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Home , Gursharan Kaur, Inder Kumar Gujral, Jaipal Reddy, Jitin Prasada, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Satish Gujral

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

December 1, 2012

I India RevieI w Vol. 8 Issue 12 www.indianembassy.org

Prime Minister Dr. with President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the 7 th East Asia Summit in Phnom-Penh on November 20. India congratulates President Obama n 10th India-ASEAN n Former PM I.K. Gujral n White House Summit concludes passes away celebrates Diwali Ambassador’s PAGE On President Obama ’s re-election The shared vision of Prime Minister Singh and President Obama will continue to guide our close relationship to an even deeper and more rewarding engagement

atching President Barack have imparted over the last four vance, making a difference beyond our Obama’s re-election last years, has moved India-U.S. strategic shores, from Afghanistan to Africa. night was inspiring, and partnership from a ‘consolidation’ There is increasing convergence in our W in some ways reminis - phase into one of comprehensive and foreign policy priorities. We have cent of his historic win four years ago multifaceted engagement. shared approaches to some of the most to become the 44th President of the Prime Minister Singh was invited complex regional and global challenges United States. The closely fought con - by President Obama in November of our times. test brought to the fore strengths of a 2009 to be the first State guest of his Our defense partnership, including political system based on popular will Presidency. President Obama’s own defense trade, has been strengthened, that binds India and the United States landmark visit to India in November just as our cooperation in counter- — the world’s largest and the oldest 2010, the first by a U.S. President in terrorism and other strategic pursuits, democracies. his first term, paved the way for many including maritime and cyber securi - What will President Obama’s re- accomplishments in our relationship. I ty. The Obama Administration’s com - election mean for India-U.S. relations? am constantly impressed by the fact mitment to India’s membership of the The President and the Prime that a silent revolution is taking place multilateral export control regimes, as Minister of India sent warm, congrat - in the way India and the U.S. engage well as President Obama’s support for ulatory messages to the U.S. President with each other. The depth and India’s permanent membership of the immediately after the elections results expanse of their mutually rewarding U.N. Security Council, has indeed were announced. In his message, President empha - I believe that the leadership that both Prime Minister sized the shared values and interests Singh and President Obama have imparted over the between India and the United States, last four years, has moved India-U.S. strategic partnership and expressed confidence in the con - tinued progress in our strategic part - from a ‘consolidation’ phase into one of comprehensive and nership. multifaceted engagement. In his congratulatory message, — Ambassador Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh noted, “Over the last four years, con - partnership, and the stakes both coun - been encouraging to us. We remain sistent with our vision of a global tries have built in each other’s success committed to bring our civilian strategic partnership between India are unprecedented today. Strong peo - nuclear cooperation to tangible and the United States, … we have not ple-to-people exchanges and sterling fruition . only advanced cooperation across the contributions by the Indian American There is a rich and textured agenda full spectrum of our bilateral relation - community are constantly enriching ahead of us. The shared vision of Prime ship, but also deepened our engage - this engagement. Minister Singh and President Obama ment in the pursuit of global peace, Our trade and economic partner - will continue to guide our close rela - stability and prosperity. … I have no ship and collaboration in innovation tionship to an even deeper and more 2 doubt that there is much more we can are new sources of strength to our rewarding engagement, even as it do together to further strengthen the engagement. Our deepening coopera - derives strong support from across the India-U.S. partnership and thereby tion in education, energy, health, agri - political spectrum in both our advance peace and stability, expand culture and science and technology countries. mutual economic opportunities, har - now touches the lives of millions in ness the potential of science and tech - both our countries. People, as I have Ambassador Nirupama Rao’s blog nology, innovation and higher educa - always said, are at the pulsating heart can also be viewed at: tion and empower our people to of this relationship. http://www.indianembassy.org/prde - address global challenges.” I believe Our strategic partnership today is tail2061/ambassadorandrsquo%3Bs- that the leadership that both Prime rich in content, comfort and candor. It blog-%3A-on-president-obamaan - Minister Singh and President Obama also has an ever-increasing global rele - drsquo%3Bs-re-election

December 2012 India Review Congratulatory MESSAGES India congratulates President Barack Obama On President Barack Obama winning a second mandate, India said it looked forward to strengthening its multifaceted partnerships with the U.S.

ndia on November 7 congratu - cal co-operation and in strengthening achieved in the bilateral partnership in lated U.S. President Barack institutions of global governance. We the last few years. Prime Minister Obama on his re-election and look forward to the further progress of Singh also expressed his appreciation 3 I said it looked forward to deep - our co-operation in all these areas dur - for the personal interest and commit - ening multi-faceted engagement ing your second term.” ment that President Obama had between the two countries in the years Congratulating President Obama, brought to India-U.S. relationship and ahead. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that he looked forward to contin - In his message, President said, “Your mandate gives uing the close cooperation between the Pranab Mukherjee said, “India you a historic opportu - two countries to pursue their shared and the United States share a nity to continue to vision for the India-U.S. strategic bilateral partnership which work for the welfare of partnership. has deepened and intensified the American people President Obama thanked the in diverse and critical areas of as also for global peace Prime Minister for his wishes and co-operation during your first and progress.” noted that India and the U.S. had an term in office. Ours is a In a telephonic con - excellent relationship, which had relationship based on versation with President deepened over the last few years. He shared democratic Obama on November 8, also expressed appreciation for the values of individual Prime Minister Singh Prime Minister’s leadership on the liberty, pluralism wished the U.S. President world stage and said the he looked and respect for success for his second term forward to working together with the rule of law. in office. He added that Prime Minister Singh. We have built a President Obama’s re- “The government and people of strategic part - election had given the India send their congratulations to nership in areas of opportunity to the President Obama on his winning a sec - shared interest, two countries to ond mandate from the people of the including matters carry forward and U.S. who have expressed their will in relating to interna - build on the enor - the great tradition of democracy in tional peace and mous successes their country,” the External Affairs security, technologi - that had been Ministry said in a statement.

FOLLOWING IS THE MESSAGE OF PRIME also for global peace and progress association in order to build further MINISTER DR. MANMOHAN SINGH ON THE at an admittedly difficult juncture, on the enduring foundations of our RE-ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OBAMA not just for the U.S., but indeed for shared values and the accomplish - November 7, New the world at large. ments of the past four years. I have Over the last four years, con - no doubt that there is much more Dear Mr. President, sistent with our vision of a glob - we can do together to further al strategic partnership between strengthen the India-U.S. partner - t gives me great pleasure to convey to you India and the United States, the ship and thereby advance peace my warmest congratulations on your re-elec - ties between our two democra - and stability, expand mutual eco - Ition as the President of the United States. The cies have seen sustained nomic opportunities, harness the renewed confidence that the people of your growth. We have not only advanced coopera - potential of science and technology, innovation great country have reposed in you is as much a tion across the full spectrum of our bilateral and higher education and empower our people tribute to your qualities of head and heart as it relationship, but also deepened our engage - to address global challenges. is an indication of the faith that the American ment in the pursuit of global peace, stability My wife joins me in wishing you and Mrs. people have in your leadership. Your mandate and prosperity . Obama, as well as Malia and Sasha, good gives you a historic opportunity to continue to I have personally valued our friendship and I health, success and happiness as you prepare work for the welfare of the American people as look forward to continuing our rewarding for a new term in office.

