US Visa and me

Visa always has been an issue for me. I got the Chinese visa 50 minutes before my flight time. I applied for the Indian visa at very last moment expecting no reply from embassy but fortunately I got both visas. I applied for U.S visa right on time or before time but I didn’t get it

Being the Regional Student Representative (RSR) of IEEE, one of my prime responsibilities is to attend the student activities committee meeting held at U.S, I was supposed to be one of the participants but I couldn’t get through the visa.

I was interviewed on 15th February 2008 for the first time at U.S Embassy Islamabad. I spent PKR 30,000/= on this trip and took one and half day off from office. Before Interview could take place, I had to be in five queues before (Ticket Queue, Bus Queue, Security Check Queue, Embassy Entrance Queue and Finally Waiting Queue for Interview). It took around 3 hours for me to reach to the counselor officer. Mind it, I was not confused at any point and was confident enough to get the visa. While I was in waiting queue, I saw one person being rejected, I said “Damn, how bad this person would be feeling, he is rejected on the spot” unknowingly this will happen to me as well. And here comes my number, I went to the window, she asked several questions starting from my birth to till date and I replied to them to the best of my knowledge and everything was nothing but truth. After Interview she gave me a paper and passport back saying “Sorry, you are rejected, but it’s not permanent refusal, you can re-apply”. My question was “what’s the reason?” she said “Everything is written on this document”.  After a long debate she said “It’s your organization”. I was seriously startled. I went outside I saw the document very carefully, nothing in specific was written on that page but that document seemed to be general purpose. I was pissed and called IEEE authorities and told them the whole story. They recommended me to re-apply. I re-applied for the visa on 25th Feb 2008, in the mean while IEEE authorities faxed some documents to embassy about the authenticity of the organization.

Second time I am again in Islamabad taking one and half day off from office. Again 5 long queues, this time I went a early because I wanted to interviewed in good mood. Here comes my number and following conversation took place in between me and counseling officer (C.O).

Me: “Good Morning Sir”
C.O: “Good Morning”
C.O: “After looking at my documents, Sir this is second time in the month you are re-applying, so what is the change in you”
Me: “There is no change in me, however this time I have more documents with me to prove the authenticity of my organization and they have also sent you dozen of faxes”
C.O: “Sorry Sir, Your visa is rejected again; he gave me the passport and same paper back”
Me: “Could you please tell me the reason”
C.O: “Everything is written on this paper”
Me: “Friend, I have read this paper 10 times and I don’t find anything specific, everything is general. What’s the main reason? What should I tell to my organization?”
C.O: “Sir, Please refer to the paper”
Me: “See, I have seen this paper earlier and I know nothing is written specifically on it. Why don’t you tell me the reason? You don’t like my face? You have some other reservations with me?”
C.O: “No Sir, It’s not like that, It’s the over all situation of you”
Me: “Overall situation. Financial / physical or ….?”
C.O: “Sir, Interview is over, Thank You and he switched off the microphone”.
Me: “Taking my stuff and giving him terrible look”

Causes / Observation in two visits / Comments by Friends

-    U.S Visa rejection ratio in Pakistan is 8:2, meaning 8 are being rejected out of 10.
-    A pure U.S national was taking the interview in Urdu, that last for 20 seconds and old lady who wanted to see her son was rejected
-    500 to 1000 people are interviewed every day at Islamabad, Pakistan
-    I was rejected for the visa because I didn’t take the bath that day
-    U.S guys has limit of issuing visa, probably they approached crossed it that day.
-    Mood of your interviewer must be off.
-    Second time you were rejected because you hadn’t enough time to get the security clearance.
-    Your doesn’t look like a person who should go to U.S
-    Simply bad luck 
-    In case of U.S visa, more important is luck NOT Interview.

Disclaimer:

Whatever is written below is my personal opinion, others may have different. All are the facts to the best of my knowledge and observations.

A Visit to India

I was in India for 10 days to attend IEEE R10 Student Congress 2008 at Chennai and IEEE R10 meet at Ahmadabad, Gujarat. Blog is written in points like a summary because 10 days in India were wonderful. Neither I can forget that experience nor can I write that down here because it will take additional 10 days since every moment of that time was fantastic.

26th Jan – 31st Feb (Karachi -> Mumbai -> Chennai)

- Mishandling by PIA authorities at Karachi Airport. They removed my ticket “Mumbai->Chennai” instead of “Karachi->Mumbai” besides my saying “Madam, I think you are tearing wrong ticket, can you please re-check”. She had some proof of being the right, so I ignored.

- Rickshaws of Bombay are wider than ours.

