Our ties with Gulf countries have been reciprocal — both have gained a lot — Shri Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Global – IndIan network of knowledGe (Global–Ink): “the VIrtual thInk tank”

AN INITIATIVE OF THE MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS

Global –INK positioned as a strategic “virtual think tank” connects Overseas Indians (knowledge providers) with the development process (knowledge receivers) in India and empowers them to partner in India’s progress. Being a next generation knowledge management, collaboration and business solution platform, Global-INK provides context to connect knowledge experts with knowledge seekers Consequently, these connections enable flow of knowledge and expertise from the Diaspora back into India and facilitate collective action. Global – INK will catalyze Diaspora ability and willingness into well thought out projects and programs for development, transform individual initiatives into community action and achieve critical mass in chosen verticals.

The portal can be accessed only by registered users. Registration request can be submitted by filing out the registration form located on the Global-INK homepage (www.globalink.in)

lR;eso t;rs

Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs www.moia.gov.in izoklh Hkkjrh; dk;Z ea=ky; Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs www.overseasindian.in contents

Printed and Published by N. Simte on behalf of the arts Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs Akbar Bhavan, Chanakyapuri, 30 art oF survival New Delhi — 110021 Watercolour as a medium of art is battling to live in the age of new Website: http://moia.gov.in media — the easy-to-convey digital and video art www.overseasindian.in

dance Pravasi Bharatiya is a monthly 32 Fusion steps publication. The views expressed in this Contemporary dance with journal are those of the contributors classical roots is now and do not necessarily reflect the views finding its own space of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in India (MOIA). All rights reserved. No part of this journal may be produced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, travel without the permission of MOIA. Cover photo: One of the popular Indian markets in 36 FrencH the U.A.E. (Photo: Courtesy, connection Editorial correspondence and gulF links At Home In the World, Love tranquility in the lap Published by the Overseas manuscripts can be addressed to There are nearly six million Indians living and working in the of exquisite colonial [email protected] Indian Facilitation six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and they are Centre (OIFC). (Above) The heritage? Your moment lies 14 Dubai seafront. in a trip to the French Designed and produced by IANS cover story playing a pivotal role in the development of the region (www.ianspublishing.com) on behalf of settlements in India. the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Believe it, you won’t feel away from the European grandeur...

Printed at Anit Printers 1811, Gyani Bazar, Opp. D-56 N.D.S.E Part -1, 10 cuisine Kotla Mubarkpur, New Delhi -110003 special report 42 etHereal palate advantage oiFc A North-Eastern meal is Since its inception in 2007, the Overseas always balanced and for Indian Facilitation Centre is touching the every spicy dish, there is lives of thousands of overseas Indians a bland one 34 22 28 Music diaspora Books Healing Melodies diaspora’s date Grammy nominee and practising witH Mauritius BoMBay girl Journalist-turned-novelist Kavita Daswani’s monk Nawang Khechog uses his flute The ocean country is set to organise 6th crossover novel talks about a tale of new India as a bridge across Buddhism, Mini Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in October izoklh Hkkjrh; dk;Z ea=ky; Hinduism and the West that straddles several continents Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs www.overseasindian.in news

Diaspora meet in Amsterdam Indian mission Kerala woos NRI investment for medical college

The annual Indian Diaspora confer - launches ayurveda The Kerala government has given its ence in the Netherlands will be held this centre in Trinidad approval to set up a `300 crore hospital year in Amsterdam city on September 30, and medical college in which the diaspora EuAsia News has reported. The IndIan High Commission in will be allowed to invest, it was announced Organised by the Foundation for In - Trinidad and Tobago has launched a recently. The Kerala Institute of Medical dian Diaspora in Europe, the one-day centre for ayurveda following a growing Education and Research will come up in conference is to focus on improving inter- interest in the Caribbean in the tradi - Alappuzha district in three years, an offi - generational relations as well as relations tional Indian system of medicine. The cial said. State Chief Minister Oommen between different groups of Indian dias - centre was inaugurated by Trinidad and Chandy cleared the project at a recent cab - pora in the Netherlands. Tobago’s Minister of Local Govern - inet meeting. The Indian Ambassador to the Nether - ment Surujattan Rambachan recently. In his budget speech, state Finance Min - lands, Bhaswati Mukherjee, Dutch offi - The minister also announced that a ister K.M. Mani had announced plans to cials, Indian and Dutch experts, and Chair of Ayurvedic Medicine will be set up five government medical colleges in representatives from various social and launched soon at the University of the the state. This is the first of them. An business organisations are expected to West Indies in St. Augustine. official told IANS that the state-of-the-art participate in the event, said the confer - He said this would be the second such institute would have a split structure — a “The institute will be built on public-pri - tute’s shares will get one seat every year for ence organisers. academic programme to be launched at committee of government officials to run vate partnership model and will be run by admission to an MBBS course,” said the of - The conference aims to strengthen the Bhaswati Mukherjee the university, the first being the Chair the hospital and a management to run the a government-appointed committee.” ficial. “Since the gestation period for an in - links between various Indian diaspora of Asian Studies. Rambachan said the college. The government has allocated around stitute like this will be longer compared to groups and organisations, promote the The Netherlands has the second largest steps followed several agreements signed Another committee would look after the 25 acres for the project near the National other ventures, the diaspora wanting to in - role of Indian diaspora in Dutch society, population of people of Indian origin in between Trinidad and Tobago’s Indian- infrastructure development of the hospital Thermal Power Corp plant in Alappuzha. vest should be aware that there will be no and intensify and broaden ties between Europe with an estimated 200,000 people, and the college. “The project will be a re - “The government’s contribution would profit for over 10 years,” added the official. India and the Netherlands in various mainly from Suriname, and non-resident ality in three years. Interested non-resident work out to be 26 percent of the equity. The This is the second project after the Kan - fields. Indians (NRIs) from India. Keralites can invest in the project and will rest will come from investment made by nur international airport where the govern - get shares,” said the official. the diaspora. Those who will buy the insti - ment has asked the diaspora to invest. Punjab to launch card for NRIs India, S. Korea tie-up The Punjab government has announced has asked the NRI Affairs Department to Latin America looks to India that it will soon launch NRI cards for immediately work out the details for NRI for electoral reforms Punjabis living abroad to identify them for cards and implement it at the earliest. ChIle, Cuba and Venezuela, the troika tunities are manifold and tremendous. We official purposes and facilitate various serv - Badal said Punjab has to involve NRIs of Latin America’s premier grouping, have are looking for a pan-continental engage - IndIa and South Korea signed an ices for them. in the process of development by assuring sought closer strategic and economic part - ment with the Community of Latin Amer - agreement to collaborate in strengthening Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir them total support of the state govern - nership with India and described New ican Countries (CELAC),” he said. institutions and processes for democracy, Singh Badal, accompanied by NRI Affairs ment. He said that all NRIs will be able to Delhi as “an emerging power” that can play “The LAC region was once considered a good governance and rule of law in the Minister Bikram Singh Majithia and former apply for this card on the website of the an important role in transforming the re - distant horizon for Indian diplomacy. Now two countries. union minister Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, NRI department. origin Prime Minister Kamla Persad- gion. Seeeking to scale up ties with India in there is a multi-dimensional transformation A Memorandum of Understanding He said the card, besides giving an iden - Bissessar and her Indian counterpart diverse areas, Chile’s Foreign Minister Al - of relations,” said Rajiv Bhatia, Director- (MoU) was signed recently by Chief Elec - tity to the NRIs for official purposes, would Manmohan Singh during Persad-Bisses - fredo Moreno Charme listed the many ad - General, ICWA. tion Commissioner of India V.S. Sampath assure quality medicare to them and offer at - sar’s historic visit to India in January. vantages of India and the Latin American The India-troika meeting culminated in and the chairperson of the National Elec - tractive discounts on shopping in Punjab. Rambachan said relations between region working together to transform their both sides agreeing to set up joint commit - toral Commission of Republic of Korea, Majithia said that a comprehensive web - India and Trinidad and Tobago have societies and economies. tees in diverse sectors. Justice Nung Hwan Kim. site and portal of the NRI Affairs Depart - moved swiftly from mere cultural and “India is an emerging power. Closer co - “We are aware of Korea’s formidable ment has been finalised and would become religious to that of in-depth economic, operation will open new areas of coopera - record in democratic functioning and good operational soon. trade and investment. He also heaped tion in economic, social and cultural fields,” electoral practices,” said Sampath. Badal said that a 24-hour NRI helpline praises on Indian High Commissioner Charme said while speaking at a recent The MoU has been signed with the should also be functional where NRIs Malay Mishra, calling him “the entre - seminar organised by the Indian Council of common mission of strengthening institu - would be able to register their complaints preneurial high commissioner”. World Affairs (ICWA) on ‘Recent Develop - tions and processes for democracy, good and get a time-bound response on action Mishra said Trinidad and Tobago was ments in the Latin American and governance and rule of law in the two taken. the second country outside India to have Caribbean (LAC) Region’. countries through combined efforts. He said that these steps would inculcate an ayurveda centre after Malaysia. He M. Ganapathi, Secretary (West) in the The Korean Election Commission is confidence amongst NRIs who feel insecure said people can visit the centre and ac - External Affairs Ministry, also made a now the chair of the Association of Asian sitting in a foreign land about their land, cess all forms of information, brochures, strong pitch for an all-round acceleration of Election Authorities and India is the vice- property and investments in Punjab. publications and videos on ayurveda. ties. “It is a win-win situation. The oppor - chair.

6 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 7 news

IAS coaching centres India, Thailand push for trilateral highway eye NRI candidates IndIa and Thailand reviewed the hoPIng To touch a patriotic chord, pri - progress in their negotiations for a free trade vate coaching academies are increasingly treaty and decided to step up work on land - looking at Indians settled abroad and their mark connectivity projects like a trilateral children and selling them the idea of tak - highway that will link the two countries ing the civil services exam to serve the through Myanmar. motherland as a career bureaucrat. The Indian side led by Sanjay Singh, Sec - It may be a novel idea for the NRI retary (East) in the External Affairs Min - (Non- Resident Indian) community — istry, held talks with the Thai delegation, led those with Indian citizenship — but some by Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Permanent Sec - institutes are confident that it is one that retary, Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will hit home. in Bangkok on August 10. The New Delhi-based Chanakya IAS The foreign office consultations took stock Academy, for instance, held an interaction of ongoing measures to enhance connectiv - session in Dubai for NRI civil services as - ity and boost infrastructure, a key priority, pirants in July. “The concept of preparing through implementation of projects such as India-US defence ties on rise their children to serve as Indian bureau - Thailand-Myanmar-India Trilateral High - crats excited many NRI parents in the way and Dawei, said the Indian Embassy in In a bid to boost defence sales to India, system and to address any concerns they Gulf,” said A.K. Mishra, chief of the Bangkok in a statement made available here. gic partnership between the two countries. the third consecutive year in which India the U.S. is putting forward the “technical may have”. academy. “They also discussed the current status of The Indian side briefed Thai diplomats had invited a leader from a Southeast Asian and political advantages” of its Foreign “We think the U.S.-India defence and “Many NRIs and their children agreed negotiations on the comprehensive bilateral on New Delhi’s preparations for hosting a country as its chief guest at the Republic Military Sales (FMS) programme of gov - trade relationship would benefit from link - that joining Indian civil services was an FTA, cooperation to enhance business ties, special India-ASEAN Commemorative Day parade, a unique honour accorded to ernment-to-government transfer without ing defence sales with broader strategic ideal way to serve their motherland,” security issues, and cultural and people-to- Summit in December. special friends of India with which New competitive bidding. goals,” he said. “That’s why we specifi - Mishra, who is also a motivation and suc - people exchanges,” the Indian Embassy said. In a special gesture signalling an upward Delhi wishes to accelerate its diplomatic and “We have reached out to new partners cally articulated the technical and political cess guru, said. The talks reviewed a slew of initiatives swing in New Delhi’s Look East policy, economic ties. and emerging markets where we see the advantages that FMS offers.” According to Mishra, civil services sealed between the two sides during the land - India had hosted Thailand’s first female and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang defence trade growing,” Andrew J. One of the major goals of the political- exam coaching was a multimillion rupee mark visit of Thailand Prime Minister youngest Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawa - Yudhoyono and South Korean President Shapiro, Assistant Secretary in the State military talks in New Delhi was to make industry, fuelled by over 500 institutions Yingluck Shinawatra to India earlier this year. tra as the Guest of Honour at the Republic Lee Myung-bak were respective chief guests Department’s Bureau of Political-Military progress in advancing the defence trade, spread across the country. Metro cities, es - Her visit had set the stage for forging a strate - Day function in January this year. This was at the 2011 and 2010 Republic Day parades. Affairs told the Defence Trade Advisory he said, noting that cumulative defence pecially New Delhi and Chennai, have a Group. sales to India had grown from virtually high density of such specialised service Indian wins Ramon Outlining the U.S. efforts to expand zero to more than $8 billion since 2008. providers. India to boost ties with Belarus in IT defence trade, Shapiro, who was in India The Obama administration views the Mishra said NRIs need to be made Magasaysay Award for the first political-military talks in six American defence industry as an integral aware of opportunities in civil services as, years, said they “sought to better famil - part of its efforts to advance U.S. national at present, their interest are centred around IndIan ComPanIes are willing to The Indian Embassy expects an increase IndIa’s KulandeI Francis is one iarise the Indian government with our security and foreign policy, Shapiro said. professional courses. step up cooperation with Belarusian part - in the number of offices of Indian IT-com - of the six winners of the Ramon Maga - ners in the IT industry, said India’s Ambas - panies in Belarus. saysay Award for 2012, it was an - sador Manoj Bharti. He stressed that the Indian companies nounced by the organisers in Manila Some Indian companies see Belarus as which came to Belarus were impressed by recently. Francis has been recognised for First Boeing C-17s to arrive in India by mid-2013 an outsourcing territory for their software the level of training of Belarusian IT spe - his visionary zeal, his developments which they plan to sell to cialists. “They appreciate it and they are profound faith in com - The fIrsT of 10 C-17 Globemaster III “The defence ties between India and the Europe, Bharti said. sure Belarus is the right choice for joint munity energies and his heavy airlifters, being built by Boeing for U.S. is an important dimension of our strate - partnerships,” Bharti added. sustained programmes India, underwent a major production step gic partnership. This momentous occasion, Belarusian-Indian training centre in in pursuing the holistic with a recent ceremony at the Boeing facility where we see India’s first C-17 take shape, Minsk was opened in 2011. It specialises economic empower - in Long Beach, California. India is the further strengthens our growing relation - in professional improvement of IT-special - ment of thousands of largest C-17 customer outside the U.S. ship,” said Parthasarathi. ists and professors from technical univer - women and their fami - The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct the “This is a proud day for the highly skilled sities. More than 2,000 specialists have lies in rural India, the Ramon Magsaysay first of the 10 C-17 Globemaster-III planes Boeing workforce and our newest customer already undergone training there. Award Foundation (RMAF) said in a purchased from the U.S. in a $4.1 billion deal to celebrate a major production milestone,” The centre has hired leading teachers statement. in June 2013. said Bob Ciesla, Boeing Airlift vice president from Belarus, India and other countries, Francis began the Integrated Village Consul General of India in San Francisco, a key programme milestone known as the and C-17 programme manager. specialists of major IT companies, educa - Development Project (IVDP) in 1979, in N. Parthasarathi, drove a rivet into the air - ‘major join.’ The ceremony was attended by “We are preparing for India’s first C-17 to tional and research centres. The training Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, starting out craft to mark the integration of the forward, Boeing, Indian Embassy staff, senior Indian enter flight test on schedule early next year,” programme is based on most relevant with small projects like conducting a night centre and aft fuselages and wing assembly, Air Force and local elected officials. he added. global trends. school and setting up a first-aid centre.

