I remember experience of my son a few years back(2000) in Bombay. We leave in Tanzania and his passport was first issued and renewed in Dar Es Salaam. He had used the same passport for travelling to India for at least 5 times. As he was coming back the official told him he cany LEAVE the country as he doesnt have something called EC in the passport. Embassy officials told us that EC is needed for passports issued in india and on first departure from india. My son was asked to go to some office in bombay (at 02.30AM) and get the stamp. I would not go in details of how my son managed to board the flight but he did. At that time law did not matter. My son always says if u have money and u r ready to spend u do anything at bombay airport. Indian officials(especially those who want to promote tourism)shold learn from East Africa. Come and spend few days with them and learn. But if u r an Indian flying Air India u r not maharaja but just a peon of maharaja. Same for airport officials. One Indian told me way back in 1979 that customs and imm officials at indian airports seem to be jealous of indians living overseas. I hope but not expect the situation to improve. My sympathy to victims