- Indian Airline’s staff was very supportive. They called P.I.A to resolve the issue and didn’t let me say few words to them since I was very happy with the performance of P.I.A

- I liked the south Indian food on first day but later on I started feeling like I am in China since In china “language and food were the only issues for me” same goes for Chennai.

- Enjoyed a lot at Ice-breaking activity in lawn where every one introduced in a group activity and I could remember more than 30 students in first meet, few people started calling me KOOL guy. Probably they were mistaken

- First day was wonderful, activities were good and 95% of the participants knew me with name.

- Many were willing to have a snap with representatives of a peaceful country (Pakistan), People were curious to know more about Pakistan and specially my life in Pakistan being from the minority.

- My announcement of being IEEE Regional Student Representative (RSR) by R10 Student Activities Chair (SAC) surprised almost 70% of the participants.

- Interaction with students from different countries was cheering me up, Chinese were yet again the attraction point for me

- Congress third day was horrible for Pakistanis. We Pakistani get the Indian visa city wise and we have to report at POLICE station within 24 hours of arrival. Fortunately, 3 Karachites were exempted but 4 from Lahore had to report and they faced lot of issues on it.

- Interview with IEEE.TV went very good and interviewer feedback was good about Pakistan after getting some information about it. While I was at interview organizing committee was searching me as I was to be at stage for some good that I did with my team in July 2007 (Pakistan Student Congress 2007)

- Chit Chat with Bhavika, Ravendar, Namita, Shoaib lasted for 6 hours Out of 6, 3 hours were utilized in Khichae of Ravendar on a step he took that morning

- Hari was also a good friend. He accompanied us for whole day to visit Chennai. Beach was same as ours but we had to walk around 10 minutes before reaching there, buffet was cheaper than ours and shopping there was costing more than it should

1st Feb – 4th Feb (Chennai->Ahmadabad->Mumbai->Karachi)

- Visiting Ahmadabad was fun, Historical places were good, Gandhi Nagar was a nice place and well maintained but Kirshna Mandir was exceptionally good

- Shopping with few friends from Madras and Australia was a nice experience. Shopping Mall was very good like we have in Karachi. But I was amazed to see that kind of shopping mall in a city like Ahmadabad.

- First time in my life, I was attending a professional meeting which was for 2 days. Environment was very good. Accommodation was more than satisfactory. I was enjoying the weather and was feeling like flying

- In Bombay, I stayed at friend’s relatives. Their hospitality was outstanding. They were caring same as my family does . I didn’t feel for a minute that I am not in Ghotki. Hats off to them. Every member of the family was tremendously good and caring.

- Even after 10 days one P.I.A guy remember me for being the victim of their outstanding service so he didn’t bother to say anything to me for 25 KGS over weighted baggage than allowed (because I was carrying 30KGs of a friend )

In short, memorable trip, No office calls, No office tension, only fun. Special Thanks to Dr. Ashwin Sahoo (Organizing Committee) who cared a lot for all of Pakistani delegates and gave them special privileges after POLICE teased 4 Pakistani delegates for whole day. A few pictures of my visit are available at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/opbatra2kn/AVisitToIndia

3 Days full of happiness :)

Last week has been very lucky for me. I have some good news to share with friends, below is the summary of them. No doubt, it took lot of efforts but finally I am happy to see the results.

Day 1:

I was sitting in my office, when my manager came to me and took me to huddle room, I was expecting some business discussion but he said “Congratulations, Now you are permanent employee and you have got 45% increment in salary effective January 2008, which is the highest possible increment and needs approval from functional lead”.

I was on probation for 6 months and was glad to hear this news.

Day 2:
I reached office on 9:00am as usual. After an hour I was informed to be in OND (October, November, and December) business update, all employees of the company are supposed to be there. It also includes the awards part. In last, my functional lead came on stage and told every one that “In December, one guy has been working twice than his job responsibilities and leading the team in his manager’s absence, I am happy to announce an outstanding performance award for Mr. Om Batra”.

I was pretty good experience to get the award in front of whole organization. I will also get some money for it.

Day 3:
I was sitting at home around 7pm, Electricity was off but Internet was working in my laptop due to electricity back-up provided by building management to switches. That time an email update popped up in my Google Talk informing that I have got an addition to email conversation from IEEE Region 10 director which announced that “Effective today, I am appointed as IEEE Region 10 Student Representative (RSR) and part of the IEEE regional committee. My job responsibilities are to attend the regional executive committee meetings, student activities meeting and increase student activities in region 10 by helping regional student activities chair around the globe”.

