PUBLICATION OF THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA IN DUBAI VOL.4 ISSUE 7 | jULy 2012
President Pranab sworn in Veteran Congress leader enters Rashtrapati Bhavan as the 13th President of India, following a four-decade-long political career C FROM THE CONSUL-GENERAL’S DESK COVER STORY 04 President Pranab Dear Reader, O We offer our heartiest congratulations to Pranab Mukherjee is sworn in as the 13th President of India, amid President Pranab Mukherjee on his election as pomp and pageantry India’s 13th President. This issue describes in detail, his swearing-in ceremony and reports on N the President’s thoughts on eradicating poverty and on our diversity. 06 IN FOCUS In our regular feature, ‘10 Questions’, entre - Gagan opens medal preneur, Mohan Valrani shares his views on glob - T alisation and economic growth while giving us an account for India insight into his life, philosophy and his involve - Gagan Narang wins a bronze ment with the Indian community in the UAE. medal for India; shooters do it for E Our In Focus this month is India’s participa - India the third consecutive time tion at the London Olympics. India has fielded its largest Olympic contingent of 81 athletes in this N year’s games. The athletes are among competitors ECONOMY from 204 countries. The story also includes 08 details about the first Olympic 2012 medal won We will restore for India by ace shooter Gagan Narang. We wish growth: PM T the Indian teams our very best. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Happy Reading! CINEMA P. Chidambaram express hope of S 10 ‘Fairly’ versatile reviving the Indian economy Women directors dare to enter the male bastion, take up bold subjects Sanjay Verma LIFESTYLE 16 The local mantra International brands take pains to launch products aimed specifically at Indian market
RADIO MATTERS The Consulate General of India in Dubai brings to you its weekly radio programme ‘India Matters’ on Suno 102.4 FM. The purpose of the show is to highlight the services provided by the Consulate and talk about the events and news related to India and the Indian community in UAE. India Matters is aired every Friday between 5 and 6 pm on Suno 10 QUESTIONS 102.4 FM and repeated every Saturday between 12 and 1 pm. 12 For more details visit www.cgidubai.com and www.suno1024.com ‘My success, a
serendipity ’ BOOKS Mohan Valrani, Senior Vice-Chairman 18 of the Al Shirawi Group of Companies, Nehru worked for one world on his rise in Dubai A new book describes the first Prime Minister’s quest to eliminate differences in the world 14 FEATURE Sunita moment again SUPERBRANDS Winner of the June 2012 monthly quiz contest is Indian-origin scientists make a mark in 20 space, at CERN and on ice Tata Steel
R.R. Singh 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 ratulations! 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 . Cong Editorial correspondence and manuscripts can be addressed to [email protected]
Content and design by IANS (www.ianspublishing.com) on behalf of Consulate General of India in Dubai. Editorial Coordinator: Zarin Amrolia, Dubai
2 SEPTEInMdBEiRa M200a9 tters| July 2012 July 2012 |India Matters 3 Cover story
Change of guard: President Pranab Mukherjee with the outgoing President Pratibha Devisingh Patil on his way from the Parliament I HAVE SEEN VAST, PERHAPS First thoughts: President Mukherjee signing the register at President’s office at House to Rashtrapati Bhavan after the swearing-in ceremony, riding the traditional baggi , in New Delhi on July 25 Rashtrapati Bhavan on his arrival from Parliament House after the swearing in UNBELIEVABLE, CHANGES DURING THE JOURNEY THAT HAS BROUGHT ME FROM THE FLICKER OF A LAMP IN A Pranab sPeak SMALL BENGAL VILLAGE TO President Pranab THE CHANDELIERS OF DELHI. he principal responsibility of this savaged by a famine that killed mil - Toffice is to function as the lions; the misery and sorrow is still The swearing in ceremony of India ’s 13th President marked by colour and tradition guardian of our Constitution. I will not lost on me. We have achieved — President Mukherjee strive, as I said on oath, to preserve, much in the field of agriculture, protect and defend our Constitution industry and social infrastructure; but t was a day of tradition and The President’s mounted body - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, not just in word but also in spirit. We that is nothing compared to what modernity as India on July 25 guards, resplendent in their livery of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, room Rashtrapati Bhavan from his are all, across the divide of party and India, led by the coming generations, got its 13th president in the 76- white with dark turbans to match, Opposition leader L.K. Advani and official bungalow on Talkatora region, partners at the altar of our will create in the decades ahead. year-old seasoned politician presented the national salute, while Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Road. He will henceforth travel in a motherland. Our federal Constitution “There is no humiliation more abu - I embodies the idea of modern India: it sive than hunger. Trickle-down theo - Pranab Mukherjee, who pledged to 1,000 members of the three services Banerjee, who decided to back long black bomb-proof Mercedes rise above partisan politics in his lined along Raisina Hill for the ‘Hazar Mukherjee’s candidature just two limousine — a far cry from the defines not only India but also moder - ries do not address the legitimate conduct of the high office. Salam’ to the President, the supreme days before the July 19 poll. Ambassador car he used to travel in. nity. A modern nation is built on aspirations of the poor. We must lift Mukherjee was administered the commander of the armed forces. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Mukherjee, who won the July 19 some basic fundamentals: democra - those at the bottom so that poverty oath of office by Chief Justice of In his first speech as President, Rajapaksa sent in his congratula - presidential poll as the ruling United cy, or equal rights for every citizen; is erased from the dictionary of India S.H. Kapadia at 11.28 a.m. Mukherjee, who has a five-year tions and “deep joy” to Mukherjee, Progressive Alliance (UPA) candi - secularism, or equal freedom to every modern India. inside the central hall of Parliament. term, said his high office demands while Mamata Banerjee invited him date, has been India’s Finance faith; equality of every region and “India’s true story is the partner - He accompanied his predecessor that he rise above personal or parti - to visit West Bengal. Minister, Defence Minister and language; gender equality and, ship of the people. Our wealth has Pratibha Patil from Rashtrapati san interests in the service of the The President’s elder sister External Affairs Minister, in his 40 perhaps most important of all, been created by farmers and work - Bhavan to Parliament and back to national good. Mukherjee termed Annapurna Banerjee, 83, sat glued years as politician. economic equity. ers, industrialists and service- Rashtrapati Bhavan — this time as corruption as ‘an evil that can to her TV set in her home in West Mukherjee was a key member of “For our development to be real the providers, soldiers and civilians. Our the first citizen — in a tableau of depress the nation’s mood and sap Bengal, watching her younger broth - the UPA and was chief troubleshoot - poorest of our land must feel that social harmony is the sublime co- grandeur that has for decades its progress’. er take oath. She could not attend er for the coalition because of his they are part of the narrative of existence of temple, mosque, church, marked this historic change of guard Among the dignitaries present at the ceremony due to her old age. excellent rapport with leaders of all rising India. gurudwara and synagogue; they are of democratic India’s top office. the swearing-in ceremony were Mukherjee moves into the 340- political parties. n “I was a boy when Bengal was symbols of our unity in diversity.
