India Review A PUBLICATION OF THE EMBASSY OF INDIA, KABUL http://meakabul.nic.in VOLUME 4 ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 2008 India celebrates its 59th Republic Day amid pomp, pageantry, pays tributes to martyrs

(From right) President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Chief Guest and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the dais during the 59th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 26. grand parade showcasing India’s War Memorial to pay homage to the Sashastra Seema Bal, Railway Protection military might, vibrant economy and Unknown Soldiers. He then returned to the Force, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps Arich diversity marked the 59th dais at Rajpath to receive President Patil, and the National Service Scheme. The Republic Day, celebrated in New Delhi on the Supreme Commander of the Armed camel-mounted band also participated. January 26, with Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Forces, and Sarkozy. This set the stage for a cultural pageant Patil becoming the first woman President A variety of new military equipment, such featuring 26 floats mounted by 16 states, to take the salute. She also became the first as an indigenously-developed Experimental nine Central ministries and the Central female head of state to unfurl the national Tank, the awesome T-90 Main Battle Tank Public Works Department, which stole the tricolor of the world’s largest democracy on (MBT) and a mobile launcher for the show with its floral depiction of the Red its most revered national day. BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, was on Fort. The tableau of Jammu and Kashmir, Early in the morning, people from all display for the first time at the parade. A 12- which recreated a tulip garden, and that of walks of life thronged Rajpath, a two-mile barrelled Smerch rocket launcher, a Meghalaya, based on the theme of boulevard from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to Tanguska air defence gun, a Sarvatra bridge- “Beautiful Butterflies”, too, stood out. the India Gate War Memorial, and the layer tank, an upgraded 155mm Soltom how- About 1,800 schoolchildren from the parade route up to the Red Fort in the Old itzer and a mobile system to enable the con- Delhi region staged a variety of folk and City to witness the 105-minute regimental duct of network-centric warfare were among traditional dances. The popular display of march on one of the coldest Republic Days the other military equipment showcased dur- daredevilry on motorcycles by the Border in recent memory. ing the parade. Besides, military bands Security Force personnel and a flypast The spectators watched in awe as war played rousing music to add to the grandeur featuring Sukhoi Su-30 combat jets, Il-76 machines rolled down the stately road along of the occasion. Following them were 1,900 heavy lift transporters and a Mi-26, the with the marching contingents of the three cadets of the National Cadet Corps. Some world’s largest helicopter, made up for the wings of the military, paramilitary forces, marched in contingents of 12x12 while others grand finale. colourful tableaux and school students. were dressed in traditional costumes, show- President Patil posthumously awarded About 7,000 men, women and school casing different dance forms of India. the Ashok Chakra, the country’s highest students took part in the parade. French The marching contingents of paramilitary award for gallantry during peacetime, to President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was on his and other auxiliary civil forces included three army personnel, Col. V. Vasanth, maiden visit to India on January 25, was the contingents from the Border Security Capt. Harshan R. and Naib Subedar Chuni guest of honour on the occasion. Force, Assam Rifles, Coast Guard, Central Lal. All the three officers were killed in Ahead of the parade, Prime Minister Dr. Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border counter-insurgency operations in Jammu Manmohan Singh visited the India Gate Police, Central Industrial Security Force, and Kashmir. ! AFGHAN NEWS INDIAN EMBASSY IN KABUL celebrates 59th R-Day in style

Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Jayant Prasad reading out the President’s Address to the Nation. he Indian Embassy in Kabul celebrat- nurture the closest possible friendship dition of patriotic songs in the Embassy audi- ed the 59th Republic Day on January between India and Afghanistan and to pro- torium. With guidance from Ustad Inder T 26 with fervour and gaiety. mote the unity, integrity and progress of Bawra, students of music at the Indian Although it was an unusually cold morn- Afghanistan through the social and econom- Cultural Centre, Kabul, participated in the ing, over 200 Indians gathered in the court- ic development of the Afghan people. programme. The Centre also organised a yard of the Indian Embassy to attend the Besides members of the Mission and screening of the Bollywood film, ‘Chak de! function. Ambassador Jayant Prasad unfurled Indian nationals and persons of Indian India’, in the evening, which was well attend- the flag, read out the President’s Address to origin in Kabul, Indian personnel working on ed and appreciated. the Nation, delivered on the eve of the different assistance projects and with the Flag-hoisting functions and receptions Republic Day, and briefly spoke to the gath- Government of Afghanistan attended the were also held at the Indian Consulates ering. He said that the Indian citizens in grand event. General in Herat, Jalalabad, Kandahar and Afghanistan were on a mission to forge and The main function was followed by a ren- Mazar-e-Sharif. !

