India : Security heightened nationwide
 

Another alert received today..

QUOTE
India: Security heightened nationwide due to concerns about retaliatory attacks following killing of al-Qaida leader


The authorities on 4 May stated that security had been increased along the border with Nepal in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Two days earlier, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security issued a general alert, prompting increased security at all major airports across the country. Security has also been heightened at the US embassy in the capital Delhi and US consulates in Mumbai (Maharashtra state), Kolkata (West Bengal state), Chennai (Tamil Nadu state) and Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh state), as well as other US and Jewish interests, transport hubs and ‘soft' targets such as hotels and cinemas. The security measures have been implemented to mitigate the potential for terrorist attacks in reprisal for the killing on 2 May of Osama bin Laden, the fugitive leader of al-Qaida terrorist network, by the US security forces in northern Pakistan.

Comment and Analysis

The additional protocols implemented at airports are likely to entail more stringent pre-departure security checks, such as manual searching of cabin baggage, which will result in additional time being required to clear airport formalities. In addition, added scrutiny should be anticipated around the exterior of terminals, with thorough vehicle checks and screening processes at terminal entrances. An enhanced police presence and associated disruption should also be expected at other transport hubs and across major cities, particularly in busy and unsecured public areas such as religious sites, national monuments, markets and cinemas, as well as government and military buildings and venues where the Indian social elite and Westerners are known to congregate. Security may also be increased further in response to bomb scares and additional security alerts in the coming days; a hoax text message was circulated on 4 May claiming that a bomb had been discovered in the Vasant Kunj area of Delhi. However, each warning should be taken seriously until proven otherwise as there is a credible risk of Islamist militant groups carrying out terrorist attacks in India.

Although there is no evidence to suggest that a terrorist attack is imminent, core al-Qaida elements maintain strong personal connections with many key regional Islamist extremist groups, such as the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Bangladesh-based Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami. Both groups have established connections and cells in India and have previously executed, and retain the capacity to carry out, terrorist attacks in the country. Additionally, militants have been known to infiltrate into India from Pakistan and Bangladesh via Nepal. The activities of domestic Islamist militant groups such as the Students' Islamic Movement of India and its suspected offshoots, notably the Indian Mujahideen, have also highlighted a growing problem with ‘home-grown' Islamist extremism, creating another dimension to India's terrorism concerns.

Travel Advice

Allow extra time to clear security checks at transport hubs, especially airports. Arrive at the airport well before your departure time.
Carry identification documents at all times to ease passage through security checkpoints.
There is a credible risk of terrorist attacks by separatist militant, Islamist extremist and communal groups. Potential targets include public transport, religious sites, busy unsecured areas such as marketplaces, government and military buildings and personnel and venues where Westerners are known to congregate. Remain vigilant to your surroundings and report any suspicious activity or suspect packages to the authorities.
Although high-profile hotels are a potential target for terrorist attacks, we continue to advise business travellers to stay at international-standard hotels. These hotels generally offer adequate security for travellers, as well as access to support services such as multilingual staff, medical support and reliable drivers. A company compound with adequate security could be considered as an alternative to staying at a hotel.

UNQUOTE

Huh, most marriages I know, end up in the reverse direction.

+1..

keep in mind, this is way back in the 70s....

and for me atleast, that is more strange considering ppl always wanted to travel abroad during those times and it was a big thing to travel / live abroad..

Nowadays , travelling abroad is no longer such a big thing and also considering the different economic situations , folks may think about shifting to India and many ppl do and hence that article..
On another note, was reading something long back about HNI Green card holders having taxation issues because of being US residents, double taxation etc.. so maybe that is also one of the reasons ?

Indefinite strike by Air India pilots continues to cause disruption
 

Another alert received..

A strike by around 800 members of the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) employed by national carrier Air India (AI) continued on 5 May. While AI had on the previous day cancelled 221 flights, it also reopened bookings for certain routes up to 8 May; it has published a revised flight schedule on its website. The airline is operating some of its own services and is also transferring stranded passengers to flights operated by its subsidiary, Air India Regional (formerly known as Alliance Air). In addition, it has leased flights from two other airlines — Kingfisher Airlines and Air Arabia — and plans to initiate additional wet lease arrangements. Meanwhile, AI management has commenced talks with ICPA and further negotiations are scheduled for the afternoon (local time) of 5 May.

