sign in sign up
<<
Home , Jayanthi (actress), Jayanthi Natarajan, Jaya Prada, Kajal Aggarwal, Mammootty, Meera Mukherjee

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

August 1, 2011

I India RevieI w Vol. 7 Issue 8 www.indianembassy.org

AmbAssAdor meerA bids fArewell

External Affairs Minister S. M. with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in New on July 19. india-U.s. strategic dialogue meet n Strategic consulta - n To cooperate on n As part of their tions to expand to technology transfer, global concerns, regions including research, development the two sides agree Latin America and and production of to promote food the Caribbean defense items security in Africa Cover STORY

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with Prime Minister Dr. during her recent visit to . Second IndIa-U.S. StrategIc dIalogUe conclUdeS The Strategic Dialogue provides an opportunity to take stock of the progress in bilateral relationship, bilateral cooperation, as well as to consult on global and regional issues

ndia and the U.S. concluded External Affairs Minister (EAM) provides an opportunity to take stock the second round of their bilat - S. M. Krishna led the Indian delega - of the progress in bilateral relationship, eral Strategic Dialogue in tion that included the Deputy cooperation, as well as to consult on I New Delhi on July 19, 2011, Chairman of Planning Commission of global and regional issues of mutual with a commitment to deepening the India, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, interest, besides charting out a short to 2 India-U.S. global strategic partner - Prime Minister’s Public Information medium-term road map of coopera - ship. Led by Secretary of State Hillary Infrastructure and Innovations Advisor tion in priority sectors by the two Clinton, the U.S. delegation included Sam Pitroda, Foreign Secretary governments. Director of National Intelligence James Nirupama Rao, and other senior offi - During the meeting, the two coun - Clapper, the President’s Advisor for cials. Minister Krishna was also joined tries reviewed the progress made in Science and Technology Dr. John P. at the working lunch by Home bilateral relations since the inaugural Holdren, Department of Energy Minister P. Chidambaram and Minister Strategic Dialogue in June 2010 and Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman, for Human Resource Development the subsequent historic India visit of Department of Homeland Security and Information Technology Kapil President Obama’s in November 2010 Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute, and Sibal. in advancing the shared interests of other senior U.S. government officials. The India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue both the countries.

August 2011 India Review Cover STORY

Both the sides recognized that their Clinton laid emphasis on the values strategic consultations have expanded Reviewing the progress that India and the U.S. share — to cover all major issues and regions of pluralism, tolerance, openness, and the world. India and the U.S. have made in their bilateral respect for fundamental rights and increased counter-terrorism coopera - relations, the second human rights. They reiterated tion, intelligence sharing, and law annual meeting of the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan enforcement exchanges. The two Singh’s and President Barack Obama’s countries have significantly expanded India-U.S. Strategic pledge to harness the shared strengths their defense cooperation and partner - Dialogue, held in and to expand the India-U.S. global ship on export controls and non-prolif - New Delhi, stressed on partnership for the benefit of their eration. They have also witnessed an countries; and, for peace, stability, and 3 expansion of the already robust people- the issues of global prosperity in Asia and the world. to-people ties; scientific, space, and stability and prosperity technology collaboration; clean energy Global Stability and ProSPerity cooperation; and connections among entrepreneurs and social innovators. “productive”, Secretary Clinton said: The second meeting of the India- Addressing a Joint Press Conference “We are building habits of cooperation U.S. Strategic Dialogue stressed on after his meeting with Secretary and bonds of trust. And we are stand - the issues of global stability and pros - Clinton, EAM Krishna said, “The ing on a firm foundation. We believe perity. Both India and the U.S. Strategic Dialogue is the bedrock on that we can do even more work to expressed their intention to expand which we are building our global ensure that this important dialogue strategic consultations to other strategic partnership that would be one leads to concrete and coordinated regions, such as Latin America and the of the defining relationships of the 21st steps that will produce measurable Caribbean, and hold the fourth round century. This is the vision of Prime progress for the well-being and of the East Asia Dialogue in September Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and betterment of the Indian and American 2011. President Obama.” people.” During the meeting, the two coun - Describing the meeting as very Minister Krishna and Secretary tries welcomed the launch of bilateral

External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna at talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on July 19 in New Delhi.

August 2011 India Review Cover STORY

enhance public service delivery. The two sides reiterated their commitment to work together to strengthen election management capacity in interested countries. They welcomed the technical collaboration between the Indian International Institute of Democracy and Election Management and the Washington DC based International Federation of Electoral Systems. Secretary Clinton recalled President Obama’s statement that, in the years ahead, the would look forward to a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a Permanent Member.

enhancinG the india-U.S. bilateral relationShiP

defense, security and counter-terrorism Both India and the U.S. reiterated their commitment to further strength - ening counter-terrorism cooperation, through various measures, such as intelligence sharing, information exchange, operational cooperation, and access to advanced counter- terrorism technology and equipment. Secretary Clinton and Minister Krishna said that success in Afghanistan and regional and global security required elimination of safe havens and infrastructure for terror - EAM Krishna with Secretary Clinton. ism and violent extremism in Afghanistan and . dialogue on matters concerning the As part of their global concerns, the Condemning terrorism in all its forms, in New Delhi in March two sides agreed to promote food both the countries reiterated their 2011. The two countries intend to security in Africa through a triangular commitment to comprehensive continue this dialogue and meet next in cooperation program with Liberia, sharing of information in the investi - Washington in early 2012, while Malawi and Kenya. gations and trials relating to the continuing regular consultations. As part of the India-U.S. Dialogue November 2008 terror India and the U.S. reaffirmed their on Open Government launched in attack. commitment for consultation, coordi - November 2010, the two countries On July 19, 2011, the Computer 4 nation, and cooperation in Afghanistan, had committed to jointly create an Emergency Response Teams (CERT- and to work jointly in areas of capacity open source ‘Data.gov’ platform by IN and US-CERT) of both the building, agriculture and women’s the first quarter of 2012 to be taken to countries signed a Memorandum of empowerment in Afghanistan, and various countries globally. Leveraging Understanding (MoU) to exchange expanding the work already under way. the technological strengths and insti - information on cyber attacks and The two sides also acknowledged that tutional expertise of both India and the mutual response to cyber security increased trade, and commercial United States, the open source plat - incidents; to cooperate on cyber linkages across South and Central Asia form is intended to provide citizens security technology; to exchange would benefit Afghanistan and access to government information via information on cyber security policy contribute toward the region’s long- a user-friendly website and a package and best practices, and capacity term peace, stability, and prosperity. of e-governance applications to building and exchange of experts.

August 2011 India Review Cover STORY

India and the United States wel - comed progress in bilateral defense cooperation. The two sides noted that Secretary clinton calls on Finance India’s defense orders from the U.S. companies had reached a cumulative Minister value of over $8 billion in the last decade. Both sides also affirmed their desire to strengthen cooperation through technology transfer, and joint research, development and production of defense items. 5 Both the countries also took note of the progress made in defense bilater - al exchanges, exercises, capacity building, information sharing, including in areas of counter nar - cotics, counter piracy, maritime safety and humanitarian assistance/ disaster relief. The two sides affirmed the importance of maritime security, unimpeded commerce, and freedom of navigation, in accordance with international law, and peaceful settle - ment of disputes. India and the U.S. also agreed to exchange views on promoting regional security architec - ture that enhances maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. civil nUclear cooPeration ecretary of State Hillary Clinton during holders, including state governments to make Minister Krishna and Secretary her visit to New Delhi called on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) effective at Clinton welcomed the continued com - SFinance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on the earliest. mitment of the two governments to full July 19. During his meeting with Secretary Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Clinton implementation of the India-U.S. civil Clinton, Finance Minister Mukherjee said that hoped that the relationship between India and India gave high importance to the India-U.S. the U.S. in the field of trade, infrastructure nuclear energy cooperation agreement. Strategic and Economic Partnership. He investment, business, defense and strategic They reiterated their commitment to pointed out that India was carrying its reforms matters would be further strengthened. She building strong civil nuclear energy agenda further by introducing major changes said that the U.S. and India had an excellent cooperation by encouraging the in the tax sector. working relationship especially in the field of participation of nuclear energy firms Mukherjee said that in the field of direct economic and financial partnership. She fur - from the U.S. in India on the basis of taxes, efforts were on to make Direct Tax Code ther added that India could play a major role mutually acceptable technical and (DTC) effective from 1st April, 2012. In the in enhancing regional economic cooperation commercial terms and conditions that field of indirect taxes, he said, efforts were and optimizing the large potential available in also on to build a consensus among all stake - this region. enable a viable tariff regime for the electricity generated. The two leaders were gratified that the United States had ratified the Plan for StrenGtheninG india-U.S. MeMberShiP of exPort control Convention on Supplementary nUclear SecUrity reGiMeS Compensation (CSC) and that India During the deliberations, two sides Both India and the U.S. expressed intended to ratify the CSC within agreed that they looked forward to satisfaction with the progress made this year. holding, later this year, the first meeting toward India’s full membership of the They further noted that India was of the India-U.S. Joint Working Group four multilateral export control committed to ensuring a level-playing to implement the memorandum of regimes — the Nuclear Suppliers field for U.S. companies seeking to understanding signed between the two Group, Missile Technology Control enter the Indian nuclear energy sector, countries on Cooperation with India’s Regime, Australia Group and the consistent with India’s national and Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Wassennaar Arrangement — in a international legal obligations. Partnerships. phased manner consistent with the

