India to Further Bolster Safety of N-Plants

PUBLICATION OF THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA IN DUBAI VOL.3 ISSUE 3 | MARCH 2011

INDIA TO FURTHER BOLSTER SAFETY OF N-PLANTS

PRIME MINISTER DR. MANMOHAN SINGH AFFIRMS CAPACITY OF INDIA'S NUCLEAR ESTABLISHMENT TO WITHSTAND NATURAL DISASTERS C FROM THE CONSUL

GENERAL’S DESK O

Dear Reader,

The tragic loss of life and property in Japan in the aftermath of the N Tsunami provoked earthquake was an extremely unfortunate occurrence. We convey, on behalf of the people of India our heartfelt condolences to the friendly people and the Government of

Japan. The tragedy in Japan has brought to the forefront many T issues, including that of safety surrounding civil nuclear power projects. In this issue, we bring you some information on the

safety protocol followed in our nuclear reactors. E Many of you may have already heard the lament by the famous entrepreneur and philanthropist, Warren Buffett that he

should have visited India much earlier. We cover Mr. Buffett’s N visit in this issue. In our continuing series on Indian Super Brands we bring to you this month the Bangalore based biotechnology company — Biocon.

With this issue, we have introduced a new series titled 10 T Questions. Through these searching questions we will attempt to bring out the many facets of prominent Indians based in the UAE.

The series kicks off with the self-introspection by yours truly. S Friends, India Matters the monthly and our Radio Show of the same name on Suno 102.4 FM are in a state of transition. These 4 India’s reactors are safe are both channels to communicate with the community. We invite In the wake of the massive earthquake, the subsequent tsunami and the your comments and opinions on these changes. We will soon mark nuclear fallout in Japan, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh ordered our presence on Facebook ! Watch that space too. an audit of India’s nuclear reactors as a precautionary measure...

Happy Reading! 10 QUESTIONS Sanjay Verma 8 Sanjay Verma, Consul General of India, Dubai With this issue of India Matters, we begin a new series introducing a personality every RADIO MATTERS month, which will reflect on life and times in general and on matters they hold dear in The Consulate General of India in Dubai has taken another step to extend a helping hand to the Indian particular community in the UAE. As of March 2011, the Consulate’s weekly radio programme ‘India Matters’ is aired on Suno 1024 FM. This radio station launched with their first show on January 11, 2011 and is a proud SUPERBRANDS new member of the Radio Asia Network (RAN). Amongst the first radio networks in the region, RAN has 10 been broadcasting across the UAE and GCC for the last 16 years under the banner of Dolphin Recording Biocon Studios LLC. The group owns and operates several businesses in the UAE, India and the Far East. Getting back to Suno, the radio station plays infectious music, entertaining citizens of the Indian PHILANTHROPY subcontinent. Listeners begin the day with the morning show, ‘Wake up with Sid and Family’, followed by 14 ‘One two ka four’ and ‘Hurry Home Hurry’. For the fashionistas, the station offers fashion and BOOKS ‘Invest in yourself’ couture tips in ‘Google my Goggles’ and a friend to confide in, in the late night show ‘Raton Raton mein’. 16 Historical explorations On Warren Buffet’s maiden India trip, The India Matters show is scheduled on Fridays, 5 pm to 6 pm, and on Saturdays, 12 pm to 1pm. he met some enthusiastic rich and William Dalrymple in his latest book famous Indians, who were willing to chronicles the first Anglo-Afghan war... share their wealth with the less fortunate...

The winner of the January 2011 monthly quiz contest is

Mr. Jassim Mohammad 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 He wins a gift hamper. or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of the CGI Dubai . Editorial correspondence and manuscripts can be addressed to [email protected] ns! gratulatio Content and design by IANS (www.ianspublishing.com) on behalf of Consulate General of India in Dubai. Con Editorial Coordinator: Zarin Amrolia, Dubai

2 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| March 2011 March 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 3 COVER

India’s reactors are safe

In the wake of the massive earthquake, the subsequent tsunami and the nuclear fallout in Japan, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh ordered an audit of India’s nuclear reactors as a precautionary measure...

ndia on March 14 declared that withstand the impact of large its nuclear reactors could disasters, such as tsunamis and withstand “large natural earthquakes,” he said. Idisasters”. However, as a The Prime Minister reassured the precautionary measure, a safety nation that the Government review at nuclear plants has been attached “the highest importance to ordered, following the recent nuclear nuclear safety”. fallout in Japan in the wake of the The NPCIL, which operates 20 massive earthquake and the tsunami nuclear power reactors, said that that hit the country. Indian nuclear plants maintained Speaking in Parliament, Prime the highest levels of safety as per Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said international norms and have that the Government wanted safety withstood major natural disasters in systems at all its nuclear plants the past. studied to ensure they could However, the DAE and NPCIL withstand natural disasters like were closely monitoring the situation. Above: Prime Minister Dr. of these reviews have been nous pressurised heavy water reactors tsunamis and earthquakes. They were in touch with the World Manmohan Singh writing a con - incorporated. and the remaining two at the Tarapur “The Department of Atomic Energy Association of Nuclear Operators, dolence message at the Japanese “The events of Japan will be plant were boiling water reactors of (DAE) and its agencies, including Tokyo Centre, the Japan Atomic Embassy in New Delhi, commis - reviewed in detail in due course as the type being operated in Japan. the Nuclear Power Corporation Industrial Forum, World Nuclear erating with the people of Japan information becomes available. “A safety audit of these reactors of India Ltd (NPCIL), have Association, and the International following the killer tsunami that Resulting out of such a review, has been completed recently,” he said. been instructed to undertake Atomic Energy Agency. struck the country; any reinforcement as needed in Dr. Singh also said the Indian an immediate technical review of “An in-depth review of all Right: The Nuclear Power Corp of Indian reactors will be implemented,” nuclear plants have in the past all safety systems of our nuclear such events have been done for India Ltd. the NPCIL said. met their safety standards. He said power plants, particularly to all the plants and necessary reinforce - The Prime Minister said that 18 of that work “was under way at DAE (ensure) that they would be able to ment features based on the outcome India’s 20 nuclear plants were indige - towards further strengthening India’s