December 2012 India Review Condolence MESSAGE ‘Man of peace’ I.K. Gujral passes away The former Prime Minister will be remembered for his keen interest in protecting and promoting India’s external interests and the eponymous Gujral Doctrine

nder Gujral, who was India’s Prime Minister for 11 months in 1997-98, died in on November 30 just I rd four days before his 93 birthday. Known as a gentleman politician, Gujral died of lung infection. He is survived by two sons, Naresh, and Vishal Gujral, and three grandchil - dren. His younger brother is artist and sculptor . His wife Sheila predeceased him in July 2011. The federal Cabinet, at a special ses - sion convened to pay homage to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his wife paying their respects to Gujral, said in his death India has lost former Prime Minister (inset) in New Delhi on December 1. a “great patriot, a visionary leader and a freedom fighter”. the leaders of our freedom movement. As Prime Minister, he set an example Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan I personally have lost a friend of long of grace under pressure, of composure Singh in his condolence message said standing, whose wisdom, idealism and in difficult circumstances and of stead - he had lost a friend of long standing deep concern for social equity left a fastness to principles. As a largely and the country “has lost an intellectu - great impression on me and whose coalition-based polity adjusted to rapid al, a scholar-statesman and a gentle - counsel and opinion I often sought and political and social change, Shri Gujral man politician”. valued greatly. provided a steady hand at the helm. He described Gujral, as “a man of Shri Gujral was a man of peace, an We will feel his loss in India, where peace, an idealist who lived by his prin - idealist who lived by his principles and his long years of public service, starting ciples and an intellectual with the an intellectual with the human touch. with political activism and under - human touch.” His long and distinguished career was ground activity in the in his stu - He will be remembered primarily for marked by diverse political and diplo - dent days culminated in the highest his keen interest in protecting and pro - matic responsibilities. No matter what executive office in the land. He will also moting India’s external interests and portfolio he held, what shone through be missed in South Asia, where his the eponymous Gujral Doctrine. The always was his sincerity and warmth, determined quest for a future of peace, Gujral Doctrine advocates magnanim - compassion for his fellow human friendship and cooperation was epito - ity toward small neighbors in the inter - beings and the legacy of strongly held mized by the eponymous Gujral est of regional peace and progress. socialist beliefs from his youthful expe - Doctrine, which is still invoked by men Gujral was India’s External Affairs riences. of goodwill in the subcontinent. And he Minister — from 1989-90 and 1996- These qualities of head and heart will be missed around the world by the 97 first under Prime Minister V.P. enabled him to make his mark in every many friends he won through his polit - Singh and then H.D. Deve Gowda. office he held. He was a diplomat who ical and diplomatic activism, his sharp 4 helped to consolidate India’s ties with intellect and his warm character. The The text of Prime Minister Singh’s Russia and the non-aligned world. As best tribute to him would be to rededi - condolence message on the passing Minister for External Affairs, he cate ourselves to the principles by away of the former Prime Minister: restored India-Bangladesh relations which he lived his life. “I am deeply saddened to learn of with the Ganga Waters Agreement, On behalf of the Government of the passing away of former Prime rebuilt the structure of dialogue with India and on my own personal behalf, Minister Shri I.K. Gujral. In his pass - and initiated the negotiations I extend my deepest condolences to the ing, the country has lost an intellectual, on the historic India- Free family and friends of Shri Gujral and a scholar-statesman and a gentleman Trade Agreement. His vision of a pros - pray that they be granted the strength politician whose liberal and humanist perous South Asia at peace with itself and fortitude to face this loss with vision was rooted in the teachings of constitutes a lasting legacy. resolve.”

December 2012 India Review Diwali CELEBRATIONS White House’ date with Diwali U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke of the universal resonance of Diwali and asked the guests to commit themselves to providing for those less fortunate

President Obama praises Sikh resilience 5 in Diwali message ishing people around the world W“Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak”, President Barack Obama has praised the resilience of the Sikh community in the wake of the shooting at a Sikh gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. “Out of a day of sadness, we were reminded that the beauty of America remains our diversity, and our right to reli - gious freedom,” he said on November 13 in a message of greetings to , Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists celebrating “the holi - day of Diwali — the festival of lights”. “Diwali is a time for gathering with fam - ily and friends, often marked with good U.S. Vice President Joe Biden greets Ambassador Nirupama Rao at the Diwali reception in the South food and dancing. It is also a time for prayer Court Auditorium of the White House on November 13. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann) and reflection about those less fortunate,” said the President. “It is a testament to the he White House celebrated compassion of these communities that so Diwali this year too with many of them have helped those that have U.S. Vice President Joe been devastated by Hurricane Sandy,” he T Biden lighting the traditional said, referring to the storm that threw life diya or the lamp as he joined a select out of gear in Northeast U.S., particularly group of Indian-American officials, New York and New Jersey. community members and diplomats. Turning to the Oak Creek tragedy and the President Barack Obama wished “heroic actions of the first responders and people around the world “Happy the outpouring of support from people Diwali and Saal Mubarak. across the country”, President Obama said: In 2009, Barack Obama became the “In the wake of that horrible tragedy, we saw first U.S. President to light the tradi - the resilience of a community that drew tional lamp in the East Room of the strength from their faith and a sense of soli - White House. In 2010, he celebrated Ambassador Nirupama Rao with Congressman- darity with their neighbors, Sikh and Diwali in . elect, Ami Bera (D-CA), at the Diwali reception. non-Sikh alike.” Diwali celebrations in the White House were started by former President George W. Bush. guide the guests safely home,” wrote At this year’s celebrations, Vice an official on the White House blog. President Biden spoke of the universal At the conclusion of the ceremony, a resonance of Diwali and asked the priest from a local guests to commit themselves to pro - draped a blue shawl around the Vice viding for those less fortunate. President’s shoulders as he lit the diya . “In closing, the Vice President Attendees at this year’s celebrations Carnatic vocals by Vandana and Vidya Iyer; expressed his wishes for a peaceful and instrumentals by Jobie George, Shankar and included Indian Ambassador prosperous Diwali and that the lights Chhaya Tucker. Nirupama Rao, the first Hindu

December 2012 India Review Diwali CELEBRATIONS US senators bring resolution celebrating Diwali

wo U.S. senators, Democrat to celebrate this festival of lights, let us Mark R. Warner and all be reminded, as Americans, of one Republican John Cornyn, co- of our most cherished freedoms: the T chairs of the U.S. Senate’s freedom of religion.” bipartisan India Caucus, have intro - The resolution describes Diwali as duced a resolution to honor and cele - “a festival of great significance to brate the Indian festival of Diwali. and South Asian “As co-chair of the Senate India Americans, is celebrated annually by Caucus, I am pleased to sponsor a Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains throughout Vice President Joe Biden is presented with a shawl at the Diwali reception. (Official White resolution celebrating this important India, the United States, and the House photos by David Lienemann) holiday for the Indian people and world.” Indian-Americans here at home,” Outlining the salient features of the American to be elected to the U.S. Warner said. “festival of lights” the resolution Congress Tulsi Gabbard, and “India is the world’s largest “recognizes the religious and histori - California physician Ami Bera, the democracy, which makes our coun - cal significance of the festival of third Indian-American to get elected to tries and our people natural partners. Diwali.” the House of Representatives, after It’s a relationship based on shared “In observance of Diwali, the festi - Dalip Singh Saund in 1952 and values, and it’s one I’d like to contin - val of lights,” the senate resolution Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal in ue to grow.” also “expresses its deepest respect 2004. “Diwali’s message of tolerance, for Indian Americans and South USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah compassion, and the victory of good Asian Americans, as well as fellow and former White House Chief over evil resonates with the American countrymen and diaspora through - Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra spirit,” said Cornyn. “As Hindus, out the world on this significant also attended the event. Sikhs, Jains, and others come together occasion.”

