sign in sign up
<<
Home , Kapil Dev

PUBLICATION OF THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF IN DUBAI VOL.3 ISSUE 4 | APRIL 2011

WORLD CHAMPS Riding a billion dreams, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Devils lift the World Cup after 28 long years C FROM THE CONSUL

GENERAL’S DESK O

Dear Reader,

We wish very hearty congratulations to Team India and all its N fans! An unbending desire to win transformed a team that looked flawed to begin with, into worthy winners bringing home India’s second World Cup, 28 years after the glorious victory Kapil Dev’s

team achieved. T For many in my generation, the World Cup victory this year will bury forever the last ball six in Sharjah in the summer of 1986.

This victory will also erase the 1996 defeat in the Cricket World E Cup semifinals and for many more this victory will blank out the ignominious exit from the 2007 World Cup. Our cover story is

dedicated to Dhoni and his boys. N The Indian economy continues its impressive growth. The trade figures for the Financial Year 2010-2011 are out and India’s merchandise exports approached $246 billion. UAE remains our

largest trading partner, also accounting for 47 percent of exports T in the gems and jewellery sector. We have never been more engaged with the international economy. The growth is likely to continue in

the coming years as well. S 4 World Champs Happy Reading! Riding a billion dreams, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Devils lift the World Cup after 28 long years

10 QUESTIONS Sanjay Verma 10 Yogesh Mehta India Matters in conversation with Yogesh Mehta, owner of Petrochem Middle East , one of the largest chemical distribution RADIO MATTERS companies in the Middle East The Consulate General of India in Dubai brings to you its weekly radio programme ‘India Matters’ on Suno 102.4 FM. The purpose of the show is to high - SUPERBRANDS light the services provided by the Consulate and talk 14 about the events and news related to India and the Blue Dart Indian community in UAE. India Matters is aired every Friday between 5 and FOREIGN TRADE 6 pm on Suno 102.4 FM and repeated every 12 Saturday between 12 and 1 pm. BOOKS India’s exports surge For more details visit www.cgidubai.com and 18 Food for thought United Arab Emirates remains India’s www.suno1024.com largest trading partner, followed by China Swami Vivekananda was fond of dal, and liked and the United States, as total exports to have ice cream even in chilly weather. Mani breached $245 billion with a growth of Sankar Mukherjee, in his new book, chronicles 37.5 percent in fiscal 2010-11 the life of the learned man

The winner of the March 2011 monthly quiz contest is

Mr. R. Ganguly India Matters is a monthly publication of the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Dubai . All rights reserved. No part of this journal may be produced, stored He wins a gift hamper. or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of the CGI Dubai . Editorial correspondence and manuscripts can be addressed to [email protected] ns! gratulatio Content and design by IANS (www.ianspublishing.com) on behalf of Consulate General of India in Dubai. Con Editorial Coordinator: Zarin Amrolia, Dubai

2 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| April 2011 April 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 3 COVER STORY

“I am speechless, to be honest, to Bollywood megastar Amitabh express myself and how I feel. This is Bachchan, too, joined the jubilant by far the best moment. This is the crowds with son Abhishek and daugh - moment I have been waiting for such ter-in-law Aishwarya Rai on Mumbai a long time. It is really worth every bit streets. Even Congress President of it. It is really, really special.” Sonia Gandhi could not resist the Tendulkar said during the felicitation jubilation as she took to the streets of of the Indian cricket team by New , waving to the crowd. President Pratibha Devisingh Patil at Raj Bhavan on April 3. DIAsporA exults “I never thought that god would Wherever they were and whatever the show me this day. The cup belongs to local time, the Indian diaspora keenly the entire nation so I am sure they are followed the India-Sri Lanka final and feeling part of it. The win has brought were ecstatic as India lifted the World smiles to the fans not only in India but Cup. From Atlanta to Washington, also abroad.” Indians across America erupted in unbridled joy as India lifted the covet - INDIA celebrAtes ed ICC Cricket World Cup. Be it celebrities or IT professionals or In Lakewood, California, hundreds ordinary citizens — people all over the of Indian fans watching the game in a country hit the streets to celebrate packed Cineplex started to dance in India’s World Cup victory, with the the aisles. They high-fived and festivities continuing into the early hugged complete strangers. There hours of the next day. were tears in many eyes. People gathered at clubs, restau - Similar scenes were witnessed in WORLD CHAMPS rants and pubs to watch the match but New York too where cricket fans had once it was over, they came out onto come out in the wee hours of the the streets to party. Youngsters were morning, crowding into bars that had Riding a billion long 28-year wait came to an tears, took the stumps as souvenirs, Above: An overjoyed Team seen holding national flags and stayed open just for the big game. India with the World Cup; dreams, Indian skipper end as India displayed iron and then lifted an emotional Sachin singing the National Song Vande The Indian diaspora in Trinidad will and enormous guts to Tendulkar on their shoulders to start Right: Team mates carrying Mataram , and popular Hindi film and Tobago was overjoyed. A minister Mahendra Singh hold the coveted World Cup on the victory lap, as the entire stadi - on their numbers including Chak De! India described the win as a triumph of the A shoulders during the Dhoni’s Devils lift the trophy aloft for the second time in 28 um stood up to give a warm ovation to and Sabse aage honge Hindustani . human spirit. years with a six- win over Sri the cricketing heroes. Crackers burst victory lap. The sound of crackers was so deafen - “WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS... World Cup after Lanka in a riveting final in Mumbai and the giant scoreboard said ing that it seemed to be an early Diwali. WE ARE THE BEST AND ALWAYS 28 long years on April 2. “Congratulations India”. People had their faces painted in the REMAIN THE BEST.. INDIA ZIND - As Dhoni hit the final six, the entire maestro Sachin Tendulkar colours of the national flag and cruised ABAD (sic!)” posted Geoffrey Indian team ran into the ground. described the World Cup triumph as along on their bikes and in their cars Cowasjee, who works in Australia, on Players hugged each other, broke into the best moment of his career. while screaming and shouting. his Facebook account, .

