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Home , Rajpath, Republic Day, Republic Day (India)

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

February 1, 2011

I India RevieI w Vol. 7 Issue 2 www.indianembassy.org

(Top) IAF helicopters carrying the Tricolor and the Services Flags, during the Day -2011, at , in New on 26, 2011. (Above) The tableau of Assam passes through Rajpath at the Parade. India celebrates 62nd n The Indian economy n India’s exports jump n India’s forex is expected to grow 36.4 percent to $22.5 reserves increase by 8.6 percent this fiscal billion in Dec 2010, $3.4 billion to against 8 percent in the highest level in $297.41 billion for the previous year nearly three years week ended Jan 14 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in cooperation with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the Embassy of India, is holding a mega festival “ maximum INDIA”, showcasing Indian arts and culture, from March 1-20, 2011.

For details, please visit www.kennedy-center.org/programs/festivals/10-11/india Cover STORY India celebrates 62nd Republic Day

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Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Chief Guest at India’s 62nd Republic Day celebrations, Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Vice-President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the Republic Day parade in on January 26, 2011.

ndia on January 26 celebrated buildings near Rajpath. gious diversity was represented by folk its 62nd Republic Day, display - As a bright sun shone down on the artistes and dancers who came on ing its military might and vibrant city, the country’s cultural and reli - colorful tableaus. Martial music from I cultural diversity, a spectacle various military contingents — includ - witnessed by the country’s who’s who President Obama ing the ever popular Sare Jahan Se and tens of thousands of enthusiastic Achcha — filled the air. citizens on a grand in the greets India The tableaux unfolded a cultural heart of Delhi. resident Barack spectacle from various parts of India Among those who watched the PObama, in a mes - — from Jammu and Kashmir in the sage greeting the peo - parade at Rajpath with visible delight ple of India on the north to Kerala in the south. The was the Chief Guest Indonesian country’s 62nd Kashmir tableau showcased the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Republic Day, said that valley’s folk culture. President Pratibha Patil, their shared beliefs in The Central Public Works Commander-in-Chief of the armed the potential and dignity of every human Department float had giant flower forces, took the salute, as military and being had led the and India to sculptures of two tigers along with two paramilitary contingents marched make their relationship one of the defining cubs. The entire central boulevard down Rajpath during the 100-minute partnerships of the 21st century. “As we go resounded with the roar of the tiger. forward together, the enduring lessons of immaculate parade. The country’s Buddhist roots came this Republic Day can inspire us to seek a Before the parade began, Prime future of greater prosperity and opportunity alive on the Gujarat tableau. Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh paid for both our peoples,” Obama said. Schoolchildren put up colorful dances. tribute to the unknown soldier at the Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary The daredevil bikers from the Army’s memorial at India Clinton, in her message, said: “I look for - Corps of Signals displayed breath-tak - Gate, a monument. ward to my visit to India in April to advance ing formations on motorcycles, as tens As he reached the parade venue, our efforts during the next session of our of thousands watched in awe. several children came forward and Strategic Dialogue. I join President Obama The parade ended with a spectacular and the American people in congratulating shook hands with him. Helicopters fly past by the air force, with 28 aircraft the people of India as they celebrate the hovered in the sky at the parade venue 62nd anniversary of their Republic Day.” and helicopters staging stunning while sharpshooters were deployed on manoevres.

February 2011 India Review President’s ADDRESS Democracy must be reinforced: President

n her Address to the Nation on the eve of India’s 62nd Republic Day on January 25, President I Pratibha Devisingh Patil said, among other things, that the sustenance of democracy was central to the identity of India.

Excerpts from the President’s Address:

On the eve of our 62nd Republic Day, I extend my warmest greetings to all of you across the country and also to those living abroad. 26th January is a very significant date in our nation’s calendar, when we celebrate the estab - lishment of free India as a Republic based on the ideology of justice and President Pratibha Devisingh Patil addressing the nation on the eve of the 62nd Republic Day, in equality. For our achievements, the New Delhi on January 25, 2011. foremost credit goes to the drive and the dedicated hard work of millions of men and women of our country. We We are the inheritors of the ideals and values of one of are witness to the increasing influence of India and its steady economic the world’s oldest civilizations, which has bequeathed to growth that has brought prosperity to us a rich treasure of human experiences and thought... an increasing number of people. — President Pratibha Devisingh Patil We are fortunate that we are the inheritors of the ideals and values of one of the world’s oldest civilizations, cal national goals. Among such goals, nomic, administrative and political which has bequeathed to us a rich eradication of poverty, empowerment activities to be carried out on the basis treasure of human experiences and of women, access to quality education of values and social justice. I reiterate thought. The concept of the human and affordable health facilities are the importance of integrity, and race being one, the importance of liv - essential for building human resources. honesty, which our culture teaches us. ing in harmony with each other and Among our remarkable accomplish - We are seeking good governance with nature, the quest for knowledge ments has been an unwavering adher - and a people-centric administration. and truth, find prominence in our age ence to democracy. The people of For the success of welfare schemes, old culture. These ideas provided India have expressed their confidence developmental funds must reach the inspiration for our freedom movement by participating time and again in elec - intended beneficiaries. Corruption is and after our independence found a toral processes. We must not only rein - the enemy of development and of good ready resonance in our . force democratic institutions and governance. Financial institutions As citizens, each one of us, therefore, processes, but refrain from any action, must uphold high standards of probity has a duty and a responsibility to taken wittingly or unwittingly, that in their working. 4 demonstrate, that these principles have dilutes or is detrimental to democracy. The Green Revolution which made given to us the motivation and the The of the country is the our nation self-sufficient in foodgrains strength to build our great nation. repository of the sovereign will of the has run its course. We need a Second What we do in this coming decade in people, and its successful functioning Green Revolution that maximizes pro - terms of leveraging our advantages and is a joint responsibility of both the ductivity, and yet generates employ - addressing our shortcomings, will Government and the Opposition. It is ment opportunities for the rural popu - shape the destiny of the nation. important that the decorum and digni - lation. The First Green Revolution was Wherever course correction is ty of the House is upheld at all times. almost confined to irrigated areas. required, it must be undertaken In my first address to the nation on Now, we should focus on rain-fed unhesitatingly and with urgency. There the eve of Republic Day in 2008, I had areas which could become the cradle should be national consensus on criti - spoken on the need for social, eco - for the Second Green Revolution.”

