one night @ call center

Good Evening every body...this is my first note on a pulic forum. Actually one of my collegue Amit Bhagria who is actively in blogging encouraged me to share my views on such a powerful forum. Thanks Amit.

I am sharing my views about the industry which is very close to my heart “ BPO” Most of us refer this wonderful industry by the name “Call Center” which is more of a slang used to label anything wrong happening to young Indian workforce. I am a great fan of this industry which has fuelled India's success story. Its because of this industry people started knowing more about our great country and India's image from being a land of snake charmers changed. It has showed the world that we have a head over our shoulders and are determined to take the developed nation head on……..

Few days back an unfortunate incident happened. A young female employee of one of India's biggest BPO's was raped and murdered and the whole nation started debating how bad this industry is and where its taking the young generation. Last week there was an article ("Has the BPO bubble finally bursted?") in one of the leading newspapers that people no longer want to work with the BPO's. In this article Heads of leading colleges in New Delhi had mentioned that now they don’t allow BPO's to their campuses, reason being working in BPO's is very stressful....I fail to understand that which industry offers a no stress environment...Its true that working in night shifts is really tiring, adjusting the body clock is difficult and a person goes through a lot of stress but have we ever seen sales executive selling Cards or Eureka Forbes travelling in public transport in scorching heat and dust. Have we ever analysed what stress he goes through.. Then how is this job better...

Lets analyse a few advantages of this wonderful industry....free pick up drops (most companies now offer ac cabs), meals (most companies now offer free meals), young turks from not so strong economical background have the option of earn while you learn ( most companies have higher education tie ups with prestigious colleges). Most importantly an average graduate gets paid 12-15k a month with host of other facilities which most of the other industries do not provide....

I agree that there are a few silver linings but then every other job has a flip side so why single out an industry which to a great extent fuelled India's strong economic march.

I would appreciate if you great folks could put in your valuable comments on this topic.