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Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!enterpoop.mit.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ames!sun-barr!news2me.EBay.Sun.COM!exodus.Eng.Sun.COM!appserv.Eng.Sun.COM!deolali!vikas From: vikas@deolali.Eng.Sun.COM (Vikas Deolaliker) Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian,news.answers,soc.answers Subject: [soc.culture.indian] FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Supersedes: <scifaq_737906402@deolali> Followup-To: poster Date: 20 Jun 1993 14:00:11 GMT Organization: Sun Microsystems Inc., Mountain View, CA Lines: 1367 Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu (Jonathan I. Kamens) Distribution: world Expires: 3 Aug 1993 14:00:02 GMT Message-ID: <scifaq_740584802@deolali> Reply-To: vikas@deolali.Eng.Sun.COM (Vikas Deolaliker) NNTP-Posting-Host: deolali Originator: vikas@deolali Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu soc.culture.indian:135160 news.answers:9590 soc.answers:258 Archive-name: india-faq ***** ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ********* READ THIS BEFORE YOU POST A QUERY. This message is automatically posted once a month. Hopefully this will reduce the amount of repetitive junk that is posted on sci. If you have answers to frequently asked questions that you would like included in this posting, Please send me mail. If you don't want to see this article ever again, Please add this subject line in your kill file. If you find that you need some detail info on any of these topics Please post the article, compile the information and send it to me. If you find some information outdated/erroneous please let me know. Thank You, Vikas Deolaliker vikas@sun.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- This posting was last Revised: "@(#)scifaq 1.34 20 May 1993" Revised/New Categories are marked with plus-equalto (+=) for your convienience. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ================================================================= NOTE: This FAQ posting is now in USENET digest format. If you are using "rn" (or it derivatives) to read news ^G (Ctrl- G) will take you to the next question. If you are using any other news reader search for the next line that begins with "Subject:". ================================================================= ***************************************************************** This periodic posting is now archived. It is available via anonymous ftp from rtfm.mit.edu (18.172.1.27) OR sending email to mail-server@pit-manager.mit.edu with the body of the message as send usenet/soc.culture.indian/[s.c.i]/_F_A_Q quit ****************************************************************** ***************************************************************** Contents: 1) Information on Passport Renewals 2) Addresses of Indian Consulates in US 3) Information on Remitting Money to India 4) Misc Junk.. 5) Indian Books and Magazines 6) Indian Newspapers Subcriptions 7) Indian e-mail Addresses 8) Shortwave Radio Frequencies 9) Visitors Visa 10) += Visitors Medical Insurance. 11) Custom Regulations 12) Tourist Information 13) Pal to Secam Conversion 14) += Sending Flowers to India 15) += Printing Indian Language Texts using TeX and/or PostScript 16) Addresses of U.S Consulates in India 17) Visa Cutoff Date 18) Other Newsgroups/Mailing Lists on India ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 1) Information on Passport Renewal The Passport can be renewed anytime. It is very important to contact the Indian Consular Office which has jurisdiction over your state of residence. The PROCEDURES FOLLOWED BY DIFFERENT CONSULAR OFFICES DO VARY. Some consular offices accept personal checks. They charge $6.00. You also need to affix proper return postage on a self-addressed envelope for registered mail. PROCEDURES FOR RENEWING INDIAN PASSPORTS This is a summary of an ad placed by the Indian consulate, San Francisco in Jan 1991. You can get application forms by calling up 415-291-1403 at any time, leaving your name and address on the answering machine. Passports can be renewed any time between one year before and one year after the date of expiry. If the passport is already 10 years old, a new booklet is issued for which 3 photos are required along with the old passport. The fee for renewal or new booklet is $6. New passports are valid for 10 years. If your passport is lost or damaged, you have to make a special appli- -cation (6 copies and 7 photos) They accept personal checks. THE BOTTOM LINE CALL THE CONSULATE WHICH OFFERS NRI SERVICES TO YOUR REGION AND ASK THEM FOR THE DETAILS. ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 2) Addresses of Indian Consulates in US STATES ADDRESS ====== =========================== Alabama, Delaware, Dist. Of Columbia, Embassy Of India Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, 2536 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Maryland, Mississipi, Arkansas, Tenness Washington DC 20008. Virginia, W. Virginia & the Bahamas Tel. 202-939-7000/9839 North Carolina, South Carolina. Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Consulate General Of India, New Hampshire, New Jersy, Newyork, Ohio, 3 East 64 Street, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, New York, NY 10021 Vermont, Virgin Islands. Tel. 212-879-7800 Alaska, Arizona,Hawaii, Nebraska, New Mexico, Consulate General of India, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, 540 Arguello Blvd. Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Kansas, Colorado, SAN FRANSISCO, CA 94118. Montana, Idaho, California. Tel. 415-668-0683 Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Consulate General Of India, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Missouri.150 North Michigan Ave. #1100 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601 Tel: 312-781-6280 Phone Ext: Washington, D.C Indian Embassy: 202-939-7000 (Main Number) -7061 (I don't know for which dept.) -7066 (Passport Enquiries: after 2:00 pm) -7065 (To verify whether they have sent back the passport, after you send it to them for extension. Contact: Mrs. Nagarathnam) -7068 (Birth Certificate: Contact Mr.Seti) -7060 (Contact Mr.Karry - I don't know for what) -9806 (For Customs/Duty Information) -9850 (For Passport Renewal) Chicago: 1. Consulate General of India-----312-781-6280 2. Consul Commerce----------------312-781-6274 3. Consul General-----------------312-781-6271 4. Passport Section---------------312-781-6268 5. Vice Counsel-Passport, Visa----312-781-6288 6. Visa Section-------------------312-781-6289 7. India Govt. tourist Office-----312-236-6899 312-236-7869 ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 3) Information on Remitting Money to India There are three major banks which advertise regularly in India Abroad. These banks offer wide variety of services including CDs and money transfer facilities to India. Since the banking poli- cies change everyday, it is best that you get the latest informa- tion from the banks themselves. Their toll free numbers are list- ed as follows. i) State Bank of India New York California 1 (800) 634-2572 1 (213) 623-7250 (L.A.) 1 (212) 735-9600 (Park Ave) 1 (213) 865 5009 (Artesia) 1 (718) 445-3900 (Flushing) Chicago Washington 1 (800) 621-1299 1 (202) 296-4061 1 (312) 621-1200 ii) Citibank India Investments Call 1 (800) CITI-NRI for NRE,FCNR accounts iii) American Express Call 1 (800) 688-5494 ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 4) Misc. Junk i) If you need the toll free number of any company in USA PLEASE call 1 + (800) + 555-1212. They will even thank you for using their company. ii) If you need to call directory assistance of any state call 1 + (area code of the state ) + 555-1212. You should however know which city in that state your friend lives in. iii) For local assistance call 411. Again you should know the city. iv) If you need the STD code of any city in India call the AT&T operator dial 0+0 (In most of the places ). ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 5) Indian Books and Magazines There are a lot of good Indian magazines but I only have information on these . If you all know how to subscribe and how much damage it does to our pocket books, Please let me know . ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY OF INDIA The General Manager (RMD) The Times of India Dr. D.N. Road Bombay 400001 India Rs. 1560-00 (by air) Rs. 620-00 (by sea) To subscribe in the U.S. write to M/S. Kalpana 42-75 Main St., Flushing NY 11355 DHARMAYUG (1) 10-Dariyaganj, New Delhi - 110 002 (2) 139, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad-380 009 (3) 13/1, Goverment Place East, Calcutta -69 (4) Gangagruh, 3rd Floor, 6-D Nungambakkam High Road, Madras - 600 034 (5) 40/1 S&B Towers, 88, M.G.Road, Bangalore 560 001 (6) 407/1 Tirath Bhavan, Carter Gate, Pune-411 002 UK Bch: P.O.Box 57, Gloucester GL2 6DS, UK. Tel (0452) 306546 INDIA TODAY India Today International Living Media India Ltd. 404 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 212-481-0040 212-779-8206 (FAX) Subscription - $49 payable to Living Media India Ltd. EPW Economic and Political Weekly Hitkari House, 284 Shahid BhagatSingh Marg, Bombay 400 038 India Cost: $80 p.a checks o.k BUSINESS INDIA Wadia Bldg, 17/19 Dalal Street, Fort, Bombay 400 001 India Tel + 91 (22) 27-4161/27-1558 MAIL ORDER BOOKS South Asia Books P.O. Box 502 Columbia, Missouri 65205 (314) 474 0116 The Asia Society/"Bookmarks" 725 Park Ave. New York, NY 10021 Software Review is a monthly published by Nishith Takia. Address Email: swreview@shakti.ernet.in 1 Srinivas, 433 RC Marg, Chembur, Bombay 71 India ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 6) Indian Newspapers If you want to stay in touch with events back home, the simplest alternative to flying home every weekend is to subscribe to one of the Indian Publications in US. INDIA ABROAD 43 West 24th Street,7th floor New York NY 10010 212-929-1762 (There are three US editions, Eastern, Midwest and Western, besides Canadian and British editions. Specify which edition you want.) Subscription:6 months $15, 12 months $26 INDIA WEST 5901 Christie Avenue, Suite 301 Emeryville,CA 94608 415-652-3552 Subscription: 6 months $15, 12 months $25, 24 months $45. They accept Visa/MC The following dealer advertises that they supply all Indian newspapers and magazines, as well as books. Ask them for their price list. INDO-US BOOKS AND JOURNALS INC. 35-52 73rd Street Jackson Heights NY 11372 For Subscription info Call Mr Singh (7:00pm - 9:00pm EST) (718) 899-5590 "The Hindu" International Edition can be obtained from The Hindu, Kasturi Bldg, 859/860 Anna Salai, Madras 600002 India For USA and Canada M/s Peekay International Inc., 56-20, 56th Street, Maspeth, NY 11378 Ph: (718) 472-0104 For U.K. and Europe Parry Murry & Co. Ltd. Prudential House, 9th Floor, Wellesley Road, Croydon, LONDON CRO 9XY, United Kingdom. Tel: 01-681-5441/2 Telex: 266874-UBIQUE G. Annual Subscription rates (by Airmail from Madras) effective 9th June, 1990. U.S. $46-00 or Br. 26.00 pounds. ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 7) INDIAN E-MAIL ADDRESSES Country: India Notation: ERNET Name or Type of Network: Education and Research in Computer Networks ERNET is the major network in India connecting universities and research organizations. This network is funded by the Education and Research in Computer Networks (Project ERNET) of the Department of Electronics (DoE), Government of India, and is assisted by the United Nations Development Programme. The primary node on this network is at the National Centre for Software Technology, Bombay, India. ERNET was connected to much of the world through uunet in early 1989 through the Indian host shakti. ************************************************************************ To access information on the info-server, send electronic mail to "uunet!shakti!infoserv" or "mcsun!shakti!infoserv". The body of the message should include: request: help ************************************************************************ Addressing: ---------- Most computers on ERNET use UUCP addresses. The backbone node shakti understands domain addresses. Top Level domain: IN (India) Internet: user%site@ncst.in UUCP: uunet!shakti!site!user mcsun!shakti!site!user Architecture: ------------ ERNET's main node is shakti, a DEC VAX 8600 running the Ultrix operating system. Access to ERNET within India is by dial-up lines. There is a 9.6 Kbps leased line between shakti and uunet. Since March 1989, shakti has also been connecting to both uunet and mcsun, in the Netherlands, over X.25 public data networks. Contact: Anil Garg National Centre for Software Technology Gulmohar Cross Road No. 9 Juhu, Bombay 400049 INDIA tel: 91 22 6201606 telex: 91 11 78260 email: uunet!shakti!anil mcsun!shakti!anil ***** A NOTE ABOUT "FINGER"ing INDIAN SITES******* NCST has not received information for shiva.ernet.in and thus finger @shiva.ernet.in FAILS. First of all, it is *NOT* like the finger of UNIX systems. It is just a database maintained at NCST - a database that has enough info. To get info and help about email addresses in India, type % whois -h sangam.ernet.in help For a list of all the nodes in India, type % whois -h sangam.ernet.in "" # The double quotes are essential This w'd give info regarding the nodes presently represented in the data base maintained by the NCST people at Bombay. For a list of the nodes present in a given city, type % whois -h sangam.ernet.in city_name where city_name can be part/whole of the city u wish to send mail to. for eg. for a list of all node names in bangalore, try % whois -h sangam.ernet.in bang Once the exact node name is known, to obtain the login name of the person you wish to contact, % whois -h sangam.ernet.in name_of_the_person@node_name where name_of_the_person can be part/whole of the person's last/first or middle name [ Nick names not allowed :-) ] All searches are case-insensitive. The NCST people are maintaining this database as a service to the public. It is not polite to flood the postmaster's mailbox with requests regarding the database and with requests for forwarding the mail. If the database FAILS to answer your query ONLY THEN send mail to postmaster@the_node_u_want_to_send_mail.ernet.in The internet address of shakti.ernet.in is 144.16.1.1 ******************************************************** SITES IN INDIA =============== ADDRESSING INDIAN SITES FROM OUTSIDE INDIA =============== | | | If you are at a site that can | USER@SITE.ernet.in | | handle domains | | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | If you are at a site that can't | ...!uunet!UUCP-PATH!USER | | handle domains | | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Where: UUCP-PATH - is the uucp path for the site. See list below. | | USER - recipient's mail name on the destination host. | | SITE - recipient's site name on the (ERNET) network. | | | | Note: Users using the C-shell under Unix systems may have to quote | | the "!" characters in the mail address. This can be done by | | using "\!" in place of "!". | ========================================================================== Each site is required to have a postmaster who can answer general inquiries about users and hosts at that site. In the following, insert the user name before the address of the computer (immediately before the "@"). Thus, if you wish to send email to user asdfg at the Indian Institue of Management, you should send email to "asdfg@iimahd.ernet.in". SITE ORGANISATION/INSTITUTION/DEPARTMENT ==== =================================== AHMEDABAD: @iimahd.ernet.in Indian Institute of Management @plasma.ernet.in Institute for Plasma Research @prl.ernet.in Physical Research Laboratory BANGALORE: @cdacb.ernet.in Centre for Development of Advanced Computing @cdotb.ernet.in Centre for the Development of Telematics @cmmacs.ernet.in Centre for Math Modelling & Comp. Simulation @crlbel.ernet.in Central Research Laboratory, Bharat Elec. Ltd. @csirb.ernet.in Council for Scientific & Industrial Research @iiap.ernet.in Indian Institute of Astrophysics @iimb.ernet.in Indian Institute of Management @iisc.ernet.in Indian Institute of Science (IISc)* | `---->> @admin.iisc.ernet.in Administration @aero.iisc.ernet.in Aerospace Engineering @astra.iisc.ernet.in Ctr for Appln. of Sci & Tech to Rural Areas @biochem.iisc.ernet.in Bio-Chemistry @cadl.iisc.ernet.in Computer Aided Design Lab @caf.iisc.ernet.in Central Animal Facility @cce.iisc.ernet.in Centre For Continuing Education @ccf.iisc.ernet.in Central Cryogenic Facility @cedt.iisc.ernet.in Centre For Electronic Design & Tech. @ces.iisc.ernet.in Centre For Ecological Sciences @cge.iisc.ernet.in Centre For Genetic Engineering @chemeng.iisc.ernet.in Chemical Engineering @civil.iisc.ernet.in Civil Engineering @csa.iisc.ernet.in Computer Science & Automation @csic.iisc.ernet.in Centre For Scientific & Indl. Consultancy @cts.iisc.ernet.in Centre For Theoretical Studies @dbgl.iisc.ernet.in Developmental Biology Lab @ece.iisc.ernet.in Electrical Communication Engineering @ee.iisc.ernet.in Electrical Engineering @fls.iisc.ernet.in Foreign Languages Section @hve.iisc.ernet.in Highvoltage Engineering @ipc.iisc.ernet.in Inorganic & Physical Chemistry @isu.iisc.ernet.in Instrumentation & Services Unit @jatp.iisc.ernet.in Joint Advanced Tech. Programme @jnc.iisc.ernet.in Jawaharlal Nehru Centre @kbcs.iisc.ernet.in KBCS Group @math.iisc.ernet.in Mathematics @mbu.iisc.ernet.in Molecular Biophysics Unit @mcbl.iisc.ernet.in Microbiology & Cell Biology @mecheng.iisc.ernet.in Mechanical Engineering @metalrg.iisc.ernet.in Metallurgy @mgmt.iisc.ernet.in Management Studies @micro.iisc.ernet.in Microprocessor Applications Lab @mrc.iisc.ernet.in Materials research Centre @ncsi.iisc.ernet.in National Centre for Scientific Information @nias.iisc.ernet.in National Institute Of Advanced Studies @orgchem.iisc.ernet.in Organic Chemistry @physics.iisc.ernet.in Physics @prl.iisc.ernet.in Primate Research Lab @serc.iisc.ernet.in Supercomputer Education & Res. Centre @sif.iisc.ernet.in Sophisticated instruments Facility @sscu.iisc.ernet.in Solid State & Structural Chemistry Unit @isac.ernet.in ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore @isibang.ernet.in Indian Statistical Institute @isro.ernet.in Indian Space Research Organisation @itibang.ernet.in Indian Telephone Industries, Bangalore @kmc.ernet.in KMC (Medical College?)? @ncb.ernet.in National Centre for Software Technology, Bangalore Office @nttf.ernet.in Nettur Tech. Training Foundation @psi.ernet.in PSI Data Products, Bangalore @rri.ernet.in Raman Research Institute @swabiman.ernet.in Aeronautical Development Agency @tifrbng.ernet.in TIFR Centre, IISc Campus, Bangalore @yantra.ernet.in Centre for AI and Robotics BOMBAY: @agni.ernet.in Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research @barct1.ernet.in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay* | `--->>> @magnum.barct1.ernet.in @cmcb.ernet.in CMC Limited, Bombay @iitb.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay* | `--->>> @cc.iitb.ernet.in Computer Centre. (Earlier "betaal") @cse.iitb.ernet.in Computer Science Department (DRS 6000) @gateway.iitb.ernet.in ERNET Group (Sun Sparc-1+) @ncst.ernet.in National Centre for Software Technology (NCST)* | `--->>> @shakti.ncst.ernet.in NCST, Main Office, Juhu (Vax 8600) @saathi.ncst.ernet.in NCST, Main Office, Juhu (Vax 6000/510) @sangam.ncst.ernet.in NCST, Air-India Building (Sun Sparc-1+)+ @nitie.ernet.in National Institute for Training in Industrial Engineering @sameer.ernet.in Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research @tifr.ernet.in Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (CYBER NOS) @tifrvax.ernet.in Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (Vax VMS)# @xtech.ernet.in St. Xavier's Technical Institute CALCUTTA: @bose.ernet.in SN Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences @ertle.ernet.in ERTL East, Calcutta? @isical.ernet.in Indian Statistical Institute @kbcscal.ernet.in Indian Statistical Institute (KBCS Group) @saha.ernet.in Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics @veccal.ernet.in Variable Energy Cyclotron, Calcutta CALICUT: @cedtcal.ernet.in CEDT, Regional Engineering College? CHANDIGARH: @imtech.ernet.in Institute of Microbial Technology COIMBATORE: @psgtech.ernet.in PSG College Of Tech., Coimbatore? DELHI: @aiims.ernet.in Biotech Department, All India Institute of Medical Sciences @altos.ernet.in Altos Computers Pvt. Ltd. @cdotd.ernet.in Centre for Development of Telematics @cmetd.ernet.in Centre for Materials Technology @cris.ernet.in Centre for Railway Information Systems @csird.ernet.in Council for Scientific & Industrial Research @doe.ernet.in Department of Electronics, Government of India* | `--->>> @ern.doe.ernet.in ERNET Group @gautam.doe.ernet.in @vikram.doe.ernet.in @lotus.doe.ernet.in @doehq.ernet.in DoE Headquarters, Lok Nayak Bhavan @ignca.ernet.in Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts @iitd.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology* | `--->>> @henna.iitd.ernet.in ERNET Group (Sun Sparc-1+) @juhi.iitd.ernet.in @insa.ernet.in Indian National Science Academy @insdoc.ernet.in Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre @isid.ernet.in Indian Statistical Institute @isidev.ernet.in Institute for Studies in Industrial Development @jnuniv.ernet.in Jawaharlal Nehru University @netearth.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology- CS Dept. II @nifm.ernet.in National Institute for Financial Management @nmc.ernet.in National Microelectronics Council, DoE, New Delhi @nsc.ernet.in Nuclear Science Centre? @pranjan.ernet.in Controller General of Accounts @seco.ernet.in SECO & CG Division, Department of Electronics @tifac.ernet.in Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council @vikram.ernet.in Department of Electronics (DoE), Government of India @wapcos.ernet.in Water and Power Consultancy Ltd. HYDERABAD: @cmch.ernet.in CMC Limited @uohyd.ernet.in University of Hyderabad KANPUR: @iitk.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology @kalyan.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology KHARAGPUR: @iitkgp.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology @sys320.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology MADRAS: @imsc.ernet.in The Institute of Mathematical Sciences @iitm.