Zepto faces backlash over Rs 131 pricetag for coriander leaves; says issue resolved
New Delhi, Jul 10: Zepto faced social media ire after a user called out the quick commerce platform for listing coriander at an exorbitant price of Rs 131 for 100 grams.
Zepto said the system glitch had "caused significant pricing disparities" across the platform and assured that the issue has been resolved. The company said its platform is now reflecting accurate prices.
Zepto drew flak when a user from Gurugram found that 100 grams of coriander leaves were listed at Rs 131 on Zepto, and called out the brand for overpricing Dhaniya, in a post, along with a screenshot, on X.
Several netizens expressed outrage and shock, while some highlighted how the exorbitant prices on the platform sharply contrasted with roadside vegetable vendors bundling free coriander alongside veggies to woo buyers.
"Maybe it is grown on moon soil?" wondered a netizen on X.
In its response, Zepto said that the system glitch had led to the pricing disparities and that the company is committed to addressing customer concerns promptly and transparently.
"Yesterday, a system glitch caused significant pricing disparities across our platform, leading to some unusual price tags for various products, including coriander. While some items were priced three times lower, others saw a substantial hike," Zepto said, adding that the issue has been fixed.
"We are pleased to inform our customers that the issue has been resolved, and accurate prices are now back on track," Zepto said.
It, however, said that Zepto prices might not always match those of peers and that the company prioritises quality above all else.
"At Zepto, we are dedicated to delivering the finest quality while striving to offer the best prices. Quality is never compromised, and we are committed to ensuring our customers receive only the best produce," the company asserted.
Dhaniya 100 gm costs you Rs 131 on Zepto 🙏🥲 pic.twitter.com/u1La4duidU
— Harsh Upadhyay (@upadhyay_harsh1) July 8, 2024
‘Grown in moon soil’: #Gurugram man’s post on #Zepto listing 100 gram dhaniya for Rs 131 sparks chatter#viral https://t.co/4u8jQTGR7O
— Express Trending 😷 (@ietrending) July 10, 2024
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The Sejjil Debuts: Iron Dome’s Nightmare
On Sunday, 15 March, Iran fired several advanced missiles at Israeli and American positions. One missile in particular caught the world's attention — the Sejjil. Iran used this missile in battle for the very first time since the war began on 28 February. So what exactly is this missile, and why is everyone talking about it?
The Sejjil is a ballistic missile, meaning it is launched upward into space and then comes crashing down on its target at terrifying speed. Think of it like throwing a stone high into the sky — except this "stone" weighs over 23,000 kilograms, travels faster than a bullet, and can carry a warhead of up to 1,000 kilograms.
What makes the Sejjil special is that it runs on solid fuel, just like a rocket firecracker — ready to light and go. Older Iranian missiles like the Shahab series ran on liquid fuel, which takes time to fill before launch, like pouring petrol into a car. The Sejjil needs no such preparation. It can be launched very quickly, giving the enemy almost no time to react.
The missile is two-stage, meaning it has two engine sections that fire one after the other — the first pushes it out of the atmosphere, and the second guides it toward the target. It can travel nearly 2,000 kilometres, which means it can easily reach Israel from Iranian soil.
Now here comes the most fascinating part — why it is nicknamed the "dancing missile." During its final approach, the Sejjil can move and change direction at very high altitude. Imagine trying to catch a ball that suddenly zigzags just before reaching you. That is exactly what happens with air defence systems like Israel's famous Iron Dome. The missile's unpredictable movement makes it extremely difficult to shoot down.
It flies at over Mach 13 — that is roughly 17,000 kilometres per hour, more than thirteen times the speed of sound. At that speed, even the most advanced defence systems have very little time to respond.
Iran began developing this missile back in the early 1990s. The first test was in 2008, when it flew around 800 kilometres. Since then, six tests have been conducted. In the sixth test, it reportedly flew nearly 1,900 kilometres, reaching all the way to the Indian Ocean.
Iran has also developed an upgraded version called the Sejjil-2, with improved navigation systems. Some reports claim it can hit a target with less than 10 metres of error — roughly the size of a small room — though this has not been officially confirmed.
In simple words, the Sejjil is fast, hard to stop, quick to launch, and built entirely inside Iran. Its use on 15 March marks a serious escalation, and the world is now watching very closely to see what comes next.
(Girish Linganna is an award-winning science communicator and a Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst. He is the Managing Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany.)
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or position of the publication, its editors, or its management. The publication is not responsible for the accuracy of any information, statements, or opinions presented in this piece.
