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

January 1, 2014

I India RevieI w Vol. 10 Issue 1 www.indianembassy.org

AmbAssAdor dr. s. JAishAnkAr tAkes chArge

Foreign Secretary meeting U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry at the U.S. State Department on December 10, 2013. Photo: U.S. Department of State cementing india-Us ties Foreign secretary holds talk with Us officials

n First India-US police n India, US Army Chiefs n India launches chiefs conference review bilateral affordable device for concludes military cooperation cervical cancer tests Ambassador’s PAGE India’s new Ambassador to US Dr. S. Jaishankar presents copy of his Credentials to the State Department Dr. Jaishankar, who succeeds Nirupama Rao, played a key role in negotiating the landmark India-U.S. civil nuclear deal and other initiatives

r. S. Jaishankar, India’s new Ambassador to the United States presented a Dcopy of his credentials to the U.S. State Department in Washington on December 26. He comes to Washington, D.C. with more than three decades of diplomat - ic experience. Dr. Jaishankar, who succeeds Nirupama Rao, was the Ambassador of India to from 2009 to 2013. Dr. Jaishankar played a key role in negotiating the landmark India-U.S. civil nuclear deal and other initiatives. Joining the in 1977, Dr. Jaishankar has repre - sented India’s interests and fostered friendly working relationships in countries around the world. Dr. Jaishankar’s first postings abroad were as Third and Second Secretary (Political) at the Embassy of India in Moscow from 1979 to 1981. From 1981 to 1985, he served as Under Secretary (Americas) and Policy Planning in the Ministry of External Affairs. He then spent three years from 1985 to 1988 as First Secretary handling political affairs at the Ambassador of India to Czech the Indian Embassy in Washington, DR. JAISHANKAR, WHO Republic and served in Prague till 2004. DC, followed by two years as First JOINED THE INDIAN FOREIGN Upon completing his time as Secretary and Political Advisor to the Ambassador in Prague, Dr. Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) SERVICE IN 1977, HOLDS Jaishankar returned once again to in . PH.D. AND M.PHIL IN India, where he led the Americas 2 In 1990, Dr. Jaishankar became Division in the Ministry of External Commercial Counsellor in Budapest. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Affairs. After heading the division for After three years in that position, he three years, he again left India in returned to India where he served first AND AN M.A. IN POLITICAL 2007 to serve as High Commissioner as Director of East Europe Division of to Singapore for two years. the Ministry of External Affairs, and SCIENCE. HE IS A MEMBER Dr. Jaishankar holds Ph.D. and then as Press Secretary for the OF THE INTERNATIONAL M.Phil in International Relations and President of India. Following this serv - an M.A. in Political Science. He is a ice in India, Dr. Jaishankar went abroad INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC member of the International Institute again - to Tokyo in 1996 as Deputy for Strategic Studies in London. Chief of Mission. STUDIES IN LONDON He is married to Kyoko Jaishankar In the year 2000, he was appointed and has two sons and a daughter.

January 2014 India Review Cover STORY

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Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh called on U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on December 10, 2013 at the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. Photo: U.S. Department of State Cementing India-US ties Foreign Secretary holds talk with US officials From defense and energy to strategic security, the Indian Foreign Secretary discussed with U.S. officials a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues

n a bid to advance the process U.S., Foreign Secretary Singh, who cooperative partnerships in energy of implementing the decisions arrived in Washington on December sector with Deputy Energy Secretary made by Prime Minister Dr. 8, held “exceedingly useful and very Daniel B. Poneman, ways to IManmohan Singh and U.S. productive” discussions with the offi - strengthen India-U.S. defense coop - President Barack Obama during cials and lawmakers of the U.S. eration with Under Secretary of Prime Minister Singh’s successful Foreign Secretary Singh met with Defense for Policy James N. Miller, visit to Washington in September U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and strategic security issues with 2013, Foreign Secretary Sujatha and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Acting Under Secretary for Arms Singh held a series of high-level William Burns on December 10. She Control and International Security meetings with top Obama also held meeting with the new Rose Gottemoeller. Foreign Administration officials and lawmak - Assistant Secretary for South and Secretary Singh also met with White ers from both Democratic and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal on House Deputy National Security Republican parties. the same day. Advisor Tony Blinken during her During her four-day visit to the The Foreign Secretary discussed four-day visit.

January 2014 India Review Cover STORY

The Indian Foreign Secretary with U.S. Deputy Foreign Secretary Singh with U.S. Acting Under Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh meeting with Secretary of State William Burns at the U.S. Secretary for Arms Control and International Daniel B. Poneman, Deputy Secretary of Energy in Department of State on December 10, 2013. Security Rose Gottemoeller at the U.S. Washington, D.C. on December 9, 2013. Photo U.S. Photo: U.S. Department of State Department of State on December 11, 2013. Department of Energy

She had a telephonic conversation with Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, who had to leave suddenly for Chicago for per - sonal reasons. On the Capitol Hill, she met with Senator Mark Warner, Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus as also Chairmen and leading members of the Senate and House Foreign Affairs Panels besides key Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh meeting with The House Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Congressional aides from both Congressman Ed Royce on December 11, 2013. Republican and Democratic parties. From left, Charge As State Department d’Affaires Taranjit Singh Spokesperson Jen Psaki put it, the Sandhu; Congressman Joe Crowley, Co-chair of meetings, coming as a follow-up to House India Caucus; Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Congressman Eliot Engel, Singh’s September Summit meeting Ranking Member of The House Committee on with President Barack Obama Foreign Affairs; Foreign focused on “ways to deepen the Secretary Sujatha Singh; U.S.-India Strategic Partnership and Congressman Peter Roskam, Co-chair of consult on regional issues”. House India Caucus; and Issues of mutual concern and Congressman George interest in areas of trade and invest - Holding, Member, The House Committee on ment were discussed. The Indian Foreign Affairs. side flagged concerns about elements of the Senate version of the immigra - tion bill that would adversely affect 4 Indian IT companies. During talks with Foreign Secretary Singh, the U.S. and India had also agreed to joint principles to strengthen India-U.S. cooperation on training UN peacekeepers. The U.S. also accepted India’s invitation to serve as a partner coun - try for India’s Technology Summit Foreign Secretary Singh meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel B. Poneman on December and Expo in in the fall of 9, 2013. Photo: U.S. Department of Energy 2014.