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology, Madras* | `--->>> @spark.iitm.ernet.in ERNET Group (Sun Sparc-IPC) @ssf.ernet.in SPIC Science Foundation, School of Maths MADURAI: @mku.ernet.in Bio-Informatics Centre, Madurai Kamraj University? MYSORE: @sjce.ernet.in SJ College of Engineering? NAGPUR @neeri.ernet.in National Environment Engineering Research Institute PILANI @bits.ernet.in Birla Institute of Technology & Science PUNE: @cwprs.ernet.in Central Water & Power Research Station @gmrt.ernet.in Giant Metre-Wave Radio Telescope Project (TIFR) @iucaa.ernet.in Inter-University Centre for Astronomy & Astrophysics @ncl.ernet.in National Chemical Laboratory @parcom.ernet.in Centre for Development of Advanced Computing @trddc.ernet.in Tata Research, Design & Development Centre @unipune.ernet.in University of Poona, CS Department SURATKAL: @krec.ernet.in Karnataka Regional Engineering College TRIVANDRUM: @erdc.ernet.in ER & DC , Trivandrum? + International e-mail gateway. via UUNET, USA # Site(s) connected to BITNET as well. via CERN, Geneva * Site(s) having a sub-domain (The list of known domains is given) ? Connectivity to this site is being verified ************************************************************************* ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 8) Shortwave Radio Frequencies: Reception report based upon last two weeks in Tucson. * All times are GMT * ++ means station continue before/after given time. ======================================================================= BBC ======================================================================= Bengali 1330:1400 9605 ,11920 ,15245 Hindi 1400:1445 7235 ,9605 ,11920 ,15245 Pushto 1445:1515 15245 Urdu 1515:1600 9605 15245 Bengali 1630:1700 9605 ,11750 ,15245 Hindi 1715:1730 9605 ,11750 Urdu 1730:1745 9605 ,11750 ======================================================================= VOA ======================================================================= Pushto 0000:0030 7105 11780 Hindi 0030:0100 7105 , 11780 ,15210 ,17780 ,21475 Hindi 0100:0130 17780 ,21475 Urdu 0100:0130 7105 , 11780 Urdu 1330:1430 11805 ,15435 ,17875 ,21520 Pushto 1430:1515 7295 , 11845 ,15435 , 21520 Dari 1515:1600 7295 , 11845 ,15435 , 21520 Bengali 1600:1700 9590 ,11880 ======================================================================== Voice of Germany ======================================================================== Urdu 1430:1515 9615 ,11785 ,15105 ,15240 ,15595 ,17825 Hindi 1515:1600 9615 ,11785 ,15105 ,15240 ,15595 ,17825 ======================================================================== Radio Pakistan ======================================================================== News 0230:0245 15114.5, 17640, 21730 Islamabad 1000:1330++ 9644.5 Urdu 1330:1530 13665 ,15605 ,17554.5 News 1600:1630 13665 ,15605 ,17554.5 >From 0230-0245 and 1615-1630 are news at slow speed. ======================================================================== All India Radio ======================================================================== 9910 0000:0115 English 9610 0130:0230++ Urdu Service 15120,11830 0130:0250++ News in various languages 15020,9700 1300:1500 Sinhalese 11620 1300:1610++ News in various languages 9565 1330:1500 English 10030,9950,7412 1330:1450++ News in various languages 11620 ++2030:2230 English ======================================================================= Radio Afghanistan (Relayed from USSR) ======================================================================= Pushto 0200:0300 9555 ,11770 Persian 0300:0400 9555 ,11770 Also, here is the subscription blurb from London Calling monthly magazine (the programme journal of the BBC World Service in English). This is a neat little magazine with introductions to BBC programs for the month and also the frequencies chart for the whole world: LONDON CALLING is available in all parts of the world at an annual subscription rate of 12 pound (US$20). Write to Rosemarie Reid at this address: LONDON CALLING, PO Box 76, Bush House, Strand, London, England, WC2B 4PH For a free copy of London Calling call/write BBC, 630 5th Avenue, N.Y, N.Y 10111-0002 (212) 581-7100 A pointer to an anonymous ftp site for Radio programs/Freq listings: nic.funet.fi: /pub/dx/schedules -rw-rw-r-- 1 huopio ftp 17744 Sep 24 20:11 air.txt -rw-rw-r-- 1 huopio ftp 3602 Jan 4 22:06 australia.txt -rw-rw-r-- 1 huopio ftp 36052 Dec 2 06:32 bbc-english.txt -rw-rw-r-- 1 huopio ftp 17636 Aug 1 10:49 bbc-programs.txt -rw-rw-r-- 1 huopio ftp 5561 Oct 12 15:54 rpakistan.txt -rw-rw-r-- 1 huopio ftp 3708 Jan 4 22:46 sri.txt -rw-rw-r-- 1 huopio ftp 35878 Jan 4 22:51 voa-freq.txt ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 9) VISITOR VISA INFORMATION: Information on the documents required for visitor's visa to USA :- When the person you are inviting applies to the consulate for the visitor's visa, he/she has to show documents indicating your financial capability to support their visit for the specified duration.It seems the consulate people are more concerned about potential immigrants, rather then financial capability. (1) Form I-134. Affidavit of Support (this form is printed by U.S. Department of Justice. Immigration and Naturalization Service) The Form-134 must be filled completely and Notarized. (2) Bank Balance statement (copy) (3) A letter of verification of employment. (copy) (4) A valid visa. (H-1 if working etc) (copy) You only need to send copies of items 2, 3 and 4. They are not a must, but they will prove that you have sufficient funds to take care of the visitors during their visit, which in turn will make getting the visa a little easier. ** Note ** The INS office in San Francisco informed me that I need to send Form I-134 and a personal letter of invitation to my parents. They then have to take it to the American Embassy. To get the form I-134 call your local INS office. For information of Federal Government Services. eg. phone number of American Consulate in gondwanaland. Call 1 (800) 726-4995 VISA BY MAIL!!! If the visitors are over 50 years of age they can MAIL all these things along with their passports to the nearest US consulate, else they will have to go in person. ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 10) VISITOR MEDICAL INSURANCE The Companies who provide such insurance are listed below. You simply must contact them for further information. INDIA Bombay: General Insurance Corporation of India Industrial Assurance Building Churchgate, Bombay 400 020 Subsidiaries: National Insurance Co. Ltd. New India Assurance Co. Ltd, New India Assurance bldg, 87 M.G. Road, Fort, Bombay-400 023. Delhi: Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. Oriental House, P.B. No. 7037, A-25/27 Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi-110002. Madras: United India Insurance Company 24 Whites Road Madras 600014 The claims are handled by a company called Mercury in USA - tel# (800) 527-2586 Calcutta: National Insurance Co. Ltd. 1, Shakespeare Sarani (AC Market) 6th Floor, Calcutta Head Office: 3 Middleton Street Calcutta. USA Travel Insurance Services Box 299, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 800-227-2432 (415) 932-1387 Community Insurance Agency Broker/President Ramesh Patel, 3116 W. Devon Ave., Suite 203, Chicago IL 60659. 1-800-344-9540 Rupa Insurance Agency 1939 Lincoln Hwy, Edison NJ 08817 1-800-GET-RUPA International Visitor's Trust Washington D.C. (416) 928-4500 International Health Insurance Trust Administered by the Smith-Sternau Organization, Inc. 1255 23rd St., N.W., Suite 300, Washington D.C. 20037. 1-800-368-5969 Massachussets Indemnity and Life Insurance Co. 9200 WATSON ROAD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63126. (314)-849-5555. Blue Cross / Blue Shield. Nationwide ******************************************************************* ******************************************************************* ------- Subject: 11) CUSTOM REGULATIONS NEW BAGGAGE RULES Foreign tourists, NRIs and Indians travelling abroad can now bring in electronic diaries, video cameras, CD players, laptop computers and colour TVs of 15 cm screen by paying the usual customs duty. Travellers will now enjoy enhanced duty-free allowance worth Rs 3,000 and Rs 150,000 in case of transfer of residence. The duty-free allowance for Indians travelling abroad for more than three days has been raised from Rs 2,400 to 3,000. The TR rules have been made more flexible by condoning a shortfall of the required stay of up to 1 year in special cases. A Collector of Customs can sanction this shortfall up to 2 months. 13 consumer durables like VCRs, color TV and airconditioners worth Rs 150,000 would now be allowed under the TR rules and Rs 30,000 under mini-transfer rules. This will apply even if the items are purchased at the transit points while returning to India. OTHER CHANGES IN CUSTOMS REGULATIONS Import duties for allopathic drugs are reduced from 110% to 80%, and for homeopathic drugs from 65% to 40%. Self-assessment of goods would be permitted for established importers as well as government undertakings where there are no disputes about classification. This could be described as a "green channel" as the goods would usually be cleared without scrutiny, though there would be occasional spot checks. Chemical testing, where necessary, will now be done at various laboratories in the private and public sector as well as the existing customs laboratories. CARRYING GOLD TO INDIA Gold including ornaments, except those studded with stones or pearls, will be allowed to be imported as a part of baggage by passengers of Indian origin subject to certain conditions. The quantity of gold imported will not exceed 5 kg per passenger and he should have stayed abroad for a period of atleast six months. The import duty is, to be paid in convertible foreign currency, Rs. 220.00 for 10 grams of gold in any form (ornaments or coins). CALL YOUR NEAREST CONSULATE AND THEY WILL GLADLY MAIL YOU ACCURATE AND UP TO DATE INFORMATION . ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 12) Tourist Information The goverment of India, Department of Tourism has offices in many countries to provide tourist information to people who wish to take their vacation in India. They are called India Tourist Office. I found the address of some and I am sure there must be others in USA. If somebody knows let me know. New York India Tourist Office 30 Rockefellar Plaza, Suite 15, North Mezzanine, New York, NY 10012. (212) 586-4901 L.A. India Tourist Office 3550 Wilshire Blvd., Suite #204, Los Angeles, CA 90010-2485 (213) 380-8855 Call this office for a brochure. They are some great plans that you probably never knew existed. Most of them are however for NRI or Foreign Citizens and require payment in Dollars. INDRAIL PASS The Indrail Pass gives unlimited rail travel within India in the specified time period. It is available to non-Indian citizens as well as Indians residing outside India. It can be purchased through the General Sales Agents (details below), though any competent travel agent should be able to fix you up. It can also be bought from major stations in India. Main plus points include eliminating the need to buy tickets for every trip, though reservations are necessary. There are special reservation quotas on some trains for Indrail holders. It is available in 3 categories: AC, First Class, Second Class. It is not advisable to take the AC pass since not many trains have AC First Class. The First Class pass also covers AC Sleeper and AC Chair Car. GSA details: Hariworld Travel, New York. 212-957-3000 Also in Toronto, 416-366-2000 Fares: AC First Second 1 day 65 29 12 (all in USD) 15 270 135 65 30 410 205 90 90 800 400 175 (Also available for 7,21,60 days. Kids below 12 pay half) There are also odd rules like a foreigner can buy a pass for his/her spouse. Another plus point is that you can make reservations upto 360 days in advance, i.e. even through your travel agent in the US-though you would have to have the pass in hand before making reservations. Much useful information about the Pass regulations(in fact, about the Indian Railways as a whole) can be found in "India by Rail", by Roylston Ellis, published by Bradt Publishers. Some information is also available in "Eurail Guide" and "Thomas Cook's Overseas Timetable" ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 13) Pal to Secam Conversion The following businesses do Pal to Secam conversions. Kothari Video Taping Services Inc. 909 Apple Drive, Schaumburg, IL-60194 (708) 884-0912. Roopsons SOMI International 1734 Oaktree Road 1115 Inman Ave, Suite 130 Edison, NJ 08820 Edison, NJ 08820 (908) 906-7976 (908) 548-3065 Edison has two zip codes. (08820 & 08818) Check with them for correct one. Also, call them after 4pm (EST). The owner (the only person who understands what PAL or NTSC is!) is out taking care of supplies and other stuff during the daytime. They are open 7 days a week from 11am to 8pm. Does pal to ntsc, and 8mm or NTSC to pal also. Cost is $13 for 3 hrs plus 2.50 for supply of Panasonic Standard Grade tape. Maharaja Foods And Imports 4320 Suite E, University Drive Huntsville, Alabama 35816 Phone # (205)830-4951. S. Krishnan 926 TORRIDON COURT PICKERINGTON, OH 43147 Tel: (614) 833-6872 or (614) 833-NTSC ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 14) Sending Flowers to India i) Mr. Motiwala, Oriental Florist, Taj Mahal Hotel, Apollo Bunder, Bombay - 400 039 tel: 202 3366 fax: 287 2734 (Rs. 400 + Rs. 25(delivery) ) ii)INDOGRAM Indogram does not serve Madras anymore. tel: (800) 834-7274 (Calif) (800) 624-8007 (Others) Cost: ~$30.00 iii) Any florists in U.S. who is member of FTD (800) FLO-WERS There is a charge of $28.00 added to all the orders. The order has to of a minimum of $35.00 There are three kinds of orders that can be placed a) Assortment of Flowers, in a box: $35.00 b) Flower Arrangement, in a vase: $45.00 c) Plant: $45.00 iv) For Hyderabad Only ($19.99) Mahesh Bagade P.O. Box 3011 Kokomo, IN 46904-3011 (317) 453-3872 ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 15) Printing Indian Language Texts using TeX and/or PostScript TeX/PS: There are two transliteration packages for TeX that are available by anonymous ftp: 1. The first package, itrans, has been developed by Avinash Chopde avinash@contex.com, currently supports Devanagari and Tamil. It uses the Washington Tamil Metafont font (developed at U of Washington) and a Postscript Devanagari font (developed by Avinash). It also supports Frans Velthuis's Devnag font (see item 2 below). "itrans" is a package for printing transliterated indian language documents. The input may be in TeX format, or may be a dumb textual document (no word processing features). Version 2.1 was released in October 1991. The package includes all C-sources, the PostScript Devanagari font, and the Metafont Tamil font. It is available as a compressed tar file, at these FTP sites: cs.duke.edu (128.109.140.1), in dist/sources/itrans21.tar.Z ftp.stolaf.edu, in pub/sci/itrans21.tar.Z This package DOES NOT include Frans's Devnag font, you have to get it separately. 2. The second package Devanagari for Tex has been developed by Frans J. Velthuis (velthuis@rc.rug.nl). It has Computer Modern fonts for Devanagri. It is available by anonymous ftp from june.cs.washington.edu in the directory ~/tex in devnag.tar.Z Macintosh: Macintosh fonts for Devanagari and Tamil are available by anonymous ftp from mac.archive.umich.edu. They are in the file indianfonts.sit.hqx in the directory mac/system.extensions/font/type.three.fonts The fonts are in a binhex/stuffit format. If you don't know how to decode these formats, see the postings on comp.sys.mac.announce or comp.sys.mac.misc. These fonts are absolutely free. Punjabi Fonts: You have to buy these fonts. Adobe Type 1 Punjabi fonts for use with IBM-PC (Windows 3.0) and Macintosh computers. They are also made available, as per special requests, for the NeXT machines. Address is: Jasbir Singh P.O. Box 32010 Cleveland, OH 44132 (216)731-6561 Tamil: (Full word processor for PC based systems) (c) 1984-1992 ADAMI91.ZIP Tamil word processer for MSDOS (IBMPC) Graphic cards up to 800 x 600, 16 colors, Dot matrix and HP Laser only. An easy to remember transliteration scheme. A simple editor is included. Character size can be varied from 1/72 of an inch to 63/72 of an inch in 1/72 inch increments. Characters can be underlined, slanted, emphasized and background reversed. Paragraphs can be filled, right justified, centered. Tabs, left, right, top and bottom margins, line spacing, character spacing, page numbering, etc. can be set. The complete userguide and a file with 'thiruppaavai', 30 verses with English translation are included as examples. Suffix numbers 2, 3 and 4 are included, to permit printing of all Sanskrit consonents in Tamil script. The complete package fits in 360K bytes. No additional software is required. The package is shareware requiring a registration fee of $40, for non-commercial