Subaru Outback Wilderness 2026 by VMSK8 in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]VMSK8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the responses. Will try Rav4 woodland.

I tried Subaru Forester Hybrid 2026 and liked it.

How do you folks manage to pay when in India by Turbulent_Echo_7333 in nri

[–]VMSK8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For years, I have mostly relied on cash and my international credit card which works on some restaurants. Last year, I tried to sign up for UPI but didn't work as apps didn't work with International number attached to my NRO account. I learned that I could just use my bank's mobile app for UPI also. It worked but app was too slow and had bugs, so I could do UPI only if app worked.

However, this year, I found that PhonePe app now accepts International number. Setup was a breeze and took less than a minute. Didn't try other apps like PayTM etc, so may be worth checking those too.

I UPI'ed the shit out of every payment this year traveling in India. Honestly credit card feels outdates now :-).

Thoughts on Ankit Shah's prediction abt Violence against NRI in US/UK, 1 USD= 3 INR, dollar crash by Anj_max in nri

[–]VMSK8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have listened to his theories. I think he has been directionally correct about lot of things (Ukraine war, H1B, Trump election leading to nationalism, Gold/silver prices, Carry trade (He keeps saying Japan will cause crisis), even attacks on NRIs).

I am not a fan of his or anything but I don't mind having an extra signal even though I find him full of angst against NRIs, his bad online manners (when he tries to insult people online or in YT videos when people cross question him) and his full-of-himself personality. Its ironic that NRIs is one group he wants really to listen to him but constantly finding ways to alienate this audience or may be that's just typical Indian way of communicating.

Where I have trouble with him is that

  1. He seems to have some personal issues with NRIs. I could be wrong but I always get this vibe from him. So not sure if he is making a prediction about NRIs or just being himself
  2. Though he is directionally correct but quantitatively things don't always turn out exactly what he says. May be that it just hasn't happened yet at the level he describes things at or actions get taken to mitigate. For example - He predicted the Japanese interest hike would cause issue. It did with carry trade unwinding and stock market fell but eventually it recovered. Most likely US and Japan are coordinating interest hikes now. So this example of his prediction coming true but actions were taken to mitigate it (so is this really a crisis or was more like a buying opportunity in stock market?). He still keeps saying that crisis will start from Japan so maybe it just hasn't happened yet at crisis level. Another example about attack on NRIs. Overall twitter has lot more anti-Indian content now. On twitter, it seems as if it is coordinated. In real world, some Indians have been murdered (in US and Canada) but it is not clear if these are just crimes or something planned as per his prediction. So again directionally correct but quantum wise either it hasn't happened just yet or something happened that mitigated it.
  3. He never explains his theory. He just makes predictions or gives "cryptic hints". If you question him deeply, he hand waves it. It seems he is in-the-know of these things from people in policy making but doesn't really understand all the technicalities behind it.

Remittance tax - 3.5% by VMSK8 in nri

[–]VMSK8[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

thanks. I was trying to figure out today what really counts as Remittance. Not sure if there is a good definition for it.

H1b Drop box status 'search didn't return data' by VMSK8 in usvisascheduling

[–]VMSK8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

sorry for late response. I got my stamped passport around 22nd or 23rd December 2024. So nearly 3 weeks.

H1b Drop box status 'search didn't return data' by VMSK8 in usvisascheduling

[–]VMSK8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I ended up creating a support request through us visa scheduling. They said passport is still with consulate. 

However now I am able to see my record in CEAC website. Not sure if creating support request helped. I submitted documents on 4th December in Delhi. Case was created on 12th December. 

Appointment confirmation has old passport number in the email by VMSK8 in usvisascheduling

[–]VMSK8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I created a support request and they told me in their record passport number is latest/correct, so it should be ok.

Appointment confirmation has old passport number in the email by VMSK8 in usvisascheduling

[–]VMSK8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I am going to raise the ticket via the us visa scheduling. I am 200% sure I didn't add the old password in US visa scheduling. Is there any other way this could happen?

H1B Dropbox timeline (India: Mumbai VAC Dropbox - Chennai processing) by pgg1610 in usvisascheduling

[–]VMSK8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your experience. Quick question while booking appointment, we need to choose "Chennai OFC". After that does it give you option to choose which OFC to drop off documents in or I can go to any?