SIM CARDS IN OUR LIVES

SIM CARDS IN OUR LIVES

During my trip in April 2015 to UK, my son Arun gave me a SIM card for the local usage. The SIM was not fitting to my Iphone slot and we were searching to cut it to fit to the Iphone.

We approached a store in Coventry, West Midlands, and asked to help one Indian salesman. He happily agreed and asked 5 Pounds as the service charge. I was shocked. Almost 500 Rupees! Arun informed that the cost of the SIM card itself is only one Pound

I said no need to cut and came back and we decided to approach one more shop where the students usually go!

Arun was having classes at the University and he excused himself.  I decided to roam around the places in the city centre. There was a Main Market.

I went inside and saw one Punjabi young man’s vegetable shop. I was checking the vegetables. Almost all vegetables were available. I purchased some and I asked him in Hindi where I could cut this SIM card to fit to my phone. He said he was also selling SIM card and he was doing part time job in that vegetable shop! He just asked me to hand over the SIM card and gave me a new SIM card which would exactly fit to Iphone. He said in Hindi, “Uncleji do not worry both SIM cards are from the same company, you can talk to your son free of cost.” He helped insert it into my phone and activated it. I asked,” How much?” He simply laughed and said, “We just exchanged the SIM cards; no charges!” I wished him all the best and called Arun and informed the new number.

I had some Pounds which I wanted to deposit in Arun’s account. Being first time in that place I found a little difficult to locate the Bank.

In the entrance of a mall I saw one Indian selling SIM cards of a mobile company. There was a small umbrella and he was trying very hard to sell. As usual people do not care to stop. I approached him and he asked me whether I wanted a SIM. I told him my SIM card story and asked him the way for the Bank, He explained and showed the way. Then I asked him who he was and what was he doing. He said he was a student and doing part time job to support his expenses in turn to reduce his parents’ financial load. He was doing his M.S. in construction management! I was impressed. Then I found the bank and deposited the money.

During my second visit to Coventry this August 15, I came to know that two of Arun’s apartment’s partners were doing part time selling the SIM cards. Arun was also trying to get some part time job.

I returned to Kazakhstan, one day Arun called and informed that he was also selected as a salesman for one mobile company. Now he is selling SIM cards to reduce my financial load!

In UK if you see anyone selling SIM cards, most probably that person will be a student! May be he would be an intelligent post graduate, who is not having any ego, who respects all the jobs!!

If you want to buy a SIM card you could always support a student!