August 2011 India Review Cover STORY

core principles of these regimes, as the to be co-chaired by the U.S. Secretary Government of India takes steps of State and Indian Minister for HIgHlIgHtS oF tHe toward the full adoption of the Human Resource Development, and Second IndIa-U.S. regimes’ export control requirements. to be convened annually. They also StrategIc dIalogUe intend to incorporate the private/ exPort control cooPeration non-governmental sectors and higher n The second meeting of the India-U.S. India welcomed the steps taken by education communities to inform gov - Strategic Dialogue stressed on the issues of global stability and prosperity. the United States to remove Indian ernment-to-government discussions. n Both India and the U.S expressed their entities from the U.S. Department of The United States had created the intention to expand strategic consulta - Commerce’s ‘Entity List’ and the “Passport to India” initiative to tions to other regions, including Latin realignment of India in the U.S. export encourage an increase in the number America and the Caribbean. control regulations. Both sides agreed of American students studying and n The two sides reaffirmed their commit - to continue efforts to fulfill the objec - interning in India. The leaders recog - ment to consultation, coordination, and tives of strengthening export control nized the great bridge of mutual cooperation in Afghanistan. cooperation envisaged in the Joint understanding resulting from the more n As part of their global concerns, the Statement of November 2010 as well than 100,000 Indian students studying two sides agreed to promote food secu - rity in Africa through a triangular coop - as on the basis of discussions in the and interning in the United States. eration program with Liberia, Malawi High Technology Cooperation Group In the field of science and technolo - and Kenya. held earlier this month. gy, the United States’ Department of n The two sides reiterated their commit - Energy and India’s Department of ment to working together to strengthen SPace Atomic Energy signed an election management capacity in The US–India Joint Space Working Implementing Agreement on interested countries. Group on Civil Space Cooperation met Discovery Science that provides the n Secretary Clinton recalled President in July 2011 in framework for coop - Obama’s statement that, in the years ahead, the United States looks forward . Building eration in accelerator India and the U.S. to a reformed UN Security Council that on the successful and particle detector welcomed the includes India as a Permanent Member. Chandrayan-I lunar research and devel - n The United States and India signed a mission, NASA and 30 percent increase in opment at Fermi Memorandum of Understanding ISRO reviewed bilateral trade in National Accelerator between the Computer Emergency potential areas for Laboratory, Thomas Response Teams (CERT-IN and US-CERT) future cooperation in 2010 over the Jefferson National of both the countries to exchange infor - earth observation, previous year and the Accelerator Facility, mation on cyber attacks and mutual response to cyber security incidents; to space exploration, and Brookhaven positive growth in cooperate on cyber security technology; space sciences and National Laboratory. services trade and to exchange information on cyber satellite navigation. The India-U.S. security policy and best practices and Both sides agreed to Science & capacity building and exchange of an early finalization of three new Technology Endowment Board, experts. implementing arrangements for shar - established by Secretary Clinton and n Both sides also affirmed their desire to ing satellite data on oceans and global Minister Krishna in 2009, plans to strengthen cooperation through tech - weather patterns. Recognizing the award nearly $3 million annually to nology transfer, and joint research, development and production of research opportunities available on the entrepreneurial projects that com - defense items. International Space Station, both sides mercialize technologies to improve n India and the U.S. affirmed the impor - agreed to explore the possibilities of health and empower citizens. tance of maritime security, unimpeded joint experiments. As a follow-up to the successful commerce, and freedom of navigation, in India-U.S. Innovation Roundtable accordance with international law, and 6 edUcation, innovation, Science and held in September 2010 in New the peaceful settlement of disputes. technoloGy Delhi, the two sides agreed to hold n The two sides cited the signing of a The two countries expressed their another Innovation Roundtable in Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement intention to host a Higher Education early 2012. (BASA) on July 18, 2011 as a big step forward. Summit in Washington D.C. on India and the United States n Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton October 13 to highlight and emphasize welcomed the 30 percent increase in welcomed the continued commitment the avenues through which the higher bilateral trade in 2010 in comparison of the Indian and American govern - education communities in India and to the previous year and the balanced ments to full implementation of the the United States collaborate. and positive growth in services India-U.S. civil nuclear energy coopera - India the United States plan to trade. They also welcomed the tion agreement. expand the higher education dialogue, increase in foreign direct investment

August 2011 India Review Cover STORY

flows in both directions. The two governments expressed Hillary clinton visits their intent to resume technical-level negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) in August in Washington D.C. A BIT would enhance trans - parency and predictability for investors, and support economic growth and job creation in both the countries. The two sides reiterated their com - 7 mitment to expanding trade ties. The India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum plans to meet in October 2011, while on- going public-private discussions are to continue under the ambit of the Commercial Dialogue. They hailed the signing of a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) on July 18, 2011. The two leaders welcomed the progress in the U.S. Trade Development Agency (USTDA) sup - ported bilateral Energy Cooperation Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivering a speech at the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai Program, announced in November on July 20, 2011. 2010, which works with Indian and ecretary of State Hillary Rodhan Clinton, governments were working on clean energy, U.S. businesses on deployment of who was in India to attend the second climate change control, protecting cyber clean energy technology in India. Sround of India-U.S.Strategic dialogue, space and on increasing bilateral trade. Secretary Clinton thanked Minister visited Chennai, the capital of the southern Stating that India’s leadership role in the Krishna, the Government, and the Indian state of , on July 20. global space was growing, Secretary people of India for the gracious hospi - Addressing an audience of students, Clinton said the two countries could work tality, warm welcome, and India’s hard opinion makers and other citizens for nearly together in promoting democratic values in work in making this year’s Strategic 45 minutes at the newly-built and the the Middle East and other regions. She Dialogue a success. Secretary Clinton country’s largest public library — the Anna added that the role of the Election Centenary Library — Secretary Clinton said Commission of India in sharing its best thanked Minister Krishna for his her country was relying on India to open its practices in conducting polls with Egypt strong support for the India-U.S. trade for the prosperity of its own people and others was valuable. relationship. and that of other nations in Asia. Secretary Clinton said India and the U.S. Minister Krishna thanked the “We are banking on India’s future. were working together at the G20 forum to Secretary for her participation and Opening of India’s market will result in promote clean energy, climate change and engagement in this year’s Strategic prosperous India and South Asia. We are other areas. She also said the two countries Dialogue and for the commitment and betting on the advances made in science and were working on nuclear non-proliferation dedication she had given to the technology that will enrich the human lives. and called upon Iran to abide by internation - India’s vibrant democracy will also produce al norms. According to her, democracy, India-U.S. global partnership. good results,” she said. economics, climate change, nuclear non-pro - As part of Secretary Clinton’s visit to Referring to the relationship between liferation were the major areas where India, she met with Prime Minister India and the US, Secretary Clinton said: American and Indian interests converge. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Chairperson of “I find there are those who raise questions Recalling the old Silk Route that the United Progressive Alliance about the relationship between the two connected Europe, Egypt, Arabia, Central , Finance Minister countries. We two are different nations. But Asia, India and ultimately China, she said a Pranab Mukherjee, Leader of the the common interest is stepping up the new Silk Route needed to be established. Opposition in the economic relationship.” During her visit, Secretary Clinton also Citing the Strategic Dialogue between the called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister , and National two countries, Secretary Clinton said she had J. Jayalalithaa at the state secretariat. Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon. met with a wide array of Indian officials and Both leaders had long discussions on The next meeting of the India-U.S. the work had produced good results. trade, investments, and on social and Strategic Dialogue is planned for She added that the Indian and American political issues. Washington D.C. in 2012.

