Your Friendly Philosopher & Guide

At home a couple of weeks back we had major electrical fluctuations happening and I had to approach the EB to help me out. The time was 5.50 pm, and in Chennai sun sets only by 7 pm. I spoke to the electricians about the problem, and he immediately said, we are not supposed to climb the electric pole after 6 pm (The government probably put that rule about not climbing over the pole assuming that at 6 pm it gets dark. Today the whole logic has become an escape route)! Firstly he had the least idea about where the problem was - in my house or on the pole, and secondly it was not 6 pm yet. I knew, if I had thrown Rs 50 on their face, the whole team would have got onto the pole. But then I didn’t. I registered my complaint and came back home with the assurance from a person saying they will reach my home tomorrow morning by 10 am. As expected they never came, and I had to go again to register one more complaint. And to my dismay someone had entered as if my complaint has already been solved. I had to raise my voice, and finally they came and put my connection right. The fault wasn’t on the pole. They waited to see if I paid them what they expect - but I didn’t. I surely would have if they had sorted out my issue the day I complained.

My phone went dead, and I had to register the complaint. The security of BSNL is like a trained parrot. He always had only one thing to say – ‘they have just left to sort your problem.’ My wife entered the office premises - just to see that all of them were busy playing cards. I need to thank BSNL to have put my phone right but after – I wrote the complaint thrice, I went to the office 4 times, I spent some Rs 100 at Reliance for net connection, & wasting few litres of petrol for my bike. They took 7 days to complete the job and I didn’t bribe them.

Three months back someone broke into my house and stole my 1 year old Labrador – Venus. Most neighbours advised not to go to the police. I asked why? And they unanimously told me that their torture will be more than the pain you have after losing your pet. I always paid my taxes perfectly & thought it is my duty to file a police complaint. Whether they will find my pet or not was secondary but then it is a mere case of theft and police had to be informed. I went with my sister, and the sub-inspector was busy eating his lunch. We waited for 30 mns, and he called us in. I told him what exactly happened. He asked me to lodge a complaint, and told me that he will send a constable to inquire. It is three months and none turned up. May be they are busy finding minister’s stolen underwear!

There are few strong dialogues in the movie ‘Indian’, where Senapathi says – ‘when the giving stops, the taking would stop.’ ‘To accept bribe is as bad as giving it.’ I have done my part. I have stopped bribing. Now is there any master who teaches- varma kalai!