Vol: 23| No. 4 | April 2015 | R20

www.opinionexpress.in A MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE

Cover Story Right to Express Supreme Court of declared Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 unconstitutional

editorial Supreme Court RNI UP–ENG 70032/92, Volume 23, No 4 EDITOR PRASHANT TEWARI upholds right to ASSOSIATE EDITOR DR RAHUL MISRA POLITICAL EDITOR free speech PRAKHAR MISRA

BUREAU CHIEF he Supreme Court has struck down a sweeping law that allowed police to jail GOPAL CHOPRA (DELHI), VEELAAS KENJALE people for online posts thought to be offensive, with potentially far-reaching (), SOUMEN ACHARYA (KOLKATA), consequences for civil liberties and the right to free speech in India. After LAKSHMI DEVI () DIVYASH BAJPAI T (USA), KAPIL DUDAKIA (U.K.) RAJIV AGNIHOTRI three years of protests by free speech campaigners and others, a bench comprising (MAURITIUS), ROMIL RAJ (DUBAI), HERMAN justices J. Chelameswar and Rohinton F. Nariman held the SILOCHAN (CANADA), YASHWANT AMIN (AUS/NZ) section 66A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, to be unconstitutional. “Section 66A is unconstitutional and CONTENT PARTNER PRATHAM PRAVAKTA we have no hesitation in striking it down,” declared Justice R.F. Nariman, reading out the judgement. They added: “The LEGAL ADVISOR public’s right to know is directly affected by section 66A.” The ASHOKA KUMAR THAKUR apex court ruled that the controversial section 66A is “open MARKETING DIRECTOR ended, undefined, and vague” with every expression used in DIWAKAR SHETTY it “nebulous in meaning”. “Section 66A is cast so widely that virtually any opinion on any subject would be covered by it, ADMINITRATION DIRECTOR BAL MUKUND GAUR as any serious opinion dissenting with the mores of the day would be caught within its net,” the court said. CORPORATE COMMUNICATION Supreme Court looks to balance interests in Internet regulation. The ruling was SANJAY MENDIRATTA widely welcomed by free speech defendants who have been at the forefront of a GRAPHICS & DESIGN campaign against the provision that has been used by the police in recent years GREY CELLS to arrest social media users for posting comments that others deemed offensive. “Internet as a medium is meant to be free and transcend territorial borders with ONLINE PRESENTATION AMIT SONI minimal regulation and monitoring,” said R. Chandrashekhar, president of the Na- tional Association of Software and Service Companies, an industry lobby group. PHOTOGRAPHER “The IT Act has well served the objective to provide the legal framework for data RATAN SHUKLA security and Internet laws in the country. The changes enabled by the Supreme OVERSEAS MARKETING Court judgement would provide much-needed boost to the citizens of the country OEMCL (MAURITIUS), OEHCL (DUBAI) and help the objective of a digitally connected India.”

ADVERTISEMENT / PR / CIRCULATION DELHI / The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recommended the strengthen- NCR: CAPT. VINAY GOYAL DHRUV JANAK & CO. R -51 ing of sections 153A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) instead of modifying BASEMENT, RAMESH PARK,LAXMI NAGAR,DELHI-92 section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. TELE: +919871232631FAX: 011-220568 Section 153A of the IPC prohibits hate speech and punishes any form of action MUMBAI: VIJAY KALANTRI - ADVISOR NEW EXCELSIOR BUILDING, 6TH FLOOR, A.K. NAYAK or communication that leads to disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will MARG, FORT, MUMBAI - 400 001 (INDIA). among people. The maximum punishment is three years in jail. Section 505, on PHONE: 91 - 22 - 2201 9265 / 2201 9160 the other hand, punishes statements that amount to public mischief. Both sections FAX : 91-22- 2201 9764 / 2201 9760 have the ramifications similar to section 66A, but unlike it, are non-bailable of- The magazine is published and printed by Rajiv fences. Agnihotri for Opinion Express Communications It is also learnt that the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Tech- & Entertainments Pvt Ltd, from 2 Ashok Nagar, nology (MeiTY) supported the idea mooted by the MHA. The MHA’s recommenda- Lucknow 226996 U.P. And printed at Kumpu Graphic Press 2 Ashok Nagar, Lucknow 226006 UP India. tions hint at the possibility of heightened censorship, which was not what the panel was set out to achieve, experts say. EDITORIAL & CORPORATE OFFICE: The Cyber Regulation Advisory Committee (CRAC) was formed by the MHA OPINION EXPRESS HOUSE 24 - A CLYDE ROAD, LUCKNOW-226001 (INDIA) PH: 91-522- to study the Supreme Court’s judgment that called section 66A “unconstitutional” 4045728/4060880 FAX: 91-522-4060880 24X7 and “draconian”. Since the IT Act was originally formed to promote the IT indus- MOBILITY +91 9984437000 try, it should be amended to allow for preventive measures, it said. Email: [email protected] The WCD Ministry’s areas of concerns are the cyber security of women and All content published may be subject to copyright, children. As part of its prescriptions of a comprehensive overhaul, it has mooted seek written permission to re-produce. Opinion Express is trade mark brand of Opinion Express the idea of a green channel for raising cyber crime cases on a real-time basis, where Communications & Entertainment Private Limited the abusive content can be taken down immediately. All disputes are subject to be under jurisdiction of courts in Lucknow. —Prashant Tewari, Editor-in-Chief

Opinion Express April 2015 3 APRIL 2015

COVER STORY THE D TERROR P16-24

SECURITY WATCH WHEN YOU TRAVEL P21-24

DIPLOMACY A NEW ERA IN INDO-S ARABIA P28 TIES FASHION P25-27 SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR HER

Forum: How incredible really Indian Money matters: The Dubai model of P30republic is? P37economy under scrutiny Economy: Budget 2010 — focus on Biz talk: An interview with BOI P32fiscal consolidation P40Mauritious head honcho Entertainment: Deshihits.com and Postscript: Three records signs new P35fusion of east and west P50artists IN NEWS Old bottle, DREAM TEAM 2010? old wine

PRESIDENT Focus on urban upper caste, youth and women electorate in VICE-PRESIDENTS the new BJP team announced by Nitin Gadkari Shri Shri Vinay Katiyar JP President Nitin Bhagatsingh Koshiyari Gadkari announced his new team for the Karuna Shukla Najma Heptullah BBJP. Although sources Hema Malini say the leaders selected by Bijoya Chakravarti Gadkari are not the Dream Purushottam Rupala Kiran Ghai Team of the BJP's parent GENERAL SECRETARIES body, the Rashtriya Ananth Kumar Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). Thavarchand Gehlot The composition is primarily Vijay Goyal addressing the core vote bank of BJP that Congress has at- Ravishankar Prasad tracted through Rahul (Chief Spokesperson) Pradhan Gandhi's urban youth appeal. Narendrasingh Tomar Secondly, BJP is going back to Jagat Prakash Nadda its traditional favorite section Ram Lal (Organisation) V. Satish (Jt.Gen.Sec.Org) of upper caste and backward Saudan Singh (Jt.Gen.Sec.Org)

consolidation keeping in view SECRETARIES the limited scope of attracting Santosh Gangwar certain backwards classes like Saroj Pande Yadav's and Schedule caste Kiran Maheshwari community due to overwhelm- Tapir Gao ing presence of Mulayam / Navjot Singh Siddhu Ashok Pradhan Lalu Prasad and Mayawati Varun Gandhi leadership in respective do- Muralidhar Rao Kirit Somaiyya main. BJP is focused on get- Dr. Laxman ting the basics right by ad- Captain Abhimanyu dressing the core segment to Arati Mehra Bhupendra Yadav consolidate itself in the Vani Tripathi heartland rather than letting TREASURER Congress to strengthen further

with Rahul's charisma. OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSONS Prakash Javdekar Shahnawaz Hussain Kalraj new Brahmin face for BJP in UP Ramnath Kovind Tarun Vijay n its quest of creating post holding the olition leading to right wing saf- Vajpayee era Brahmin lead- portfolios of fron party consolidation, post NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Iership, BJP is strategically Public mandal era that led to consoli- positioning Kalraj Mishra veter- Works, dation of Backward polity throw- Lal Krishna Advani an BJP politician and a senior Medical ing Mulayam Singh in front and Murali Manohar Joshi Bangaru Laxman leader in the state of Uttar Education then advent of Kanshi Ram- Venkaiya Naidu Pradesh as its new Vice andMayawati via social justice plat- President. He was President of Tourism form that is holding the power Uttar Pradesh state unit of BJP during even today. BJP lost it track earlier and is known to be a March post Vajpayee era resulting in Bal Apte Yashwant Sinha grass root worker. 1997-August 2000 period. He serious in fightling and chaos. It Gopinath Munde Born in 1941 in Ghazipur was widely regarded as a com- lost its backward face Kalyan S.S.Ahaluwalia District of Uttar Pradesh and he petent minister. He is currently a Singh which dented party per- Arun Shouri passed M.A. from Kashi member of . formance and discipline at Balveer Punj Vidyapeeth, Varanasi. He joined Though the task ahead is ex- large. However, new BJP presi- Chandan Mitra politics and held many party po- tremely daunting, the state of dent Nitin Gadkari is having Mridula Sinha Shatrughan Sinha sitions at state and national lev- Uttar Pradesh has seen many huge expectations from Kalraj Kaptansigh Solanki el. He was Cabinet Minister in phases in the recent time that Mishra to revive the lost Sumitra Mahajan Government of Uttar Pradesh includes post Babri Masjid dem- Brahmin vote in party's favour. Jayavantiben Mehta

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 5 COVER STORY

Is this man mightier than a republic?

6 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS D TERROR Is Dawood Ibrahim too powerful to be tamed by a republic of more than a billion people? Prashant Tewari

his is a story not to glorify a criminal but an eye opener for a Tnation having over a billion peo- ple living helplessly at the mercy of ineffective security apparatus to nab most wanted terrorist and criminal. Dawood Ibrahim also known as Dawood Ebrahim, and Sheikh Dawood Hassan, birth name Sheikh COVER STORY

TERROR SPEARHEAD: DAWOOD’S BROTHER IQBAL KASKAR IN CUSTODY OF MUMBAI POLICE

Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, is the head of own gang's rival) exploiting the rapid ex- the organized crime and terror syndicate He is said to have begun pansion in the Bombay (now Mumbai) tex- D-Company in Mumbai. Dawood's D- tiles industry to his advantage, though an- Company has been identified as a crimi- his real criminal career in other version says that he began his crim- nal-terrorism syndicate by the US inal career working as a career for smug- Congress. Mumbai working for the gler Haji Mastan. Dawood is currently on the wanted list In either case, he eventually split from of Interpol for organised crime and coun- Karim Lala gang (which lat- both of them and started his own gang, D- terfeiting, besides association with Al- Company. He soon moved his residence Qaeda as identified in UN Security Council er became his own gang's to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) resolutions 1822 (2008) and 1267 where he has business interests along- (1999).He was No. 4 on the Forbes 2008 rival) exploiting the rapid ex- side India. list of The World's 10 Most Wanted crim- He established chains of businesses in inals, and no. 50 on the Forbes 2009 list pansion in the Bombay partnership with local Sheikhs. He rubbed of The World's Most Powerful People. shoulders with kings and princes of the He is said to have begun his real crimi- (now Mumbai) textiles in- Gulf emirates and acquired more power, nal career in Mumbai working for the dustry to his advantage... which at later stages saved him from be- Karim Lala gang (which later became his ing extradited to India.

8 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS COVER STORY DAWOOD IBRAHIM: Pakistan's sudden willingness to flush out Dawood comes INDIA'S OSAMA? amid reports in the Indian media that a timely tip-off by the s terrorism really the last desperate resort of the poor? Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) While all attention is focused on Osama bin Laden and his helped foil a third assassination plot against Musharraf. Two Icohorts allegedly cornered in western Pakistan, in India there abortive attempts have been reported in the past few months. is an equal amount of interest in the one man who is wanted There is, however, no doubt in anyone's mind that Dawood is just as desperately - Dawood Ibrahim. . . . indisputably the number one criminal wanted by India, and what The hunt for Dawood is taking place following Pakistan's re- has rankled is that he has for long used Pakistan as a base. . alization that flushing out terrorists and jihadi elements has be- . . come a necessity for its own survival. Pakistan has currently It is the nature of the crimes attributed to Dawood that place amassed 20,000 troops along the Afghanistan border for what him at the top of India's most wanted wish list. He is the prime is being believed to be a decisive battle against bin Laden and suspect in masterminding a series of bomb blasts that oc- al-Qaeda militants. curred in a single day in 1993 in Mumbai, the financial heart But what might be more than a coincidence is that of India, killing 260 people and injuring 1,000. . . . Dawood is a tool for Pakistan ISI security agencies to disturb India awood leapfrogged into Qaeda. The fact sheet also said big time once he came that Ibrahim's syndicate is in- Dinto contact with the volved in large scale shipment Pakistan Inter Services of narcotics in the United Intelligence (ISI) wing. The two Kingdom and Western Europe. shared a couple of interests. He is also believed to have con- The ISI wanted a person who tacts with al-Qaeda leader felt strongly for his community. Osama bin-Laden. In the late In other words, someone who 1990s, Ibrahim traveled in could foment communal trou- Afghanistan under the Taliban's ble whenever the need arose. protection. The syndicate has Two, Pakistan's territorial wa- consistently aimed to destabi- ters were a haven for gold lize the Indian government smugglers. Dawood wanted through riots, terrorism and civ- his piece of action in that terri- il disobedience. tory and an understanding was therefore Washington added that they will re- reached. The ISI allegedly helped Dawood In a major blow to Ibrahim, quest the United Nations to list Ibrahim to flourish. The gold-runner became a ten members of his gang "in pursuance of relevant Security Council mafia don and his gang came to be known resolutions". The UN listing will require as D-company in Mumbai. His net worth is were arrested by Mumbai that all UN member states freeze said to be in billions and his 'business in- Crime Branch on Ibrahim's assets and impose a travel terests' are spread in Malaysia, ban. Juan Zarate, the Deputy Assistant Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, November 21, 2006. They Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Dubai, Germany, France, the UK and sev- were extradited from the Financial Crimes, said that they are com- eral Muslim countries in Africa. mitted to identifying and attacking finan- Ibrahim is widely believed to have mas- United Arab Emirates, from cial ties between terrorism and the un- terminded the 1993 Bombay Bombings, a where they had been de- derworld. Ibrahim is also suspected to series of terrorist attacks carried out in have connections with terrorist organisa- the city on March 12 of the year. In 2003, ported. Sources reported in tions, and in 2002 was linked to the fi- the Indian and United States governments India Today indicate that nancing of increasing attacks in Gujarat declared Ibrahim a "Global Terrorist". The Dawood Ibrahim provided by Lashkar-e-Toiba.New Delhi handed over then Deputy Prime Minister, described it to Islamabad a list of 38 most wanted as a major development and that India the logistics for the criminals, including Ibrahim. stands "vindicated". Ibrahim is currently November 2008 Mumbai In a major blow to Ibrahim, ten mem- on India's "Most wanted List". bers of his gang were arrested by Mumbai The United States Department of attacks. Crime Branch on November 21, 2006. Treasury has also designated Ibrahim as They were extradited from the United Arab a terrorist as part of its international Treasury keeps a fact sheet on Ibrahim Emirates, from where they had been de- sanctions program - effectively forbidding which contains reports of his syndicate ported. Sources reported in India Today U.S. financial entities from working with having smuggling routes from South Asia, indicate that Dawood Ibrahim provided the him and seizing assets believed to be un- the Middle-East and Africa shared with logistics for the November 2008 Mumbai der his control. The Department of and used by terrorist organisation al- attacks.

