Gods of Travel 

I have been thinking of putting up this on paper since a long time. Well, I have been travelling to almost 30 countries hassle free and never thought who actually was the one to be thanked for. Will it be my travel agent, my secretary or the company I'd be visiting. Little did I know that my thoughts would change. I was to travel for SIAL Fair in Paris this October. I had been to Paris almost 3 times before and I've been travelling to Europe almost every year since 2005. Therefore, I did not anticipate any trouble this time too. As usual I applied late for a visa and was told by the company sponsoring that the available date was just about 3 days before travel and now the rules had again changed. God knows how many times these rules change, I see them every time I apply. Well I had to undergo bio metric (Although Last year I went to Germany, nothing of this was applicable). Anyways, I knew French were very meticulous and I requested the local Indian office of the French Fair Organiser to prepone by appointment which thankfully she did. Finally I got an appointment to be present at 10:15 AM on Oct 15. 

I was on time and saw a long queue of respected and the upper clan people waiting outside. I was amazed at the no. of the people who travel to Paris. I was also amazed that some of them were really the High class as I could see Gucci / Jimmy Choo and all brands you could expect standing there. Yes, Standing waiting for their turn. As soon as you come out of the lift, you stand and wait till you are called. i thought may be inside the things would be faster and I expected to be in and out in about an hour. We had to deposit the mobile phones and all other standard security stuff. However, I was called at about 11:30 and was the last one to get in. Thankfully, I told now it should be not more than 15 min. I had all papers, air tickets, travel documents, hotel confirmations, insurance etc. standard visa stuff submitted earlier. Once I went in, I was amazed at the Packed to Capacity waiting hall and there were about 30-40 people waiting. There were 4 windows and about 2 operating at any given time. Well, I thought here goes my morning and no more appointments. Each candidate was interviewed and there was no privacy. I could hear very well everyone defining their reason to go to Paris, etc. etc. There were many people sitting nearby and I wanted to make a little chit chat to kill time as the Chamber of Commerce book for reading was hardly a read coz it was more about India. Why would Indians like to read about India? I befriended a couple of people visiting Paris. Some were frequent and some were first timers. We started cracking jokes. 

As time went on from 11-30 to 1 PM, People were getting frustrated sitting at the wooden chairs without any cushion with their buttocks paining including mine and we all were getting impatient. We cracked jokes and I laughed a bit more aloud than others which startled the consular seated in the glass window who signalled his annoyance. I said Sorry and understood that Jokes etc. are now allowed and I should keep to myself and Prayed that I should not go to this window at least. At luck would have had it, My turn was the last one and to the window of the consular who was already annoyed. His first question was there weren't enough blank pages in the passport, I requested him that I'd get a new one soon. He asked me usual questions and I answered them. Then he looked at the financial stuff and he was unable to grasp why were their DEBIT balances in the bank account statement. I explained that mine is a corporate company enjoying good amount of credit limits and my account has to be in Debit and I had also supplied a few FDR copies, insurance and mutual fund investments. There it goes, he said My finances were not appropriate for travel and he needs more fund proof. I was startled. I said I have been travelling since last 7 years and I have travelled 30 countries, I had valid visas and I have been regularly travelling. He was not convinced and asked me to submit proof later. 

After a few days, I did submit more proof but the consular had it. He was in annoyance for joking in the hall and refused visa to me although I myself wrote to him I'd like to withdraw. So, visa refused entire planning goes Haywire and I was like a fool dumbstruck why did I joke???? 

Now I'd say that the Gods of Travel are these consular's. Whatever their knowledge is, your impression, no jokes , no laughing and our own fellow Indians who can screw your plans in a minute and no amount of appeals etc. are heard once your visa is rejected and stamped at the back. I felt so much disgusted and frustrated. 

My recommendations to the French consulate:

a) Have some light hearted consular's who understand genuine travellers and before denying a visa, thinking atleast twice. 

b) They must have a knowledge that its common for business owners in India and other countries to have a credit line with banks and to have their account balances in Dr. 

c) To have basic knowledge of investments, FDR's and how people invest in India and understanding their net worth statement and purpose of travel. 

d) Please have privacy arrangement for Visa Interviews and also cushioned chairs with some tea / coffee paid service for people waiting. Atleast it can be a pleasant one. 

Well although France never did miss me nor the business happening at the FAIR, after all what I lost was a couple of thousand bucks and a rejection stamp on the passport. After all the Gods of travel was not pleased. Hail the Lord!!