Yesterday I read an interesting but disturbing story of a 'green card' couple based in the US who were denied entry at the Mumbai airport because they could not furnish visas for their two children who are US citizens.Apparently the immigration authorities initially agreed to accept a faxed copy of the documents but the fax arrived ten minutes after the family was sent back.
Now the gentleman went back and told his story to the media summarily mentioning "I'm ashamed of being an Indian". This was the piece that cracked me up. I mean you turn up at the immigration counter without visas and then you dare to comment back on the system.It's an unpardonable thing in these days of heightened international security to undertake a transcontinental journey without appropriate papers.Now,had the family been visting India on a personal emergency or tragedy then this miraculous absence of visas could still be fathomed but imagine being a seasoned international traveller and ending up in front of immigration authorities without visas. That is asking for big trouble.Atleast in India,the authorities were even willing to listen to the arrangement of faxed papers.Imagine the situation in the US or any European country. I have little doubt that much worse treatment would have awaited them there.
And then to cry to the media about being "ashamed" of being an indian!.Some gals here!.I'm not even for a moment suggesting that Indian officials are meticulous in what they do.There have been umpteen cases of people getting rude and insensitive treatments at Indian airports.Courtesy and politeness is not our strong point in any case.But the facts of this case put the blame squarely on the parent's callousness.
There was also this incident of a Frenchman who was given a transit visa on the spot while the Indian family was denied. It really needs to be investigated if proper procedures were followed in this case. Afterall you would believe that the rule is same for all.
Now the gentleman went back and told his story to the media summarily mentioning "I'm ashamed of being an Indian". This was the piece that cracked me up. I mean you turn up at the immigration counter without visas and then you dare to comment back on the system.It's an unpardonable thing in these days of heightened international security to undertake a transcontinental journey without appropriate papers.Now,had the family been visting India on a personal emergency or tragedy then this miraculous absence of visas could still be fathomed but imagine being a seasoned international traveller and ending up in front of immigration authorities without visas. That is asking for big trouble.Atleast in India,the authorities were even willing to listen to the arrangement of faxed papers.Imagine the situation in the US or any European country. I have little doubt that much worse treatment would have awaited them there.
And then to cry to the media about being "ashamed" of being an indian!.Some gals here!.I'm not even for a moment suggesting that Indian officials are meticulous in what they do.There have been umpteen cases of people getting rude and insensitive treatments at Indian airports.Courtesy and politeness is not our strong point in any case.But the facts of this case put the blame squarely on the parent's callousness.
There was also this incident of a Frenchman who was given a transit visa on the spot while the Indian family was denied. It really needs to be investigated if proper procedures were followed in this case. Afterall you would believe that the rule is same for all.
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