U3A Info

The Indian Society of Universities of the Third Age

Advice for delegates from abroad and answers to some frequently asked questions

India is rightly famous for its cultural diversity. English is the major language of trade and politics, but there are 16 official languages in all and there are 24 languages that are spoken by a million people or more, and countless other dialects. India has seven major religions and many minor ones, six main ethnic groups, and countless festivals.

So we are quite used to cultural differences and you can be sure that everything will be done to make our foreign delegates as comfortable as possible. You have only to ask! At the same time there are one or two things that visitors should be aware of, so please read on......

Frequently Asked Questions

How will we get there?
Delegates will be met at Delhi International Airport by local Senior Citizen volunteers, members of U3A Delhi Seniors, who will be your guides while you are in Delhi and make sure you are never lost. If you email your details they will also book your train ticket for you and put you on the train.

Please click on the button on the right for for further details, or click here to send an email to U3A Delhi Seniors.

Can we also bring relatives/friends to do some touring while in Delhi?
Yes - an excellent idea. They can take advantage of the Group Travel from Delhi to Chitrakoot and you can rejoin them in Delhi after the conference. We hope U3A members will want to attend the conference, but there's no age limit for other visitors, and it's an ideal place to start some excellent tours of this amazing country.

Where will we stay?
Their are three modern hotels in Chitrakoot. You will be given a room or rooms in one of those according to your needs. Please see the registration page and download the form.

Cost of the hotel, plus meals, is part of the registration fee.

What sort of entertainment is available?

This will be arranged locally and it will be free -- once again it is part of the registration fee.

There will certainly be demonstrations of Khachipudi dancing and the famous classical temple dance 'Bharata Natyam'.

Do we have to stay on the campus? Can we leave it and walk around?

At Chitrakoot buses will take you to local sight-seeing trips (Ramghat and to see the Hanuman Dhara for example) and taxis are available very cheaply on request.

If you walk out of the campus you will not be bothered in any way, except possibly by genuine well-wishers. Apart from mendicant 'sadhus' (who have made a vow of holy austerity) begging is a phenomenon confined to cities crowded with tourists.

While walking around do not feed, touch or go near any monkeys or stray dogs.

Will it be hot and humid?
Not at all. We have chosen the best month for your conference. February is pleasantly warm, rather than hot, and humidity is low, rather like a pleasant european summer's day.

What should we wear? You should pack a woolly jumper or a light jacket for possible evening wear but you will find 'shirt-sleeve-order' will suit you well during the day. Gentlemen can dress informally, slacks and shirt for example, and Ladies will find summer clothing just the thing.

Food and drink
Because of its special nature as a holy place Chitrakoot is vegetarian and non-alcoholic. It is also just a few kilometres from the border of Uttar Pradesh, where 'non-veg' restaurants may be found, so visitors who prefer to conform to their own diet will no doubt find a solution and we will do our best to help.

If you have a special diet, just let us know about it in advance and we can cater for it.

I can't cope with spicy foods - is there an alternative?

Yes of course. We'll make sure there is a dish that is not spicy or highly flavoured for all main meals.

Meals are included in the registration fee.

Why Chitrakoot? Why not Delhi which is easier to get to?

Delhi traffic jams are just like traffic jams anywhere, and 'belly' isn't the only word that rhymes with 'Delhi'. Chitrakoot University has all the facilities a visitor might need and it's also right in the middle of the REAL India. It is surrounded by verdant forests and is totally free of pollution.

Will we get a chance to see some of the more famous sights of India?
Yes indeed. Conference finishes at 12 noon on day three and you will be in touch with our official Travel/Tour agents who can offer you the usual tours, and places such as Varanasi and Agra are not too far away. For more information click on the button on the right.

Will there be access to the Internet?
The University Computer Centre will be open to you, and if you have a wifi-enabled laptop the entire campus is served by 5 'hot-spots'.

