Let me finish this before I get out of the Kashmir hangover.. Now why did I go to Kashmir ?? Attachment with the army, which is a part of the training program. Word of Caution! If you are expecting some write-up on Jehad / cross-border terrorism / life of the Jawans, you are in for a disappointment. Bcos this is even more serious stuff.
My first experience (rather shock) came in Halwara (An airbase near Ludhiana). After hosting us nicely for 4 days, the Air force establishment charged us with a bill of Rs.550, which included very good food, air-conditioned accommodation (which we not ENTITLED in our own hostel in Delhi). Though everyone paid the bill, we requested for a waiver of the bill, which was obliged by the Air-force people. the same continued for the next few days when we were attached with the army. Waivers (complete) were granted happily. And in some places people didn't request for waivers (I dunno why??) The Govt. pays Rs. 120/day as DA and over and above that any extra amount paid for accommodation is reimbursed (ofcourse after an inordinate delay).
The first question asked by some people before taking up any activity was "Who is paying for it?". The fact that people skipped some activities when the govt was not paying them is another sad story. Such a thing has come from people who are only 6 months into the service is the worst part. It makes me wonder how easily & quickly the FREEBIE culture has sunk into the minds of my fellow colleagues. Maybe I'm not married, that is why I'm not cribbing :))
More serious question: Are civil servants paid enough(Note; I'm not saying equal to their peers in the private sector) And the list of questions continue like this: Will they be able to shed this "FREE" culture even if they are paid enough?? Not that they chose this career for want of a(ny) job. Every one is well qualified to receive some Ls if they switch to the private sector. Many of my relatives wondered why I wanted to get into civil service after settling comfortably in a software-job with a handsome pay-package. I've my own reasons and I believe my colleagues have got theirs.
My musings about this weren’t over, when I read an article in HT, which put in a nut shell said Civil Services is the top-most career option for more than 70% of young Indians. I couldn't stop smiling......
Monday, July 23, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
Myanmar Diaries
When you land in Yangon, the first thing you'll notice is the refreshing calmness of the place (even in the airport). No crowds, No litter, Spaced out roads (4 lanes in the heart of City). But outside the city the roads were equally bad. The airways take a round trip. From Yangon - Mandalay - Bagan - Yangon. We traveled in the same flight to move from one place to another.
The Mandalay airport hardly had any passengers. The airport was constructed with a lot hope that there would be tourism, lot of revenue generation and such other hopes, when the Junta had plans of liberalization in the late 90s. But, still one feels that the airport is ahead of its time.
Bagan is a World heritage Site. So it had a lot of tourists and the airport was buzzing with people. Bagan is the real land of Pagodas. There are more than 4000 Pagodas in an area of 35 square miles. It had more pagodas than people. All Kinds of Pagodas Sunset Pagoda, Hilltop Pagoda, X Pagoda, Z Pagoda; When they ran out of name they used Pagoda No : 2371 :) Infact every building in Myanmar, including the cottages, resorts (even airports) has the Pagoda style Architecture. This is the famous quote about bagan "There only two kinds of people in Bagan. Tourists & Shopkeepers". You could see the same guy selling Laquer wood in some Pagoda, and by the time you reach the next he'll be there to sell souvenirs :)
Two things have influenced Myanmar in a wide way. The first one is China, which has flooded Myanmar with its cheap goods from electronics to Automobiles to Textiles. Everything has a Chinese imprint in it. It is where as an Indian representative one feels, a lot can be done. People who ridiculed me for my Honda Street in college shud visit Myanmar. That seems to be the national vehicle there. Add to it namma M80 type moped. WE collected a lot of DVDs for sastha prices (16-in-1 for 1$). All smuggled from China :)
The other great uniting factor is Buddhism. One would be ashamed to call India as Land of the Buddha, if he visits Myanmar. Buddha in all forms and poses can be seen there. Namma oor pidichu vecha pillayar mathiri anga Buddha (Somebody do a ETNP) People even say Buddhism has pacified the people to such an extent that they don't even contemplate the idea of revolution (for democracy) anymore.
But the best part about Myanmar is the people themselves. I've never seen such polite and humble people. They would come out of their way to make sure that you are comfortable. Even the shopkeepers wouldn't have any grudge (at least they don't show it in their face) against you, if you don't buy anything after hard-bargaining (which is exactly what we did most of the time: D). you also see a lot of Indians from Tamil - Malyalis - Biharis, but Majority from the North East. I met with a Tamil in every office of our Embassy in Myanmar (even outside Yangon). Surprisingly, they were also polite :)) Most of the Indian community has also taken up Buddhism as their religion.
One disturbing factor about Myanmar is the poor development of Telecommunication. Information exchange in all forms is blocked, restricted and regulated there by the military govt. They feel this would jeopardize their rule in the country. A SIM card will cost you (Rs. 12000) there. In Myanmar currency, it is close to 3.5 Lakh Kyats. Internet is also strictly regulated. ISD calls were very costly. It was 3$ per minute in the outside booths :( So was literally cut off from home for a week.
During the send-off party, the Ambassador asked us if anyone would like to come back for a posting in Myanmar in futute. The responses were mixed. Me ?? well, I would keep my cooments reserved for another day ;)
The Mandalay airport hardly had any passengers. The airport was constructed with a lot hope that there would be tourism, lot of revenue generation and such other hopes, when the Junta had plans of liberalization in the late 90s. But, still one feels that the airport is ahead of its time.
