In the wake of heightened security measures at airports in Britain and the US after a terrorist attack was foiled in London, Kolkatans are still undaunted and as agog about visiting the American shores as always.
The American Visa office in Kolkata has not faced a dearth of applications, whether tourist, student or business, this season; nor have scheduled visa interviews been cancelled so far.
"Our visa office in Kolkata has enjoyed a year-on-year increase of twenty per cent in applications every year. The trend has persisted this season. In fact, we have a substantial backlog on our tourist visa approvals till December this year. Yet, we have seen an increase in applications for business visas and appointments for tourist visa interviews have not been cancelled," said Henry V Jardine, US consul-general in Kolkata on the sidelines of the launch of a cafe at the American Centre premises in Kolkata.
The consul-general spoke about airlines loosening up security at international airports and the need to standardise security norms and allowed luggage at destinations across the globe.
German Consul General, Gunter Wehrmann, agreed with the need to allow passengers to carry electronic essentials like camera gear, laptops and mobile phone on themselves rather than sending them in registered luggage.
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