I am a veteran, retired from Army Educational Corps of Indian Army. My varied experiences during interactions with officials of different state government, tempted me to write these few lines.. This entirely different and memorable experience I had during my visit to Sub Regional Transport Office, Nilambur, Malappuram District,Kerala is the outcome of hard-working, vibrant officers with the right attitude.
The visit was in connection with the renewal of my Driving licence issued by RTO, Bangalore. I hadn’t obtained a No Objection Certificate and transferred it to my home RTO as it involved a lot of correspondence with the two offices. Another reason was my prejudice, as everyone’s, about RTO officials’ attitudes in Kerala. Hence, I decided to go back Bangalore and renew it when the date of expiry approaches (as it involves simple procedures in Bangalore). I was frustrated due to the restrictions on inter-state movement of personnel. Extension of validity of expired licences was, however, a temporary relief.
Now what? ‘Apply for a new licence and go through all the procedures’, was the only suggestion from Driving Schools and RTO job aren’t around . My search for online solution to the issue ended up in Digital India initiative, ‘Sarathi’. While filling up the details for renewal of licence, it prompted me to apply first for change of address proceeded by renewal. A sigh of relief .
Downloading the filled in online application I approached SRTO, Nilambur Office superintendent. Being helpless he directed me to Motor Vehicles Inspector Mr Umer. I was pleased by his helpful attitude and commitment for service of the citizens. He asked me to remit the fee online and submit the documents in his office. It was not a matter of hours but minutes, he renewed my licence and I received a message,”Your application for service on Driving Licence is approved”. I felt appreciated as a valuable member of the society.
“Thank God”, I was praising the attitude of officers like Umer sir. Weeks after, an announcement by Government of Kerala about online renewal of driving licences was found published in newspaper.
Radhakrishnan K
SDE
Radhakrishnan K
ASAP Malappuram 