Blog reaches 2.1 Million reads

 

From Dreams to a Lasting Legacy: 27 Years, 105 Television Programmes, 165 Newspaper Articles and Over 2 Million Blog Readers

"Dreams do not come true because we wait for them. They come true because we keep working towards them—year after year, opportunity after opportunity."

As a young management student, I nurtured two simple but powerful dreams. The first was to see my name in print as a newspaper columnist. The second was to appear on television as a management expert, sharing knowledge with audiences far beyond the four walls of a classroom. 

These ambitions were born long before social media, YouTube or digital learning platforms became commonplace. In those days, newspapers and television were the most influential mediums of mass communication, and being recognised on either platform was considered a significant professional achievement.

Nearly three decades later, I can look back with immense gratitude and satisfaction, knowing that both these dreams have been fulfilled, far beyond what I had imagined.

The first milestone came through the written word. I had the privilege of writing 165 continuous management articles for a popular English newspaper over a period of more than three years. Week after week, these articles reached thousands of readers, covering diverse topics in marketing, management, consumer behaviour, branding, leadership and business strategy. The experience taught me the discipline of researching contemporary issues, presenting complex management concepts in simple language and connecting academic theory with real-life business situations. More importantly, it reinforced my belief that management education should never remain confined to classrooms alone.

While the newspaper columns fulfilled one lifelong ambition, another dream was gradually unfolding on television. My television journey began modestly in 1999 with a programme on New Product Development for Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU). Shortly afterwards came another programme on Brand Equity. 

At that time, I never imagined that these two educational broadcasts would become the foundation of a journey spanning 27 years and eventually leading to 105 television programmes.

Looking back today, those early appearances were much more than television recordings. They represented the beginning of a lifelong commitment to taking management education beyond classrooms and making it accessible to a wider audience.

The journey gathered momentum during the next decade. Television channels increasingly recognised the need for management experts who could explain career opportunities, educational choices and business developments in language that ordinary viewers could understand. 

This opened opportunities to appear on channels such as ATV, Zee 24 Ghantalu, ABN Andhra Jyothy, HMTV, TV9, NTV, V6, Sakshi TV, Janata TV, AP 24×7, I-News, Suman TV, Qube TV, News Buzz and several others.

Over the years, my role evolved continuously. Initially, most programmes focused on career guidance, helping students understand opportunities in marketing, retailing, media, advertising and management education. These sessions became particularly valuable at a time when professional education in India was expanding rapidly and students were searching for informed guidance regarding their future careers.

Gradually, the scope of my television appearances expanded well beyond academic discussions. I began participating in panel discussions on contemporary business issues, economic developments, government policies and consumer behaviour. Whether discussing the economics of the IPL, digital payment systems, UPI regulations, gold price fluctuations, online frauds, the withdrawal of the ₹2000 currency note, or the marketing lessons from popular films, every programme aimed to interpret current events through the lens of management thinking.

Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of this journey has been my long and enduring association with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University. Out of my 105 television programmes, 35 were for BRAOU, accounting for approximately one-third of my entire television career.

No other institution has contributed so significantly to my growth as a television educator. Through Doordarshan, DD-8, teleconferences and, more recently, the BHODI-BRAOU platform, I had the opportunity to record programmes covering an extraordinary range of management subjects, including Product Management, Principles of Marketing, Integrated Marketing Communication, Strategic Management, Marketing Research, Consumer Behaviour, Services Marketing, Artificial Intelligence in Marketing, Communication Skills, Ethics, Cross-Cultural Communication and Report Writing.

These educational programmes continue to reach learners long after they were recorded, making them perhaps the most enduring contribution of my television career. I remain deeply grateful to BRAOU for providing me with this unique platform to serve thousands of distance learners across the country.

The diversity of my television work also reflects the changing landscape of management education itself. The early programmes focused primarily on traditional marketing concepts such as product development and branding. 

Later, the emphasis shifted towards strategic management, international business, social marketing and communication. In recent years, emerging topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Digital Marketing and Social Media Marketing have become central themes. This evolution mirrors the transformation of management practice over the past three decades and has constantly challenged me to remain a lifelong learner.

