It's time to move on...

Before you think anything else after reading the title, let me clarify that I am not leaving to any other planet neither I am leaving someone nor I am bidding farewell to the blogging world.

So, what's changing? The platform I would be blogging on - yes, I have moved to my own site http://surineni.com/ , in case you are not aware, 'Surineni' is my last name. I opted for this as my first name 'Bharani' was already taken and my next option was to go for my last name. I would request who all are following and also those who want follow my blog from here on to update my blog's bookmark to:

http://surineni.com/

To get the facts right, all the back-end process was done over a month back it's due to my laziness that this got delayed. I am sure this laziness would not creep on to my new blog and there would be regular posts on my new blog. Also, note that all my previous posts from blogspot page will be available on the new site too along with some new pages which I will gave a tour on the new site. So, this would be my last post on the blogspot page and request all the readers to move on to my new site.

See you there...

P.S: There might me some minor temporary incompleteness on http://surineni.com/ and some changes now and then for a while until the complete page is set so please bear with me.

Did someone ever pull this?

Click on the picture for a bigger view.

I have been traveling in Indian Railways from the time I was born and was always intrigued by a red chain hanging around in every aisle. it says, to stop the train , pull the chain. Not to forget, it has a disclaimer 'if we pull the chain unnecessarily we may be fined up to Rs.1000 (Around $20) and can also be sent to jail for 3 months'.

But in all these 29 years I have never pulled it or never seen some one pulling it. Apart from hearing the talk among the passengers that 'someone might have pulled the chain' when train stops abruptly. I guess this talk raised my curiosity even more.

However, I wish no one should land up in such an emergency that they would have to pull the chain, of course when traveling in the train. Fortunately or unfortunately there is no such chain for life! :-)

Request for like minded people to help Aalambana help street & slum children

There is a registered organization called AALAMBANA (please visit http://www.aalambana.org/) which is a school for street & slum children, located in Kukatpally, Balajinagar. This is supported and run by my close family friends.

Aalambana currently runs with strength of 67 kids, with classes happening till 7th Std. For a small group of people like us, it is indeed a Herculean task. While funds come from most of the core group, there has been help coming in form of volunteers and other like minded people...But then, we still have a long way to go.

We are at the end of an academic year and the next academic year is going to bring a lot more worthy kids who need enrollment into the school and thereby education, minimum hygiene, clothing and food.

As part of our regular awareness, fundraiser and outreach program, Aalambana is conducting an event on the Saturday 25th April, 2009.

Aalambana aspires to get:

1) Your attention towards AALAMBANA's cause, effort and vision is building a much better society for at least some deprived sections

2) Evoke a sense of responsibility that can bring in contribution and participation.

3) Refer / Invite your friends at Hyderabad to attend the 25th April Event. The Donor passes are available for a minimum contribution of Rupees One hundred only.

Also, please find the below presentation that aims at sensitization and awareness towards Aalambana and some details about our work.

Aalambana Sensitization

View more presentations from viveeonline.

Please pass this on to your friends and other like minded people.Looking forward to your feedback, If you are interested to attend the event, please send me an email @ bharani.surineni@gmail.com, so that I can arrange for the donor passes.

Also, if you want to give some donation or contribute to this organization please let me know so that I can arrange for the same.

Also please pass to people who might be interested.

Cast Vote, Choose Life...

This video was made by my friends who wanted to create awareness on coming elections:




Another video of the current political happenings in our state - inspirational:

Please, Please, Please do Vote!!!*

* I am re posting my earlier post of July last year by adding more additional thoughts, as I think its appropriate time now to spread awareness/message.


Hope is the one which keeps the soul alive
And where there is no hope, there is no soul
And what good a body is without a soul?

After seeing how sick the politicians and politics can be, if we take a back foot during the elections thinking that what matters if "I" do not vote, please think again. 'Cause at the end of the day, we are the ones who are going to crib about the government for the next five years.

I over herd someone saying the other day that politics is trash and that person do not want to get involved in it or participate in it by voting as he/she does not want to get into that trash. My question to all those who have this reason, If you have garbage in your house, do you keep quiet doing nothing about it ignoring, thinking that anyways that trash is going to come back? Think...So.... that's clearly not a fair reason.