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 9 COVER STORY achieved some success in apprehending a few terrorists plan- ning attacks in Mumbai recently, but investigators say the ar- rests are just a tip of the iceberg. ''The ISI has brought together underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, Tiger Memon, and elements of the LeT, Jaish-e- Mohammad and Indian Mujahideen operatives such as Amir Reza Khan to create terror and mayhem throughout the coun- try,'' an investigator said. The officer added the information was gleaned from inputs from central intelligence agencies and also through those involved in planning the terror attacks. ''Abdul Latif, who has been arrested, is a relative of Bashir Khan. The latter was involved in planting explosives in the first serial blasts in Mumbai in 1993. Since the 1993 bomb blasts had a bigger involvement of Tiger than Dawood, we believe Tiger has once again been roped in to create terror,'' the officer said. Life isn't trigger-happy for Dawood Ibrahim any more. Once comfortably ensconced in Karachi, and enjoying the hospitality of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), his enemies are now en- suring he doesn't have a settled existence. Following the ISI's interception of a 'Get Bhai Plan' by his RAW-sponsored ene- mies to sneak into the port city and target him, the underworld don has been made to relocate his family to Islamabad where he now lives in a high-security zone under the ISI's covert pro- tection. The 'Get Bhai Plan' was masterminded by Indian in- telligence in collaboration with Dawood's main business rival and former right-hand man, Rajender Sadashiv Nikhalje alias Chhota Rajan. His inclusion in the list came as an embarrassment to Islamabad, especially as the US department in its reasons for doing so cited intelligence reports of his connection with glob- al outlaws Al Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Toiba. The department's fact-sheet on Dawood stated: "Dawood Ibrahim, son of a police constable, has financially supported Islamic militant groups IN FAMILY: DAWOOD’S DAUGHTER AND FORMER CRICKET working against India such as the Lashkar-e-Toiba. Information STAR JAVED MIANDAD’S SON AFTER THEIR MARRIAGE as recent as fall 2002 indicates that Ibrahim had been helping United States Deportation Resistance, In January 2002, a finance terrorist attacks in the Indian state of Gujarat by month after the Parliament attack, Indian officials visited the Lashkar-e-Toiba, the armed wing of Markaz Dawa Wal Irshad. US, where they had meetings with Colin But the Bhai under protective umbrella of ISI is going strong, Powell and Condoleezza Rice. A list of the he is extensively used by ISI to plan all ma- Top 20 most-wanted terrorists in Pakistan His inclusion in the list jor nefarious operations in India. India is a was handed to the US. Ibrahim was want- came as an embarrass- growing economy with massive global at- ed in connection with the1993 Mumbai tention and business interest hence the di- visive forces will be pro-active to derail the serial blasts. Ajmal Amir Kasab, a gunman ment to Islamabad, espe- growth story. It is note- worthy to mention arrested for participation in the November cially as the US department that the nexus of ISI and D Company is pa- 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 173 in its reasons for doing so tronized by all anti India forces indirectly to (164 civilians and security personnel and cited intelligence reports of ensure that India remains a hot spot of ter- 9 terrorists), has confessed to authorities ror activities to limit its growing stature at according to reports that Ibrahim's or- his connection with global the global forum. India is presently served ganization provided arms and explosives outlaws Al Qaeda and by the most efficient Home Minister in re- to the Lashkar-e-Toiba group that were cent times. Mr P Chidambaram is manag- used to carry out the attacks. Lashkar-e-Toiba. ing the internal security with extreme clini- Pakistan denies any knowledge of his cal output though the Naxal front is looking existence. Indian intelligence agencies, quite gloomy. Indian naxal problem is related to the compre- such as Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), believe that some hensive systemic failure rather than the administrative failure of his addresses include House No. 37, 30th street, DHA, but certainly India has witnessed better coordination between Karachi and White House, Near Saudi Mosque, Clifton, Karachi, intel agencies and police network in the past few months. A na- Pakistan, and is provided protection by Pakistani intelligence tion of billion inhabitants are looking at the present security ap- agency, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). The issue of extra- paratus to bring and book India's most wanted criminal, sure- dition of Dawood Ibrahim is one of the major hurdles in the ly the time lost in the process will deplete already receding hope frosty relations between India and Pakistan. Despite hectic ef- of many countrymen in the efficiency and credibility of our na- forts during the past many years, the government has failed to tional approach towards terrorism. bring him back. The mere existence of Dawood proved a point (With inputs from Air Marshal R C Bajpai, Mr Ashoka that India is a soft state hence targeted repeatedly by terrorists Kumar Thakur - Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, across the borders. Indian security agencies may have Prakhar Misra - Political Editor, Veelaas Kengale - Mumbai

10 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS COVER STORY

TERROR TRAIL: NOW THERE IS AN PROVEN LINK BETWEEN THE AL QAEDA (ABOVE) AND D COMPANY (BELOW) UNHOLY NEXUS Intelligence agency. Exposing unholy nexus between Dawood Ibrahim's D-Company Over time, a purely crim- inal group may transform, adopting political goals and new operational objectives. These organ- Dawood Ibrahim, al Qaeda, izations can form alliances with existing terrorist organizations or foreign gov- and the ISI ernments to help achieve their strate- gic aspirations. Or they can initiate, he US Congressional direct, and perpetrate terrorist at- Research Service has is- tacks without external assistance, sued a solid report on the resulting in the group becoming Tnexus between criminal labeled a terrorist organization. syndicates and terrorist groups. Criminal syndicates often already Entitled "International Terrorism possess the operational expert- and Transnational Crime: ise needed to engage in terrorist Security Threats, U.S. Policy, and acts. They may already employ ter- Considerations for Congress," the rorist specialists to conduct surveil- report has a section devoted to lance, transfer money, purchase Dawood Ibrahim, the criminal don of weapons, build bombs, and eliminate South Asia. The report acknowledges rivals. A criminal organization can easily that Dawood is aligned with al Qaeda, the transfer this apparatus toward politically Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Pakistan's Inter-Services motivated ends. The result is either a truly

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 11 COVER STORY

TERROR FOUNTAINHEAD: AN AL QAEDA TRAINING CAMP evolved criminal-turned-terrorist group or a "fused" criminal-ter- cotics trafficking, and contract killing. The organization has also rorist organization that seeks to develop ties with like-minded reportedly infiltrated the Indian filmmaking industry, extorting ideological movements. The use of criminal skills for terrorist producers, assassinating directors, distributing movies, and pi- ends raises the concern among some ex- rating films. perts that terrorists may seek out crimi- Ibrahim began as a criminal specialist in nals for recruitment or radicalization, be- Dawood Ibrahim's D- Mumbai , India, first as a low-level smuggler lieving them to be a higher skilled partner in the 1970s and later as the leader of a than non-criminals. A criminal's participa- Company provides an poly-crime syndicate. He formed a thriving tion in terrorist activity, however, brings example of the criminal- criminal enterprise throughout the 1980s greater scrutiny from law enforcement and became radicalized in the 1990s, forg- agencies and politicians. Furthermore, a terrorism "fusion" model. ing relationships with Islamists, including concentration on terrorist attacks could di- Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Al Qaeda. D- vert resources away from criminal en- The U.S. Department of Company's evolution into a true criminal- deavors, producing disillusionment and Treasury designated terrorist group began in response to the de- desertion among members who joined struction of the Babri Mosque in Uttar strictly for monetary reasons. Ibrahim as a Specially Pradesh, India, in December 1992, and the Dawood Ibrahim's D-Company, a subsequent riots that killed hundreds of 5,000-member criminal syndicate operat- Designated Global Terrorist Muslims. Outraged by the attacks on fellow ing mostly in Pakistan, India, and the Muslims and believing the Indian govern- United Arab Emirates, provides an exam- (SDGT) under Executive ment acted indifferently to their plight, ple of the criminal-terrorism "fusion" mod- Order 13224 in October Ibrahim decided to retaliate. A heretofore el. The U.S. Department of Treasury des- secular organization with a sizable Hindu ignated Ibrahim as a Specially Designated 2003. membership now assumed the objective of Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive protecting India's Muslim minority. Order 13224 in October 2003. In June Reportedly with assistance from the 2006, President George W. Bush designated him, as well as his Pakistan government's intelligence branch, the Inter-Services D-Company organization, as a Significant Foreign Narcotics Intelligence agency (ISI), D-Company launched a series of bomb- Trafficker under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act ing attacks on March 12, 1993, killing 257 people. Following (hereafter "Kingpin Act").D-Company is reportedly involved in the attacks, Ibrahim moved his organization's headquarters to several criminal activities, including extortion, smuggling, nar- Karachi, Pakistan.

12 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS COVER STORY

BLACK FRIDAY : 1993 BLASTS AND ITS INVESTIGATIONS FORCED DAWOOD TO FLEE INDIA There, D-Company is believed to have both deepened its curity experts assess. Lending his criminal expertise and net- strategic alliance with the ISI and developed links to Lashkar- works to such terrorist groups, he is capable of smuggling ter- e-Tayyiba (LeT), which was designated by the United States as rorists across national borders, trafficking in weapons and a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) in drugs, controlling extortion and protec- 2001. During this time period, some say D- Many of mem- tion rackets, and laundering ill-gotten Company began to finance LeT's activities, proceeds, including through the abuse of use its companies to lure recruits to LeT bers left the group after the traditional value transfer methods, like training camps, and give LeT operatives use hawala. By providing those organizations of its smuggling routes and contacts.66 1993 bombings, with some with funding, contacts, and logistical sup- Press accounts have reported that forming a competing gang. port, it amplifies their capabilities and Ibrahim's network might have provided a durability. boat to the 10 terrorists who killed 173 peo- While the organization re- Dawood Ibrahim's gang merger with ple in Mumbai in November 2008. The U.S. portedly collaborates with the Lashkar-e-Toiba: Two Islamic government contends that D-Company has Terrorist Organizations come together for found common cause with Al Qaeda and LeT and Al Qaeda, the Jihad against India - ISI reach will expand shares its smuggling routes with that ter- with D-Company merger'. The merger of rorist group. The United Nations has added more secular orientation of Dawood Ibrahim's gang with the Ibrahim to its list of individuals associated D-Company's leadership Lashkar-e-Toiba at the behest of with Al Qaeda. Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence D-Company's seeming transformation makes it unlikely that it will (ISI) has Indian security agencies worried from a profit-motivated criminal syndicated since the underworld gang will expand to a fusion crime-terror organization also al- formally merge with those the ISI's reach in the country. "Many tered its composition. Many of the Hindu terrorist groups, analysts members of Dawood's gang have been members left the group after the 1993 indoctrinated and trained in the use of bombings, with some forming a competing believe. weapons in the Bahawalpur centre of the gang. While the organization reportedly col- LeT near Lahore. Funds are being raised laborates with LeT and Al Qaeda, the more secular orientation by investments in real estate and SRA projects in Mumbai and of D-Company's leadership makes it unlikely that it will formally through smuggling of diesel and other essential commodities merge with those terrorist groups, analysts believe. through the western coast spanning from Raigad to Mangalore Regardless, D-Company's own terrorist endeavors, its deep along the Arabian Sea. We have warned Delhi about the smug- pockets, and its reported cooperation with LeT and Al Qaeda, gling being carried out by the Dawood gang with impunity," a se- present a credible a threat to U.S. interests in South Asia, se- curity official said.

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 13 COVER STORY serious implications for India's internal security," a senior intelligence official. ISI's links with D-Company are old, going back to 1993 when Pakistan's external intelligence agency used Dawood and his henchmen to execute the March 12 ter- ror attack on Mumbai in what marked the first instance anywhere of serial bomb- ings. There has since been a shift in the dynamics of ISI-Dawood equations, re- ducing D-Company from being a useful ally to a group of individuals dependent on ISI to escape international law agen- cies. Following the Mumbai blasts, Dawood along with his accomplices Chhota Shakeel and Tiger Memon fled to Pakistan. Pakistan has since shielded them from India and the new anti-terror- ism sensitivities post-9/11 which saw Dawood being branded a global terrorist by the US. But the hospitality has a tag attached to it: complete dependence for survival on ISI, which does not mind dis- playing its leverage vis-a-vis the once ruthless gang. The merger will, inevitably, transform the character of Dawood's gang, which did not display any commu- nal tendency before the serial bombings aimed against members of a particular community. In fact, many of their business part- ners were non-Muslims like Raj Shetty. Chhota Rajan was also a senior member of the gang before splitting in protest against the serial blasts triggered by Dawood, Shakeel and the Memons. "The serial blasts were essentially a re- COURTESY: IBNLIVE.COM taliation for the January 1993 communal Asked why the ISI had roped in the D- riots. But now there is a qualitative Company in LeT activities, the official Following the Mumbai change with D-Company becoming part said, "The underworld's penetration in blasts, Dawood along with of a jihadi organisation like the LeT. Maharashtra, Gujarat, , Andhra Earlier, this gang's members were not Pradesh and parts of Kerala and Tamil his accomplices Chhota religiously indoctrinated, but now they Nadu is very deep. By synergizing the D- are. The motivation now is not money, gang with the LeT, the ISI's reach has in- Shakeel and Tiger Memon but religion," a senior official said. creased manifold. An outfit like the The joining of ranks with Lashkar, one Students' Islamic Movement of India fled to Pakistan. Pakistan of the most dangerous terrorist outfits could not have provided the kind of reach has since shielded them which treats "liberation" of large tracts of which Dawood's gang can provide." India from "Hindu domination" as its re- Government sources brushed aside from India and the new anti- ligious obligation, can help ISI to further the hope in certain quarters that the in- its subversive agenda. Stints with stallation of a democratically-elected gov- terrorism sensitivities post- Lashkar camps can morph Dawood's ernment in Pakistan would result in a de- 9/11 which saw Dawood band of urban gangsters into well-armed crease in LeT inspired violence since the and jihad-driven terrorists. On the other ISI, which is heavily infiltrated by funda- being branded a global ter- hand, Lashkar benefits immensely from mentalist elements, is known to pursue collaboration with D-Company which con- its own agenda. D-Company' is now of- rorist by the US... tinues to attract recruits and has ac- ficially part of the Lashkar-e-Toiba's ter- quired financial muscle by venturing into ror network, with Pakistan's notorious Sources in Indian agencies tracking mainstream commercial enterprises Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) getting ISI's moves confirmed the coming to- without letting go of its original money Dawood Ibrahim to merge his gang with gether of the two outfits and the danger spinner, smuggling. the fundamentalist terror organisation as that it poses to India. "The underworld part of a game-plan to crank up its anti- gang and the Lashkar jihadis have been — OEMCL New Services with inputs India campaign. knocked into a single entity and this has from our Dubai Bureau

14 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS COVER STORY The D Co: An analysis

C Pal Singh, Retd IPS Officer South Asia, the Middle East and Africa In fact, Dawood had once are shared with Osama Bin Laden and awood Ibrahim, a known major his terrorist network. drug trafficker, a don who is attracted the attention of The US governments has also now as- wanted by India for a number of American secret agents, sessed that D-Company has a common Dheinous and barbaric crimes, cause with Al Qaeda and shares their serial blasts, Mumbai Bombing of 26/11 who were supporting the smuggling routes. The analysts also be- and recent terrorists attacks in Pune is Islamic mujahideen in their lieve that though Ibrahim's gang may not being protected by ISI of Pakistan. One formally merge with the radical terrorist of the Foreign Policy Journals had also re- battle against the Soviet oc- groups, yet its own terrorist Endeavour, ported some time back that there are having deep pockets, and cooperation sufficient indications to the effect that cupation of Afghanistan. with the LeT and Al Qaeda can create a the CIA had also had interest at one Dawood reportedly had as- substantial threat to US interests in time, in preventing Dawood Ibrahim be- South Asia. ing handed over to India. sisted a number of U.S. Despite the strong directives of the In fact, Dawood had once attracted the deep-cover operations in UNSC, some time back, its member- attention of American secret agents, who countries like Pakistan and the United were supporting the Islamic mujahideen funneling money to the then Arab Emirates (UAE) continue to flout its in their battle against the Soviet occupa- Afghan rebels via casinos in policy decision & the International com- tion of Afghanistan. Dawood reportedly munity is not seriously acting against had assisted a number of U.S. deep-cov- Kathmandu, Nepal. them for the violations. The perpetrators er operations in funneling money to the of 26/11 Mumbai attack were clandes- then Afghan rebels via casinos in gling routes with the terror syndicate and tinely transported to Pakistan by the Kathmandu, Nepal. Thus, for some time funding attacks by Islamic extremists members of mafia group of Dawood, the CIA was not probably interested that aimed at destabilizing the Indian govern- where they were given training in the Dawood should be handed over to India. ment. A fact sheet attached to the press camps run by the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen Sometime back, a press release of the release also said "Ibrahim's syndicate is (HUM), now a member of Bin Laden's. US Department said: "Dawood Ibrahim, involved in large-scale shipments of nar- Islamic Front and sent back to Mumbai an Indian crime lord, has found common cotics in the UK and Western Europe. for the dastardly attacks. Pakistani ex- cause with Al Qaida, sharing his smug- The syndicate's smuggling routes from plosives and detonators and timers of

