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

June 1, 2012

I India RevieI w Vol. 8 Issue 6 www.indianembassy.org

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on May 7. Secretary Clinton arrived in India on May 6 for a three-day tour. India-US to strengthen bilateral ties

n India improves n ‘Indigenous’ n Eight Indian world ranking in anti-malaria drug Americans win Ellis trade logistics launched Island Medal of Honor Cover STORY India-US to strengthen bilateral ties Ahead of the India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue in June 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, during her three-day India visit, stressed that the two countries must work toward strengthening relationships across the spectrum

rom strengthening econom - common values and increasingly con - of the “defining partnerships of the ic ties to deepening security vergent interests. In our meetings 21 st century”, Secretary Clinton said cooperation, from meeting today, we have worked to focus our that both the countries should be F the challenges in South and agenda and prepare for the strategic “working toward having one of the Central Asia to work toward promot - dialogues in June,” said Secretary world’s largest trading relationships”, ing a shared vision for the Asia- Clinton, who was in India on an offi - and underlined the need to “continue Pacific, U.S. Secretary of State cial visit from May 6-8. to reduce barriers and open our mar - Hillary Clinton’s three-day India visit Minister Krishna said that he was kets to greater trade and investment.” charted a new course for the India- looking forward to a productive Minister Krishna expressed satis - U.S. bilateral relations. Strategic Dialogue in June in faction with the progress in India- Ahead of the India-U.S. Strategic Washington, D.C., where he would U.S. relationship and said that the Dialogue in Washington, D.C., in not only showcase the extraordinary countries were optimistic about the June 2012, External Affairs Minister progress in the bilateral engagement, future. S.M. Krishna and Secretary of State but also outline how the two coun - “The emerging global trends only Hillary Clinton met tries intend to take their strategic reinforce our shared conviction in the and discussed partnership to a new importance of this relationship for several issues in level. the future of our two countries and New Delhi on Reaffirming the shape of the world in this centu - May 8. President Barack ry,” he said. “The United Obama’s vision Citing the frequency and depth States and of seeing India- of India-U.S. dialogue and India are two U.S. ties as one engagement, he added, “We great democ - continue to make tangible racies with External Affairs Minister progress across virtually every S.M. Krishna with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in area of bilateral cooperation.” New Delhi on May 8. The Minister expressed hope that India-U.S. eco - nomic relation - ship “would grow much faster and realize its enor - mous potential.” Secretary Clinton under - lined that India 2 and the U.S. need to contin - ue expanding trade and investment ties between the two countries. “We have come a long way. When I

June 2012 India Review Cover STORY

companies in nuclear Regional and global issues commerce and As the India-U.S. strategic consul - expressed hope that tations have a global character, the the talks between two leaders also shared their views on U.S. and Indian a range of global and regional issues. companies would Discussing their vision for soon result in con - Afghanistan, Minister Krishna said, tracts. “We stressed the need for sustained “We welcomed international commitment to build the fact that the Afghan capacity for governance, Nuclear Power security and economic development, 3 Corporation of and to support Afghanistan with India and lead - assistance, investment and regional ing U.S. com - linkages.” panies are Secretary Clinton lauded the engaged in efforts of Indian government on its direct con - support to Afghan people in building versations a peaceful and prosperous on how to Afghanistan. move She also appreciated India’s forward “intention to host a conference in late June to encourage greater private sector investment in Afghanistan.” The two nations committed to assist Kabul in handling its security, development and governance on its together,” Secretary own, without interference from out - Clinton said. side, even after the International Saying that India Security Assistance Force moves out and the U.S. had of the embattled nation in 2014. joined hands in their Secretary Clinton said the U.S. fight against terror - consultations with India on ism and violent Afghanistan was “very substantive Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) with Indian Ambassador to the United States, extremism, and useful” and that the international Nirupama Rao, on her arrival at Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi on May 7. Secretary community would remain engaged Clinton point - with Kabul on its future. Recognizing India as a partner in The United States and India are two great democracies the broad international effort to pre - with common values and increasingly convergent vent Iran from acquiring nuclear interests. In our meetings, we have worked to focus our weapons, she said, “The best way to achieve this diplomatic solution that agenda and prepare for the strategic dialogues in June we all seek, is for the international — Secretary of State Hillary Clinton community to stay united and to keep the pressure that has brought Iran first visited India in 1995, trade stood ed out, “Our militaries are conducting back to the negotiating table on Iran at $9 billion, and this year we expect training exercises unprecedented in until we reach a peaceful diplomatic it to surpass $100 billion. And I actu - scale and scope.” resolution.” ally believe there is much more poten - India and U.S. Navies were also Minister Krishna, noting that he tial to unleash,” she said. cooperating to combat piracy, discussed the importance of a peace - As part of their discussion on patrol the sea lanes and protect the ful settlement of the Iranian nuclear strengthening bilateral economic ties, freedom of navigation, she said. issue, said it must be based on the Secretary Clinton and Minister Secretary Clinton said that India position that Iran has its rights as a Krishna discussed the landmark civil and the U.S. would work member of the nuclear Non- nuclear agreement. EAM Krishna toward further deepening security Proliferation Treaty (NPT). “But it said India was committed to provid - cooperation between the two must also abide by its obligations as a ing a “level playing field” to the U.S. countries. non-nuclear weapon state under the

June 2012 India Review Cover STORY

Saeed was an unmistakable sign of the U.S. “solidarity” with India on bringing the perpetrators of the audacious attack to justice. Secretary Clinton said the U.S. had every reason to believe Saeed was the “principal architect” of the Mumbai terror strikes that claimed 166 peo - ple, including six U.S. citizens. She noted that terrorism was “incredibly important question” on the minds of both the U.S. and India. “We both know the tragedies and losses that come with terrorism on our soil. So we have increased our cooperation between India and the US. We are going to continue to do everything we can, not only to pre - vent terrorists from doing evil acts of violence, but also try to convince Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna during a news people not to get recruited into conference in New Delhi on May 8. terrorism,” she said. During her three-day visit, NPT,” he said, asserting that “this On fight against terrorism Secretary Clinton also met with issue, however, is not a source of dis - During his meeting with Secretary Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan cord” between India and the U.S. Clinton, Minister Krishna noted that Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Minister Krishna and Secretary the recent violent strikes by Taliban Gandhi, and West Bengal Chief Clinton had “a fruitful discussion on on diplomatic missions in and around Minister Mamata Banarjee. the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean Afghanistan’s capital Kabul had once region, including relations with again highlighted the need for elimi - Following is the statement of EAM China, and developments in coun - nation of terrorist sanctuaries in Krishna at the Joint Press tries in India’s immediate neighbor - India’s neighborhood and “for Conference with Secretary of State hood.” stronger action from Pakistan” on Hillary Clinton: In view of the forthcoming East terrorism, including bringing to jus - “Madam Secretary, it is a great Asia Summit in Cambodia in tice the perpetrators of the Mumbai pleasure to welcome you back to November, 2012, Secretary Clinton attack on November 26, 2008. Delhi. I am glad that you decided to said that India and the U.S. need to At a joint press conference after visit India on your way back to work together “to promote a shared their meeting, Secretary Clinton said Washington, DC. This is a sign of our vision for the Asia-Pacific”. the $10-million bounty on 26/11 close friendship. It also underscores Pledging U.S. support for India’s Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz the importance of regular consulta - Look East Policy and its growing tions between our two Governments role across the region, particularly in at a time of enormous challenges and support of democracy and economic Minister Krishna and far-reaching changes taking place in reform in Burma, Secretary Clinton Secretary Clinton had the world. said, “As an experienced democracy, Secretary Clinton and I reviewed 4 India can provide key support. And “a fruitful discussion on the entire gamut of our bilateral rela - greater trade and transit between the Asia-Pacific and tions. We expressed satisfaction with India, Bangladesh, Burma — the Indian Ocean region, the progress in our relationship and countries of South East Asia — will are optimistic about the future. The fuel even more political and econom - including relations with emerging global trends only reinforce ic progress and growth.” China, and our shared conviction in the impor - The two leaders urged Pakistan to developments in tance of this relationship for the take “strong and more concerted” future of our two countries and the action against those outfits that countries in India’s shape of the world in this century. threaten peace and security of the immediate neighborhood We have an extraordinary frequency US, India and the world at large. and depth in our dialogue and engage -

