Where have all those products gone? (BUSINESS)

I started gaining consciousness about things around me in the mid 80s. Back then, there were all these wonderful products which used to capture the imagination of simple middle class families. A packet of Binnies chips or Amul chocolate would be available only after special performances at school. These products and their advertisements seemed to fully complement and re-inforce the popular culture (Buniyad, Nukkad, Ramayana) and socio-economic period of the 80s (large PSU workforce, no software sector). And these products along with their competitors were rightly priced in sync with the purchasing power realities of the country. Some of these products are still alive but are hard to get hold of. But all the same, their magic remains in the minds of those who were growing up during that period. Here’s my collection of few that have got ingrained into my subconscious:

Soft drinks: While the likes of Thums Up, Limca and even Banta escaped the raucous after liberalization; some like Gold Spot and Citra had to give way. Gold Spot was especially popular among women and children during the 80s (cost around Rs 2 then).

Potato Chips: The prices of potato chips sky-rocketed after liberalization and even on an absolute basis cost more in India today than in the US. But, back in the 80s, a 100 gm chips pack would be available for Rs2.5. And those brands- Binnies, Fun Munch. The Binnies Pudina and the Fun Munch Lemon tasted especially great- I have never tasted such great chips since.

Bikes and Mopeds: The hardy and sturdy Rajdoot bikes with its Sholay like appeal; and who remembers those animals called Mopeds - TVS Luna- kabhi cycle to kabhi scooter: pedals on bikes brought out the softer, down to roots side of the 80s men who had an overdose of Amitabh Mithun violence.

Cameras: Hot Shot cameras were the market leaders. Heir new launches like instant photo out seemed so cool. And yes, I still have a working AGFA black an white camera that looks real chum.

Televisions: Remember all those state owned brands – Uptron, Umtron, Beltron. Crown TV was considered the best by many. Remember those long B&W TVs with shutters, fake color screens for B&W TV and the ultimate- spiral antennas to catch signal from your neighbours paid connection to Shyam dish antennas. (Shyam dishes were used to capture DD signals in areas where terresteral signals were too weak). Also remember those 11 stick antennas fixed on a bamboo pole which one had to rotate manually to get good picture. (TVs were much expensive then)

Magazines: Sportstar (still available?), Sportsworld: Fans used to prepare bound volumes of these.

Sarees: Only Vimal, Garden Vareili.

Chocolates: Amul chocolates with their elegant shiny covers showing the faces of a couple. Coco-na-a Coco-na-ka, Ka Ka Coco-na-ka. Some of these are still available outside big cities.

Locks: Are taley me taley- Harison taleys still available?

With the memory of the detailed nature of these products long gone, I have only a vague fondness for them. Would I have liked them if they were still around today, amidst the glut of competition? I don’t know. But I am sure that two thousand years later, when our remains and ruins are dug up by archaelogists; they will find the remains of these products, and they will classify us as advanced if not less than the Mohenjo Daro civilization.