[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 MUTSVAIROThe Associated PressWednesday, 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. ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] Dutch Citizenship Test - Washington Post
That would really good suggestion for GOI if that is a requirement for illegal B'deshis wanting Indian Citizenships. Maybethe illegalswould get discouraged and not want it after all. But again, they may actually thinkIndia isbetter than B'desh and still want to become Indians. Just can't win - these Indians :) On 3/17/06, Roy, Santanu [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 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 SarangapaniSent: Sat 3/18/2006 12:53 AMTo: ASSAMNETSubject: [Assam] Dutch Citizenship Test - Washington Post This is just hillarious. I wonder what kind of Citizenship/Immigration testIndia might hold for the hordes of illegals from B'desh (assuming theyintend to apply for Indian citizenship at some point).Also, citizens of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Switzerland are exempt - BRUCE MUTSVAIROAw shucks!andNot everyone is happy with the new test. -BRUCE MUTSVAIROWonder why they aren't happy?:) :)*_* *Dutch Immigrants Must Watch Racy Film*By BRUCE MUTSVAIROThe Associated PressWednesday, March 15, 2006; 2:35 PMAMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- The camera focuses on two gay men kissing in a park. Later, a topless woman emerges from the sea and walks onto a crowdedbeach. For would-be immigrants to the Netherlands, this film is a test oftheir 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 andwatch 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 thatincludes 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, inparticular, the purposes of marrying or forming a relationship will berequired 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 beengathering 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 reducedimmigration by at least a third. If you pass, you're more than welcome, Verdonk said. It is in theinterest 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 mixedDutch/immigrant couples.Dutch theologian Karel Steenbrink criticized the 105-minute movie, saying itwould be offensive to some Muslims. It is not a prudent way of welcoming people to the Netherlands, saidSteenbrink, a professor at the University of Utrecht. Minister Verdonk hasradical 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 tounderstand that Holland has its own liberal side as well, he said. After viewing the film, which is available in most languages, applicants arethen quizzed on important Dutch factoids such as the number of provincesthat 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 skilledworkers 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, Japanand Switzerland are exempt*. ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] Dutch Citizenship Test - Washington Post
A very good one, Santanu. Just can't stop laughing. Butyou 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.orgSubject: Re: [Assam] Dutch Citizenship Test - Washington PostDate: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:31:05 -0600How 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 SarangapaniSent: Sat 3/18/2006 12:53 AMTo: ASSAMNETSubject: [Assam] Dutch Citizenship Test - Washington PostThis is just hillarious. I wonder what kind of Citizenship/Immigration testIndia might hold for the hordes of illegals from B'desh (assuming theyintend to apply for Indian citizenship at some point)."Also, citizens of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japanand Switzerland are exempt" - BRUCE MUTSVAIROAw shucks!and"Not everyone is happy with the new test." -BRUCE MUTSVAIROWonder why they aren't happy?:) :)*_**Dutch Immigrants Must Watch Racy Film*By BRUCE MUTSVAIROThe Associated PressWednesday, March 15, 2006; 2:35 PMAMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- The camera focuses on two gay men kissing in apark. Later, a topless woman emerges from the sea and walks onto a crowdedbeach. For would-be immigrants to the Netherlands, this film is a test oftheir 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 andwatch it if they hope to pass the Netherlands' new entrance examination.*The test _ the first of its kind in the world _ became compulsoryWednesday, and was made available at 138 Dutch embassies.*Taking the exam costs $420. The price for a preparation package thatincludes 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, inparticular, the purposes of marrying or forming a relationship will berequired to take the civic integration examination abroad," the ImmigrationMinistry said in a statement.The test is part of a broader crackdown on immigration that has beengathering momentum in the Netherlands since 2001.Anti-immigration sentiment peaked with filmmaker Theo van Gogh's murder by aDutch 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 reducedimmigration by at least a third."If you pass, you're more than welcome," Verdonk said. "It is in theinterest 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 toHolland," said Buitenlandse Partner, a lobbying group for mixedDutch/immigrant couples.Dutch theologian Karel Steenbrink criticized the 105-minute movie, saying itwould be offensive to some Muslims."It is not a prudent way of welcoming people to the Netherlands," saidSteenbrink, a professor at the University of Utrecht. "Minister Verdonk hasradical ideas."But Mohammed Sini, the chairman of Islam and Citizenship, a national Muslimorganization, 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 preparedbecause 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 tounderstand that Holland has its own liberal side as well," he said.After viewing the film, which is available in most languages, applicants arethen quizzed on important Dutch factoids such as the number of provincesthat make up the Netherlands; the role played by William of Orange in thecountry's history; and Queen Beatrix's monarchial functions.There are some major exemptions. EU nationals, asylum-seekers and skilledworkers who earn more than $54,000 per year will not be required to take the30-minute computerized exam.*Also, citizens of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japanand Switzerland are exempt*.___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org ___ assam mailing list
