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Pre-departure Information pack

Goa Beach and Volunteer

2011-12

Pre-departure Information Kit Goa

(c) Copyright 2011. Indian Network for Development Exchange 2

Table of Contents

1. What is Idex? ............................................................................................................................................... 4

2. Our People ................................................................................................................................................... 4

3. Volunteering in India .................................................................................................................................... 5

a. Concept: Volunteer and Travel. ................................................................................................................ 5

b. Idex Volunteering Program Focus ............................................................................................................. 5

c. Volunteering Challenges ........................................................................................................................... 6

4. Your Program ............................................................................................................................................... 7

a. Program Title : ......................................................................................................................................... 7

b. Program style : ......................................................................................................................................... 7

c. Program Itinerary : ................................................................................................................................... 7

d. What’s included ....................................................................................................................................... 8

e. What's not included: ................................................................................................................................ 8

f. Your volunteering location and accommodation : Goa ............................................................................. 8

g. Service level at your accommodation: ...................................................................................................... 8

h. Arrival and emergency information. ......................................................................................................... 9

i. Code of Conduct .................................................................................................................................... 10

j. Disclaimers ............................................................................................................................................. 10

5. Supplementary Information ................................................................................................................... 10

a. Money ................................................................................................................................................ 10

b. Insurance: .......................................................................................................................................... 11

c. Clothing .............................................................................................................................................. 11

d. Culture Shock ..................................................................................................................................... 12

e. Free Time ........................................................................................................................................... 12

f. Health ................................................................................................................................................ 12



g. Communication & Technology ............................................................................................................ 13

h. Packing & Preparation Check List ........................................................................................................ 14

6. Volunteer Contributions ......................................................................................................................... 15

a. Direct ................................................................................................................................................. 15

b. Indirect .............................................................................................................................................. 16

c. Monetary ........................................................................................................................................... 16

d. Contribution Limitations ..................................................................................................................... 16

7. Idex Foundation (Saarthak) .................................................................................................................... 17

8. Emergency Contacts ............................................................................................................................... 18

a. Idex Contacts...................................................................................................................................... 18

b. Useful Contacts in India ...................................................................................................................... 18

INCREDIBLE INDIA .............................................................................................................................................. 19

1. Indian Culture ........................................................................................................................................ 19

1.1 Religions ......................................................................................................................................... 19

1.2 Fairs and Festivals ........................................................................................................................... 19

1.3 Languages ............................................................................................................................................ 20

1.4 Cuisine ................................................................................................................................................. 21

1.5 Clothing ................................................................................................................................................ 21



1. What is Idex?

We are a leading volunteer travel organization of India involved in developing and promoting volunteering

opportunities for international visitors with the aim to accelerate social development and cultural

understanding. We have an extensive global network to facilitate culturally immersive volunteer assignments in

the Indian development sector, we have succeeded in mobilizing resources and people from across the world

who bring with them knowledge, skills and abilities to contribute productively in the change. Founded in 2000,

Idex has come a long way in offering authentic cultural exchanges and an enriching project experience to

volunteers from all around the world. We create a safe and organized environment for people of different age

groups, diverse cultures and interests to support social work initiatives in India. By training and guiding these

international volunteers, we facilitate their contribution to the growth and development in both rural & semi-

urban India. By dovetailing tourism and social development through innovative approaches, we hope to bring

positive changes in the area of education, care and empowerment.

Volunteering is an excellent and rewarding medium to make a contribution to the society around oneself while

picking up skills and sensitivities that are so important in the professional world. However, travelling to a foreign

country can be intimidating for first-time travellers. At Idex, we strive hard to provide a safe and smooth

transition into Indian culture for our first-time volunteer tourists. With our partner organization operating in

over 20 different countries, the volunteers can have the luxury of embarking on a hassle-free journey right from

their home town. Upon their arrival in India, our support staff pick-up volunteers on the arrival and bring them

to the camp destinations where they receive a detailed orientation. All along the way, Idex staff provides

interpretation and advice on different aspects to make their stay comfortable. Under the guidance from a

project executive, volunteers get to work on a chosen activity from a range of projects available in the programs.

While this already might seem enticing, the real gratification comes when they have spent a few weeks in the

project and witnessed their role as change agents. It is indeed a life time experience and in some cases, a life-

altering one!

2. Our People

Managing several programs at the same time and ensuring each and every participant’s satisfaction is not easy

but Idex has proved over the years that professional and dedicated staff members can make it possible. With

over a hundred employees spread across the different project locations and the head office, Idex maintains high

quality assurance through its efficient staff. The operations and administration departments are run from the

head office where professionally-trained managers and executives work tirelessly to create interesting programs

and oversee program implementation under the excellent guidance of Idex directors.

In the field, the project executives who are trained social workers with wide experience of working with

foreigners and locals alike, also translate and interpret for the participants thus facilitating in-depth cultural

immersion and volunteer contribution. Each camp location is administered by a Camp Manager who is there to

help you with any kind of lodging/ boarding or scheduling issues. Camp Managers are also trained social workers



and skilled managers who oversee camp management as well as program implementation. Idex Camp Managers

are well-versed in English as well as local dialects.

Apart from the office and field staff, there is support staff like cooks, drivers and helpers who contribute

immensely to the success of any program. The support staff is usually not able to speak English very well but can

still understand basic English and assist Camp Managers in making your stay comfortable. Most of Idex staff

undergoes rigorous training and development programs from time to time to ensure the success of each and

every volunteer program.

