Basic passport safety for all kinds of travelers

Traveling is a privilege to see the world and gain new perspectives from foreign sights and cultures. Before waxing poetic about the joys of seeing the world, tourists must first ensure their safety during the trip. The most basic way to do this is by taking care of one’s passport. Here are some suggestions:

Image source: thewinglet.boardingarea.com

1. Invest in a good passport cover.

Machine-readable passports are sensitive. Travelers must protect their passports by not getting wet, torn, or even folded. To prevent these from happening, tourists can buy a plastic cover that can protect their passports from getting damaged especially while on a trip.

2. Photocopy your passport (and other travel documents).

Travelers need to photocopy to have a photocopy of their passport in case they lose it. They can store the copy in their wallets or keep it in a safety deposit box with other travel documents. If carrying a photocopy of their passport is too much of a hassle, taking a photo of using their smartphones will suffice.

Image source: .travelandleisure.com

3. Keep your passport with you always.

Except when the traveler is a child, people shouldn’t let others keep their passports. If a foreign host, tour guide, or hotel personnel offers to keep your passport for safety, it is best for the traveler to refuse even if they mean well.

4. Refrain from posting on social media your passport details.

Photos of boarding passes and passports are regularly seen on social media networks these days. However, it is is not exactly the safest thing to do. Tt is best for the traveler to keep the details of his passport (and even his itinerary) to himself to prevent identity theft and illegal reproduction of important documents.

To avoid problems during a trip abroad, travelers must ensure that their passports and other documents are safe. Following the tips above will save them time in case they run into problems.

Cox & Kings Global Services is a specialist business process outsource agency incorporated in 2008 that serves consular sections of diplomatic missions. It provides administrative support and management services for non-judgmental tasks related to the lifecycle of a visa, passport, and consular application process. Get acquainted with GKGS’ services by visiting this Facebook page.

Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati: A journey into India’s Ganesha belief system

Image source: mapsofindia.com

The Siddhivinayak temple is one of the most beautiful historical architectures in Mumbai, India. Located in Prabhadevi, it is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites by locals and foreign devotees alike. Even Bollywood celebrities visit this temple of worship to receive blessing before the premiere of a movie or project. Up to 25,000 devotees visit the temple every day to say their prayers and seek blessing from Lord Ganesha. The word “Siddhivinayak” literally means “Ganesha who grants all wishes.”

The Siddhivinayak temple is considered as a historical masterpiece and is one of the top tourist spots in Mumbai. It was built in the early 18th century by professional contractor Laxman Vithu Patil. It was a wish of a wealthy lady of Agri Samaj of Matunga, Mrs. Deubai Patil, who was childless. She had the idea of constructing a Ganesha temple where women who are not able to bear children, like her, can sincerely pray and ask blessings from the Lord Ganesha.

Image source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

The statue of Lord Ganesha is built from a single black stone that stands around two feet tall. It has four hands. The upper hands hold a lotus flower and an axe; the lower hands hold a rosary and a “modak,” which is said to be the favorite delicacy of the Lord Ganesha. Beside the statues are figures of Lord Ganesha’s two wives: Riddhi, the goddess of success and Siddhi, the goddess of prosperity.

Cox & Kings Global Services offers India visa processing. For more information about the company's services, visit its website.

Indelible marks: The facts surrounding fingerprinting in transport papers

Several countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, require travelers to leave fingerprints in applications for visas and other transit papers. Fingerprints serve a dual role in maintaining security and streamlining the process of travel, allowing officials to quickly verify the identities of travelers.

Image source: gizmag.com

Fingerprints are among the most common biometrics in use in security today. This is because of the age-old understanding that no two fingerprints are alike (even between identical twins) and can serve as a clear way of identifying a person in many instances. Fingerprint identification is also nigh impossible to cheat; surgical attempts to permanently remove fingerprints are rare and do not work to deter forensic investigators. Technological developments also mean that fingerprint identification may become more streamlined, allowing for shorter queues in international terminals.

In most cases, adults under the age of 80 and adolescents over the age of 14 are required to provide fingerprints as part of the application process. Barring exceptional circumstances, these applications would not be considered complete until after the fingerprints have been recorded.

Image source: linkedin.com

Many embassies and consulates are aware of the legitimate instances that impede the collection of fingerprints from visa applicant. For example, there are times when collecting fingerprints may not be possible, such as when they have considerably eroded (as in extreme old age).

Different protocols exist to handle these exceptional cases, which are sometimes judged in part on the circumstances as understood by the consular officers. For instance, officials from the United States would send instructions the applicant's way only after all attempts at getting clear prints have been for naught.

Cox & Kings Global Services is a specialist business process outsource providing administrative support solutions for consulates and embassies. For more on the company and its range of services, visit its official website