PUBLICATION OF THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA IN DUBAI VOL.3 ISSUE 8 | AUGUST 2011
INDIA CELEBRATES 65TH I-DAY
On her 65th Independence Day, India reiterates her commitment to inclusive growth and lays out plans to overcome emerging challenges C FROM THE CONSUL
GENERAL’S DESK O
Dear Reader,
This month we had had the privilege of celebrating the 65th Independence N Day and pay homage to the selfless leaders of our freedom struggle. The President and the Prime Minister expressed our national ideal of inclusive growth and the culture of conciliation and dialogue in their address to the
nation. The President, in her address, lauded the service rendered by our T Parliament in guiding the nation and said that “…it is a growing Gross Domestic Product along with the welfare of the people, that are the twin pil - lars of a progressive nation.” E Our Cover Story covers the national issues highlighted by the President and the Prime Minister.
Two blood donation camps were held at the Consulate in August by the N Indian Community Welfare Committee (ICWC) and by Friends of India, a social organisation. The events attracted a good public response. The act of donating blood reflects selflessness which is also the philosophy of Rama ḍan.
Another important event to mark the Independence Day was the 10-km run T organised on August 14 in association with Indian runners from Dubai Creek Striders. As part of our regular feature, ‘10 Questions’, Dr. Zulekha Daud shares her S views on the healthcare industry while giving us insights into her life and philosophy. 4 Committed to Welfare In her speech on the eve of the 65th Independence Day, President Pratibha Happy Reading! Devisingh Patil stressed on inclusive growth and delivery-based mechanisms, and called for joint efforts by the government, voluntary organisations and people for the development of the country Sanjay Verma
SUPERBRANDS 18 Life Insurance Corporation of India RADIO MATTERS CUISINE The Consulate General of India in Dubai brings to you 10 its weekly radio programme ‘India Matters’ on Suno Mixed Vegetable 102.4 FM. The purpose of the show is to highlight the No matter how different our regional cuisines services provided by the Consulate and talk about the are, we are more alike than we know events and news related to India and the Indian com - munity in UAE. 10 QUESTIONS India Matters is aired every Friday between 5 and 6 16 pm on Suno 102.4 FM and repeated every Saturday Dr. Zulekha Daud ECONOMY between 12 and 1 pm. India Matters in conversation with For more details visit www.cgidubai.com and the Managing Director of Zulekha Hospital, 12 Opening New Routes www.suno1024.com who is an inspiration for the medical fraternity Qualified foreign investors can now put and the guiding force behind the Zulekha up to $13 billion in Indian mutual funds’ Healthcare Group, which is doing exceptional equity schemes and debt schemes in the work in the healthcare sector in the UAE infrastructure sector
The winner of the July 2011 monthly quiz contest is
Santhoshaaa Kundapur India Matters is a monthly publication of the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Dubai . All rights reserved. No part of this journal may be produced, stored The winner gets a gift hamper. or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of the CGI Dubai . Editorial correspondence and manuscripts can be addressed to [email protected] ns! gratulatio Content and design by IANS (www.ianspublishing.com) on behalf of Consulate General of India in Dubai. Con Editorial Coordinator: Zarin Amrolia, Dubai
2 SIEnPdTEiMa MBER a2t0t0e9 rs| August 2011 August 2011 |India Matters 3 INDEPENDENCE DAY/PRESIDENT’S SPEECH COMMITTED TO WELFARE
In her speech on the eve special economic packages for the of the 65th Independence under-developed regions of our nation. Welfare schemes create an Day, President Pratibha entitlement for individuals belong - Devisingh Patil stressed ing to identified groups. Delivering the benefits to them is our duty and on inclusive growth lack of delivery, a failure. and delivery-based Government efforts need to be sup - ported by voluntary agencies, NGOs mechanisms, and called and, indeed, by citizens themselves for joint efforts by the who can be development partners of government, voluntary the government,” the President said. In the wake of fears about a possi - organisations and people ble global economic slowdown, for the development of President Patil said: “Uncertainty is again confronting the world econo - the country my, and would need to be tackled through co-ordinated global action, as also by suitable precautionary measures in our country.” Stating that pursuing the anti-cor - ruption agenda would require “pre - ventive and punitive measures and a rational approach,” she asked the xpressing optimism about government, parliament, judiciary be discussions, debates, discourses President Pratibha Devisingh Patil at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate on August 15. the nation’s future, and society at large to ponder over among the people of the country for President Pratibha corruption and “find ways to handle public opinion to emerge, which is EDevisingh Patil said that it in a manner that is practical, an essential input in a true democra - Highlighting the contributions agricultural operations start, till har - other sectors as well,” the President India’s economy was performing implementable and sustainable.” cy,” she added. made by the Indian Diaspora, vest is reaped and beyond, where added. well and the country was committed “We need strong institutions and Expressing grief over the coun - President Patil said: “We are a coun - post-harvest processing aspects are Observing that the July 13 blasts to everyone’s welfare, within the we need good governance in the try’s declining sex ratio, the try shaped by the experiences, sacri - addressed.” in Mumbai were a grim reminder ambit of an inclusive growth agenda. country. Our institutions need to be President said that it reflected the fices and hard work of our citizens. She asked the corporate sector, as that terrorism posed a threat to “India is the world’s largest fortified and our governance con - bias against the girl child in Indian Indians have shown tremendous well as small and medium enterpris - global peace, the President asked the democracy. The country has per - stantly improved,” she added. society and called for fighting such enterprise and there are many suc - es, to seriously engage with agricul - country to be ever-vigilant to fight formed well economically with a Stressing on channelising different social prejudices. cess stories. They have earned good - turists and farmers, particularly in the menace. growth rate of 8.6 percent last year. shades of opinion through elected The President also emphasised will for the country wherever they the rainfed areas, “to avail of the “The challenge for us is how effec - We are committed to the welfare of representatives for the formulation that crime against women needed to are working or they are settled. They many opportunities of working tively we carry forward the nation all and are pursuing an inclusive of necessary legislation, the be dealt with sternly. “Women and have done us proud.” together for mutual benefit”. from now onwards. Let history be the growth agenda,” she said, adding President said that the parliament men are the two wheels of the chari - Stating that 68 percent of India’s “Let the public sector entities take judge that during our time, we found that anti-poverty programmes, represents people from all parts of ot of the nation and both need to be population continues to reside in the lead in this regard. The integra - the right answers to the challenges we social welfare schemes, and a com - the country and a broad spectrum of strong. Women have tremendous rural areas with a majority depend - tion of agriculture with the other faced, and acquitted ourselves with mitment to ensure food security, political thought. “Its legislation is capabilities and capacities to con - ent on agriculture, she called for a sectors of the economy would not dignity and continued to work with formed the core of the inclusive an outcome of collective thinking tribute in any field, when given an model to revolutionalise the agricul - only be useful for agriculture, but unity, to build the India of our agenda strategy. “There are a host of and application of minds. There can opportunity,” she added. ture sector — “from the time when would generate positive impulses in dreams,” President Patil concluded.
