Path: bloom-beacon.mit.edu!hookup!swrinde!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!ames!koriel!newsworthy.West.Sun.COM!male.EBay.Sun.COM!engnews1.Eng.Sun.COM!engnews2.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 Followup-To: poster Date: 20 Apr 1994 11:00:33 GMT Organization: Sun Microsystems Inc., Mountain View, CA Lines: 1894 Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu (Jonathan I. Kamens) Distribution: world Expires: 3 Jun 1994 11:00:03 GMT Message-ID: Reply-To: vikas@deolali.Eng.Sun.COM (Vikas Deolaliker) NNTP-Posting-Host: deolali.eng.sun.com Originator: vikas@deolali Xref: bloom-beacon.mit.edu soc.culture.indian:77517 news.answers:18321 soc.answers:1090 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 If you find some information outdated/erroneous please let me know.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 1.46 18 Apr 1994" 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 (18.70.0.209) in /pub/usenet/news.answers/india-faq OR sending email to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with the body of the message as send usenet/soc.culture.indian/[s.c.i]_F_A_Q OR send usenet/news.answers/india-faq quit ****************************************************************** ***************************************************************** Contents: 1) Information on Passport Renewals 2) Addresses of Indian Consulates in US & Indian Visa 3) Information on Remitting Money to India 4) US Telephones 5) Indian Books and Magazines 6) Indian Newspapers Subcriptions 7) Indian e-mail Addresses 8) Shortwave Radio Frequencies 9) Visitors Visa to US 10) Visitors Medical Insurance. 11) Custom Regulations in India 12) Tourist Information / Travel Agents Survey 13) Digital Video Conversion - NTSC, PAL or SECAM 14) Sending Flowers to India 15) Printing Indian Language Texts using TeX and/or PostScript 16) Addresses of U.S Consulates in India 17) US Visa Cutoff Date 18) Other Newsgroups/Mailing Lists on India 19) Indian Baby Names 20) How to Anonymous ftp 21) Indian Songs ftp Archive ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 1) Information on Passport Renewal 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. The revised fee schedules, advertised by the Consulate is shown below You also need to affix proper return postage on a self-addressed envelope for registered mail. PROCEDURES FOR RENEWING INDIAN PASSPORTS 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. 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) CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA NOTICE Consequent upon amendment of the Passport Act, 1967 by the Parliament, the Government of India has revised fee schedule for various Passport Services with effect from July 10, 1993, as per details below: SERVICE FEE(USD) New Passport 24 Renewal of Passport 16 Additional Passport Booklet 24 Duplicate Passport 200 (In lieu of lost/stolen or damaged/destroyed passport) Renewal of Duplicate Passport 16 Emergency Travel Certificate 6 (Valid only for return to India) Special Travel Document Issue of Certificate of Identity 8 Renewal of C.I. 4 Endorsement on C.I. 8 Miscellaneous Service on Passport 8 (Change of name/address, Inclusion/Deletion of child's name, Emigration Clearance, Police Clearance Certificate, Additional Pages, Issue of Birth/Life/Death/Marriage Certificate, etc.) Attestation (per document) 10 The above fee schedule is inclusive of postal charges for despatch of Passports by Certified Mail. However, if a person desires delivery by overnight mail, an additional amount of $14 has to be paid by Certified Check/Money Order to the Consulate General of India, "City" . San Francisco Consulate Status of Passport Inquiry (415) 668-0657 Renewal of Passport Inquiry (415) 668-0672 Visa: (415)291-1402 Passport: (415)291-1403 General: (415)668-0672 Status: (415)668-0657, 0658, 0659, 0692 Consul Commerce: (415)668-0727 Library: (415)668-0701, 0682 Holiday/Weekends (415)668-0844 Chicago Consulate Call the fax number and they will fax you back the forms. (900) 329-4634 (fax-india) Call this number if you are not calling from a fax machine (900) 484-6342 (48-india) ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- 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) US Telephones 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 ). If anybody has the latest info (brief) on the plans for India Calling, I would appreciate it if you could send it to me. ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- 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 Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy 110-120 Kaliandas Udyog Bhavan Prabhadevi, Bombay 25 Phone: 91+22+430-0531, 422-7656 Fax: 91+22+437-0558 Email: info@cmie.ernet.in MAIL ORDER BOOKS Books from India (UK) Ltd. 45 Museum Street, London, WC1A 1LR U.K Phone: 44[0]71-4053784 Fax: 44[0]71-8314517 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 Indian computer magazine "Computers Today" can be subcribed from Living Media India Ltd. 404 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 212-481-0040 212-779-8206 (FAX) Subscription:Approx. $55/annual payable to Living Media India Ltd. ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- 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 $16, 12 months $29, 24 months $54 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 News India Times (212) 481-3110 "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.ncst.ernet.in help For a list of all the nodes in India, type % whois -h sangam.ncst.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.ncst.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.ncst.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.ncst.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.ncst.ernet.in The internet address of shakti.ncst.ernet.in is 144.16.1.1 ******************************************************** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =============== ADDRESSING INDIAN SITES FROM OUTSIDE INDIA =============== | | | If you are at a site that can | USER@SITE.ernet.in | | handle domains | *(almost all of them)* | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 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 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 "!". | ========================================================================== | This list is valid as of November, 1993. | | Some non-ERnet addresses are also included in this list. | ========================================================================== Each site is required to have a postmaster who can answer general inquiries about users and hosts at that site (try root, if mail bounces). 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 xyz at the IIM, Ahmedabad, you should send email to "xyz@iimahd.ernet.in". LEGEND * Site(s) having a sub-domain (The list of known domains is given) ? Connectivity to this site is being verified or exact address is in doubt SITE ORGANISATION/INSTITUTION/DEPARTMENT ==== =================================== AHMEDABAD @iimahd.ernet.in Indian Institute of Management (IIM) @ipr.ernet.in Institute for Plasma Research, IPR @ldce.ernet.in LD College of Engineering, LDCE @nictas.ernet.in NICTAS @plasma.ernet.in Institute for Plasma Research, IPR (old ?) @prl.ernet.in Physical Research Laboratory, PRL @sac.ernet.in Space Application Center, SAC (ISRO) ALIGARH @amu.ernet.in Aligarh Muslim University ALLAHABAD @mnrec.ernet.in Motilal Nehru Regional Engineering College, MONRECO @mri.ernet.in JK Mehta Research Institue ANAND @irm.ernet.in Institute of Rural Management @patel.ernet.in Patel University AURANGABAD @cedt.ernet.in CEDT BANGALORE @asic.ernet.in ASIC Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore (valid ??? see sasi) @cdacb.ernet.in Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, C-DAC @cdotb.ernet.in Centre for the Development of Telematics, C-DOT (Miller Road) @cmcbang.ernet.in CMC Ltd. (Kasturba Road) @cmmacs.ernet.in Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Computer Simulation (CSIR) @cmti.ernet.in Central Machine Tools Institute, CMTI @crlbel.ernet.in Central Research Laboratory, BEL @csirb.ernet.in Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) @elxsi.ernet.in Tata Elxsi (India) Ltd. @etdcb.ernet.in Electronics Test & Development Center, ETDC, Peenya @iiap.ernet.in Indian Institute of Astrophysics, IIAP @iimb.ernet.in Indian Institute of Management (IIM) @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 @kashi.ernet.in Prof. Rajaraman, IISc KBCS Project @vigyan.ernet.in ERNET group at IISc, Bangalore @isac.ernet.in ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore (ISRO) @isibang.ernet.in Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) @isro.ernet.in Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) @itibang.ernet.in Indian Telephone Industries (ITI), Bangalore @lrde.ernet.in Electronics & Radar Development Establishment, LRDE (DRDO) @nalsic.ernet.in NAL Scientific Information Center (CSIR) @ncb.ernet.in National Centre for Software Technology, NCST Bangalore Office @nttf.ernet.in Nettur Technical Training Foundation, NTTF @psi.ernet.in PSI Data Products, Bangalore @rri.ernet.in Raman Research Institute, RRI @sasi.ernet.in SASI Ltd., Indiranagar and ASIC Technologies Pvt. Ltd. @sirnetb.ernet.in CSIR, Bangalore and INSDOC, Bangalore (CSIR) @ssdc.ernet.in Space Sciences Development Center, SSDC (ISRO) @stpbang.ernet.in Software Technology Park, STP, Bangalore @stpb.soft.net Software