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

October 1, 2012

I India RevieI w Vol. 8 Issue 10 www.indianembassy.org

EAM Krishna calls on Secretary Clinton

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna addressing the 67 th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on October 1. (Photo: AFP) India calls for Security External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna with the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton before their bilateral meeting in Council expansion New York on October 1. (Photo: Jay Mandal/On Assignment)

n India, US to boost n India, US sign MOU on n India opens retail, energy cooperation antitrust cooperation aviation to FDI Ambassador’s PAGE Education and the global citizen: challenges and opportunities for India I was invited recently by The Teacher Foundation, Bangalore, (www.teacherfoundation.org) to deliver one of the Ten Talks they are doing as part of their tenth anniversary. I spoke about global citizenship and the young Indian and engaged in a lively discussion thereafter with an invited audience of educationists, civil society, youth and media on education today. I thought I should share the text of my talk here:

THE THEME of my talk today is one they say, and she educates a family — on an auspicious festival morning. that informs most debates and discus - and we, my mother’s three daughters So, ladies and gentlemen, how does sions on education today. Growing up were the beneficiaries — mother could education make the global citizen? in the sixties and early seventies, the speak in one breath about the story of How does, as Mark Twain famously subject of “global citizenship” was not Krishna and Sudama, and in the other said, a cabbage become a cauliflower a constant although we were not of Orpheus and Eurydice. My father — which was how he defined educa - taught to be insular. In fact, my par - introduced me to the world of history tion? How do we bring the child to ents’ generation (which came of age in and current affairs. I learnt about that point where he or she, becomes what was pre-Independence India) Gandhi ji for the first time when I was that Descartes who proudly announces was already exposed to the winds of six-years-old in 1957, when India was “Cogito ergo sum” — “I think there - change and the river of ideas that came fore I am” — isn’t it every teacher’s or their way from a bilingual education in parent’s dream for your ward to come both Malayalam, their mother tongue, Awakening the to you and say “I am thinking” — and English, a foreign tongue and, thinking about ideas, places, events through both languages their connec - imagination of a child, and people, beyond the narrow cir - tivity with the wide world beyond the taking his or her hand, cumference of a text book-determined palm fringed sylvan landscapes of rural and guiding them on that environment? Kerala was built. It was a time when Now, I am no educationist — I have Gandhi ji started a revolution that magical mystery tour, never been a teacher, but I am what paved our road to freedom. I still literally, of the world my teachers made me. They are long remember an account written by a beyond the four corners gone now, but the imprint they made young Indian American entitled How on my personality is indelible. They my grandmother learnt to ride a bicycle of a family house, is what awakened in me an unquenchable — this being an account of how the a vidya aarambam should curiosity, that I still possess, about the freedom struggle had literally enticed really be about world around me — they spoke to me young women to leave the shelter of like Montaigne who said “Nothing their parental homes and break free of human is foreign to me”. cultural barriers that had sequestered commemorating the centenary of the When I look around me today, I am them for generations — in this case, First War of Independence of 1857. witness to the enormity of the chal - 2 the young woman’s grandmother had My straying from the theme of my lenges that confront us in preparing learned the hitherto unthinkable — talk is intentional — because I wanted what is popularly called our “demo - how to ride a bicycle to deliver mes - to illustrate that awakening the imagi - graphic dividend” — the 65 percent of sages clandestinely to freedom fighters nation of a child, taking his or her our population under the age of 25 for who were in hiding from the British. hand, and guiding them on that magi - the future that beckons. That, then, was the generation of my cal mystery tour, literally, of the world parents. They grew up in times of beyond the four corners of a family The full text of my blog can be momentous change for India and the house, is what a vidya aarambam viewed at: http://www.indianem - world and their exposure to that should really be about — as important bassy.org/prdetail2026/education-and- change influenced their parenting of as guiding that child’s finger to the-global-citizen%3A-challenges-and- us, their children. Educate a woman, write the first letters on a plate of rice opportunities-for-india

October 2012 India Review Cover STORY India calls for Security Council expansion To convert today’s challenges into opportunities, India said the architecture of global governance must be reformed to reflect contemporary realities

