Rules and Pragmatism

I forgot the ticket back home. In the offing was a whirlwind tour home, couple of thousand kilometers away, stopover at in-laws and a function to organize, all in four days’ time. And amidst the melee, the Karnataka State Road Tourism Corporation (KSRTC) bus ticket booked for the return journey from Bangalore to Mangalore was forgotten and it lay safe on the topmost shelf of the bedroom.

I realized it while I was at home and hence could do nothing about it. I called my colleague to find out if a duplicate ticket could be issued. After inquiry he got me the PNR number and the ticket number. Owing to reaching Bangalore late in the evening, all effort to search for a KSRTC counter which would issue a duplicate ticket failed. The following morning the bus was scheduled at 11 am. We reached the bus stand by 9:30 to discover at the KSRTC office that duplicate ticket can only be issued 2 hours prior to the journey after paying 25% of ticket fee as fine.

Now comes the interesting part. The ‘job sheet’ that the bus conductor carried had our seats written against our names along with my mobile number. Despite my plea to produce photo identity proving it was indeed me, he would not oblige to let us in. That followed contacting all and sundry officials of KSRTC to explain the case. A few were willing to help, others not. The scene was gradually turning tense and hostile and at some point futile.

Right about then, I received a text message, DM-KSRTC, intimating about the journey and giving the phone number of conductor thereon. I was hopeful that would clinch my case, as a mere physical paper ticket could not surpass all the other evidences suggesting my proof of travel and identity. But alas, the bus conductor, his superior were not ready to budge.

The solution according to them. Buy a new ticket which he would issue for the same seat numbers and cancel the previous. Tricky part that I discovered later – there is no refund after the travel is made. Loss to me – twice the ticket cost! I cursed myself for not booking e-ticket, which I have been doing for all other travels since years now.

A sum of 1500 is not a small amount, but even if it were, paying the ticket cost again just because you are not carrying the ticket is ridiculous. The name, contact number on job sheet, the message from KSRTC, and presence of photo identity must have been enough to allow us to make the journey. But the rules overtook.

At this point it may be debated that the rule should be followed tooth and nail. That it doesn’t matter if the ticket cost had to be paid twice. But what about being pragmatic? At the face of enough evidence should the piece of paper supersede the human being present there, along with two sets of evidence for his travel?

I found the ticket after returning back home, carried it in pocket for lodging a complain; and after a day dumped it in a dustbin; for I knew the rule would prevail.

'The Big Connect' - Book Review

 

Elephant in the room – Book review of ‘The Big Connect’ by Shaili Chopra

There could not have been a better time for the release of this book by award winning journalist Shaili Chopra. At the outset she must be thanked for three things. Firstly for embarking on a topic that has gained tremendous significance in recent times. Secondly for bringing it out at a time when this significance is getting translated on ground. And thirdly for a meticulously researched piece of work

‘In this new era, every tweet counts’. The first sentence of the book sets the tone for what is to follow. The Big Connect – Politics in the age of social media is perhaps the few published books at present that deal with how social media, the Web 2.0 tools and platforms have had an impact on Indian politics. With the revolution in accessibility to internet, politicians have found a new dimension to reach out and receive feedback. The book discusses various elements associated with this new dimension.

Ms Chopra straightway deals with the recent events that has shaped politics in conjunction with social media, be it the humongous social media PR exercise of Narendra Modi, the rise of Arvind Kejriwal led AAP or the measured distance of Rahul Gandhi. She delves into the budget allocation by the parties for social media, teams which manage these and the platforms. In Chapter 4, a good introduction to the platforms, primarily Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube is provided. The author educates the readers on how politics and social media were married during Barack Obamas campaign and has since captured imaginations in political arena.

Chapter 5 describes major events of the recent past with a social media connect, beginning from the Osama Raid which was liveblogged to The Arab Spring to the Delhi gangrape to the cattleclass controversy to Tehelka Goa sexual assault case. It is the next three chapters that brings the best in the book. ‘The First Mover Advantage’, ‘Reluctant Followers’ and ‘Social Media Wonder’, dedicated to Modi, Rahul and Kejriwal respectively discusses how these three Indian politicians deal with social media.

