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

January 1, 2013

I India RevieI w Vol. 9 Issue 1 www.indianembassy.org

Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar, who took Indian classical music to the world, passed away on December 11. And the sitar gently weeps...

n India, ASEAN n Call for ‘Second n Focus on energy upgrade ties Green Revolution’ exporting nations Cover STORY

Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar and daughter Anoushka Shankar during a performance at The Dover Lane Music Conference in Kolkata on February 7, 2009. (Photo: AFP) And the sitar gently weeps ... ‘Godfather of world music’ Pandit Ravi Shankar, who took Indian classical music to the world, leaves behind an unparalleled legacy of commitment to his art

e was a classical musician complications from a heart surgery, students who trained at the Ravi in the purest sense and leaves behind his wife Sukanya and Shankar Foundation in the U.S. and was also dubbed the ‘god - daughters Anoushka, the heir to his in the national capital, where he had H father of world music’ by legacy, and singer Norah Jones. built a gurukul-like school. Shankar 2 Beatles friend George Harrison. Ravi “God has blessed me with Lakshmi spent his early years touring Europe Shankar, who took Indian classical and Saraswati,” he would often say of and India with Uday Shankar. But he music to the world in the 1950s and his daughters. took to instrumental music in 1934 effortlessly bound two worlds with the The dancer-turned-instrumentalist and studied for 10 years under his stirring notes of his sitar, leaves behind was born Robindro Shaunkar mentor. Before embarking on a for - an unparalleled legacy of commitment Chowdhury on April 7, 1920 in mal musical career, Shankar worked to his art. Varanasi. He gave up dancing in his as a composer setting the score for India's most effective cultural illustrious brother Uday Shankar’s Satyajit Ray’s Apu Trilogy. ambassador, who died on December troupe in 1938 to study music under Later, with George Fenton, he 11 at the age of 92 in a hospital near Allaudin Khan — bequeathing his art shared the Oscar for the music of the his south California home following to daughter Anoushka and legions of epic Gandhi that released in 1982. In

January 2013 India Review Cover STORY

Ravi Shankar was a national treasure: PM andit Ravi Shankar was a global “I pray that Pandit Ravi Shankar’s soul ambassador of India’s cultural heritage finds eternal peace and that (his) family Pand a national treasure, Prime Minister members be granted the strength and forti - Dr. Manmohan Singh said in New Delhi on tude to bear this loss,” he added. December 12 while condoling the death of In his condolence message, the External the sitar maestro in a San Diego hospital. Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid described “An era has passed away with Pandit Ravi Pandit Ravi Shankar as one of the foremost 3 Shankar. The nation joins me to pay tributes to exponents of India’s classical music tradition this unsurpassable genius, his art and his and praised his capacity to bridge cultures humility, a national treasure and global ambas - and make India’s ancient tradition accessible sador of India’s cultural heritage,” the Prime to the world. Minister’s Office (PMO) said in its message. Ambassador Nirupama Rao visited “India has lost an eminent son, the world of Encinitas, California to convey her deep condo - sitar has lost one of its ablest exponents ever lences to Sukanya Shankar and Pandit Ravi and a shining light in the firmament of music Shankar’s two daughters Norah Jones and has been extinguished,” added the message. Anoushka Shankar on December 15. “The nation was fortunate not only to be Consul General of India in San Francisco able to enjoy his music, but also to have him N. Parthasarthi attended the memorial service as one of its most effective cultural convened in Encinitas and presented flowers ambassadors across the world. His human - contacts that served the world of music and on behalf of the people and the Government of ism, combined with his musical genius, benefited humanity at large,” the Prime India as a mark of tribute to the life and lega - helped him in building cross-civilizational Minister said in his message. cy of Pandit Ravi Shankar on December 20.

the same year, he composed the Orchestra under Andre Previn. ‘Swagatam’ welcome song for the As music director of All India Radio A man of numerous ninth Asian Games. (1949-56), Shankar composed the awards, recognitions The mid-1950s were the key to classical version of ‘Saare Jahan Shankar’s contribution to making Accha’ that was sung by Lata Some achievements of the iconic musician: Indian classical music a world genre. Mangeshkar. He was awarded India’s In 1956, Ravi Shankar crossed the highest civil honor Bharat Ratna in l He received the Padma Bhushan in 1967, Padma Vibhushan in 1981 and seas with his music to Europe and 1999 and won three Grammy Awards. Bharat Ratna in 1999. US. Throughout the sixties and for Shankar was nominated for anoth - l He is also a three-time Grammy award the better part of the seventies, he er Grammy for 2013, the news of winner. He bagged a nomination again taught abroad and collaborated with which reached him just a day before for the 2013 Grammy Awards for his legends like Yehudi Menuhin and his surgery. album ‘The Living Room Sessions Part-1’. Beatles star George Harrison, who Performer till the very end, he was l He was named a Lifetime Achievement drew from Shankar’s ragas for his last seen on stage on November 4, Grammy Award recipient, a day after repertoire, most famously in 2012 in Long Beach when he played his death at 92 in a U.S. hospital. l He shared an Oscar with George ‘Norwegian Wood’. with Anoushka. Fenton for the original musical score Harrison produced and participat - He was also nominated to the for the 1982 movie Gandhi . ed in two record albums, ‘Shankar Rajya Sabha between 1986 and l He received the Music Council UNESCO Family & Friends’ and ‘Festival of 1992. award in the year 1975. India’; both composed by Shankar. “How does one put the spiritual sig - l He received the Kalidas Samman from Shankar also played in the epic nificance of music on paper? Music the government of Madhya Pradesh for concert Woodstock, performing after transcends all barriers and is one of the 1987-88 and the Ramon Magsaysay Joan Baez. The maestro was perhaps most beautiful communicative skills Award in 1992. l In 2001, Shankar was made Honorary the first musician to write a concerti one can have. Music makes us all expe - Knight Commander of the Order of the for sitar and orchestra — ‘Concerto rience different emotions or the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for for Sitar and Orchestra’ which was navarasa as well call it,” the maestro his “services to music”. performed by the London Symphony would often say about his music.

January 2013 India Review India-ASEAN SUMMIT

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in a group photograph with the Heads of State/Government, at the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit, 2012, in New Delhi on December 20. (Photo: AFP) India, ASEAN upgrade ties to strategic plane Leaders of India and ASEAN countries agreed to work toward intensification of trade and investments, closer security cooperation and enhanced physical and cultural connectivity at the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in New Delhi

nveiling the vision of a strategic partnership,” said the vision “Our shared values, convergent resurgent and integrated document which was unanimously world views and similarities in Asia, India and the adopted by the leaders of India and approaches to the region should help U 10-nation ASEAN on ASEAN countries at the end of the ple - us make the India-ASEAN relationship December 20 declared the conclusion nary session of the India-ASEAN more comprehensive and elevate it to a of negotiations on a Free Trade Commemorative Summit. Strategic Partnership for the next Agreement (FTA) in services and The leaders agreed to work toward decade and beyond.” investments and upgraded their ties to “the full, effective and timely imple - The focus was clearly on scaling up a strategic partnership that includes mentation of the ASEAN-India dia - economic ties to new heights, with the 4 closer cooperation in political, eco - logue relations across the whole spec - leaders airing their collective confi - nomic and security areas. trum of political and security, eco - dence to achieve $100 billion bilateral Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan nomic, social and development coop - trade by 2015. Currently, trade Singh held wide-ranging talks with eration.” Placing the strategic part - between India and ASEAN is around leaders of 10 Association of Southeast nership in context, Prime Minister $80 billion. Asian Nations (ASEAN) that included Singh said: “This is a time of great The showpiece of the summit was intensification of trade and invest - flux and transition, with several the formal declaration of the successful ments, closer security cooperation and unsettled questions and unresolved conclusion of negotiations on a Free enhanced physical and cultural con - issues in our region. Our responsibil - Trade Agreement in services and nectivity. “We declare that the ASEAN- ity to work for peace has increased investments. India partnership stands elevated to a and become more urgent.” Addressing the plenary of the

