Customer is the King…

 

It’s very much true that the purchasing power of India has grown high these days. Most of the people are in one way or the other very much wanting to and are being a part of the shopping mall culture and are turning out to be gadget freaks…so it is very much a fact that the companies are booming in their sales and then many more companies are targeting the Indian markets.

Now comes the question of “ are we really availing our rights and are we questioning the companies of the services they need to provide their customers? “.

The sentence ‘Customer is the King’ is very poetic to hear and woos a customer very much; in fact luring him to buy products that are not really very much needed at that point of time. I blame no one because if I have to comment someone on buying unnecessary things, I should take the blame on myself first. I am an advent fan of shopping and moreover a gadget freak. But then what I commonly observe is the missing attitude in many people. The attitude to question & many a time demand the companies of the services they need to provide.

I understand that in the Europe and in the American nations, the customer is treated as a king not only when he is in the shop but also after he buys a product. They are given an opportunity to exchange or return the product if the customer / consumer is not very happy with it within certain period of time. This concept doesn’t exist in India and I do understand the reason for that.  But then, I personally have a few experiences when a customer rises his voice and brings a few things to the notice of the companies, the way the companies responded. The companies responded in a positive manner and this I feel because if the personal experiences I had.

To explain them in detail, a few months ago, one of my shavers has slipped from my hand fell down spoiling the blade. It’s a Panasonic shaver and when I inquired about the availability of the spare parts, I came to know that there is only one dealer for Panasonic spare parts in the whole of Hyderabad. I travelled all the way from Gachibowli to Begumpet to that dealer’s office and when asked him the price of that blade, the price quoted by him surprised me for the price of the blade said by him is almost 3/4 of the entire shaver. I tried talking to him but he was very adamant and said, ‘this is the price I am willing to sell the product. you may buy it if you like or you may not’. I was standing there helpless and with no idea what I need to do. I asked for the price list but then he said there is no price list available. I called up a friend of mine and asked him to check the price of that accessory in Panasonic’s India website but much to my dismay, he checked and said the prices are not displayed in the website. Then as I have nothing to do, I paid the amount and asked him for a bill for which he said the person who gives the bills is out of office and he asked me to come the next day to get the bill. This is outrageous. How can an authorized dealer sell a product without giving the bill. He said he will not be giving the bill that day and so I left his office with the product I brought at an unbelievably  high price.

I came home and then wrote a mail to the Panasonic sales head, India explaining all that has happened and then also questioned him why isn’t the price of the product displayed in the company’s website. I then watched a movie and retired to sleep and the very next day I received a call from the dealer from whom I bought the accessory. He apologized and was literally  begging me and to send a mail to the company that this all happened because of a misunderstanding. He said he would sort out the issue and would refund the extra amount that he charged me for which I didn’t agree. Just while this conversation is going on, I received a mail from Panasonic – a reply for the mail I have sent the previous day. In the mail, the price of the accessory was mentioned and also I was assured that the required action would be taken to see to avoid such things in the future. I was amazed to see that mail as I scrolled down. The mail I have sent was passed to 4-5 people from different departments and all of them must have taken this very seriously for I have seen a mail to the dealer from one of the heads in a very  cautioning manner. I  didn’t agree to the dealer’s request and said that as he had an intention to cheat the customers, he has to face the wrath. I still received my refund as it has been initiated by the company itself.

Now coming to the second experience, a few months ago, I bought an electric tooth brush operated  by battery (manufactured by P&G). From the day I bought it, I have been trying to get the replaceable heads but no way.. I couldn’t find them in any shopping mall. I have tried to complain about their non availability at the customers desk in the inrobit mall from which I bought this but all the time, I was said that they will be made available very soon. I stopped using the brush as the head needs to be replaced. Months passed by and the other day when I checked if the brush is working, it is not!!! I took the brush to the Inorbit mall and complained regarding this for which I was said to approach P&G for any disputes. I again shooted a mail to P&G and within one day got a reply from them saying that the mentioned brush is no more the company’s interest because of some financial viabilities. For this I reacted in a bit of anger and wrote if they are no more interested in selling and servicing that product, why is it still being sold in the markets and why is it still appearing on the shelves in the shops. I questioned if they are wanting the customers to lose their money and are they in any plans to cheat the customers of their money. I received a call within on day and the representative spoke in a very pleasing manner explaining all the reasons and the possibilities of how this could be sorted.He said my amount would be refunded but then when I said, it’s fine and appreciable that you are refunding my money but what about the other hundreds of customers who are still buying that product due to their ignorance for which he said he would surely be taking that to the concerned department and see that they come up with some solution.

