Any foreigner that has traveled in India for more than a couple of weeks will know the following:
- India is one constant crazy adventure
- Indians have modeled there government on the British and have somehow managed to make it worse...
- Registering in country is long long process, sometimes extra fees are required.
for the past 10 days Ellie, jp, Filip and I have been trying to register as foreigner residents in Indian. this is no easy task... in theory the process consists of 5 simple linear steps.
1. Complete a form showing proof of address
2. complete an online registration form.
3. upload accompanying documents to internet.
4. Pay a 100rs fee either online or in the bank.
5. head to the police station with your documents and a smile as you are processed hassle free.
the reality is considerably more draining. If anybody successfully navigates the process first time they should receive a key to the city. Rather than a linear process it is cyclical in design. I have proposed the following truncated structure.
1. Go online and fill in the wrong form and the right form in correctly.
2. fail to upload documents as the server crashes.
3. repeat.
4. Cry a little.
5. head to the police station with your completed documents to be told that the office has moved and your documents are incorrect.
6. Repeat.
7. have the rickshaw driver quadruple the price in the space of 10 minutes because they think they can...
7.5. arrive at the correct police station to be told that there is no evidence of your fee being paid online and be told to start again as cash is not accepted.
8. remain. in the room and talk politely until extra "cash fees" are accepted.
9. Cry.
10. remind yourself to just keep swimming.
I feel the first 10 days has been a pretty good introduction to life in India and the challenges and struggles that can be faced. I have also decided that there is no better job in the world than working for the Indian government. why?
- there is at least 1 national holiday a week (often a Monday or Friday
.)
- Office hours are from 10:00-13:00, lunch then 15:00-17:00
- as they keep turning people away, they never really do any work.
- when the work is correct they stamp a document then smile.
I know this probably comes across as slightly bitter and biased... This is a fair comment because partially I am. (and yes I had made mistakes along the way.) But I am writing this article as Ellie is still working hard to get her visa approved. Holistically it's just another drop in the ocean and It only really makes me smile. After all, every day in India is a learning experience
- India is one constant crazy adventure
- Indians have modeled there government on the British and have somehow managed to make it worse...
- Registering in country is long long process, sometimes extra fees are required.
for the past 10 days Ellie, jp, Filip and I have been trying to register as foreigner residents in Indian. this is no easy task... in theory the process consists of 5 simple linear steps.
1. Complete a form showing proof of address
2. complete an online registration form.
3. upload accompanying documents to internet.
4. Pay a 100rs fee either online or in the bank.
5. head to the police station with your documents and a smile as you are processed hassle free.
the reality is considerably more draining. If anybody successfully navigates the process first time they should receive a key to the city. Rather than a linear process it is cyclical in design. I have proposed the following truncated structure.
1. Go online and fill in the wrong form and the right form in correctly.
2. fail to upload documents as the server crashes.
3. repeat.
4. Cry a little.
5. head to the police station with your completed documents to be told that the office has moved and your documents are incorrect.
6. Repeat.
7. have the rickshaw driver quadruple the price in the space of 10 minutes because they think they can...
7.5. arrive at the correct police station to be told that there is no evidence of your fee being paid online and be told to start again as cash is not accepted.
8. remain. in the room and talk politely until extra "cash fees" are accepted.
9. Cry.
10. remind yourself to just keep swimming.
I feel the first 10 days has been a pretty good introduction to life in India and the challenges and struggles that can be faced. I have also decided that there is no better job in the world than working for the Indian government. why?
- there is at least 1 national holiday a week (often a Monday or Friday
.)
- Office hours are from 10:00-13:00, lunch then 15:00-17:00
- as they keep turning people away, they never really do any work.
- when the work is correct they stamp a document then smile.
I know this probably comes across as slightly bitter and biased... This is a fair comment because partially I am. (and yes I had made mistakes along the way.) But I am writing this article as Ellie is still working hard to get her visa approved. Holistically it's just another drop in the ocean and It only really makes me smile. After all, every day in India is a learning experience
 |
| Fil trying to stay relaxed. |
Dotting the I's and crossing the T's has to be done prior to any rubber stamps. Keep going with the blog son.
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