Pamphlet World

Pamphlets being inserted at Panjrapole

When we open newspaper in the morning, some pamphlets or flyers just slip out of pages. Some people just ignore, few pick up and scan them and some may contact the advertiser to enquire. Each one of us react in various ways, depending upon our mood swing, interest and time factor. Some are wise enough to keep some useful looking pamphlets properly for later use. We hardly realize that how much money has been spent on printing and distribution of that pamphlet.

There are some issues which one must be aware with while advertising through pamphlets. Charge for distribution of 1000 pamphlets vary from Rs 80 to 150. How much one is going to pay depends upon his bargaining power. The newspaper hawker will give you a well-made out excuse that if you want good service (proper distribution) of pamphlets, then you need to pay well.

The distribution channel starts from the place where pamphlets are printed. That printer will guide you about the agent. The agent will get the distribution done through newspaper vendors and hawkers by paying them commission.

You will be amazed with the speed with which pamphlets are inserted into the newspaper. Today, when i reached the spot in Panjrapole at 3.30am, i saw in about 1 hour, 2500 pamphlets were inserted in newspapers by one hawker. Though i had specified that i want all my pamphlets to go with only The Times of India, i was said that it was very difficult and time taking task. I had to compromise.

It is important that you stand with your distribution agent while insertion, so that they don't do any mischief. Vendors and hawkers themselves claim that there are some among them, who don't insert the complete bunch of pamphlets in order to save time. Some are reliable, but not everyone.

Ahmedabad has a big community of businessman. So, number of pamphlets distributed daily are huge. On Sunday the number is quite high as readers are more likely to check pamphlets in relaxed mood with plenty of spare time Most businessman prefer Gujarati newspapers as they have higher circulation and demand.

There are printers in Ahmedabad who print 10,000 Black & White pamphlets in just Rs 1200. The quality of paper is very cheap. At the same time, glossy paper colour printing will increase the price many fold. The selection usually depends upon the type of target market and the product/service.

How effective are pamphlets in modern day is debatable with so many other medium for communication.
But, it's popularity does not seem to have diminished. Every businessman loves to try them.

I hope, if you are going to start some business or already into, then this article may be of some interest.
Thanks for reading!

Have you saved life?

If yes, then you must have felt immense happiness that comes with saving life of another human being and here is one more chance for you.

If not, then here is a chance to donate your blood and save life of a stranger. Anytime 4 Anybody is organizing a blood donation camp at Commerce 6 Road on 2nd December between 9am to 3pm.

We have already covered about this group which is doing a great social job in Ahmedabad.

Blood Donation is very safe and healthy practice. Donating blood involves a preliminary check-up, screening for infection markers and blood group and knowledge about the health history of an individual.

Interestingly, blood donation reduces the chance of a heart attack because it thins out the blood. Actually, 70-80ml of Red Blood Cells get destroyed on their own every 120 days, and the bone marrow manufactures new ones. So, donating blood in no way interferes with your blood system.

The shortage of safe blood particularly impact children suffering from Thalassemia, road traffic accidents and trauma victims, women with complicated pregnancy, cancer patients and those undergoing major surgeries. So, we all must donate blood and be proud of saving some one's precious life.

Contact- 9909377555,8690918295

Serve Well or Perish Badly

We all are living in a world of ferocious competition. No business can afford to survive with lack-luster service.

PINTOO, Shivranjani Cross-road

Recently i have seen some examples which i am sharing with you which shows how simple things in business can harm or even kill the business.

First one, I went to ZOOMIN at Crossword at SG highway. The person at the counter was busy on phone, i waited for 5-7 minutes. When i enquired that person, if there is someone to attend me, he replied that there is con-call going on, so i may have to wait for half hour. The reply was terse and there was no politeness. He was not even concerned about the reason why i was at his counter. I went there again, same day in the afternoon, another person attended me, and i was just handed a brochure when i enquired about the T-shirt printing pricing and varieties. That could have happened at the first visit. Why the hell, i was given such service. I went there to know deeply about T-Shirt printing. Some information are available on their site. But, information given by the person who attended me on my 2nd visit was quite different.

