Cynde's Good advice about India


ROTARY NID INDIA TRAVEL INFORMATION

Many of you are experienced travelers and will already be aware of much of the information in this document.  Some information is specific to an NID visit and I am including it in the hope that you will find it useful in preparation for your trip.  Happy and safe travels.  See you in India!  Cynde & Barry

Information about India
  • Specific temperature and time/date information can be found at:  http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=176
    • Delhi / Chandigarh / Agra are 10 ½ hours ahead of the East Coast of the US and 7 hours behind New Zealand
    • Approximate January / February Temperatures in °F:
DELHI                                   CHANDIGARH                     AGRA
High – 70’s (21c)                High – 70’s                          High – 70’s
Low – Mid 40’s (7c)            Low – Mid 40’s                   Low – Mid 40’s
  • The Republic of India is a federal republic and a Member of the Commonwealth of Nations that occupies one-third the area of the United States and borders China to the northeast, Pakistan to the  west, Nepal & Bhutan to the north, and Burma & Bangladesh to the east.
  • President: Pranab Mukherjee, of the governing Congress party, was elected president in July 2007, becoming the country's first woman to hold the post. Prime Minister: Manmohan Singh (elected 2004)
  • Population (2009 est.): 1,166,079,217 (growth rate: 1.5%); birth rate: 21.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 30.1/1000; life expectancy: 69.8; density per sq km: 386
  • Principal languages: Hindi 30%, English, Bengali, Gujarati, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Kannada, Assamese, Sanskrit, Sindhi (all official); Hindi/Urdu; 1,600+ dialects
  • Religions: Hindu 81%, Islam 13%, Christian 2%, Sikh 2% (2001)
  • Literacy rate: 61% (2005 est.)
  • Monetary unit: Rupee
  • Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $2.989 trillion; per capita $2,700. Real growth rate: 9.2%. Inflation: 6.4%. Unemployment: 7.2%. Arable land: 49%. Agriculture: rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry; fish. Labor force: 516.4 million; agriculture 60%, services 12%, industry 28% (2003). Industries: textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software. Natural resources: coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land. Exports: $140.8 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals, leather manufactures. Imports: $224.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicals. Major trading partners: U.S., UAE, China, Germany, UK, Singapore (2006).
source:  http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107629.html

Things to do before departing
  • Get a tourist visa for India.  You will need 2 passport sized photos.  Go to the Consulate General of India’s website that is associated with the state in which you live – find out which Consulate at this link http://www.indianembassy.org/embassy/cgi.htm.  Find the "Visa" section on the Consulate’s site.  The link will take you to a visa outsourcing service, Travisa Outsourcing Inc., https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/.  Follow their online directions.  This service allows you to track the status of your visa application online.
  • Ensure all of your necessary vaccinations are current.  Visit the CDC’s website to determine what vaccinations are needed http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationIndia.aspx.  Most vaccinations required are good for ten years.  Note:  they do take a couple of weeks to take full effect so get them as early as possible.  Contact your doctor or an infectious disease doctor for specific recommendations and vaccinations.  Consider getting a flu and H1N1 shot as well before traveling.
  • If you are taking it, start your malaria medication as directed, typically 1 week prior to departure.  Pack these meds in your carry-on bag in its original packaging.
  • Ensure you have enough of your prescription medications for the duration of the trip plus a couple of extra days supply.  Pack these meds in your carry-on bag in their original containers.
  • Notify your credit card company of where and when you will be traveling so that they will not block charges you make while abroad.
  • Check with your bank to ensure that your ATM card will work in India and inform them of dates / places of travel so that they will not block your account.
  • Bring approximately $200 - $400 in US cash - small bills or traveler’s checks - to exchange in the event that your ATM card does not work when you need cash.  Some establishments will accept credit cards, others will not.
  • Make five copies of the main page in your passport and Indian visa and three copies of the credit / ATM cards you are bringing
    • Leave one copy of the main page in your passport, Indian visa and credit / ATM cards you are bringing with someone at home
    • Pack two of copies of the main page in your passport, Indian visa and the credit / ATM cards your are bringing to carry with you in case of emergency – put each copy in a different place
    • Pack two copies of the main page in your passport and Indian visa to give to the tour leader for use at hotel check-ins in India.
  • Consider purchasing travel insurance to cover trip cancellation / interruption, baggage delays, and/or health issues (if not covered under your current health policies) while abroad.
  • Get plenty of rest in the days prior to departure and consider adjusting your sleeping schedule in order to begin to acclimate to the time change several days before you leave.

