THE CRAPBOOK

Back home in Kerala my Dad has applied for Broadband from BSNL, unfortunately its not yet activated and the request is still pending with the telephone exchange .They have given explanations like ‘there should be at least 30 applications’ ‘infrastructure is not ready’ etc etc.

The BSNL telephone exchanges are technologically advanced ones, the people sitting there are still in the past (especially the ones in villages) they fail to notice the changes happening around them.

The delay was making my Dad angry, if you would have read this post, you would know why he hates inefficient people.

Scene Village Telephone Exchange

Dad hands over 35 applications to an employee.

Employee #1 : What is this?

Dad : These are 35 applications for broadband

Employee #1 : WHAT?

Dad : Yes. With signatures. We need broadband in our area.

Employee #1 : See…..well…..I…… How do I know whether you signed all this yourself?

Knowing that he just want to delay things Dad replied

Sue ME.

Employee #2 : Hey what’s going on? (Seems like this guy is the Chief (Read Cheap) Engineer.

Dad : I have submitted 35 applications of people who require broadband connection. Its in the papers recently that you are required to provide broadband within 1-2 months of application.

Employee #2 trying to act smart asked.

Employee #2 : Okay.. So which type of modem do you want?

His intention was to ask technical questions which my Dad obviously wouldn’t know and will retreat from making problems and asking questions.

“Which all modems do you sell?” came the prompt reply.

“Well. Eh…we have errr..” Employee #2 was a little stunned by this sudden answer.

“Well let me know which all do you have and then I will let you know which I want. Thanks.” Said Dad and walked out.

We have not received broadband connection at home till now. Categorized as a village, it would take at least another 4 months for them to process and get the infrastructure ready.

The communication revolution? Yes the applications are still revolving around.

In case if you wondering if the 35 applications are authentic, yes they are.

Conversation b.w two IT ‘Professionals’ (Overheard) 

Professional 1 : ‘Hey heard that you got an offer from a new firm?’

Professional 2 : ‘Yeah I did, I joined the company too’

Professional 1 : ‘How’s the package?’

Professional 2 : ‘ Well its not just the package. There is growth, new challenges and new technologies’ 

Professional 1 : ‘Oh okay. How’s the package?’

Professional 2 : ‘There is onsite too’ 

Professional 1 : ‘Wow. How’s the package?’

Professional 2 : ‘Its not bad. There is bonus too’ 

Professional 1 : ‘You can ask more, with the experience you have’

Professional 2 : ‘Yeah but they have Coke, snacks and chocolate drink in the pantry’ 

Professional 1 : ‘That’s so cool, we just have a stupid coffee’

Professional 2 : ‘Yeah? That’s so dull buddy’

 Professional 1 : ‘But we can smoke in the pantry”

Professional 2 : ‘Oh, that’s something I wanted’ 

Professional 1 : ‘How’s the package like?????’ 

This post is also on mutiny.in Having worked out of Trivandrum for more than two years for a software company I am sure that city has everything you could ask for. I  thought of writing this post after the common response I get from my colleagues out here in Bangalore when I tell them that I am worked with a company at Technopark. And the common response is “Technopark? where?” .

Well for those who don’t know, Techno park is (source wikipedia) “the first and largest technology park in India launched in 1990, Technopark currently has 3.2 million square feet (310,000 square meters) of built-up space. Technopark is home to over 125 companies, which employ more than 17,000 professionals.”

Yes, it’s the FIRST technology park in India. While the silicon valley of India (Bangalore) gradually overtook the state in terms of software exporting, Technopark was not far behind. But then most of the companies preferred Bangalore as their outsourcing hub. The reason? Talent pool, favorable government policies and infrastructure. But then why should one (employer or employee) choose Trivandrum now?

• Living cost

This would be the best reason to move. You have to pay just 25% of the money that you now shell out as rent every month and will get twice the space. There aren’t any multiplexes, but you could see all latest movies for 35 bucks.

• Traffic

You would hardly find a traffic jam. But Technopark is 15 KMs from the city, however if you stay near, say 10 kms away from the Park, you could reach office in 10 mins, which is impossible in the major cities.

• No more crowded airports

Reaching airport would be walk in the park for everyone. You would hardly face any traffic jams on the way

• Tax

Since Technopark is outside the city limits, the professional tax levied is relatively less.

But these are changing with more companies rushing to the Tier 3 cities to set up their centers. Infosys (which already have 1000 employees in Technopark) is setting up its 70 acre campus next to Technopark. TCS has it’s main training centre working out of Technopark. Many companies like L&T are trying to push the government in getting land on lease. Many companies have already eyed the city as its next offshore hub, but then will the Kerala government comply? Will the chaos surrounding the new Tech Parks succumb? These questions may go unanswered but I am sure Kerala will be waking up with a new IT boom of it’s on in near future.

(Inside Bhavani building in Technopark)

The other IT park in Kerala is Infopark and the latest one planned is Technocity near Technopark.

I am sick of electronic money.

Last time I was charged twice when I swiped my card at a retail shop in Kochi. I got just one slip as reference for my transaction but I was charged twice.Then it’s a game of tennis between the merchant and the bank, and I would be the ball.  The bank told me that my money is with VISA. The merchant told me that the he didn’t get any.I got my money after 45 working days (more than 2 months) with no interest paid. 

Once I booked two tickets with KF Airlines, they charged me thrice; however they didn’t claim it and the bank treated the transactions as void after I made 12 calls and sent 5 emails to the customer care.

Recently I booked a ticket with IRCTC, they charged me thrice (Two times after the payment, the IRCTC site went down saying ‘Service Unavailable’). IRCTC refunded the money back to my credit card. But the bank is not returning the service charge they levied from me.They say the transaction was successful for them and there is a charge for it. I am sorry, I didn’t get that. I did a transaction online which is void, which even the back accepts yet I will be charged for it? 

Now this is like I will be taxed even if I don’t get a car. Look at this hypothetical situation. I book a car and they cancel my order because of obvious reasons say, I am brown. But I still have to pay the tax applicable. 

What????And they say customer is king. A king who has to pay taxes and service charges? 

I am sick of electronic money.