Un-fair price hike on Lipton tea bags by Hindustan Unilever Limited?

This has reference to the latest hike in the rates for the Lipton Green Tea (20 tea bags packet). The rate as on 01/2011 was Rs. 30.00 (Code no. UCGPR06A). The rate is hiked to Rs.50.00 as on 02/2011 (Code No. UCGPR04A). The increase is over 60%! The tea bags packages were bought in Navi Mumbai. Available for inspection.

We consumers strongly feel that there is no justification for such a steep increase without any change in the quality. This is unjust and unfair business practice. Consumer un-friendly.

I request that the Hindustan Unilever Limited management should review this again and do justice to the MRP.

India – ranked seventh among the world’s most hard working nations!

A simple survey conducted by Ipsos Global and Reuters, showed that India is ranked seventh among the world’s most hardworking nations. The ten rankings are: Japan, Australia, South Africa, South Korea, USA, Canada and India, Brazil, Sweden and China. It is found that 58.5% of people take all their allotted holidays, while in Japan only 33% of the employees avail of all their allotted paid holidays.

The sample number for the survey, 13,000 people across various countries is too small to make a judgment of this kind. Important to know is the number of “working” hours in a year. Never-the-less, this is a good attempt. Also it will be much different if one considers Indians working in India or Indians working abroad!

Water purifiers and purity of water

The ground water is one of the major sources of drinking water and the Indian government promised to provide safe drinking water to all by 2012. It is reported that 33% of ground water of India is not fit to drink due to pollution. Besides the harmful bacteria and virus, the pollutants are iron, fluoride, salinity and arsenic. The concentrations generally exceed the tolerance levels prescribed by the authorities.

Bottled water has flooded the market and many companies are selling water purifiers claiming the supply of 100% pure water. There are many models available in the market. Zero B claims their water purifier as “A perfect blend of beauty and technology”. Kent Mineral RO claims to supply water which is purest in the world. Some other company claims 100% “Chemical free water”. The price varies from Rs.1000 to Rs.10,000. The high-pitch advertisements by the companies do not clarify the limitations of such systems. It looks as if the companies are taking the gullible public for a ride. Regulation of the water purifiers is not in sight.

There seems to be no awareness amongst the consumers as to the minimum purity requirement for the potable water. What are the drinking water standards? How and who will monitor the potability of the water supplies, i.e., municipal water supply and ground water supply?

The concerned authorities / departments should intervene immediately and specify the minimum required purity in terms of presence of chemicals, bacteria and virus in the water coming out of these purifiers. In fact, the television channels and news papers should take up this issue and sensitize the viewers about the existing status in domestic water purification systems in India. It can start public debates to discuss the issues involved.

Increasing use of "Party Drugs" by youngsters

It is reported that the use of so-called party drugs, also called soft drugs is the first step to addiction. The youngsters (11 to 18 years) who used to smoke cigarettes once in a while for “kicks” have started taking soft drugs such as use of Hookahs and natural products such as cannabies, charas, ganja and bhang. These products do give some feeling of “highness” or well-being for a while, but are highly addictive over time.

There drugs do have long-term ill effects. They can cause brain damage, memory loss, loss of concentration, impaired judgment, etc, etc.

Public awareness through the mass media such as television should be used to bring-in awareness about the harmful effects of these drugs. Small ads using film/TV personalities should be made and shown for greater impact. Indian children are well known for hero-worshipping and try to copy the “styles” of these “Stars”.

These personalities should be asked give a few minutes of their time for such a noble cause. The government can provide some income tax benefit to the obliging stars as an incentive. Parents should also be educated to strongly discourage their children from consuming these life-style drugs to prevent addiction.

New Year Greetings

I wish all my fellow-bloggers and readers:

A Very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year – 2011

I would like to see India (minus corruption and poverty) a fully developed country and not a chronic developing country.

My Voice