Call Center Blues

I am not sure who taught me this, but as a kid we used to sing this short song quite often -

Tum Tamatar Tum
Tamatar Khain Hum
Angrez Ke Bachchey Kya Janey
Angrezi Jaaney Hum

It used to be like one of those type of songs, which would rhyme well, would have no meaning, yet were catchy so everybody would sing it. Yes, one thing, though, we were sure of - Angrez had oppressed us much so this song was a feeble, jingoistic attempt from us kids to hit back.

Today this song assumes greater significance the way call centers, and BPOs have mushroomed. Sure, we can say that we know better English, and therefore we are making huge money from it.

But this unfortunate incident of rape and murder of this 24 year old woman has stirred me inside out, more so because an insensitive colleague had sent me the photographs of the crime scene. Gory scenes trouble me, and these were ghastly.

If I am so disturbed then for her family members this incident, and such a shocking end for her must have been extremely traumatic. Not only for them, but also for all those women who work in late night call centers, it must be a psychological blow. If it happened to her, it could happen to them too. After all, this maniac did call two more such girls who refused to come with him, but this unsuspecting woman did.

I am not sure any type of security is foolproof, but then let's hope this incident is an isolated one. Only thing which is foolproof and morale booster for the people working in this industry is the instant punishment for the killer. He is a sick mind, therefore shouldn't be given an opportunity to come out from the jail - ever.