Why can't we be reliable and professional?

I recently had a conversation with a client in the US who had hired an Indian vendor to do some research work and was gravely regretting her decision. Lured by the low bid, she chose to work with this vendor thinking he or she could deliver the goods she required. Unfortunately she was badly disappointed, with the vendor going MIA (not returning calls, responding to emails, not sticking to deadlines). furthermore, the vendor started making lame excuses for non-performance, trying to pin it on the client that she has crazy expectations.

this is not an isolated case. There are numerous, far too many for comfort, cases of Indian vendors behaving this way. in fact, the CEO of an MR firm in Delhi once told me that he was great in marketing but was weak in operations. it lives up to the Indian motto- talk big, deliver less. i've myself hired Indian vendors on multiple occasions-  logo design, writing, etc. and am constantly peeved at the sheer lack of commitment, communication and delivery. at the end of the day when they're fired, they shoot back saying it's your fault!

if you don't believe me, ask around- Indians are famous for this. switching off the phone, making excuses for their absence and what not. one time, i hired a logo designer who completely ignored whatever i said, and gave me something way too late, that i couldn't use.

despite the fact that we're one of the most educated races in the world, pride ourselves on our long history and culture, we still can't get our act straight. we're renowned for being late, we never follow up and we somehow still don't take quality seriously. so much so, i recall an IT vendor here who never bothered to send me an invoice for a payment i had already made, despite repeated calls and requests.
in fact, i've seen the same culture in banks (including HDFC and Kotak, although the latter is somewhat better), but somehow we have managed to grow at the second highest rate in the world. it's shameful that we will criticize other countries for whatever reason, but never bother to look inside!

what gives?

The Circle of Life

we gained independence in 1947 and ever since we've been complaining about the independence people have to reproduce. the government has spent gazillions in funds to promote birth control, family planning, even giving out free condoms in health fairs.

Who knew that a social evil would come to the rescue? Bear in mind, i do not condone it in any remote sense- female foeticide is despicable! not that i doubt the administration's ability to control it- they can't! however, one thing is certain- the people who kill the girl child are inadvertently solving India's population woes by committing proverbial genocide- they are killing the reproductive abilities of the country!

i might well be the first one to think about it! am i saying it should happen? NO! however, what you reap, is what you sow, in the words of RATM. the people committing this heinous crime, nay, SIN, are earning their just rewards! The phenomenon is very decentralized i would say- the people killing the girl child, are reducing their own family's likelihood of proliferation.

i have renewed faith in god and mother earth and above all, the great design!