February 2011 India Review Pravasi Bharatiya DIVAS NEW DELHI HOSTS 9TH PBD ndia’s annual convention to connect with its 27-million strong diaspora in over 150 Icountries concluded on January 9 with President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil honoring 14 individu - als for their achievements and for enhancing India’s image globally. The 5 awardees of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman included New Zealand Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand and the Indian Community Benevolent Forum in Qatar, who were formally honored on the day India’s best-known global Indian, , returned to India in 1915. “Overseas Indians are recognized globally as the ‘knowledge diaspora’. Your skills and expertise will be vital inputs for India’s progress and inclu - Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh (center) lights a lamp as Chief Guest Governor-General of New Zealand Anand Satyanand (left) and Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi (right) look on sive growth,” President Patil told the during the opening ceremony of the Ninth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New Delhi on January 8, 2011. 1,500 delegates from 51 countries who attended the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bharatiya Kendra and hoped it would who migrated to distant lands thou - New Delhi. “I hope we will see a rapid fulfil its envisaged role of becoming a sands of miles away over the past few increase in the number, size and scope focal point for engagement between centuries have never forgotten their of activities in India by our overseas India and its vast diaspora. roots. “The 27-million diaspora, the Indians. I am sure we will also see The focus of this year’s event was on second largest expatriate community in these initiatives evolving into more the eight North Eastern states — the world, can give a powerful support comprehensive projects with signifi - Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, to India in its onward path toward cant impact on many lives,” she said. Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, development.” “India would like to measure these Tripura and Sikkim. Minister for Overseas Indian projects not in terms of monetary con - In his address, Sir Anand, the Chief Affairs Vayalar Ravi welcomed profes - tributions made by members of the Guest, said people of Indian origin sionals and entrepreneurs in every diaspora, but in terms of human lives field — from healthcare and educa - touched and improved by them,” the Prime Minister tion to research and commerce — to President added. She announced that participate in and benefit from India’s the next mini-Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Dr. Manmohan Singh progress. “I urge all of you to partici - would be held in Toronto. announced that India pate and discover areas of common Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan would merge the two interest and engagement. I especially Singh, who inaugurated PBD-2011 on call on our young overseas Indians to January 8, announced that India would visa facilitation cards participate with enthusiasm,” Ravi merge the two visa facilitation cards issued to People of told the gathering at the Vigyan issued to People of Indian Origin and Indian Origin and enrol Bhavan convention center in New enrol non-resident Indians to help Delhi. them vote in elections. non-resident Indians The key speakers at the event He also announced setting up of to help them vote in included Finance Minister Pranab India cultural centers in five more elections. He also Mukherjee, Gujarat Chief Minister countries to project the country’s soft Narendra Modi, Haryana Chief power and provide a global footprint to announced setting up Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, its rich diversity which he said was of India cultural Michigan Business School’s Gautam “making waves” around the world. centers in five Ahuja, and Advisor to Prime Minister That apart, he also unveiled the on Public Information, Infrastructure foundation stone for the Pravasi more countries and Innovations Sam Pitroda.

February 2011 India Review Pravasi Bharatiya DIVAS

PM’S SPEECH ‘India’s soft power is an important element in our expanding global footprint’

Excerpts from the PM’s Address: Minister Dr. Najib. I felt very proud recently reviewed the functioning of when leaders of these countries praised these schemes, and have decided to am very happy to join you once and appreciated the role of Indian merge the OCI and PIO cards into a again in this wonderful annual communities in their nation-building single facility. homecoming of Pravasi efforts and processes. This year the North Eastern States IBharatiyas. I extend a very warm India’s soft power is an increasingly of India are the partner States for the welcome to each one of you. important element in our expanding Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. I represent the I extend a very special welcome to global footprint. This is a matter which beautiful state Assam in Parliament His Excellency the Right Honorable came up at the Prime Minister’s and I know what boundless potential Sir Anand Satyanand, the Governor Advisory Council and several distin - the North Eastern region has to con - General of New Zealand, who is our guished members led emphasis on the tribute to our nation building given the honored Chief Guest this year. He has more effective use of India’s soft right opportunities. I am glad that the taken keen interest in revitalizing rela - power. The has Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs is tions between India and New Zealand. decided to establish new Indian cultur - planning to initiate a ‘skills initiative’ I also take this opportunity to pay al centers in US, Canada, Saudi for overseas employment of people tribute to the memory of Professor Arabia, and Australia. I urge the from the North Eastern region. C.K. Prahalad, one of the foremost Indian communities in these countries Since we met last year, we have management gurus of our time. We to support and patronize these centers. enacted a law which has accorded honor Professor Prahalad by dedicat - To improve the conditions for migra - Non-Resident citizens the right to reg - ing the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas tion overseas, we have signed Social ister themselves in the electoral rolls of Oration to his memory this year. Security Agreements with twelve coun - their constituencies. Our government The year gone by has been a busy tries and finalized Labor Mobility is framing appropriate procedures to year for Indian diplomacy. We had the Partnerships with two others. We are give effect to this new legal provision honor of receiving leaders from all negotiating an arrangement with the which will give NRIs their legitimate countries which are permanent mem - European Union. I take this opportu - right to participate in the country’s bers of the UN Security Council in nity to commend the efforts of my col - electoral processes. India. The world expects India to play league Mr. Vayalar Ravi in this matter. In the last two quarters, our growth a more important role in the manage - Our Government had introduced the rate of Indian economy has been 8.9 ment of global polity and economy. Overseas Citizen of India card and the percent and we expect that for the Our contributions, whether in the G20 People of Indian Origin card to facili - entire year it will be around 8.5 per - or in the Climate Change conference tate visa-free travel to India as well as cent. We expect that from the next year held recently in Cancun, were to provide the rights of residency and onwards we will be able to grow at a noteworthy. participation in business and educa - rate between 9-10 percent. We have this year become a member tional activities in India. We have We hope to use the wisdom, experi - of the United Nations Security Council ence and resources of the global Indian for a period of two years. We will play The world expects community to develop a world-class 6 our due and commensurate role in India to play a more education system, particularly in the international bodies and we will seek to important role in the field of higher education. promote what is good for India and In conclusion, I wish to say that I am good for the world at large. management of global very happy to inaugurate today the Last year, I had the opportunity of polity and economy. Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra which we visiting many countries with large Our contributions, hope will become a focal point for Indian communities, to renew our interaction, for exchange, for facilita - contacts and bonds of affections. I vis - whether in the G20 or tion and for advocacy for the NRI ited Saudi Arabia, Canada and in the Climate Change community. Malaysia. In Malaysia I had the privi - conference in Cancun, With these words, I wish you suc - lege of inaugurating the Little India cess, prosperity and fulfillment in all district in Kuala Lumpur with Prime were noteworthy your endeavors in the year ahead.

February 2011 India Review Bilateral EXERCISE and US Navy Divers Exercise Specialist Salvage Techniques in Salvex The aim of the exercise was to strengthen the capability in niche techniques associated with diving and salvage

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ivers of the Indian and 2011. INS Nireekshak , the diving techniques associated with diving and American Navies recently tender of the Indian Navy, and USS salvage. D took part in a Joint Salvage Safeguard , a specialized salvage ship, During the seven-day exercise, Exercise off Port Blair in the Andaman participated in the exercise. various specialist salvage techniques Sea. The Salvage Exercises (SALVEX) The aim of the exercise was to were practiced jointly by the Indian were conducted from January 5 to 12, strengthen the capabilities in niche Navy and US Navy divers.

February 2011 India Review Bilateral RELATIONS ‘Close cooperation between our nations will continue’ s co-chairs of the India Caucus in the United States Senate, we extend our best A wishes to all those who are celebrating India’s Republic Day. This day is a national in India, as well as a day of special pride for the vibrant Indian-American community here in the U.S., including in our home states of Texas and Virginia. When the came into force on this day in 1950, it real - ized the hopes of hundreds of millions of people who had suffered for inde - pendence and freedom, and set an example for the entire world. Never US Senator Mark Warner (left) greets Arun Kumar Singh, Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian embassy, before had such a large and diverse Washington DC nation committed itself to democratic US Congress approved in 2008. government under the rule of law. President Barack Obama honored Never before had a nation demonstrat - Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan ed so clearly that freedom was not a Singh with the first state dinner of his European or western idea, but the JOHN presidency, and when he visited India universal desire of every human heart. himself last November, he pledged Today, India and the US share not CORNYN America’s support for a permanent only fundamental constitutional princi - Indian seat on the United Nations ples, but also a common approach to Security Council. the challenges and opportunities of the Each of us has visited India in recent 21st century. For example, we recog - years and seen for ourselves why so nize that trade, investment, and the MARK many Americans value our deepening entrepreneurial spirit are the best ways relationship with the world’s largest to create jobs in the modern global WARNER democracy. We have seen the wonders economy. Indian exports of goods to since then, including during the 2008 of its ancient civilization, of which America grew by nearly 40 percent attacks in Mumbai. Indians and Indians are rightly proud. over the five years ending in 2009, and Americans recognize that terrorist We have witnessed the energy of its American goods exports to India grew groups like Al Qaeda and Lashkar-e- modern economy, which is by nearly 170 percent as well. Our Tayiba threaten the lives of the inno - contributing to global prosperity. We growing bilateral trade is creating cent as well as the principles of democ - share a determination to strengthen the greater opportunity in both our racy and pluralism on which our two relationship between our two nations 8 nations, and it’s especially encouraging nations were founded. however we can, and we wish all our to see our trade rebounding after the The people of India can be confident friends in India a most memorable shock of the global financial crisis. that the close cooperation between our Republic Day. India and the U.S. have also devel - two nations will continue, because it oped a very close working relationship has broad bipartisan support in (Courtesy: India Abroad . US Senators to fight terrorism. Months after terror - America. Under President George W John Cornyn and Mark Warner wrote ists killed nearly 3,000 Americans Bush, our two nations developed a this article on the occasion of India’s September 11, 2001, extremists strategic partnership that represented Republic Day, January 26 and it was attacked the Indian parliament build - the closest relationship our two nations originally published in India Abroad of ing in New Delhi. Our two nations had ever shared, culminating in a new February 4, 2011. It is reprinted here have cooperated much more closely era in civil nuclear cooperation that the with the permission of India Abroad .)

