For participating in  S India fellow ship + Word 94

For participating in World 94 only

For participating in all the three programs

• Your international tickets should show arrivals and departures from Chennai International airport.
  
  
• Book your onward flight to arrive into Chennai airport lon 11th February 2010; You home host will meet you on arrival at the airport and transfer you to their home.  Give yourself time to rest and participate in the  welcome lunch on 11th afternoon.
  
  
• Book your return flight to leave from Chennai airport on 22nd February 2010 anytime after 6 PM. Don’t miss the farewell brunch on 22nd afternoon.  A shuttle will transfer you to the airport after the brunch.

• Your international tickets should show arrivals and departures from Chennai International airport.
  
  
• Book your onward flight to arrive into Chennai airport late  hours on 18th night or early hours on 19th February. Your hosts will receive you at the airport. We have interesting tours on 19th morning so arrive early and give yourself time to rest and recuperate.
  
  
• Book your return flight to leave from Chennai airport on 22nd February 2010 anytime after 6 PM. Don’t miss the farewell brunch on 22nd afternoon. A shuttle will transfer you to the airport after the brunch.

• Your international tickets should show arrivals into Chennai airport and departure from Delhi.
  
  
• Book your onward flight to arrive into Chennai airport lon 11th February 2010; You home host will meet you on arrival at the airport and transfer you to their home.  Give yourself time to rest and participate in the  welcome lunch on 11th afternoon.
  
  
• Book your flight from Chennai to Delhi on 22nd February 2010 anytime between  3 PM and 5 PM. Don’t miss the farewell brunch on 22nd afternoon.  A shuttle will transfer you to the airport after the brunch. You can book your domestic flight on www.cleartrip.com
  
  
• The program provider will receive you on arrival in Delhi and take you to the Hotel where the Taj Mahal program begins.
• Book your return ticket to leave from Delhi airport on the night of 27th February anytime after 1155 PM.
• Contact the program provider if you plan to extend your stay in Delhi before your final departure.

All nationalities registered for the World 94 need a visa for India. Indian visas are issued by the Indian Missions located in your respective countries. While http://goidirectory.nic.in/missions.htm  has links of all the Indian missions which is expected to have the  correct and updated information, procedures and contact telephone numbers here is a general heads up for immediate  reference. 

1. Your passport must be valid until first week of September 2010.
2. Two passport size (color) photographs.
3. Must complete a Visa application form - can be downloaded from the embassy site.
4. International air ticket must be purchased before applying visa.
5. Medical Insurance must be obtained for health and evacuation.
6. Must enclose a requisition letter from the applicant on behalf of self and accompanying family requesting for visa and stating purpose of visit and your contact information.
7. Letter from Program Provider confirming your participation, inviting you for the event and taking responsibility for repatriating you back to your country if and when the need arises.  (PDF copies for all participants will be mailed to your Table co - ordinator).
8. A Bank Draft towards Visa fees and processing fees.

Please note that the above requirements are only “heads up” information, there could be additional requirements or some of what’s mentioned could be redundant.   Please contact the embassy for precise information, procedure and costs.

In many countries the Indian Embassy outsources to IVS  /VFS - the visa service providers who will do the job. The website of the Indian embassy will /may have links to such providers. We clarify that MCRT 94 or its program provider are not responsible for deliverables of IVS or Indian Embassy or any other organization connected with processing your visa done.

Though there are no mandated vaccinations to enter India we recommend  that you visit  your physician who may / will recommend vaccinations against tropical diseases.  As a normal practice most physicians prescribe a course of malaria few days before departure that ought to be continue through the trip. Most tropical diseases catch up with visitors simply because your immunity levels are different as you come from a temperate country. On the other hand most of them are preventive in nature because they are orally transmitted - Here are some tips and responsibilities to stay fit and healthy at all times.

1. Wash your hands regularly or slip in a bottle of disinfectant lotion into you pocket.
2. Drink only mineral water from a sealed container.
3. Use bottled water to rise your mouth  after brushing.
4. Be sure about what you eat, watch for your allergies such as spicy food or sesame.
5. Avoid salads and uncooked food.
6. Don’t press the panic button if you are hit by Delhi belly - your accompanying guide will help / guide you.
7. Don't eat outside or roadside food.
8. Wipe  out glasses and plates if you find little droplets of water.
9. Remember that “Indian Doctors and Private Medical Care” is world class and your organizers have made arrangements across all locations to deal with pediatric and adult medical emergencies.
10. Discuss health issues with you hosts and fellow tablers; they will take care.
11. Carry your sun cream, bug spray (remember special kids brands) and hand sanitizes.
12. Carry a list of your medicines and other essentials.
13. Remember to get your health insurance before you enter India and ensure that you are clear about claim procedures.

