How Much Bribe Will You Pay in a Lifetime in India?

November 27, 2015 ~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

I’m sitting in a hotel banquet hotel writing this piece of thought. This is what I saw from this reputed hotel in Hyderabad – the banquet manager of this hotel told us that there’s a liquor inspection happening. He said that any liquor bottles kept should be removed. After few minutes a gang of govt babus came in, escorted by the hotel staff. These guys sniffed around and went way. I’m damn sure that these inspectors must be well fed by the hotel guys. It’s a farce exercise!!!

All these inspection made me think of different inspections. Remember the school inspection. In Central School, annual inspection was a routine kind. Our typical school life used to be disturbed with the news of notice which was read by the class teacher, saying that inspection guys will be coming next week. So, come with your best dress, polished black shoes, and books with notes, etc.

The inspectors are senior guys who from Delhi. During such inspection, these serious looking inspectiors sit along with the students, and ask random questions to students. It usually scares the shit out of me as I’m one of the dumps who just scrape through the class exam. During the inspection, I try my best to be invisible to the big man sitting behind the class.

Fast forward to this moment, when I know that all kinds of inspection involving govt staff will involve kickbacks, bribe or any kind of goodies.

Well, what all kinds of bribe do we pay in India, in 2015.

To expedite driving license process, or to bypass the test.
Start a business. While applying for license, or to overcome the delay.
RTO ( Big Time) I wish I was an employee in this dept!
Police ( Big Yes) Who gets the max, traffic guys or the other guys
Telephone Dept used to get ( to get telephone ahead of other) Now, it’s non-existent as they lost the monopoly
Train booking ( not much!) Thank you IRCTC website
Building Inspectors ( again the rules are vague allowing these inspectors to harass the builders)
Sales Tax ( A big scope for all sorts of manipulation)
Forest Guys ( Timber is the new gold)
Revenue Dept ( Land rules and property disputes are big Yes for fleecing people)
Hotel Industry ( all kinds of inspection, etc)
Tax Dept ( Save tax, evade tax, etc, etc)
and many more…

Well, I’ve paid to traffic cops when I broke the signal, when I rode without papers, paid to cop when they towed my scooter away, paid bribe when I applied for food license, etc. Not surprising, a recent new report shows how a third of Delhi residents had paid bribe to avail public services. Shameful!

So, what’s your experience when it comes to paying bribe? Have you shared your bribe incident with your friends, colleagues or in public forums or on website such as I Paid a Bribe.com? If not, lighten your woe by telling the world about your bribe story. And, when you’re dealing with a sarkari matter, such as a registeration, or anything such thing, it’s advisable to know the kind of bribe levels prevailing in the market. It’s best to be aware

35 Mobile App Ideas for Startups

November 24, 2015 ~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

I often get ideas on the fly. Most ideas which sprout in my mind, has a very limited shelf life. Often I think it’s an eureka moment. But, I forget most of these ideas on the same day. I thought of penning down ideas which hover around me,

So, what mobile app ideas are likely to be a hit, which will be a waste of your money and effort. What about monetizing these mobile app? Will it be beneficial to people, or will it add to the app clutter.

1) App to spot public toilets or in hotels

Don’t know if there is one mobile application in India to geo spot loo in India. Creating one will be helpful to all the wandering souls in our country. This app can spot, women friendly loos, mark the cleanliness factor ( give star rating), and many other aspects. Such as, the closest loo ( how many km…), etc.

2) Puncher shops & Petrol

I bet there should be one by one. Especially is cities like Bangalore, where getting a flat tire in an unknown locality will be catastrophic. Probably, it can spot petrol shops, road side assistance services in case of car or two wheeler breakdown.

3) Sharing & More Caring World

There are many times when we need a photocopy or print out or even buy a diaper or more importantly a condom in the middle of the night. Or it could be a craving to have fish, or chicken or beef or pork. How do you connect with people who can provide assist your or lend you this favour. Is there a way to connect or ask questions through the app and get immediate response. Is there a way to crowd-source and help people get over a mini or major crisis?