Second one, my wife and her sister went to PINTOO to buy some dresses for my son. There clothes were not only very costly, even employees behavior was cheap. Specially, one employee behavior was so disgusting that they left the shop without buying anything. In the same building there is another shop named SHREE PRABHUKRUPA FASHION which sells children clothes of various varieties at reasonable price. They are into this business from last 50 years and are specialised in Ziayana & Childrens Wear. This is really an eye opener experience. A big shop with huge infrastructure failed where a small shop delivered proper service. Response and price were two factors which proved the make or break factor. 

Third, about 5 weeks back, when i went to Srinath Jee, me and my wife went to Sankalp Restaurant for dinner. We were surprised to see that only few customers were there as the past experience suggests that one will have to wait. Finally, when the food came, it was stale and we were deeply disappointed. Staff numbers also seemed to be lower than on previous occasions. Sankalp has also closed down their restaurant which was in Wide Angle. I have been to this particular restaurant more than hundred times. But, it seems there is something wrong with the Sankalp Group. They are loosing their focus. I know they are now entering into real estate too. It will be sad if Sankalp looses their charm. I will miss their tasty  Masala Dhosa. I have no information about their performance at many other branches. So, i am not in situation to give any strong statement. But, indications are ominous, if they don't regain their culinary touch.

These examples show that small negligence can turn the table for any business.

We all would be happy, if these things change at these mentioned places. 

First time in Ahmedabad - Make Your Life Dust-Free

Something new is here! First time in Ahmedabad a new service has been started by Magic Duster which promises to make our home dust-free

Cleaning is done by professional cleaners with the help of Vacuum Cleaners.

There are many places in the house which are usually not cleaned in regular cleaning. They clean those place along with regular cleaning by vacuum cleaners. They make our home and office dust-free. They save our precious time and energy, so that we can use that time for any productive work or spend quality time with our family and friends.

More information is available on the website http://www.magicduster.org/. Please visit the website and also book Magic Duster to get your home cleaned by professional cleaners.

Service will start from 30th Oct, 2011. But, booking has already started. Go for it, now!

Unique Parking Place!

A strange type of gender bias was noticed by me today and i thought that it must be shared. It is not only unique, but funny too.

Ladies Parking

In a society where we always talk about gender equality, we also silently see separate train boogies and dedicated ticket counters reserved only for ladies. Even there are seats in local bus reserved for them. I don't want to discuss that whether these things are right or wrong. I just want to share today's incident.

I was parking my bike in an empty space in the parking of Sukh-Sagar Complex (corporate house on Ashram road near Fortune Landmark). Suddenly i heard my friend asking me to move my vehicle from there. When i asked the reason, he stated that that parking space is reserved only for females. I was shocked. He told me that there are only Activa and Kinetic parked in that marked area. He made it very clear that the watchman will surely take out air from my bike's tyre if i will park in that "ladies zone. Looking amzaed, I saw the board which mentioned in Gujarati that parking is only for ladies. Just then i saw a man parking his Activa there. No one stopped him. He had no fear of any mischief happening with his vehicle. It was quite clear that he knew that his Activa will pass the "gender-test".

I realized that it's not actually a gender bias, but a bias of a very strange kind which is based on the false assumption that ladies drive two-wheeler without gayer, while men drive with gayer. Now a day, many girls can be seen driving bikes of all types. Probably the person who took this decision regarding parking is very obsessive about gender bias or himself/herself biased towards females. Whatever, whoever, however - this parking space is unforgettable and different.

Pirates of Ahmedabad!

Video/Music piracy is getting support from all wrong corners. In Ahmedabad, you can buy a CD/VCD/DVD of new film from a road-side vendor, the day it gets released in multiplexes. Though number of multiplexes have been growing in numbers and price of ticket varies from as low as 40 to 400 - depending upon the timing and sitting arrangement or facilities - many Ahmedabadis still prefer to buy pirated versions for convenience or to save money.

Road-side Vendor selling pirated VCD/DVDs openly

It's absolutely shocking to see road-side vendors openly selling these pirated VCD/DVDs. Even local administration seems to ignore it knowingly. Why the government is not taking any punitive action, it's a mystery. Buyers are aware that they are buying pirated version, but how many of them really know that it all does a huge damage to the film industry. Pricing of ticket is effected as producers try to compensate the loss due to piracy by raising prices of tickets.