Technology Park, STP, Bangalore @swabiman.ernet.in Aeronautical Development Agency, ADA (DRDO) @tifrbng.ernet.in TIFR Centre, IISc Campus, Bangalore @wipsys.soft.net Wipro Systems Ltd., Bangalore @yantra.ernet.in Centre for AI and Robotics, CAIR (DRDO) BARODA @bcmsu.ernet.in Bioinformatics Center at MSU, Baroda BHUBNESHWAR @iopb.ernet.in Institute of Physics, IoP @ocac.ernet.in Orissa Centre for Advanced Computing @utkal.ernet.in Utkal University BOMBAY @agni.ernet.in Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, IGIDR @axcess.net.in Business India Information Technology Ltd. @bajaj.ernet.in Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management @barct1.ernet.in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, (BARC) Trombay* @magnum.barct1.ernet.in @bombay.ernet.in Physics Department, University of Bombay ? @cmcb.ernet.in CMC Limited, Bombay @cmcd.ernet.in CMC Limited, Bombay (World Trade Center) @cmie.ernet.in Center for Monitoring Indian Economy, CMIE, Worli @ertl.ernet.in Electronic Regional Testing Laboratory, ERTL @frontie.ernet.in Frontier Software @giced.ernet.in Garware Institute, University of Bombay @hindbom.ernet.in Hinditron-Tektronix India Ltd. @iigm.ernet.in Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, IIGM, Colaba @iitb.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology, IIT, 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+) @powai.ernet.in Prof. SSSP Rao, CS&E, IIT, Bombay (?) @intec.ernet.in Intec Ltd. @iopb2.ernet.in Institute of Physics, IoP, Trombay (?) @mcte.ernet.in MCTE, Mhow (??) @ncml.ernet.in Naval Chemical and Metallurgical Lab (DRDO) @ncst.ernet.in National Centre for Software Technology (NCST)* @shakti.ncst.ernet.in NCST, Main Office, Juhu (HP 9000/827s) @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, NITIE @sameer.ernet.in Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research @sirnet.ernet.in CSIR, Bombay @spirit.ernet.in Spiritech International, Madras (thru Bombay ?) @tcs.ernet.in Tata Consultancy Services, TCS @tifr.res.in Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (CYBER NOS), TIFR @tifrvax.res.in Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (Vax VMS)#, TIFR @xtech.ernet.in St. Xavier's Technical Institute @vjti.ernet.in VJ Technical Institute, VJTI CALCUTTA/BURDWAN/SILIGURI @bose.ernet.in SN Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences @boseinst.ernet.in Bose Institute of Radio Physics, Calcutta @burdwan.ernet.in University of Burdwan, Burdwan @ertle.ernet.in ERTL East, Calcutta @iacs.ernet.in Indian Society for Cultivation of Science @iimc.ernet.in Indian Institute of Management (IIM) @isical.ernet.in Indian Statistical Institute, ISI @iuccal.ernet.in Inter University Centre, Calcutta @jadav.ernet.in Jadavpur University, Calcutta @kbcscal.ernet.in Indian Statistical Institute, ISI (KBCS Group) @nbu.ernet.in North Bengal University, Siliguri @nicac.ernet.in National Information Centre on Advanced Ceramics @saha.ernet.in Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics @vbharat.ernet.in Visva Bharti University, Shanti Niketan @vecc.ernet.in Variable Energy Cyclotron, Calcutta (or @veccal.ernet.in ?) -------- bose : Rina Das root@bose.ernet.in boseinst : Subhasish Mukherjee root@boseinst.ernet.in ertle : Mr. Surojit Ukil root@ertle.ernet.in iacs : Prof. Subrata Ray ray@iacs.ernet.in isical : Partha Pramanik root@isical.ernet.in jadav : (unknown) root@jadav.ernet.in kbcscal : Dipti Mukherjee root@kbcscal.ernet.in saha : Prof. Gautam Bhattacharjee root@saha.ernet.in veccal : Asis Bandyopadhyay root@veccal.ernet.in (?) broadcast to all Calcutta nodes : postcoo@veccal.ernet.in -------- CALICUT @cedtcal.ernet.in CEDT, Regional Engineering College CHANDIGARH @csio.ernet.in Central Scientific Instruments Organization, CSIO (CSIR) @imtech.ernet.in Institute of Microbial Technology @pu-chd.ernet.in Panjab University @rcc-chd.ernet.in Regional Computer Center, RCC COCHIN @cochin.ernet.in Cochin University @cusat.ernet.in Cochin University, Vice Chancellor COIMBATORE @psgtech.ernet.in PSG College Of Technology DEHRADUN @soidmc.ernet.in Survey of India, SOI, Dehradun @deal.ernet.in Defence Lab, DEAL, Dehradun (DRDO) DELHI/NEW DELHI @aiims.ernet.in Biotech Department, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, AIIMS @aima.ernet.in All India Management Assosiation, AIMA @altos.ernet.in Altos Computers Pvt. Ltd. @catech.ernet.in Chief Advisor Tech. , Ministry Of Defence @cdotd.ernet.in Centre for Development of Telematics, C-DOT (Akbar Bhawan) %cdotp@cdotd.ernet.in C-DOT (Pusa Road) via Akbar Bhawan office @cmcdel.ernet.in CMC, Delhi @cmetd.ernet.in Centre for Materials Technology, C-MET @cris.ernet.in Centre for Railway Information Systems, CRIS @csird.ernet.in Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) @dacsa.ernet.in Defence Advisory Committee @dbt.ernet.in Deptt. of Biotechnology, DBT, New Delhi @desidoc.ernet.in DESIDOC (DRDO) @difr.ernet.in Defence Institute of Fire Research, DIFR (DRDO) @dit.ernet.in Delhi Institute of Technology, DIT @doe.ernet.in Department of Electronics, DoE, Government of India* ===> rajgopal@doe.ernet.in India's Prime Minister (thru Secretary, PMO) @ern.doe.ernet.in ERNET Group @gautam.doe.ernet.in @lotus.doe.ernet.in @vikram.doe.ernet.in @bharat.ernet.in UUCP Node at Dr. S. Ramakrishnan's Residence @doehq.ernet.in DoE Headquarters, Lok Nayak Bhavan @nmc.ernet.in National Microelectronics Council, DoE, New Delhi @seco.ernet.in SECO & CG Division, Department of Electronics @vikram.ernet.in Department of Electronics (DoE), Government of India @dsas.ernet.in Defence Science Advisory Secretariat @icela.ernet.in Indian Council of Environ-legal Action @ieg.ernet.in Institute of Economic Growth, IEG @ignca.ernet.in Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, IGNCA @iitd.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology*, IIT @henna.iitd.ernet.in ERNET Group (Sun Sparc-1+) @juhi.iitd.ernet.in @netearth.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology, IIT - CS Dept. II @insa.ernet.in Indian National Science Academy, INSA @insdoc.ernet.in Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (CSIR) @isid.ernet.in Indian Statistical Institute, ISI, Delhi @isidev.ernet.in Institute for Studies in Industrial Development @issa.ernet.in Institute for System Studies and Analysis, ISSA (DRDO) @jnuniv.ernet.in Jawaharlal Nehru University, JNU @mandev.ernet.in Management Development Institute, Gurgaon @niae.ernet.in National Institute of Adult Education @nicunix.ernet.in National Informatics Centre, NIC @nifm.ernet.in National Institute for Financial Management, NIFM @nii.ernet.in National Institute of Imuunology, NII @nissatd.ernet.in NISSAT Project, DST @nsc.ernet.in Nuclear Science Centre @piyush.ernet.in Controller General of Accounts (Residence) ? @pranjan.ernet.in Controller General of Accounts @riverun.ernet.in Compsoft Services (P) Ltd. @sermon.ernet.in SERMON Project, NIC @sirnetd.ernet.in CSIR, Delhi @snt.ernet.in Inter Software and Technologies (I) Pvt. Ltd., NEPZ, Noida @sspld.ernet.in Solid State Physics Lab, SSPL (DRDO) @tichq.ernet.in Tech. Information Coordination Headquarters @tifac.ernet.in Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council, TIFAC @ucms.ernet.in University College Of Medical Sciences, UCMS @udsc.ernet.in University of Delhi, South Campus @unv.ernet.in United Nations Volunteers @wapcos.ernet.in Water and Power Consultancy Ltd. @who.ernet.in World Health Organisation, WHO, New Delhi GOA @bcgoa.ernet.in Bioinformatics Center, Goa @nio.ernet.in National Institute of Oceanography, NIO (CSIR) GUWAHATI @gohati.ernet.in Guwahati University HYDERABAD/SECUNDERABAD @anra.ernet.in Advanced Numerical Research and Analysis Group, ANRA or ANURAG (DRDO) @cmch.ernet.in CMC Limited @cmeth.ernet.in Center for Matrials Technology, C-MET @derl.ernet.in Defence Electronics Research Lab (DRDO) @dmrl.ernet.in Defence Metallurgical Research Lab (DRDO) @drdl.ernet.in Defence Research and Development Lab (DRDO) @etdc.ernet.in ETDC, Hyderabad @ecil.ernet.in ECIL, Hyderabad @mceme.ernet.in Military College, Secunderabad @nrsa.ernet.in National Remote Sensing Agency, NRSA, Hyderabad @ou.ernet.in Osmania University, Hyderabad @rci.ernet.in Research Centre, Kanchanbagh, IMARAT @uohyd.ernet.in University of Hyderabad @uunet.in UUNET India Pvt. Ltd., Jubilee Hills -- commercial UUCP gateway (hubs at Hyderabad, Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Madras, Calcutta) (Contact ndr@uunet.uu.net or ndr@uunet.in or icr@uunet.in) INDORE @cat.ernet.in Center for Advanced Technology, CAT (DAE) @gsits.ernet.in GSITS, Indore @sob.ernet.in School of Biotechnology @spirit.ernet.in Spirit Tech. International (?) JODHPUR @dlj.ernet.in Defence Lab, Jodhpur (DRDO) KANPUR @hbti.ernet.in Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, HBTI, Kanpur @iitk.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology, IIT @kalyan.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology (old ?) KHARAGPUR @iitkgp.