Another noteworthy feature of this journey is its versatility. Some programmes featured me as the sole expert delivering a structured lecture. Others involved interviews, live discussions, teleconferences, moderated sessions and panel debates alongside eminent academicians, industry leaders and policymakers. Every format demanded a different style of communication and offered valuable opportunities for professional growth.

The television journey, however, represents only one dimension of my efforts to share knowledge. Alongside television, I continued writing, teaching, speaking and, eventually, blogging. What started as a modest blog dedicated to marketing and management gradually grew into an international knowledge platform. Today, it has crossed 2.1 million reads, with visitors from dozens of countries reading articles on marketing, branding, advertising, consumer behaviour, business strategy and current affairs. The blog has become another avenue through which I continue to learn, write and contribute to management education.

 When viewed together, these three communication platforms tell a remarkable story.

Through newspapers, I reached readers with 165 management articles.

Through television, I appeared in 105 programmes over 27 years.

Through digital media, my blog has reached over 2 million readers across the world.

Each platform has complemented the others, creating a continuous journey of teaching, learning and public engagement that extends far beyond conventional academic responsibilities.

Looking back, I realise that the greatest achievement is not the number of programmes recorded, the number of articles published or the number of readers reached. The real achievement lies in the opportunity to influence minds, guide students, simplify management concepts and inspire lifelong learning through multiple media.

From a young academic who dreamt of seeing his name in newspapers and appearing on television, the journey has evolved into something much larger, a lifelong mission to communicate knowledge in every possible form.

The classroom gave me students. The newspaper gave me readers. Television gave me viewers.

The blog gave me a global audience. Together, they have transformed two youthful dreams into a lasting legacy of learning, communication and service.

As I completed my 105th television programme in July, 2026, I did not see it as the end of a remarkable journey. Rather, it felt like another milestone on an ongoing road of learning, sharing and inspiring. After all, education has no finish line, and neither does the desire to communicate ideas that can make a difference.

Some journeys are measured in years. Others are measured in lives touched. I consider myself fortunate that my 27-year television journey has been blessed with both

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Can ITC Crack India's Cola Code? A Sugar-Free Coconut Cola Faces the Ultimate Taste Test

 

For decades, ITC has been steadily transforming itself from being known primarily as a tobacco company into one of India's most diversified FMCG giants. From biscuits and snacks to personal care, hotels, stationery, dairy products, and packaged foods, the company has successfully entered category after category. Now, ITC appears to be setting its sights on one of the most fiercely contested battlegrounds in the FMCG industry, the Indian cola market.

This is no ordinary market. It has long been dominated by giants like Coca-Cola (with Coca-Cola and Thums Up) and PepsiCo. More recently, Reliance Consumer Products shook up the industry by reviving the iconic Campa Cola brand. Its ultra-aggressive pricing strategy, offering a 200 ml bottle for just Rs 10 caught consumers' attention almost overnight. The result was impressive. Campa Cola quickly captured a double-digit market share and reportedly crossed Rs 4,700 crore in sales, proving that even a mature market can be disrupted with the right combination of pricing and distribution.

Now comes ITC with a very different proposition.

Instead of launching another conventional cola, ITC is reportedly developing a sugar-free, coconut-based cola. On paper, it sounds highly innovative. It attempts to combine indulgence with health, bringing together the familiar taste of cola and the natural goodness associated with coconut water. It is certainly a bold idea. But innovation alone does not guarantee success.

The cola market has traditionally been driven by three powerful factors, taste, refreshment, and brand image. Consumers generally do not buy cola because it is healthy. They buy it because they love the taste, the fizz, the refreshment, and the emotional identity attached to the brand.

Take Thums Up, for example. Its appeal has never been about calories or nutrition. It stands for strong taste, masculinity, adventure, and boldness. Consumers choose it because of what it represents. Likewise, Coca-Cola has built its identity around happiness and sharing moments, while Pepsi has long positioned itself as youthful, energetic, and trendy.

This raises an important marketing question. Will cola drinkers really be excited about a sugar-free, coconut-based cola?

Health-conscious consumers may appreciate the reduced sugar content. Coconut also enjoys a positive image as a natural and healthy ingredient. But combining these benefits with cola may create a positioning dilemma. Consumers might wonder whether the product is meant to be a health drink or a soft drink.

This is where ITC faces perhaps its biggest challenge. A successful brand usually owns one clear idea in the consumer's mind.