4 India Matters| July 2012 July 2012 |India Matters 5 in foCus
WHATEVER I CAME HERE TO DO, I HAVE ACHIEVED. I HAVE HAD A GREAT JOURNEY, I HAVE HAD MY SHARES OF UPS AND DOWNS BUT IT HAS BEEN VERY EXCITING. Gagan opens —Gagan Narang flame to the next participant. Speaking about the historic medal account moment, Amitabh Bachchan said, “I never thought I’d represent India for this. I’m so very proud to have done for india this and to be leaving a legacy behind for my grandchildren.” He continued, The third time in row that Indian “I am overwhelmed with the support shooters have won medals at the that I have received in London. The Olympic Games symbolise peace, har - Olympics mony and community spirit and by inviting me to be a part of this, the organisers are bringing communities together from around the world. This is indeed a great honour for me, the Bang on target: India ’s Gagan Narang competes in the 10m air rifle men qualifying round at the Royal Artillery Barracks in London people of India and the film industry.” on July 30, 2012, during the London 2012 Olympic Games the indian contingent The sports ministry approved a 142- ce rifleman Gagan Narang Indian shooters had won medals at tion ceremony on July 27. member Indian contingent, compris - made India proud by win - the Olympics. Double trap shooter Bachchan on July 26 proudly car - ing 81 athletes and 36 coaches, for the ning its first medal — a Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won the ried the Olympic Torch during its final London Olympics. Abronze — on July 30. silver in 2004 and Abhinav Bindra relay leg around London before the The contingent includes 81 athletes Narang, 29, participating in his gave India a historic gold in Beijing. much-awaited Games opening cere - participating in 13 sports disciplines. third Games, aggregated 701.1 (598 In the qualifying round, Narang mony on 27th July. The superstar The contingent also includes 36 qualifying, 103.1 final) to finish third shot a perfect series of 100 in all the actor, dressed in official Olympic coaches, four managers, eight medical in his pet 10 metre air rifle at the Royal rounds except the third when he Torch Relay attire and his participant staff, six “P” category officials and This flame will never be extinguished: Amitabh Bachchan carrying the Olympic Artillery Barracks range, triggering scored 98. He also shot 53 inner 10s. number of ‘63’ emblazoned on the seven contingent officials. torch in London, a day before the opening ceremony celebrations among the Indian Narang later said he had achieved front, was relaxed and joyous, as he diaspora here and the countrymen what he came for. took to the streets of Southwark in indian touch to olympic arts back home. “Whatever I came here to do, I have London, to play his part in making Meanwhile, an Indian has made a steel donated by India-born steel Then you come slowly to light,” he Narang missed the final round in achieved. I have had a great journey, I history. mark on the Olympics landscape in tycoon Laskhmi Mittal, who remains said. Beijing Games, but in the final round, have had my share of ups and downs The stately Bachchan took hold of an artistic way. Iconic sculptor Anish the richest man in Britain with an he had a series of 10.7, 9.7, 10.6, 10.7, but it has been very exciting,” he told the lit torch from his predecessor at Kapoor, the India-born winner of estimated fortune of £112.7 billion as a stamp of the occasion 10.4, 10.6, 9.9, 9.5, 10.3 and 10.7 to reporters in London. “It still doesn’t 10.57 am. After a gentlemanly hand - the Turner Prize, has given Britain in April 2012. In keeping with its tradition of issuing put the country into the medal brack - feel like I have won an Olympics shake, he began by walking with the its Olympic mascot — the Artist Kapoor, who sculpts futuristic postage stamps on Olympics since et at the Games in London. medal. This medal has evaded me and iconic symbol. Bachchan quickly ArcelorMittal Orbit — the country’s forms in steel and glass, said in an 1968, India Post has released a set of The gold went to Romanian Alin I have finally got it.” picked up pace as he jogged the 0.17 biggest public art installation. The interview to The Guardian that the four commemorative postage stamps George Moldoveanu, who totalled mile route from Southwark along giant Orbit is a 115-metre high steel making of the Orbit was a “series of and a souvenir sheet in New Delhi. 702.1 (599 qualifying, 103.1 final) and bachchan, the torchbearer Peckham Road and Bellenden Road, observation tower at Olympic Park discrete events tied together”. Kapoor The stamps are a stylised portrayal of Italian Niccolo Campriani bagged the Earlier, hundreds of cheering fans all the while waving and smiling at the in Stratford in London that is likely said he wanted a moving narrative. sportsmen engaged in volleyball, row - silver with 701.5 (599 qualifying, turned out to see global superstar hundreds of adoring fans who had to help in the post-Olympic regener - “You start under this great domed ing, sailing and badminton The 102.5 final). Amitabh Bachchan run with the lined the streets to see their idol. As ation of the area. Kapoor designed canopy that sits above you, almost stamps will be available in Philatelic It was the third time in row that Olympic torch a day before inaugura - his relay neared its end, he handed the the Orbit with Cecil Balmond with ominous darkness sucking you in. Bureaus across the country. n
6 India Matters| July 2012 July 2012 |India Matters 7 econoMy
“More important is that we politi - cal consensus in the government on POPULAR APPS FOR MOBILE DEVICES some policies. These are genuine dif - We will restore growth: PM ferences in opinion. So in a democra - MYCAR LOCATOR CONTROL4 MYHOME - cy, consensus building is the key to THIS IS for the forgetful ones who IPHONE VERSION Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and long-term economic success and we suffer memory loss after having WITH THE help of Control4 My Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram seek are steadily moving ahead in doing parked their car. MyCar Locator Home automation system, you can that.” guides them back to their car. convert to allay fears about economic downturn and The app uses the GPS data to your take corrective measures chidambaram speak locate your data. iPhone or Meanwhile, exuding confidence that You need to push iPod the Indian economy will bounce back just one button. Touch hile the world economy was there was, indeed, a to a growth rate of above 8 percent, You can also use into the facing challenging times, slowing down of Union Home Minister P. the app for ultimate India’s growth story was still capital flows from Chidambaram said that steps had remembering touch intact, Prime Minister Dr. overseas, due to con - been taken to promote savings and other important loca - screen W tions, e.g. your hotel, bus stop, or remote. It Manmohan Singh has said while promis - cerns over tax matters, ensure that India remained an ing action on several fronts to restore the Finance Ministry was attractive destination for foreign bank, where you will have to return enables you to control your lights, investor confidence, including clarity on also issuing clarifications from investments. later but are not confident about thermostats, audio, video, web cam - tax matters. time to time. “The year 2011-12 has been a diffi - directions. eras, security system. It’s compati - In an exclusive e-mail interview to the “This does not mean