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

June 1, 2013

I India RevieI w Vol. 9 Issue 6 www.indianembassy.org

India, US to enhance cooperation to combat common

Minister of Home Affairs Sushilkumar Shinde with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet threats Napolitano and Ambassador Nirupama Rao in Washington, D.C. on May 21.

India, US to boost education partnerships

Minister for Human Resource Development Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju meeting with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in Washington, D.C. on May 13. n India, US experts n India, US and Japan n India develops talk energy security hold trilateral affordable vaccine collaboration cooperation talks for diarrhea Cover STORY

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Minister of Home Affairs Sushilkumar Shinde co-chaired the Second US-India Homeland Security Dialogue in Washington, D.C. on May 21. India, US to enhance cooperation to combat common threats

At the Second India-U.S. Homeland Security Dialogue, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in combating the flow of illicit finances and currency counterfeiting, countering terrorism and promoting cybersecurity, among other things

ndia and the U.S. reaffirmed to increase efforts to counter violent Napolitano received reports from the their “commitment to, and extremism. six sub-groups that constitute the importance of, bilateral home - To combat common threats and Homeland Security Dialogue. Iland security cooperation on ensure mutual security, the two Expressing satisfaction with progress common challenges faced such as nations decided to enhance bilateral made so far, Minister Shinde and terrorism, and countering violent cooperation through the collabora - Secretary Napolitano endorsed areas extremism” at the Second India-U.S. tion of law enforcement agencies and of further engagement in each of the Homeland Security Dialogue co- the development and application of six Homeland Security Dialogue sub- chaired by Indian Home Minister innovative technology. groups, the communiqué said. These Sushilkumar Shinde and U.S. Minister Shinde and Secretary areas are (a) Megacities Policing; (b) Secretary of Homeland Security Combating Illicit Finance, Bulk Cash Janet Napolitano in Washington, Smuggling, and Counterfeiting; (c) D.C. on May 21. At a joint commu - The Secretary and the Cybersecurity and Critical niqué issued after the Dialogue, the Minister called upon all Infrastructure Protection; (d) Port, two countries also agreed to enhance nations to take effective Border, Maritime, Transportation and 2 cooperation between their officials Supply Chain Security; (e) Science in appropriate multilateral fora steps to work toward and Technology Cooperation; and (f) in among other things “combating eliminating sanctuaries Capacity Building. the flow of illicit finances and and infrastructure that In advancing the goals of these sub - currency counterfeiting” and “in groups, the U.S. and India would countering terrorism and promoting supports terrorism, and endeavor to enhance cybersecurity cybersecurity.” The Secretary and the to increase efforts to and critical infrastructure protection Minister called upon all nations to counter violent engagement, the communiqué said. take effective steps to work toward For this they agreed to hold a series eliminating sanctuaries and infra - extremism of training courses on countering structure that supports terrorism, and illicit financing through Homeland

June 2013 India Review Cover STORY

Security Department’s Cross Border Financial Investigations Training Program. They would also organize a conference on the best practices and lessons learned in the context of megacities policing within the next year; and to identify areas in which India and U.S. can work together on science and technology development and its application in the homeland security context. 3 The two countries “will explore areas in which to share best practices and lessons learned by both countries on how to enhance the ability of fed - eral, state and local police to better detect, prevent and respond to acts of violent extremism including a focus Minister of Home Affairs Sushilkumar Shinde with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet on how the Internet is used to recruit Napolitano and Ambassador Nirupama Rao. or facilitate these types of attacks.” strategic partnership between the US visited several institutions related to Agreeing to continue to maintain a and India, the communiqué said. security in Washington, Boston and regular dialogue on homeland securi - Secretary Napolitano and Minister New York. Minister Shinde visited ty issues, Minister Shinde and Shinde reiterated that, in the spirit of the Fairfax County Adult Detention Secretary Napolitano “also endorsed friendship and respect, the United Center and was given a tour and pursuing a robust, bilaterally- States and India would continue to presentation on the functioning and developed schedule of events and col - maintain a regular dialogue on home - management of the correctional facil - laborative activities with the goal of land security issues. ity in the United States on May 20. meeting the security needs of both Minister Shinde also met with He also visited the National countries.” Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) These dialogues followed President Director Robert S. Muller and the and met with the Director of NCTC Barack Obama’s visit to India in US Attorney General Eric Holder. Mathew G. Olsen to understand the November 2010, and are part of an During his visit to the U.S. from role and the functioning of the ongoing process to further a global May 19-May 23, the Home Minister NCTC.

India, US to cooperate on law enforcement issues

ndia and the U.S. have agreed to work Holder recognized the compelling rea - Itogether institutionally to ensure the sons for closer cooperation between best possible outcomes within the laws India and the U.S. based on the larger of the two countries on issues relating to strategic objective underlined by law enforcement, counter terrorism and President Barack Obama and Prime judicial processes. Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during Visiting Indian Home Minister President Obama’s State Visit to India in Sushilkumar Shinde and Attorney November 2010. General Eric Holder agreed to such coop - In a separate meeting with Federal eration between the Home Ministry and Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director the U.S. Department of Justice during an Robert Muller, the two sides reviewed “excellent meeting” on May 21. areas of cooperation and issues of interest. Cooperation between the two depart - In the context of the FBI and Indian ments would also address other pending agencies being in close contact, and it issues relating to extradition, execution of was agreed that the process of inter- Letters Rogatory and Red Corner Notices. Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde with U.S. Attorney agency cooperation would be developed Minister Shinde and Attorney General General Eric H. Holder, Jr. in Washington, D.C. on May 21. further.

June 2013 India Review Cover STORY India, US to boost education partnerships Both sides committed to further strengthen collaboration in skill development, capacity building of educators and facilitate closer and fruitful interaction between the tertiary educational institutions

ndia and the U.S. would further expand cooperation in the knowledge sector, India’s IHuman Resource Development Minister Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju said in Washington, D.C. during a round - table discussion on India-U.S. Academic Partnership on May 13. The roundtable discussion was organized by the International Institute of Education to discuss issues such as collaboration in the field of community colleges and pro - moting online courses and technolo - gy enabled education. It also discussed students mobility, particularly encouraging U.S. stu - dents to visit India. Seeking U.S. co- operation in promoting skill building in India, the Minister said that co- operation should be supportive in the field of “information and communica - tion technology, digital world, pro - moting quality research and innova - tion and boosting vocational educa - tion system”. The visit assumes signif - icance in view of the forthcoming Minister for Human Resource Development Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju meeting with U.S. Secretary of India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue in New Education Arne Duncan in Washington, D.C. on May 13. Delhi in June-end 2013, of which the Higher Education Dialogue forms an funding of $5 million to increase uni - during the forthcoming Dialogue, important component. versity linkages and junior faculty India and the U.S. would take forward The Minister said that eight more development exchanges between the the “Connect India Programme”, a awards had been finalized under the U.S. and Indian universities. value added program for hosting U.S. Obama-Singh 21st century He said that to enhance the capabil - students in Indian institutions. Knowledge Initiative and the joint ity of the young faculty members, During his six-day visit to the U.S., announcement would be made dur - India had prepared a plan to place the HRD Minister also met with U.S. 4 ing the India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue them in the best institutions of the Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in New Delhi in June. “A total of eight U.S. “A total of 126 such Post Docs in Washington, D.C. on May 13 and awards were announced last year and have been selected,” the Minister said. discussed issues relating to improve - I am glad that eight more awards Saying that India had also pro - ment of school education, teacher have been finalized...,” said Minister gressed a lot on skill building in India, educators, assessment of schools and Raju. the Minister underlined India’s keen community participation in school The “Singh-Obama 21 st Century interest in adopting the community education. The Minister also visited Knowledge Initiative” was launched college model of the U.S. He noted some select educational institutions during the visit of Prime Minister to that India had set the target of setting in the U.S., especially focusing on the U.S. in November 2009. Under up 200 community colleges by the faculty development and establish - this initiative two sides have provided year end. The Minister added that ment of community colleges in India.

