May 23, 2007

How to Reserve things, even before you are born?

For Indians reading this, I am sure, after reading the title they understand the topic being pondered upon here. For others, I am trying to represent my ideas about the Caste/Religion/Sex based Reservation system in India.

Longtime back, something happened in India, that there had to be this system brought in so that the poor and downtrodden people can be economically and socially be uplifted. The thoughts and ideas for this procedure to be implemented were noble at the time of Indian Independence.

Current Scenario: {Kindly let me know if you see any positives}

1. The children of a person who is working as a Judge in a district bench, get seats in engineering colleges under the reserved category. His wife, works for a large bank and gets promoted as an officer under the reserved category.

2. A son of an employee, who works as a senior employee in a Port Trust gets admitted into Engineering college under the reserved category. Never even thinks of completing the engineering.

3. A son of a farmer, gets admitted to an engineering college, under the reserved category and also claims to be under the poverty line category. Thus the government pays the fees for him. However, the guy wears a gold chain, a golden bracelet and wears only branded jeans and excellent watches. Never cares to come to the college. I don't know if he has cleared his exams before the stipulated eight years.

4. A servant maid at my village, still is working in the same fashion and her kid is playing on the road.

5. People in few places like remote parts of Rajasthan etc, still have caste feelings. The previously downtrodden are downtrodden even today.

The system of caste-based reservation has never given anyone any privilege. It has only benefited few corrupt politicians. They are working on the same principles of the East India Company sarkar - "Divide and Rule". I see, personally these days, I mean to say, my generation of young people do not have anything called - ill-feelings for any caste or creed or sex. These days everyone are united in our common interests. However, these politicians are making a mess about it.

Once in Times of India, there was a quote - For every Individual himself/herself is the biggest minority.

Considering that statement, I really wonder, why people need to claim as minority. Even if a Prime minister of a country is alone, all by himself, then he is downtrodden and will be attacked socially for nothing. So everyone of us need to realize that individually we are all in the minority sector and providing reservations for anyone doesn't solve any problem

There are many people who are below the poverty line, and many just above it. I think those are the ones who need some reservation to eat, to study, to live etc irrespective of their caste/religion/creed/sex.

Also this system, shouldn't continue from a person's birth to his/her death. There should be a day when he/she should be asked to live on his/her ability.

"In Business - there is no free lunch"

Its better we all think about these things once in a while. All the visitors are requested to post their comments here. Lets dream and work towards having a India - where only skill matters, nothing else.

May 20, 2007

My thoughts about the low cost flier - Air Deccan

Note: I am not a frequent flier, however!

Talking a little bit about, what I hear these days, most of the times, in the airports.

"Ahh ... next time I am not flying AirDeccan!!!!!"
"Next time you book airdeccan ... you are fried ..."

I really wonder, why people says such things. To be precise, in the world of Telecoms, its Reliance and in the Indian airline industry, its Airdeccan who have brought drastic changes. Longtime ago, Airlines, used to be a reach only to corporates and guys with big bucks. Today, every common man, is able to fly.

Evaluations: I have flew with AirDeccan, Indian Airlines, KingFisher in the domestic and AirFrance in the international.

1. Kingfisher First: Excellent in Hospitality, Timings, Fine food, and gorgeous Air Hostesses. Well, Timing is the main thing which i think every business man cares according to personal priorities. Truly, no one boards the flight to stare at the AirHostesses. Food??? I dont think it matters in domestic airways as almost all the flight durations are just 2-3 hours at the maximum. Now whatz left, ah, the TVs and the shows. Fair, I have seen, either in an early morning flight or in the evening flights, people only tend to sleep, after a stressful day or a start of thestressful day. All this for atleast a minimum amount of Rs.6500 (approx)

2. Indian Airlines: One word to say, First the flight attendants' white shirts need a decent wash. Thats it.

3. AirDeccan: Lets talk about the negatives first. I found only onething irritating in AirDeccan - the Delay time. Rest is great. Precisely, the leg room is relatively better. The flight durations too are fine. Efficiency of pilots too is fine. Well, coming to what I drink and eat over the flight duration. Well, one gets decent food served, on purchase ofcourse, packed and prepared by Cafe Coffee Day. Personally, I had the Veg Combo many times, which contains, a cheese Sandwich, a cake, two Chatpatas and all this for Rs.70.

So, I think I am p.fine, if I get a flight trip for Rs.2000 and a meal for Rs.70 and a one hour delay in the schedule. Infact most of the common people are ok with it. Even then people talk whatever possible, about AirDeccan.

Ex: I was travelling to hometown in Train; A co-traveller said, "I dont even know if Air Deccan flight will ever fly!", Guy doesnt have money/situation/or whatever may be the reason, to travel in II AC in train atleast, thus shouldnt be commenting about the pocket friendly :-) Air Travel provider of the country.

The only reason I am writing it here is, we all shouldnt comment on someone who has brought drastic changes in a particular domain of the market, rather we better try to understand how is it possible.

Kindly post your comments.