
Its hard not to sympathise with Capt Anjum Chabra,28,whose rap song on Air India has gone viral on YouTube after it was uploaded on February 13. In case you havent seen the video,it starts with Chabra,an impish,Virat Kohli lookalike,putting on his uniform and then receiving a call that his flight has been cancelled. Yet again. This prompts the frustrated pilot to launch into a hilarious but pretty vicious rap on the airline union,corrupt bosses and aviation industry in general. Sample these lyrics: Im working Air India,I am in India,but not in the air,Is there anyone here whos got some extra money to spare?
I suppose,at one level Chabras expletive-ridden rap song can also be seen as an anguished cry for help over chronic mismanagement,repeated bungling and the growing sense of desperation that seems to have enveloped Air India staff.
The damage is done. Air India pilot rap has received 1,20,566 hits on YouTube already. Its never a good idea to publicly bad-mouth or antagonise your employer. Most of the time you need them a lot more than they need you. Most of us in the private sector dont belong to unions and,while we may live in a democracy,were virtually powerless when it comes to fighting whatever tyranny or rules a big company has in place. Chabra probably has an alternate career as a musician or something else worked out,or he wouldnt have had the gumption to take on the might of the national carrier,however diminished.
Most corporations have social media policies to deal with employees who post inflammatory content on Facebook and Twitter. Put five co-workers together,and theyre going to discuss the office,bosses and their woes. While its impossible to take away the rights of employees to discuss work conditions,disrespectful,critical comments for the world to see is not going to benefit your career in any way. For that,theres http://www.glassdoor.com,the trip advisor of companies,where employees can rate their experience,anonymously. Air India,incidentally,has a rating of three-and-a-half stars out of five on Glassdoor. Contemplate that.
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