things have cult year when our growth declined ble with iPhone, iPod touch and Hindustan Times newspaper, the Prime turned very bad. Coca-Cola has to 6.7 percent. We think we are iden - CLASS BUDDY PRO iPad. Minister also listed five areas as his prior - announced investment of $5 billion tifying the causes for the decline and A STUDENT planner sans elaborate ity in the short run to keep the India story in India a few days ago. IKEA will take a number of steps to charts or heavy TRIPADVISOR going and said charges of policy paralysis plans to invest $1 billion. The pes - address those causes. I am confident registers. It helps THIS PRODUCT by TripAdvisor LLC in his government were a matter of per - simism in the media and the that in 2012-13, the rebound will organise your helps you plan a perfect trip. ception. markets is far more than reali - start and soon we will be back to the terms and semes - It helps you: ty,” he said. 8 percent plus growth rate,” said ters, courses, n Find hotels, restaurants, and other According to him, his five priority On the perception of policy Chidambaram. class meetings, attractions in any destination areas were: paralysis, he said there were He assured that steps have been exam grades, n See millions of candid photos by n Bringing complete clarity on tax mat - problems that existed taken to promote savings and ensure quizzes etc. travelers ters to send a signal that India treats among political parties in that India remains an attractive des - With this app, you can: n Discover options near you with everyone fairly and reasonably the previous government tination for foreign investments. n Import events from CSV file the help of Use Near Me Now. n Controlling fiscal deficit with measures run by the United “Foreign investments will not go n Import events from Google Docs The app on which consensus was being built Progressive Alliance away simply because we are in n Export events to SD card has over (Read: cut in subsidies, and decontrol of (UPA), but that the focus despair. Last year — the difficult year (TXT,CSV) 60 million transport fuel prices) remained inclusive growth. — India attracted foreign invest - n Export events to email/text reviews n Reviving mutual fund and insurance “We are passing through a ments worth $46 billion of foreign n Export events to Google Docs and opin - industries to open new savings options similarly challenging situation investments. That’s the highest in n Auto-Sync to Google calendar ions by other than gold and I am confident we will roll recent years. The current economic It also has the following features: travellers, n Clearing major proposals on foreign out measures to restore econom - situation requires cool heads to come n Customisable Home screen yet is investment and make India a more ic growth once again,” he said, together and address the fundamen - Widget easy to business-friendly nation adding he also did not believe tal causes of the problem,” he said n Simple task manager use. On n Giving major push to infrastructure that legislation was a bottleneck while addressing a programme of the n Simple expense manager top of it, it’s free. It’s compatible development via the public-private to economic growth. Calcutta Chamber of Commerce. n n Backup and restore. with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. partnership mode, including the Indian “Barring an issue here and Railways. there, most economic steps that need to be taken do not need legisla - BUSINESS BUZZ According to the Prime Minister, while tive action,” he said. US$ 5 trillion will be the size of India’s GDP by 2020, as US$ 3 billion has been invested by ONGC Videsh Ltd in per Dun & Bradstreet. Venezuela. COCA-COLA HAS ANNOUNCED INVESTMENT OF $5 BILLION IN US$ 16.76 billion worth petroleum, chemicals and petro - US$ 1.37 billion will be invested by Coal India Ltd to INDIA A FEW DAYS AGO. IKEA PLANS TO INVEST $1 BILLION. chemical Investment Region will be set up in Tamil Nadu. develop railway infrastructure to evacuate coal from US$ 4 billion was the size of Indian biotechnology indus - Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha. THE PESSIMISM IN THE MEDIA... IS FAR MORE THAN REALITY. try in 2011 according to Ernst & Young. US$ 1.08 billion is the estimated joint investment by US$ 3.61 billion is being invested by Indian Oil Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and South Korea’s LG — Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh Corporation to set up its first overseas refinery, in Sri Lanka. Chem, to establish a petrochemical plant.
8 India Matters| July 2012 July 2012 |India Matters 9 cinema ‘Fairly’ versatile Women directors surpass gender politics , writes Uma Ramasubramaniam
omen directors, with or experimented with the erotic thriller “There is no one opposing women without support of their genre, a rare territory in Bollywood, getting the job that men have. If you Bollywood connections, with Jism 2 , and Kagti’s Talaash is are a woman of talent, integrity, drive Ware proving their versa - said to be a psychological thriller. and ambition, you will find many pro - tility and creativity in the industry ducers wanting to work with you. As with unique stories and fresh story - Fair to the fair sex well as stars,” says Chandra. “The only telling. According to Tanuja Chandra, who currency that has any significance in Audiences can look forward to four has directed films like Dushman and the film industry is the box-office. films directed by women directors this Sangharsh , the film industry is domi - Commercial success is the main lan - year. The list includes Bela Sehgal’s nated by male directors, producers guage of communication; so anyone Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi , and writers, but it is “not really who brings that is sought after, Gauri Shinde’s English Vinglish , because of some discriminatory sys - whether male or female,” she adds. Pooja Bhatt’s Jism 2 and Reema tem, which people seem to imagine Kagti’s Talaash . operates in the business.” Shirin Farhad... narrates the story of two 40-plus lovers, while Shinde’s English Vinglish tells the tale of a housewife who enrolls for an English- speaking course Daring daughter: Pooja Bhatt, director of Jism 2 (third from left), with her father Mahesh Bhatt (second from right) and the in order to other members of the team please her hus - band and fam - ily. Pooja has Help at home THERE IS NO ONE OPPOSING shots without any ‘connections’. Among an emerging breed of strong Anu Menon, who directed London, Sibling script: female directors with ‘filmy’ backing WOMEN GETTING THE JOB Paris, New York , says “the obstacle is Bela Sehgal, are Bela Sehgal, Gauri Shinde and THAT MEN HAVE. IF YOU ARE whether a director has proven himself director of Divya Khosla Kumar. They may have A WOMAN OF TALENT, or herself — not the gender.” Shirin Farhad... had assistance at hand but are confi - “There might a section of people dent of making a mark on their own. INTEGRITY, DRIVE AND AMBI - who feel more comfortable to see men Sehgal, sister of acclaimed filmmak - TION, YOU WILL FIND MANY calling the shots, and that’s true for er Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is gearing up most industries, and across the for the release of her debut film Shirin PRODUCERS WANTING TO world,” says Menon. Farhad… And she has no qualms in WORK WITH YOU. Over the years, many Indian women accepting, “I always wanted to be a — Tanuja Chandra directors like Sai Paranjpe, Aparna director. Luckily for me, Sanjay