Unveiling The Inaugural #MediaTekDiaries...

MediaTek is the world’s fourth-largest global fabless semiconductor company that powers more than 1.5 billion devices a year. In an initiative to make technology more accessible and understandable for everyone, MediaTek held its inaugural chapter in the MediaTek Technology Diaries series starting with the capital city Delhi, a couple of days back. With a view to demystifying the newest technologies that are transforming our daily lives, 'MediaTek Technology Diaries' is a series that is interactive, informative and fun all at the same time.

At the inaugural chapter held at New Delhi, Delhi's most loved and popular entertainer RJ Naved put into view, the common man’s perspective on future technologies and India's Tech Guru Rajiv Makhni simplified the technical jargon with a dash of humor.

This is in tune with MediaTek’s philosophy of making great technology available to everyone so we can all connect more easily to the things that shape our everyday lives, enhance and enrich it, make us smarter and healthier.

Committed to delivering the latest technologies across a range of products and solutions, MediaTek caters to a multitude of sectors, from the mobile industry and automobile sector to health, entertainment, and next-generation wearables.

MediaTek’s innovations provide consumers and businesses with the freedom to improvise. At MediaTek, current and upcoming products and projects use technologies like AI, 5G, and NB-IoT to empower people to change the world.

MediaTek is also empowering industries with innovative Bluetooth and cellular connectivity solutions to meet the needs of government, utility, retail, agriculture, transportation, asset tracking and many others.

Mr. Kuldeep Malik, Director - Corporate Sales, MediaTek India had this to say at the inaugural session of #MediaTekDiaries.

“Consumers may not know it, but our chips and technology are an integral part of daily lives. You will find us in twenty percent of homes globally and nearly one in every three mobile phones is powered by MediaTek. MediaTek chips power next-generation smartphones, tablets, TVs and voice assistants and all kinds of intelligent devices to transform how people interact with each other and the world around them. A new category of devices is driving features and consumer expectations forward with advancements in power, performance, AI, and connectivity. With the Technology Diaries, we want to help the less savvy consumers understand and be comfortable using these technologies to their advantage.”

At the MediaTek Technology Diaries, MediaTek also discussed the following technologies:

• Narrow-Band IoT (NB-IoT) which is a 3GPP standardized cellular based low power wide area technology and is potentially part of the '5G' era of connectivity. The MediaTek NB-IoT platform has the highest temperament for low connection quality, allowing NB-IoT devices to be installed in locations that cannot be served by competing IoT connectivity standards enabling device installation in remote or difficult to access locations. MediaTek’s chipsets have formed the foundation for the Internet of Things (IoT). In 2015, MediaTek enabled more than one billion consumer electronic products, including digital TVs, home audio devices, DVD/Blu-ray players, smartphones, tablets, networking and connectivity products, and more. 

• MediaTek NeuroPilot with its heterogeneous computing capabilities such as CPUs, GPUs and APUs (AI processing units) we embed into our system-on-chip products, we are providing high performance and power efficiency for AI features and applications. MediaTek is leading the Edge-AI Technology revolution by creating an ecosystem of Edge-AI hardware processing with comprehensive software tools across its product range from smartphones to smart homes, wearables, IoT and connected cars. 

• MediaTek also possesses a best-in-class display enhancement technology called MiraVision. MediaTek MiraVision is designed to improve visual quality for smartphones by intelligently altering picture attributes such as hue saturation, brightness, resolution, and frame-rate. For each new product category MediaTek has optimized MiraVision, making it highly power-efficient, more responsive, and more context aware. MediaTek’s high-fidelity scaling and content classifier technologies guarantee unmatched signal preservation and increased visual details. 

Another vertical in which MediaTek has been empowering lives is the automotive sector. MediaTek is powering the future of Self-Driving technology through a turnkey solution of hardware and software. Autus, the suite of automotive and automated driving solutions, uses artificial intelligence, mmWave, machine learning, and advanced visual processing solutions and technologies to deliver the latest in navigation and infotainment innovation. Automated driving is the next frontier for MediaTek and this chip changes everything under the hood.

With #EverydayGenius as their motto, MediaTek believes the emerging market to be their key driver and 'MediaTek Technology Diaries' is yet another step in the right direction as far as technological literacy is concerned. :)

#PowerfulBacking With American Express...

A recent global study commissioned by American Express showed that more than half of people today are living Hybrid Lives, with personal and work life deeply intertwined. The study, conducted in eight markets including India, others being Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States also revealed that two in three people feel they can achieve more because of this work-life integration.

The way people work and live has transformed - there is greater interconnectedness in both personal and work life, as well as real and virtual interactions. This blended, hybrid lifestyle is the new norm across the world, and India is no exception.

