Why I don't use Reliance India Call...(cont'd)

So, here is the update - nothing much happened. But, lot of fun. See for yourself...

Here is my first email to Anil Ambani

Dear Mr. Ambani,
I am writing to you about my experience with Reliance India Call - your group's long distance calling service in the US. I hope you will take some time to read this.

I happened to open an account (#: ) on RelianceIndiaCall.com on Nov 11th and buy pre-paid card for USD 111.75. On Nov 12th after trying to call India for two hours on that service and not getting through, I decided to cancel the service. I called the Customer Service and the lady cancelled the account and promised to process the refund and send confirmation to that effect. In spite of email reminders I never received confirmation of the refund. So, on Nov 18th I called the Customer Service again. This time the agent told me that the company does not make refunds on a prepaid card.

I was not told of this when I called to cancel the card. And, I don't expect to pay for a service that I never used/ never worked for me. It would be great if the company could process the refund.

I wish the company can improve its service and customer service aspects.

Thanks

And, here is the response I got


Dear XXX,
Thank you for your mail dated 19-Nov-04.

I have carefully read your concerns regarding Reliance Infocomm.
Details mentioned in your email have been noted and passed on to the concerned people.

For further assistance please call *333 from your RIM or the number 3033 3333 if you are calling from a non-RIM phone. You could also send an email at customercare@relianceinfo.com

Thanks,
Anil

And, since I had nothing to do with Reliance Infocomm, I followed up with this email.

Dear Mr. Ambani,
Thank you for the very prompt response. My concerns were not related to Reliance Infocomm but Reliance Communications International Inc. - the company that runs the RelianceIndiaCall website http://www.relianceindiacall.com and provides long distance calling services in the US/ Canada. I am not sure if it is part of Reliance Infocomm.

I must say that the CEO/CEO's office is more responsive than the folks who manage the customercare@relianceindiacall.com email account. I have sent three or four emails in the last week to that email and received no response. And, as a Reliance shareholder I am not sure if it is a situation that I should feel happy about.

Also, the last time I contacted the RelianceIndiaCall customer service over the phone (1-866-6-Reliance, I live in Chicago) to get the company's registered address in the US, the Customer Service Agent was not able to provide that. I have never had such an experience with any other Cutomer Support.

Thanks

And, here is the response I get to the above email

Dear XXX,
Thank you for your mail dated 20-Nov-04.

I am in the process of reading the numerous proposals that are being sent to me. It is a matter of pride and joy to me, that people like you are giving thought to the future of this country and are sending in concrete plans for the same.

Your proposal is under consideration. Please give me time to go through it carefully. I shall revert to you at the earliest.

Please do visit my website for regular updates on my plans and the activities that I take up.

Thanks,
Anil

Why I don't use Reliance India Call...

So, last week I found that the calling card Valucom that I have used for the last five years had very few minutes left. And, since I needed more calling minutes to my dad who was recovering from a surgery in India I decided to try Reliance India Call - recommended to me by a few good friends.

I bought a prepaid card for USD100 (and, plus taxes it put me back by $111.75). I thne tried using it the next day... for full 2 hours but could not get through. Finally, I decided to cancel it. So, I called the customer service explained the situation and the lady cancelled the account and refund the money. She asked me to expect an email confirmation in the next few days.

On Wednesday I decided to check on the status of the refund by sending an email to customercare@relianceindiacall.com. And, when I did not receive any response I decided to call customer support on Thursday.

And, when I called them on Thursday the service rep said they do not refund money even if you never used the service. Of course, that was not what his colleague had told me when I cancelled it but it did not matter to him.

So, I decided to send one more email, threaten them that I would report them to BBB.org. But, I realized that I did not have their mailing address. So, I called the customer support center and asked for the registered address of the company in the US. Guess what! The person did not know the address.

So, I sent off a note to Anil D Ambani, who thinks he can save India. Lets see what happens...

Holy Crap... One down many more to go...

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Jayendra Saraswathi: Revered cleric

So, finally it has happened. One of the many holy men seems to be in trouble. Now, I am not saying that this guy is guilty of the crime but I do believe that he should be treated as any ordinary citizen would be.

