Jaipur Travelogue

(Genre: Travel)

Jaipur in a nut shell

Hawa Mahal

Nahargarh








World's largest cannon at Jaigarh









Masti ki paathshala









Rajbhog









Puppet Show









Chokhi Daani

Some Interesting Signboards

(Genre: Travelogue)

Some Interesting Signboards in my recent trip to Sikkim-Darjeeling

A place to meet "Busty" Farmers

Have you ever been to a place called Bulbulay? I have...

I can walk English, talk English but not write English...

Interesting....

The lost Railway Station Harry Potter style...

Not a signpost, but interesting none the less....

Give life your best shot

Living your life on auto pilot
Following a routine like a robot

You got to wake up and pursue your dream
Let art, sports, adventure be your theme

Remove the shades, let in, the morning fog
Put on your shoes and go out for a jog

Pick up a pen and jot down your thought
Dust down the guitar, as a kid you had bought

Out of your cupboard get your dancing shoes
Observe a painting and count shades of blue

Hangout with your friends in your old seats
Together sing in chorus giving all the beats

Pay attention to your near and dear
Still find time for a bottle of beer

Give life all you have got
Give your life your best shot

Destination Goa

(Genre: Just Like That)

Online fraud @ Indiatimes Shopping

(Genre: Rang de Basanti)

We have all heard of cyber crimes like phishing and are advised to be careful of using our Credit Cards on the internet. But that is not all in how you are susceptible to be cheated on the internet. And this is an instance of a renowned corporate doing it: Indiatimes Shopping.

I bought a book (Games Indians Play) from Indiatimes website by order no. 111111376. The website states that the MRP as Rs. 325 (screen shot below) but the actual MRP printed on the book is Rs. 250 only (second screen shot below). They claim that buying this book at Indiatimes will result in a saving of Rs. 33 (Rs. 81 if you are a Book Club Member), but actually you end up paying Rs. 63 (Rs. 15 if you are a Book Club Member) more than MRP (including the courier charges).





















I brought this to the attention of Indiatimes thinking that this might be a mistake. But the response I get is
"We thank you for contacting Indiatimes Shopping.
We apologize for the delay in responding you.
With reference to your mail dated 17.05.08 for order number-111111376, we would like to inform you that on website MRP (Maximum Retail Price) is mentioned as Rs. 325 which means the maximum amount which can be charged against this book is Rs. 325. But we are offering you this book at Rs. 250 which is equivalent to the price mentioned on the book.
Thank you for being a valuable customer of Indiatimes Shopping.

Thanks & Regards,
Desendar Kaur
Customer Care Services."

And the website displays the same pricing.

Now either I do not know the meaning of MRP or Indiatimes doesn't. Even if their definition of MRP is "technically" correct, I think it is illegal to qoute a price greater than MRP. To add to it if they claim that they are giving discounts (Rs. 81 in this case), that is again deceptive and intention is to fool the customer.

The problem not only stops at Customer Care executive level. I have mailed my grievance to different high level officials, including Mr. Dinesh Wadhawan (who heads Indiatimes), but I have received no response. I guess this is a systemic problem at Indiatimes and "Marketing Policy" to quote a higher than regular price and then reducing it by discounting.

Please do your due diligence before shopping online, specially at Indiatimes!!!

Hotel Karnalofonia

(Genre: Just Like That)

Went on a road trip to Chandigarh recently. Some peculiar sights on the way:

Owner is God: Written behind a truck. Intended Translation "Bhagwan hi maalik hai" but actual translation "Maalik Bhagwan Hai"

Accidental Help: I hope no one accidentally dials 1033.

Thanda matlab Coca Coca: Something to make Coke brand ambassador proud!

Na Baba Na : Another great one liner in the league of "Buri Nazar waale tera muh kaala" and "13 mera 7"

Truck Art: One of many master pieces you can see on road.

Kaali Mandir: Ever seen a tower design black coloured temple with a dome?!!

Rebel Without A Cause

Your Education System is too loose,
Whatever you've learnt, you hardly use
I wonder why they teach you calculus,
Use it or not, but learn you must
Follow the system, don't question the flaws,
You are a rebel without a cause

The corporate world is no better,
Bad practices called policy are trendsetter
Over educated mediocres make tall claim,
Failure always has someone else to blame
Out of this rat race, you want to take a pause,
You are a rebel without a cause

Cars behind you honk, if you stop at Red Light
Your friends call you a fool, if this happens late at night
For you to litter, entire city is a dustbin,
You don't need a spittoon on road to spit in
I wonder should you follow the laws,
You are a rebel without a cause

In government you dont believe,
Bunch of crooks trying to deceive
Luckily for you, just one scandal this year,
Although caught, your MP has no fear
Corruption is not new, here it always was,
You are a rebel without a cause

God begins where knowledge ends,
Its just a name given to ignorance
Blind belief,all logic defied,
In His name so many have died
In God your faith is lost,
You are a rebel without a cause

Everywhere I see, so much to despise,
I can find sorrow in different guise
Whatever they tell me, I have reservations,
I am a part of enlightened generation
And I go on as I always was,
Am I a rebel without a cause?