Category: Uncategorized

Reason for Popularity of TVS Moped in Tamil Nadu

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

I got to ask this question to people who drive TVS Moped in Tamil Nadu – Why choose TVS , why not other brands? I bet there’s some kind of brand loyalty as this is made in TN or b’cos it is the comfortable or known choice.

If you have been to any part of this state, you will know what I’m talking about. From working folks to villages and ladies use this basic two wheeler. It’s a kind of an inseparable part of what you see in any city or village area in Tamil Nadu. From Kanyakumari to bustling Madurai city, it has become an ubiquitous part of life in this state.

For the people from Tamil Nadu, TVS moped is their first choice of two wheeler. I and the people of Tamil is a picture I took from Garib Rath train as it passed one of the many villages in Tamil Nadu. The sight of man on a moped made be think of the influence of this moped in Tamil Nadu.

TVS MOPED – Icon of Tamil Nadu

This is the first moped that came before bigger cousins swanky kinetic Honda and other wheeler. With the arrival of new automatic two-wheelers, popularity of TVS moped has died down in Kerala. Now Kerala women has long abandoned the use of TVS moped, instead they powerful scooters like Honda Activa or Suzuki models.

But TVS is still an essential moped for most folks in TamilNadu. I wonder why TVS moped has become inseparable with the landscape of Tamil folks. Why do they prefer to use this vehicle, despite its old design?

I think there are more reasons why people still stick to this brand. It’s a marketing case study for experts. Maybe, it can shed more light on how marketing or product can evolve with the traits of a demographic class

Simple Startup Social Mobile App Ideas

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Mobile App Ideas for Startups
I often get ideas on the fly. Most ideas which sprout in my mind, has a very limited shelf life. Often I think it’s an eureka moment. But, I forget most of these ideas on the same day. I thought of penning down ideas which hover around me,

So, what mobile app ideas are likely to be a hit, which will be a waste of your money and effort. What about monetizing these mobile app? Will it be beneficial to people, or will it add to the app clutter.

1) App to spot public toilets or in hotels

    Don’t know if there is one mobile application in India to geo spot loo in India. Creating one will be helpful to all tourists, travelers and citizens in our country. This app can spot, women friendly loos, mark the cleanliness factor ( give star rating), and many other aspects. Such as, the closest loo ( how many km…), etc.

2) Puncher shops & Petrol

    I bet there should be one by one. Especially is cities like Bangalore, where getting a flat tire in an unknown locality can be worrisome. Probably, it can spot petrol shops, road side assistance services in case of car or two wheeler breakdown.

3) Sharing & More Caring World

   There are many times when we need a photocopy or print out or even buy a diaper or more importantly a condom in the middle of the night. Or it could be a craving to have fish, or chicken or beef or pork. How do you connect with people who can provide assist your or lend you this favour. Is there a way to connect or ask questions through the app and get immediate response. Is there a way to crowd-source and help people get over a mini or major crisis?

As cities are getting less-caring, or be dis-connected, such an app can connect with people who can spare a gas cylinder, or even give a needy person a ride to the hospital, or give them a hot coffee. Is it possible? Who will authenticate the users, without which all the unwanted elements can spoil the use of such an app.

4) App to Barter Goods

   I have extra coconuts in my store room which I’m willing to trade for something equal. How can connect or meet a person who require this and willing to pay a consideration or exchange? Can I trade my knowledge on digital marketing and in return they will pay this month’s grocery bill or water bill or electricity bill.

Barter system which was active in yesteryear could come back, if there’s a way to connect with users. I’m serious about this. It can bring a parallel economy, which will thrive using the connectivity of mobile apps. Will this app idea work?

5) Donate

   This scenario happened in Trivandrum. The jack fruit tree in our house yielded more. We wanted to give . away the excess jack-fruit to anyone who was willing to take it. But, how do we find and reach a person in our locality? How will I find it? I can’t go on knocking each door and ask them? A better way would be to connect through a mobile app, reach people who will be pick or share the item or even a service.

Recently, I installed an app called Hey, neighbor. I think such apps will suit the purpose

Safety Net for Mahouts

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Assurance for the Family
What happens to the family when the bread earner – for instance, a mahout is trampled by an elephant? Does the people who work with wild animals given any insurance coverage? In case of fatality or injury, what’s the compensation given by the employer?

I had this thought when I read about a recent elephant rampage. It’s during the temple procession season when Kerala witnesses many case of elephant going berserk. When such a thing happens, it’s usually the elephant keepers who get hurt or stamped. I guess such incidents peaks at the time when elephant gets MUSTH!