3. Volunteering in India

a. Concept: Volunteer and Travel. Your travel program is based on the volunteer and optional travel combination concept where you are able to

volunteer in a needy community while traveling and relaxing at the same time. For almost a century, tourists

have always planned their travel around heritage monuments, beautiful cities, beaches or wildlife. These days,

the tourists are also keen to interact with the local community and participate in the life of the people thus

enriching their travel experience and making it more memorable and rewarding. Since volunteering also brings

inner satisfaction and immediate gratification, it enhances the value of your vacation. So, when you come to

India, be prepared to volunteer, explore, travel, relax and immerse yourself in the local culture.

b. Idex Volunteering Program Focus Idex range of activities open for volunteering activities cover three broad areas: Education, Care and

Empowerment.

Education: Volunteers offer much needed support to local teachers. Class sizes in India can be extremely large

and under staffed. Volunteers add to the children’s’ educational experience by instructing classes while helping

to develop students’ positive attitudes about personal hygiene and school attendance. Working in local schools

gives volunteers a chance to meet regularly with local children and their families. When schools are not in

session, volunteers utilize resources provided by Idex and the community to run independent classes in English

and Math. Volunteers also teach at special school for mentally challenged children, providing much needed

emotional support and teaching educational and vocational skills. For those volunteers with a professional

interest in education, teaching gives them a chance to hone their skills in a very different environment.

Care: Volunteers assist in local child-care centers, known as Aanganbari. The concept of “preschool” child care

is new for India, where the joint family system has long provided ample child care providers. Unlike Western

countries, where child-care facilities exist primarily to free women to work, the Aanganbari’s main purpose is to

serve pregnant women and provide a safe, healthy, and hygienic space for young children who would not be

able to receive proper care at home. Unfortunately, Aanganbaris suffer from under funding and

mismanagement. Volunteers share the work load with regular staff and help bring a level of professionalism,

dedication and the community’s attention to these important institutions.



Empowerment: As in many countries around the world, Indian women often suffer from disproportionate

educational and employment opportunities. In order to help redress this gender gap, volunteers instruct

Conversational English, computer, and vocational classes for local adolescent girls and grown up women.

Volunteers’ presence alone helps motivate women and young girls. Teaching and mentoring efforts help

improve their confidence and self-esteem, increasing their sense of independence and personal fulfillment,

while improving their educational and employment opportunities. Also, as a supplement to primary volunteer

placements, volunteers create and launch creative health awareness campaigns in communities that address the

importance of local health concerns, such as breast feeding, safe sex, proper hygiene, and Iodine Deficiency

Disorder amongst young children.

c. Volunteering Challenges

Initiative: In many cases, the institutions that Idex works with do not operate to standards of bureaucratic

efficiency typical in the West; indeed, the very lack of strong institutions is why volunteer help is needed. In

weaker institutions, placements can require negotiation, creativity, and flexibility. Volunteers and their local

support staff often need to take a lead role in making the placement as effective as possible. At other times,

volunteers have to immediately begin working and participating rather than just observing. In light of these

challenges, we ask that volunteers take an active role in the creation of their own work placement and that they

communicate difficulties or problems as soon as they arise. While we are committed to offering support

throughout the volunteer placement, our ability to do so is dependant on volunteer engagement, initiative, and

communication.

Flexibility: Working in Indian communities requires flexibility and creativity. For example, though Idex strives to

place volunteers in a single work setting for the complete duration, work roles may switch, either because of

community needs or because a change of scene is necessary. Holiday schedules may require creative staffing

decisions, as may ad-hoc activities like vaccination drives. Considering our focus on meeting local needs, we also

ask that volunteers be patient with us in the matter of finding applications for special volunteer skills. Some of

our volunteers have experience in specialized aspects of child care, teaching, health care, or other related fields.

While we try at every opportunity to make use of these skills, our projects are not geared towards placing

volunteers with specific skills, and our main placement areas are designed for a general population, requiring no

special skills other than reasonable spoken English, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn.

Climate & Topography: India has diverse climatic conditions and topography which means that the

temperature and lifestyle may vary from one region to another. While summers can be really hot in the plains,

Himalayas offer cooler temperatures around the same time because of high altitudes. Volunteers will need to

adjust to different climatic conditions if they are choosing to integrate different locations in their program.



4. Your Program

a. Program Title :

Goa Beach and Volunteer

b. Program style : A “Volunteer” style program starting with arrival in Goa, followed by a brief orientation and then

volunteering project activities. There is adequate time in the program to allow for relaxing on the

beautiful beaches of Goa and to explore the cultural heritage of Goa, a former Portugese colony.

c. Program Itinerary :

Day - 1 (Monday) – Arrive in Goa by Flight

Assisted arrival at Goa airport & transfer to Idex camp. Upon arrival settle into accommodation followed

by introduction with the camp and the staff. Overnight stay at Idex camp in Goa. (No Meals)

Day – 2 to Day - 3 (Tuesday to Wednesday) – Orientation starts

Morning after breakfast orientation to get information on the project & your role as a volunteer. Dinner

& overnight at camp. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day – 4 to Day - 13 (Thursday to Saturday) – Volunteer work with weekends free

Morning after breakfast transfer to related work area for the volunteer work. Afternoon return to camp

for lunch & relax. Later again transfer to work area for the afternoon volunteer work. Evening return to

camp & free time. Dinner & overnight at Idex Camp. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day – 14 (Sunday): Departure transfer to airport

Morning after breakfast transfer to Goa airport for your flight to go back home according to the timings

of the flight. (Breakfast)

Itinerary notes:

Note 1 : Please note that the program can be extended in weekly blocks where the volunteering segment of the program can

be continued. The schedule for the extra weeks will be the same as the program from Day 4 to Day 13 above.

