An enthusiastic foreigner comes to India on a green environment mission and is arrested for using a sat phone. He had no such problem in other countries he visited. Who can help him as he surely deserves a lenient view of the whole thing?
ANDY PAG the environment traveler, traveling in a bio-truck was arrested in Pushkar for using a satellite phone without proper permission of the authorities, as its use is illegal in India. He has allegedly spent 3.75 lakhs on litigation so far restraining him from further travel.
He would like to return to London now. Naturally, the enthusiast and adventurer is sad and disillusioned. He claims to have used the phone in over 30 countries including Iran, Pakistan and Turkey. He never met this fate anywhere. But he is stuck in India, one of the biggest, the best and democracy in the world, a land which claims ‘Atithi devo bhava,’ that guarantees sufficient liberty to foreigners to make their journey here as comfortable as possible. India also promotes adventure and exploration. Such activities represent daring human spirit need to be encouraged everywhere in the world. Obviously I am nobody to comment on the law of the land, but I do feel sad to read about a man’s fate, who seems to be a victim of the poisoned times, with issues of terrorism colouring everything. The hapless man has sent emails to the Congress Head, Sonia Gandhi and the Indian Home Minister P. Chidambram and is awaiting action on his request. One wonders what would be the way out in such a ticklish situation where an ostensibly innocent adventurer has been stopped from realizing his dream. Is it feasible or legal for the court to intervene on his request or can the government take a lenient view and help him out of the dilemma? His situation is hardly enviable and anyone, even an Indian, can meet this fate. At least this writer feels he deserves help and whoever can help, has to do this as soon as possible.
