Sukhram Was Fourteen Herd Goats

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

April 1, 2011

I India RevieI w Vol. 7 Issue 4 www.indianembassy.org

(Standing L-R): Senator John Cornyn, Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus; Congressman Jim McDermott; Ms. Meera Shankar, Ambassador of India to the U.S.; Congressman Joseph Crowley, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans; and Ms. Kiran Pasricha, Deputy Director General, CII, hold copies of the CII study on the contribution of Indian companies in the U.S., that was released on March 30 at Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. Indian Industry Representatives meet U.S. Congressmen n India’s updated fdi n India unveils a new n Indian automobile policy simplifies joint telecom policy to industry reports good venture norms, opens usher in reforms, sales numbers for up new areas for change merger and March, driven by a overseas funds acquisition norms growing economy Cover STORY IndIan Industry reps meet u.s. Congressmen

t an event organized by the maceuticals, communication, and steel said that representatives of the Indian Confederation of Indian manufacturing, interacted with business community were reaching Industry (CII) and the India Congressmen, Senators and senior out to the U.S. Congress with the A Business Forum at the officials, both from the House and the message that the Indian industry Capitol Hill on March 30, representa - Senate. formed one of the key constituents tives from over 25 top Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar spoke and stakeholders in the growing companies operating in the U.S. in of the two-way flow of India-U.S. India-U.S. relationship. various sectors, including information trade and commercial engagements As the India-U.S. Strategic technology, automotive industry, phar - in various sectors. The Ambassador Partnership grows, Indian businesses

April 2011 India Review Cover STORY

are investing in the U.S. economy The Ambassador said being made by Indian firms in the and are today generating and sustain - that representatives United States, but also praised the ing thousands of direct and indirect Indian development model. He also U.S. jobs. of the Indian business pushed for U.S. companies to invest The Ambassador said Indian busi - community were in India as part of the ‘two-way rela - nesses are committed to working reaching out to the tionship’. closely with U.S. stakeholders, in the Senator Klobuchar from Congress, the Administration, and U.S. Congress with the Minnesota provided a positive the private sector to promote broad- message that the account of Essar Americas’ $1.3 bil - based and mutually beneficial bilat - Indian industry formed lion greenfield investment in 3 eral trade and economic engage - Minnesota which had helped save a ments. one of the key mine from closure. In his remarks, Senator John stakeholders in the The Ambassador also released a Cornyn said that the relationship growing relationship publication titled “Indian Roots, between the United States — the American Soil: A Look at Indian world’s oldest democracy — and between India and Companies in the U.S. Economy”, in India — the world’s largest democra - the United States the presence of Senators, cy — has grown by leaps and bounds Congressmen and the CII Country in recent years. Director Kiran Pasricha. Trade in goods and services the countries and providing U.S. The book showcases the message between the U.S. and India has consumers access to affordable of creation of value and jobs by grown exponentially, creating count - goods, he said. Representative Royce Indian companies in the United less economic opportunities for both spoke not just about the investments States.

Rep. Joseph Crowley speaks at the CII event on March 30, 2011 at Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., surrounded by Kiran Pasricha, Deputy Director General, CII; Dave Ryan, Head-North America, Tata Communicat ions, and Ambassador Meera Shankar. (Photo Credit: Bala Chandran, Asian Ocean Media.)

April 2011 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS Ambassador discusses bilateral ties with Hon’ble John A. Boehner, Speaker of the U.S. House

mbassador Meera Shankar called on the A Hon’ble John Boehner (R-Ohio), Speaker of the Ambassador newly elected U.S. Congress, Meera on March 2. The discussion Shankar with the Hon’ble focussed on the positive and John Boehner strategic relationship between (R-Ohio), India and the United States. Speaker of the newly Opportunities for further elected U.S. cooperation in the areas of Congress, on trade, economy, energy and March 2. high technology were also discussed. Speaker Boehner said that the relationship with India was important for the United States, including for the Congress. Meets with Congressman Buck McKeon mbassador Meera A Shankar met Congressman Buck McKeon, Chairman of the House Armed Ambassador Services Committee, Meera Shankar with Congressman on March 16. Buck McKeon, Ambassador Chairman of the Shankar and McKeon House Armed Services discussed develop - Committee, on ments in India-U.S. March 16. relations, including defense exchanges, and regional and global issues of mutual interest. 4 Ambassador visits California mbassador Meera Shankar economic and cultural cooperation. Shultz, and CEO of HP Leo visited California on March The Ambassador also met with Apotheker. She addressed the Indian 23-25. During the visit, she Senator Diane Feinstein, the Cultural Center at Milpitas and the A met with the Governor of Chancellor of UC Berkeley, Robert USIBC at Palo Alto. California, Jerry Brown, and the Birgineau, and the Deans of the South The Ambassador met with select Mayor of San Francisco, Edwin M. Asia and South East Asian faculties, Indian CEOs and senior officials of Lee, and discussed bilateral trade, former Secretary of State George Indian origin of various companies.

April 2011 India Review Embassy EVENTS ‘CARE’ RECEPTION

Ambassador Meera Shankar welcoming guests at a reception hosted for members of the ‘CARE’ organization on the occasion of the ‘2011 CARE Conference & International Women’s Day Celebration’, at the Embassy Residence on March 8. Ms. Helene D. Gayle, CARE President and CEO, addressing the gathering.

U.S. Congresswoman Nita Lowey addressing the gathering. A section of the audience.

SOUTH CAROlINA FEdERATION OF REPUBlICAN WOMEN’S BRIEFINg

Briefing of members of the South Carolina Federation of Republican Women on ‘India-US relations’ at the Embassy on March 10.

April 2011 India Review Embassy EVENTS NORTH EASTERN COMMUNITy RECEPTION

Ambassador Meera Shankar addressing members of the Indian American community from the North-Eastern states of India at a reception hosted at the Embassy on March 11. A section of the audience.

Artistes presenting a variety of cultural programs on the occasion.

April 2011 India Review Embassy EVENTS

COMMERCE SECRETARy PRESS MEET

Commerce Secretary Mr. Rahul Khullar addressing a press conference at the Embassy of India, Washington, D.C. on March 17. Also seen in the picture is Ambassador Meera Shankar. A section of the audience.

CII-INdIA BUSINESS FORUM

CII-India Business Forum members with Ambassador Meera Shankar and Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Arun K. Singh (front row, extreme right). (Photo Credit: Bala Chandran, Asian Ocean Media.)

INTERNATIONAl NEIgHBORS ClUB II BRIEFINg

Ambassador Meera Shankar briefing members and spouses of the International Neighbors Club II on ‘India-U.S. relations’ at the Embassy Residence on March 31. A section of the audience.

