India is a grand country. It is the seventh largest country in the world and the second most populated country in the world. Many see India as a sub-continent rather than a country. There exist in different parts of India, different cultures, languages, manners as well as different historical backgrounds and influences of the same historical events.

By area, India is the seventh largest country in the world. It consists of twenty-eight states and seven Union Territories. Area covered by India is 3.3 million sq. kms. Regarding the location of India, it lies in the northern hemisphere. The Indian mainland measures 3214 kms from north to south between extreme latitudes and about 2933 kms from east to west between extreme longitudes. Its land frontier is approximately 15200 kms.

India lies between 8º4' and 37º6' north of the Equator. Surrounding the country is the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west and the Indian Ocean in the south. In the neighborhood of India lie Bangladesh (in east), Pakistan (in west), Nepal (in north-east), China (in north-east) and Sri Lanka (in south). Separating India from Sri Lanka is the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Straits. Also a part of India is the Andaman and Nicobar Island in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshwadeep in the Arabian Sea.

About Delhi

“Delhi is the symbol of old India and new? even the stones here whisper to our ears of the ages of long ago and the air we breathe is full of the dust and fragrances of the past, as also of the fresh and piercing winds of the present.
- Jawaharlal Nehru

Delhi is the third largest city in India. Its multi - layered existence is tantalizing, and can entice the curious traveller into a fascinating journey of discovery. Delhi is one of the most historic capitals in the world and two of its monuments- the Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb - have been declared World Heritage Sites. It is also one of the greenest capitals. For the visitor, it serves as a perfect introduction to the cultural wealth, the complexities and dynamism of India.

Delhi, the capital of India, has always occupied a strategic position in the country's histor. Delhi, is today, one of the fastest growing cities of India.

Delhi, besides being the seat of the Central Government, has an economy supported by agriculture, tourism, commerce and a growing industry. With the development of infrastructure facilities, Delhi plays host to a number of national and international events including sports - related events, conferences and seminars.

FAST FACTS

Distance

• New York, USA to Delhi : 7,318.6 miles (11778.2 km)
• Los Angeles, USA to Delhi : 8,790 miles (14,144 km)
• London, UK, to Delhi : 4,242.1miles (6,826.9km)

Name: India, also known as Bharat or Hindustan.

Area: 3.3 million sq. km

Population: 1027 million (as per 2001 Census)

Capital: New Delhi

Religion: India is a secular country where many religions co-exist. The major religions practiced are-

Hindu 80%

Muslim 14%

Christian 2.4%

Sikh 2%

Buddhist 0.7%

Jain 0.5%

Zoroastrian and others 0.4%

Location: Between latitudes 8 ° 4' and 37 ° 6 ' north and longitudes 68 ° 7 ' and 97 ° 25' east.

Coastline length: 7,600 km

Languages: 17 Major languages, 844 dialects. Hindi and English are most popular

Climate: India experiences three major seasons - winters, summers and Monsoon.

States and Union Territories: India has 28 states and 7 Union Territories

Government Democratic form of Government

Prime Minister: Mr. Manmohan Singh.

President: Mr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalaam

Currency: Rupees

National anthem: Jan Gana Mana, written by Rabindranath Tagore

National emblem: Replica of the Lion Capital of Sarnath

National flag: Horizontal tricolor in equal proportion of deep saffron on the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom. In the center of the white band is a wheel in navy blue color.

National animal: Tiger

National bird: Peacock

National flower: Lotus

National tree: Banyan

National fruit: Mango

Time Zone: The Indian time zone, Indian Standard Time (IST) is 5.5 hours (5 hours and 30 minutes) ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Business Hours: 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. (Monday to Friday)

Weights and Measures: India uses the Metric system where 100cm=1meter; 1000meters=1km, liquids are measured in liters and solids in kilograms.

Electricity: 220 volts, 50 hertz is the frequency at which electricity is available. If your laptop or phone charger has flat-pin plug then carry a combination plug that will feed into a round-pin socket: across the sub continent plug point sockets are round rather than flat.

Customs & Duties: For those who above 17 years may import the following in without attracting duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, a liter of alcoholic drink, 250 ml perfume, gifts up to a value of Rupees 750 (foreign passport holders), gifts up to a value of Rupees 6000 (Indian passport holders) and articles of personal use.

It is illegal to bring in drugs, gold and silver bullion, plants and coins that have gone out of use.

Diseases and Vaccinations for India Travelers

Vaccinations for Indian Travel:

Malaria

For Malaria, vaccination is recommended for all areas, except for areas at altitudes more than 2,000 m (6,561 ft).

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travelers to India.

Typhoid

All travelers are recommended to take Typhoid vaccination.

