Good News: PIO Arrived

PortieOwner

My PIO card arrived today from the Indian Embassy. Took exactly the 15 business days they said it would take on their web site.

To celebrate tonight, my wife cooked utapams and sambar.

capt_mahajan

Congratulations!

Shaktipalooza

Great news! We sent off for ours last week, can't wait.

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Nick-H

Congratulations.

Got mine back in January. I'm still waiting for the hair to turn black and the eyes to go brown --- but they did say that might take a lifetime or two!

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Amyth

Congratulations PortieOwner!!

Going on a Tangent here...OFF TOPIC : Indeed, Uttapams are a great way to celerbrate, can you plzzzzz sneak out your wife's secret recipe as all my attempts at making Uttapams have always ended in fiascos on the skillet

I badly need to celebrate too, they just renewed my CC!!

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PortieOwner

Thanks everyone for the congratulations. I plan to put my PIO card to good use with an upcoming trip to India (visa-free).

I had hoped it would improve my chances of getting a ham radio license when I am there but it apparently doesn't matter, it will still be very difficult to get a license, and I cannot bring along any of my equipment even to listen in on the local amatuer radio bands.

Amyth: no secret recipie, just a dry mix from the Indian store (sort of like Bisquick). They are cooked just like pancakes, on the same griddle. And they are just as good as any South Indian restaurant fare I have had around here or in India.

capt_mahajan

I thought it wasn't too difficult? A few tests (with exemptions for govt recognised licences) and a low morse speed (if required for the category of licence) and that was it?

As far as I know the exams are held every month in larger cities, and every two months in some others.

Nick-H

If it's anything like the driving test...







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capt_mahajan

Nah. Some written stuff, morse at five words per minute...

machadinha

In case you didn't know it yet, try also this mailing list: cr-india -- A list on community radio in India.

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sego

Good for you Portie, ministry turned down my request for a PIO card because I am a 4th generation Indian. Family left India in 1845 and they said it's way too long, maybe 3rd generation would have been o.k.

Nick-H

Shame on them!

I thought 4th generation was included, and that they were supposed to be fairly inclusive (I think 'broadbased' might be the word they use?).

sego

Nick, I may have to used one of my other old ancestors of which I am 3rd generation but more research is required on my part.

cool blue

I have an obscure question on PIO - my husband is Indian and we have to wait until we have been here in India a full year to apply here. Does anyone know what the process is to apply in the UK if I go back for a short visit? Also what documents are needed? And does my husband also have to be in the UK? I have searched endlessly but not been able to find clear answers....

Thanks....

Nick-H

Off the top of my head...

You should have been married for a minimum of one year. I don't think that is written in the law (and some have found it unnecessary) but it is the usual policy.

IIRC...

You should apply in your home country, but may apply in India if you are there on a long-stay visa of more than one year.

I got mine, in India, during our thirteenth month of marriage and about nine months into the validity period of a 1-year Entry (type X) visa.