It is holiday time again and time for the family to fight over the TV remote (or so we thought!). Surprisingly all we did was browse channels and switch off the TV in 10 minutes. Old wine in older bottle. Never ending serials, reruns of films, interviews of actors for 100th time, repeated songs which have a festive touch, boring realty shows, etc. Is creativity of Indian television dead?
When Doordarshan was the only channel available and there was no 24/7 concept, there were quality programs. On festival days we had programs telling us the importance of the festivals and films were shown once-in-a-week. Realty TV was unheard of and celebrities were not falling over each other to be interviewed. There was exclusivity of each program and everyone looked forward to the program time.
With almost once channel being launched each month and one DTH operator entering the fray within 6 months, people are spoilt for choice and hence the problem. TRPs would fall and why not. Too many programs vying for the same eyeballs (so is the case with political parties in AP – too many parties for the same voter base).
‘Entertainment’ has a new definition on TV and most of the programs, I think, we can do without. But to my amazement, people are enjoying them. Looking at the number of people opting for the basic packages on DTH, looks like the days of educative channels like National Geography and Discovery are over.
I find solace in kids’ channels. There is novelty. If not anything else, one can always enjoy reruns of age old favorites like Tom & Jerry.
September 7, 2008
Amusement Park
Last weekend we were in search of some place where our daughter can have fun and spend a day. We heard about Innovative Film city which opened recently in the outskirts of Bangalore. It is on the NH to Mysore, 8 kms from Wonderla, beside Bidadi Industrial area. We drove there hoping to come back in couple of hours as people told us that it was not complete yet.
We were in for a surprise when we saw the sprawling entrance (see pic). They tried to make it like another Disney land with someone to greet you at the gate and guide you. If I tell you all about the place, then it’s no fun. One thing is for sure, it is place where you can empty your pockets and spend the whole day. Damn expensive as compared to some other entertainment/ amusement parks.
I was kind of wondering about its future. They hoped to attract people in the city who lack places to chill out during weekend. But what happens if people start to pour in? They will find it difficult to maintain the place. They won’t be able to give personal attention to visitors as they are doing now. Probably they won’t care then.
Why do we need such ‘amusement places’ at all? Do we lack amusement at other places? When I was a kid we used to play on streets or wherever we could. Then there were colony parks where the kids used to assemble. These days kids hardly have time for physical exercise/ play. TV, video games are the norm. If parents have time then kids catch up with some books and stories.
There are no longer simple games like catch-catch.
If it’s a weekend, the family heads to a mall or shopping centre or party.. some social gathering. Father playing catch with son has become an annual affair during the vacation time.
I am not generalizing, but this is the trend that I see at most places in the cities. Villages don’t have malls and kids surely can play on the streets.
Everyone in the family is so caught up with their hectic schedules that they think that going out during weekends is the only way to ‘spend’ with family. No wonder retailing of all sorts has caught on like wild fire in India.
When will we have simple pleasures such as:
- watching your child getting dirty in the sand
- watching your child splash colors around while painting
- playing ball with your children
- getting wet in the rain
- having a family barbeque
We don’t need any hobby club to organize a fest to make such things happen. We just need to switch off our TV and computer and step out into the garden with kids.
We were in for a surprise when we saw the sprawling entrance (see pic). They tried to make it like another Disney land with someone to greet you at the gate and guide you. If I tell you all about the place, then it’s no fun. One thing is for sure, it is place where you can empty your pockets and spend the whole day. Damn expensive as compared to some other entertainment/ amusement parks.
I was kind of wondering about its future. They hoped to attract people in the city who lack places to chill out during weekend. But what happens if people start to pour in? They will find it difficult to maintain the place. They won’t be able to give personal attention to visitors as they are doing now. Probably they won’t care then.
Why do we need such ‘amusement places’ at all? Do we lack amusement at other places? When I was a kid we used to play on streets or wherever we could. Then there were colony parks where the kids used to assemble. These days kids hardly have time for physical exercise/ play. TV, video games are the norm. If parents have time then kids catch up with some books and stories.
There are no longer simple games like catch-catch.
If it’s a weekend, the family heads to a mall or shopping centre or party.. some social gathering. Father playing catch with son has become an annual affair during the vacation time.
I am not generalizing, but this is the trend that I see at most places in the cities. Villages don’t have malls and kids surely can play on the streets.
Everyone in the family is so caught up with their hectic schedules that they think that going out during weekends is the only way to ‘spend’ with family. No wonder retailing of all sorts has caught on like wild fire in India.
When will we have simple pleasures such as:
- watching your child getting dirty in the sand
- watching your child splash colors around while painting
- playing ball with your children
- getting wet in the rain
- having a family barbeque
We don’t need any hobby club to organize a fest to make such things happen. We just need to switch off our TV and computer and step out into the garden with kids.
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