January 2013 India Review India-ASEAN SUMMIT Car rally symbol of ASEAN-India partnership: Prime Minister

fter travelling nearly 8,000 km through nine countries, the ASEAN-India car Arally was flagged in by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in the Indian capital on 5 December 21, marking a “new journey of clos - er cooperation and a deeper strategic partner - ship” through increased connectivity. Prime Minister Singh along with his wife Gursharan Kaur flagged in the rally at Vigyan Bhavan. The ceremony was attended by lead - ers of the 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with the Heads of Government and Heads of State of ASEAN Asian Nations) nations who were in New Delhi Countries, their spouses, and other dignitaries at the Ceremonial Flag Down of the India-ASEAN for the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit, car rally, in New Delhi on December 21. marking 20 years of their partnership. Addressing the event, the Prime Minister vision of an ASEAN-India community where India-ASEAN relationship in the northeastern said he had no doubt that a new era awaits people, goods, services and ideas can travel states”. both India and ASEAN. The car rally had freely between us”. He said their “physical Remarking that India-ASEAN relations “are entered India on December 17 at Guwahati, bonds will be strengthened by digital links, at an exciting stage”, the Prime Minister Assam. The event comes a day after India which will help our younger generations to expressed confidence that the FTA on servic - and ASEAN elevated their ties to a strategic network better” and “unleash the vast es and investments would be as “transforma - partnership and finalized a pact for free trade economic potential of our region, accelerate tional” as the FTA on goods. area in services and investments. development and deepen our strategic India became a sectoral dialogue partner The Prime Minister said the car rally high - partnership”. of the grouping in 1992 and was elevated to lighted the connectivity between India and The increased connectivity would especial - full dialogue partner in 1995 in recognition of ASEAN which were “joined together on land ly benefit the northeastern states, he said the country’s rising stature and economic and by water, with shared borders and shared adding that he would “encourage the potential. The two sides have been holding cultures”. He said the rally “symbolizes the establishment of institutions linked to the annual summits since 2002.

Commemorative Summit , Prime purposefully for the evolution of an agreed to “strengthen cooperation to Minister Singh said the FTA “repre - open, balanced, inclusive and transpar - ensure maritime security and freedom sents a valuable milestone in our rela - ent regional architecture,” he said. of navigation, and safety of sea lanes of tionship. I am confident it will boost The leaders also decided to give a communication for unfettered move - our economic ties in much the same strategic cast to their burgeoning trade ment of trade in accordance with inter - way the FTA in Goods has done”. and investment by agreeing on closer national law.” The vision document stressed on consultations in crafting regional eco - “fostering greater security cooperation nomic architecture and organizing Excerpts from the Opening and information sharing in the form of multi-sectoral economic dialogues. Statement by Prime Minister at regular and high-level dialogues to The two sides also decided to scale up Plenary Session of India-ASEAN address traditional and non-traditional private sector investment and public- Commemorative Summit: security challenges, including transna - private partnership linkages. The vision “India and South-east Asia have cen - tional crimes and terrorism.” document focused on spurring con - turies-old links. People, ideas, trade, “We should intensify our political nectivity in the region through closer art and religions have long criss- and security consultations, including in rail, road and air links. The two sides crossed this region. A timeless thread regional forums such as the East Asia pledged to complete the India- of civilization runs through all our Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway countries. While each one of us has a and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ by 2016 and its extension to Lao and unique and rich heritage, there are Meeting Plus,” said the Prime Minster. Cambodia. abiding linkages of culture and “We should work together more India and the ASEAN leaders also custom, of art and religion and of

January 2013 India Review India-ASEAN SUMMIT

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing at the Plenary Session of the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit, 2012, in New Delhi on December 20.

civilization, all of which create a ten times in the ten years since we technology, Indian and ASEAN com - sense of unity in the diversity and launched the annual summits. panies are forging new partnerships pluralism in our region. In addition, Following the implementation of our of trade and investment. given that together we constitute a FTA in Goods, trade grew by 41 per - It gives me great pleasure, therefore, community of 1.8 billion people, rep - cent in Indian fiscal year of 2011-12. to see that our Commemorative resenting one-fourth of humanity, Two-way flows in investments have Summit today coincides with the con - with a combined GDP of $3.8 tril - also grown rapidly to reach $43 bil - clusion of negotiations for the FTA in lion, it is only natural that India lion over the past decade. As ASEAN Services and Investments. This repre - should attach the highest priority to investments into India have multi - sents a valuable milestone in our rela - its relationship with ASEAN. plied, ASEAN countries too have tionship. I am confident it will boost We see our partnership with ASEAN emerged as major destinations for our economic ties in much the same not merely as a reaffirmation of ties Indian companies. From energy way the FTA in Goods has done. with neighboring countries or as an resources to farm products, from The India-ASEAN engagement instrument of economic development, materials to machinery, and began with a strong economic but also as an integral part of our from electronics to information emphasis, but it has also become vision of a stable, secure and prosper - increasingly strategic in its content. ous Asia and its surrounding Indian Our political dialogue has grown, our Ocean and Pacific regions. The focus was clearly on consultations in regional forums have The breadth and intensity of India’s intensified, and our defense and engagement with Southeast Asia is scaling up economic ties counter-terrorism cooperation have 6 unmatched by any of our other region - to new heights, with the expanded. Naturally, this partnership al relationships. We have institutional - leaders airing their is important because our histories are ized annual summits; many of our sec - intertwined. Equally, I feel, our future toral dialogues have been elevated into collective confidence to is inter-linked and a stable, secure ministerial consultations; and nearly achieve $100 billion and prosperous Indo-Pacific region is 25 mechanisms for dialogue and bilateral trade by 2015. crucial for our own progress and cooperation between us cover virtually prosperity. every field of human endeavor. Currently, trade between The path to regional peace and sta - This engagement has flourished India and ASEAN is bility is greater coordination, coopera - particularly in the area of trade. around $80 billion tion and integration among our India-ASEAN trade has grown over economies.”

January 2013 India Review India-US NEWS India, US to strengthen cultural relationship The Art Institute of Chicago is all set to provide training to personnel from Indian museums and conduct seminars and workshops in India 7

s a part of the Vivekananda Memorial Program for Museum Excellence, the A Art Institute of Chicago, one of the world’s greatest encyclopedic art museums, is all set to share best prac - tices with Indian museums by way of seminars and workshops through 2016. Each year, a small number of personnel from a select group of Indian museums will be sent to the Art Institute for professional level training. In turn, the Art Institute staff will also travel to India to conduct seminars at different institutions each year for the duration of the Program. Minister of Culture, Kumari Selja, inaugurated the first seminar at the (Above) The Museum Excellence Fellows stand by the plaque honoring Swami Vivekananda outside Fullerton Hall at the Art Institute of Chicago; (Below) Dr. Ranjan Shukla during the Preventive Care of National Museum Institute, New Delhi Works on Paper Seminar. (August 30 – September 1, 2012). The Fellows selected for the 2012-2013 Preventive Care. In 2013-2014, the collections, and provide progress Program were: S. K. Bagi (Assistant Fellows will continue to adhere to an updates to each other and Art Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey intensive follow up work schedule. In Institute staff with regular, monthly of India, Velha-Goa); R. B. Naik the coming months, the Fellows will videoconference calls. (Keeper in charge of Galleries, complete a self-assessment report of The Vivekananda Memorial Collection, and Reserve Collection, their museum, the implementation of Program for Museum Excellence Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad); a database system to manage their emerged out of an agreement signed W.V.S. Narasimham (Assistant between the Government of India, rep - Superintending Archaeologist, resented by the Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India, The Art Institute of Chicago on Nagarjunkonda); Anamika Pathak January 28, 2012 in the presence of the (Curator, Decorative Arts and Textiles, then Finance Minister of India Pranab National Museum, New Delhi); Dr. S. Mukherjee and Ambassador Nirupama R. Shukla (Assistant Keeper, Rao. The Program honors and com - Allahabad Museum, Allahabad); and memorates the visit of the great Indian Dr. S. K. Upadhyay (Preservation philosopher Swami Vivekananda to Officer, Indian Museum, Kolkata). Chicago during the World Parliament The Art Institute of Chicago then of Religions (a part of the World’s conducted three and a half weeks of Columbian Exposition of 1893.) His seminars, workshops, and tours for memorable speech delivered at the site the selected Fellows in Chicago from of the museum’s Fullerton Hall on September 24 to October 17, 2012. September 11, 1893 sparked an The focus of this year’s program is important dialogue between Eastern Collections Management and and Western religions .