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India announces $5 million for innovation fund S&T Forum involving Stanford University, AIIMS and IIT-Delhi, about 25 people had been trained to identify major health care needs and develop cost-effective solutions. The Minister pointed out that India Innovation Growth Program, supported by the Department of Science and Technology and Lockheed Martin Corporation was another 5 successful Public-Private-Partnership model of collaboration between the two countries. “Over 200 Business Engagement Agreements have already been entered involving both Indian and U.S. enterprises. Products of some technologies have entered global market place as well,” he said. The Minister said that US-India Endowment Fund established by the two countries in 2009 was another landmark in the space of technol - ogy commercialization. The Science & technology Minister said that Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Vilasrao Deshmukh addressing the media in New Delhi on May 8. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is seen at right. under the Indo-US Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center (JCERDC), India and ndia has announced a $5 million contribu - Minister Deshmukh pointed out that India the U.S. had committed $25 million from each tion to a joint initiative of Federation of and the U.S. were closely working in the areas side. The joint Center would support multi-insti - I Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of health & biomedical sciences, food security, tutional networked projects using consortia (FICCI) and USAID Millennium Agency to identi - clean energy, water cycle and climate research. partnership based on public-private model of fy and invest in innovation by civil society. “Our cooperation in knowledge based indus - funding, he said. “We are focused on areas of While USAID has already contributed $7.7 mil - try sectors has ushered in a new spirit of inno - mutual interest covering solar energy, second lion to the initiative, FICCI hopes to scale up the vation and entrepreneurship amongst our enti - generation biofuel and energy efficient build - fund to $50 million over the next twelve ties. In the past, we were focused on attracting ings,” the Minister said. months, Minister for Science & Technology and people for science. Now our cooperation also He said that under the USAID Millennium Earth Sciences Vilasrao Deshmukh said at a includes science for people of both countries. Alliance, the two countries could develop com - joint meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Our cooperation agenda represents a new petitive and affordable innovations. Clinton in New Delhi on May 8. measure of mutual trust and confidence,” “Undoubtedly, our bilateral relationship During the meeting, the two leaders com - Minister Deshmukh said. today is a true partnership that uses the soft mitted to further strengthening bilateral coop - He said that under the Stanford-India prowess of science, technology and innovation eration in providing innovative solutions to Biodesign Program supported by the for the benefit of people and polity in both our common problems. Department of Biotechnology and the Indo-U.S. countries,” the Minister said. ment. We continue to make tangible chain in services industry. I want to U.S. companies are engaged in sub - progress across virtually every area of thank Secretary Clinton for her per - stantive discussions with the Indian bilateral cooperation. We expressed sonal attention to the welfare of operator, Nuclear Power Corporation hope that our economic relationship, Indians and Indian students in the US. of India Limited. We hope that they which is very important to both coun - Secretary Clinton and I also had a will make early progress towards tries, would grow much faster and good discussion on the path to fos - contractual steps. realize its enormous potential. tering commercial cooperation in Our strategic consultations have a There are issues on both sides. I did civil nuclear energy. I assured her of global character, with convergence of convey our concerns about the contin - India’s commitment to provide a views on a range of global and uing difficulties on mobility of profes - level-playing field to all U.S. compa - regional issues. sionals, especially for our IT compa - nies, within the framework of nation - We discussed our vision for nies, and protectionist sentiments in al law and our international legal Afghanistan. We stressed the need for the U.S. with regard to global supply obligations. We were pleased that sustained international commitment

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Secretary Clinton lauds eastern India’s economic potential

he eastern part of India is not only impor - tant for its tremendous economic poten - T tial but also for its geopolitical signifi - cance, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said. “The economic potential of east India is so great...but also its geopolitical significance is being increasingly recognized. U.S. wants to be partner with the entire country. This is my way of demonstrating our commitment to this part of the country,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said at a gathering at the La Martiniere school for girls in Kolkata, capital of West Bengal, on May 7. “I think it’s a great tribute to India that the entire political development of this country is demonstrating the power that is at the core of the Indian dream,” she said. “The more open India becomes over time.. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) with West Bengal state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in the the greater the rise in standard of living and state’s capital Kolkata on May 7. opportunity,” she said. Secretary Clinton, who arrived in West people-to-people relationship was at the heart The Chief Minister said the U.S. could con - Bengal on May 6, said: “We need to find win- of the ties between the two countries. Secretary sider investing in the state’s software, IT and win solutions for everybody.” Clinton said in 2011, 35 percent of all L1 work manufacturing, health and education sectors. “We have to work together with the interna - visas in the US had been issued to Indians. Minister Banerjee said state Chief Secretary tional community on resolving water issues. Addressing a gathering at the La Martiniere Samar Ghosh and the U.S. Ambassador to Unless water is put on a priority list, it can lead school in Kolkata, she said more than 100,000 India Nancy Powell would jointly monitor the to a lot of dislocation.” Indian students were studying in the US. projects, which would be set up under “This is very exciting for me to have this Secretary Clinton also met with West Bengal public-private-partnership (PPP) mode. chance to back in this wonderful city after so Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on May 7 and The Chief Minister said Secretary Clinton many years... I was last here in 1995 honoring discussed issues concerning uplift and empow - had assured cooperation of the U.S. govern - the work of Mother Teresa.” erment of women. ment in the economic development of On India-US ties, she said that the relation - Describing her meeting with Secretary the state. ship between “our two democracies is going to Clinton as “positive, constructive, creative and Minister Banerjee said she would love to define the kind of future we have”. concrete”, Chief Minister Banerjee said the for - welcome President Barack Obama to the state She also lauded the “incredible contribution” mer had expressed interest in investing in the and conveyed her invitation to him through of Indian-Americans in the U.S. and said the state, considering Bengal as a “partner state”. Secretary Clinton.

to build Afghan capacity for gover - I conveyed our vital stakes in peace Secretary Clinton and I had a fruit - nance, security and economic devel - and stability in the Persian Gulf and ful discussion on the Asia Pacific and opment, and to support Afghanistan wider West Asian region, given the Indian Ocean region, including rela - with assistance, investment and six million Indians who live there and tions with China, and developments 6 regional linkages. the region’s importance to our in countries in India’s immediate Recent attacks in Kabul highlight economy. neighborhood. We exchanged views once again the need for elimination We also discussed the importance on our recent interaction with our of terrorist sanctuaries in the of peaceful settlement of the Iranian Bangladeshi counterpart also. neighborhood and the need for nuclear issue through dialogue and Finally, we look forward to a stronger action from Pakistan on negotiations, based on the position productive Strategic Dialogue in June terrorism, including on bringing to that Iran has rights as a member of in Washington, D.C., not only to justice the perpetrators of Mumbai Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), but showcase the extraordinary progress in terrorist attack. We also discussed it must also abide by its obligations as our engagement, but also outline how our respective relations with a non-nuclear weapons state under we intend to take our strategic part - Pakistan. the NPT. nership to a new level.”

