biggish data

Arrival Timetable (unfortunately, requires plenty of sifting as domestic flights are also there)

Edited by CherryXS, 19 March 2007 - 11:35 AM.

Saddle Bronc

Male

3/19/2007 11:35

When Sujeet moved here, he had never been on a plane either.

Back when he moved here, the best deal we found was on www.makemytrip.com. The deal soley with flights between India and the US, and have offices in India and the US.

But now when Sujeet goes to visit India, Expedia is where we find the best deals and flights. He's leaving for India again this Friday for 2 1/2 weeks. We found a good ticket through Expedia that goes from Tampa to JFK to Mumbai. He won't have to stop in any 3rd country, which is nice.

Do you mean nonstop (Delta only) JFK-Mumbai, or single-aircraft trips (such as Air India--which makes a stop at Heathrow where one can attempt to "refresh")?

Saddle Bronc

Male

3/19/2007 8:02

Hey those prices are pretty good!

But my guy doesn't have a credit card... how to pay? Could he go direct to an airline office and book it with cash or check? Or would I be able to buy it online with my credit card and have them send the ticket to him in Hyderabad? (I believe it is more expensive buying in USD then in Rs)

I confirmed that when trying Orbitz (which displays in US$--no price there was less than $1,000; at last year's exchange rate, about 20% higher than the Rs. price).

In Pras' case, I believe she did buy with cash from airline office.

Edited by CherryXS, 17 March 2007 - 01:53 PM.

Saddle Bronc

Male

3/17/2007 13:53

I got the following data from the airline sites last year for one-ways (rounded to nearest Rs. 100):

British Airways, Chennai-Detroit: Rs. 39,400 (customs/imm @ Chicago)
BA, Chennai-DCA (customs/imm @ JFK): Rs. 38,300
BA, Chennai-Dulles (customs/imm @ Dulles): Rs, 36,900
British Airways, Mumbai-Detroit: Rs. 37,000 (customs/imm @ Detroit)
Lufthansa, Hyderabad-Detroit: Rs. 37,800 (customs/imm @ Detroit)--which was the one taken

Saddle Bronc

Male

3/17/2007 13:41

How about contacting one (or more) of the following airlines directly (all fly from HYD):

Singapore Airlines (as you live on west coast, the pacific route may be better)
Lufthansa (definitely flys, Pras used it)
KLM
Air India (kind of last-resort)

note: I'm basically using the "as-close-to-nonstop, clear customs/immigration at LAX" approach.

Saddle Bronc

Male

3/16/2007 18:21

india travel

Best time to visit northern India is between September and November. December to February, it can be a little nippy (though rarely sub-freezing) in the Indo-Gangetic plain.

DO NOT visit these areas between March and June.

Saddle Bronc

Male

5/18/2007 21:19

He Arrived Safely!

(somewhat belated) congrats!

Saddle Bronc

Male

5/29/2007 12:08

Caste war rages in Rajasthan (India is such a fukcing mess)

Isn't Rajasthan the "R" of "BIMARU"?

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/2/2007 6:48

Mayawati has goal of "ruling all India"

http://mangalorean.c...;newstype=local

"I wish to rule India one day"

Lucknow, June 8 (IANS) After creating history by becoming chief minister of the country's largest state for the fourth time, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has set new goals for herself - to rule India some day and build a "casteless society".

"My aspiration to rise in life has brought me here today. I must confess I do look forward to occupying the highest chair in the country, one day," Mayawati, 51, told IANS in her first exclusive interview to the print media.

While she is on one hand busy establishing her credentials as an administrator in a new mould, she also has her eyes set on the 2009 general election.

"I have started preparing my own blueprint for much larger participation of BSP in the next Lok Sabha elections than ever before," she said in the 50-minute interview conducted at her private residence.

Mayawati is confident that the Dalit-Brahmin combination she forged in Uttar Pradesh would now attract other important social groups.

"While Muslims have begun to drift towards us, a number of backward castes too are throwing their lot behind us."

And what makes her believe that her BSP would be in the reckoning in other states?

"Well, each time we have risen to power, our graph has gone up. Now that we have formed our first single-party majority government in Uttar Pradesh, the message has gone far and wide that we are here to stay and that we have the potential to establish BSP rule in other states too," she added with an air of confidence.

"We are the only party in the country with a solid base vote in every state; the question is of tapping that vote, which in turn would attract others to forge the BSP ahead of most other parties in several other states."

Mayawati outlines her dreams.

"I wish to achieve what my ideologues always dreamed of - establishing a society without the traditional hierarchy, where everyone is treated at par and where one's caste tag does not determine his status in that social hierarchy.