Rotary-specific information
        http://www.polioeradication.org/   Click on the Data and Monitoring Tab and the Polio This Week tab to see
        most current information.
  • Check with your home club before leaving to determine whether matching grants are a possibility as Rotary clubs in India will be looking for matching grant partners.  Please take care to not make promises you cannot keep.
  • While on the NID, do not hesitate to point out that you are traveling with a team of Rotarian volunteers and that we have paid our own way to travel to India to assist with the global polio eradication efforts.  Do not hesitate to be advocates for the global program, the local Rotarians’ efforts and the work of the local health workers.
  • PolioPlus definition:  Rotary launched the PolioPlus program in 1985 and contributions to the PolioPlus program continue to support the most essential components of polio eradication activities in our partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UNICEF.  With Rotary’s community-based network worldwide, Rotary is the volunteer arm of the global partnership dedicated to eradicating polio.
·        For more information about Chandigarh and the Rotary Club of Chandigarh:
o   http://www.chandigarh.nic.in/
o   www.rotarychandigarh.org

Traveling to India
  • Drink lots of fluids while on the plane and avoid alcohol and large amounts of caffeine, which can be dehydrating.
  • Move around often while on the plane to aid circulation and prevent swelling.


Arrival in Delhi
  • You will arrive in Delhi after approximately 24 hours of travel.  Watch out for your belongings as the airport environment can be hectic and you will be tired.
  • After collecting your luggage and exiting customs, someone will be there with a placard to meet you.  Do not accept another offer to take you anywhere or let anyone “help” with your luggage.

Communication while in India

  • Pack a list of emergency contacts from home.
  • Give your emergency contacts at home the final NID itinerary with hotel information and local contacts.
  • It is preferable to tell family and friends at home not to expect to hear from you during the trip.
  • Hotels will generally offer email access, but fees and wait times can be high.
  • You will be able to make international phone calls from hotels on a limited basis - these will most likely be very expensive.
  • It is possible to set up your Blackberry or equivalent PDA to receive email and even phone service while in India, if your plan and device allow for it.  You must arrange this with your carrier before you leave the US.

Electricity
  • Electricity in India is 230 volts / 50 hertz (versus 120 volts / 60 hertz in the US), therefore a CONVERTER will be needed to use appliances that do not work on 230 volts / 50 hertz.
  • Generally, plugs in India are two round prongs, therefore an ADAPTOR will be needed to use for appliances that work on 230 volts / 50 hertz, including those that require charging (e.g. cameras, PDAs, electric razors).
  • A hairdryer may or may not work, even with a converter and an adaptor, and can in fact be damaged.  The hotels we will be staying at will have hairdryers.  Access to clothing irons is also available.

Rotarian Gifts
  • Indians like to exchange gifts – expect to get and give during our trip.
  • Bring 5 banners from your local club to exchange, and if you have them, District pins as well.
  • Please bring a gift for your host family that is approximately $30 - $40 in value per person and reflects something about where you come from (e.g. a coffee table book of your city).
  • Bring a handful of hometown souvenir t-shirts or baseball hats and some smaller items with your city’s name such as pens, magnets, playing cards or Rotary products to give to local Rotarians that help you during your NID experience.
  • Consider bringing photos of your family, friends and home to share with your hosts and fellow NID participants.
Note:  Our Chandigarh Rotary hosts will be footing most of our expenses during our NID day home stays, including meals.

