BharatPremi
09-24 06:35 PM
How is assigning Visa number different from issuing Physical green card (they may be two step but once you get a visa number assigned you get physical green card in few days)
Can you prove that the concept is false, this is plain interpretation of visa bulletin notes and the law.
You also know what I am stating. You already have heard the word"Pre-adjudication" which means "To assign number" based on monthly bulletin based EB table dates and then put a file on shelf to eat dust till USCIS can "approve 485" /"Send Physical greencard" based on Prority date becomes active based on "country specific limit"
If assigning number is almost equivalent to granting visa in a few days then there should not be hundreds of applicants waiting in "pre-adjudication" queue. We all know that many people have been pre-adjudicated and now they are just waiting for their physical GCs.
Can you prove that the concept is false, this is plain interpretation of visa bulletin notes and the law.
You also know what I am stating. You already have heard the word"Pre-adjudication" which means "To assign number" based on monthly bulletin based EB table dates and then put a file on shelf to eat dust till USCIS can "approve 485" /"Send Physical greencard" based on Prority date becomes active based on "country specific limit"
If assigning number is almost equivalent to granting visa in a few days then there should not be hundreds of applicants waiting in "pre-adjudication" queue. We all know that many people have been pre-adjudicated and now they are just waiting for their physical GCs.
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jayleno
07-21 03:11 PM
To a_yaja,
Thanks for your detailed story my friend. This thread is turing into a support group for Amway/Quickstar victims.
How is your experience with your childhood Amway friend. Still friends or just keeping in touch because he has the acess to the Amway database? :P
[QUOTE=a_yaja;1971286]I have come across quite a few of the Amway/ Quickstart folks. Like most of the people have described here, they usually approach me in Walmart, Meijer, etc. My first experience was in the temple. This dude and his wife went "oh wow! you know so many languages." After talking to the dude, he said that he knew some of my childhood friends and he remembered my face and that we could have possibly played cricket together in our childhood days (this itself should have raised red flags - but I was naive then and didn't think twice). Long story short, we exchanged phone #s and next day he called me and asked me to meet him at his home. He was running an "ecomm business" and was looking for partners. I asked him if he was talking about Amway and he innocently asked me "What is Amway?" I agreed to meet him but something bothered me. I called up another childhood friend who was in Amway and asked him about this dude. Sure enough he was an Amway-ite and already a "Diamond". I was mad and did not go to his house. He called me a couple of times but I never picked up the phone.
QUOTE]
Thanks for your detailed story my friend. This thread is turing into a support group for Amway/Quickstar victims.
How is your experience with your childhood Amway friend. Still friends or just keeping in touch because he has the acess to the Amway database? :P
[QUOTE=a_yaja;1971286]I have come across quite a few of the Amway/ Quickstart folks. Like most of the people have described here, they usually approach me in Walmart, Meijer, etc. My first experience was in the temple. This dude and his wife went "oh wow! you know so many languages." After talking to the dude, he said that he knew some of my childhood friends and he remembered my face and that we could have possibly played cricket together in our childhood days (this itself should have raised red flags - but I was naive then and didn't think twice). Long story short, we exchanged phone #s and next day he called me and asked me to meet him at his home. He was running an "ecomm business" and was looking for partners. I asked him if he was talking about Amway and he innocently asked me "What is Amway?" I agreed to meet him but something bothered me. I called up another childhood friend who was in Amway and asked him about this dude. Sure enough he was an Amway-ite and already a "Diamond". I was mad and did not go to his house. He called me a couple of times but I never picked up the phone.
QUOTE]
dilipcr
06-12 03:24 AM
dilipcr ....... I am perplexed by your responses. To be honest you are flip flopping in your statements. Now if you lose job, please do not come to India seeking a job as PIO. or dual citizen. Should India be also closing doors on her children who showed her backside?
Unseenguy,
I am fairly confident, touch wood, that I would not be dependent on India for a handout. I have paid my debts to the Indian society by investing in India. I did not graduate out of an IIT but I did graduate out of the 2nd best engineering college (atleast then) in Rajasthan, India. I am sure you guys would have guessed it by now. Just for the record, I had to pay full expensive tuition and my education was not subsidized. By my responsible style of life, I believe that I have become a self made man and so would hopefully be of material help but not a public burden to India. be rest assured !!!
