Agreement with the Center

It's been more than a week since I went on an indefinite fast against the menace of child labour brought to my attention by the Surf Bar ad (those who missed the post, just scroll down). All my disciples were worried about me. Someone tried to replace the glass of water with a glass of juice. But I could smell, and couldn't be fooled. I also got a call from someone claiming to be the boy's father and he agreed with my demands. I was pleased. As I was about to eat my first laddu, it struck me that the father's voice closely resembled that of my pet disciple! In anger I threw the laddu at him! God forgive me for this display of Himsa.
Everyone thought that I will not break my fast. But then there was some movement at the 'Center'. I saw the following ad and smiled for the first time after enduring months of boring advertising. Prickly heat remedies, soaps, personal care... Sigh! Only I know the pain banal advertising can cause. Sometimes it is more revolting than the ads I protest against... Anyways, I would like to see this ad more often (not too often, though. Even a good commercial has a shelf life)
Jai Keith Reinhard, Jai Hind.
-Anna

Belabouring Child Labour

This ad will make you think that our young generation is very smart. Not only do they know the spelling of Lemon, Bleach, Blue and Vinegar but they also know their stain removing properties! They know where to get them in one place (why go to different shops? - so they are smart shoppers, too), how much these things cost and how to get the money to buy them (perhaps from unsuspecting parents' wallets). Even the saleswoman at the counter knows all this and suggests that the kid buys Surf Bar so that he can save some money for himself. Questions like "what the hell are you doing here unsupervised?" do not pop in her head (although the scriptwriter/servicing/client has cleverly given the reason in the end - they are busy bringing home his baby sister, silly!)
Usually I protest against an ad, but this time, I have decided to go on an indefinite fast to protest against child labour. Ever thought why does the child know so much? Because, sadly, it must be a part of his daily chores!! Therefore, unless the boy's parents call me and promise not to use this kid as domestic help again, I will not eat.

Jai Stanley Resor, Jai Hind.
- Anna.

Do the right thing for the society. Report a bad ad today.

HME to MTS (updated)

Last few days were good. No long fasts against bad ads. My disciples even started saying behind my back that I had put on some extra kilos! But as fate would have it, my departure from the path of Satyagraha was but short lived. I am quite pained by the new MTS commercial I saw today. It is, as ad agency people would say, 'inspired', by a very innovative music video called 'Her morning elegance' by Israeli singer/songwriter Oren Lavie. Does this mean Israelis are more creative than Indians?
Albert Einstein once said, “The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.” (so what's the real story about Relativity, eh, Berty?). But why, if I may ask, copy from such a well known source? HME was nominated for Grammy in 2010! Or do you think it is alright in India because 90% people do not have access to YouTube???
My indefinite hunger strike against this ad begins today. As Fox Mulder would have said,the truth is out there... Jai Raymond Rubicam, Jai Hind.
- Anna

Run Hritik Run

I am disturbed by the recent Cinthol Deo ad that features Hritik Roshan - in a chase - again... Either he is being chased by something or chasing something. Like he did in Hero Honda Karizma ad - trying to take back his baseball cap from a twister! Why bother? I could have given him my Gandhi cap anytime he wanted. Be Indian, I say! Anyhow, this goes out as a warning to all those brands who have signed on Hritik. One more ad with him in a chase sequence, and I am going on a hunger strike.
Jai Ted Bates. Jai Hind.
- Anna.

I don't wish to probe into this further!

There are some things about personal hygiene that should not be shown on prime time television. Remember, it's also dinner time in many Indian homes. And I am sure that the entire nation will join me this time in my fast to protest against this ad. Although I never saw this ad on TV, my good friend showed this to me on YouTube. And it was lunch time. So as you can imagine, I have started my Satyagraha since afternoon. I am told that there are other ads in this series that focus on other unmentionable unhygienic situations... He Ram! My heart goes out to all those who will view all of them...

Jai David Abbott. Jai Hind.
-Anna.

Report a bad ad today. Do the right thing for society.

Stand-up? Yes. Comedy? No.

In my younger days I used to like Rishi Kapoor, especially the way he said, "Main tumhare bina jee nahin sakta" in an emotionally choked voice. His son has got that voice of his. But sadly he constantly speaks in that tone! Now that's my personal opinion. You may disagree with me. But what you can't disagree upon is the fact that he is no comedian. He can't do Stand-up. Standing up against a Sienfeld kind of backdrop does not help much. And who is he calling silly at the end of the ad?
What pains me about this ad is that our young generation in the audience is laughing their guts out at his unfunny lines. Oh that's canned laughter, is it? Thank god! For a moment I was really concerned about the future of our country!
I am going to go on a fast for 2 days in protest against this ad. What happened to funny ads which are really funny? The laughter should come from the viewers, not out of cans.

Jai Pat Fallon. Jai Hind.
-Anna

Report a Bad ad today. Do the right thing for Society.

This should have never been an option!

There is a saying in Himalaya: Those who read Himalayan monster stories should never venture out with the book. It may make you feel, among other things, that you are in Himalaya while actually you are in Ladakh. Also, those who travel to Pune from Mumbai may encounter tunnels that look like nostrils. But do they wait for bikers to guide them? No way! Because, on the expressway, bikes are not an option! You will be caught by the police!
Anyways, I digress. Must be the heat and gastric acids building up. I am definitely on a fast to protest against this ad. Why? Because it insults the common traveler's intelligence. So what if the bikers are shown to be more intelligent and fearless than those who own an SUV? Bikers ARE intelligent. Those SUVs are just overrated gas guzzlers.
And the girl in the car is more fearless than the guys? You mean the same one who reads that stupid monster book and points to the tunnel that looks like a monster’s open mouth? (Good job on the post)
And I hear they had teasers before this monstrosity was released! Doesn't this ad tease enough?
But the main reason I am against this ad is that the guy on the bike says "Reverse is never an option".
I think it is a criminal waste of money to make such a huge ad just to tell you that there is no reverse gear on the bike!!!!
There are homeless people in this country... Maybe you should donate the entire advertising budget for their welfare. Or maybe donate a few bikes without the reverse gear.
I am going to maintain my fast for another day. By then they will release a shorter edit of this ad, and to me, it will be a small victory for the truth.
Jai Otto Kleppner. Jai Hind.
Anna.

PS: Report a bad ad today. Do the right thing for society.