'Hybrid Life' as identified in American Express’ 'Live Life' survey is characterized by increasing interconnectedness between work and personal life, as well as real and virtual interactions. It results in deeper work-life integration enabled by technology, described by AmEx as #AmExLife.

American Express, backed by the insights of the study, has thus launched its new 360° brand marketing campaign in India, aptly called “Powerful Backing of American Express: Don’t Live Life / Don’t Do Business Without It” - to reflect new-age highly-integrated lifestyles and the fact that American Express supports its customers, enabling them to thrive in life and in business.

Speaking about the launch, Manoj Adlakha, CEO – American Express Banking Corp., India, said,

“This is the first time we’re introducing a campaign that speaks to all of the customer segments we serve, with a single, overarching message: American Express has your back, in life and in work. Relationships are core to who we are. Since our inception, we’ve put our customers at the center of everything we do. The campaign reinforces the enduring relationships we have with our customers and how we support them in ways big and small.”

Elaborating on the insights that powered the global brand strategy, Manoj added, “The new brand platform is a response to the fact that our customers are living diverse and layered lives. Our new campaign focuses on the powerful backing that we provide our customers and partners, enabling them to navigate this blended lifestyle.”

I recently had a chance to attend an event where AmEx's new brand campaign was presented. showcasing the dual passion-points of Indian millennials - technology and travel - that power the prominently emerging hybrid lifestyle in the 'Live Life' study.



There was an 'AR-VR' setup (or demo zone) featuring innovative use of virtual-augmented reality to present a  real-life simulation of diverse experiences such as an adrenaline-charged roller-coaster ride, the thrill of sky-diving, watching the Northern Lights and seeing penguins in the glaciers of Antarctica to emphasize on the thrill of #VirtualMeetsReal.

Such brand activations have been set up by AmEx for an experience by the masses in DLF Mall of India, Noida and Cyber Hub, Gurgaon.

Advertising is featured on a cross-section of platforms with a focus on communications channels that are at the intersection of life and work. These include print, mobile and outdoor platforms, as well as digital and social media.

Namaste. We are celebrating our new brand launch in India. Our special guest @yamigautam is the first one to try our #VirtualMeetsReal experiences. Don’t live life without it! #AmexLife

A post shared by American Express (@americanexpress) on Jul 25, 2018 at 3:24am PDT

The advertising and marketing elements include a heavy focus on digital content, online video, high-impact out-of-home advertising and social influencer engagement. The campaign is designed to meet people in the places where life and business intersect, both online and offline. Whether traveling, going to work, heading out to have fun, engaging with digital content or connecting on social media, Indians will be continuously reminded - American Express has got their back.

With the new brand platform, American Express is drawing on its heritage of service, security and trust and modernizing many elements of its brand iconography, including a modern articulation of a famous tagline, refreshing its Blue Box logo and visual identity and introducing a hand-drawn version of its famous card design that features its customers at the center.

The work was created by mcgarrybowen, Pentagram, Ogilvy, Mindshare and Digitas. The advertising was directed by renowned director Lance Accord, and the photography was shot by award-winning photographer Matthieu Young.

Sharing details on how the global campaign was adapted for Indian audiences, Manoj added,

“Our local agency partners at Ogilvy and Mindshare have been instrumental in trans-creating the global campaign to make it relevant for the Indian market. They have successfully integrated nuances that our customers and prospects can relate to. We are confident that this approach will resonate with our audience.”

Ruchi Mathur, Sr. Vice President, North & East India at Mindshare said,

“For today’s audiences with hybrid lives and complex paths to purchase, we leveraged relevant media & data intelligence to decode the mindset, media consumption behaviors, and connected journeys to deliver the communication to each audience segment, in the right context through the right medium. Basis these findings, we developed an integrated brand and demand focused media strategy that will keep the audiences engaged throughout the brand funnel, finally leading them towards becoming American Express members.”

Here's what celebrity ambassador Yami Gautam had to say about #PowerfulBacking...

The new brand platform aims to go from belonging i.e. 'the benefit of being part of an exclusive club' to backing i.e. 'the benefit of being part of a reciprocal relationship', with the cultural insight being the following.

I am sure that American Express' brand philosophy will surely make #PowerfulBacking popular among the masses. 

Sound Engineering The Jabra Elite Way!

On the occasion of World Music Day (June 21), Jabra - part of the GN Group -  leading developer and manufacturer of communications and sound solutions - aptly expanded its Elite franchise, a family of headphones and earbuds engineered for superior sound to provide the best - combined voice and music experience.

Building on the brand philosophy of using sound to transform lives, Jabra aims to create products that rely on innovation and design to enhance productivity and efficiency. Driven by ambition and the inspiration and desire to change, Jabra builds on its understanding of human hearing capabilities to 'Engineer For Purpose'.

