Kotak Jifi Indimeet: Socialising Over Social Bank Accounts

The latest edition of IndiBlogger's very popular Indimeets saw coming together of over 600 bloggers (yes!) for the exclusive launch of Kotak Jifi - Kotak Mahindra's fully integrated social bank account - a first of its kind bank account that goes beyond conventional banking by incorporating social networking platforms like Facebook and Twitter alongside mainstream banking.

Over 600 bloggers attended the exclusive launch

While Indimeets are always super fun what with the great camaraderie amongst bloggers on display, this Meet scored brownie points for simultaneously and seamlessly bringing together bloggers from three cities together (Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore), all at the same time. While the chief guest launched Kotak Jifi in Mumbai - bloggers from Delhi and Bangalore were part of it all through web streaming.

Welcome!

In Delhi, the venue of the launch was the trendy B-Bar, a hip place to hang out and grab a drink or two (or more!) with friends. The nicely done up bar welcomed us with drinks on the house! That bought smiles and giggles galore on many a happy faces and in no time the bar was overflowing with drinks and fun banter among bloggers. 

While the attendance at the bar counter steadily increased, members from the indiblogger team too was coming into its own, checking on the first timers, guiding them with the registrations and initiating many a fun introductions and idle banter! Let me share this here that it's very heart-warming to see how team Indiblogger ensures that every one is comfortable and that no new member feels out of place in the fun riot that many indimeets turn into before and after the meet agenda.

Needless to say, in no time everyone was happy and high enough to participate in the selfie contest that had just been announced - click selfies with new and old friends and if  you win, you get rewarded with cool goodies and shopping vouchers!

The crowded bar! Drinks on the house!

While the drinks and banter flowed, it was time to discover who the secret chief guest was - invited to launch Kotak Jifi - and it was none other than the acclaimed writer Chetan Bhagat, who himself is well versed with the demands and more of social networking platforms, with an overwhelming twitter follower tally of 2.42 million! So who better to talk about a bank account that is based on social media platforms than Chetan Bhagat. The ever so witty and soft spoken Bhagat not just took the bloggers through the concept and idea behind Kotak Jifi, but along with Mr. K.V.S Manian, Kotak's Consumer Banking Head, also fielded questions about the nitty gritty involved in banking through social media platforms.

The stage's set in Delhi, ready for the launch

Mr. Chetan Bhagat with Kotak's Consumer Banking Head, Mr. KVS Manian

And here's what Kotak Jifi is all about - a bank account on the go!

• Kotak Jifi is a first-of-its-kind online social bank account integrated with Facebook and Twitter.
• Targeted at the young tech-savvy crowd, Jifi is a 0 minimum balance current account.
• Bank account updates, cheque book requests and other account activities are all a tweet/message away - account holders can receive account updates on Twitter as Direct Message by simply tweeting to the bank's twitter handle a pre-determined hashtag. 
• Account holders can earn transaction and social points online transactions and on referring friends to open accounts.
• Besides social media integration, Jifi account holders will also have access to all conventional bank offerings including branch and ATM network, a platinum debit card and internet & phone banking access.
• And here's some more finer details about Kotak Jifi -  

Quick pointers on going Jifi-y!

Jifi's detail introduction done, it was time for lunch, where quite a few people had a tad tough time dealing with the limited menu and the chaos to not to miss out on the desserts. Nevertheless, a not so exciting lunch break gave way to the very exciting Kotak Premier League. Hold your horses if you think the bloggers padded up for a quick 20-20 match on B-Bar's polished floors! Hahah! For KPL was in fact a tweet challenge amongst bloggers divided into 6 teams - with all posting creative tweets about Jifi. The team with the maximum tweets took home the much sought after shopping vouchers!

And then followed the photo-ops! Plus lots of bonding and networking! It's so much fun when all the indibloggers came together to fit into one big photo - and it looks like a huge Indi family! One can only be there to have an idea of the good energy that fills the place!  Looking forward to attending more of these happy and happening Indimeets in the future too!

And it's all wrapped up with a group photo

That's all about the Kotak Jifi Indimeet! Hope you enjoyed the post, and if you were there too, then would love to read about your experience! 
This post has been written under the #JifiIsHereExperiences blogging drive post the launch of Kotak Jifi organised by Kotak Mahindra Bank in association with IndiBlogger.

Sunsilk Real FM - A Movie That Entertains, Inspires and Integrates

The film Sunsilk ReaI FM is a beautiful, inspiring story re-affirming the time-worn English saying - Where there's a will, there's a way. 

But before I review the film for you, let me very honestly start from the start. While on my way to the special screening of the film, I was pre-occupied with quite a few assumptions. And frankly, some of these assumptions were a bit cynical too.

