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New Delhi, February 22, 2006: India TV has brought to light a German
company marketing tissues with pictures of Lord Rama and Krishna
on it. India TV took up this issue in its program ‘Breaking
News’ on February 21, 2006 at 9:00 p.m. The story has evoked
tremendous response from viewers and also within the Parliament.
The company, Sniff Tissues Paper Products Design (PPD), is based
in Germany. Sniff Tissues Paper Products Design (PPD), is manufacturing
novelty tissues bearing the images of Lord Shri Rama/Krishna and
the Virgin Mary and distributing them worldwide. The manufacturers
have refused to pull them from the shops because they believe they
appeal to people for "fashion reasons." The National Council
of Hindu Temples complained to the company that the products were
very unacceptable and offensive, and encouraged people to "blow
their nose on holy images."
The German company replied that in their opinion these tissues
are used as accessories and for fashion reasons and furthermore
many young people, Christians as well as people from other religions,
are interested in the Hindu belief and the tissue might support
this interest. "We have a great response for these products.
Young people really like It because Virgin Mary and Lord Krishna
have become cult characters, not because they make fun of them.
On the contrary they start to think about religious things again.
So we attract attention but in a positive way."
Sniff tissues acknowledged that the products may have caused offense.
"We'd like to express our apology if we hurt anybody's feelings,
but because of the reasons above-mentioned we won't stop producing
or selling these products."
The travel-size tissues were pulled from sale in the Victoria and
Albert Museum gift shop (London) recently after pressure from various
Hindu organizations. The tissues were also found in South America,
Wales and other parts of the world.
Viewers have entrusted India TV to responsibly take up issues pertaining
to day-to-day lives. In response to that trust, India TV has consistently
been examining issues that touch people’s live. Past undercover
operations conducted by the channel include one on the casting couch
in Bollywood; on blood banks; on the illicit trade in human eyes;
on the cloning of mobile phones; and on police brutality.
The details of the company as we understand are as follows:
Paper Products Design (PPD)
PR Department
Michael Neunfinger
Am Hambuch 4
53340 Meckenheim
Tel: 02225-9935-45; Fax: 02225-9935-35
E-Mail: m.neunfinger@paperproductsdesign.de ; http://www.ppd.tv
For Further Information please contact:
Santanu Gogoi
Corporate Voice | Weber Shandwick
212, Second Floor,
Okhla Industrial Estate, Phase III
New Delhi - 110020, INDIA
Tel: +91-11-26936834 (main)
Fax: +91-11-26936836
Mobile: +91-98-104-24271
santanu@corvoshandwick.co.in
www.webershandwick.com
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