कमेंट्स लेफ्ट ओं थे गत्विक्क इन्सिदेंत रेसिवेद बी ईमेल फ्रॉम सम्स्य्रिअनी@ब्लागस्पाट.com

12 कमेंट्स ओं थे गत्विक्क इन्सिदेंत.
Sam said...
Dear Sam,First of all, thank you so much for sharing your experince at Gatwick. I am sosorry this happened to you. This was a real violation. It was inhumane, cruel, andneedless to say RACIST. You should not have to go through something like that! Nohuman being should be treated like that!!! What you experienced is not "an isolatedincident" and I hope that the VCs will not treat this and other incidents as such. It is routine and many people of color are experiencing similar treatment. Allthese incidents need to be collected and documented. Have you thought about talkingto a lawyer about this experience? I know lawyers are expensive, but perhaps ahuman rights office in one of the human rights organizations in Exeter or London. Human Rights Watch and others should certainly be aware of this and be kept informedso they can document all the incidents. What do you think? By the way, I would use the same words to describe the way they treated you at theTel Aviv airport. Most people do not get strip searched. I have seen so many of myfriends, all people of color, being treated and mistreated the way you were at theairport in Tel Aviv. It is unconcienable. A couple of African American friends ofmine were traveling together and felt some strenth in being together, so theychallenged the security asking why they were singled out. The security said thatthey were not and that everyone was given the same treatment. My friends asked whythey were the only ones being given this treatment. I have told the security in theTel Aviv airport that I am glad they are checking for bombs, explosives, etc.,because I don't want to get on a plane and be blown up. However, I am very clearthat some of the things they do are not for security reasons and it always makesthem mad. Many of the things they do are harrassment and when it happens to peopleof color, it is racist behavior. What has always struck me at the Tel Aviv airportis how professional they are. They have done it for a long time and have trainedothers around the world to do it the same way. I find that very scarey....to be sogood and slick, and smooth at harrassment and racism with an air of professionalismis frightening indeed....only "doing what we have to do" as they will say and"following orders" (which we have heard before) and we know where that lead. Is your story something I can share with a couple of friends? Perhaps if I take outthe names? or with the names? What do you think? I will not share it unless Ihear from you that it is OK. Best, Kathy
7:29 AM
Sam said...
Dear SamuelThanks for emailing me with the detailed account of what happened to youat Gatwick Airport on your return to the UK last week. I am sorry not tohave replied earlier, but I was away on annual leave.Can I first of all thank you for sending me the email. I certainly need toknow about things like this. Secondly, can I pass on my sincere apologiesfor your obvious upset. It will be of no consolation to you, but I had avery bad experience coming back through Heathrow three months ago, which Iput down to the rudeness of one member of staff. But your experienceclearly sounds much more serious, and I can only express my sorrow thatyou have been treated in the way you describe.The issue for me as Vice-Chancellor is how to deal with an issue such asthis, and the key problem is whether this was a very regrettable, butisolated, event, or whether it is part of a general way of dealing withindividuals. As it happens, I have already had discussions with other VCsand government representatives about how UK visa and entry procedures maymake international students feel unwelcome. What I therefore plan to do isto find out from Dr Withrington the results of his discussions with otheruniversities to see if there is a pattern of any sort. If there is, then Iwill forward those concerns to the national body representinguniversities, UUK, and ask them to take up the matter directly with theImmigration Authorities.Having said all of which, I very much hope that you have now settled backinto life in Exeter. I genuinely hope that you feel a little less stressednow, though I can see from the article about your experience in tonight'slocal paper that it has left you feeling extremely unhappy.Please do let the International Office know how your complaint proceeds. Iwill ensure that I am briefed on what happens to it, and can assure youthat I will do anything I can to ensure that all international studentshere feel welcome, respected and wanted!With best wishesSteve**************************************Professor Steve SmithVice-ChancellorUniversity of ExeterNorthcote HouseThe Queen's DriveEXETEREX4 4QJ
7:30 AM
Sam said...
Dear Samuel,I'm really sorry to hear what you had to go through, and no doubt, it pretty much itwas because of your Indian background. I think you should definitely make sure aformal complaint is issued. Can't believe he asked 'who's side you're on in theMiddle East conflict'! That is totally out of line!!! This is not the first such incident I've heard of, though the others took place inAmerica. Four former colleagues of mine from the IMF (strangely enough, I workedthere for a couple of years!) were actually taken off planes in hand-cuffs afterarriving back in the States from missions! One, incidentally, was a Spaniard, thougharguably, he might have been mistaken for someone Asian as he is somewhat dark. Tobe honest though, nobody really knows why any of them were singled out as even afterbeing detained for 18-24 hours, nobody told them why they had been arrested in thefirst place! So much for the constitution... /-: In any event, unless al-Qaeda isnow funding people's studies for degrees in economics with the purpose ofinfiltrating international UN-based organisations, I don't see what kind of'profile' these guys might fit!I've a friend of Iranian descent (though a British national) who was also detainedfor four hours in an airport in Miami... took the fellow interrogating him fourhours to sort out the fact that he was Iranian and not Iraqi, which certainly raisesquestions about competence!You definitely touch on a point when noting that if they at least went about theirbusiness with some sensitivity, one might not mind their asking a few questions... aquestion of professionalism among other things, not to mention, even from theperspective of security, I don't know how anyone's interest is served by agitatinginnocent people!!Erik
7:32 AM
Sam said...
