After Sales Services Scenario By and large the after sales services of both Indian-based companies and multinationals are unsatisfactory. What is even worse is that the warranty period promised for the products is not being adhered to?

This is where an opportunity arises for the brand equity if the company wants to make an impression on the consumers. Fast and efficient after sales services will convert these disgruntled customers into loyal customers.

The existing scenario is somewhat like this that the customer lodges a complaint with the service centre, the service engineer arrives and examines the equipment for the damaged parts. He then returns to the service centre and checks the availability of the required items. Then, he returns back to the place and make the equipment functional. If a component like the compressor is damaged then it has to be hauled back to the parent company or workshop. This process can take from one week to two weeks in the remote areas.

Other reasons for not providing the fast services are because of the people, who are hired in the service centers who does not have the required training. They are not trained for all the new models troubleshooting too as a result the service time get increased.

Also, there is a need for regular employees in the servicing sector too so that they can pay attention to the problem with much more care.

Find more interesting details on Out of Box Thinking for After Sales Services in the final part of the post on Tapping the Untapped Markets!!!!

Companies are Foraying in India with full gust with new Swanky products, but the basic consumers problems in Indian still remains unlisten, Although consumer durables market has been tapped effectively in the urban region there is still a lot of scope in the rural segment. Competition is getting tougher and tougher in this segment because several new players have invaded this field.  The rural sector comprises 70% of the total market. This covers a huge slice of the marketing chunk. 

Read the rest of this entry »

E-learning is referred to as a means of education that incorporates self-motivation, communication, efficiency, and technology. E-learning is considered to be efficient as it eliminates distances and subsequent commutes. Distance is eliminated because the E-learning content is designed with media that can be accessed from properly equipped computer terminals, and other means of Internet accessible technology from anywhere in the world. It can be used as a flexible term describing a means of teaching through technology. It has been noticed that E-learning has largely enhanced the services of corporate world all over the world.

The basis of any E-learning is formed on:

• Means of communication
• Schedule
• E-learning class structure
• Technologies used

Today, there exists various means for individuals to communicate with each other and their instructor. It could be solely conducted through online applications. In other cases, if distance is not a factor, some face-to-face communication can be included in order to create Blended E-learning. Such a kind of E-learning process includes elements of web interaction and in-person interaction.

Among the first innovations in actual E-learning was the Learning Management System (LMS). With the help of LMS, schools and companies were able to place courses online and were able to track students’ progress, communicate with students in an effective manner and provide a place for real-time discussions. Thereafter, the eClassroom evolved, which are web-based synchronous events with integrated Computer Based Training (CBT) and simulations. These eClassrooms are often referred to as Live Instructor-Lead Training (ILT). A combination of ILT via the Web with real-time mentoring, improved learner services, and up-to-date web content creates a highly-effective, multi-dimensional learning environment.

Among the main benefits of E-learning are:

• It is beneficial to education, corporations and to all types of learners.
• It is affordable, saves time, and produces measurable results.
• It is more cost effective than traditional learning as less time and money is spent on traveling.
• Flexibility is a major benefit of E-learning. It has the advantage of taking class anytime anywhere. Education is available when and where it is needed. E-learning can be done at the office, at home, on the road, 24 hours a day, and seven days a week.
• It also has measurable assessments which can be created so both the instructors and students will know what the students have learned, when they’ve completed courses, and how they have performed.

Normally, a question is asked - Can E-learning be the solution to keep people in sync with the rapidly changing corporate world?

Corporations are using E-learning as a means of quickly communicating business-critical information across organizations and the country. Corporate E-Learning is the means that caters to all the related needs. E-learning within the educational industry provides educators and learners with a solution to their specific needs; E-learning for corporations addresses the business world’s specific requirements.

The business specific applications of E-learning in the corporate world include:

• It helps in quickly communicating a business-specific concept.
• It can provide training to various departments across the company/country simultaneously.
• It helps in introducing a new product into the company.
• Corporations are constantly striving to attain the maximum efficiency and effectiveness. If the companies are able to educate employees while keeping them on the job, it is considered to be extremely valuable to any business. A well-structured E-learning solution is the answer that can support the overall business objective.
• Today, the technology is evolving at a great pace and being able to train employees from different departments within different locations throughout the country has become a commonly applied training procedure in today’s world.
• On-the-job training, for individuals or groups, is replacing in-person training sessions. With the help of advances in mobile technology, E-learning can now be employed on various handheld devices and PDAs.
• Enabling employee’s access to training materials on the job has also increased job satisfaction to a very big extent. This in turn heightens worker motivation and results in increased work performance.