January 2013 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS Ambassador Rao calls on House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi

o discuss the present state of opportunities for the two countries to India-U.S. relations and the collaborate, the former Speaker warm - global strategic partnership ly recalled her visit to India in 2008. T between the two countries, Discussing the regional situation in Ambassador Nirupama Rao met with South Asia, Minority Leader Pelosi the Minority Leader and former welcomed India’s positive contribu - Speaker of the House of tion to Afghanistan’s reconstruction Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, at the and viewed the India-US partnership Capitol in Washington, D.C. on as having an important role to play in December 11. ensuring Afghanistan’s peace and Ambassador Rao informed Minority prosperity. Ambassador Rao and Leader Pelosi about recent develop - Minority Leader Pelosi acknowledged ments in the relationship and India’s the contributions made by the Indian- perspective on regional and global American community to the develop - issues of common interest. ment of India-U.S. relations and Speaking of the shared values and agreed that the community was an Ambassador Nirupama Rao with U.S. House of complementaries between India and Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi important bridge between the two the U.S. and the broad spectrum of (D-CA) on December 11. countries.

‘India-US partnership Ambassador Nirupama Rao multidimensional’ meets American China scholars mbassador Nirupama Rao has said Athat over the last decade India’s rela - tions with the U.S. has substantially improved and its partnership with the U. S. has become multidimensional. In a conversation with Australian Ambassador Kim Beazley and Philippine Deputy Chief of Mission Maria Austria, moderated by U.S. Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R-VA), Member of the House Armed Services Committee, at a forum held by the Foreign Policy Initiative (FPI) on November 27, Ambassador Rao said India had devel - oped a very thriving trade and business 8 relationship with the U.S. Speaking of India’s robust relations with the Asia-Pacific region and its com - mbassador Nirupama Rao met and on India-China relations. Scholars mitment of deepening engagement with with a group of American and academicians on the program are the region, Ambassador Rao said that A China Scholars from the drawn from key universities and col - India had always regarded the U.S. as a National Committee on United States- leges across the United States. Pacifc power. China Relations Public Intellectuals Ambassador Rao had earlier hosted The full video of the conversation can Program (PIP) at the Indian Embassy participants of the PIP program at the be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/ on December 6 and had an interactive Indian Embassy in Beijing in 2007 and watch?v=YBrUgeoX78Q briefing session on developments in 2009 during her tenure as Ambassador the India-U.S. strategic partnership of India to China.

January 2013 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS ‘India, US must build educational partnerships’

ndian and American educational to build capacity for vocational educa - systems must develop “strategic tion and skills development. linkages” to develop trained and “Our goal is to build strategic link - 9 I skilled human resources to meet ages between the educational systems the emerging needs of the coming of India and the United States, with the decades, Indian Ambassador optimism and confidence that this Nirupama Rao has said. would be for our mutual benefit and “The challenges before us demand the benefit of the whole world, as we an integration of our efforts at home join hands to develop trained and with the partnerships we are develop - skilled human resources capable of ing abroad, and seeking a mutually meeting the challenges that exist in a reinforcing synergy between the two,” globalized world of the 21 st century.” she said in a keynote address at the Noting that there is tremendous American Council on Education’s interest in U.S. and Indian universities development. As part of this vision, Leadership Network on International and colleges to forge links and partner - steps have already been initiated for Education on December 10. ships with each other, Ambassador awarding research projects under the “As both India and United States Rao said: “There is a great opportuni - Singh-Obama Knowledge Initiative. work toward becoming truly knowl - ty for partnership unfolding ahead of The first batch of 300 junior faculty for edge economies, there are immense us, which we must seize.” placement in post-doctoral research opportunities for forging dynamic link - programs has been finalized. ages between our two countries in the Excerpts from Ambassador Rao’s As I said, we are looking at the U.S. areas of education, research, innova - speech on the occasion: model of Community Colleges as an tion and skill development,” “The India-U.S. Higher Education important ingredient of our strategy to Ambassador Rao said. Summit that we held in October 2011 build capacity for vocational education Education, she said, had clearly in Washington, followed by the Higher and skills development. An interna - emerged as a priority area of the two Education Dialogue in June this year, tional conference on community col - countries’ bilateral engagement with laid out the road map for promoting leges is scheduled to take place in New the Singh-Obama Initiative launched strategic institutional partnerships, Delhi early next year. I have made it a in 2009 amply highlighting their deepening collaboration in research point to visit Community Colleges dur - shared emphasis on education and and development, fostering ing my tours to various parts of the knowledge in their strategic partnerships in vocational education U.S. and I am truly impressed by the partnership. and focusing on junior faculty service they render to local communi - Today, the U.S. remains a preferred ties through the use of the latest edu - destination for Indian students to pur - cational technologies and course con - sue their advanced degrees, Education, she said, had tent, integrating the local with the Ambassador Rao said. Nearly 100,000 clearly emerged as a national and indeed, the global. students from India, around 32 priority area of the two Our goal in educating the youth of percent of whom are women, are our countries is to create not only well- enrolled in U.S. universities. countries’ bilateral formed but well-filled minds, minds Noting that the U.S. government is engagement with the that are open and not confined or also taking several initiatives to pro - Singh-Obama Initiative closed.” mote India as an educational destina - tion for American students, she said: launched in 2009 amply The full text of Ambassador Rao’s “We would definitely like to see more highlighting their shared speech can be viewed at: http://www. and more American students come to emphasis on education indianembassy.org/prdetail2079/keynot India in the years to come.” e-address-by-ambassador-nirupama- She said India was looking at the and knowledge in their rao-at-the-american-council-on-edu - U.S. model of Community Colleges as strategic partnership cationandrsquo%3Bs-leadership-net - an important ingredient of its strategy work-on-international-education

January 2013 India Review Embassy EVENTS

Embassy celebrates Hanukkah

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1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao 5 6 7 welcoming the guests at Hanukkah celebrations at the Embassy Residence on December 10. 2. Ambassador Rao lighting the Menorah, the traditional oil lamp, on the occasion. 3. Nissim B Reuben, Program Director: Indian-Jewish Relations, American Jewish Committee, and his sister Dr. Shamira Shallom doing the invocation in Indian Jewish tradition. 4. Michael Oren, Ambassador of Israel to the U.S., addressing the gathering. 5. Jarrod Neal Bernstein, Director of Public Engagement, The White House, addressing the guests on the occasion.

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6. Jason Isaacson, Director, Office of Government & International Affairs, American Jewish Committee, addressing the audience. 7. Dan S Mariaschin, Executive Vice President, Bnai Brith International, addressing the gathering. 8. Makela Jewish Young Professionals Group presenting Hebrew songs on the occasion. 9. Guests in attendance.

January 2013 India Review Embassy EVENTS

Embassy celebrates Christmas

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1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao welcoming the guests during Christmas celebrations at the Embassy Residence on December 21. 2. Invocation by Rev. Binoy Thomas of the Mar Thoma Church. 3. John K. Daniel of Seventh Day Adventist Church speaking on the significance of Christmas. 4. Doug Gansler, Attorney General, Maryland, speaking on the occasion. 5. St. Alban’s Episcopal Church Choir during the Christmas celebrations at the Embassy Residence. 6. Jacinta Mascarenhas of Indian American Catholic Association proposing the vote of thanks. 7. Guests in attendance.

