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Home , Dadasaheb Phalke, Gary Ackerman, Mallikarjun Kharge, Manmohan Singh, Nirupama Rao, Raja Harishchandra

A Publication of the Embassy of , Washington, D.C.

March 1, 2012

I India RevieI w Vol. 8 Issue 3 www.indianembassy.org

(Top) India’s Labor & Employment Minister with U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis after signing an India-U.S. Memorandum of Understanding in Washington D.C. on February 2. (Above) India’s Foreign Secretary with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Washington D.C. on February 7. Labor Minister, Foreign Secretary visit U.S. n New National n Ambassador Nirupama n TCS opens Silicon Competition Rao visits Boston, South Valley customer Policy soon Carolina and Georgia collaboration center Cover STORY India signs MoU with U.S. on labor and employment Pact to help develop appropriate employment strategies for inclusive growth in India and build strong bonds between the two countries

ringing about improvements in the life of workers and their working conditions is Bof utmost importance,” said India’s Minister for Labor & Employment Mallikarjun Kharge. Speaking after signing a memoran - dum of understanding (MoU) along with U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis on February 2 in Washington D.C., Minister Kharge said the MoU would facilitate close cooperation and inter - action between the two countries. Minister Kharge expressed satisfac - tion that the MoU would cover the areas of skills development, youth employment, occupational safety and health, and mines safety. He further expressed hope that the MoU would (Above ) Labor Minister Mallikarjun help India expand its know-how in the Kharge and U.S. domains of accreditation systems and Labor Secretary self-regulation/auditing. Hilda Solis signing an India-U.S. bilateral Minister Kharge said that India Memorandum of looked forward to potential tie-ups in Understanding in training and information exchange in Washington D.C. on February 2. the areas of underground and open- (L) Minister Kharge cast mining, disaster control, emer - with Labor Secretary gency management, statistical analysis Solis. Ambassador and and development of data banks. other delegation Minister Kharge also reiterated members are also Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan seen. (Photo credit: Singh’s vision of skill development for U.S. Dept of Labor) 500 million people by the year 2022. He stated that collaboration with the the American experience in providing strong bonds between the people of U.S. would help enrich India in the vocational guidance for unemployed two great nations”, the Minister said. 2 areas of delivery methods, certifica - youth and rehabilitating the differently Hailing the structured bilateral tion, preparation of instructional abled, the Minister pointed out. engagement between India’s Ministry materials, curriculum development This MoU was another milestone of Labor and the U.S. Department of and expanding outreach. and testimony to the deepening coop - Labor, Secretary Solis, in her address In his remarks, Labor Minister eration between India and the U.S. in on the occasion, appreciated the Kharge stressed the need for accord - various strategic areas, Minister initiatives undertaken by the Ministry ing mutual recognition to certain qual - Kharge observed. of Labor under Minister Kharge’s ifications granted in both India and In addition, the MoU would also leadership to help address the critical the United States. help India in “developing an appropri - challenges of skills development, Through collaboration in labor ate employment strategy for inclusive youth welfare, occupational safety practices, India could also gain from growth in India and building upon the and health.

March 2012 India Review Cover STORY Foreign Secretary holds meetings in U.S. Administration and Congress

ndia’s Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai visited Washington D.C. from February 6-8. In addition Ito co-chairing the annual 3 Foreign Office Consultations with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, he called on Deputy Secretary of State William Burns. Secretary of State also joined the meeting briefly. Secretary Mathai also met the Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough; Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs Michael Froman; Special Representative for Afghanistan and Marc Grossman; Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Robert Hormats; Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Maria Otero, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and Non- Proliferation Ellen Tauscher; and Under Secretary for Commerce Eric Hirschhorn. The Foreign Secretary also had wide-ranging meetings in the U.S. Congress, including with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton receiving Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai at a meeting Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, in Washington D.C. on February 7. Also seen is Ambassador Nirupama Rao. Chairman, House Foreign Affairs Committee; Representative Howard On February 6, the Foreign gence and homeland security; trade Berman, Ranking Member, House Secretary delivered an address on and investment; energy, including civil Foreign Affairs Committee; ‘Building on Convergences: nuclear energy; science, technology Representative Mike Rogers, Deepening India-U.S. Strategic and innovation; higher education; Chairman, House Permanent Select Partnership’ in the Statesmen’s Forum high technology trade; and, people-to- Intelligence Committee; Senator at the Centre for Strategic and people ties. The two sides dis - Richard Lugar, Ranking Member, International Studies. cussed ways to further deepen bilater - Senate Foreign Relations Committee; During the Foreign Secretary’s visit, al ties and plan for the third round of Senator John McCain, Ranking the two sides reaffirmed the India- India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue, co- Members, Senate Armed Services U.S. global strategic partnership and chaired by External Affairs Minister Committee; and, Senator Joseph reiterated the commitment of their S.M. and U.S. Secretary of Lieberman, Chairman, Senate governments to further strengthen State Hillary Clinton, which is to be Homeland Security Committee. Rep and expand the relationship. They held in Washington D.C. in the sum - Steve Chabot, Chairman, and Rep reviewed bilateral relations and mer of 2012. Gary Ackerman, Ranking Member, of expressed satisfaction with progress in The Foreign Secretary’s meetings in the House Sub-committee on Middle their engagement across the full spec - the U.S. Administration and Congress East and South Asia. Representative trum of the bilateral agenda, including also provided an opportunity for dis - Dana Rohrabacher also joined the political and strategic consultations; cussions on multilateral, regional and meeting with HFAC Chair. defense, counter-, intelli - global issues of mutual interest.

March 2012 India Review Cover STORY

Foreign Secretary Mathai at his meeting with Senator Richard Lugar, Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on February 8. ‘Our ties one of exceptional convergence’ Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai says India-U.S. relationship can have ‘considerable impact on the shape of the world in the 21st century’

ndia’s transformation and the than we would normally expect in a and intelligence cooperation; emerging India-U.S. relationship period of two or three decades. Yet launched a new Homeland Security Ican significantly impact on the through these changes the signifi - Dialogue; made steady progress in course of the 21st century, said cance of the U.S. has not altered. But our partnership on export controls, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai. He India’s ongoing transformation and non-proliferation and nuclear securi - was speaking on the theme of ‘Building the new India-U.S. relationship are ty; concluded the largest defense deal on Convergences: Deepening India- both part of what has changed, and yet in our bilateral relations, sus - U.S. Strategic Partnership’ at the both can have a considerable impact tained exercises and broadened Center for Strategic and International on the shape of the world in the 21st defense strategic dialogue; taken for - 4 Studies in Washington D.C. on century. ward the incipient cooperation for February 6. India and the U.S. contin - In the year since President development in third countries, espe - ue to “sustain an unprecedented level of Obama’s visit to India in November cially Africa; held a very successful bilateral engagement”, he pointed out. 2010, we have sustained an unprece - Higher Education Summit in dented level of bilateral engagement, Washington DC; and, made innova - Excerpts of the speech: launched new strategic consultations tion driven progress in areas such as “While change is a constant compan - that cover key regions of the world; clean energy, food security and health ion of time, it is also true that since begun our first trilateral consultation care. We resumed negotiations on a the mid-eighties, the world has seen with ; advanced our coopera - Bilateral Investment Treaty and more profound political, economic, tion on non-proliferation and nuclear expanded opportunities for economic technological and strategic changes security; deepened counter-terrorism cooperation through measures like

