Finally a gas cylinder in my own name! Jai Ho India!

I guess that I just got lucky! Perhaps I became smarter and kept it simple. I decided to keep my present address the same as in my passport! This was easy as my sister is now staying at the apartment. Then I located the Food and civils supplies office in that locality. My first brush with the office was not too friendly and there were scores of people waiting! I almost gave up!

A few days later I was near the place and went in again on an impulse, was lucky to meet an official who was helpful! He advised me get my Election ID done from a nearby office and submit this and a copy of the latest house tax receipt as proof of my residence and relationship.

Getting the EID turned out to be a breeze. Again people were cooperative, checked my application and asked me to go again after 10 days.

I was there after 15 days, to give them some margin of time! I met a young girl with a computer and she asked me to verify that my details were keyed in correctly and directed me to another room. Not many people there. Soon I was photographed, finger printed by a very young guy again with a computer and before I could say Jai Ho another youngster at the next table called out to me and gave me my card! Sweetest of all was that there was no charge!

Armed with this getting a RC was easy. Only there were a lot of people in the office, whose apperance said that they were really in need of the subsidised rations. I submitted my application and was asked to go back with Tara after ten days. Two weeks later, I went in to check without Tara early in the morning. Good decision as a lot of people came in later.

I was told that my application was approved! When I told them that Tara was busy and was not with me, they said no problem, you can get your RC processed and add her picture later at an additional charge of Rs. 45. Here again the system was similar and I was given my RC within 15 minutes of my being photographed and finger printed! My RC says clearly it is meant only for a gas connection. It cost me Rs 45, a pity no subsidised ration:-(

My next step was back to the authorised agent. The girl had a look at my RC and remarked that there is no proof of relationship in the RC! My heart sank again as I had no clue why it was not there and what to do now! Anyway she was willing to accept my Driving License which had my father's name as the proof of my relationship. She again listed out the things she needed to make a change. An affadavit by me and an indemnity bond certified by a notary, copies of death certificates of my parents, a copy of DL.

As I walked down, I literally stumbled upon a photociopier ( The pavement was bad!) and thought let me get the RC copied and discovered they would take care of everything for me for a fee. Of course I had the stamp papers with me, I had bought them six months ago! It was done in a few hours!

This morning I was at the agent again and you can see the result of my persistent efforts below: A very precious thing I inherited from my parents. Thanks to Srilatha for keeping it safe all these years!

Please pray for me now that there is no shortage of gas!