Grand Openings in India

Diana

Our of curiousity and a bit of a need to know, what is traditionally done or what takes place at a Grand Opening for a business in India? I've heard that one tradition is to smash a coconut on the ground for good luck. Is there any truth to that? Is it like breaking a bottle of champagne on the bow of a new boat?

Has anyone been to an Indian Grand Opening?

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Nick-H

Breaking of a coconut is something that happens in a lot of Hindu ceremonies. I'll leave someone who knows better to explain it.

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capt_mahajan

A "Grand Opening" of a business will involve some/all of the below, depending on the size of the business.

-celebrity/ies cutting the ribbon, and maybe dancing on stage later (all is money, many big film star types charge money even to attend and specially to dance, or rather, jump around)
-religious ceremony or not, btw breaking the coconut is sometimes a good luck thing rather than religious
-drinks and/or a meal and/or snacks and/or other beverages
-A discount for customers on opening if a store/shop
-Advertising in newspapers/media

Even a medium size store tries to get a politician or a film star to inaugurate the business. Industry may sometimes organise a bigger show.

And yes, I have been to one in Mumbai. They will have to give me a 100 percent discount to go to another.

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puchoo

I went recently to the opening of a store in South ex in delhi. As soon as one entered, a lady in a sari would come up and put a "teeka" on one's forehead. There was also a lot of"rangoli" and "diyas" spread out across the store.

A few moments later a pundit came in and started off with the prayers (including the coconut) , the owners were required to sit for the full ceremony.

There was water and some soft drinks floating around , but no meals. There was no discount and quite frankly in that shop one would have needed a 90-95% discount to just be able to afford something... 75,000 for a suit!!!!!!!!!!

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mani

Coconuts are a symbol of prosperity, fertility and all things good.

smashing of the coconut is done to bring goof luck to the business, household etc.

and I will not repeat what the good cptn has said above

mani

Diana

Got it.

So, thus far required elements appear to be:

-coconut(s) - (just the one?)to be smashed for good luck ( Oh my! you know, I'm trying to visualize this and immediately think "I'll bet there's a video of this on you tube..." - what have we become? )

- jumping celebrity/pol

- bit of food, drink

- insubstantial discount

- putting off of customers

Ok.

Now, how about for non-retail businesses or ones who actually like the public?

puchoo

Diana, why dont u just tell us what you are trying to get at!!!

Planning something in India? And what exactly do u mean by "non -retail" , i know the definition, but specifically what?

Diana

Ok, I'll confess. We are planning (maybe) a Grand Opening for the preschool and early interention center but were hoping for a bit of a classier affair than described here. I know how we'd do this here in the U.S. and my staff says it is done for schools or similar programs in Kerala, but they are hesitant to tell me details beyond that we must invite all local dignitaries and have refreshments and dress nicely and have a banner. I found out about the coconut from a friend in the U.S. So I wanted to check with you guys to see if you could enlighten me further as this lot isn't as reticent as my staff.

Not a store, mostly. The Grand Opening would be to introduce the center to the community "formally" and we are also to dedicate (?) or christen our Parent Resource Centre.

Sorry...didn't mean to befuddle, just didn't wish to bias responses.

puchoo

Sounds lovely. but would your staff be hesitating in divulging details?

Diana

Do you mean "why?" They are just sometimes a bit hesitant as they want me to do things "American-Style" sometimes when I want to do them "Kerala-style." Know what i mean?

puchoo

yep, i did mean "why" and yes i guess i get what you are saying. What would be the American style?

Diana

I guess pretty much the same as described but with different food, drinks, maybe a presentation or such. It varies. For a school the kids might do a song or skit, there would be an introduction of staff, some boring but short speeches, a band perhaps. No elephants. No coconuts. No jumping celebrities. Boring but one of those "milestones" in the life of an institution. How dreadful sounding actually. I'm sure we can do something to shake it up a bit. A bar-b-que cookout perhaps?

Nick-H

Speeches.

That's what a function is for here!

Find as many people as you can who love the sound of their won voice, sit them in chairs on the stage, and give them the microphone, one by one...

Ladies and Gentlemen.

I don't want to take up much of your time... ... ...

Mehndi Masala

OK...for the Lotus Suits where we were staying they changed the name to VITS, (Guest, rest, best) Luxury Business Hotels so there was "page 3" people, hired dancers, prizes, ics sculpture, fire effects shooting out of the pool towards the susupended dance floor and lights and hanging banners, music, waiters coming around with snacks and food later. Lost of super expensive sarees and western wear. Rangoli and the first show was more of a religious/bollywood/good luck number, after that it was bollywood all the way. Wish I could have stayed for the whole thing but we had to fly out. Definate bummer!!! Not sure which star showed up but would have loved to be there for it!!!!
Now....I understand yours will be somewhat lower key, but perhaps a stage show by the kids? Maybe a little tikka on all the guests as they arrive by one person or two standing at the door?? little bindi card as a gift??

Kim

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Mehndi Masala

Isn't that alwasy the way tho??

Kim