US Visa Interview Experience Madras Consulate (26-27th Sep).

I applied online for a US Visa – DS 160, on 9^th January 2021. After a couple of cancellations of visa appointments in these 20 months, I finally got a slot this week. I preferred a personal interview instead of DropBox for me, despite previous US visas (4 times issued before) as Lalitha had never been to the USA, so her physical presence was mandatory, so we decided to attend together.

 

All my previous visa interviews were one day affairs with Fingerprint/ biometrics done on Arrival at US Airports. This has now changed with a 2-day affair of First day being day for Biometrics at III party agency and second day being Visa interview at Consulate on Mount Road.It appears this process is a huge loss of personal productivity, with you not able to work anything else due to travel etc, as well as cost quite a bit as you need to spend at least 2 days at Madras. (Madras is the nearest option for 3 states covering 700 Kms).

 

Our appointment for Biometrics was, Monday 4pm ( We reached Madras by 11am to be on safer side). We were called in around 3pm. (We saw a trend online that they close the facility at 4pm so it is good to go early and call in early). The process was done in 15 min flat. The irksome aspect was that you are not allowed to wear a smart watch about which there was no intimation. (Mobile can be carried, switched off). I had to find a locker to keep safe and that took some time. They check documentation and do 4+4+ 2 (Thumbs) as a way to fingerprint and photo for biometrics.

 

Our US visa appointment was 12 Noon the next day, Tuesday, we arrived at 11am and were allowed in. Security check is minor as you are not allowed to carry anything other than papers. There are about 20+ windows for interviews. It is good to see Interview options exist for Indian languages. After waiting 20 minutes in line we were called.

 

Visa officer asked me the purpose of my visit and I explained. After a few more questions she approved the visa for both of us. The interesting aspect was when I said we plan to spend 3 months with my son at Cupertino, she responded “ Beginning of Retired Life”!!! (Maybe it's time to throw the towel fully, I guess!)

 

The observations in the 20 minutes I stood in line were.

1.     All visa officers I saw asking questions ( I could see 6- 7 windows) were polite, respectful, and had a sense of humor, never showed irritation when the questions were not understood, and the applicant went tangential. (You can hear a bit of the conversation as both speak to mike with a speaker- there is a glass partition in between). 

2.     Preference for fast track to Family group with children, Old aged people.

3.     Couple of  American women officers spoke Tamil to the applicant and conducted the entire interview in Tamil.

4.     The pride and amazement they show when responding that the sponsor, dependent works for a great organization shows they wish the immigrants would do well and are proud that America gives such opportunities.

5.     Generally, B1/B2 were Yes or No decisions. While L1/H1B were accepted with visa issued, subjected to  providing additional evidence. (Green slip or Pink slip handed over at end of interview).

6.     The only disappointment was the Lady officer never questioned Lalitha anything,!!!

7.     Number of documents asked as evidence =0. I spent quite a bit of time collecting and collating them for both of us!

 Interesting also is that the US Visa in your Passport allows you to travel to 49 countries without a visa of that country for a short duration. Even in the UK, you can spend a maximum of one night on transit without a UK visa.

 

While it is a far more improvement from my days 20 years ago, to stand in Queue at 3am for an 11am appointment (That too lottery / first come first served basis) to fixed slots. (This changed when George Bush's senior security Advisor on travel for Dubiya's visit planning, saw the crowd waiting for visa at Madras, assumed Rioters were gathered and he was concerned about security issues. He then escalated the matter for change of process and appointments etc started from 2007 or so) Even now in 2022, still there are no facilities while waiting on Roadside until you are called in.   If it rains, you are at nature’s mercy as so on Hot blistery Summer day. Also there are no lockers, etc for keeping even car keys etc if you drive down etc. Some things never changed for densely populated, III world countries, I guess!!!  

Regards

Karthik. 

Give Credit where Due!! Income Tax Refunds!!!

Amazing, within 96 hours applying in Income tax returns, (Radha being Charted Account at home filed on our behalf for all four of us,)! Lalitha, and I have got our refund from the Income Tax Department, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India,  credited in our bank account. (Shravan NIL returns as Non Resident)..... 

This was the fastest. Radhu told us it is a simple system but all are linked like Spider web so that you can't miss / fail to submit, any declarations...! 

 The amount also is significant, so they could have asked for more evidence etc and dilly dallied like Yes, Minister ....