February 2011 India Review Embassy EVENTS

EMBASSY CELEBRATES REPUBLIC DAY 2011 he Republic Day 2011 cele - around 200 Indians and people of Embassy Residence on the occasion brations were held at the Indian origin. The Ambassador read of the Republic Day. Under Embassy on January 26. out the President’s Address to the Secretary of State for Political Affairs T Ambassador Meera Nation delivered on the eve of the William Burns conveyed the greet - Shankar unfurled the National Flag Republic Day. ings and felicitations of the U.S. in the presence of a gathering of This was followed by singing of Government and emphasized the patriotic songs in different Indian importance of the growing strategic languages. In the evening, the partnership between India and the Ambassador hosted a reception at the United States. 9

Ambassador Meera Shankar unfurling the tricolor Ambassador Meera Shankar reading out the Rashmi Sanan recites a self-composed patriotic at the Republic Day 2011 celebrations at the President’s Address to the Nation at the poem. Embassy. Republic Day function on January 26.

Debapriya Dutta, Arpita M. Gogoi, Alka Batra and Ayona Dutta singing A cross-section of the audience. patriotic songs.

Ambassador Meera Shankar welcomes guests at the Republic Day U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns addresses reception hosted at the Embassy Residence. guests at the Embassy Residence as Ambassador Meera Shankar looks on.

February 2011 India Review Embassy EVENTS BRIEFING ON ‘CONTEMPORARY INDIA’ BY ANAND GIRIDHARADAS

Anand Giridharadas, author of “India Calling: An Intimate Portrait of a Nation’s Remaking” giving his views on contemporary social and economic developments in India, at the Embassy on January 13. The event was co-hosted by the Embassy and Asia Society, Washington DC.

A section of the audience. Ambassador Meera Shankar addressing the guests.

BRIEFING ON THE LIFE AND WORKS OF TAGORE

Artistes from the ‘Ambassador Theater International Cultural Center’ present a preview of a play based on Rabindranath Tagore’s “Karna and Kunti”.

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Srimati Kamala, the Founding Director of the Gandhi Memorial Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and President of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Foundation, spoke on the life and works of Rabindranath Tagore at the Embassy on January 24. A cross-section of the audience.

February 2011 India Review Consulate EVENTS REPuBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS IN HOuSTON

o celebrate India’s 62nd Republic India Fair 2011: On January 29, the India the India Fest 2011. The theme was: “India – Day, Consul-General Sanjiv Arora Culture Center, the oldest among major Peace, Progress, Prosperity”. Congressman Al hosted two functions — a Flag Indian-American community fora in Greater Green, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, and T Hoisting ceremony at his residence Houston, invited the CG as the Chief Guest at other elected representatives participated. and a reception at Hilton Houston Post Oak. Flag Hoisting: The function was attended by a large gathering, representing the Indian- American community in Greater Houston and neighboring cities. After the Tricolor was unfurled, students of the Swaralayam Arts 11 Forum (SAF) sang the National Anthem. This was followed by patriotic songs rendered by Dr. Rathna Kumar, Director, Anjali Arts Center Consul-General Sanjiv Arora reading the Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee presenting (AAC), Houston, and her colleague President’s Address to the Nation on the eve of a Certificate of Congressional Recognition to Mr. Venugopal, and SAF students. the 62nd Republic Day at his residence. Consul-General Sanjiv Arora. Republic Day Reception: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was the Chief Guest at this event attended by over 400 invitees from Texas and outside. The program began with Sunil Gadgil, a doctoral student of saxophone at the renowned Butler School of Music at University of Texas, Austin, playing the National Anthems of India and the United States on the saxophone. This was followed by the CG’s welcome remark and cultural Consul-General Sanjiv Arora and Mrs. Chhaya The India Culture Center (ICC), in cooperation Arora (center) along with (l to r): with the Consulate General of India, Houston, performances. Mr. Venugopal, Anjali Arts Center (AAC), and others, organized the India Fest 2011. In In her remarks, Congresswoman Jackson Ms. Rajeshwari, co-Director, Swaralayam Arts the photo, Consul-General Sanjiv Arora, the Lee highlighted the strong bonds of Forum, Dr. Rathna Kumar, Director, AAC, and Chief Guest, is seen with recipients of ICC friendship and growing cooperation between Mr. Ravi Iyer, Director, SAF, at the Flag Hoisting Awards for public service in the field of medi - India and the United States. function at the CG’s residence. cine, and some of the organizers of the event.

MAHATMA GANDHI PuNYA TITHI HOMAGE TO MAHATMA GANDHI

The Mahatma he Consulate-General of India, New York, in association with the Gandhi Library, Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, USA, observed the 63rd anniversary of along with the Consulate-General T Mahatma Gandhi’s Punya Tithi on January 30 at the New India of India, Houston, House. About 80 invitees attended the function. The Consul-General touched marked Gandhi’s upon the different aspects of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy. The program death anniversary on January 30 as was followed by the rendition of Gandhiji’s favorite bhajans by Mrs. Sanjukta Shraddhanjali Divas. Sen and students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. The program concluded with a Gandhi’s statue was vote of thanks by Kenny Desai, Secretary of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. garlanded at the Hermann Park by Consul-General Sanjiv Arora.

The bust of Mahatma Gandhi being garlanded by Consul-General of India, Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, Chairman of Bharatiya Bhavan, Consul-General Sanjiv Arora giving the H.R. Shah, Dr. Navin Mehta, Trustee of keynote address at a function at Unity Church Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and Dr. Najma Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite bhajans being sung of Christianity. The CG presented books on Sultana, Board Member, American Federation by Sanjukta Sen and students of the Bharatiya Gandhiji to the Mahatma Gandhi Library. of Muslims from India. Vidya Bhavan. Books were also presented to children.

February 2011 India Review Economy NEWS INdIaN ecoNoMy to exPaNd 8.6 Pc thIS fIScal he Indian economy is expect - T.C.A. Anant, Chief Statistician of ed to grow 8.6 percent this India, said in New Delhi. “Principally, fiscal against 8 percent in the 8.9 percent data was based on what we T previous year, led by 11 had projected last year. Now, the base percent growth in services, 5.4 percent for the previous year has slightly gone in agriculture and 8.8 percent in facto - up. So the real growth during the first ry output, the country’s Chief two quarters will be lower,” said Anant, Statistician said on February 7, 2011. GDP at factor cost at constant 2004- adding that the growth during the first As per fresh estimates released by the 05 prices is likely to reach `4,879,232 half of this fiscal was likely to be revised Central Statistical Organization crore (over $1,072 billion) in fiscal downward to 8.5-8.6 percent. (CSO), the gross domestic product 2010-11, as against the quick estimate A significant turnaround is seen in (GDP) expanded by 8 percent last of `4,493,743 crore ($991 billion) farm output this fiscal. The agricultur - fiscal and 6.8 percent in 2008-09. The during the previous fiscal. Economic al, forestry and fishing sectors are latest estimate for the current fiscal is growth for the first half of this fiscal is likely to show a growth of 5.4 percent also higher than the 8.5 percent fore - likely to be revised downwards from in 2010-11 as against 0.4 percent in cast by the central bank. The country’s 8.9 percent provisional estimate, the previous fiscal.

