Volume 28 n Issue 3 n July-August 2014 Technical cooperation for a better future

50 Years of ITEC

India celebrates its Travel Innovation Success 67th Independence Day Monsoon express inspired fashion The Quantum Indians POTPOURRI Upcoming events across India

Eid-ul-fitr Celebrated to mark the end of Ramzan, a month of fasting, Eid-ul- Fitr symbolises faith. Gifts and good wishes are exchanged on this day. The most common greeting is “eid mubarak”. It is also known as the Sweet Festival and people feast on a variety of sweets, especially meethi sewaiyan (sweet vermicelli).

When: August 20 Where: Across India

hemis festival Splash monsoon Carnival Lord Padmasambhava or Guru Rimpoche Celebrate the beauty of monsoon was one of the founding fathers of in Wayanad, Kerala with the Splash Tibetan Buddhism. The two-day Hemis Monsoon Carnival. There is a variety Festival celebrates his birth and is of indoor and outdoor events believed to give spiritual strength and including cultural programmes and good health. Traditional music, colourful adventure activities over three days. masked dances and a handicraft fair are part of the festivities. When: August 11-13 Where: Hill District Club When: July 7-8 Kolagappara, Wayanad district, Where: Hemis Monastery, Leh Kerala

Raksha Bandhan This festival celebrates a special bond of love in which the sisters tie rakhis (decorative strings) on their brothers’ wrist. The brothers takes a vow to protect them. Sweets and gifts are exchanged to celebrate.

When: August 10 Where: Across India

Janamashtmi Ganesh ChaturthI The birthday of Lord Krishna is The festival lasts for 10 days. It celebrated with pomp and splendour. starts with the establishment of Special delicacies are eaten through the Lord Ganesha’s idol in the house or day. Homes are decorated by making neighbourhood pandal (temporary jhankis that depict glimpses from structures for prayer) where the deity is Krishna’s life – from his birth to the days worshipped. It ends with the immersion of his youth to the various miracles he of the idol in a river or sea. performed through his life. When: August 29 When: August 17 Where: Across India, especially Where: Across India in Maharashtra Foreword

A new era dawned as India saw its 15th Prime Minister being sworn in. Narendra Modi, the first leader to get a landslide majority for the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) on its own, took oath on May 26, 2014 at Rashtrapati Bhawan in . Meanwhile, India is spreading its excellence across the globe with its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, a unique initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs. As ITEC celebrates its golden jubilee this year, we take an in-depth look at the difference it has made in 161 countries through knowledge exchange, training and capacity building. We also look at the good work done by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in restrengthening India-Mynamar ties. They have taken up the challenging task of conserving and restoring the 12th century Ananda Temple in Myanmar. To celebrate India’s 67th Independence Day on August 15, we showcase five iconic places associated with the freedom movement. This is an opportune time to explore India. We trace the route of the Himsagar Express, one of the longest in India, highlighting the best of monsoon indulgences at five railway stations en route. You can see the beauty of India in a special photo feature focussing on her ‘colours’ – from pristine whites of Jammu & Kashmir to lush green backwaters of Kerala and more. With the recently-concluded Cannes Film Festival as focus, we analyse Indo-French filmmaking synergies as India actively engages in cinematic co-productions. Continuing the cultural high, we talk to top Indian classical dancers on how the art form has adapted itself to embrace newer trends, increasing interest levels worldwide. Leading Indian fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee writes about how traditional India is inspiring modern ramp trends. We also look at various achievements in the past few months – The Quantum Indians, a Public Diplomacy initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs, bagged the National Award for Best Educational Film and Bengaluru-based Team Indus was shortlisted for the Google Lunar X Prize. Then there’s the script and font of Gondi, a widely spoken tribal language, earning the rare distinction of being available on digital media.

And as the 16th General Elections in India have drawn to a close, Volume 28 n Issue Technical 3 n July-August we review former Chief Election Commissioner Dr SY Quraishi’s cooperation 2014 latest book, An Undocumented Wonder: The Making of the for a better future Great Indian Election.

50 Years of ITe

Syed Akbaruddin IndIa celebrates 67th Independence Its C

day Travel Monsoon express

Innova IndIA InspTIIonred f

AshIon SucceSS The Qu AnTuM IndIAns

july-august 2014 n 3 n www.indiaperspectives.in Volume 28 n Issue 3 n July-August 2014

Editor: Syed Akbaruddin Assistant Editor: Nikhilesh Dixit Ministry of External Affairs Room No. 255, ‘A’ Wing, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi - 110001 Tel.: +91.11.23383316, Fax.: +91.11.23384663 Web: http://www.indiandiplomacy.in For feedback/ inquiries: [email protected]

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India Perspectives is published in Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, English, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Pashto, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Sinhala, Spanish and Tamil.

India Perspectives is printed and published by Syed Akbaruddin, Joint Secretary (XP) and Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New Delhi, Room No. 255, ‘A’ Wing, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi - 110001 and published at MaXposure Media Group India Pvt. Ltd. (MMGIPL), Unit No. F2B, Second Floor, MIRA Corporate Suites, Plot No. 1&2, Ishwar Nagar, Mathura Road, New Delhi - 110065, India. India Perspectives is published six times a year. All rights reserved. The writing, artwork and/or photography contained herein may be used or reproduced with an acknowledgement to ‘India Perspectives’. MEA and MMGIPL does not assume responsibility for loss or damage of unsolicited products, manuscripts, photographs, artwork, transparencies or other materials. The views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the MEA or MMGIPL.

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For a copy of India Perspectives, contact the nearest Indian diplomatic mission. 22 contents

34 44 74

partnership innovation 50 years of global cooperation...... 08 Celebrating traditional Indian fashion...... 58 partnership review Golden jubilee of excellence...... 13 The power of choice...... 62 partnership history Studying the Indian election phenomena...... 14 A tale of sacrifice and struggle...... 64 partnership initiative Indo-French filmmaking synergies...... 16 Women peacekeepers heal the world...... 86 progress conversation Digitising ‘super script’...... 20 ‘Other teams are afraid of us now’...... 88 progress Choreography of change...... 22 India Perspectives is now enriched with digital content. Follow Snapshots the instructions below to watch informative documentaries that provide an interesting connect with our stories. Colours of India...... 34 HOW IT WORKS: Success 1 2 3 Westminster Abbey of Myanmar...... 44 update Global reach...... 49 Scan travel Monsoon express...... 50 achievement Supporting India’s energy security...... 54 Step 1: Download the the free free StepStep2: 2: Open Open the the ARPlay ARpla app,y app , StepStep 3: 3: Wa Watchtch the the videos videos.. ARPlayARplay app fforor iPhoneiPhone or or hold the phonephone on on the the magazine maga- Android. zinecover cov ander tap and to tap scan to it. scan it. innovation Look for stories with arplay icon Mission Moon 2.0...... 56 Download: (iPhone/ iPad) arplay.in/ios & (Android devices) arplay.in/android

july-august 2014 n 5 n www.indiaperspectives.in UPDATE

South Asia celebrates change of guard in India

Narendra Modi sworn in as India’s 15th Prime Minister in the presence of heads of states of SAARC nations

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 6 n july-August 2014 Left to right: Mr Sushil Koirala, Prime Minister of Nepal; Ms Shirin S Chaudhury, Parliamentary Speaker of Bangladesh; Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka; Mr Navin Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius; Mr Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan; Indian Vice President Dr Hamid Ansari, Indian President Dr Pranab Mukherjee, Indian Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi, Mr Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan; Mr Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, President of Maldives and Mr Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan

or the first time in Indian history, the Prime Minister Mr Tshering Tobgay, Nepal heads of state of SAARC nations and Prime Minister Mr Sushil Koirala and Maldivian Mauritius were invited to attend the President Mr Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom swearing-in ceremony of an Indian Prime were among the foreign dignitaries attending FMinister. This was one of the biggest the ceremony. ceremonies held at the Rashtrapati The next day, the newly-elected Bhawan with over 4,000 guests The newly- Prime Minister met each of the witnessing Narendra Damodardas elected Prime SAARC leaders and spoke about how Modi taking oath as India’s 15th Minister met the SAARC grouping should be used Prime Minister. the SAARC to “improve regional cooperation The President of India Dr leaders and and connectivity”. In each of his Pranab Mukherjee administered spoke about meetings, Mr Modi talked about the the oath of office to the Bharatiya how the SAARC idea of SAARC and how India should Janta Party (BJP) leader on May use SAARC to improve regional grouping 26 in front of heads of state from cooperation and connectivity. “Each the neighbourhood including the could be used country in SAARC has its own leaders of Bangladesh, Pakistan, to “improve specific strength and opportunities Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, regional and we should learn from each Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. cooperation and other’s best practices,” he said. The highlight was the fact that connectivity” The other leaders responded this grand outdoor ceremony was very warmly to this suggestion and attended by the leaders of all seven agreed with him wholeheartedly South Asian countries along with Mauritius. that this was something that was indeed worth Besides Pakistan Prime Minister Mr Nawaz Sharif pursuing. So, there is a vision of SAARC working and Sri Lankan President Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa, closely together and focussing on larger issues of Afghanistan President Mr Hamid Karzai, Bhutan regional importance.