Video Mirchi, Mansi Cross Road, Vastrapur

Even local video parlors are selling pirated versions to lure their customers. We Ahmedabadis need to understand that the money paid for pirated versions are used for illegal purposes and it is a part of money laundering through "shadow business". There is a huge illegal market and all buyers are responsible for it's growth. Terrorism, drug-trafficking and other crimes are linked to piracy and we need to be sensitive about this.

Government must play a responsible part and all such vendors need to be stopped from selling pirated versions. Someone may say that they will loose job. But, are those people not skilled enough to do some other job, where they can earn similar amount in an ethical manner.

Till the Government wakes up, we need to stop buying or watching any pirated version. Do you agree?

Anna ki jai ho!

Some jokes related to Anna, getting popular in Ahmedabad are -

Jailer to Kasab: Why are you so happy?
Kasab: I am not Indian, i hate India, i killed Indians, but i am sure i am totaly safe in India.
Journalists to Anna Hazare: Why are you so sad?
Anna: I am Indian, i love my India and my friends, but i am not sure when i will be killed.

Dear Anna Jee,
Thank you from for taking public attention away from the test series,
Regards,
M S Dhoni

5 mistakes of Manmohan G
1) 2G
2) 3G
3) CWG
4) listening to Sonia G
5) forgetting Anna G
Ho gaya so ho gaya, ab to sudhar jao Sardar G

Innocent child watching Anna Hazare:
Mumma inhe koi roko nahi to History me 1 more Chapter badh jayega

Slogan from a parma employee -
Anna tum sangharsh karo
..
..
...
Hum to kar hi rahe hain :-)

Once Kapil Sibbal, Digvijay Singh & Chidambaram were travelling in a helicopter, Sibbal drops a 100Rs note & says "I made one poor Indian happy", Singh drops two 50Rs note & says "I made two poor Indians happy", finally Chiddu drops 100 coins of one rupee & says "I made 100 poor indians happy". Hearing this the pilot laughs and says "I will drop down all 3 of you & make 125 crore Indians forever happy!".
Pilot was Anna Hazare.

Manmohan singh's latest reply to Anna: Jab aapne kuuch khaya hi nahi toh Bill kis bat ka?

Yamraj to Yamdut: Jawo, Anna ko leke awo. Yamdut: Nahi Maharaj, apnye yanha badiya chal raha hai. Unko lanese "PARLOKPAL BILL" ka andolan chalu ho jayega.

Bhakt: Hey Bhagwan, promotion karwa dena, 51Rs ka bhog aapke charnon mein rakh raha hoon.
God: Pagal, marwayega kya? Anna dekh raha hai.

Anna & the Road Ahead!

On 11th August, 2011- Times of India headline was

"Gujarat roads closer to international standards: WB".

I was surprised to read that at first, but soon realized that it mainly referred to highways which are obviously very well laid out and they make Gujarat one of the fastest developing states. 

The headline was confusing as in Ahmedabad, we daily drive on the road full of pot-holes. We daily curse the goverment for road construction going on one place or the other. I have heard people saying that in Ahmedabad government does only two work which keep them busy  - one to dig and other to fill those holes on the road.  I don't understand - why the government repair roads just before monsoon, only to repair it again after monsoon? It's quite obvious that many tenders get open to just mint money. Why some road are not damaged by monsoon and some get so bad that village streets seem better? If corruption would not be there, we all will be driving on road which will increase our vehicle's life almost 20 times. Also there will be less road accidents. Am i right?

As we all are happy with the outcome of Anna's hunger strike and the support he got from the common people, the road ahead seems to be better. I am really talking about roads here, without any pun intended. I am sure if the Jan Lokpal Bill gets passed, we all will drive smoothly. There will be better road maintenance, swift construction of over-bridges and no traffic jam. There will be strict rules for those who break traffic rules. Bribe will not work and people will drive responsibly. So, lets hope this bill gets pass as early as possible. 

Anna you are a real hero. ApnuAhmedabad salutes you for your fight against corruption. 

Kya mausam hai - Baarish ka

Monsoons , Saawan - this season makes a poet out of a commoner. So it is but natural that a poet's creative juices get more heady with this romantic season underway in full swing.

While the rains got delayed and then played hide and seek with ahmedabadis ... Kavi Raj continues to enthrall with his compositions.

