Blog-Writing is very personal. Here, I may peep now and then. But, it is not for a ‘show-off’, it is to express one’s own observations and feelings.

I had been to London (not to see queen… of course!) recently. We were to participate in a three day event at Leicester – Village India and Experience Gujarat. Many celebrated artists from Gujarat were there. We presented Gujarati music (Folk Songs, Devotional Songs and Gujarati Light music Songs) there. I will share that experience too but today I would like to write about a scene on Heathrow Airport.

It was evening. Heathrow is a very busy airport. There were many passengers and were waiting their turn at to reach to immigration counters. There were many counters and things were moving. Authority has made a special arrangement for the students. Their queue was also separate, and oh! It was a REAL long long queue. Many of them from my beloved country, India. I felt proud about their zest to study. Higher education in U. K. was a dream of many friends in my time. But only few could make it. Now things have changed and this Queue was a result of it. I was feeling happy for them.

But then, I saw an immigration officer trying to know the details from one of our Students… and the boy was silent. Officer tried his best but all in vein. The kid could not answer very simple questions, as he did not understand, what was being asked! All those who have visited UK / USA knew that, these officers are very polite but firm, very vigilant. They have got all the relevant details in advance, ready with them. They know about Colleges, Universities, their legal status, their capacity to accommodate students from abroad…everything! It is not advisable to lie with them. If you tell him or her your problem they will guide you, even, back home! (Which is good for you!)

Here is a student, who could not speak nor understand a word and had come to study in U.K.! There are lot many students who got VISA and now successfully entered U.K. few of them are real brilliant. We will be proud of them one day. But many of them had something else in their mind. They and their parents has a calculation of 1 Pound=80 Rs! They are still to know that earning even a pound here, is not any easy thing. But an average or even below average students have landed here. They talk about their dreams. They are ready to do hard work – but here hard work means real HARD!

Leaving 8 to 10 persons in a tow room apartment and run to earn one sandwich and a meal at night! This, they have never done in India. It becomes harder for them. Few of them want to go back but they remember those faces at airport, who came to say good luck and good bye! They have learnt know that.

Buckingham Palace is for Her majesty only!

I felt very unhappy for few of them whom I happened to meet. They have not groomed themselves as per requirement of that country and they suffer because of it. It is useless to come UK, if you stay in an Indian locality, speak Hindi and Punjabi and Gujarati and survive doing petty jobs! This day and night labor does not allow them to move out and look around London. They can not afford it.

I felt very sorry for that student and though he could enter UK as he was having legal documents, I am worried about the impression of Gujarat and Gujarati he will carry with him! As, rush towards UK has increased, it is in the best interest of students to come here, well-prepared. Conversion of Pound into Rupees may attract you, show your worth and stand with dignity as you are a representative of INDIA… Please… Please…