NRI visiting India after 16 years
That NRI happens to be me. This last January I visited India after 16 years. My first stop was New Delhi where me and my family attended a wedding. From New Delhi we drove to Agra to visit Taj Mahal. What happened here should interest all my fellow NRI's.
The driver who drove us to Agra, instructed us not to utter a word when entering the Taj Mahal Complex. He went ahead and purchased the tickets. Now the fun starts because he purchased tickets valid for Indian Citizens (cost Rs250 each).The sign clearly states that NRI's have to pay Rs 750 for a entrance ticket. At the entrance gate we are about to enter the Taj Mahal Complex. The uniformed security person who was checking the tickets looked at us and then told our driver:
"Yeh yahan ke nahin hai" (These people (pointing to us) are not from here).
The driver countered - "nahi nahi yeh toh mumbai keh hain". At this point I started feeling very uncomfortable. You'll might be saying -good!! you deserve it for being cheap-.
The security guard warned the driver "Agar pakhre gaye toh Rs 5000 jurmana dena parega" (If you are caught then you have to pay Rs5000 fine per person). He then lets us in.
We just walked about 20 feet and a plain clothes security guy stops me. The first question he asks me "Aap kahan ke ho" (Where are you from). I answer "Hum Mumbai keh rahene wale hain" (I am from Mumbai).
He then asks "Mumbai meh kahan rahete ho" (Where do you live in Mumbai). I answer - Bandra.
His next question floored me. This is what he asks "Acha - toh Maharashtra kaa Chief Minister kaun Hai" (Who is the Chief Minister of Maharashtra). Now remember I am visiting India after 16 years. I remembered the name "Sharad Pawar".
Some one from way up above must have been watching me. I was extremely fortunate, the only thing that happened to me was that I was promptly sent outside to purchase the NRI ticket for Taj Mahal which was Rs 750/- a piece. I guess worst could have happened.
So my fellow NRI's don't try to camouflage with excessive Indian clothing. These guys are smart, they can figure out who is an NRI.
more later.... (next episode will be flying in India from Jammu to Mumbai via New Delhi on 2 different airlines)
posted by Virender Ajmani @ 11:21 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Interesting story! I think i read it somewhere else before too. ; - )
Cheers, Rohit
www.DelhiEvents.com
I was looking for some informations about NRIs in Google and got your blog. Interesting story and very true but i am not able to understand why taj people have double standards, they charge 250 from indians but charge 750 from NRIs and something else from Foreign nationals.
nice reading. i have not read it anywhere.
Warm regards
santosh
Http://www.gmcwebsite.com
Separate price ticketing was abolished a few years ago. You been had. Sorry.
Separate pricing abolished a few years ago. That is News! May be the Officials are duping people with a sign above the ticket counter which clearly states the NRI ticket pricing and pricing for Indian Citizens, which is not the same.
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