4 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| April 2011 April 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 5 INDIA ZINDABAD! RINGS ACROSS DUBAI Cup musings — another time, another place he Indian tricolour ebrated India’s World Cup win. fluttered on the They had joined the celebra - t was another era, another streets of the Gulf city tions, happy as they were over generation. When the men TBur Dubai as people the invitation Indian Prime were still in white and televi - shouted slogans and celebrat - Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh Ision just emerging from the ed after India’s victory against had extended to his Pakistani black-and-white era. But the Sri Lanka in the cricket World counterpart Yousuf Raza national obsession for cricket Cup final. “India Zindabad” Gilani to watch the semifinal endures, bridging the 28-year gap rang out across the city as tens match, at Mohali in Punjab. and bringing back sepia-tinted of thousands of Indian fans “I was supporting India this moments of that historic summer exhibited their patriotic fer - time as they truly deserve the day at Lord’s when India, led by the vour, with the Indian flag seen top spot, and I’m so glad they flamboyant Kapil Dev, brought the on every car that passed by won the World Cup,” said World Cup home. the Bur Dubai streets. Aisha Yaqub, a Pakistani stu - As India won the World Cup in “I had never seen so many Indians Karama, shared similar sentiments. dent. Mumbai, it’s as if the decades tele - Above: The winning team in Dubai come together like that,” “I was in Meena Bazaar after India “Most Pakistanis in Dubai sup - scoped in time. of the 1983 World Cup; said Bharti Sajnani, a resident of Bur won, and I had never seen so many ported Team India as most of them In that 1983 summer, satellite Right: Kapil Dev, of the Dubai, as celebrations of India’s people out there. All the Indians in have Indian friends. It’s hard not to television had made a technological team, lifted the trophy after victory continued on the streets till Dubai were present, celebrating the support them,” Yaqub added. leap into Indian homes just the beating West Indies. past midnight. win. It was such a wonderful sight, it Cricket in Dubai has become year before when New Delhi hosted “More than the win, I enjoyed the was like a mini-India,” she said increasingly popular among the the Asian Games. Rajiv Gandhi, abroad watched the final match spirit among people and the festive A similar scene was also South Asian community. During the who was keen that the country did literally in the palm of their hands, mood that had descended after the witnessed in the city after India won World Cup, all restaurants, bars, not “miss the bus” of the technolog - as television undergoes a genera - win,” Sajnani added. the semifinal match against Pakistan. cafes and malls were tuned-in and ical revolution, had liberalised the tional leap that makes it accessible Wynette Goes, a resident of Al The Pakistani community also cel - hooked onto the game. communication regime, made TV anytime, anywhere through mobile sets cheaper. phones that have now empowered And for the first time, Indians almost two-third of its population. had the benefit of live coverage of India were no favourites when important events from within the they began their campaign with MATCH REPORT country and around the world. their opener against the mighty As Team India brought off a West Indians in their four-team eemingly staring down the the very second ball of the innings, crowd looked tense. But this stunning upset over a West Indies group that had Australia and barrel at 31/2 with celebrated adjudged leg before to a skidding brought in Dhoni, and with team, firecrackers exploded across Zimbabwe as well. But they pace attack from the fiery foursome Sopeners (0) of fast bowler Lasith Gambhir, the duo first absorbed the the country in celebration of a vic - shocked the then Goliaths of world of , , and Sachin Tendulkar (18) back in Malinga. The Sri Lankans tightened pressure calmly and then built up tory whose timing could not have cricket with a 34-run victory before and . the pavilion, the heroics of Gautam their grip as Malinga sent the innings by rotating the strike. been more appropriate. being thrashed by the Australians. However, when it came to their Gambhir (97) and skipper Tendulkar back in 6.1 overs. The two took India beyond the The 1983 triumph was in many The results were reversed in the turn, the West Indian batsmen Mahendra Singh Dhoni (91 , Tendulkar, who was still waiting for 200 mark, but just when it seemed ways a twin triumph for middle return matches, with West Indies collapsed to some determined bowl - 79 balls) and their 109 run partner - his 100th international century, the team would coast to victory, class Indians who not only had the defeating India and India getting ing by the Delhi duo of Mohinder ship snatched the game away from edged a Malinga delivery to wicket - Gambhir was dismissed three short privilege of watching live cricket the better of Australia. But what Amarnath and . Sri Lanka. keeper . of a deserving hundred. The Delhi sitting thousands of miles away, people remember from that memo - And the freeze-frame moment — Set a stiff asking rate of 5.5 after Gambhir and (35) left-hander charged down for a slog, but got to see the Indian team rable summer of 1983 was the one that has remained etched in Mahela Jayawardene struck a classy steadied the ship with a 83-run third but missed it to see his stumps rat - snatch a dream victory in the home heroic captain’s display by Kapil memory of all those who watched unbeaten century, pulling Sri Lanka wicket stand as they kept up with the tled off Thisara Perera. India were of cricket. The opening up of the Dev, who brought back India from that game, was provided by Kapil out of a sluggish start to a challeng - required rate. However, Gambhir on 223/4. airwaves suddenly gave Indians the brink of defeat against Dev who ran 20 yards to cup a skier ing 274/6, the Indians got to the 30 got a life as Kulasekara dropped a (21 not out, 24 balls, access to a whole new world in Zimbabwe with a whirlwind 175 by Richards. winning run with 10 balls to spare, catch at long off. India were 68/2 2x4), later adjudged Man of the entertainment and instant infor - after India had lost half the side for Indian fans went wild with and Dhoni smacking Nuwan and the unlucky bowler was Suraj Tournament, appropriately was mation. just 17 runs. celebration. Television had arrived, Kulasekara for a mighty six into the Randiv. The missed chance proved with his captain when the team But TV viewing was still limited, But the best of Kapil Dev was to India had broken through the stands, sparking delirious scenes of crucial in determining the course of scored the remaining runs with a timings were restricted to certain be reserved for the final. West communication barrier and cricket celebration across the stadium. It the game. 54-run stand. With four overs left, hours and viewer choices were lim - Indies, led by ‘King Viv’ Richards, took a mighty plunge into people’s was India’s second victory on their Kohli (69m, 49b) got out in the National Song Vande Mataram ited to Doordarshan’s basket of two were widely expected to plough psyche as a trans-denominational third appearance in the final. 22nd over, as Dilshan took a spec - reverberated on the public address or three channels. through the Indian batting, which religion whose devotion has only But it all seemed so difficult earli - tacular catch off his own bowling. system, and finally team India Nearly three decades later, mil - they did as India were shot out for got more fevered and intense with er in the evening. Sehwag got out in India were 114/3 and again the clinched the win in 48.2 overs. lions of Indians in India and 183 runs in the face of a hostile the passage of time. — Tarun Basu

