MTNL | Post Paid Mobile | Enabling 3G

MTNL | Post Paid Mobile | Enabling 3G

Having had a TataDoCoMo post paid connection, I was more than happy with the service, but when we shifted to a new flat the signal was just our of the flats reach and it called for a port-out.

Am sure there are several notes on how to port out of one service provider and port in to another service provide. It starts with a simple SMS to 1900 with your mobile number as the message. You almost immediately get a reference number. You go to the port-in mobile provide (in my case MTNL) and fill in a form and attach address proof (Aadhar sufficient) and personal indentification (PAN) and a photograph. The process sets in and if things are in order (if you have paid off the charges of your port-out service provider)  you should be in port-in service before a weeks time.

While I got port-in and was able to use my phone to speak, I was unable to use the data and I was wondering what to do and a search on the web revealed that one needs to call 1503. Which I did, however I was asked to call 1925 to activate my post paid mobile. Which I did and almost immediately you get a SMS saying that your request for activation has been received and will be processed.

Once you get an activation message (generally after an hour after you have called 1925) you switch off the mobile and switch it on again. And you are supposed be able to access data.

Summary: Call 1925 from your post paid MTNL mobile to activate your 3G or data connection!

Renewing Driving Licence | Mumbai | India

Renewing (your) Driving Licence

Easy? Hard? You be the judge

Background 

There comes a time when you will have to renew your driving licence because you have crossed a certain age or get a fresh one because you have lost the old one! This is an account of how I went about renewing my expired driving licence. Applicable if you in Mumbai, Maharastra, India and if you have to go to the Wadala RTO office. I visited the Wadala office. Prime work was to renew driving licence.

What you need?

1. Form 9 (Form of application for the renewel of driving License). 
2. Form 1 (Application-cum-decalration as to physical fitness), 
3. Form 1a (Medical Certificate)
4. three recent photographs (one goes on Form 9 and another on Form 1a )
5. if there is a change in address (which normally is true) 
• an application form asking for a change in address (available for INR 2 from the xerox shops in the ground floor!)
• address proof (preferably two proofs in the form of photocopies)
6. a lot of patience (mark 1/2 day or more!) 
7. some luck (pray that most of the staff is at work and | or at their desk!)
8. You will need about 650 INR (approximately) + travel charges

Preprocesing

• Form 1a: I had filled up all the forms (9, 1 and 1a). Reached the RTO Wadala by 10 am. From previous experience I knew that a "doctor sits in a room in one of the block (just ask before you enter the RTO office and people will direct you to this doctor - apparently there are two doctors who sit not far from the RTO office) who for a small fee (INR 50) signs the medical certificate (Form 1a) after checking if your eyesight, color differentiation ability is alright etc. That is a simple sail.

• Address Change: I picked up a "address change letter" from the ground floor (before entering RTO) because I had an address change to be incorporated into my licence. And attached a copy of my address proof (I had my Aadhar card with my address).

• I pinned together my original licence (paper), form 9, form 1a, form 1, photocopy of licence, address change letter, address proof. if your licence is a smart card, then it might be a good idea to carry a small polythene sachet (available in the ground floor for INR 2) put the smart card in that sachet and then pin the satchet with the application form.

Actual Process (pay attention!)

• I climbed the stairs instead of the lift (which is always crowded and it takes less time to walk the stairs)
• First went to Room 15 and got the application form verified by a officer (there are 4 cabins, you need to go to the first cabin). She looked at the application form and looked at the licence and proof of address and signs as "verified" .
• Then go to the opposite room (room number 4) - this is a messy room - very long and very less space to stand
• Then one of the counters, the person checks your records and then makes a remark that you can now pay the fees!
• In my case the details of my old licence was lost and hence they took another 40 minutes to recreate a record. I am sure this will not happen to most of you! Else there is a missing record details to be filled by the RTO and then they create a record (not sure what is the process)
• Then after you get a go ahead for paying the fee, you again go to Room 15 and pay your monies at the first counter (the second counter accepts monies for learning licence)
• Though the RTO website says carry INR 281. I ended up paying INR 540 (actually it was 533.62 INR - and no one asks for change!) so for each licence renewal there is a accounting difference of INR 6.38. Why they do not take card payment in this digital age is something to ponder!)
• Then you take the payment receipt along with the application to an adjacent room (make shift room) for a biometric (a face, a finger and a signature) - only if your current licence is a paper one, if yours is a smartcard then you can skip this step and probably pay INR 100 less.
• Then you go back to Room 4 and hand over the application along with the proof of payment of fees
• You get the receipt and you are done (this should act as you driving licence just in case you have to show you licence to someone!)

I understand that the licence comes to your home address in about a week!   

Route: Home - Doctor - Room 15 - Room 4 - Room 15 - Room 4 - Home (1/2 day minimum)

Good Luck

==Got my renewed licence in about 7 days time==