PM unveils mobile PM announces hike in rural wages number portability rime Minister Dr. He said the scheme was a rime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Manmohan “major step by his govern - PJanuary 20 unveiled a new scheme that P Singh on ment to fulfil Mahatma would permit mobile phone users to change February 2 said that Gandhi’s dream of their service providers without having to wages would be hiked alleviating poverty”. forgo their numbers in what in industry under the Mahatma The employment jargon is called mobile number portability. The Prime Minister launched the scheme Gandhi National Rural scheme is being imple - by making the first call from one such Employment Guarantee mented under the number to Communications Minister Kapil Plan (MGNREGP) to Mahatma Gandhi Sibal, at the Vigyan Bhavan official conven - offset inflation. National Rural tion center in New Delhi. “It is believed that “We have decided to hike the wages Employment Guarantee Act (MGN - mobile number portability, besides enabling as per the rise in consumer price index. REGA), which aims at enhancing the a subscriber to change operators without This will raise the wages by 17 to 30 livelihood security of people in rural losing his or her original number, will also percent,” Dr. Singh said at a function areas by guaranteeing 100 days of trigger competition,” said the Prime Minister. “The telecom service provider will to mark the fifth anniversary of the wage-employment in a financial year seek to improve the range and quality of iconic scheme. to rural households whose adult their services in order to retain their existing Prime Minister Singh said that a members are seeking employment. subscribers,” he added. substantial section of the beneficiaries The scheme achieves the twin objec - India currently has over 700 million of the MGNREGP were the economi - tives of rural development and employ - mobile phone users, and is adding 15-18 cally weaker sections of society ment. It stipulates that works must be million new mobile phone connections to and women. The scheme has been able targeted towards a set of specific rural the network every month. to boost the rural economy, he added. development activities. 12 National broadband plan framework by fiscal end: Sibal ommunications Minister fiscal,” Sibal said on the side - need for finalization of the broadband plan, Kapil Sibal on January lines of a roundtable meeting including the strategy for the roll-out of opti - C 19 said the framework on the issue with cal fiber. for the National Broadband stakeholders. The NBP will The National Broadband Plan, including Plan (NBP) would be ready by connect 160 million Indian the Optical Fiber Network, as a national the end of this fiscal. households with high-speed resource would be equitably available to all “The framework for the internet connections by 2014. stakeholders concerned for providing National Broadband Plan will During the meeting, Sibal broadband services in a non-discriminatory be finalized by the end of this emphasized on the urgent manner, he added.

February 2011 India Review Economy NEWS core industries grew 6.6 percent in dec 2010 ix industries, with significant weigh - month under review, while crude oil produc - tage in India’s index of industrial out - tion rose 15.8 percent and production of petro - put, grew at a rate of 6.6 percent in leum refining products went up by 8.3 percent. S December 2010, compared to 6.2 Coal mining grew by 3 percent in December, percent in the period the year ago, according to but cement production dipped by 2.2 percent. official data released on January 31. The index In the current fiscal till December, the six of six core industries, with 26.7 percent weigh - core industries registered a growth of 5.3 tage in the index of industrial production, is a percent against 4.7 percent during the barometer for measuring infrastructure build - corresponding period of the 2009-10. 13 ing in the country. India has ambitious investment plans to improve its infra - Electricity generation, the largest constituent of the index structure — a key area cited by investors and domestic busi - of six core industries, registered a growth of 4.3 percent in nesses and economists. December compared to a growth rate of 6.6 The country expects to invest about $500 billion by the percent in December 2009. Steel, the second biggest sector end of the current five-year plan (March 2012) and double in the index, saw output increasing by 11.2 percent in the it to $1 trillion for the next Five Year Plan. India’s exports rise 36.4 percent India’s forex reserves in december, imports decline rise $3.4 billion

ndia’s exports rowing monthly trade jumped 36.4 percent deficit to $2.63 billion. I to $22.5 billion in Cumulative value of December, the highest imports for the period level in nearly three years, April-December 2010 while imports declined weighed in at $246.72 11.1 percent to $25.13 billion, accord - billion as against $207.31 billion dur - ing to official data released on ing the same period the previous year, February 1. registering a growth of 19.01 percent, Cumulative value of exports for the the Ministry of Commerce and ndia’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves period April-December 2010 stood at Industry said. Total trade deficit during I rose by $3.4 billion to $297.41 $164.70 billion as against $127.18 the first three quarters of the current billion for the week ended January 14 on billion during the same period a year fiscal rose to $82.02 billion from the back of the rise in the value of foreign ago, registering a growth of 29.5 $80.13 billion during the same period currency assets. percent. Imports declined 11.1 percent last year. Oil imports declined 16 per - The foreign currency assets, the biggest to $25.13 billion in December, nar - cent to $6.92 billion in December. component of the forex reserves kitty, rose by $3.30 billion to $267.86 billion during the week under review from $264.56 billion in the previous week, according to the India’s mobile phone users grow weekly statistical supplement of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). to 729.57 million The foreign currency assets expressed in U.S. dollar terms include the effect of ndia added 22.88 million mobile lion in the previous month. With this, appreciation or depreciation of non-U.S. phone subscribers in November, the total telephone subscriber base in currencies such as British pound sterling, taking the total number of the country, both wireless and euro and Japanese yen held in reserves. I The value of Special Drawing Rights cellular users to 729.57 million wireline, touched 764.76 mil - (SDRs) increased by $73 million to $5.10 till November 30, 2010, official lion. The total telephone billion and reserves with the International data revealed on January 25. density reached 64.34 percent. Monetary Fund rose by $28 According to the Telecom According to the data, the million to $1.98 billion for the week ended Regulatory Authority of India, broadband subscriber base January 14. However, the value of gold the wireless phone user base grew 1.80 percent from 10.52 reserves remained unchanged at $22.47 grew 3.24 percent to 729.57 million in million in 2010 to 10.71 billion. November last year, from 706.69 mil - million in November 2010.