6 India Matters| April 2011 April 2011 |India Matters 7 and descended somewhere beyond 2000s, but they always had potential Mahendra Singh long-on. and were hard to beat on their day. Dhoni poses with They called Mohammed This World Cup side, for example, bat - his Man of the Azharuddin Destiny’s Child. Dhoni is ted till No. 7 and had two batsmen in Match trophy and only more so. He is Destiny’s Captain. great touch — Tendulkar and Yuvraj the World Cup. He tells Destiny where to field. A mere Singh. It had a bowler like Zaheer two World Cups ago, Dhoni was a Khan who, was unplayable through - ticket collector at Kharagpur Railway out the tournament... Station. True, he was a rising player, At the World T20 too, Dhoni’s other but his life was humble. He moved great hour, Gambhir played a critical around on a bicycle in Kharagpur or role in the final, top-scoring with 75 hometown Ranchi. His accommoda - and earning the Man of the Match tion was modest. A dhaba meal was award. Yuvraj Singh was also in his indulgence. These too were mostly element in that tournament —the six paid for by friends. sixes off bore ample tes - Today Dhoni is the biggest star in timony. At the CB Series in Australia, Indian cricket after Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar was in prime form. As was, Tendulkar has gone beyond cricket once again, Gambhir. He was the top- Consul-General of India Sanjay into the realm of national icons like scorer in the tournament. Without Verma celebrates India’s World Gandhi and Nehru. Dhoni has gone such weapons, Dhoni would not have Cup win with Consul-General of Sri beyond contemporary rivals and is the record he has. Lanka M. M Abdul Rahmeen (seat - now up there with Kapil Dev and Sunil But then Dhoni brings a lot to the ed) in Dubai. (Courtesy Gulf News) Gavaskar in the pantheon of Indian square himself... Where batting is cricketing legends. They may have had concerned, Dhoni has played all over A senior player once said about longer careers, but the extraordinary the world. But he has been at his best Dhoni that he does not worry about rate at which Dhoni’s team has won in the Indian subcontinent. Three of the future or the past. But this could big titles ensures him a place in the big his four Test centuries have been in be a result of his record. When you league. Since becoming the captain in India, one in Pakistan. Five of his have won so much, the future and the 2007, he has led India to win in the seven ODI hundreds have been in past take care of themselves. From his World T20, the CB Series in Australia, India, one in Pakistan, one in outlook, Dhoni does seem a person the No. 1 ranking in Tests and now the Bangladesh... who likes to keep things simple and, World Cup and the No. 1 ranking in The same savvy shows in his aggres - significantly, do them his own way. DESTINY’S CAPTAIN One-day Internationals. Statistically, sive field setting. Few pitches in this For example, when speaking of he is India’s most successful captain. World Cup had much carry, and the Tendulkar, he is respectful but never And arguably the best. fast bowlers at his command are not over the top. The best things about he evening after their World opening, as they had two off-spinners “He is the best captain I have played express. Dhoni, and his bowlers, saw Tendulkar and Dhoni are funda - Mahendra Singh Dhoni Cup win, the Indian cricket in and Suraj under,” says Tendulkar. “He is very more sense in employing a short cover mentally different. Tendulkar is the Tteam was at Mumbai’s Raj Randiv. It made sense for a right- sharp and always alert. He reads the ... In Powerplays, the circle is crowded ultimate role model. But they don’t get are the things you Bhavan, the official residence of the hander to replace the departed Virat situation well and is open to sharing anyway. A short cover further plugs in the way of their working relation - don’t see... Governor of Maharashtra. They had a Kohli. But whether or not this ideas. He always has discussions with the gaps. Runs dry up. The batsman ship. It was Tendulkar who recom - tea appointment with President prompted his decision, Dhoni got the bowlers, batsmen and senior players tries to force the pace and meets his mended to Sharad Pawar, then BCCI Pratibha Patil. Afterwards, on the opportunity to rediscover his batting separately.” doom. It happened to Pakistan’s president, that Dhoni be made the lawns, the players ate snacks. Captain touch and play a defining role in a Tendulkar has played under six Younis Khan in the semifinals. From a ODI captain after had Mahendra Singh Dhoni got himself match that will be remembered for captains — Srikkanth, Azharuddin, solid 4.5 per over, the Pakistan run grown weary of the job. Tendulkar fre - some kababs and settled down with generations. After the win over Ganguly, Dravid, Kumble and now rate had slowed to just over four; the quently guides Dhoni. On the other his plate when his wife, Sakshi, found Pakistan in the semifinals, Dhoni was Dhoni. He acknowledges Dhoni’s abil - asking rate had climbed to six-plus. hand, Dhoni’s leadership helped him. She playfully admonished him asked, “You can justify your place in ity to maintain his composure even in This got to Younis, and soon enough Tendulkar get the World Cup win... for helping himself before she had. It the team as a captain. How do you jus - tense situations. “He is always calm he drove an innocuous Yuvraj delivery For now, though, life is a dream for was the second time in 24 hours that tify it as a batsman?” This was his and never shows his frustration. into the hands of at Dhoni. He laughed and giggled Dhoni had promoted himself in the answer. There was nothing in the These are some of the human cover. In the final, the field setting through his press conference after the order. But while in this instance he pitch. The batsmen only had to stay qualities that have made him such a contributed to India’s superb overall final. He would start an answer and may pay a small penalty, the first there and keep nudging away for ones good captain.” performance in that department. then forget what the question was. added to his legend. and twos. Some people say Dhoni is lucky. Gordon Banks, the legendary England The press did not mind. If they did, Dhoni’s decision to bat up the order After a couple of nervous prods at This is not wrong. Like goalkeeper who made the ‘Save of the too bad. Nothing matters now. Dhoni was about cricketing logic, not the start, Dhoni was in command. He and , he has had great Century’ off a Pele header in the 1970 can do what he wants. courage. Had Yuvraj Singh joined played sensibly, saving the flourish for players in the team. Dhoni’s team may [FIFA] World Cup quarterfinal, would — Akshay Sawai , there would have the last. When the match-winning six have lacked the consistent dominance have been impressed at the way (This article is courtesy OPEN been two left-handers at the crease. was hit, the ball rose into orbit, of the West Indies of the 1980s or Yuvraj, fielding at point, threw himself magazine and is being carried with This could have given Sri Lanka an scripted Dhoni’s name on the way, Australia of the late 1990s and early at hard square cuts. permission.)