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 15 COVER STORY US origin from the ISI stocks were re- portedly supplied to them for this action. Unfortunately Dawood Ibrahim one of the most wanted terrorists continues to re- main at large. Extensive foreign sponsorship of ter- rorism by some countries, encourage- ment or toleration by authorities of one country of terrorist activities in another country of organized activities calculated to carry out terrorist acts in the another state, need to be stopped in the war against terrorism. Terrorist organizations always like to have alliances with existing terrorist groups, and drug mafia to achieve their strategic aspirations. They can initiate, direct, and perpetrate terrorist attacks without even external assistance. As on date, the D-Company' is almost an official part of the Lashkar e Toiba (LeT) is benefiting im- Lashkar-e-Toiba's terror network. The Pakistan's Inter- mensely due to its collaboration with D- Company of Dawood which continues to Services Intelligence (ISI) is interested to get Dawood gang attract recruits and has the required fi- merge with the fundamentalist terror organization as part of nancial muscle. Dawood and his allies in the D-company have ventured into main- a game plan against India - posing great threat to India. stream commercial enterprises without letting go of its original money spinner, the business. The funding may come say that Dawood is dead (or was killed in smuggling and Hawala and are a great both from UAE and Pakistan. July). This version is more and less a vari- asset to Pakistan based terrorist organi- This would be indeed dangerous as ation of bin Laden story. zations. the D-gang network within India is far The new security architecture of India As on date, the D-Company' is almost larger compared to the IM or the Lashkar designed by the present Home Minister an official part of the Lashkar-e-Toiba's network. Though, their men are strongest is proposed to be brought in to place terror network. The Pakistan's Inter- in Maharashtra. Yet, there has been a within a year. However, so far, the inade- Services Intelligence (ISI) is interested to major expansion and rise in Lucknow, quacites and "crisis of capacities" re- get Dawood gang merge with the funda- Kerala and Mangalore also. mains only partially addressed. The gaps mentalist terror organization as part of a According to sources Dawood is also between the intelligence, enforcement game plan against India - posing great acting as number one espionage agent of and administrative apparatus are pro- threat to India. Pakistan. His men in India particularly in posed to be bridged in the new architec- Though the arrest of his aides Hamza Mumbai can help him to get whatever in- ture. `The proposed new architecture re- and Mufti Obaidulla was a setback for formation he needs for Pakistan. volves around the National Counter- the D-gang yet that Dawood's company Now when Washington and London Terrorism Centre (NCTC), and the Multi- has persisted with the task of rebuilding have agreed with India's legal claim on Agency Centre (MAC) already provided by its network in India. Dawood and have lifted the longstanding, the Intelligence Bureau (IB). This struc- Earlier, terror-related operations by the so called "official protection" accorded ture proposes to stream line and take criminals were used to be limited to pro- to him for his past services to Western out the security system out of the pre- viding funds and logistics to the radicals. intelligence agencies, it is high time for vailing institutional paralysis, it has been However, of late the Pakistan's Inter- India to press for Dawood extradition to suffering so far. Services Intelligence has specifically di- India. As Dawood knows too much about The nefarious activities of criminal rected the underworld gang and crimi- darker secrets of some western diplo- gangs - particularly the organized gangs nals to handle terror plots in various mats in South Asia and the Gulf, they like 'D' company, whose resources and parts of India. The modules of Lashkar-e- could scuttle the extradition of Dawood contacts in India are proposed to be Tayiba and Indian Mujahideen have grad- to India. He was reported to have been used by the ISI to create lawlessness, ually gone underground as these mod- whisked away to a safe house in Quetta, panic and chaos in India, need to be ules were unable to operate as freely as near the tribal area of Waziristan some monitored on day to day basis. Further, they used to earlier after the arrest of time back. the need of technology to ensure instant several key persons of these organiza- India needs to take advantage of the communication and quick response can tions by the Indian security forces. opening provided by the US by designat- not be under estimated. Any worthwhile The ISI seems to have perceived that ing him as a global terrorist and should security system has to take into account the focus of Indian Security agencies on ensure through various diplomatic chan- the 'invisible plans and moves of the hid- the underworld operatives was much nels that Pakistan does not again wriggle den enemy' to pre-empt the same. The less compared to the terror modules of out of its obligations under the UNSC intelligence is always the main tool for SIMI, Lashker-e-Taiba and IM. Resolution 1373. Dawood is profession- any good security. This tool needs to be The interrogation of these criminals al on many counts and therefore he is a sharpened and the response to the turned radicals may not yield any sub- formidable adversary. Some in same in a federal system has to be na- stantial result, as they would be fresh in Pakistan's military intelligence agency tionally coordinated.

16 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS COVER STORY ‘American double standards on war on terror exposed’

JO BIRRING SAYS THAT AMERICA’S PLEDGE AGAINST TERROR IS NOTHING BUT A FARCE akistani-American David ipation in terror conspiracies was pre- Coleman Headley, accused of The agreement says that sented when he changed his plea to plotting the 26/11 Mumbai at- guilty. The agreement says that "defen- tacks at the behest of Lashkar- "defendant agrees that, dant agrees that, when directed by the e-Toiba (LeT) and conspiring to when directed by the US at- US attorney's office, he will fully and targetP a Danish newspaper, pleaded truthfully testify in any foreign judicial guilty to all terror charges before a US torney's office, he will fully proceedings held in the US by way of court in Chicago. As on expected lines in deposition, video conferencing or letters a plea bargain, Headley has been as- and truthfully testify in any rogratory. Defendant agrees to the post- sured of no extradition to India in return. foreign judicial proceedings ponement of his sentencing until after Also there will be no death penalty for the conclusion of his interrogation." This Headley. But Indian authorities can ac- held in the US by way of means Indian authorities can question cess him in the United States and can Headley in the United States. So Headley question him, The deal agreed on be- deposition, video confer- could have to testify in the 26/11 trial tween Headley and US prosecutors re- encing or letters rogratory. currently underway in Mumbai. quires that he may have to testify in a for- As the plea bargain agreed on does eign court while in US custody. Now the Defendant agrees to the not foreclose the option of India getting broader question is the use of such in- access to David Headley, the ball is now terrogation when Indian government can- postponement of his sen- in India's court to take advantage of this not punish a person for the heinous tencing until after the con- opportunity and question Headley direct- crime committed and confessed by him. ly though with a rider that he will not be A 36-page plea agreement containing clusion of his interrogation." punished by Indian courts for the crime a detailed recitation of Headley's partic- committed against Indians. Headley

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 17 C OVER STO RY

TERROR SIGNATURE: HEADLEY’S AMERICAN PASSPORT admitting to all the charges on 26/11only Headley was on the FBI radar for over a confirms what India has been maintaining Headley's guilty plea also year before his arrest. The US did not that the terror attacks were plotted and share this intelligence. Headley was under carried out by handlers in Pakistan. strengthens the belief of surveillance a month before 26/11. Still In its dossiers to Pakistan, India has India's intelligence and in- no information was shared, even though named several terrorists including Hafiz the FBI had details on potential terror Saeed, Muzammil Bhat, Abu Hamza, Abu vestigating agencies that he strike on Indian hotels. The worst: Kafa, and Usman. India also wants Ilyas Headley visited India after 26/11, a visit Kashmiri, an Al-Qaida commander hiding visited different places in the US was aware of and yet did not tell in Waziristan. Headley's guilty plea also India as part of a larger ter- India. strengthens the belief of India's intelli- Besides, case files show that back in gence and investigating agencies that he ror plot. Headley also won't 1998, Headley was a heroin smuggler visited different places in India as part of who got off lightly after he agreed to be an a larger terror plot. be allowed extradition to undercover agent for US Drug Headley also won't be allowed extradi- Denmark and Pakistan and Enforcement Administration. Sources say, tion to Denmark and Pakistan and there sometime during this stint, Headley be- will be no trial for Headley. "The defendant there will be no trial for him. came a double agent and started working shall not be extradited to the Republic of for the Lashkar -e-Toiba. India, the Kingdom of Denmark, or the he will give information that can unravel But with access to Headley, India Islamic Republic of Pakistan, respectively, the larger terror plot. What it actually does should now be able to piece together - the for any offenses for which he has been is strengthens the belief that Headley was larger terror jigsaw puzzle of the subconti- convicted in accordance with this plea," once an American agent who turned rogue nent. At the 26/11 court in Mumbai, the plea agreement said and joined terrorists, and the US will go to where terrorist Ajmal Kasab and others Speculation has turned into reality: any length to prevent him from spilling the are being tried, Headley is just one of Headley's guilty plea was indeed a bar- beans. many accused. His absence will not stall gain tactic for a lighter sentence. In return India is more suspicious because or weaken the ongoing trial. And without

18 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS COVER STORY

FACE OF TERROR: A TV GRAB OF HEADLEY Headley, India will not be able to piece together, the stifling patchwork quilt of terror stitched across the subcontinent. So Moreover it is the duty of Indian govern- the little respite is a welcome relief for Indian authorities bat- ment to clearly inform US law enforce- tling terrorism with cosmetic support or without any external support. ment agencies that their double stan- Moreover it is the duty of Indian government to clearly inform dards in dealing with so called war on US law enforcement agencies that their double standards in dealing with so called war on terror will ultimately hit them hard- terror will ultimately hit them harder. The er. The innocent ordinary peace loving citizen of world's strongest country have suffered tremendous blows post 9/11 innocent ordinary peace loving citizen of incident and the faulty macro policy of their government of se- world's strongest country have suffered lective target mapping and too much of cunningness in select- ing "appropriate human resource" will further harm US inter- tremendous blows post 9/11 incident est, both in their country and globally. and the faulty macro policy of their gov- The US is only interested in protecting their own "Sleeper cells" in Asia and only God knows how many more David DEA /CIA agents was tracked/caught by the focused and high- Headley's are in place to "Start acts of terrorism" so that the ly professional Indian Intelligence services with ALL the evi- US can march into countries under the pretence of fighting and dence. helping the suffering country from Terrorism when in fact they The PURE facts, logical Questions are as follows: themselves have used their own trained pawns/undercover 1. David Headley changed his name from "Sayed Daood agents (David Headley's) to create more fear and unrest. The Gilani" in 2006 - He could only have changed his name/identi- US is "fanning the flames of Terrorism "and it is plain to see in fication and passport details in the US "SO"…WHY Were the this David Headley case as One of their own undercover former US authorities NOT suspicious that a Muslim name was being

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 19 C OVER STO RY changed into an English name for all assistance OR a little "False" assistance I.D Documents??? Why did they (The US knowing that there man was going to be Authorities CIA/FBI etc...) not interrogate caught soon because they under-esti- and question Sayed Daood Gilani (a.ka. mated the expertise of the Indian David Headley) MORE thoroughly/OR Intelligence services. A question for all stopped him boarding the air flights es- the intelligent readers of Opinion pecially when he was flying to Express is this: "If you or I were David Pakistan/India where Westerners were Headly would we not understand and re- more likely to be targeted and threat- alize that it is the USA that is waging war ened?!? It makes NO difference IF the in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq US authorities were tracking David against Muslims and Islam NOT INDIA? Headley because they did not alert So why would this smarter than the av- the Indian Intelligence services in erage person (because he planned and "Precise Time mode" as that would photographed all the targets in have saved the innocent deaths of Mumbai) commit a terrorist act in India 175 people, including six Americans!! and NOT the USA???? Even his links Does that mean that the deaths of 6 (Suspected) to the Pakistani terror Americans are more valuable than the group/groups would have advised deaths of 169 Indians?! him/brain washed him to hit USA Targets as he could fly in and out of the 2. The US sent there investigators USA without any suspicions!! into India immediately after the Taj Hotel The Indian Government and author- terrorist act for only two reasons which ities should push 100% in are as follows: 1. - To clear up the mess bringing David Headley back and to see/divert any evidence so that to India immediately to face there pawn (David Headley)was safely charges and be given the jus- back in their hands before tice he truly deserves…and full interrogation was we all know without any shad- conducted ow of a doubt what that ulti- by mate justice should be. INDIA the Indian Authorities . 2. - To show the HAS TO SHOW THE "WHOLE rest of the World and media that the US "IF" India does NOT show WORLD" THAT it does not tolerate inter- was a "knight in white shining armor" ference and it will never quietly sit by lis- coming to the rescue of India as the US it's Peaceful Strength now tening to feeble stories and excuses. IN- used "Information Warfare" with mis- on this matter of having DIA IS BRAVE, STRONG, WISE AND IN- leading stories/accusations, false prom- TELLIGENT ENOUGH IN THE21ST CEN- ises and "fanning the flames of hatred" David Headley back in India TURY TO HANDLE IT'S OWN LEGAL SYS- between India and Pakistan so that they to face charges than it TEMS AND TO SHOW THE INDIAN PUBLIC "The USA" were with India in the fight WHY INDIA IS LAW ABIDDING IN MAT- against terror. This "USA Info Warfare paints a very sad and weak TERS OF EQUAL JUSTICE EVEN IF YOU Tactic" would make Pakistan authorities picture of India to China ARE A FOREIGNER! feel under more pressure to allow A Quote "Divide and rule, a sound mot- US/NATO Troops into the country so that and the rest of Asia that to. Unite and lead, a better one" Author: the US could continue their war offensive India cannot even bring Johann Wolgang Von Goerthe. India IS in Afghanistan and Warizstan. All this US GOING TO Unite and Lead Peacefully AS noise about "Fighting Terrorism...We are back and convict a USA WELL AS truthfully unlike many other on India's Side against this shocking ter- Homegrown Terrorist. countries in the World. "IF" India does rorist act...etc..." Would also NOT show it's Peaceful Strength now on make/made Pakistan more scared that CELLS IN OUR GREAT COUNTRY INDIA! this matter of having David Headley back the USA and India would be crossing into David Headley is MORE of a Risk to in India to face charges than it paints a their country as a "combined" army to India/Asia Security than the USA SO why very sad and weak picture of India to fight Terrorism. It was a huge publicity the hell is the USA being the Judge and China and the rest of Asia that India can- boast for the US and their pretentious Jury of who questions him and who sen- not even bring back and convict a USA "War against Terror" as the World Media tences him?!?!? That would be under- Homegrown Terrorist. This David Headley was covering the story. standable IF David Headley had plans or matter is India's Reputation on the line The facts AND Truth once again: THE blue prints in his procession with USA in front of the whole world. India has to USA HAS NO RIGHT TO HOLD/QUESTION Targets and Cities that he was gather- stand up to the USA with peaceful re- OR SENTENCE "David Headley" when he ing/photographing entry/exit points for quest and without any hesitancy. CHINA has committed the shocking terrorist terrorist activities on USA Soil. David WOULD NEVER EVER HAVE ALLOWED acts in India on Indian Soil. ONLY INDIA Headley is a USA Pawn/agent/USA THIS SITUATION OF DAVID HEADLEY BE- HAS THIS RIGHT AFTER "FULL" INTERO- Homegrown Terrorist and is not stupid ING GIVEN TO THE USA… NEVER! GATION SO THAT INDIA CAN SAFELY knowing that his "Ultimate handlers and (Writer is internationally known securi- STOP AND PROTECT ANYMORE ACTS BY masters" are protecting him because the ty expert based in North America. He can THIS AMERICAN TERRORIST AND expert work by the Indian Intelligence be contacted at jbirring@worldhomeland- HIS/OTHER AMERICAN TERRORIST agencies captured him without any USA security.com)