Sunita Williams wishes ‘Happy Diwali’ from space ndian American astronaut Sunita displaying the tricolor flag on board Williams has greeted Indians the ISS. Iaround the world from space on “Being the commander of her the occasion of Diwali. space mission, Sunita has had “I wish everybody in India and tremendous demands on her time, people of Indian origin around the and yet when I proposed to her the world, Happy Diwali. It is a wonder - idea of joining me for Diwali to greet ful day and a wonderful festival and I the people of India, she happily and am happy we are part of it up here at readily agreed,” said Bhalla. the International Space Station The Riti Bhalla Diwali Special with 6 (ISS),” Williams said. Williams was telecast in nearly 100 In a conversation with New York ance as guest on Riti Bhalla Special, a countries around the world, collec - based TV host Riti Sunshine Bhalla, programme named after the teen tively by several TV networks based made possible with months of plan - host, a student of New York in India and the U.S., the organizers ning between Bhalla’s production University. said in a statement. team and NASA Johnson Space Earlier in August, Williams had Williams who holds the record of Center in Houston, Williams thanked joined , Sanjay the longest spaceflight (195 days) for the Indian people for their support Dutt, Indian-American Governor a female space traveler, left for the and hoped to visit India next Diwali Nikki Haley, and others on Bhalla’s ISS aboard a Russian spacecraft on and meet them in person. annual programme to greet the peo - July 15 and returned to Earth on This was Williams’ second appear - ple of India on Independence Day, November 19.

December 2012 India Review India-ASEAN SUMMIT

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Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh (fifth from left) with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders in Phnom-Penh on November 19. 10th India-ASEAN Summit concludes Terming commerce and connectivity as vital areas of India’s relations with ASEAN members, India called for greater integration of the Asia Pacific region

ddressing the 10 th India- concluding the FTA on services and ASEAN Summit, in Phnom- investment in December would be “a Penh, Cambodia, on strong signal of our deepening eco - A November 19, Prime nomic engagement”. It would allow for Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh rapid expansion in trade and invest - assured the delegates of India’s sup - ment flows in both directions. port to the objectives of an ASEAN “I am confident that, given our cul - Community by 2015, the Initiative for tural affinity, physical proximity, ASEAN Integration and the ASEAN shared values, convergent worldviews Master Plan on Connectivity. “A future and similarities in our approaches to of peace, stability and prosperity in the the region, our relationship will Asia Pacific requires increased cooper - increasingly become more comprehen - ation and integration in the region. sive and strategic in nature,” he said. ASEAN has shown the way in this Stressing the importance of regard,” he said. increased connectivity with ASEAN Emphasizing the importance of the countries, the Prime Minister said regional bloc, Prime Minister Singh India was holding talks with ASEAN in also said that India believed that working groups for land transport, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the ASEAN centrality was essential in the ASEAN summit in Phnom-Penh on November maritime transport and the ASEAN evolving regional architecture for 19. (Photo: AFP/PIB) Connectivity Coordinating Committee. peace, stability, development and pros - India and the Southeast Asian perity. Calling commerce and connec - “This will be a strong signal of our grouping are also building a Trilateral tivity as vital areas of India’s relations deepening economic engagement, and Highway to connect Myanmar, with ASEAN members and with will allow for rapid expansion in trade Thailand and India. The roadway is to ASEAN institutionally, Prime and investment flows in both direc - be completed by 2016 and will help Minister Singh said India was ready tions,” he added. boost road trade in a major way. The to ink a free trade agreement on serv - India already has a free trade agree - Trilateral Highway would connect ices and investment with the 10- ment with the grouping on goods that Moreh (Manipur) in India to Mae Sot member ASEAN in December, ahead he said has “served us well”. India is in Thailand. of a commemorative event in New now working toward making the agree - The Prime Minister said the working Delhi to mark the 20 th anniversary of ments into a CECA (Comprehensive groups and the highway are “welcome its “Look East” policy and 10 years of Economic Cooperation Agreement). steps in implementing the vision of summit-level partnership. The Prime Minister said that India-ASEAN connectivity”.

December 2012 India Review East Asia SUMMIT India welcomes East Asia trade deal talks Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh called for creating an open, balanced, inclusive and rule-based architecture in East Asia for collective prosperity

ndia on November 20 wel - comed the launch of negotia - tions on a mega East Asian trade I deal and also emphasized on the need for increased connectivity between the 16 countries of the bloc that comprise more than three billion of the world’s population and approxi - mately 40 percent of world GDP. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, in his address at the plenary session of the seventh East Asia Summit in Phnom-Penh, Cambodia, said: “We welcome the launch of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the plenary session of the 7 th East Asia Summit in Phnom-Penh on Partnership negotiations today.” November 20. Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textiles is also seen. (Photo: AFP) He said India also supports the Phnom-Penh Declaration on East Asia and rule-based architecture in the momentum and the first two schools Summit Development Initiative. region for our collective stability and were expected to begin teaching in the He added that while the EAS was prosperity”. academic year 2014-15. “still new, we have built an impressive He said that “connectivity is vital for He praised the ASEAN members for agenda for economic cooperation and increased commerce, contact and their progress in creating an integrated for addressing some of our common cooperation between our countries”, ASEAN community and also their challenges”. and called for quick implementation of leadership in launching wider regional Prime Minister Singh said the coun - the EAS Declaration on ASEAN con - initiatives like the ASEAN Regional tries — the 10-member ASEAN bloc nectivity, adopted at the last summit. Forum, the EAS and the ASEAN and six other countries, including India The Prime Minister said India had Defense Ministers Meeting. — should also try and bring to bear the been happy to carry forward several “For India, ASEAN has been the same spirit of cooperation “in address - EAS-related initiatives, including on bridge to the East. It is also central to ing our differences”. malaria control and earthquake risk the evolution of a regional architecture The Prime Minister, who has been management. and its different cooperative frame - pursuing India’s Look East policy, He also said that the Nalanda work.” He stressed that India’s securi - said: “I have no doubt that together we University project with support from ty and prosperity were “vitally linked to can create an open, balanced, inclusive member countries had been gaining the Asia Pacific region”. US attaches special significance to India ties 8 .S. President Barack Obama said he “India is a big part of our plans,” President attached “special significance” to rela - Obama said. Utions with India during his brief “very Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, who was friendly and frank” talks with Prime Minister present at the meeting along with National Dr. Manmohan Singh at Phnom-Penh, Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon told Cambodia, on November 20. reporters that “President Obama has great During their meeting on the sidelines of the admiration and respect for the Prime Minister. East Asia summit in the Cambodian capital, President Obama's visit to Cambodia marks Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with President Prime Minister Singh congratulated president Barack Obama on the sidelines of the 7 th East Asia the growing importance the U.S. attaches to Obama on his re-election. Summit in Phnom-Penh on November 20. engaging with countries in the Asia Pacific.

