After giving the photo copies of my old passport, residential proof, school and college certificates he assured me that I would get the new passport within 1 month. I breathed a sigh of relief thinking that I had successfully completed the task without bothering my husband as I usually do.
Yesterday morning I received a telephone call from the Police station and the caller asked me to be present between 4pm. and 6pm for the verification process the same day. He even told me to get some photo copies of the documents which the agent had earlier demanded. I decided to take a dozen of photo copies of every document so that I don't fall short of them at verification time. I was all set to go in the evening.
The same afternoon, fortunately or unfortunately my door bell rang and the post man enquired if I was Radha Samant, to which my answer was obiviously 'YES'. He handed me my new passport which was a sheer surprise. I asked him, "How did I get the passport when my police verification was not done till then???" I even told him about the morning call from the Police Station. He was silent. Thankfully, on realizing immediately that this may end up into some major chaos I snatched my passport from him and closed the door immediately.
I decided not to waste my time going to the Police station as I had already received the passport and thought verification thereafter would'nt make much difference. I proudly told my hubby all about it but, as a matter of safety he advised me to visit the Police Station. For a change, I decided to follow his instructions.
I reached the Police station at 5pm. The 5000 bucks which I blowed on my agent was of no use when it came to the verification process. Looking at the queue I literally fainted. By God's grace I managed to meet the Assistant at 7pm. who made some general enquiries about me and my documents and told me to come back again at 8.30pm for the Head of the Departments signature/verification. He even charged me 200 bucks for his 'chaay-pani'. What the hell is going on???? was the only question bothering my mind from time to time.
At 8.30pm. sharp, I was accompanied by almost 70 people. Rain God was the only witness of our presence. Atlast, the Chief made his entry at 10pm. and we all ran after him like the children from the famine stricken village do when some helpers come to offer them biscuits and fruits. He signed one of the paper and did'nt even bother to ask me the documents which were earlier demanded.
Atlast, the process ended at 11.30pm. and I reached home at 12pm. totally exhaused. On my way back home I thought if registered, my name would have surely appeared in the Limca Book Of Records as the nation's biggest fool for complying with all the useless formalities of receiving the Passport when the Passport was in my hands.
