R2IClubForums.org

SAPPORO wrote: ↑Wed Feb 19, 2025 12:41 pm

It's nice that the app takes the ownership of the work done. I guess app assigning contractors to consumers is a tweak made for the Indian psyche! As a desi even in the US, I start working directly with the technician if I like them to save on the app's commissions.

Not sure where the sudden surge of money to the technicians notwithstanding the app commissions, is coming from. I guess obviously from the consumers that get hooked on to the app for convenience and those that don't need to or care about bargaining anymore.

I also saw an opportunity to do work outside of app once you know the contractor. But that work would not be covered by warranty of UC. Commission depends on work also. Some services have 10% while others have 20-30%. For me it's just not worth losing the peace of mind that comes with UC warranty. So now even if they do something extra, I ask them to bill via UC. Surprisingly they also prefer to bill via UC. Maybe they have a bonus structure. In addition, they will be barred from platform if UC finds they are trying to bill outside while on their call. Some customers do complain if billing is done outside and any issue crops up. These guys then get into trouble. I have to say that Indian apps have really learned how to tackle desi mindset and trying their best to remove the incentive by either offering something extra (assurance of service) or keeping commission at minimum.

I think income increases because they are able to get lot more clients than ever before. Just like with zomato, restaurants are able to increase their reach like never before. For people they are able to get lot of services done which would otherwise just stay pending at home. So transactions and its value both have increased. Plus just like Amazon shopping, you tend to buy things you may not necessarily need. I didn't need the head/shoulder massage. But I was getting haircut and it was only few extra rupees so why not.

Many of my friends and one relative went for Maha Kumbh. I was invited but declined. 10 million people visit the small town every day. I avoid temples where you have to stand in que for 4 hours like Tirupati or Vaishno Devi. For Maha Kumbh one has to walk for 4-6 hours.

I go to normal temples as I believe "bhagwan is every where". Wife wants to visit Kashi, Ayodhya and Somnath. I am researching the best time when min crowd will be there. Board exam time is good as all parents will be busy with their kid's exam. Avoid any major festivals or govt holidays/weekend. There is only a narrow window when I can go for darshan.

old-spice2 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 02, 2025 2:23 pm Many of my friends and one relative went for Maha Kumbh. I was invited but declined. 10 million people visit the small town every day. I avoid temples where you have to stand in que for 4 hours like Tirupati or Vaishno Devi. For Maha Kumbh one has to walk for 4-6 hours.

I go to normal temples as I believe "bhagwan is every where". Wife wants to visit Kashi, Ayodhya and Somnath. I am researching the best time when min crowd will be there. Board exam time is good as all parents will be busy with their kid's exam. Avoid any major festivals or govt holidays/weekend. There is only a narrow window when I can go for darshan.

I visited MahaKumb as it’s once in a lifetime event and no need to walk for 4 -6 hours if we take some “local” help. In fact I took my 75+ year old parents from AP to MahaKumb , Kashi and Ayodhya visits.

If I remember correctly, Sappro also visited as he mentioned somewhere in this forum about his MahaKumb and Rajasthan trips.

Generally you see less crowd in Tirumala TIrupathy on week days around March 1 st and 2 nd weeks. Because of students exams etc..

SemiRetire wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 9:02 am

old-spice2 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 02, 2025 2:23 pm Many of my friends and one relative went for Maha Kumbh. I was invited but declined. 10 million people visit the small town every day. I avoid temples where you have to stand in que for 4 hours like Tirupati or Vaishno Devi. For Maha Kumbh one has to walk for 4-6 hours.

I go to normal temples as I believe "bhagwan is every where". Wife wants to visit Kashi, Ayodhya and Somnath. I am researching the best time when min crowd will be there. Board exam time is good as all parents will be busy with their kid's exam. Avoid any major festivals or govt holidays/weekend. There is only a narrow window when I can go for darshan.

I visited MahaKumb as it’s once in a lifetime event and no need to walk for 4 -6 hours if we take some “local” help. In fact I took my 75+ year old parents from AP to MahaKumb , Kashi and Ayodhya visits.

If I remember correctly, Sappro also visited as he mentioned somewhere in this forum about his MahaKumb and Rajasthan trips.

Generally you see less crowd in Tirumala TIrupathy on week days around March 1 st and 2 nd weeks. Because of students exams etc..

Great to hear about your trip to Kumbh! I was just wondering and wishing to go there but would have never done it since I can't even take the traffic in Bangalore. I visited Tirumala though and was in and out in 90 minutes during a weekday.

Visting Odisha this September and looking forward to marveling at the Kalinga architecture there.

Indian can turn anyone religious and spiritual. It's just in the air. With multiple events happening regularly around you, temples all around, dharam is in the air. Nowadays everyone is visiting Ayodhya in my friend circle. I am also planning trip to Vaishnodevi and Ayodhya. My wife wants to visit Kedarnath. Ayodhya I want to visit with my complete family.

Even more amazing is diversity within the religion. North, east , west, south has their own way of worshipping. Northern spirit is completely different than south but they belong to same religion. Yet can connect on the same platform.

We are going to start the religious tours after 3 months. Summer is not a good time to go anywhere in India. Plan to cover Ayodhya, Varanasi, Somnath, Ujjain and few more. But not in one trip, may do it over next 3-4 years.

Looks like a war is going to happen anytime now. Yesterday went and stockpiled groceries, filled up petrol in the car. Got stockpile of TP for two years. Let us see what happens!

People in NCR are in higher risk zone as it is the Capital city.

old-spice2 wrote: ↑Sun May 04, 2025 9:29 pm Looks like a war is going to happen anytime now.

I doubt if a full fledged war will happen. What most likely will happen is a surgical strike and a 'response' from Pak. I suspect many governments from middle east particularly and some private businessmen could be working on a formula with India and Pak governments. The formula could be executing a controlled strike and a retaliation so people from both countries can be satisfied. Neither country wants to (and afford to) go to war. However the TV anchors have gone complete hysterical and are crying battle cries 24*7.

mcr wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 1:55 am I doubt if a full fledged war will happen. What most likely will happen is a surgical strike and a 'response' from Pak. I suspect many governments from middle east particularly and some private businessmen could be working on a formula with India and Pak governments. The formula could be executing a controlled strike and a retaliation so people from both countries can be satisfied. Neither country wants to (and afford to) go to war. However the TV anchors have gone complete hysterical and are crying battle cries 24*7.

This time it is going to be different. Modi is going after Pak Army Chief and ISI head. They are using Israel's response to Hamas attack as an example and going after the backers rather then just terrorists. I expect a short attack on PoK and if Pak escalates then a full fledged war involving heavy artillery and fighter jets. People in border region and big cities like Delhi/Mumbai are at risk of retaliatory firing.

There is definitely something big happening as mock drills for blackouts are happening in Gurgaon tomorrow and other cities are going through the same process. So they are checking for war readiness. Wouldn't go through this process if it wasn't for war planning. They are expecting escalation from Pakistan and it has potential to spiral out. Dont think it will be nuclear but you just never know.

It was so stupid that in 1971 they didn't setup controlling position in Pakistan and got rid of their army. Like US did with Germany and Japan.