June 2013 India Review Cover STORY

also notified a new degree called B.Voc., in tune with NVEQF. The experience of community colleges in developing the workforce for the U.S in the 20 th century will stand us in good stead and inspire us by example. The workforce of the future will be global, their skill sets requiring inter - national acceptance. Community colleges can partner with us in devel - oping the curriculum and pedagogy 5 for the global workforce of the 21 st century. We would seek further insti - tution level collaborations and hand holding in our efforts in this regard. While the world is coming together through technology, we must learn to Minister for Human Resource Development Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju at a press briefing at the Embassy of appreciate, manage and preserve our India on May 14. Ambassador Nirupama Rao is also seen. diversity through education and learn - ing by experience. No country on this Excerpts from the opening state - Quality of research and innovation planet is more diverse than India. I am ment of HRD Minister Dr. M. M. are sine qua non for knowledge gener - sure that global students would under - Pallam Raju at the roundtable ation and our country has initiated sev - stand and learn about management of discussion: eral efforts in the direction to re-orient diversity in India far better than else - “Knowledge knows no barriers. the entire tertiary education system, where in the world. Details on The USA and India have together especially the universities, to become “Connect to India” initiative are being embarked on a journey to eliminate active creators of new knowledge. One finalized by the UGC; that will make barriers of prejudice by creating of the most ambitious schemes con - available opportunities for students in opportunities for our children to ceptualized by us involves creation of a the U.S to spend some time in our share knowledge. This will help them new vehicle to support the entities con - quality institutions for learning about realize that they have common inter - trolled or governed by the state gov - our life, society, culture, economy, ests and aspirations and that collabo - ernments. The mission mode project is polity and business. We aim at devel - rative learning is both enriching and being called National Higher oping a value added module for this empowering. Ours is a partnership of Education Mission (RUSA in vernacu - purpose and would take it forward two vibrant democracies destined to lar). We intend pumping in about $20 during the forthcoming Dialogue. lead the 21st century. Nothing will be billion of additional resources in the My ministry has also initiated a few more invigorating for this partnership state systems to ensure access and steps to ensure creation of a frame - than bringing together our knowl - excellence in tertiary education. work that facilitates closer and fruit - edge institutions. Last year, we had emphasized the ful interaction between the tertiary Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan need for building a robust vocational educational institutions of both the Singh and President Obama had education system that links education countries. UGC is finalizing regula - planted a sapling to usher in an era of to the world of work. This requires tions on academic collaboration partnership in higher education. This the award of qualifications of interna - between Indian and foreign educa - well nurtured sapling is now becom - tional standards accepted by industry tional institutions. I hope that it ing a small tree with great promises. globally. I am pleased to inform that would spur greater and closed The collaborations under the Singh- we have approved and notified the interactive learning and knowledge Obama Knowledge Initiative have National Vocational Education creation with US institutions. now consolidated and acquired a Qualifications Framework (NVEQF). good momentum. The University Grants Commission The full text of the Minister’s speech can be viewed at: Ours is a partnership of two vibrant democracies https://www.indianembassy.org/prde destined to lead the 21st century. Nothing will be more tail2152/opening-statement-of-dr.-m.- m.-pallam-raju%2C-honan - invigorating for this partnership than bringing together our drsquo%3Bble-minister-of-hrd-at-the- knowledge institution s roundtable-discussion-on-advancing- — HRD Minister Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju us-india-academic-partnership

June 2013 India Review India-US NEWS India, US to focus on economic issues ndian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William IBurns discussed the full range of India-U.S. bilateral relations as well as the India-U.S. civil nuclear deal in New Delhi on May 10. During talks between Deputy Secretary Burns and Foreign Secretary Mathai, both “reviewed the full range of bilat - eral relations and agreed to focus fur - ther on the economic issues”. Deputy Secretary Burns’s visit came ahead of the forthcoming India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue scheduled to be held in New Delhi in the latter half of June. India raised matters relating to immigration reforms which were under consideration in the U.S. and sought greater access for highly- skilled non-immigrant categories. Besides civil nuclear cooperation, the two sides The U.S. raised issues relating to also discussed education as a future pillar of the Preferential Market Access. There was also a detailed discussion on India-U.S. relations energy related issues including reiter - ation of Indian interest in LNG sales Both sides discussed measures to take courtesy call on Prime Minister from the U.S. forward the commercial aspects of Dr. Manmohan Singh. In his meeting The two sides also discussed edu - the civil nuclear agreement. They also with the Prime Minister, Burns cation as a future pillar of the India- discussed regional issues including recalled the distance that India-U.S. U.S. relations. During the discussion, the situation in Afghanistan. relations had traversed since early Foreign Secretary Mathai reaffirmed The visiting Deputy Secretary also 2000 and attributed the success to India’s commitment to pursuing met with National Security Adviser the visionary leadership of the Prime nuclear cooperation with the U.S. Shivshankar Menon and made a Minister.

Fourth India-US Energy Partnership Summit concludes

eading researchers, policymak - ers and business people from LIndia and the U.S. discussed strategies for collaboration towards 6 energy security for both countries as they move toward low-carbon eco - nomic pathways. Issues relating to sustainable development were in spot - light at the fourth India-U.S. Energy Partnership Summit organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in association with Yale University from May 13-14. The theme of the summit was ‘Stimulating Moderator Roland Lance Ignon, Sam Pitroda, Ambassador Robert Blake and Dr. R.K. Pachauri during the Technology, Trade and Development’. High-Level CEO Dialogue at the India-US Energy Partnership Summit in Washington, D.C. (Photo: TERI)

