The French VISA experience & Rajdhani hijack story

https://www.rediff.com/…/maoists-had-carefully…/20091027.htm

Luckily we were in the train which was behind Rajdhani on same route. We were travelling to French Embassy of Kolkatta for VISA interview from XLRI Jamshedpur, the plan was to reach Kolkatta a night before only.

Due to Rajdhani hijack, our six hour journey became an adventure trip. First, all trains cancelled, travelling by road was very risky due to Maoist threat & hijack drama. No flight connectivity available. Luckily, railways decided that our train will take alternate route to Kolkatta which will take 24 hrs than normal 6 Hrs route. With no options left, & no clarity on when Rajdhani hijack drama will be over & even still next train on route will be safe or not, we opted for longer route, hoping for safety & praying that we reach on time.

Luckily though everyone was worried on safety part, we were on track on that front. Yes, food was challenge on that route. The clock was ticking, we were supposed to reach embassy by 5 pm, with some influence over phone embassy had agreed to wait for us till 6 pm. Train entered Kolkatta city, we jumped out of train when it slowed down, caught a typical Ambassador taxi & reached Embassy exactly 6 pm after adventure trip of more than 24 Hrs.

& what happens after adventure trip, cloths, physical condition, we entered embassy exactly in same situation, pyjama & t-shirt, don’t ask hygiene conditions, less we speak better.

Someone has to be first for Visa interview, I was the first one. So no time to improve physical conditions. The first question asked was why you all were late, ice breaker. He knew the reason of Rajdhani story, & next question, what’s your view about the situation. I was happy that someone wants to understand India’s problem, so explained entire Maoist situation. Next question, do you think they are wrong !?, the answer was with much more detail, with conclusion that they are part of India & the benefits of democracy-growth have not reached them, education has not reached them, it’s our duty as nation to bring them in mainstream.

We came back to XLRI, everyone got VISA, but my Passport was blank. So,two possibilities, my attire & my views might have projected me as Maoist sympathiser, or scepticism about my gujju community credentials for immigration jugads 😁. Still, don’t know the answer, bottom line, no clear yes on Visa.

Great strength of XLRI, after two days, I was asked to visit Delhi French embassy, VVIP treatment, I was sitting next to Bhutan Royal family. I got VISA stamp on the spot without even meeting anyone.

Also experienced amazing hospitality & lovely home parathas at friend’s home in Delhi, on the way to Europe.