8 India Matters| April 2011 April 2011 |India Matters 9 10 QUESTIONS professionalism in the growing Indian mar - Petrochem sponsored the GR8! ket. As India cannot be taken lightly, it is 7Women Awards which took place important to have a growing presence there. in April, in UAE. Who, according to you, is the most influential woman Petrochem bounced back from the personality of all times? 4global downturn that began in The GR8 Women Awards night was the ‘India cannot be taken 2008. How do you deal with setbacks most meaningful and successful show that in business? What is your mantra to Dubai has ever seen. Along with the enter - tackle the wrong end of a business tainment, Petrochem was proud to highlight cycle? the many women who have done ground - The global downturn of 2008 did catch us breaking work in our society in the Middle lightly, it is important to unawares. We never thought disaster would East, but are not in the limelight as they work strike so soon, so quickly, with such ruthless - below the radar. ness almost like a tsunami. Prices collapsed, There are many influential women in the so did the markets and both producers and world. Some iconic, others merely human. have a presence there...’ traders lost billions of dollars. Women whose aura and work influenced me Whilst there is no magic wand to deal with are Aishwarya Rai for her intelligence, Kiran such setbacks, there are certain cardinal Bedi for upholding women’s rights, and rules that must be adhered to. Mukhtar Mai for her bravery and fight You will always see signs of the market get - against injustice. He runs Petrochem Middle East, a company he started from scratch. It is one of the ting weaker. It is our greed that makes us largest chemical distribution companies in the Middle East with a turnover of over a careless. It is okay to make mistakes but it is Which genre of music is your billion dollars a year. The company exports over 250,000 metric tonnes of products foolish to make the same mistakes twice. In 8favourite? Which Indian music such times a leader has to lead by example, director do you admire the most? And through a state-of-the-art distribution terminal in Jebel Ali, Dubai… India Matters good sense and discipline. We are lucky to your three all-time favourite songs presents YOGESH MEHTA , owner, Petrochem Middle East have strong and dynamic people in our team are... who never gave up, worked harder, and with I believe the purest form of music is the a little bit of luck overcame the downturn. Indian classical with all the nuances of ragas, although I do love jazz, trance and fusion was to succeed and build an empire of repute, What advice would you give to music to its fullest. The Indian music com - by being a professional, provide superior 5young entrepreneurs? Which sec - posed decades ago by Madan Mohan, quality and just in time chemicals to the con - tors of business do you feel have a Khyyam, O.P. Nayyar and is eter - sumers, hence obstructing the late entrants. long-term and sustainable future? nal! I also love music by A.R. Rehman and As compared to our times, the new breed Pritam. My favourite songs are ‘Tum mile, dil Petrochem has a presence in the of entrepreneurs has the benefit of more edu - khile’ by MM Kreem in the movie Criminal , 2Middle East, Africa, Europe, the cation and better exposure as technological ‘Tum jo mil gaye ho’ by Madan Mohan in the Indian subcontinent, the Far East and advances have made the world a much small - movie Hanste Zakhm and ‘Munni badnam the Asia Pacific. But how do you help er place. This also means that they must hui’ by Lalit Pandit in the movie Dabangg . reduce the global carbon footprint? work much harder and not expect miracles. Issues regarding global warming and Honesty and ethics are synonymous with What is your fondest memory of reducing carbon emissions are for manufac - success. Today the oil and gas, chemical, IT, 9growing up? turers rather than distributors. However, a shipping and service industries have a strong The growing-up years have always been general awareness in all of us including the future. I am sure the finance and investment the best years of my life. There was so much common man will go a long way in making industry too will survive in the long run. innocence. We were without a care in the this world a safer place to live in. Companies world, did what we liked and we had lots to who default and are irresponsible should be You and Falguni are great patrons hope for. My growing-up memories are of exposed and fined. An example needs to be 6of Indian culture, particularly spending all the time reading or waking up at set to curb such behaviour. music. How does this patronage fit in 5 am to go running, and of thoughts of with your business philosophy? conquering the world one day. What are your business plans in My wife Falguni and I have been music 3India? and theatre buffs since childhood. We want How do you define success? Petrochem entered India in 2007 and cur - to give back to society what we have received 10 rently holds the place of being the second and enjoyed. One may make pots of monies, Success is manifold; the least important When was Petrochem established? largest distributor in India. Our plan is to be but it is no good if you do not know how to ingredient of being successful is being rich. 1What was the inspiration behind No. 1 in the coming five years. Our plan is to enjoy “the good life”. In the one life we have, Money of course is important, so is fame, but starting this company? manufacture chemicals that form our core there should be equal doses of honest work the way you digest both is key to being suc - Petrochem was formed in 1995 with three product, possibly invest in tank terminals. and pure fun! Therefore, today the cessful. If your candle is lit, you must light people. Today it is the largest chemical distri - The idea is to footprint successfully what we Petrochem brand is associated with the another’s. Humility and goodness are the bution company in the Middle East. The idea did in the Middle East. We want to bring cultural landscape of Dubai. hallmarks of success.

10 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| April 2011 April 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 11 FOREIGN TRADE But the impressive export per - chandise exports and employs a large BUSINESS BUZZ formance also ensured that trade share of labour force that is engaged deficit fell to $104.4 billion, much in the export-based industries. n $596.2 billion was India’s lower than the government’s forecast “India’s gems and jewellery indus - Foreign trade in the Financial of $135 billion, and the actual figure try today is looked upon as one of the Year 2010-11. Indian exports of $117.3 in 2009-10. leading players in the global arena. reached the $ 245.9 billion “Based on the performance of The growth will continue in coming while imports stood at $ 350.3 exports we are confident we will years as well,” said Rajiv Jain, chair - billion achieve our export target of $450 bil - man of the Gems and Jewellery n `55,000 crore ($ 12.22 billion) lion by 2014-15, which we have set Export Promotion Council. will be generated by Mobile for ourselves,” Minister Sharma said. “The world is eyeing India for value-added services by 2015, “By 2014 we would see doubling of trade across sectors — be it dia - according to Pricewaterhouse our exports in textiles, tripling of monds, coloured stones or jewellery. Coopers . exports in gems and jewellery and From a trading hub in gems and jew - n `4,500,000 crore ($100 bil - engineering, tripling of exports in ellery, the focus is now to take India lion) collected as income tax in electronics goods and doubling our up in the value chain and promote it the Financial Year 2010-11. agri-exports and tripling our leather as a design destination globally.” n `830 crore ($180 million) sector exports.” Within this strong overall export spent by Aditya Birla Group to The glittering performance of performance there were some sectors acquire the chloro-chemicals India’s external trade last fiscal was that were even stronger performers: unit of Kanoria Chemicals & also reflected in its gems and Industries Ltd. jewellery sector that saw exports soar vEngineering goods constituted the n `2,58,849 crore ($56.84 bil - 46.89 percent to top $43 billion, largest component of India’s lion) FDI was recorded by the notable due to an impressive show exports, saw a significant rise in power sector in Tamil Nadu by the cut and polished diamonds value chain and crossed the $60- from 150 projects. sub-sector. billion mark to register a growth of n `30,000 crore ($6.66 billion) nearly 85 percent. will be the cost of Phase III of UAE largest destination vDespite India being a net importer the Delhi Metro Network, The United Arab Emirates of crude oil, its exports of petrole - approved by the Delhi emerged as the largest destination of um products amounted to $42.45 Government. exports for the gems and jewellery billion with a growth of a little over n `550 crore ($120 million) will sector, accounting for as much as 47 50 percent, thanks to the refining be invested by Max percent of its exports, followed by capacities among state-run and Hypermarkets, the retail chain Hong Kong with 22 percent, and the private enterprises. of the Dubai-based Landmark US with 11 percent. vAmong the traditional items, group for its store expansion India’s exports surge In fact, the UAE also continued to exports of cotton yarn fabrics were business over 30 cities in India. United Arab Emirates, China and the United States remain the country’s largest remain India’s largest trading part - up 43 percent at $5.66 billion. n `200 crore ($44 million) to be ner, with bilateral trade worth $26.4 vEven the allied sector, comprising invested by Ashok Leyland in trading partners as total exports breached $245 billion, with a growth of 37.5 billion in the first six months of last agricultural produce, marine prod - development of construction percent in fiscal 2010-11, says Arvind Padmanabhan fiscal, as against $24.8 billion with ucts, tea, coffee, tobacco, spices, vehicles during 2011-12 China and 20.5 billion with the US. cashew, oil meals, fruits and veg - n 240 million tonnes per annum For the Gulf region as a whole, offi - etables grew significantly to top will be the capacity of India’s espite the continuing turmoil in Industry Minister Anand Sharma said cials in the Commerce Ministry esti - $13 billion. petroleum refining by March the global economy, India’s recently. “This is the first time exports have mate that bilateral trade may have 2012. external sector presented a stellar crossed $200 billion mark,” the minister crossed the $125 billion mark last fis - According to the Federation of n 235.88 million tonnes will be Dperformance in the fiscal year said. “In fact, beating our target and expec - cal, with a growth of 25 percent over Indian Export Organisations, an the country’s foodgrain output ended March 31, with merchandise exports tations, it crossed the $200-billion mark in the like period of the previous year. umbrella lobby group for the external in 2010-11. surging 37.5 percent to reach close to $246 February itself.” Minister Sharma believes Dubai sector promoted by the Commerce billion — the highest-ever such growth in The noteworthy performance came after has particularly established itself as and Industry Ministry, India was force chaired by Minister of State for independent India. a minor set back in the previous fiscal — in the gateway to the Gulf region, which well within reach to double its Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya The robust performance in exports took 2009-2010, exports had fallen marginally serves as the crescent for India’s exports in three-four years. M. Scindia, account for 7-10 percent both the government and the industry by by 3.6 percent to $178.6 billion, while trade engagement — stretching from During the last fiscal, the govern - of the value of exports. surprise, given the target of $200 billion imports had declined 5.5 percent year- Northern Africa to the Middle East ment also took steps to boost exports, Scindia says the government will that was set at the beginning of the year and on-year to $286.8 billion. and the Commonwealth of notably round-the-clock customs look at more ways help exporters cut economic conditions within India’s major In what was a double icing for India’s Independent States. clearances at eight major ports and costs in the future. “Permanent trading partners, notably the United States external trade last fiscal, imports also grew, The strong performance of the lower airport levies on exports, to cut reduction of transaction costs and Europe. indicating robust industrial activity in the gems and jewellery sector was also transaction costs by as much as $500 through such initiatives will have “Exports have indeed exceeded our domestic economy. During the year, vastly welcome as it accounts for million annually. long-term positive impact on the expectations,” India’s Commerce and imports stood at $350.3 billion. nearly 17 percent of India’s total mer - Such costs, according to a task competitiveness of India’s exports.”