4 India Matters| August 2011 August 2011 |India Matters 5 INDEPENDENCE DAY/PM’S SPEECH
sacrifices go waste. We will convert tackle the problem of rising food the dreams of our freedom fighters prices only by increasing agricultur - into reality.” al production and productivity. We Highlighting the government’s also need to increase agricultural efforts in reducing inequalities in the production to implement a food country, Prime Minister Singh said security law. We will accelerate our the government had taken “special efforts in this direction in the 12th care of the needs of the Scheduled Plan.” He assured small and margin - Castes and Scheduled Tribes, al farmers that the government will minorities, women and children”. “continue to take care of their special “We have enacted laws which needs.” would guarantee our people their On land acquisition, the Prime basic entitlements. After the rights Minister assured that the interests of to education, employment and infor - those whose livelihoods were mation, we will soon enact a legisla - dependent on the land being tion for providing food security to acquired should be fully protected. the people,” he said. “Our government wants to replace Promising the strictest possible the 117-year-old land acquisition law action in cases of corruption, by a new land acquisition and reha - Dr. Singh said that “there is no sin - bilitation law which is forward look - gle big step which we can take to ing and balanced. We will soon eradicate corruption”. introduce a bill in parliament to this “We will have to act simultaneous - end,” he added. ly on many fronts. We will have to Expressing satisfaction over improve our justice delivery system. progress made in the education sec - If our system delivers justice in an tor, Dr. Singh said, “We are now con - effective manner, government offi - sidering universalisation of second - cials would think twice before com - ary education. We have decided to mitting a wrong act out of greed or appoint an education commission to under political pressure,” the Prime make recommendations for improve - Minister added. ments at all levels of education.” Admitting that many times gov - “I have often referred to the 11th ernment discretion was misused in Five Year Plan as an education plan. the allocation of scarce resources We will lay the same emphasis on and in the grant of clearances, he health in the 12th plan as we laid on said, “We have examined this issue. education in the 11th plan,” he added. We will put an end to such discre - Stating that government and peo - tionary powers wherever possible.” ple of the country should fight battle “We had constituted a committee against terrorism and naxalism joint - to suggest measures to reduce cor - ly, Dr. Singh said that the govern - ruption in government purchases. ment was steadily strengthening the BUILDING ON The committee has recommended intelligence and security agencies. that like many other countries, we “We want to eradicate the very rea - In his address to the nation Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan should also have a public procure - sons which give rise to this problem. Singh at the guard of honour ment legislation that lays down the Therefore, we have started a new from the Red Fort on the THE EDIFICE ceremony at the Red Fort in principles and practice with regard scheme for the accelerated develop - 65th Independence Day, Delhi. to government purchases. We will ment of 60 backward and tribal dom - the Prime Minister spoke introduce a Bill in Parliament by the inated districts,” he added. end of this year to enact such a law,” He also stressed on government’s about eliminating hile congratulating the er, observed that much needed to be Observing the emerging chal - Dr. Singh added. resolve to make India “slum-free”. inequalities from society country on the work done on many fronts to remove lenges, both within and outside the He also called upon all political “We want the slum dwellers to get and building a more done, especially in the inequalities from society. “We have to country, the Prime Minister said: parties “to stand shoulder to shoul - ownership of clean houses and have last seven years, for the provide the common man with access “We are building the edifice of mod - der” in the fight against corruption. access to basic amenities like water inclusive polity W welfare of the weaker sections of soci - to improved health services. We have ern India on the foundation of the Congratulating farmers for their and electricity. We will implement ety, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan to provide employment opportunities hard work and sacrifices of our sol - achievements, the Prime Minister the Rajiv Awas Yojana as a national Singh, in his Address to the Nation on to each one of our youth. The road diers, our farmers and our workers. said, “We need a second Green mission together with the states,” he the 65th Independence Day, howev - ahead is long and arduous,” he said. We will not let their hard work and Revolution in agriculture. We can added.
