ET's Budget mascot, Budgee a smash hit
From head honchos to people on the street, almost everyone wanted to hitch a ride on Budgee, hoping he’d carry their secret wishes through
By Team ET, |
He didn't pontificate, neither did he sympathise. All he did was give a patient hearing and in the process warmed the cockles of everyone���s heart wherever he went. And boy! Did he do it with panache! From far-flung suburbs to central business districts, from traders to students, from CEOs to the aam aadmi - everyone took time off to meet Budgee, ET���s Budget mascot and platform for everyone to give their views to the FM on Budget 2008.
The mood on the street was electric. Initial hesitation evaporated immediately as people started interacting with Budgee, emblazoned in the trademark ET pink. The adulation was overwhelming and vindicated the stand that people, irrespective of strata, are equally concerned about what���s in store in the Budget. And given a chance, the audience is more than keen to voice its opinions and concerns to the FM.
The mood on the street was electric. Initial hesitation evaporated immediately as people started interacting with Budgee, emblazoned in the trademark ET pink. The adulation was overwhelming and vindicated the stand that people, irrespective of strata, are equally concerned about what���s in store in the Budget. And given a chance, the audience is more than keen to voice its opinions and concerns to the FM.
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Budgee did just that. Not only did people make themselves heard loud and clear in the cities Budgee visited, but the airwaves and cyberspace too were inundated with mails and telephone calls, all wanting to talk to Budgee. The head honchos of India Inc, from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, Delhi and Bangalore, were also impressed with what Budgee has achieved. From the time they heard Budgee was visiting them, CEOs and MDs blocked time for Budgee and were ready with their wishlist for the Budget. FBT, more relief for the salaried class, corporate taxation, infrastructure and commodities were some of the pertinent points which found mention as Budgee toured the country.
While some called Budgee the Fairy Godmother who���s come to grant wishes, others took the opportunity to exchange pleasantries with fellow professionals, something that���s impossible for top executives to do otherwise. Bonhomie was in ample display whereever Budgee stopped. As the forms were distributed, people got into small groups to discuss the most important points to highlight in their wishlists. ���The art looks slightly rushed,��� remarked one advertising agency head, looking at Budgee waiting for his turn to drop the wishlist inside the piggy bank. Well, Budgee took everything in its stride. From business areas to high streets like Phoenix Mills in Mumbai and MG Road in Bangalore, Budgee was the crowd-puller.
It was not only on the road that the Budgee magic was at work. From the moment Budgee started, reactions poured in from across India. People who couldn���t meet Budgee wrote, mailed and SMSed their wishlists. As Budgee completed his journey across India, the aam aadmi wished for a reduction in income tax, home and consumer loans, curbing of price rise and affordable education and healthcare facilities.
There were some really innovative suggestions. Sebastian Ouseph from Kochi says a comprehensive database needs to be created similar to the social security card concept in the US. ���This would help expand the tax base significantly, enabling the government to substantially reduce the tax liability of the salaried class,��� he adds.
Ankit Goel from New Delhi wants the government to reduce subsidies on petrol and LPG. ���These are used by middle and upper class, and this money should instead be used for the employment guarantee programme. Also, power leakages should be reduced by corporatising the sector as in the case of telecom and roads,��� suggest Goel. At Dalal Street, even as traders were busy voicing their suggestions for the Budget, there were moments of mirth as the audience played an impromptu quiz on what the P in P Chidambaram stands for. Answers ranged from ���profit��� to ���price rise���.
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Even as Budgee finished eliciting comments and suggestions, reactions are pouring in. Through the journey, some senior professionals from India Inc questioned the entire exercise of the Budget saying it should be treated as just another policy document. But going by the response to Budgee, it���s certain that everyone wishes to have his or her say before the FM rises to say, ���I wish to present the Union Budget.���Download
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