February 2011 India Review Economy NEWS PoSco’S $12B orISSa Project okayed ndia’s Ministry of Environment clearance to the captive minor port. on January 31 gave conditional “Undoubtedly, projects like Posco have clearance to South Korean steel considerable economic, technological I major Posco’s $12 billion project and strategic significance for the coun - in Orissa, the biggest foreign direct try, but at the same time, laws on envi - investment in the country. The Orissa ronment and forests must be imple - government welcomed the move. mented,” said Environment Minister Posco wants to set up an integrated Jairam Ramesh. steel, mining and port project. The On the issue of transfer of land for project also comprises a captive power the project, coming up in coastal plant to provide electricity to the pro - Jagatsinghpur district, about 100 km posed steel plant. from the state capital Bhubaneswar, the The Ministry, in its 50-page order, Ministry has asked the state govern - imposed 28 additional conditions as part of the environ - ment for a categorical assurance that no traditional forest mental clearance for the steel-cum-captive power plant, and dwellers were dependent on, or cultivating land in the Posco stipulated 32 conditions while according environmental project area. aditya Birla Group to buy Indian automobile firms close columbian chemicals 2010 with stellar sales figures rompted by a growing economy, increasing disposable he Aditya Birla group will buy US carbon black incomes and low interest rates, Indian automobile manufac - maker Columbian Chemicals Company (CCC) for P turers have reported T $875 million, group chairman Kumar Mangalam stellar sales figures for the Birla told the media on January 31. calender year 2010. The acquisition will make the AV Birla Group the world’s Chennai-based car manufac - largest producer of the commodity that is used to improve turer Hyundai Motor India, the the durability of tires, country’s second-largest car paints and plastics. manufacturer, saw its domestic sales grow by 23.1 percent, The transaction, to be while exports saw a downslide completed in six months, of 8.5 percent, a company will yield an estimated official said. gain of $50 million a year The company logged a cumulative growth of 7.8 percent in 2010, by exploiting sourcing selling 603,819 units (domestic 356,717, exports 247,102) as against and economies of scale 559,880 units (289,863 and 270,017 respectively) in 2009. made possible by the “The year 2010 has been positive for the industry and Hyundai combined capacity, Birla Motors. For the first time since inception, we clocked record cumula - tive sales of over 600,000 units,” said Arvind Saxena, Director of said. He, however, said Marketing and Sales. that the Birla group had decided to drop its plans of acquir - The segment-wise cumulative sales in December 2010 are as fol - ing the world’s second-biggest carbon black maker Evonik, lows: A2 segment (Santro, i10 and i20) 42,397 units; A3 segment now that the Columbian deal had come through. Should (Accent and Verna Transform) 4,708; A5 segment (Sonata Transform) Cabot Corporation, the world leader in carbon black, now 21; and sports utility vehicle segment (Santa Fe) 102 units. 14 acquire Evonik, it will again surpass the Birla group’s On the other hand, Ford India closed 2010 selling 83,887 units, up capacity. The headline figure of $875 million includes the from 29,488 units sold in 2009. During 2010, Ford India sold more target company’s debt of $450 million. The $8.5 billion than 60,000 units of its compact car Figo since its launch in March. “This has been an outstanding year for Ford in India with nearly diversified Birla group’s carbon black firms in Thailand and triple-digit growth rates,” said Michael Boneham, President and and an investment arm in will execute the Managing Director. deal. “The Group has been amongst the lowest cost pro - Meanwhile, General Motors India, too, reported good sales figures ducer of carbon black. CCC’s dominance in the R&D with a 59 percent growth in sales for 2010, which stood at 110,804 space will make the group least affected, if there is any units as against 69,579 units in 2009. downturn in the industry,” said Birla. For December, the company said its sales figures stood at 8,468 The acquisition will also expand the group’s global spread units as against 8,258 units sold in the corresponding month of 2009. to North America, Canada, , and .

February 2011 India Review Economy NEWS

INdIGo to Buy 180 aIrBuS ‘It sector to grow by 25-26 percent annually’ aIrcraft for $15 BIllIoN icking up after being adversely hit by Pthe global slowdown, India’s ndia’s leading low cost carrier Information Technology sector is perform - (LCC) IndiGo on January 12 ing well and would experience an annual signed a deal worth $15 billion growth of 25-26 percent, Infosys with European aircraft manu - Technologies Founder-Chairman N.R. I Narayana Murthy said in on facturer Airbus for buying 180 A320 January 23. 15 aircraft, the biggest ever order for large “Under the current circumstances, it is jets in global aviation history. “IndiGo has signed a memorandum of understanding for 180 eco-efficient Airbus A320 aircraft of which 150 will eco-friendly and cost efficient version be the neo option and 30 will be of A320 known as ‘neo’. standard A320s,” a company state - According to the company, the order ment said. confirmed the fact that the Indian avi - This is the largest single firm order ation scenario had grown by leaps and for a large jet type in commercial bounds over the years. aviation history of the world. “The The company feels that the order of order is the largest ever for a single- the newer version of the jet aircraft performing well,” Narayana Murthy told aisle aircraft which is a large aircraft would translate into cost savings and mediapersons. type. Out of 180 Airbus A320 aircraft, better operating margins. “This order “Overall, things are fine. Our annualized 150 will be of the neo type, while 30 for leading fuel efficient aircraft will growth will be 25-26 percent, and that is will be standard,” a senior official of allow IndiGo to continue to offer low pretty good,” he said. “The sector draws a revenue of the company said. fares,” said Rahul Bhatia, Group $5 billion, and if we can grow at 25 The company would be one of the Managing Director of InterGlobe percent, that’s not bad,” he said. first carriers in the world to operate the Enterprises. chennai Port capacity to haryana to reserve 10 percent be expanded with $2b wenty-nine projects involving an outlay industrial plots for NrIs Tof around `100 billion (around $2 billion) would be implemented in a phased here’s good news for NRIs has scripted a success story in indus - manner to expand the capacity of Chennai wanting to invest in the north - trial investment in the last three to Port, federal Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan T ern Indian state of Haryana. four decades. The state’s industrial said in Chennai on January 19. The state has decided to reserve up to bases in , Manesar, Laying the foundation stone for the $131 10 percent of industrial plots or sheds , Panipat, Kundli and other million Chennai Port-Ennore connectivity for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and places are well-known. Some big road project, Minister Vasan said: “Most of the proposed investments will be by the Persons of Indian origin (PIO). names, such as Maruti-Suzuki, Hero private sector. The investments will be in Industrial units with 33 percent or Honda and several others, have connectivity projects and setting up more foreign direct investment (FDI) invested in the state. container terminals.” can also avail of the benefit of reser - In the case of FDI projects, at least According to the Minister, the capacity of vation of industrial plots, a spokesper - 33 percent of the project cost should the Chennai Port would increase to 140 mil - son of the Haryana State Industrial come from the FDI route. However, lion tonnes per annum (mtpa) — up from and Infrastructure Development the 10 percent limit would not pre - the current 51 mtpa — once the projects Corporation said in Chandigarh on clude allotment of plots in the FDI are commissioned over the next 10 years. Speaking about the Chennai Port-Ennore January 10. “In the case of NRI plots, category as part of the general scheme road project, he said it would be completed the entire amount toward the price of of allotment, he added. The in two years with the National Highways the plot would have to be remitted spokesperson said preferential allot - Authority of India contributing $55 million, through the Non-resident External ment of up to two percent of industri - the Chennai Port Trust $55 million, the Rupee (NRE) Account of the appli - al plots or sheds in each industrial Tamil Nadu government about $13 million cant or in remittances from abroad or estate had been prescribed for people and Ennore Port Limited $9 million. foreign exchange,” he said. Haryana with disabilities.

February 2011 India Review Science NEWS IAF plans to leapfrog into networked force

he (IAF) is currently modernising in a way that will propel it from a T second-generation system to a fourth-generation network-centric force within this decade, a senior offi - cial said in New Delhi on January 21. “There is going to be a shift in para - digm in the way we operate, in what we were used to during most part of the century. We will take the better part of a decade to complete the moderniza - tion process,” IAF Assistant Chief (Space) Air Vice Marshal M. Matheswaran said. The IAF show - cased the modernization process it is diers, enables quicker decisions by had launched the Air Force Net com - going through to put in place a net - ensuring comprehensive battlefield sit - munication network, which would be worked air force in its January 26 uational awareness, he said. the backbone of the IACCS. Republic Day parade tableau, depict - Matheswaran said the IAF had Moreover, the Air Force was in the ing a Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet integrat - launched in early 2009 a pilot project process of upgrading all its fighter jets ed into the communication system of to study how its network-centric oper - to integrate the new communication an airborne early warning and control ations systems would work. “We have systems in place to make them system (AWACS) that the IAF had completed about 75 percent of the network-centric compliant. acquired last year. project and we will complete it by the “All operational aircraft in the IAF Matheswaran said the IAF would, middle of this year,” he said. from the second half of this decade to during the course of this moderniza - Matheswaran also indicated that the the next four decades will be network - tion process, “leapfrog” from a sec - IAF would soon complete its centric operations-capable,” Mathes- ond-generation system to fourth-gen - Integrated Air Command and Control waran said. However, older aircraft eration network-centricity. System (IACCS) under which all the like the Soviet-era MiG-21 and MiG- Network centricity, riding on a Air Force’s air defense radars and aer - 27 that were in the process of being robust communication platform to ial radars woud be fully networked. phased out would not go through the interlink commanders and foot sol - Only last year, he pointed out, the IAF upgrade, he added.

