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| CAR BAZAR |
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Wisdom |
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The
Indian rupee is available in denominations of Re1, Rs2, Rs5, Rs10, Rs20, Rs50,
Rs100 and Rs500. One rupee is split into a hundred
paise,
available in denominations of 10p, 25p and 50p. There are coins for Re1, Rs2 and
Rs5.
A healthy
budget in Punjab is about $35 a day that will see you sleep in decent clean beds
and wake up to an attached bathroom for morning ablutions. It’ll fetch you three
decent meals, a spot of shopping and some auto-rickshaw rides. The dollar goes a
long way in the country (the pound sterling, longer). The bare minimum is just
under $15 a day, while a top end holiday could reach the skies.
Banking
in Punjab is becoming easier. There are a sizeable number of ATMs in Chandigarh
and Amritsar. Banking hours usually are 10 AM to 2 PM Monday to Friday and 10 AM
to 12-noon on Saturdays. Changing money can be a tedious process so change
substantial amounts at a time. The banks accept travellers’ cheques or currency.
Changing money anywhere but at accredited bureau is illegal. Save up all exchange receipts (encashment certificates); these are required for visa extensions and other formalities, and when you want to convert rupees at the end of your trip.
Punjabis
are by nature street-smart business people. Aggressive and great go-getters, the
people trade in fields of agriculture, bicycles, woollen garments, dairy
products, hosiery and textiles. With increasing liberalisation at both the
economic level and at the societal level, business protocol has begun to adhere
to western standards. In the big cities expect thorough professionalism when
dealing with private companies and high-ranking bureaucracy. Keep appointments,
be punctual (though that’s a value that Indians are only now picking up), and
shake hands if one is offered or greet with hands folded in ‘namaste’. You’ll
most likely be asked questions about family and home not because anybody wants
to pry but because many Indians believe that curiosity conveys concern.
Dress formally for business meetings. Women would probably be more comfortable in trousers than a skirt. Men should wear formal cotton shirts with a tie and trousers if the weather is warm. Otherwise a business suit is appropriate.
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