- Indian Visas
All travellers to India must have a valid passport and the appropriate Indian visa. The countries which do not require visa to come to India are Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives. Visa regulations for entry vary from country to country depending on treaties in force. Check out the Indian embassy website www.indianembassy.org in your country for details. Overseas visitors seeking to attend or participate in International Health expo and conferences, Chandigarh, India in most cases should apply for a short stay business visitor visa. You must apply for your visa early to ensure that details are confirmed prior to your departure for the event.
- Invitation Letter & Visa
Letters of invitation will ordinarily not be issued for the event before 2nd week of January ’2009. To assist in obtaining any necessary visas that you may require, it is essential that you complete the registration via the event website ensuring to include a valid fax number. The Organising Committee will process your registration and sent to you a confirmation invoice confirming receipt of your payment and attendance at the event. You will then be able to present this invoice to your Embassy / High Commission to assist with the application of your visa. In the event that your application is unsuccessful, refund will be provided.
- Banking & Currency
Exchange facilities are available at airports and most major hotels. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available at a wide variety of outlets. All major credit cards are widely accepted in India.
- Planning your Travel
Because of time change and jet lag the Organising Committee suggests you to consider arriving in India a day or two prior to the start of the event. This will enable you to relax and familiarize yourself with your hotel and its surroundings before the start of the event.
- Electricity
Electrical current is 240/250V, AC 50Hz. The Indian three-pin power outlet is different from that in many countries, so you will need an adaptor. If your appliances are 110V, check if there is a 110/240V switch. If not, you will need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 110V shavers are usually found in leading hotels.
- General Travel Tips
(A) Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by both filtering through an “absolute 1 micron or less” filter and adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. “Absolute 1 micron filters” are found in camping / outdoor supply stores.
(B) Buy bottled water from respectable outlets to guard against stomach upsets. Some of the better known brands are Bisleri, Kinley, Aquafina, Himalaya etc. Make sure that the seal of the bottle is intact.
(C) Watch out for spicy dishes, especially at the outset of your tour. Avoid eating food from road side stalls. Eat unpeeled fruits and avoid fresh salads, especially in small hotels. If you are forced to eat food at some place that you have doubts about, make sure the food is served hot.
(D) Always use an insect repellent if you find yourself in a mosquito-prone area. But remember, not every place is mosquito-infested and low temperatures in winters (when most tourists come to India) kill most bugs in the northern plains and hills.
(E) If traveling in scorching heat, remember to drink enough water, use hats, sunglasses & UV lotions.
(F) Pharmacists or chemists are available in every little town and village and you can buy medication. In case you need to see a doctor for a specific condition, ask for help from your hotel (most of them have doctors on call) or your tour operator. The cost of visiting a doctor is fairly low (less than a dollar) compared to western countries.
Some Helpful Hindi Phrases :
Could be used while traveling or staying in Northern part of India.
| English Phrase |
Hindi Phrase |
English Phrase |
Hindi Phrase |
| Hi or Hello |
Namaste |
I am from Australia |
Main Australia se hoon |
| Please |
Kripaya |
Are you open tomorrow |
Aap kal khule hain |
| Thank You |
Shukhriya or Dhanyavaad |
Is this very far |
Kya ye bahut door hai |
| Yes / No |
Haan / Nahin |
How much is this |
Ye kitne ka hai |
| Where can I find |
Kahan milenge |
This is too expensive |
Ye bahut mehenga hai |
| I want water |
Mujhe paani chahiye |
Make this price less |
Bhaav kam karo |
| I want a ticket |
Mujhe ticket chahiye |
How are you? |
Aap kaise hain? |
| Where is the toilet |
Bathroom kahan hai |
Sorry |
Maaf kijiye |
| Ok: |
Theek hai |
What is the price? |
Iska kya daam hai? |
| What? |
Kya? |
I don't understand |
Mai samjha nahi |
| Where |
Kahan? |
Tell me the way please |
Kripya raasta bataiye |
| How? |
Kaise ? |
What is your name? |
Aapka naam kya hai? |
| When? |
Kab ? |
My name is |
Mera naam….. |
| Who? |
Kaun ? |
Right |
Dahine |
| Why? |
Kyon ? |
Left |
Bayen |
|
| |
| Numbers |
| |
|
|