Travel Times
Registration for the 2008 New Delhi University officially opens at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 6 February 2008, with the Opening General Session beginning at 4:30 p.m. Please plan your flights accordingly. Departure flights may be arranged for anytime starting on Sunday, 10 February 2008.
Airport Information
If you’re traveling by air, you will arrive at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
Located in Delhi, Indira Gandhi International Airport is a major gateway and vital link between India and the rest of the world.
The International Terminal (Terminal 2) has 35 airlines flying to major cities across the world, and is about 5km (3 miles) away from the Domestic Terminal (Terminal 1) at Palam. There is a free transfer shuttle between the terminals.
Information counters are situated in the arrivals sections of both terminals. The airport is situated roughly 20km from the city center. On average, it takes approximately 20-25 minutes to reach the airport from the city center.
Ground Transportation
Airport Pick-Up
Depending on the room you book at the Taj Palace Hotel, an airport pick-up may be included in your hotel rate. Please inquire with the hotel staff to make necessary arrangements.
Car Hire
Car hire is available from Nitin Transport Company outside the customs halls at both terminals; however, there is no facility for hiring self-drive cars at the airport, as these are not generally available in India.
Taxis
The Delhi Traffic Police (pre-paid taxi booths), located in the arrivals sections of both terminals, issue vouchers for travel into the city; however, travelers should retain the receipt until reaching the desired destination, and then hand it to the driver. Metered taxis and auto rickshaws are also available.
Traveling by Rail
Indian Railways runs a modern and organized network that connects Delhi to most major and minor destinations within India. Most long distance train services are offered in the three major railway stations. The New Delhi railway station is located in the heart of New Delhi; the Delhi Main station is located in the old city; and the Nizamuddin station, which has limited train connections, is a bit further from the city’s center.
Getting Around
The easiest way to get around the city is by taxi or auto-rickshaws. Taxis can be booked with fixed prices in advance at local taxi stands throughout the city. For auto-rickshaws, there are official rates, but they are often out of order and surcharges may be above the metered price. Therefore, you must negotiate the price before traveling.
Weather/Dress
Weather
The best time to visit Delhi is between October and February. The average daytime temperature during this period is around 22C (71.5F), and the evenings are pleasant and cool.
Dress
The dress code for all meetings during the University is business casual. The dress code for the evening social events will be as follows:
Wednesday Indian Wedding – Cocktail Attire and/or Indian Attire
Thursday Dine-Arounds – Business Casual
Friday James Bond Themed Evening – Cocktail Attire (Dress to impress as James Bond or one of the glamorous Bond girls!)
Saturday Bollywood Extravaganza – Cocktail or Formal Attire
Men's Dress Code Glossary
Casual – Khaki or comparable slacks, shirt, golf shirt
Business Casual – Nice slacks, collared shirts
Cocktail Attire – Coat and tie or suit
Formal Attire – Coat and tie, or suit; black tie optional
Women's Dress Code Glossary
Casual – Khaki or comparable slacks, skirt, shirt
Business Casual – Nice slacks, skirt, blouse
Conservative dress that is cool and modest is preferred in India. Nudity and revealing clothes, worn by men or women, are considered offensive and will not be tolerated. Women are advised to bring a scarf if they plan to visit any of the holy sites in India— some require the covering of heads and shoulders.
About New Delhi
Country: India Area: 1,483 sq km (573 sq mi) Population: 13,800,000 Time Zone: UTC/GMT + 5:30 hours Currency: Indian Rupee (Rs)
Overview
Delhi … a majestic city where an empire rose and fell before the dawn of history; where citadels of emperors appeared and disappeared— a city whose old ruins proclaim an imperial past and whose present pulsates with the energy of India.
Don't let your first impressions stall like a sacred cow in a traffic jam. Get behind the exotic façade and discover the inner peace of a city rich with culture, architecture and human diversity.
Lose yourself among the secrets of the city's Mughal past before emerging into the open spaces of imperial New Delhi.
This is Delhi. The months of planning and curiosity are over— you’re actually in India! Every experience, every sound, every smell welcomes you. It is here where the love of a man and woman created the Taj Mahal; where the King of Kings ruled; where the sacred Ganges River flows past numerous holy cities; where the Himalayas stand silent and magnificent; and where 5,000 years of culture waits to be absorbed.