June 2013 India Review India-US NEWS

In a message to the summit Prime ment programme at TERI University Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh noted India’s Minister for focused on solar and biofuels, which that through the India-U.S. Energy Renewable Energy was funded by the U.S. to the tune of Dialogue, “bilateral co-operation has $125 million, would have the partici - made remarkable progress in seeking Farooq Abdullah said pation of 95 government and private solutions to the energy challenges of India and the U.S. entities through the next five years, our times.” shared a common he said. He expressed confidence that the Indian Ambassador to the U.S. summit would bring energy experts interest in lessening the Nirupama Rao said energy security of the two countries “into deeper dependence on fossil was a question of life and survival for engagement in an area of great fuel. He said cooperation the Indian masses and in ensuring 7 importance for the prosperity of our sustainable development, coopera - two nations and for a sustainable of the U.S. was also tion between India and the U.S. was future of our world”. important in the area of crucial. India’s Minister for Renewable technology development R. K. Pachauri, Director General, Energy Farooq Abdullah said India TERI and President, TERI-North and the U.S. shared a common inter - and transfer America, suggested policies that est in lessening the dependence on were comprehensive and integrated fossil fuel. Cooperation of the U.S. Poneman said the creativity seen in across various sectors of the was important in the area of technol - technology development in dealing economy. ogy development and transfer, but with issues of climate change should Richard C Levin, President of Yale some other areas that needed more now be carried over to the area of University, in a video address attention were manufacturing and finance in order to ensure that capital stressed private and public sector investment, he said. was available for renewable sources cooperation in dealing with the prob - Giving the keynote address, Acting of energy. lem of growing concentration of car - U.S. Secretary of Energy Daniel The joint research and develop - bon dioxide.

India, US sign MOI to Trilateral NEWS promote cultural exchanges US, India and Japan hold trilateral cooperation talks ndia, the United States and Japan Vikram Doraiswami. The discussion held their fourth trilateral dialogue was co-chaired by U.S. Assistant Iat the State Department in Secretary of State for South and Washington, D.C. on May 1, exchang - Central Asia Robert O. Blake, Jr. and ing views on a wide range of regional Acting Principal Deputy Assistant nita Nayar, Deputy Director General, and global issues of mutual interest. AIndian Council for Cultural Relations “These discussions focused on the (ICCR), New Delhi (left) and Dr. Curtis prospect of greater Indo-Pacific com - The discussions focused Sandberg, Senior Vice President, Meridian mercial connectivity and regional and on the prospect of greater International Centre, Washington (right) maritime security, and cooperation in Indo-Pacific commercial signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) to multilateral fora,” according to a recognize cultural exchanges as key com - State Department statement. “All connectivity and regional ponent in India-U.S. relations, in New Delhi sides welcomed the frank and com - and maritime security on May 2. To promote artistic exchanges prehensive nature of the discussions and partnerships, and to develop themes and agreed the talks help advance and content for implementing programs shared values and interests,” it said. Secretary of State for East Asia and including visual & performing arts, lectures The group agreed to meet again in Pacific Affairs James P. Zumwalt. The & training courses, the MOI seeks to estab - autumn in Tokyo to continue their Japanese delegation was headed by lish a framework for cooperation to regu - deliberations. Deputy Vice Foreign Minister for larize and institutionalize the collaboration The Indian delegation was headed Foreign Policy Kenji Hiramatsu and between the two countries. by External Affairs Ministry joint sec - Deputy Director-General Kanji retaries D.B. Venkatesh Varma and Yamanouchi.

June 2013 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS US gas exports a ‘win-win’ proposition: Ambassador

mbassador Nirupama Rao Besides, other Indian companies, has asked the U.S. to start including Reliance Industries Ltd in exporting liquefied natural the private sector, have bought stakes Agas (LNG) to India and in oil and gas exploration and produc - other energy scarce countries, calling it tion companies, a trend which will a ‘win-win’ opportunity. receive a huge boost if export of natu - “As shale gas has become economi - ral gas is permitted to India, the Indian cally viable to produce, the U.S. has envoy said. According to a U.S. emerged as one of the world’s most Energy Information Administration important gas producing countries,” (EIA) study cited by her, roughly 20 she noted in a keynote address at the percent of the $133.7 billion invested American Enterprise Institute (AEI) on in the U.S. tight oil and shale gas from “America’s Natural Gas: Should 2008 to 2012 had come from abroad, Exports be Restricted?” on May 7. with Indian companies accounting for “Growth in shale gas production in a total investment of nearly $4 billion. the coming years is now expected to natural gas demand in all end use seg - Natural gas exports will also “bring substantially reduce, if not eliminate, ments, she said. “The advantage is significant geo-political and strategic the need for the U.S. to import natural mutual and that natural gas exports advantages to both the U.S. and its gas,” Ambassador Rao said. represent a ‘win-win’ co-operation partners and allies across the world”. She noted that according to the U.S. opportunity,” Ambassador Rao said. Department of Energy estimates, the She said that India had already The full text of Ambassador Rao’s total production of natural gas in the invested significantly in the liquefac - speech can be viewed at: U.S. would exceed domestic con - tion terminals that were likely to come https://www.indianembassy.org/prde sumption by 2020. “This scenario up in the U.S. “Our companies are tail2150/keynote-address-by-ambassa - opens up the possibility of the export of scouting for more tie-ups and owner - dor-nirupama-rao-at-american-enter - liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes ship stakes in the 19 odd terminals prise-institute-%28aei%29%3A- from the U.S. to other energy scarce which have applied for export of natu - andquot%3Bamericaandrsquo%3Bs- countries, including India” where there ral gas to non-Free Trade Agreement natural-gas%3A-should-exports-be- is significant untapped potential for (FTA) countries,” she said. restricted%3Fandquot%3B

Ambassador Rao calls on ‘Srinivasan’s rise testifies Indian community’s Congressman Ed Royce contributions to US’ mbassador Nirupama Rao met mbassador Nirupama Rao has hailed with the Chairman of the House AIndian-American Srikanth ‘Sri’ Foreign Affairs Committee Srinivasan’s Senate confirmation as a top A U.S. judge as yet another proof of the Indian Congressman Ed Royce of California community’s “sterling contributions to the on May 16 at Capitol Hill in U.S. society and India-U.S. relations”. Washington, D.C. They discussed cur - Srinivasan’s confirmation on May 23 as a rent developments in India-U.S. rela - judge on the powerful appeals court for the 8 tions and expressed optimism at the American capital, “is testimony to his credibil - ever deepening engagement between ity and calibre as a brilliant legal luminary of the two countries across a wide spec - this country,” she told News Nation TV and trum, including in areas such as econ - India America Today . “Born in India to Indian parents, omy, education and energy, bringing Srinivasan’s well-deserved rise to the top direct benefits to millions in both echelons of the American judiciary — the countries. They also exchanged views first by an Indian American to such a posi - on the emerging developments in Ambassador Rao thanked Chairman tion — is indeed a matter of great pride and South Asia, and agreed to remain Royce for his deep and abiding sup - satisfaction for India and the Indian closely engaged on issues of common port for India-U.S. partnership both in American community,” she said. interest and concern. his current and past capacities.

June 2013 India Review Embassy EVENTS

Embassy hosts Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde

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1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao welcoming and 2. Home Minister Shinde addressing the 4. Congressman Joseph Crowley, Member, U.S. introducing Home Minister Sushilkumar gathering. House of Representatives & Co-Chair, House Shinde at a reception hosted in his honor at 3. U.S. Secretary for Homeland Security Janet India Caucus, speaking on the occasion. the Embassy Residence on May 20. Napolitano speaking on the occasion. 5. Guests in attendance.

