Travel agencies are slowly becoming a
thing of the past, as are the long queues of visa applicants at the
consulates/embassies. In this `e' age, we do e-booking, get e-tickets
and acquire e-visas. It all seems so easy and efficient. So, when our
older son, coming to visit us for Christmas from the U.S., had to
fill a short form as part of the process to apply for an e-visa,
interestingly, one of the questions was about the applicant's
religion. Many religions were listed, and just in case any one of
them was overlooked, the thoughtful formulator of the questionnaire
had also included `others' as an option. So, our son, who like many
adults of the modern era, does not identify with any religion, and
with neither atheism nor agnosticism listed as available alternatives, was
naturally inclined to click against `others'. But,
surprise of all surprises, the e-visa would not go through until and
unless he chose his preferred religion. Apparently, `others', even
though included as an option, was not a real option.
A country, which gave birth to four
different religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism mainly,
and tolerated all, should not accept Atheism, or some form of
personal, individualised worship as an option sounds like a strange
dichotomy. One of the foremost reasons which brings a horde of
foreign tourists to India, is a search...a search for something
deeper and truer which the capitalistic material pursuits of the west
do not always offer. So, naturally for a lot of these disillusioned
people, the very idea of religion seems irrelevant, and
understandably so. Yet, when they are coerced to relate to one of the
listed religions in order to complete the e-visa form for India, it
could become an exasperating exercise.
Interestingly, another question was
even more inquisitive, groping into your ancestral past, wanting you
to reveal if any of your parents or grandparents had ever lived in
the present day Pakistan. One has to wonder what kind of profiling is
this, and what kind of conclusions are arrived at if the answer is in
positive. What difference would it make in the status of the
incumbent if his/her grandparents had once called Pakistan their
home. Would it make the person less eligible? Would it require
extensive background check to clear the papers since the applicant
might suddenly don on the garb of a terrorist suspect? Under what
category would such an information be stored, and how would it be
useful? These are all very interesting questions whose answers I
cannot even begin to surmise. For, after all, how can I, a common
citizen with an average mind, can grasp the dynamics involved in the
matters of national security? Yet, I can’t help but be reminded of
dear Nazma, a Bangladeshi national, holidaying in the southern part
of the country. “ I have visited U.S, thrice, been to
England...But, believe me, getting a visa to come to India was one of
the hardest things I ever had to do. I love it here, as I love
Bollywood movies, and Hindi songs. However, I wish it wasn’t so
difficult to come here. I lost count of the several visits I made to
the Indian consulate in Dhaka. Every time they would send me back
with more questions, with more paperwork to fill, with more proof of
identity to attach...”
In the slot under reasons for the
visit, one of the options was, `A short course in Yoga'. That too is
a baffling option, and one can't help but wonder why it should
deserve a separate listing. It is like having `A visit to the
famous wineries' as a category in the e-visa for France, or `A visit
to Winsor Palace' , for
England. I guess we don't have to look too far back for the answers.
Since our honourable Prime Minister had launched the concept of
International Yoga Day, to debut his career, every tick marked
against that option, would translate into adding another feather to
his cap. And, by the end of five years, the Tourism Ministry would be
proud to announce that because of the visionary leadership of the PM,
the number of foreign tourists flocking the country to attend Yoga
courses have increased dramatically, giving a boost to country's
foreign currency reserves. Yes, as they say, every penny counts.
Superb article!! Very well written!!
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