Twitter handle and it's regular usage should be made compulsory for all government departments. This will be of great help to the public to register their grievances and complaints. A dedicated working Twitter handle will surely help sort out many public issues. While it will be very easy for the public to express their thoughts, it will in turn reduce the work load of government departments. At the same time it will help to identify efficient and honest employees - departments. To give an example: Railway ministry is being applauded by the people for its Twitter use. Public appreciate the fact that they can forward their grievances against a particular problem/service related with railways to its Twitter handle and they get immediate response in majority of the cases. Likewise the other departments/authorities too will be cautious in performing their duties for the fear that the same tweet can be addressed to their superiors. One may argue that percentage of people using Twitter is very less and it has limitations of words.. But it surely can become one of the several effective measures to bring transparency and efficiency in administrative works.
Friday, November 18, 2016
Monday, November 14, 2016
Impact on Real Estate Sector (after demonetizing)
Demonetizing Impact on Real Estate Sector
20% fall in Housing Sector. Interest rates may fall.
In India one third of black money is used in real estate sector. This accounts for around 11% of GDP. People invest a major chunk of their black money in real estate as it is comparatively easy to dilute and there is huge saving in taxes and stamp duty.
1) Maximum negative impact will be seen in Real Estate Sector. Black Money is used heavily in Real Estate Transactions. This will stop to a large extent. Builders will be in trouble since HNI clients will stay away. This is precisely the reason why real estate shares have fallen by close to 20% within 2 days of the demonetizing announcement.
2) Flats will become cheaper by at least 15%, may be more...as those with black money will stay away. Lack of cash in real estate transactions will invite only genuine clients (with less/no black money). Till now builders used to quote rates as per location of the scheme. This will be discouraged to a large extent. Builders will offer discounts and other lucrative schemes.
3) Registry will be done at market rates. Less black money means less loss of stamp duty. Till now the general trend was that for a flat of 50 lakhs 10 lakhs was given in cash (Black) and registry was done on 40 lakhs. This will stop to a large extent.
4) Those who had purchased the property by paying black money and showing registry in lower amount will incur losses as further resale of that property will be as per registry amount. They will have to incur capital gains.
5) Housing loan rates offered by banks may fall... around 8.5%. This will probably be done to stabilize real estate market. Down payment limit may also fall by 10-15%.
6) Situation may improve after 6 months if there is enough cash flow.
The writer is a Manpower and Real Estate Consultant at Nagpur. He can be reached at 8788227326. Material written here is copyrighted.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
This is how you can enjoy inner peace !
Never allow yourself to be disturbed by the acts or words of others...
Always maintain your calm and aplomb !
Never punish yourself by getting angry, upset or restless because of others !
If at all you have to take any decision , never take it in the state of excitement or when your emotions are running high !
First chill yourself, give some time to yourself, get emotionally settled and then take a proper decision !
Courage and wisdom are complimentary to each other !
They mean taking right decision at the right time without being afraid of anyone or anything !
This is how you can enjoy inner peace !
(The blog writer/Compiler is a Management Professional and operates a Manpower & Property Consultancy Firm. Besides, he is President of "Consumer Justice Council", Secretary of "SARATHI", Member of "Jan Manch", Holds "Palakatva of NMC", Is a Para Legal Volunteer, District Court, Nagpur & Member of Family Welfare Committee formed under the directions of Hon. Supreme Court).
Monday, September 26, 2016
Sunday, August 14, 2016
HAVE STRESS? –SHARE IT!!
We all siblings would create some issue or other for our parents to handle. Of course, we didn’t mean it that way. We just thought we were very smart!! To our parents, that would simply spell as Trouble with a capital ‘T’. But my father would often discuss those issues with people around- friends, family, colleagues. Frankly to me it simply meant embarrassment. “Why can’t he keep the family matters to the family?” but he grew stronger every day.
Years later as I sit in my office counseling distressed families and couples and parents, one thing that strikes me is that they all want their troubles and problems to be buried inside my chamber. Often I hear this, “We don’t share our problems with anyone. They would only make fun of my child… anyway my brother in law thinks very high of himself”
No wonder we are stressed and under tremendous pressure to appear good and ideal in every way. We can’t share. As a generation we are obsessed with creating an ideal pictures of us and our families. A task that is almost next to impossible. We would have flaws till such time that we are still humans. But we do not wish to accept that.
I meet beautiful looking people, some with wealth overflowing and others with degrees and certificates that cannot be accommodated on one wall. And they are stressed. Almost breaking inside every moment in a desperate attempt to hold their masks of ‘perfection’ in place. They fight among themselves and abuse their challenging children but then they put on their masks with wide smiles to the outside world. We show this photo-shopped picture to not just the random world but to our closest family and friends. We cannot accept that things can be wrong with us.
We as a generation are expending huge energy on hiding our pain and trying to prove to the world that there is nothing wrong with us. Hence we can’t even ask for solutions. Try sharing for once. Try asking for help. You may not get an immediate solution but the moment you share half your burden is taken care of. You may cry while sharing and that takes care of some more of your stress. And now you have one more head and 2 more hands to help sort out your troubles. If not anything there is one place you can be yourself, not pretend to be perfect and enjoy a genuine smile or tear.
Life would continue to offer challenges, children would fall in love and spouses would cheat. Bosses may be partial and we might be cheated on. But that is life. Why feel ashamed? You are not the only on in this world to face it. Try sharing and you would be better equipped to face it without unnecessary stress of pretending to be perfect.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
WAKE UP PARENTS !!
Years back, poor illiterate parents produced:
🔹Doctors,
🔹Engineers,
🔹 Scientists,
🔹 Accountants,
🔹 Lawyers,
🔹 Architects,
🔹 Professors.., whom I will refer to as Group 'A'.
These Group 'A' Children struggled on their own after 10th or 12th, to become notable personalities. Most of them
👉 trekked to school barefooted
👉 went to farms
👉 fetched water and firewood
👉cared for domesticated animals
👉did some work including trading after school to survive.
Now Group 'A' ,who have now become Parents themselves are producing Group 'B' Children
These group B children are
🔹pampered
🔹 helped in their homeworks or home assignments from nursery school through secondary schools to higher institutions.
🔹chauffeur driven to very expensive schools or are sent abroad to study.
🔹they can watch movies from morning till dawn after school.
🔹 they are treated like baby kings and queens.
🔹they don't do any household chores.
🔹Food is put on the table for them,
🔹their plates are removed and washed by parents or house maids.
🔹They are given expensive cars and clothes,
🔹not forgetting big pocket monies to be wasted !!!.
🔹Their parents help them in doing their assignments.
In spite of all these, only few can speak or write correctly.
Group 'A' Parents cared for their own parents and children, Group 'B',their Children are still struggling to find their feet at age 30+‼
They find it difficult to do things on their own because they are used to being helped to think and doing things by Group 'A'. So they can't help themselves, their parents or the society. THEY ABANDON THEIR PARENTS IN THEIR BID TO ACQUIRE THE WORLD
Where do you belong❓
🏮Reduce the pampering and the unnecessary help you offer your children.
🏮 Let your children grow in wisdom, intelligence and strength.
🏮Let them face the truth and the realities of life. Teach them to grow to become independent adults. Teach them to
👉 fear God,
👉 respect others and
👉 develop confidence in themselves.
Parents, discipline your children to become disciplined adults, useful and not useless!!!