Note 2: Please ask your trip advisor for airport pickup and drop off timings related policy.



d. What’s included

1. Pickup at the Goa airport on arrival. at the beginning of the program.

2. All transfers during the volunteer work

3. Orientation at the Idex Goa camp including talks on various subjects of relevance to volunteers.

4. Accommodation at the IDEX accommodation facility in Goa with 4 participants per room.

5. All meals during the working days and orientation days as per the itinerary.

e. What's not included: i. International Flights

ii. Travel Insurance

iii. Tourist Visa

iv. All items of a personal nature such as gifts, clothes etc.

v. Telephone calls/Internet use

f. Your volunteering location and accommodation : Goa

Sometimes known as the cultural bridge between the east and the west, Goa is home to a wide variety

of ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic varieties. What was once a former Portuguese colony is now

the smallest geographical Indian state, but one of the most diverse and appealing. Goa is particularly

famous among foreign travels for its great climate and fantastic white sandy beaches. The inland, with

its plentiful flora and fauna, is internationally recognized as a biodiversity hotspot and compared to the

Amazon and Congo basins for its rich tropical diversity. Finally authentic Indian food and dance,

influenced by its wealth of cultural and religious varieties, offer a distinct and enriching cultural

experience for any traveler.

The Idex Goa Camp is situated close to the Majorda beach and the town of Madgaon in southern part of

the small state. The 25 km long series of beaches including the Majorda and the famous Colva beach is

known for its palm trees and silvery sand and is one of the most appealing, yet least developed areas of

Goa. It lies about 6 Kms to the west of Madgaon.

g. Service level at your accommodation:

While participants can expect a standard level of service when staying in hotels during the program,

services offered in family stays and at the Idex volunteer accommodation are somewhat different.

When staying with a family, participants will be expected to behave respectfully and adhere to the rules

and time restrictions decided by the families in accordance to their local culture. These rules are likely to

be stricter than participants are used to in their home culture.

Idex volunteer accommodation does not offer the same facilities as a hotel e.g. room service, room

cleaning, showers, towels, fridges in rooms etc. A volunteer camp is designed to be a common

accommodation for the volunteers and the local staff which allows volunteers to experience how it is to



live in India for local people. Volunteers are expected to clean their own rooms and wash their dishes

after meals. Our local staffs is trained to provide a safe, welcoming and comfortable environment for

volunteers but are not expected or trained to serve volunteers like standard hotel staff might.

h. Arrival and emergency information.

1. Arrival information in India

i. Most of the airport officials can converse quite well in English and you can ask them for any

important information that you need.

ii. Once you clear Immigration check, collect your baggage and choose the green customs line

which implies that you are not carrying anything meant for commercial purpose.

iii. Once you are through with customs, remember to change some money into Indian rupees

(about US $100/ INR 4500) or get it from the ATM which you’ll find in the terminal.

2. Airport Pick-up

i. Depending on the time of arrival of your flight, you will be picked up at the airport, either by

one of our supervisors or by a local taxi company. That person would be waiting for you in the

arrival lounge of the airport displaying a placard with your name or “IDEX” written on it.

ii. Upon being received you will be taken to the Idex Goa camp (details below) where you will stay

for the entire duration of the program and meet other volunteers. Most likely you will share a

room with other volunteers ( upto 3 others) , who would either be present there already or

join you later.

Idex Goa Camp

68, Calata Majorda,

Salcete,Goa – 403713

Phone: +91-9960636703

iii. In the very unlikely event that you do not find anyone to pick you up at the airport, please

contact us using the contact information marked Emergency Contacts as listed below. To call,

locate an easily visible sign marked “STD/ISD” at a public calling stand at the airport.

Airport emergency contact details( in preferred order)

Goa airport arrival pickup number :

Mobile : (0) 99606-36703

Operations Team:

Amit : (0) 97840-02581

Gaurav : (0) 99280-70958

Ninad Sharma (Director)

Mobile: (0) 99280-55121

Kusum Sharma (Director)

Mobile : (0) 98293-73518



iv. As a very last resort, if you are unable to find an Idex person to pick you up and are unable to

make contact with Idex representative by phone, we suggest that you take a pre-paid taxi to

the Idex camp . The pre-paid taxi stand is in the terminal building. It is a set price which you

pay in advance and get a voucher to give to the driver.

3. Airport Drop-Off

If you are following your schedule as planned, an Idex Executive will drop you off at the airport on the

scheduled date and time of departure. If you decide to cut short your trip or prolong it, Idex will not be

responsible for drop-off or travel connections. Please get details of the arrival and departure policy from

your trip advisor.

i. Code of Conduct

You would receive an electronic copy of the Code of Conduct for Idex programs via email which we expect you

to read and understand carefully. Upon arrival, at the airport, you will receive a printed copy of the Code which

you will be required to sign a statement of your acceptance of the Code of Conduct, and present it to Idex staff.

j. Disclaimers i. Dossier Disclaimer : The information in this document is written with utmost care but is still

subject to change at any point of time depending on depending upon various factors including

but not limited to particular program offerings or group preferences.

ii. Itinerary Disclaimer : Idex will endeavour to follow the itinerary provided to the best of its

abilities. However some details of the program are subject to change due to circumstantial

factors and the best possible timely replacement for changed parts of the itinerary and services

will be provided.

5. Supplementary Information

a. Money

Travellers Checks: TCs are an easy way of carrying money as they can be easily cancelled or replaced if lost or

stolen. You can take your Travellers Checks to any major bank or currency exchange facility close by for

immediate encashment. It is best to carry TCs in small denominations and note their details including serial

number with you. It is advisable to keep some money in hand if you are going into a rural location as you might

not be able to find an exchange facility there. If your placement is in one of our rural locations, then you’ll need

to change money before you go out there.



Cash: If you don’t have any Indian currency on you, it is best to exchange some money at the airport itself on

arrival, for immediate use. You might need to buy something urgently and having some cash on you will be

helpful. Otherwise, you can exchange currency at the hotel or bank or money agents like Western Union,

Thomas Cook etc.

