Inefficient Helpline

Inefficient Helpline

Ashim Kumar Paul

In the last couple of years, Bangladesh has witnessed the incredible rise in the number of mobile phone subscribers. This fact denotes the great enthusiasm as well as the intense reliance of the mass people towards the wonderful device. Mobile phones are not just a trendy gadget; it has brought about a grand revolution in the people’s lives. Today it is not just used to make and receive calls but it also provides a wide variety of other tech-based services. For instance, SMS, MMS, Internet accessibility, short range wireless communication, business applications, gaming, video capture etc.. It should also be noted that world’s best cellular phone manufacturers providing latest features through their products have successfully been able to create a niche market in Bangladesh.

Since the number of the mobile phone users has been drastically increasing, the mobile phone operators are toiling away to help bring the people under the umbrella of advanced communication technology via the use of more efficient customer care services. As part of their endeavours to convince people to use their services, the mobile phone operators often make special offers to subscribers. As many mobile phone users are completely informed about the procedure with which they can avail these offers, they often face technological hitches. As a result, they resort to communicating with the customer service manager via the help of the hotline to assist in resolving the glitch. However, the lack of efficient customer service professionalism and ham-handed network services, as I have experienced, may hamper this laudable effort.

A couple of months ago, I had received a message on my mobile phone from the operator I use. I was informed that as a recently ranked elite subscriber of that mobile phone operator, some special gifts such as free MMS, SMS, talktime and a certain amount of internet data free of cost. To receive their gifts, I had to activate the offer within the mentioned deadline. Moreover, I would have to guzzle those items within seven days after which their validity expired.

Enthusiastic, I followed their instructions to activate and avail this offer before it expired. From all the little gifts they were offering, what I needed the most was the internet data since I frequently access internet using my mobile phone. To my utter disappointment, I failed to receive the free internet data. As a result, I dialled their customer care hotline for assistance. After a long conversation, the customer manager assured me that within 24 hours, I could browse internet on the free offer. I paid heed to him and waited. Although my phone screen stated that I had received the free data, I was let down again as I was unable to use it. Two days before the expiry of the offer, I called the helpline again. The customer service official listened to my complaint and transferred my call to their internet expert team to find me a better solution. The internet expert team manager kept me on hold for a long, only to verify and confirm that the technical hitch was solved. But his words proved to be off beam and I, being utterly exasperated, rang in again. This time, another executive undertook a time-consuming inspection after which he tried to pacify me by telling me that it was a network predicament that resulted in the inconvenience. At the end, my problem was yet to be resolved and finally, I gave up all hope of utilising the offer.

Even though I could not avail the free offer and was unable to enjoy the special gifts offered to me, the worst part was that I had to pay a surplus amount of money for seeking their indelible (!) customer service. It is truly sad how mobile phone operators are not careful about the promised services to their valued customers. When subscribers seek help from these operators, should these operators take advantage of their subscribers in this appalling manner?

Concern and Expectations

Student Politics

Concern and Expectations

Ashim Kumar Paul

Today, there is no doubt that student politics has become completely corrupt. Nearly every day, we see the news and hear about violence on campus and its ultimate consequence, thanks to the print and electronic media. In the wake of such repeatedly appalling incidents, the educational environment is deteriorating which is evident from session jams, tense educational environment and the rising insecurity of both teachers and students. Moreover, the government’s image is being hampered due to the atrocious activities taking place in various educational institutions, all in the name of student politics, by students who claim to be part of the ruling party.

However, this has not always been the true aim of student politics. If we look back at our historic language movement, it was the student society which came forward to speak out against the browbeaten choice of the ruling government. Similarly, student politics continued its movement in the crucial moments of 1962, 1966 and 1969. Consequently, this generated the spirit of freedom and led to the birth of this nation in 1971. Even during our glorious Liberation War, our students were actively involved in freeing our motherland and its people from the shackles of the inhuman Pakistani forces. From the glorious days when student politics was held in high regard, Bangladeshi student politics has now been reduced to student activists carrying arms, mercilessly assaulting other groups or individuals. It is now a matter of disgrace for both our country, and our government.

Thus, reviewing the prevailing scenario, many concerned veteran personalities opine that student politics in educational institutions must be banned to restore normalcy in the learning arena. However, I believe that banning student politics can, in no way, be termed as the right

solution to this national dilemma. It would be as intelligent of a solution as a man cutting of his head off because of a headache. Even though it is obvious that student politics is treading down a path that has gone astray, one that is being misguided by corrupt men, it should neither be banned nor should it be removed from educational institutions. Like a dying plant, student politics needs to be treated with intensive care.

It is often argued that private universities enjoy the privilege of a healthy educational environment and semesters free of session jam mainly because of the lack of student politics. Although this may be true, it should be noted that most of our leading national political leaders and renowned personalities work for students’ political wings, engaging in various kinds of national, political and socio-economic issues. As their contribution to our national policy is considerable, the significance of student politics cannot be denied.

Regardless of the present condition of student politics in various higher educational institutions, it must be held in high esteem for its bright prospect in terms of national, socio-politic and economic interests. Student politics can bring about positive changes in the traditional outlook and movement of national politics. Only spirited youngsters with a positive outlook and a strong head on their shoulders can help establish the true image of Bangladesh. Student politics is considered the root of our national politics and its progress. It is high time that necessary steps are taken.

Although the present election commission has recommended political parties to snap off any link with student wings, most student wings are still supported by the main political parties. Therefore, all these political parties need to take effective steps to amend the prevailing status of student politics, ensuring that our educational institutions turn into a better place for learning. Thereby, an environment will be created that helps give birth to competent, dedicated national leaders. Apart from cutting off the clandestine connection between major parties and their student wings, other steps should be taken as well. Firstly, only meritorious, competent and liberal students should join and work for the political wings of an institution. Secondly, meticulously maintaining order and discipline in student parties, ignoring nepotism and other bigotry, should be added to the vision of student politics. In addition, the authorities of educational institutions should bear the responsibility of ensuring the efficient use of student politics. The student union elections should be organised at the right time and residential hall seats alloted based on the students’ merits. If all these changes are implemented, an enhanced and stable educational environment can be created.

I believe I am like a man who is standing in the central line between optimism and pessimism - often inspired by optimism and sometimes captivated by pessimistic views. For a country that shows bright prospects, a country that promises to ensure a healthy educational environment in the coming days, I must be prejudiced in my views because of my optimistic self. I believe student politics in Bangladesh should be snapped out of its prevailing anarchic status to be replaced by the glorious panorama that it really deserves.