I even heard someone saying, that they stand in long queue's in hot sun, they do not have any amenities there and its too tiresome. My question to such people, I am sure all of us at some point or the other stood in a queue for movie tickets / for getting into a bus/ at the loo / at cash counter in the store / boarding a flight ... and so on, this list is unending. So, having stood in all such places with patience, can't we stand at this one place, once in 5 years to cast out vote for the future of our country?

Come what may, do not miss to vote.

Be unreasonable and vote for our country, for ourselves and for every ones future

Again, I thank you for your time. I request you to please spread this message if you think it makes some difference, copy/paste, forward in an email, put this link on your messenger status do what ever to spread this message.

~ Bharani Surineni

Let's blow the whistle hard and loud!!!

Yes, blow it hard and loud and let the money mongers, corrupt, insincere, selfish, jumping jacks in one word called 'politicians' know that their time is over and we want a new generation of leaders to lead our country into a golden era for which its once known for. Not as the country which has most number of Swiss Bank accounts(and money of course) like it's known now a days.

Let me make myself clear that, in these thoughts of mine or the way I look at it, a personal conversation I am having with every reader who cares about our country that this is not an another political campaign and these thoughts are straight from my mind.

Before I get further, I would like to emphasise on a powerful quote by a powerful Man 'Martin Luther King', "The Silence of good men is more dangerous than the brutality of Bad men"

If you are a person of integrity, person who thinks what's happening is not correct, person who believes that no matter how small a person is he/she can make a big difference. Please do not sit silent and just crib about it; Talk, motivate and involve people in raising awareness about the importance of a vote and make people vote. If Gandhi Ji, had sat silently thinking what can a person like me make a difference to the country, imagine where would be now. Also, if People around Gandhi would have thought that how can a single person change the future of a country and did not support him, imagine....!

Voting is not like going to your favorite movie or doing your favorite thing. Because in voting there should be no favoritism, do not vote to someone because he/she your favorite hero/heroine, do not vote to someone because your favourite movie star is supporting him, do not vote to someone because he/she is from your Cast/Religion/Community, do not vote to someone because people around you are voting for him/her, do not vote for some one because he is showering free goodies if he/she wins.

Think, Analyze, Research and then vote for the right candidate. If there is a reason coming up in your mind that I do not have time for all these, just question yourself, for whom are we taking this time for? My answer for this question would be, It's for you, for me, for us, the future of our children, for the entire people of the country and for the generations to come by. So, be unreasonable in Thinking / Analyzing / Researching and vote for the right candidate.

There is also one other 'rather famous' notion that people have, thinking "...yeah, this candidate is great, talks sensible but he does not have capacity to to form a Government and my vote might be wasted if I vote for him. So, I will vote for the next best in the worst, who I think has a capacity to form a Government". Again, the power of one comes into play here. Everyone of us have that power and we have to stand for what we believe no matter the complete world is on the other side. I can promise, you are not alone I am with you and I bet once we dig around we can unearth hundreds/thousands/millions of people who believe in what you believe.

So people, do not vote for people who promise goodies, subsidies, reservations, houses, free medication, free food etc. Because all this will be over within 5 years if at all they keep up with their promise and give what all promised which rarely happens.

Don't believe the person who gives you food(figuratively speaking), once their term is over, we start looking again and get lured by another. Believe in person who let's you know the process of making food so that you can make it yourself for the rest of your life.

I hope this conversation I had till now has started some thinking in your head.

Remember, Please Vote and be Sensible in doing so!!

Thank you for your time and I will sure come back with more...please spread this message if you think it makes some difference, copy/paste, forward in an email, put this link on your messenger status do what ever to spread this message.

~ Bharani Surineni

Cost Cutting...

