Saturday, 1 April, 2023

Brandma

Vicco — brand that made Ayurveda mainstream with its ‘nahi cosmetic’ jingle

The company was founded by Keshav Vishnu Phendharkar in 1952 as Vishnu Industrial Chemical Company to make products that were free of chemicals.

Viva – India’s first girl group that sang feminist anthems in the early 2000s

At the dawn of a new century, India had an all-girl band whose members were outspoken, didn't shy away from risque fashion and were unapologetic about their behaviour.

Tango, raspberry, lemonade — Duke’s fizzy, sweet drinks that were part of Sunday family rituals

The soft drink company was established in 1889 by Dinshwaji Cooverji Pandole, who died last week. He came up with the idea of starting the firm during one of his tours to England.

‘Kya aapke toothpaste mein namak hai?’ — Colgate ad that gave one of the most recalled taglines

The advertisement, which came out in early 2010, shows actor Lara Dutta playing the role of a cashier at a grocery store and Sahil Anand as a customer who suffers a toothache.

Favre-Leuba — ‘first’ Swiss watches to hit Indian market ran out of time in smartphone era

The Swiss heritage watch brand Favre-Leuba performed well during the 70s and 80s after which it disappeared from the market. It was then acquired by the Titan Company in 2011.

From a rabbit selling ‘papad’ to a pug for phone network, these ‘warm’ ads brought us closer

Dogs to cats and gorillas, the Indian advertising industry has incorporated animals to create impressionable ads that have stood the test of time.

Raj Comics – publishers who brought home your friendly, neighbourhood desi superheroes

From ‘Nagraj’, the king of snakes, to anti-hero ‘Doga’, ‘Dhruva’, the super commando, to 'Parmanu', Raj Comics gave Indian children a whole new world of original Indian heros.

Fuss over Ranveer Singh’s nude photos isn’t a first, Milind Soman-Madhu Sapre ad is a reminder

A 1995 advertisement for the shoe brand courted controversy for featuring nude photographs of the two models. The brain behind the campaign was advertising legend Elsie Nanji.

‘Karamchand’ — detective series with a carrot-munching sleuth who made investigation look cool

Launched on Doordarshan in 1985, the show starred actors Pankaj Kapur and Sushmita Mukherjee as the lead characters. It was written by Sudhir Mishra.

BBM — instant messaging app that ruled business & wooed young users before it became not so cool

BBM, or BlackBerry Messenger, represented a transitional period in the world of instant communication and left a significant mark on popular urban culture of the mid-2000s to 2010.

On Camera

YourTurn

File photo of smog in Delhi. Some doctors have called air pollution a bigger threat than Covid-19.| Photo: Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

Air quality is better but not enough to banish air purifiers. Here are options for your room & car

What’s the solution for people who cannot leave Delhi? Air purifiers from Dyson's expensive range to Xiaomi's affordable ones can be of help.

NFRA to conduct audit quality inspections of five audit firms

New Delhi, Nov 16 (PTI) The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) will carry out audit quality inspections of five audit firms, including the...

Defence

The Defence Services Staff College in Wellington | Image credit: dssc.gov.in

In a first, six women officers to enter prestigious Defence Services Staff College

As many as 15 women appeared for the examination, out of which six were selected, including one who has made it to the course along with her husband. 

Why military is more for asserting political will, not just about controlling territory

No matter what tactics, doctrine, or weapon system is used, the objective of any war is to control territory, argues Gen. MM Naravane (retd). But it's politics that matters most.