Please sample the beauty below:

वाह क्या मौसम बारिश का

वाह क्या मौसम बारिश का

ये चाय की चुस्कियां

ठंडक भरा ये मौसम

बचपन की मस्तियाँ

फिर से चलाने को मन

करे कश्तियाँ

सब एक सी दिखें

खुश सारी हस्तियाँ

वाह क्या मौसम बारिश का

ये चाय की चुस्कियां

ठंडक भरा ये मौसम

बचपन की मस्तियाँ

कहीं पे पानी से भरे गड्ढे

कहीं पे हरियाली

ये धुले नहाये से पेड़ पत्ते

जैसे पूरी दुनिया ही नहाली

गलियों में महल्लों में

पकोड़ों की महकती खुशबू

सब तरफ चहल पहल

किसीने कर दिया जादू

जो थका सा सूखा सा

वो तृप्त अब जहाँ

वाह क्या मौसम बारिश का

ये चाय की चुस्कियां

ठंडक भरा ये मौसम

बचपन की मस्तियाँ

ये चिड़ियों का ख़ुशी में

झुण्ड बन के चेह्चाहना

ये गाये भैसों का

सड़क बीच आ नहाना

अब सब जल मग्न

हो चुका और चाहिए कुछ कहाँ

वाह क्या मौसम बारिश का

ये चाय की चुस्कियां

ठंडक भरा ये मौसम

बचपन की मस्तियाँ

-जितेश मेहता

Shutterbug also got clicking ... a few samples are displayed below.

Enjoy the monsoons while they last!

Main Bhi Anna!

Some days back, few Ahmedabadi knew anything about Anna. But, one wrong step of the government of putting Anna into jail for "public hunger strike" has made him a household hero. This was purely undemocratic and everyone thought that this is enough of non-sense. It's time to act. Now you ask any Ahmedabadi about Anna and you will get one reply "Main Bhi Anna". This is a voice of common people who have joined Anna to fight corruption. It cannot be silenced by any government reaction. Though, real action or drama is happening in New Delhi, we Ahmedabadis have started showing our strong support and one can see several groups protesting against Government's action. Youth are today's leaders and they are in the forefront in this Gandhian style revolution which will surely be successful. It's a fight to the end.

Income Tax Circle

Corruption knows no caste or status. But, this fight is really being fought mainly be middle class and students are the most active participants. Boys can be seen riding bikes, shouting slogan and waving flags. Candle March is being organized in various parts of Ahmedabad by students of premier institutes like IIM and MICA. Everyday, some more people join the protest. Ahmedabad loves Gandhijee and now Anna is our new Gandhi. Let's support Anna! 

Helmet is Must

Road Side Vendor near IIM


It's the best time for road side vendors who sell cheap helmets. They have hiked the price by 2-3 times.

Wearing helmet while driving two-wheeler is the only option left, if you don't want your vehicle to be detained by traffic police and kept at RTO. New High Court directive regarding wearing helmet should be welcomed by all Ahmedabadis. No doubt, many are upset. And yes, government has earned 2-3 lakhs in two days as fine, but this is one financial earning that government will be too happy to miss.

We all are quite aware that helmet saves our head from injuries. We buy insurance for two-wheeler so that if there is any accident or theft, there is no financial loss. But, it's strange that we all don't like to wear helmet which can save our precious life. We pay heavy premium for large amount of life insurance cover. It's ironical that we forget to wear helmet while leaving home. The insurance can compensate some financial loss, but what about the emotional loss to the family if we die in road accident. Ahmedabad has the highest rate of road accident in Gujarat state. So, we never know who will be the next victim. It has been observed that highest number of death in road accident is due to head injuries. So, am i wrong if i say, a hemet costing Rs 1000 is cheaper than a premium amount of Rs 3,000 for say 10 lakh of insurance cover. Here, i am not suggesting in any way that hemet can be substitute for life insurance cover. But, both are necessary. So, if you really love your family, please wear helmet while driving. You may feel uncomfortable, but that is precious for your family.

In past, Ahmedabad traffic police has given roses to those who were caught without helmets. But, that awareness creating idea was not very helpful. Stringent actions are necessary if two-wheeler riders don't follow rules.  Taking away bike or scooter for not wearing helmet is the last resort which government has now come up with.  This action is plausible. We at ApnuAhmedabad request all of you to just adhere and make others do the same.