April 2011 India Review Consulate EVENTS Consul-General Mukta Tomar visits Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

onsul-General of India in development in India. Roper suggested Chicago Mukta Dutta Tomar a quarterly meeting, including himself, met Gerald J. Roper, Tomar, Chicago Sister Cities, the CPresident, Chicagoland Chamber’s Global Connections Chamber of Commerce, on March 8 to Council, and other key parties to dis - discuss how Indian and U.S. cuss how Chicagoland could take companies could take advantage of advantage of business opportunites in emerging business opportunities. India. Consul-General Tomar discussed Roper said that he looked forward to India’s recently announced budget and creating future programs so that said there was $500 billion worth of Chicagoland could benefit from busi - investment opportunities in the field of ness opportunities in India, and agriculture, including warehousing Consul-General of India in Chicago Mukta Dutta assisting interested Chamber members and transportation, and about $1 tril - Tomar with Gerald J. Roper, President, to expand their business efforts in lion in opportunities in infrastructure Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, on March 8. India.

destination for garments, textiles and Fabric to Fashion India 2011 accessories and New York had played a leading role in this process. He added he Consulate General of India, Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, Consul- that India was the world’s second- New York, organized a two-day General of India, New York, welcomed largest producer of textiles and T event on apparel promotion the guests and noted the high level of garments and the second-largest titled ‘Fabric to Fashion India 2011’, interest that Indian fashion and provider of employment in the country, in association with the Fashion apparels have been generating in the supporting a workforce of around 7 Institute of Technology (FIT) on United States. million people. March 24-25. The event included a He spoke of the ancient origins of A fusion instrumental musical Buyer-Seller Meet and a networking Indian textiles and garments and said program was presented by guitarist reception on March 24. Around 200 that India was a major supplier of tex - Sudeip, tabla player Nitin Mitta and textile and apparel vendors, retailers, tiles even before its colonization. India violinist Raghuttam. wholesalers, fashion designers, and has regained its position and is now a A short film on the Indian textile and mainstream and ethnic mediapersons world’s leading exporter of textiles and apparel industry, highlighting India’s participated in the event. A panel apparel due to the role played by the competitive advantage and efforts discussion on various aspects of the private sector, government incentives, undertaken by the Apparel Export Indian apparel industry and the and innovation, he said. Promotion Council, was played, opportunities in India was held at FIT Ambassador Dayal said India was followed by a film presentation on on March 25. In his opening remarks, recognized as a prime sourcing designer Sushma Patel.

Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, Consul-General of India, New York, A fusion instrumental musical program being presented by guitarist Sudeip, welcoming guests. tabla player Nitin Mitta and violinist Raghuttam.

April 2011 India Review Consulate EVENTS Celebration of Vishwa Hindi Divas at Consulate General of India, New York

he Consulate General of about workshops conducted by the India, New York, celebrated Vishva Yuva Sansthan to encourage the Vishwa Hindi Divas on children of People of Indian Origin to T March 30 at the New India learn Hindi. He also discussed House. About 150 guests, including activities initiated by individuals and academics, working to promote Hindi associations in the Tri-State Area. 9 in New York and New Jersey, Hindi Ambalika Mishra spoke about the poets and litterateurs, representatives activities Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was of the mainstream and ethnic media, carrying out to propagate Hindi. and people interested in Hindi and Hariet Lengel and Nooriya Puri, Hindi Indian culture attended the event. students of the Bhavan, recited their In his opening remarks, Consul- works on the occasion. Geeta Setia General of India, Ambassador and Ashok Vyas of ITV engaged the Prabhu Dayal, laid emphasis on the guests with their composition ‘Shabd need to popularize Hindi and exhort - Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, Consul-General of Mere Meet’ — a dialogue emphasizing ed guests to begin the process by India, New York, addressing guests. the importance of appropriate usage of speaking in Hindi at home. He read The first session dwelt on the activ - Hindi lexicon in daily life. out the message of the Hon’ble Prime ities being undertaken by various The second session was dedicated Minister of India Dr. Manmohan institutions to popularize Hindi. to the rendition of poems of eminent Singh. Ashok Ojha, a noted journalist, spoke Hindi poets. CGI-HOUSTON EVENTS

exas Congressman Ted T Poe, Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee, was the keynote Speaker at the Annual Consular Corps Luncheon hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), Consul-General Sanjiv Arora (7th from left), Dr. Ajeet R. Singhvi, Houston Chapter on President, AAPI (8th from left), Dr. Manju Sachdev, Chair, AAPI Women March 28. On the side - Physicians’ Committee (5th from right), and Dr. Arti Gupta, Host lines of this event, President of the event (7th from right) are seen with some of the participants on March 5. Congressman Ted Poe and Consul-General onsul-General Sanjiv Arora was the Chief Guest at the Congressman Ted Poe and Consul General Sanjiv Arora had a brief concluding gala of the Annual Women’s Conference of the Sanjiv Arora at the sidelines of the Annual exchange of views on American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in Consular Corps Luncheon hosted by the C India-U.S. relations and Dallas on March 5, organized in cooperation with the Texas Indo- American Jewish Committee, Houston mutual cooperation. American Physicians Society (North East Chapter). Chapter, on March 28, 2011.

onsul-General Sanjiv Arora delivered the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Distinguished International Visitor Lecture on C “India-US Partnership: A Win-Win situation” at FAU’s main cam - pus at Boca Raton on March 31. His lecture focused on India’s achievements and challenges as the world’s largest democracy and the fourth largest economy on purchasing power parity terms, India- U.S. relations, major priorities of the Consulate’s functioning and the Consulate’s role in expanding collaborations between local Consul-General Sanjiv Arora (5th from left) is seen with some members universities and institutions in India. of FAU’s India Task Force on March 31.

April 2011 India Review Economy NEWS INDIA EASES jOINT VENTUrE NOrMS TO DrAW FOrEIGN FUNDS ndia on March 31 operating companies, and announced an updated investing-cum-operating com - foreign direct invest - panies has been done away I ment (FDI) policy that with. simplifies joint venture norms “The simplification of joint and opens up new areas for venture norms will send a good overseas funds. message to foreign investors,” The updated policy allows said Manoj Kumar, managing overseas firms in existing joint partner of legal advisory firm ventures to operate separately Hammurabi and Solomon. He in the same business segment. said the new policy would give Earlier, they needed prior a boost to falling foreign direct approval from their Indian investment levels in the partners. country. “The FDI policy is part of Foreign direct investment ongoing efforts of procedure inflows into India declined 25 simplification and foreign percent to $18.3 billion during direct investment rationalisation, which will go a long way in April-February period of fiscal 2010-11. Other steps inspiring investor confidence,” Commerce and Industry announced by the Ministry include allowing conversion of Minister Anand Sharma said. non-cash items, such as import of capital goods, According to the updated policy released by the and pre-operative or pre-incorporation expenses (including Commerce and Industry Ministry, companies have now payments of rent) to equity. Earlier only royalty, lump-sum been classified into only two categories — companies fee and external commercial borrowings were allowed to be owned or controlled by foreign investors, and companies converted into equity. owned and controlled by Indian residents. The policy also allows overseas investments for the devel - The earlier categorization of investing companies, opment and production of seeds and planting material.

INDIA UNVEILS NEW KEY POINTS n Four categories of licenses to be TELECOM POLICY put in place: unified licenses, class licenses, licensing through author - ndia on April 11 unveiled the broad from licenses,” he said ization, and broadcasting licenses. framework of a new telecom policy while presenting the n Two levels of unified licenses, at which would usher in reforms, such as 100-day report on the the national level and at I progress of various audit of spectrum usage, de-linking of spec - the service area level. measures announced trum allocation and licences, and change of n Spectrum sharing to be at the beginning of controlled and permitted only 10 merger and acquisition guidelines. the year. The Minister under certain conditions. “We want regular audit and review of said that a uniform Kapil Sibal usage of spectrum by various agencies. We license fee across all feel this is required. Which agency, whether service areas was needed, and added that Companies seeking to renew their it is going to be the CAG (Comptroller and the quantum of fee would be decided in due licences will have to apply 30 months before Auditor General of India) or the TRAI course. the current one expires “so that there is (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), we Existing roll-out obligations, too, would enough time for us to deal with the applica - have not decided yet,” Communications and be modified, as the Department of Telecom tions, enough time for the licensee also to IT Minister Kapil Sibal said in New Delhi. was finding it difficult to monitor the same, know what he is in for”, Sibal said. The “All future licenses should be unified he said. The terms for renewing licenses licenses will be renewed after 10 years, not licenses and spectrum should be de-linked would also be changed in the new policy. 20 years.

