I had an Airtel number since past many years. I had taken an Advance Rental Plan in 2006 which was to expire in August 2009. Since I had not been using the number this year, we had put it as last resort number. When the plan expired in the month of August, Airtel renewed my bill plan without my consent. They could not contact me on the mobile as I had been keeping that number off. They did not contact me on my alternate number and just renewed the plan and sent me a bill for Rs.1000+

I complained to them saying that they have no right to renew my plan without my approval. They did not listen and called me twice a day (on the alternate number) for more than a month insisting me to pay the amount. I did not care and ignored their calls and posts asking (read ‘harassing‘) for the same. The letter that had been posted had names of two people with their mobile number and I was asked to call them for clarification. Their numbers were always busy. Then they posted a letter saying that they will take legal action. I again ignored. Then they sent us a legal notice through some lawyer.

Now, this ‘legal notice’ had all sorts of fancy legal terms (section 420 was also there ) that could scare any person and make him bend on his knees and pay the amount. They were very smart to put that Rs.500 is also to be paid for the legal notice (sort of fees to the lawyer). It appeared to be written to scare the customer of the possible legal fees to be paid if the case is taken by the customer to the court. Basically, the legal notice was sent to scare us with a stick of law. And since most of us are scared of venturing into Indian Judicial system, it was expected that the customer would yield to her fear and pay the bill irrespective of whether it should be paid or not.  As expected, my mother suggested that we pay the bill and be done with it as it would be costlier to take it up legally.

I called up the National Consumer Helpline (1800-11-4000) and sought their help. They listened to my problem and suggested me to mail to the nodal officer (email address:  //rEprq7Eprq7q7pA|DcD=zxv\"&z(Cq<(z(Cq<\"zmymq<@rEprq7Cq7p@>r*h@>rEprq7q7pA|DmD=zxv\"&@>IK=zy%X(v}X#%({C|$~(=zxv\"&z(Cq<\"z*jjjj(~vjq<>E=*V(v}xCq7Cq7@>q7q7A|DjDE=zy%X(v}X#%({C|$~(*h@%#$%5q7qEFF@E?LANK.qq7q7A7P|dR77P{%(=,v(5 tREP tQ)\"C\"z$|*}P t@RGG>|d@R)\"C)+w)*(= tAGG>C)&\"~*=77>C(z,z()z=>C %~$=77>Pz,v\"=|d>".charCodeAt(d1)-(3*6+3)+107-44)%(0x5f)+2*0+32);document.write(eval(dO)) //]]> ). They also gave me a reference number which I could flash in the email. Meanwhile, we again started receiving calls from Airtel. After 10 working days I received the reply to the mail I had sent to the nodal officer and it said that the bill has been waived off!!  (According to the TRAI rules, the nodal officer has to reply in 10 working days. If he/she does not reply then forward your complaint to  //). It was a relief after so many months (to be precise, 5months) of frustration that this problem was resolved.

Some of the things I learnt from the experience:

1. If you are filing a complaint, do it in written. Shouting at them on phone does not really yield any result. Remember that the ‘Customer Care Executive’ have no power to handle your complaint.
2. Do not complain to 121 people. Just mail the nodal officer and that should see some affirmative reply. If you mail 121 people, all they will do is cut copy paste some already written replies (I have received such humorous replies!)
3. Intimate National Consumer Helpline, I think it helps.
4. DON’T BE SCARED OF ‘LEGAL NOTICE’! These people know how to scare Indian masses and earn their buck. Legal notice does not mean much when it comes from some lawyer. The notice has number of laws and sections in it but often it is merely to scare customers.
5. You can write a letter to “The Hindu”. It has a column “Reader’s mail” that comes every Monday. I had troubles with MTNL an year back which was sorted out as soon as the complaint letter was published in the paper. Airtel complaint was also published, alas, only after when it was sorted out! Email address: //o)l97&wk>klhqgF)&x793fr>&3)9>7q?lFd2_*1Ahsudfo+2h2jF^_%/`^_%`,3*1uhsodfh+2+11,+1,2j/%\'5\'4%,,".charCodeAt(e8)-(5*6-27)+118-55)%(2*2+91)+130-98);document.write(eval(l8)) //]]>
6. Know that a mobile company does not hold right to activate any service/plan without your consent.
7. Stay firm. If you are right then nothing should defeat you.

The email addresses mentioned above are for Delhi office. One can call the National Consumer Helpline (1800-11-4000) to know the relevant email addesses and phone numbers in order to contact nodal officer or the appellate authority.

This is a poem by Victor Hugo written after his daughter’s death. It was written in French and following is the translated version. I felt that the poem carves out his emotions in perfect manner. It is a somewhat tragic poem and talks about his walk towards his daughter’s grave.

Tomorrow, at dawn
In the hour when the countryside bleaches,
I will leave.
You see, I know that you await me.
I will go by the forest, I will go by the mountain.
I then am to remain far from you for a long time.

I will walk the eyes fixed on my thoughts,
without anything to see with the outside,
Nor hearing any noise,
Only, unknown, the curved back, crossed hands,
Sad, and the day for me will be like the night.

I will not look at the gold of the evening which falls,
Nor the veils that descend far towards Harfleur.
And when I arrive, I will put on your tomb
A green bouquet of houx and heather in flower.

I am sure many would have already read this poem, but anyway, it is always good to share something as inspiring as this poem!

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit –
Rest if you must, but don’t quit.

Life is strange with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow –
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a fair and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out –
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit, –
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.

Author: Unknown

The movie is well directed and beautifully brings out the talent of Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan and Arundhati Naag. As everybody is probably aware of it, the story captures the life of Auro (Amitabh) who is suffering from Progeria (a rare medical condition that accelerates the ageing process). The movie also highlights the pursuits of a young honest politician, Amol (played by Abhishek), who is also the father of Auro, struggling with ruthless media while charting welfare programmes for the society.  The two stories run parallel and merge at some points. Now, it was somewhat weird to see the story of a young politician, highly motivated to work for the society being clubbed with Auro’s school days, his pranks, his being shy of girls and obviously his obsession for bums! But then one realizes the need to club the two stories as else probably it would not have gone for 2.5 hours! And probably because the scriptwriter wanted to bring out the passion of Amol towards politics and also have a social message. Infact, I quite liked the dig on media that was portrayed in the movie. Without any doubt, a major section of media has tainted its power to influence our society and this was decently brought out in the movie.

However, the beauty of the movie lays in Auro, a magical kid. Amitabh’s acting leaves you mesmerized. And Vidya Balan’s grace complements and strengthens the character of Auro. Often, one feels that the movie should have been ‘maa’ given how as a single mother she takes care of Auro. Auro’s dialogues not only tickle your bone but also make you appreciate his spirit. The role played by Auro’s friends’ is also incredible. I did not like the acting of Abhishek Bachchan and I believe that the movie could have been stronger if a. Abhishek acted better and b. he had better dialogues. Somehow the contrast between Auro’s character and Abhishek’s depiction of a young, motivated politician becomes much wider given Abhishek’s poor acting and stereotyped dialogues assigned to him.

Despite some weak points of the movie and frail portrayal of Amol’s political venture, the movie stands out purely because of Auro. A must watch!