And The Motivation Porn

The internet is full of motivational quotes. There is no harm with motivational quotes. But the real problem is that almost everybody writes motivational quotes these days. I joined a group last year that published a book containing only motivational quotes. Let me be clear again- I don’t have any problem with anyone publishing a book online. But the real issue is the number of motivational quotes. There are too many numbers of motivational quotes available on the internet. Some of them plagiarized, but they are not easy to detect. Too many people are trying to motivate people with their writings. It is what I call Motivational Porn.

If you go through the motivational quotes present on a website, you will realize that they are self-contradicting. You will not reach any point of understanding. You will not be able to follow which one to follow and which one to ignore. Multiple numbers of websites have motivational quotes. Such a high number of self-contradictory motivational quotes are a pain in the ass.

You open Facebook or Twitter; you see a person who has shared a quote. But how many of them you remember?

                                                (Image Source: Pixabay)

Tale From A Lost World

The pandemic has impacted our lives heavily. Many lives have lost. All economies across the world have got disrupted. But still, people have learned to adapt to a new-normal world. Here I’m going to share a story of how an old couple has changed their business after the lockdown.

There is an old couple, husband and wife, in their seventies, who used to sell cutlet fritters before the pandemic. They used to open their shop in the evening. A high percentage of their customers were the workers who used to return home from the office. Bengalis like to have fritters with puffed rice as their evening snack. The tiny garage-turned shop was a hit. They started their business selling vegetable fritters, but soon they diversified. They started selling chicken, prawn, and fish items. They used to attract a lot of customers. The establishment was almost ten years old. And to be honest, they were doing well.

But then the pandemic hit. Lockdown forced the couple to close their shop. However, post-lockdown, they didn’t open their fritter shop. They have started selling vegetables. Yes, they have turned their garage shop into a place where people can get potatoes, onions, garlic, and more. Interestingly, they don’t open their fritter shop in the evening. They open the vegetable shop in the morning; they don’t operate in the morning anymore. The idea is to sell fresh vegetables, possibly Covid-free, to the people. They have understood that they won’t get office-returnees like before. So the shift. Bengalis like to go to the market in the morning for the love of fresh vegetables. They wanted to tap into this notion.

This is a complete change. They used to sell by-products of vegetables and livestock, but now they sell vegetables only. It means people don’t prefer buying fritters because of safety issues. Now, most people buy packaged food. Streetside food has taken a hit because of the pandemic. The buying pattern of the people has changed.

But the Durga puja has changed the scenario completely. I saw people having fritters on the streetside. Hence, I would like to end this with a question- did the couple make the right choice by changing their product? 

I’m Not Gifted

I’m not a gifted person as I learn things by hustling. I'm also not a talented person. The impetus of this piece I got from a recent chess win against my sister. I lost 12 games on the trot. And today, I've finally won. More than being happy, I am relieved about the fact that the game once again proved that I’m a hustler; a learner. I learn from my mistakes.

In school, I never have any favorite teacher. In college, I never have any favorite professor. I always try to learn things on my own. And I learn things from my failures. However, this doesn’t mean I love failures. I hate failures.

After joining the advertising, during the initial phase of my career, all my write-ups used to get rejected. I’ve seen many gifted writers whose copy used to get approved on the first attempt. But I’m not one of those writers. I try to trod on the hard part, which is exploring things on my own. I don’t feel easy when other people try to dictate me. However, this doesn’t mean I don’t need help from other people.

I’m more interested in learning by myself. I believe my adventurous nature is the reason behind this. I read copywriting books after joining the advertising industry. I’ve worked for 4 years in advertising then I bought my first copywriting book. I learned copywriting by doing. I tried the trial-and-error method and most of the time I failed, miserably.

I wrote my first script without reading any scriptwriting book. After writing the first script, I bought my first book. This has helped me a lot to bisect what is scriptwriting. The funniest part is- to understand the material of the book, I had to give a double-reading. To be honest, after the first read, I didn’t understand. As I told you earlier, I’m not gifted. I’m a hustler.

This has helped me to keep a low-profile. Having a low-profile means, you get more time to think. I love solitude. For instance, I was spending ‘me-time’ for quite some time. I saw a video on filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky in which he said the importance of solitude. I watched the video on YouTube several times but it never registered. However, my job-lessness has forced me to spend a lot of ‘me-time’, which has helped me to understand what solitude means.

The things I’ll do in the future are all going to be the fruits of hustling. I prefer learning by doing. And when I say doing, I mean doing one job multiple times. My problem is that I don’t understand things for the first time. I’m not gifted people like Hemmingway or Maradona. So, I like to toil every day.

I’ve become quite used to this type of living. So when I see something is happening around me without much toiling, I feel a degree of desperation.  I don’t feel comfortable if something is not a result of hardship. And when I say hardship, I mean my hardship, not the others. Others might be gifted and talented people. But to be honest I don’t give a damn to such talents because I love hustling.

Note to Non-Conformists

To be a non-conformist, you need to listen to everyone.  These days, everyone wants to become a non-conformist. In the advertising industry, everyone is ready to give their creative input. People like David Ogilvy and Steve Jobs have immortalized the term non-conformist.

I’ve over seven years of experience in advertising. I’ve realized that most people are wannabe non-conformist. I don’t know whether I’m a non-conformist or not. But one thing I realized that to become a non-conformist, you have to listen to everybody. You may not follow what others say, but listening to them will help you to understand the norms, the clichés. People, especially the conformists, generate ideas from what they see every day. So, if you’re able to find clichés that mean half of your battle is over because you don't follow the clichés. A non-conformist stands apart because he doesn’t conform to the norms.

