TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION FOR INDIA
PASSPORTS
Every ISSJS participant will need to have a passport that is valid for the entire length of his or her time in India. The United States has recently started requiring passports for all travel to Mexico and Canada. The result is that there are more applicants and longer waiting periods for passports. Please allow at least two months for the passport application process. For more passport information please see:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
Before leaving for India please make several copies of your passport. Leave at least one copy with a friend or family member in case your passport is lost or stolen. While in India keep a copy with you, along with extra passport size photographs in a separate location from your passport. These precautions will allow the U.S Embassy in India to replace your passport as quickly as possible.
VISAS
All participants are expected to pay for their own visa fees. Each participant should get a tourist or a student visa. During the ISSJS program you will neither be able to nor allowed to leave India and return later to India. In case of Student Visa, you will be required to register with the local Police in India in each city of your stay.
The visa application process depends upon the participant’s country of origin. These instructions are based on requirements for the United States. U.S Participant’s should apply for visa for India as early as possible. For scholars from North America, who wish to apply for student Visa, please fill the form completely as placed at VISA authorization form and email to svana@vsnl.com for getting it recommended from The American Institute of Indian Studies New Delhi with whom ISSJS has an affiliation. When all the visa authorization forms are received, they will be sent to AIIS for authorization and intimation to the Indian consulate office which you intend to go for visa.
In case you wish to apply for a tourist visa, you can apply directly to Indian consulate closer to your place of stay. Please apply for visa only for the duration of the program. Extended VISA & stay is strongly objected to by local authorities (requires special registration etc. for which ISJS is not responsible).
You will then make the visa application with the Indian embassy most convenient to you and attach the above form for visa. It can take up to several weeks for processing, although rush processing is usually available for an extra cost. Visa Application Forms can be downloaded from the Indian Embassy website under Visa Services. Make sure that you are using the correct consulate jurisdiction over your state. (i.e., if you live in Los Angeles or Denver you would send your passport to the Indian Consulate of San Francisco). A list of consulate jurisdictions is available online. This is the Indian Consulate website for San Francisco http://www.indiacgny.org and for New York http://www.cgisf.org. At these websites you will be able to download and fill out the visa form for India, as well as redirect yourself to the correct consulate needed for your location.
For scholars from other countries, ISJS India office can send an admission letter to you which will facilitate your visa application. Please contact Dr. Shugan Jain email: svana@vsnl.comfor such letter. You can then approach the Indian embassy and get your visa approved.
ARRIVAL IN INDIA
All travel arrangements to India will be made by ISJS North America. Our travel agent Concord Travels email: dhanesh@concordtravelhouston.com or Skybirds Travels will make all travel bookings for you. Upon your selection, we will contact you to start this process. We will provide for the cheapest group Economy class airfare only far the scholars accepted in a program traveling together. For the two months program i.e. program ‘b’ airfare will be paid by ISJS directly to the travel agent. For other programs, the students will pay themselves directly to the travel agent. 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 our travel agent to arrive in Delhi (Two month program: May 30th 2009, One month program: June 7th 2009 and U of Ottawa or other special programs: May 24.2009) for pick up by ISJS India and escorting to the place of stay to be present for orientation activities.
All participants will fly into Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport). All students should email Dr. Shugan Jain, svana@vsnl.com with their arrival date and time so that you can be received properly at IGI Airport in Delhi (traveling in a group) or guidance in reaching the place of stay. Those traveling alone will have to make their own arrangements to come to ISSJS Delhi Centre from the airport.
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 has 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 claim 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).
We request that you plan to introduce yourself to the audience in the form of a short speech. Your 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.