Reception in honor of Ministers Abdullah and Raju

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5 1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao welcoming and introducing Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister for New and Renewable Energy and Dr. M. Mangapati Pallam Raju, Minister for Human Resource Development, at a reception hosted in their honor at the Embassy Residence on May 14. 2. Dr. Farooq Abdullah addressing the gathering. 3. Dr. M. Mangapati Pallam Raju addressing the gathering. 4. Tara D. Sonenshine, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, speaking on the occasion. 5. Guests in attendance.

June 2013 India Review Embassy EVENTS

Embassy of India honors historians, features talk on history of tea drinking habit in India

he Embassy of India in cooperation with and in the history of tea drinking habit in India. The presenta - celebration of 50 years of American Institute of tion included a report on Professor Lutgendorf’s ongo - Indian Studies (AIIS) organized a felicitation ing research into the promotion of tea-drinking in the Tceremony to honor distinguished historians and political scientists Lloyd and Susanne Rudolph, AIIS 1 Fellows and presented a talk on “Chai Why?: The mak - ing of the Indian ‘National Drink’” at the Embassy Residence on May 23. Ambassador Nirupama Rao felic - itated the Rudolphs with a silver plaque, and gifts in recognition of their exceptional contribution to the study and understanding of India over the years. Ashutosh Varshney, Sol Goldman Professor of International Studies and the Social Sciences, Brown University, introduced the Rudlophs, who pioneered the application of political economy and history to the study of modern South Asia, as the guests of honor at the event. The talk by Professor of Hindi and Modern Indian Studies and President of AIIS Philip Lutgendorf traced

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June 2013 India Review Embassy EVENTS

6 been shaped by the American Institute of Indian Studies. AIIS provides research fellowship support for scholars Ph.D. candidates and artists, offers training in Indian languages, extends knowledge of Indian culture through its two research centers — the Center for Art & Archaeology and the Archives and Research Center for Ethnomusicology — and supports book publications and articles about India. AIIS has offices in the U.S. and India — research centers at its campus in Gurgaon and 11 a centrally located office in Delhi. AIIS is a member of the Council of American Overseas Research Centers. The ‘Understanding India Series’ by the Embassy of India aims to create better appreciation of key elements of Indian society and culture by featuring events that provide comprehensive or cross-sectional views.

20 th century India. He mentioned that the talk was 7 inspired in part by recent ethno-historical work on every - day culinary commodities, by anthropological interest in the “social life of things,” and by his own recognition of the remarkable role that tea, modified to Indian taste, has come to play in diet, social intercourse, and public cul - ture in a relatively short span of time. He emphasized the role played by advertising images in transmitting the “tea habit” to Indians, both prior to and following Independence in 1947. Prof. Lutgendorf’s research focuses on the mass popularization of indigenous “chai” through changes in manufacturing, marketing and con - sumption and in eating habits, urban space and social networks. This was the inaugural talk organized under the Embassy of India’s “Understanding India series”. Introducing AIIS, Prof. Rina Agarwal of John Hopkins University, who is also an alumni of AIIS, said that since its inception in 1961, American knowledge of India had

1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao welcoming and addressing the guests at a talk event “Chai Why?: The Making of the Indian ‘National Drink’” by Prof. Philip Lutgendorf, President, AIIS, at the Embassy Residence on May 23. 2. Prof. Rina Agarwal of John Hopkins University offering a brief on the American Institute of Indian studies (AIIS). 3. Prof. Ashutosh Varshney of Brown University addressing the gathering.

8 4. Ambassador Nirupama Rao felicitating and honoring the Rudolphs by presenting a memento to Prof. Lloyd Rudolph, Professor of Political Science Emeritus, University of Chicago. 5. A special talk/lecture by Prof. Philip Lutgendorf, President, AIIS, on “Chai Why?: The Making of the Indian ‘National Drink’”. 6. Rama Devi of AIIS propos - ing the vote of thanks. 7. Ambassador Rao with Prof. Lloyd Rudolph and Prof. Susanne Rudolph. 8. Guests in attendance.

June 2013 India Review Embassy EVENTS

Reception at the Embassy for the 2 nd South Asian Film Fest

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1. Counselor M. Sridharan welcoming the guests and introducing the event at a reception hosted by the Embassy of India in association with Ceasar Productions and TV Asia to interact with Indian film digni - taries participating in the 2 nd Annual Washington, D.C. South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF), at the Embassy on May 9. 2. Suresh Goel, DG, Indian Council For Cultural Relations (ICCR), addressing the gathering. 3. Manoj Singh, DCSAFF, speaking about the festival and introducing the artists. 4. Noted film actor & producer Sanjay Suri 9 sharing his views on the occasion. 5. Noted film director Gautam Ghosh sharing 12 his thoughts on contemporary Indian cinema. 6. Director Avinash Singh speaking on the occasion. 7. Actor Sarita Joshi interacting with the audience. 8. Leena Jayaswal, Cinematographer, Professor, Film School, American University, speaking on the occasion. 9. Guests in attendance.

June 2013 India Review Embassy EVENTS Embassy hosts distinguished author William Dalrymple

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1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao welcoming the guests and introducing 2. Author Dalrymple speaking about his newly released book Return of a author William Dalrymple at a reception hosted at the Embassy King . Residence on May 4. 3. A section of the audience.

Other EVENTS Photo Exhibition on ‘Sikh Heritage in India’

Ambassador Nirupama Rao lighting the lamp at the inauguration of the photo exhibition by Sondeep Shankar on ‘Sikh Heritage in India’ on May 18. Also seen are Dr. Manmohan Singh Kumar, Assistant Director, IMF and Carrie Trybulec, Director, Gandhi Memorial Center. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) sponsored photo exhibition was hosted by the Gandhi Memorial Center, Bethesda Maryland, from May 18 to May 30, 2013. Ambassador Rao addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the photo exhibition.

Dr. Manmohan Singh Kumar, Assistant Director, IMF, speaking on the occasion.

A section of the audience at the photo exhibition.

June 2013 India Review Consulate EVENTS

Consulate General of India, Houston

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1. Consul General P. Harish called on Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor, City of Corp Bonnie Gomet, Ravi Mishra and HR Manager Juan Granados. New Orleans during his visit to Louisiana on May 2. 4. Consul General P. Harish (center) hosted a breakfast in honor of 14 2. Consul General P. Harish gave an address at the Offshore Technology Congressman Ed Royce (left), Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Conference (OTC) at the Reliant Arena, Houston, on May 7. The Affairs and Congressman Pete Olson (right), Representative (R-TX 2013 OTC featured an Indian panel of experts who briefed the indus - 22 nd District) at his residence on May 12. try on oil & gas opportunities in India. In photo, from left, Vivek Pandit, 5. Consul General P. Harish with Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX, 2 nd Sr. Director & Head, Energy, Federation of Indian Chambers of District) at the Consulate on May 13. Commerce and Industry; Ken Hyatt, Acting Deputy Under Secretary 6. From left, Nirupama Rao, Ambassador of India to the United States; for International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Dr. K. Chiranjeevi, Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Commerce; P. Harish, Consul General of India; S.K. Srivastava, Charge); Ponnala Lakshmaiah, Minister for Information Technology & Chairman and Managing Director, Oil India Limited, and Shashi Communications, Andhra Pradesh and Consul General of India in Shanker, Director (T&FS), Oil & Natural Gas Corporation. Houston P. Harish during the 19 th Telugu Association of North 3. During his visit to Louisiana, Consul General P. Harish visited the America (TANA) convention. The 19 th TANA convention was held at Columbian Chemicals Company (Aditya Birla Group — Birla Carbon) Dallas Convention Center in Texas from May 24- 26. Manufacturing Plant on May 9. In photo, from left, Consul General P. 7. Ambassador Nirupama Rao addressing the gathering at the TANA Harish, Plant Superintendent Ashok Patel, VP of Birla’s Ameriblend Banquet on May 24.

