I lost my Cell Phone :(

 

The day I lost my cell phone

Nearly five months and I am keeping well

I went to Dehradun from Lucknow to attend a conference. I failed to get a berth in the train so I had to take the local bus. I had to take three bus to get to my destination from Lucknow to halfway to Missouri. Because this journey was complicated, I planned my journey well and saved all the data on my cell phone. My cell phone was my guide, she told me when to get off, where to take the bus, and so on. Upon arriving in Dehradun, I discovered my cell phone was missing from my pocket.  The bus conductor rang my phone but no one was answering and I heard no ringtone. Argh … I felt so upset! I think it was the guy who was sitting next to me. I loved my phone so much. Not only my friends lived in it, he helped me to communicate with the outside world. I was so disappointed. Once I reached my destination, I got hold of an internet and changed my password for my Facebook and Gmail. My phone has a password; it needs to be cracked to gain access. If anyone replaces the sim card in my phone, I will get an email notification and know her GPS coordination. I can actually trace my phone but until now, I haven’t got an email so it is likely the person who stole it wasn’t able to figure my password. However, my friend rang my number and someone answered and cut him off. So they must have taken my sim card and used it in another phone. My phone provider managed to stop my Sim card. Lesson learnt: be very careful.

FIR [First Information Report]

A First Information Report (FIR) is a written document prepared by police organizations in India, when they receive information about an offence. It is generally a complaint lodged with the police by the victim. In this case I was the victim …lol. I had to lodge an FIR concerning the theft of my phone with the police because if any person who stole my phone used it for any anti-social behaviour, I canl get into trouble with the authorities. Even if your laptop gets stolen, lodge an FIR immediately.

My residence in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

So I went to the police station in Rajpur. I explained everything. The police officer told me to write in down on paper while he has a shower. Ok then… when he came back, he read my FIR and began talking with me. He asked me whether I was married. I replied I am single. He then asked me if I like to be married. I said I don’t know what God’s will is for me. He told me his sister is single and would I like to marry her. I replied that I can’t do this; I have to pray about it. But most likely I won't. He then told me that I can’t do my FIR here because he doesn’t have the stamp for my papers. I have to go to Dehradun City. So I got up, thanked him then took the bus to the railway station. Once there I spotted a Police station, I went and explained my situation again. The female police officer prepared a paper for me and she told me how to address this FIR and I wrote down an explanation about what happened. She than stamped my papers and gave me a copy. It took only 3 minutes. That evening I got a berth on the train back to Lucknow. I was on the waiting list, and it paid off. Immediately the next day I went to my phone provider to block my sim card and apply for the same number. I was fortunate to have that FIR to get my number back. I was also told that I was also fortunate to have my written FIR accepted by the police since some police usually won't accept a written FIR in English.

Quiz Time

1.       What percentage of people pay taxes in India?

          (a)    3%  (b)  33%  (c) 66%  (d) none

2.       What percent of population is under the age of 15 in India?

         (a)    5%  (b) 25%  (c) 35%  (d) 55%

3.       What percent of people live in villages?

        (a)    6% (b) 16%  (c) 60%  (d) 96%

4.       What unusual occupation is on the rise in India?

        (a)    Female Barber (b) Wedding Detective (c) Ear Wax cleaner (d) Male image consultants

5.       On average how many times does a vehicle toot its horns per day in India?

        (a)    10 times (b) 50 times (c) 200 times (d) 400 times

6.       Which city in India has introduced “Spit Inspector” against spitting?

        (a)    Lucknow (b) Mumbai (c) Delhi (d) Goa

7.       What day of the week Indians try not to wear new clothes?

        (a)    Monday   (b) Saturday   (c) Friday   (d) Wednesday

8.       How many States are in India?

        (a)    29   (b) 15   (c) 10   (d) 40

9.       How many Mosques are in India?

        (a)    300,000    (b) 700,000    (c) 100,000    (d) 1,000,000

10.   Who is the largest and biggest employer in India?

       (a)    Tata Group  (b) Indian Railway  (c) State Bank of India  (d) Indian Oil Cooperation

Answers

1: (a) 3% of the population don't pay any taxes

2: (b) 25 % of the population is under the age of 15

3: (c) 60% of the population lives in villagers

4: (b) Wedding detective - checking out any flaws and secrets of the bride or groom

                                                                                                   http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine
            

5: (c) 200 times - The average rickshaw horn produces a sound of around 93 decibels