4 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| March 2011 March 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 5 JAPAN’S RADIATION LEAK CANNOT REACH INDIA? ‘Safety measures foolproof’ Meanwhile, as panic and myths did the rounds after the radiation leak n a recent interview to The ty of the barriers because of which at Japan’s quake-hit Fukushima Indian Express , Dr. Srikumar we can say with confidence that nuclear plant, experts felt India IBanerjee, Chairman of India’s we are much safer. In addition, we should not worry about the radia - Atomic Energy Commission, are not in a seismic zone.” tion reaching the country’s shores. while referring to the stringent To another question about of “It is very important to consider safety audit that is India’s reactors, India’s location in the South Asian being carried out especially the map. It is just not possible for radi - on India’s nuclear pressurised heavy ation to reach India through wind power plants, water reactors, flow because of the Himalayas. In asserted that the which are totally Fact, India was much more in dan - country’s nuclear indigenous, Dr. ger when the Chernobyl disaster reactors were Banerjee said, happened in 1986,” C.S. Bal, safe. He said that “You know, one Professor of Nuclear Medicine at even a very high of the biggest the All India Institute of Medical tsunami cannot advantages of our Sciences, said. strike the upcom - pressurised water According to experts, radiation ing nuclear reac - reactors is that reaches hazardous levels when rays tor site located in these are low emitted by radioactive substances Jaitapur on the energy density exceed defined limits. Radiation Dr. Srikumar Banerjee western coast of reactors. In addi - leaks at the nuclear plant in Maharashtra. tion, our steam Chernobyl, ukraine, in 1986, left When asked generators are over 4,000 dead, and affected thou - about India’s Tarapur reactor in located at a point that if you want sands with after-effects like cancer. comparison to the Japan’s to take out the heat by natural cir - Fukushima reactor, Dr. Banerjee culation, you will be able to even INDIA SETS uP PANEL said, “Tarapur is actually a few when nothing is working. So we TO ASSESS TSuNAMI years older to this. In Tarapur, we are much more comfortable with RELATED RISKS have introduced some systems and Pressurised Heavy Water India is setting up an expert panel updates. One of them is this con - Reactors (PHWs). Eighteen of our to assess tsunami related risks for denser loop that actually takes out reactors are PHWs.” existing infrastructure projects, the heat of the reactor in a passive Dr. Banerjee added: “I can only including nuclear power in the manner. This is located at a height say that you should worry less for wake of the tsunami that struck and the thermosiphon keeps cool - nuclear energy than walking on Japan recently. The Ministry of ing it down. So it is the multiplici - the streets or driving…” Environment and Forests has formed a four-member group to evaluate the additional safeguards needed for existing projects and to suggest measures to be taken for an environmental impact assess - ment for all future projects. national nuclear safety regulatory technical safety systems in place, in India’s first indigenously Japan “was most unlikely”. The Kakrapar atomic power The Ministry has also asked authority”. the existing power plants in India. designed breeder reactor The 20 nuclear power reactors in plant continued to operate safely and the four Expert Appraisal Meanwhile, the Prime Minister Officials said there was little to at the Kalpakkam nuclear India have an installed capacity of supplied much-needed energy to Committees (EAC) relating to also held a meeting with the heads worry about a Japanese situation enclave, near Chennai, 4,780 MW, including two Boiling the affected regions. industry, infrastructure, thermal of the Atomic Energy Commission arising in India. in Tamil Nadu Water Reactors (BWRs). The rest are Similarly, during the 2004 power and nuclear energy to delib - (AEC) and the Atomic Energy “In India, the designs are Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor tsunami, which hit the southern-most erate on tsunami-related risks. Regulatory Board (AERB) to review different, the storage of spent fuel is (PHWRs). Their safety was state of Tamil Nadu, the Madras “In addition, it is necessary the safety measures of nuclear different,” National Security Adviser re-analysed some years ago and Atomic Power Station was safely to review the current systems we installations. Shivshankar Menon said following reviewed by the AERB. shut down without any radiological have for assessing tsunami-type According to the Prime Minister’s the meeting. The Indian nuclear plants consequences. It was restarted a risks as part of environmental Office, the AEC and AERB chiefs He added that the DAE officials had proved their safety during the few days later following a regulatory impact assessment of such briefed the Prime Minister about the noted that a scenario In India, as in severe Gujarat earthquake of 2001. review. projects,” the Ministry said.

