I have always been fascinated by Brands. Not as much beacuse of the associated Glamour but because of their marketing ruses, their punchlines, the creativity in their Ad campaigns and above all their ability to create mass loyalty and a feeling of uniqueness.
Sadly quite a few of the Brands/products that I have grown up admiring/using have long gone out of production for reasons as diverse as the Environment, Bad Positioning or the promoter simply choosing to shut down his business. Let me take you through a nostalgic journey with some phenomenal Brands/products that were outstanding during their day but aren't produced anymore.
Bata Ambassador Classic - the thin broad shaped shoe with an even broader sole, I loved the Bata Ambassador Classic. I got one when I was in Class 6th and despite the rough use of everyday schooling, it looked as fresh as ever when I passed out. Like a capricious fool, I let it rot out, having got utterly bored wearing daily for 5 years. Now I desperately want to buy something similar but it isnt made anymore.
Gillette Super Platinum Single Blades - Used to be produced and marketed by Gillette back during 1997-1999 when they hadnt got Youngistan hooked onto twin blades yet. Using one blade for 50 shaves was a cakewalk and so sharp was the edge that just a little carelessness and you could end up fleecing your skin. I was gifted 8-10 packets by my uncle who was an agent of the company. Ended up using 6 packs and 2 are still with me. I'm afraid of using them up because I know I wont get anything like them today.
Dark Milk Chocolate by Nestle - How I loved it. Almost spoilt my teeth gorging on it. The raw & bitter taste of Dark chocolate was the nearest I ever got to Heaven. Pity they closed the doors to Heaven that soon. But tell you what, before they closed the doors, me I had a good hard look. Though we have the Bournville today, its nothing like what Nestle produced.
Pan Josh - I wonder how many of you'd recall this one or actually used it. This was a pan flavored bubble gum sold in Red colored Cigarette case like cartons of 10. I'm not fond of bubble gums but the Pan flavour these guys built in was remarkable. I sure do miss it !
Chatpat - Those who like Swad or better still the toffees given by Jet aboard their flight, might have tried this back in the late eighties. It was marketed in lozenge form in small sachets with the figure of a rotund Panditji with a huge tikki. There are similar things in the market today but nothing quite as good.
Palmolive Brilliantine Green Pomade - for use in Delhi/Lucknow/Patna like winters. Somewhat Oily but good smell and even better at moisture retention. Came in a red variant too. Then we started having too much of Dove & Nivea and it disappeared.
Lal Imli Dhariwal - When it comes to fashion, I'm a chip off the old block. I love the look & feel of thick Wool blends & Worsted fabrics. Though Binny still continues to manufacture Worsted cloth, outlets are very hard to find and mostly are out of stock on this.
Kelvinator Refrigerator - How many decades did yours last ? - the favorite question of Kelvinator lovers. There are umpteen refrigerator brands today but come the 6th-7th year, the compressor usually goes bust. No refrigerator has ever come close to Kelvinator.
Maruti Gypsy - We have the Sumos & Xylos today but many could well be missing this Indian substitute of Jeep. The user friendly smooth engine and the “Open Back” design was available at affordable prices for the Indian adventurer.
Yamaha RX100/RD35 - If I were to die today there's no greater regret that I'll have than not having owned one of those God manufactured machines. If you havent rode a Yamaha 2-stroke, you haven’t rode anything, its as simple as that. That giant Mikuni carburetor and that humming enginemakes my head rush like nothing else does. After the Indian govt. banned 2-stroke at the turn of the century, all companies stopped manufacturing 2-strokes. But Yamaha has said it is committed to manufacturing 2-strokes till it is absolutely forced to abandon the technology. Yamaha US had 2-strokes in their 2008 US lineup but I couldnt see anything in the 2009 lineup. God I hope they havent stopped producing the Vehicle of the Gods !