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology, IIT MADRAS @andhrau.ernet.in G. Madhusudhana Rao, Andhra University (thru Madras) @bethel.ernet.in Bethel Agricultural Fellowship, Salem, Tamilnadu @cmcmas.ernet.in CMC Ltd., Madras @etdcms.ernet.in ETDC, Madras @igcar.ernet.in Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam (DAE) @imsc.ernet.in The Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Taramani @iobm.ernet.in IOB, Madras @iitm.ernet.in Indian Institute of Technology, IIT, Madras* @spark.iitm.ernet.in ERNET Group (Sun Sparc-IPC) @madphy.ernet.in Nuclear Physics Department, Madras University @mss.ernet.in M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation @nicrys.ernet.in National Information for Crystallography, Univ. of Madras @nilgiri.ernet.in Nilgiri Tahr Project @pu.ernet.in Pondichery University @rect.ernet.in Regional Engineering College, REC, Trichy @relab.ernet.in Reliability Lab, DOE, Madras @scem.ernet.in Sameer Centre for Electromagnetics, Madras @shar.ernet.in Shar Centre (ISRO) @sirnetm.ernet.in CSIR, Madras @ssf.ernet.in SPIC Science Foundation, School of Mathematics, SSF @ssftwo.ernet.in SSF 2nd account @telcom.ernet.in R. Sridharan, DGM, DOT (1993) @tnau.ernet.in Tamilnadu Agricultural University @tntelcom.ernet.in Tamilnadu Telecom @unimad.ernet.in University of Madras MADURAI @mku.ernet.in Bio-Informatics Centre, Madurai Kamraj University @bic-mku.ernet.in Bio-Informatics Centre, Madurai Kamraj University MANGLORE @mnglr.ernet.in Manglore University MANIPAL @kmc.ernet.in Kasturba Medical College and Hospital MHOW @mcte.ernet.in Military College of Telecommunication Engineering MYSORE @nicfos.ernet.in Central Food Technology Research Center, CFTRI (CSIR) @sjce.ernet.in SJ College of Engineering NAGPUR @bcneeri.ernet.in Bioinformatics Center at NEERI @neeri.ernet.in National Environment Engineering Research Institute, NEERI (CSIR) OOTY @racooty.ernet.in Radio Astronomy Centre, Ooty PILANI @bits.ernet.in Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) ?? %ceeri@sirnetd.ernet.in CEERI (CSIR) PUNE @aid.ernet.in National Aids Research Institute @arde.ernet.in Armament Research and Development Establishment, ARDE (DRDO) @cdac.ernet.in C-DAC, Pune @coep.ernet.in College of Engineering, Pune @cwprs.ernet.in Central Water and Power Research Station @deccan.ernet.in Deccan College (Prof. Bhaskar Rao) @erdcp.ernet.in Electronics Research and Develepment Corporation, ERDC, Pune @gcesh.ernet.in Government Engineering College, Pune @gmrt.ernet.in Giant Metre-Wave Radio Telescope Project (TIFR) @iat.ernet.in Institute of Armament Technology, IAT (DRDO) @iucaa.ernet.in Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics @jayakar.ernet.in Jayakar Library, Pune @mimh.ernet.in Maharashtra Institute of Mental Health @ncl.ernet.in National Chemical Laboratory, NCL (CSIR) @nibm.ernet.in NIBM @parcom.ernet.in C-DAC (old ?) @pict.ernet.in PICT, Pune @pucsd.ernet.in Pune University, Computer Science Department @pune.ernet.in Department of Electronic Sciences (Prof. David), University of Pune @rde.ernet.in Research and Development Engineers @rshu.ernet.in UUCP Accounts for S.K. Pande @stppune.ernet.in Software Technology Park, STP, Pune @terc.ernet.in TELCO Research Center @trddc.ernet.in Tata Research, Design & Development Centre @unipune.ernet.in University of Poona, CS Department (old ?) RAIPUR: @rshu.ernet.in Ravishankar University, Raipur SURATKAL @krec.ernet.in Karnataka Regional Engineering College TRIVANDRUM @cdit.ernet.in Center for Development of Imaging Technology, Trivandrum @erdc.ernet.in ERDC, Trivandrum ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- 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 11620,9950,7412 1600:2300(UTC)(English and Hindi) (N. Europe) ======================================================================= 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/text/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 should 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 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 ******************************************************************* ******************************************************************* ------- Subject: 11) CUSTOM REGULATIONS NEW BAGGAGE RULES NEW DELHI - The govt has further liberalised the baggage rules for persons returning to India from abroad as also for foreign tourists visiting the country. It has now been decided to include fax machines in the items whose imports by persons transferring their residence to India for a minimum period of one year are allowed at a concessional rate of customs duty of 25% ad valorem (Notification number 8/93-Customs dated Feb 17, 1993 and notifications No. 17/93-Customs(NT) dated Feb 17, 1993). Under the existing provision, persons transferring their residence to India for a minimum period of one year are entitled to import 13 items of consumer durables at the concessional customs duty rate. Similarly, a person who has engaged in his professions abroad for over three months is allowed to import free of duty, such portable equipment, instruments, apparatus and appliances as are ordinarily required in his profession, upto a value limit of Rs 7,500. This concession is intended