have a passport. Now there are more than 1.2 billion people who are
eligible. Not surprisingly, the passport offices simply cannot deal
with the volume of applications. Plus, given terrorism and many other
concerns, there is a fear of wrongly issuing passports. The process is
quite complex. I was told the average passport is between 1 and 2
months to issue. Emergency/Tatkaal passports supposedly in a week or
less.
Getting all the paperwork in place to be able to submit a tatkaal
application is no mean feat. We had to fill out many affidavits, have
them notarized. We had to submit obvious proofs of adoption and
residency. But probably the most bizarre was that we had to have a
senior government officer vouch for her moral character and
reputation. I can see that being required of an adult, but of a 1 year
old?! Well, we finally managed to get it done after a lot of pleading
phone calls to many friends.
A few more sick days and a trip to Chandigarh delayed the process
quite a bit too. So although we got the birth certificate on February
21st, it was not until April 7th that I actually successfully
submitted the tatkaal passport application. Going into the passport
office is quite hard. You have to wait in a long line first at the
back of the building, to get a token, that is your number in the line
for the day. We had someone there by around 6:30 or 7, so when I got
there at 9, luckily I was #4. Then, you take that token and stand in
another line at the front of the building to gain entry. Then it is a
mad rush to go to the tatkaal counter and you have all the ususal
suspects with #200 or some other high number fighting you off and
trying to push to the front of the line as the bureaucrats drink tea
behind closed doors. When the civil servants meander to their
counters, they do not look friendly or helpful. Each of the first 3
tatkaal people were sent away and their applications rejected for one
reason or other. I got nervous.
When we go to the tatkaal coutner, the lady rejected the application
totally saying that adoption cases cannot come on tatkaal. Oddly,
although not written anywhere in the detailed instructions on how to
apply for a passport, this same refrraind was given at the next
counter, the tatkaal superintendant. Instead of just accepting this,
we debated. I asked for the basis of this and some Ministry of
External Affairs memo from 2008 was flashed briefly for me to see.
Getting more concerned at this point. Not taking no for an answer.
Send upstairs to Room 5. Excited. Until I reached the long line of hot
and bothered people and the rude guards protecting the high level
officials behind the curtain. Eventually get to see the Assistant
Regional Passport Officer. Told the same thing. Starting to feel like
a charater in Little Britain, "Policy says NO!" Not taking no. Sent
to the PRO upstairs. Wait around. His assistant checks my papers and
agrees everything is there. Finally PRO arrives, He seems to be
satisfied. Sends me back to Room 5. Short but high ranking man says,
no, PRO has not written his approval to accept the application on
tatkaal basis. Go back to PRO. He says he can't write it and tells me
to go back to Room 5. At this point, feeling like a ball in a tennis
match, I ask if we can move forward instead of back and forth. He
concedes and sends me to the Wizard - the Regional Passport Officer
himseld. Push thru the guards with great difficulty, wait around and
meet him. Nice person, but he too says policy says no.
Explain the process and the reality of what this is - a child trying
to start her life properly. Luckily I noticed his family portrait on
his desk, and relating my problem to him in real terms achieved a
warmer response. "Wait outside, I will see what we can do." Waiting.
And waiting. Various people in and out of his office. Eventually, I am
told, go back to the tatkaal superintendent, we will accept the
application, and see what we can do.
Skipping down the stairs I go back to irritable Gansham and explain my
note saying that my application must be accepted. I have never been
happy to pay fees (Rs2100) as it was the gateway to the receipt - the
all important document to start your process. With a receipt, their
legal obligations to process begins to roll.
Monday the 11th I come back and am told by chirpy Mr Gansham that it
is scheduled to be complete that very same day and should be sent out
soon. I am in joyous disbelief. But I have heard such promises many
times this past year or two. I am cautiously optimistic.
TOday, Wednesday 13th, I come to check, is it really done? Turns out
as yesterday and tomorrow are a holiday, and Wednesday is the day of
the week the higher-ups don't meet the public, this was not a good day
to show up. Rejected several times at the gate and not allowed in.
Finally sent to the back of the building to the enquiry line.
Helpfully told by someone in line you can SMS your inquiry and find
out the status. They SMS back almost immediately, that subject to all
documents being ok, it would be complete on 11th. Had I succeeded? An
hour in line in the scorching morning sun, to be told at the counter,
there is an objection. Come back Friday and talk to a PRO.
Dejected. What now? By this point Sofi has been picked up from
playschool and is sitting asleep in the hot car out front. I mull it
over. Let's not give up. I find our helpful tout friend. He is nice,
but busy with something.
The friendly police officer who had sent me to inquiry was hanging
around. One last plea. I explain to him this is an adoption case and
how long I have been here, point at the sleeping baby and he agrees he
will help me enter the building to find out from Gansham what the
issue it. THen his supervisor yells at him for standing idle and sends
him off in the opposite direction. Wait. He eventually returns and I
pounce. He takes me to the gates, amidst shouting and shoving irate
public not being allowed it, and gets me in. It's like magic. He
smiles as I pass. Just like that. I am in. Persistence and politeness
and appealing to people's humanity got me in.
Once in, Gansham explains that I need to speak to the PRO and sends me
to someone new. I go there. He listens. I am to wait. Eventually
someone else calls my case. I go over the papers and he is nice. He
explains I have 1 more proof of address needed. I can get that within
an hour or so from the bank. And most wonderfully, he takes me with
him to see the Regional Passport Officer and he agrees that my case is
accepted on tatkaal and it should be completed at once.
Off to the bank. Back. Wait. And wait. Mr helpful is at the Minstry.
But once back, he says, that's good enough. Come on Friday the 15th
between 4:30 and 6 and pick up your passport. The next 48 hours will
be tense but I am hopeful.
After this, the last step is to go to the US Embassy and get the visa.
We will be off.
Of course, the British High Commission, consistent with their totally
anti-adoption stance throughout, says they will not recognize the
adoption. Sofi cannot get a passport. Is not recognized as my child!
And can't even get a visa - unless we lie! With shit weather, an
outrageous cost of living, and extortionate tax rules, is it any
wonder soo many people leave the country if they can?!
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