From the above incidents, what I wanted to say is ‘it’s your money you are spending and you have got every right to demand your product be serviced & you be served.’

I know many of my friends find it very funny and many a time, they make fun of me but still, I feel that I have every right to demand the privileges I am eligible for as I am giving the juice for the companies to run. I am paying them and in fact I AM FEEDING THEM.

The Beautiful Country with irresponsible citizens...

 

It was after a long time that I went to Bhimavaram, a place not so far away from my home town Tanuku on some personal work. I was very happy that the intended work was successfully completed and also had a great evening with my friends. So tired that I dozed off to sleep and postponed my planned travel to the next day.

Having missed the early morning train, I planned my travel by Simhadri express that at 10:55 a.m. having reached the station by 10:40 a.m., I was walking on the platform preparing myself for a travel in the scorching summer heats.

As I am walking by to the center of the platform, someone grabbed my attention. He is an elderly man - must be around some 50-55 years of age wearing a white pant and a white shirt talking to some fellow passengers around him. The fellow passengers are four young college going girls in their early teenage sitting around him. By the way he is talking and his gestures, I understood that he must be a blind man. Well he is introducing himself to those girls and it is very evident that he is no relative of them. 

I unwantedly overheard what he is talking to them and heard the words said by him to one of those girls “so how are you going to look after your family and meet the financial requirements” ? I was surprised to hear that and was a little bit disturbed thinking what is he trying to say to them. why should a girl in her early teenage who probably must have been going to her 1st or 2nd year intermediate be bothered about looking after her family financial requirements??  This gave me a thought – is he trying to influence her in an unwanted way ? Is he trying to promote something which is very common in these days in the rural and the sub-urban areas ? Is he trying to propagate a religion ?? Well even though I personally dislike the concept of propagating religion, I resisted myself from reacting there.

The train arrived on the platform and everyone was busy in boarding the train. The elderly man even was busy but he did not forget to take the girls with him. In a very elderly manner he said “ok girls, our train has come, assist me to the train and we will talk remaining on the train while travelling.”

I in a state of helplessness, pitied myself and walked to board the train. Then something which I could not tolerate happened. The man was running his hands all over the girl and I am very sure that this is not the way to behave with a young girl. he must be blind but I somehow felt he is running his hands all over the girl in a conscious manner. He along with those four girls boarded the train in the physically handicapped compartment. Much to my dismay, after boarding it, he closed the doors of the compartment. He even closed the windows and the door was locked from inside.

Unable to see that, I looked around and saw a police man. I went to him and asked directly “ Is it allowed to propagate religion in public” ? to which he asked me with a smile ‘why sir, what happened’ ? I explained the whole scenario to him and said “I am not complaining about his propagation but his behavior with those girls is the matter of concern here. Moreover, he has locked himself along with those girls in that compartment for the handicapped”. He asked me is it ****** garu ?? This, made me feel he must have known him already. I said I don’t know and asked him to check the compartment. The police man is not at all bothered and had a pretty long call on his mobile with his friend explaining in detail where should he meet him and the course of journey. I stood all the time there and when I insisted him to check, he said he would be there in no time to check.

I went back to the compartment and again tried to open the door but it is still locked. I went to the next compartment to see if there is a way to that compartment but this too is locked!!! Oh my God what is he doing I thought. I ran to the next compartment to find the TTE and at once went to him and asked “ is everyone allowed   to board the compartment for the Physically handicapped?” he said no and then I asked him to check the next compartment which. He came and tried to open the door but it is still locked. He tried to open the windows but even they are locked. He banged on the door for some 2-3 minutes and then the door is opened and this time, I am shocked to see there is one more man inside nearly of the same age (between 50-55 years) and there are only two girls inside. The door connecting this compartment to the next compartment is also open now!!!.

The TTE asked them why did they lock the door to which the two old men replied “ if you want the door to be opened, ask and we will open it. why do you need to bang on the door ?” Now I reacted and said  “ this is a public train and how can you lock the door in day time when the train is on the platform to which the first man (the blind man in the whites) replied “The guard has asked us to lock the door as everyone is boarding this compartment. I then asked the TTE if he instructed them to lock the door and moreover is it correct to lock the door. The blind man in a raised voice asked me “who are you and why do you want all this. I replied, I am also entitled to travel on this train and has got every right to question the misusage of the public property.

