Social Media Week- Day 3

Social media week, Mumbai

Social Media Week is a leading media platform and worldwide event with local presence and global reach across five continents.

It is produced by R SQUARE Consulting, a full-service marketing agency managing Brand Properties and providing the following, but not limited, to Marketing Services – Brand Activation, Digital Marketing, Corporate Events, Brand Identity Consultancy & Design, Retail Marketing and Trade Marketing.

Day 3 of Social Media Week was  at Todi Mill Social in Mumbai.

Todi Mill Social- Social Media Week
Todi Mill Social. Image credit

Day 3- September 14- 2016 – SMW Mumbai, schedule for Day 3 was as follows

Day 3 of #SMWMumbai promises to be more interesting. Here is the line up for the day. @SMWMumbai pic.twitter.com/b5P2e5sFlq

— Rohit Varma (@rohitvaarma) September 14, 2016

  1. Digital Marketing Innovations– The first speaker was Radhesh Kanumury #SMWMumbai. He  is the Lead – Global Entrepreneur Program, IBM India
  • Great session on cognitive learning with Radhesh at #SMWMumbai
  • @radhesh_k talks about new tool #KPoint . It lets the user make video content more interactive. #SMWMumbai
  • Amazing insights by @radhesh_k #SMWMumbai #IBMWatson #CognitiveThinking #CognitiveComputing
  • What is cognitive computing? IBM describes the components used to develop, and behaviours resulting from, “systems that learn at scale, reason with purpose and interact with humans naturally.” According to them, while sharing many attributes with the field of artificial intelligence, it differentiates itself via the complex interplay of disparate components, each of which comprises their own individual mature disciplines.
  • Watson: The first cognitive system
  • The first cognitive system was Watson, which debuted in a televised Jeopardy! the challenge where it bested the show’s two greatest champions. The challenge for Watson was to answer questions posed in every nuance of natural languages, such as puns, synonyms and homonyms, slang, and jargon.
  • Watson was not connected to the Internet for the match. It only knew what it had amassed through years of persistent interaction and learning from a large set of unstructured knowledge. Using machine learning, statistical analysis, and natural language processing to find and understand the clues in the questions, Watson then compared possible answers, by ranking its confidence in their accuracy, and responded – all in about three seconds.
  • IBM Watson, analytic innovation, the IBM Watson Developer Cloud Cognitive services. @radhesh_k speaks about Watson and how we can use it for marketing. The following are the services which available under it:
  • Dialog
  • Tone Analyser
  • Personality Insight
  • Tradeoff
  • Visual recognition

2. Digital Market for start-ups– The next speaker was Samit Arora. He is Co-Founder, SalesPanda.com

  • “1/3rd of the shopping happens online,” says Samit Arora #SMWMumbai
Reach and attractEngage and convertNurture and close 
·        Visitors

 

·        Digital Presence

·        Brand Recall

Suspects

 

·        User experience

·        Conversions

·        Referrals

ProspectsLeads

 

·        Visitor engagement

·        Lead progression

·        Pipeline Management

 

The key challenge for Marketers:

  • Content creation
  • Web-traffic- Google and social media
  • Lead conversion
  • Lead management and nurturing
  • Resources

The 5 steps to follow are ACCESS, STRATEGIZE, PLAN, IMPLEMENT, and OPTIMISE.

In the digital assessment, you need to do website assessment, Google Analytics and take stock of assets.

 

3 ) “Personal Branding simplified in 60 minutes” with Kavi Arasu @_Kavi @SMWMumbai  #SMWMumbai.  