Thus, employing a successful E-learning strategy allows a corporation to cut costs tremendously, while increasing workplace satisfaction and raising employee motivation. This definitely leads us to wonder about where the future of E-learning will take us!

With the IT world changing everyday, there is a need for a “quick”, “immediate” and “simple” understanding of terms and topics. These terms could be from any area of discussion, ranging from IT, and finance to space technology and history. A recent initiative to bring this quick understanding of such varied topics has been in the form of the free encyclopedia “Wikipedia”. Wikipedia is not owned by a person/group of persons but is actually an open forum where everyone is an editor. Any person interested in contributing to a topic can write about it in the prescribed format. This is then vetted by a panel of experts and if suitable, gets added to the Wikipedia. Each entry in this encyclopedia is called a “Wiki”. The term “wiki” comes from the Hawaiian word for “quick” and it refers to a collection of web pages that enables any person who uses it, to contribute/modify content, with the use of a simplified markup language.

These are extensively used to develop collaborative websites and to power community websites. The panel of experts that verifies the Wikis differs for each topic/subject and draws on the technical writers/experts, marketing personnel, peer editors, proofreaders, and at times legal or process experts to go through the work done or completed. Subject-matter experts (SMEs), managers, translators, and production people are also consulted in the process.

Today “Wikipedia” is one of the largest public domain online encyclopedias with over one million articles in English alone, and a continuously expanding library in other languages. Worldwide, Wikis are being utilized in business to provide affordable and effective intranets and Knowledge Management.

For a beginner, examining any end-user documentation, other Wikis that could be explored are: 

WikiWiki: c2.com/cgi/wiki

WikiTravel: wikitravel.org

An end-user documentation encompasses documents that carry a series of instructions to be followed in proper order.

Wikipedia defines:

In broad terms, User-Centered Design (UCD) is a design philosophy and a process in which the needs, wants, and limitations of the end user of an interface or document are given extensive attention at each stage of the design process. User-centered design can be characterized as a multi-stage problem solving process that not only requires designers to analyze and foresee how users are likely to use an interface, but to test the validity of their assumptions with regards to user behaviour in real world tests with actual users. Such testing is necessary as it is often very difficult for the designers of an interface to understand intuitively what a first-time user of their design experiences, and what each user’s learning curve may look like.

Thus, this presents a more global perspective of “end-user documentation” industries in an easy-to-read format.

Significance

Wikis may seem very small by themselves. However, they are very useful for people who do not want to know highly technical/elaborate answers to help understand something. This can be used by the professional community and student community alike.

Being a powerful and flexible collaborative communication tool for developing content-specific websites, Wikis grow and evolve as a direct result of people adding material to the site. Therefore they help in addressing a large number of pedagogical needs like student involvement, group activities, and others. Since wikis reside on the Internet, students can access and participate from any location.  

They provide a forum to faculty and students to get involved in collaborative activities that may not be possible in a classroom, thus opening new arenas. Their flexibility will give a boost to broader adoption—by both students and faculty.  

Businesses and organizations can readily capitalize on the collaborative functionality of Wikis. The main strength of a Wiki is its flexibility, as it enables peers to work together to make changes or update a work without the need to increase e-mail traffic or take up excessive time in meetings and conference calls.  

Other areas, such as content publishing are witnessing a revolution with the increasing use of Wikis and blogs (Weblogs). 

Some Wikis used for online help or community-based assistance are: 

Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN): msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/default.aspx

Everything Q: wiki.everythingq.com

OLPC: wiki.laptop.org

Cisco: supportwiki.cisco.com

Today, activities that are happening worldwide are dominated by the new age technologies. All these technologies are changing at a rapid pace. We notice that the Web 2.0 is gaining prominence in almost all spheres of life.

Talking about Web 2.0, a form of technology that is used here is Blogs. A blog (short name for weblog) refers to a website normally maintained by an individual, having regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material like graphics or video. In some cases, “Blog” can also be used as a verb, which means to maintain or add content to a blog.