I have always felt that being a holy man or running an religious institution is an incredible enterprise in India (probably world over) - lot of clout, lot of money, little taxes, no accountability and absolutely no transparency. And, if your organization happens to represent "minority communities" even better - even the govt. won't meddle with your affairs.

Wonder who will be next - the dude with bad hairdo, the incredible hugger or any of the number of folks who are trying the "save" the natives.

Once again Bihar leads the way

BBC NEWS | Programmes | Newsnight | New Florida vote scandal revealed

The US elections are over and the electorate has spoken loud and clear. This article is from before the elections. And, I had been wanting to comment on it.

A few years back Dhilip D'Souza on rediff.com wrote an article stating we should not lament Bihar's current state of affairs - Bihar which was the light of the civilization, the cradle to the first university system, he argued, still leads the way. Today it is where criminalization of politics first began and now it is all over India...

There was a time when I felt that democracy in countries like India should aspire to move towards what happens in the US. But, I am getting the feeling that democracies in countries like the US will move towards the Indian style of democracy - invoke god, amplify the differences and win

Why do we like Robinhoods - The Verappan Story?

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Veerappan remains hero to poor

First of all, I am glad that Verappan is dead. It was long overdue. But, I guess connections (the criminal-political nexus) can keep you alive for a while. It is bit like a slow spreading variety of cancer - it keeps you alive for a while but it certainly will kill you.

What I found interesting about this story is that public seem to take the side of Verappan. They believe that the police faked the encounter. They believe that Verappan was a hero and helped the poor. Yet, no one knows anyone who has been benefitted by Verappan.

What is the heroism in killing elephants for ivory, felling the sandalwood trees, kidnapping people and killing people? Did Verappan transfer wealth from the rich/corrupt to the poor and honest? There is no evidence of that. There is evidence to the fact that he killed honest law enforcement officals in cold blood. His actions put the very villagers that he was supposed to be helping at risk.

And, Is he a Robinhood? I don't know. Even if he is a Robinhood, why do we like such figures? The fact remains that all Robinhoods broke the law, did not use their power to create social change. Instead they relied on fear and loyalty to survive and never took responsiblity for their actions.

Are we so disgusted with the politicians whom we elect, the government and its representatives that we subscribe to "enemy's enmey is my friend" doctrine? We need to ask ourselves - "Are you willing to walk with the devil to cross the bridge?".

Comrades last stand

BBC NEWS | Business | India's struggle to befriend investors

What amazes me about Indian communists is there exists a species like this. There was time when I thought the socialist/ communist ideas were great. But, soon I realized that their concept of equality is like the old Tata Telecom ad - "All PABXs are created equal. Some are just more equal than others"

They seem to believe they have the solution for all issues world wide. If that is the case why is it that West Bengal and Kerala where they have ruled resemble development graveyards. The old foggies who run the party seem to think that development and progress happen without working for it.

Nice try by Soutik Biswas

BBC NEWS South Asia Gandhi's non-violence message to Mid-East

In 1948 he was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic who opposed his tolerance for all creeds and religions

Soutik Biswas tries to stretch the facts a bit. My limited knowledge (from what I have read) tells me that Godse was more aghast at the Indian government's pandering of Pakistan at Gandhi's behest. Whatever the truth is, it is sad that India in the 50+ years since the incident has choosen to keep the facts under wraps. And, take an extreme reaction to anything related to the event. So, we have books like "Nine hours to Rama" and plays like "Mee Nathuram Godse Boltoy" banned.

In (equality) we believe

In (equality) we believe

I like this article. It clearly put to rest the story that the NDA government was voted out of power because their policies were anti-poor. It is high time that people in India realize that the function of the government is to create opportunities, not give handouts.

1 medal, 2 dopers, a few DNFs ah... the olympic experience

BBC NEWS |South Asia |India makes Olympic breakthrough

BBC NEWS |South Asia |India weightlifter tests positive

BBC NEWS |South Asia |India's Olympic highs and lows

I wish they gave a medal for
Highest percentage of dopers to medals (as it stands it s 2/1, we take the gold medal)
All dopers being women (something tells me this does not count towards empowerment of women. But, it is worth a try)

And, why did all those weightlifters with back pain etc... go to Athens. Not that the international community will miss them if they did not turn up. But, hey great holiday at the taxpayers expense. Wish some cousin of Uday Hussein was managing the Indian Olympic committee.

