PHISHING TELEPHONE CALLS It has come to the attention of the Embassy that the expatriate community in Ireland, including Indian citizens, are being targeted through phone calls, purportedly from the local Irish authorities or Indian Embassy, Dublin and being asked to give their personal details, including their passport details, on one pretext or the other. The caller on one pretext or the other asks for money to be deposited or face deportation. The Embassy wishes to clarify that such calls are not official. These are scam calls, spoofing the Embassy’s telephone number or even naming Embassy’s officials, etc. The receivers of such calls are advised, not to entertain these calls and not to part with any of their personal data or make money transfer. Fee related to various Consular Services such as visa, passport etc, are to be submitted by means of Postal Order or Bank draft only at Embassy. The matter is receiving the attention of the local law enforcement authorities.

Celebration of 69th Republic Day of India The 69th Republic Day of India was celebrated in Dublin at India House with the Flag hoisting by the Ambassador in the morning, in which Indian community members participated. The Ambassador addressed the gathering and read out the Address of the Hon’ble President to the nation. In the evening, a reception was hosted for Diplomats and Friends of India from various walks of life. The Chief of Protocol and various Irish Government officials attended the Reception.

REPUBLIC DAY FLAG HOISTING The 69th Republic Day of India will be observed at 0930 hrs on Friday, the 26th January 2018 at India House, Knocksinna, Foxrock, Dublin-18. The National Flag will be hoisted at 0930 hrs sharp. Members of the Indian Community are cordially invited. (Guests are requested to arrive at India House by 0915 hrs.)

Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was celebrated in Dublin, where overseas Indians shared their experience of working and living in Ireland. Among the speakers were Dr. Anant Mahapatra, Consultant Orthopaedic, Ms. Priya Madhu, Assistant Director of Nursing in Dublin, Mr. Venkatesh Priyadarshi, Head of TCS in Ireland, Prof. Arun Kumar, University College Dublin, Mr. Shashank Chakerwarti, Indian Youth Ireland and Ms. Priya Rajput, a student in Dublin. Poems were also recited on this occasion to mark the World Hindi Divas. Ms. Jayshree Singhvi and Mr. Rakesh Kumar Diwakar recited poems. Winners of the Quiz Competition on Life and Contributions of Sardar Patel were also given awards.

#StormEleanor Please keep safe and follow weather updates and advisories issued by Irish Government agencies. In case Indian Nationals need support of the Embassy, please contact our following Emergency Helpline: Mobile: 00-353-899677454 email: help.indiainireland@gmail.com

Contribution to Swachh Bharat Kosh for Swachh Bharat Mission The Government of India has invited the NRI/PIOs to contribute funds in Swachh Bharat Kosh for Swachh Bharat Mission. The contribution can be made either online or through cheque/DD/electronic transfer. Societies can also contribute to the Swachh Bharat kosh through the same channel. Bank details for transfer of funds to Swachh Bharat Kosh are given below: Bank A/C details Account No: 34215500587 Bank Name: State Bank of India Branch Name: Central Secretariat Branch Branch Code: 00625 Address: North Block, New Delhi 110 001 Email: sbi.00625@sbi.co.in IFSC Code: SBIN0000625 MICR No. : 110002014 SWIFT Code: SBININBB373 PAN No. : AAPTS3635L For any clarification please contact Shri Rajeev Ranjan, Administrator, Swachh Bharat Kosh, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India can be contacted. His coordinates are: Phone : +91 11 23095679 & Email:- jspfs-doe@gov.in or Shri N.K. Sinha, Director, PF C.II: Email: nk.sinha@nic.in Web: http://www.swachhbharaturban.in/sbm/home/#/SBM

Indian Community in Ireland celebrated Christmas with great enthusiasm, and organised several events of Carol singing.

Government of India has issued travel Advisories wherein Indian nationals have been strongly advised to avoid traveling to Yemen under any circumstances, by any mode of travel, including air, land or sea for any purpose till further notice.

FINAL NOTICE FOR CONVERSION OF PIO CARD TO OCI CARD From October, 2018 only machine readable travel documents will be accepted and existing PIO cards, being hand written, will become invalid travel documents. From October 2018, PIO card holders will be refused entry at the Indian immigration and sent back. Hence, it will be necessary for all PIO cardholders to obtain machine readable OCI cards in lieu of existing hand written PIO cards before October, 2018 to avoid any inconvenience. In the past, the last date for conversion of PIO card to OCI card has been extended several times and the final deadline is December 31, 2017. Any request for conversion of PIO Card to OCI Card beyond 31.12.2017 will attract a fee which is same as that for issuance of a fresh OCI card (€235 + €3). For conversion of PIO card to OCI card, please visit : https://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIRegistrationG.jsp

ALERT It has once again come to the notice of the Embassy that some Indian nationals are receiving calls from spoofed telephone number of Embassy and are being asked to pay money to prevent deportation. This is a scam. Embassy of India does not make any telephone calls asking for any deposit or transfer of money. It is advised to not to respond or make any payment to such callers.

An event, to promote Government of India initiatives like Smart Cities, Make in India, Digital India, Swachh Bharat Mission and to impart information on the recent developments and investment opportunities in India, was organised by the Embassy of India in collaboration with Ireland India Business Association on 12 December 2017. The Ambassador gave the key-note address. Prominent Irish Business persons – Michael Connolly, CEO, Connolly’s Red Mills and Graham Stubbs, CEO, Diona, Abhiman Ghanshyam, Head of HCL Technologies, Ireland and Ms. Nilakanthi Ford, Chairperson, IIBA addressed the event.

Embassy of India, Dublin's new website is: http://indianembassydublin.in