6 India Matters| August 2011 August 2011 |India Matters 7 COMMUNITY EVENT
CELEBRATING INDIA
alling Independence Day the pendent India that guide us today.” biggest festival for a secular Consul-General Verma also lauded the nation like India, Consul- pace of the growth of Indian economy CGeneral of India, Dubai, Sanjay last year, when it grew the fastest in the A NAIL-BITING FINISH Verma, highlighted the important role of world. Stressing on the strong bilateral expatriates in nation-building on the relations between India and the UAE, Consul-General of India, occasion of the 65th Independence Day including the rising bilateral trade, he Dubai, Sanjay Verma, celebrations, on August 15. said, “The best way one can serve the Oarsmen compete in the Nehru erala’s famed Nehru Boat crowd, this time the numbers saluting the tricolour Hundreds of Indians from all walks of motherland staying abroad is to excel in Boat Race at Punnamada Lake Race that got off to a appeared less than the previous edi - on the occasion of the life — students, teachers, businessmen, different fields and respect our diversity in Alappuzha, Kerala. colourful start at the tion because of the holy month of Independence Day. architects, construction workers, and secularism.” KPunnamada Lake in Ramadan,” Pulikattil said. bankers and others — converged at the The Consul-General informed the Alappuzha on August 13, ended in a Over 30,000 gathered to watch the It was a nostalgic Indian Consulates in Abu Dhabi and gathering that on the eve of the The 59th edition of the nail-biting finish, enthralling more event of which more than 2,500 were Dubai to attend the flag-hoisting cere - Independence Day, the Consulate had snake boat race attracted than 30,000 people, including foreign tourists, according to esti - moment for mony accompanied by singing of the organised a 10-km run with a group of hundreds of foreigners, who watched mates. “This is amazing. We have expatriates in the national anthem and cultural Indian runners of the Dubai Creek thousands of foreign the final of the race. been to several parts of the globe but UAE who turned programme. Striders. tourists, who plan to The event most keenly watched are witnessing this marvellous spec - The Tricolour was also hoisted by the The Consul General announced that return next year in was the final of the snake boat race. tacle for the first time ever,” said a out in good Indian community in Sharjah, Ajman, Indian artists based in Dubai and the The finishing time of the top three British tourist while shouting out his numbers to mark Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and several northern Emirates would have access to larger numbers teams differed by milli-seconds. support for the snake boat that was other places across the United Arab the Consulate’s premises to showcase The Jesus Boat Club’s snake boat at number two position. the Independence Emirates (UAE). their art. Indian Consulate’s Facebook finished the 850-metre race in 4.37 “We read a lot about the boat race Day celebrations at In his speech, the Consul-General page www.facebook.com/ minutes, with the Karichal Boat of Kerala and also saw videos, but the Consulate read excerpts from the President’s IndianConsulate.dubai. — was also Club’s snake boat coming in a close seeing it in reality is an amazing Address to the Nation on the eve of the launched on the occasion. second in 4.37:36 minutes and experience. We have decided to come Independence Day and paid tribute to The celebrations concluded with a Muttel UBC Boat Club Kainakary’s for the event next year also,” he India’s freedom fighters “who laid the number of patriotic songs sung by choir team finishing third clocking a time added. foundation of institutions in an inde - group Malhaar and a skit by students. of 4.37:96 minutes. The boats used in the race vary in The 59th edition of the race was length between 120 feet and 140 feet inaugurated by the Union Health and each has about 120 oarsmen on Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. board. Over the years, this race has “We are also impressed by the CONSULATE HOLDS BLOOD DONATION CAMP become the curtainraiser for the new lovely display of the art and dance he Indian Consulate in collabo - stressed on the need to spread aware - Welfare Committee (ICWC), tourism season in the state and also forms of Kerala that were showcased ration with Friends of India ness among the youth and encourage K.Kumar, also spoke on the occa - the first of a series of popular boat during the race. There were 140 Torganised a blood donation more first-time blood donors. He sion. Both the Consul-General and races in nearby districts of Kottayam artistes performing and this is like camp on August 12 to commemorate also promised the Consulate’s sup - the Convenor of ICWC donated and Kollam. the icing on the cake,” said a German the 65th Independence Day. In his port for such community-driven ini - blood at the camp. According to Tomy Pulikattil, an tourist. speech, Consul-General Sanjay tiatives in the future. Of the total 268 registered donors, organiser, the 2011 edition of the Also watching the event for the Verma appreciated the commitment The representative of Al-Wasl 219 donors donated blood at the race was one of the best as far as the first time were Gerhard and Claudia of Friends of India in regularly organ - Hospital, Dr. Reem and the camp. More than 30 percent of the footfall of foreign tourists was Mueller, the parents of FIFA World ising such blood donation camps. He Convenor of Indian Community participants were first-time donors. concerned. Cup 2010 Golden Boot-winning “But with regards to the local German midfielder Thomas Mueller.
8 India Matters| August 2011 August 2011 |India Matters 9 CUISINE
Muslim traditions) preparation differ - Mughal emperors having famously ent from a Mughal dish? The ignora - relished all kinds of samosas — from mus may also want to know the differ - egg and fish-filled ones to those with ence between an Udupi-style samb - nuts and raisins. Potatoes, an har that has travelled up north and American crop, that found a home in the stricter Tam Bram version. And this country of eventual aloo/batata budding gourmets may take pains to lovers, must have come in as an inno - explain finer points such as the fact vative filling only later. that Rajasthani food is really not a Tomatoes that were considered monolith. Instead, it is the disparate exotic garden vegetables in the 19th cuisines of the lordly Rajputs with century have, of course, assumed a their gamely recipes, the vegetarian much more nationalistic character, Marwari traders and sundry tribes, replacing yoghurt as the souring agent whose sparse cuisines no one has in most north Indian gravies. And bothered to study enough. even on the ghats of Benares, tradi - Food in India is a product of caste tional kachoris and papdi chaats have and geography. Indeed, even within rubbed shoulders with the tamatari the same micro region, each home has — a mashy tomato chaat. In the world its own distinct recipes held superior, of food things have a tendency to go which is why, perhaps, it is so tough to round in circles. Amti dal travelled neatly categorise and codify all our with Sambhaji and the Maratha war - offerings