India

The Republic of India is a country of South Asia and the second most populated country after China.

As for the geography of the country, the Himalayas form the mountainous landscape of northern India, the Thar desert borders southeastern Pakistan; India also has three archipelagos. Many areas are protected because this country is home to a high level of biodiversity.

India is an emerging economy, aspiring to become a dominant country in the global power structure in the near future. It is a country whose GDP has grown by 9% per year in recent years.

India is the world’s fourth largest agricultural power. Agriculture accounts for approximately 17% of GDP and employs more than 50% of the working population. The main agricultural products are wheat, millet, rice, maize, sugar cane, tea, potato and cotton. India is also the second largest producer of cattle, third largest producer of sheep and fourth largest producer of fish.

Cost of living in India (some examples) :

Basic products Price in Euros / Indian rupee
1L of water (bottle) 0,18 € / 13,48 INR
1 meal (2 dishes) 2 € / 149 INR
1 bus ticket 0,2 € / 15 INR

For more examples : http://www.partir.com/Inde/cout-de-la-vie.html

There are 23 official languages in India but there are in fact more than 1600 dialects ! The 6 main languages are Hindi, Bengali, Urdu, Tegulu, Tamil and Marathi. India is also the country with the highest number of Anglophones after the United States.

Indian culture is full of several influences: the architecture of Islam and the Taj Mahal are examples. The Indian film industry releases about 1200 films each year and is therefore the most prolific in the world. This influential culture is the legacy of a multicultural past.

Indeed, India is home to some of the oldest civilizations and has four major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. However, the 1950 constitution affirms the secular character of this “sovereign and democratic republic”.

Vaccines and specific advice:

Find out about the vaccines you should make before going to this country and about the preventive and/or treatment measures for local diseases.

Checklist :

  • Vaccine updates, specific vaccines: 1-3 months before departure
  • Visit your doctor for any health problem, prescription renewal, contraception, etc. In addition, you will need to send your coordinator a certificate from your doctor certifying that you are well suited to take part in an international volunteering project.
  • Dentist: a dental check-up can be useful before going!

We advise you to visit the website of your country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry to consult the advice for every country.

Advice for American travellers here

Advice for Canadian travellers here

Advice for English travellers here

India travel advice

(dernière mise à jour faite le 2018-11-19T09:24:00+00:00)

Latest update: Summary – addition of information; grenade attack close to Amritsar, situation is currently normal

For more info, read full article India travel advice

FSL is a youth and development organization focused on intercultural learning through volunteering. Since 2000, FSL organizes different kinds of programs in which volunteers work on improving social, health, education, environment conditions of a community. The organization has different areas of focus : environmental protection, health care, urban/rural development, education, women and children development, culture… It also sets up local projects like sea turtle conservation, environmental education, ecotourism, tent schools for migrants populations…

Smile NGO

One of our local partners, Smile, is an Indian non-profit association active in the field of international volunteering. Smile is also a member of CCIVS (Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service), which is a branch of UNESCO. The main goal of our local partner is to « bring a smile to all children », which is why they called themselves « Smile ». The types of projects vary from construction, English learning, health, food preparation and distribution…

-Sam T

Our brand new Indian partner is used to international volunteering ; it was created in 2007 and has been hosting dozens of volunteers every year since its creation. Sam T tries to welcome permanently 15 to 20 volunteers in order to revitalize and fluidize its activities : intercultural encounters and international diversity are an integral part of the project. The NGO, based in Jodhpur, promotes the empowerment of women in Rajasthan, by focusing on self-esteem for everyone. It also undertake actions with underprivileged children.

-Ruchi

Ruchi is a non-political and non-profit NGO dedicated to the development of rural areas in India. It was established in 1980 in an isolated village in Chopal, Shimla district, Himashal Pradesh. The organization is currently working in about 100 villages located in the steep and mountainous terrain of the Solan and Sirmour districts.

The main areas of action of Ruchi are : natural resource management, environment, technology promotion, health care, education and micro-credit. The NGO transmits functional knowledge to populations through education, generation awareness and empowerment. Its deep conviction is that participation and collective action are the key to sustainable and balanced community development.

PROCEDURE TO OBTAIN A VISA

As of 03/10/2011, anyone applying for a visa to India must pre-register on the Indian government website (estimated entry time: 30 to 60 minutes). Whatever your nationality, with the exception of Nepal and Bhutan, you need an entry visa to India.

ATTENTION: To participate in a “Permanent” project organized by FSL, an “E” (Employee) work visa is required. You will not be able to obtain it without going through the SVI and without having the documents we need to send you (by email and post). The E-Visa costs about 160€ but is not limited in time.

The procedures for obtaining a long-term visa for a volunteer are often quite complex and require the sending of a letter of invitation. Call us before you go to the embassy.

The visa is issued on presentation of a plane ticket.

ATTENTION : do not submit your application more than 6 months before your return date from India. Your visa will not be valid and it will be under your full responsibility.

Naturally, we invite you to visit the website of the embassy before departure in order to be informed about potential changes.

  • Embassy of India in the UK

India House Aldwych
Covent Garden
WC2B 4NA
London
United Kingdom

Phone+44-207-836-8484

Fax+44-207-836-4331

Email [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Website URL www.hcilondon.in

  • Embassy of India in the USA

2107, Massachusetts Avenue, NW
20008
Washington
United States

Phone+1-202-9397000

Fax+1-202-2654351

Email [email protected]
[email protected]

Website URL www.indianembassy.org

  • Embassy of India in Canada

10 Springfield Road
Ottawa
Canada

Phone+1-613-744-3751
+1-613-744-3753

Fax+1-613-744-0913

Email [email protected]

Website URL www.hciottawa.ca

List of projects available in India