India in Balance

T3173

Led by Deborah Kittner

May 30- June 14 , 2005

An Invitation

Since 1963, the World Affairs Council of Greater Cincinnati has been coordinating the College Consortium on International Education (CCIE) to provide quality resources that allow member institutions, independent undergraduate liberal arts colleges in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, to expand and enhance global education programs. The basic elements holding the consortium together are similar institutional status, reasonable geographic proximity, commitment to a shared philosophy and endeavor, regular participation, and central administrative support. Underlying these elements are the spirit of cooperation, free exchange, and the continuing assumption of responsibility. This collaborative ethos sustains the essential vitality and usefulness of the consortium.

The Council organizes and manages an international study opportunity for CCIE faculty that provides a historical, political, economic, and cultural introduction to the country or region under investigation. An effort is made in the Summer Faculty Development Program to balance opportunities, which provide a general overview with chances to meet the individual research needs of participating faculty members.

The 2005 CCIE Faculty Development Tour, India in Balance, will provide you with an opportunity to experience the diversity of India while in the company of CCIE member colleagues from Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio campuses. We will visit Hindu, Islamic and Christian religious cites; explore cities full of ancient and modern art and architecture; interact with workers from small traditional businesses and new multinational corporations; talk with political leaders, local students and scholars; and savor the varied tastes of Indian cuisine.

India in Balance will allow you to truly learn how India balances its unique diversities. Upon returning to your college, you will have gained experiences and resources, including a new professional network of peers and Indian contacts, to help you share with students and colleagues from all disciplines across your campus and throughout your community. Join us!

Your Itinerary

Monday, May 30 - Cincinnati Departure. Depart on domestic flight to Chicago. Upon arrival, transfer to Air India non-stop flight to Frankfurt, with continuing service to Delhi.

Tuesday, May 31 - En Route. Morning arrival in Frankfurt. Transfer to flight departing early afternoon for Delhi.

Wednesday, June 1 - Delhi Arrival. Early morning arrival in Delhi. Transfer, with assistance, to The Qutab Hotel for immediate check-in and time to sleep. Delhi is a fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, where the past co-exists with the present. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then have the morning free to get over jet lag. Enjoy an afternoon tour of New Delhi. Visit the Qutab Minar, built in the 12th century. Later visit the tomb of Humayun, a magnificent structure in red sandstone and white marble and a precursor to the Taj Mahal. Also make a visit to the Baha’i Temple of Worship, New Delhi. It is one of the greatest architectural achievements of modern times. It is one of the six houses of worship built by the Baha’is in all of the world. The other five are in Panama, Frankfurt, Wilmette (Illinois), Sydney and The Temple (shrine) of the founder of the faith, Bahaulla, in Haifa, Israel. Later visit the India Gate, a World War I memorial. Enjoy a welcome dinner. (B,D)

Thursday, June 2 - Delhi. Visit Old Delhi and the Jama Masjid. Then make a visit to an Indian house of government. Afternoon free for independent exploration. Attend the evening Sound and Light show at the Red Fort followed by dinner at an Indian specialty restaurant Chor Bizaar. (B,D)

Friday, June 3 - Delhi. Morning departure by private motorcoach to Business/Diverse Women for Diversity Navdanya Group (as arranged by leaders) Lunch in a local restaurant. (B,L)

Saturday, June 4 - Delhi (Agra). Early morning departure for Agra by Shatabdi Express. Enjoy breakfast aboard the train. Morning excursion to Fatehpur Sikri, an exquisite city built by Akbar the Great in 1569. Visit the Palace of the Prime Minister Birbal and the Panch Mahal. The Friday Mosque and the exquisite tomb of Sheik Salim Chisti are in the religious grounds set aside in a separate enclosure adjacent to the secular buildings. Lunch in an Indian speciality restaurant. Afternoon tour of Agra Fort and Taj Mahal. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings including Jahangir’s Palace, Khaas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas and Musamman Burj - the Octagonal Tower, where Emperor Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal was imprisoned by his son Aurangazeb for seven years and died a prisoner. Visit the Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630, for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her remains. Later transfer to Agra Cant railway station in time to board train for Delhi. Dinner aboard the train. Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to the hotel for check-in. (B,L,D)

Sunday, June 5 - Delhi/Chennai. Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free for independent activities. Transfer from the hotel to domestic airport to board flight for Chennai, formerly Madras. Arrive Chennai and transfer to Hotel Savera. Chennai is the fourth largest city in India and the capital of Tamil Nadu. Retaining much of its traditional charm, this 350 year-old city is the gateway to the South, providing many fascinating vignette of southern heritage. Evening orientation followed by dinner at Madras Christian College. (B,D)

Monday, June 6 - Chennai. Full-day program with Madras Christian College. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, June 7 - Chennai. Morning visit to the office of Working Woman’s Forum, then the market (as arranged by group leaders). Afternoon city tour of Chennai. Visit the Cathedral of Sam Thome - the last resting place of St. Thomas the Apostle who brought Christianity to India in 52 AD and Fort George - where most of Chennai history was written. Elihu Yale who founded Yale University, was one of the early Governors of Madras as it was then known. Evening visit to the Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world and a popular people watching destination. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, June 8 - Chennai. Full-day excursion to Dalit Village (Caste of Untouchables). Overnight with host families (likely 2–4 per host family; subject to availability). (B,L,D)

Thursday, June 9 - Chennai. Day free for independent exploration. (B,L)

