Can Nicholas Kristof save the world?

Can journalists/commentators save the world? They definitely are privy to some dirty secrets - even those which they don't understand (Shekhar Gupta and his unwritten memoirs). They expose politicians and have brought down regimes (Arun Shourie, Woodward & Bernstein) and some have died trying (Paul Klebnikov of Forbes Russia).

But has anyone of the lot really saved the world? Some like Paul Krugman (lets expand the scope of journalism to economist columnist) definitely are trying to save America from the Republicans. Others like Thomas Friedman are trying to save something, only God knows what (but it sure involves talking down to their readers)? The others are either cynical wannabe pols (Fareed Zakaria); or scholarly teachers (John Kay); or loony ranters (Yasmin Alibhai Brown). Lets not even try to get into TV journalism.

Among the lot there is one man who may not have saved the world the world, but it wasn't for the lack of trying. Since I first read Nicholas Kristof , I have come to know about underage sex slaves in Cambodia; the horrible genocide in Darfur; about the North Korean Hermit kingdom; and now he is in Zimbabwe exposing the despicable Mugabe regime. He has risked life and limb and the world has been better off for his efforts.

Saving the world needs the American public to be aware of impending disasters. Nicholas Kristof through his New York Times Column is doing yeoman's service in bringing these oil-less regions some much needed attention. Darfur for one would never have captured as much attention and whatever action it has, if not for him. We learnt (at least I did) about Darfur much before it came up on BBC and CNN reading his column in the New York Times.

But can Nicholas Kristof save the world? Yes but only to the extent a column in the New York Times can. He can only stir thoughts in the NYT reading public (and God bless him for that). Its the powers that be which need to do the actual saving.

Alongside saving the world Nicholas Kristof does write some really interesting columns. Read them.

Only sinners,losers and the patently stupid fly Sahara

Count me amongst one of them. Though you might add a caveat - I didn't do so either willingly or out of ignorance. Circumstances forced me to fly Sahara, and how I regret that.

Lets start with the litany -

1. Sahara has no respect for your time - Once upon a time to fly Indian Airlines was a curse. IA has improved a lot since then, and has found a replacement for its old slot in Sahara. I don't remember when last I took a Sahara flight on time.

2. They have no courtesy to care to inform you about the delay - I have tele checked in most of the Sahara flights and left my contact details while doing so. Guess how many times was I informed about the delay? Zero, Null, 0. That is the amount of respect they have for your time. (as an aside - whenever Jet delays they call you up and tell you so that you can do something else with your time).

3. They don't respect your feedback. Twice have I registered complaints against them in Delhi and Hyderabad. Guess how many times someone got in touch with me? Zero, Null, 0. Why have a complaint book when nobody cares to read them, or react to them.

4. Their customer service on ground sucks. Try calling a hyderabad number to telecheck in. You will hear a million rings and about two million engaged tones on 4 numbers they provide in the website and on the ticket. I got a fifth number by calling Jet and guess what was the result their? Nobody picks up. If you want to tele check in be prepared to call long distance to their Delhi and Bombay numbers.

5. Arrogance of the on ground staff is appalling. Try complaining to them in Delhi and you will realize - very few in the world can get ruder (even Parisians don't treat tourists like that).

Please if ever you contemplate flying Air sahara - don't even consider paying for the full fare. If you have to in the rarest of the rare cases (mark the usage of words used to describe the occasions to award a death sentence, flying sahara is nearly as bad) you need to fly sahara - book a million days in advance and pay the lowest possible fare and curse God, your bad fortune and whoever fathered the idea.

Don't be stupid. Don't fly Air Sahara.