The 11-Year-Old Country Has the Potential to Becomeopini Oan Touristexpress Hub 1            

Vol: 23 | No. 5 | May 2017 | R20

www.opinionexpress.in A MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE

Cover Story DESTINATION MONTENEGRO The 11-year-old country has the potential to becomeOpini oan touristExpress hub 1            

2 Opinion Express editorial More confident RNI UP–ENG 70032/92, Volume 23, No 5 EDITOR Prashant Tewari Indians are truly Associate Editor Dr Rahul Misra

Political Editor global citizen now Prakhar Misra ndian community has never been more globally integrated than in the recent BUREAU CHIEF times. The announcement on H-1B visa norms by the Trump administration, Gopal Chopra (DELHI), Diwakar Shetty dissolution of parliament and announcement of elections in the United King- (MUMBAI), Sidhartha Sharma (KOLKATA), I dom, new visa curbs in Australia and New Zealand, violence Lakshmi Devi (BANGALORE ) DIvyash Bajpai (USA), KAPIL DUDAKIA (UNITED KINGDOM) in Middle East countries and slow-down of African economy Rajiv Agnihotri (MAURITIUS), Romil Raj has directly affected India and Indians as never before. In Bhagat (DUBAI), Herman Silochan (CANADA), just two decades, Indians have integrated themselves with Dr Shiv Kumar (AUS/NZ) the global community and the relationship is just indispens- Content partner able. So, any event of consequence anywhere in the world The Pioneer has a direct bearing on us Indians. Pratham Pravakta The post liberalization era of India has offered a unique Legal Advisors place to Indian in the global theatre. Surely, Indian was liter- Vishnu Sharma Adv Vijai Krishna Adv ate and hard-working but the confidence was missing. Post liberalization, the government and private enterprise have successfully navigated Marketing Director Diwakar Shetty themselves to enormous success route with a vision and roadmap. The entrepre- neurship temper of Indian were unleashed in the world and within two decades, Administrative Director Amit Pandey India is a global leader in IT&SW, healthcare, medicine, space, agriculture, tele- BAL MUKUND GAUR communications, food processing and diary, leather industry. The rise of Reliance, TATA, Birla, Infosys, Wipro, Mahindra, Sun Pharma, L&T, Shapoorji Pallonji, Corporate Communication / PR Sanjay Mendiratta Apollo, JetAir, Indigo and Patanjali brands has fuelled a huge GDP growth. Brand Modi has added tremendous value addition to India’s global image. It is Graphics & Design Writeword Commuications (Studio 8) this change of perception that India is governed by a clean and committed leadership which has brought a huge respect for India abroad. Today, India remains the Photographer Ratan Shukla fastest growing economy of the world and the entire world is willing to engage with India on business terms. It is this unique historic opportunity that every PIO and Overseas Marketing OEMCL Ltd (Mauritius), OEHCL ltd (DUBAI) NRI must cash in on to elevate his stature in the respective country of domicile. The great Indian story can be sold to any part of the globe with pride. Advertisement / Circulation: In India, the J&K and Tamil Nadu states are in trouble. Recently, the naxal belt Delhi / NCR - Vikas Goyal: D 239 Defence Colony New Delhi 110024 INDIA in India has started showing signs of resurgence. The BJP RSS combine is ramp- Tel – 011 49060350 ing through various elections in India by decimating its political opponents. The Mumbai - Vijay Kalantri – Advisor: New sudden shift for right wing forces will consolidate left forces in urban and rural ExcelsIor BUILDING, 6tH Floor, A.K. NAYAK areas, including in universities. The right and left clash will be the continue affair in MARG, Fort, MUMBAI - 400001 (INDIA). the country. Kerala and West Bengal is witnessing huge rise in extremist activities Phone: 91 - 22 - 22019265 / 22019160 FAX : 91-22- 22019764 / 22019760 wherein rivals are going all out to wipe out opponents. The magazine is published and printed by Rajiv The international geo political situation is hostile, apart from the Middle East – Agnihotri for Opinion Express Communications the Korean peninsula is extremely tense. According to US President Trump, “North & Entertainments Pvt Ltd, from Kumpu Graphic Korea is a big world problem, and it’s a problem we have to finally solve.” A sixth Press 2 Ashok Nagar, Lucknow & printed at North Korean nuclear test has been anticipated for some months now. Kumpu Graphic Press 2 Ashok Nagar, Lucknow – 226001 Tele : 91-522-4060880 & When the US envoy to the UN, Nikki Haley, was asked what the US would do if Nikhil Offset An ISO 9001 : 2008 Certified Pyongyang carried out a nuclear test, she told NBC news: “I think then the presi- Company 223, DSIDC Complex, Okhla Industrial dent steps in and decides what’s going to happen.” Haley further said that the US Area Phase - I, New Delhi - 110020 Tele : 91- 26812316, 26810097, 26810458, FAX:91 was not “looking for a fight” with North Korea but warned Pyongyang should not 45792362 E-Mail : [email protected], “give us a reason” for one. [email protected] The US aircraft carrier Carl Vinson and its battle-group are due to arrive off Registered / Editorial Office: OPINION the Korean peninsula after exercises with the Japanese navy. An Ohio-class guided EXPRESS HOUSE 24-A Clyde Road, Lucknow- 226001 (India) Phone: 91-522-4060880 missile submarine, the USS Michigan, docked at the South Korean naval base of Fax: 91-522-2208242 # 24x7 Busan on Tuesday, the US navy reported, in what was described as “a routine vis- mobility +91 9984437000 it”. North Korea’s state-run newspaper the Rodong Sinmun declared the country’s email: [email protected] armed forces were ready to show their strength by sinking the carrier “with a single All content published may be subject to copyright, strike”. The entire world is watching the events with anxiety. seek written permission to re-produce. Opinion Express is trade mark brand of Opinion Express Communications & Entertainment Private Limited. —Prashant Tewari , Editor-in-Chief Opinion Express 3 A Monthly News Magazine May 2017

Cover Story A Perfect Gateway to Europe P 6-13

The rise of the yogi: Review of Indo Japan 14 Yogi & The Hindu Yuva Vahini economic ties P 31 Making India invincible with the new world homeland 16 smartechno C8 ind modules Better Governance Beauty with 22 can dramatically alter the sense of duty P 50 untapped potential in Manipur The Mother of all Elections 37 – UK 2017 Honour for art, 48 social work

4 Opinion Express ICJ comes to Jadhav’s rescue he International Court of Justice on Tuesday stayed the execution Tof Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of “spying”. The order by the Hague-based Inter- national Court of Justice (ICJ) came a day after India approached it against the death sentence handed down to Jadhav by Pakistan’s Field General Court Mar- tial last month, official sources said. India, in its appeal to the ICJ, accused Pakistan of “egregious” violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and asserted that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he was involved in business activities after retir- ing from the Indian Navy but Pakistan claimed to have arrested him from Bal- ochistan on 3 March, 2016. Reacting to the development, Ex- ternal Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, “I have spoken to the mother of Kulbhushan Jadhav and told her about the order of President, ICJ under Art 74 ICJ President Ronny Abraham has reportedly Paragraph 4 of Rules of Court.” Swaraj said senior advocate Harish written a letter to Pakistan government, asking Salve was representing India before the it to act in such a way which would enable the ICJ in the Jadhav case. ICJ President Ronny Abraham has implementation of any order the ICJ may issue in reportedly written a letter to Pakistan government, asking it to act in such a the case. India, in its appeal, contended that it was way which would enable the implemen- not informed of Jadhav’s detention until long after tation of any order the ICJ may issue in the case. India, in its appeal, contended his arrest and that Pakistan failed to inform the that it was not informed of Jadhav’s de- accused of his rights tention until long after his arrest and that Pakistan failed to inform the accused of his rights. Court Martial in Pakistan, evoking a take steps to annul the decision of the It further asserted that, in violation sharp reaction in India which warned military court. Pakistan claims its secu- of the Vienna Convention, the Pakistani Pakistan of consequences and damage rity forces had arrested Jadhav from the authorities were denying India its right to bilateral ties if the “pre-meditated restive Balochistan province on 3 March of consular access to Jadhav, despite re- murder” was carried out. last year after he reportedly entered peated requests. In its application, India had also in- from Iran. It also claimed that he was “Referring to ‘the extreme grav- formed the ICJ that it learned about the “a serving officer in the Indian Navy.” ity and immediacy of the threat that death sentence against Jadhav from a Jadhav was sentenced to death for “es- authorities in Pakistan will execute an press release. pionage and subversive activities”. Indian citizen in violation of obligations “India claims that ‘linking assis- India acknowledges that Jadhav had Pakistan owes to India’, India urges tance to the investigation process to served with the Navy but denies that he the Court to deliver an order indicat- the grant(ing) of consular access was by has any connection with the govern- ing provisional measures immediately, itself a serious violation of the Vienna ment. India has also handed over to ‘without waiting for an oral hearing’,” Convention’,” the ICJ release said. Pakistan an appeal by Jadhav’s mother, India’s appeal said. The ICJ said India urged it to re- initiating a process to get his conviction Jadhav, 46, was given death sen- strain Pakistan from carrying out the overturned. tence last month by the Field General death sentence, and direct Islamabad to BY Opinion Express News Desk Opinion Express 5 Cover story A Perfect Gateway to Europe The tiny country of the south eastern Europe is an emerging destination for tourists world over ontenegro, one of the most Bosnia and Herzegovina to the north- and has a population of 6,22,400 beautiful and emerging west, Serbia to the northeast, Kosovo to (2015) with a GDP of $4.250 billion new destinations of the USD (2016). Montenegro Capital city world, is a sovereign state SPOTLIGHT: Montenegro is Podgorica and Cetinje is designated Min South Eastern Europe. It has a coast as the Old Royal Capital. The country on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west the east, and Albania in the south east. is having area of 13,810 km² (5,333 sq and is bordered by Croatia to the west, It was founded on 03 Jun 2006 miles) with a density of 45/km2 (116.5/

6 Opinion Express sq mi). The country’s present president is Filip Vujanović and prime minister Duško Marković. Its legislature is called Skupština. After the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992, the republics of Serbia and Mon- tenegro together established a federa- tion as the Federal Republic of Yugo- slavia, although its status as the legal successor to Yugoslavia was opposed by other former republics and denied by the United Nations; in 2003, it re- named itself Serbia and Montenegro. On the basis of an independence referendum held in 21 May 2006, Mon- tenegro declared independence on 3 June. Classified by the World Bank as an upper middle-income country, Mon- tenegro is a member of the UN, the World Trade Organization, the Orga- nization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe, the Central European Free Trade Agree- On 2 December, 2015, Montenegro by a referendum on Montenegrin in- ment and a founding member of the received an official invitation to join dependence on 21 May 2006. A total Union for the Mediterranean. Mon- NATO, hereby it would be the 29th of 419,240 votes were cast, repre- tenegro is also a candidate negotiat- member country. senting 86.5% of the total electorate; ing to join the European Union and The status of the union between 230,661 votes (55.5%) were for inde- NATO. Montenegro and Serbia was decided pendence and 185,002 votes (44.5%)

Opinion Express 7

Foreign relations of Monte- The status of the union between Montenegro negro and Serbia was decided by a referendum on After the promulgation of the Dec- laration of Independence in the Parlia- Montenegrin independence on 21 May 2006. A total ment of the Republic of Montenegro on of 419,240 votes were cast, representing 86.5% of 3 June 2006, following the independence referendum held on 21 May, the the total electorate; 230,661 votes (55.5%) were Government of the Republic of Monte- for independence and 185,002 votes (44.5%) were negro assumed the competences of defining and conducting the foreign policy against. This narrowly surpassed the 55% threshold of Montenegro as a subject of international law and a sovereign state. The needed to validate the referendum under the rules implementation of this constitutional set by the European Union responsibility was vested in the Minis- try of Foreign Affairs, which was given the task of defining the foreign policy were against. This narrowly surpassed gro passed the Law on the Status of the priorities and activities needed for the 55% threshold needed to validate Descendants of the Petrović Njegoš Dy- their implementation. These activities the referendum under the rules set nasty that rehabilitated the Royal House are pursued in close cooperation with by the European Union. According of Montenegro and recognized limited other state administration authorities, to the electoral commission, the 55% symbolic roles within the constitutional the President, the Speaker of the Parlia- threshold was passed by only 2,300 framework of the republic. ment, and other relevant stakeholders. votes. Serbia, the member-states of In 2015, the investigative journal- Integration into the European Union the European Union, and the per- ists’ network OCCRP has named Mon- is Montenegro's strategic goal. manent members of the United Na- tenegro’s long-time President and This process will remain in the focus of tions Security Council all recognised Prime Minister Milo Đukanović ‘Person Montenegrin foreign policy in the short Montenegro's independence. of the Year in Organized Crime’. The term. The second strategic and equally On 3 June 2006, the Montenegrin extent of Đukanović’s corruption led important goal, but one attainable in Parliament declared the independence to street demonstrations and calls for a shorter time span, is joining NATO, of Montenegro, formally confirming his removal. In October 2016, a coup which would guarantee stability and se- the result of the referendum. Serbia was attempted by 20 people, including curity for pursuing other strategic goals. did not object to the declaration. On 12 some Serbian and Russian nationalists; Montenegro believes NATO integration July 2011, the Parliament of Montene- the coup was thwarted. would speed up EU integration. 8 Opinion Express Military of Montenegro The military of Montenegro is a fully professional standing army under the Montenegro is a member of NATO’s Partnership for Ministry of Defence and is composed Peace program and is an official candidate for full of the Montenegrin Ground Army, the Montenegrin Navy, and the Montene- membership in the alliance. Montenegro applied for grin Air Force, along with Special Forc- a Membership Action Plan on November 5, 2008, es. Conscription was abolished in 2006. The military currently maintains a force which was granted in December 2009. Montenegro of 1,920 active duty members. The bulk is also a member of Adriatic Charter of its equipment and forces were inher- ited from the armed forces of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro; as ing missions through the UN and NATO cession in 2008 as a part of the global Montenegro contained the entire coast- such as the International Security As- recession, with GDP contracting by line of the former union, it retained sistance Force. 4%. However, Montenegro remained a practically the entire naval force. target for foreign investment, the only Montenegro is a member of NATO’s Economy of Montenegro country in the Balkans to increase its Partnership for Peace program and is Montenegro uses the Euro as its na- amount of direct foreign investment. an official candidate for full member- tional currency. The economy of Mon- The country is expected to exit the re- ship in the alliance. Montenegro ap- tenegro is mostly service-based and is cession in mid-2010, with GDP growth plied for a Membership Action Plan on in late transition to a market economy. predicted at around 0.5%. However, the November 5, 2008, which was granted According to the International Mon- significant dependence of the Montene- in December 2009. Montenegro is also etary Fund, the nominal GDP of Mon- grin economy on foreign direct invest- a member of Adriatic Charter. tenegro was $4.114 billion in 2009. The ment leaves it susceptible to external Montenegro was invited to join GDP PPP for 2009 was $6.590 billion, shocks and a high export/import trade NATO on December 2, 2015 and is or $10,527 per capita. According to Eu- deficit. expected to be NATO’s 29th member rostat data, the Montenegrin GDP per in 2017. On May 19, 2016, NATO and capita stood at 41% of the EU average in Economy - overview Montenegro conducted a signing cer- 2010. The Central Bank of Montenegro Montenegro’s economy is transi- emony at NATO headquarters in Brus- is not part of the euro system but the tioning to a market system. From the sels for Montenegro's member- country is "euroized", using beginning of the privatization process ship invitation, despite Russia's the euro unilaterally as its currency. in 1999 through 2015, around 85% of objections. The government plans to GDP grew at 10.7% in 2007 and Montenegrin state-owned companies have the army participate in peacekeep- 7.5% in 2008. The country entered a re- have been privatized, including 100%

