The RTI (Mis)Use….

Right to Information is one of the most powerful tool for Indians today. It has in its own way created a bit of fear in many departments.

But everything good thing has a bad side too. Wont go into generalising it. Will give an example I am facing in one of my Govt tenders. A tenderer whose tender was rejected because he was not eligible in certain technical criteria, first requested the department thru his political “sources” to allow his case. When it was refused he started using the RTI to delay the tender process, and in the meanwhile approaching the higher authorities to have the tender recalled.

Though the tender has not been recalled, the RTI has managed to delay the process of the tender by two months now.

In the meanwhile this gentleman has also filed RTI in various other Licensing Departments, asking to confirm if the licences of other parties are valid, thereby creating a waste of time for parties like us, who are facing various enquiries from various departments. Having running the Industry since so many years, we know our documents are in place. But its the waste of time during such enquiries which is frustrating. The Department people also rue the fact regarding such RTI’s which are being filed only for personal gain.

Some officers say, most RTI’s are also filed with the intention of blackmailing or troubling.

I am not saying RTI is bad, but there should be some action against wasteful RTI filers too. Like in courts, a court fee is fixed, here too there should be some deposit/fee, which should be confiscated if there are malicious intentions of filing the RTI

Magical IMAGICA

Visited the Adlabs IMAGICA yesterday. Conveniently located just off Pune Expressway. (you get off at Khopoli after crossing the toll, if travelling from Mumbai)

Comparisons with Esselworld are bound to happen, this place has far less rides compared to Esselworld. Whatever “little” rides are are there…are ENORMOUS!!

Major concentration is on Audio Visual rides against the Thrill rides. Unfortunately the pre-shows are too many, and repeat value is not there. Unlike Esselworld where one would run back to be in the queue for repeat ride, here you wont find people doing that, except in Rajasaurus which is an amazing ride.

Cost wise, one might find Esselworld cheaper, but when you consider the price you pay in Malls for individual IMAX experience(Prince of the Dark Waters), 4D/7D rides cost(Mr. India without 3D though), Haunted House(Curse of Salimgarh) etc, the ticket price is worth it, and the sheer size of the entire rides is amazing.

A lot of effort have been made to give you a Flyover experience over different parts of India via I-India, a one time must watch show….but here is a piece of advice…go for the first row of seats for best experience, the last row is best avoidable.

The staff was very courteous. Food is good. Family experience is fun out here. Must visit place, though unfortunately still not all rides are operational.

Magical…YES,  One time visit… A MUST, Repeat Value… I DOUBT…