June 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS Ambassador Rao meets Delaware Governor

expand business linkages, including technology transfer and capacity building in the agro-indus - try and poultry, between Delaware and India with a group of prominent agri - culturists, poultry farmers 7 and business representa - tives of Delaware. U.S. Undersecretary of Agriculture Michael Escuse also attended the meeting. Ambassador Rao also visited the Avian Biosciences Centre located in the University of Delaware. Ambassador Nirupama Rao (center) with Governor Jack Markell (second from left) of Delaware in Dover on May 1. Others in the picture (from left) are Ambassador Nirupama Rao The Ambassador deliv - Delaware’s Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock, Sudhakar Rao, and Senator from addressing students and faculty at the ered a keynote address on Delaware Tom Carper. University of Delaware on May 1. India-U.S. relations at the University of Delaware, n a meeting with Ambassador were also present at the meeting. Newark, and interacted with the facul - Nirupama Rao at Dover in Secretary Bullock, who had returned ty and students of the University. She Delaware on May 1, Governor from India from an exploratory visit, University for its excellent research tra - I of Delaware Jack Markell said that as India and the U.S. share ditions and for building bridges of expressed keen interest in building a common values and interests, the two understanding between India and the robust engagement with India. countries had “immense potential” U.S. that included more than twenty Governor Markell said that he was for further strengthening their bilat - active collaborative endeavors with planning to lead a delegation from eral relations. Ambassador Rao visit - Indian counterparts, making a differ - Delaware to India later this year. ed the state at the invitation of the ence in the lives of common people Senior U.S. Senator from Delaware U.S. Senator Chris Coons from through advances in areas such as agri - Senator Tom Carper and Delaware’s Delaware. culture, drinking water, health and Secretary of State Jeffery Bullock She discussed opportunities to clean energy.

Ambassador Rao thanked the organ - Ambassador Rao felicitated izers for the welcome and praised the contribution of the Indian-American community in promoting India-U.S. relations. Congressman Crowley said he believed that India-U.S. partnership was one of the most significant part - nerships for the U.S. in the 21 st centu - ry and expressed his commitment to work with Ambassador Rao to take the Ambassador Nirupama Rao speaking at the partnerships between the two coun - felicitation event organized by Jackson Heights tries to higher levels. Congressman Merchants’ Association in New York on May 2. Also Ambassador Nirupama Rao and Congressman Joe Crowley is the Co-chair of House Crowley at the event. (Photos — Jay Mandal) seen in the picture is Congressman Joe Crowley. India Caucus and represents the peo - t a felicitation event chaired by Association in Queens welcomed ple of Queens and Bronx — districts Congressman Joe Crowley, Ambassador Nirupama Rao to the with a large concentration of Indian- A Jackson Heights Merchants’ New York City on May 2. American community.

June 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS ‘India-U.S. to reaffirm strategic partnership’

ddressing the Atlantic institution of the Strategic Dialogue, Council on ‘India-US we have attempted to translate the Strategic Dialogue: vision of our leaders into reality in var - A Expanding horizons of ious ways. The Strategic Dialogue bilateral partnership’ in Washington, meetings have provided a unique bilat - D.C. on May 30, Ambassador eral forum for stock-taking and giving Nirupama Rao said that India and the political direction to the ever expand - U.S. would continue to consolidate ing landscape of bilateral partnership and reaffirm strategic partnership. and created a multi-hued canvas of Shared values and the wide range of mutually beneficial cooperation. convergent interests, political momen - The foundations that we jointly laid tum, public goodwill, a comprehensive in recent years, by removing irritants architecture of engagement, and grow - and constraints that hobbled the ing levels of comfort and candor in growth of our relationship for a long mutual dealings between the two time, have enabled a strategic partner - countries point toward such an infer - ship that is at once dynamic and ence, she said. Ambassador Nirupama Rao infused with positive momentum. “The Strategic Dialogue meetings Today, there is a remarkable degree of have provided a unique bilateral forum identified five principal pillars for depth and diversity in our partnership; for stock-taking and giving political expanding cooperation: strategic coop - there is comfort and candor in our dia - direction to the ever expanding land - eration, energy and climate change, logue; and, there is extensive support scape of bilateral partnership and cre - education and development, economy, for this cooperation across a broad ated a multi-hued canvas of mutually trade and agriculture, science and tech - spectrum of public opinion in both our beneficial cooperation,” she said. nology, health and innovation. countries. Ours is a relationship, as Instituted in July 2009, during the Subsequently, we have held two Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh first visit of Secretary Clinton to India, meetings of the Strategic Dialogue — has said, “founded on many pillars, it the India-US Strategic Dialogue the first in June 2010 in Washington, is based on pragmatism and principle; identified five principal pillars for D.C. and the second in July 2011 in and strengthened by shared values and expanding cooperation: strategic New Delhi. In the period since that common interests.” cooperation, energy and climate July 2009 visit of Secretary Clinton, we The strength of our relationship is change, education and development, have had the very productive and suc - reflected in the presence of a large economy, trade and agriculture, sci - cessful visit to the United States of India Caucus in both chambers of the ence and technology, health and inno - Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, U.S. Congress. These are, we under - vation, Ambassador Rao said. who became the first State Guest of stand, the largest bilateral caucuses in the Obama Administration in the U.S. Congress today. We take Excerpts from Ambassador November 2009 and also the memo - immense pride in their efforts to pro - Nirupama Rao’s speech on the rable visit of President Obama to India mote our relationship. They have not occasion: in November 2010. It was during that only done a commendable job in I am here today to speak to you visit that President Obama character - focusing public opinion and attention about the India-U.S. relationship at a ized the India-US partnership as one of both our governments on the time when we are to hold the next of the most significant, indispensable importance of our relationship, but round of the Strategic Dialogue and defining partnerships of the 21 st have eminently showcased the biparti - 8 between our two countries in a fort - century. san support enjoyed by the India-U.S. night from now. The India-U.S. Just earlier this month, Secretary strategic partnership. Strategic Dialogue was instituted in Clinton visited India again for discus - July 2009 during the first visit of sions that reaffirmed what is, as our The full text of Ambassador Rao’s Secretary Clinton to India in her then External Affairs Minister put it, “our speech can be viewed at: new role. Our objective was to make close friendship”. And in a few days http://www.indianembassy.org/prde - our multi-faceted partnership stronger from today, External Affairs Minister tail1955/address-by-ambassador-niru - in areas to which both sides attached Krishna will come to Washington for pama-rao-at-the-atlantic-council--- importance and which are of vital inter - the third meeting of the India-U.S. india-us-strategic-dialogue%3A- est and concern to the daily lives of our Strategic Dialogue. expanding-horizons-of-bilateral-part - two peoples. The Dialogue therefore In these last three years since the nership

June 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS ‘Keep your eyes over the horizon ’

