India is a land where corruption is a way of life. 'Birth Certificate', 'Death Certificate', Driver's license, etc etc, a certain formality has to be adhered to.
For millions of Indians who aspire to a better life overseas, a passport is the first requisite. After applying for a passport comes the verification process where the officer steps into your house, in most cases unannounced on a particular day.
Of course, he is given the respect normally accorded to all government officials in India, and treated to a cup of tea or two while he solemnly goes through ticking off your credentials one by one, much like a judge about to pronounce his verdict. And then comes the regular part!
Either you are aware of the system and dish out anything between Rs 300 to Rs 500 or he brazenly asks for it! Now if you are one of those inspired by the Kamal Haasan film,'Bharateeyudu' and refuse to pay the amount, then don't be surprised if flaws are found in the data submitted by you or your passport arrives after you attain middle-age.
Given this scenario, it was highly interesting to see that the Cyberabad Police in Hyderabad are currently completing the verification process in three days and 75 tabs with high-speed internet are being used by the special branch personnel for the verification process.
The positive response to the process has resulted in the Ministry of External Affairs now deciding to implement this process across the country. This is a case where technology has helped to improve the process, but will it result in change in mindsets? Despite the new methodology, does the old formality still have to be adhered to?