Unseenguy,
I am fairly confident, touch wood, that I would not be dependent on India for a handout. I have paid my debts to the Indian society by investing in India. I did not graduate out of an IIT but I did graduate out of the 2nd best engineering college (atleast then) in Rajasthan, India. I am sure you guys would have guessed it by now. Just for the record, I had to pay full expensive tuition and my education was not subsidized. By my responsible style of life, I believe that I have become a self made man and so would hopefully be of material help but not a public burden to India. be rest assured !!!
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humdesi
11-16 09:29 PM
DOL cannot do anything about labor sub. USCIS must stop using old PD. FOr this, we need to appeal to USCIS. Do you know who to address the letter?
We should all contact the ombudsman. Write to him TODAY.
Explain that labor substitution and PD porting is evil because it lets people unfairly get ahead in line. Otherwise EB2 will also soon retrogress to EB3 level.
Here's the link:
http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/editorial_0501.shtm
Write today!
We should all contact the ombudsman. Write to him TODAY.
Explain that labor substitution and PD porting is evil because it lets people unfairly get ahead in line. Otherwise EB2 will also soon retrogress to EB3 level.
Here's the link:
http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/editorial_0501.shtm
Write today!
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sachug22
09-15 02:17 PM
Here are my Estimate of pending EB2 India case for give years
<=2004 2000
2005 10000
2006 13000
2007(july) 5000
==============
Total 30000
==============
This number is very close to Ron Gocthers number prediction a few months back (minus sept approvals).
Collaboration on visa quota data/analysis - Page 6 - Immigration Information Discussion Forum (http://www.immigration-information.com/forums/general-immigration-questions/8419-collaboration-on-visa-quota-data-analysis-6.html)
Pending as of 15 July 2009 145000
EB2 50000
EB3 94000
EB2India (2.4/3.5 EB2) 35714
We can use the LCA number and come close these numbers as well
2005
EB2 India LCA for 2005 = RIR (3000) + PERM (60% of 7290) ~ 7400
Assuming 20% abandon applicant we get = 5900
1.2 dependent per applicant give ~ 13000 I-485 applicantions
Assuming 10% approved in 2008 and 10% rejected/abandon I-485 and 5% cross-charageability we get => pending 10000 pending I-485 application for 2005
2006
India PERM applications = 18000
EB2 India PERM applications (60%) = 10800
Assuming 20% abandon applicant we get = 8640
1.2 dependent per applicant give ~ 19000 I-485 applicantions
Assuming 10% approved in 2008 and 10% rejected/abandon I-485 and 10% cross-charageability we get => pending 13000 pending I-485 application for 2006
So if we see spillover of more than 30K the date will move beyond July 2007.
<=2004 2000
2005 10000
2006 13000
2007(july) 5000
==============
Total 30000
==============
This number is very close to Ron Gocthers number prediction a few months back (minus sept approvals).
Collaboration on visa quota data/analysis - Page 6 - Immigration Information Discussion Forum (http://www.immigration-information.com/forums/general-immigration-questions/8419-collaboration-on-visa-quota-data-analysis-6.html)
Pending as of 15 July 2009 145000
EB2 50000
EB3 94000
EB2India (2.4/3.5 EB2) 35714
We can use the LCA number and come close these numbers as well
2005
EB2 India LCA for 2005 = RIR (3000) + PERM (60% of 7290) ~ 7400
Assuming 20% abandon applicant we get = 5900
1.2 dependent per applicant give ~ 13000 I-485 applicantions
Assuming 10% approved in 2008 and 10% rejected/abandon I-485 and 5% cross-charageability we get => pending 10000 pending I-485 application for 2005
2006
India PERM applications = 18000
EB2 India PERM applications (60%) = 10800
Assuming 20% abandon applicant we get = 8640
1.2 dependent per applicant give ~ 19000 I-485 applicantions
Assuming 10% approved in 2008 and 10% rejected/abandon I-485 and 10% cross-charageability we get => pending 13000 pending I-485 application for 2006
So if we see spillover of more than 30K the date will move beyond July 2007.
Munna Bhai
01-26 08:34 AM
Hello,
My I-140 is approved and I have a PD of Feb 2006.
One of my colleague whose job description is little different then mine has a PD of Sep 2003 and his Labour got approved but he left the company.
So is there anyway his approved labor is useful to me. What are the ifs,buts etc.
