What you got served at a restaurant - part 3

Go Veg Restaurant

(Near Wipro Park towards Sarjapur Road on first floor)

Near Devi Eye Clinic, Koramangala 6th Block

425, 80 feet road, Bangalore, Karnataka

This is rebranded Mast Kalandar with change in management of some sort that happened couple of months ago. The food quality, taste and pricing is almost identical as earlier. OK so what new about this one? Earlier in one of the Mast Kalandar I had got a piece of cloth inside their Amritsari stuffed Kulcha/Prantha. I was second time unlucky today with this one. Today went to this Go Veg place in 6th block and there was a piece of metal wire in the Punjabi Combo I ordered.

The metal piece was in my mouth and while chewing the food I felt some thing metallic. As per the restaurant manager it is nothing but a piece of metal scrubber used for cleaning utensils, they are sorry about it. As I was with my daughter, was not in a fighting mood and did not want to create a scene there I just finished eating and walked out. Towards the end one of the person serving food brought one piece of Gulab jamun as apology! for two of us to share. No offer for any refund or any thing. I enjoyed the place and food till the metal piece was found.

We were lucky that the metal came in my piece not the one which my daughter was eating as it could have been a major problem had it caused a cut in mouth or had it got into stomach of either of us. I do not understand one after the another as you would see one restaurant serves flies in food, another one a piece of cloth and now metal pieces.

These are just recent incidents earlier also various objects have been found in food while eating out or even in office cafeterias from any where insects to used chewing gums. These make me and my family more and more reluctant to eat out but this can not be fully avoided. All restaurants specially these new entrepreneurs starting new restaurant businesses should some serious incident happens like the ones reported recently for government's mid day meal scheme across India where many objects, insects and animals have been cooked and served along with meals causing serious illnesses to hundreds of school children.

- Neeraj Sharma

Related Posts -

What you got served at Restaurant Part 1

What you got served at Restaurant Part 2

Tata Sky Power Adaptor Replacement

My around a year Tata Sky (legacy not the Tata Sky +) set top box did not power up today and I debugged the cause to be bad power adaptor. I did some google search and found many people have problems with Tata Sky power adaptors and were looking for replacement options. There are posts which say that Tata Sky's sevice agents charge anywhere from couple of hundred rupees to six hundred rupees for a replacement (that too some times an old used power adaptor) which is too much. Even there are cases when Tata Sky agents have refused to replace the power adaptor which they claim is not covered under warranty.

So in case you are looking for a power adaptor and go to market for a replacement just keep in mind to buy a good adaptor with 12V output and a minimum output current rating equal to the original adaptor's rating which is 1.5A (ampere). So when shopping just look for a compatible plug and rating 12V and minimum 1.5A (or minimum 12V, 18W). 

Voltage x Current = Power (volt x ampere = watt) 

12V x 1.5A = 18W  

I had a 12V 2A adaptor handy at home from another product not in use so I am able to use it without any problem. There is one customer online from Qatar who reported that his replacement adaptor overheated and died within an hour of operation. That most likely happened because of a lower wattage adaptor 12V and less than 1.5A rating. 

So just keep the voltage and current rating in mind when you use a replacement.  

- Neeraj. 

Post any questions that you may have.

New sub Rs20K 10" Netbook from Wipro.

Wipro has launched a new netbook e.go 7F3800 with a 10-inch screen size. This netbook is powered by an Intel Atom 270 CPU, has an impressive 2GB RAM and preloaded with Windows XP Home edition. Other features include a 1.3MP webcam, stereo speakers, 120GB hard disk, 3 USB ports, a 3hour battery life and weight around 1.25 kg. Launch price is Rs. 19,990, including tax.. At launch these are planned to be sold through Reliance Digital, E-Zone and Next stores. 

Price point is appealing given the specs.

- Neeraj

Interesting conversation between Verizon agent and a customer

Hi. Here on you tube you can find an interesting conversation between Verizon service agent and a customer. Debate is if there is a difference between $0.002 (dollars) and 0.002c (cents)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCJ3Oz5JVKs

Enjoy.

