Thoughts @ Amit Gupta » India Insight & Beyond

Passport for minor in India

Amit Gupta — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 14:40:37 +0000

As promised I am back to lock horn again with the Passport office. Three years back I had a tough time to reissue passport after expiry of 10 years.

But this time its for my sweetheart little baby. She now has a Date of Birth Certificate , a Pan Card and a Postage Stamp of her own Next target to get her the passport. Though the best source for information on procedure, documents required, FAQs on the topic would be the Delhi passport office website but still here’s my personal experience which might be helpful for you guys.

Step 1 : Application form (29th May 2011)

I suggest you fill-up the online application form to ensure you have an appointment and can dodge the long queue outside the passport office in Delhi (BTW regional passport office in Delhi is situated at Bikaji Cama Place , Behind Hotel Hyatt). This is the easiest of all. Fill up the basic details of the minor.

You can also select the date and time of the appointment for submitting the application form. The time on the application is only indicative , applications are accepted on first come first serve basis. So no worries if you are late or early. Its better to be early just in case you missed out on any document and need a copy etc.

Documents for the passport for minor

a. Print out of the online application (6 pages including 2 PP forms). There are multiple fields which need to be filled manually (No overwriting allowed) e.g. Passport details of parents, Date of birth in words etc

b. Paste 3 photographs (3.5cm X 3.5 cm) on the form. DO NOT SIGN (THUMB-PRINT) ON PHOTOS

c. Use blue or black ink for taking minor’s thumb impression on the form

Self Attested (Signed by parents) copies of the following :

a. Date of Birth certificate (Issued by local municipal corporation)

b. Marriage Certificate of Parents or Affidavit

c. Annexure H

d. Address proof

e. Copies of passport of parents (First and last four pages)

Passport Fee for Minor :

Fresh Passport for Minors (below 18 years of Age) of 5 years validity or till the minor attains the age of 18 which ever is earlier. Rs 600/-

Tatkal Passport Fee for Minor :

I opted to apply under tatkal scheme for issue of passport. You would need couple of more documents and additional fees of Rs 1500.

You need to submit a application of plain paper to convert your application to the tatkal. There is no standard format for the application. I have used the following :

The PRO,

Passport Office , Delhi

This is to request you to process passport application of my daughter under tatkal scheme.

Regards

Additionally , “Annexure I” was required on a notarized affidavit non-judicial stamp paper of Rs. 10. That’s why you need to reach passport office early. No worries you can get the affidavit done from Notary sitting at bikaji Cama place building. I got it for Rs. 100. Also there is a photocopier guy right within the passport office building .

It is advised to carry a couple of pens, extra photocopies and plain A4 sheets with you just in case they ask for some application. Be careful with your originals , carry them all for verification.

At Passport Office (07th June 2011)

a. We reached well in advance of a warm sunny and hot day. To top it all the queue is now shifted to open space behind the passport office building. There are two counter for passport application and one for miscellaneous service counter. These are only for ONLINE applications.

b. Even though online application enable us to dodge some 200 non online applicants in serpant queue but the online queue was long enough. Be patient as every applicant takes some 10 mins at the counter.

c. On counter itself you can convert your application into the TATKAL. the officer at counter was very polite and helpful. He attached a white paper on top of documents and suggested to write an application and get “Annexure I”.

d. Thankfully we didn’t have to get again into the line and our application was stamped for verification by PRO (sitting at Misc service counter)

e. The queue at that counter was not very long and took 30 odd min. The PRO validated our passports and signed the application.

f. The signed application was again to be submitted to the original counter. Thankfully again we need not stand in line. We paid the total fee of (600 + 1500 = 2100).

g. We are issued a receipt with the promise of delivery within a week.

Update 1. (09th June 2011)

The passport status page is showing as “Application is pending for want of Police Report.”

You can also find the complete list of documents http://passport.gov.in

Update 2. (13th June 2011)

Passport is delivered to our address through speed post. The status on site though still shows “Police verification pending”

The passport is issued for Five years and for once I need to admit this was a super smooth process. My Fairy now has a passport to FLY

Update 3. (26th June 2011)

Police verification done for for my daughter

Update 4. (30th June 2011)

Passport Status updated as passport dispatched on 10th of June 2011. Funny but it’s Okie.

