Communist help for democracy

I was at the mobile shop to buy some accessory for my mobile. The salesman attending me was busy showing various options. His colleague was waiting for a chance to ask him something. I sensed his restlessness and gestured him to shoot his question. “Where is Rahul Dhakkan?”, he asked. “Next to dust bin, near Kejariwal”, was the reply. I looked perplexed. What’s exactly is being asked? And what the reply means?  The other salesman went near the dust bin picked up one of the bags lying on the floor and fished out the product. I was curious to take a look at what was being asked for. I asked him to show me the piece and it turned out to be a cover for Samsung mobile phone with picture of RaGa and election slogan. As I was appreciating the innovative product, I was shown similar products of various political parties and that too for large number of popular mobile models in India. I picked one to check the manufacturer. The smart salesman, retorted – Chinese. Great, that’s all I could mutter.    

One of the covers available

For last few years we are getting used to Chinese products. We are certainly better off than USA where every second or third product in supermarkets is from China, but Chinese do not bully with USA as they do with us on Indo-China border. Our communication lifeline is China dependent. Our entertainment products, be it TVs, CDs, DVDs, come from China. Electronic industry is breathing with Chinese help, mobiles, laptops, auto accessories, home appliances, kitchen equipments, bulbs, fans, you name it is China made. Most of synthetic idols of Indian deities are made in China. (They are blessed more than the God fearing poor Indians.) Decorative items for Ganapati festival, decorative lights for Diwali help us celebrate the festivals. Even Indian mithai is incomplete without Chinese pistachio. I always appreciate the marketing abilities of the China. The environmental analysis done by Chinese is phenomenal. These guys know what we need, when and where we need and at what price we need. The recognition of need is so perfect, that the customers go hunting for the product obviating any need for promotion. These guys understand the political environment much better and know how to steer through it. The mobile covers can be a great marketing case study.

There was speculation about general elections in India for some time. It was not a secret that elections will be held in 2014, dates were the only issue. Finally on March 5^th, 2014, the schedule was announced. Look at the speed with which Chinese guys worked. In flat two weeks China has supplied millions of mobile covers to India. Covers with political party’s logo, election symbol, their slogan, and their popular leader’s picture. China must have done their homework to know what models are being sold in India and their quantities, area-wise tele-density, influence of regional parties, strength of national parties in different pockets and many other elements to estimate the demand. China must be aware of Indian rules related to election propaganda. Mobile cover is not a promotional material that can be prohibited to carry along by candidates and their supporters. (Unless government bans mobile phones). A candidate can wave his or her mobile phone to voters from a distance and that will not be violation of code. Certainly a smart thinking. Full marks for product development.

These covers are available in the market and are being sold in the range of Rs. 100/- to Rs. 150/-. So far, as I see from reports of various TV channels, there is no institutional buyer. Only individuals are buying these covers. May be as we approach the election dates there is likely to be a spurt in the demand as the institutional buying may take place.

Indian manufacturers of such covers (if any) have already lost the race. Can someone think of US Presidential elections due in 2016 (primary schedule is already announced) and design innovative products for the elections in the second largest democracy in the world? Or should once again a communist country like China take the lead to strengthen democracy.