December 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS India invites investments from Kentucky During her three-day visit to Kentucky, Ambassador Nirupama Rao stressed on building closer economic and educational relations between India and the U.S. state

ndian Ambassador Nirupama 1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao meeting with 1 Kentucky’s Governor Steve Beshear in Rao has invited investments Frankfort, Kentucky, on November 19. from Kentucky in India’s infra - 2. Ambassador Rao interacting with recipients structure and educational sector of the Kalam Endowment Research Grant at 9 I the Gatton College of Business and stressing the mutually beneficial nature Economics at the University of Kentucky, of their economic engagement. Lexington, on November 19. Standing on Ambassador Rao traveled to her right is Dean David Blackwell. 3. Ambassador Rao addressing the faculty and Kentucky, also known as the bluegrass students of the Gatton College of Business state, from November 18-20 to pro - and Economics at the University of Kentucky mote exchanges between India and on November 19. 4. Ambassador Rao with the senior faculty and this important state at the intersection management team of the Bluegrass of the U.S. midwest and south, well Community College, Lexington, Kentucky, known for its industries, natural on November 20. resources and educational centers. 2 Meeting with the Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear at the state capital Frankfort, she laid stress on building closer economic relations between Kentucky and India. Governor Beshear fondly recalled his three visits to India since taking office in 2007, most recently in September 2012, and described them as “extraordinary experiences both economically and culturally”. The governor highlighted two recent landmark business deals by Indian companies in Kentucky — one, a $7 3 4 billion 25-year contract between India’s Abhijeet Group and Kentucky’s FJS Energy LLC for import of coal, an important natural resource of Kentucky; and the other, a $180 mil - lion investment by an Indian packag - ing company, Flex Films in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. At the Gatton College of Business the APJ Kalam India Studies Research was also present. Ambassador Rao also and Economics at the University of Programme named after the 11 th visited the Kentucky Educational TV, Kentucky at Lexington, Ambassador President of India. one of the pioneers of distance educa - Rao was welcomed by its Dean, David During the visit to the Bluegrass tion in the United States, and dis - Blackwell who hosted a round-table Community College in Lexington, the cussed possible collaboration with for her with the Kalam Endowment Ambassador interacted with the senior Indian TV channels dedicated to dis - research grant recipients, and some faculty and management team of the tance education. select faculty members from the institution and inquired about the var - Noting India’s growing need for University’s Martin School of Public ious aspects of its functioning. higher education and vocational skills Policy and the Patterson School of President of the University of development, Ambassador Rao high - Diplomacy and International Kentucky Dr. Eli Capilouto hosted a lighted India’s interest in learning from Commerce. dinner in Ambassador Rao’s honor, the U.S. experience in setting up com - The Kalam Grant was instituted by where Mayor of Lexington Jim Gray munity colleges during the visit.

December 2012 India Review Embassy EVENTS

GOPIO launches Gadar centennial celebrations at Embassy of India

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December 2012 India Review Embassy EVENTS

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speaking on the occasion. 15 5. Inder Singh, Vice President, GOPIO Virginia, speaking on ‘Role of Gadar Movement for India’s Independence’. 6. Prof. Rajen Anand, Secretary, GOPIO Virginia, speaking on the ‘Importance of Gadar Movement’. 7. Prof. Kewal Kanda, Treasurer of GOPIO Metro DC, speaking on ‘The Gadar Memorial Hall’. 8. Ambassador Nirupama Rao releasing Global Indian Diaspora , a book by GOPIO. 9. Ambassador Bayney Karran of Guyana addressing the gathering. 10. Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to the United States Dr. Neil Parsan addressing the gathering. 11. Ambassador of Suriname to the United States Subhas Chandra Mungra addressing the gathering. 12. Ashook Ramsaran, President, GOPIO International, speaking on ‘Plans for GOPIO Gadar Commemoration Worldwide’. 1. Chief Guest Ambassador Nirupama Rao 2. Dr. Renuka Misra, GOPIO National 13. Dr. Piyush Agrawal, Senior Vice President, speaking at the launch of the Gadar centen - Coordinator, welcoming the guests and GOPIO, speaking on the ‘Plans for GOPIO nial events in the United States by Global introducing the event. Gadar Commemoration USA’. Organization of People of Indian Origin 3. Dr. Zafar Iqbal, President of GOPIO Metro 14. Walton Dawson, General Secretary, (GOPIO) at the Embassy of India on DC, addressing the gathering. GOPIO, speaking on the occasion. November 3. 4. Jay Bhandari, President of GOPIO Virginia, 15. Guests in attendance.

Dr. Salman Akhtar at the Embassy

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1- Dr. Salman Akhtar, Professor of Psychiatry November 9. Dr. Akhtar, author of over 60 the context of the richness and nuances of at Jefferson Medical College, delivering a books on psychiatry, psychoanalysis, poetry. talk on the topic ‘Between Fool-hardiness popular non-fiction and Urdu and English 2. A section of the audience interacting with and Cowardice: Some Reflections on the poetry, discussed different personality Dr. Salman Akhtar following his talk. Nature of Courage’ at the Embassy on attributes and human emotions, including in 3. Guests in attendance.

December 2012 India Review Embassy EVENTS

Embassy celebrates Diwali

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12 1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao welcoming and addressing the guests. Nistha Raj presenting ‘Raghupati Raghav’ addressing the guests. 6. Mark Brunner, National Security Adviser to and ‘Shivranjani Sri Ram’. 2. Invocation prayer by Venkatacharyulu Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), informs guests 9. From left, Shankar Tucker () and Kumanduri, the Priest at Sri Siva Vishnu of the U.S. Senate resolution on recognizing Ramdas () with Vidya and Temple, Maryland, at the Diwali celebrations the religious and historical significance of the Vandana Iyer presenting ‘Vathapi at the Embassy Residence on November 17. festival of Diwali introduced by Senator Ganapathim’ and ‘Ashai Mugam’. 3. Shri Sadananda, Founding Trustee of Chinmaya Warner and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), co- 10. Mythili Bachu, President, United Hindu and Mission Washington Center and Sri Siva Vishnu chairs of the U.S. Senate India Caucus. Jain Temples, proposing the vote of thanks. Temple, speaking on the significance of Diwali. 7. Krushanu Majumdar (harmonium) and per - 11. Guests in attendance. 4. Kumar Barve, Majority Leader, House of cussionist Ganesh Jagtap (tabla) presenting 12. Ambassador Rao (third from left) with Delegates, Maryland, addressing the guests. ghazals on the occasion. members of the community at the Diwali 5. Sam Arora, Delegate, District 19, Maryland, 8. Tabla player Krishna Ramdas and violinist celebrations.

December 2012 India Review Embassy EVENTS

Embassy hosts Clemson University alumni

s a follow up of Barker addressed the gathering on the Ambassador Rao added that she was Ambassador Nirupama occasion. highly optimistic about the potential Rao’s official visit to South In her remarks, Ambassador Rao of multifaceted collaboration A Carolina in February 2012, recalled her trip to South Carolina between India and the state of South the Embassy hosted a reception for earlier this year, summarizing her Carolina. the Baltimore and D.C.-based alumni excellent impressions of that visit. Dr. Barker thanked the Embassy of Clemson University, South Speaking of her warm interaction for hosting the university alumni, and Carolina on November 27. with Clemson University alumnus spoke at length about the contribu - 13 Ambassador Rao along with the and the first female governor of the tions of Indians and Indian-American President of the university Dr. James state, Governor Nikki Haley, students to Clemson University.