April 2011 India Review Economy NEWS ‘Indian firms create thousands of jobs in U.S.’

ndian businesses which have Indian Ambassador to the United invested widely in the American Creating jobs, States, said at the CII event highlight - economy in diverse sectors in saving jobs ing the jobs and investments created by I services and manufacturing Indian companies in the U.S. “They have created thousands of jobs in the have generated and sustained thou - United States in recent years, n Since 2005, nearly two-thirds of sands of direct and indirect jobs in the according to a new study. Indian companies have added U.S. economy and have contributed to India-based companies have also jobs to their U.S. operations the global competitiveness of U.S. 11 continued to hire locally wherever they n Together, 35 companies employ companies,” she said. have put down roots, said the study by over 60,000 people across 40 “This is CII’s first major attempt in the Confederation of Indian Industry states bringing together Indian companies (CII), ‘Indian Roots, American Soil: A n More than four-fifths of workers with operations in the United States, as Look at Indian Companies in the U.S. at these companies are hired a group, to interact with members of Economy’ released on Capitol Hill on locally the U.S. Congress,” said CII Deputy March 31. n A majority of workers employed Director General Kiran Pasricha. The study was based on a survey of at these firms are U.S. citizens “What we want to do is highlight the 35 CII-India Business Forum member n India-based companies that have range and depth of the US-India busi - companies. operations in the U.S. have saved ness relationship,” Pasricha said. “We “Indian businesses have invested 2,585 jobs from being eliminated want the Congress to appreciate the widely in the U.S. economy in diverse due to their acquisition of U.S. growing contributions of Indian com - sectors in the fields of services and firms. panies to the U.S. economy and to manufacturing,” Meera Shankar, U.S. society,” she said.

Boeing plans $300 mn Come and see potential of India: investment in Indian Anil Ambani to U.S. firms defense industry ndia, which along with companies is to come and S aerospace major Boeing has submit - China is one of the really see the potential of Uted a $300-million plan for investment in the Indian defense industry as “offsets” I world’s “documented India,” Ambani told for the four additional P8I long-range growth stories”, offers America’s premier forum for maritime patrol aircraft that India intends to some of the largest oppor - discussing U.S. trade policy buy for its navy, a senior company official tunities for American and developing strategies said. The four P8Is are a follow-on order companies, Anil Ambani, to expand the role exports Anil Ambani from India, which has already signed a con - Chairman of Reliance Anil play in the U.S. economy. tract with the U.S. for eight P8I platforms in Dhirubhai Ambani Group in a panel discussion on "India and China are now maritime reconnaissance and anti-subma - (ADAG), one of India’s most ‘The Shifting Global documented growth stories rine warfare roles in January 2009 at a cost of $2.1 billion. successful corporations, has Economy and Implications for many decades. Their Under the offsets (proportion of the order said. “The opportunities for for Trade’ at the U.S. Exim very large needs of infra - value to be invested in the domestic indus - U.S. companies is vast vol - Bank Annual Conference in structure across all sectors try of the buyer) clause in the contract, ume markets of the world,” Washington on April 1. is a great opportunity for Boeing will have to plough back in the he said, while participating “The challenge for U.S. U.S. exports,” he added. Indian defense industry 30 percent of the $1 billion that these four aircraft would cost. “We have an indication that the (Indian) Ambani meets Gary Locke government has approved four more (P8I) nil Ambani, ADAG Chairman, on March financing. Locke spoke of the momentum in and it will have offset obligation. We have 31 met with U.S. Commerce Secretary US-India economic ties generated following given them some draft offset proposals,” A Gary Locke in Washington and discussed the U.S. President Barack Obama’s historic visit Christopher M. Chadwick, President of value of having more U.S. medium-sized to India last November. Boeing Military Aircraft, said in New Delhi. companies do business in India. Both expressed the desire to work India’s Defense Ministry had approved the Ambani and Locke also discussed the together to accelerate the development of follow-on P8I order in October 2010. importance of U.S. Export-Import Bank the bilateral relationship.

April 2011 India Review Economy NEWS IndIan automobIle sector’s march sales soar

he Indian automobile industry on April 1 reported good sales T numbers for March 2011, prompted by a growing economy, increasing disposable incomes, and low interest rates. Indian car market leader Maruti Suzuki reported a 28.2 percent jump in total sales at 121,952 units during March this year against 95,123 units during the same period of 2010. In March, the company’s sales were driven by its best-selling compact car segment, including models like Alto, Wagon-R, Estilo, Swift, A-Star and Ritz. It saw a 43.3 percent rise in sales at 78,460 units against 54,763 units in the same period of 2010. In the company’s sedan segment, which includes cars like SX4 and Dzire, sales grew by 33.1 percent and stood at 13,910 units as against 10,453 units in March 2010. during the previous fiscal. The company’s domestic sales The automobile giant has further reported a growth of in the fiscal grew by 30.1 percent with the sale of 24.8 percent in sales for the complete financial year 1,132,739 vehicles as compared to the previous financial 2010-11 at 1,271,005 units as against 1,018,365 units year.

India’s February exports India’s mobile subscriber base rise 49.7 percent touches 791.38 mn ndia’s merchandize exports were up over 49 per - Icent in February at $23.59 billion compared to the he number of mobile sub - Overall teleden - year-ago period, and oil imports dipped marginally by scribers in India rose to sity in India has 0.3 percent, latest trade data showed on April 1. T 791.38 million in February reached 69.29. Of Cumulative value of exports for 11 months of this with the addition of 20.2 million the total 791.38 fiscal was $208.2 billion, registering a growth of connections, official data showed. million sub - 31.4 percent over $158.49 billion logged during the According to the Telecom scribers in like period of the previous fiscal. The country import - Regulatory Authority of India, February, only 12 ed goods worth $31.7 billion during February, a rise the wireless user base grew 2.62 562.98 million of 21.2 percent from the like month of 2010. percent, from 771.18 million in subscribers were Cumulatively, imports were up 18 percent at January. active subscribers on the date of $305.29 billion for the April-February period against While the share of urban sub - peak visitor location register $258.74 billion logged during the similar period last scribers declined to 66.36 percent (VLR). year. Oil imports in the month under review stood from 66.42 percent, the share of VLR is a database of subscribers valued at $8.21 billion, 0.3 percent lower than rural subscribers increased from who have roamed into the particu - $8.24 billion in the like month of the last fiscal. 33.58 percent to 33.64 percent, lar area, which it serves. Each base During the 11 months of this fiscal, these imports the report said. With this, the total station in the network is served by were 12.4 percent higher at $88.17 billion, against number of telephone subscribers one VLR, hence a subscriber can - $78.14 billion. touched 826.25 million, register - not be present in more than one ing a growth of 2.50 percent. VLR at a time.

April 2011 India Review Economy NEWS VodaFone to buy out essar’s stake In IndIan JoInt Venture For $5 bn

ritain-based Vodafone However, Indian norms do not allow Group on March 31 said it foreign companies to hold more than would buy out its Indian 74 percent stake in a telecom compa - B joint venture partner Essar ny. So, Vodafone will have to offload Group’s stake in India’s leading tele - the excess holding. com company Vodafone Essar Limited “Vodafone Group’s published net 13 for $5 billion. debt figure already includes this Essar Group holds a 33 percent $5 billion,” the company said. stake in Vodafone Essar Limited. After Vodafone Essar is the Indian sub - this deal, the global telecom giant will sidiary of Vodafone Group, with have a 75-percent stake in the Indian Vodafone holding 67 percent and mobile operator. Group of its put option, Vodafone has Essar Group 33 percent. The telecom “The Essar Group has exercised its exercised its call option over the company had bought a 67-percent under-written put option over 22 per - remaining 11 percent of VEL owned stake in Hutchison Essar for $10.7 bil - cent of Vodafone Essar Limited by the Essar Group, resulting in a total lion in 2007. The operator is the third- (VEL),” said Vodafone Group in a cash payment of $5 billion,” it added. largest service provider by number of statement. The final settlement is expected by subscribers in India with over 130 mil - “Following the exercise by the Essar November 2011. lion customers as on February 2011.

