VFS visa form error: Cast from string “undefined / undefined / undefined” to type ‘Date’ is not valid.

Submitted by Karthik on 15 January, 2008 – 03:49.

The U.S VFS visa application site for India is a wonderful example of how not to design a website. However, rather than ranting, let me cut to the chase …

If you received the error message Cast from string "undefined/undefined/undefined" to type 'Date' is not valid. while filling in the visa form, it’s not your fault. You are probably using Firefox (very likely on Linux). The following are a few recommendations that will help you in filling in the form (in its present state):

• Do not use Firefox. Use Opera or Internet Explorer and this error can be avoided.
• Regardless of your browser, be sure to turn off any pop-up blockers. The site, depending on its mood, will display error and status messages in pop-ups, javascript alerts and HTML.
• The CAPTCHA (alphanumeric code embedded in an image) images are inscrutable and does not regenerate if you make an error. If you are stuck, go back to the previous page and click continue to force it to regenerate.
• Be sure to fill the main visa application forms carefully:
  • Avoid using any punctuations anywhere. They trigger errors.
  • Be sure that every field is addressed. For e.g., there is a series of yes/no checkboxes related to relatives living in the US – ensure that you select No for fields that do not apply rather than omitting that field.
• When you get to the option where you can save your progress, do so.
• In a confidence inspiring (sic) measure, your session is stored in the URL. You can copy the URL and open it in a different browser if necessary and pick up where you left off.

FWIW, the website is outsourced to an Indian intermediary named VFS Global which (poorly, as the link will attest) handles visa applications in many countries worldwide.

Some weired news across the globe!!!

French mayor “bans” death

As funny it may sound but that’s true. A mayor of a village in France has ‘actually’ banned people from dying if they don’t own land in local cemetery. The mayor has also asked to take “severe actions” on those who don’t follow this rule. I wonder what kinda weirdos exist in this world. What could have made the mayor think of imposing such a law? Is France full of loonies like Sarcozi?

But on serious note, ironically we, in India have totally different situation. I mean government has provided us with all the opportunities to die. Blueline buses, adulterated edibles , bomb blasts, pollution and what not!!!

Man married dog to lift curse

Now this happens only in India!!! We have all heard the ‘man bites dog’ stories, but how about a real-life ‘man marries dog’ tale! It took place for real during a traditional hindu ceremony at a temple in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The groom in question was a 33-year-old Indian farmer named Selvakumar, and he was wed to a female dog named Selvi. He married his four legged bitch to atone for stoning two other dogs to death and stringing them up in a tree 15 years ago.He believed the act cursed him and he had been suffering ever since, he told the Hindustan Times.

Oh now that’s rele rele weired. Generally people feel being cursed after getting married but this guy is getting married to lift the curse. Phew!! But now one question still remains.. what about the curse with which the bitch will have to live her life!!