March 2012 India Review Cover STORY the Infrastructure Debt Fund and tar - iff reductions on products with potential for bilateral trade. Indeed, I do not think that we have had as much convergence, or spoken more transparently and extensively with each other, as we do now on some of the most important issues in our engagement: terrorism, and key regional issues, Afghanistan, Myanmar and the future of Asia 5 Pacific. As Prime Minister Dr. said, the India-U.S. civil nuclear initiative is a symbol, instru - ment and platform of a transformed India-U.S. relationship. We are com - mitted to translating the success of our diplomatic partnership in chang - ing the global nuclear order into an equally productive commercial coop - eration in civil nuclear energy. We continue to be guided by the larger vision for our strategic part - nership and the value of all that our two sides have built together. Let me highlight the priorities. India and the U.S. can and must strengthen their economic partner - ship. The flow of trade in goods and services, and investments in both Foreign Secretary Mathai along with Ambassador Rao at his meeting with U.S. Congressman Howard Berman, Ranking Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee, on February 8. directions has grown several times in the past two decades. Today we have deepen, we will obviously have a security and non-proliferation to almost $40 billion of U.S. imports, growing range of policy and regulato - reflect contemporary realities and both goods and services. Indian busi - ry concerns with each other. But, we enable our two countries to work nesses have invested perhaps $26 bil - have in place an elaborate set of bilat - together more effectively for our lion in the U.S. in five years. India’s eral mechanisms to address them. shared interests. planned infrastructure spending of Terrorism remains a major security Taken together, this is a rich and $1 trillion in the next five years; the challenge for India and the U.S. Our broad canvas of priorities that also modernization of our agriculture sec - convergence on the source and the address some of the core interests of tor; our shift to clean energy; the nature of the threat, emanating from India and the United States. The implementation of the civil nuclear India’s neighborhood, has never been question that is often asked is agreement; the burgeoning defense greater; and, our cooperation on whether our two sides can translate trade; cooperation in higher educa - combating terrorism has never been our shared goals into a sustained and tion; and, the growing ability of the stronger than today. effective strategy of engagement and Indian companies to compete in the We should continue to further cooperation. U.S. market could take our econom - strengthen our growing partnership We must remember that while we ic ties to an entirely new level. in leading international efforts on may have occasionally different per - We remain committed to pursuing non-proliferation, disarmament and spectives, we are also united by a fun - economic reforms in India in their pursuing the goals of Nuclear damental stake in each other’s success, broadest sense. The debate in India is Security Summit. India was pleased because in succeeding individually, we not a question only about economic to host the Sherpas meeting of the can advance our common interests and growth, efficiency and openness, but Nuclear Security Summit in January. inspire a world mirrored in our ideals. about equity, empowerment and We must also continue to work The full text of the Foreign opportunities for a large section of together to reform and adapt the Secretary’s speech can be viewed at: the population. As our economic ties global architecture of governance, http://www.indianembassy.org

March 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS Ambassador Rao meets with Sen. Chris Coons

n a meeting with Senator Chris Coons on February 13 at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Nirupama Rao hailed the multifaceted relationship IIndia and the United States have built over the years with its focus on development and empowerment, covering such diverse fields as education, energy, health, agriculture, skills development and poverty alleviation. In the context, Ambassador Rao and Senator Coons noted the “positive trajectory” the India-U.S. relationship had taken over the years. Ambassador Rao also discussed the partnerships that both India and the United States have with Africa, with Senator Coons who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs. In her remarks, Ambassador Rao outlined India’s deep - ening engagement with Africa, where she said India had made considerable investments in the continent’s develop - ment programs. Besides, India has been engaged in regular dialogue with African leaders under the aegis of the Africa- Ambassador Nirupama Rao with Senator Chris Coons at Capitol Hill in India Forum Summit. In his observations, Senator Coons Washington, D.C. on February 13. described the India-U.S relationship as “a partnership seek - Senator Coons, who represents the state of Delaware in ing solutions to real problems in people’s lives”. the United States Senate, is a member of the Senate Foreign Naming India as one of “America’s most important part - Relations Committee and its Subcommittee on Near ners”, he welcomed the deepening of the India-U.S. strate - Eastern and South Central Affairs, which deals with U.S. gic partnership. relations with India. India a shining example of democracy: Sen. Rubio

ndia is a shining example of democracy in its region and the Iworld,” said Senator Marco Rubio from Florida in a meeting with Ambassador Nirupama Rao on February 14 at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. “India is one of the countries that people in America often cited to describe the new world,” Senator Rubio observed. In her remarks, Ambassador Rao pointed out that “India’s key priority is to ensure inclusive development 6 and deliver the fruits of economic growth to all its people”. To help achieve these goals, India looks to leverage its relations with the United Ambassador Nirupama Rao with Senator Marco Rubio at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on February 14. States, which was an indispensable synergies”. India’s development was ments in bilateral cooperation across partner, she said. in the interest of the United States, a wide spectrum of shared endeavors. Senator Rubio, who is a member of Senator Rubio said, adding that there They agreed that the “emergence the Senate Foreign Relations was “political commitment on both of an open, balanced and inclusive Committee, described the India-U.S. sides to invest in the relationship”. architecture in the Asia-Pacific region relationship as an “extremely impor - Ambassador Rao also briefed was in the interest of both India and tant one based on shared values and Senator Rubio about recent develop - the United States”.

March 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS Ambassador Rao discusses bilateral relations with Attorney-General mbassador Nirupama Rao met with U.S. Attorney- General Eric H. Holder Jr. A on February 21 at the U.S. Department of Justice, Washington DC. 7 Extending a warm welcome to Ambassador Rao, Attorney-General Holder referred to the “excellent rela - tions” between India and the U.S. and hoped that these would further improve during the tenure of the Ambassador. Attorney-General Holder and Ambassador Rao discussed the grow - ing India-U.S. cooperation in diverse fields, including counter-terrorism and mutual legal assistance in crime-relat - ed matters. Emphasizing the impor - Ambassador Nirupama Rao with the U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. at the U.S. Department tance of cooperation in the investiga - of Justice in Washington D.C. on February 21. tions into the terror attacks, Attorney-General Holder assured Ambassador Rao also discussed issues Ambassador Rao expressed hope that Ambassador Rao of all possible assis - relating to cooperation in combating the U.S. would extend cooperation in a tance within the framework of U.S. piracy on the high seas. Both sides also few critical areas where India had law and underscored the importance laid emphasis on the importance of requested help. This would help inves - the U.S. attached to counter-terrorism dialogue in all areas of mutual interest, tigators bring the main culprits to book cooperation with India. and resolved to deepen cooperation in without delay, Ambassador Rao said. Attorney-General Holder and this regard. Private Sector Advisory Group delegation briefs Ambassador Rao U.S. delegation of the recommendations”. She emphasized Private Sector Advisory the need to focus on the “big picture of Group (PSAG) of the Trade the relationship”, adding that the A Policy Forum (TPF), led by Ministerial Trade Policy Forum was an Co-Chair Dr. Fred Bergsten, called on important platform where PSAG’s rec - Ambassador Nirupama Rao on ommendations on strengthening bilat - February 23. eral trade and commercial cooperation The delegation briefed the could be discussed. Ambassador about PSAG’s activities Robert Vastine, President, Coalition and the follow-up action taken on its of Service Industries; Ron Somers, last report submitted to the Trade President, U.S. India Business Council Policy Forum (TPF) leadership in Ambassador Nirupama Rao with a PSAG delega- (USIBC); Charlene Barshefsky, for - tion of the Trade Policy Forum on February 23. January 2011. The delegation also mer Deputy USTR; Arvind shared its thoughts with Ambassador Rao appreciated the “constructive Subramanian of the Peterson Institute Rao on propelling India-U.S. bilateral role” that the PSAG had played in of International ; and Anku trade and economic engagement to the strengthening the TPF process Nath of USIBC were also part of the next level. In her remarks, Ambassador through its “detailed and progressive delegation.