January 2013 India Review Economy NEWS President calls for ‘Second Green Revolution ’ resident Pranab Mukherjee Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on December 11 called for a at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. second Green Revolution in “The linkage that the agriculture P agriculture that is more holis - sector has to almost all facets of soci - tic and widespread. ety is indisputable. Its growth can “This second Green Revolution spawn the much-needed social and should be accompanied by develop - economic transformation, without ment of rural infrastructure, human which economic growth in other development and increased sensitivity areas and that of the nation as a to ecology and environment. The gov - whole would lose its meaning,” the ernment should seek right partnerships President said. by building innovative structures that “Agriculture is the heart and soul of adequately encourage the involvement President Pranab Mukherjee speaking at a confer - this nation,” said President Mukherjee. of the private sector in this area,” said ence on ‘Ushering Second Green Revolution in The President stressed on the need Indian Agriculture through Public-Private President Mukherjee. Partnership’ in New Delhi on December 11. to improve the seed replacement rate, The President was speaking at the promote adoption of hybrid seeds, inauguration of a national conference through Public-Private Partnership’, incentivize balanced use of fertilizers on ‘Ushering Second Green organized by the Ministry of and ensure efficient water manage - Revolution in Indian Agriculture Agriculture in collaboration with the ment.

President hails role of More policy reforms to boost growth cooperatives rime Minister Dr. Manmohan ooperatives were pivotal institutions for Singh on December 15 prom - Cbringing socio-economic development for Pised to bring in more policy inclusive growth in rural areas, President reforms to accelerate inclusive growth Pranab Mukherjee said on December 8. T and lift the spirits of investors in the “Cooperatives in India have made a visible economy, addressing all concerns and significant contribution to the overall eco - about fiscal consolidation, taxation, nomic growth of our economy. This is espe - disinvestment and infrastructure. cially so in the sectors of agricultural credit, Addressing captains of industry, the sugar, dairy, textiles, fisheries, distribution of Prime Minister said his government fertilizers and agricultural inputs, storage and had the “courage of conviction and the marketing,” the President said in New Delhi at interest of people at heart”. a function to give biennial excellence awards “I stand before you to reassure you Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh delivering the inaugural address at the 85th Annual General to the cooperative societies. that our government is committed to Meeting of FICCI in New Delhi on December 15. Three cooperative societies won the award doing everything that is possible to at national level, and 24 societies were alter the policy environment, to accel - that was begun on GAAR and taxation awarded at the state level. erate economic growth and to make of the IT sector. The day before yester - President Mukherjee added that with a the growth process socially and region - day, the Cabinet has approved the con - network of 600,000 cooperatives and a mem - ally more inclusive,” said the Prime stitution of a Cabinet Committee on 12 bership base of 240 million, the Indian coop - Minister. Investment. This would help in the erative movement has proved to be an effec - He told the annual general meeting issue of clearances for major projects tive economic instrument for ensuring growth of industry association Federation of in a time bound manner. with equity and inclusiveness. Indian Chambers of Commerce and “We will speed up the disinvestment Agriculture and Food Processing Minister Industry (FICCI) that the steps the process which will also revive our equi - Sharad Pawar, Minister of State Charan Das government had taken recently were ty markets.” Mahant, and Managing Director of National only the beginning of a process to “We are bringing greater clarity in Cooperative Development Corporation revive the economy and take it back the FDI policy in the pharma sector... (NCDC) C.B. Paliwal were also present at the to its trend growth rate of 8 to 9 The Direct Tax Code and the Goods function. percent. and Services Tax Bills are high on our “We need to complete the exercise priority,” the Prime Minister said.

January 2013 India Review Economy NEWS

Banking laws amendment New policy to foster growth bill gets Parliament nod arliament on December 20 gave its nod to of communications industry Pbanking laws amendment bill, paving the way for issuance of new bank licences and naugurating the India Telecom consolidation in the sector. 2012 conclave in the capital, The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan which has now been cleared by both houses I Singh on December 13 said the of Parliament, seeks to increase voting rights 13 new policy being brought in would of investors in the private sector banks to 26 address concerns of investors, provid - percent from the existing 10 percent. ing a new impetus for growth of the Shareholders’ voting rights in the public sec - communications industry. tor banks is capped at 10 percent. He also stressed on the need to This will make the Indian banking sector strengthen the country’s manufactur - attractive for the overseas investors and is ing capabilities in telecom in particular Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing at expected to lead to consolidation in the the India Telecom 2012, in New Delhi on and in electronics in general. He added December 13. industry. The new regulation gives power to that the new telecom and electronics the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to issue new policies laid down the regime for industry to come up with strategies to bank licences. enabling this to happen. boost teledensity in rural areas in Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said the He asked the captains of industry, creative partnership with the modified legislation would help create “world especially in the private sector, to seize government. size” banks in India. “We need more banks. the opportunity. “I urge industry, which has shown Yes, we are opening new branches, but that’s “We need leaders in telecom and great innovation in the telecom sector, not enough... We need two-three world-size electronics manufacturing who can to come up with strategies to expand banks,” said Minister Chidambaram. break new ground and create the teledensity in rural areas,” he said. The new regulation also seeks to bring the ecosystems to enable India to be a Touching on the significance of banking sector under the purview of the major producer of hardware.” broadband connectivity as a tool for Competition Commission of India (CCI). The “Our government is committed to empowering India’s rural masses, he Finance Minister said while the RBI would doing everything possible to support said the National Optical Fiber regulate the banking sector, the CCI would such efforts.” Network (NOFN) project would usher look into competition practices in the banking The Prime Minister said the tele - in a new era in telecommunications by sector. He said the RBI would frame the guide - com revolution offered myriad establishing information highways lines and issue new bank licenses without any opportunities for accelerating the across the country, particularly in rural bias. country’s development and urged the areas. India to fortify ties with energy exporting nations ndia would enhance relations with integration for strategizing with inter - energy exporting countries and national markets and enhancing rela - Imake strategies with international tions with energy exporting countries.” markets to meet its growing energy At the domestic level, he said, the needs, External Affairs Minister country needed to optimally exploit Salman Khurshid said on December and utilize its energy resources; lever - 13. age on opportunities provided by coal Saying that the country’s demand Minister for External Affairs Salman Khurshid bed methane and shale gas and devel - addressing the delegates at the Energy Security for energy was growing at a “terrifying Conference 2012, in New Delhi on December 13. op technologies to scale up renewable pace”, he said, “There is a need to energy. explore, enhance, develop and fortify organized jointly by the Ministry of “Going forward, if we continue to relations with energy exporting coun - External Affairs and the Confederation grow at 8-9 percent, import depend - tries and also develop technologies for of Indian Industry (CII), in New Delhi. ence is likely to increase and India alternate energy sources.” Stressing the strategic and economic would be importing 35-57 percent of The Minister was addressing the importance of achieving energy securi - coal, 90-94 percent of oil and 20-57 “Energy Security Conference 2012” ty, he said: “There is a need to better percent of gas by 2031-32.”

January 2013 India Review Economy NEWS

Indian Navy gets first Boeing India to become second fastest growing aviation P-8I maritime patrol aircraft market by 2016: IATA ir transport body International Air oeing has made an on-site ATransport Association (IATA) on December delivery of the first of the 6 said India would become the second fastest eight long-range maritime growing aviation market in the world by B reconnaissance and anti- 2016. submarine warfare P-8I aircraft it is “India will have the second highest growth building for the Indian Navy in Seattle. rate at 13.1 percent CAGR (compounded India will receive this aircraft and annual growth rate), adding 49.3 million new two more of its eight contracted P-8Is passengers,” IATA said in its Airline Industry in 2013, Boeing said on December 20. Boeing made an on-site delivery of the first of the Forecast 2012-2016. eight long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti- The program is progressing on submarine warfare P-8I aircraft it is building for the India would only be second to Kazakhstan schedule as Boeing assembles the Indian Navy, in Seattle on December 19. which is expected to experience the fastest fourth and fifth P-8Is, which are growth rate at 22.5 percent CAGR, adding 3.9 designed for long-range maritime Over the next few months, Boeing million passengers to the 2.2 million in 2011. reconnaissance and anti-submarine test pilots put the first P-8I through Indian will be followed by China’s 10.1 warfare, it said. its paces over a U.S. Navy test range percent growth rate, which is expected to The first P-81 for the Indian Navy, a west of Neah Bay, Washington, and a have an additional 158.9 million new domes - derivative of the Boeing Next- joint U.S./Canadian test range in the tic passengers. According to IATA, the domes - Generation 737-800 commercial Strait of Georgia, Boeing said. tic passenger traffic world over is expected to airplane, began its official flight test The P-8I features open system increase by 5.2 percent and will rise from 1.72 program last July with a fully loaded architecture, advanced sensor and billion in 2011 to 2.21 billion in 2016, with an version of the plane demonstrating its display technologies, and a world - addition of 494 million passenger over the flying qualities and handling character - wide base of suppliers, parts and sup - period under review. istics in a test flight. port equipment.