Polio

In case of Polio, one-time booster is recommended for any adult traveler who completed the childhood series but never had polio vaccine as an adult.

Yellow Fever

Vaccination for yellow fever is required only for travelers arriving from or transiting through any yellow-fever-infected area like Africa.

Japanese Encephalitis

This vaccine is recommended for travelers staying for more than 1 month and traveling to rural areas or travelers engaging in extensive unprotected outdoor activities in rural areas, especially after dusk.

Hepatitis B

Travelers who may have intimate contact with local residents should take this vaccination, especially if their period of stay is more than 6 months.

Rabies

Any traveler who may have direct contact with animals should take this vaccination.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

If any person born after 1956 has not previously taken this vaccination, he/she should take two doses of the same.

Tetanus-Diphtheria

You need to take this revaccination every 10 years.

Major Diseases in India

Diarrhea

The most common ailment of travelers is diarrhea. The main cause of it is unclean food and water. It is advised to carry an antibiotic and an anti diarrhea drug if significant diarrhea occurs. In case of diarrhea, good amount of fluid intake is required. However, if diarrhea gets severe you should immediately call a doctor.

Malaria

Malaria is quite common in India in the summer months. So, make sure to take adequate insect protection measures.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness may occur in travelers ascending altitudes greater than 2500m. This specifically includes the mountain areas of northern India. Those with a history of heart disease, lung disease, or sickle cell disease are advised to avoid high altitudes.

Health Precautions for India

The quality of health services is amongst the best in India in New Delhi which has plenty of good hospitals, 24-hour chemists, highly competent doctors and top of the line medical services. Medicines are fairly cheap in India and chemist shops in Delhi are well stocked but it is always a good idea to take along prescription drugs.

Here are some health precautions for India you should follow if traveling to this country:

• Don’t drink water from tap or roadside vends. Drink only boiled or bottled water. Also, buy water from respectable and decent looking outlets. Check the seal before buying the water to make sure that it is intact.
• Never eat cut fruits sold by the roadside vendors. Always eat fruits you can peel. Wash the fruits properly with water well before eating them.
• It is advisable to keep a mosquito repellent ointment with you always.
• Always carry a kit of the basic emergency medicines you might need. Especially medicines for upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, etc. Also, keep some band-aids, antiseptic ointments, etc with you.
• Avoid fountain drinks and ice cubes.
• Avoid eating food from the roadside vends. If, by chance, you are forced to eat from there, make sure that the food is well cooked and is served hot.
• Try to avoid spicy dishes, especially in the initial stages of your travel.
• For the first few days it might be advisable to clean your teeth in bottled water.
• Avoid eating salads, especially at small restaurants and small hotels.
• If you are visiting India in summer time, drink lots of water, cover your head with scarves or caps or hats, wear sunglasses and use sunscreen lotion. Try to stay indoors in the afternoon.
• If you fall very sick, it is better to visit a doctor. However, ask the hotel authorities or the people at whose house you are staying to refer a good doctor to you.
• Always carry sunscreen with minimum SPF 20 to escape sunburn.

Food Precautions for India

The food you eat, how it's cooked, stored and served is very important. Make it a rule to stick to freshly cooked food, made in clean and hygienic place. Here are some food precautions for India that need to be taken by you:

• The safest thing to eat is freshly cooked food. Food left sitting may attract flies and cause major health hazards.
• Always drink only bottled water.
• Salads and cut fresh fruits should be strictly avoided. Eat only unpeeled fruits.
• Avoid fresh fruit juice. If you want to have juice, go in for branded ones being sold in tetra packs.
• If you are a non-vegetarian, buy from decent shops. It is better not to eat from lower end restaurants or station platforms.
• Beef is not served in many parts of India. Pork is also not easily available.
• Never ever eat anything from the roadside vendors. There are high chances of the food being contaminated.

Indian Visa Guidelines

To get a visa for India, you need to submit a number of documents. Following is a list of important documents for Indian visa:

• Visa application form.
• Passport, having a minimum validity of six months on the date of application.
• Two identical passport sized photographs, black and white or colored.
• Supporting documents, depending upon the type of visa. 
• Visa fee.

There are a number of Indian visa types, suitable for different purposes of travel. Given below are the different types of Indian visas:

Tourist Visa:

If you are coming to India on a holiday to explore the country, then, tourist visa is for you.

Business Visa:

For a business related trip, you need to apply for the business visa.

Student Visa:

For study purpose in India is the student visa.

Transit Visa:

It is meant for transit passengers only, to enable them to travel through India to reach the ultimate destination. .

Missionaries Visa:

This visa is for people coming to India to act as missionaries.

Employment Visa:

Meant for skilled professionals or those people who have been appointed by Indian companies, organizations, firms, etc.

