We
Indians are in an expansive mood, to censor this, to ban that ... I want to add
to this joie d vivre.
Here
is my short list of things I would like to censor/ban.
1.
Toilet cleaner adverts on TV coming up just
as my family sits down for dinner. The fault is not with my family, but with
the TV channels. But banning them is like biting the nose to spite the face.
So, ban toilet cleaner commercials.
2.
Ban commercials of two/four-wheelers
showing anything other going about the daily chores – daily commute to office,
trips to grocery stores, vegetable markets, occasional family outing (four
people on two-wheelers but all of them wearing helmets). No speeding on the
highway, no splashing across puddles of water, no rock climbing (even on SUVs),
no screeching to stops, no dare devilry.
3.
Ban shampoo commercials, particularly those
promoting long shiny hair for women – save our women folk from spondylitis.
4.
Ban anti-dandruff shampoos advertisements,
all those that show a single dandruff in the hair after a shower. The funny
thing is India does not have a law for Truth in Advertising. Perhaps, companies
trying to go global have felt the need to cater to laws of foreign lands. Yet,
the effort feels forced, as they indeed are.
5.
What applies to shampoos applies to
toothpaste and brushes – instead of dandruff, it is some hard-to-notice yellow
stain, food scrap etc. Yuk ...
6.
Soft drink advertisements – no dare devilry (bungee jumping!) that forces nano-sized disclaimers that the stunts are being done by professionals;
of no use. Censor these. Soda advertisements must carry the amount of sugar in
a can/bottle/serving, in big size lettering.
7.
No advertisements for balms for backaches, mouth sores, etc. which offer only
temporary symptomatic relief. In my family you can see living proof that these
have become addictions. If cigarettes can be banned, so should these be.
Well,
be my guest to add on to the above.
Raghuram