It is in these chapters that the blitzkrieg that Narendra Modi's social media campaign has created comes out. 1.19 billion Facebook active users, nearly 40 lakhs Twitter followers (Jan 2013) (which as on 4.14.14 is at 3.74 million), NitiCentral, india272.com, NRI management are all part of brand Modi. All this has resulted in creation of a larger than life persona which we see today. In sharp contrast is Rahul Gandhi (and Congress) who has not actively involved in social media and has been at the receiving end of a slew of jokes. AAP scripts a social media success story, now being emulated by many.

Chapter 10 deals with the most contemporary issue – elections 2014. It discusses how about 160 of the 543 seats have been suggested to be swayed by public perception built by social media. It will be only interesting to see the result of these constituencies. The last two chapters are more reflective which discusses the social churning owing to social media and its credibility issues.

The Big Connect is an elephant in the room for most political parties barring the BJP and AAP who have made optimum use of it. Whether one like it or not connecting with people via platforms of social media will largely determine the approachability, responsibility and transparency of the new-age neta. The book could have been crisper; facts repeat at various stages of the book. A lacking is also sensed in greater discussion of relevance of social media with respect to the millions who still do not have access to twitter on their smartphones or how ground realities could be different than the virtual world.

In the cusp of general elections 2014, with social media being used by parties and politicians like never before, and the social impact of social media being discussed in various narratives, Shaili Chopra’s well researched ‘The Big Connect’ makes for an interesting and captivating read.

 

The book can be bought at:

 http://www.flipkart.com/big-connect-politics-age-social-media/p/itmduk7p66x8xdnf?pid=9788184005509&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=the+big+connect&ref=991f717d-8161-4579-a725-72f0a1b0977c

Open letter to the 'matched' and 'unmatched'

Dear friends,

A bunch of you ‘matched’, and heartiest congratulations to you for the same. I am sure it would be one of the most rewarding experience and feeling, for your sheer dedication and determination has culminated in this moment of great joy. Now you are doctors in the prestigious American medicine system. I am also sure that along with you, your success is a feeling of great happiness for your family, your friends, your teachers and those who know you.

It needs to be emphasized at this point, not because you are unaware but owing to it being of utmost importance that your vocation is unlike any other vocation. The most precious thing of this earth, life and its related manifestations, is in your hands, under your care and supervision. It is in that light that people will view you as god-like in many circumstances. Your responsibilities shall naturally be manifold.

Before you look at it just as another white-coat-ceremony speech, or a rambling by a not-so-important-subject’s teacher, I wish to tell you of how privileged you really are. Not many have the power that you do or will have in your role as a doctor in the US. Your access to best of knowledge, facilities, and training will not only make you an effective professional but also will subject you to the risk of arrogance, superiority or such vices. A balanced personal life, true relaxation, and introspection shall keep you rooted.

Your stint in Manipal, India, a short two years for many and a long four years for some, brought you in contact with a school KMCIC and its members. You might view your experience here bitter or sweet or both, but you will probably not deny that a part of your education has been in a not-so-developed country. With your meteoric rise in years to come, you could be instrumental in knowledge sharing and participating in activities that could make change in lives of the less fortunate here.

For those who have not matched yet, I intend to tell you that definitions of success are not as narrow as it appears. Not for a moment should the thought settle in you that there is anything lacking in you. The demands of a system, makes you follow certain norms, and it often requires passing exams and scoring well, but it in no way undermines your talent. Trying to live others’ lives is one thing that plagues all of us. If one can break free of that competition, which we have been deeply imbibed with, our lives shall be more relaxed, freer. And in that freedom shall you achieve your potential.

It must be a difficult time, with friends progressing ahead. It is not a moment for shoulders to drop, it is an occasion to give them due credit for hard work, congratulate them and moving ahead. Inability to crack an exam or score well, does not reflect on your intelligence or knowledge. It is perhaps to do with your interest, dedication and diligence. One probably needs to look at medicine in a different light, with a renewed interest. One probably needs to prioritize and be meticulous. One probably needs to be as industrious as the vocation demands. Along with all of the above keep sanity by indulging in activities that bring the necessary balance in your lives.

May you not see this as a mere letter of advice. Despite your discrediting thoughts if any, your teachers, love them or hate them, wish the best for you. It is nothing more rewarding than the people you have taught do well and be happy. It is beyond the degrees and the qualifications you obtain. There is goodness pervasive of everything mundane and small.

To all of you, always remember how special each of you are.

All the best for all your endeavors.

Best Regards

Sambit Dash