ISRO to launch satellites to Boost for Indian Navy’s strike ability boost transponder capacity he Indian Navy fighter jets for extend - o make up for the loss of two commu - on January 20 ing their operational Tnication satellites in 2010 and some T commissioned range. going out of service, the Indian Space its third fleet tanker, Defense Minister Research Organization (ISRO) plans some the state-of-the-art A.K. Antony commis - quick launches to augment its transponder INS Deepak , to be fol - sioned the ship at the capacity — automatic receivers and trans - 16 mitters for communication and broadcast lowed by a similar one Naval Dockyard in of signals. soon, giving a major Mumbai. On the sidelines of the Space Summit boost to its deep strik - “It is a great session at the 98th Indian Science ing warfare and strategic capabilities. moment for the Indian Navy and 2011 Congress on January 5, T.K. Alex, Director The Italian-built fleet tanker will will see more acquisitions and com - of the ISRO Satellite Center, said: “In enable warships to operate for pro - missionings to strengthen the maritime March/April, we will launch communica - longed periods on the high seas with - security (of India),” Minister Antony tion satellites GSAT-8 from French out returning to harbor for replenish - said in his short speech before unveil - using the Ariane rocket. Later this year or early 2012, GSAT-10 will be launched ment or refueling. ing the ship’s name plaque, to formal - again by Ariane.” ISRO will also be launch - A fleet tanker is as much useful to ly induct the INS Deepak into the ing a GSAT-12 satellite, he said. warships as mid-air refuelers are for Indian Navy.

February 2011 India Review Diaspora NEWS Nikki Haley begins historic run as governor

ikki Haley, daughter of Sikh immigrant parents from Amritsar, created N history on January 12 as she became the first woman governor of South Carolina and the first Indian American woman to take the top state 17 office. With her left hand on a Bible held by her husband Michael, Republican Haley, born Nimrata (Nikki) Randhawa, took the oath of office as the first non-white governor of the state in an inaugural ceremony on the on the steps of the Statehouse in Columbia. At 38, the mother of two is the sec - ond Indian-American governor of a U.S. state after Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, also a Republican, who became the first with his election three years ago. The 117th South Carolina governor is also the youngest sitting chief execu - tive of an American state. National Guard. India’s Ambassador Haley replaces outgoing Governor The first couple’s daughter Rena, to the United States Meera Shankar Mark Sanford. Haley defeated 12, and son Nalin, 8, stood by them as attended the inaugural ceremony Democrat Vincent Sheheen with a Haley raised her right hand to take the watched by U.S. lawmakers, diplo - close 51-47 percent vote in November oath of office. Husband Michael is a mats and other dignitaries and telecast in the most expensive election in the member of the South Carolina live by local TV stations. state’s history. (IANS)

Sanjay Gupta among Forbes’ 10 ‘Most Influential Celebrities’

oted Indian American physi - “When not appearing on CNN, cian-TV presenter Sanjay Gupta is a neurosurgeon in Atlanta. In N Gupta figures among Forbes’ 2007, he got into a well-publicized 10 “Most Influential Celebrities” with debate with Michael Moore over his famed Hollywood director Steven film Sicko ,” it said. From 1997 to Spielberg narrowly edging out televi - 1998, Gupta served as one of fifteen sion show host Oprah Winfrey for the White House Fellows, primarily as an top spot. advisor to Hillary Clinton. His reports “The CNN personality was almost from Charity Hospital in New Orleans named U.S. surgeon-general in in the wake of Hurricane Katrina 2009,” the U.S. business magazine helped “Charity Hospital” win a 2006 said, ranking Gupta eighth in its latest Emmy Award for “Outstanding list with a 40 percent ‘Influential Feature Story in a Regularly Rating’. Scheduled Newscast”. (IANS)

February 2011 India Review Trends in SOCIETY

wearing a smile

he Indian textile industry has this contribution is set to rise. The across the supply chain, to turn oppor - done well in recent years and domestic market is strong, thanks to tunity into actual revenues, says man - is set for a major expansion favorable demographics, rising agement consulting firm Technopak. T on both the domestic and income, rapid urbanization, and orga - A significant portion of this invest - export fronts, thanks to the country’s nization in business. Traditional textile ment will come from international strong domestic market as well as hubs, such as Amritsar, Ahmedabad, funding institutions. According to favorable global developments. Surat, Tirupur, and Ludhiana, are Ministry sources, India will receive facing competition from emerging more than $5 billion of foreign invest - Positive Standing centers like Ambala, Mundra, Madurai ment over the next five years. By con - The Index of Industrial Production and Mangalore. trast, foreign direct investments in the (IIP) data shows that cotton textiles Over the next ten years, the industry last decade were only a little over $817 registered a growth of 5.5 per cent last will need investments of $68 billion million. year. Textiles made from wool, silk and 18 man-made fiber grew by 8.2 per cent India produces 8 Rising Global Share and textile products recorded a growth million tons of fiber India produces 8 million tons of fiber of 8.5 per cent. annually. Both the production and According to the Ministry of Textiles’ annually. Both the export of fiber have increased Annual Report for 2009-10, the indus - production and significantly in the last three years. try contributed about 14 percent to export of fiber have Production is growing at a compound - industrial production, 4 percent to the ed annual rate of 4 percent, while gross domestic product (GDP) and 17 increased exports are growing five times faster. percent to the country’s export earn - significantly in the The outlook for the production and ings. The promising outlook for the export of yarn is equally optimistic. Indian textile industry suggests that last three years The country produces 5.3 million tons