He said it’s none of your business and asked me to mind my own. I then unable to control myself, asked him – what is the relation between the girls you boarded this compartment with and what are you talking to them ? This made him so furious and he was jumping on his seat asking me what is my business in that matter ?? I said – Just say what is the relation b/w you and those girls and what are you talking to them. He was on rage and was shouting on me -  who the hell are you to ask me and it is none of your business about anything that is happening. I said I know what you were talking to which he asked me  “ what was I talking and what has it got to do with you. And yes, I am their uncle and why is it a matter to you  “?? I said I know you are not their relative and I too with a raised voice said “ you know what you are talking and what you are doing. This is wrong and you to knew it. His anger knew no bounds. He was scorning at the top of his voice and asking me do you know who I am ?? I am a teacher in a blind school. Idiot, stupid. what are you thinking in your mind??

I didn’t talk a word for my doubt is very strong that he must be doing something that is not very acceptable in the civilized society. I leaned out of the compartment and signaled to the police man to come but he waved off his hand and walked away. The Blind old man would still not shut his mouth and already a few enthusiasts gathered around me and were asking “Anna, what happened ?” I did not answer them and was seriously looking at the old man. The TTE was also holding me by my hand and saying to me “ sir, please leave it here and leave the place”. I asked the TTE what is the problem with the other man and how is he handicapped. The TTE walked to him and asked him his eligibility of availing the handicapped quota and he pulled out something out of his pocket and showed it to the TTE. He came back to me and said, Sir, he is not having fingers to his hand and thus comes under handicapped quota.

While this all is going on, the girl beside the blind man was holding his hand, pulling him back and said to me “please leave sir, he is my uncle”.

I left the place knowing that there is nothing I could do and hearing the old man shouting behind me.

Now, the questions lingering in my mind are :

1) am I wrong in what I did, is my prediction that there must be something unacceptable going on behind the locked doors wrong?

2) If I am wrong, it’s fine that nothing bad has happened, but why should the doors and the windows be locked?

3) If what I thought was right, who is to be blamed here?

1) The Old man who is exploiting young girls of their innocence ?

2) The young girls in spite of  their education and the common sense, are falling in trap of such cheaters.

3) The system of the Education which just concentrates on stuffing bookish knowledge into the minds of students completely ignoring teaching the ways to lead life.

4) The Police who irrespective of the fact that he is holding a post as a public servant is more concerned with his comfort and means to avoid any disputed actions.

5) The public who are more interested on the topic that “some one is fighting there but not on the evil that is going on in front of their eyes”

6) Me, unlike others is interested in the matters that are no concern of mine and wanted to point out the ones who are abusing the incentives given to them ?

If I was right, how do we make these people literate and how do we correct the system to see that no wrong doer is left without being punished ? How do we impart some sense of judgment in the minds of people and the levels of responsibility towards the public and the surroundings ?

It’s true that India is a very beautiful country but then, are the people living in it really so beautiful at heart ?  I somehow feel, we are one of those kind who never question, resist or fight any unacceptable doings. we are selfish idiots.

 

 

P.S : The whole intention of writing the above incident is to point out the people who are exploiting and abusing every right and incentive given to them. I do not mean to demean or defame any religion or any person in particular.

Corruption in India…

 

Go through this presentation..not sure about the statistics mentioned but am sure this will make you go mad about how deep rooted the corruption in India is and I will be more than happy if you can keep this in mind and avoid doing something that directly or indirectly adds up to corruption and also request you to spread the awareness.

Please use the below link to access the presentation.

http://bit.ly/hKtQtI

Patriotism…

The word Patriotism has always drawn my attention and interests me. First of all what is the meaning of the word Patriotism ??

a popular web dictionary described it as below :

pa·tri·ot·ism
   [pey-tree-uh-tiz-uhm or, especially Brit., pa-]
–noun
devoted love, support, and defense of one's country; national loyalty.

Well first of all, why should one love the country ?? well there are people who say that because it has given us the home and the place to live in. In that case, I feel to be very exact that it is being selfish. And if we have to be selfish then I say love your family and then your hometown and then your state and then finally the country because the order I mentioned is more relevant.

So if we can agree on this point, then there is no point in punishing people who act against the integrity of a country for the wellness of his family, hometown and state in the mentioned order.