8 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 9 special reporT

(Left) Hon’ble Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi, inaugurating the OIFC Market Place at PBD 2012, along with Shri Ashok Gehlot, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan; and Mr. Chandrajit Baner - jee, Director General, CII and Co-Chairman, OIFC.

in to fill the gap,” an OIFC official said. It is a non-profit initiative that aims to expand the Indian Diaspora’s involvement in their homeland’s growth story. The mandate of the centre, with its headquarters in the satellite town of Gur - gaon in Haryana, is to establish and main - tain a Diaspora Knowledge Network and (Above) Hon. Amb. Prof. Samson K. Ongeri, Minis - to promote overseas Indian investments ter of Foreign Affairs, Govt. of Republic of Kenya, speaking at the OIFC ‘Diaspora Engagement Meet’, into India and facilitate business partner - held in April 2012; (Left) Ms. Sujata Sudarshan, ships. It also assists states to project invest - CEO, OIFC, addressing at the OIFC Business Session ment opportunities to overseas Indians and in The Netherlands. provides a host of advisory services to Per - sons of Indian origin (PIOs) and non-resi - dent Indians (NRIs). like you to reach out and invest in a new Among the services it provides to over - India. Invest, not just financially, but intel - seas Indians wanting to invest in India are lectually, socially, culturally and, above all, a business networking platform, a live chat emotionally.” window that is operational 16 hours and Commenting on the OIFC, the Hon’ble five days a week on its website www.oifc.in , Prime Minister of India said, “It could be along with an ‘Ask the Expert’ service. (NRI Banking) and Union Bank as an effective instrument to liaise with mem - ADVANTAGE OIFC: OIFC is also responsible for providing in - ‘knowledge partners’. bers of the Indian diaspora on matters re - teractive investment toolkits and informing “The task is difficult taking into consid - lated to investment in India.” discerning Indians overseas about invest - eration that overseas Indians are spread all The Hon’ble Minister of Overseas In - ment opportunities in the Indian states. over the world and across different time dian Affairs Shri Vayalar Ravi has noted The states that have tied up with OIFC zones. The width and depth of questions that the objectives of OIFC “will be to STAY CONNECTED! are Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, is huge. Our objective is to ensure that no bring the Indian states, Indian business and Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, questions remain unanswered and no potential overseas investors on the same Since its inception in 2007, the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre is touching the lives Punjab and Rajasthan. To ensure the dis - doubt uncleared,” the OIFC official added. platform and to facilitate the investors to of thousands of overseas Indians, writes N.C. Bipindra cerning investor receives the right kind of All these efforts fall in line with what identify investment opportuni ties.” guidance, OIFC has also tied up with the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri To achieve these objectives, the OIFC banks such as Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. Manmohan Singh has to say. “India has has established contacts with several thou - here are over 25 million Indians It has at least 35,000 subscribers to its According to an Ernst & Young report, emerged as one of the fastest- growing sands of overseas Indians through various overseas and this overseas com - monthly newsletter called ‘IndiaConnect’ India is the second most preferred destina - economies in the world. I would like over - road shows and business forums held in munity acts as a rich source of to catch the trends in the latest India invest - tion for foreign investors. Among the at - Delegates attending the OIFC ‘Diaspora Engagement seas Indian communities to take full ad - Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Middle knowledge, expertise, resources ment story. And its a popular link on all so - tractions in India, according to the report, Meet’ in Kenya in April 2012. vantage of these opportunities. I would East, North America and the United Tand markets for the development of the cial networking sites, be it Facebook, are its aerospace and defence industry, Kingdom, apart from India. country of origin. With this as the inspira - Twitter or LinkedIn. which is an emerging market, automotive In April 2012, the OIFC held an ‘Indian tion, the Overseas Indian Facilitation Cen - A public-private partnership initiative of industry, a profitable sector, apart from Diaspora Engagement Meet’ in Nairobi, tre (OIFC) came into existence in 2007 the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs health care and pharmaceuticals, which Kenya, for overseas Indians of East and in the last five years it has touched the (MOIA) and the Confederation of Indian have shown tremendous growth potential. African nations. lives of several thousands of them. By Industry (CII), an apex in - “In their quest to invest in The MOIA Secretary, Shri Parvez being there, OIFC has ensured easier dustry chamber, OIFC func - India, the overseas Indians Dewan, who is also the chairman of the processes for those Indians overseas who tions with the objective of sometimes face hurdles. OIFC, was present at this meet organised want to engage with India. helping overseas Indians to They have questions but no in association with the Indian High Com - Consider these: The OIFC has answered expand their economic en - answers. They have doubts mission in Kenya and supported by Global nearly 10,000 queries from overseas Indi - gagement with India. but don’t know who to con - Organisation for People of Indian Origin ans who wanted to invest in India and The OIFC was an idea that tact to clear them. They (GOPIO), Africa. wanted to know how to go about it. was born out of the concerns from overseas want to take the next step but can’t be - The OIFC model is being studied by It has over 13,000 Indians overseas who Indians over information scarcity on invest - cause of lack of clarity as well as accessi - countries such as Vietnam, Georgia, Kaza - have registered with it to stay connected for ment environment in India and demands for bility to the right people and credible khstan and Jamaica to act as a template for mutual benefit in the field of business. a reliable facilitator of business partnerships. information. Here is where OIFC comes their own diaspora investors.

10 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 11 special reporT

Among the areas suggested at the high-level dialogue included information technology and health care sectors, where there was a lot of scope for migrant workers to land jobs. To ensure that migration and mobility take place on legal terms and the interest of the migrant workers is best served, the two sides also decided that they could work on visa policies that would enable secure over - seas employment. To combat irregular migration, India and the European Union decided that they need to carry out an evidence-based research to find means of regulating the process of workers mobility and keeping a tab on trends.The two sides decided to en - hance capacities of both their governmen - tal agencies as also the migrant work force “This cooperation should be comprehen - The MOIA-European Commission dialogue in through training. sive in its approach, and should be consoli - progress in New Delhi on July 2. They also agreed on sharing and compar - dated in the near future,” the two sides ing data, based, for instance, on Eurostat, a concurred. directorate-general of the European Com - At the dialogue, India and European proach to Migration and Mobility mission with the responsibility of providing Union officials also discussed framing of a (GAMM). statistical data on European Union nations, common agenda on migration and mobility Both sides also agreed that they would in or on Frontex, an agency responsible for as an option. “Further work will be done by the forthcoming period consider appropriate managing borders within the European both sides to explore the feasibility, scope steps to take forward the framework as dis - FOCUS MIGRATION Union and movement of people, or on na - and the added value of any future frame - cussed during the high-level dialogue and tional government data. work,” they decided. set forth in these joint conclusions through MOIA and the European Union move towards establishing a futuristic framework for This sharing of information and com - As next steps and modalities to take for - regular contacts at the working level con - paring data would help in better-informed ward the proposed collaboration, it was ducted locally in India and in the European cooperation on migration and mobility policy formulations and interventions with agreed at the meeting that before their next Union. regard to migration and mobility of work - high-level dialogue in the first half of 2013, “A joint India-European Union working onscious of the adverse impact two sides agreed that there were several ers. The two sides also stressed the impor - a decision would be taken to develop such group may be set up for this purpose,” the of erratic migration and mobil - areas of common interest for further coop - tance of sharing information and best cooperation between India and the Euro - two sides averred. ity of workers, India and the eration on migration and mobility between practices regarding speedy verification of pean Union, as part of the Global Ap - The high-level dialogue was conducted in 27-nation European Union are India and the European Union. nationality with a view to return of irreg - a spirit of free and frank discussions and co - chastening the process of establishing a Both sides acknowledged that actions ular migrants and possible cooperation. operation, emphasising mutual benefits and framework to deal with issues thrown up could comprehensively cover four priority Another key area of discussion and con - Both sides agreed that challenges. by the movement of skilled and unskilled areas — safe and legal migration, combating vergence between India and the European Forces of globalisation and the dynamics labour force. irregular migration, migration and develop - Union was on migration and development actions could cover four of capitalist development are also driving In this regard, the two sides held a day- ment, and sharing information and best under which they wanted to improve their migration — apart from demographic long high-level dialogue in New Delhi on practices. They wanted safe and legal migra - knowledge base through an extended migra - priority areas - safe changes these day when internationalisation July 2 this year when they listed out the tion for which they decided that evidence- tion profile. This, they felt, would improve of labour mobility is the norm. broad contours of the futuristic framework based research could be carried out jointly. remittances by workers overseas and in cir - Though figures on the Indian share of for - for cooperation on migration and mobility. That apart, the two sides preferred pre-de - cular migrations, apart from regulating mo - and legal migration, eign-born proportion of the work force in The European Union side was led by Eu - parture orientation for migrant workers bility of scientists and technologists to foster some western European nations is unavail - ropean Commission Director General for ahead of flying out to engage in gainful em - innovation. combating irregular able, the total figure is about 10 percent, ac - Home Affairs Stefano Manservisi and it in - ployment overseas. A major issue of concern was protection cording to Organisation for Economic cluded representatives from the Presidency (Top) The MOIA-European Commission meeting The primary concern of a host nation of victims, and in this regard the two sides migration, migration and Cooperation and Development (OECD) of the European Union, member-states and being held in New Delhi on July 2; with regard to migrant workers is lack of agreed to share information and practices re - data for 2011. a delegation, apart from European External (Above) European Commission Director General necessary skills that could help them land a garding international protection for those development, and In particular, the OECD figures are 19 Action Service. for Home Affairs Stefano Manservisi. job and earn a living in foreign land. migrant workers in need. percent for Ireland and over 45 percent for The Indian side was led by Ministry of For the purpose, the Indian and European “These initiatives could constitute build - Luxembourg. Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) Secretary istry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Union sides noted that appropriate skill de - ing blocks of the future framework of sharing information With migrant workers facing odds in gen - Parvez Dewan and it included representatives Affairs and the India Centre for Migration. velopment actions in the fields where they India-European Union cooperation on mi - eral, studies have shown that they have a from the MOIA including Joint Secretary Fi - Following their deliberations on various are looking for overseas employment would gration and mobility,” the meeting con - and best practices higher rate of unemployment than natives nancial Services Atul Kumar Tiwari, Min - subjects during the high-level dialogue, the be of help. cluded. in European Union and OECD nations.

12 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 13 COVER STORY

elations between India and the years. The Arabs were skilled seafarers and domicile, but also in their contribution to Gulf region date back to the an - used to traverse the oceans trading in India’s growth, progress and welfare. He cient times. Over the ages, they goods like gold, jade and herbs. has visited each of the six GCC countries have only grown and never “The Gulf region, like South-East and to forge personal bonds. sRhowed any signs of subsiding. These ties, South Asia, is part of our natural eco - “Our ties with Gulf countries have been be they diplomatic, economic or people-to- nomic hinterland. We must pursue closer reciprocal — both have gained a lot. Indi - Gulf Links people, between India and the Gulf Coop - economic relations with all our neighbours ans went there from Kerala, or what was eration Council (GCC) countries — in our wider Asian neighbourhood,” Travancore, and other places in the early Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told a days. There are workers and also profes - The nearly six million-strong Indian workforce in six Gulf Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — recent meeting of the Trade and Economic sionals there — doctors, teachers, IT ex - Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is playing a pivotal role in the are today on a very strong footing and are Relations Committee between India and perts, banking people. These countries only poised to grow, a cross section of the the GCC countries. benefited a lot from them. That is why development of the region; the relationship is only poised to grow, people told Pravasi Bharatiya . “India has successfully pursued a ‘Look their contribution is widely recognised,” Today, the Indian expatriate population East’ policy to come closer to the countries the Minister told Pravasi Bharatiya . write Gyanendra Kumar Keshri and Aroonim Bhuyan in the six GCC countries number close to of South-East Asia. We must, similarly, “Now, in return, they are sending bil - six million — 5.94 million to be precise — come closer to our western neighbours in lions of dollars back home, setting up and a huge chunk of them are Malayalees the Gulf,” he said. schools, opening hospitals, doing welfare from Kerala, according to information Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vay - work,” the Minister added, referring to the available in the Indian ministries of Over - alar Ravi, who attaches immense impor - remittances from the Indian community in seas Indian Affairs and External Affairs. tance to the welfare of expatriate Indian the six GCC countries, which account for Trade links between India and the Gulf community in the Gulf region, lauded the region can be traced back to the earliest role the Indians have played, not just in na - The famous Dubai Creek, the main disembarkation civilisations, dating back to over 5,000 tion-building of the countries of their at Bur Dubai and a favourite hangout with Indians.

