Kerala sets up a sub-committee to oversee the implementation of Unique Identification Number [UID] project with Chief Minister as chairman. UID, a prestigious central goverment project, will assign a unique identification number for every Indian citizen. The UID sub-committee in Kerala reaffirms the hearsay that project could be piloted in Kerala.

Indefinite Taxi and Autorickshaw strike was declared in Kerala from 21st December, 2009. The strike was called off from 24th. Strike objectives were fare revision, to entrust the Regional Transport Office with the authority to issue taxi permits currently being issued by State Transport Authority, to do away with the levy of user fees at the Regional Transport Office and finally to slash the entry tax charged for vehicles with inter-State permits. Strike was called off after government promised various committees to look in to these issues. Public had to undergo three days of hardships for few committees to be formed. A subsequent meeting is to happen after 30 days when the committee submits their reports. It is a known fact that nothing conclusive would happen in that meeting as some of the objectives needs decisions from central government and other state governments. So why don't our brothers continue their strike?

It was Mather Projects who went away from run of the mill advertisements and had some refreshing communications. They made a brilliant use of hoardings. The style, content and visuals broke the clutter and succeeded in conveying favourable brand values. They now run a campaign - 'the real mather lifestyle'. What a poor tag line? The 'real' is so unreal. The ads convey a desirable lifestyle for the discerning but the money is not well spent. The TV commercial looks like a Nescafe ad. The lady seems to relish the moment but is that enough to convince a prospective buyer? She could have been shown feeling and caring the interiors rather than sipping coffee. Hoarding ads are a mess. Why do they need a lady and a shot of the interior side by side? One has to hunt down the advertiser's name. The brand name and logo are the last ones you will notice in the ad. Mather got something interesting to convey but failed to convey it w...

A 90 year old man from my neighborhood hanged himself to death on a tree. He was survived by a son and his family, who recently moved to another place for employment. There could be many reasons for him to suicide. He might have felt alone. He might have lost the purpose of living. He might not want to become a burden for his son. He might not want to be a dependent. What ever be it we are going to see many more of these. Recently a family friend in his 60s went absconding and his skeleton was found hanging on a tree a month later. He never wanted to be a dependent even to his children. These incidents points to a larger issue. With superior healthcare facilities available to us, our average life span is 75 years. This is comparable to many developed counties (US - 77 years). In developed countries elders have a government social security system. We too need systems, offering a helping hand to our reverent elders. Another an...

It's our birthright. It's our identity. It's our 'wonder pill'. We protest against bourgeoisies. We protest against exploiters. We protest against government. We protest against globalization. We protest against inflation. We protest against police. We protest against companies. We protest against countries. We protest for wage rise. We protest for fare rise. We protest for equality. Enough! We protest at the drop of a hat causing humongous loss to the economy and exchequer. For sure the means we adopt to protest are wrong. The 'wonder pill' we consume is not going to cure the disease. 'Wonder pill' only gives illusions. Instead, pills to cure diseases are prudence, pragmatism and proactiveness from all parties concerned. Utopian kerala starts a series on protests in Kerala titled 'Wonder Pill'.

The Government has decided to introduce visa on arrival scheme from five countries which are Singapore, Finland, New Zealand, Luxemburg and Japan on a pilot basis for a period of one year. The modalities of the implementation of the scheme are being worked out with all the stakeholders and will be notified very shortly. Introduction on Visa on Arrival scheme is expected to provide a quantum jump in foreign tourist arrivals to India from these source markets in future. This in turn will also provide a boost to our civil aviation sector as the airports will have an increase in air traffic. Kerala Tourism industry should be a beneficiary.

December 28, 2009 is a day people in Kochi are eagerly awaiting. Few Volvo luxury buses are expected to hit tarmac ferrying public who would otherwise resort to their cars. The much anticipated and delayed service promises a lot, primarily fewer cars on road and the domino effect it will have on economy and environment. My Vyttila friends (age averaged around 60) have plans to take a joy trip, for the ethereal pleasure it promises. I would like to kick the present dusty, rusty KSRTC buses and flirt the lovely ones. But it all depends on the convenience, journey time, ticket charges in the pecking order.

Kentucky Fried Chicken [KFC] soft launched their outlet in Kochi. The outlet is at Vyttila, an evolving principal transit hub of Kochi. They have taken the anchor space at Gold Souk Grande mall. Kochi has few pizza chains and some single outlet fast food joints. Only likely competent for KFC is ChicKing with two outlets and plans to open more. It is highly unlikely for KFC to face any competition. KFC is not new for us. NRKs have vivid experience and often whine missing KFC after experiencing them either in India or abroad. But the biggest looming danger for KFC comes from political arena. Communists parties always held rallies and protests in front of KFC's first store in India at Brigade road, Bangalore. They always took KFC as a symbol of capitalists who exploit India. Probably this is the reason for their soft launch of outlet in Kochi. Political gimmicks and exploitation are not far away for KFC in Kerala.

Grand Kerala Shopping Festival [GKSF] is an initiative by Government of Kerala to enhance trade and commerce in Kerala. The festival, probably inspired from Dubai Shopping Festival [DSF], is huge considering the scale and reach across Kerala. The ongoing 3rd edition is poised to turn Kerala in to a big shopping mall, as claimed on the website . GKSF promises a lot - increased sales for traders, more opportunities for brand visibility, big prizes for consumers, reaching tourists at the peak season. But how this can be "Asia's biggest shopping festival". I do not get the evaluating parameter. I know one thing, people from world over catch a flight to be at Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, etc (all in Asia) during their shopping season, not for GKSF. Kerala is one of the largest consumer market in India, just because of our purchasing power. It does not have anything to do with tourists spending here, as they mostly spend only for their stay in Kerala. I do not see GKS...

Moserbaer movie CDs are now available at a price point above Rs.60, instead of the earlier popular band of Rs.35 - Rs.45. This is a critical change in pricing strategy for Moserbaer. Moving away from the sweet spot could have some ramifications in their earnings as some stores are already selling a locally copied version for Rs.35.