Friday, July 10, 2009

TATA Nano: Has the dream gone wrong?

It was a dream come true and TATA made us proud all over the world with this small technology wonder termed as people's car 'Nano'. It was just a dream come true but with its existing sales figures, has the dream gone wrong. 'TATA Nano' was much awaited product last year due to its price tag of only 1 Lakh rupees (which also has crossed 1.5 lakhs recently) and expected to jolt 2-wheeler market in India but unfortunately it has failed to do so. There can be many reasons for it which were pretty obvious from the starting itself but were overlooked by the TATA team. Some of the reasons which I feel contributed to its not so expected sales are as follows:

2-wheelers are preferred over 4-wheelers to avoid traffic snarls in congested cities which TATA Nano failed to provide to its users and ultimately failed to be an option for 2-wheelers.

Initial technology hick-ups and long waited delivery periods took the shine away from the product.

TATA Nano due to its smaller design and appearance failed to create ownership charm for its users to some extent. Positioning it as a cheap car is the biggest mistake as it will take away pride of ownership and most of the customers will not like it for sure. Lesser boot space also hinders prospect of long drives at regular intervals.

Today customers are moving towards better looking vehicles which can provide more comfort, safety, performance and status quo. This is the reason that hatchback and sedans' market is continuously growing in India whereas in recent times smaller cars has seen decline in sales.

I believe it is time for TATA team to device a new strategy for 'Nano' and pitch it in a different manner rather than pitching it as replacement for 2-wheelers. Product which has been the pride of the country should not go down in history as a failed one. I would like to see the success of this little technology marvel and that is what my heart whispers to me..........

Apple iphone: the journey begins..............

Like everybody else I was also pretty excited about the launch of Apple iphone in India and in the process became one of the first few who had purchased this device in initial days. Why I am saying first few is because by the time this product was launched already critics had labelled it as overpriced gadget in India and no doubt a price tag of Rs 36100/- can definitely stir a muscle in the mind. Because of such cost conscious reviews only, my wife also started jumping when I expressed my desire to buy the iphone. Her furious gestures and price tag of iphone somehow kept me away from Airtel Gallery (where iphone was available) on the first day. But old habits die hard and like a dog's tail which can never be straight, on next day while praying to god to keep my wife in good mood when I reach home, I purchased this engineering marvel.

I know how much I have to listen that day for it but trust me the moment I took iphone in my hands it is the beginning of a whole new journey. Even though almost one year has passed by I am still wondering how more is remaining to explore. With so many exciting applications added daily you will feel that entire world is at your doorstep. This iphone has not only become my personal assistant who can keep all the information handy whenever I need it but it has also become my personal entertainer. Now whether I want to know my flight status or a train schedule or hotels in a particular area, everything is available on iphone. What else, I can see movies, read books, play guitar, check email, listen to music, watch latest news, play scrabble and other interesting games on this little device. There are so many etceteras with this iphone one cannot really explain. All this has to be experienced in order to enjoy the endless fruits of this engineering marvel.

In the end I will just say that after iphone so many new models have been launched on same platform but iphone nevertheless has become legend in its category and definitely marks the beginning of a new journey. This is the first gadget which has become so close to me that sometimes I feel this iphone can listen to what my heart whispers to me........................because whenever I wish for an application it comes alive on this iphone.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

When dreams become ambitions..............

Almost three years have passed since I wrote my last blog, and I wouldn't have written today also if a tiny enthusiastic comment on one of my old posts wouldn't have stirred my emotions. Somehow the days became so busy and nights became so restless that I forgot completely who I am. Probably in the pursuit of achieving my dreams I was so engrossed that I failed to see dozens of other dreams flourishing around me. It is not that my heart has stopped whispering to me but somehow with time I had learnt how to suppress it. May be ultimately work had taken a toll on the writer in my soul. Today this is not my story alone but this a story of every professional whose dreams have turned into ambitions. Anyways I will try to give rebirth to the writer inside me who like to share thoughts with people and through my blog I will try my best to make you laugh and to make you think as once again I can hear what my heart whispers to me...............