The buzz word's which is going around these days are recession, pink slips, fired, Economic Slow down, Bail out, bankrupt and cost cutting. In these times please go through the email circulated in a small company by its management before its xxxx year celebrations:

XXXXXX XXXXXXX x year celebration:

Frequently Asked Questions

xxxxxxx 2008 is an important milestone for us. We complete x years of operation in Hyderabad. The journey has taken us from a small start of xx people in the first batch to a team of xxxx people. While the journey started earlier in xxxxxxx, the big commitment came with the Hyderabad operations. It is a pleasure to be celebrating this event with more than xx of us who have completed 5 years or more. We want to treat this as a coming of age celebration. So let us all immerse ourselves in the spirit of the event where we celebrate the past and welcome the future which comes with even higher expectations.

How is the current economic environment going to impact the event?
As we all understand, we are being very prudent with our costs given the overall economic climate. We have reduced the budget for the event by over 50% and that will definitely have some impact. However, we did not want to miss the opportunity of getting together as a XXXX XXXX family and celebrating this milestone.

The application seems to allow only one guest at no charge
Yes, that is true. Whether the employee is single or married, the rule is the same – one guest. For married, the assumption is the guest will be the spouse, however the system allows you to bring a parent, brother or sister. In the case of single employees the guest can be brother, sister or parent. Please note this is an event for our employees to celebrate and mingle with their colleagues and their families so friends or non-relatives are not allowed at all, even as guests.

What about my children?
You can bring YOUR OWN children and there is no charge for them. Please note that this does not include children of your brother or sister, that is, no nephews or nieces.

So who qualifies as Additional Guests?
As you see from previous answers, you can bring in one guest from your immediate family at no charge and your own children at no charge. If you like to bring in an additional guest – parent, brother or sister for example - then you can bring them by paying the additional charge. The ticket price of Rs. 500 for the additional guests covers the incremental cost per person. By doing this, we are able to give you more flexibility in having your family participate in this event while staying within the budget. The charges will be reflected as payroll deductions at the end of the month.

After the registrations close, in case you have any changes to be made to the number of guests attending the party, please send an email to xxxxxx xxx before 3 PM on the xxth of xxxxxxx, 2008 at which time, payroll charges will be processed. Once payroll charges are processed, they will become non-refundable because the costs would have been incurred by then.

If I have a driver, can he get dinner?
If you bring in your vehicle and you have a driver, a special dinner pass will be provided to your driver at the Entry Gate with instructions on when and where the dinner will be served. A packed dinner identical to the main dinner will be provided for drivers in the Cafeteria starting at the same time that the main dinner is served.

Who is going to know if I register my friend as a brother or sister?
As clearly stated on the registration site, employees are expected to follow the guest policy strictly and any violation is considered a serious code of conduct violation and will be dealt with accordingly.

Collection of Passes:
Once you have registered, you will be able to pick up your passes a couple of days prior to the event from the Admin on your floor or a designated person on your floor. If you have registered for transportation, please collect the passes from the Transportation desk at the Campus. Important: Please note that the Event Pass is an absolute requirement for each person to gain entry into the event. So please DO NOT forget to bring your Event Pass. Similarly, the Bus pass is required to using the Bus. You should also note that you are required to carry your XX Access Card or XX ID card to gain access into the campus and your guests must accompany you to meet our Security requirements.

Why am I paying for the bus?
The cost of the bus charge is quite nominal. Once again, financial prudence requires managing within a constrained budget. Please note that children under the age of 12 can ride the bus at no charge. The bus charges will also appear as payroll deductions at the end of the month.
Again, after the registrations close, in case you have any changes to be made to the transportation costs being incurred by you, please send an email to xxxxxxx xxxxx before 3 PM on the xxth of December, 2008. Once payroll charges are processed, they will become non-refundable because the costs would have been incurred by then.

Is there any special transport facility for women employees?
If you are a women employee and have no registered guests then you can use the home-drop shared cab facility. Cabs will leave at 10:30 PM and 11:30 PM only and while the routes will be optimized, each cab may have several drops along the way. This facility is offered to women employees only to meet the legal requirements for providing late-night home drops to women employees.

My paid guests would be utilizing their own transportation and will be joining me at the campus. Why am I being charged for my guest’s transportation?
For security reasons, the guests cannot be permitted to enter the campus without you escorting them. Please make arrangements to either meet with your guests and accompany them in their vehicle or bring them along with you in the transport provided by the company.