- Neeraj

Airtel Mobile- Bangalore - Quality of Service

I have been using Airtel Mobile (postpaid, personal connection under corporate scheme) for many years now and as their customer base has increased, the quality of service has taken a major hit. In last 1-2 years it has gone from being bad to worst. 

What all problems I have faced and keep facing? Here are some, some recent ones and some in past - not in any specific order. Similar issues have been reported by many friends and colleagues.

1. Dropped calls when in conversation (even when you are not moving and in good signal quality area.

2. Frequent one gets Network busy and calls not getting connected both mobile to mobile and mobile to land line (local as well as STD) 

3. Calls not getting disconnected when you press call disconnect button. (it is not a phone problem but network problem as it happens on any handset one uses). Many times the phone keeps showing continuation of the call even after multiple attempts. One is on mercy of the network and it some times takes anywhere from 30 seconds to more than a minute for call to get disconnected. Looks like a very smart way of Airtel to increase billing from customer as I have seen in detailed billing specially those calls which got disconnected after a delay.

Any one recalls those BSNL/DOT PCO days when you used to disconnect  a call and your STD meter used to jump and show a higher reading.. I see a similarity here, trying to cheat customers, may be.

4. You call customer care about any billing issue or for acomplaint, more than 7 out of 10 times answer is - Sir system is down or we are facing some problems - can you call later.. Many times they do not issue a complaint number. One way to get rid of customer - Sir, I will SMS you the complaint/Case number in some time.. that some time never comes.. So one tried once or twice and then seeing their attitude and in interest of our time, one just lives with the problem or just pays whatever you are billed for.

5. Wrong billing for data services. Once when I was on a weekly unlimited data plan, there was a time when I was charged twice in a week and for many times charged when network had issues and no data services were available. Once you get billed you remain on mercy of the operator and call center agents in case you want to get your billing fixed.

6. Non responsiveness to the DO NOT CALL registry related complaints.. In fact Airtel folks  themselves call and send unwanted marketing messages.

And why the hell I am staying with Airtel? Do not have mobile number portability yet.. so in order to retain my number I have to stay with the operator. 

Share your views.

Thanks.. Have a nice day.

Neeraj

Also posted on http://mytechnothoughts.blogspot.in/

Airtel Mobile- Bangalore - Quality of Service

I have been using Airtel Mobile (postpaid, personal connection under corporate scheme) for many years now and as their customer base has increased, the quality of service has taken a major hit. In last 1-2 years it has gone from being bad to worst. 

What all problems I have faced and keep facing? Here are some, some recent ones and some in past - not in any specific order. Similar issues have been reported by many friends and colleagues.

1. Dropped calls when in conversation (even when you are not moving and in good signal quality area.

2. Frequent one gets Network busy and calls not getting connected both mobile to mobile and mobile to land line (local as well as STD) 

3. Calls not getting disconnected when you press call disconnect button. (it is not a phone problem but network problem as it happens on any handset one uses). Many times the phone keeps showing continuation of the call even after multiple attempts. One is on mercy of the network and it some times takes anywhere from 30 seconds to more than a minute for call to get disconnected. Looks like a very smart way of Airtel to increase billing from customer as I have seen in detailed billing specially those calls which got disconnected after a delay.

Any one recalls those BSNL/DOT PCO days when you used to disconnect  a call and your STD meter used to jump and show a higher reading.. I see a similarity here, trying to cheat customers, may be.

4. You call customer care about any billing issue or for a complaint, more than 7 out of 10 times answer is - Sir system is down or we are facing some problems - can you call later.. Many times they do not issue a complaint number. One way to get rid of customer - Sir, I will SMS you the complaint/Case number in some time.. that some time never comes.. So one tried once or twice and then seeing their attitude and in interest of our time, one just lives with the problem or just pays whatever you are billed for.

5. Wrong billing for data services. Once when I was on a weekly unlimited data plan, there was a time when I was charged twice in a week and for many times charged when network had issues and no data services were available. Once you get billed you remain on mercy of the operator and call center agents in case you want to get your billing fixed.