for import of tools of trade of carpenters, plumbers, masons and welders. While this provision will continue, it has been decided that in case the passenger was engaged in his profession abroad for over six months, duty free concession for such items shall be extended upto a value limit of Rs 15,000 (Notification no. 15/93-Customs(NT) dated Feb 17,1993). Another significant change pertains to the tourist baggage rules, as per which a tourist is entitled to import certain articles (such as cameras, CD player, music system etc.) which are required by him during his stay in India on the condition that these would be re-exported within 6 months. This period of six months can be extended by the collector or the Central Board of Excise & Customs depending upon the period for which extension is required. It has sometimes been noticed that tourists are put to difficulties when they are leaving India after a stay of more than six months and when they have not applied for extension to the Collector or the Board. It has now been decided to delegate the power of grant of extension of the period up to six months to the assistant collector at the airport itself so that the visiting tourists (NRIs and others) are not put to any hardship (Notification 16/93-Customs(NT) dated Feb 17,1993). According to another decision, rules regarding what will qualify a minimum stay abroad enabling import of items at concessional duty rates have been made easier. A person who has been working abroad for more than a year and returning to India on termination of his assignment is allowed to import, free of duty, his personal effects and house hold articles to an aggregate value of Rs 30,000 which have been in his or his families possession and used abroad for a minimum of six months. However 13 items of consumer durables (now being increased to 14( are liable to duty at the rate of 25%. Short visits upto 45 days to India during the aforesaid period of one year are allowed so long as the stay abroad is not less than 365 days. It has now been decided to allow this benefit irrespective of the short visits availed to India so long as the stay aborad is not les than 365 days in the two years immediately preceding the date of arrival of such person to India (Notification no. 15/93-Customs(NT) dated Feb 17, 1993). It has also been decided to increase the quantity of alcoholic liquor which can be imported duty free by a passenger to one litre from the existing quantity of 0.95 litre, keeping in view the practice of packing by international manufacturers (Notification No. 15/93- Customs (NT) dated Feb 17, 1993). 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" Books: "Insight Guides" by APA Publications Titles: India's Wester Himalayas, India, Rajasthan, Indian Wildlife, South India, CityGuides:xx Cost: $20.00 Online Guide: ::Title: Rec.travel Guide to India (1993 June, version 1.0) ::Filename: asia/india/india-guide ::Editor: Kaye Stott :: This and other travel information is available by anonymous ftp from ftp.cc.umanitoba.ca in the directory /rec-travel. For more information about the rec.travel archives, contact Brian Lucas . For comments, questions, or additions to this document, please contact the author/editor, whose address is given above. Travel Agents Survey: There is a comprehensive list of travel agents which offer discount tickets to India. To get the latest copy of this list. Send mail to sci-faq@asu.edu with a subject line containing "travel survey." The case (capitals or small) is not important. You should get the survey soon by email. This list is maintained by Prince Kohli pkohli@cc.gatech.edu and the server is maintained by Sridhar Venkataraman. Please send them mail concerning any questions you may have concerning the list or the server. ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 13) Digital Video Conversion - NTSC, PAL or SECAM 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 Jeff McDermott SAS Campus Drive Cary, NC 27513 sasjrm@unx.sas.com Charge: $5.00/hr (send blank tape) Poornima Saravanan Video Vista ("If you care about quality, come to the very best") 2 Baron Park Lane #24 Burlington, MA 01803 (617) 229-2470 (Call 11 am to 8pm any day) (617) 229-2375 (Fax) Charge: $14.95 for 2-hour tape (tape included) ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 14) Sending Flowers to India i) Mr. Motiwala, Oriental Florist (Rs. 425) Taj Mahal Hotel, Apollo Bunder, Bombay - 400 039 Bombay: (91) (22) 202 3366/287 2734 (FAX) ii)INDOGRAM ($30) (800) 834-7274 (Calif) (800) 624-8007 (Others) iii) (800) FLO-WERS ($45+) iv) For Hyderabad Only ($19.99) HEART TO HEART SERVICES C/O Mahesh Bagade 420 Rainbow Circle Kokomo, IN 46904-3629 (317) 453-3872 or send queries to bz340@po.cwru.edu v) (800) 93-INDIA ($20 - $35) vi) (412) 683-0910 ($15-$17) (Bombay Only) vii) AEROFLORA ($25) Bombay: (91) (22) 620 6423/ 620 0210 Inquiries: Sheldon Colaco (813) 632 8065 colaco@zeus.csee.usf.edu ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 15) Printing Indian Language Texts using TeX and/or PostScript 1. The first package, ITRANS, has been developed by Avinash Chopde avinash@acm.org, currently supports Devanagari, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali. 