Mysore is second largest city of Karnataka State. It is also a very important higher education centre. Thousands of students pass out with professional degrees every year. A large section of these students go to other countries for higher education. Quite a large chunk of these students get absorbed by companies with international operations. In both of these cases thousands of youngsters are seeking passports to pursue their ambitions.
Also thousands of youngsters from Mysore are seeking semi-skilled work in the Middle East countries and they are also seeking passports.
Mysore has a very large number of families and households from where children have either settled abroad or working or studying abroad and their parents and relatives seek passports to join their kith and kin abroad.
Mysore is also a cultural centre of international repute.Hundreds singers, musicians,dancers and Yoga exponents from this city travel all round the world spreading the fragrance of Karnataka’s culture.
Apart from Mysore people also from neighbouring towns such as Chamrajanagar, Mandya and Mercara need passports for the very reasons mentioned above
At present, all these people have to go to Bengaluru for any and every issue relating to passport. This is not only time-consuming but also expensive.
Despite all the claims made by the concerned Department announcing people-friendly procedures in seeking services relating to passport things are under the control of touts and agents. This makes the seeking passport services more cumbersome, uncertain and expensive particularly for Mysoreans.
It is time that concerned authorities and the our member of Parliament took note of this requirement of Mysoreans and get a passport office at Mysore at the earliest.
R.Chandra Prakash, Mysore Grahakara Parishat