February 2011 India Review Trends in SOCIETY of yarn, and exports one-fifth of it. at workplaces. The rise of the nuclear more likely to welcome partners that Fabric production currently totals family is giving kids’ wear a boost. The offer additional value-added services nearly 55 billion square meters. school segment represents a huge such as design and logistics, among Although India exports only 5 percent market, considering that uniforms others. According to Dhir, “Activities of this output, exports are rapidly ris - form close to 4 percent of the kids’ like design should be perceived as a ing. Much of this rise is on account of wear market. Retailers focussing on prerequisite — a key success factor. growing exports of knitted fabric. product differentiation and innovation Manufacturers will benefit from devel - Textile exports are also rising oping niche product competencies.” because the global textile trade is Apparel offers the steadily shifting eastward to cheaper Rural Tidings Asian centers of production. The glob - best financial returns Rural India accounts for more than 19 al textile and apparel trade is also of all retail textile half of India’s apparel market. Rural recovering after the economic slump of consumption is also expected to offer a 2008. Technopak valued the global categories. The huge ‘low-priced fashion’ market for trade at $510 billion last year. This is market is deepening retailers to explore. Apparel brand expected to double to a trillion dollars and experiencing the Koutons already has more than 1,400 by 2020. Besides, the declining contri - stores, many of which are located in bution of most developed countries is creation of definite towns other than the top 35 cities. expected to create fresh export oppor - segments beyond the Companies are realizing the benefits tunities of up to $140 billion for devel - of moving early for better brand recall. oping nations over the next decade. conventional men’s, S. Kumar’s Nationwide Limited What makes the outlook for Indian women’s and (SKNL) is planning to launch a ‘mass textiles especially bright is the fact that brand’ for the smaller towns and cities , currently the largest exporter, is kid’s wear of India. “We see the rural sector as the facing rising costs and growing domes - most promising sector to be in,” says tic demand that lead it to cede and on introducing standard sizing will Ashesh Amin, Director, Apparel and some export opportunity to its com - score in this segment. The plus size Retail, SKNL. The purchasing power petitors. Ashish Dhir, Associate Vice- clothing segment, which has less than of India’s increasingly young and President, Technopak Advisors says, 1 percent of market share, has scope to aspiring rural population is consistent - “India has the potential to increase its grow to about 8 percent. Active and ly rising. Also, there is no recognizable export share in world trade to nearly 8 exercise wear is gaining acceptance as national mass brand. Manufacturers per cent.” On its part, the Synthetic Indians get more health conscious and that are looking to cater to the domes - and Rayon Textile Export Promotion seek to live fuller lives by participating tic value market are Arvind and Council has set a target to more than a lot more in outdoor activities. Welspun Retail. In rural India, innova - double the export of textiles. tive low-cost designs and fabrics are Open Market much in demand. Apparel Shines The entry of international retail com - Apparel offers the best financial panies like Zara, Wal-mart and Tesco is Challenges and Initiatives returns out of all retail textile cate - bound to spur competition in the Textile majors need technical staff gories. The market is deepening and industry and make the production pro - trained in engineering, design and experiencing the creation of definite cess more efficient. It will inspire com - merchandizing, churned out by 103 segments beyond the conventional panies to adopt technologies that help textile institutes and 118 National men’s, women’s and kids’ wear. This improve supply chain management. Institutes of Fashion Technology. The differentiation is helping retailers Investments in information technol - shortage of trained talent necessitates a identify high growth areas to specialize ogy could be a way for suppliers to closer industry-academia collaboration for catering to distinct segments. develop linkages across the supply to nurture and encourage bright talent. Dhir cites some emerging segments chain, and thus open up huge opportu - In this year’s budget, the govern - to watch out for. “As the women’s wear nities for technology specialists. ment allocated substantial funds for the segment was earlier ruled by unorga - Large-format retailers such as Marks Ministry of Textiles’ Technology nized players, the needs of the growing & Spencer would also look to source Upgradation Fund Scheme which will number of women in the corporate their range from established local man - ensure that the sector operates cost- workforce were not met adequately. ufacturers. This will create ample effectively and competitively. The gov - Casual wear markets are growing opportunities for existing companies to ernment is also focussing its attention faster than the overall market, thanks align their systems and processes to on the Scheme for Integrated Textile to increasing patronization by youth international standards and expand Parks with the aim of setting up parks and greater acceptance of casual wear their scope of services. Retailers are with world-class infrastructure.

February 2011 India Review Short STORY THE WRONG HEAVEN By Rabindranath Tagore (Translated from Bengali by Palash Baran Pal)

he man was quite a loafer. He Something similar happened to this was complaining, “There’s a lot of did not have any work to do, man. work”, and was feeling quite pleased but had lots of hobbies. He All his life was spent in worthless with that. The theme song for this T used to pour earth into little pursuits. And yet, after his death, he place was — “I am really tired wooden moulds and decorate them heard that he had been allowed admis - working.” with oyster-shells. From a distance it sion to heaven. This fellow did not fit anywhere, did looked like a hazy picture with a flight But, providence accompanies a man not know where to go. He walked care - of birds in it; or like an uneven field even on his way to heaven. The angels lessly on the streets and got in the way with cattle grazing; or maybe like an made a mistake and put him into the of busy people. undulating hilly landscape with a heaven of the workaholics. There was He spread his towel by the side of the stream or a hikers’ path running everything in that heaven except a little road and sat down. People told him across it. time to relax. that he was sitting on plant beds where His folks used to rebuke him. There every man was saying, seeds had been sown. So all the time he Sometimes, he also thought that he “Hardly have any time to breathe!” had to move aside. would give up all these crazy ideas. But Every woman was saying, “See you A very busy girl came everyday to craziness refused to leave him alone. later, I’ll have to get back to work.” take water from the fountain of heaven. There are some boys who neglect Everybody was saying, “Time is The lilt of her walk was like a fast tune their studies throughout the year, but extremely valuable!” No one was say - played on a sitar. pass the exams nevertheless. ing, “Time is invaluable.” Everyone She tied her hair in a quick braid.

All his life was spent in worthless pursuits. And yet, after his death, he heard that he had been allowed admission to heaven. But providence accompanies a man even on his way to heaven...

20

February 2011 India Review Short STORY

Even then, a few strands of hair freed from different angles, in different At the heaven of themselves from that knot and leaned shades of light. forward on her forehead, as if just to When everyone else had fallen workaholics, among catch a glimpse of her black and asleep, she got out of her bed, lit the the vast space of work beautiful eyes. lamp, and sat silently in front of the and work, very soon The heavenly loafer was standing pitcher. This was the first thing she saw nearby, as still as a tree beside the in her life which did not have any there appeared huge restive fountain. meaning. voids. Songs and sobs The girl took pity on him, much like started filling up a princess at the sight of a beggar II through her palace window. On the following day, when she arrived those voids. The 21 “Poor thing! Don’t you have any at the fountain, she was not walk - authorities got work to do?” ing as swiftly as before. anxious. They The man heaved a sigh and said, “I Her feet were getting have no time for work.” careless while walking called a meeting... The girl did not have any idea of — as if they were what he was talking about. She said, thinking of something of work and work and work, “Do you want some work to do? I can — something which very soon there appeared huge give you some.” The man said, “Yes, I did not have any mean - voids. Songs and sobs started wanted some work right from your ing. filling up those voids. hands. That is why I have been waiting The man was stand - The authorities got anx - here.” ing by the side of the ious. They called a “What kind of work do you want?” fountain that day as meeting. They said, “I was wondering if you could lend well. “Nothing of its kind me one of those pitchers that you fill up The girl asked him, has happened in the with water.” “What do you history of this place.” “What do you want to do with a want?” The angel admitted pitcher? Want to carry water?” He said, “I want the mistake. He said, “Not at all. I want to draw pictures more work from “I brought the on it.” you.” wrong man into the The girl was annoyed. She said, “I’m “What kind of wrong heaven.” running out of time. I’ve got to go.” work?” The wrong man But a person of work can never “If you want, I was summoned to the match the arguments of a person of no can weave color - court. At the sight of work. ful strings and him entering the court - Every single day they met near the make ribbons for house, wearing a col - fountain, and everyday the man said you so that you can orful turban and a lav - the same thing, “Why don’t you lend braid your hair with ishly decorated belt, every - me a pitcher, I want to draw pictures them.” one understood that this on it.” “What use will that man was a big misfit. The girl gave up. She lent him a come to?” The chairman said, “You pitcher. “No use at all.” will have to go back to The man started painting on it all The ribbons were earth.” around — beautiful colors, beautiful made in due time — in The man picked up his curves. various colors, in vari - paints, brush and easel. He When he had finished, the girl picked ous designs. From that heaved a big sigh of relief up the pitcher. She held it in her hand time on, the girl needed and said, “Okay, see you and looked at it from all directions. more time near the mir - then.” The girl came and Then she frowned and said, “What ror while braiding her said, “I want to go as well.” does it mean?” hair. Hours passed by, The elderly chairman was The man said, “It doesn’t mean work remained undone. puzzled. anything.” At the heaven of This was the first thing he The girl went home with her pitcher. workaholics, saw in his life which did When nobody else was around, she among the not have any looked at the pitcher. She looked at it vast space meaning at all.