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 3.2 was released in early 1993. The package includes all C-sources, the PostScript Devanagari font, and the Metafont Tamil font. Latest version of ITRANS is version 3.2, and it is available at many FTP sites, use archie to locate the files. The files are: (for UNIX) itrans32.tar.Z and itransps.tar.Z (for MSDOS) itrans32.zip and itransps.zip If you do not have archie, use these sites for anonymous FTP transfer: For unix: cs.duke.edu in dist/sources For MS-DOS: oak.oakland.edu in pub/msdos/tex 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: 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:ADAMI91.ZIP UUENCODE /PDGET MAIL PD:UNZIP42.EXE UUENCODE or GET PDGET HELP Malayalam: MetaFont Jeroen Hellingman has developed a Malayalam font for use with the TeX typesetting system, together with pre-processing software to use those fonts in an easy way, together called Malayalam TeX. A version of this software package is available free by anonymous ftp from archive.cs.ruu.nl:/pub/TEX/FONTS/Malayalam-TeX-1.1.zip This package contains C-source and MS-DOS executable for the pre-processor TeX-macros and 300dpi PK files. Metafont sources of the font can be obtained from the author at the address below. The package will work on most systems capabable of running TeX and a C compiler. These Malayalam fonts currently are not suitable for use in Windows. Jeroen Hellingman E-mail: Urdu Fonts: Urdu can now be typeset with the arabtex package. This package is available via anonymous ftp from ftp.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de. It uses arabic-style naskh fonts, not the more cursive style(persian_style) nastaliq fonts, which are still under development. ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- 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 Important phone numbers US State Dept - Main Office (202)647-4000 US State Dept - Desk of India (202)647-2351 US State Dept - Visa Office (Public and DiplomaticLiasion) (202)663-1231 US State Dept - FAX Number (202)895-3533 FTP Site with Visas Info : Try anonymous ftp to ftp.cs.umd.edu in /pub/cyrillic/us_visas 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". I have a separate FAQ on getting H-1 Visa from Mexico or Canada written by G.Rangarajan & V.Chandrasekaran. If you are interested, drop me email and I will send you the articles or better still send email to scifaq@bartman.Eng.Sun.COM with the body of the message (not subject) send usvisa h1info ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- 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: alt.hindu Discussion about the Hindu Philosophy alt.culture.us.asian-indian Discussion about issues facing Indians in USA 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 Kannada 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. ___________________________________________________________________________ Name: India-D Purpose: 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. Dr K V Rao is the co-ordinator of the Network. 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 ___________________________________________________________________________ Name: Hindu Digest Contact: listserv@arizvm1.ccit.arizona.edu Purpose: Hindu dharma (religious philosophy and way of life) is followed by over 650 million people in the world. Prominent among its teaching are the acceptance of various religious paths, and the spirit of universal family. The Hindu Digest is a forum to discuss various Hindu doctrines as they are applicable to day to day living. We also discuss various issues that affect Hindu perspective, war and peace, human rights and participation of Hindus in political process to promote the universal ideals mentioneed above. It is also a forum for cultural news about Hindus from around the world. To subscribe, send mail to listserv@arizvm1.ccit.arizona.edu of this form: SUB HINDU-D Full Name (Full Name must be at least two words). ___________________________________________________________________________ Indian Railways mailing list "IRFCA". Forum for discussing all aspects of trains in India -- technical details, IR projects and collaborations, the railway budget, train schedules, current news, IR history, railway travelogues, etc. [Please note: This list is NOT for travel information enquiries!] Owner: A Satish Pai Send mail here if you have any general questions about the list. To subscribe: send a message to with a request. You should get confirmation within a day. (Sorry, no listserv or other list automation available.) Typical traffic levels: Varies, sporadic. 