IX. Business Travel Business Customs Time Differences Eastern Standard Time Eastern Daylight Indian Standard 8:00 a.m. 7:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 12:00 noon 11:00 a.m. 8:30 p.m. 10:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. 7:00 a.m. Please remember that New Delhi is 9 1/2 hours AHEAD of Washington, D.C. during daylight savings time and 10 1/2 hours AHEAD of Washington, D.C. during standard time months. We find that the time difference makes the use of automatic fax machines a convenient way to communicate, when the lines are available and clear. India is a secular nation without a state religion. The Constitution protects the freedom of religion, though the vast majority of Indians live in accordance with Hindu beliefs. U.S. visitors will find it helpful to become familiar with some of the social attitudes and dietary preferences of Indians. English-language guidebooks include: South Asia. Lonely Planet Guides, 1993. Fodor's India. Fodor, 1994. The South Asia Handbook, 1993. Indian authors writing in English are able to give U.S. readers insights into life and society in India. Recent novels include: A Suitable Boy. Vikram Seth, 1993. English August. 1990. India: A Million Mutinies Now. V.S. Naipaul. 1990. Travelers to India Need to Stay Well All water needs to be treated by filtering and boiling, or by chemical means, before drinking it or using it for teeth brushing, etc. It is safe to bathe or shower in tap water, but keep your mouth closed. Order drinks without ice and drink only bottled water, even in hotels. Diarrhea is usually a self-limiting disease. Diarrhea is usually caused by ingesting food or water containing viruses, parasites, bacteria or toxins from fecal contamination of the ingested food or water. Hands, unsafe water, or contaminated raw fruits or vegetables can carry the offending agents into your mouth and thin into your intestinal tract. If you develop diarrhea, here are some suggestions: 1) Rest. Cut back on your activities to the essentials and regret dinner invitations; 2) Drink fluids. Many of diarrhea's symptoms are due to fluid and electrolyte loss. Your intestinal system is attempting to discharge the offending agent by expelling fluids. These fluids contain sodium, potassium, chlorides and other salts which your organ systems require to function. Oral rehydration electrolyte packets are available in hotels and pharmacies at a cost of about 25 cents package. Mix the powder with safe drinking water to rehydrate during a bout of diarrhea. Soft drinks, clean water, Jello (TM), clear soups, and other fluids are also recommended. Avoid milk and limit consumption of solid foods to lessen the burden on your gastro-intestinal system. Travel advisory and visas CONSULAR INFORMATION SHEET-INDIA ISSUED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ON AUGUST 30,1993 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: India is a developing democratic republic. Tourist facilities are widely available in the major population centers and main tourist areas. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport and a visa (which must be obtained in advance) are required for entry into India for tourism or business. Evidence of yellow fever immunization is needed if the traveler is arriving from an infected area. For further entry information, the traveler can contact the Embassy of India at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington D.C. 20008. Telephone (202) 939-7000 or the Indian Consulates in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Honolulu and New Orleans, Louisiana. TERRORISM: In March 1993, a series of bombings in several major cities resulted in over 300 deaths and 1000 people injured. The principal targets were public buildings, hotels and transportation centers. Foreigners have not been specifically targeted, and none were reported injured. As a precaution against further terrorist acts, the government of India has enhanced security measures considerably in New Delhi and other major Indian cities. While the threat of further acts of terrorism remains, there is no specific information to suggest that such attacks would be directed at U.S. citizens or U.S. interests. AREAS OF INSTABILITY: COUNTRYWIDE:--Serious communal violence and riots erupted in India following the destruction of respected mosque in December 1992. The potential exists for recurrences of violence in most major cities. Major civil disturbances can pose risks to a traveler's personal safety and can disrupt transportation systems and city services. In response to communal violence, Indian authorities may occasionally impose curfews. In addition, political rallies and demonstrations in India have the potential for violence. Foreigners have not been the targets of either communal or political violence in India, and are principally at risk only of becoming inadvertent victims. U.S. citizens may contact the American Embassy or the Consulates General in Bombay, Calcutta, or Madras for further information about the current situation in areas where they wish to travel. KASHMIR-- Terrorist activities and violent civil disturbances continue in the Kashmir valley of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. There