Optional Items
  • Feel free to bring stickers to pass out to the children we are vaccinating.   Any other items cause too much of a scene when distributing them, so please don’t count on passing out anything other than stickers.  Please do NOT bring candy, toys, or other items to hand out to the children on the street.
  • You can also bring small stuffed animals or similar gifts to give to the children in the St. Stevens Hospital Polio Ward (there were approximately 15 children there during my last visit).
  • If you have children’s school supplies (lightly used supplies are fine) like pens / colored pencils / activity books /
coloring books / learning games / flash cards / etc. that you would like to bring, these can be donated to a wonderful school for about 200 children from the slums, the Bal Bahar School, run by an amazing Rotarian, B.M. Singh and his wife Kiran.  The kids also love small cars, trucks, tanks, transformers, and other small toys.  They apparently have enough stuffed animals to keep them busy.  Don’t kill yourself trying to get these things in addition to what we will bring to the Polio Ward patients at St. Stephens, but if you have them and they fit in your suitcase, they will be used.


Luggage
  • Please bring ONE 22” – 25” rollaboard suitcase, expanded position is fine, and if needed, ONE additional smaller-sized soft-sided duffel or similar type of carry-on bag.  This will help ensure that all bags fit in our transportation vehicles while in India.  Last year there were some requests for “larger” luggage to be allowed.  We want everyone to be comfortable and we will not be “measuring” your bags, but please remember the space on the bus will be limited for luggage.   Be considerate of your travel mates.
  • MAKE SURE YOUR LUGGAGE ADHERES TO YOUR AIRLINE’S LUGGAGE & CARRY ON RESTRICTIONS.
  • 2013 NOTE – After some conversations about luggage restrictions and not wanting to “cramp anyone’s style”, the NEW LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE is: Bring whatever you like in terms of luggage, but remember that it will be stored under the bus, need to carried in to host family homes, and should NOT weigh more than 50 lbs or 23 Kg.
  • An additional purse, camera case or small bag is fine ok to bring as well.
  • Please note that many airlines permit only ONE carry-on bag on international flights.  When traveling through certain international airports, security will not let you through at a new terminal with more than one carry-on.  Be sure to check this in advance of travel.  AGAIN…..MAKE SURE YOUR LUGGAGE ADHERES TO YOUR AIRLINE’S LUGGAGE & CARRY ON RESTRICTIONS.
  • Check with your airline for specific carry on and checked luggage size and weight restrictions.  Generally airlines allow two checked bags per person, 50 lbs each, with certain dimension restrictions.  Exceeding these restrictions can be very costly.
  • Do not lock your luggage.  It is not unusual to have bags opened during security inspection.
  • Consider packing a small roll/amount of duct tape in case of luggage damage.
  • Remember, carry-on liquids, gels, creams, eye drops, must be in a QUART size ZIPLOC clear bag; one per person.  No item in the bag may be larger than 3 oz (e.g. you cannot bring a toothpaste tube larger than 3 oz that is partially used).  It is preferably to put all liquids other than medications in your checked baggage.
  • Leave a little room in your suitcase for souvenirs from India!!!  (These can also easily be shipped home)


Attire
  • Bring comfortable walking shoes / sneakers.  We suggest you bring an old pair (possibly enhanced with new insoles / inserts) to use during the NID days that you leave behind when you depart India.
  • Bring comfortable clothing and layers as it will be chilly in the mornings and evenings.
  • You can plan to wear more-or-less the same clothes for the 3 days of the NID if you like, as we will be walking in the slums and they will get dirty anyway.  Jeans are fine for most days.
  • Most Indian buildings and homes do not have central heat or air; plan sleeping attire accordingly.
  • Please dress conservatively; women should not have exposed shoulders or knees / thighs.  Shorts are generally NOT worn in India so it’s best to leave those at home.
  • Several mosques will require you take your shoes off and / or cover your head when visiting - bring easy slip on / off shoes and old socks or airplane socks for your feet and a bandana / scarf for your head.
  • Bring one dressy casual outfit – sport coat and tie for men, similar for women (pants are fine).  These will be worn at two nice dinners.
  • Nice/Casual outfits are fine for our club and organization visits (jeans and nice shirt are ok).
  • NID volunteers may be given a polio eradication team vest and hat for identification when immunizing.   These items, plus the banners and posters you will see displayed, are part of what a donation to PolioPlus purchases to aid in NID activities.
  • There is a good gym and pool at each hotel if you are so inclined.




