Till we didnt have the papers too,there was no problem

However,says Ramvati,the certificate means little. Even lesser because nine families including hers that were handed over the papers at the much-touted event attended by Rahul have been running around at DDA (Delhi Development Authority) offices seeking to get their coveyance deed,that would formalise the transfer,stamped. None of the concerned departments has a clue about the process. In fact say Ramvati and Ram Swaroop,an octogenarian from Trilokpuri who was also among those given the ownership rights,Till the time we didnt have the papers too,there was no problem.

Ramvati shifted to this colony in the 70s. What was originally a plot of 25 sq yard is now a two-storey house. The first floor has been rented out.

Her life revolves around her six family members her 65-year-old daughter,grandson,granddaughter-in-law and three great grandchildren. She doesnt understand the sudden fuss around her. A couple of TV persons also wanted my interview. I am happy for my grandson if he benefits from this certificate. It hardly means anything to me at this age, Ramvati says. However,she is grateful that her grandson Ravi Kumar,the only earning member of the family,deposited around Rs 45,000 with the government to get the freehold grant.

According to Ravi,though the collector has stamped the deed,the DDA is yet to stamp the document. Only after that will the certificate be valid, he adds.

However,as he points out,The DDA office doesnt know which department is responsible for stamping the conveyance deed. It is a hassle as I have to visit their office often to settle this,but without any effect. Whats the point of arranging an event and handing out certificates if the department has not been sorted?

It was in the late 50s that Ramvati shifted out of her village,Kailai in Uttar Pradesh,to Delhi,along with her daughter and son-in-law. My husband passed away when my daughter was one and a half years old, she says. Farming helped us survive.

She spent her initial years at a jhuggi in Moti Bagh till her permanent address became Plot 2/27,Trilokpuri. I dont find comfort now when I visit my village. Nobody I know from my generation is alive there. Also,it doesnt feel familiar anymore, she says.

Her day starts with an early-morning bath,after which she changes into a starched white sari. She then performs puja at the temple. A glass of milk is usually her breakfast, her 34-year-old granddaughter-in-law Geeta says. Following prayers,Ramvati chats with her daughter Rukmani Devi or reads the Ramayana.

Nowadays I have trouble reading letters in small print, Ramvati says. Reluctant to spend on a new pair of glasses,she argues that she already knows the epics by heart. She starts singing the Sundarkand from the Ramayana,pausing twice for breath. When suggested that she should do this for her great-grandchildren,she is amused. They would rather play games on computers.

For lunch,she eats a simple meal of two rotis and a sabzi. I cant stand the smell of onion, Ramvati says,though she doesn’t mind the other family members having it. Today is my great grandsons 12th birthday. He wanted his mother to make soya chaap,which cant be prepared without onion.

A nap in the afternoon is a must,followed by prayers again in the evening. Pointing to her daughter,Ramvati adds,While I spend only two hours in a day doing puja,hers easily goes up to six hours.

Geeta says Ramvati usually retires to bed after an early dinner. But today is different, Ramvati quips. There is a party for the little one. I will be up to give him dakshina (a gift).

For long a Congress voter,Ramvati claims to have never missed casting her vote. Despite the empty promise of the ownership rights,she is enthusiastic about casting her vote for the hand again come December 4.

That Rahul effect is yet to wean off.