20 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS SECURITY

Better safe than sorry Safety And Security Tips For The International Traveler In Alien Lands he current world situation of in- the risks that are commonly associated Mind that in the Western Airport Security creased terrorism threats against with being a tourist such as theft, scams, Checks the Colour "Brown" is certainly innocent people irrespective of even fraud and now also the added risk of more discriminated against which is cer- Ttheir country, culture or religious terrorism acts. Knowing where you are tainly unfair. beliefs safety is a big issue for all inter- traveling, what the customs and risks as- Research the Area You will Be Traveling national travelers, regardless of where sociated with the area are, and planning When you are thinking about traveling they are traveling, their age, and how well ahead for your safety and security will internationally, you should learn as much traveled they are. Every time you travel in- help you enjoy your international travel as as you can about the area. The Internet is ternationally you are exposing yourself to much as possible. We have to bear in an outstanding tool for learning about the

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 21 SECURITY good and bad areas of the country or spe- prepared for such concerns, so do your your currency for the local currency, be cific area you'll be visiting. Reading the homework and know what you can about discreet about it. The more attention you personal account of other people, tour the area, as that will add to your safety. draw to yourself and the amount of mon- guides, or people who specialize in the ey you have on yourself, the more likely area you are going to will allow you to plan you are to be victimized. So, have a plan ahead for your safety, and stay in loca- Have "A" Plan before you travel as to where you'll keep tions that will offer you the most security. your money, and the system you'll use to The Internet will also address transporta- for Safe Handling exchange currencies, if applicable. tion concerns, good and not so good lodg- ing, and the like. of Money If you plan on using public transporta- It doesn't matter where you tion on your international travels, you'll t doesn't matter where you travel, you travel, you should be care- want to pay close attention to the infor- Ishould be careful with your money. When mation about security and safety in this you are traveling internationally, you'll find ful with your money. When area. Subways and public rail systems that many of the locals consider you can be quite confusing, and tourists can wealthy. This assumption makes you a you are traveling interna- end up being victimized because they prime target for those who are in need of tionally, you'll find that many don't know where they are going, and money, or who have a passion for theft. there is often a lack of security in these Wearing a money belt and keeping a limit- of the locals consider you areas. Know what you are getting into be- ed amount of local currency on you at all wealthy. This assumption fore you travel, so you can plan accord- times is a good idea. A purse isn't usual- ingly. Also, when you make hotel arrange- ly a good idea, as something running by makes you a prime target ments ask about security available and you can take your purse and be gone with for those who are in need the safety of the surrounding areas, so your money and personal affects before you can decide whether it'll be safe to go you can scream. A money belt can be pur- of money, or who have a out on your own after dark and such. chased at luggage stores as well as passion for theft. Wearing a If you are going to an area and you can- stores that specialize in traveling, purses, not find much information on it, you might wallets, and the link. money belt and keeping a want to check with your travel agent or When you do cash traveler's checks or limited amount of local cur- your country's Embassy in that area for safety and security infor- rency on you at all times is mation. You can a good idea. never be overly

22 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS SECURITY Tips when traveling with your laptop our laptop was probably a big in- vestment and you'd like to keep it Yas long as possible, providing that it allows you to continue to do the things that you need to do. Because your lap- top is a big part of your life and was such a huge investment, you'll want to be sure to protect your asset when you are traveling. Many people who have laptops consider them and every day, ordinary item, and they don't protect their laptop as much as they should. When you travel your lap- top can easily be stolen or damaged if you don't take the appropriate steps to secure your belongings. The following are tips to help you trav- el safely and efficiently with your laptop: 1: If you are debating whether you should carry your laptop onto the plane with you or check it, you need not debate anymore. You should definitely carry your laptop onto the plane with you. The airline baggage handlers expect items such as clothing to be stored within the luggage that they put on the plane, so if you pack your expensive laptop it will get tossed around and it definitely won't be treated like the fragile object that it is. 2: As you probably know, people traveling with laptop com- Know Your Resources puters are usually required to turn it on and show that it is noth- ing more than a working computer. If you would rather not be ost international travelers do not intend on getting into slowed down by this visual security inspection, you can actually trouble when they are traveling, but it happens. A lot of anticipate this and turn your computer on before you get to the Mthe time, the trouble is innocent, but because of cultur- security checkpoint. Before you leave the house in the morning al differences Westerners often breaks laws without knowing it. consider turning on your laptop and simply leave it in suspend Before you travel, you should have your Embassy or Consulate mode so that you can open it up, it'll come on, and you'll be information for the area that you'll be traveling to. Your cleared to go to your gate. It's amazing how much time your lap- Country's Embassy or Consulate can act on your behalf if you top can take to power up when you are running late for your find yourself in legal trouble of any sort. Whether you need a plane. Just be sure that you plan accordingly and you charge the lawyer or just help with clarifying the law, the Embassy will like- battery before leaving home because if you are requested to ly be able to help you. If your passport is lost or stolen, you'll turn it on at the Airport Security Check in than there will be fur- also need to report that to your Embassy or Consulate. Having ther unfair suspicions. this information with you will enable you to protect yourself should local laws or customs get the best of you. Security, Customs and your own Voice Recorder f you are traveling internationally (Especially to the West from the East) you'll likely have to go through the customs routine Itwice PLUS More security luggage searches due to the Terrorism risks and added security, one on the way out and on the way back as well. Have any documentation you need for your valuables to prove that you traveled with these items so that you don't have to pay a tax or fee on them on your way back. As an- noying as the customs process can be, remember that this process is one that keeps the public safe. Especially in today's world of increased threats.

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 23 SECURITY

3: When you are waiting for your flight or even in flight, you should try not to draw attention to yourself and your laptop. If it's a very crowded boarding area or flight, you might not feel comfortable turn- ing on your laptop as other people peer over your shoulder. If another traveler ex- presses interest in your laptop, you can be polite but try to keep it brief. Many peo- ple ask questions and watch people with laptops waiting for the most opportune time to steal it from them. You shouldn't assume that everyone out there that ex- presses interest in your laptop wants to steal it, but it happens more often than you would think so it's better not to draw attention to your laptop or yourself while using it. 4: Another good rule that you should have for yourself when traveling with your laptop is not to let it out of your sight. Even if you have to use the restroom or are just running across the way to grab a cup of coffee, you should not leave your laptop. The only exception to this rule is if you are traveling with someone that you know and trust, but remind him or her also that your laptop can never be left alone, not even for a moment. Many people be- lieve that they can ask the nice woman or man sitting next to them to "keep an eye" on their belongings while they make their way to the restroom or that cup of coffee, only to come back and find that nice per- son and their laptop is gone. It's better to be safe than sorry, so don't let your in- vestment out of your sight.. 5: When you are traveling with your lap- top you should always keep your laptop case or bag locked, if possible. While missing or damaged. So, take care, someone might not be able to gain access plan ahead, and be aware so that your to your laptop without you noticing, they Things to remember travels with your laptop are as pleasant may be able to steal other equipment, as possible. documentation, or other items that you 1. Do not keep anything impor- With the increased Security checks keep in your laptop case. When you lock tant on it at Airports in the West due to Terrorism your case, there is no way for them to 2. Have anything you threats in the west there are many sneak off with these items without your want/need backed up more new security precautions in place knowledge, unless they are able to get 3. Passwords protect every- at Airports. It may be frustrating but ul- away with the whole case. You'd be sur- thing you can on the machine timately it is helping and saving all in- prised at how sneaky well-practiced nocent people as best as possible thieves are, and you just wouldn't want to 4. File a report with the airline immediately WHS Group/WHS COE advises you to take a chance with your items. A locked Plan ahead, be aware and you'll likely case will also prevent someone from put- come home safe and secure. ting something into your bag that you do If you have any questions please feel not want there. free to contact WHS team and we look forward to answering. For further de- Your laptop is likely a huge asset to you tails in regards to the specialized tacti- for business and personal reasons, and cal solutions we can offer your family when you are traveling it's up to you to and businesses throughout the world protect this asset. Generally, you won't please view the World Homeland have a problem with people trying to steal Security Group Inc website at or damage your personal belongings, but www.worldhomelandsecurity.com and it only takes that one person who is able please email sales@worldhomelandse- to catch you unaware to have your laptop curity.com

24 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS DIPLOMACY

HISTORIC BEGINNING New era of Indo-Saudi relationships opens with Dr Manmohan Singh visit to Kingdom iyadh, Saudi Arabia. India and sition in the Islamic world. Saudi Arabia vowed to jointly com- Singh's is the first visit by It is recognized here that the country bat terrorism and money launder- an Indian PM to Saudi should have followed up on Indira Ring as they signed an extradition Arabia since 1982 when Gandhi's visit, but the failure to do so is treaty and several agreements to raise Indira Gandhi travelled to blamed on India's preoccupation with de- their cooperation to a strategic partner- velopments in the neighbourhood and the ship covering security, economic, energy the desert kingdom, which toil to come to grips with the post-Cold and defence areas. Prime Minister accounts for 20% of coun- War world. Saudis had their own concerns Manmohan Singh and Saudi King try's energy imports and, by and imperatives -- a volatile Middle East Abdullah, who held wide-ranging discus- virtue of its King being the and churn in the Islamic world which sions, signed the Riyadh Declaration out- threatened to challenge the hold of the lining the contours of a new era of strate- Custodian of the Two Holy House of Sauds. gic partnership between the two coun- Mosques, holds a pivotal But the two countries have decided to tries. Indians make up the largest expa- position in the Islamic make up for the lost time and deepen the triate community in this Gulf nation world. engagement. The visit of King Abdullah Singh's is the first visit by an Indian bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in January 2006 Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia since of country's energy imports and, by when he was also the Chief Guest for the 1982 when Indira Gandhi travelled to the virtue of its King being the Custodian of Republic Day celebrations, was the turn- desert kingdom, which accounts for 20% the Two Holy Mosques, holds a pivotal po- ing point.

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 25 DIPLOMACY

NEW JOURNEY: PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH ON WAY TO THE DESERT KINGDOM The one-day visit of Saudi foreign min- overwhelming majority of 9/11 attackers ister Prince Saud Al Faisal in December came, Saudi authorities are having to bat- 2008 to convey Saudi Arabia's condem- India and Saudi Arabia tle al-Qaida both within and outside as in nation of the terror attack on Mumbai was signed a new Riyadh neighbouring Yemen. gesture of solidarity that went down well At a time when countries like China and here. Declaration. 'They re-em- Iran have rejected the good Taliban/ bad In a way, the Prime Minister's visit, as phasised the importance of Taliban distinction as spurious, and when petroleum minister Murli Deora puts it, is the Western forces have launched a huge a thanksgiving gesture to a country which full implementation of the offensive in Afghanistan, the Prime stood by India during the energy crisis. Minister may like to apprise his hosts of But while crude imports remain the Delhi Declaration through India's take on the issue. In a statement most crucial component of the ties, India exchange of visits at minis- released before he took off for Riyadh, is now looking at a partnership which is di- Singh stressed: "I believe India and Saudi verse. An extradition treaty is on the table. terial, official, business, ac- Arabia have much to gain by cooperating More important, the government is keen ademia, media and other with each other in combating extremism on gauging the Saudi response to and terrorism. I expect to discuss the sit- Pakistan's moves to take advantage of levels.' The Saudi Arabian uation in Afghanistan and other regional the growing American weariness of its war leadership lauded the con- issues of mutual interest." efforts in Afghanistan to install a puppet India and Saudi Arabia signed a new regime in pursuance of its quest for tributions of 1.8-million Riyadh Declaration. 'They re-emphasised strategic depth. the importance of full implementation of India, however, is laying store by the de- strong expatriate Indian the Delhi Declaration through exchange of velopments that have exposed the grow- population to the develop- visits at ministerial, official, business, ac- ing collaboration between Taliban and al- ademia, media and other levels.' Qaida -- a group that the ruling Saudi dy- ment of their nation during The Saudi Arabian leadership lauded nasty sees as posing a threat to their rule. their engagements with PM the contributions of 1.8-million strong ex- Saddled with the perception that their patriate Indian population to the develop- country -- base of the radical Wahabi Islam Manmohan Singh here. ment of their nation during the course of -- from where Osama bin Laden and the their engagements with Prime Minister

26 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS DIPLOMACY Manmohan Singh here. 'The Saudi dignitaries expressed very positive feelings about the pres- ence of the Indian community here and Indian PM invites the very important contribution they have made to this country,' Latha Reddy, secretary (east) in the external affairs ministry, told the media. The Extradition Treaty, signed by global investors Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Prince Naif bib Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, further enhances existing security cooperation and will help in apprehending wanted persons in each other's country, Besides this, four other agreements were inked in the presence of the two leaders. These are relating to transfer of sentenced persons, cultural cooper- ation, memorandum of understanding between the Indian Space Research Organisation and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology for cooperation in peaceful use of outer space and joint research and information technology. Four other agreements were signed dur- ing the day, including one by Tata Motors to supply school buses worth USD 80 million. The six-page Declaration said keep- ing in view the development of relations NEW ERA: PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH WITH SAUDI ROYALTY between the two countries, and the po- tential for their further growth, the two ndia will grow at the rate of 9 to 10 leaders decided to raise their coopera- percent for the next 25 years, Prime tion to a strategic partnership covering, IMinister Manmohan Singh said here security, economic, defence and politi- Monday. cal areas. The two leaders agreed to 'Despite the economic slowdown, we continue strengthening defence coop- hope to achieve a growth rate of 7.5 eration in a way that realises the com- percent in the current financial year, ' mon interests of Saudi Arabia and the economist-turned-prime minister India. The Declaration said Dr Singh told the Majlis-ash-Shura, the Saudi and King Abdullah reiterated their sup- parliament. port for the ongoing international ef- 'In the next 25 years, we aspire to forts to resolve the issues relating to (having) growth rates of between 9 and Iran's nuclear programme peacefully 'In the next 25 years, we 10 percent annually. This will enable us through dialogue. They asked Iran to re- aspire to (having) growth to lift millions of our people out of spond to these efforts in order to re- rates of between 9 and poverty so as to transform India into move regional and international doubts one of the largest economies of the about its nuclear programme. This was 10 percent annually. This world.' especially so as these efforts ensure will enable us to lift mil- The speech was a highlight of his en- the right of Iran and other countries to lions of our people out of gagements on the last day of a three- peaceful uses of nuclear energy ac- day visit to Saudi Arabia, the first by an cording to the yardsticks and proce- poverty...” Indian prime minister since 1982. dures of the IAEA and under its super- Addressing the Majlis is a rare hon- vision. our conferred by Saudi Arabia on foreign leaders. The situation in Afghanistan figured Manmohan Singh said there was vast potential to deepen Saudi-India rela- in the talks and the two leaders called tions. 'We seek Saudi investments in a range of sectors from infrastructure and for preservation of the country's sov- manufacturing to the services and hospitality sector. ereignty and independence. They sup- 'Equally, Indian industry is ready to take advantage of the many opportunities ported the efforts of the Afghan people that are opening up in the IT, banking, telecommunications and pharmaceutical to achieve stability and security, pro- and hydrocarbon sector in Saudi Arabia,' he said. tected from exploitation by the terrorist (Dubai Opinion Express Bureau) organisations. — Romil Raj

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 27 FASHION MADHURI BHATTACHARYA Dreaming big to be a shining star

adhuri is born and brought up in Bangalore. She did her schooling at Mthe Delhi public school in Delhi, then the army school Bangalore. She completed pre university at Mount Carmel College Bangalore and Masters from M S Ramaiah College, Bangalore. In her words, "I am basically a happy per- son. i make every- ones problems my own n lose sleep over them, do coun- seling n am very good of getting out of messes." Madhuri is an absolute gym bunny and love the gym. She is doing kick boxing classes with a minimum hour of cardio a day with weights. My family lives in Bangalore, Madhuri love dogs. FASHION In fact, all animals. “People make me go round the world and i think there is no better investment than people”.. Madhuri is a crusader of lost causes, she want to change the world one day. She is a "dreamer"with a difference. She have learnt dur- ing the daily business of life that everything beautiful in this world was once a dream and we never get the kind dreams that we don't have the power to realize. It's just a matter of time and dogged determination. Sometimes miracles are made on earth. Madhuri has won the May queen ball, king- fisher hunt for the ramp, Miss Bangalore, Miss South India and Camay sfx megamodel in Mumbai. She did about two hundred add cam- paigns like spice telecom, central kemp fort, teri- nus f, kingfisher diet mate n many more, the last of which was the Microsoft campaign. She did two films in Bangalore, khushi and bisi bisi. And the Sonuu niigaam launch video albums in Bangalore, Lately she is receiving great reviews after the re- lease of her first Hindi film that is very close to her heart.

