Since the traveller has been staying in US for 9yrs , must have forgotten as to how the country runs . They would have just shown the scent of 100 dollars , then things would have been different, their life would have been easy . May be next time , you travel please keep a 100$ note . As of the french man getting visa , it shows that the immigration officer has got no self respect and has the instincts of slavery . If one checks the credentials of the immigration guy , I can say with 200% guarantee ,that he landed in his position by giving a bribe and he would have got the job in reservation .
RE:immigration deports kids
by Someone on Dec 20, 2006 08:53 PM Permalink
Your comments are pathetic except that the immigration officer has gotton the job by bribing. The poor fellow suffered because of his own mistake first of all, however, he suffered more because of the attitude of the people like yourself who think of themselves as superior to those who are labeled as RESERVED castes.....PATHETIC. Indians will never change just because people like you live there. I am sure you are one of that bunch who strive on bribes. Incredible India!
RE:immigration deports kids
by gd on Dec 21, 2006 12:39 AM Permalink
What is somebody lost the papers in-flight? I have Indian passport. I wonder, what will happen to me if my passport is lost in transit?
many countries provide transit visa (or visa on arrival), does anybody know why India can not have some proper (and well known) policy on it?
RE:immigration deports kids
by g bhat on Dec 20, 2006 07:11 PM Permalink
it is sensible to check visa requirements well in advance before travelling to another country. not thinking about visas because one holds a U.S.green card suggests an inappropriate confidence in the green cards. but there are two other points: 1)same rules should apply to all people irrespective of their skin colour. 2)government officials need not be harsh and indifferent while doing their duty, especially when it involves interaction with people.
i travel abroad frequently and have often seen immigration officials behaving as if they are doing others a favour by doing their work. perhaps they would do better if they got training in interpersonal skills.
RE:immigration deports kids
by Indian on Dec 21, 2006 01:45 AM Permalink
Shame on Mumbai Immigration officials. Although it was wrong to travel without the VISA, it was very rude behaviour by immgration officers. Transit VISA should be available at the Mumbai airport under such cirmustances.
RE:immigration deports kids
by lal badshah on Dec 20, 2006 08:50 PM Permalink
Hmm yes $s would have worked. I guess the officer got the job thru reservation and wanted to teach a lesson to "upper cast" affluent family sttled in US.
RE:immigration deports kids
by Partha on Dec 21, 2006 01:37 AM Permalink
Well said. I am also 200% Agree. In hyd these guys begged $ when I was leaving the country too, telling ' Aap log bahar ja raha hay, kitna paisa kamayenge, humko vi thora dekhiye.
But its not all dark, once an immigration officer told me we are proud of you looking at how many different countries I worked in. But most of the time Immigration officers who suppose to be the face of the country doesn't carry any self respect, their discriminating behavior towards own people make us shame.....misuse of power with out responsibility...that I always say to myself...when I cross my countrys immigration and customs barrier every time
I was shocked to read the piece. We never value ourselves, we don't recognise ourselves. That's why we tend to loose our identity. If the the concerned Airport authorities adhere to the established rules and norms, then it's all right. But why should there be a discriminatory attitude towards our own people? How the authorities allowed a transit visa for a French kid citing the reason as "white-skin"? As an Indian, I ask the concerned Ministers and other officials to look into the matter very seriously forthwith, otherwise more Indians would be ashemed of to identify themselves as Indians like Mr. Vijay and Mrs. Vaishali.
RE:It Happens Only in India!
by dominic on Dec 21, 2006 12:36 PM Permalink
Hi! You cannot ever hide your identity as Indians; hence talking of being ashamed of being Indians or refusing to be identified as Indians would not wash. Once an Indian, always an Indian. Moreover, this Vijay guy in the very first instance has declared that he is ashamed of being Indian. Can his loyalty to India be so fragile that one incidence like this makes it amenable to total distruction? If that is the case, he would be better off in the USA with all the kith and kin for all that I care!!