Kerala alone, accounts for most death from tramping. And, this is a worrisome news.

My question here is this:

  • What is the kind of compensation does these mahouts get? Do they have mandatory life insurance?
  • What about another other job like a hotel cleaner, a mechanic, electrician, etc? Do they have insurance? Is it their personal liability to take an insurance? Who oversees these? 
  • What about a auto driver or a taxi driver? Can’t we make it mandatory for them to take an insurance or medical policy? 

Life Insurance and Support for Mahots 

I think of the family members who are dependent on the earning of these workers and in the case of any causality  when I think of the family where such a death has happened? Imagine, the only bread earning member is lost, who will take care of them in the short run? What’s is their social net? Who will take care of the daily needs?

I hope, the caretakers or the institutions such as Devasom Board who employs mahots for temple procession, etc has some type of medical or life insurance coverage for people taking care of elephants. 

Kochu Veli Railway Bridge View

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Kochu Veli

Veli Bridge

Click, click. It’s the picture of backwaters from the train window as it rumbles past Kochu Veli station. It’s the first bridge crossing for the train which chugs some 700 odd kilometers to reach it’s destination.

This train has become my regular career for some 10 years. Due to my regular trip, I have even befriended the coach attendants. As a goodwill gesture, I used to buy them tea at Majestic station.

Giving is caring!

———
About Kochu Veli Backwater

I have fond memories of this place. One of my earliest visit is when Dad, Uncle and two cousin came here for fishing. And i later years, I have come with my cousin for row boat ride in these waters. Also, me and my cousin used to carry binoculars and peer at the VSSC building and wonder what kind of secretive missions are being staged in these concrete building. I was thinking if someone did the same thing now – peering at the VSSC building now. Well, it will grow all kinds of suspicion and a person can get arrested too.

At that time, Veli village has not been developed the way it’s done now. The place looked more like a coconut groove and there was the Youth Hostel Building, from which we used to hire the row boat.

So, have you visited this place? Have you fished for Karemmen in these waters?

Let me know your thoughts about this place

Where Were you When

~ bjcharles ~ 3 Comments
I lost my balance of life…
India wept for the loss of a daughter
Deluge swept through our houses
I stood in line to exchange cash
There was I was left alone in the hospital corridor
I felt betrayed by life
I was left penniless and wished for a savior
I had my first pay and felt like a king
I succeeded in making in my first venture
I had my cheap thrills in my life
I look a misstep and feel down
I felt lonely and unwanted
I longed for someone to talk
Loneliness gripped me
I felt too happy
I took a bad turn in life
I passed next to you, ignoring you
I felt unwanted
I got accolades
I shared my good fortune
I shivered under the blanket
People are turning ugly
Your friends ignore you
I lost trust in people

Charity Funding by ecommerce Brands

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Charity Through eCommerce

These days it’s a norm for businesses and individuals to contribute towards charity or associate to different social projects. The rise of philanthropic activities such as from top guns like Bill Gates to Indian corporate like Azim Premji foundation or the Infosys foundation are their stamp in socially useful projects.

Charity Going Online
On Amazon.in site, there’s a page where buyers can contribute a certain sum to verified charity and NGO organizations. On Amazon India site, the tab is called Gift a Smile. A visitor who lands on the page is bombarded with different kinds of charity, ranging from Support for girl children, to ones senior citizens and to animal welfare. So, based on your liking, your purse power, you can choose to contribute to these charities.

One thing I felt missing in this pie is this: when I donate, I don’t get a feeling that it’s really being utilized or how it benefited by the beneficiary. Well, I don’t expect them to tell me all that’s being done with the 50 or 100 rupees. But, in case my donation is beyond a certain sum, say Rs 8k or, then I would love to know it’s journey and impact.

Here’s my formula on how this E-Commerce companies can leverage their reach, and get more people to contribute to verified NGOs and institutions.

1) First task. Scout for institutions ( orphanages, Old age homes, etc) which lack in certain equipment like fans, furniture, water filters, water purifier, or even rain water harvesting tanks, or beds, mattress, or a air conditioner for an operation theater in a remote hospital, or a shelter for a family ( Buy a pre-molded house, fix it and start living), etc.

2) Step 2: Take pictures of the institution, and then write a story on how  they suffer due to the lack of it’s convenience, or how this equipment will make this place better.

3) Step 3: Tell the cost of the project. For instance, you folks can show how these equipment could be purchased from the e-store. If they require fans, keep a link which takes the visitor the page selling fans. And, in few clicks the items should be in the cart. Also, add the cost of installation. Now the donor know  how much it’s going to cost him or her or the organization which is donating.