6 India Matters| March 2011 March 2011 |India Matters 7 10 QUESTIONS let me clarify that the Consulate is not cinema. And yes, I love music. In music, my directly involved in negotiations to release taste is very eclectic, ranging from the blues, our seamen from the pirates. But, yes, we folk, rock, qawwalis, filmi music, Hindustani interact with the owners of the ships and classical and much more. I used to have a families of the crew and the relevant passion for Bollywood memorabilia but my authorities in our Government. current interests are old prints, maps, and ‘India is truly incredible first edition books. The contract to provide consular 3services is now with BLS. How will What do you think is the greatest this move be of advantage to the 7invention in the last 100 years? Indian community in Dubai? I feel the computer — and the subsequent because of its rich We aspire to constantly improve the impact it has had on research, data process - consular services being provided to our ing and now communications — is the greatest nationals. From April 6, 2011, BLS invention of the century. Technol ogy is International, which was selected through growing fast and exponentially, altering our civilisational heritage…’ an open bid, will replace Empost as the new social fabric. At an existential level, speed in service provider for our passport and visa all aspects of life has been the great leitmotif services. BLS International’s Centres will be of our times. We travel faster, calculate at new locations but will be bigger and their faster, children grow up quicker, and we also With this issue of India Matters , we begin a new series introducing a personality every service fees lesser by up to 25 percent. seem to fall in and out of love faster. month through a set of 10 questions. The featured personality will reflect on life and It’s been a year as a Consul-General A personality you admire? times in general and on matters they hold dear in particular… India Matters presents 4of India in Dubai. How much have 8There are many personalities I admire: you managed to see of the city? What Emperor Ashoka, Emperor Akbar, Amir SANJAY VERMA , Consul-General of India, Dubai are your impressions? What is your Khusro, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma favourite destination in UAE? Gandhi, Dr. Ambedkar, J.N. Tata, Prof. Time flies in Dubai. There is a certain Amartya Sen, Amitav Ghosh, Ramchandra scenic quality to the UAE. The desert sand, Guha, Lata Mangheskar, Dilip Kumar, Kapil clear blue ocean waters, and pleasant Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, A.R. Rehman, Zubin weather for half the year make the UAE an Mehta, Saina Nehwal, Vijay Amritraj, Amir When was the Consulate of India attractive destination. Dubai’s architecture Khan, Shyam Benegal, M.S. Dhoni, Shabana 1in Dubai established? How many is iconic and makes a resounding statement. Azmi and many more. Indians are there in Dubai and how is Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, the souks, the the Consulate reaching out to them? creek area, and Bastakiya are all very special Which sport do you enjoy The first Consul-General of India in Dubai places. The infinite number of restaurants 9participating in/being a spectator assumed office in 1973. There are about 1.3 and the grand hotels also add to the charm. of? What, according to you, is needed million Indians in Dubai and the Northern to improve the involvement of sport in Emirates. The Consulate interfaces with the Which destination in India has the lives of Indians? Indian community through various consular 5made the greatest impression on We need more of a sporting and outdoor services, our magazine India Matters , our you? And which destination would culture. We need lesser armchair sports weekly Radio Show also called India Matters you recommend to UAE travellers critics. Our children need to be encouraged that plays every Friday at 5 pm on the new visiting India? to sweat. Sports need to become an essential station Suno 102.4 FM. We will soon be The Taj Mahal is an abiding image of part of our culture, as dancing and singing present on Facebook too. The Consulate also India. I have personally seen it over 50 are. I am personally fond of cricket engages with Indian associations through occasions but the delight and awe remains and hockey and I have played both at the Indian Community Welfare Committee, undiminished. Our country is truly University level. which works under the patronage of the incredible because of its rich civilisational Consulate. heritage and continental geography. We are Architecture you admire? diversity personified. Many of our Emirati 10 Please recommend a structure Efforts were made by the friends are familiar with Kerala, Mumbai that Indians should definitely visit. 2Consulate General of India to and Hyderabad. I would encourage them to I like Lutyen’s Delhi and Chandigarh and evacuate Indians from Libya. You visit Northern and Eastern India, our capital many Indian monuments, including the Taj were also involved in negotiations Delhi, our hill stations, the State of Mahal and numerous forts. Our temples in regarding the capture of Indian ships Rajasthan, which they may find similar, but Southern India and Orissa are also outstand - by Somali pirates. Please elaborate. yet so different from the UAE. ing. In modern architecture, I like the Lotus Close to 16,000 Indian nationals have Temple in Delhi and the Infosys headquarters been evacuated from Libya. Travel of over Are there any hobbies that you are in Bangalore. In UAE, I think a visit to Burj 800 of these was facilitated by your 6devoted to? Khalifa is a must. It is an extraordinary struc - Consulate through Dubai. On Somali piracy, I read. I devour quality films/world ture, a tribute to human ingenuity and vision.

