I am sorry to hear that Indian immigration officials are so inhumane. The same is the story at Indian high commisioner office at London. The indian officials are so rude and do not learn from mistakes. They are very high handed. When most embassies have an appointment system for visa etc Indian high commision lacks one and many tourists have to wait for long hours say from 6am in the morning.
I am sure a simple appointment system can do the trick. The same officials will like to be treated very politely at other embassies.
So time has come where officials need to be trained in public relations and how to be polite etc.
wrt to above case, I feel more time should have been given. Definitely there is racist component as the other frenchman got transit visa.So Our officials do not support our own men More over when brown skinned people have problems abroad, their government/Indian embassy both do not help in any way. So we get the stick from both ends.
I hope this message can get to indian high commision through some channel in Rediff services.
While returning from Yangon I discovered that I had overstayed my visa by 6 days. I was asked to step into the office of the Asstt Commissioner Immigration. I did so but was greeted by a warm and friendly smile. He explained the situation but added that I need not worry. He pulled out a form that I filled and signed, a request for waiver. He signed the form stamped it and asked " I am sure you have not been troubled. We are all human and commit mistakes. Rules are for guidance, rest is common sense"
The attitude of the Mumbai Immigration Official responsible is deplorable and needs to be denounced. Unless the system of accountability is put into place we will continue to breed irresponsible and arrogant brats that shall continue to bring shame to the department and the nation.
I am surorised that you did not try the alternative way.Bribe! These fellows sell their mothers on street for a penny less then why bother about the law? The immigration fellows are the worst animals that I have come across in all the Indian international ports. The custom officials are the next mentally deranged species.
Serves you right!Could you have travelled without your passport. The official did his duty. Good to see India changing and you could not use your crazy American accent or might of dollar to crease his palms. I feel sorry for the Kids that they have such buffoon of parents and are trying to make scapegoat out of an person who did his duty. Hello there could you have tried your luck with Immigration in Boston or passport control in Heathrow. I am an NRI too and I would not dream of being such a langur of a Dad and shift by responsibility on a poor man doing his duty. Hope your son with VISA sees this column.
SAD is the only word I can think of these folks ordeal. PATHETIC and DESPICABLE are the only words that can describe the behavior of immigration officials in India. I think there is a prevalent pattern of behavior among several officials related to Indian immigration system both in India and abroad. On one hand there we see these Indian officials have the British era attitude of licking boots of everyone who is remotely white skinned and on the other hand both latent and potent hatred for Indians who live abroad because of the perceived success and good life that they enjoy. We see the manifestation of such attitudes in the discourse about dual citizenship, protection of Indian rights in Malaysia or the middle-east, or this innate urge to please the westerners even at the expense of fellow Indians. Why dont we start with some positive behavior intervention techniques to change these attitudes? Let the central government create a fund for these NRI hating immigration zealots that NRIs can contribute to. Every time they stamp the passport of NRI visiting India, if they remember to say Welcome, Home they will get Rs. 500/- for customer service!
The actions of the Immigration officials was highly digusting. Even if they have acted as per the rules why did they have double standards wherein the frenchman was issued a transit visa. I sincerely hope that this incident is investigated and corrective measures implemented. Only in india would u find that the citizens have no value whereas foreigners get better treatment. and i would blame our politians for this sorry state of affairs.
they always do that......they discriminate their own indians with others........I am studying in the UK and everytime I go to india I am never hearrased by British officials but as soon as I reach India.....those people start harrasing me and asking silly questions like why are you coming to country and why u studying?I mean its none of their business. I really feel sorry for the passangers and feed sad that there is nothing I can do to solve the problem.