March 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS ‘People-to-people connectivity advancing India-U.S. Global Strategic Partnership’ n her first visit to Association of Greater Boston hosted a Boston/Cambridge after assum - community reception in honor of ing responsibility as the Ambassador Rao. IAmbassador of India to the United States, Ambassador Rao visited Wyant Lecture at Emmanuel College, Harvard University, MIT, Emmanuel Boston College and met with a section of the Following is an excerpt of Indian-American community in the Ambassador Nirupama Rao’s Greater Boston Area. Wyant Lecture on ‘India’s Role in a At Emmanuel College on February Changing Landscape in the 21st 15, Ambassador Rao delivered the Century’: prestigious Wyant Lecture on ‘India’s “India today represents a unique Role in a Changing Landscape in the model of development in the world. 21st Century’, which was attended by Ambassador Nirupama Rao Our policy choices for development a large number of students, faculty have been a product of a healthy members and scholars at the College. Weatherhead Center for International debate resulting in a broad political On February 16, Ambassador Rao Affairs, where Ambassador Rao had consensus. Even though at times the met with the President of Harvard earlier served as a Fellow during 1993- pace of development might seem slow, University, Prof. Drew Gilpin Faust, 94, and the Center for Middle Eastern the overall trend and direction remain who had returned from India after a Studies at the Harvard. clear. Indeed, as Larry Summers, for - successful visit. Ambassador Rao out - Ambassador Rao began her visit to mer Chairman of National Economic lined the initiatives being taken by the MIT on February 16 with a meeting Council noted, India’s growth reflects Indian Government to strengthen the with MIT President, Prof Susan the idea of a democratic developmental education infrastructure in India and Hockfield, who recalled MIT’s long- state, driven not by a mercantilist opportunities thus generated for standing partnership with India, begin - emphasis on exports, but a people- enhancing collaboration between India ning with the setting up of IIT Kanpur centered emphasis on growing levels of and the U.S. Ambassador Rao also and IIM Kolkata, and a number of consumption and a widening middle referred to the successful outcomes of ongoing programs at MIT to strength - class. And uniquely, India’s emergence the inaugural India-U.S. Higher en institutional and educational link - is not regarded as a threat, but, rather, Education Summit held in October ages with India. Prof Hockfield briefed welcomed by the vast majority of 2011 and invited Harvard University Ambassador Rao on the initiative taken nations. to forge newer links in education, by MIT of providing online access to Sixty five years into India’s journey research and innovation with academ - several of its courses and how students as a vibrant democracy, I would say ic institutions in India. President Faust across the world were benefitting from that it is the Indian model of democrat - shared impressions of her recent visit it. Recalling the Singh-Obama 21st ic governance, its acceptance of plural - to India and said that Harvard looks Century Knowledge Initiative ism, its emphasis on inclusive, sustain - forward to deepening its engagement announced in 2009, Ambassador Rao able growth, together with its econom - with India. referred to a number of bilateral initia - ic strength, resilience and dynamism of At Harvard, Ambassador Rao tives taken recently to deepen universi - its people that propels the promise and addressed the Kennedy School of ty linkages, junior faculty development the potential of India’s role on the glob - 8 Government on the ‘people-centric’ and encouraging partnerships in the al stage. Additionally, we have always dimension of the India-U.S. area of S&T, innovation and skill relied on diplomacy and statecraft in Partnership and how this “extraordi - development, and hoped that MIT building relations and addressing prob - nary people-to-people connectivity would continue to expand its collabo - lem issues, and have never been pro - was helping the India-U.S. Global rative ventures with India. tagonists for the first use of force in set - Strategic Partnership to grow from Ambassador Rao also met with a tling outstanding problems. strength to strength”. Ambassador Rao number of students, interns, faculty Let me first turn to our economy. also addressed the Middle East members and scholars associated with Our sustained economic growth, par - Seminar on India’s foreign policy and MIT’s India Initiative and MIT’s ticularly in the last two decades, has led interests in West Asia and the Gulf Center for International Studies. to a dramatic transformation in India. region, jointly organized by the On February 17, the Indian It has lifted millions of people out of

March 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS poverty and led to the rise of a large The full text of the speech can be Borlaug, who developed high yielding middle class. Despite some slowdown viewed at: http://www.indianem - varieties of wheat in Mexico, which in economic growth in the first half of bassy.org/prdetail1867/wyant-lecture- were then adapted to Indian conditions 2011-12 which stood at 7.3 percent as by-ambassador-nirupama-rao-at-the- in the institutions that U.S. scientists against 8.5 per cent in 2010-11, we emmanuel-college%2C-boston--- helped establish... The U.S. remains a have been able to keep the adverse andquot%3Brole-of-india-in-the- preferred destination for Indian stu - impact of global slowdown and uncer - changing-landscape-in-the-21st-cen - dents to pursue their advanced tainty on our economy to the mini - turyandquot%3B degrees. Nearly 100,000 students from mum... Our relationship with the India are benefiting from the higher United States is in fact built on our Speech at the Kennedy School of education system in the U.S. And we shared values and converging interests. Government, Harvard University would like to see more and more 9 It is based on our fundamental belief Following is an excerpt from American students coming to India in that we have mutually beneficial stakes Ambassador Rao’s speech on the future to study India… in each other’s success. ‘An India-U.S. Partnership with And, the stellar role that the Indian- We have in the last decade, set up a People at its Core’ American Diaspora has been playing in comprehensive architecture of engage - I am often asked the question — what deepening people-to-people linkages ment based on broad political support is the central idea that propels the cannot be underestimated. They have in each of our country, strong people India-US partnership? While there are created jobs and prosperity in this to people linkages, and a growing habit multiple factors that make this rela - country and participated in the devel - of cooperation. Over the past ten tionship so enduring — our shared opment of cutting edge and frontier years, the two governments have put in values of democracy, respect for indi - technologies that have helped improve place a very robust agenda for cooper - vidual freedoms and diversity, rule of the lives of people… ation for our partnership that is, to law, converging interests on a number The steady growth of the Indian quote Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan of regional and global issues, I believe economy has not only helped improve Singh, founded on both “principles the foremost among them are our the living standards of our people, but and pragmatism”. As the late K. excellent people-to-people connections has also opened up new opportunities Subrahmanyam, the doyen of India’s that anchor our partnership and pro - to expand our mutually beneficial eco - strategic thinkers said, this relationship vide vitality to our relations. And, it is nomic and commercial ties with the should not be measured by the number this ‘people centric’ dimension of our U.S. Two-way trade in goods and serv - of successful transactions. partnership that I would like to focus ices continues to grow steadily reach - He said, presciently, that the “rela - on in my remarks today. ing over $100 billion last year. The tionship must be assessed on its Links between our scientists, U.S. businesses are becoming strong progress in setting up structures that researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, partners in India’s economic growth make it more effective in countering art and culture enthusiasts, have story; and Indian businesses are creat - the challenges of the 21st century. always been an important component ing value, wealth and jobs in the United Global governance must rely upon net - of such people-to-people ties. A key States… I see a future full of hope, works of bilateral strategic partner - element in the relationship between promise and opportunities for deepen - ships among democratic powers that India and the U.S. has been that it ing our strategic partnership guided by manage rather than impose outcomes, responds to popular aspirations going our long-term objectives and shared and provide a powerful response to the beyond the calculations of political ideals of democratic functioning in challenges they face”. expediency. It is precisely for this rea - order to meet the important challenges In the months ahead, as we plan for son that our relations enjoy such wide- of our times and to advance peace and the third meeting of the Strategic ranging support across the full political prosperity in our increasingly interde - Dialogue in Washington later this sum - spectrum in both our countries. pendent and interconnected world. mer, it would be our joint endeavor to You are well aware of the fact that And, in consolidating this important build on this foundation, consolidate U.S. universities helped set up institu - enterprise, the Indian and American on the work that had already been tions of excellence such as the Indian people have a leading role. done and to implement the initiatives Institute of Technology Kanpur and The full text of Ambassador that have been agreed upon to qualita - the Indian Institute of Management, Rao’s speech can be viewed at : tively improve the relationship. Kolkata, institutions which are global http://www.indianembassy.org/prde - Indeed in India, we attach impor - brand names now. tail1868/andquot%3Baddress-by- tance to our strategic partnership with The U.S. was an early partner in ambassador-nirupama-rao-at-the- the U.S. both for advancing global helping to establish agricultural univer - kennedy-school-of-government%2C- peace, stability and progress as well as sities and research institutions in India harvard-university%3A-an-india-us- in the pursuit of India’s national devel - in the 1960s. It was an American sci - partnership-with-people-at-its-core - opment goals...” entist, Nobel Laureate Norman andquot%3B