Excerpts from EAM Krishna’s speech on the occasion: “We are assembled in New York at a time when we are faced with multiple 3 global challenges that transcend national boundaries. Developing countries are still to recover from the downturn in the glob - al economy. Their quest for poverty eradication and sustainable develop - ment remains an uphill task. Food and energy security as well as health and education for their population remain daunting challenges. The West Asia and North Africa region is seeing unprecedented socio- political upheaval. The question of Palestine remains unresolved. And, threats emanating from terror - ism, maritime piracy, drug trafficking and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction continue to multiply. These challenges demand that we act to work for solutions in a concert - ed and coordinated manner. This is External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna addressing the 67 th session of the UN General Assembly in the only path to success. New York on October 1. (Photo: Jay Mandal/On Assignment) At the RIO+20 Summit, the inter - national community renewed its com - ndia sought a reform of institu - and financial institutions,” he said. mitment to sustainable development, tions of global governance, Calling terrorism as one of the most recognizing poverty eradication to be including an expansion of the potent threats to international peace the greatest global challenge. I UN’s top decision-making and security, EAM Krishna asked the And to act on this score, it unequiv - Security Council to reflect contempo - world to show the necessary political ocally reaffirmed the sanctity of the rary realities for converting today’s will to agree on a Comprehensive RIO principles. challenges into opportunities. Convention on International Terrorism. India remains committed to The world today was “faced with Underling India’s commitment to addressing Climate Change through a multiple global challenges that tran - achieving a nuclear weapons-free comprehensive, equitable and bal - scend national boundaries,” India’s world, the External Affairs Minister anced outcome based on the principles External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna called upon the international commu - of equity and common but differentiat - said in his address to the 67 th session nity “to forge a renewed consensus on ed responsibilities. of the UN General Assembly on non-proliferation and nuclear disar - We are hosting the 11 th Conference October 1, outlining the problems mament”. of Parties of the Convention on ranging from tepid recovery from the “There is also need for meaningful Biological Diversity in Hyderabad in downturn in the global economy to the dialogue among all states possessing less than two weeks from now. We scourge of terrorism. nuclear weapons to build trust and seek the support of Parties to fashion “India will promote and lend her confidence and for reducing the an outcome that harmonizes a strong weight for enhancing the voice and salience of nuclear weapons in interna - biodiversity action with our basic participation of developing countries tional affairs and security doctrines,” development objectives. in decision making in global economic he added. India is a multi-religious, multi-eth -

October 2012 India Review Cover STORY

nic and multi-lingual society. Our civi - Our civilizational ethos has been underpinned by lizational ethos has been underpinned by peaceful coexistence and tolerance, peaceful coexistence and tolerance, values that Mahatma values that Mahatma Gandhi placed at Gandhi placed at the core of India’s national life the core of India’s national life. These — External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna principles are enshrined in our Constitution that provides the founda - the normative framework against the India is committed to achieving a tion for our secular, democratic and increasingly sophisticated and global - nuclear weapons-free world. The prin - inclusive polity. ized terrorist challenge. ciples of the Rajiv Gandhi Action Plan Mutual respect for deeply held reli - India continues to be gravely con - of 1988 for achieving nuclear disarma - gious sentiments is the bedrock of cerned by the menace of piracy and ment in a time-bound, universal, non- tolerance and coexistence. armed robbery at sea. Apart from discriminatory, phased and verifiable Unfortunate recent events have high - major economic and commercial con - manner remain relevant even after lighted the need for enhanced dia - sequences of this scourge, it has seri - more than two decades. logue among faiths and civilizations. ous humanitarian implications for the There is need to forge a renewed Violence cannot lead to greater large number of seafarers held hostage consensus on non-proliferation and understanding. It is necessary to by the pirates. nuclear disarmament. There is also uphold norms of peaceful interna - The need of the hour is once again need for meaningful dialogue among tional discourse. In particular, the concerted international action, under all states possessing nuclear weapons safety and security of diplomatic per - the UN auspices, with special attention to build trust and confidence and for sonnel should be fully respected. being paid to address the welfare of reducing the salience of nuclear Terrorism remains one of the most seafarers and their families. weapons in international affairs and potent threats to international peace The challenge before the interna - security doctrines. and security. tional community today is to ensure India desires constructive and It is high time we demonstrated the that UN peacekeeping is adequately friendly relations with all its neighbors. necessary political will and agreed on a resourced and enabled to meet the We have a vision of a peaceful, stable Comprehensive Convention on realities of today, including in post- and prosperous region with enhanced International Terrorism to strengthen conflict and peacebuilding contexts. cooperation and connectivity linking

IndIa, US dISCUSS rEgIonal and global ISSUES

xternal Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna con - trilateral dialogue on the Afghan situation on veyed India’s concerns to Secretary of the sidelines of the UNGA session in New York. E State Hillary Clinton over the U.S. visa The two leaders reviewed trilateral dialogue fee hike and discussed a host of regional and and discussed regional economic integration global issues, including ways of advancing projects, including the Turkmenistan- bilateral cooperation for Afghanistan. Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline. Minister Krishna held a 45-minute meeting The External Affairs Minister raised the pos - with Secretary Clinton on the sidelines of the sibility of the U.S. permitting the export of UN General Assembly (UNGA) session on shale gas in liquefied form to India. Secretary October 1. Clinton said Washington would keep India’s During the discussions, Secretary Clinton energy needs in mind as they decide on some thanked India for its prompt condemnation of domestic issues relating to export of shale gas, 4 the attack on its Benghazi consulate that killed sources said. the U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher The two leaders also discussed their joint Stevens. EAM Krishna thanked the U.S. govern - efforts on energy, civil nuclear cooperation, ment for its swift response in the wake of External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna with visas, trade and bilateral investment, and attack on a Sikh gurdwara in Wisconsin, US. the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expanding cooperation with India’s neighbors before their bilateral meeting in New York on Against the backdrop of the phased with - October 1. (Photo: Jay Mandal/On Assignment) and near-neighbors, the official said. drawal of international combat troops from Besides Afghanistan, regional issues that Afghanistan in 2014, the two leaders also dis - violence-torn country and for joint develop - came up during the discussions included cussed prospects of closer collaboration ment projects in that country. regional cooperation in South Asia and support between India and the U.S. to stabilize the India, the U.S. and Afghanistan held a for India’s Look East policy.

