Visa applicants destroying peace at Kochrab Ashram’
Applicants park vehicles haphazardly, creating traffic jams in area; form long queues blocking entry to ashram and its khadi store, allege inmates
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Friday, September 25, 2009 (Ahmedabad Mirror : http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=2009092520090925034534931f30b089)
For many Amdavadis, the UK Visa Facilitation Services Centre is a means of achieving one’s dreams. But for residents of Kochrab Ashram and other buildings nearby, it is proving to be one big headache.
Set up in Paldi, the centre attracts hundreds of applicants from all over the state every day. They line up outside the centre at night and restlessly wait for the clock to strike 9 o’clock when the centre opens. Ashram co-ordinator Ramesh Trivedi says, “We are a harassed lot.
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Friday, September 25, 2009 (Ahmedabad Mirror : http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=2009092520090925034534931f30b089)
For many Amdavadis, the UK Visa Facilitation Services Centre is a means of achieving one’s dreams. But for residents of Kochrab Ashram and other buildings nearby, it is proving to be one big headache.
Set up in Paldi, the centre attracts hundreds of applicants from all over the state every day. They line up outside the centre at night and restlessly wait for the clock to strike 9 o’clock when the centre opens. Ashram co-ordinator Ramesh Trivedi says, “We are a harassed lot.
The queue starts forming around 8 pm. Anti-social elements stand in line and sell his/her space to applicants for Rs 250 to Rs 500 in the morning. Imagine something like this taking place right outside the place where people come to learn about Mahatma Gandhi.”
He added, “We get 250 to 300 visitors who want to know Gandhi better. Our walls display the Mahatma’s messages but none of it is visible as the queue extends beyond our boundaries. If applicants want a break, some just walk into our garden.
As they do not want to lose their place in the queue, they eat and throw waste near the spot they are standing. They park their vehicles haphazardly, creating great problems for people living in the area. “People come to the Ashram in search of peace. The applicants make so much noise, it is impossible to find tranquillity here.”
The Ashram also runs a khadi bhandar from its premises. “But these people block the entrance. They sit at the door or stand in front of the signboard. When asked to move, they turn rude. They fear losing their place in line if they shift even an inch,” alleged Trivedi.
The residents claim to have met the Ellisbridge police, but in vain. “We also wrote to the Traffic Commissioner though no action has been taken yet,” said Trivedi.
Surprisingly, the inmates have not demanded the centre be shifted elsewhere. “We just want a system in place so that these applicants have a place to wait for their turn. They can send e-mails, summoning applicants. We made some suggestions to the visa centre officials but they ignored us saying ‘these people come on their own’. We just want peace.”
