It’s a seller’s market.
There has been an interesting post in Atanu’s and Rashmi’s blog. I found it worthwhile to be put here.
Atanu mentions about the goof up he made and how nearly he missed the train. Well, it’s interesting to read, not for the “near experience” he had, but for the thoughts that went out for poor Indians. I quote:
Usability, ergonomics, convenience, efficiency are not words that you would associate with the baboons babus of the Indian Railways. Take a look at their website for reservations. It is so braindamaged that compared to it the parrot was definitely not deceased. Anyway, they can get away with it because it is a sellers’ market. As a train traveler, you can take it or leave it. They are a public monopoly and you better like what you get because it is the magnanimity of the government which allows you to even travel. So shut the f up and get in there. That attitude will not change of course. As long as domestic air travel was monopolized by the Indian Airlines, the same attitude prevaled in the skies as well. But now IA has been cut down to size by its competitors.
Notice the key words- magnanimity of the Indian government. The same thing applies to BSNL and perhaps even the private players. It isn’t the customers who get a fair enough deal for the price that we pay. It’s courtesy “mai baap sarkar”- the servile attitude of Indians, that has come to such a pass. For once, what stops you in asserting your rights and demanding a fair ground for services?
Another post by Rashmi Bansal highlights her journey in Indian Airlines- another government undertaking. What for is the reason for the government to fly planes? Surprisingly, it’s only after the present Congress that got in power, the airlines have been launching one after the other- it’s definitely another “scam”- but I am not pressing details here.
I quote:
When you travel Indian Airlines there are no surprises.
The flight takes off an hour late – and of course there are no proper announcements.
The air hostesses are middle-aged, frumpy and despite years of experience don’t know how to apply their lipstick.
While other airlines take exactly 30 seconds to show you the safety procedure, that too as the plane is taxiing on the runaway, IA takes the long route. The air hostesses limply fling their arms back and forth showing you the emergency exits (like kids standing in the very back of P.T. class, pretending to do the exercises)”
Why do we expect such crappy services from government undertakings and take it in our strides?
Well, on the hindsight, its just a personal reflection and shows two different instances of people having to suffer because someone somewhere just decides to dispense the services. Irrespective of the quality. We as Indians haven’t been able to ask for anything better.