----------------
I changed your thread title. when you start a new thread make your thread title descriptive for all members to easily sift through threads, else your thread will be closed or deleted. Thanks for understanding- Admin
Thanks Pappu. Is this called Labour substitution? I don't know that term.Any input regarding this is greatly appreciated.
My I-140 is approved and I have a PD of Feb 2006.
One of my colleague whose job description is little different then mine has a PD of Sep 2003 and his Labour got approved but he left the company.
So is there anyway his approved labor is useful to me. What are the ifs,buts etc.
----------------
I changed your thread title. when you start a new thread make your thread title descriptive for all members to easily sift through threads, else your thread will be closed or deleted. Thanks for understanding- Admin
Thanks Pappu. Is this called Labour substitution? I don't know that term.Any input regarding this is greatly appreciated.
more...
msp1976
02-18 12:37 PM
I differ with you again, my friend.
The main reason(s) behind less mobilization is this. Pappu described this on a different thread.
1) Ignorance about the true nature of the problem
People like you and I don't know that without a change in the laws, they won't get their greencards for another 10-20 years.
2) Lack of faith and understanding of the system
People like you and I, once they know that they are getting screwed, think that the situation is hopeless. They don't understand that the merits of our case (you alluded to them in your previous posts, the demographic shift due to the baby boomers retiring requires skilled labor in this country), is sufficient to warrant a sympathetic ear to us in the congress. We CAN freaking get out of the mess we are in.
We have to accept these two problems. And then we have to address them. How do we do that? Thats the big question.
I respect your opinion ...but I refuse to believe that people are ignorant...
The main reason(s) behind less mobilization is this. Pappu described this on a different thread.
1) Ignorance about the true nature of the problem
People like you and I don't know that without a change in the laws, they won't get their greencards for another 10-20 years.
2) Lack of faith and understanding of the system
People like you and I, once they know that they are getting screwed, think that the situation is hopeless. They don't understand that the merits of our case (you alluded to them in your previous posts, the demographic shift due to the baby boomers retiring requires skilled labor in this country), is sufficient to warrant a sympathetic ear to us in the congress. We CAN freaking get out of the mess we are in.
We have to accept these two problems. And then we have to address them. How do we do that? Thats the big question.
I respect your opinion ...but I refuse to believe that people are ignorant...
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conchshell
07-26 06:31 PM
One important point that we seem to be missing is that there are about 50,000 Indian STUDENTS (like yours truly) who come to the US each year. Most of them are grad students and invariably all of them apply for EB based GC......think about it : 50,000 students each year and even if you assume half apply for GC - that makes it 100,000 PRIMARY GC applicantions from India alone over a four year period - staggering number........
However, these students are not completely exempted from the H1B quota for each year. Whatever, if PERM filing in year 2008 has witnessed 46% drop since 2007 ... it tells us a lot.
However, these students are not completely exempted from the H1B quota for each year. Whatever, if PERM filing in year 2008 has witnessed 46% drop since 2007 ... it tells us a lot.
more...
lazycis
02-14 09:23 AM
http://www.immigration.com/litigation/I-485_litigation.html
Read
this
http://www.immigration.com/litigation/I-485/Plaintiff%27s%20Supplemental%20Memorandum.pdf
this
http://www.immigration.com/litigation/I-485/Defendant%27s%20Supp.%20Memorandum.pdf
and this
http://www.immigration.com/litigation/I-485/order_class_denied.pdf
Read
this
http://www.immigration.com/litigation/I-485/Plaintiff%27s%20Supplemental%20Memorandum.pdf
this
http://www.immigration.com/litigation/I-485/Defendant%27s%20Supp.%20Memorandum.pdf
and this
http://www.immigration.com/litigation/I-485/order_class_denied.pdf
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engineer
07-08 12:33 AM
1) I am EB3 ROW and my PD is Nov 22, 2005. My I140 is approved and my 485 is filed with Receipt Date of Aug 3, 2007. I have approved AP, EAD and finger printing is complete as well.
Do you know how many EB3 ROW applications are ahead of me ?
I am trying to understand how long it will take me to get Green Card ?
2) What is the process to ask for information related to my case using Freedom of Information Act ?
Thanks,
Do you know how many EB3 ROW applications are ahead of me ?
I am trying to understand how long it will take me to get Green Card ?
2) What is the process to ask for information related to my case using Freedom of Information Act ?