Some systems work. Gives confidence...... 

Regards

Karthik.

3rd Aug 2022. 

Father's 5th Devasam.

 Today 21st July 2022, Thursday marks the 5th Anniversary as per Lunar Calendar of Father, Dr TM Balasubramaniam, (CECRI, Karaikudi) passing away (English date 15th Aug 2017).

I am doing the rituals in full scope after a gap of 2 years due to COVID, here at home. (Amritkala). 

Seetharaman Vaadhiyar who lead the protocols for mother's passing away shall be guiding me.

I can't beleive that 5 years have gone in a flash. That is power of time I guess.. Not a day passese without anyone refering his memory on his humor, sarcarsm, and his generous acts....!!

Take care

Karthik

21/7/22

Bangalore. 

Update. At Gayathri Niwas, Karaikudi, The house dad built in 1971, Floral tribute was arranged today. 

Moive after 4 years in Theater! This afternoon!

My time for entertainment is to watch one English movie a year. (Only English- it is 33 years since I watched an Indian language film) that too sponsored by someone...

Shravan, (My Son) agreed to take me one movie a year from 2012. 2012 Reacher, 2016 Reacher II, 2017 Dunkirk, 2018 The Post. ( I stopped watching English movies too from 2005 or so). So 2019,20,21 and 22 so far none. 

Rahda (My Daughter) is taking me to "TOP GUN-Maverick" this afternoon. (170Mn$ Budget)  I plan to go more for the music, (Top Gun Anthem is legend). Harold Faltomeyer is one of my music favorites (Axel F-Beverly Hill Cops)! From what I have heard on Youtube, the music experience I look forward to in IMAX (PVR Cinemas near home) .....

I didn't watch Top GUN -1, when it was released in 1986, I was busy with initial career days so no time for movies. (6 days* 12 hrs a day on MFG Site!).....

I look forward to the afternoon. I am told Maverick and Jurassic park have brought 75% of Pre covid revenue collection. Interesting also is 50% cinema goers for Maverick are above age 40!! (Like me)  They may want to relive the old days of 35 years back!! Tom Cruise has given them the opportunity just like ABBA did last year with their music after 40 years...! As is article below on Kate Bush's "Running up the hill" (1985) 

I hope you too take time out to enjoy the fun with family /friends (Lalitha is uncomfortable with such war/fly scenes, so she opted out) ..... I read in many reviews that thankfully there is "NO WOKE"!!! 

Regards

Karthik. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Maverick genius of Tom Cruise

June 11, 2022 by Jnews

Tom Cruise in ‘Maverick’

I went to see Tom Cruise save the cinema last weekend. It was an overly generous gesture from a man fast approaching 60 and surely so comfortably furnished in life he could better occupy his time than running around topless with a group of men less than half his age. But that’s Tom Cruise: a tiny splinter of granite, chiselled straight from the rock of L Ron Hubbard, he’s never stinted in his commitment to serve the multiplex.

Perhaps, even more remarkably, saving the cinema is exactly what he’s done. Top Gun: Maverick has smashed it at the box office. Its domestic take on opening weekend was $ 160mn: in its second weekend, it collected a further $ 86mn – the smallest second-weekend decline for a movie opening at $ 100mn or more. Globally, the film has made some $ 600mn, and audiences are remaining steady thanks to positive word of mouth.

Top Gun, Tony Scott’s original 1986 film about the Navy’s elite school for fighter pilots, was a homoerotic orgy of greasy machismo, gunned with adrenaline-filled action sequences, motorbikes and occasional heterosexual sex. I watched it on repeat at my best friend’s house, mostly because I had a huge crush on her brother, and it was the only film he let us watch. (Go figure.) The critical consensus was that this dogged eulogy to male leadership, muscle power and US military might was pretty rubbish: I loved it for the long tracking shots in which implausibly buff actors such as Val Kilmer wandered around in towels.

Top Gun: Maverick might be described as a “legacy sequel” in that it follows the current trend for taking former hits – such as Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Terminator – and refashioning them for a younger generation. Except that while a legacy sequel usually repopulates its movies with new actors, Top Gun: Maverick is unique in that its lead action hero remains Tom Cruise. Cruise has refused to acquiesce to the wisdom that the elder actor should hand over his star power. Like cinema’s own Rafael Nadal, he has defied every expectation to remain one of the most bankable actors in modern history, and done so at a pensionable age.