·         Volvo stands for safety.

·         Nike stands for performance.

·         Red Bull stands for energy.

·         Thums Up stands for strong taste.

If ITC's new cola attempts to stand for great taste, sugar-free, natural ingredients, coconut goodness, and health, all at the same time, the positioning could become blurred. In marketing, trying to communicate too many benefits often results in communicating none effectively.

It is similar to saying one cricketer is simultaneously Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, and Sunil Gavaskar. While each is legendary, each became famous for a distinct strength. Brands work the same way. Consumers remember one dominant association. Pricing presents another significant hurdle.

The proposed price of around Rs 60 for a 250 ml bottle places the product firmly in the premium segment.

Consider the competition. A regular bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi often costs around Rs 40, while smaller packs are available for Rs 10 and Rs 20. Campa Cola has built much of its recent success by aggressively pricing its products to attract value-conscious consumers.

In a highly price-sensitive market like India, asking consumers to pay a 50% premium for a cola could prove difficult unless the perceived value is exceptionally high. Consumers may ask themselves a simple question: Why should I pay Rs 60 when I can buy a trusted cola for Rs 40 or even Rs10? In a supermarket a customer might even get a litre of cola at the price of Rs 60.

Premium pricing works only when the product offers a compelling and easily understood reason to justify the higher price. Despite these challenges, ITC should never be underestimated.

The company has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to build successful brands through deep consumer understanding, excellent distribution, strong retail relationships, and long-term investment. Many of its FMCG brands have become category leaders despite entering crowded markets.

If ITC can simplify its positioning, deliver a genuinely enjoyable taste experience, and convince consumers that its premium price is worth paying, it could create an entirely new sub-category within the carbonated beverage market.

However, if consumers perceive the product as trying to be everything at once: cola, health drink, sugar-free beverage, and coconut water, it risks becoming difficult to understand and even harder to adopt.

The battle ahead will not be easy. ITC is entering one of India's most competitive beverage categories, facing global giants and an aggressive domestic challenger. Success will depend not only on product innovation but also on answering one fundamental question that every marketer should ask:

When consumers think of ITC Cola, what is the one word they should immediately associate with it?  Until that answer is crystal clear, the journey from an innovative idea to a winning brand may be more challenging than expected.

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When Advertisements Came Alive: Long Before Gen Z Called It Immersive Marketing!!

My dear friend, Dr. Madhusudan Kota, recently shared an interesting LinkedIn post on sensory advertising, advertisements that go beyond merely being seen. They can be touched, smelled, or experienced, making the reader an active participant rather than a passive observer.

Dr. Kota referred to two memorable examples from The Times of India. Today on the occasion of world Biryani Day, Daawat Biryani Rice came out with an advertisement that made the newspaper itself smell like freshly cooked biryani. Another edition carried the fragrance of a fabric whitener Comfort, allowing readers to literally experience the freshness being advertised.

Many from Gen Z and Gen Alpha may consider this a breakthrough innovation. While it certainly feels modern, the idea itself is far from new. Back in the mid-1980s, Hindustan Lever Limited (then HLL, now HUL) created one of the most memorable sensory print campaigns I have ever seen.

On one page of a newspaper advertisement, a small piece of cloth was stapled to the page. The copy suggested that it had been washed using "the detergent that claims to be the best value for money" an obvious reference to Nirma. The cloth appeared reasonably clean, but it lacked brightness and sparkling whiteness.

Turn the page, and another piece of cloth was attached. This one was sparkling white. The message simply stated that this cloth had been washed with Surf Excel. The advertisement ended with a brilliant line: "Do you need any further proof?". And the Surf washed cloth appeared soft when touched.

The product demonstration was literally in your hands. Instead of making a claim, the advertisement invited readers to verify it themselves. It transformed advertising into evidence. There were many other examples as well.

Several glossy international lifestyle magazines used to infuse pages with perfume samples. As youngsters, we would eagerly visit the magazine stalls in Abids, gently rub those scented pages with our fingers, and carry the fragrance with us long after putting the magazine back. It was a delightful experience that no television commercial could ever replicate.