Wipro to buy u.s. firm’s stanford medical center’s partnership It business for $150 mn with Jaslok hospital lobal software also strengthen the IT bell - tanford Medical Center, an Ivy League major Wipro on wether’s presence in the Sinstitution in San Francisco, and Jaslok April 1 announced global oil and gas sector Hospital and Research Center in Mumbai G have signed an MoU to study possibilities of it would buy the oil and gas through its energy, natural cooperation in medical services and IT service business of the resources, and utilities training. US-based Science strategic business unit. “IT In the initial phases, Teleconferencing Applications International spend in the energy sector is Programs developed by Stanford will Corporation (SAIC) for expected to grow as cus - provide Jaslok doctors with top-class $150 million in an all-cash Wipro chief tomers look for newer education on “hot topics” and offer best Azim Premji deal. streams of revenues, opti - therapeutic options to Indian patients. The Virginia-headquartered SAIC’s mizing operational cost and finding There would also be opportunities to par - IT business unit provides consulting, better ways to become environmental - ticipate interactively with Stanford’s faculty. This could be expanded in later phases with system integration, and outsourcing ly conscious,” Wipro Vice-President visits by Jaslok doctors to services to global oil majors with Anand Padmanabhan said. hospitals and clinics at Stanford and its domain expertise in digital oil field, With oil and gas companies in the affiliate hospitals in the U.S. petro-technical data management and upstream business looking at rational - “I firmly believe that Jaslok Hospital’s petroleum application services for the izing cost through IT, the domain con - multispeciality doctors will benefit greatly upstream segment. sultancy and competencies of SAIC’s from the Stanford Medical Centre,” said “Post-acquisition, 1,450 employees IT services unit will enhance Wipro’s Boston-based Indian American Cardiac of the $10-billion Fortune 500 firm position as an end-to-end leader in Surgeon Dr. Mukesh Hariawala. “At Jaslok, we plan to establish a ‘Center for will join Wipro and will be based servicing customers. “Bringing our Excellence’ in cutting-edge medical across the United States, Europe, skills and client base to Wipro will technologies,” Hariawala, who leads India and the Gulf region,” the com - increase our combined market poten - Jaslok’s International Partnerships pany said in a statement in Bengaluru tial,” SAIC’s IT services unit Vice- Development Program, said. and in New York. The acquisition will President Rex Ballard said.

April 2011 India Review Diaspora NEWS Siddhartha Mukherjee bags Pulitzer

ndian-American cancer spe - The book is for cialist Siddhartha Mukherjee has bagged this year's Pulitzer everyone. The point I prize in the general non-fiction was to make the category for his book The Emperor of world of medicine All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer . Delhi-born Mukherjee’s book has and science been described as “an elegant inquiry, accessible to at once clinical and personal, into the long history of an insidious disease anyone interested that, despite treatment break - throughs, still bedevils medical science”. “clearly one culprit among young The finalists in the category were men and women”. “But there are The Shallows: What the Internet Is other culprits too,” he said. “As the Doing to Our Brain by Nicholas Carr population ages and other diseases and Empire of the Summer Moon: are slowly eliminated, cancer begins Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall to come about.” of the Comanches, the Most Powerful “Cancer rises in the double nega - Indian Tribe in American History by tive only when all the other killers S.C. Gwynne. have been killed. So I think that’s Hall of Fame: Siddhartha Mukherjee An Assistant Professor of Medicine beginning to occur in some parts of at Columbia University and a staff incidence of the disease in India. South Asia,” Mukherjee said. cancer physician at Columbia Less than a month after its publica - Mukherjee, 40, who grew up in University Medical Center, tion, Mukherjee’s book, published by New Delhi’s Safdarjung Enclave, Mukherjee had said in December last Scribner, featured among ‘The 10 “immersed in reading and books” at year: “Cancer is growing dramatical - Best Books of 2010’ in the New York home and studied at St. Columba’s ly in certain parts of South Asia.” Times Book Reviews, a rare feat for a School, says he “came into oncology Mukherjee advocated a strong work of non-fiction. in a sort of reverse, in the sense that I anti-smoking campaign and breast The doctor blamed increase in first trained as a cellular biologist cancer screening to battle the growing cancer in tobacco smoking as when I was in Oxford as a Rhodes scholar”. “So I really came from the cell into ‘Couldn’t believe he won Pulitzer’ medicine. Many people first train in medicine, then eventually get hen Indian American Enclave, homemaker Chandana said fascinated by cells.” Siddhartha Mukherjee they have been flooded with calls The book isn’t meant for the med - W cancer specialist called his since early April after the news ical profession alone, he said. “The mother at 1 a.m. on April 19 to say broke. “There have been a lot of target is everyone. The point of this he had won the Pulitzer, she thought calls.” Asked if they would fly down book was to make the world of medi - he was pulling a fast one! to meet their son to celebrate the cine and science and culture accessi - 14 “It came as a complete surprise. occasion, she said would go only in ble to anyone who is Siddhartha called us at 1 a.m. and June. “We had planned our vacation interested,” Mukherjee said. asked if we were awake. I said of well in advance and have our tickets “This is a disease that has devel - course not — senior citizens don’t booked for June. We will go for a oped in our times in a very poignant stay up so late. Then he told me that month or a month-and-a-half. Then way. So I intend this book to be read he has won this prize and I just the celebrations are going to happen by anyone who wishes to find out couldn’t believe it,” Mukherjee’s with Siddhartha, his wife and the about it: patients and people whose mother Chandana, who lives in kids and his wife’s family," loved ones are affected by cancer or Delhi, said. A resident of Safdarjung Chandana said. — IANS any person interested in its history.” — IANS

April 2011 India Review Diaspora NEWS Nitin Kotak gets key research post

on-resident Indian professional institutes in India — the American Nitin Kotak has Institute of Chartered Accountants, been elected Vice- the Institute of Company Secretaries N President and Chief and the Institute of Cost and Works Financial Officer of the Howard Accountants — Kotak started his Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) career in 1981 working as the assis - engaged in advancing scientific tant company secretary for a Tata research and education in the United group enterprise, Tinplate Company 15 States. of India. Kotak, 53, joins the Institute from He then spent more than 17 years Bethesda-based Technest Holdings, with ITC Limited where he held a Inc., where he was Chief Financial variety of finance-related positions. Officer and Treasurer. “Nitin comes to In 1999, he moved to India-based us with great enthusiasm for our mis - Nitin Kotak Mattel Toys, a subsidiary of Mattel, sion and significant experience in Inc., as its chief financial officer. financial analysis, reporting, and com - the community. I feel honored to be Kotak moved to the U.S. in 2003 to pliance,” said Cheryl Moore, HHMI’s selected for this great responsibility,” become Director of Finance and Executive Vice-President and Chief said Kotak. Accounting for Able Laboratories, Inc., Operating Officer. During fiscal 2010, the Institute a publicly traded developer and manu - At the Howard Hughes Medical made disbursements of $889 million, facturer of generic pharmaceuticals. A Institute, Kotak will oversee budget including $738 million for scientific year later, he became Able’s Vice- and financial analysis, the con - research and $89 million in grants to President for Finance and Accounting. troller’s office, treasury, internal support science education and interna - Kotak joined Technest in 2005 as audit, and procurement. “I am very tional research. The Institute’s endow - Vice-President for Finance and excited at this opportunity to be a ment at the close of fiscal 2010 stood Operations and became Chief part of this outstanding organization at $14.8 billion. Financial Officer and Treasurer in and work in a spirit of giving back to A senior member of three major 2008. — IANS

