What More Can One Do...

... to prove you are not a potential immigrant.

Life has been a roller coaster but the hits were taken well with a lot of positivity and renewed zest to fight the odds. Having traveled moderately well to a few countries on business which include Australia and having traveled to the United States to study (although for a brief while), the last thing that was expected was a business visa application being declined at the US consulate. Not after more than 12 years in the industry, not after having all the documents in place, not after actually aspiring to get back to servicing the US market from India. It surely is inexplicable in many ways.

Then on the other hand, there are scores who get to the land of opportunity to stick one's guts into the soil just because they got 'lucky'. That is surely the operating word when it comes to being 'granted' or rather 'blessed' with a US visa. And many of these people get to do what they aspire to do but I am very sure that there are quite a few out there who 'hang around' despite not doing well just because they want to live in America. It's not a case of sour grapes at all. Almost everyone I know who went there to study has never returned for good. And everyone who has ever said that they will, won't for the longest time. Not qualms there as each has their own destiny and aspirations to deal with and I am happy for every one of them. It gladdens me that they are all doing well, wherever they are.

Here one has pretty strong roots in India, has a stable job that ensures a good enviable life, has a child who will grow up in India as there is no way the cultural ethos of one of the world's oldest civilizations can be compromised with the Aston Martin's of the world. The list is endless but here one just wants to do justice to the job that your employer has hired you for.

To try to excel is in our DNA and we are brought up with that drilled into our impressionable minds from our childhood days. But what can one do when a mere whim can rule things against you.

I really can't fathom what more is needed to get 'lucky'. I am sure there are quite a few out there who want to travel the world but still will never leave India for greener pastures. There can be nothing better for me at least as you get the best of both worlds. And as I see the plight of many who are denied a chance to get ahead in life, I wonder... when will be a time when at least the well qualified and experienced professionals don't have to live on a prayer against a whim!

Being born on India's Independence Day, I can only say that patriotism runs in my blood. Tomorrow is another day! :)