Yeh dil mange more Chinese mobile

http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=412&Itemid=51

Baba Umar

In a bid to flood consumers with a myriad of features on their cell phones, several mobile companies have been vying to hit the valley with phones of different features, sizes and colours. And the fresh contestant in the mobile phone market is Chinese made mobiles. Popularly known here as ‘Chinie mobile’, they are quite inexpensive when compared to their counterparts and are selling like anything.

“It’s just the 15th day here and we are running short of stock,” says effusive Muneer Qureshi, owner of World Vision Mobile centre, where the customers are regularly pouring in.

It seems the ‘Chinese dragon’ is pushing back the ‘Holy cows’ in the mobile sector here as the customers are going crazy about these flashy cell phones with official company statement imprinted on the boxes they come with.

“These phones are economical to the pocket and have similar features one can have in the highest series of Nokia cell phones,” says Jahangir Ahmad, a computer engineer, who has just bought a Chinese CECT model.

Among the different models available CECT, H-King, D-328, A8+, N-Series and BAIZHAD are the much sought after cell phones. They are priced between rupees 3000- 6100 range and some of them come with dual SIM features, 80 percent screen space, GPRS, voice recorder and almost 2GB memory card. One of the models that cost 6100 includes a touch screen and one can also watch television on it. The customers say they are happy with the ‘reverse technology’.

“Its sound system is without comparison and the imaging is quite nice,” a young boy says, while displaying the gadget he has purchased. “Now the television is in my pocket and the joy stick is there to stroll over the big screen.” The owner is waiting for the fancy items that will cater to the teenagers, mostly college going boys and girls. “We have ordered for the showy mobile sets,” says Qureshi.

Though these China-made gadgets come with double battery and all other special features and accessories, there is no guarantee or exchange scheme. However so far, the sellers say that they have not received any complaints.

So next time anyone displays a flashy and expensive looking mobile don’t get befogged, he may have just bought a Chinese mobile.

Job war: Govt versus Private!

http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=440&Itemid=51

BABA UMAR

Ever wondered on the attitude of your relatives who shower blessings to your brother on getting a government job and never utter a word of compliment when you got a placement in a private firm where your salary is more than your brother!

And what about the trend ( popularly known as ‘Vartav’ in Kashmiri) when your relatives come with loads of fruits and present a gold chain to your sibling who had made into the government services, while at the same time you are completely ignored? Boy, no need to be envious, blame the custom here.

“We carry this baggage from our forefathers and such people have limited vision and a narrow channel to think,” says Tashif Ayaz, working as a Knowledge Management Publisher in a Multi National Company (MNC), Hyderabad. Ayaz, a victim of this ‘negative tradition’ says such well-wishers believe in being happy with little or no risks. “People in Kashmir”, he says, “always see the government service as a permanent solution to all financial and other problems which is not factual.”

“I remember when my cousin got a government job and people thronged him in herds to congratulate and present ‘Vartav’ and all that…and when I got selected in an MNC, my relatives seldom appreciated it,” recollects Ayaz.

There was a time when an 8th pass student would easily get into government services.

“Even if you earn lakhs per month in a private sector, it is played down and negated,” says Qayoom Ahmad. “People here in Kashmir have limited vision regarding the benefits of private services and I guess youngsters need to put it on permanent halt.”

Even the marriages proposals are being decided on the nature of service one is involved in. The better match is one who is in a government service regardless of the salary he is drawing. And there are anecdotes that cause one to simply accept disappointment at times. Ahmad’s brother is one such case.

“My brother got master’s in finance from a reputed University in Delhi and when he came back to valley he started the profession of Auditing ( in various government and non- government organisations) and he was doing well,” says Ahmad. “But when our parents put forward a marriage proposal to a girl’s family, we were shell-shocked on the reaction.”“The boy should be a government employer, no matter if he is a Rehbar-e- taleem (government teacher who earns Rs. 1500 a month),” was the reply from the bride’s mother.

However, Ayaz opines that things can change once the private sector booms in the valley. He says that private organisations are not much visible in the valley that could otherwise make people change their attitude.“Government jobs are still visible in the valley and how come people believe on something which they have never seen”, says Ayaz. “ But once the private industry overtakes the government, everything will change.”