Passport : Easy

I applied passport for my wife and kids thru "Bangalore One" located in Sarakki, J.P. Nagar 1st phase Bangalore. "Bangalore One" is one of the innovative idea where you can shield tax paying class from dealing with lazy careless govt folks (Experience speaks !!!) .

On 21st Sept, I went to Bangalore One office to apply 3 new passports. Lady at counter Yeshaswini greeted me after one hour cause she was covering all details with the customers on how to fill up passport application, what are documents needed , what photos needed , what needs to be attested etc.. Different folks, different queries answering with same energy and enthu to every customer. Customer support glitter was there in her eyes.

I was watching her carefully , no sign of tiredness ( Its hard to pretend the smile unless you love what you do.)

when my turn came it was almost an hour , she listened carefully explained same to me which took 20-30 minutes, I felt assured. BTW if you submit your application at "Bangalore One" you need make photocopies attested by some gazetted officer. ( This is strange when Actual passport office accept them as self attested ) Go Jayanagar 4th block and find some notary

Next day I went again thinking I got everything needed, I filled up application carefully in which lady found incompleteness at 4-5 places. after that Her manager verified application and originals ( I was feeling that these guys are more good than any actual passport officer - no chance of mistakes at any column This guy , the Manager found 2 places of incompleteness after the lady , I was about to fall by wonder.

Bottom line : Everything was so well assured that there is no chance of mistakes in Name / address / birth dates etc.. They will give you print out of what system has been entered etc..and get confirmation from you.

I felt kind of gratitude towards them. It took 1.5 hour , there was some power failure in area and no photocopier was working. The attitude to serve was exceptionally outstanding !!
Neither private ( I can say Kingfisher ) service can match them with the number of crowd they handle.

Today on 26th my wife gets a call from J.P. Nagar police station that she needs to come for verification. I visited online passport website and could track the status of my passport online stating that It went to police station for verification. Wav !!! Chuk De.

In the evening I went to JP Nagar police station for passport verification. Initially my mind was clouded with thoughts that how to deal with this guy anticipating he will demand money, how he will treat us ? main fear is of irrelevant demands for documents , insulting gesture / remarks ,(read they look at you like you are some Dacoits or burglar etc.. you feel vulnerable whenever you visit any Govt. office, A fight in mind starts Why I love this country ? with other that Its my country and I love it. So mind gets into dialogue and argument on proving why this is a country with jungle laws which are unstoppable vs what are beauties of our folks.

To my surprise experience was warm. Police station was clean, Neat parking place , officers were looking neat dressed , there was a cop who guided us ( Me n wife ) whom to contact , there was waiting room placed with chairs. Moment I went to room , It did not felt uneasy , officer asked few question, Did some paper work asked for some signatures ( matter on one application was in Kannada which we can not understand but signed ) asked for latest telephone bill which we did not took along with us hence I needed to revisit the place ( I confirmed in mind that when I go alone the guy will demand money ) But this did not happened , He took the bill asked if I really need the original else he will attach the same with application. Assured that he will send report tomorrow. No gesture or sign to ask for money.

This was surprise to me. I felt worried ( you cant help it ) If Govt officers do not ask money then its a trouble, either he will not do the thing which he assigned for else he will make you visit 4-5 times until you give up and say how much you need....?

Now I have crossed my fingers anticipating that officer will send report tomorrow and I will able to track the request online. If this happens I will be on Top of the world..Will prove myself that things are changing and we are no more corrupt nation. It gives feeling of iBelong here.

I will revisit this blog when I gets passport.

13/11/2007 -- Chuk De

All three passport at doorstep, no glitch except courier guy ( speedpost asked 50 Rs for courtesy )

I love the way Our systems are evolving...