Neither my guests nor I are availing the company provided transportation. Can we arrive at different timings?
As explained in Question 10, for security reasons, you are required to accompany your guests and make arrangements to come in at the same time.

What does the Formal Indian Ethnic Dress code mean?
This is a 5 Year Celebration for us so we would like to make it really festive. Obviously, the ladies will be in Saris, Salwar Suits, or Lehngas. We would like the gentlemen to also look like royalty and wear either Sherwanis or formal embroidered kurtas. Clearly jeans would look really out of place.

What is the entertainment program?
We are working on a good mix of internal and external entertainment. Details will be provided closer to the event.

Why do I need to decide on my food preferences now?
It would give us a better estimate of the quantities of food and providing variety.
I understand there are no drink coupons this time.
Yes, that is true. There is actually no limit on soft drinks, tea and coffee. However, beer will require a direct payment to the caterer. The caterer will charge for small beer bottles very close to the cost.

Will my family members be able to see my office location?
Not this time. We are starting late and the entertainment program will start right away. So for security reasons the building will be locked completely above the first floor even for employees. The gym will also be locked.

Is there a specific time that I need to arrive?
The event starts at 6:00 PM and we recommend arrival by 5:45 pm. Gates to the campus will close at 7:30 PM and NO entry will be allowed after that to ensure proper security.

"So please come and enjoy this special event".......... ??????????

Little less 'Converse'ation...

Little less 'Converse'ation...Little More Action

This is for all the "person's who are professionally involved in politics, especially as a holder of an elected office and person's who act in a manipulative and devious way, typically to gain advancement" = Politicians (As per the oxford Dictionary)

W. A. K. E UP!!!



A little less conversation, a little more action please
All this aggravation ain't satisfactioning me
A little more bite and a little less bark
A little less fight and a little more spark

~Elvis Presley

Sometimes mother nature has its own ways to remind us...

Yesterday, while driving back from work I saw a beautiful scene in the sky. The moment I looked at it my heart was filled with joy. For my mind and heart which were filled with rage, disagreement anger and disappointment with all the current happenings in our country from last few days , it came in as a relief.

I clicked the above picture from my home (Hyderabad) yesterday night

It's like someone telling us to something; conveying a strong message, "To stand as one even in our deepest grief's" and answer back the cowards that no matter what we Indians always stand as one!!!

Coming to the above picture, its The Moon-Jupiter-Venus. It was a spectacular sight and I relished it very much. When I googled for more information I came to know that we won’t see this kind of incident for another 44 years.

If you don’t mind losing the moon, Venus and Jupiter will repeat this gig in 2011 and again in 2012, once in the morning and once in the early evening. But the next time the moon, Venus, and Jupiter gather like this will be Nov. 18, 2052. Reserve your seat now :-)...

O'Man or Man!, No

What does a full bottle of Vodka make you feel?


I am loving the way a DSLR performs while shooting in absolutely low light conditions and the freedom it gives.

Technical Specifications:
Focal Length: 59mm
F-Number: F/5
Exposure Time: 1/4 Sec
ISO: 1600
Metering Mode: Spot
Miscellaneous: Picture taken Hand held, shot in complete darkness with one small candle as light source, post processing done in PhotoScape

The light within...

I clicked the above picture at my home, day before yesterday when there was power cut.

No matter how dark it is.......
No matter how low you are......
No matter how bad you feel......

let the light within glow bright and guide us through these short lived difficulties towards everlasting happiness!

Happy Dushera!!

I wish everyone Happy Dushera, may your dreams, wishes, come true and you taste success in all the endeavors.
I clicked the above picture at my brother's work shop(Recently he got into wood business, here they design, cut/carve any hing that can be made of wood, more details some time later). He calls it WoddeN'ice.

Eureka ..!!!

:-), Don't worry I am not going to run around like Archimedes did nor did I discover something like him. It's just an expression of joy and satisfaction which came by one of my craving desires getting fulfilled.

