Practical essentials

At a glance

Shifts are long and the venue is large. This page covers the basics that are easy to forget until you need them. It complements the volunteer FAQ, the transport guide and the Mumbai guide.

Emergency numbers

If it is an emergency inside the venue, tell the nearest volunteer lead or staff member as well, so the event team can respond and meet the ambulance. Save support@devcon.org and your lead's Telegram for non-urgent problems.

Health and first aid

• The Asian Heart Institute is inside Bandra Kurla Complex, and Lilavati Hospital is in Bandra West, about 3 km from the venue by road.
• Bring any medicines you take regularly, in their original packaging, plus a small supply of basics such as pain relief, oral rehydration salts and plasters.
• If you have an allergy or a condition, tell your lead before your first shift, so they know what to do if you feel unwell.
• Wash your hands before eating and drink bottled or filtered water. Be careful with ice and street food if you are not used to it, especially in the first days.
• If you feel dizzy or unwell on shift, stop and tell your lead. They arrange breaks and can swap you out.

Where the first aid point is inside the venue, and which nearby pharmacies are open, are not confirmed yet. Mumbai TBC

Food and water

• Volunteers get lunch at the venue, plus a lighter bite for breakfast or dinner depending on shift, with snacks, drinks, tea and coffee available all day. See the FAQ.
• Tell the team about dietary needs in advance. Vegetarian, vegan, Jain and halal options are common in Mumbai.
• Jio World Drive, a nearby mall in BKC, has a food court and a large number of cafes and restaurants for time off. Check how far it is from the venue before you plan a break there. Mumbai TBC
• For where to eat in the city, see the Mumbai guide, or search Google Maps for restaurants near the venue. These are local places and not recommendations.

What to carry on shift

• Your ticket or volunteer confirmation, and a photo ID.
• Comfortable closed shoes. You will be on your feet for hours.
• A refillable water bottle.
• A fully charged phone and a power bank. Telegram is how the volunteer team communicates.
• A light layer, since the venue is air-conditioned. For the weather in Diwali week, see the Diwali guide.
• A little cash in small notes, and a card or UPI. Bandra Kurla Complex is Mumbai's financial district, with ATMs and branches of major banks in the buildings and along the surrounding streets, so topping up is easy. Banks with a presence in BKC include State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Bank of India (C-5) and Bank of Baroda (C-26) both have branches in G Block, the same block as the venue.
• A small bag. Large luggage is a problem on a crowded floor. Mumbai TBC

Looking after yourself on shift

• Your lead organises the rotation between posts and your breaks. Use them.
• Eat and drink at the times you are given, even if it is busy.
• Sleep matters. The 7 am start (see the shift times) means an early night, particularly if you are commuting a long way.
• If something goes wrong, escalate early to your lead rather than handling it alone.
• To report a problem or a code of conduct issue, follow the steps in the code of conduct and tell your lead.

Coming from another city

• Book travel and a place to stay early. Devcon overlaps Diwali, so trains, flights and rooms fill up months ahead.
• Choose where to stay by the commute, not the neighbourhood. Somewhere close to a Metro Line 3 station saves a lot of time. See the transport guide.
• Ask in the Devcon Telegram group if you are unsure about a place, and for people to share rooms with.
• Hindi, Marathi and English are all widely used in Mumbai, so most people will understand you in at least one.
• The in-person training and Volunteer Welcome reception is on Sunday 1 November, so plan to arrive by then.
• Travel and lodging are your responsibility under the Devcon terms.

Staying in touch

Volunteer communication runs through Telegram. Message Ornella (@OrnellaWeb3) for questions, and tell your lead straight away if you are late or unwell. Share your plans with a friend or family member back home, and keep your phone with you.

Still to confirm

These items stay marked until the Devcon team confirms them.

• Where the first aid point and the volunteer room are inside the venue.
• Which pharmacies are closest to the venue gates.
• Whether there is bag storage or lockers for volunteers.
• The exact meal and break times for each shift.
• Phone charging points for volunteers.