Adhaar Card
We took the first opportunity to walk up to the
bureau office to get our applications through unscheduled registration. We were elated by the
professionalism demonstrated by the government officer on duty that day. After waiting for some
months and a bit of follow-up the day arrived to get photographed and
fingerprints taken. Fortunately for us, it coincided with our vacation time.
We were pleasantly surprised to discover
everything well organized and there was absolute discipline … an order not too
synonymous with our land with billions. Everyone came strictly by appointment.
My daughter and I breezed through the procedure and all waz well till it was my wife’s turn. Her residence proof document had parental home address and despite all cross references in our documents they did not accept our home as her residence. While the supervisor was slightly inclined to make a concession, the person on duty insisted on adequate paperwork. But he did leave us with one solution, that too quite politely.
We were to approach the councilor of our municipal ward and request for a permanent residence certificate. Hearing that I said to myself
… “now are into a never-ending loop”.
My daughter and I breezed through the procedure and all waz well till it was my wife’s turn. Her residence proof document had parental home address and despite all cross references in our documents they did not accept our home as her residence. While the supervisor was slightly inclined to make a concession, the person on duty insisted on adequate paperwork. But he did leave us with one solution, that too quite politely.
We were to approach the councilor of our municipal ward and request for a permanent residence certificate. Hearing that I said to myself
… “now are into a never-ending loop”.
We hesitantly went to the councilor’s
office, unsure what to expect as they did not know us personally. She was a very cordial person and though about to leave, she stepped
back inside. The required certificate was issued then and there. To my apologetic “thank you”, she smilingly reassured saying it was her
duty.
Completing the remaining procedure back at the bureau
was easy breezy. Before leaving I thanked the person in-charge saying
“you are doing a great job and insisting on proper
documents will go a long way to weed out the infiltrators.”
Mobile Recharge
One of this days we went to the Spencer supermarket in Kolkata for shopping. While making a decision on a humble mop, we got stuck between an unbranded products priced INR 149 and one of a known brand that cost 400.
One of this days we went to the Spencer supermarket in Kolkata for shopping. While making a decision on a humble mop, we got stuck between an unbranded products priced INR 149 and one of a known brand that cost 400.
A sales lady was present there from the brand
explaining the advantages of the product. She highlighted this one was entirely
covered with plastic not letting any direct contact of water with the metal
preventing rust. She also told us that there was a 50 INR discount in the form
of a mobile recharge coupon that would work with all service providers.
I said, “fair enough, decision made. But do we
have to come back all the way to collect the recharge coupon or it will be
available at the checkout station?”
She said, “I will give it to you now.”
Surprised I asked, “Now! What if somebody takes
it and goes away without buying the product?”
She said “How much would one gain by doing
that?”
I smiled and thought common people of Kolkata have so much trust and integrity...... Let there be HOPE .......
