Gandhi Jayanti

It is Gandhi Jayanti today. Birthday of the 'Father of the Nation'. Man who played an instrumental role in getting freedom for India. Although there is a difference of opinion about that. A lot has been written about him. This post is not about that difference of opinion but about what he stood for - his principles - Truth and Non Violence. In this capitalistic and material world, in the daily grind of earning one's bread along with good amount of butter / cheese / mayo / veggies  and salt :-). Gandhi is an idea. An idea which gives strength to many a movement in the country, the latest one being Anna Hazare's movement. Its also an idea which is used as a shield ...to hide behind it...while doning the 'Gandhian' garb and simultaneously being active under the table!!! Truth and diplomacy go hand in hand. How much of the truth is important and how it should be dispensed, to whom it should told and in what measure. This ensures are acceptability to a large extent at our work place. We call it Diplomacy!!! This 'Diplomacy' helps us maintain our professional / personal relationships and maintain sanity at a lot of places. Non violence is another idea. Promoted - but hardly practised. Promoted by a lot of politicians but its practice leaves me in doubt. In the 'Land of the Mahatma', there have been many a riot and many an instance of violence...against innocent, against the women, children...I guess thats the way the rioteers earn their bread...

On another note, its a National Holiday. No official, Government or otherwise, are supposed to be open or working. The offices, banks, government - everyone shuts shop and enjoys the day off. And if clubbed with the weekend, becomes more enjoyable. One of the reasons, why I look forward to Gandhi Jayanti (yeah - kick me!!!)  This time the holiday is on a Sunday...Shucks!!!! Thats the reaction everyone gave at work - ek chutti ka nuksaan ho gaya!!!! Sadly enough, thats Gandhi Jayanti has become for the office goers!!!

Though its a Sunday and a Gandhi Jayanti, the maid is always on time. Does not realise its Gandhi Jayanti today. Does not bother. Gives a blank look and carries on with her work. Dusting, cleaning, washing... has her daily cup of tea and leaves... She is more excited about her Diwali bonus though :-). Because that is something which will make her Diwali brighter.

Us - we are enjoying our Sunday. Watching Singham on TV. Not aware of any 'Gandhi' movie on TV. Plus might go for a Garba night since its Navratri or an evening at a nearby mall and good amount of shopping will be good enough....

Sigh!!!! Happy Gandhi Jayanti!!!!

Customer Service

When I saw this popular cartoon strip in Times of India today, I could not help but realise that this just reflects the current state of "customer service" which is not infact a service really if you see closely. It mainly serves as a complaint box and sometimes is very effective in venting out your frustration (personal or professional) on an unsuspecting call centre executive.

The unsuspective call centre executive is "almost" at no fault. Hired by well established, big organizations at a throwaway price, trained inadequately in subject and almost to perfection when it comes to put your call on hold so that the required clarity can be obtained from the "Floor Manager".

The "Floor Manager" category of employees is a frustrated lot. The good english speaking + well mannered + a suitable degree for the profession guy is not a very happy employee when leading a bunch of untrained employees employed mainly to exploit the "cheap labour" scenario. There is little or no ownership of work.

Almost everyone ..... lets list down ->

1. The caller - frustrated because of the service rendered, from incorrect billing to firing for a spelling mistake.

2. The call centre executive - frustrated because the customer is yelling on the phone, he is untrained and to top it all, the boss is chatting with a PYT...

3. The floor manager - frustrated because of a non performing team, irate callers and the PYT is finally giving him "bhaav / attention" after all the months of pursuing.

4. The "big" organizations - frustrated because the billing for the calls which are most of the times TOLL free to the callers is getting higher and higher...

5. The telephone service provider providing the TOLL free service - frustrated because whatever which is earned in the "billing" goes in maintaining its own "customer service"....

I may not have covered all the bits and pieces of "customer service" but hell - we are one frustrated lot!!!! Not exactly a service, eh??!!!!

India Vs Pakistan

Source: desi-radio.com

Now that the India Vs Pakistan Match is over and done with, I guess most of the Indians can get on with their lives. India Won. We won. And what a match!!! There were some surprises though - The many misses by the Pakistan team - 6 misses actually, in terms of bidding farewell to Sachin Tendulkar (Referred to as God by many a cricket fan), Good bowling by Ashish Nehra - which was a surprise!!! As Rajdeep Sardesai said on his show post the match, It was as if the Gods had written the fate (read between the lines!!!!).

Me - am not a cricket fan. Don't enjoy the sport as much. Last time, I sat through a complete match was in 1996, India Vs Pakistan. Thats it.

Had taken half a day off for the match. Some friends had come over. So was more excited about the cheering, eating and high adrenaline levels. Munish was in his most excited state. I tried sitting through the match, but couldn't :-P.

Logged on the internet. Twitter was more interesting.... the cheering, the jeering, the abusing...well - that was some fun...and yes the Ashish Nehra jokes...Well that was more fun...

The city took on a deserted look...and I guess the same holds true for the entire nation. Thought of ordering some food...no response there too...:-O

Sometimes, I feel that all this....all this hype and hoopla, the drama...over cricket...cricket between the 2 rivals...is it really worth all the national wastage of time, energy and money...Why are our lives put on hold...why is it the leaders of our nation, leave everything and make their presence for more almost 8 hours for this match...Think they must not have so much time at office also...the bollywood celebrities, the industrialists...everyone...its like as if you been arrested by this craze....what beats me, why cricket...why not hockey or kabbaddi or swimming, or shooting or any other sport....Guess, we are one cricket crazy nation!!!!

Road Signs

 Interesting Road Signs en route from Srinagar To Ladakh. There were many more of them, but must say that I was very unprepared for the unpredictable humour found on the nook and corner on the roads of Ladakh.

Another one of the interesting road sign we came across en route from Leh to Pangong Tso...:-)

Some more dedicated to Chang - La Pass and ChangLa Baba :-)

 

Mumbai Local

If you have avoided the trains (Local in Mumbai parlance), I must say that you are one of those really lucky few people...who either stay close to work or can afford not taking the Local...

But yeah, I must also say that you miss out, lets say "interesting", part of Mumbai...;-)

Well, for starters,
1. you miss out climbing the bridges up and down the different platforms....
2. you miss out on learning to jostle your way through a crowd without hurting or hurling abuses to others..in the crowd...
3. You miss out on the important dynamics of setting foot in the train... so that you do not get crashed by fellow passengers...while climbing in and getting out of the train...
4. You miss out on yelling at other "general" passengers who dare climb in the Ladies First Class....
5. You miss out on learning to fend for yourself when all the aunties and the oldies think that its their birthright to sit / stand / breathe first just because of their greying hair...
6. You miss out making "train" friends... who gladly exchange their place with you to sit / stand...
7. You miss out on eating all the chips and popcorn and wada pav on your way back home...
8. You miss out on doing some "Local" shopping of the cheap clips, book covers, etc sold in the train...
9. You also miss out on listening to music for full 1 hour (depending how far you commute)...one full dedicated hour...:-)


:-) there are a heck lot of things you miss out on... but most importantly I think I would gladly miss the Mumbai traffic...especially in long distance travel... but hey, no one's complaining...:-)