As cities are getting less-caring, or be dis-connected, such an app can connect with people who can spare a gas cylinder, or even give a needy person a ride to the hospital, or give them a hot coffee. Is it possible? Who will authenticate the users, without which all the unwanted elements can spoil the use of such an app.

4) App to Barter Goods

I have extra coconuts in my store room which I’m willing to trade for something equal. How can connect or meet a person who require this and willing to pay a consideration or exchange? Can I trade my knowledge on digital marketing and in return they will pay this month’s grocery bill or water bill or electricity bill.

Barter system which was active in yesteryears could come back, if there’s a way to connect with users. I’m serious about this. It can bring a parallel economy, which will thrive using the connectivity of mobile apps. Will this app idea work?

5) Donate

This scenario happened in Trivandrum. The jackfruit tree in our house yielded more. We wanted to give . away the excess jackfruit to anyone who was willing to take it. But, how do we find and reach a person in our locality? How will I find it? I can’t go on knocking each door and ask them? A better way would be to connect through a mobile app, reach people who will be pick or share the item or even a service.

Recently, I installed an app called Hey, neighbor. I think such apps will suit the purpose

Reboot Old Book Stores

November 3, 2015 ~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

I don’t like the sight of empty shop, especially where it is a book store. In the recent past I visited two such bookstore which wore a deserted look.

One is near Domlur flyover in Bangalore and another one near Over Bridge Junction in Trivandrum.

The book store in Bangalore is part of a big chain, but I was surprised to see very few customers. After browsing for a considerable time I ended with a pen, just b’cos I didn’t want to leave the store with an empty hand. At the counter, I forcefully started a conversation with the guy. I told that they could probably start a old book collection, where people can sell used books in a separate counter. He immediately dismissed the idea. My idea was simple – this would bring more visitors, esp people who have placed their books for sale.

The Story of Continental Book Store in Trivandrum

A decade or so back, I was a frequent visitor to Continental Book Store at Overbridge junction, Trivandrum. The visit happened mostly during evering on the first working day of the month. With my salary in hand ( all cash), I visit this store to buy pens, some stationery stuff. Sometimes, I just browse through the erotica session at the back end of the book store, etc.

In 2015, when I visited this place after a long-long gap, I was not surprised to find myself the only customer. The old charm of this big store is long gone. The book counter, the old inventory all speaks of its bad phase. Here again I went around the usual session opening up the picture erotica book, something I haven’t seen earlier. Yes, a new experience seeing erotic picture book.Have you seen one? It’s like a picture story book you have seen as a child. The castles and houses coming out of the book – here’s it’s hot stuff springing to action!

This time I took two cook book and at the counter I asked the young chap if he is part of the owner. I passed the same comment. Why not start a old book counter, which will bring more participants. He said, that old books are dusty and it will spoil other books. Probably, he is right from his side. But, I wanted more customer, more action. I just wanted to tell him… times have changed and all book store are facing the heat from online stores.

While walking back I thought I should have told a more convincing idea. So, here’s the plan to revive these book stores.And, I believe there are lot of folks in Trivandrum who just love to hang around old book stores looking for a good deal, or to exchange their collection. For inspiration, you can visit Blossom Book store in Church Street, Bangalore.

Anyways, here’s my plan:

1) Start a session dedicated to old books.
2) It could be rebranded as old and rare book section
3) Start a facebook page where you can post old, rare and high demand educational books
4) Post picture of new book arrivals
5) Invite authors for book reading session. In B’lore, Landmark is doing this exercise on a regular basis
6) Start a vintage comic book session ( there are many Indrajal Comic fans like me). I bet this could bring those people who love Mandrake, Bahadur, and Amar Chitra Katha fans.
7) Once in a while, conduct a caricature or cursive writing workshop
8) Get a handwriting expert to visit the store and publicize this event on your Facebook page