Experience at Indian Consulate

I went to Indian consulate on very next day of receipt of notice from my son's school asking for a birth certificate which is to be obtained from Indian Consulate (They gave a short notice of 7 days!). At the entrance I found a queue in front of the counter ‘enquiry and forms’. I waited in the queue and on my turn I told him I want a birth certificate for my son for School admission purpose. He issued me a form and asked me to go to Hall 2. He was not ready to listen to any further query and I was ‘ordered’ to move away. I didn't want to ask more as I have seen his 'response' to the people in front of me. I Went to Hall number 2. There are two long lines of queue, some counters displaying token numbers and some people are sitting in the hall (supposedly waiting for their token number to be displayed on counter display). So it is sure the two lines of queue are for different purposes and the token system is for different purpose. I found no body to enquire and the visitors whom I asked are not sure about anything. I asked a security man there and he undoubtedly told me to go to counter 8. One of the queues was in front of counter 8. There was about 10-15 people in the queue. On my turn, the lady at the counter told me I have to first pay at the cashier. I told her I am waiting this long and nobody here to properly guide. She told me go to cashier. I asked her how and where, she told me take token. (I was lucky to get that much information, but not more). But I found no sign either of cashier or for token. I just found warning board asking to make sure that all documents are in order before taking token. But I didn’t find any direction or sign board where to take token from! I asked a few people but every body said ‘sorry’.

Time is running. I am not here in Dubai to run behind these bureaucratic nonsenses. I have work. I called one my friend who may probably know some way out to get these things done. He gave me a telephone number of KMCC, an Indian association affiliated/recognized by Indian Consulate. I called them and they said they will do it. They may charge Dhs. 40.00 for their service, but I can get out of this mess. It will take 20 days to get the certificae (the school gave me 7 days - will see what is going to happen).Their office is open until late evening (11.00 pm) so I can go after my office hours. So I returned from Indian Consulate and decided to go to KMCC in the evening. They want to see the child in person. So I need to go home after office and take him along. So from Jebel Ali to Deira and back – approximately 100 km drive.

Also read my post: Birth Certificate for school admission

Birth Certificate for school admission

Received a notice from school of my child asking to submit birth certificate. "In case you fail to submit these documents by 20 May 2008 your child's admission cannot be registered with the Ministry of Education (UAE) and hence will be cancelled automatically. The school will not be refunding any fee deposited by you in such a situation". (they will not refund the fee, but what about possible loss of one year of my child? Can they refund?). The notice is dated 21 April 2008 but it was sent with child on 13 May 2008. So i have to arrange birth certificate in 7 days! (I am advised that it will take 20 days to get the certificate)

So what is nonsense?

My child got a passport issued by Indian Authority which clearly states his birth date and place. UAE government recognise this passport that is why they issued him a residence visa. So why can't Ministry of Education can't accept this as proof of his birth?


Government issues passport after verifying genuineness and birth certificate. As this valid passport is on hand, why another document is required to prove the birth? And this birth certificate required by Ministry of Education is to be issued from India Consulate. Indian Consulate issue this certificate purely based on the passport! So does this make sense to obtain another document of birth solely for school admission?


I have got birth certificate issued from the municipal authority in India at the town where he was born. Interestingly it is also not acceptable! They want one to be issued from Indian Consulate in Dubai. (I am not sure this is exactly what Ministry of Education requires. But this is what school authority asks for)

Anybody care the impact of such nonsense bureaucratic procedures?
Economic and environmental impact of these type of unnecessary bureaucratic procedures are enormous. Financial and psychological pressure that put on the individual is another thing.

Usage of paper: How much papers are wasted for such unnecessary procedures? Indian consulate got a 4 page application form for this purpose. They will probably will issue a certificate in a sheet of paper. It is common to have photocopy of passport which will be another 3 pages.

Traffic and carbon emission: For me it took one hour from office to Indian Consulate and back. Who knows how many of the cars on the road are driven for the purpose of such unnecessary procedures? Isn't a portion of the huge traffic on Dubai road, and a portion of the total carbon emission in the town for such unnecessary bureaucracy?

Time and productivity: An individual has to spend an average 3 hours in the Indian Consulate to get things done. The huge queue at the offices, and heavy burden and stress that create on the employee. The time off from work to get such things done. And psychological effect on individual who have to spent his time in long queue. The list goes on.

Financial and economic impact: The cost for the certificate at Indian Consulate is Dhs. 30.00. Cos of travelling. Economic impact of lost productivity, increased traffic and fuel consumption.

PS: Experience at Indian Consulate, Dubai is a subject for another post