Have you ever pulled out your hair and tried to navigate through the website buggy, crowded interfaces, and confusing government website instructions in attempting to use the service? Would it be possible to transfer the connection of BESCOM, request for a marriage certificate or axle details of the e-khata, as if jumping hoops?
The Zen Citizen, a volunteer initiative, aims to deny these procedures by providing clear and practical information and its own tools that make the government website to increase citizens.
Goldmine information
The platform founded by Vineeta K., a former data analyst, in August 2024 offers a guide that covers the whole way of application for government services, explain how to plan in advance, prepare the required documents and process problems after submitting the application. Not only do they explain confusing instructions and provide solutions for technical defects, but also offer practical tips on how to bypass the tactics of delay and question unfair rejection.
For example, the website states how some subregistrary incorrectly refuses to request requests that they must be related to blood or that the parent must witness, even if witnesses can be relatives or friends. “If this happens, you can appeal,” he says.
One of the tips on the website suggests that the wearing of shorts is avoided while it appears for a ride test. Others warn that it will be requested for a bribe when submitting applications for Khat.
From designing MAC users go to mobile devices or computer Windows when trying to accept to the Kaveri portal, to the recommendation of one to enter its first and surname in the field of “first name” when applying for a load certificate, Zen Citizen may be golden useful information.
All information is provided free of charge.
Zen Citizen, an initiative with a volunteer, aims to provide clear and practical information and its own tools that make the government’s website more friendly citizens. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Tools to make life easier
Zen Citizen volunteers have also developed more tools, including Village Kaneri, Civic Compass, Kaveri Image Resizer and Spashta, AI Chatbot.
The finder of Village Kaveri helps people find their village and see his mapped details of the district, taluk and shavi according to Kaneri database. The Civic Compass can be used to identify BBMP, BDA, revenue, BESCOM, BWSSB and police station for one’s area.
Kaveri Image Resizer helps change the size, format, and compress a photo for a marriage certificate to meet the requirements of the Kaveri portal. Chatbots can be used to find answers to specific questions instead of browsing by long guides.
Navigation in the system
“Corruption was thus normalized and the reality of life. But I believe there are ways around the system. And there are ways to make the most of the situation,” says Mrs. Vineta, who refers to Zen by a parallel effort to the government’s digital services.
Zen Citizen, who focuses on Karnataka, states his mission as “to seize citizens to confidently navigate the system, encourage solutions that they reducing themselves, reducing relying on intermediaries and pushing back against bribery.”
The initiative now focuses primarily on services provided by the income department, including obtaining the load certificates (EC), devotee certificates, certified copies of registered documents and registration of assets.
The initiative now focuses primarily on services provided by the income department, including obtaining the load certificates (EC), devotee certificates, certified copies of registered documents and registration of assets. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/Istockphoto
Based on volunteers
Zen Citizen runs a rotating team of volunteers. Most of them came aboard when the idea was shared on Reddit for feedback.
“She came aboard to direct a solution that is known for careful reporting of traffic disturbances, potholes AE -mail authorities with suggestions, prototyping Kateri Village Finder and Civic Compass. Suhas, which successfully navigated government processes using our guides.”
“Some, like AN who prototyped the Civic Compass and Kaneri Village Finder, or chandra who developed a chatbot, devote a significant time to several months before the break. Others who can only contribute on weekends help with smaller tasks that do not require ownership,” he adds.
No name and shame
The costs of the website are managed using 1 Lakh grants by Dr. Aniruddy Malpani, anti -corruption activist and angel investor.
Mrs. Vineeta notes that the initiative does not intend to name and shame. “At Zen Citizen, we focus on working with broken systems – no information, lobbying, lobbying for changes in the field of politics, signature campaigns, processes or protests. Others do this important job; we are simply taking another way. Our deeper goal is to fight small corruption.”
Published – August 2025 03:51 is