elivering the convocation address at Pondicherry University on May 19, D Ambassador Nirupama Rao urged the students to develop the capacity to keep their eyes over the horizon, “and not be entrapped in the petty immediacy of narrowly defined 9 interests.” “There is much that is expected of you by your country, and there are also great successes that await you, if you are able to invest your training, your skills, and your powers of judgment astutely and wisely,” she said. She said that India’s demographic Ambassador Rao awarding a degree to a student at the 22 nd convocation of Pondicherry University. dividend could become its democratic dividend only by providing education part, of which our nation, our India, is to the youth and making them respon - “a separate yet inseparable member”. sible and committed citizens. Aurobindo’s words, penned almost a century ago have a profound rele - Excerpts from Ambassador Rao’s vance even today and I have therefore speech on the occasion: drawn reference to them. His elo - Education as a word, springs from quence was unmatched when he the Latin root “educere”, which means issued a call for education to usher in “to lead forth”, “to erect”. You stu - Ambassador Nirupama Rao laid the foundation “the alchemy of infinity into the finite dents are being led forth into the world stone for an International Convention Centre at life”, as is reflected in our tradition of the 21 st century, a world very dif - the Pondicherry University on May 18. through the examples of the brave and ferent from the world of my generation forthright like Nachiketa, of the early nineteen seventies. The learned Sree Aurobindo, speaking on Markandeya, Savitri and Arjuna. world has only grown in complexity the soil of Pondicherry, referred to Correspondingly, you must learn to over the last few decades, the algo - national education as “something set the highest standards for yourself rithms you will use to solve the prob - more profound, great and searching... as also for those around you. The lems or unlock the mysteries of the an education proper to an Indian soul power of intelligent questioning, universe that surrounds us, are going and need and temperament and cul - probing debate, and a passion for to be very different from the ones my ture that we are in quest of... some - truth and abjuring narrow minded - generation sought to master. thing faithful (not) merely to the past, ness is what should be your guide. It There is much that is expected of but to the developing soul of India, to is not argument for the sake of argu - you by your country, and there are also her future need, to the greatness of her ment, for let us be known as the intel - great successes that await you, if you coming self-creation, to her eternal ligent and profoundly thoughtful are able to invest your training, your spirit”. The question, as Sree Indian rather than the merely argu - skills, and your powers of judgement Aurobindo framed it, is not between mentative Indian. astutely and wisely. modernism and antiquity but between What is the best asset that can pro - the present and the future, not a return The full text of Ambassador Rao’s pel you on your life’s journey apart to the glories of the fifth century but speech can be viewed at: http:// from eternal hope that should be your “an initiation of centuries to come” www.indianembassy.org/prde - ship’s sail? It is the power of reason that is demanded “by the soul, by the tail1951/convocation-address-by- and independent critical thinking. Shakti of India”. And this is where we ambassador-nirupama-rao-at- Reason, as Thomas Jefferson said, is see the expounding of a universalist pondicherry-university-%28may- “the only oracle given you by heaven”. vision: that education must help the 19%2C-2012%29 Discard what is irrelevant, as Cardinal student to enter into that perfect The video of Ambassador’s speech Newman said, see things as they are. relationship with the mind and soul of can be viewed at : http://www.pondiu - Many years ago, the wise and the larger humanity of which we are a ni.edu.in/content/video-gallery

June 2012 India Review Embassy EVENTS Carnegie Endowment for International Peace reception

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1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao welcoming and addressing the guests at a reception hosted for members of the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, at the Embassy Residence on May 21. 2. Senator Mark Warner addressing the guests on the occasion. 3. Dr. Ashley Tellis, Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International 5 Peace, sharing his views with the audience. 4. Dr. Jessica Mathews, President, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, proposing the vote of thanks. 5. A section of the guests in attendance.

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June 2012 India Review Embassy EVENTS A date with Indian cinema 1 2 3

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1. Deputy Chief of Mission, Arun K. Singh director Shyam Benegal. 6. Director Ketan Mehta addressing the addressing the guests at a reception hosted 3. Indian film director Shyam Benegal sharing his gathering. by the Embassy in connection with the first thoughts on contemporary Indian cinema. 7. Television and film actor Samrat Chakrabarti annual Washington D.C. South Asian Film 4. Actor Manisha Koirala interacting with the speaking on the occasion. Festival (DCSAFF) on May 31. audience during the Q&A session. 8. Actor Suneil Anand sharing his views on the 2. Managing Director of DCSAFF, Manoj Singh, 5. Film and theater artist, Rajit Kapur at the occasion. speaking about the festival and introducing Embassy. 9. Guests in attendance.

June 2012 India Review Embassy NEWS ‘India offers strong business opportunity ’ ddressing the Asian- India and the U.S. could further ernment sponsored promotional cam - American Hotel Owners strengthen their trade ties. paigns such as “Incredible India” and Association (AAHOA) Besides investment, “India is also an “Athithi Devo Bhavah” to harness the A Convention 2012 in Atlanta important destination to source hotel full potential of tourism in India,” on May 8, Deputy Chief of Mission supplies from, particularly linen and DCM Singh pointed out. Ambassador Arun K. Singh said that cutlery and other miscellaneous arti - He said that increasing domestic and because of the economic and social cles”, DCM Singh said. business travel, India’s growing exter - developments taking place in India, the Strong growth in India’s domestic nalities, and strong connectivity country offered a strong business and other segments of tourism, cou - between the Indian population and its opportunity for AAHOA, both through pled with increased government focus Diaspora overseas were some of the trade and investment. on developing hotel related infrastruc - factors that created business opportu - “Various studies estimate a demand- ture across all business categories, nity for the hotel industry. He said that supply gap of about 80,000-100,000 including five star, four star, three star, by helping develop the hotel industry in rooms (some studies put it at 150,000) two star, and one star segments, and in India, AAHOA could become an in India, especially in the mid-size and the heritage hotel segment, provided important stakeholder in fast growing budget hotel segment. This is a clear commercial opportunity for AAHOA India-U.S. Strategic Partnership. investment opportunity for hotelier and its members, he said. DCM Singh also commended the members of AAHOA, either on stand- “Strong new innovative products contribution of the Indian-American alone basis or in partnership with such as wellness and cruise tourism are community in the development of the Indian businesses,” he said. He said being created with equally strong gov - hotel industry in the U.S.

Consulate EVENTS ‘Celestial Dancers of Manipur’ screened at CGI New York nder the ‘Distinguished Persons’ Lecture’ series, the U Consulate General of India, New York, organized the screening of Celestial Dancers of Manipur, a film by Benoy K. Behl, a renowned art histori - an and photographer, on May 23. Prior to screening of the film, Behl also conducted an interactive session with the audience. He said that the people of Manipur believed that they were the descen - dants of the Gandharvas, celestial musicians, and had always sought communion with the Divine through music and dance. Giving an overview of the prevalent art forms in Manipur, 12 he explained how elaborately Raasalila was performed at the Lai Haroba festival celebrated to please traditional deities in Manipur. Referring to his various accom - (Clockwise from top left) Consul-General Prabhu Dayal introducing art historian and photographer Benoy K. Behl to the audience; Benoy K. Behl interacting with the audience; a section of the guests plishments, such as having a collec - during the screeing of Celestial Dancers of Manipur at CGI New York on May 23. tion of over 36,000 photographs of Asian monuments and art heritage, Art, Architecture and Philosophy, Dayal, Consul-General of India, New hundreds of documentaries on art Centre of Indology, Bharatiya Vidya York, said Behl had made an indelible history, besides the Chair of Buddhist Bhavan, etc., Ambassador Prabhu mark in his field.

June 2012 India Review Consulate EVENTS CGI Atlanta

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3 4 1. Consul-General of India in Atlanta Ajit Kumar and Margret Kumar with Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and Ms. Deal at a reception for the Consular Corps hosted by Governor Deal on April 21. 2. Former Energy Secretary and former Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson with Consul-General Ajit Kumar at a reception in Atlanta on April 28. 3. Consul-General Ajit Kumar with former U.S. President George W. Bush at Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) Annual Convention on May 3. 4. Consul-General Kumar addressing the audience at a reception hosted in his honor by Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce on May 14.

CGI Houston

Consul-General Sanjiv Arora speaking at a reception hosted by M/s Welspun, an Indian company, to celebrate the 3 rd anniver - sary of their pipe manufacturing plant at Little Rock, Arkansas, during the 42 nd Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Consul-General Sanjiv Arora (second from right) with representatives of Indian compa - Houston on May 1. nies at the OTC held in Houston in the first week of May.