Architect duo plans unique aesthetics for India n Indian-American mother daughter- and Saudi Arabia, the Holocaust led firm, that has designed several Memorial Museum, Kovno Ghetto A award-winning projects around the Exhibit, an Egg-Shaped Digesters world, has now set its eyes on India, with Facility, the National Library of the three new contemporary commercial and res - Czech Republic and the Library of idential complexes in Gurgaon, the satellite Congress, and Coolidge town of the capital New Delhi. “We’re a firm Auditorium. that has always had a very strong sense of Each of her planned projects for place, of roots, and of keeping those in view India is unique and uniquely suited even as we look to the future in our design to India’s natural and cultural cli - practice,” says New Delhi-born Suman Sorg, mate and will bring high quality Founding Principal of Washington-based Sorg contemporary architecture to Architects. Gurgaon, says Sorg. “We’re excited “These three new commissions in India A 12-building complex takes cue from classic works of about these new projects,” she give us a chance to demonstrate both of those India’s past like the Taj Mahal. says about the three projects called instincts,” said Sorg, who runs one of the the Grand Arch, Skyon and Sector largest woman-owned architecture practices an incubator and platform for international 62, set to open over the next year-and-a-half. in the U.S. with her 30-year-old daughter, exchange and education and yet preserves “We’ve been working in India for a number Nikki. Sorg has also won a “City of the Future” and enhances its historical identity. of years, but this represents a unique oppor - competition imagining Washington in the Among the over 250 projects in the U.S. tunity: these three large-scale, multi-use year 2108. Sorg’s award-winning scheme and abroad designed by her firm are the U.S. structures really reflect the best of our long imagined a “City of Ideas” that envisions it as embassies in Afghanistan, Barbados, Finland work,” Sorg said. — IANS

April 2011 India Review Trends in SOCIETY India’s Biotechnology Sector: Growth and Opportunities

he Indian biotechnology sec - tor is one of the fastest grow - ing knowledge-based sectors T in India and is expected to play a key role in shaping India’s rapid - ly developing economy. With numer - ous comparative advantages in terms of research and development (R&D) facilities, knowledge, skills, and cost effectiveness, the biotechnology indus - try in India has immense potential to emerge as a global key player. The biotechnology industry in India is likely to see a significant increase in merger and acquisition (M&A) activi - ty, according to research firm Grant Thornton. The Indian biotech industry crossed the $3 billion mark in 2010, witnessing a 23 percent growth over the previous year. Of this, while the share of domes - tic firms stood at 47 percent, exports accounted for 53 percent of the overall revenues. India’s high-skill and low- cost advantage is said to have helped in exports. The bioagriculture, bioindus - global Phase III trials and 3.2 percent gaining export contracts and clinical trials, and bioinformatics sectors in the Phase II trials with industry- research bioservices. remained focussed on domestic opera - sponsored trials having grown by 39 The Indian biotech industry grew tions, bringing in nearly 90 percent of percent CAGR during 2004-08. threefold in just five years to report rev - their revenues from India. According to a report by the enues of $3 billion in 2009-10, a rise of Moreover, according to Kiran Confederation of Indian Industry and 17 percent over the previous year, Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman and YES Bank, the Indian biotechnology according to the eighth annual survey Managing Director of Biocon, which industry is estimated to witness a 20 conducted by the Association of has topped the list of biotech compa - percent annual growth rate, to reach Biotechnology-Led Enterprises nies in India in the ABLE survey, India $8 billion in 2015 from $1 billion in (ABLE) and a monthly journal, is looking forward to achieve $5 billion 2005. The report forecasts that India BioSpectrum , based on inputs from in revenue this fiscal (2010-11). will account for 3-5 percent of the over 150 biotech companies. India is also gaining importance as global biopharmaceutical market. 16 The biopharma sector contributed a clinical trial destination. According nearly three-fifth to the industry’s rev - to a joint study by an industry body Major Investments enues at $1.9 billion, a rise of 12 per - and Ernst and Young (E&Y) released Investments, along with outsourcing cent, followed by bioservices at $573 in August 2009, the industry-spon - activities and exports, are key drivers million and bioagri at $420.4 million. sored Phase II and Phase III clinical for growth in the biotech sector. The remaining revenue came from the trial sites in India have grown by 116 According to data released by the bioindustrials $122.5 million and percent during June 2008 and August Department of Industrial Policy and bioinformatics $50.2 million segments. 2009, with the country moving from Promotion, the drugs and pharmaceuti - Biopharma and bioservices sectors rank 18 to 12 across the 60 most cals sector has attracted foreign direct contributed 63 percent and 33 percent, active countries. investment (FDI) worth $1.85 billion respectively, to the total biotech India participates in 7 percent of the between April 2000 and December 2010.

April 2011 India Review Trends in SOCIETY

Some of the major investments in The Government of A draft bill to set up the the sector are as follows: Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of n Swiss Pharma company Lonza AG, India and UNESCO India (BRAI) to modulate the research, plans to invest around $55.33 mil - have taken a joint import, manufacture and use of organ - lion through its Indian subsidiary in decision to establish isms and biotechnology products is a phased manner in Genome Valley ready, Prithviraj Chavan, then federal project, Hyderabad, said Stefan the Regional Center Minister of Earth Sciences, had said on Borgas, CEO, Lonza. for research, training November 10, 2010. Besides the feder - n Biotechnology major Biocon plans to al government initiatives, individual invest around $107 million over the and education in states are also doing their bit to pro - next three years to set up plants that biotechnology under mote the biotechnology industry. 17 will supply generic biotechnology the auspices of According to B.S. Yeddurappa, Chief drugs to Europe and the United Minister of Karnataka, a bio-venture States, said Murali Krishnan K N, UNESCO fund with a seed capital of $10 million President-Group Finance, Biocon. will be set up to incubate start-ups by n The Defense Research and are full-service contract research orga - young entrepreneurs. Development Organization, which nizations (CROs), will offer access to Meanwhile, the Government of India caters primarily to the armed forces, medical writing, clinical data manage - proposes to set up a $640.68 million plans to spend $63.5 million to ment and biostatistics, as well as venture capital fund to give a fillip to upgrade and custom-make its exist - quicker patient recruitment. drug discovery and strengthening the ing line of biotech products for Biocon Limited has signed an MoU pharma infrastructure in the country, civilian use. with Malaysia’s Biotechnology Ashok Kumar, Secretary, Department Corporation (BiotechCorp) to explore of Pharmaceuticals, said. Tie- Ups collaboration and potential investment The National Agri Food Bangalore-based Biocon Ltd signed a in Malaysia’s biotechnology industry. Biotechnology Institute (NABI), a marketing deal with drug-maker Pfizer Moreover, Syngene International, the DBT project, is likely to be ready in the to globally commercialize four of its custom research subsidiary of Biocon next three years. The autonomous insulin biosimilar products. Pfizer will Ltd, has entered into a discovery and institute, along with a bio-processing upfront pay $200 million for the development collaboration with Endo unit, would become India’s first insti - exclusive world rights. Pharmaceuticals of the United States tute in the field of agri-biotechnology, The Department of Biotechnology, to develop biological therapeutic for which the federal government has Government of India, and the Indian molecules against cancer. earmarked $86.36 million to be inject - Council of Agricultural Research ed in next five years. (ICAR) have entered into an MoU with Government Initiatives The DBT is implementing a program the Biotechnology and Biological In recognition of the need for training to augment and strengthen institution - Science Research Council (BBSRC), and education for generating interdis - al research capacity for the promotion UK, and the Department for ciplinary human resource relevant to of excellence in interdisciplinary International Development (DFID). biotechnology, the Government of science and innovation in specific areas The initiative is expected to forge India and UNESCO have taken a joint of biotechnology. productive global partnerships between decision to establish the Regional scientists in the UK, India and other Center for research, training and edu - Looking Ahead developing countries to leverage high- cation in biotechnology under the aus - India is being globally recognized as a quality biological and biotechnological pices of UNESCO. The UNESCO manufacturer of economical and high- research for sustainable crop produc - Regional Center for Biotechnology is quality bulk drugs and formulations. tion in South Asia and Sub-Saharan scheduled to come up in Faridabad, With a huge base of talented, skilled Africa. An agreement on Russia-India Haryana. and cost-competitive manpower, India Biotech Network (RIBN) was signed Further, the Department of has great potential to become a leading to serve as a dedicated platform to help Biotechnology (DBT), Government of global player in biotechnology. facilitate collaboration between India, has also decided to set up a According to Shaw, who is also Russian and Indian biotech companies unique Health Biotech Science Cluster Chairman of the Karnataka Vision on September 14, 2010. (HBSC) at Faridabad. Moreover, the Group on Biotechnology, the next Hyderabad-based contract research government will fast-forward the pro - goalpost that the domestic biotechnol - firm GVK Biosciences has also part - cess of setting up a National ogy sector has set for itself, is to reach nered with ResearchPoint Global, the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority, to a turnover of $10 billion by 2015. US-based clinical organization. stimulate public and private investment (Courtesy: The India Brand Equity Together, the two companies, which in biotechnology. Foundation)

