Mukul-da, Thanks for the kind comments. You are right that when the time comes one has to treat even the donkey better than your father (Gadhe ko bhi baap banaanaa parta hai) --so with anything where you are stuck.
However, I do not quite follow the advice you gave: ***Do never be analytical- just follow the crowd to PROGRESS ! Is that what you are doing in promoting ULFA's demand of Assam's secession from India--just because your brother ( C-da) and other friends (like Jugal-da ) are doing so? Umesh --- mc mahant <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: --------------------------------- Umesh You ARE a genius -in descriptive art .You should be assisting Shashi Tharoor with speech matter. This authentic diary piece needs brushing up and needs publishing worldwide-as Bhubon Ka encouraged you once to do-as a one-act drama of HOPE and aspiration -"Never say die"-including glorious attempts to make the V.O. feel good through telling signs of loyalty to UncleSam--the Star -spangled Necktie and the cup of Americano Coffee............ You are sooooo good! Do never be analytical- just follow the crowd to PROGRESS ! MM --------------------------------- From: umesh sharma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: mc mahant <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> CC: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Assam] Details: H-1B visa 20th floor interview; the preceding nightmares Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2006 09:16:17 +0100 (BST) >Mukul-da, > >Thanks for the support. Your IIT-KGP community members >must be proud of your efforts in bringing peace to >Assam. > >Regards. > >Umesh > > >--- mc mahant <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >--------------------------------- > ><sea -gulls. Peace is a must> > >And peace be onto you! > >Umesh all luck -all theway! > >mm > > > > > >--------------------------------- > >From: umesh sharma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: Mridul Bhuyan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, >[email protected] >Subject: Re: [Assam] Details: H-1B visa 20th floor >interview;the preceding nightmares >Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2006 03:50:50 +0100 (BST) > >Mridul-da, > > > >Thanks for the support to you and all AssamNet >members > >- and best wishes for all your endevors. > > > > > >today I got the passpport with the visa stamped in > >it. Quite a relief. Went to the beach later near my > >host's residence and ate & fed cheese-biscuits to the > >sea -gulls. Peace is a must. > > > >Now I will enquire from the immigration officials at > >the Vancouver Intl Airport as to what is the earliest > >date I cann enter USA -given that I have a visa >issued > >yesterday but permission to work only from Oct 2nd. > > > >Lets see. > > > > > > > >Umesh > > > >--- Mridul Bhuyan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > Nice account Umesh. Best Wishes. > > > > > > Mridul > > > > > > umesh sharma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Hi, > > > > > > Here is the bit about my visa interview. Being one > > > of > > > a kind case - I do not know anybody being here for > > > H-1B visa for teaching (thru a visa contractor -in > > > my > > > case www.sonlightinternational.com ) . So I was > > > inwardly shaking when I went in. No lets start >from > > > the beginning --from the preparation --from the >hey > > > days of my sea beach visits --right to visit to >the > > > visa officer. > > > > > > Here goes... When I had started from Washington DC > > > to > > > Vancouver, Canada - I already had brought with me > > > almost all the required documents. So it was only > > > this > > > Monday that I decided to wake up from this nature > > > resort holiday at www.ubc.ca and check out the >place > > > where I was supposed to go for the visa interview. > > > For > > > added effect I went to the international airport >at > > > Vancouver once again -where I had landed from DC. > > > The > > > aim was to make a direct connection between my > > > coming > > > here from DC and my going to the visa interview. >It > > > made me focused and serious about the whole thing. > > > This lovely place had me taking it quite lightly > > > since > > > I had come here. > > > > > > So the next day (Tuesday) i spent filling out and > > > printing the forms DS-156, DS 157, DS -158 (I had > > > already got my passport size photos done on > > > Sunday--just 2 