Etiquette
Meeting People
People in India are always pleased to meet foreigners and are often very inquisitive. It is not unusual for foreigners to be asked who they are, where they hail from, what they do, how much they earn and what family they have. This shouldn't be construed as nosiness, but rather a normal introductory process when striking up conversations. It is expected that the same questions will, in turn, be asked in response.
Greeting
In India, it is important to be aware of your hands when greeting someone. The right hand is for greeting and eating, the left hand is for life's more unsavory tasks. The Indian form of greeting is known as the “namaste,” where the palms of the hands are brought together (as if to pray) at chest height and a slight bow is given. This is good etiquette when meeting women, as physical contact is not expected; however, when meeting men, shaking hands is the preferred form of greeting. Swearing and shouting are considered absolutely unnecessary and will likely shock surrounding residents.
Eating
When invited to an Indian home, always remove your shoes before entering, and be sure not to expose the sole of the foot or inadvertently point the foot at anyone. The foot is considered to be the lowliest part of the body. Any accidental contact with the foot should be followed by an apology.
The right hand is for eating and passing items of food or drink, or wiping the mouth. Even if you are naturally left-handed, it is best to use the right hand for eating and drinking. Indeed, the left hand should only be used for removing shoes or the most basic task. Never use the left hand to gesture to someone or when pointing something out. However, the use of both hands together is considered a sign of respect.
Visiting a Traditional Home
Visitors are received as honored guests, and the hosts will understand the cultural and etiquette differences. However, by way of introducing domestic customs, the following notations will be of interest: The hearth is a sacred part of the home and should be treated with reverence. It is better to refrain from approaching the hearth unless invited to do so. This also applies to the kitchen or the room where drinking water is stored. It is all courteous not to touch kitchen utensils or the terracotta vessels in which water is stored.
Visiting Temples
Foreigners of all religious beliefs are welcome at most religious sites. They are even welcome to observe ceremonies at certain locations. However, it is very important to dress conservatively when visiting a place of worship – such as a temple or shrine – even if it seems to be derelict and no longer necessary. All shoes should be removed before entering religious sites. In mosques, it is necessary you cover your head with either a hat or a scarf. It is also customary to make an offering by placing a contribution in the donation box. Walk clockwise around the temple or holy site and treat the place with reverence. Photography is not permitted at religious sites and one should not touch the carvings or statues of gods and revered figures. Couples should also refrain from holding hands or indulging in affectionate gestures. Also, leather items such as belts or bags should not be brought into a religious site.
Taboos
In public and at religious sites, couples should refrain from holding hands, caressing and kissing. Although India is home to Kama Sutra, various influences in recent history – both cultural and religious – have led to today's conservative behavior. However, for many visitors from the West, the retention of moral codes and courteous behavior is a large part of India's attraction.
Photography
Although various guidebooks contain colorful portraits of people in India, generally arbitrary photography of people is not welcome (especially when women are the intended subjects.) Photography at religious sites, ceremonies or funerals is strictly taboo, as is photography at military sites or shots of military vehicles. If a visitor wishes to take photographs of people or places that are likely sensitive, they always ask first.
Time Zone
GMT/UTC +5:30
During the University, when it is noon in New Delhi, it will be:
Tuesday, 10:30 p.m.
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Wednesday, 1:30 a.m.
New York, NY, USA
Wednesday, 6:30 a.m.
London, UK
Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.
Dubai, UAE
Wednesday, 2:30 p.m.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.
Tokyo, Japan
Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
Sydney, Australia
Language
India is known for its cultural and linguistic diversity; however, English is used as the official language and serves as a linguistic “bridge” between various ethnic groups. Hindi, English and Punjabi are the most common languages spoken in Delhi, and Urdu is spoken in the bazaars. What’s more, there are 18 other languages recognized by the constitution. In addition to these, there are 1,600+ languages and dialects throughout the subcontinent!
The official language of the EO India University is English, but we invite you to learn a few phrases in Hindi to prepare for your trip:
English Word/Phrase
Hindi Phonetic Translation
Good Morning
Su prabhat
Greetings
Mubarak ho
My name is <John>
Mera naam <john> hai
What is your name?
Aapka kya naam hai?
You are welcome
Aapka swagat hai
Hello
Namaskar
My friend
Mere dost
Thank you
Dhanya-waadh
Meet again, or
see you again, or
let us meet again
Fir miltein hein or
Fir milenge
Mr.
Shrimaan
Mrs.