The GN Group has an illustrious history of 149 years to its credit, making Jabra one of the most reliable brands in its field of work. Jabra is the only company on the face of the globe to manufacture headphones, headsets, and hearing aids for people of all ages.

While the consumer-grade and professional-grade products feature under the umbrella of GN Audio, it is the Resound wing that caters to medical-grade products. What's more is that both the factions have the same R&D to ensure seamlessness and sync.

The Elite Lineup has been designed for life-on-the-go and has two form factors to provide the best music at the best cost.

• True Wireless
• Neckband & Headset

Dr. Amitesh Punhani was quick to introduce the Elite franchise being engineered to meet the needs of users looking not only for outstanding music quality but also for strong voice capability, whether they’re making calls or increasingly using voice assistants such as Alexa, Siri or Google Now. 

Adding to that Mr. Ankit from the consumer business division remarked that with the Elite family of products, headphone users no longer have to make a choice between great music headphones or a headset designed for voice and calls, now they can have both with whichever Elite product they choose. 

Jabra’s research shows that the daily usage of headphones by frequent users focuses on calls (58% of users each day), music (53%) and voice control (35%). These findings were the motivation to roll-out the new products in India. 

Jabra is showcasing five new products:

• Elite 65e neckband wireless earbuds provide two levels of noise cancellation including Jabra’s leading Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) solution.
• Elite 45e for users who want the best-combined voice and music experience in a headset with a discreet design and a great fit.
• Elite 25e are full mobility on-the-go headphones that allow for seamlessly switching between calls and music throughout the day for optimal effectiveness and productivity – all of this for an accessible price point.
• Elite 65t is a third generation true wireless earbud aimed at those who want the best voice and music experience without wires.
• Elite Active 65t for those who want the features of the Elite 65t, while being able to use the earbuds in a sports or training setting. 

Drawing on the GN Group’s long-standing audio, headset, and hearing aid expertise, each new Elite product contains unique microphone configurations to ensure users will always be heard, whether while speaking to Alexa or an acquaintance or indoors or out on the street. In addition, the companion Jabra Sound+ app allows personalization of music to personal taste and liking. 

In addition to the best-in-class voice and music experience, the new Elite products also come with the security of a two-year warranty against dust and water ingress (two years for the Elite Active 65t also including sweat ingress). 

While users will experience the great voice and music experience that Elite products offer, they will also be able to choose the wearing style that suits them best. The Elite family includes true wireless and soft neckband variants with the suffix letter signifying the styles clearly using ‘e’ for earbud and ‘t’ for true wireless. 

Jabra's Elite 65e for instance, as a case in point, has been designed as neckband wireless earbuds are engineered for best-in-class wireless calls and music and provide two levels of noise cancellation including Jabra’s leading Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) solution, challenging existing solutions in the market. 

On top, the Jabra Elite 65e offers incredible conversation quality with three-microphone technology that creates a noise-blocking zone – making sure your voice is conveyed with crystal-clear clarity.

The first level consists of the development and design of the earbuds and Jabra EarGels™. The optimal engineering of the mechanical fit and the design of the oval earbuds – developed by Jabra to ensure a better fit in the ear canal – in combination with the ear gels for a perfect grip, provide an optimal seal for the passive noise cancellation of ambient sounds.

The second level is the more known technology of Active Noise Cancellation that digitally removes additional noise levels. Having included ANC in professional headsets for years, Jabra now brings leading business grade ANC to consumers – providing superior total noise cancellation to the wider audience.

Building on products designed for the mass premium segment, Jabra's products are also the first ones to be Alexa certified in India, given the fact that they support leading voice assistants of the likes of Siri, Google Now, and Amazon Alexa itself.

The premium colors schemes across the Elite range is also a pointer to the fact that Jabra provides a touch of elegance backed by a style sense in their products.

Jabra Elite Series is available in Amazon, Croma and Jabra authorized retailers.

On the whole, the Jabra Elite series comes across as a promising one for a revolution in the consumer-grade audio industry. :)

