NEW DELHLI: Adversaries in the forthcoming battle for the lower house of Parliament are looking forward to deploy state-of-the-art “poll electronics” as fighting tempo for the polls warms up.
Major national parties barring the leftists have chalked out elaborate strategies to go all out and employ video films to woo the voters
As poll warfare for the so-called largest democracy hots up a large number of video on wheels called “vijay raths” armed with high-tech electronic gimmicks will position them strategically and advance meaningly to strike the voters mind. Popular leaders will also make an appearance on giant static screens to be deployed at key points.
“We are getting a lot of orders. There is a great rush for booking our video films for the coming elections and it seems sophisticated technology and high-tech media will dominate the electoral battle this time” says Dr J K Jain who owns a video film studio in the capital.
“A large number of individual leaders expecting tickets are approaching us. We are flooded with inquires” says Subbu of another studio making such programs.
As the political parties are out to lure the voters through a multimedia blitz video filmmakers and audio cassette producers get ready for a stiff competition to get orders with many new set ups trying to make a fast buck.
Though the poll scene is yet to hot up special buses mounted with 150 to 250 cm video screens hi-fi audio system projector and generator are being kept combat fit to screen films on various leaders and parties. These video on wheels (vow) supposedly portend victory to their users.
Superb software and appropriate deployment can have a devastating impact. “Video programs give an extra-winning edge that might prove decisive finally” says Dr Jain.
Video as a medium of mass education has proved its significance in the last general elections and the 1987 assembly elections in Haryana say another video producer in the capital.
The Vows have two-way screens which create the impact of cinema screens and the projection is more than 25 times conventional televisions. Accompanying cameras can monitor the audience reaction while the fascinated audience can get thrilled to see themselves on screen.
These mobile display units have tremendous impact as their nationwide network takes a message to media including the Doordarshan (national television network) have no reach.
“They are not only effective but cheaper than print media.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 29, 1991