ShrimatI
Miss
kumarI
How much is it?
Kitne ka hai?
Traditional Indian (Hindu) dress
Sari, saadii
Currency and Money Matters
The currency of India is the Rupee (Rs), which equates to 100 paise. Notes come in denominations of Rs 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500. Coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 paise, and Rs 1, 2 and 5.
Unit
Currency
Rate in Indian Rupee (Rs)
1
US Dollar
40.1900
1
Euro
55.5506
1
Canadian Dollar
38.7696
1
British Pound
82.8635
100
Japanese Yen
33.3287
1
Malaysian Ringgat
11.8162
1
UAE Dirham
10.9424
The above exchange rates are current as of 24 July 2007 and are not intended for official purposes. Banks Banks are usually open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Monday to Friday. They are also open from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The Central Bank in the Ashok Hotel and the State Bank of India at the airport are open day and night. Banks in residential areas generally observe the weekly holidays of the region.
Credit Cards
American Express, Master’s Charge Visa and Diners Club credit cards are generally accepted by large establishments, including hotels and shops.
Tipping
Restaurants include a 10% service charge in addition to the sales tax added to the meal and beverages. This can mean an extra 27% on top of the total bill. Tipping, known as “baksheesh,” refers to more than just giving a gratuity for good service; it is a means of getting things done and is very much part of India’s natural currency. Baksheesh is not a result of tourism or directed at tourists in particular; in many cases, it is not necessary to leave a specific percentage, simply tip a few rupees. Baksheesh is beneficial when requesting someone’s service, like asking for directions. In this respect, a pocket full of rupees always carries dividends.
Currency Regulations
By law, Indian currency must not be brought into the country or taken out.
Electricity
The electricity supply in India is230-240V 50HzHz. Power points can be found in either of these styles:
South African/Indian-style plug with two circular metal pins above a large, circular grounding pin:
European plug with two circular metal pins:
Telephone
International Country Code: + 91 (India)
Area code: 11 (Delhi)
You can direct dial to most Indian cities and to other countries abroad. For assistance, please ask the operator. Dialing internationally from India can be expensive, so you use a calling card service to save money.
Visas/Health
Entry Requirements/Visas
Who requires a Visa?
A Visa is required for all visitors entering India.
How long is the Visa good for?
A Tourist Visa is valid up to 6 months from the date of its issue. Business Visas are valid up to two years.
What documentation is required to obtain a Visa?
For a detailed description of the Visa application procedure, please click here.If you require a letter of invitation from EO, please use this Visa Letter Template. Contact events@eonetwork.org if you have any questions.
Embassy contact information:
Contact your nearest Indian embassy for information on what documentation you may need to gain entry into India.
Note: All visitors to India are required to obtain a visa prior to travel. Please be sure that you take care of this sufficiently prior to the University so as to be sure you will be allowed entrance into the country. EO will not refund the University registration fee for members who fail to obtain the necessary visa to travel to India because they did not initiate the process in time. Refunds will only be considered for members whose visa applications are rejected. As such, we recommend that you initiate the visa process immediately upon registration.
Health/Safety
Vaccinations
There are no required vaccinations for entry into India. For other health information and tips for South Asia travelers, click here.
Doctor/Chemist
If you need a doctor, alert the hotel staff. They can contact a house physician.
Safety
New Delhi is a fairly safe place to visit, but travelers should be aware of certain situations and take the necessary precautions. With a population of more than 12 million, New Delhi has crime issues like other cities their size. Petty theft does occur and travelers should be cautious. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry, carrying large amounts of cash, looking flashy, or causing a scene. Pickpockets thrive in crowded areas like markets and bus and train stations. Women should keep purses or bags close to their sides and men should store their wallets in the front of their pants instead of in rear pockets. Also, avoid traveling alone at night, and ignore demonstrations, protests and mass gatherings that can occur in major public areas. These may be dangerous.
Diet
Food poisoning is common for travelers to India. Some recommend you avoid eating meat altogether. These and many other issues are discussed at India Food Safety. And remember, as with most countries, it is always safer to drink bottled water than tap water.
Dietary Restrictions
EO wants to accommodate your dietary needs while you are in India. If you have any special requirements, please fill out and fax the Dietary Restriction Form to +1.703.519.1864. If you suffer from severe food allergies, we encourage you to visit this website and consider purchasing food and travel translation cards to communicate your needs while traveling.
