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Convenor of Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) Dr Oscar Rebello has been nominated for CNN-IBN's Indian of the Year Award 2007 in public service category Vote for him at: http://www.cnnibnindianoftheyear.com/publicservice_voting_new.php --------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can't escape the hype that CNN-IBN has managed to generate for its Indian of the Year awards. But you can certainly escape contributing to the kitty of television and telecom companies. Award ceremonies that require the public to vote are revenue generating business ideas. They are high premium sms and call based services that play upon the emotional sentiments of people to generate mass voting hysteria. The result is revenue sharing between the channel/advertiser/organiser and the telecom service provider at the cost of the gullible sms voter. Have we forgotten the hype created over the marketing gimmick that made suckers of thousands of Indians to vote the Taj Mahal as a modern wonder? Now we have a leading Goan daily, which earlier used its front page blatantly to hail political candidates, heralding the need to vote for Dr Oscar Rebello on its editorial space and even carrying the sms number. I'm presume the editor is doing it out of genuine support for Dr Oscar Rebello. Otherwise I would award the advertising agency of CNN-IBN next years "innovative use of media award" for having got its advertisment placed in the editorial with the "money making" call to action planted as well. Dr Oscar Rebello does not need the sms/e-votes of a small english speaking segment of society. He has the support of all right-minded Goans and lovers of the soil. So spread the word that if you wish to "donate" send the money instead to support the GBA or Mother Teresa's Home in Panjim or any other place other than a commercial revenue generating award campaign. With awareness, Cajetan Vaz _________________________________________________________________ Post free property ads on Yello Classifieds now! www.yello.in http://ss1.richmedia.in/recurl.asp?pid=221