The rule is simple- if you don’t listen to other’s ideas then how come you reject them. However, this doesn’t mean other ideas are bad always. But if you want to live a creative and non-conformist life, your brains have to get bombarded with ideas from everyone. You cannot ignore the crowd. You have to be in the crowd and be different. Being different in a crowd makes you a non-conformist.

Tiananmen Square

China became a People’s Republic in 1949 under Communist Party chairman Mao Zedong. During Mao’s time, Chinese peasants witnessed the land reforms which strengthen the popularity of the regime. The regime executed between 1 and 2 million landlords across the country. However, during the Great Leap Forward, an idealistic reform project, China saw an estimated 15 to 35 million deaths between 1958 and 1961, mostly from starvation.  The famine is a black spot in Mao’s portfolio. Revolution happened, but China was still an impoverished country. 

In 1989, frustrated with China’s economic stagnation, students across the country protested against the government at Tiananmen Square. The brutal suppression of students’ protests drew condemnations and sanctions against the Chinese government from different countries.

Communist party leaders understood that they have to make a choice – either bringing economic reforms or leave. Leaders like Jiang Zemin, Li Peng, and Zhu Rongji led the country in the 1990s. An astonishing performance pulled an estimated 150 million peasants out of poverty and achieved a GDP of over 11%. In 2001, China joined the World Trade Organization, and in 2008, they organized the Olympics.

China is now one of the global powers. China is eager to take America’s position. Since 1990, China’s growth is astonishing. From an impoverished agricultural country to a manufacturing hub for the world, the ordinary Chinese should be proud of themselves.

The reason I write this is to come to your notice that it was not Mao’s revolution which transformed China; it was the Tiananmen Square protest that helped China to become a global power.

                                                            (Image: Flickr)

A Passing Idea

This piece is for the laundry owners. The purpose of this is to share an idea that I think will help the laundry business owners.

The idea is simple- you’ll give discounts to your customers. But in return, you’ll ask them to write reviews on Google about your service. The process is very simple.

First, create your profile on Google My Business. Then create an image that is fit for WhatsApp. The content of the image is that you’re giving x% discount to everyone for writing good things about your company on Google.

The person who will write a review will get a discount when they ask for your service next time.

By giving a discount is a great idea to attract new customers and retain old ones. A discount on laundry service is rarely heard of, and this will help to attract people. And when they write reviews on Google, it will automatically help your company's SEO. Your company will automatically get higher ranks on Google. If you can run the campaign properly, then your company will come to Google's first page for sure. It means you don't have to pay for digital marketing costs. All you need to make a single image stating that you’re giving discounts.

Apply this for your laundry business. I’m sure it will work.

Last but not the least, which review will qualify for a discount is entirely up to you. 

                                                   (Image Source: Pixabay)

Scavenging Techniques From a Survivor

I’ve been copywriting for the last 7 years. In my initial 3 years, I produced rubbish copies. I’m still at a fix on how the clients had approved them. From early 2017, I started to frame sentences that make sense, and people can connect. But those were not copies. In mid-2019, I surprisingly found the way that I’ve been trying to do for the last six years.

In my initial years, I was making a mistake. I was trying to write something that was never thought about or written before. The idea is to present something old in a way that looks new. I was unable to give new ideas. I was writing sentences.  I thought stealing from another copy is a crime. I thought copying was stealing. But later I realized stealing is something else. You take something from other people’s work and make it completely new. It is stealing. If you copy, the chance of getting caught is 100%. But when you steal, only an experienced professional will be able to tell where it has taken from. However, you have to fabricate it in such a way that no one should understand it. I understood the importance of the phrase- old wine in a new bottle.

In 2019, I realized what the value of an idea is. Or, what an idea is? In mid-2019, I realized copywriters should not only write copy but also give executable ideas. I’ve recently focused on generating ideas from ideas. Ideas are everywhere, I realized. We fail to catch them.

I also realized that scavenging is the best technique to get new ideas. I try on scavenging for copywriting too. There are very few copy lines that get generated without any help from scavenging techniques. I scavenge everywhere to get copies and ideas. It starts from conversations, quarrels, eavesdrops, old ads, new ads, videos, films, interviews, newspapers, magazines, books, periodicals, songs, music pieces, and so forth.

I realized that scavenging is the only way to find new ideas and copies. The more trash you have, the more chance of getting your things done.

                                                          (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Why I Changed My Friends?

In late 2013, I changed my friends. the entire set. It sounds simple now, but at that time, it was not. One day, I decided to call it an end. I just stopped visiting them. I believe the reason for it because of the series of failures I suffered at that period.

Let me first tell you the story of my failures during that period. By mid-2012, I realized that Chartered Accountancy and Company Secretary courses are not my cup of tea. I was failing on the exams repeatedly. So I decided to call a quit. I was jobless for a prolonged period. In early 2013, I got a job at a multinational company, but I didn't like the job. So I resigned. During that time, I decided to join advertising as a copywriter. And since then, I’m working as a copywriter.

The reason I mentioned my failures because I believe those failures changed me immensely as a person. Those failures helped me to understand people. I was spending time with friends to drink and smoke. In short, I was doing nothing. I was wasting my time. I’m still at a fix why I spent those times with such people who believe spending time with friends means boozing, smoking, and talking about how to sleep with women. Deep down somewhere, I understood that they don’t share the same worldview as mine. They see life differently. When I stopped visiting them, their behavior changed. They couldn't fathom the fact that I turned my back against them. But I had to take that call. If I hadn’t made that choice at that time, I would have been a lost fellow by now.

Now when I look back, I see them more as time-passers than friends. During my tough times, they didn't uplift my morale; rather they were busy doing their silly little things. I was not finding the impetus to do something meaningful because of that alliance. I believe they are those types of people who are busy proving to each other which one is better or worse. I also found them condescending.