photos for $8 (Rs 400!!) at the UBC > > > library. The tricky part was the column regarding > > > country of residence -- had to mention two people > > > who > > > could vouch for me. Shall I say Canada (I know >only > > > my > > > hots here) or India (then I could not recollect >any > > > phone numbers). After a Google search -which >showed > > > where you spent your last 12 or more months -as > > > resident country - mentioned my landlord and my > > > Harvard sponsor schooltime firnd Dr kamal >Kejriwal's > > > names and phone etc. > > > > > > Yesterday (Wednesday) I painstakingly went over >all > > > the documents I might need -made photocopies of >them > > > all. God is in details -as the say. And more I >went > > > over the stuff the more I realized that I had left > > > something . But I was successful in my aim in > > > packing > > > all the documents needed (incl US visa forms, > > > passport, $100 fee in cash in USD and original > > > marksheets etc, payslips etc, employment letters, > > > tax > > > forms, etc etc) by 10 pm in plastic bags. We could > > > not > > > take backpacks, cellphones, water or any >electronic > > > devices--as told in the website --however on > > > reaching > > > there I was told to tear open all my sealed > > > marksheets/transcripts also--big mess -now have to > > > get > > > new ones from India. > > > > > > Then I ironed my only full sleeved white checked > > > (Raymonds Rs 300) shirt I had brought and the >black > > > pants . I was told by my host and her mother that > > > the > > > all American tie (with stars and stripes -I bought > > > it > > > in DC -3 for $10) was too inappropriate and > > > recommended I wear a grey patterned one. Last >night > > > while returning from the UBC library suddenly it >had > > > started raining so weather had cooled down (I had >my > > > folding umbrella gifted by Harvard Dorm crew -my > > > colleagues when we used to clean classrooms > > > together) > > > so I decided to wear an inner warm vest under the > > > shirt -and a wind cheater on top. > > > > > > I used my cellphone to tell the time but it was > > > banned > > > from US consulate so my host's husband had offered > > > his > > > watch (my HMT with Hindi day dial has run out > > > battery > > > anyway) but I decided against taking it --since >even > > > in James Bond movies -he blows up buildings with >his > > > watch --the consulate security mighthave similar > > > ideas > > > regarding watching and might asked me to throw my > > > host's watch out before getting in. > > > > > > I could not sleep nearly all night (my cellphone >was > > > set for 3 alarms -at 6:30 am, 6:45 am and 7:00 am) > > > so > > > did not need more than one alarm and kept waking >up > > > all night. (Even had a nightmare where a calf in > > > someplace near Jaipur is biting my arm -and >stopping > > > me from racing on to some school in some village > > > near > > > there. the previous night I had a dream that >somehow > > > I > > > am Jaipur School and talking to a student's parent > > > -of > > > 2005 batch--and suddenly I look at my watch and >lo! > > > it > > > is already 8:40 am -and then I remember I have to > > > rush > > > for the visa interview -the US consulate building >at > > > vancouver appears [in a deamy way] to be located >in > > > downtown Jaipur -in my mind. So I rush outside >-how > > > willI reach there?? Oh!! then I see my red , >chrome > > > and black bullet enfield parked under the tree in > > > front of my house. Does it still work after my two > > > year stay in US? So confusing ---all mixed up - > > > across > > > time and space. That was the end of taht >terrifying > > > dream of last night (Wednesday Sep 13th). > > > > > > So got up at first alarm and rushed thru the >morning > > > drill -again checked my passport and the visa >forms > > > -and at 7:45 am ran out the door. No rain, I had > > > checked the weather report on Yahoo - said might > > > rain > > > so took umbrella and cold weather 9-15 degree > > > celcius > > > -like winter in most India. Thebus which I changed > > > after a 20 minute ride was in rush hour for going > > > downtown (main city) so elbow to elbow I stood in > > > thebus and reached the last station -Burhard >Station > > > -which was where I was to get down. It was exactly > > > 8:30 am in the clock at the bus stand. Still one >and > > > a > > > half hours to go. > > > > > > There were tall sky scrapers all around (though >not > > > too