South / Central Asia - India
Vigilance Cautioned During Indian Holiday Season
By JoAnne Green
October 3, 2008

On October 2, 2008, the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai issued a warning message to remind American citizens visiting or residing in western India of the need to maintain vigilance during the holiday season, from Eid ul Fitr, Navratri, and Diwali in October thru Christmas and New Year's Eve in December, particularly in light of recent terrorist incidents in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra.

All Americans are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, remain aware of their surroundings, monitor local news reports, avoid crowded places, and take appropriate steps to bolster their personal security.  If unattended packages are spotted, American citizens should immediately exit the area and report the packages to authorities.  In Mumbai, dial “100” to reach the Police Control Office.  Additionally, the holidays typically bring with them a spike in crime, and travelers are cautioned to guard personal items, especially in crowded areas. 

 

Also during the holiday period, stampedes at overcrowded pilgrimage sites have resulted in scores of deaths and injuries when visitor numbers have exceeded safe limits.  Citizens are advised to exercise caution at such sites.

 

Please note that the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai is closed for the following holidays:

 

Thursday, October 2, 2008 for Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday;

Thursday, October 9, 2008 for Dassehra;

Monday, October 13, 2008 for Columbus Day;

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 for Diwali (Laxmi Pujan);

Thursday, October 30, 2008 for Diwali (Bhaubeej);

Tuesday, November 11, 2008 for Veterans’ Day;

Thursday, November 27, 2008 for Thanksgiving Day;

Thursday, December 25, 2008 for Christmas Day;

Thursday, January 1, 2009 for New Year’s Day.

 

The Consulate General remains available for emergency services 24 hours a day.  Please visit the Consulate website for more information (details below).

 

Americans are encouraged to read the Country Specific Information for India, available on the Embassy's website at http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov

 

U.S. citizens may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information:

 

-- The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, 400026, telephone +91-22-2363-3611; fax +91-22-2363-0350. The Internet home page address is http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov.

 

-- The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407.  The Internet home page address is http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.

 

-- The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006, telephone +91-44-2857-4000; fax +91-44-2811-2027.  The Internet home page address is http://chennai.usconsulate.gov.

 

-- The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91-33-3984-2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335.  The Internet home page address is http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov.

Travel Advisories

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs gives the following advice Australians who are traveling, working or living in India: "Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas, organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy."

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office gives the following advice British people who are traveling, working or living in India: "We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. This should cover medical evacuation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake."

The Canadian Foreign Affairs Office gives the following advice to Canadians who are traveling, working or living in India: "Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad. Out-of-country healthcare can be costly, and your health plan will cover only part of the bill at best. It is your responsibility to obtain supplementary travel insurance and understand the terms of your policy. Some credit card companies offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume that coverage is automatically included or that the card alone provides adequate coverage."

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade gives the following advice to New Zealanders: "New Zealanders travelling or resident in India should have comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies in place that include provision for medical evacuation by air."

The U.S. Department of State gives the following advice to Americans who are traveling, working or living in India: "We strongly urge you to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation and overseas medical services. Please keep in mind that Medicare does not cover any illness or injury that occurs outside of the United States."

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