I am going to India this month to attend the first meeting of this year.

That’s it for now. I will surely like to share the journey from IEEE student member to IEEE RSR.

BB’s Death and After Effects

First of all, it’s really sad to know that BB got killed in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007 at 6:16pm. It’s the shameful act and security has shown negligence. It’s after effects are more dangerous than anything else. Many believes that she was getting more popular and had much chances to be win the elections, that is why she was killed. Dammit, play fair, if you think you deserve to be in ruling party.

I got this news around 6:20pm and got out of the office immediately and Thank God my home is on the distance of 10 minutes so I got home safely. First thing I did was started TV and was surprised to see the reaction by party activists within an hour. After around 4 hours, I came to know following has happened in Karachi.

(1) Around 950 vehicles and 12 Petrol pumps were put on fire.
(2) My beloved university (FAST) was burnt :( along with some more educational institutes.
(3) Eidi Center and a few hospitals were burnt.
(4) Hotels / Restaurants were burnt
(5) Numerous Banks and jeweler shops were looted and were put on fire.
(6) People were stuck and couldn’t get to home due to the law & order situation in Karachi.
(7) Super Markets, Trains & Railway Stations were also burnt.

After this, I was thinking what would be the conditions of Interior Sindh where Benazir has more influence, “Am I living in country which has government and security to protect citizens and their property” or I am living in a forest where anything can happen? Where the hell was that Army, Rangers and POLICE? What the hell this care taker government was doing except beating about the bush? Who will pay the damages now?

These are the actions done on that time and due to these actions, many other things will pop-up, Many affording educate people will leave the country immediately, Tourist will get back to home and It will take months to normalize.

Its third day, I am sitting home like prison, can’t go outside, don’t have much to eat and thinking what will happen to those who might face some medical emergency? But again
 

WHY THE HELL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES AND HOSPITALS WERE TARGETTED?????????

Transportation in Pakistan

These days due to some issues with our TV and suspension of GEO TV channel, I have not been watching much TV and have been giving more time to my professional work and don’t remain fully up-to date.

I went to train reservation center to enjoy my Eid holidays at Ghotki but I saw hundreds of people outside cantt station before 1 day of holidays, which is surprising because many people leave for Eid at least 2 days before Eid. I joined one long queue at center and observed many people having ticket in their hand, on inquiring I got to know that “A train has been de-railed in Sindh” which has taken around 500 lives (un-official number) and many got injured and no way for me to get into train because train was not cleared till then and was supposed to happen on the next day.

I waited for one day and on next day I went to get the ticket in train but I have been roaming around at least for 2 hours to get the ticket but couldn’t get appropriate reply from concerned authorities. Reservation center said “Chart has been released, we can’t issue ticket now, please consult Train guard’. I consulted train guard and he said “I don’t have ticket chart”. Then I tried to travel through bus and they charged me double fair because of the rush.  But again this was not comfortable because in bus “Staff is the POLICE, staff is the LAW and staff is the COURT” They can make you sit on any seat they want, they can ask you to leave the coach at any place if you don’t listen them. Almost on every trip to Ghotki I see at least one fight.

When I look at these kinds of scenarios, following questions pop-up in my mind, can someone answer to these?

Why train accidents have become a routine? Why don’t Pakistan railways improve the system?

Who is the controlling authority for bus transportation in Pakistan? Do they care?

Why they hell they can do anything they want, why they double the fair without any permission and don’t decrease when there is no rush??

Why they don’t feel that passengers are humans and they shouldn’t push people more than capacity?

What does motorway do in this? What are they far?

What can we do to stop these frequent train accidents and this annoying attitude by bus staff?

What mode of transportation should be used, If not bus and train having no airport at my hometown?

Shayari…!

Teri Nazar mein tera pyar ham nahen
Kaise kahen k tere talab-gar ham nahen
khud ko jala kar khak kar dala, mita dala
lo ab tumhari rah mein deewar ham nahen
jis ko sanwara ham ne tamanaon ke khoon se
gulshan mein us bahar ke haq-dar ham nahen
dhokha diya hai khud ko mohabbat ke naam se
kaise kahen k tere gunhagar ham nahen

