Guwahati, Assam, India
Proposal for OOoCon
Section 1 - Mandatory Information
Proposed Date(s)
Main conference, November 10-12, 2009. Tourist trips: (either or all options available): November 13-16; November 13-18
Weather: The weather at Guwahati and adjoining areas during November is the most pleasant one with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 14 degrees Celsius at night and maximum 24 degrees Celsius at daytime. There will be no rainfall in November.
Location (country, city)
Guwahati, Dispur - State Capital of Assam, INDIA
Guwahati, Assam, the gateway to the northeast is well connected with the rest of India by air, rail and road. The Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Guwahati is 18 km from the city center and is well connected to New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Air Deccan, Kingfisher Airlines, SpiceJet and Indigo fly operate regular flights to Guwahati from New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. Air India also operates an international weekly flight between Bangkok and Guwahati.
Special visa or entry requirements (e.g. vaccinations)
Visa
Applying for a Visa is mandatory. A Vaccination is not required to our knowledge, but to be on the safe side, you should also contact the Indian Missions in your country.
Foreign Nationals desirous of coming into India are required to possess a valid passport of their country and a valid Indian Visa.There is no provision of 'Visa on Arrival' in India and no fee is charged for immigration facilities at the airports. Foreign passengers should ensure that they are in possession of valid Indian Visa before they start their journey to India except nationals of Nepal and Bhutan who do not require visa to enter India and nationals of Maldives who do not require visa for entry in India for a period up to 90 days (a separate Visa regime exists for diplomatic/official passport holders).
The Consular Passport and Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs is responsible for issuance of Indian visas to the foreign nationals for their visit for various purposes. This facility is granted through various Indian missions abroad.
Visa fees are non-refundable and subject to change without notice. The
High Commission reserves the right on granting and deciding type/duration
of visa irrespective of the fees tendered at the time of making
application. Granting of Visa does not confer the right of entry to India
and is subject to the discretion of the Immigration Authorities.
Specific Visas are granted for a variety of purposes. Listed below in a
tabular form are the types of visa; categorized on the basis of purpose
of staying in India.
| Type | Period | Documents Required |
| Tourist Visa | 6 months | Docs supporting the applicant's financial standing |
| Business Visa | One or more years | Letter from the sponsoring organization |
| Student Visa | For the duration of the academic course of study or for a period of five years whichever is less | Proof of admission to recognized Universities/Institutions in India |
| Transit Visa | Maximum for 15 Days | Evidence of onward travel to a destination outside India |
| Conference Visa | For the duration of the Conference | Letter of invitation from the organizer of the conference |
Visa Application Form
Visa application form is available at the office of Indian Embassy in the country where the NRI/PIO resides. Visa form for nationals of Pakistan and Bangladesh are generally different. All NRIs/PIOs, including children (who don't possess OCI or PIO card) need to apply for Visa in separate visa forms.
Procedure for obtaining Visa
Visas can be applied for in person or by post at the High Commission of India based in the country from where the candidate intends to depart for India. Specific visas are granted for a variety of purposes that are aforementioned.
Requirements for Visa
Generally the following documents are required for obtaining Indian Visa. However, the requirement may vary from country to country.
- Original passport valid for at least 6 months
- Visa fee
- Two passport size photographs
- Supporting documents, where necessary
- Duly completed application form
Visa for NRIs and PIOs
Persons of Indian Origins and Non-Resident Indians who possess either OCI (Overseas Indian Citizenship) or PIO card don't need Indian Visa. OCI and PIO give them the freedom to visit India without visa. OCI and PIO cards are multi-purpose life long visa for visiting India.