Monday, June 20, 2016
Rules related to Ration Card
"जागो ग्राहक जागो"
रेशनिंगचे नियम "Rules related to Ration Card"
रॉकेल/घासलेट पहिल्या पंधरवड्यात न घेतल्यास महिना अखेरपर्यंत घेता येते. हप्ता बुडत नाही.
बीपीएल् व अंत्योदयचे धान्य गेल्या महिन्यात न घेतल्यास पुढच्या महिन्यातही घेता येते.
बीपीएल् व अंत्योदयचे धान्य महिन्यात 4 हप्त्यातही घेता येते.
रेशनवर घेतलेल्या वस्तूंची पावती मिळालीच पाहिजे. पावतीवर रेशन दुकानाचा क्रमांक असतो.
एका दिवशी एकच पावती फाडता येते असा नियम नाही.
ज्या व जेवढ्या वस्तू हव्या असतील तेवढ्याच वस्तू आपण घेऊ शकतो.
इतर गोष्टी घेतल्याशिवाय रॉकेल मिळणार नाही असे दुकानदार म्हणू शकत नाही.
रेशनकार्ड स्वतःकडे ठेवून घेण्याचा किंवा ते रद्द करण्याचा अधिकार दुकानदाराला नाही
रेशन दुकान रोज सकाळी 4 तास व सायंकाळी 4 तास उघडे असलेच पाहिजे.
आठवडी बाजाराच्या दिवशी उघडे असले पाहिजे.
आठवड्यातून एकदाच दुकान बंद ठेवता येते.
रेशन दुकानात लोकांना स्पष्टपणे वाचता येईल असा महिती फलक असला पाहिजे. या फलकावर दुकानाची वेळ, सुटीचा दिवस, दुकान क्रमांक, तक्रार वही उपलब्ध असल्याची नोंद, रेशन कार्यालयाचा पत्ता व फोन,भाव व देय प्रमाण, उपलब्ध कोटा ही माहिती असणे अनिवार्य असते.
बीपीएल, अंत्योदय व अन्नपूर्णा लाभार्थ्यांची यादी दुकानात लावलेली असते.
वरीलपैकी कोणतीही गोष्ट आपल्या गावातल्या रेशनदुकानात होत नसेल, तर ताबडतोब लेखी तक्रार नोंदवा.
दुकानातच तक्रारवही ठेवलेली असते. ती वही मागा आणि त्यात आपली तक्रार लिहून त्याखाली नाव, पत्ता, सही/अंगठा करा.
जर दुकानदाराने ही वही दिली नाही, तर तहसिलदाराकडे वही न देण्याची तक्रार करा.
तक्रारवही न देणे हा अदखलपात्र गुन्हा म्हणून तहसिलदार कारवाई करतात.
तक्रारवहीत पाच तक्रारी नोंदल्या, की दुकानदाराला 15 हजार रूपये दंड होतो.
दुकानावर देखरेख करण्यासाठी ग्राम पंचायतीची दक्षता समिती असते. या समितीत जागरूक तरुणांनी सहभागी झाले पाहिजे.
ग्रामसभेत या समितीविषयी चर्चा करा. गरज असेल, तर समिती बदला. ही समिती दुकानावर धाड घालू शकते. गैरप्रकार असतील, तर दुकानाला टाळेही लावू शकते. तलाठी या समितीचा सदस्य सचिव असतो.
लेखी तक्रार तहसिलदार किंवा रेशन ऑफिसर यांच्याकडेही करता येते.
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
10 things to remember while buying a property
10 important things to keep in mind while buying a property.
(The blog writer is a Management Professional and operates a Manpower & Property Consultancy Firm. Besides, he is President of "Consumer Justice Council", Secretary of "SARATHI", Member of "Jan Manch", Holds "Palakatva of NMC", Is a Para Legal Volunteer, District Court Nagpur & Member of Family Welfare Committee formed under the directions of Hon. Supreme Court.)
Sunday, June 5, 2016
10 Real Estate Terms that are Confusing
An attempt to simply the most common real estate terms that we come across in real estate deals...
1) FSI: Total covered area on a plot divided by area of the plot.
2) Carpet Area: Area enclosed within the walls i.e liveable area..
3) Built Up Area: Carpet Area plus Area of Walls & Ducts plus half the area of the terrace.
4) Super Built Up Area: Built up area plus Area covered by common amenities like lift, corridors, club house, stairs.
5) Loading: Difference between built up area and carpet area.
6) Stamp Duty: Tax that you pay to the government when you buy a property.
7) Registration Fees: Processing fees for the registration of the property sale document that the government charges.
8) Freehold: Exclusive right to hold a piece of land for indefinite period of time.
9) Leasehold: Right to possess a property for fixed tenure.
10) Stilt Parking: Parking area with roof on top.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
What was my Blunder…
Time was when life was a dream
life seemed 2 b layered with butter & cream.
Dream was the only world I lived in
Life, in fact, I thought had just begin.
Present was 1 thing I was fully assured
Future appeared 2 be cent per cent insured
Little did I sensed that life, indeed, had just begin.
Dreams started giving way 2 reality
Fate, I realised, was big n mighty.
Life was never a bed of roses, I knew,
Bed of roses it is for far n few.
Realisation dawned n I begin 2 wonder
Among all this what was my blunder....
(This is copyrighted and has been published on various platforms by the name of the blogger)
Monday, May 30, 2016
ज़िंदगी में रिश्तें होना जरुरी है
ज़िंदगी में रिश्तें होना जरुरी है,
लेकिन मेरे दोस्त इन रिश्तों मे ज़िंदगी होना ज्यादा जरुरी है..
जीन रिश्तों मे नही जान उन रिश्तों का नही कोई मान..
ऐसे रिश्तों पे हम अकसर करते है झुठा अभीमान..
जीन रिश्तों मे नही जान- मान- सन्मान, ऐसे रिश्तों का हम क्यों करते है झूठा गुणगान?
ऐसे भ्रमित दिखावों मे हमारे खो जाने का चान्स "मैक्स" है,
क्योंकि ऐसे रिश्तें तो हमारी भावनावों पे चार्ज किया व्यर्थ का "टैक्स" है...
(This is copyrighted and has been published in various magzines by the name of the blogger)
Letter to CM Shri Devendra Fadnavis
To
Shri Devendraji Fadnavis
Honorable Chief Minister
Maharashtra.
Sir,
Warm Regards. I am Amit Girdhar Heda from Nagpur. Firstly let me congratulate you for the bold and visionary decision taken by the government, under your leadership regarding the strict implementation & mandatory use of helmet. Besides preventing the fatalities resulting from head injuries, various skin and hair related problems are also reduced to a large extent by the regular use of helmet. As you are known to have a great public image as a proactive, scholarly leader with integrity and intelligence i am sure people will eventually realise that this decision is, in fact, a blessing in disguise for them.
Sir, to ensure the smooth implementation of this decision kindly permit me to give a suggestion. Recently the government made LED bulbs available at subsidized rates to promote its usage as a measure to save electricity. To the best of my knowledge the above scheme has evoked encouraging response. Sir, is it possible to adopt and promote similar scheme for helmets? This will help to curb the malpractices indulged by the traders who exploit the general public and the public too will be motivated to buy and use without grudge. Sir, I am totally a non political person and my sole interest in writing to you is my belief that we, as citizens have responsibility towards social governance especially when we have a competent leader like yourself leading from the forefront.
Regards,
Amit Heda.
