My first case in consumer court

Yesterday I filed a case in consumer court against Surya Pharmaceutic Ltd. for embezzlement of the advance money I paid them. On the occasion of the India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi ; I had booked an item on offer by paying the advance amount. The item was supposedly to be delivered  within 7 days. This was around mid-November. And today is 3rd week running of December. It is about 1.5 months since the day I paid the amount and I am yet to hear from them as to the fate of the money I gave them or the item I was supposed to receive within 7 days.
Let us see how the things take shape.

 -------------- Captain Yashpal Singh

I was asked to come to consumer court on 11.01.2012 and I did visit the court in time on the day. There, on the notice board,  I saw my name against Surya Pharmeuciticals Ltd. in the category "Admissions" in the "cause list".
My name was called and I appeared before the honourable judge and briefly mentioned the nature of my complaint. He quickly opened and scanned the file and admitted the case.
Now, the summons will be sent to the respondent and court hearing would be on 30.03.12.
                                       ------------- Captain Yashpal Singh

Eighth Wonder of the World

What could be eight wonder of the world?

It just occurred to me that the experience I went through today ( browsing through the net, making phone calls, seeking advice from number of acquaintances, leaving no stone unturned in making paper work perfect, proceeding to government office,, burning fuel in car, paying parking fee, spending whole day and returning empty handed) would qualify the following achievement as one of the wonders of the world:

" Going to Indian Government's office and getting the job done same day, with or without any hassles"

                                   ------------Captain Yashpal Singh 

Life-giver turns into death-trap - AMRI

The acronym AMRI  expands into a fascinating and impressive expression: Advanced Medicare and Research Institute. But recently it has proved to be case of much cry and little wool.

It is ironic that a place called hospital, where people go to seek freedom from pain, sickness and untimely death could become the cause of demise of the patients. The hospital AMRI caught fire and claimed 93 lives just like that. Among the dead 86 were patients of the hospital itself. What is more sickening is the fact that death was caused by asphyxiation and not by burns. The smoke filled up the hospital building and suffocated the victims.

The incident raises many questions and underscores the rot in our system and the extremes of negligence, selfishness and indifference our country is suffering from.Following facts having come to light after the incident should jolt us into pondering:

1. Fire started from basement due short circuit. And unbelievably the basement was stocked with gas cylinders and inflammable materials.Written warning was issued to the hospital in July asking the hospital administration to remove the combustibles from the basement. The temerity of the hospital deserves admiration because they treated the notice with contempt and jeer. Government department issuing the notice was satisfied with writing and posting the notice and considered their job done. No effort was made to ensure that the warning was heeded to.
2. AMRI located at outskirts of Kolkatta is no ordinary hospital. Its annual turnover is around 180 crore rupees (18 million rupees). A large amount of money has to deposited in advance before a person can be admitted for treatment. This means the hospital is financially very sound and is in position to invest in all the safety measures and preparations mandated by the law. 
3. The stake holders in the hospital come from big industry houses. Government of West Bengal also has 2% stake.Government's Director of Medical Education is chairman of the hospital's board. Two more members on the board are government's representatives. The rot is mind-boggling. It means the people who are entrusted with the duty of implementing the rules and should be role models for others have no regard for the law. They feel assured with perks and titles and are happy with tea and snacks served in board meetings.
4. It is more enraging to know tat the same hospital had also caught huge fire about 3 years ago. Yet no lessons were seemingly learnt.

We can at least try to learn something from others. In the age of globalization, even if it means shedding ego and seeking wisdom from non-Indians. There were 5 cases of major fires in hospitals in London from 2008 to 2009. Not only not a single life was lost, the damage to property was also minimal. We should try to find out as to how they deal with such disasters.

It is not sufficient to have towering, sophisticated structures and feel elated that development is in place. We also need to learn how to live in them. The advice of architects, engineers and other experts in their fields, must be sought and adhered to. The government officials giving clearances need to be strict and should not compromise the laws.

No doubt all safety measures come at a price. But then, do not we say: human life is priceless.

                             -----------Captain Yashpal Singh, New Delhi (with useful inputs: courtesy editorial of Punjabi daily www.rozanapokesman.com dated 13th December 2011)

Foreign Direct Investment in Retailing

When I joined sea in mid eighties and went places, It was a typical case of a an average lower middle-class young Indian being exposed to the world. That was then. India, though a democracy, was heavily under the influence of socialism.Russians were very active and aggressive in propagating Marxism through glossy magazines at throwaway prices. We were happy that the magazines could fetch more money than the cover price, when sold to junk dealers.But we, the young Indians, could not help developing rosy picture of Russia, till of course I visited East European and Russian sea ports on the vessels I sailed. The aura was dispelled in time.
                        Visiting a port always brought excitement. That meant shore leave, eating out and moving about wonder struck in departmental stores and malls.There were none in India then. "Why there is no Kraft cheese, or  Snickers or Mars chocolate bars available in India?", I always thought to myself and wondered. I hardly understood capitalism or  socialism at that time.
Now after a long time, supposedly after shaking off policy paralysis, the Indian government has decided to allow FDI in retail brands.Now, I am not much concerned about chocolate bars or cheese.But the now teenage population and of course many others (who does not like chocolate?) will be able to  relish them. So much so for reliving my old cadet and junior officer days at sea.
But FDI will bring far reaching sweeping changes. New jobs will be created.The middlemen who have been fleecing the public and sucking the blood of farmers will have to think of other ways of having honeymoon.
The general public will have greater variety, better quality and competitive prices. The farmers will get better and cash payment for their produces. They will have far lesser reasons to commit suicide. Infrastructure, which has been waiting to see light of the day, will come into being. India will become economically stronger.
Every year worth thousands of billions of produce perishes due to lack of storage, transport and distribution network. FDI will take care of that.
Produce perishing will come down and there will be more of it available for consumption. Demand and supply balance will tip over in favourable side and inflation will come down.
So the voices of resistance to FDI entry are not matched with logic or reality. The politicians opposing the move may temporarily delay the initiative but will not be able to stop its march. Let them wait and watch. The people of their own states will raise the demand for opening stores like Walmart and Carrefour. Especially when they see their own counterparts in neighbouring states, who took the initiative, prospering and leading better lives.
                    ------------- Captain Yashpal Singh, New Delhi.