3) Step 4: Once the deal is done, the next task starts for Amazon or Flipkart or any other estore.
They have to make sure that the delivery of the goods or the handing over of goodies is captured on camera. Also, the stage of fixing and finally the picture of the place with the new item

Hope it works!

Idea from Colonel Charles:)

Order and Install Pre Fabricated Home in Four Days

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Container Homes 

                                   Imagine if you can gift a house in a week
                                                      Pic Source: inhabitat.com

Gifting Home, Bringing Joys
I got the idea when I was writing the earlier blog post on how ecom companies can facilitate charity and giving. One thing is evident, millions in India lack houses – roof and walls to give them privacy, safety and security.

Now think of many such people who own a land, but don’t have a thing called home. All they could have could be a temporal structure made of sticks and covered with plastic sheets or thatched roof. So, for these people, how can we give them a home.

A new Idea is Born – Donate a Home!
So, in that context, comes my philanthropic idea. The plan is to gift pre-fabricated house.

It’s an idea which e-commerce companies can facilitate. Probably, they can use this concept in a marketing campaign – Click to Donate a House or Donate a house.

Imagine a person sitting in Manhattan, or Delhi or some remote part of Ireland, donating a house to a villager in India. And that too, he or she is able to track the stages of purchase. It could be something like what we see in Swigy app ( order given to the kitchen, Food being prepared, Food is on the way, Delivery person is at your door)

And, best part, the deal is done in few clicks and executed in a week’s time. Is this possible?

I bet it can, provided we need some supplier who can do such kind of work. Here I’m talking of low cost houses, which uses recycled materials, such as plastic, metal, mud, terracota, eco-friendly ceiling, etc to build.

I’m sure the technology and materials are there, but it’s not promoted or packaged in the right way. When I searched Amazon.in, all I got was books on pre-farictated houses. No, I want real house, which has gives me protection and comfort.

How much will a prefabricated house cost?
It depends. What all range will be available so that the donor can pick the one based on his budget. I bet there could be also houses which can be made from ship containers, or from flexible plastic material like this pre-crafted property.

During train travel to Kerala, the Kochu Veli train pass through the fields and vast agricultural land. Their house are the hamlets that do the perifery of the fields. Most often during day time, they are on the harsh sun, toiling all day long.

The only relief is the make-shift shed where they take rest. Imagine, if these farmers are given a proper shelter with a bed to take rest from the sun or rain? It could be a temp shack kind of stuff made from renewable or recycled stuff, and imagine if it could be installed in a day. Wow! What about making it from recycled plastic bottles or processed plastic made from waste!

Well, the idea is one the table, and it’s up-to these  companies who can work on this idea, shape it, remold it and make it a sale-able stuff on Amazon or other leading portals.

Another Lesson from this Prefab Idea
When I googled about prefab homes in India, only a handful of companies came on the search results. And as expected, the sites based in India didn’t have any curb appeal – meaning, the content on the website was not attractive. It didn’t carry good images, no attractive visuals or text. It was more like a site for the heck of it. Also, the price was not disclosed. Is it a secret.

What these company website require is a real makeover: This is how:

Add quality and realistic pictures, share stories about the joy of living in their houses, benefits of using their products, how to maintain the property, etc.

So, if you’re the owner of such  a firm, then it’s time you invest on building a value-giving site, where there are information for every kind of buyer – from those who are looking to gift homes to those who are looking for quick homes.

Here are few suggestions:

  • Use a blog to share the story of your biz, and let people know your journey
  • Answer the questions which buyers or prospects might have about your business
  • Create video content and show how customers are using your product
  • Post a home in Amazon or ebay or other online portals to bring more visitors
  • If you have plans, think of prefab home rentals. ( rent a home ) 

I hope you get the message. Another way to learn is by following the work done by companies in the west. See how they do their website, the articles on their site, how they talk in the social space, etc.

If you require a second opinion or suggestion on how to improve your web presence, then I’m just a call away. And, I may come cheaper than a full-fledged agency. But, not too cheap!

Coca-Cola Small World Machines – Bringing India

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

Before you hear my idea, I suggest you to watch the video shared here.

Watched???

So, this idea is based on similar plan, which could be based on such a similar plan. So, here it goes.

Let’s Exchange Ideas, Connect and Share

The objective of this idea is simple – to connect thousands of Keralites who are working in Middle East or in any other part of the world. But, I’m mostly concerned with people who are working in Gulf region.

We know many Keralites are living a lonely existence in Middle East. I’m taking about the people who are the blue collar workers. Many of such workers are living in camps, living in bunker beds, who have to bear the mercyless dessert sun.