start - Sen, Kalpana Lajmi, Mira Nair, Deepa ed directing. It helped me a lot being Mehta, Revathy, Gurinder Chadha, his sister. A lot of things came my way Kiran Rao, Anusha Rizvi, Nandita much easily, compared to many who approaching her husband for tips on Das, Rajshree Ojha, and Bhavna have had to struggle.” feature filmmaking. Talwar, have taken charge of the Shinde, who is filmmaker R.Balki’s Divya Khosla Kumar, wife of T- direction department. wife, has been an ad filmmaker for Series honcho Bhushan Kumar, is Farah Khan and Zoya Aktar have long. But for her feature film debut, going behind the camera for the tenta - also contributed with entertaining she had help at her home! tively titled Class of 2013 . films, which have set the cash registers “I started directing even before ringing too. R.Balki started. I have been directing Own boss Chandra, who has been in the indus - for years now. I was an ad filmmaker. But there are also some women direc - try for over 15 years, hopes the future But feature was something new for tors, who have managed to cut is bright with more females donning me,” said Shinde, who didn’t mind through the competition to call the the director’s hat. n
10 IndiaMatters| July 2012 July 2012 |India Matters 11 10 questions
A child growing up in a business GLOBALISATION MAY HAVE multi-faceted and are reflected in the family is more likely to take interest large Indian presence in the UAE in it, so it would appear to be an HAD INNOCENT AND WELL- population. There has been a con - ‘My success, a serendipity ’ advantage. This was also my experi - INTENTIONED BEGINNINGS, stant cultural exchange, along with a ence. Coupled with one’s inclination BUT IT HAS UNLEASHED booming bilateral trade, touching Mohan Valrani , Senior Vice-Chairman of the Al Shirawi Group of Companies , describes to emulate his father, proper guid - US$ 67 billion last year. ance is necessary. In addition to this, INSIDIOUS AND DESTRUCTIVE his career growth his views on globalisation and the future of Asia , nature also plays a role, but I cannot SOCIAL FORCES SPAWNED BY How important is money, tell which one is the more important. 7for success in today’s EXCESSIVE CORPORATE world? Is Globalisation a good GREED. Money is important, but how you 3thing ? make it and what is done with it, Globalisation may have had innocent matters. The acquisition of wealth and well-intentioned beginnings, but through honest industry, and in the it has unleashed insidious and be able to sustain its rate of econom - process providing employment and destructive social forces, spawned by ic expansion far into the future, sustenance to others, is a laudable excessive corporate greed. Though it when its demographic impediments goal. Money empowers a person to has some eloquent defenders, for it to begin to bite, and the same might be espouse noble causes and improve play a significant role in the develop - the case with Japan, where an aging the lives of other less fortunate. ment of the Third World was not the population threatens productive intention and this has certainly not capacity. But Asia’s population and What’s your greatest been the result. It has a constant capacity for both production and 8achievement? quest for new avenues, where costs, consumption is definitely growing at I had to think hard about this ques - especially labour costs, are low and a rapid pace. tion because ‘greatest achievement’ regulations are not restrictive. It India enjoys several advantages — isn’t a term that sits comfortably eventually drives up costs, and if the a stable and a democratic political with me. But, on looking back, I feel capital meets obstacles in one place it system, the prevalence of English happy for my family and for my par - moves on to the next location, leaving language which is the ‘lingua franca’ ticipation in community welfare behind economic and social disrup - for business and the internet, the rel - activities like the Indian High tion. The problems that globalised atively better infrastructure and a School, India Club, Rashid Pediatric companies create in their home mar - high standard of education — all Center etc., kets include high unemployment, these will thrust India forward and often causing economic blight in increase its presence in the world What does the Indian High whole communities. affairs. 9School mean to you? Though it may sound harsh, I have One of the key contributions in the a firm belief that companies have How has the Indian com - recent past has been my close associ - social responsibilities alongside their 5munity evolved with the ation with the IHS. I assumed its commitments to their shareholders, times in the UAE? chairmanship in 2008 and set out and they prosper only when they When I arrived in Dubai more than with a fine team of associates and contribute to the communities where 45 years ago, the word ‘community’ ambitious targets. My goal was to they are established. could hardly be applied to Indians. make it one among the best educa - Though we were large in number, we tional institutions in Dubai. With What will be the new fron - became organised only when we wholehearted support and coopera - 4tiers of global economic established the India Club, the tion of all the teaching staff and growth in the future? Where Indian High School etc, and when colleagues on the Board, the KHDA will India figure in this sce - families started to arrive. Then, com - gave it an ‘outstanding’ rating last nario, according to you? mon interests were established, year. Recently, we have also In my opinion, there is a lot of poten - which extended beyond trade rela - opened a branch of IHS at Dubai tial for economic growth in Asia. tionships, and the sense of commu - Silicon Oasis. With peace and good policy making, nity flowered. I played my part in How did Dubai become a climb upward. Together we built a serendipity. To sum up, a man find - we can look forward to many this social development and I am If you were an employ - 1base for your businesses? big business conglomerate, brick by ing his right place is fortunate. decades of rapid growth. The pattern delighted to observe how far we have 10 ee, which job would you I arrived in Dubai with a few dollars brick, company by company, rode of economic expansion may vary come in a short passage of time. have preferred? in my pocket and a promise of a job the crests and weathered the storms, Do you think a business from country to country, and the Good performance deserves respect, in the textile trade. The good fortune always in harmony and with mutual 2family background assures countries which presently dominate What’s the best thing about no matter the nature of the job. I of meeting my partner, Abdullah Al respect. My success in Dubai was success compared to prospects may not always be in the ascen- 6India – UAE ties. would be content with any job, pro - Shirawi, helped me in an easier more an accident than a design — a for first-time entrepreneurs? dancy. For example, China may not Ties between these two countries are vided that I could do it well. n
12 India Matters| July 2012 July 2012 |India Matters 13 feature