January 2014 India Review India-U.S. NEWS First India-US police chiefs conference concludes India is committed to working as a partner with the U.S. in bringing and applying state-of-the-art technologies to crime prevention, crime detection, forensic analysis and traffic management to make cities safer, says Home 5 Minister

ome Minister Sushilkumar Shinde called for enhanc - ing internal security Hthrough strategic partner - ship between India and the U.S. on December 4. Inaugurating the first two-day India-U.S. Homeland Security dia - logue — Police Chiefs Conference in New Delhi, Home Minister Shinde said the two countries were at the forefront in countering terrorism and international crime. “We are also, unfortunately, the leading targets of such trans-national terror groups and crime syndicates. All too often, attacks are launched from across sovereign borders in a manner calculated to cause the greatest disrup - tion of peace. It will have to be the endeavour of all countries to fight this menace in all its forms through part - nerships based on genuine and result- oriented cooperation,” he said. The Home Minister said the con - ference was a key element in the expansion of India’s bilateral cooper - ation with the United States. “As strategic partners, the more we Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde lighting the lamp to inaugurate the India-U.S. Police Chiefs Conference, can work with each other to enhance in New Delhi on December 4, 2013. Ambassador of U.S. in India Nancy J. Powell is also seen. internal security, the more meaningful our partnership becomes to the ordi - in megacity policing is intended to safe by reducing our vulnerability to nary citizen,” he said. enhance capacity to provide an inte - such challenges.” Minister Shinde said India-U.S. grated security umbrella to megacities He said technology was a key input Homeland Security Dialogue was an and large urban centers,” he said. for policing and the U.S. has consis - important element of the bilateral The Minister said an efficient tently led the world in deploying tech - security architecture. megacity policing system must serve nology in the service of its people. He said major terrorist attacks typi - as an effective deterrent against ter - “There is much that we can do cally target large and densely populat - rorists and their masters who launch together as partners to enhance the ed urban areas. “Both our countries targeted attacks on the nerve centers use of appropriate technologies for have lived through such terrorist car - of a country. our police forces,” he said. nage, during 9/11 in New York and “Our objective must be to make our The Minister said India was com - during 26/11 in Mumbai. Cooperation cities, and, therefore, our countries mitted to working as a partner with

January 2014 India Review India-U.S. NEWS

the US in bringing and applying state- technology partners. Important of-the-art technologies to crime pre - MINISTER SHINDE SAID AN speakers from the US were Stu vention, crime detection, forensic EFFICIENT MEGACITY POLIC - Frome, Deputy Chief of Staff FLETC; analysis and traffic management to Dan Oates, Chief, Aurora Police make cities safer. ING SYSTEM MUST SERVE Department, Colorado; Michael P. “I urge technology partners from Downing, Deputy Chief, LA Police both countries to join hands with each AS AN EFFECTIVE DETER - Department; Erik Aubin, DHS CBP other and with law enforcement agen - Attaché; Harold Hurtt, Assistant cies to deploy innovative technologies RENT AGAINST TERRORISTS Director, DHS; Daniel C. Clegg, FBI and enhance research in various fields AND THEIR MASTERS WHO Legal Attaché; Art Acevedo, Chief, of homeland security,” Minister Austin Police Dept., Texas. Shinde said. LAUNCH TARGETED ATTACKS The Indian delegation included rep - Delivering the valedictory address resentatives from Indian State Police at the Conference, ON THE NERVE CENTERS OF Forces; Paramilitary Forces, technolo - Anil Goswami said that the movement gy partners; other law enforcement of people, goods and ideas has always A COUNTRY agencies and senior officers from driven with the development of Ministry of Home Affairs. nations and provided opportunities for economic growth and prosperity. promote legal mechanisms that Following is the text of Home He said that the security measures encourage co-operation in cyber Minister Sushilkumar Shinde’s should be designed to facilitate the crime matter, he added. inaugural speech at India-U.S. safe and efficient movement of people The Home Secretary said that the Police Chiefs Conference: and goods while securing the critical great potential exists for co-operation “This conference is a key element in infrastructure. not only between the authorities of the the expansion of our bilateral cooper - Goswami further said that the two countries but also between the ation with the United States, aimed at increasing use of digital networks and technology and business partners, securing our nations. As strategic information and communication tech - who are expected to play a crucial role partners, the more we can work with nology provides opportunities but also in finding technology enabled solu - each other enhance internal security, poses a security threat to data and tions to the unique challenges of mod - the more meaningful our partnership computer systems. He said that there is ern policing. becomes to the ordinary citizen. I am a need for security co-operation Goswami said that the partnership therefore delighted to welcome you to between India and the U.S., which in the areas of use of sophisticated this Conference on Security, faces this challenge due to a larger technology, training and capacity Megacity Policing and related issues number of computer and internet building, forensics, solutions for being organized by the Ministry of users in the two countries. In the area chemicals, radiological, biological and Home Affairs, Government of India of cyber security, he emphasized the nuclear threats, technological support at New Delhi. need to strengthen the security envi - system for underground metro sta - I am happy to note that this ronment to facilitate e-commerce, e- tions tunnels, track security, behavior Conference brings together Police banking and day-to-day activities cov - detection and IT solutions to manage Chiefs of many important Indian ering the financial services, power security contingencies need to be fur - cities as well as some of their industry, telecommunications industry ther strengthened. American counterparts to discuss and and public services. During the two day Conference, deliberate on important aspects of our He expressed his satisfaction on the seven brainstorming sessions cover - common endeavour to secure our deliberations in the Conference which ing Response to Mass Casualty cities and our people. focused on the need for a healthy com - Event; Maritime security and Law Today countries like India and the 6 bination of technology, building secu - enforcement (passengers and Cargo United States are at the forefront of rity infrastructure and the need to syn - security); Surveillance and the effort to counter the relentless chronize the domestic laws with the Command Control in urban policing; threat of terrorism and international global standards. Security and Law enforcement in crime. We are also unfortunately the He said that the service providers Mass transit system; Lawful intercep - leading targets of such trans-national play a very important role in the inves - tion and investigations; Crime inves - terror groups and crime syndicates. tigations of cyber crimes and most of tigations and Forensics and All too often, attacks are launched the service providers are based in US. Community policing were organized. from across sovereign borders, in a It would be important to strengthen The conference was attended by manner calculated to cause the great - the process of legal assistance so as to U.S. delegation consisting of Police est disruption of peace. It will, there - speed up the investigations and Chiefs from major cities and their fore, have to be the endeavor of all