While a legacy sequel usually repopulates its movies with new actors, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ is unique in that its lead action hero remains Tom Cruise

Cruise remains a mysterious character in Hollywood, but arguably his otherworldly stamina and commitment are intrinsic to his appeal. If he wants to credit his mad intensity to the teachings of Scientology then fair enough: I’ve long accepted his odd religious leanings as part exchange in the Tom Cruise package deal. Such is his dedication to authenticity that, according to a GQ interview with the film’s stunt co-ordinator Kevin LaRosa II, Cruise required the Maverick cast to undertake a grueling training program in F-18s – loaned by the US Department of Defense for $ 11,000 an hour. “Our cast had to be in the aircraft for every shot. So when they’re delivering those epic performances, they’re really in there pulling those Gs. ”

In a world of green-screen Marvel and dino-driven entertainments, there’s something hugely gratifying about watching Miles Teller’s face melting in G-force. The fact that Cruise has held a pilot’s license since 1994 and flies a P-51 Mustang only helps maintain the delicious illusion that everything in Maverick is real.

But Cruise and cinematic verisimilitude are only two factors in Maverick‘s mighty ascension. The film also envelops us in a jet stream of nostalgia as seductive as any F-18 vapor trial. From the all-too-familiar gongs that chime in the film’s opening, to the Top Gun anthem, the film has allowed us a small but poignant opportunity to look back on lost youth. In that, Maverick is far from unique. This week has found us trapped in some sort of alternate reality as a rush of Eighties legends have taken the stage again. Thanks to the current series of Stranger Things on Netflix, Kate Bush is currently celebrating her first ever US top 10 hit with “Running Up That Hill”, first released in 1985, and the single is one of the most played songs globally on Spotify.

Unlike Cruise, Bush, who last performed in public at a series of residences in 2014, has not been required to recreate her stage persona. (Feminists might argue the 63-year-old delivered her pound of flesh a long time ago.) But even the reclusive singer was persuaded to come out of semi-retirement this week to release a rare statement on her website about her newfound fame.

Karaikudi Visit (31/3- 3/4)

I wanted to carry out some rituals post mother passing away here at Bangalore, (Which are monthly, quaterly etc) at Karaikudi. However, due to covid and other situation, I could never make it to the place, (Gayathri Niwas) where parents spent good 55 years. 

With Covid out of everyone's radar (Thanks mainly to Vladimir Putin), we decided to work a trip to be present on Friday, 1st April 2022, (The first anniversary). We worked a plan to carry out reciting Vedic Hymn as well as carrying out few homams for Peace and propserity to all the dear/near and the Humankind in these tough/ unpredictable situation. Our family priest Kannan Vaddhiyar arranged everything as requested and there were 5 additional vedic scholars who recited the hymn for good 4 hours besides carrying out about 6 Homams. The event lasted about 4 hours in total. 

We organised breakfast and lunch which gave us an opportunity to meet people who had interacted with parents over the past 45 years or so. 

We also took this visit to clean up the house to dispose items which we organised to give away to Old age home and to people who had helped/supported parents over the past 25 years. Infact these people had kept the house Spick and span despite house being locked for the past 14 months. 

After visiting our native deity @KARISULNTHAMANGLAM temples, on 2nd April,(Near Tirunelveli on River Thamirabhrani banks) we reached Bangalore Sunday late evening. 

Regards

Karthik

4/4/22

Cherishing Mother's life through a memorial Service at KARAIKUDI. (1/4/2022).

 It will be one year on Friday, 1st April 2022; that day in 2021, my mother Mrs VIJAYA Balasubramaniyam (Wife of Late Dr TMB, CECRI, Karaikudi) passed away here in Bangalore. Due to Covid and other situations, we have not been to Karaikudi during the past 14 months and could not do any rituals.......

We have now decided to be present on FRIDAY 1st APRIL 2022, at our residence GAYATHRI NIWAS, Sekkalai, (Opp Mena Hall) Pillayar Koil street, at KARAIKUDI and cherish her life on the 1st Anniversary. We plan to organise vedic chants and events, which she very much liked. 

While I am trying to reach out to people, the fact that I left Karaikudi about 40+ years ago in my teens and hardly spent time out there, makes it difficult to know whom all mother reached out..... If you had interacted with her, please feel free to reach out that day FRIDAY, 1st April 2022  all day any time that works for you. I shall be present all day at Karaikudi.  