Opinion Express 9 of banking, telecommunications, and two Chinese companies to construct oil distribution. Tourism brings in twice a 41 km-long section of the country’s as many visitors as Montenegro’s total Montenegro uses the highway system. Construction will cost population every year. Several new lux- euro as its domestic around $1.1 billion. Montenegro first ury tourism complexes are in various instituted a value-added tax (VAT) in stages of development along the coast, currency, though it is not April 2003, and introduced differenti- and a number are being offered in con- an official member of the ated VAT rates of 17% and 7% (for tour- nection with nearby boating and yacht- ism) in January 2006. ing facilities. euro zone. In January In May 2013, the Montenegrin Gov- Montenegro uses the euro as its 2007, Montenegro ernment raised the higher level VAT domestic currency, though it is not an rate to 19%. Podgorica Airport official member of the euro zone. In joined the World In 2007, the service sector made January 2007, Montenegro joined the up for 72.4% of GDP, with industry World Bank and IMF, and in December Bank and IMF, and in and agriculture making up the rest at 2011, the WTO. Montenegro began ne- December 2011, the 17.6% and 10%, respectively. There are gotiations to join the EC in June, 2012, 50,000 farming households in Monte- having met the conditions set down by WTO. Montenegro began negro that rely on agriculture to fill the the European Council, which called on negotiations to join the family budget. Montenegro to take steps to fight cor- Montenegro Airlines was founded ruption and organized crime. EC in June, 2012, having on 24th October 1994. The company is The government recognizes the licensed to operate scheduled domestic need to remove impediments in or- met the conditions set and international passenger transport der to remain competitive and open down by the European and charter operations, as well as for the economy to foreign investors. The carriage of cargo and mail. Over the biggest foreign investors in Montene- Council, which called on years, as the company, its fleet and the gro are Italy, Norway, Austria, Russia, Montenegro to take steps number of employees has grown, Mon- Hungary and the UK. Net foreign direct tenegro Airlines has developed into a investment in 2014 reached $483 mil- to fight corruption and modern institution, operating in accor- lion and investment per capita is one of dance with modern global standards. the highest in Europe. organized crime This assertion is backed up by our sat- Montenegro is currently planning isfied loyal passengers and numerous major overhauls of its road and rail net- air transportation system. In 2014, the certificates and awards of merit. works, and possible expansions of its Government of Montenegro selected Today, Montenegro Airlines op- 10 Opinion Express erates scheduled flights to Zurich, – Tirana (Albania) at Podgorica; how- Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Rome, Paris, ever, it is not used for passenger service. Ljubljana, Vienna, Belgrade, Moscow, The backbone of the Montenegro has two international air- Lyon, Copenhagen, London and Saint Montenegrin rail network ports, Podgorica Airport and Tivat Air- Petersburg successfully establishing an port. The two airports served 1.1 million air bridge between Montenegro and Eu- is the Belgrade - Bar passengers in 2008. Montenegro Air- rope. railway. This railway lines is the flag carrier of Montenegro. In addition to scheduled flights, we The Port of Bar is Montenegro's also operate charters to many destina- intersects with Nikšić main seaport. Initially built in 1906, the tions, including: Helsinki, Tel Aviv, – Tirana (Albania) at port was almost completely destroyed Bratislava, Graz, Nantes, Teheran, Bari, during World War II, with reconstruc- Naples and others. The Montenegro Podgorica; however, it is tion beginning in 1950. Today, it is Airlines fleet consists of 5 modern air- equipped to handle over 5 million tons crafts; of which three of them type Em- not used for passenger of cargo annually, though the breakup braer 195 and two other are Fokker 100. service. Montenegro has of the former Yugoslavia and the size Future development plans for Montene- of the Montenegrin industrial sector gro Airlines include further moderniza- two international airports, have resulted in the port operating at tion and enlargement of our fleet with Podgorica Airport and a loss and well below capacity for sev- more Embraer 195s. The company is eral years. The reconstruction of the committed to conquering new markets, Tivat Airport. The two Belgrade-Bar railway and the proposed opening new routes, increasing flights Belgrade-Bar motorway are expected to to current destinations and increasing airports served 1.1 million bring the port back up to capacity. the number of passengers served. passengers in 2008 Tourism Infrastructure ority, as they are important for uniform Montenegro has both a picturesque The Montenegrin road infrastruc- regional economic development and coast and a mountainous northern re- ture is not yet at Western European the development of Montenegro as an gion. The country was a well-known standards. Despite an extensive road attractive tourist destination. tourist spot in the 1980s. Yet, the Yugo- network, no roads are built to full mo- The backbone of the Montenegrin slav wars that were fought in neighbour- torway standards. Construction of new rail network is the Belgrade - Bar rail- ing countries during the 1990s crippled motorways is considered a national pri- way. This railway intersects with Nikšić the tourist industry and damaged the

Opinion Express 11 image of Montenegro for years. With a total of 1.6 million visitors, the nation is The Montenegrin Adriatic coast is 295 km (183 the 36th (out of 47 countries) most visited country in Europe. mi) long, with 72 km (45 mi) of beaches, and with The Montenegrin Adriatic coast is 295 km (183 mi) long, with 72 km (45 many well-preserved ancient old towns. National mi) of beaches, and with many well- Geographic Traveller (edited once in decade) preserved ancient old towns. National Geographic Traveller (edited once in de- features Montenegro among the "50 Places cade) features Montenegro among the of a Lifetime", and Montenegrin seaside Sveti "50 Places of a Lifetime", and Montenegrin seaside Sveti Stefan Stefan was used as the cover for the magazine was used as the cover for the magazine. The coast region of Montene- world touristic places. Education in Montenegro gro is considered one of the great new It was not until the 2000s that the Education in Montenegro is regu- "discoveries" among world tourism industry began to recover, and lated by the Montenegrin Ministry tourists. In January 2010, The New York the country has since experienced a high of Education and Science. Education Times ranked the Ulcinj South Coast rate of growth in the number of visits starts in either pre-schools or elemen- region of Montenegro, including Velika and overnight stays. The Government tary schools. Children enroll in elemen- Plaza, Ada Bojana, and the Hotel Medit- of Montenegro has set the development tary schools (Montenegrin: Osnovna eran of Ulcinj, as among the "Top of Montenegro as an elite tourist des- škola) at the age of 6; it lasts 9 years. 31 Places to Go in 2010" as part tination a top priority. It is a national The students may continue their sec- of a worldwide ranking of tourism des- strategy to make tourism a major con- ondary education (Montenegrin: Sred- tinations. tributor to the Montenegrin economy. nja škola), which lasts 4 years (3 years Montenegro was also listed in ‘10 A number of steps were taken to attract for trade schools) and ends with gradu- Top Hot Spots of 2009’; to visit by Ya- foreign investors. Some large projects ation (Matura). Higher education lasts hoo Travel, describing it as ‘Currently are already under way, such as Porto with a certain first degree after 3 to 6 ranked as the second fastest growing Montenegro, while other locations, like years. There is one public University tourism market in the world (falling Jaz Beach, Buljarica, Velika Plaža and (University of Montenegro) and two just behind China)’. It is listed every Ada Bojana, have perhaps the greatest private (Mediterranean University and year by prestigious tourism guides like potential to attract future investments University of Donja Gorica). Lonely Planet as top tourist destina- and become premium tourist spots on Elementary education in Montene- tion along with Greece, Spain and other the Adriatic. gro is free and compulsory for all the 12 Opinion Express children between the ages of 6 and 14. Secondary schools are divided in three types, and children attend one depending on choice and primary school grades: Gymnasium (Gimnazija / Гимназиjа), lasts for four years and offers a general, broad education. It is a prepara- tory school for university, and hence the most academic and prestigious. Professional schools (Stručna škola / Стручна школа) last for three or four years and specialize students in certain fields which may result in their attending college; professional schools offer a relatively broad education. Vocational schools (Zanatska škola / Занатска школа) last for three years and focus on vocational education (e.g., joinery, plumbing, and mechanics) without an option of continuing education after three years. Tertiary level institutions are divided into ‘Higher education’; (Više obrazovanje) and ‘High education’ (Visoko obrazovanje) level faculties. Colleges (Fakultet) and art academies (akademija umjetnosti) last between 4 and 6 years (one year is two semesters long) and award diplomas equivalent to a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Sci- ence degree. Post-graduate education (post- diplomske studije) is offered after tertiary level and offers Masters’ degrees, PhD and specialization education.

Montenegrin cuisine Montenegrin cuisine is a result of Montenegro’s long history. It is a vari- ation of Mediterranean and Oriental. The most influence is from Italy, Tur- key, Byzantine Empire/Greece, and as well from Hungary. Montenegrin cuisine also varies geographically; the cuisine in the coastal area differs from the one in the northern highland region. The coastal area is traditionally a representative of Mediterranean cuisine, with seafood being a common dish, Broadcast media South Delhi, was appointed as the Spe- while the northern represents more State-funded national radio-TV cial Representative – Emissary of the the Oriental. broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial TV Republic of Macedonia to India in 1993. networks, 1 satellite TV channel, and She also played key role in establish- Media of Montenegro 2 radio networks; 4 public TV stations ing formal diplomatic relationship with The media of Montenegro refers and some 20 private TV stations; 14 lo- Former Yugoslavia Republic of Mace- to mass media outlets based in Mon- cal public\ radio stations and more than donia (FYRO) in 1995. tenegro. Television, magazines, and 40 private radio stations (2007) The Republic of Montenegro hon- newspapers are all operated by both The person instrumental in shap- oured her with the designation of Honor- state-owned and for-profit corporations ing India Montenegro ties is Dr Janice ary Consul General – Head of Mission for which depend on advertising, subscrip- Darbari, a Delhi-based author has been the Republic of Montenegro in India in tion, and other sales-related revenues. selected for the position of Honorary 2007. After that the Indian government The Constitution of Montenegro guar- Consul General for Republic of Monte- on its part recognised Darbari as the antees freedom of speech. As a country negro in New Delhi. Honorary Consul General of the Republic in transition, Montenegro's media Darbari, who also contested the of Montenegro in New Delhi\ with imme- system is under transformation. Lok Sabha polls in 1999 and 2004 from diate effect from January 1, 2008. Opinion Express 13 ‘Our priority is to set up direct flight between India and Montenegro’