It is very rude on the part of the officials and they should have atleast had some consideration on humanitarian grounds.People can forget things but they could have been given time to get the required papers.As regards being more considerate to foreigners is concerned ..if that was the case then strict action should be initiated against these people for the bias .
RE:Mumbai Immigration
by Kedar on Dec 21, 2006 04:20 AM Permalink
So what would you have the official do???? He basically has a few choices: 1. Enforce the law - which he did 2. Enforce the law and be nice to them - which he did not do...agreed he should have. 3. Grant them a visa - WHY? there is no provision in the Indian travel docs that states this...there should be, but there is no provision for visa-on arrival. 4. keep them in the airport until their documents arrive....i doubt there is a holding facility for that.
RE:Mumbai Immigration
by Krishna on Dec 20, 2006 10:01 PM Permalink
Immigration officials behavior is unjust, atleast on humanitarian grounds, they should have issued a transit visa to the kids.
I'd share my own experience with them, I was on a student visa and went to India after a 1 year stay in the US, and the immigration official in Mumbai asks me rudely "Why are you coming to India", is it not ridiculous to pose that question to an Indian citizen?
RE:Mumbai Immigration -- blame yourself!
by justaname on Dec 21, 2006 09:00 AM Permalink
Lets think of the reason why they were not given much time to respond. Why would an official do that unless they have a grudge against this family? Perhaps the sympathetic story does not tell us every thing. When a passenger lands at port of entry without proper papers, it becomes the airlines responsibility to carry the passenger back to where he came from. This is why airlines checks for proper visa papers for the destined country prior to passengers boarding the flight. Normally flights from US lands between 11:30 pm and 1:30 am in Mumbai and departs between 1:30 am and 3:30 am. The same airplane that arrived 2-4 hrs back would depart after technical inspection, cleaning, etc. If these families had to be deported back, how much time do you think the officials/airline would be able to provide?
This was an unfortunate thing to happen to anyone. But don't blame the officials for what has happened. It was your responsibility to travel with proper documents. You should have known that better being in US for 9 years. If you got to blame someone then blame yourself.
Dear Vijay, I feel sorry for you and your kids. When India is projecting itself as a tourist destination, it cannot afford such acts of gross irresponsibility and that too to it's own people. We need someone with a kind heart at the immigration department - someone with a smile on their faces. Please donot come to the conclusion of the entire country with the behavior of a few irresponsible people. People are just different !!
RE:Feel Sorry for you !!
by Nitin Mahajan on Dec 21, 2006 03:40 AM Permalink
ABSURD, FOOLISH, IDIOTIC
tell me a single occasion when a US official had allowed you to carry your son (or any ones son) without VISA. you should understand that these kids did not have Indian Visa/Passport.
Its the damm mantality that we indians carry that doesnt let nething improve. If some one doesnt work you blame them, if they do you blame them.
Let me reiterate, if the law has to be enforced, it has to be enforced with 'NO EXCEPTIONS'
RE:Feel Sorry for you !!
by Chargers on Dec 22, 2006 09:02 AM Permalink
Now thinking of this incident, I too feel the officials have done their job. If they had allowed the U.S citizens pass by then they would have set a bad precedent that you can forget Indian visa and still enter India with a Bribe.
Even though it sounds harsh because the Kids are involved here, on the long run it is good because it sends out a strong message saying don't take India for granted.
RE:Feel Sorry for you !!
by Pushp Shah on Dec 20, 2006 08:40 PM Permalink
Shame on you to support him, and encouraging more people to break the rules, disrespect India and then eventually end up giving bribes......and then compain that India is corrupt. You Indian, change yourself first before wrongly supporting the wrong person you irresponsible person.
I have heard similar situation from some other Indian with green card or US citizen were harassed because their minor children did not have visa and were visiting India for vacation. It seems India Immigration over zealously enforce law and enjoy seeing their counter part seeing traumatized at their tune and mercy.