However, those NRIs and PIOs who don't have OCI or PIO card can apply for and get Indian visa through the procedure mentioned above. For more details visit our Section on 'Indian Missions/Embassies Abroad'
Conference venue(s) (e.g. university campus, municipal buildings)
The conference venues will be:
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG)
- Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Amingaon, Guwahati
- Desbhakta Tarunram Phukan Indoor Stadium, Amingaon, Guwahati
- Assam Administrative Staff College, Khanapara, Guwahati
- Maniram Dewan Trade Center, Guwahati
Conference facilities (e.g. WiFi, video streaming/recording)
The following facilities will be made available to all the attendees for the conference period in all the venues and hotels:
- Free Broadband Internet Access on WiFi /WLAN
- Free VoIP Telephone Numbers
- Free Video Conferencing / Streaming facilities
- Sufficient Power Sockets (220 V AC. 50Hz)
- Free Lunch and Snacks between conference sessions
- Free OpenOffice.org Kit with DVD and high quality print Manual
- Free UBUNTU DVD with latest version with all patches
- Free dedicated volunteer support for every delegate
- Cultural Shows on all conference evenings with Free Dinner
Accommodation (especially any low cost hostels etc)
Hotel Rooms will be available in 3-Star and above standard hotels with rentals starting from 60 Euro per night for a single room and 120 Euro for a double room. The organizers will take care of the hotel bookings at discounted rates for the convenience of the attendees. Lunch will be provided free during the conference days. On the first day, the organizers would like to invite all attendees to a welcome dinner.
Cultural evenings would be organized on all the nights of
the conference. Assam is known for its rich cultural heritage and
hospitality.
Selected Hotels:
(A) Luxury 4 Star Hotels:
- Hotel Dynasty http://www.hoteldynastyindia.com/
- Hotel Rajmahal http://www.rajmahalhotel.com/
(B) Luxury 3 Star Hotels:
- Hotel Vishwaratna http://www.vishwaratnahotel.com/
- Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok http://hotelbrahmaputraashok.com/
(B) Luxury 2 Star Hotels:
- Landmark Hotel http://www.asiarooms.com/india/guwahati/landmark.html
External transport links (nearest airport(s))
Nearest Airport: It is the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, 18 Km from Guwahati city.
Flight Connections to Guwahati:
(A) Flight Schedule from New Delhi:
-
Departure
(Delhi)Airlines
Days
Arrival
(Guwahati)Flight Num
05:30
Indigo
Daily
07:50
6E201,
07:45
Indian
Tue/Thu/Sat
11:05
IC880
09:55
Air Sahara
Daily
12:05
S2311
10:15
Jet Airways
Mon/Wed/Fri
12:25
9W601
10:15
Jet Airways
Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun
13:40
9W602
10:30
Kingfisher
Tue/Thu/Sat
13:05
IT3334
10:30
Kingfisher
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun
13:45
IT3334
10:45
Indian
Wed/Sun
13:00
IC889
11:15
Indian
Mon/Fri
13:30
IC879
11:25
Spice Jet
Tue/Thu/Sat
14:00
SG881
11:25
Spice Jet
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun
14:45
SG882
13:40
Jet Airways
Daily
15:50
9W607
(B) Flight Schedule from Mumbai:
-
Departure
(Mumbai)Airlines
Days
Arrival
(Guwahati)Flight Num
06:50
Jet Airways
Daily
11:20
9W201
09:20
Indigo
Daily
14:20
6E321,
10:40