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1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao with Dr. James 2. Ambassador Nirupama Rao welcoming and university to Ambassador Rao. Barker, President of Clemson University and addressing the gathering. 5. Guests in attendance. his spouse Marcia Barker at an event for 3. Dr. Barker speaking at the event. 6. Ambassador Rao interacting with members Baltimore and D.C. based alumni of Clemson 4. Dr. Barker presenting his book of of Clemson University alumni. University at the Embassy on November 27. hand-drawn architectural sketches of the

Consulate EvEntS Consul General’s engagements

Consul General of India in Houston Consul General P. Harish attend - P. Harish attended the signing ceremony of ed IACCGH Thought Leadership an MOU between the Houston Community Series Lecture organized by College (HCC) system and Foundation for Indo-American Chamber of India Studies (FIS) on November 14. (From Commerce of Greater Houston left, standing) Parul Fernandes, Director of (IACCGH) on November 27. International Studies, University of Houston Keynote Speaker was Annise and Vice-Chair, FIS; Bashist Sharma, General Parker, Mayor, City of Houston. Counsel, FIS; Neeta Sane, Member HCC (From left) Deepa Thakur, Board of Trustees and Consul General P. Nandita Parvathaneni, Mayor Harish; (from left, sitting) FIS Chairman Annise Parker, Consul General P. Krishna Vavilala and HCC President Dr. Harish and IACCGH President Zachary Hodges. Ajit Thakur.

December 2012 India Review Economy NEWS ‘Reform measures will help boost growth’ he recent reform measures like liberalization of overseas investment norms in retail and Taviation sectors and reduction in petroleum subsidies will help cut fis - cal deficit and boost economic growth, President Pranab Mukherjee said on November 14. Inaugurating the 32nd edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF) in New Delhi, President Mukherjee said the government had unveiled several policy measures designed to put the President Pranab Mukherjee at the inauguration of the 32 nd India International Trade Fair in New Delhi on economy back on a high growth trajec - November 14. tory. “Important among these have been restoring the economy’s growth trade to the country’s GDP increased the decisions to allow foreign direct momentum.” to 45 percent in 2011-12 from less investment in multi-brand retail and He said India had diversified its eco - than 20 percent in 2000. India’s export the civil aviation sector and seek leg - nomic engagements with a view to has increased five times in the last one islative approval for increasing the FDI lower the impact of uncertainties in decade. cap in the insurance and pension sec - some parts of the world, especially in The compound annual growth rate tors,” he said. the developed countries like the U.S. of India’s exports, which was 8.2 per - “Simultaneously, measures have also and Europe. cent in the 1990s, increased to 19.5 been announced to keep government’s He pointed out that India’s foreign percent during 2000-01 to 2008-09. subsidy burden in check thereby bring - trade as a proportion of the country’s “India’s share in global exports also ing about a reduction in the fiscal GDP had more than doubled in the last increased from 0.7 percent in 2000 to deficit. These measures should help in 10 years. The proportion of foreign 1.5 percent in 2010,” he said. PM unveils direct cash transfer scheme rime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on November 26 Pannounced direct cash payout of subsidies to beneficiaries from January 1, 2013. The subsidy amount would be transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts linked to ‘Aadhaar’ cards being provided by the Unique Identification Authority. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh chairing the meeting of the National Committee on Direct Cash He asked all ministries “to work in Transfer in New Delhi on November 26. right earnest” for implementation of 14 this pioneering initiative and also country later in 2013, the Prime the government also provides an asked the departments to work in Minister said. amount of over `3000 billion in sub - close coordination to enable poor The scheme will be operationalized sidies,” he added. people to open bank accounts by leveraging the Aadhaar platform. “Direct Cash Transfers, which are smoothly. “The funds that are provisioned for now becoming possible through the Initially, the government will direct benefits like pensions, scholar - innovative use of technology and the implement the scheme for cash trans - ships and health-care benefits must spread of modern banking across the fer to the beneficiaries’ accounts in reach the intended beneficiaries with - country, open the doors for eliminat - 51 districts from January 1, 2013. out delays and leakages,” the Prime ing waste, cutting down leakages and The scheme would be worked in 18 Minister said. targeting beneficiaries better,” the states from April and in the rest of the “Apart from these direct benefits, Prime Minister said.

December 2012 India Review Economy NEWS Bioenergy Road Map Vision 2020 unveiled he government on November Delivering his inaugural address, 5 unveiled a road map for the Minister said: “There is no biotechnology sector — The denying the fact that the country is fac - T Bioenergy Road Map Vision ing some serious challenges in food 2020 — for innovative technologies and nutrition, healthcare, energy and and policies for biofuels development environment. To meet these mounting in India. challenges, science and technology can Prepared by the Department of play a crucial role in developing an 15 Biotechnology (DBT), the document instrumental framework both national - was released in New Delhi by Science ly and internationally.” and Technology Minister S. Jaipal Science and Technology Minister S. “The best of modern technology Reddy at the inauguration of a two-day should be harnessed for a sustainable international summit on ‘Bioenergy: rity concerns are forcing countries to future and ensuring some tangible out - Algae Biofuel and Synthetic Biology shift to alternatives like bioethanol and come,” he added. 2012’ organized by DBT along with biodiesel that can be produced from a The goals set out in the document The Energy and Resources Institute diverse set of crops. include 20 percent blending of fossil (TERI). Given the limitations to producing fuels by 2020 and installing a cost-effi - The objective is to create a biotech - hydrocarbons both in India and the cient system for algal production and a nology enterprise equipped with viable world at large, the need for the future commercial scale technology for pro - clean technologies for achieving bioen - is to exploit energy resources in a sus - ducing biofuels from algae. Director ergy security. tainable manner — the algal route for General of TERI R.K. Pachauri said The premise of the vision document production of second generation bio - algae could play a pivotal role toward is that environmental and energy secu - fuels, which is the DBT’s focus. ensuring a better future.”

India to receive $70 billion US materials firm opens India research center remittance in 2012: World Bank omentive, the U.S.-based world emittances to India this year are Mleader in specialty chemicals and likely to increase to $70 billion, materials, has opened its global research Rthe highest in the world, the and development (R&D) center in World Bank said in a report on to create platforms and develop November 21. products for diverse applications across The sharp increase in remittances industry verticals. to India has come from the Gulf “The global R&D center here is one of its countries. kind outside the U.S., focusing on new Regions and countries with large technology platforms and products for numbers of migrants in oil exporting global and Indian customers unlike our countries continue to see robust developing countries is expected to regional research centers, which are busi - growth in inward remittance flows, touch $406 billion this year, register - ness specific,” Momentive Performance compared with those whose migrant ing an increase of 6.5 percent over the Materials Chief Technology Officer Pavaneet workers are largely concentrated in the previous year figure. Mumick said in Bangalore on November 1. advanced economies, especially Remittances to the developing coun - Leveraging India’s technical talent, the Western Europe. tries are projected to grow by 7.9 per - $4.5 million research facility will also work “South Asia, MENA (Middle East cent in 2013, 10.1 percent in 2014 with the company’s other research centers and North Africa) and East Asia and and 10.7 percent in 2015 to reach across geographies to develop technolo - Pacific regions, with large numbers of $534 billion in 2015, according to the gies for new applications from its innova - workers in the Gulf Cooperation latest World Bank report on global tive products. The $7.8 billion Momentive Council (GCC) countries, are seeing migration and remittances. Performance Materials Holdings LLC makes better-than-expected growth in remit - For South Asia, remittances in 2012 specialty products for industrial and con - tances,” the World Bank said. are expected to total $109 billion, an sumer firms in diverse segments. The total remittance flow to the increase of 12.5 percent over 2011.