Government also needs to come up with innovative ideas to create awareness about benefit of wearing helmet. Some road side posters or sign boards with pertinent messages will be helpful. Here are some odd suggestions coming into my mind as-
" Wear Helmet so that you don't loose your head"
" Marne se acha hye helmet pehenana"
" Sir ka bima karaya kya? Helmet hye?"
" Wear helmet for your dear family"
" Wear hemet, low investment, high return"

I am sure you must be thinking some more, so please leave some comment.

Talent Unbound - JASHN!

Every Ahmedabadi who has driven down to Gandhinagar on the SG Highway cant help but notice the beautiful campus of Nirma University. Nirma University has staked its claim as a renowned University in this part of the country in terms of academic excellence.

It can also truly claim to be one of the most happening campuses in terms of student activities. One such event was recently held on the 6th of August, 2011.

'JASHN - Celebrating your talent' - the annual talent event of IMNU organised and performed in by the first year MBA students, was bigger and better than ever.

After the customary spiritual opening to the nite with the Saraswati Vandana, the Jashn literally exploded with scintillating song and dance performances. Groups with exotic names like "Phaerenikes" and "Club Fiesta" rocked the audience with their performances. Rock bands, solo and group dance sequences featuring Hip-hop, salsa and contemporary numbers and solo and group singing set the stage for the next round of talent extravaganza.

Rockers!

Group Dance

Other highlights of the event were satirical skits; one on Yellow Journalism and Sensationalism in Media by the Dramatics Club “Chehre” and another on the life of a B-school student.

Chehre

The biggest high of the event though, was the performance by the kids of construction workers of “Saral Foundation- the Social cell of IMNU”. The crowd was captivated by the spirit and innocence of these underprivileged kids who danced to the tunes of "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Bum Bum Bole".

Saral Foundation

The flash point of the event was the à la mode Ramp walk by the fashionistas of the B-school. The glitz and glamour of the two fashion shows, hippie and party-themed, was a perfect climax to this scintillating and splendid celebration of talent.

Fashion Parade

Faculty members also couldn't resist joining in the fun by humming a few tunes. The event was sponsored by People Tree and it will be a few weeks before the buzz of the event fades out and the academic rigour truly sets in.

Apnu Ahmedabad is delighted in highlighting yet another happening aspect of this magical city!

Photos : Yash "Shutterbug" Pandya

Shaadi ka Laddoo

You meet youngsters in the age group of 25 to 30 and apart from the usual queries pertaining to their career, latest gadget or car acquisition and vacations, one of the most common question that features in conversations is "Shaadi kab kar rahe ho?"

Depending on whether its a girl or a guy the reactions vary:

Girls more often than not blush and act coy. 'Didi ki shaadi hote hi ...', 'Aajkal achche ladke kahaan milte hain?', 'Mummy Papa dhoond rahe hain' et al

Guys' have a slightly wider range of reactions : ' Tujhse meri khushi dekhi nahi jaa rahi hai?', ' Main to usi ladki se shaadi karunga jis se main pyaar karta hoon', ' 7-8 ladkiyaan dekh li hai yaar, decide nahi kar paa raha hoon', 'Koi ladki ho teri nazar mein to batana, koi bhi chalegi!' and some others that cannot be posted on a family blog.

Any such social situation prompts me to ask Kavi Raj for his take on it. He went all Coelhoish this time around. He says - " When something as monumental (mark the word - monumental) as marriage is about to happen, the entire Universe conspires to make it happen".

Then a day later apnuahmedabad receives the following gem. Enjoy!