Tranquility In A Frame...

 ~~~ 

Circa 2014. Selfies became a cultural phenomenon of sorts with 'selfies' being the uncontested winner for Word of the Year 2013.

It is four years back that the selfie fever caught hold of the Indian audience with the mania for capturing the perfect selfie spreading like a syndrome. However, the advent of the trend had been called for, ever since Apple released the iPhone 4 with a reasonably good front camera for those times in 2010. Sooner than one could know, flaunting narcissism complemented by exhibiting self-proclaimed photography became a trend!  :o

Attaining perfection when it comes to capturing a selfie is a game of balance. There are a number of crucial factors among which balance is essential - be it the focus, the lighting, the number of persons in the frame, or proper framing of a scenic backdrop. 

More often than not, one ends up neglecting one factor or the other. The narcissus shall then not approve of the hefty bargain as it wishes to accumulate the best of all worlds. Quantity thus outweighs the scales in search of the quintessential quality.

Simply said, the entire gallery of numerous phones was filled with captures of 'no-one else but me'. That was not necessarily bad but I needed a reality check right at the start. 

Every frame has a fable to tell, or so I believe and selfies are no exception. Firsts are special too, and this memoir is about such a special 'first selfie'. The first ever selfie that I captured dates back to 2014 when I was an amateur in selfie-photography. I say 'was' because I have gradually learned the ropes and rarely falter. 

Picture this. The winter of December 2014. A pleasantly sunny morning in the capital city, Delhi. A school excursion to two of the most iconic monuments - Qutub Minar and Lotus Temple. 

For the uninitiated, a school picnic is the best opportunity for students as well as staff to capture memories on a formal pretext. This excursion was definitely not the first that I was accompanying students on, but it was the first where I could surely explore the selfie phenomenon. 

So, among the two landmarks, first on the list was Qutub Minar. Owing to the fact that Qutub complex is a huge one, it took us quite a big chunk of time to explore the intricately carved monument and its peers located in the immediate vicinity. 

It was upon reaching the Lotus Temple which is as aesthetic to look at as it is revered, that it dawned on me - we had very little time to bask in the beauty and purity of this epicenter of the Baha'i faith in the heart of the city. 

As much as it had a calming effect on the nerves just by witnessing the architectural wonder in person, there was also a hollow in the heart on having to rush through the visit owing to the fact that the time allotted to parents for the pickup of students back at school was nearing. 

I somehow had my Eureka moment in wanting to absorb the positive vibes radiated by this House of Worship and it then occurred to me that the ever-prevalent selfie trend could come to my rescue, albeit hurriedly. 

If I had to capture my first-ever selfie at that moment, I had to act fast. However, there were a couple of hindrances blocking the way. 

• My colleagues and students were already at the head of the exit line of the premises, given the fact that all of the students had already boarded their respective buses and my colleagues were calling out for me. 
• All in all, I had the span of a few seconds to focus on and capture this precious memorabilia of a monument in the frame. The fact that the frame should also have me was tricky enough to make or break my selfie game. 
• As much as the picturesque background was set to be captured in all its glory in natural lighting, the same sunlight hindered my view of what was being captured in the frame. 
• I decided to let the monument's presence in the setting vis-a-vis my presence steal the limelight in the capture. 
• It was a make-or-break situation at that moment as I just had to capture the frame, relying solely on my instinct and rush towards the school bus without giving the final result even a glance, as there was no scope for even a second click, with the third being completely out of question. 

All I did was that I boarded the vehicle with my fingers crossed. My demeanor in that situation could be compared to that of a student waiting for their Board Exam Results. Anxiety and Excitement - two-in-one. 

It was on reaching home that I opened the gallery and viewed my first-ever selfie for the first time. 

Voila! 

Although my face clearly reflects the guesswork that was on my mind all the time, I was overjoyed to witness the symbolism of peace in all its eminence with the capture intact. However, there was a slight disruption to my joy as my face had not been completely captured. 

And, it is the only imperfection that I long to correct to date. How I wished that I should have been in the possession of such a device that could provide a slightly wider-angle shot! 

I had been consoling myself to date that attaining perfection in any aspect is an illusion, with the anecdote holding true for selfies as well, consoling myself that this capture was not bad at all considering that it was my first-ever attempt. However, the heart pines, as it is in a habit of doing so. 

On the flip side, such a capture provided me with a much-required reality check. 

SO  MANY  SELFIES. 

SUCH  LITTLE  KNOWLEDGE, 

OF  SELF. 

I thus felt that I had managed a pretty good job out of my most precious selfie as I did not let the self reign supreme in the capture. After all, a symbolism of tranquility stands intact in the frame. Imperfections and flaws are the entities that define self, and the same had come to the fore in the capture as well. 

However, it is today that I felt that my single, most frivolous concern has also been addressed. Thanks to a brand of Vietnamese origin that plans to launch itself in the Indian market tomorrow, my woe concerning this particular memoir can finally be laid to rest. 

Picture an expertly crafted device boasting of a crisp design and precise technology that offers the ultimate 'Selfie Experience' thanks to a front, dual 'Selfie Camera' that captures a 120° wide-angle shot. 

As a brand, Mobiistar is all set to treat the Indian audience to the best ever witnessed in the smartphone industry as they partner with Flipkart to become 'Mobiistar on Flipkart' - a range of devices that provide promising battery life with no compromise as far as affordability is concerned. 

I couldn't be happier as I won't ever have to worry about fitting both the backdrop as well as the smiles precious to me, precisely in a single go. 

Capturing the perfect selfie, with or without my near and dear ones up close, with the heart of the capture intact - the scenic backdrop - would be an effortless task from now on. Getting my hands on Mobiistar's exclusive devices would mean that I could the perfect selfies seamlessly. 

I am all set to #EnjoyMore with #Mobiistar. :)

 ~~~ 

P.S.: Images concerning Mobiistar have been taken from IndiBlogger. 

