DIGITAL INDIA – Hype and Reality

DIGITAL INDIA – Hype and Reality

Musings

By

VIKRAM KARVE

After being elected to power by a huge mandate in May 2014 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Ministers have taken many initiatives for the betterment of India.

One such initiative is “Digital India” – which envisages extensive use of information technology for better governance.

The positive effects of adopting technology in governance are visible in certain ministries/organizations – notably Indian Railways, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and many Municipal Bodies – which have optimally used Internet (and Social Media) to improve governance (e-governance) and speed up grievance redressal (online complaint management)

However – there are still some “laggards” who refuse to adopt modern technologies to improve governance – they prefer to remain antiquated and backward – and they continue to use the obsolescent “paper based system” instead of “online governance”.

To be successful – the “Digital India” initiative needs to be all-encompassing and must include all organizations (particularly government run organizations) – especially those organizations which provide services to citizens.

A few technophobic regressive organizations should not be allowed to derail or impede the “Digital India” initiative.

Recently – I discovered one such antiquated organization which is indifferent to the Prime Minister’s “Digital India” initiative – “United India Insurance Company Ltd” – which is a Government Public Sector Undertaking (PSU).

Let me tell you about my disappointing experience with “United India Insurance Company Ltd”.

A few days ago – inspired by “Digital India” – I decided to avail the “online” option to buy a Travel Insurance Policy – instead of the traditional “Agent Hard-Copy” which I had used in the past for buying insurance policies.

In the past – I had taken a Travel Insurance Policy from “United India Insurance Company Ltd” in the past (via an agent).

So – I decided to take an “online policy” from the same insurance firm – “United India Insurance Company Ltd”.

Accordingly – I opened the “United India Insurance Company Ltd” website on the internet and I saw an option for buying “online policies”.

So – I filled in the necessary online forms – and – I made the required online payment for the policy.

The payment was successful and I was allotted at “Transaction ID” by “United India Insurance Company Ltd”.

I also received an SMS from my Bank that the amount had been debited to my account and credited to “United India Insurance Company Ltd”.

I was given to understand that online insurance policies are generated instantly and forwarded by email immediately.

However – I did not receive any email from “United India Insurance Company Ltd”.

Also – I did not receive any SMS intimation from “United India Insurance Company Ltd” regarding issue/generation of the online policy.

I decided to wait for a day.

Next morning – I checked my email.

There was no email from “United India Insurance Company Ltd”.

I accessed the website of “United India Insurance Company Ltd” and navigated to the page titled “Download/Search Facility for Online Policies”.

I entered my “Transaction ID” and queried for the Status of my Online Policy.

The Status Report stated the online payment was “successful” (in the “Payment Gateway Information” column).

Under “Payment Process Status” the status was: “Your Payment Synced into our System”

Under the “Policy Generation Summary” the status was: “The policy is not yet generated”

This was 4 days ago.

Since then – there has been no communication from “United India Insurance Company Ltd” – No Email – No SMS – No Call – regarding my online policy.

Despite “successful payment” and “payment synced into system” – the status remains the same – and – the policy has still not been generated by “United India Insurance Company Ltd”.

Online Policies are supposed to be generated immediately.

More than 4 days have passed – but – “United India Insurance Company Ltd” has still not generated my policy.

I have sent 3 reminder emails to “United India Insurance Company Ltd” on both the Email IDs: online.policy@uiic.co.in  and support.onlinepolicies@uiic.co.in  mentioned on “United India Insurance Company Ltd” website.

But – I have not received any reply to my emails from “United India Insurance Company Ltd” till today.

The “United India Insurance Company Ltd” Toll Free Helpline 180042533333 does not respond.

Most Private Firms use the Social Media (especially Twitter) effectively to engage with customers and resolve their grievances.

I have observed that many Government Organizations/Entities are active on the Social Media – especially on Twitter – and they respond to Tweets by citizens for grievance redressal and complaint management – besides disseminating information.

Notable among these techno-savvy organizations are Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Indian Railways – even the concerned Ministers personally tweet and respond to citizens.

However - “United India Insurance Company Ltd” seems to be an exception.

“United India Insurance Company Ltd” has got a Twitter Account (@UnitedIndiaInsu)

But – the “United India Insurance Company Ltd” Twitter Account seems to be dormant (the most “recent” tweet is on 07 March 2013 – more than three and a half years ago).