June 2013 India Review Economy NEWS

Channelize domestic savings India calls for into financial assets: PM enhancing financial rime Minister Dr. resources of ADB Manmohan Singh on May 24 ndia on May 3 called for expanding finan - called for increased efforts by Icial resource base of the Asian the government and financial Development Bank (ADB) to help alleviate P poverty and improve infrastructure in poor regulators to channelize domestic sav - countries. Addressing the annual meeting 15 ings into financial assets. of the ADB’s board of governors, Prime “The imperative of growth requires Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said multilat - an increasing proportion of savings eral agencies like ADB needed more finan - getting channelized into financial cial resources to help developing countries assets to facilitate their deployment in reach their development potential. the most productive uses,” the Prime “We have expanded the resources of the Minister said while speaking at the IMF enormously in response to the crisis in Europe. We now need to substantially Silver Jubilee celebrations of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing at the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the SEBI, in expand the resource base of multilateral Securities & Exchange Board of India Mumbai on May 24. development banks so that they have the (SEBI) in Mumbai. India established firepower to help developing countries reach SEBI in 1988 as a market regulator. like the Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings their development potential,” the Prime He said for mobilizing savings into Scheme (RGESS), and incentives for Minister said. “I understand that the level of productive uses, retail investors mutual funds to reach beyond the top lending that the ADB can sustain is project - should have incentive to invest in 15 cities to deepen and widen the ed to come down. At this juncture, ADB financial assets. According to him, financial system. should take the initiative to find innovative ways to channelize global savings into infra - moderation of inflation would help Lauding the SEBI for providing a structure projects in Asia Pacific,” he said. while introduction of inflation indexed well-regulated capital market, the Finance Minister P. Chidambaram also bonds was an important effort in this Prime Minister said it had successfully expressed similar views and urged the direction. modernized India’s capital markets member countries to enhance their support Toward this end, several steps have and brought international best prac - to the multilateral lending agency. been taken to attract retail investors, tices to India. Shashi Kant Sharma Government envisages over $12 bn sworn-in as new CAG hashi Kant Sharma, investment in aviation Sa Bihar cadre Indian escribing the decision on 49 Administrative Service percent FDI in aviation as (IAS) officer, was on Done which would transform May 23 sworn-in as the sector, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit the new Comptroller Singh said on May 3 the government and Auditor General envisaged investment of $12.1 billion (CAG), the govern - in the sector in the 12 th Plan period. ment’s official auditor. Launching the “India Aviation — Sharma, 61, a former defense secretary, 2014” in New Delhi, Minister Singh Minister for Civil Aviation Ajit Singh lighting the lamp at the launch of 4 th International Exhibition was sworn-in by President Pranab Mukherjee said the rapidly expanding air transport & Conference on civil aviation ‘India Aviation — at a ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhavan. network and opening up of infrastruc - 2014’, in New Delhi on May 3. Sharma succeeds Vinod Rai, who demitted ture to the private sector had fuelled the office on May 22 on retirement. The new growth of air traffic in India. institutes and for private use, which CAG will serve till September 24, 2017. He said the government had taken will give impetus to the growth and The swearing-in ceremony was attended several initiatives for taking the avia - expansion of airlines in India. by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, BJP tion sector to new heights. “Recently, “Henceforth, no permission for leader L.K. Advani, Information and the Aircraft Acquisition Committee acquisition of aircraft will be required Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari and has been abolished to liberalize the from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Congress leader Rajiv Shukla, among others. acquisition of aircraft by the sched - they will be free to acquire aircrafts as uled, non-scheduled airlines, flying per their business plan,” he said.

June 2013 India Review Economy NEWS RBI cuts policy rates third Briefs time to spur growth India to set up $1 bn he Reserve Bank of India The bank has kept the cash reserve innovation fund (RBI) on May 3 cut key ratio unchanged at 4 percent. he Indian Government has outlined a policy rates by a However, RBI Governor Tplan to set up nearly $1 billion fund to Tquarter percent Duvvuri Subbarao said facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship, a for the third time since there was little room top official said on May 2. The Government January, a move that for further policy would initially contribute $20 million to the will help revive eco - easing, consider - India Inclusive Innovation Fund. The remain - nomic growth and ing the current ing amount would come from scheduled make auto, hous - macro econom - banks, insurance companies, financial insti - ing and other ic situation. tutions, high net worth individuals as well loans cheaper. “The balance as bilateral and multilateral institutions, said The repurchase of risks stem - Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram. (repo) rate, the ming from the “This fund would help finance such products rate at which the Reserve Banks to boost innovations that can improve the central bank lends to assessment of the life of common man,” Mayaram, said. commercial banks, has growth-inflation been cut by 0.25 percent to dynamic yields little Two Indians among 20 7.25 percent. And the reverse space for further monetary repo rate is lowered by 0.25 percent easing,” Subbarao said in the annual Under 20 Thiel Fellows to 6.25 percent. monetary policy for 2013-14. wo Indian young entrepreneurs are The Reserve Bank has cut the key He said high consumer inflation Tamong 20 Under 20 Thiel Fellows cho - policy rates for the third time since and record current account deficit sen to “pursue innovative scientific and January. The repo and reverse repo were among the major risks that technical projects, learn entrepreneurship rates are now at their lowest level would constrain the central bank from the ground up, and begin to build the since May 2011. from further policy easing. innovative companies of tomorrow.” The Indian winners are New Delhi resi - dent Ritesh Agarwal and California resi - dent Diwank Singh Tomer, 19, according to India’s growth strategy has lessons an announcement. Ritesh is one of the youngest entrepreneurs from India to raise for developing nations angel investments. Tomer stepped out of ndia’s strategy of eradicating How Economic Growth in India his college in India to work on an online poverty by “growing the pie rather Reduced Poverty and the Lessons for platform. Ithan slicing it”, and Other Developing Countries . fuelling the countrys growth Poverty estimates by India’s Indian American wins US with market-based policies Planning Commission showed holds lessons for other devel - the proportion of the popula - business chamber award oping countries, suggest two tion below the poverty line in n Indian American businessman has leading economists. India decreased 17 percent in Abeen awarded by a U.S. business In a new book, Jagdish two decades, from 44.5 percent chamber as its 2013 Ambassador of the 16 Bhagwati, Senior Fellow at in 1983 to 27.5 percent in Year. Kiran Patel was named as the 2013 Council on Foreign Relations 2004-2005, they noted. Ambassador of the Year by the Henderson (CFR) and Arvind Panagariya, “We cannot emphasize enough that Chamber of Commerce in the city of Columbia University Professor, our analysis, while it is addressed to Henderson in the U.S. state of Kentucky, demonstrated how growth was the India’s development experience and thegleaner.com reported on May 9. strategy successfully deployed to underlines the centrality of growth in “Like previous winners of the reduce poverty in India. However, fur - reducing poverty, has clear lessons Ambassador of the Year Award, Patel puts ther reforms in labor and land markets for aid and development agencies, as in several hours every day at his job and is were essential to translate growth into well as NGOs that continually work very active in the chamber,” The ward pre - more employment, they argued in the to affect poverty all over the world,” senter Janet Hortin was quoted as saying. new CFR book, Why Growth Matters: Bhagwati and Panagariya said.