Credit Card/Debit Card: Most Indian towns now have ATM cabins in all major shopping areas and you can use

your debit card to retrieve money. You can also use your Credit Card to pay for purchases at select outlets.

Money Transfer: With Moneygram, Western Union, Thomas Cook, Amex and a host of other credible money

transfer facilities available in urban areas, it is not difficult to send or receive money in India in emergency,

though charges apply and it is not immediate.

b. Insurance:

It is required for all volunteers to obtain travel insurance before coming to India and ensure that your insurance

covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage, personal effects and voluntary work. It is

important to keep you Insurance details handy in your pouch for easy access during any kind of emergency.

c. Clothing Indians place a lot of importance on their clothing and style especially during social events or professional

meetings. You can take with you clothes that are a combination of casual and semi-formal. Also, the climatic

conditions change from region to region and hence, it is important to check the temperature of the area you are

visiting and pack your bags accordingly. For example, if you are visiting Rajasthan in April-May, then it is best to

take light and airy cotton clothes for the hot summer afternoons. On the other hand, if you are visiting the

Himalayas during October, the weather might be much cooler than New Delhi and you might need to wear

warmer clothes. Idex also helps you choose comfortable clothing based on the location you are at by organizing

shopping trips and visits to a local tailor. An important part of clothing in India is the difference in men and

women wear.

Men:

You will find that men normally wear western clothes at work and Indian traditional at home or at social events.

Western clothes range from semi-formal shirt and trousers to formal business suits and sometimes, a t-shirt

with a pair of jeans are acceptable attire in professional life. Indian traditional clothes for men include kurta-

pajama, dhoti, lungi, etc which are normally worn at social gatherings, religious events or while relaxing at

home. You can wear Jeans/pants and t-shirts or cotton tops at work or during excursions. Volunteers are

expected to keep their arms and legs covered while at work.

Women

Indian women‘s choice of clothes largely depends upon their family norms, local traditions and professional life.

While there are millions of women who wear saree or salwar-kurta, the younger girls prefer to wear casual

western attire. You can choose to wear long skirts with tee or pants/ jeans with a t-shirt or cotton shirts.

Volunteers are expected to keep their arms and legs covered while at work. You can always buy salwar kurta



which are quite comfortable to wear. Cleavage should not be visible and clothes shouldn’t be tight or

transparent.

d. Culture Shock

It is normal to have difficulty adjusting to a new culture that differs quite prominently from you own. However,

some people might have more trouble adjusting to a new routine and a different lifestyle in a new country or

culture and therefore, they could behave nervously or show signs of anxiety. This is termed as culture shock.

You can avoid this situation by:

a) Acquainting yourself with the new culture-: by reading books, talking to other people who have visited

India or by meeting Indians, watching films or documentaries about India or by checking out Indian

websites about food, clothing, history and popular traditions.

b) While in India, it is a good idea to spend your free time checking out the markets, meeting new people

or learning local language to overcome culture shock.

c) Avoid staying alone and indoors during your free time.

d) Also, write about your new experiences to your friends and family via social media like facebook, twitter

or myspace. This will build up further curiosity to know more.

When in a new culture, the best approach is to confirm to local customs when it comes to food, clothing and

social behaviour. It will help you develop cultural intelligence and understand new cultural dimensions.

Remember that once you have finished your program, you will come out as a more enlightened and culturally

intelligent individual than before and which could be a rewarding addition in your life.

e. Free Time When not working or participating in a workshop or excursion, volunteers have plenty of time to relax and

pursue their own hobbies. Some volunteers explore the natural beauty of local surroundings; others read, write,

play board games or even plan excursions to local points of interest. Most Friday evenings, volunteers arrange a

small party or get together to celebrate the end of the workweek.

f. Health

Though India features certain health problems typical of a developing country, there is no need to be paranoid

about your health. More than three million international tourists come to India every year and most do not

experience anything more serious that a few days of upset stomach. For those who do get sicker, India’s major

urban centers have sophisticated, in some cases world class health facilities which are even beginning to attract

large numbers of “health tourists” who fly to India for cheaper versions of certain procedures.

While there is no need to be overly concerned, you should still consult your doctor and get a health check-up

and important vaccinations before coming to India. Westerners’ immune systems are often unprepared for

many garden variety Indian viruses and ailments, but if proper preventative measures are taken, most

conditions can be avoided before any question of treatment arises.



Malaria : Malarone, one of the newer Malaria drugs, is not available in India. So, if prescribed,

sufficient supplies should be purchased before departure. Please consult your physician and insurance

provider before making up your mind about which anti-malarial to take. As the best way to prevent

malaria is to avoid mosquito bites, also think about bringing good bug spray, which is harder to find in

India.

Asthma: Be sure to bring an adequate supply of inhalers with you if you suffer from asthma, either

currently or previously.

Allergies: Popular drugs like Claritin (loratadine) and other anti-histamines used to treat allergies are

not widely available, especially in non-drowsy forms. If you are at all prone to dust, pollen, and pollution

related allergies, bring an adequate supply of your preferred allergy medication.

Sinus Problem: Sinus medication (e.g. Sinutab) is not widely available; bring a supply if you are likely to

experience sinus problems due to dust and pollution.

Safe Drinking Water: While safe drinking water will be readily available during your stay, some people

like to bring water purification tablets, which can be helpful in certain unexpected situations where

potable water is not available.

Protection from Sun: Quality UV-Protection sunglasses are hard to find so bring your own if you have

them. If you have a favourite hat, it will also be good, as will sunscreen products, which not widely

available. A waterproof (i.e. sweat proof!) 30 SPF for legs and neck would be useful, and a 30SPF facial

sunscreen.