December 2012 India Review Science NEWS Low cost Aakash-2 tablet launched in India resident Pranab Mukherjee unveiled the low-cost Aakash Tablet 2 in New Delhi on P November 11. Priced at `1,130, the new version of the tablet is equipped with advanced features for students of engineering colleges and universities. It will also be made available to 10,000 teachers to allow live video interaction with stu - President Pranab Mukherjee launching the Aakash Version 2.0 tablet at the National Education Day 2012 dents. in New Delhi. Minister for Human Resource Development M.M. Pallam Raju and Ministers of State for “IIT Bombay, along with the Human Resource Development and are also seen. Ministry of Human Resource Development, has created several use - ful educational applications for the ‘Aakash’ maker among Forbes’ 15 classroom revolutionaries tablet,” said a government statement. he man behind India’s low-cost Aakash the maker of Aakash, and “Teachers and students in the Ttablet and an Indian American professor Institute of Technology Professor Anant remotest corners of India can join a are listed among Forbes 15 “classroom revo - Agarwal figure among the education innova - classroom and benefit from lectures lutionaries” who are using innovative tech - tors who are “harnessing a slew of disruptive delivered by the best teachers,” it nologies to reinvent education for students technologies to change everything from the stated. and teachers globally. way we teach grade school math to how we The President also dedicated to the Suneet Singh Tuli, the CEO of Datawind, train the next generation of teachers”. nation an e-learning platform that would link thousands of teachers and University’s e-Learning platform with a click on the Aakash 2. Any students for virtual classroom A-VIEW 3.0 (Amrita Virtual institution of higher education can lessons. Interactive E-Learning World) was now use A-VIEW free of charge The latest version of Amrita launched by President Mukherjee (www.aview.in ).

Indian scientists unravel secrets Advanced typhoid shots in the offing behind hospital infections he first mouse model of typhoid fever, Tdeveloped by an Indian-American micro - iving an insight into how and biologist and his col - why hospital-borne infections leagues, could help in Gspread, scientists at the creating more potent vac - Indian Institute of Chemical Biology cines against the deadly in have said bacteria play pathogen. hide and seek with the human body’s “The two vaccines cur - defense cells by surrounding rently approved for this themselves with sugar molecules to disease (typhoid) are only 16 fool cells. modestly effective, so Pseudomonas aeruginosa Gram Stain Researchers led by scientist Chitra research aimed at improv - Mandal have unravelled the sinister shaped, airborne disease-causing bac - Sankar Ghosh ing vaccines is essential,” mechanism by which the bacteria that terium, a pathogen commonly found says senior study author Sankar Ghosh of goes by the name of Pseudomonas in patients with low immunity and in Columbia University. aeruginosa, responsible for hospital- patients who have been hospitalized. “Prior to our work, there was no small borne infections, invades the human Besides hospital-borne infections animal model for studying immune respons - body, eludes the neutrophils (immune like pneumonia, Pseudomonas aerugi - es to the bacteria that cause typhoid fever,” cells responsible for defense) and nosa is also responsible for urinary says study co-author Matthew Hayden of establishes infection. tract infections, respiratory infections Columbia. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a rod and other afflictions.

December 2012 India Review Diaspora NEWS

Indian American Ami Bera Vishakha Desai in national museum board elected to Congress n yet another Iappointment of mi Bera, a -born an Indian physician son of Indian American to a key immigrants, was elected to administration A the U.S. Congress, repeat - post, President 17 ing a 60-year-old feat by Dalip Singh Barack Obama has Saund who was the first Indian- named former Asia Vishakha N. Desai American to win a Congressional elec - Society President tion. Vishakha N. Desai as member, National Democrat Bera’s victory on Museum and Library Services Board. November 15 over sitting Republican Announcing the appointment of Bombay Dan Lungren nine days after the elec - University graduate Desai with nine others, tion makes him just the third Indian- President Obama said: “I am pleased to American elected to the House of announce that these experienced and com - Representatives, after Saund in 1952 Congressman-elect Ami Bera (D-CA) mitted individuals have agreed to join this and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Administration, and I look forward to work - who won a House seat in 2004. our appreciation for his long record of ing with them in the months and years Bera, 45, defeated Lungren 51.1 public service.” ahead.” percent to 48.9 percent in his second Bera, who was raised in La Palma, Desai is President Emeritus of Asia attempt . California, has a bachelor’s degree in Society, an organization she led as The race was to fill California’s 7 th biological sciences from the University President and CEO from 2004 to 2012. District Congressional seat represent - of California at Irvine, earning his MD From 1977 to 1990, Desai worked at ing the suburbs of Sacramento. there in 1991. He served as Associate the Museum of Fine Arts, , in a “It will be an honor to serve Dean for Admissions at the UC Davis variety of roles, ultimately serving as Sacramento County in Congress,” said School of Medicine and later as the Assistant Curator of Indian, Southeast Bera after his victory. Chief Medical Officer for the County Asia, and Islamic collections from 1981 to “Now is the time to find common of Sacramento. 1990, and, simultaneously serving as the ground and move forward to rebuild Bera had cited health care, educa - Head of Academic Programs from 1981 to an economy that works for the middle tion and economic recovery among 1988. — IANS class. Congressman Lungren deserves his top legislative priorities. — IANS Top cancer center felicitates Madhavan Pillai he Kimmel Cancer Center at the Thomas Jefferson University in TPhiladelphia has received an educational and research endowment for gastric cancer as a tribute to the services of senior oncologist Dr Madhavan V Pillai, clinical profes - sor at the university hospital. The endowment established by the Jeffrey Kemmerer Foundation led by the family and friends of Jeffrey and Jennifer Ray will support postgraduate Dr. M V Pillai (center) at a ceremony establishing the endowment at the Kimmel Cancer Center. education and research in gastric can - cer. At a ceremony held at the cancer passion of care in cancer treatment neuroendocrine tumors of the center, members of the foundation provided under Pillai’s leadership. pancreas and was voted as one of the expressed their appreciation of the Pillai, a writer in and an best clinical teachers by the interns and commitment to excellence and com - orator, is the principal investigator of residents of the hospital.

