Mukul-da, I wait for what :-)
Is that some kind of a threat :-) like sending some ULFA guy to get me ? Sarcastically yours (this is plagiarized from C-da) Umesh --- mc mahant <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: --------------------------------- Just You wait! 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: Mon, 18 Sep 2006 08:34:13 +0100 (BST) >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 > 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/ ___________________________________________________________ Web email has come of age. Don't settle for less than the All New Yahoo! Mail http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html _______________________________________________ assam mailing list [email protected] http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