CHANGING MONEY: Before exiting the restricted area, you can change money ($ to Indian Rupees) at the bank counter located inside the airport. Generally, US $100 in rupees is sufficient and will last you some while. It is 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 Dr. 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. This facility will be extended only to those scholars /students traveling in a group of three or more only
IN CASE OF ANY DIFFICULTY: Call Dr. Shugan Jain (Cell: 9818139000), or Ms. Meetu Jain (Cell: 09871707947) 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 Dr. Shugan Jain or Ms. Meetu 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. Dr. Shugan Jain or Ms. Meetu 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 Tulsi Global Meditation centre-Heritage School Sushant Lok 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 the dates mentioned, we will happily assist you in making alternate arrangements for accommodations at reasonable costs. Our lodging arrangements are available beginning the dates mentioned above till the completion of the program only.
DEPARTURE FROM INDIA
The Summer School session ends on July 21st , 2009 for program ‘b’ and July 6th 2009 for program ‘a’. At the end of each program, 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 should return home to their respective countries of origin that night and ISSJS will arrange your going to IGI airport to catch the flight. Extended stay beyond the program involves serious legal and administrative problems which are beyond the control and scope of ISSJS.
Still if you plan to extend your stay (at your own expense), please note that ISSJS facilities will not be available for use by you. Extended stay caused serious problems to some of the students last year. So please make your arrangements of stay, food etc in advance. More information will be available in India as the Summer School comes to a close.
PACKING & WEATHER
Packing is highly individual, and no single list will work for everyone. However, please make sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, umbrella, raingear, flashlight, bath towels (preferably, an easy to dry travel towel), bed-sheets (or a sleeping bag liner, since it dries faster and is smaller to pack). The following additional considerations can help you pack wisely:
WEATHER IN INDIA: June and July are summer months in India. Monsoon rains start at the end of June or the beginning of July. Daytime temperatures in most of the places we will travel will be 100+ F (as much as up to 108 F). Nighttime temperatures will be slightly less. During Monsoon days, it can be hot and muggy.
THINK ABOUT LAUNDARY: Lighter colors help you stay cool, but darker colors show dirt less; you might wish to strike a happy medium. Stress lightweight fabrics that can be easily hand-washed, can hold up to repeated washing, and do not need ironing. A key question for choosing clothes: How long does it take to air dry?
If you choose, a laundry service will be provided at a reasonable cost. A washerman, or dhobhi, will come to the ISSJS accommodation every alternate day. He or she will take your dirty clothes for washing and will deliver them back to you after two days at a reasonable cost.
PLAN TO BE PRESENTABLE: Plan to dress nicely. Clean, fairly conservative apparel is appropriate. Include one or two dressy outfits for evening outings. Pack clothing that is relatively new, both to be sure it lasts through your stay in India and because you will feel uncomfortably out of place if you wear ripped, baggy, or faded clothes. We can make arrangements for traditional kurta-pajama, salawaar-kameez, and saris at affordable prices. You will find that dressing in Indian style clothing is the most comfortable option, in terms of weather and cultural appropriateness. Women scholars are strongly advised to avoid wearing low neck- sleeveless or transparent tops to avoid problems.
BE CONSERVATIVE: Some clothing that is common in North America would be considered provocative or inappropriate in India. If you wish to pack exercise clothes, pack athletic pants or shorts that extend to the knee. However, shorts are not cultural appropriate, so please avoid wearing shorts in public settings.
Clothing choice is particularly important for women. In some areas, exposing the shoulders or ankles is not suitable. Women tend to wear long skirts in rural areas, and although you may wear slacks without offending, in some rural settings you may feel out of place.
CHOOSE YOUR LUGGAGE WISELY: Pack what you can carry! Be selective. Decide what, and how much, is really essential to you. Try to get by with one large suitcase and a carry-on. Remember, you can purchase clothing and almost everything you need in India, although because of the program schedule you will not have significant time to devote to shopping. It’s a good idea to bring an extra empty duffle bag in your suitcase in case you have items to bring back with you. You may also wish to bring a daypack/backpack for daytrips and class/research materials.
HEALTH & SAFETY
We request that you fill out the form in the applications materials (if you have not already done so) informing us of any physical ailments and/or medical conditions before arriving in India. Please also fill out the Emergency Contact Form, also available under the forms section.