March 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS Ambassador Rao visits South Carolina

n a visit to South Carolina, Ambassador Nirupama Rao held O extensive discussions with Nikki Haley and Commerce Secretary Robert Hitt on future cooperation between India and South Carolina. Ambassador Rao, who visit - ed the State from February 28 to March 1, was hosted by Governor Haley and her spouse at the Governor’s Mansion in Columbia. The Governor, who praised the role of the Indian-American community in promoting relations between India and the United States, was keen on expanding trade contacts with India. Highlighting the business-friendly atmosphere in the state and the pres - Ambassador Rao with Governor of South Carolina Nikki R. Haley and her spouse Michael Haley at the ence of major companies, such as Governor’s Mansion in Columbia. Boeing, BMW and Michelin, a well- developed information technology sector and R&D centers, renowned institutes of higher education, and the major port of Charleston, Governor Haley said that South Carolina would welcome Indian companies and offer any infrastructural assistance they might require to establish themselves in the state. The Governor also expressed her willingness to host any Indian business delegation visiting the United States for consultations. The Ambassador apprised the Governor of the state of bilateral rela - tions between India and the United Ambassador Rao at the BMW plant in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 1. States and expressed the desire to expand the relationship between India Ambassador and the Governor held a She also addressed business leaders and South Carolina. joint press conference. and members of various think tanks at India would like to avail of the expe - During her trip, the Ambassador the World Affairs Council of Columbia rience of the state in the field of infra - also visited Charleston Port and held on February 29, on the topic, ‘India 10 structure development, education, and discussions with the port authorities on Today’, outlining the opportunities R&D, she added. prospects of cooperation. She also met available in India for business develop - Informing the Governor of her with President Benson of Charleston ment. “popularity in India”, Ambassador Rao College and interacted with the faculty On March 1, the Ambassador toured invited her to visit India. She said it and the students. She also met with the BMW factory in Greenville and could pave the way for Indian busi - President Pastides of the University of visited the Clemson University nesses, already present in 43 states of South Carolina and addressed faculty International Center for Automotive the United States, to also look at South and students. Present in the audience Research, also in Greenville, where Carolina as an investment and business was a large number of Indian-origin officials expressed keen interest in destination. students as well as members of the building collaborative relationships Later on February 29, the Indian-American community. with Indian automotive companies.

March 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS Ambassador Rao visits Georgia

n her first visit to Georgia, Ambassador Nirupama Rao toured Emory University, met I with Congressmen from Georgia, visited the King Center, attended a reception by the Indian- American community and gave several interviews to the local media. 11 On March 2, the Ambassador also delivered a lecture on ‘Indo-U.S. Commercial Engagements’ at a meet - ing of senior business executives at the United Parcel Service (UPS), organ - ized by the Kettering Executive Network (KEN) and supported by the Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce and The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE). The Mayor of Sandy Springs, Dr. Eva Galambos, presented the Key to the City to the Ambassador Rao with Congressman Tom Price after a luncheon meeting in Atlanta. Ambassador. Earlier, she met the top management of UPS. Lecture at the Emory The Ambassador also met with the University, Atlanta Provost of Emory University, Dr. Earl Lewis, and other members of the fac - Following is an excerpt of ulty. She delivered the keynote address Ambassador Nirupama Rao’s at the prestigious India Summit on address at Emory University on ‘India-US Strategic Relations’, India-U.S. Strategic Relations on focussing on the role of innovation and March 2 science & technology. “It is a great honor for me to have At a dinner reception in her honor at this opportunity to address the India Emory University, she met with stu - Summit organized by the Emory dents and Atlanta’s business and com - University. In the last three years Ambassador Nirupama Rao addressing leaders of munity leaders. since its inception, the Summit has the Indian-American community at Global Mall in Atlanta on March 3. On March 3, she paid homage to already become an important event in and Dr. Martin the annual calendars of events related While there are several factors Luther King at a public reception at the to India, and has helped to promote a which make our relationship endur - King Center. She garlanded Gandhi’s greater understanding about India ing, including the values that both statue and toured the Visitor’s Center not just in the greater Atlanta region our countries cherish, and the con - and laid wreaths at the crypts of Dr. but across the entire South Eastern vergence of interests that we have as King and Coretta Scott King. board of the United States. we both work toward greater peace The same afternoon, she met with I am also really happy to see the and prosperity for our peoples, in my Congressmen Thomas E. Price and initiatives that Emory has taken to view it is these bonds, or people-to- Hank Johnson and exchanged views strengthen its ties with India, through people linkages, in diplo-speak, that on several issues of bilateral, regional its various programs whose numbers create the rich mosaic of our multi - and global interest from the perspec - continue to rise, and also by its link - faceted relationship, add to its tive of the partnership between India ages with Indian institutions. The vibrancy and resilience and provide and the United States. impact of these initiatives is not limit - an anchor which goes beyond any In the evening, the Indian-American ed to the immediate academic field immediate political expediency. community, represented by over 80 but more importantly they help foster Therefore, I would like to thank the organizations in Greater Atlanta, held a better understanding and create leadership of Emory University and a well-attended welcome banquet in bonds of friendship between the all the faculty members here for their the honor of the Ambassador. Indian and American peoples. commitment and untiring efforts to

March 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS

Ambassador Rao with members of the Indian-American community in Atlanta at a public reception at the King Center after garlanding Mahatma Gandhi’s statue.

expand connections with India and the Indian people. Ours is a partnership that seeks to meet common aspirations for mutual prosperity and for peace and security. Today, India and the U.S. are true partners — in strategic terms, in eco - nomic terms, and in the development context. As India continues on its path of inclusive social and economic development, mobilizing the immense creativity and energy of its people, we see the U.S. as an impor - Ambassador Rao with the Mayor of Sandy Springs, Eva Galambos (C), and other participants of the tant partner in this journey. It is with business conference at UPS on March 2. this objective in mind that we are working to expand our relations have emerged as a driving force for urban and rural development, and across the entire spectrum of our growth. I am happy to note that the others; and to drive growth, compet - bilateral agenda. India Summit this year focuses on itiveness, employment, and opportu - The India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue some of these aspects. nity for the country. In India, we are initiated in 2009, and whose third When I talk of innovation it is not determined to use innovation not meeting will be held in Washington in just high technology that I am think - only as an engine of economic growth a few months, had therefore identi - ing of, though that too is important, but also as a tool to address national fied the following principal areas for but innovation in its broadest sense, development challenges. expanding cooperation for mutual innovation that encompasses energy, Already, India’s economic transfor - benefit: strategic cooperation, energy food security, higher education, mation is utilizing innovation in its and climate change; education and vocational training, R&D, and entre - broadest sense. India has become the development, economy, trade and preneurship. hub for developments in design, 12 agriculture, science and technology, In India we have placed a particu - processes and systems to create prod - health and innovation. And, as an lar emphasis on innovation. Prime ucts that suit the Indian circumstances important part of these efforts, just as Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and context. Information Technology the U.S. is partnering in India’s declared in 2010 that for India, the and Communications have been the development, Indian businesses have present decade is to be the ‘Decade of catalysts as well as beneficiaries of this been investing in the U.S. economy. Innovation’. India has established a unprecedented growth. Our industry is It is in this overall context that I National Innovation Council to pro - setting new standards in cost-effective would like to share my thoughts with vide recommendations on how we manufacturing and service delivery. you this evening specifically on how I could bridge unmet needs and access The once protected manufacturing see our partnership evolving at a gaps in vital sectors such as agricul - sector has today become modern and time when technology and innovation ture, education, energy, health, skills, is able to hold its own. In India, in

