How digital media keeps me alive and kicking!

If the title of my post drove you to my blog, the credit goes to Digital Media, or for that matter to the keyword mania. My thoughts are same, and I am the same. What changed is my wording. Now, I am more cautious about how I should convey my messaging to the right audience. This alertness keeps me alive and kicking, in spite of all odds. 

Having said that, I am referring to my journey in the corporate world. It all started in the year 2004 when I jumped into the ocean of corporate communications. I was a journalist before.

I was ignorant and lived in oblivion for longer time in my first IT company. 

With a hope of adding more feathers to my cap, I left my self-made-comfortable-cocoon to embrace the newer paths. Sooner, I understood the world is different from what I have seen. They did the same work which I have been doing. However, I sensed a different aroma and style. The jargon was different, and so was their approach.  

My school of thought was different. I can say, people found it more obsolete when compared to the current trends.

I was sandwiched between my expertise and the expectations. Nevertheless, it took some time to get into their skin. I left no stone unturned to create my niche.  

While I continued to dig deeper into the intricacies of content marketing, I was fortunate to try my luck in technical writing too. However, I observed, technical writers are valued more based on their expertise in using multiple tools, rather than on their ability to convey a technical message. As usual, my thirst for learning new things helped me stay stable in this arena too. 

Writing for Digital Media

Social media is very tricky. It drifts you away from the routine habit of writing long sentences.

Fortunately, I could learn this art as my destiny dragged me towards digital media. 

To my surprise, I am thinking and writing like a social media wizard. Till two and a half years ago, social media was alien to my yesteryear's' think tank.

Social Media Analytics

Eleven months back, the destiny pushed me once again into unknown waters. This time with social media analytics and managing the channels. I was brutally subjected to hardcore stats and spreadsheet rumblings. I am glad! I survived.

However, my confusion and internal conflict in choosing my next path drive me crazy. My bad! Today, I am not worried about living in oblivion. What world demands may matter to some extent. But my passion and the desire for making it big in writing, aka content marketing, helps me stand tall against all storms. 

Now, I want to move on with the trend of the digital world. For that blogging is the best habit to cultivate.

Finally, I must say, the digital media keeps me alive and kicking! These are my random thoughts. Thanks for reading!

     

Adapt the change with much sincerity

The 2014 elections have created a significant ripple in the perception of citizens towards Indian polity and the country’s development. The young and alike from villagers to cosmopolitans, irrespective of their vested interests, actively participated in the voting and welcomed the big change. It’s a drastic change perceived over the decades.

Change is inevitable, and it has sincerely metamorphosed the nonchalant attitude of the Indians who for the first time took a wide interest to change of authority at the centre. Specifically, the ITians and urbanites showed significant participation through social networking or at public debates. But these were the same people who damn cared about political moorings and hardly spoke about the change.

All thanks to the viral social networking which constantly touched the hearts of millions of youth in their very own language. The 2014 election campaign adapted this jargon and most of the parties were more “active” in invoking their voice than being “passive.” The campaigning saw the perfect branding with compelling slogans and engaging comments.   

Now the major challenge is how far this momentum will live up to. If our interests have inclined towards change analysis and the effects, let us be aligned with this positive momentum for a longer run and inculcate the much-required habit.  Sure, India will shine to the twinkles of every small change. 

Maximum Achievement

These days I am reading the book of the great motivational author Brian Tracy's Maximum Achievement. All these days the book was on the shelf left unnoticed by me. Somehow the situations and circumstances made me begin my venture towards my maximum achievement.

Its an incredible book with no words left to express. But there are some prerequisites to be fulfilled before you start reading the book such as, open mindedness, alertness to read between the lines in every paragraph and self appreciation. Why self appreciation??? Well, this helps you feel proud of your self, which in turn assists you to take out the maximum from the book. Isn't it very simple? 

Truly, every sentence I read through gave me an incentive to fill my bag with hope and only hope. Seven simple ingredients for success served me the delicious recipe to relish. The twelve master techniques helped me conquer my fears. If this is not enough, there is an interesting prelude depicting the rags to riches story of the master mind (Brian Tracy). Isn't it sumptuous? 

Mangalyaan: A reason to celebrate

When ISRO launched its first attempt and first Asian satellite to keep a watch on life on Mars on November 5, 2013, no one would have expected that this cheapest space mission would be accomplished and make every Indian feel proud. Today, there is a jubilant mood floating at every corner of the country.  

As usual the critics from all over the world, including Indians, injected much venom to calm down the celebrations. The western media allegedly used a double tongue by roping in the issues of poverty and Indian sanitation facilities to dampen the spirits of Indians and tried enough to humiliate at its best.

A few of the counterparts from India went one step ahead by criticizing this celebration as a patch up act by ISRO and a mission to blindfold the inherent failures of the space station. Critics say we should celebrate only after our GSLV gets enough fire to fly high. Agreed. 

But MOM (Mars Orbiter Mission), formal name of Mangalyaan has obvious reasons to cherish upon.

·       Small Payload yet highly capable of addressing the daunting questions about life on Mars

·       Made India join the space elite club and uplifted to become the 4^th nation to hit the Mars orbit

·      Changed the global perceptions

·      Opened the doors for many aspiring scientists

·      Last but not least,  became a big reason to Dream Big and achieve it too

Definitely it is the time to rejoice over our achievements, irrespective of its volume. That’s what drives us towards positive growth and gives expected results. So three cheers to India and ISRO!

