Indian visa

By SN Mamoon Dhaka
19 July 2005, 18:00 PM
Everyday I pass through the Gulshan Avenue in the morning on my way to the workplace. We see hundreds of people queuing up along the avenue for Indian visa. They tolerate and brave the long line, heat, rain, hassle, brawls, etc. for the visa which they require for various purposes namely visit, business, medical treatment, tourism, to see an ailing relative or to attend a marriage ceremony etc.

Well, why do we need a visa? The answer is the High Commission would like to screen out undesirable elements from entering the country and to keep a tab on the persons visiting India. Honestly speaking, are all the hassles necessary? Indian border is so much porous that anybody with ill motives can sneak through the borders at ease. That leaves us with the vast majority of good, innocent, honest and business people.

The procedure can be simplified by giving a visa on arrival at the port ofentry. Only special cases may be dealt with at the High Commission. Such practice will have the following positive effects. People will be relieved from hassle and hardship of obtaining a visa in Dhaka. Time can be saved. The travellers will have more peace of mind. There will be more travels to India resulting in more sale of bus, train, airline tickets, which will generate more revenue and profit for the relevant sectors.

Lastly, when the whole Europe has opened up why should the sub-continent lag behind in easing sufferings of the people?

We would request the Indian High Commission to forward the suggestions to the authorities concerned with positive recommendations.