Incomplete map of India on google

Amit Gupta — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:23:16 +0000

Totally condemn the way Google repeatedly treat the map of India. J & K is and will remain integral part of India.

And , not showing it part of any other country also is not solution. Correct your maps Google.

bow to the god of cinema – Rajnikanth

Amit Gupta — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 08:04:14 +0000

A big bow to god of cinema – Rajnikant. Here’s the collection of trivia of Rajnikant (collected from across the web)

RAJNIKANTH’s next movie is going to be called ” TWITTER” …. He’s going to play all 140 characters in it !

Stats point that #Endhiran car parking collection is greater than Anjaana Anjaani’s box office collection!!

Rajanikanth makes onions cry

Rajanikanth can delete the Recycle Bin.

Ghosts are actually caused by Rajanikanth killing people faster than Death can process them.

Rajanikanth can build a snowman….. out of rain.

Rajanikanth can strangle you with a cordless phone.

Rajanikanth can drown a fish.

When Rajanikanth enters a room, he doesn’t turn the lights on,……… …. he turns the dark off.

When Rajanikanth looks in a mirror the mirror shatters, because not even glass is stupid enough to get in between Rajanikanth and Rajanikanth.

The last digit of pi is Rajanikanth. He is the end of all things.

Rajanikanth does not know where you live, but he knows where you will die.

When Rajnikant does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.

Bullets dodge Rajanikanth.

Rajnikant doesn’t wear a watch, HE decides what time it is.

Rajnikant can divide by zero.

Rajnikant doesn’t bowl strikes, he just knocks down one pin and the other nine faint.

Rajnikant is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.

Rajinikanth reverses Court judgements by making the ink run back into the Judge’s ballpen.

The Bermuda Triangle used to be the Bermuda Square, until Rajnikant kicked one of the corners off.

Rajinikanth once went to Jim Corbett National Park. After eight straight hours of snapping pictures, the tired tigers ran out of camera film.

Raincoats were developed to prevent raindrops from getting electrocuted on coming within 1oo metres of Rajinikanth.

Rajinikanth once dived into the sea from his Chennai condo. The next thing you know is that a tsunami has hit half the world.

The Chennai – Delhi Rajdhani Express once missed Rajinikanth. It ran as fast as it could but failed to catch him.

Viagra often needs Rajinikanth.

No one messes with Rajinikanth. Only Rajinikanth can mess with himself.

Parachutes were invented just to prevent the earth from getting shattered to pieces when hit by a falling Rajinikanth.

What colour is Rajinikanth’s blood? Haha! Trick question! Rajinikanth never bleeds!!

Once a cobra bit Rajanikanth’ leg. After five days of excruciating pain, the cobra died.

When Rajanikanth gives you the finger, he’s telling you how many seconds you have left to live.

Rajanikanth can kill two stones with one bird.

Rajanikanth has a deep and abiding respect for human life… unless it gets in his way.

It takes Rajanikanth 20 minutes to watch 60 Minutes.

Rajanikanth once shot down a German fighter plane with his finger, by yelling, “Bang!”

Rajanikanth got his drivers license at the age of 18 Seconds.

Rajnikant counted to infinity – twice.

With the rising cost of gasoline, Rajanikanth is beginning to worry about his drinking habit.

The square root of Rajanikanth is pain. Do not try to square Rajanikanth, the result is death.

When you say “no one’s perfect”, Rajanikanth takes this as a personal insult.

My personal favorite :

Endhiran (Robot) releases. Rajnikanth gives Times of India 3 stars.

Some dialogues from Rajni’s film

“I will do what I say, I will also do what I don’t say.”

“If i say it once, I’ve said it a hundred times.”

“When I will arrive, or how I will arrive, nobody will know, but I will arrive when I ought to.”

“My way is a unique way.”

“The past is past.”

“Say the name ‘Ekambaram’ and even an unborn child will shut its mouth and hush up.”

“God proposes…Arunachalam disposes…”

“I will hit you so hard, even Google will not be able to find you!”

Pan Card for Tisya

Amit Gupta — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:08:02 +0000

Tisya got her Pan Card issued on at the age of Four Month and Nine Days (09 June 210).