June 2012 India Review Benoy Behl SPEAKS Showcasing Buddhist heritage

Benoy K. Behl addressing the gathering at the event.

t an exhibition held from May 19–May 31 at Gandhi Memorial Center, Bethesda, AMaryland, renowned art his - torian and photographer Benoy K. Behl, with the sponsorship of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), showcased his photographs on the Buddhist heritage of the world. The event also featured a brief talk by Behl and a film screening. He also held an interactive session with the audi - ence on the occasion. Addressing the audience, Behl said, “One of the miracles of the story of man is the travel of ideas, across for - midable barriers of high mountains, vast oceans and political boundaries. One of the greatest examples of the dissemination of philosophic and artistic ideas is the spread of Buddhism from the Indian subconti - nent to the many countries of Asia. It was a great pleasure to have my exhi - bition of photographs on the Buddhist heritage of the world displayed at the 14 Gandhi Memorial Center.” “The atmosphere was just right for conveying of true and beautiful ideas, which reach us through Indian philo - sophic and artistic traditions. Carrie Trybulec and the others at the Center did create a fine environment to share these subjects,” he said.

Different views of the exhibition at the Gandhi Memorial Center.

June 2012 India Review Benoy Behl SPEAKS

‘Behl’s exhibit evoked tremendous interest’ Carrie Trybulec, Director, Gandhi Memorial Center, Bethesda, Maryland, has said that Benoy Behl’s exhibition at the Center from May 19-31 evoked tremendous interest 15 among the audience. Calling the response from the audience “wonderfully positive”, she said that most of the visitors had commented on the informative nature of the exhibition. Excerpts from an interview with Carrie Trybulec in connec - Carrie Trybulec, Director, Gandhi Memorial Center. tion with Behl’s exhibition at the Gandhi Memorial Center...

Q: People in the greater D.C. area vis - With the theme ‘The Journey of Ideas: Washington metro area, the Gandhi ited the Gandhi Memorial Center in The Spread of Buddhism’, one guest Memorial Center relied on support large numbers to view the exhibition even commented that Behl himself from the Embassy of India and brought spanning for two weeks. How do such must be a Bodhisattva! elements of Indian arts and traditions events fit into the larger direction of to individuals from 60 to 90 years of activities of the Center? Q: What in your view was the most age during the months of March, April Carrie Trybulec: Since 1976 when striking feature of the photo exhibit? and May. the Gandhi Memorial Center was ded - Carrie Trybulec: In my opinion, one The Gandhi Memorial Center also icated to public service by the then of the most striking features of the collaborated with the Embassy of India Ambassador of India to the United exhibit was that it contained photo - in sharing the cultural heritage of India States T. N. Kaul, Founder of the graphs of a culture that arose in India with a group of 12 and 13-year-old Center Swami Premananda and its and spread throughout the world. I students from a DC Public School Founding Director Srimati Kamala, believe this exhibit to be a tremendous through the Embassy School Adoption the Center has continuously strived to contribution shared by the Indian Program of the Washington share the highest and best of India in Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) Performing Arts Society Women’s the American capital through a variety with the world at large. Committee. On May 24, 2012, this of cultural expressions and educational group of students visited the Gandhi activities. Q: Over the years, the relationship Memorial Center and were introduced between the Embassy and the Gandhi to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi Q: How has been the feedback from Memorial Center has become increas - and various Indian cultures and those who witnessed the exhibition? ingly substantive. What other events traditions. Carrie Trybulec: The response we did you host in recent months and The Embassy of India has been received from the guests after viewing what comes next? instrumental in connecting the Gandhi the exhibit by Benoy K. Behl was won - Carrie Trybulec: In recent months Memorial Center with a wide variety of derfully positive. Each visitor com - the Gandhi Memorial Center has col - resources and has offered support in mented on the informative nature of laborated quite extensively with the linking the Center with opportunities this exhibition. Beyond the beautiful Embassy of India staff and families in to host exhibitions and artists spon - images, each photograph is presented Washington, DC. The Gandhi sored by the ICCR. with text that give both historical Memorial Center on May 5, 2012 pre - Every year since the mid 1970s, the details as well as insights into the deep - sented a book launch by Dr. Smita Gandhi Memorial Center has present - er meaning of the content depicted. Tewari Jassal, wife of the late ed its annual observance of Gandhi Additionally, the presentation offered Ambassador Raminder Jassal, with her Jayanti in cooperation with the by Benoy K. Behl along with his brief new publication, Unearthing Gender: Embassy of India in Washington, DC. film screening was extremely well Folksongs of North India . In themonths ahead, the Center will received. Each individual who attended In an effort to present Indian cultur - finalize plans for annual observance of his presentation was enthralled with his al heritage with members of the retired Gandhi Jayanti to honorand remember knowledge, wisdom, and eloquence. professional community in the the thoughts of Gandhi.

June 2012 India Review Economy NEWS

The Finance Minister said taxpayers, India defers GAAR by a year both residents and non-residents, would be able to avail the facility of ndia has deferred implementa - advance rulings. This means the tax - tion of the General Anti- payers can approach the advance rul - Avoidance Rules (GAAR) by a ing authority and check whether their I year and also announced that proposed arrangements (corporate the burden of proving tax evasion structures) will be permissible under would lie with the authorities, a move the GAAR provisions or not. If it fails that is expected to reassure overseas the GAAR provisions, then there is a investors and the industry. risk of such transactions getting taxed Moving the Finance Bill for 2012- in India. 13, Finance Minister Pranab The Finance Minister also Mukherjee told Parliament on May 7 announced the constitution of a com - that the government was going to add mittee under the Director General of an independent member to the GAAR International Taxation to suggest safe - panel. “The GAAR provision will now guards so that the provisions are not apply to income of financial year 2013- applied indiscriminately. 14 and subsequently,” he said. The Finance Minister also said that The Finance Minister said the pro - Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee tax for NRI investors would be slashed posed retrospective amendment in the to 10 per cent from 20 per cent. Income Tax Act would not override the with whom India does not have a In other measures, Minister provisions of the Double Taxation DTAA,” he said. Mukherjee announced roll back of the Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) which Minister Mukherjee reiterated that proposed 1 percent tax deduction at India has with 82 countries. retrospective clarificatory amendments source on transfer of immovable prop - “It would impact those cases where would not be used to reopen any cases erty. He also announced the withdraw - the transaction has been routed where assessment orders had already al of 1 percent central excise duty on through low tax or no tax countries been finalized. branded and unbranded jewelry.

Government to set up fund to promote R&D ‘Revised defense offsets policy he government is planning to set up will encourage Indian SME sector’ an electronic development fund to T promote innovation and commercial - major portion of the defense ization of products in the IT sector. offsets opportunity for Indian “Under the draft National Policy on A companies is in the areas of Electronics 2011, it has been proposed to engineering outsourcing, mainte - create an electronic development fund to nance, repair and overhaul, with the promote innovation, R&D, commercializa - tion of products in the IT sector,” Minister revised policy encouraging develop - of State for Communications and ment of small and medium enterprises, Information Technology Sachin Pilot told according to consultancy firm Frost the Lower House of the Parliament. and Sullivan. The policy also proposes to provide “Majority of the offset opportunity 16 incentives for setting up of over 200 elec - in India lies in engineering service out - Defence Minister A. K. Antony at the DEFEXPO tronic manufacturing clusters (EMCs) with 2012, a biennial land, naval and internal security sourcing (ESO), maintenance, repair systems exhibition, in New Delhi on March 29. world class logistics and infrastructure and and overhaul (MRO), enterprise easy to do business facilities. The support is intended for greenfield resource planning (ERP), information The revised offset guidelines pro - EMCs and upgradation of brown- technology, control systems, research vided an incentive to micro, small field EMCs. and development.” and medium enterprises (MSMEs) The draft national policy National Policy Under the defense offsets policy, 30 by allowing foreign vendors to select on Electronics in currently in the public percent of all military hardware deals MSMEs as their offset partners by domain for consultations. The policy has have to be ploughed back into India’s introducing a multiplier of 1.5 for all not yet been finalized. defense, aerospace or homeland secu - offsets discharged through them, said rity sectors. the consultancy firm.