My idea is to bring some kind of solace or hometown feeling to these people

So, what if we can bring some happiness or cheer to these homesick malayalee brothers and sisters.

And, the plan is something like this. A shopping mall in Lullu should have a machine like the one in the video and every Friday or so, it should allow shoppers of both sides to talk or shake hands or even instantly gift each other something. Probably, they can share  a gift coupon across the seas in real time. Press a button to gift the other person a gift voucher to redeem in Lulu mall. Yes, it can happen instantly. Either one-way or both ways.

Why only Lulu Mall?

Well, it could be done by anyone or any store, but I find Lulu has good network, presence in Kerala and in Dubai, etc. Also, they have the resources to do something wonderful like this, which would also be a brand building exercise for them.

A Digital Machine in Public Place

What if there’s a machine placed in a public place which gives people the reason to share thoughts, ideas, or answer some question. For example, a machine  set-up in New York Times Square or near the London Bridge and it’s connected to a machine in Kanakakunnu palace.

What do you think of this time machine idea? Well, not a time machine, but a kind of kiosk where people can wave at each other, or machine which brings people together in real time and share the joy. For example this project could be taken during Onam time, where people come out to see the illumination.

But, who will take the initiative?

Anyone can kick-start this project – from engineering college students to Mayor of Trivandrum and Mayor of New York or any individual who can take this up. What if Malayalees samajam or groups in US or UK or Canada take this as their next year’s Onam or Christmas. project. Another group which can do it is our TV channels, like Asianet or Surya or Malayala Manoram channel. They can set a compere who will manage the show in both places and it could be also aired as a T.V program. What do you say, rich media channels.

Question time during such shows?

Imagine, a Malayalee settled in New York comes and asks such questions to the folks this side:

  • What’ the hurry and logic of Kerala going a dry state?
  • Who came up with this crazy idea?
  • Why is Express Highway project getting delayed? When can I see proper roads in Kerala?
  • When can see an end to the corruption in govt offices or delay due to red tapes?
  • Why are there too many sanctions for a silly license?
  • How interesting or boring is life there?

Or the Malayalees can ask questions like…

  1. Why are you guys not coming back from US and settling back?
  2. How good is the life in Canada?
  3. What do you do during weekends?
  4. Do you party late at night?
  5. Do you crave for avial and sambar? etc.

Won’t it be fun if there’s a real exchange of images, emotions through  such a device. Well, there’s a lot of work behind such a project. Probably, you can take the lead!

Making Barbecue in Park

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How about allowing public to make barbecue in park?

Well this idea came to me after I heard someone ( probably a person from Gulf) said about barbecue facility available in some parks in Middle East.

Well, it sounds like a wonderful recreation activity a person can indulge!
Imagine a family outing or a bunch of friends, taking some pre-marinated meat or fish to a sea-side or any park to make grilled dishes.

I don’t know if such a facility is there in India. All I have done is make barbecue at home when I had invited friends to come home. I feel making outdoor barbecue is relatively new to India. Off late, companies like Weber sells barbecue stands, and hi-tech gadgets for affluent people. As it’s expensive, it’s only a certain section of people who are spending time and resources to keep such grills in the backyard of their houses.

Outdoor Barbecue

One of the closest outdoor food activity I’ve seen in Marina beach and at Fort kochi area. Well, these are mostly make fried fish in oil.

Opportunity and Business! Fish or Meat barbecue in Public Parks

I feel Kerala should take the step to set such parks, next to every beach. Imagine, how many people will make use of this space for a charge – buy fish from locals, buy coal,  or take stove for rent and spend some 3 to 4 hrs preparing, making barbecue and relishing on it.

I think it will boost the local economy, and make people more interested in grills. Apart from fish, they can add vegetable grills ( potato, Paneer, mushroom, onion) etc.

Where are the ideal places to start!

1. A designated space near Shangumugam Beach
( Each team should be given a space to sit) Facilities like chairs, tables, grill stand, and even tent to or beach stand, fan, coal, tongs, etc should be available for hire.

2. Space next to backwaters

  ( Ideally on private property, people can rent out space for holiday travelers to pitch a tent or drive in to make grill) Imagine, karimeen grill or even kappa ( tapioca) grill, with kandhari chuttney and a glass of toddy.

3. In Munnar ( Space marked for barbecue)

    Chicken grill or beef grils would be ideal on a cold evening. With wild mushrooms tossed in the pain, with sliced onion, and a dash of barbecue sause, it would be treat for all in the party.

Proposal to Tourism Department

I’m planning to share this blog post with the tourism department and see if they will do anything about it.