Journalist Visa:

Professional journalists and photographers visiting India should apply for the Journalist visa.

Conference Visa:

It is issued for attending conferences/seminars/meetings in India.

Research Visa:

For research purposes, a research visa is issued.

Entry Visa:

It is given only to persons of Indian origin or the family members of a person employed in India.

For more information on visa http://passport.nic.in/visrules.htm

Tips for Women Travelers to India

Even after the modern influence of western countries, India still remains a conservative country. Some western habits are perceived as inappropriate and degrading if practiced by women here. Here are some travel tips for women in India:

- Don’t wear revealing clothes while in India. They do not appeal to Indian sensibilities. You will attract unwanted attraction and advances if you are wearing skimpy outfits.

- Apart from the big cities, touching between people of the opposite sex in public is very unusual. Even married couples avoid any display of affection publicly. It will be better if you do not shake hands with a person of the opposite sex unless the other person extends his/her hand first. Among Hindus, the way to greet is by bring your palms together in front of your chest, or simply saying 'Namaste'. You can say Hello or Hi also. But some old people may not appreciate it.

- Smoking by a woman is not acceptable anywhere in India, except for the metro cities. A woman who smokes/drinks is thought to be having a loose moral character, especially amongst the middle class.

- Discos, dance clubs, pubs, 5-star hotels are areas with a modern touch. You can easily head there for some entertainment or for drinks. However, having a male companion or at least another female with you is quite a good idea.

- Even at beaches, the people here are fully clothed. First find out what kind of attire is appropriate for the beach you are heading to. In some places like Goa, the visitors to beach mainly consist of foreigners. There, you may wear swimsuits on the beach. However, even there it is inappropriate to roam about dressed in swimwear away from the beach.

- In local trains, some cars reserved only for women. It is advised for you to travel in those.

- It is better not to venture outside in a street party. Street parties on holidays generally don’t consist of women. Inebriated men are seen partying at such occasions. Women, in these parties, can be subjected to groping and sexually aggressive behavior from the inebriated males. It is very unsafe for women to attend these festivities alone.

- Avoid talking in a friendly manner with men you meet in buses, trains, restaurants, shopping places, etc. It may be viewed as a flirtation. It may also lead to unwanted and unexpected sexual advances. However, befriending Indian women can be a wonderful experience for female travelers. But, you may have to start the conversation.

- A way to get more respect from Indians is to wear traditional Indian clothes, such as salwaar kameez or sari.

- Do not venture in isolated places alone. It is also advised not to go outside alone after it is very late and dark.

Tips for Traveling In India

Clothing

Travel as light as possible. Clothing and laundry are both quite inexpensive.

Its better for women to avoid tank tops or short skirts / shorts. The best outfit, especially during the hot summers, is a T-shirt worn with loose cotton trousers. You can purchase them anywhere in India, at very reasonable rates, at any of the shops. Adventurous ladies can try wearing the Indian 'salwar-kameez'. It is comfortable and free sized.

Social Interaction

If you give the impression of being from a different country, chances are that you might be stared at, especially in the smaller towns. Don't be offended - they mean no harm, it is just curiosity.

Toilets

In India, public toilet facilities are few and far between. Take every opportunity you can to use a clean toilet in places such as hotels and restaurants. Make this a habit wherever you go.

Beggars

Do not let them hassle you, and do not encourage them by giving them money.


Shopping

Try to shop only in government handicraft shops. There the prices are fixed and the quality is certified. If that is not an option, check the prices at a few shops before making a choice. Bargaining is standard in most places and is enjoyed by all.

Get used to the fact that you will probably be charged more than the locals. If possible, take a local along when you go shopping.

Tipping

In hotels and restaurants, tips are not normally included in the bill. Some hotels include service charges on their bills. In such cases tipping is not necessary. The standard tip is 10%.

In hotels, porters and room service attendants are normally tipped at the end of the stay, though an early tip is likely to get you better service.

Black and yellow cab drivers do not expect to be tipped. The opposite is true if you have a hired a cab for a long period. A small tip, even if it is only loose change, will be appreciated tremendously.

Sightseeing

Dress codes for religious places can include covering your head, being barefoot etc. Ask, so that you don't unwittingly give offence.

Some temples do not permit any leather articles at all on their premises.

Certain temples are not open to Non-Hindus. Please check with the local tourist information office.

Most museums in India are closed on Mondays and Site Museums, those near archaeological monuments, on Fridays.

The dry summer heat can drain you completely. Drink lots of water and fluids.

The sun is strong. Remember to use sunscreen on exposed parts of the body. Wear sunglasses to screen out harmful rays.

Photography is not always permissible, and at many places it is permitted only at a fee. There is usually a higher fee for using a video camera.