(This was written & sent on 18th Feb 2016)
Sunday, May 29, 2016
नवरात्रि क्या है??? और नवरात्र का वैज्ञानिक और आध्यात्मिक रहस्य.......
नवरात्र शब्द से नव अहोरात्रों (विशेष रात्रियां) का बोध होता है। इस समय शक्ति के नव रूपों की उपासना की जाती है। 'रात्रि' शब्द सिद्धि का प्रतीक है।
भारत के प्राचीन ऋषियों-मुनियों ने रात्रि को दिन की अपेक्षा अधिक महत्व दिया है, इसलिए दीपावली, होलिका, शिवरात्रि और नवरात्र आदि उत्सवों को रात में ही मनाने की परंपरा है। यदि रात्रि का कोई विशेष रहस्य न होता,... तो ऐसे उत्सवों को रात्रि न कह कर दिन ही कहा जाता। लेकिन नवरात्र के दिन, नवदिन नहीं कहे जाते।
मनीषियों ने वर्ष में दो बार नवरात्रों का विधान बनाया है। विक्रम संवत के पहले दिन अर्थात चैत्र मास शुक्ल पक्ष की प्रतिपदा (पहली तिथि) से नौ दिन अर्थात नवमी तक। और इसी प्रकार ठीक छह मास बाद आश्विन मास शुक्ल पक्ष की प्रतिपदा से महानवमी अर्थात विजयादशमी के एक दिन पूर्व तक। परंतु सिद्धि और साधना की दृष्टि से शारदीय नवरात्रों को ज्यादा महत्वपूर्ण माना गया है।इन नवरात्रों में लोग अपनी आध्यात्मिक और मानसिक शक्ति संचय करने के लिए अनेक प्रकार के व्रत, संयम, नियम, यज्ञ, भजन, पूजन, योग साधना आदि करते हैं। कुछ साधक इन रात्रियों में पूरी रात पद्मासन या सिद्धासन में बैठकर आंतरिक त्राटक या बीज मंत्रों के जाप द्वारा विशेष सिद्धियां प्राप्त करने का प्रयास करते हैं।
नवरात्रों में शक्ति के 51 पीठों पर भक्तों का समुदाय बड़े उत्साह से शक्ति की उपासना के लिए एकत्रित होता है। जो उपासक इन शक्ति पीठों पर नहीं पहुंच पाते, वे अपने निवास स्थल पर ही शक्ति का आह्वान करते हैं।
आजकल अधिकांश उपासक शक्ति पूजा रात्रि में नहीं, पुरोहित को दिन में ही बुलाकर संपन्न करा देते हैं। सामान्य भक्त ही नहीं, पंडित और साधु-महात्मा भी अब नवरात्रों में पूरी रात जागना नहीं चाहते। न कोई आलस्य को त्यागना चाहता है। बहुत कम उपासक आलस्य को त्याग कर आत्मशक्ति, मानसिक शक्ति और यौगिक शक्ति की प्राप्ति के लिए रात्रि के समय का उपयोग करते देखे जाते हैं।मनीषियों ने रात्रि के महत्व को अत्यंत सूक्ष्मता के साथ वैज्ञानिक परिप्रेक्ष्य में समझने और समझाने का प्रयत्न किया। रात्रि में प्रकृति के बहुत सारे अवरोध खत्म हो जाते हैं। आधुनिक विज्ञान भी इस बात से सहमत है। हमारे ऋषि - मुनि आज से कितने ही हजारों वर्ष पूर्व ही प्रकृति के इन वैज्ञानिक रहस्यों को जान चुके थे।
दिन में आवाज दी जाए तो वह दूर तक नहीं जाएगी , किंतु रात्रि को आवाज दी जाए तो वह बहुत दूर तक जाती है। इसके पीछे दिन के कोलाहल के अलावा एक वैज्ञानिक तथ्य यह भी है कि दिन में सूर्य की किरणें आवाज की तरंगों और रेडियो तरंगों को आगे बढ़ने से रोक देती हैं। रेडियो इस बात का जीता - जागता उदाहरण है। कम शक्ति के रेडियो स्टेशनों को दिन में पकड़ना अर्थात सुनना मुश्किल होता है , जबकि सूर्यास्त के बाद छोटे से छोटा रेडियो स्टेशन भी आसानी से सुना जा सकता है।
वैज्ञानिक सिद्धांत यह है कि सूर्य की किरणें दिन के समय रेडियो तरंगों को जिस प्रकार रोकती हैं , उसी प्रकार मंत्र जाप की विचार तरंगों में भी दिन के समय रुकावट पड़ती है। इसीलिए ऋषि - मुनियों ने रात्रि का महत्व दिन की अपेक्षा बहुत अधिक बताया है। मंदिरों में घंटे और शंख की आवाज के कंपन से दूर - दूर तक वातावरण कीटाणुओं से रहित हो जाता है। यह रात्रि का वैज्ञानिक रहस्य है। जो इस वैज्ञानिक तथ्य को ध्यान में रखते हुए रात्रियों में संकल्प और उच्च अवधारणा के साथ अपने शक्तिशाली विचार तरंगों को वायुमंडल में भेजते हैं , उनकी कार्यसिद्धि अर्थात मनोकामना सिद्धि , उनके शुभ संकल्प के अनुसार उचित समय और ठीक विधि के अनुसार करने पर अवश्य होती है।
नवरात्र या नवरात्रि:
संस्कृत व्याकरण के अनुसार नवरात्रि कहना त्रुटिपूर्ण हैं। नौ रात्रियों का समाहार, समूह होने के कारण से द्वन्द समास होने के कारण यह शब्द पुलिंग रूप 'नवरात्र' में ही शुध्द है।
नवरात्र क्या है?
पृथ्वी द्वारा सूर्य की परिक्रमा के काल में एक साल की चार संधियाँ हैं। उनमें मार्च व सितंबर माह में पड़ने वाली गोल संधियों में साल के दो मुख्य नवरात्र पड़ते हैं। इस समय रोगाणु आक्रमण की सर्वाधिक संभावना होती है। ऋतु संधियों में अक्सर शारीरिक बीमारियाँ बढ़ती हैं, अत: उस समय स्वस्थ रहने के लिए, शरीर को शुध्द रखने के लिए और तनमन को निर्मल और पूर्णत: स्वस्थ रखने के लिए की जाने वाली प्रक्रिया का नाम 'नवरात्र' है।
नौ दिन या रात?