Thank goodness for Major Rajyavardhan Rathore pulling double duty. It takes acts like his both on and off job to save the country.

How eight pixels cost Microsoft millions - CNET News.com

How eight pixels cost Microsoft millions - CNET News.com

Interesting story about nuances in International Business. But, the reader response to this ismore interesting. There are idiots who seem to be interested in turning this into a political article. Of course, all options are represented. These jokers should realize the old saying - "When in Rome ...". So, if MSFT or any other corporation wants to sell its wares in India or any other country it better follow the local rules and be sensitive to the local customs.

For a better understanding of Kashmir from people who live there, check this out BBC NEWS | Voices from Kashmir. It is a classic story of promises betrayed, missed opportunities and political bungling that can turn even the "Heaven on Earth" into hell's hole.

Of life and death

BBC NEWS | South Asia | India carries out rare execution

A friend of mine (a die hard liberal) sent me an email on the hanging - "hanging people in the 21st century is quite ridiculous
regardless of the crime.....what the heck next...public beheadings a la Saudi Arabia?"

I don't have a stance on death penalty. I don't like the idea of people being incarcerated for lifew, living a safe but confined life at the tax payer's expense. I am too much a capitalist - I would prefer the cheaper of all the options.

But, I do find it odd that that a nation that does sex determination tests on unborn child and aborts female foetus feels strongly in favor of death penalty. How about death penalty for those who abort female foetus, the ones who cause dowry deaths?

And, it is interesting to see that they did not feel the need to DNA testing before sending this man to his death.

How about setting the house in order

BBC NEWS | South Asia | India woos Africans for medical cure

"India's health indicators are among the worst in the world," says eminent economist Jean Dreze.

"Health is virtually absent from public debates and democratic politics in India."

Interesting story given that the government and the medical community would like you to believe that medical tourist is the next big thing. And, of course, the generics and AIDS cocktails would save the world.

Who will save the folks in India?

Something fishy - US places duties on shrimp sales

BBC NEWS Business US places duties on shrimp sales

He...He....Interesting to see the torch bearer of free markets is indulging in some fishy protectionism.

UNDP is ignorant and insolent. And, so are you, Arvind

UNDP is ignorant and insolent

And, so is Arvind L. I can't believe he is arguing over semantics. Agreed that the word "genocide" seems to have more marketing mileage than any real power to rally the world.

There is no denying that "genocide" or not what happened in Gujarat was a complete break down of law and order. The state at the best became silent spectator to the happenings and at the worst helped worsen the situation. Gujarat, Ayodhya (1992), Bombay (1992) and Delhi (1984) are examples of State failure.

And, I bet it will continue to happen if the perpetators feel they can get away with the crime - be it killing the Sikhs in 1984, or torching the train in Godhra or the burning of Gujarat.

What is interesting is nonbody seem to be interested in understanding the reasons behind it - for every Hitler there is a Germany that was willing to go with him. So, what was with Gujarat? Why did it vote Narendra Modi back to power after that?

Does the continuing practice of giving that extra for "minorities" by the Government and the "secular" media contribute resentment in the larger populace which feels the already small economic pie is being made smaller?

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Teachers 'spiced up' school meals

BBC NEWS South Asia Teachers 'spiced up' school meals

Ok, this takes the cake. In a land which claims to revere Teachers more than parents or god.... In a land where right to primary education was one of the founding fathers ideals.... Here is the reality.

The 2% government cess for education won't help. Unless we make a concerted effort to make primary education a priority over higher education and make teaching at primary schools a worthwhile profession, both the profession and the students will continue to be abused by drunkards

Food for thought?

Cry HTML / Browser

Department of Public Relations, Government of Kerala

I have never understood the Indian websites attraction to shocking colors, flashing "in your face" advertisments, pop ups/ pop unders and the invariable - moving text. This one requires a special mention - they convert letters from small case to upper case one by one on the status bar at the bottom. Don't ask me why. I have a feeling the guy who did it is mentally deranged.