RE:Shame to Indian Immigration Dept and System
by dallascowboy on Dec 21, 2006 08:16 AM Permalink
Shame on whom? Indian officials? I too felt the same while reading the story. But when you think about it cooly, then you should realize that the official are not to be blamed. They did the right thing. Had they took some bribe and let them in then these very same people would be laughing telling stories about the corrupt indian officials.
To justify my thoughts, let me reverse this case. Lets suppose they forgot their green cards back in India while returning to US. How do you think the US official would have behaved differently with the parents who are on a foreign passport, no vias, no green card, no travel documents? Do you think just because their children carry US passport, the US officials would have let the parents in? Why should they? Same way, why should the indian officials should have let them in? Who is to be blamed? Why is everyone blaming the officials? Appreciate the fact that they did their job just like any officials from a disciplined country would do?
RE:Shame
by jupiter on Dec 20, 2006 08:33 PM Permalink
Let me first tell couple of things.
In my last trip, I could not find my GC. I took it, but did not keep it in the usual place. Immigration Officer was very kind and told me not to panic..just recollect where you kept the card. So all officers are not the same type.
The fact that the couple were with two small children, they should have given some time to rest (either by keeping the GC or passports with the officers). It is bad that they rushed the couple to the next available plane. I have a small child and I know how difficult is to travel with a small child.
Also, the fact that they gave 2 day transit visa to a French Man shows that the officers are not doing the same things to a fellow Indian.
At last, what can you expect from a country who believe given pardon to a criminal who tried to bomb the parliament (ofcourse, the people in the parliament are not a big use to India anyway), but dont give half a day time to a fellow Indian who forgot his visa.
RE:Shame
by Piya on Dec 20, 2006 11:15 PM Permalink
Dear Dominic
Have you even read the article?? A french national was given a transit visa, he didnt even bother to apply for one before planning for the trip. The kids on the other hand had proper documents, they just forgot. And c'mon, if you have taken the 22 hour flight anytime, you must know its taxing for adults, let alone kids. Are you raving mad??
RE:Shame
by neeta on Dec 21, 2006 06:04 AM Permalink
You think US govt is sitting here to take this crap from you. Or you think they are going to welcome this Mr. Vijay because he screwed up in his own country. What restpect does he command if he cannot respect his own motherland??? I am surprised that people are sympathetic towards people who try and bend the rules. This is supposed to be Gen X of India and we just want them to turn up like the other currupt,uneducated and criminal politicians. I apploud the immigration officer, for doing what they did. This is not disney land man, u cant mess up with the govt. rules....
RE:Shame
by Julie on Dec 21, 2006 03:27 AM Permalink
Dominic you have no clue what you're talking. Someday this should happen to you then you'll realise how it feels. The only reason the kids were deported immediately because the parents didn't flash any $$$ bills. Hadn't they done that they must have got a transit visa atleast. Anyway this is how India is and the only lesson the parents can learn from this is even if you make a mistake of forgetting the visas for your children do not ever make the mistake of underestimating the Mumbai immigration officials.
RE:Shame
by global_indian on Dec 25, 2006 05:03 PM Permalink
While I sympathize with the couple for having undergone mental agony, the blame must be put squarely on them for the same. Simply put, in these days of GLOBAL TERRORISM, each and every travel now a days is very risky and so you cant blame the authorities for being strict/rude if you want to call it that - in following the rules. And for all those who have spoken abt humanity, mental stress for kids etc etc., let me ask you all one thing - how many of you complained or wrote to the British/American authorities when they suspended all sorts of baby foods, medicine etc after finding that some terrorists were planning to blast airplanes using some liquid!! common, there cannot be different rules for them and for Indian officers. Well, I am not at all supporting the corrupt officers here, all I'm saying is instead of appreciating what the officer did (HIS DUTY/LIVELIHOOD etc etc), we have become crazy just highlighting some nonsense issues!.. god bless!
