- Please know that I am Dr KM George a former UNDP—UNOPS—FAO—ADB practitioner with 45 years work experience in 7500 villages and with nearly one million stake holders in India, PNG, North Korea, Afghanistan, Rwanda and South Sudan.
- I was selected purely on merit by the UNICEF in Iraq to study the impact of School Based Management intervention jointly implemented by the Ministry of Education and UNICEF for a period of four months. I did agree to the TOR and the least fees offered by UNICEF, as I am not out there to make money at my age of 75 years , despite I am internationally invited to take up assignments of my choice.
- I was tempted to accept the offer in Iraq as a personal friend plus fan of the PM there in Iraq plus being an Orthodox Christian, wanted to see for myself the early citadels of early Christianity there like Babylon and Mesopotamia during this four months sojourn in Iraq as I was required to visit all the provinces officially.
- I did submit all the travel documents required for the issuance of visa to the embassy In New Delhi through my travel planner. Initially for proof of good health I did submit a certificate form a very reputed Medical College run by the Christians .But It was declined by the embassy sating that they want only a certificate from a Government hospital. Again I underwent the same drill to get the medicals done .But most government hospitals as do not have the latest internationally accepted lab testing standards , they get it done by mandated reputed private medical labs and the certificates are duly attested by the govt hospital doctors under the common seal, signature and stamp. Please do know that regular tests, plus Hepatitis B and C; Malaria and HIV were done and all were found normal for a man of 75!
- Yet on very flimsy grounds, my Visa application was rejected by the embassy as the tests were not done in Govt hospital lab to my utter dismay sir!
- If you want I can resubmit all my rejected papers and passport. As the old saying goes, “once bitten twice shy”, even if a diplomatic visa if offered to visit Iraq, am afraid that I may not avail it any more as my self esteem is badly bruised beyond repairs your Excellency.
- I too have my own self-esteem sir. Beggars are no choosers, but in my case I am not a beggar to come to visit Iraq as India is a good enough nation to live on please. Let me add that I had been to 60 countries and always came back to my country to settle down with dignity and self respect.
- I am deeply hurt by the insolent and undiplomatic treatment meted out by your embassy India – New Delhi.
- I wish you a wonderful 2019 with a change of mind set for your embassy staff at least to discern between genuine people and terrorists at least your Excellency.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr KM George,
30th Dec, 2018.
PS Attached is a copy of my previous letter to your Hon PM for perusal.