Thanks,
more...
tikka
07-04 12:13 AM
http://digg.com/politics/U_S_Withdraws_Offer_of_60_000_Job_Based_Visas_Ange ring_Immigration_Lawyer/who
has 72 DIGGS in less than an hour.. if we get this to a 100 this story will stay on TOP!!!!
HURRYYYYYYY
has 72 DIGGS in less than an hour.. if we get this to a 100 this story will stay on TOP!!!!
HURRYYYYYYY
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snathan
01-22 05:40 PM
Wow, you have a great suggestion for him, I am sure he took your suggestion and did the right thing, do you have a similar suggestion regarding immigration to Obama ?, if so you better let him know what you think, you seem very open minded about giving suggestions.
Please read all his post first and you will understand the reason for this comment.
Please read all his post first and you will understand the reason for this comment.
more...
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life99f
06-28 12:42 PM
Good idea. But I am going to TSC.
This is what I'm doing. I'm flying to Nebraska service center friday night. Will put my shelter in front on PO box and will remain there until Monday morning. Once the USCIS guy comes up to pick up the mails, I'm just going to hand deliver my paper before he even opens his mail box.
Want to join me ;)
This is what I'm doing. I'm flying to Nebraska service center friday night. Will put my shelter in front on PO box and will remain there until Monday morning. Once the USCIS guy comes up to pick up the mails, I'm just going to hand deliver my paper before he even opens his mail box.
Want to join me ;)
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raveen
08-02 06:02 PM
Hello sir, I am on H1B, a new company is hiring me and they have little knowledge about h1b issues, my h1b transfer is not filed yet, they are 100% sure that they r gonna hire me, but I haven't decided whther to work with them or not, the other day I went to their office to fillout the application for background check but they made me fill out all the forms that a candidate has to fill during the hiring process, they went ahead and filled my I-9 and w-4 forms too. I was thinking that it's all a process of pre-hiring,but after coming home I did a little research and found out that I-9 has to be filled after they transfer my h1b, do you think is it gonna be a problem?I e-mailed them not to put me in the system, did I violate any law by getting hired by them before even my visa transfer process is started?ofcourse I didn't start my work and I am not going to start until my visa tranfer is done. The employment is at will and I didn't sign any contract with them, do you think they will create any problems for me in future(if they want to)?b'cos I haven't decided to work wth them yet and I may tell them that I am not gonna join them. Please advice me I am really tensed.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
more...
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kondur_007
06-03 06:37 PM
this article says and I quote:
"Mr. Oppenheim stated that immigrant visa applications at U.S. consulates abroad are down seven percent from FY2008. India will use all the visa numbers that are available to its nationals this fiscal year. This is due, in part, to huge increases in the usage of EB4 and EB5 categories. Applicants from India have used twice the number of visas estimated for FY2009"
now the only category indians could have used up more numbers is EB1, as that is the only category which is current. and this means that india's normal share about 9600 per year, so an extra 9600 EB1 were issued to india, which sounds improbable. this also contradicts what is said in the next paragraph about EB1 usage.
"Mr. Oppenheim expects that all EB1 visa numbers will be used before the end of FY2009. This may result in the establishment of a cutoff date for the EB1 categories for India and China, beginning in August or September 2009. Usage in the EB1 worldwide category (listed as "all chargeability areas except those listed") is also higher than expected. This may lead to imposition of a cutoff date toward the end of FY2009"
it can not have gone to EB2 because as Mr. Oppenheimer puts it
"The EB2 category worldwide is also expected to be over-subscribed and will exhaust all allocated visa numbers before the end of FY2009. To date, Mr. Oppenheim estimates that 3,200 EB2 India visa numbers have been used in FY2009. The high usage in the EB1 category has prevented the usual trickle of visas to the EB2 category"
so i dont know what he is trying to say when india has used twice the limit in 2009..i would really appreciate any input.
ALso can somebody please explain this sentence as well
"He stated that, due to the dramatic increase in employment-based filings visa cutoff dates for FY2010 will be much more limited to ensure that there will be a steady supply of visa numbers available throughout the year"
However a later report from USCIS says there is a drastic reductionin I 140 apps,
also just today AILA released that DOL is processing JULY 2008 PERM cases, so where is this demand by increased filings that Mr. Oppenheimer talking about coming from.
I am totally confused. senior members please analyze
All these statements are difficult to analyze...I tried to add things up but could not.