This indicates that “United India Insurance Company Ltd” does not believe in “Tweet Governance” which is being adopted in a big way as to facilitate “Digital India” by many progressive organizations.

I have tweeted to (@UnitedIndiaInsu) “United India Insurance Company Ltd” regarding my problem – but there was no response to my tweets from “United India Insurance Company Ltd”.

It seems to be a similar state of affairs on Facebook too.

CONCLUSION

1. I applied for a “United India Insurance Company Ltd” online policy on 11 Oct 2016. Payment was successful and “synced” into their system. Yet – the online policy has not been issued till today 15 Oct 2016 – more than 4 days after online payment. As per rules – online policies are required to be issued immediately and sent by email. But – “United India Insurance Company Ltd” has not sent any email or SMS regarding my policy.

2. “United India Insurance Company Ltd” does not respond to my emails.

3. “United India Insurance Company Ltd” does not respond to my Tweets.

I feel helpless.

What should I do…?

Even “United India Insurance Company Ltd” Toll Free Number is Unresponsive.

A friend suggested that I should write a hard-copy letter and send it by snail-mail (by postal service) to “United India Insurance Company Ltd” Head Office.

He feels that since “United India Insurance Company Ltd” is a Government PSU – “United India Insurance Company Ltd” may not have made a transition into the modern “Digital Age” – and – “United India Insurance Company Ltd” may still be in the antiquated “Paper Age”.

But – I cannot wait for “paper correspondence” – since I have to travel next week (for which I need the insurance policy).

So – since “United India Insurance Company Ltd” has not issued an online policy in a timely manner – the only immediate option for me is buy another policy from a Private Insurance Company – and later – I can initiate a protracted paper correspondence with “United India Insurance Company Ltd” for a refund.

But one thing is sure.

In future – I will avoid “United India Insurance Company Ltd” and other Government PSUs who refuse to adopt “Digital India”.

The whole nation is trying to move ahead with “Digital India” – and – many Government Entities have adopted “Digital India” in a big way.

Why do a few “techno-phobic” organizations like “United India Insurance Company Ltd” refuse to adopt modern technology…?

Why are they reluctant to be a part of “Digital India”…?

I hope the Government does not allow a few “bad apples” to undermine the “Digital India” effort which requires the participation of all to be a success.

All Government Entities (including archaic PSUs like “United India Insurance Company Ltd”) must be made adopt modern online technologies and make “Digital India” implementation a success.

Do you agree…?

PS:

Dear Reader – In case you know some someone in “United India Insurance Company Ltd” – will you be so good as to forward this post to him/her…?

If you do this – maybe “United India Insurance Company Ltd” will be kind enough to issue my online policy at the earliest and send it to me by email. Or – at least – they will show me the basic courtesy of replying to my email or send me an SMS informing me of the status.

Will “United India Insurance Company Ltd” adopt “Digital India”…?

Will they become active on the Social Media (Twitter)…?

Well– it seems a tall order – but – I am always optimistic… 

UTTARAKHAND DISASTER - POLITICIANS FIGHT TO TAKE THE CREDIT WHILE SOLDIERS DO THE RESCUE WORK

UTTARAKHAND DISASTER
BIZARRE but SAD
BELIEVE IT OR NOT
POLITICIANS FIGHT TO TAKE THE CREDIT WHILE SOLDIERS DO THE RESCUE WORK

Last evening I saw a debate on TV where politicians were fighting with each other to claim credit for rescuing disaster victims of the Himalayan Tsunami in Uttarakhand.

This acrimonious debate was quite dismaying and this prompted me to write a blog post titled: SOLDIER AND POLITICIAN

But what happened yesterday was politicians indulging in a verbal duel to take the credit.

This afternoon I was shocked to see on TV and also read news items that now politicians were physically fighting to take the credit for rescuing people from the calamity.

In a bizarre incident, Congress and TDP leaders almost came to blows at Dehradun airport on Wednesday to claim credit for the rescue of pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh who were stuck in Uttarakhand.

Click the links below to read the full news stories in a separate windows:

Congress, TDP leaders squabble over Uttarakhand flood victims

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Congress-TDP-leaders-squabble-over-Uttarakhand-flood-victims/articleshow/20781722.cms

Uttarakhand floods: Congress, TDP leaders trade blows over stranded Andhra Pradesh pilgrims

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/uttarakhand-floods-congress-tdp-leaders-trade-blows-over-ap-pilgrims/402001-37-64.html

TD, Congress come to blows over flood victims

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130626/news-current-affairs/article/td-congress-come-blows-over-flood-victims

This bizarre behaviour of politicians fighting with each other to claim credit prompts to repost my article SOLDIER AND POLITICIANS for you to read.