in the manner of French riors down south to result in samb - ‘maps’. Common cooking techniques har , the myth goes. Avadhi biryani can be the basis of gourmet classifica - travelled to Calcutta with Wajid Ali tions. At least, they are in the West. Shah and his cooks. Chowmein has But if it is slow-cooked mutton that travelled from the 1970s’ Mumbai you want to label, what are you going restaurants to mofussil eateries, vege - to call it: kosha mangsho , rogan josh tarian sushi has travelled from five- or the (dry) stew of Dilliwallahs ? The star coffee shops to kitty parties. use of spices and spice combinations Like children of mixed parentage, are, in fact, a better basis for nomen - dishes with mixed-up provenance are clature. Mustard has been famously the most interesting. There are uncan - claimed by Bengalis; Malayalees will ny similarities between rice pithe of only use small, green cardamom, not Assam, the steamed modak in the nuttier, bigger, black variety used Maharashtra and the Kozhukkattai of Indian eats or ate that food at home. elsewhere; UPwallahs would favour Kerala that no one can explain, and Ironically, research into Indian cui - amchoor (dried mango powder); there are other inexplicable trails too sine(s) is now striking at the very root Kashmiris, fennel and dried ginger; that you can stumble on, researching of this homogenisation. As hotels, Old Delhi denizens, their kala chaat old and vanishing regional and com - restaurants, chefs and consultants go masala , full of potent black pepper… munity dishes. out of their way to preserve and mar - but alas, these are just broad cate - When it rained, my maternal ket heritage, the focus is turning once gories. grandmother would make an impossi - MIXED VEGETABLE more to caste, sub-caste, religion and However, if food divides us, it also bly difficult and laborious snack: cultural-minority in a way that will has the potential to bring us closer. patode . Colocasia leaves (that can oth - No matter how different ood can be hugely divisive. In ‘other’. We are what we eat, after all. leave the politically correct squirming. We only have to be open to the smells erwise make your throat itch) are our regional cuisines are, school, mini rivalries can The creators of lowbrow Indian Alas, for all our patriotic efforts, we and flavours and the fact that in rolled, steamed and deep fried. It used sprout up over whose lunch restaurant food, however maligned have never been one nation, one food, India’s fertile, imaginative terrain, vir - to be a traditional monsoon eat in UP we are more alike than we F box is better than that of the they may be today for having branded but many mini-nations with many tually nothing is pure, untouched, and Delhi. No one really makes it any know, says Anoothi Vishal others; in college, over who takes a us the butter-chicken people for aeons micro cuisines. “So, how do you make sacred or, er, ‘authentic’. Both kheer longer. But if you travel down the bathroom break when the bill for the to come, nevertheless did one big serv - your pasande ?” The pasande are not and halwa , favourite foods of many country, you are likely to find that this group outing arrives; at home, over ice. They forged a national palate: a mine; rather, they are flat pieces of Vaishnavite divinities, are, in fact, is almost the same as patrode in who cooks better — mom or wife; in matrix of tomatoey, creamy dishes mutton. But what the expert chatting Persian in origin. And even our hum - Mangalore and along the Konkan unstructured life beyond, everything and tandoored offerings that we get me up wants to know is how a ble samosa , bazaar snack of the pow - coast, and the aluchi vadi of from the fact that you’ve folded your each time we decide to go ‘Indian’ in Kayastha-style (my community that erful and powerless, is an innovation. Pune/Mumbai. We are more like oth - banana leaf up, not down, to the fact restaurants; a common cuisine that often holds up its culture as ‘exclu - The Middle Eastern sambusak trav - ers than we think. that you eat onion and garlic in your everyone else in the world recognises sive’, and cuisine as reflecting India’s elled to various countries in the region (This article is courtesy OPEN magazine meat and fish can mark you out as the us by, regardless of the fact that no syncretic, intermingled Hindu and and eastwards to India, with the and is being carried with permission.)
10 India Matters| August 2011 August 2011 |India Matters 11 ECONOMY
the aggregate investments by QFIs in equity schemes of MFs under both the routes shall be subject to a ceiling of $10 billion. Similarly, QFIs can invest up to an additional amount of $3 billion under both the routes in the units of MF debt schemes which invest in infrastructure debt of minimum residual maturity of 5 years in corporate bonds issued by infrastructure companies. The scheme would enable QFIs to have direct access to the Indian mutual funds. It would widen the class of investors participating in inDirect route the Indian capital market, help QFI will hold MF units via Unit increase depth and reduce volatility Confirmation Receipts (UCR). There in the market. As the scheme has are four parties under this route — now been expanded to include debt QFIs, UCR issuer (based overseas), schemes investing in the infrastruc - SEBI registered Custodian (based in ture sector, it is expected to give a India) and MF. QFIs can sub - new momentum to the debt instru - scribe/redeem only through the ments in this priority sector. UCR issuer. UCR issuer would be The QFI scheme opens another appointed by MFs for which MF will avenue for global investors to partic - seek no objection from SEBI before ipate in the equity markets and the appointing any UCR issuer. QFIs infrastructure debt markets in India will place a purchase order through through Mutual Funds. This will OPENING NEW ROUTES UCR issuer. UCR issuer will forward increase the global investor interest the order of QFIs to the MF/custodi - in the Indian economy. The QFI place a purchase order of MF scheme an. The MF will issue the units to scheme will make it easier for over - Qualified foreign investors aving the way to further International Organisation of with its DP, who in turn forwards custodian and custodian in turn con - seas investors to participate in the can now put up to liberalise the portfolio Securities Commission’s Multilateral the order to the concerned MF firm to UCR issuer to issue UCRs infrastructure sector projects in investment route in the Memorandum of Understanding. and MF will process the order and corresponding to MF units held by India, and therefore will provide an $13 billion in Indian Pcountry, the Finance QFIs do not include foreign institu - credit units into the demat account custodian. additional source of overseas long mutual funds’ equity Ministry has permitted the tional investors or sub-accounts as of QFIs. As of now, it has been decided that term debt funding. Securities and Exchange Board of these are already permitted to invest schemes and debt schemes India (SEBI) and Reserve Bank of in equity and debt markets in India in the infrastructure sector India (RBI) to allow qualified foreign as per the extant guidelines of SEBI investors (QFIs) access to mutual and RBI. Two