India Country Guide

Population - 1.09 billion people (2nd most populous nation in the world behind China)
Total Area -  3,287,590 square kilometres
Capital - New Delhi (13.8 million people)
Time Zone - Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +5:30 hours

The climate of India defies easy generalisation, comprising a wide range of weather conditions across a large geographic scale and varied topography. India with its diverse topography has varying climatic conditions across its breadth. In most places, except the hills and some places in the Deccan plateau, the summer months from May to August can be very oppressive. Temperatures are known to soar above 40° Celsius in the north of India. The north also has very cold winters. In the south, however, temperatures are not too extreme though winters are definitely cooler than the summers. The southern states have the best weather conditions from November to January. Travel to India does involved doing some research on the weather you should expect when you are there.

The country gets a respite from the hot and dry summers with the onset of the monsoons. When the weather in India heats up during summer, the moisture laden winds from the Indian Ocean make its way to the subcontinent. They are drawn towards the Himalayan region, which acts as a wall to the winds. Because of the topology, winds come from the Arabian Sea as well as the Bay of Bengal into the Indian subcontinent. The south-west monsoon lasts from June through September while the north-east monsoon appears between October and December. Despite its torrential nature, the monsoon is a welcome sight in India as most of the Indian economy is heavily dependent on it. And the fresh, glistening landscape after a downpour is worth it all!

India is well connected globally via a strong communication network. Local ISP providers have Internet Cafes at almost every nook and corner possible! Telephones and Public Payphones are easily accessible. You can also purchase Prepaid Calling cards at post offices, communication-provider shops and even at most larger general stores. Prepaid cellular phone cards are also available at most general stores.

Indian communication might be difficult in remote rural areas and cellular networks are often out of range at higher altitudes.

India has the largest postal network in the world and various options are available for people wanting to send mail/parcels overseas.

Yellow fever certificates must be shown by travellers arriving from Africa, Latin, America and Papua New Guinea. Other shots, although not officially required, are advisable. Typhoid , Polio and tetanus are important. A gamma globulin injection for hepatitis immediately before departure is also advisable. Many countries require arrivals from India to have an up-to-date cholera vaccination. A vaccination against rabies is now available but you must still visit the nearest hospital immediately following any bite from a dog or monkey for a further course of injections. Malaria is still widespread in many part of India. Advice as to which pills to take is constantly being revised but at present one suggested regime is Niva-quine (or Avloclor) twice a week and one or two paludrine daily . both courses must be continued for four to six weeks after leaving an affected area.

Most modern medicines are available over the counter in India but it is wise to have your own small reserve stock. If prescription drugs are required bring enough for the duration of your visit . It is advisable, to keep a second stock of these packed in a separate bag in case you lose your baggage .A small kit should include a remedy for 'Delhi-belly' (upset stomach), some antiseptic cream, lip salve, mosquito cream , suntan lotion for log days on Goa' s beaches, water purifying tablets if bottled water is not available, elastoplasts, etc. Many tourists develop problems on their second or third day because of 'climate shock' (heat exhaustion rather than contaminated food and water), ut if a upset stomach persists seek medical advise (big hotels have a doctor o call). Many people in India advise drinking lots of fluids (boiled and filtered water with a little salt ad sugar) and keeping to a diet of rice and yoghurt for a couple of days.

There are a few things to be careful about in India health-wise. Drink plenty of fluids but never drink tap water. the flask in hotel rooms contains filtered water and bottled water is now available almost every where. Avoid fresh salads even in hotel, and do not eat street food until you know how much you can abuse your body for the sake of your palate.

The electric voltage in India is 220 volts. Most English Appliances work well in India but a universal adapter is needed. Many deluxe hotels provide hair dryers but it is advisable to carry your own, if you use one regularly.

All foreign embassies are listed on http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/India/India.html

Rice and wheat (in bread forms) are the staple foods of India. The food of India is extremely diverse, as ingredients, spices and cooking methods all vary from region to region. Spicy food and sweets are popular in India. Indian food is as varied as anything else in that country. There is no easy definition of an "Indian meal". Indian food is often thought of as very spicy, but there are some simple breads, sweet deserts, and milder 'one-pot dishes' that defy the norm.