SOLDIER and POLITICIAN

Musings

By

VIKRAM KARVE

NB: The term “soldier” covers all uniformed personnel, army, navy, air force and paramilitary.

Yesterday was a sad day for the defence forces and, indeed, for all patriotic citizens of India.

There were two distressing news reports.

So many uniformed brave soldiers laid down their lives in the service of the nation – a number of valiant army soldiers gave their supreme sacrifice fighting terrorists in the valley while gallant men of the Air Force, ITBP and NDRF died in rescue operations when a chopper crashed in Uttarakhand.

The mood should have been sombre.

But when I switched on the TV for the evening news I was shocked to see the jarring spectacle of politicians quarrelling with each other in an acrimonious manner and indulging in a despicable blame game.   

What is worse, politicians were trying to usurp the credit for the stupendous rescue work done by the soldiers.

While, on the one hand, the soldiers were slogging in out in adverse conditions and risking their lives trying to rescue victims of the Uttarakhand Tragedy, the politicians were indulging in rancorous verbal spats and brazenly squabbling with each other in Television Studios trying to grab credit for their respective parties and leaders and attempting to denigrate their political opponents.

It was most demoralizing to see our publicity-hungry politicians behaving in this shameful manner and generating so much bitterness in the atmosphere instead of boosting the morale of the soldiers who were engaged in a difficult and dangerous rescue mission.

In this context I would like to quote Indira Gandhi:

My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people:

1. Those who do the work

and

2. Those who take the credit

He told me to try to be in the first group

There was much less competition there

Indira Gandhi was not a soldier.

But it is the soldier who is scrupulously following this precept.

The soldier works indefatigably in anonymity.

The soldier slogs unstintingly risking his life for the nation and rescuing his fellow citizens from tragedies and assuring them safety and security.

Indira Gandhi was a politician.

But politicians do not follow her dictum.

Politicians seem to be solely concerned about taking credit.

The soldier works and the politician takes the credit.

This happens in war, it happens during calamities, it happens in peacetime.

During disasters, in adversities, and in times of need, the politician must be in the forefront, working shoulder-to-shoulder with the soldier.

If you see today’s politicians you won’t believe it, but long ago there were exceptional politicians who actually did this and led by personal example.

One example is the inimitable Biju Patnaik (05 Mar 1916 – 17 Apr 1997).

His heroic exploits as a pilot in the Royal Indian Air Force in the early 1940’s during World War II were legendary.

Later, after independence, when he had become a politician, he took to the skies again and undertook daredevil flights to airlift army troops into Kashmir during the 1947 War Operations.

He was always ready to work shoulder-to-shoulder with the soldier.

Biju Patnaik demonstrated that he was a true “soldier” and politician.

Is there any politician today who can emulate such stalwarts?

Times have changed.

Politics is no longer a profession of sacrifice.

Politicians do not want to put their lives in danger.

Politicians are no longer prepared to suffer physical discomfort.

That is why they politicians like to monitor things from a distance while the soldier slogs it out in the field.

And when everything is done, when all the dirty, dangerous and difficult tasks are completed by the soldiers, the politicians rush to take the credit and the anonymous soldiers are sent back to the barracks.

It is because politicians are not following Indira Gandhi’s advice (to focus on doing the work and forget about taking the credit) that we have reached a situation where the army, which should be the last resort, has now become the first and only resort.

I think all politicians, especially Congressmen, will do well to remember this famous quote by Indira Gandhi:

“There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there”

Will politicians change for the better?

Let us hope so.

Till that happens:

Soldiers will slog incessantly in peace and war.

Soldiers will do the work and risk their lives. 

Politicians will fight with each other to take the credit.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this book review. 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

NB:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013 all rights reserved

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About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional  and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@hotmail.com

Twitter: @vikramkarve

      

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

POLITICS PERCEPTION and THE REAL ISSUES

POLITICS PERCEPTION and THE REAL ISSUES

Musings

By

VIKRAM KARVE

As I watch with hapless amusement the LPG fiasco which is causing tremendous negative sentiment among most of the citizens, I am quite surprised as to why seasoned politicians are allowing bureaucratic bungling to proliferate and letting the situation worsen day by day.

