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How Godrej has been making lives brighter in India for over a century

In September this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the ambitious ‘Make in India’ campaign to the world. After all, India is the third largest economy in the world based on purchasing power parity (PPP), according to the IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2014. And there’s every reason why products made for this large market should be manufactured within India.

As Indians, we have a host of unique needs and problems that, till a while ago, did not have specific solutions thanks to the use of primordial technologies in consumer goods. This is also, perhaps, the reason why we have a ‘thoda adjust karlo’ attitude in managing the humdrum of our daily life. And for those who can afford them, foreign goods don’t always offer a complete or targeted solution. Even with the barrage of foreign brands, we find it difficult to find something that address quirky annoyances particular to India. Thankfully, a few brands have been innovating to meet some quintessential Indian needs and demands over the years.

One such brand that has continuously strived to figure out Indian-made solutions and deliver them at prices that any Indian can afford is Godrej. From someone in a village to an urban Indian middle-class home to a lifestyle that’s luxurious, Godrej serves all. Brightening Indian lives since 1987, Godrej has given generations of Indians solutions to several lifestyle problems; solutions that have had a huge impact.

How? Let’s take a look:

Problem #1: Mosquitoes Mosquitoes have been a menace for centuries in India. While there have been traditional remedies, mosquito nets, and even mosquito-repellent creams, etc, they often caused discomfort too. And despite paying the cost of protection from mosquitoes with our discomfort, most of us have been a victim of malaria and dengue at least once in our life.

The Solution The Godrej Good Knight range of mosquito repellents has proved to be a rite of passage for Indian masses in their defence technique against mosquitoes - an effective and safe option for everyone, including children. The latest to join us in our fight against these merciless pests is Good Knight Fast Card, which can be availed by all for a mere Re. 1. And it doesn’t need electricity either—it’s cheap and effective even for use in remote parts of India. The Good Knight Fast Card is a paper-based card that has to be merely folded and lit up where you want instant anti-mosquito protection. Within three minutes, the card begins working and is powerful enough to last for up to four hours.

Problem #2: Beds that are literally a pain in the back While the famous Indian concept of jugaad has seen beds transform into storage spaces, every householder knows that accessing such storage is a dreadful task. Trying to reach an underneath storage compartment in a bed is as difficult as finding someone willing to help you with it!

The Solution The remote-controlled Interio Karbon Bed with such easy access to under-bed storage, it makes you feel as powerful as Aladdin with a lamp!Interio’s Karbon Bed houses a unique and innovative hydraulic lift mechanism which opens the storage section at will. The Karbon bed is a perfect space organiser with two controlled spaces at either side, which allows users to store magazines and books. Platforms at the edges allow you to use them as sitting spaces. An innovative piece of furniture that adds space and utility to a home. The Karbon bed delights users—especially in our space-starved urban scenarios.

Problem #3: A space that cannot house your growing needs As we earn more, buy more, and grow more in terms of family, the need for more storage space and space management hits us hard every day. As is a tradition in India, we rely on local carpenters for home improvement. Now, it only depends on our luck if these carpenters prove to be skilled or oneswho end up making a mess of the assigned task. And we try to find solutions in home-made innovations, especially in crowded Indian cities with small living spaces.

The Solution A wardrobe that is a smart storage manager. Yes, you read that right. Interio Kreation wardrobe is thoughtfully designed and is extendable to meet individual needs. You can add up any number of units as per your flexibility. You can also add an overhead unit that gives you 9 feet vertical space, with adjustable shelves, different widths and optional lockers and drawers. And if you ever shift to a new house, you can flat pack it when shifting from one place to another. Now you can literally carry the memories with you.

Problem #4: Spotless reputation Spotless clothes are just as important as spotless reputation. Be it a politician or a professional or the best dressed lady in your building. No, matter which one of these we are, keeping our clothes stain free is mission impossible and how? Thanks to the grime and dust we find aplenty in India, even the collars of our best shirts often flaunt a dusty, worn look. To top it up, water quality also varies across India offering no help in retaining the original colour and condition of our clothes. And the domestic help we employ often leave us thinking about the very popular dialogue “Itna paisa mein itna ich milega!”

The Solution Alas, in India we finally have a solution made for our needs thanks to the folks at Godrej who decided that this challenge needed an innovation and not just another washing machine. The unique made-for-India U-Sonic with its UltraSonic stain remover allows you to use it even for a single stained garment or a complete load. Its Aqua Jet Pulsator detangles and scrub clothes. A gravity-drum, a cascade waterfall effect, an in-built water heater to aidfour-way wash, dirt removal and disinfecting clothes are other key features that go the extra spin to make your clothes squeaky clean! Watch this to see the U-Sonic washing machine in action.