India’s foreign reserves up Eight Indians among world’s best $1.63 billion ndia’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves performing CEOs Iwent up by $1.63 billion to $296.63 billion ight Indian CEOs have made it for the week ended December 14, data to Harvard Business Review’s released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) E(HBR) list of 100 best perform - said on December 22. ing global chief executives headed for The reserves had gone up by $484.2 mil - the last 17 years by the late Steve Jobs lion to $294.99 billion in the week ending of Apple. December 7. ITC Chairman Y C Deveshwar, The foreign currency assets (FCA) — the ranked seventh overall (Rank 7), was biggest component of the forex reserves - first among the Indian CEOs. Under increased by $1.61 billion at $262.11 billion, his leadership, ITC saw its value (Left) Y.C. Deveshwar, Chairman, ITC Group and 14 according to the weekly statistical supple - increase by $45 billion. A.M. Naik, Chairman and MD, L&T. ment released by the RBI. He was followed by former ONGC’s The FCA was up 492.7 million to $260.50 late Chairman and Managing Director CMD A K Puri (Rank 38) is ranked billion in the week ending December 7. Subir Raha (Rank 13). fifth among the Indians. He is followed The central bank said FCA in US dollar Reliance Industries Chairman by Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti terms included the effect of appreciation or Mukesh Ambani (Rank 28), was Mittal (Rank 65). depreciation of non-US currencies held in ranked third among Indians. Jindal Steel & Power CEO Naveen reserve, such as the pound sterling, euro and Larsen & Toubro Chairman and Jindal (Rank 87) is ranked seventh yen. Gold reserves value remained the same managing Director A M Naik (Rank among Indians. He is followed by at $27.80 billion. 32), came next. Former SAIL Chairman, V S Jain Former Bharat Heavy Electricals (Rank 89).

January 2013 India Review Economy NEWS

American business center ‘India, US must work together in Guwahati inaugurated S Ambassador to India Nancy J. Powell more in science and tech’ Uon December 13 inaugurated the American Business Corner (ABC) in Guwahati alling for greater The envoy said both the — the first such in northeast India. India-U.S. col - nations have focused on The ABC will be housed by the Indian laboration in skill development. Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) northeast C science and “India has recognized a regional office. 15 technology, American need for such training — Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Ambassador to India without it the huge youth Powell noted the long history of co-opera - Nancy Powell on dividend could go unreal - tion between U.S. Commercial Service office December 7 said sustained ized — and is planning to at the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata, and the ICC educational exchanges work with the American which led to setting up of the ABC. were a key to developing community college system “It’s been 20 years now that I visited last human capital in the two to establish a similar sys - and I see Guwahati has undergone sea countries. Ambassador Nancy Powell tem here to meet the huge, change in all spheres. I could see the differ - “India and the U.S. have speaking at the PANIIT Global unmet demand of Indian ence while I landed and traveled by road to Conference, 2012. much to do to collaborate students for higher educa - Guwahati,” she said. in future in the field of science and tion that will allow them to succeed in “The ABCs are designed such a way to technology. Although India’s science India’s growing economy,” she said. help everyone who wants to trade with the and technology establishment has Pointing out that the U.S. was United States,” she added. made enormous progress in the last “enthusiastically” supportive of India’s It is also a value added service by indus - few decades, further collaboration is interest in exploring the community try chambers to their members who seek needed,” Ambassador Powell said in college model, she recalled American technologies and equipment to her speech at the PANIIT Global Washington’s pledge to work with upgrade production capabilities and become Conference, 2012. India in creating partnerships between more competitive in global markets. Stressing on joint ventures between the private sector, educational institu - Indian and U.S. companies, she said tions, and the state governments. ‘Developed world looks at “Indian companies have huge human She said India and the U.S. could capital and our products are techno - share their strengths in information India for investment, trade’ logically innovative.” technology. s the global center of economic growth Amoves to Asia, India has captured the attention of developed economies looking India-based MphasiS to acquire US firm for new investment and trade opportunities, says a new report. ndia-based global services technology and analytical centers of Noting that recent growth in India has provider, MphasiS, a Hewlett excellence, the company said. also emanated from a number of under- IPackard (HP) company, is set to The acquisition is also central to examined sectors other than information acquire Digital Risk, America’s largest MphasiS’ ‘hyper-specialization’ strate - technology (IT) sector, it says, the Indian independent provider of mortgage risk, gy, bringing in over 1,500 highly economy will need to continue to diversify in compliance and transaction manage - trained mortgage specialists and a deep order to propel its development ment solutions. domain expertise in mortgage risk and And the U.S. will need to pay close atten - The transaction is expected to close compliance. “The need for risk man - tion to all aspects of these changes in order late in January 2013 subject to the sat - agement in the mortgage market is not to sustain strong bilateral economic ties, says isfaction of regulatory requirements only a US issue, but also a global the report by Wadhwani Chair in US-India and customary closing conditions, the necessity. This acquisition provides the Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic & Florida-based company said announc - industry and clients a unique offering,” International Studies (CSIS). ing the $175 million all-cash deal. said Peter Kassabov, Digital Risk There is arguably no sector more critical to The acquisition provides Digital Risk Chairman and CEO. India’s future growth than energy, says the a global footprint to accommodate “This acquisition is central to our report authored by CSIS fellow Persis clients’ global risk and compliance strategy of offering specialized services Khambatta Karl Inderfurth, Wadhwani Chair needs, access to U.S. facilities to in chosen segments,” said Ganesh and former Assistant Secretary of State for further accelerate growth of U.S. Ayyar, Chief Executive Officer, South Asia. operations and access to MphasiS’ MphasiS.

January 2013 India Review Science NEWS

Technique to detect genetic Uttarakhand resident bags IMC innovation award variations proposed warded for his product — electricity and Acooking coal from pine needles — n what could help predict one’s Uttarakhand-based Rajinish Jain has been susceptibility to various ailments, conferred the IMC Inclusive Innovation a new technique to detect genet - Awards 2012. I ic variations associated with dis - Jain’s product helps in harnessing the eases, including cancer, has been pro - destructive energy of pine needles for meet - posed by scientists at the Indian ing energy needs and improves rural liveli - Association for the Cultivation of hoods. Science (IACS) in Kolkata. The central Himalayas have 1.5 million Some of these genetic variations hectares of pine forests, where excessive termed SNPs are associated with can - forest fires spread by pine needle litter cer, certain infectious diseases like lep - destroys natural resources. rosy, AIDS, and others. “These genet - Jain’s company, Avani, converts this ic variations can give us an idea about destructive biomass into clean, affordable electrical and cooking energy for driving how humans respond to pathogens Associate Professor Rupa Mukhopadhyay (microorganismic infectious agents like economic growth. virus, bacterium, prion or fungus that is a synthetic analogue of DNA, can be Avani set up gasification based power cause diseases), chemicals, drugs, vac - a much better probe in surface-based plant using pine needles as feed stock for cines and other agents,” IACS’s DNA detection techniques,” said generation of electricity and cooking charcoal. Associate Professor in Biological Mukhopadhyay. According to her, The award, instituted by the Indian Chemistry, Rupa Mukhopadhyay, said. during testing, LNA stands nearly Merchants Chamber (IMC), recognizes prod - Identification of genetic variations is upright to the testing surface because ucts or service innovations which are inclu - often done by using DNA probe based of its unique structure and this gives it sive, capable of commercial exploitation, biosensor technologies. the ability to overcome the disadvan - sustainable and scalable. “We have proposed that LNA, which tages of DNA probes.