Feminine Hygiene: Although sanitary napkins are easily available in larger towns, tampons are difficult

to find in India, so bring plenty with you. A lot of women may be prone to menstrual problems when

they move into different climatic conditions. Remember to prepare accordingly.

g. Communication & Technology

Internet

Internet is one of the easiest and fastest ways to connect. Internet access is cheap and readily available in cities

in India. There are Cyber Café available in most towns or you can purchase a data card of Reliance, Airtell or Tata

Photon to get internet on your own laptop. However, if you are in a rural location, there might not be an

internet network available. So, plan in advance for communication in such areas. At all Idex accommodation, its

our attempt to provide you with internet access. However access may be irregular

Telephone

There are numerous public call boxes (STD/ISD) all over India from where it is easy to make international calls at

fairly reasonable rates. Cell phones, which range from Rs. 1500 - Rs. 3000 ($50-80 USD), can be purchased at a

store. You will then have to buy a pre-paid plan, insert the SIM and its ready to use. Most European-style tri-

band handsets can take Indian PIN cards and all our present project sites are within mobile network coverage. If

you bring a phone, you need to contact your service provide before you leave to unlock it for use abroad.



Post

India’s postal service is growing more efficient, but remains unreliable, especially for incoming and outgoing

packages. When mailing in India, be sure to hand your envelopes to the clerk to ensure that they are stamped

and sorted correctly. It is not recommended to have anything valuable sent to you.

Electronic Equipment

Electronic items run on 220 Volts in India – make sure yours do the same or else run on batteries. Plugs are

usually round with 2 pins or sometimes, round 3 pins. It’s a good idea to bring adapters for non-European style

plugs.

h. Packing & Preparation Check List

Pack light! You can get almost everything you need to live in India, including many international brands, usually

at far lower prices. Volunteers usually complain that they’ve brought too much stuff. Below are some

recommendations to augment other packing lists:

• Money pouch: Your money, ATM/Credit Cards, air ticket, and travelers’ checks should be carried on

your person – never in a backpack or bag! A traveler’s pouch or money belt is the safest and most

convenient way to protect your valuables.

• Flashlight/Headlamp: Indispensable during power cuts which could be frequent depending on

where you live.

• Day Pack: All sorts of bags are available for purchase in India, but if you have a good day pack suitable

for short excursions, it may be sturdier than local varieties.

• Cable and Combination Lock: Handy for locking your luggage when traveling; also can be purchased

in India. You will probably need a padlock for lockers when at camp.

• Travel alarm clock: Essential for waking up on time to go to work; battery operated models are much

preferable and are locally available. Of course, if you have a mobile, that works too!

• Guidebook: Both the Lonely Planet guide and the Rough Guide to India are comprehensive and well

organized; though beware of treating them as authoritative on matters of politics and culture. You may

also be able to get a regional one which will be smaller or you can print selected chapters off the

internet.

• Passport & papers: Double-check your passport and visa and make sure they are both valid through

the duration of your stay. Keep your travel insurance and airline tickets in your pouch. Please keep

photocopies of your passport & visa, travel insurance and airline tickets in another piece of luggage with

you.

• Mosquito net/ Insect-repellent: If you are taking up home stay accommodation during your

program, we recommend that you bring mosquito nets as a safe and effective method for preventing

mosquito bites. Or, you can also bring a good insect-repellent.

• Hand Sanitizer Wet wipes / moist towelletes: It is advisable to carry a hand sanitizer as it might not

be possible to wash your hands properly in some situations. You can also keep wet wipes for instant use

during excursions or shopping.



• Sports shoes or sneakers: With generally uneven walking surfaces that are found in India, it is

advisable to wear comfortable walking or running shoes for everyday use and during any adventure or

excursion activities.

• Sun hat, Sun block, Sunglasses: It can get really hot and sunny in the afternoons and a hat and

sunglasses will keep you cooler and sun block will save your skin from sunburns.

• Water bottle: Water bottle will come in handy wherever you are and will save unnecessary spending

on packed bottles. You will have access to filtered water at your accommodation.

• Ear plugs for train journeys or light sleepers: Indian trains or buses can get quite noisy and it will be

helpful to keep a pair of ear plugs handy.

• Toiletries: Although, toiletries like deodorants, soap, shampoo, face wash are easily available and much

cheaper in India, if you have a preferred brand, bring those along. Many brands are available in India like

Dove, Pantene, Sunsilk, Head & Shoulders and are cheaper.

• Appropriate clothes: During Orientation you will have a chance to go shopping for any clothes you

might need but it is still advisable to bring long trousers, hiking pants/track pants, shirts and shirts with

you that you are comfortable wearing.

• Reading/writing material: Indian cities and towns have plenty of stationary shops and book stores but

you might not find exactly what you are used to in your home country. So, bring some essential writing

material with you.

• Binoculars: If you are interested in wild-life and exploring during excursions, bring your binocular.

• Pocketknife: A pocket knife could come in handy when you need to cut fruits, tying ropes etc during an

outdoor trip.