routes have been pre - BUSINESS BUZZ funds’ (MF) equity schemes and debt scribed for QFIs investment: schemes in the infrastructure sector. $2.8 trillion will be the assets of the Indian banking $ 2.6 billion is invested by Nagarjuna Oil Corporation The decision will enable QFIs to Direct route sector by 2025, making it the third largest in the world, Limited to complete its petroleum refinery project in Tamil invest up to $13 billion (Rs. 58,760 QFI would hold MF units in demat according to the Boston Consultancy Group. Nadu by 2011. crore) in MFs to deepen markets, account through SEBI registered $ 108.3 billion was Indian’s total exports during April- $684.24 million is the cost of a 500 MW coal-based reduce volatility and boost infra - depository participant (DP). There July, of which Merchandise exports was $29.3 billion. power plant that is planned to be set up by National Thermal Power Corporation in Sri Lanka. structure spending. are three parties under this route — $ 29.07 billion was the overall tax collection in April to QFI is an individual, group or QFIs, qualified DP and MF. A QFI July, of which $18.63 billion was the corporate tax collection. $ 87.28 million to be invested by Tata Steel to set up a 300,000 tonne a year unit in Kalinganagar in Orissa. association, resident in a foreign can open only one demat account $15 billion worth bilateral trade is expected between country that is compliant with with any one of the qualified DPs India and South Africa by 2014, as compared to $ 24.09 million will be invested in Maharashtra’s first Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and will subscribe and redeem $10.64 billion in 2010. hi-tech textiles park at Ichalkaranji. standard and is a signatory to through that DP only. The QFI will
12 India Matters| August 2011 August 2011 |India Matters 13 BOOKS
published by Rumi Foundation. The first one documents the legacy of A DOCTOR’S SEARCH FOR CURE Hazrat Amir Khusrau while the second commemorates the 800th anniversary a cure to the deadly of Jalaluddin Rumi. The third tome, syphilis. In 1898, Sufi & Rishis of Kashmir , is a tribute to Antonio Maria, surgeon the secular Sufi poets of J&K. and notorious playboy, “Punjab has been a vital gateway to returns home to Lisbon this enormous sub-continent. It has after a long absence to opened minds to create ‘seekers of learn that his beloved truth’, of those who came in and those father has syphilis, the who went out,” said filmmaker and scourge of both rich and Sufi revivalist Muzaffar Ali, chief edi - poor. Determined to find tor of the book. a cure, Antonio sails to “Sikhism has gained from Sufism, Peking to study under an older faith. A lot of Guru Granth renowned doctor Xu. Sahib has Baba Farid in it,” Ali said. But the Chinese mas - One of the best examples was Sufi ter does not intend to mystic Hazrat Mian Mir, who was give away his knowledge invited by Arjan Dev to lay the foun - easily, insisting that dation stone of the Golden Temple at Antonio spend four full Amritsar. Arjan Dev sent a palanquin seasons in the Summer and a posse of 100 followers to fetch Palace. While learning SUFIS OF PUNJAB Mian Mir to Amritsar from Lahore. the Chinese secrets of Local king Chandu Mal attacked the the human body, A new book traces the he birth of the Punjabi liter - the freewheeling days of the early Sufi convoy, but Mian Mir escaped. He laid Antonio falls in love with ary tradition is built into Sufi period when life in the northwestern the foundation of the Golden Temple Xu’s assistant, the elu - evolution of Sufi mysticism mysticism, which dates back frontier bustled around shrines and on January 3, 1588. It was also around sive Fumi. The threat of in Punjab in the context of Tto the birth of Shaikh celebrations of faith. that time that qissa-poetry , the ballad the Boxer Rebellion its assimilation with Faridu’d-Din, popularly known as The pages are leaves out of history; poems of Islamic-Punjabi, became hangs over Peking, and Baba Farid, in the late 12th century. embellished with unusual anecdotes popular among both Sufi story-tellers Antonio and Fumi must local cultures For the last 800 years, Punjab has and facts linking Sufism to Sikhism. and the other musicians, who believed et between Portugal and China decide whether to flee together or prided itself on a spiritual culture that For beginners in the study of religion, in ‘ishq’ (love) both in life in the late 1800s, The Yellow remain in China, testing the limits of believes in open worship, relying on the book comes across as a page- and in communion with god. SEmperor’s Cure is the fascinat - their love and faith in the human the “holy book” and the core tenets of turner. — Madhusree Chatterjee ing story of a young doctor’s search for power to cure the scourge. Sufism, humanity being its primary The editors say the book tries to plank. build bridges across the border by The anthology of essays, The Sufis highlighting a greater Sufi literary lin - TOP TEN of Punjab , traces the evolution of eage that went beyond geographical Poor Economics Does He Know a The Secret of the River of Smoke Sufi mysticism in the state in the boundaries of Pakistan and India. Author: Abhijit Mothers Heart? Nagas Author: Amitav context of its assimilation from local Sufi mystics and poets then shared Banerjee & Esther Author: Arun Shourie Author: Amish Ghosh cultures, references to Sufism in the common home, stories and music. Duflo Publisher: Harper Tripathi Publisher: Penguin Publisher: Random Collins Publisher: Westland Price: `699 Granth Sahib and how the Sufi Since the early Punjabi poetry was House Price: `599 Price: `295 literature connected to the local peo - spiritual in nature — it allowed Baba Price: `499 ple with concepts of love, secularism, Farid’s profound poetics to flower. In A Free Man The Immortals of universality, music, freedom of spirit the 14th century, Guru Nanak, the Author: Aman Sethi Meluha and one god. first guru of the Sikh religion, distilled Publisher: Random Author: Amish The hefty volume, which was the Sufi, Nath and Bhakti traditions — Non-Fiction House Tripathi Fiction released on August 28, is visually three religious genres that influenced Price: `399 Publisher: Westland Price: `195 opulent. It uses a combination of Punjab’s spiritual tradition — in his graphics, line sketches, illustrations, divine verses. Nanak even laid down hand-painted portraits, calligraphy, the ‘raag’ (melody) in which each of 24 Akbar Road Where China Meets Noon A Dance with poems and photographs arranged on these verses were to be sung. The Author: Rasheed India Author: Aatish Dragons a muted colourscape of beige, brown, songs came to be identified as Kidwai Author: Thant Myint-U Taseer Author: George RR Publisher: Hachette Publisher: Faber & Publisher: 4th Estate Martin black and red. ‘kirtan’— a pioneering avatar of Price: `495 Faber Price: `499 Publisher: Harper The volume is engaging and lucid devotional music. Price: `699 Collins with a festive feel that harks back to The book is one of the four volumes Price: `699
(Source: Bahri Sons, New Delhi, www.booksatbahri.com. All the books listed above are available online)
14 India Matters| August 2011 August 2011 |India Matters 15 10 QUESTIONS