August 2011 India Review Bilateral NEWS India, U.S. sign aviation safety agreement

n a significant development, India and the United States signed the Bilateral Aviation ISafety Agreement (BASA) on July 18 in New Delhi. India represen - tative Dr. Nasim Zaidi, Secretary, Civil Aviation and U.S. Representative J. Randolph Babbitt, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) signed the agreement in the presence of senior officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India from the Indian side and FAA and U.S. Trade and Development Agency from the U.S. side. The sign - ing of the agreement coincided with the visit of U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to India. Dr. Nasim Zaidi (left), Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, and Randolph Babbitt (center), FAA BASA will facilitate reciprocal Administrator, signing the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement, in New Delhi on July 18. airworthiness certification of civil aeronautical products imported or The agreement is also expected to acceptance of its products. exported between the two signatory spur trade between India and the U.S. The BASA is expected to lead to the authorities and acceptance of Indian BASA would also encourage the signing of the Implementation aeronautical products by the U.S. indigenous aircraft and aeronautical Procedures for Airworthiness, which The aircraft manufacturing industry products industry and the U.S. provides for technical cooperation in India is expected to benefit as a acceptance of Indian products would between FAA and its counterpart civil result of the new agreement. help the industry to achieve global aviation authorities. Climate change engagement set to deepen ndia’s Minister of state for remain engaged on issues such Environment and Forests as equity, accelerated transfer of I (Independent Charge) Jayanthi technologies and trade measures Natarajan on July 19 met with a at and beyond the Durban high-level U.S. delegation led by Conference and on the crucial Special Envoy for Climate Change role of India-U.S. programs Todd Stern in New Delhi. The two regarding the science of climate sides discussed scientific and change to further strengthen the technical cooperation between the two bilateral engagement. 8 countries on issues relating to climate Stern conveyed his views on change. Natarajan brought out the Jayanthi Natarajan (right) with Todd Stern in New Delhi transparency arrangements, i.e. Indian perspective about the International Assessment and Long-term Cooperative Action (LCA) Change (UNFCCC). They also agreed Review (IAR) for developed countries and Kyoto Protocol under the Bali that operationalization of the decision and International Consultations and Road Map before the U.S. agreed upon at the Cancun Analysis (ICA) for developing coun - delegation. Conference in a balanced manner tries, the principles and approaches for The two sides exchanged views on should be the goal for the meeting functioning of the Green Climate bilateral issues and the ongoing climate of the Conference of Parties under Fund, the Technology Mechanism, the change negotiations in the multilateral UNFCCC at Durban, in Financial Mechanism and the legal forum under the United Nations December 2011. form of the Agreed Outcome of the Framework Convention on Climate Natarajan said it was important to LCA process.

August 2011 India Review Bilateral NEWS Science & Technology coordination to accelerate

ndia and the United necks relating to visas for States have agreed science and technology to step up Science professionals. He urged for I & Technology coor - a liberal visa regime to dination in areas relating to ensure seamless issuance of energy, agriculture, afford - visas for Indian scientists able health care, nutrition willing to work in the and monsoon forecasting. United States. He also 9 This was agreed upon dur - expressed India’s prepared - ing a meeting between ness to substantially Dr. John P. Holdren, increase resource invest - Advisor to the U.S. ment in promoting agricul - President for Science & tural crops leading to Technology and Director affordable innovation in key of the White House Office sectors. of Science and Technology Dr. Holdren also and India’s Minister of responded favorably to State for Planning, Science addressing issues such as & Technology and Earth visa for science and Sciences, Dr. Ashwani Ashwani Kumar (left) with Dr. John P. Holdren in New Delhi on July 18. technology professionals Kumar, in New Delhi on and the need for stepping July 18. He said the need for further research up resources for science and technol - The meeting was held in the context on forecasting various natural hazards ogy cooperation between the two of the India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue like cyclones and that usage of countries. held in New Delhi. India and the U.S. instrumental spectra aircraft was There was general consensus on have embarked upon a strategic rela - essential in this regard. substantially increasing financial outlay tionship which specifically identifies Dr. Holdren agreed to look into this by both the sides. For example, the science, technology and innovation as matter. He also appreciated India for India-U.S. Science and Technology a major focus of future relationship in sharing data on issues relating to mon - Endowment Fund, which is currently the 21st century. soon and flood and agreed to pegged at $30 million, could have its In his address Dr. Kumar stated that further strengthen the exchange of corpus increased and the current there were major issues to be data. Dr. Kumar raised the issue of allocation of $50 million for both the addressed in the areas of food, agricul - facilitating exchange of scientists from sides for next 5 years could be ture, nutrition, energy and water. both the countries by removing bottle - enhanced to $100 million. India, U.S. explore cooperation in renewable energy ndia and the U.S. discussed a suggested cooperation in the range of possibilities for coopera - integration of solar and wind Ition in the field of renewable energy, small grid and policy energy during a meeting between framework for enhancing India’s Minister for New & Renewable deployment of renewable energy Energy Dr. and U.S. in the energy mix. Deputy Secretary, Department of Dr. Abdullah explained the Energy, Daniel B. Poneman, in New initiatives and steps taken by Delhi on July 19. The two leaders India to enhance deployment of noted that solar energy, wind energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah with Daniel B. Poneman renewable energy in the country. and bio-fuels are some of the areas In this respect, he made a special where the two countries can cooperate renewable energy by extending it to mention of the Jawahar Nehru under the India-U.S. Energy Dialogue. new areas such as small hydro-power, National Solar Mission which aims at India has called for enhancing coop - technology transfer and storage of harnessing the vast potential of solar eration with the USA in the field of renewable energy. The Indian side also energy in India.

August 2011 India Review AMBASSADOR’S ENGAGEMENTS AMBASSADOR MEERA SHANKAR BIDS FAREWELL TO WASHINGTON mbassador Meera Shankar completed her assign - ment as Ambassador of India to the United States 1 A on July 31, 2011. The U.S. Department of State hosted a reception to bid her farewell on July 26, 2011, which was attended by senior members of the U.S. Administration and other key Ambassadors. Ambassador Meera Shankar also called on the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in her office. Secretary Clinton said, “On behalf of the American people and the Obama Administration, I extend my best wishes to you as your celebrated tenure as the Ambassador of India comes to an end. I thank you for your service and remain deeply grateful to you for helping to strengthen the important partnership between our two countries.” The Indian Community of the Greater Washington Area 2 hosted a reception for the Ambassador on July 24, 2011 at which Ambassador Robert Blake, Jr., Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Bureau was the keynote speaker. Ambassador Blake highlighted the immense contribution made by his friend, Ambassador Shankar, in serving India’s interests in Washington in an energetic and innovative manner. He and his colleagues in the State Department worked closely and cohesively with Ambassador Shankar and her team in advancing India-U.S. ties through this period of intense and broad-based engage - 3 ment, which covered two state visits, two rounds of the Strategic Dialogue, and many other Ministerial visits and dialogues. He said he found Ambassador Shankar’s out - reach in Washington striking. Ambassador Shankar hosted two receptions on July 25, 2011 and on July 28, 2011 for the Indian American com - munity and her American interlocutors respectively. The Indian American community was represented by all the leading associations in the Greater Washington Area and from across the country. The Governors of Maryland and Alabama also sent special citations to Ambassador Shankar for promoting ties between India and their states. The reception on July 28, 2011 was attended by over 200 guests including U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel 4 Poneman, Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs 10 William Burns, Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs Robert Hormats, Congressman John Larson, Administrator of USAID Rajiv Shah, and other senior representatives from the U.S. Government, U.S. Congress, business organizations, universities and think tanks. Ambassador Shankar thanked the guests for all their sup - port and cooperation in advancing the India-U.S. Strategic Partnership. She recalled the very successful visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the U.S. in November 2009