Q. What inspired you to join the fashion and entertainment industry ? A. My instincts and self belief. Q. In terms of quality, how do you rate the Q&A Indian model and fashion industry viz west- ern world? A. We are second to none.

Q. Modeling is about passion or hard core business for you? A. It is a passion to earn living.

Q. Do you have any synergy with active Indian company in the re- lated sector to promote and co-brand yourself in India? A. Not yet, but very soon I will be going commercial.

Q. Madhuri is aspiring for? A. Oh what i want to do in the future..well.. I want to be a little girl when they are growing up!I I want to be admired by the people for my talent and acting skills...i wanna be a superstar!!!

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 29 FORUM HOW INCREDIBLE IS INDIA? Shombit Sengupta the World Wide Web as e-information. Those who can afford a computer in India take the opportunity to download it. long with a global insurance client chairman, a Evolving from being conquerors to cowboys to inventors, Scotsman operating from Japan, I visited homes Americans have made their country rich and famous. Their of consumers who earn Rs 5,000 per month in dif- inventions have changed people's working conditions and ferent states in India and we micro-detailed their living standards. The US has become an economic power to thoughts and lifestyle. Sunday morning we were in reckon with. Just take ten American companies - GE, Bell, NorthA Kolkata's Hatibagan weekly bird market, and the IBM, Coca-Cola, McDonalds, 3M, Xerox, Microsoft, Apple flower market under the Howrah and Nike - that have become the Bridge. It was difficult to walk through biggest brands in the world. Their ini- the crowd and the multi-coloured bird- For centuries India been tial initiative was inventive. These cages. Then we went to the outstand- brands acquired power not with media ing South City Mall and saw people renowned for its trading hype and advertisement. They had spend Rs 25,000 on a single branded fundamental innovation at inception, garment. "This India is really incredi- business. A new culture which ensured they stayed on in the ble. Within a few kilometres you can subconscious minds of the con- see extreme poverty and highly has recently emerged-that sumers. Americanised modernity," said the vis- There may be heavy criticism of the iting chairman. of downloading. But when US encouraging mass consumerism. The Tourism Ministry's Incredible But nobody can deny that mass con- India advertisements conjure images will we ever become an sumption has democratised human of a traditional India but when people rights in developed countries. Painter see copycat Western malls and cars inventive society that up- Andy Warhol, who made pop art fa- here, they don't see it as a modern loads into the Internet, and mous, had said that America is great evolution-instead they call it because, "the richest consumers buy Americanisation. That's why we need not merely downloads? essentially the same things as the to make India incredible in a different poorest. You know the President way. drinks Coke, Liz Taylor drinks Coke, For centuries India been renowned for its trading busi- and you can drink Coke, too. All the Cokes are the same and ness. A new culture has recently emerged-that of down- all the Cokes are good." loading. But when will we ever become an inventive society Undoubtedly, access to money led to consumerism, but that uploads into the Internet, and not merely downloads? the industry's approach has always been inventive to im- 'Innovation' has become an industry buzzword, used as a prove American life. A basic American family cannot afford business tactic to satisfy shareholders in quarterly results. a Trump Tower restaurant in New York's 5th Avenue but a In developed countries, physical inventions are uploaded on

30 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS FORU M

SHINING IN DRAGONLAND: INDIAN ARTISTS PERFORM DURING FESTIVAL OF INDIA IN CHINA few dollars will buy his entire family a how these poor people will afford these would get rid of poverty too. To represent sumptuous meal at McDonald's nearby low priced goods. People have to earn India as a developed country, a certain the Trump Tower. Chains like McDonald's first. Only when their buying power be- homogeneity is required among the poor invented quality processes in sourcing, comes powerful, can there be a robust and rich. It's every individual's human manufacture, service and globalisation so pyramid of human society. right to get a certain level of comfort in that there is complete predictability in To achieve the status of being a devel- life at both the workplace and the home. what they offer, no matter where in the oped country, India requires soil relevant After that, merit can take a person far into world they are located. invention. What does this mean? Here are boundaryless achievement depending on In India's unequal society, the biggest three idea examples that an India-specif- every individual's drive and calibre. population chunk earns below Rs 10,000 ic invention has to achieve. The West has proved that functional de- a month. Our millionaires or billionaires 1. The yearly income of a two-acre vices can end slavery and improve human living in Western style comfort may need landowning farmer has to increase from life. Privileged Indians should take a call no invention, but everyone else in India Rs 40,000 to Rs 300,000. 2. Porters to abolish the unofficial "slavery" of the requires inventions that have the flavour should get an auto-mechanised device to underprivileged where sub-minimum of India's soil, just like Americans invent- transport heavy loads. This will power his wages are paid for unorganised sectors. ed for American people. Most inventions everyday working efficiency for earning Rs Helping the poor with money makes in the US - even those that have come 25,000 per month. 3. A totally moulded, them the dependent poor. We need to from the richest man, Bill Gates - seem to minimally mechanised and service-proof give them an instrument for personal have started in the garage. Perhaps in- four-wheeler vehicle with very low cost of growth. In other words, no free fish, give ventions will happen in slums here. Can ownership can be created for use in trans- a fishing rod to catch fish everyday. This we hope that by 2020, the minimum portation of commercial goods and for the is the way incredible India can really fall in wages of an individual will become Rs family's lifestyle purpose. place. To change India's inequality we 25,000 per month as per today's mone- Britain's Industrial Revolution from the need the INDIA acronym to become tary valuation? If that becomes feasible, 1760s auto-mechanised everything, and Innovative Nation Driving Inventive Action we will realise the 's facilitated high productivity with reduced (INDIA). Such a disruption will make India vision of becoming a developed country labour. This improved people's living incredible in its essence. by 2020. style. For India to really become incredi- (Shombit Sengupta is an international Most Indian companies target the pop- ble, we need a revolution of India-centric creative business strategy consultant to ulous "bottom of the pyramid" to sell their invention of auto-mechanised devices for top management. www.shiningconsult- products to, but pay scant attention to 70 per cent of our billion-plus people. That ing.com)

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 31 ECONOMY BUDGET 2010 Focus on fiscal consolidation Govt gets tough with aam admi. Car, TV and even petrol-diesel to get dearer

ALL EARS: CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY LISTENING TO THE PM’S POST-BUDGET SPEECH he aam admi government is finally acting tough and its de- cison to roll back some of the excise duty cuts it had in- The finance minister is on the path to fis- Ttroduced as part of the stimulus package means that the new base rate for excise duty has gone up from 8 per cent to 10 cal consolidation which means only cash per cent. There is additional excise duty on petrol and diesel and even reimbursement for oil companies and off the the Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) rate has gone up from 15 balance sheet items will now show as per cent to 18 per cent of book profits. Even though the hike in personal income tax limits means that part of the fiscal deficit. the govenrment will lose Rs 26,000 crore in potential direct tax Despite, the revision in income tax slabs, collecrtions, the Rs 46,5000 crore extra earnings from custom and excise means that the government's net earnings will be in the government hopes to collect Rs positive territory. Given the govenrment's tight fiscal position, the industry was 430,000 crore through direct tax collec- already expecting a hike in excise rates. tion which is 11 per cent more than this In fact, many quarters were pleasantly surprised as as they feared that excise rates might be hiked by as much as 4 per years collection... cent. Neverthless, a hike in excise rates will have an immediate in- These collections will help reduce the government's fiscal flationary impact and the move comes at a time when the gov- deficit to 5.5 per cent in 2010-11 from 6.9 per cent at the mo- ernment is already battling a high rate of inflation. ment. The finance minister is on the path to fiscal consolidation The government plans to reduce the fiscal deficit to 4.8 per which means only cash reimbursement for oil companies and off cent the following year and eventually reduce it to 4.1 per cent. balance sheet items will now show as part of the fiscal deficit. However, it is not just tax revenues that will fill the govern- Despite, the revision in income tax slabs, the government ment's coffers. A massive Rs 40,000 crore from divestment hopes to collect Rs 430,000 crore through direct tax collection while Rs 35000 crore from 3G spectrum auction will add more which is 11 per cent more than this years collection and Rs bulk to the government kitty. 315,000 crore through indirect tax collections which is 29 per While the government has increased its expenditure by 8.6 cent more than last year. per cent, increased tax buoyancy could help it meet its targets.

32 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS ECONOMY ‘This year was a very difficult time for me’ Have you stepped on the brake a little bit on the stimulus? Will that affect our Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee gave a growth? I hope it will not. When I took this deci- post-budget interview to Business Standard. sion I asked, how long can I have this fis- cal expansion? I would have to come back Here's the transcript: to the fiscal consolidation path, otherwise it would have become unsustainable. If I did this earlier, if I would not have given the stimulus package that was injected in three installments in December 2008, January 2009 and February 2009, per- haps it would have been premature. I also thought that I should not have a total roll- back, but partial. You may call it a con- servative approach, but I thought it was prudent on my part to adopt the cautious approach rather than the adventurous step. This year was a very difficult time for me, or for any finance minister. There was a lot of uncertainty in the first part of the year. On top of this was an indifferent monsoon. The second half saw robust re- covery, which was reflected in second- quarter GDP growth at 7.9 per cent. There was a diametrically opposite picture in the first two quarters in the same year. I had to formulate my proposals in that context. When I saw indications of the economy turning around, I thought it was time for a partial roll-back.

There are two concerns -- growth and inflation. You have rolled back (cuts in) indirect taxes. In particular, you have in- creased taxes on petrol and diesel. Are you worried that the increase in indirect taxes might stoke inflationary fires? There will be some inflationary impact, to be honest. I asked the economists. The impact would be about 0.41 per cent on the wholesale price index. There may be some cascading effects also, but one plus point is that these are not new tax- es. These taxes were imposed earlier. The economy absorbed them.

You say you will implement the Kirit Parikh report, but what you have done in the Budget today is go in the opposite di- rection. The Kirit Parikh committee said to lower taxes and increase prices. You have instead raised the taxes, so it's be- come more difficult to implement the price increase.

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 33 ECONOMY

YES, MINISTER: FINANCE MINISTER SURROUNDED BY MIKES-N-CAMERAS BEFORE PRESENTING THE BUDGET That is not correct. The net effect and end impact will be the is stagnant while corporate revenue is shooting up. same. When the prices will go up, they will be adjusted to the I accept your point. The share of the contribution of individual market. When I increase tax, it does not mean it will automati- income tax in the overall tax basket has come down. Earlier, cally be passed on. These two things should be separated. when the tax base was so low, individuals contributed much more, but we have left that philosophy behind. Even with these It now becomes more difficult to implement Kirit Parikh rec- reductions, the tax-to-GDP ratio is 10 per cent-plus. It is not as ommendations? high as 12 per cent, which I want to achieve. That is not necessary. This tax was temporarily withdrawn be- cause of the high prices of crude oil. Today, therefore, the case is not that I will have to reduce tax to implement Kirit Parikh re- port. We will also have to take into account views of various We will also have to take into account states. In the administered price mechanism, states do not have any share but when we enhance the prices through the duty views of various states. In the administered route, 32 per cent of it goes to the states. price mechanism, states do not have any Oil companies are making huge losses and you have taken share but when we enhance the prices that extra increase in prices instead of freeing the price and allowing them to make some money and stop their losses. through the duty route, 32 per cent of it But I am meeting substantial part of it, even this year if you see the fine print of the Budget. For 2008-09, I have given them goes to the states. Rs 10,000 crore worth of bonds. This is the only bond issue I have given. Otherwise, I have decided to give it in cash to bring transparency in the accounting system. You have left three critical tasks for next year ? one is the Goods and Services Tax, the Direct Taxes Code and making Will you move towards freeing oil prices? service tax universal, which you said you don't want to do this I have indicated that this decision will have to be taken by my year. In a sense, this is a semi-final budget. The final budget is colleague in the ministry of petroleum in the course of time. next year. No. Not semi-final. Final I cannot do because I have to wait to You have made some 25 million income tax payers very hap- evolve a consensus. I am not the master alone. There are 28 py today. Taking a three-year perspective, corporate income states. Their views have to be taken into account for GST. In the tax revenue has gone up by more than 60 per cent while indi- Direct Taxes Code I am the master. Service tax will be subsumed vidual income tax has gone up by only 1 per cent. Income tax in the GST.

34 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS ENTERTAINMENT Anjula Acharia Bath speaks regularly at media conferences. She was a guest President and Founder, speaker at NYU's Clive Davis School of Music, served as a Chairman, Desi Hits! judge for the "Music Video Award" at The Ibiza International Film Festival and holds many media industry awards. njula Acharia Bath is the face of Desi Hits! She combines The Desi Hits! spokeswoman began her career leading strat- extensive advertising and recruiting knowledge with a egy and delivery for emerging technologies practice at the keen ear for music position to propel Desi (South Asian) A Forsyth Group. She co-founded the media and entertainment culture and artists into the public eye. Desi Hits! is an inno- search firm Merchant McKenzie where she placed executive tal- vative multi-platform media company that is undoubtedly cre- ent for companies such as Walt Disney Internet Group and ating a cultural shift in the digital field and pop culture world- Universal Pictures International. As director at London TMP wide. Steering the company to global influence, Anjula creates Worldwide, Anjula worked strategically with the CEO and Board and executes deals with US Major labels such as Universal, to develop and guide direction for Monster.com. Committed to Warner Music Group and Sony, and South Asian/ film the arts and media, she holds a B.A. with Honors in Theatre studios. Anjula's pioneering efforts have led the company to Arts and Communications from Middlesex University and is a some of the biggest names in music, 50 Cent, Pussycat Dolls, published writer. Anjula continues to excel and just complet- Britney Spears and Sonu Niiggam have all been featured on ed her first fiction novel that is a fun, sexy journey of three DesiHits.com While Anjula is busy with Desi Hits! you can still women and explores the second generation South Asian expe- keep up with her in the press! She receives global press, ra- rience. When it comes to pushing for innovation and excite- dio and television recognition for her achievements. She's ment, Anjula leads the way! Here are some of the excerpts of been recognized in the Wall Street Journal, VOGUE, Business an online interview conducted by Ritu Shulka, fashion editor Week, Rolling Stone, WWD, on BBC and NPR, and Fox. She with Anjula.

‘We are Anjula Acharia Bath all about east-west fusion’

Q. What inspired you to promote typ- ical Indian music and entertainment in the West? We don't actually promote "typical Indian music" we are all about east/west fusion entertainment and cre- ate content which is a fusion of bhangra, hiphop, rock, Hindi film music, bhangra and pop - whatever works and sounds good we will play. We also want to give South Asian artists a chance to work with western artists and vice verse so we actively seek out collaborations with all types of artists. Hiphop has been us- ing desi beats for a long time, it's about time our faces were associated with it too!! Desihits doesn't just focus on mu- sic we have general entertainment news and Radio/TV shows that cover all as- pects of fusion South Asian culture from fashion, music related content, inter- views and film reviews. It's a diverse platform and we have both western and eastern stars on it from SRK to 50 Cent, you will find them all on Desihits.com and other platforms we syndicate to.