Let’s begin our next session “Personal Branding simplified in 60 minutes” with @_Kavi @SMWMumbai #SMWMumbai pic.twitter.com/TvtllxLFMi

— #SMWMumbai (@SMWMumbai) September 14, 2016

Kavi Arasu is an Executive Coach, Leadership, and change for Social Business,

  • “Humans basic instinct is to stand out,” says @_Kavi #SMWMumbai
  • “People buy from people, therefore it’s important to have a proposition for ourselves.” quotes @_Kavi  #SMWMumbai
  • “90% consumes, 9% curate & 1% creates content” says @_Kavi #SMWMumbai
  • “There is a very thin line between #transparency vs #authenticity” quotes @_Kavi  #SMWMumbai
  • What is #Personal #Brand?
  • – Domain Experts
  • – People who know
  • – People who share
  • – People who respond

4)  Anand Virani – Anand Virani is a Co-founder & CEO, Cutting Chai Technologies. He spoke about how mobile technology evolved over the years. ‘The Seed of Human Connectivity’- Dec 12, 1901, when the radio waves were first transmitted. 

First transatlantic radio transmission, Social Media Week, SMW Mumbai
First transatlantic radio transmission

April 3, 1973- Martin Cooper introduced us to Mobile Telephony, AT and T Bell Labs. 

Martin Cooper talks on the
Martin Cooper talks on the “DynaTAC,” the first commercial cell phone. Image credit- CNN.com

Then on August 16, 1994, IBM Simon was launched. Nokia 9000 communicator, 

Nokia 9110 open, Image credit
Nokia 9110 open, Image credit

Sharp J-SH04 (first camera),

Sharp J-SH04 CP+ 2011- Social media week, SMW Mumbai
Sharp J-SH04 CP+ 2011. Image credit

Nokia 9210- Open Symbian.

Nokia 9210, Social media week, SMW Mumbai
Nokia 9210

All these mobile phones were launched from 1996-2005. The first Android Phone and iPhone were launched between 2005-2006.

  • “20 billion SMS were sent per day in the 90s,” says @anandvirani #SMWMumbai
  • “This would be the scenario in next 5 years” suggests @anandvirani #SMWMumbai- 5G, 1.2Gbps, 8K UHD and 1ms

5 ) Finally, Day 3 ended with Prabhakaran’s – Chase ideas and not platforms. Prabhakaran B is the President, R SQUARE Consulting Services. This is what he had to say

  • “Key to getting the creative idea right is knowing your customer,” says @iprabhakaran #SMWMumbai
  • User generated content is original, has emotional connect and adds value to customers. ‘Food for thought’.

#SMWMumbai  #SMWMumbai2016

To be continued…Social Media Week -Day 5

References:

IBM

Cognitive computing

R Square Consulting

PILGRIM NATION: VIRGIN MARY IN VAILANKANNI

VAILANKANNI Church in Tamil Nadu, India

With the month of September setting in soon, it will be Mother Mary’s  birthday on September 8.

The following is yet another place that you must visit –

Pilgrim Nation- Vailankanni
Virgin Mary
VAILANKANNI

At her shrine in Vailankanni, Tamil Nadu, devotees bow to her, stretch out their hands and crawl to her shrine to express their devotion and faith.

She is the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, and she is draped in a sari.

Thousands of devotees throng her shrine at Vailankanni, in Tamil Nadu, deemed basilica by the Roman Catholic Church in 1962. They bow to her, stretch out their hands to her, lie on their face before her, crawl to her shrine, sing songs of her glory, weep in joy, shave their heads and offer her flowers, saris and candles as an expression of their devotion, for she is the Lady of Good Health.

The story goes that in the 16th century, a cowherd was on his way to the market to sell milk when he stopped to drink water from a pond and rest under a banyan tree. A woman appeared before him bearing a child in her hand and asked for some milk for her child. The boy gave her his pot of milk. After feeding her son, she returned the pot, thanked the cowherd, and disappeared. When the boy reached the market, his customers were upset because he was late. He apologised and told them of what he encountered. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, the pot started overflowing with milk. This was no ordinary woman. This was clearly a goddess. The local Catholics recognised her as the Virgin Mary. A small shrine was built for her near the pond where she appeared. The pond was named Matha Kulam, or the Mother’s Pool, or Our Lady’s Pool.