Security
  • Please do not bring expensive jewelry.
  • It is preferable to leave your laptop home as you will have minimal time to use it, but this is up to you.
  • Bring something secure such as a money belt to store your cash and passport while travelling and sightseeing.
  • A fanny pack, a lightweight vest with many pockets or deep pants pockets are additionally useful for carrying snacks, tissues/toilet paper, insect repellant and hand sanitizer.
  • Always leave the hotel with a business card stating the name of hotel, street location and phone number in case you become separated from the group.

ADDITIONAL PACKING LIST SUGGESTIONS
  • 1 ROLL OF TOILET PAPER
  • Liquid Hand Sanitizer (Purell)
  • Antibacterial Wipes
  • Small Pillow or Neck Roll
  • Small Blanket
  • Eye Mask for Sleeping
  • Earplugs
  • Fast Drying Towel
  • Sunscreen                                                                                
  • Sun / Rain Hat
  • Bandana
  • Sunglasses
  • Safety Pins
  • Resealable Plastic Bags – assorted sizes
  • Cough Drops
  • Immodium
  • Ace Bandage / Ankle Bandage
  • Warm Socks
  • Flip Flops / Shower Shoes
  • Camera / Charger / Extra Batteries
  • Small Flashlight
  • Travel Alarm Clock

Medicines / Prescriptions
  • It is unlikely that you will be able to purchase over the counter or prescription medicines while in India.  Bring the prescription and non-prescription items you require in their original packaging.  Pack these items in your carry-on bag.  Bring enough for the entire trip including travel days plus a couple of extra days.
  • As prescribed by your doctor, bring an antibiotic to combat travelers diarrhea – Cipro is the most common.
  • As prescribed by your doctor, bring malaria medication.  Start this medicine prior to your arrival in India following your doctor’s recommendation (usually 1 week).  Malaria medication must continue to be taken after you leave the malaria risk area, according to the prescription.
  • Bring vitamins as desired – consider a chewable option.
  • Bring a steroidal / cortisone cream, an antibacterial cream, Band-Aids, aspirin, Tylenol or your preferred choice of such medication.
  • Bring insect repellant containing at least 28% DEET.  Malaria is prevalent and mosquitoes carry many other diseases as well.  Note:  mosquitoes are not typically a problem at the time of year we are traveling, to this is up to you.
  • Bring Pepto-Bismol chewable tablets and Imodium AD in the event of stomach upset.
  • Bring heartburn / anti-gas medication.
  • Bring contact solution if you wear contacts.  Pack eye glasses in your carry on, even if you are a contact lens wearer.  A second pair of glasses is also a good idea. 
  • Consider bringing eye drops as the pollution in Delhi can wreak havoc on the eyes.
  • Consider bringing a decongestant if you think the high levels of pollution in Delhi will bother you.