8 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| March 2011 March 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 9 An India Matters-Superbrands Presentation Pathologists. This has set a new benchmark for labo - ratories in India. In its drive to scale up to global demand and gain international recog - nition, Biocon has already emerged as the largest insulin, statin and perfusion- based antibody pro - duction facility in Asia. In 2004, the com - pany moved up the value chain by launching INSUGEN, a recombinant human insulin manufactured using was a radical departure from the statins and r-human insulin. a unique Pichia Expression system. prevailing practice of supplying In 2000 Biocon promoted a Biocon set up an On cotherapeu - chemical process aids. Clinical Research Organisation tics division in 2006 and launched By the 1990s Bangalore was (CRO), Clinigene, to plug a large BIOMAb EGFR™ — a revolutionary becoming the knowledge capital regulatory gap in clinical develop - monoclonal antibody to combat of India. Seizing this emerging ment. The CRO created in-house cancers of the head and neck. With opportunity Biocon set up capabilities for clinical develop - Market gy sector. As this launch Biocon became the first Syngene in 1994. It was India’s ment and also provided clinical Several years ago The Economist a research- Indian company to develop and first contract research services services to third parties, thus mak - had predicted that the 21st centu - driven, glob - manufacture monoclonal antibodies company in early stage drug dis - ing it into a profit centre. ry would belong to developments in al health in accordance with stringent inter - covery. It then leveraged its fer - As technology progressed and biology. That prophecy is already care compa - national guidelines. The drug mentation-based enzyme capabili - antibodies came to be recognised coming to pass in the first decade ny with a received the Product of the Year ties and entered the biopharmaceu - as a new class of immunotherapeu - itself. From diagnosis to treatment, strong Award in 2007 from Biospectrum, a tical space in 1998. It was here tic drugs, Biocon entered into a biotechnology is delivering on its matrix of capabilities along the bio - of 3,900, including 900 scientists. leading trade periodical. that Biocon launched two impor - joint venture with the Centre for promise of revolutionising research pharmaceutical value chain, Biocon The visionary who made this transi - This impassioned and unrelenting tant R&D programmes for fermen - Molecular Biology, Cuba in 2003 to and development and creating inno - offers novel therapies, which stem tion possible was Kiran Mazumdar- drive to achieve and succeed has tation-based cholesterol-reducing develop several novel antibodies. vative medicines. from its focused drive towards Shaw, declared in a recent interna - seen Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw receive Worldwide the biotechnology affordable innovation. tional poll, to be one of the most two of India’s highest civilian hon - industry is expected to grow at a The company has a global foot - influential professionals in biotech - ours — the Padma Shree in 1989 compounded annual rate of print that spans 75 countries, with nology in the world. It is under her and the Padma Bhushan in 2005. between 6 percent and 9 percent the US and the European markets leadership that Biocon has emerged through 2010, determined by two accounting for more than 35 per - as the face of evolving India and History realities: the ageing population of cent of its worldwide sales. has, not surprisingly, distinguished If Biocon is credited with starting the world and the rising demand for For a country with a number of itself in several spheres. the bio-technology revolution in a better quality of life. It is expect - sunrise industries, biotechnology is, It was the first company to India then it is a matter of record ed that the emerging markets of perhaps, India’s most important export microbial enzymes to the that this revolution started with a Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin development as it alone envelopes U.S. and Europe. Syngene modest capital of US$1,000 (then America would be the main demand the hope of bringing affordable relief International, a Biocon Group Rs. 10,000) on November 29, creators (Source: industry data). to a world plagued with disease. company, is India’s first custom 1978 in a garage in Bangalore. The India is already a major biotech research company in drug discov - company was incorporated as a player in the world. According to Achievements ery. Biocon’s proprietary bioreactor joint venture between a young industry projections the business With just three scientists at its the PlaFractor received a U.S. woman entrepreneur, Kiran has a potential of generating rev - core, Biocon began commercial patent in the 1990s. Mazumdar-Shaw and Biocon enues in excess of US$5 billion operations in 1978 manufacturing Clinigene, another Biocon sub - Biochemicals, a small Irish compa - (Rs. 20,000 crore) and creating industrial enzymes. Thirty eventful sidiary, has the distinction of ny. Biocon scripted a winning strat - one million skilled jobs by 2010. years later the company is a globally becoming the first Indian laborato - egy by opting for specialty, low vol - In India, Biocon has been the recognised, integrated biopharma - ry to receive accreditation from ume, high value enzymes for the driver of growth in the biotechnolo - ceutical company with a work force the College of American food and beverage industry. This

10 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| March 2011 March 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 11 In 2004 Biocon went range of biopharmaceuti - development and innovation. public as India’s first cals for the Gulf coun - Biocon’s rise to eminence is Biotech stock. The IPO tries. It granted a mar - reflected in the building blocks of unlocked a US$1 billion keting license in life itself — the DNA helix. In its (Rs. 4000 crore) valua - Pakistan and created a infinite, outward spiral, the double tion on the Indian stock nephrology division helix symbolises the company’s exchange In 2006, which launched a com - mission to grow into a leading bio - Biocon acquired a large prehensive portfolio of pharmaceutical enterprise of global patent and IP portfolio renal therapy products. distinction. In its counter-form the from a U.S. Biotech com - The year also saw Biocon mnemonic resembles the pany, Nobex Inc., which Syngene enter into a letter ‘B’, reinforcing the close enabled it to embark on research partnership relationship that exists between a cutting edge Oral with Bristol-Myers Biocon and biotechnology. Insulin programme. In Squibb. The Biocon Foundation fulfils the the same year it inked a In February 2008, company’s corporate social respon - co-development arrange - Biocon catapulted into sibility by making available medical ment with Vaccinex Inc., the European market by assistance to the less advantaged, another U.S. company to picking up a 70 percent rural communities of India. The develop a pipeline of stake in the German company’s brand values are rein - humanised antibodies. pharmaceutical compa - forced through an integrated out - ny Axicorp. This addition reach strategy that focuses on Product will enable Biocon to social change and empowerment of Biocon’s diverse synergise its low-cost rural communities through public research base has manufacturing capabili - health, sanitation and education enabled the development ties with Axicorp’s low- programmes. of a rich pipeline of prod - cost distribution model ucts that encom - and access the www.biocon.com pass therapeutic European market for areas like oncology, biosimilars like recombi - rheumatoid arthri - nant human insulin. tis, autoimmune dis - The German acquisi - eases and diabetes. tion came on the heels THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT BIOCON Biocon has a key of Biocon’s strategic focus on generic partnership with the US- n Biocon is India’s most admired and bio-similar based start up IATRICa biotechnology company drugs driven by its Inc., in January 2008. two strands of DNA and stands for increase awareness about these n The development and pioneering flagship products This alliance was forged integrity and dependability — the and other autoimmune diseases. spirit of Biocon is a case study at like Statins, to co-develop an exclu - two values Biocon believes are Famous personalities like Shah business schools at Universities Immuno-suppres - sive new class of essential for conducting business Rukh Khan and Wasim Akram add such as Harvard and Oxford sants and immuno-conjugates for in the 21st century. The logo, with to the brand’s recognition and n The Biocon IPO was oversub - Recombinant targeted immunotherapy its distinctive colours, stands out appeal by being associated with scribed 33 times; it was only the Human Insulin. of cancers and infec - in the clutter of business-to-con - key product launches. second Indian company to cross Biocon is also tious diseases. sumer brands. Without doubt the brand owes the US$1 billion (Rs. 4000 crore) developing an excit - The next level of silent communi - much of its global positioning and mark on day one of listing at the ing portfolio of novel drugs like Promotion cators were the company’s annual recognition to its founder, Kiran bourses Oral Insulin and a number of mono - Recent Developments Biocon has two clear corporate reports, websites and health care Mazumdar-Shaw, who has herself, n Biocon was India’s first biotech clonal antibodies. Biocon’s In 2007, Biocon established India’s missions: to follow best practices collaterals. Each of these, project won several accolades. She has company and had a global rank of BIOMAb-EGFR™ is the first indige - first biotechnology Special in fast tracking new generation bio - quality by combining hi-visual been called India’s Biotech Queen sixteen (Source: Biospectrum, nously developed humanised mono - Economic Zone in Bangalore at a therapeutic development and to appeal with simple messaging. by The Economist and Fortune July 2004) clonal antibody-based drug for cost of approximately US$200 mil - project quality every time the com - Biocon’s interface with its cus - magazines while the New York n Nobel Laureate Prof. James D. treatment of solid tumours of lion (Rs. 800 crore). Spread over pany communicates as Brand tomers are slickly presented con - Times has christened her India’s Watson visited Biocon on epithelial origin. The drug has 90 acres, Biocon Park is an inte - Biocon. tinuous medical education pro - Mother of Invention. January 9 1999 attained leadership in its segment grated biopharmaceutical hub, To ensure this, Biocon began grammes on product-related topics n Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, then and has provided affordable relief incorporating state-of-the-art with the most basic of communica - and sessions with key opinion lead - Brand Values President of India, inaugurated to cancer patients across the coun - research laboratories, USFDA-quali - tions tools — the logo — and ers. At every one of these events The name Biocon and the Biocon Park in June 2006 try. The company is now focused fied fermentation-based manufac - worked upwards. In sync with its Biocon emerges as a no-compro - company’s promise — The differ - n Biocon is the first Indian company on marketing initiatives that are turing plants and India’s first anti - leap forward as a fully integrated mise company, dedicated to ensur - ence lies in our DNA — are tied to launch an indigenously devel - aimed at making its branded prod - body manufacturing facility. biopharmaceutical company, ing quality output. to the Group’s identity and oped proprietary anti-cancer drug ucts like INSUGEN®, Statix, 2007 was a year of intense activ - Biocon acquired a new corporate Events such as ‘Winning with commitment to good science. They to the Indian market in 2006 — Erypro, Olisat and Metadoze into ity as Biocon formed a joint ven - identity in 2003. The new logo, Diabetes’ and its public interaction communicate dynamism, cutting BIOMAb EGFR™ global brands. ture to manufacture and market a christened the Dynalix denotes the on World Cancer Day are held to edge technology, research and (Reproduced with the permission of Superbrands India Private Limited — copyright owners)

