“We the people” – are the problem

Long since I complained about something, so decide to rant about my recent experience at Consulate General of India in New York. I had to get my passport re-newed and the faster way to get it done was to visit the embassy in person. While completing the application I looked up on the web for help. What I saw was tons of people complaining how bad, inefficient and unorganized the embassy is. Trust me I am not going to complain about the embassy. Anyways, I filled all required forms, took photocopies as required and took originals documents for proof. (Note: all this is mentioned on the embassy website).

After taking a token number I went to the line in front of enquiry counter, got the documents verified by and asked some questions I had. Then I went to the main hall and started waiting for my number to be announced. Here are some of the interesting instances I got to witness while waiting:

1. A very well educated (at least looking) man went to the counter and submitted documents to the lady consulate officer.

Officer: 'This is the wrong form you need to fill the form corresponding to minor since your daughter is minor.'

Man: 'No.. no this is the correct form.. I downloaded it from your website'

Officer: 'I can't accept this application since you have not filled correct form'

Man: 'The information is same.. can you please "Adjust" with this form.

Wow... first you disagree you made a mistake.. then you want her to adjust....

2. A Sardar goes to the counter and starts speaking to the lady officer in Punjabi and gives his documents.

Officer: 'Aaapke green card ka original dijiye'

Sardar: 'Yeh lo mere driving license ka copy'

Common!!!... you are giving her absolutely wrong document while she is asking for an original!!!. She rejected his application and sardar gave her some mouthful of good Punjabi gaali! I agree he is a day wage worker and coming back another day is a big deal for him. But she is just doing her job and she does not deserve to be verbally abused.

3. There were some 40+ people holding on to their token and waiting for their turn. This one gentleman (very well dressed and looking highly professional) decides to go to the counter even when his number was not announced.

Gentleman: 'Madam, please take my application now. I have all the required documents in order. It will take you only few seconds. Kindly take this'...

Officer: 'Come back when your number is called'

All I could think was 'Saale hum log yahaan jhak maar rahe hai kya??'. What an ahole... Cutting line!!

4. Husband and wife asking for Tatkal passport on some medical emergency grounds:

Husband: 'My wife needs to travel in 3 days so I am applying in Tatkal'

Officer: 'Please give me your ticket or itinerary for this travel as proof'

Husband: 'I have not booked tickets yet, but I have explained my problem in this letter'

Officer: 'Sorry I can't help you without proof, get me the tickets we are open till evening'

Husband: 'I am willing to pay the extra Tatkal fees.. can you give it to me'

Officer: 'Every one coming here is capable of giving the extra $ but that does not mean we can accept all applications under Tatkal'

The argument continued......

I agree the man and his wife (probably) are in distress. But the lady is just trying to follow some rules. Tatkal has a procedure and that need to be followed.

Well.. besides these incidents other observations were:

- Talking loudly on mobile phone using hands free... Even if the rule/instructions said turn off your mobile

- Not flushing after using the restrooms

- Kids running around all the place

- Harassing the enquiry lady with stupidity!

Ok I think I will stop here. As soon as I entered the consulate I had thousands of complaints about it. After spending an hour + inside I figured 'hum bhi kuch kam nahein'. I read many blogs that described the problems with the consulate. But I wanted to write a bit about the other side, that is 'We'. We always expect everything to be fine from government and others but never make an effort to correct ourself. All these people when they go visit DMV/RMV or Social Security office I am sure they behave. I am sure they will take all the correct required relevant documents. And keep their mouth shut even if they were sent back or rejected for no reason. This is Indian consulate so we have the right to be terrible!

I think if we (thats including me) who have some education needs to do the correct thing. I agree the system is bad and corrupt but at least we could do some things right. Just following few rules. I know its a slow process but for the good.