Hello Sam,I am glad that you are bringing attention to the treatment you received while travelling and hope that by doing so not only is awareness raised but action can be taken to ensure people are treated fairly and with dignity. I hope that the field work itself went well and this experience does not in any way discourage you from fully pursuing your research.With regardsCheryl
7:32 AM
Sam said...
Dear SamI was extremely upset to read your account of your travels. Security at airports is vital, and it is good for all of us that people are taking it seriously, but there is no need to be impolite as you have stated. I hope that your experience will not reflect upon your view of the University, citizens of Exeter, or indeed the British people. I know that your wife is starting in Eugenis any day and we look forward to welcoming her to our fold.Gatwick is not a nice airport at the best of times and I always try to avoid it. I hope you can find a suitable flight from elsewhere next time - perhaps you could find a more direct flight. I have heard stories from professors in the IAIS (British) who have been closely questioned at airports in other countries if they have travelled via 'obscure' routes in and around the Middle East.Anyway, I hope that next time, your journey to Jerusalem is a pleasant experience.With very best wishesJane
7:32 AM
Sam said...
Dear Sam,I am absolutely horrified by this. I don't quite know what to say - having heardthat they were profiling people I imagined that this might be the consequence, butto have it so crassly executed makes it even worse than something that is,essentially, a racist policy.It puts my little bit of fun with the IDF in perspective. How was the rest of your stay? Did you get the interviews you needed? Anyoutstanding material?Hope you've recovered, sorry to hear about your experience.Peace and love,Peter.
7:34 AM
Sam said...
Dear Sam,This is terrible. I am ashamed of my fellow nationals, and can only apologise of their behalf. There should be no racism of any kind in British society, and I am deeply sorry you have been subjected to it in such an abhorrent manner. This should certainly be brought to the attention of Ben Bradshaw, and I hope that the Vice-Chancellor will take the matter up. Thank you for letting me know about this.Best wishes,Paul Auchterlonie.
7:35 AM
Sam said...
dear SamThanks for your emails. No, I had not known any details when I wrote to you. I went to the shop round the corner afterwards to get an Express & E quickly before my guest for the evening arrived.The letter you had from the VC sounds friendly enough. But I really don't see that it is up to him to decide whether or not the event was a one-off that he needn't bother about apart from a spot of commiseration - or a disturbing pattern that demands concerted action. How long is this exploring and liaising phase going to take, before the authorities are got at by Unis acting together?? (rhethorical question! ) and while they wonder if it is bad enough for them to speak up, the trend continues... I suppose that is where it comes in handy, when papers kick up a stink. I don't have great trust in the Daily Telegraph as such, being pretty right-wing. I hope you feel able to use any opportunity you have to publicise the complaint and manage not to let the media take advantage of you or trap you into saying something they might use for their own ends. If we can assist you in any way, let us know.Do you have a phone number?Was I right to withhold your addresses and leave it up to you to decide if and when you respond?If you would want me to do anything different, if there is more interest trying at this address first, I would welcome your instructions.Best wishesalso from RichardSylvia
7:35 AM
Sam said...
dear samWhat you went through in Gatwick sounds awful - its really a sign of the times, where racism can be given free reign because of security issues. I am so sorry you had to have your being undermined in such a way...i can't really imagine what that must be like and the feelings that must have arisen in you. Have you had a response from the chancellor?I am doing well. Iona was an incredible place and i met some wonderful people from all over the world on that tiny Scottish island. I now have a girlfriend but unfortunately (for me) she lives in Sweden! So thats a long ferry trip away! I'm off to College in Cardiff at the end of the month so we'll see how it all works out...Speak soon my friend. I hope you can recover from such an attack on your dignity and find peace again.SAM
7:36 AM
Sam said...
Dear Mr KuruvillaFeedback Reference: 2004709Thank you for your feedback. I was very concerned to learn of the inconvenience anddistress you were caused on your recent visit to Gatwick.I have taken this opportunity to pass your feedback on to our contact at HMImmigration for their further investigation and direct reply which I trust you shallreceive shortly.In closing, may I apologise that you have had cause to complain on this occasion. With regards,Laura SeesarunCustomer Information
7:38 AM
Sam said...
Hi SamThanks very much for sending me this. I am very sorry for your experience,and although this may sound feeble or even inappropriate, I would like tooffer my own apology and solidarity as a british citizen for what happened.i have read with increasing dismay stories that have emerged in recent weeksof a witchhunt atmosphere in the UK (encouraged by the government) towardsMuslims and Asians in general. i hope, as much as you personally feel ableand is sensible, that you can disseminate your experience to those who willnever be made aware of the colour of their own skin, or experienceracially-based suspicion.All the bestBen
7:38 AM
Miriam said...
"My help comes from the Lord." -(Psalm 121:2)"When God is going to do something wonderful, He begins with a difficulty. If He is going to do something very wonderful, He begins with an impossibility."-(Mrs. Charles E. Cowman)May God calm your heart, and give you His peace.Jesus loves you.God bless,Ritzy.
9:44 AM