Tuesday, September 16, 2008

What does Gandhi mean to you?

To me he is the reason we have our Independence, he is he reason we are a democratic country, he is the reason we are free, free to live the way we want, free to think and to voice our thoughts. He is not called Father of our Nation for nothing.

If he did not speak up, we would still be living under oppression by the British. Just think how our life would have turned out?

And would we be able to have Barbecue and Beer? Definitely not a chance.

I came across this ad through India Uncut, listed at Ads of the World

This ad makes no sense to me.

Gandhi was a vegan, he did not drink. And if had not spoken up, would we be a free country still? I hold him in really high esteem and this ad has me offended.

The copy is really stupid. First you say "Life is easier if you don't speak up" and then say "debate" How is one supposed to debate if you do not speak?

This campaign is insensitive, lacks understanding, plain stupid and highly irresponsible.

Take a look and if anyone can enlighten me with a different point of view, please do.


Original ad here

Edited to add: Denmark's leading newspaper is promoting debate over public issues. Turns out they have used Nelson Mandela and Dalai Lama. I still think the Ads have failed to bring out the message. Source

14 comments:

PARRY said...

Its only attention wat ads seek. you shud not take too much into it. the ad world or if i say the net world is full of these. The ad itself stands exposed of its true nature and any sane person can get through its meaning.
Just think of this - How wud Gandhi have behaved after seeing this ad. just imagine??
Of course with a hearty joke or a laugh.
Cheers then. :)

Mampi said...

We should not react to these kinds of things. I agree with Parry that we should see it from Gandhi's point of view. This offence-taking is akin to my own community's reaction to things in 'Jo Bole So Nihaal' and 'Singh Is King.'

Imp's Mom said...

Parry :yeah you are right...i did over react :) but the ad is terrible in getting the right message across!

divsu: fools is the right word...

Mampi: true...this post was my first reaction, and it got to me primarily because I believe any ad should be aesthetically done and not foolishly. their purpose, was to promote debate and it takes one a long time to actually grasp it.

Unknown said...

Happy to see you relieved. Good luck for the future.

~ Vinod

Unknown said...

Eeps...got that comment in the wrong post.

Imp's Mom said...

Vinod: lol....Thanks :)

~Hemanth~ said...

I wouldn't say do not react but, they have to at least make the setting believable.

They got it all wrong. Granted, an ad is not supposed to look all that good but, it should hit the point home right? Let's see how can we make this better? Hmm...picture this, Gandhi relaxing on a cot under the shade and eating some laddu, looking a little chubby. Get's the point home and does not offend too many people.

And, they need some good photoshop guys :-)

Unknown said...

I think this is an abuse of the freedom of expression.

Indian Home Maker said...

Imp's mom I agree we should not react to this, or give it free publicity either. I have great respect for Gandhi, if we had followed his advise this country would be so different.
And I agree with Hemanth above, Gandhi would have not reacted to this sort of foolishness. Let's ignore it.

Anonymous said...

Ok, you guys I’m gonna dare a little and say this – What the advertisement is trying to say is "Gandhi could have been enjoying life (that is barbequing and Dalai Lama could have been skiing enjoying life) but they chose to speak up"
Hence - "Life Is Easier if You Don’t Speak Up" – like you could rather be surfing or skiing or barbequing
The image they put in is that of the leaders not being themselves, this Ad doesn’t offend me one bit. Just makes me think and instigates me to debate.

Santosh said...

Dekh ! Raji has commented exactly what i told on chat nai :o) And noting more to comment for moi !

Imp's Mom said...

Hemant:you are right, if the setting was believable, the ad would have worked..

Vinod, I believe so too...

IHM: This post was a result of my first reaction, I didn't even get the ad, until Santosh explained it to me...

Raji: Bang on target!

Santosh: :)

EnGeetham aka "My Song!" said...

I don't find the ad offensive... and don't find it hugely funny either... I think its the intent of the paper to say, 'come on, lets take up serious issues and speak about it (or against it)'. They are making it a bit provocative to say that Gandhiji, the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela could have had easier life not speaking against the establishment - but they all chose the harder path; and spoke and worked for serious issues"...
Agreed, they could have been little bit more sensitive given Gandhiji's views on meat and alcohol ! (or for that matter, Mandela's views on surfing ! :) :) )

Imp's Mom said...

EnGeetham aka "My Song!": yes that was their intent, but the ad was terrible..