By far this has has been the most wonderful experience of mine dealing with any government agency or should I say the only agency which offered a truly world class service experience.

I applied pan card for my four month old daughter (Tisya Singhal) online through NSDL. The form seems to be very simple and self explanatory. As my daughter is minor Pan was applied on her behalf by representative (her mother)

The fee for the pan card is Rs 94 . You have the option to pay through Credit or Debit Card / DD /Cheque. The best mode of payment is Credit/Debit card as this beside expediting the process also give online status of your application using a 12 digit acknowledgement number issued on successful transaction.

A printout of acknowledgement need to be send to NSDL Pune with photograph and address proof within 30 days.

National Securities Depository Limited
3rd Floor, Sapphire Chambers
Near Baner Telephone Exchange
Baner, Pune – 411 045.

In case of any queries you can also call up NSDL call center at Pune (020 – 2721 8080) . I called them up twice , once while filling application and again checking the status of the application. The staff was extremely polite and helpful on both the occasions.

I received a SMS from NSDL on receipt of the application and again on confirmation of issue of the pan Card (whole process took less than 15 days) . Today the update on NSDL site shows that the PAN has been dispatched to our mailing address through overnite courier.

A quick check on ovenite courier website says the courier has reached Delhi on 14th July from Mumbai. So hopefully We’ll get the Pan Card for Tisya tomorrow.

Next on agenda is to get a Passport for Tisya and that thought sends a shiver down my spine. To know why read my experience in getting my passport reissued

Update (July 13, 2011) : I applied for passport for my minor daughter under Tatkal and got it within 4 working days.

Neemrana Fort palace, Rajasthan

Amit Gupta — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:22:50 +0000

Few months back, we picked up Neemrana Fort Palace for a weekend get away trip from Gurgaon. I have some kind of facinations for the Palaces & forts and Neemrana is the closed fort in Rajasthan from Gurgaon, some 80 km from IGI Airport.

We booked a stay for a night there in Hari Vilas (Lord Vishnu’ adobe) , one of the rooms being offered from the heritage property. The deal – One night stay @ INR 5000 excluding the buffet lunch (INR 600) and dinner (INR 700). We opted for this room for three primary reasons

a) This room is part of the original fort (There are many additional new rooms and facilities being constructed as an extention to the original fort palace.)

b) The room have extended balcony and private roof top terrace.

c) This fits into our budget

We started a cool ride on NH-8 towards Jaipur. Our first stop was at Mc’donald close to manesar for brunch. We picked up usual burger and coke. The ride was very smooth and took us less than 2 hours to reach neemrana. Road to the fort is from within the Neemrana town is still in shape the last king must have left it. We followed a camel cart patiently to reach the fort.

We certainly had some high hopes of staying in a heritage fort palace which was once home to decendents of Prithviraj Chauhan. Neemrana fort is magnificiant and well maintained property but the room was bit of a disappointment. Its actually a heritage property (no fancy floors and ceiling, tv, intercom and even room service). My wife insisted and actually checked on couple of same room but found this to be best.

Infact if we ignore the room per say rest of the experience was lovely. There was huge balcony attached to our room and we have access to two level of roofs. The room offered excellent view of both fort and neemrana town from balconies and roof top.

Nights offer even better view of the fort (My camera though couldn’t captute it) . The fort has 10 stepped level and whole fort was illuminated at night. Fort also has a common room with television, library and few indoor games. But we decided to explore the fort after dinner. We covered most of the levels and but at times it was really scary to be roaming in the narrow staircases.

Next day we decided to have breakfast out on restaurant terrace and explore some more of fort.

and then we discovered the most coverted mahal(palace) in the fort. It was just a chance discovery as the way to this palace is told by fort authority until you have the pressing need. Look for yourself…

Traffic light for footover bridge in gurgaon !

Amit Gupta — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:46:57 +0000

This can happen only here in India. We know how to ulitize all the resources to fullest and look forward to accept new challenges. Look at the images below I clicked of foot over bridge meant for pedestrian in millenium city, gurgaon.

