The recent hue and cry over Shahrukh Khan’s detention at a US airport – for security reasons – has highlighted the lack of “VIP Culture” in the USA, which means that the US government officials do not offer any special treatment to anybody, no matter how much big celebrity or VIP he is. While defending its action, the US Immigration Department has said that Shahrukh’s detention was a must in the context of certain rules and regulations. At the same time both the US as well as the Indian media have come up with a list of prominent American personalities (such as Bob Dylan and Al Gore) who were treated by the American government officials in the same manner as they would have treated an ordinary American citizen, despite the fact that both Al Gore and Bob Dylan are noted celebrities, and that too in the USA itself. Once Al Gore – a former Vice President of the USA – was detained at a US airport while boarding a flight, as he had skipped certain security checking formalities. Legendary singer Bob Dylan was detained by cops for questioning while he was wandering in a lonely New Jersey shore (however, the cops were reportedly too young to know who he was).
It is really appreciable that celebrity status or political clouts do not help any person having any preferential treatment in the USA. This praiseworthy American culture gets more prominent when we compare it with the situation that we have in India, where even petty politicians manage to enjoy special favours in various situations, that too in a manner as if it is their natural right. And as far as the undue advantages enjoyed by the celebrities (film stars, cricketers, prominent politicians, etc.) is concerned, the lesser we talk about it, the better. I hope the “Shahrukh” incident will help our celebrities to realize that while they may be “icons” in India, in other countries they are simply nobody. And therefore they should forget about getting any special treatment the moment they step on a foreign soil.
However, while evaluating the incident, a different thought came into my mind. While it is certainly true that the US government officials do not show any special treatment to the celebrities and politicians, does that necessarily mean that there is no “VIP Culture” at all in that country?
After all, isn’t it true that the business magnets and corporate Tsars hold huge influence in the USA, so much so that sometimes they even largely influence government decisions and policies? And is it really believable that the US government officials do not show any special favour to these people?
The US Immigration officials did not show any undue favour to their former Vice President. Fine. But could they have been equally tough if it were Bill Gates in Al Gore’s place? Would any cop have dared to detain Steve Jobs for questioning, if he were found wandering in a lonely street? Well, with due respect to the US government officials, I cannot help having some doubts.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
My Thanks To ICICI Bank
Few days back I had made a posting in my blog, in which I complained about some inconveniences that I had faced in two ICICI Bank ATMs in Noida, which are located in the neighborhood where I stay.
I had made that posting just to give a vent to my displeasure and dissatisfaction, and not to inform the ICICI management know about the problem. Because, I had simply not expected that they would be able to track my blog and would thus come to know about my problem.
So I was pleasantly surprised when the other day - after visiting my blog - I found a reply to that posting. The reply was made by Ms. Nazia Sayeed, from the office of the Nodal Officer of ICICI Bank. In that reply Ms Nazia has not only accepted that there was indeed some problem, but has also given an elaborate explanation about the same.
What really touched me is the sincerity of the ICICI management in keeping track of the feelings of the common customers. They have not only successfully marked out an insignificant complaint made by an ordinary customer in his blog (and not in a reputed publication). But has also taken the pain of replying to that customer. It reflects there honesty in serving their customers.
My sincere thanks to the ICICI people. I am touched, honoured, and humbled, in one go.
I had made that posting just to give a vent to my displeasure and dissatisfaction, and not to inform the ICICI management know about the problem. Because, I had simply not expected that they would be able to track my blog and would thus come to know about my problem.
So I was pleasantly surprised when the other day - after visiting my blog - I found a reply to that posting. The reply was made by Ms. Nazia Sayeed, from the office of the Nodal Officer of ICICI Bank. In that reply Ms Nazia has not only accepted that there was indeed some problem, but has also given an elaborate explanation about the same.
What really touched me is the sincerity of the ICICI management in keeping track of the feelings of the common customers. They have not only successfully marked out an insignificant complaint made by an ordinary customer in his blog (and not in a reputed publication). But has also taken the pain of replying to that customer. It reflects there honesty in serving their customers.
My sincere thanks to the ICICI people. I am touched, honoured, and humbled, in one go.
Monday, August 17, 2009
The Amazing Himachal Pradesh
Gurgling rivers and streams playing on the lap of White mountains
Lush green meadows, that look greener when drenched with rains.
The Gothic buildings, reminding you of the bygone British colonial time
And reflecting the grand lifestyle that our former colonial masters enjoyed during their prime.
Enchanting apple orchards, accompanied by eye-catching potato fields
Simple but hardworking people, who lead a tough life with a dignified ease.
A marvelous and amazing place, where every day appears to be new
Dear all, this is Himachal Pradesh for you.
Lush green meadows, that look greener when drenched with rains.
The Gothic buildings, reminding you of the bygone British colonial time
And reflecting the grand lifestyle that our former colonial masters enjoyed during their prime.
Enchanting apple orchards, accompanied by eye-catching potato fields
Simple but hardworking people, who lead a tough life with a dignified ease.