August 2011 India Review AMBASSADOR’S ENGAGEMENTS

and President Obama’s visit to India in November 2010 and 5 outlined the growth of the relationship between the two coun - tries, which at its present level, touches all aspects of human endeavor. She recalled various incidents during her tenure as Ambassador in Washington, which not only added strength to the relationship between India and the United States, but also gave flavor to her life as a diplomat. Recollecting the contri - butions of friends from all walks of life — political, diplomat - ic, cultural, literary, business, academic and others, Ambassador Shankar said that every step had added to the further strengthening of the India-U.S. relationship and 11 expressed her gratitude for their encouragement and support. 6 In his remarks, Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman spoke highly of Ambassador Shankar. He said that in his long experience of dealing with foreign digni - taries, he had found her to be one of the most effective and influential diplomats that he had come across. She was always well-prepared, eloquent and at the same time rea - sonable as she pursued her country’s interests, Poneman said. He added that during Ambassador Shankar’s tenure, India-U.S. relations underwent a historic transformation and her personal contribution to this was significant. Under Secretary Hormats said that representing India in 7 the United States was a challenging task and that Ambassador Shankar had been very successful in doing so not only with all branches of the government but also with the Congress and Senate, the business community, think tanks and the media. She traveled extensively across the United States and projected India even to those who had very little knowledge of the country and its achievements, in a very clear, positive and convincing manner. He said that he personally admired and wished her well for the future. Ambassador Shankar was also presented with a flag of the United States of America, which was flown over the Capitol 8 building specially for her in recognition of her achievements as Ambassador of India to the United States, along with a certificate confirming this by the Congress, sent by Congressman Ed Royce, the Co-Chair of the India Caucus in the House of Representatives.

PHOTO LEGENDS 1. Ambassador Meera Shankar met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Department of State on July 27. Photo Credit: State Department Image. 2. Reception hosted by the Indian-American community to bid farewell to Ambassador Meera Shankar on July 24. Also seen is Ambassador Robert Blake, Jr., Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Bureau. Photo Credit: Mathew Karmel. 9 3. Ambassador Meera Shankar addressing the Indian American Community at her farewell reception at the Embassy Residence on July 25. 4. Guests in attendance. 5. Ambassador Meera Shankar addressing prominent members of the American Community at her farewell reception at the Embassy Residence on July 28. 6. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman speaking on the occasion. 7. Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs Robert Hormats addressing the gathering. 8. Ambassador Meera Shankar being presented with a U.S. flag (which was flown over the Capitol building), sent by Congressman Ed Royce, the co- chair of the India Caucus in the House of Representatives. 9. A section of the guests.

August 2011 India Review Embassy EVENTS

PRAVASI BHARATIYA SAMMAN AWARD REcEPTION

mbassador Meera Shankar hosted a recep - A tion at the Embassy Residence on July 7 to felicitate Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator, United States Agency for International Development (USAID ), following the conferment of the Award (PBSA) on him by the . Dr. Rajiv Shah is an outstanding Indian- American and a true glob - Ambassador Meera Shankar welcoming the guests on the occasion. al citizen. He has gained rich experience in social work through his various activities as part of the World Health Organization, US Department of Agriculture, Bill an d Melinda Gates Foundation and other Non-Profit Organizations. He now heads one of the world’s largest aid organizations — USAID, and is well recognized internationally for his developmental and humanitarian activities. USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah addressing the gathering. Ambassador Meera Shankar said, “We rejoice in your success and achievements, and we wish you all the very best in your present and future responsibilities”. She added that Dr. 12 Shah had done India proud, he had done the Indian-American commu - nity proud and he had done America proud. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman conferred upon him by the Government of India is a recognition of his outstanding work. Guests in attendance.

August 2011 India Review Embassy EVENTS

FAREWELL REcEPTION FOR AMBASSADOR MEERA SHANKAR

he Embassy 1 2 of India host - T ed a farewell reception for Ambassador Meera Shankar on July 29. The Ambassador thanked the 13 Embassy staff for all their support and dedication and wished them and their families the very best for the future. 3 1. Ambassador Meera Shankar addressing the Embassy Staff. 2. Ambassador Meera Shankar being presented a book and music CD by Deputy Chief of Mission Arun . Singh. 3. Ambassador Meera Shankar with the Embassy staff.

BRIEFING FOR INDIAN-AMERIcAN PROFESSIONALS

eputy Chief of Mission, Arun K. Singh, briefed a relations with a focus on counter terrorism cooperation, D group of young professionals on India-U.S. at the Embassy of India on July 21.

A section of the audience gathered on the occasion. Deputy Chief of Mission, Arun K. Singh addressing the gathering.

August 2011 India Review Consulate EVENTS

INDIA SOURcING FAIR, MIAMI

ederation of Indian Export Johannesburg and . garments & textiles, and baby & Organizations (FIEO), a The fair was inaugurated by children’s products. The fair show - leading industry associa - Dr. Mukul Sangma, Hon’ble Chief cased India’s world-class products F tions at the national level, Minister of the State of Meghalaya and the huge potential for arranged the participation of 42 and Sanjiv Arora, Consul-General increasing trade and other business Indian companies in the first edi - of India in Houston, along with partnerships. The event attracted tion of ‘India Sourcing Fair’ in the Ajay Sahai, Director General & over 7,000 visitors, many of whom USA, which was held at Miami CEO, FIEO and Mr. Tommy had substantive discussions with Beach Convention Center in Miami Wong, President, Global Sources, Indian companies. A series of meet - from 11-13 July, 2011. The fair on 11 July. ings were also held on the sidelines was organized by Global Sources, a The companies under FIEO’s of the fair. NASDAQ listed company. banner represented various The Consulate fully supported FIEO had earlier participated in important sectors such as the initiative and worked closely the ‘India Sourcing Fair’ events gift & premiums, home products & with FIEO toward the success of held in , Hong Kong, décor, fashion accessories, the ‘India Sourcing Fair’.

14

Hon’ble Chief Minister of the State of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul Sangma and Consul-General of India in Houston, Sanjiv Arora inaugurating ‘India Sourcing Fair’ at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami on 11 July, 2011. Also present are Ajai Sahai, DG, FIEO and Gideon Dalbot Shira, son of CM, Meghalaya, Dr. Piyush Agrawal, GOPIO’s national coordinator for USA and Tommy Wong, President of Global Sources.

August 2011 India Review Economy NEWS ‘EcONOMIc GROWTH PEGGED AT 8.2 Pc’

nflation would ease to around 6.5 percent by the end of this Highlights of Economic fiscal, the Prime Minister’s Advisory council report Economic Advisory Council said I n Country’s growth pegged at 8.2 per - on August 1, projecting the country’s cent for 2011-12 growth at 8.2 percent for 2011-12. n Inflation to ease to 6.5 percent only by Headed by former Reserve Bank of the end of this fiscal India (RBI) Governor C. Rangarajan, n Important role for fiscal policy to con - 15 the council said agriculture and indus - tain demand pressure try would grow at a lower rate com - n RBI will follow tight monetary policy till inflation shows definite signs of decline pared with the previous year, and C. Rangarajan services would expand faster in the n Agriculture to grow at 3 percent as monsoon to remain more-or-less nor - current fiscal. have to continue with monetary tight - mal “The inflationary situation and ening measures. n Industry to expand by 7.1 percent, slow - investment slowdown have necessitat - “The RBI will have to continue to er than the rate of 7.9 percent last year ed a downward revision. The project - follow a tight monetary policy till n Services to grow at a faster rate of 10 ed growth rate of 8.2 percent, though inflation shows definite signs of a percent lower than the previous year, must be decline,” it said, adding that inflation n Global economic and financial situation treated as high and respectable, given would start to taper only from unlikely to improve the world situation,” the council said November. n Important to increase investments if in its economic outlook for 2011-12. It also said that achieving the fiscal economy is to grow at 9 percent n Investment rate projected to rise to India’s GDP had expanded by 8.5 deficit target of 4.7 percent, as set out 36.7 percent in 2011-12 percent in 2010-11 and 8 percent the in the budget for 2011-12, would n Current account deficit projected at $54 year before. For agriculture, industry require the government to “redouble billion or 2.7 percent of GDP and services, the council projected a efforts to collect larger revenue, n Merchandise trade deficit at $154 bil - growth rate of 3, 7.1 and 10 percent resolve cases to reduce tax arrears”. lion or 7.7 percent of GDP for this fiscal respectively. “The high subsidy outgo, especially n Foreign direct investment set to rise to The panel said as overall inflation on account of petroleum products, is $35 billion in current fiscal would continue to be high at 9 percent placing a serious stress on the center’s n Foreign institutional investor inflows to slip to $14 billion, less than half of last in the July-September quarter, the budgeted fiscal position,” the panel year Reserve Bank of India (RBI) would said.