• I assumed the film Sunsilk ReaI FM would actually be an advertisement stretched enough to call it a 'short film'.
• I assumed every few seconds the characters would break into paeans applauding the wonderful quality of each other's hair groomed with Sunsilk shampoo and conditioner.
• I assumed the film would  blatantly suggest to the viewers how Sunsilk would help redeem their dull and lacklustre hair.
• And yes, I also assumed that post the film screening, the bloggers present would be asked to write a review glorifying Sunsilk and how it had the potential to turn your nothing-to-write-home-about hair into your crowning glory!

And now, as I write this, an amused smile plays on my lips. And it's laced with some guilt too. For none of my assumptions about the film came true. Sunsilk ReaI FM is neither an advertisement, nor a short film. There's no blatant product placement either. In fact it is a warm film about three friends who come together for a cause - and succeed in overcoming all the odds that come their way.

Film written by Anurag Basu, directed by Akarsh Khurana

Again before I review the film for you, here's a something on how the film came about. Sunsilk ReaI FM is the result of a tie-up between Hindustan Unilever Ltd and MTV Films, to present to the the viewers an eclectic mix of films based on brand philosophies of different HUL products. And first film in this series of special films is Sunsilk Real FM, written by acclaimed film maker Anurag Basu.

And now about the film!

The story of Sunsilk Real FM revolves around three friends who come together during a tough situation to overcome all odds and take a challenge head-on. Rhea, one of the protagonist is a young vibrant girl who's leading a happy-go-lucky life with two of her best friends. Rhea's father (played by veteran actor Benjamin Gilani)  runs an FM station, where trouble has been brewing lately - while the revenue of the station is falling, the staff has been  aggressively demanding a raise. The situation turns grim when a large chunk of the station staff quits and Rhea's father, unable to bear the unpleasant development suffers a heart attack. Under such trying circumstances Rhea takes it upon herself to run the radio station. She seeks help from her best pals who all come together and decide to give it all a good shot, despite their apparent clueless-ness about how stations work.

Bloggers enjoying the special screening

But of course running a radio station is no easy task and more so on a super special day - 15th August. As the new programming team figures out how to work the studio machines, they also have to contend with the onerous task of churning out unique content for the Independence Day Special that they plan to run throughout the day. And the unique idea strikes just in time - play songs from all the 28 states! Unique indeed, but plausible? And therein comes the moral of the story - where there's a will, there's a way!

Let's take on the challenge!

Everyone at the studio channelises their networks across the city to reach out to singers from different states - from Bihar to Chattissgarh to Kerala  - they find them all! Facebook, twitter and the other social media platforms - they are all explored to source the singers, and indeed every single one of them comes carrying the earthy flavour of the state they belong to! In the end Mission Save the Radio Station is accomplished and how! Friends bond, old animosity is forgiven, the rouges tersely tackled and the good reputation of the station restored.

The 3 USPs of the film

It entertains -
Sunsilk Real FM kept me entertained throughout, and going by the laughter floating around in the screening whole, it was clear that everyone watching the movie was having a good time.  The plot is fast-paced and the one situation smoothly gives way to the next one. And yes, there are jokes and poor jokes (yes!) galore in the movie! Plus the subtle and sometimes not so subtle hint of romance too kept us all in splits! 

It inspires -
Sunsilk Real FM is an entertaining film, but it also carries a strong message - to never give up! The film inspires us all (and not just the women folk) to take all the challenges head-on and stand our ground! The happy-go-lucky Rhea does not buckle down when her fathers is hospitalised, rather she takes it upon herself to make her dad's radio station keep running. And in this, she uses all the resources she has at her disposal. And her determination also rubs off on the some of the staff who had earlier quit the station. They return and decide to give Rhea a helping hand.

It integrates -
Another big USP of the film is it's incredible music! The earthy folk/regional songs from across India! Where would one get to listen to the soulful strains of singers from Kashmir to Nagaland, from Rajasthan to Andhra Pradesh, all at one place. The music in the film is one big integrator! It's heart-warming to see all of India coming together under one big musical umbrella! As the songs from different states start appearing the audience too mentally starts putting together a list of the states yet to figure in the programme!

So while Sunsilk Real FM is definitely not a branding exercise, the film has beautifully and subtly incorporated the Sunsilk brand philosophy in its narrative. A very healthy amalgamation of creative content and commerce, indeed! 

This film review has been written under the #SunsilkRealFMExperiences exclusive screening organised by Sunsilk in association with IndiBlogger. Looking forward to more of these special screenings of interesting and offbeat film projects.

Mrs. Khanna and Katherine

Mrs. Khanna did not really get to know Katherine much. The pre-wedding formalities, the hustle and bustle of first marriage function at home and then the frenzy of lunches and dinners that followed the wedding ...looking back, everything seemed like an event that had happened long long ago, though it had only been a year that her son Kabir had married Katherine Davis, his British colleague in London.