A few years later, some say it was in 1597, she appeared once again, to a lame boy who was selling buttermilk on the roadside. She asked for some buttermilk to feed her child. After the child was fed, she asked the boy to deliver a message to a Catholic resident in the town of Nagapattinam, requesting him to build a church for her. But the boy pointed out that he was lame and would be unable to act as her messenger. The lady smiled and asked him to try standing up. To the boy’s surprise, not only could he stand, he could also walk and run to the town and deliver the message. The gentleman was in no doubt that Our Lady of Good Health was responsible for this miracle.

Finally, a group of Portuguese sailors on their way from Macau, China to Sri Lanka encountered a terrible storm in the Bay of Bengal and prayed to Mother Mary, promising to build a church for her if saved. They landed safely in the area associated with Our Lady of Good Health.

These three apparitions appeared in the same area where, today, stands the Gothic style Basilica that draws over two million pilgrims especially during her nine-day festival in August-September. The Mass is conducted in at least eight languages: Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Konkani, Marathi, Hindi and English. People of all religions and castes throng the shrine whose divine resident is said to cure all ailments. This place is called ‘Lourdes of the East’, though in Lourdes, a village in France, Mary appeared to a local peasant girl only in the 19th century.

The festival of the virgin of Vailankanni involves hoisting of a flag on the flagpole before the church and ends with her crowning and her procession. Those who are cured of ailments often return with gifts of a sari, and a replica of the cured body part made of silver and gold. For devotees, Our Lady of Vailankanni gives children to the childless and finds spouses for the unmarried, and jobs for the jobless. She heals every wound and wipes away all suffering. She understands the suffering of humanity. In art, she is sometimes shown with a crescent moon at her feet, complementing the sun, who is her son, Lord Jesus Christ.

Velankanni church at Tamil Nadu,
Virgin Mary
Velankanni

The church brings together Catholic beliefs and many Hindu rituals. And though it may disturb a puritan, the local representatives of the Roman Catholic denomination respect the vast and intense outpouring of faith expressed using an Indian idiom. For thousands of years, Indians have been familiar with the idea of Amma, or mother-goddess who protects and provides for the village.

Across India, in almost every village, there are local manifestations of the Goddess, who help women bear children, who cure ailments and when angry, can cause plagues and epidemics. It is quite possible that before the shrine of Our Lady of Good Health, this was a local goddess shrine, either tribal, or Hindu, or Buddhist, or Jain, or all of these over centuries.

For in India, denominations may change, but the deity remains.

Christianity came to India 2000 years ago. According to local faith, it came to Kerala with St. Thomas, one of Christ’s apostles, the one who doubted his resurrection. It also came with traders from Egypt and Arabia. In the 15th century, after the Portuguese discovered the sea route to Kerala, the Catholic faith thrived along the coasts. It is no coincidence that the apparitions of Mother Mary are dated to a century after the Portuguese’s arrival.

This connection to God through Mother Mary distinguishes Catholic Christianity from Protestant Christianity. The idea of the virgin being elevated to the status of ‘Mother of God’ was not accepted to all. But in pre-Christian traditions, divinity was often seen through the female form. While the male form offered salvation, the female form took care of health and home. We find this divide in Buddhism too, with the Bodhisattva speaking of enlightenment and Tara, the goddess born of his tears, offering compassion. Likewise, if Vishnu of Shri Vaishnavism is associated with dharma (law) and moksha (liberation), Lakshmi embodies Artha (wealth) and kama (pleasure). For many Muslims, the ‘hand’ of Fatima, the prophet’s daughter, is a good luck charm and protection from the evil eye. Naturally, every Indian is drawn to Our Lady’s basilica.

*/Devdutt Patnaik is a well-known author, speaker, illustrator, and mythologist.  He has written many books, the most recent being ‘Devlok’.  The above article was published in Sunday Mumbai Mirror, Aug 7, 2016. /*


You may like to read Mount Mary Church and Bandra Fair

Pateti and Parsi New Year

Pateti and Parsi New Year

The significance of the word ‘Pateti’-is derived from the Middle Persian word for repentance Patet. Papeti or Pateti is New Year’s Eve for orthodox Parsi’s who follow the Shahenshahi Calendar. The next day is considered as ‘Navroze’ which is the New Year’s Day.