The only way to get the actual idea of what is happening is to look at July, Aug and Sept visa bulletin as well as usage statistics for 2009.
As far as most of us are concerned, the fiscal year is over and there is no hope till next fiscal year. The analysis of above mentioned visa bulletins and usage statistics may help to understand what to expect over the next fiscal year and thereafter...
Is all these because of "increase efficiency" of USCIS and FBI that they processed all the old cases (better scenario) or is the result of something else (like tons of EB1C filing) in which case it will be 10+ yrs of delay for most of us:(
So just wait...
"Mr. Oppenheim stated that immigrant visa applications at U.S. consulates abroad are down seven percent from FY2008. India will use all the visa numbers that are available to its nationals this fiscal year. This is due, in part, to huge increases in the usage of EB4 and EB5 categories. Applicants from India have used twice the number of visas estimated for FY2009"
now the only category indians could have used up more numbers is EB1, as that is the only category which is current. and this means that india's normal share about 9600 per year, so an extra 9600 EB1 were issued to india, which sounds improbable. this also contradicts what is said in the next paragraph about EB1 usage.
"Mr. Oppenheim expects that all EB1 visa numbers will be used before the end of FY2009. This may result in the establishment of a cutoff date for the EB1 categories for India and China, beginning in August or September 2009. Usage in the EB1 worldwide category (listed as "all chargeability areas except those listed") is also higher than expected. This may lead to imposition of a cutoff date toward the end of FY2009"
it can not have gone to EB2 because as Mr. Oppenheimer puts it
"The EB2 category worldwide is also expected to be over-subscribed and will exhaust all allocated visa numbers before the end of FY2009. To date, Mr. Oppenheim estimates that 3,200 EB2 India visa numbers have been used in FY2009. The high usage in the EB1 category has prevented the usual trickle of visas to the EB2 category"
so i dont know what he is trying to say when india has used twice the limit in 2009..i would really appreciate any input.
ALso can somebody please explain this sentence as well
"He stated that, due to the dramatic increase in employment-based filings visa cutoff dates for FY2010 will be much more limited to ensure that there will be a steady supply of visa numbers available throughout the year"
However a later report from USCIS says there is a drastic reductionin I 140 apps,
also just today AILA released that DOL is processing JULY 2008 PERM cases, so where is this demand by increased filings that Mr. Oppenheimer talking about coming from.
I am totally confused. senior members please analyze
All these statements are difficult to analyze...I tried to add things up but could not.
The only way to get the actual idea of what is happening is to look at July, Aug and Sept visa bulletin as well as usage statistics for 2009.
As far as most of us are concerned, the fiscal year is over and there is no hope till next fiscal year. The analysis of above mentioned visa bulletins and usage statistics may help to understand what to expect over the next fiscal year and thereafter...
Is all these because of "increase efficiency" of USCIS and FBI that they processed all the old cases (better scenario) or is the result of something else (like tons of EB1C filing) in which case it will be 10+ yrs of delay for most of us:(
So just wait...
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lordoftherings
07-12 11:39 AM
It seems after reading all this that canada maynot be for all aspirants. You need to know somebody already there and should have strong family ties before you land. Or better get a job offer from a company first or acceptance offer from an university if you want to enter as a student.
Just my thoughts.....
lotr
Just my thoughts.....
lotr
more...
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praveenuppaluri
09-03 11:27 AM
I am not a congress supporter and I am definitely not a YSR fan. He was a very powerful man in AP and look at the way he died.. horrible death. it sure is very sad that 5 people died that way. may their souls rest in peace.
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unseenguy
08-16 06:04 PM
Even if he is detained for sixty hours how its matter for GOI. Are they coming to rescue if you or me detained for 2 hrs...why only for SRK..?
Timing is not in question, the poster's intent or conclusion is biased is all I am saying. I am just saying its profiling and we should make noise as it is unacceptable,
Timing is not in question, the poster's intent or conclusion is biased is all I am saying. I am just saying its profiling and we should make noise as it is unacceptable,
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snathan
08-16 01:09 AM
Don�€™t make a big deal of Shah Rukh�€™s detention:One For The Road:Anand Soondas's blog-The Times Of India (http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/onefortheroad/entry/don-t-make-a-big)
One For The RoadDon’t make a big deal of Shah Rukh’s detention
After a long time actor Salman Khan has come up with a real gem. On hearing about Shah Rukh Khan being questioned by US security at Newark, New Jersey, he said it’s good that the country has such a tight set-up. And that ``there has been no attack after 9/11 because of this.’’