The person instrumental Q: Montenegro is a gateway to Eu- indicate the core sectors wherein in shaping India rope; surely it can sell its strategic global business community can location to the world looking for focus on to invest in Montenegro? Montenegro ties is Dr political, business and cultural A. Information Technology, Higher Janice Darbari, a Delhi- integration with European Union. Education, BPO/KPO, Banking, Insur- How Montenegro government do ance are the sectors wherein interna- based author has been plans to market this advantage? tional investors can tap entire Euro- selected for the position A: National Geographic Traveller pean market while setting up base in features Montenegro among the “50 Montenegro. of Honorary Consul Places of a Lifetime”, and Montenegrin General for Republic of seaside Sveti Stefan was used as the Q. Montenegro has a multi reli- Montenegro in New Delhi. cover for the magazine. The coast region gious society, though the recent of Montenegro is considered one of the threat from rouge ideology ema- Darbari, who also great new “discoveries” among world nating from middle east – Mon- contested the LokSabha tourists. In January 2010, The New tenegro has any danger to tackle York Times ranked the Ulcinj South with the ominous problem? polls in 1999 and 2004 Coast region of Montenegro, including A. Montenegro has been histori- from South Delhi, Velika Plaza, Ada Bojana, and the Ho- cally at the crossroads of multicul- was appointed as the tel Mediteran of Ulcinj, as among the turalism and over centuries this has “Top 31 Places to Go in 2010” as part shaped its unique form of co-existence Special Representative – of a worldwide ranking of tourism des- between Muslim and Christian popula- Emissary of the Republic tinations.Montenegro was also listed tion. Montenegrins have been, histori- in “10 Top Hot Spots of 2009” to visit cally, members of the Serbian Orthodox of Macedonia to India in by Yahoo Travel, describing Church (governed by the Met- 1993. She also played key it as “Currently ranked as the ropolitanate of Montenegro role in establishing formal second fastest growing tour- & and the Littoral), and Serbian ism market in the world (fall- Q A Orthodox Christianity is the diplomatic relationship ing just behind China)”. It is most popular religion today in with Former Yugoslavia listed every year by prestigious tourism Montenegro. The Montenegrin Ortho- guides like Lonely Planet as top touris- dox Church was recently founded and Republic of Macedonia tic destination along with Greece, Spain is followed by a small minority of Mon- (FYRO) in 1995. and other world touristic places. tenegrins although it is not in commu- nion with any other Christian Orthodox The Republic of Q. With a total of 1.6 million visi- Church as it has not been officially rec- Montenegro honoured her tors, the nation is the 36th (out of ognized. with the designation of 47 countries) most visited coun- During the intensified tensions be- try in Europe. Surely, the coun- tween religious groups during the Bos- Honorary Consul General try must address the opportunity nian War, Montenegro has remained – Head of Mission for the to tap global tourist potential to fairly stable, mainly due its population be the top ten destinations in Eu- having a historic perspective on reli- Republic of Montenegro in rope to enhance the revenue, your gious tolerance and faith diversity. Reli- India in 2007. After that take? gious institutions from Montenegro all the Indian government on A. The Government of Montenegro have guaranteed rights and are separate has set the development of Montene- from the state. The second largest reli- its part recognised Darbari gro as an elite tourist destination a gious denomination religion is Islam, as the Honorary Consul top priority. It is a national strategy to which amounts to 19% of the total pop- make tourism a major contributor to ulation of the country. The Islamic reli- General of the Republic of the Montenegrin economy. A number gious life in Montenegro is organized by Montenegro in New Delhi of steps were taken to attract foreign the Islamic Community of Montenegro. with immediate effect investors. [citation needed] One third of Albanians are Catholics (8,126 in the 2004 census) from January 1, 2008 Q. Apart from the tourism, kindly while the two other thirds (22,267) are 14 Opinion Express mainly Sunni Muslims ; in 2012 a pro- tween India and Montenegro? your government is bracing to the tocol passed that recognizes Islam as an A. Our priority is to set up direct new reality of the world? official religion in Montenegro, ensures flight between India and Montenegro. A. Montenegro leadership is aware that halal foods will be served at mili- It will fast track the people to people of the importance of knowledge econo- tary facilities, hospitals, dormitories relations leading to greater business ac- my and our government is building up and all social facilities; and that Muslim tivities. the necessary infrastructure to address women will be permitted to wear head- the issue. We are fortunate to have a scarves in schools and at public institu- Q. Montenegro is part of NATO; solid physical and digital infrastructure tions, as well as ensuring that Muslims however the relevance of NATO is in the country and the focus is there have the right to take Fridays off work diminishing in the new world or- to improve the technical education for for the Jumu’ah (Friday)-prayer. There der. How your country is bracing capacity building. We have a strong is also a small Roman Catholic popula- itself from the new reality? economy and steadily, our government tion, mostly Albanians with some Cro- A. NATO is relevant in the present is promoting knowledge industry by ats, divided between the Archdiocese world and Montenegro will remain com- inviting global experts and investors. of Antivari headed by the Primate of mitted to the objective of the NATO. Surely, Montenegro strategic location Serbia and the Diocese of Kotor that is a being the gateway to Europe adds to the part of the Church of Croatia. Q. There is a massive competi- entire push of the government. tion between the various emerg- Q. What is the roadmap planned ing countries to model themselves Article & Interview conducted to consolidate bilateral ties be- as the knowledge economy, how by Prashant Tewari Opinion Express 15 Making India invincible with the new world homeland smartechno C8 ind modules s the threats to innocent people culture and products portfolio that can then decided without any vote by the increase across the World, time- make India more successful/peace- general public living in those countries Aly pure intelligence and precise ful without breaking any international the following: France took control of solutions are paramount in decreasing laws unlike the British politicians who Lebanon and Syria; the British took the risks to life, environment as well continue supporting/funding illegal control of Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Iraq as protecting a country’s education/le- wars in the middle East and now siding and Jordan. The Problems created by gal/immigration controls systems. The with the New USA Government’s policy this land division are still present in the World Homeland Security/Smartechno in encouraging further bombings of in- Middle East today. India and Pakistan (WHS) Group of Companies has now nocent people in Syria. continue clashing due to the western/ developed and designed a new critical The Middle East terrorist problems British political games of “Divide and factors C8 IND Modules package spe- (plus India and Pakistan clashes) have Rule” and support/supply of weapons cifically for India/Indian businesses as been created by the British politicians to both Countries. CPEC is a major CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Cor- and the many dumb people who voted game changer as now China stands with ridor) will certainly stunt the growth of for their British political parties. The Pakistan as does Russia. India internally as well as on a Global plain facts of the upheaval in the Middle India must side or remain neutral level on many fronts. East are as follows: with the peaceful law abiding countries India’s political and increasing or it faces more internal terrorism tur- trade support for the UK (Especially THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE: moil because of the Indian Muslims Britain) now after the Brexit will further The Ottoman Empire was on the los- who will be further disillusioned that isolate India from good strong Europe- ing side of WW1, Britain and France India is siding with Britain, a country an Countries who have a strong ethics divided up the land. Both the countries that is killing innocent Muslim men,

16 Opinion Express INDIA

women and children in the Middle East. strategic value to China. The UK is finished in many ways now At present, China There is a future option for Beijing after Brexit. There is nothing United to retain a significant army in Pakistan about United Kingdom and Scotland is transports 80% of its in the pretext of providing security to going to cut its ties with Britain as have the CPEC. many in Ireland. This leaves Britain and oil through the Strait Wales who have absolutely nothing that of Malacca. This can be What the project means for is manufactured and of value to export Pakistan? to the rest of the World. These are more deviated through the The project is described as a ‘game facts that cannot be denied: English Pak route changer’ for Pakistan’s economic fu- tea?? England does not grow tea, sugar, ture, which otherwise has only meagre not made in the UK, Coffee, not made in prospects to develop its economy. Paki- the UK. English education, utterly irrel- with Pakistan. stan’s economy can get rejuvenation evant as it has created more mass mur- At present, China transports 80% due to Chinese investment. If Pakistan derers, lying war mongering politicians, of its oil through the Strait of Malacca. is able to overcome its security prob- corrupt bankers and shyster lawyers This can be deviated through the Pak lems, the CPEC can be a game changer. who twist the truths towards lies that route. At the same time, the benefit it can get free the guilty criminals/terrorists. On the political front, a decisive ad- from being a transit country for Chinese vantage for China is that Pakistan his- goods depends upon its ability to change CPEC: What China gets torically shows willingness to play the itself by achieve industrial progress. from the Project? role of satellite state to major powers The word game changer is to be care- On the economic front, China is the including the US. fully read along with the past great game biggest beneficiary as the project gives Because of the India factor, Paki- played between US, Pakistan and Saudi it a shortcut to Indian Ocean, bypass- stan will remain an ally of China even Arabia on the one side and Russia, Iran ing the Strait of Malacca. It can access by surrendering several rights to Chi- and India on the other side to establish the Western part of the Indian Ocean in nese economic and strategic interests. a land route to Central Asia. Pakistan’s the most politically easiest way because This means that among all the OROB effort to be the entry point into Central of its friendly and strategic relationship associate country, Pakistan offers more Asia foiled because the opposite side Opinion Express 17 into Britain/British companies and selling your existing investments in the UK So far, the quick progress in Gwadar Kazhgar will save you from further losses. India/ project has compelled an otherwise slow New Delhi Indian Companies should strengthen trade/investment ties with Good Eu- to get an agreement with Iran to construct a port ropean Countries who are not involved at Chabahar. In future also, the India-Iran alliance in illegal wars and India should maintain good relations with China, Russia, for a geographic connectivity with Central Asia Canada and selected South American Countries/USA Companies. We at the partnering Afghanistan will continue; but without World Homeland Security/Smartechno hurting both Beijing and Islamabad Group of Companies support only those who abide the International laws, the tried hard to retain their control over for India. Its strategic content is high innocent people irrespective of their Afghanistan. Now, with Chinese help, and capable of restricting New Delhi’s Culture, Country or Religious Beliefs Pakistan can get a chance to become at manoeuvrability in the region. In an and those who wish to increase peaceful least one of the transit points. extreme scenario, Pakistan may act as a profits. Many NRIs (Non resident In- Pakistan can get an opportunity to ‘rented house’ for Chinese Military. dians) living in the UK Continue sing- develop its infrastructure – especially The project goes through the dis- ing the high praises of the UK /Britain energy. Bulk of the CPEC is aimed to de- puted Pak occupied Kashmir (Gilgit- as they (The NRIs) continue taking the velop Pakistan’s energy sector including Baltistan) is a nuisance for India. British pound and selling their souls/ the construction of the largest solar en- Already, CPEC is getting lot of at- selling out India to the British as well as ergy plant in the world. China will help tention because of the direct involve- eroding their ethics disrespecting their Pakistan to develop its resource based ment of the Pakistani military at the forefathers and Motherland..India! We industries so that they can be exported insistence of the Chinese leadership. will continue to catch these types of to China. So far, the quick progress in Gwadar traitors and administer our own brands Another advantage of the project is Kazhgar project has compelled an oth- of justice which is in the confines of that with the potential economic decline erwise slow New Delhi to get an agree- International laws but more precisely of the Gulf States, Pakistan as a natural ment with Iran to construct a port at harsher. With Our Best for the Current resource exporter can sell its commodi- Chabahar. In future also, the India-Iran Indian Government that is led by a fear- ties to the lucrative Chinese markets alliance for a geographic connectivity less Lion, Mr Narendra Modi, we will through the CPEC transit route. with Central Asia partnering Afghani- continue making India Invincible as It stan will continue; but without hurting is not hard to make decisions once you What the project means for both Beijing and Islamabad. know what your values are” – India? Our C8 IND Modules Software com- — Joginder (Jo) Singh Birring India is the third party on which the puterized formulas have precisely calcu- (The Global Chairman/Group CPEC impacts a lot of intangible and in- lated that UK (Especially Britain) now President of The World Homeland direct effects. Given the political synergy after Brexit is a high risks investment Security/Smartechno Group Of Com- between China and Pakistan, the CPEC Country and debt ridden for another 15 panies) will be a disguised political disturbance years. “Stopping all further investments www.worldhomelandsecurity.one 18 Opinion Express Natural Right Need further transparency in allotment of natural resources he wide spread poverty and hor- and natural resources belong to the the case of power generation etc. rible living conditions in the third coming generations of the country. So The Reply given by the Supreme Tworld countries is synonymous the government of the day has to make Court to the Presidential Reference in of the loot or illegal allotment of natural judicious decisions in allotment of nat- 2012 in connection with the 2G Scam is resources is the basis of enrichment of ural resources, considering the coming the basic formula in allotment of natural most of the corporate houses and ruling generations. resources. The auction outcome in coal elites across the Globe. Same is the con- By cancelling the entire 2G licens- and spectrum shows how the country dition in India too. Natural resources es in February 2012 the apex court started benefitting. The lakhs of crores namely oil, gas, coal, water and other bench comprising Justices GS Singhvi of rupees landed in state exchequer due power generating substances, land, and AK Ganguly observed for the auc- to auction. Till mid 2010, the exchequer spectrum etc. are grossly mis-utilized by tion of all natural resources. The angry got pea nuts in the arbitrary allotment political class and corporate houses. In UPA Government went for Presidential of natural resources like spectrum and India, till 2012, these natural resources Reference against this observation. To coal. were allotted to business houses in an confuse the Supreme Court, the key Let us check the figures of auction arbitrary way. Country’s corrupt politi- Ministers of UPA like Chidambaram of spectrum. The first auction started cal families and business house made and Kapil Sibal who are also lawyers in April and ended in June, with daily fortunes by the allotment of these natu- asked many confusing questions in the surging prices which rocked the coun- ral resources at throw away prices. Presidential Reference. Some questions try. By auctioning 3G and BWA (the so The expose of 2G Scam led to the in- were like this – can water be auctioned, called 4G), the country mopped up Rs troduction of auction in allotment pro- can land allotting for welfare of poor 1.06 lakh crore. Those days, the Gov- cess in natural resources. The guardian be put for auction, can auction always ernment expected only Rs 30,000 crore of natural resources is the government need to be kept at rising prising like in (as per Budget of 2010).