• First-aid kit: It should contain lip salve, Aspirin, band aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for

mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder (though only 1-2 pouches as it is easily available in India)

and extra prescription drugs you may be taking

6. Volunteer Contributions There are many ways to think about the complicated interactions involved in international volunteering. One

way that we find helpful is to think in terms of contributions. You are coming to India to contribute your time,

energy and expertise to people with fewer advantages; but what sorts of contributions are possible?

a. Direct The most tangible type of contribution made by volunteers is what we call direct contributions. When you

volunteer in a school or hospital, you improve the services of that institution while lessening the workload on

over-burdened staff. Besides providing very real and tangible benefits to community institutions, direct

contributions are usually the most gratifying for the volunteer. When you teach a child a new word or help a

hospital worker finish her job, you see clearly and simply the impact of your work. The importance of direct

contributions is apparent in every volunteer placement. For example, primary schools in India often make a

single teacher responsible for multiple classes with upwards of 75 students. In normal conditions, the teacher,

who often lacks adequate training, simply manages this mass of students as well as possible. When volunteers

join the school, they take daily responsibility for some classes, lessening the teacher’s workload and allowing her

to concentrate on the students who need the most help. Meanwhile, the students taught by volunteers also

receive more attention and have a richer educational experience, especially in the important subject of English.



b. Indirect While direct contributions are more obvious and immediately gratifying, it is important to realize that a major

part of your contribution will be indirect. By volunteering in a hospital or school, you ensure that the institution

where you work will receive more attention than it would under normal circumstances. In a country like India,

where population is large and resources are limited, the benefits of this added attention can make a

tremendous difference to all of the lives impacted by these institutions, including people that you never even

meet.

For example, some of our volunteers serve in government run hospitals. Typically under-staffed and under-

funded, these hospitals can easily require each doctor to see over 100 patients in a single day. When doctors are

overworked, the quality of the care they give declines. Wealthier people can address this problem by seeking

out private medical facilities, but the cost of private health care is generally out of reach of the vast majority of

Indians, especially in rural areas. When volunteers begin working at a government hospital, however, that

hospital invariably receives more attention from local authorities. More attention means more funds, which

means better facilities, more doctors and an overall improvement in low cost health care. Besides benefiting the

people who use the hospital, these improvements also raise the morale of the doctors and other hospital

workers.

c. Monetary Though you will already be contributing considerable amounts of time and energy, some people in the

communities where you work may still ask you for monetary contributions. Such requests can come directly, or

via seemingly innocent conversations about sick family members or studying cousins. The wealth disparities

experienced by volunteers make the prospect of direct monetary contributions appealing: most of the people

you meet really could use the cash. While such need is undeniable, IDEX nevertheless strongly discourages direct

monetary gifts to beneficiaries of volunteer services. Giving money directly to recipients of development

assistance can create a sense of dependency among the local community while increasing simplistic and

extractive attitudes towards Westerners. At their worst, monetary contributions disempower people, leading

them towards unsustainable reliance on foreign donations, at the expense of local efforts at upliftment, financial

or otherwise. If you do feel compelled to give monetary contributions, IDEX asks that you reserve them for our

NGO partners. For obvious reasons, giving even small monetary gifts is especially discouraged in and around

IDEX housing.

d. Contribution Limitations While many kinds of contributions are possible, it’s also important to set realistic expectations about their limits.

At times, some volunteers experience frustration at what they perceive as the slow pace of change. If this

happens, it is important to remember that in almost all cases progressive social change is a slow and arduous

process. Social ills like poverty, poor health or mistreatment of women tend to be woven into complex political,

economic and cultural systems that are best approached through patient, holistic approaches. NGOs in India

work in needy areas for years before realizing a shift in the habit patterns of the locals and attitude of the

authorities. This slow pace is just as much a feature of more developed countries. By contributing short-term

volunteer work to local NGOs involved in long-term projects of social uplift, you will be part of a process of

gradual change that will eventually result in meaningful and sustainable improvements in the lives of the people

you serve. As noted above, much of your impact, tied as it is to larger recurring cycles of volunteer support, may

only bear fruit after you leave. While frustration is a natural response, keeping perspective will make your

experience far more positive and the contributions that you do make all the more effective. Indeed, whenever



possible, we advise volunteers to keep specific expectations and predictions to a minimum. By keeping an open

mind, you will help prepare yourself to engage with and appreciate the volunteer experience as it unfolds.

7. Idex Foundation (Saarthak) Saarthak- Initiatives of relevance is a non-profit organisation founded in 2007 by the founders of Idex with the

purpose of setting up relevant social initiatives that bring about sustainable social change. We believe that

women and girl child centric initiatives are the key to sustainable development, fighting poverty by unlocking

women’s power as economic catalysts.

Founded in 2007 by Kusum Sharma who is also the Chairperson of Idex, SAARTHAK aims to be a credible non-

profit organization facilitating initiatives of relevance for girls and women in quality education, capacity building

and empowerment. We aim to continuously develop our international network of supporters through efficient,

transparent and accountable functions to ensure the sustainability of our initiatives. Idex is SAARTHAK’s main

donor in terms of financial & managerial support, but also other resources such as staffing and facilities are

provided by Idex. Presently, Saarthak is involved in the following activities:

1. Empowering in field of Education

• Literacy classes

• Computer Education

• English Literacy

2. Economic Empowerment

• Vocational training / Skills training

3. Self Empowerment

• Advocacy workshops

4. Knowledge & Awareness Building

• Individual / Group counseling and workshops

5. Child Development Activities:

• Non formal education

• Facilitating & supporting formal education

• Facilitating & strengthening Day Care Center functioning

• Computer literacy

In-progress:

� Currently collecting funds for a mobile school

� Developing a model of non formal education for children & women

� Planning to impart “Life Skill Education Training” to adolescent girls

For more information on Saarthak, check out www.saarthakindia.org or visit the page on facebook.



