Passport renewal, additional pages + Chennai Regional Passport Office + Tatkal

Decided to blog this, as I searched the web in vain on instructions or experiences of people who tried to get an additional booklet (or renew their passport) at the chennai regional passport office. I needed to have my passport back a little quickly in order to have my visa stamped, all done within 10 days (an ambitious project, right at the inception). I find that the process is relatively simplified, for a government organization .. but, if you tout an accent and are used to dealing with simpler procedures in other geographies such as the USA, you might be a bit surprised.

As any Indian Central Government office, the RPO makes changes to rules & the employees make up rules that vary/ change by day and also depends on whether you know someone there and/ or have used the help of a travel agent/ tout!! So advice #1: See if you can find a responsible/ believable (hopefully not too exhorbitant) travel agent who can help. If you do have the luxury of time, you can do this on your own & to the credit of the folks at the RPO, you can get this right in the day.

I chose to apply using Tatkal - which they promise will ensure that your applications gets processed within 3 days. I did get my PP back in 3 days.

For a minor dose of information that deceivingly looks complete, refer to: http://passport.nic.in/ - it does have about 80% of what is reqd at the office. Ok, here are the next steps for applying for renewal or additional pages via the Tatkal procedure. The process for a new passport is very different, quite a bit longer and requires additional documents - I am unfortunately unable to help with that:

1. Some parts of the tatkal proceedure are mentioned at: http://passport.gov.in/cpv/TatkalScheme.htm- some of the following are not as apparent
   


2. For tatkal, you need to register online at: https://passport.gov.in/pms/Information.jsp - This will give you an appointment date - this is important. You can only show up on this date. However, disregard the time that is provided to you as the time of your appointment (more below)
   


3. If you are trying to get additional pages, these aren't being issued anymore - instead, they issue a new passport & the procedure is as follows. However, you do have to prove that you have run out of pages & are hence attempting to renew your passport


4. After you fill out the form in Step 2 above, a pre-filled application form is presented as the output. Print this application form out.


5. You need to now assemble your supporting documents:
   
   
   
   1. you are required to produce any 3 out of the 13 suggested documents to provide proof of identification, photo & address. One of this needs to be a photo ID & one of them needs to be among the primary documents (a through h) mentioned in the list (as of Jan 2010) below:
   
   
   2. 
      

      
      

      
      

      The list:
      

      
      

      
      

      
      
   
   
   3. 
      

      
      

      
      

      (a) Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC);

      
      

      (b) Service Identity Card issued by State/Central Government, Public Sector Undertakings, local bodies or Public Limited Companies;

      
      

      (c) SC/ST/ OBC Certificates;

      
      

      (d) Freedom Fighter Identity Cards;

      
      

      (e) Arms Licenses;

      
      

      (f) Property Documents such as Pattas, Registered Deeds etc.;

      
      

      (g) Rations Cards;

      
      

      (h) Pension Documents such as ex-servicemen’s Pension Book/Pension Payment order, ex-servicemen’s Widow/Dependent Certificates, Old Age Pension Order, Widow Pension Order;

      
      

      (i) Railway Identity Cards;

      
      

      (j) Income Tax Identity (PAN) Cards;

      
      

      (k) Bank/ Kisan/Post Office Passbooks;

      
      

      (l) Student Identity Cards issued by Recognized Educational Institutions;

      
      

      (m) Driving Licenses; and

      
      

      (n) Birth Certificates issued under the RBD Act.

      
      

      
      

      
      
   
   
   4. Produce an affidavit on a Rs. 20 stamp paper (called Annexure i) - the format to be cut & paste can be found at:http://passport.gov.in/cpv/ANNEXUREI_std.htm - take it to a notary (easy to find) for notarization - need to sign this affidavit in front of the notary. Very important step that I missed: get a notarial certificate from the notary (that states that you swore & signed the affidavit before him) - otherwise, you will be swearing later. You won't get this certificate unless you ask for it from the notary. You do need to take a photocopy of the affidavit & provide it to the notary for their records.
   
   
   5. If you wanted additional pages, a photo copy of all pages of your passport - self attest each of them as well. I am not sure if you need this if you are just trying to renew your passport - take them with you any way.
   
   
   6. Now, obtain 3 passport photos - stick them on the application - has to be stuck & not stapled or otherwise tethered, don't sign across the photo (even if everybody else asks you to)
   
   
   7. Look through the application & complete it - some parts need to be hand filled.
      
   
   
   8. Sign the application
      
   
   
   
   


6. Take two photo copies of all supporting documents - each of these need to be self-attested


7. Ensure that you take the originals of the supporting documents with you as well
   


8. The RPO likes the application to be a packet - one set of the photocopies of the supporting documents need to be inserted between pages 3 & 4 of the application and the other set between the two "personal particulars" forms (that is printed out as part of the application form above). Keep the original affidavit with the first set - although I am not sure of where the affidavit should go really. You may get as lucky as I did. Staple them together in the form of a book - unfortunately, I have seen people getting sent back from the counter as the packet was not in the right order!!!
   