January 2014 India Review India-U.S. NEWS countries to fight this menace in all There is also a need for better integra - constructive role in providing neces - its forms and manifestations through tion of security inputs and information sary education and guidance to incul - partnerships based on genuine and that different law enforcement agen - cate a sense of awareness and respon - result-oriented cooperation. cies generate, as well as mechanisms sibility in the masses, so that the This was one of the central objec - by which regional and federal agencies Police Force can defend us against tives that inspired our countries to work with each other. Some of our terrorists and terrorist attacks, in a establish the India USA Homeland own challenges in this regard are not better manner. Security Dialogue. It is as an impor - uncommon to our American partners, I believe this Conference will tant element of our growing bilateral and perhaps the solutions that each of exchange experiences and ideas in security architecture. Indeed, the us are working towards can be relevant the areas of Megacity Policing Homeland Security Dialogue was an for each other. including use of technology in pro - 7 outcome of the State Visit of President A conference such as this should viding effective policing and public Obama in November 2010. enable us to enhance the flow of ideas safety. Synergy achieved would be a Securing our cities is a focus area to improve policing and law enforce - precursor to more vigorous coopera - of our Homeland Security Dialogue, ment action in both our countries. tion and collaboration between the for a simple and obvious reason. As Indeed, it was for these reasons that law enforcement agencies of the two we all know, major terrorist attacks my counterpart, Secretary Napolitano, countries, leading to better synchro - typically target large and densely and I had agreed that one of the ways nization of effort and operations in populated urban areas, intentionally in which we could institutionalize averting terrorist attacks and tracing trying to inflict maximum damage. cooperation in the field of Megacity such attacks quickly. It will also help Both our countries have lived Policing was to hold such a confer - us in more regular policing tasks, through such terrorist carnage, dur - ence. including securing our public spaces ing 9/11 in New York, and during A part from improved policing for all our citizens in particular, 26/11 in Mumbai. techniques and operational mecha - women and children, and in enhanc - Cooperation in Megacity Policing ing the efficacy of law enforcement is intended to help each other MINISTER SHINDE SAID agencies to act in coordination enhance capacity, and to learn from against international crime. each other, to provide an integrated INDIA-U.S. HOMELAND I expect that this Conference will security umbrella to megacities and create new channels of interaction large urban centers. SECURITY DIALOGUE WAS between India and the US, as well as An efficient Megacity Policing sys - AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF new methodologies for our police tem must serve as an effective deter - forces on both sides to adopt to secure rent against terrorists and their mas - THE BILATERAL SECURITY our cities. We hope that this ters, who launch targeted attacks on Conference is the precursor to many the nerve centers of a country. Our ARCHITECTURE more efforts to jointly develop our objective must be to make our cities partnership to strengthen the security safe, and therefore our countries safe apparatus of both our countries. by reducing our vulnerability to such nisms to share information, technolo - Let me, in conclusion, reaffirm challenges. gy is a key input for policing. India’s commitment to work as part - Apart from countering terror Increasingly, sophisticated technolo - ners with the U.S. in bringing and attacks, there are other kinds of mass gies are being adapted, or even specif - applying State of the Art technologies casualty events, and security chal - ically developed, to assist Police to crime prevention, crime detection, lenges that are specific to urban cen - Forces in early detection of crimes, forensic analysis, better communica - ters. All societies work to mitigate such identification of perpetrators, tions technologies and traffic manage - challenges and enhance emergency improved coordination among agen - ment tools, with the overall objective of response capacity. Even though India cies, and expedited response time. making our cities safer, better organ - and the US are at different technolog - The United States has consistently ized and more orderly. ical levels in terms of security infra - led the world in deploying technology I urge technology partners from structure and average urban popula - in service of its people, and there is both countries to join hands with each tion size, there are certain commonali - much that we can do together as part - other, and with law enforcement agen - ties to the challenges that all urban ners to enhance the use of appropri - cies in India and the US, to create an centers face. ate technologies for our police forces. institutional framework to deploy So also, there are solutions that But beyond the technological aspect innovative technologies and enhance some of police forces may have estab - of Megacity Policing, there is the research to upgrade expertise in vari - lished that are innovative or unique, human aspect, as well. ous fields of Homeland Security in the and may be replicable elsewhere. Police Forces should also play a larger public interest.”

January 2014 India Review Army Chief VISITS U.S. India, US Army Chiefs review bilateral military cooperation India’s Chief of the Army Staff General Bikram Singh visited important defense establishments of the U.S. military and met a number of high- ranking defense and civilian officials in Washington, D.C.

Chief of the Army Staff General Bikram Singh with U.S. Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Ray Odierno in Washington, D.C. Photo: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mikki L. Sprenkle

rmy Chiefs of India and the the visit. The Army Chief visited while holding the highest military rank U.S. have reviewed the ongo - important defense establishments of in India. ing Army-to-Army coopera - the U.S. military and met a number of He delivered a keynote speech to the Ation and opportunities to fur - high-ranking defense and civilian offi - USAWC graduating class of 2013- ther strengthen bilateral cooperation, cials in Washington, D.C. 2014. including joint training exercises and General Singh was inducted into the During the visit, General Singh was 8 military exchanges in 2013. Carlisle, Pennsylvania based U.S. Army honored with a Full Honors Ceremony The review was undertaken at a War College (USAWC) International by U.S. Army Chief of Staff General meeting in Washington, D.C. between Fellows Hall of Fame, an outstanding Ray Odierno at Fort Myer on India’s Chief of the Army Staff General honor in the international military December 5, 2013. Bikram Singh and U.S. Army Chief of community. The visit assumes special signifi - Staff General Ray Odierno during General Singh is an alumnus of the cance in the light of enhanced defense General Singh’s December 2-5 visit to USAWC having graduated with the cooperation between the two coun - the U.S. class of 2004, and he was honored for tries over the last few years and rapid - General Singh also discussed India- “having made a significant and endur - ly increasing engagements under the U.S. defense relationship with other ing military/humanitarian contribution framework for India-U.S. defense senior U.S. military leadership during to international peace and stability” relations.

January 2014 India Review Embassy EVENTS

Chief Election Commissioner of India V.S. Sampath interacts with NRIs

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1. Counselor Shiv Ratan welcoming the guests at a special interaction of Chief Election Commissioner of India V.S. Sampath with the Non-Resident Indian Community, at the Embassy on December 16. 2. Charge d’ Affaires Ambassador introducing the Chief Election Commissioner to the audience. 3. Address by the Chief Election Commissioner on the role of NRIs in India’s electoral process. 4. Interactive session with Chief Election Commissioner Sampath. 5. Guests in attendance.

January 2014 India Review Embassy EVENTS

Commemorating the centenary of Nobel Prize to Rabindranath Tagore

o commemorate the cente - ered a talk titled ‘Gitanjali beyond 1 nary of Nobel Prize to Shores’. Besides the rendition of TRabindranath Tagore, the Tagore’s songs in Bengali by Basu Embassy presented ‘A Multi-Lingual and in English by Jerome Barry and Musical Presentation’, led by Fred Dixon, the German, Spanish, Sudeshna Basu, an ICCR Panel French, Chinese and Japanese trans - Vocalist and Professor at George lations of his songs were also Washington University on read/recited by Sigrid Vollerthun, December 18. Tagore, a philoso - Milyedi Gilarte, Veronica Boutte, pher and saint poet of India is the Prof. Karl K. Zhang and Yoko first non-European to receive a Kamitani Sen respectively. Jeffrey Nobel for literature. Bauer and Edivinas Minkstimas Basu presented Tagore’s original accompanied on the piano during poems/songs in Bengali and deliv - this musical presentation.

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January 2014 India Review Embassy EVENTS

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1. ‘Gitanjali beyond Shores’ — a talk by Sudeshna Basu. 6. ‘Save me from danger’ — recitation of Tagore poem by Yoko Kamitani 2. ‘Life of my life’ — recitation of Tagore poem by Veronica Bouffe in Sen in Japanese. French. 7. ‘This is my prayer to Thee, my Lord’ — musical presentation by Fred 3. ‘Know not how thou singest, my master’ — recitation of Tagore poem Dixon and Jeffrey Bauer on piano. by Sigrid Vollerthun in German. 8. ‘On the day when death will knock at thy door’ — musical presenta - 4. ‘I thought my voyage had come to its end’ — recitation of Tagore tion by Jerome Barry and Edivinas Minkstimas on piano. poem by Milyedi Gilarte in Spanish. 9. Guests in attendance. 5. ‘Stray Birds’ — recitation of Tagore poem by Prof. Karl K. Zhang in 10. Counselor M. Sridharan with Sudeshna Basu and the other Chinese. performers.