Closer home, Telugu magazines that brought out their special Deepavali annual editions often infused their pages with the unmistakable fragrance of Punugu. That aroma blended beautifully with the festive mood, complementing the sounds of crackers, the glow of oil lamps, and the spiritual atmosphere of India's most celebrated festival. Even before reading a single article, the festival had already begun.

Today's marketers speak of immersive experiences, multi-sensory branding, and experiential marketing. The terminology may be new, but the thinking is decades old. Great advertisers have always understood a simple truth: the more senses an advertisement engages, the stronger the memory it creates.

People may forget what they read. They may even forget what they saw. But they rarely forget what they experienced. Perhaps that is the timeless lesson from these remarkable campaigns.

The best advertisements don't merely communicate. They create memories that linger, sometimes in the mind, and sometimes, quite literally, in the air.

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African Hearts Broken, Europe Bleeds Again: Day 4 Delivers More FIFA World Cup 2026 Drama.

 

Day 4 of the Round of 32 produced two breathtaking contests, two heartbreaking exits for Africa, and yet another European nation shown the door. If the first three days had already demonstrated that there are no easy matches in this World Cup, Day 4 reinforced that message in spectacular fashion. The African teams may have lost, but they certainly won the admiration of millions of football fans across the globe.

 

England 2 – DR Congo 0: Lions vs Lions: DR Congo fought like lions against the English Lions. For 75 long minutes they frustrated England with disciplined defending, relentless running and fearless tackling. Every English attack was met with courage and determination. The African side looked destined to move to the round of 16.

 

But when your opponent has Harry Kane, concentration can never lapse. Kane once again proved why he is one of the world's deadliest strikers. Just when DR Congo thought they had weathered the storm, England's captain found space and struck twice in quick succession. His clinical brace finally broke the resistance and England marched on.  The scoreline may read 2-1, but it hardly reflects how fiercely DR Congo fought. They leave the tournament with their heads held high.

 

Belgium vs Senegal – A Match That Had Everything: If England's victory was hard fought, Belgium's win was nothing short of unbelievable. Belgium, once ranked No. 1 in the world and currently ranked No. 9, faced Senegal, ranked 18th and the highest-ranked African nation remaining in the Round of 32. For most of the match, Senegal looked every bit like the better team.

 

They were quick, composed and wonderfully fluid in attack. Every move carried purpose. Every counterattack threatened Belgium. As the minutes ticked away, Senegal looked destined for one of the biggest victories of the tournament. Then football reminded us why it is called the beautiful game. Belgium refused to surrender.

 

Goals in the 86th and 89th minutes stunned Senegal and completely transformed the contest. But the drama was still not over. Deep into extra time, Belgium was awarded a penalty in stoppage time of the additional 30 minutes. For Senegal, it was unimaginable heartbreak. Think about it.

 

They were literally within minutes of reaching the Round of 16. Ninety minutes had almost been conquered. Extra time had almost been survived. Yet, in the final moments, their World Cup dream disappeared. That is the cruelty. That is the beauty. That is football.

 

USA Cruise Past Bosnia and Herzegovina: The third match of the day produced a far more comfortable result. The USA outplayed Bosnia and Herzegovina from start to finish, producing one of their most convincing performances of the tournament to comfortably book their place in the Round of 16. Bosnia simply had no answer to the pace, movement and confidence of the American side.

 

The Continental Casualty List Keeps Growing: After four days of the Round of 32, the casualty list is becoming increasingly interesting.

 

Africa have now lost three teams: South Africa, Senegal and DR Congo

 

Europe have already seen four teams eliminated: Germany, Netherlands, Sweden  and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

The biggest losses so far are clearly coming from the African and European continents. Ironically, England and Belgium both survived only after being pushed to the absolute limit by African opposition. Had DR Congo and Senegal managed to hold on for just a few more minutes, Africa would have been the undisputed toast of the FIFA World Cup today.

 

Instead, football once again showed that success and heartbreak can be separated by just a single moment. The margins at this World Cup are becoming thinner with every passing match. And if the Round of 32 has taught us anything, it is this: rankings mean very little once the referee blows the whistle.

 

Watch this space for more exciting news, statistics and fascinating stories as the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to produce one unforgettable chapter after another.

Keywords: FIFA World Cup 2026, Round of 32, England vs DR Congo, Belgium vs Senegal, USA vs Bosnia, World Cup analysis, football drama, knockout stage, football statistics

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