Passport Reference Letter and other tips (India)

So, my Passport is due for renewal shortly. Most countries require a minimum of 6 months valid Passport to issue visa. I am against paying bribes and had decided to stick to my principles. This post is about my journey.

I had submitted my application for Passport Renewal through Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). Filling form is fairly easy. Let me share some tips:

1. Select a PSK which is close to your home / office
2. Be present at PSK at least 15 mins prior to appointment time
3. Make sure your photocopies are clear and are visible
4. For Date of Birth, you can submit, Secondary School Certificate copy. Note: If the certificate is in your native language and you're submitting an application in a state where they do not speak your native language, you'll have to get an affidavit stating that the information in the certificate is true and get the contents translated into English
5. For Emmigration check not required, since you're submitting Xth class certificate it is sufficient. It is good to carry your highest qualification certificate though
6. Your photo will be captured at PSK, make sure you look clean :)
7. For address proof, your Landline bill / Employer address proof + employee id card copy / Electricity bill etc., could be submitted
8. Application form states that, income tax assessment order could be produced as Address proof, but since orders are sent by email as a go green initiative, you'll have a softcopy. Now, PSK officials insist on originals! Even if you tell them its original, go green, Government of India proof they won't consider (Some officers may consider but you wouldn't want to risk it)
9. If you have changed addresses in last one year, some officers may ask for proof of address of previous address as well. For this most banks send account statements by email every month, take couple of months' statement and keep it handy / any other valid address proof
10. PSK has an sms service with a fee of about INR 40. Please go for it.
11. Your Spouse's / Parents' Passport copy could be used for Proof of Address as well
12. If you're renewing your Passport, do not forget to carry your previous Passport, you'll have to get a 'Cancelled' stamp on it
13. Once they cancel your previous passport, all your document copies will be returned to you

Right after I had submitted, I received an sms saying that, your application has been submitted. Passport was printed in 3 days and got dispatched through Speed post. In case, you are not able to track your consignment, you can call Speed post customer care. For more information, click here: http://www.indiapost.gov.in/SpeedPost.aspx

When the Post man arrives, you'll have to be present at home and produce your original id card. If you're not at home, these guys leave a slip and the local post office Landline (yes may not be mobile) number. Most post offices have stipulated timings for the same, ring them up and visit the office. When I visited the office, post man was out for distribution I guess. Some other kind employee, handed it over to me. To my surprise he didn't ask for any money!

After couple of days, I received sms and email stating that my Police verification is due and I should approach the (stated in sms / mail) Police station with in 30 Days, if there was no response from Police. I had stayed at two places in the last one year so I had to visit two police stations. Mind you the documents asked by Police could be different from what they ask at PSK. Cop has to get satisfied that you're a citizen of India, stay at the current address, work in current city, countries you've visited etc., 

Some tips again

1. Date of Birth - Not much of a hassle. Same documents as above
2. Carry a copy of your company id card
3. Address proof - They insist only on Electricity bill / Bank statement / Gas bill / Landline bill. They ask for the oldest possible bill and the latest. So carry both
4. Two Passport photographs - Carry latest ones
5. References / Reference letter. You might be asked to produce two reference letters if in case, you do not have satisfactory address proofs for last place of stay. I have used below format and it worked fine. (Note: There is no set format)
   

   

   You can print Reference letter on an A4 sheet

   
   
   At both the police stations, I was asked to pay 'fees', which I refused politely. One of the cop let me go. Other insisted that there is 2:30 Hours more work on my file, I mentioned, I will assist him with all the documents / to perform his job well. He is yet to visit my place. Let's see how things shape up.

I currently stay in Bangalore. The TAT per police website is 21 days. But, once you visit a station you realise the volume of applications in cities like Bangalore is quite high. If you see all this as a hassle, you can part with some "smiling Gandhijis". But on the other hand, see the potential Black money you can curb. Anyway, all the best!

www.bcp.gov.in

Tips to Happiness!

As part of my job, through education, through sports, I interact and have interacted with hundreds of people. Over a period of time, I've realised that, there are only two categories of people. Those who are Happy. Those who are in search for Happiness. Period. Either you're in the first category or second. Of course, Happy people go through waxing and waning moments in life, but they get back.

Let me give you an example, the attitude to be Happy is like a Dog's tail. A circumstance may temporarily try to straighten its tail but the tail always rolls back! Are all Happy people rich? Monetary wise, not necessarily. So, what keeps them Happy? Its by doing small things, one at a time, they attain Happiness. What could be some small acts that could give you Happiness?

• We often tend to forget that we are part of society. However individualistic you may be. However Narcissistic you could be. How much  ever selfish you aspire to be. At the end of the day, if you aren't living in woods, acknowledge the fact that you're part of some society. When you're part of a society, first accept the fact that, not all of its members are endowed equally it could be wealth, resources, opportunities, abilities, knowledge etc., It takes courage not to get discouraged by this fact and to accept it and stop comparing yourselves with some of the fortunate ones. Once you have accepted it, focus on what gives you Happiness, strive for it the right way. You may fail. You've already accepted that not all of us are lucky. Keep trying. Why should you try the right way? Because it is one of the key factors to Happiness. Even if you fail at a task which you have in the right spirit can give you satisfaction.
  
