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
It is indeed a fact that the Indian Mission in Dubai or UAE have not expanded to the tune of the Indian population in the country.
ReplyDeleteThis means the level of service you can expect is no where near average!
Of late KMCC and Indian Associations across the country have started commendable services to suppliment the efforts of the Indian Missions, and I am sure it had helped many of us.
I want to state here that I am trying to go through the online route as much as possible and the time spent on such occasions were incredibly low and I have completed the formalities with only a little loss of producitve time.
Guys, we can sit and blame the mission for the rest of our life. But, as responsible citizens of India, we should also form some group which can volunteer and contribute to the community. We have seen many examples recently especially during the amnesty.
Any thoughts??
-Latheef-