Salman has a point. SRK might be an icon to Indians and many in the subcontinent, even to the desi diaspora spread across the globe, but to America he’s just a visitor. We may be convinced he cannot be involved in anything that’s remotely violent, but the guard given the responsibility of stopping something like 9/11 from happening in his country again will want to take no chances. And what is the possibility that he’s a die hard fan of the Khan and Bollywood? Very slim.
Interestingly, the same day that SRK was detained in Newark, there came news that the great Bob Dylan, who was wandering around Long Branch, near New York City, sometime back, was asked for an ID by two cops too young to know who he really was. When he couldn’t furnish one, he was taken right back to the resort where he was putting up and staff there vouched for him. And America is Dylan’s own country.
Was there a furore? Not that I know of. Not even a little blowin' in the wind.
SRK says he’s ``upset and angry’’ because it was his Muslim name that caused all this. Thousands of Muslims are made to go through extra security checks everyday in America and a host of Western countries. Is he equally upset at that? He's probably just pissed that it happened to him, India's mega star. We all know how a lot of Muslims have been subjected to prejudice around the world because many countries see terrorism as an Islamic phenomenon. Yes, it is uncalled for, unjust and maybe wrong. But America is a country that takes the killings of its people with the seriousness it deserves, unlike India whose record on this is shameful, to say the least.
Also, because most of the perpetrators of 9/11 were Muslims, America thinks it has to be doubly careful where they are concerned. Had the terrorists been Jews, perhaps it would have looked at Jews with similar suspicion. I was much more aggrieved at President Kalam being frisked. But that’s a dated debate.
There are two layers to the SRK incident and we must peel them off with care. One, it is quite ridiculous that Indians feel their icons and superstars are everybody’s icons and superstars. What the heck? If Jet Li came to India tomorrow, the man on the street here would probably call him ‘`Chinky’’ and not give a second look. For that matter, what if G�rard Depardieu came travelling. How many would know him? Matt Damon was here recently and there wasn’t a traffic jam in Delhi. These guys are huge back home.
Moreover, America doesn’t have a culture of fawning the way India has. Mike Tyson was treated like a common rapist and spent most part of his youth in the slammer. Winona Ryder was sentenced to a three-year probation for shoplifting. Chinese born Hollywood actress Bai Ling was fined US 200 dollars for petty theft.
More importantly, we are actually aggrieved because we are ``not like them’’. Well, guess what. It isn’t a virtue. We should be like them and take the security of our country and its people with solemn, no-nonsense professionalism. Frisk Brad Pitt when he lands in India next. Give Tom Cruise the same dose. Don’t spare Bill Clinton either. Isn’t he an ex-prez just like Kalam? Who’s stopping you and what’s stopping you? Colonial hangover? Or is it plain lethargy and callousness. Looks like both.
We are just whimpering over here like hurt puppies because we feel, ``Oh, but we don’t do it to them’’. Oh no, we don’t. And it’s a scandal. We should. I’ve seen white men – and women – get away in India with murder. Indian women can’t get into some discos wearing a sari. And bouncers will frown at you if you are dressed in a kurta. Have you seen what some of these firangs have on them? No one bats a eyelid.
So instead of making SRK’s detention an issue, we should think of upgrading our own security set-up.
There’s a lesson in this. And it is a positive one. A day after our own 26/11, there was hardly any security at CST in Mumbai. It can’t get worse than that. The bottom line: Stop fawning, shed the colonial hangover and make no compromise where the country’s safety is concerned. Can we do that or is it too much to ask from a country that’s been free for 62 years but was ruled by white sahibs for 200?
One For The RoadDon’t make a big deal of Shah Rukh’s detention
After a long time actor Salman Khan has come up with a real gem. On hearing about Shah Rukh Khan being questioned by US security at Newark, New Jersey, he said it’s good that the country has such a tight set-up. And that ``there has been no attack after 9/11 because of this.’’
Salman has a point. SRK might be an icon to Indians and many in the subcontinent, even to the desi diaspora spread across the globe, but to America he’s just a visitor. We may be convinced he cannot be involved in anything that’s remotely violent, but the guard given the responsibility of stopping something like 9/11 from happening in his country again will want to take no chances. And what is the possibility that he’s a die hard fan of the Khan and Bollywood? Very slim.
