ARRIVAL IN INDIA

All travel arrangements to India will be made by ISJS North America. Upon your selection, we will contact you to start this process. We will provide for the cheapest Economy class airfare only. Those who wish to travel in a higher class will need to pay the difference directly to the Travel Agent.

ISSJS participants will need to make arrangements with the our travel agent to arrive in Delhi on either May 30th or May 31st in order to be present for orientation activities. A formal Inauguration Ceremony (with prominent Jain leaders and scholars in attendance) will take place on June 3rd or 4th (Saturday or Sunday) in Delhi. We request that you dress formally (Western or Indian attire) for this ceremony and be prepared to introduce yourself to the audience in the form of a short speech. You introduction should include a brief synopsis on your particular interest in Jainism and also what you foresee as the results of your research upon returning to your home institution.

All of participants will fly into Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport). All students should email Shugan Jain, svana@vsnl.com, with their arrival date and times so that you can be received properly at IGI Airport in Delhi.

The arrival process, immigration and Indira Gandhi Airport can be a bit chaotic. We want to familiarize you with the steps. As your plane nears Delhi, the flight attendants will hand out several forms to be filled out. One of them marks the arrival and departure of your stay in India that tears into two sections. You will give one half to the Immigration Officer and the other half will be stapled into your passport for when you leave. You will need to have the ISSJS Institute address available to fill out these forms. You might also be asked to fill out a Disembarkation Form, which asks if you have anything to declare. If any of this is unclear, the flight attendants or ground crew can assist you with these forms.

Once the plane as landed, you will go through two points: immigration and customs. At immigration you will show your passport and visa to a customs officer. After immigration you will go on through to baggage and pick up your luggage. Once you have your luggage, approach the Customs Area and proceed through the Green Channel (nothing to declare). Customs Officials mark any bag they think should be opened with a chalk X. Regulations are inconsistently applied. Computers, video equipment, cameras and other electronic items are most likely to catch their attention. Make sure you carry such items in ambiguous bags (laptop sleeves inside of backpacks/unobvious totes) so as not to catch attention at the airport or anywhere else you travel (to ensure safety of your belongings).

CHANGING MONEY: Before exiting the restricted area, you can change money at the bank counter located inside the airport. Generally, US $100 in rupees is sufficient and will last you some while. It is be smart to have some rupees on hand in case you need to call for assistance, hire a taxi, or make any other unforeseen arrangements.

ARRIVAL RECEPTION: On arrival, you will be received at the airport by ISSJS staff. Look for Shugan Jain, or a representative from the International Summer School for Jain Studies. The representative will be displaying a cardboard sign that says “International Summer School for Jain Studies Welcomes You to India! (Your Name/s).” Please prepare a nametag and display it on your shirt when you arrive in Delhi so that you will be easily identifiable by your hosts.

IN CASE OF ANY DIFFICULTY: Call Shugan Jain Cell: 9818139000, or Prof. M.L. Jain (Cell: 9213985270) for assistance. You will be able to find telephone booths at the airport. In case your flight is late or delayed for any reason; contact Shugan Jain or Prof. M.L. Jain on their phones. To dial a cell phone internationally, dial the Indian Country Code (91) before the number. For a fixed line, you will need to dial the country code (91) and then the city code for Delhi (11) before the number. The telephone agent can assist you if you need help. Shugan Jain or M.L. Jain will either advise you to wait for a ride or take a prepaid taxi, which you can acquire from the prepaid taxi desk next to the money changing booths. It is required that you pay a fixed price in advance for taxis at the IGI Airport. Tell the Taxi Desk that you need to be taken to the Heritage School Sushant Loka, located in Gurgaon, from the IGI Airport. Please avoid hiring a NON-prepaid Taxi, because they are illegal from the airport!

If you plan on arriving prior to May 31st we will happily assist you in making alternate arrangements for accommodations at reasonable costs. Our lodging arrangements are available beginning May 29th, and the Summer School session officially begins on June 1st

DEPARTURE FROM INDIA

The Summer School session ends on July 31st, 2006. At the end of the Summer School, a formal Valedictory Ceremony may take place. Students will be asked to share what they have gained through the ISSJS summer experience.

After this ceremony, program participants are free to either return home to their respective countries of origin that night, or extend their stay at their own expense. Visiting Scholars, who will depart on July 31st, can arrange with the Summer School to be dropped off at the Delhi IGI Airport. More information will be available in India as the Summer School comes to a close.

JAIN DIET

Part of the ISSJS program in India is to experience the Jain way of life. In addition to studying about Jainism, it is important for you to follow the Jain dietary system, as well. Such dietary restrictions are based on the principles and practices of non-violence, non-possession, self-control and strenuous efforts to achieve worldly and spiritual objectives. It is not a requirement that participants be vegetarians, however, we strongly request that you stay vegetarian the duration of the program.

Due to religio-cultural reasons, all meals will be Jain Vegetarian, which excludes eggs. At some of the institutions, you may see an absence of root vegetables. In addition, many Jains do not eat after sunset. In the instance that we encounter Jains who follow this practice, please kindly respect this request.

The consumption of alcohol, drugs of any kind, and smoking during the summer school session is strictly forbidden.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY EATING & DRINKING:

• Avoid eating in restaurants with poor hygiene or buying food from street vendors. Make sure that all food is well cooked. Avoid uncooked fruits or vegetables unless you can peel this yourself.

• Wash your hands frequently. Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer is a good option when a sink is not available.

• Drinking tap water is not recommended in India. Drink boiled, filtered, or bottled water. Soft drinks are usually okay, but beware of juices that may be diluted with water. Never drink any drink that contains ice unless it has been made from boiled or bottled water. In addition, make sure plates and cups are completely dry before eating off of them.

• There will be sufficient bottled water available, however, several previous participants brought portable water filter pumps called First Need Water Purifiers that screwed onto their water bottles – http://www.generalecology.com/. Scholars with filters always had their own water on hand no matter the situation.

• Drink at least two liters of filtered or bottled water each day. Hydration is an important part of keeping yourself well while in India.

MONEY MATTERS

CURRENCY: The unit of currency in India is the rupee. At present there are roughly Rs. 39/- to the dollar. ATM machines, banks, and moneychangers will be available at most of the places. In particular, Citibank is located all over India. In the past, participants have opened Citibank accounts in their country prior to departure, so that they could withdrawal cash without accruing ATM fees.

Many shopkeepers also accept major credit cards. Make sure you bring your bank account and credit card account information with you, as well as customer service telephone numbers that can be used internationally. It is also helpful to set up online payment options with your credit cards and banks in case you need to pay your bills during your time in India.

MONEY IN MULTIPLE FORMS: You will want to carry your money in multiple forms: Traveler’s Checks, Credit Cards, and Debit Cards. In case ATM machines are not available, exchanging traveler’s checks or using your credit card can be an easy alternative. Take cash in $20 -$50 bills to facilitate easy exchange. Money orders, cashier’s checks, and certified checks are extremely difficult to cash in India.

MONEY BELT: The type that can be worn under your clothes is the most secure. Keep photocopies of your passport, visa, insurance, and emergency contact information, traveler’s checks, and extra ATM/credit cards in your money belt. Because it is very hot in India during summer months, keep your documents in a zip lock bag inside your money belt.

In addition ISJS India has prepared a HANDBOOK FOR STAY IN INDIA for scholars to help them make their stay comfortable and rewarding.