The US trip

My collegue is sharing her experience of meeting bunch of Marwaris in the US embassy. They had come for their US visa interview.. It reminds of a similar incident.

Making it to the US is a victory for most Indians, at least until a few years ago. For people in Gujarat obsessed with going overseas, it is a triumph that has no comparision. More so, if you are among those who until a few months ago did not know how to speak English, it is a conquest. So one can clearly imagine the euphoria and celebrations ahead of the departure at the airport. I witnessed one in 2004-05.

It was little past midnight. Me and a friend had come to see off a common friend who was going to the US to pursue Master's degree in Psychology. The usual farewell and parting bit was on until a luxury bus passed us.

The bus looked like one of those political party bus after a win in the election. It also apparently had a banner with something written on it (in Gujarati). There were about 30-40 people, which has to be family members and relatives of the privilege one who is going to make the grand departure. Gradually, the troops make their way out from the bus, amidst the cheer and chants that have gained many decibel. The children and the young ones hopped out, the elderly ones are carefully helped come out. About 30 of them were down on the road by now.

They were shouting and celebrating that one of them was making it to the US. May be Neil Armstrong also got a similar farewell before his trip to the moon. Anyway, after much celebrations, the guys eventually makes it to the international passenger terminal. One of his friends shouted in Gujarati, go and meet George Bush also as he makes his way.

Just before he walked in, he turned back and waived his hands like a US President himself.