12 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| April 2011 April 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 13 Superbrands Presentation to launch dedicated cargo opera - India by Dun & Bradstreet. determination and hard work would tions. Over the years and in sync Blue Dart’s aviation arm received propel the fledgling from sorting with customer demands, it aug - the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation and delivering a few dozen pack - mented capacity and, today, con - (CAPA) Cargo Airline of the Year ages outside Mumbai airport on tinues to be the that first night, to handling nearly only player with a 200,000 shipments each day Market dedicated fleet of through rain, hail, earthquake and In the modern world of commerce Boeing freighter air - snow. In a study conducted by and industry the one imperative craft. Dhristi Strategic Research that stands out is the Japanese Blue Dart’s tech - Services in 2007, Blue Dart business philosophy of Just in Time. nology innovations emerged as one of the strongest Quite simply, it means ‘we wish to have also played a brands in India with amongst the carry very low inventory and want key role in its pre - highest top of mind recall. the goods and services to be deliv - mium positioning In its early days, Blue Dart ered just before they are required.’ and in bringing glob - forged ties with Gelco Express Left to its own devices this fine bal - al standards to the International, UK to introduce an ance would be impossible to main - Indian customers’ international air package express tain. Unless of course, a company doorstep. Blue service from India and thus like Blue Dart came along and took Dart’s in-house IT enhance the value offered to its up the challenge of delivery, the team has constant - customers. In 1993, foreseeing the day before — every time. ly developed tech - potential in India, Blue Dart decid - At first, evaluating the logistics nology solutions ed to shift focus from international of this exercise would appear to be over the past seven - to domestic service. It went on to no big deal. In actuality, it entails a Investment (FDI) to be made in it. Achievements teen years. Such become the first Indian courier complex, integrated procedure In its Silver Jubilee year, Blue Attaining such stunning success has been the ramifi - company to conceptualise domes - which requires extensive and effi - Dart stands as the unrivalled leader wasn’t easy. Along the way, Blue cations of these tic on-board couriers with a guaran - cient detailing, stream mapping, in the domestic express industry Dart endured formidable challenges offerings that more teed 10:30 am delivery to major networking and last mile fulfilment. now pegged at `2700 crore (US$ and took bold steps to protect its than 79 percent of metros. Over the years Blue Dart has 675 million). Of the share garnered hard-fought territorial gains. When Blue Dart’s regular In 1994, the company went pub - built up such refined capabilities by the organised sector, Blue Dart others in the domain were still try - customers use it lic with an IPO of 2.55 million that it can discharge its commit - commands 41.7 percent (Source: ing to find their bearings, Blue Dart actively. Home shares. In the same year Blue Dart ment like a finely tuned military A.T. Kearney TMS Study). had already envisioned itself as a grown innovations launched its multi-modal, premium exercise. Thanks to this effort — This near-monopoly must be ‘warehouse in the sky.’ It created a like the COSMAT package delivery service and the confidence businesses attributed to the huge investments palpable differential for itself by II™ (the tracking DartApex™ (Air Package Express) repose in it — the logistics indus - that Blue Dart has made in building arrogating a niche — and a hard-to- and ERP system), and COSMATII™, an advanced try in India, led by Blue Dart, has an infrastructure that is unmatched emulate — segment in supply TrackDart™ (moni - tracking and ERP system that grown to employing an impressive in the entire South Asia region. The chain management that demanded toring shipment status), Merit Award in 2006. In the same redefined the industry. In that year, one million plus people. figures make impressive reading: critical deliveries, low inventories MailDart™ (tracking shipments year, Blue Dart bagged the too, Blue Dart Aviation, a 100 per - The mushrooming of businesses over 17,600 locations, 47 domestic and reliable and timely distribution. over e-mail), InternetDart™ (mem - Institute of Chartered Accountants cent subsidiary of Blue Dart and the gains India is making pro - warehouses, a fleet of three B757 With the induction of two B737 ory bank for shipments), of India (ICAI) Award for Express, was incorporated and vide the logistics industry with a and four B737 freighter aircraft freighters in 1994, Blue Dart PackTrack™ (tracking software for Excellence in Financial Reporting. became the first private company plethora of opportunities and an offering a revenue payload of 300 became the first express company medium and large customers), In the following year, Blue Dart to receive government approval for environment conducive for the sus - tonnes per night, a ShopTrack™ (tracking and CRM was declared the Best Cargo the operation of cargo aircraft in tained augmentation of its flotilla of over tool for e-business portals), Airline at the Express, Logistics the country. resources. 4,800 vehicles, ImageDart™ (online download of and Supply Chain conclave in In 1995, Blue Dart Aviation Today, this industry is estimated more than 300 proof of delivery challans/docu - Mumbai, India and in the same acquired two B737 aircraft and at between 11.8 percent and 13 business associ - ments, to speed up the customer’s year, was also conferred the Amity developed SMART (Space percent of GDP – a figure higher ates, 197 retail bill process, waybill issuance capa - HR Excellence Award. Management Allocation than in many, more developed counters, over 1 bility, customer directory, data Reservations and Tracking), the economies (Source: million square feet upload and download of tracking History first cargo reservations systems in www.researchandmarkets.com). of warehousing information), among others have In November 1983, three young India. The following year, Blue Dart Fuelled by these opportunities the space and 5500+ enabled the weaving of thoughtful entrepreneurs, Clyde Cooper, launched the first jet express air - logistics sector is attracting invest - committed and information management to the Tushar Jani and Kushroo Dubash line and also became the first ments in knowledge and technology trained Blue logistics business. pooled in `30,000 to kick-start an express company to receive an in equal and growing measure. The Darters driven by a An Indian company benchmarked idea of delivering small packages ISO: 9001 Certification. 1995 was government, too, has viewed it as a singular passion of to international standards, Blue and samples to support India’s bur - also momentous because in that critical component in India’s rise to delivering service Dart has been recognised as one of geoning exports. On that date, in a year Blue Dart crossed `100 crore international eminence and has excellence and the best and has been listed space of 200 square feet under a (US$ 25 million) in turnover for the allowed 100 percent Foreign Direct value. among the top 500 companies in staircase, Blue Dart was born. Grit, first time.