2 I N D I A R E V I E W F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 8 h t t p : / / m e a k a b u l . n i c . i n REPUBLIC DAY Highlights of the President’s Address to the nation on Republic Day eve

he formation of the Republic on power has been transferred to different tect our rich cultural heritage and its values January 26, 1950, was the first political parties and groups according to the of compassion and harmonious living. In T milestone in our march towards real- mandate of the people. Our vibrant and the joy of song and dance, painting and ising the dreams of our people in the after- functioning democracy has won universal sculpture, literature and poetry, we should math of Independence. The journey applause. Today, there are 3.2 million discover and imbibe the best that has has been long, but we have travelled far. Like representatives who have been elected from been passed on to us from generation to any great journey, we have had our moments villages, towns and cities. We are also generation over millennia. of triumph and glory as also our share of proud that 1.2 million of these elected India has always had a vision and a mes- sorrows and travails. All along we had an representatives are women. This is by far sage for the world. From the very beginning abiding faith in the talent and resilience of the largest number of elected representa- of our civilisation, we have believed that the the people of India. We were inspired tives ever in history, or anywhere in the world is one and humanity is a single fami- during this journey by the values of free- contemporary world. ly. India is committed to establish ties of dom, tolerance and plurality, which have Our economy is growing at unprecedent- friendship and co-operation with all coun- given to India its defining identity — a ed rates, and we can be confident that we tries. India’s engagement with the world is country with unity in diversity. will be able to achieve the growth targets we intensifying both in the economic and polit- India, consisting of people with different have set for ourselves. The impressive ical fields. India is a country that has, and is, religions, languages and customs, draws its strides of the Indian economy have resulted contributing to regional and global peace inherent strength from each and everyone of in the emergence of India as a powerful and stability. its diverse units. Today, as a nation and as player in the global economy. This century Today, terrorism constitutes a grave individual citizens, we must pledge to will belong to Asia and India will be one of threat to the civilised world. The continuing uphold this spirit of solidarity and respect the main driving forces. It is now time for terrorist attacks are reminders of the need for the multi-cultural, multi-religious and realising India’s tryst with destiny. to take collective action. India will continue multi-ethnic character of India. As development takes place, we should to work with the international community to We are the largest democracy in the world not forget that the objective is not merely to create a better world — a world free of ter- and one of the most stable. We have held 14 create wealth. It should be to build a ror, poverty, disease, ignorance and General Elections to Parliament, in which humane society. We must preserve and pro- inequality. !

h t t p : / / m e a k a b u l . n i c . i n I N D I A R E V I E W F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 8 3 PM IN CHINA

