Hi all
Award offer from an US based organisation
Few months back, I received a mail and a letter from an US organisation informing me that I was selected for an Award to be given at Mumbai on a specific date in a top hotel. The letter claimed that they were giving awards to various top people in different countries. Their website showed photographs of various award functions held in different countries. This was also followed by a telephone, purported to be from US as a follow up. They were asking me to become a member of their organisation on payment of around 1.50 lakhs (Indian rupee equivalent), while sending confirmation to receive the Award. I sent a mail to them declining to accept the award.
Another Award from Delhi based organisation
Yesterday, I received a letter from a Delhi based organisation, congratulating me for having won an Award. They had also enclosed a CD containing the past Award functions. The CD contained clips from their past functions. Some of the local channel TV coverages were also there. Some of the film and TV personalities were also receiving awards. When I searched with their name in google, i also found some of the political leaders had also participated in some of their functions.
The congratulation letter asked me to confirm participation in the award function at Delhi. They had offered me choices. If I wanted to have individual award, I had to pay Rs.30,000/-; If I wanted an award for business, i need to pay Rs.22,000/- If I want both, i have to pay the total amount. Besides, I have to become a member of their organisation on payment ranging from Rs.20,000/- to Rs.1,00,000/- depending on the type of membership.
The interesting part is that they do not know me and my profile. They might have picked up my name from the website.
I have a sent a mail to them stating that I did not nominate myself for the award and asking as to why I should make payment for participation in the Award function. I am yet to get response.
May be, I feel that nowadays, 'Award functions' also have become a business. How these awards will carry credibility, when we buy them? Since they are carefully roping in film, tv and political personalities, media also gives them importance and they get added exposure.
Awards for sponsors
I also find that in the recent days, even the well known professional organisations have started giving Awards based on the sponsorship support. one of the organisations, whose products are banned, is also getting the top awards!
The Award by the various big TV channels also go only to top business houses and well known names. Big names add value and business! It is rare to see any humble 'UnSung Heroes' getting the awards or even if they get awards, media does not find them worthy of publicizing.
A real time incident on Award
After seeing these developments, I just remembered one incident that was shared with me by my friend.
A branch manager in Delhi wanted to please his chairman by getting an award for him like this, through his contacts. The Chairman was invited to the Award function and he was given the Award through a political personality. After few days, the organisers of the Award function wrote to Chairman of the bank that they did not receive the promised amount. Chairman was earlier under the impression that he was given the award for his performance. Surprised over the organisers letter, Chairman got angry and the Branch Manager who coordinated the award had to face the anger of the Chairman.
I request members to share their views on these 'coveted' awards.
srinivasan
Prime Point
91766 50273
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Please visit http://www.prpoint.com (for useful PR resource materials) and http://www.primepointfoundation.org (non profit trust for promotion of PR)and http://www.imageaudit.com (about Image Audit)and http://www.indiavision2020.org (on India Vision)
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