12 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| March 2011 March 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 13 PHILANTHROPY/BUSINESS

US billionaire “I look forward to doing more business in Warren Buffett India. I came here with enough knowledge IDBI lends $120 mn gestures as he of the Indian economy and that has been addresses an reinforced,” Buffett said. for Meydan project audience during an “You are doing the right thing. I couldn’t interactive session feel more delighted to be here. This is my organised by the first trip to India and I first landed on Confederation of Bangalore soil. I think I made the right Indian Industry (CII) decision. I could not feel more welcome and in Bangalore on people are wonderful,” Buffett said. March 23. The Berkshire Hathway chief executive said in a lighter vein that he would revisit India and Bangalore in 2030 when he would Meghnad Warrier, Financial Controller; turn 100 years. But he hastened to add that Mohammad A Nasser Al Khayat, he would like to come much earlier. Commercial Director; Saeed H Al Referring to his philanthropic activities, Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Buffett said he would talk to more Indian CEO of Meydan; N.S. Venkatesh,CEO billionaires on what he was doing in the area IDBI Bank Ltd; DIFC Branch and and how to give back more to society. Rajeev K.Sinha, Dy CEO of IDBI Bank ‘Invest “We are not here to pressure anybody. Ltd, DIFC Branch, after signing the Everybody has his own understanding of in-principle agreement. philanthropy. I will be talking to Indian billionaires about our philanthropic in yourself’ activities and find out what they are doing,” eydan Group, the developer of Buffett pointed out. MDubai’s showpiece racecourse city, On Warren Buffet’s maiden Asked about his advice to the young and India’s IDBI Bank, a leading provider entrepreneurs of India, Buffett said: “The of project and infrastructure financing, India trip, he met some best investment one can do, is to invest in signed a $120 million syndicated loan enthusiastic rich and famous yourself. The more you understand yourself, agreement. The loan, the first overseas the better is your judgment.” project financing venture of the Indian Indians, who were willing to Addressing a Confederation of Indian bank, will fund the development cost of share their wealth with the Industry meeting in Bangalore, he said: Meydan Heights — a 528-unit mega gated less fortunate... “India is a country on the move that offers community project, jointly promoted by all kinds of opportunities.” Meydan and Emirates airline. The 80 year old chief of Berkshire N.S. Venkatesh, CEO of IDBI Bank Ltd, Hathaway, a conglomerate based in Omaha DIFC Branch, said, “We are keen to take in the United States, hoped that large Indian our relationship with Meydan further as corporations “don’t forget me” when they we believe in long-term relationship.” looked for a “permanent new home”. IDBI Bank’s DIFC branch is its first However, he did not give any indication of branch outside India. The bank is looking the sector in which he was interested in to tap opportunities in the UAE and other investing. Gulf countries.