"Be it Narayana Guru, Shahuji Maharaj, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar or for that matter even Manyavar (Respected) Kanshi Ram, they all talked about the need for a casteless society but none of them could chart out a path to achieve that goal," she pointed out.

She added: "Even Kanshi Ramji could never imagine that upper caste Brahmin votes would ever be transferred to a party like ours. He was always circumspect about that and would not have easily ventured into an experiment of the kind we tried and that worked quite successfully in Uttar Pradesh."

For Mayawati, who clearly displays the potential of emerging as the only undisputed leader of India's 22 percent Dalit population, the success story of her "social engineering" in the country's most populous state was not just a feather in her cap. It marks the beginning of a new social era that was inconceivable for many.

Mayawati's obvious bargain to use her party's potential numerical strength at the forthcoming presidential election to ensure a reprieve in what came to be known as the Taj Corridor corruption case has amply demonstrated her skills in getting over hurdles.

Sure enough, it could not have been any mean task to ensure that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was denied permission by the Uttar Pradesh governor to the pursue the charges against her.

But that is another charge she refutes. "All that talk about the governor's refusal being a trade-off for ensuring BSP's support to the central government is outright false propaganda," she asserted.

Sporting her favourite beige salwar-kameez, barefoot as she prefers to remain at her neatly manicured home (not the official residence), Mayawati went at length to talk about overcoming what at one point of time seemed like the most formidable social barrier - caste - that eventually gave her party a clear majority to rule Uttar Pradesh.

Admitting that it was a calculated risk, she claimed: "Somehow my inner voice always told me and gave me the confidence that I would not fail in my mission to bring about a social change, which was now being termed by the media as social engineering."

Asked how she felt establishing proximity to Brahmins who had traditionally been atop the 'manuvaadi' system, which she always abhorred, Mayawati said: "Well, I still maintain that the 'manuvaadi' (caste hierarchy enunciated by ancient Hindu king Manu who was said to have laid down the laws of Hinduism) was very damaging and had harmed society in more ways than one; it was squarely responsible for forging social divides."

She hastens to add: "But the fact that we have succeeded in bringing down this social barrier at least in one state has proved that we have made a good beginning towards ridding the society of its 'manuvaadi' shackles."

Attributing her success to formation of "bhai-chara" (social harmony) committees of Brahmins and Dalits across Uttar Pradesh, she says: "It was through these committees that we made a beginning and we would replicate a similar exercise in other states."

IANS

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/8/2007 10:11

is it possible flight from india to kfk without a terminal change ?

This shows the common misconception between direct and nonstop.

There are many DIRECT (but not nonstop) DEL->JFK and BOM->JFK flights, especially by Air-India, which make an intermediate stop (for refueling, etc) in Europe; US-bound travelers with valid visa papers do not need a visitor or transit visa to be on such flights (and these do have the advantage over the nonstops of being able to stretch your legs, wash your face, etc).

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/7/2007 19:55

A great relief

agnar:

I am also waiting for my physical file to be recieved at chennai. How did you get to know the interview date? Did u call or e-mail them?

Thank you

NVC sends that in their (only) notice, along with their acknowledgement of receipt of app from USCIS

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/13/2007 13:08

TN-TD Visa

doc_cute is correct on this; theoretically, issuance of TD is as straightforward as that of H4. But even in European-based US Consulates, there have been denials of TD--for exactly the reasons mentioned.

However, I don't agree with "Canadian spouses should concentrate on getting PR for their spouses", as there is another way around it. The overlap between TN-1 and H1-b is considerable (though not cent-percent). IMO, patel-goondo should ask his employer to convert TN-1 to H1-b, and then petition for H4; admittedly, the H1-b will only be valid after October (about 3 1/2 months away), but the application for H4 at least removes the headache mentioned.

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/15/2007 7:09

If K1 visa is approved?

They courier it back, along with the MBE.

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/22/2007 13:07

Facing problem regarding date of birth and name on Birth Certificate

Fill the G-325A with the date that's in the passport, and send in a notarised copy of the 10^th-Class certificate.

As for the original BC--take that with you when you go to the US; a copy of it will be needed for the AOS.

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/23/2007 12:26

More weather chaos in South Asia

Already in prayer about this as my MIL lives in one of the affected districts (Krishna Distt., AP).

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/25/2007 13:30

Medical examination experience

In that case, you can take train from Egmore to Nungambakkam rail-station and take bus from there.

Edited by CherryXS, 03 July 2007 - 05:21 PM.

Saddle Bronc

Male

7/3/2007 17:21

Medical examination experience

agnar, here's a suggestion which may save you some Rs. at interview.