14 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| April 2011 April 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 15 1997 witnessed the launch of checks on its and charters and Hyderabad, serviced by Blue lion) in air infrastructure, aircraft Brand Values domestic charter operations and aircraft. Two through its syner - Dart aircraft. Charters offer pal - and creating state-of-the-art facili - Blue Dart has always made a con - the signing of interline agreements B757 gies with the three letised capacity for carriage of ties, transit hubs, with hi-tech scious effort to create a bond with with international airlines for distri - freighters — DHL Business urgent and large volumes to eight - material handling equipment. It its customers. Perhaps, because of bution of bonded cargo within Blue the first in Units — DHL een airports in India and four inter - also plans to add 58 new ware - this, the brand has, today, become Dart’s network. Today, these have the Indian Express, DHL national airports in the region. houses for an additional holding synonymous with value, quality, extended to 26 operators and skies — Global Forwarding Blue Dart, in line with its focus capacity of 1 million square feet. speed, efficiency, responsiveness include bonded warehousing and joined the and DHL Exel on innovation, has also introduced and service excellence. transshipment facilities. In 1998, Blue Dart Supply Chain. several customised products — Promotion the company developed India’s first fleet in 2006. The express Rakhi Express and Student In an overcrowded, cluttered world, Load and Trim software for its air - In an effort services offer Express, for instance — designed brand Blue Dart has exploited every craft, reducing handling time by 80 to fortify its domestic priority to meet specific needs. opportunity to stand out. The core THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT BLUE DART percent. unique capa - for non-commercial A recent addition to Blue Dart’s focus has been on strengthening In 1999, Blue Dart moved to its bility of offer - domestic docu - product portfolio is Import customer relationship and on making n Blue Dart has set up a back-up state-of-the-art administrative, ing the entire ments and small Express. It is the only service of more effective use of the 4,800 plus technology hub in Bangalore as a technology and operations gamut of end- packages under 32 its kind in India and offers door-to- vehicles as mobile touch points. part of its Business Contingency Superhub and Headquarters, the to-end distri - kilos. Dart Apex™ door facility for importing ship - Recently Blue Dart, coinciding and Continuity Plan Blue Dart Centre, in Mumbai. In bution solu - is a door-to-door, ments from over 200 countries. with the launch of its ground n Every year, since it was instituted 2001, a third Boeing 737 was tions, Blue time-definite, sup - express service — Dart in India, Blue Dart has been nomi - added to the Blue Dart fleet. Dart ply chain and logis - Recent Developments SurfaceLine — released a televi - nated a Superbrand. Blue Dart A year later, Blue Dart entered launched its tics distribution Blue Dart strives to be a customer- sion commercial titled ‘Delivering boasts of having Day One employ - into a sales alliance with global ground express service — Dart service for commercial shipments centric organisation. Every step it more than just Packages.’ The ees — people who have been with leader DHL Express Worldwide. SurfaceLine in September 2007 that require regulatory clearance. takes is an effort to strengthen commercial played back the emo - the company since the day of its Today, DHL owns 81.03 percent and inducted the third B757 Smart Box is the convenient door- this relationship. In this pursuit, tions of trust, hope, dreams, aspi - inception stake in the company. The fourth freighter. to-door service for cargo in two Blue Dart has invested heavily in rations and success that often lie n Each night when the country aircraft joined the fleet in 2004 sizes — 10 kilos and 25 kilos. building an infrastructure that in the consignments that Blue Dart sleeps, Blue Dart flies 300 tonnes and Blue Dart became the first pri - Product Freight services include domes - would provide unmatched value. carries. Indeed, nothing exemplifies of cargo for next day delivery vate operator in India to receive Blue Dart offers express, air tic, early morning airport-to-airport Perhaps, this more than anything this truth more than the fact that n Blue Dart operations cover approval from the Director General freight, ocean freight, supply chain deliveries to the seven metros — else, has endeared it to its clients. when something important has to 17,600 locations in India and 220 of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for under - solutions, freight forwarding, cus - Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, The company plans to invest be delivered people trust only Blue countries worldwide taking heavy maintenance D- toms clearance, project handling Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad nearly `1000 crore (US$ 250 mil - Dart.

(Reproduced with the permission of Superbrands India Private Limited — copyright owners)

16 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| April 2011 April 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 17 BOOKS Food for thought ‘Next book a while away’