Meanwhile, there are some blogs that give commentary or news on a particular subject and still some other blogs that function as personal online diaries. A typical blog consists of:

·        Text

·        Images

·        Links to other blogs

·        Web pages

·        Other media related to its topic

In many blogs, the most important feature is the ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format. Blogs can be categorized under these sections:

Personal blogs: These refer to an ongoing diary or commentary by an individual. It is considered to be traditional and the most common blog category.  

Corporate blogs: A blog can be private, as in majority cases, or it can be for business purposes. Blogs, which are either used internally to enhance the communication and culture in a corporation or externally for marketing, branding or public relations purposes are referred to as corporate blogs.  

By media type: A blog comprising videos is called a vlog, one comprising links is called a linklog, a site containing a portfolio of sketches is known as a sketchblog or one comprising photos is a photoblog. 

By device: Blogs can also be categorized by the type of device used to compose it. A blog written by a mobile device like a mobile phone or PDA could be called a moblog. 

By genre: There are some blogs that focus on a particular subject, like political blogs, travel blogs, house blogs, project blogs, education blogs, classical music blogs, quizzing blogs and legal blogs (often referred to as a blawgs) or dreamlogs.

by Nina Mehta and Sairee Chahal

Sunil Bharti Mittal’s ambitions may stir up the South African telecom scene, a country where mobile rates are high and optic fibre a distant dream.  Though people here drive the (Tata) Indica and take medicines manufactured by Cipla and Ranbaxy, they have not heard of the Indian mobile revolution which gave a phone in Indian hands and made them 24X7.

Bharti, or rather it’s 30% share holder Singapore Telecom and Johannesburg-based MTN said in separate statements that talks are exploratory and may not lead to a deal. However, Bharti is not alone in its aspirations.

Vodafone Group Plc, Reliance Communications Ltd. and China Mobile Communications Corp are said to be attracted to the potential expansion in MTN’s markets. This is likely to push up the sale price. The company has 68 million customers in Africa, Iran, Afghanistan and Syria, with a possible combined market of 240 million by 2012.

According to the Financial Times, Bharti has bid about $19 billion for a 51 percent stake. It will be the biggest foreign direct investment in South Africa, overtaking the 36.7 billion rand that Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. paid for a 20 percent stake in Standard Bank Group Ltd.,

Africa’s largest lender, this year. For India Inc., it will be another sign of

India’s emergence on the world map.

If the deal goes through it will be the biggest purchase by an Indian company, eclipsing Tata Steel Ltd.’s $13 billion acquisition of Corus Group Plc last year.

If the deal goes through, Bharti will get access to nearly 20 countries, in the African continent, most of which are low telco penetration nations. It will also call for high fiscal prudence from Bharti to fund the deal and grow the new business.

The challenges are going to be immense as well – multiplicity of regulators, markets, countries and the general economic eco-system – all combine to form a tough situation.

However, if someone can do it, then it has to be a company with history of entrepreneurial DNA, slick operations management and ability to create shareholder value through fiscal prudence and innovation in delivery. The day we landed in South Africa, there was one thing one realised – we will miss the ease of mobile telephony and internet access in comparison to what one got in

India.

For months our colleagues continued to use India GSM number on international roaming, which was cheaper to using a local connection and internet bills compared with that of a large office.

Maybe those prayers are going to be answered now!

Gurukul a word that today’s generation probably does not think about. Education, a term often confused with literacy, a statistic measuring development. EXPOs, a new-age phenomena where everyone gets to showcase almost everything! 

In the internet age where everything has to happen NOW, the concept of EXPOs has its proven merits. On the other hand, India’s 77.5 crore working population also needs to upgrade skills to maximize its potential.  

It is the EDUCTECH EXPO 2008 where the ‘twain shall meet’. In its second year of execution the expo will act as a meeting platform for key stakeholders in the Higher Technical Education - industry, academia, entrepreneurs, facilitating vendors, media, students and parents. 

From 29th MAY - 31st May 2008 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, HR top shots from IT and ITeS industry will guide students from North India. A number of education institutes would also be present to provide details on available courses in different streams. 

