14
ART & CULTURE
India Connect How do I apply for a visa to India? If you are planning a trip to India, irrespective of the reason of travel, you need to complete an online application form, take a print out and submit it at the nearest India Visa Application Center in the United Kingdom. This Form is common for all categories being applied for and can be found on our website at http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk along Jiten Vyas, VFS Global with all required information on fees, documents required and locations where the application can be submitted. You also have the option to send us the application form and all required documents via post to our visa application center in Hayes. It is very important to keep in mind that the two photographs that you do need to submit along with your application must be of a specific size i.e. 50x50 and with a white background. The visa centers in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh do have photo booths that will be able to provide you with the right size and quality. Please note that incorrect or incomplete applications, documentation or photographs may not allow us to proceed with accepting your dossier at the visa center. A comprehensive FAQ tab on the homepage of our website will provide you with more information on your application requirements. Where do I apply for a visa to India? There are 8 locations within the United Kingdom where you can submit your application for a visa to India. These are: India Visa Application Center 60-62 Wilton Road, Victoria, London, SW1V 1DE. India Visa Application Center 142-148 Goswell Road, London EC1V 7DU. India Visa Application Center 1-3, Canalside, Uxbridge Road, Hayes, Middlesex, UB4 0JN India Visa Application Center 20 - 21 Pemberton Street, Birmingham B18 6NY India Visa Application Center 66 Hanover Buildings Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2NN Submission of Application for all the above centers: 0830 - 1430 Hrs Collection of processed passports from all the above centers: 1300 - 1630 Hrs Monday-Friday India Visa Application Center C/o. The India Centre, Sanquhar Street, Splott, Cardiff, CF24 2AA. Working hours are from 09.00hrs until 14.30hrs Monday to Friday India Visa Application Center C/o. Mel Milaap Centre 134 Berkeley Street, Glasgow, G3 7HY. Working hours are from 0930 - 1430 Hrs Monday-Friday India Visa Application Center C/o. Jain Community Centre 669 Stockport Road, Longsight, Manchester, M12 4QE. Working hours are from 0930 – 1430 Hrs Monday-Friday What documents are required and the subsequent fees to be charged? Complete information on the documents required and the subsequent fees which will be charged can be found under the section ‘All About Your Visa’ on the homepage of our website http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk. Under each category information is broken down into four tabs at the top of the page titled: Visa Fees, Document Checklist, Application Form, Photo Specifications and FAQ.
For more information regarding any quires about Indian Visa please contact by email or post: Email: info.inuk@vfshelpline.com Customer Relations Department. India Visa Application Center, 60-62 Wilton Road, London SW1V 1DE
India Connect - your questions answered on India visas” a service offered by
Asian Voice - Saturday 5th May 2012
Foodies Festival to celebrate quality family times together Foodies Festivals like the previous years are yet again ready to bring you and your family the most exciting mix of food, drink and culinary talent for 2012. In an exclusive interview Sue Hitchen, the Director of Foodies Festivals, told Asian Voice about the fun involved, the exclusivity and the unique opportunities available for our readers at the festival. AV: Tell us briefly about the idea of Foodies Festival. Who and why it was conceptualised? Sue: I identified that there was a real need for family food and drink festivals as part of the mix of festivals in Edinburgh and then brought the event to Jubilee Square, Brighton, in 2009, alongside the Brighton Fringe - and then last year expanded on to Hove Lawns. Word spread about the success of the festivals and we were approached to run them around the country so it was an expansion brought about by demand.
try to include innovative features every year to give people something new to experience. This year we have put in the Food of Love Cinema, where you can watch the greatest food films of all time and eat the food from those
AV: Is this the first year of this event? If not, how is each year different from the other? Sue: We now have seven shows yearly, since our first was set up six years ago. The festivals grow each year, so there's always something new to try and more delicious food than ever to taste.
AV: Who are your target audience? Sue: Anyone who loves quality food as well as a friendly family festival atmosphere. AV: Do you have any Asians especially Indians taking part in the event? If yes in what capacity? Sue: Cyrus Todiwala OBE, who recently cooked for the Queen, is bringing his innovative restaurant trailer to Hampton Court Palace Foodies on May 5,
AV: Do you have any theme for each year? Sue: No, although we
Foodies Festivals are at 7 locations around the UK this year. Call 0844 995 1111 or visit www.foodiesfestival.co m for tickets and more information
sorts of food stalls alongside each other. There is a lot of Asian food in the Street Food Avenue area, however, as well as Asian exhibitors, such as Curry Tree Spice Mix and Indian Affair.
6 and 7 and he'll be cooking a mixture of street food and classic Indian dishes. Priya Raman, of Raman's Kitchen, is doing daily masterclasses on Indian cuisine.
AV: What are the benefits for people who are visiting the festival other than tasting good food? Sue: They can watch TV and Michelin-starred chefs cooking live in the Chef's Theatre and enjoy food and drink masterclasses with experts. There's a Kids' Cookery Theatre for budding young chefs, as well as a city beach to relax on and
AV: Do you have any special section on Asian food? Sue: Not specifically, as we like to display all
make sandcastles. There's a VIP Lounge, where premium ticket holders can enjoy live cabaret, free restaurant meals and free champagne.
Cyrus Todiwala
films during the screening.
Anjali launches pencil Campaign
The AkshayaPatra Foundation hosted a dinner to thank all their current donors and supporters at the Wembley Plaza hotel on Wednesday, 25th April evening. Even with heavy rains and unusual traffic,the banquet hall was full - with around 200 people. Full report next week with more photos.
A 15 year old London schoolgirl has begun a campaign to send used pencils to a school in Africa. Anjali Vaz from Stanmore in Middlesex began her initiative when visiting Kenya the country of birth of her mother last year. While there in a Village School near Kisumu, she discovered that children were using charcoal to write on pieces of paper because they didn't have pencils.
Photo courtesy: Raj Bakrania
The initiative involves sending used pencils to a Village school in Kenya. She is therefore calling on anyone who has used pencils of length 14cm or over which they are going to get rid of to send them to her so that she can send them on to a school in
Kenya. Anjali said: ‘I believe that the young children in this school in Kenya deserve to have the chance for an education and should get the opportunity for learning. Here, we take pencils for granted, however even the pencils that you do not want can help immensely.’ If you have any pencils that you are not using, please email Anjali on sendapencil@hotmail.co.uk
leading Tamil film star and Politician R Sarath Kumar and MP Virendra Sharma at the House of Commons to discuss on future goals and ambitions of the organisation. Sarath kumar said “I am delighted to support
BSICC activities in the future and also provide my assistance where necessary. “ BSICC aims to help those who would like have links with businesses in Uk and South India.
Virendra Sharma MP to chair the British South Indian Chambers of Commerce Rt Hon Virendra Sharma, MP will be chairing the newly formed organisation British South Indian Chambers of Commerce (BSICC). The BSICC will include members from 4 south Indian states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu , Andhra Pradesh and Jacob Ravi Balan , President of World Karnataka). Tamil Organisation with Tamil Actor A meeting was and Politician, R Sarath Kumar and held last week Virendra Sharma MP at the British with few members South Indian Chambers of Commerce meeting at the Parliament along with the