June 2012 India Review Economy NEWS ‘India can grow at 8-9 pc for next 20 years’

ndia can grow at 8 to 9 percent growth in the developing world. for the next 20 years despite “The economic woes we face today many domestic challenges, cannot be overcome without the major I Deputy Chairman of India’s developed countries taking the lead to Planning Commission Montek Singh stimulate economic growth.” Ahluwalia said and urged the interna - These included an early agreement tional community to take supportive on the resolution of the sovereign debt measures like resolving the European problem in the eurozone and a well 17 sovereign debt problem and conclud - functioning international financial sys - ing the Doha Round of trade liberaliza - tem channeling resources efficiently tion talks early to achieve this. around the world. “We believe India has the potential to “Early resolution of the eurozone grow at rates between 8 and 9 per cent crisis would remove much of the for the next twenty years and to do so uncertainty which currently pervades in an inclusive manner,” Ahluwalia said financial markets and which affects participating in a United Nations investor sentiment adversely”, General Assembly debate on “State of Ahluwalia said. the World Economy and Finance in He said it was satisfying to note that 2012” in New York on May 17. Deputy Chairman of India’s Planning India’s growth rates had remained Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia. “There are many challenges we have more robust than many would have to face domestically to achieve this tar - years prior to the 2008 financial crisis. expected. “Given the much higher get, but we believe we can do so,” he The growth slowed down to just over 7 growth potential in developing coun - said. “We are willing to work with oth - per cent following the crisis. tries, a well functioning financial sys - ers to make it so,” he added. He said India would be greatly tem should ensure a sufficient flow of The Indian economy grew at an helped in achieving the target if the long-term capital towards them,” he average rate of 9 percent in the five global community took steps to restore added.

‘Domestic IT market grew India improves trade logistics ranking to $16 billion in 2011-12’ y pursuing reforms and going context of global recession, the World he domestic Information Technology in for public-private partner - Bank has singled out Chile, China, (IT) market has grown by 16.7 per - B ships in infrastructure, India India, Morocco, South Africa and T cent to reach $16.4 billion during has improved its position the U.S. as countries 2011-2012, Minister of State for in the world ranking which have con - Communications and IT Sachin Pilot told of countries in trade tinued to the Parliament on May 18. logistics despite a improve. As “The domestic market has increased global slowdown in the report says: from $14.1 to $16.4 billion,” he said. the sector in the last “Against others The minister also said that the aggregate two years, says the in their income revenue for the IT sector is estimated to World Bank. group, the most overper - cross $100 billion in 2011-12 from $88 bil - India with a forming non-high-income coun - lion during previous financial year. Logistics Performance Indicators tries are Vietnam, India, China, and The IT sector has been growing at a com - (LPI) score of 3.08 was ranked 46 th in South Africa.” pound annual growth rate of 17 percent over the bank’s latest survey of internation - “All top performers show strong the last five years. According to Miinister al freight forwarders and express cooperation between the public and Pilot, the contribution of the IT sector to carriers. private sectors, and a comprehensive India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has Singapore with a score of 4.12 was approach in the development of servic - increased from 6.4 percent in 2008 to 7.5 listed as the top performer among the es, infrastructure and efficient logis - percent in 2012. The sector has provided 155 economies included in the survey. tics,” said Mona Haddad, Sector direct employment to 2.8 million people and In 2010, India was ranked 47 th with Manager in the World Bank’s indirect employment to 8.9 million people. an LPI score of 3.12. However, in the International Trade Department.

June 2012 India Review Science NEWS

‘Indigenous’ anti-malaria Nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar to be honored drug launched minent nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar will be conferred this year’s ndian pharma major Ranbaxy E Maharashtra Bhushan Award for his launched a new ‘indigenous’ contribution in making India a major global anti-malaria drug at a ceremony atomic power, an official said in Mumbai on I in New Delhi to mark World April 26. Malaria Day that fell on April 25. Chief Minister of The new drug, called Synriam Maharashtra Prithviraj which is effective against the deadliest Chavan made the malaria microbe, Plasmodium announcement after a Falciparum, would be a boon for mil - selection committee lions of malaria patients around the headed by him arrived globe, said Ranbaxy Chief Executive at the decision on the and Managing Director Arun state’s top award Sawhney. Anil Kakodkar being given to “Almost 77 percent of the 2.5 million Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Kakodkar, a former malaria patients in South East Asia are Sciences Vilasrao Deshmukh speaking on the head of the Atomic Energy Commission, for launch of new anti-malaria drug in New Delhi. in India. Synriam will certainly become the year 2011-12. the preferred option in the hands of the drug is affordable, as malaria Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar then doctors to fight malaria, which annual - affects the poor more”. telephoned Kakodkar to congratulate him ly claims half a million lives globally,” “Globally, the Indian pharmaceutical and lauded his contribution in making India Sawhney said. industry is ranked third in volumes and a major nuclear power in the world. Speaking on the occasion, Minister 14th in value. This is not because our Born on November 11, 1943 at Barwani for Science, Technology and Earth quality is lower, but because our profit in Madhya Pradesh, Kakodkar has also Sciences Vilasrao Deshmukh said he margins are minimum. I congratulate been honored with India’s top civilian had been told (by Ranbaxy) that our pharma companies for keeping the awards, Padmashri (1998), Padma “Synriam is safe and efficacious. I am prices of life-saving medicines low,” Bhushan (1999), and Padma Vibhushan sure they (Ranbaxy) will ensure that Minister Deshmukh added. (2009 ). Now, a robotic way to hassle-free surgeries our finger-tip sized way. Major procedures surgery requires splitting of the incisions, four such as removal of sternum, but in robotic surgery, using a F robotic arms, tumors, heart surgery robotic surgical system called Da Vinc, including a camera eye and gynecological sur - just four-five finger-tip sized incisions snaking inside, the mag - gery that would tradi - are all it requires. “The tips of the nified image of the viscer - tionally require the robotic arms behave like human wrists al organs being watched scalpel to make large and and allows us to do complex surgeries on a screen outside as the deep cuts in the body through tiny holes,” he said. surgical instrument arm and consequent blood The camera arm of the robot allows moves deftly to remove loss are now being done surgeons to see inside the body in 3D. 18 the tumor or blockage. with robotic arms. The image of the internal organs — Minimal blood loss, no “Robotic surgery magnified up to 10 times in high defi - long hospital stay — wel - allows us to do many nition — shows up on a screen at the A robot-assisted surgical come to the revolutionary system used for prostatectomies, complex operations that surgeon’s console. Using hand and foot world of robotic surgery cardiac valve repair and would require large inci - controls, the surgeon directs the robot - that is gaining popularity gynecologic surgical procedures. sions,” Sudhir ic arms with the surgical tools to per - in India. Srivastava, Chairman, form the required procedure. Some of the major hospitals in the CEO and Managing Director, Fortis “The camera acts as the eyes, while capital, including the All India Institute Healthcare International Centre for the instruments act as the arms of the of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), are per - Robotic Surgery in New Delhi, said. surgeon,” said Srivastava, adding that forming complex surgeries the robotic Srivastava said conventional cardiac the surgery is “very precise”.