Interestingly, the same day that SRK was detained in Newark, there came news that the great Bob Dylan, who was wandering around Long Branch, near New York City, sometime back, was asked for an ID by two cops too young to know who he really was. When he couldn’t furnish one, he was taken right back to the resort where he was putting up and staff there vouched for him. And America is Dylan’s own country.
Was there a furore? Not that I know of. Not even a little blowin' in the wind.
SRK says he’s ``upset and angry’’ because it was his Muslim name that caused all this. Thousands of Muslims are made to go through extra security checks everyday in America and a host of Western countries. Is he equally upset at that? He's probably just pissed that it happened to him, India's mega star. We all know how a lot of Muslims have been subjected to prejudice around the world because many countries see terrorism as an Islamic phenomenon. Yes, it is uncalled for, unjust and maybe wrong. But America is a country that takes the killings of its people with the seriousness it deserves, unlike India whose record on this is shameful, to say the least.
Also, because most of the perpetrators of 9/11 were Muslims, America thinks it has to be doubly careful where they are concerned. Had the terrorists been Jews, perhaps it would have looked at Jews with similar suspicion. I was much more aggrieved at President Kalam being frisked. But that’s a dated debate.
There are two layers to the SRK incident and we must peel them off with care. One, it is quite ridiculous that Indians feel their icons and superstars are everybody’s icons and superstars. What the heck? If Jet Li came to India tomorrow, the man on the street here would probably call him ‘`Chinky’’ and not give a second look. For that matter, what if G�rard Depardieu came travelling. How many would know him? Matt Damon was here recently and there wasn’t a traffic jam in Delhi. These guys are huge back home.
Moreover, America doesn’t have a culture of fawning the way India has. Mike Tyson was treated like a common rapist and spent most part of his youth in the slammer. Winona Ryder was sentenced to a three-year probation for shoplifting. Chinese born Hollywood actress Bai Ling was fined US 200 dollars for petty theft.
More importantly, we are actually aggrieved because we are ``not like them’’. Well, guess what. It isn’t a virtue. We should be like them and take the security of our country and its people with solemn, no-nonsense professionalism. Frisk Brad Pitt when he lands in India next. Give Tom Cruise the same dose. Don’t spare Bill Clinton either. Isn’t he an ex-prez just like Kalam? Who’s stopping you and what’s stopping you? Colonial hangover? Or is it plain lethargy and callousness. Looks like both.
We are just whimpering over here like hurt puppies because we feel, ``Oh, but we don’t do it to them’’. Oh no, we don’t. And it’s a scandal. We should. I’ve seen white men – and women – get away in India with murder. Indian women can’t get into some discos wearing a sari. And bouncers will frown at you if you are dressed in a kurta. Have you seen what some of these firangs have on them? No one bats a eyelid.
So instead of making SRK’s detention an issue, we should think of upgrading our own security set-up.
There’s a lesson in this. And it is a positive one. A day after our own 26/11, there was hardly any security at CST in Mumbai. It can’t get worse than that. The bottom line: Stop fawning, shed the colonial hangover and make no compromise where the country’s safety is concerned. Can we do that or is it too much to ask from a country that’s been free for 62 years but was ruled by white sahibs for 200?
weasley
01-17 09:49 AM
Agree wth you.
Nearly all laws/regulations originate from such garbage.
Hira/Matloff's US born donkeys scavange these blogs 24/7. The garbage is then processed by Hira/Matloff.
It is very unfortunate that USICS/lawmakers (other than Dustbin, Grassley, Sanders) pander to these scumbags. Such laws/regulations will not provide any relief to these donkeys.
Nearly all laws/regulations originate from such garbage.
Hira/Matloff's US born donkeys scavange these blogs 24/7. The garbage is then processed by Hira/Matloff.
It is very unfortunate that USICS/lawmakers (other than Dustbin, Grassley, Sanders) pander to these scumbags. Such laws/regulations will not provide any relief to these donkeys.
nixstor
07-03 04:14 PM
Wrote to Jennifer Ludden at NPR who regularly reports on immigration
email addresses are first name initial followed by lastname at npr dot org, if you would like to write
email addresses are first name initial followed by lastname at npr dot org, if you would like to write