Friday, June 10 - Chennai. Depart Chennai for Kanchipuram by bus. The ‘Golden City’ is one of the seven sacred cities in India and has been seat of learning and a center of culture since early times. The Kailasanthar temple was built in the 8th century AD by the Pallavas and is an excellent example of early Dravidian architecture. Also visit the Ekambareswarar temple - a Saivaite shrine where Shiva is worshipped in the form of “Prithvi” (earth). After visiting Kanchipuram, depart to Mahabalipuram by bus. Mamallapuram is an historical retreat set amidst natural beauty. Next, visit the glorious Shore Temple, one of the oldest in South India. Return to Chennai for overnight. (B,L,D)

Saturday, June 11 - Chennai/Bangalore. Morning transfer to airport for flight to Bangalore. Arrive in Bangalore and transfer to Hotel Ramanashree. Bangalore is the capital of the modern State of Karnataka. Enjoy lunch at the hotel. During an afternoon tour of Bangalore, visit the Bull temple - built in the Dravidian style with a monolithic bull, the summer palace of Tipu Sultan, the botanical gardens of Lal Bagh which were laid out by Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore. The gardens were created in the 18th century and cover 240 acres with a wide variety of exotic trees and plants. Also visit the Muslim shrine, Dargah of Hazarath Tawakkal Mastan. This shrine is al so associated with the Hindu festival of Kangra. (B,L)

Sunday, June 12 - Bangalore. Morning departure for a full-day tour of Bangalore to visit Jumma Masjid, Gangadhareswara Cave temple - dedicated to the god Shiva, Tipu’s Summer Palace and Venkataramanswamy temple. (B,L,D)

Monday, June 13 - Bangalore. Morning departure for a visit to Indian Institute of Science. Visit the call center at Convergys, a company headquartered in Cincinnati with business all over the world. Enjoy lunch in a city restaurant. Late afternoon visit to Nirtyagram Dance Village. After dinner in the hotel, transfer to international airport in time to board flight for Bombay. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, June 14 - Bombay/Cincinnati. Late evening departure on Air India flight to Bombay, with connecting service to Chicago. Arrive in Chicago and clear customs. Proceed to connecting flight to Cincinnati.

Itinerary subject to change due to local scheduling.

Statement of Conditions

Tour cost and minimum number of participants: $3,195, based on a minimum of 25 paying participants. $3,275, based on a minimum of 20 paying participants. $3,350, based on a minimum of 15 paying participants. Based on exchange rates and tariffs in effect as of August 31, 2004; subject to change in the event that there is a fluctuation of more than 2%.

Air transportation (included in tour cost): Cincinnati/Delhi, Bangalore/Cincinnati air based on currently quoted fare by Air India; Delhi/Chennai/Bangalore based on adult fares* (over age 30) using local carriers; subject to restrictions and cancellation penalties by the airlines; current taxes included. *$80 reduction for those under 30 years of age (proof required for intra-India flights).

Surface travel/transfers: By private deluxe motorcoach, including porterage of two pieces of luggage per person; chair car seats (air conditioned) for Delhi/Agra/Delhi rail.

Accommodations and meals: Twin-occupancy in superior tourist class hotels, as indicated or similar, with breakfast daily, ten lunches and ten dinners; $75 reduction if Madras Christian College is able to provide accommodations in Chennai. Single supplement: $450.*

Program arrangements: As indicated in the itinerary, including entrance fees for guided touring where applicable; services of a professional English speaking guide while in India; tickets for Sound & Light Show at Red Fort; Indian visa and processing (15 day visa) for US citizens.

Payment schedule: $500 per person deposit due with enrollment by no later than February 1, 2005; balance due March 28, 2005 upon receipt of a final invoice.

Cancellation and refund policy: Should cancellation occur prior to 90 days before departure, full refund will be granted less a $50 service charge. In addition to any airline penalties, the following specified costs are non-refundable: 60-89 days — $250; 46-59 days — 50% of tour price; 15 - 45 days — recoverable costs only (possible forfeiture of entire tour cost); cancellations received less than 15 days from departure will receive no refund. Cancellations must be submitted in writing; the date such notification is received by Seminars International, Inc. is the cancellation date. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

Exclusions: Items not listed above, including but not limited to meals other than those indicated; beverages except at breakfast; optional entertainment and excursions; excess baggage charges; all personal items, such as telephone calls, laundry expenses, individual room service; insurance (brochure available through Seminars International); gratuities (funds included as indicated above); departure taxes (except U.S.); passport fees; visa fees for non US citizens. Non US citizens will receive a $45 rebate for the visa fee.

Management and responsibility: Seminars International (SI) acts only as an agent and neither SI nor any employee or appointee nor any other person, party or organization or agency collaborating with it is or shall be responsible or liable for any injury or loss, accident or damage, delay or deviation or curtailment, howsoever caused or arising or the consequences thereof, which may occur during any part of the travel or program or during such free time as the members may elect to spend independently on tour. The airlines or commercial carriers concerned are not to be held responsible for any acts, omissions, or events during the time the passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. The passage contracts in use by the airlines concerned, when issued, will constitute the sole contract between the airlines and the purchaser of this tour and/or passenger.

Deviations policy: Some participants may wish to precede the group, extend their stay, or originate or deplane from different cities. Every effort will be made to assist tour members who require deviations in air and/or land arrangements for a $75 per person service charge, plus any additional charges levied by the airline. Once the deviation has been booked, any changes may incur additional costs. Please remember that you are purchasing a group tour. Thus, any deviation from the tour arrangements will require staff time that is not calculated in the tour price. No refund can be granted to participants who wish to omit portions of the itinerary. All deviation requests must be submitted in writing at least 75 days prior to departure to avoid any misunderstandings.

*Upon request, Seminars International Inc. will assist tour members traveling singly to arrange for a roommate. If no roommate is found, a single supplement will be assessed.

**Upon receipt of your enrollment form, a confirmation packet will be sent to you by Seminars International, Inc.

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