Yesterday, a large number of Christmas Cards were delivered by postmen , as the Indian Postal Union has decided to go on an indefinite postal strike from today, the 5th of December.The Union demands are that the postal staff need increased wages from the Government,and a number of other minor complaints.The postal strikes somehow always seem to occur during the Christmas Season, and never during any of the other festivals. Is the Indian Postal Service allergic to Christmas?
The Postmen and the sorters will arrive on the 25th of December to the homes of all Anglo-Indians and Christians for their "Bakshish", alongwith a few cakes, fruits and sweets.This however, is not the only source of income during the year,apart from their salaries. During the course of the 365 days of the year , if a person is fortunate to receive a letter, every day , he is ordered by the postman to give,one Rupee, for delivering the mail. Apart from this petty income the postmen have the authority to scan, pilfer and remove Bearer Cheques and Currency, if found in a packet or letter. People on the other hand are in no position to make a noise, as it is illegal for people to send currency from abroad, or for people to receive currency from abroad. Postmen take advantage of this fact and remove almost anything which can be exchanged for money, and they blame it on the Customs. If the Customs do open up packets they paste their forms and seal the packets before they are delivered to the General Post Office.
With the indefinite postal strike continuing, the Government has enlisted the help of Army personnel to deliver letters and parcels in most of the States in India.
The government of India will go at a tremendous loss in revenue,during this strike period.A large number of postal bags from foreign countries have collected at the Airports of India. The mail-bags will only be removed to the General Post Offices, after the Strike comes to an end.I was stunned to know that each mail-bag weighs 25 Kgs. and contains 25,000 letters. It will not be surprising to receive Christmas Cards in the month of February,2001.Due to the tremendous back-log of mail to be delivered the postal staff, will take their own sweet time "to do the needful", when the strike ends.
Thanks to the stream-lined medium of the Internet, a large number of people have to resort to sending electronic Greetings to friends and relatives all around the globe. The plus point for the Internet is that almost all the sites offer Free Greetings like yahoo.com,americangreetings.com,lycos.com and scores of other sites.The selection of theme greeting cards on the net is vast.I sent a number of Thanksgiving cards to a number of family and friends. I also had the option of sending musical and animated greetings, with free gift vouchers attached.
Yesterday, I saw the trailer of the forthcoming American movie based on Dr.Seuss' story about,"How the Grinch stole Christmas", which will be in movie halls for the Christmas season.The movie clips were funny, with that popular clown, Jim Carrey, who puts so much of enthusiasm and energy into all his roles to make them both outrageous and hilarious.
This Christmas season ,India has its very own Grinch who has stepped in a bit early to steal Christmas.The Indian Postal Service has been bestowed this honour followed closely by the other two grinch, namely the Indian Banks and the Electricity Board, who are threatening to go on indefinite Strikes from the 18th and the 12th of December respectively.
The Indian Government follows the policy of that beloved screen character, who stole the minds and hearts of people down the ages, Scarlett O'Hara,with that immortal phrase,"Tomorrow is another day".
The center of the New Market, near the ancient Cannon ,wears the Christmas look with all the Christmas Trees, Santa Claus, decorations and lights, which will remain till the 31st of December.
Free School Street, also wears the festive look with all the Christmas trees and decorations put on the street on display.A few of the old Record and music cassette shops, have also put on display some highly polished Gramaphones, in the price range of 1500 rupees to 2500 rupees,in the hope that foreigners or Anglo-Indians from abroad will buy a few of them.
The Chinese shoe shops on Bentick street, are being forced to close down,due to the stiff competition from new shoe companies like Sreeleathers and Khadims, whose shoes are cheaper, with a wider variety of designs. Large numbers of the Chinese community are leaving Calcutta for countries like Canada, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Last week, I saw a few Anglo-Indians doing their marketing, at the New and restored Hogg Market, for dried fruits, to make Christmas cakes at home, while others order Christmas Cakes from the friendly neighbourhood baker.There are still a large number of People who prefer Nahoum's Christmas fruit cakes any day.This Christmas ,we will miss the Doughnuts,fudge and Heart Cakes of M.X.D'Gama, as the shop has been sold out and converted into a garment store. A number of Bengali Christians also buy bulk quantities of Christmas Cakes from the "Cheap Jacks", for their relatives and a friends, while Nahoums Cakes are their personal delights.The cost of Christmas Cakes are on the rise and even the "Cheap Jacks", are not so cheap anymore according to Indian standards.
Christmas is Christmas, just as a rose is a rose and there can be no substitute for this wonderful and joyous season.Have yourself a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. May the "Grinch" never steal your Christmas,have a fantastic time and have a few Rosa-cookies and Kul-Kuls for me.
