Tourism in India - 5 Star Accommodations or Exotic Vacation

India’s travel and tourism industry is one of them most lucrative businesses in the country, and also accredited with contributing a considerable volume of foreign exchange to the country reserves. The World Travel and Tourism Council predicted that the India has the potential to become the number one tourist destination in the world with the demand growing at 10.1 percent per annum. The World Travel Organization also predicts that India will receive 25 million tourists by 2015. 

A number of reasons are cited as being the cause of the progress and success of India’s travel and tourism sector. Economic growth has added millions annually to the ranks of India’s middle class, a group that is driving domestic tourism growth. Thanks in part to its booming IT and outsourcing industry a growing number of business trips are made by foreigners to India, who will often add a weekend break or longer holiday to their trip. Foreign tourists spend more in India than almost any other country worldwide.

Hotels in India are broadly classified into 7 categories by the Ministry of Tourism based on the general features and facilities offered and the ratings are reviewed every five years.

Hotel category	No. of Hotels	No. of Rooms
5 star deluxe/5 star	165	43, 965
4 Star	134	20, 770
3 Star	505	30,100
2 Star	495	22,950
1 Star	260	10,900
Heritage	70	4,200
Uncategorized	7,078	-
Total	8,707	1,32,885

The above table clearly shows the void of 5 star accommodations in India. The state of New York alone has over 800 5 star hotels. This means that even though India has major attractions such as the world's highest mountains, miles of coastline with excellent beaches, tropical forests and wildlife, desert safari, lagoon backwaters, ancient monuments, forts and palaces, adventure tourism and, of course, the Taj Mahal, India currently cannot accommodate enough tourists in luxury. 

However, the country is witnessing an unprecedented growth in hotel constructions and will be adding almost 114,000 hotel guest rooms to its inventory over the next five years. The earlier setbacks in global tourism have strengthened the Department of Tourism's resolve to promote India's tourism through aggressive marketing strategies through its campaign 'Incredible India'.  The 'marketing mantra' for the Department of Tourism is to position India as a global brand to take advantage of the burgeoning global travel and trade and the vast untapped potential of India as a destination.

There are several challenges in the sector and the biggest of them all is to improve the image of India as a brand. India is prone to socio-economic and political conditions that can turn ugly. Terrorist strikes, riots, epidemics, political instability and fiascos, slowdown in economic reforms etc. hamper the brand image. One way to overcome this is by allowing international players to set foot and build Aman Resorts, Shangri- Las, Four Seasons and Hiltons, the names of which are sure enough to draw tourists in the belief that the stay will not be compromised irrespective of the conditions outside. And when it comes to exotic destinations, India is becoming an increasingly popular choice for travelers.

M.A.C Cosmetics in India

M.A.C - One of the most influential and popular forces in contemporary cosmetics

Of all the cosmetic brands available in the malls and high street stores, The Body Shop and M.A.C are two of my favorites. No matter how you look at the company and the brand, there is no denying the one simple truth – every woman deserves a M.A.C cosmetic in her purse.

With shades and colors that we never knew existed before, the Indian cosmetics industry and consumers are prepping to be shaken from the ground up while welcoming such much needed competition and diversity. Their extensive, almost exhaustive, line of eye shadows, lipsticks, body care, nail care products and mascaras are just a part of what lends authority to this brand’s iconic image in the eyes of the fairer sex worldwide, and now in India.

The product line that the brand markets, promotes and sells includes even cosmetic brushes, fragrances and perfumes, and even top-of-the-line skin care products. It is hailed by beauty professionals worldwide and in India for their pigmented shadows, which with one swipe gives you more color than you thought your skin could take.

From bold colors like “Humid, which is a shimmery, yet intense shade of green, to the ever-popular “Beauty Marked”, which has a beautiful black-red velvet hue – once you enter the world of shades that it has to offer, there is no looking back. The colors pop and are an instant attention-grabber no matter the place, time or company.

