Responsibility towards their parents, elders, friends and society at large. I admit this freedom allows you to become independent and manage yourself better. I would not have learned many things had I not lived away from home. But the biggest test is to enjoy this freedom with a sense of responsibility and gratitude towards others.

It makes me wonder what must be the relationship between parents/ mother and children when mother of a 14 yr old kid scolds her friend for disturbing her sleep when her son was seen in the riot prone area past mid-night. This is when the memory of my mother waiting late night till I return from work becomes special.

Rooting for The Lord @ Lord’s

I was looking for one chance to cheer for team India and Sachin Tendulkar as a compensation for having missed the World Cup celebrations in Mumbai. Since past few days my friend was subjected to some illogical, hypothetical and unimaginable situations created by me to just get a glimpse of The Lord who was in London for the last one month. But the thought of seeing him play at The Home of Cricket never occurred to my mind until my brother urged me to watch a test match instead of a one day international in London.

The 100^th test match between India and England was high on emotions and expectations. The biggest of them was Sachin Tendulkar’s 100^th international century on the ground that he has failed to concur during the majestic 21 years of cricket. Standing in the gallery capturing The Lord’s Cricket Ground, I saw Suresh Raina on his way for the net practice. Rahul Dravid followed soon and it was the turn of The Master Blaster. Showing the glimpse of an ace cricketer, Sachin stopped for few minutes at the pitch to get a hang of the wicket from the ground staff. This allowed me to quickly move towards the practice area where all other fans were expecting him. The sound of ‘Sachin Sachin’ became louder as he approached the MCC Cricket Academy Ground for the net practice.

Soon it was time to take the seats. VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid were taking guard as need to draw the match was on every Indian supporter’s mind. Just as Rahul Dravid was out a group of Indian supporters near me were seen cheering and clapping. It was evident that they were hoping for more wickets to fall to watch their favourite batsman play at The Mecca of Cricket. The stadium was alive and crowds applauded the master’s entry as Gautam Gambhir’s wicket paved way for Sachin’s chance to score at Lord’s. Sitting under the hot sun me and my friend were wondering what must be going to through the mind of Sachin Tendulkar. Be constantly under pressure to excel in every match with expectation of more than 1 billion Indian fans. Concentrate on the task and not be bothered with the surrounding noise and mind games on the field. Recovering from the viral fever. Anticipation of that 100^th ton during the 100^th test between India & England, on the ground he was playing after 20 years with not even a half century under his belt. It would have been a dream, just like winning the World Cup at Wankhede stadium was. These thoughts reminded me of watching cricket matches at Wankhede with chants of Ganapti Bappa Morya booming in the stadium.

It was post lunch, Raina was hitting the ball well and it was a slow start for Sachin. He was seen keen on giving the strike to Raina and was stuck with 11 runs for long time. It was when I heard the familiar Ganapati Bappa Morya chants from the North Stand, full of Indian supporters. Sachin’s 12^th run was cheered by every Indian fan inside the stadium. The dropped catch off Anderson’s delivery caught my breath as Sachin survived. But was trapped leg before on the every next ball. As the fall of another wicket sunk in, I realised Lord’s was giving standing ovation to one of the greatest cricketer to dwarf all the possible records in the history. I followed suite, cheering for the man I first saw at the Wankhede stadium, playing a Ranaji Trophy game for Mumbai and took his autograph. Two decades later I was as much eager to get a glimpse of Tendlya as he continues to inspire us.

An outsider’s view of two parliaments – India and Britain

Last two days bought a renewed excitement for me. After a long time I was kicked about following current affairs than worrying about business stories and market trends. Watching Rupert and James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks defending the News Of The World’s phone hacking scandal in front of a committee of MPs was first instance of my exposure to parliamentary committee proceedings. Live streaming of David Cameron’s defence in the parliament today was another such learning experience.

But as I watched these two developments, I pondered if joint parliamentary proceedings on a critical issue like this will ever be telecasted live in India? As of now Impossible seems the answer. Secondly I was amazed to see the discipline, assertiveness and an effort to discuss the current issue by the British MPs. Instead, I imagine in India the blame games and accusation within and against the government would have generated more discussions than the actual issue.

Indian politics and current affairs always fascinated me, which in a sense encouraged me to graduate in political science. Some of my early memories are of following election results and discussions on NDTV moderated by Prannoy Roy and Rajdeep Sardesai and eagerly watching the live telecast of union budget. I remember prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s style of speaking in chest Hindi supported by some nice poems. Arun Shourie, Pramod Mahajan, Yashwant Sinha and P A Sangma’s name comes to mind when I remember parliament debates. Though I keep abreast of the current developments, following it closely has its own charm. This was mostly in late 1990s when National Democratic Alliance was in power; hence recollection is restricted to that time.

As a common citizen with no access to political circle, what I notice is Indian politician’s inability to allow fair discussions. These days media reports of how tax payer’s money is wasted in adjournment motions are as routine as, reports of potholes on Mumbai roads every monsoon. Issues are the same, reports are the same, but no concrete action.Looks like walkouts, adjournments; MPs shouting and coming to the speaker’s well is the order of the day. No wonder eminent parliamentarian like Somnath Chatterjee was frustrated to be the Lok Sabha speaker.

In contrast, the British parliament today, gave me a glimpse how a sensitive and critical issue can be discussed in a professional and civilian manner. The parliament members were obeying speaker’s instructions, allowing fellow members to ask questions and the prime minister to reply. It showed the actual power of the speaker and how debate can be conducted in a dignified and measured tone. It also gives the impression, amongst all other reforms, its high time our representatives reflect on the ways to enhance the level of parliamentary proceedings and discussions with due respect to the institution.

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.