The Hindu : New Delhi News : Changing times

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Monday, Dec 01, 2008
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New Delhi

Changing times

There has been apprehension in some quarters of the Indian polity since the election of Barack Obama who belongs to the Democratic Party, which traditionally has been tilted towards Pakistan in matters concerning both these nations, particularly the Kashmir issue.

True, Democratic Presidents in the past had tried arming Pakistan in such a way that it could act as a deterrent for India in its quest to become a powerful nation vis-À-vis China. They saw Pakistan as a buffer between Russia and China and a base for operations in Afghanistan. The situation, however, has changed radically from what it was eight years ago when Democrats were last in the White House.

Russia, recuperating from its ignominious fall, has become a power to reckon with. China has captured a sizeable slice of the global market along with the US, Russia and Japan. Under these circumstances, Mr. Obama with his slogan of “Change” will certainly have to adopt more aggressive policies in favour of India than the Bush regime. US strategists know that they need to woo India lest it lean towards Russia. A “change” in the Democratic policy by Mr. Obama is, therefore, inevitable.

Ganti Mahapatruni Rama Rao,

C-1199, IFFCO Colony, Sector 17 B, Gurgaon - 122 001.

ICICI’s ways

I submitted a request to ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company for insurance of my life on August 18, 2005, along with a cheque dated August 17, 2005, for Rs.9,000. On August 20, 2005, a policy bearing No.01839621 (UIN105L013V01) was issued on my life.

I deposited Rs.54,000 as premium towards my policy for three years, Rs.9,000 being the half-yearly premium.

On September 9, 2008, I submitted a request to the Branch Manager, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, B/39, Ground Floor, Middle Circle, near PVR Plaza, Connaught Place, New Delhi, for partial withdrawal of Rs.41,000 from my policy account. I requested for payment in cash. An official of the branch informed me that my request would be considered within the stipulated time of three working days wherein the amount would be directly credited to my SBI savings account. When the amount was not credited even after seven working days nor was any response received, I called their Customer Care and also contacted them in person.

On September15, I received an SMS intimating that Rs.41,000 had been credited to my SBI account. But it wasn’t. I contacted them again with request to either hand over the cash in person or credit it to my account. I was willing to accept a cheque also.

On September 19, I received another SMS stating that a cheque had been sent to my residence by post. But I have not received any such cheque till date (November 24). Thoroughly aghast and disillusioned, I look forward to some action now.

K. L. Narain,

Administrative Officer, O/O DIGP, CRPF, Delhi Range, New Delhi–110 066.

Shahdara calling

Passengers, particularly daily commuters, are facing a lot of inconvenience in buying tickets at Shahdara Junction during peak hours. Out of the six computerised booking counters that Northern Railway had started, three were supposed to work during the day and two during night hours. It has, however, been observed that only two counters work during the day and one during night hours, causing inconvenience to the public.

More than 90 trains -- mail, express and ordinary -- stop here daily but no proper booking facilities are available. This discrepancy has been brought to the notice of higher authorities of the Northern Railway more than once but to no effect.

While on the one hand the Railway Board has increased the penalty for travelling without ticket from Rs.100 to Rs.250, on the other hand inadequate facilities at the stations are forcing many to travel without tickets. It amounts to harassing the public twice over.

To overcome this difficulty, we suggest that an additional booking office be opened near platform No. 3 at Shahdara Junction. Will the Railway Minister look into the matter personally and facilitate the opening of more ticket counters at Shahdara Junction without any further delay?

M. M. Dubey Bijnori,

Secretary, Dainik Yatri Sangh, Delhi – 110 032.

Lost and found

I was in Delhi last week in connection with an examination. After the examination, I went over to the India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan. There I lost my card holder containing my credit cards, debit cards, train tickets and other documents. I frantically searched for it but in vain.

Totally dejected I came back to my hotel room.

Soon, to my utter delight, I received a call from a stranger who said he had found my card holder and was calling after finding out my phone number from my visiting card which was inside the card holder.

I went to collect my belongings the next day. This gentleman was Pankaj Jain, Assistant Manager at DLF South Court Mall in Saket.

In today’s world, where honesty and truthfulness are vanishing, it came as a pleasant surprise that such souls still exist. Through The Hindu here now I would like to thank Mr. Jain again. Biju Thankachan,

G-13, Adarsh Nagar, Durg – 491 001, Chhattisgarh.

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