9. DD - the RPO does require payment to be made in Tatkal - this seems to change .. a suggestion is to go to the RPO the day before & ask the folks that stand in line how they plan to make the payment - ask a couple of folks at least .. the touts generally seen around the RPO were conspicuously absent when I went there as a result of recent clean-ups that were done. these folks are good source of info and are usually helpful if you plead with them


10. Now, you are ready for the day. On the day, after the regular ablutions, make up, etc, plan to arrive a bit early at the RPO. I'd suggest about 8-8:30 AM is a reasonable choice. I was adviced to disregard the time provided when I registered online. No one seemed to notice the time at the RPO either.
    


11. Procedure at the RPO:
    
    
    
    1. If you flinch in the sun, I'd recommend the umpire's hat, fans, sun glasses, assistant to hold the umbrella etc - you will be slightly discomforted in Chennai's blazing glory
    
    
    2. The watchmen are usually helpful and point you in the right direction if you ask them where the Tatkal line is. If you arrive around 8 AM, there should be 50-75 folks ahead of you, sufficient in number to tell you if you have missed anything
    
    
    3. The token issual starts around 9:30 AM. They are issued up to a certain time & to all that arrives early in the morning. My understanding was that tokens are issued until about noon, each day.
    
    
    4. Around 9:30 AM, the queue/ line usually proceeds to the first floor, where the packet is examined for the right thickness, presence of photos & staples announcing that the packet is complete. You are therefore issued a token to then stand in the next line.
       
    
    
    5. The token usually has an alphabet & a number - there were 5 counters operational at the time of this writing.
    
    
    6. The counters are in the second floor - and you follow the line up to the second floor, enter the room with the counter (isn't as easy as it sounds) - while the token system is supposed to regulate the flow of folks in to this room, it doesn't .. so, it does feel like a pallavan bus ride to a Hindu Temple on a New Year's day. Use your elbows & umbrellas to the best advantage - it is now that you may feel like you want to open your accented mouth & let out a tirade about how it is so much easier elsewhere - don't.
    
    
    7. The counter room did have chairs in front of them & it appears as if people are sitting according to the numerical order - chances are they aren't. try and slowly move up close to the counter of your designation - put your checkers skill to advantage here
    
    
    8. Rush up when your number is called & present your documents at the counter - if your luck holds, you are all set & will be asked to go to the other counter to pay using your DD.
       
    
    
    9. In my case, as I had a previous passport & was attempting to get additional pages, I was asked to go stand in another line in one of the two small rooms within that room to get the history of all my previous interactions with the RPO - the clerk there looked my case history & printed out pages of all my previous requests, including ECNR stamping, address changes, etc and stapled this to my application
    
    
    10. When you are asked to do this, you don't need to stand in line to be called again. Go directly to the counter, use your elbows & thrust the doc back at the slightest chance you get. pleading with those next in line helps.
        
    
    
    11. When I presented this renewed packet, it was found that my second passport was issued after my marriage, but, without including my spouse's name in the passport - this caused a ruckus and I was directed to go to the other smaller room & talk to the superintendent there, who in turn asked me why I hid this. When I told him it was a mistake, he nodded & tacked on a Rs. 500 penalty and asked me to go back to the counter. Repeat step 10 above.
    
    
    12. The clerk at the counter nodded now & put the case in to a file and sent me to the cashier -
        
    
    
    13. Stand in the 3rd line for the day, present the DD & the documents at the cashier - they print out a receipt that has your tracking number as well, which you can track online. You have now completed your task.
    
    
    
    


12. Other general things:
    
    
    
    1. At the time of this writing, there is an "Axis bank" branch right around the corner - so, if you missed/ misplaced the DD, I am told you can obtain it there
    
    
    2. It will serve you or the other folks in the line well for you to care a stick of gum and a stapler .. just in case you have to re-arrange your packet, etc
    
    
    3. Take some extra photos, just in case you do forget & sign on top of your photo
    
    
    4. Remember that the RPO strictly prohibits delivery of the PP to anyone other than the one it belongs to - so, your mother may not be able to collect it from the postman ..
    
    
    
    

I do hope someone finds this & it is useful to them. Do let me know how things change over time.

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Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple - Vegetarian Restaurant

The Jade Buddha temple is quite popular and is on the Puxi side and most hotels should be able to help you get there. Once you get there, if you walk around inside, it is easy to find the vegetarian restaurant.