urrently stationed at the French- CItalian Antarctic Research Station ‘Concordia’ with 12 other scientists to study the effects of extreme climates Ice Man Sunita moment again on human physiology and psychology, movies. I take small breaks talking to Indian-origin scientists pervade the science world in space in CERN and on ice Alexander Kumar, (Alex, as he is popu - fellow crewmembers on world news, , larly known) calls his job the “loneliest general things and listen some music. and coldest in the world”. At minus 80 Then comes my afternoon research Williams, a flight engineer on the degrees, you have no option but to session which consumes my day. If station’s Expedition 32 crew, will take agree with him! done early, I hit the gym or help other over as commander of Expedition 33 The first research MD at Concordia members,” pat comes the reply. on reaching the space station. station to take on the additional posi - Confined to two cylindrical towers Daughter of an Indian American tion as the Antarctic Station’s doctor, that contain labs, bedrooms, a father from Gujarat and a Slovenian he holds full responsibility for the kitchen, living room, gym and a movie mother, Williams and her colleagues health and well-being of his multina - room with 12 men and one woman, will be aboard the station during an tional crew. This is the first time since Alex is in regular touch with family, exceptionally busy period that the station’s creation in 2005 that friends and partner, surgeon Kathy includes two spacewalks, the arrival of there will be only one doctor overwin - Duong and his Siberian Husky puppy, Japanese, US commercial and tering at Concordia. Mishi-bear, via phone, email, blog and On a lonely planet: Alexander Kumar at Russian resupply vehicles, and an What keeps him going? “Bollywood Twitter. Concordia Research Station increasingly faster pace of scientific research, the US space agency said. Williams is the second woman of Indian heritage to have been selected by NASA for a space mission after Kalpana Chawla and the second astro - Indian imprint on God Particle naut of Slovenian heritage after Ronald M. Sega. From St. Francis Convent , Jhansi , and Banaras Hindu University , Dr. Archana Williams travelled for the first time Sharma s journey to CERN headquarters is as amazing as the Boson particle itself to space in 2007 and, according to ’ NASA, she holds three records for a female space traveler — longest space - cientists have finally locked onto electronics and solid state physics at flight (195 days), number of Higgs Boson, the ‘God Particle’, a BHU simply due to the “outstanding” spacewalks (four) and total time spent Sdiscovery that crowns the global set of teachers. I always admired on spacewalks (29 hours and 17 scientific community’s most challeng - women who worked through adversi - minutes). ing and comprehensive quest for the ties and did pioneering work,” Dr. Williams was quoted as saying in subatomic particle, rightly regarded as Sharma added. the media that she was excited about “the key to the cosmic riddle”. In a career spanning 23 years, she watching the London Summer The Higgs Boson experiment at has helped make CERN accessible to Olympics from the station and put a CERN headquarters in Geneva, Indian students by facilitating student much more global perspective on the Switzerland has created a huge buzz visits and providing internships. mega sporting event. but it’s been even more exciting to find “Indian youngsters have the potential A 1987 graduate of the US Naval an Indian connection to it. and I truly hope many aspiring scien - Academy, Williams served in various Meet Dr. Archana Sharma, the only tists make it here to then give back a roles as a Navy officer before being Indian scientist involved in the Higgs tiny bit so that the spiral of progress Back to where she belongs: Sunita Williams with other members of the crew, selected as an astronaut candidate by Boson experiment. Currently a staff can continue,” said Dr Archana, who readying for the second space odyssey NASA in 1998. She received a masters physicist at CERN, Archana finished lives with her husband in a tiny village degree from the Florida Institute of her post-graduation from the Banaras called Russin close to CERN. Technology in 1995. Hindu University (BHU) and her doc - Since 1989 she has worked on ndian-American astronaut with flight engineers Yuri Williams had carried with her a copy torate from Delhi University. She instrumentation, detector design, and Sunita Williams, who holds the Malenchenko of the Russian Federal of the Bhagavad Gita and an idol of moved to Geneva for her post-doctor - Discerning universe’s mystery at development, installation and com - record of the longest space flight Space Agency and Akihiko Hoshide of Lord Ganesha during her 2007 space al research. CERN: Dr Archana Sharma missioning of the CMS experiment. I(195 days) for a woman, has the Japan Aerospace Exploration journey. “She has always been a spiri - “Growing up as a girl in Jhansi and She is now back on the drawing board taken off on her second space odyssey Agency, NASA said in a statement. tual person. She has a background of studying at St. Francis’ Convent, I tion and emphasis on career was the designing the detectors for the Large to the International Space Station. The three joined the Expedition 32 Christian and Hindu religions. She never thought I would end up at the only way to salvation,” she was quoted Hadron Collider (LHC, which is a Williams, 46, took off from the crew aboard the International Space respects all people and their religious Mecca of particle physics. Just like any as saying in media reports. gigantic scientific instrument used as Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Station. beliefs,” says father Deepak Pandya. n other middle-class kid in India, educa - “I chose Nuclear Physics against a particle accelerator) upgrades. n
14 India Matters| July 2012 July 2012 |India Matters 15 lifestyle
International plate for Indian palette: the local mantra Patchi Chocolates Diwali Collection Increasingly , multinationals are selling products that are not just made in India but are made just for India , writes Bindu Gopal Rao
here is an influx of interna - mantra for success. The company, part of a celebration, famous choco - tional top-end brands and with its philosophy of respect for late brand Patchi, last year intro - labels into India today. This cultural sentiments, does not serve duced symbols like the sacred Om, Tis no surprise given the its most popular product the BigMac the auspicious Swastik, Lord growing purchasing power of people (a beef burger) in the country, as Ganesha and a diya (a small clay not just in urban centres but in rural most Hindus do not eat beef for reli - lamp) on their products for the areas too. Reportedly, the Indian gious reasons. Instead, on offer are Indian market. retail industry will be worth `76.9 the McAloo Tikki burger (a burger Lladro, a Spain-based producer of billion in 2012. with a potato patty), Veg Pizza high quality porcelain, has several And the West wants a share of the McPuff (a vegetarian pizza) and collections inspired by India. The market. Increasingly, multinational Chicken McGrill burger with a very Krishna series is a culmination of companies are selling products that spicy mint sauce popular with two years of research at Lord FESTIVALS MEAN BIG BUSINESS. COME DIWALI, A are not just made in India but made Indians. Furthermore, each restau - Krishna’s birthplace, Mathura. FESTIVAL CELEBRATED ACROSS THE LENGTH AND for India. Global giants are tweaking rant kitchen is designed to maintain Other gods that have been moulded products to suit the Indian market separate vegetarian and nonvegetar - in porcelain are Rama and Sita and BREADTH OF THE COUNTRY, AND SHOPPERS THRONG and ensuring that they appeal to ian food counters. the elephant God Ganesha in as STORES