• Accommodation will be arranged for all invited speakers and chairpersons and for accepted students
• The last check out time for people staying until March 2nd night is March 3rd by 12 Noon.

International Travel :

All foreign visitors to India are required to obtain a VISA from the Indian High Commission or Indian Consulate in their respective country. Entry into India will be denied without a visa. You will need an invitation letter from the organisers which you will need to submit at the time of application of visa.

Domestic Travel :

Speakers and Participants are requested to make their own onward and return reservations. It will be difficult for The Meetings and Workshop office to provide this service. Limited funding for travel is available for Domestic participants. Please indicate your need for travel funds to the organisers, at the time of registration.

Local Transport :

• Please refer to the general information sheet that was sent to you via e-mail for arrival instructions. Please print this information and carry with you before you begin your travel to Bangalore. If you have not received this information please get in touch with us immediately at bmsw2008@ncbs.res.in"
• Transport to the venue of the symposium and back will be arranged by the organisers from the Hotel and all guest houses where accommodation is provided.

NCBS is located within the GKVK campus (University of Agricultural sciences, http://www.uasbangalore.edu.in/) and is about 2 kms from the main gate of GKVK. The Distance of NCBS from the current Bangalore airport is about 30 kms. and 9 kms north from Mekhri Circle. Each of these is a well-known landmark. Majestic is the major landmark near near the train and bus station. Infact the bus station is generally refered to as 'Majestic'.. Mekhri circle is a major junction. From Mekhri circle take the Bellary Highway north, (leading to Yelahanka). After about 7 kms you reach the L&T factory (on your left ) . GKVK is about 300 metres past it. Turn left into the GKVK campus. After about a kilometer inside GKVK, there is a road on the left side. Take a left turn and when you come to the dead end (T-junction), take another left turn and follow the road. You are in NCBS.

• Taxi fares are currently Rs 50 for first 4 kms and Rs 12 per km thereafter. Waiting charges are Rs 10 per 15 minutes. From 10 pm to 6 am the charges are 1.5 times the meter. The Bangalore Airport has a pre-paid government TAXI counter which works out cheaper than paying by the meter.
• Auto rickshaws charge Rs 7.00 per km with a minimum fare of Rs 14. From 10 pm to 6 am the charges are 1.5 times the meter. The airport, train and bus stations have pre-paid auto-rickshaw stands. The pre-paid fare for autos are generally MORE expensive than by the meter.
• The Indian Institute of Science -IISc (usually called TATA INSTITUTE) is about 7 kms from Majestic (where the train and main bus station are located). The shuttle bus service schedule from IISC-NCBS-IISC can be obtained *here*.

Bangalore City :

Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka state, is one of India's most charming cities. Aptly named the ' Garden City ', it boasts of an amazing number of flowering trees and parks. Bangalore can be the ideal starting point of an exciting exploration of the fascinating heritage of Karnataka. It is shoppers' paradise where Karnataka's fabulous traditional silks, coffee, jewellery, sandalwood and handicrafts can be bought at reliable shops. Bangalore has a delightful weather all the year round. In the month of February, temperature ranges from 20oC-30oC. Cotton Clothes are suitable for this weather.

One day outing on March 3rd: (New!!!)

*We will leave by Bus at 5:30 am and return to NCBS by 6:30 pm. We will visit the following places:
*Somnathpur Temple:* (1286 AD) see http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/mysore/kes01.html

*City of Mysore:* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysore

The cost for this (excluding meals) is expected to be between Rs 900 and Rs. 1000 per person depending upon the number of people that sign up. Please sign up for this at the time of registration at NCBS.

For those leaving on March 3rd night please keep in mind that it takes about 1.5 hours to get to Bangalore Airport from NCBS campus.