With over 50,000 footfalls last year, the expo organized by EFY this year includes release of SAITA – EFY paper on Careers of Tomorrow, along with seminars on foreign education, and upcoming streams like Animation & Graphics, Aeronautics, Marine Technologies and Online Education and Loans.  

SAITA Consulting is a knowledge partner for the event. 

If I was a student I would definitely want to visit this. There weren’t many of these when we were growing up, and what we heard was through word of mouth – from seniors, parents, neighbours, cousins and others. 

Would you like to be a part of this event? Be a stakeholder in disseminating information about the choices available to the youngsters and young professionals around you?  

More details are available on www.efyedu.com

With just 99 more days to go for Olympics, let us go behind the history of creating Olympic mascots.

The first mascot in Olympic history made its appearance at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Olympic Mascots have now become one of the major elements of the Olympic image. A mascot, usually taken as a unique and popular image full of vitality, is able to materialize the Olympic spirit, communicate the concepts of each Olympic Games, promote the history and culture of the host city and thus create a festive atmosphere for the Games.

Mascots are seen as a significant vehicle for bringing out the Olympic spirit to the general public, especially children and youth.

Going down the memory lane…………..

Waldi–mascot of 1972 Olympic Summer Games in Munich, Germany 

Waldi, the dachshund was very popular in Bavaria. He also had qualities which were indispensable to an athlete - resistance, tenacity and agility. These were the main reasons that he was chosen to be the mascot. Dressed in pastel colors he symbolized the gaiety and joy of the Olympic Games.

Amik–mascot of the 1976 Olympic Summer Games in Montreal, Canada 

Amik was a beaver and his name was suggested from the Algonquian language, which is the most popular language amongst the American Indians in Canada. The meaning of Amik is beaver, who is a great symbol of hard work.

Misha–mascot of the 1980 Olympic Summer Games in Moscow 

The Moscow Olympic bear Misha was created by the well known illustrator of children’s books Victor Chizikov. After its creation, Misha became an instant international success.

Sam the Eagle–mascot of the 1984 Olympic Summer Games in Los Angeles, USA 

Designed by Walt Disney, Sam is a cartooned Eagle having sheer American characteristics. Sam wore the dress of the legendary American Uncle Sam with a star-spangled background in red, white and blue, which are typical colors of USA.

It was after these Games that commercial use of Olympic mascots was initiated.

Hodori — mascot of the 1988 Olympic Summer Games in Seoul, Korea 

For the 1988 Olympics, a little tiger designed by Kim Hyun with typical Oriental color was picked as the mascot, and was named Hodori. Designed as an amicable tiger, Hodori portrays the friendly and hospitable traditions of the Koreans. In the name Hodori - Ho is taken from the Korean word for tiger, and Dori is a diminutive for boys in Korea.

The friendly tiger wore the Olympic Rings around its neck, much like a medal, while sporting a traditional Korean dance hat on its head.

Cobi — mascot of the 1992 Olympic Summer Games in Barcelona, Spain 

The Valencian artist, Javier Mariscal, created the dog Cobi as official mascot of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. The Barcelona Organizing Committee for Olympics had specially started a TV series for Cobi in order to communicate the spirits of the Games.

Izzy — mascot of the 1996 Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta, USA 

Izzy was the first mascot designed by computer. It was an amorphous abstract fantasy figure. It was named Izzy, which was derived from “What is it?” because no one seemed to know exactly what Izzy really was.

Syd, Olly and Millie — mascots of the 2000 Olympic Summer Games in Sydney, Australia 

Ollie, Syd and Millie, designed by Matthew Hattan, are three native Australian animals chosen as mascots for the Sydney 2000 Games. They represent earth, air and water.

Athena and Phevos — mascots of the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens, Greece 

The lovely Olympic Mascots, Athena and Phevos, with their whacking feet, longish necks and puny heads, one in deep yellow and the other in deep blue, are based on dolls, thousands of years old, found at archeological sites in Greece. According to Greek mythology, Phevos and Athena are brother and sister, named after two Greek gods: Phevos, the god of light and music, and Athena, goddess of wisdom and patron of the city of
Athens.

Talking about 2008 Beijing Olympic Mascots, they are called the Fuwa, which literally means “Good-luck dolls”. The Fuwa were designed by Han Meilin and released on November 11, 2005 at an event.