  
• There is a difference between Aspiration and Comparison. Aspire - Always and for the best. Compare - Yourself and only yourself, your growth from yesterday to today.
  
  
• Learn to say 'Thank you'. If you're doing well in life, who should you acknowledge first, Parents and Teachers. How many of us stay in touch with our Teachers. There is a practice in India, kids are taught to acknowledge whenever they see a white cloud. Why? A white cloud is selfless. It first gathers water, travels great distances, showers all its water for the life to sustain selflessly and turns from a thick black cloud to a white cloud. Elders hence teach their kids to respect and salute white clouds. A teacher is also like a white cloud. S/He struggles, go through hardships to earn knowledge and selflessly give away to their students. A teacher is more happy when someone acknowledges that a student they taught are really doing well and is poised to be the next 'hotshot'. When you fail to acknowledge the very foundation, how do you think your conscience will keep you Happy? Acknowledge them. At every possible opportunity. Call them up once in a while. Visit them once in while with your spouse and children. Mention about them in speeches that you deliver. Acknowledge the fact that you're nothing if not for their selfless act of showering their knowledge on you.
  
• Not just before meals, even after meals thank food. Thank the person who cooked it for you. Appreciate the fact that someone spent a part of their life to keep you alive. Even if you do not like the taste of the food, acknowledge the effort. Be nice. Enjoy your meals by chewing slowly. You're not an animal, there is no other animal waiting to steal food from you. What's the hurry?
  
• Thank Nature. The very fact that you're alive is because of Nature. You enjoy Swimming? You go Trekking? You like Bird watching? You relish the taste of Honey? If not for Mother Nature, won't your life be sad? Who do you think Trees blossom for? For you! For each one of us. Acknowledge it, Thank it. At least once in your life time, feed a Bird / Dog, plant a Tree, clean a River, inhale deeply - fill your lungs with fresh air at least five times a day, walk on sand without footwear
  
• If you're a Hindu, at least once in your life time visit a Mosque, a Church or a Gurudwara and Vice versa. All religions at their core preach peace. Do not visit any of these to find God. Observe how peaceful they are. Once your mind is at peace, you can connect with your God or purpose easily.
  
• When visiting an old friend / Grand parents, never ever wear a watch! (Keep relevant stake holders informed about your whereabouts though)
  
• When you see children, wave / smile at them. They will easily wave / smile back at you. When someone positively acknowledges your act, you automatically feel better.
  
• You're part of Nature. That's exactly why any food which is natural is beneficial for body. Consume more Natural and Nature friendly products. Healthy food keeps your body Healthy. A Healthy body leads to Healthy mind.
  
• Have some 'Solo' time at least once in two weeks for couple of hours. Go for a massage. Go for a movie alone. Read a book. Go for a walk alone - You'll learn to enjoy your own company
  
• Be kind to those who are in need. If someone wants to overtake your vehicle, let them do so, probably their need to get home is much much greater than yours. Share your seat even if you see a fit and healthy person standing, check if they would like to sit, who knows what must be going inside them? Let pedestrians cross the road / you see an old man help him cross the road.
  
• You've tried your best to convince a guy / girl you love to be with you. They refused. Pull back from them gently. Not everybody is lucky in this society remember! Loving doesn't necessarily mean that you've to live under one roof, acknowledging the other person's existence and their desires is also an act of Love. It's perfectly Ok to fail. A failure is only catastrophic when you fail yourself.
  
• Acknowledge your partner. Appreciate them often in a small way. If you're a guy - Appreciate her hair, help her in cooking, recharge her mobile, say she means a world to you, get her a chocolate, give her a massage, get her a flower, make her a drawing however odd it may look like, Listen to hear and do not offer any advice. If you're a girl - Appreciate his positive traits, take him out for a movie or bar, buy two T-shirts of his favourite Super Hero, why two? One for him and the other one for you, speak your mind and seek advice or help if needed.
  
• Try something new. If you have never tried Italian / Assamese cuisine try it. You have never seen a foreign language movie try one. You have never cooked - try once and the list goes on...You have never weaved a basket? You never got drunk? You never got lost? You never stood first at least once? You never failed? You never played UNO cards? You never been to Museum? You never been to Orphanage / Old age home? You never learnt how to whistle? You never been to a house party? You never helped a stranger? See there is lots to do! I am sure doing all of the above may not need lots of money, just enough is enough isn't it and am even more sure that you'll make lot of memories in this process! Memories at the end of the day are capable to put a smile on your lips.

PS: Did you like this post? You could leave a nice comment and start spreading Happiness! :) (kidding)

Why do we need good roads?