शादी का लड्डू

शादी का लड्डू फूट

रहा है मन में

अब चाहिए तुम्हे

कोई साथी जीवन में

अकेले रह कर पूरा किया

एक अद्याय जीवन की कहानी का

अब समय आ गया है

लूट लो मज़ा इस जवानी का

अब खिलेंगे नई किस्म

नए रंग के फूल इस मौसम में

शादी का लड्डू अब फूट

रहा है मन में

अब चाहिए तुम्हे

कोई साथी जीवन में

अब बेटा बाप के बेटी माँ

के कन्धों से ऊँची हो गयी है

बचपन की मासूमियत

जवानी में खो गयी है

अब कुछ अलग चाह उठती है

जब देखो दर्पण में

शादी का लड्डू अब फूट

रहा है मन में

अब चाहिए तुम्हे

कोई साथी जीवन में

ये लड्डू खाओ तो पछताओ

ना खाओ तो पछताओ पता है

पर फिर भी मन है

के करनी ये खता है

कुछ पाने का मज़ा तभी है

जब कुछ खोता है समर्पण में

शादी का लड्डू अब फूट

रहा है मन में

अब चाहिए तुम्हे

कोई साथी जीवन में

- जितेश मेहता

Now you relate to it the way you like ... My married life is encapsulated in these words " खोता है समर्पण में ".

Lets see the Missus' take on her married life.

Marriage is truly Monumental .... But hey dont take our word for it ... try it (at your own risk!)!

PS : The accompanying photograph is purely for representational purposes and in no way implies that only the ladies have the laddu!

Ye Dosti ...

So the marketing mavericks have managed to find one more sell-able idea! Love sells, Fathers and Mothers sell .. Teachers and Bosses sell ... and now FRIENDSHIP also sells. And truly, we dont mind at all!

Amdavadis ... HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY!!!

Forgive me for being a cynic ... but do we need one day in the year (just one day?!) to celebrate friendship?! I guess not!

Doomed is that man's existence who has not known true friendship (A totally inspired original quote).

Having nothing else original to produce other than genuine gratitude for all those people who have imparted dollops of love and care as friends in our otherwise very ordinary lives ... we present some of the latest messages doing the rounds this friendship day!

Starting with a sombre yet profound poem ..

क़र्ज़ ना चूका पाऊंगा ए यार तेरी दोस्ती की ...

आंसू छलकने से पहले वोह कन्धा बनके आ गया था ...

दुश्मन की तलवार की आगाज़ पर वोह सीना बनकर छा गया था ...

धड़कन रुकने से पहले उम्मीद देता वोह ज़िन्दगी की ...

क़र्ज़ ना चूका पाऊंगा ए यार तेरी दोस्ती की ...

moving on to a more senti one ...

दोस्ती का तोहफा

यार दोस्ती का तोहफा हर किसी को नहीं मिलता ...

ये वो फूल है जो हर बाग़ में नहीं खिलता ...

इस फूल को कभी मुरझाने मत देना ए दोस्त ...

क्यूंकि मुरझाया हुआ फूल फिर कभी नहीं खिलता ...

An extremely cute and cheesy one ...

"One day Monday went to Tuesday to see Wednesday and ask Thursday whether Friday has told Saturday that Sunday is FRIENDSHIP Day!"

Do send us some of the most touching messages you received this Friendship Day along with some anecdotes about your best moments with your friends and we would love to cover your story.

Until the next Friendship Day ... may all the days in between be spent with true friends who are like the ones in the short story below!

"Result agar achha ho:

Teacher - Hoshiyar bacha hai

Maa - Bhagwan ki kripa hai

Papa - Beta kiska hai?

DOST - Chal daaru pite hain

Result agar bura ho:

Teacher - Padhai mein dhyan hi nahi

Maa - Aag lage is mobile mein
Papa - Laad pyar ne bigaad diya

DOST - Chal daaru pite hain

Birthday ke din:

Maa - Jug jug jiyo mere laal
Papa-Hamesha aage badho beta
DOST-Chal daaru pite hain

Love me fail hone par

Maa-Beta bhul ja usko
Papa-Mard ban
DOST-CHAL DAARU PITE HAIN!

Duniya badal jati hai par DOST kabhi nahi badalte, Cheers !!!"

We sincerely hope you have been blessed with all weather friends like this (by all weather we do not imply being fond of booze!). If not ... hey its never too late!!!

Main Chashmish!

Lawrence & Mayo

Chashmish! Battery! Chaar aankhein 2 haath ! These were common leg pullers not too long back. Yeah I know all the childhood trauma and all but hey a little harmless leg pulling at school didn't harm anyone. But have you walked into any school classroom of late? Its almost like a spectac(le)ular revolution is on the cards. 50% of kids in the age group 4-10 have specs!!! Atleast the stereotype of a GEEK has been busted!