RE:Shame
by FellowNRI on Dec 20, 2006 07:43 PM Permalink
NRI's are spoilt lot, that includes me. If they want to come to US they are ready to go through any number of problems, immigration, customs et al. But once you land in India you start cribbing. Shame on you. If the same behavior is shown by US immigration official, you will take it laying down, but if same treatment is met by Indian immigration official, you cry foul. Shame on you two timers.
RE:Shame
by Rama on Dec 20, 2006 07:22 PM Permalink
Before I write what I feel, let me tell you I am an NRI too. I support whatever happened at the Mumbai Airport. The officers did the right thing from official point of view and they cannot be blamed for anything they did. When these same NRI's can follow each and every single rule and law outside the country, why cant they do the same when it comes to India. Just because they think they can get away with it. They think they can use their status to threaten the officials or if needed bribe them and get things done. You live in the foreign land which neither belongs to you, nor is it doing any favor to you and you still respect its laws and regulations just because they will kick your butt and make you pay for your mistakes. The same thing doesn't happen in India and so we think we can get away with anything. If our own citizens does not respect our country who else will?
In his statement, Vijay mentioned he is feeling ashamed to be an Indian. He did a mistake himself and instead of apologizing what he did, and learning from it, is it right to blame the country??? Shame on you!! I say that India is ashamed of people who can give such a statements. Our country deserves better peo
RE:Shame
by Ganesh on Dec 21, 2006 02:11 AM Permalink
I agree it was shameful. The customs and immigration officials are underpaid and live in cities which have a high cost of living.So they are forced to take bribes to do favors.They have forgotten that they are there to serve people.In a place where there is a huge numbers of people flocking this happens frequently. This family should have contacted US Embassy in Mumbai - who are powerful than anyone.
RE:Shame
by Prashanth on Dec 21, 2006 12:41 AM Permalink
I totally disagree with Mr.Shyam's letter. We belong to a country, where in Guest is a very important person. I agree that the parents have to be more careful in the first place, but we are all human. They should have been given moretime...or fined. They are still Indians...and need to be treated as such. Politeness is lacking in the Indian officials. I dont think they are trained to be polite, yet be firm. They behave very meanly as and when they get a chance.
RE:Shame
by Amit Jain on Dec 20, 2006 10:03 PM Permalink
Yes, please apply for US citizenship and try to go to the interview without proper documentation. May be then you will realize that it is completely your mistake. Just accept responsibility so that in future you will not repeat the mistake. And if you are ashamed of being an Indian, please become a US citizen and don't ever come back ... we do not want people who are not proud of themselves any ways.
JAI HIND ... Kudos to the officials too ...
and yes, the title is wrong - NRI Kids? It should say ... non-Indians denied entry into India (not deported) ... please do not go for sleazy headlines ...
RE:Shame
by Satish on Dec 20, 2006 11:31 PM Permalink
I don't understand how can someone forget to apply for a visa for entering a country. Will he do the same thing for entering some other country? He had taken India for granted and intentionally didn't apply for the visa. He should have thought about all the consequences before leaving for India. To me it appears as though he is trying to cover up his carelessness by writing such an appealing e-mail.
As for the French man I suspect he might have brought all the documentation required for a visa and hence the officials granted him a two-day transit visa.
No where in the world I've seen a so-called "humane" immigration officers. Worldwide immigration authorities are ruthless in curbing the illegal immigrants. I used to wonder that Indian immigration officials are very lenient but it proved me to be wrong.
I welcome this strong stand by the Indian immigration authorities and continue to tighten the grips on such careless people.
RE:Shame
by Munish Raizada on Dec 21, 2006 05:37 AM Permalink
Dilip: "I only hope that this will convince the gentleman to apply for and obtain US citizenship A.s.a.p." Your this view does help because a US citizen also has to have a visa to enter India.