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ITEC: Weaving a worldwide web of knowledge brotherhood

ITEC’s journey marks continuous and unconditional development assistance through knowledge exchange, training and capacity building to 161 partnering countries

text | Manish Chand

Aided by grants from the ITEC programme, Barefoot College has trained 300 grandmothers in Africa as solar engineers

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 8 n july-August 2014 Barefoot grandmothers at International Women’s Day function on March 8 at Barefoot College in Tilonia, in India

t’s a knowledge brotherhood spanning a IT power wide arc of the developing world. From In Vietnam, for example, young Vietnamese the Maldives to Mozambique, Guyana to who mastered the intricacies of software coding Ghana and Afghanistan to Argentina, one at IT training institutes in India have gone on to canI find inspirational acts of self-fashioning and empower fellow nationals when they returned empowerment. And these tales of transformation home by setting up similar training institutes. hark back to India, an emerging power that has The seeds that were sown have blossomed into been co-creating an uplifting narrative of a full-foliage tree, with Vietnam becoming knowledge-driven partnership and an emerging software hub for the South-South solidarity through Southeast Asian region. Similarly, ITEC, a signature programme thousands of miles away in of capacity building and human Ghana, West Africa’s gateway, resource development targetted the India-assisted IT centre at the developing world. set up under ITEC remains a In the five decades since the big draw and has provided IT Indian Technical and Economic certification degrees to hundreds Cooperation Programme (ITEC) of Ghanaian students. was launched in 1964, 161 countries IT remains the face of the ITEC cutting across continents have been programme as it capitalises on India’s enriched and transformed by thousands of redoubtable prowess in knowledge industries. alumni of the ITEC who learnt myriad skills during IT courses are widely sought by students and the short-period training courses they attended in mid-career professionals spanning Africa, Latin India over the years. Clearly, the ITEC has emerged America, Central Asia, South Asia and Southeast as a shining example of South-South solidarity, and Asia. Says Kumar Tuhin, Joint Secretary in charge its impact can be seen and felt in different corners of ITEC in India’s Ministry of External Affairs: of the world. “IT courses are most popular among more than

july-august 2014 n 9 n www.indiaperspectives.in partnership

250 courses offered under the ITEC programme. and are now driving greater economic The demand for IT courses is high so much so engagement between India and Cambodia. that it’s difficult to accommodate all applicants in these courses.” Maximum governance Another popular ITEC course is civil Spirit of enterprise administration. Students and mid-career With India emerging as Asia’s third largest professionals from across the world have fond economy and the hub of innovation and memories of training in field administration at enterprise, developing countries have been the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of quick to tap the country for nurturing an Administration, located in the sylvan surroundings entrepreneurial culture. Entrepreneurial of Mussoorie. In the neighbouring Bangladesh, training courses have become a magnet around 140 civil servants, in four batches, for a young aspirational class emerging in have undergone mid-career training in field developing countries. India’s administration at this premier leading management institutes like institute in 2013-2014. These New Delhi-based International India’s leading administrators, trained in India, have Management Institute and management now become unofficial ambassadors Indian Institute of Management, institutes are of friendship between India and their Ahmedabad, are empanelled empanelled respective countries. institutes driving India’s outreach to spread the to spread the entrepreneurial fire in entrepreneurial Building infrastructure the South countries. Assisting infrastructure building fire in the India has helped set up has been a success story of ITEC. Entrepreneurship Development South countries India has financed an array of Centre in Cambodia, Laos, infrastructure-related projects across Myanmar and Vietnam, part of the Asia, Africa and Latin America and broader Indian Initiative for ASEAN Integration in recent years in the Central Asian Republics (IAI). The Ahmedabad-based Entrepreneurship (CARs). Thanks to ITEC, Cuba and Costa Development Institute of India (EDII) helped Rica have got solar energy plants. Other key set up the Cambodia-India Entrepreneurship projects executed under the ITEC programme Development Centre (CIEDC) in February 2006. included computerisation of the office of the In the last few years, the centre has become a Prime Minister of Senegal, assistance in the resounding success, offering 75 courses in varied transformation of the educational system of skills, including sewing, air-conditioner course, South Africa and fitting of artificial limbs in T-shirt printing, glass cutting, hair dressing, Cambodia and Uzbekistan. typing skill and graphic design. Around 6,000 budding entrepreneurs have honed their skills Food security in this institute. What’s more, CIEDC trainees Agriculture remains a major focus of ITEC’s have successfully launched their own enterprises project assistance. The programme has provided

At a training session

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 10 n july-August 2014 ITEC brings together students from across the globe

Ghana, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali and Suriname entrepreneurship training, foreign affairs to with equipment and expertise for agricultural commerce, science and media. use and generated tremendous goodwill among African countries. ITEC alumni club With an unquenchable hunger for self- In a seminal sense, the ITEC has woven a amelioration and skill upgradation, the worldwide web of knowledge brotherhood as its popularity of ITEC courses has been soaring alumni have become torch-bearers of national across the developing world. In Palestine, renascence in their respective countries, and in the ITEC courses have become a window the process, has become a powerful cultural and of opportunity to script a new diplomatic bridge between India destiny for around 100 Palestinian and the developing countries of the nationals who visit India for this ITEC and South. In Jordan, ITEC alumni, many programme every year. In West its corollary of whom have gone on to become African countries of Ghana, SCAAP has important figures in their respective Burkina Faso, Togo and Sierra expanded to fields, speak glowingly about what Leone, around 1,100 officials include over they learnt back in India about have been trained under various 250 courses financial management and economic ITEC courses. In Central Asia, development. In Botswana, many including IT, courses in IT, English proficiency, officers in the defence establishment financial management, agricultural science & media have been trained under this practices, parliamentary studies, programme. In Tanzania, over 24 environmental technology and per cent senior government officials biotechnology have benefitted legions of have been through the ITEC experience. “India is students and mid-career professionals. very advanced in areas of education and science An embodiment of India’s unwavering and technology. India’s developmental experience commitment to South-South cooperation, the is very relevant for the African continent,” says ITEC programme has successfully disseminated Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, a former Prime Minister expertise and shared India’s developmental of Tanzania and a former Ambassador of Tanzania experience with countries of the developing to India in the 1960s. Across the developing world, South. Started as a bilateral programme ITEC alumni have carved a niche for themselves, of assistance of the Indian government, with many of them becoming ministers, senior the ITEC, including its corollary SCAAP diplomats, academics, government officials and (Special Commonwealth Assistance for Africa leading entrepreneurs and thought leaders. The Programme), has expanded to include over 250- ITEC Facebook on the website of India’s Ministry odd courses ranging from IT, textile designing, of External Affairs is awash with eloquent

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The courses give students an opportunity to interact and learn

memories and heart-felt emotions of this unique Golden era: bearers of light experience in forging cross-cultural camaraderie. As the ITEC turns fifty in September this year, it enters a golden era of sorts, where it can look New horizons: democracy-building back at the variegated journey traversed so far Over the years, ITEC has innovated and expanded and braces itself for new peaks waiting to be its canvas to forge new connections with the scaled in India’s outreach to build a rainbow developing world. India’s exuberantly noisy and knowledge bridge with the developing countries colourful elections in which millions vote to choose of the South. their representatives have been a subject of much Transformation and self-fashioning remain admiration and curiosity in the wider world, the mantras that animate ITEC, and these twin especially among fledgling democracies, which look ideas have been aptly encapsulated in the annual at India as an example. Against this voyage of “solar grandmothers.” backdrop, a programme in electoral Every year, these illiterate and semi- training was launched three years ago, literate women living in far-flung and has become a magnet for polling ITEC alumni villages in Senegal, Sierra Leone, officials from countries as diverse as have carved Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Yemen, Ghana, Lebanon, Georgia, a niche for Nauru, El Salvador, Haiti, Zanzibar Bhutan and Africa’s newest nation themselves, with and Sudan come to Barefoot College South Sudan. many becoming in Tilonia, a small village near This year was special for participants ministers, Ajmer in Rajasthan. And they go as they not only got tutorials diplomats and back as trained solar engineers who in various facets of election academics are feted as heroes back home. management like operating the Aided by grants from the ITEC Electronic Voting Machines and programme, Barefoot College has security at polling booths from seasoned Election trained 300 grandmothers in the whole of Africa, Commission officials, but they also got the who are the sole solar engineers in the entire first-hand feel of the spinning carnival of the continent, says Bunker Roy, the founder of Parliamentary elections in India, which have been Barefoot College. billed as the world’s largest democratic exercise. A showpiece of ITEC’s overarching vision, Since its launch in the summer of 2012, The “Barefoot Grandmothers” symbolises the ITEC’s electoral training course has trained 90 mid-career spirit of rebirth, renewal and empowering fellow polling officials from over 40 countries for the past human beings through ideas and knowledge. three years. The training is conducted by the India And this radiant spirit will shine forth across International Institute of Democracy and Election the developing world in this golden jubilee Management (IIIDEM), an institute affiliated with anniversary year of ITEC and for many more the Election Commission of India. years to come.

Manish Chand is Editor-in-Chief of India Writes, www.indiawrites.org, an e-magazine and journal focused on international affairs and theIndia Story

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 12 n july-August 2014 Partnership

Golden jubilee of excellence Testimonials from ITEC beneficiaries across the globe as the programme completes 50 years

The ITEC programme helped me update my life. I got a part-time job With this training, I got a as an IT lecturer in a private school. I am now earning two salaries.” new role and responsibility in my ministry. I am a Josephine Namupala Andjene, Namibia, Certificate of Proficiency in English & IT Skills, January to March 2013 head of training in the Department of Human Resources. I am also called by the Department of Protocol when they I have been assigned more responsibilities in the Public Service organise international Commission of Zimbabwe. I am involved in creating a website events. I meet international for my department and designing design certificates, publicity delegations who only material among others for the department.” speak English.”

Zimbabwe Beauty Mushandinga Benin, Certificate Certificate of Proficiency in Web Designing, June-August 2008 Andy Agossou, of Proficiency in English & IT Skills, March-May 2013

Nine months after I All the knowledge I got in the course helped me develop a finished my course, I website for self-learning English at my university in Mexico.” got promoted to a State Protocol. At the moment, Oscar Morales Sanchez, Mexico, Certificate of Proficiency in Web Designing, March-May 2010 I am based in Havana, Cuba at the Namibia Embassy as the third secretary. I can proudly say, ITEC contributed to It opened doors to the world. I started reading international the person I have turned media and developed my English language. I was an editor. I out to be.” have become the director of the internet department and the editor-in-chief of the two official websites of Syria TV.”

