Formalities - Mr. Balamukund: Friend, Guide And Philosopher

Normally, we say time finds the man. In the last two chapters, planning and time factors were discussed. Here we can see how the adage is relevant. Even in our epics, when the world was tortured by the evil forces, when Lord Brahma approached Lord Narayana, he said he would take birth as Sri Rama in Tretayuga and finish off the evil forces. To narrate these achievements to the world, a highway robber who was able to meet sage Narada by coincidence changed himself to a sage through severe penance and as he came out breaking the snake pit - he was called Valmiki. Lord Brahma gave the boon of his consort Vani dancing on Valmiki’s tongue - a grand epic emerged. Sri Valmiki while helping Seethadevi to get her twin children – Lava & Kusha, trained them to narrate the great epic in the presence of Sri Rama, although they were not aware of the relationship. Lava Kusha: In hindi, they are called lav, kush. In English, it means happiness. When out of love you utter the name of the Lord or sing his episode, the result is ultimate happiness. This is called Mahananda. In Mahabharatha, if kurukshetra war had not taken place and Arjuna had not been dejected, the song celestial would not have been made available for the common man to change himself to divine from human being. The snakebite of King Parikshit brought the narration of Sri Bhagavatha, the elegant episode of the eternal, excellently portrayed for emulation by the devotees of the earth. If war of independence had not taken place, Gandhiji would not have offered the mantle of leadership of the nation Sri Jawaharlal Nehru, who by his patriotism & vision set on a mission of building a strong India making a provision for conversion of the war torn nation into a land of prosperity through his speech, molding all the forces like men material & message under one roof for the establishment of a strong nation worthy of adoration internally, veneration internationally, celebration globally, admiration confrontation by peoples cooperation and coordination, concentration and contribution, culmination resulting today in the emergence of a strong nation.

Our plan to visit states was first necessitated in search of a man who can give us guidelines, how to proceed, and created a road map for our journey. Here came on the scene Sri Balamukund, a man in his seventies, well mannered, well informed, well dressed, wisdom incarnate, kind hearted, scholarly, silent, simple, sharp in his looks, quick in his words, punctuality a practice, professional yet patient, having his office in panacea buildings in vittal mallya road. While the hospital provides panacea for physical ailments, Sri Balamukund finds panacea for the problem of procedures, pertaining to the American tour. Just as we have got different ailments, eyes, ear, heart problem, this journey has also got different phases: parents visiting their children settled here, students visiting to join higher studies, workers visiting on different assignments – Sri Balmukund handles every case with aplomb and accuracy. First a date for interview, then on that date, details about the residents in the U. S, personal data, purpose, financial status, mode of query in the embassy, how to conduct ourselves, mode of response, the financial management, travel expenses, the period of stay and all such details. After the preparation of application, verification, confidence building, farewell to the embassy after return and obtaining visa, its verification, care to be taken before the journey, during the journey, after the journey, really an episode unparalleled.
On the day of the interview we will be asked to purchase two drafts, if couples are going, approximately Rs.5000 each in HDFC bank. (This was the procedure in 2006) Then we fill out a form via the internet – the form includes the following details: Name of the person visiting, purpose, duration, number of children, in India and in the U. S, their qualification, employment status, our employment status, retired or in service, property, income The person who is inviting must sponsor our visit giving his bio data, job particulars, emoluments etc. Insurance is also an important factor. The application should be in a single form. The emphasis should be that you are visiting temporarily and back in the pavilion after the stipulated period as you have got lot of commitment in the homeland. A stay beyond the stipulated period will deprive you the privilege of visiting again. Do not use the word ‘Delivery OR Help’ because the mothers may overstay. Delivery is a word causing worry and help is not liked by them as they have got machines to man the affairs. Help is a word they cannot gulp. When once the time and date for interview is received, after submitting the application on line, two drafts two days prior to the interview date must be taken from a nationalized bank with all the details furnished plus passport.

On the date of the interview, they are prompt in time. 11 counters will be there. Scrutiny will be done. Then march on to the interview hall. No water, no bags, except the above items. Queue will move according to the allotted time. If luck helps, crowd is less. The interview will be quick. If it is more it is marathon. You may be summoned to any counter. Do not resort to counter argument. The interview will be calm composed, cordial and the diction may vary but close observation will avoid confusion. Answer to the point, simple, straight, matter of fact, no overacting, fear complex, serene pose. Pay the money in the 12th counter. The call comes from the counter. Visa is assured. It will be in your hands after three days. Visa will be issued according to the nature of the tour as narrated above. For Promptness It Is Visa, For Violation It Is Visha (poison) V. visit I. interact S. stay A. again return. V. visit I. interact S. overstay A. against return. One is permitted to take 200 dollars for expenses per head Insurance is compulsory [Insurance for entire travel or partial till journey and rest by the kins till you stay] Again the visa is scrutinized by Mr Balamukund. After the Sept 2001 tragedy, you are advised to minimize the luggage. Shaving set, razor, blade, liquid items are not allowed. All luggage will come through the plane. A plastic cover with passport, medicine in a transparent bag will be allowed. Negligence, overconfidence results in repentance.
America is a place where you can see things, can’t afford to purchase as you are not a Ford. Only board the plane, nap, hop through the newspaper and join thy kins. Go with them as per guidelines and return. Because of the cost factor, localites will bring things from India. Ok, if they offer anything out of love. You can visit Mysore palace, you can’t purchase. But you can bring without restriction and payment wonderful memory of the place, people, poignancy, clean roads, the disciplined vehicles, gorgeous buildings, places visited, and time spent with kins. The trip is inaugurated; next the ticket is undated. You can revisit unabated. No worry, no hurry, falling back on Hari. Interest towards India increases interest of the initiative, the capital of the journey.