 6: (b) Mumbai - there is also an anti-spitting campaign

7: (b) Saturday - most festivals are celebrated on Saturday and superstition

8: (a) 29 States

9: (a) 300, 000 mosque ... no country can beat this number

10: (b) So many railway in India

Monsoon

Monsoon Rain has started ... it is raining very heavily and daily. Even though it is raining, the temperature is still high. . High humidity causes the temperature to remain high. There is a lot of flooding throughout India. The worst affect area is Uttarakland. More than 800 bodies has being recovered so far. Authorities believe the number will be in thousands. Click here for BBC New Slide show. Lucknow is not affected as Uttarakland, but you will find occasional flooding in certain places. Below is a picture of a floored road that leads to my residence.

This is a short video (39 sec) is about how fast and furious this flooding was in Uttarakland. The State is still working 24 hours to evacuate survivor stranded up on the hills.

 

 

 
Language

I have confidence now to converse with people. Although I need to learn new vocabulary, I do find it is easier to speak with people. I have been reading and memorising the dictionary. It is a taunting task. However, it is compulsory to learn new words everyday.


My struggle is putting verbal words into written alphabets. Dictation is my struggle. I guess I am being trained towards perseverance. Soon I will speak better than the local people ...lol... I need to work hard on this weakness. The quicker the better.



 

 

Early morning rest, Cows resting in front of our building

I find people are helpful when you ask for their help. People helped me when I was whether lost or looking for some places. When you ask for help, a lot of people will congregate around you and try to help you. Recently, I had to pay my internet bills and I was looking for the office. So I asked a gentleman and few seconds later there was 6 other people around me all trying to give me direction. One guy especially was very vocal but I couldn't understand a word from him because he was eating paan - a mix of betel and areca, and sometimes tobacco which is chewed but not swallowed. I just nod my head that I understood what he was trying to saying. I was polite but honestly, I didn't understood a word. However, I made it to the office.

 

 

 

Banking

 

 



My bedroom, slowly getting things together, yes I have pink walls

I opened a bank account with a local bank (I.C.I.C.I). They gave me an International debit card. Which was great because now I can do my banking in India and don't have to carry large cash with me. Then I discovered they sent another debit card which I can only use in India to New Zealand. This bank give both an International and national debit card to foreigners. My parents had to courier this debit card to my address in India. It costs a lot to courier an item. Now, when they sent my debit card to New Zealand, they failed to give me my pin number. When I wanted to deposit money into my International Debit card I discovered I can only deposit Foreign Currency in a foreign country in this account. I could only deposit Indian rupees in my national debit card but I can't withdraw the money because the bank failed to provide me with a pin code. I can't even transfer money from one account to another account. I need a pin code from the government to do this. Either way both International and national card is no use to me right now. They can send me the password but to New Zealand, because I am from New Zealand. Imagine the frustration I have to face with the banking system. I have an appointment with the bank manager next week, hopefully we can sort things out. I always say this: This is the Land of Frustration! Lesson Learnt: Do my research before opening my bank account.

 

 

Rest and restoration

 

Since it has been 5 months, next month will be 6 months I will be going to Delhi for a week to have some R & R. I don't know where else to go to have some rest and restoration. When I went to Dehradun, I met some people from Delhi and some of them offered me accommodation. One of them who is a Pastor of a Congregation who lives alone has offered me a room to stay with him. So I am going to check Delhi out and visit some local church members and continue this network.

 




My health

 

I am doing well, I have yet to experience sickness in India. I only drink filtered water and avoid eating food from the roadside. My intake of vegetable has increased. The only way to counter discouragement is just go for it. Eat and eat Vegetables. Come to think of it - it is cheaper than having meat.

 

I have decided to start running once the monsoon season is over. In Lucknow - the daylight is longer than night. The sun is up at 4.35am.

 

Oh I forgot to mention, it is mango season now. Lots of mangos for sale. I eat least have 4 mangos each day. Very delicious. For less than $1 US dollar you can get 5 mangos. Every street corner presently is selling mangos. Once the mango season runs out, I don't know what I am going to eat. Water melons came and gone. Didn't like it. I believe Fiji Watermelons are more tasty.

Presently, I don't have the resources to upload a video of me. However, I will do this on my next blog. I trust all is well with you and you all are having an amazing time. Thank you for your support. You are free to comment below. Blessing on all of you.

Regards
Ravi