“Soft and Hard…. ware”

This was not my maiden visit to Nehru Place computer market in New Delhi, but certainly it was one of its kinds that I find interesting to share on my blog.

Last week, my desktop computer developed a technical snag. I had to get it fixed and I decided to go to Nehru Place market in south Delhi.

“Software-software”…. “Software games aur software”… As I enter the market place, a sharp treble voice enters my ears and I turn around to see a man sitting on wooden stool with his makeshift shop. He asks “kya chaiye…?” (What do you want?). After a glance at him I move on and he continues “software-software….”

I move ahead carrying the CPU (Central Processing Unit) of my computer and a man asks – “kya computer theek karana hai ?” (Do you want to get the computer repaired?). I look below next to me to find a man sitting on a wooden plank on the ground with some dismantled junks of hardware. To my surprise he repairs computer hardware parts.

For a while I am forced to realize the hidden talents in this country and people’s commitment for self-employment. With little investment and their marketing skills, these hawkers selling and repairing sophisticated Computer-ware are India’s hidden businessmen. They are large in number but go unnoticed in tax records. Neither do they pay direct tax nor indirect tax, but contribute to India’s economic growth.

I reach my destination. My cousin Nishant, who is well aware of Nehru Place market, arrives there. Nishant took me to one of his known technicians. It was another surprise for me. That person also does not own any shop but has a place to sit with his table and chair in a corridor of the market.

Getting the computer fixed was not a trouble at all; it did not take much time either. I find the talents praiseworthy even when I am writing this post. Had I gone to some branded company’s workshop for the same job, it would have cost me both my time and money.

Thanks to the technician who detected the SMPS (Switch Mode Power Supply) problem in the CPU of my computer and replaced it. I dedicate this blog-tale to the India’s hidden talents and the hawkers of Nehru Place market with whom I had this amazing experience.