usage. Commercial usage requires profit sharing. Non-profit magazines, cultural, literary, religious organizations and individuals who can not afford it, may register free of charge. Please acknowledge this in your non-profit endeavour and mail me a copy. The package is available at the following ftp sites. site (internet_number) directory ftp_mode -------------------------------------------------------------------------- wsmr-simtel20.army.mil (192.88.110.20) cd PD1:<MSDOS.EDITOR> tenex oak.oakland.edu (141.210.10.117) cd /pub/msdos/editor binary wuarchive.wustl.edu (128.252.135.4) cd mirrors/msdos/editor binary nic.switch.ch (130.59.1.40) Switzerland cd mirrors/msdos/editor binary ftp.uu.net (137.39.1.9) Find out from the site nic.funet.fi (128.214.6.100) Finland Find out from the site src.doc.ic.ac.uk (146.169.3.7) UK Find out from the site archie.au (139.130.4.6) Australia Find out from the site ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you do not have FTP access to SIMTEL20, files may be ordered by e-mail from LISTSERV@VM1.NODAK.EDU or LISTSERV@VM.ECS.RPI.EDU or LISTSERV@NDSUVM1.bitnet or LISTSERV@RPIECS.bitnet uunet!vm1.nodak.edu!listserv or uunet!vm.ecs.rpi.edu!listserv Send the following as the only content of your mail (Do not include signature) /PDGET MAIL PD:<MSDOS.EDITOR>ADAMI91.ZIP UUENCODE /PDGET MAIL PD:<MSDOS.ZIP>UNZIP42.EXE UUENCODE or GET PDGET HELP Malayalam: MetaFont Jeroen Hellingman has created a fine Malayalam font in Metafont and has released his fonts (pk files at 300dpi), macros and preprocessor to the public at no cost. Contact: Jeroen Hellingman jhelling@cs.ruu.nl ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 16) Addresses of U.S Consulates in India U.S Embassy U.S Consulate Shanti Path, 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Chanakyapuri Calcutta 700071 N.Delhi 110021 91+33+44-3611 91+11+600651 U.S Consulate U.S Consulate Lincoln House Gemini Circle Mount Road 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, Madras 600006 Bombay 400026 91+44+473-040 91+22+363-3611 91+44+825-0240 (FAX) 91+22+363-0350 (FAX) The U.S Consulate in Calcutta no longer handles Immigrant Visa Cases. The job is now taken up by the Bombay consulate. For information of Federal Government Services. eg. phone number of American Consulate in gondwanaland. Call 1 (800) 726-4995 ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 17) Visa Cutoff Date Announcement Phone Numbers Visa Cutoff Date Announcement (202) 663-1541 Visa Information (202) 663-1225 Online Visa Information via PC (202) 647-9255 Dual Citizenship Q/A: There is an excellent article written by Rich Wales on Dual Citizenship issues for the United States. If you are interested send email to richw@mks.com with the subject line containing the TWO WORDS "send dualcit". ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 18) Other Newsgroups/Mailing Lists on India There are many newsgroups/mailing lists which discuss topics, issues related to the India. They are as follows: soc.culture.indian Most General discussions about India (FAQ is posted here. soc.culture.indian.telugu Discussion concerning the culture of the Telugu People of India soc.culture.tamil Discussion concerning the culture of the Tamil People. alt.culture.kerala Discussion concerning the culture of the Keralite (malayalee) people of India. alt.culture.karnataka Discussion concerning the culture of the Kanada People of India. misc.news.southasia Moderated News-Only newsgroup for news on events in the Indian Subcontinent. rec.music.indian.classical Discussion about the Hindustani and Carnatic Indian classical music. rec.music.indian.misc Discussion about Indian Music rec.music.indian.heavy_metal Just Kidding!! no such group. ;) The mailing-List, Forums/Digests are as follows. Please follow instructions on how to subscribe to such a mailing list. ___________________________________________________________________________ To subscribe: BITNET users: send a mail message to LISTSERV@UKCC Internet users: send a mail message to LISTSERV@UKCC.UKY.EDU In the mail msg, leave the subject line blank. The first line of the mail msg should be: { Here, Personal name should be a 2-part name } SUBSCRIBE INDIA-D Personal Name { To subscribe to Discussion and News } SUBSCRIBE INDIA-L Personal Name { To subscribe to News Digest alone } To unsubscribe: Follow the above procedure, but the first line of the mail msg should be: SIGNOFF INDIA-D (GLOBAL SIGNOFF INDIA-L (GLOBAL +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Discussion Digest contributions : editor@andy.bgsu.edu News Digest contributions : india-news@andy.bgsu.edu Looking for requests : looking@andy.bgsu.edu +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ India-D is an OPEN and FREE forum for discussion of issues related to India and the Indian community. You can express your religious beliefs, viewpoints and ideologies in a totally secular environment on this network. No personal attacks and insults will be allowed on the Digest. Dr K V Rao is the co-ordinator of the Network. Editors-- for the Discussion & News Digests, Ms U Ramamurthy; for the News Headlines, Mr M G Balakrishna Rao. Editors/Owner of India-D are not responsible for any copyright violations by members who send copyrighted-material to India-D. Please include your full name in the header or as a signature. Postings should be kept to a max. of 30 lines. A maximum grace of 10 lines is allowable at the discretion of the Editor. Articles longer than this limit would be sent back to be condensed. No more than one posting per person per topic would be accepted in a 24-hr period.