From late 2013 to early 2017, I was without touch with any of them. I still don’t have any touch with any of those pricks. When I go outside, I see them. But that is it; nothing more or less. They also might have realized that I don’t believe in their way of life. If I had continued my friendship with them, I wouldn't have able to become a copywriter. That alienation helped me to think. In mid-2017, I came to realize that I need to have friends with whom I can share my views. After a trial-and-error process, I have found few people with whom now I spend time. They are not the old ones.

I feel I was stuck because of my surroundings. So I changed my surroundings, and I believe it worked. If that hadn’t clicked, you wouldn’t have read this piece. I needed that self-imposed exile. If you mind your surroundings and I believe you will able to fulfill your dreams. I fulfilled my dream to become a copywriter. Now my dreams have changed. If required, I will change my surroundings again.

                                                        (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Why People Prefer Statesmen

What is the most precious thing that people like to expect? They want to have a beautiful future. They like to dream about a future that free of the problems of the present. However, most people are not aware of how to dream or what to dream. Here comes the role of a dreamer. A dreamer with a worldview should not only dream for himself but the entire society. His dreams should get transferred to the world from where he comes. But who is a dreamer? A dreamer can be anyone- writer, poet, musician, architect, etc. Even a dreamer can be a person from politics also. However, the current political establishments are failing to produce politicians who are helping us to dream.

We need statesmen who will be able enough to help us to dream. A statesman is different from a politician. A politician can keep his power by just sloganeering or implementing rules; he doesn’t have to help people to dream. However, the role of a statesman is to help people to dream; to present a future that is unknown to them, but they desire. Statesmen act as a mediator between people and their dreams. You can easily differentiate between a statesman and a politician by what they speak. A politician always blames the opposition. A statesman offers something unknown to people. Politicians are happy about keeping things as they are. However, a statesman always tries to change the norms. People prefer new things, new ideas. And understandably, politicians fail to address that notion, as they are fearful of change.

A statesman always gives new hope to people to boost their life. However, the chance of failure is much higher for a statesman than an ordinary politician. When a politician fails, he fails his party, but when a statesman fails, he fails those who co-dream along with him.

But still, people choose statesmen over politicians because statesmen allow people to bring a change in their life. History says that people always have chosen statesmen over politicians. Because people want change, people deserve change. It is the role of a statesman to help them to dream big.

                                                 (Image Source: Snappy Goat)

How To Fool The Mass?

People are aware of the Sabrimala Temple row. Supreme Court of India ordered the end of an 18-year-old restriction by the 1991 Kerala High Court judgment on women of menstrual age entering the shrine. Media went crazy about it, and women felt liberated. Women were eager to break the shackles by entering a temple! The media created hype. As if some messiah has arrived to liberate women. It sounded like the beginning of the era of female emancipation. Few women started to believe that they became equal to men. The communication, harping on the secularism issues, was that the order made women equal to men.

But people forgot that secularism doesn’t bring equality. It has nothing to do with women’s rights or even anybody’s rights. Rather religion separates men from women. If we look at history, we will find the atrocities against women in the name of religion. Hindus proudly thumped their chests in favor of Sati Pratha. Then how come women feel that they become equal by just entering a temple. Religion always enslaves women.

I think both women and men should stay away from any form of religious temptation. I would love to know the view of women’s groups on the Sabrimala matter. Do they feel by allowing women to enter a temple will help women to fight for equality? A false projection of equality is getting portrayed. It doesn’t matter whether women get entry to a temple or not. I think that women should appreciate that they were not allowed at a place that despises women. By separating themselves from religion, women can weaken religious bodies. They should welcome the idea of reason and logic. Media, in the name of secularism and women’s right, created a false vision of equality and mass swallowed it.

                                                                    (Source: Needpix)

Digital Hustling Tips From an Almost Dead City

I joined advertising because I thought advertising is cool. I had not an iota of an idea what the hell copywriting is. When I joined copywriting, Kolkata was already a dead city. People left Kolkata because they didn’t want to become zombies. I also left Kolkata to become a copywriter with the fear that zombies will kill me if I stay. I didn’t want to become a zombie. I went to NOIDA and joined an advertising agency there as a junior copywriter. But that was it. I returned to Kolkata empty-handed.

In Kolkata, I had thrown into the world of SEO, let say, by market forces. Unknowingly, I was into the digital marketing world. And to survive in the digital marketing world, you need to hustle. I started writing copies for Google Ads and Facebook Ads. But I didn’t consider them as copies. I thought they were content. I felt I was doing content writing. I also thought zombies are conspiring against me in becoming a copywriter. I started writing 2-3 blogs every day. F**k. I thought I was helping society. I didn’t know the content marketing business. I heard the term content marketing funnel quite later. I didn’t realize that very few people read blogs written by me. Nowadays, bots are also reading blogs. Maybe the headlines are not click-baiting.

I thought that work was shit, and great content is website content. I changed agencies only to write website content. I thought writing website content was ideal, and SEO was shit. What the hell. It is digital marketing, baby. By the way, when I use the word writing, I mean hustling. When I write, I do everything- from stealing, copying, ripping off to spinning.

Suddenly, one day, I become a social media copywriter/hustler. I started to handle 16-17 clients- the beginning of the madness. Social media is a place for hustlers. Social media copywriting pushed me a level higher. Strategizing, campaigning, and writing- all learned at this dead city. Out of the blues, I got the opportunity for writing scripts for 2D animation films.

I went to Mumbai to work and returned empty-handed, just like NOIDA. In 2019, I had my copywriting awakening. I realized I was producing mediocre kinds of stuff. Mediocre stuff doesn’t work in dead places. For the last five years, I did hustling. Now I’m in the hustling-to-writing phase.

Now, I want to shift. Shift to mainline advertising. But pundits are saying it is the era of digital advertising. But who cares about pundits. Am I on the right path?