June 2013 India Review Science NEWS India develops affordable vaccine for diarrhea ndian scientists have developed an affordable vaccine that has shown strong efficacy in Ipreventing rotavirus diarrhea, the most severe and lethal cause of childhood diarrhea. Addressing the scientists from across the globe in New Delhi on 17 May 14, Minister for Science and Technology & Earth Sciences S. Jaipal Reddy congratulated the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), Dr. K. Vijay Raghavan, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, holding a press conference to announce scientific results from a Phase III clinical trial of a new Indian rotavirus vaccine in New Delhi on May 14. Bharat Biotech (BBIL) and National Institute of Health (NIH) for the suc - doses as part of vaccination. At a press “The clinical trials show that the vac - cessful development of the Rotovac conference to announce scientific cine is efficacious in reducing severe vaccine in India. results from a Phase III clinical trial of rotavirus diarrhea by 56 percent dur - Once licensed by the Drugs the new Indian rotavirus vaccine, DBT ing the first year of life, with protection Controller General of India (DCGI), Secretary K. Vijay Raghavan said. continuing into the second year of life the vaccine will cost around `54 per “The clinical results indicate that the while it reduces the deaths by over 75 dose compared to the currently avail - vaccine, if licensed, could save the percent,” said M.K. Bhan, former able vaccine which costs `2,250 per lives of thousands of Indian children DBT secretary and currently advisor to dose. Each child needs to take three who get rotavirus diarrhea,” he said. the Indian Academy of Paediatrics.

NRI girl develops device that can charge phone in 20 secs ‘Early diagnosis can check dementia’

n 18-year-old o for a brain scan from age 55 early signs of dementia. The test is AIndian-origin girl in years onwards, at least once in available free of charge for the first the U.S. has developed Gfive years, to check for signs of time in India at the NBRC. More than a potentially revolu - mental deterioration, a leading Indian 300 people, mostly referred by the All tionary device that can scientist says. India Institute of Medical Sciences charge a mobile phone There is no cure for (AIIMS), have benefited in just 20 seconds. disorders like Alzheimers from the test, introduced The charging device and Parkinsons, com - about a year and half ago, has been dubbed a supercapacitor by Esha mon forms of dementia, Mandal said. Khare of Saratoga, California, the Daily Mail but medication can pre - Dementia is a progres - reported. Khare won $50,000 for her inven - vent deterioration and sive loss of cognitive func - tion at the Intel International Science and reduce the symptoms if tions that leads to con - Engineering Fair, held in Phoenix. the condition is diag - fused thinking, and most - Khare has only used her supercapacitor nosed early, Pravat ly affects the elderly. to power a light-emitting diode (LED), but Mandal, a Professor at People suffering from the says that one day her invention will power the National Brain disorder tend to forget cell phones, cars and any gadget that Research Center things like what they ate requires a rechargeable battery. (NBRC) in Manesar, yesterday or their own Asked what inspired her to work on the Haryana said. address. The World Health technology, Khare said: “My cell phone bat - Mandal, a senior editor of the Organization (WHO) estimates that tery always dies.” “It has a lot of different Journal of Alzheimers Disease and the number of people living with such applications and advantages over batteries guest editor of the American Journal of diseases worldwide was 35.6 million in in that sense,” she was quoted as saying. Neuroradiology , has developed a state- 2010, could double by 2030 and more of-the art imaging technology to detect than triple by 2050.

June 2013 India Review Diaspora NEWS

‘Participate in India’s Srinivasan creates history development’ as top US judge

handigarh-born “trailblazer” Indian-American legal lumi - nary Srikanth ‘Sri’ CSrinivasan has made history with the U.S. Senate unanimously confirming him as the first South Asian peaking at a function organized by judge on the powerful appeals court SSatish Gupta, a community activist, and for the American capital. Srinivasan, Jata Vishnubhatla in Chantilly, Virginia, on 46, currently Principal Deputy May 25, former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Solicitor General of the U.S., was on Kalam called for participation by the Indian- May 23 confirmed by the Senate by a American community in India’s develop - 97 to 0 vote, as a judge on the U.S. ment and serve the nation’s interest. Court of Appeals for the District of Leading community activists, including Columbia Circuit, often called the Ambassador (Ret) Har Swarup Singh, Dr nation’s second-highest court. nary litigator before serving” in his Rajan Natarajan, Deputy Secretary of “Pleased” at the unanimous confir - current job, President Obama noted State, Maryland, attended the event to wel - mation of his nominee “the first one to predicting, “Now he will serve with come Dr. Kalam to Washington, D.C. Dr this important court in seven years,” distinction on the federal bench.” Rajan Natarajan also presented a citation President Barack Obama said “Sri is a “Sri will in fact be the first South on behalf of Governor of Maryland, to Dr trailblazer who personifies the best of Asian American to serve as a circuit Kalam on the occasion. America.” court judge in our history,” he said as People thronged the venue in large num - “Born in Chandigarh, India, and he urged the Senate to act quickly to bers to listen to the former President and raised in Lawrence, Kansas, Sri spent fill the three remaining vacancies on interact with him. nearly two decades as an extraordi - the appeals court. — IANS ASEI gears up for 28 th Indian-origin boy wins 2013 annual convention he American Society of Engineers of National Geographic contest TIndian Origin (ASEI) is all set to convene welve-year-old Indian-origin its 28 th annual national convention at Adele boy Sathwik Karnik won the Stamp Student Union Building, University of T2013 National Geographic Bee Maryland, College Park MD, from September by correctly naming Chimborazo, a 27-28, 2013. To be hosted by the National peak in Ecuador, as the farthest point Capital Chapter, the on earth from the center of the earth. ASEI student chapter A seventh grader from King Philip at the University of Regional Middle School in Norfolk, Maryland is the co- Massachusetts, in the U.S., he won the host of the event. 18 25 th edition of the bee in a heated final With “Innovative against 13-year-old Conrad Oberhaus Technologies: An of Lincolnshire, Illinois. Engine for the By winning the title, Karnik bagged Economic Growth” as its theme, the conven - for himself a $25,000 college scholar - tion will comprise a morning inaugural, noon ship, a trip to the Galapagos Islands “I didn’t expect to win, and I have no luncheon, and evening gala banquet, with for him and a parent and a lifetime idea what I’m going to do next.” day time technical tracks and panel discus - membership to the National Around five million students partici - sions. It will also feature awards and scholar - Geographic Society. pated in this year’s contest. The num - ships distribution followed by dinner and “I’m just speechless,” the National ber was whittled down to 54 and then entertainment. Geographic quoted Karnik as saying. to 10 for the final round. — IANS