Swami wami Vivekananda, the 20th centu - everyone. Perhaps the waitress was inexpe - t’s been a while since he won the after one of his Vivekananda was ry visionary and founder of the rienced or misunderstood his accent. She Pulitzer Prize, but Indian patients who Ramakrishna Mission, loved lentils, brought them ice-cream soda. Vivekananda IAmerican cancer specialist had stomach fond of dal, and Sespecially the ‘kalai’, a traditional did not like ice-cream soda and asked if the Siddhartha Mukherjee has no time cancer told him liked to have ice Bengali variety cooked with fennel, salt, bottles could be returned,” the writer says. to celebrate. He is already back at she was willing green chillies and a pinch of turmeric. Many The manager was annoyed with the wait - work, seeing patients and even doing to go on fighting cream in chilly a time, he appealed to those who were close ress and scolded her. some writing. but she needed weather. Mani to him to cook “kalaier dal” for him, says The monk called the manager and said, “I have gone back to work really — to know what one of West Bengal’s top contemporary “If you scold the girl, I will drink up all the full clinic, clinical responsibilities, she was battling. Sankar Mukherjee, writers Mani Sankar Mukherjee, in his new ice-cream at once.” back to seeing patients. I am doing He began in his new book, non-fiction The Monk as Man: The The 20th century visionary from Bengal, some writing on this as well,” writing the book Unknown Life of Swami Vivekananda . who inspired millions of young people Mukherjee said. “So, very good to as he couldn’t point her to one thing chronicles the life Sankar, who researched the book for across the world with his secular views on return to work.” that could explain cancer. “Essentially, of the learned years in libraries and pored through faded religion and progressive philosophy was The Delhi-born wrote the book The it was a long process. I wrote it in little man. Madhusree newspaper and magazine writings of the intuitive about food. The intuition often Emperor of All Maladies: A bits and pieces and it took about seven time, says “it appears that Swamiji was fond verged on an obsession with purity. Biography of Cancer that made it to years,” Mukherjee said. Chatterjee talks of cream too”. Once when he In his writings on Bhakti- the Time magazine’s top 10 non- On his other writings, Mukherjee Siddhartha Mukherjee to Sankar was eating with his compan - yoga, Swami Vivekananda fiction books of 2010 and The New said: “I am a scientist and a physi - ions in the United States, and refers to the commentary on York Times’ top five list. On April 18, cian. So I write papers. I was writing they enquired whether he Bhagwan Ramanuja on he learnt that he had won the Pulitzer er bestseller. He says he’s balancing papers even when I was writing this liked strawberries, Swami impure and pure food. He for it in the general non-fiction his work as a cancer researcher and a book. So certainly, I do lots of differ - Vivekananda answered that says three things make food category. physician, “I try writing in very short ent kinds of writing.” “he had never seen one”. impure: jaati dosha — the “I am thinking of writing the next. bursts, often 15-20 minutes or half an “I am honoured to have received “At this, they pointed out impurity in the nature of the But it’s too early for me. I need some hour and then followed by long one of the world’s great honours,” that the monk had been eat - food itself like onions and time before I put together a topic that periods in the shadows during which said Mukherjee, who is married to the ing strawberries every day. garlic which excite nerves and I might take up for a book,” said I do research.” artist Sarah Sze, herself an accom - Vivekananda explained that addle brains; ashraya dosha Mukherjee, 41, an assistant professor Mukherjee, who had his schooling plished sculptor and a recipient of the the strawberries were cov - — impurity arising out of con - of medicine at Columbia University, at New Delhi’s St. Columba’s School, MacArthur Fellows “genius grant”. ered with cream; even stones tact with an impure person, when asked if he was planning anoth - says he thought of writing the book — Arun Kumar covered with cream would and nimitta dosha — impure taste good!” food because of impurities His American host, the Legget family like worms, hair or dirt in them. TOP TEN with whom the seer resided in the U.S. dis - Sankar brings interesting observations “The Emperor of All “India a Portrait” “Only Time Will “Those in Peril” covered that the easiest way to keep him at made by the seer in his book. Vivekananda Maladies” Author: Patrick French Tell” Author: Wilbur the dinner table was to announce: “There once told his disciple Sarat Chandra that Author: Siddhartha Publisher: Penguin Author: Jeffery Smith will be ice-cream for dessert. Then “one who cannot cook cannot be a great Mukherjee Books Archer Publisher: Pan Publisher: Fourth Price: `699 Publisher: PAN Price: `325 Vivekananda would wait patiently for his monk”. A few days before his premature Estate Price: `325 ice-cream like a little boy,” Sankar says in death at the age of 39 from ill health, Price: `499 his book. Vivekananda was found “gleefully eating “Civilisation — “Tender Hooks” “Usually after a lecture, his devotees took chanachur (a hot and spicy mix of chickpeas The West and the Author: Moni him to a restaurant... On this particular and nuts) from a saal leaf at Ahiritola in Rest” Mohsin occasion, it was a very cold night and north Kolkata on the bank of Ganges”. Non-Fiction Author: Niall Ferguso Publisher: Random Fiction Swamiji shivered in his raincoat. But in On July 4, 1902, Vivekananda lunched on Publisher: Allen Lane House Price: 699 Price: 199 spite of the hellishly cold weather, he chose “hilsa” fish curry, rice, fried vegetables and ` ` ice-cream and liked it very much,” the a tangy dip (ambol). At 9.30 p.m., after a writer says. day of prayer, banter and meditation, he “India Calling” “Tinderbox: The “The Sly Company “The Folded Earth” Once after a lecture, Vivekananda invited died of a heart attack. Author: Anand Past and Future of of People Who Author: Anuradha “eight of his friends for ice-cream.” They The book, which probes the simple child - Giridharadas Pakistan” Care” Roy Publisher: Fourth Author: M.J. Akbar Author: Rahul Publisher: Hachette walked along Powell Road in San Francisco like man behind Narendranath Dutta alias Estate Publisher: Harper Bhattacharya India and came to a cafe. Swami Vivekananda, has been published by Price: `499 Collins Publisher: Picador Price: `495 “Vivekananda ordered ice-cream for Penguin-India. Price: `499 Price: `495

(Source: Bahri Sons, New Delhi, www.booksatbahri.com. All the books listed above are available online)

18 India Matters| April 2011 April 2011 |India Matters 19 TRAVEL If you long for a gastronomic adventure, then also there’s plenty for you. You can dig into a range of cuisines prepared by the finest in- house chefs. And you may even be inspired enough to write after enjoy - ing the romantic charm of the place. During the parched season, a dry riverbed serves as the only motorable road to the resort. This 12-km stretch from Kodiya village up to Shiargarh, where the resort is located, is in itself an adventure, as your vehicle lurches from boulder to boulder, big and small, that form the rugged surface of the serpentine channel. The dry waterbed skirts through the sparsely forested hills, giving you a majestic view of the Shivalik during the ride. And as you prepare for the night ahead, the afternoon sun gently stokes you with a fresh dose of ener - gy. A deep croak of the great hornbill at a distance will alert your entry into her territory; so will her cousins, the oriental pied and grey hornbills. In monsoon, the movement of vehicles on this stretch is not possi - ble. River water with overpowering force gushes downhill. This abun - dant seasonal water nurtures the lush deciduous forest of Rajaji, named after the first and last Indian Governor-General of independent India, C. Rajagopalachari. Nature untamed “The Balkumari Temple trek is one Discover the magic of Rajaji National Park — home to the sloth bear, ghoral goat, of the best places here for hikers,” says Ajay Ghale, corporate chief nat - jackal, leopard, tiger — and wild elephants, says Sanjeeb Baruah uralist of Leisure Hotels. “You can see a panoramic view of mountains from the hilltop.” solar energy for all purposes,” says Above: Witness the wild The resort, which is gracefully Bankim Sharma, one of the partners elephants in their full glory as o you think your life has become northern India and a cradle for endangered spread out across about 10 acres at at Forrest Resort. they wander around the park; a little too monotonous and you wildlife, such as the sloth bear, ghoral goat, the base of the Shiargarh hill, radi - “I am fond of nature, this project Below: Enjoy your stay in Rajaji’s need some adventure? Visit the jackal, leopard and tiger. ates in the dim yellow lights that allows me to do what I like best and it luxury tent houses. DRajaji National Park where you Leisure Hotels, one of India’s leading emanate from some 20 cottages at also helps me earn a livelihood,” he can explore the wilderness in the company hospitality groups, is helping tourists dis - nightfall. The staff helps you unwind says. The resort is open from of some 400 wandering wild elephants. See cover this tranquil world with a range of and it’s time for the barbeque and the November to mid-June. these giant mammals up close that gulp itineraries at its Forrest Resort, near the bonfire. Created in 1983, the Rajaji Park is down up to 200 litres of water daily, eat reserve. The Shivaliks beckon. And don’t a haven for wild elephants. How to reach: By air from over 200 kg of food and wallow in the mud You can take a jeep safari to the park, or get surprised if a wall creeper comes Hundreds of elephants roam the for - Delhi to Jolly Grant airport in for hours in this sprawling reserve hike up to one of the villages atop the pic - calling at your cottage. You will at est, managed under Project Elephant Uttarakhand, and from there by ensconced in the Shivalik foothills of the turesque hills early in the morning. You once fall in love with this tiny, attrac - launched by the government in 1992. vehicle up to the site in Himalayas in Uttarakhand. may even choose to laze around or spend tive little bird. The night soon takes Elephants are a symbol of pride Shiargarh. Or by train from If you took the national capital of Delhi as time reading your favourite book while sit - you to another world as you ground and represent India’s rich faunal her - Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh your locus, this fascinating world of ele - ting in a reclining chair on the cold concrete yourself near a bonfire. itage. According to official estimates, and from there by road. phants is just 260 km away. porch of one of the luxury tent cottages at “We want the resort to be eco- India has more than 27,000 wild ele - Cost: `14,000 for two nights The 800-plus sq km park is home to the the resort, as the gentle breeze nourishes friendly as much as possible. In the phants, which is about half the Asian and double occupancy. largest population of wild elephants in you with the scents of the forest. next season, we will try to introduce elephant population.