tall compared to NYC --ony upto 30 floors)but > > > quite styilishly done. I generally feel like a > > > tourist > > > -and not at home -in such concrete jungles. > > > > > > Having been to the US consulate during my scouting > > > mission on Monday - I knew where it was --so got > > > inside a building before it -and at "Seattle's >Best > > > Coffee" bought "Americano" coffee for getting the > > > American spirit. Small things get you connected >:-) > > > After the coffee I got some rumbling in my stomach > > > -which I was anticipating (always happens > > > ininterviews > > > to me -so I nevver eat before interviews or > > > sometimes > > > even the night before)--and seeing me holding the > > > coffee cup the security guard told me how to get >the > > > coffee shop people to get me inside the > > > toliet/washroomm/restroom. After relaxing a bit (I > > > mean a lot) walked straight to the US consulate > > > office > > > -just one building away. > > > > > > There was a long line there. The old, > > > AfricanAmerican > > > security guard I had inquired from -the other > > > day-was > > > also there. Being polite and genial with security > > > gurads is very useful -always ;-) > > > There was a line with 8:30 am written on the post >in > > > front of it. They were close to the door. The line > > > nearer was the 9:00 am line. Despite warnings in > > > website and even at the office -still some poeple > > > had > > > brought cellphones, backpacks, purses (ladies) > > > --needless to say most of the people were Indian >-in > > > the lines. I guessed most were from nearby >-Seattle > > > -where Microsoft is head-quartered -withBill Gates > > > -the famous Harvard drop-out ruling from there >--or > > > from California -a little down the pacific coast. > > > Perhaps I was the only one -maybe in months or >years > > > -who had travelled all the way from Washington DC > > > (4,000 miles away -to Vancouver's US consulate >-the > > > last outpost of Western civilization [if we >discount > > > Alaska above it]). (I am glad i did - fun city and > > > great hosts.) That became more clear when I was > > > questioned by the visa officers later. > > > > > > Among those standing were a few Indian families > > > -witha > > > child barely able to walk -swaying around etc. A >few > > > girls also seemed to be bravingit alone. Most >seemed > > > like who had studied and/or worked in US -seeing > > > from > > > their level of confidence and ease. > > > > > > When our 10am line was stationed at the door -the > > > old > > > security guard came up tp me and said :' Are you >for > > > H-1B visa?" --I said Yes. Then he pointed out to >the > > > guys in front of me and behind me -- they carried > > > just > > > a folder with a few documents. My swollen plastic > > > bags > > > were sagging (one's plastic handle had nearly come > > > off > > > -due to heavy weight-I had an extra one >-thankfully) > > > with documents and now my umbrella and the > > > wind-cheater also. > > > > > > It created problems when I went thru the security > > > checks -but I had already opened all the sealed > > > envelopes -thankfully they didn't mess up with the > > > order of the documents as I had arranged them. I >had > > > noone to guide me -so i took ALL the documents I > > > thought they could ask me for. I felt more >confident > > > becos of that --so there!! > > > > > > Inside the door was the first security check >point. > > > I > > > had to remove everything except my clothes (ie my > > > belt > > > , iron bangle -Kada of Sikhs etc, wallet, coins > > > etc). > > > After going one floor one - they had a sign which > > > read > > > that I had to deposit my visa forms DS-156, DS157 > > > (my > > > DS 158 was useless - it was for only student visas > > > -but I took just in case ;-) ) my I-797 form -from > > > US > > > immigration inside US, employment letter, and US $ > > > 100 > > > cash. The cashier gave me a slip with B59 written >on > > > > > > it. > > > > > > I took a seat with others. The digital piece >called > > > numbers B48 to B52. A quote from Rosa Parks seemed > > > familiar in the background. I took up a Feb 2004 > > > issue > > > of National geographic Magazine lying there - >about > > > Polar bears. I learnt that Eskimos are around > > > me-only > > > found in Alaska, Canada and across the sea in > > > Siberia. > > > The seals (which polar bears eat) I had already >seen > > > near my current residence at www.ubc.ca > > > They called numbers B53 to B58. Then again a click >I > > > looked up -they called numbers B60 onwards. Where > > > was > > > my B59!! Still I wnet along and told the security > > > guard . She said that sometimes the machine skips >a > > > few numbers -its alright!!! She got us on the > > > elevator/lift to the 20th floor!!! (I have never > > > done > > > any serious work so high up). > > > > > > Again the security check -the Chinese looking >guards > > > seemed as thorough as Bruce Lee -they really >emptied > > > all my bags and even checked many envelopes to see > > > if > > > they were sealed or not (Anthrax scare??) They > > > weren't > > > --thoroughness is the key in preparation!!! > > > So they sent me in. In a narrow corridor sat the > > > applicants in plastic chairs. in front were cabins > > > (4 > > > feet by 5 feet) with ticket windows . I was aksed >to > > > report at "room 1" (cabin 1). When my turn came I > > > had > > > to place my index fingers (near the thumb) for > > > finger > > > printing. > > > > > > Then back to musical chairs - and suddenly got a > > > seat > > > just below "room 3" and that was the main >interview. > > > He already had my forms etc (incl my work and >study > > > details) > > > VO (Visa Officer): So this is your first H-1B >visa? > > > US (myself) : Yes > > > > > > VO: So did you also study in US? > > > US: Yes > > > > > > VO: Where? > > > US: Harvard Univ, School of Education > > > > > > He opens my student visa page in the passport and > > > confirms my Univ > > > > > > VO: What did you study there? > > > US: I did my masters in education --actually he >also > > > says that together -oh you must have done masters > > > > > > VO: When did you graduate? > > > US: Last summer.......June 2005 > > > > > > VO: So what have you been doing since? > > > US: I was on my OPT (Optional Practical Training) > > > for > > > last one year and working in various schools. > > > > > > VO: So you were working in Boston (thats where > > > Harvard > > > is) > > > US: No I was in Washington DC (my form said I >worked > > > in Virginia and Maryland -in DC Metro area) > > > > > > VO: So who is this SonLight International -your >new > > > employer and visa sponsor? > > > US: They supply teachers to schools (I had >recalled > > > this answer only while sitting waiting for my turn >a > > > few minutes before) > > > > > > VO: So your earlier jobs did they get over after a > > > fixed time? > > > US: They got over when the academic session got > > > over. > > > One got over in April 2006, the other in June 2006 > > > -they were part time jobs. > > > > > > VO: so have started work with the new employer >-can > > > you show me the pay stubs > > > US: I would start working thru them from Oct 2nd. >I > > > can show you the pay stubs from my previous > > > employers. > > > > > > VO: OK > > > > > > I dig into my big bags and thankfully am able to > > > find > > > the paystubs still bunched up togther --the >security > > > guards could not mess up this too much. > > > He looks at them. I notice my employer ( > > > www.belldc.org ) 's colroful commendation > > > certificate > > > and when he returns my paystubs after leafing thru > > > them a bit -- I offer him my certificate. 'From my > > > previous employer sir -for my good work!" > > > > > > VO: Good! > > > He is scribbling something on my visa form. > > > > > > VO: so where will you be working now? > > > US: At Washinton DC . Potomac > > > > > > VO: Do you mean Washington state? > > > US: I mean Washington DC - Potomac in Maryland > > > actually > > > > > > He was testing whether I knew where my work-place > > > was > > > and had I been there. > > > > > > VO: So what are you doing here (he probably meant > > > Vancouver and not Toronto which is much much >closer > > > to > > > DC) > > > US: Oh my OPT period was expiring so I had to come > > > out > > > (to Canada). > > > > > > VO: He smiled -so you got the ealriest date in > > > vancouver ? > > > US: Yes > > > > > > He scribbled something on a form -cirlcled IND H > > > some code and 50 > > > in four separate columns (India, H visa, code for > > > visa > > > issuance and 50$ fee) and aksed me to pay up at >the > > > cashier's place. I said I don;t have $50 cash - >the > > > website didn't say anything about it >www.amcits.com > > > He said don't worry they accept credit cards > > > (initially I was reluctant to bring them -security > > > might ask them to be thrown -as electronic >devices) > > > and bring the receipt to "room 1" > > > > > > US: Thank you so much. have a nice day!! > > > He seemed genuinely surprised -perhaps people were > > > too > > > formal here. > > > > > > Same greeting to the cashier. > > > At room one the VO gave me a red slip to bring > > > tomorrow (Friday ) at 3pm . The slip read that it > > > only > > > guarentees return of the passport but not visa > > > issuance (if they find something hanky-panky in my > > > info etc). > > > > > > So thats that. It is 1:43 am now and it is Friday > > > already. > > > > > > Hopefully i would get the visa-stamped passport > > > today > > > and so to get busy revising my high scchool math, > > > eco > > > and chem. > > > > > > Regards.Hoep it was interesting (and also useful >to > > > some) > > > > > > Umesh > > > > > > PS: Moral : Apply for US visa for work/study from >a > > > third country only if you have worked and or >studied > > > in US -otherwise apply from your home country --so > > > they can ask questions . VOs in India know a lot > > > about > > > Indian jobs and edu degrees and society in general > > > Many have lived in India for long -even as >tourists > > > -before joing the VO jobs. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Umesh Sharma > > > 5121 Lackawanna ST > > > College Park, MD 20740 USA > > > > > > Current temp. address: 5649 Yalta Place , >Vancouver, > > > Canada > > > > > > 1-202-215-4328 [Cell Phone] > > > Canada # (607) 221-9433 > > > > > > Ed.M. - International Education Policy > > > Harvard Graduate School of Education, > > > Harvard University, > > > Class of 2005 > > > > > > weblog: http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > >___________________________________________________________ > > > > > > Inbox full of spam? Get leading spam protection >and > > > 1GB storage with All New Yahoo! Mail. > > > http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > assam mailing list > > > [email protected] > > > > >http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > > Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. >Check > > > it out. > > > > > >Umesh Sharma > >5121 Lackawanna ST > >College Park, MD 20740 USA > > > >Current temp. address: 5649 Yalta Place , Vancouver, >Canada > > > > 1-202-215-4328 [Cell Phone] > >Canada # (607) 221-9433 > > > >Ed.M. - International Education Policy > >Harvard Graduate School of Education, > >Harvard University, > >Class of 2005 > > > >weblog: http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/ > > > > > > > >___________________________________________________________ > >To help you stay safe and secure online, we've >developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre. >http://uk.security.yahoo.com > > > >_______________________________________________ > >assam mailing list > >[email protected] > >http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org > > > _______________________________________________ > > assam mailing list > > [email protected] > > >http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org > > > > >Umesh Sharma >5121 Lackawanna ST >College Park, MD 20740 USA > >Current temp. address: 5649 Yalta Place , Vancouver, Canada > > 1-202-215-4328 [Cell Phone] >Canada # (607) 221-9433 > >Ed.M. - International Education Policy >Harvard Graduate School of Education, >Harvard University, >Class of 2005 > >weblog: http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/ > > > > > >___________________________________________________________ >All New Yahoo! Mail Tired of [EMAIL PROTECTED]@! come-ons? Let our SpamGuard protect you. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html > > _______________________________________________ > assam mailing list > [email protected] > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org > Umesh Sharma 5121 Lackawanna ST College Park, MD 20740 USA Current temp. address: 5649 Yalta Place , Vancouver, Canada 1-202-215-4328 [Cell Phone] Canada # (607) 221-9433 Ed.M. - International Education Policy Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Class of 2005 weblog: http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/ ___________________________________________________________ How much mail storage do you get for free? Yahoo! Mail gives you 1GB! Get Yahoo! Mail http://uk.mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ assam mailing list [email protected] http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