The organization was purchased by Estee Lauder in the mid 90s to much success and continued patronage. Originally founded by the legendary Frank Angelo, this beauty stalwart has always been a popular choice for makeup, cosmetic goods, and the quest to look beautiful.

Ra.Won - Paisa Vasool

Ra.One -  Random Access Version 1.0

Cast:    Shahrukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Sahana Goswami, Armaan Varma, Satish Shah, Dalip Tahil, Tom Wu, Priyanka (Damsel in distress) Chopra, Sanjay (Khalnayak) Dutt and Superstar Rajinikanth (Chitti)

Genre: Sci-Fi

Music: Vishal-Shekhar

Writer: Anubhav Sinha

Editor: Sanjay Mishra & Martin Walsh

Director: Anubhav Sinha

Ra.One, the most ambitious project by SRK, released with over 3,500 prints across the globe, is no doubt a path breaking film in Indian cinema both in terms of scale and money invested. The dedication and hardwork of the entire team is commendable and was made obvious with the help of some smart Integrated Branding by SRK and his Ra.One team. But what makes a film worth talking about is when there are enough elements to talk about. Ra.One provides us with just that. Technology-checked, chartbuster music-checked, action-checked, menacing villain-checked, charming hero-checked, hot heroine-checked, emotion-checked, comedy-checked and in that sequence. So, even if Ra.One does not appeal to everyone, it sure is a film to watch for all these elements. Like my other pieces, I will try to keep this to the point talking only about the quality of the film covering characters, technicalities, marketing and why I am going to watch it for a second time (huhu).

There is so much more to the movie than just the story. This film has sequences and unfolding of events just as a pattern in a kaleidoscope that you enjoy every scene and you know that the next scene will give you a different element. The evolution of the characters is well sketched. A stark contrast from what has been said and what we saw in the G.One in Ra.Ville comic, G.One is not the next generation Super Hero. G.One is so far, a Super Hero with a H.A.R.T. who only protects the wife and son of late Shekhar Subramanyam. This is reinstated when SRK aka Shekhar Subramanyam says “Banta nahi super hero muscle ya power se. banta hai super hero dil se”. Kareena aka Sonia Shekhar Subramanyam aka Chammak challo is scrumptiously stunning, delectably dazzling and has taken a giant leap from her zoobi doobi days in terms of her oomph factor. Armaan is adorable, has got the attitude and the charm, an unmistakable star, no doubt. But my favorite character remains that of Arjun Rampal as Ra.One. Ra.One is devilish and deadly in appearance, mean and merciless in feat. SRK kept the look of Ra.One unrevealed for a long time which has worked in the favor of the character because one tends to liken Ra.One all the more for his rawness and matchless splendor.

The movie has a lot of drawbacks which become apparent as we sit through the first half. There are scenes that have been hurriedly shot and there are moments where the film lacked originality bettering only by spoofs on previous SRK films. Anubhav Sinha, like many of us thought SRK would pull it off. Alas, even SRK cannot charm us twice with his caricatured styles from an Om Shanti Om, Rab Ne Banadi Jodi or even his most recent My Name is Khan. These could have been avoided to keep the class and genre of the movie intact. Having said that, there are spectacular scenes in the movie, not one or two or three but several breathtaking action sequences which is where the money that has been much talked about has been invested. The flying glass pieces, the car chasing scenes in London, the fight between G.One and a mob of rowdies, the way Ra.One draws power from electricity, the demolitions by Ra.One are all worth the money. The film has brisk editing, is fast paced and even though there are lousy moments, there is no time to think because the next thing you know, there is an item number to rev it up. Also, there is a lot of hobnobbing throughout the movie, between new neighbors, co-workers, security cops and others.

In my book, Ra.One is an out and out blockbuster with some really catchy item numbers and stylized 3D action. It will sweep the weekend box office collections easily and will go on to be a landmark movie in Indian cinema. One must not try to intellectualize a masala film like this one. It will be ‘criminal’ to do so, because the theme does not allow us to do that. Also, it cannot fail for one more reason, there’s Superstar Rajinikanth as Chitti after all. As I’m completing this article, I’m also booking the tickets for one more time, this one for the love of SRK.

