The GST Saga: A Crash Course in Chaos

VAT to GST: Adapting to the New Normal

So, the government finally jumped into the GST business after 17 years of dithering. But, unsurprisingly, that amount of time wasn't enough to plan the implementation properly. For most of us in business, it felt like falling into an abyss with a glimmer of hope that the crash landing would be smooth and things would eventually get better.

Well, guess what? They didn't. Nothing else explains the situation we're in today.

In my small town of Belgaum, there was practically no government machinery to help businesses navigate this new terrain. Not even a help desk in a government office! It was like they dropped the GST bomb and then went on vacation.

People in the supply chain, from suppliers to manufacturers, were living in 'la-la land' when it came to preparedness. On the bright morning of GST implementation, manufacturers were clueless about the HSN codes mapped to their products.

And then there was my software guy. He threw up his hands and asked me to fend for myself until he could wrap his head around the GST requirements for his software. So, I found myself going ten steps backward to the good old days of writing out bills by hand.

Mr. Jaitley, our super erudite finance minister, here's a toast to your bold venture. It's been a wild ride, and here's my take on it.

A Journey of Hope and Hiccups

The idea behind GST was revolutionary. A single tax to replace the tangled web of multiple taxes seemed like a dream come true. But as with any dream, waking up was the hard part.

The Belgaum Blues

In Belgaum, a town known for its entrepreneurial spirit, the GST rollout was nothing short of chaotic. Businesses were left in the lurch with no guidance. The local government offices, which should have been bustling with activity, were silent. No workshops, no informational pamphlets, not even a token help desk. It was like the government had handed us a puzzle without any pieces.

The Supply Chain Shuffle

Suppliers and manufacturers were equally lost. The concept of HSN codes was as alien as interstellar travel. They had no clue what codes to use for their products, leading to confusion and delays. The once smooth supply chain turned into a tangled mess.

Tech Troubles

My tech guy, usually the savior in times of digital distress, was stumped. His usual confidence was replaced by uncertainty as he struggled to update the billing software to comply with GST norms. His advice? "Go old school." And so, I found myself scribbling bills by hand, a throwback to a time I thought was long gone.

Raising a Toast to Resilience

Despite the chaos, there's something to be said about the resilience of the Indian business community. We grumbled, we stumbled, but we didn't crumble. GST may have thrown us into the deep end, but we're learning to swim, one stroke at a time.

So, here's to you, Mr. Jaitley. Your bold venture has been a rollercoaster of a ride. We're still holding on, hoping for smoother tracks ahead. Cheers!

English Vinglish and all that Jazz

Let’s face it, English is the gateway to a better future and one can ignore it at his or her own peril. Whether one likes it or not, it is the dominant global language of trade commerce & industry and international politics, It is often termed as a window to the rapid progress of technology and scientific knowledge in a constantly evolving world.

Thomas Macaulay did a big favor to Indians when he articulated the British policy of educating the colonial people in western thought and ideals. It was meant to serve their purpose but it ended up doing a greater good for us. He famously said "We must do our best to form a class who may be interpreters between us and the millions whom we govern, a class of persons Indian in blood and colour, but English in taste, in opinions, words and intellect."

Indians like Raja Rao Mohan Roy, Sarojini Naidu, Mulk Raj Anand gave a distinct Indian flavor to the Anglican literature for Indian consumption. The Anglo Indians and convent school teachers took this great legacy forward and one such person was Mrs.Hilda Edwards who passed away today. In essence this article is a tribute to her, for it was in her fine teaching that we learnt the nuances of the language and its transformative influence on our lives.


In an age where the luster of International schools, with their grandiose names and dazzling displays, seems to outshine all, the quiet, steadfast glow of educators like Mrs. Edwards reminds us of the true essence of learning. Clad in her traditional saree and behind large spectacles, Mrs. Edwards embodied the spirit of education, her lessons a testament to the profound impact of nurturing guidance over mere academic instruction.

Traditionally attired in a Saree and large spectacles, Mrs.Edwards would punctually troop into the class with a text book clutched by the chest. She would quickly get down to lessons in a soft demeanor. She was patient in our fumbling attempts to get Wren & Martin right, many of her English lessons were interjected with questions on prepositions, conjunctions and so on. When errant boys misbehaved or created some ruckus in the class, her reaction would be to stop the class session and direct a silence laced with a dead pan expression towards the culprit. It was enough to convey the message without a harsh word or a caning. She encouraged us to ask questions and drew engagement on the subject.


She taught us English grammar the traditional way i.e., deductively which is presenting a rule followed by example drills (from general to particular). The pedagogical rules and methods have changed from passive to explorative learning now, but in the mid 80s that was the best way to get attention and engagement from the class and Mrs.Edwards exemplified it.


In remembering Mrs. Edwards, we not only pay homage to a teacher but to a beacon of light that shone on the path of countless students, guiding them through the maze of conjunctions, prepositions, and the broader complexities of life itself. Sri Rajagopalachari once remarked that English was India's great boon from Goddess Saraswati. In the legacy of Mrs. Hilda Edwards, we see the embodiment of that blessing, a gentle force propelling us towards enlightenment and understanding.

Rest in peace, dear teacher. Your lessons transcend the confines of the classroom, echoing through the lives you've touched and the futures you've shaped.