Opinion Express 19 Earlier former Telecom Minister auction rates crossed the 3G figures. In A.Raja, with the consent of former Fi- the March 2015 auction, the NDA Gov- nance Minister P Chidambaram, allot- The anti-corruption ernment gathered Rs 1.09 lakh crore. ted spectrum and 122 licences (high- movements led to a And in October 2016 auction, Rs.65, est ever allotment) for just around Rs 789 crores landed in treasury. In this 9,200 crore. The3G/BWA auction, by surge in popularity of auction also telecom cartels tried to pull gathering Rs 1.06 lakh crore, exposed the BJP, which was in down the competition to limit the bench the UPA Government, leading to anti- mark prices in forthcoming auction in corruption movements in the country a sleepy mode till mid- 2018. In total, by auctioning spectrum, exposing the 2G scam in the public the exchequer got more than Rs 3.61 domain. The Comptroller and Auditor- 2010. The Aam Aadmi lakh crore from 2010-2016. Similar General’s (CAG) Rs 1.76 lakh crore loss Party (AAP) was born are the bonanza to exchequer from the figure on Raja’s allotments were based Coal Auction in the long run after Su- on the 3G prices. and it tasted power preme Court cancelled many illegal al- The anti-corruption movements with lightning speed. lotments. led to a surge in popularity of the BJP, The CAG unearthed from 1990 to which was in a sleepy mode till mid- The ruling Congress 2010, the country lost more than Rs.10 2010. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was lakh crore from the arbitrary coal mines born and it tasted power with lightning was washed out in most allocation. The apex auditor has only speed. The ruling Congress was washed elections since 2011 calculated the loss from the value of out in most elections since 2011. Public coal. The coal mining frauds are related interest litigations filed by Subrama- the CAG and the courts. It was strange to the generation of power and most of nian Swamy and Prashant Bhushan led to see Ministers feeling happy about the power companies were engaged in to the cancellation of licences allotted loss of revenue. But all hushed up the pricing frauds also in connivance with through the 2G scam and the Congress fact that, even in sabotaged auction, the the people in power. Frauds in power government went against the apex court country received Rs 9,400 crore from pricing means, ultimately common man order and lost in the Presidential Refer- just 19 licences, that too in small circles, lost many lakhs of crores of rupees over ence to the Supreme Court. while Raja had given away 122 licences the years. But the second auction directed by for Rs 9,200 crore. All the telecom com- The Capital City Delhi is the main the Supreme Court in November 2012, panies were in connivance with Con- victim of power pricing frauds and we was sabotaged by the Congress govern- gress government to pull down the pric- have seen that protests strikes against ment and certain corporates. In a single es of the mandated auction in 2014. the power pricing frauds were the ba- day, the auction ended with just the is- Then came the March 2014 mandat- sic reason for the acceptability of AAP sue of 19 licences. All Cabinet Ministers ed auction. More than Rs 68,000 crore led by Arvind Kejriwal. Till the end of landed at a Press conference to blame came to the public exchequer. The 2G 2013, every persons living in Delhi will 20 Opinion Express vouch of the exorbitant billing in elec- bribed for getting mining licenses and tricity, especially in the areas, where how media, supposed to be watch dogs power was supplied by Anil Ambani’s We have seen the were bribed to keep silence. Majority of Reliance. One advantage of the AAP KG Basin oil rigging the business houses always made for- coming to power was the rectification of tunes though looting or smuggling of electricity bills in Delhi. Anyway no ac- illegalities by Mukesh natural resources. These frauds only tion was taken against the errant power Ambani’s Reliance. How happen with the help of people in power companies when Kejriwal became Chief and corrupt bureaucracy. Minister. This is how the system works the governments dilly Now, by the Reply to Presidential in India. dallied in taking action Reference in 2012, the Supreme Court’s Let us check all the beneficiaries of Constitution Bench comprising then old illegal and arbitrary auction of spec- on the violations in Chief Justice SH Kapadia, Justices DK trum and coal. Answer is simple. All the Jain, JS Khehar, Dipak Misra and Ran- major corporate houses of this coun- oil rigging and output jan Gogoi has set out guidelines for al- try are the beneficiaries of these grand declaration which lotment of natural resources. What we loots of natural resources. Tata, both need are now the people with integrity Reliance groups, different Birla groups, ultimately affect the in power and bureaucracy to adhere to Essar, Jindals, Lanco, besides several oil pricing the spirit of the guidelines specified by new unknown entities from south India the apex court of India. We need more propped up by Congress apex leader- transparent laws, digitalised auction in ship were the major beneficiaries of the duction and tariff hikes to the common all sectors and Regulatory bodies with arbitrary allotment of natural resources man. One good thing Narendra Modi people having integrity to handle the from Independence to mid 2010. Obvi- government did was the controlling of allotment of natural resources. Strong ously the powerful people from politics the purchase prices of oil from KG Ba- Regulatory Bodies are needed to check must have got their pound of flesh on sin. But here also no initiation of the the possible cartelisation in the auction. this loot of natural resources. criminal cases for gambling and misuse In Spectrum auction, we have many We have seen the KG Basin oil rig- of natural resources by private opera- instances of cartelisation of operators. ging illegalities by Mukesh Ambani’s tors and suffering public sector under- These things are very important be- Reliance. How the governments dilly takings. cause natural resources belong not only dallied in taking action on the violations The Niira Radia tapes exposes how to us, but also to coming generations. in oil rigging and output declaration Tata and both Reliance groups involved So we have to utilise them properly for which ultimately affect the oil pricing. in the lobbying of natural resources the benefit of the country and its com- The natural resource oil is given for the like coal, spectrum, and oil and power ing generations also. whims and fancies of private companies generation from natural resources. By J Gopikrishnan and it ultimately resulted in power pro- How Chief Ministers of the states were Senior Journalist with The Pioneer Opinion Express 21 Better Governance can dramatically alter the untapped potential in Manipur hen I talk to people about To his or her credit, the average Ma- all covered up with light hearted banter Manipur and my visits to our nipuri studying or working outside the and jokes about the state of the people Wmost well-known northeast state, in places like Delhi and Banga- of Manipur, its periodic bandhs, the state, I usually see shock and awe on the lore, won’t talk to you about the terrible multiple UGs, and how anyone with faces of whoever is listening. and seemingly hopeless problems that the slightest opportunity was rushing The shock comes from the fact that they and their families face back home. off to work in mainland India, only to I travel regularly, to a part of the coun- They’ll go about doing their whatever it face discrimination and threats of other try that’s known to be “so dangerous is they’re doing, with a warm smile or kinds out there. and life threatening”.The awe usually cold aloofness, depending on their per- However, as they realise that I have comes with a guilty confession of their sonalities. no political or business agenda in the ignorance “I never knew Manipur was They’re probably putting up a brave State, and that I was only there to sat- so beautiful!” front and working very hard, to simply isfy a karmic connection I seem to have While my words always speak hap- survive in a place that’s far from home, with the northeast and its people, much pily about the land and people of Ma- and supposed to be safer. deeper conversations happened with nipur, my thoughts are filled with sad- Initial conversations with friends them. ness that stems from having seen some in Manipur about Manipur, were pep- These conversations, spread over of the ground realities of the state and pered with official acronyms, unofficial many kilometres of roads, many litres of its people, first hand. code words, and underlying tension – hot and cold beverages, and even many

22 Opinion Express Loktak Lake hours sitting in a barricaded room, re- violence, but most of the time we don’t vealed deep scars, constant challenges, “There are so many know who has called for it, or why” and the hopeless frustrations of almost Manipur has seen thousands killed everyone I met. Unanimously, they all groups and factions over the decades, with atrocities com- blame the government and the non- mitted by almost everyone involved, government entities for the mess Ma- fighting in Manipur including State, non-state, official and nipur is in today. today, that we find it unofficial entities. Some of these entities operate openly in Manipur and its So, what is the cause of the hard to remember who neighbouring states, while others oper- conflict in Manipur? is fighting for what. We ate from across the border in Myanmar. The core issues in the Manipur con- Almost all of them are armed and trig- flict, are of identity and territory; of dif- stay at home during ger happy. ferent identities fighting for control and Reports as well as talk on the autonomy over the same territories. bandhs nowadays due to ground indicates that there are around The problem started during the Brit- fear of violence, but most 50 armed groups at play today, in the ish rule over the subcontinent, and the conflict over Manipur and its territories Crown’s insensitive (calculated?) han- of the time we don’t – both physical and emotional. dling of the transition of power to the know who has called for Yet, the people of Manipur are a Government of India. Add to this, as the disciplined lot, like most of the people locals are quick to point out that “the it, or why” in the northeast. They’re also friendlier insensitive and violent management of and politer than mainland Indians, al- local sentiment and issues of the entire ther victims, who in turn have become ways quick to smile and help without northeast regionby subsequent govern- protestors, and additional parties to expectations of anything in return. Ser- ments in New Delhi”, didn’t help heal the conflict. As a Manipuri friend of vice quality is decent in most shops and the wounds or solve the problems of the mine put it “There are so many groups restaurants. Manipuri people. and factions fighting in Manipur today, Imphal, when not shut by a bandh, Over the years, the conflict has led that we find it hard to remember who is usually bustling with daytime activity, to the breakdown of law, order, and is fighting for what. We stay at home its streets filled with two-wheelers and governance in the state, creating fur- during bandhs nowadays due to fear of cycle-rickshaws and a generous sam- Opinion Express 23 Fish Farms of Manipur known agenda. The rest of the state, is no man’s Topographically, Manipur is a valley filled with land, especially if you are government, green fields, water bodies and small towns, or an outsider like me. So, you don’t go there anywhere unannounced – like to surrounded by rich green hills on all sides. Imphal, Senapati, Ukhrul or Chandel – if you with its historic Kangla Palace and Fort, rests bang don’t have friends there. This may sound harsh, coming from in the middle of the valley and the State, and is someone who says Manipur is the one of the most beautiful places on earth, perhaps the safest place to be, if you’re Meitei, or an but that’s the beginning of the irony outsider of unknown agenda that inhabits Manipur. pling of Marutis, Hyundais and Boleros. city, it is quite normal to see sand- The un-economical econo- Most neighbourhoods comprise of low bagged check posts at regular distances, my of Manipur rise buildings, with the usual suspects road opening parties standing patiently This dichotomy of Manipur is evident of mobile repair shops, grocery stores, onthe roads, and armoured personnel from the moment you check into a hotel roadside eateries, multi-brand home carriers of the army patrolling the high- (there are only a handful here). The two appliances stores, and roadside vends ways. Classic hotels I stay at in Imphal, match selling cheap Chinese products. Topographically, Manipur is a val- up to the best of hotels I’ve stayed in In contrast, all government build- ley filled with green fields, water bodies around the country. Yet there are always ings are fortified with barbed wires, steel and small towns, surrounded by rich rooms available there, starting at 2-3 doors, and armed guards all around. green hills on all sides. Imphal, with its thousand rupees a night, with no hordes There is massive presence of armed historic Kangla Palace and Fort, rests of business travellers or tourists landing forces everywhere, including the police, bang in the middle of the valley and the up to indulge the hospitality. paramilitary forces, and the army. State, and is perhaps the safest place to Imphal is strategically located on When you’re driving outside the be, if you’re Meitei, or an outsider of un- Highway 39 (Now Asian Highway 1) 24 Opinion Express Kangla Palace and Fort which runs through the state and has people doing the best they can with potential to service Assam and Na- Manipur has a literacy what’s available to them in the State. galand, as well as become the economic The undeniable truth is, Manipur expressway to South East Asia, but that rate of almost 80%. holds untold, untapped wealth and po- seems a distant dream. tential – not just of natural resources Most of the state’s 7,000-odd km Most of its citizens speak and tourism, but of talent that goes be- road network is in pitiful condition, and not only English,but yond the iconic Mary Kom. when not closed due to some blockade On the ground, everyone in Ma- or the other, it takes hours to travel dis- also Hindi, which is a nipur, from the farmer to the shopkeep- tances that would take 20-30 minutes rarity in the northeast. er, is a Mary Kom fighting some battle elsewhere. or the other every day, that too, with a Manipur is rich in Agriculture, and Yet, unemployment is smile. many essential crops and exotic fruits The Manipuri narrative (it never and vegetables grow here. Yet we don’t rampant, and estimated seems like complaints) when delivered hear anything about it, leave alone get to be as high as 30% - by locals to outsiders like me, is al- to taste it in the rest of India. most always delivered with a smile or For those who love culture and 40% of the population in a resigned chuckle, never with anger or nature, Manipur has some the most many Kendras aggression.And the narrative is always mesmerising traditional dance forms accompanied by genuine concern to I’ve seen in my life!It has some beauti- ensure, that I’mwell taken care of as a ful heritage sites like the Kangla Fort, English,but also Hindi, which is a rarity guest, of the people of Manipur. and places of incredible natural beauty in the northeast. Yet, unemployment is That says a lot for the real spirit of and wildlife, like Loktak Lake, and the rampant, and estimated to be as high as people of the people of Manipur, and it world’s only floating national park, that 30% - 40% of the population in many resounds with hope, for a state and peo- is also home to the elusive Sanghai. Kendras. ple that deserve a lot more than what Ironically, Manipur produces some The entire State budget of Manipur, the past many decades have meted out of the finest hospitality professionals in is probably less than what is paid out to them. the country, and for the world, but tour- under MGNREGA in many states! ism is almost non-existent here. Despite all this, the only vis- By MehernoshShapoorjee Manipur has a literacy rate of almost ible stress, and outward complaints are Digital5 | LinkedIn/Shapoorjee | 80%.Most of its citizens speak not only pointed at the unrest and conflict, with @noshtradamus Opinion Express 25 Organic Success Ramdev’s Patanjali is more than just a fascinating success story