ndia’s rich, with at least 50 dollar-bil - dinner to woo people towards philanthropy. lionaires, are more than willing to give “We met a number of first class people BUSINESS BUZZ back to society in philanthropy, the tonight. There was a level of candour, a level 39.2 lakh crore rupees ($859.84 billion) investment 5,700 crore rupees ($1.25 billion) is the annual Iworld’s third richest billionaire, Warren of participation that was dramatic,” he said. required for urban infrastructure over 20 years, according revenue of Sony in India. Buffett said in New Delhi on March 24. Among Buffet’s engagements were to PM’s High Powered Expert Committee. 4,542.29 crore rupees ($996 million) worth pulses He said that there was considerable meetings with Prime Minister Dr. 10 millionth car rolled out by Maruti Suzuki, making it the imported by India this year. enthusiasm among the rich and the famous Manmohan Singh and some of his cabinet only Indian car company to cross this milestone. 1,540 crore rupees ($337.80 million) pledged by Indians he met here to share their wealth colleagues, apart from addressing policy 46,000 crore rupees ($10.09 billion) mark will be ‘Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao’ group, a Banglore based with the less fortunate. holders of insurance schemes launched by crossed by India’s e-commerce market in 2011 infrastructure firm to create an endowment for “There were 70 people and without the $60-billion financial services firm 17,000 humanitarian activities. exception it was clear that there was plenty Berkshire Hathway. crore rupees ($3.73 billion) to be invested by ONGC in Gujarat for on shore operations. 1,500 crore rupees ($329 million) earmarked by India of enthusiasm, plenty of interest,” Buffet Earlier in Bangalore where he had landed for solar projects over 2 years. said at a joint press conference with first, Buffett expressed his readiness to do 10,000 crore rupees ($2.193 billion) to be invested 1,000 crore rupees ($219.34 million) fund created by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and business in India and hailed Karnataka for by Tata Housing to develop 40 million sq ft of housing across India in the next 3 years. the National Innovation Council (NIC) for early-stage Wipro chief Azim Premji, after an exclusive attracting global investments. innovations.

14 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| March 2011 March 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 15 BOOKS Historical explorations A ‘melting pot’ called Goa oa Writers, a group of Amitav Ghosh William Dalrymple in his latest book chronicles the first Anglo-Afghan war... disparate individuals, has The author talks to Madhusree Chatterjee about his latest literary venture launched a book, which G draws together a wide range of experiences and ideas, and presents the melting pot called Goa. that were published in Lucknow and Delhi in Inside/Out: New writing from the run-up to the mutiny of 1857. “It is an Goa is the first anthology of the Goa extraordinary resource,” Dalrymple said. Writers group, which includes some According to the writer, the events of 1842 of the best-known writers in the state, were indirectly responsible for the mutiny of alongside those working to improve 1857 in India. their writing skills and learn from a The provocation for the first Anglo-Afghan group mentoring exercise. war dates back to the early years of the great Inside/Out features exclusive, orig - international espionage game in the north- inal work from noted novelist and western frontiers of the subcontinent in 1837, Aldona resident Amitav Ghosh, as when Russian and British spies were trying to well as previously unpublished map the Himalayas and gather intelligence. contributions from more than 20 With the Russians expanding towards the other prominent writers. British dominion of India, the East India In his essay Anthony Vaz, Ghosh Mauzo, Pamela D’Mello, Rosalyn Rodricks, Tony de Sa, Kornelia Company, which managed the Crown’s affairs writes: “I have long been fascinated by D’Me llo and Helene Derkin Menezes. Santoro, Aniruddha Sen Gupta and in the subcontinent, feared a Russian invasion nautical dictionaries, especially those Photographs from Vivek Menezes Savia Viegas. of India through the Khyber and Bolan passes. that relate to Asian seafarers (or ‘lascars’ set in Moira village, and verses from The 236-page paperback, priced at The British invaded Afghanistan on the basis as they were once known).” Mafalda Mimoso, Isabel de Santa `195, has been co-published of intelligence about a possible invasion Other contributors to the volume Rita Vas and Mario Coelho are also by Goa, 1556 and Goa Writers. It is furnished by a single Russian envoy. include Ben Antao, Himanshu Burte, part of the book. available in major bookshops in Dalrymple’s book begins in “1843 with an Xavier Cota, Vidyadhar Gadgil, Aimee The book also features Frederick Goa, and via mail-order through ward winning writer William army chaplain, Reverend G.R. Gleigh, who Ginsburg, Veena Gomes-Patwardhan, Noronha, Cecil Pinto, Sucheta Potnis, [email protected]. It is slated to be Dalrymple, the author of books like shortly after his return from Afghanistan, sat Fatima da Silva Gracias, Sheela Melinda Coutinho Powell, Prava Rai, in bookstores all over India soon, and Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in and wrote his memoirs about his involvement Jaywant, Jose Lourenco, Damodar Victor Rangel-Ribeiro, Wendell available for sale online as well. AModern India and White Mughals, is in the greatest military catastrophe”. exploring the genesis of conflict and western “The East India Company sent 18,500 Indian interference in the Afghanistan-Pakistan sector and British troops to Afghanistan in 1842. Only in his new historical treatise The Return of the one man survived the campaign, making it back TOP TEN King: Shah Shuja and the first Anglo-Afghan to Jalalabad on a horse. Not one benefit, mili - India Calling Tinderbox: Only Time Tender Hooks War. The book has prompted Dalrymple to tary or political, was acquired with the war. It Author: Anand The Past and Future Will Tell Author: Moni return to Afghanistan and Pakistan, the areas was waged on (the basis of) doctored intelli - Giridharadas of Pakistan Author: Jeffery Mohsin Publisher: Fourth Author: M.J. Akbar Archer Publisher: Random he covered as a journalist and a travel writer in gence,” Dalrymple said, quoting from his book, Estate Publisher: Harper Publisher: PAN House his early twenties. which documents Gleigh’s accounts. Price: `499 Collins Price: `325 Price: `199 “History is coming pretty close to repeating The germ of the book was sown last year Price: `499 itself. My book is a modern story of neo-colo - while Dalrymple was writing an opinion article India a Portrait Home Boy nial influence in the region. It is the story of the for the New York Times . Author: Patrick Author: H.M. Naqvi first Anglo (British) Afghan war fought The writer said he was reminded about the French Publisher: Harper between 1834-1842 and the first ever interfer - similarities between the current situation in Non-Fiction Publisher: Penguin Collins Fiction ence of the west (in the modern context) in Afghanistan and the Anglo-Afghan war, which Books Price: `250 Price: 699 Afghanistan,” Dalrymple said. triggered more than a century of foreign inter - ` The bulk of the material for the book has ference in the region. been sourced from archives in Kabul and “The economic realities which determine the Makers of Modern The Emperor of All The Collaborator Custody Pakistan and “eight previously unidentified way the war has gone are very similar (between India Maladies Author: Mirza Author: Manju volumes chronicling the history of the period in the past and present). The reality is Author: Author: Siddhartha Waheed Kapur Ramachandra Guha Mukherjee Publisher: Penguin Publisher: Random Urdu and Persian” that Dalrymple purchased Afghanistan is still so poor. Moreover, Afghan Publisher: Publisher: Fourth Viking House from an unknown bookseller in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai is from the sub-clan as Penguin/Viking Estate Price: `499 Price: `450 The documents included two epic poems that of Shah Shuja,” Dalrymple said. Price: `799 Price: `499