Syria, Zimbabwe, Ghassan Youssef, Engela Kandjware, Certificate of Proficiency in English Communication, August-October 2009 Certificate of Proficiency in English Communication, January-March 2012

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Studying the Indian election phenomena

India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management, established within Election Commission of India, is an advanced resource centre of learning, research, training and international cooperation for participatory democracy and election management

he Indian Technical and Economic utility and relevance of these programmes have Cooperation (ITEC), the Special been reflected in the increasing number of Commonwealth Assistance for participants coming to India. Africa Programme (SCAAP) and The India International Institute of theT Technical Cooperation Scheme, under the Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) Colombo Plan, have contributed in a substantial was established in 2011 within Election way to human resource development and Commission of India. It is an advanced resource capacity building in the developing world. The centre of learning, research, training and

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 14 n july-August 2014 At the foundation laying ceremony of the Institute in 2012

international cooperation for participatory April 10-23, 2013 and the third course was democracy and election management. In conducted from April 9-23, 2014. The efficacy its initial phase, IIIDEM is operating from of the programmes could be gauged from the Nirvachan Sadan and has a capacity for 150 overwhelming responses received from partner trainees. However, the Institute is in the process countries for each course. Not only that, all of establishing its own campus in the National the courses have been oversubscribed by many Capital with state-of-the-art training times the seats available and each time centre, hostel, library and there were participants in the resource centre. waiting list. Participants from IIIDEM has four 44 countries in Asia, Eurasia, components – Training Africa, and Latin America and Capacity have attended the courses Development, Voter so far. Education and Civic The third course, Participation, Research, which commenced on Innovation and April 9, 2014, coincided Documentation and with the 16th Lok Sabha International Projects and elections. The participants Technical Collaboration. had an added advantage of The Institute will be a witnessing the actual election national hub for exchange process being carried out by the of good practices in election Election Commission of India. management. The Indian elections have generated a IIIDEM, in collaboration with Ministry global interest in recent years due to the sheer of External Affairs, has successfully volume and size of the operations and also for organised two special courses on “Election use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Management – Principles and Practices” Several countries have expressed their interest under ITEC. The first course was organised in the acquisition of Indian EVMs, especially in from October 8-20, 2012, the second from our neighbourhood and in Africa.

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India’s potential in the field of co-production

Between popular entertainment and cognitive psychology, Indian cinema has found its own way of confirming norms and has become a necessary tool for disseminating cultures

text | Writtwik Banerjee

oyal to its core, cinema in India, 101 years ago, introduced us to moving images and the evolution thereofL has put us on the threshold of a new way of approaching cinema from a different perspective. In the Indian sub-continent, moving images have consolidated the fabrics of society and broadened the horizon of understanding others. Probably the art of crossing cultures through cinema finds its potential in India. With the advent of cinema in India, filmmakers introduced us to a magic world of realism known as entertainment where the convergence of real and reel seemed to have been the order of the day for a long time. The linear approach of entertainment in our cinema has gained momentum over time and brought about the notion of a picturesque theatricality in every sphere of life. Through moving

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 16 n july-August 2014 images, we became more imaginative than enable us to better understand the potential of ever. Even though the reality of the celluloid the Indian market in terms of joint ventures never reflected the reality of life outside the and pinpoint the sudden shift in the paradigm. theatre, we, thanks to cinema, Indian cinema, which has long been have always found a handy limited to a primitive theatricality remedy to come to terms with our India has had in the minds of filmosophers of unaltered destiny post-screening. the tradition the world, have proven to be Nonetheless, pushing the limits of crossing extraordinarily multidimensional and questioning the relevance cultures through in content. Recent aesthetic and of pure entertainment are two joint ventures. economic success of films like salient features of contemporary From silent era The Lunchbox and Qissa, both Indian cinema which we have to the talkies, co-produced by NFDC, second been witnessing over the last between 1913 and the same. few decades. India has had the tradition of 1940, cinema in Celebration of Indian cinema crossing cultures through joint abroad, greater acceptance of India grew up ventures. From silent era to Indian cinema in Europe and in production the talkies, between 1913 and vivid concentration of foreigners 1940, cinema in India grew up working in the Indian film industry, at times in production and different regions started make us travel back in time to see the roots introducing their own cinema and used of transnational dynamism beyond borders to mythology as the principal subject, but during

Left to right: Nirupama Kotru, Director (Films), I&B Ministry, Government of India; producer Bobby Bedi; actor Uday Chopra; Indian ambassador to France Arun K Singh; actor-director Dr Kamal Haasan; Bimal Julka, Secretary, I&B Ministry, Government of India; filmmaker Ramesh Sippy; Dr A Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI and filmmaker Sudhir Mishra

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that silent period, various efforts had also been For technical reasons, regional films were made to make films through international made in one region with technicians coming joint ventures. from various parts of the country and were In 1924, efforts were made to rope in distributed in the other with a view to cater European technicians through joint ventures to a community settled elsewhere. The first and Madan Theatres in Calcutta (now Punjabi film, Sheila, also known as Pind Kolkata) had Italians and French on Di Kudi, was shot in Calcutta its staff and made its first feature in 1936 and released in Lahore, Savitri jointly with UC Italiana of The movie now in Pakistan. Rome. A few scenes of Savitri were Pardesi was shot in Italy. made by KA Convergence of Leila Majnu, made a few years Abbas in 1978, ideas and potential earlier, had British actors in it. But Over time, joint ventures evolved. FC Mehra it was filmmaker Himanshu Rai If pre-Independent India was who roped in foreign collaborators produced Ali more active in joint ventures, for his films. He started working Baba Aur Chalis post-Independence India knew with Franz Osten from Germany Chor and later a matured way of approaching and the duo gave us films like Light they produced cultures through cinema. A of Asia in 1925, Shiraz in 1928 and Sohni Mahiwal reciprocal dynamism had been A Throw of Dice in 1929. with Russia found with countries like USA Indian filmmakers, with the and Russia. In late 50s, filmmaker arrival of talkies in 1931, started Ismail Merchant went to USA and reflecting the local language and culture with James Ivory created Merchant-Ivory onscreen and the cinemas of India found Productions in 1961. If USA discovered the within the subcontinent, a sheer flexibility Merchant-Ivory duo, Russia discovered Raj through circulation and distribution. In 1933, Kapoor and Mera Naam Joker, made in 1970, Himanshu Rai made Karma which was an that had Russian Circus artistes. Indo-Russian Indo-British joint venture. co-production ventures started growing in

Filmmakers from India and France discuss co-production possibilities

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 18 n july-August 2014 Actor-director Kamal Haasan with film critic Anupama Chopra

numbers. Pardesi was made by KA Abbas only regarded as a facilitator in terms of in 1978, FC Mehra produced Ali Baba Aur ensuring rapid and vibrant growth of the film Chalis Chor and later they produced Sohni industry but considered to be helping our Mahiwal with Russia. However, these joint actors crossover from the diaspora audiences ventures were principally initiated by to mainstream international markets. India’s private individuals. potential in the field of co-production, thus, In 1982, Sir Richard Attenborough’s is manifold. Gandhi became the first feature film One of the major incentives or potentials which had India’s National Film of co-producing with India Development Corporation as could be to build a strategic official co-producer. From late According to partnership between countries. 80s until now, we have seen a the Ministry of Through co-production, both the surge of co-productions and the Information and countries could take a step further likes of Satyajit Ray (with Gérard Broadcasting, towards creating bilateral training Depardieu), Adoor Gopalakrishnan, India has signed programmes for film technicians. Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Murali co-production Co-producing with India might Nair and many more resorting to agreements procure the participating country a foreign co-producers to reach out covering films full benefit of a new economy born to a larger audience throughout and other audio- out of shooting. For example, the the world. recent success of a Bollywood film visual content In recent times, India has Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara at home multiplied cultural tie-ups through with countries encouraged Indians to go to visit bilateral agreements. According like Brazil Spain thus popularising tourism to the Ministry of Information and France industry in Spain. and Broadcasting, India has signed India’s potential in the fields of co-production agreements covering films co-production and co-creation will certainly and other audiovisual content with countries encourage reciprocity and get creative talent like Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, closer to one another with a view to give birth Spain, New Zealand, the UK and recently to a synergy. India’s another potential in the with Canada. field of co-production would be its competent In India, culture is fast being recognised as workforce. One of the principle points of “soft power” and is playing a pivotal role in co-production could be the reinforcement building dialogues. India’s active engagement of knowledge share and reaching towards a in cinematographic co-productions is not mechanism of stable exchange.

july-august 2014 n 19 n www.indiaperspectives.in Progress

Digitising ‘super script’ The script and font of Gondi, a widely-spoken tribal language, earns the rare distinction of being available on digital media

text | Neharika Mathur Sinha

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 20 n july-August 2014 Professor V Krishna (right), coordinator, CDAST, University of Hyderabad at Gunjala Village

here is a wealth of endangered use of Gondi language and bring it onto a global manuscripts that hold rare information platform. “A treasure of information will be about literature, art and history of made available to historians, archaeologists Gondi, the most populated tribe in and researchers. It would help the younger TIndia. With an aim to bring these into mainstream generation of Gondi tribes learn about their literature by translating them into Hindi and freedom struggle, culture and livelihood,” says Telugu, a team of academicians Prof V Krishna, coordinator, Centre along with research scholars from for Dalit & Adivasi Studies and The Centre for Dalit & Adivasi Government of Translation, School of Humanities, Studies (CDAST) at the Hyderabad India is planning University of Hyderabad, India. University went to the Gunjala to teach Gondi The script has the ability to village at Utnoor Mandal of Adilabad in around 15 integrate 41 different Gondi sects District in Telangana region of India. government scattered all over India. “This will Led by Prof Jaydhir Tirumal Rao schools from also reduce the gap between tribal (visiting professor, CDAST), the the next and elite India,” adds Prof Krishna. team discovered invaluable history With the help of Gondi artists, academic year and literature of the region hidden in the Gondi letters were drawn and the manuscripts and decided to also with the combined efforts of Sridhar, digitalise and document them. Prof Rao, CDAST and ITDA, Prof Rao was already in the process of Utnoor Mandal designed the alphabets, accents getting a font for Gondi script, and soon, with and numerals for Gondi script. The Government the support of ITDA, Utnoor Mandal and the of India is actively engaged in preparing district administration of Adilabad, font designer textbooks for classes II and III in Gondi script. Srikantam Sridhara Murty was successful in Plans are underway to teach Gondi in around 15 doing so this year. The font will promote the government schools from the next academic year.