Now if we don’t agree to being selfish and we have to be loving people around us, then I feel the concept and Idea of global citizenship should be taught, inculcated and encouraged. Treat people from all around the world, across different nations and places in the same manner we are expected to treat people from the so called fellow country men.

In that case there is no point in having passports, visas and permissions to settle in different parts of the world. The rigorous checks, the anti smuggling laws and such other laws can be thrashed.

After thinking for a while, I personally feel that the concept of country and patriotism is just inculcated from ages to divide people and retain the power in the hands of the selfish rulers and politicians.

Thinking in a bigger plane, it has always been a habit of the human race to move on and settle down in places which offer better living – around water bodies and fertile lands during the prehistoric ages till the 15th and 16th centuries (approximately) and then areas with better industrialization and resources during the 17th and 18th centuries.

I strongly feel that the people who are most benefitted by Independent India are the politicians and above all, the buggers from the family who are indirectly running an Aristocratic form of government from the day India has attained it’s Independence. There used to be a free flow of people in and out of the country when India was a British colony. So what is that we gained by attaining Independence?? It is undoubtedly the chance to loot the powerless people and the resources of the country. I feel India is never – atleast no more a Democratic nation. In fact it is Tyrant form of government following an Aristocracy with a mixture of Kleptocracy, Plutocracy and Oligarchy claiming to be a Democracy. Weird huh??? but TRUE.

Now why is the sudden alertness and strict rules trying to confine people to places where they are born ? isn’t it restricting people of their basic right ?? – the right to live and the right to freedom??

I highly appreciate the European Union in this regard. They atleast allow their people to roam around different countries within the union and settle down where they wanted to without restricting them and providing them with equal opportunities to live.

Want, wish and pray one day the concept of global citizenship comes into practice. But may be by then, I think neither you nor I and also none of us living now will be alive to see the comforts and opportunities it could offer.

The Political System….

 

The date on the calendar is showing 6th Feb 2011 when I heard the news that the political party PRP started by Chiranjeevi – the Mega Star of Telugu film Industry has decided to merge with the Indian National Congress.

Remembering the path travelled by PRP, the party was started after a lot of publicity and amidst fan hysteria on 26th August 2008 calling itself an alternative to the murky politics that were prevailing in Andhra Pradesh.

The merger came as a shock to many including me. So what are the conditions that must have lead the so called leader of the people to finally and shamelessly merge his party into the party that any person accepts as the party with a history of most number of scams and the most number of law breaks ?

I used to be an advent fan of Chiranjeevi right from my childhood and I was really happy seeing that my hero, the megastar  has at last started a party with the intention to clean up the political system. But then, his recent deeds made me not only to lose hope on him and the political system of India but I lost the edge for the actor anymore. He may be a mega star but I understood that it is only in the films. He is not my idol anymore and he hell would not be for many who irrespective of their caste, creed and religion accepted him as their demigod till date.

I feel the main motto of any person entering into politics in India and particularly in Andhra Pradesh is to grab as much money as possible, become rich overnight with the help of few scams in which they will anyway not be punished and then remain in power for as many years as possible may be even generations together.

The first thought that hit me when I heard about this merger is about Pawan Kalyan. He shouted against Congress. He even went to the extent to call all politicians in Congress to be thieves and they should be made to run naked on road and be bashed parallelly. So what about him now? Should it be taken that the Mega Star has kept his younger brother aside in favor of Congress ? Will Pawan Kalyan become a part of the Congress or will he be staying away from politics and his brother ?

Coming to the scenario that must have lead our dear hero to merge his party, is it because he has lost hope in his capabilities or is it because he thought he can no more draw crowds to make his party stronger ? Had he played his moves well, he would have undoubtedly become the king maker in 2014 elections. Is it that he has changed and become just one more politician in the murky Indian Politics or is it that he wants to retire from politics and get back to his Mother Industry – the Telugu Film Industry and because of that, he wanted to show a path to his party members ?

I used to believe or atleast listen to what he used to say a few days ago but then, he lost his credibility – all of it with just one mindless and selfish move.

Rumors were that all his party tickets were sold during the elections in 2009 but then, I am not very sure about it. Seeing his moves these days, I have to finally give up my doubt and concluded on the thought that ‘yes he must have sold his tickets’. So a whopping amount of income by just starting a political party; not a bad idea – not bad at all !!!