8. Emergency Contacts Keep the mobile numbers of the Project Executive & Camp Manager handy in your phone, purse or wallet

and contact them immediately in any kind of emergency. If you fail to establish contact with local staff,

contact Idex Head Office. If you are unable to contact the head office team, call local emergency numbers of

your city.

a. Idex Contacts

Operations Team:

Mobile: (0) 97840-02581 / (0) 99280-70958

Ninad Sharma (Director) Mobile: (0) 99280-55121

Kusum Sharma (Director) Mobile : (0) 98293-73518

b. Useful Contacts in India Our participants have rarely seen any major problems during their trip to India since it is a 100% escorted

trip except when you choose to take an excursion during your free time. However, we still advise all

participants to keep important numbers handy in case of any emergency. If you are in trouble and need

immediate help and unable to reach out to Idex staff, then you can call on these numbers:

Police: 100

Fire: 101

Ambulance: 108 / 102

� It is a good idea to note down your Embassy contact numbers in your diary for emergency.

� Upon arrival, before checking-into the hotel, take down the contact number of the Idex

representative who will be picking you up again for sight-seeing or further travel.

� Note down the phone numbers for Tourism Department of the city you are living in and you can

always ask them for relevant information before taking an excursion.



INCREDIBLE INDIA

1. Indian Culture

Similar to the geographical diversity in India, its cultural topography is equally diverse; the genesis of which can

be traced to as far back as 5000 years ago. The most fascinating aspect about the Indian culture is that it is made

up of innumerable sub-cultures which are continuously evolving. While most regions follow a typical lifestyle, it

won’t be difficult to find people in one region following traditions of a different region. So, you could find one

Sikh woman in Hyderabad speaking in Punjabi, cooking north-Indian menu and wearing Punjabi salwar kameez

while the immediate neighbour wearing saree, eating sambhar-dosa and speaking in Telugu. A foreigner might

be confused to see such varying traditions existing in the same neighbourhood. This is normally a result of

continuous migration in between various regions. Let us now learn something about the different aspects of

Indian culture.

1.1 Religions India is a secular country and people have the right to follow a religion of their choice if they wish to. The major

religions practiced are Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism apart from

some other religions and sects. Hinduism is AN ancient religion which is said to have originated during the Indus

valley civilization and evolved for centuries. Buddhism and Jainism flourished around the same time in the

north-western part of India. With the advent of the Mughals, Islam was introduced to the Indian subcontinent

and patronized by the Mughal emperors. In the 15th century, Sikhism was founded in Punjab. The Europeans and

Persians brought with them other religious interests too and hence, the central and coastal parts of India

welcomed Christianity and Zoroastrianism.

A very remarkable fact about India’s pluralistic society is the inter-mingling of different religious traditions. It is

normal to see Hindus visiting Sikh temples or vice versa. Non-practicing Christians also participate in Christmas

celebrations while Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is celebrated all over India with people of all faiths. Indian

people are, on the whole, religious by nature. Hindus, Sikhs or Muslims, normally begin their mornings with

prayers or visit their religious centres daily. Most neighbourhoods have a variety of temples, churches and

mosques. In India, many important religious days are marked as national holidays.

Over the years, various religious traditions have travelled out of India and aroused global interest in spiritual

philosophies like Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. This has brought travelers and tourists looking to India for a

first-hand taste of Indian mysticism. One could find more information about different religions practiced in India

by visiting related internet sites, reading books or visiting local temples and religious centres.

1.2 Fairs and Festivals Most festivals have a religious base but there are some which are celebrated out of social interests too. Over the

centuries, many festivals have gradually changed. While Diwali was primarily the festival of lights, celebrated to



mark the occasion of Lord Rama’s homecoming with his spouse, Sita, after 14 years in exile and celebrated by

lighting earthen lamps with clarified butter and distributing sweets, it has changed a lot. Presently, Diwali is

celebrated by lighting candles, earthen lamps, firecrackers and distributing sweets, candies, chocolates and gifts.

Electric lights brighten up most of the markets and plazas while some people decorate their houses too. Over

the years, companies in India have also begun celebrating Diwali by distributing salary bonuses or organizing a

Diwali get-together.

Here is a list of important festivals & holidays celebrated in India. The festival dates might vary each year as most

of the Hindu festivals are based on Hindu calendar.

January

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti: The birth anniversary of the 10th Guru of Sikh religion, Guru Gobind Singh.

Lohri: A festival of harvest, dance and enjoyment

Makar Sankranti: A day for flying kites

Republic Day: A national holiday commemorating the declaration of the constitution of India on 26th Jan 1950.

March

Holi: The famous festival of colours representing the burning of evil-minded Holika.

April

Mahavir Jayanti: The birth anniversary of the founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavira

Vaisakhi: The beginning of the solar year and a festival of harvest, food and dance. Celebrated as Pothundu or

Vishu in south India.

Good Friday: A religious holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ

Easter: A religious day commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ

August

Raksha Bandhan: A festive occasion for families when sisters tie the sacred thread on their brother’s wrist to

symbolize love and protection for each other.

Independance Day: A national celebration of India’s independence in 1947 from British rule

Janamashtami: The birth anniversary of Hindu God, Krishna

October

Gandhi Jayanti: A national holiday marking the birthday of Gandhi ji who is considered the father of the nation.

Eid-ul-Fitr: A worldwide Islamic religious occasion marking the end of holy fasting,”Ramadan”

Dusshehra: A festival of harvest with religious significance for Hindus because: first, Hindu God Rama killed the

demon, Ravana on this day; second, it also marks the ending of 9 days of fasting and prayers, Navaratra.

Diwali: The festival of lights celebrated all over India with prayers, lights, firecrackers, sweets, dancing and

feasting marking the auspicious homecoming of Hindu God Rama & his consort Sita after 14 years in exile.

November

Bakr-Eid: A world-wide Islamic religious holiday to honour the willingness of Abrahim to sacrifice his son,

Ishmael, as an act of obedience to God.

Guru Nanak Jayanti: The birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev.

December

Christmas: The birth anniversary of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity

1.3 Languages Hindi in the Devanagri script is the official language of India although there are 18 other regional languages

spread across different states. Once the British established their stronghold in India, English became the second

official language of India. Today, Hindi and English are the most popular languages used liberally in newspapers,



magazines, movies, television and as a medium of instruction in schools & colleges in India. Bollywood cinema

uses Hindi & Urdu with a lot of song numbers using Marwari, Punjabi & English quite lavishly. Other important

languages are Marwari, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Oriya, Bihari, Kashmiri and Sanskrit.

Languages spoken in the southern part of India have a Dravidian base, eg:Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam or Kannada.

1.4 Cuisine The Indian cuisine derives its inspiration from almost 5000 years ago when the Indus valley civilization came into

being. Over the centuries, more flavours have been added to its bouquet of spices and condiments. Today,

Indian cuisine is noted for its colourful use of turmeric, vibrant tastes and spicy flavours. Food and spices vary

from region to region but the new cosmopolitan culture allows regional varieties to be available in all parts of

India. Food is a significant part of any celebration and people like sharing it with friends, family and neighbours.

Indians are very particular about religious instructions related to food consumption and have special diets on

special religious occasions or during fasting. A big population is vegetarian because of religious reasons and

hence it is very easy to find pure vegetarian restaurants. Egg is considered non-vegetarian food and hence a lot

of vegetarians may take offence if people offer them egg. It is easy therefore to buy egg-less cake.

The staple diet in Northern India is wheat dough rolled out into chapattis, cooked on tawa or baked inside a

Tandoor; rice or noodles in the north-eastern and rice, idli or dosa in the south of India. There can be slight

variations from region to region. Indians like to eat dry beans popularly called daal which is a rich source of

protein, at least once a day with chapatis or rice. Vegetables are normally cooked into into curries or eaten raw.

Some of the popular spices are turmeric, dry coriander, cumin, asafoetida, mustard seeds, cardamom, cloves

and sesame. Non-vegetarian food, especially fish is quite popular in certain regions of India, especially coastal

plains like Kerala, Maharashtra and Bengal. Mutton and chicken are the most popular non-vegetarian food. Of

course, for strongly- held religious reasons, both beef and pork are rarely available in some parts of the country.

It is customary to serve snacks along with tea or coffee when you visit someone’s home. Snacks can be as light

as savoury mixtures and cookies or as elaborate as samosas, kachoris, dhokla, chaat-papri, alu-tiki or traditional

Indian sweets. Hot tea & coffee is normally served at breakfast or in the evening. During summer months, fresh

juices are quite popular. Most families don’t drink alcohol in their homes. Since it is not customary for women to

drink alcohol in Indian families, women guests are not generally offered alcohol. However, the younger

generation may now open to drinking with friends outside their homes.

1.5 Clothing Traditional Indian clothing for men and women is different even though a lot of younger women in the cities

have started wearing western outfits like trousers and tee-shirts. The most popular and oldest form of clothing

for women has been saree or ghagra choli and salwar kameez while dhoti kurta, lungi or kurtapyjama for men.

Women:

Saree: A saree is a four metre or longer piece of fabric, draped around the waist and bosom normally

accompanied by a bodice or blouse. Traditionally women wore cotton or silk sarees depending upon the social

status or occasion but nowadays, you can find saree material of all kinds- chiffon, chignon, crepe, polyester or

other mixed fabrics. Most saree material come along with a matching piece to make a blouse that would go well



with the saree. In India, while saree is considered formal clothing at work, many unmarried young girls wait

untill their marriage to wear saree in everyday routine.

Ghagra Choli: A popular form of clothing for married and unmarried women, it comprises of a long gathered

skirt with a bodice and a stole to be hung around loosely. Some women use the stole to cover their head as well.

It is most popular in rural parts of India. A lot of city women continue to wear Ghagra Choli on festive occasion

or during religious rituals. Fabric used varies from personal choice or the occasion. For example, Ghagra cholis

for weddings are usually in pure silk, brocade or chiffons with embroidery.

Salwar Kameez: It is a comfortable and easily manageable form of Indian attire which has its roots in the pre-

partition Punjab. Salwar Kameez is presently worn in Pakistan, & Afghanistan apart from India. The dress

consists of loose pants and a knee length shirt accompanied by a stole which could be used to cover one’s head.

The loose pants have developed variations like churidar pyjama which resembles Jodhpurs (tight from the

bottom and loose from the thighs) etc. The length of the shirt or stole can vary depending upon the latest trends

or personal choice. The fabric used for this dress also depends on the trend, weather or personal choice. Since

India is primarily warm most of the year, women prefer to wear cotton salwar kameez with beautiful prints or

embroidery.

Men:

Kurta Pyjama: This is a loosely-fitted pair of pants and a long shirt. Traditionally, pyjamas- wide or narrow,

have been plain white or light in colour but the new trends allow variations in colours. This is a very comfortable

ensemble for men during summers especially if it is in pure cotton.

Dhoti-kurta: Dhotis are 4-5 metres long piece of cotton cloth traditionally in white colour which is wrapped

around the loins. It is more common for men to wear a dhoti in the rural parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya

Pradesh, Rajasthan or Haryana.

Lungi: Lungi, sarong or Chadar (in Punjabi) is a 3-4 metre long piece of cloth that is worn around the waist by

men accompanied by a kurta or shirt. It is a very comfortable piece of attire during hot summer months and for

people working in the farms. Lungi is quite popular in the south of India, Bihar, Bengal and Punjab.

We hope this pre-departure booklet is helpful in preparing you for your volunteer trip to India with Idex. There is a lot to

learn about India which you can always find from other sources like books, films or the internet. However, we sincerely

feel that this information kit will serve the purpose of answering most of your questions and provide you all the details

you need before you board your flight. Bon Voyage!

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