If I were the Chairman of Selectors

The Indian Cricket Team if I were the Chairman of Selectors.

Summer Internship at Draftfcb + Ulka

Internship Profile

Division:                      Strategic Planning

Location:                    1103/5, Barton Centre, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Bangalore

Industry Guide:           Aishwarya Anandanathan

Designation:                Account Executive

Assignments Performed

Assignment 1:

·         Xylys Relaunch - Detailed product and price analysis based on mystery shopping with leading watch stores across Bangalore

·         Perform an exit interview with 20 respondents walking out of leading watch stores across Bangalore

·         Tabulate data collected from Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai based on the survey results and reporting the same in an excel spreadsheet

Assignment 2:

·        Summer Project -“Changing World of Children’s Advertising - ATL, Promotions, Surround and Digital with specific focus on Confectionery and Biscuits segments”.

Experience of working with the Draftfcb + Ulka Team

The first thing that I noticed when I began my internship at Draftfcb + Ulka was the commitment that each individual showed towards their work. This, in turn rubbed off on me and I was naturally prepared to work sincerely in all my tasks. Another interesting thing was the way the agency functioned. It did not act as an advertising agency, but rather as a strategy partner with the clients. I gradually learned that during my internship, they were handling 2 clients, ITC and Wipro in Bangalore. In spite of the busy schedule and work load, my mentor always found time to help me with my research providing suggestions from time to time as well as guiding me on how to conduct the customer surveys.

The company has strict policies on non disclosure of client data and would not share such information that may be reproduced in the future for any purpose. However, in an effort to make clear the method of analyzing different ads and promotions, I was allowed to observe the obvious models of the process. The entire duration of 2 months that I spent as an intern with the company, I felt no different from the employees. I was welcome and acknowledged from time to time on my tasks completed.

At the end of the internship, I know now how an advertising agency works in modern day businesses. It develops creative strategies for clients, work on building a brand as their own and see to it that everything falls in place right from the tagline to the poster to the television commercial and final positioning of the brand.

Indian Cricket Individuals

nPower Test Series 2011

Indian Politics and Indian Cricket - everything that is talked about these two is easier said than done. However, like all cricket columnists and their opinions, I think I’m entitled to mine. This is the series that everybody believed will test the Numero Uno status of the Indian Cricket team. The first 2 matches have displayed the lack of preparation, the inability to cope with foreign conditions and the injury blows either due to lack of match practice or just plainly unfit athletes. Even as a viewer sitting in my room and watching on the television I notice a sense of complacency seeping into the approach of the Indian players and the way they carry themselves on the pitch. There is a certain air of self-importance and arrogance in the way they carry themselves.

Question in my mind, “Do these people think it’s just another game and they will still qualify for the finals anyway?” I don’t know exactly but I’m made to think so. At this age (I’m 24) I know that success does affect the behavioral attitude and that may be the reason why a certain Raina or a Yuvraj or a Bhajji and even Skipper Dhoni got self-satisfied. The hectic T20 schedule may have caused the fatigue in the Indian dressing room. In my humble opinion and as an ardent Test cricket lover, I feel IPL does no good to the game, except maybe good money (but for a lot of people). Zaheer's injury, Sehwag's absence, Bhajji's attitude and even the inept technique of Raina & Yuvraj may all be the consequence of a long schedule of the elaborate T20 format and the intensity that these games draw from the players (all Test players except VVS Laxman play in the IPL).