October 2012 India Review Cover STORY us with Central Asia, the Gulf and South-East Asia. Within South Asia, we have sought to enhance bilateral relations individu - ally with each of our neighbors and through the aegis of the SAARC. We have embarked on a resumed dialogue process with Pakistan and advocate a step-by-step approach to normalizing our bilateral relations. An unwarranted reference has been 5 made to Jammu and Kashmir from this podium. Our principled position on the issue has been consistent and is well known. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have chosen and reaffirmed their destiny repeatedly through India’s well established democratic India’s Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai addressing the high-level meeting of the UN Security Council on processes. We wish to make it abun - ‘Peace and Security in Middle East’ in New York on September 26. (Photo: Jay Mandal/On Assignment) dantly clear that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. both permanent and non-permanent India supports the Government and ‘gandhian way real categories. people of Afghanistan in their endeav - option to end conflicts’ The reformed Council must include our to build a peaceful, stable, demo - countries that are capable and willing cratic and prosperous country. We are tressing that Gandhian way was a real, to bear additional burdens relating to ready to partner with the Afghan peo - Slive option for ending conflicts and the maintenance of international peace ple as they rebuild their country in inequalities around the world, India’s and security and be able to sustain accordance with their own priorities External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna hoped global campaigns against new and and national circumstances. Gandhian truth and action would be emerging global threats. The continuing existence of safe embraced by all. Let me also stress that we must havens and sanctuaries for terrorists Presiding over a special event hosted by address, sooner rather than later, the beyond Afghanistan’s borders is the the Permanent Mission of India to United incongruity of the lack of permanent major impediment to the restoration of Nations to commemorate the International membership from Africa. peace and security in Afghanistan. Day of Non Violence on October 2, he also Equally, India will promote and lend India is committed to creating an expressed hope that leading global multilat - her weight for enhancing the voice and enabling environment where the eral fora, such as the United Nations, would participation of developing countries Afghan people can live in peace and continue to be among the torchbearers of in decision making in global economic security and decide their future them - Gandhian values. and financial institutions. selves, without outside interference, Underling the importance of Satyagraha The IMF’s quota reform process coercion and intimidation. or ‘truth force’ that Gandi applied in his fight must be accelerated with altered quo - The United Nations and the norms against injustice, EAM Krishna noted, “The tas reflecting contemporary economic of international relations that it has world has known innumerable greats who weight. fostered remain the most efficacious won celebrated military victories. However, Let me conclude by assuring you means for converting today’s chal - there is only one person who won the Mr. President and the members of the lenges into opportunities. world’s greatest battles for emancipation General Assembly that India will con - We need to, however, ensure that the and empowerment not by waging war but tinue to abide by the purposes and architecture of global governance by waging peace.” principles of the UN Charter and strive reflects contemporary realities. Delivering the keynote address, to strengthen the United Nations.” Sticking to structures designed at the Ambassador P A Nazareth, author of end of the Second World War only Gandhi’s Outstanding Leadership , cited the The full text of EAM Krishna’s constrains multilateralism from deliv - transformation that inspired Mahatma speech can be viewed at: ering on its promises. Gandhi following his experiences in South http://www.indianembassy.org/prde - The most important and decisive Africa while taking on the British Empire, tail2035/statement-by-external- step toward remedying this situation which he most successfully did, just by the affairs-minister-at-the-general-debate- pertains to the UN Security sheer power of ‘truth force’. of-the-67th-session-of-the-united- Council, which must be expanded in nations-general-assembly

October 2012 India Review On The SIDELINES Ties with US a great priority for India: EaM Krishna

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna delivers a lecture on India’s foreign policy at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on September 28. (Photo: Jay Mandal/On Assignment)

