|
|
|
|
|
|
From ZeiTGeiST
ASIA: OCTOBER 2011
Edition |
|
|
Khanduism 29 |
 |
|
No idea, sirjee |
|
|
| “Whether
it is Airhell or Sodafone, Diarrhea Cellular or H.E.L.L, Vice
Mobile or Strange, Urchin Mobile or Batata Momo, it is all the
same, where will you go?” |
|
|
|
“Hello,
hello, blast this network “ I said fuming as my call with one of
my important clients in the U.K. had just been disconnected. “No
network coverage” was the message faithfully displayed on my
mobile screen, right in the middle of India's National Capital,
when I re-dialed. I calmed myself and decided to wait for some
time before trying again. This time, a voice informed me that
due to network congestion, I should try dialing again after some
time. |
|
|
|
“It's just one of those days,” I thought,
reclining in the back seat, aware that Khandu was watching me,
from the rear view mirror. Khandu had this irritating habit of
tilting the rear view mirror in a manner he could view my facial
expressions. I could never understand this fetish of his. He
took delight, I suppose, watching me get uncomfortable. |
|
|
|
Suddenly, my mobile rang .I answered it
hoping that my client was calling back. “Sir, I am calling from
xyz bank, we have a brilliant scheme to make you a millionaire,
are you interested?”, said the monotonous voice of a lady. “No
thank you madam”, I fumed, trying to suppress all the anger and
frustration. “Sir, would you like to provide us someone else's
mobile number who you think may be interested in becoming a
millionaire?” the lady persisted. “No madam, I am sorry, but all
the people I know are already millionaires” I said, rudely
ending the call. |
|
|
|
By now I thought I saw a smirk on Khandu's
face. He was really having a field day. But I was glad that at
least the network coverage appeared to have been restored since
I was getting incoming calls. To my dismay however, on dialing,
I continued to get the “No network coverage”, message. I had had
enough. |
|
|
|
“First thing on reaching office, remind me to
change my service provider,” I said out aloud. “These guys bill
me huge amounts and I don't get the network when I most need
it,” I fumed. |
|
|
|
“What do they have these days? That mobile
number portability thing, There are so many network providers.
Remind me to change the network service provider of all our
staff, including yours”, I said, with the authoritarian tone and
satisfaction of having resolved the issue. |
|
Khandu continued to smirk. He did not seem
impressed. “What is it now Khandu ji?”, I asked , expecting the
usual pearls of wisdom. |
|
|
|
“That will not work sir”, Khandu obliged, “
whether it is Air-Hell or Soda Phone, Diarrhea Cellular or
H.E.L.L., Vice mobile or Strange, Urchin mobile or Batata Momo,
its all the same, where will you go?”. This time Khandu had
landed me a tough one. |
|
|
“Well, what is your solution?
“I have a strategy”, Khandu replied,” 1 go for low priced
prepaid SIM cards. That way, your number has less chance of
being “accidentally” given to the telemarketers. I have multiple
prepaid SIM cards from several network providers. This allows me
to switch networks, whenever there is an issue with network
coverage. When I start getting excessive unsolicited calls, I
stop using that SIM card. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
My low priced mobile phone has a 3 SIM card facility to access
multiple networks. Unlike your “smart phone” which saddles you
with heavy bills, unsolicited calls and useless SMSes, my phone
is functional and nuissance free.” Khandu was, indeed, smart, I
thought. |
| |
|
On reaching office, Khandu's mobile rang. “No madam, I don't
want to become a millionaire,” he said disconnecting the phone.
It rang again. “No madam, please don't call me”, said Khandu
disconnecting the phone, when it rang again. “Madam, I will call
you if I need a loan” and hung up again. |
|
This time, the smirk was on my face. |
| |
|
“How dare she call you again and again? “ I asked. |
| |
|
“It's not her fault sir,” said Khandu.” I told you I have 3 SIM
cards in my mobile. She was calling all 3 numbers without
knowing that they all belonged to me.” |
| |
|
“So, Khandu, now, what do you think is the solution to this
problem?” I asked grinning from ear to ear. |
| |
|
“No idea, sirjee”, replied Khandu, crestfallen. · |
| |
|
Gaurav Lakhanpal is an architect specializing in theme
architecture and can be contacted on sglakhanpal@gmail.com |
| |
|
|
|
|
Back to top ^^
|
|
ZeiTGeiST ASIA welcomes
your views. |
|
Want more? Subscribe to ZeiTGeiST ASIA and get deepest insights into the month's most important happenings around the globe. |
|
|
Zeitgeist Advisorate ,
zeitgeist Asia and S.G. Lakhanpal
Associates are SBUs of |
|
N.G.Lakhanpal
Strategic Management Services – An
ISO 9000:2001 company. |
|
|
|
Advertise Here
|