December 2012 India Review Trends IN SOCIETY Wearing art: neW metaphors for indian fashion Contemporary art has given Indian designers new metaphors for interpretation and translate art into wearable fashion

emple art was the trademark of traditional Indian clothes and accessories for centuries, setting them apart from western apparel with a T distinct color, motif and design scheme. But the arrival of contemporary art has given Indian designers new metaphors for interpretations. Art and have spilled into each other in strange yet harmonious ways. Indian modern art has been unfurling its creativity on the traditional six-yard drape since the beginning of the 20 th century in Bengal. At the Kala Bhavan in Santiniketan, artists paint landscapes and people of the Bengal country - side directly on to cotton drapes and traditional men’s shirt () with natural, fabric and acrylic colors. Two decades ago, a group of artists, including Manjit Bawa, M.F. Husain and J. Swaminathan scripted new fusion when they painted contempo - rary prints on apparel in an one-off exposition in Mumbai. Several sporadic attempts followed till a group of five artists put their heads together for a year to create the ‘Ehsaas Project’, an art-to-fashion transpose that has pro - duced a collection of 20 , 12 bags, 25 ties and 25 stoles with digital fine art prints. A hand-painted range of acces - sories complements the clothes. The collection is a selection of abstract and figurative paintings by artists Alka Raghuvanshi, Niren Sen Gupta, Sanjoy Bhattacharya, Sridhar Iyer and Manisha Gawade that have been digitally printed on tussar silk from Bhagalpur in 18 and crepe textiles by a South Delhi ethnic and traditional clothier, Ekaya. The range, curated by Alka Raghuvanshi, would be displayed in a ramp walk by cultural personalities like dancers , Shobhana Narayaran, Sharon Lowen, Prathibha Prahlad and televi - sion presenter Suneet Tandon to display the wearability and classic A model displaying a ‘Pop Art’ nature of the collection, the curator said. by Satya Paul. The leading “This is my second attempt to translate art into wearable fashion,” designer combines contem - porary and spiritual art with Raghuvanshi said. fashion in his ‘Pop Art’ and Raghuvanshi had earlier tried to transpose one of her solo shows into ‘Art of the Tarot’ series of a collection with the help of designer Nidhi Jain. clothes and sari drapes.

December 2012 India Review Trends IN SOCIETY

The color codes in Raghuvanshi’s printed with images of his European work are striking. The saris are in Art connoisseur Maneka paintings” that she purchased in . vibrant shades of yellow, red, green Says artist Manisha Gawade: and white with dark abstract and fig - Gandhi, who has been “My works are in three series — urative silhouettes. A canvas of nudes trying to “move art out of Mindscapes, Constant Presence painted with Salvador Dali’s expres - the conventional confines and Threads of life.” She paints sionistic motifs by artist Sanjoy abstract geometrical patterns in a basic Bhattacharya on a black silk sari to make it more color palette of black and white that draws the viewer with its stunning utilitarian, interactive, prints in bold 3-D images that assimi - detail of human anatomy. fashionable and engag - late from the traditional middle-eastern “Fashion has always been part of attires of abaya , kandura and hijab. 19 art. But look at the couture we have ing” created, “Fly Your Art connoisseur and animal rights now — that’s hardly the kind of thing Carpet to the Walls”, a activist , who has people can connect to. What we been trying to “move art out of the know as fashion is not very arty, but collection of carpets with conventional confines to make it very crafty. People like you and I can imprints of paintings by more utilitarian, interactive, fashion - hardly wear the clothes designers 25 artists, including S.H. able and engaging” created, “Fly make for models on the ramp... We Your Carpet to the Walls” — a col - should have a multi-disciplinary Raza and M.F. Husain lection of carpets with imprints of approach to art. It can be perceived in paintings by 25 artists, including isolation,” Raghuvanshi said. S.H. Raza and M.F. Husain in 2010. (Left) A ‘Pop Art’ sari by Satya Paul; (Right) Swapna Her earliest collections of expensive Sundari in an ‘art sari’ from Ehsaas Project curated It is an ongoing project that combines art, she said, were “S.H. Raza scarves by artist Alka Raghuvanshi. art with lifestyle accessories and fash - ion to support ethical treatment of animals. “I love to wear my own art,” says artist Anjolie Ela Menon, who often designs necklaces with pendants etched with motifs of her figurative drawings. For Menon, it is “another expression of creative inspi - ration that puts itself into a more aesthetic use”. Designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, who manages an art foundation, says he draws his inspiration from the colorscapes of French impressionists like Monet and Henry Matisse in his clothes while leading sari maker Satya Paul has been combining contemporary and spiritual art with fashion in its ‘Pop Art’ and ‘Art of the Tarot’ series of clothes and sari drapes. Revivalist designer Madhu Jain is celebrating her 25 th year in the fash - ion industry with a new edition of her textile ‘Projeckt M’. It features Raja Ravi Verma’s paintings and the art of kalamkari weaving from . The project is a collabora - tion with actor-turned-textile activist Milind Soman. Art for arts’ sake is passe. It’s time now to vote in favor of a more practi - cal and human art .

December 2012 India Review Short STORY

The pink umbrella By Smit Zaveri

A final year graduate student of communications in Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, Smit takes interest in traveling and photography, besides writing. Books are her biggest inspiration

adha twirled her little had picked for her mother to put on golden earrings that she had laid her umbrella over her head, as them. The mirrors made patterns on eyes on last time. Didi had promised she made her way to the the ground reflecting the light from her that she would come back this Rmela. Dressed in her the sun, making them sway from side time with her earrings. favorite yellow salwar kameez, she to side. She was Radha, the girl with Radha looked around for Didi’s had plaited her hair with tiny yellow the beautiful pink umbrella. Her stall as she walked toward the center clips. Long dangling earrings with its mother made the best ones, and she of the Sawant Maidan which was matching pendent which her aunt had was going to the mela to help her where the mela was held once every 20 bought for her from the big city near - mother sell them to the tourists. six months. There was close to a hun - by sparkled under the sun. Her slip - The mela was bigger than the last dred stalls there but Didi’s stall was pers unearthed the mud below, mak - time with a lot more people and stalls. the most elegant of them all. It was ing the sand dance below her feet. She passed the food stalls which sold decorated with different bells as Didi She hopped from one foot to the everything from bhaakri and missal to stood in the middle, sliding bangles other as she made her way past Hari ice candy and lime soda. She looked on Daksha aunty’s fat wrists. uncle’s farm where her father was at the boys play at the games stall with Standing on her tip-toes, Radha busy ploughing the field. Her umbrel - the bat and the ball. Stupid boys, she looked for her earrings, the perfect la hopped with her. Made from a thought, spending all their money on circles of gold with the pink stone at pretty pink cloth, it had tiny green playing games. Unlike them, she had the bottom. They weren’t among the buttas on it with the mirrors that she saved up all her money to buy the other earrings or the bangles or the

December 2012 India Review Short STORY

21

rings. She couldn’t see them any - things that had already been bound in a By the time she reached Didi’s stall, where. Didi suddenly came up from plastic cover. As she walked toward the she was completely drenched. Her behind her with the earrings in her scooter to load them, the first drop of green salwar was muddy, her feet hands. Radha screamed with delight rain fell on her face. She started run - stained and her purse dripping wet. as she started clapping her hands ning back and forth trying to help out People were heading back home now, with joy, the bangles on her tiny and gather as much as she could. pushing their way through the place. hands singing with her. Quickly tak - As she picked up the bundle that She waited for the rush to clear out as ing out all the money she had saved, contained the pink umbrellas she she searched for her umbrella. 5 rupees and 50 paisa, from her little realized that she had left her own And then she saw it, lying on the purse she took the earrings from umbrella at Didi’s stall when she ground. Didi, thrust them into her bag as she bought her earrings. Dropping every - The rain had washed all the colors ran to show her mother the treasure. thing where she stood, she ran back away, the mirrors cracked under the It was becoming darker as she made to Didi’s stall as the rain got heavier, feet of the people rushing through. her way to the other side of the mela, slowing her down. Why did it have to She picked up her tiny umbrella, running as fast her tiny feet could take rain today? white in color with spots of pink and her. Her mom was talking to some stains of mud all over. Her favorite tourists about the umbrellas as Radha umbrella that everyone envied looked ran toward her pushing aside her By the time she reached nothing like it had before. It was los - brother. Mohan was busy packing all Didi’s stall, she was ing color every minute in the rain. the items up. Her mom and Mohan completely drenched. She dropped it on the ground as were leaving because it was about to she started walking toward the gate. rain and they didn’t want the umbrellas Her green salwar was The streets were now empty; every - to get wet. The umbrellas that they muddy, her feet stained one was warm at home, sheltered, made from cloth were meant to keep and her purse dripping unlike her. Her hands held nothing; the sun away from every one’s eyes but her feet had lost its bounce and mud were useless during the rains. In a wet. People were heading stuck to the bottom of her slippers as town like theirs it rained very little, back home now. She she walked. probably once or twice a year, never waited for the rush to When she walked into town from more than that. What a bad time for that day onwards she was Radha, the the mela to come to town! clear out as she searched second daughter of Gopal, the girl Radha forgot all about her pretty for her umbrella who used to own a beautiful pink earring and started picking up the umbrella.