Pateti, is, therefore, a day for all good Parsi’s to reflect on their thoughts, words and deeds of the previous year and to repent on those that they were not so proud of. This repentance allows one to dedicate the New Year to good thoughts, good words and good deeds as a process of self-improvement and self-growth.

Chalk used to celebrate Parsi New Year
Chalk- Parsi Rangoli
Toran on the door to mark the celebrations for the Parsi New Year
Toran – A glass bead garland adorned on the door

The feasting begins and the ‘chalk’ and colourful ‘torans’ (Toran – A glass bead garland adorned on the door) are adorned and to thank Ahura Mazda for all that has been bestowed upon one, however, small or big, and say a thank you, for no matter how well you have lived your life, always remember there is someone more fortunate or well of than you as well as someone less fortunate than you.

This year the Parsi’s or Zoroastrians celebrated their New Year on 17 August.

The following are 2 dishes with their recipes that Parsi’s relish on their New Year.

Palak Mutton (Spinach Mutton)

Pateti and Parsi New Year recipe, Palak mutton
Palak Gosht, Lamb with Spinach, Mutton Palak. Image source
Ingredients for palak mutton, parsi New year recipes

method to prepare palak mutton, parsi new year recipes

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Kheema Kaleji Masala (Mutton mince liver masala)

Karan Alimchandani - Pateti or Parsi New year recipe- Keema Kaleji masala
It is the non-veg dish also called mutton Keema. Image source
Ingredients used for Kheema Khaleji Masala

Method to prepare kheema khaleji Masala

Bon appetit on Parsi New Year


A Quick Guide to Send Rakhi

Rakhi to Australia Guide- Title

It is no wonder that Raksha Bandhan is one of the precious occasions for the Indians. People living outside India can now enjoy this wonderful occasion as now you can Send Rakhi. There are various online stores that will help you in sending Rakhi to Australia from India as well as gifts to your brother and sister.

The brothers who live in Australia would also feel very special to get a Rakhi from his sister and would feel proud to wear it on his wrist and give a thankful remembrance to his sister who send it from India.

It is a fortunate thing to the people living outside India that they can still enjoy their traditional occasion even after living  abroad. 

Rakhi to Australia
Rakhi

What are the services and facilities you will get?

You get a number of service and facilities if you want to Send Rakhi through the online stores. Following are some of the services and facilities:

  • However far your brother or sister resides, your Rakhi to Australia from India or any other gifts can reach the dear one to Australia from India without any hassle.
  • You can order them online, and the gift will be sent to your dear ones within 2 to 3 working days. The time might vary if the distance is more than the estimated one.
  • After every booking and delivery, they will send you confirmation emails. If the order is in Express post they even provide you with the tracking details so that you can track where your order lies.
  • In case there arises any trouble in delivery, then you can easily contact them and lodge a complaint about the problem that has arisen.
  • Most important, you are using a registered website and thus you are in the safe hands.
  • There are no hidden charges. Whatever charges are there, that is in front of you. Only, in case you are sending the gift on an express post, you need to pay some extra charges.
  • The process of ordering is really very easy one. You just need to create an account on the online store website and place your order.
  • Every time you order something and that gets under process, you will receive an email of the confirmation. That means it is a very transparent process.
  • Another facility that you can get here is the messaging facility. You can send your message to your dear one with the gift that you have just ordered.

What points to remember while you send your gift through an online store?

Following are some points that you should remember to Send Rakhi through an online store:

  • The online store should be a registered one. Check their website details before you create an account or order something.
  • First, compare and contrast the product that you have selected with other website and then place the order.
  • Check the price details. See if there is any hidden cost or not.
  • Make sure that you have checked all the privacy policy and the return policy if any of the gifts needed to be returned while sending it to Australia from India.
  • Make sure that there is an option to lodge a complaint if any of the products you bought is found damaged.

Conclusion

Sending Rakhi is not just a ritual but a gesture of the sisters to make their brother feel very special. The sisters send Rakhi to make their brother remember that how far they may be, but still they are always by each other’s side. So it is necessary to find out the best method for sending it to Australia from India.