(Image source: Pixabay)

Quid Pro Quo

I was chatting with the owner of an organization on LinkedIn. He approached me for a job. I sent him my resume. He asked how much salary I’m expecting. I quoted an amount that he disagrees with. Before the salary part, I told him the clients that I handle. And when I asked him what clients they have, he evaded the question. His reply was- all corporate clients. I realized that he doesn’t want to reveal the names.

I have a problem with this type of communication. When I’m revealing the clients that I’ve handled, what stops you from sharing yours? I gave you my resume, then why not you tell me about yourself. He didn’t even bother to share his website. I searched it on Google and found the website. When I’m divulging my fact, then you should also reciprocate. It should be a two-way process. Quid pro quo- I tell what is mine, you tell what’s yours.

When a person gets selected in an organization, he needs to submit all the documents such as previous companies’ letters, salary slips, etc. But a candidate never asks for the profit and loss statement of the company. My argument is when a company hires a person; the owner shouldn’t think he/she has hired a robot who will not ask any questions.

The owner of the company, with whom I was having a chat, told me that he has trust issues with freelancers when I said that I’m more interested in working as a freelancer. The moment I hear he doesn't trust freelancers, I realized he has trust issues with almost everything. He might have faced problems with a freelancer in the past. But he can’t curse the entire community.

Trust is the most powerful currency in business communities across the world. If a person can’t trust the person at the opposite end, then the opportunity dissolves. Trust is the cause of a handshake between two parties. I believe a change in mindset is needed. People need to trust each other more. Companies need to be more transparent about them at the time of hiring. It should always be a two-way process.

                                           (Image Source: Inkforall.com)

10 Things I’ve Learned From James Altucher

James Altucher is a writer, entrepreneur, and investor. I’m a huge fan of his work (https://jamesaltucher.com/). Whenever I feel out of ideas or inspirations I go to his site to read his blogs or listen to his podcasts. I’ve learned a lot from his blogs or podcasts. Here are the 10 things that I’ve learned from James Altucher.

1. Idea Muscle 

Like body muscle, James says there is an idea muscle. And if you train that muscle properly, you can use that muscle in generating new ideas after a period. The rule is simple when you have a strong muscle; you show it to the world. Same with the idea muscle. When your idea muscle is strong, you are ready for the market.

2. Idea Is The Currency of the 21st Century

Idea is the currency of the 21st Century- it is the phrase that James coined. It means the more ideas you’ve, the more chances you have to stay relevant in the market. The rule is simple if you have the currency that means you have more chances to stay in the market.

3. Idea Machine

James says if you train your idea muscle properly and generate new ideas regularly, you can become an idea machine. When you become an idea machine, people will come to you for new ideas. James believes a person can become an idea machine with proper training.

4. Lurn.com

Lurn.com is a great website. The website offers online courses that are suitable for this time. Few courses offer ways to earn money. Some courses are free. The site (https://lurn.com/) is primarily run by entrepreneur Anik Singal and others.

5. Affiliate Marketing Program of Anik Singal

Lurn.com has a program by entrepreneur Anik Singal on how to earn money while sitting at your home. The name of the program is the affiliate marketing program by Anik Singal. The program showcases a completely new business model. The course is free and anyone can do it. Affiliate marketing is an authentic business model and has been taken up by many.

6. Failure Porn

He said there is too much failure porn on the internet. It means too many people are sharing their failure stories on the internet. However, when you look closely those stories are not actually failures; they are just hiccups. He is calling them failure porn. And what is happening, people aren’t getting motivated or inspired after reading those failure stories.

7. How to Distribute Ideas

According to James, when you start to generate ideas, you distribute them for free. If put a patent or some kind of clause on them, then people start to retreat. It is better to distribute ideas to the world expecting that no one would like them.

8. Write 10 Ideas Every Day

To become an idea machine, James said to write 10 ideas every day. It doesn’t matter how good or bad they are. But you have to write 10 ideas every day. With this exercise, you will be able to strengthen your idea muscle and become an idea machine finally.

9. One Can Have Multiple Dreams

James believes that a person can have multiple dreams. He started his career as a business writer then shifted to the entertainment industry. Now he wants to become a stand-up comedian. He also said that after a year, he may discontinue it and start something fresh.

10. Rock Bottom Isn’t The Bottom

James says when some say they’ve hit the rock bottom that means they don’t know what rock bottom is. The rock bottom isn’t the bottom; there is more after rock bottom. He meant that people need to redefine what rock bottom is.

There are blogs and podcasts available on James’s website from where you can get new ideas. The above 10 points attracted me and helped me to understand where I’m lacking.

                                                          (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Which Side Will India Choose

The end of World War II began a new era. It started the age of liberalization. The world becomes more liberal, democratic, and open. The fall of the U.S.S.R. proved that people want to live in a democratic society. Globalization becomes a resounding success. And America played, still playing, the role of a leader to maintain the liberal order. Since 1945, America has paved the way for other countries to become a part of that order. America played a huge role in the easy operations of bodies like the United Nations and WHO.

But the events like Brexit, Trump in the White House have certainly dented the idea of the liberal order. President Trump has decided not to fund these organizations as he boasts himself as a nationalist. America’s defunding creates a void. To fill the gap, China has emerged- the new superpower.

China has increased funding in the organizations which are known to be renowned for their liberal attitudes.

                                                          (Image Source: Needpix)

In this precarious situation, the doubt arise which side will India choose. China is a regimented one-party controlled country that is sitting on India’s northern border. The current Modi government doesn’t share a good relationship with China. On the other hand, India’s Prime Minister Modi shares a good rapport with President Trump. But will the Modi government stand with someone who is in a withdrawal mode? Seeing vacuum, European leaders like Merkel and Macron may enter the scene and carry the liberal order baton. European Union may stable the situation and gain some lost grounds and reduce China’s influence. But will it happen? China shares a great relationship with Russia, but Russia is a declining power. Russia shares a good relationship with India also. There is no sign that Russia is keen on maintaining the liberal order.

