Kaushik Biswas ~ a personal blog with personal views and opinions

Business of Uber taxi: not as profitable as it is showing?

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From quite some some time I am noticing the Uber taxi offers and promo codes game. Much has changed in the sphere of Uber taxi free rides in less than a year. New users used to get 2 free rides, worth Rs. 250 each, which has undergone several confusing changes. Now it's 1 free ride, worth Rs. 150. On the Uber referral system earned free rides as well, nothing seems to be well enough.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2AeZiLPNx6E/V1PGO3y6IuI/AAAAAAAAFEg/oA2Nm8DSDpUBzL1nGt1r7k1WrSVifEpXwCLcB/s1600/Uber_.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2AeZiLPNx6E/V1PGO3y6IuI/AAAAAAAAFEg/oA2Nm8DSDpUBzL1nGt1r7k1WrSVifEpXwCLcB/s640/Uber_.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Users got emails stating "refer 3 people and earn 18 discounted rides". 
Earlier, Uber also kept sending emails stating, "take 3 rides before 
<date> and get 100 free rides"!!! Very soon it changed to 18 discounted rides upon 3 referrals. Crazy! But reveals everything's 
wrong in there now. This trend of "take three rides before <date>" is being kept up by Uber. All kinds of funny offers are being made on this trend.</div>
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Nobody knows who, or if anyone at all, won those 100 free rides. Nobody knows who qualified for those 18 discounted rides. The value of one free ride saw change from Rs. 250 to Rs. 150 and then Rs. 50 only.</div>
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Right now, a uberPOOL system is being trending in Twitter. They're accommodating 2 separate pickup requests, 2 persons per request, that makes four people in the car pool - the idea of a shuttle taxi basically, with some terms & conditions.</div>
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Uber also introduced a cancellation fee. Rs. 60, even if you had to cancel due to driver's issues. I was charged Rs. 60 because I had to cancel a pickup request due to driver refusing me to pick me up and he wanted me to walk up to his cab location.</div>
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Last week, for Udaipur only, Uber introduced a flat Rs. 40 ride fare for upto first 8 kilometers, after that, regular fares apply.</div>
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More surprises sure to come from Uber, in the days ahead, if I am not wrong. Keep it simple, Uber. The better. For you and for us.</div>

Business of Uber taxi: not as profitable as it is showing?

From quite some some time I am noticing the Uber taxi offers and promo codes game. Much has changed in the sphere of Uber taxi free rides i...

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Now a super flop: MTS Mblaze Ultra 3G+ WiFi idea

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The entire hype created by the company about it's Mblaze Ultra 3G+ Wi-Fi has gone down the drains. Rotten right now. Today, after ages, I logged on to the site <a href="http://www.mtsindia.in/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">mtsindia.in</a> and what am I seeing in their '<a href="http://www.shop.mtsindia.in/mts-mblaze/mblaze-ultra-wi-fi-with-adapter/p-7436430-53162310354-cat.html#variant_id=7436430-61947155528" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">shop</a>' page there? A dead link. Page and the idea not found. The device shopping link I had followed from their <a href="http://www.mtsindia.in/OpenWeb/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">main page</a>. Right now there are no television ads, the internet baby is gone. Probably grown up and understood.</div>
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MTS couldn't survive. It had no future. Basically, a miscalculated venture by the company. Users in India mostly use two types of Internet connectivity. The most popular is wireline internet provided by local entrepreneurs which come at a very cheap price and they're constantly improving their services. Secondly, users have smartphones and on the move they need mobile Internet packs. Right now, I am using a <a href="http://www.wishnet.in/priceing.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WishNet broadband unlimited plan</a>, where I spend Rs. 650 per month and I get 4Mbps (12am-12noon) and 2Mbps (12noon-12am). Pretty good, no?</div>
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And what's MTS Mblaze Ultra 3G+ Wi-Fi offering? 5GB at Rs. 499 and the saddest offer is, 10GB day and 10GB night data at Rs. 999. Horribly costly. And, from my own experience, the speeds are 2Mbps maximum - that too, with a antenna they fitted on my roof top and practically made a wireless device a wired device. Insane!</div>
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My WishCharm data plan is deployed via Wi-Fi router, so it's pretty much wireless. All my devices are connected. I use 3G/4G mobile data only when I'm outside home. Rs. 251 gives me 1GB 4G data on the Vodafone SuperNet. Many a times, Vodafone offers 1GB at a mere Rs. 147 (double data offer).<br />
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So, how's MTS scoring? NIL. Failed terribly. All the investment wasted. The employees have an uncertain future. Company might have to exit from business or totally change their ideas and offers.</div>

Now a super flop: MTS Mblaze Ultra 3G+ WiFi idea

The entire hype created by the company about it's Mblaze Ultra 3G+ Wi-Fi has gone down the drains. Rotten right now. Today, after ages,...