Problem #5: No time for home remedies Confidence is critical for success and youth is valued as a crucial confidence generator. Youthful looks are often equated with success in the world we live. And the best answers to this eternal youthfulness often are hidden in tried and tested dadimaa ke nuskhe.Unfortunately, with current levels of stress and pollution, premature greying has been one issue that is breaking confidence,leaving even our dadimaas gasping with sheer horror. And while there have been hair dyes around for years,the reluctance most of us have since we are not sure of how to mix and use itmade the problem even worse. Besides, the fear of high chemical content added to the agony.

The Solution Here’s Godrej’s naya idea - Godrej Expert Rich Crème. Enriched with aloe & milk protein conditioning formula, it makes your hair incredibly soft. To add to this, Godrej Expert Rich Crème doesn’t contain any harsh ammonia; so, – it saves your hair from all that damage! Rich Crème comes in pre-measured sachets of colorant and developer – which means no more measurements. All you need to do is - just mix, apply and rinse. It really is that simple. And we saved the best for last. All of this will cost you just 30 rupees!

Problem #6: No security inside or outside home Even in this day and age when advanced technology makes present look futuristic, security remains at a dated stage.Thanks to India’s huge population, especially in urban India, it is humanly impossible to keep a check on miscreants and mishaps. Private guards and watchmen are sometimes not enough. What we need are uncomplicated systems that keep us and our loved ones safe.

The Solution This has been made possible by the Godrej ‘See Thru Video Door Phone’ that gives you the ability to see who is at the door and being able to speak to them. How? It brings along two outdoor and indoor units - a dual camera feature for a constant security monitor at all entry points. It thus allows you to view anyone/anything at your door through the phone or turn your TV into a peephole by transferring live feeds. Italso lets you save footage in case something goes wrong when you are not home. This is an invaluable solution. Not only is the product vandal-proof, but also water-resistant.It captures 100 pictures in its inbuilt memory so you can save them for a long time and, and it also comes with a CCTV camera as an optional accessory for greater coverage. It is made to match your specific security needs and specific budgets.See Thru is also compatible with multiple Godrej video door phones. Take a look at how it works in the video below:

Problem #7:Acute craving for vada pav strikes at home When you say Mumbai, the word vada pav can’t be far behind. It’s a Mumbai icon, like dabbawallahs or the Gateway of India.This tasty and delicately spiced, zesty potato patty in the shape of a ball sandwiched between a pav is Mumbai’s answer to the West’s inconspicuous burger. Not only is it a staple snack for thousands in the city, young and old alike, but is also a major food attractionfor all tourists. In fact, there are now food chains in Mumbai focused around the humble vada pav.Unfortunately it is hard to locate an authentic vada pavoutside the city of seven islands.

The Solution Lo and behold! The Yummiez Mumbai Vada by Godrej food experts makes it easy for anyone outside Mumbai (and even the world) to relish genuine Mumbai Vada. The packaged Yummiez Mumbai Vada is a safe, fresh and tasty option that packs in all the authentic punch, the zing of a batata vada despite its frozen avatar. All one needs to do is get a pack home, fry the vadas till golden brown and crisp, and place them between fresh pav with savoury garlic chutney.

Problem #8: Environmentally unfriendly homes The Indian real estate industry has been unorganised and sees a dearth of well-respected pan-Indian real estate majors. At the same time, homes that are sustainable is a critical need. For India’s burgeoning population, full of aspirations for a brighter future, we need smarter homes. Despite the immediacy of a need for housing areas, we should develop spaces responsibly and conserve natural resources to meet our needs for years to come.

The Solution Powered by sustainable and self-reliant technologies like solar panels and rain-water harvesting and low energy materials and sewage treatment plants, Godrej Properties’ projects are here to save the day. These ISO certified and IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) pre-certified projects displays innovation, a concern for tomorrow’s generations and goes beyond the profit motive. Pioneering green infrastructure, they are spread across 12 cities and are sustainable, self-reliant and are designed to be close to nature. Bringing in natural sunshine and ventilation, a far cry from polluted city air, and yet offering access to schools and colleges, hospitals, entertainment and recreational centres, Godrej Properties give you a holistic experience. Click here to know more about these novel concepts.