What do you prefer to walk on  - a) grass b) Sand c)Burning coal d)Thorns? Most often, people would prefer first two v/s the last two options. Now the problem is, we often disassociate ourselves from things we own and do not view things from the owned things perspective. You do not see things from a Bike's perspective. You just see Bike as a 'non-living' entity! Hence even if the roads are pathetic and its heart (engine) yelling with pain, its legs (tyres) crying that its liking walking on thorns, we do not pay heed to it. Why should it bother you? Its just a 'thing' right! Then why don't you apply the same logic to everything which happens to you in life? Why are you so attached to your gold? Why do you cry if you loose it? You give it a nice cozy safe. Why do you feel bad when you lose your favourite pen? You give it a pocket, close to your heart! Is it not your right to provide your bike with good roads? Why can't you take ownership and vote! Participate in Democracy.

How often do you use gold? How long will you use the same pen? Can both of them give you happiness? While Gold brings fear. Pen can give you happiness depending upon your mood. Your bike irrespective of your mood - if you're sad takes you on a long ride, carries you and your girlfriend to places where you have memorable moments, your kid learns to ride a bike on your beloved bike, for work, for emergencies, for pleasure don't you use bikes? Isn't it your job to provide your best friend with good roads? For friend's sake, can't you vote? Participate in Democracy.

Do not spend your life stuck in bad traffic. One of the simple solutions for bad traffic is to have good roads. Isn't it true not just speed break humps but also, the roads slows down traffic? Good roads help you reach your destination quicker. Good roads, keeps your temper in control and there by helps you stay in good mood and have good relations with your family / friends / cohabitants.

Aesthetically appealing roads fill you with confidence. When you over take a vehicle or several vehicles and all you can see is a road, one thick black line, you realise, life isn't a race. It never is. You'll begin to enjoy journey! To realise this make your vote count.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As much as speed thrills it is capable of devastating several families. Enjoy the thrill responsibly. Wear helmets. Don't drink and drive. Don't smoke and (become) a fly!

Humaniteneur!

How often do we hear the term, 'Midlife crisis'? How often do we see people around us feeling whatever they are doing is worthless? Some of us feel we are destined for great things in life but for some reason are stuck with losers or somehow aren't able to make it large. It's a common feeling amongst many and one may suffer bouts of it at some point in life.

On a closer look, we get frustrated because we want to accomplish multiple things in life at the same point in time. We want to travel but can't because of work / kids. We want to invest in shares and then compromise and invest in debt market fearing future. We want to travel around the world but little money in pocket or can't take time off job.

Another question which I very frequently come across by my friends is that, should I become an entrepreneur? My question to them had always been - "Which need of humans / targeted segment are you planning to fulfill?" Of course, needs could be created but that's a separate topic. People who want to start a business of their own are of two types, 1. Entrepreneurs (Capitalists) and 2. Humaniteneurs (Utopians) 

What is the difference you might ask, Entrepreneur sees an opportunity, takes risk and sells a product / service at a premium to make profits.

Humaniteneur identifies a need of humans, takes risk and sells a product or Service at marginal profit to quench the needs of the needy.

Ever wondered why Corporate businesses are infested with so many corrupt practices. You may ask me for examples:

1. Satyam scam:The Satyam Computer Services scandal is a corporate scandal that worked in India in 2009 where chairman Ramalinga Raju confessed that the company's accounts had been falsified

2. Enron scandal: Andersen, the company's auditor, has admitted to an “error of judgment” in its treatment of the debt of one of Enron's off-balance-sheet vehicles; these vehicles led to an overstatement of profits by almost $600m over the years 1997-2000

3. Volkswagen emissions scandal: The car maker was fined after it was found that they intentionally programmed to reduce emissions during laboratory tests only

Do you see a pattern, Entrepreneurs or capitalists are driven by profits. Some of them do not even bother about their shareholders' money let alone customers. Else, scandals of these magnitude wouldn't have rattled the system. Governments world over had to bring in stringent laws to avoid such frauds. Some of these companies and its leaders are so myopic with their vision, that Governments had to mandate, Corporate Social Responsibility so that communities get benefited in some way. Do not see it in a negative sense. Of course, they propel economy, create jobs, pay taxes etc., My point here is solely that, the 'focus' of the business remains Profit-centric. Fear of competition and greed are some of the primary concerns.

Humaniteneurs on the other hand, either invent something for the benefit of the greater good or innovate and bring incremental change to existing products / services and make them available for public consumption. 'Focus' of Humaniteneurs remains solely on the 'need' of the end users. Fear of not able to meet the requirements is a major concern. It can also be observed that, 'Satisfaction' is a by-product for these businessmen.

I would like to quote two examples. There could be many:

Arunachalam Muruganatham, is the inventor of a low cost sanitary  pad making machine. I do not think his focus was to make money but to provide a pad to his wife.

 and

Achenyo Idachabe turned water hyacinth into usable products and helped some communities in Nigeria have a better livelihood.

In short, if you have a mid-life crisis and want to turn into entrepreneurs, do not get involved in infinite loop of Capitalism and increase your woes. but get on to a Merry Go Round of being a Humaniteneur. 

Sources: 

http://www.economist.com/node/940091

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyam_scandal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_emissions_scandal