Let Delhi Breathe!

I have traveled to the capital of independent India innumerable times since my childhood. I love Delhi. I got an opportunity to work in Delhi last year. It is an awesome experience to be in Delhi for more than a year now. Different cities wear different looks during different seasons. Delhi is at its best during winter. Delhi's fashion is great, Delhi’s roads are great, Delhi with the patronage of Government of India is no doubt the one of the best cities to live in with various amenities including public spaces like parks, gardens and auditorium.

You need luck to enjoy a sunny Sunday in December as Delhites got on the second Sunday of the month. A metro ride from Green Park to Rajiv Chowk took me less than 20 minutes. After spending some time in Jain Book Centre, I felt like going to Daryaganj old book market. I had not been  there earlier. While travelling from Canaught Place to Daryaganj again had the feeling which I am sure about Delhi now. I do not have statistics with me but almost convinced that Delhi is the most unequal amongst the metros in India. Due to heavy rate of migration from different states of India, particularly BIMARU states, Delhi can afford ' naukar' culture very much. For ironing a shirt in Delhi's posh Uday Park, I pay Rs 4! How is the rate in Chennai or Mumbai? I guess even poor Kolkata is not cheaper! For a rikshaw ride from Daryaganj to New Delhi metro station, I had to pay Rs 20, very similar to poor Kolkata or even less. Power brokers in the country have ensured that unorganized labourers are available in serving their masters in the capital of largest democracy of the world.

Delhi has problems of pollution, problems of crime but still any one will love the beautiful greeneries of Delhi. One of the greenest city in the country is Delhi.You may come across parrots often and occasionally a peacock as well. We know Delhi's pollution level higher than any acceptable norms. A recently elected AAM AADMI Chief Minister of Delhi is trying to control the situation with his educated brain but limited powers ( muscle power as well as constitutional power). Let's pray, let Delhi breath. Let Delhi continue welcome the parrots as well as immigrants from different parts of the country!

Goonj- rays of hope

First I got to know the name of Goonj few years back when they collaborated with Pantaloon for collecting old clothing. They have been active in different parts of the country. It was great to know that Goonj founder was awarded Magsaysay for the year 2015. This would definitely boost morale of different people in various parts of the world trying to act differently for the less privileged sections of the society.

It was an experience recently to interact with the Goonj founder and listen to him. The simple man speaks with lots of conviction and confidence. A brilliant student who completed his post graduation from country's premier institute Indian Institute of Mass Communication  chose to ignore the calls from corporate sector for the sake of call from his heart.

Goonj has been successful in recycling the extra clothes in our wardrobe for the people who need it. Mr. Anshu Gupta rightly says that you cannot use the word 'donation' for sharing your old clothes but even if people do that, dignity of many can be maintained, Your old cloth can not only provide warmth to the needy people but also can save lives during winter. Goonj has also been successful in making and distributing sanitary napkins to rural women through waste clothes. 

If we have more and more people like Anshu Gupta, the face of the needy and poor in this country will lighten up.

Celebration of death

Two persons accused of mass killing in Bangladesh have been killed by the state. There are celebration across the country in the midst of protest from the opposition. I do not doubt the judgment. I do not have anything to justify the heinous crime committed by these two people . But I doubt if there is anything to celebrate death of anyone. The persons accused of the crimes, were committed 45 years ago. Are the persons killed today and the criminals who were behind the crimes are one and the same persons.  Every cell of their human body has changed over this long period. They have gone through the biological process of living on this earth for 45 years. Their environment, perspective, ability all are changed. And why should I consider this as vindication of right of the people who went through the sufferings for the Bangladesh's war of independence. What are they going to gain out of these killings. These killings may rather provoke few more to aim an eye for an eye. We condemn the act of terrorism , we condemn murder committed by criminals, why should we support killing by the state. Today, most of the civilized countries have abandoned death penalty. There are few exceptions like, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. This is high time for us to come out from the uncivilized mind set of revenge. Let's abandon state and society sponsored killings of human life.

Globe Trotter Prime Minister

India had in its history vocal PM, Simple PM. Lady PM. Loving PM, lunatic PM, learned PM, Muted PM and now turn for a Globe trotter PM. The full time occupation of the current prime minister is travelling across the world and he does it so passionately that Government of India spends 300 Crore for his UK speech. The twitter trend shows#Pime ministerinMalaysia. Supposedly he is bringing Global Business leaders to India to create industrialization. We also hear that he has started the second phase of liberalization. Travelling is a good hobby, PM can think about writing reviews for the travel sites, this will also definitely increase tourism business for India. His certificates matter as he is a true globe trotter with multi country exposure! 

A typical day!

The pictures are clicked in three cities across India depicting three different times of the day. Author usually shuttles between these cities and mostly based in New Delhi, India.

Start of the day

Mid day

A cool evening 

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Some lovely time I recently spent with my younger son! This pic and video will introduce you to me and my family better.

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Pricing Management and CRM in Telecom Industry

When the telecom minister spends months in Tihar Jail, you expect very little from the same sector. India’s fastest rising Industry is seeing painful death. The death is experienced by crores of Indian consumers and not only by few big conglomerates. Before the sector reached its maturity, it saw its decline defying the basics of product life cycle.

Telecom is a service. The institutional mechanism is ensured by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. Surprisingly, we have seen very little intervention from TRAI at any point of time. Only thing they could gift Indian consumers were Mobile Number Portability. Within the same country, we need to pay for roaming when we move to another circle. In spite of numerous assurances in the last few years till we have not got free national roaming. If you change telecom circle in India, you need to change your number or get penalised. We are given an expected date of April, 2015 when national roaming will be free. But we have earlier also read about similar dates. Luckily there is no concept of roaming in case of data.

We hear that telecom companies are unable to make much profit in voice calls but there are huge opportunities in data. There are different types of data services; 2G, 3G, 4 G. We may expect soon HaG and NaG too.

What is appalling in this sector is the deterioration of Customer Relationship Management. If you are unable to speak or understand Hindi, don’t expect call centre service in Northern part of India. If you are in Bengal, you need to speak Bengali to get customer support. If you send e-mail, they will revert on phone. If you send some query which is difficult for them, they will send you Cut Copy Past answers and within few minutes you will receive another mail that your complaint have been closed and there will be some survey questions to check your satisfaction level.

Let me share one of my recent experiences. I was given 3G data service by Airtel. The rate decided was Rs 100 for 250 MB. Once this data is exhausted automatically same scheme used to be repeated. Suddenly they changed my data plan and tried to extort Rs 1000 for 250 MB. The price jumps by 10 times without even an intimation to me. I am sure the people who work in the Pricing and Revenue department of these telecom companies are decently educated but they should not consider all their customers illiterates to fall in their trap. And I have been with this service provider for years. I was so sure that they were the most reliable telecom brand in India that I had even bought few shares of the company with my hard earned money. I do not know who heads the customer service in Airtel. I know customers are not allowed to enter Airtel office and they maintain tight security, probably the reason being they have huge numbers of unhappy customers. I don’t believe that other companies will be any better. Basic of pricing technique teaches one to go for efficient pricing but not adopting unethical means. This article with ‘Gyan’ will probably not help anyone. India’s Telecom Minister sports a very strong personality on Television but it’s not his cup of tea to bring out this sector from the present mess. TRAI will never try to work on the plight of ordinary customers. But this write up straight from the heart of an aggrieved customer will at least give the satisfaction that web space could be used to vent the anger and express dissatisfaction. If you have similar experience with any Telecom Service Provides at any part of the world, please express your plight. Even if they do not hear, let’s speak!!!!!!!!