February 2011 India Review Cinema NEWS

OBITUARY Bhimsen Joshi: Legend and music maestro

ndia’s legendary Hindustani shishya’ tradition. Gangubai Hangal vocalist Bhimsen Joshi, who was a co-student. After three years of died in a Pune hospital on training, he moved to Mumbai in I January 24, had left his home in 1943 and debuted with HMV at the Dharwad, Karnataka, more than age of 22. seven decades ago when he was only Apart from singing, Joshi had a 11 to search for a guru. However, penchant for driving fast cars with a apart from music, he had another dash of recklessness. Reminisces an passion — fast cars. old fan: “While at the wheel, he used Pandit Joshi, whose Mile sur mera the same technique as in singing. He tumhara , along with other artistes, ignored the possibility of danger from endeared him to the entire nation, was bad roads or ditches, and obstacles a protagonist of the Kirana gharana such as oncoming cars and stray cat - and was known for his mellifluous tle. Only luck saved him from a couple khayals as well as for his popular ren - of grave accidents. This toned down ditions of devotional abhangs and his recklessness.” bhajans . His death at 88 truly marks With the passing of the years, tight an end of an era in Indian schedules and fame, Joshi realized classical music. the train. He went to Pune from that a car after all had limitations. He He was conferred the country’s Dharwad and later enrolled at the began to accept numerous invitations highest civilian award, the Bharat Madhava School of Music at Gwalior. to far off places — he would be in Ratna, in 2008. Born to a Kannada He was helped by sarod exponent, Kolkata one night, Delhi the next family in Gadag district in northern Hafiz Ali Khan. After a brief tenure at evening, Mumbai the following day Karnataka, Joshi lost his mother early. Gwalior, he traveled across northern and Jalandhar immediately afterwards He was initiated into classical music India for three years — and hunted — and so he switched to air travel. by legendary musician Sawai for a teacher in New Delhi, Kolkata, So much so that he was called the Gandharva, who tutored under Abdul Gwalior, Lucknow and Rampur. ‘Flying Musician’. Karim Khan, one of the founders of Eventually, his father traced him to Joshi was known for his flexible the Kirana Gharana (school). Jalandhar and brought him back voice that allowed him to span an The musician’s search for a guru is home. He decided to stay on at enormous range of three octaves. woven around an interesting anec - Dharwad, a classical music hub and Joshi founded the Sawai Gandharva dote. As a child, Joshi heard a record - home to legends like Gangubai Music Festival. His first wife was his ing of Abdul Karim Khan’s thumri in Hangal, Mallikarjun Mansur and cousin, Sunanda Katti. They had four raga Jhinjhoti. The devotional song Basavaraj Rajguru. children — two sons and two daugh - moved him so much that he instantly He was taken in as a pupil by ters. Sunanda died in 1992. Joshi then decided to become a musician. Rambhau Kundgolkar, alias Sawai married Vatsala Mudholkar, with It is said that Joshi went to Bijapur Gandharva, a native of Dharwad to whom he had two sons and one with money lent by co-passengers on study classical music in the ‘guru- daughter. 22 New York Indian Film Festival moved to May

he oldest and prestigious film festival Aseem Chhabra, noted film writer and with its star-studded Opening Night red car - long-time IAAC Film Festival selection com - pet premiere which will take place on May 4, for Indian cinema in North America, the mittee member, has been named Film Festival followed by a gala benefit dinner at the T Indo-American Arts Council Film Director for the signature event of the year, opulent Jumeirah Essex House. Film festival Festival, has been renamed “The New York the 11th Annual IAAC Film Festival. screenings will take place from May 5 through Indian Film Festival” and pushed up from The New York Indian Film Festival May 8 at Tribeca Cinemas with the Closing November to May 4-8, the Indo-American continues its tradition of launching at the Night selection to be screened at Asia Society Arts Council (IAAC) has announced. world-famous Paris Theater in Manhattan followed by the annual awards ceremony.

February 2011 India Review Travel & TOURISM raIgarh Fort coNquered t was a symbol of Maratha pride, the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s kingdom and vision of a Hindavi I Swaraj (Hindu rule). The majestic Raigarh Fort, which resisted British attacks for over a century, is now conquered by a million domestic and foreign tourists every year — thanks to 23 a cable car at the historical site. And unlike the erstwhile British rulers, modern-day ‘commoners’ take barely five minutes to make it to the fort atop the Raigarh Mountain. Nestling in the heart of the Sahyadri mountain range, Raigarh Fort is around 140 km south of Mumbai and has become a must-see destination on the itinerary of tourists visiting Maharashtra, Not even a blade of grass grows on the several natural reservoirs and two huge site manager R. Kulkarni explained. sheer vertical rock. This is the ideal tanks to cater to the drinking water “The ropeway has given a significant place to house the throne.” needs of the people who lived there. boost to the number of tourists. Earlier, The glory of the can be Also adjacent are the Raj Bhavan , where very few tourists took courage to walk gauged from the ramparts of the Raigarh he used to hold his public durbars, and up the nearly 1,500 steps which took Fort as the two delicately dangling cable the Raj Sabha where he sat on a 10-ton around four hours,” Kulkarni said. cars zoom up the two ropeways. golden throne. Mumbai-based construction major The entrance for the three-hour tour The commoners’ entrance to the fort Jog Engineering Ltd took up the chal - is from the Mena Darwaja at the fort’s was through the Nagarkhana , which has lenge of constructing the ropeway rear and a quick climb takes the visitor astounding acoustic effects even today project and completed it in April 1996 to the imposing Ranivasa , or the cham - — a whisper can be heard clearly over at a cost of `31 million. bers of Shivaji’s six queens. a distance of more than 200 metres, Nearly 15 years later, the ropeway Close by is Shivaji’s own palace, and despite the height and windy conditions! has seen nearly a million people gliding his ministerial chambers, food granaries, The British had sounded the death up and down each year — or around 15 knell for the legendary fort after the million so far — perhaps more than the final battle for its control in April 1818. total population of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s The British artillery continued to pound Maratha empire. the fort for days together and the mag - Constructed on a mountain-top tear - nificent building burned for 11 days. ing into the sky, Raigarh Fort offers a The defiant Raigarh Fort was finally commanding view of the hills on all four humbled on May 10, 1818. sides. The hill itself is 425 metres tall Nearly eight decades later, in 1894, and has a near-flat surface of around Lokmanya Tilak launched two important 1,200 acres. public festivals to bring the masses into The approaching enemy was visible to the struggle for Independence. the fort’s sentries long before they could HOw TO ReAcH They were the Ganesha festival in come near, making it an extremely By Air: Chatrapati Shivaji International Pune and other parts of the state, and strategic location. Airport, Mumbai, 140 km away from Raigad, the Shivaji Jayanti celebrations at Though it remained under various is the nearest airport. Raigarh Fort. Both became popular dynasties for nearly six centuries, Shivaji By Rail: Vir Dasgaon Railway Station is the annual features. nearest railway station from Raigad. This finally gained control over it in 1656 Earlier, the number of visitors used to station is connected to Mumbai and Pune and came to stay there in 1670. with regular trains. be barely a few hundreds, which grew to According to historians, when he first By Road: State transport offer regular and a few thousands post Independence. saw the place, Shivaji remarked: “This frequent bus services from Mumbai (140 km) Today the number of tourists here has fort is formidable. All sides appear as if and Pune (150 km) to Raigarh. crossed the million mark per annum chiseled from a mountain of solid rock. thanks mainly to the ropeway.

February 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 Beating the Retreat

India’s Army, Airforce and Navy bands perform during the Beating the Retreat ceremony in New Delhi on January 29, 2011.

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