June 2012 India Review Diaspora NEWS Nine Indian-Americans in Eight Indian-Americans ‘Forbes’ Midas List win Ellis Island Medal

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Clockwise from top left, Ravishankar From left, Aneel Bhusri, Neeraj Agrawal, Rob Chandra, Subrata Mitra and Vinod Khosla. Bhooplapur, Dr. Sanjiv Chopra, Dr. Leena N. Doshi, Hasu P. Shah, Rajendra Singh, Dr. John P. Thomas, Peter Bheddah and Dr. Surendra ine Indian-origin entrepre - Sameer Gandhi of Accel Partners is V. Jain. neurs made it to this year’s ranked 33rd (81 in 2011). He has cur - Forbes ‘Midas List of rent investments in an Indian online ight Indian-Americans are among N Technology’s Best shopping site called Flipkart. the recipients of this year’s Ellis Investors’ for fuelling a bull market for Khosla Ventures’ Vinod Khosla fol - EIsland Medal of Honor presented to hot young companies. lows at No. 34 (71 in 2011). Khosla is more than 100 immigrants for their com - Heading the Indian-American list is known for off-the-beaten-path clean- munity service. The eight, Peter Bheddah, Greylock Partners’ Aneel Bhusri at tech investments. Ravishankar Bhooplapur, Dr. Sanjiv No. 25 (15 in 2011). Bhusri is co- Other Indian-Americans on the Chopra, Dr. Leena N. Doshi, Dr. Surendra V. CEO of Workday, the cloud-based Midas list include Battery Ventures’ Jain, Hasu P. Shah, Rajendra Singh and Dr. financials and human resources soft - Neeraj Agrawal at 36 (51 in 2011), John P. Thomas were presented the medal ware company. Mayfield Fund’s Navin Chaddha (46), at a ceremony on the island in New York. Four-time consecutive Midas mem - Bain Capital Ventures’ Ajay Agarwal Instituted in 1986 by the National Ethnic ber Rob Chandra of Bessemer Venture (95), Greylock Partners’ Asheem Coalition of Organizations to recognize the Partners comes next at No. 28 (26 in Chandna (96) and Accel India’s contributions made by immigrants, the 2011). Subrata Mitra (99). — IANS medals are named after Ellis Island, the gateway through which more than 12 mil - lion early immigrants passed. Beddah has been helping the less fortu - ‘Committed to bring in change’ nate through the India Association of Long eshma Saujani, the “My 15 months at the Island and the Interfaith Nutrition Network first Indian- Public Advocate’s office since 1994. Bhooplapur is President of R American woman were truly some of the best Xavier University School of Medicine and to run for the U.S. of my life,” Saujani, cur - founder and chairman of Gift of Life. He Congress, said she was rently the deputy advocate contributes to several humanitarian causes. “committed to being a for special initiatives in the Chopra, a Professor of Medicine at leader in charting the watchdog body charged Harvard Medical School, is the author of five future of New York City” with ensuring that all New books, including The Ten Tenets of and now as a change agent Yorkers have a voice in Leadership . Mumbai-born Doshi started wants to create opportuni - shaping the city’s policies, radiology practice in 1985 after completing ties for immigrants who said. her residency in radiology at Lenox Hill have made New York City Explaining what made Hospital in New York. Jain is founding part - their home. Reshma Saujani her run for the U.S. ner and Chief Medical Officer of Buena Park, Although Saujani, a Congress in the first place, California-based AppleCare Medical lawyer, politician and entrepreneur, Saujani said: “I’ve always been an Management LLC. Shah is founder of the lost her 2010 ambitious run against organizer, and as the daughter of Philadelphia-based Hersha Hospitality Trust. Democrat Carolyn Mahoney, a nine- immigrants I have always been espe - Singh is chairman and CEO of Telcom term member of the U.S. House of cially passionate about engaging peo - Ventures. Kerala-born Thomas is the founder Representatives from New York, she is ple in the political process, who have of Operation HOPE (Healing Outreach to now “exploring a race for citywide been excluded from it or who felt no People Everywhere). — IANS office in 2013.” one was listening to them.” — IANS

June 2012 India Review Trends IN SOCIETY

Enrolment rate in private schools in rural India has gone up by 5.5 percent over the past six years, according to a recent study.

ural India accounts for projected growth is based on larger almost 70 percent of the penetration into tier II and III cities population inn India as the Winds of and growing rural market for premium R 2011 Census indicates that footwear. of the 1.21 billion population, 833 Change in million live in rural India. People in FMCG rural India have been exposed to new Higher disposable income in rural communication technologies and a rural market households along with massive adver - plethora of services which has tisements by the market players, would strengthened its aspirations to revenues come from rural sales. Many take rural FMCG market from current become an urbanized society. of the retailers are therefore focusing $18 billion to a market size of over According to a recent study, rural their strategies on rural needs and $21.64 billion by 2012, according to a Indian economy is highly supported offering customized products. study by an industrial body. This by increasing disposable income, gov - Rural retail arm Hariyali Kisaan entails a compounded annual growth ernment initiatives and schemes and Bazaar (HKB) is planning to open 10 rate (CAGR) of 10 percent in totality favorable demographics. outlets in 2012. It is India's biggest for rural and semi-urban areas. Moreover, economic growth of rural rural retail chain by sales and operates Indian FMCG veteran Dabur is India is largely attributed to the increas - 230 stores across eight states. HKB is planning to double its rural reach by 20 ing awareness about the need of educa - also planning to partner with mobile rolling out its new rural distribution tion. According to the Assessment telephone companies to provide farm strategy in 2012. Similarly, Godrej Survey Evaluation Research (2012) and commodity advisory services to the Consumer (dealing in hair color, report, private school enrolment in farmers. soaps, toiletries and liquid detergent rural India has gone up by 5.5 percent Indian footwear industry, growing at segments) has realized sharp rise in its points over past six years. a compound annual growth rate sales volume rural areas. (CAGR) of about 15 percent, is antici - Paint companies, which used to rely Retail in Rural India pated to reach approximately $7.87 on cities for growth in sales, are now Retail chains in India are targeting hin - billion by 2015 from the current level launching low-cost emulsions to suit terlands in a big way. For many com - of around $4.48 billion, according to a needs and preferences of rural con - panies, a large part of their study by a leading industrial body. The sumers.

June 2012 India Review Trends IN SOCIETY

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Automobiles nesses as internet penetration and Attrition rates in rural areas are just Rural India accounts for almost 35 adoption of mobile devices increase about 3-5 percent as against a high of percent of the automobiles sold in across rural India. According to 50 percent in urban BPOs. Employee India. While Ford is dedicatedly work - Mukesh Bansal, Founder and CEO, costs in rural BPOs is almost half as ing with its retail banking partners to Myntra.com, the convenience of shop - against that of urban BPOs which target the rural customers, General ping and access to big brands are driv - bring overall operational costs down by Motors has laid renewed focus on its ing growth of e-commerce segment almost 30-40 percent for IT compa - rural marketing initiatives among non-metro markets. nies. Nasscom has further stated that Toyota is also planning to strengthen According to eBay Census 2011, employee base in these areas would its rural reach and set up additional 25 rural India accounted for 9 percent of expand by over 10 times by 2013-14 outlets in semi urban and rural areas in the purchases made online between from 5,000 in 2009-10. 2012. Hyundai offers customized July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011. finance schemes to its rural customers Another report by Google stated that in Government Initiatives and encourages its dealers to open 2011, over 70 percent of search hap - The Government of India is making all more sales branches in smaller mar - pened in non-metros. possible efforts to emancipate rural kets. The company already has 340 Thus, such data reveal the fact that India. Jairam Ramesh, Minister for dealerships and over 1,000 rural sales rural consumers are increasingly Rural Development has stated that the outlets which it plans to enhance fur - becoming aware of internet usage and Government has decided to implement ther in 2012 are adopting new, sophisticated com - a more streamlined rural jobs guaran - munication technologies with open tee programme from April 2012 to Consumer Durables arms. boost farm production, increase trans - India's consumer durables market is parency and minimize graft. anticipated to expand by 40 percent in Rural India Calling 201-12, according to a study by an Rural business process outsourcing Road Ahead industrial body. Eureka Forbes has (BPO) units account for over $10 mil - According to Ranjan Kapur, Country launched one-of-its-kind solar bulb in lion toward India’s IT-BPO revenues. Manager, WPP India, rural marketing India under the brand name Many big IT-BPO companies in India communication is going to emerge in a 'EuroDiya'. Eurodiya is taken as an are getting attracted toward hinter - big way as the users of smart phones alternative to kerosene lamps which are lands due to availability of immense are expected to grow from 50 million used in villages. In recent years, rural untapped talent and lower costs. to touch 150 million by 2014. To India has also witnessed the launch of increase internet penetration in rural solar-powered lanterns and light emit - Rural consumers are India, the Government will create ting diode (LED) lights from compa - 250,000 nodes for broadband by 2016 nies like Philips and Mirc Electronics . increasingly becoming that would serve around 750,000 vil - aware of internet usage lages. There is no dentying the fact that Internet and e-Commerce in Rural and are adopting India’s growth in terms of consump - India tion pattern is largely led by the people Companies selling products and serv - new, sophisticated residing in hinterlands. ices through internet are searching out technologies (Courtesy: India Brand Equity for smaller cities to expand their busi - Foundation)