January 2014 India Review Embassy EVENTS

Embassy celebrates Christmas

he Embassy organized Christmas celebrations on ‘Significance of Christmas and its Relevance to India’. December 20. Charge d’ Affaires Ambassador The Christmas Carols were presented by Choir Group TTaranjit Singh Sandhu welcomed the community from St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C., members and the guests on the occasion and conveyed led by Sonya Sutton, its Choir Director. The function his Christmas wishes. After Invocation Prayer by Rev. came to an end with the ‘Vote of Thanks’ proposed by Justin Nathaniel, Pastor of Tamil Christian Church in Dr. Mathew T. Thomas, Marthoma Church, followed by Maryland, Father Mathew Punchayil, Associate Pastor at a community dinner. The function was conducted by the Visitation Church, Darnestown, Maryland, spoke on Commodore Alok Bhatnagar, Embassy’s Naval Attache.

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1. Naval Attache Commodore Alok Bhatnagar 3. Charge d’ Affaires Ambassador Taranjit Group from St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, welcoming the guests at the Christmas Singh Sandhu addressing the gathering. Washington, D.C., led by Sonya Sutton. celebrations hosted at the Embassy on 4. Father Mathew Punchayil, Associate Pastor 6. Vote of Thanks proposed by Dr. Mathew T. December 20. at the Visitation Church in Maryland, Thomas, Marthoma Church. 2. Invocation Prayer by Rev. Justin Nathaniel, speaking on the significance of Christmas. 7. A cross-section of the attendance. Pastor of Tamil Christian Church in Maryland. 5. Presentation of Christmas Carols by Choir

January 2014 India Review Economy NEWS Higher growth returns to Indian IT industry he resilient $270-billion plus tor, Wipro Ltd hiving off its non-IT Indian IT industry returned to business in April into a separate enter - the higher growth trajectory in prise by de-merging its consumer care T2013 and is hoping to gain & lighting, infrastructure engineering momentum in the ensuing year for a and medical diagnostic product & greater share of the global multi-billion services business from its global soft - dollar outsourcing market. ware services and products business. 13 Putting behind a turbulent 2012, the Keeping pace with disruptive tech - industry consolidated its presence in nologies and new delivery platforms, the software services sector, with its the industry has diversified its service top four IT bellwethers — TCS, offerings to analytics, mobility, cloud, Infosys, Wipro and HCL — posting social media and emerging verticals better results to register a healthy 12- such as healthcare and medical devices. 14 percent growth thus far as against “India is the only country to offer 10 percent last fiscal (2012-13). The highlight of the year was the return of N.R. such a wide range of offerings span - “We have seen a significant increase Narayana Murthy as Executive Chairman of Infosys. ning IT services, BPM (business in global technology spending this year, process management), engineering, creating opportunities for the Indian R&D, internet and mobility and soft - software services sector to post double Focal Points ware products. The internet and digit growth again in export as well as n Software exports to grow 12-14 percent mobile platforms are enabling the in the domestic markets,” a top indus - to clock $84-87 billion. development of low-cost products not try representative said. n Domestic market to also grow 14 percent only for enterprises, but also con - The National Association of to $185 billion. sumers and citizens,” Mittal asserted. Software and Services Companies n N.R. Narayana Murthy returns to Infosys The industry is also investing in tech - (Nasscom) is expecting the industry to as Chairman. nology and talent to explore opportuni - clock export revenues of $84-87 billion n Wipro hives off non-IT business as sepa - ties like smart computing, anything-as- this fiscal (FY 2014) as against $76 bil - rate enterprise. a service and the small and medium lion last fiscal (FY2013). n Industry diversifies into offering new businesses. “The domestic market is In the Indian market, the industry is services & products. also maturing and is one of the fastest expected to grow marginally year-on- n Thrust on providing IP-led solutions on in the developing countries, thanks year at 14 percent to post $185 billion multiple platforms. increasing role technology is playing in this fiscal from $160 billion last fiscal. transforming delivery of diverse servic - “We have decided not to revise our es in the government and private sec - estimates and stick to the 12-14 per - ware services, business process out - tor,” Mittal noted. cent growth forecast for this fiscal sourcing (back office operations), Though attrition remained higher though the sector has faced headwinds engineering and research and develop - than last year, especially among the due to slow recovery in its major export ment (ER&D) and products. bellwethers, campus hiring and fresh markets — the U.S. and Europe,” The highlight of the year is the return offers declined during the year, as Nasscom’s outgoing president Som of the industry’s icon and Infosys co- companies consolidated operations Mittal told IANS . founder N.R. Narayana Murthy as than invest in human capital to make The Indian IT industry comprises Executive chairman in June to put the more techies sit on the bench waiting domestic firms, captive centers of global software major back into reck - for new projects. The industry added multinationals, global industry classifi - oning after it was found faring behind 188,000 jobs last fiscal, taking the total cation standards (GICs) and industry its peers due to combination of factors. number of direct jobs to three million. sectors providing software and hard - The year also saw Infosys competi - “The industry has once again demonstrated resilience and agility. As technology has become an integral THE INDUSTRY IS EXPECTED TO GROW YEAR-ON-YEAR AT 14 enabler for growth across sectors, we are evolving and innovating to PERCENT TO POST $185 BILLION THIS FISCAL FROM $160 become a strategic partner to our customers,” Nasscom Chairman and BILLION LAST FISCAL TCS Chief Executive N. Chandrasekaran said . — IANS

January 2014 India Review Economy NEWS Transition year for Indian telecom’s growth story