line projection for wholesale inflation RBI hikes rates to tame inflation for March 2012 is revised upward from 6 percent with an upside bias.” ndia’s central bank on July 26 Governor Dr. D. The new projection on inflation is sharply hiked key rates by 50 Subbarao during the 100 basis points above, at 7 percent by Ibasis points in the 11th such first quarterly review of the year-end. On growth, the RBI exercise since January 2010 to the apex bank’s mone - Governor said amidst a slowdown in tame inflation, setting the stage for tary policy for the the factory output growth, the robust commercial banks to raise their current fiscal. export performance should augur well, interest charged on personal and “Notwithstanding but the performance of the monsoon corporate loans. signs of moderation, so far could exert pressures on the The repurchase rate, the interest inflationary pressures yields of coarse grains, pulses, oilseeds the central bank levies on short- are clearly very strong,” and cotton. term borrowings by commercial Dr. D. Subbarao Subbarao said, In the policy update, the reserve banks, has been hiked to 8 percent addressing the chief ratios — which call for the quantum of from 7.5 percent and reverse repur - executives of commercial banks after money against deposits banks have to chase rate, or interest paid on short- the policy update. “Keeping in view the keep as liquid assets — stood term lending, raised to 7 percent from domestic demand-supply balance, the unchanged at 6 percent in the case of 6.5 percent. The rate hikes were effect - global trends in commodity prices and cash reserve ratio and 24 percent in the ed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) the likely demand scenario, the base - case of statutory liquidity ratio.

August 2011 India Review Diaspora NEWS

NIkkI Haley memOIr GOPIO welcomes outh Carolina’s Indian- scenes details of her once unlikely elec - American Governor tion as South Carolina’s Chief new passport Nikki Haley, just shy of her Executive, how she handled the state’s surrender rules S40th birthday, is all set to rough-and-tumble politics and her life he Global Organization of People of publish her memoir. as a first-generation American, Indian Origin (GOPIO International) Her book, Can’t is Not an Option , is postandcourier.com said. T has welcomed a relaxation of rules expected to hit shelves in January “A lot of people wanted to know requiring former Indian citizens to produce 2012 and will be published by what happened in the campaign,” she a surrender certificate of their old passports Sentinel, a conservative imprint with - was quoted as telling The Post and when seeking Indian visas. in Penguin Group. Courier in April. The relaxation incorporates two of the Born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa to During the primary season, Haley, a GOPIO demands: elimination of surrender certificate requirement from those who Sikh immigrant parents on January married mother of two, also shoul - became naturalized citizens more than 10 20, 1972, Haley is America’s dered accusations of marital infidelity. years ago, and that an OCI (Overseas youngest Governor. Haley told the Post in April that peo - Citizenship of India) application need not In March, Haley, 39, said in a pub - ple told her they wanted to know more be accompanied by an original US pass - lished interview that in her memoir about the impact those accusations port. The change “will not only stop the she would cover everything from had on her family. decline of goodwill in the Indian communi - growing up in rural South Carolina to “They just wanted to know how we ty for the government of India but can also her contentious 2010 campaign, won,” she said then. “When things got reduce workload at the consulates”, said Inder Singh, GOPIO International when she faced and denied alle - really tough, how did I handle it?” Chairman. gations of infidelity. The book is also expected to “Now that the work load will be less, Though the Republican cover Haley’s vision for the Indian missions in western countries and Governor says she’s not country and the Republican Travisa should finish off all the backlog seeking higher office, her lit - Party, according to her soon and make the process of getting an erary agent Robert Barnett’s publishing house. OCI card and entry visa to India easier for past clients include President Sentinel President and the Indian community,” said Thomas Barack Obama, George W. Publisher Adrian Abraham, former Chairman of GOPIO International. Bush and Bill Clinton. Zackheim called Haley an “This is a welcome action that removes Haley’s new book “all-American success an undue burden on former citizens of will give the first-term story” and “a rising India and improves goodwill towards Republican a chance star in national India,” said Ashook Ramsaran, Executive to reveal behind-the- politics”. Vice-President of GOPIO International. Goa University to have chair on Indian diaspora studies he federal Human Resource general and on the Goan diaspora in other countries, he added. Development (HRD) Ministry particular,” said Faleiro, a former He said a part payment has already T has decided to set up a chair on Minister of State for external affairs. been made by the University Grants Indian diaspora studies at the Goa The chair on diaspora studies will Commission (UGC) to the GU University, Goa’s Commissioner for deal with the questions and issues towards the creation of the chair. Non-Resident Indian (NRI) affairs regarding the Indian diaspora (Goan “The study on migration in all its Eduardo Faleiro said on July 5. diaspora included) in academic depth diverse aspects is one of the most fas - 16 Speaking to reporters, Faleiro said and in a comparative context, he said. cinating areas of research. A very large HRD Minister had agreed It will also study migration in number of universities abroad have this to establish a chair on the diaspora facility,” Faleiro said, adding that the community at the state university in GU is the first in India to establish a Goa. chair on the diaspora studies. “I have requested the Goa Governor, Incidentally, Goa is the second state Dr. S.S. Sidhu, who is the Chancellor in India after to conduct a sur - of the Goa University (GU), to advise vey on out-migration of its working the university in this regard so that we population to other countries for have a quality institution for study and employment, primarily in the Gulf research on the Indian diaspora in A view of the Examination Block, Goa University region.

