Ek Khwab

In short – Getting 2 Idli Vada from Brahman’s Cafe is more difficult than getting the Birth Certificate.

I wanted to get the Passports ready for all three, so needed the Birth Certificate for Geet. Everyone I spoke gave me an impression that getting the Birth Certificate was a herculean task. Some also told me to pay whatever but get atleast 3-4 copies of it as I may need them in future.

Since Geet was born at Wockhardt, Bannergatta Road, we had to go to the Corporation Office at Begur. I know that place as few Km on that road is the Reg office of Begur and I have visited couple of times.

I didn’t know how long it will take and what documents are required, I thought I’ll just visit the office and take some info on procedures and cost.

The Begur Corporation is amidst a very heavy traffic and a narrow lane ( bad combination ) however the once inside the building there was lot of calm and hardly anyone visible, not something you associate in a Govt office.

There was a help desk, on enquiry they told me to visit the First Floor for the Certificate. Once I was in the right counter, the person asked me for the Slip.

A slip was given by Wockhardt ( every other hospital ), this contains the details of the Birth date, time, names of Parents and add.  The same details is also sent to the Corporation Office by the Hospital.

He saw the slip, checked his register and found the details submitted by the Hospital and they gave me a form to fill, I told him that I wanted the name of the Baby in the Birth Certificate. For which he gave me another form.

He told me to go through the Terms & Conditions before filing the form, when I said it’s fine, he again marked a particular point and told me to go through it again. It read that once you have added the name in the Birth Certificate, the same cannot be changed or corrected every again. hmm

He then offered me a seat next to the table and told me to make myself comfortable. Also switched on the fan for me and even offered me a tea from the local tea person . Since this Birth Certificate would go to the passport office I checked and rechecked with him on some crucial points. He never for once got angry infact explained me in detail how the simple form has to be filled.

In the form I filled No of copies as ‘4’, went to him with the form, I was told to pay Rs. 80. Rs. 50 for Birth Certificate and Rs. 30 for 3 extra copies.

I was still surprised, asked him once again, if I had to pay anything more, he said No but said if I wanted to give, it’s our wish. I offered him a very nominal amount. He took it with smile.

That’s it, nothing more, no running around, no bribes, no frustration and the entire process did not take more than 15 min. I was given a acknowledgement and told to come after 3 days to collect my copies.

Vanitha thinks I’m spoiling a clean Govt office by offering money, but I think it was more as a token of appreciation, Common 4 Birth Certificate, Very Vey crucial for us, treated us with all the politeness in the world, did not even expect any bribe, finished all the process in 15 min and offered the Certificates in 3 days, I was amazed and I felt I should do something more…

As I said – Getting 2 Idli Vada from Brahman’s Cafe is more difficult than getting the Birth Certificate.