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Mangaluru: No Visa - people bound for Tulu Sammelan return from airport

Mangaluru, Nov 23: Some of the people who had paid money to a travel agency from Bengaluru for taking part in the Vishwa Tulu Sahitya Sammelan being held at Dubai had to return home disappointed as they could not get visas in time.

Over 25 out of 39 persons from Sullia and Puttur who were to leave for the Sammelan from the airport here on November 21, were sent back, since their visas had not been received. It is said that the travel agency from Bengaluru failed to keep up its promise of providing them visas. After waiting till Thursday evening, they had to go back, it is said.

These 39 had remitted over Rs 35,000 each to the travel agency from Bengaluru for arranging their trip to Dubai to participate in the Sammelan. The agency had told them that this covers air fare, visa, and tour cost for five days. The money was remitted about two months back, and a handful of people had received their visas a couple of days back. The agency it is said, promised to hand over the visas at the airport here on November 21

Among those who went to the airport, three got their visas. When the people got in touch with the agency representative, he said he was in Dubai and was facing problem of internet connectivity. He had promised to send the visas immediately.

A few who got visas on November 22 could not undertake travel as visas were received for only some members of entire family. Some passengers who waited for visas returned on Thursday night. It is said that the other passengers run the risk of having foot their air fare, lodging charges etc even if their visas are received now.

Praveen Shetty of Fortune Group offered free food and accommodation in his hotels for those who landed in Dubai with visas but cheated with stay and food arrangements. Sarvothama Shetty and Shodhan Prasad also offered help to the people who faced problems after landing.

Shodhan Prasad told Daijiworld that those people, for whom the organizers applied visas, all landed in Dubai without any problems. “All these people’s accommodation and food arrangements were taken care of. Some agents have cheated people. These were independent arrangements and the organizers do not have any connection with these agents,” Shodhan said.