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Admission procedure: Bhowanipur Education Society College

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The admission to undergraduate courses in various colleges in Kolkata are in full swing right now, after publication of the results of higher secondary examination. I am keeping in touch with admission procedure of one student and I observed that <a href="http://thebges.edu.in/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BESC ~ The Bhawanipur Education Society College</a> has resorted to a money minded system rather than a academic system. They followed a strange and out of their own schedule in case of online application.</div>
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Here's how it is weird and a money minded game. The college has published their first merit list much ahead of the date they notified. Then, the BES college wants students to deposit handsome figure of admission fees first, even before they verify students' documents and finalize if fit for admission.</div>
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Secondly, it has been notified on behalf of college that admission fees have to be deposited within 2 days of publication of merit list (published 31st May, 2016) but also said that the last date is 6th of June 2016. How strange is that? "Within 2 days of publication of merit list" becomes 2nd June. Then how come last date falls on 6th June?</div>
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Thirdly, a student must, first, deposit admission fees, and then wait seven days for Email / SMS from college for verification date at venue. The strangeness continues. A student cannot take along with him / her their parents, guardians or family friends. So, experts will meet guys and girls who just turned 18 who are not so widely experienced and matured enough to meet all kinds of situations. <b>Unfair.</b> They're sending SMS for depositing money to the parents/guardians because college know who pays, and want the student alone for verification of documents - must be something hidden in there!</div>
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And why admission fees first and verification and admission after seven days? So, if any student requires to meet additional documentation, his/her parents/guardians cannot assist him/her and if he/she gets disqualified on the college's game of do it "within 2 days", they retain the handsome admission fees. Admission of student is not their goal or the prime idea of education? All other colleges have instructed to get admission clearance first, then to deposit admission fees.</div>
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If The Bhowanipur Education Society College is sharply aiming at money, then there's something terribly wrong inside there in their books of wealth. I studied in this college, 1987 to 1991, and I tell you, this college's behaviour was not like this. All of it seems very fishy. Very much sad and offended seeing this.</div>

Admission procedure: Bhowanipur Education Society College

The admission to undergraduate courses in various colleges in Kolkata are in full swing right now, after publication of the results of high...

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Vodafone Kolkata: 4,000 minutes on-net at Rs. 247?

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Ever dreamed of getting 4,000 minutes Vodafone to Vodafone calling, full day, at just Rs. 247? It doesn't happen every day, it doesn't happen always. A month ago, I was really surprised and quite delighted when using the <a href="https://www.vodafone.in/myvodafone-app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Vodafone app</a>, I saw, my number was chosen (*121#) to get this benefit. One time only. Yes, it's not a regular recharge voucher. Users may, some day, just be lucky, or not.</div>
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<a href="https://www.vodafone.in/myvodafone-app" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="my vodafone app with 100mb free" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypgbsZezcbs/V1DcYHD93dI/AAAAAAAAFCQ/-vwE9ctbBUsZklwQJJ8wvgmUuvbSU4iSgCLcB/s1600/gettyimages-502.jpg" title="my vodafone app" /></a></div>
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I am happy. 4,000 minutes! That's 66.66 hours of on-net calling! My family uses four Vodafone numbers (three prepaid and one postpaid), and the person whom I call most, also has a Vodafone prepaid number.<br />
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So, what was the experience of a Rs. 247 recharge with 67 hours of V2V calling? I am a heavy user, so, firstly, let me confess that I finished off those 4,000 minutes quite a few days ahead of the expiry of the pack. Now about call quality, those who have faith in Vodafone will never seek any clarification on this point, it was absolutely delightful talking on the Vodafone network. Strong signal strength, no call drops, stunning call clarity.<br />
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Usually, I do all the talking at night time. With V2V night minutes. Everyone wants to save, don't you too? I get a huge number of hours in night calling (11 pm to 6 am) at a very nominal rate. I require two such recharges every month. <i><b>Tip:</b></i> This recharge denomination doesn't appear on the website</div>

Vodafone Kolkata: 4,000 minutes on-net at Rs. 247?

Ever dreamed of getting 4,000 minutes Vodafone to Vodafone calling, full day, at just Rs. 247? It doesn't happen every day, it doesn...

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How is the quality of life & time we spend in Facebook?

