Uregent help required- Passport Lost in NY!

[agarunk]

Hello,

I came to USA(portland, OR) 2 months ago and was bound to leave back to India on 30th July. I was supposed to attend a training session in New York on monday(21/july) and I came down here to NY.

Now I think someone had flicked my passport, or in simple I LOST IT!!! I came to new york just for 2 days and I'm kinda stranded over here now. Totally confused and lost in unknown place without any help. I'm trying to struggle it but with not much of help even so called INDIAN CONSULATE.

My kinda trusted hope was consulate to find some useful/helpful guidance but in turn what all that arrogant fellows could say is "TAKE THE FORM FILL IT and COME TOMORROW".

Man! I tried to convince them about my situation but with no positive response from them. I don't know what to do. I have everything back in Portland and even I can't fly back to Portland because of my ID proof. My company is in Portland, ah well just in simple terms "STUCK IN HELL".

And I'm worried after reading few mails that it might take 3-6 months to get the duplicate visa. All I could manage to get now is photo copy of my Passport/B1 Visa and my PAN Card.

I hope INDIAN GOVERNMENT might not have advised its embassy to ignore its citizens in trouble and get the hell out of growing population. Frustrated like hell after trying to reach Police/Embassy whole day intrun to hear nothing from them.

Since I had to vacate the hotel by now, I'm sitting in lobby and accessing the net. "A DAY IN NY - NEAR TO HELL". Now, since my company guys having tough time getting a room for me, I'm trying to reach known guys in NJ and other places to arrange it by myself(hope fully not get stranded in sleepless streets of NY). Though tired like hell and my body has started to answer, I just can't get my mind calm down. Its running as fast as possible to find any possible solution, though nothin had turned up till now.... I have get the Passport before 29th so that I can catch flight back to India. Bad thing is there is no consulate in Portland.

I don't think if anything could get worser than this! ... If things won't get worse and if everything gets back to normal again, I'll update it.

Any helpful advices/suggestions are welcome( Though I find very less chance of anything good happening with a hell of bad luck running on my way).

[txh1b]

It is a common misconception that you cannot fly without an ID. That is not true. You can fly.

Any person that has no ID presented at the airport gets a boarding pass with "SSSS" annotation. It means, you will be sent for secondary screening and searched.

http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/enhance_id_requirements.shtm

As far as getting a duplicate PP, you are at the mercy of the Indian govt.

[agarunk]

Addition -> where to get notarize my form?

yea, well again I have to get my passport form notarized before tomorrow. I don't have even a bit idea about where to find them or how to approach and the fees.

Hell, this is kinda crazy. Indian government wants us to get application notarized in US! that too by US notary!!! ... What a crazy **** .

What the hell the US notary fellows would be aware of me? How does it makes sense?? ... R they nuts or going crazy without any constructive/helpful work?

I was not much bothered about government back in India so far, now it seems I have to start fighting back the useless oldies sitting and doing no good for guys working hard to contribute to the national economy growth(oh, well might be babus khazana). Damn it!!!

Anybody could shed some light about how/where/whom to contact and the possible fees for the same.

(FYI : I'm here on B1, just for a training. Neither a L1 or H1B guy!)

[agarunk]

@ txh1b

Thanks for the helpful advice.

But going back to portland is of no good for me, since there is no Indian Consulate.

What if I go missing, who is going to answer for that... I suppose its Indian government ? It should be at my mercy if I won't get pissed off because of its irresponsible nature and useless policies.

Well, I'm trying to keep my self calm down till tomorrow. If things won't get back to normal or the so called USELESS INDIAN CONSULATE still behaves irresponsibly, I may have to make it a big issue by contacting press or might get worse.

Well, hope for good ...lets wait and watch!

[txh1b]

First of all, your frustration is making you throw tantrums around. Calm down. There is no point in cursing the Indian consulate as they have to follow their rules to issue a replacement passport. They cannot just go ahead and issue a new passport without following their procedure to avoid fraudsters from taking undue advantage.

It is not that the government takes responsibility for our actions. If you go missing, the consulate will definitely do what is needed of it as per the book. Above all, you lost the passport due to your fault or carelessness and no one else can be blamed but you for your helplessness.

With every such mis-adventure, you learn something new and will come out as a better person with more knowledge. This negative energy will just keep hurting you and spoiling your day. Get rid of it, if you can!

Enjoy the nice city around you!

p.s: You are ready to wait 20-30 days to get an appointment for a visa to visit the US, wait endlessly for 221(g) admin processing while cursing a genuine delay with security checks etc but want everything done in 1 day when it comes to Indian Authorities. Why so?