ith over 900 million tele - phone connections, Highlights of 2013 India remained the Wworld’s second largest n National Telecom Policy of 2012 intro - telecommunications market in 2013. duced. The year under review had already n Foreign equity of 100 percent allowed in equipped the government with a road telecom. map, following the release of the n Vodafone evinces interest in buying National Telecom Policy of 2012. entire stake of Indian partner. The government announced some n Mergers and acquisition policy approved significant initiatives — like the n Dominant player can hold up to 50 per - much-awaited policy on mergers and cent telecom market share. acquisitions and permitted 100 per - n Telecom tower business given infrastruc - cent foreign investment in the sector ture status. — which will drive Indian telecom in n Clearance for unified telecom licences in the years to come, analysts feel. respect of technology. The onset of 2013 was accompa - n Total telecom connections at 904.56 mil - nied with the introduction of NTP lion end-October. 2012 that brought forth promise of policy stability for the sector, Rajan S Rishi Tejpal, principal research ana - voice tariff,” said Jaideep Ghosh, Mathews, Director General, Cellular lyst with Gartner. partner with KPMG. Operators’ Association of India Analysts did not see much of an On the subscriber front, India con - (COAI), said. impact by allowing 100 percent for - tinued to make progress. “The implementation of the eign equity. At the end of December 2012, National Telecom Policy of 2012 is a “Very few players are keen except India had 864.72 million mobile positive step. But its immediate Vodafone, which wants to raise its phone subscribers and 30.79 million impact will be limited,” said Mahesh stake beyond 64.38 percent. fixed-line connections for a total of Uppal, Director of a telecom consul - Investment is a priority for the sector 895.51 million wired and wireline. tancy firm, Com First. but not foreign equity, per se,” said By this October, this increased to Industry stakeholders were upbeat Uppal. 875.48 million mobile while fixed- on the new merger and acquisition Experts said telecom players were line connections declined to 29.08 policy and felt it was an improvement looking for market capitalization and million. over the previous one. Uppal, for one, consolidation. “The operators have Thus, the total number of connec - felt it will help mid-sized firms, while started to focus on subscriber quality tions stood at 904.56 million end- bigger players will have more and have done away with the lucrative October, with the overall tele-density flexibility. dealer commissions and promotional in the country increasing from 73.01 “The mergers and acquisition poli - minutes. After 2008, for the first at the end of last year to 73.32 at the cy will have a major impact,” said time, India has witnessed a surge in end of October. — IANS CII Business Confidence Index rises in third quarter 14 n a sign of economic revival, the business members also revealed that 58 percent of the (CAD) to decline, we believe that the slow - confidence index (BCI) of industry lobby respondents expect an increase in their sales down in the domestic economy may have bot - IConfederation of Indian Industry (CII) rose in the third quarter of 2013-14. tomed out in the second quarter and the trend during the October-December quarter of Exports prospects also rose in the BCI with could reverse henceforth,” said Chandrajit 2013-14. 53 percent of firms expecting to ship-out more Banerjee, Director General, CII. “We need to On an overall basis, the BCI rose to 54.9 products from 49 percent in the previous be careful about the upward risk to fiscal during October-December 2013-14, from 45.7 quarter. “With positive signals emanating deficit amid the scenario of weak economic in the previous quarter. from the global economy, which finds a reso - growth translating into sluggish tax collection The 85 business outlook survey which is nance in our improved export performance and growing chances of disinvestment pro - based on responses from over 174 industry and is causing our current account deficit ceeds falling well short of target.” — IANS

January 2014 India Review Economy NEWS Asha Gupta is Tupperware’s Asia-Pacific President

ndian-origin Asha Gupta has China, Japan and Australia, said a been promoted as group press release issued by the company. President of U.S.-based Gupta is the first woman and first ITupperware Brands Indian to lead Tupperware in Asia Corporation’s Asia-Pacific region. Pacific. Gupta’s promotion is effective She has been with Tupperware for from January 1. 15 years in sales development, mar - Gupta is currently area Vice keting and operating unit and portfo - 15 President of the Tupperware Brands lio leadership across Europe and Asia Corporation’s India, Philippines and Pacific. Nutrimetics Australia and New Tupperware Brands Corporation Zealand region. features products like storage and She will oversee the U.S. direct serving solutions for kitchens. It also selling multinational firm’s opera - deals in beauty and personal care tions in 15 countries, including India, items. — IANS

Air India hopeful of joining Star Alliance by early 2014

ational carrier Air India is alliance can be seen in the light of Chicago or for further travel in gearing up to join the inter-line expanding foreign passenger carrier’s Europe. This will change immediately Npact Star Alliance by early next foothold in the Indian market. after the airline joins the alliance.” year to capture the ever increasing out - “We are facing competition especial - Air India will thus become the only bound traffic from India. ly from the Gulf-based carriers. In this airline from India to have joined a The largest inter-line pact of 28 air - scenario providing direct flights with global inter-line pact. The other two lines agreed on December 13 to restart easy connectivity on other (Star inter-line pacts being of OneWorld and Air India’s induction process into Star Alliance) member’s flights adds value SkyTeam. Industry insiders say that Alliance. “Our priority now is to pro - to our products,” the official said. the exit of Jet Airways which was one vide better connectivity and on-time Currently, most of the passengers on of the contenders to enter the alliance service to our passengers on domestic Air India’s flights to U.S. and Europe ahead of Air India seems to have had a and international routes,” a senior Air do not get connecting flights to other bearing on the Alliance. India official told IANS . destinations which are farther apart. Recently, Jet Airways sold a 24-per - “Our focus is to provide seamless This will change as other Star cent stake to Abu Dhabi-based Etihad travel experience to our passengers Alliance members will be able to pro - Airways. Etihad and Jet plan to code- from our hub airport of New Delhi. vide single ticket travel to these desti - share on each others’ flights between Joining Star Alliance will add value to nations on their flights. Abu Dhabi, India and other markets in our services.” “Currently, there are no further con - the Middle East, North America and The airline’s eagerness in joining the nections to Air India passengers from Europe. — IANS

January 2014 India Review Economy NEWS US aviation manufacturers bullish on Indian market

viation companies based in by Air India in January 2006. the U.S. have expressed Pratyush Kumar’s views were confidence about better corroborated by navigational and Aprospects of Indian civil avi - surveillance components manufac - ation industry. turer Raytheon which has described “We have had a long and successful India as one of the most promising partnership with India. We have been import markets in the world not only in India creating sustainable, aviation from sales point of view but also as a ecosystem,” Pratyush Kumar, critical global supply hub. President, Boeing India, said at the Consultancy firm KPMG’s partner ninth Indo-U.S. Resurgence Summit and Head (Aerospace and Defense) held in New Delhi on December 2. Amber Dubey said there are various Pratyush Kumar, who was speak - opportunities for American companies ing at the event organized by the in Indian civil aviation sector ranging Indo-American Chamber of from maintenance, repair and overhaul Commerce (IACC), added that his (MRO) facilities, training and infra - company was in the process of build - structure development. ing capacity and capability of the “There are opportunities for (U.S.) Indian aviation sector and was close - companies in the low-cost develop - ly working with education and train - Boeing India President Pratyush Kumar. ment of Indian tier-I and II airports,” ing institutes as well. Dubey said. India in recent past has placed Jet Airways and SpiceJet operate The India-U.S. Aviation orders for maritime patrol aircraft Boeing built aircraft. State-run Air Cooperation Program’s officials were P8I and C-17 heavy-lift military air - India has ordered 27 Boeing 787 also optimistic over developments in craft, apart from scouting for new Dreamliners. the sector and said that they would attack and transport choppers in Boeing, on the other hand, is set - organize a workshop for both Indian which the U.S. based companies are ting up a $100 million maintenance and U.S. companies before the next participating. repair overhaul (MRO) facility for Air Indian Civil Aviation Show, slated to In pure commercial deals, major India following an order for 737s and be held in Hyderabad, Andhra India-based airlines such as Air India, 787s Dreamliners which was placed Pradesh. — IANS Enormous potential seen for India-US trade growth espite some recent concerns on both “As the world’s oldest and largest democ - sides, representatives of U.S. business racies, the U.S. and India are natural allies,” Dand industry agreed that there is enor - said Bera, who is also a member of the House mous potential for growth in India-U.S. trade Foreign Affairs Committee. and notably job creation in both “Our countries must work together to con - countries. tinue to grow our economic partnership and This appeared to be the consensus emerg - trade relationship.” “Relations between India ing from a roundtable hosted by Ami Bera, the and the United States have never been 16 lone Indian-American member of the U.S. stronger,” said India’s Charge d’ Affaires House of Representatives, in Washington on Taranjit Singh Sandhu. “Deepening of India- December 5 for members of the US-India U.S. economic partnership anchors India’s Business Council (USIBC) and the strong relationship with the United States.” Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). “All agreed that the potential for growth — More than 40 representatives from several and notably job creation — in both countries industries including technology, manufactur - is enormous and that the U.S. and Indian gov - ing, agriculture, retail, hospitality attended ernments remain committed to strengthened the round table, according to a statement two-way trade,” said USIBC Executive Vice issued by Bera’s office. Ami Bera, U.S. House of Representatives member. President Diane Farrell. — IANS

