Difference between `advisor’ and `adviser’

There is no difference in meaning between the two words. Both are used to refer to someone (usually an expert) whose job it is to advise other people. For example, film stars often consult financial advisers to find out what to do with their money. When they get into trouble, the stars consult a legal adviser. Most dictionaries that we get in India, list `adviser’ as the first choice, and `advisor’ as the second. This is because in British English the word is spelt `a..d..v..i..s..e..r’; `a..d..v..i..s..o..r’ is the way Americans spell the word. While surfing the net, one encounters `advisor’ much more frequently than `adviser’

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – August 07, 2006

What is the meaning of `Beltway politics’?

In American English the word `beltway’ is used to refer to a road which goes around a city or town — what we in India call a `ring road’. The `beltway’ referred to in your question is the road that goes around Washington D. C., the capital of the United States. Beltway politics is normally used to talk about the dirty politics that goes on in Washington.

Source: The Hindu ‘Know Your English’ Series, January 2, 2006

What is the difference between `dispatch’ and `despatch’?

As far as the meaning is concerned, there is no difference. The preferred spelling nowadays seems to be `dispatch’. 

Source: S. Upendran, The Hindu ‘Know Your English’ Series, March 20, 2006

‘timings’ is Indian English.

Indians talk about `Office timings’ all the time. In fact the word doesn’t exist  in native English.

Native speakers would say, `working hours’ or `office hours’.

Source: The Hindu ‘Know Your English’ Series, January 9, 2006