escribing the U.S. as an speaking on ‘India’s Foreign Policy “seek to further reform multilateral important partner in its Priorities for the 21 st Century’ at the institutions such as the United development efforts, launch of the “Brown-India Nations, including the Security D External Affairs Minister Initiative” at Brown University, an Council, World Bank and IMF to S.M. Krishna said for India, it would American private Ivy League research reflect contemporary realities and to remain “a relationship of great priority university in Providence, Rhode improve their ability to address new and importance” in the 21 st century. Island. challenges”. “As we look at the priorities for An interdisciplinary hub for the India’s foreign policy in the decades study of contemporary India, the ini - Excerpts from EAM Krishna’s ahead, we see not only convergence tiative aims to produce first-rate aca - speech on the occasion: of interests with the United States, demic research, and to contribute to “Nations progress and societies but also a belief in the importance of public discourse on, and in India, prosper on the foundations laid in the a strong partnership between our two through talks, events, and the conver - institutions of learning and research. 6 great democracies in achieving gence of figures from diverse walks. The great universities of this country our shared goals,” he said on The Minister said the success of have not only benefited the United September 28. India-U.S. partnership would not States, but also drawn students and “It is this recognition that has led to only contribute to the prosperity in scholars from across the world, an extraordinary political investment the two countries, but, in a world of including more than a 100,000 in the two countries in transforming great flux and diversity, it would be a students from India today. India-U.S. relations and in establish - model of international partnership Over the past decades, through the ing a durable and broad-based frame - and a factor of global and regional vicissitudes of relations between India work of a global strategic partner - peace, security and stability. and the U.S., our engagement in high - ship,” Minister Krishna said. Another key priority for India, er education, science and research was The External Affairs Minister was Minister Krishna said, would be to a strong bridge between our two coun -

October 2012 India Review On The SIDELINES

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(Left): External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna during a Q & A session after his lecture on India’s Foreign Policy at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on September 28. Also seen in the picture is Ambassador Nirupama Rao. (Right): EAM Krishna (right) greeted by Christina Hull Paxson, President of Brown University in Providence. (Photo: Jay Mandal/On Assignment) tries. This has contributed in immeas - also by the welfare of the individual. It the changing external circumstances urable terms to the close relationship is a complex political and economic and the shifting domestic needs. that our two countries share today. challenge. We need to continue with a The foremost priority of India’s The ongoing India-U.S. Higher high growth trajectory and also make it foreign policy will be to create a Education Dialogue is now a key pil - more inclusive. This calls for an inno - favorable external environment for lar of the India-U.S. Strategic vative, dynamic and sustainable the pursuit of collective prosperity Dialogue. Our educational institu - engagement with the world around us. and the individual welfare of all the tions, scholars and students are Today, the world is troubled not so Indian people. Our interests are firm - brought into closer partnership much by the specter of a major war, ly anchored in a stable global order through this Dialogue. Our two gov - but by conflicts within and between and a peaceful neighborhood. We ernments place a strong emphasis in societies, cultures, religions, peoples need an open and equitable interna - our relationship on the youth, which and nations. Promoting the values of tional trading system; a stable finan - not only easily embraces the future, pluralism, mutual respect and under - cial system; reliable, affordable and but will also have the responsibility in standing is a great challenge of our secure energy supplies; and, food shaping it. times, and one that is vital for global security. I want to congratulate Brown on stability and security. We will need bilateral as well as launching an ‘India Initiative’. I hope India has been guided since ancient international partnerships of technol - it will focus on India’s heritage and its times by the ideals of Vasudhaiva ogy and innovation to meet the progress, its achievement and its chal - Kuttambakam — the world is one extraordinary scale of our develop - lenges, its engagement with the world family — and Sarva Dharma ment challenges. In turn, India’s own and, equally important, on the grow - Sambhava — all faiths are equal. progress will, in its own modest way, ing India-U.S. strategic partnership. I As a pluralist democracy that affirm the values of democracy and do hope the India Initiative will stands at the cultural cross-roads of pluralism; contribute to peace and become an important part of Brown’s Asia and many of its fault lines, India stability; and provide one of the pillars story in this century. will serve as a bridge across the of the global economy. I would now like to share my region’s — and, indeed, the world’s Our foreign policy will, therefore, be thoughts on India’s foreign policy pri - — great diversity. an instrument of our development, but orities in the 21 st century. India’s commitment to internation - also a vehicle to fulfill our global India is in an exciting transition. A alism, independence of judgment in responsibilities.” nation constituting one sixth of the conduct of external relations, humanity is undergoing economic support to the democratization of The full text of EAM Krishna’s and social transformation on an world order, and contributions to the speech can be viewed at: extraordinary scale. It is taking place maintenance of international peace http://www.indianembassy.org/prde - in a democratic and federal frame - and security are enduring legacies of tail2034/speech-by-external-affairs- work; in the midst of growing political our national movement. This enjoys minister-on-andquot%3Bindia pluralism and social diversity; and, in strong support across the political andrsquo%3Bs-foreign-policy-priori - the context of continuing debate on spectrum in India. ties-for-the-21st-centuryandquot equity, opportunity and sustainability. India’s foreign policy in the 21 st cen - %3B-at-launch-of-the- Our policies are not only concerned tury will remain rooted in these core andquot%3Bindia-initiative - about the growth of the aggregate, but values, but it will continuously adapt to andquot%3B-by-the-brown-university