2-3 messages a week or less has been the norm in recent months. Messages range from 10 to 200 lines. Archives: Some available. Send mail to . BITNET users: Send requests to owner-irfca@yalecs. ___________________________________________________________________________ Name: Indian School Kuwait If you attended the Indian School Kuwait, please send send email to iskies@deolali.Eng.Sun.COM if you are interested in getting on the mailing list for iskies. ___________________________________________________________________________ ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 19) Indian Baby Names There are three lists of baby names around. They are boy's nameslist, girls' nameslist and tamil nameslist. Tamil nameslist is available via anonymous ftp from Server: wuarchive.wustl.edu, the file is File: names.postscript in doc/misc/tamil/TamilNames. The other two are on my machine. Send me mail and I will send it to you. You can also get it directly by sending email to scifaq@bartman.Eng.Sun.COM with the body of the message (not subject) send nameslist boys ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 20) How to anonymous ftp "anonymous FTP" is just a way for files to be stored where anyone can retrieve them over the Net. For example, to retrieve the latest version of the Moria FAQ, do the following: > ftp rtfm.mit.edu /* connect to the site; a message follows */ > anonymous /* type this when it asks for your name */ > /* type your address as the password */ > cd /pub/usenet /* go to the directory you want to be */ > cd rec.games.moria /* one level down (no slash). */ > dir /* look at what's there */ > get r.g.m_F_A_Q /* get the file; case-sensitive */ > quit /* stop this mysterious thing */ If your FTP program complains that it doesn't know where the site you want to use is, type the numerical address instead of the sitename: > ftp 18.70.0.209 /* connect with numerical address */ If you don't have ftp access, send e-mail to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with the single word "help" in the body of the message. Getting binary files (executables, or any compressed files) is only slightly more difficult. You need to set binary mode inside FTP before you transfer the file. > binary /* set binary transfer mode */ > ascii /* set back to text transfer mode */ FAQs and spoiler lists are generally ascii files; everything else is generally binary files. Some common extensions on binary files in archive sites are: .Z Compressed; extract with uncompress .tar.Z Compressed 'tape archive'; uncompress then untar or tar -xvf .gz or .z Gnu gzip; use gunzip (available from prep.gnu.ai.mit.edu) .hqx (Mac) BinHex format .sit (Mac) StufIt archive .zip (PC) Extract with Zip or Unzip .zoo (PC) Yet another archive/compress program .lhe (Amiga) ? .exe (PC) Self-extracting archives - just execute them. .uue or .UUE Transfer as text file; use uudecode to convert to binary Generic help can be found in the FAQs of comp.binaries. for how to transfer, extract, and virus-check binary files. (At rtfm.mit.edu) If you can't FTP from your site, use one of the following ftp-by-mail servers: ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com ftpmail@src.doc.ic.ac.uk ftpmail@cs.uow.edu.au ftpmail@grasp.insa-lyon.fr For complete instructions, send a message reading "help" to the server. If you don't know exactly what you're looking for, or exactly where it is, there are programs and servers that can help you. For more info, send e-mail to mail-server@rtfm.mit.with with the body of the message reading send usenet/news.answers/finding-sources ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------- Subject: 21) Indian Songs ftp Archive This ftp site is made available by Juhana Kouhia, the songs were packaged by Avinash Chopde(avinash@acm.org). If you have any questions concerning this site, please direct your questions to them. (Version 1.3) The ITRANS song book now contains 478 songs (added 159 songs since the previous release). Anonymous FTP site: ftp.funet.fi:pub/culture/music/indian/isongs/ directory There are following files: isongs.readme isongs.tar.gz (203074 bytes) -- unix format, tar and gzip compressed isongsps.tar.gz (PostScript files, some songs, large typesize) isongsall.ps.tar.gz (PostScript files, *all* songs, small typesize) And, *.zip files are available in: original-zip-files/ -- original material for msdos-users who don't know how to use unixlike tools