Olympic Games Mascots are usually seen as a combination of two or more animal figures or characters from the host nation. The Fuwa comprises five members, representing the five traditional Chinese elements - Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini. Each of these five names look as if it is a possible child name, but when put together, they sound similar to a phrase which means, “Beijing welcomes you”. These five figures also represent the Olympic Rings. 

For most of us, studying solar system in science text books would be the easiest and closest trip to space. For someone who follows this science, a Soyuz D2, Challenger or Sunita Williams is something to look for. And for the rest of common public almost any science is rocket science.

We barely realise that most of our world depends on communication that is enabled by man-made satellites in the space.I happened to watch the live telecast of take of PSLV-C9. This launcher carried 10 such satellites from different countries. It was scintillting to understand how much man has progressed to beat the force of gravity. The way every joint is designed fabricated and assembled seemed like Vishwakarma himself was at work.

We have grown from developing technologies for survival till understanding stupendous ways to beat the laws of nature. an amazing continuum.

For us Indians, Bhaskara and Aryabhatta are renowned scientists from history, but to repeatedly achieve the reality of theory is a gratifying experience. No doubt, Mr. Madhavan Nair and his team are exalted by their achievement!

We will wait to see India’s first expedition to Moon. VIVA ISRO!

A few years back I was using written letters as a standard form of communication with all my family members, friends and relatives. But then I came to know about the computers and Internet usage and the endless functions it can perform. From then to now, my letter writing has moved from the paper to the electronic form on the Internet. Have you ever thought about what actually led to the invention of this Internet.

The need for communication was felt way back when the civilization started. Mankind in all ages has evolved its own means of communication.

In the past, communication over distances was based on three ways/kinds:

•           Noise (use of drums, echoes)

The pounding of drums in seemingly impenetrable forests was used to alert various tribes from invaders or other dangers. The drums were mainly used by the natives of Africa, New Guinea and tropical
America.

•           Optical effect (smoke signals, fire)

Another way was fire signals which were used by the Greeks and Romans usually to signal a military defeat. Fires were lit from mountain to mountain, tower to tower. And, smoke signals were used by Indian tribes and Romans, mostly in battle.

•           Physical means (runners, carrier pigeons)

Runners also carried messages from one place to another usually on foot. The first recorded legend of a runner is of Pheidippides - a Greek soldier who ran from the town of Marathon to Athens in 490 BC to announce the Persian’s defeat in the Battle of Marathon. According to sources, he ran the full distance without stopping but moments after delivering his message he dropped dead due to exhaustion.

Homing pigeons carrying messages date back to 6000 years. These pigeons flew up to 40 miles per day. Carrier pigeons were used by the Egyptians and Persians. Genghis Khan established a pigeon relay post across Asia and much of Eastern Europe. Pigeons were used till World War II to carry messages across enemy lines. Till quite recently, the carrier pigeons or men on horseback were the fastest means of communication.

Advent of Newer Technologies  

In 1838 telegraph was invented. It was the first modern instrument used in sending messages to a distant place in a short interval of time. Alongside, Samuel Morse introduced his distinctly new language, the Morse code in 1844. The first long distance telegraph message was sent between Baltimore and Washington. The telegraph era ended after World War II.

Taking over from this, the telephone was invented by Graham Bell. This is the first ‘Telecommunication’ mode that drastically revolutionized the lives of ordinary people. The telephone enabled people to speak to each other even when they are physically apart over large distances. The first telephone message was sent in 1876 (from one room to another consisting of seven words!!). By 1890, many cities had primitive telephone systems. It was in 1959 that the first Trans-Atlantic phone cable was installed. The first official Trans-Atlantic message (90 words) took 60 minutes to cross the ocean.

With the arrival of radio and then television, the world shrunk, calling people closer. This also simplified the process of obtaining news and information. Marconi is credited with the invention of radio. He sent and received his first radio signal in Italy in 1895. This was possible by the discovery of electro magnetic waves or radiations prior to 1895. After this came the invention of the television.

The three main stages in radio and television communication include production of messages, their transmission and their detection in a receiver. Messages take the form of electrical signals. These signals are fixed to an electromagnetic wave (often referred to as radio-frequency carriers) of suitable high frequency which carry the messages. In case of radio, the range of the carrier frequency is 300 KHz to 30MHz. For television, the frequency range of the carrier waves is 30MHz to 300MHz.