Kingfisher
Daily
13:55
IT162
(C) Flight Schedule from Kolkata:
-
Departure
(Kolkata)Airlines
Days
Arrival
(Guwahati)Flight Num
06:10
Air Sahara
Daily
07:15
S2361
06:20
Kingfisher
Daily
08:10
IT4569
08:15
Alliance Air
Mon/Tue/Wed/Sun
10:55
CD7703
09:50
Indian
Daily
11:00
IC229
10:10
Jet Airways
Daily
11:20
9W201
10:45
Kingfisher
Daily Ex Sun
11:55
IT431
10:50
Indigo
Daily
12:10
6E207,
10:55
Air Sahara
Daily
12:10
S2363
12:35
Spice Jet
Daily
13:35
SG528
13:00
Indigo
Daily
14:20
6E321,
13:50
Jet Airways
Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun
16:00
9W619
13:55
Kingfisher
Sun
15:05
IT431
17:15
Alliance Air
Mon/Tue/Wed/Sun
18:40
CD7729
18:00
Jet Airways
Daily Ex Sun
19:10
9W627
Flight connections from Guwahati:
(A) Flight Schedule to New Delhi
-
Departure
(Guwahati)Airlines
Days
Arrival
(Delhi)Flight Num
11:00
Indigo
Daily
13:25
6E202,
11:45
Indian
Tue/Thu/Sat
13:50
IC880
13:15
Jet Airways
Mon/Wed/Fri
16:50
9W601
13:35
Kingfisher
Tue/Thu/Sat
16:50
IT3334
14:15
Indian
Mon/Fri
17:40
IC879
14:15
Kingfisher
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun
16:50
IT3334
14:20
Jet Airways
Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun
16:50
9W602
14:30
Spice Jet
Tue/Thu/Sat
17:55
SG881
15:15
Spice Jet
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun
17:55
SG882
15:30
Air Sahara
Daily
17:45
S2312
16:30
Jet Airways
Daily
18:45
9W608
16:40
Indian
Wed/Sun
18:55
IC890
(B) Flight Schedule to Mumbai
-
Departure
(Guwahati)Airlines
Days
Arrival
(Mumbai)Flight Num
07:45
Air Sahara
Daily
12:05
S2702
15:15
Kingfisher
Daily
18:35
IT165
15:30
Indigo
Daily
20:20
6E322
(C) Flight Schedule to Kolkata
-
Departure
(Guwahati)Airlines
Days
Arrival
(Kolkata)Flight Num
07:45
Air Sahara
Daily
09:00
S2702
11:40
Indian
Daily
12:50
IC230
12:00
Jetair
Daily
13:10
9W207
12:40
Indigo
Daily
14:00
6E208,
13:30
Alliance Air
Mon/Tue/Wed/Sun
16:10
CD7704
14:05
Spice Jet
Daily
15:10
SG527
15:25
Air Sahara
Daily
16:35
S2364
15:30
Indigo
Daily
16:50
6E322,
16:00
Kingfisher
Daily
17:10
IT432
16:35
Jet Airways
Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun
18:45
9W620
17:40
Kingfisher
Tue/Thu/Sat
20:10
IT4576
17:50
Kingfisher
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun
20:10
IT4559
19:05
Alliance Air
Mon/Wed/Sun
20:35
CD7730
19:40
Alliance Air
Tue
21:10
CD7730
19:40
Jetair
Daily Ex Sun
20:50
9W628
Travel Costs:
The organizers would try their best to offer special discounted prices for both international and local flights as well as sightseeing tours.
(A) Round Trip Airfare to Guwahati City
- New York – New Delhi/Mumbai – Guwahati: 600 Euro onwards
- Europe – New Delhi/Mumbai – Guwahati: 700 Euro onwards
- Cape Town – New Delhi/Mumbai – Guwahati: 800 Euro onwards
- Beijing – New Delhi – Guwahati: 800 Euro onwards
- Tokyo – New Delhi – Guwahati: 1600 Euro onwards
- Sydney – Kolkata – Guwahati: 800 Euroonwards
Travel sponsorship will be provided for special contributors from developing countries and the handicapped.
Internal transport links (within city)
The organizers will arrange free transport by shuttle bus/taxi between all venues/hotels and also provide free pick up and drop in at the airport before and after the conference. Volunteers will be provided to accompany the visitors for local sightseeing tours also.
