Culture-संचार

My sister gave me an envelope, before going away and said,"Go to the Sanchaar Haat in Sunder Vihaar market and talk to Mr Khosla. I have talked to him yesterday. He will organize to disconnect the MTNL phone."

I tried to locate the Sanchaar Haat (संचार हाट) meaning "telecom mall". I went to the market where I thought it was, and inquired a friendly guy standing around. He told me that Sanchaar Haat was in the Sunder Vihaar DDA market. He asked me what business I had there. I told him want to disconnect MTNL phone.

I said this market also looks like Sunder Vihaar market, it is in Sunder Vihaar! He said no this is 'in front of- Sunder Vihaar- market'. He gave me directions how to go to this Sanchaar Haat. I asked him,"Can I take a car in the small street there?"

" Oh, sure, car can go".

I said, near the Post office.

He said, no- the other direction, not the post office.

I went to the car and started the motor.

I saw this guy in the market make some motions, coming in my direction. I thought he is probably going there. I lowered the window, looked quizzical. He came to the car, look, my friend tells me the Sanchaar Haat has shifted to the Telephone exchange a few yards in front of where we were currently talking.

I said good. He said look petrol is expensive and I thought help you by giving this quick update. I said, some good people are still around. Thank you so much.

I go to the Telephone exchange and go to the room just in front. No labels, no directions, no Haat. Peep in the room, two chairs no people. I hesitatingly move towards an inner room, manned by a lady fixated on the telescreen. Large desk- senior looking. More hesitation. Gather my guts and as she raises her face away from the screen, I venture,"Want to give a letter for disconnection." "Go inside the inner room, she invited.

So far , so good. I look in the inner room. Three tables. "Yes", one lady says. I said Mr Khosla of Sanchaar Haat? She said there is no Mr Khosla and Sanchaar Haat is out there, not here. What do you want. I say want to give this application for disconnection. She said this is OUR business, not of Sanchaar Haat. Show me the letter. I show the letter. She asks where is the ID of your sister, and where is the instrument. I say no ID and no instrument. Why is the identification required. She said it is required. I said now a days no one takes an instrument from MTNL. She said, no you must be having the instrument.

I think, this girl does not know a thing. My sister has talked to Mr Khosla yesterday. She has been told to attach a phone bill and that is why she could not do it herself. Mr Khosla of Sanchaar Haat, my savior, one of the good human beings of this place called Hastinapur, or Indraprastha, now Delhi and future Dilli.

So I search for the Mr Khosla in the Sanchaar Haat in Sunder Vihaar DDA market, and get him. I politely tell him the purpose of my visit. Sir, my sister visited you yesterday, and you guided her. Here is the application.

What, he says, Sanchaar Haat gives connections, not take them back. This is the job of Telephone exchange. And where is the ID proof? Go to the Exchange across the road. Not rude, not really if I now ponder.

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When you are in a new city, try to learn its language. A city expresses itself in the language of its culture. Read in between the lines. Understand the meaning.

When a person says, his car gives 25kms to a litre what does he mean, maybe 19 or 20. When a guy invites you to a dinner at 8 PM, and you are the type who eats at 8, better eat at 8 and the start towards his place leisurely to reach around 10. You haven't missed a thing. No apologies required.

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We had a dictionary for one of our seniors, who was new to the Delhi power centres. And its Babus sitting in various ministries. Everyone knew when he said lets go meet Mr Neelakanthan in Udyog Bhawan, he meant Mr Palaniappan in Shastri Bhawan!

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