In order to get tata photon working on ubuntu machine you need to install following packages
1. usb-modeswitch-data 2. usb-modeswitch
Either you can download them from ubuntu site and install locally or install using apt manager
Download links
http://packages.debian.org/squeeze/usb-modeswitch-data http://packages.debian.org/squeeze/usb-modeswitch
apt installation
sudo apt-get install usb-modeswitch-data usb-modeswitch usb-modeswitch
After successful installation,
1. Connect photon usb card
2. Execute following commands one after another. sudo usb_modeswitch -c /etc/usb_modeswitch.d/12d1\:1446 wvdial
...and you should get connected via photon!