[Reader-list] Modi's image builders have dictators on client list

[OISHIK SIRCAR]

What's unfair about it? The fact that their hands are stained with blood? Or
that politicians' public images van never be decorated or improved?!

On Nov 18, 2007 11:07 PM, Pawan Durani <pawan.durani at gmail.com> wrote:

> >>>>>>>>>>  And together, they can perfect the fine art of decorating and
> improving
> the public image of politicians whose hands are stained with
> blood>>>>>>>>>
>
> Thatz an unfair statement.
>
>
> On 11/19/07, Shuddhabrata Sengupta <shuddha at sarai.net> wrote:
> >
> > Dear All,
> >
> > Narendra Modi certainly could do with some image makeovers, and
> > Buddhadeva Bhattachary could do with some too. In this case, Modi-ji is
> > one up on Buddha Babu. He has hired a lobbying firm to make him look
> good.
> >
> > I thought that I would post the news item that details this piece of
> > information (which appeared on Times of India and was forwarded to me by
> > a friend, so that those who have a line to Muzaffar Ahmed Bhavan in
> > Kolkata on this list may take the information where it is needed most).
> > Perhaps those on this list who are partisans of Modi-ji could act as
> > consultants to those who root for Buddha-Babu, and they can compare
> > notes on how each leader is faring under the loving attention of the
> > right kind of PR.
> >
> > And together, they can perfect the fine art of decorating and improving
> > the public image of politicians whose hands are stained with blood.
> >
> > regards
> >
> > Shuddha
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> >
> >
> http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Modis_image_builders_have_dictators_on_client_list/articleshow/2549293.cms
> >
> > Modi's image builders have dictators on client list
> > 18 Nov 2007, 0136 hrs IST,TNN
> >
> > AHMEDABAD: Adolf Hitler was a brilliant propagandist. Narendra Modi too
> > believes in the power of image.
> >
> > Which is probably why the chief minister hired a US lobbying firm which
> > has serviced clients like former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha and
> > President-for-life of Kazakhstan Nursultan Abishuly Nazarbayev.
> >
> > This Washington-based firm, Apco Worldwide, was hired by Modi sometime
> > in August this year, in the run-up to an important Assembly election, to
> > improve his image before the world community. Among its recent clients
> > are Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a former Communist youth leader-turned-Russian
> > billionaire with mafia links.
> >
> > The firm has a distinction of taking contracts of boosting images of
> > leaders who fell out of favour of their followers.
> >
> > On the face of it Apco Worldwide's brief is to build and sell Brand
> > Gujarat to the international community. But according to sources Modi,
> > who was denied visa by the US earlier because of the taint he earned in
> > the 2002 riots, wants his image to be improved so that he gets to visit
> > the US in future.
> >
> > The Modi regime feels lobbying is required to attract much-sought after
> > foreign direct investment (FDI) which has been a cause for concern even
> > though Gujarat is topping the charts among Indian states in terms of
> > overall investments, according to latest statistics brought out by the
> > Reserve Bank of India.
> >
> > Modi, of course, still nurtures the wish to get an US visa and some of
> > his NRI friends have advised him to use the services of lobbyists for
> > the same. Sources in the government told TOI that if it works and Modi
> > comes back to power, Apco's contract will be renewed in January for
> > Vibrant Gujarat 2009, the event that Modi prides himself in, for
> > bringing investments to the state.
> >
> > The Gujarat government will pay Apco 25,000 USD per month for the Modi
> > image building exercise.
> >
> > Sources in the government said Modi thought of this image-building
> > exercise during his visit to Switzerland earlier this year. His
> > government shortlisted some seven national and international firms,
> > without floating tenders of which two were shortlisted. Even though it
> > quoted a sum that was three times more than others, Apco was picked for
> > the job.
> >
> > The reason given was that Apco has a better team. Apco has former
> > senators from Republican and Democratic parties working with it.
> >
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-- 
OISHIK SIRCAR

Fellow in Reproductive & Sexual Health and Women's Rights
Faculty of Law, University of Toronto

60 Harbord Street
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oishik.sircar at utoronto.ca

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