अमावस्या की रात से अष्टमी तक या पड़वा से नवमी की दोपहर तक व्रत नियम चलने से नौ रात यानी 'नवरात्र' नाम सार्थक है। यहाँ रात गिनते हैं, इसलिए नवरात्र यानि नौ रातों का समूह कहा जाता है।रूपक के द्वारा हमारे शरीर को नौ मुख्य द्वारों वाला कहा गया है। इसके भीतर निवास करने वाली जीवनी शक्ति का नाम ही दुर्गा देवी है। इन मुख्य इन्द्रियों के अनुशासन, स्वच्छ्ता, तारतम्य स्थापित करने के प्रतीक रूप में, शरीर तंत्र को पूरे साल के लिए सुचारू रूप से क्रियाशील रखने के लिए नौ द्वारों की शुध्दि का पर्व नौ दिन मनाया जाता है। इनको व्यक्तिगत रूप से महत्व देने के लिए नौ दिन नौ दुर्गाओं के लिए कहे जाते हैं।
शरीर को सुचारू रखने के लिए विरेचन, सफाई या शुध्दि प्रतिदिन तो हम करते ही हैं किन्तु अंग-प्रत्यंगों की पूरी तरह से भीतरी सफाई करने के लिए हर छ: माह के अंतर से सफाई अभियान चलाया जाता है। सात्विक आहार के व्रत का पालन करने से शरीर की शुध्दि, साफ सुथरे शरीर में शुध्द बुद्धि, उत्तम विचारों से ही उत्तम कर्म, कर्मों से सच्चरित्रता और क्रमश: मन शुध्द होता है। स्वच्छ मन मंदिर में ही तो ईश्वर की शक्ति का स्थायी निवास होता है।
नौ देवियाँ / नव देवी
नौ दिन यानि हिन्दी माह चैत्र और आश्विन के शुक्ल पक्ष की पड़वा यानि पहली तिथि से नौवी तिथि तक प्रत्येक दिन की एक देवी मतलब नौ द्वार वाले दुर्ग के भीतर रहने वाली जीवनी शक्ति रूपी दुर्गा के नौ रूप हैं-
1. शैलपुत्री
2. ब्रह्मचारिणी
3. चंद्रघंटा
4. कूष्माण्डा
5. स्कन्दमाता
6. कात्यायनी
7. कालरात्रि
8. महागौरी
9. सिध्दीदात्री
इनका नौ जड़ी बूटी या ख़ास व्रत की चीजों से भी सम्बंध है, जिन्हे नवरात्र के व्रत में प्रयोग किया जाता है-
1. कुट्टू (शैलान्न)
2. दूध-दही,
3. चौलाई (चंद्रघंटा)
4. पेठा (कूष्माण्डा)
5. श्यामक चावल (स्कन्दमाता)
6. हरी तरकारी (कात्यायनी)
7. काली मिर्च व तुलसी (कालरात्रि)
8. साबूदाना (महागौरी)
9. आंवला(सिध्दीदात्री)
क्रमश: ये नौ प्राकृतिक व्रत खाद्य पदार्थ हैं।
अष्टमी या नवमी?
यह कुल परम्परा के अनुसार तय किया जाता है। भविष्योत्तर पुराण में और देवी भावगत के अनुसार, बेटों वाले परिवार में या पुत्र की चाहना वाले परिवार वालों को नवमी में व्रत खोलना चाहिए। वैसे अष्टमी, नवमी और दशहरे के चार दिन बाद की चौदस, इन तीनों की महत्ता 'दुर्गासप्तशती' में कही गई है।
Keys for Effective Oral Presentation
There is a myth that great speakers are born, not made. This is based on the misconception that somehow certain individuals have the innate ability to stand in front of an audience with no anxiety and give a moving, dynamic speech. The truth is, however, that great speakers generally spend years developing and practicing their art of communication. All great speakers had to learn the basics of organisation, preparation, delivery and dealing with anxiety. In order to do anything well, it takes constant practice and a mastery of the basics. Speaking is no different.
Effective Oral Presentation Skills:
One of the most important presentation techniques you can apply to become a more confident and effective speaker is to reduce anxiety. People vary in their ability to speak confidently in public, but everyone gets nervous and everyone can learn how to improve their presentation skills by applying a few simple techniques. The main points to pay attention to in delivery are the quality of your voice, your rapport with the audience, use of notes and use of visual aids. Voice quality involves attention to volume, speed and fluency, clarity and pronunciation. Avoid filling pauses with "umm", "like" and "you know". Humor can be very effective, but do not tell a joke that might offend someone. The quality of your voice in a presentation will improve dramatically if you are able to practice beforehand in a room similar to the one you will be presenting in. Be sure to speak clearly and distinctly.
As a general rule, expect to cover much less content than you would in a written report. A presentation can easily be ruined if the content is too difficult for the audience to follow or if the structure is too complicated. Make difficult points easier to understand by preparing the listener for them, using plenty of examples and going back over them later. Leave time for questions within the presentation. Give your presentation a simple and logical structure. Include an introduction in which you outline the points you intend to cover and a conclusion in which you go over the main points of your talk. Convince your audience that they have something to gain from listening to you.
Following tips could help reduce your anxiety before your next presentation:
Be prepared: KNOW your subject!!
Prepare and rehearse your talk so that you speak with confidence. Practice, Practice, Practice. Standing up and speaking in private has many benefits. You can hear where you need to work on better wording, you can tell if you are going to be too long, you can see if some of your slides need improving, and you achieve a smoother talk.
Practice your presentation until you feel comfortable. Make sure you can present your information within whatever time limits you will have. Plan the space where you will give your presentation. Set up your equipment beforehand, and arrange chairs if necessary.
Know your audience: What is the purpose of your talk? To inform, persuade, entertain? Some basic questions to ask about an audience are:
Who will I be speaking to?
What do they know about my topic already?
What will they want to know about my topic?
What do I want them to know by the end of my talk?
By basing the content and style of your presentation on your answers to these questions, you can make sure that you are in tune with your audience. What you want to say about your topic may be much less important than what your audience wants to hear about it. Adapt your information to suit both purpose and audience.
Be positive: It’s normal to feel nervous about speaking in front of a group. Stand up straight, but avoid being stiff. Do not shift your weight from side to side. Don’t fold your arms or put hands in pockets; hold a book or pen instead. Make it clear that you are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about your subject. Smile and be enthusiastic. If you look bored, why shouldn’t your audience be bored too?
Don't just read: Talk to your audience. Use your notes as prompts as needed. Show your audience a diagram or slide with a brief outline of your main points.
Provide examples: Try to make your presentation as concrete and "down to earth" as possible. Add appropriate anecdotes and humor to drive home a point. Your audience will remember your message if you:
tell a personal story that’s relevant
add a touch of humour
give some surprising statistics
give them interesting things to look at.
Involve them in your talk: Invite them to answer questions.
Use visual aids: Supplement what you say with visual aids such as charts, transparencies, and slides. Make sure that everyone can easily see the visual aids. Don't use visual aids that are so complex that the audience will spend its time trying to read them instead of listening to you. Visual aids are supplements to what you say, not replacements for what you say.
Maintain eye contact: Shift your eye contact around the room so that everyone feels that you are talking to them.
Actively involve your audience: Your presentation is an amalgamation of your communication skills that uses all senses (primarily vision and hearing) and wit to gain attention. Keeping the attention of your audience is not done by content alone! People can only listen so long without their attention wandering. Making your presentation interesting will help you to capture and keep your audience's attention for a while, but you must do more. Build in some simple and quick activities for your audience so that they are actively involved in your presentation. Ask questions that you are confident your audience will be able to answer. Your audience will pay more attention if you occasionally move to another position, or come closer to them to make an important point. Greet the audience and announce your topic. At the end, thank them for listening.
Use your voice effectively. Vary the tone of your voice and be careful not to talk too quickly. Stop to breathe!
End on a high note. Leave your audience feeling upbeat about what they have just heard.
At the conclusion of a presentation, there is generally a question and answer session that should be prepared for in advance. To prepare for this last hurdle, you should anticipate the questions that you could potentially be asked ahead of time. The more you prepare your answers the better well versed and confident you will be.
One tip you might employ during the question and answer session is to repeat the question being asked. This will give you some additional time to prepare your response. If you don’t know the answer to the question you are being asked, be honest and say that you don’t know but that you will find out. Remember to really listen to the questions, do not interrupt and make sure that you stay focused on the individual asking the question.