Manmohan visits China to bolster Highlights of the a mutually beneficial relationship Joint Declaration ! India and China resolve to promote a ports India’s aspirations to harmonious world of durable peace and play a greater role in the UN common prosperity by developing a including in the Security strategic and cooperative partnership. Council”. Indian officials ! They recognise that both the countries described this stand as a bear a significant historical responsibility marked step forward on to ensure comprehensive, balanced and Beijing’s part. sustainable economic and social develop- Singh also told the ment and to promote peace and develop- Chinese Academy of Social ment in Asia and the world as a whole. Sciences (CASS) that India ! Both sides favour an open and inclusive and China, which account for international system and believe that a third of the world’s popula- drawing lines on the ground of ideologies tion, needed to cooperate “in and values is not conducive to peaceful creating a world of positive and harmonious co-existence. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart, externalities and mutual Wen Jiabao, address a joint press conference at the Great Hall of People prosperity, rather than one ! They support comprehensive reforms in in Beijing on January 14. based on balance of power the UN including according priority to rime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh calculations and animosity. increasing the representation of the on January 15 wrapped up a path- This involves India and China working developing countries in the Security Pbreaking trip to China by seeking together closely to ensure a global order in Council. improved, all-round ties between two of the which our simultaneous development will ! China attaches great importance to world’s fastest growing economies and call- have a positive influence not only on our India’s position as a major developing ing for a timeframe to end their border dis- own economies but also on the rest of the country in international affairs. pute. world.” ! China supports India’s aspirations to During his three-day visit, Singh held An agreement which Singh and Wen play a greater role in the UN including talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wen signed after the bilateral talks made it clear the Security Council. Jiabao, and the chemistry between the two that it was time to build “a relationship of ! Both sides will strengthen coordination leaders was palpable. The two countries friendship and trust, based on equality, in under the framework of the Asia-Europe pledged to take their two-way trade to a which each is sensitive to the concerns and Meeting. new high of $60 billion by 2010. They aspirations of the other”. It said India- deepened their new-found military ties and China ties were not targeted at any country. ! They welcome the positive facets of signed 11 pacts covering a range of areas. A The two countries agreed to hold their economic globalisation. vision statement outlined their strategic second joint military training exercises in ! Both believe that the establishment of roadmap. India this year — the first such exercise an open, fair, equitable, transparent and The agreements cover a wide spectrum, took place in China in December last year. rule-based multilateral trading system. Besides revising their bilateral trade target from economic planning and housing to ! They are determined to strengthen for 2010, the two sides decided to establish health and culture. The Chinese print and their coordination with developing coun- a high-level Business Leaders Forum and electronic media gave prominent coverage tries in order to secure shared objectives. to Singh’s maiden visit to Beijing, and by hold the second India-China Defence the time he boarded Air India One to head Dialogue this year. ! They recognise the challenge that home, Chinese experts on Asia were prais- Indian Commerce Minister Kamal Nath humankind faces from climate change. ing him profusely. Rong Ying, director of pointed out that India and China com- ! They strongly condemn the scourge of the South Asian Studies at the Chinese prised 40 percent of the world market. terrorism in all forms and manifestations. Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Knowing well that the world was watching ! They will continuously promote confi- described Singh as a “highly regarded and his mission to Beijing, Singh declared: dence-building measures through steadi- respected” man. “India-China relations are of regional and ly enhanced contacts in the field of Hours before his departure, Singh global significance”. defence. addressed a gathering of Chinese intellec- China is now India’s second largest trade tuals and urged that India and China should partner and poised to become the largest. ! Both remain firmly committed to be at the forefront of the emergence of a India is China’s tenth-largest trading ally. resolving differences, including the more democratic international order. He Although trade is the current highlight of boundary dispute, through peaceful declared that the UN Security Council no their cooperation, the two governments negotiations. longer reflected the global reality. China also agree on issues such as energy securi- ! Both sides also recognise their respon- holds a permanent seat in the Security ty and conservation. The two are also com- sibilities and obligations in the interna- Council, a status that India desires. ing together in third countries by forging tional community. China said that it “understands and sup- strategic business partnerships. !

4 I N D I A R E V I E W F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 8 h t t p : / / m e a k a b u l . n i c . i n AFGHAN NEWS Portrait presented to President Karzai