October 2012 India Review On The SIDELINES ‘India will be a major factor of global peace’ admiringly when it staved off the disas - trous effects of the worst recession after the Great Depression which shook the global economy in 2008. India’s average annual GDP growth in 2008 to 2010 was close to 8 percent. After the 2008 global financial crises, most analysts had predicted that India would succumb to the deleterious effects of the global financial melt - down. No doubt, there is an economic blow back but India has so far shown remarkable strength to stay afloat due to its domestic economy and its sheer diversity. But the embedded resilience of the domestic economy to deal with External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna delivering his keynote speech at Southern Methodist University the blow back surprised foreigners and (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, on October 3. (Photo: Jay Mandal/On Assignment) Indians alike. It appears that Europe is in the peaking on ‘India Now’ at throes of a recession. The Western the Carrington Endowed world is watching India with even Lecture Series event, hosted more interest as it is becoming clear S by the Southern Methodist that the developing economies led by University in Dallas on October 3, China, India and others will have to External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna become the engine of global economic said driven by a population of over one growth over the next few decades. billion people, India was poised to Already the fast growing developing become a major factor of global peace, economies in Asia, Latin America and stability, development and prosperity Africa account for over two thirds of in the 21 st century. He said since its External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and the incremental global output. This Independence in 1947, India trans - Ambassador Nirupama Rao with John Attanasio, relentless shift in the axis of economic Dean of Student (left) and R. Gerald Turner, formed in diverse ways and diverse President of Southern Methodist University, in power is also witnessing a fascinating sectors. With rapid economic growth, Dallas, Texas, on October 3. (Photo: Jay transition in the global institutions of India was fast emerging as a “stabiliz - Mandal/On Assignment) economic, security and political gover - ing power in the new global strategic nance, of which India is a major part. architecture”, the Minister said. Excerpts from Minister Krishna’s The world, including the United States, “This is further amplified by the fact speech on the occasion: wants to see India to play a substantive that a large number of countries, “In the past decade or so, the global role in this seminal transition taking including the Permanent members of interest on India has increased by leaps place in the institutions of global gover - the United Nations Security Council, and bounds. This new mindset global - nance. India would be a focus of atten - have entered into strategic partner - ly is borne out of a realization rooted in tion from this perspective also.” 8 ships in the last decade,” he said. rapid economic transformation of Minister Krishna said India and the India and the emerging role of India as United States had built a strong global a stabilizing power in the new global The full text of Minister Krishna’s strategic partnership with an aim to strategic architecture. speech can be viewed at: bring global stability and prosperity in In the last decade, India has been http://www.indianembassy.org/prde - the 21 st century. For India, he said, its among the fastest growing economies tail2038/external-affairs-ministeran - partnership with the U.S. had been a of the world, next only to China. drsquo%3Bs-address-on- strategic priority. “Our relationship India’s GDP grew roughly by 8 per - andquot%3Bindia-nowandquot%3B- has met the test of broad, bipartisan cent over the past decade and has more at-the-carrington-endowed-lecture- political support and public goodwill in than doubled in this period. series-event%2C-hosted-by-the-south - both countries,” EAM Krishna said. The world saw India even more ern-methodist-university%2C-dallas.

October 2012 India Review On The SIDELINES EaM meets 1 families of gurdwara shooting 9 victims

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ccompanied by Ambassador Nirupama A Rao, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna met with the family members of vic - tims of August 5 Oak Creek gurdwara shoot - ing during his visit to the Oak Creek gurdwara in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 4. To meet with the family of Punjab Singh, who is still in coma after being critically injured in the shooting, Minister Krishna also paid a visit to the Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. He later met with the families of those who were killed 3 during the shoot-out.

1. External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and Ambassador Nirupama Rao (left) meeting with the family members of Punjab Singh, who was injured in the Oak Creek gurdwara shoot-out, at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 4. Singh’s wife Kulwant Kaur and sons Jaspreet Singh and Raghuvinder Singh are seen in the picture. 2. EAM Krishna and Ambassador Rao (left) addressing media persons after their visit to the Oak Creek gurdwara. 3. Minister Krishna speaking at the Oak Creek gurdwara. 4. Minister Krishna and Ambassador Rao at a Satsang at the Oak Creek gurdwara during their visit.

(Photos: Jay Mandal/On Assignment)

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October 2012 India Review Bilateral NEWS India, US to boost energy cooperation The two countries agreed to set up a group to discuss financing options for encouraging energy generation through renewable sources