January 2014 India Review Diaspora NEWS Hyderabad-born is Texas Secretary of State yderabad-born attorney tions including the Houston Zoo, the Nandita Venkateswaran South Asian Chamber of Commerce, Berry has been appointed the Houston Area Women’s Centre, Hthe Secretary of State for and the Community Family Centre of Texas, making her the first person of Houston. Indian origin to hold the third top “Nandita Berry personifies what is executive job in the southern state. possible through hard work and dedi - Announcing the appointment of cation in the State of Texas,” Perry said. 17 Berry, 45, Governor Rick Perry “Arriving from India at the age of 21 called the Houston-based attorney with nothing but $200 to her name, one of the most accomplished in the she worked diligently to earn her law state. She steps into the office on degree and has since become one of January 7. the most accomplished attorneys in the As the 109 th Texas Secretary of state,” he said. “Her work ethic, intel - State, Berry would also become the ligence and wide array of experiences state’s chief elections officer; the gov - will serve her capably in her new ernor’s liaison on border and duties as Secretary of State, and I look Mexican affairs and Texas’ chief pro - forward to working with her to keep tocol officer for state and interna - Texas the best place in the country to tional matters. Nandita Venkateswaran Berry. live, work and raise a family.” Her office also serves as the formal “I am truly humbled to follow in repository for official and business and attests to the governor’s signa - the footsteps of Stephen F. Austin, records; publishes government rules ture on official documents. Berry has Texas’ first Secretary of State,” Berry and regulations, keeps the state seal been on the board of several institu - said. — IANS Indian origin medical Two researchers students in US get endowment fund get US presidential award group of Indian-American physicians has resident Barack Obama has Adonated $30,000 towards creating an named 102 researchers, includ - endowment fund for Indian origin students of Ping two Indian-Americans, as the University of Central Florida College of recipients of the Presidential Early Medicine in Orlando, Florida. Career Awards for Scientists and Uday A. Desai, president of the Central Engineers, the highest U.S. honor for Florida Association of Physicians from the young professionals in these fields. Indian Subcontinent (CAPI), presented a The winners including, Dr. cheque to Deborah German, vice president of Karunesh Ganguly of San Francisco Medical Affairs and dean of UCF’s Medical Veterans Affairs Medical Centre and Dr. Hardeep Singh (left) ; Karunesh Ganguly School at an event recently. “We at CAPI are Dr. Hardeep Singh of Houston a strong medical community, and are already Veterans Affairs Medical Centre, will Ganguly’s research is aimed doing good community service in addition to receive their awards at a Washington, towards the development of novel providing the best patient care,” Desai said. D.C., ceremony this year. therapies for patients with chronic “This will be a permanent reminder of “The impressive achievements of neurological deficits following stroke CAPI’s commitment to future physicians and these early-stage scientists and engi - or other forms of brain injury. to assure that they are able to complete their neers are promising indicators of even Much of Hardeep Singh’s research medical education with the least amount of greater successes ahead,” President has involved detecting, understand - debt possible.” The CAPI M.D. Endowed Obama said. “We are grateful for their ing and reducing missed and delayed Scholarship will be given to students of commitment to generating the scientif - diagnosis in the outpatient setting, as Indian origin on the basis of merit and finan - ic and technical advancements that will well as in using health information cial need, Desai said. — IANS ensure America’s global leadership for technology to achieve safe and effec - many years to come.” tive health care. — IANS

January 2014 India Review Science NEWS India launches affordable India to set up National Cancer Institute device for cervical cancer tests ndia will set up a National Cancer IInstitute, with the federal Cabinet on ndia launched a cost-effective December 26 approving the proposal for and affordable device for early the “landmark step” in the area of research detection of cervical cancer in in the disease which has emerged a major Iwomen on December 23. public health concern with 1.1 million new Cervical cancer is the number one cases diagnosed every year. killer among cancers in several parts The 710-bed institute will come up in the of rural and semi-urban India, Jhajjar (Haryana) campus of the All India accounting for nine percent of total Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). deaths due to cancer in 2010. It has Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam To be located in Badhsa village in Jhajjar, been estimated that about 1,32,000 Nabi Azad launching the Cervical Cancer the NCI is estimated to be at a cost `20.35 cases of cervical cancer are diag - Diagnostic Kit — AV Magnivisualizer in New Delhi. billion. An official release said the decision nosed every year and 74,000 deaths to set up the NCI was “a landmark step in occur due to it every year. more effective. This cost-effective the arena of cancer research in the country” The screening device called ‘AV- device would be first rolled out in the and will lessen the deficit of tertiary cancer Magnivisualizer’ has been designed district and sub-district community care in the northern region. and developed at the Institute of health centers (CMCs) and subse - “The setting up of this institute will herald Cytology and Preventive Oncology quently in the primary health centers a new chapter in the government initiative (ICPO), Noida. (PHCs), he said. against cancer,” the release said. Launching the device, Health Indian Council for Medical Research The institute will plan, conduct and coordi - Minister said that Director General V.M. Katoch said the nate research on cancers which are more spe - with this device it would be easy to device would help bring down the rates cific to India such as those related to tobacco screen and detect cervical cancer in its of morbidity and mortality due to cer - use and those afflicting organs like the uterus, early stages, thus making treatment vical cancer. — IANS cervix, gall bladder and liver. — IANS PARAM Supercomputer India ’s Antarctica station at par with among the most power efficient systems in world world: Geologist Sudipta Sengupta ndia’s super - hirty years after she first set foot “There is a tremendous difference Icomputer on Antarctica, celebrated geolo - in the technology in the stations... PARAM Yuva II, Tgist Sudipta Sengupta — one of when we went and now... now it is at developed by the first Indian women to visit Earth’s par with the stations put up by other the Centre for southernmost continent in 1983 — countries,” Sengupta said. Development of said improved technology has brought One of the major achievements of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), has been Indian stations on the ice at par with the 81-member team of the third ranked first in India, ninth in the Asia the world. Indian expedition was setting up of Pacific Region and 44 th in the world Describing her experience in the the maiden Indian station — the among the most power efficient computer ‘continent of science’, as “once in a ‘Dakshin Gangotri’. systems as per the Green500 List lifetime chance”, she highlighted how The first expedition was flagged off 18 announced at the Supercomputing easy communication from the sta - in 1981 that signalled the commence - Conference (SC 2013) in Denver, Colorado, tions to any part of the world has ment of the Indian Antarctic in the U.S., an official release said on become in the 21 st century. Program. January 1. Sengupta and marine biologist Aditi ‘Dakshin Gangotri’ was replaced in Supercomputers, in general, consume a Pant were part of the Third Indian 1988 by the indigenously-designed lot of electrical power and produce much Expedition to Antarctica that ran from second permanent station ‘Maitri’, heat that necessitates elaborate cooling December 3, 1983, to March 25, shortly before the first station was facilities to ensure proper operation. This 1984. Her pioneering work in the buried in ice and abandoned in 1990- adds to increase in the total cost of owner - Schirmacher Hills of East Antarctica 91. In 2012, ‘Bharati’, became ship (TCO) of a supercomputer. — IANS — a line of low coastal hills — boost - India’s third state-of-the-art research ed further study in the area. base in Antarctica. — IANS