Its owning a DSLR and Yes! Today I got my hands on my new Canon 450D DSLR and WoW what a feeling it is. Its shutter sound is the sweetest and satisfactory sound I heard in recent times(Of course only after my daughters first cry).

Currently my idea is to get greater insights in the art of photography and get into the technicals of it. With the wonderful gang around me, I guess I am never short of feedback and learning. So, "Gang" be ready I am going to pester you with all by doubts and questions ;-).

Wish me all the best and I do not mind if anyone want to sponsor for the lens....he he he...just kidding ;-)

You too ICICI Bank!

Before you read further, please let me clarify that this has nothing to do with the current rumors spreading on ICICI bank. This is a true incident which I experienced first hand via email last week(Please read the complete thread to understand the situation):

My Email to hima.motati@icicihfc.com:

Hello,

This is Bharani Surineni. I was sanctioned Home loan to buy a flat(105) at Durga Avenues. This is to inform you that I am going for registration on this Thursday i.e., 25 September 2008.

-- Thank you and regards,
Bharani Surineni

Reply I got from hima.motati@icicihfc.com:


??????
If its for hold of cheque you need to provide more details like App no and amount of loan etc. That below details will not fulfill the requirement.
Hima M


My Reply to Hima's reply:


Hello Hima,

I guess you need to talk to your bank guys before asking me that question. I was not given any sanction letter and was told all the vague details over the phone. I was just doing what I was told to do.


First you guys give me a sanction letter with certain amount, later tell me that as some problem and the loan is being downsized and I was informed that the check is valid for 1 week and within that week only I was asked to send an email to you to make sure the check is not cancelled.


And can you please let me know what does "??????" mean? Don't you know that you ought to address a person when writing a professional email and should not use non standard expressions like "??????".


Its very distressful to know initially only how pathetic your service is and how you guys act before I go for a loan and once I am stuck with you guys with you taking the processing fee.
I have been a ICICI bank customer for 5/6 years and I am very much disappointed with it.


Coming to the point, I cannot go for registration as planned tomorrow as there is a bank strike today and tomorrow. And this email is to ask you to hold the check.


And coming to the details, I received some letter from you guys yesterday and I see the following details in it:
Application # 77xxxxxxxx
LAN: NHHYDxxxxxxxxxxx
Amount Sanctioned: 2x,xx,xxx.00


Hope this helps!


Thank you and regards,
Bharani Surineni


As you guys might have guessed it right, I did not get any reply from Hima. Also, along with the above email I also raised a complaint under Grievances section on the ICICI website for which I got a call from one of their representatives with their standard apology statements and the below email:


From: ICICI Bank Customer Care Date: Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 4:39 PMSubject: RE:'ICICICARE=030-xxx-xxx' level1complaint/ Loan AccountTo: "bharani.surineni@gmail.com" bharani.surineni@gmail.com

Dear Mr. Bharani,
According to our telephonic conversation dated September 25, 2008, on 9849131522, we understand that your query has been attended.

We understand your concern and regret for the inconvenience caused to you.

We understand the issues that you have raised in your e-mail and have initiated action to ensure that such lapses do not recur.

We have made a note of your suggestions and forwarded it to the concerned authorities, who can implement the changes.

We focus considerable effort on training our staff to ensure high levels of service and we shall further strengthen our initiatives in this direction based on your feedback.
Sincerely

Sreelakshmi M
Customer Service ManagerICICI Bank Limited

"ICICI Bank has launched 'Read to Lead' - an initiative to educate 1,00,000 children. To know more about this initiative, please visit www.icicibank.com"



I did not want to take this complaint to the next level and waste my time further so I decied to give it a quit.


So, ICICI "Please Stop making Expensive Advertisements and Start treating your Customers with Respect"

Project OldCity!

Location: Old City, Hyderabad

Objective: Eat Haleem at Pista House, Biryani at Shadab, Click pictures of Charminar and feel the true Hyderabadi culture in its full colour.

