A very good one, Santanu. Just can't stop laughing.
But you missed some very important facts to really make them stop from coming. I know it wasn't intentional, they just don't come to your mind. :)
From: "Roy, Santanu" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Ram Sarangapani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,"ASSAMNET" <assam@assamnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Assam] Dutch Citizenship Test - Washington Post
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:31:05 -0600
>How about having to watch a half-hour movie with extended clips such as:
>- rows and rows of people in central India defecating in the open next to railway tracks as trains pass by in good morning cheer
>- "encounter shooting" by police and army
>- the backlog of cases - about 15 years of work - piled up as files in courts of law
>- scenes from the carnage in Gujarat
>- glimpses of adivasi childhood rape victims of big wigs that are never persecuted
>- "new" sati temples ....
>and if none of these frighten the "hordes", one can always show them excerpts of speeches from VHP and Shiv Sena :-)
>
>Santanu.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Ram Sarangapani
>Sent: Sat 3/18/2006 12:53 AM
>To: ASSAMNET
>Subject: [Assam] Dutch Citizenship Test - Washington Post
>
>This is just hillarious. I wonder what kind of Citizenship/Immigration test
>India might hold for the hordes of illegals from B'desh (assuming they
>intend to apply for Indian citizenship at some point).
>
>"Also, citizens of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan
>and Switzerland are exempt" - BRUCE MUTSVAIRO
>
>Aw shucks!
>
>and
>
>"Not everyone is happy with the new test." -BRUCE MUTSVAIRO
>
>Wonder why they aren't happy?
>
>:) :)
>*_________*
>*Dutch Immigrants Must Watch Racy Film
>
>*
>
>By BRUCE MUTSVAIRO
>The Associated Press
>Wednesday, March 15, 2006; 2:35 PM
>
>AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- The camera focuses on two gay men kissing in a
>park. Later, a topless woman emerges from the sea and walks onto a crowded
>beach. For would-be immigrants to the Netherlands, this film is a test of
>their readiness to participate in the liberal Dutch culture.
>
>*If they can't stomach it, no need to apply.*
>
>Despite whether they find the film offensive, applicants must buy a copy and
>watch it if they hope to pass the Netherlands' new entrance examination.
>
>*The test _ the first of its kind in the world _ became compulsory
>Wednesday, and was made available at 138 Dutch embassies.*
>
>Taking the exam costs $420. The price for a preparation package that
>includes the film, a CD ROM and a picture album of famous Dutch people is
>$75.
>
>"As of today, immigrants wishing to settle in the Netherlands for, in
>particular, the purposes of marrying or forming a relationship will be
>required to take the civic integration examination abroad," the Immigration
>Ministry said in a statement.
>
>The test is part of a broader crackdown on immigration that has been
>gathering momentum in the Netherlands since 2001.
>
>Anti-immigration sentiment peaked with filmmaker Theo van Gogh's murder by a
>Dutch national of Moroccan descent in November 2004.
>
>Both praise and scorn have been poured on Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk,
>the architect of the new test and other policies that have reduced
>immigration by at least a third.
>
>"If you pass, you're more than welcome," Verdonk said. "It is in the
>interest of Dutch society and those concerned."
>
>*Not everyone is happy with the new test.*
>
>"Today is a black day for the people intending to bring their partners to
>Holland," said Buitenlandse Partner, a lobbying group for mixed
>Dutch/immigrant couples.
>
>Dutch theologian Karel Steenbrink criticized the 105-minute movie, saying it
>would be offensive to some Muslims.
>
>"It is not a prudent way of welcoming people to the Netherlands," said
>Steenbrink, a professor at the University of Utrecht. "Minister Verdonk has
>radical ideas."
>
>But Mohammed Sini, the chairman of Islam and Citizenship, a national Muslim
>organization, defended the film, saying that homosexuality is "a reality."
>
>Sini urged all immigrants "to embrace modernity."
>
>A censored version with no homosexual and nude material had been prepared
>because it is illegal to show such images in Iran and some other countries,
>filmmaker Walter Goverde said.
>
>"With all the respect I have for all religions, I think people need to
>understand that Holland has its own liberal side as well," he said.
>
>After viewing the film, which is available in most languages, applicants are
>then quizzed on important Dutch factoids such as the number of provinces
>that make up the Netherlands; the role played by William of Orange in the
>country's history; and Queen Beatrix's monarchial functions.
>
>There are some major exemptions. EU nationals, asylum-seekers and skilled
>workers who earn more than $54,000 per year will not be required to take the
>30-minute computerized exam.
>
>*Also, citizens of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan
>and Switzerland are exempt*.
>
>
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