Economy

Today, on the bus, my purse, along with all my documents...credit card, debit card, driving licence, senior citizen card, and so on...were stolen. One thing that helped me immensely is that I had made a photocopy of every document and had it at home. Also, I had made a note of the numbers to be called in case of such loss. So, in spite of its being time-consuming, I have managed to block all the cards (an attempt was made to use my credit card even before I could do this...luckily, it was unsuccessful.) All of us need to carry…

Today, on the bus, my purse, along with all my documents...credit card, debit card, driving licence, senior citizen card, and so on...were stolen. One thing that helped me immensely is that I had made a photocopy of every document and had it at home. Also, I had made a note of the numbers to be called in case of such loss. So, in spite of its being time-consuming, I have managed to block all the cards (an attempt was made to use my credit card even before I could do this...luckily, it was unsuccessful.) All of us need to carry…

We often see vendors like this girl I spotted at the Kanakapura Road/ORR junction, selling large balloons. It could be a variety of (usually Chinese) products: windshield shades, mobile phone charger cords, earbuds, dusters.   Spare a thought for the hardships these people undergo. Obviously, they want to make an honest living, and not beg at the street corners. They get their goods from an agent, and have to pay him a large part of what they earn. In the process, they eke out a very slender living. Do, occasionally, buy from them; you can donate the item you bought…

We often see vendors like this girl I spotted at the Kanakapura Road/ORR junction, selling large balloons. It could be a variety of (usually Chinese) products: windshield shades, mobile phone charger cords, earbuds, dusters.   Spare a thought for the hardships these people undergo. Obviously, they want to make an honest living, and not beg at the street corners. They get their goods from an agent, and have to pay him a large part of what they earn. In the process, they eke out a very slender living. Do, occasionally, buy from them; you can donate the item you bought…

I've written earlier, in this post about artisans who make a living by repairing jewellery. On Sunday, two friends and I went to Commercial Street, a shopping area in Bangalore. Off this street is another narrow street, called, quite appropriately, Jewellers Street. Both of them had jewellery that needed repair, so we found a small shop. "Gun Short" is actually a "gunshot", using a staple gun to pierce the ear quickly and painlessly. "Manul" piercing could also be done. My friends showed the shopkeeper the work to be done, and negotiations for the amount to be charged were successfully concluded.…

I've written earlier, in this post about artisans who make a living by repairing jewellery. On Sunday, two friends and I went to Commercial Street, a shopping area in Bangalore. Off this street is another narrow street, called, quite appropriately, Jewellers Street. Both of them had jewellery that needed repair, so we found a small shop. "Gun Short" is actually a "gunshot", using a staple gun to pierce the ear quickly and painlessly. "Manul" piercing could also be done. My friends showed the shopkeeper the work to be done, and negotiations for the amount to be charged were successfully concluded.…

Of late where there are parked cars (for example, in front of restaurants) I've been noticing a lot of young men with various implements, and I realised that they offer to carry out repairs/ rectify dents on cars for a fee. Today, I had gone to GKVK with a friend. As we were walking back to where the car was parked, a couple of young men who were passing on a scooter stopped in front of us, and approached my friend. "Your car has a dent at the back, sir!" said one. "We will repair it for you in just…

Of late where there are parked cars (for example, in front of restaurants) I've been noticing a lot of young men with various implements, and I realised that they offer to carry out repairs/ rectify dents on cars for a fee. Today, I had gone to GKVK with a friend. As we were walking back to where the car was parked, a couple of young men who were passing on a scooter stopped in front of us, and approached my friend. "Your car has a dent at the back, sir!" said one. "We will repair it for you in just…

George Varghese writes:   From: George Varghese <grgvrghs@gmail.com>Date: 27 November 2015 at 14:14Subject: The sweetest investment you can ever make....To: Here's a chance to make a social, ethical, environment-friendly investment and get the sweetest returns you can ever imagine and also at the same time support a rural entrepreneur make a livelihood. Interested? Read on..... What this is about: A local farmer Nagaraj living near Bisilkoppa village, Sirsi Taluk is also an experienced bee keeper. He is interested in expanding his bee keeping enterprise by getting 100 new bee boxes. At a cost of Rs.4000 per box (box with bee…

George Varghese writes:   From: George Varghese <grgvrghs@gmail.com>Date: 27 November 2015 at 14:14Subject: The sweetest investment you can ever make....To: Here's a chance to make a social, ethical, environment-friendly investment and get the sweetest returns you can ever imagine and also at the same time support a rural entrepreneur make a livelihood. Interested? Read on..... What this is about: A local farmer Nagaraj living near Bisilkoppa village, Sirsi Taluk is also an experienced bee keeper. He is interested in expanding his bee keeping enterprise by getting 100 new bee boxes. At a cost of Rs.4000 per box (box with bee…