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| We express our gratitude to:
Backkurs im Agnel Institute for Food Crafts and Culinary Sciences in Verna
Pressekonferenz zur Petition an die indische Regierung bezüglich Erleichterungen bei der Erteilung von Visas an Deutsche und andere Europäer
Podiumsdiskussion zum Thema: Die Rolle des Bürgers im lokalen Umweltschutz - Erfahrungen aus Goa und Deutschland In Zusammenarbeit mit Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott, Colva Consumer Forum und Benaulim Community Centre
Das Alumni-Treffen von Ehemaligen deutscher Universitäten fand im Solar dos Colaços in Ribandar statt.
Besuch bei der Firma NETZSCH, Pumpenbauer in Verna
Oktoberfest: Höhepunkt und Abschluss der 4. Deutschen Kulturwoche Goa im Clube Vasco da Gama, Panjim
Artikel zur 4. Deutschen Kulturwoche und unserer Petition in der indischen und lokalen Presse
Gomantak Times, 8. 12. 2011
Herald, 8. 12. 2011
Herald, 8. 12. 2011
Navhind Times, 8. 12. 2011
Times of India Goa, 8. 12. 2011
December 8, 2011 IGSG urges Government to reconsider Indian visa rules ‘Resolve the problems faced by foreigners regarding visas'
The Indo-German Friendship Society Goa (IGSG) has petitioned the Centre with copies to the State Government seeking their intervention to resolve the problems faced by foreigners regarding visa regulations. During the on-going Cultural Week (December 6–11), Aurobindo Xavier, president of IGSG, told presspersons on Wednesday about visa problems, the problem of the "gap of two months", and the problem of retired people who wish to spend a majority of their time in Goa or elsewhere in India. Ursula Kleinhans, the former Head of Section for Research, Ministry for Science, Research, and Culture of the State of Brandenburg, Germany, Heinz Rothmund, Switzerland, Daniela Kailuweit, Germany, and Patricia Longo, Italy, were present. He said that many countries in South-East Asia had created special regulations for the group of retired foreigners. "We have a firm conviction that a favourable situation can be created on both sides by attracting retired people with good income to spend their retirement and money in India, especially in Goa, and by giving these people a special support in obtaining the visa," Mr. Xavier said. Giving instances worldwide of how this issue was handled, the petition of GISG said countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines had created visa for people above a certain age, varying from 55 to 60, in case these persons can produce an income proof to the respective embassy of their country and a valid health insurance. To dispel any apprehensions about the misuse of such visas, the petition said persons holding this kind of visa were not eligible for employment. People who obtained these special visas were generally entitled to stay up to one year and then they could travel freely in and out of these countries, without any hindrance. Sometimes, these special visas were long-term visas, it said. "Given the preferable climate of Goa during the European winter, most Europeans who retire want to stay in Goa for five or six months. For the rest of the year, they may wish to live in the Indian mountain cities, for the pleasant climate prevailing there. But what hindered them to make plans for a longer stay is the rule that having left the country once, one can only return to India after a two-month gap, the petition elaborated and pointed out that in case a family or a property problem occurred in their home country, they might have to go home for a short while but would be obliged to stay outside India for two months. Mr. Xavier said that there was an emotional side to the problem. Many long-time friends of Goa who had been coming regularly for many years do felt hurt by the actual regulation, he said. The GISG had urged the Centre to reconsider the Indian visa rules. The IGSG requested the Government to advise the Indian offices abroad to help these people in obtaining visas via internet. Mr. Xavier said that in addition to the signatories to the letter, it was floated on the web for obtaining the signatures of all interested persons. Mr. Xavier said that every year between November and April, nearly 4,000 to 5,000 Germans fly to Goa to enjoy its climate, beaches, and cuisine. That apart, there were several Germans working in Indo-German joint ventures, particularly in the pharma sector and also in services sectors. - ‘Many countries in South-East Asia have created special regulations for retired foreigners' - Every year nearly 4,000 to 5,000 Germans fly to Goa: Xavier