December 2012 India Review Cinema NEWS

(Left) Cinestar inaugurating the 43 rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2012), in Panaji, Goa, on November 20. The Governor of Goa, Bharat Vir Wanchoo, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Information & Broadcasting, and Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar are also seen. (Right) Girish Kasarvalli during a press conference at IFFI-2012 in Panaji, Goa, on November 26. Filmmaking is like breathing: Girish Kasarvalli annada film maker and the this division was not demarcated by He also advocated promotion of director of the film film makers and they always wanted to language films. Kurmavatara , Girish make ‘good films’. Regarding his film Kurmavatara , K Kasarvalli has said that Asked whether his films had Girish Kasaravalli said, he has deliber - there is a thin line between serious and changed over the years, Kasarvalli ately kept the pace of the movie slow to mainstream cinema and that the divi - said, “Film making is like breathing. have a feel of the subject. sion of parallel and commercial cinema We ’t notice the changing pattern The 43 rd International Film has been created by the media. in our breathing while doing different Festival of India (IFFI-2012) was Addressing a press conference at the activities in our life; similarly it is not declared open in Panaji, Goa on Special Tribute section at 43 rd for the film maker to notice the November 20 with a promise to International Film Festival of India in change, if any. It is for the posterity make India an international destina - Panaji, Goa, on November 26, he said to decide on it.” tion of good cinema.

‘Storytelling more ‘Aamir is a game changer’ important than actors’ ilmmaker says year-old said: “I think his endeavor he quality of storytelling is more impor - actor-producer is a starting from 2001 in Lagaan going to Ttant for the success of films than the F game changer in Indian cinema, the urban Dil Chahta Hai to the path - lead actors, says superstar Shah given his bouquet of unique, yet main - breaking Rang De Basanti to his own Rukh Khan. stream films. directorial Taare Zameen Par , to every “Storytelling is more important than one “I think Aamir Khan is a game film he has made post that, he has lady or two changer. Many of his always broken ground and done some - ladies or two decisions have made thing different and yet catered to heroes or two him pioneer of the the mainstream.” 22 actors. Each movement of great and “I think Aamir Khan is what film has its yet mainstream cinema,” you call the quintessential game own specialty,” Karan said in Mumbai changer of the film fraternity in said Shah Rukh on November 23 at the India,” he added. at a promotion - Shah Rukh Khan in a still screening of Strangers In Aamir’s latest film is thriller al meet in from The Night , a short film by his Talaash , which released on Kolkata on November 10 for his film Jab in col - November 30. It also fea - Tak Hai Jaan (JTHJ). laboration with Chivas. tures JTHJ is late director ’s last Elucidating his point, the 40- and . His directorial venture. last film was Dhobi Aamir Khan in a still from Talaash . Ghat in 2011.

December 2012 India Review Travel & TOURISM A ‘mini-Goa’, right next to Mumbai , a 450-sq km sub-district, barely 40 km from Mumbai, is fast becoming ’s affordable alternative to Goa

ndia’s first Christian saint, Gonsalo Garcia, was born in a tiny village here, while St. 23 I Francis Xavier lived in Vasai, a sub-district of , briefly. Before them, Marco Polo passed through and, prior to that, Lord Gautama Buddha, Emperor Ashoka, the 5 th Adi Shankaracharya and Lord Parshurama are believed to have visited or lived here. Vasai, a 450-sq km sub-district of Thane, barely 40 km to the northwest of Mumbai, includes the port of Sopara — now a suburb known as — which found mention unknown charms and historical treas - Nala Sopara has a 5,000-year old in the Indian Vedas and in ancient ures of Vasai, which is like a ‘mini- history of trade and commerce with Greek writing. Goa’ right next to Mumbai,” Kiran northern Africa, the Gulf, Sri Lanka With lush green hills to the east and Bhoir, Director, KMC Holidays & and southern Europe. the Arabian Sea to the west, the place Offshore Pvt Ltd., said. Many years after Lord Buddha, abounds in ancient churches, With a cosmopolitan population of Emperor Ashoka came here, the great mosques, temples, a replica of the 1.25 million, Vasai boasts of nearly half traveller Marco Polo passed through Sanchi stupa, ashrams, rivers, lakes, a dozen three-star hotels, over 100 the region in 1295 AD and St. ponds, hot water springs and tiny vil - smaller hotels, excellent connectivity Francis Xavier in 1548, when a part lages, which rub shoulders with some and communication, along with swank of the Vasai population converted to of the most modern townships as modern apartments, bungalow com - Christianity — a dominant religion space-starved Mumbaikars move plexes and sprawling farm houses dot - even today. north. ting the sea-side, rivers, creeks, lakes Over the centuries, the prosperous “Keeping in mind the changing and hills. Vasai changed hands through various times and demands, we offer inten - The famous Jivdani Temple atop a Indian dynasties till the Portuguese sive one-to-six-day tour packages steep hill near Virar has already warrior Nanho da Cunha captured it aimed at Indian and foreign tourists. become a major pilgrim center and from Bahadur Shah, a ruler of We are bringing out the hitherto the government has constructed a Gujarat, in 1534; Portuguese rule cable car to afford quick access there, continued for the next 204 years. besides improving the half a dozen It was during Portuguese rule that MuSt ViSit beaches dotting the western side. several forts, including the Vasai Fort HERITAGE PLACES: Vasai Fort, Arnala Citing historical records, Bhoir said and Arnala Fort, at least 16 churches Fort, Holy Cross Church, St. James Church, that Lord Buddha visited and inaugu - and other buildings came up in quick Vajreshwari Temple Chandika Temple, rated the stupa at Nala Sopara and succession. Tungareshwar Temple, Parshwanath later sent his disciple Purna to preach Temple, Samadhi of Parashuram Buddhism here. WATER GATEWAYS: Gorai Beach, Vasai- Arnala Beach, Rangaon Beach, Rajodi Beach, Kalam Beach, Suruchi Beach, Bhuigaon Beach (Top) A view of the Vasai creek PICNIC SPOTS: Chinchoti Waterfalls, from the fort’s watch tower. Tungareshwar Waterfalls (Left) The Vasai beach is a major attraction in this sub-district.

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n Festival of lights

A view of the illuminated Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar, some 30 kms from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on the occasion of Diwali on November 13. (Photo: AFP)

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