ith a view to exploring the possibilities of large- scale cooperation in W generation and storage of power from renewable sources like solar and wind power, India and the U.S. agreed to set up a group to dis - cuss financing options for encouraging energy generation through renewable sources and integration of various renewable energy sources with the grid and storage technologies. The decision to set up the group was taken in Washington, D.C. on September 28 at the India-U.S. Energy Dialogue co-chaired by B.K. Chaturvedi, Member, Planning Commission of India, and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. India’s Foreign Secretary Ranjan From left, India’s Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, India’s Planning Commission Member (Energy) B.K. Mathai, U.S. Deputy Energy Secretary Chaturvedi, U.S. Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu and U.S. Under Secretary for Energy (Acting) David Daniel Poneman and other senior offi - Sandalow at the India-U.S. Energy Dilaogue in Washington, D.C. on September 28. (Photo: Bala Chandran) cials from both sides were present dur - ing the Dialogue. mous trade and investment opportuni - Carbon dioxide emissions from differ - The two sides lauded the successful ties, which have been opened up with ent industries and for initiating steps to implementation of the decision by the discovery of U.S. shale gas as also reduce such emissions. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh the investments made in this sector by and President Barack Obama in Indian companies. The U.S. had also The text of Foreign Secretary November 2010 in New Delhi to granted permission to Gas Authority of Ranjan Mathai’s opening remarks establish a “virtual” Joint Clean Energy India Ltd (GAIL) for export of LNG at the India-U.S. Energy Dialogue Research and Development Center (liquefied natural gas) from Sabine can be viewed at: http://www.indi - (JCERD) with a total joint committed Pass terminal in U.S. to India. anembassy.org/prdetail2040/open - funding of $50 million from both gov - The two sides also agreed to the for - ing-remarks-by-foreign- ernments. mation of a new Working Group on secretary%2C-ranjan-mathai-at-the- The Dialogue also noted the enor - ‘low carbon growth’ for assessing the u.s.-india-energy-dialogue-meeting

10 India, US sign MOU on antitrust cooperation

o facilitate cooperation between the related to competition policy, and enforcement Commission of India Chairman Ashok Chawla, Indian and the U.S. competition authori - developments directed at supporting efficient and the Ambassador of India Nirupama Rao, for T ties, the two countries signed a operation of markets and economic welfare of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (Government Memorandum of Understanding on antitrust the citizens. of India), signed the MoU in Washington, DC. cooperation on September 27. The agreement Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairperson Senior officers from the U.S. Department of would help enhance cooperation for effective Jon Leibowitz and the Department of Justice State, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, U.S. enforcement of competition laws through Acting Assistant Attorney General Joseph Department of Justice and the Embassy of India technical cooperation, sharing of information Wayland from the U.S. side and Competition were present on the occasion.

October 2012 India Review World Hindi CONFERENCE Proposal to make Hindi UN official language proposal was passed on the official language of the UN. It was Secretariat would prepare a database concluding day of the Ninth also decided that the World Hindi of global institutions involved in pro - World Hindi Conference in Conference would be organized with motion and teaching Hindi. A data - A Johannesburg on September a maximum gap of three years so that base for Hindi scholars would also be 24 for initiating time-bound action to the ambitious goal was achieved made, the proposal said. make Hindi one of the official lan - soon. A standard courseware would be guages of the UN. The three-day The first suggestion to make Hindi developed for Hindi training in meet began on September 22 at the one of the official languages of the various countries and the Mahatma 11 Sandton Convention Centre in UN was passed at the World Hindi Gandhi International University, Johannesburg and was attended by Conference organized in Nagpur city based in Wardha city in Maharashtra, over 700 scholars and delegates from in India 37 years ago. India, has been authorized to prepare across the world. Indian Minister of State for this training course, the proposal Participants took oath to make External Affairs Preneet Kaur, who said. coordinated efforts to achieve the attended the conference, promised Twenty scholars from across the goal of making Hindi, a language support to achieve this goal. The next world were honored at the confer - spoken by over half a billion people or conference would be held in India. ence for being torchbearers of the every 10 th person on the planet, an Mauritius-based World Hindi language.

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1. Minister of State for External Affairs Smt. Preneet Kaur addressing the inaugural session of the 9th World Hindi Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa on September 22. 2. South Africa’s Finance Minister Pravin J. Gordhan addressing the 9 th World Hindi Conference. 3 4 3. Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, addressing the conference on September 22. 4. Academic Session on Gyan Vigyan Aur Rojgar Ki Bhasha Ke Roop Mein Hindi attended by Prof. Zabir Hussain (in the chair), Chitra Mudul and others during the conference on September 23. 5. Minister Kaur, flanked by Indian High Commissioner in South Africa Virendra Gupta, releasing a book 5 6 before the concluding session of the conference on September 24. 6. Mauritius scholar Satyadev Tengur being honored by Minister Kaur during the closing ceremony of the conference on September 24.

