Nightmarish Air travel

 

Nightmarish Air Travel

Our real ordeal started at London airport. Surprisingly enough, we were asked to show travel documents with permission to travel to India – self declaration form, COVID test report and the permission from High Commission  in US

By Mukesh Sharma

 

Gone are the days when air travel was the most coveted ‘ride’, particularly, for the commoners. It would give the feeling of privileged class. Sexy air hostesses manning the entrance of aircraft would welcome the passengers with a sensuous smile; they would love to walk up to any passenger on board just on a press of a button; they would talk and treat the passenger like a close buddy. But the most dared and deadly corona has changed all those friendly and flirting gestures and postures. In this corona time, air travel is no better than a nightmare.

After staying for long six months in US, this blogger decided to explore the possibilities to fly back to India during this pandemic. Though Indian govt. continued its so called ‘Evacuation flights’ for its stranded citizens in different countries under the name Vande Matrum, there are reports that the passengers were overcharged for the ‘facilities’ – no food in jam-packed flights and harassment at Indian airport in the name of Corona.

 

A nightmarish air travel

In the middle of the last month, Indian govt. also started ‘bubble service’ under an agreement with some countries – US, UK, Germany and UAE. Airlines of the said countries were permitted to land in India. A website ‘Air Suvidha’ was launched with certain guidelines. Passengers travelling to India were asked to upload the travel information 76 hour before scheduled flight with COVID test report done within 96 hours of date of flight with a self-declaration to undergo mandatory 7 days self-financed institutional quarantine and 7 days home quarantine.

 People allege hotels with good ‘understanding’ with the authorities are having good business in India. It is a fact that people are scared even to travel to their homeland. Rumor is doing rounds if one is found COVID positive, one would not survive corona in govt. hospital, and private hospital would make the patient bleed by Rs.10 -15lac. Corona has turned out to be a windfall for hospitals and docs – no treatment, no responsibility, blank exemption from any kind of negligence and lots of money. Hail corruption!

Having uploaded all the travel information on ‘air suvidha’ and armed with COVID negative report, this blogger along with his wife dared to board the American Airline (operated by British Airways) to Delhi. No doubt, such a long air travel was a risk. But the intense desire to get back to India strengthened the will- power.

At Phoenix (US) airport, there were a few passengers. At air line counter, attendant spoke to us from behind a glass shield. Within 10 minutes our baggage was cleared for check-in and boarding passes were issued from Phoenix to Dallas (Texas, US), from Dallas to London (UK), and from London to Delhi. Our joy knew no bound when we got the boarding passes. The picture of Delhi airport flickered through my mind. Nothing attracts like motherland.

It was two and half hour flight from Phoenix to Dallas. The seats between two passengers were left empty. A food packet was left on each seat containing water bottle and a few cookies. No air hostess attended any passenger during flight – it was the most humiliating air travel.

At Dallas, we dashed to given gate to catch the flight to London. It was 10 hours flight over Atlantic Ocean to London. However, without any eatable, drinks were served in the flight.

Our real ordeal started at London airport. Surprisingly enough, we were asked to show travel documents with permission to travel to India – self declaration form, COVID test report and the permission from High Commission posted in US. “Since when Indian national holding Indian pass port are required to seek the permission of Indian High Commission to return to India” I tried to reason with the white staffer of British Air. But the confused and non updated attendant would not listen. Total five passengers all coming from US going to Delhi were stopped and not allowed to board the flight in the want of permission/approval letter from Indian high Commission. Miserably enough, we missed the flight because of the confusion created by the vague guidelines issued by the Indian government. Even the British Airways attendant was confused.  And next flight from London to Delhi was after 4 days.

Daughter of this blogger called up Indian embassy in US and was told that there was no such condition. Perturbed and disturbed, this blogger tweeted with hash tag to MEA and PMO. But who cares for the commoners!

Harassed and harried for hours at the airport by the British Airways staffers, this blogger sought the intervention of a ‘Border officer’. “How can you allow these Indians to stay for 4 days in London without VISA,” questioned the officer angrily. “If they move out of the airport, they will be arrested” she added. Realising their mistake, British Airways assured to put us in the next available flight to Mumbai next day as there was no flight to Delhi for 4 days.

Never in all these living years, this blogger along with his wife has had such a harrowing time, spending 24 hours at London Airport on chairs – no food just on water. At a time we were overpowered by the thought that we would catch corona at Heathrow (London) and die of corona in India. Fear of corona and death aftermath was writ large on the face.  