August 2011 India Review Science NEWS

Communication Satellite GSaT-12 Indians discover world’s most launched successfully heat-resistant fungi n Indian Indian Space Research n a significant discovery that can be a rocket carry - Organization said. major breakthrough in biotechnology, Indian mycologists have discovered ing the coun - Around 20 minutes I fungi spores, considered as being able to A try’s latest after the blast off, the withstand a temperature of 100-115 communication satellite rocket achieved its degrees celsius. GSAT-12 blasted off mission by placing the Spores are reproductive cells capable of 17 from the space port at latest Indian communi - developing into a new individual without Sriharikota in Andhra cation satellite in the fusion with another reproductive cell. The Pradesh on July 15. intended sub team of fungi researchers found the heat- Under a cloudy sky, at Geosynchronous resistant spores in dead leaves. “It took us around one and a half years 4.48 p.m. the Indian Transfer Orbit (GTO). to arrive at our conclusion. It is a prelimi - Space Research A geosynchronous orbit nary, but significant finding. It is reported Organization’s (ISRO) is one directly above the for the first time that fungi spores can `900 million ($ 20.4 earths’ equator. For an The PSLV-C17 rocket taking off survive even 115 degrees Celsius,” million) rocket — Polar from the Space observer from the T.S. Suryanarayanan, Director of the Satellite Launch Center, Sriharikota, on July 15. earth a satellite in geo - Vivekananda Institute of Tropical Mycology Vehicle-C17 (PSLV- synchronous orbit will (VINSTROM), said. C17) — soared toward the heavens seem motionless, stationary at one The fungi are among the most heat- with a roar. point in the sky resistant eukaryotes (organisms with a membrane-bound nucleus) on record, he It ferried the $18.1 million GSAT-12 The GSAT-12 carries around 851 kg said. They have been named ‘Agni’s Fungi’ which had 12 extended C-band of fuel on-board to fire the motors. after god of fire. transponders — automatic receivers The rocket placed the satellite in sub The fungi were particularly found in leaf and transmitters for communication GTO with a 284 km perigee (nearest litter isolated from tropical semi-arid habi - and broadcast of signals. point to earth) and 21,000 km apogee tat in the Western Ghats in southern India. “I am extremely happy to state that (farthest point from the earth). The The spores may have adapted to the envi - the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch satellite will be raised to 36,000 km ronment as the region is known to have Vehicle)-C17 GSAT-12 mission is apogee from 21,000 km. Immediately forest fires, Suryanarayanan said. Along with bacteria, they degrade dead leaves by successful. The satellite was after satellite ejection, ISRO with its breaking down their molecular structure as launched in the intended orbit,” network of ground stations monitored opposed to other fungi that damage living Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Chariman, its health. trees and plants. yOUNG eNGINeerS VISITaTION PrOGram ith the common goal of gained insight to the process of com - developing an ecosystem mercialization as technology moves W that encourages innovation from the lab to the marketplace and entrepreneurship, Indo-US through a visitation program at the Science and Technology Forum Lockheed Martin Center for (IUSSTF) and Lockheed Martin Innovation, Suffolk, VA. The Center Corporation has collaborated to for Innovation is a powerful net-cen - launch Young Engineers Visitation Technology, Bombay; Indian Institute tric experimentation and analysis labo - Programme in 2011, which is envis - of Technology, Madras; Indian School ratory and serves as a focal point for aged to create sustainable, long-term of Mines, ; Madras Institute resourceful thinking and revolutionary network for mutual good. The objec - of Technology, Anna University, technology. In order to gain hands-on tive of the joint program is to create, Chennai; Thapar Institute of experience, the students were divided nurture and support techno-entrepre - Technology, Patiala; and, Malaviya into small groups of 5 each and were neurial ecosystems. National Institute of Technology, given specific projects in two areas — For the first year, 34 young engi - Jaipur) were selected to participate in Lego robotics and Virtual world. At the neers from six reputable institutions the one-week program during 12-17 end of the week, their projects were across India (Indian Institute of June, 2011. The young engineers judged and awarded.

August 2011 India Review Trends in SOCIETY

The Indian Institute of Management- (seen above) and the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur have signed an agreement with Yale University to develop training programs to create academic leadership in the country. Education on thE movE The size of India’s education & training sector is expected to reach $15 billion by 2015, with ample room for private, public and overseas players to participate in it in a big way

he size of the education sec - and Naukri.com in education sector Government’s contribution is $106.8 tor is expected to double to went up by 9 and 10 percent, respec - million, while the states and private $50 billion by 2015 with the tively. unaided institutions will invest $110.7 T phenomena of rising govern - India has also been ranked as num - million and $3.42 million, respectively. ment expenditure and increasing ber four on the list of the top 10 pre - The project would be open for compe - incomes, according to an industry ferred destinations for B-school aspi - tition and participation by all the engi - chamber study. The report says the size rants, according to the findings of a neering institutions approved by the of the education sector is currently survey conducted by the Graduate AICTE. The TEQIP scheme, going on pegged at $25 billion with higher edu - Management Admission Council since 2003 with assis - cation market estimated at $15 billion. (GMAC). Further, according to a tance, was envisaged as a long-term Additionally, the government is also worldwide survey conducted by French program of about 10-12 years. To be planning to spend about five percent of consulting firm SMBG, the Indian implemented in three phases the the gross domestic product (GDP), in Institute of Management Bangalore is TEQIP scheme is intended for the the next five years on education, as per ranked 24th, while IIM-Ahmedabad is transformation of the technical the study. ranked 55th. The survey, ‘Universal education system. The education sector in India — Business Schools with major interna - apart from the enormous economic tional influence,’ took into considera - E-Learning — Starting Young potential it holds — is also witnessing tion inputs from 1,000 deans of busi - growth in private equity investment, ness schools worldwide. Kapil Sibal, Federal Minister for 18 according to HDFC, a leading private Human Resource Development, has sector bank. The bank plans to foray Revamping technical Education also announced the government’s into the sector, which according to plans to launch a scheme, which would Keki Mistry, its Vice-Chairman and Taking a step further, into the tech - bring in information, communication Chief Executive Officer, has touched nical education space, the government and technology (ICT), into the ele - $190 million in 2010. The sector is has approved an investment of $519 mentary education system to focus on also witnessing increase in hiring as per million to initiate the second phase of the development of e-contents to be the employment indices of online job the Technical Education Quality used by students at both the primary portals Naukri.com and Monster Improvement Program (TEQIP). Of and upper-primary classes. The India. In the month of June 2010, the this expenditure, the World Bank will Minister had recently unveiled a $35 employment indices of Monster India contribute $298 million. The Federal low-cost computer, in an attempt to

August 2011 India Review Trends in SOCIETY revolutionize classroom education allocating $65.9 million to the Indian across the country. The device allows Maritime University, to create elaborate students to write and store text, browse infrastructure facilities (academic com - the Internet and view videos, besides plex, administrative building, library, other regular features. hostels and residential accommodation) over the next five years. opportunities in training Space issues in investments The training industry in India is a sunrise industry with a lot of potential According to a report released by and there is considerable flux in it. For Kaizen Management Advisors, the pre- 19 instance, IndiaCan Education Private school segment itself is worth an esti - Limited, plans to open 250 centers mated $500 million currently and across India by the end of this financial expected to grow to $1 billion by 2013, year aiming to train over 500,000 per - growing at a compounded annual rate sons annually. Tata Consultancy pipeline with foreign educational insti - (CAGR) of 30 percent. International Services Ltd (TCS) is opening its first tutes, are the following: university endowment funds have also learning and development center, The Indian School of Business (ISB) stepped up their presence in the Indian equipped to train 6,000 professionals has signed an MoU with The Fletcher stock markets to cash in on its high annually and HCL Technologies Ltd School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts returns. The number of such funds has also announced a tie-up with the University, U.S., to support the setting investing in India has increased from BPO training institute, Orion Edutech up of the Bharti Institute of Public six in 2008, to around 20 in 2010, as to customize their Diploma in BPO Policy at the upcoming ISB campus in per SEBI (Security and Exchange Management (DIBM) to suit its indus - Mohali, Punjab. INSEAD, the business Board of India) data. try specific talent requirement. school headquartered in Fontainebleau, Paris, plans to offer a dedicated, the Road ahead Foreign institutes in india 12-month program in business man - agement for middle to senior-level Besides, the government has also Many overseas business schools have Indian executives, with about 10-15 introduced two bills in the Parliament – also come to India seeking revenue years of work experience. Yale The National Accreditation Regulatory boosts and to understand the concerns University has signed an agreement Authority for Higher Educational of a developing economy. To regulate with two of India’s leading institutions, Institutions Bill, 2010, to ensure that all the operations of foreign educational the Indian Institute of Management- higher educational institutions and their institutions in India, the government Kozhikode (IIM-K) and the Indian programs have commensurate accredi - has introduced the Foreign Institute of Technology-Kanpur (IIT- tation, and The Educational Tribunals Educational Institutions (Regulation of K), to develop training programs to cre - Bill, 2010, to establish State and Entry and Operations) Bill, 2010, in ate academic leadership in the country. National Education Tribunals to Parliament on May 3, 2010. Amongst The government’s Shipping Ministry address disputes with regulatory bodies. the several tie-ups made, or in the has also joined the bandwagon by In yet another foray into medical education, India has allowed private- sector healthcare companies like Fortis impoRtant invEStmEnt pRopoSaLS in thE pipELinE Healthcare, Max Healthcare and Apollo Hospitals to start medical col - n Edutor Technologies: Raising $3 million n Second campus of the Indian School of leges. India’s cabinet has also approved to expand rural customer base with gov - Business to come up in Mohali, Punjab. ernment schools. Opens in April, 2012. a proposal allowing foreign universities n Hewlett-Packard: $1 million Education n Four new Indian Institute of Mass to set up local campuses. Innovation Challenge Fund for India — Communication (IIMCs) from the next The National Development Council For innovative initiatives in science, math academic year in Kerala, Jammu & has also approved setting up of 14 & technology education. Kashmir, and Mizoram. world-class universities. The n Equity firm Mayfield: Invested $8.73 mil - n Ninth Indian Institute of Management Government would also spend lion in Bharti’s Centum Learning. (IIM) at Ranchi inaugurated on July 6. $675.90 million to set up 13 new cen - n Chennai-based Everonn Business 2010. To offer a two-year post-graduate tral universities and convert three exist - Education Limited — To open 500 program in management. Indigrow Institute of Professional Studies n IBM’s global university relations program ing State universities into central uni - centers by 2015, $216,679 investment in to focus on fostering innovations across versities. Minister Sibal also plans to each center. around 100 engineering colleges. create a national vocational education - al framework within a year.