6. Non responsiveness to the DO NOT CALL registry related complaints.. In fact Airtel folks  themselves call and send unwanted marketing messages.

And why the hell I am staying with Airtel? Do not have mobile number portability yet.. so in order to retain my number I have to stay with the operator. 

Share your views.

Thanks.. Have a nice day.

Neeraj

Using US/110V Wii in India - Voltage Conversion

If you plan to use USA Wii in India, most important thing to note is the AC power voltage, which in India is 220V compared to half i.e. 110V. Never plug in a USA power adaptor into an Indian power socket as it will burn the power adaptor. 

So ensure that either you have a universal (110V to 220/240V range) Wii power adaptor like the onces available in many shops and online through Amazon and other internet shopping sites. convertor or a 220V version adaptor. 

One option is to use a voltage convertor (220V to 110V) which are used to power US appliances in India. 

Another point to note is the difference between a voltage convertor and a socket/plug adaptor. Socket/plug adaptors as shown below do not convert the voltage they just change the pin type.  Below ones can be used if you have a 220V input compatible power adaptor.

If you just use these with a US Wii power adaptor in India then also the power adaptor will go bad and you will not be able to use Wii.

You need one of the following options. to connect a USA Wii power adaptor.

Rest Later. Have a good day.

- Neeraj

What you got served at a restaurant - part 2

This is at Bhartiyam restaurant (Bharatiyam Indian Bites) in BDA complex HSR Layout Bangalore. I used to be a frequent visitor there with my family and was mostly satisfied. But one fine day, one of the items we ordered was their Grilled Platter, which includes grilled cheese also and we found a dead house fly. Here are the pictures. Lucky that by chance I broke this cheese piece to before putting in my mouth.

On showing this to the staff they acted as if it was my fault that I found this.. When I asked for manager, they said he is not around.. then on insisting they said we can introduce to one of the relatives of the manager.. then the manager came. Then the story started on this is not our fault, it is fault of who ever supplied the raw material i.e. cheese and we can not do any thing about it.. Then trying to convince me and then scare me - why you took picture of your plate? You have to delete this.. In return we will give you another plate or will offer you free Kulfi (ice cream), will give you discount next time etc. etc... I deleted few of the pictures in front of them to show that these are gone now but in meanwhile had transferred two of these in my pocket PC. This happened many months ago and now that I started blogging thought of sharing my experience with you all.

Over all my view on feedback on quality of food was reasonable, before this incident. After this I have not personally visited this place. Prices are inflated and on higher side. Feedback from friends and others who frequent the place have been negative as once in a while they have found problems like hair, insects etc etc.. New customers are often impressed by variety and taste to start but in frequent visits the hype dies down and with such incidents, they are not able to retain customers for long, now that there are so many other options for food and restaurants in HSR Layout, Koramangala and Sarjapur Road in Bangalore.

You are welcome to share your views.

Have a nice day..

- Neeraj

Related Posts

What you got served at Restaurant Part 1

What you got served at Restaurant Part 3

What you got served at a restaurant?

I have been living in Bangalore for close to ten years now and it has been a mixed bag of experiences, when it comes to restaurant food and quality of service. Let me start by sharing some experiences. I have been served many things in restaurant foods from pieces of cloth to insects. At one of the restaurants Mast Kalandar in Koramangala (on 80 ft road when you go from Sony World towards new Passport office), I got this piece of cloth inside their Amritsari stuffed Kulcha/Prantha. Thanks to widely available cameras which are now virtually everywhere in phones, one can now record what you get served.

Here is a zoomed view!

The manager was in a don't care kind of mood and one of cooks told me that some times the cloths used for cooking and cleaning may go into the dough and this would have just happened. The manager on after some discussion offered me to serve me a free single Kulcha. I was told they can not serve a full plate as there was a problem with only one piece! As if they were doing some charity. Because of their attitude, I did not go to that place again. They have few branches around Bangalore quality of food and service varies quite a lot.

Rest Later,

- Neeraj

Related Posts

What you got served at a Restaurant Part 2

What you got served at a Restaurant Part 3

Where to buy Nintendo Wii in India? Few options listed.