Next day, all documents were cleared and finally we were allowed to board the flight to Mumbai, just 25 minutes before the scheduled time of the flight. We both rushed to given gate which was at far end of the airport. Through many escalators and lifts and ride on a tube, we, somehow, managed to reach the gate. Message was conveyed to flight that we were on the way. We heaved the sigh of relief when we found the staffers waiting for us and motioning to move fast and board the flight. Though we both were panting heavily with heart pounding, and were thirsty, none offered even a glass of water. We collapsed on seat and fastened the seat belt. Just after 15 minutes, aircraft started rolling on the run way. This blogger rang up his kids in India and told about the boarding.

After long 10 hours, we finally touched Mumbai. This blogger and his wife got emotional when we saw Mumbai. We were cleared through immigration and COVID staffers within two hours. Since we had already booked ticket to Delhi, we faced no problem. At last, we touched Delhi. Thanks to COVID negative report, we were permitted 14 days home quarantine in Delhi.

The first hand experience of this blogger proves that air travel is really a nightmare during this pandemic. The system ridden with confusion and corruption doesn’t care for the commoners. It kneels down before netas only.

 

Humour

AMERICAN ASS

Donkeys are great lovers. At a time, a donkey remains constant to its particular mate.  No swapping. He-ass loves the she-ass wholeheartedly -one to one at a time. They often love to graze in pairs with their respective partners. Male Donkey is called Jacks and female is called Jennie or Jennet in man’s narrow world 

By Mukesh Sharma

Driving through picturesque hills nearby Lake Pleasant Regional Park, a large outdoor recreational area and also the most visited place by the locals in northwest, Phoenix, Arizona(US), this blogger caught the sight of an ass walking silently with head downcast and ears picked up beside the road with no master around. The roaming stray animals is a rare sight on American roads. This blogger pulled up his car and got off to take a few pics of Mr. American Ass (the original name of donkey is ass and the scientific name is equus africanusa sinus)

Blood brothers: American and Indian Ass

 

While clicking the pics of sweet and cute American Ass, the picture of Indian ass also flickered across the mind. There was no discernible difference between American and Indian Ass. Both appeared blood brother. “Aaa Aaa”, this blogger shouted out of affection. But it would not heed. Suddenly this blogger realized that he was addressing an English knowing American Ass. So Hindi words would not do. Surprisingly, when this blogger yelled, “come on” the ass stopped for a while and twisted it ears bit but soon continued its onward journey towards some undisclosed destination. Even animals understand and respond in English here in US, the most coveted language, Indian students struggle a lot to learn in India.

Though in the world of man ass or donkey is used rather pejoratively, this wonderful creature which has been braying on the earth since pre-historic times, has many great qualities. Frankly speaking, if imbibed, these attributes have potential to change the life of the man.

Donkey/ass  is known for its dedication and diligence. It never shirks it duties and work. In the third world countries, donkeys engaged in carrying loads through narrow zigzag stretches or through trails up the hills, are the assets. As an honest and hard-working animals, they earn their ‘bread’ by the sweat of their brow. Very recently, Pakistan was in news for exporting donkeys to China to work on difficult and treacherous terrains. Donkeys are in abundance in Pakistan. It’s a fact that donkeys have played a key role in the progress of the man.

Donkeys are very stubborn; it never lets its stubbornness die even in  the face of death threat. In jungle, whenever other animals come across wolves or snakes, they choose to flee from the scene. However, the brave heart donkey doesn’t leave the ground. It stares the wolf down in an act of silent defence and remains ready to use its leg power to full throttle. Mahatma Gandhi must have got the superb idea of ‘passive’ violence from an ass only.

Donkeys are said to be the social animals; they enjoy the herd living.  But they are intelligent enough to maintain and assert their individuality. Even in pack, they don’t go by herd thinking. They follow their own whims and wants. Man must learn this art from donkey for the betterment of self and the country.

 Like dogs, donkeys also love to live with man. They are great pet. No doubt, they are loyal and loving creature. People describe donkeys as the dogs of livestock world.

 Donkeys are great lovers. At a time, a donkey remains constant to its particular mate.  No swapping. He-ass loves the she-ass wholeheartedly -one to one at a time. They often love to graze in pairs with their respective partners. Male Donkey is called Jacks and female is called Jennie or Jennet in man’s narrow world.

 Yet another good quality of Donkeys is that they never complain; they are not demanding; their expectations are too low; they just live in present and enjoy to its optimum; they adapt themselves to prevailing circumstance in no time. Resigned to divine providence, they just live and work without caring about its ‘fruit’. It seems that the tenets of the Gita run through the blood of Donkeys. Donkeys are above ego and desires. Perhaps they know that these ills are the root cause of all the sufferings. So whenever, their master canes them, they don’t take it as a punishment but as an stimulus for work. Great are Donkeys.

If man embraces all the qualities of the donkey, this world would become a wonderful place to live in.