June 2013 India Review Art&craft FROM INDIA A journey into Indian calligraphy The Akshara project provides a unique dimension to art and craft from India By Jaya Jaitly

o marry the skills of artisans to an elevated sense of their own cultural wealth, Dastkari 19 T Haat Samiti, an association of craftspeople, gave shape to a project titled Akshara: Crafting Indian Scripts in 2006. Akshara, meaning the letter or the beginning, came to fruition in 2012. It sought to instill in 60 artisans across 16 states of India 21 different craft skills to underline the need for lit - eracy, an aesthetic appreciation of the beauty of their own regional languages, and the immense possibility of making letters and scripts into elements of design that would give a unique dimen - embroidery styles from Bihar, Gujarat sion to art and craft from India. and Rajasthan, apart from brocade and The Dastkari Haat Samiti was jamdani weaves from Varanasi and founded by this writer in 1986, and block printing from Rajasthan on dis - play. Woodcarving and inlay, metal work, stonework and pottery were also worked upon to express alphabets, scripts, phrases, thoughts, bhajans and dohas with aspirational ideas and inspi - rational meanings. The project brought out intricate nuggets of local cultures, long forgot - ten songs, and poetic phrases in the now has over vernacular idiom. Even simple alpha - 1600 active bets took on a beauty and life of their members rep - own. resenting many A very contemporary exhibition was thousand more mounted in New Delhi in September from across the 2012 and again in Cairo, Egypt in April country. The 2013 as a part of the India on the Nile Samiti pursued Festival. The presentation had large the goals of panels of calligraphy in Devanagari bringing the providing a backdrop of a constantly value of litera - evolving projection of Braille and mor - cy, design development, access to phing alphabets. All the hundred-odd sophisticated markets, and the need to exhibits were on display. nurture India’s cultural heritage A 20-minute film presented the through the Akshara Project. tell, either in the way the design came interplay between classical dance and Working with craftspersons, weavers about, or the meaning of the script that calligraphy. and traditional painters, both of fine art embellished the object. Painting styles Akshara hopes to have a showing at and rural art, over one hundred and ranged from patachitra from Odisha to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris in fifty museum-quality exhibits were cre - Kalighat and jharna patachitra from mid-September 2013 where the diver - ated over a period of one year. West Bengal, and papier machie art sity of Indian languages and craft skills Each exhibit had a special story to from Kashmir. There was a range of will be highlighted.

June 2013 India Review Cuisine OF INDIA Secrets of royal kitchens Backed by years of experimentation, Indian royal cuisine has evolved over the years to address contempo - rary health concerns

ormer royal families have closely guarded culinary secrets of their kitchens like Ftreasures down the ages. But nearly six decades after independ - ence, the hosts of the royal palace resorts are opening their recipe books to contribute to the experimental culinary wave sweeping through the kitchens of urban India. “Cooking a family recipe is like singing a ‘ghazal’. It sounds different land. “General awareness about north - Debbarma loves to cook Wahan Mos each time, but you know the flavor. eastern food is poor. Most of us are Deng — a pork dish, pork marinated One of our favorites was Shahi Sabzi ethnically, linguistically and culturally in salt water, boiled and cooked lightly Pulao ,” Randhir Singh, scion of the of Tibeto-Burmese origin. Our food is with ginger, onions and mixed with family of the erstwhile Maharaja of basic, represents plenty of pork, bam - mustard oil. Fish is another staple, the Patiala, said. boo shoots and red chillies. It is similar former prince-turned-journalist-cum- It was a dry pulao that could be to Burmese cuisine with a bit of cook from Tripura said. improvised with meat arranged in Cambodian spice blend,” Pradyot Sheena Kebab , Tunde Ka Kebab and layers, he said. The pulao, originally Manikya Debbarma, scion of the erst - Kakori Kebab — the signature of cooked by royal chefs, has now been while Tripura royal family, said. He Awadh Dastarkhwan created by the tweaked to suit the low-oil palate. lives for his bhaat — a sticky rice vari - Mughals — long moved out of the The pulao can be paired with Murgh ety — like other people from the palace to the neighborhood eatery. Musallam Laung Elaichi , a sweet and northeast. While Tunde Ka Kebab , sour dry chicken dish with hints of named after an one- 20 clove, cardamom, lime juice and armed chef, uses 160 honey. spices, Kakori has a Like Patiala, till about a divine legacy. It was decade ago, Tripura was a created at the ‘dargah’ culinary wilderness of Hazrat Shah Abi unknown to main - Ahder Sahib in land India. The Lucknow with a repast table of mince of the raan of the Deb Barma mutton and spices family was a that continue to vex locked wonder - the common cook.

June 2013 India Review Trends IN SOCIETY Indian steel industry: Roadmap of growth and 21 development Ranked 4 th in the production of crude steel, the Indian steel industry today places emphasis on intensive R&D activities, public sector at Bhilai, Durgapur, However, from the year 2002, the rise of domestic per Rourkela and Bokaro. The policy global industry turned around. With its regime governing the industry during emphasis on intensive R&D activities, capita consumption market these years involved licensing of adoption of measures to increase development projects, capacity, dual-pricing system and domestic per capita steel consumption import substitution meas - control of imports and exports. and other market development proj - However, this phase was reversed in ects, import substitution measures and ures and export promotion 1991-92 with the advent of globaliza - thrust on export promotion, the Indian tion and opening up of our economy. steel industry too became robust. Control regime was replaced by liber - The rapid pace of growth of the t the time of Independence alization and deregulation. industry and market trends called for in 1947, India had only Large-scale capacities were certain guidelines and framework. three steel plants — the removed from the list of industries Thus was born the concept of the A Tata Iron & Steel Company reserved for the public sector. The National Steel Policy (NSP), with the (Jamshedpur), the Indian Iron and licensing requirement for additional aim to provide a roadmap of growth Steel Company (Burnpur) and capacities was also withdrawn subject and development for the Indian steel Visveswaraya Iron & Steel Ltd to locational restrictions. Private sec - industry. Announced in November (Bhadravathi), besides a few electric tor came to play a prominent role in 2005, the long-term objective of the arc furnace-based plants. The period the overall set-up. The iron and steel NSP was to ensure that India had a till 1947 was thus characterized by a industry was included in the high-pri - modern and efficient steel industry of small steel industry, which operated ority list for foreign investment, world standards, catering to diversified with a capacity of about one million implying automatic approval for for - steel demand. The focus of the policy ton and was completely in the private eign equity participation up to 50 was to attain levels of global competi - sector. From the fledgling one million percent. While export restrictions tiveness in terms of global benchmarks ton capacity status at the time of were withdrawn, quantitative import of efficiency and productivity. Independence, India has now risen to restrictions were largely removed. The policy sought to facilitate pro - be the 4 th largest crude steel produc - After 1996-97, the Indian steel cedural efficiency, increased invest - er in the world and the largest pro - industry’s pace of growth slowed down ment in research and development, ducer of sponge iron. with the steady decline in the domestic and creation of road, railway and port During the first three Five-Year economy’s growth rate. Slowdown of infrastructure. Although it focused on Plans (1952-1970), iron and steel the global economy, Asian financial the domestic sector, the policy industry was earmarked for state crisis and the impact of glut created by envisaged a steel industry growing control. From the mid-1950s to the additional supplies from the newly faster than domestic consumption. It early 1970s, the Government set up steel-surplus countries pulled down therefore offered incentives for export large integrated steel plants in the growth levels. opportunities to be realized.