India-US portal to Animal nutrition award for promote women in science o attract more women to science, India Manju Wadhwa Tand the U.S. on December 10, 2012 anju Wadhwa, an eminent Her work in reducing global warm - launched a web-portal on best practices in scientist of Department of ing by animals led to breakthrough public and private sector and policy initia - MAnimal Nutrition, Guru studies on the methane production tives in the field of technology in both coun - Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal potential of feedstuffs available in the tries. The portal http://indousstf.org on U.S. Science University, Ludhiana, has region and development of methane and Indian cooperation on promoting been conferred the Fellow of Animal mitigation strategies and has won her women in science was launched by U.S. Nutrition Association award for her peer and global accolades. Ambassador Nancy J. Powell. outstanding contribution to the field of Wadhwa has published over 80 Ambassador Powell said the U.S. and animal nutrition. The recognition of research articles in national and inter - 16 India had prioritized “Women in Science” as her contribution came at the Animal national peer reviewed journals, a an area for bilateral engagement at the US- Nutrition Association’s eighth biennial number of technical bulletins and pop - India Joint Commission meeting on science conference held at Rajasthan ular articles, in addition to successful - & technology in June, 2012. University of Veterinary & Animal ly guiding MSc students. “I believe the importance of science and Sciences in Bikaner, Rajasthan, from She has served as the editor of the science education in today’s world cannot be November 28-30. Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition for overstated. Scientific innovation offers us a Wadhwa is known for her pioneer - two consecutive tenures besides con - chance to achieve prosperity. It has offered ing work on improving efficiency of tributing to academic discussions and us benefits that have improved our health nutrient utilization in poor quality crop conferences in Canada, Malaysia, and our lives,” Ambassador Powell said. residues as also nutritional status of China and Thailand, contributing to dairy animals in Punjab. the cause of science.

January 2013 India Review Diaspora NEWS

Four Indian Sanjay Amin elected tri-state FIA chief Americans anjay Amin, an IT Sprofessional, has been elected as the named 2013 new President of the Aditya Ashok Aditya Balasubramanian Federation of Indian Marshall Associations (Tri- State) of New York, 17 New Jersey and Scholars Connecticut. Amin was elected along with other FIA our Indian Americans are office bearers at the community organiza - among the recipients of the tion’s annual general meeting at TV Asia prestigious Marshall Auditorium, Edison, New Jersey with cur - F Scholarships, giving them the Paras Minhas Rahul Rekhi rent President Kanubhai Chauhan in the opportunity to study at a university of health at the University of Glasgow chair. — IANS their choice in Britain next autumn. from August 2013. The two-year scholarship is distrib - Rekhi, a Barry M. Goldwater and Rita Singh elected uted to approximately 40 promising Harry S. Truman Scholar, has chosen FIA President young American students by the to study biomedical engineering at the Marshal Aid Commemoration University of Oxford. ita Singh, an Indian American busi - Commission every year. Balasubramanian will be studying Rnesswoman from Bihar has been The Indian-American winners are econometrics and mathematical eco - elected the first woman President of the Aditya Ashok from Boston College, nomics at the London School of Chicago-based Federation of Indian Aditya Balasubramanian from Harvard Economics and Political Science. Associations (FIA). University, Paras Minhas from the Minhas, who will be studying A native of Saharsa district of Bihar and University of Pittsburgh and Rahul molecular cell biology at the a graduate from Jamshedpur Women’s Rekhi from Rice University. University College London next College, Rita Singh was elected with Ashok, a history and biology gradu - autumn, is interested in furthering his other office bearers for 2013 by FIA ate, served in numerous leadership career as a physician and scientist. member organizations at an India House positions on campus during his time as He is currently an Amgen Scholar at Banquet (IHB) in Schaumburg in Chicago. co-president of the AIDS Awareness MIT and Research Fellow at the — IANS Committee. He will be studying global Mayo Clinic. — IANS Indian-Americans shine in politics and administration rominent in administration, high places than any other before, well educated and well-heeled, named a few more after his re-elec - Pwith their population touching tion, including Sachin Dev Pavithran, three million, Indian-Americans who is blind, to an independent U.S. joined politics in large numbers in agency devoted to people with 2012 with a California physician disabilities. creating history by winning a In the world of academics, Autar Congressional seat. Kaw, an India-born Professor of Ami Bera, 47, defeated a sitting Ami Bera Preet Bharara Mechanical Engineering at the Republican member of the U.S. Five other Indian Americans, includ - University of South Florida, became House of Representatives in a very ing Shanti Gandhi, a great-grandson one of the four recipients of the 2012 close contest to become the third of Mahatma Gandhi, were elected to U.S. Professor of the Year award. member of the community to enter state assemblies in Kansas, Michigan, Preetinder Singh “Preet” Bharara, the lower chamber of U.S. Congress Connecticut, Vermont and Colorado. the U.S. Attorney for the Southern after Dalip Singh Saund and current President Obama, whose adminis - District of New York, made it to the Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. tration has more Indian Americans in cover of Time Magazine. — IANS

January 2013 India Review Trends IN SOCIETY Making merry with literature With more and more cities organizing their own literary festivals, not only has book reading ceased to become a lonely exercise, but arts, crafts, cultures and languages of different parts of India have gained global exposure

iterature in India is moving beyond the confines of print space to reach out to people L in interactive venues across the states. The new breed of literary galas is going beyond core literary brainstorming to take up local, cultural and political issues with a cast of inter - national participants, thus rendering a global hue to immediate local con - cerns. In the last decade, a spurt in region - al literary festivals in places like Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Goa, Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi has integrated literature with the dis - tinctive local cultures, demography, identities and other issues to relate to the people. (Top) Delegates at the Bangalore Literary Festival 2012; (Above) A cross-section of participants at the Goa Homegrown flavors are the lifeline of Arts and Literary Festival 2012. the new literature festivals in the states. “The residents of Bangalore well,” he said. Sampath, the co- to coincide with the centenary of the (Bengaluru) felt there was need to pro - founder, along with Srikrishna Apeejay Group, as one of the compa - vide a platform to the very local literary Ramamoorthy, of the Bangalore festi - ny’s 100 community initiatives to ben - traditions and literary voices. We want - val, further added: “The issues in efit people in small neighborhoods. 18 ed to establish an annual flagship event Bangalore were different from those of The mood was distinctly ethnic at on a national and international scale at Kolkata.” the Aeepjay Literature Festival, says a historic place,” said writer Vikram And is there a danger of too many lit Renu Kakkar, Vice-President of the Sampath, co-founder of the Bangalore fests in the country? Apeejay Surendra Group. Literature Festival, a three-day event “Too many literature festivals are like The festival will use literature to con - held for the first time in this city, that too many restaurants — there’s room nect to the heritage of Kolkata with concluded on December 9. for all,” Sampath said. emphasis on the Victoria Memorial, St. Sampath said the festival offered a Kolkata is gung-ho about the five- John’s Church and the Lascar mix of vernacular and global literature. day Apeejay Kolkata Literature Festival Monument on the Hooghly river — “It was global. The festival featured starting January 9. landmarks that will be prominent stops writing in south Indian languages as The festival was first started in 2010 on the festival map.

January 2013 India Review Trends IN SOCIETY

A spurt in regional literary festivals in places like Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Goa and New Delhi has integrated literature with 19 the distinctive local cultures, demography, identities and other issues

(Above) Delegates at the Kovalam Literary Festival; (Right) A view from Literature Live, The Mumbai Lit Fest 2012.