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 35 ENTERTAINMENT but the truth is, we want to be repre- sented in main- stream media and we are talented so why shouldn't we be?? As a demo- graphic we are pow- erful and have huge spending ability…. Like any other demo- graphic we should be marketed to as we are a valuable con- sumer in the west and in India and for far too long I feel we have been ignored… we should have con- tent and music from the west that is also created with us in mind and resonates with us at another TEAM DESIHITS level. When you start thinking about Q. In terms of quality, the clientele for Personally, I grew up in a very racist envi- how South Asians (globally) are a valued desihits can be niche but do you feel the ronment where south asian culture was- consumer and the opportunity brands volume is sufficient to sustain the busi- n't understood or tolerated. It made me have to reach our demographic you realize ness? as a child feel very ashamed of my culture there is a hard core business there!! Desihits.com was originally created for and heritage. I'd like to say that this is- Desihits has attracted some very serious bi-cultural, eclectic and bi-lingual south n't the case for kids today, but I know investors like Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Asians globally from India to the west. from the emails we receive that it often is. DE Shaw and industry professionals such There are a lot of young people in India Whether that's the case or not I feel that as Jimmy Iovine (Chairman and CEO that are finding their lives are changing it's very powerful for young south Asians Interscope Universal Records) and Vivi with western brands and culture infiltrat- to see their western role models embrace Nevo (Time Warner), so business is defi- ing, they speak English and are on face- their culture, whether that's 50 Cent, nitely on the agenda. book. I don't think they are much differ- Lady Gaga, Pussycat Dolls or Britney ent these days from their cousins in the Spears…(we have done them all!) I still Q. Apart from the conventional US and UK or the USA and the fusion culture is remember how my cousins and friends re- UK market, Desihits is popular in which very present in the tier 1 and 2 cities. acted when they first saw Michael part of the world? Given there are approximately 700 Million Jackson put an Indian dancer in his video; Our core markets are UK, USA, Canada, people under the age of 30 in India and a UAE and India. huge Diaspora that lives a very fusion We are working with Rolling lifestyle, my sense is, we have plenty of Stone India, Zee TV and Q. Do you have any synergy with active opportunity to grow and a big audience to Indian company in the related sector to capture! Also, we have a large non-desi Nokia, given India is the promote and co-brand your products and following and my sense is that given the 2nd largest mobile market service in India? bi-cultural spin on our content it is more in the world, Nokia's OVI We are working with Rolling Stone India, palatable to them than a pure Desi offer- Zee TV and Nokia, given India is the 2nd ing. Given we are working with some of store is a great platform for largest mobile market in the world, the biggest names in pop we are taking us to get our content out Nokia's OVI store is a great platform for Desi culture through them to their existing given their dominance in us to get our content out given their dom- fan bases which are non South Asian as inance in that market. We are also work- well as extending the artist further into that market. ing on various other deals in India. We the Desi demographic. have been approached by a lot of poten- tial partners in India who believe we Q. Desihits is about passion or hard we all rushed to the TV and were so ex- speak to a very emerging demographic of core business? cited and proud. I asked myself why this young people who want more than just It started as a passion project and still created such a reaction and I realized it pure Bollywood, we give all of it to them very much is. My founders and I spent was because we felt this super star (including bollywood - but in our style!! our lives going to different places for our whose records and tickets we have all pur- Cool, eclectic and fused to perfection!). diverse content/cultural needs… whether chased, actually knew who we were and at With our unique access to all mainstream it be a hiphop site, a pop music site and some level I guess we felt acknowledged. artists and celebrities we can create ex- then a bollywood site - we wanted to cre- I'm sure we will all say that we don't cusive content for the Indian market that ate a place that you could get it ALL. need western stars to acknowledge us - no one else can.

36 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS MONEY MATTERS seems to be good reason to give thanks and be cheerful. Or maybe not. The worst of the crisis is almost certainly behind us, but that does- n't mean the crisis is over. Lying ahead are a slew of unresolved problems, policy challenges and, no doubt, further surpris- es. Unemployment remains a serious global issue, and may yet get worse; ex- cess capacity left over from the boom years haunts the recovery; and the dras- tic stimulus programs utilized to fight the recession are creating a new menu of po- tential troubles. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said in an address in London in late November that "the storm has passed" but "the global economy re- mains very much in a holding pattern - sta- ble, and getting better, but still highly vul- nerable." He added: "There is a lot of un- certainty in the air." That was made clear on Nov. 25 when the city-state of Dubai shocked the global investment community by asking creditors of its main corporate arm, ports-and-prop- erty conglomerate Dubai World, for a six- month payment standstill on its almost $60 billion of liabilities. The surprise hit stock markets in Asia and the U.S., while sending investors scrambling for safe havens like the U.S. dollar. Experts have since engaged in a rabid round of specu- lation over what the Dubai debt crisis might mean for the world economy. Some see the problem as little more than a big real estate bust. "I don't see what the big deal is," Willem Buiter, economist at the London School of Economics and Political Science, wrote bluntly. Others see the Dubai crisis as the potential flashpoint for a new stage of the global crisis, a sign that heavily indebted sovereign states might begin having trouble financing their deficits, or that investors will reassess their exposure to risky emerging markets in some kind of financial "contagion." BofA Merrill Lynch strategists postulated in a report that "one cannot rule out - as a tail risk - a case where this would esca- Dubai model late into a major sovereign-default prob- lem, which would then resonate across global emerging markets." Scary stuff, indeed, but so far, that worst-case scenario doesn't appear to be under scrutiny materializing. The central bank of the United Arab Emirates promised on Sunday s we reach the end of a miser- sults out of tiny Taiwan, one of the to stand behind the country's banks with able 2009, signs continue to economies slammed the hardest by the fresh liquidity, causing stock markets in mount across the globe that the global recession, were so impressive one Asia to rebound on Monday. world economy is stirring back economist beamed that the island "got its Nevertheless, the Dubai debacle is just to life. The U.S. finally returned groove on." Stock markets, aside from a the kind of dangerous unknown that can toA growth in the third quarter, with its downward blip here and there, have gen- still arise out of the financial crisis, even strongest showing in two years, India erally been buoyant. During this season of while a general recovery is under way. posted inspiring 7.9% growth and the re- Thanksgiving and holiday cheer, there Financial crises change the rules of the

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 37 MONEY MATTERS

game, especially when it comes to deter- companies, could lead to more downsiz- Robert Zoellick recently wrote in the mining how money flows, and where and ing and slower growth. "The recent price Financial Times. Property-market analyst to whom. Perceptions of risk among falls are not right and worrisome," Nicole Wong at brokerage CLSA argues bankers and investors can change - but Japan's Finance Minister Hirohisa Fujii re- that Hong Kong may inevitably be heading the ramifications of that change are often cently said. for "another boom and bust" in its real es- delayed, and not easy to predict. tate sector, due to a combination of tight Take the Asian financial crisis of 1997. supply and easy money. "The answer to In South Korea, the biggest corporate fail- Even countries apparently the question could there be a property ure - the collapse of the humungous powering through the reces- bubble in Hong Kong is yes," she says. Daewoo Group - happened two years after Even countries apparently powering the onset of the crisis, when healthy eco- sion are hounded by tricky through the recession are hounded by nomic growth had already returned. The tricky policy conundrums. After Chinese crisis had undermined the fundamental policy conundrums. After banks engaged in massive lending aimed willingness of a reformed banking sector Chinese banks engaged in at combating the global downturn, and reform-minded government to contin- China's regulators warned in late ue backing the country's bloated and fi- massive lending aimed at November that they must meet mandated nancially irresponsible companies. capital requirements or risk sanctions, a Daewoo's problems originated before the combating the global down- strong sign that Beijing is worrying over Asian crisis, but they only exploded after turn, China's regulators the possible fallout from its stimulus pro- the crisis. gram. China also faces a tough choice on The fact is that the world economy con- warned in late November its currency regime. The government is un- tinues to be burdened by heavy baggage that they must meet mandat- der increased pressure from the U.S. and created during the boom times, problems European Union to allow the yuan to ap- that could take years to resolve. U.S. con- ed capital requirements or preciate, though policymakers remain sumers are undergoing their own debt nervous about the negative effect that workout, one that might even worsen if risk sanctions... could have on its struggling export sector. joblessness continues to rise. Though de- China "is like watching a duck swim," faults on credit cards in the U.S. fell in And on top of the old problems, new says Giles Chance, author of the recently October, delinquencies, or late payments, ones are appearing as well. Fears contin- published book China and the Credit rose - a sign that financial firms could ex- ue to mount that the loose monetary poli- Crisis. "On the surface it seems fine, but pect more losses down the road. Japan, cies put in place by central banks world- underneath it's quite chaotic." which experienced its fastest growth in wide are creating potentially destabilizing That metaphor could describe the entire two years in the third quarter, is dealing increases in property and stock prices. world economy. The emerging recovery is with the nasty problem of deflation, an in- "Asset bubbles could be the next fragility masking a whole lot of chaos. Let's hope dication that the economy is suffering as the world recovers, threatening again the duck keeps swimming. from excess capacity. The falling prices, to destroy livelihoods and trap millions OEMCL News Services by eating away at the financial health of more in poverty," World Bank President with Dubai Bureau

38 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS MONEY MATTERS Global economic crisis: Part II starts from Europe D K Matai

nyone believing the global eco- nomic crisis to be over should have taken a look around Europe this week. Desperate to revive his country's feeble economy,A Irish Finance Minister Brian Lenihan promised $6 billion worth of sav- ings in a budget aimed at taming the country's stubborn deficit. The plan is his second budget this year, and Ireland's harshest in decades. In a mini-budget an- nounced a couple of hours earlier, Britain's Alistair Darling unveiled his gov- ernment's latest plan to fix the U.K.'s broken economy, including a punitive tax on bankers' bonuses, a rise in social se- curity contributions and a cap on public- sector workers' pay. In other parts of Europe, things are looking even worse. Shares on the Greek stock market have fallen 9% over the past two days. The parlous state of Greece's public finances has prompted credit-rating agency Fitch to lower the country's debt rating to BBB+, the lowest in the euro zone, Europe's single-currency region. Further blows could follow: rival agencies Moody's and Standard & Poor's have threatened similar moves in recent days. Two weeks after Dubai stunned in- country on Monday, Dec. 7, to take its edge in Europe - rising labor costs vestors by requesting a standstill on $60 "courageous" steps to tackle the crisis. helped the country's share of euro-zone billion in liabilities belonging to its main Greek Finance Minister George exports fall one-fifth between 2001 and corporate arm, Greece's downgrade is Papaconstantinou, part of the socialist 2008 - the Irish haven't shied from cut- yet more evidence that the economic cri- government that won power in the country ting their cloth in recent months. In his sis is far from over. For countries left to fill last October, duly pledged to do "whatev- budget announced Dec. 9, for instance, gaping holes in their public finances ex- er is required" to shore up the country's Lenihan unleashed deeply unpopular cuts posed by the meltdown, there's plenty of finances. Key to the recovery plan: slash- in public-sector pay that look set to trigger pain still to come. ing Greece's budget deficit next year from strike action. But when it comes to a Nowhere more so than Greece. Years of 12.7% - more than four times the level al- spending squeeze of their own, says debt-fueled consumption and lax fiscal lowed under E.U. rules - to 9.1%. Tilford, "the Greeks are a long way from policies have left the country drowning in While that has triggered revenue-raising recognizing that they really have no red ink. National debt is expected to rise measures like a crackdown on tax eva- choice." to 125% of GDP in 2010, the highest in sion, there's little sign of the deep spend- That surely irks the E.U., which is limit- the euro zone. "If you want an example of ing cuts the country needs to rebalance ed in the amount of help - or punishment a political élite that thought membership its books. What's more, reviving growth - it can impose on Greece. Allowing the of the euro zone was a panacea," says will mean shifting from an economy country to default, or to approach to the Simon Tilford, chief economist at the founded on domestic consumption to one International Monetary Fund for emer- Centre for European Reform in London, driven by exports. "That's going to be ex- gency funds, would deal a huge blow to "you don't need to look further than tremely difficult, given that [the Greeks the credibility of the 11-year-old euro Greece. They're in very serious trouble." have] allowed their cost competitiveness zone. Whatever financial concessions it Getting out of it won't be easy. Jean- within the euro zone to erode massively," can offer, therefore, will almost certainly Claude Trichet, president of the European says Tilford. "We're still seeing big in- come with stiff conditions. Greece may Central Bank, which sets interest rates for creases in Greece's wages." have little option but to accept. the euro zone's 16 countries, urged the Contrast that with Ireland. Since losing (Writer is chairman, ATAC )

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 39 BIZ TA L K BOI Mauritius THE FIRST for Investors PORTPORT OFOF CALLCALL Opinion Express Associate editor Dr Rahul Misra conducted Q & A session with MD of BOI In addition, the country has a Mauritius, MR JADOO pitched his views of promoting investments in Mauritius. modern Port Infrastructure & Freeport that brings you closer Q Mauritius is strategically located to cater to the African continent. We for the entire African continent for overseas investors. The domestic environment in have multiple shipping connec- Mauritius is business friendly and safe for tions which allows for shorter overseas investors. But the cost of doing business in Mauritius is relatively high that delivery periods to neighbouring makes the Asian options more lucrative. countries. According to a re- What is your assessment in this respect? It is true that, in some respects, the cost of cent study carried out by doing business in Mauritius is higher com- Confinter, the Port of Mauritius pared to most Asian countries and here, we would refer to labour cost and the cost of raw is among the most competitive materials. However, these are offset by many port in the region. other advantages that the country offers. Mauritius offers a transparent, rule-based and The success that Mauritius has achieved BOI managing director Mr Jadoo cost effective business environment. As part has been beautifully summed up by Secretary of its investment strategy, reforms were intro- of State Hillary Clinton during the recently held duced to encourage business development The Board of Investment summit of the AGOA Forum in Kenya where and employment creation. Trade was liber- he Board of Investment (BOI) was established un- she stated that ‘Mauritius has taken steps in alised, price controls on certain commodities Tder the Investment Promotion Act 2000. It is the recent years to attract investment by enacting were lifted, business regulations were simpli- apex investment promotion agency of the Republic reforms that protect investors and promote fied, a far-reaching tax reform and fiscal con- of Mauritius. The BOI promotes and facilitates in- business. The country has demonstrated a solidation strategy was initiated favouring low vestment and is the official point-of-contact for in- commitment to transparency, accountability, taxes, and inflationary pressures were con- vestors investing in Mauritius. The role of the BOI is and good governance. And today the people of trolled through sound monetary policy. As a re- to promote and facilitate investment in every sector. Mauritius have been the primary beneficiaries sult of the reforms, the economy has been This national investment promotion agency is ac- of these reforms’. strengthened with robust growth for four con- tively stimulating the development, expansion and Q Board of Investment is a key catalyst to in- growth of the economic sectors by promoting secutive years and foreign direct investment Mauritius as an international investment, business vest in Mauritius, but we have received infor- flowing into the country at unprecedented and service centre. As part of its mandate, BOI ad- mation that BOI is focused on large invest- rates. Our efforts on business facilitation have vises the Mauritius Government on strategies for in- ments and ignores small investors who actu- underlined the surge in attracting foreign in- vestment policies, national investment marketing ally need a facilitator to establish business in vestors. and investment aftercare, economic and industrial new environment. You have something to Besides the conducive business environ- planning and country image building. clarify? ment, Mauritius also offers access to the re- BOI particularly encourages investments gional markets. Mauritius is a full-fledged has the capacity to handle about 440,000 that will benefit the socio-economic growth of member of the Southern African Development TEU’s (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) per year Mauritius in a sustainable manner. It is not Community (SADC) and Common Market for and the cost of handling amounts to around true to say that BOI focuses on large invest- Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). These US $ 95 per full 20 ft container, which is the ments to the detriment of small ones. We offer the opportunity to tap into a market of lowest in the region. have had a very open policy where we have over 500 million consumers. Additionally, Globalisation has led to a tremendous been encouraging investment in diverse sec- Mauritius has a culture of doing business with change in the way investors look at a country. tors and also independently of the size of the the US and the EU and enjoys preferential ac- Investors today will not look at costs primarily projects. cess to these markets as well under the Africa but will also look at the business environment As the investment promotion agency of the Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the re- of the country as well as the investment secu- Government of Mauritius, the Board of cently signed Economic Partnership rity that the country provides. Investors today Investment provides support to any investor Agreement (EPA). trust and favour those countries where there who wishes to set up a business in our coun- In addition, the country has a modern Port are strong regulatory & legal frameworks and try, be it an investor with a big project or an in- Infrastructure & Freeport that brings you clos- established institutions that facilitate and reg- vestor with a small project. The size of the in- er to the African continent. We have multiple ulate investment. Mauritius is among those vestment doesn’t matter, but what is impor- shipping connections which allows for shorter countries that have been able to provide such tant for us is the contribution to the economic delivery periods to neighbouring countries. environment by topping the list of countries in growth of the country and the employment gen- According to a recent study carried out by the World Bank 2010 Doing Business Survey eration. Confinter, the Port of Mauritius is among the which ranks Mauritius 1st in Africa and 17th in It is interesting to note that there is no min- most competitive port in the region. Our port the world for ease of doing business. imum investment required in Mauritius.