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I started my journey as a Facebook user in 2006. Now in 2016, I've deactivated my account, with no clue as to when I'd reactivate it, or whether I'll ever reactivate at all! Something serious happened to me? NO! But, something nagging, disturbing, irritating and it is persisting; I've, earlier, deleted one account, this one I deactivated, was my second innings. The reason why I deleted my first account is the same due to which I deactivated my second account.</div>
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Well, there's no problem in Facebook, all the problem is about the people and how they use it. In India, people, mostly with very less engagement in real life, use more time in Facebook. And here lies the real problem. Which kind of people have less engagement in life? THE LONELY PEOPLE. And, who doesn't know, these lonely people have lots of problems they cannot handle themselves and they affect the other people.</div>
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Some people, who use Facebook for business or other kinds of profits, have little problem but individuals seeking to keep in touch with friends and others will definitely face weirdness of the people they're trying to reach out to.</div>
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Some day, some one or two or more will spit out their political agenda, another day it will be a depressed and suicidal soul determined to win over others by hook or by crook, day after tomorrow there will be friends trying to show themselves as truest family guys by posting pictures of their wives & children and what they're eating or where they're holidaying, another friend group is probably partying keeping someone else left out etc. etc.</div>
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Make a mistake of exchanging views with some of the above - you're finished. Reduced down to nothing. At least, that's the Indian mob's desire in Facebook. Spit poison. Anyhow. Always. Never stop. That's something Indians can do with perfection. Oh hell! One day you'll surely think, why am I struck here, what am I doing here at all? Have most of my countrymen got sick in their mindset? Seems so!</div>
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In this online social world of Facebook, slowly unfolds the real anti-social behaviour of many. Not all off course. Okay, I've had enough. I said to myself and to everyone in my 'friend list', that, I have my real life - offline - and I'm prioritizing issues and persons around me, rather than forced to feeling like a stupid by a mass of future-less idiots. Real life has much better things to offer than the online social world.</div>
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And this is the reason why today's young generation are really not much into Facebook. It's not they aren't socializing. They're engaging into much deeper social engagement through other platforms, mostly WhatsApp, through person-to-person chats or group chats. We have something to learn from today's generation. The middle-aged group of people in Facebook is rotting up everything, and they're the ones who primarily runs Facebook, Facebook exists for them mainly.<br />
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Goodbye, Facebook. Follow me on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/kaushikbiswas" rel="follow" target="_blank">@kaushikbiswas</a></div>

How is the quality of life & time we spend in Facebook?

I started my journey as a Facebook user in 2006. Now in 2016, I've deactivated my account, with no clue as to when I'd reactivate i...

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Coochbehar tourism: unfriendly for couples, backdated town?

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First of all, this is one post I really hate to write in my personal blog. But this is about my place of birth, my hometown, Coochbehar, situated in the northern part of West Bengal, a small heritage town. The last time I visited Coochbehar was in January 2010. My relatives who used to live there, have now ceased to exist, hence now I don't have a place to stay up over there, I have to stay in a hotel.</div>
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Here's the scenario: a very close friend of mine was hearing about my hometown since a long time and expressed great desire to visit Coochbehar. BUT, now comes the twist: my friend is a female, I am a male, hence several hotels have sternly refused, denied stating that "we don't allow THAT here".</div>
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<img alt="jenkins school, coochbehar" border="0" height="320" src="http://coochbehar.gov.in/JenkinsSchool/JPGfiles/school_bldg1.jpg" title="Jenkins School, Coochbehar" width="640" /></div>
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Now, THAT means what? It's obvious, isn't it? This wouldn't have been if my friend was a male. But even in case of a female friend, does a couple travel 700 kilometers to spend <i>one night of privacy</i>  in a place which isn't usually visited for tourism?</div>
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The hotels which denied, refused, rejected: <a href="http://hotelmaharanipalace.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hotel Maharani Palace</a>, <a href="https://www.thebdhotel.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BD Hotel</a>, <a href="http://www.hotelyubraj.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hotel Yubaraj</a> and some more. Lastly, I had to resort to Government Railway Retiring Room at New Coochbehar station, where they abide by laws of the land. A ray of hope, <a href="http://www.hotelellora.co.in/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hotel Ellora</a> told me they'd welcome us. Time will tell.</div>
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I haven't yet started my journey to my hometown, but some strangely backdated people running hospitality industry in Coochbehar has created a shocking impression in my friend's mind and a bad insulting situation for me.<br />
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I'll update my practical experience as and when it happens. I'm starting journey on 19th.<br />
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Before I finish, let me also put on record, <a href="http://www.holidayiq.com/travellers/Kaushik-Biswas-1831950" target="_blank">HolidayIQ</a> refused to publish my reviews for the above hotels stating that it is against their policy.</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Update:</b></span><br />
1) Hotel Ellora received us with a warm response.<br />
2) HolidayIQ finally published my <a href="http://www.holidayiq.com/Hotel-Maharani-Palace-Cooch-Behar-hotel-429926.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">review of Hotel Maharani Palace</a>

Coochbehar tourism: unfriendly for couples, backdated town?

First of all, this is one post I really hate to write in my personal blog. But this is about my place of birth, my hometown, Coochbehar, si...

Continue »

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Business of Uber taxi: not as profitable as it is showing?

Now a super flop: MTS Mblaze Ultra 3G+ WiFi idea

Admission procedure: Bhowanipur Education Society College

Vodafone Kolkata: 4,000 minutes on-net at Rs. 247?

How is the quality of life & time we spend in Facebook?

Coochbehar tourism: unfriendly for couples, backdated town?

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