Our Indian community has been living and working in the Gulf as though it is their own land. They are the most law-abiding people there. This shows the adaptability, the greatness of our people towards the countries where they live.

— Shri Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs

14 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 15 COVER STORY

BEYPORE’S URU CONNECTION

eypore, near Kozhikode, is a port of These are remembered and handed down to trade and a maritime centre which each generation in the form of verses. The Bhas been frequented by the Arab, boats, regardless of their size, are made Chinese, and European merchants for cen - without any charts or drawings. It is said that turies. It is home to a 1,500-year-old tradi - once the ships are built, the foreman can tion of shipbuilding, especially the dhow or draw a waterline with his hands and when uru . These ships are also called paikappal or the vessel enters the water, it will sit exactly sailing ships by the local population. on this waterline. The Beypore port has always been a major outlet for timber from Kerala. Many seafar - An ancient Dhow. ing people, especially the Arabs, preferred (Photo: Courtesy, India and the UAE: In teak from the Kerala forests for building Celebration of a Legendary Friendship) boats. Consequently a boatbuilding industry gradually developed around Beypore. The business thrived until World War I, after which more modern vessels became popular. However, recent times have seen a revival in the building of wooden cabin cruisers and pleasure boats, all of which are mainly ex - ported. Many Arabs buy urus from exclusive merchants in Beypore even today. These boats are distinguished by the fact that they are built entirely of wood and made using only hand tools. Machines are not used even Ambassador of India to Kuwait, H.E. Satish C. for the cutting of the timber — sawing, a large chunk of such transfers that topped Mehta, celebrating the 66th Independence Day shaving and shaping are all done by hand. $66 billion last year — the highest for any with the community at the Indian Embassy. Urus are usually a product of teams of NRIs in the 6 GCC countries country. more than fifty men, including carpenters, “That is not all, our Indian community blacksmiths, caulkers and painters, working has also been living and working in Gulf soon winds and used that in navigation to under makeshift tents on each vessel. Most countries as though it is their own land. push trade. of the boats built here have a working life of AFGHANISTAN They are the most law-abiding people Large ships from the region had exten - seventy-five years and building a boat can IRAQ there. No trouble at all. This also shows sive trade with the kingdoms of the take anything from six months to two years IRAN depending on the tonnage. KUWAIT the adaptability, the greatness of our peo - Pandyas, Cholas and Cheras — in what is ple. The feeling they have towards the present-day Kerala and Tamil Nadu — A unique feature of building urus is that PAKISTAN countries where they live — peaceful and that even date back to 500 BC. the craft has been passed on from genera - law-abiding. That is why they have also The Arabs also depended heavily on tion to generation through apprenticeship been accepted and appreciated,” Minister boats built at Beypore in Kerala, which still and experience. The foreman or master BAHRAIN Persian Ravi said. has a shipbuilding industry that dates back craftsman is a walking encyclopedia on the QATAR Gulf “Another interesting aspect of the more than 1,500 years. The dhows or urus , art of boatbuilding and has at his fingertips Indian community in the region is that as the boats are called in Malayalam, were the knowledge of all required calculations. UAE unlike other places, almost every Indian preferred by the Arabs as they liked the living here holds an Indian passport. They Kerala teak that was used to make them SAUDI ARABIA wanted a sense from us that they continue (See box ). This movement of people be - Red to belong to India. They wanted voting tween the two regions also led to the intro - country — that is, after the Gulf rupee. Pravasi Bandhu Welfare Trust, said when Sea OMAN rights. I am very happy that it has been duction of Islam in Kerala. K.V. Shamshudeen, who runs the Gulf- he arrived in the Gulf, he met Indians who given. The Representation of the People Coming to modern times, links between based Barjeel Geojit Securities LLC, a fi - had been already there for a long time. “I Act has been amended for them. They are the Gulf region and India continued dur - nancial services company, is one among met Indian doctors who had been there for Arabian Sea having their names listed on the electoral ing the colonial era. In fact, British inter - those Indians who were witness to this over 15 years. Sindhi businessmen had rolls in India and they can vote,” he added. ests in the Gulf were protected by the gradual transition, having landed in the been there for over 60 years and, you Bombay Marine. Even the principal cur - UAE in 1970s. “I remember that 50 fils should note, they all rose through hard LOOKING BACK, PATH AHEAD rency of the Gulf region between 1890 (100 fils made a UAE riyal) was called work, starting without a penny in hand.” SAUDI ARABIA UAE KUWAIT OMAN BAHRAIN QATAR India’s ties with the region date back to and 1966 was the Indian rupee. For ex - aathanna , just like we used to call 50 paisa Yet, it was in the 1970s, when the Gulf 2,000,000 1,750,000 640,000 700,000 350,000 500,000 more than two millennia when Arab sea - ample, prior to today’s dirham in the aathanna (or eight annas),” he said. oil boom happened, that a large number of farers discovered the secrets of the mon - UAE, the riyal was the currency in that Shamshudeen, who also runs the Indians started migrating to that region

16 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 17 COVER STORY

looking for better opportunities. “With re - enjoy warm and cordial relations, which SAUDI ARABIA 20 percent of the community, followed by fineries coming up in Jeddah, Dammam can be ascribed to historical maritime trade By contrast, Saudi Arabia is the largest Arab 20 percent in white-collar jobs and the re - and Jubail, a large number of Indians linkages, intimacy of the royal family with state by area, covering 2,250,000 sq km and maining 60 comprising blue-collar work - started moving to Saudi Arabia in the India and the seminal role of the Indian a population of 28.37 million. According to ers. India is the largest trading partner for 1970s,” said Syed Zia ur Rahman, chief expatriate community in the building of Ministry of External Affairs, the two-mil - UAE, which is the fifth-largest source of executive of the Riyadh-based Mawiyah Oman, which is acknowledged by the lion-strong Indian community in Saudi Ara - crude oil for India. People-to-people links Medical Group, who also runs a popular Omani Government, according to the In - bia constitutes the largest expatriate group between India and the UAE can also be website serving the Indian diaspora in the dian Ministry of External Affairs. Minister in the Kingdom and is the “most preferred” gauged by the fact that there are as many Gulf. Ravi visited Muscat from March 6-8, this due to its expertise, sense of discipline, law as 500 flights a week between various des - In fact, this trend was noticed across the year. Earlier, he had been to Muscat in abiding and peace loving nature. The Saudi tinations in the two countries. Minister region. Akbar Ali, who is in the aluminum June 2009. leadership has appreciated the contribution Ravi visited UAE in April this year. and glass cladding business in Dubai and made by the Indian community to the devel - came to the UAE from Kannur in Kerala ment of the GCC countries. “India and the (Above) Samples of Indian currency that were once QATAR opment of Saudi Arabia. The Hajj is an - PEOPLE MATTER in 1976, corroborates this. “There were a Gulf region are complementing each legal tender in the UAE, on display at the Emirates Qatar is also a relatively small country other important component of bilateral Indians, it is widely accepted, are among NBD Pearl Museum. whole lot of Indians who came then and a other. GCC countries need Indians for with an area of 11,437 sq km and a popu - relations, with more than 1,70,000 Indians the most preferred community in the Gulf (Photo: Courtesy, India and the UAE: In lot of them were Malayalees.” their development, while India is depend - Celebration of a Legendary Friendship) lation of around 1.85 million people. But undertaking the pilgrimage every year — the region not only due to their expertise, but After the oil boom, came the construc - ent on the Gulf region for energy. A major there, too, the Indian community has a third-largest contingent to the Kingdom. On also because of their sense of discipline, tion boom. With oil changing the econ - portion of remittances to India comes strong presence, with an estimated 50,000 economic ties, Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth and their law abiding and peace loving na - omy of the region, it was but only natural from GCC countries,” said Ram Buxani, people. Their remittances to India is also largest trade partner worth $25 billion and ture. “Indian workers are given top prior - that the Gulf countries embarked on fast- president of Cosmos-ITL Group, one of 50,000 are from Maharashtra, Karnataka, estimated at over $1 billion annually. Qatar largest supplier of crude oil. Minister Ravi ity. They are quiet performers and paced infrastructure development in the the oldest Indian-run business houses in Punjab and other Indian states. The rela - is also a very important source of hydro - visited Riyadh in September 2010. generally do not involve in local politics. late 1980s and 1990s. This saw a surge in the region. tions with Bahrain were reinforced when carbons for India, with a long-term con - Their efficiency and quality has been ad - migration of blue-collar workers from On specific numbers, Indians are the Minister Vayalar Ravi paid a visit to the tract for 7.5 million tonnes of liquefied UNITED ARAB mired and commended by local authorities India to the Gulf. largest expatriate community in the Gulf country from November 14-16, 2011. natural gas every year, apart from spot pur - EMIRATES at several forums,” said Buxani. “Percent - Indian blue-collar workers became ubiq - region. The largest is in Saudi Arabia, chases. Major items of Indian exports to A federation of seven emirates — Abu age-wise, offences committed by Indians uitous across all the six GCC countries. numbering around two million. This is fol - KUWAIT Qatar are machinery and equipment, Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al- are the lowest,” he added. However, over the last decade, the profile of lowed by 1.75 million in the UAE, 720,000 Kuwait has an estimated area of 17,820 sq transport equipment, textiles, food prod - Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain In the past decade, there has also been a Indians migrating to the Gulf is changing in Oman, 640,000 in Kuwait, 500,000 in km with a population of 3.6 million. The ucts, ores and minerals. — The United Arab Emirates spans some significant shift in the category of Indian once again. Qatar, and 350,000 in Bahrain. Indian community there has strength of India, in fact, is the fourth-largest export 83,6001 sq km and has a population of workers migrating to Gulf region. Now, an “GCC economies are planning for the around 641,000, adding an important di - market for Qatar after Japan, South Korea around 8.26 million people. Here, too, increasingly-large number of skilled or next diversification from hydrocarbon to BAHRAIN mension to ties between the two countries. and Singapore. In terms of Qatari imports, there is a large Indian expatriate commu - white-collar workers are moving to that re - non-hydrocarbon sectors. This will in - Bahrain is small country in the region both Indians are also the largest expatriate com - India ranks 10th. Minister Ravi visited nity, estimated at 1.75 million. According gion. crease job opportunities in the areas of geographically, with 712 sq. km of area, munity in Kuwait and have a presence in Qatar from March 1-3 this year. His earlier to the Ministry of External Affairs, profes - “Many Gulf countries have completed construction, hospitality and banking. Tra - and in terms of population — 1.2 million practically all segments of the society. The visits were in March 2006 and April 2007. sionally qualified people constitute about the first phase of infrastructure develop - ditionally, the hydrocarbon sector had people. But it has been among the favourite total remittances from Kuwait, according ment which needed a lot of manual labour. given scope for many technical personnel destinations for Indian nationals working to the Ministry of External Affairs, are Now, they are also focusing on knowledge- such as engineers and accountants. Such as expatriates. According to the Ministry also significant at around $4 billion annu - based industries. This increases the job industries will also continue to provide of External Affairs, the number of Indian ally. Until 1961, the Indian rupee was the prospects of white-collar workers in the scope for these skilled people,” said R. nationals has increased over the years, es - legal tender in Kuwait. Till the discovery Gulf region,” said Kurian Kuriakose, Seetharaman, CEO, Doha Bank Group. timated currently at around 350,000. Out of oil, Kuwait’s economy revolved around chairman of the Doha-based Morison “There is a sizeable number of doctors, of this, 220,000 are from Kerala, while its fine harbour and maritime activities Menon Chartered Accountants. engineers, chartered accountants, bankers, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu account which included shipbuilding, pearl diving, Kuriakose said another change in the managers and other professionals who for around 40,000 each. The remaining fishing and voyages to India on dhows car - pattern of Indian workers migrating to have played a vital role in GCC economies rying dates that were traded for wood, ce - Gulf countries is the geographical and will continue to do so. The telecom in - reals, clothes and spices. spread. “Now there are more number of dustry also will continue to provide oppor - Today, the nearly people from the north, north west and tunities for skilled workers from India,” OMAN west of India coming to Gulf countries, Dr. Seetharaman adds. six-million-strong Oman, with an area of 309,501 sq km and compared to those from south India,” he There is heavy demand in the health a total 2.77 million people, is home to an said. care sector too. In Saudi Arabia alone, the Indian work force estimated 718,000-plus Indians, who also (Clockwise from top), Minister Vayalar “With the large number of knowledge - largest of the GCC countries, many new constitute the largest expatriate commu - Ravi at Gulf Medical University; with able, hardworking and young population, healthcare projects are coming up. There nity of the country. Thousands of Indian Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad India is perhaps the only country in the plays a pivotal role in Al-Sabah, the then Minister of Social is an increasing demand for Indian doctors nationals work as doctors, engineers, char - Affairs and Labour of Kuwait in 2007; world which can supply the quantity and and nurses in all the six nations. In fact, In - tered accountants, teachers, lecturers, at a Bahrain event; and with the then quality of manpower the Gulf needs for its dian nurses top the priority lists of both the development of nurses and managers. In fact, there are an Acting Governor of Riyadh Prince Sat - fast-paced development. The Gulf region government and private hospitals. Today, estimated 2,000 Indian doctors who work tam Bin Abdulaziz. The then is culturally more familiar with the Indian the nearly six million-strong Indian work in Oman at Government hospitals and in Ambassador of India in Saudi Arabia, workers than the Chinese or the Filipino the GCC countries Talmiz Ahmed is seen at left. force plays a pivotal role in the develop - clinics in the private sector. Both countries work force.”