40 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS BIZ TA L K

An investor may be eligible to do a project in Mauritius provided that his proposed business activity generates an annual turnover in excess of MUR 3 million. With this criterion, even small investment projects are eligible. YouYou may wish to note that with the opening up of the econo- my,my, foreigners are now allowed to work and live in Mauritius. Today businesses can be conducted locally in several forms: under s self-employed activity provided thatthat thethe annualannual incomeincome ofof thethe proposedproposed activityactivity isis inin ex-ex- cess of MUR 600,000 per year, as an investor where the proposed business activity should generate an annual turnoverturnover ofof MURMUR 33 millionmillion perper year.year. AnAn investorinvestor cancan setset upup a business as a partnership with a Mauritian national or as a 100% foreign owned company.

An investor may be eligible to do a project Since 2006, when those measures were in- India. However, last year our board decided to in Mauritius provided that his proposed busi- troduced under the Business Facilitation Act, review our strategy and to maintain an effec- ness activity generates an annual turnover in 80,000 new businesses have been registered. tive presence on the overseas markets. excess of MUR 3 million. With this criterion, I once again wish to stress that Mauritius pur- Instead of having overseas offices, we have even small investment projects are eligible. sues an open and liberal economic policy, wel- decided to work with PR agencies that will sup- You may wish to note that with the opening coming investment irrespective of its size and port us in our activities at media level, corpo- up of the economy, foreigners are now allowed also in all sectors and the BOI as the invest- rate level as well as communication level. We to work and live in Mauritius. Today business- ment promotion agency provides support to all have thus appointed a PR agency in India and es can be conducted locally in several forms: investors. in South Africa to support us in our promo- under s self-employed activity provided that tional activities. In Europe, we will focus more the annual income of the proposed activity is Q How productive are the BOI regional of- on the promotion of specific sectors where our in excess of MUR 600,000 per year, as an in- fices in overseas countries to attract invest- respective clusters will be present. vestor where the proposed business activity ment in Mauritius? What specific strategy is The Board of Investment also operates an should generate an annual turnover of MUR 3 followed by BOI HQ to monitor regional of- advisory centre which operates as a call cen- million per year. An investor can set up a busi- fices to get maximum return? tre and which provides information on the in- ness as a partnership with a Mauritian na- The Board of Investment used to have two vestment opportunities and the business en- tional or as a 100% foreign owned company. regional offices one in Europe and one in vironment in Mauritius.

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 41 BIZ TA L K

Very close relations have been established with all of our honorary consul overseas and also our embassies. All our embassies will shortly be connected to our advisory centre where they will provide first hand information to the investors. We have also developed a network of ‘friends of Mauritius’ that will help us in our ef- forts. We will also be present in all the major events in order to ensure visibility of the coun- try. We will participate in specific and targeted events where we can attract investment. The closure of our overseas office doesn’t mean that we will not be present in our key markets. We will continue to keep our pres- ence but in a more effective way.

Q What is the USP Mauritius is offering to in- ternational community in the present reces- sion scenario to attract global attention? The recent economic downturn is the worst crisis that the world has ever known. Mauritius was in no way immune to these turbulences; however its economy proved to be resilient to such external shocks. Despite the worldwide recession, the Mauritian economy saw a posi- To further diversify the economic base and generate tive GDP growth of 2.8% and attracted around MUR 8.4 billion of FDI, compared to MUR 11 sustainable growth, the government is also actively en- billion in 2008, hence a drop of only 24% com- pared to the forecasted 80%. couraging the following economic activities: hospitality This exceptional performance was due to several measures that were initiated with fore- and property development, healthcare and biomedical sight and ahead of the rest of the region to industry, agri-processing and biotechnology, the knowl- strengthen the country’s economy. Government initiated a series of far-reaching edge industry, renewable energy and creative industry reforms back in 2005 and, in 2008, it was pre- scient in saving some 3 percent of GDP in spe- as well as the land based oceanic industry. The Land cial funds for the difficult times to come. Through a track record of strong policy re- based oceanic industry is a new and innovative industry sponses, government further strengthened the country’s resilience to external shocks. which is currently being developed and let me elaborate Stimulus measures were implemented, which on this. proved to be timely, innovative, comprehensive and effective. Government stimulated the ate more resilience to external shocks. The Investment opportunities have been identified economy through expansionary macroeco- sugar industry, a pillar of development since in key areas such as BPO, Shared Services, nomic policies; frontloaded public infrastruc- colonial times, is consolidating and restructur- Technical Helpdesk, IT Outsourcing. ture projects to save and create jobs; sup- ing. Producers are also expanding into related Additionally, Mauritius has also been consid- ported micro, small, medium and large enter- activities, such as power generation from sug- ered for providing business continuity servic- prises that were in difficulty; protected the vul- ar cane residue (bagasse) and ethanol pro- es, data centre and disaster recovery servic- nerable, the unemployed and the retrenched duction, and are moving up the supply chain es. All legal provisions are in place inclusive of workers; and prepared the country for recov- into refined sugar. the data protection act. Connectivity to the ery. The development of "flexi-factories" able to SAFE undersea cable is available. However, in Today, the Mauritian economy is resuming switch production between sugar and ethanol order to pursue its programme of reducing tele- its growth path prior to the economic downturn will make the sector more adaptable and re- com prices, Government is investing with a and its GDP is expected to grow by 4.5% this sponsive to developments in international mar- consortium of regional investors in a second fi- year. The success of the country’s new devel- kets. In addition to encouraging the restruc- bre optic cable which will connect Mauritius to opment paradigm is today reflected not only in turing and modernization of the sugar and tex- the Eastern African Cable initiatives by mid economic figures, but also in the optimistic tile sectors, the government is putting much 2011. mood in the country. It rests on a strong base emphasis on the development of the ICT sec- To further diversify the economic base and that we have built and strengthened over the tor. A growing number of multinationals are generate sustainable growth, the government years, which include economic stability, strong choosing Mauritius for our bilingual workforce, is also actively encouraging the following eco- government support, strong public-private our convenient time zone, state-of-the-art in- nomic activities: hospitality and property de- partnership, the rule of law, transparent insti- frastructure and open-economy environment. velopment, healthcare and biomedical indus- tutions, ease of doing business, a business In 2005, there were 40 companies operating try, agri-processing and biotechnology, the friendly environment and a modern and reli- in the IT/BPO space in Mauritius employing knowledge industry, renewable energy and cre- able infrastructure. 4000 people. By December 2009, the number ative industry as well as the land based ocean- of companies rose to 300 with employment ic industry. Q Please specify the most promising sectors reaching 12,000. This represents an annual The Land based oceanic industry is a new to invest in Mauritius? compounded average growth rate of 45% as and innovative industry which is currently be- We are building a multi-pillar economy to cre- far as employment in the sector is concerned. ing developed and let me elaborate on this.

42 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS BIZ TA L K

Mauritius straddles the Great Conveyor Belt South East Asia are facing due to carbon cred- key institutions overseas and regularly organ- that moves massive undercurrents of mineral it limitations, Mauritius is well positioned to at- ize missions abroad to promote Mauritius and and nutrient-rich deep sea water around the tract investors in the green data centres area. meet face-to-face with potential investors. We globe. The land-based oceanic industry aims Indian companies are invited to look at these are also organizing more and more interna- at exploiting this situation through sustainable opportunities. tional conferences locally. and environment-friendly technologies and In this way, we not only promote the ex- processes which will result in niche products Q How does BOI reach out to the potential change of information and knowledge between catering for profitable market segments. The business community having investment po- our people and the international community, first phase of the Mauritius Eco-Park project is tential to invest in Mauritius, and what ap- but also give an opportunity for international being implemented for the hosting of green proach shall be adopted by BOI to reach out experts and investors to see the enormous po- data centres on a plot of 10 hectares and will to new territories? tential that we have here. Our dedicated be operational in June 2011. The coldness of Over the years, BOI has built a strong team team keeps abreast with developments in the the deep sea water is seen as being very at- of young professionals which have increased world economy and carries out research on tractive for the data centre industry. With the its capability in responding to investors and new markets which could be of interest for problem that the data centres in Europe and their needs. We have developed relations with Mauritius.

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 43 HALE n HEARTY Growing AT HEART

Dr Vivek Dubey

ou're never too young—or too Yold—to start lowering your heart dis- ease risk. Of course, ex- ercising, eating healthy and reducing stress are key throughout life, but due to physiological changes that happen as we age, certain risk factors do become more of a threat. In Your 20s lStub Out a Social Smoking Habit Smoking is enemy number one when it comes to heart disease, and even just a few cigarettes can do dam- age: New research from McGill University in Montreal found that smok- ing just one cigarette a day stiffens your arteries by a whopping 25 per- cent. Plus, smoking erases the hor- monal advantage you have from es- trogen, which can leave you vulner- able to a heart attack before menopause, explains Dr. Bonow. l l Don't Ignore the Birth Control Factor Remember that hormonal con- traceptives slightly increase the risk of blood clots, so if you've ever had one, make sure to discuss it with your doctor before going on birth control. And if you're currently a smoker, don't take oral contraceptives, because the combo can be especially dangerous, says Sharonne N. Hayes, MD, director of the Women's Heart Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. l l Watch Your Alcohol Intake Moderate amounts of al- cohol can have a beneficial effect on your heart. (By "moderate," we mean one drink a day or about 5 ounces—but many restaurants serve far more than that.)

44 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS HALE n HEARTY

All About YOU: 3 Heart-Healthy Foods hree things you should feed your heart Tevery day. Nuts -- eat at least a handful a day. Nuts are an excellent source of healthful fats and protein. In the Iowa Nurses Study and three other studies, an ounce a day cut the in- cidence of heart disease by 20 percent to 60 percent. The best nuts (those highest in omega-3 fat- ty acids) are walnuts, but all nuts are good for you.More heart-smart foods:Olive oil -- be sure it and other healthy fats (like those in nuts) make up about 25 percent of your daily calo- ries. Olive oil contains monounsaturated fats, which raise your HDL ("healthy") cholesterol. This good cholesterol actually helps clean out your arteries as it moves through your body. That's why when it comes to HDL, higher is bet- ter. Flavonoids -- get 31 milligrams a day. What are flavonoids? Powerfulantioxidants and anti-inflammatories that occur in many plant foods, including -- yes, nuts -- plus tea (any kind), red wine, grapes, berries, cranberry juice, orange juice, onions, tomatoes, and tomato juice. You can get your daily dose by drinking two-and-a-half glasses of cranberry juice or sev- eral cups of tea. RealAge Benefit: Eating a diverse diet that is low in calories and high in nutrients can make your RealAge as much as 4 years younger. (97% of users found this article helpful) Overdoing it can raise triglycerides, in- l Stay Social In Your 40s crease blood pressure and lead to weight It's important to stay connected to friends gain, thanks to all those empty calories. and family for the sake of your mood and l Make Sleep a Priority In Your 30s heart. Research at the University of Pittsburgh Thanks to peri-menopause, fluctuating hor- School of Medicine found that high levels of mone levels can interfere with a good night's l l Get a Grip on Stress sleep. But not getting at least seven hours of When you're juggling career and family, it's But not getting at least seven hours of shut-eye regularly can lead to increased blood crucial to find stress man- pressure, low-grade inflammation and higher agement techniques shut-eye regularly can levels of the stress hormone cortisol, all of that work. lead to increased which are harmful for your blood vessels and "Untamed stress blood pressure, low- heart, explains Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, a car- has a direct neg- grade inflammation diologist at New York University School of ative impact on Medicine and coauthor of Heart Smart for heart health," and higher levels of Black Women and Latinas. Lack of sleep has says Dr. the stress hormone also been linked to weight gain. So establish Stevens. "The cortisol, all of which good habits: Turn in (and wake up) at the same constant bom- are harmful for your time every day—even on weekends—and do bardment of your best to relax before going to bed, whether adrenaline raises blood vessels and it's watching a favorite funny TV show or read- blood pressure and heart, explains ing. destabilizes plaque in Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, l Reassess Your Risk Factors your arteries, making it a cardiologist at New York You may discover that your cholesterol, likely to cause a clot or blood pressure and blood sugar levels have heart attack." University School of changed in this decade, even if you aren't do- l l Lose the Baby Weight Medicine and coauthor of ing anything differently, says Dr. Hayes. In fact, No, you don't have to fit into Heart Smart for Black Women and 22 percent of 40-something women have high your skinny jeans by the time the Latinas. blood pressure and 50 percent have high cho- baby's 6 months old, but do aim to get lesterol (a jump from 38 percent of women in back to your pre-pregnancy weight within one loneliness increase a woman's risk of heart their 30s), according to the National Heart, to two years. "Carrying around extra pounds disease by 76 percent. On the flip side, having Lung, and Blood Institute. Also, be sure to get can lead to high cholesterol, high blood pres- strong social support can help lower your your thyroid checked around 45;hypothy- sure and other heart disease risk factors," Dr. blood pressure and improve other cardiovas- roidism (an underactive thyroid gland), which Bonow says. Also remember that it's easier to cular functions. Set aside time once or twice a becomes more common as women get older, lose weight in your 30s than in your 40s, when week to call friends, or make a monthly dinner can negatively affect your cholesterol levels as your metabolism slows down. date. well as your heart.

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 45 HALE n HEARTY l l Step Up Strength Training sulin resistance, inflammation and and flaxseeds, as well as beans, fruits and You start to lose muscle mass more heart strain. Cardiovascular fitness veggies) can help prevent constipation, which rapidly in your 40s, which caus- also starts to decline, partic- becomes more of a problem as you get older es your metabolism to slow ularly if you're not that physi- and your digestive system starts to slow down. down since muscle burns cally active to begin with. In Your 60s more calories than fat. "Unfortunately, at this point, Unfortunately, this makes it women have to burn more l Get Even More Vigilant About Screenings harder to stave off those extra calories to stay at the After you go through menopause and get pounds. To help maintain mus- same weight," Dr. older, your blood pressure and cholesterol cle and keep your metabo- Stevens says. Start tak- tend to go up, and blood vessels get stiffer. "Have your blood sugar, blood pressure and lism going, aim for two 15- ing the stairs instead of cholesterol measured yearly," advises Dr. minute sessions weekly of lift- the elevator whenever Goldberg. ing weights, using a resistance you can, walk faster l l Consider Medication band or doing other toning ex- around the mall, or If you have hypertension or high cholesterol, ercises. jog to the mailbox to l l Carve out Personal Time the way you've been managing it before may send letters instead not be enough. "As you get older, you may "Between the demands of of sticking your hand work and family, it becomes even need more aggressive therapy," Dr. Bonow out the car window says. "High blood pressure that was controlled more challenging to find time for as you drive by. yourself in your 40s," says Dr. with one medication may now require three to Small changes really control it." Talk to your doctor about whether Mieres. But it's crucial to do do add up. so—not only to help ease stress but also to you need to add to or adjust your medications l l Have an ECG to control your risk factors. guard against depression, which commonly Silent heart abnormalities become more crops up in this decade and can raise your risk l Be Alert to Symptoms common in your 50s, and an electrocardio- of heart disease. Now is when the first noticeable symptoms gram (ECG) to check your heart's electrical "Find at least 10 minutes of ‘me' time of heart disease may appear, so it's impor- every day to do something—even if it's just activity can pick them up, says Dr. Goldberg. tant to know what's normal for your body and chatting on the phone with a friend—that helps Also ask your doctor if you should have a be on the lookout for worrisome signs like you destress and regroup," says Dr. Mieres. stress test; this is especially important if chest discomfort, shortness of breath or you're just starting to exercise. changes in exercise tolerance—meaning you In Your 50s l Add Fiber suddenly feel winded going up a flight of stairs l l Move More Besides being good for your cholesterol and or feel unusually tired for no apparent reason, Around menopause, you tend to gain extra blood sugar, pumping up your fiber intake says Dr. Mieres. If these appear, see your doc- weight around your belly, which can lead to in- (think whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice tor pronto!