PTI - PANAJI, December 7, 2011 German tourists seek visa extension up to one year German tourists visiting Goa want parity on the lines with their UK counterparts regarding relaxation in the mandatory two-month cooling period required between subsequent visits to India. Indo-German Friendship Society (IGFS), an institution of the like minded people, has decided to petition the Ministry of Home Affairs in this regard. "Many retired Germans want to stay in Goa for a longer period, at times up to one year, but are forced to cut down their trips to only 6 months," Mr Aurobindo Xavier, President, IGFS, said. "If they (German tourists) have to come back, they have to go back to Germany, go through the cooling period of two months and then reapply for visa, which is tedious," he said. Mr Xavier said the Ministry of Home Affairs has already granted a relaxation for the UK nationals by extending their tourist visa up to one year. "We want that similar facility be extended to Germany," he said, adding the online petition to be submitted to the concerned ministry would be prepared demanding the extension of the tourist visa. Germany’s association with the coastal state dates back to the Hippie days when the Germans used to travel to the coastal state in their vans. Germans had even celebrated 60 years of discovering Goa last year. Their affection towards Goa continued and they became the first community to arrive in Goa with chartered flights in 1985-86, before the trend of chartered tourism started. "South East Asian countries are more preferable for retired people. But unfortunately India does not have a special visa system as it is in other countries," said Ms Ursua Kleinhas, a German national, who is living retired life in Goa. Ms Kleinhas, who herself has to undergo the procedural rigmarole every six months, said: "Goa would be losing on high spending tourists due to these regulations. There is neck-to-neck competition in the market and Goa cannot afford to miss the opportunity.’’ According to another German national, even after keeping the German embassy in loop over their demand nothing has happened. "German Embassy cannot do anything as norms are set by the Ministry of Home Affairs of India," another German national said. Goa receives around 15,000 German tourists every year and their number is shrinking.
THE TIMES OF INDIA - December 8, 2011 German group asks Centre to amend 2-month visa rule PANAJI: The Indo German Friendship Society, Goa, (IGSG) has petitioned the Union government to immediately address the visa problems faced by foreigners, particularly Europeans, due to Indian visa regulations. Claiming that the "gap of two months" rule was creating difficulties for foreigners, especially retired people who wish to spend the their time in Goa or other parts of India, especially during the European winter, IGSG president Aurobindo Xavier has urged the government to reconsider the rule. Xavier pointed out that those foreigners who come to the country and are forced to return home in the event of any emergency can only return to India after a period of two months. The petition, which is addressed to home minister P Chidambaram, external affairs minister S M Krishna and tourism minister Subodh Kant Sahai, asks the central government to reconsider the Indian visa rules by eliminating the two-months-gap for re-entry. It also seeks long-term visas for retired people with a secure income and good health insurance. "Economically, why does India not put special effort on getting people (foreigners) with a good income and health insurance to come and spend their money in the country?" wondered Ursula Kleinhans of the IGSG. Copies of the petition have also been sent to chief minister Digambar Kamat, home minister Ravi Naik and tourism minister Nilkanth Harlankar. Xavier told mediapersons that the IGSG, Goa, is also organizing the 4{+t}{+h} German cultural week in the state from December 6-11. The cultural week will include several events, including German film screenings. On December 9, IGSG in collaboration with Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott and Colva consumer forum will be organizing a round-table on the subject, 'Role of people in safeguarding the local environment-Goan and German experiences' at the Benaulim community centre. The cultural week will conclude with the traditional Oktoberfest, Goa, at Clube Vasco de Gama, Panaji, on December 11 at 7pm with German and international music, film screenings, a quiz and authentic German food.