AND PURCHASES PEAK. Indian sensibilities. An example is Likewise, after 15 successful years many as nine different poses. that of French luxury shoe designer in India, Pizza Hut has added 15 new Recently, Hermès, manufacturer of Christian Louboutin’s latest line pizzas, among them are Chettinadu luxury goods, created a line of limit - with its trademark glossy red soles, Paneer (with a topping of Indian cot - ed edition saris for the Indian mar - Ltd., “Though brands plays a major ture them in India.” He feels that sold, but the potential for growth is which includes two staggeringly tall tage cheese flavoured with spices ket. The saris were priced between ` role, the need of the hour is that tapping the target customer and more than any other market in the styles inspired by Indian films from the Chettinad region in south 81,000 and `4,20,000, a “wink” to instead of the labels being manufac - identifying and understanding the world. In such a scenario, the fore - named Bollywoody and Devidas. India), Nimbu Mirchi (chilli and Indian customers, said Patrick tured abroad it is necessary for the flavour and taste of the Indian public cast is good times ahead for both It all began with food chains like lemon pizza) and Chicken Achaari Thomas, chief executive of Hermès brands to understand the demo - is the biggest challenge. buyers and sellers. n McDonald’s who made thinking (with a topping of Indian chicken International. graphics and psychographic factors So far, say experts, India may not — Article courtesy India global and acting pickle). Cottage cheese and ground In a classic case where Indian her - of the Indian market and manufac - be a large market in terms of units Perspectives , a publication of MEA local its meat cooked Indian style can also itage meets Swiss tradition, a watch be found on pizzas from major has a unique product for Dominos. India. Sebastien Cretegny, Festivals mean International Sales Manager, big business. Frederique Constant, explains, “As a NiD trains African artisans Come Diwali, family-owned independent Swiss a festival cele - manufacturer, we have been think - group of 25 participants from to the African nation early this year. brated across ing for a long time about a relevant AZimbabwe attended a week-long The larger aim of the project was to the length and strategy for India. When I came up crafts managers’ workshop at the connect the traditional crafts prod - breadth of the with the Devanagiri script design, National School of Design (NID) in ucts to different markets and empow - country, and everybody involved was very enthu - Ahmedabad to hone their managerial er women to handle bulk orders. shoppers throng siastic. Our research and develop - skills under an India-Africa exchange The participants belonged to the stores and purchas - ment department immediately start - programme. community of sisal fibre basket es peak. ed elaborating this high-classical The group included 17 artisans, weavers, sponsored by the Zienzele Recognising watch. Ever since its launch, this including 15 women, the director of Foundation, and bamboo weavers that sweets are model is a true success story here the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, a associated with the STEP Trust. The workshop culminated in a day- an integral and even abroad where Indian com - potential crafts exporter and a crafts Being management experts, these long round table meeting at NID on munities are well-represented such ministry official. participants are expected to transmit July 28. The meeting served as a Of Indian sensitivities: as the Middle-East,” NID had conveyed its desire to their newly-acquired skills to mem - platform to share ideas, experiences Aloo tikki burger by Says Sundarrajan, Managing train Zimbabwean artisans to that bers of their groups at the grassroots and talk about the school’s interven - McDonald’s Director, S.P Apparels and Crocodile country’s government after field visits for multiplier effect. tion projects in Africa.
16 India Matters| July 2012 July 2012|IndiaMatters 17 books
Nehru worked for one world The sofT side of diplomacy growing tribe of Indian diplo - love and exile from Orissa (Odisha) The first Prime Minister of India , like Gandhi and Einstein , believed firmly in the concept Amats is seeking emotional mostly in English. I wrote in English refuge in poetry and creative litera - till I joined the Indian Foreign ture to battle workplace blues and Service. But after joining the servic - acked by Mahatma Gandhi, the stress of decision making. es, I began to write in Oriya India’s charismatic first The genre of “diplomatic poetic because of the growing disconnect Prime Minister Jawaharlal literature” recently added one more between my state and myself,” he Nehru worked hard to create to its kitty when Amarendra said. B Khatua, the newly-appointed Indian During his stay in Moscow 2005- a ‘One World’ before Cold War and China’s betrayal killed him and his ambassador to Argentina, launched 2007, emerging poet Abhay K. dream, says a new book. his new collection of love poetry wrote over 200 poems which he Brilliantly researched, The Love Abracadabra . had organised into three themes - Peacemakers (HarperCollins) by Khatua, a native of Odisha, is at love, nature and thoughts. It led to scholar Manu Bhagavan argues that the forefront of reviving contempo - four lyrical collections: Enigmatic Nehru was consumed by the idea of rary Odiya poetry. “I have been writ - Love — Love Poems From the One World or a federal international ing and publishing for the last 45 Fairytale city of Moscow , Fallen structure and pursued it vigorously. how can I possibly do otherwise?’” years. Poetry is not connected to Leaves of Autumn — Poems on The ‘one world’ concept caught Even at the 1955 Bandung my professional work — it is my Nature , Candling the Light — Nehru’s imagination since he read, in Conference, Nehru argued that it was personal world,” Khatua says. Meditation , Reflections and prison, a book of the same title by not right to think in terms of isolation Khatua began to write poetry Reminiscences and Remains . Wendell Willkie, the Republican pres - in this modern world. decades before he knew about “Nature, life, emotions, people, idential candidate in 1940 who envi - However, once China invaded India diplomacy and over the years built beauty, history and heritage — sioned a grand world alliance. in 1962, Nehru concluded he had to up a formidable body of 20 publica - these all inspire me. But what Willkie’s plan was imbued with an reconfigure his own country for the tions - 14 in Odiya, three in English, inspires me the most is the blue anti-imperial sensibility and a ringing world. In 1963, he presided over the two in Hindi and one in Telugu. His image of our planet from the space call for global justice, both ideas that 16th amendment to the Indian poetry has been translated in all — so fragile, so tender. All life, all Nehru held dear to his heart,” says the Constitution, promising to preserve major Indian languages and in joy is here. If heaven exists any - book, a path-breaking study of India’s and maintain ‘the sovereignty and Spanish and Russian. where; it exists here. Our planet, early quest to create a common des - integrity of India’ — which was a “I was 10 when I wrote my first full of life, is my foremost inspira - tiny for all the people in the world, virtual antithesis of his One World poem. Most of my poems are about tion,” Abhay K. says. based on the concept of human rights. concept. n Nehru’s