Prakhar P Misra

t takes time to accept the fact that In a few months, Patanjali has become a household person from extremely humble name. This battle has to be seen in terms of the Ibackground can script mega business story, it becomes more difficult to politics of knowledge and communication. Ayurveda accept the fact when he is a sadhu. One has been a medical system which knew its time of the most interesting dramas taking place in India hardly gets a reference was coming. Unfortunately, Ayurveda was often on the political pages, though economic reporting tends to be hysterical about it. presented in a reductive way as yoga which was only The latter reports about the rise of Ram- one aspect of a more cosmological theory dev’s firm Patanjali to a major corporate status. The reports claim that Patanjali industry where major gurus like Sri Sri inequality in our society. Second, this makes P&G nervous, its advertisement Ravi Shankar popularised it but as an argument acquires a different pace as expenses signalling a new medical mul- extension of their spirituality. When he hyphenates politics with spirituality. tinational. one looks at an “Art of Living” shop, He talks openly of the politics of medi- In a few months, Patanjali has be- one realises Ayurveda is only part of its cine and makes it a part of the wider come a household name. This battle spiritual offerings. Baba Ramdev is the BJP wave. Third, he moves from poli- has to be seen in terms of the politics first guru to make the transition from a tics to production and creates in Patan- of knowledge and communication. symbolic presentation of a civilisational jali a household name to rival the likes Ayurveda has been a medical system idea to an actual production. of P&G and Hindustan Lever. which knew its time was coming. Un- The transition to Patanjali can be The way he does it is fascinating. fortunately, Ayurveda was often pre- seen in three steps. First, Baba Ram- First, he plays on the civilisational un- sented in a reductive way as yoga which dev becomes a popular and a populist conscious which sees the indigenous as was only one aspect of a more cosmo- hero by advocating yoga and claiming a part of wider authenticity. Second, he logical theory. Second, Ayurveda be- that Western medicine, as practised by merges the middle class consumerism came an extension to the spirituality MNCs, was a con game adding to the with traditional values by merging a 26 Opinion Express way of life and a lifestyle consciousness. He suggests health is a way of life and then emphasises the contemporaneity The MNCs also made a mistake by attacking of Ayurveda. Third, he widens Patanjali Ramdev’s scientific credentials, claiming that many to include consumer goods, cosmetics, food supplements, medicalised candy of his products could not stand standardisation and medicines. Instead of an overdra- tests. Ramdev anticipated this by insisting on matized single product, what we have is a spectrum of fascinating goods. highest production criteria. But to mere idea of Added to this was the sense of anxiety, the antics of MNCs. The vagaries standardisation, he added the trust offered by that befell Cadbury, Coca-Cola, Ponds heritage. People buying his products often and Nestlé destroyed the immaculate trust of consumers. The MNCs also sound patriotic made a mistake by attacking Ram- dev’s scientific credentials, claiming is medicine. His advertising style also the domain of conspicuous consump- that many of his products could not follows an Ayurvedic grammar, focus- tion. His treasure is in the everydayness stand standardisation tests. Ramdev ing both on the discipline and the con- of goods easily accessible, available and anticipated this by insisting on highest creteness of the body and on the wider affordable. In fact, Ramdev becomes production criteria. But to mere idea ecology of religion, spirituality, ethics both paradigm and exemplar. He is the of standardisation, he added the trust and well-being. model. offered by heritage. People buying his Unlike commodities from MNCs, However, Baba Ramdev understands products often sound patriotic. Baba Ramdev does not need stars. His the power of advertising. He knows he Baba Ramdev’s overall strategy has asceticism confronts the exotic and needs advertisement to break the men- a logic which is implicit in the philoso- sexual feel of cosmetic and lifestyle ad- tal link between Maggi and Nestlé. In phy of Ayurveda which reads the world vertisements. His message is clear - you turning this generation organic, he has into microcosms - the body - and mac- do not have to be a model to use my to convince them that ragi can be fash- rocosms - the world. Mediating the two goods. His products do not belong to ionable. In that sense, Ramdev’s ads,

Opinion Express 27 which are tactically undistinguished, tacitly convey an understanding of the modern world. He wants to convey that The target is a 20-fold increase from the Rs.5,000 the idea of heritage can create the ecol- crore in net sales that Patanjali posted in the ogy for a new consumerism. Business growth and the major business year that ended on 31 March. Next stop: push: Yoga guru-turned-tycoon Baba Rs.10,000 crore in net sales in the year to next Ramdev has just set the bar higher for his consumer products business—Rs.1 March. The breadth of Baba Ramdev’s ambition can trillion ($14.9 billion) in net sales, a target he thinks can be reached in 10 be gauged from the fact that Hindustan Unilever years, if not five. The bearded 50-year- Ltd (HUL), the local unit of Anglo-Dutch consumer old yoga guru has no doubt at all that Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, which he set up products giant Unilever Plc., which has been around in 2006, will get there; it’s just a matter in India since 1888, hasn’t even touched one-third of time. “It’ll happen naturally. I don’t of Ramdev’s target dream, I only work,” Baba Ramdev said in a rare interview on 24 May in to 31 March, HUL posted net sales of more than doubled its sales in the year Haridwar, the north Indian Hindu holy Rs.32,482.72 crore. ended 31 March, from Rs.2,006 crore town on the banks of the Ganges, which The target also represents a third of in the previous year. (To put that in houses the headquarters of his business the size of India’s entire packaged con- perspective, HUL’s sales rose 4% in the empire. sumer products market at present, esti- same period.) The target is a 20-fold increase from mated at about Rs.3.2 trillion a year and Baba Ramdev downplays his own the Rs.5,000 crore in net sales that projected to grow 12-15% annually over role in building Patanjali the emerg- Patanjali posted in the business year the next five years, reaching Rs.6.1 tril- ing consumer products giant, saying that ended on 31 March. Next stop: lion in 2019, according to a September his only role is that of a brand ambas- Rs.10,000 crore in net sales in the year 2015 report by industry lobby Federa- sador who works for free in television to next March. The breadth of Baba tion of Indian Chambers of Commerce commercials representing the brands Ramdev’s ambition can be gauged from and Industry (FICCI) and advisory firm his company makes. Even so, it’s clear the fact that Hindustan Unilever Ltd KPMG. that a razor-sharp business brain is (HUL), the local unit of Anglo-Dutch Of course, Patanjali is used to a deftly charting the future of Patanjali consumer products giant Unilever red-hot pace of growth. The company, Ayurved. Plc., which has been around in India which sells everything from shampoo The rise of Patanjali may be backed since 1888, hasn’t even touched one- and toothpaste to biscuits and noodles, by the faith that Baba Ramdev’s millions third of Ramdev’s target. In the year and rice and wheat to honey and ghee, of disciples repose in the yoga guru, 28 Opinion Express who, in 2011, briefly became a crusader Patanjali’s day-to-day operations against government corruption and had are overseen by Ram Bharat, 38, who to hurriedly leave the Ramlila Maidan Over the next year, works from a huge wood-crafted office in Delhi dressed in a salwar suit lent by Patanjali will increase its at the company’s factory in Padartha, a female follower to escape a brutal po- an industrial zone in Haridwar that lice crackdown. retail presence through is spread over 150 acres. On the other But there’s also something beyond 4,000 distributors, more hand, multiple people at Patanjali be- reliance on blind faith. Patanjali knows lieve the business brain behind Patan- where exactly it is headed and what it than 10,000 company- jali’s success is none other than Swami should do to get there. Over the next few Muktanand, a director at Patanjali. years, Patanjali will focus on six areas: owned outlets, 100 However, Muktanand’s whereabouts natural medicine, natural cosmetics, Patanjali-branded stores are not known. natural dairy products and food, natu- Yoga guru-turned-tycoon Baba ral cattle feed and feed supplements, and supermarkets, Ramdev has just set the bar higher for bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides, and the company said in his consumer products business—Rs.1 natural indigenous seeds, said Baba trillion ($14.9 billion) in net sales, a Ramdev. a statement recently. target he thinks can be reached in 10 In April, Mumbai-based Pittie Over the next five years, years, if not five. Nestle India Ltd chair- Group, the nationwide distributor for man and managing director Suresh Patanjali products, sewed up a distribu- Patanjali will set up six Narayanan said he believed “disruptive tion arrangement with Apollo Pharma- competition is always good to have”. cy. It also has a marketing arrangement more factories in other “Competition energizes me. I firm- with Kishore Biyani’s Future Retail Ltd parts of the country, ly believe every company play on its for selling Patanjali products in 243 cit- strengths. Our strength is nutrition, sci- ies across India. Patanjali Ayurveda has Ramdev said, declining ence, health and wellness. That’s what also teamed up with billionaire Mukesh to divulge investment we are all about. We are good at these, Ambani’s retail chain Reliance Retail to and we’ll be playing to it. Let’s focus on sell its products. details. Patanjali what we need to do and get that right,” Over the next year, Patanjali will he added. Cigarette maker ITC Ltd, increase its retail presence through currently has three which branched out into foods, home 4,000 distributors, more than 10,000 factories and a bunch of and personal care products in 2001 and company-owned outlets, 100 Patanjali- reported sales of Rs.9,704.40 crore for branded stores and supermarkets, the contract manufacturers the year ended 31 March 2016, is also company said in a statement recently. aware of the formidable competition Over the next five years, Patanjali will to 24,050 in the week ended 25 March, posed by Patanjali. “We have taken set up six more factories in other parts according to BARC. Ad insertions by note of Patanjali’s rapid growth and are of the country, Ramdev said, declining Patanjali are 20% more than those by recalibrating our strategy,” V.L. Rajesh, to divulge investment details. Patan- the next most-advertised brand on TV— chief executive (foods business), ITC, jali currently has three factories and a Cadbury, a chocolate brand owned by said in New Delhi. bunch of contract manufacturers. Mondelez India Foods Pvt. Ltd. Acharya Balkrishna, Ramdev’s close According to Anuja Chauhan, cre- Outsourcing confidant and managing director of Pa- ative consultant at advertising agency To be sure, there are concerns about tanjali Ayurved, said in a press confer- JWT India and a writer, “Patanjali is some Patanjali products and scepticism ence on 27 April that the company will riding on Baba Ramdev’s huge fan fol- about some of its claims. In May, the spend more than Rs.1,000 crore to set lowing. The company got two things Advertising Standards Council of India up new production units and Rs.150 right—one, the whole India-Ayurveda (ASCI) found “gross exaggeration” in crore on a research and development connection and, second, the MNC style the commercials on hair oil, mustard oil facility. “We’ll employ about 500,000 of advertising.” and washing power made by the com- people once all these factories are built, Baba Ramdev and Balkrishna con- pany. Patanjali claims to make natural besides the indirect beneficiaries,” says verse about how good Patanjali’s cattle ghee (clarified butter) from cow milk. Ramdev. To build the factories, Ram- feed is and how they can double the The aloe vera unit is a processing dev said, Patanjali is buying land every- milk output of cows. Listening to them and packaging unit, which was using where at “market price”. are more than a thousand middle-aged pulp supplied by Dhandev Resorts and Patanjali’s expansion is backed by a followers from the farming community Health Care Pvt. Ltd (a Jaisalmer-based high-powered marketing campaign led who are attending a five-day yoga camp company owned by Roop Ram, an Indi- by Ramdev himself. Between January (attendees pay a fee of Rs.1,000-2,000 an National Congress leader). Patanjali and March, Patanjali Ayurved doubled per day for such yoga camps), besides claims that it has its own aloe vera plan- the number of advertisements it airs on millions of television viewers. A new tations for making aloe vera juice. And TV channels, according to data from tele- range of cattle feed will be launched contrary to Ramdev’s claims, Patan- vision viewership measurement agency soon, the duo says. According to Baba jali outsources manufacturing of some Broadcast Audience Research Council Ramdev, Patanjali already sells about products like other packaged consumer India, or BARC. Patanjali’s weekly ad Rs.150 crore worth of cattle feed a year products companies do. For instance, insertions on television jumped 102% and expects to cross the Rs.1,000-crore biscuits are made by Delhi-based Sona from 11,897 in the first week of January mark this year. Biscuits (that also sells biscuits under Opinion Express 29 “Patanjali, which Baba Ramdev says is a zero-debt company, is right now According to Baba Ramdev, Patanjali has more selling everything it is making. Manag- than 200 scientists who research and develop its ing director Balkrishna said in May that there is a huge gap between domestic products. These scientists are barred from meeting demand and supply. outsiders. “We can’t divulge the formulations and And the man who is out to build the next consumer products giant out what we are developing,” said Vineet Gupta, a of India says he doesn’t view buyers of senior manager, declining a request by this reporter Patanjali products as consumers. Baba Ramdev is perceived to be close to In- to meet the scientists dia’s ruling coalition, and has appeared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sobisco brand) and juices by a bunch tanjali products are essentially herbal several public platforms. But the yoga of companies, including GK Dairy and clones. The process is simple. Top-sell- guru disclaims any interest in politics. Milk Products Pvt. Ltd (this company ing products across brands are picked “I want to stay the way I am—sanyas, also sells products under the Gopalji up from the market and then similar rashtradharma... (Renunciation and brand). products are developed based on herbal duty to the nation) I want to do every- Patanjali’s juice products, which formulations under Patanjali brands. thing without any greed. Directly, I’ll Baba Ramdev claims to be natural, con- Mostly, they are replicas of successful never participate at any political posi- tains added sugar, water and required products of multinational companies,” tion,” concludes Baba Ramdev. preservatives. Haridwar-based Aakash the analyst said. “About 85% of all pro- The extraordinary success story of Yog Health Products Ltd manufactures duction is done in-house, and Patanjali Patanjali has scripted a new corporate noodles for Patanjali. Aakash used to is looking to replicate the success of its culture in India. Today, Patanjali is make noodles for HUL’s Knorr brand, till first food park in four other cities, in- a unique case study model for global recently. Some of these names are men- cluding Nagpur in Maharashtra. Patan- management schools wherein the entire tioned in the fine print of product packets. jali is also using e-commerce channels business model is based on personality Mint confirmed these with the managers to distribute its products across India cult promoting nationalism. The son of at Patanjali’s Padartha factory. and is appointing new distributors to soil card appeals to large section of ur- According to Baba Ramdev, Patan- expand its footprint,” he wrote in his ban middle class and rural community jali has more than 200 scientists who report. Ramdev says the plan is to build that constitute major bulk of Indian research and develop its products. six more factories, each as big as the one population. It is this loyal customer These scientists are barred from meet- in Padartha, and move into new areas base that Baba Ramdev has targeted ing outsiders. “We can’t divulge the for- like handlooms and organic farming. successfully to establish India’s fastest mulations and what we are developing,” People who work at Patanjali pro- growing brand. Surely, from the days to said Vineet Gupta, a senior manager, fess to have joined the company to pro- free yoga classes to fight against corrup- declining a request by this reporter to mote a “good cause”—a movement that tion and now building up vast business meet the scientists. Baba Ramdev calls “swadeshi andolan” empire is a strategy worth studying. One analyst, who has visited Patan- (literally, indigenous or local protest, a (With Inputs from jali factories multiple times and spoke movement for freedom from the clutch- Shiv Visvanathan & on condition of anonymity, says Pa- es of MNCs). Sounak Mitra articles) 30 Opinion Express Indo-Japan economic ties Sanjeev Sinha The Nature of Potential Japanese the total population of the region, which Collaboration with India Japan is well is also world’s largest urban conglomer- he most unique contribution Ja- known for bullet trains, which is de- ate, at about 35 million. This is further pan can make to India’s develop- monstrably the world’s best as a combi- connected with a dense and frequent Tment is in the field of large scale, nation of length, speed, frequency, ser- bus operation as well as increasingly high-tech and long term infrastruc- vice and most of all safety — not a single pedestrian and bicycle friendly urban ture development, including fi nancing accident fatality despite many severe planning. thereof. In addition, India can expect earthquakes in the total history of more This is topped with a long time im- four qualities from Japan: safety, en- than 50 years. The remote rural part of peccable record for safety and on-going vironmental friendliness, ergonomics Japan is also well covered by the public regular improvements on all aspects. and strategic trust, leading to a low life- transport despite a very mountainous Crucially, since the global financial cri- cycle cost. terrain of the country through breath- sis like Lehman shock, Japan stands A combination of such qualities is taking bridges and tunnels. out with the biggest financing appetite very much desirable but also creates a Japan’s urban transport systems in terms of the amount and the time complexity in the assessment and the are also a wonder, with greater Tokyo period. Japan is already the biggest fi decision making process. Let us study having the world’s most extensive and nancier for Asian Development Bank these aspects and how the Prime Min- smooth urban rail network of 158 lines which in turn has India as the biggest ister of India Narendra Modi’s policies with 2,200 stations serving 40 million recipient, and Japan International Co- can help in the matter. passenger rides daily, a little more than operation Agency (JICA) being a lead-

