…Being A Student…

When I informed friends and colleagues about my decision to embark upon PhD (read it as being a student again), some of them termed it as eccentric. Most of the relatives called it plainly outrageous and stupid. Looking at looming (seemingly never ending) home loan I thought it would be gutsy but not unthinkable and only after I was sure to have finances under control, I decided Abhi Nahi To Kabhi Nahi and went for it.

At times I wonder if it has been a clever decision or not. As I think more and more about it, I end up having mixed thoughts. Thoughts specially outpour during international flights to and from Bombay. The last journey was no different with deluge of thoughts on my mind as I was passing through Indian customs. After what I thought of to be a routine baggage scan I found myself in front a bald held, portly, white uniformed Indian Customs Officer Mr. Ahuja. Probably being first time, it proved to be an experience in itself. He started firing one question after the other. Kahase aayeho? Kya kya hein bag mein? Electronic goods? I gullibly informed him about everything I had (except iPod which I thought I could easily camouflage and wasn’t new anyway) and he started listing everything down on a piece of paper. He then started asking about the cost of each and every item. How much does this record player cost? I said about 80 Euros showing him the bill Prabhat had handed me the other day. What is this? queried Mr Ahuja looking at another popping bill in my wallet. I said this is the bill of a set of bags which I was carrying. One with goods and one as goods and wondered how could he levy that. How about Watches?? I said about xxx euros and realized that I had forgotten the bill of the watches as I had never imagined that I would be facing this. And this camera? asked Mr. Ahuja with a triumphant look. I answered 400 USD reducing the prize as I converted the actual prize from euros to USDs, reducing a sizable sum in the process.

Querying about my camera left me visibly annoyed as I have already been using it for a while now and I thought it was atrocious to list this as one of the items to be levied. Anything else? Chocolates? I answered yes a bit of them. How many? 5-6Kgs?? I affirmed. Chocolates can be levied was news for me. “Perfume(s) hein?” Mr. Ahuja was unstoppable. I said No. “aur Cigerette(s)?” “Nahi bhai”. “Any liquor item?” Asked Ahuja, “NO”, I answered. Wine, Champagne?? Nahi baap, My voice was loud now as I was very annoyed. He summed up and asked me about the EURO versus INR rate, I said ~62. He said, Let’s take 63. Bugger was not ready to leave an inch. Then came another beamer. I think, I should increase the entire cost by 20% as all these goods must be a lot cheaper in Belgium. I had to educate him that all goods in Belgium come with 21% VAT and hence he should offer me a concession rather than taxing more. He was in no mood to bulge though and after some math came up with a magic figure INR 1495 and asked to me sign the paper as an agreement, pay the duty and head home. I only had INR 1000 in my wallet and had no option but to negotiate with the officer. I was quite pissed off and started arguing vehemently. I argued again and again that it’s not right that the camera is being levied and if he takes the cost of camera out everything would fall within the allowable limit of INR 25000. He suggested allowing him detaining my camera as one of the options and then I won’t have to pay anything. Quite sure that I won’t agree to this, he also warned me that if he opens my bags and check everything it would cost me a lot more than INR 1495 and I better pay and go. I retorted that I do not have money to pay. He had no problems to inform me that he could keep the baggage and I can come and pay later. He also suggested me that I could also appeal against the charge in the tribunal. I was in mess, down and out.

I started talking to him again, now in a more negotiating tone. He probably lost his patience as well and asked me to open the baggage. I did so and he sighted lots of souvenirs in both the bags. He lifted one or two and kept them back commenting that I have been traveling a lot. My heart was in my mouth when his eyes fell on a very delicate glass boat from Venice, Italy. I thought he would like me to decorate his showcase with the same but thankfully he kept the piece back. “What is this record player?” He queried again. I said one of my friend’s parents are very much fond of music and possess very special personal records but they do not have a player to listen to them and hence I was carrying it for them on my friend’s behalf. Does it play DVD/CD? I said No. It plays only old records and nothing else. “Any perfume, cigerrette, liquor??” Now, I had had enough really and sarcastically answered “dekh lo Sir…you see it for yourself” He queried kya karate ho? I said, I am a student doing my PhD in Microelectronics in Belgium offering my KUL student card as a proof. I also passesd the following “Boss, I am not in Europe to make a fortune but only for studies and I am no rich as a person on Job there for sure…”. After a quick look at the baggage again Mr. Ahuja left leaving me tantalizing at the gate.

On return Mr. Ahuja suddenly mellowed down and informed me that he was willing to let me go because and only because I am a student. What a reason? What a fantastic reason to carry this student card at least for a while, if not all life…specially while dealing with Indian Custom Officers.

Rafa's Autograph...

Raphael Nadal autographing for Basa...

Basa has finally shared a piece in his treasure, Raphael Nadal's autograph during the French Open 2008. Basa is moving to US next week and I wish he catches his hero Roger Federer @ Flushing Meadows during US Open 2009. Good Luck Basa!!!

I hope to try my luck @ Wimbledon 2009 :)