A marvelous and amazing place, where every day appears to be new
Dear all, this is Himachal Pradesh for you.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Jaipur – The City Of Magnificence And Past Glory
Jaipur – the city of magnificence and past glory
Jaipur – the city of gorgeous palaces, each of which has an interesting story.
Jaipur – the city of royals, and an epitome of class and aristocracy
Jaipur – the city for History enthusiasts, and also for those who are Polo crazy.
Jaipur – the marvelous capital of India’s desert kingdom of Rajasthan
A perfectly modern city that retains its touch with the past with aplomb and élan.
Jaipur – the city of gorgeous palaces, each of which has an interesting story.
Jaipur – the city of royals, and an epitome of class and aristocracy
Jaipur – the city for History enthusiasts, and also for those who are Polo crazy.
Jaipur – the marvelous capital of India’s desert kingdom of Rajasthan
A perfectly modern city that retains its touch with the past with aplomb and élan.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
What Is Wrong With The ICICI Bank ATMs?
I suppose something is wrong with the ICICI bank ATMs. More-or-less regularly I have been finding their ATM machines to be out of order. Well, at least that what I have been experiencing in Noida, the satellite town adjacent to Delhi.
Just few weeks back I had found both the machines in the ICICI ATM near Noida’s NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) office to be out of order. This is the ATM near my Sector 22 home, and naturally this is the ATM that I generally visit. Since that ATM was of no use, I had to go to the ATM in Sector 12 (near Metro Nursing Home), which is a bit far away from my home.
Today morning when I went to the ICICI ATM near my home, i.e. the one near NTPC office, again I found both the machines to be out of order. So again I had to go to the Sector 12 ATM. Yes, it was OK, but partially. And what does that mean? It means that it has three machines, but one was out of order. That means, though it was OK, it was certainly not spotlessly OK.
I have been a customer of ICICI for quite some time now, and I am quite satisfied with their service. I will just humbly request them to be a bit careful about the health of their ATMs.
Just few weeks back I had found both the machines in the ICICI ATM near Noida’s NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) office to be out of order. This is the ATM near my Sector 22 home, and naturally this is the ATM that I generally visit. Since that ATM was of no use, I had to go to the ATM in Sector 12 (near Metro Nursing Home), which is a bit far away from my home.
Today morning when I went to the ICICI ATM near my home, i.e. the one near NTPC office, again I found both the machines to be out of order. So again I had to go to the Sector 12 ATM. Yes, it was OK, but partially. And what does that mean? It means that it has three machines, but one was out of order. That means, though it was OK, it was certainly not spotlessly OK.
I have been a customer of ICICI for quite some time now, and I am quite satisfied with their service. I will just humbly request them to be a bit careful about the health of their ATMs.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Confidential Mail From Burkina Faso
I got this “confidential” mail from Burkina Faso (a small country in Africa) on 24th July, 2009. The sender is some Mr. Tama Aku (tamank.a97@msn.com).
I just wished to share the content of the mail with everybody who comes across my blog. I feel people may find it interesting.
The Desk of Mr Tama Aku
Audit/Remittance Department of
African Development Bank (ADB)
Auagadougou Burkina Faso
phone: 00226-71 19 15 57
Dear Friend,
(CONFIDENTIAL)
I know that this email will be a big surprise to you, but i want you to calm down and read very carefully.
I have a business which will be beneficial to both of us.. the amount of money involved is ($5,700:000:00 five million seven hundred thousand us dollars) which i want to transfer out of the country to your bank account, all to my financial benefit and yours too. and also to take my wife abroad for treatment of liver damage.
This money is owned by a man called JIN SUN, a business commercialist in west-african regions. he has been dead since four years ago (2005) and since then, no claim has been placed on his bank account balance.
I want to transfer this money out of the country but such fund cannot be transferred without a next of kin attached to the fund. the fund could be transferred in these way; you shall present yourself as a business associate to the deceased person[JIN SUN) as details shall be that you are the care- taker business associate to mr. jin sun and his properties.
I shall make available to you materials and information with which a successful claim shall be placed on the fund. i shall also be your guidiance and instructor throughout the duration of this transaction so as to ensure a swift and sure transfer of the fund to your bank account.
As to your benefits,you shall be entitled to 40% of this fund for your co-operation in this transaction while 5% will be set aside for expences incured during the course of this transaction.
So if you are interested, send a reply to me immediately and in your reply please include your [private phone and your fax numbers] urgency has to be implied and this business must strictly be a deal between both of us.
Waiting for your urgent response so that i can move ahead and give you the indept details concerning this transaction and also the steps to take for a smooth transfer of the fund into your bank account.
Best Regards,
Mr.TAMA AKU
So this is the mail. As you can see, it talks about a business deal which involves a huge amount of money. So if anybody is interested, he may contact Mr Tama Aku for the deal.
PS – Guys, I hope you people have pretty well understood that it is nothing but a fraud. Please do not make the mistake of sending any document to this person.
