It is heartbreaking to hear about the story. I could only sympathise with all that had happened, but I would like to address to all the people who write about the indian customs harassment etc here. If the law requires Visa, then there is no argument for forgetting it. This shows the poor state of preparation for the journey and before blaming for the aftermath, a patient introspection would clearly reveal who is wrong here. There are countries were Indians have to wait for a long time and prepare a lot of documents to get Visa (which may easily take a day on the day of application for VISA),,,We Indians wait for the same. The same is the case for the Green Card requirements. Some of the requirements like not to move from a place are difficult but we accept it and obey it. But when it comes to Indian scenario, we feel that nothing is working as it should. Indians face the hardships on a day to day basis and the hours of travel by an average indian from Ahmedabad to Chennai could be more than 40 hrs taking three days by Train and so the indians perception of travel related fatigue is also unlikely. So I sincerely feel sorry for what has happened, but think of all the facts,
This is the most stupid news article I have read so far in rediff. What the immigration officials did is right. The excuses given for not getting the documentation is mere absurd and reflects the carelessness on part of the parents of the children. If somebody has this careless parents, no doubt the children will suffer.
Let the parents forget their green card in India and try to give the same explanation to US immigration officers and see what type of response they get.
When our immigration officials do good work - we have to appreciate them. When people do stupid mistakes , they have to undergo the consequences.
Mr. and Mrs. Prabhu claim that they are ashamed to Indian. As an Indian citizen, I am proud of the great progress made my all Indians in every field inspite of all the hardships and difficulties. I am alos a Mumbaite and just ask every Mumbaikar the hardship he gpes through everyday but still proudly say "Me Mumbaikar" and is proud to be an Indian.
Prabhu should not be accepted back in India by any proud Indian citizen again and I would aslo caution his employers and USA government to be cautious about such self centered and ungrateful person who becomes ashmed of his motherland in such simple hardships. Having lived in USA and earned a few dollers more, he seems to have forgotten the hardships faced by all Government officials in doing their duties, the lifes layed down by army personnel for defending this great nation and the good work being done by many politicians in making India a super power.
Dude, You should have used a 100$ bill. Don't you think that it would be a fair enough bounty for your forgetfulness. I am sorry for what your kids had to go through. Usually, there's a penalty for any important thing - such as Credit Card Payment, Car loan payment, Mortgage payment etc.- that you forget in the U.S, and you could have easily counted the 100$ bill as a penalty for your forgetfulness. When you get to a country where people people eat snake, eat the middle piece. If didn't have money, they would have even accepted Malboro Cigarettes, Hennesy Cognac, Cadbury chocolates. India is such an easy place, come on man, we come from there.
The officer needs to be commended for following the law. People who can forget the visas for their own kids cannot be trusted to do any other thing right too, so how could the officers believe that the documents will actually be faxed. The officers have to take a tough stand in these times of terrorism.
People get transit visas all the time. Bringing the racism into the mix can't take away the fact that proper documents were not presented. The kids could have been anyone who could have been kidnapped by the couple. There could be so many possibilities that offocers have to look at.
I would blame the parents here.They are irresponsible here.They might have thought US Passport is a green signal to go to anywhere in the world without valid visa.How can you dare to forget a visa while you are travelling abroad.I dont belive the story about the French nationalist.The general human tendency is to blame others when it doesnt work for him.I feel sorry for the kids,but iam afraid to say that you deserve this.
I have gone throught Mumbai immigration once and it went on well as long as your documents are correct.Ofcourse,i agree,the behaviour of officials is not proper in India,but in this case where the world is insecure everywhere,i should say that the officials have done their job well.Kudos to Indian officials as long as they have treated the children well in terms of behaviour while deporting them back.
Bottom Line is you forgot to get the VISA... Generally You don't forget to get the US visa NRI'S underestmate India India do have rules and regulations.
Most of the NRI's try to showoff like English people but acts like tipicle uneducated Indian's
Its good that you have posted it on the rediff.com others will learn