Comment and Analysis
ICPA represents pilots operating domestic services, who are demanding pay parity with pilots who fly on international routes. Although the main impact of the industrial action, which began in April, has been on domestic flights, it has also caused some delays and cancellations on international routes. Despite the contingency measures that AI is adopting, business travellers should expect considerable disruption to the airline's services while the indefinite walkout is in effect, as well as for several days after it ends, as airline staff work to clear the backlog of passengers. In addition, there is likely to be an increased demand for domestic flights operated by other carriers. Both ICPA and AI management have assumed intractable positions, which means that the work stoppage will probably be prolonged.

Travel Advice
Personnel booked on AI flights in the coming days are advised to reconfirm flight schedules with the airline before setting out.
Personnel travelling on AI as well as other carriers are advised to arrive at the airport early to prevent their seats from being reallocated to a standby passenger.
Monitor AI's website, the local media and our website for updates on the status of the industrial action and associated disruption.

India: Air India pilots call off strike following successful negotiations;
 

Headline is interesting..

India: Air India pilots call off strike following successful negotiations; residual disruption expected in coming days

Members of the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) employed by national carrier Air India (AI) late on 6 May ended a work stoppage, which was launched on 27 April, after the government agreed to look into their demands and reinstate suspended striking pilots. ICPA represents pilots operating domestic services, who are demanding pay parity with pilots who fly on international routes among other things.

Comment and Analysis
Although the strike has ended, residual disruption to flights can be expected to continue over the next few days as the airline staff work to clear the backlog of affected passengers. A revised flight scheduled is available on the carrier's website. The main impact of the industrial action has been on domestic flights; however, it has also caused some delays and cancellations on international routes.

During the industrial action, AI operated around 10% of its daily domestic services and cancelled up to 1,000 flights. The airline operated some of its own services and also transferred stranded passengers to flights operated by its subsidiary, Air India Regional (formerly known as Alliance Air). In addition, it leased flights from Kingfisher Airlines and Air Arabia.

Travel Advice
Personnel booked on AI flights in the coming days are advised to reconfirm flight schedules with the airline before setting out.
Personnel travelling on AI as well as other carriers are advised to arrive at the airport early to prevent their seats from being reallocated to a standby passenger.
Monitor AI's website for the revised flight schedule in the coming days.

Maybe we should start a thread: "abhilife2001's Alerts"! :p

ha ha.. have been lately getting many as evident here..
just thot of sharing it with for the larger benefit :)

The underlined part is interesting.. I saw nothng successful that came out of this strike.. the compensation discussion postponed to Nov..

Maybe some "rewards" were given out just to get them back to work....who knows.

maybe but from what I read in the news, nothing like that.. only that all pilots were reinstated and their organisation recognized again..

India: Security increased following violent farmers' protest in Uttar Pradesh..
 

India: Security increased following violent farmers' protest in Uttar Pradesh


At least three people, including two security personnel, on 7 May were killed and several others injured when protesting farmers clashed with the police in Bhatta Parsaul village, in the district of Gautam Buddha Nagar (Uttar Pradesh state). The violence occurred after the police went to the village to secure the release of three state government employees, who had been taken hostage by the farmers on the previous day. The protesters threw stones and opened fire on the police, who responded by using batons, tear gas and live bullets to disperse the demonstrators; at least 20 people were arrested for inciting unrest. The authorities subsequently managed to secure the release of the hostages and deployed additional security personnel in the area. The farmers were demanding increased compensation for land acquired by the state government for developmental projects in Noida and Greater Noida (both National Capital Region), including the construction of the Yamuna Expressway, which will connect the city of Agra (Uttar Pradesh) with Noida.

Comment and Analysis

The death of a farmer in the clashes could act as a catalyst for renewed unrest, as the situation remains tense in the area. However, the deployment of additional security personnel is likely to prevent any widespread disturbances. The police are not averse to using robust measures to disperse unruly crowds; any associated unrest would pose considerable incidental risks to bystanders. The farmers may also attempt to block roads or railway tracks during future protests, disrupting overland travel.

The planned expressway involves the acquisition of land in 115 villages. The farmers have accused the state ruling Bahujan Samaj Party of forcibly acquiring their land for industrial projects. A number of, occasionally violent and disruptive, protests have been held in recent months to demand increased compensation. Further such demonstrations can be anticipated in the coming weeks and months, as opposition parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Samajwadi Party attempt to exploit the issue to gain political mileage ahead of the 2012 legislative assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Travel Advice

Avoid all demonstrations as a basic security precaution to mitigate the risk of indirect exposure to violence.
Monitor the local media for further information.

Looking for a decent deal for a MiFi in Bombay. I need it for a week and will have high usage.

Vodafone has one - 3G service if you want...

http://www.vodafone.in/3gworld/pages...ide=11&cid=che