It is difficult to analyse the whole situation without listening to the Immigration authorities version. But why a person without a valid visa should be allowed to enter India? The way Mr Prabhu has made racial comments and accused of total callousness of immigration authorities, i am not convinced. yes, reasonable judgement is required, but we indians typically applaud the right things when western people do it,but the same thing is done by Indians in india, we interpret it with our own convenience.
RE:Shame
by Ram (Philly) on Dec 20, 2006 07:00 PM Permalink
Give us a break... if we push them towards obtaining a US citizenship.. it would be good.. atleast they will be better disciplined to carry the right documents when travelling to an "alien" country.. Let us not forget & I am sure they will remember.. when they travelled out of India for the first time..the caution they had with their documentations etc..Let us not bring a racial tangent to sheer forgetfulness of these individuals...I do not even know how such a story has manifested itself to this level.. Rediff.. pl choose the topics more diligently.. this is a case of "POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK (Brown in this case)"
RE:Shame
by Pradeep on Dec 20, 2006 11:50 PM Permalink
I agree with with Mr.Domnic. The parent's should have taken proper care with the travell documents for their kids. Why didn't they forgot their own green cards, bcoz they know that they wont be allowed to re-enter US on their return.
Officials could have understood if it was a case of the documents been lost on the way, but then you have all the documents and forgot to carry doesnt justify. Such casual approach on the parents side left the kids to see such a day.
RE:Shame
by I Parihar on Dec 20, 2006 09:52 PM Permalink
Outrageous !!! This can happen only in India. Whenever I travel to India I bump into officials who I feel are extremely rude and possibly envious of us, that we live abroad and make good money. This is their way of punishing us for being an NRI. We were ruled by white skins for 150 yrs and that attitude of sucking up to Gori chamdi still is very rampant. I would have possibly tried to offer some bribe, that was sure to do the trick. After all thats what these parasites working at the airports want. Free money.
RE:Shame
by UP on Dec 21, 2006 03:24 AM Permalink
Since the kids are US citizens, the parents should have called the US embassy for help. They would have treated them better and provided some temperory relief. Something to thing about next time...
RE:Shame
by Nadeem on Dec 20, 2006 10:18 PM Permalink
You cannot be serious! You think they did a good job ? Are you drunk ? Why couldn't they wait until they received the FAX ? Since kids were involvded here, they could have been more humane.
RE:Shame
by Abhishek on Dec 20, 2006 07:55 PM Permalink
I think the Mumbai Immigration has done a good job. They followed the rules, and there is nothing wrong in it. Its not the children's fault either, but as parents, Vijay and Vaishali should take the blame. They would have been meted a similar treatment if something similar had happened in US, and then their attitude would have been different.
My cousin recently lost his passport while at the airport and had the copies of his visa and passport but was not allowed to travel by US authorities, and unfortunately he could not attend my wedding. If the US authorities were correct in this and not 'inhuman', I would say the same for Indian authorities..
I stand by the Mumbai Immigration's stand.. Good job..
You think India is a garden that you simply walk-in casually with your "made in USA" children, without bothering about any immigration rules at all ?
You actually indirectly showed disrespect for India and her laws and on top of that you are now shamelessly complaining.
You need to go back to school and learn your basics. You have experience of working for 9 years in USA, a country of strict discipline but it seems to have no effect on the development of your brain.
You complain about a Frenchman who got entry into India, on transit visa. I would say was a guest, and so can be pardoned. No question of fair skin you dumb & foolish man.
You are supposed to be a responsible citizen of India, if you actually love & respect your motherland. People like you start corruption. That is how it starts, when you take India for granted, and laugh when you have managed to break rules in India.
You have surely learnt a lesson of your life, to behave properly, wrt India.
I congratulate the officers who diligently did their duty and the correct appropriate decision in these 2 cases !!
Pushp Shah, Mumbai Working in OH, USA IT Professional Jaihind !!!