Modi’s right-wing government also boasts India as the largest democracy in the world. Can we consider this as a cue that Modi wants to maintain the liberal order? Only time will tell which side is Modi choose. But the big question, what will happen to the liberal order.

Lights, Camera and Call-To-Action

There is a newspaper house in Kolkata who also presents their news on YouTube. They share content in video format on YouTube. However, they are doing a bizarre thing. They are putting the CTA (call-to-action) before the news, every time. It means the content comes after the call-to-action. The CTA asks to subscribe to the channel.

People click on a video to see what is inside if they found the headline is appealing. And if you start the video with the call-to-action, you’re just wasting the precious time of your audience. You are making them wait. They visit your channel with the anticipation of finding something new and meaningful. However, you’re welcoming them with a CTA! It's just not done. Though there is no such rule that CTA always has to come after the content, but it’s better to put CTA at the end of the content. A reply or increase in subscription means the content you shared serves the purpose, not because of the CTA. People visit your site/page/channel, not because of the CTA, they want to get delighted by the content you have shared. A fancy CTA will not increase your subscription.

In a platform like YouTube that is known to everyone, asking for a CTA is a cliché.

                                                            (Image source: Flickr)

                                                    

West Bengal Lacks Purpose

Every time I log into Facebook, I see someone has moved to Bangalore or Gurgaon from Kolkata. People living in West Bengal or people from West Bengal are aware of this internal migration. Some say this exodus has started in the late 80s. I don’t know when it has begun because I don’t have the data. But the reality is that the youth of Bengal loves to leave West Bengal. Few will argue that migration is a natural process. People migrate from one place to another. But I would disagree with them when it’s come to West Bengal. The youth of Bengal is more interested in getting a job in cities like Bangalore, Pune, or Gurgaon. Kolkata doesn’t fall as their first preference. I met two college graduates who were preparing to do masters in Delhi. When I started talking with them about their choice of subjects, they started talking to me in Hindi. I asked one of them the reason for choosing Hindi as the communication language. They said today’s Bengali youth prefers to speak in Hindi as good jobs are outside the West Bengal where they have to communicate in Hindi mostly. The youth of West Bengal leave for IT jobs in cities like Bangalore and Pune, and workers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh come in large numbers to West Bengal to fill in the cheap jobs available in West Bengal. 

I’m not going to rant about why so many people leave after graduation. The reason is simple- because good things are outside Bengal. The reason I am writing this is that I want to address the intelligentsia of Bengal. I like to tell them that give the youth a reason to stay in Bengal. The current intelligentsia is failing to do that. The youth from Bengal needs to find their reasons to leave their NOIDA or Bangalore apartment. The generation I belong to is restless and always seeking something new. So when they see a data scientist job in Gurgaon, they adjust and start speaking in Hindi. There are many Bengalis outside Bengal who are waiting for the right time to return to Kolkata.  The intelligentsia of Bengal should give them a purpose to return to Kolkata.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

A Short Note on Manufacturing Jobs

The pandemic has changed everything. In this new-normal world, we are always ready to adjust. We have found out what are the essential services. Big economies are busy to find the future of work. However, this short piece is not on how people will cope in a post-pandemic world. 

The manufacturing industry has taken a hit but in a revival mode. The manufacturing industry looks secured, but what about the manufacturing jobs. Are manufacturing jobs secured? It is quite evident that companies will opt for automation. Manufacturing jobs that are currently done by humans will go to robots in the future. Understandably, for cost reasons, companies will opt for robots instead of humans. Jobs for humans will shift to the service industry.

So if you're planning to get into the manufacturing industry, do your research first. 

                                                             (Source: Needpix.com)

Where Are The Male Nurses?

I was watching a film from the 40s in which I saw a male nurse in a hospital. Before that, I was unaware of the concept of male nurses. I thought a nurse always has to be a woman. But that film changed my perception. The film gave me the impetus to thought if male doctors can get appointed in a hospital, then what stops hospitals from hiring male nurses. The advantage of having male nurses is that they would be the best fit to handle male issues properly. Understandably, not all female nurses understand male problems. Also, male nurses at hospitals mean the right balance of male-female ratio. If women can understand women related issues, then issues related to men need to be addressed by men too.

If a male doctor can team up with female nurses, then what stops a female doctor to team up with male nurses? Having male nurses in the hospital assures male’s entry into the hospital industry. There are jobs in the hospital other than nursing where men get employed. Those jobs are getting performed by everyone- both male and female. And more women are getting hired to perform these jobs.

My final thought is that there shouldn’t be any bias over any gender for any job.

(Image source:Wikimedia Commons)

Relationship Starts After Sale

My mother bought some medicines from a local drug store. At home, she found that few are not needed. So she told me to go to the store and return them. I went to the drug store to return them. Kolkata people might be aware that in Kolkata when you ask for a return, you don't get the money back, you have to take a new item against that price. If the price of the product crosses the returning product, you have to pay extra. For example, if you buy two strips of medicines costing Rs. 150 (Rs. 75 each) and want to return one strip, then you won’t get Rs. 75. You have to take alternate products costing Rs. 75. If the alternate products cost Rs. 80, then you have to pay Rs. 5 extra.