Food
·  Road travel distances in India are long – typically a 5 to 6 hours drive between the cities – and normal mealtimes may be delayed.  Additionally, you will be eating unfamiliar foods.  Please bring protein bars, granola bars, power bars, nuts, dried fruit or other snacks to ensure that you have something to eat while en route or in the event you prefer to eat something familiar for a meal.
  • DRINK ONLY BOTTLED WATER and make sure the seal on the bottle has not already been broken – including in restaurants and hotels.
  • Keep bottled water next to the bathroom sink.  Use it for brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth.  Do not drink tap water from the sink or water while in the shower.  Consider bringing multiple toothbrushes in case you rinse one under running tap water.  If you do, throw it away and use another.  Note:  the Oberoi hotel group filters their tap water, so it can be ingested, but I suggest that you take the extra precaution of using bottled water. 
  • Do not eat raw vegetables or fruit that you cannot peel.  The general rule of thumb is do not eat it unless it has been cooked, boiled, or YOU peel it!
  • The hotels do have western food available for breakfast and dinner for your convenience.
  • Hot foods are generally safe foods.  Hot tea and coffee is safe to drink if the water has been boiled.
  • Consider bringing electrolyte packets that can be purchased at your local pharmacy or health food store as these can be easily mixed into your water bottle.
  • Always take your bottles of water that have remaining water in them with you when you leave the hotel.
  • Do not buy water on the street under any circumstances.
Note:  You will be provided with fresh bottled water on the bus on a daily basis.

Monetary Tips
  • Already included in the cost of the trip are tip for drivers, tour guides, etc. - approximately $4 per person per day.
  • Feel free to give an additional tip if you wish, but this is not necessary.

Final Thoughts

We go to India as ambassadors of Rotary and of our country.  We go to thank the local Rotarians and health care workers for 20 years of effort towards the global eradication of polio.  We go as cheerleaders to encourage them to continue their work in these final years needed to finish the job.

The pace of life in India might not be what we are accustomed to.  Events or meals organized by others may take longer than you expect or want.  Please be patient and respectful of our hosts, as well as tolerant and accepting of different customs and religions.

The key to being a successful volunteer team member is flexibility.  Although we will have an agenda, please be prepared for and open to changes.  Look out for your fellow travelers to make sure no one is left behind and have a life-enriching experience!

These are some of the questions I have received in recent e-mails / phone calls:

1) Do I NEED to bring a towel or blanket as listed in the "suggested items to bring"? Only if you have a special attachment to your blanket  This list was generated and handed down. I have tried to catch some of these things, but obviously missed some. Do remember that you are traveling in a country that will not have all the "creature comforts" you are accustomed to and if you "can't live without it, then you better bring it"!

2) What is the weather like? Think North Florida in the springtime... You will most likely appreciate a sweater or jacket in the morning, during the day you will probably have taken it off, by evening you will be putting it back on. The mornings and evenings are cool, the afternoons can be cool, but I found them to be warm and quite pleasant. Pack and dress in layers, that way you will be comfortable.

3) Is there a different Currency? The currency in India is the Rupee. As of today the exchange rate is around $1 USD = 54 Rupees If you do not want to carry a calculator with you at all times and you are not someone who likes to do math, an "over simplified" way of figuring how out how much something costs, would be to take the rupees and double them, then put a decimal place two places from the right and subtract approximately 10% (it's actually a little less, but for average purchases this will do). Example:
500 Rupees x 2 = 1000; add two decimal places - 10.00; subtract 10% - 9.00; so 500 rupees would be slightly more than $9.00 At today's rate, the actual number is $9.16
15000 Rupees x 2 = 30,000; add two decimal places - 300.00; subtract 10% - $270.00; so 15,000 rupees would be slightly more than $270.00 At today's rate, the actual number is $274.85
Obviously if you are making a more expensive purchase you might want to do the actual math!

The exchange rate for New Zealand Dollars is $ NZD = 47.7 Rupees, or 1 Rupee = 2.18 New Zealand cents
An "over simplified" way of figuring how out how much something costs, would be to take the rupees and divide them by five, then by 10.  (it's actually 10% more, but for average purchases this will do). 

