President Obama says that the issue of the burning of the Quran will endanger the lives of the american soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Is that the only reason why he's against it? Does it mean that if the soldiers were not in these countries, it would be ok to do this?
What happened to the great American Democracy and peace?
Actually, that's not the thing that is troublesome. What is not right in the entire issue is that it is getting a very half-hearted response.. There is general outrage but not vehement enough. Either the issue is big enough and hurts the Americn principles enough for people to protest or it can be treated as a non-issue and the ranting of a crazy pastor.
The general resentment towards Islam is quite evident in the lukewarm condemnation. The white-house has condemned it but not forbidden it. It may go against the principles of Democracy.. the pastor has the right to do as he pleases, but such obvious hatred cannot be allowed.
There is no approach of standing by the muslim brethren or showing solidarity or marches condemning the proposal. Requests to the pastor to not burn the Quran seem like meek and feeble attempts at diplomacy... a little like Advani standing on the by-lines and telling the people not to tear down the Babri masjid..
I think we need to show more love and caring for our fellow beings whatever religion they may come from.. and really it's not about democracy, right to religion or 'tolerance' that is required.. What is required is love and solidarity..
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
ET Trust Survey - not so trustworthy..
The Nielson Survey for ET Brand Equity on Most Trusted Brands can't be trusted too much..
On the face of it, it appears that ET and Nielson decided which brands should feature in the list so it doesn't provide the option of picking your own brand. It's more like pick one from my favourites..
The methodology for the survey can be found at http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Methodology-of-most-trusted-brands-2009-survey/articleshow/4722635.cms
The study is on only seven parameters and frankly, they all appeared to have a similar meaning.. One question was, 'is it known, recognised and accepted by a wide array of consumers'.. how does that impact my trust of the brand? I don't trust Big Bazaar and even if the world does, I don't care. That does not define my trust of the brand. Another parameter is whether the brand has been around for many years and is etched in public memory. Based on this parameter, how names like Tata Docomo and Aircel made it to the top 50 is beyond me. They've only just arrived. This itself shows a flaw in the entire process of shortlisting brands as well as conducting of te survey.
The only achievement in the survey is that they have carried it out using a sample numbering over 8000.. but any market research company will tell you that such numbers hold no meaning unless the methodology is stringent. It all depends on the person carrying out the survey.. very subjective..
The funniest thing is that they have SELECTED top 88 service brands and then listed the top 50. Is that ridiculous or what?
The methodology for the survey states 'After considerable brainstorming by Brand Equity along with Nielsen the list of 300 brands (212 consumer products and 88 service brands) is finalised'. So really, they have already decided 300 brands to choose from and people pick from a list. Not impartial and definitely not trustworthy.. Picking 50 top Service brands from a list of 88 or 100 top consumer brands from a list of 212 is hardly noteworthy.
Check the multiple lists at http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/quickiearticleshow/6473544.cms It includes 100 most trusted brands, Top 50 Service Brands, Top 50 Digital Brands, Top trusted brands across age groups, Top Digital Brands - category-wise, India's most trusted brands in 2009 all from a list of 300 pre-selected brands.
The list includes education institutes like Kendriya Vidyalay and Delhi Public School but no mention of IIT or IIM. There is no mention of brands from either the hospitality sector or healthcare.
And the biggest joke is Air India coming out tops in the Airlines.. ahead of Kingfisher? Even people in tier 2 and tier 3 towns know the horror stories of Air India.
I wonder if Brand Equity is now going the Page 3 way..
On the face of it, it appears that ET and Nielson decided which brands should feature in the list so it doesn't provide the option of picking your own brand. It's more like pick one from my favourites..
The methodology for the survey can be found at http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Methodology-of-most-trusted-brands-2009-survey/articleshow/4722635.cms
The study is on only seven parameters and frankly, they all appeared to have a similar meaning.. One question was, 'is it known, recognised and accepted by a wide array of consumers'.. how does that impact my trust of the brand? I don't trust Big Bazaar and even if the world does, I don't care. That does not define my trust of the brand. Another parameter is whether the brand has been around for many years and is etched in public memory. Based on this parameter, how names like Tata Docomo and Aircel made it to the top 50 is beyond me. They've only just arrived. This itself shows a flaw in the entire process of shortlisting brands as well as conducting of te survey.