Now you can while away time on the Internet when the train is running late

Aljazeera.Net - Internet offered to Indian rail passengers

So, the Indian Railways plans to introduce Internet access on certain trains. This is the same railway system that
1) Cannot keep the trains running on time
2) Cannot keep the trains on the track (Of course, Amtrak seems to have a higher percentage of incidents)
3) Cannot get travellers to pay for their travel
4) Cannot run a lean. efficient organization

How about getting the basic things right first, like
1) Improving the on time record
2) Improving the safety record
3) Improving Customer service
4) Improving organizational efficiency

Hell, those may be too much to ask. But, if you have a laptop and your train is late you will be able to spend time browsing the net.

Bad ideas vs good men

Bad ideas vs good men

So, what makes them good men? Their education ?

So, what is the big deal

Economist.com | India's tainted ministers

I loved the part where in the related Outlook article (link from the Economist article) where Jaipal Reddy says corruption is not as serious an offence as being a party to demolition of Babri Masjid.

Maybe we should come up with a list of allowable offences and the hierarchy among the offences.

Or, why not make corruption legal?

D-day remembrance

Last week I watched the media coverage of the D-day landing. Everyone made it out to be a big thing. And, rightly so. But, no one ever talked about the causes - the cause of the Second World War.

I remember when we studied history in high school one question used to appear in our exam papers with unfailing regularity - "Explain how First World War was a cause for the Second World War?". Maybe, that was rather simplistic discussion - menat for only high school students. Maybe not...

Maybe it is the current media coverage that is rather simplistic. They would rather have you believe that the Nazi's were from Mars and the good guys on earth vanquished them. The truth is they were one of us. And, we created them. Whatever the case maybe as the saying goes - "Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it". And, looks as though we are condemned to repeat it.

India's reforms need changes. So does Mr. Basu's article

BBC NEWS | South Asia | India's reforms need changes

An article full of contradictions.

1) If the people rejected BJP for inciting communal violence then why is it that BJP just showed about -2% of vote change. More improtantly, how is it that Narendra Modi who was the CM of Gujarat got re-elected comfortably after the riots.

2) And, why does he say "even people in remote village..." why not "people in big cities"? Why is it that he has to impress upon his western readers that even villagers in India are "secular". I think it is difficult for someone to say yes we practice discrimination, most of us hate the guts of those "other" people.

I think there is tendency amongst Indian intelligensia to think and act as if they have answers to all issues -

Secularism means offering privileges to compensate for the numbers instead of making every one work on a level playing field.

The lower income need subsidies (forget about creating opportunities). Of course, Mr. Basu here argues against it.

What was that again, Sam...

Last week I heard Sam Pitroda speak. I was in the same room as him. To me it was a big deal. You see it was Sam who made me choose Communications Engineering as my undergrad major. In 1987, when I was going off to college I had great dreams about the Telecom revolution that Sam and his people would usher. And, I wanted to be one of his people, ushering this revolution.

During my college years I increasingly started questioning the appropriateness of "appropriate technology". The Telecom revolution did not happen for another ten years. And, when it happened it was not because of Sam and his team but the market. While Sam and his team did bring some progress, their progress and "appropriate technology" was rendered irrelevant by the rapid adoption of mobile telephones in India. Today, getting a land line in India is as difficult as it was ten years back but nobody cares any longer because they can get a cellphone in a jiffy. In fact, the mobile phone adoption has reduced the demand for land lines.

So, it was interesting to see Sam get on the podium and say how he got sick of the previous govt. claiming credit for all the advancements that he and Rajiv Gandhi brought, that he got on a plane to India to campaign against the govt. and let the "truth" be known. And, he again mentioned "appropriate technology".

I am inclined to say - "Sam, thanks for nothing". But, I think the man is well intensioned. However, "appropriate technology" is all BS. The market is unforgiving. If there is a machine that can do the job of ten people, the machine will and should win. Even if it means that ten people are without a job. And, it will win over a machine that employes five people.