One final suggestion: RELAX! Some nervousness is not only expected, it is a force for productivity. Think about how far you have come and that you have something to say that no one else in the room knows. Exert your knowledge & ability with confidence.
“Making a good oral presentation is an art that involves attention to the needs of your audience, careful planning, using appropriate methods and means and attention to delivery.”
From: Amit Girdhar Heda,
Nagpur. M- 7588630891.
(The writer is a Faculty in Management and runs a Job Placement and Training Firm and much of what is published is based on his personal experiences as well as the references he has drawn from various material available.)
Feelings: Friends or Foe
Emotions are part of the richness of life. They add color and texture to the events of our lives. Our celebrations would be flat and tasteless without the bubbles of joy exuding from our soul. Grief and sadness are important companions as we wrestle with the meaning of loss. Pain warns us of danger. Anger stimulates us to action when we have been wronged. Love soothes our wounds and motivates us to break out of our self created isolation. Feelings are vital to our human experience.
With all the benefits of emotions, why are we so afraid to feel them? We have been taught to hide our emotions. Men are encouraged to be strong and not to cry. Women are taught not to express their anger. Children are told to tone down all their emotional expressions. Teenagers are warned not to wear their heart on their sleeve. The elderly are criticized for being too emotional. People in emotional pain are comforted by the words, “Don’t cry; everything will be all right.”
In our society, we have been taught that emotions can be dangerous. People are embarrassed by the expression of feelings. For some, expressing emotion is a sign of weakness. Many of us believe that if we explore our emotions, we will be overwhelmed by the depth of these feelings. We are afraid our emotions will stimulate us to take an action we will regret. We have been taught that emotions are untrustworthy. Some people think that if they start to cry, they will never be able to stop.
We have wrongly believed that if we suppressed our emotions, they would simply go away. We swallow our tears, bite our tongues, and eat our anger in an effort to ignore our feelings. Unfortunately, the energy of these emotions remains in our inner beings, gathering strength with every unexpressed feeling. If we keep pushing the feelings down, they build up, eventually exploding in an unexplained bout of rage or tears.
Repressed emotions negatively affect our health. The effect of stress on heart disease is common knowledge. To quote in medical terms more than 70% of the people who suffer from heart attacks are males. Reason: males are supposed to be strong and are not meant to cry. In other words they are not supposed to express their feelings. Sometimes, it is as if our repressed emotions are symbolically expressed through disease in our bodies.
Many people resist their emotions because they fear the consequences of expressing their feelings. They do not want to hurt others or themselves by honestly speaking the truth. Crisis, with its emotional upheaval, brings an opportunity to learn to deal effectively with our feelings. During a crisis, everything is heightened, allowing one to experience, express, and transmute/display years of repressed emotions. When our emotional body is blocked with old feelings, it is difficult to know what we are currently feeling.
Hence feelings should be looked upon as a friend and not as a foe. Crisis should be looked upon as an opportunity that helps us to explore our emotions thereby getting better acquainted with one of the most intimate dimensions of our’s: “Our Feelings”.
(This is a Copyright Article published in various newspapers and magzines under the name of the blog writer)
Healthy Criticism: An Art
CRITICISM WITHOUT INVOKING THE HATRED OF OTHERS REQUIRES TO BE MADE WITH A LOT OF CARE & AT THE SAME TIME MUST BE EFFECTIVE. IT MUST SOLVE THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT IS INTENDED TO. VERY OFTEN WE COME ACROSS SITUATIONS WHEREIN THE NEED OF CHANGING OR MODIFYING THE ATTITUDE OF OUR FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS OR RELATIVES IS REQUIRED. IT IS A VERY DELICATE SITUATION TO TACKLE, ESPECIALLY WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE CLOSE TO US.
IN SUCH SITUATIONS, BEFORE SAYING ANYTHING WE ARE APREHENSIVE THAT HOW IT WILL BE TAKEN? WOULD IT BE TAKEN IN THE SAME SPIRIT AS WE MEAN IT TO BE OR WOULD IT BACKFIRE? MANY TIMES WE UNKNOWINGLY HURT THE FEELING OF OTHERS BY BEHAVING IN A MANNER THAT ACCORDING TO US IS RIGHT/JUSTIFIED WITHOUT BOTHERING TO FIND OUT WHETHER THE PERSON SITTING OPPOSITE US ALSO FEELS THE SAME WAY. A FEW MINUTES THOUGHT, A CONSIDERATE WORD OR TWO, AN UNDERSTANDING FROM THE OTHER PERSONS ANGLE & DISCUSSION WITH ELDERS WOULD HELP US NOT ONLY IN CHANGING HIM BUT ALSO COMING CLOSER & THAT TOO WITHOUT HURTING.
HOW TO BEGIN?
"WELL BEGUN IS HALF DONE". MAKE A GOOD BEGINING & HALF OF THE BATTLE IS WON. SO BEGIN BY APPRECIATING ONE’S POSITIVE POINTS. IT MAY BE AS SIMPLE AS “YOU ALWAYS DRESS VERY WELL” OR THAT “YOU ALWAYS LOOK FRESH & ENERGETIC”. याहां कंजुसी मत करिये... DON’T MISS THIS OPPOURTUNITY. THIS WILL MAKE ONE READY TO LISTEN TO YOU. APPRECIATION & CRITICISM (तारीफ़ और ताना) MUST ALWAYS BE IN THE PROPORTATION OF 2:1 & THAT TOO APPRECIATION FIRST.
SELECT PROPER WORDS:
WE NEED TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS & CAREFUL ABOUT THE LANGUAGE IN WHICH WE COMMUNICATE. FOR OFTEN WHAT WE SPEAK IN A SPUR OF EXITEMENT MIGHT OFFEND THE LISTENER.
BE TRANSPERENT:
TRY TO DESCRIBE YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT OTHER’S BEHAVIOR IN THE WAY IT AFFECTS YOU. DON’T MAKE JUDGEMENT & NEGATIVE EVALUATION ABOUT OTHER'S. IT WILL MAKE HIM DEFENSIVE & IN ATTACKING ATTITUDE TOWARDS YOU. HE WILL DELIBERATELY FIND & POINT OUT YOU LACUNA'S. ON THE CONTRARY THE MOMENT YOU SAY LET US SIT TOGETHER & DISCUSS, IMMEDIATELY, A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE GETS DEVELOPED. THIS, BECAUSE THE OTHER PERSON FEELS THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LISTENING & UNDERSTANDING FROM HIS ANGLE & NOT JUST IN PASSING ANY JUDGEMENT.
LANGUAGE MATTERS:
AVOID WORDS LIKE बेवकुफ, ढीला, स्वार्थी, मतलबी, निकम्मा, जिन्दगी मे कुछ नही कर सकेगा, आज तक कुछ किया नही.. COMMENTS ON PERSONALITY LIKE मोटा, मरियल, बुटका, MUST BE STRICTLY AVOIDED. IF YOU LOOK AT YOURSELF YOU TOO MIGHT HAVE MANY NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF OR YOUR PERSONALITY. HELP OTHER PERSON TO UNDERSTAND YOUR VIEW POINT. LET HIM UNDERSTAND HOW HIS BEHAVIOUR HAS AFFECTED YOU.
EXPRESS DIRECTLY:
THE EXACT INTENDED MESSAGE GETS TWISTED & MODIFIED IF SENT THROUGH OTHERS. BY THE TIME YOUR MESSAGE REACHES TO WHOM IT IS INTENDED TO IT LOOSES ITS ORIGINALITY GETS TWISTED & THE OTHER PERSON MIGHT GET HURT. THIS WAY THE VERY PURPOSE OF THE MESSAGE GETS DEFEATED.