july-august 2014 n 21 n www.indiaperspectives.in Progress Choreography of change Innovative concepts are increasingly being introduced to popularise classical dance forms globally

text | Supriya Aggarwal

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 22 n july-August 2014 ntricate movements, soulful music and these changes, adding their own unique coordinated beats... This is how Indian style and interpretation. Most dancers classical dance forms have ensured they retained long been defined as. the original aesthetics TheseI are not only a form of Even people from while incorporating entertainment but a culture in foreign shores these innovations. Download themselves, a form of worship, have come to India This is not all. Even ‘ARplay’ on your a way to connect with God as to learn classical people from foreign shores iPhone/Android device & scan also an integral part of Indian artforms have come to India to learn this image to heritage. With changing times, classical artforms. In fact, a watch a related video these age-old dance forms few of them chose to stay underwent varied transformations. As they back and work towards the development went along, many practitioners embraced of Indian classical dance.

july-august 2014 n 23 n www.indiaperspectives.in Progress

Bharatanatyam dancer Savitha Sastry Savitha believes that to keep an art form fresh, it is mandatory to present new stories. With her dance plays, she is trying to introduce novelty in dance dramas and aims to make youth more interested in Indian classical dance forms. She feels youngsters are gravitating more towards alternate dance forms, be it salsa or Bollywood as “these are easier to learn. I feel excited when they come to meet me after my performance and say, ‘We want to learn this dance form!’,” says Savitha.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 24 n july-August 2014 july-august 2014 n 25 n www.indiaperspectives.in Progress INDIA PERSPECTIVES says Manjari. with a dance andcreatedthisnewartform not travelledearlierinIndianclassical easy journeyasIwastreadingapath of spiritualecstasy.“Ithasnotbeenan which expressestherapturousheights poetry throughthelanguageofbody brings outthenuancesofSufimusicand Sufi Kathak,ManjaribelievesKathak the introductionofanewdanceform, Lucknow gharanaandbeingcreditedwith movements narrateastory.Belongingto and theeleganceofKathak,eachher Unravelling thesheerenigmaofSufism Manjari Chaturvedi Sufi Kathakexponent thought ofFormlessAlmighty,” n

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Photos: Amit Mehra Sattriya dancer Anwesa Mahanta “I perceive dance from various dimensions and try to understand the dynamic movements of thoughts inherent in each creation and perception of a step. We are trying to promote dance forms of North East through The Pragjyoti International Dance Festival which is supported by Indian Council of Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and has been conceptualised to exhibit the Indian dance forms on one platform” says Anwesa.

july-august 2014 n 27 n www.indiaperspectives.in Progress

Bharatnatyam dancer Aleksandra Michalska Singh Her passion for Indian classical dance led her to India all the way from Poland. As a member of Cultures of the World Foundation, Aleksandra works for intercultural education, both in India and Poland. “It was 12 years ago in Poland that I started learning Bharatanatyam. I crossed borders to find a guru to help me attain spiritual awakening through dance,” she shares.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 28 n july-August 2014 Odissi exponent Sharon Lowen Having arrived in India back in 1973 from Detroit, USA, Sharon learnt Manipuri dance and never returned. “I stayed back due to the incredible warmth and gradual but genuine acceptance of the public across the land, allowing me to play a role in maintaining and moving traditions forward,” says Lowen. She went on learn Odissi as well and is now known for excellence in classical Indian dance forms.

july-august 2014 n 29 n www.indiaperspectives.in Progress

Rajasthani delicacies being cooked up by an expert as the students watch and imbibe The great Indian kitchen school Cooking classes are becoming increasingly popular among holidayers and cultural travellers who arrive on Indian shores. Here are a few guaranteed ones to make your vacation a treat!

text | Vatsala Kaul Banerjee

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 30 n july-August 2014 he flavour of any country and culture lies in the generosity, complexity and flavours of its cuisine. India’s amazing plurality and ancient tradition of Thospitality blend with its local, rich resources of fresh and unique produce, spices and condiments, to give the world some of its most coveted cuisines. Knowing the secrets of a cuisine and mastering its details can not only give you an understanding of the region’s cultural texture but also serve up a slice of it on your table... and win A cooking session in progress in Tamil Nadu you many compliments!

Taste of Tamil Nadu Delectable Kashmir From Chettinad to Madurai, from Kongunadu to Deliciously sophisticated and varied, Kashmiri Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu is fragrant with the cuisine has two flavoursome streams – Kashmiri aromas of coconut and curry leaves, mustard seeds Muslim and Pandit food. The unusual use of and green cardamom. You can learn to dish up a yoghurt, even for meat dishes, and the flavours of traditional Tamil vegetarian menu: comforting aniseed and special garam masala (often a family (lentils), tangy (a lentil soup), kirai secret), make it a coveted cuisine. Learn the tricks (green vegetable curry) or (veggie stir- and treats of yakhni (meat), chaman (paneer) or fry). If non-vegetarian, there are Pondicherry and nadru (lotus stem), (a meat curry), Coromandel coast specialties: meen (a tabakh maaz (ribs cooked in milk and fried) and spicy fish curry with tamarind), or a festive menu mutton as well as tamatar chaman (tomato with Muslim-style chicken , brinjal and paneer dish), haak (a local leafy vegetable)... (vegetable) and onion . you can choose the list!

Rogan Josh is one of the most popular Indian dishes among tourists

july-august 2014 n 31 n www.indiaperspectives.in Progress

Kerala delicacies balance health and flavour

Kerala creations produce and make the perfect loochi (fried Coconuts grated, sliced, milked... yes, you are in leavened bread), aloo dom (potato curry), chholar God’s Own Coconut Country. Kerala’s snaking daal (Bengal gram curry), prawn malai curry, coastline brings in delectable fish; add to that rice dishes, seasonal fish dishes and vegetarian rice and tapioca, and spices from plantations, and delicacies such as baigun bhaja (eggplant fritters). you get a range of memorable meals. You could Then the desserts: , malpua and payesh. dish up (a luscious soft rice pancake), fish moilee (fish in coconut milk) or moppilah Desert delights biryani... the menu is endlessly inviting. Or learn Rajasthan serves up earthly delights, strong the perfect vegetable moilee, (veggies, curd flavours and fiery spices, with a dollop of fragrant and coconut prep), pachadi (pickle-like side dish), . Choose from kair sangri (a special dry or popular lemon rice. vegetable with berries ), gatte ki subzi (channa flour-roll curry), (gram flour delicacy Bengali banquet with dumplings), lahsun ki (garlic relish), Who doesn’t know of the subtle and fiery gatta pulao (special rice dish), batti (unleavened flavours of Bengali kitchens? Choose the freshest bread), tipore (fresh green chili pickle),

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 32 n july-August 2014 Goan cooking uses some unique ingredients

(wheat and gram flour dessert), papad and more. prep), pork (a traditional curry) and For non-veggies, there is the famous laal maas fish caldine. (spicy red meat), soweta (meat and corn cooked in spices) and more. Nawabi repasts Now you can cook your regal feast and eat it, Go for Goan too! And what could be a better venue than The sun-sand-sea paradise is also about the tasty , where Nawabs’ tables weighed trinity of sweet, sour and spicy. There is a range under Awadhi dishes, laden with exotic spices, of dishes from rissois de camarao (prawn-stuffed dry fruits and a touch of fragrant saffron. dumplings in a sauce), fish recheado (fish with Kitchens here teach you how to perfect what sweet-sour-spicy paste), chicken xacuti (chicken took hundreds of years to master! You could be in coconut gravy) and veggie caldine (veggies in soon serving up Awadhi (braised meat in coconut milk) to seradura (an almonds-biscuit rich gravy), shaami , (a special meatball), dessert) and dodol (a rice, coconut and palm lehsuni raita (a curd-garlic delicacy), shahi tukda dish). You can also choose from Goan fish (a rich dessert)... and receiving accolades for your curry, chicken (Portuguese-style chicken royal tastes.

july-august 2014 n 33 n www.indiaperspectives.in snapshots

Colours of India Different hues from all corners of the country come together to form a unique visual bouquet

saffron in ladakh Spirituality, peace and harmony find representation in the robes donned by the monks in the northern part of the country. The colour is natural, obtained from roots, tubers, bark flowers, leaves and fruits...

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Photo: Sandeep Dinker snapshots

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Photos: Saurabh Tankha n

prosperity, well-beingandfertility. expanse ofgolden-yellow beauty siginifies as wellas famous artworks. Thevast the inspiration behind many rustic songs state ofPunjab innorthIndiahave been The mustard fieldsintheagricultural yellow inpunjab 37 n www.indiaperspectives.in snapshots

green in kerala The vegetation in the famed backwaters of Kerala in south India gets reflected in the waters, creating a unique lush green world.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 38 n july-August 2014 blue in goa The blue of the Arabian Sea in this tourist-friendly state in west India changes as the day progresses – from azure to turquoise to deep ultramarine...

july-august 2014 n 39 n www.indiaperspectives.in snapshots

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41 n www.indiaperspectives.in and beige. endless stretch ofbrown breathtaking, seemingly state inwestIndiaform a Sands inthedesertsofthis brown inrajasthan

Photo: Dinesh Shukla snapshots

white in jammu & kashmir The stunning snow-capped peaks of Jammu & Kashmir, the northernmost state of India, justify its title of ‘heaven on earth’.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 42 n july-August 2014 black in the seven sister states of the north east The inhabitants of the states of Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura don traditional costumes in black.

