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| Sunday, 15 September 2002 |
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Features |  |
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Polishing floors Lanka Vs India India is hot on using Sri Lanka as a platform for propagating its products in keeping with the Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement. And so last week we had a distinguished representation of officials from this country for the launching of their Sara Lee Household and Body Care Products. And guess? Most of those products are now being manufactured in Sri Lanka at their factory at Templers Road, Mt. Lavinia - incorporated under BOI in June, 2002. Listening to the speakers who included Ton Van Bilsen, Regional Vice President of Household & Bodycare, Sara Lee Netherlands, what I was most amused to hear was that they had developed a floor polish especially for Sri Lanka - having of course, drawn a separate marketing and communications action plan for this country. What was it that made us so different to the others where floor polish was concerned I asked? Wasn't polishing floors something everybody did. And V.S. Pradeep Kumar, the company's CEO for India and Sri Lanka laughed: You polish your floors and we don't. Here in Sri Lanka you use polish extensively especially during Christmas, New Year and other festive occasions unlike in India where the polishing is the responsibility of and done by the builder prior to handing over the building for either residential or commercial purposes. In India we wash our floors daily rather than polish to keep it clean and in a hygenic condition. If at all polishing is done once in about three years. And that too by professionals who charge per sq. ft. inclusive of the materials. *************** Buzzing in the dark The pressing of a switch at the Town Hall on September 3 - that set the city of Colombo aglow - caused some excitement and happiness, for there was to be light in the gloomy areas of Colombo from then onwards. But a few moments later when certain sections of the island plunged into darkness, that enthusiasm was squashed by some buzzing of fears, phobias, rumours and inquiries; of frequent power cuts and high electricity bills. And one question I was most amused to hear was `Who is this Chandra whose great idea this is?" After all Chandra is not an uncommon name and there are many Chandras holding high offices here. But the Chandra associated with this lighting project prefers to remain anonymous. What does it matter who does what if it is done to benefit the majority, he asks, mentioning that his " dream for having the city lit at night was to make Colombo which is dead at night come alive. Being acquainted with business rivalry it was to be anticipated that when one puts a green neon sign, another will put ten reds and 'Hey Presto' the city will be blazing with light. All the five-stars in and around Colombo have discos; there are a lot of well-heeled and glamorous young people in Colombo willing to burn the candle at both ends with a whole society following them; and hoteliers willing to cater to their lifestyles with food, drink and the expected ambience. And did you know that E & J Gallo have even produced a varietal wine for those young career women who no longer wish to sip a soft drink which wine is available at all five-stars? None of those fears and rumours would affect us if we all cooperate and work as a team in this laudable attempt by the government, he says. *************** Like to quit smoking or not? Many attempts have been made in the past to discourage people from smoking; and that is an on-going process. But despite all those attempts there are those who care not a rap for its consequences. Here's something interesting about smoking which I picked up while on a visit to the States. Tobacco is a filthy weed It drains your purse, it burns your clothes And makes a chimney of your nose. (Dr Benjam,in Waterhouse (1754-1846) "Tobacco is a dirty weed. I like it. Deadlines Having to keep to deadlines can, at times, be quite frustrating. But that is something we have to cope with. What exactly is a deadline? It is not something you meet. It is something you beat, says Patrick Croce. ``It is called a deadline for a very good reason. It leaves no room for excuses not even death." We are all familiar with ASAP which means ` As soon as possible.' He says our motto should be ASAPITL which is as soon as possible is too late. ``Just do it now.'' Alzheimer's There is a lot of concern about working towards curbing and/ or helping those afflicted with Alzheimer's disease here in Lanka. A recent research study indicates that women who take oestrogen long after menopause appear to be at least one-third less likely than others to develop this disease." This is a piece of evidence that indicates the disease is something that is "not going to be an undefeatable enemy." |
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