“The festival will design an interac - tive ‘patachitra’, a modern-day version of the scroll painting with narrative songs of 19 th century Kolkata on com - puter to tell the story of the city through the voices of the people,” Kakkar said. The festival this year will host writers like Ramachandra Guha, who will speak on “What kind of Asian was Gandhi”. The uniqueness of the Kolkata Apeejay festival is that it is only one in the country organized by a bookstore, the Oxford Bookstore — a shop intri - cately woven into the intellectual con - sciousness of Kolkata, Kakkar said. year, more than 1,000 children attend - southern India on train and visited The Oxford Bookstore partners the ed the festival as “guests”. each city on foot. They discussed their Surendra Apeejay group for the The Music Stage — a separate seg - books and ideated across a range of festival. ment of the Jaipur festival — plays topics — modern love, the politics of At the Jaipur Literary Festival sched - host to new fusion culture of travel and migration, Australian and uled for January 24-28, the focus will Rajasthan with collaboration between Indian culture and identity,” Nick be on literature in Indian languages. local musicians playing folk instru - Low, one of the organizers of Writers in 17 Indian languages will ments and foreign bands. Bookwallah , said. connect to an essentially Hindi-speak - Book fests are devising innovative The Goa Arts and Literary Festival ing audience in Jaipur under a project ways to reach wider audiences. and Kovalam Literary Festival speak of entitled Ek bhasa hua karti hain . A roving book festival, The the local cultural issues on the sidelines “The creative and dynamic program - Bookwallah , supported by the Asialink of the mainstream session while the ming of Indian languages will make the Writing Programme affiliated to the Bookeraoo, the annual children’s book Jaipur Literature Festival more demo - University of Melbourne, Australia, festival in Delhi, intervenes in more cratic in one sense, more Indian in a took six writers from the Mumbai Live, than 100 government schools on issues deeper sense, and make these lan - a literature festival, on a 2,000-km of education and new forms of creative guages familiar to the wider audience,” train journey of southern India to meet expression. says poet Ashok Vajpeyi, who is associ - readers, students and the general pub - “The festivals allow us to cross the ated with the festival. lic. The traveling writers also carried boundary between the present and The Jaipur Lit Fest also attempts along a pop-up library. future and connects us — in many unique outreach programmes. Last “Our writers experienced a little of different languages,” Roy said.

January 2013 India Review Short STORY Mother Tree

By Nuggehalli Pankaja Veteran novelist and poet Nugehalli Pankaja writes in both Kannada and English. Winner of many literary awards, two of her novels — Barale Innu Yamune and Gagana — have also been made into popular films

uk,tuk.tuk...” brushing their faces in an intimate It became a sacred spot to them, a way. A red ripe fruit fell on their sort of shrine, and they met daily “T clasped hands. under it to renew touching vows. The noise began like a wail, begging “See! A blessing! The tree has One fine day Mahadev bought the her, entreating her, then rose into a blessed us!” — Mahadev exclaimed entire site, and commenced building 20 sea-roar, deafening her ears, and blind - joyously, squeezing the juice over a house with the tree overlooking ing her eyes with a veil of mist. Sushila’s palm... their nest, caressing their bedroom Her mind raced back. “Red for love, Forget me not my windowpane with its tapering foliage. Sushila looked at him shyly, sweet - dove…” He whispered, in a tremulous The house was planned by them ly, and smiled. The smile spread a voice. “Remember this fruit, remem - both; First few months saw them sort of moonlight before Mahadev’s ber this tree, and you will always devoting plenty of time toward devel - eyes; Taking a step forward, he remember me… This tree is the living oping a beautiful garden. Flowers of caught her hands. witness to our engagement.” every kind and hue crowned the place. The boughs rose and fell, the leaves Thus began the halo round the tree. Butterflies swarmed around them. In

January 2013 India Review Short STORY the middle towered the mother tree, its Time flitted like seconds. When she and Mahadev had loved wiry branches waving to all the Vasant grew up to be a promising each other, and the travail of suspense passers-by. As Mahadev put it, “Like lad. The lad developed into a robust following the usual snag — opposition our guardian angel, bless her.” man with admirable principles and of parents. That spring brought them a new goal. He was the center of their hopes “If you love her, go ahead and marry neighbor. “Oh look at it, how pretty!” — future. her,” Sushilabai advised her son. Exclaimed Sushila pointing at the mul - “I am indeed very lucky to have such “Don’t worry about anything. If she ticolored pair perched on the upper - a son!” Mahadev exclaimed joyfully the keeps you happy, I am also happy.” most bough. day Vasant came through his course in Prem, the bride, was all that “Seems to be another happy couple flying colors and secured a very good Sushilabai could wish for, and bit by like us” — Mahadev told his wife — job. “May he always be lucky like this!” bit, she handed over the charge to the 21 “Wonder if they mean to settle down?” Next day Mahadev was dead! newcomer. That they did. A snug nest was soon Sushila shed not a tear. Everybody A girl nicely equipped with ultra - formed, fledglings cropped up, then wondered — worried; The tears sim - modern ideas backed by college educa - grandchildren… Soon the tree was a ply would not come forth; Maybe tion, Prem lost no time in reorganizing miniature city! The noise lent a sort of because they had drunk their share of the household. Bells were installed at peaceful beauty to the place and their happiness too well to sour it with even every corner, and tick-tock of the clock presence a finishing touch to the a tinge of sorrow, or the shock of sep - commanded every movement, each superb work of nature. aration had hit the lone woman’s ten - gesture in the house, while dances and “See how happy that pair is,” der heart so much as to render it parties invaded the place. Not once did Mahadev remarked one evening, then expressionless. The tree was her only Sushilabai raise her voice in protest. added wistfully, “It would have been friend now; Her only solace. Deep “Still in their heyday of life; let them nice if we too had an offspring.” mournful sighs had emanated from it enjoy life the way they want — as Yes, he had voiced Sushila’s yearn - while the body was being carried away. myself and Mahadev did. They are try - ing. How often had she not prayed? The foliage had dropped as though ing to keep apace with the modern “Mother tree!” She murmured that convulsed with sobs. trend see?” She would confide to her night, stroking its shimmering leaves, Leaning her head against the trunk, mother tree, and relax in the armchair, “You have made the nest of that pair Sushila — now Sushilabai, gained now a permanent fixture there. The warm; Why have you not shown the immense strength. Could it be that the sun may blaze for all she cared, the same consideration toward us? Bless tree was whispering soothing words to clouds glitter with silver edgings — a us also with a child, mother…” her? Scenes of past would stride past distant rumble threaten, but she would The prayer bore fruit! her. Bliss, remorse, pang — they be sitting there as in a trance. The first thing Sushila heard on that would all simultaneously overwhelm One day alas, that tranquility was memorable day was the gentle tapping her, the glossy foliage fanned her, and rent apart! of the boughs on the window; the first the loving neighbor-family rocked her “What’s that awful tree over there?” thing she saw on opening her eyes was to sleep with their sweet lullabies. She heard her daughter-in-law exclaim. its leafy crest bending its brow so One day Vasant brought his girl “That? Oh, It is an old tree; As old as proudly over her baby, and the first home; To be seen and judged by the the house, I should say. Don’t know thing she touched were its lovely leaves mother.; Sushilabai did the former, but the name,” Sushilabai heard her son’s brushing her cheeks with motherly not the latter, her mind running back reply. gentleness. “I love you, our dear moth - to that poignant period in her life... “Then it cannot be worth knowing; er tree!” She whispered. “We thank How monstrous it looks! Vasant, why you like anything! You have been very have you allowed it to occupy such a very good to us, bless you.” The first thing she saw lot of space marring the beauty of the “Vasant,” Mahadev called his chubby on opening her eyes was house?” infant after his favorite season — What Vasant replied, Sushilabai Spring. “This Vasant will be the sun - its leafy crest bending its heard not; Her eyes opened wide, and shine of our lives,” he told the proud brow so proudly over her heart began to pound-with fright, mother. The child gurgled happily as her baby, and the first anger, and bewilderment. though it understood its parent’s desire “What did Prem mean by talking so? and concurred. He grew up spending thing she touched were Is ‘Awful’ the name for my beautiful most of his time playing under the tree its lovely leaves brushing tree? Far from being a blemish, has it while the mother lay sprawled by the her cheeks with not lent celestial charm to the house?” trunk stitching or reading as time per - Yes, she felt terribly hurt, and mitted. Mahadev often joined them motherly gentleness strangely afraid… afraid to leave the there for tea. tree alone even for a minute. She

