The "REAL" Indian High Commission London

The HCI in Aldwych in London.

Where thousands of people go everyday to secure visa’s to visit India as well as renew Indian passports.
Well my plight was to secure a new passport as my wife’s Indian passport was stolen.

The BATTLE began…I was given a 6 page document. 12 photos were requested, and the form to be Notary Public. The cost soon mounted as all of this cost over £200, not to mention the Fee was £141.

I arrived at India House amongst hundreds of others; we were all outside under no shelter in a spaghetti queue (one corner stank of urine from overnight travelers/passersby’s) leading to the main doors where 2 persons were vetting the people. I was told that I could not enter but only my wife as it was her passport application. I advised the person that she has a medical disability and I am the Carer. He very rudely and blatantly refused, even making a sarcastic remark, “if you stay here any longer I will too get a medical condition”. I was very angry with this, but like many others that complained about genuine problems, no one cared. We were a herd of cattle rounded up to be taken in for our money.

The inside of the High Commission was no better, again hundreds of crammed people, no proper signs to counters…and in fact no number system…My wife had to push her way through 40/50 people all trying to reach one counter. The person behind was NO professional, being very rude, abrupt, colloquial. I was given one excuse after another to push me off, but I insisted, eventually I was told that they had NO trace of my previous passport being issued at London. I have been in the UK since 1988 and had 3 passports renewed since. After a few more battles and loud words the counter closed for lunch..

When opened again a new set of forms were given to fill….Only 4 pictures were taken and the fee of £84.
When I went to collect the passport, again hundreds of people with no direction and treated like trash. When I had collected the passport I found that only a 5 year one was issued, instead of a 10 year as my wife is resident in the UK and not a visitor from India. I tried to call the High Commission but trying to contact them was not at all possible, at one time been put through to the consulate to be “hanged up” on 6 times. I then tried e mail…..and after 5 e mails got a reply that I should visit the High Commission on any day and the same passport will be endorsed for another 5 years. No apologies.

I am appalled at the “Service”, the Staff, no system, no signs and the communication. There is no priority given to the disable, frail and elderly. We ALL pay for this service, Its NOT FREE. We are NOT in a third world country and India is supposed to be a Super Power. Where are our ethics, service standards and basic manners, even animals are treated better.