April 2011 India Review Science NEWS An ayurvedic calendar to promote healthy living hat’s the right lifestyle and lifestyle tips ficial information. One of them is to and diet for the season? in every season make people select the right color for To find out, turn to the for staying fit,” clothes on a seasonal basis — an W first of its kind V.K. Joshi, a exercise that helps in healthy living,” ayurvedic calendar brought out by the professor with added Joshi, who has conceptualized Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in the University’s the calendar. The calendar is based on Varanasi. ayurveda facul - ritucharya , the time-tested ancient The Faculty of Ayurveda at the ty, said in seasonal regimen, which helps keep BHU, a prestigious federal university, Varanasi on March 25. “You can people healthy through proper diet has come up with a health calendar broadly say the calendar has various and lifestyle pertaining to the season. that would guide people on how to guidelines in sync with different The guidelines and information in stay fit and healthy round the year. seasons that would make people stay the ayurvedic calendar are based on “Put simply, the calendar would healthy,” Joshi said. the seasons as traditionally classified enable people to select the right diet “The calendar also has other bene - by Hindu calendars.

Jatropha holds potential to be India to launch sustainable aviation fuel advanced remote here is a significant potential for sensing satellite sustainable aviation fuel based ndia will launch an advanced remote T on jatropha-curcas , an oil-pro - I sensing satellite on April 20 to study ducing non-edible plant, says a study and manage natural resources, the Indian released by Boeing. Space Research Organization (ISRO) The study, led by Yale University’s announced on April 9. School of Environmental Studies, has Preparations to launch the 1.2-ton shown that if cultivated properly, jat - Professor at the Yale School of Resourcesat-2 spacecraft onboard the ropha can deliver strong environmental Forestry and Environmental Studies. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C16) and socio-economic benefits in Latin The study, conducted from 2008- were progressing well at the Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota, the America and reduce greenhouse gas 2010 and funded by Boeing, used sus - ISRO said. emmisions up to 60 percent tainability criteria developed by the Sriharikota, in Andhra Pradesh, is compared to petroleum-based jet fuel. Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels to about 80 km northeast of the southern “Research study like this is vital to assess actual farming conditions in Indian city of Chennai. The polar orbit helping developers deliver better social, Latin America. A key study finding rocket will also carry a 92 kg Youthsat, a environmental, and economic sustain - identifies prior land-use as the most joint Indo-Russian nanosatellite for stellar ability outcomes from jatropha cultiva - important factor driving greenhouse and atmospheric studies, and a 105 kg tion,” says Rob Bailis, Assistant gas benefits of a jatropha jet fuel. microsatellite X-sat for imaging applica - tions, built by the Singapore-based Nanyang Technological University. “The launch authoriziation board will India to study Japan tsunami’s impact on Indian Ocean review the readiness of the rocket, satel - 18 lites and ground stations on April 16. The ndian scientists would the recent tsunami, it will to study changes in sea cur - countdown will begin on April 18 for the study the impact on the have a global impact. We rents, bottom of the sea and scheduled lift-off on April 20 at 10.12 I Indian Ocean of the will study the impact of the ocean conditions, and how am,” the statement said. Pacific Ocean tsunami that Pacific Ocean tsunami on it can impact the Indian The upcoming event will be the space ravaged north-eastern Japan the Indian Ocean,” said Ocean,” Tyagi said. The dev - agency’s first launch mission after the recently, a meteorological India Meteorological astating earthquake and failure of its geo-satellite launch vehicle department official said on Department (IMD) Director- tsunami that struck Japan on December 25 after 10 connectors March 23. General Ajit Tyagi. Scientists on March 11 left 9,301 peo - snapped within a minute after the 418- “The Pacific Ocean is so are awaiting data related to ple dead, while at least ton rocket took off from the spaceport, vast that if there are some changes in the pattern of 13,786 are still unaccounted carrying an advanced communication changes in the sea following the Pacific Ocean. “We need for. satellite.

April 2011 India Review Short STORY THE MOUNTAIN TRAIL

By Anil Chandra

(The author, a former Indian bureaucrat, is a short story writer and a scholar. Chandra has also written three books on history covering ancient India and China.) 19

ukhram Lodhi sat leaning Sukhram was fourteen herd goats. When Sukhram called, against a rock, his turban and he knew that they came. When he played the flute, over his eyes, the warmth of people were sorry for they followed him over his father’s S the sun on his bare feet. His fields and the hills beyond. feet told him where he was. They knew him. But he thought, if There was less heat in the sun now. the feel of the sand and the stones, and only they could guess It was time to go. Sukhram got out his the different kinds of grass. flute, raised it to his lips, and blew a To his right a bird twittered. It how beautiful his note softly. He could feel a movement seemed to Sukhram that he knew what world was, they would about him. The goats had raised their it was saying. Because he was blind, the envy him. Most people heads and were looking toward him. birds and beasts let him into their He blew again. The goats were all world, made him a party in it. He never did not know about about him. Now he would play them spoke of this except to his brother the little rustlings in down the mountain and into the Rajbir and his grandfather Shivpriya the grass. They did not shelter, and tomorrow he would lead Chauhan. They never laughed at him them out again. It was a happy life. for his fancies. know the feel of But while he had been on the moun - Sukhram was fourteen and he knew things tain that day, Rani Lakshmi Bai, the that people were sorry for him. But he queen of Jhansi, declared war on the thought, if only they could guess how or of leather, or of skins. They did not English and was joined by the beautiful his world was, they would know anything about smells. They indomitable Tantia Tope. He found his envy him. Most people did not know went through life with blind noses. father and Rajbir saddling their horses. about the little rustlings in the grass. Sukhram spent his time herding his They kissed him goodbye, their rifles They did not know the feel of things, father’s hundred goats. He knew them pressing into his chest as they held him. round things like eggs, and water- by the sound of their cloven hoofs on As the sound of hoofs faded into the worm stones, rough things like rocks, the stones by their smell. It was easy to distance, he felt his mother beside him.

