Probably

Probably all the embassy staff ever read is V.S. Naipaul.
That's probably why they are terrified of Journalists and authors in general.

It's a good thing then that you are an Independent Railroad Manufacture Professional, the writing is just a hobby.

A little lie now and then can be oh so convenient.

Mieke

I didn't lie.
In hindsight I should have written on my application: "bookkeeper" instead of "novelist."

Sander

Keep it secret.

That's a weird request.

Arnon

Would they allow writing a diary or loveletters?

If vampires only die when one pokes a wooden poker through their heart, why do they have to drink blood?

That is why the call India the paradise of bureaucracy. Are you A spy? Yes, then please fill in the form ‘to not engage in any activities related to you profession while being in India’ Thank you sir. Welcome indeed!
(Beware India, Belgium is moving fast upwards.)

To Dens

As you are dutchspeaking I can reccomend you Paul van Loon's 'Griezelhandboek'.

If you have these sort of questions on a regular basis, I reccomend buying it.

@Pjötr

I read Van Loon when I was young. I don't remember much of it other than titles and his picture. He was probably the first one to be linked with a book. The first Author whose existence I realized. Maybe books just "happened" before that.

Bangalore

If you're going to make it to Bangalore, do let me know. I would be happy to show you around if I'm here.

@Arnon

The obvious question remaining (I guess I'll be the one to pose it then...): what is the purpose of your visit to India? And destination?

@Arnon

Oh wow, I was slacking! I now see you are in New Delhi already.

Aliefka

He's on his honeymoon.

@Aliefka
You want to lure Arnon to break his oath? Prisons in India are not nice places, it seems, as they are nowhere. He is only a tourist.

Phil

Not this time. Hopefully next time.

@Bernard, it took me a while to figure out wat you meant, so apparently at times I'm still relatively naieve. I think I'd like to keep it that way because I like the concept of believing people's word. Moreover, the thought that anyone from the Indian Embassy would study this site would have never struck me, until I read your comment.
So no, I wasn't trying to lure anyone here. I was simply, and still am simply: interested.

@Aliefka
Do not bother. My paranoia is of a gentile and humorous kind.