It's been a year already! She somehow seemed to marvel at the year gone by. The train of thought was picking up speed when she recalled that even at that time of Kabir's wedding, she did not know much about Katherine. All she knew and could understand was the fact that she was a pleasant girl from a good family and she and her son Kabir loved each other a lot. They wanted to get married and like all loving parents, Mrs and Mr Khanna and Katherine's parents Mrs. and Mr. Davis had all met and had found each other agreeable enough to allow their 'kids' to marry each other.

What followed was a full blown Punjabi wedding. Relatives and friends flying in, hotel bookings being managed, shopping, budgeting, gift packing and all the other jazz that Indian, specially Punjabi weddings are known for. While most of her time was spent planning and executing details about the impending wedding, there were moments when she had some time for herself - and it was during these moments that the idea of a foreigner daughter-in-law tried to intimidate her, which she would try and shrug off - more out of exhaustion than intimidation.

The wedding functions and the post wedding rituals and ceremonies - everything went off well, very smoothly in fact. The three weeks after the wedding had flown by in a jiffy - and soon it was time for Kabir and Katherine to report back to work in London. They left with promises to have Mrs. and Mr. Khanna come over to London as soon as possible. But for the Khannas, the 'as soon as possible' only came after a year, what with their full time jobs as banking professionals. 

Ans now, seated in her plush seat on-board the British Airways flight headed to London, Mrs. Khanna was again feeling the old tinge of intimidation. After all, for the first time she would be spending two months at a go with her British daughter-in-law Katherine. Seated next to her, Mr. Khanna was oblivious to her trepidation and seemed to be enjoying British Airways's hospitality - resting comfortably in his seat and indulging good food and good wine. 

They landed at the Heathrow Airport right on time and post the checking out formalities waited for Kabir to show up at the arrivals. He had messaged earlier to say he would be there to receive them. But what a pleasant surprise it was for both of them to find Katherine beaming at the arrivals! Dressed up in beautiful salwaar kameez, she had a huge bouquet in one hand and a lovely hand made placard in the other. Done up in bright colours, the placard read - 

WELCOME HOME!

Mrs. Khanna stood there, staring at the placard, the many wires in head and heart de-tangling themselves - tears filling up her eyes and love filling up her heart. So far away from India, so far away from home, she had discovered a daughter in a loving daughter-in-law. And standing there, at the bustling Heathrow airport, she knew she was going to love London.

Hope this story inspires all mothers-in-law to be friends with their daughters-in law, and of course vice versa. Hope you enjoyed reading this story, and if you related to it in any way, then please do share your thoughts.  

What's That Smell, Minto Aunty?

Minto aunty is one gorgeous woman. Our new next door neighbour, her face always looks like a flower in bloom. Rose tinted cheeks, perfectly arched eyes-brows, kohl lined eyes and those pink pout-y lips - one look at her and you are bound to give her a second, and a third and a fourth look too.

A self-assured smile always plays on her lips, further upping her smugness quotient. But sir, give her a compliment or two, and all hell is bound to break lose for you. Or so we have discovered. For the patronizing soul that she is, Minto aunty will consider it most humble and obvious to come over and hug you and then thank you for your gracious compliments. And it’s then when the hell breaks loose. For this lady smells. And smells real bad.

Yes sir, you read that right. Minto aunty, is one of those women who believe in just keeping their face polished.  And why not! Who sees beyond the face, one would say. Not random people of course. But then in all likelihood Minto aunty seems to have underestimated random people's sense of smell too. 

Turns out that during one of those candid confessions session at a kitty party, she candidly confessed that she was not a big fan of daily baths. 
'Oh, c'mon Mrs. Verma! We don't work in the fields, do we? Why the daily shower then? Plus I always feel so cold!', she is said to have slurred after a glass too many of fine drinks. 

Ah, so the stinky secret was out. Quite a bit of gossip has been floating in the ladies' circles since Minto aunty's confession. And of course obnoxious smells too. For those who have had the bad luck of complimenting Minto aunty and then being hugged in return seem unable to get over the trauma her smelly armpits inflicted on them. And thus quite a few retaliatory action plans are in the pipeline. Kitty circle says here birthday is around the corner. How about gifting her with an year's supply of deodorant? Or antiperspirants? How about aroma candles? 

But then suddenly there's an idea that clicks with everyone. How about a geyser and packs of body wash? That would make a great gift! Killing two birds with one stone, as you say! A gift that cannot be stacked away in some corner of the house! Might as well set it up on the bathroom wall and make some use of it. 

And add to that a group of kids pestering her to put on the geyser, pronto!

Yes, so this is the deal. The Do Good Women's Association of our colony has decided to gift Minto aunty with a new geyser. A fine birthday gift this will make, and a polite reminder too - what's with the smell, woman?