tally prepared myself for a tough life about an awareness of the role of In the era of corporatisation, the and sent my son, Adil, to my mother women in all walks of life. healthcare sector is also experienc - in Nagpur. Those days, there was no The field of healthcare, by nature, ing a transformation. Today, people proper airport or seaport in Dubai.” is a nurturing and healing profes - from all over the world travel to In the 1960s, medical research sion. It is the intuitive quality of nur - India to avail medical treatments. hadn’t made such rapid strides and turing that women bring to their Medical tourism, therefore, is we had treated infections with potas - roles in healthcare that make them playing a significant role in not just sium permanganate, some sulphur exceptionally skillful. helping Indian hospitals but also drugs and penicillin. Tetracycline Today, the spread of women’s improving the country’s economy. was just becoming popular and treat - organisations globally and the Corporatisation has helped in ing common infections like malaria, impact of women’s contributions to increasing collective credibility of fever, diarrhoea and vomiting were society shows that much progress the hospitals by introducing stan - also a challenge. Similarly, there has been made. dardisation of protocols, pricing and were many complications and tribu - standards of care. This has also lations during deliveries. There was You have earned the credit of increased transparency. Hospitals in also a crying demand for qualified 5being the first expatriate India offer value-added services with female gynaecologists. There were no woman allowed to set up a pri - a customer-oriented approach. This hospitals and I used to travel door to vate hospital in the UAE. When is the basis of attraction for medical door, even for normal deliveries. and where was Zulekha tourists in India. As doctors, we had to handle every Healthcare established and why? kind of case and emergency in the I left the Kuwaiti Mission to open a How would you define OPD — be it a toothache, ear infec - clinic of my own in Sharjah in 1964 8success? tion, throat infection, trauma, fever, at the same place where the Zulekha I would say, in reality success is gynaecological or obstetrics emer - hospital is situated now. Before long, more of a journey than a destination, gencies... Other than OPD, I was also I realised that the society needed my and my journey continues. busy doing house calls, assisting services and I had a lot more respon - surgeons in major and minor surger - sibilities and commitment towards Who are your role ies and deliveries. I gained a lot of the UAE. One thing led to another, 9models? ‘I HAVE A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY’ experience in every field and was and the Zulekha Hospital, Sharjah, My parents are my role models. I only eager to learn more. was founded in 1992 on the philoso - belong to a very orthodox communi - phy: ‘Beyond technology, besides the ty, and in our times, educating girls When Dr. Zulekha Daud Why did you choose to be a doing anything. Their confidence In your opinion, how has specialists, something more is wasn't the norm. But it was the came to the UAE, it was a 1doctor? Please tell us made me what I am today. We got 4the role of women changed there...the magic of healing touch.’ persistence of my parents, especially something about yourself? opportunities to try out various in the medical profession in the The second Zulekha Hospital and my mother, which gave us this won - country without electricity After completing my schooling, it was sports, learn music, art, and, above last 50 years? the first in Dubai was opened on the derful opportunity. She always and basic medical facilities. evident to me that doctors had a spe - all, meet people. Women have played an important land offered free of cost by the taught us to take pride in being who cial role to play in society. That is As I finished my stint as a house role in healthcare since the Roman Government of Dubai in 2005, as a we were and told us there was noth - Five decades later, she is an what motivated me to become a doc - surgeon in general medicine — times. However, in the 14th century, recognition of three decades of serv - ing that girls couldn't do as equally inspiration for the medical tor. To me, each patient is a sacro - gynaecology and obstetrics — my the societal role of women began to ice to the people of the UAE. well as boys. She worked on us to do fraternity and the guiding sanct mission and every patient is a parents arranged my marriage to change, undermining their role in everything in a very methodical part of our extended family. My Dr. Iqbal Daud who is an accom - medicine. In the late 19th and early What do you think is the manner. force behind the Zulekha biggest reward is to see women hold - plished ophthalmologist. In 1962 he 20th century, the tides began to turn 6greatest invention in med - Small things, like good handwrit - Healthcare Group, which is ing their babies in their arms. I do not was offered a job at the Kuwaiti in favour of women, along with the ical science in recent times? ing, well-kept books and neatness care much about profitability. I am Mission Hospital. That is when we general women’s rights movement. Robotic Surgery, which is minimally mattered to her, and she would doing exceptional work in entrusted with a special responsibility left India. In Kuwait, I worked as a Pioneers such as Elizabeth Blackwell invasive and allows many complex never give up until we achieved healthcare in the UAE and try to give it my best. Today, the general practitioner for the Kuwaiti and Mary Stuart Fisher began extirpative and reconstructive some degree of perfection in Zulekha Healthcare Group has over Mission Hospital. paving the way for new ideas about procedures to be performed with whatever we had set out to do. 35 specialties and a team of more women’s role in the medical profes - minimal patient morbidity. The key than 200 specialist doctors. What were the ground real - sion. Their contributions to the benefits of this procedure include What are your 3ities when you first women’s rights movement have tiny wounds, less pain and a faster 10 hobbies? How was your life in India established your clinic in served as an inspiration for count - recovery. I do gardening. I also listen to music 2and how did it influence Sharjah in 1964? less others to follow their passion in — classical and light. I feel very you as a person and as a In the early 1960s when I came to medicine and the healing sciences. India is becoming popular relaxed when I listen to music. My medical practitioner? the UAE, it was a vast expanse of Guided by their knowledge and 7all over the world for med - favourite singers are Mohammad I had a lovely childhood and was desert without electricity or potable expertise, women like Marie Curie in ical tourism. What are your Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, brought up like a little treasure. My water. Medical facilities were rudi - science and Marie Stopes in medi - views about the corporatisation Hemant Kumar, K.L. Saigal and parents never discouraged me from mentary to say the least. I had men - cine, to name a few, have brought of India’s healthcare industry? Ghulam Ali.