CRITICISE IN PRIVATE:
WHILE CRITICISING ALWAYS SPEAK IN PRIVATE. THE CRITICISM GETS DILUTED & THEREFORE THERE IS MORE CHANCE OF IT GETTING ACCEPTABLE. IF CRITICISED IN PUBLIC A FEELING OF BEING HUMILIATED & INSULTED GETS AROUSED.
PRAISE IN PUBLIC:
IF YOU APPRECIATE A PERSON IN GROUP, HE FEELS HONOURED. THEN IF REQUIRED YOU COULD EXPECT A POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM HIM ON ANY COMMENT OR CRITISISM. “A BITTER PILL AFTER A SWEET ONE IS EASIER TO BE ADVISED”.
ONE THING AT A TIME:
THIS UNIVERSAL CONCEPT APPLIES SUCCESSFULLY HERE ALSO. FOCUS ON ONE ISSUE AT A TIME THAN A LONG LIST. WHEN A PERSON IS BOMBARDED WITH TOO MANY UNPLEASENT ISSUES AT ONE GO NOTHING GETS REGISTERED. ONE FEELS THAT IF HE HAS SO MANY MINUS POINTS IT IS JUST IMPOSSIBLE TO RECTIFY THEM & THAT HE IS WORTHLESS. SO HE NEGLECTS ALL & STARTS AVOIDING YOU.
EXPRESS VERBALLY:
हाथ पांव पटकना, चिल्लाना, दरवाज़ा जोर से बंद करना, खाने की थाली छोड कर उठ जाना, बात चित बंद कर देना, रिस्पौन्स नही देना, COLD STAIRS, SHOUTING- NONE OF THESE WORK. NON-VERBAL MESSAGES CREATE CONFUSION. HOW CAN YOU EXPECT THE OTHER PERSON TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS IN YOUR MIND WHEN IS NOT ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE HE HIMSELF HAS GONE WRONG? SO “SPEAK & COMMUNICATE WITH WORDS SPOKEN”.
DO NOT SOUND APOLOGETIC:
MOST OFTEN WE FEEL GUILTY WHEN WE CRITICISE OUR NEAR & DEAR ONES. THIS OFCOURSE COMES FROM OUR NATURAL LOVE & AFFECTION FOR THEM. BUT THEN WE NEED TO UNDERST& THAT FOR THE SAME LOVE & AFFECTION WE ARE CRITICISING THEM. THE PURPOSE IS TO HELP THEM REALISE & RECTIFY THEIR MISTAKES. THEEFORE NEVER SOUND APOLOGETIC. EXPRESSIONS LIKE “PLEASE FORGIVE ME…. OR I AM SORRY TO SAY….” DIMINISHES THE IMPACT OF THE MESSAGE. REMEMBER APOLOGY IS GIVEN OR OFFERED WHEN YOU COMMIT SOME MISTAKE & NOT WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO RECTIFY ONE.
DO NOT COMPARE:
I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE THINKING THAT COMPARISON LEADS TO A HEALTHY COMPETATION. INSTEAD IT LEADS TO RESENTMENT & COMPLETE REJECTION OF YOUR VIEWS EVEN IF THEY ARE CORRECT. COMPARISON OFFENDS & DELIVERS A BLOW TO ONE’S SELF-ESTEEM SOMETIMES IT LEADS TO A FEELING OF ANIMOSITY FOR THE PERSON WITH WHOM COMPARISON IS MADE. WHEN A PERSON IS REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT HE IS NOT GOOD OR THE OTHER PERSON IS BETTER THAN HIM HE WILL TEND TO DISMISS YOUR STANDARDS & YOUR WORDS WILL LOOSE THEIR VALUE.
DO NOT USE WORDS LIKE ALWAYS & NEVER:
SUCH WORDS DILUTE THE POWER OF YOUR STATEMENTS LEADING TO A TOTAL DISREGARD FOR YOUR IDEAS & OPINIONS. “ALWAYS” COMPLETELY DECRIES THE PAST. “NEVER” SEEMS TO SAY THAT HE IS GOING TO REMAIN AS HE IS FOREVER & THAT HE CAN NEVER IMPROVE SUCH WORDS WOULD GENERATE AN INSTANT NEGATIVE REACTION. THAT ONE IS ACTING WITH A PREJUDUSICED MIND.
DO NOT BE SARCASTIC:
BEING SARCASTIC FAILS TO CONVEY THE MESSAGE BUT HURTS THE FEELINGS. SARCASTIC MEANS EXPRESSING PRAISES LIKE COMMENTS. FOR EXAMPLE: TELLING WIFE THAT TODAY FOOD IS VERY EXECELLENT & THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE KITCHEN OF A FIVE STAR HOTEL OR YOUR BRAIN IS EXECELLENT & THAT IT CAN BE KEPT IN A MUSUEM. THE OTHER PERSON FEELS EMBARASSED, ASHAMED & DEVEALOPS A REVENGE TAKING ATTITUDE.
“CRITICISM IS AN ART THAT CAN BE LEARNED THROUGH ONE’S PERSONAL MISTAKES & EXPERIENCE, THROUGH DISCUSSIONS & MOST IMPORTANTLY AN EMPATHATIC ATTITUDE TOWARDS OTHERS”.
(This is a Copyright Article published in various newspapers and magzines under the name of the blog writer)
What was my blunder??
What was my Blunder……..
Time was when life was a dream
life seemed 2 b layered with butter & cream.
Dream was the only world I lived in
Life, in fact, I thought had just begin.
Present was 1 thing I was fully assured
Future appeared 2 be cent per cent insured
Little did I sensed that life, indeed, had just begun.
Dreams started giving way 2 reality
Fate, I realised was big n mighty.
Life was never a bed of roses, I knew,
Bed of roses it is for far n few.
Realisation dawned n I begin 2 wonder
Among all this what was my blunder....
Regards,
Amit Heda.
This poem was written by the blog writer. Location: Orange City Hospital, Waiting Hall.
Time: Midnight..
CRISIS~ TEST OF FAITH AND PATIENCE??
It has happened to every one of us — whether it is an untimely death in the family, a beloved suffering from a fatal illness, marital problem or a financial setback - we have all had to face a crisis at some time or another in our lives. Often, we are quick to give advice to others on how to deal with the trials and tribulations of life, but the real test of whether we have truly understood the teachings comes when we ourselves face a major challenge.
Crisis is an uninvited guest that is neither welcomed nor can be kicked out of our lives easily. In short it is very frightening, painful and troublesome. Its mere mention brings feelings of remorse, sadness, fear, and regret. Is there anybody who wants to face death, financial ruin, loss of a job, or a divorce? Certainly NO! What more, we even do not wish these events on others; friends or foes.
Crisis leads towards the destruction of life and being a double edged sword completely destabilizes our life. It shakes our self belief, moral, perception & confidence and the manner in which we react to situations. However as there are two sides of every coin; there indeed is a silver lining; crisis showers upon us its blessings although in disguised form. We begin to value and appreciate what we already possess much more; something that we conveniently ignored before. Sometimes people in crisis will find an inner strength they never knew existed. We tend to develop a greater and deeper bond with God and our karmas, thus unconsciously…or consciously believing that there is someone divine looking after and watching us – guiding us. It sows in us the seeds of empathy. In short it makes us more HUMAN!
