Sexual orientation should be a “Freedom of Choice”
Contrasting experience with Public Services
PASSPORT RENEWAL
We were planning a holiday during the Christmas holidays and suddenly we found that my Daughters Passport was due to expire in 1st week of January. Normally embassies insist on atleast 6 months validity of Passport to issue a Visa. There was a pall of gloom over my Daughters face. Will we be able to get our passport renewed in time and apply for a Visa.
We discovered on a Saturday and had about 40 days time to travel. Immediately we swung into action. Browsed the Passport website and educated ourselves as to what is to be done to renew a passport that is due to expire. It was very simple to navigate, very user friendly and very educative. We applied for an appointment for a Tatkal Visa and lo to our surprise we got an appointment for Tuesday 12 pm. We had heard horror stories about the Passport office and it was a pleasant surprise that we got an appointment in just 2 days.
We ensured that we got all our documents right (as clearly enunciated in the website) and went to the Passport Office on Outer Ring Road, Bellandur, Bangalore. We had an invitation to be present at the gate by 11.45 am. We were there by 11.30 am. The security guard allowed us in without much hassle. As my daughter was a minor – 16yrs old, they let the father in.
We stood in a que at the Reception for about 10 mins and we were at the counter. They collected our appointment letter, checked our documents and gave us a File and receipt and token number. We were then ushered into the Main Passport processing office. There was big crowd but fairly organised. Within 5 minutes our token number was flashing and in we went to the 1st counter, manned by TCS staff. Very polite and professional, took our application file, scanned our documents, took out Tatkal fees, too finger print and photo graph of my daughter and then cleared us for the second round. All over in about 10 mins. We had to wait for some time for the second round (15 mins) and then the officer checked our documents again and then cleared us for the 3rd round. Again we had to wait for another 15 mins and then the Passport Officer checked the documents again and then cleared us. We were good to go. We enquired when can we expect the Passport and he said as a Tatkal case it will be delivered in 3days much to our disbelief. All over in 1 hour. Except for the cramped space and crowd, every thing was well organised and went as per the que system as determined by the Computer.
That was Tuesday and on Friday morning my daughter called me in office and told me that she has recieved the Passport. It was a great surprise. In 3 days as promised the Passport was delivered home.
What a relief. Unbelievable from application to delivery in 6 days. We had heard about the crowd, the corruption, the agents, the inefficiency at the Passport Office. But our experience was just the opposite. It was very efficient, prompt and treated very well. No middlemen, honestly no facilitation fee given to any one and service rendered in quick time.
We would like to Congratulate the Passport Office for their excellent service and appreciate them for streamlining the process and ensuring Customer Delight. What a Great experience.
DEATH CERTIFICATE
My father in law passed away on 15th Aug 2013. I cremated him in Banashankari burial ground. We were given an acknowledgement late at night and told that we can collect the Death Certificate 15 days later from Bommanahalli BBMP office. We went promptly to the BBMP office in Bommanahalli after 15 days to collect the same. They told us that they havent got the information from the Burial ground and that we need to wait. We went after a week and the same story. We went to the Burial ground after 3 weeks and followed up with them. They hadnt sent yet. Then they told us that we need to provide another form with Doctors Certificate indicating the cause of death. After having this form filled up by the Doctor, we went to the Bommanahalli BBMP office to submit this form. They said that 21 days has expired and we have delayed. We explained to them that we were not aware of this rule and that the Burial ground had delayed. They said that the Health Inspector will have to inspect our house and give a report, after which they will send the file to the Head Quarters and we will get the Death Certificate. After a few days of chasing and follow up the Health inspector came home and then filed his report
By now 40 days over. My son went to follow up after a week and the clerk said we have sent to the Head Quarters and awaiting. This went on for 2 months. Every week visit to the BBMP office and same reply “Sahibru inno sign madila” ie. the officer has not yet signed the form.
Finally my neighbour used his influence to find out whats happening. He told us that we need to go to the Upparpet Head Quarters and follow up with the Health Officials there. My Mother in Law and Son went there and finally traced our file and got it signed by the Health Officer there. No explanation given for delay. Just sitting over the file, while blaming us for delayed application.
After that my mother in law took the file to the BBMP office and handed over to the clerk. Finally taking pity that my mother in law her self came, the Health inspector immediately processed and handed over the Death Certificate.
It was issued after 3 months and more than a dozen visit to the BBMP office.
There was no sense of remorse for the delay, no sensitivity shown to the deceased person or to my Mother in Law.
What a contrasting experience with 2 Government Public service organisations. One a sheer Customer Delight and other a Pathetic Experience.
Well do we have a choice………..
Adios – Sachin….There will never be another cricketer like you
Its quite possible that another cricketer may overtake his records but there will never be another Sachin – the human being. Despite all his glory, adulation, fan following, wealth, fame and power, he was always humble and down to earth. No exuberant celebrations, no extravaganza or public display of his emotions. He was as calm as a rock and unmoved whatever the occassion. His farewell speech will go down in history as one of the greatest and one that moved millions the world over. And especially his last visit to the 22 yards and paying respects to it, was a very touching gesture.
Am sure given his exuberance, child like enthusiasm and the ooze of talent within him, he will put it to use in other areas and rise to be a Master in the larger canvas of life.
As his wife Anjali said – “maybe cricket can do without Saching, but Sachin cannot do without Cricket” shows what cricket meant to this gentleman. As he said in his own words “Cricket is like Oxygen to me”, lets all pray that God gives him the courage to move on and help him utilise his talent and passion in the larger canvas of life.
Wishing him a great life ahead and eagerly looking forward to his second innings in the Real LIFE.