Discovery of Internet 

The current scenario of communication between people has led to various and very big developments in all media spheres. These differences can definitely be noticed in the Telecommunications industry also.

The term ‘Telecommunication’ is referred to, as the communication over large distances by cable, telegraph, telephone, radio. Conceptualizing in a precise manner, it can be explained as the “transmission of signals over vast distances for the purpose of communication”.

The field of telecommunication further progressed by the introduction of computers. A computer is defined as a fast acting device, which can accept large amount of input data, store it in its memory and produce the result in the form of an output. However, it was the Internet, which brought about a big revolution in the field of telecommunications, shrinking borders and effectively changing the world into a global village.

The Internet is a global communication network connected by fiber optic cabling that transmits data by packet switching via the standard Internet Protocol. The origin of the Internet lies in the creation of APRANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), which was a project of the U.S Department of Defense in 1968.

Facing the rapid technology changes, APRANET underwent various modifications till two decades and later it ceased to exist and the Internet came into being. By the mid-90s the World Wide Web became the biggest society trend and since then nothing has remained the same.

By the end of the 90s, the Internet had one million hosts and computers were nine times faster. The widespread use of Internet has allowed commerce and collaboration and interaction between individuals across man-made boundaries.

Today, we see many great advantages of the Internet: 

• E-mail is an essentially free communication tool useful in business and to stay in touch with family and friends.

• Information: help through all search engines as huge amount of data is available on any subject.

• Necessary services: from online banking, booking air tickets, hotel reservations and even job hunting can be done on the Net.

• Buying and selling from the comfort of the home.

• Creation of Blogs: Blogs are referred to as online communities where like-minded people from all over can come together airing views and opinions and forming friendships.

After knowing so much about these developments, telecommunication can now be recognized as a key factor in the development of social, economic, commercial and cultural activities. Being a billion-dollar industry it surely helps in providing services and employment to thousands of people. The growth of science & technology has provided people with a capacity to see, hear and communicate with one and all from any corner of the world, hitherto inaccessible regions have become accessible and within seconds one can obtain any information.

According to me, the future of communication lies in communication in space, between planets and perhaps with life forms in distant galaxies…

Rupee is the currency of India.  It may be rising in value but it is falling otherwise.  Do you ever think about the pitiful condition of the Indian Rupee? I watch the way people use the currency notes carelessly handling it.   

You can see names, love symbols and lot of other things on currency notes.  It is being kept in 2/3 folds just like a waste paper taken from dustbin with lots of holes, tapes etc.   

It is our duty to keep the notes in a proper way.  Just imagine - if each person folds the notes 2/3 times, what would be the condition of the notes after a span of time?   I hear people’s comment that Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is not taking proper steps to withdraw the bad soiled notes from circulation.  This is not an easy task as there are a lot of steps to be taken before doing so.   Just look at the foreign currencies.  How these currencies are being maintained?   I appeal to give respect to our currency.    

It needs lot of effort to print the Indian Currency.  RBI has to take careful steps before getting the currency printed. 

It is every Indian citizen’s duty to keep the currency notes in proper way and please do not misuse it.   

What do you think?   

There is a willingness among people today to know what are the various ideas/reasons behind holding various big events/activities that are organized all over the world. Going by the said initiative, one is always on the lookout for the latest and new upcoming events whether it may be any cultural event, business event, social event or a sporting extravaganza. 

I, being a big sports buff was always very keen to know the whole idea behind holding a big sporting extravaganza like Olympic Games and the people involved in it. And, then I decided to bring out all the details in the form of a post mentioning almost all the important aspects of Olympic Games.  

History and Significance of the Olympic Torch and Flame 

Historically, the torches were most commonly used to shed light in darkness, especially for travelers at night. Conveying the meaning instructively, or educationally, the message for mankind was to teach people fairplay and instill a high regard for cooperation and togetherness. Artistically, the torch enhanced the elegance of the ceremonies. Ultimately, the religious essence was found from the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C. where young boys raced 200 yards to win the privilege of lighting the sacrificial altar fire in honor of the Greek god Zeus. These Games were dedicated to the Olympian gods and were staged on the ancient plains of Olympia. The same form of Games continued for nearly 12 centuries, until Emperor Theodosius decreed in 393 A.D. that all such “pagan cults” be banned. 