Opinion Express 31 ing ODA provider in the world with As Indian people travelled more fre- India the largest recipient for years. Ja- quently to developed countries for vari- pan Bank of International Cooperation On the other hand this ous IT related jobs they brought back a (JBIC) provides up to 40 years of loans is exactly the need of new expectation of quality. The global and has a big interest in India. exposure through TV and other means On the other hand this is exactly the the time for India — also created new standards of quality need of the time for India — Infrastruc- and there was a new demand for high ture and the long term financing for it. Infrastructure and the quality infrastructure even if it meant Growth of Demand in India We have long term financing for paying for the use, like toll roads. In seen a strong demand for good qual- the wake of the economic liberalization ity infrastructure in India over the last it. Growth of Demand India quickly adopted privatization of decade which supports the commercial in India We have seen a infrastructure and saw more and more viability. Until the early 1990s masses private sector partners coming into in- in India would prefer free roads, which strong demand for good frastructure development and opera- was purely a responsibility of the gov- tions through PPP models. ernment. Due to various political and quality infrastructure This new demand and PPP para- government inefficiencies the quality of in India over the last digm provides a platform for Japanese the public infrastructure development collaboration in India. was very pure while the government was decade which supports also under huge fiscal pressure for lack the commercial viability. Difficulties in Infrastruc- of tax revenues. The lack of infrastructure Development ture also resulted in lack of manufac- Until the early 1990s Despite the demand, unfortunately turing industry which crucially depends masses in India would various political reasons and regulatory on infrastructure and hence India con- complexity across different ministries tinued to be too dependent on imports prefer free roads, and approval authorities has hindered both for energy as well as manufactured a proper planning and decision making goods. The fiscal and trade imbalances which was purely a on large scale projects and that’s where grew to a state of crisis and forced India responsibility of the a big hope is on the new Modi govern- to take major steps in economic reforms ment. in the early 1990s. government Modi government being a powerful With the economic liberalization single party government, with the credit new momentum in the Indian economy was an area India could excel given the and expectations of the Gujarat Model, kicked in. India saw major foreign di- knowledge of English and relative inde- is in a good position to expedite the de- rect investments coming in and also the pendence of physical infrastructure like cision making on large and complex in- timing coincided with the Y2K prob- roads and power. frastructure projects, which creates the lem in the global IT industry which de- The IT industry created a new con- right opportunity for Japanese engage- manded huge software manpower. This fidence and global exposure in India. ment. 32 Opinion Express It’s after 30 years that India has a single party majority in the central The election leading to PM Modi’s government government. Over these 3 decades In- dia had coalition governments of vari- is also very different from the last single party ous compositions including community parties, regional parties and religion majority government formed in 1984. In 1984, the based parties with varying agendas. assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi This led to a big difficulty in reaching agreements with long drawn debates on led to a sympathy wave putting her son Rajiv various aspects of social, environmen- Gandhi, with little political experience hitherto, as tal, religious, political and economic issues. The nature of the coalition gov- a prime minister heading a single party majority ernments also created a model of pacifi cation and appeasement which further government complicated the decision making process. tion there was also a lack of sufficient advantage of English and independence The election leading to PM Modi’s debate and analysis in the public for a of large scale physical infrastructure for government is also very different from good judgement which further encour- IT industry. the last single party majority govern- aged the political parties to have their One more relevant factor is the the- ment formed in 1984. In 1984, the as- own petty agendas play the game. oretical and debate loving mindset of sassination of then Prime Minister Indian people. The Indian constitution Indira Gandhi led to a sympathy wave New Political Process Lead- also allows a great degree of freedom putting her son Rajiv Gandhi, with little ing to the Election of Prime of speech and expression which led to political experience hitherto, as a prime Minister Modi IT driven online media in India. While minister heading a single party majority The elections in 2014 witnessed a India is still much behind in terms of government. very different approach led by intense printed media, India has leapfrogged in Differing agendas and styles of vari- debates and information propagation online media. ous political parties made even the most through online media like Facebook, Social Network Systems have further obvious of the decision making pro- Twitter, WhatsApp and others. As I contributed significantly in the online cesses too complex. In the severe politi- mentioned earlier India continued to information propagation and analysis. cal competition, often one party would lack physical infrastructure due to ineffi The online media also has a natural vir- block the decision only to stop the other ciency in the decision making, develop- tue of being better connected with the party to get credit for a good project. In ment and fi nancing processes, but India educated and techno-savvy people of lack of good public media and educa- could excel in the IT industry due to the India who are better able to judge the

Opinion Express 33 political agenda and are more respected average condition of roads in India. The opinion leaders in their respective com- length of roads also grew by 3.6 times munities. As earlier mentioned during the tenure of Modi with develop- With a recent surge of mobile the global exposure and ment of new roads. phones including smart phones sup- The whole of country is expecting a porting SNS feature, the latest elections economic liberalisation similar state of growth in the rest of the were dominated by a very active debate has also put the economy country as well under the leadership of on SNS and online media. Modi. As earlier mentioned the global and good governance on exposure and economic liberalisation Prime Minister Modi’s Style has also put the economy and good a higher agenda rather of Governance governance on a higher agenda rather than the religious and Narendra Modi’s style of governance than the religious and regional political in the state of Gujarat speaks volumes. agenda which had mostly dominated regional political agenda While corruption is a big problem in the elections in the past. which had mostly various aspects of India, Modi himself Modi’s humble background of pov- is known to be a very clean and selfless. erty in childhood and being an active dominated the elections He is also a very hard working per- member of a nationwide grassroots in the past son with even very few hours of sleep a Hindu organization called Rashtriya day. He also demands the same from Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has also his administration. contributed to his great popularity in Narendra Modi headed the state of He is also known to be a very hands- the masses. Gujarat as the Chief Minister between on person with an excellent memory. He Prime Minister Modi’s Previous 2001 and 2014. The progress of the would remember the person in charge Track Record from the State of Gujarat state during the period was a major fac- for a particular project and the perfor- India is well known to be a very di- tor in the election process as well. mance parameters and deadlines and verse country. The diversity is not just Gujarat is one of the best states in would often personally follow up on the evident in natural and cultural terms various parameters. Gujarat is among matter by picking up a phone directly. but also in the economic situations in the very few states of India with suffi- In the process, he built a close knit different parts of India. Different states ciency of electricity which grew the elec- network of bureaucrats around him in of India have very different levels of tricity production by 2.5 times during the state of Gujarat whom he has also economic development and infrastruc- Modi’s tenure. Gujarat state also has taken along with him to the central gov- ture as well. better quality of roads compared to the ernment into the Prime Minister’s Offi 34 Opinion Express ce. A large part of critical decision mak- transport systems technology and ex- promised delivery for a client in the ing is done from the Prime Minister’s pertise for ports, airports, highways and same afternoon. My worried brother Offi ce directly under the PM’s super- railways, as also noted above. from India researched and informed vision. This is quite unlike the previ- While we face many accidents in In- me that my offi ce building is the stron- ous Prime Ministers where the decision dian transport systems, safety is another gest in the world for earthquakes and making was decentralized to various attractive and complimentary aspect of that it’s safer for me to stay in here for other senior politicians as well as other Japan. With zero fatalities in 50 years of the time being. Such earthquake resil- members of the ruling party. operations of running 5 minutes behind ient construction technology is much Modi has further kept the deci- each other, Japanese bullet trains are desirable for India where we also face sion making closer to him as most of equipped with a technology to detect an occasional signifi cant earthquakes. the senior ministers are younger than earthquake about a minute in advance Nuclear power has been seen as an Modi himself at the age of 66. It’s also and special technology for emergency important source of energy and India observed that most of the Ministers stop from a high speed of 300 kilome- and Japan have finally reached a civil around PM Modi are strong followers tres per hour within the minute. nuclear technology collaboration agree- of PM Modi, which Strong safety features are common- ment after years of discussions due to along with a very Prime Minister’s ly seen in all aspects of Japanese infra- India not being part of NPT and Japa- Offi ce led decision making process is structure systems where even a single nese sensitivities to nuclear matter be- drawing analogies to the White House death by accident is infrequent enough ing to only country suffering from a style model of the United States of to become national TV news.Natural di- nuclear bomb. Japan faced a serious America. sasters like earthquakes and typhoons and unexpected natural disaster of 15 being quite common in Japan, such a meters high Tsunami hitting its Fuku- Role for Japan in the New strong preparedness is seen in Japan shima Plans by Prime Minister for the same that life and work continue Nuclear Power plant on March 11th Modi almost as normal despite a signifi cant 2011, leading to a serious accident. This For the plan for 100 new smart cities earthquake. adds to Japanese experience and les- announced by the Modi Government, As a personal experience, when the sons learnt from a disaster which makes Japan has the world’s best technology world media thought Japan was devas- the Japanese nuclear collaboration even and implementation examples, like the tated by the earthquake and Tsunami more desirable for India and is high on Yokohama Smart City. on 11th March 2011, my Japanese col- PM Modi’s priority list for collaboration Japan has some of world’s best leagues continued to work to meet a with Japan.

Opinion Express 35 After safety, the second quality of very little mind share compared to USA, Also a longer and more rigorous life- environmental friendliness is demon- UK, Singapore or other English speak- cycle assessment process is required to strated in the least carbon footprint per ing countries, Japanis more trusted and fully appreciate the economic feasibility unit of GDP in Japan among the large respected in India. and attractiveness of the combination countries of the world. As the world is This trust mandates mutual collabo- of Japanese technology and financing already facing a serious challenge of ration in the areas such as ports, tele- package. climate change and India catches up communication and defence technology. India has seen too many example of on per capita energy consumption with Prime Minister Modi has announced 16 use of cheap technology and inadequate the industrial world, it’s important new ports where discussion with Japa- planning processes leading to failure for India and the world to adopt eco- nese ports is already underway. An un- of various infrastructure projects. This friendly technology across the lifecycle precedented sales and future domestic includes various power plants, city de- of production, usage and disposal. Ja- manufacturing in India of defence re- velopments and infrastructure devel- pan has the best of low carbon emission lated Japanese amphibian planes US2 opment projects. The problem is often power production technology across is also at an advanced stage. further exacerbated because of the cor- different sources like thermal, hydro, And in India’s desperate plans ruption involved in the process. India as solar, wind, geothermal and nuclear. to reduce the import bill by promot- well as foreign investors from Japan are Not many countries of the world have ing domestic electronics manufactur- looking up to a strong leadership of PM enough of such technology and capacity Modi to enforce a strong due diligence to fi nance it. and planning process, building a confi- With more than $100 billion of as- The high cost of Japanese dence to focus on long term aspects and set under management, one of the higher quality, reduce the corruption prime mandates for Japan Bank of In- technology is an often and hence improve the overall decision ternational Cooperation (JBIC) and Ja- making process. pan International Cooperation Agency cited concern, but that Looking at the example of Japan’s (JICA) is environment. Already there can well be compensated development with a long term focus on are many JBIC and JICA fi nanced envi- quality, which leads to over economic ronment friendly projects in India, but by the very low cost efficiency, India Japan collaboration there is still a tremendous untapped po- long term fi nancing can be expected to grow rapidly through tential where PM Modi’s plans for smart a confi dent decision making process cities and new energy projects are very by a cash rich and very expected from PM Modi. important platforms. willing Japan, along with Two major free market democracies Urban Infrastructure, a leading in- of the world with common traditional frastructure development and operator reduced lifecycle cost in values and mutual trust have perfect group of India, I facilitated an MoU of economic complementarities where GMR with JBIC of Japan bilateral col- the long run Japan can provide the technology and laboration in technology and capital finance for the development of India and can witness the willingness and po- ing Japan can be an ideal, trusted and andIndia can reciprocate with a growth tential between both the countries. equally desperate partner. Japan is in market and global human resource for Ergonomics of Japanese systems a desperate need for a market for sur- aging Japan. needs to be experienced to be believed vival of Japanese high tech electronics ‘The most potent bilateral relation- and the Japanese products exported industry, where India is a holistic and ship of the world’, as Prime Minister overseas are a good sample for the near green fi eld opportunity for Japan Abe proclaimed during his visit to India, same. Japanese systems are also very to start cost effective manufacturing in had been waiting for strong leaderships friendly for the physically disabled. newly planned Electronics Manufactur- from both sides. With the two Prime Last but a very important quality I ing Clusters and cater to an expected Ministers Abe and Modi, expectations mentioned is being strategically trusted. $400 billion Indian electronics market are now very high indeed. Japan respects India for the philosophy by 2020. of Buddhism and Mahatma Gandhi and The high cost of Japanese technol- Going Forward remembers Justice Radha Binod Pal, ogy is an often cited concern, but that One of the most signifi cant contri- who gave the sole dissenting comment can well be compensated by the very butions from Japan to India can be in in the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal, and low cost long term fi nancing by a cash large scale infrastructure projects like Subhash Chandra Bose very fondly for rich and very willing Japan, along with high speed railways, smart cities, ports their pre-independence collaboration reduced lifecycle cost in the long run. and industrial zones, requiring both with Japan. During the Japan Visit PM This raises possibilities of dedicated reliable eco-friendly technology and Modi also met the surviving colleagues Japan-India funds which can support long term financing, where Japan is the of the above in Tokyo. Japanese technology with Japanese fi- world leader in combination. With the While India helped Japan criti- nancing. strong new government in India one cally with early diplomatic recognition A combination of technology with can expect effective decision making on and natural resources after the war, the government financing raises some such large scale projects and hence a JICA, world’s largest ODA agency was debates on the international com- new paradigm of effective Japanese col- founded with India especially in mind petitive bidding processes and various laboration in India. and continues to work quietly for the guidelines of the multilateral organiza- (The writer is Indo-Japan humanitarian developmental needs of tions like World Trade Organization, Business and Investment Advisor India. On the other hand, while with IMF and Asia Development Bank etc. based in Japan) 36 Opinion Express The Mother of all Elections – UK 2017 Kapil Dudakia