july-august 2014 n 43 n www.indiaperspectives.in success

Westminster Abbey of Myanmar The 12th-century Ananda Temple in Myanmar is being conserved and restored by the Archaeological Survey of India

text | Siddharth M Joshi

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 44 n july-August 2014 he ties between India and Myanmar the Government of Union of Myanmar in July date back to the times when there was 2010 for the conservation of Ananda Temple at no political existence of the two states Bagan in Myanmar. in their present form. Being close Following the Archaeological Survey of Tneighbours, they shared a porous boundary that India’s (ASI) field studies and investigations, allowed exchange of ideas, cultures, techniques an expert team of archaeologists, conservators, and people. To restrengthen these ties, an MoU epigraphists, architects and scientists was was signed between the Government of India and assigned the essential conservation and chemical

july-august 2014 n 45 n www.indiaperspectives.in success

preservation work of the temple. Endearingly (2012-2013), executed conservation work like called the “Westminster Abbey of Myanmar”, essential repairs at the south gate of the temple, the Ananda Temple is a 12th- corridor from the south gate to century architectural wonder, with the main shrine, the southwest over 4,000 minor stupas spread over The temple is a quadrant, a shrine in the northwest a few kilometers around the main quadrant, flooring repairs, 12th-century temple. It is a living temple with improvement of drainage, removal people flocking it for worship and architectural of excess earth deposits on the religious ceremonies. Therefore, wonder, with eastern side, facade cleaning etc. The any conservation operation had to over 4,000 second work session (2013-2014) be thoroughly discussed with the minor stupas concluded on May 31, 2014. Temple Trust Committee, besides spread over Beautiful mural paintings lay local officials of the archaeology a few hidden under thick layers of lime department, Government kilometres wash on the intrados of the arches in of Myanmar. around the the eastern hall which were exposed The conservation work by ASI main building by physio-chemical methods. began in situ in May 2012 and Detached plaster and loose pigments resumed after the end of rains in were consolidated while cracks October 2012 under the technical team headed and crevices were filled with a combination of by RS Jamwal, superintending archaeological the same material along with polyvinyl acetate engineer. The team, in its first work session emulsion. Well-established water repellents were

Work in progress

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 46 n july-August 2014 The original temple

used to protect temple exteriors. “After the full utilitarian restoration work, ASI added wire-mesh clean up, a gap of 10 years was maintained for the covers to window openings to prevent the entry of second clean up,” shares Jamwal. birds and bats inside the shrine (24 in The most striking observation about number). For stucco figures, sample Ananda Temple is its archaeologically Few stone covers with glass, duly provided with appreciable location and status. It sculptures and ventilation holes and set in teak wood is located on a virgin piece of land, frames have been provided. This several stucco free from encroachments. Within ensured maintaining the authenticity the periphery, there were structures figures have of the temple in addition to rendering of different sizes. There were few been restored. modern methods of preservation. stone sculptures and several stucco Striking “Culturally, Ananda is an figures that have been restored to terracotta extension of traditional Indian their original form. Striking terracotta plaques with architecture and art. The same plaques with glazings, stuck on the glazings on the technology has been used that walls, were also chemically cleaned up. walls were also was used in Indian structures It was extremely important to cleaned up back then. So it became our retain the originality of craftsmanship ethical responsibility to preserve at an old site of striking archaeology. and protect them. Alliances So it was a challenging task to prepare it against like these serve to revive cultural links along future wear and tear yet preserving its spirit. with improving international relations,” Adding aesthetic dimension to an otherwise explains Jamwal.

july-august 2014 n 47 n www.indiaperspectives.in Success A tribute to science The Quantum Indians, a Public Diplomacy initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs, won the award for the best educational film of 2013 at the recently held National Film Awards in India

ritten and directed by Raja for revolutionising the world of Quantum Choudhury and produced Physics in the 1920s. by PSBT and the Public The National Award jury noted that “the Diplomacy Division of the film provides an extremely efficient and precise MinistryW of External Affairs, The Quantum analysis of the contributions of these renowned Indians is a tribute to the three exemplary scientists in a manner that not only educates scientists: Satyendra Nath Bose, Sir CV Raman today’s generation but also provides insights and Meghnad Saha whose contribution to physics into complex scientific phenomena in an remains significant even today. accessible manner”. After winning the award, These scientists who coined Bosons, The director Raja Choudhury said the film was made Bose-Einstein Statistics, the Raman Effect, to inspire young Indians take up science as a the Saha Equation and brought India’s first career option and make India as great as these only Nobel Prize for Science were applauded scientists had wanted it to be.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 48 n july-August 2014 update Global reach The external broadcasting service of All India Radio started with the outbreak of Second World War in 1939. It assumed a greater role post-Indian Independence

ll India Radio (Akashvani interest in India, it strives to entertain, or AIR) is the national educate as well as inform them with broadcaster of India programmes on India’s diverse and one of the largest society and its views on major Aradio networks of the world national and international with a massive global reach. issues. Since October 25, 1984, The global transmission is a special weekly capsule is being taken care of by the External prepared and despatched for Services Division (ESD) of All ethnic Indians in USA, Canada India Radio. It broadcasts across and the UK through the Ministry 108 countries in 27 languages of External Affairs. (15 foreign and 12 Indian). The It has five major external foreign languages include Arabic, services namely Urdu, GOS/ Baluchi, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, All India Radio English, Hindi, Bengali and Tamil. French, Indonesian, Persian, broadcasts All the services of ESD broadcast Pashto, Russian, Sinhala, Swahili, across 108 programmes on subjects ranging Thai, Tibetan and English which countries in 27 from current affairs, health, sports come under the General Overseas languages – 15 and literary programmes, along Service (GOS). The Indian with personality interviews, radio foreign and languages are Bengali, Gujarati, plays, song-based shows and Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, 12 Indian and much more. It also focusses on Nepali, Punjabi, Saraiki, Sindhi, projects the highlighting Indian folk music Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. changing face across the world with weekly The External Services Division of India broadcasts; every day has few aims to project the changing face special features showcasing varied of India and highlight art and culture of the aspects of Indian music. Interviews with country. With increasing Indian diaspora eminent personalities across the world is across the world and the enhanced foreign another highlight of the ESD.

For a detailed schedule of the programmes of External Services Division, AIR, please scan this QR Code from your smartphone

july-august 2014 n 49 n www.indiaperspectives.in travel Team BHP Photo: Team

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Monsoon express 2 This monsoon, we suggest a trip aboard Himsagar Express that traverses 3,711 km through nine Indian states and stops at 72 railway stations

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Photo: Saurabh Tankha 2014 70 hours. at anaveragespeedof53km/hourinaround southern tip,itcoversadistanceof3,711km farthest northernpointtotheextreme cascading streams,forests,hills...fromthe sidewalls, mistytracks,continuousdrizzle, traverses throughtunnels,dripping memorable. AstheHimsagarExpress Kanyakumari, duringrainscanbetruly J&K, ChambaandKangra. stop beforeheadingintothemountainsof Kashmir, Pathankotismostlyusedasarest- of Punjab,HimachalPradeshandJammu& The meetingpointofthethreeIndianstates 1. Pathankot,Punjab E n  n  n  Must visits world overcongregatingeveryyear. have artisansandliterarystalwartsfrom The TajMahotsavandLiteraryFestival for petha architectural wonders,Agraisalsoknown Famous fortheTajMahalandotherMughal 2. Agra,UttarPradesh n  oldest datedfortinIndia. Rajput familyofKangra. It isprobablythe Kangra Fort(90km)wasbuiltbytheroyal built byMughal emperorBabar. The oldestMughalgarden,Ram Bagh, which datebacktotheMughal era. and surroundedbymarkets,many of ancient templesdedicatedtoLord Shiva Mankameshwar Temple,one of four emperor Akbarinthe16thcentury. Fatehpur Sikri(35km)builtbyMughal World heritagesitesofAgraFortand station isatMalikpur(7km). n n India’sforemosthydraulicresearch

Must visits 51 (a sweetdishmadefromashgourd). n  train routes,JammuTawito aboard oneofthelongest be uniqueinIndiabutajourney xperiencing themonsooncan n

 Jaspal Singh. built in1505byRajputchief Shahpurkandi Fort(20km)was Though presentlyinruins, India. India. of the highest earth-filldamsin Ranjit SagarDam(20km)is one n www.indiaperspectives.in travel

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3. Nagpur, Maharashtra Must visits Cited as one of the future global cities, n Sitabuldi Fort, established in 1757, Nagpur is famous as the Orange City for commemorates the martyrs of the battle being a major trade centre of oranges. between the British and the Marathas. As it connects many tiger reserves in n The 275-year-old Shukrawari Lake and India, it is often called the Tiger Capital Ambazari Lake, the largest in the city. of India. Nagpur also lies at centre of n Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (150 km), the country with the Zero Mile marker Pench National Park (160 km) and Bor indicating the geographical centre of India. Tiger Reserve (75 km).

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 52 n july-August 2014 4. Ernakulam, Kerala Beginning Stone Age, Ernakulam has been the site of human settlement with monolithic monuments like Dolmens and rock-cut caves seen in different parts of the city. It was once the capital of the kingdom of Cochin (now Kochi). In fact, it played an important role in fostering trade relations between Kerala and the outside world in the ancient and medieval periods.

Must visits n Kochi (8 km), popularly known as the Queen of Arabian Sea, boasts of one of the finest natural harbours in the world and the longest and one of the largest Indian lakes, Vembanad Lake. n Mattancherry or Dutch Palace was built by the Portuguese and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma in 1555 AD. It features murals depicting Hindu temple art, portraits and exhibits of the kings of Kochi. n Jewish or Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest in the Commonwealth of Nations, was built in 1568 by the Cochin Jewish community in the kingdom of Cochin.

5. Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Lying at the southernmost tip of mainland India, Kanyakumari is famous for its spectacular sunrise and sunset as it is nearly surrounded by water. Formerly known as Cape Comorin, the city is famous globally for pilgrimage and tourism.