I am more amazed to see that despite such deceitful deeds, he still got followers !!! He is still being supported and he is still being appreciated by a few people who are getting very much violent when people are sharing their ideas about the merger on social networking sites.

So the straight question here is what drives politics in India particularly in Andhra Pradesh ?? the Sure shot answers are : Caste, Money and then political backup. May be that is the reason, Mr. Jagan still is being followed and has supporters. may be that is the reason, Indian politics only are getting murkier and insanely corrupt day by day.

With the current conditions and the mindset of people, India can sure never become a developed country. It will remain a developing nation forever with it’s blood like resources and opportunities being sucked by leeches called the Politicians.

The First Few Thoughts……

 

The thought about a profile called Ideas for a Better Nation struck my mind when I was rolling on my bed at 12:00 Mid night - sleepless after a tiresome day.

The thing I understood about this is you needn’t be very high on your moods or very creative and attentive in your thoughts to try to make a change. The only thing required is focus and thinking about the areas where in which we are lagging behind.

Now one of my very first ideas/ suggestions :

Being the citizen of a country, we sure are expected to follow the constitution of the country but then there are ways to make the habit better.

I heard and understood from what I saw that there is no educational qualification to become a politician or a minister as educational qualification wouldn’t be a checklist for the capabilities of a person. – True I do agree for that but then, we would atleast like to know the attitude of our politicians.

I don’t expect that the political parties that are already present might take up this idea but can this be adapted by the newly formed and the parties that might form in the future.

• People joining in the political parties must undergo a test – a test that assesses the candidate on his attitude.

May be the parties can hire some professionals like psychiatrist, and some others to develop few tests which can be used to assess the attitude, logic and the personality of the person who wanted to join the party. In that manner, we will sure know that the person who might one day be a politician has some good attitude towards the fellow countrymen.

There are exams that can be rated as few of the toughest ones in the world for securing seats in the best rated B schools and Tech schools in India but isn’t it pathetic to know that there are no qualifying tests or minimum requirements defined to become a politician ??

Now the question is : what would be the qualifying thing for such tests and why would any parties take up such a thing ??

my answer is : This I was expecting to be adapted by only parties that are not into politics to loot people but help them in building a better nation. I don’t want to name the parties which have looted the country but I see the Young Generation Party – The Jago Party - http://www.jago.in/ can take up this.

• Now coming to the next thought, why do we need the Police department to work under the Politicians ?? Why can’t the Police department be made an independent and a stand alone department to avoid political pressures ? The whole of the Police department should be headed by one person on the country’s level and then he would be backed up by one Police head each from one state. Following the tree structure to the bottom to avoid any confusions and pressures from the politicians.

 

• The next thought is : It is very well know that the Judiciary system in India goes on a very slower pace. We have the patience to prosecute a terrorist who went on a ruthless open fire in Mumbai for years together. We also have the patience to let the mentor behind one of the biggest IT corporate scandals to take rest in jail and in hospital for years together always filing petitions in the court for a bail.

Why can’t people’s vote be considered in deciding the fate of an offender ?

For this I do understand that there are many issues involved but then. some of the points I can think of as of now :

There should be computer kiosks everywhere to capture the vote of the citizens. These should only register the vote submitted by a person who identifies himself with his UID number, his eye scanner (IRIS), his date of birth and finger prints. These kiosks should be run and maintained by the government and this can generate huge amount of job opportunities for the unemployed. There should also be an option of a helper who can help people with no knowledge on computers to register their votes and any fraud done there could be filed in a toll free call number.

Now what about the logistics behind ? There should be a government run website always showing various votings available and would be updated on a regular basis as a multiple choice questions. Say for in the case of the above mentioned terrorist, the only options available (that I could think about are) 1) Hang him to death 2) Prosecute him for further information, 3) Set him Free – on humanitarian grounds and 4) cannot say.

The voting for every question should have a deadline and the final number of votes should be taken into account for passing on the judgment. Also there should be a government run television channel and a news paper (irrespective of the ruling political party) to update the news on results of the votings and the decision taken.

• The country’s income and expenditure can also be audited every year and be made available for the public for more transparent transactions.

I do understand that many of the above said thoughts are highly impossible and they take a lot to implement but I was only saying them with an Utopia called India in my mind    

 

P.S: A very comfortable format of the Indian constitution can be found at : http://bit.ly/f0h2Q3