#CelebratingSuper: Smart Delhi Initiative...

 ~~~ 

Delhi is the capital city of our country. It has been the harbinger of opportunities for people from all over the nation across multiple walks of life. Of late, it has been bearing the brunt of harboring a tattered canvas as far as the scenario for the provision of basic civic amenities is concerned.

Time and again, our environment has been bearing the brunt of how we perceive the quality of life, which by and large, has also been witnessing a downward curve. Amidst all this, we must act in wake of leaving behind a positive legacy for future generations to treasure, in terms of working towards the betterment of quality of life.

With technological advancements and a realization of 'giving back to nature and society' on the rise, we seem to have sidelined the fact that scarcity of resources is a harsh reality that stares us in the face. While we witness diminishing green cover all across the 'stone garden' city that Delhi has become, the newest fad to catch our fancy in recent times is the catchphrase 'Smart City'.

At this point in time, it is of utmost importance to realize that flaunting the title of being a 'Better City' is of higher importance than that of a 'Smart City'. However, there is a certain camaraderie that persists between the two as initiatives to becoming the former contribute to turning into the latter in the long run as well.

The Ministry of Urban Development has stolen the limelight in this scenario with its undoubtedly ambitious and visionary 'Smart Cities Mission 2020' of which the capital city is an indispensable part. Betterment of quality of life is a crucial aim herein which begins with urban reforms of the likes of sanitation, good governance, and sustainable living.

Digitization seems to have become the ultimate keyword in wake of PM Modi's visionary dynamism. In keeping with the same, 'NDMC 311: Mobile App' aims to digitize household services such as bill and tax payments, consumer redressal, and even birth and death certificates and is now operational, with the inclusion of additional features by December 2017 on NDMC's radar.

While a 3D painting speed breaker had been first introduced on Rajaji Marg by NDMC late last year on the persuasion of Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, who had tweeted on trying out 3D paintings used as virtual speed breakers to avoid unnecessary requirements of speed breakers, a new sensor-based street lighting system to be completed by January 2018 is on the cards wherein light would be dimmed across non-peak traffic hours to provide for energy consumption. NDMC has claimed that Mother Teresa Crescent and Minto Road would be one of the first areas to feature such smart poles.

Beautification of Delhi's open spaces is also on NDMC's agenda by the means of vertical gardens and large-scale landscaping. Given the fact that The Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC) under The Ministry of Urban Development itself has been devising an 'Art Master Plan' for Delhi since quite some time now. As a matter of fact, Lodi Colony, Shahpur Jat, and Connaught Place are some of the upmarket areas that have been flaunting aesthetic creations by artists in the form of wall art and graffiti since quite some time now.

Smart classrooms have gradually become the talk of the town too here in Delhi, with a number of private schools (largely) opting for the same, thus providing a push to e-learning, which is again in line with digitization to a certain extent.

The Safe Cities Index (a report that analyses urban safety on four main parameters: digital security, health security, infrastructure security, and personal security) has ranked Delhi 43rd amid a total of 60 cities, in its recently released 2017 report. It is a bummer that India has a long way to scale as far as citizen security is concerned, and grassroots efforts are required as far as the safety of women, children, senior citizens, and differently-abled is concerned.

As far as I can recall, a notable initiative that comes to mind is the Pink Auto Brigade, now prevalent in Noida and Gurugram.

As an area of concern, basic civic amenities also have been witnessing a positive trend with the establishment of Swachh Public Toilet Units (PTUs), a number of which sport a solar rooftop panel and sanitary pad vending machines, in addition to being accessible via Google Maps, which is by and large, an attempt to curb the menace of open defecation. Accessibility on the digital front, in general, is complemented by Vodafone's provision of a number of Free Wi-Fi Zones across the periphery of the city.

In the wake of Supreme Court's applause-worthy ruling of a blanket ban on the sale and use of crackers in Delhi, celebrating a Green Diwali is on the cards. Personally, I had shunned the practice close to a decade back, and we have since then been indulging in appreciating the twinkling of earthen lamps and fairy lights.

Contributing to the same, Vodafone Delhi has provided Super Crackers at 52 Vodafone stores in the week before the festivities commence, starting today (16 Oct -19 Oct). These Super Crackers are filled with eco-friendly plant seeds. All one needs to do is plant it and let the plant bloom. This is how the realization of 'paying back' the environment can be fruitfully witnessed.

On the whole, #CelebratingSuper is of utmost importance, be it an individual effort or a collective one. Though the road to becoming a 'Smart City' is still a long one for times to come, Delhi is certainly becoming a 'Better City' by the minute. :)

 ~~~ 

This post has been written for #CelebratingSuper in association with Vodafone and IndiBlogger. 

