Top Developments of the year 2012

As the year 2012 draws to a close one reflects on the year gone by. What were the significant developments in different fields that captured the attention of the people? In a big country like ours, no single day passes without a significant happening or something that does not make a breaking/major news. So in a sense, if one were to recount all that happened during the course of the year 2012, then perhaps this story would be too long. So we at Adgully decided to focus on only the important developments in the year 2012 that according to us has the potential to ring in a change. Maybe because this development happened there is optimism that change will now be possible. Present here is a brief rundown of significant developments through our eyes.

Rape that shook the nation

The brutal gang-rape and physical assault on a 23 year old girl in a moving bus in New Delhi who ultimately gave up after a 13 day fight shook the conscience of the whole nation and outpouring on the street across the county. It has forced the politicians to think on the need to bring in strong anti-rape laws & punishment. This ranks as a top development for the grimness of the entire incident and the silent protests that it evoked across India.

Digitization

After years of fight & objection between the cable operators, the consumers and the broadcaster, the digitization of the Television industry finally rolled out in November in the four metros with the hope that the entire country will be covered by 2014. Television industry is set for a new era with the digitization.

Aamir Khan’s Satyamev Jayate

The last of the Khan could not stay away from the lure of television  and debuted with Satyamev Jayate, the realty show that talked about social evils that afflict the Indian society. There were many firsts like the show’s simultaneous telecast on several channels and the Doordarshan, the high TRP ratings that is generated proving Aamir Khan’s pulling power and the high fees charged by the actor that was the discussed for many days.

Star news becoming ABP news

After years of partnership between the Star and the ABP group, the Star News assumed new brand identity and became ABP News, with Star having little or no control. There were a lot of apprehension about the new brand identity but the success of ABP news which has emerged unscathed has surprised all.

Imagine shutting down

After changing hands, this channel originally launched by NDTV called it quits and shut down as it failed to generate viable TRPs and revenues for its long-term survival.

NDTV and TAM controversy

This was one of the keenly watched developments of the year in the media space. NDTV filed a suit against TAM, the ratings agency for what is called wrong reporting of NDTV’s ratings which resulted in crores of advertising revenues being lost. There were claims and counter claims which now seem to have become quieter.

TAM coming out with revised rating methodology

After cries from advertisers and channels, for the first time TAM  was compelled to put its act together and it came out with revised television ratings methodology on a wider sample size.

Bal Thackeray bids adieu

The tiger roared for almost five decades and had his hold over the Maharashtra’s state politics and populace like on other in recent memories. With his passing away, the stage is now set for a quiter Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray, is what political observers feel.

Yash Chopra, Shammi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna passed away

Bollywood lost stalwarts like Yash Chopra often called the king of romance, Shammi Kapoor the Yahoo… boy and Rajesh Khanna the first superstar due to illness. Their contribution to Hindi cinema will ever be remembered.

Salman Khan reinforces his status

After years of being on a roller coaster ride of success and failures, Salman Khan emerged as the unofficial crowned king of Bollywood with two back to back successes in the year 2012. While Ek Tha Tiger with Rs 185 gross collections got top billing amongst Bollywood flicks, towards the end of the year, Dabangg 2 is fast racing towards breaking that record having already crossed the Rs 100 crores gross in about 8 days.

Ratan Tata retires

Ratan Tata retired as Chairman of Tata Sons and head honcho of the $ 100 billion Tata Group after being at the helm for 21 years. In place a young Cyrus Mistry took the reins as chairman. This should rank as the most important development in the business space.

Sachin quits one day cricket, Dravid, Laxman retire

Heartthrob of cricket and even non-cricket lovers and several world records holder, Sachin Tendulkar called it quits from one-day cricket version thereby paving the way for a youngster, keeping in view the 2015 World Cup. Also retired from the longer version of the game were Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.

Mary Kom wins bronze

Mary Kom boxed her way through London Olympics by winning a bronze medal. The win not only made Mary Kom a household name but also saw unthinkable rewards pour in cash, endorsements and recognition. She will also be immortalised on celluloid. Mary Kom was also promoted to additional superintendent of police by the Manipur government. More than anything, Magnificent Mary brought home hope and inspired aspiring boxers across the country.

Narendra Modi retains power, uses 3D technology

Narendra Modi convincingly retained power in Gujarat and emerged as a strong contender for BJP's prime ministerial candidate in the 2014 General Elections. In a first, Modi used 3D holographic projection technology to address poll rallies simultaneously at different locations.

The year proved to be a good one for Modi in the international sphere as well as the UK ended the boycott of Gujarat after 10 years. British High Commissioner James Bevan came to Gandhinagar and met Modi. He also got a clean chit from the Supreme Court-appointed SIT on his role in 2002 riots.

Arvind Kejriwal launching AAP Party

Social activist and crusader against corruption, Arvind Kejriwal launched the Aam Aadmi Party and entered politics. The former bureaucrat made 2012 an unforgettable year for the ruling elite, politicians, elected representatives and industrialists through his exposés on corruption. He garnered most headlines during 2012 withoiut doubt.

Acquisitions in the advertising space

Acquisitions in the advertising and digital space continued throughout the year with Dentsu and Publicis Groups acquiring smaller agencies in the digital space left, right and centre. Both the groups consolidated their position in India and in a bid to shake up the position WPP enjoys in India

Milkman Kurien no more

Creator of Amul and the milkman of the nation, Dr Verghese Kurien passed way in 2012. Dr Kurien was responsible for helping make India the largest milk producer in the world with close to 17 per cent of the global production. The Operation Flood that he launched was the largest dairy development programme in the world and it helped to replicate the Anand model of cooperative dairying across India.

Social media growth

Social media grew by leaps and bounds in 2012. More communication and opinions took place on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter as celebrities & personalities adopted the social media to air views. It also invited controversies and talk of restraining/ censoring the new platform by the government.

Fight in print media in Bengal

After a long time, the print media saw a war for market supremacy in the Kolkata’s Bengali readership market between the country biggest media group, The Times Group and the AnandaBazar Patrika group over launch of their respective newspapers, Eyi Samay and Ebela respectively. The fight is not yet over and will gather momentum in 2013.

Ajmal Kasab hanged

This time the government did not dither and the perpetrator and the sole survivor  of the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai, Ajmal Kasab was  hanged without much loss of time once his mercy petition was rejected by the President. The hanging helped the government prove its resolve of doing justice and assuage the feelings of the grieving families.

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