Saying No

Few months back, I read a post at my friend’s blog “Saying No” and I heard that an special lecture in my company was also conducted on ” The Art of Saying No”, that time I couldn’t feel the importance of this, but Now I can because I am not even good at saying No to unknown, Sounds stupid?… Yes, Now It does to me.
For last three months, I have been doing the extra work in my company which I shouldn’t because of not saying NO. That work isn’t in my job responsibilities, it will not affect my career at all and others will get the credit of it. It really hurts when you are questioned for the mistakes by others and because for your involvement in that for not SAYING NO. Well, I was involved in few cases like this but I got out of this smoothly and promised myself “Not to take other’s responsibilities at any cost and have to SAY NO If it’s not related to me”.
Last month, my 2-Up Boss came to me and said “Om, I have been hearing good comments from others for you but you sit late in office, it’s not good. You know I don’t feel Sorry for you on this, because Its you who don’t shout on other’s mistake and work more to compensate that, Its you who don’t say NO to any body and work which isn’t in your job responsibilities, Its you who is not doing Work-Life balance. Remember Om, we are not here to win the popularity contest, so better stop being nice to every one”
A friend told me yesterday “One dis-advantage of doing others’ work is one become powerful and other weak which is not good for any organization and when you take other’s responsibilities you make your life tough uselessly”

Moral of the Story: Don’t Involve in the works which is not for you and say NO straight forward and make your life easier. Let every one do his/her job.

Iftaari and Accident……

Saturday is working day for me, I go to office on time but this Saturday it was month end and I had to stay till 10 in night at office, I thought to go office a little late. I got in to office while other colleagues of mine were about to leave for their homes. Time was passing slowly and finally it approached to 5:30pm, I with my colleagues had a plan for Iftaari at Nandos but due to reservation issue we shifted our plan to KFC. After Iftaari, we had an Ice-cream session at Movenpick. While getting back to office our car hit a person badly, whole wind screen was crushed; I covered my face at the time of accident since I was sitting at front seat. I got out of car and was shocked to look the victim, I was not able to see the head of that person but Thank God his head was covered with his Kameez. At that time public was pushing me to take this person to hospital since they thought I am the driver. My driver asked me to Run and after few minutes he did the same but I didn’t since I thought person is dead / running is not feasible. Though it was not the mistake of driver but still I don’t know why he ran away. Well I stood on a side of road waiting for others colleagues to give input on handling this issue and was also trying to call the transporter; suddenly a person and a policeman were running towards me, I was like OMG, Why are they coming to me??? Person looked like a labor but was mad at that time, he slapped me twice very badly and I got angry and tried to slap him back but Policeman requested me to please take the victim to hospital first and leave that stupid. Well, my colleague was also slapped by that mad person, then one of my colleagues went to hospital with them and I with another colleague approached to office. There I made a few calls and was praying for the life of victim. I was happy to know that my colleague has got freedom from this case and now our transporter is handling this issue. Later on, I came to know that victim is also OK and is not serious condition.

It was pretty hectic day for me, while getting back to home I asked my driver to keep the speed slow and was sitting at back side.

Moral of the Story:

God forbids, if you get involved in any accident, don’t wait for stupid public to come near you, take that victim to hospital (if required) and finish the case.

Chinese Experience – Celebrating Anniversary

I clearly remember July 13, 2006 – one day before I left for Beijing, China- Sunny hot-day and I was running after a travel agent for visit visa of China. I was already rejected by the consulate because of prime requirement of invitation letter from Chinese government and even a travel agent who had promised me visa had failed. I was feeling totally down and was already on this visit compensation treat by my friend at Bar BQ Tonight.

Luckily I had gotten this delayed invitation letter from Beijing and I planned to give a shot to my luck. So I entered into Chinese consulate and there I saw this Pakistani lady and tried to seek her help in getting visa but she straightforwardly rejected and redirected me to Chinese lady who saw my documents and started comparing, in the meanwhile my heart was pounding and then I was surprised to see the same copy of Chinese letter with her that created a hope in me and she asked:

 “You are going for the first time to China? Where is your bank statement?”

“I don’t have that right now but I can provide that to you in an hour.”

She said: “Ok get your passport with visa in evening after providing bank statement.”

Hmmm I was more than happy. Then I rushed to travel agent and came to know that there are no seats available in any direct flight on that day so I agreed to have a winding indirect flight and I got this strange and tenuous root of Karachi->Lahore->Bang Kong -> Beijing and then I was also told that check in time for the flight was within 30 minutes and Airport was a good hour away!

Basically, I was supposed to go to Beijing china in order to attend an IEEE region 10 student congress 2006 (R10SC2006) for four days (July 14-17); which was being organized by four universities of Beijing where delegates from almost all the world were supposed to come and I was eagerly waiting for this event to happen for one year.