As of now mid of Feb 2009, official launch of Nintendo Wii has not happened in India. I hope that happens soon. I see many inquires on net and otherwise, on where to buy a Wii in India so thought of summarizing some options here.  

All of the systems available in India are imported, brought into India by friends and family members or in so called grey market. These come from various countries and are so country locked mostly unless hacked and modded. 

Issue with country specific systems is that you need to check the voltage compatibility and also need to get games from the same country. The accessories like Remote/Controller and Nunchuk can be purchased from any country and are region free.

In Bangalore I saw systems available in Landmark in The Forum Mall last month and all these were imported from Dubai and appeard to be European region machines. 

Reliance digital also carries few machines ones in a while so you can check for availability in your region. They mostly have USA versions for which we need to pay extra for 220V power adaptor (Nintendo sells machines with AC voltage adaptors meant for specific country (no universal power adaptor). So need to invest in 220V to 110 V convertor along with the console.

Online Ebay India has many listing for consoles mostly USA versions again and few Asian PAL versions some time. Recently few Australian and Korean versions have also appeared (priced any where from ~ Rs17000 onwards. Ebay India prices for consoles have come down by couple of thosand rupees recently but please check for sellers reputation and feedback before placing any order on Ebay.

JJ Mehta, the Mumbai Photo store which also sells through Internet (search google for a link) carries USA versions and sells for Rs21990 and 220V adaptor an extra Rs2000. This is on an expensive side. 

If you are bringing a system from USA/Canada, please ensure that you but a good quality 220V to 110V convertor and DO NOT directly connect a USA version console into an Indian power socket. 

Best wishes.

Update 19 Feb 2009.

Last years press release had listed HCL Infosystems (same company of HCL computers fame) as one of the two distributors for Wii in India. Also HCL's website lists them as Nintendo's official partner in India. I had not seen any Wii's through official channels in India so far, so requested a response from HCL. In email response they confirmed that "Yes Nintendo Wii is available for sales in India through HCL retail channel partners." But they did not confirm when these will be available off the shelf but one can give it a try contacting HCL dealers and requesting for a quote.

Some reference links 

http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/pressmarket/hcl-infosystems-reports-cons-revenuers-3140cr/382121

http://www.hclinfosystems.in/pro_digi.htm

- Neeraj

Wii Sports Tennis - Score Update

Managed to play for some more time.. My current score has crossed 2050 now.  At these levels it becomes more difficult to beat the Wii game's internal players. 

I will also be getting a second set of remotes soon, so will be able to play with others as well. 

Wii Sports Scores

I will be posting my Wii Sports gaming progress here and possibly some clips here soon.. Individuals from India playing Wii sports can also add their high scores and comments here.

I started playing Wii Sports around mid of December 2008. Here is a snapshot of my game score (1576) as on 15th Jan 2009. My current ranking score in Wii Sports Tennis is 1850.

Have a good day. 

Music SW from Microsoft - Songsmith

Microsoft has launched a Music SW called Songsmith that can help you create your own songs and music without any knowledge of music and for whatever you sing or talk! It promises to create matching music to whatever way or style in which you sing.

As per official site it you can create your own songs, using just your voice! Songsmith helps you create songs using just your voice, by choosing musical accompaniments to match whatever you sing.

Do few settings on type of music you want, and sing. Immediately, Songsmith will create music to back up your voice.

songsmith MS Research link

Software retails for $29.95 or appx. Indian Rs 1500 on Microsoft website.
Here is a link for Free Trial Download

- Neeraj

Nintendo - Wii - Not around yet in India

Even after launch annouced in India in September 2008, Wii's are no where to be seen in India through official channel. It appears that Christmas and Holiday season demand in US, Europe and other markets did not allow Nintendo to have enough units for an Indian launch. Most units are being imported into India from various countries and are being sold through some electronics stores and also ebay India (mostly USA versions).

The kind of experience Wii gaming offers, I believe that there is a large market of the product in India. Is Nintendo listening?

- Neeraj