(Source: Bahri Sons, New Delhi, www.booksatbahri.com. All the books listed above are available online)

16 India Matters| March 2011 March 2011 |India Matters 17 CINEMA

became the first woman cinematog - rapher to win a National Award for Best Cinematography for her debut movie Kutty Srank in 2010. However, Savita Singh, who has done three films, including Ram Gopal Verma’s Phoonk , says she is Breaking the reminded now and then that she is part of a minority group in a big pond. “I do not feel any difference in the industry people’s behavior. But myth... people in general have a weird perception: they always remind me The technical field a no-no for women? Take a look at how that I am a woman in a male-domi - nated industry,” Singh says. women photographers and cinematographers have carved a When asked if the profession was niche for themselves in these ‘male-dominated’ fields... physically demanding, she says: “A camera weighs about 30 to 40 kg but that is not a big deal for a person who handles it everyday. What is more important is that an individual should know the right technique of handling the equipment and should know the hey are pushed, pinched and art of its application.” cast weird glances, but that Even photographers say being doesn’t dent the confidence women have not been a hindrance to Tof women photographers their career. and cinematographers. They have Fashion photographer Sumiko stormed into the profession with Murgai Nanda, who has been in the their talent and heavy equipment in profession for more than a decade tow — to break the myth that the says, “I have never lost a client just technical field is for men. because I am a woman. Rather it has Savita Singh, Fawzia Fatima, been beneficial at times because Anushka Menon, Amala Papuri, many clients feel comfortable work - Sharmistha Roy, Sumiko Murgai ing with woman photographer.” Nanda — these names may not ring a The first Indian woman photogra - bell at once, but they are the women pher was Homai Vyarawalla who technicians who have carved a niche captured important events between for themselves in Bollywood. the 1940s and 1960s and can be called Cinematographer Deepti Gupta, a frontrunner and trailblazer inspiring rapher, who has been working for six (Above) Anjuli Shukla, who is known for her work women to foray into professional pho - years, says gender difference doesn’t the first woman Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd , says the tography. Another well-known woman come in the way when you have the cinematographer to last decade has seen an eyebrow- photographer is Dayanita Singh. key to survival — talent. win a National raising difference in the acceptance of Nanda, 40, feels women have “It is only talent that one needs. It is Award for the Best women in this field. become more gutsy now. key to surviving in this field. Yes, in Cinematography, on “The industry has since the earliest “When I had started, we could your initial years, you may feel it is the sets of ‘Kutty times been male-dominated and it count the number of women photog - quite a tedious task because you need Srank’. took just a little longer for women, raphers on our fingers, but today to carry your own equipment. So you (Top) A still from who are technical professionals to definitely, women have opened up to can say it’s physically demanding as the film ‘Kutty Srank’. enter this world. But the last 10 years the profession. They have become well as mentally challenging,” says have seen a huge difference. Now, we more gutsy, testing themselves under Menon. have big names like Fawzia Fatima different situation s and surroundings. Monisha Ajgaonkar, 22, young free - from Chennai and Savita Singh from “The travel part is tougher for lance photographer, who started Mumbai. They have become women from a security point of working after Class 12, says: “You real - prominent figures,” Gupta says. view — other than that I don’t see any ly need to have the contacts to be in They have also won prestigious difference between men and women this industry. However, at times you awards as big as national awards in in this profession.” are treated like a girl at events where their specialised fields. Anjuli Shukla Anushka Menon, a fashion photog - people you know behave differently.”