We all understand we cannot avoid the consequences of our deeds (karmas). We also know that suffering is the effect of our own karmas, which must be undergone …. to get closer to God, to become learned spiritually. Yet, when we experience some form of suffering, many of us forget what the spiritual path has taught us and we allow ourselves to be tricked by the mind, and thus, fall into the trap of thinking that the Lord has deserted us and is making us experience the worst of life. How can we help ourselves in such situations? Would the Lord really ever abandon us? How can we make ourselves strong to withstand pain and accept whatever happens as the will of the Lord? I remember hearing Amitabh bachchan often referring to his legendry father Dr Hariwansh Rai Bachchan’s quote “अपने मन का हो तो अच्छा, ना हो तो और भी अच्छा. क्योंकि वो ईश्वर के मन का होता है और ईश्वर कभी बुरा नही करता!! (If things turn up as per your wish: Good. If it doesn’t; Even Better. Because then it happens according to the wish of god and god never harms us).
"We are companions..."
First and foremost, we need to believe that the Lord is always with his disciple. In the most painful moments of life, he offers every disciple the grace of inner strength. If we truly look to him for support, then we become receptive to this grace. We can remind ourselves of the famous poem, Footprints, in which the Lord lovingly says: "My precious child, I never left you during your times of trial and suffering. When you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I was carrying you." At every moment, he is taking care of us. He will not change our destiny and neither should we ask him to, but he will be there to give us all the support and strength we need. When a child is suffering, it is the mother who feels the pain and who will do everything to relieve her child's misery. If so much love can be given by our worldly parents, just imagine how much stronger our Lord's love for us is and how much more he cares for us.
The Lords have said that our pain is also their pain, and that they are happy when we are happy, and sad when we are sad. In life, we are given so many hidden messages that we are not alone and the Lord is always there for us — we just need to believe it.
It’s just a matter of time….
Hardships and heartache will always be there. Lord has never promised us a pain-free life. But he has promised that the clouds of darkness will one day pass to allow the sun to shine again. We need to think positively at all times. Positive thoughts are not built on vague hopes, but on deep faith in the Lord's embracing and protective hand. If things do not go the way we expect them to, then we must learn to accept it. By adopting a positive attitude, we will gradually learn to face each day with hope and courage.
Things could have been worse…..
When faced with adversity, we walk around with a heavy heart, dwelling on our problems. We look as if the whole world is falling apart on us. We forget that we could have been spared from something much worse. We need to understand that the one who gives us happiness and pain knows what is best for us. The Lords continually remind us that adversity is another form of grace because it pushes the disciple closer to his Lord. In short: “Adversity is a blessing in disguise”.
Have faith and belief….Surrender and accept
It may feel at times that the Lord expects a great deal from us but he never gives us more than we can handle. He comforts us so that we endure with faith. Thus, when we are troubled, we must remember that life is filled with both light and darkness. Storms will come, but a disciple should never be afraid. Everything is pre ordained in this world. We cannot escape a misfortune or a crisis, nor can a good fortune escape us. So there is no point or sense for lamenting or rejoicing for either. Our destiny cannot be changed, so it is our choice to either moan or accept things with a positive attitude. The way we handle the situation is up to us. If we believe that the Lord is aware of everything that we are going through, then why not let things happen the way he wants them to. There is a reason for everything. By keeping our attention on the Lord, we will realise that we are not facing anything alone; that there is a guiding hand behind each one of us, giving the support and strength to face the pain gracefully. It is, therefore, our duty to do our best to live life courageously, surrender and accept, and allow life's challenges to serve their purpose - to pull us closer to him.
The blog writer is a management professional and operates a Manpower & Property Consultancy Firm. Besides, he is President of "Consumer Justice Council", Secretary of "SARATHI", Member of "Jan Manch", Non Official member of "Weights & Measurements Department", Nagpur, Holds "Palakatva of NMC" in Shivaji Nagar area and Is a Para Legal Volunteer, District Court Nagpur.
(This is a Copyright Article published in various newspapers and magzines under the name of the blog writer)
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Consumer: No Longer a Slave!
"The consumer or the customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption on our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider on our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favour by serving him. He is doing us a favour by giving us an opportunity to do so."
- MAHATMA GANDHI
Who is a Consumer?
Any individual who purchases products or services for his personal use and not for manufacturing or resale is called a “Consumer”. Consumer refers to any person who purchases some goods for a consideration that has been either paid or promised to pay or partly paid and partly promised, or found under any system of deferred payment and does not include a person who gets such goods for resale or for any business purpose. A person who has not himself purchased the goods but who uses the goods with the approval of the buyer is also a consumer. The moment we take birth on this earth we become consumers and are entitled to seek relief and be duly protected. The growing size and complexity of production and distribution systems, the high level of sophistication in marketing and selling practices and forms of promotion like advertising, etc. have contributed to the increased need for consumer protection. The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 with subsequent amendments is the most important legislation enacted to provide for effective safeguards to consumers against various types of exploitations and unfair dealings. The Consumer Protection Act, 1986, is definitely a blessing for consumers wronged by manufacturers or dealers.
“Consumer is the King”
An average Indian consumer is noted for his patience and tolerance. Perhaps because of these two traditional traits and due to the influence of the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Bhagavad Gita, he considers the receipt of defective goods and services as an act of fate or unfavorable planetary position in his horoscope. When a new television or refrigerator purchased by him turns out to be defective from day one, he takes it reticently, blaming it on his fate or as the consequence of the wrongs committed by him in his previous birth. Very often he is exploited, put to avoidable inconveniences and suffers financial loss. However with the emergence of consumer laws and subsequent awareness among the consumers regarding their rights, responsibilities and their powers consumers today are no longer easy preys to the whims and fancy of trader’s manufacturers and service providers and are certainly not at their mercy. In the business world it is often said that ‘Consumer/Customer is the king’. And in a way it is true for the trade. If the product is not sold there is a loss. That is why customer rules the market. Consumers are the most important part of every economy for zero demand would lead the economy to collapse. We buy a variety of goods and services in our day to day life and derive satisfaction from its consumption and use. Thus we all are consumers, and as a consumer, we expect a certain value for money, that is, right quality, right quantity, right prices, information about the product, etc. Nowadays, cheating on consumers has become a common practice followed by greedy manufacturers and sellers by the way of black marketing, overcharging, misleading ads, etc. There are many ways by which consumers are exploited. A few of them are:
A. Selling at higher prices -- The price charged for the product will not be proportionate to the quality;
B. Product risk -- Drugs that are hazardous, banned or beyond expiry date, electrical appliances with inadequate safety precautions, etc;
C. Adulteration -- This is very common in food items and could prove to be highly injurious to one's health;
D. Sub-standard Products -- Items whose quality is far below the required standard;
E. False Claims -- Manufacturers make false representations about their products in the media with a view to mislead the consumers. Claiming that use of a particular oil will cure baldness, using a company's fairness cream for a specific period will make one fair, etc., are all typical examples of exaggerated, misleading advertisements; and
F. Warranty/Annual Maintenance Contract -- In many cases, though the product will have a warranty or will be under annual maintenance contract (AMC), when a problem arises, the consumer is told that certain parts will not be covered and they will have to pay.
