FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where is the event venue?
Cisco Globalisation Centre
SEZ Unit, Cessna Business Park, Kadubeesanahalli Village
Varthur Hobli, Sarjapur Marathahalli Outer Ring Road
Bangalore , KARNATAKA 560 087 India
Hotel suggestions?
Vivanta by Taj Whitefield (approx. US $165/night)
ITPB, Whitefield
Bangalore 560 066
India
+91-80-6693-3333
vivanta.whitefield@tajhotels.com
http://www.tajhotels.com/TajGroup/Vivanta%20by%20Taj%20-%20Whitefield,BANGALORE/
Taj West End (approx. US $180/night)
RACE COURSE ROAD
Bangalore 560 001
+91 80 66605660
http://www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/The%20Taj%20West%20End,BANGALORE/
Le Meridien Bangalore (approx. US $190/night)
28 SANKEY ROAD
Bangalore 560 052
+91-80-2226 22 33/ 2228 28 28
http://www.lemeridien-bangalore.com/
The Park Hotel Bangalore (approx. US $220/night)
14 MAHATMA GANDHI ROAD
Bangalore 560042
+91 80 25594666
http://www.theparkhotels.com/
The Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore (approx. US $290/night)
OLD AIRPORT ROAD
Bangalore 560008
+91 80 2521 1234
http://www.theleela.com/hotel-bangalore.html
Where is the nearest airport?
Bengaluru International Airport is a international airport serving the city of Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Bangalore (officially named Bengaluru) is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the southeastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore/Bengaluru is India's third most populous city and fifth-most populous urban agglomeration.
The airport is located 4 km (2.5 mi) south of Devanahalli and is 40 km (25 mi) from the central business district of Bangalore/Bengaluru (30 km - 19 mi). It replaced the old HAL Bangalore International Airport.
Flights From San Francisco to Bangalore, India
Flights From New York to Bangalore, India
How long is a flight to Bangalore?
It depends on your city of origin. The shortest flight from New York City to Bangalore, e.g., is 17 hours, 10 minutes, via Frankfurt.
Do I need shots?
Although no vaccinations are required to go to India, Typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccinations are recommended. Also Anti Malarial Medication,Tetanus Gamma Globulin Viral Meningitis For further information contact your local physician or travel clinic or the travel service of the Center for Disease Control at 404-332-4559.
Malaria is a preventable infection that can be fatal if left untreated. Prevent infection by taking prescription antimalarial drugs and protecting yourself against mosquito bites. Malaria risk in this region exists in some urban and many rural areas, depending on elevation. Most travelers to the Indian Subcontinent at risk for malaria should take mefloquine to prevent malaria.
For further information contact your local physician or travel clinic or the travel service of the Center for Disease Control at 404 -332-4559.
Will I need a visa to travel to India?
Yes. All foreign nationals require a visa to enter India.
Please Note: Since October 2007, the Indian Consulate DOES NOT handle visa applications – they use a private contractor (Travisa Outsourcing Inc. - https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/homepage).
For New York area (all others, see https://www.indian-visa.com):
316 E. 53rd St., 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 754-9900
Fax: (212) 754-9905
Email: newyork@travisaoutsourcing.com
Website: https://www.indian-visa.com
What are the requirements to obtain a conference visa?
Updated
You want to apply for a CONFERENCE VISA (not a business or tourist visa).
WHAT YOU NEED:
PASSPORT: Must have at least 6 months left on it. Must have at least 2 blank pages in it.
PHOTOS: Two 2”x 2” recent passport photos
DRIVER’S LICENSE or other form of proof of your current residence. Also take along a photocopy of your license. If you don’t, they’ll make one for you and charge you an extra $2.00 for it.
LETTER FROM WORKING MOTHER MEDIA: Business letter from a US based company stating purpose of visit and financial responsibility. Working Mother Media will supply a letter for our attendees to include with your application. Click here to download Working Mother Media's Letter.
LETTER FROM INDIAN SPONSOR: Click here to download a letter of invitation from host sponsor, Cisco Systems.
VISA APPLICATION: You fill it out online. You can request email and/or text message notification of your visa status so you can track its progress. PRINT IT OUT and SIGN IT before you go! Make sure your first, middle and last names exactly match what’s on your passport. Here’s the URL – click on the India Visa application link: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/guidelines?id=3
FEES: The least expensive visa for USA citizens is the three-month, one-time-entry visa at $173. If you want them to mail the visa to you, that’s an extra $21. Otherwise, you have to go back between 4:30 and 6:00 PM on specified days to pick it up, once it’s approved. They accept cash, money orders and credit cards – no checks.
WHERE YOU GO:
You must go to the Travisa office closest to your current residence. Check their website.
Yes, you can send someone to do it for you – but they’ll need a letter from you, authorizing them to make the application for you.
If you’re sending your credit card with them for payment, the letter must also explicitly state that they are authorized to use you card for payment of visa fees.
SECURITY IS VERY STRICT at the visa office. You CANNOT take:
Large purses (only wallets or small clutches)
Knapsacks
Backpacks
Briefcases
Cell phone
Blackberry
Laptop
Other electronic devices
For full list: www.travisa.com
NOTE: There is no storage available for these items at the site, and they won’t let you in if you have them.
Where can I find an Travisa Location?
Find a location nearest you: www.travisa.com
What is the local currency?
The local currency is Indian Rupees. 100 Paisa equals to 1 Repee. One US dollar is approx Rs 50
Is Tipping Customary?
It is customary to tip 10% for good service
Do they have the same electricity as we do?
In most places the electric voltage is 220 Volts AC, 50 Hz. However, hotels may offer both 220 and 110 AC,. The Power Pin sockets are usually available for conversion to local use. Please contact your hotel staff if you need one.
If I have extra time to travel, where should I go?
BANGALORE CITY INFORMATION AND CITY SIGHTS
Bangalore located 1000m above sea level, this bustling capital city of Karnataka, has a perpetual holiday atmosphere. Founded in 1537 by a local chieftain, Kempe Gowda, Bangalore has seen much and imbibed even more. Rapid industrial growth has not taken away Bangalore's old-world charm. and a trip here can be truly delightful. Known as the Garden city and Silicon Valley of India. Bangalore is famous for handicraft in sandalwood and rosewood, ivory, brass, silk sarees or dress (Mysore & hanmundi silk) and scraves available in the emporia in the city.
Vidhan Soudha
Vidhan Soudha, built in the year 1954 is one of the major centres of attraction in Bangalore. The architecture of the building is based on the neo Dravidian style and built entirely from Bangalore granite and it presently houses the Legislative Assembly of the state of Karnataka. The building also houses a part of the Karnataka secretariat. On weekend evenings and public holidays, the building is floodlit, illuminating the surrounding gardens.
Cubbon Park
Situated in the heart of the Bangalore city, the Cubbon Park is an interesting tourist spot which one should not miss out. The park was laid by Lord Cubbon in the year 1864. It is spread over an area of about 300 acres and the layout is absolutely exquisite. The over 300 acre of this wooded and beflowered park were laid out in the heart of the cantonment in 1864. since then fairy fountains, an august bandstand and a wealth of others have been added. But the most important aspect of Cubbon Park is its newer buildings that have brought it cultural wealth
The Race Course
One of the finest in India, with racing almost all year round (May to June and Nov to Mar) and some of the biggest field stakes in the country.
