Advertising & Marketing
Finding their clay feet
They spin dreams in clay. In earth colours, pastels, blues. In spirited shapes and sizes. And be it a vase, a jar, a lamp or an ear-stud, you can be sure of one thing -- it's one of a kind.
Consumer Notes
Fasten your seat belts...
Recently, newspapers reported about an order issued against Indian Airlines by a district consumer forum. The same day, I had a bad experience with the airline.
Corporate
When you step down...
If you are over 40 and planning to enjoy the fruits of your labour in a decade's time, think again. How safe is your nest egg and how sure are you that it won't crack soon?
Future tense
Ten years ago, if you had asked a 25-year-old employee what his retirment plans (investments) were, he would have stared right back at you. Planning investments for the retired life would have been the last thing on his mind.
Environment
A park... but where's the green?
Public hearings on development projects are rarely all black or white events. They bring to the fore the shades and nuances of the various interests at stake.
Food & Dairy Products
Currying favour
Boasting of sheer diversity, Indian cuisine has been shaped by several influences ranging from geographical differences and climatic conditions to foreign settlers from far and near.
Health
For the week-hearted...
One day, people wake up to find that they've changed into bugs ... So wrote Franz Kafka. His offbeat humour found its takers. Behaviour analysts opine that the Kafkaesque effect hits most humans.
Hotels
For a taste of the Mughal era
If you happen to be heading towards Pehli Manzil (the latest eatery in South Delhi) on a Saturday evening, be prepared for a long haul. The restaurant's location (at a rather crowded bylane in Adhchini) ensures that you park a good distance away
and walk for at least 10 minutes. A blessing in disguise actually, for it works up an appetite which gets fired up the moment you step into the quaint restaurant.
Information Technology
Smile, mysteriously
Hmmm... Your neighbour is going to Europe and was going on and on about her plans for three full days in Paris -- the Eiffel tower, Champs Elysees, the Louvre and the sidewalk bistros... And you suddenly want to know more about the Louvre.
Harappa to Husain
There is a never-ending stream of dotcoms mushrooming on the Net. Some are good, some bad and some indifferent. And there are some who plan to be different and lend a hand to Indian causes.
Miscellaneous
Discovering the quiz magic
The commissioning editor of BBC World, Narendhra Morar, once pointed out to me that India had a very high level of quizzing.
Travel & Places
Of yaks and yonder hills
Bordered by Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal and West Bengal, Sikkim is a perfect destination for both kinds of travellers -- those in search of tranquility and those looking for adventure.
Straddling the cobra river
I had joined a group of about 25 nature lovers belonging to the Madras Naturalists' Society for a special treat in the wild.