India Emerges: A Visual History...

~~~ 

Being a Science teacher, you could very well guess that one of my favorite TV channels would be Discovery. Yes, I am not fond of those soap operas which air on the nation's many GECs.

Instead, you would often find me choosing flora and fauna and their marvelous manifestations on the TV. I would any day, choose to explore the functionality of machines over cry and hue.

Just a couple of days back, while flipping between the channels, I observed a ticker on Discovery.

It did not take me long to realize that the completion of Discovery's 20 glorious years in India coincides with our commemoration of the 69th year of independence.

On this pleasant coincidence, Discovery Channel India plans to present to its viewers India Emerges: A Visual History - the three-part series that will bring alive pages from history books, placing viewers at the epicenter of the story of contemporary India. The programme will unfold rare archival and never-seen-before footage - which narrates the story of the birth of independent India.

Next weekend is going to be special, as I have my dates marked for a tryst with the history of my nation. 14th, 15th and 16th August. The prime time slot of 8 PM has been reserved for this spectacle already, which will be aired on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD World.

The timeline of events has been curated to  take the viewers back into the history of India’s freedom struggle which spans the period of the British Raj in India, winding its way through tumultuous decades of the Indian freedom movement.

The battles of 1948, 1965 and 1971 will be brought into focus, along with the regime of Indira Gandhi, the period of Emergency, and Operation Blue Star among others.

The archives will unveil the stroke of midnight and also new borders, where a devastating partition will be unfolded. Having made its way through the ages, the series will culminate on the emergence of a strong, progressive and vibrant India that came into being after many challenges.

I was so curious about this series that I looked up its fine details.

The line-up looks interesting and intriguing at the same time.

~~~ 

Episode One - The Raj will narrate an era that traces the idea of India as a single entity when an intractable political landscape was ripe for the ambitious European imperialists. Through the 17th and 18th centuries, it will track the rising influence of the British East India Company, from purely capitalistic to political, until finally in the 19th century, when Queen Victoria officiated the transfer of power from ‘Company to Crown’.

As the hour will reach its conclusion, viewers will be left on the cusp of the Indian freedom movement. With the resistance, the people of India will be shown beginning to wake up to a new national consciousness.

Episode Two - March Towards Freedom plans to narrate how modern India was born. The viewers will be showcased, the days of British Imperialism, India’s turmoil to break free and emerge as an independent nation. Besides tracing the rise of Indian resistance movements, it will also track events unfolding across the globe including World War II, thus drawing a parallel.

The footage of the mass rallies where leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru and Maulana Azad urge the people towards non-violent struggle and the demand for ‘Swaraj’ are awakening, to say the least. Rare archives will take viewers into the chambers of Savarkar’s Hindu Mahasabha and round-table meetings of the Jinnah-led Muslim League. As the second part of the film will draw to a close, India’s independence will be imminent.

The third & final episode - A Nation Is Born will take viewers into the days leading up to India’s independence from British rule. Extensive and exclusive footage will take them through the phenomenal journey of how the two nations were formed along the Radcliffe Line - India and Pakistan.

The archived footage will feature the process of nation building, as India dedicates herself to overcoming its challenges. It will also highlight the White House reels of Jacqueline Kennedy’s visit to India help trace India’s steady upward rise in the global arena. As the film and the series will reach its conclusion, India is placed firmly in contemporary times, having emerged from its compelling history as the world’s largest democracy.

~~~

राज, राजनीति, और रंजिश के कई अनदेखे पल,
बयान करेंगे कहानी, एक उभरते देश की। 

An Evening With The Missile Man Of India...

~~~ 

Yesterday was ominous.

All of us know why I am saying so.

The Missile Man Of India,

The People's President. 

Bharat's Ratna,

A True Indian. 

Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam aimed for the heavens, yesterday, with his wings of fire. 

An inspiration for millions, the luminary breathed his last while pursuing his passion - delivering a lecture, to guide the students at IIM Shillong, on the subject which most interested him and his envisioning of 2020 - 'The Livable Planet Earth'. 

I had been fortunate enough and feel honored to say that I had attended one such conference, as yesterday's where Sir spent his last moments, albeit at the Teen Murti Bhavan on October 30, 2014. 

While I had found those photographs in my portable hard drive just last week and planned to chronicle the same sometime around now, I had not, in my wildest dreams imagined that the reason to pen the post would pursue a different course altogether. 