16 India Matters| August 2011 August 2011 |India Matters 17 Introducing India’s
figures show the outstanding claims in private hands. It was tasked with energised LIC and bestowed more ratio under the death category at no the responsibility of reaching out to success on it than at any other time more than 2.20 percent and in the India’s vast population and providing in the past. In sheer numbers LIC maturity segment at an exemplary them with much needed protection. grew several percentage points. It low of 0.26 percent. The corporation has done a lot more continues to lead the life insurance LIC has a proud record of innova - than that. It has actually spearhead - sector with a 60.80 percent slice of tive products that find instant ed the financial and infrastructure the market pie in terms of first year acceptance and success. For exam - development of the nation. premiums and 70.50 percent in new ple, the Corporation’s Jeevan Aastha The year 1999 was a watershed policies issued (Source: IRDA) as at scheme, a close-ended, single-premi - year for the insurance industry in March 31, 2009. um plan sold about 1.84 million poli - India. In liberalising the economy cies collecting `106.6 billion (US$ even further the government opened PRODUCT 2.20 billion) in premiums in 45 days the insurance sector to private play - LIC has in its basket more than 50 of launch in the year 2009. ers by passing the Insurance products catering to the differing It is a remarkable achievement Regulatory and Development needs of varied segments of society. that not only has LIC continued to Authority (IRDA) Bill. This lifted all It has in its portfolio endowment maintain the trust of consumers dur - entry restrictions for private players assurance and money-back plans for ing the economic downturn but has and allowed foreign companies to those who prefer the security of life also been felicitated with several enter the market — albeit with a insurance and a lump sum after a awards. It was bestowed the cap on the extent of direct foreign specified interval to meet planned Readers’ Digest Trusted Brand ownership. financial obligations. It has unit- Platinum Award, in both 2008 and The liberalised Indian insurance linked plans to serve the needs of 2009, the CNBC Awaaz Consumer industry has completed ten years. those who wish to link their returns Award in 2009 and the Customer This decade seems to have to the capital market. It also offers and Brand Loyalty Award in unit-linked healthinsurance 2009. In the same year, LIC plans. emerged as the Top Brand The corporation’s pension in the Insurance Category plans and a wide range of in the survey conducted by children’s policies in addi - ACNielsen for Brand Equity. tion to Jeevan Saathi Plus In fact, Brand Equity rated (a joint life unit-linked LIC as the Most Trusted plan), come with options Service Brand, five years in called term riders and criti - a row. cal illness riders that offer In the recent past, too, greater flexibility to cus - its brand leadership has tomers. The double acci - been on evidence. In 2008, dent benefit, the disability MARKET ment’s sole public sector insurer — are in addition to its international for instance amongst sever - benefit and the term rider Today, a little over 20 percent of the Life Insurance Corporation of India operations. al awards, LIC was felicitat - are some of the riders. All total insurable population of India is (LIC) — defied all market odds and ed with the NDTV-Profit life insurance plans come covered under various life insurance actually grew during this quarter ACHIEVEMENTS Business Leadership award with substantial tax schemes. The penetration rate of which saw particularly harsh results During the 2008/09 financial year, as also the Asia Brand benefits. health and other non-life insurance is for the private insurance companies. LIC sold more than 35.9 million poli - Congress-Brand Leadership LIC offers life insurance also well below accepted interna - The IRDA figures show that of 22 cies generating a first year premium Award. Even in the field of protection under group poli - tional levels. The poor market condi - companies in the ring, only nine income of `530 billion (US$ 11 bil - technology, LIC’s innova - cies to organisations and tions of 2008 and 2009 have retard - increased new business premiums. lion) despite the global slowdown tions and practices were cooperatives. It provides, in ed the momentum that had been The business of LIC has grown (Source: IRDA). During this period, recognised when it won the addition, group insurance, gained. consistently and substantially over the corporation settled 577,000 NASSCOM Award for the group pension, group gratu - This sector was in the slow lane the years. Its more than one million death claims and 1.44 million matu - Best IT User. ity and social security during the first quarter of the agents form, perhaps, the largest rity claims. To its resounding credit, schemes and micro insur - 2009/10 fiscal year, registering a marketing force in the world. They the Corporation was able to settle HISTORY ance, which make available fall of 6.60 percent in gross reach out to people, often selling 97 percentof all maturity claims on The Life Insurance life insurance and other premium collections (Source: the concept of insurance and provid - or before the due date signing out Corporation of India came benefits at a much lower Insurance Regulatory and ing post-sales service to millions of `291.05 billion (US$ 6.10 billion) in into existence in 1956 fol - cost than traditional life Development Authority — IRDA). families across the country. LIC has settlement. Additionally, the corpora - lowing nationalisation of insurance schemes. LIC This dark cloud, however, was not a powerful network of 2048 branch - tion paid `56.06 billion (US$ 1.20 India’s insurance industry also offers: Janashree Bima bereft of a silver lining. The govern - es- and 807 satelliteoffices. These billion) in death claims. Current which had all through been Yojana for rural and urban