1/4/2022 (வெள்ளி ) அம்மா (Mrs Vijaya Balasubramaniyam,) அம்மாவின் 1வது நினைவு நாள்,  காயத்திரி நிவாஸ், மேனா ஹால் எதிரில், செக்காலை. ஹோமம் செய்யப்படும். 1/4/2022 Friday 6am to 10am.
கணபதி பூஜை,  நவகிரஹ ஹோமாம் , ம்ருதுஞ்சாயா ஹோமம் ,சுதர்ஷனன் ஹோமம் ,ஆயுஷ்  ஹோமம் ,தன்வந்தரி ஹோமம்
காலை 6மணி முதல் 10 மணி வரை! 

நாங்கள் வீட்டில் காலை உணவு (காலை 8 மணி) மதிய உணவை மதியம் 12 மணிக்கு ஏற்பாடு செய்துள்ளோம். உங்களைப் பார்க்க நாங்கள் காத்திருக்கிறோம்.  (அம்மா 1/4/2021 பெங்களூரில் காலமானார். பெங்களூரில், மார்ச் 20-22, 2022, முதலாவதான ஷ்ரார்த்தம் சடங்குகளைச் செய்தோம்.) கார்த்திக் மற்றும் லலிதா. (Bangalore). 

Thanks and Regards

Karthik.

Bangalore 26th March, 2022. 

Mother's first year rituals completed!!

All,

Today, with the blessings of mother’s soul, we have completed the 3 days rituals of her first year Abhdeeham. We were greatly guided in this effort by Sri Swaminathan Sastrigal, a 92 year old priest on first day rituals. Yesterday we completed the devasam (Which guides mother's soul -one year journey to heaven) which took about 3 hrs with all devasam rituals etc.  Seetharaman, the main priest did a fabulous job which mother would have approved. (He was also one to lead us for all the 13 days of rituals including the cremation, as well as monthly rituals in coordination with our family priest Mr Ramamurthy).

Today, we performed, subhasreeharam with Navagraha, Ayush homam. 6 priests were present. So from tomorrow it is back to business as usual after 355 days or so with all rituals, celebrations in order. 

We plan to visit Karaikudi / Karisulthamangalam (Tinnaveli) next week. 

PL find few photos taken today. Gayathri, Anand, Chinna (Mom’s brother) was present all 3 days. 

We are thankful to everyone for their support in terms of words, resources, logistics, rituals, cooking food... It is deeply appreciated. I am sure mother would have seen everything from up there and would have approved of it! 

Karthik. 

Last Picture of MOM! (20/3/21)

20th March is my sister Gayathri's birthday. (We named our home at Karaikudi after her when she was born when house was under construction)! 

Gayathri was here that week, on 20th March 2021 to see Mother, as it was apparent that mother was in her final stretch. 

I clicked a picture of me, mom, Gayathri,  Veni, (Right to left) along with Lalitha before Gayathri and Veni left for Airport. That was final picture of Mom. She passed away on 1st April 145am. 

Mother's First Annual Rituals (Varushabdhikam)

From tomorrow (Sunday, 20th March) for the next 3 days we shall be performing the First Annual rituals for our mother (Mrs. Vijaya Balasubramanyam, w/o. Late Dr TMB CECRI Karaikudi) here at Amritkala, Bangalore. The 3rd day event on Tuesday, 22nd, is to celebrate her life and restore normal order. 

Anand and Gayathri shall be reaching Bangalore, in joining me for the rituals. Veni wouldn't be able to make it due to some commitment. 

On 1st April 2022, (The date of departed) I plan to be in Gayathri Niwas,Karaikudi, (With Lalitha) and celebrate her life with people there (She spent almost 60 years there 1963-2021) as well as perform some rituals to restore order there for the house was locked out for 14 months. I also have plans to visit a few temples around seeking athmaa shanthi. (Which she loved, but couldn't make it on many occasions!). 

We still can not believe that she is not around, as my colleague, Clyde Roe, said when my father passed away, that "It would take you some time for you to refer your father in past tense and you always feel is he is around" One year on, it is always that kind of feeling that she is around, only to realise that she is not there with us anymore and reality hits you!.

Regards

Karthik.

19th March 2022

Bangalore.