18 India Matters| March 2011 March 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 19 TRAVEL retreat. Ours was one of LOCATiON: the first homes to open up 590 km from for hospitality in the early Delhi 20th century, before inde - pendence,” Rathore said. HOw TO Ranbanka Palace, built REACH: From in the style of early 20th Delhi 8 hours by century Rajasthani man - road, or overnight sions, with domes, arches, train — Mandor lattices and modern interi - Express, or ors in red stone, opened its direct flight door to visitors in 2000. The palace has a long ROOM RENT: tradition of “shikar” or Ranges from hunting, which finds its `6,400 to `9,800. way into the numerous You can avail of stuffed and mounted discounts up to animal busts adorning the 50 percent in the rooms, the rich smattering summer months of tiger art from (off-season) Ranthambore and the royal family’s hunting photographs. “we began with 30 rooms in the main quarters and have now expanded to 80 by refurbishing an old maze of dilapidated stables and palace offices into a new modern wing,” Rathore said. Of hunts, crafts and The palace flaunts its cuisine, catering to local diners, army officers from the cantonment, wedding entourages, and the occasional foreign film crew. laal maas... in keeping with the hunters who owned the palace, Ranbanka’s signature dish is the junglee murgi (wild chicken). Blending the old and the new, preserving ancient Rajasthani heritage, and it is a hunter’s concoction of jungle fowl sustaining the livelihoods of local artisans, Ranbanka Palace in Jodhpur offers a cooked in a sauce of red chilli paste, ‘heritage’ getaway... peppercorn, bay leaves, chopped onions, garlic, desi ghee (clarified butter) and salt, minus water. Traditionally, the bird, diced in small cubes, is cooked in an open ocooned in the deep shadows of of the retreat to showcase their skills. The Clockwise from left: Jodhpur and the heritage of the palace — pan on an open hearth. towering trees, Ranbanka Palace performances include traditional puppet The pillared and combine the old and the new, which The traditional “ laal maas ” is another has carved a niche of its own in theatre, local dances and music — both corridor, lit up works in india. we are reviving the dish, which has been reinvented to cater Cheritage tourism, offering tradi - instrumental and vocal — of the desert. in amber lights, heritage crafts too, and providing to different palates. tional art and craft, affordability and Artisans spread their wares on mani - makes Ranbanka employment to villagers and local “it is essentially a dish of lamb or mut - mouth-watering hunter’s cuisine. cured lawns for guests to browse through Palace one of the artisans. That is the way to go for heritage ton, which is cooked in red chilli garlic Owned by the erstwhile Rathore royal items ranging from handcrafted jutis most romantic hospitality in india,” Rathore said. paste, clarified butter and curd, with and polo ace Karna Vijay Singh and his wife (shoes), accessories and bags, to trinkets destinations of Ranbanka is part of a family palace that crushed onion juice. The meat is usually Shweta Rathore, the palace, converted into and dolls. Rajasthan; the dates back to 1927. Named after the eaten with crisp ‘moti roti’, usually served a heritage resort in 2000, is now a hub for Guests shop as they dine at the open air outside view of the clan’s war cry, “Ranbanka Rathore” (the crunched and crushed,” chef Syed, in local crafts under a revival programme restaurant, the Ranbanka Bagh, breaking palace; the lounge invincible Rathore), it was built for Ajit charge of the kitchen, said. undertaken by its owners. The intention off between courses for a spot of shopping. overlooking the Singh, the younger brother of Maharaja The tariffs are reasonable given that the was to resuscitate traditional livelihoods. Jutis crafted from camel, buffalo and royal pool; and Umaid Singh of Jodhpur. palace is barely three kilometres from The palace overlooks the imposing goat leather by Manohar Lal of Nagaur, the reception “Erstwhile rulers brought the English Jodhpur airport, said the retreat’s general Umaid Bhavan Palace in the heart of whose family has been in the business for area of the guests home and lodged them in rooms manager Devender wallia. Jodhpur, 590 km from Delhi. 700 years, are always in great demand. majestic palace. dotting the sprawling property, outlying “The rents are classified into four Every evening, performing artistes and “The idea was to connect the two the living quarters. The tradition sowed categories, varying between `6,400 to craftspeople flock to the sprawling lawns heritages — the ancient heritage of the seeds of the country’s first heritage `9,800 in the peak season,” wallia said.

20 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| March 2011 March 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 21 KALEIDOSCOPE Photo courtesy: Incredible India! The mighty

This magazine will 1. Where is the Brihadeswara or 6. Thumba in Kerala is famous king accept contributions Rajarajeshwara temple situated and because...? from readers in the who built it? The tiger, known for its immense form of Q&As, factoids, 7. Who was the first Muslim woman to strength and power, has been a tradi - quiz news and 2. Where would you find the only sanctuary sit on the throne of Delhi? tional symbol of India since the 25th announcements of of Asiatic lions in the world? century BC, when it was displayed on upcoming quiz events 8. With which sport is the ‘Choudhury the Pashupati seal of the Indus Valley and also photographs. 3. The Dhyan Chand National Stadium Trophy’ associated? Civilisation. India had 100,000 tigers You can write in to in Delhi was earlier known by the at the turn of the last century, but there [email protected] name of ...? 9. Which important mathematical has been a serious decline in numbers system, used all over the world, since then. Hence, the Indian govern - 4. Which is the oldest armoured regi - was created by the Gupta civilization? ment has undertaken several steps to ment in the Indian Army? reduce the destruction of the tiger's 10. Chutney was a favourite of the British natural habitat in India. One of them is 5. Which diasporic film won the Golden since they sampled it during the Raj the conservation of tiger reserves. Lion award in 2001 days. A famous chutney, which they India has more than 45,000 sq km adored, and is still sold, is called... (27,961 miles) of forest area in 39 designated tiger reserves.

THE PICTURE QUESTION Holy celebrated with gaiety at the Consulate General of India in Dubai This historic landmark was built to commem - orate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay, prior to the Delhi Durbar, in December 1911. The last of the British troops to leave India set sail from here on February 28, 1948. Name this landmark.

ANSWERS TO THE LAST CONTEST 1. Jalandhar 2. Changthangi, Himalayan goat 3. Napoleon 4. Khong Kangjei 5. Wilson Jones 6. Vivien Leigh 7. Shaheed Minar 8. The Ocean and Bay of Bengal 9. Soyuz-T 10. Haji Ali Dargah, off the Mumbai coast, built in 1431

22 SIEnPdTEiaMMBERat2t0e09 rs| March 2011 March 2011 |IndiSa EMPTEaMtBtERe2r0s09 23 HOLI: THE FESTIVAL OF COLOURS

Women daub coloured powder on each other as they celebrate the ‘Festival of Colours’, Holi on March 20. The festival celebrates the immortal love of Radha and Krishna, good harvests, and the fertility of the land.

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