Destiny’s child

Jasmine Singh

Rekha Trivedi, a social worker from Chandigarh, was surfing on line when she saw an article on the new changes that have been introduced in the passport process in 2017. 

Out of the various points that had been mentioned to facilitate the passport application process, one point drew her attention - applicants can now choose to fill in the detail of only one legal guardian or parent, making it much easier for single parents to get passport for the children. It was no longer mandatory to write father’s name in the application form. The rules for obtaining passports had been eased for single mothers, orphans, sadhus and adopted children. 

Tears of joy

Rekha almost yelled with joy, as the smiling face of Rahul John, an orphan, came flashing to her mind, “Rahul had expressed his desire to go abroad for playing a wheel-chair cricket tournament, but he had no passport. And then one day, I read about the new rules.” 

From that day onwards, Rekha started collecting documents. “There so many orphans who have the talent, but couldn’t go anywhere because they didn’t have passport.” She finally assembled the papers, a matric certificate and a bonafide letter from his orphanage where he grew and received schooling, and following the new procedure, helped Rahul get a passport, which he flaunts with joy. 

Rahul now has a proof of his identity and he can fulfil his dream, “There are many like me who have dreams, who want to travel the world; this new relaxation will certainly be of great help.”

Ray of hope

Rekha is now being approached by more such kids, who also want to avail the facility. Chandan, 24, an orphan staying in Maloya with a friend from his village, is a trained plumber. He got an offer to work in Dubai, but since he didn’t have a passport, he couldn’t go. “All this time, I have moved around with an old, tattered ration card, but now I’ve heard that I too can get my passport made, which sounds really great,” says Chandan, still sceptical whether he can ever go to Dubai. 

Like Chandan, Suresh, Kumar K and Mohit John are young boys who want to own their own passports. Suresh, 27, staying in Dadu Majra Colony, too had a job opportunity as a drain cleaner in Germany, but had no passport. “I am already collecting the necessary documents and soon will be able to send you my picture with my passport on whatsapp,” he grins with joy, as he requests us to add him on our whatsapp list! 

Please note

Orphans who do not have any birth certificate can now get the head of the orphanage, where they were raised, to confirm their date of birth on an official letterhead. 

This document is now accepted by the government for issuing passports.

jasmine@tribunemail.com