India Blooms News Service(IBNS) - December 7, 2011 Visa: Germans seek India to relax two-month gap ruleGerman holiday-makers to Goa are troubled by the tightened norms on tourist visas making it mandatory to take two-month interval between two visits as they have petitioned the Central ministry seeking relaxation.German, particularly the retirees, coming down to Goa during European winter have also sought ‘special visas’ for staying upto one year and freely shuttling between countries without any obstacle for re-entry."South East Asian countries are more preferable for retired people. But unfortunately India does not have special visa system as is the practice in other countries," Dr Ursua Kleinhas, a German retiree living in Goa, said.Kleinhas mentioned India is neck and neck with other tourist destinations, will lose high-end tourists due to stern visa regulation.Another retiree from Switzerland, Heinz Rothnund complained they are being ill-treated by the Indian government."When UK tourists can get 12 months visa, Germans for six months, then why tourists from Switzerland are given mere 90 days visa," he questioned.He also stated that online system of filling visa application is tricky for those who are not computer savvy, and rued, the Indian government has doubled the payment from 80 franc to 130 franc per person.The grievance to the German Consul in Goa has been futile as the guidelines are set by the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.A group of Germans, through the Indo-German Friendship Society in Goa, have now petitioned the MHA seeking to ease off the guidelines as it earlier exempted the two month gap requirement for UK short term visa holders.The petition has been put online to obtain more signatories.(Reporting by John Edwards)
THE SUNDAY INDIAN - December 8, 2011 Germans want longer Goa stay, seek visa extension German tourists visiting Goa want parity on the lines with their UK counterparts regarding relaxation in the mandatory two-month cooling period required between subsequent visits to India. Indo-German Friendship Society (IGFS), an institution of the like-minded people, has decided to petition the Ministry of Home Affairs in this regard. "Many retired Germans want to stay in Goa for a longer period, at times up to one year, but are forced to cut down their trips to only 6 months," Aurobindo Xavier, President, IGFS said. "If they (German tourists) have to come back, they have to go back to Germany, go through the cooling period of two months and then reapply for visa, which is tedious," he said. Xavier said the Ministry of Home Affairs has already granted a relaxation for the UK nationals by extending their tourist visa up to one year. "We want that similar facility be extended to Germany," he said, adding the online petition to be submitted to the concerned ministry would be prepared demanding the extension of the tourist visa. Germany's association with the coastal state dates back to the Hippie days when the Germans used to travel to the coastal state in their vans. Germans had even celebrated 60 years of discovering Goa last year. Their affection towards Goa continued and they became the first community to arrive in Goa with chartered flights in 1985-86, before the trend of chartered tourism started.
German tourists seek relaxation in visa rules PTI Dec 8, 2011, 12.57pm IST PANAJI: German tourists visiting Goa want parity with their UK counterparts regarding relaxation in the mandatory two-month cooling period required between subsequent visits to India. "Many retired Germans want to stay in Goa for a longer period, at times up to one year, but are forced to cut down their trips to only 6 months," Aurobindo Xavier, President, IGFS said. "If they (German tourists) have to come back, they have to go back to Germany, go through the cooling period of two months and then reapply for visa, which is tedious," he said. Xavier said the Ministry of Home Affairs has already granted a relaxation for the UK nationals by extending their tourist visa up to one year. "We want that similar facility be extended to Germany," he said. Germany's association with the coastal state dates back to the Hippie days when the Germans used to travel to the coastal state in their vans. "South East Asian countries are preferred by retired people. But unfortunately India does not have a special visa system like other countries," said Ursua Kleinhas, a German national, who is enjoying a retired life in Goa. Kleinhas, who herself has to undergo the procedural rigmarole every six months, said, "Goa would be losing on high spending tourists due to these regulations. There is neck-to-neck competition in the market and Goa cannot afford to miss the opportunity". Goa receives around 15,000 German tourists every year.
DHNS - December 8, 2011
Pensioners' paradise European retirees in Goa want special visas A group of European retirees has petitioned the Union Home Ministry asking that retired foreigners be treated as a special category for visas to India so they can spend their sunset years in Goa and be allowed to travel in and out of the country hassle-free. After the David Headley case the home ministry tightened visa norms which stipulate that foreigners travelling out of India cannot return before a two-month cooling period. Foreigners who signed the letter said countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines have created a special visa for people above 55 years which entitles them to stay up to one year and allows them to travel freely in and out of these countries.
Mutual benefit "We think both sides could benefit from this. India could attract retired people with a good income to spend their retirement here, specially in Goa, if it offered a special visa to this category of people," Ursula Kleinhans, a retired German bureaucrat said. Many Europeans want to winter in Goa for five or six months and often move to the mountains in the summer. But visa regulations don’t permit them to return to India immediately if they travel to another country, the letter says. "Many longtime friends of Goa who have been coming regularly for many years – some of them with five-year visas – feel hurt by these regulations," the foreigners said, asking that the Central government should consider dropping the two-month cooling period for European retirees.
