‘We Also Paid Extra’; E-khatha in sight; Replenishment offsets Donation…

This is the talk in SFV, whether during morning walks, chance meet at Ratnadeep, Club House, or in the evening chats at the park bench (if you wangle a seat, that is). 

Yes, with digital payments ruling the roost, we tend to pay any bill at first sight in any format and be done with it – be it from Bescom, BBMP, telecom service provider, or DTH TV services (except perhaps for the Maintenance charge where it is in five digits). 

This is exactly what most of us did in Property Tax payment. The likes of ‘me-first’  paid it then and there. The wiser ones read all the clauses, studied the reason for the inflated amount, and found a way out. The former is thankful to the latter for their slow and steady wins approach. 

Thankfully Ms Sowjanya Athreya our Alder co-resident has kindly agreed to consolidate the grievance and take it up with BBMP. United we stand, divided we fall. All of us are now hurrying to send her the requested documents and information so that she puts up a brave fight till victory with BBMP, a la Jhansi ki Rani. Should her effort bear fruit – and there is no reason why it should not - we should raise a toast for her. Our grateful thanks meanwhile.

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E-Khata mandate, the dreaded nightmare that took Bangalorians by storm is the second most burning topic. For some the problem was solved thanks to MC getting an authorized representative visit the complex over a weekend, fill up applications and get e-Khatha in a jiffy. 

Cedar, Ebony and Alder friends have not been that lucky due to some technical snag. The never-say-die MC made contact with the right person, at the right place at the right time in a bid to sort it out en masse. That is exactly the process they are now engaged in. When MC is in picture it is like selecting an ‘Amazon-fulfilled’ item, sure of getting delivery of the product. We thus see an extra glow on the faces of Cedar, Ebony and Alder friends at the prospect of a solution.

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On a lighter side, the SFV-ladies’ clothes-donation drive came to a successful end. Kudos to them. Whether intentionally or by coincidence, a day or two later MC organized Sale of various international brands of T-shirts, track pants, shorts, and ladies garments as though to let the residents recompense the donation. Some of the brands included Nike, Reebok, Under Armour, US Polo, Arrow, Adidas, Puma…

I was one of the firsts to visit Club House - next only to another gentleman, to be precise. As we tried out a few T shirts in the Hand Wash room, we introduced ourselves (Mr Srinivas) more to be of help to each other if the product one tried was too tight, sagging, or fitted well, as there was no mirror. “Uncle, dark shades suit you better,” he said, disregarding the main issue.

After a near ransack, and with my arms just managing to hold a host of tentative selection of T shirts and track-pants, I walked up to him and asked if he has made his selection. “Yes, but I am waiting for my wife for a final word,” holding a still larger collection.  “Me too,” I said as my faced brightened up seeing the lady of the house making a grand entry. “Again, all dark shades,” she quipped. I looked back wondering if Mr Srinivas had overheard it.  She helped me to weed out some and picked up some salwar kameez for herself.

The next morning as I went for my walk sporting one of my new acquisitions, another Maple-3 resident joined me in the lift from another floor, lo, wearing the same maroon T shirt. Yes, everything carries a price. On such in-house sale, on the one side you might pay less; on the other there could be a semblance of residents moving around the complex in, say, DPS, NPS or Kumaran’s uniform.

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