Team Lead (main contact person)
Mahendra Kumar Yadava
Prof. Gautam Barua
Anupam Barman,
Monoj Baruah,
Biju Phukan Bhagabati
Team Members
(All members are committed to planning the conference during the last four weeks before OooCon 2009):
PROF. GAUTAM BARUAH, DIRECTOR, IIT GUWAHATI
MAHENDRA KUMAR YADAVA, MD AMTRON
ANUPAM BARMAN, SYSTEM CONSULTANT, AMTRON
MONOJ BARUAH, PROJECT MANAGER, AMTRON
BIJU PHUKAN BHAGABATI, TECHNICAL OFFICER, AMTRON
RANGALAL MAZUMDAR, GENERAL MANAGER (BO), AMTRON
SANJIB SARMAH, MANAGER, AMTRON
SHYAMAL BHUYAN, DM, AMTRON
BABITA GOSWAMI, ADDITIONAL MANAGER, AMTRON
MUKUL KALITA, ADDITIONAL MANAGER, AMTRON
ARUP BARMAN, DM, AMTRON
ANUPAM SARMA, MD OFFICE INCHARGE, AMTRON
GAUTAM DAS, HW ENGINEER, AMTRON
RAJIB RANJAN DAS, DM, AMTRON
JYOTI PRASAD, DM, AIIL
DR. AMRIT PAL SINGH, GAUHATI UNIVERSITY
DR. ABHIJIT SARMA, GAUHATI UNIVERSITY
DR. HERAMBA BAILUNG, IASST
NIRANJAN BHAGOBATY, IASST
UTPAL HAZARIKA, ISS
Local events that are taking place in parallel (or immediately before/after)
- Children's Day, November 14, 2009
- The 11th Annual International Conference of Society for Emergency Medicine in India (EMCON), November 18 – 22, 2009 http://emcon2009guwahati.com/
- International Trade Fair (IITF), New Delhi, November 14 – 28, 2009
Section 2 – Proposal
In 400 words or less, answer this question:
Why should the Community award OOoCon 2009/2010 to your team?
Assam Electronics Development Corporation Ltd (AMTRON) is representing the Guwahati OpenOffice.org community and is pleased to propose Guwahati, Assam (INDIA) as the second OpenOffice.org Conference outside of Europe in this year 2009.
AMTRON is a big promoter of OpenOffice.org and hopes to contribute for its cause. The Government of Assam has continuously shown its patronage towards OpenOffice.org since the year 2006 and with this initiative, the IT Department through its nodal agency – AMTRON has been capable of taking up major projects in open source and promoting OpenOffice.org in offices, schools, colleges and universities within and outside Assam. We are regularly holding seminars and workshops on ODF/ OpenOffice.org and LINUX. We are also keenly focused on developing and providing local language support on LINUX to the local communities. In India we are one of the most committed lot on the OpenOffice.org and LINUX.
The Government of India has launched the National eGovernance Plan (NeGP), which is one of the biggest government driven IT & ICT initiative in the world covering State Wide Area Networks, citizen-centric service delivery windows, Data centers and other requisite infrastructure. In Assam, AMTRON is the nodal agency for implemnattion of these programmes; and most of it is happening on Open source, Open standards, ODF and 100% OpenOffice.org.
Holding of the OooCon2009 at Guwahati would usher a new era in not only in Assam, but also in India and and the rest of the South East Asia. Almost 25-30% of the population working in the IT Industry in India belongs to Assam and the North East India. OooCon2009 at Guwahati would rightly put the focus on developing countries where the Governments are fast adopting OpenOffice.org as the best possible solution to roll out major IT initiatives for the citizens, school children and the employees.
Guwahati is the gateway to several exciting tourist spots such as Shillong, Darjeeling and Gangtok. In Assam itself there are two great World Heritage Sites, namely Kaziranga National Park and the Manas Wild Life Sanctuary. Guwahati can be considered as a feast for the OpenOffice.org conference attendees and has the required infrastructure to be one of the best locations worldwide. By organizing the International Conference on OpenOffice.org this year, the people of Assam would feel very proud in extending the boundaries to the world of OpenOffice.org and its contributors and provide many business opportunities for this region and India as a whole.