However, in the succeeding years, the torch ceremony has undergone a big change, keeping intact its symbolism. The flame is borne all over the world using many kinds of transportation until it finally reaches its destination. 

The Olympic torch is taken as a great symbol of the harmony and goodwill which represent the ideals of Olympics. The Olympic flame represents the basic spiritual significance of the Olympic Movement, a symbol of peace among peoples of the world. Usually, the torch is carried person-to-person involving relays of runners from the original site of the Olympic Games at
Olympia, Greece, to the main stadium of the current Games that are likely to take place.  

The torch bearing tradition started with the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936. It is considered to be a great honor to carry the torch during any part of its journey. The lighting of the Olympic flame at the site of the Games forms an important part of the opening ceremonies at this event. Meanwhile, bringing the torch into the Games stadium is both a culminating and a beginning event. The journey of the Olympic flame ends once it lights the Olympic torch of the Games. At the end of the Games the flame is extinguished, but this signifies the starting of the next quadrennial and preparations for the consequent Olympic Games.  

In the modern era, the Olympic flame was lit for the first time at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. It is this torch ceremony, with its ritual and symbolism that sets the Olympic Games apart from other big sporting events and also it adds aesthetic beauty to the competition of the Games.  

Baron Pierre de Coubertin, considered to be the father of the Modern Olympics, concluded that the torch ceremony was important because of four specific reasons: 1) historical meaning; 2) an educational message; 3) artistic appeal; 4) religious essence. 

Countdown For Beijing Olympics 2008 Begins 

The countdown for Beijing Olympic Games has begun. These Olympic Games are set to begin on August 8, 2008. The Olympic torch was lit on March 24 in front of the Temple of Hera on the historic grounds of Olympia, in the birthplace of Olympism. Going by the traditional ritual, the flame was lit successfully by a Holy Priestess, using the sun’s rays and a parabolic mirror. The main idea that is conveyed behind holding such Games has always been to bring people together in peace and that they respect universal moral principles. The Olympic Games to be held at
Beijing will have athletes from all over the world and help promote the Olympic spirit. 

Present Olympic Torch Run 

The Beijing Olympic flame has reached India. It arrived in New Delhi yesterday on the second leg of its relay in Asia as it makes its way to Beijing. The Olympic flame, carried in a specially-designed lantern on a chartered plane, was brought to New Delhi from Islamabad, Pakistan. As the Olympic flame arrived in the Indian capital both the torch and the whole delegation were welcomed by a cheering crowd, among whom were President of India Olympic Committee Suresh Kalmadi and Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan. The flame delegation is led by Jiang Xiaoyu, Vice President of the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games, who carried the flame lantern.

Seventy runners attending Olympic torch relay

The Olympic torch relay, being the first time for New Delhi, was planned along three-kilometer-long Raj Path between India Gate and the Indian Presidential Palace. A total of 70 torch bearers will participate in the relay. These torchbearers are all set to carry the Beijing Olympic flame for the 11th leg of its global journey. All the 70 torchbearers have planned to cover a distance of just 2.5 kilometers from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate.

The torchbearers include sportspersons, Bollywood stars and politicians, according to Suresh Kalmadi, the President of Indian Olympic Committee. The country’s top current and former athletes, including sprint stars Anju Bobby George, PT Usha, ace tennis star Leander Paes, shooters Manavjit Singh and Abhinav Bindra, boxer Akhil Kumar and hockey player Dhanraj Pillay, will take part in the run. Actors Saif Ali Khan, Amir Khan, Sagarika Ghatge of “Chak De India” fame and Sarod player Ayan Ali Khan will also be seen in action.

Out of 70 torchbearers, 47 have been selected by India and five by the BOCOG, the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games, while Olympic presenting partners have chosen 19 runners.

Some other facts to be known:

Major Missions

One can have a look at the major missions here that form part of the Olympic Movement. 

Olympic Museum

Take a tour of the Olympic Museum

Sports on the Olympic Program

Have a look at all the sports on the Olympic Program 

To know more about the happenings/news of Beijing Olympic Games please refer Beijing Olympic Games, 2008.