Many Indians are vegetarian, but then, some are not. There are regional specialities, different ways to serve the meal, and staple ingredients in each state. This combines to create a diverse cuisine that never becomes boring.

India is home to 14 major languages and over 1600 regional dialects. Although Hindi is the national language and the mother tongue of 30% Indians, English is used for political and commercial communication.

Other Indian languages include: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Sindhi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu are the other official languages spoken in India. Hindustani is a widely spoke dialect of Hindi/Urdu mostly spoken in Northern India.

Some common Hindi words/phrases handy for travellers include:

Hello = NA-MA-SKAR
Goodbye = ACH-HA
Please = KRIP-YA
Thank you = DHAN-YA-VAD
Nice to meet you = AAP SE MIL KE KHU-SHI HUI
Where is the bathroom = BATH-ROOM KID-HAR HAI
How much does this cost = YEH KIT-NE KA HAI
Help = MA-DAD
Street = SA-DAK
Left = BA-YEN
Right = DA-YEN
Water = PA-A-NEE

2011

March 20th - HOLI
April 04th - UGADI
April 12th - RAM NAVMI
April 16th – MAHAVIR JAYANTI
April 22nd - GOOD FRIDAY
May 17th – BUDHA PURNIMA
July 13th - RATH YATRA
Aug 13th - RAKSHA BANDHAN
Aug 15th - INDEPENDENCE DAY
Aug 22nd - JANMASHTAMI
Aug 30th – IDU’L FITR (end of Ramadan)
Sept 1st - GANESH CHATURTHI
Oct 2nd – MAHATMA GANDHI’S BIRTHDAY
Oct 6th - DUSSEHRA (WAY DASHMI)
Oct 26th - DIWALI (DEEPAVALI)
Nov 6th — Idu’l Zuha/Bakrid
Nov 10th - GURU NANAK’S BIRTHDAY
Dec 5th — Al-Hijra / Muharram
Dec 25th - CHRISTMAS DAY

Requirement of Visa: Foreigners of visiting India can do so after obtaining a visa from the Indian Mission in the country of their residence. They should possess a valid National Passport - except in the case of nationals of Bhutan and Nepal, who may carry only suitable means of identification.

Tourist Visas: Usually, a multi -entry visa, valid for a period of 180 days, is granted for the purpose of tourism .the visa is valid from the date of issue.

Collective Visas: The facility also exists for the issue to group tours consisting visas of not less than four members and sponsored by a travel agency recognized by the Government of India.

Exemption from Registration: Foreigners coming to India on tourist visas for 180 days or a shorter period are not required to register themselves with any authority in India.

Landing Permit Facility: Tourists may note that no Landing Permit Facility is available to any foreign tourist landing without visa. A limited facility exists only for group tours consisting of four or more members and sponsored by a travel agency recognized by the Government of India.

Tourist Groups: A tourist group arriving by air, ship or by a chartered or scheduled flight may be granted a collective landing permit for a period of up to 30 days by the immigration authorities on landing ,provided the group is sponsored by a recognized travel agency and a pre drawn itinerary is presented along with details of passport

Extension of Visa: No extension of stay is granted on a tourist Visa.

Other Types of Visas:
If a foreigner wishes to come to India for a purpose other than tourism, he should come after obtaining an appropriate visa out of the following:

Business Visa: A foreigner can obtain one from an Indian Embassy abroad.

Student Visa: A student visa can be obtained from the Indian Embassy on the production of proof of admission and means of sustenance while in India, The visa is valid for one year but can be extended in India for the duration of the course.

Conference Visa: Delegates coming to attend international conferences in India can avail for this visa.

Employment Visa: Foreigners desirous of coming to India for taking up employment should apply for a Employment Visa

During the day it is best to wear light , comfortable cottons with a pair of good ventilated walking shoes( Open-toed sandals let in dust and pebbles and conttons socks ). For the sightseeing session you may find a good pair of sunglasses and sun-hat handy. At some of the Monuments/ temples. mosques, It is advisable to avoid sleeveless tops and shorts skirts. Your may also be asked to remove your shoes: in such cases airline socks are useful.