India General Meeting Together with our host Free-Ads in India, we have put together a very special Social Programme for you, to make sure you have a taste of the 'Flavours of India'.

The costs for these unique social events are included in the General Meeting registration fee (except the Gala Party and the trip to the Taj Mahal, which cost extra). Please indicate your interest when you register, to guarantee your attendance.



Thursday 10 November

---

Meet and Greet Lunch
Get reacquainted with your fellow ICMA members and make new friends in the ICMA Lounge located in the Regency Ball Room III.

Rickshaw Treasure Hunt through Old Delhi
Using the traditional rickshaw transport, delegates will compete in teams to answer the questions and solve the clues as they tour the heart of Old Delhi. The magnificent Red Fort, the largest mosque in India the Jamma Masjid, and the soaring tower of the Qutb Minar are just some of the sights that this tour will cover. As usual, everlasting glory and lavish prizes will be awarded to the winning team!

Welcome Reception and Dinner in the Hyatt Regency Delhi
After an exciting afternoon ‘rickshawing’ around town, come and join us for the Welcome Reception and group Dinner at the hotel. This is your opportunity to renew those contacts with all your fellow members.


Friday 11 November

---

Open-air BBQ at traditional Indian farmhouse
After a busy meeting day, join us for a fantastic, casual BBQ at a beautiful Indian farmhouse.

You will be welcomed in the traditional Indian way, and can enjoy an evening filled with folk music, delicious food and of course, great company.


Saturday 12 November

---

Gala Party at the impressive hotel The Imperial
The Imperial, built in 1931, is reckoned to be one of the world’s finest hotels, and will be the venue for the ICMA Gala Party (at least the first part!). After a banquet fit for a Maharajah, the tempo will quicken as delegates are whisked from the era of the Raj to a magnificent Bollywood-themed finale – you’ll have to be there to believe it!

Tickets for the Gala Party are separate from the General Meeting Registration Fee.




Sunday 13 November

---

SPECIAL – Day trip to Agra and the Taj Mahal
After a great party on Saturday night, start your day with a visit to the world famous Taj Mahal. This monument of love was built by the Emperor Shah Jehan as a memorial for his beloved queen Mumtaz. After a delicious lunch, you will have a chance to visit a workshop of marble craftsmen and of course have some time to shop. Visiting the Taj Mahal is one of these things that you must do when you are in Delhi.


History of the Taj Mahal
Mumtaz and Shah Jehan were married in 1612 A.D. and had 14 children together. The Empress Mumtaz accompanied her husband in his military campaigns, and it was in Burhanpur in 1630, that she gave birth to her last child, after which she died. So great was the Shah Jahan's love for his wife Mumtaz, that he decided to built the most beautiful mausoleum for her, The Taj Mahal. As soon as the construction started in early 1630, sculptors, masons, craftsmen, and calligraphers were called from Persia, Ottoman Empire and Europe to work on the Taj.

The architectural complex of the Taj Mahal exists of five main elements: the Darwaza - the main gateway, the Bageecha - the garden, the Masjid - the mosque, the Naqqar Khana - the rest house, and the Rauza - the Taj Mahal mausoleum. The actual tomb of Mumtaz is situated inside the Taj. The unique moghal style architecture combines elements and styles of Persian, Central Asian, and Islamic architecture. Most striking are the black and white chessboard marble floor, the four tall minarets (40 m high) at the corners of the structure, and the majestic grand dome in the middle.