Team: Naveen and Me

Gear: Naveen's Canon 400D SLR with 18-55mm and 55-250mm IS lens

Mode of Transport: 2 Pulsars

26 September 2008 being the last Friday of festive month of Ramzan, we thought we will hit the roads of Old City and experience its rich culture first hand. So, I wrapped up work at 6.30 PM and started to KingKoti where Naveen was waiting for me at his Boss's house. I rushed through the heavy traffic taking the best possible route with less traffic and reached KingKoti in 45 minutes.

In 30 minutes we reached Madina and I was much surprised with the little crowd. Naveen told me not to be so happy and watch out for whats going to come. And in Couple of minutes I was speechless with the sight of road ahead. It was like the shops ate the roads! 80% of the road on the both sides was occupied with the stuff from the shops behind them and push trolleys with stuff(toys, bangles, clothes and what not).

One thing you should remember when you are driving in Old City is to squeeze into every inch of space you get and the most important rule, "There are no rules". Be prepared for autos and rickshaw's coming in the opposite direction on the same side of the road, Guys driving 2 wheelers with 3 people on it is a common sight and if you are lucky enough you also get to see 4 people on a 2 wheeler.

Also, you have to forget that your vehicle has a horn attached. We can see people walking in the middle of the road as if they are walking at their home. Don't try to honk at them as they might get pissed off as you might be disturbing their bargaining regime with the vendors spread out on the road. Basically this all comes from the traditional Hyderabadi laid back attitude and I was enjoying every moment of it.

Magnificent Charminar

While Naveen and me were navigating our bikes through the little spaces being thankful that we did not come by car, we found that Naveen's bike had a flat tyre. So we left his bike at a road side shop and we clicked our way to pista house on my bike. Had delicious Haleem, a plate each and clicked few pictures of beautiful Charminar Standing tall in its full glory. Even with hundreds of Pista House extension counters all over the city including the cafeterias of our offices, eating Haleem amidst the local crowd overlooking Charminar is amazing feeling.

We went back to the place we left Naveens bike after 40 minutes and we still see that the bike is not taken care of, again the Hyderabadi cool attitude comes in. We talked the boy through, got the tube replaced(Which the boy has to go to MoghulPura and get it on his bicycle).

A Closer look

Now we were fighting our way back out of the limitless chaos and pandemonium. It took us one hour to get back to Madina and when we decided to park in front of Shadab for Biryani, we could not find a foot of place to shove in our bikes in for a kilometer on either sides of it.

By now, the tiredness took over and we decided to skip biryani and settle for Ice Cream at Famous Ice Cream(Mashoor Ice Cream, its world famous ice cream center in Hyderabad :-)) at Mohamjahi Market. So, we stopped by at Famous Ice Cream and I gulped 3 flavours(Cheeku, Seetaphal and Mango) and Naveen one and a half. Its still the cheapest and best ice cream I ever ate at Rs.10 per 2 scoops(This used to be Rs.6 when I was in school.)

By then it was 11.20 PM, I had a nice sweet pan, Naveen and I parted and I started a 35 Kilometer journey to my home. Reached home by 12 midnight, had a hot water bath and hit the bed with Classic Rock playing on my Laptop.

Note: At the end of the day one feel good factor I had was seeing people of different cultures and religions together participating with their full heart and enjoying every moment of it. Keeping up Hyderabad's well known mixed cultural diversity and the way people of all religions participate in each others festivals together. I sincerely hope this goes on forever and pray that nothing should disrupt this peace and harmony.

Atlaaaaaaaaast!!!

After years of searching / cancelling / postponing today Technically, Legally, Physically, I became an owner of a flat in Hyderabad . :-)

Yeah, It will take another 2 months for the Apartment to get completed but for me, Mentally I feel more like a "Loaner" than an owner, with 50% of my monthly pay check going towards the home loan.

I would like to thank my friend Shankar, without whom this would be an impossible task for me and all my Friends and Family for their support.

:-)

Not for a person like me who is not much fluent(in reading) with hindi ......

Dial Google for data.......!

If you are not an Internet person and want to find out a good restaurant, available tickets for a movie, you can dial toll free # 1 800 41 999 999 for that information.

Is this adbuthamina(wonderful) service?????