March 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS developing the innovation economy the key focus has been on its relevance and scalability. The result has been grass - roots acceptability and easy commer - cialization of new technologies. In pursuing our desire to be a major global hub for innovation and creativity, the Indian corporate sector has played an important role. From indigenous designing and manufac - turing of the Nano to effective e-gov - ernance models; from inclusive bank - 13 ing to accessible public healthcare, Indian industry has contributed to the development of need-based and cost-effective innovative solutions that have scalability and global Ambassador Rao with Congressman Hank Johnson in Atlanta on March 3. Also seen in the picture is relevance. Consul-General Ajit Kumar. I recall what my friend and the dis - tinguished USAID Administrator, Rajiv Shah said a few months ago: “India is now a pioneer of game- changing innovations that are push - ing the boundaries of what is possible in development.” The U.S. has led the world when it comes to innovation. Both our gov - ernments realize the critical impor - tance of innovation to address new challenges and generate economic growth. As both India and the U.S. work toward becoming truly knowl - edge societies they are also working together to translate these immense opportunities into practical coopera - Ambassador Rao receiving the Kettering Executive Network memento after addressing a business tion: forging new links, creating conference on March 2. ecosystems together to foster creativ - ity that would lead to solutions for the Clean Energy (PACE) and the Joint opportunity to travel to India, would problems that we face, both immedi - Clean Energy Research & testify to that I am sure. We are there - ate and in the long term. Let me enu - Development Center (JCERDC) we fore working on an ambitious plan to merate some of these. are working on Public-Private part - tap the potential of available solar Energy security and the supply of nership for Joint R&D in three areas energy and launched a national solar clean and sustainable sources of — solar energy; second generation mission a few years ago to increase its energy are a common challenge for bio-fuels; and energy-efficient build - share in our energy mix. And the U.S. both our countries. In order to con - ings. The center will mobilize up to Export-Import Bank, OPIC and the tinue on our high growth path, India $100 million in public and private U.S. Trade and Development Agency will need to invest in building a sector funds to facilitate research and have joined together in this endeavor. world-class infrastructure that could development in breakthrough tech - In the U.S., the tapping of shale gas, cater to the demands of a billion-plus nologies over five years. Several pro - has dramatically altered your energy population and ensure the availability posals have been received by the cen - supply scenario.” of abundant supplies of clean sources ter, and the first awards are likely to The full text of Ambassador of energy to fuel such growth. In both be announced within this month. Rao’s speech can be viewed at: these areas we are working to build When it comes to energy, while we http://www.indianembassy.org/prde - mutually beneficial ties. With the import a large part of our crude tail1878/address-by-ambassador- U.S., we are now engaged in a broad requirements, one source where we nirupama-rao-at-the-emory-universi - array of clean energy solutions. are not short of supply is solar ener - ty-on-india-us-strategic-relations- Through our Partnership to Advance gy. Most of you, who have had the %282-march-2012%29)

March 2012 India Review Embassy EVENTS Embassy hosts presentation on ‘HomeSpun’

he Embassy hosted a public strengthen the “mutually beneficial capabilities of Indian-Americans in event on February 23 on the character of cooperation” between contributing to American society and theme of the contributions India and the U.S. “India takes pride economy as well as to the India-U.S. T made by Indian-Americans in the achievements of the three mil - partnership. to the advancement of India-U.S. lion-strong India-origin community Richard Kurin, Undersecretary for relations. It included a presentation in the United States,” she said. History, Art and Culture at the on an exhibition titled ‘HomeSpun’, Referring to the areas where Smithsonian Institution, and Konrad which chronicles the story of immi - Indian-Americans had excelled and Ng, Director of Smithsonian Asian grants from India and their descen - their contributions widely recognized, Pacific American Program, and dants in America. HomeSpun is an Ambassador Rao said, “To say that HomeSpun’s curator Dr. Pawan initiative of the Asian Pacific the Indian-American community has Dhingra were present on the occa - American Program of the truly come of age is no exaggeration.” sion. Other attendees included Smithsonian Institution. HomeSpun was, therefore, “a cele - Smithsonian officials, India-origin Speaking on the occasion, bration of the accomplishments and businesspersons, scholars of Indian- Ambassador Nirupama Rao high - success of Indian-Americans”, she American studies, journalists, arts and lighted the “people-centric dimen - said. She expressed confidence that culture enthusiasts and a number of sion” of the India-U.S. partnership the exhibition would be an effective prominent members of the Indian- and how it had, over the years, helped demonstration of the potential and American community.

Richard Kurin, Undersecretary for History, Art and Culture, Smithsonian Institution, speaking at Ambassador Nirupama Rao addressing the the event. ( Photo : Sandra Vuong, Smithsonian Konrad Ng, Director of Smithsonian Asian Pacific guests. Asian Pacific American Program) American Program, speaking at the event.

14

Pawan Dhingra, Curator of the ‘HomeSpun’ Gautam Chandra, Member of the Advisoty A cross-section of the guests in attendance at exhibition making a presentation on the project. Council of ‘HomeSpun’, proposing a vote of the ‘HomeSpun’ event. (Photo: Sandra Vuong, Smithsonian Asian Pacific thanks. American Program)

March 2012 India Review Consulate EVENTS ‘India to transform sporting culture’

he Consulate-General of “world-class trainers to ensure that the India, , organized a country doubles its medal tally in the reception on February 10 at forthcoming ”. “We T New India House in honor of have already engaged 29 foreign train - the visiting Minister of State for Sports ers and have arranged nearly 100 high- and Youth Affairs (Independent quality training camps abroad for the Charge) . Prominent mem - purpose,” he pointed out. bers of the Indian-American commu - The Ministry has also decided to set 15 nity, which included professionals, up sporting facilities in nearly 2,50,000 community leaders, sporting personal - villages in India. In collaboration with ities, notably Vijay Amritraj, and medi - the Ministry of Human Resource apersons from the Tri-State Area Development, the Ministry has put in attended the function. place an action plan to ensure that Introducing Minister Maken to the “every elementary school in the coun - distinguished gathering, Consul- India’s Minister of State for Sports & Youth Affairs try has one good playground and a Ajay Maken General Prabhu Dayal paid tribute to physical training instructor”, the his vision for the sporting future of Minister Maken’s endeavor to help Minister said. Schools will also incor - India. The Minister had initiated improve India’s sporting facilities was porate sport as a discipline into their many pioneering projects to help commendable, he added. curriculum. develop India’s sports infrastructure, In his address, the Minister said that He also appreciated the role played he said. his Ministry was working toward by people of Indian origin in helping to Speaking on the occasion, former transforming India’s sporting culture “cement the growing bonds between Indian tennis star Vijay Amritraj hailed and to make available to Indian athletes India and the United States”. Mahatma’s ‘Punya Tithi’ MoS External Affairs visits Texas he Consulate General of India, New York, in associa - T tion with the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB), observed the 64th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘Punya Tithi’ (death anniversary) on January 30. About 50 guests, including teachers, stu - dents, journalists and BVB office- bearers attended the event. The program began with a recital of Gandhi’s favorite bhajans by Sanjukta Sen and students of BVB. Speaking on the occasion, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs and Human Resource Development E. Ahamed being present - Consul-General Prabhu Dayal ed a memento by the President of the Texas Chapter of Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC), Prasad briefly touched upon various Thotakura, and, President of the India Association of North Texas (IANT), Dr. Sridhar Reddy Korsapati, in aspects of Mahatma Gandhi’s phi - recognition of his service to the nation and the Diaspora. Also seen is Consul-General Sanjiv Arora. losophy and its relevance to the Minister Ahamed with contemporary world. Quoting guests at an Indian- Gandhi’s famous exhortation “Be American community reception hosted by the change you want to see in the IANT and IAFC in world”, he urged the audience to cooperation with practise his precept. Dr. Navin other community fora and the Consulate Mehta, a trustee of the Bhavan, also General of India, spoke about the relevance of Houston. Consul- Gandhi’s teachings. General Arora is on the extreme right.

