A day without cell phone

Cell phones have become an integral part of our life, we can skip a time’s meal but can’t separate ourselves from our phone even for half an hour. Yesterday was one such day for me when I had to part myself from my cell for the betterment of both.

I had to appear for an all India exam and the admit card had instructions that we should not carry our cell phone with us. Thanks to misuse of it at various exams, that exam centers don’t permit candidates to carry it to the premises also.

Before leaving home I was in dilemma should I carry phone or not? Incase I carry where will I keep it? We can’t keep phones with us even in switch off mode with us. Finally I decided to leave it behind at home but not before charging the phone and putting it in silent mode.

When I reached exam center I saw people carrying phones with them, I was missing my phone terribly then. But before the commencement of exam we were told that cell phones are not allowed and all those who are carrying phone will have to keep it in a room at their own risk.

Left with no other option people kept phone in that room and went their designated exam room. Room was locked immediately we left for exam but still it was big risk. Candidates were busy finding unique locations to hide their cell phone. Post exam we had to wait till everybody gather so that the room could be opened and we can venture in.  The moment we came out of the room, we were given 5 mins time to check our belongings. Post that the exit gate was opened.

Everyone was eager to make call, check messages etc but I didn’t had any such symptoms, mays be because my phone was not with me. But I was happy that it’s not with me as it was safe wherever it was.  

It took time for me to reach home as I had some other work, the best part was I was not in hurry for anything, took time for each thing that I was doing, which I usually missed because of phone calls or in the midst of texting.

When I reached home saw numerable missed calls and messages but I was in no hurry to revert back to anyone in one go. Few important calls were responded at the first given opportunity rest later. Who says we can’t stay away from phone, we can provided we are ready to take the first step.

Indian Post better than private courier companies in terms of services

We always keep cribbing about the services of government run institution like schools, college, offices, and hospitals. Reason for it is the lethargic service rendered at these places and the attitude of the people. But with time things are changing for the good. Recently I experienced it.

I had to courier some document back home in Kerala from Bangalore. I usually used Indian Post to send parcels and documents but that day I thought of trying private courier company which promises next day delivery. 

I walked into reputed courier company office and checked if they can courier the documents to my place. They checked the pin code and said we can deliver it tomorrow but it may cost you 190 bugs. Since it was next day delivery I didn’t mind paying the extra amount. I paid them the money and left place assuming promises will be met. It happened on a Monday

Tuesday evening when I was checking the status of the courier I could see it is yet to reach. Till Wednesday afternoon when the courier didn’t reach its destination. I went to the booking office and checked with them about the lacuna, to my utter surprise they told, “Sir I have done the work from my end, it is pending from the receiver side”. I was shocked to hear this blame game from a reputed courier company like theirs. They gave me the number of the office close to my house to enquire about the status of the courier.

When I called that office to check, they said load will come by 4.00 pm and they don’t have their service at the address mentioned by me. I was fuming with anger on hearing it. I told the same statement to the booking officer at the courier company and she told, “they are like that only sir, we have good service in metros but other places the service get delayed”. Ridiculous I asked if you couldn’t deliver it on the promised day why did you charge me so much. Reply this time was “Sir, we did the things from our end if they are not doing it what can we do?”. When I told them, I will escalate the issue, she said, “please do it SIR, only then they will improve.”

Worst was yet to come for me, the courier reached destination on Thursday against the claim of Tuesday. And we had to go and collect it personally, courier guy didn’t deliver it at home also. I have never come across such situation with India Post so far. They have on time service and their tracking system is also better than private players. 

I think that’s the reason people say “old is gold”