April 2011 India Review Short STORY

She put her arm about him. “What will his people. They were heavier and were dustless. “Come on then,” the officer we do now, amma?” he asked. not being ridden loose reined. said,” “They can’t be far.” “We are going son. We are going to He could hear the jingling of chains, The soldiers swirled past Sukhram. your grandfather.” the strike of metal on metal. These There were, as far as he could make “But it will be dark there. I do not were English. They must be in pursuit out, some thirty of them. But if there know those fields and how shall I graze of the tired men who had passed him was one troop of English cavalry, there my father’s goats in a strange place earlier. would be more, He strained his ears, where it’s dark?” For the first time he “Have you seen some soldiers pass, waiting. It would come soon. knew what it was to be blind. boy?” It was the man on the nearest It came, a single shot. Three more, In the morning, the horses were horse, no doubt the officer in com - singly — those were his people. The hitched to the wagon, and the loose mand. English did not shoot like that. They cattle and goats were collected for the “I have been out all day,” Sukhram did not fight like his folk, in small fifteen-kilometer trek. “Come replied. “I have seen nothing.” bodies. Their shots were faster now. Sukhram,” his mother said. “We are “You’ll get nothing out of that, boy,” They were fighting a running battle as ready.” another man said, “but they came this they moved toward the mountain. He He had a long parcel wrapped in way all right and have gone toward the began to be afraid for Rajbir and his sacking. “I am bringing my brother’s hills. They can’t be far away. Their father. other rifle,” he said. “They say my eyes horses are tired.” He made his way back slowly. are clear and black. If anything Yes, their horses were tired, “Did you see the English?” his happened to us, you could stand me Sukhram thought, but it was strange mother asked. right with the gun in my hand, and no that these men could not see where the “Yes, I saw them, amma, he said. one would know.” soldiers had gone, when he could feel “They spoke to me. They were follow - Sukhram got up beside his mother. their spoor with his feet, when the ing some soldiers that were going to Suddenly, he said, “I am nothing dung of the horses was still warm and join Tantia Tope. Father and Rajbir are amma. I am going to a strange place there.” that my feet do not know, and I am Perhaps it was as well “I wish we had news,” his mother nothing.” As the wheels turned, he it was dark. Had there said. knew this more than ever. been more light, “Yes amma, it is hard to live without Later, he asked: “Tell me what you news. It is hard also to be a man and to see amma? Can you still see the moun - perhaps the men be here. Today I was ashamed. First to tain where I used to graze my goats?” would not have face our folk and then to face the When they reached there, his grand - climbed. But they English. I told our people but I did not father had gone — everyone, all the could not see. Among tell the English. They did not know old men and the boys as well. Sukhram that I could not see. Oh amma, is there alone was left. There was nothing to do them all, because he nothing I can do?” but wait. was blind, only That night Sukhram could not sleep. Day after day it was the same, never Sukhram could see It seemed as if by not sleeping, by suf - any news. Sukhram was finding his fering, by thinking, he could help the way about his grandfather’s farm bet - others. So he built up a battle in his ter now, but it was not home. He did head — by the feel of the sweating not belong here. necks, imagining of horses, by the One day, some soldiers passed, tired smell of men like those who had passed men on tired horses. Sukhram lis - that day, by the sound of rifle bolts, the tened. The shuffling of the horses and reek of exploding cordite, the crackle 20 the sweaty smell of men, told him all of shots, the sound of hoofs, and the that he needed to know. rattle of chains. Suddenly, he sprang “Have you seen my father or my up. “Amma, amma” he shouted. brother?” he asked. “I have had a dream. It is my broth - “Who are you?” er on horseback. He is riding hard.” “I am Sukhram Lodhi,” he said. “I He ran to his mother. He felt her am blind. My father is with Tantia sitting up in bed. “The gun”, he said, Tope’s army.” “Get me the gun!” “We are joining Tantia Tope. We will She pushed the rifle into his hand. tell him we have seen you.” He opened the bolt and closed it. The Shortly he heard more horses com - cartridge slid into the breech. He ing. But these were not the horses of found the door and opened it. The

April 2011 India Review Short STORY approaching horse had not slowed would not have climbed. But they down. could not see. Among them all, “Light the lamp, Sukhram said. because he was blind, only Sukhram “Then come and stand beside me.” Lodhi could see. He stood in the middle of the door - “We are nearly there father,” he said way. His bare feet gripped the stone as he came to the face of a cliff. He felt floor. His gun was held across him, for a finger hold in the wet rock and ready to raise. commanded the others to start climb - “Stop or I shoot”, he shouted. ‘It is ing. Soon, he and his father were on Rajbir’s horse, but it might not be the top. Man after man passed, breath - 21 Rajbir’, he thought. ing heavily. There had been no chal - “Sukhram… Sukhram… what are lenge. Tantai Tope whispered you doing with the gun?” It was instructions. The men spread out. Rajbir. mando is driving them back. The Sukhram’s father pushed him “What is it, Rajbir?” his mother English do not know we are here and behind a big stone. “Stay there, asked. are retreating toward the river crossing Sukhram. We’ll come back for you.” “Amma, I have no time to explain. I that we are holding.” He must wait now. He could feel have come to fetch Sukhram. Tantia “I understand,” Sukhram said. them leaving him — feel them creep - Tope needs him.” “They will be caught between two ing toward a camp of sleeping men. “Tantia Tope? You are taking fires.” There was a shout and then another. Sukhram to the war? What can “Yes,” said Tantia Tope. “But some - Then everyone was shouting and Sukhram do?” thing has gone wrong. A force of shooting. There were cries from the “Yes. What can I do?” Sukhram English has got to the top of the moun - wounded. Shots and more shots, a asked. tain by another way. We command the hoarse cheer from Tantia Tope’s men “I’ll tell you on the way. Come here.” crossing but they command us. We are and the shout: “They are running!” Sukhram went toward the horse and going to attack them tonight, but there There was a terrific burst of fire. felt for his brother’s leg. He held the is only one path from this side. It is Sukhram could smell burning cordite. stirrup with one hand and put his foot very small, a goat track, and the night A single shot and then nothing till he into it. His brother had his left hand. is so dark that we can do nothing. Your heard his father call him. “Sukhram, He was up. brother said you could lead us up the are you there?” “Hold fast, Sukhram. We are going mountain.” “I am here.” to ride.” He had hardly got hold of his “Me. Lead Tantia Tope’s army?” Someone took his hand. It was brother’s waist when the horse was off. “Yes, you, Sukhram,” his brother Tantia Tope. “I want to thank you,” he They were galloping. It began to rain. said. “You know the path.” said. “Without you this could not have Where were they going? What was he “Yes, I know the path.” Of course. been done, and had it been a fair night, to do? What use could he be to Tantia Had he not been up it almost every day I do not think it could have been done. Tope? The ground grew rougher. of his life? I do not think we would have faced There were loose stones. Suddenly, he They set his feet on the path where it that climb had we been able to see.” sat up straighter. He could smell the began. His father was behind him; then They were all around him now, mountain, his mountain... came Rajbir, and then the others, a pressing against him and taking his “We are nearly there,” Rajbir said. long line of men on his goat trail, all hand. They had tears in their eyes. “If He pulled up. “I am back,” Rajbir following him up his mountain. He it had not been for you…” shouted. Sukhram felt his brother’s was leading the soldiers. His feet knew “They will make songs of this,” an arms around him. He lifted him down. each stone and root, each bend, each old man said. “Ballads of Sukhram “Is Sukhram there?” It was his rock. He recognized the scents of the Lodhi in our local ‘bundeli’ dialect. It father’s voice. mountain, the trees, the little breezes, was the will of God that you should “I am here, father. Brother has the small eddies of air — here it was lead us up the mountain trail.” brought me.” warmer, there it was colder. “This is a Yes, it must have been the will of “Where’s the boy?” It was Tantia trail for goats,” his father whispered. “I God that had guided his feet in unac - Tope. never knew you came up here. I would customed places, for he had never “We are here,” Rajbir said. “Explain never have let you come. If you been up to the top of the mountain what you want of him. I have said slipped…” before. His goats had been — he knew nothing.” “I’ll not slip. It is my mountain trail.” that, for he could feel their foothold in “Listen, Sukhram,” Tantia Tope He laughed to himself. Perhaps it the rocks. But Sukhram had never said. “We are a hundred men. The was good that it was dark. Had there been. He had never dared. Not to English are to the north and a big com - been more light, perhaps the men the top.