[txh1b]

Anybody could shed some light about how/where/whom to contact and the possible fees for the same.

(FYI : I'm here on B1, just for a training. Neither a L1 or H1B guy!)

You will find a notary in almost every western union, post office, bank, fedex-kinkos and they charge anywhere between $1-$10.

All notary does is vouch for your signature that you sign in front of them. It might be hard to find one to notarize without any form of ID on you. May be the copies of your passport will definitely turn out to be useful if you can explain to the notary.

Good luck!

[agarunk]

Well I don't thing every lost should be called or considered as "CARELESSNESS" , I was damn caring about my passport even while sleeping/bath. Its wasn't something supposedly loss it somewhere just like that and I'm aware of it. What would you do if you fall prey for some thieves or pocket lifters.

ah, I'm blaming them for their reaction/ not properly revealing appropriate info. or even damn no body is on help-line number from yesterday and as well their msg box is full and over flowing. What would you do if you have to contact embassy in some emergency? .

Well @ RULES : 1964/1974/1984? when were they made and ammanded... you mean to say each and every one of them are following it strictly?(LOL) ... Where the hell still criminals managed to travel to india.
Oh well, have gone thru' indian embassy website..it reads that you can get visa with in a day, in case of emmergency(i.e., we will let you in even if you are a foreigner but not indian citizen stranded out of country).
I don't think any rules says act super lazy and don't perform your duty or atlest don't respond properly.


@ US VISAAAA : I didn't wait for 20/30/40 days. Just took 4 days to get appointment and not even a min for approving the visa. Well, I don't know how you are comparing it with something which may usefull wrt your future or to visit foreign country(visa) and something which is damn necessary to get back HOMEEE(passport). If you are delayed back for visa/new passport(took 6 months to get the newone) for few days its should be fine (until unless if got super emergency, where most of the time they act with time). But how could you compare it when you already have one and every information is available to you and more over I'm having a photo copy and ID proof. That to in a situation where you are left stranded outside country against sitting and waiting for visa interview at your home.
This is completely insane with lazy fellas sitting and doing no good at consulate.( Sorry, if you are embassy guy or any of your relatives is working there).


@ Notary
THANKS FOR THE INFO. Yea, it might be a very simple thing over here but I'm visiting NY for the first time and n itz no kool ghet bumped!!!

Sorry, for expressing my feelings... but I strongly stand by them.

[knowledgeable]

I just don't get it ...

!

[txh1b]

You are one soul with too much pride and thinks you are the most important person on earth and everyone should cater to your needs. Sorry! It doesn't work that way these days.

Just show your attitude to the people in the consulate and trust me, you will be stranded forever!

Shed your pride and think!!!!!! It seems like you haven't been around the world much. Get real and accept the reality.

Good Luck!

p.s: If I had contacts in the consulate, you know what would happen

[agarunk]

Take a chill pill ...

Oh well. I think we are getting too much out of topic and you seems to be much more frustrated than me! Please take a break and relax.

hell yea. I'm special. ... Do you think/treat yourself as useless junk after traveling around the world ? oh please don't shrink be a sadist, try to treat yourself special and see how everything turns up n ur way .

and yea by the I managed to get some shelter for the night. ....

Thanks for the feed back!

P.S. : Yea, wish u'd have had contacts in embassy. My work'd have gotten easier. Never mind, atleast I'm damn sure that I can now guide someone properly if they come across such a situation instead of laid back at home with bear in hands, treating onself super cool acting fool against some one in real trouble instead of some positive response.
Take a chill pill and lay down.

[knowledgeable]

Honestly, ...

... I still don't get it.

Take care.

[txh1b]

Take a chill pill and lay down.

Agree. You are the one that badly needs it! I will pass it for you.

[txh1b]

... I still don't get it.

I will make it short for you. I lost my passport. My country does not care about me. My country is not finding me in my hotel room and not bringing and delivering a new passport to my room. I try to call them and they do not pick up the phone. These people are lazy. Better yet, they should find my lost passport and return it to me so that I can return by end of this month back to my home country.

I see one frustrated soul and honestly pity his situation but not his attitude!

[agarunk]

Yea yea yea, ofcourse frustrated! If you getting it now, I'm sorry for yr foolishness. Well, Mr. Chill Pill, I managed to get a duplicate one and spending my night in Vegas(since my direct flight been canceled).

Well, I did it! thats the conclusion of this frustrated story of frustrated soul to another frustrated soul(you) for no reason.

No help, limited fund, limited time, unknown place and more over no one to approach for help(nothin less than hell) but yeah baby I did.

Though its ridiculous and shouldn't do it but I wish you a similar ride very near future.

Signing off the topic, C ya