No hurry at all – Guy seems to be attending a call from home

Wow ! such a good negotiater of sharp turns

Pedestrian should be given adverse travel advisory for crossing expressway by footover bridge build in gurgaon. Or considering the amount of motor vehicles goverment should put up traffic lights up there. Or better lets have a another overbridge on the existing one

I am a club hopper now

Amit Gupta — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:29:03 +0000

Just other day while checking mails on my Nokia E63, I noticed an invitation to a B’day bash of my dear friend Vivek Bhatia . I replied promptly for two reasons :

a) I was too excited to meet old bunch of friends from Time of India after a really long time.
b) Wanted to check , how does ‘send from my mobile device’ appears in my mail signature

So on the D day, we (me and wify) found ourselves the first one to turn out at Turquoise Cottage, Vasant Vihar as usual following the date and time on the invitation (9 PM on July 04). God knows how many more invitations would it take for me to understand that the time mentioned on invitation is only indicative and not to be taken seriously.

Our guest of honor B’day boy arrived the last and got well deserved bumps on right place :). Party continued well past midnight and it was time us all to say goodbye to TC (Bouncers reminded us politely to leave by first stopping to play music and then switching off the room AC and television). We have made up our mind to head back to Gurgaon and were exchanging goodbye greeting in haste (Stories of bouncers treating guest at gurgaon disco flashed in front of me).

And then, Vivek suddenly decides that before he turns too old to dance by next year, he want to party harder. For me any dance party beyond midnight is generally at marriage function or a jagaran. So the moment of my life arrived (I have to hop clubs remember) , when we all headed for Capitol the Disc @ The Ashoka at 2:00 AM.

My first hand experience of Delhi party crowd begins right from the entry date to the Hotel Ashoka. God! it seems I was stranded at Delhi-Gurgaon expressway in the morning office hours. Every one was jostling for the precious parking space. Like a true Indian, I parked my car on the road outside without wasting any more time. The scene at the entry to the disc was no better, it seems ration shops are distributing kerosene to BPL card holders. And very true to market scenario our group sneaked into the disc surpassing the all other needy thanks to our friend Gagan Myne .

The disc was full and over flowing with maddening crowd. We also shaked our legs to the deafening DJ music for an hour and so. This was when middle class traits of m and wify made us realize we should be back home before the first light of the daybreak. This marks ends to my first experience of club hopping.

BTW entry back to gurgaon via the toll plaza was a breeze at that hour.

Logging out from makaan.com

Trip to Leh (Ladhakh) Part II

Amit Gupta — Sat, 02 May 2009 13:34:15 +0000

Day 3. We came across snow for the first time On the way to this beautiful and frozen Pangong Tso (or Pangong Lake; Tso: Ladakhi for lake). It is 120 Km long lake with one third of the lake falling into Indian territory and rest in China. The temperature was freezing cold literally and wind were blowing hard.

Our first stop was at the army post of Zingral @ 15500 ft. Few interesting things on the way (see images)

a) White house

b) Frozen drain

c) J & K Bank (Just 38 Km away)

By the time we crossed Changla (The third highest motorable road in the world) we all were shivering in our woolens.

BTW I had my favorite maggi at Pangong Lake. Ummah..

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Day 4. Highest Guest room complex in the world @ Tangse. But the highlight of the day was snowfall. Finally a long cherished dream come true. Dance in the middle of the snowfall.

On the downside because of heavy snow road leading back to Leh was blocked and we were forced to stay back in Tangse.

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Day 5. Thanks to the Indian Army, our way got cleared by late evening and headed back to base. Fresh snow was too tempting to resist and all of us had lots of fun. We had to chain our wheels to make sure we had safe journey. It is highly advisable to get the vehicle chained in snow as it increases friction and grip for the tyres.

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Festivals of Colors – Happy Holi

Amit Gupta — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:22:56 +0000

No related posts.

Mumbai Marathon 2009

Amit Gupta — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 10:32:46 +0000

Mumbai will run again. Run again to show solidarity, unity, a cause and spirit of life. Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon the biggest international marathon in Asia will kick off tomorrow.

This event first held in 2004 has outgrown itself from just being a annual gala sporting event. The event now showcases the spirit of people of Mumbai and India and large. Along with top international athlete who competes for prize and pride, there are whole lots of Indians who run for cause. There will be corporate India running as a team to raise funds for charity as designated by them.

