A large number of our community members have either already obtained their certificates of being ‘Overseas Citizen of India’ or are considering the possibility of doing so seriously.

The concern is what is the status of their British Nationality especially when visiting India.

Would the British Government provide any consular assistance should that become necessary or deny that assistance stating that the person concerned is considered a Indian National and not entitled to any Consular assistance?

There has been a lot of discussion about it which has caused anxiety to those who already have OCI status. However, it has also stopped many from applying for it!

Mr Gopal Bhudia of Freeman Solicitors has obtained a clear statement from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. He has allowed the Institute of Jainology to publicise the response for the general benefit of the community at large. Mr Bhudia has kindly agreed to the reply he received being circulated freely.

A copy of the letter is shown below.

For further information or clarification should it be required please contact the Foreign & Commonwealth Office directly at the address shown.

Please click here to read a document called Handbook for Overseas Indians. I hope it also helps

What has inspired me to create this post?

A few people I know have gone away recently and somehow they’ve mentioned that they don’t know where to begin in terms of what to pack. They were concerned that they’d leave something important out!

I used to go and stay in Leicester a lot so I created my own check list to make sure I didn’t forget anything.

It was so simple. I made it once, kept it on the pc so I could add to it or share it with others (I didn’t have a blog back then, you see, so forwarding by email was the key?! ) and I’d keep a print out of it in the suitcase that I took for weekend travel so it was at hand when I needed it. As easy as that.

Now that I have a blog I thought I’d share it with you in the hope that it will help someone else feel less disorganised or rushed when packing.

If I’ve left anything out please do let me know.

Essentials: ~

Credit card – just in case
Cash (foreign) – order from https://www.travelex.co.uk (better than M&S rates – free collection from airport at check-in.)
Resort details
Drivers license
Tickets to airport if going by train
Tickets to country
Travel insurance details
Oyster card if using LT
Something that will support you if you have particular dietary requirements. For example we are vegan so we take the Vegan Passport with us which explains what we will/won’t eat in many different languages.

Things to sort out/arrange: -

Car parking arrangements
Lift to the airport
Taxi

Clothes: ~

Pashminas
Jewellery
Glasses
Shoes/Sandals
Casual clothes
Dressy clothes
Night clothes
Swimwear
Tights/socks
Underwear

General things: ~

Toothbrush
Drivers licence – especially for ID if we go you go somewhere where there’s a minimum age of entry.
Toiletry bag ~ deodorant, shower cap, cream, perfume, nail cutter, toothbrush, cotton pads, cotton buds, make up, make up remover, sanitary items, wet wipes.
Night clothes
Beach/Swimming clothes
Say wear – casual, light, easy to change and walk in
Evening wear – dressy as well as smart casual.
Undergarments – suitable for specific clothes that you’ve packed
Socks/tights
Evening wear shoes
Sandals
Walking shoes
Flight wear – baggy so it’s comfortable plus comfy shoes
Daily medications
Insect repellent
Suntan lotion
Watch
Book to read on the train/plane
Paper to write letters or notes of some sort
Ipod? Music?
Camera with batteries and charger

Hey guys. My friend was telling me about the fact that he was going away and didn’t know what to take. I stumbled upon this website and found a section helping travellers prepare for when they are away. It’s pretty good! What do you think?

* think about what you are doing at all times and trust your instincts – don’t take risks that you wouldn’t at home!

* don’t openly display valuables such as mobile phones or digital cameras and consider using a padlock on suitcases or backpacks

* find out about local customs and dress, behave accordingly and obey local laws -there may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial at home

* be careful when taking photographs, videos or using binoculars. Such activities may be misunderstood, especially near military installations

* consider taking your mobile with you or renting one whilst you’re away. Store useful numbers such as the local police and the nearest embassy or consulate

* check with your service provider to make sure your phone works abroad

* check whether it’s safe to drink local tap water- if not, stick to bottled water and avoid salads, non-peeling fruit and ice in drinks

* use your judgement when buying and eating food you’ve not prepared yourself

* respect the environment – don’t buy wildlife souvenirs, conserve resources like water and don’t drop litter

* check import regulations for food and plants with Defra before you attempt to bring them back to the UK

My friend was telling me about the fact that he was going away and didn’t know what to take. He hadn’t started packing yet and wasn’t sure where to begin.

I stumbled upon this website and thought the content was great in terms of preparing well before you travel. So I thought I’d share it with you.

We’ve put together this travel check list to help you plan for your trip abroad and stay safe whilst you are there. We’ve got more advice for specific types of travellers in our Travel advice relevant to you section.

Before you go:

* check our travel advice pages for the country you are visiting. Sign up for email alerts and you’ll get the latest updates for that country

* register with our LOCATE service so we can get in touch with you if something goes wrong

* find out where the nearest embassy will be – check their website to find out what services they offer and their opening times

* don’t travel without insurance – make sure it covers you for any activities you are likely to undertake such as extreme or water sports

* travelling within the EU? Then get a free European Health Insurance Card for free or reduced emergency care – you still need full travel insurance though!

* check with your doctor whether you need any vaccinations at least six weeks before you travel

* make sure you’ve got correct visas for the country you are visiting and that your passport is valid

* for certain countries your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date you travel – check before you go

* take photocopies of your passport and other important documents and keep these separate from the originals when you travel and/or store them online using a secure data storage site.

