I am a senior doctor working as a consultant with the Ministry of Health, Kuwait for the last 11/2 years. I have been through humiliating experiences at the Jaipur International Airport twice recently, both times with the custom officials. It seems it is matter of great pleasure and pride for them in harassing passengers esp ladies travelling alone. On both occasions there was no lady officer there to which I have a strong objection. The first time I was leaving India for Kuwait (alone) and I was singled out and asked to get my hand baggage checked as I was carrying ornaments At the end of the ordeal which lasted a good half an hour I was made to feel as if I had committed a grave crime. Anyway I put this experience behind me and decided to return again after 2 months on emergency leave through Jaipur. I had been forewarned against the people sitting at the hand baggage screening and the customs people but I sincerely hoped I would have a different experience. But it was no different. Even though I paid a customs duty the behaviour of the officials is outrageos to say the least. They treated me as if I was some criminal even after I told them my profession and also that my husband too was a doctor and the least they could do was to talk politely. Both times there was no lady official around and they were very intimidating. When I insisted that some of the jewellery was artificial and not gold he reacted as if he is the boss to decide what is what and he didnt care what I said. I actually had to take back my artificial chains back from him forcefully, something which is not my nature but these guys forced me to do this. He did not allow me to collect my checked in baggage and signed for it as unclaimed sending it away before I returned after the payment. I am surprised why these people are not given a lesson in decent behaviour and that each human being should be treated with dignity. I have faced no such problem at Bengaluru or Delhi airports. There was no missing the sarcasm in their tones as they asked me to sign that I had received the bag in good condition. And I was the last passenger to leave the airport 2 hours after my flight had landed. Who has given these people the right to behave like this with any person especially ladies- the Government of India???
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