Practical Information

Practical Information

About Bangalore

Bangalore, also called Bengaluru, is the capital of the state of Karnataka. Famously called the Garden city of India, Bangalore is now India’s third most populous city and fifth-most populous urban agglomeration. It has recently become a hub for India’s information technology sector and is considered to be among the top preferred entrepreneurial locations in the world. The citizenry consists of a cosmopolitan cross section of people and cultures from around the world. Bangalore city is an interesting study of contrasts with a very fascinating juxtaposition of tradition and modernity. Located 949 meters above sea level in South India on the Deccan Plateau, Bangalore enjoys a salubrious climate throughout the year. The city boasts of spacious gardens, parks, tree-lined avenues, a profusion of flowering trees, lakes and parks. With its booming economy and racy lifestyle, the capital of Karnataka has metamorphosed from a sleepy Garden City into one of India’s fastest growing, accommodating, technophiliac, and cosmopolitan cities. For information about sites to see in and around Bangalore please click here. For information about places for shopping please click here.

About ISEC

The Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) is an autonomous multi-disciplinary research institution in social sciences. ISEC was established in 1972 by Professor V K R V Rao and works as a catalyst of social and economic transformation by undertaking analytical and applied studies, employing an inter-disciplinary approach. The Institute is devoted to research and training, and also contributes to policy reform at Central, State and Local levels through both macro- and micro-level studies of the economy, polity and society. Besides the PhD program, ISEC also conducts training courses for researchers, research scholars, government officials and NGOs.

ISEC Campus

ISEC is situated in a green 16-hectare campus at Nagarbhavi, abutting the Bangalore University’s “Jnanabharati” premises on the south-western outskirts of the city. Besides the academic and administrative complex, the hostels for the students and guesthouse for the visiting scholars, the campus has a residential facility for 77 faculty and staff of the Institute. It also has well-equipped seminar halls and a 300-seater auditorium. The Institute’s campus is well maintained with sprawling gardens and lawns and a variety of flora and fauna.
Students are allotted a seminar hall as their classroom for the entire duration of the course. The room is air-conditioned with Wi-Fi access. Students can use their laptops in the classroom and continue to use it as a study room throughout the duration of the course. A computer room, with 10 computers with network and internet, printing and scanning facilities, is also accessible to students
The Dr. V K R V Rao Library is located on campus and it is one of the major social science resources in India. The library functions Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Reprographic and photocopying facilities, E-Journals access service, Internet access service, E-mail service and CD-ROM journals databases access service are provided to the students.
ISEC also has a small health center for basic needs and is connected with larger corporate hospitals in case students are getting ill. For information about health care options around ISEC, please click here.
There is also a small bank and a post office on campus. Students can find ATMs within walking distance of the campus. The campus is connected to the city by auto rickshaws, buses and cabs. Students can also book a cab from the institute if required.

Accommodation

Students are accommodated at the Visitor’s hostel on campus. Each room is a single room with attached shower and toilet. A room typically has a single bed, table, two chairs, cupboard, television, and intercom. Hot water geysers are also fitted in every bathroom. A common room is allotted to NCI students where a washing machine and iron are kept for the students’ convenience. A lounge on the first floor is available to all students and students also have access to the sports facilities on campus. Students retain the keys for the duration of their stay. Regular cleaning of the rooms is arranged and students are provided with a comprehensive list of resource persons to handle their various requirements. Security is assured as the campus is well guarded.

Food

Students will be provided breakfast, lunch and dinner along with mid-morning tea in the dining hall. The meals are typical of the area and are primarily vegetarian. High on rice, pulses and locally sourced vegetables, the meals are nutritious. Furthermore, the meals are specially cooked according to the needs of Nordic students and special care is taken of students with food allergies. Breakfast is usually served at 8:30 am, followed by tea at 11:00 am, lunch at 1:30 pm and dinner at 7:30 pm.
Check out a typical menu at ISEC
Bangalore, being a cosmopolitan city, also provides a lot of options in terms of food. There are several restaurants dotting the city that meet various requirements in terms of price, ambience and cuisine.
To read about some popular restaurants, please click here.
To find restaurants, check Buurp and Just Eat.