Individually, the Indian cricketers are talented, aggressive and a couple of them are legends, no two words on that. Just glancing at the lineup before a match, it must give jitters to any opposition. I also don’t think its lack of skill or competency that is causing India’s debacle in the on-going series. However, it is certainly debatable whether we will be able to retain No. 1 spot without a lethal bowling attack which all top test playing countries have. I don’t have much to complain against any of the players either. I also don’t identify anything against the strategies by MS Dhoni so far. It is perhaps just a tired state of mind (also pride) and drained physical motivation, really. India, with Sehwag and Zaheer back in the team will look like Champions once again, no doubt. They will win again, no doubt. Right now, it is however, clear that Indian Cricket Team is individually driven and not a synergistic, cohesive unit that fight together. Atleast, I get that kind of feeling while listening to the commentary and reading the newspaper articles. All that is being said and written about is a certain Tendulkar, a certain Zaheer, a certain Dravid. I’m hopeful (not quite confident) of a comeback by the team once these individuals are back in the playing 11.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD) - Won’t Get Life Again

Cast:    Hrithik (Greek God) Roshan, Farhan (Inimtable) Akhtar, Abhay (Super Cool) Deol, Katrina (Preppy) Kaif, Kalki (pretty) Koechlin

Genre: Adventure/Drama

Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Writer: Zoya Akhtar & Reema Kagti

Editor: Anand Subaya

Director: Zoya Akhtar

The moment one sees the poster of ZNMD, you can’t help say ‘wow!’ That’s the kind of stellar casting the movie flaunts. If Dil Chahta Hai was the first to break into that mould of male bonding, it was due to Farhan Akhtar’s knack of bringing to us a surreal cinematic experience that has been the highlight of all his movies. Without a doubt, comparisons will be made even during the movie and after. Slick, stylish, exotic, gorgeous, sensitive, witty, all of which give explanation for the ‘escape’ that the movie is based upon. It’s a virtual tour of the countrysides of Spain. If Delhi Belly tried to infuse the rawness and robustness of guys, ZNMD has got the bulls by its horns in catering to the girls as well knowing that a large chunk of the moolah comes from this gender in multiplexes. Urban, social, well-off boys and girls will relate to ZNMD better than Delhi Belly.

The experience of watching this movie is nothing but exhilarating. Wonderful built-up to the story-telling, good-looking people in every scene, striking locales, sensitiveness unmatched and humor that is sharp and witty (unlike Delhi Belly’s corny take on humor). The movie is romantic in feel and preppy in appeal. It might come off as Arjun (Hrithik) has been given a hero’s role, but you will be glad that the story has actually three leads with three equal elements of importance. The backdrop of the trip being decided upon Kabir’s (Abhay) wedding, the idea sprung out of Imran’s (Farhan) own personal motive and Arjun in the limelight to do justice to the love story that entails throughout. Laila (Katrina) is exuberant and at her preppiest best while Natasha (Kalki) is unlikeable and real (but fits the role).

The technicalities underscore the reason of the jolly experience. The movie sticks to getting the basics right - meaty story, sharp editing, strong casting, eternal dialogues, tuneful songs, real emotions, right camera angles and feel-good cinematography. Everything is stitched so near to perfection it lingers long after you leave the theater (reason why I’m writing this). The single shots of Hrithik, Katrina, Farhan, Kalki, Abhay are unbelievable. You can’t help wonder if one could look so real and gorgeous in a moving scene?? The comic timing of all three leads is again flashed to near perfection. It’s the mature and intelligent humor unlike the explicit bursts and slapstick hilarity. Do not make a mistake you will be in splits but you will feel good no doubt.

This is a steady and evolving movie and the music is an integral part of the narrative. Javed Akhtar’s epilogue after every important chapter delivered in Farhan’s voice is another fine form of scripting. You will relive the days of reading William Wordsworth, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson and many others through this movie. The car, the bag, the shades, the details - only a woman (or a very sensitive man) could have directed this to that effect. It is an escape movie with lots of fun, love, bonding and respect. The reason why I included the important people in the beginning of this post is to highlight that same fact. Everything that the movie is, goes back to the basics. The names are enough to ensure that this is a blockbuster, one of the best movies of the season !!

Also, don’t forget to watch out for the teaser of Don 2. SRK repeats the slick and ruthless master criminal along with cameos from Kunal, Hrithik, Lara and Priyanka.