After traveling in flight and waiting at airport for around 24 hours I reached at Beijing airport. Here comes the pain again, Chinese generally tend to be very incompatible with English and since getting to China was nowhere in my calendar one day before I was totally not prepared for the travel. So I forgot the digital cameras, congress and travel guidelines. So I had this un-usual expensive yet bargained taxi ride for $25 –I was initially quoted $50- to BUPT University. I traveled through this 20KM long highway to city on that scenic taxi ride and when I reached at BUPT another surprise stuck me because there was no one to receive the only delegate from Pakistan, all were at another university where 2nd day program was going on. I was roaming around in the one square KM university with my travel bag. I found one guy who knew English; he helped me a lot, besides spending his one hour in searching organizers he also made some calls for me as well. I had already few Chinese friends so I made calls and became very happy to get warm welcome from Xing Jin (Honorary Chair R10SC2006). After paying my registration fees and getting into my room I was asked to join the culture night. There I was surprised to hear “Kajra Re” song, 12 Indian delegates to the congress were dancing inside and they were the heart of culture night. After some time I saw this pretty girl coming to me; “Are you Om Perkash Batra from Karachi?” Yes “How you are my friend? How was your journey?” She was Sammy, one of my friends with whom I used to work together on the IEEE Region 10 Pen Pal club project. I had a conversation with her along with many other fellows, enjoyed the culture night and then we left for hotel. I was too tired and my roommate from New Zealand was also waiting for me, we had a little bed time chat before jumping into dreams.

We went to a university where we were warmly welcomed on the third day. We were supposed to play physical games, we had some tools to search some hidden points and report there, we were getting some score based on reporting time. All points were in the university which was more like a city in itself. Chinese are very caring, while running my team-mates were taking care of me and saying “careful.. careful … careful” again and again. That game was awesome; I was the member of Chinese team and surprisingly got 5th position and I was awarded one gift for that as well. Then we went to the Summer Palace which is spread on approximately 3 square KM and it took 4 hours for us to visit half of it. After getting tired we (me, Sammy and two Thai chaps) had a singing competition in our native languages. My voice is not that good but they were still happy with it, I don’t know how they managed to bear it.

On 4th day we had delegates’ presentation session which went good, every delegate in his/her presentation praised the much-obvious dedication of Chinese volunteers. After that we had a gift exchange session, again I had no gifts to exchange but I got many gifts from friends I made in three days but promised to send them gifts from Pakistan, which I fortunately did. Then we had a visit to Tieman Square which is also a beautiful place. That day congress was officially closed but still I had few days to visit Beijing. 5th day I was supposed to leave to see The Great Wall with some friends from China, Japan and New Zealand. It was fun to be there, the weather was awesome at the top and I got the HERO card as well, the statement written over there was “If you don’t climb the great wall, you are not he real hero”. There surprising moment was an old Chinese was climbing fast than a young boy. On remaining days I had a little shopping because Beijing is expensive, visit to Forbidden City, Ming Tombs, old temples and other famous places of Beijing. Then I came back to Karachi following “Beijing->Bang Kong-> Karachi” route, after reaching Karachi I directly went to my hometown “Ghotki”, so my total traveling time increased from 24 hours. This ended my journey.
Concluding it would be, Chinese are very hospitable, helpful and too much health-conscious. Their ethics background is strong; they use bi-cycles a lot. But the problems one might face over there are Food and language.  Some of my pics in Beijing….!

8.jpg

First day of my Job

It was July 10; 6am in the morning when I woke up from a pretty long sleep of 10 hours since I was damn busy in ICIET and PSC 2007 for past five days & couldn’t sleep properly. I got clean shaved, took breakfast at PC (Pathan Cottage) and reached the Main office at 9am sharp.

I was introduced to company, my job location and my job responsibilities by two HR recruitment officers and then I was given a 100 page on-board manual to read along with getting several forms signed including bank account opening form, credit card form, Conflict of Interest form etc etc etc. This took around 4 hours and then I was handed over to my Immediate Boss for orientation. He introduced himself and some of his colleagues to me and then took me to warehouse where my office is – I had no idea of this at all – . After getting introduced with some of the colleagues at warehouse I was taken to Bar BQ Tonight for welcome lunch. After lunch I had to read all those 100 pages and also attend General Overview session by my manager which was in my orientation schedule. I stupid thought that I will be back home by 6:00pm since office timings are till 5:30pm but I was in office till 9:30pm and got home around 10pm waiting for the car to drop me since warehouse is outside city and employees gets convince; In the meanwhile all left to their homes except a few working and I was waiting for them. Pretty long day 

I love my job but got following three surprises on the first day

(1) My Office is in warehouse and Its going to shift towards Port Qasim within 2 months
(2) Saturday is working day for warehouse employees
(3) Normally I will get home around 10pm