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The
long awaited 60 days vacation matters. This is
what every NRI thinks of. I am one of them and
did the same. Holidaying or busy with some work
particularly paper work is disturbing or rather
scaring. Big or small, red-tapism alongside 'baboogiri'
is a dangerous virus that frightens everyone
regardless of place or region. Several
nonsensical questions beyond one’s imagination
will start hovering, the moment a needy steps in
and approaches the concerned government
authority. I too couldn’t be spared from a ghost
of this character.
Happy and jolly with necessary documents of
proof, I enquired the location of the office of
the Dy. Secretary, Bihar School Examination
Board (B.S.E.B), Patna which is responsible for
‘correction in name’ in the matric certificate
of the candidate. Gracefully I placed my papers
(attested copy of my misplaced matric
certificate, an application bearing remarks from
the present headmaster where I did my schooling
requesting for correction in the mis-spelt
incomplete name of my father along with an
affidavit etc.).
“Where is your admit card?”
“Madam, I took my matric exam in the year 1979…
It couldn’t be possible for me to keep that till
now.”
“My sister still keeps her admit card safe. Its
possible!”
“Its an outstanding example. Appreciating!!”
I maintained silence for the later part of the
situation. What I found was a heap of files
being opened with a lot of hiss sound coming
from the paper on turning them. While outside
her office a never-ending queue with so much of
hiss-hush were waiting for their turn to contact
her regarding the same for which I was in. Then
a huge number of students and guardians from
different parts flocked in the corridor of the
building. Most of them were carrying briefcases
which meant that they had traveled a long way to
reach there. Certainly they were all restless.
After sometime, the situation worsened when some
of the waiting persons tried to enter the office
forcefully. The other personnel of the Board
Office took notice of the of the situation and
interfered with high pitch of their voice:
‘Keep apart… go there… come here… come tomorrow…
what is this… you don’t know how to follow the
procedures… don’t crowd this place… consult the
clerk of your respective area… Siwan, Bhagalpur,
Muzaffarpur, Champaran...", and so on.
The chaos remained for another 10-15 minutes
which I never experienced over 18 years of
teaching career particularly at a high office of
educational institutions. That was indeed a show
of wanton disrespect for the students and the
guardians. I was told that these things happen
usually which amounts to insurmountable
problems.
I once again drew the attention of the lady
officer and asked:
“What shall I do next?”
“I have put up my remarks and forwarded the case
to the Secretary (B.S.E.B).”
The day after was the 60th Independence Day. Of
course the holiday mood on her face was obvious.
On the other hand, I found myself hard pressed
as I was scheduled to leave for Delhi by
Sampoorna Kranti on 16 August at 6.00 pm. At
last I left the office bearing in my mind a
number of ifs and buts conjoined with
apprehensions.
Thursday morning. The office reopened and I
reported to it sharp 10 am. And I was right. The
lady officer didn’t turn up till 12 noon. Since
I had to approach the Secretary via Deputy
Secretary, I consulted the clerk/concerned
dealing person. Till then the office had already
been crowded and later transformed into a chaos.
The office was jam-packed. They were
inaccessible.
I made up my mind to see the Secretary directly
which I did.
“This is a very old case… It will take time… We
have to follow the rules… I will put up this
before a committee…
“Sir, besides the affidavit I have submitted the
necessary documents of proof, here is my
passport, driving license issued at Delhi,
voter’s ID, and other government and
non-government documents all contain the correct
name of my father. A mistake has taken place in
the full name and spelling of my father which I
want to be corrected.”
“Where is your admit card?”
This question was a poison to me which I took.
But how long? How much time does it take to
become a Neelkhanth?
Well, on this, I am still meditating.
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Comments: |
Nothing new. Why blame the
bureaucracy in Bihar? Our embassy in
Washington is not doing any better.
Make a call, nobody picks up the
telephone. Try to leave a message,
the message box is full. Write a
letter, no response! This is the
Indian way. Thank you. - Satya -
Aug. 29, 2007
When I finished reading this story
(with sad ending), my mind started
quarrelling with my soul, asking
again and again a simple question -
KAB TAK and KYON? This is not just a
story of Mr. Ahmad. This is not only
HIS personal grievances, but it's
OUR problem as well. We all are
having similar type of problems
almost everywhere. Every department
is having similar type of mess. It's
very difficult to blame anyone. What
is the remedy and till when we have
to wait for a hassle-free official
environment in this SUSHASAN regime?
- Saroj Ray, Village Kkharouna,
Bhojpur (Ara), Bihar - Aug. 29, 2007 |
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