March 2012 India Review Economy NEWS PM hails all-time record in farm yield

rime Minister Dr. more sugarcane, more oilseeds and Manmohan Singh on more cotton than ever before. Last February 20 said India’s year, production of vegetables went Pfarm yield had touched a up by 9.57 percent and nearly two new high with food production million tons of cold storage capacity expected to exceed 250 million was created,” Dr. Singh added. tonnes, “an all-time record”, at the He said the agricultural growth was end of the Eleventh Five Year Plan “likely to be about 3.5 percent per ending March 31. annum during the Eleventh Five Year Addressing the golden jubilee con - Plan which is much better than in the vocation of the Indian Agricultural 10th”. The Prime Minister added that Research Institute (IARI) in New the achievement was “commendable” Delhi, the Prime Minister empha - but “we must improve upon it in the sized that “a prosperous, productive Twelfth Plan to reach four percent and sustainable farm economy was growth or even higher”. the cornerstone of equitable and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing Referring to the need for greater inclusive growth”. the golden jubilee celebrations of IARI. technological intervention in the farm Dr. Singh said the Government Vikas Yojana and the Rainfed Areas sector, the Prime Minister said, “Our was seeking to reform and revitalize Development Programme and other farm economy needs much greater the agrarian economy and had adopt - agrarian policies had begun to pay injection of science and a knowledge- ed a multi-pronged strategy to off. “Food production at the end of based approach to increasing improve returns to farming and step the Eleventh Plan will exceed 250 incomes and productivity. Both land up investment in rural infrastructure. million tons, an all time record. Our and water are limited and it is vital The Prime Minister said the pulse production, at 18 million tons, that we make progress in agricultural Government’s flagship agricultural is well above the previous barrier of technology, which raises land pro - plans like Bharat Nirman, Mahatma 15 million tons,” he said. ductivity while also allowing a signif - Gandhi National Rural Employment “We are today producing more icant reduction in water use per unit Guarantee Act, the Rashtriya Krishi milk, more fruits, more vegetables, of agricultural output.” New policy to curb narco drugs Govt notifies direct fuel import by airlines ndia on February 6 introduced a he on February comprehensive national policy to 22 issued a notification, empowering Ihelp curb trafficking in narcotic Tairline companies to directly import drugs. “The policy presents evidence jet fuel. of India’s strong commitment and “Indian carriers interested in importing intent to rise to the challenges posed air turbine fuel directly, without going by the drug menace,” Finance Minister through the state trading enterprises, may said. apply to the Directorate General of Foreign “It also reflects the country’s willing - Trade for licenses,” the Ministry of ness to shoulder the responsibility Commerce announced. 16 Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Earlier, jet fuel was a restricted commod - which is cast upon it because of its ity that could only be imported by public strategic position, sandwiched the policy will lead to reduction in sector oil marketing companies, such as between two major regions of the crime, improvement in public health and others. world producing illicit narcotics,” and uplift of the social milieu,” the Direct imports will enable airlines to cut Minister Mukherjee said. Finance Minister said. operating costs by about 10-15 percent The policy attempts to curb the According to a and save on the sales tax levied by state menace of drug abuse and contains report released in 2011, between 149 governments. The sales tax ranges from provisions for treatment, rehabilitation and 272 million people or 3.3 to 6.1 three to 35 percent. Jet fuel now comprises about 50 percent and social re-integration of victims of percent of the world’s population aged of the total operating cost of airlines in drug abuse. 15-64 have used illicit substances at India. “Implementation of the provisions of least once in the previous year.

March 2012 India Review Economy NEWS

New competition policy to TCS opens Silicon Valley customer help bring down prices: Moily collaboration center he proposed National ata Consultancy Services (TCS), one Competition Policy, sched - of the world’s leading IT services, uled for Cabinet approval by T consulting and business solutions March, would help usher in a company, on January 31 announced the T official opening of its Silicon Valley financial revolution in the country and combat inflation, Corporate Customer Collaboration Center in Santa 17 Affairs Minister M. Clara, California. Located in the heart of has said. Silicon Valley, the collaboration center is designed to provide an open, innovative “The National Competition Policy and collaborative workspace that adopts is going to be the second biggest the entrepreneurial spirit and best practices financial revolution in the country employed by the world’s leading startup after 1991. A draft version of the pol - companies in the Valley. icy is being circulated among all the Corporate Affairs Minister M. Veerappa Moily The center will serve as the worldwide ministries and hopefully it will be headquarters of TCS’s Mobility Solutions approved by the Cabinet by March,” posed policy would also help bring Unit, which aims to bring the benefits of he said. down foodgrain prices substantially. emerging technologies like big data, ana - lytics and mobility to enterprises across all Referring to the positive impact “Without affecting the productivity industries. The center will serve as the expected from the National of a company, the prices can be base for TCS’s Next Gen Solutions Unit, Competition Policy on the economy, brought down. The Competition which applies the latest advances in soft - he said: “The policy will help disman - Policy is not a one-time thing or a ware technology to real-world business tle monopolies and anti-competitive one-slot thing, it has a lot of cascad - problems that customers may face. This forces.” ing effect. Therefore, seen in the larg - center features several innovative collabo - Referring to a comparable policy in er context, the prices of foodgrains, rative workplace features designed to existence in the United States, for example, will come down appre - enable effective collaboration between TCS and its customers from around the world. Minister Moily said it had helped in ciably,” Moily said. “Silicon Valley is the perfect place for this halving the price of petroleum prod - The Minister added that amend - new TCS customer collaboration center, ucts there. “It is an excellent way to ments were likely to be made to the given the match between the innovative and combat inflation,” he pointed out. Competition Act in the light of the entrepreneurial spirit of TCS and that of the The Minister said in India the pro - upcoming competition policy. Valley,” said N. Chandrasekaran, TCS CEO and Managing Director. “The convergence of the innovation in the Valley with the highly scalable, high quality and cost-effective Growth revised upward to 7.1 pc engineering strength of TCS will help jump - start the powerful new phenomenon of the he Indian economy is expected 2.5 percent growth projected in the democratization of innovation.” to grow at 7.1 percent in the advance estimate. A record output of “California is the global leader in high- Tfinancial year ending March 31, rice and wheat on the back of good tech employment and our office looks for - slightly higher than the 6.9 percent monsoon and strong growth in horti - ward to working closely with TCS as they growth projected in the advance esti - culture and animal husbandry are like - create valuable job opportunities for our mate early this month, the Prime ly to push upward the agricultural sec - citizens,” said Brook Taylor, Deputy Minister’s Economic Advisory Council tor growth. Director at the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. has said. The manufacturing sector is expect - The launch of the new TCS collaboration The growth in the agriculture and ed to grow by 3.9 percent while con - center was attended by local officials, construction sectors is likely to remain struction segment is expected to including U.S. Congressman Mike Honda higher than the estimates released expand by 6.2 percent. and over 65 customers from the U.S., recently by the Central Statistical Strong growth in the services sector Canada and Europe. The Santa Clara center Organization, C. Rangarajan, will continue, with overall growth esti - is the latest addition to TCS’s growing Chairman of the Prime Minister’s mated at 9.4 percent for the fiscal end - operations across North America where it Economic Advisory Council, says in ing March 31, 2012. Inflation is esti - has been operating since 1979 when it the Economic Review for 2011-12. mated to come down to 6.5 percent by established its first office in New York City. TCS now has more than twenty offices The council has pegged farm sector the end of the current financial year, across the region. growth at three percent as compared to according to the review.