18 India Matters| August 2011 August 2011 |India Matters 19 poor ; Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana, a In addition, the corporation also Relationship Renewal Programme committee at every zonal office, as scheme for rural landless house - appointed 317 Senior Business and Relationship Reassurance well as at the central office to offer holds; and Jeevan Mangal and Associates and empowered 2,200 Programme. In addition to the corpo - an opportunity to claimants to Jeevan Madhur, both low-cost micro agents to collect premiums. In ration’s customer contact pro - appeal claims that have been reject - insurance plans for the poor. 2008/09 these agents collected grammes, LIC’s Loyalty Programme ed by the corporation. To ensure `1.46 billion (US$ 30.40 million) in and Gold Club now embrace six complete transparency and fairness RECENT DEVELOPMENTS renewal premiums while the former cities. to the aggrieved, these committees As part of its international expan - additionally discharged a cus - The Corporation operates a suc - include District Court as well as sion, the corporation has set up a tomeroriented function through the cessful Enterprise Document retired High Court judges. joint venture company in Saudi company’s online portal. Management System (EDMS) proj - Arabia — Saudi Indian Company for In a step aimed at new-age mar - ect wherein the customer and office BRAND VALUES Cooperative Insurance (SICCI). Its keting initiatives such as digital cam - records are digitalised. The objec - The larger social vision of the organi - representative office has recently paigning, LIC has started a new tives of the EDMS are to make sation – and its most enduring belief been opened in Singapore. direct marketing channel to generate redundant the physical transfer of — is to bring the benefits of the In 2008 LIC launched a new initia - business leads. Initially, operations documents and files and instantly financial sector and capital markets tive called Chief Life Insurance are being tried out in six centres. make records available to multiple to the common man so they can be Advisors (CLIA) designed to incen - users online. LIC is also working on beneficiary participants in the tivise senior agents. This group has PROMOTION the largest Data Warehouse imple - growth story India is delivering. In been identified and developed to LIC has an impressive network of mentation project wherein it is keeping with this broader goal, LIC, train and mentor new agents. The 2048 branch offices and 807 satel - developing a central repository of all through its subsidiaries — LIC response to this initiative has been lite offices. All the offices of the cor - masters and transactions for the Housing Finance and LIC Mutual so overwhelming that some 20,000 poration are fully computerised and entire Banking, Financial Services & Fund — operates loanand market- CLIAs brought over `11 billion crore networked. In order to reach out and Insurance (BFSI) sector. schemes designed to suit the aspira - (US$ 230 million) in premium within connect with existing clients and In order to enhance customer con - tions of India’s common man. one year against 1.1 million new potential customers, LIC ran two venience the corporation offers a www.licindia.com policies. winning campaigns — the number of gateways that policy hold -
THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT LIFE INSURANCE CORPORATION
n As at 31st March 2009, the Corporation had approximately 250 million policies in force n LIC has offices in fourteen countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, U.K., Fiji, Mauritius, Kenya, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Thailand n A brand new product, LIC Cards Services Limited, was launched on 30th March 2009 in associa - ers and potential customers can use facility is, of course, available only tion with Corporation Bank and for receiving information and making to those customers who have VISA International payments. availed of the net banking option n In 2008/09, LIC settled more They include the internet, elec - with participating banks. than 97 percent of all maturity tronic clearing service (ECS), ATMs LIC also operates a professional claims on or before their due date of Corporation Bank and AXIS Bank, grievance redressal mechanism. To n The corporation’s total investment online collection of premiums deal with complaints, the organisa - in government and social sector through AXIS Bank, payment tion has set up grievance cells at during 2008/09 was `5301.59 through SMS and customer zones. every level — branch, divisional, billion (US$ 110.40 billion) To avail of these online facilities, zonal and central. There is a cus - n Its second micro insurance policyholders are simply required to tomer relations manager at the divi - product, Jeevan Mangal was so register their policies on the corpo - sional level and a customer relations successful that on the day of rate web site, www.licindia.in, and executive at the branch to champion its launch 100,000 policies pay premiums by clicking on the the cause of aggrieved clients. were sold online premium payment tab. This Separately, there is a claims review
(Reproduced with the permission of Superbrands India Private Limited — copyright owners)
20 India Matters| August 2011 August 2011 |India Matters 21 Take a Quiz! The Indian Passport and Visa services, Take Home a handled by BLS International Services Prize! Their website is www.blsindiavisa-uae and for queries you may call 04-3594000
1. Considered as a sub-group of the Gonds, 6. Born in Longkao village of Manipur on The Passport and Visa Service Centres located at the premises of the Indian these tribes are found in the January 26, 1915, she joined the freedom geographically inaccessible areas of struggle at the age of 13. Arrested in 1932 Associations/Indian Social Centres in the different Emirates will continue Abujhmar mountains and Kutrumar Hills at the age of 16 and imprisoned for life, in the Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh. she was freed in 1947 after India gained to remain functional at their existing locations. Name this Indian tribe. freedom. Who was this charismatic leader? This magazine will accept contributions 2. Located near Srikakulam in Andhra 7. The Constitution of India came into force Locations of all Indian Passport and Visa Centres: from readers in the Pradesh, this is a shrine dedicated to the on 26 January, 1950. On that day, the form of Q&As, factoids, sun. 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Opp. Lulu Centre Al Ain Tel: 04-3594000 Indian Social Centre Al Saroj District ANSWERS TO THE LAST CONTEST Ajman Tel: 037221080 1. Brihadeswara Temple at Tanjavur in Tamil Nadul 2. The world’s highest cricket ground is in Chail, Himachal Pradesh 3. Varanasi Indian Association Ajman (I.A.A) 4. Lord Krishna 5. Chattisgarh 6. Jwalamukhi town in Kangra valley 7. Sri Aurobindo Ghosh 8. Lotus 9. Agra 10. The Grand Trunk Opposite Lulu Centre Road 11. Baijnath Temple Tel: 06-7474212
22 India Matters| August 2011 August 2011 |India Matters 23 EID MUBARAK
Devouts offering Eid ul-Fitr prayers at Jama Masjid in New Delhi on August 31, 2011. Muslims around the world celebrate Eid ul-Fitr to mark the end of the month of Rama ḍan, after the sighting of the new crescent moon. AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSAyANA
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