he UK has seen some incredible The Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats also developments over the past few lost their leaders at the same time and we had Tyears. No sooner had PM Cam- eron won the public vote in 2015 that several months when every major party in the UK he declared the date for the EU refer- was scrambling to select their new leader. In the endum, otherwise known as Brexit. At that time, I had advised the politicians end the Labour Party chose MP Jeremy Corbyn and that for the UK,Brexit was the right choice and indeed in my view, the Brit- the Liberal Democrats MP Tim Farron. ish electorate would choose that as their preferred option. On Thursday the selection of the next Conservative Democrats also lost their leaders at the June 23, 2016, the British electorate did Party leader and therefore the new PM same time and we had several months exactly as I had predicted and voted to of UK. And what a battle that turned when every major party in the UK was leave the EU. This set into motion a se- scrambling to select their new leader. ries of events that have hitherto never Kapil’s Kaleidoscope In the end the Labour Party chose MP happened before. Within hours PM Jeremy Corbyn and the Liberal Demo- Cameron stepped down as the Prime out to be with the likes of Boris John- crats MP Tim Farron. Minister. He really had no choice since son, Michael Gove and Theresa May all The stage was set to action Article he backed the ‘remain’ campaign which throwing their hats in the ring. The vic- 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. The first step obviously failed. tor as we now know was PM T May. in the process of the UK is leaving the Of course, this led immediately to The Labour Party and the Liberal EU. Months of turmoil with opposition

Opinion Express 37 politicians playing all the games they could, to if not halt the process, to slow it down to a crawl. In the end, PM May Under normal circumstances one would have put the opposition to the sword in a thought that the matter was settled and the British parliamentary vote, and guess what, the Article 50 Bill passed in Parliament by government should just get on with the task in a margin of 498 to 114. So much so for hand. However, modern politics is no longer the defiant opposition that crumbled in the wake of ground reality, that being that straight forward. The opposition which has that the British public would not stand a majority in the upper house (House of Lords) for any politician who stood in the way of the decision they had made. declared that they would do everything to frustrate Under normal circumstances one would have thought that the matter the process and by so doing, undermine the was settled and the British government negotiating strength of the British Government should just get on with the task in hand. However, modern politics is no lon- for Brexit ger that straight forward. The opposition which has a majority in the upper pean partners. that she wanted a snap election to take house (House of Lords) declared that The Scottish National Party (SNP) place on 8th June 2017. In the UK, we they would do everything to frustrate having already lost one referendum have what is called a ‘Fixed Parliament the process and by so doing, undermine for independence wanted to instigate Act’. In effect, it means an election the negotiating strength of the British another one. The SNP leader Nicola take place every 5 years. If you want Government for Brexit. The European- Sturgeon saw an opportunity of the one earlier, then Parliament must vote bureaucrats in Brusselswere loving this, Brexit vote and used that to promote by 2/3rd majority for it to take place. knowing they also wanted to make life her favourite policy for independence. Generally speaking, this would mean hard for Britain as well. As it turned However, the continuous sniping by getting the opposition to vote with the out, most of the leading economic indi- British opposition politicians finally Government of the day. Of course, cators continued to be favourable to the pushed PM May to decide enough was when PM May threw this gauntlet British economy. The doom merchants enough. PM May out foxed not only down she knew that the main opposi- were being proven wrong as Britain the opposition, and the media, but her tion had no choice but to back her call continued to outshine most of its Euro- own party members when she declared for an early election. Namely, how on 38 Opinion Express The state of play for the main political This is of course just parties is as follows: an exercise in playing UK GE17 - LATEST VOTING INTENTION with numbers. My Con Lab Ldem UKIP Lead interpretation is 23-Apr 48 26 10 8 Con +22 kept simple. The 18-Apr 46 25 11 8 Con +21 Conservative Party 17-Apr 44 26 12 11 Con +18 13-Apr 44 23 12 10 Con +21 will win with ease and have a significant majority to get most of its legislation through the next Parliament. They will have 5 years in which to cement in their advantage subject to their policies working out and the public don’t get tired of the leadership

like: Con=388, Lab=177, LDem=7 and UKIP=0. The SNP in Scotland = 56. In my view, there is much that can still happen. As they say a week in politics is a long time. This is of course just an exercise in playing with numbers. My interpretation is kept simple. The Conserva- tive Party will win with ease and have a significant majority to get most of its legislation through the next Parliament. They will have 5 years in which to cement in their advantage subject to their policies working out and the public don’t get tired of the leadership. The Labour Party will be crippled to such a degree that either it will have to dump its current unpopular leader, Jeremy Corbyn and get in a centrist like David Miliband (yes you read that correctly) or the Party as it stands will have to split. One faction (supported by most of its MPs) will try to galvanise the centre ground in politics whilst the other faction will turn into a far-left party with its dedicated core voters synchro- nised with its far-left ideology. What earth can any opposition run timid trend in voting intentions of the British we can say is that unless the Labour from an election? Even when it knows electorate. It does not take a genius to Party takes some very tough decisions, it’s in a bad way, political expediency conclude that short of a minor miracle, and quickly, it won’t get into power in means the Labour Party had no choice the Labour Party will be defeated with Britain for a good decade and maybe but to say yes. devastating ease. They say that on cur- even longer. Make no bones, this is now The above table indicates the current rent polling the seat sharing might look crunch time for the Labour Party, it’s Opinion Express 39 very existence is now in question and if it fails then don’t be too surprised if a Centre Left Party emerges of a coalition Both these countries, linked by history of course, of colours to challenge the incumbent find themselves in very similar situations. To face Government. What does all this mean for the 21st Century with new found freedom, new UK and India relations? opportunities and renewed self-confidence. Deals The answer in simple, there is a huge opportunity to reset the relation- are there to be made in the interest of both. India ship so it is fit for the 21st Century. finds itself in a powerful position that it has not Britain is no longer an imperial power with an Empire to govern. It is a small seen for thousands of years. I have no doubt that island, be it a very important and influ- ential island, just off the coast of Eu- these two old partners will find a new working rope. The fact that UK will be free of relationship based on respect and shared values the EU means anything and everything is now on the table for discussions. The Century with new found freedom, new up with devastating consequences. The fact that India has emerged as an estab- opportunities and renewed self-confi- majority of European politicians live in lished 21stcentury powerhouse means dence. Deals are there to be made in their ivory towers. They hide behind po- it can demand, and it will get, what it the interest of both. India finds itself in litically correct rhetoric and platitudes needs. Be that from the UK or a host of a powerful position that it has not seen ignoring the plight of their own people other countries around the world lining for thousands of years. I have no doubt and the surge of negativity being un- up to cosy with the new India under the that these two old partners will find a leashed from the silent majority via the stewardship of itsinternationally popu- new working relationship based on re- new social media networks. The estab- lar leader, PM NarendraModi. spect and shared values. lishment elite can no longer control in- Both these countries, linked by his- Europe on the other hand is in dire formation flow and the diet of misinfor- tory of course, find themselves in very straits. The free for all immigration poli- mation it depended upon to hoodwink similar situations. To face the 21st cies of the past decade are now catching the electorate. The news media that has

40 Opinion Express munity for votes en masse to ensure it secures some of their seats. This has cre- Brexit does not make the British electorate racist. ated a situation whereby it is now seen The French have not suddenly become racist. by many as anti-Hindu and anti-Jew. Both of these communities are looking And we can say that for most European countries at the Conservative party as a natural now. What we see and experience is a cry for help home for them in the knowledge that at least there are some aspects of shared from a sizeable silent majority. Unfortunately, the values and goals. The Labour Party born from the Unions is also seen to be edg- downside being that many of us who are classified ing ever closer to some militant unions as immigrants end up getting the brunt of these and with that many of moderate voters feel left out. We see many of these vot- failed political policies ers begin to move away from the Labour Party in favour of the Conservatives. failed to properly scrutinise the so called ing that many of us who are classified as What is even more surprising is that the politically correct rhetoric is also coming immigrants end up getting the brunt of working-class roots of the Labour Party in for some legitimate roasting. When these failed political policies. also feel that they have been abandoned politicians fail their electorate, the media The challenge for the EU is to accept by their own party. We have seen a size- ignore the truth for want of being PC – its mistakes and correct them urgently. able proportion of this group voting for then it’s only a matter of time before the In my view, they won’t do that with the Brexit as well as UKIP (very much the inevitable happens. And this we have resultant outcome, massive street wide right of right party in the UK). For India witnessed in France with the far-right public disturbances on a regular basis. one could conclude easily that a defeat leader Maria Le Pen being elevated to In 2017/18, we will see the streets of for the Labour Party is the best option. new heights of being able to challenge for Europe resemble war zone, and folks The Conservatives offer the best choice the French presidency. Think about it, that is no exaggeration. for the best partnerships now and for the in a major European country like France In the upcoming British elections, future. I would not be too surprised if there is a huge proportion of people so win for the Conservative Party is clear PM Modi builds on the excellent rela- disenfranchised that they are willing to and so on 9th June a new era beacons tions he forged with PM Cameron and vote for the very extreme far-right group. and I for one would hope that for India can now enhance those with his interac- That means at the very grass roots mil- and UK, it means a much more production with PM May. lions of citizens are shouting, enough is tive relationship that safe guards each With Brexiton its way, and with the enough, ignore us at your peril. country not only on the economic front, General Election on 8th June, I see my Brexit does not make the British but also from the advances of extrem- glass to be full, half with new found free- electorate racist. The French have not ism and terrorism. dom and half with new opportunities suddenly become racist. And we can The Labour Party in Britain has in- for the new millennial. This is a time say that for most European countries creasingly moved towards the Islamic to forge stronger bonds to protect the now. What we see and experience is a community in particular towards the economy, but to stand firm against the cry for help from a sizeable silent ma- Pakistani community. It seems it is now disease of extremism and terrorism that jority. Unfortunately, the downside be- very much reliant on the Pakistani com- affects both our countries. Opinion Express 41 Rainwater harvesting to keep drought at bay Due to this, glaciers are melting from the Himalayas and ground water level is receding due to excessive due to boring water

42 Opinion Express Diwakar Shetty ter cycle and rain water falling on earth We appreciate the is same, but the pattern of today is not ue to global warming and water the same. Due to excessive destruction scarcity, a number of seminars steps taken by various of greenery, bursting of clouds are tak- Dand conferences are being held governments, may it be ing place instead of having a uniform to overcome this problem by discussing rain and also other forms of natural ca- on rain water harvesting and environ- regarding infrastructure lamities are occurring.. ment, but the output is not visible. or any other development, We are also aware that how big ho- Rainwater harvesting is a technique tels are wasting water in the name of of collection and storage of rainwa- but not at the cost of swimming water facility, water parks ter into natural reservoirs or tanks, or etc. As per the WHO report, they deliver the infiltration of surface water into uprooting trees and 110 litres per day per person, but only 2 subsurface aquifers (before it is lost as destroying greenery to 3 litres are used for drinking and rest surface runoff). Rainwater harvesting are wasted. is a technique of collection and storage seminars are being conducted every- Since we are associated in the field of rainwater into natural reservoirs or where since last 15 to 20 years, but the of environment and rain water harvest- tanks, or the infiltration of surface wa- problem still persist. People are using ing, we are familiar with the geography ter into subsurface aquifers (before it is new techniques, which is appreciable, of our India, may it be from Kashmir lost as surface runoff). One method of but we adopt very simple. As we are to Kanyakumari or from Porbander to rainwater harvesting is rooftop harvest- nature lover and are connected with na- Guwahati. We had the methods to de- ing. With rooftop harvesting, most any ture, our solution to this problem also is velop greenery across the highways of surface — tiles, metal sheets, plastics, related with nature. Indian roads, can increase the ground but not grass or palm leaf — can be used We appreciate the steps taken by water level by using rain water harvest- to intercept the flow of rainwater and various governments, may it be regarding. We can also recharge the dry rivers, provide a household with high-quality ing infrastructure or any other develop- reservoirs, borewells etc and recycle drinking water and year-round storage. ment, but not at the cost of uprooting the same water. Looking into these, the Other uses include water for gardens, trees and destroying greenery. days have come when one should take livestock, and irrigation, etc. Due to this, glaciers are melting the much use of rainwater harvesting Due to global warming there is huge from the Himalayas and ground water and should recharge and recycle at least scarcity of water across the globe, To level is receding due to excessive due to once a week to overcome the scarcity of overcome this, lots of conferences and boring water. Since last 200 years, wa- water globally.