Smoking is not allowed at public places. All properties of the Indian Railways including trains and railway stations are strictly non smoking zones with stiff penalties for violations.

English is spoken at almost all tourist centers, but you can also request Government-trained and approved guides who also speak German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian or Russian.

Time

Everything in India takes time - longer than in most places. So always give yourself extra time for whatever you may have to do - even it is just a visit to the Post Office or changing money.

Indians joke about the concept of "Indian Stretchable Time" (IST). Certainly, if you're a super-punctual sort, India can be frustrating. Make allowances for this.

Others

Keep extra photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport. This will be required for Indian permits. Also, keep extra photographs of yourselves. These will be required for permits, filling out forms,etc.

Taxi and auto-rickshaw fares keep changing, and therefore do not always conform to readings on meters. Insist on seeing the latest rate card (available with the driver) and pay accordingly.

Insist on the taxi/auto meter being flagged down in your presence. As much as possible, especially from the airport or railroad station insist on using the pre paid services which are available at most important places.

In cities you can change most major foreign currencies and brands of travellers' cheques - but you'll widen your options and save yourself hassles if you stick to US dollars or pounds sterling, and either Thomas Cook or American Express travellers cheques.

Most big cities have ATMs which accept both Visa and Mastercard as well as American Express. The ATM network is ever expanding and in some states, you can find them even in some smaller towns.

DOs AND DON'Ts

1) If you are male introduced to a lady or a grown-up girl, don't take the initiative of offering a handshake. If she extends her hand, you must reciprocate, but don't be the first to extend your hand. If you are female and are being introduced to a male: it is up to you – the female – to take the initiative for a handshake. The rule of thumb is: the female extends her hand first, and the male reciprocates.

2) The Western practice of a peck on the cheek as a form of greeting a lady or a grown up girl is JUST NOT IN when you are in India unless you happen to be in 'Westernized Indian' circles or in the company of people in the glamour industry such as models and beauty queens (even then, DON'T take the initiative if you are male).

3) The namastay is a local form of greeting. It involves the joining of your palms as during prayer in church – well, not exactly, but it can pass (in church, the two thumbs are crossed, in the Indian 'namastay', the thumbs join but remain parallel to each other: this is only for information as the difference is not visible to the person in front of you).

4) If you find the lady is not extending a hand shake, go for the namastay. Even with men, the namastay can be an excellent little PR gimmick! Follow it up with a kaise hai (how are you?) and you have broken the first block of ice if one there was!

5) Politics can be freely discussed in India and most people will have an opinion which they will not mind being contradicted. But avoid discussing religion, especially with Muslims who form 11% of India's population.

6) Avoid visiting Kashmir in the extreme north as well as areas in the extreme north-east. Foreigners, especially West Europeans ands Americans, are at risk to hostage-taking by terrorists in those areas. The rest of India is safe haven for everybody.

7) Don't trust strangers with money. Trust your hotel, but not people you may bump into on the streets.

8) If somebody has invited you home for dinner, carry with you a box of sweets or at least a chocolate bar for the kid.

9) If you are buying from roadside stalls or hawkers, bargain you must. Start by offering half the price they ask for and settle for 60 per cent. Don't bargain in proper shops especially those that display "Fixed Price" signs: that will be seen as bad manners.

10) Never buy food from roadside stalls or mobile canteens. Not that they are bad, but your system may not be accustomed to such delicacies and you might end up spending more time in the loo than normal.

11) Drink bottled water only. Even many Indians who have lived out of India for a few years sometimes suffer stomach upsets on drinking local tap water. If there is no alternative to tap water, ensure it is boiled.

12) Don't offer bribes to get any job done. Bribe-taking and bribe-giving are a common practice in India but they are intended to speed up things or win a favor that you are not entitled to. Plan well in advance. Use consultants or trade and industry associations. If you expect favors, let them come free or not at all. Warn anyone (even in government) who asks you for a bribe that you would report him to the Anti-Corruption Bureau or the nearest police-station. If he persists, do it discreetly so that he can be caught red-handed.

13) Indian English has its own delights especially to foreigners of English nativity. Don't show amusement at the different Indian accents and choice of words. This does not take away from the fact that many Indians speak and write better English than many native English speakers.

14) Many Indians are in the habit of shaking their head in the course of conversation or taking instructions. Don't show amusement if you witness this.

15) Avoid offers of spiritual salvation and magic remedies from saints, godmen and quacks. There may be some spiritually elevated people in India, but there is no way you can distinguish the genuine ones from the crooks. If you are seriously interested in these aspects of India, take help from someone you know or visit one of the respected spiritual organizations in India.

16) Avoid driving in India unless you have been trained on Indian roads.

Extract from http://www.indiaonestop.com/dosanddonts.htm