18 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 19 COVER STORY

Richest Indians in the Gulf Gulf Indians top source of remittances

ndia is the largest recipient of remit - tances globally, notably from the IGulf. According to the World Bank, officially-recorded remittances to India in 2011 was $58 billion, followed by China Micky Jagtiani Yusuffali MA BR Shetty Chhabria family PNC Menon Sunny Varkey with $57 billion. With nearly six-million Head, Landmark Group Managing Director, CEO, New Medical Partners, Jumbo Head, Sobha Founder, GEMS population, the Indian diaspora in the Fortune: $3.2 bn EMKE Group Center (NMC) Group Electronics Developers Education Gulf are now the biggest source of re - Fortune: $1.75bn Fortune: $1.72bn Fortune: $1.3bn Fortune: $1.2bn Fortune: $950m mittances to India. In 2008, Gulf re - placed North America as the top source of remittances to India. Indian commu - Indian stamps that were in circulation nity working in the six GCC countries in the UAE. now contribute almost one of third of the total remittances to India. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) estimates, the Gulf region ac - BOOMING TRADE TIES Gulf countries had a combined trade sur - counted for an average 27 percent of Rajen Kilachand Tony Jashanmal LT Pagarani Dr. Mohammed Ali Paras Shahdadpuri Hitesh Bodani Chairman, Dodsal Executive Director, Chairman, Choitram Founder, Galfar Engi - Chairman, Nikai Group Chairman, Bond Invest - On the back of strong people-to-people con - plus of $520 billion in 2011. Group Jashanmal Group and Sons neering and Contracting Fortune: $650m ment Group Holdings tacts, cordial political relations and geo - Gulf-based sovereign wealth funds have Fortune: $900m Fortune: $900m Fortune: $820m Fortune: $725m Fortune: $630m graphical proximity, India has emerged as made some high-profile investments in the the second-largest trading partner of the United States and Europe. However, due GCC countries, only slightly behind Japan. to disappointing returns from the invest - GCC countries’ trade with India has risen ments in western countries, most of the from barely 2 percent in 2001 to 11 percent Gulf funds are now exploring investment in 2010, according to the International opportunities in India and other Asian Monetary Fund data. India-GCC bilateral countries. “India and Gulf countries are trade was $119 billion in 2010-11. It in - traditional trading partners. In the chang - cluded $44 billion of India’s export to GCC. ing world economic order, this partnership Yogesh Mehta Jayant Ganwani Nilesh Ved Khimji family Santosh Joseph Faizal Kottikollon India is now the top exporter to the Gulf is set to further strengthen,” said M.J. Mo - MD, Petrochem CEO, Lal’s Group Founder, Apparel Founder, Khimji President, Dubai Pearl CEO, KEF Holding countries, while it is also the second-largest hamed Iqbal, managing director of the Middle East Fortune: $530m Group Ramdas LLC Fortune:$360m Fortune: $300m Fortune: $623m Fortune: $480m Fortune: $390m importer of Gulf products after Japan. Middle East unit of Toshiba Elevators that GCC’s combined imports of goods stood has a presence across the region. at nearly $350 billion in 2010, of which He said Indian and Gulf economies India supplied almost 12 percent. complement each other. India needs en - Almost 11 percent of total GCC exports ergy to fuel its expanding economy. The go to India. With a share of 15.6 percent, Gulf countries have abundant oil and gas Japan is the largest user of GCC products. resources to meet India’s growth demands. India-GCC trade relations are set to fur - On the other hand, Gulf countries need a ther strengthen in the coming years, with a skilled work force and knowhow to sustain Mohan Valrani CK Menon Ram Buxani Joy Alukkas Rizwan Sajan Vasu Shroff sharp increase in demand for fossil fuels in their economic growth. India is the biggest H.E. Mr. Hamid Ali Rao, Indian Ambassador to the Vice-Chairman, Al Shirawi Chairman, Behzad Chairman, Cosmos-ITL MD, Joyalukkas Group Chairman, Danube Chairman, Regal Group India, which is heavily dependent on Gulf supplier of human resources to the Gulf Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, watches the tricolour Group of Companies Group Group Fortune: $230m Building Materials Fortune: $220m oil and gas to meet its energy security needs. and is now emerging as an important sup - being unfurled at the Indian Embassy, Riyadh. Fortune: $285m Fortune: $250m Fortune: $235m Fortune: $230m The six GCC countries control more than plier of knowhow. 45 percent of the world’s recoverable oil and India and the GCC have also been nego - the total remittance inflows to India be - 20 percent of gas resources. Nearly 40 per - tiating a free trade pact for the past seven tween 2006-07 to 2009-10. cent of India’s crude oil import is met from years. The two sides signed a framework In the year of global economic crisis in GCC countries. Gulf countries are also agreement in August 2004 for enhancing 2008-09, Gulf countries accounted for cash-rich. Although there is no official fig - and developing economic cooperation and nearly 31 percent of the total remittance ure, private estimates put the size of GCC signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). inflows to India. In 2011-12, India’s trade sovereign wealth funds at around $2 trillion. Once it becomes operational, it is ex - deficit increased to nearly $170 billion. Azad Moopen Ajay Bhatia Ramesh Ramakrishnan GB Choithram Jethwani S Kumar Wadhawan Maghanmal Pancholia Massive trade surplus resulting from the pected to remove several tariff and non-tar - However, remittances from overseas has Chairman, DM Group Chairman, Bhatia Chairman, Transworld Chairman, Geebee CEO, Samara Group Chairman, Arabian surge in hydrocarbon exports has led to the iff barriers and help further boost two-way been an important source of foreign cur - Fortune: $215m Group Fortune: $205m Trading Fortune: $180m Trading Agency accumulation of huge cash in the GCC. trade. rency in India and can help in addressing Fortune: $205m Fortune: $190m Fortune: $170m the balance of payment issue. Source: Indian Rich List 2011, www.arabianbusiness.com

20 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 21 diaspora news

Republican stalwart Florida-based Dr. Akshay Desai secures a place in Mitt Romney’s Asian American panel

epublican presiden - concerning “physicians, hotel tial candidate Mitt and motel owners and conven - Romney has named ience store owners” in the In - the party’s top In - dian-American community. drian-American fundraiser, Dr. Desai founded Universal Akshay Desai, one of seven Health Care and American national co-chairs of his Managed Care LLC, both in newly-formed Asian Ameri - 2002. From 1999-2000, he cans and Pacific Islanders for was chief of staff and chair - Romney committee. man of the board of trustees Desai, CEO of St. Peters - for Northside Hospital and burg, Florida-based Universal Heart Clinic and St. Peters - Health Care Group Inc., is burg General Hospital in St. the only South Asian Ameri - Petersburg. DIASPORA’S DATE can among the seven co- From 1989-2000, Desai was chairs of the panel headed by health committee, Desai was Dr. Desai is the CEO of Florida-based president of American Family former Labour Secretary appointed to chair the Repub - Universal Health Care Group Inc. and Geriatrics Care in Elaine L. Chao. lican Party of Florida’s fi - Pennsylvania. He was WITH MAURITIUS A former appointee of nance committee in February. stands the U.S.-India partner - awarded the ‘Ellis Island President George W. Bush to He also serves on the ship and the need to nurture Medal of Honour’ in 2007. the White House Commis - national Republican finance that relationship”. Desai has a medical degree The Indian Ocean nation is set to organise the 6th Mini Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in October sion on Asian Americans and committee. Romney “is very supportive from India and a Master’s in Pacific Islanders, where he Desai recently told India- of legal immigration”, said public health administrative fter showcasing the tralia, among others, have al - tional Development Unit, served from 2005-2008 and West, an ethnic publication, Desai, who has discussed with medicine from George country’s colourful ready confirmed their partici - Land Transport and Shipping, chaired the commission’s that Romney “deeply under - the Republican nominee issues Washington University. tradition and im - pation at the convention. Government of Mauritius. pressive diaspora “The Mini Pravasi Bharatiya India’s connection with ain New York, Singapore, The Divas will witness mass partici - Mauritius dates back to the Hague, Durban and Toronto, pation from the Mauritian gov - 1820s when Indian workers India is now taking the Mini ernment. Mauritius will act as started migrating to Mauritius Indian-Americans Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas to the a hub for the African and Euro - to work on sugar plantations. gem of the Indian Ocean. pean markets as well as attract Meanwhile, the Overseas In - get key spots in US The sixth edition of the Mini the French-speaking and Com - dian Facilitation Centre PBD will be held in Mauritius monwealth countries,” (OIFC), in association with the President conventions on October 27-28, 2012, it was Choonee said. Ministry of Overseas Indian announced at a press meet ad - “Several countries have con - Affairs (MOIA) and Indian dressed by Shri Mookhesswur firmed their participation. We High Commission, Mauritius, ith both the Demo - governor Bobby Jindal and Choonee, Minister of Arts and are expecting about 50 represen - The convention’s inaugural event will will organise the OIFC Dias - cratic and Republi - South Carolina governor Culture, Government of Mauri - tatives from Réunion, Holland, be held at the Swami Vivekananda pora Engagement Meet on Oc - can parties out to Nikki Haley were among the International Convention Centre. w tius, on July 31. Australia, Great Britain, France tober 26, 2012, as a pre-PBD woo the three million strong “headliners” at the Republi - While emphasising that the and South Africa,” he added. event. This meet is aimed at Indian-American community can National Convention at Mauritian government will The announcement was re - During his visit, Dewan met providing a platform to Indian with its growing political clout, Tampa, Florida. provide full support and par - iterated by Shri Parvez His Excellency Shri T.P. Diaspora to interact with the three of them were given Apart from a speaking slot Bobby Jindal (left) and Kamala Harris. nation. We can either go the ticipation in the Mini PBD, Dewan, Secretary, Ministry of Seetharam, High Commis - Indian Industry delegation. prime spots at the two parties’ at the Democratic convention way of Europe, grow the Choonee said that the Ma - Overseas Indian Affairs, at a sioner of India to Mauritius, Through this platform, presidential conventions. that would endorse President public sector and make hatma Gandhi Institute (MGI) media briefing in the High in Port Louis. He also held di - OIFC will showcase its services While California’s Indian- Barack Obama’s run for a sec - nominee Mitt Romney and Americans more dependent in Moka will be the venue for Commission of India in Port alogues with Mookhesswur to the diaspora to facilitate en - American Attorney General ond term, Harris is also a co- his running mate Paul Ryan, on government or we can get the event. Louis on August 8. Dewan, Choonee and H.E Anil gagement to the visiting Indian Kamala Harris won a prime chair of the Rules Committee said in a statement prior to behind Mitt Romney, reinvig - He also revealed that repre - who was on a two-day visit to Kumar Bachoo, GOSK, Vice- Industry business delegation speaking role at the Demo - of the party. the convention: “I look for - orate the private sector and sentatives from France, Great the island nation, also visited Prime Minister and Minister from ASSOCHAM-CII- cratic National Convention in Jindal, who has been ward to talking about the im - get our people back to Britain, South Africa, and Aus - the MGI in Moka. of Public Infrastructure, Na - FICCI. North Carolina, Louisiana stumping for the Republican portant choice facing our work.”

22 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 23 diaspora news NATURAL BYPASS Infants’ Dr. Mukesh Hariawala to receive ‘India’s Most Admired Surgeon 2012’ award for his work on ‘triple heart therapy’ — a low-cost cardiac technology to help diabetic patients saviour Prof. Alok Bhargava researches the utility r. Mukesh Hari - that will revolutionise treat - natural bypass to bypass sur - India, hopes to get regulatory of timeliness of child vaccinations through awala, an award ment of heart disease globally gery.” approvals in India by 2013. winning Indian- and save millions of lives,” “I want to see a vibrant and The current FDA approved electronic vaccination cards American artificial said award committee aggressive government policy devices in U.S. and Europe dheart surgeon, is set to intro - chairman Satya Brahma, where India’s monetary cost about $100,000 duce a unique low-cost ‘triple editor-in-chief of Pharmalead - resources are better utilised (`55,65,500), excluding ex - ith an aim to Bhargava wants to research heart therapy’ in India to help ers magazine. towards rural development penses for surgery. The price increase the utility of timeliness of child patients with diabetes who Hariawala, who has done pi - and raising the standards of point for India is not estab - timely vaccina - vaccinations through elec - cannot afford expensive oneering work in Angiogenesis living for all Indians,” he said. lished but is expected to be tion uptake tronic vaccination cards bypass operations. research at Harvard in Boston, Hariawala also plans to high initially, he said. But awmongst India’s infants, (EVC) in place of existing The Harvard-trained, said ‘Triple Heart Therapy’ in - bring to India next year the competition is expected to re - Professor Alok Bhargava, an paper cards, so that a new Boston-based surgeon will re - volves spontaneous develop - artificial Titanium Heart or duce the price in the long Indian-American econometri - model can be implemented in ceive ‘India’s Most Admired ment of new blood vessels in Ventricular Assist Device term as six U.S. companies cian, has announced to India for increasing timely Surgeon 2012’ award for pio - the heart by laser stimulation (VAD) implant that can currently manufac - launch a project to investigate vaccination uptake. neering work on angiogenesis and subsequent injection of play the role of a sup - ture the device. the determinants of health During the research, vacci - or growth of new blood vessels patient’s own stem plementary heart. In India, it will status of children in the age nations will be administered to aid healing, at the ‘Pharma - cells Hariawala, who be offered not as a group of 0-3 months in via community health centres ceutical Leadership Summit’, harvested himself has not bridge to trans - Haryana. (CHC), public health clinics tervals during the 18 months Timely immunisations and improv - organised by healthcare maga - from bone played any research plantation but a The project will be launched (PHC), and Aganwadi cen - project. The information on ing maternal health are important Millennium Development Goals for zine , in Mumbai marrow. role in the develop - permanent solu - after approval of funds from tres. Second, for enhancing child morbidity and anthropo - Pharmaleaders India, says Professor Alok Bhargava . on September 21. “I am This “would ment of this de - tion also called the World Bank, said Bhar - the quality of breast-milk, a metric measures, and socioeco - pleased that the cutting-edge be the future vice and is only “destination ther - gava, who was nutritional supplement will nomic variables for households Angiogenesis Therapy will treatment of responsible for tak - apy,” he said. recently in Chandigarh to be offered to breast-feeding will also be recorded. proving maternal health are help poor patients with heart heart disease ing the technol - meet the health officials in mothers. “Children in the 0-3 “The econometric analyses important Millennium Devel - disease in my motherland which is ex - ogy to Haryana. Alwar (Rajasthan)- month group will be visited of the emerging longitudinal opment Goals. India and rest of the world, pected to save born Bhargava, 58, is presently every six months and issued data will provide insights for While the nutritional and thus reducing the global eco - millions of lives a professor at the University of paper or electronic vaccina - improving physical growth of health status of children is criti - nomic burden of healthcare,” worldwide,” said Maryland School of Public tion cards and will receive the children; effects of improve - cal for economic development, Hariawala told IANS. Hariawala, calling it “a Policy in USA. He received recommended vaccinations,” ments in maternal nutritional uptake of basic healthcare serv - “Hariawala is the first NRI his Ph.D. in econometrics said Bhargava. status will be investigated,” ices such as child vaccinations surgeon to be honoured with Dr. Mukesh Hariawala has done from the London School of He disclosed that the study he added. is inadequate in developing this prestigious award for pio - pioneering work in Angiogenesis Economics in 1982. would follow approximately According to Bhargava, countries such as India, neering work on Angiogenesis research at Harvard in Boston. In the proposed project, 1,500 children at six-month in - timely immunisations and im - claimed the econometrician.