Cultural treat from other side of the pool

Tiny and irksome lanes, bustling hawkers, drunken rikshaw pullers, dilapidated roads painted red with betel nut spits might have made the other side of the Musi unpopular for obvious reasons. But there is much to experience and acknowledge about the less talked cultural legacy of Puranapool, resided by people from all parts of India. 

Beginning from Holi to Diwali, the hues of festive mood and aroma of ethnic culture can be felt at every corner. Come Ganesh and Navaratri festivals, the old lanes will be busy with people from across the city trying to get their best deals for purchasing idols of deities. Many devotees observe fasting for 9 days and organize Jagaran to invite kith and kin. The poor are served with delicious food to seek the blessings of Maata Rani. 

Rakshabandhan is another feast to strengthen the family bonding in joint families where siblings and immediate cousins gather to exchange the love and affection through a holy thread. The festive mood begins much before the actual day with young girls and married women thronging the streets to grab the best of the rakhi designs. 

From jodi rakhis for brother and sister-in-law to original sponge rakhis, one gets a variety of designs at much reasonable prices. On the auspicious day, it’s a visual treat to watch young girls and newly married ladies, draped in colourful saris, accompanied by glittering jewelry. 

Not to forget the colourful Holi. The mist of rainbow colours and mouthwatering desserts may not just stop you but make you go crazy along with the crowd. On Makarasankranthi, the sky is inundated with colourful kites and crowded roof tops. 

Irrespective of festival times, one can feel the warmth and affection of neighborhood, which is a distant dream for the skyscraper nuclear families. And family gatherings during every festival rejuvenates from the mundane life and helps to progress with much vigor. 

To conclude, there may be lackadaisical nature towards sophisticated culture and civic sense, but that may not dampen the spirit of this old Hyderabadis in bringing the upswing mood and cultural congruence in every festival. Take your time to visit the place at least once in your lifetime to experience the positive side of the life.  

Facing the sudden death in the family

Death, thou cannot not fear me to cherish my dreams.

It is believed that soul reaches the astral world after the death and enjoys the bliss of being with the Almighty. But what about the loved ones who are crying for the loss? How many of us understand the above said words?

It's an incurable pain which may reduce its intensity as time moves, but will never be forgotten. The sudden death is sudden. Period. In the consequence, we need to change our routine and postpone or forget our dreams. But when it is inevitable and the physical body cannot be eternal, and nothing is in our hands, why should we depress ourselves and forgo our dreams?

I heard the soul cannot recognise the immediate-left-physical-body's relationships. If so, why should one put them in distress? Let's work for our dreams and the dreams of the departed souls. And let us live the uncertain life fully without suppressing the dreams.

I know, it is very difficult. But, punch back and live the rest of your life with a revenge over the fear of death and the pain it caused. Now we all understood who we are too! A soul. Sounds very philosophical and spiritual. But if this is what the reality, let's not kill our present. With this, I say once again, "Death, thou cannot not fear me to cherish my dreams"

Beauty lies in the heart of the beholder

Beauty lies in the heart of the beholder

Finding a suitable partner for your dear ones is a mountain hill task, especially for a groom. On a mission of searching a bride, I and my sister-in-law entered a grand marriage celebration. This was our first yet compulsive and emergency task. Emergency because we were going with a popular notion of being aware of bride snatchers (first come first). 

The hall was glittering with ghagras and designer sarees. Not to forget the imitation jewelry. With eyes wide open we geared up for the mission impossible, err…, possible. We struggled to get a glance of the probable brides as they were busy giggling and setting their hair style for every minute. Meanwhile, we got an idea! An idea changes a life. 

We straight away went near the mandap and switched on our radar. People were staring at us as being the center of attraction. The mandap was empty. The Baraat was yet to come. Ignoring the people, we were busy in our task. Suddenly we could trace a group of beautiful lasses having a gala time. For a second we looked at each other and yelled (silently), "attack" (with eyes). 

One girl was fair, tall and had beautiful hair. Please note that these criteria are mandatory. But we found some miss match. Maybe, it was her nose. Well, another had a normal complexion with average looks with less height. The third one was fatty. The fourth was very young, maybe in her teens. My eyes loved this teenager compared to others, and they followed her wherever she went.  

Our aunt, who joined us along, introduced the whereabouts of each girl in a low voice. Though she was talking to us, her eyes were greeting the fellow guests. This was to pretend or mislead them. Probably, to hide our mission. The girls and their relatives were looking at us with doubtful minds. It was embarrassing, but the noble cause made us stand tall. All is well in the marriages and alliances. Noted!

With all the confusion, we went to have our sumptuous dinner. The diet consciousness contained our hunger pangs. Though we were eating, our eyes were on their dedicated job. But we were afraid, as they were guests from other community too. Out of the few possible ones, many were ignored due to some allegations heard about them. 

After a thorough filtering, we settled for the tall and fair girl we saw in the beginning. As I was about to go close to the girl, our aunt appeared in front. Sensing my intention, she warned that the girl could not speak. I was silent for some time. Meanwhile, my sis-in-law came with a high volt-face. She expressed her positive views about the girl and asked me to ignore the aunt's version as the girl can speak well. With a sigh of relief, I followed her. Somehow, my sis-in-law begin the conversation with the girl, but that could not last for long. 

With more confusion, we left the place with some vague conclusion. Ultimately, the decision lies with the groom. The criteria we assumed may or may not be on the list of the decision maker. We were only the mediators or channels, to help him make a choice. The beauty lies in the heart of the beholder. The others have to obey with the final choice with empathy. Adieu