The website of the Centers for Disease Control, www.cdc.gov/travel, provides extensive information and advice on immunizations and on staying healthy in India. Another good site is Travel Health Online at www.tripprep.com. It is important that you inform yourself prior to departure what precautions to take while living in India. Please bring all medications, toiletries, and mosquito repellents with you. You may always supplement after you arrive.
IMMUNIZATIONS: We strongly encourage you to consult with a travel physician or travel nurse well before departure to allow for enough time to complete certain immunization series. All program participants should get a Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid shot, as well as any other booster shots needed. A rabies vaccination is recommended but not required prior to departure.
Please bring your immunization record with you and keep it with your passport.
MEDICATIONS: Please bring your medicines, medical prescriptions (including glasses/contact lens prescription), medical equipment, and special dietary needs with you. Many prescribed medicines are available in India but may be under different names. You may also wish to bring medication for malaria, diarrhea. An antibiotic, Ciproflaxin, is available and is less expensive in India.
MALARIA PREVENTION: Summer months are breeding months for mosquitoes. Therefore, please bring mosquito repellant's and malarial medication with you. Malaria is a very serious illness. Your travel health specialist will recommend that you take a prophylactic (preventive) drug for malaria, probably beginning a week or two before you are scheduled to arrive in India. It is essential that you purchase and bring with you the necessary medication. Without medication there is a chance that you might become very ill fairly quickly and require hospitalization. While the medication cannot prevent you from contracting malaria, it significantly reduces the symptoms, allowing you time to seek medical attention at a clinic and facilities for a speedy recovery. In some cases, visiting scholars have experienced side effects from the CDC-recommended drug, mefloquine. Some scholars have experienced strange dreams or nightmares as a result of this type of malarial. A new medication, Malarone, is now on the market and may avoid the risk of side effects. Scholars have inquired about purchasing medicine in India against malaria. In order to be protected, you must take the medication prior to your departure. Also, bring your insect repellant! Repellent with at least 21% DEET will help ward against malaria-carrying mosquitoes. A new cream, Ultrathon, manufactured by 3M contains 30% DEET and has been recommended by health professionals as an alternative to aerosol sprays.
INSURANCE: All program participants must have travel insurance. Each participant must pay for his/her own insurance coverage. You must provide a copy of such insurance to the Student Affairs Coordinator. There are many international insurance options online. One relatively inexpensive accident and sickness program is administered by HTH Worldwide Insurance Services, Inc. at
http://www.hthworldwide.com Several previous participants used travel insurance from Travel Guard International at
http://www.travelguard.com.
SPECIAL CHALLENGES FOR WOMEN: The feelings engendered by being female in what may seem an anti-feminist society have proved a difficult challenge to overcome in terms of experiential fieldwork and lived scholarship. It is important to remain aware of the cultural context at hand. Women might sense a feeling of over protectiveness by organizers of ISSJS India regarding curfew, places frequented, and friends. Please avoid close relationships /associations with unknown people. Roles are often defined by gender in many cultures, and you may elicit negative responses if you do not follow, or at least are sensitive to, the prescribed roles; moreover, foreign females may sometimes experience harassment even if they do follow the rules.
SEXUAL HARRASMENT:ISSJS Management does not condone any kind of sexual harassment. However, in Indian Society, perception about these incidents are not given the same kind of importance as in North American and in some other countries. Please be extremely careful about your own behaviour with other ISSJS colleagues of opposite sex. Slackness in such activities send wrong signals to the administrators of the facilities as well as other Indians.
Do not tolerate behavior that feels threatening or disrespectful by colleagues, staff faculty members and even the ISSJS director. You must report to ISSJS director immediately for corrective action. Delay in reporting may not be considered as serious. When in any doubt, consult with an ISSJS staff member with whom you feel comfortable. Report any incidents of sexual harassment or sexual assault immediately in writing to ISSJS India director immediately for corrective and punitive action.