the U.S. alumni groups’ partici - mutually agreed reciprocal visits medical groups and universities of its recent Coalition for Transforming Indian healthcare, pation in improving medical between 63,000 U.S. physi - have received approvals for Healthy India initiative. “The education and health care in cians of Indian origin and funding for Indian infectious programme will help improve with American expertise India. “I would like to see the 70,000 specialists in India. disease teachers to come to the medical care and services that first generation like me improve The infectious disease spe - U.S. on scholarship for training will benefit the poor and lower- leading Indian sociation of Physicians of Indian Azad responded enthusiasti - my nation’s condition. We want cialty training was approved by and to acquaint themselves middle classes, who don’t have American doctor has Origin (AAPI), met Indian cally to his proposals for a U.S.- to change the working culture the Government of India and with the U.S. model. the means to receive the kind aproposed four major Health Minister Ghulam Nabi India physician exchange and offer facilities in India so the Medical Council of India in The U.S.-India Business of services provided by the pri - projects to transform India’s Azad and Health Secretary V.M. programme, infectious disease that the middle and poor 2008, but the courses are yet Council (USIBC) has agreed to vate hospitals,” Shah said . healthcare system with U.S. Katoch in Washington recently specialty course and training in classes benefit,” Shah said. to begin, Shah said. support Shah’s programmes, USIBC plans the first ex - expertise. Navin Shah, former to outline the projects that have India, emergency medical serv - The physicians exchange pro - Shah said Indian-American particularly the Indian physician change under the programme Dr. Navin Shah president of the American As - the support of AAPI. ices and trauma centres and gramme envisages voluntary physicians working with U.S. exchange programme, as part in the first quarter of 2013.

24 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 25 diaspora news

MAN BEHIND CURIOSITY’S ‘FATHER OF HINDI’ TO SPECTACULAR TOUCHDOWN STAND TALL IN BRONZE An IIT Kaharagpur alumnus, Indian-origin scientist Amitabha Ghosh played a key role in Pandit Nardevji Vedalankar is to be immortalised in a bronze statue during the identifying the landing site for the NASA rover ‘Curiosity’ on Mars World Hindi Conference in Johannesburg in September

andit Nardevji Although of Gujarati origin, second appears to entific instruments, including Vedalankar, widely Pandit Vedalankar pioneered be an age when two for ingesting and regarded as the ‘Fa - the promotion of Hindi from you wait for an analysing samples of pow - ther of Hindi’ in the time he came to South imminent uncer - dered rock delivered by the Spouth Africa, will be honoured Africa from India in 1947. atainty. Unknown fear grips rover’s robotic arm. by India at the World Hindi “On 25 April 1948, with the your lungs, numb your Ghosh was also part of Conference here in September help of two national organisa - thoughts, but keeps your mind NASA’s 1997 Mars Pathfinder through a bronze statue. tions serving the religious alert to receive the good news, Mission. A planetary geolo - The proposal by the Hindi needs of the Hindi community or who knows, the bad. gist of NASA, Amitabha Shiksha Sangh of South Africa, — the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha The atmosphere was simi - analysed the first ever Martian which is the local partner in the and the Sanathan Dharma lar at National Aeronautics rock and conducted chemical conference being organised by Sabha, Panditji called a meet - and Space Administration’s analysis of rocks and soil in the Government of India, has ing of the Hindi speaking peo - (NASA) Jet Propulsion Labo - the landing site. His exem - already been accepted in princi - ple to discuss the plight of their ratory in California, USA, plary work bagged him the ple by Indian High Commis - mother-tongue and to find pos - who built ‘Curiosity’, the NASA Mars Pathfinder sioner Virendra Gupta. sible solutions to promote the 2,000 pound car-sized rover Achievement Award. The proposal seeks to have language,” Heeralall Sewnath, that landed on Mars on Au - He later worked on two high-ranking Indian and South Joint Regional Director of the introducing an annual Hindi The 9th World Hindi Conference was gust 6 morning. Those ‘seven crucial instruments – APXS African dignitaries unveil the Gauteng Branch of the Sangh Eisteddfod for both adults and scheduled to be held at the Sandton minutes of terror’, the time be - This mosaic image shows part of the left side of NASA’s Curiosity rover and two or Alpha particle X-Ray Spec - plaque during the ninth World said. children in 1951 which contin - Convention Centre in Johannesburg blast marks from the descent stage’s rocket engines. Courtesy: NASA/JPL-Cal - from September 22 to 24. tween Curiosity touched the trometer and Mini-TES or Hindi Conference, scheduled “The Hindi Shiksha Sangh ues to this day. tech. (Above) Amitabha Ghosh. top of the Martian atmosphere Miniature Thermal Emission to be held from September 22 was launched at this meeting The Sangh has also pro - to the time it landed, however, Spectrometer — placed to 24 at the Sandton Conven - and he became its first Presi - posed to honour Swami in India, South Africa, East brought cheers as the robot IIT Kharagpur, Amitabha is exploring other planets using on board Mars exploration tion Centre, after which it will dent, nurturing the organisa - Bhawani Dayal Sanyasi, born Africa and Fiji. This will be landed successfully. “I’m chair of the Science Opera - rovers and other robotic vehi - rover, Spirit, to understand the find a permanent home at the tion in this position for 27 in South Africa to indentured done by launching an English safely on the surface of Mars. tions Working Group at cles. From the science stand - nature of the Martian rocks. headquarters of the Sangh in years,” he said. laborer parents, for his involve - translation of his autobiogra - GALE CRATER I AM IN NASA Mars Exploration point, it is possible that Ghosh is, however, not the Durban. He was also instrumental in ment in the Indian community phy at the conference. YOU!!!,” said a tweet after the Rover Mission. His team Curiosity would be able to only scientist of Indian-origin rover landed safely on Mars. played a crucial role in zeroing find organic compounds on involved with the latest Mars Among the NASA team in on Gale Crater as the site Mars,” Amitabha was quoted mission. Anita Sengupta, a that had been working on the for the rover’s landing. Over - as saying by a Mumbai-based senior systems engineer at Mars exploration mission to whelmed with the success of newspaper. NASA, also played a critical BRITISH AWARD FOR LORD KHALID HAMEED find out if the Red Planet is or the mission, Amitabha said The six-wheeled rover, role in the success of the was ever hospitable to support Curiosity opened up multiple weighing about one tonne, much talked about EDL – RI Lord Khalid chairman and chief executive for 2005 for his contribution to life was an Indian-origin scien - avenues of research, including dwarfs all previous robots sent entry, descent and landing – Hameed has been officer of the London Interna - further Christian-Muslim-Jew - tist, Amitabha Ghosh. the crucial question whether to the surface of Mars. It is of the Curiosity rover. ngiven the Freedom of tional Hospital. ish relations. He was the first An alumnus of Mars ever supported life. about twice as long and more Another researcher of the City of London award in Prior to this, he was the Ex - Asian high sheriff of Greater “I feel that Curiosity will than five times as heavy as Indian-origin, Ashwin recognition of his work within ecutive Director and Chief Ex - London for 2006-2007. He herald an era of effective as any previous Mars rover. It Vasavada, is the deputy proj - the medical profession and in ecutive Officer of the was awarded Padma Bhushan, well as inexpensive method of has been equipped with 10 sci - ect scientist for Curiosity. promotion of interfaith rela - Cromwell Hospital in London. the third highest civilian award tions. India’s first Prime Minis - Lord Hameed chairs the Com - by India in 2009. ter Jawaharlal Nehru was also monwealth Youth Exchange It is believed that the first conferred the honour when he Council. A Board member of Freedom of the City of Lon - visited London in 1956. Lord the British Muslim Research don was presented in 1237. The Hameed, who hails from Luc - Centre, Lord Hameed supports award was originally a working know, is currently the chairman Lord Khalid Hameed. various charities and was title which enabled recipients to of Alpha Hospital Group and awarded the Sternberg Award carry out their trade.

26 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 27 Books

erly Hills (Everything Happens For a Rea - son)’, ‘Indie Girl’ and ‘Lovetorn’. BEST SELLERS Daswani writes about the communities in the Indian diaspora and how they fit into the traditional institutions of marriage, fam - FictioN NoN FictioN ilies and the opportunities for women. She BOMBAY captures the clash of cultures between East and West — and the change. 1 1 Why Mumbai? Daswani says she set her Fifty Shades Of Grey Turning Points story in Mumbai “because it is the only Author: E.L. James Author: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam city in India I am most familiar with, con - Publisher: Arrow Books Publisher: Harper Collins Price: `350 Price: `199 nected with”. GIRL “My acquaintance with the city began as a child during a family wedding. I used 2 2 to visit the city as a child,” the writer, who Journalist-turned-novelist Kavita Daswani’s I, Michael Bennett Pax Indica grew up in Hong Kong, told IANS. Author: James Patterson Author: Shashi Tharoor crossover novel talks about a tale of new India Daswani began her career as a journalist Publisher: Century Publisher: Penguin Price: `799 that straddles several continents at 17. Price: `595 “I spent many days in Mumbai to re - search the book. I saw a lot of things that 3 3 ohana Badshah is a carefree rich several continents. It’s one of the new were not around in my childhood... the “Bombay girl”, who moves to crossover novels that are making glob - shopping malls. My first thought was I Bring Up The Bodies India: A Sacred Geography Author: Hilary Mantel Author: Diana L. Eck London to study interior design - alised lifestyle statements with live-in could be in LA right now... the quality of Publisher: Fourth Estate Publisher: Harmony Books ing. She falls in love with Jagdish relationships and things, the bars, new restaurants and the so - Price: `399 Price: `599 sSachdev, a man of refined intellect. The heartaches. phistication,” she said. dream match falls apart, with Jagdish blam - Daswani, a for - Daswani explores the idea of marriage, 4 4 ing bad blood between the families. mer fashion editor migration and freedom — in all six of her Sohana returns home to discover Mum - of the South China books featuring Indian women with diverg - Narcopolis Breakout Nations bai is full of her kind — girls with dyed in ing outlooks to life. Author: Jeet Thayil Author: Ruchir Sharma Morning Post Publisher: Faber & Faber Publisher: Penguin brown tresses, plucked eyebrows, person - Hong Kong, may The defiant Anju in ‘For Matrimonial Price: `499 Price: `599 alities scrubbed of distinct identities and not be household Purposes’ escapes India for the U.S. after fortunes to fall back on. She is unsure of name on Indian book - she fails to marry, to find a career and to her position in the family sweepstakes shelves, but she has drop the “failure” tag. In ‘Salaam, Paris’, 5 5 which pit her against her brother in an in - made the smart Indian ambitious Tanaya Shah lands in her fantasy The Case of Deadly Pakistan On The Brink heritance war. heroine a bestseller in the West and city to marry a man chosen for her but re - Butter Chicken Author: Ahmed Rashid Publisher: Penguin Welcome to ‘Bombay Girl’ (Harper- Southeast Asia with her previous jects him in the end for a life in high fashion Author: Tarquin Hall Publisher: Random House Price: `499 Collins India) by Los Angeles-based jour - books, ‘For Matrimonial and glamour. Priya in ‘The Village Bride of Price: `499 nalist-turned-novelist Kavita Daswani, that Purposes’, ‘Salaam, Paris’, Beverly Hills’ balances her life as a dutiful Source: Bahrisons, Delhi; Capital Book Depot, Chandigarh; Spell & Bound Bookshop&Cafe Pvt Ltd, Delhi talks about a tale of new India that straddles ‘The Village Bride of Bev - daughter-in-law with a secret ambition.