 According to the Domestic Animals Diversity Information System ( DAD –IS), there are 189 breeds of Donkey on the planet. Irrespective of their domicile country, this blogger salutes all the donkey of the world.

Self-made Billionaires (series)

A Man Who Dreams to ‘Conquer’ Earth and ‘Colonize’ Space

As a President and CEO of Amazon and with reported net worth US $ 196.6 billion till July 13, 2020, Jeff Bezos is the richest man in the world.

With 5,66,000 employees, Amazon operates in 14 countries across the world.

Under Blue Origin, a flagship company of Amazon, Jeff Bezos has also started selling commercial spaceflight tickets for US $ 200,000 to 300,000 per passenger.

Jeff Bezos also owns a widely circulated American English daily, The Washington Post which he purchased on August 5, 2013 for US $ 250 million cash.

In this corona time when the most of the business has gone nose dive, Jeff Bezos has seen a rise in his fortune by US $ 74 billion this year.

Alexa, a household name in US, an Amazon product looks after the household of Americans.

By Mukesh Sharma

In this shop keeping society, everyone is selling something for their daily bread. Of course, business lies in selling something to somebody. But genius Jeff Bezos went ahead of sheer selling; he made service a giant global phenomena; in his game, he decided to play a ‘carrier’ between the seller and buyer. And this idea turned out to be super hit.

Jeff Bezos, man who dreams to ‘conquer’ the earth and ‘colonize’ space

Naming his business after the name of Amazon river, the biggest river in the world, Jeff planned the biggest store in the world.

On July, 1994, Jeff got his Amazon incorporated as a company and started it from the garage of his house on 28^th street in Belleue, Washington in September, 1994. Since then he never looked back. Today US based Amazon operates from 13 countries  -- Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain and UK.

In September, 2000, Jeff also founded Blue Origin, a human spaceflight startup company. In July, 2018 , the company announced that it had priced commercial spaceflight ticket from US $ 200,000 to 300, 000.

Early life of Jeff was not without struggle. Born on Jan12, 1964 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to a teenage mother, Jacklyn Gise Jorgensen and his biological father Ted Jorgensen,his mother remarried another man, Mike Bezos, a Cuban immigrant when Jeff was just 4. Thus Jeff got his surname Bezos.

While at High School, Jeff worked at Mc Donald as a short-order line cook during the breakfast shift. He graduated from Princeton University in 1986 with a degree in electrical engineering and computer science. Rest is history.

Jeff says his goal is to create “the Star Trek Computer.”

Genius Jeff Bezos knows how to have Big Dreams, live for them and fulfil them. He is the man who dreams to ‘conquer’ the earth and ‘colonize’ space.

Self-made Billionaire (Series)

Cleaner to Billionaire

Jan Koum worked as a cleaner at a store, a college dropout who created whatsApp, got the billion dollar idea over a cup of tea; co-founded whatsApp with a friend Brian Acton; the Facebook that rejected his candidature for the job once, bought the App for US$19.3 billion and today the duo founders stand with reported net worth US$10 billion and US$ 2.9 billion respectively

By Mukesh Sharma

 

With one billion daily users across the world, WhatsApp has become a part of day-to-day life. Where ever one is, one remains in touch with one’s near and dear ones round the clock. Indeed WhatsApp has created a sense of togetherness in the world.

Jan Koum & Brian Acton who have created 
the sense of togetherness in the world

The life story of genius Jan Koum reads like a rags to riches.

Born on Feb24, 1976 in Kiev, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union, he moved with his mother and grandmother to Mountain View, California(US) in 1992 at the age of 16. Before his father could join the family, he died in 1997 in Ukrain.

Young Jan worked as a cleaner at grocery store. His mother worked as a babysitter in early days of struggle.

Battling for better life, at the age of 18, the promising Jan developed interest in computer programming. So he enrolled himself at San Joe State University and also continued a job with Ernst and Young as a Security Tester. At this juncture, Jan met one Brian Acton. Soon both became good friends.

Later in 1997, Jan got a job in Yahoo as an infrastructure Engineer. So he dropped out of college. Brian Acton also joined Yahoo. Both worked with Yahoo for a long nine years. In September, 2007, both left the job with Yahoo and applied for job with Facebook. The candidatures of both were rejected.

In 2009, Jan got an idea for an App over a cup of tea at his friend’s Fishman’s kitchen counter. Jan decided to name it as WhatsApp as it sounds like what’s up.

Later on Feb24, 2009, Jan Koun incorporated whatApp as a company with tittle WhatsApp Inc in California. Further he also convinced his friend Brian Acton to join the company with a co-founder status after Brian managed to bring in $ 250,000 in seed funding.