Must visits n Much more than a tourist attraction, Vivekananda Rock is more of a sacred monument dedicated to one of the most revered spiritual leaders, Swami Vivekananda. n A statue of Thiruvalluvar is erected near Vivekananda Rock as a memorial to the man who gave Tamil literature the ‘word that never fails’. The foundation stone for the statue was laid in 1979 and the work was completed in 1999.

july-august 2014 n 53 n www.indiaperspectives.in ACHIEVEMENT

Supporting India’s energy security

A miniratna schedule ‘A’ Public Sector Undertaking, ONGC Videsh Limited is the second largest petroleum company of India. Its main aim is to prospect for oil and gas acreages outside the country including exploration, development and production

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 54 n july-August 2014 project in Sudan in 2005. At present, OVL has oil and gas production from 11 Assets in Russia, Syria, Vietnam, Colombia, Sudan, South Sudan, Venezuela, Brazil and Azerbaijan. OVL acquired stakes in two exploration blocks in Colombia in 2012-13. Block GUAOFF-2 was acquired in Colombia Bid Round-2012 and the E&P Contract was signed on December 3, 2012. Fulfilling social responsibilities OVL is committed to creating a positive social impact by developing successful partnerships built on mutual trust and respect. The company makes valuable contribution in ways such as payment of tax revenues, investing in education and training and much more. Global presence OVL has 22 overseas offices, located in HoChi Minh City (Vietnam),Yuzhno Sakhalinsk (Russia), Baghdad (Iraq),Tehran (Iran), Tripoli (Libya), Havana (Cuba), Caracas In January (Venezuela), Astana & Atyrau 2000, OVL was (Kazakhstan), Bogota (Colombia), granted special Damascus (Syria), Calgary (Canada) empowerment and Baku (Azerbaijan). ONGC by the Nile Ganga BV has its registered government to office in Amsterdam (Netherlands), take investment Khartoum (Sudan), Juba (South decisions up to Sudan) and its subsidiaries have ` 200 crore offices in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Nicosia (Cyprus). Competitive strengths OVL has developed strong partnership alliance with NGC Videsh Limited (OVL) was a host of IOCs and NOCs including ExxonMobil, originally incorporated as Hydrocarbons British Petroleum, Shell, ENI, Total, Repsol, India Pvt Ltd on March 5, 1965 to carry Statoil, Chevron, Petrobras, Sodeco, Socar, Rosneft, out exploration and development of Daewoo, Kazmunaigaz (KMG), Petro Vietnam, oilO fields in Iran. It was re-christened as ONGC CNPC, Sinopec, PDVSA, Petronas and Ecopetrol. Videsh Limited on June 15, 1989. In the 1990s, the The company has built facilities for evaluation, company was engaged in exploration activities in interpretation, economic modeling, FEED, design and Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia and Vietnam. Gradually, execution of oil and gas projects. OVL shifted its focus on acquiring quality oil and gas assets overseas. Looking ahead OVL’s production started in 2002-03 from start-up OVL is focussed to support India’s oil and gas security production of Block 06.1 in Vietnam in January 2003 through consistent oil and gas exploration and and from Greater Nile Oil Project in Sudan in March production activities. As per the plan 2030, OVL’s oil 2003, aggregating a meager 0.25 MMToe. and gas production should increase from the existing The company had ventured into midstream and level of 7.26 MMToe to 20 MMToe by 2017-18 and had successfully completed 741 km product pipeline 60 MMToe by 2029-30.

july-august 2014 n 55 n www.indiaperspectives.in innovation

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 56 n july-August 2014 Mission Moon 2.0

Team Indus aims to land a robotic spacecraft on moon and win the Google Lunar X Prize

text | Upasana Kaura

team of five Indians, each belonging to a different background, come together to form Team Indus, one of the top contenders for the Google LunarA XPrize mission, also referred to as Moon 2.0. Organised by Google and the X Prize Foundation, the Google Lunar X Prize is a global competition to land a robotic spacecraft on the moon by December 2015. The spacecraft is required to travel more than 500 m on the lunar surface and send its feedback to earth. The team that lands first on the moon will receive a prize of $40 million. It is led by IT professional Rahul Narayan who works as the tech lead. Other founding members are Indranil Chakraborty (marketing lead), Sameer Joshi (missions architect), Julius Amrit (investment lead) and Dilip Chabria, co-founder (corporate relations lead). Team Indus will be competing against 29 teams from 17 countries. In fact, it has been named for prizes in two categories, Landing System and Imaging System. It all began in 2009-10 when two school friends, Narayan and Chakraborty, heard about the competition and decided to participate. Last year, the team moved its office from Delhi to Bengaluru as Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), headquartered there, is crucial to their future plans. ISRO will provide the team a launch vehicle, a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, by December 2015.

july-august 2014 n 57 n www.indiaperspectives.in Innovation

Celebrating traditional Indian fashion

The rich culture and heritage of India continue to significantly influence the country’s fashion industry

text | Sabyasachi Mukherjee

s an individual, I am very nationalist When Mahatma Gandhi started using khadi and my brand reflects that strong as a tool for social empowerment, he used sense of nationalism. It is India proud. it to bind Indians together. Indian clothing, It imbibes tradition, it embraces and like any other national clothing of strong Acelebrates India and looks to bring forth the visual identity, has a huge power to tie society Indian aesthetic to the forefront. and keep it connected. Our sari I truly believe that a large part of is a living and breathing entity global luxury has stemmed from this Indian clothing, that is still being authentically part of the country and a lot of it used like any other produced, reinterpreted and all of to stem from the purist school of national clothing this historical evolution without a thought of being ‘Indian’ which the of strong visual change in its actual and basic form. West imbibed and gradually made I truly believe it should be identity, has a their own. anthropologically preserved as a The main challenge India huge power to tie living tradition of India. My revere faces in the age of technological society and keep of the sari has translated into an enhancement is having clarity of it connected. Our initiative that we call “Save the vision on how to mobilise our own sari is a living, Sari”. At its core, the mission is not heritage and preserve it. I think breathing entity... about widening the sari market, we don’t understand enough the rather preserving its social and importance of being Indian in a cultural relevance. I have sourced global context. For instance, we, in India, have it from Ajrak, Jamdaani, Khadi, Kanchipuram, a unique association with a national dress that Benarasi and Pochampally. does not cross into costume. In countries like In a world of social media and cookie-cutter Japan, the kimono borderlines on costume, or in fashion, we need to remember what India truly England traditional royal outfits are now worn stands for: refinement, art, craft, sensitivity, during theatrical or historical reproductions. culture, education, religion and spirituality.

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At the same time, we need to always be aware on remaining relevant, to discard things that are archaic and move on. As a brand we try to keep our customer secure by helping them find an identity that is close to who they are, their culture and heritage. We try and foster a sense of confidence within our customer, one that makes them proud of their roots. We aspire to create a global national identity for our customer. Our children’s line namely “Chota Sabya” was inspired by my mother. She is a big influence

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 60 n july-August 2014 The designs of Sabyasachi’s mens collection borrow heavily from traditional ensembles

on my work – she was an artist, had a bohemian hard on revival of Benaras and started the outlook and always encouraged me to be aware process 10 years ago. and appreciate arts. It is a cultured clothing brand This strategy is to create a demand and for kids; features pleated saris, embroidered juties supply for my craftsmen who are the base of and handbags. It creates a sense of my business so that it becomes nostalgia in parents. a sustainable business for them. As a designer, I feel I have a As a designer Between me and the market that is certain responsibility to the people I feel I have a inspired by me, we create a whole and to the craft. Indian textiles are responsibility to lot of employment for people at the very important to me. They are the people and to craft level. the soul and DNA of my brand. the craft. Indian When leading women wear brand We try to support many weaving textiles are very Sabyasachi on the red carpet with communities in India which were important to panache it in turn fuels the demand dying out and it gives me great joy me. They are the and helps to revive craft and fuel and fulfillment when my company soul and DNA of growth at the grassroot level. The contributes to the revival of an Sabyasachi bride has today become my brand entire crafts village. a phenomenon which is even larger In India, we have an extensive than the brand. It is a celebration of ‘inspiration’ market in the country, so if I do cultured clothing. Tagore had once said – “I have a Kanjeevaram collection one year, I know it travelled around the world looking for beauty, would start being manufactured in the market only to realise it within a dewdrop, a blade of as well, helping revive that craft. We worked grass, right next to our doorstep.”

Sabyasachi Mukhejee is one of India’s leading fashion designers

july-august 2014 n 61 n www.indiaperspectives.in Review

The power of choice Former Chief Election Commissioner Dr SY Quraishi’s latest book An Undocumented Wonder: The Making of the Great Indian Election looks at the working of one of the most important institutions responsible for upholding democracy in India

text | Paranjoy Guha Thakurta

f there is one institution that all Indians are almost always proud of, it is the Election Commission. The bureaucracy inI general and particularly government officials have frequently been vilified as indolent, ineffective, corrupt and worse. Yet the same bureaucrats, once they enter the portals of Nirvachan Sadan, become transformed into independent individuals responsible for free and fair elections in the world’s largest democracy. This Constitutional Authority has, over the years, become increasingly empowered even if it – by its own admission – has a long way to go in curbing the use of money power and other malpractices during elections. Within weeks of the release of this book (by Rupa Publications) written by Dr SY Quraishi, who served as

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 62 n july-August 2014 Photo courtesy: PIB of India Photo courtesy: Dr Quraishi during his days as Chief Election Commissioner of India

Chief Election Commissioner and Election All those interested in the nuts and Commissioner between 2006 and 2012 after bolts of electoral operations, the use of joining the Indian Administrative Service in technology, the implementation of the 1971, the 16th General Elections model code of conduct, the role were concluded leading to of the media during elections the eighth regime change in All those and voter education – for the the country where General interested in first time, two out of three Elections have been conducted the nuts and voters who were eligible since 1951-52. The book, which bolts of electoral to vote in the elections did is partly personal memoirs and operations, the actually exercise her or his partly an account of the working use of technology franchise – will of one of the most important and more will find this book institutions responsible for educative. As to Like find this book INDIAN Diplomacy upholding democracy, seeks to educative and what more needs answer questions that are often interesting to be done to make raised about how a body of India the world’s bureaucrats is successfully able best, and not just Follow to conduct the biggest exercise of its kind the biggest, democracy in the @INDIANDiplomacy anywhere on the planet with relatively few world, we will have to wait for hiccups and glitches. Dr Quraishi’s next book. Add INDIAN Diplomacy The writer is an independent journalist and an educator with over 36 years of experience

july-august 2014 n 63 n www.indiaperspectives.in history

A tale of sacrifice and struggle As India celebrates its 67th Independence Day, we list five iconic places associated with the Indian freedom movement and what they are famous for today

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 64 n july-August 2014 Kakori, Uttar Pradesh Not to miss The Kakori Train Robbery took place between Kakori (14 km from the Kakori and Alamnagar near Lucknow on August state capital Lucknow) 9, 1925. It was planned by Ram Prasad Bismil and is known for its mouth- watering kebabs, Ashfaqullah Khan while Chandrashekhar Azad along zardozi (embroidery) with seven other freedom fighters executed it as work and Dussheri these freedom fighters required money to purchase mangoes. weapons to fight Britishers and free India from their clutches. The train was carrying money bags belonging to the British Government Treasury in the guard’s cabin.

july-august 2014 n 65 n www.indiaperspectives.in history

Port Blair, Andaman & Not to miss Nicobar Islands Tourists can visit the multitude of Apart from serving as a detention centre for the beaches and islands and indulge Indian freedom fighters thousands of miles away in snorkelling and boating even as they enjoy Indian, Continental from their homes, Port Blair was the temporary and Burmese delicacies. Port Blair headquarters of Azad Hind Fauj led by Netaji Subhas is also a major base for the Indian Chandra Bose. In the latter half of the 19th century, Navy and Indian Coast Guard. the area witnessed the construction of the Cellular Jail.