While it is a matter of pride that I had spent a significant sixteen minutes that day, listening to, and admiring Sir's oratory skills - the time which has come to a standstill for me, I now realize that living in the moment is a priceless experience. 

For, it is at the moment that you're able to cherish the incident. This is a fact, which holds true for those students and Sir, yesterday, as well as for that day, when Sir had graced the inauguration of the exhibition, "The Nobel Prize: Ideas Changing The World".

It was heartening to see that Professor George Smoot, a Nobel Laureate, had flown down for the occasion, and Kailash Satyarthi, who was at that time, yet to be awarded the Nobel Prize, had chosen to grace the gathering as well.

Alongside the inauguration, there was also, a seminar based on 'How Can Scientific Creativity Deliver The Greatest Benefit To Humankind?'

I feel that Dr. Kalam was the best person to speak about the importance of science and technology and its benefit to mankind. There couldn't have been anyone better than him to delve on this subject.

It came as no surprise when he stepped on the dais.

There was pin-drop silence as he began to speak with the facade of the historic Teen Murti Bhavan as a humble backdrop.

They didn't call him as the People's President, for no reason. Without any air about himself having been a former President of the Nation, the effortlessness and the pleasant smile with which he greeted all those who were present at the gathering was admirable. 

Even afterward, when all the dignitaries and the members of the audience were led into the main building for the inauguration of the gallery of exhibits, he was ever-so-involved, praising the course the Nobel Museum had taken and the numerous revolutionary ideas, it had felicitated over the past years. 

The moment to be 'freeze-frame'-d was however yet to come. As I approached Sir, with my Book and a Pen for him to sign, in hand, he intently told me that he would sign that page with his own Pen. 

And, am I thankful to heavens for that? I sure am. Even the INK from such an illustrious individual's PEN is an invaluable gift. 

Signed,

Greetings 

APJ Abdul Kalam

What you don't see in the image, however, is the fact that the final stroke towards the edge of the page has done a full curve around the rest of the pages of the book, and come back to the current page. 

It is like the underline did a full orbit, like a real Missile and landed back on Earth. :)

Such was Sir's perseverance and dedication towards his passion, that it reflected even in ink. 

As I close this post, I leave you with the oration delivered by Sir, at the occasion.

It is a sixteen-minute long audio recording. It is a prized possession for me, especially now. 

May your soul RIP, Sir. 

Nioxin Works Its Magic!

~~~

I have had the pleasure of experiencing the products being offered by Nioxin, as a part of the #NioxinNowInIndia activity by BlogAdda.

Amy, Nikhil and Gaurav, on behalf of Nioxin and Ankita, from BlogAdda, made it worth the while, at the Wella Salon, Saket.

If you haven't already, you could read about and see how I was given a pleasant makeover by Nioxin, in May, here. 

Quoting myself from that post, 

" #NioxinNowInIndia will make a reappearance on the blog, some day in the week beginning 14 June when I give you a first-hand review of my Nioxin Kit, which I'm having a great experience trying out! 

Make sure to watch out for that post too... " 

And, here I am. :) 

The experts at Nioxin India are staunch believers of the fact that, the phenomenon of hair thinning stands to be attributed to the three factors of Derma, that is poor scalp, Density, that is fewer tresses, and Diameter, that is finer strands. 

Nioxin approaches the key work areas of its products by bridging together the factors which contribute to hair thinning and then formulating practical solutions which would nourish the scalp. 

Three essential therapies work in tandem to not regrow the lost hair strands but to prevent further loss of hair strands so that, in the long run, the hair enjoy good health. 

• Derma Renew, or the  dermabrasion, in-salon approach. 
• Density Protect, to condition and protect the scalp to help reduce hair loss due to breakage. 
• Density Repair, to attend to each individual hair strand. 

The Nioxin products have been developed not as over-the-counter but as bespoke kits, to suit each individual hair type. 

The application of Henna on the hair was considered as a chemical treatment. And so, I was provided with Kit Number 5, for Normal to Thin-Looking Hair, Medium to Coarse Texture and Chemically Treated Hair. 

The kit contains the following three products: 

• Nioxin Cleanser, to refresh the hair and scalp, as the first step. It cleanses the scalp thoroughly to rid it of any hindrances to obtaining thicker, fuller hair. Thanks to its botanical extracts of the likes of peppermint, the cleanser possesses a refreshing and cooling mint fragrance. 
• Nioxin Scalp Revitaliser, with a lightweight formula which has been formulated to regulate moisture balance. The conditioner provided me with a light, bouncy feel to my tresses. 
• Nioxin Scalp Treatment has been enriched with antioxidants and fruit extracts that refresh the derma layer. It is to be sprayed after a head wash has been done and the strands have been dried using a towel. 

Nioxin has lent the desirable, volume, fullness, bounciness and shine to my hair and I could not be happier!

However, according to the frequency of usage, being advised to you, it can be a breeze or a hassle. 

In my case, I had been advised alternate usage, so it was not so endearing, but if you're advised to use the kit daily, then it can be quite a daunting task. 

The perseverance would be all worth it in the end, though. :)

~~~

You can try and experience #NioxinNowInIndia at your nearest salon. This activity is in association with BlogAdda.com.