When I reached the drug store and asked them to return, their body language got changed. The owner of the store was behaving in such a way that he has never heard about the concept of returning a product. I told them I don’t need the money, but I will take medicine later. Hearing that, they (owner and employees) started saying how they will be able to remember. This not only changed their body language but also their tone. There was irritation in the owner’s voice.  They were uncomfortable about the fact that they have to issue a credit note. Having a credit note in the system suggests they are aware of the fact that return happens. I believe they issue credit notes only to the suppliers but not to customers.

However, after ten more minutes of discussion, they became the winner. They were successful in not giving me a credit note. They sold me two bottles of hand sanitizers against that money. Although they won in not giving me a credit note but failed to win my trust. This incident will fail to develop a long-lasting relationship between them and me. Business owners should know that relationship with customers begins after the sale. The post-sales relationship is the most pertinent aspect of building a lasting relationship. The business of retaining a customer begins after the sales. Every businessman wants to retain customers. To retain customers, you need to focus on your relationship-building strategy. You need to understand that sale doesn’t mean the end of a relationship; rather it’s a gateway to building a relationship that lasts long.

So what the drugstore owner did is completely wrong in terms of building a relationship. After the incident, I don't believe them at all. I consider them as an organization that only focuses on money, not on people. A customer-centric organization lasts longer than a profit-centric organization. Though all organizations' ultimate goal is to book profit that doesn't mean they will ignore customer-problems. The focus should be on building a relationship, profit will follow.

                                                  (Image source: Blue Diamond Gallery)

Why I Love Writing Film Reviews

My love for films started when I was a kid. I used to watch Bangla and Hindi movies on our black and white television at home. Colour television came later in our house. And when I used to visit my maternal aunt's place, she used to take me to the theaters to watch commercial Hindi movies. After entering college, I started to go out with my friends to watch commercial Hindi films. After watching those movies, I used to debate with my friends about the films. My only objective was to find flaws in those films, be it in the story or the making.

After graduation, I started watching foreign movies- Hollywood, European, Latin American, and Asian. Those movies have helped me to realize that films are not just images on screens- there is more to that. I generally used to watch song and dance movies that are not only bizarre but also lack intelligence and artistry. After I started watching foreign films, especially the good ones, I slowly came to realize that those films are leaving a mark on me. I was unable to find flaws in those movies. They became the topic of discussion and argument for me. Movies like Taxi Driver, Bicycle Thieves, and 8^1/2 shook my consciousness and help me to see a world that I have never traveled before. I stopped looking at films as entertainment. I started taking inspiration from the movies. Rather than finding flaws, I used to engage in deep conversations with my friend about films, their content, and the meaning.

And when I joined social media, I started writing mini-reviews on films. It is social media that introduced me to the world of film reviews and criticism. I never knew that a cinema bears so many different perspectives. I came to know about critics like Pauline Kael and Roger Ebert who helped me to understand what film criticism is all about. I was unaware that film reviewers hold such high standards.

For the last 1 year, I've been working as a film critic for a Kolkata-based film magazine Cult Critic. I'm getting to see so many new works from independent directors from different parts of the world. I'm not only getting paid as a reviewer but also knowing what people are thinking around the world.

After starting to work as a reviewer, I started to discover the hidden messages that lie in a movie. I’m also able to understand the politics of a film along with its polemics. As a film critic, I’m able to see the artistry or entertainment quotient of a movie. The sheer joy of deconstructing a movie gives me the impetus to write about movies.

                                                      (Source: The Blue Diamond Library)

Restaurants in Kolkata Should Hire Waitresses

One thing that troubles me a lot is that restaurants in Kolkata don’t hire waitresses. I have been to quite a few restaurants in Kolkata and have never seen a waitress taking orders or delivering food at the tables. The servicing job at the restaurants is almost 100% controlled by men. Hiring only men for a waiter job is not only an old and back-dated idea, but it also crushes the opportunities for women to earn via waitressing.

There is no doubt that founders/managers of the restaurants have not put much thought into hiring waitresses. If they had, the scene must have been different by now. I don’t know the reason for not hiring waitresses. I believe women can perform equally well at taking orders and delivering food at the table like men. Women get employed in almost all types of jobs all across the world, why restaurant owners of Kolkata can’t hire waitresses. Every year, hotel management institutes release thousands of hotel management graduates, both male and female, into the market. If male students can work as a waiter then what stops female students from working as a waitress.

I also wonder what the female restaurant owners of Kolkata think on this matter. Are they following the template what their male counterpart is doing for years? Or the reason is something else. Along with female restaurant owners, male owners also need to think about their stance on this matter.

(Image source: Pixabay)

I have seen female employees at the cash counters of restaurants. If women can handle the cash counters, why not a waitress job? A large number of people will say that the waiter's job is demanding and requires physical strength. I’ll tell them if women can get employed in the army, then what stops them from getting the waitress’s job. Few others will say that to become a waitress, a woman should be mentally strong. My reply to them would be if women can do the tell-callers a job where they handle customer problems over the phone, then they can deal with customers at the restaurants too.

By not giving a chance to work as waitresses, restaurant owners in Kolkata are not giving women of Kolkata to work and earn. In a state like West Bengal, where the top boss is a woman, I believe the government will look into this matter sincerely. If possible, the government should hire waitresses at the restaurants or canteens run by them. I'm sure private restaurants will follow governmnet's path in the future.

Government Hospitals and Their Colonial Mindset

I’ve taken service from both government hospitals and private hospitals in Kolkata. It has taught me to find the infrastructural differences present in a government hospital and a private hospital. In terms of infrastructure and facilities, private hospitals are way ahead compared to the government ones. People like to go to private hospitals for treatment regardless of their astronomical expenses. A large number of patients of government hospitals are from the marginalized section of the society. They are dependent on government hospitals, knowing the lack of facilitative services at the government hospitals.