This is one of the rare incidents where customers are given importance and the necessary action is taken favoring the customer(Of course, my Never say die attitude and patience to type long emails were major contributors) . This was with Airtel where my ISD service was barred without any intimation. After fighting my way through many Customer Service Representatives without any result, I emailed to all the airtel email addresses I got over the website and it worked.

Unlike My worst customer service experience in my life with Reliance, which by the way still not fixed(even after 8 months and numerous visits to their showroom), this one has a happy ending and it came in just within one week.

My Email: Nodalofficer.andhra@airtel.in,appellate.andhra@airtel.in,121@airtelindia.com,
dateFeb 18, 2008 1:12 PMsubject9849131522 - Is this adbuthamina service?????????????????

Dear Airtel,
If any one of you gets time off your Adbutaimaina Service to read this email and care to respond, it will be appreciated.!!!!!!!!!!!

To brief it up, I guess my 4 or 5 year relationship with Airtel is going to end soon. Read on to know what lead to this decision:

I am user of Airtel from past few years and I was pretty much happy about the services. Yeah, one and two bitter experiences here and there ..ok I understand.

It all started with some one from Airtel calling me and telling me to consider some new bill plans. So I thought 399 super saver will be good for me and thought I will change to that plan. But the guy who called me told that as I was in CUG at that time they cannot change my bill plan over the phone and I would have to visit the showroom.

So, I visit the showroom(Splendid Towers) and a guy over there tells me that as I am in CUG from my earlier company, I would have to bring a letter from my previous company HR or Management saying that I left the company and they can take me out from CUG. I know that is meaningless and I tried to explain the same to the guy but he was not listening and was very eager to shoo me off. So, I left it off at that some point.

After a month or so, some one again from Airtel calls me to explain about the new plans and when I tell him that I was asked to bring letter from my previous company as I was in CUG, he said that that is not required and I can visit the showroom to change my bill plan.

So, one fine day I visited Splendid Towers showroom and saw Adbutaimana service posters and display cards all over and at that moment I could not realise what adbutamaina service was in store for me.

I completed the formalities of changing the bill plan and I specifically asked the lady who was processing the request regarding my ISD calls. I told her that I frequently will have to dail ISD calls and will that service be as it was and she said it will sure be. Being happy that my work is done I left the place.

Once the bill plan is changed, after few days I notice that my ISD calles were not going giving a message that I do not have the service. So I call 121 and explained the situation they guy asks me to send SMS to 121 ISD ACTIVE and my service will be restored in 3 hours.When I send the SMS as asked , I get an error saying some http error. So I call in again, and after explaining what all has been happened the guy tells me that he will put in a request from his side and the service will be activated within 3 hours.

I wait for another 3 to 4 hours and see that my service is not yet active. So again I call 121 and explain what all happened, I get an answer that I I have to pay 1500 deposit for ISD activation my service was not activated. I was told this at this point!!!!

The question I had for the guy was I am using this number from many years with ISD service and I never paid any deposit and I asked him to check my payment records in all these years and see. The guy said there might be some mistake during the bill plan change and will escalate the call.

I was transferred to Franklin and he said he needs 1 hour to research on what exactly might have happened. He said that he is sure that I will get a positive response.

After 1 hour or so I did get a call from Franklin and he said that ISD was activated on my number accidentally and it was noticed during the bill plan change and hence it was taken out. And it will be activated only if I pay 1500 deposit.

This freaked me out and I lost my cool. If any one cares to read this entire email, please check out my payment history and what all went on with me in past 2 days.

I am so pissed off with the embarrassment I had to go through without the ISD calls in past 1 week that if you guys are not doing anything about that I am thinking to file a law suite in consumer court against this incident and I have already talked to my lawyer regarding this.

To top it all, I call the nodal officer number on your website and some lady answers and says Nodal and when I start narrating she does not hear any thing or talk anything, however, I can hear all the background noises from her end. I waited for 2 mins and hung up. I called again and guess what, this time no answer!!!!!!! WoW.....is this waht you call adbuthaimaina service!?????