June 2012 India Review Cinema NEWS

Time ranks ‘Devdas’ among Indian-American director’s thriller wins award millennium’s top ten Bollywood-style film by an Indian- American director, has won the Best ime magazine has ranked A Feature Film award at the Peoples Bollywood director Sanjay Film Festival (TPFF) in New York, showcas - Leela Bhansali’s 2002 film ing extraordinary films using different T Devdas eighth among the media formats. Written and directed by 10 greatest movies of the millennium Manan Singh Katohora, 9 ELEVEN portrays with WALL.E at the top and The the life of 11 people terrorised to the core Artist in the 10 th spot. It described by an unknown Shah Rukh Khan as an “all-world entity in an unfamil - charismatist” and Madhuri Dixit “a iar place. hot number who danced flamencos Katohora also on men’s libidos”. A poster of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas. won the 2012 Rising “A year after ‘Moulin Rouge!’ had Star Award for the its world premiere at Cannes, The top ten according to Time film at Canada another visually intoxicating musical International Film opened at the festival, introducing u WALL.E, 2008 Festival . sang-and-danced Bollywood dramas u The Lord of the Rings, 2001-03 to the international culturati,” u Avatar, 2009 ‘Dekh Indian circus’ on a roll it said of the film starring Shah u Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 2000 Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and u The White Ribbon, 2009 t is a film he hasn’t written, directed or Madhuri Dixit. u The Hurt Locker, 2009 produced. But filmmaker Imtiaz Ali is so “Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s u Synecdoche, New York, 2008 Itouched with Mangesh Hadawale’s 1901 novel inspired at least a u Devdas, 2002 Hindi movie Dekh Indian Circus , a tale set half-dozen film versions before this u Moulin Rouge!, 2001 in the rural milieu of Rajasthan, that he one — in its time, the priciest movie u The Artist, 2011 has decided to present and promote it to in Indian history (at about take it to a larger audience. $10.6 million),” the U.S. news mag - what makes the thing sing,” it said. “I’m trying to help this film reach big azine noted. “Beyond that, Devdas is a visual circles. It is set in Jaisalmer, and is about “The piece is played with such ravishment, with sumptuous sets, two kids and an Indian circus. The commitment that the tritest plot fabulous frocks and beautiful people story has been narrated in an extremely twists seem worth believing — and to fill them; it has a grandeur the old colorful and emotional manner and it is dancing to, in nine nifty production Hollywood moguls would have only better that it reaches to a wide numbers. But the fervid emotion is loved,” the magazine said. audience,” Ali said. Indian entertainment’s ‘laadli’ turns 100 he was born a year before Saharanpur to Rohilla Pathan land - Indian cinema. The blue-eyed lords, Zohra went with her uncle to S “baby” of entertainment, Zohra England by road from India “in an old Sehgal, celebrated her 100 th birthday Dodge car through Afghanistan and 22 on April 28 — punning on her favorite Iran” to train as an actor. sonnet ‘Abhi To Main Jawan Hoon’ by The biography, a pictorial mono - poet Hafeez Jullundhri as she cut a gram, published by Niyogi Books large chocolate cake. was unveiled by Prime Minister Her characteristic lust for life Dr. Manmohan Singh’s wife appeared undimmed at the launch of Gursharan Kaur. her first official biography, titled Zohra used by Kiran for her “weight con - Releasing the book, Kaur said, Segal: Fatty by daughter Kiran Segal. scious mother Zohra” who “is very “Zohra is a multi-facetted icon of a And “Segal” is how they have preferred particular about her figure like a 16- youthful zeal. She is a mysterious to spell the name. year-old starlet”. woman though her life was an The title “Fatty” is an endearment Born on April 27, 1912, in open book. ”

June 2012 India Review Travel & TOURISM Adventure unlimited

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afting in the rapids of the Ganga at Rishikesh and ending the course with a R leap of faith into swirling green waters from a 25-foot-high cliff face, for Rishabh Sharma, his birthday couldn’t have been more exciting. And he is not an adventure freak. Usually, birthdays have involved party - Options for adventure sports are plenty in India. (Clockwise from top right) Scuba diving in Maharashtra; Snorkellingi in Maharashtra; White water river Rafting in Kullu, Himachal; Horse race in ing with friends in a nearby dis - Spiti, Himachal; Camping near Chobia Pass in Himachal. cotheque. But this time, the 24-year- old software engineer took the road adventure activities like trekking or Himalayan adventure tour operator. less travelled. mountaineering remain the bedrock of “We run a 14-day rafting expedition “This was a fabulous experience. I Indian adventure tourism, new, “pas - in the Brahmaputra river in Arunachal had not thought I would enjoy so senger” activities are fueling growth in Pradesh. This expedition costs $1,867 much,” a visibly exhausted but cheery this sector. per participant, but the number of Sharma said of his weekend getaway. “Newer adventure activities such as Indians taking it is increasing,” he said. “I used to think that adventure was hot-air ballooning, canyon swinging However, even these adventure only for people who had trained for and ziplining cater to the larger section activities have an inherent quota of years. But this was not so difficult. And of unskilled adventure tourists, fueling risk. And even the most experienced so much fun,” he added. the rise of adventure tourism,” he said. adventure enthusiasts can make a mis - Noted adventurer and Vice-President Olivier Baudouin agrees that skill is take. According to Soin, ATOAI had of Adventure Tour Operators’ no longer a barrier for the people who revised the security guidelines sent the Association of India (ATOAI) Mandip want to feel the thrill of adventure. A suggestions to the Ministry of Tourism. Singh Soin said that both adventure French national, he is the dive station The new, upgraded guidelines art tourism and the general acceptance for in-charge at Andaman-based Barefoot expected to come into effect within a adventure sports are growing in the Scuba. couple of months. country, especially over the weekends. “We even have a course for people “The new guidelines will make it “Adventure sports facilities are who do not know how to swim,” mandatory for the operators of these mushrooming all over the country and Baudouin said. “In the four years since facilities to install the required safety in many adventure activities, like I came here, the number of tourists has measures in order to get a license,” he bungee, the tourist doesn’t need any increased very rapidly,” he added. added. training or skills and can just enjoy as a Even the high cost, which was once Soin said ATOAI was also in dia - passenger. This allows even a weekend the main consideration, is no longer a logue with states on the matter, espe - traveler to get an adrenaline rush,” barrier with youngsters having higher cially on the installation of rescue sta - Soin said. disposable incomes, according to S. tions with medical facilities, satellite According to Soin, while traditional Swami of Team4Adventure, a trans- phones and airlift facilities.

June 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 By the light of the silvery moon...

A view of the full moon in the Indian sky on May 5, when the full moon coincided with its perigee — its closest approach to Earth — and became the year's biggest. (AFP Photo)

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