Consumer Notes
Order, order
Ever since the consumer forums and commissions were established under the Consumer Protection Act (1986), there has been a steady flow of complaints against them -- unnecessary delays, rude behaviour of staff, long-drawn proceedings etc.
Health
Inner beauty, the true winner
This time the Ms. World contest had a different flavour. On glamour's catwalk, the curtains swung aside for the holistic Eastern message to shine through: that a life lived by the laws of nature reflects an authentic, spontaneous sweetness. And, perhaps,
as the youthful Yukta Mookhey shimmered with the Ms. World crown, Moses applauded. It is not easy to compete with conventional beauties breathing slinky sophistication and chutzpah, and hope that your own trusty staff of shlokas and tapas part the waves
to the promised land. But the old Indian rope-trick worked its mystical elegance because, as someone said, ``Mickey happened to Mookhey.''
Management
Saying it like it is
Be creative, think outside the box... and, importantly, express your idea.
Miscellaneous
Watch out for good sense
According to Kiran Karnik, Managing Director, Discovery Communications India, the problem with Prasar Bharati is that it is confused about its role. Is it meant to be strictly a public service broadcaster, is it there to propagate views of Government, or
is it in the business of making money like any other commercial channel?
Business between the covers
What was most conspicuous at the just-ended World Book Fair in New Delhi? That every Indian publishing house worth its name has established an imprint for business and management books. And if there is a paucity of original works from Indian authors, no
sweat -- you can always reprint a fast-moving foreign title or an evergreen self-improvement series. The market, in all probability, will lap it up.
Wild Valentines
Hearts, hearts and more hearts -- that's what Valentine's Day today and every year seems to be all about. And whatever you may launch in February -- a jewellery collection, photo frames, cushion covers, chocolates, pizzas... even TV programmes, they all
have to be heart-shaped or deal with love and romance.
Weaving a success story
Many have heard of his exquisite rugs -- each, a superb piece of craftsmanship wrought in the valley of Kashmir. Using his design skills, Tariq Kathwari has revolutionised the crewel embroidery craft of Kashmir to the extent that it now offers strong com
petition to the traditional woven carpets of Kashmir, in India and abroad.
Travel & Places
Hungary for more
Stepping into a McDonald's located within a stone's throw of the majestic Danube, I was struck by the relevance of the old adage about `travel broadening the mind' even in today's jet-set world. The young girls who thronged McDonald's were all wearing we
ll-fitting denims and designer sports shoes. And this was in the centre of the quaint but throbbing city of Budapest. Talk about surprises...
Ask for the sun, moon and stars
From beaches laced with turquoise blue waters to lush green hills, wildlife sanctuaries, heritage, culture, religion, history and adventure sports... Orissa has everything that the rest of India can collectively offer. Most tourists, however, confine the
mselves to the Bhubaneswar-Konarak-Puri circuit, popularly known as the `Golden Triangle'. The rest of Orissa is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered.
The lair of looter-kings
People travelling on the Delhi-Agra highway enroute to the Taj Mahal would easily miss Ballabgarh. But if you ignore the insignificant turning immediately after Faridabad, the loss would be entirely yours.