Quit India resolution had called for a world federation, with a unified world federal defence force TOP TEN and pooled resources. Turning Points Pax Indica Fifty Shades Of The Case of Just days after he assumed office, Author: A.P.J. Author: Shashi Grey (Trilogy) Deadly Butter Nehru broadcast that in spite of its Abdul Kalam Tharoor Author: E.L. James Chicken Publisher: Harper Publisher: Penguin Publisher: Arrow Author: Tarquin Hall rivalries, hatreds and inner conflicts, Collins Price: `799 Books Publisher: Random the world was moving inevitably Price: `199 Price: `350 House towards closer ties as well as a world Price: `499 commonwealth. “It is for this One India: A Sacred JUST DAYS AFTER HE ASSUMED OFFICE, NEHRU BROADCAST Geography Narcopolis World that free India will work, a Author: Jeet world in which there is a free cooper - Author: Diana L. Eck THAT IN SPITE OF ITS RIVALRIES, HATREDS AND INNER Non-Fiction Publisher: Harmony Thayil ation of free peoples, and no class or CONFLICTS, THE WORLD WAS MOVING INEVITABLY TOWARDS Books Publisher: Faber Fiction group exploits another.” Price: `599 & Faber Even before India became independ - CLOSER TIES AS WELL AS A WORLD COMMONWEALTH. Price: `499 ent, Nehru underlined that the coun - Churning the Breakout Nations try would like to cooperate with others Earth: The Making Author: Ruchir Sharma Bring Up The I, Michael Bennet to build “some kind of a world struc - human affairs when the ideal of that Before he was assassinated in 1948, of Global India” Publisher: Penguin Bodies Author: James ture, call it ‘One World’, call it what ‘One World’ and some kind of world Mahatma Gandhi also threw his Author: Aseem Price: `599 Author: Hilary Patterson Shrivastava & you like”. Just before India’s inde - federation seems to be essential.” But weight behind the idea. “‘Did I believe Mantel Publisher: Century Ashish Kothari Publisher: Price: `595 pendence in August 1947, Nehru reit - he admitted there “are many dangers in One World?’ he asked rhetorically. Publisher: Penguin Fourth Estate erated: “We have arrived at a stage in and obstacles in the way”. ‘Of course I believe in One World. And Price: `699 Price: `399/-
(Source: Bahri Sons, New Delhi, www.booksatbahri.com. All the books listed above are available online)
18 India Matters| July 2012 July 2012 |India Matters 19 Introducing India’s
HISTORY Steel’ has been its most memorable Tata Steel is the vision of one man: pay off line. Riding in its wake has Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata. A patriot been the promotion of consumer-fac - and philanthropist, he founded the ing rebars for the construction indus - company in 1907 in Jamshedpur try. Launched under the brand name with the objective of building a pow - Tata Tiscon, these reinforcement erful India when independence bars used the value proposition of came. The setting up of the trust, transparency and pricing Jamshedpur Steel Works ignited encapsulating them in the slogan India’s dreams of industrialisation Atoot Jod – unbreakable bond. and propelled the nation’s march The television commercial aired to towards it. promote this brand went on to win a Since then, the plant has under - Gold in the consumer durables sec - gone several phases of expansion tion of the Advertising Club Calcutta and modernisation. corporate sustainability services of Consumer Connect Awards in Currently the plant has a crude Tata Steel, today, encompass more 2003/04. Tata Shaktee was award - steel production facility of 6.80 than 800 villages in Jharkhand, ed the Best Long-Term Rural MMT per annum, which is under aug - Orissa and Chhattisgarh. Marketing Initiative by the Rural mentation to10 MMT by 2012. Marketing Association of India in Besides producing flat and long PRODUCT 2007. Steeljunction swept all the MARKET producer, employing over 80,000 performance to the next level and products, Tata Steel India has a sig - Today,Tata Steel has several brands Gold awards in the Retail category The India growth story is now a rec - people across five continents in set a new benchmark in corporate nificant presence in allied and down - that vie for attention and distinguish of the Advertising Club of India, ognized one across the world. This is nearly 50 countries. Besides its sustainability. Closer to home, in stream areas through its strategic themselves from competitors. Tata Kolkata in 2006. reflected in the expansion of the Indian operations, the group has 2010 Tata Steel was conferred the business units, such as its tubes Steelium is the world’s first branded www.tatasteel.com country’s core sectors and in the operations in Europe through Tata Prime Minister’s Trophy for the Best division, bearings division, wire divi - cold rolled steel,Tata Shaktee is its rapid maturing of the steel segment. Steel Europe and in South-East Asia Integrated Steel Plant — for the fifth sion, ferroalloys and minerals divi - galvanised corrugated sheet,Tata THINGS YOU DIDN’T In fact, India is now the 4th largest through Tata Steel Thailand and time since inception of the award in sions and the Tata growth shop. The Tiscon is its ubiquitous rebars,Tata KNOW ABOUT TATA STEEL steel producer in the world with a Natsteel Holdings. In 2009/10, the 1992/93. company also possesses and oper - Agrico represents the hand tools and crude steel production capacity of Tata Steel Group posted a consoli - A string of other accolades have ates captive iron ore, coking coal implements segment,Tata Wiron is n Armour-plated vehicles called 72.96 million metric tonnes (MMT) dated turnover of `102,393 crore also been showered on Tata Steel in and chrome ore mines. Tata Steel its galvanised wire products,Tata Tatanagars, manufactured using per annum. With several expansion (US$ 22.80 billion). the recent past. These include the India has a 12% share of the domes - Pipes are distinguished in the con - Tata Steel, rendered yeoman serv - programmes under implementation, Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar tic market for steel. At the current struction segment, Tata Precision ice in World War II the country is expected to leapfrog ACHIEVEMENTS and the Best Establishment award production level the company’s Tubes are now almost generic to the n The company introduced branding to the 2nd position by 2015 when Tata Steel is one of India’s most from the Hon’ble President of India; branded product sales stand at 1.52 automobile, boiler and general engi - of steel products in the country as capacity reaches 120 MMT respected brands. This admiration the UK Trade & Industry Business million metric tonnes. It is a matter neering categories while Tata far back as 1935. Its first branded (Source:World Steel Association). can be seen reflected in its many award; the Worldsteel Safety of record that Tata Steel India is Structura is prominent in construc - product was TISCROM – a high In the six-month period of April- achievements. Excellence award; the Steel Industry amongst the lowest-cost producers tion applications. tensile steel September 2010, steel consumption In 2008, for instance, Tata Steel Website of the Year and the of steel in the world. n Tata Steel was the first company grew 9.80% on the back of increas - India became the first integrated Lifecycle Analysis Leadership award; The establishment of the plant at PROMOTION in the industry to introduce an ing demand from the automobile and steel plant in the world, outside the Superbrand accolade to Tata the dawn of the 20th century was Over the years, Tata Steel has used