To Daddy Dear, Who Is A #DandyDad...

 ~~~ 

21 June 2015
12 AM
New Delhi

Dear Daddy

Even though we both don't believe in the concept of commemorating certain days of the year as a person's day because each day deserves to be celebrated in its entirety, this Father's Day is special. You would be able to comprehend when I say that you have been more than what they say, a father should be and have done more than what they say, a father should do.

Not only have you been an excellent friend, philosopher, mentor, and a guiding light to me and my brother but also, to both our daughters. It is in you that we would discover our crest of perfection. You were the epitome of perfection for both of us. It is in emulating your mannerisms that we would discover joy and bliss. It is in imitating your punctuality and discipline that we would absorb the subtleties of etiquette.  :)

Your experiences have endowed us with the most precious teachings of our life. Your anecdotes have been the exquisite pearls of wisdom to us, in this vast ocean of unknown, unseen people and places. Your impeccable sense of self-confidence, perseverance, and determination has served as our scout to lead us on the path to achieving our varied goals on the path of life.

You have been the superlative to our mediocrity. You have inculcated a sense of humility within us and made us realize the importance of being level-headed, whenever you would spot us floating in the air, with a hint of over-confidence. A spank on the back was as reassuring as a pat for it made us realize that you would always be there for us, come what may!

You were never critical of our achievements, yet you never let the prospect of ego flourish.
You were the quickest when it came to condemning our mistakes, and always encouraged us to work towards improving them, thus polishing us like diamonds, as would a skilled craftsman in the long run. :)

It is imperative then, that we would attempt to flatter you, in imitating your qualities as the best parent, for our children. You have been the ideal father-figure to both your granddaughters. We strive to be the ideal parents to them, in the long run.

As much as we know that this is a herculean feat to achieve, you have always stood tall and firm as the pillar of strength and support to our family. It was in the realization of us drifting away to establish our own families that your belief in both of us grew stronger.

It is your belief which has anchored our ship of endeavors. It is this strong-willed attitude which has made us meet your expectations, every single time.

This Father's Day, we salute your indomitable spirit and your exemplary personality. :)

 ~~~ 

A man of his words, and his actions as well, my father deserves nothing but the best. For, he gave his family nothing but the best. 

Having witnessed his flawless code of conduct, as a man of his time, punctual to the tee, the one who was a disciplinarian, the one whose aura spoke of immaculate grace and brilliant class, if given a chance, I would want to revisit the alleys of bygone times, with my chivalrous man, my Daddy. 

My Daddy is my #dandydad. :) 

A custom made #dandydad graphic, by Yours Truly. :) 

My father believes that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. So much so, that it reflects in his dressing sense too. In spite of having attained the status of an octogenarian now, I have always witnessed him, dressed as the best man would, prim and proper. 

If you would ask me to detail a picture of his sophisticated outlook, I would choose the following from Jabong so that you would obtain a fair idea. More so, if I were to gift him a makeover, as far as his wardrobe is concerned, I would want him to be as he has been over the years, as that is way I have seen and admired him.

My father has always liked earthy browns and beige. He prefers donning his formal best whenever he has any social gathering, event or meeting to attend. Thus, I would present him with a gift of his liking, in the form of a look dominated by browns. :)

Please click on the images to visit the respective landing page for the product on Jabong. 

This formal shirt from Peter England and formal trousers from John Players, in my opinion, would  impress Daddy. It is his preferred color combination. 

A classic buckle Belt from the house of United Colors Of Benetton and a pair of seasoned leather Shoes from Aldo would complete his basic look.

To further accessorize his persona, I would opt for the following essentials: 

A suave, slim leather wallet from Louis Philippe and an elegant analog watch, courtesy Kenneth Cole would serve as the perfect companions for a person who believes that 'A penny saved is a penny earned' and that 'Time and tide wait for none'. :) 

A pen is a quintessential comrade to the teacher who imparts knowledge to one who yearns to pursue a discipline. This silver Ball Pen from Franklin Covey would lend the substance of finesse to his disposition, as an intellectual. 

The masculine fragrance from Versace would complement his courteous temperament.

 ~~~ 

If I were to design a look for my father, this is how I would do it, for the world to witness.

My father is my gentleman debonair. :)

~~~

This post has been written in association with Jabong's #dandydad.