The stress that everyday news on VISA changes brings with it
Nishanth S Coontoor
My original plan was to write an intriguing, interesting and mind-blowing piece titled ‘All screws are not the same.’ I had planned to do a deep dive into the Phillips head, Combo drive and the Robertson square drive screws – with pictures! Ron Swanson would approve of this message. Instead, I ended up writing about the other elephant in the room (after me) – visas. Because, let’s face it, we are all thinking about this right now.
Getting a VISA to travel is a big step for most of us. In fact, to offset the pressure of getting an approval, there is also a temple in India where the deity is believed to grant a positive outcome! Amidst the initial celebrations of the approval though, most of us don’t realize the uncertainty this brings into our already uncertain life. Add to this everyday news on changes to the rules governing the VISA status and it makes for a not-so-dull living.
Why then do we do it? To leave our comfort zones behind and grow. One of the many ways.
When I stepped out of the Air India plane a long time ago onto a land that was not India, I recall stopping for a moment and staring at the ground below me. It was the first time I stepped into a different country and I specifically made it a point to tell a new friend I made in flight. It was more exciting than dramatic 😉 Since then, it has been a journey of new experiences and a lot of self-learning.
Things pick up rapidly.
Walmart and Food Lion replace the kaka angadi (shop) from back home to pick up coriander (only now you need to pay). Privacy takes some time off when living with roommates.
Clothes don’t magically appear cleaned and folded in the cupboard anymore, so you need to drag the laundry cart with a pouch full of quarters. The overnight rice leftovers never tasted so good.
But there are some positives as well.
You get to study at some of the best universities. Eventually getting a job and your own place makes you less particular about ‘me’ things. You now have a diverse friend circle that includes friends from all over the world.
But a lot of these appear to have been built on the foundation that you can continue to work and stay abroad. VISA becomes a staple conversation topic, and often an icebreaker, at every Diwali weekend potluck get-together. Its always the same set of concerns too.
‘I couldn’t travel overseas this year because I have to get the VISA physically stamped on the passport. Its approved for now.’
‘Amit was suggesting I take up a new job, but I don’t know if I should right now. VISA transfer delays.’ ‘Oh howda.’
‘Shalini just got married because her VISA got extended. She had put her dating life on hold until the VISA came through, ha ha.’
‘Buy a house soon because prices will keep increasing. Oh, work VISAaah? Then wait till you get extension otherwise you will have tough time ma to sell and move.’
And now, with coronavirus and the rapid changes to immigration rules, it’s the confusion of should I stay or leave or can enter now or will I be allowed later once things settle, but then again, when.
My observations so far have been that the bestest way to deal with this news is to be practical and mobile. Alright, it wasn’t a secret you didn’t already know, but just realizing and accepting it takes the stress away. I recently met a family for dinner. While we were eating some hot carrot halwa and vanilla ice-cream at the dinner table, my friend pointed out an interesting tidbit on the faded orange, beaten up bowl I was holding.
‘This bowl traveled with us first in 2007 when I came here for work. It traveled back again in 2014 when I had to return.’
‘If it needs to go back home and return again in the future, I am sure it is ready.’
Glossary:
Howda: yes?
Kaka Angadi: Small shop
Carrot halwa: Carrot dessert
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay