SWEDISH SOUTH ASIAN STUDIES NETWORK

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Practical advice:

• Currency Converter, between all curriencies of the World.

• Time around the World, showing the exact time in each Country right now.

• MSN Weather forecasts for South Asia:

– Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal & Sri Lanka
– Afghanistan & Pakistan
– Maldives (Yahoo News weather)

• South Asia Maps:

• Asian Maps, from the Perry-Castañeda Map Collection, at University of Texas, Austin

• Maps of India offers a large variety of Indian maps. It is run by Compare Infobase Pvt. Ltd in New Delhi. There are maps of all kinds: overviews, political, tricolor, outline, physical, dynamic, clickable, zonal, topographic, reference, geographical, demographic, historical, economic, social/cultural , parliamentary constituency, scientific, industrial, statewise, districtwise. Maps of Indian states and cities are also available, as well as transport network maps, airways and railway maps, and many other things.
Maps of India also sells an updated cd-rom containing 5.000 most useful maps of India. It is sold for INR 995 or USD 50. More information about the cd-rom.

• MapmyIndia is a unique New Delhi-based service, providing dynamic, interactive, searchable and highly detailed maps over India, including routes between any two major locations and viewing various tourist and business locations instantaneously on the map. It is an interactive and intelligence based web site, bringing about a paradigm shift in the way people in India have been looking at maps.

• Maps of Afghanistan (political and military maps, city maps, regional overviews, on the security and humanitarian situation, etc.), by GlobalSecurity.org.

• Hindu Calendar

• Conversion between Hijra (Muslim) and Gregorian Calendars

Bugun Liocichla (Liocichla bugunorum) was discovered near Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, India by Ramana Athreya in 2006.

• Indien.nu is a new web site developed by Yvette Ekblom Kenttä and Henric Carlsson in Örebro. It offers (in Swedish only) lots of useful information about travelling to India.

• Kolkatabirds.com. Extensive ornithologists web site, presenting more than 950 species of Indian birds with colour photos. Edited by Bill Harvey, closely associated with the Northern India Bird Network; Bikram Grewal, author of several best-selling guides to Indian birds; and K. S. Gopi Sundar, one of the top field scientists working in India.

• Tea Centre, Stockholm. Tea from Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka (and other countries) available in Sweden through mail order.

Situation on malaria and other diseases in South Asia:

WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, based in New Delhi, offers information and statistics on the malaria situation in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

MD Travel Health.com gives information on the malaria situation, as well as facts on vaccinations and other medical advice before travelling to Pakistan.

MD Travel Health.com offers the same exhaustive service for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Information on vaccinations, from Resemedicin.com (in Swedish).

South Asian telephone Directories:

Business guide to Bangladesh yellow pages. White page to follow soon.

Indian Telephone Directories on the Web. Available for Andhra Pradesh; Bhopal and other cities in Madhya Pradesh; Chandigarh; Delhi; Goa; Kolkata (West Bengal); Maharashtra – including Mumbai; and Tamil Nadu – including Chennai.
Besides yellow pages are available for all over India.

Searchable database of telephone codes (STD codes) of cities and towns in India.

Maldivian yellow pages. Searchable directory.

Telephone Directory for Pakistan. Free service offered bt KalDirectory/Phonepk.com.

Sri Lanka Telecom Directory.

Information from the Swedish Foreign Office:

Recommendations about travelling to different countries. At present (October 2009) the Swedish Foreign Office
advises against all travel to Afghanistan,
advises against all travel to the North and East of Sri Lanka (the districts of Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Mannar, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara. Also Yala National Park and adjacent areas east of Highway A2 and south of Highway A4).
advises against all travel to the North Western Frontier Province (NWFP), the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and the northern and western parts of Baluchistan, in Pakistan
and all non-essential travelling to:
       • Other parts of Pakistan; and
       • Jammu och Kashmir State in India
          (except for travelling to the Ladakh region by air to Leh, or by road via Manali, Himachal Pradesh)

Travel Advice for Swedish travellers to India and Sri Lanka (Info from the Swedish Foreign Office)

Travel Advice for Swedish travellers to Nepal (Info from the Swedish Foreign Office)

Visa rules for Swedish citizens intending to visit foreign countries

Visa rules for foreigners intending to visit Sweden

British Foreign Office:

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office gives detailed advice on safety aspects on travelling to all countries. The British advise as follows:

AFGHANISTAN:

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office strongly advises against all but essential travel to Kabul and the surrounding urban area, because of ongoing terrorist activity and the high risk of kidnap, violent crime and suicide attacks. The main supply routes and principle roads have a particular heightened threat of road side bombs and ambush.
It also strongly advises the following travel restrictions according to provincial regions:
Kabul:
• against all travel to the Surobi, Paghman, Musayhi and Chahar Asyab Districts of the Kabul province.
• against all but essential travel to other parts of Kabul province.
Northern Afghanistan:
• against all travel to Kunduz
• against all but essential travel to Badakshan, Balkh, Baghlan, Faryab, Jawzjan, Samangan, Sari Pul and Takhar.
Eastern Afghanistan:
• against all travel to Ghazni, Kapisa Khost, Kunar, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Pakitka, Wardak and Paktya.
• against all but essential travel to Bamiyan, Parwan, Panjshir, and the main Kabul/Torkham highway.
Southern Afghanistan:
• against all travel to Helmand, Kandahar, Nimroz, Uruzgan and Zabul.
Western Afghanistan:
• against all travel to Badghis, Farah the Shindand and Gozarah Districts of Heart province.
• against all but essential travel to Dai Kundi, Ghor and Herat.

• use caution. There is a heightened threat of roadside bombs and ambush in Kabul City.
On 18 January 2010, at least 17 insurgents carried out an audacious complex attack in Kabul City, directly mainly against the Ministries of Justice, Finance and Education, as well as the Presidential Palace. Collaterally, a number of other locations were also affected including hotels, cinemas and a shopping centre. During the attack, 2 car bombs and 4 body-borne suicide bombers were detonated and rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) and small arms were fired. The siege lasted for over 6 hours, during which 15 of the insurgents are known to have died and two were captured. There were 6 Afghan civilian/security force deaths and another 80 were wounded.
Kabul City has witnessed a significant escalation in the number of suicide and rocket attacks in recent months. Since late August 2009, there have been 9 suicide attacks in the City, with several further suicide attacks known to have been thwarted. Of these 9 attacks, 5 have been directed against ISAF (including an attack on their main headquarters in Shash Darak). The remainder of attacks have been conducted against a variety of targets including: an Embassy (Indian); the UN (a guesthouse); an international hotel (the Heetal); and, most recently, the large complex attack against multiple targets noted above. Not only has the frequency of attack increased, but also the audacity and scale. It remains likely that AGE (Anti Governmental Elements) commanders will continue to attempt to carry out sporadic attacks inside Kabul City.
Additional vigilance and care should be taken, particularly in and around landmark locations and places where large public crowds can gather. Hotels used by western nationals, international embassies,government ministries and military establishments have been attacked in the past and it is likely that there will be further such attacks.
Afghanistan has a high threat of terrorism and specific methods of attack are evolving and increasing in sophistication.
No part of Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence and the potential exists throughout the country for hostile acts. Visitors travelling to Afghanistan do so at their own risk and without protection from HMG.
There is a heightened threat of roadside and ambush outside Kabul City. You should maintain a heightened level of vigilance at all time, observing the strictest of security measures and avoid any unnecessary travel. Travellers should also consider making their own security arrangements for the duration of their time in Afghanistan.
The kidnap threat throughout the country remains high, particularly against local nationals, but also against the international community.
Read FCO’s more detailed travel advise report about Afghanistan.

BANGLADESH:
• against all but essential travelling to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (this does not include the city of Chittagong) because of the risk of being caught up in clashes between rival tribal groups, settlers and the military. If you propose to visit the Chittagong Hill Tracts you are required to give the Bangladeshi authorities ten days’ notice of your travel plans.
• use caution. There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
Read FCO’s more detailed travel advise report about Bangladesh.

BHUTAN:
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
Read FCO’s more detailed travel advise report about Bhutan.

INDIA:
• against all travelling to or through rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir state (with the exception of the region of Ladakh).
• against all travelling in the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan, other than travel across the international border at Wagah.
• also against all travelling to the North-Eastern states of Manipur (except Imphal by air), and Tripura.
• against non-essential travelling to Imphal, capital of Manipur.
• against non-essential travelling to Srinagar, capital of Jammu and Kashmir, by air.
• use caution. There is a high general threat from terrorism throughout India. Recent attacks have targeted public places including those frequented by westerners and expatriates. You should exercise particular caution around major national holidays.
Under new rules announced in December, anyone on a tourist visa departing India cannot return within two months, unless they meet specific conditions.
Read FCO’s more detailed travel advise report about India.

MALDIVES:
• use caution. The Maldives has been through a period of political transition with the first democratic parliamentary elections held in May 2009. Social unrest is still possible and some demonstrations on Malé island and other islands, have ended in violence. You should avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.
There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates. On 29 September 2007, a small bomb exploded on the capital island of Malé, injuring a number of foreigners including two British nationals.
Read FCO’s more detailed travel advise report about Maldives.

NEPAL:
• use caution. Political tensions in Nepal remain high. In light of this, you should avoid large gatherings and demonstrations. Bandhs (shutdowns), rallies and demonstrations can cause widespread disruption and are often called at short notice, leaving transport severely disrupted and blocking roads and major highways.
There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
The wider security situation in Nepal remains subject to change due to the political volatility in the country. Since March, there has been a wave of demonstrations and strikes, at times violent, in the Terai and Eastern region of Nepal. If you intend to travel to Nepal, you should remain vigilant and remain in close touch with your tour operator.
Read FCO’s more detailed travel advise report about Nepal.

PAKISTAN:
• against all travelling to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and much of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) including the areas of Peshawar, Kohat, Tank, Bannu, Lakki and Dera Ismail Khan. We advise against travel to the city of Peshawar and districts south of the city.
• against all travelling to Swat, Buner, and Lower Dir, including travel on the Peshawar to Chitral road via the Lowari Pass. In these areas there are ongoing reports of military or militant activity. There are ongoing military offensives against militants in Swat, Buner, and Lower Dir, and a curfew has been imposed in parts of these districts. Large numbers of people have evacuated these areas. The risk from lawlessness and kidnapping remains severe.
• against all travelling to Northern and Western Baluchistan and non essential travel to Quetta.
• against non essential travel to parts of Interior Sindh to the north of Nawabshah.
• against using the rail network across the whole of Pakistan.
• use caution. There is a high threat from terrorism and sectarian violence throughout Pakistan. Recent events across the country show an increase in the tempo and intensity of attacks. Statements issued by militant groups have threatened more attacks in the coming weeks.
The Pakistani military is conducting ongoing operations against militants across NWFP and FATA, particularly in South Waziristan Agency.
The Pakistani authorities are also concerned about the threat to foreigners of kidnapping.
There has been a recent increase in sectarian violence in Gilgit and the authorities have introduced restrictions on public gatherings.
Caution should be taken when visiting central Punjab due to a high likelihood of spontaneous sectarian violence.
If you are intending to travel to Pakistan, you should follow the developing situation in the news media and consult FCO travel advice regularly.
Read FCO’s more detailed travel advise report about Pakistan.

SRI LANKA:
• against all travelling to the northern districts of Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaittivu and Vavuniya.
• use caution. Presidential elections took place on 26 January 2010. There were numerous reports of politically-motivated violence ahead of the elections and it is possible that violence will continue in the days following the election. Avoid any political gathering or rally and be wary of spontaneous large gatherings.
There is a general threat from terrorism in Sri Lanka. Although the LTTE or “Tamil Tigers” suffered a military defeat in May 2009, the Government maintains its State of Emergency, under which it has extensive anti-terrorism powers and increased security measures including checkpoints and a highly visible military presence remain throughout the country. Isolated attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate. Foreign tourists and visitors have not been targeted in the past but attacks have occurred in places frequented by foreigners.
Although the conflict is over, extensive military operations are still ongoing, clearing minefields, unexploded ordnance and locating LTTE weapon caches (hides). The security forces are also involved in the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Always obey orders from the security forces or signs warning about the danger from land-mines. Do not venture from the roads or cleared footpaths and if in any doubt, contact the local security authorities for local advice.
The majority of visits are incident free, although there are an increasing number of incidents of credit card fraud, road accidents and drownings. You should wear a seatbelt when travelling by road and use credit or debit cards only in reputable establishments (e.g. major hotels). Many beaches in Sri Lanka have dangerous surf or rip tides at certain times of the year, always take local advice before entering the sea. A number of tropical diseases are also prevalent, including dengue fever, Chikungunya and rat fever (Leptospirosis). Cases of dengue fever in particular have risen sharply in recent months.
Read FCO’s more detailed travel advise report about Sri Lanka.

Schengen Visa

Sweden and 24 other European countries issue so called Schengen visas, valid for travel in all the countries. Besides Sweden the Schengen countries comprise of all European Union countries (except United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Rumania and Bulgaria), plus three non-EU countries, namely Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. More information on the Schengen Visa regulations.
‡ In order to improve the services to applicants and facilitate visa processing, the Embassy of Sweden in India has commissioned a private company, VFS Global Services, to operate the Swedish Visa Application Centre (VAC) in New Delhi from 15 October 2008. The VFS Swedish Visa Application Centre located at No. 5, S-1 Level, E-Block, International Trade Tower, Nehru Place, New Delhi-110019, will accept visa applications from all country nationals who wish to travel to Sweden. VFS shall accept applications for Tourist, Relative/Friend, Business, Conference, and Transit Visa categories maximum of 90 days duration in a six months period. Processing time will be of five working days (including day of submission at VFS) for Business/Conference and Transit visas and eight Working days (including day of submission at VFS) for Tourists, Visiting Friends and Relatives. Those who wish to submit their visa applications at the Embassy, should note that the processing time will be 10 working days for Business/Conference and Transit Visas and 15 working days for Tourists, Visiting Friends and Relatives. Applications for stay in Sweden exceeding 90 days, or Residence and/or Work Permit, still need to be submitted at the Embassy in New Delhi or Consulates in Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai. More information.

Swedish embassies in South Asia:

• Embassy of Sweden in Kabul, Afghanistan

• Embassy of Sweden in Colombo, Sri Lanka

• Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka, Bangladesh

• Embassy of Sweden in Islamabad, Pakistan (photo to the right)

• Embassy of Sweden in New Delhi, India (also for Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives)

– Swedish Consulates in other Indian cities/Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai

– Sweden in Bhutan/Liaison Office of Denmark in Thimpu

– Swedish Consulate in the Maldives

– Swedish Consulate General in Nepal. From 1 June 2008, the Embassy of Denmark in Kathmandu represents visa related issues for Norway and Sweden.

 

South Asia embassies in Sweden, to be found on the web:

• Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Stockholm

• Embassy of India, Stockholm. Visa forms are readily available.

– From Monday 1 December 2008, the Embassy of India in Stockholm has contracted the private company TT Services AB to handle visa applications to India at a new ”Indian Visa Application Center” located at Kungsgatan 36 (2nd floor) in Stockholm. More information about TT Services AB.

• Embassy of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Stockholm

• Embassy of Sri Lanka, Stockholm.

Closest diplomatic representation outside Sweden:

• Embassy of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Oslo, Norway (the ambassador is non-resident envoy also to Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland). Visa forms are readily available.

• Embassy of Bhutan, Geneva, Switzerland. Visa application form (pdf-file)

• Embassy of the Maldives, London, United Kingdom

• Embassy of Nepal, Copenhagen, Denmark

 

South Asian Airlines & Railways:

• Indian Railways Online Passenger Reservation Site

• Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

• Kolkata Metro Railway, the first underground system in India

Swedish travel agencies specialised on South Asia destinations:

©NandiTravels

• Albatros Travel, Copenhagen

• GetAway Resor, Stockholm

• Gränslösa Resor, Vingåker

• Himalaya Bike Tours, Själevad

• Himalaya Jeep Tours, Själevad

• Indcen Resor, Stockholm

• Indienresor (formerly Samuel Travel), Stockholm

• Kilroy Travels

• Läs och Res, Stockholm

• Metropolresor, Stockholm

• Nygren & Lind Resebyrå (Nandi Travels)

• Pilgrim Travels, Kovland

• Rosa Bussarna, Stockholm

• Simmy Travels, Malmö

• Swed–Asia Travels, Strängnäs

• Tant Gröns Resor, Borlänge

• Tranås resebyrå. Specialised on tickets for non-commercial customers, especially working with development projects. Member of the Raptim chain. Offers travel insurances at very advantageous rates (35 SEK/day), for foreign visitors to Sweden, if they are related to aid or other non-commercial actvivities.

• Vanakkam Tours/Little India, Nyköping

• Volontärresor, Stockholm

• Världens Resor, Stockholm

Lonely Planet Online:

The Australian book publisher Lonely Planet offers exhaustive and updated information on all aspects of travelling in the countries of South Asia. The information is provided by Lonely Planet readers round the Globe.

Survival Guide to Kabul

Advices for people travelling to Afghanistan

Official Tourist Boards of the South Asian Countries

• Travel Afghanistan, web site created by Matthew Leeming in association with the Afghan Ministry of Tourism

• Bangladesh Online Tourism

• Department of Tourism, Govt. of Bhutan

• Government of India/Department of Tourism

• Maldives Tourism Promotion Board

• Nepal Tourism Board

• Nepal Visitors Network

• Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation

• Sri Lanka Tourist Board

Friendship Societies in Scandinavia, on the Net

• Afghanistansolidaritet, established in September 2002, working against all foreign intervention in the war-ravaged country

• Danish Indian Society

• Indian Association in Sweden/Samband

• Indian Association of Skåne/Bharatvashi

• Swedish Indians Federation (SIA)/Svensk Indiska Förbundet, organisation for people with Indian and Srilankan origin living in Sweden. Runs a Google discussion group.

• Svenska Afghanistankommittén, SAK

• Svensk-Indiska Föreningen

• Swedish Bhutan Society (Svensk-Bhutanesiska Föreningen)

• Sweden Nepal Society (Sverige Nepalföreningen)

Cross-cultural training/Language training for South Asia

• Global Adjustments, with head office in Chennai, offers relocation service for families coming to India and cross-cultural training for Indian professionals going overseas. Courses are also offered for multinational firms working in India. Global Adjustments publish a monthly cultural magazine, called ”At A Glance – Understanding India”.