Cellular Jail

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 66 n july-August 2014 Meerut, Uttar Pradesh On May 10, 1857 in the cantonment town of Meerut, 72 km from Delhi, kick-started the first war of Indian Independence. The aggrieved Indian soldiers of the British army began their fight against the imperial powers by capturing control of the city. Thereafter, they marched to the Red Fort in Delhi and captured it the next day. So, the spark that began in Meerut spread all over India and took shape of a nationalistic struggle for Independence.

Not to miss Don’t miss the Victoria Park where 85 Indian soldiers were imprisoned by the Britishers as a punishment on refusing to use disputed cartridges or the Martyrs Memorial devoted to the martyrs of first war of Indian Independence. Traditionally known for handloom works and scissors industry, Meerut is famous for its gajak, a dessert made from sesame seeds set in sugar or jaggery syrup. Photo: Rahul Rana Martyrs Memorial

july-august 2014 n 67 n www.indiaperspectives.in history

Amritsar, Punjab It was on April 13, 1919 that Brigadier General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to fire on non- violent protesters and Baisakhi pilgrims who had gathered at Jallianwala Bagh. Hundreds were killed and thousands injured in what has been termed as one of the most brutal assaults on helpless Indians. The site has now been turned into a monument to symbolise the sacrifices of innocent Indians. The city is also home to Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple, Amritsar. It serves as the spiritual and cultural centre for the Sikh community in India.

Not to miss Visitors can get to the Faridkot or Govind Garh forts. Or feast on the famous Amritsari (leavened bread) with channas (cooked chickpeas). Not to be missed is a visit to the Wagah border, the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan.

Memorial at Jallianwala Bagh

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 68 n july-August 2014 Kesaria Stupa is a historical landmark

Champaran, Not to miss Mahatma Gandhi inspired the first Satyagraha Visit one of the largest stupas in movement in Champaran district in 1916. India, Kesariya Stupa, that was Thousands of landless serfs, indentured labourers built by King Ashoka and dates to the period between 200 AD and and poor farmers were forced to grow indigo and 750 AD. Or Lauria Nandangarh other cash crops instead of the food crops necessary that’s home to 15 stupa mounds. for their survival. Moreover, the farmers were Else get to Bawangarhi to see ruins given a measly compensation. Indigo cultivator of 52 forts. Champaner is famous Raj Kumar Shukla persuaded Mahatma Gandhi to for mouth-watering desserts like kesaria peda, khaja, malpua, go to Champaran who started off the Satyagraha khurma, and thekua. movement after establishing an ashram. Ultimately, the British government gave in and signed an agreement granting more compensation and more control over farming.

july-august 2014 n 69 n www.indiaperspectives.in history

The Indian opinion During his South Africa stay, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi started a multilingual journal aiming to ‘advocate’ the Indian cause

words | Ramachandra Guha

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 70 n july-August 2014 (Top left and bottom left) Mahatma Gandhi’s nephews Chhaganlal and Maganlal (Right) Gandhi’s key lieutenant, Thambi Naidoo, addressing a crowd near Durban during 1913 Satyagraha

n 1897-98, when he was based in merchants and acquire type in the four languages Natal, Gandhi had thought of starting a the weekly would print in – English, Gujarati, newspaper focussing on the Indian question Hindi and Tamil. Nazar’s job was to plan each in South Africa. Now, in the summer of issue, arrange for articles and translations, edit I1903, he reactivated the idea, and found two copy, and see the magazine through the press. men willing to help him. The first, From Johannesburg, Gandhi would Mansukhal Hiralal Nazar, was a provide intellectual and moral widely travelled Gujarati who had Mansukhlal direction, which included writing studied medicine in Bombay and Hiralal Nazar many articles himself. run a business in London before was the first In 1903 there were fourteen migrating to South Africa. The woman to help printing presses in Durban. All were second, Madanjit Vyavaharik, Gandhi owned and staffed by Whites – with was a former school teacher who the exception of the press run by re-activate owned a printing press in Grey Vyavaharik. The new, multilingual Street in Durban. The press printed the idea of journal stood out against a wedding cards, business cards, newspaper in mono-chromatic background of menus, account forms, memoranda, South Africa periodicals written, printed and circulars, receipt books and so on, in 1903 read in English alone. The staff in Gujarati, Tamil, Hindi, Urdoo, was suitably diverse – including a Hebrew, Marathi, Sanscrit, French, Zulu, &c. Cape Coloured, a man from Mauritius, several &c.’ To this already extensive list would now be Gujaratis and at least two Tamils. added a weekly journal of opinion. The journal was named Indian Opinion. The Gandhi’s collaborators were based in Durban, first issue, appearing on 4 June 1903, announced the centre of Indian life in South Africa. itself as the voice of the Indian community, Vyavaharik’s task now was to raise money from now ‘a recognised factor in the body politic’ of

july-august 2014 n 71 n www.indiaperspectives.in history

Clockwise from left: Gandhi’s parents Karamchand Gandhi and Putli Bai; his school in Rajkot; (below) glimpses of Gandhi’s home in Porbandar

South Africa. The ‘prejudice’ against them in journal’s aims was any mention of the largest ‘the minds of the Colonists’ was based on an section of the population of South Africa – the ‘unhappy forgetfulness of the great services India Africans themselves. has always rendered to the Mother Country ever Each issue of Indian Opinion ran to eight since Providence brought loyal Hind under the pages. A cover page listed the journal’s title and flag of Britannia’. An article in the the languages it was printed in. A same issue qualified this loyalism, series of advertisements followed. noting that in South Africa, ‘if an Each issue of A shop in Durban drew attention to European commits a crime or a moral Indian Opinion its Raleigh cycles of ‘the rigid, rapid, delinquency, it is the individual: if it ran to eight reliable kind’; another shop alerted is an Indian, it is the nation.’ pages. A cover readers to its stocks of ‘Oriental In starting Indian Opinion, page listed the Jewellery’. General merchants in the Gandhi was setting himself up as towns of Natal placed insertions, languages it was a knowledge-broker and bridge- as did specialized shops selling builder. The journal would carry printed in cigarettes and clothing. Other ads news of Indians in South Africa, were issued by the paper itself; these of Indians in India, and general articles on ‘all asked for a ‘good machine boy’, for ‘a first class subjects – Social, Moral, and Intellectual’. It Tamil compositor’, and for someone who could would ‘advocate’ the Indian cause, while giving read both Hindi and English. Europeans ‘an idea of Indian thought and Such was the first page; news and commentary aspiration’. Missing from this statement of the in English followed. Later pages carried material

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 72 n july-August 2014 Clockwise from left: Indian Opinion, a journal founded by Mahatma Gandhi; politician Gopal Krishna Gokhale (left) with philanthrophist Ratan Tata, Gandhi wearing white to mourn the death of Indian strikers killed in police firing, Gandhi’s advisor Pranjivan Mehta, Durban merchant Parsee Rustomjee

in Gujarati and, at the end, in Hindi and Tamil. The English and Gujarati sections of Indian The annual subscription was 12 shillings and Opinion both depended heavily on Gandhi’s sixpence in Natal and 17 shillings elsewhere contributions (often printed without a byline). (payable in advance). Single copies He wrote short notes and leaders sold at three pence each. on a variety of topics. The New laws in Natal or the The English and statements of mayors and governors Transvaal that affected Indians, were reproduced. Government Gujarati sections news from the Motherland dispatches and documents were about protests, plagues and great of Indian summarised. Cases of harassment patriots – these were reproduced in Opinion both and discrimination were analysed. Indian Opinion in all the languages depended heavily As for Gandhi, his writings for this it printed in. Other articles were on Gandhi’s period are very heavily dominated tailored to individual communities. contributions by his public activities. Amidst The Tamil section covered festivals hundreds of pages of editorials and observed only in South India. It also reports for Indian Opinion, petitions focused rather more on schools for girls, since – to officials and legislators, legal notes and letters at this stage – Tamils were more keen to educate to sympathisers in the United Kingdom and India, their women than the Gujaratis. there are rare, brief, glimpses into his personal life.

Extracted from Gandhi Before India by Ramachandra Guha (Allen Lane, an imprint of Penguin Books)

july-august 2014 n 73 n www.indiaperspectives.in explore

When it rains... As monsoon spreads its wings over India, we select the best places to enjoy the splendid beauty of the downpour

text | Kalyani Prasher

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 74 n july-August 2014 f you love nature, like to experience as to how water can change the landscape from brown to green, if you like the thought of sipping a hot cup of tea in the middle of a forest while it Ipours all around you... then you may never forget a monsoon vacation in India.

july-august 2014 n 75 n www.indiaperspectives.in explore

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 76 n july-August 2014 july-august

Photo: Dinesh Shukla 2014 in yourcup. watch therainsasyousipbestofAssam the porch ofyourteaestatebungalowand for ateaestate tour.Onarainyday,sit on a rainforest.Grabanumbrellaandsignup tea estatesbutalsotwonationalparksand is unbelievablygreen–notjustwith the Brahmaputra ineastIndia, thesmalltown scenic inmonsoon. Situated bythemighty exporter inthecountry, is oneofthemost town, famousforbeingthelargest tea of thunderous rainenvelops them. The clap aboveuproariously andacurtain of greencomes alivewhendarkclouds of the yearbutimaginehowthecarpet Tea estatesareasoothing sightanytime Dibrugarh, Assam rainforests andnationalparks country, Dibrugarh has scenic The largest tea exporter inthe n

77 n www.indiaperspectives.in explore

Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand It is full of endemic flowers, rare flora and endangered animal and bird species. The Valley of Flowers National Park is a true delight for nature lovers. To reach the park, you have to trek 17 km from Joshimath, accessible from Dehradun or Haridwar in Uttarakhand by road. The Valley of Flowers trek takes you past villages and fields of wild flowers that light up the air with their fragrance. Smell the wild roses as you walk along and enjoy the freshness of the landscape after the rains. Best time to visit is post- August when the valley is a riot of colours.

