identity

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Identity

Around ten years ago, the most important document needed in India was a ration card. It didn’t matter that you never purchased anything from the ration shop, it had to be shown for various government transactions. It was a family card so all members of the family  had the  same ID.  Eve getting cooking gas cylinders was linked to this. The election card then followed this. Only those above the voting age got these. Any change of address was a nightmare. To solve all these problems, the government started issuing Adhar cards.

My parents shifted to Vellore from Chennai around fifteen years ago. They lost their ration card. I tired to make a new one. The Tashildar said father  had to make a personal appearance for verification.

My father was having nothing of this.

“I won’t go” he said. “I don’t need a ration card. I don’t buy rations.”

I tried pleading with him. “You need an identity”.

“I am sitting here aren’t I?” he said irascibly.

 It was no use.

I have  a 75 year old watchman. He is white-haired, balding, bearded, bespectacled and ex-army.  I sent him as proxy to the office.

“What if they ask me questions?”

“Pretend you are deaf. Like this. “ I cupped my hand around one ear. “Eh! Eh!.” I said.

The impersonation went off without a hitch. We got a ration card.

Then came the Adhar cards. “You have to come!” I told father. They are taking photographs and fingerprints.”

He refused to budge. “I am 92 years old. I don’t want an Indian identity. Already they make me pay tax. I don’t like the government. Why should I pay tax after 90? “

I kept silent. He didn’t go for the Adhar card.

Then they decided to link pensions and bank accounts with the Adhar. We were back to square one.

By gifting the princely sum of Rs. 500 the Adhar center agreed not to make him wait. He took a photograph and viola! He was an Indian again!

Then the Adhar had to be liked to cell phones. You had to actually go there and place finger prints. I went with another Rs 500.

A very nice lady was sitting there. When she heard my plight she said, “just ask him to transfer the card to your name. It only means you pay the bill. “

Problem solved. Money talks!

I came to Houston to visit my son. I was really impressed. All you have to walk around with is an all purpose driving license! No Adhar card, voters ID , ration card, -----etc etc!

http://velloretimes.blogspot.in/

identity