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Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe speaks to journalists in Mirzapur
Structural reforms are being actively introduced to ease the Indian visa process and reduce public harassment for Bangladeshi citizens, Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pawan Badhe stated on Sunday (October 18). He made the remarks while speaking to local journalists during a visit to the historic Durga Puja mandap of philanthropist Ranada Prasad Saha in Mirzapur, Tangail.
Responding to inquiries regarding persistent bottlenecks in securing visa appointments, Badhe pointed out that the crux of the crisis stems from unauthorized intermediaries. "The primary issue lies with the appointment slots," Badhe said. "Because we cannot bypass travel agents entirely, a significant number of dishonest agents operate with vested interests. They block the visa submission slots far in advance, depriving ordinary citizens of direct access and unfortunately forcing applicants to rely on these middlemen."
Badhe highlighted that continuous technical upgrades are underway to refine the online application ecosystem. He noted that the High Commission has introduced enhanced IT security features on the portal so that ordinary applicants can secure appointments independently. Over the past few months, these digital adjustments have yielded visible improvements, enabling a growing number of citizens to submit applications directly without paying middlemen, he added.
During his visit, the Deputy High Commissioner commended the philanthropic legacy of Ranada Prasad Saha and the public welfare initiatives of Kumudini Hospital. He noted the deep cultural and historical commonalities between Bangladesh and India, remarking that the spirit and traditions of Durga Puja are largely identical across the border.
Earlier in the evening, Badhe was received at the Kumudini complex by Mahabir Pati Chandan, Director of Kumudini Welfare Trust, alongside Kumudini Women's Medical College Principal Abdul Halim and Kumudini Hospital Deputy Director Animesh Bhowmik. After touring the Kumudini Library, Badhe crossed the Louhajang River aboard a traditional bajra boat to reach the Saha family ancestral home mandap, where he observed the aarati performed by students of Bharateswari Homes, accompanied by Kumudini Welfare Trust Managing Director Rajiv Prasad Saha, Director Sreemati Saha, and Hospital Director Pradip Kumar Roy.
