Hassled by municipal offices and nationalized banks!

Since last few days, I am writing blog posts in my head every day about so many things. No, I haven’t turned completely senile (yet)! There is so much to write about with so much happening around me but I am simply unable to devote time to sit and share all my thoughts. I am at Baroda, taking care of things post my father’s demise last month. 

It is emotionally very difficult time with my parents' memories haunting from every corner of the house. My several visits to municipal corporation offices and nationalized banks to obtain certain documents and close my parents bank accounts have left me flustered. Dealing with municipal corporation officials, bank employees and getting the work done is a painfully tedious job and I have realized that the saintly patience one needs to possess is completely lacking in me. 

Trying to battle lethargy and complete ignorance at any municipal office or nationalized bank makes one realize a completely different truth about India. We are so used to net-banking and the convenience it has brought by shrinking world each day that waiting for days to get a simple thing done seems to be a torture. In general, I have observed that Indian mind-set is so used to accept the mediocre and not demand good quality service that when one tries to be vocal about the issue he/she is often ridiculed! 

Municipal offices are no different! They come across as nasty eye sores with filthy, stinking offices with piles of files covered with dust lying everywhere precariously. Since last few days, my emotional pendulum is swinging from outrage, helplessness to utter disgust when I witness lackadaisical attitude, complete ignorance and lethargy towards work at every government office and bank that I visit. 

The real issue in India is in interpretation of meaning which conveniently gets distorted by those responsible for implementing governance. They care little to understand that clearly outlined laws are always within purview of accommodating nuanced meanings. But try explaining this to a paan/masala chewing, loudly belching, nose picking clerk, scratching at the wrong places in full public view at government office who is absolutely comfortable speaking to you with the mouthful of filthy liquid about to overflow from his mouth while you are on verge of puking on his face with the very sight of him. He would look at you with disdain; from the dirtiest ledger you would have ever seen, as if obliging you with that typical look with corruption written all over his face.   

An average government office babu is the most detestable species one would come across in life. These insidious creatures hunt with packs of their corrupt and sly brethren. Their expertise is in finding innovative ways and means to deny your work. Corruption is underbelly of municipal offices and sadly the only way to get your work done. I am not saying all government officials are corrupt. I know there are a few honest and hardworking people too but they are very rare. 

I have completed most of the formalities and submitted all necessary documents but still   have to wait for few more days to get all my work done. You know the reason?  With Deepawali approaching, obviously nobody is in mood to work! I am left with only two options now; bang my head against the wall or start dancing Gangnam style and tell myself, "all is well, baby."