Bureaucrats do not have to win elections. Their jobs and career progression are guaranteed. That is why bureaucrats do not have to bother about public perception.

Politicians have to be sensitive to public perception. They have to win elections every five years and cannot afford negative public sentiment.

Of course, there are two types of politicians in India:

1. Those who have to go to the people and get their votes to win elections and get elected to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

2. Those who are nominated by their parties to the Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Councils. This second category of politicians don’t have to go to the people every five years to get elected and, like bureaucrats, they have an assured tenure, and if they remain in the good books of the party leadership then they can hope for a second or third tenure as well. Hence, like bureaucrats, they do not have to bother about public perception and they need not be sensitive to the problems of the common man.

Therefore, it is only from the first category of “elected” politicians that a common man can seek hope and redress of his grievances.

And I feel that a common man will certainly vote for the person who is sensitive to his problems.

You may say that most people vote as per “vote banks” based on caste, creed, religion, language, region etc, but sometimes an emotive issue can turn the tables and history bears testimony to this fact as there have been many occasions when even big leaders were defeated in the elections. 

An issue like price rice is certainly an emotive issue which affects every citizen and can cause immense negative sentiment which can turn the tide. The recent inept political handling of the LPG Domestic Cooking Gas issue, further exacerbated by the bureaucratic bungling (of removing subsidy, capping cylinders, blocking connections, confusion created by distributors and oil companies regarding procedures for KYC, rumours of artificial shortage and potential for black-marketing of cylinders, perpetual fear of price rise of unsubsidized cylinders, etc) is causing great harassment and anxiety to the consumers, especially housewives, and the common perception is that the government is acting in an insensitive and clueless manner, as far as this LPG issue is concerned. 

There is adage in “systems theory” – DO NOT DISTURB A SYSTEM WHICH IS RUNNING WELL.

The LPG Domestic Gas Supply System was running smoothly so it was best not to disturb it. Hence, it will be advisable for the powers-that-be to restore status quo ante.

Sometimes reversing a decision can pay dividends and in this LPG case, reverting back to the old tried-and-tested “subsidized” system will certainly undo the damage in perception and also prove that politicians are sensitive to the needs of the common man.

Many politicians and the media feels that corruption is the main issue for a common man. Yes, corruption may be an important issue but it is not the cardinal issue. As far as the common man is concerned the main issue is PRICE RISE since price rise affects each and every individual – man or woman, rich, poor or middle class.

Yes, corruption may have contributed to price rise but again the main issue is Price Rise which you experience every day as you buy things from the market for your daily use.

Of course, the bureaucrats and “nominated” politicians need not be sensitive about price rise since they don’t have to fight the next election, but I feel that those seeking election must give due consideration to this aspect. I will certainly vote for those who take tangible and visible steps to contain price rise.

Meanwhile, it may be interesting to see if there is any difference in the attitudes and actions of:

1. The Ministers from the Lok Sabha who are aspiring to fight the next election in 2014 and hence they have to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of the common man

vis-à-vis

2. The Ministers from the Rajya Sabha who can afford to be insensitive, bureaucratic and complacent since they do not have to fight elections and their tenures are assured irrespective of whether their party wins or loses in the next elections.

It is the same with the opposition parties too. Only those political leaders who have to face the electorate need to be sensitive about real ground-level issues like price rise which affect the common man (rather than engage in political one-upmanship which does not alleviate the distress of the aam aadmi).

In conclusion, I request all politicians to please take steps to contain inflation and tackle the issue of price rise. To start with please reverse the decision of capping LPG cylinders as the new system is not only causing distress to the common man but also seems to be practically difficult to implement and is likely to lead to more corruption, confusion and cause harassment to the aam aadmi.

I also hope that the opposition parties will constructively take up such practical day-to-day tangible issues which affect common citizens.

It is sad to see opposition parties wasting their energies by indulging in futile political one-upmanship on intangible matters.

It is demoralizing to see politicians create disharmony in inter-personal relationships by engaging in political duels in the media which produce no results on the ground, as far as the aam aadmi is concerned.

These negative vibes created by politics of conflict are avoidable and it will be good to see politicians synergize together and tackle the problems facing the country and alleviate the distress of the common man. I hope they focus on taking up the issues of Inflation and Price Rise. To start with, let us see all politicians get together and resolve the LPG fiasco.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like reading this blog post? 
I am sure you will like all the 27 stories in my recently published book of short stories COCKTAIL
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COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a large number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramwamankarve@gmail.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.