Bagan is a World heritage Site. So it had a lot of tourists and the airport was buzzing with people. Bagan is the real land of Pagodas. There are more than 4000 Pagodas in an area of 35 square miles. It had more pagodas than people. All Kinds of Pagodas Sunset Pagoda, Hilltop Pagoda, X Pagoda, Z Pagoda; When they ran out of name they used Pagoda No : 2371 :) Infact every building in Myanmar, including the cottages, resorts (even airports) has the Pagoda style Architecture. This is the famous quote about bagan "There only two kinds of people in Bagan. Tourists & Shopkeepers". You could see the same guy selling Laquer wood in some Pagoda, and by the time you reach the next he'll be there to sell souvenirs :)
Two things have influenced Myanmar in a wide way. The first one is China, which has flooded Myanmar with its cheap goods from electronics to Automobiles to Textiles. Everything has a Chinese imprint in it. It is where as an Indian representative one feels, a lot can be done. People who ridiculed me for my Honda Street in college shud visit Myanmar. That seems to be the national vehicle there. Add to it namma M80 type moped. WE collected a lot of DVDs for sastha prices (16-in-1 for 1$). All smuggled from China :)
The other great uniting factor is Buddhism. One would be ashamed to call India as Land of the Buddha, if he visits Myanmar. Buddha in all forms and poses can be seen there. Namma oor pidichu vecha pillayar mathiri anga Buddha (Somebody do a ETNP) People even say Buddhism has pacified the people to such an extent that they don't even contemplate the idea of revolution (for democracy) anymore.
But the best part about Myanmar is the people themselves. I've never seen such polite and humble people. They would come out of their way to make sure that you are comfortable. Even the shopkeepers wouldn't have any grudge (at least they don't show it in their face) against you, if you don't buy anything after hard-bargaining (which is exactly what we did most of the time: D). you also see a lot of Indians from Tamil - Malyalis - Biharis, but Majority from the North East. I met with a Tamil in every office of our Embassy in Myanmar (even outside Yangon). Surprisingly, they were also polite :)) Most of the Indian community has also taken up Buddhism as their religion.
One disturbing factor about Myanmar is the poor development of Telecommunication. Information exchange in all forms is blocked, restricted and regulated there by the military govt. They feel this would jeopardize their rule in the country. A SIM card will cost you (Rs. 12000) there. In Myanmar currency, it is close to 3.5 Lakh Kyats. Internet is also strictly regulated. ISD calls were very costly. It was 3$ per minute in the outside booths :( So was literally cut off from home for a week.
During the send-off party, the Ambassador asked us if anyone would like to come back for a posting in Myanmar in futute. The responses were mixed. Me ?? well, I would keep my cooments reserved for another day ;)
Monday, May 14, 2007
Well ...
If you guys thot I'm gonna spare you with that a short blog then you are wrong; I need to brag :D It all started with the issue of the pink slip; Technically its called the diplomatic passport. Offcially, it means no Q at counters for clearances (immig and customs). No harassment by the airport officials. Practically used also for human trafikking, which atleast we were not involved in.
Things started badly, with a 2 hrs delay in the AI flight. Few observations. AI flight had matrons and grannies serving us food and drinks. They were atleasr better in service than the other young (only relatively) spinsters. To make things worse BABUL was screened :(
Things changed for better (shud i say BEST) when we landed in the Thai airport (rightly called Swarnabhumi) has that many shops for shopping. Liquor and perfumes are available at CHEAPER prices. So take note. That airport complex was huge that it took us 35 mts from the immig counter to the exit gate, despite taking those flat ground movers. AAI shud hang itself in shame.
Even the service in the Thai airways is extremely good. For ex, they stick a marker to your seat if you are sleeping and serve you later when you are awake. In AI the air-hostess to all the pains to wake the passengers, only to hear that they'll take their meals later :(
We also did a lot of airtravel in the Local Myanmar airways (journey time was not more than 1-1/2hrs). Still, we were served food and wine. The taste of TUNA sandwich lingers in my taste buds. They are run by the Myanmar Govt. Compare it with Airdeccan / anyother domestic airliner. To hell with Indian Liberalisation.
Enuff complaints for this part. Series will continue .....
If you guys thot I'm gonna spare you with that a short blog then you are wrong; I need to brag :D It all started with the issue of the pink slip; Technically its called the diplomatic passport. Offcially, it means no Q at counters for clearances (immig and customs). No harassment by the airport officials. Practically used also for human trafikking, which atleast we were not involved in.
Things started badly, with a 2 hrs delay in the AI flight. Few observations. AI flight had matrons and grannies serving us food and drinks. They were atleasr better in service than the other young (only relatively) spinsters. To make things worse BABUL was screened :(
Things changed for better (shud i say BEST) when we landed in the Thai airport (rightly called Swarnabhumi) has that many shops for shopping. Liquor and perfumes are available at CHEAPER prices. So take note. That airport complex was huge that it took us 35 mts from the immig counter to the exit gate, despite taking those flat ground movers. AAI shud hang itself in shame.
Even the service in the Thai airways is extremely good. For ex, they stick a marker to your seat if you are sleeping and serve you later when you are awake. In AI the air-hostess to all the pains to wake the passengers, only to hear that they'll take their meals later :(
We also did a lot of airtravel in the Local Myanmar airways (journey time was not more than 1-1/2hrs). Still, we were served food and wine. The taste of TUNA sandwich lingers in my taste buds. They are run by the Myanmar Govt. Compare it with Airdeccan / anyother domestic airliner. To hell with Indian Liberalisation.
Enuff complaints for this part. Series will continue .....
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