June 2013 India Review Cinema NEWS

‘Lamha ’ wins Best Amitabh addresses Feature Film Award at DC South Asian Film Festival Cannes audience in Hindi amh a (also known as Seedlings) won the t was a “historic moment” for LBest Feature Film Award at the Amitabh Bachchan to be invited Washington, D.C. South Asian Film Festival. It to open the prestigious Cannes was the only Pakistani film to be aired at the IInternational Film Festival with three-day festival from May 10-12. Indian his The Great Gatsby co-star Ambassador to the U.S. Nirupama Rao pre - Leonardo DiCaprio. He made the sented the award to producer Meher Jaffri. experience more special by addressing Speaking on independent cinema in India the audience in his mother tongue and Pakistan Hindi. during a panel “Truly a historic moment for me, discussion at but immensely historic and honorable the festival, for the Indian film industry, a fraterni - ‘Dabba ’ wins critics week viewers Jaffri, ty that I am and shall always be most choice award at Cannes remarked that proud of,” the veteran Bollywood it was difficult actor posted on his blog irector Ritesh Batra’s debut film Dabba to compare srbachchan.tumblr.com . D(Lunchbox) has won the critics week the film indus - The Cannes extravaganza cele - viewers choice award at the 66th Cannes tries of the bratesd 100 years of Indian cinema International Film Festival. two countries. this year, and Amitabh was there for Produced by Anurag Kashyap, the film, “We in the premiere of his Hollywood debut featuring Irrfan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Pakistan are movie The Great Gatsby . Nimrat Kaur, Meher Jaffri standing on “For a complete alien in the midst of also received the cusp of an emerging independent film Cannes to be acknowledged, is the appreciation scene aided by veterans who are listening proudest moment for me as an Indian. during the to the increased demand by audiences and Acknowledging Cannes in recognizing screening at the filmmakers alike to figure out solutions and 100 years of Indian cinema, it was festival. make space for Pakistani independent absolutely imperative for me to Even Anurag films,” she said. address, in my mother tongue,” post - Kashyap, who Earlier, Lamha also won two awards at the ed Amitabh. He shared how the was conferred with the French honor Knight New York City International Film Festival — “director of Cannes (was) delighted to of the Order of Arts and Letters, posted on the Best Feature Film (Audience Choice) and hear the ‘music of the Hindi language’ Twitter : “It’s begun. Lunchbox wins critics Best Actress in a Lead Role award, which spoken” as “it brought in the univer - week viewers choice award.” went to Aamina Sheikh. sality of the occasion”. ‘I want to be in people’s hearts, not in people’s minds’ eteran actor Dharmendra, who “I always want to be people’s heart ruled showbiz in the 1970s and and not in people’s mind. I am in V1980s, said he only wanted to people’s heart and it is not easy to 22 be in people’s heart and not in take me away from their heart,” he people’s mind, and was never in the added. ball-game of being called the number In his career spanning over five one actor. decades, Dharmendra has acted over “In the ‘70s and ‘80s, I was so big 250 Hindi language films. He is cur - that if I wished, I would not have let rently promoting his home produc - anyone get ahead of me, but I was Dharmendra with his actor sons Sunny and Bobby. tion Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 . never into this number one game. I Directed by Sangeeth Sivan, Yamla only used to concentrate on my work. two. I was never in the race for number Pagla Deewana 2 also features Sunny You lose concentration on work if you one and number two,” Dharmendra Deol, Bobby Deol and Anupam Kher, think about number one and number said. among others.

June 2013 India Review Travel & TOURISM In tHe LAp of heavenly HImACHAL 23

During the summer, maximum number of the tourists to the state head to the scenic Rohtang Pass, located at an altitude of 13,050 feet and 51 km from Manali

s life in the plains of northern mainly due to the prevailing hot weath - “What a soothing chill out to see India has started becoming er in the plains. Most tourists are head - these charming white hills,” Priyanka difficult with the temperature ing to those destinations from where Arora, a tourist from Mumbai, Ahovering around 46 degree in they can enjoy the view of snow-laden remarked while watching the adjoining some places, the snow-clad peaks of hills and enjoy gurgling streams,” hills from Narkanda, the heart of the Himachal Pradesh’s popular tourist Himachal Pradesh Tourism apple belt some 65 km from Shimla. resorts are luring visitors to the state. Development Corp (HPTDC) General “Around 2,000-3,000 tourists are “It’s really pleasant to be here Manager Yogesh Behl said. arriving daily in Manali. Their arrival (Manali),” said Tushar Vaid, a tourist He said Shimla and its nearby desti - will be doubled with onset of holidays from Delhi. “Even days are pleasant nations like Chail and Narkanda, in schools in the plains,” district here at around 30 degrees Celsius Kalpa, Sangla and Chitkul in Kinnaur tourism officer Vinay Dhiman said. compared to Delhi’s sizzling spell of district and the entire Kullu-Manali He said the maximum number of weather,” Vaid’s wife Malvika added. region are chock-a-block with tourists, the tourists are heading to the Hospitality industry representatives mainly from the northern states. Rohtang Pass, located at an altitude say the snowy landscape at Narkanda, The HPTDC has 57 economy and of 13,050 feet and 51 km from Kalpa, Dharamsala, Palampur and high-end hotels across the state. Manali. Dhiman, who is based in Manali towns are drawing holiday- Manali, said nearby areas of the makers like magnets. Himachal Pradesh attracted 16 million tourists, Rohtang Pass are still under snow “There is a spike in tourist arrivals, including 497,850 foreigners, in 2012. cover. At the Rani Nullah, 5 km short of Rohtang, the tourists can enjoy snow-sledge rides and hurl snowballs at each other, he said. Higher reaches in Kullu-Manali region, including the Pir Panjal, Brighu, Chaderkhani, Hampta, Gulaba and Dhundi, are wrapped in a thick blanket of white. Himachal Pradesh attracted 16 mil - lion tourists, including 497,850 for - eigners, in 2012, a state tourism department report said. At present, 2,169 hotels having a bed capacity of 55,928 are registered with the state, it said.

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