Opinion Express 43 Reliance Jio plans to double network in coming months, subscribers cross 108 mn he Modi government is pushing products. India’s quest to develop it- scriber base and as of March 31, 2017, for ‘Digital India” as its flagship self as knowledge economy largely is there were 108.9 million subscribers Tscheme, the Reliance JIO be- dependent on the digital infrastructure on the network,” Reliance Jio said in a comes extremely vital component for available in country and Reliance statement. its success. Nation of over billion people JIO can be the game changer to achieve With more than 110 crore gigabyte with over 100 crore mobile phones will the objective. of data traffic per month and 220 crore need huge digital network to absorb its New telecom operator Reliance voice and video minutes a day, “Jio has appetite of data streaming. Surely, the Jio plans to double its network size by become the largest network globally” in government through BSNL have limi- adding 1 lakh additional mobile sites terms of data carried and contributed tation in terms of capital investment in coming months. The company said to India becoming the leading coun- to invest in next generation technol- that in terms of data usage it “has be- try in the world for mobile data usage. ogy. Reliance with its huge financial come the largest network globally” and “Jio users are today consuming nearly resources has the capability of invest- plans to add 1 lakh mobile sites in com- as much data as on all the mobile net- ing in next generation 4G technology ing months to double the network size. works in the US and 50 per cent more offering next generation services and “Jio continues its rapid ramp-up of sub- data than mobile networks in China in

44 Opinion Express a clear indication that India will adopt Rs 99 and then choose monthly rental 4000 to 25000. digitisation and Digital Life faster than plan starting 303. The company intro- 4. Reliance Jio also comes with a anyone else in the world,” the statement duced another plan with monthly rental voice call service called Voice over LTE said. starting Rs 309 for Jio Prime members. or VoLTE, which will allow users to The MukeshAmbani-led telecom make calls over a faster network, and firm said that it is has built a future Here’s why Reliance Jio is a experience superior call quality and ready network which can easily deploy Game Changer for India also faster video services. 5G. “As per TRAI MySpeed Portal, Jio’s As 4G data services make their way 5. Jio Chat will offer chat, voice and average download speed at 15.0 Mbps in into Indian markets, top telecom opera- video calling, conferencing and allow March 2017 is almost twice of any other tors are competing to claim the high- consumers to share files and photos, as operator...Jio has the world’s largest est share in the business by attracting Reliance claims to have 1 million users greenfield 4G LTE wireless broadband maximum consumers. for it already. network, with over 100,000 mobile Here’s a look at what the platform 6. High speed data, digital com- towers. And it will add another 100,000 with 4G Long Term Evolution(LTE) merce and payment services on offer towers to the network in the coming services is offering. through Jio will be priced between Rs months,” the statement said. Besides, 1. According to a report by Credit 300 to Rs 500 a month. Jio has been expanding its fibre-to-the- Suisse, Reliance Jio will give high speed 7. A tie up with State Bank of India home (FTTH) business offering with 4G, with a top download speed of 70 will mean that Jio Money will emerge as beta trials initiated in a few locations. mbps, which usually stays at 15 to 30 a digital money and payment portal, of- “It would expand the scope of the mbps. A full movie can be downloaded fering secure digital payment services. beta trials over the next few months,” in 30 seconds with 70 mbps, while the 8. With 2.5 lakh kilometres of fibre- the statement said. The company same takes around three minutes at 15- optic cables already laid, 18000 cities launched its 4G service commercially on 30 mbps. and one lakh villages will get access to September 5, 2016 for free and crossed 2. Reliance will not just venture into Reliance Jio services, with an initial ca- 50 million subscribers in just 83 days, 4G data services with Jio, but it also pacity to serve an excess of 100 million and 100 million in 170 days, adding at plans to introduce affordable 4G en- wireless broadband and 20 million fibre an average rate of 6 lakh subscribers abled devices, along with apps to work optic consumers initially. per day. The company started charging with the services offered. 9. Unlike competitors in the market, for mobile services from April 1 where it 3. Among other manufacturers, In- Jio will offer only 4G and will not revert is also offering a scheme, Jio Prime’. tex and Huawei have tied-up with Re- to 3G or 2G services. Jio subscribers opting for Jio Prime liance, and will launch Jio compatible By Sanjay Mendiratta are required to pay one-time plan fee of devices, which will be priced between Inputs from PTI Opinion Express 45 Honour for art, social work ashmi Pitre is an actress, paint- er and a poetess. She is also a Rtrained kathak dancer. Besides, she has done many contributions to social causes. She is also the brand Ambassador of Peacechocs - A Chocolate Brand by Wockhardt Foundation . She has com- pleted 2000 episodes till date on Indian Television,incudling shows like ‘Diya aur Bati Hum’ on Star Plus for foru years. In Pardes Mein Mila Koi Apna - a Hindi se- rial , she played the sister’s role and a TV actress and has done as many as six shows till date. Rashmi will be seen on a new tv show soon in couple months. Rashmi has done many painting exhibi- tions in India, Canada, Worcester and USA. She has won many awards state and National competitions till date. She has been recognised for her social work as well. Recently, she has received the very prestigious BMC Mayor of Mumbai’s Award 2017 by the Mumbai Mayor Vish- wanath ji Mahadeshwar and Rashmitai ji Thakeray for unique achievement in the field of Art -- in Painting, Acting, Poetry and Dance. Ex-Mayor, corporator Snehal Tai ji Ambekar, and all corporators and dignitaries from BMC were present on the occasion. This Award function normally happens on 8th march on Women’s Day but this time because of mayoral elections it delayed and happened on 24th April.

46 Opinion Express Amazon Great Indian Sale: Apple iPhone 5S available for sub Rs 16K mazon India kicked off the ‘Great Indian Sale’ today and it is offering a wide range of discounts on the Aproducts in its platform. While there are several deals on electronics and smartphones, the hugely popular Apple iPhone 5S is available for purchase at just Rs 15,999. The sale on Amazon India’s website will go on until May 14. Under the Great Indian Sale, the e-commerce platform is offering huge discounts on smartphones, laptops, accessories, televisions and fashion products. The company is offering special deals on brands like Apple, Samsung, Motorola, and Coolpad. The website is also hosting a sale of the XiaomiRedmi 4A smartphone, but it is available only for Amazon Prime members. Under the Xiaomi sale, even Idea Cellular has offered a free 28GB 4G data offer. The Great Indian Sale by Amazon comes after September- October in 2016, during the festival season on Dussehra and Diwali. In the latest offering, Amazon has put up several deals and discounts on the products present on its portal. There are offers on consumer electronics including smartphones have deals with 50 percent discount. This includes the heavy discount on Apple iPhone 5S too. The company is offering discounts which go upto 70 percent on fashion and lifestyle products. Discounts on large appliances are in the range of 30 to 40 percent, and there is a discount of around 60 to 70 percent on women’s and men’s fashion. Deals under the sale include Indian brands like Ba- jaj, Prestige and Fastrack, and also foreign brands like Adi- das, LG among others.

Here is a list of offers on smartphones under the Amazon Great Indian Sale: Apple iPhone 5s (16GB) Rs 15,999 Apple iPhone 7 (32GB) Rs 43,999 Apple iPhone 7 (128GB) Rs 52,999 Apple iPhone 6 (32GB) Rs 26,499

Apple iPhone SE Rs 20,999 The Apple iPhone 5s is the number one smartphone in six Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro Rs 25,999 Indian states including Delhi, according to a report by Cy- berMedia Research (CMR). The Mobilytiks Insights report Samsung On7 Pro Rs 8,740 covered Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Delhi. Moto G4 Plus Rs 11,499 (ex- On Amazon, Apart from smartphones, there are deals on change discount laptops, TVs, Apple Watch and the Kindle. In TVs, there is of Rs 9,112) a sale on Sanyo 43-inch full-HD LED TV and 55-inch TCL Ultra-HD smart LED TV. In terms of Kindle, a flat Rs 2,000 Moto G Plus (16GB) Rs 11,499 discount can be availed on the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (now Rs 8,999) and Rs 999 off on the All-New Kindle (now Moto X Force (64GB) Rs 20,999 Rs 5,000). In laptops, there are discounts on the MacBook Intex Cloud Q11 Rs 4,999 Air 13, as a part of Amazon Lightning deal.

Lenovo Z2 Plus (32GB) Rs 11,999 Inputs from Opinion Express Mumbai Bureau Opinion Express 47 Swifter & Swankier As Maruti Suzuki brings the new variant of its flagship car, TOE gives you a peep into its new features e had the opportunity to get Dzire has it spot on and in no way MSIL up and close to the all-new PREVIEW : 2017 would want to take that away. Hence, W2017 Maruti Suzuki Dzire as we said before, the car looks almost for a pre-launch peep. The new 2017 the same except for the fact that it is all Dzire does look similar to the current Maruti Suzuki Dzire new. The 2017 Dzire has been built on car but move in closer and you will find the all-new HeartTech platform which every panel to be different. But that is before it is officially launched on May makes the car lighter while not compro- not the reason why Maruti Suzuki de- 16, 2017. mising on strength or agility of chassis. cided to drop the Swift from its name. The elongated hexagonal grille in Maruti Suzuki wants the new Dzire to Looks and Styling the front gets chrome lining and a large have an identity of its own, especially Think of the Swift or the Dzire and Suzuki monogram in the centre like the when it is selling more than half of the the squatty, high shoulder-line Mini- Ciaz. The swept back headlamps have units of its segment. Here is a preview ish looks pop into your head. In times become more angular and sharper and of the new 2017 Maruti Suzuki Dzire where brand connect is mirage, the now get LED daytime running lamps

48 Opinion Express embedded in them. The profile is al- wheel, giving the Dzire a touch of sport- transmission. While you had a CVT op- most the same but with subtle changes iness inside the cabin. The usual equip- tion for the petrol before, the new Dzire which makes the roof flow into the boot ment list that consists of power steering, will get five-speed AMT options for both lid rather than accidentally find it. The all-four power windows, electrically ad- the petrol and diesel engines. large chrome strip on the boot and the justable and foldable wing mirrors etc spoiler like deck-lid remind you of the will be available bringing it at par with Price and Competition current car but the rear bumper is all the competition. As for the safety, you The Maruti Suzuki Dzire will con- new. have ABS with EBD and dual front air- tinue to compete with the recently bags standard on the new Dzire. launched Hyundai Xcent, the Honda Cabin and Equipment Amaze and the Tata Tigor along with op- The new 2017 Dzire’s cabin is a lot of Engine and Gearbox tions like the Ford Aspire, Volkswagen beige topped with black and garnished Maruti Suzuki has built a reputation Ameo and the Tata Zest in the compact with wood. The faux wood is found on for their bulletproof powertrains that of- sedan segment. In spite of the entirely the dashboard, the entire lower half fer power with generous fuel economy. new platform and the new design, we do of the steering wheel and the window The new 2017 Dzire will continue with not expect the new car to be priced too trims. While the dashboard hasn’t those tried and tested powertrains – the high. We think, it may be very close to changed a lot in its layout, the centre 1.2-litre K series petrol engine and out the current price, which means a price console gets the all-new touchscreen favourite, the 1.3 litre diesel engine. tag starting between Rs 5.35 lakh to Rs infotainment system from Ignis/Baleno The 1.2-litre four cylinder petrol de- 5.6 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. along with the automatic climate con- velops 83bhp of power while the 1.3-litre trol for the top trims. turbo-diesel develops 74bhp of power — Omkar Thakur This is the first time Maruti Suzuki and 250Nm of torque. Both the engines (Courtesy: Automotive Exchange has gone for a flat-bottom steering will come mated to a five speed manual Private Limited )

Opinion Express 49 Beauty with sense of duty he is a role model for Indian women who knows how to balance between Swork and home. Model Ruhani Sharma says that while modelling is an extremely challenging profession, she knows how to prioritize and look after her daugh- ter. Now, a resident of Hong Kong, Ruhani won the Mrs India Queen 2013. “Model- ling is an extremely hectic profession but it is important to maintain a balance and give time to the family,” she says. She has loads of international experience in big shows across PAN-Asia, Europe and USA and her celebrity status in Asia

She has been associated with Asian Film Awards (Oscars of Asia) for last three years, walking the red carpet with Bollywood and Asian film celebrities regularly adds an X-factor. Her achievements have been captured the imagination of New York and the very prestigious magazine of NY “Prime time” interviewed her and the same was published in their February edi- tion 2015. She has been associated with Asian Film Awards (Oscars of Asia) for last three years, walking the red carpet with Bollywood and Asian film celebrities regularly. Besides, recently she walked at mar- quee events like Los Angeles Fashion Week ( October 2016), London Fashion Week House of Ikons (Sep 2016), Dubai Fashion Week London (Jan 2016), Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Doha (Dec 2015), Africa Fashion Week London (Aug 2015), London Fashion Week House of Ikons (Sep 2015), New York Fashion Week (Sep 2015) Ruhani has been walking for top designers at various London Fashion Weeks for last couple of years. She was highly complemented by the designers for her amazing presence on the ramp, her personality and the way she showcased their clothes on the ramp. 50 Opinion Express Opinion Express 51 52 Opinion Express