October 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS ‘India a good investment destination ’ elivering the keynote sion will have applications in other address at the Institutional emerging market economies. Indeed, Investors Forum in New some of them have been scaled up D York on September 24, even for the developed economies. Ambassador Nirupama Rao said the Already several leading international fundamentals of the Indian economy companies, including most of the were strong and that the country well-known U.S. businesses, are remained a good investment destina - working to develop products, servic - tion despite the global economic slow - es and technologies in India for the down. Among many areas, the local and global markets. Ambassador said, international busi - It is in this context that one sees the ness could focus on India’s infrastruc - growth in India-US relations from a ture and manufacturing sectors for transactional to a strategic partnership. Ambassador Nirupama Rao addressing the India investment. Investment Forum in New York on September 24. Several fundamental aspects explain The Ambassador said a number of the manner in which our cooperation leading international companies, opportunities have attracted interna - has prospered. Ours is a natural including some major U.S. businesses, tional businesses, including those from relationship that is underwritten by were working to develop products, the United States, to the Indian mar - shared values of democracy; pluralism; services and technologies in India for ket. Those already present are trying to openness; respect for fundamental the local and global markets. expand their operations. As brought freedoms; tolerance and a sense of “It is in this context that one sees the out in Ernst and Young’s India enterprise.” growth in India-U.S. relations from a Attractiveness Survey 2012, India transactional to a strategic partner - remains the 4 th destination globally in The full text of Ambassador Rao’s ship,” Ambassador Rao said. terms of FDI projects, and 3 rd destina - speech can be viewed at: tion globally in terms of FDI value. http://www.indianembassy.org/prde - Excerpts from Ambassador Rao’s Global majors are committing tail2027/keynote-address-by-ambas - speech on the occasion resources for their Indian operations. sador-nirupama-rao-at-the-institu - “The overarching scenario of rapid There is stress on reverse innovation tional-investors-forum-in-new-york- growth of the Indian economy in the — developing products suited for the on-24-september-2012---cementing- last few years and excellent investment Indian market and which by exten - india-us-partnership ‘India offers opportunity in infrastructure investment ’

ddressing a symposium on five years offers enormous opportuni - and economic ties with the U.S. The ‘Indian Infrastructure: The ties for U.S. businesses to deepen our growth in bilateral trade and invest - A One Trillion Dollar economic partnership,” she said. ment is broadly balanced. We are now Opportunity’ in Chicago on working on a bilateral investment September 26, Ambassador Nirupama Excerpts from Ambassador Rao’s treaty that would enhance transparen - Rao said for companies operating in speech on the occasion: cy and predictability for investors, and the domains of finance, construction, “The extent of foreign participation support economic growth and job cre - 12 logistics, operation and maintenance — both through debt and equity — in ation in both countries.” of utilities, India was a suitable desti - the financing of India’s infrastructure nation for investment. has been of the order of around 10-12 The full text of Ambassador Rao’s Ambassador Rao said for foreign percent in the recent past. I expect, speech can be viewed at: investors, the public-private-partner - going forward, a much greater degree http://www.indianembassy.org/prde - ship route represented a commercially of involvement of foreign investors in tail2031/inaugural-address-by-ambas - viable option for investment in India’s this sector. sador-nirupama-rao-at-the-sympo - infrastructure sector. The sustained economic growth in sium-on-andquot%3Bindian-infra - “India’s investment requirements of India and consequent demand for cap - structure%3A-the-one-trillion-dollar- more than a trillion US dollars in infra - ital and technology, has led to a signif - opportunityandquot%3B-in-chicago- structure development over the next icant expansion of our bilateral trade on-26-september%2C-2012

October 2012 India Review Embassy NEWS ‘Sufi’ism a shared heritage’ ddressing the Smithsonian 1 2 Institution’s symposium on Sufi’ism at the National A Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC, on September 22, Deputy Chief of Mission Ambassador Arun K. Singh said that the appeal of Sufi’ism tran - 13 scends national boundaries. “Sufi’ism with its tenets of equality and mutual respect has the spiritual power that can nudge us into believ - ing in the need and importance of 3 4 living together in peace and harmony, regardless of our individual religions, faiths, beliefs and persuasions,” he said. Commending the efforts of the Smithsonian Institution in organizing the two-day symposium themed ‘SUFIism at the Smithsonian: Searching for the Divine through the Arts’, DCM Singh said that such events underlined the appeal and rel - evance of Sufi’ism for the contempo - 5 6 rary world. The symposium was co-sponsored by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Excerpts from DCM Singh’s speech on the occasion: “Sufi saints admired India’s diversi - ty and strove to find a unity among its heterogeneous elements by — as poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore said, 1. DCM Ambassador Arun K. Singh speaking at the inauguration of the Smithsonian Institution’s two-day “set(ting) at naught all differences of (September 22-23) event ‘SUFIism at the Smithsonian: Searching for the Divine through the Arts’. The event was co-sponsored by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations. (Photo: Rishi Das) men, by the overflow of their con - 2. Manjula Kumar, Project Director, Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies, at the inau - sciousness of God”. One Indian guration. (Photo: Rishi Das) scholar noted, “For them (the Sufis), 3. Renowned filmmaker and cultural historian Yousuf Saeed. 4. Noted Sufi and folk singer Dr. Madan Gopal Singh addressing the gathering. (Photo: Rishi Das) God was not a logical abstraction of 5. A dance presentation by renowned Sufi-Kathak exponent Manjari Chaturvedi. (Photo: Rishi Das) unity, but a living reality, to be 6. Noted Sufi singer Dhruv Sangari presenting songs at the event. (Photo: Rishi Das) approached through the service of mankind”. both “reformist movements” and a al respect, universality and freedom of This was a herculean mission, but “devotional renaissance” where writ - spirit, Sufi music attracted people by one which they undertook with zeal. ers, poets and singers communicated its simplicity and emotiveness.” They worked to build a social order in easy verses the essence of tolerance, free from discord, conflict, and inclusion, and spiritual unity of all The full text of DCM Singh’s inequity. Their creed was to return faiths. address can be viewed at: hatred with love, violence with Indeed, Sufi music is a seminal con - http://www.indianembassy.org/prde affection. tribution of Sufi’ism to the composite tail2028/remarks-by-dcm-ambassa - The relentless exchange between culture of the Indian subcontinent. dor-arun-k.-singh-at-smithsonian- Hinduism, Islam and Sufi’ism led to Inspired by the elements of love, mutu - on-september-22%2C-2012.-