Example1:
500 Rupees divided by five is100, then divide by 10 = $10; so 500 rupees would be slightly more than NZ$10.00 At today's rate, the actual number is $10.92

Example2:
15000 Rupees divided by 5 = 3,000 the divide by 10 = $300; so 15,000 rupees would be more less than NZ$300.00 At today's rate, the actual number is $327.64


4) What about language barriers? According to Wikipedia, individual languages in India number several hundred; the 1961 census recognized 1,652 and according to Census of India of 2001, 30 languages are spoken by more than a million native speakers. However, everyone that you will be dealing with understands English and some may actually speak the English language better than some Americans! In those instances where you might be in the slums or at the NID booth, there will be health care workers who also speak the general languages in that particular area. I would encourage you, however, to learn a few basic words out of courtesy. You can find those in most travel books, online, and I will be providing some common words in a later e-mail. Namaste is a greeting you will hear often!

5) Do they accept MasterCard and visa? Yes, in most places. The hotels, most restaurants, and places of business will accept credit cards. Remember to check with your credit card company to see if you will be charged any additional fees for the exchange rate! However, in many of the smaller markets like Dilli Haat (we are planning on going there after returning from Chandigarh) you will mostly need rupees or sometimes US Dollars. You do not need to bring Rupees with you as you will be picked up at the airport and brought to the hotel. (Please do keep some small bills for handling your luggage on this day) At the hotel front desk, and ATM's you will be able to exchange money for rupees. The Hotel will charge you a slight premium, but once you are there you can also find ATM's around town. Also, DO NOT FORGET to notify your credit card company and banks that you will be traveling to another country and make sure that your cards will work there.

6) Will my phone work there? PLEASE check with your local carrier. Everyone has different phones and different servers and I cannot answer this question specifically. I can tell you that if it works in another country it will be VERY expensive usually. If you MUST have a phone, you are better getting a phone in India with a prepaid card in it. You will be able to make calls from the hotels at your own expense as well. You should plan on having limited phone / internet access on this trip. Even if your phone worked, it most likely will not work in all the places will be. Telecom New Zealand says its International Roaming works throughout India.

7) Can I bring an extra piece of luggage? We are not counting or weighing your luggage, but the airlines WILL! Really you should be just fine with ONE checked and ONE carryon piece of luggage. On the days we are in Chandigarh, I was serious that you can wear the same pair of pants/jeans and shirt for the NID and Mop Up days. It will have the yellow vest over it and I promise no one (okay, maybe your traveling mate) will notice! India is mostly casual, but modest in their attire (Ladies, no shorts or tank tops please). You will have two dressier nights that the gentlemen should wear a coat for (again it can be the same outfit!) and ladies you will want a nice pair of slacks or a skirt for those evenings. You may choose to wear something you find while in India to these evenings.

8) I understand there are no required vaccinations to travel to India, what do you recommend? First of all, I am not a physician or a health care worker so I recommend you speak with your family physician or visit a travel clinic. I can tell you that before traveling to India for the first time, we received a Polio booster, and an update Typhoid shot. We already had vaccines for Hep A/B and a current flu shot as well as an up to date Tetanus shot. We also received prescriptions for antibiotics as well as Malaria pills for an area that we will be traveling to post NID. This is a personal decision and one that should be discussed with your physician, but I DO recommend you have the discussion.

9) Do I need to book an extra night if my flight gets in late night on the 21st? Your base trip cost includes the night of February 21st regardless of what time your flight arrives. Please remember that we will be starting the day very early on February 22 and depending on what time our appointment is set for the World Health Organization visit, we could be leaving as early as 7:30 AM. My tentative plan now is a meeting at 8:00 AM at the hotel before boarding the bus to start the day, but it will depend on what we are told by WHO. If you feel like you will need to rest after a 14 - 23 hour flight (depending on your departure location), you may want to consider arriving on the 20th and enjoy the Thursday relaxing at the hotel or doing some sightseeing. Several of you have already requested an extra night and those reservations have been made.

Again, please read the information sheets sent out in previous e-mails and they should answer most of your questions, but DON'T HESITATE TO ASK A QUESTION and I will make sure everyone gets the answer! There are NO stupid questions! This is a big trip and we are happy to assist you in any way in preparing for your journey to India.



Peace Through Service



Cynde & Barry 





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