This event is the biggest international event happening after the unfortunate terror attach on Mumbai. And now Mumbai will run to display the strength we have as the country and prove that no one can bring us down.

Sitting miles away physically, my heart goes with all who are running for the cause. Keep running…

Vote for better India

Amit Gupta — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:35:49 +0000

Did you know that there is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section ” 49-O” that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn’t want to vote anyone!

Yes such a feature is available, but obviously these leaders have never disclosed it.

This is called “49-O”.

Why should you go and say ” I VOTE NOBODY”… because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received “49-O” votes more than 123, then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled. Not only that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them.
This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way; of our whole political system…. it is seemingly surprising why the election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public….

Please spread this news to as many as you know…

Seems to be a wonderful weapon against corrupt parties in India … show your power, expressing your desire not to vote for anybody, is even more powerful than voting… so don’t miss your chance. So either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49-O) and pass this info on…

Use your voting right for a better INDIA.

3G in India

Amit Gupta — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:56:13 +0000

Bharti , Vodafone to bring Apple 3G iPhone to India later this year and with Bharti on verge of launching 3G services (Subject to all statuary clearance) .

Hmmm… so would we get to see a revolution in the way people get to use mobile and mobile internet in India. The success will largely depend on the cost of acquiring the technology (Handset + Service). Indian consumers are very price senstive and to an extend slow adapter in terms of mobile innovations. Still we have very limited usage of GPRS and related applications.

Mobile services were launched in India by Airtel but the credit goes to Reliance to bring mobile phones to commener. Their runaway success can be largely attributed to attractive (read unbeliable low priced handset and call rates) offers they throw open to customers. And with 3G hanset promised to be priced sub 10K , I think there will be many takers.

I am of belief that Internet and Mobile are deadly combination and way for next generation of business. 3G will offer the speedy internet and open avenues to offer range of product and services directly to the mobile device.

Looks like tring tring time.

Waiting in the Wings

Amit Gupta — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:22:40 +0000

We humans always wanted to fly and rule the skies. Modern age has literally brought flying within the reach of common man. With India skies opening up there are airlines that are trying every trick in the book to lure the customers. Good we are flying places.

But on the flip side, airports have become crowded and the sky seems to be choked with the air traffic. Scenes at airports are no different from a railway stations. Long queues, delayed flights, frustrated passengers and airline staff carrying a plastic smile with no satisfactory answers to passenger’s query.

Flights are delayed because of weather, delayed in coming flights, air traffic congestion, security and what not. But at all time commuters are at the receiving end. At least traveling between Delhi – Mumbai, delayed has become part of the total travel time. Couldn’t recall when I have completed the journey in stipulated time duration.

Though fortunately there is up-gradation work going on at both the cities and Infact similar work is been done across airports in the country. I think, this inconvenience is a small price to be gear up and welcome the fliers from across world with open hands and let them feel the real new India.

As of now, Thankfully after waiting in the wings for close to an hour, I am cruising at more than 30000 ft above the sea at the speed of 800 Km /hr. Bon Voyage..

Image Credit : iddeals

Organ Trade in Gurgaon, India

Amit Gupta — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:14:29 +0000

Every print and news media in India was clogged with news of a organ trade unearthed in millennium city of Gurgaon. This racket, which was operational in major part of country, was run by group of surgeons for last 6-7 years.

They have state of the art medical setup to operate and transplant organs of needy to their rich and effluent clients in India and overseas. They were minting money by exploiting the poor and needy by luring them with money or false job promises.

But what gives them this opportunity is our own law of land, which does not permit organ transplant from anyone beyond one’s family. The essence of the law was to prevent commercialization of organ transplant. But it has paved way for the flourishing organ trade where huge monies are exchanged and the donors end up exploited at the hands of these so called doctors.

In my view, all of those involved in such heinous crime should be shown no mercy by the law and an example should be set for others.Further, regulatory authorities should spread awareness about organ donations (Like the campaign for eye donation) to promote donations after death. And make some provision in the law to allow a non relative to donate the organ for a adequate compensation.

Image Credit : BBC