The only achievement in the survey is that they have carried it out using a sample numbering over 8000.. but any market research company will tell you that such numbers hold no meaning unless the methodology is stringent. It all depends on the person carrying out the survey.. very subjective..
The funniest thing is that they have SELECTED top 88 service brands and then listed the top 50. Is that ridiculous or what?
The methodology for the survey states 'After considerable brainstorming by Brand Equity along with Nielsen the list of 300 brands (212 consumer products and 88 service brands) is finalised'. So really, they have already decided 300 brands to choose from and people pick from a list. Not impartial and definitely not trustworthy.. Picking 50 top Service brands from a list of 88 or 100 top consumer brands from a list of 212 is hardly noteworthy.
Check the multiple lists at http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/quickiearticleshow/6473544.cms It includes 100 most trusted brands, Top 50 Service Brands, Top 50 Digital Brands, Top trusted brands across age groups, Top Digital Brands - category-wise, India's most trusted brands in 2009 all from a list of 300 pre-selected brands.
The list includes education institutes like Kendriya Vidyalay and Delhi Public School but no mention of IIT or IIM. There is no mention of brands from either the hospitality sector or healthcare.
And the biggest joke is Air India coming out tops in the Airlines.. ahead of Kingfisher? Even people in tier 2 and tier 3 towns know the horror stories of Air India.
I wonder if Brand Equity is now going the Page 3 way..
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
CWG
Commonwealth Games actually ought to be read as 'Can We Grow up?'
Narendra Modi's comments about the PM wiping the floor are not only uncalled for but reek of the crude, unsophisticated attitude that he obviouly has.. and this not the first time he's done it..
I wish he'd realise that targetting the PM is going to get him nowhere especially if he uses foul language..
The opposition ought to have brought up this issue long ago when everyone already knew that the deadlines weren't being met. We've had at least four years to monitor the progress.. that is the reason we have an opposition.. so that they can point out the errors of the government in time and make sure corrections are made and losses are minimised or mistakes avoided..
If the opposition itself is going to wake up a month before the games, after the media has already hyped the issue, then why do we need them? We may as well put the news channels in the opposition..
All politicians are interested in is making money. They cry foul when they realise they've been shortchanged in the winnings that could've been made from such projects.. and that's what this is all about. I wish these people realised that the people of the country are not all fools who can't see through them.
Everyone knows that right now the BJP is trying to gain political mileage out of this issue. They don't really care whether the games happen or fail.. This selfishness is going to get them and the nation nowhere.. Not that the government has done well but at least they maintain some dignity.. unlike the 'not so vibrant' gujarati from the BJP..
Narendra Modi's comments about the PM wiping the floor are not only uncalled for but reek of the crude, unsophisticated attitude that he obviouly has.. and this not the first time he's done it..
I wish he'd realise that targetting the PM is going to get him nowhere especially if he uses foul language..
The opposition ought to have brought up this issue long ago when everyone already knew that the deadlines weren't being met. We've had at least four years to monitor the progress.. that is the reason we have an opposition.. so that they can point out the errors of the government in time and make sure corrections are made and losses are minimised or mistakes avoided..
If the opposition itself is going to wake up a month before the games, after the media has already hyped the issue, then why do we need them? We may as well put the news channels in the opposition..
All politicians are interested in is making money. They cry foul when they realise they've been shortchanged in the winnings that could've been made from such projects.. and that's what this is all about. I wish these people realised that the people of the country are not all fools who can't see through them.
Everyone knows that right now the BJP is trying to gain political mileage out of this issue. They don't really care whether the games happen or fail.. This selfishness is going to get them and the nation nowhere.. Not that the government has done well but at least they maintain some dignity.. unlike the 'not so vibrant' gujarati from the BJP..
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