20 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| April 2011 April 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 21 The Indian Passport and Visa services, handled by BLS International Services Their website is www.blsindiavisa-uae and for queries you may call 04-3594000 ’.

The Passport and Visa Service Centres located at the premises of the Indian Associations/Indian Social Centres in the different Emirates will continue to remain functional at their existing locations.

This magazine will 1. Which city of India is known as the monds are cut and polished in the accept contributions ‘Manchester of South India’? city. What else is Surat famous for? Locations of all Indian Passport and Visa Centres: from readers in the form of Q&As, factoids, 2. Which Indian freedom fighter was 7. Which state is known as India’s Spice Dubai quiz news and popularly called 'Mahamana'? Garden? BLS Centre Abu Dhabi announcements of 105, 106 Al Khaleej Centre BLS Centre upcoming quiz events 3. The novel ‘Anandmath’ was authored 8. Pushkar ka Mela or Pushkar Fair is the Opposite Al Ain Centre M-1, Plot No. 159, Shark Lot (19/2) and also photographs. by which Bengali writer who is also annual camel and livestock fair and Mankhool Road Near Main Bus Depot, Muroor Road You can write in to associated with the national song? one of the largest trade fairs in the Bur Dubai Opposite Aramex Office [email protected] world. Which state hosts the fair? Tel: 04-3594000 Tel: 04-3594000 4. Owing to its numerous temples, which city is also known as the ‘Cathedral 9. Rouff is a folk dance performed by men BLS Centre Ras Al Khaimah City of India’? on specific occasions. The performers 202, Dubai National Insurance Building, Diera BLS Centre wear long colourful robes, tall conical Plot No. 315 (129-134) Shop No. 3, Opposite al Safeer Furniture, 5. Which Indian region is the only place in caps, which are studded with beads Port Saeed Al Safeer Mall and Awwad Trading the world where the Asiatic Wild Ass and shells. It has its origins in? P O Box 30910 (Alkah Establishment) is found? Tel: 04-3594000 Behind Subaru Showroom 10. Located in India’s Uttar Pradesh 6. Surat is known as the ‘diamond capi - state, it is Asia’s largest residential Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (K.M.C.C) Indian Association Ras Al Khaimah (I.A.R.A.K) tal’ as 92 percent of the world’s dia - university. Name the university. Al Shiravi Bldg Near Mamourah Police station Near Sabaka Bus Station Mumtazar Rd Deira Tel: 04- 2274899 Tel: 07-2288345

THE PICTURE Sharjah Kalba QUESTION BLS Centre Kalba Indian School and Cultural Club (K.I.S.C.C) 201, Second Floor Opposite Kalba Police Station Faisal Building Near Bin Moosa Pharmacy This temple is the sacral 2, King Faisal Road Tel: 092777357 centre of Tanjore, the “rice Tel: 04-3594000 bowl of Tamil Nadu”. It is Fujairah believed to have been built Indian Association Sharjah (I.A.S) Indian Social Club Fujairah (I.S.C.E) by Rajaraja Chola during the Near Al Garb Police Station, Opposite Hilton Hotel 11th century. A UNESCO Al Manak Al Fazil Road World Heritage Site, Tel: 06-5610845 Tel: 092221155 it houses an exquisite shrine dedicated to Murugan and is Umm Al Quwain Khorfakan visited by devotees from BLS Centre Indian Social Club, Khorfakan (I.S.C.K) around the world. Name the Jawasat Road Behind Indian School temple. Riqqah Area Tel: 092387677 Opp. Lulu Centre Tel: 04-3594000 Al Ain Indian Social Centre Ajman Al Saroj District ANSWERS TO THE LAST CONTEST Indian Association Ajman (I.A.A) Tel: 037221080 1. Thanjavur; Rajaraja Chola 2. Gir Forest 3. Irwin Amphitheatre 4. President's Bodyguards 5. Monsoon Wedding 6. It is a rocket launching Opposite Lulu Centre station 7. Sultana Razia Begum 8. Circumnavigation of the earth by car 9. 'Arabic' Numeral System 10. Major Grey's 11. Gateway of India Tel: 06-7474212

22 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| April 2011 April 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 23 GUDI PADWA: THE HARVESTING FESTIVAL

Indian women celebrate ‘Gudi Padwa’ or the Maharashtrian New Year in Mumbai on April 4, 2011. Gudi Padwa marks the end of a harvest and the beginning of a new one, which for an agricultural community signifies the beginning of a new year.

Consulate General of India P.O. BOX 737, DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Tel: +971 4 3971222/ +971 4 3971333, Fax: +971 4 3970453, Tlx.: 46061 CGIND EM Email: [email protected]

Consulate Hotline Numbers +971 50 9433111 (For women/housemaids in distress and counseling for stress and depression) +971 50 7347676 (For death formalities on holidays and after office hours) Passport: 04-3070741 Visa: 04-3070743 Consular: 04-3070782 Labour: 04-3070716

Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi Plot No. 10, Sector W-59/02, Diplomatic Area, Off the Airport Road P.O. Box 4090, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 2 4492700, Fax: +971 2 4444685 / +971 2 4447768 Email: [email protected]