March 2012 India Review Science NEWS teacher joins US space program

ver 1,100 students and and education about space. teachers of Vidya Valley “Each year, 20 Liaison Teachers are School in Pune shouted selected based on various criteria and O with joy when Vandana they attend workshops, learn how to Suryawanshi became the first foreign teach about space, essentially using the teacher to be chosen for a U.S. space ‘thrill of outer space’ to teach science,” program in April 2013. Vandana, 48, explained, adding she A thrilled Vandana, who teaches at would travel to Colorado Springs in the school, said: “I had submitted a Vandana Suryavanshi (3rd from left) with some mid-April for the training program. teachers of Vidya Valley School where she teaches. project entitled — ‘The effect of For the first time in 10 years, the atmospheric pressure and gravity on earth sciences teacher is the first for - Space Foundation experts panel, human beings and plants, on earth eigner and only Indian to be selected comprising experts and military and and in micro-gravity’, which was for the US-based Space Foundation’s space, has chosen a teacher from approved. I got a congratulatory mes - National Flight of Teacher Liaison outside the U.S. sage on January 24, followed by the program.” Vandana will join 19 American announcement.” A non-profit organization, the Space educators who have been selected for An excited trustee-principal, Nalini Foundation encourages and supports their active promotion of space and Sengupta, said: “Our biology and space activities, space professionals science education. Use space technology for food Trilateral Research in Partnership Awards security: Former ISRO chief instituted ndia must embark on a “new application of science and technology. nder the second phase of the U.K. evergreen revolution” with the Rao was a member of an expert India Education and Research I extensive use of appropriate committee headed by U Initiative (UKIERI), a new Trilateral bio- and space technology inputs to A. Vaidyanathan which in a recent Research in Partnership (TRIP) Awards was ensure food security for all and enable report to the Agriculture Ministry recently instituted in partnership with the the country to compete successfully in suggested using remote sensing United States. a globalized economy, says renowned technology in the development of Ten awards of up to $75,000 in funds will space scientist U.R. Rao. agriculture. The committee has also be available to support multidisciplinary recommended setting up of a research projects between the UK, U.S. and National Crop Statistics Centre to Indian higher education institutions. deal with all aspects of crop area and This trilateral award aims to support the yield estimation. increase of mobility of PhD and post-doc - Rao said, “Improvement and toral students in all three countries, and posting of satellites in space are develop sustainable institutional links. meant for development of agricul - Proposals have been invited across subject ture, education, health and medical areas, including the humanities, social sci - treatment, forest and environment, ences, science and technology, and multi - communication, resource assessment disciplinary research projects for the 18 and banking business.” awards. He said India’s remote sensing The last date for submission of proposal satellites were being used to monitor is April 13, 2012. The UKIERI was estab - India’s population is likely to cross and manage agricultural practices. lished in April 2006 with the aim of 1.6-billion mark by 2050, which will These include analysis of cropping enhancing educational links between India mean doubling foodgrain production system (satellites provide valuable and the UK. In recognition of its substantial to ensure food security to all Indians, inputs for diversification and intensi - achievements and building on the success according to him. fication of crops), mapping of sodic of this initiative in the first five years, the The solution, the former Chairman and usar soils, assessing the impact program has been extended for another of the Indian Space Research of droughts and floods, weather fore - five years from 2011 to 2016. Organization (ISRO) said, lay in the casting and monsoon prediction.

March 2012 India Review Diaspora NEWS Building South Asian American leaders

am Arora is a Maryland state Delegate, Aaron “Ronnie” Chatterji served on S President ’s Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) and Hari Kondabolu is a rising come - dy star just back from an India tour. The three Indian-Americans could 19 not be more different from each other. Yet they have one thing in com - mon. They are alumni of the Washington Leadership Programme (WLP) dedicated to building the next Hari Kondabolu Sam Arora Aaron “Ronnie” Chatterji generation of Indian and South Asian American leaders. Awareness. The list of over a hundred a lot of South Asians being appointed The organization was founded in students who have applied for the to the administration, where they August 2008 in memory of pioneer - program this summer would be whit - need quality interns, we have extend - ing Indian-American philanthropist tled down to about ten after a three ed the opportunity to government Gopal Raju, who sponsored a pro - stage “very intense” selection process, agencies.” gram that placed over 170 students in said Harin Contractor, who serves on Looking to grow in the next five eight-week summer Congressional the board of the program. years, WLP now plans to raise the internships over 15 years through his “We actually just used to do exclu - number of interns to 20 and to make Indian American Centre for Political sively Capitol Hill,” he said, “but with it a year round program. Preet Bharara Indian-born Kamal Bawa wins on Time cover ndian-American attor - award for sustainability work ney Preet Bharara, I nicknamed the ‘Sheriff amal Bawa, an Indian-born Bawa, also a faculty fellow at the of Wall Street’ for prosecut - Professor of Biology at the Centre for Governance and ing the likes of Rajat K University of Massachusetts Sustainability, home of the Global Gupta, the poster boy of Boston, is the 2012 winner of the Environmental Governance Project, is Indian business in America, has made it to Gunnerus Sustainability known for his research on the cover of Time magazine. Award, the world’s first population biology in rain - “This man is busting Wall Street” major international award forest areas. screams the cover of the magazine hitting for work on sustainability. His span of work includes the stands on February 3 detailing Bawa will receive the biological discoveries Ferozepur-born Bharara’s anti-corruption Gunnerus Gold Medal made in Central America, crusade as the US Attorney for the Southern and the award of 1 million the Western Ghats, and the District of New York. “US Attorney Preet Norwegian Kronor Himalayas in India. He is Bharara has already taken down some of (about $190,000) at a also noted for founding, the financial world’s most prominent fig - ceremony in Trondheim and serving as President, ures. He’s just getting started,” notes the on April 17. The Royal Kamal Bawa of the Ashoka Trust for cover story written by Bill Saporito and Norwegian Society of Research in Ecology and Massimo Calabresi. After successfully win - Sciences and Letters (DKNVS) will the Environment (ATREE), a non- ning the conviction of Sri Lankan-American bestow the award. profit conservation and development hedge fund tycoon Raj Rajaratnam for “We are very pleased to have research think tank in . insider trading, he is now prosecuting selected such a worthy winner of the “I am very pleased over the recogni - Gupta, former McKinsey head and a former first Gunnerus award” said Professor tion that our work has received,” Bawa Goldman Sachs director, for allegedly giving Kristian Fossheim, President of was quoted as saying in an interview tips to Rajaratnam. DKNVS.” with a Norwegian newspaper.

March 2012 India Review Trends in SOCIETY

Tourism & HospiTaliTy — an incredible Journey India’s tourism and hospitality industry is the country’s largest service-provider. Today, increasing foreign tourists’ arrivals and a healthy overall growth rate promises an even brighter future for the industry

riven by a flourishing explain the growth and success of cent to the national GDP and Indian middle-class and India’s travel and tourism sector. accounts for nearly 8.78 percent of significant spending by Economic growth has added millions total employment in the country. Dforeign tourists, in addi - annually to India’s middle-class, a During January-September, 2011, tion to the efforts made by the group that has traditionally driven the total Foreign Tourist Arrivals Government of India to promote the domestic tourism. (FTAs) stood at 4.22 million with a ‘Incredible India’ brand, the Indian Thanks in part to India’s booming growth of 10 per cent, as compared 20 tourism sector is experiencing a IT and outsourcing industry, foreign - to the FTAs of 3.84 million with remarkable phase of growth. With a ers visit India in large numbers, often a growth of 8 per cent during variety of attractions on offer, the adding a weekend break or a longer January-September 2010 over the country is fast becoming a major holiday to their trip. In fact, foreign corresponding period of 2009. international destination. tourists spend more in India than A report by the Ministry of External Tourism has, in fact, become one of almost in any other country. Affairs expects the Indian hospitality the most lucrative businesses in the sector to have a projected investment country, contributing a considerable Growth Trends of $12 billion within the next two years. volume of foreign exchange to the Being the largest service sector in the According to a report by the Ministry country’s reserves. country, the tourism and hospitality of Tourism, Foreign Exchange A number of reasons are cited to industry contributes around 6.23 per - Earnings (FEE) during January-

March 2012 India Review Trends in SOCIETY

21

September 2011 stood at $10.25 bil - lion with a growth of 16.6 percent, as compared to an FEE of $8.79 billion with a growth of 22.7 percent during January-September 2010 over the cor - responding period of 2009.