I shared this mail only to alert those gullible people who fall prey to such frauds. I know all of us occasionally get such mails, and just ignore the same as we know that these are sent by cheats. However, there are some who still get carried away by such mails, and I just wanted to warn them.
I just wished to share the content of the mail with everybody who comes across my blog. I feel people may find it interesting.
The Desk of Mr Tama Aku
Audit/Remittance Department of
African Development Bank (ADB)
Auagadougou Burkina Faso
phone: 00226-71 19 15 57
Dear Friend,
(CONFIDENTIAL)
I know that this email will be a big surprise to you, but i want you to calm down and read very carefully.
I have a business which will be beneficial to both of us.. the amount of money involved is ($5,700:000:00 five million seven hundred thousand us dollars) which i want to transfer out of the country to your bank account, all to my financial benefit and yours too. and also to take my wife abroad for treatment of liver damage.
This money is owned by a man called JIN SUN, a business commercialist in west-african regions. he has been dead since four years ago (2005) and since then, no claim has been placed on his bank account balance.
I want to transfer this money out of the country but such fund cannot be transferred without a next of kin attached to the fund. the fund could be transferred in these way; you shall present yourself as a business associate to the deceased person[JIN SUN) as details shall be that you are the care- taker business associate to mr. jin sun and his properties.
I shall make available to you materials and information with which a successful claim shall be placed on the fund. i shall also be your guidiance and instructor throughout the duration of this transaction so as to ensure a swift and sure transfer of the fund to your bank account.
As to your benefits,you shall be entitled to 40% of this fund for your co-operation in this transaction while 5% will be set aside for expences incured during the course of this transaction.
So if you are interested, send a reply to me immediately and in your reply please include your [private phone and your fax numbers] urgency has to be implied and this business must strictly be a deal between both of us.
Waiting for your urgent response so that i can move ahead and give you the indept details concerning this transaction and also the steps to take for a smooth transfer of the fund into your bank account.
Best Regards,
Mr.TAMA AKU
So this is the mail. As you can see, it talks about a business deal which involves a huge amount of money. So if anybody is interested, he may contact Mr Tama Aku for the deal.
PS – Guys, I hope you people have pretty well understood that it is nothing but a fraud. Please do not make the mistake of sending any document to this person.
I shared this mail only to alert those gullible people who fall prey to such frauds. I know all of us occasionally get such mails, and just ignore the same as we know that these are sent by cheats. However, there are some who still get carried away by such mails, and I just wanted to warn them.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
News In Pakistani Newspaper – “Naked girls plough fields in India”
I was going through the online edition of the top Pakistani newspaper Dawn (www.dawn.com), when I came across this disturbing news about India with an equally disturbing headline –
Naked girls plough fields in India
PATNA: Farmers in an eastern Indian state have asked their unmarried daughters to plough parched fields naked in a bid to embarrass the weather gods to bring some badly needed monsoon rain, officials said on Thursday.
Witnesses said the naked girls in Bihar state ploughed the fields and chanted ancient hymns after sunset to invoke the gods. They said elderly village women helped the girls drag the ploughs.
‘They (villagers) believe their acts would get the weather gods badly embarrassed, who in turn would ensure bumper crops by sending rains,’ Upendra Kumar, a village council official, said from Bihar’s remote Banke Bazaar town.
‘This is the most trusted social custom in the area and the villagers have vowed to continue this practice until it rains very heavily.’
The region’s rich cultural heritage and extreme reliance on seasonal rainfall has led to the development of myriad rituals, ranging from wedding frogs to singing elaborate songs to evoke rainfall.
India this year suffered its worst start to the vital monsoon rains in eight decades, causing drought in some states. — Reuters
News Source URL: http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/world/11-naked-girls-plough-fields-in-india--il--01
I would like to know whether this news is at all true. While I have due confidence on the Dawn authorities, I will like to mention that I have not come across this news in any Indian newspaper or news channel.
Naked girls plough fields in India
PATNA: Farmers in an eastern Indian state have asked their unmarried daughters to plough parched fields naked in a bid to embarrass the weather gods to bring some badly needed monsoon rain, officials said on Thursday.
Witnesses said the naked girls in Bihar state ploughed the fields and chanted ancient hymns after sunset to invoke the gods. They said elderly village women helped the girls drag the ploughs.
‘They (villagers) believe their acts would get the weather gods badly embarrassed, who in turn would ensure bumper crops by sending rains,’ Upendra Kumar, a village council official, said from Bihar’s remote Banke Bazaar town.
‘This is the most trusted social custom in the area and the villagers have vowed to continue this practice until it rains very heavily.’
The region’s rich cultural heritage and extreme reliance on seasonal rainfall has led to the development of myriad rituals, ranging from wedding frogs to singing elaborate songs to evoke rainfall.
India this year suffered its worst start to the vital monsoon rains in eight decades, causing drought in some states. — Reuters
News Source URL: http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/world/11-naked-girls-plough-fields-in-india--il--01
I would like to know whether this news is at all true. While I have due confidence on the Dawn authorities, I will like to mention that I have not come across this news in any Indian newspaper or news channel.
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