eight-hour work – many years consumer durable sectors as also Japan, to be awarded the Deming Tiscon; the Social Accountability accompanied by the setting up of an several vehicles to promote itself. before it was implemented even in from infrastructural development Application Prize for Excellence in 8000 Management System entire city with modern municipal However, its slogan ‘We Also Make advanced economies (Source: India Brand Equity Total Quality Management. Certificate; the FE-EVI Green facilities and civic amenities. n The company’s steel works in Foundation – IBEF). These augur As befits a company of its stand - Business Leadership award; the Then called Sakchi the town came Jamshedpur completed 75 years of well for the future of the industry ing it accepted a set of sustainabili - Golden Peacock Global award; the to be renamed Jamshedpur in 1919. industrial harmony in October and justify the massive investments ty indicators to measure its econom - World’s Top-Ten Most Admired It is India’s first planned industrial 2003 that are being made to augment ic, environmental and social Companies award by Fortune township and boasts of having the n Tata Steel has a 42% share of the production. performance within the steel indus - Magazine; the CII-ITC Sustainability only town services in the country to Indian market for automotive steel try. It was invited to join the United award; the BusinessWorld FICCI- be ISO 14001 certified. n Tata Wiron, the company’s PRODUCTION. Nations sponsored Global Compact SEDF CSR award and its most Tata Steel was founded on the phi - galvanised wire products, was The Tata Steel Group is amongst the for Corporate Social Responsibility recent recognition, Businessworld’s losophy that society is not just used in the construction of top-ten steel companies in the world as one of its twelve founder mem - Most Respected Company award in another stakeholder in its business, Suvarnabhumi — Bangkok’s mod - with a crude steel production capac - bers. The company is also an inte - the Metals Category in 2011. but the prime purpose of its exis - ern air terminal —as also in the ity of over 28 MMT per annum. A gral part of Global Compact LEAD, Tata Steel is also the first compa - tence. Starting with 32 villages, the construction of the Delhi Metro Fortune 500 company, the Tata a new platform set up by the UN ny in India to have received the ISO Steel Group is the world’s second- Global Compact to take environmen - 14001 certification for Environment
most geographically diversified steel tal, social and governance Management. (Reproduced with the permission of Superbrands India Private Limited — copyright owners)
20 India Matters| July 2012 July 2012 |India Matters 21 Take a The Indian Passport and Visa services, Quiz! handled by BLS International Services Take Home a Prize! Their website is www.blsindiavisa-uae and for queries you may call 04-2555530 The Passport and Visa Service Centres located at the premises of the Indian Associations/Indian Social Centres in the different Emirates will continue 1. Indian athlete P.T. Usha missed the President of Indian Council of bronze medal in 400 meter hurdle Cultural Relations. Name him. to remain functional at their existing locations. race by 100th of a second in the This magazine invites Olympics, held in which year? 7. Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya is a popular Locations of all Indian Passport and Visa Centres: contributions from work, now staged both in India and readers in the form BLS Premier Lounge, Dubai BLS Premier Lounge, Abu Dhabi of Q&As, factoids, 2. No Guns at my Son’s Funeral is a Pakistan. Name the author of the 507, Habib Bank Building 201, M-1, Plot No. 159, photographs, quiz moving tale of a teenager gripped in play, who is an eminent academic Bank Street, Bur Dubai Shark Lot (19/2), news and participation Tel: 04 386 1133 /04386 1100 Opposite Aramex Building, in upcoming quiz violence in Kashmir, penned by a with Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Fax: 04 386 1144 Muroor Road, events. You can leading children’s author. Whom are Email: [email protected] Abu Dhabi. write in to we talking about? 8. James Kirkpatrick is the subject of Tel: 02 491 3572 /02 491 3570 [email protected] Dubai Fax: 02 491 3573 William Dalrymple’s book The White BLS Centre Email: [email protected] 3. Rain Rising is a collection of poetry Mughals . Who was he? 105, 106 Al Khaleej Centre Opposite Al Ain Centre Abu Dhabi by a senior Indian diplomat. Name Mankhool Road BLS Centre her/ him. 9. In which year was the first Shatabdi Bur Dubai M-1, Plot No. 159, Shark Lot (19/2) Tel: 04-2555530 Near Main Bus Depot, Muroor Road Express launched, under the aegis of Opposite Aramex Office 4. Renowned vocalist Pt. Jasraj belongs then Railway Minister Madhavrao BLS Centre Tel: 04-2555530 202, Dubai National Insurance Building, Deira to … Gharana of Hindustani classical Scindia? Plot No. 315 (129-134) Ras Al Khaimah music. Port Saeed BLS Centre P O Box 30910 Shop No. 3, Opposite al Safeer Furniture, 10. An acclaimed dancer, she is also an Tel: 04-2555530 Al Safeer Mall and Awwad Trading 5. This Prime Minister of India was the able administrator, running the (Alkah Establishment) Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (K.M.C.C) Behind Subaru Showroom Raja of Manda. Name him. Darpana Academy. She has done her Al Shiravi Bldg Tel: 04-2555530 post-graduate diploma from IIM Near Sabaka Bus Station 6. This political stalwart is the Ahmedabad. Name her. Deira Tel: 04-2274899 Indian Association Ras Al Khaimah (I.A.R.A.K) Near Mamourah Police station Sharjah Mumtazar Rd BLS Centre Tel: 07-2288345 Office # 146, First Floor Damas Tower 14 (Burj 2000) Kalba Opposite Sharjah Central Post Office Kalba Indian School and Cultural Club (K.I.S.C.C) Rolla, Sharjah Opposite Kalba Police Station (Access gate is opposite Message Book Store) N e a r B i n Moosa Pharmacy THE PICTURE QUESTION Tel: 09-2777357 Indian Association Sharjah (I.A.S) Seated in this picture is a legendary singer, with her daughter Near Al Garb Police Station, Fujairah Krishna. An exponent of Hindustani classical music, she gave Al Manak Indian Social Club Fujairah (I.S.C.E) her last concert in 2006, even as she was struggling with can - Tel: 06-5610845 Opposite Hilton Hotel Al Fazil Road cer. She passed away in 2009. Name her. Umm Al Quwain Tel: 09-2221155 BLS Centre Jawasat Road Khorfakan Riqqah Area Indian Social Club, Khorfakan (I.S.C.K) Opp. Lulu Centre Behind Indian School Tel: 04-2555530 Tel: 09-2387677
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22 India Matters| July 2012 July 2012 |India Matters 23 A SAND IDOL IN SPAIN
Odisha-based sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik’s sculpture of Hindu God Ganesha has won two gold medals at the Solo International Sand Art Contest in Marbella, Spain. Pattnaik’s 3.5-metre sand sculpture bearing message — ‘Save The Sea Life’ — won in ‘People’s Choice’ and ‘Best Positive’ sculpture categories. "The theme of the competition was ‘Secrets of the Sea’. The sand artist, who belongs to the beach town of Puri, used about 1,000 tonnes of sand to build the sculpture. He was the only sand artist from India to participate in the contest held July 9-17. Other participants included artists from Spain, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Poland and Holland. Pattnaik has participated in more than 50 international sand art competitions across the globe and won many accolades.
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