| Visas
|
| A
visa is compulsory for entry into India. Visas must be obtained
prior to entry into India. The embassies/consulates/high commissions
of India, located within your country, can be contacted for
procedures and issuance of a visa for India. Your invitation
letter will serve as proof of attendance at the conference.
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|
| Information
about India |
|
|
| Capital
City - Delhi |
| India
is the seventh largest country in the world with a total land
area of 3.3 million square km. It shares borders with Bangladesh,
Myanmar, China, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan, with Sri Lanka and
the Maldives just across the mainland in the Indian Ocean. Variations
in climate and the sheer size of the country provides for diversity
in geographical terrain - deserts, hills, plains, plateaus,
tropical rain forests, beaches - most of these being beautiful
tourist spots. India has a 7600 km long coastline that gives
it access to diverse marine resources. India is also the world's
second most populous nation, after China, with an approximate
population of 1.027 billion and population density of about
324 people per square km. It is the largest democracy in the
world and has adopted the parliamentary form of government.
Hindi is the official language of India and is spoken by the
largest percentage of people (38 per cent) in the country. English
continues to be the business language of the country and is
widely read and spoken. India is a secular state. It has 29
states and 6 union territories. Each state has a distinct culture
and rich heritage. |
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| Information
on India can also be obtained from the following websites: |
Map
of India
http://www.mapsofindia.com
India: Statistical Data
http://www.censusindia.net/
UNDP Human Development Report 2002
http://hdrc.undp.org.in/CONTENT/HDR/hdr02/default.htm |
·
http://www.ibef.org
· http://www.indiainfoline.com
· http://www.indiatour.com
· http://www.india4u.com
· http://www.indiainfo.com
· http://www.tourisminindia.com
· http://www.tourismofindia.com |
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|
| Information
on Delhi (about the city, shopping arcades, film
shows, theatres, hotels, important utility numbers) can be obtained
from the following websites: |
·
http://www.thedelhicity.com
· http://www.cityreference.com/india/delhi/information.htm
· http://www.delhitourism.com
· http://www.delhigate.com |
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|
| Transportation
(including airport transfer) |
| Pick
up from the airport is included in your hotel room booking free
of charge. Please provide the hotel with your flight details
while requesting pick up from the airport. For travel in and
around Delhi kindly contact your hotel travel desk or concierge.
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| |
| Hotel
Intercontinental The Grand travel desk located in the main lobby
of the hotel, will deal with all flight queries and confirmation
of transfers from the hotel to the airport. |
| |
| Please
remember to reconfirm your flight at least two days before departure. |
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|
| Currency,
Exchange and Credit Cards |
|
India's
monetary unit is the Indian Rupee (Rs). Foreign currencies
can easily be changed at banks, change offices and post offices.
The exchange rate is approximately about:
1
Euro ~ 56 Rupees
1 US Dollar ~ 43 Rupees
Major
credit cards (American Express, Visa, Diner's Club, MasterCard,
etc.) are accepted in most establishments. Most ATMs accept
international credit/bank cards; all ATMs provide instructions
in English.
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| Local
Time |
| India
is five and one-half hours ahead of GMT. A standard time is
followed in the country. |
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|
| Climate
and Clothing |
| Delhi
is pleasant in October with daytime temperatures varying between
20°C and 35°C and cool evenings with relatively little rain.
Light woollen clothing is advisable. |
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| Medical
Assistance |
|
All
hotels (with the exception of Jukaso Inn) have resident doctors,
who can be called for assistance. Jukaso Inn can arrange for
medical assistance on request.
Reputed
hospitals in Delhi, which can also be called directly for
medical assistance.
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| Practical
Information |
|
Commercial
establishments (shops and banks), in India, generally open
by 10 am. Shops are typically open till 7 pm, six days a week.
Most shopping complexes are open over the weekends on account
of large customer traffic.
Banks
generally are functional for public dealings till 2 pm. Most
banks close for business at 2 pm. Multinational banks, however,
are increasingly adhering to working through the year and
generally are operational till 6 pm. Banks are closed on Sundays.
Post offices close at 5 pm.
Restaurant
tax is 8% and liquor tax is 8%. Tipping at a rate of 10-15%
of the bill is common in hotels and restaurants.
Police
100
Fire 101
Emergency 102
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| CONF
2003 - SUMMARY REPORT |