Swine Flu:  Indian missions advise all applicants that the Swine Influenza has not greatly affected India for the time being. However, Europe being an affected region, all travelers may be screened at the airports of entry in India and in case of detection of symptoms associated with the virus A(H1N1), may be required to undergo quarantine. See the complete Embassy of India Advisory on Swine Influenza and official Government of India Recommendations on how to protect yourself from the Swine Flu.

We recommend that you purchase a travel insurance to mitigate the following risks.

• Medical emergencies.
• Repatriation and evacuation.
• Trip cancellation and resulting penalties / cancellation charges.
• Baggage loss and mishandling.
• Theft and other risks.

It will help to conduct the following  checks to your  travel documentation as soon as you receive this mail.

• Is your India Visa valid on the date when you enter India ?
• Does the visa allow you to stay in India for the duration of your trip ? 
• Is your passport valid for a minimum of 6 months after you leave India ? 
• Have you made two copies of your passport - one at home and one to carry. 
• Is your international air ticket confirmed for onward and return journey ?
• Is your name in the passport and ticket matching ?
• Is your travel insurance in order ? Does it cover medical  evacuation and cancellation ? Does it have a emergency contact phone numbers ? Are the claim procedures clearly written ?
• Do you need to carry a written medical record -  history, allergies, ailments if any and medication ?
• Is your contact list in order - mandatory contacts are a close relative or friend, your physician, your insurance (policy number and contact) and your travel agents number.
• Do you have cash in dollars or Euros or GBP.
• Is your credit / debit / ATM card valid for travel days
• Have you consulted  your physician and clarify medication or  preventive action for travel sickness such as malaria, constipation, dehydration, diarrhea, flue etc
• Finally remember to give the following phone numbers as your contact while in India (even if you have a cell phone). 

• Thomas at the home office + 91 44 2534 0996 during office hours.
• Thomas mobile (good for after office hours) + 91 9600020102

Close to the date of program we will send our email ID’s and contact details of your home hosts. We respect email privacy and adequate measures are taken to ensure that your contact details are protected. We are also in the process of developing a FACEBOOK group called “World 94”.

Chennai airport is  finally renovated -  the  standards are international and easy to find your way around. Indian airports have basic duty free shops in the arrival hall - if you wish to engage in last minute purchase.

Visitors are not allowed inside the terminal building. So as you  exit the  terminal building you will step into a longish curb - which is the meeting point and visiting area. Here  many (hundreds) eager faces with little name card will be trying to locate  their guest.  There is a railing with good 20 feet separation preventing local visitors  from piling on to the arriving guests as they meet in the curb. Look for our representative who’ll be  holding a prominent board that reads  “ World 94”.  If you are unable to locate him don’t go looking for him, remain within 10 feet from the exit door and he / she will locate you. If you still have problems then call Thomas at  + 91 9600020102.

International departures from India is simple and straightforward. There is no departure tax as its included in your ticket. Indian rupees can be changed in the airport to Euros or Dollars or GBP. Duty free shops sell all basic brands of liquor, perfumes and other novelties.

In the design of the program we have made sure that Children are taken cared of and the program is for their enjoyment too. Arrangements are being made not only to slide in children program but also to ensure that parent are comfortable leaving the kids behind in Crèches with our child care resources. While more information on this closer towards the date of the program we would like to commit at this stage..

1. that there will be parallel sessions for Children during all evening party / sessions and during shopping expeditions.
2. participants  have the option of bringing the kids to participate on any session or dinners - except the formal and informal night during World 94.
3. there are no parallel children session during North India Tour.
4. Child attendants will have a mobile phone to reach you at any time.

Once a tabler always a tabler.. so strictly speaking within the Table community there are no cultural considerations, if there is then we’ll take it in the spirit. Having said that one must remember that the program is designed in such a way that on number of occasions we step out of the RT - 94 and engage with local communities as well as in the homes of your guests which are often joint families where parents, uncles and aunts live under one roof. While this is a great learning opportunity to experience the Indian culture, there are some general cultural considerations that could be useful..

* For some people eating non- vegetarian food is against religion.  Some hosts will not be able to provide for nor serve non vegetarian food at their homes. So, in some cases please be prepared to have vegetarian food during the home stays.
* While visiting villages and during long drives its best to were attire that falls below your knees and shoulders.

1. Nudity is not accepted - swimsuit are a must even while bathing in common facilities of swimming pools.
2. Massages are available - but the practice in India is - women massage women and men massage men.

* Showing of affection in public should be avoided.

1. Consuming alcohol and smoking are considered impolite if it is consumed in the presence of parents, elders and children.
2. You need to leave your foot ware outside the homes or temple sites.
3. Do not tip workers, maids, drivers or others who are employed by your homes hosts.
4. Remember that India is a social Paradox - what’s right in your country is often wrong out there. And to add to the confusion what’s right in one region is wrong in another.