Also, at 9.37 am today I get a meaage that "dear customer your request for ISD activation will be processed within 4 working hours". I dont know what this means.......but certinally not adbutaimaina service!!!!

-- Thank you and regards,
Bharani Surineni

Reply I got: dateFeb 20, 2008 1:14 PMsubject9849131522 - Is this adbuthamina service?????????????????mailed-byairtel.in

Dear Ms. Bharani,

Thank you for contacting Airtel contact center.

With reference to your email dated 18/02/08 in regard to activation of ISD services on your number.

We at Airtel, use stringent measurement and control applications to ensure that the service you receive is error-free. On rare occasions, like experienced by you, we fully recognize the shortcomings and assure you of all measures to provide you with error free services.
We would like to inform you that, the ISD services on your number have been activated effective today.

It is our privilege to have you as our valued customer and thank you for your continued support. We look forward to a very warm and fruitful association with you.

Should you require any further clarifications or assistance, please reply to us via email at 121@airtelindia.com or fax us on 9849011848.

We value your association with Airtel.

"We are operational from Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 6:30 pm. All mails coming to us after 6 pm or on weekends shall be addressed on the following working day. "

Warm Regards,
Nodal Officer.

So, as they say all is well which ends well!! I am happy as I got the service back!

P.S: little concerned when the wrote Ms. Bharani in their return email ;-)

Be careful: Even a Traffic Jam can leave you robbed

Man, where is Hyderabad going? Everything is increasing; Land rates, Daily commodity prices, Fuel prices, Traffic, Corruption, Crime and with all these- pressure on common man. Also, everyone who are involved in above activities are coming up with new ways to cover them self up and have their work done.

The incident which happened with one my colleague at work, explains how low people can get. Read on the incident from my friends words:

Here's what can happen in a heavy Traffic Jam in hyd………. Its not a story it's a personnel experience……

Venue of ATTACK: Just before Begumpet Footover bridge
Victim: Srinivas Tammali
Date & Time: 28th-Jan-2008 / 7PM

I left office at 6:45PM knowing that there will be heavy traffic at Begumpet flyover, but kya karein office se jaldi ghar jaane ki jo padi thi……….i crossed pantaloons(Begumpet) and was stuck in heavy traffic after the Usha Kiran movies building…. I saw a guy to my right near the rear wheel yelling at me "dekh ke chala na mera pair phass gaya hain" I looked at him and yelled back "thu dekh ke chalna" because I was sure(coz I was standing in same place for more than 3 mins)

I was on right track standing still in middle of the road for the vehicles in front of me to move ahead, I ignored him after moving 10 feet ahead( it took 5 mins to move 10 feet) I saw another guy yelling at me in the same way as the first one did, I said what's wrong with this guy and started arguing with him looking to my right(sitting in the car, as the traffic was so heavy(I mean standstill surrounded by other four wheelers)

I could not even open my car door to get out and fight with the guy) and the guy was standing at the rear tyre and arguing with me & in fraction of seconds I was alerted by a near by car walla, boss is there anything on ur left passenger seat that's valuable… I turn to my left to check and saw a guy running away, he was the first fellow who argued with me………I responded to the car walla no nothing is missing……..but so stupid of me….. I actually had my mobile lying in the front passenger seat(my front windows were 50% open for air as I wanted to have enjoy the polluted air of hyd traffic jams….hehehehe…its not the mobile its my contacts n information in my mobile that I am worried off.….) and this I realized after reaching ameerpet when I wanted to call home……………and guess what my Sony Ericsson w550i was missing…..

Luckly the rear windows wear closed 90% otherwise I would have lost my office asset (laptop)…………………. Which would have been more painful than loosing my mobile.

Moral of the story be careful when you r stuck in traffic and make sure you don't get misguided by this kinda smart thieves and don't even think of getting out of the car and arguing with the misguiders when you are alone.

Tips for 4 wheeler owners:
1) Don't Keep your car windows open in heavy traffic jams.

So guys, as my friend said be careful when arguing with strangers. If this could happen in a traffic jam, I could not imagine what could happen on empty roads when we are coming back from office late nights tired!!