Take a walk in your society compound this evening when the kids are hollering around in whatever free space they get after all the paid parking lots are taken care of. Ofcourse keep in mind the time the kids get from the mental mathematics and brain booster sessions and tuitions.

Yes Apnu Ahmedabad is glittering with collossal concrete structures but the open playgrounds have vanished! Parks are far and few and often relegated to a recluse for romantic couples or a meeting spot for senior citizens. Gully cricket has evolved into parking lot cricket. Active sports which need large open spaces like football are dead. So what does a kid of this era do?

What can he do? The latest playstaion or kinect in hand he plays the FIFA world cup at home in the living room with his budddy (not buddies mind you) munching chips and french fries and other processed food products 'fresh' from the shelves of the supermarket! Gone are the salads and greens. Milk is replaced with cheese slices and thick shakes. Lets not even start figuring out actually how safe the green veggies available in the market today are.
The next generation is often mentally, physically and intellectually better than the previous ones. Take a look at the accompanying photograph and ask yourself, should the future generation look like this in their formative years?

India is rapidly progressing towards being a super power! But this is one power we dont want!

Lets take the initiative to ensure maximum physical activity to the young generation and vow to eat more healthy.

Photo : Lawrence and Mayo

Final Countdown - 21st Century Bollywood Rain Songs

This concludes the quadrilogy (trilogy is a story having 3 parts ... so go figure) on Bollywood rain songs. Why a quadrilogy on rain songs you ask?! Well not stating the obvious ... its the monsoon season silly ... so take a deep breath of the sweet wet monsoon air and check out the songs below!

1. Bhaage re mann from the not so mainstream movie Chameli starring Rahul Bose and non size zero Kareena Kapoor starts the countdown of this century.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_Fakp6A2IM

2. Main yahaan hoon says Shah Rukh Khan to the extremely pretty Preity Zinta in Veer Zaara. Haunting songs from the late Madan Mohan's compositions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyyYCWTADag

3. Jiya Dhadak Dhadak a beautiful song from the movie Kalyug starring the grown up child artist Kunal Khemu and Smily Suri (ya thats what the chick is called) stakes it claim in this countdown.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfSuwqmR9rs

4. Hum Tum is the title track of the movie with the same name and has many variants in the same movie featuring Rani Mukherjee and chhote nawab Saif Ali Khan. A very hummable number.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksHBks4952A

5. Idhar chala main udhar chala from the sci fi movie Koi mil gaya is an unlikely yet deserving song on this list. Starring a 'special' Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta this song is cute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI_f4OyW4Ls

6. Silsila ye chaahat ka from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Devdas starring Aishwarya Rai has the rains lashing in at the fag end but ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qhkBTGE_Wo

7. Barso re megha from the movie Guru inspired by the legendary Dhirubhai Amabani's biopic is a lovely rain song of this era. Aishwarya Rai is doing what she does best, looking gorgeous and A R Rahman is doing what he does best, magic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEqn32uq7B4

8. Tum se hi from the feel good film Jab We Met starring ex lovers Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor creates a surrealistic aura largely due to Mohit Chauhan's silken voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yAUjQ6a5Z0&feature=related

9. Dilbara from Dhoom finds a place in this list because the rains are not all about love and sizzling chemistry and out of control hormones; once in a while you need a good hearty laugh too! Check out the embarassments of the Chopra, Deol and Bachchan families in this number.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrgD6A5rokM

10. Zoobi doobi from the very lovable movie 3 idiots has the sizzling size zero Kareena Kapoor romancing Aamir Khan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ1uLVgv3Vg

11. Gale lag ja says the goddess Katrina Kaif to none other than Akshaye Kumar in this sensuous number from the dud movie De Dana Dan. No countdown of this century can be truly complete without Katrina Kaif featuring on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxIwGdbzRc8

12. Dekho na from the movie Fanaa starring Kajol and Aamir Khan is a befitting number concluding the countdown of this century's rain songs from Bollywood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtbPP3yis2A

Well there you go me hearties. Trust these songs added to the charm of your lives this monsoon.

This concludes our research on Bollywood rain songs through the ages.

Vintage

Middle Ages - 1

Middle Ages - 2

Modern Day

Enjoy the rains while they last!