have been incidents in which terrorists have threatened and kidnapped foreigners. ASSAM--Terrorist groups in Assam have bombed trains, buses, and bridges. The Government of India has declared Assam to be a "disturbed area". PUNJAB AND UTTAR PRADESH--Significant separatist violence continues in the Punjab and nearby regions outside Punjab state. In the recent past, gangs have kidnapped and held for ransom foreign company executives. All areas of Punjab state have been affected to some extent over the past year. Violent incidents also occurred in 1992 at various places in Uttar Pradesh state in the northwestern foothills and north-central terai region. Militants and robber gangs operated in the area around Jim Corbett National Park and Dudhwa National Park, as well as on roads leading to Hardwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun and Massoorie. INDIA-PAKISTAN BORDER--Tensions run high between India and Pakistan, particularly over Kashmir. The only official India-Pakistan border crossing point for foreigners is at Atari, Punjab/Wagah, Pakistan. A Pakistani visa is required. RESTRICTED AREAS-- Permission from the Indian Government (from Indian diplomatic missions abroad, or in some cases the Ministry of Home Affairs) is required to visit the states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, parts of Kulu district and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, areas of Uttar Pradesh, the area west of National Highway No. 15 running from Ganganagar to sanchar in Rajasthan, the Adaman and Nicobar Islands and Union Territory of the Lakshdweep islands. MEDICAL FACILITIES--Adequate medical care is available in the major population centers, but is usually limited in the rural areas of the country. Medical authorities suggest that travelers to India take preventive measures against malaria, hepatitis, meningitis and Japanese Encephalitis ( if arriving during the monsoon season). Travelers arriving from countries where outbreaks of yellow fever have occurred will be required to furnish a certificate for yellow fever vaccination. An office of the U.S. Public Health Service can recommend any additional vaccinations. Cholera and gastroenteritis occur during the summer monsoon months, mostly in the poorer areas of India. The best protection includes eating only at better quality restaurants or hotels, drinking only boiled or bottled mineral water and avoiding ice. Eating untreated fruits and vegetables and cooked foods sold by street vendors can be risky. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate payment in cash for health services. Supplemental health insurance which specifically covers overseas treatment has proved to be useful. Additional information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's International Travelers Headline at (404) 332-4559. INFORMATION ON CRIME:--Petty crime, especially theft of personal property, is common. The loss of theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling aboard is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips For Travelers To South Asia". They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government printing office, Washington, D.C. 20402. DRUG PENALTIES--Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they travel. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced. Convicted offenders in India can expect a minimum jail sentence of ten years and fines. CUSTOMS CONSIDERATIONS-- Indian customs authorities strictly enforce the laws and regulations governing the declaration, importation or possession of gold and gold objects. Travelers have sometimes been detained for possession of undeclared gold objects. MOUNTAIN CLIMBING-- Both India and Pakistan claim an area of the Karakoram mountain range which includes the Siachen glacier. The two countries have established military outposts in the region, and armed clashes have occurred. Because of this situation , U.S. citizens traveling to or climbing peaks anywhere in the disputed area includes the following peaks: Rimo Peak, Apsarasas I,II and III, Tegam Kangri I, II, and III, Suingri Kangri, Ghiant I and II, Indira Col and Sia Kangri. PILOTING CIVIL AIRCRAFT-- In the past years there have been a number of incidents in which civil aircraft have been detailed for deviating from approved flight plans. U.S. citizens piloting civil aircraft in India must file any changes to previous flight plans and may not overfly restricted airspace. REGISTRATION--U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi or at one of the U.S. Consulates in India can obtain updated information on travel and security in India and Bhutan. EMBASSY LOCATION--The U.S. Embassy is located in the capital city of New Delhi on Shantipath, Chanakyapuri 110021; telephone (91) (11) 600651. There are U.S. consulates General in Bombay at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai road, Bombay 400026, telephone (91) (22) 363-3611; in Calutta at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Calutta 700071, telephone (91) (033) 22-3611 through 22-3615 and 22-2335 through 22-2337; and in Madras on Mount Road, Madras 600006, telephone (91) (44) 827- 3040. The work week is Monday through Friday.