Book a room at the Ranjit Hotel (Nungambakkam High Rd., just about on Gemini Flyover). That is fairly close to the consulate, and you may be able to use "Maanagaara Paerndhu" busses (lots cheaper than the autorickshaw--and they don't fleece you) to go between the two.

Saddle Bronc

Male

7/3/2007 12:43

REJECTED!

Are arranged marriages the norm or the exception with Indian people who are divorced and have children?

Eh, it's not uncommon to arrange marriages for widowers with children, so it's only a minor step to divorced men.

(unfortunately, widows and divorced mothers aren't exactly afforded the same)

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/28/2007 8:09

REJECTED!

knowingyour spouse thru a relative or friend in the US, is this not legitimate. ...

If it wasn't, then I would have had more serious trouble than 1 RFE (because I used taped-on signature samples for "her" G-325A).

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/21/2007 12:28

Very new and still learning: I-129F for two-week visit?

Basically, she would need to follow the procedure for tourist visa (check with the embassy/consulate in her country).

Other options:

Meet in a third country (check visa regulations on possible third countries before making that choice); oft, an excellent choice
You visit her in her country

Saddle Bronc

Male

7/11/2007 9:09

Very new and still learning: I-129F for two-week visit?

Moving this post to Regional Discussion: Asia: South Forum since you don't really need to go through the whole K1 visa just for a two week visit

maybe someone from that region can guide you on how to get a visitor visa for her to the States

Liz, based on the username, the China forum may have been more apt. South Asia is mainly the Sub-continent and Afghanistan.

Saddle Bronc

Male

7/10/2007 8:06

Nigerian going thru India? Red flags

I know that my response to you may garner some angry responses but I'm going to be completely honest with you on my opinion. I'm a black woman who lived in India for a bit and I have to tell you that from observations and in MY OPINION it would be best for you all to do this in his home country. India is not (again in my opinion) the most accepting when it comes to Blacks in their country

Actually, you are quite wrong on this one; there is a community of African-origin, the siddhis who have been on the Konkan coast for over 500 years--a community being there longterm can be considered as acceptance (especially given the societal attitudes of the Hindu majority).

but especially Nigerians because they have been connected to so many negative acts ranging from drug trafficking to 420 scams. While I'm in no way saying your fiancee is connected to any of this, I am saying the actions of others can possibly affect him and your petition.

My husband read your post and wanted me to remind you that even if your fiancee returns to Lagos to file the visa request that he will need a police clearance certificate from Mumbai so be sure he has that in hand before he leaves. It will save you a headache later.

As far as your other read flags are concerned, it definitely helps that you spent a month with him. Just make sure you keep up with every little piece of evidence (receipts, pics, emails, phone records etc.). Have your sons write letters showing their support. Those can only help you and not hurt.

This post was not done to offend anyone. It's simply offering my obeservations and the opinion of myself and my husband. If you want help with anything feel free to PM me.

Good luck. You guys will be in my prayers.

Saddle Bronc

Male

7/16/2007 5:38

Nigerian going thru India? Red flags

One can process at a consulate in a country where one is "normally resident" (meaning tempworkers/students can indeed process in the country where they are working/studying)
IMO, either go for K-1 or CR-1; don't go for K-3 (rather general, due to the design of the K-3, not specific to India)

On the red-flag questions, I can answer #4 only; it's more problematic for those who are not forward and upfront (doesn't mean things will necessarily be easy-smooth-sailing, but...)

Saddle Bronc

Male

7/12/2007 13:34

QUOTE (massachusettsguy @ Sep 1 2007, 08:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

http://www.karachiai...information.htm This link lists all of the airlines that fly from KHI to JFK. I have worked for the airlines for over 7 years in my experience the best deal that I tend to find are over the internet, the next best thing is to go to a reliable travel agent, the last option might be to go through the reservation numbers of the airlines or go to the actuall airport they usually dont give a good deal.

On the prelim check I did, some deals to EWR (from KHI) seemed to be lower-priced than to JFK.

(plus EWR is oft easier to drive to than JFK).

Saddle Bronc

Male

9/4/2007 19:22

Using another airline than PIA may "widen" your flight choices for economy--as well, you can consider flights to EWR (as your wife will be on K-3, the issue of 90-day temp EAD is inapplicable).

FYI, my then-fiancee (now my wife), having never been outside India, flew to US (Detroit) on Lufthansa.

Saddle Bronc

Male

5/1/2007 18:30

and as low as $534 on www.cheapoair.com

Saddle Bronc

Male

5/1/2007 12:25

I got fares as low as Pak Rs. 29,070 on www.farecompare.com, though not on PIA.