46 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS BETTER PLAC E

EU Govts Move To Reduce Environ Risks To Health overnments from northern, west- European regional framework for action, ture, and related investments would in ern, central, southern and eastern entitled Protecting health in an environ- turn reduce impacts and save the costs of GEurope signed a declaration pledg- ment challenged by climate change. The inaction. ing to reduce the adverse health impact of document provides a comprehensive Environment and health objectives can environmental threats in the next decade. roadmap laying out steps and priorities for also serve as an engine to boost innova- The text was endorsed by 53 Member coordinated international and national ac- tion and competitiveness: the main chal- States attending the Fifth Ministerial tion. Delegates also underlined that the lenge now is to address environment and Conference on Environment and Health in health sector, one of the most energy-in- health concerns through socioeconomic Parma, Italy on 10-12 March 2010. policies. The Parma Declaration is an im- Through the Declaration and Evidence is growing that climate change portant step to join efforts at local, na- Commitment to Act, participating govern- is contributing to an increase in the fre- tional and international level in this direc- ments agreed to implement national pro- quency of natural disasters, such as heat- tion," says Ms Stefania Prestigiacomo, grammes to provide equal opportunities waves, floods and droughts. Since 1990, Italian Minister for the Environment, Land to each child by 2020 by ensuring access and Sea. "The Conference outcomes en- the International Disaster Database (EM- to safe water and sanitation, opportuni- trust health sector with a stronger re- ties for physical activity and a healthy diet, DAT) has recorded more than 1200 natu- sponsibility. Not only can many of the en- improved air quality and an environment ral events in the WHO European Region, vironmental effects be controlled through free of toxic chemicals. affecting over 48 million people and caus- well-known health-system interventions, Governments vowed to tackle the ad- ing more than 112 000 deaths, at an esti- but the health sector can take a leading verse health impact of climate change mated loss of more than US$ 241 billion. role with other sectors in advocating for a and to reduce social and gender inequali- reduction in risk exposure," notes ties in exposure to risk. They also pledged tensive sectors in all countries, should Professor Ferruccio Fazio, Italian Minister to place health at the centre of socioeco- lead moves to reduce greenhouse gas of Health. nomic development through increased in- emissions in the public sector by rational- The future of the European environment vestment in new technologies and green izing energy use. They also agreed to and health process: In September 2010, jobs. "We need a radically new vision for strengthen early-warning surveillance and Member States will gather in Moscow for European health policy to address the preparedness systems for extreme weath- the sixtieth session of the WHO Regional biggest health challenges of our Region. er events and disease outbreaks. Committee for Europe, WHO's highest de- This Conference has opened an exciting The way forward - support from key del- cision-making body at the regional level, new chapter in the way European govern- egates: "A significant proportion of to endorse the outcomes of this ments work on environment and health - Europeans suffers from health problems Conference through a resolution. helping to push these closely inter-related linked to environmental conditions. During 2010 and beyond, the European issues higher up the political agenda," Vulnerable groups, such as children, preg- environment and health process will be re- says Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional nant women and socially disadvantaged vitalized through a series of new arrange- Director for Europe. people are particularly affected. Policy- ments. Climate change and health - a priority for makers have the responsibility to address The governments gathered in Parma action: In this first major gathering of this problem. agreed to strengthen political coordina- health and environment ministers since The European Commission will play its tion between regular ministerial confer- the Copenhagen conference of the United part by continuing to focus attention ences, and will now involve ministers di- Nations Framework Convention on across European Union policies on envi- rectly in steering the Process - to ensure Climate Change last December, European ronmental impacts on health," says John that cross-sectoral issues are given the governments pledged to integrate health Dalli, European Commissioner for Health highest possible political profile. issues into climate change mitigation and and Consumer Policy. Ministers from the 53 European adaptation measures, policies and strate- "Integration of environment and health Member States will meet again at the gies in all sectors. issues into the policies of other sectors, Sixth Ministerial Conference on Future work will be based on a new like transport, energy, industry or agricul- Environment and Health in 2016.

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 47 GOPIO NEWS GOPIO concludes successful Convention 2010 In Delhi

GOPIO 2010 Convention Inauguration - From L. R. Mauritius High Commissioner to India Mookhesswur Choionee; GOPIO Exec Vice President Ashook Ramsaran; Deputy Speaker of Mauritius National Assembly Etienne Sinatambou; GOPIO Chairman Inder Singh; GOPIO President Lord Diljit Rana; GOPIO Regional Vice Pres (Europe) Raj Loomba. ‘Indian diaspora one people’

he Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) concluded its GOPIO execs meet PM’s prin secy very successful Convention 2010 in New T n 5th January, executives of GOPIO GOPIO Convention 2010 Resolutions Delhi held from 5th January through 6th International met with Mr. T.K.A. Nair, January,2010 in conjunction with Pravasi O were given to Mr. Nair at the meeting. Principal Secretary to India's Prime Minister GOPIO International looks forward to a Bharatiya Divas 201 (PBD2010). GOPIO's Dr Manmohan Singh. Convention 2010 was held at The Habitat The meeting took place in the office of separate meeting being scheduled with Centre in New Delhi while its Community Mr. Nair with PMO Director Sudhakar Dalela Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to Service Awards Banquet was held at the also participating in the discussions. The further discuss these issues. Ashoka Hotel. The conference was formally in- meeting was requested by GOPIO augurated on January 6th at 2:00 PM by International to discuss issues of interest included: GOPIO's leadership initiative for a Parliamentarian Etienne Sinatambou who is the and concern to the global membership of PIO memorial and museum at the Bhowanee Deputy Speaker of Mauritius National GOPIO and the global Indian Diaspora. The Depot in Kolkotta where Indian laborers Assembly. GOPIO delegation included: GOPIO were housed from 1838 through 1920 while The inauguration session started with a wel- Chairman Inder Singh, GOPIO President Lord waiting for emigration to plantations in come by K. N. Gupta, Convention Chair and Diljit Rana and GOPIO Exec Vice President colonies abroad. President GOPIO, New Delhi (India) and Lord Ashook Ramsaran. GOPIO Convention 2010 Resolutions Diljit Rana, President of GOPIO International Topics of discussion included: PIO card were given to Mr. Nair at the meeting. GOPIO (UK), with greetings by Inder Singh, Chairman for people older than 4 generations; voting International looks forward to a separate GOPIO International (USA). Following the tradi- rights of NRIs; property scams against NRIs meeting being scheduled with Prime tional Lighting of the Lamp, Deputy Speaker and PIOs; facilitating NRIs/PIOs contribution Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to further dis- Sinatambou, delivered the keynote address to India's needy, its development, educa- cuss these issues. It is anticipated that the and spoke on the Indian Diaspora as being one tion of the rural poor, and increase in trade meeting with the Prime Minister would be in people sharing the same heritage and values. and educational opportunities. PIO issues March.

48 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS GOPIO NEWS

Pravasi Bhartiya Divas in Delhi a great success Proposed tax for he Ministry of Overseas Indian TAffairs (MOIA) in partnership with the Government of NCT of Delhi and the NRIs is too harsh Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) or- ganized the 8th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas he proposed tax code for NRIs is too Convention (PBD 2010) from 7th - 9th harsh for several reasons as fol- January 2010 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Tlows: Delhi. The event was inaugurated by All NRIs do not earn a lot of money. Prime Minister Hon Dr. Manmohan Most of the NRIs are employed in private Singh, and President Hon Pratibha Patil sector without any job guarantee. For delivered the valedictory address at the many of them, the disposable income concluding session of the three-day they get is hardly sufficient for them to gathering of PIOs and NRIs from all over maintain themselves in the country in the world. which they work. They struggle to save lit- The forum also provided an opportu- tle money and that is because they follow nity not only for the Indian Diaspora to the roots of their culture and are not in- take investment decisions in the coun- dulgent in their living habits. try but also to resolve the issues relat- Most of them have aged parents in ing to their private property. India and buy a house for the parents to Two seminars one on Nano-technolo- live. Taxing such house property at the gy and the other on property-related is- very high rates being proposed by the sues of overseas Indians were held on Government of India, treating them as Most of them have aged parents in January 7. rented, valued at market rate, etc is very India and buy a house for the parents harsh treatment of NRIs. For various rea- to live. Taxing such house property at sons India is unable to provide help to the very high rates being proposed 13 NRIs, PIOs get Pravasi senior citizens and provide them with a by the Government of India, treating Bhartiya samman safety net. NRI children provide their par- them as rented, valued at market he concluding session President ents who are seniors with that help by rate, etc is very harsh treatment of TPratibha Patil conferred the presti- providing them shelter in their old age. NRIs. For various reasons India is un- Parents do not pay any rent and in that gious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award able to provide help to senior citizens to 14 distinguished members of the event the concept of notional income and provide them with a safety net. Indian Diaspora for their achievements fails. No one believes that the in life and contribution to the welfare of Government of India wants the parents to NRI children provide their parents the Indian community and enhancing be sent out to the road but the proposed who are seniors with that help by India's image overseas. The awards tax would certianly contribute to that ef- providing them shelter in their old were presented at the valedictory func- fect.That NRI support for their aging par- age. tion of the third and concluding day of ents should not be affected so as to af- the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2010. The fect the well being of the seniors they are to penalize them retrospectively. following are the award recipients: trying to help. Hence, NRIs should continue to get Mohinder Singh Bhullar, a success- The fact is that NRIs have contributed the exemptions which they get now. It ful businessman in Brunei Darussalam; a lot for the growth of the country direct- would be too harsh to tax them at the Yanktesh Piramal Reddy, an Indian ori- ly and indirectly. Industrialist NRIs con- highest slab. It will be too harsh to eval- gin businessman in Fiji; Dr. Ruby tribute by direct investment. Salaried uate on the basis of current market val- Umesh Pawankar; Suresh Kumar NRIs do so by various small ways. The ex- ue which is heavily inflated. Evaluating at Virmani, a successful engineer, entre- pansion in the construction industry, es- market value is merely speculative. The preneur and businessman; Pravin pecially for residences, is to a very large owner does not have that cash on hand Jamnadas Gordhan, finance minister of measure due to their buying residential and it is not right to set the notional val- South Africa; Tholisah Perumal Naidoo property in India. In fact, it has con- ue so high. a publisher, journalist and founder of tributed to the very large increase in The very concept of applying market the Indian Academy of South Africa in prices of houses/flats which contributed value which is not realized until the prop- Durban; Rajni Kanabar a philanthropist; to India's GDP. The new measures will erty is sold is itself wrong. There is no in- Deepak Mittal, an industrialist and fi- have an adverse effect on the construc- come when the property is not sold or nancial expert; Lenny Krishendath Saith tion industry. rented out. Other tax laws such as taxing minister in the PM's Office in Trinidad To attract even small investments in capital gains take care of that once the & Tobago; Dr. Azad Moopen a physician India from NRIs, the government wisely property is sold. It is highly wrong to use turned entrepreneur; Mani Lal Bhaumik initiated the brilliant concept of Overseas the concept of market value for any pur- a scientist, author, educator and phil- Citizen of India. It encouraged them to pose except when the property is sold. anthropist; Ashok Kumar Mago who has buy property in India without imposing How can one pay tax when there is no in- worked actively for the promotion of taxing conditions that are now being pro- come. Notional income is no income and Indo-US political and economic ties. posed to be imposed. It will not be right is not tangible.

OPINION EXPRESS APRIL 2015 I 49 POSTSCRIPT

ith almost a decade of chart top- ping experience, the international- THREETHREE RECORDSRECORDS ly acclaimed DJs and producers WRDB [Rhythm Dhol Bass] have re- cently signed a new artist to their label, Three Records. This fresh, new talent is BC, signssigns newnew artistartist Vancouver-born singer, LD [Laddi Aujla]. He was first discovered when Manj Ral of RDB attended a wedding in Toronto and he was seen performing live for a breathtaking four hours non- stop. He sang every song imaginable and imitated over five different singers voices, the best one being the legend himself Gurdas Mann. Of course he showed some serious tal- ent that Manj decided to snap him up and have him signed to three records instantly. Manj Ral states, "His album has been put together by RDB and is a complete Desi touch to what is normally put out from our camp. This just shows the versatility of RDB's power of production from Urban music to Bollywood to hardcore Desi. There are three videos shot for the album with a forth on its way; LD is set to con- quer the Desi market across the globe with his traditional raw vo- cals." Adani Group MD held LOVE ALL! in duty evasion case entral Bureau of Adani Enterprise Investigation has arrest- Ced Rajesh Adani, Sales $5.1B Market Value $3.2B Managing Director of Adani Join the Fab 50 on the back of profit Enterprises, a part of the Rs growth that has outpaced its strong rev- 26,000 crore Adani group, on enue growth in the last five years.Founded charges of evasion of custom in 1988 having its headquater in Ahemdabad, the trading company ships duty to the tune of Rs 80 lakh. grains, sugar, and other commodities to "CBI arrested Rajesh Adani, Middles East and South East Asia. It is in one of the directors of the cutting and polishing diamond for Dubai Adani Exports (now named and Europe clients. wedding in , a reception in Lahore, a home Adani have moved in infrastrucutrue, its Adani Enterprises)," The anti- in Dubai. This is what India's tennis ace Sania Mirza 70% owned Adani power raised $620m in corruption branch of CBI Goa A23 and Pakistan's stylish cricketer Shoaib Malik,28 a vastly oversubscribed public offering in had registered a case against have in mind. Everyone wants more details ever since news August that was the country's largest in him and nine customs offi- 18 months. but the stock has been list- broke that Mirza will marry Malik. less since. Billionaire and Adani Group cials. The case was also reg- On March 30, Sania Mirza appeared before the media and Chairman Gautam Adani and his family istered against Adani Exports officially announced the date of her marriage - April 11. The own 75% of Adani Enterprise. and Ganesh Benjoplast. Adani reception will be held on April 15. Sania said she and Shoaib was arrested from will settle in Dubai after marriage. Ahmedabad and he was later Sania revealed that she met Shoaib for the first time 6-7 released on bail by the Gujrat High Court. "Adani had in the year 2006- years ago.However, the tennis star made it clear that she 07 imported naptha, a petroleum product, and did not pay customs duty play for India while Shoaib will play for Pakistan. "I will de- in Goa," CBI Joint Director (Western Region) Rishiraj Singh said. A case cide on career course after playing in Olympics in 2012," was registered in January 2008 by the Goa Anti-Corruption Bureau of the said Sania. Earlier, Shoaib Mailk told a Pakistani news chan- CBI. No immediate comments could be obtained from Adani group nel that he will be getting married to the Indian tennis star spokesperson could be obtained. Rajesh is younger brother of group very soon. Sources in Pakistan say the former Pakistan chairman Gautam Adani, who recently completed a successful Initial Captain and his family will leave Lahore for Delhi on April 7. Public Offer of another group company Adani Power.

50 I APRIL 2015 OPINION EXPRESS