Almost 300 varieties of alpine blooms greet you during the monsoon, making for a spectacular view

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 78 n july-August 2014 There are plenty ofresorts andhomestays neartheK Since itisrelatively lesser-known, thetown isserene andcalm. as the Asian FairyBluebird. Bengal tigerandvariousspecies ofbirdssuch Wildlife Sanctuary whereyoucan spotthe waterfalls andwaterbodiesaswellKoyna picturesque sightandthe townisdottedwith Chiplun andKarad. TheKoynaDamisa is alesser-knowntown,located between regions intheworldduringmonsoon.Koyna Western Ghatscan outshinethemostbeautiful Lush andstunningatthebestoftimes, the Koyna, Maharashtra july-august 2014 n

79 n www.indiaperspectives.in oyna D am

Photo: Shantanu explore

Goa If you want to avoid the crowds at the popular tourist spot of Goa in west India, go during the rains. You can’t go to the beaches or do much sightseeing but a drive through Goa in the rains prove to be the most enjoyable experience. Get surprised by the Dudhsagar Falls on Mandovi River which makes for a dramatic sight. Else drive through lush spice plantations or through the countryside for unforgettable moments.

Drive through lush spice plantations or simply take a walk through the Goan landscape to enjoy the beauty of the rains

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 80 n july-August 2014 Coorg, Karnataka South India is the luckiest region during monsoon as the rain visits it first and leaves it the last. One of the rainiest places in India, Coorg is well-known for its coffee plantations and lush green forests which get enveloped in a magical aura when it pours. Watch mist roll in, covering green with a thick white blanket while you enjoy a cup of steaming filter coffee. Visit the spot where the Cauvery River originates or Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary. With waterfalls, hills and mouthwatering cuisines, Coorg will make you return many times over.

Known for its coffee plantations, Coorg has picturesque mountains, waterfalls, paddy fields and forests

july-august 2014 n 81 n www.indiaperspectives.in explore

Of faith and belief Temples across the world gather devotees in large numbers, not only for religious reasons but also for their sheer beauty and grandeur

Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple Mahe, Seychelles The only Hindu temple in Seychelles, the Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple was built in 1992. It was named after Lord Vinayagar, the Hindu god of safety and prosperity. Ganesha is the presiding deity. Idols of Murugan, Nadarajah, Durga, Sreenivasa Perumal, Bhairawa and Chandekeswarar are enshrined here. The temple’s gopuram (tower at the temple entrance) is breathtaking, richly decorated with colourful carvings of gods and goddesses. Prayers are performed for the different deities on special occasions. The Taippoosam Kavadi Festival was started in Seychelles in 1993 and first took place in the inner courtyard of the temple. It is now conducted in the outer courtyard. A colourfully decorated chariot is also taken out in procession. The festival is so popular that the Government of Seychelles declared it a holiday for Hindus from 1998 onwards.

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 82 n july-August 2014 Photograph: Poliphilo Photograph:

Swaminarayan Temple There are three ‘shikhar’ towers (representing Leicester, UK the Himalayan peaks) with gold-painted An old denim factory was transformed into this pinnacles rising out of the roof. An impressive immense white marble temple funded by the 15m frieze of Swaminarayan, to whom this Indian diaspora in Leicester. It has stonework temple is dedicated, stands in the foyer. Low- hand-carved by craftsmen in Gujarat which was voltage lighting arrangement and energy-saving later transported and assembled in Leicester motion sensor switches in the complex make in 2011. The project took nearly three years to the temple a ‘responsible’ structure. In fact, it complete. Religious and cultural motifs including has been given the ‘Good Lighting’ award by the sculptures of peacocks and lotus flowers abound British Astronomical Association for its efficient in this temple, symbolising peace and beauty. and sky-friendly night-time lighting.

july-august 2014 n 83 n www.indiaperspectives.in explore

Dhakeshwari Temple Dhaka, Bangladesh Located in the capital city of Dhaka, Dhakeshwari Temple has been conferred with the status of National Temple of Bangladesh. The temple was built in 12th century by Ballal Sen, the king of Sena dynasty. It is also said that the city has been named after this temple as Dhakeshwari also means the goddess of Dhaka. The temple has undergone repairs, renovation and rebuilding in its long years of existence and today it is considered as an essential part of the country’s cultural heritage. Every year in October, the temple hosts an annual worship ceremony of Goddess

Pratyya Ghosh Photo: Pratyya Durga, the greatest Bengali Hindu festival. Durga Puja within the temple premises

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 84 n july-August 2014 Shri Kali Temple architecture which is covered from top to Yangon, Myanmar bottom with hundreds of representations of The Shri Kali Temple in Myanmar can be Hindu gods. Kali is the mysterious, powerful called a dynamic collage of myriad colours and goddess of transformation, representing pleasing aromas. Located in Yangon province, the wholeness of life. Every day here is a this temple was built by Tamil migrants while celebration, with daily aartis and offerings. Myanmar was a part of British India. Dedicated During festive time, the temple is decked up, to Goddess Kali, the temple is noted for its making for a beautiful sight.

july-august 2014 n 85 n www.indiaperspectives.in Initiative

Women peacekeepers heal the world

Compassion is now the new nucleus of peacekeeping missions and Indian women are proving to be crucial

text | Sumantha Rathore

Officers of the Formed Police Unit of the Indian contingent of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) participate in a medal parade held in honour of their service

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 86 n july-August 2014 Photo courtesy: PIB of India Photo courtesy: Women officers in Liberia

nited Nations peacekeeping missions female officers and about 20 men had gone to are now witnessing increased Liberia in 2007 to strengthen the rule of law and participation from Indian women. In maintain peace in a country that was ravaged by regions like Liberia, where violence civil wars. At night, they would stamp out street againstU women is rampant, Indian women forces crime and during the day, would guard the cities; have played a crucial role in empowering women and once back in military barracks, they would to come forward and register their complaints. narrate stories to their children back home via In fact, the first all-female Formed Police Unit video-conferencing. (FPU) that was deployed in Liberia in 2007 was Unlike their male counterparts, who are looked from India. It was applauded for bringing in a upon more as a threat by the perpetrators and substantial difference in the lives of women and the suppressed, women peacekeeping forces give children who were being tormented during the a sense of security to women and children in country’s civil war. war-hit areas of the world. Even the rioters It’s not just security that Indian think twice before attacking a troop that’s personnel introduced the Liberian being led by women, thereby reducing the women to, they also convinced the chances of conflict and confrontation. women to muster courage to join There are, at present, 16 peacekeeping forces. The UN mission in Liberia missions across the globe that deploy noted that after the deployment of women personnel. In 1993, just 1 per Indian female peacekeepers in cent of the peacekeeping heads the region, the percentage accounted for women, in 2012. of women in the national The number rose to 3 per cent police force rose from 13 per with almost 40,000 female cent in 2008 to 15 per cent peacekeepers pushing for in 2009. Their presence also peace. By the end of this encouraged Liberian women year, the UN plans that to brave the atrocities that 20 per cent of the police were being inflicted upon them force will be represented and report instances of sexual by women. Truly, love and

Photo courtesy: PIB of India Photo courtesy: violence. More than a hundred care can heal the world.

UN Photo/Pasqual Gorriz

july-august 2014 n 87 n www.indiaperspectives.in conversation

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 88 n july-August 2014 ‘Other teams are afraid of us now’

At 20, has put India on the world archery map

text | Garima Verma

rchers Limba Ram and Dola like to live in the present and think about Banerjee had put India on the one tournament at a time. I haven’t made sport’s world map a few years a list of what I want to achieve. I just care ago but the expectations couldn’t about performing my best every day,” says the Asustain. It wasn’t until the arrival of a shy current world number two woman archer in girl from that India began to eye recurve category. higher laurels. Deepika Kumari announced her presence on the international Dedication and stage by becoming the junior world hard work champion in 2009. Today, all of 20 Deepika knows Her coach Purnima Mahato says years, she has reached the top of the a lot is riding on that it’s this “morale and confidence” world rankings, helped the Indian her whenever that sets Deepika apart. “You just tally in the 2010 Commonwealth she takes to the have to point out a mistake once Games with two gold medals, field but is smart and Deepika would not rest till she won the world cup stages four enough to not let has got the best of that,” she says. times, clinched a silver at the that affect her It is Deepika’s dedication that has world cup final and is an Arjuna made India a worthy competitor. awardee. And she is proud to admit that Deepika agrees she has achieved a “other teams are afraid of us now”. lot “in very little time. But there’s still a lot I Deepika knows a lot is riding on her whenever have to do in future,” she says. But she hasn’t she takes to the field but is smart enough to not set goals for herself. “We never know what let that affect her. “I can only practise hard and is going to be the result of a tournament. I give my 100 per cent every time,” she says.

july-august 2014 n 89 n www.indiaperspectives.in conversation

Clockwise from left: At Tata Archery Academy; receiving the Arjuna Award in 2012 and during a practice session

Bright future In 2014, Deepika would be bidding to defend her gold at Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (July 23 to August 3) and looking to better her 2010 Asian Games bronze when she takes on the Koreans in their own backyard in the Asian Games (September 9 to October 4). Like INDIAN Diplomacy “Many Asian teams are very strong. Koreans would, of course, have an advantage. But I know we will be Deepika announced ready,” says a confident Deepika. Follow her presence on the “We have been beating a lot of @INDIANDiplomacy international stage by top teams in these last two years. becoming the junior world As a result, people have started champion in 2009. Today, recognising archery in India. Add she has reached the top of Facilities and infrastructure have INDIAN Diplomacy the world rankings improved too. There’s no looking back for us now.”

INDIA PERSPECTIVES n 90 n july-August 2014

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