If we keep aside the infrastructure and facility part, one more thing that widens the gap between government hospitals and private hospitals is the behavior of the staff. The attitude of the government hospitals doctors and nurses are quite rude and harsh to the patients and their families. Government hospital staff behaves in such a way that they’re doing a charity by giving treatment. The tone in which they speak is not at all assuring for the patients and their families. Patients and their families deserve the right behavior from doctors and nurses at the government hospitals. However, the behavior of doctors and nurses of private hospitals are way better than the government hospitals. The staff of government hospitals should not think that patients are at their mercy. Patients go to government hospitals because the treatment costs are lesser compare to private hospitals. People who can’t afford to go to private hospitals are dependent on government hospitals.

There is no doubt that government hospital staffs have an attitude problem. Their colonial mindset is hurting people for a long time. It needs to change. On the other hand, when you look at the behavior of the staff of the private hospitals, you get amazed. The assurance in their voice and attitude is contagious (in the right way). There should not be any doubt that the staff of private hospitals goes through an orientation program on how to behave with patients. And I’m quite sure that this comes from the top.

An orientation program is required for the staff of the government hospitals too. Patients not only need treatment, but they also deserve a smile from the doctors and nurses.

                                                       (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Sanitary Pads

 জয়দীপ ক্লাস সেভেন পর্যন্ত আমার সাথে খানপুরে পড়েছে। সেভেনে পড়াকালীনই ওর সাথে আমার একটা বন্ধুত্ব গড়ে ওঠে। স্কুল ছুটি হলে আমরা একসাথে বাড়ি ফিরতাম। আমাদের দুজনের সাথে আরও একজন থাকত। সেই ছেলেটির নাম এই মুহূর্তে মনে করতে পারছিনা। গল্প বলার সুবিধার খাতিরে ওর নাম দিলাম সন্দীপ। আমরা তিনজনে একসাথে ফিরতাম। জয়দীপের বাড়ি আমাদের পাড়াতেই ছিল। ‘ছিল’ শব্দটি ব্যাবহার করছি তার কারন, জয়দীপরা পরে মুম্বাই চলে যায় বাড়ি বিক্রি করে। সন্দীপ অন্য জায়গায় থাকত। জয়দীপ ক্লাস সেভেন পর্যন্তই খানপুরে পড়েছিল, কারন ক্লাস সেভেন শেষ করেই ওরা মুম্বাই চলে যায়। ওর দিদির বিয়ে হয়ে যায় মুম্বাইতে এবং দিদির সাথে জয়দীপ এবং ওর মা- দুজনেই মুম্বাই চলে যায়। মুম্বাইতে জয়দীপের মা একটা কাজ পেয়ে যায়। জয়দীপের বাবা ছিলনা। জয়দীপের বয়স যখন ১২ বছর তখন জয়দীপের বাবা মারা যায়। এখানে বলে রাখা ভালো এই লেখাটিতে জয়দীপ বারংবার আসলেও, এই লেখার মুখ্য উদ্দেশ্য হল- আমি কিভাবে মহিলাদের ঋতুস্রাব বিষয়টি জানলাম।

জয়দীপের বাড়ির সামনের একটা উঠোন ছিল। ওখানে ওরা ক্রিকেট খেলত। হাফ-হ্যান্ড ক্রিকেট যাকে বলে। উঠোনের এক কোনায় বাথরুম ছিল। ঘর থেকে বেড়িয়ে হেঁটে উঠোন পেড়িয়ে বাথরুমে যেতে হত। বাথরুমটা আর পাঁচটা বাথরুমের মতনই ছিল। কিন্তু বাথরুমের পিছনের দেয়ালটা একটু ভাঙা ছিল যেটা দিয়ে ভিতরটা দেখা যেত। ওই ছিদ্রে চোখ লাগিয়ে জয়দীপ এবং বন্ধুরা দিদির নগ্ন শরীর প্রায়ই দেখত। ছুটির দিনে জয়দীপ এবং ওর পাশের বাড়ির বন্ধুরা সকাল থেকেই ক্রিকেট খেলা শুরু করত। একটা অদ্ভুত জিনিস ঘটত সেটা হল, যখনই জয়দীপরা ক্রিকেট খেলত তখনই দিদি স্নান করতে ঢুকত। তাই প্রায় যেদিনই ওরা ক্রিকেট খেলত সেদিন দিদির নগ্ন শরীর দেখার সুযোগ ছাড়ত না।

আমি যে দিনের ঘটনা বলছি, সেদিনও দিদি স্নান করতে ঢুকেছে যখন জয়দীপরা ক্রিকেট খেলা শুরু করেছে। যথারীতি ইচ্ছে করেই জয়দীপরা বলটাকে বাথরুমের পিছনে পাঠিয়েছে। বল আনার অজুহাতে দিদির নগ্ন শরীর দেখবে বলে। ওরা পালা করে বাথরুমের ভিতরের দৃশ্য দেখত। কিন্তু সেদিন অন্য দৃশ্য দেখে। জয়দীপের দিদি সম্পূর্ণ নগ্নতো বটেই, কিন্তু শরীরের নিচের অংশ অর্থাৎ যৌনাঙ্গে সাদা রঙের কি একটা পড়ে রয়েছে। মেঝেতে সাদা রঙের ওরকমই দেখতে একটা কাপড়ের মতন আরও একটা বস্তু পড়ে রয়েছে। ওরা মোট তিনজন ছিল এবং কারোরই জানা ছিলোনা সাদা রঙের বস্তুটি কি? পরের দিন স্কুলে এসে বলে গোটা ঘটনাটি সম্বন্ধে। আমারও জানা ছিলনা সাদা রঙের বস্তুটি কি হতে পারে। পরবর্তীকালে বয়স বাড়লে বুঝতে পারি ওটা স্যানিটারি প্যাড ছিল এবং জয়দীপের দিদির তখন মাসিক চলছিল।