April 2011 India Review Cinema NEWS New York Indian film fest Film on Tagore to geTTINg bIgger, beTTer be made soon t could become the Indian said Shivdasani, Executive Director of counterpart to Sundance. This the Indo American Arts Council year’s New York Indian Film (IAAC) in New York. “We intend each I Festival (NYIFF) still features year to be bigger, better and more Indian independent and diaspora exciting than the last,” Shivdasani, who created the first Indian film festival in the U.S. back in 2001 soon after 9/11, said. “We want to establish NYIFF as the Indian counter - part to Sundance, add a film bazaar, grow the festival to a whole week of screenings, pan - film on Nobel Laureate els, awards, special events, Rabindranath Tagore’s life is to be international interest,” she A made soon. In the year of the said. “We want to make it THE poet’s 150th birth anniversary, director festival for Independent and Sangeeta Datta plans to capture the bard’s Aroon Shivdasani, Executive Director of the Diaspora films from the Indian literary excellence on camera. Indo American Arts Council in New York subcontinent.” “The project that I am getting inspired The 11th annual edition of to start work on is something on films, but each year “it’s getting bigger, the May 4-8 film festival in Manhattan Rabindranath Tagore’s life,” said Datta, better and more exciting than the last”, will present Disney’s first ever live whose directorial debut Life Goes On was says its creator Aroon Shivdasani. action Hindi film Do Dooni Chaar , released in India on March 25. Having it in spring instead of winter starring the actor couple Rishi Kapoor “I think it’s too early to talk about it. It — it’s in May — will ensure a lot of and Neetu Singh, on the opening would be on a small section of his life, on action inside and outside the theaters, night. the years he spent in England and it can span out to be a bit larger,” Datta said. Life Goes On is the first film in which K.L. Saigal: The Musician veteran actress Sharmila Tagore worked with her daughter Soha Ali Khan. The film of the Masses made an extensive round of festivals in ome voices refuse to fade from memory. India and across the world. Owing to some Legendary musician K.L. Saigal, the musi - contractual compulsion, she had to release S cian of the masses and the enduring face of it in India after opening it in the U.S. and Devdas on the Hindi screen, remains one of them Britain, said Datta. even 63 years after his death. “We had a long festival circuit, you “Saigal’s greatest contribution was that he know. We were travelling almost the brought music to the masses. Before he arrived on whole of last year. In December, it was the musical centre stage, music was meant for the released in the U.S. and in mid-March, it elite who either enjoyed it at the salons of profes - was released in Britain,” she said. 22 sional singers or soirees of maestros like Faiyaz The story, script and screenplay are by Khan and Abdul Karim Khan,” Pran Nevile, author of a new volume K.L. Saigal: Datta. The film is a contemporary The Definitive Biography , said. Saigal was gifted with a “divine voice, a flair for adaptation of Shakespeare’s “King Lear”, writing and composing songs and an imposing screen presence which made him but it has a hopeful ending. one of the greatest singers of the 20th century and a superstar”, said Nevile, a Apart from Sharmila Tagore and Soha, former Indian Foreign Service officer and former UN official, who has authored actor Girish Karnad, Om Puri, Rez 12 books on art and culture. Saigal was considered the creator of sugam sangeet Kempton, Neerja Naik, Mukulika Banerjee, — the kind of music enjoyed by the masses, he said. Nevile recently unveiled the Christopher Hatherall, Stef Patten and Aria paperback edition of his new Saigal biography published by Penguin-India. Born Gitanjali Banerjee Watts have played in Jammu on April 4, 1904, Saigal was initiated into music by mother Kesar pivotal roles in the film. Devi, an accomplished singer who often took him to religious soirees.

April 2011 India Review Travel & TOURISM

hOw TO reAch BY AIR FROM DELHI to Jolly Grant airport in 23 Uttarakhand, and from there by vehicle up to the site in Shiargarh. Or by train from Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh and from there by road. MAgIc OF rAJAJI PArK’S JuMbO hAveN

o you think your life has tent cottages at the resort, as the gentle gushes downhill. This abundant become a little too monot - breeze nourishes you with the scents of seasonal water nurtures the lush decid - onous and you need some the forest. uous forest of Rajaji, named after the D adventure? Visit Rajaji If you long for a gastronomic first and last Governor-General of National Park where you can explore adventure or if you are a bookworm, independent India, C. Rajgopalachari. the wilderness in the company of some then also there’s plenty for you. You “The Balkumari Temple trek is one of 400 wandering wild elephants. See can dig into a range of cuisines pre - the best places here for hikers,” says these giant mammals up close. They pared by the finest in-house chefs. Ajay Ghale, Corporate Chief Naturalist gulp down up to 200 liters of water And you may even get inspired to of Leisure Hotels. “You can get a daily, eat over 200 kg of food, and wal - write after enjoying the romantic panoramic view of the mountains from low in the mud for hours in this charm of the place. the hilltop.” sprawling reserve ensconced in the During the parched season, a dry The resort, gracefully spread in Shivalik foothills of the Himalayas in riverbed serves as the only motorable about 10 acres at the base of the Uttarakhand. road to the resort. This 12-km stretch Shiargarh Hill, radiates in the dim yel - The 800-plus sq km park is home to from Kodiya village up to Shiargarh, low lights that emanate from some 20 the largest population of wild elephants where the resort is located, is in itself cottages at nightfall. The staff helps in northern India and a cradle for an adventure, as your vehicle lurches you unwind and it’s time for barbeque endangered wildlife, such as the sloth forward through boulders big and and bonfire. bear, ghoral goat, jackal, leopard and small that form the rugged surface of The Shivaliks beckon. And don’t get tiger. the serpentine channel. surprised if a wallcreeper comes calling Leisure Hotels, one of India’s lead - The dry waterbed skirts through the at your cottage. You will at once fall in ing hospitality groups, is helping sparsely forested hills, giving you a love with this tiny, attractive little bird. tourists discover this tranquil world majestic view of the Shivalik during the The night soon takes you to another with a range of itineraries at its Forrest ride. And as you prepare for the night world as you ground yourself near a Resort near the reserve. ahead, the afternoon sun gently stokes bonfire. You can take a jeep safari to the park, you with a fresh dose of energy. A deep “We want the resort to be eco- or hike to one of the villages atop the croak of the great hornbill at a distance friendly as much as possible. In the picturesque hills early morning. You will alert you to your entry into her ter - next season, we will try to introduce may even choose to laze around or ritory; so will her cousins, the oriental solar energy for all purposes,” says spend time reading books on your pied and grey hornbills. Bankim Sharma, one of the partners at favorite subjects while sitting in a In monsoon, the movement of vehi - Forrest Resort. reclining chair on the cold cles on this stretch is not possible. The resort is open from November concrete porch of one of the luxury River water with overpowering force to mid-June.

April 2011 India Review EMBASSY OF INDIA SS Pre-sort First Class A U.S. Postage 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW CL T Paid RS Washington, D.C. 20008 FI Silver Spring, MD Tel: 202-939-7000 RT Permit No. -SO Fax: 202-462-7276 PRE 3966

n Festival of Colors

Students playing Holi, the Festival of Colors, in New Delhi on March 18. Holi also marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

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