Saddle Bronc

Male

5/1/2007 12:23

I knew Syracuse to be upstate/midstate NY.

Another option you may want to consider :

same-day return, SYR-JFK as low as $175 total-forkout
one-way JFK-SYR of $99 total-forkout

(I used July 2 as the date of travel, and evening flight JFK-SYR, with morning SYR-JFK flight for you).

Saddle Bronc

Male

5/1/2007 11:38

I am trying to gather info right now so that hopefully when my wife is approved I can buy the ticket, My wife is in Karachi and will be flying to JFK.
Have you considered EWR instead?

What is EWR?

Newark.

(admittedly, PIA doesn't fly there)

Saddle Bronc

Male

5/1/2007 10:57

I am trying to gather info right now so that hopefully when my wife is approved I can buy the ticket, My wife is in Karachi and will be flying to JFK.

Have you considered EWR instead?

Saddle Bronc

Male

5/1/2007 10:54

Hotels in Chennai

My personal recommendation would be the Ranjit, on Nungambakkam High Rd @ Gemini Flyover.

For Christians, another possibility is the (rather limited) accomodation at LEF Headquarters Church, just a short walk down NH Rd. from Ranjit.

Edited by CherryXS, 05 October 2007 - 07:16 PM.

Saddle Bronc

Male

10/5/2007 19:15

Somewhat strange experience with OCI application

QUOTE (ELW @ Oct 25 2007, 11:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Congrats on getting your OCI and thanks for the details!

As for your question, of course you know the answer to every immigration-related mystery is GOVERNMENT.

Enough said.

In this case, that does work (only reverses that it's Indian government rather than US.

QUOTE (Jigi @ Oct 26 2007, 12:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi,

It happens only in India

LOL

Jigi

That is a half-truth--better stated as "it happens only when involving Indians"

QUOTE (kshatriya @ Oct 26 2007, 04:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How did you do the 2X2 passport photo done?

OCI for applicants in US involves Indian Embassy in DC--2x2 passport shots are not exactly difficult to get; anyway Indian Embassy actually needs minimum-size of 1.5 x 1.5.

Saddle Bronc

Male

10/26/2007 17:27

Somewhat strange experience with OCI application

In mid-August, I decided to submit an OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) application to the Embassy.

Sent it in priority-delivery-confirm on 8/16 (it arrived 8/17), acknowledged 8/29, granted 9/29, papers at Embassy 10/15, I mailed in my passport (again priority-delivery-confirm, with a return prepaid priority envelope).

OCI was sent out 10/22 from Embassy Express Mail, initial attempt 10/23, I finally picked it up from post office this afternoon. Can you guess what was inside the envelope along with my passport and the OCI certificate? The unused priority mail return envelope.

It is beyond me why some chop at the Embassy needed to send it Express Mail (over $10.00 to Embassy account) when there was a prepaid priority mail (so for Embassy $0.00) available.

Saddle Bronc

Male

10/25/2007 20:59

Yes (though USCIS still issued the AP, EAD and conditional GC with the date from the passport).

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/6/2007 7:53

The discrepancy between the dates on her passport and the G-325A were never questioned, nor was the issue of a birth-certificate raised at the Consulate (though it was raised, as RFE, when I submitted her AOS papers).
Uh, how did you deal with that RFE? My guy never did get his BC, he just had his caste certificate and an affidavit from his mother.

We asked her brother to DHL it from India, and then sent it to MoSC.

Pras' 10^TH-Class cert (which had the wrong date on it) was the one used for her passport (the passport office had only wanted that, not her BC).

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/5/2007 9:27

I entered the "wrong" date of birth for Pras (her actual; officially--as in on passport, etc--it is one year later) and it worked ok.

glad that some one has finally responded

could you pls share your chennai consulate interview experience

akg

The one headache that Pras DID have had to do with the police clearances--which resulted in her having to postpone the medical for after the interview; the CO gave her a "provisionally approved, pending receipt of medical", which meant she had to make a second trip to the consulate to deliver it.

The discrepancy between the dates on her passport and the G-325A were never questioned, nor was the issue of a birth-certificate raised at the Consulate (though it was raised, as RFE, when I submitted her AOS papers).

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/4/2007 12:54

I entered the "wrong" date of birth for Pras (her actual; officially--as in on passport, etc--it is one year later) and it worked ok.

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/1/2007 17:57

Father in Law interview Next week in Islamabad

Only the trite one--pray plenty!

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/17/2008 13:30

New K3 visa & transiting through London

Have you booked your flights already?

An alternate is to take Continental's DEL-EWR nonstop.

Saddle Bronc

Male

6/17/2008 13:12