January 2013 India Review Short STORY

would not get up even for food, or her whispered talk-hard times shared Her vigilance increased. night sleep, lest some harm come to together, fought together. What did This rigorous watch and concern of her tree. these chits, all newcomers — Prem granny became a source of delight to Prem and Vasant could not help and Manu, even Vasant know about it? the mischievous children around. They laughing when they saw her concern. Razing her tree to the ground meant would flock about the forbidden spot, “Absolutely no flowers, no fragrance, erasing that important phase of her life deliberately pluck this leaf or twig, and no fruit! What do you see in that tree from her memory! Could she bear it? romp out of the place, while the mother?” Prem, the daughter-in-law Should she suffer it? enraged woman chased them with her derided her mother-in-law. Mahadev had bought the site cane. “It gives a fruit — a small red expressly for her, not for this Prem or “This is becoming a ludicrous fruit…” Sushilabai replied defiantly, Manu. Both of them had planned the scene!” Feeling humiliated, Vasant her mind dwelling upon that signifi - house in association with the tree… confided to his wife, “I can’t stand it cant red juice squeezed over her palm They had planned their life under it — anymore.” “Yes”, Prem agreed, with so much ardor. why, they had spent half a century “Getting on my nerves too! That man, ‘Red for love, enclosed in its umbrageous bosom! As he offers quite a big sum for the tree; Forget me not, my dove… such, what right had these petty new - And you know we need the cash Remember this fruit, comers, especially Prem, to talk so urgently… A lot of bother will be wiped Remember this tree, lightly of their tree? Make way for away…” And you will forever remember Manu’s house indeed! Who was “But amma... me…” Manu? “Ignore the doddering woman… “Ugh, quite unpalatable too! Even these old people. They are all the same; the birds don’t munch that berry!” sentimental, conservative, stubborn; Prem laughed, and tapped the bark. Her mind flew back to refusing to keep pace with time. “The fuel will fetch a good price,” she that golden evening Typical frog in the well!” Prem laughed said. derisively, “Don’t worry, she will get “F…u…e….l! Price! Are you think - when she and Mahadev over it…. She has to.” ing of cutting it down?” Sushilabai had sealed their lives So, the deal was made; The deed stood frozen. “My tree! Never! I won’t together under this very began to be executed the very next allow it! No, I won’t ever — never morning. allow it…” tree. Could she ever Vasant was apprehensive his mother “Don’t be so sentimental mother! erase that picture from might create a scene; The children had There is absolutely no place for senti - her mind? Not in also gathered around, to watch the fun. ments these days. The tree is a real nui - But Sushilabai remained strangely sance, swallowing up a lot of space; this life! silent… Each blow of the axe brought And that when people are simply cry - forth a swift onrush of memories, and ing for accommodation! You know One morning Sushilabai noticed each crack a sort of rigidity in her what….” Prem had a sudden bright white patches on the tree; Sure, the form. She felt the tree reaching out to idea. “We will build a small house bark had been peeled away-deliber - her, begging her help… “I am also there, a tiny one-and that will go to our ately! helpless,” She whispered silently. little Manu. Won’t it, Manu darling? An enraged mother-in-law encoun - At last the task was done; With a Don’t you want a tiny tiny house of tered Prem. heavy sigh and rustle of leaves, the yours sweetie? From your dear “Yes amma, I was the one who huge tree began to totter. granny?” She pinched the child’s ordered it,” Prem admitted, wincing “There was quite a family up there,” cheeks. “Yes granny, I want my house- not a bit. “Today is your husband’s remarked Sushilabai suddenly. “Alas, — tiny tiny house,” the child shouted death anniversary, don’t you remem - now they will have no home…” 22 in glee. “I will keep my doggie in it.” ber? There was a slight shortage of fuel, The birds soared up, as though to Sushilabai gazed stunned at the so I had this bark utilized to heat bid goodbye. With a heavy thud, the child, her pet grandson, with resent - Vasan’t bath; The good-for-nothing pet mighty tree fell down. Wiping their ment . of yours has become useful for once.” faces, the men sat down. Her mind flew back to that golden How ironical! Mahadev’s death The anxious lines on Vasant’s face evening when she and Mahadev had anniversary… and the son was bathing relaxed. Thank God the giant task sealed their lives together under this in the water warmed by the skin of his was over; He turned towards his very tree. Could she ever erase that pic - father’s beloved shrine — to perform mother. ture from her mind? Not in this life! the rites. “Time for lunch, come in amma.” Existence would be nothing without it, Clasping the trunk, she burst into There was no reply. without the constant scenes of their heartrending sobs. Sushilabai’s body was as cold as ice!!

January 2013 India Review Travel & TOURISM FloATing pAlAces 23

Traditionally known as rice boats, the houseboats of Kerala today come in varied sizes; and some are like floating palaces, with as many as five bedrooms

lappuzha, often referred to ied sizes, and some are like floating as Venice of the East, is the palaces, with as many as five well-fur - ideal place to be in if one AlAppuzhA nished bedrooms. The houseboats of A wants a ride in a houseboat. Located in south Kerala, Alappuzha is known Kerala are today equipped with all One can travel the pristine backwaters for its boat races, backwater holidays, beach - modern facilities found in a good hotel. here, which connect this district to es, marine products and coir industry. The At peak tourism time, a single-bed - Kumarakom and neighboring towns houseboats of Alappuzha are reworked ver - room houseboat tariff for an overnight like Kottayam, Changanacherry and sion of kettuvallams of olden times. The orig - journey would cost at least `7,500 Kollam. It has the largest number of inal kettuvallams or rice barges used to carry ($139.4).That cost includes also three houseboats in the state with 650 of rice and spices. The kettuvallam or ‘boat with sumptuous meals. them operating in the Vembanad lake knots’ was so called because the entire boat Kerala Tourism Minister A.P. Anil alone. was held together with coir knots only. Kumar asserts that the houseboats As tourism season peaks in the state, Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot. have won rave reviews, and are a val - all the houseboats that ply the Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach ued and flagship product. “We expect Vembanad Lake are much in demand. Park add to the attraction of the beach. There to launch seaplane services by the end “This season, domestic tourists have is also an old lighthouse nearby. of next month at four locations. With led from the front,” says Tomy this, we are certain that the houseboat Pullikattil, who owns a dozen house - GETTING THERE: industry will spread its wings to other boats here, and is considered an inno - Nearest railway station: Alappuzha destinations too,” Kumar said. vator of houseboats. Among Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, The state government wants to Pullikattil’s boats is a houseboat with a about 85 km from Alappuzha town. set up jetties from where seaplanes convention facility that can seat 100 (Courtesy: http://www.keralatourism.org) can land and take off at people on the deck. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pullikattil said that the boats in the Alappuzha and Kochi. area have been running full since the Kerala received 9.4 million domestic beginning of December. Since book - visitors in 2011 while the number of ings have now been completed till mid- foreign tourists was 0.8 million. January, getting a houseboat at short “We have to re-invent so as to give notice is practically impossible. each and every tourist something spe - Traditionally known as rice boats, cial. We want those who have experi - these boats have undergone numerous enced Kerala to return again and renovations. Today, they come in var - again,” he said.

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n Welcoming a new dawn...

Indian artist Harwinder Singh Gill displays an art work that captures the spirit of celebrations on the eve of the New Year, in Amritsar on December 31. ( Photo: AFP)

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