August 2011 India Review Short STORY PENALTY By Munshi Premchand

Born on July 31, 1880 in the village Lamahi near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Dhanpat Rai, better known by his pen name Munshi Premchand, is recognized in India as the foremost -Urdu writer of the early twentieth century. He wrote about three hundred short stories and fourteen novels, as well as many essays and letters, plays and translations. Many of Premchand’s stories have been translated into English and Russian. In India, he is known as “Upanyas Samrat”, meaning a master novel writer. He died on October 8, 1936. The story “Penalty” originally appeared as Jurmana.

unshi Khairat Ali Khan had broken. Who could tell how much little he was upon her like an evil spir - was the inspector of would be deducted! Like students it. If he wrote her name down on only sanitation and hundreds awaiting the results of their examina - two days, how much would the penal - M of sweeper women tions, over and over again she would ty be then! God knew. More than eight depended on him. He was good-heart - speculate on the amount of the annas? If only it weren’t a whole ed and well thought of — not the sort deduction. rupee! With her head bowed she’d go who cut their pay, scolded them or Whenever she got so tired that she’d to collect her pay and find even more fined them. But he went on regularly sit down a moment to catch her deducted than she’d estimated. Taking rebuking and punishing Alarakkhi. She breath, precisely then the Inspector her money with trembling hands she’d was not a shirker, nor saucy or would arrive riding in his ekka . No go home, her eyes full of tears. There slovenly; she was also not at all bad- matter how much she’d say, ‘Please, was no one to turn to, no one who’d looking. During these chilly days she Excellency, I’ll go back to work again,’ listen. 20 would be out with her broom before it he would jot her name down in his Today was pay-day again. The past was light and go on assiduously sweep - book without listening. A few days month her unweaned daughter had ing the road until nine. But all the later the very same thing would hap - suffered from cough and fever. The same, she would be penalized. Huseni, pen again. If she bought a few cents weather had been exceptionally cold. her husband, would help her with the worth of candy from the sweets-ven - Partly because of the cold, partly work too when he found the chance, dor and started to eat it, just at that because of the little girl’s crying, she but it was in Alarakkhi’s fate that she moment the Inspector would drop on was kept awake the whole night. was going to be fined. For others pay- her from the devil knew where and Several times she’d come to work late. day was an occasion to celebrate, for once more write her name down in his Khan Sahib had noted down her name, Alarakkhi it was a time to weep. book. Where could he have been hid - and this time she would be fined half On that day it was as though her heart ing? The moment she began to rest a her pay. It was impossible to say how

August 2011 India Review Short STORY much might be deducted. Early in the When Huseni comes back send him him why didn’t he even scold her? Why morning she picked up the baby, took here to finish the sweeping. didn’t he fire her on the spot! She her broom and went to the street. But She picked up the baby and was wasn’t able to work it out, he actually the naughty creature wouldn’t let her - about to go when he asked, ‘Why were seemed kind. She couldn’t manage to self be put down. Time after time you abusing me!’ understand this mystery. She was Alarakkhi would threaten her with the Alarakkhi felt all her breath knocked afraid. He had decided to fire her — arrival of the Inspector. ‘He’s on his out of her. If you’d cut her there that must have been why he was so way and he’ll beat me and as for you, wouldn’t have been any blood. nice. She’d heard that a man about to he’ll cut off your nose and ears! ‘The Trembling she said, ‘No, Huzoor, may be hanged is given a fine last meal, they child was willing to sacrifice her nose my head fall off if I was abusing you.’ have to give him anything he wants — and ears but not to be put down. At And she burst into tears. so surely the Inspector was going to 21 last, when Alarakkhi had failed to get In the evening Huseni and Alarakkhi dismiss her. They reached the munici - rid of her with threats and coaxing went to collect her pay. She was very pal office building. The pay began to be alike, she set her down and left her cry - downcast. distributed. The sweeper women were ing and wailing while she started to ‘Why so sad?’ Huseni tried to con - first. Whoever’s name was called sweep. But the little wretch wouldn’t sit sole her. ‘The pay is going to be cut, so would go running and taking her in one place to cry her heart out; she let them cut it. I swear on your life from money call down undeserved blessings crawled after her mother time and time now on I won’t touch another drop of on the Inspector and go away. again, caught her sari, clung to her booze or toddy.’ Alarakkhi’s name was always called legs, then wallowed around on the ‘I’m afraid I’m fired. Damn my after Champa’s. Today she was passed ground and a moment later sat up to over. After Champa, Jahuran’s name start crying again. was called, and she always followed ‘Shut up!’ Alarakkhi said, brandish - She had hardly got Alarakkhi. ing the broom. ‘If you don’t, I’ll hit you the words out of her In despair she looked at Huseni. The with the broom and that’ll be the end of mouth when Inspector women were watching her and begin - you. That bastard of an Inspector’s ning to whisper. going to show up at any moment.’ Khairat Ali Khan One after another the names were She had hardly got the words out of dismounted from his called and Alarakkhi went on looking her mouth when Inspector Khairat Ali bicycle directly in at the trees across the way. Khan dismounted from his bicycle Suddenly startled, she heard her directly in front of her. She turned pale, front of her name. Slowly she stood up and walked her heart began to thump. ‘Oh God, ahead with the slow tread of a new may my head fall off if he heard me! bride. The paymaster put the full Right in front of me and I didn’t see tongue! How could I....’ amount of six rupees in her hand. him. Who could tell he’d come on his ‘If you’re fired, then you’re fired, but She was stupefied. Surely the pay - bicycle today? He’s always come in his let Allah be merciful to him. Why go on master was mistaken! In these three ekka .’ The blood froze in her veins; she crying about it?’ years she had never once got her full stood holding the broom as though ‘You’ve made me come for nothing. pay. And now to get even half would paralyzed. Everyone of those women will laugh at have been a windfall. She stood there Angrily the Inspector said, ‘Why do me. for a second in case the paymaster you drag the kid after you to work! ‘If he’s fired you, won’t we ask on should ask for the money back. When Why didn’t you leave it at home!’ what grounds! And who heard you he asked her, ‘Why are you standing ‘She’s sick, Excellency’ Alarakkhi abuse him? Can there be so much here now, why don’t you move along!’ said timidly. ‘Who’s at home to leave injustice that he can fire anyone he she said softly. her with?’ pleases? If I’m not heard, I’ll complain ‘But it’s the full amount.’ ‘What’s the matter with her?’ to the panchayat, I’ll beat my head on Puzzled the paymaster looked at her ‘She has a fever, Huzoor.’ the headman’s gate...’ and said, ‘What else do you want--do ‘And you make her cry by leaving ‘If our people stuck together like that you want to get less?’ her? Don’t you care if she lives? would Khan Sahib ever dare fine us so ‘There’s no penalty deducted?’ ‘How can I do my work if I carry much!’’ ‘No, today there aren’t any deduc - her?’ ‘No matter how serious the sickness tions. ‘Why don’t you ask for leave!’ there’s a medicine for it, silly.’ She came away but in her heart she ‘If my pay is cut, Huzoor, what will But Alarakkhi was not set at rest. was not content. She was full of we have to live on?’ Dejection covered her face like a cloud. remorse for having abused the ‘Pick her up and take her home. When the Inspector heard her abuse Inspector.

August 2011 India Review Cinema NEWS Southern StarS twinkle in

he southerners are arriving in here,” he added. Bollywood. Be it However, as far as southern lumi - Thottumkal, Rana naries like , and T Daggubati, Kajal Aggarwal Haasan are concerned, they or Sundeep Kishan — many of India’s have done select Hindi films, and never young southern film stars are giving in really made a base in Mumbai. to the lure of the “glamorous” Hindi Lately, however, Bollywood has film industry. Though they are yet to welcomed a slew of actors from the rise to the stature of and south, including ’s , many young actors from daughter in Luck , Tamil Nadu, , Krishnan in the -starrer and Kerala are beginning to Khatta Meetha and Charmy Kaur in take up Bollywood projects. the -starrer Daggubati, who entered Hindi films Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap . this year with Rohan Sippy’s There are others who are awaiting Dum Maaro Dum , feels Bollywood release of their projects. could give him a chance to experiment Ileana D’cruz will be seen in Anurag with his talent. Basu’s Barfee and Kannadiga actress With Shor In The City , Chennai- Rai will feature in Satish reared Sundeep Kishan forayed into Kaushik’s Tere Bina Jiya Nahin Jaye . Hindi cinema from the Tamil-Telugu Kajal Aggarwal, with her full-fledged industry. Hindi movie debut opposite Ajay “The southern industry is healthy, Devgn in , has already created but the craze that the Bollywood world a lot of buzz. Kajal, who did a has created is unbeatable. Who does cameo role in the 2004 Hindi film not want to be part of it? Moreover, I Kyun...! Ho Gaya Na , feels regional feel Bollywood has set international barriers are disappearing in filmdom. standards and from the outside it looks “The reach of Hindi cinema is like a ‘glamorous’ world,” Kishan said. larger, but the south is equally “Experimentation with roles is what professional. Both the industries have one looks forward to and I see that in equally good artistes, good scripts and the Hindi film industry. The satisfac - good professionals,” said the actress, tion and the career prospects — all who has featured in 21 southern Asin Thottumkal (top) and soar high after one makes a mark movies thus far. nFdC to bring out home videos of Mani kaul’s films he National Film “We are trying to bring out Gupta said Kaul started his career as a 22 Development Corporation home videos of his films. We are filmmaker with NFDC so they are trying to pre - T(NFDC) has decided to also trying to showcase his serve his works. “Mani Kaul began his career launch home videos of the movies at different film festivals,” with NFDC. He was also supposed to do his priceless works of director Nina Lath Gupta, Managing next film with us. He was an exceptional man. Mani Kaul, who passed away Director of NFDC, said. I think it’s a big loss for the entire filmmaking recently. NFDC also organized a meet - community,” he said. Kaul, who was a believer of ing to pay tribute to the eminent “We are restoring his films. We have “new and bold cinema”, passed filmmaker and it was attended by already restored Duvidha (1973) and away in New Delhi on July 6 directors like , Uski Roti (1970). We are working to preserve following a prolonged illness. Rajat Kapoor and Rakeysh Ashad Ka Ek Din (1971) and Nazar (1989),” He was 66. Omprakash Mehra. said Gupta. Mani Kaul

August 2011 India Review Travel & TOURISM

23 heavenly hoMeStay at Coorg f you find Ooty, Kodaikanal or robes, with some soothing Buddhist coffee and other cash crops. Munnar a bit too touristy and chants, smell of incense and breath - As far as the season goes, October crowded a destination in south - taking sight of pagodas. to March are the best months. The Iern India, then go to Coorg. It is After seeing those large golden stat - weather is pleasant with that welcome that perfect holiday spot in Karnataka ues of the Buddha and , the intri - nip in the air. But Coorg during mon - that is sure to please toddlers, youth cate murals and Tangkha paintings, soons can be equally mesmerizing and and the old alike. Just a three-hour don’t forget to taste some authentic enchanting. drive from Mysore, 150 km away, Tibetan food here, especially the There are also plenty of places one Coorg district on its own has a lot to delectable momos and the subtle can go to. There is Abbey Falls, where offer, beyond its coffee, cardamom, thugkpa, their noodle soup. one has to make his or her way pepper and betel nut estates. Where to stay is a question that is through some dense woods, dotted With some pristine trekking trails, bound to crop up. While there are with coffee bushes, trees and creepers, picnic spots, waterfalls, wildlife, plenty of hotels and resorts, including to suddenly find a cascading gush of woods, forests, valleys and mouth- the Orange County that can even set water. Then about 80 km away are the watering cuisines, there is much to you back by as much as `25,000 Iruppu Falls, right next to the Rajiv see, admire and soak in at this hill sta - ($555) per day, it is best to opt for a Gandhi National Park, also called tion, which the locals call Kodagu, on homestay. There are some 35 of them Nagarhole, which is famous for its the slopes of the Western Ghats. in and around Medikeri in the range elephants and some 50 species of Situated at a height of 1,525 of `1,000 ($22) to `5,000 ($112) birds. Another must-see is meters above sea level, Madikeri or per day where one gets not just to Tadiyendamol, which is the tallest Mercara is the headquarters of Coorg. retire, but to also taste authentic peak in Kodagu and gives a breath - Here, the vibrant bazaar, and quaint Coorgi food and take some refreshing taking view of the entire region of houses with red-roofs and use of teak - strolls on their plantations that grow Coorg, besides the distant Arabian wood for doors and furniture Sea. easily enthral the travelers. There is also the It may come as a surprise to Naalkunaadu Palace built some that Coorg has one of the by Kodagu king Dodda largest settlements of Tibetans Raja Veerendra in 1792. in India; just about 30 km away After exploring all these, from Madikeri, they have the a bungalow at the Namdroling Monastery, built in plantation is perhaps the 1963, which the locals call the LOCATION: Around 150 km from Mysore and 260 km from best place to retire to. Golden Temple. Once you enter Bangalore. Toddlers can chase butter - the monastery, you are trans - HOW TO REACH: By bus or car from Mysore. Closest airport flies, and as for the adults, a ported into another world, is in Bangalore; the airport in Coimbatore in neighboring hammock and freshly packed as it is with some 5,000 Tamil Nadu is another alternative. brewed coffee are sure to be monks in bright yellow and red COST: There are around 35-40 homestays at Coorg ranging at hand! from about `1,000 ($22) to `5,000 ($112) per day.

August 2011 India Review EMBASSY OF INDIA SS Pre-sort First Class A U.S. Postage 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW CL T Paid RS Washington, D.C. 20008 FI Silver Spring, MD Tel: 202-939-7000 RT Permit No. -SO Fax: 202-462-7276 PRE 3966

n Celebrating Monsoon

With the arrival of the monsoon, the Saputara hill station, in the western Indian state of Gujarat readies itself to celebrate the season with a month-long ‘Saputara Monsoon Festival’. The festival, starting from July 30, is organized by Gujarat Tourism. AFP PHOTO / Sam Panthaky

EMBASSY OF INDIA 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: 202-939-7000; Fax: 202-462-7276 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.indianembassy.org www.facebook.com/Indembassyusa

CONSULATES Consulate General of India Consulate General of India Consulate General of India Consulate General of India 3 East, 64th Street 540 Arguello Boulevard 455 North Cityfront Plaza Drive 1990 Post Oak Blvd. # 600 New York San Francisco (NBC Tower Building) 3 Post Oak Central N.Y. 10065 CA 94118 Suite #850 , IL 60611 Houston, TX 77056

Tel: 212-774-0600 Tel: 415-668-0662 Tel. 312-595-0405 to 0410 Tel. 713-626-2148/49 Fax: 212-861-3788 Fax: 415-668-2073 Fax. 312-595-0416 Fax. 713-626-2450 E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Website: Website: Website: Website: www.indiacgny.org www.cgisf.org www.chicago.indianconsulate.com www.cgihouston.org

Printed and Published by the Press & Information Office, Embassy of India, 2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, D.C., 20008 Content, design and production by IANS. www.ianspublishing.com