* tell a friend or relative where you are going and for how long for – give them some idea of your itinerary if possible and an emergency contact number

* take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds in a mix of cash and travellers cheque – make a note of the cheques’ numbers before you go

* invest in a good travel guide to help you plan your trip

* driving abroad? Make sure your licence is current and valid. Make sure you are aware of the driving laws in the country you are visiting

 

What has inspired me to create this post?

A few people I know have gone away recently and somehow they’ve mentioned that they don’t know where to begin in terms of what to pack. They were concerned that they’d leave something important out!

I used to go and stay in Leicester a lot so I created my own check list to make sure I didn’t forget anything.

It was so simple. I made it once, kept it on the pc so I could add to it or share it with others (I didn’t have a blog back then, you see, so forwarding by email was the key?! ) and I’d keep a print out of it in the suitcase that I took for weekend travel so it was at hand when I needed it. As easy as that.

Now that I have a blog I thought I’d share it with you in the hope that it will help someone else feel less disorganised or rushed when packing.

If I’ve left anything out please do let me know.

Clothes: ~

• Pashminas
• Jewellery
• Glasses
• Shoes/Sandals
• Casual clothes
• Dressy clothes
• Night clothes
• Swimwear
• Tights/socks
• Underwear to match the clothes you’ve packed
• Clothes for work if you’re going straight to work after your break

General things: ~

• Toothbrush
• Drivers licence – especially for ID if we go you go somewhere where there’s a minimum age of entry.
• Toiletry bag ~ deodorant, shower cap, cream, perfume, nail cutter, toothbrush, cotton pads, cotton buds, make up, make up remover, sanitary items, wet wipes.
• Daily medications
• Watch
• Paper to write letters or notes of some sort
• Ipod? Music?
• Camera with batteries and charger
• Make – up
• Book to read while you travel
• ID
• Maps/sat nav

So I was on my way to Kings Cross to get a train to Grantham. All I had to do was: -

Go from Pinner to Baker Street & then

Baker Street to Kings Cross

The train terminated at Wembley Park. We got told there was signal failure, a line was suspended, a fire somewhere else etc. It all affected the journey I needed to make!

After that another Metropolitan Line train terminated at Wembley Park too.  I waited 14 minutes to get the Jubilee Line to Baker Street. The only choice was to get the Hammersmith and City or Circle Line to Kings Cross. After what felt like a long wait, I made it to Kings Cross. I’d missed my train so I went to the Information Desk.

The man who was at the desk asked me questions about my ticket and said he wasn’t sure what to tell me because I had a Super Saver Ticket which meant I could only use it on one specific train. He suggested I go back to the tube station and ask for a ‘delays on the underground compensation form’

I assumed it’ be a form I fill out and send off later so I was anxious when I  had to wait in line to simply get a form. I may miss another train! Anyway it was my turn and I got told I needed to go to the Supervisor’s Office. I asked someone else and he showed me where it was. A supervisor came out and he asked for my surname which I thought was strange.

Anyway, he came out with a sheet with my name on it and an explanation of why I was delayed. He said I’d just have to give it to the staff at the platform and they should let me board the next train.

It worked and it was great!

Yesterday was a weird day. Suraj and I were heading into the city and we used the ‘back’ exit of Pinner tube station. It’s excellent as it’s closer to where we live and means we can cut a good few minutes off our journey!

So we went up the stairs, across to the other side of the station and got on the tube. When we were settled I opened Suraj’s bag to get my phone out and I saw my Oyster card. My reaction confused Suraj!

I realised I’d not touched in. Suraj then questioned whether he had or not.

There was someone from the Transport Police on the carriage so I told him what I’d realised and asked him if we should get off at the next station and sort it there or not. He suggested that we continue to wherever we were going and explain when we get there. He warned us that they may charge us the maximum fare. He didn’t say this but it’d be our fault as I/we had been careless!

Then there was an announcement “Sorry for the short notice but this train is now going to terminate at Wembley Park”

We got off at Wembley Park and waited for the next tube. Then I realised I’d left my phone on the carriage and the tube had just left the platform!

I went to the stand where there are different buttons including one for help/assistance/information. I explained what had happened to the man that answered the ‘call’ and he said he’d ring the station and ask for me.

Our tube came so I gave him our number and asked if he could leave a message on ourland line telling us if they found the phone or not.

We got to Finchley Road and rang T Mobile to cancel the SIM card etc etc etc

Then we got to our end destination and explained that we’d forgotten to touch in at Pinner. Suraj explained that he wasn’t sure if he had done so or not. The member of staff came with us to check when he last used his card. Suraj hadn’t touched in. I knew I hadn’t! Thus neither of us had touched in! He sorted that out for us and then I told him about the phone.

We went to the office and explained about my lost phone. The man we spoke to rang Wembley Park and discovered that the train had gone to the depot so we’d need to call Baker Street tomorrow. He explained that they’ll check the train before using it and if there’s any lost property on the tube, it’ll be sent to Baker Street.

We had done whatever we could.

When we got home there was a message from the gent at Wembley Park. He had similar info for me. Do you know what made me feel warm? It was the fact that he tried to find out, he kept my number, he bothered to ring it and he left a clear message telling me what I could do. Isn’t it nice?