The sage “sent the silk cloth to the their homeland again after realising that their Aryan lands and farms confiscated IN SEARCH FOR ruler Karkarta Bharat, who began a series no land in Asia and Europe was as peace - for no fault. But overriding all the fears of consultations between the weavers’ ful as India. It is, he says, an attempt to was their belief that “somewhere under THE ‘LAND OF PURE’ guild and the guild of merchants about set right misconceptions about the widely the vast sky there must be the ‘Land of the possibility of producing silk”. propounded “invasion of Aryans” theory. Pure’ where their assassinated spiritual his is probably the beginning of Sino- lished an “ashram” near the source of the The merchants guild decided to organ - Gidwani argues that the Aryans did not leader (Sindhu Putra) resides”. And they Indian diplomacy forged over tex - Sindhu river in Tibet, which attracted a num - ise a team to travel north with the sage’s invade the country but gradually inte - went out to search for that land. Ttiles... Long before the Aryans came ber of local people. “One of them presented help. The team, comprising 54 local resi - grated into the country’s pre-Vedic spiri - Eventually, it dawned on the wandering to India, a team from ancient Bharat Varsha to the rishi (sage) a cloth of soft, sleek silk. dents from Tibet and six weavers from the tual culture. “The Aryan impulse to leave Aryans that their homeland of India was had visited China, known then as Kosa Karas, The sage was told that the silk, brought by a Sindhu region, left for the “Land of Kosa Bharat Varsha (India) arose after the assas - better than the rest of the world into to exchange silk for cotton, says Canada- traveller from the north, was made from the Karas” in what can be described as the sination of their spiritual leader, Sindhu which they had tumbled in their search for based historian, filmmaker and writer Bhag - cocoons of domesticated worms. The trav - first bilateral visit. Such interesting odd Putra, as the apprehension was that the a home. The ‘March of the Aryans’ details wan S. Gidwani, the author of the eller had been delighted to exchange silk for bits aside, a large portion of ‘The March murder had been plotted by the lords of their knightly deeds and attachment to just-published, ‘The March of the Aryans’. the finest cotton made in the Sindhu region,” of the Aryans’ is devoted to the Aryans the lands,” the writer said. the concept of ‘Daya (compassion), Dana Rishi Skanda, an ancient seer, had estab - Gidwani recounted to IANS. leaving India — and then returning to After Sindhu Putra’s death, many had (charity) and Dharma (righteousness)’.

28 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 29 artS

ART OF SURVIVAL

Watercolour as a medium of art is battling to live in the age of new media — the easy-to-convey digital and video art — observes Madhusree Chatterjee

he dark silhouettes of fishing medium forward, together with a handful of on life and landscapes in watercolour in boats anchored on the edge of loyalists from the rest of the country. the national capital. the water in a misty haze of “New artists, who are making experi - Featuring 18 emerging watercolour re - brown, ochre, black and inky mental works, do not use watercolour. A vivalists, the showcase was a depiction of tblue draw the viewer to their shadowy handful of artists in Shantiniketan use it as new India — where the modern lives in depths. Artist Paresh Maity’s early land - a medium, but generally it is not a pre - harmony with the arcane. But the artists scapes of riverine Bengal in watercolour ferred medium for a lot of artists across drew their techniques from the early 20th have a haunting air about them. India,” art writer, critic, curator and collec - century watercolour traditions of wash, But watercolour as a medium of art is tor Ina Puri told IANS . impressionism and stylised characterisa - battling to live in the age of new media — Puri, who attended Basel Art Fair re - tion of figures and nature in thin trans - the easy-to-convey digital and video art. cently, said the bulk of contemporary art at parent shades. The tribe of watercolourists like Maity the fair, including from India, was “fantastic “Watercolour is a powerful medium of have shrunk post-Independence as they video and new media art”. Watercolour was rich expression whose transparency and glow have switched mediums. not represented at the art gala, she added. are inspiring,” Vasudeo Kamath, Mumbai- Artists from the Bengal, Odisha, Andhra The medium, as a tool of realistic repre - based oil- and watercolourist and an alumnus Pradesh and Rajasthan schools sentation, recently generated interest at an of the J.J. School of Art, told IANS. paints unlike in the oil and acrylic medi - Watercolour is a today’s instant age. The artist has to plan in are struggling to carry the unusual exhibition, ‘Verve’, a commentary “But you cannot play around with the ums. The genre requires command over advance the contrast of light and shadow. the medium of immediate expression that Only those painters who have a clear con - you transfer in watercolour. Watercolours, powerful medium of cept of drawing can adapt,” Sawant said. unlike acrylic and oil colours, wither with The artist, who has won six interna - sunlight, high temperatures and time, los - expression whose trans - tional awards for his watercolours from the ing their lustre,” Kamath added. U.S., regrets the poor promotion of the He also pointed to a regional affinity to parency is inspiring. But genre in India. “It is very popular in Eu - watercolour in recent years. rope and America. In the United States, “In Delhi and the rest of northern India, nearly 250 arts societies promote water - young artists do not make an effort to mas - you cannot play around colour as a genre with exhibitions and an - ter watercolour. It requires a lot of hard nual awards,” Sawant said. work,” Kamath observed. with the paints unlike in Artist Prabal Mallick has given up all The artist said the British introduced other mediums to paint in watercolour for watercolour to India largely to document oil and acrylic mediums. the last four years and “will do so for the India during the Raj. It inspired a group of rest of my career as an artist”. Indian stalwarts like Abanindranth Tagore, “It is easy to copy a master’s work in oil Rabindranath Tagore, Asit Haldar, —Vasudeo Kamath, but it is difficult to copy compositions in H.L.Merh, Binod Behari Mukherjee, watercolour. It is spiritual and has a mind Nand Katyal, Krishna Kulkarni, Karuna Watercolourist of its own because it moves around the sur - Sundari Chak, Sunayani Devi and Gopal face freely,” Mallick, a landscape artist, Ghosh to experiment with the medium — told IANS. and improvise. Artist Ravi Gossain, who has seen his Pune-based artist Prafull Sawant prefers father M.M. Gossain and his peers from watercolour to other mediums for his “in Lahore paint in watercolours, says the the spot fixed paintings”. colonial medium was “necessitated by the “Water is a complicated medium in scarcity of paints in the early 20th cen - tury — especially in states like Bengal”. Ganga Ghat (left) and White House (right) But the arrival of new mediums and by Pune-based artist Prafull Sawant. practices has pushed artists to explore new (Top) A painting titled Lets Talk by Prabal Mallick. artistic territories, Gossain said.

30 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 31 DanCe

ham, in India pioneers like Rabindranath The father of all Indian “If you look at the growth of contempo - Tagore and Uday Shankar (the elder rary dance in India, most of the practition - brother of sitar maestro Ravi Shankar) contemporary dance is ers are classical dancers,” Prahlad told broke through conventions to give tradi - IANS. FUSION STEPS tional dance a contemporary colour in the There is a strong sense of style in In - early 20th century. Uday Shankar. He was dian contemporary dance, Prahlad says. Contemporary dance with classical roots is now finding its own space in India According to Kathak guru Vikram The dancer modernises her content in the Iyenger, Tagore brought the grace of Ma - the one who followed framework of Bhutatathata. nipuri, the precision of Bharatanatyam For instance, Prahlad interprets Kr - ontemporary Indian dance A group of early experimentalists in the being influenced by styles that are seem - and the drama of Kathakali to create the his heart to assemble ishna in ‘Call of the Flute’ against the drew much attention at the re - 1950s — all of whom were accomplished ingly at opposing ends of the spectrum, are stylised fusion of ‘Rabindra Nritya’ at backdrop of the rural-urban divide in a cent Edinburgh International classical dancers — worked around tradi - all part of the dance activity in the coun - Shantiniketan. material from different new contemporary India. Krishna wants Festival, among the few inter - tional performance styles and introduced try,” Jayachandran says. “But I think the father of all Indian con - to return to his flute, village and Radha national festivals dedicated solely to per - chorus-type group dances with free-flow - Jayachandran, who has spent several temporary dance is Uday Shankar. He was — the symbols of the countryside he left forming arts. A troupe led by Kathak ing movements. Dancer Jayachandran years training abroad, links the rise in the the one who followed his heart to assemble dance forms to create behind. exponent Aditi Mangaldas represented In - Palazhy, in his treatise ‘Performing Arts in popularity of contemporary dance in India material from different dance forms to cre - History and cataclysmic events like the dian dance with two recitals — one tradi - India: Dance and Theatre’, observes that to the opening up of the Indian economy, ate a new idiom. Before Uday Shankar, a new idiom two World Wars, along with literature and tional and the other contemporary — in the “today, an artist’s engagements are often easy access to the Internet, increased mo - Tagore’s style was the precursor of con - folk traditions, find expression in contem - Scottish town. outside structured and institutional set- bility and the change in attitude towards temporary dance in India,” Kathak ex - porary dance in India, says Odissi expo - Mangaldas led a troupe of nine ups”. the emerging arts as a career option. ponent Shovana Narayan told IANS. Bharatanatyam veteran Prathibha nent Sonal Mansingh. dancers from her Drishtikone Repertory, “Students of dance are seeking diverse Experts say that while in the west, con - “Most dancers have basic training in Prahlad. The Chennai-based Chan - “The technical aspect plays a huge part in to perform ‘Uncharted Seas’ and a con - inputs in their education that was virtually temporary dancers drew on elements from a traditional style, which is later amal - dralekha used “dasi attam” — a form contemporary Indian dance; the music is a temporary composition, ‘Timeless’ on at impossible a few years ago. Training in es - modern and post-modern dances together gamated with a western style. Contem - of temple dance — with yoga and mix of tabla and jazz. But the inspirations the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. tablished forms of dance as well as other with elements from classical ballet and de - porary dance with classical roots is now Kalaripayattu in her contemporary, for the body language are from other Indian Contemporary dance in India, unlike in physical traditions such as martial arts, construction by icons like Martha Gra - finding its own space,” Narayan says. minimalistic productions to talk about dances,” Mansingh told IANS. the west, has evolved from classical roots. sports and body care systems from quali - One of the pioneers of the contempo - social angst and freedom. Chan - “I have been on the stage for 50 years. I Over the last 60 years, traditional dances fied teachers and institutions... experi - rary dance movement was Chan - dralekha was often known to describe am always contemporary, because I live in have moved beyond the confines of tem - menting with one’s own peers, learning A still from the dance drama Timeless by Kathak dralekha, whose unique style could not her productions as “celebrations of the contemporary times,” Sonal Mansingh ples to the proscenium. from videos or through the Internet and dancer Aditi Mangaldas. be copied after her death, says human body”. signs off.

32 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 33 MUSIC

The musician, who was in India to perform at the World Flute Festival recently, is collaborating with Indian theologians to create a workshop module for ‘Bansi Yog’, a form of music HEALING therapy with flute as the healing instrument MELODIES Grammy nominee and practising monk Nawang Khechog uses his flute as a bridge across Buddhism, Hinduism and the West. Madhusree Chatterjee finds out how...

awang Khechog, a nomadic A travelling yogi had predicted “bad make a powerful healing combination,” tribal of Tibetan origin, has times ahead for the family and advised Khechog said. clung to his wooden flute for them to leave for India”. And the family The musician said ‘Bansi Yog’ — spiri - the last five decades since his came to the “warm hospitality that India of - tual calm with music — came to him natu - Nfamily fled Chinese repression to make fered”, Khechog, who now lives in Col - rally. “I was playing the flute the way I Odisha in India its home. orado, U.S., told IANS. felt — naturally without any grammar or Khechog, who has performed with bands Khechog says he has used his flute as a training. I gradually began to feel spiritual. such as U2 and was nominated for a bridge across Buddhism, Hinduism and the Buddhist meditation taught me universal Grammy Award in 2000, was only six at the West — and a symbol of “spiritual awaken - love and compassion,” Khechog said. time the family fled Tibet in 1959 — about ing” which eventually led him to study faith He plays the bamboo, wooden and some - the time that spiritual leader the Dalai with the Dalai Lama. He has been a prac - times the clay flute “known as the ocarina, Lama also made his escape. But the mem - tising Buddhist monk for the last 11 years. the ancient version of the flute”. ories of the flautist are vivid. The musician, who was in India to per - The musician, who was nominated for a form at the World Flute Festival recently, is Grammy Award for ‘In a Distant Place’, a collaborating with Indian theologians to flute orchestra album with American musi - create a workshop module for ‘Bansi Yog’, cians, has been lately connecting to India a form of music therapy with flute as the more intensely than before. healing instrument. “I have recorded some of my father’s “I have been told to organise an Awaken - songs that he sang 30 years ago. He is a no - ing Kindness tour and workshop to teach madic singer. I told my sound engineer in ‘Bansi Yog’ with scholars from SVYASA the U.S. to polish the songs that I had University. ‘Awakening Kindness’ is the recorded on a cassette years ago. I realised essence of my spiritual philosophy and the in course of my visits that he was a good name of my book. ‘Bansi Yog’ is an Indian musician,” Khechog told IANS. The musi - form of yoga and, in Buddhism, spirituality cian’s father lives in a Tibetan settlement is kindness and compassion. Together, they near Behrampur in Orissa. In later years, America has given Khe - chog his share of limelight and powerful Nawang Khechog can play the Tibetan long patrons. “I have worked with Brad Pitt in horn; bamboo, wooden and clay flutes, among other instruments. the movie ‘Seven Years in Tibet’ as a co- actor, assistant director and musician. Brad and I have developed good rapport over the years,” he said. Khechog has also composed music for ‘Tibet: By the Snowline’.

34 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 35 TRAVEL La Compagnie française des Indes orientales . That may seem like a mouthful, but it essentially translates as the ‘French East India Company’. The French foray into India was a late starter in the mid- 1600s, more than half a century after the British, the Dutch and the Portuguese had established FRENCH themselves. At the height of their presence in India, French India comprised Pondichéry (Puducherry today), Karikal, CONNECTION Yanaon and Chandernagore on the eastern coast, and Mahé on the western coast — apart from several minor establishments. Though they started late, the French lingered on well after the British. While Chandernagore in Bengal was ceded in 1950, Pondichéry, Yanam, Mahé, and Karikal were transferred to India in 1954. When they did finally retreat, what the French left behind as their legacy were charming towns with elegant churches, grand buildings in the European style of the day, streets that still bear French names, and policemen who used to, till quite recently, dress up in uniform of the French gendarme! PB takes you to three of their better known enclaves in India — Puducherry, Chandernagore and Mahé — to soak in some French ambience that survives in what have become very

REVISITING HISTORY: This building at the old Indian towns. Pondicherry port was the harbour office during the French period. It has now been replaced by the famous restaurant Le Café.