We tried several things there (things were much cheaper here at the temple). The place appears a bit dingy and being comfortable with using chop sticks is a definite plus. In trying things, we loved the veggie dumplings soup style - most people at the temple don't speak English and chances are you have to look for this picture in a menu with pictures & point. Rest assured that it is well worth the finding & pointing - one advantage you have in the Buddha temple is that everything there is vegetarian & so, even if you point at something that looks a bit silly, chances are you may not like the taste, but your vegetarian vows are still intact!

Again, if I haven't said it enough, the "veggie dumplings soup style" is served piping hot - so, watch out for the tongue burn, but tastes best and I haven't found a comparable veggie dumpling elsewhere in Shanghai so far. Enjoy & let us know what you think.

 

 

 

 

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Being a vegetarian in Shanghai

I am going to write a series of blog posts on being a vegetarian in Shanghai - I have had the good fortune to be in Shanghai for over 45 days this year and I have found Chinese, Indian, Nepalese & western vegetarian foods in Shanghai. I will review them each here, post photos & recommend how to order. But, for starters, here are some of the restaurants where I ate in Shanghai:
1. Xintiandi has a chinese restaurant called Xin Ji Shi
2. Most shanghaiites would recommend "Gong-De-Lin" - this is a buddhist place & by definition everything they serve is vegetarian. They have "mock meats" that are made of tofu with the texture of meat - not sure which vegetarian would want to eat that
3. Nizang - A nepalese restaurant in Pudong
4. Punjabi Restuarant - Indian restaurant in "Thumb Plaza" in Pudong, by the Carrefour store
5. Element Fresh - in a few places, but by the Super Brand Mall and Jinqiao commerical centre
6. New York City Pizza - has a cheese pizza that is ok
7. The flying fox - an irish pub that serves a decent lunch
8. Din-Tai-Fung - a dimsum place in super brand mall, with a vegetarian dimsum as well as a "taiwanese noodles" with a spicy peanut sauce that is absolutely delicious
9. Hongkongese restaurant on top of Ba-Bai-Ban (Next Age) department store in Pudong
10. Vedas - an upscale Indian restaurant in Puxi
11. The Pudong Intercontinental - has a few items on the menu; wouldn't recommend going there unless you actuall stay there
12. Face - an exceptional thai restaurant with some veggie items on its menu
13. the vegetarian restaurant in the "Jade Buddha temple" - I am not sure if it was our hunger, but, man, the soup style veggie dumplings is something Charan & I are still talking about!!! - be comfortable with chop sticks though!
14. The Blue Frog - an American burger joint that has a veggie burger that is palatable

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Chennai Photos

Chennai – Traffic + Construction

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/krishnashrinivas/ChennaiTrafficConstruction

Two things apparent in chennai are the traffic congestions & the construction activity. Traffic has increased manifold - the city is reacting to it by constructing over passes to aid the flow of traffic in key junctions. There are a whole bunch of high rises coming up - both commercial as well as residential.

Koyambedu flower bazaar + the flower supply chain

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/krishnashrinivas/KoyambeduFlowerBazaarTheFlowerSupplyChain

The flower business in South India is especially unique. Flowers are used for a couple major purposes –

1. To adorn the hair of women in the form of different flower decorations &


2. As offerings to God - the deities in the temples as well as homes are decorated with a variety of flowers –

The supply chain is unique – the Koyambedu flower bazaar is at the heart of this unique supply chain and is a sight worth seeing in Chennai

Glimpses of Chennai's Retail

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/krishnashrinivas/GlimpsesOfChennaiSRetail

It’s commonly said that 98% of India's retail is unorganized - this set of photos attempts to show what that statement means – things used on a daily basis, from FMCG to high end CE is retailed by a variety of small to medium unorganized retail stores. Often, the businesses portrayed are the only vocation of the families behind it – the lack of formal education denying the ability to obtain a job and/ or the need to eke a living is the driver behind the business. Despite the unorganized nature & the mind boggling inefficiencies underneath it, the small retailer still seems to fare well with his/ her venture and is able to sustain a living – granted the lifestyles of such entrepreneurs may be considered below par with respect to western standards.

Other adhoc photos from around Chennai

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/krishnashrinivas/ChennaiPhotos

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My article, that I wrote a couple years ago - has been featured on wikihow.com and viewed more than 60K times .. 

How to Wear a Pancha Kachcham

The pancha kachcham (panja kacham or kacham) is a form of wearing the dhoti, typically worn by grihasthas (men who are married) on special occassions such as poojas or festivals. It is typically a 8 or 9 yard dhoti worn in a specific woven way.

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Chennai - under construction

DSC02818

After 10 days in Chennai, there are a couple things that are apparent. Chennai is under construction - several flyovers (bridges between roads - for free flow of traffic) have already been constructed. I remember the days when some of these projects were criticized as money making schemes for the politicians - but these have come in handy when there are more cars & much more cars on the road.

