Submitting a school form - An inexperienced parent

I am looking for Rishabh's school admission in Mumbai. I missed forms of Dhirubhai Ambani by few days. So, promptly got the forms for Poddar. Cost of the form Rs.2700/-. It's for Jr. KG. I had gone, today, to school to submit the form.

I checked few things with the teacher (or receptionist) and filled the form. She asked for the attested copy of Rishabh's birth certificate. I did not had original. It was at Pune. She said people at Police station will do it. And I should get it done from there. So I took the directions and went hunting for the Police station. I saw branch of Bank of Baroda. I thought it will be far easier to get it attested from bank then from Police station. So I went in the branch.

I marched into the cabin of Chief Manager. Told him very proudly that I work in Deutsche Bank and would like his help, looking for some solidarity. It seemed he didn't like it and told me flat
"Bank is not in this business." I asked him for suggestions, said
"I am new here."

He replied "I am new too. I have been just transferred from Pune"

"I am also from Pune. You must help me", I said.

"I can attest only for the account holders. I can't do it for you." He refused.

I thought it was very rude for the manager of a nationalised bank to say it's not his business. I assume Bank of Baroda is a nationalised bank. Anyhow, I crossed the road to and went to the Police Station. I am not the only one. There were others too waiting in the queue. Later, I understood they were all applying for Poddar.

No one offered help in the Police station. Typical unkind enviornment, where everyone is looked at like a criminal or a convict. There were 2 Police Inspectors in the room, busy with their work. One was searching for 2 blank papers and the other for a punch. All the constables in the room were helping their respective 'Saahad'. They were so busy that a constable from the other room came to us and said "Don't wait for the attestation. The 'Saahab' who used to do it expired some 2 months back and his reliever has not yet joined. So come tomorrow."

People were standing there since morning. One guy had come every day from last 3 days. He was shocked to hear this. There was no photograph with a garland on it. If not placard they should have at least put it on the notice board. Mumbaikar as they are revolted and demanded someone else should do it. A Police inspector sitting in the next room agreed after looking at commotion.

In the entire group, two people did not have the originals. Naturally, I was one of them. And after lot of pleading inspector refused to attest. I called up Just Dial got the numbers of the people around who can atttest. Gave them a call only to hear come after 6pm. It was noon; I had reached the school at 10 am. From last 2 hours I was struggling to get the attestation. I was cursing myself; I had postponed submission to this week as I had planned to get it attested by my mom in Pune. But, busy weekend (Panshet Trip) did not allow.

I was also fighting with myself to procrastinate the submission of form. Maybe tomorrow, but at the end I started heading towards the HDFC branch, convincing myself that the curse (a black cat that had crossed my way in the morning when I left home) is over. I thought of reasons and logics to persuade HDFC people on my way to the branch.

I reached the branch. Everyone was busy. I was looking for Branch Manager's cabin. Suddenly, a lady amid the crowded desks emerged and said "How can I help." I explained my plight and emphasised that I am the account holder with the bank from last 5 years. She took the paper. Glanced at it and looked back as if she wanted to say "Please open an account with my branch and I will attest." She asked me about the original and I said "I don't have it with me. You can check that with your branch people in Pune." I wondered is it so difficult to trust me. She asked me my account number; I gave it to her and said "Even Rishabh has a account with you." She started punching my account number in the computer.

I was not sure whether will she do it or not. If not what I will say or rather do. In this uncertainity, someone called my name. It was my ex colleague Shalini. I was so relieved to see her. I did not feel excited to meet her after so long, but felt more assured to get the certificate attested. After exchanging a quick where are you and who is where, I gave her my card took her number. In the meantime her colleague who was attending me got the certificated attested and came with a relationship manager. She said Amit will be my relationship manager from HDFC Mumbai and will be in touch with me.

I excused myself form the bank and said goodbye to Shalini. I went to Poddar submitted the form. What an achievement. As I say "I am a new parent. I am inexperienced."

I went to Santacruz station which was another 5 mins walk and took a local train to Andheri. Walked through teli gali to catch a cab to office.

I felt completely dehydrated. All the water in my body had oozed out. I would have perspired less on day long trek. But this is the specialty of Mumbai.