36 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 37 TRAVEL

PUDUCHERRY CHANDERNAGORE In search of duality Where tranquility he purpose of travel, a friend and veteran excursionist once said, is TRAVEL TIPS engulfs you to see new places, taste different How to reach: The closest airport is in kinds of food and meet other Chennai, which is around 135 kms from small city located north of kTinds of people. He would have loved Puducherry. Though Puducherry is on Kolkata, Chandernagore boasts Puducherry. It is today a town with a dual the rail map journey, train to and from of a rich French heritage. Situ - Puducherry is not very popular. A personality: there is two of everything, one ated along the banks of Ganga river, the Puducherry is best accessible by road. French and the other Indian. city has been able to maintain its “differ - For every stately 17th or 18th century What to see: Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Au - ence” from all other cities and abide by church or building built by the French, there roville, Promenade, Church of Our Lady its own characteristics. is an equally ancient and spectacular temple. of Good Health, Children’s Park & Du - Chandernagore was established as a The duality is evident on the food front as pleix Statue, The Mairie, Le Café, French colony in 1673, when the French well. The town is quite simply a foodie’s de - Mediterranean seafront. Nearby is the Gandhi Statue, French War Memorial, obtained permission from Ibrahim Khan, light, with restaurants offering the best of French War Memorial, where soldiers who 19th Century Light House, Aayi Manda - the Nawab of Bengal, to establish a trading pam, Raj Niwas. Romain Rolland Library, French and continental cuisine — as well as died in World War I are honoured in a cer - Puducherry Museum, Arikamedu. post on the right bank of the Hooghly a sumptuous selection of the region’s Chet - emony on Bastille Day every year (July 14). river. In course of time, Chandernagore oc - tinad fare. As for the people, the friendly lo - Other delights from Puducherry’s French Accommodation: Puducherry houses cupied the top-most position among all cals apart, the experimental township of past are the Light House built in the early hotels of all categories, including luxury foreign settlements of Bengal in trade and Auroville (or the City of Dawn) is a place 19th century and the colonial structure that hotels, beach resorts and budget hotels. commerce. where you find people of practically every houses the French Consulate which, not sur - After India’s independence in 1947, the nationality living together in harmony. (And prisingly, is the only diplomatic mission in a Eating Out: Try out Le Club, Satsanga French government held a plebiscite in and Rendezvous for French and Euro - roaming the well laid out avenues of the 150 km radius. Incidentally, most of the June 1948 and found that 97 percent of pean cuisine; Surguru and Appachi for town, you will come upon a statue of Mar - Frenchmen and women who use the Con - South Indian fare; Don Giovanni for Ital - Chandernagore’s residents wished to be - quis Joseph Francois Dupleix, the governor sulate are residents of Auroville — mostly ian dishes. come part of India. In May 1950, the of Puducherry from 1742 to 1754 – and it is disciples and followers of Sri Aurobindo French allowed the Indian government to matched, not too far away, by another: of and The Mother — and are Hindus. Yes, the assume de facto control over Chander - Mahatma Gandhi. More duality.) French diaspora here is majority Hindu. really are in Pondi. The eatery at Auroville nagore, officially ceding the city to India Once you breeze into Pondi via the stun - There are, of course, churches — ranging is a must-visit, not only for the serenity of its on February 2, 1951. On October 2, 1955, ningly picturesque East Coast Road — if, from the serene to the grand — to visit, and setting, but also for its authentic fare. Chandernagore was integrated into West that is, you are driving down from Chennai other historical structures to gaze upon, but And scores of visitors to the town have Bengal state and completely became a part — and are in a mood for a quick heritage the way to really enjoy the town is to walk vouched for the food at the Don Giovanni, of India. tour, a visit is recommended to the local mu - around the French Quarter, taking in names with some even going so far as to contend that This former French colony is dotted with nicipal office. Yes, the HQ of the like Dumas Street, Romain Rolland Avenue it is the best Italian restaurant in India. Other Puducherry Municipality. It is housed on and Suffren Street, and soaking in a dis - restaurants such as Rendezvous and Seagulls Goubert Avenue in a building facing the sea tinctly European ambience. offer French, continental and seafood. TRAVEL TIPS and painted a pristine white, which seems to Now, the food. Let’s first get the vegetari - For an a non-vegetarian foodie, though, How to reach: Chandernagore is 37 km have been transported here from the ans out of the way. There are some really nice the highpoint of the visit may well be eating by road from Kolkata via G.T. Road or vegetarian eating joints in Pondi. Locals at the Appachi, a not-so-fancy restaurant on Delhi road. Nearest airport is at Kolkata. strongly recommend Surguru and Jayaram, Rangapillai street offering excellent Chetti - Local trains from Howrah run very The Mahatma Gandhi Statue and the 19th frequently for Chandernagore. century Light House can be seen from the both of which offer authentic South Indian nad cuisine. And while the mutton and Promenade beach in Puducherry. (Top) The fare. And if it is North Indian vegetarian you chicken preparations are not to be missed, French War Memorial. are looking for, the Punjabi Dhabha on Mis - please make sure you do not leave without What to See: Institute De Chandernagore, sion street has been recommended by visitors. having the shark mince. The only problem the Strand, Sacred Heart Church of Chan - (Top) The Sacred Heart Church of Chander - French war, 18th century wooden furni - Continental cuisine is, however, why you is that it may not be on the menu every day. dernagore, Nandadulal Temple, Under - nagore marks the beauty of the French architec - ture, etc.) which are difficult to find any - ture; the Chandernagore Museum and Institute If it is not, it’s a good enough reason to ex - ground House (Patal-Bari) where else in the world. The institute still boasts of a range of French antiques. tend you stay by a day — or two. conducts regular classes to teach French. Accommodation: Stay at the Rabindra A good place to visit — for both histori - — Moushumi Mohanty Bhaban Guest House operated by Chan - churches, convents and other relics of its ans and tourists alike — is the Sacred Heart dernagore Municipal Corporation. colonial past. Take a stroll at the Strand — Church of Chandernagore, which epito - the path along the riverbank – to experience mises the beauty of the architecture during Eating Out: Try the famous Jolbhora overwhelming tranquility. Chandernagore the French period. Visit the Underground Sandesh at Surya Kumar Modak & Museum and Institute (Institute de Chander - House (Patal-Bari) to appreciate the ad - Grandsons; savour multicuisine dishes at nagore) is a relic of the French era and vancement in the knowledge of architecture Rosoi and Shalimar. boasts of a beautiful collection of French and the aesthetic sense of the people of antiques (like cannons used in the Anglo- those earlier days.

38 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 39 TRAVEL hEALTh pLATTER

MAHÉ ilar freedom struggle movements in Mahé as well. Finally, on November 1, Eyebrow of the 1954, Mahé was de facto handed over to SILENCE OF THE LAMB the Government of India; and the dejure transfer took place on August 16, 1962. Arabian Sea Known rather poetically as the ‘Eye - Top chef Gurpareet Bains claims his ‘lamb masala’ curry produces effects brow of the Arabian Sea’, the town bears similar to sleeping pills and can send a person to slumberland ahé — a land that satiates an in - testimony to French architecture and con - telligent tourist — is a part of servation of the language till date. MPondicherry territory on India’s Every nook and corner of this small land an’t get to sleep? A red hot lamb ease-fighting concoctions. period. The Indian chef also said he rec - west coast in Kerala near Calicut. The has got its own wonderful story to tell, curry could be the answer! He says the lamb masala curry was cre - ommends that no more than one portion small town was a French settlement and which keeps your eyes wide with awe and Celebrity Indian-origin chef ated to help people combat insomnia. of his curry should be eaten per day. still retains the erstwhile colonial ambi - excitement. One of the proudest symbols and TV presenter Gurpareet “Its ingredients have been used for mil - Bains became famous in 2009 after cre - ence. The island is spectacular with its of the French revolution, the statue of Mar - CBains has created a ‘lamb masala’ curry lennia for their tranquilising properties,” ating the “world’s healthiest meal” — a huge mountains and lush tropical vegeta - ianne, can be seen at the beautiful Tagore that he says will help people sleep, as it pro - Bains was quoted as saying. cancer-fighting curry. He also created a tion, rising to 905 meters at its highest. Park. Marianne is an imaginary character duces effects similar to sleeping pills. Experts, however, recommend eating no “hangover-busting cocktail” and a dish Mahé was under the yoke of French rule established by the French to mark the 100th The spicy dish contains large amounts more than half a nutmeg in any 24-hour that fends off the common cold. for over 233 years. They began to rule anniversary of the French Revolution. of nutmeg, which contains an oil called Mahé in the year 1721. Originally, the Indulge in fine French architecture, or myristicin that can produce “intoxicating” name of the region was ‘Mayyazhi’ which visit the Government House. A walk effects. means ‘Black river mouth’. The French along the mini forest behind the Govern - The dish appears in the Indian chef’s lat - Make the ‘Insomnia-No-More’ lamb commodore de pardaillan who recaptured ment House will take you to places that est cook book, ‘Indian Superspices’, a col - Mahé from Vazhunnavar changed the offer the most beautiful views in Mahé. lection of recipes designed to fight curry at home with this recipe name as ‘Mahé’ to perpetuate the memory The Arabian Sea, the coastline with everyday illnesses. of French naval captain, Mahé De Labour - golden sand, the greenish Mayyazhi The London-based chef, known as the donnais, whose skill and enterprise was Puzha, coconut grooves, the emerald ‘Asian Alchemist’, says he can turn INGREDIENTS: mainly the cause of the victory then. Dharmadam Island — all this and more several traditional Indian dishes into dis - n Olive oil When India became free from British can be seen from this point. Don’t miss n 20 green rule on August 15, 1947, there were sim - the boating at the nearby Mahé boat cardamom pods, lightly crushed house. n 6 cloves Also visit St. Theresa’s shrine — the garlic, finely chopped (Top) The Shrine of St. Theresa; (right) the fa - most famous Christian church in the Mal - n 4 tablespoons grated fresh root mous Government House in Mahé; (below) the abar region — which stands as a monu - ginger statue of Marianne at Tagore Park, Mahé. ment to the legacy of French rule. n 1 teaspoon turmeric n 1 ½ teaspoons chilli powder n 1 tablespoon ground 2. Once the oil-and-spice mixture has nutmeg cooled, add ginger and garlic and cook TRAVEL TIPS n salt, to taste over low-medium heat until the garlic How to reach: The nearest airport is at n 4 medium onions, finely diced is golden brown in colour, stirring fre - Kozhikode in Kerala, just 85 kms away. n 2 tablespoons tomato purée quently. This should take no more than One can easily reach Mahé from Kerala n 500g (1lb 2oz) lean lamb (prefer - 2–3 minutes. and Karnataka by train as the nearest ably leg), diced 3. Add turmeric, chilli, nutmeg and train station is located in Mahé itself. The town is also easily accessible by road. n 2 teaspoons garam masala salt, mix well and cook for about 20 n 25g (1oz) bunch of freshly seconds. What to See: Statue of Marianne, chopped coriander (cilantro) 4. Add the onions, tomato purée and Azhimukham — Estuary of Mayyazhi lamb to the pan, mix well and cook River and Arabian Sea, St. Theresa’s METHOD: until the lamb is sealed all over, stir - Shrine, Puthalam Temple, Boat House at 1. Pour some olive oil into a ring all the time. This should take no Manjackal, Othenan’s Fort and St. deep saucepan, add the car - more than 10 minutes. George Fort, Government House. damom pods and cook 5. Add enough boiling water to cover over medium heat the lamb and bring back to the boil. Accommodation: Various homestay until they become Reduce to a low simmer and cook, un - options are available in Mahé. aromatic. This should covered, for 1 ½ hours, or for longer if take no more than 2- the lamb is not tender. The desired Eating Out: Try the local delights like 3 minutes. Remove consistency is that of a thick masala. Malabar fish curry, karimeen pol - the pan from the 6. Season with garam masala and lichathu, konchu curry and Kuttanad heat and allow the oil chopped coriander (cilantro). Serve duck curry with appams. to cool. with your choice of sides.

