ASA12: Arts and aesthetics in a globalising world

3rd-6th April 2012, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

Travel and visa information

Venue

The conference takes place at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems in the School of Social Sciences, and the School of Arts and Aesthetics, at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi (south of the city).

Jawaharlal Nehru University, set in the ridges of the Aravalli Hills, was set up in 1969 as a premier institution of higher learning for scholars from the third world. It hosts one of the largest centres for studies in arts and aesthetics in South Asia. It has ample travel connections, and is a short drive from train stations and national and international airports in Delhi. The University has multiple board rooms, foyers, assembly halls and conference rooms to accommodate parallel sessions, publishers' exhibtions, art exhibitions related to the conference, plenary talks and other gatherings. There is accommodation on the University campus and a range of high and low budget hotels around the University. 

Transport to JNU campus

We will place more info on how to reach the JNU campus by bus, metro, taxi, and auto-rickshaw nearer the time. But a quick google-maps is helpful.

Visas

The majority of overseas nationals (non-Indians or NRIs) will need to apply for a visa in advance. There are two types of visa most will consider:

a) If delegates are perhaps planning to do a little tourism before/during/after the conference, it would be legitimate to apply for a TOURIST visa. These are cheaper and more straightfoward to obtain, and do not require a supporting letter. While I am unsure if the same form is used in all countries, please note that experience with the form for those applying in the UK makes the following points of use:

  • the required photos are of a non-standard size
  • for possible tourism destinations, one could put Delhi, Agra, Jaipur. These are within reasonable reach of Delhi and plausible for those visiting for just a week
  • you are asked to give the name and address of who you know in India/where you will stay - most won't know anyone, so one should insert the name of a hotel
  • in tourism applications it is perhaps better not to mention the conference aspect of your itinerary on forms or on entry
  • for those applying from the UK visit the VFS website. Please note that this is complicated to navigate! You must complete an online form, but then download this as a PDF for printing and submitting. You then need to click the "Make an appointment and Pay" link, even if you are making a postal application. The postal service is quite fast, but pay attention to the special delivery envelopes required.

b) Some delegates will opt for a conference visa. These are more expensive and require more paperwork. All JNU conferences no longer require the kind of clearance that is understood under the paperwork requirements of the conference visa. i.e. we cannot supply much of the listed paperwork (nodal ministry stuff). You can download here (PDF) a copy of the JNU Rector's memo that states this clearance. In addition, if you do require a letter, we can provide something which may be sufficient. For such a letter contact conference(at)theasa.org.

Bear in mind that visa applications can take two-four weeks to achieve, so plan ahead!