Adios- Sachin there will never be another Cricketer and Human being like you. We miss you…….
My interview with Nisha Raghavan on India HR Live on Talent Development
http://indiahrlive.com/talent-development-framework-at-schneider-electric/
Children of the Lesser GOD
I dont know whether the Minister is aware that the money in the banks is the hard earned savings of millions of middle class citizens and not the private property of the Minister. Wonder what he would do if he were a money lender. Would he let go someone go scot free if they default in repaying him. He has no right to advocate this to the banks. This “rob Peter to pay Paul” strategy is unethical and against the law. Who will pay for these defaults. Ultimately the larger society. The banks will become unprofitable and go into loss. Governments will have to bail out loss making Banks and will have to compensate by increasing taxes and am sure will not allow Banks to default on their creditors. The larger section of the society will be penalised to appease to this weaker section / minority community. Am sure if challenged in the Court of Law, this will be seriously viewed by the Courts of India – who seem to be only Savior of our democracy along with the Media.
Our Indian economy is already in shambles. The GDP is dipping faster than ever before and is at an all time low of 4.5% – a far cry from the double digit growth about 5 years ago. Inflation is nearing double digit. Rupee at an all time low. Employment generation at an all time low. Fiscal deficit is higher than budgeted and nearing all time high. If there is still some semblance of safety in the Indian economy, its because of the vigilant RBI and the strict controls by the Banks. No doubt the NPA (non performing Assets) is also rising, the Banks are still sound and reliable, unlike the situation in the US where Banks went bust due to reckless lending and subsequent defaults in payments by the creditors.
Our politicians must realise that even in their interest of vote bank politics, this strategy is not prudent and is detrimental to the society at large. A stable and a vibrant economy is a must. They must realise that the middle class is rising – an estimated 400 million people and growing. The youth are no longer enamored by the vote bank politics. Religion or caste based electoral strategy is not going to win them elections.
People look for good Governance, vibrant & growing economy, secure jobs, safe place to live and some fun for recreation. No wonder a Gujarati is making waves and is able to connect with the large neglected middle class population.
However it also leaves us to wonder who is the weaker section of the society and if the middle class has become the Children of the Lesser GOD………or do the politicians think “who’s money is it anyway!!!!!”
The Correct way of EATING FRUIT – can even cure Cancer !!!!
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Dear Shereen,
Thanks for the email on fruits and juices. It’s one of the strategies to heal cancer. Lately, my success rate in curing cancer is about 80%. Cancer patients shouldn’t die.. The cure for cancer has already been found, whether you believe it or not.
Dr Stephen Mak
This is informative!
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We all think eating fruit means just buying fruit, cutting it up and popping it into our mouths. It’s not that easy. It’s important to know how and when to eat fruit.
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What’s the correct way to eat fruit?
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IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUIT AFTER A MEAL! FRUIT SHOULD BE EATEN ON ANEMPTY STOMACH.
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Eating fruit like that plays a major role in detoxifying your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities..
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FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD.
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In the meantime, the whole meal rots and ferments, and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach, and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.
Eat your fruit on an empty stomach, or before your meal! You’ve heard people complain: Every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc. This will not happen if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. Fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas. Hence, you bloat!
Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes – all of these will NOT happen if you eat fruit on an empty stomach.
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There’s no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruit becomes alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruit, you have the Secret of Beauty, Longevity, Health, Energy, Happiness and normal weight.
When you need to drink fruit juice drink only freshfruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don’t drink juice that has been heated. Don’t eat cooked fruit; you don’t get the nutrients at all. You get only the taste… Cooking destroys all of the vitamins.
Eating a whole fruit is etter than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit-fast to cleanse your body. Eat fruit and drink fruit juice for just 3 days, and you will be surprised when your friends say how radiant you look!
KIWI: Tiny but mighty, and a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange!
AN APPLE a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C, thereby helping to lower the risk of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.
STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.
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EATING 2 – 4 ORANGES oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones, and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. Also a key source of lycopene, the cancer-fighting oxidant. Also found in watermelon: Vitamin C & Potassium..
GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene, good for your eyes..
Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer!
When do we say “QUITS”
My interview has been featured in the eZet, a e-newsletter published by the Zetetica, HR Club, of Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM), Trichy. It can be accessed at http://www.bim.edu/index/doc/ezet-newsletter.pdf
Schneider India HR Services Team Wins ‘Shared Services Organization Network Award’
The awards honour, recognize and promote both captive and outsourced shared services that demonstrate winning practices. Schneider Electric was recognized by this international forum for ‘Customer Service Excellence’ category. The awards showcased our Voice of Internal Customer programme practised by the HR Services team in India which captures the thoughts of employees at every stage of the Employee Life Cycle(See the Total Employee Experience model). An eminent panel of international judges recognized the programme as one of the Best Practices and awarded Schneider Electric India, HR Services second in the category. Wipro was adjudged the winner in this category.
- Goh Kim Lee, Senior Director SBS Finance Asia Pacific, Philips Electronics
- GV Prasad, CEO, AXA Business Services
- Jocelyn Nguyen, General Manager Shared Services, International SOS
- Irina Chernousenko, Director Shared Services Transformation, Coca-Cola Far East
- Alice Ling Wan Wan, Head of HR Shared Service Centre, Maybank
An elated Bryan shared his thoughts from the awards night, “I am delighted and honoured to receive this award on behalf of the HR Services team in India. Our presence and winning this coveted award has been an excellent employer branding opportunity for Schneider Electric in Singapore. The team in India have every reason to be proud as this year the number of contenders for this award has been four times more as compared to last year.”