Complaint about INOX online booking :

I don’t watch movies at theatres regularly, but many times I try to. I prefer to book the tickets in advance through online.

Sathyam and INOX are couple of good cine theatres that we have in Chennai.

While I am comfortable in booking the tickets online with Sathyam (www.thecinema.in), I have never been successful with INOX booking (www.inoxmovies.com).

I tried SMS booking also, that also doesn't work. I’m completely disappointed with INOX booking.

No idea whether it’s only me facing this problem. But I wanted to bring the issues to the notice of INOX management and was able to obtain their e-mail id (contact@inox.co.in) from their website.

Here’s the mail which I sent them today.

“Hi,

I write this mail after completely disappointed with the online ticket booking for INOX (Chennai).

At many occasions, I tried several times to book the tickets online, but i was never successful. To be honestly saying, your web site wastes my time by asking many inputs in the first screen and when I click "submit" button, in the next page i am informed that the tickets are not available.

When the tickets are not available, it could have been informed in advance instead of wasting time like this.

I tried to book the tickets at your site via SMS also. And that also didn't work.

The navigation on your site it pathetic and confusing.

I'm absolutely disappointed with your site. Your site sucks.

Pls check www.thecinema.in --> this site is awesome and user-friendly. You should adopt a system like this.

Regards

Bala”

Visit to Thiruvannamalai Temple:

Recent times have been so hectic on work and I was thinking of relaxing a bit on New Year’s day. But to my surprise my ex-colleagues called up on 31st Dec and checked whether we could visit Thiruvannamalai temple on 1st January, as the day being auspicious.

As ever, last-minute plan always works. We immediately planned the trip. ‘We’ includes myself, Shukdev Lahiri (who works for ICICI Bank), Hari (entrepreneur), Deena (works for cricinfo.com) and Deva (an architect).

Shukdev picked me up from my home in T.Nagar at 5.30 in the morning, then proceeded to pick up Deena and Deva. And, Hari joined us in Tambaram.

Hari has been the best-planner in our team. As per his plan, we first proceeded to Kubera Lakshmi temple (off Vandalur-Kelambakkam Main road). Also visited couple of adjoining temples.

Then, stopped at Hotel Highway in Maduranthagam for break-fast. Those who pass by that road, pls don’t miss this hotel, they provide sumptuous unlimited break-fast buffet for Rs. 60 per head.

Thereafter, continued driving to Thiruvannamalai. The temple was flooded with people for many reasons like – new year day, Arudra Dharshan day, Girivalam etc. We were able to join the special-ticket counter.

There were thousands of people waiting, but the queuing system was not proper. The temple assistants open up a ‘special’ gate in the mid-way through, for those who pay them money. Even that was not done properly and it led to stampede. Women, children and aged people were hurt. Surprised to see that people, who look decent and educated, were the major reason for this mess-up.

That’s when I think of the systems being followed in Shirdi and Puttabarti temples. Our people also visit those temples, but follow a strict disciplinary system over there. So, it means that the problem is not with the people, but with the system. Hence, the management trustees of the temples should ensure that proper queuing system is implemented.

Also, the roads in and around the temple are not cleanly maintained. The roads are scattered with lots of stones and garbage, which disturb the people who walk barefooted. Even we walked barefooted as were able to park the car in a quite remote road (as the entire area near the temple was jammed already).

After the Dharshan, we visited Ramanasramam (which is just about 15 minutes drive from the temple) and then started driving back to Chennai. Had our late-lunch at the same hotel at about 4.30.

Reached home at 7.00 p.m. Thought of taking a nap as I felt sleepy (since I slept for just an hour during the new year’s night). Went to bed, but was able to get up only the next day. Slept for about 15 hours , non-stop.

In all, spent a good day with my friends, after a long period of time. It was suddenly planned, and good that all were able to make up on short-notice.

Happy New Year to all of you !!