Shashikant, Your firm and uncompromising stand on how the Portuguese Govt should process your nationality application inspired me to day dream about how I should have gone about my interview for Canadian immigration, years ago.
Ideally, my meeting with Kevin Robinson, in Cairo, would have been thus: KR: Good morning Mr Francis and welcome to your interview for Canadian immigration. Me: I would have felt more welcome if you had come to interview me in Doha (where I lived), rather than having me come here to Cairo. KR: I apologize for the inconvenience. How is your family? Me: They are sitting outside, having come to Cairo with me, as your letter requested. Now your assistant tells me they are not required during this interview. What a waste of airfares. KR: We'll make that up to you, someday. (Rustling through my bulky file) Tell me something about your career skill sets and accreditations. Me: Isn't it all there in the file? It took me a lot of time compiling it, and you have not even read it? KR: Ok, Ok, let's discuss something else. What made you apply for Canadian immigration? Me: What a loaded question. I could take about 5 hours to explain it to you, but do you have the time? KR: Indeed not Roland. You seem very much on the ball and I must tell you that I have no hesitation in granting you and your family the right to immigrate. A letter for your medicals will be sent to you in a week's time. Me: Look here Sir, I look quite fit don't I? And my family sitting outside, look quite fit too don't they? Do you think I am immigrating to Canada for your medical facilities when the best of treatments are available free, here in Qatar. KR: (making a motion to indicate end of interview) Ok we'll dispense with that, but you will have to get us a Police Clearance from Bombay. Me: Wait a minute Sir! More foolishness? I left Bombay 15 years ago. How do you reckon they will "clear" me when they don't even know me. KR (definitely losing patience) Fine then, we shall dispense with all the formalities and just arrange to have your visas ready for your collection in 2 months. Me: Whaaaat? I have to come again to Cairo just to collect my visas? Are you guys nuts? Haven't you heard of courier services? Exeunt Kevin Robinson and Roland Francis. Shashikant, less my insubordination, rudeness and humor, that is exactly what happened in real life. But alas, other than wishful thinking, I made no attempts to point out to the Canadian Foreign Service on how they should frame their procedures. Roland. On 7/17/07, Zodiacs <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Dear Paulo, We are in a democratic world and we all have the right to choose and live in our own way. As per my previous email, i do admit the serious issue of fraud applicants, but what about the administration defiencies of portugal government as written and pointed in my response to jose colaco message. Rather then, delaying and unnecessarily harassing the applicants the authorities should insist on improving the time bound system.