Put simply, if you want and expect genuine contact outside the table community it is best done  on their terms. The points that were quoted above may not apply at all. Discuss with your hosts.. they are your best source,  all of them are well travelled and understand the general etiquette and sensitivities of non Indians.

You can minimize your affect on local culture by not giving money, food or kind  to poor people,  children or to beggars because it only encourages them to continue doing what they think is the easiest way to seek help. When gifts are passed out to locals (particularly children) it creates an expectation that all foreign visitors to the area will be equally generous – it may even create beggars of children. Instead discuss and understand the efforts of your host table - route your funds and charities through the table

Tipping is fairly widespread in India and a little "baksheesh" is expected for services. The custom is generally if you want something you tip; if you don't tip, you still get it, it just takes longer! In most restaurants it is about 5%, while porters may expect 20 rupees a piece. If an attendant or the like stands around for a moment after completing a task and you don't know what they are doing or what they want, they are usually standing around waiting for their tip. There is no obligation to tip for anything, but it is customary for groups to collect a pool and tip the restaurant manager or the bell desk. Individual tipping is not encouraged. From time to time your program leader and / your MC will make announcements for collective tipping. On an average you could  budget upto Rs.100 per person per day.

Indian authorities request that you do not photograph bridges, airports, railway stations or anything of military importance. We are often in areas where the local people are rarely photographed and we ask you to show every respect and courtesy; you can then be sure of being treated as an honored guest.

You may need to pay for a permit to use a camera or video camera in certain tourist attractions. The cost is fairly cheap and the guards monitor this quite strictly. Please do not take photos where specifically asked not to.

In Chennai, Delhi and Kerala locals speak English. Outside of the major towns many of the villagers also speak some English, as it is the second language taught in Indian schools. You are always in the company of local tablers and the program staff so there is no reason to worry about language compatibility.

Since most cost items are included in your registration fees we recommend that you keep cash in Indian rupees upto Rs.10000 (equivalent to US$ 250) per person and change money when your level goes down to Rs.2000. This should see you through most cash expenses.    US dollars, Euros and British pounds are currencies that can be exchanged in any hotel counter. There foreign exchange dealers and ATM’s but it’s usually a hassle to find time in your program that’s packed from time to time. We strongly recommend that you complete  your first money changing  exercise in the airport immediately after your international arrival. Thereafter you can exchange in the hotels as and when need arises. Your hotel bills, rooms bills and most of the shopping bills  can be settled through credit cares. All the outlets will accept Master or VISA card, AMEX cards are accepted but only in few outlets.

While in India you are allowed to carry one checked baggage weighing not  more than 20 kilos. In addition you can also carry a day pack. You will help the hotel bell desk and the porters if your  checked baggage has wheels and a name tag for quick and easy identification and dispatch to the correct rooms.

While you may bring  essentials and personal items of your choice – here are few recommendations and suggestions.

• Sun hat and a spare if you need one.
• Sun shades and sun protection cream for dry and arid weather
• A day pack that can take a one litter water bottle. 
• Insect / mosquito repellents – odour-less children bug sprays are best.
• Pollution masks if you are allergic to dusty conditions. 
• Personal Medical kit with medication for diarrhea, dehydration  and common flue (Pepsobizmo, Cipro and Tylenol). 
• A couple of large cotton scarf or band or what every that could come in handy for humid weather conditions. You will definitely sweat more that what’s normal in your country.
• Hand sanitizer lotion. 
• Carry on size packs of wet and dry tissues.
• Cotton socks (avoid woolen or synthetic).
• Casual cotton attire with light/medium woolen wear for night time. 
• A light woolen pull over for use in air-conditioned because often thermostats do not work in buses, cars, restaurants  and lecture halls. 
• A couple of informal evening / dinner wear.
• Your sunbathing attire, swim wear, sporting attire.
• Good, light  walking shoes.
• A pair of rubber / synthetic sandals with good grip and buckles for walking in ramps, muddy / damp river banks (CROKE ?).
• A collapsible umbrella (for rain and shine) and a light rain coat.
• An international electrical adapter that works for India (optional). 
• Cameras,  accessories, chargers and listening devises.
• Pocket note book, pens and a small flash light.

India is a super-bazaar of handicrafts, rugs, Kashmiri,   novelties and several items that are unique to the places visited during your program. We have designed the program in a way that you’ll not miss out on shopping and do not get into a tourist trap and you get the best bargain. Here are some inputs to help you plan. Choose the appropriate column depending on the programs that you have register and reserve your shopping to the locations specified. Shops usually accept credit cards and will do the needful

For participating in World 94 only.

For participating in all the three programs.

• In Chennai - specialized jewelry.  and South and north Indian handicraft such as rugs, silk, kashmiri, cotton textile, novelties, bronzes, Tea, Sandal and Spice.

To be announced in the updated FAQ that will be released in end December 09.