The word 'Dear' is used very frequently in India. Somehow the word 'Dear' is very personal for me and I use it only for family and close friends. For others I prefer a simple 'Hi' .

I can't help but notice the fact that especially when you file a customer complaint, the reply comes with a 'Dear Mrs.XXXXX' . Why do customers get so close to suppliers when they file a complaint ?

Reminds me of my constant babble about supplier-driven markets in India, the lack of usability analysis (I am using this management buzzy for lack of a simpler word) and the way customers take whatever is thrown at them, for whatever price ! The costlier the better ! One has to stop and think 'Is this worth it ?'.

One of the bloggers has a nice thought. She says,

'Tis only twice that all men are equal
When they are born and when the soul leaves the body cold
What happens in between the end and the beginning
Is a continuous process of balancing the unbalanced
Even that, I believe, is still not a valid reason
For stepping onto another's scale to steady thy own

One may not agree with the mix up of the 'Wordsworthian' style and the Indian style of English, but her thoughts are good.

I particularly liked the line

"For stepping onto another's scale to steady thy own"

Around five years back, when I was commuting by the local trains in Mumbai, there was a very old Parsi lady. She was very thin and so weak. She got into the train and just sat down on the floor. She didn't have the strength to even reach the seats. She had to get down at Dadar West and move to the East side. She asked me how she could reach the other side of Dadar. I don't know why but I told her that I would get down with her and take her to the other side. She was so weak that I was scared of touching and hurting her. Somehow I managed to take her to the other side. She blessed me with something and it came true. I wonder where she is today.

Why am I reminded of this today ?

Every once in a while I feel like calling upon some of the 'goodwill' powers.

Asatho Maa Sad Gamaya
Thamaso Maa Jyothir Gamaya
Mrithyor Maa Amritham Gamaya

Enakku mattum sondham undan ethazh kodukkum muttham
Unakku mattum ketkum endan uyir urugum sattam

My scrambling reached its limits today !

How does the name 'Vis Diary' sound for a blog ?