Is there a telephone contact point?
An office mobile number will be available. In the meantime Tom Holloway (your webwallah and Secretary-General of WorldU3A) will do his best. +91 939 121 4028 India)

home

Last update was 12th March 2009
The webmongers are Tom Holloway and Vennela

	Advice for delegates from abroad and answers to some frequently asked questions India is rightly famous for its cultural diversity. English is the major language of trade and politics, but there are 16 official languages in all and there are 24 languages that are spoken by a million people or more, and countless other dialects. India has seven major religions and many minor ones, six main ethnic groups, and countless festivals. So we are quite used to cultural differences and you can be sure that everything will be done to make our foreign delegates as comfortable as possible. You have only to ask! At the same time there are one or two things that visitors should be aware of, so please read on......
	Frequently Asked Questions
How will we get there?	Delegates will be met at Delhi International Airport by local Senior Citizen volunteers, members of U3A Delhi Seniors, who will be your guides while you are in Delhi and make sure you are never lost. If you email your details they will also book your train ticket for you and put you on the train. Please click on the button on the right for for further details, or click here to send an email to U3A Delhi Seniors.
*Can we also bring relatives/friends to do some touring while in Delhi?*	Yes - an excellent idea. They can take advantage of the Group Travel from Delhi to Chitrakoot and you can rejoin them in Delhi after the conference. We hope U3A members will want to attend the conference, but there's no age limit for other visitors, and it's an ideal place to start some excellent tours of this amazing country.
Where will we stay?	Their are three modern hotels in Chitrakoot. You will be given a room or rooms in one of those according to your needs. Please see the registration page and download the form. *Cost of the hotel, plus meals, is part of the registration fee.*
What sort of entertainment is available?	This will be arranged locally and it will be free -- once again it is part of the registration fee. There will certainly be demonstrations of Khachipudi dancing and the famous classical temple dance 'Bharata Natyam'.
Do we have to stay on the campus? Can we leave it and walk around?	At Chitrakoot buses will take you to local sight-seeing trips (Ramghat and to see the Hanuman Dhara for example) and taxis are available very cheaply on request. If you walk out of the campus you will not be bothered in any way, except possibly by genuine well-wishers. Apart from mendicant 'sadhus' (who have made a vow of holy austerity) begging is a phenomenon confined to cities crowded with tourists. While walking around do not feed, touch or go near any monkeys or stray dogs.
*Will it be hot and humid?*	Not at all. We have chosen the best month for your conference. February is pleasantly warm, rather than hot, and humidity is low, rather like a pleasant european summer's day.
*What should we wear?*	You should pack a woolly jumper or a light jacket for possible evening wear but you will find 'shirt-sleeve-order' will suit you well during the day. Gentlemen can dress informally, slacks and shirt for example, and Ladies will find summer clothing just the thing.
*Food and drink*	Because of its special nature as a holy place Chitrakoot is vegetarian and non-alcoholic. It is also just a few kilometres from the border of Uttar Pradesh, where 'non-veg' restaurants may be found, so visitors who prefer to conform to their own diet will no doubt find a solution and we will do our best to help. If you have a special diet, just let us know about it in advance and we can cater for it.
*I can't cope with spicy foods - is there an alternative?*	Yes of course. We'll make sure there is a dish that is not spicy or highly flavoured for all main meals. Meals are included in the registration fee.
Why Chitrakoot? Why not Delhi which is easier to get to?	Delhi traffic jams are just like traffic jams anywhere, and 'belly' isn't the only word that rhymes with 'Delhi'. Chitrakoot University has all the facilities a visitor might need and it's also right in the middle of the REAL India. It is surrounded by verdant forests and is totally free of pollution.
*Will we get a chance to see some of the more famous sights of India?*	Yes indeed. Conference finishes at 12 noon on day three and you will be in touch with our official Travel/Tour agents who can offer you the usual tours, and places such as Varanasi and Agra are not too far away. For more information click on the button on the right.
*Will there be access to the Internet?*	The University Computer Centre will be open to you, and if you have a wifi-enabled laptop the entire campus is served by 5 'hot-spots'.
*Is there a telephone contact point?*	An office mobile number will be available. In the meantime Tom Holloway (your webwallah and Secretary-General of WorldU3A) will do his best. +91 939 121 4028 India)

	home