Bad experience at UTC

My husband, Cyriacus Liverpool had gone last month December 2005 to deposit three cheques on my behalf, on which I signed both my maiden and my marital names. The reason for putting both signatures is because the account is in my maiden name, "Indra Ramoutar." On previous occasions, the customer service personnel received such cheques from my husband, rightly so. However, one of them advised him that I should attend their office to amend my name to "Indra Ramoutar-Liverpool."

On Wednesday December 14, 2005 both my husband and I went to the said Unit Trust office to have this rectified. I took along a copy of my Marriage Certificate, as well as my driver’s permit and ID card. I joined the line, and on reaching the counter I explained to the customer service person that I was there to amend my name and deposit three cheques. She rudely referred me to another customer service person who was nearby. I spoke to the latter, to whom I produced my marriage certificate, explaining to her the reason for my visit. In a very discourteous and impolite manner she told me, in my husband’s presence, "I want to see the original of the marriage certificate."

My husband and I then explained to her that legally speaking, a copy is as good as the original. She said she "still want the originals." I left, without doing any of the transactions, dissatisfied with her action.

I am unable to rationalise the conduct of these women. I was depositing, not withdrawing. I had proof of my identity, and the marriage certificate, and my husband was present. I had also previously sent copies of my marriage certificates to other financial institutions, which have accepted same. Is it that these women’s conduct smacked of racism, I being of East Indian descent, my husband of African descent and they of African descent?

Please publish the above for my fellow citizens to be apprised of this unsavoury situation, and to avoid this type of behaviour.

By the way, my husband promptly went to another financial institution where he deposited my cheques into my account, without an impediment!

INDRA RAMOUTAR-LIVERPOOL

San Fernando