                                                         (Image Source: the noun project)
জয়দীপরা মুম্বাই চলে যায় আগেই বলেছি। কিছু বছর হল জয়দীপরা কলকাতায় ফিরেছে। এখন জয়দীপ বিবাহিত। কলকাতার একটা নামকরা কোম্পানিতে কাজ করে, Regional Sales Manager হিসেবে এবং বিক্রি করে স্যানিটারি প্যাড।

West Bengal Needs Another Kolkata

Some say Kolkata was established in 1696 by an English merchant Job Charnock. So, the age of Kolkata is over 300 years. Kolkata, once known as Calcutta used to be the capital of British India, is now the capital of West Bengal. If you take out a day from your busy schedule and cover the city from south to north and east to west, you will realize that Kolkata is an unplanned city. What we call central Kolkata today was built by the British. It is still beautiful in some of its parts, but mostly it looks old and cluttered. North Kolkata is not only old and crumbling but rotten from its core. It needs a serious revision by the government. The western part of Kolkata is prosperous but a bit stuffy and seems not a part of Kolkata. South Kolkata also needs introspection. The way it is growing, I’m sure someday it will exactly look like North Kolkata. East Kolkata, especially Salt Lake, is well-shaped and in good condition. In aggregate, Kolkata is old and looks tired regardless of having a Salt Lake. Barring Kolkata, West Bengal has few more cities such as Siliguri, Durgapur, and Howrah. These cities are also quite old and not at all growing the way they should be. Durgapur is a comparatively new city but lacks business. The latest addition, New Town is still growing, and in a planned manner, but considers as an extension of Kolkata. Considering Kolkata’s structure and flaws in the plan, it would be a humongous task for the government to redesign Kolkata and turn it into a city with modern living standards.

However, if the government start thinking of creating a new city, it would be ideal for the people of West Bengal. There is no doubt that the pressure on Kolkata is humongous. The problem is entire West Bengal is somehow dependant on Kolkata. However, if you look at a state like Maharashtra, you can see cities like Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, and Nagpur that has also started attracting business. What I meant here is that these cities are not entirely dependent on Mumbai or Pune. These cities help to relieve the pressure that Mumbai used to take.

All over the world, people like to live in cities. More and more people are becoming urban-centric as they want to enjoy the fruits of living in cities. This notion has inspired them to migrate in large numbers to cities. If the West Bengal government can create an IT hub at Malda or a manufacturing hub in Kalyani, it will not only create jobs but also create an entirely new city. The focus should be on creating cities, not on creating jobs; the focus should be on creating industries, not jobs. Jobs will follow. The city will create IT jobs or manufacturing jobs. The government should create a new city and give reasons for people to move there. West Bengal needs another Kolkata as our beloved city looks tired. 

                                                            (Image Source: Flickr)

I Don’t Respect Police, I Fear Them

I’m writing this with a lot of frustrations after the reception I got at my local police station. Let me tell you the story, I gave my phone to a mobile repair shop, and the repairer mismanaged with my email account. A chunk of data has been lost. I called the police headquarters, and they suggested me to lodge a general diary at the local police station. I went to the local police station to report the incident. To maintain social distancing, they were not allowing anyone to enter the police station. So we were waiting outside the police station with the hope that someone will come from inside and receive us. We waited for half an hour, but no one arrived. Minutes later, few other people had arrived with their problems. They were also waiting outside like us. Seeing a small crowd, one officer came out and started talking with us. As I was the first to arrive, the officer attended me first. I handed him the letter, and he said ‘why didn’t you sign’, I told him ‘I was not sure about the procedure that’s why I didn’t sign’. Then I gave him the supporting documents. Seeing the documents, he started to shout- what is this or what the document is for. I got scared and confused. Hearing my oral version, he returned the letter to me and said, ‘we don’t deal with this kind of case here. Go to headquarter.’ I replied, ‘headquarter told me to come here’. But by that time, he was inside the station.

The problem with the Indian police system is that it was established during British Raj. The British had left the country but the mindset of the Indian police is still colonial. There shouldn’t be any doubt that the Indian police system requires immediate reforms. I’m saying this not because I had a bad experience at my local police station but the truth is that governments, previous or current, haven’t taken any measures to reform it. In India, people either fear or hate the police, not respect them. However, in a civilized society, it should be the opposite. We shouldn’t fear the guardian of our society. The respect between the police and society should be mutual. We can approach them without thinking that we could get hassled. And the police can approach ordinary people with the hope that people will not ignore them. Many people don’t go to the police station just because they don’t want to get hassled.

I dislike the tone in which police speak. It shows they lack compassion and empathy. However, as one of the guardians of society, compassion towards people should come naturally. The little interaction I have with the police to date, I always felt a degree of uneasiness. I never felt easy while talking with the police. There is a concept that says police are different from civilians. However, the police are an integral part of our society. They are not like army personnel who stay at the borders to fight the enemies.

Indian police’s colonial mindset gives them the notion that they have power over a civilian. This notion is wrong. We understand that they need to be physically stronger than civilians to combat criminals but that doesn’t mean they will show that strength in their voice too. The agitation and ignorance present in their voice is condescending and lacks empathy. We also understand that they have to carry weapons to deal with criminals. However, I believe police stations located in crime-free zones shouldn’t carry guns; a baton is enough for them.

But the most important thing is that when a person approaches the police, he should always begin the conversation with a smile. A smile is a deal-breaker. I understand I understand that police deal with such people who don't give a damn about a smile. But at the time of dealing with a civilian, they can change their behavior a bit. Or if it is possible to segregate the force into two parts- one part will handle the civilian cases and another part will deal with serious matters like crimes then it would be really helpful for people. We need a more measured approach from the police. 

       (Image: Creazilla)