These circumstances make it all the more important for the government to make the consumers aware of their rights. Let us know these rights of the consumers:
Right to Safety
Means right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services, which are hazardous to life and property. The purchased goods and services availed of should not only meet their immediate needs, but also fulfill long term interests. To simplify this it can be said that it is the duty of the manufacturers and the distributor not to supply any goods to the consumers which fails to comply with the general safety requirements in all circumstances.
Right to be Informed
Means right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices.
Right to Choose
Means right to be assured, wherever possible of access to variety of goods and services at competitive price. In case of monopolies, it means right to be assured of satisfactory quality and service at a fair price.
Right to be Heard
Means that consumer's interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums. It also includes right to be represented in various forums formed to consider the consumer's welfare. Right to be heard is not only the foremost right of consumers it is a principle of natural justice also.
Right to Seek Redressal
Means right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. It also includes right to fair settlement of the genuine grievances of the consumer..
Right to Consumer Education
Means the right to acquire the knowledge and skill to be an informed consumer throughout life. Ignorance of consumers, particularly of rural consumers, is mainly responsible for their exploitation. They should know their rights and must exercise them. Only then real consumer protection can be achieved with success. This right is most important right because once the people are rendered conscious of their power, they may perhaps, feel energized to struggle against exploitation by manufacturers and traders. However, consumer’s strongest and the most precious right, which he keeps to the last, is the ‘refusal to buy’ and withdraw the patronage from the seller who always craves for it because, without it, he has none to sell.
Consumer Court/Forum:
With an aim to deal with cases pertaining to consumer grievances and disputes, the consumer courts or consumer forums also known as special purpose courts were established in India. Set up by the government, these courts aim to protect the rights of consumers. Consumers are free to file a case against the seller if they have been exploited or harassed. On having proof of exploitation (bills or supporting documents) the court will give verdict in favor of the consumers. However failure on part of the consumer to produce proper documents will make it difficult for him to file or win the case.
Who can file a consumer complaint?
The Consumer Protection Act itself provides a list of persons who can file a complaint under the Act which is described hereunder-
Firstly a Consumer
Secondly, Any voluntary Association Registered under the Companies Act, 1956, or under any other law for the time being in force
Thirdly the Central government or the State Government
Fourthly one or more consumers, where there are numerous Consumers having the same interest.
Besides the above the following can also file a Consumer Complaint:
Any person who is a beneficiary of the goods/services
Legal representatives of deceased consumers
Legal heirs of the deceased consumer
Husband/Wife of the consumer
Relative of the consumer
Can a Consumer himself file a Complaint?
YES. He doesn’t need to engage the services of any Advocate and can file complaint of his own. The consumer protection act has provided a very simple procedure to file the complaint that even a layman who is not from the law background, can file the complaint of its own.
HOW TO FILE A CONSUMER COMPLIANT?
Before formally filing a Consumer Complaint, it is desired that the Consumer gives notice to the opposite party of the fact of any deficiency in service or of unfair trade practice etc to see if the trader is willing to make good the loss suffered by either replacing the commodity or returning the value of the purchase. If yes, the issue resolves then and there. But if the trader refuses or neglects here that the consumers needs to approach the Consumer Court.
The Consumer would have to check where the jurisdiction would lie and then ascertain the value of the claim. He will have to file the complaint depending upon the amount of money or compensation he wants from the opposite party for the deficient service he has provided or for the defective product that he has been sold.
STEP 1: At first identify the Jurisdiction of the Forum where the complaint is to be filed. This issue needs to be identified from two angles of jurisdiction i.e. Territorial and Pecuniary.
Territorial Jurisdiction of the Consumer Forums:-
A complaint shall be instituted in a District Forum or State Commission or National within the local limits of whose jurisdiction,—
a) The opposite party resides or caries on business or has a branch office or personally works for gain, or
b) If there are more than one opposite party, then any one of the opposite parties resides, or carries on business or has a branch office, or personally works for gain,
c) The cause of action arose.
Pecuniary Jurisdictions of Consumer Forum
1) District Forum: Upto 20 Lakhs
2) State Commission: 20 lakh to 1 Crs
3) National Commission: Above 1 Crs
Step 2: He will be required to pay a prescribed fee along with his complaint before the District Forum, State Commission & the National Commission as the case may be.
Step 3: Then he has to draft the complaint stating facts necessary to establish a cause of action.
Step 4: At the end of the complaint he has to put his signatures. In case any other person is authorized to file the complaint then complaint has to be accompanied with authorization letter.
Step 5: Don’t forget to mention the name, description and address of the complainant and the name, description, address of the opposite party or parties against whom relief is claimed.
Step 6: Copies of all the documents supporting your allegations. In this consumer can put on record the copy of the bill of the goods bought, warranty and guarantee documents and also a copy of the written complaint and notice made to the trader requesting him to rectify the product.
Step 7: The consumer can also ask for compensation costs which should be specifically alleged in the complaint. Besides compensation, a consumer can also ask for the refunds, damages, litigation costs, and interest amount. He must give the breakup of amount claimed under different heads but do remember to claim compensation or other relief as per the pecuniary value of the forums.
Step 8: The consumer is required to explain in his complaint as to how the case falls within the jurisdiction of this forum.
Step 9: Complaint must clearly state as to what relief is sought against the opposite party.
Step 10: The consumer is also required to file an affidavit along with the complaint that facts stated in the complaint are true and correct.
Step 11: The complainant can present the complaint in person or by his/her authorized representative without engaging any advocate. The complaint can be sent by registered post. A minimum of 5 copies of the complaint is to be filed in the forum. Besides this the consumer has to file additional copies for each opposite party.
If a consumer is not satisfied by the decision of a District Forum, he can appeal to the State Commission. Against the order of the State Commission a consumer can come to the National Commission.
Is There Any Time Limit For Filing A Complaint?
A) Yes, the time limit is within two years from the date on which the cause of action arises. This would mean two years from the day the deficiency in service or defect in goods has arisen/detected.
Can This Time Limit Ever Be Extended?
A) Yes, But only under certain Circumstances. If the time limit expires but you are still able to satisfy the Forum or Commission about the reasonableness in the delay, your complaint can still be taken up. However, the delay for every single day has to be explained.
National Consumer Helpline
NCH is a project of the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The Project recognizes the need of consumers for a Telephone Helpline to deal with multitude of problems arising in their day-to-day dealings with business and service providers. NCH provides a National Toll Free No-1800-11-4000. SMS can also be sent to 918130009809 mentioning the name and city.
National Consumer Helpline Supports Consumer by:
-Guiding consumers in finding solutions to problems related with Products & Services
- Providing information regarding to Companies & Regulatory Authorities.
- Facilitating consumers in filing complaints against defaulting Service Providers
- Empowering consumers to use available Consumer Grievances Redressal Mechanisms, Educating Consumers about their Rights and Responsibilities.
Besides this, there are bodies like Consumer Justice Councils and other consumer NGO’s that too guide the consumers and help them to fight for their cause. Thus, much has been done for the protection of the consumer. Of Course much more needs to be done as it’s like a never ending process and would require continuous monitoring. At the same time it is the duty of the consumer to be conscious of his rights especially when he buys something. However what is most important is that the Consumer’s needs to be an enlightened consumer. An enlightened consumer is an empowered consumer. An aware consumer not only protects himself from exploitation but induces efficiency, transparency and accountability in the entire manufacturing and services sector. This, in turn leads to the overall development and growth of the economy.
(The blog writer is President: Consumer Justice Council, Maharashtra. This Article is published in various newspapers and magzines under the name of the blog writer)