Largest Circulated English Daily of Goa - Thursday, December 8, 2011
Europeans unhappy with Ministry of Home Affairs visit visa restrictions. TEAM HERALD teamherald@herald-goa.com PANJIM: European nationals, particularly retired German tourists descending on Goa’s shores have sought from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to introduce long-term ‘special retirement visas’ and rescind two-month gap requirement between trips. IGSG Indo-German Friendship Society President Aurobindo Xavier said retired foreigners wish to spend more time in Goa or elsewhere in India during European winter but visa regulations are forcing them to cut short their trips. "Several retirees are on six months tourist visa. They cannot leave the country within this period but if they do, in case of emergencies, they have to wait for two months and reapply for visa," Xavier said at a press conference to announce the 4th German Cultural Week in Goa.
European tourists are unhappy with the MHA's visa restrictions and preferential treatment for US and UK citizens.
"This is the case with other German tourists as well," he stated. The beaches, nature and rich Christian heritage of Goa is indeed a bridge between India and Europeattracting several tourists. Germany’s first chartered flight landed in Goa in 1985-86, before the trend of chartered tourism season could begin. However, the two-month gap for re-entry may be a hindrance unless the Indian government relaxes the visa norms as they did in the case of UK and US tourists. However, certain other countries from the Europe are still facing the stern visa regulation. Dr Ursula Kleinhans, ex-head of section for research, Ministry for Science, research and culture of the State of Brandenburg suggested that well off German retirees should be offered special support to increase high-end tourism in Goa and India. "South East Asia is the most preferred destination among retired people wanting to spend long vacations. Many countries in South-East Asia have created special regulations for this group of retired foreigners, Kleinhans, living a retired life in Goa and herself going through the tedious process," Kleinhans said. "India, which has several competitors, does not have the special support to obtain visa," she observed. Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines have created visa for people above a certain age, varying from 55-60 years, on producing income proof to the respective Embassy of their country of origin and valid health insurance. The regulation was enforced post-arrest of terror suspect David Headley, who was holding a multiple-entry visa and was charged in connection with the 2008 Mumbai attacks. "The norms are decided by the MHA. Their website says it all…don’t know why India wants to control things better after Mumbai explosions…" she said. Daniela Kailuweit, German national, also on a tourist visa to Goa and Patrizia Longo from Italy also narrated a similar problems. "Europeans want to stay in Goa for 5 to 6 months. For the rest of the year they may wish to live in the Indian mountain cities, for their pleasant climate. But what hinders them to make plans for longer stay is the rule," Kailuweit said. An agitated Swiss national rued that Indian government was not treating them properly. "Swiss nationals get only 90 days visa, whereas for UK nationals it is 12 months, for Germans 6 months wherein in few other countries, a foreigner gets visa on arrival which is extended to one year," Heinz Rothnund said. Moreover, the Swiss nationals are also unhappy that the Indian government has raised the payment from 80 francs to 130 francs per person. In addition to the signatories of the letter already submitted to MHA and related authorities in Delhi, Goa government and German Consulate, European nationals have also launched online campaign to obtain e-signatures. The petition also seeks to facilitate filling-in visa applications manually rather than filling on-line or help people in obtaining visas via internet.
Thursday, December 08, 2011, 15:00 Hrs [IST] German tourists demand visa extension up to one year By TBM Staff | Mumbai German tourists visiting Goa are demanding a relaxation of the mandatory two-month cooling period required between subsequent visits to India; much like the relaxation granted to tourists from the UK. The Indo-German Friendship Society (IGFS) has decided to petition the Ministry of Home Affairs in this regard. "Many retired Germans want to stay in Goa for a longer period, at times up to one year, but are forced to cut down their trips to only six months," Aurobindo Xavier, President, IGFS, said. "If they (German tourists) have to come back, they have to go back to Germany, go through the cooling period of two months and then reapply for a visa, which is tedious," he said. Xavier said the Ministry of Home Affairs has already granted a relaxation for UK nationals by extending their tourist visa up to one year. "We want a similar facility to be extended to Germany," he said, adding the online petition demanding the extension of the tourist visa will be prepared soon. According to a report by The Hindu Business Line, Germany’s association with the coastal state dates back to the Hippie days when the Germans used to travel to the coastal state in their vans. Germans had even celebrated 60 years of discovering Goa last year. Their affection towards Goa continued and they became the first community to arrive in Goa with chartered flights in 1985-86, much before the chartered tourism trend started. According to a German national, even after keeping the German embassy in loop over their demand nothing has happened. "The German Embassy cannot do anything as norms are set by the Ministry of Home Affairs of India," another German national said. Goa receives around 15,000 German tourists every year; and their number is shrinking. |
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