Letters to the editor

this need to happen at the grass root level, in primary and high schools in Australia, to make Australians understand and develop respect for Indian culture and sensitivities.

Continued support like this from Mr. Dasgupta and his team at the Consulate will be much appreciated.

Mala Mehta OAM Coordinator IABBV Hindi School

Necessary interference by CG Amit Dasgupta

A recent article in Indian Link about the community’s umbrella organization confronting Consul General Amit Dasgupta proves the Chinese proverb “He who strikes the first blow admits he’s lost the argument”.

Consul General Amit Dasgupta issued a statement on 18 January 2010 publicly urging Indian employers who employ students to abide by the local employment law and pay their employees wages as per the Australian law.

GOPIO North Sydney chapter agrees with Mr. Dasgupta that though policing of the workplace rests with the government, it is within Mr Dasgupta’s jurisdiction to demand morally that our students are treated fairly and provided minimum wages as per existing law in Australia. It is a fact that one can not commit social service by breaking the law. Let us face the truth and not sugar coat the issue. As a community we must take responsibility and ownership to clean up our act, and strive to provide better working conditions in an ethical and respectful manner. It is important that we look at this issue with a balanced approach; consequently the community at large must continue to drive the support for the Indian employers by dining out regularly and buying goods and services so these business owners can sustain and afford better working conditions. The students must also respect the working laws and put in hard and sincere work in their respective jobs. We have to play our own part too – let’s not shirk responsibility at the individual level.

Mr. Amit Dasgupta has put a distinct mark on the local Indian community and international students in the short time he has been here. Mr. Dasgupta, a man of principles, has not hesitated

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GOPIO North Sydney chapter congratulates and salutes Mr. Dasgupta for taking this courageous and bold step. We stand by the CG on this necessary interference and extend our full support to him.

Raj Paul Sandhu Secretary GOPIO (North Sydney Chapter)

Kudos, Amit Dasgupta

I was disappointed to read that there were Indians protesting against Mr Amit Dasgupta. I strongly support his views. I am told that Indians have many associations and it gave me the impression that Indians are not united as one. What a shame?

Trevor Coutinho Sydney, NSW

VFS, make visa processing easier

I write regarding visa processing facilities that the Indian High Commission has outsourced to a private company, VFS.

The processing time for visa applications at VFS has worsened to 9 working days in December 2009. This is poor management: if you are anticipating higher volumes, you should be preparing for that, not changing the service standard.

I was disappointed, thinking that 7 business days was enough to get a tourist visa, when staff confirmed that it would take 9 business days and no exceptions (death in the family is not an exceptionit is expected on humanitarian grounds).

So I had to cancel plans to attend a good friend’s wedding - cancelling internal air flights, accommodation in 2 cities, drivers etc.

A small price for India to pay, but individual businesses and people in India have been deprived of income.

I will not say that you must reward poor planning. In my case, the decision to travel was based on a sick daughter being stable enough for me to leave my wife alone here to attend the wedding. But the embassy should insist that their outsourced service provider provide an express visa service for those willing to pay!!! Make it double the normal cost, and all will be happy. The challenge is that VFS may not be able to provide the extra service, but surely the Indian government and its expatriates deserve better?

This is not 1980. India now says that it compares to the best, but these little things always make that claim a little false.

If you want your many wealthy and sentimental expatriates to return not just for family reunions, (this will end in two generations - our children will find little reason to return to India other than as tourists) these services should be as good as we can have.

I am very disappointed that VFS could do nothing to provide an express visa. Another question we should be asking is, why can’t India offer online visa applications for low risk countries? If the US can do it, why not India for its expats? It is revenue, just charge, but make it quick and easy! I am sure that tourism to India will double!

I am a proud Indian even though I have never lived there, but making it hard to travel to India is not a good idea. We should be demanding the best, then and only then, can you say India is progressing and improving.

I hope that the Indian Government and the High Commission will think about this.

Allan Parapuram Hunters Hill, NSW