Everything has become global today. Everything within reach. Everything possible. But crossing a country’s border is still not easy. And if the border happens to be between India and Pakistan, it should be best left untrodden. But then, there was one border that I wanted to cross.
“You don’t have ties strong enough,” I was told, “Your visa can’t be processed this time.” My dream to visit the US was shattered.
“Sorry, why? I do not understand. I just want to visit my brother. I have my job back here in India and most important, I have my parents to take care of,” I tried to explain, but the interviewer was unmoved. He handed out a tiny booklet and asked me to try again.
I was not sad because about Rs 6,000 was wasted in the process or even because I would not be able to visit my brother, but because the US thinks ‘I do not have ties strong enough’ with the country I am born in. An internet search threw up thousands of cases where the authorities found the candidates unfit even for a vacation in the US.
If the US keeps on denying visas at this rate, it would disappoint applicants, but in the process it will cause more damage to itself. More than ever before, people around the world are now considering visiting foreign locales. With such stringent rules, the US is missing out on a vast revenue source, and has also gone down significantly in terms of attracting tourists. Southeast Asian countries have already got the message, and have made the best of the situation by offering various tourism options.
Whatever the parameters on which they check a person’s eligibility to visit their country, they must be revamped. Categorising each candidate broadly doesn’t and cannot help anymore with the world changing at such a tremendous pace. Those who have crooked intentions will always find a way to dodge these checks.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Loyalty swings
I do not follow cricket, but I like it when India wins international matches. I love to see the trophy, despite the fact that I will never be able to lay my hands on it. This time, however, I have a feeling that our cricketers won’t be able to perform in the T20 World Cup to be held in West Indies.
The news that swashbuckling batsman Virender Sehwag has been ruled out of the World Cup forced me to feel that way. Yes, it is a big blow to India’s chances at the tournament. Just to garner some quick bucks, cricketers, including foreign ones, are burning themselves out, unmindful of the fact that the World Cup is just a few months away.
Sehwag has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury and has been advised rest for 3-4 weeks. It has been announced that Murali Vijay of Chennai Super Kings will be Sehwag’s replacement, who represents Delhi Daredevils. In the absence of Sehwag, Delhi Daredevils skipper Gautam Gambhir will take over as vice-captain.
A few other key players in the Indian line-up too are nursing IPL-induced injuries. Doesn’t this make you feel that India’s prospect in the coming World Cup will take a hit? It makes one ask: Country comes first or money is more important? Well, it’s time the country’s cricket managers did a serious rethink.
This IPL, too, is actually an alien concept for me. I’m always confused why people are crazy after the series – more so because I never seem to settle taking side of any particular team. I feel confused because I am a Delhiite—so should I cheer for Delhi Daredevils? I am a Bengali—I should be a good girl and cheer for Kolkata Knight Riders. The dilemma doesn’t end here. I work for Financial Chronicle—so I should cheer for the Deccan Chargers. But then they say everything is fair in love and war… I guess considering the fact that I have a crush on MS Dhoni—I must cheer for Chennai Superkings!
The news that swashbuckling batsman Virender Sehwag has been ruled out of the World Cup forced me to feel that way. Yes, it is a big blow to India’s chances at the tournament. Just to garner some quick bucks, cricketers, including foreign ones, are burning themselves out, unmindful of the fact that the World Cup is just a few months away.
Sehwag has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury and has been advised rest for 3-4 weeks. It has been announced that Murali Vijay of Chennai Super Kings will be Sehwag’s replacement, who represents Delhi Daredevils. In the absence of Sehwag, Delhi Daredevils skipper Gautam Gambhir will take over as vice-captain.
A few other key players in the Indian line-up too are nursing IPL-induced injuries. Doesn’t this make you feel that India’s prospect in the coming World Cup will take a hit? It makes one ask: Country comes first or money is more important? Well, it’s time the country’s cricket managers did a serious rethink.
This IPL, too, is actually an alien concept for me. I’m always confused why people are crazy after the series – more so because I never seem to settle taking side of any particular team. I feel confused because I am a Delhiite—so should I cheer for Delhi Daredevils? I am a Bengali—I should be a good girl and cheer for Kolkata Knight Riders. The dilemma doesn’t end here. I work for Financial Chronicle—so I should cheer for the Deccan Chargers. But then they say everything is fair in love and war… I guess considering the fact that I have a crush on MS Dhoni—I must cheer for Chennai Superkings!
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Sex and the city
The experience of transformation into motherhood is a privilege. But the male brigade, which includes the male-run firms, have tried everything possible to turn the affair into one that women now fear to tread. I say fear not because of the sweet pain of labour, but because of the bitter pain of getting discriminated against and/or losing one's hard-earned position in offices.
Can it be mere coincidence that over 5,600 female employees of Novartis have filed suites against the firm charging it of discrimination in pay and promotions – especially towards pregnant women? A clutch of other big firms mired in such controversies include Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Citigroup and Wal-Mart. There definitely are millions of other cases – filed in courts or not – in other countries as well. In Goldman Sachs’ last round of annual promotions, only 19 per cent of the 272 newly named MDs were women. The Wal-Mart suit, on behalf of about two million employees, is America’s largest sex discrimination case yet. This grossly implicates how bad the situation is for women.
In India, the situation is no better. There is always so much brouhaha when a woman takes charge of a big firm. But how many are there actually – women in leadership positions.
Negligible, minuscule. Why? Most women across the world have experienced what is popularly known as the 'glass ceiling' phenomenon, believed to be an unofficial, invisible barrier that prevents women from advancing in businesses. Why don't men realise that women are – and can be – as capable as men? Men don’t seem to understand that although a woman may be weaker in muscular strength, their mental wavelengths have no barriers. Raising a child in one's womb is definitely an arduous task. The men – in home and offices – can make it a lot easier. Only companies that recognise and act on the fact that the world does come in two sexes can be called truly competitive and modern. But only if they try.
Can it be mere coincidence that over 5,600 female employees of Novartis have filed suites against the firm charging it of discrimination in pay and promotions – especially towards pregnant women? A clutch of other big firms mired in such controversies include Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Citigroup and Wal-Mart. There definitely are millions of other cases – filed in courts or not – in other countries as well. In Goldman Sachs’ last round of annual promotions, only 19 per cent of the 272 newly named MDs were women. The Wal-Mart suit, on behalf of about two million employees, is America’s largest sex discrimination case yet. This grossly implicates how bad the situation is for women.
In India, the situation is no better. There is always so much brouhaha when a woman takes charge of a big firm. But how many are there actually – women in leadership positions.
Negligible, minuscule. Why? Most women across the world have experienced what is popularly known as the 'glass ceiling' phenomenon, believed to be an unofficial, invisible barrier that prevents women from advancing in businesses. Why don't men realise that women are – and can be – as capable as men? Men don’t seem to understand that although a woman may be weaker in muscular strength, their mental wavelengths have no barriers. Raising a child in one's womb is definitely an arduous task. The men – in home and offices – can make it a lot easier. Only companies that recognise and act on the fact that the world does come in two sexes can be called truly competitive and modern. But only if they try.
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