There are automobiles of every kind Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, Tata, Maruti and ofcourse the inimitable India's own Ambassadors. The traffic is unruly in a typical India cum Chennai way. Travelling in the past 10 days has required considerable planning for delays due to traffic jams - a jam feels inevitable .. even on a Sunday..

Sundays are even worse with the hard working folk out with their families.

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In India, giving the customers what they want means offering the art of chaos

Great article: (as appeared in the times, UK):

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/india/article3181925.ece

Kishore Biyani knows the Indian consumer. “You see that lady,” he says, pointing to a young woman with a shopping trolley laden with goods from channa to Colgate toothpaste. “She is a domestic help. She’s wearing her best sari and gold jewellery because this is a social outing and she may see people she knows. Her boss must be somewhere.”

Sure enough, a woman with an authoritative air returns with more shopping and marches to the checkout counter. Pushing the trolley in her wake, the servant smiles at another girl in a mirror-image scenario.

“They’re friends, you see,” Mr Biyani, 46, says knowingly. The shopping magnate’s smile soon fades, though, and he rushes off to berate the store manager in Food Bazaar, an extension of his successful discount hypermarket brand Big Bazaar.

It is one of several admonishments dished out to panicky staff for poor display arrangements, checkout delays and wayward trolleys. “It is so stressful coming in to my stores. All I see are mistakes.”

It quickly becomes clear that conducting an interview in one of Mr Biyani’s flagship malls, to put into context his extraordinary rise from textile merchant to India’s largest listed retailer, was a bad idea. He cannot stay still for a minute. Between outbursts of micro-management, conversations on one of two mobile phones and random approaches from wide-eyed fans, it is difficult to sneak in a question.

The place is absolute chaos - deliberately so. Whereas Mr Biyani thinks that Western retailers such as Tesco have turned supermarket shopping into a science, he believes that he has made it an art form.

His canvas is India and its many sub-identities, which he aims to recreate in his 76 stores across 50 cities. In one corner, the grain seller is yelling out prices as customers jostle to weigh their spoils. It is like the local market without the haggling.

Elsewhere, a man pushes a 2,000 rupee (£26) washing machine around in a trolley while announcing its bargain price over a megaphone. It is like the village mela (fair) without the elephants and magicians.

It is a format that has proved a success and exposed the underlying characteristic of the average Indian consumer: they prefer goods stocked in piles rather than neat rows, want to dig around in buckets to feel as if they are getting a bargain and won’t set foot in a place that is quiet and pristine because that equals expensive.

Curiously for a man who is selling to the Indian masses (his stores attracted 200 million shoppers last year), one of the retailers that Mr Biyani admires most is Abercrombie & Fitch, the all-American clothing brand that employs beautiful people as shop assistants. “They have models, I have megaphones. It’s all theatre, in a sense.”

For any international multibrand retailer looking to crack India, once the Government drops obstacles that limit foreign investors to wholesale, his business provides clues about the diversity of this market. By realising that one size does not fit all in India, Pantaloon Retail, the flagship component of Mr Biyani’s Future Group, has achieved sales of £476 million and now operates about seven million sq ft of retail space. Its target is revenues of £3.8 billion and a presence in 90 cities within four years.

Even now, 20 years after he left the family textiles business to sell stone- washed denim, Mr Biyani can get it wrong. A high-end coffee house in the Orchid City Centre Mall in Bombay, which Future Group operates, failed because it was too upmarket. The shopping centre, which is in a largely Muslim area and was a cowshed only two years ago, is Mr Biyani’s testing ground. Shops selling burkas, specialist saris, tailor-made suits and fashionto the college crowd, the latter with the backdrop of deafening DJs, are all new, own-brand concepts that seem to be taking off. If they work, they will be rolled out around the country. If not, they will be closed. The pace of the consumer revolution in India is why Mr Biyani, whose retail infrastructure fund has attracted investment from George Soros, the billionaire financial speculator, visits one of his stores every weekend. “I am a little scared the market is changing,” he says. “Nobody understands all categories of the business today, so we are building up expertise.”

He admits to borrowing ideas from foreign retailers – a new loyalty scheme, offering instore credit and loans, is much like the Tesco Clubcard – but he constantly returns to the fact that everything must be distinctly Indian. “India is not an individualistic society. I never thought the Western way would work,” he says.

Still, he is leaving nothing to chance. It may be that he merely has first-mover advantage, so he has hired McKinsey to advise on his next move. He is also considering joining forces with a foreign retailer for a cash-and-carry venture to rival Wal-Mart’s alliance with Bharti Retail. “We need more scale and efficiency before the competition comes in,” he says – and then he is gone, peeling away to tell staff how to improve the flow of customers around the shop.

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