On Feb9, 2014, Zuckerberg of Facebook invited Jan Koun for dinner at his residence and formally proposed a deal to join Facebook as a one of board of directors with profit share. After 10 days Facebook also announced that it was acquiring whatsApp for US $ 19.3 billion.

Another co-founder of whatsapp Inc Brian Acton is an American computer programmer. Born in Michigan and grew up in central Florida. He studied at Lake Howel High School and also graduated from Stanford University in 1994.

A momentary idea over a cup of tea changed the destiny of Jan Koum and Brian Acton.

The world shall remain grateful to Jan Koum for instilling the sense of togetherness in the world what even different religions failed to do.

Self-made Billionaires (Series)

The Infinite Google

The ingenuity of two college friends  -- Lawrence Edward Page and Sergey Brin who created Google while studying at Stanford University, has, no doubt, bounded the ‘infinity’, and today their reported net worth stand at US $ 63.3 billion and US $ 62.3 billion respectively; the duo fly by their own boeing 767 jet

By Mukesh Sharma

Google sounds like the genie of Aladdin. Just ask anything, Google has it. Any information is just a few clicks away. Nothing seems to be beyond the purview of great Google. Over 300 million use google daily across the world.

Larry Page & Sergey Brin -two genius who created infinite Google

Larry (short name of Lawrence Edward Page) and Sergey first named their ‘Search Engine’ as “Back Rub”, for, it was dependent on backlines to estimate the importance of sites. Later in 1996, they renamed it as Google after the mathematical term ‘googol’ that refers to No.1 followed by 100 zero.

And thus Larry and Sergey co-founded Google in 1998 - a search engine to access any information.

Lawrence Edward Page was born on March 26, 1973 in Michigan in a family of computer scientist – the father Carl Page was then a pioneer in computer science and artificial intelligence and was a computer science professor at Michigan University, and Gloria, the mother was also an instructor in computer programming at Lyman Briggs College of Michigan University. Lawrence, nick name Larry learnt first lesson in computer programming from his mother. After graduation from University of Michigan, Larry went to Stanford University as a PhD scholar where he met another scholar Sergey Brin.

Born on August21, 1973 in a Jewish family in Moscow, Russia, Sergey Brin’s father Michael Brin immigrated to US when Sergey was just 6. His father joined University of Maryland as a professor of mathematics. So Sergey grew up in Adelphi, Maryland. After the completion of graduation, Sergey as a brilliant student and scholar went to Stanford University to earn PhD degree where he met another genius Larry Page.

The favourite Google phrase is:

Maintain a healthy disregard for the impossible

The world is grateful to these two genii who have made an impossibility a possibility by creating an infinite Google.

Self-made Billionaires (Series)

He Became World’s Youngest Self-made Billionaire at 23

Mark Elliot Zuckerberg, a ‘’programmer prodigy” created Facebook from his dormitory room while studying at Harvard University; his net reported worth is US $ 88.2 billion as on July14, 2020

By Mukesh Sharma

The most of the people in the world remain mute witness to happenings; some express awe and dismay at the happenings; but a few make things happen. Those who make things happen, think beyond impossibilities; they look beyond present to peep into future; they don’t tell the world what they can do, they just do it. Of course the young and dynamic Mark Zuckerberg who needs no introduction, is the one who has set rather unbeatable records with his stunning ‘feats’ in the world of computer communication, and has shrunk the world into tiny a mobile. Mark Zuckerberg is a success personified; his life is an epitome of inspiration to young minds.

Mark Elliot Zuckerberg, who has shrunk the world into a tiny mobile

Surprisingly enough, at the young age of 23, he became the world’s youngest self-made billionaire. Forbes listed him as the 4^th richest person in the world. In 2010, Time magazine named him among the 100 wealthiest and the most influential people in the world.

The New Yorker magazine says:

Some kids played computer games, Mark created them.

In a yet another observation, the New Yorker says:

By the time Mark began classes at Harvard, he had already achieved a reputation as a programmer prodigy.

Born on May 14, 1984 in White Plains, New York (US) in a family of doctors - his mother Karen a psychiatrist and father Edward Zuckerberg a dentist. Mark was raised in a Jewish household and his ancestors hailed from German, Austria, and Poland.

Mark studied at Ardsley High School and was a brilliant student. On his college admission form, he mentioned that he could read and write French, Hebrew, Latin and ancient Greek.

After  schooling, Mark studied at Harvard University where he launched the Facebook Social Networking from his hostel dormitory as a student on February 4, 2004 with his roommates.

As a co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg serves as a Chairman and CEO of Facebook. Inc. He is also the co-founder of the Solar Sail Spacecraft.

Indeed, the world of communication owes a lot to genius Mark Elliot Zuckerberg! Hats off to him.

Self-made Billionaires

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