40 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 41 cuisine

ger, pork stew with bamboo shoot, dried pork and bamboo pickle, fish with colocasia leaves, fish with bottle gourd, fermented fish chutney, fish barbecued in banana leaves, chicken with ginger, pork with mustard, boiled rice, sweet rice pan cakes, stir fried duck, etc., are some of the popular dishes of the region. The main ingredients used in the North- eastern dishes should be recorded first, as without those a note on the subject would be quite incomplete. These ingredients are prepared by the tribes of the region on their own. The most common ingredients used by most of the tribes are fermented bamboo shoot, chili, khar (alkaline), dry fish, differ - ent kinds of herbs and rice powder, besides common spices such as ginger, garlic and turmeric powder. Cane sprouts, tender part of the cane trees, banana stem, green ba - nana, ou tenga (elephant apple) and various species of rice are also commonly used in North-eastern food. To prepare kharisa tenga or banhgaj (fer - mented bamboo shoot), as they are called in Assamese, bamboo shoots are collected kept fermented for about four days. Kharisa can be of different types such as xukan kharisa (dry bamboo shoot), kharisar asar (pickle), or kharisa pani (liquid bamboo shoot). The Naga people prepare their delicious dry pork with bamboo shoot and serve it with steamed rice. Kharisa juice is also used with ETHEREAL different herbs in the Naga cuisines. Fish roasted in bamboo stem with kharisa , known as pongsen in the local language, is one of the favorite dishes of the Nagas. The same process is used in other states like Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. stem, which is then called kola khar (derived (Clockwise from top left) A complete Assamese Bamboo shoot is also used widely in As - from the local term of banana, kol or kola ). lunch platter; a Karbi woman in Assam prepares local delicacies; pork with bamboo shoot; fish samese dishes. Various pork, fish and duck A traditional Assamese meal invariably PALATE curry with medicinal herbs dishes are prepared with bamboo shoots in begins with a khar dish, prepared with raw the region. Raw bamboo shoot is also used papaya, pulses or any other main ingredient. A North-eastern meal is always balanced — and for every spicy dish, there is a bland as chutney or pickle. Most of the oil-free However, the combination of khar and tenga in the preparation of various dishes. The use one, writes Assamese master chef Atul Lahkar foods in Assam bear a taste of bamboo (acidic) is not recommended. The Bodo, of Naga Bhut Jolokia (ghost pepper), also shoot. The wide use of bamboo shoot Rabha and Kachari people of Assam are known as bhut jolokia or raj jolokia , is quite among the cuisines of the North-eastern fond of khar . Pork prepared with rice pow - popular. A Naga dry pork dish prepared he culinary canvas of the North- munities in the rest of the country. A North-eastern meal is always bal - tribes can be attributed to their lineage to der and khar is a mouthwateringly unique with chilies, ginger, garlic and mesenga (a eastern region is as vast as the Sitting in another corner of the country, anced — and for every spicy dish, there is a South Asian Mongoloid tribes. dish of the region. kind of herb) powder is now relished and ap - lifestyles of the people inhabiting it is difficult to imagine the variety of medic - bland one. Among the hill tribes, no meal is Another important ingredient used in the Chilies, in both green and red varieties, preciated in various countries outside India. this beautiful land of blue hills inal herbs and leafy vegetables that are avail - complete without plain boiled vegetables region is khar . It is popular among most of are widely used in North-eastern food. In In Assam, too, pork with kharisa and bhut Tand green valleys. Every ethnic community able on the river banks and the forests of the that go with the more spicy dishes. It is the the tribes, especially in Mizoram, Assam, Tripura and Manipur, dry chili powder is jolokia is very popular. Chutneys made with has its own distinguishing dishes, and the North-east. The wild pigs, wild chicken and soup of these boiled vegetables that gives the Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura. Khar is used more. Different varieties of chilies are bamboo shoot and ghost pepper are very preparation method of a dish is hardly the the gayals often make their way to the dinner tribesmen the strength to climb the lofty particularly used in preparation of pork, dry available in the region. It is specifically used well known. Pickles from this variety of chili same in the kitchens of two different com - plates of various communities during festi - mountains and walk the miles to their fields. fish, and dishes of different herbs. Khar is in chutneys such as akhuni of the Nagas, is a favorite in the region. munities. Yet, there is also an underlying vals; and there are not too many days with - Vegetable stew, vegetable stern with nee - prepared with a key ingredient, also called irumba of the Manipuris, nagakhamkapa of Green herbs are also widely used in the unity in the food habits of the North-eastern out any festivity in this region where life dles, tender bamboo shoot with chilies, fish khar . The traditional ingredient is made by the Khasis, and ekung of the Arunachalis. In cuisines of the North-eastern region. Some people that distinguishes them from com - means nothing but celebration. cooked in bamboo stem, pork stew with gin - filtering water through the ashes of a banana Tripura and in Manipur, chili powder is used of these herbs have medicinal value. Some

42 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 43 cuisine

that can be just soaked in water and rel - Mizos are also rice eaters. They begin their ished with milk and molasses. Kumol saul day early and their first meal is tukthenan , or is one such variety found in Assam. The early morning meal at around 9 o’clock. A black shicky rice and brown rice of Ma - typical Mizo kitchen has a huge furnace over nipur and joha and bora varieties of Assam which hangs dried meat on skewers; and veg - are well-known across the world. etables or mustard leaves are stocked, neatly For most tribes in the North-east, a meal wrapped in banana leaves. Mizos are fond of without a pork dish is hardly complete. bai , which is a boiled vegetable similar to khar, The Assamese love their pork prepared liked by the Assamese. Bai and khar are sim - with bamboo shoot or ou tenga . Nagas like ilar in nature but the preparation patterns and smoked pork with dry bamboo shoot and tastes are different . mesenga seeds. The pork dish dohneiiong is For years, the tribes of Tripura have coex - popular among the Khasi tribes of Megha - isted with the Bengali migrants from East laya. Pork pieces needled by splints of Bengal. They love simple food, just boiled bamboo and seasoned with salt, chili as vegetables seasoned with home grown gin - well as turmeric powder are also fermented ger or chilis. Bamboo shoot is another essen - for preservation and cooking on special oc - tial ingredient that accompanies almost casions. every non-vegetarian dish in Tripura. Fish occupies a very important place in With rice taking centrestage at the meal the North-eastern cuisine, especially in and the abundant use of fresh vegetables and Assamese and Manipuri cuisines. Fish fruit, supplemented by meat or fish, cuisines (Above) Bamboo shoot; (bottom) Kahudi, an dishes are prepared with bamboo shoot and Assamese chutney preparation. of the North-east are high on nutritional various medicinal herbs. Wrapped with ba - value, less on calories and quite fibre-rich. nana leaf, fish is also roasted. Fermented fish The dishes of the North-east are easy to roasted in bamboo stem is also quite popu - samese dishes are influences of the Thai cui - prepare. Ferment, roast and boil — these are lar. Fish is found in Assam more than in the sine. Mashed potato ( alupitika ) and colocasia the three steps followed in the preparation tribes roast them in bamboo stem after wrap - (Above) A villager prepares fish and chicken in other states of the North-east. A sour fish dishes are some other popular dishes of of most of the dishes. The North-eastern ping them in green leaves. This is especially bamboo stems. (Left) Khar collected in a bowl. curry ( masor tenga ) prepared with ou , thekera Assam. cuisines have also been influenced by vari - true of mesenga herbs. Lai , lengmasor , man - (kokum), or lemon is a signature dish of the Kanynoi , ooti , ironba , voksa pork are some ous communities over the decades: the imuni , vedailota , and dimorupat are some of Kharali , xukuti , betgaj , panitenga are some Assamese. of the popular dishes of Manipur, besides Thais, who once ruled over some parts of the popular herbs relished in the region. delicious chutneys prepared by the people Rice beer is a popular alcoholic various fish dishes that occupy place of pride the territory; the Chinese because of their Oying in Arunachal, voksa in Manipur, wak of Assam. Chutneys are made on the beverage among all the tribes in the North- in Manipuri cuisines. Manipuri dishes have proximity and the Bengali migrants. The un - pura in Meghalaya and maian bai in Mizo - grinding stone by hand. east. In most festivals, wedding or in reli - not only retained their original flavor but usual combination of these outside influ - ram are some special dishes prepared with Rice is the staple food of the region. The gious ceremonies, rice beer is served ritually. have also continued to evolve with time. The ences and local traditions makes the food of herbs. Fish with green herbs is a favorite of large variety of rice found in the region has Guests are honoured with rice beer on vari - people of Manipur take pride in having the the region unique in India. the Assamese people. led to the speculation that the grain was first ous occasions. Generally, the womenfolk of largest variety of dishes in their repertoire as (Atul Lahkar is an acclaimed chef from Assam Chutney is a kind of condiment which cultivated in Assam. Both the indicia as well various tribes prepare rice beer as part of compared to the neighbouring states. and an expert on North-eastern cuisine. He runs is very popular among the people of the as the japonica varieties are grown in their tradition. Like other cuisines, the taste Besides rice and pork, if there is one thing two signature restaurants, Khorika and Bhut North-east. It usually contains some mix - Assam. The most popular species of rice is of this beverage also differs from region to that the people in Meghalaya cannot do with - Jolokia, in Guwahati) ture of spice(s) and vegetable(s) and/or joha (an aromatic rice). As a staple diet, rice region. Saimod of the Missing tribe, luklau of out is kwai , the local betel nut. In a typical fruit(s). Chutneys may be either wet or dry, is eaten either steam boiled ( ukhua ) or sun - Tai Ahom, suje of Deuri tribes are some of Khasi kitchen there is always a provi - and they can have a coarse to a fine tex - dried ( aaroi ). Some fine varieties of rice such the local rice beers of Assam. sion for smoked meat to be kept ture. Chutney is a spicy preparations used as karaballam or kauribadam, etc., are avail - The simplicity of the Arunachalis is re - around the fireplace. They as an accompaniment for a main dish. able only in Assam. flected in their food which is easy and quick usually preserve meat Every tribe of this region cherish their food Rice is also taken as snacks in many dif - to prepare. All you need is a vegetable of or fish for with chutney. Aakhuni of the Nagas, ferent forms: roasted and ground ( xandoh ), your choice and some home-grown ginger months. irumba of the Manipuris, kahudi of the As - boiled in its husk and flattened and puffed — no spicing for colouring and no oil to samese are unique varieties of chutneys. (akhoi ). There also grows a variety of rice camouflage the look. With no embellish - ments, the food preserves its natural freshens. Arek , luktar , aso adin , gorv aoin , amin yinig are With rice taking centrestage during the meal, some of the popular dishes of Arunachal. The Assamese on the whole are rice supplemented by fresh vegetables, fruits, meat eaters. The main difference between the ma - jority non-tribal Assamese and the other or fish, cuisines of the North-East are high on tribes of Assam is that the latter prefer pork, and sun-dried and fermented fish. The use nutritional value and less on calories of lemon grass, coconut milk, chili paste and bamboo shoot in the preparation of the As - — Chef Atul Lahkar

44 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 July 2012 | Pravasi Bharatiya 45 newsmakers

Presidential award for four scientists

FoUr IndIan -American re - Vedula Sarma of Johns priority the Obama Administra - searchers figured among 96 Hopkins University. tion places on producing out - named by President Barack “Discoveries in science standing scientists and Obama as recipients of the and technology not only engineers to advance the na - ‘Presidential Early Career strengthen our economy, tion’s goals, tackle grand chal - Awards for Scientists and they inspire us as a people,” lenges and contribute to the Engineers’, the highest U.S. ho - Obama said while announcing American economy, the White nour for young professionals. the awards. House announcement said. The honoured Indian- “The impressive accom - Awardees employed or Americans were Biju plishments of today’s funded by government Parekkadan of Massachusetts awardees so early in their ca - agencies are selected for their General Hospital and Harvard reers promise even greater ad - pursuit of innovative research Medical School; Pawan Sinha vances in the years ahead,” he at the frontiers of science and and Parag A. Pathak, both of added. technology, it added. the Massachusetts Institute of The Presidential Early Ca - Technology, and Sridevi reer Awards embody the high Sridevi Vedula Sarma Ranee on US art council board Dutt joins German football body

US PreSIdent Barack on the Arts (NCA). Announc - IndIan-orIgIn football coach of top Bundesliga club Obama has nominated Ranee ing her nomination along with manager Robin Dutt has Leverkusen in June 2011. Ramaswamy, an Indian- other key administration posts, been appointed as the sports However, he was sacked American master teacher and the U.S. president said in a director of the German on April 1 after a 1-7 away Bharatanatyam performer statement: “These dedicated Football Federation (DFB). defeat to FC Barcelona in the since 1978, as a member of the and accomplished individuals “My son Robin has been Round of 16 UEFA Champi - prestigious National Council will be valued additions to my appointed by the DFB as ons League match and four administration.” sports director and also consecutive Bundesliga de - Ranee Ramaswamy Founder and co-artistic belongs to the team manage - feats that left director of the Ragamala ment,” Dutt’s father the club in Dance Company, Sabyasachi told IANS. sixth posi - Ramaswamy has been a Dutt replaced former tion in the disciple of Alarmel Valli, German international player league. one of India’s greatest living Matthias Sammer. masters since 1984. Born to an Indian father She is the recipient of the and a German mother, Dutt ‘2011 McKnight Distinguished came into the limelight when Artist Award’ and was named he was appointed as the ‘2011 Artist of the Year’ by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Robin Dutt Rajan Gangahar wins best story award for ‘Khushiyaan’

IndIan-amerIcan The film has been making writer Rajan Gangahar has rounds in the NRI market won the Best Story Award for and stars well-known names the movie ‘Khushiyaan’ at the of Punjabi Cinema: Kul - Punjabi International Film bushan Kharbanda, Rama Academy Awards (PIFAA) Vij, Tisca Chopra (‘Tare held in Toronto recently. Zamin Par’), Deep Dhillon, The event was attended, Shrey Bawa, Vivek Shauq, among others, by top actors, Gurpreet Guggi, and many including Dharmendra, His first feature film as a ‘Khushiyaan’, directed by an - more. The film introduces Om Puri, Jimmy Shergil and story writer, Rajan wrote the other Indian-American Trilok Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi in Sonu Sood. dialogue and screen play for Malik. the lead role.

46 Pravasi Bharatiya | July 2012 Mango mania

It was a feast to remember for Delhi’s mango-lovers who got a taste of their favourites from 600 varieties of the ‘maharaja’ of fruits at the three-day International Mango Festival that ended in the Capital on July 8. With varieties such as Langda, Dusheri, Alphonso, Kela, Elaichi and Rasgulla on offer, the festival, held at Dilli Haat in Pitampura, New Delhi, saw participation from 17 traditional growers of mangoes, including the Central Institute for Sub-Tropical Horticulture, Mustafa Orchards and Purkazi. The benchmark of its popularity was the footfall it got from tourists and NRIs, but not just Delhi residents. The festival also displayed myriad varieties like Sirki, Kensington, Amrapali, Mallika Fazli and many more. The mangoes were displayed in three different halls and many of them were on sale as well. Other products made from the fruit like mango squash and pickles were also on sale. Other features of the fest were a mango-eating competition, mango quizzes and a mango slogan writing competition. The festival was organised by Delhi Government’s Tourism Department, Incredible India, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority and the National Horticulture Board.

lR;eso t;rs Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs www.moia.gov.in www.overseasindian.in