January 2014 India Review Trends IN SOCIETY Sprinkling regional flavors in literature These writings come with a sense of belonging and familiarity, often throwing up daunting challenges for a writer to do justice to the terrain

egional literature in India has always mirrored social changes, conflicts and cul - 19 Rtural shifts of society while Indian writings in English have traced the history and cultural aspects of the metros. These streams are slowly being bridged by a new breed of writers who are venturing beyond the metros and adding piquant flavors to their works. Reaching out to the northeast are TV journalist Kishalay Bhattacharjee’s Che in Paona Bazar and Aruni Kashyap’s debut novel The House with a Thousand Stories . This region has often been shrouded in mystery and stereotyped in umpteen ways, but through these writings, the narrative has navigated through fic - tional characters in the local settings to give a glimpse of local food, music and culture along the lines of loss, love and conflict. explore them through their culture, falling off the radar,” Pan Macmillan “My primary focus was to chronicle history, society or night life. India Editorial Director Pranav Kumar stories that would connect the dots Be it William Dalrymple’s well Singh said. and present the big picture and also researched City of Djinns , Suketu “This is adding to the diversity of attempt to rid the stereotypical Mehta’s revelations in Maximum City: publishing and engaging readers in images,” admitted Bhattacharjee, Bombay Lost and Found or Amit many different and new ways,” he whose novel has a series of snapshots Chaudhuri’s lucid tale about Kolkata added. from Manipur and is based on real in Calcutta: Two Years in the City — These writings come with a sense of events. each one has chosen a unique subject belonging and familiarity, often throw - Given the fact this senior journalist to make the text interesting. ing up daunting challenges for a writer grew up in Shillong in Meghalaya and The peripheral shift is a win-win sit - to do justice to the terrain. has covered the conflict in the region uation for writers in English. “It is true “It has challenges because it can for 17 years, this automatically lends that nowadays you have many new turn out to be entirely anecdotal but credibility to the poignant narrative voices speaking of towns, cities and my journalistic training helped me to and descriptions. regions that are beyond the metros. I see its objectively,” Bhattacharjee said. The triumvirate of cities — Delhi, think this is happening because the Kashyap, whose novel is about Mumbai and Kolkata — have caught focus is shifting from the center to the Mayong situated on the bank of the the fancy of many authors who have periphery and readers want to know of Brahmaputra in Assam, felt the region - used different storytelling methods to things that seem to be increasingly al shift is perhaps because the concept of a pan-Indian novel is slowly diluting. THE FOCUS IS SHIFTING FROM THE CENTER TO THE “One of the reasons why the new crop of writers are setting their novels PERIPHERY AND READERS WANT TO KNOW OF THINGS THAT in smaller cities and writing on region - al themes is because the pan-Indian SEEM TO BE INCREASINGLY FALLING OFF THE RADAR novel in English is probably not rele - vant any more,” Kashyap said.

January 2014 India Review Cuisine OF INDIA

Gastronomic pilgrimage is what promises, delivers With over 45 kababs indigenous to it, the capital of Uttar Pradesh is quite up on the list of Indian cities with a highly evolved gastronomic quotient

itting the food trail in dishes — awaits worshipers of good for breakfast, or getting repulsed by a Lucknow is a pilgrimage! food. All return blessed!. sea of floating oil in curries. In this land of indulgent Never a deprived moment here, be Think of these as some extra miles Hnawabs and haute Awadhi it at breakfast or for a late-night bite. of walking needed to burn the calo - cuisine, a lavish dastarkhwan — Only, one must shed inhibitions. ries down. Persian for a well-laid-out spread of Such as not having something heavy This apart, some of the famous

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January 2014 India Review Cuisine OF INDIA

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The Kingdom of kababs in Lucknow is ruled by galawati (Opposite page top) . Other kababs famous in Lucknow include the burras, kakoris, kalmi, patili, ghutwa , and pasandas . In this land of haute Awadhi cuisine, some of the famous kababs — even kormas , curries and stews — are savored with an array of breads. For those with a sweet tooth, the sinful delights of shahi tukda can be a constant companion in Lucknow. kababs — even kormas , curries and Today galawatis are available at a already gorged on nihari-kulcha the stews — of dum-pukht or slow- host of places. Tunday themselves previous day, this is a welcome break. cooked Awadhi cuisine, are eaten have many franchises, even outside The vegetarian fare comes alive with an array of breads, some of Lucknow. Most of these eateries early evenings when the famous which can be both sweet and savory, serve a mean galawati and more. chaats of Lucknow are in full bloom. like the glazed caramel sheermal . You have Alamgir, just a stone’s The popular chaat joints include Jain, Also, don’t pair food here with your throw from Tunday in Aminabad, Radhey Lal, Shukla, Chhappan Bhog, mind. Leave that part to your palate. who have no menu but their galawati, Shree Ram and Jagdish. The best-known kabab of Lucknow shami, kormas, nihari-kulcha , and You do have the gol gappas or is, of course, the galawati . This is a mutton biryani are just awesome. paani-poories , which locals call melt-in-the-mouth patty of finely- Other kababs famous in Lucknow, batashas . Here, the casings are filled minced mutton or beef marinated some of which are made only with with a combination of curd and chut - with a host of spices and condiments, advance notice, include the burras ney. A different take from what you then shallow-fried on a large tawa or (try them at Shekhawat), kakoris, get in Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata. a cast-iron girdle fired by charcoal. It kalmi, patili, ghutwa, and pasandas . Also try the alu tikkis in Lucknow pairs well with a roomali roti . Food experts say some 45 kababs are that are stuffed with some secret There is this legendary restaurant indigenous to Lucknow, which also spices and green peas, as also the Tunday Kababi in the old quarters of has its own version of rogan josh. crumbling-in-the-mouth khasta Aminabad whose original owners This city has some good fare for tikkis . Another specialty is the tokri stake claim to having invented this vegetarians too. Not that mutton- chaat — which looks like a sprouted culinary delight. As the legend goes, gluttons can’t dig into them. The veg - salad with white, red, green dressing Chef Haji Murad Ali, a man with just etarian kababs include dalcha and served in a bird’s nest. one arm hence the nom de plume paneer , as also others made of kidney Kulfis are also a must. Do save Tunda, invented the galawati in 1905. beans, raw jackfruit, Arbi or some space and time to relish it. At that time he had a small eatery by Colocasia. Finally, a paan does wonders. Even the same name in the Chowk area, Mornings are best reserved for the though the city of Banaras is more which was literally a hole-in-the-wall traditional poorie or khasta kachori famous, don’t despair. Lucknow’s outlet and still exists. The galawati was with alu-kaddu sabzi . Top it with paans are equally good and help keep first made for an aging nobleman with jalebi and milk that has simmered for the palate and the momentum going no teeth who yearned for some kababs. hours, or a glass of lassi . If you have to tuck in more.