Government Initiatives The Indian Government has allowed 100 percent foreign investment under the automatic route in the hotel and tourism industry. Moreover, to research firm RNCOS, ‘Booming Further, to encourage more foreign encourage more foreign tourist Medical Tourism in India’, the coun - tourists to undertake medical trips to arrivals, the Government has intro - try’s share in the international medi - India, the Government has introduced duced a scheme that permits tourists cal tourism business will be three per - a new category of visa, ‘Medical Visa from Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, cent by the end of 2013 and is expect - (‘M’-Visa) for easier processing and New Zealand and Singapore to travel ed to generate revenue worth $3 bil - facilitation. on Tourist Visa on Arrival (T-VoA) in lion, growing at a Compound Annual the country for a period of 30 days. Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 26 The Road Ahead percent during 2011-2013. The The Indian tourism and hospitality Medical Tourism number of medical tourists is expect - business in the country is set for The Ministry of Tourism has already ed to grow at a CAGR of over 19 per - faster growth and holds out enor - included the Medical Tourism seg - cent during this period to reach 1.3 mous prospects for a number of other ment under the Marketing million by 2013. allied segments of the trade. Development Assistance (MDA) The domestic segment of India’s Government initiatives, coupled Scheme. Following this, the Ministry medical tourism sector has also seen with industry ventures, are expected of Tourism has approved $27,742 as growth in recent years with a number to help the sector continue its incred - MDA to 10 Medical Tourism Service of domestic tourists travelling to states ible journey into the future. Providers during 2011. like , and Himachal (Courtesy: India Brand Equity According to a report by market Pradesh for therapeutic purposes. Foundation )

March 2012 India Review Cinema NEWS A wax statue for on Indian cinema’s centenary o mark the centenary of the Indian on May 3, a fitting tribute will be paid T to its legendary founding father, Dhundiraj G. Phalke, better known as Dadasaheb Phalke, an official of Dadasaheb Phalke Academy said on February 17. A life-size wax statue of Dadasaheb Phalke will be created and installed at the Celebrity Wax Museum (CWM) in Lonavala, according to a trustee of the academy. In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with CWM’s Managing Director Sunil Kandalloor. The statue is expected to be ready by May 3. Dadasaheb Phalke. (R) A still from Raja , India’s first released in 1913. Born on April 30, 1870, at Trimbakeshwar, near , Mardan (1919). However, he was February 16, 1944. Dadasaheb Phalke made his debut unable to cope with the competition Acknowledging his immense contri - with India’s first feature-length silent posed by the ‘talkies’, and found few bution to the growth and development movie in 1913. takers for his later films. This com - of the Indian film industry and cinema In a career of nearly 25 years, he pelled him to make his last silent movie in general, the government instituted made 95 movies and 26 short movies, Setubandhan (1932) with dubbed the in 1969. including classics like voices. Later, in 1937, he attempted Each year, the prestigious award is Bhasmasur (1913), his last movie, Gangavatara, before conferred on an outstanding film (1914), Dahan (1917), Shri giving up and retiring to his home dis - personality who has dedicated his or Krishna Janma (1918) and trict. He passed away there on her life to cinema. ‘There’s only Indian Cinema, no regional variants’ o not to divide the movie 2001 with the Telugu film Ishtam and industry on the basis of tasted her first commercial success D regions, urges multilingual with 2002 Telugu hit Santhosham. actress Shriya Saran and requests peo - However, it was the unprecedented ple to refer to filmdom as “Indian cin - box-office success of ema”. “I feel films can be used as starrer Tamil film Shivaji: The Boss cultural instincts, so let’s call it Indian that gave her acting career a boost. cinema... Dividing it into north, south, In 2007, she stepped into 22 east and west will also divide the indus - with Awarapan and did films like try. We are one big family and let’s be Mission Istanbul and Na Ghar Ke Na like that,” Shriya said. Ghaat Ke. Her latest film, Gali The 29-year-old, who has worked in Gali Chor Hai, is a political satire Shriya Saran Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and about a common man’s fight against Malayalam movies, said: “I have been whether it’s Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam corruption. part of every industry and I believe that or Hindi. For me, every language is Shriya is also doing Deepa Mehta’s it is nice to know different languages important and they have their own Midnight’s Children. “I appreciate her and cultures because it opens up your charm. The same holds true for the work. She is one woman who has window to life.” film industry,” she added. followed her heart and is a winner,” “I understand all the languages, Shriya made her acting debut in she said.

March 2012 India Review Travel & TOURISM

23 Adventure in Solang

inter sport is no longer confined to the breath - taking locales of Jammu W and . Solang Valley in is fast turning into a popular destination for (Left) Snow scooters at Solang; (Right) Foreign tourists trying their hand at rock climbing in the valley. skiers and comes alive when much of northern India retreats into the await their turn to mount the Gondola, To help make winter sports activities warmth of well-heated homes. a sort of cable car, to take them up the accessible to the general public in Snuggling between Beas Kund and slope from where they ski down. Solang, the Directorate of Solang village, at an altitude of over “Conditions here are perfect for Mountaineering and Allied Sports in 8,000 feet, sits Solang Valley — winter sports. Himachal is becoming a Manali, along with several private India’s newest destination for adven - hub of adventure sport in the country. companies, has stepped in providing ture sports. The daunting Himalayan However, there is a need to dedicate skiing equipment free for training. ranges and the fresh powdery snow of separate space for different events. “Youngsters here are taking to the the valley provide the kind of perfect The slopes are a little bumpy but the sport in a big way, which is great setting that an adventure sport enthu - standards will improve with time,” says news. The government should start a siast is always looking for. Keshavan, 30, India’s new star training programme so that they can The valley, which is 13 km north of adventure sportsman. In December, he make it to the international stage,” the popular hill resort of Manali in the set an Asian record in luge, sliding at Kesavan, a four-time Winter state of Himachal Pradesh, is fast 134.3 kmph, in the Asia Cup in Olympian, says. turning into a popular destination for , Japan. Keshavan is a native of Peter Tobler, a snowboard instructor skiers. The white slopes here come Vashist village near Manali. Solang, his from Switzerland, first came to Manali alive when most of the set - home turf, also hosted a first of its kind 16 years ago. Since then, the tles for the warmth of the home. As skiing event, the Alpine Premier Durham-born Tobler has been a regu - snow begins to cover the picturesque League, in February. The event attract - lar here. He finds Solang to be one of valley, tourists from across the country ed over 350 skiers. the best places in the world when it and abroad throng Solang for skiing, The event saw teams from comes to snowboarding. “Snow con - snowboarding and sliding. Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir; ditions here are fantastic and the slope Although a new sport for most of there were even 24 competitors from is a great challenge. Solang is a para - them, youngsters in Solang are taking abroad. The skiers, dise for winter sport. The valley has to skiing as ducks take to water. however, dominated the tournament, great potential and is as good a place Enthusiastic bunch of boys keenly winning most of the medals. as any in the world.”

March 2012 India Review EMBASSY OF INDIA SS Pre-sort First Class A U.S. Postage 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW CL T Paid RS Washington, D.C. 20008 FI Silver Spring, MD Tel: 202-939-7000 RT Permit No. -SO Fax: 202-462-7276 PRE 3966

n Festival of colors

Youth in Bangalore putting gulal (colored powder) on each other as they celebrate Holi on March 8. The festival of colors marks the onset of spring across India. (AFP)

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