Beauty Contests (The new Marketing Strategy)

[Prakup]

Diya Mirza\'s win has sparked off a debate... which side are you on?

[Prakup]

It had to happen. In a way, it was destined to. There is no way one could have been blind to the imminent possibility of the event occurring. For a long time now, we have been winning International titles in beauty and Diya Mirza’s ‘achievement’ is the latest in the series. She won the title and the hearts of millions, her goofy answers and obvious lack of intelligence notwithstanding. While one part of the nation rose up in joy and adulation, blindly exultant, in praise of the latest beauty queen on the block, the minority shook their heads, shrugged their shoulders and brooded over the machinations of capitalist economies. At this juncture, It is important that I state on which side of the debate I stand. I firmly believe that the wild run of ‘luck’ we have been having at these competitions, is nothing more than the prelude to the entry and entrenchment of Multi-national cosmetic companies. I believe that the Indian woman has always been beautiful, and scarcely requires the certification by foreign bodies to state so. I believe the competition is rigged, (although in our favor) and seeks to identify countries with potential for dumping of cosmetics. And I also believe, that with this latest ‘victory’, scores of women and girls in our country are going to go all out to ensure that the crown remains firmly in our grasp for years to come. Of course, the organizers of the contests and the cosmetic companies are going to be laughing all the way to the bank for the same number of years to come.
Maybe I am biased. Maybe I am blind to the fact, (or even jealous!) that our women are cornering all the glory. Maybe, suspicious by nature that I unfortunately am, I seem to see a conspiracy in just about everything. Maybe I’m downright wrong! Why don’t you tell me.

[Babloo9@aol.com]

Not everything is \"right or wrong\". There are a few things that fall into the \"opaque\" category. May be the contests are rigged....may be not......! I wonder if any stitistical revelation has occurred on how high the sales of foreign made (or made in India by an MNC) cosmetics have gone up to. It could be a whopping 20% increase or a bag of air! If a woman wants to take part in a contest and is eligible, why not? It\'s a democracy (the largest too!?!) and noone has a right to interfere with an individual\'s ambitions and goals (as far as they are sane). I guess I am rambling on and on....my say: Who cares? It wasn\'t even on live TV here in the US...the recent Miss World contest. People are just too busy with their lives.

[Prakup]

Thanx a lot for your comments Babloo! However, I have a few points to make. While it is easy to say that no one really cares whether the contest is rigged or not, it’s really important to know the facts. Are we truly deserving people who are suddenly confronted by a deluge of victories, or are we being taken for a ride by the cosmetic majors? While it is true that there are no statistical reports of the increase in consumption of cosmetics and other such beauty enhancing products, it still doesn’t take away from the fact that the average teenage girl of today is spending a whole lot of time, money and effort on looking and feeling good when compared to her predecessor. This is a trend. Whether it is alarming or not remains to be seen. Call me biased, but like I stated before, I really don’t think anyone has the right to certify how beautiful Indian women look. Especially not foreigners! An Individual may participate in a beauty contest. Like you rightly pointed out, it is a democratic country. But then, do they serve any purpose apart from creating false needs among the impressionable girls and fattening the MNC’s? Point to ponder!

[Prakup]

Just a thought Babloo. When the rest of the world envies America for it\'s prosperity and power wielding capacity, it still finds a whole lot of things to crib about. Capitalism is the pet peeve, globalization the next. I was wondering, being as you are in the US, could you throw some light on the dreams, hopes, aspirations of the average american? Or are they immune to the hang-ups that the rest of the worlds youth seem to suffer from? Just wondering..........................

[rakesh]

What are the hangups weighing down the youth of India?
I cannot speak for Babloo but being an NRI myself, I think, the frustration among the youth here is because of entirely different reasons.

[Stingrae]

oldest topic i cud find...

was really bored...n saw dat even lubegal is upto diggin.....

i'm sorry for dis...u cud discuss beauty if u want...

or u cud discuss d very interestin topic of dead frogs....hmmm



thank you,

Payne





PS: my first n last dig....

[Habitual Perfectionist]

Dig-Dug was the cutest PC game.

[rock_26iin]

oldest topic i cud find...
was really bored...n saw dat even lubegal is upto diggin.....
i'm sorry for dis...u cud discuss beauty if u want...
or u cud discuss d very interestin topic of dead frogs....hmmm

thank you,
Payne


PS: my first n last dig....

I saw this thing when i was digging and realised i didnt have a sensible reply to it(for Jasz ) so i abandoned it. Well done Sting

[Stingrae]

I saw this thing when i was digging and realised i didnt have a sensible reply to it(for Jasz ) so i abandoned it. Well done Sting

**takes a bow**



n Dig-Dug rocked...so did Pacman...d most awesome games of me childhood...



any1 up for good ole Mortal Kombat ?