January 2014 India Review Cinema NEWS ‘Brand Dhoom is a much larger than starcast’

ctors Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra have been part of the Dhoom fran - Achise’s journey from the time it took off in 2004. And Abhishek believes that other characters of the film may come and go unlike his and Uday’s. “Pardon the immodesty, but Uday Chopra and I are Dhoom . The fran - chise chronicles the ongoing adven - tures of Jai and Ali, that’s me and Uday. That’s the format of the fran - chise. The other characters may come and go. But we go on forever. Like Batman and Robin. Can there be a Batman franchise without Batman?” asked Abhishek. Having said that, Abhishek looks Actors (from left) Abhishek Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif and Uday Chopra with filmmaker Vijay back with much affection at the jour - Krishna Acharya (center) during a press conference of film Dhoom 3 in Mumbai. ney. “From Dhoom to Dhoom 2 and young, hopeful and enthusiastic, eager Aishwarya (Rai). And now Dhoom 3 now to Dhoom 3 , it has been an amaz - to try out this experiment. How were has Aamir (Khan) and Katrina (Kaif). ing journey. To begin with, it was the we to know it would turn out the way But I think the brand Dhoom is a much story of the adventures of these three it did?” he added. larger than starcast.” boys, me, Uday and John Abraham,” Now, the junior Bachchan feels the Abhishek feels the presence of a new he said. Dhoom franchise is watched for being director in the franchise brings all-new “Our producer Aditya Chopra sug - what it is. challenges to the table. The first two gested we try to re-define the action “Yes, there are stars in the film. installments were directed by Sanjay genre in our cinema. We were all Dhoom 2 had Hrithik (Roshan) and Gadhvi.

Disney India to co-produce ‘Khubsoorat’ with Kapoors ‘Highway’ helped me to connect nil Kapoor and his daughter Rhea with myself, says Alia Bhatt Ahave joined hands with Walt Disney Studios to co-produce Khubsoorat , a rom sleeping under the tree to sitting on the road and eating - Alia remake of the 1980 Rekha starrer FBhatt did all for Imtiaz Ali’s Highway and says that the film helped her Khubsoorat . connect “with the person within me”. Sonam Kapoor will be “It helped me to connect with the person within me. My father always seen playing the happy- said the day an actor finds oneness with the person within is the day he or go-lucky girl, essayed she becomes a true actor. I think I found that person during ‘Highway’. I by Rekha with elan in don’t know how much it helped me to grow as an actor, but the film got 22 the earlier Hrishikesh me to know things about myself that I didn’t know,” said Alia. Mukherjee directed Having played a fashionable airhead in her debut film Student Of family entertainer. The Year , Alia has now completed a gruelling, gut-wrenching physi - Her character Mili is cally and emotionally exhausting film with Ali. is responsible for turning “It was very difficult,” she said and added: “I realize other actors the lives of a royal fami - probably come to something like Imtiaz Ali’s Highway after ly upside down. It also maybe six to seven films behind them.” stars Kirron Kher, Ratna “Imtiaz was able to mold my personality in the way he want - Pathak Shah and Amir ed. So a lack of training proved an advantage for the film,” she Raza Hussain. added.

January 2014 India Review Travel & TOURISM AmrItsAr: Home to the GolDen temple 23

Founded in 1577 by the fourth Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das, Amritsar is home to Sikhism’s holiest shrine Golden Temple — the glittering gold-plated gurdwara that is a sight to behold

hen something you have (Top) The Golden Temple is built in the midst of a seen and admired only in How to reach huge pond; (Bottom) The Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. photographs stands right AIR: Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Win front of your eyes, daz - Airport is about 11 km and a 15-20 minutes place every day. The sanctum sancto - zling even more brightly as the sun’s drive from the city center. rum is a two-storeyed marble structure rays falls on it, you actually have to RAIL: Amritsar is an important railway sta - built on a 67-square foot platform with pinch yourself to realize that it is no tion and is well connected to major cities in gold leaf adorning the outer walls of dream. India through daily trains. the structure and the inside also lined The Harmandir Sahib, popularly ROAD: Long-distance taxis are available up with pure gold. known as the Golden Temple, that was from most places. It takes around 6-7 hours Another highlight of Amritsar is the started by the fourth guru of the Sikhs, from New Delhi via NH-1. Amritsar is well- Beating Retreat at the Attari-Wagah Guru Ram Das, in the 16th century, connected by bus to most major cities and border. can leave anybody awestruck. The the northern areas are within a days drive. The border, located 28 km from foundation of Sri Harmandir Sahib There are daily direct buses to New Delhi, Amritsar, is a 45-minute drive away. (the temple of God) was laid by Jammu, Katra, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Every evening, at around 6 pm, as the Muslim saint Mian Mir of Lahore in etc. sun sets, the border gates of both India 1589. The main structure of the shrine and Pakistan are closed for the night was completed in 1601. after a ceremony conducted by border Located in Amritsar, 450 km from guards of both sides. India’s Border the national capital, it is built in the Security Force (BSF) troopers and the midst of a huge ‘sarovar’ (pond) which Pakistan Rangers perform a drill sparkles with the reflection of the gold cheered by hundreds on the two sides. structure. There are four gateways one The ceremony ends with the synchro - can take to reach the place where the nized lowering of flags of the two Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy countries. scripture) is housed. Another poignant landmark in the Surrounding the pond are two huge city is the Jallianwala Bagh, which clock towers, atop of one of which is a commemorates those Indians killed or museum narrating the history of the wounded here in 1919. Some of the Sikhs. Adjacent to the clock tower is a bullet marks are still visible. There’s an building which provides free food to eternal (24-hour) flame of remem - thousands of pilgrims who throng the brance.

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