IndianMaze

India has always been a country where the spread of wealth is skewed. Last decade or so made middle class become richer at a rapid pace. Interestingly, it is this very "rich" middle class that is treating the downturn differently. In my travels across the country this week combined with visits to some shopping malles on the last weekend have given me this insight. The shopping trip to a mall and supermarket saw very thin crowd and the long queues were missing on the checkout counters. This was the case at Spencers, Big Bazaar and Reliance. Even Bikanerwala that is always buzzing with activity was quiet. PVR and DT cinemas have started a Rs 50 cinema ticket that was unthinkable for a multiplex till recently. Airlines claim that low fares in January did not entice anough travellers. Contrasting this with a monday morning flight of Kingfisher to Mumbai and that was absolutely full. Airport terminal was rather busy in Delhi. I must hasten to add that Kingfisher has removed "...

Professional hazard - air travel is certainly one of the hazards. Travelling is considered as one of the high stress activities. However, it also has an aura of glamor and glitz amongst loads of people. What are the bases of selection of a flight by an executive - usual ones - schedule - punctuality - comfort (seat width, pitch etc) - food - "service" (it is black box to put anything and everything in there) not spoken about ones - mileage points - incentives - smarter/attractive pursers/hostesses But is there any customer delight....... I met Alan M on a flight from Delhi to Mumbai and got chatting on availability of alchohol on Indian domestic flights. Since all flights are "dry", I asked him as to what is the reason for chosing Kingfisher? Alan smiled, and then actually burst out in a loud laughter. He asked " Do you really want to hear the truth?" "Of course" was the prompt response. Alan came to India for the first time in October last year ...