M Kayina
Lerie Colony, Kohima
ATM as we know stands for Automated Teller Machine and by its very definition, it implies that we should be able to withdraw and transfer money at our convenience. On account of being a resident of Lerie Colony, I usually withdraw money from ATMs installed in and around PR Hill, Mohonkhola, and Lerie Colony and has noticed that each ATM machine had peculiar characters of its own.
When SBI had proudly installed not one but two ATMs in a booth set up below the Bazaar branch near PR hill junction, I could feel a sense of relief as it would ease out heavy rush of customers. However, more often than not, only one machine remained functional at a time. What could then be more beneficial in an ATM booth with two machines with only one functional machine over that of a booth with one functional machine? Similarly, I recalled an SBI ATM booth set up opposite to Network Travels Counter (Mohonkhola). As usual, it had two machines installed with only one functional machine.
The peculiar thing was that the screen at first would appear dead. However, as known only to regular customers, it comes to live only when you press one of the buttons. The only advantage as I know was that many customers turn away thinking that the machines were dead and thus the rush was reduced to an extent. I still miss the cute old Axis Bank ATM which was installed nearby. The Bank management must have thought it best to have it shifted out as it was becoming haywire with increasing load of customers.
Another SBI ATM machine installed at Lerie, near CRPF camp had buttons which was very tricky and required loads of patience as the screen would display only after exerting much pressure on the buttons and took ages as you stand waiting. At times, you press twice or thrice thinking that it wasn’t properly pressed, only to notice after sometime, the double and triple numbers displayed on the screen. You are left stuck in a situation where you either leave in desperation or repeat the same process all over again and face the discomfort of frowning customers behind you who could make you feel like you’ve committed a grievous fault.
One machine that had really put my patience to test was the IDBI Bank ATM installed opposite to Belho Gas Service Mohonkhola. The peculiarity of this machine was that at first, it appeared functional and lets you go through all the process. Then at last, when you have finally entered the amount required to be drawn and pressed ‘OK’, the machine would display on the screen as “transaction under process”. This would go on and on with neither any further instruction in the screen nor any money being ejected by the machine. To make matters worse, you are not able to cancel the command. In this situation, you are left with only two option; either you keep standing in front of the machine like a moron the whole day and wait for the machine to eject your money out or you act cool and smart in front of others and walk away with the risk of losing your money if in case the machine decides to finally eject your money after you’ve left.
At times, I tried out the PNB machine installed at SOZO building Mohonkhola. I don’t remember being able to withdraw money from it even once. It keeps me wondering why the machine was ever installed at all. However, among all woes, the saving grace came in the form of ICICI Bank ATM machine which was installed adjacent to it, near the Hornbill Mart. It had never failed me and true to its definition, it enabled me to withdraw money at my convenience.