President Hamid Karzai looking at his portrait. n the eve of his final departure from violet, is positive in interpretation, sending The meeting with President Karzai was Afghanistan, outgoing Indian out a message of hope for the future. The also an occasion for the Indian Ambassador O Ambassador Rakesh Sood presented President looks at his audience straight in the to introduce the Afghan students of the a portrait of President Hamid Karzai painted eye signifying pride, dignity and self-respect. Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) learning by Sandeep Kumar, Minister at the Indian The right hand is raised in salutation, com- Indian classical music under the guidance Embassy in Kabul, to Karzai at the municating his greetings to the people of of Indian maestro, Ustad Inder Singh Presidential Palace on January 9. Afghanistan as well as to the outside world, Bawra. There are around 70 students at the The painting depicts Karzai in his custom- as Afghanistan gains its rightful place in the ICC. ary green chaupan with his right hand raised comity of nations. The President expressed his appreciation to the forehead in salutation in his affable The dark brown background is indicative of for the students who, within a period of a trademark style. Kumar explained that his the challenges faced by the President but this few months, had attained an impressive intention was not to make a portrait depict- is offset against the golden orange and yellow level of understanding in rendering Indian ing the President’s features in realistic detail. bursting into the horizon, reflective of light classical ragas. Rather it was an attempt to project President and glory. He encouraged them to continue with the Karzai’s indomitable spirit. While receiving the painting, the President learning and help sustain the rich historical The oil painting, done in impressionist expressed his warm appreciation for the musical heritage of Afghanistan. style, with a profusion of burnt brown, virid- work, welcoming the message of hope and The Centre offers free music lessons and ian green, golden orange, cerulean blue and optimism. all are welcome. ! h t t p : / / m e a k a b u l . n i c . i n I N D I A R E V I E W F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 8 5 BOLLYWOOD AJAY DEVGAN The dark horse of Bollywood

mitabh Bachchan once called Ajay ences. He has the unique distinction of hav- director Mahesh Bhatt: “His very place Devgan the “Dark Horse” of ing bagged two ‘best actor’ National Awards. among the top stars was questioned because A Bollywood. But he is also proving to The low-key actor, who shuns publicity, is the he was the son of a stunt director and was be a winning tortoise with his slow and first choice of veteran directors like Rajkumar supposed to be good only in stunt roles. Ajay steady growth. He is on a roll. After a forget- Santoshi as well as Ram Gopal Varma. Son of was patient and proved them wrong.” table 2007, he has started off this year with a famous stunt director, Veeru Devgan, he dab- ‘Ishq’ came as a turning point. For the first bang. The intense actor, who is known for bled in direction and editing in a junior time, he was accepted in a non-action hero breaking the rules now and then, first capacity before being lured before the camera role. Then came ‘Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha’, and charmed critics with his power-packed per- for Kuku Kohli’s action flick ‘Phool Aur the big hit, ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, formance in Rajkumar Santoshi’s ‘Halla Bol’. Kaante’, which was a box office hit. ‘Jigar’, where his portrayal of the low-key, under- Now, he is trying to tickle the funny bone in ‘Vijaypath’ and ‘Divya Shakti’ were all action standing husband, received critical acclaim. Rohit Shetty’s ‘Sunday’. films, which had their own audiences. His work in films like ‘Zakhm’, ‘Company’, His roles in both the films are in complete Then came a lean period, when the fair- ‘Gangaajal’, ‘The Legend of Bhagat Singh’ contrast with each other. In ‘Halla Bol’, he is skinned aristocracy displaced Ajay. Observes and ‘Omkaara’ leave no doubt that Ajay is an actor-turned-activist, while he plays a cor- indeed the “dark horse” of the industry. rupt cop in the fun-filled action thriller Santoshi, who has done some of his best ‘Sunday’. Soon, the actor will turn director films with Ajay, is keen on making a film with ‘U Me Aur Hum’, scheduled to release based on emperor Ashoka and then cast him in April this year. in a mythological film based on the epic Once billed as the likely inheritor of the ‘Ramayana’. “I am sure people will be “angry young man” roles, immortalised by astounded by the way he interprets two com- Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay has always made a pellingly fascinating characters. Ajay is one conscious effort not to get typecast. He start- of the few leading men in the industry today ed off as an action hero with ‘Phool Aur who will some day become a valued charac- Kaante’, but is now regarded as a character ter actor,” says Santoshi. “One of Ajay’s actor. He is an actor who is just as convinc- strengths is that he can get under the skin of ing in brooding, macho roles as he is in any well-written role and make it his own. He comic capers. He is among the few stars who has sharp, expressive eyes. He appears to be have challenged the notion that the plain- very natural in all the challenging characters looking, not-so-fair actors cannot draw audi- he has played so far,” Santoshi adds. !

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