The job of the government is to help people create opportunities for themselves and not provide handouts. Just because we have a large popluation we cannot create "aapropriate technologies" that will employ people. Such half steps will amount to nothing in the competitive market.

A smarter democracy - don't fool yourself

There was an article on The Times of India online which said India was a smarter democracy because the election results had proven everyone wrong. Just because you have been proved wrong does not make others smarter.

Consider this
1) The country still is one of the most illiterate in the world. Yes, there is almost no other place in the world where illiterates can overcome the litterates elect the government.

As some BJP guy remarked - "This is what happens if you let the illiterates vote". True. But, the solution is not removing the voting rights of illiterates but reducing the number of illiterates. Here the BJP minister Dr.MM Joshi's policies did not help. Here is a guy trying to subsidize post graduate specialized learning at the expense of primary education.

If you are concerned about primary education in India, consider supporting CRY http://www.cry.org or Asha for Education http://www.ashanet.org/

2) The percentage of people who voted was the lowest. A smart democarcy is a democracy where people participate.

3) Here is how we fare against other democracies on the Global Integrity Report

No more Italian au pair

Some one I know sent me an email titled - 'No more Italian au pair'. And, he is not Indian. So, that is the story of the rest of the world. They will in public say that India is thinking of selecting an Italian woman as the Prime Minister, but in private they are glad that they are not in India or an Indian.

Anyway, now that Sonia's premiership melodrama has been laid to rest I think I should move on. But, not before making some comments on the press and people's reactions.

For those who did self immolation - good riddance. Darwin's theory at work.
For those who tried but failed - what a loser. You could not do even this.

And, for those who called Sonia's act selfless (some media even compared it to Jesus H Christ - the crown of thorns etc...). Sonia herself said she did not want the premiership because she was "pained" by the reaction from the BJP. So, by avoiding the premiership she was avoiding the pain. One could say that it was her selfish reason to avoid pain.

As Richard Bach said in one of his book - 'Everyone who mattered, everyone who did something for the world, all have been selfish souls, no exceptions' (paraphrased).

In fact, it would be great if we all remain selfish but remembered Confucius saying - "Don't do to others as you would not have them do to you."

Sonia mania

Just when I think India can't surprise me further, I am proved wrong. And, often it is the wrong kind of surprise.

In the last few days I have seen various reasons put forward for having Sonia as PM. Here are some (not in order of stupidity)

1) "Vasudaiva Kutumbakam" (excuse my spelling) - It means "Whole world is a village", we are all global citizens etc... So, she can be the PM. Hey, how about Saddam - at least, he has experience governing a country with diverse groups of people. Or, maybe Maggie Thatcher - she is retired,available and has an increadible record on hte economic front.

2) She is as Indian as any other Indian - If you over look the fact that she became a citizen in 1983 about 15 years after her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi. And, became a congress party after her husband's killing and when she was thrust into the leadership position.

3) The mandate was for her - Never mind that India does not have a direct democracy like US, or the fact that Cong I actually showed a drop in the %age of votes polled (BJP did too).

4) She and her children are so beautiful - Wonder what that has to do with running a country. Whoever calls Priyanka beautiful must have poor eyesight.

When will we realize that the nation is not the personal/ family property of the Nehru-Gandhi family.

India Votes and what a tamasha...

So, the election results from the worlds largest democracy is in. And, it has confounded all, including the people who voted (I think).

The masses have spoken - the downtrodden, often forgotten masses. So, have the lazy public sector workers. They want handouts. Who cares about competitiveness etc...

But, one can't balme just them. How can you expect the common man to make sacrifices when the govt. size and spending continue to spiral, when govt. policy favors subsidizing graduate and post graduate learning in favor of private education.

It is interesting that in states where the state govt. took a tough line against its employees they were voted out. Eg

1) Kerala - where AK Anthony took a hard line
2) Tamilnadu - where the mercurial "amma" fired its employees

Unfortunately, Naidu's loss can only mean that he was spaced out in cyberspace. Allowing MNCs to water their lawns when farmers are committing suicide because of drought sounds pretty dot com-ish.