October 2012 India Review Embassy EVENTS

‘India Tea ’ event at Embassy

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1. Deputy Chief of Mission Ambassador Arun K. Singh welcoming and addressing the guests at the ‘India Tea’ event at the Embassy on September 18. 2. M.G.V.K. Bhanu, Chairman, India Tea Board, addressing the guests. 3. Joseph P. Simrany, President, Tea Association of the USA Inc., speaking on the occasion. 4. Guests in attendance.

Hindi Diwas celebrations

he Embassy of India in collaboration with at the event themed ‘Why Learn Hindi!’. Over evoked much interest among the audience. International Hindi Association, 200 people attended the event that saw the Clara Savage, who has been studying Hindi for T Washington D.C. Chapter, organized Hindi participation of children of all ages in various the last five years, addressing the audience on Diwas celebrations at Durga Temple, Virginia, on activities organized on the occasion. the occasion. A few plays staged by the partici - September 22. Deputy Chief of Mission Speech recitations in Hindi, including those of pants brought the audience in terms with the Ambassador Arun K. Singh was the Chief Guest India’s freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose, rich Hindi literary tradition.

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DCM Ambassador Arun K. Singh addressing the Introductory remarks by Asha Chand, President Clara Savage, who has been studying Hindi for audience during the Hindi Diwas celebrations at of International Hindi Association (Washington the last five years, addressing the audience on the Durga Temple, Virginia, on September 22. DC Chapter). occasion.

October 2012 India Review Embassy EVENTS

Embassy hosts ‘SUFIism at the Smithsonian ’

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1. Deputy Chief of Mission Ambassador Arun K. Singh addressing the 3. Yousuf Saeed, independent filmmaker and cultural historian, guests at a reception hosted by the Embassy on September 21 in addressing the guests on the occasion. connection with the Smithsonian Institution’s two-day (September 4. Manjari Chaturvedi, dancer, choreographer and creator of the dance 22-23) symposium ‘SUFIism at the Smithsonian: Searching for the form Sufi-Kathak, speaking on the occasion. Divine through the Arts’. The Indian Council of Cultural Relations 5. Dr. Madan Gopal Singh, renowned folk and Sufi singer, at the event. (ICCR) was a collaborator of the symposium. 6. Dhruv Sangari, a noted Sufi singer, addressing the guests. 2. Manjula Kumar, Project Director at the Smithsonian Center of 7. Sanam Marvi, a well-known folk and Sufi singer from Pakistan, Educational and Museum Studies, introducing the artists, sponsored speaking on the occasion. by ICCR, from India. 8. Guests in attendance.

October 2012 India Review Consulate EVENTS CGI New York hails Queens College initiative 1 2 3

1. Prabhu Dayal, Consul 4 General of India, New York, addressing the audience. 2. James Muyskens, President, Queens College, speaking on the occasion. 3. Presentation of Odishi Dance performance by Bani Ray. 4. Sitar recital by artists of the Kalawant Center for Music and Dance. n recognition of the ‘Year of by James Muyskens, Presdient of between the two countries in October India’ celebrations by Queens Queens College, in organizing the 2010 when first Higher Education College of the City University ‘Year of India’ 2012-13, Consul Summit was held at Washington, D.C. I of New York, the Consul General of India Prabhu Dayal high - From the year 2010-11, Queens General of India in New York hosted lighted the growth trajectory of India- College introduced the ‘Year of’ pro - a reception on September 20 at New U.S. relations over the last decade. He gram starting with ‘Year of China’. The India House. pointed out that education was includ - year 2012-13 has been dedicated to Commending the initiative put forth ed in the Strategic Dialogue process ‘Year of India’.

CGI San Francisco CGI Houston ‘A historic day ’ Consul General’s engagements articipating at the Peace and Unity rally organ - P ized by North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), Consul General of India in San Francisco N. Parthasarathi welcomed the signing of ‘AB-1964: Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2012 and SB- 1540: Instructional materials: revised curriculum framework: history-social science’ by California 1 2 Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on September 8. 1. From left, Nooruddin Yamani, President 3 Calling it ‘a historic day’, he said the initiative Dawoodi Bohra Community; Consul General 16 P. Harish; Latafath Hussain, President, Indian would go a long way in promoting goodwill and Muslims Association of Greater Houston awareness about various communities, including (IMAGH); Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee; Council Member Harish Jajoo and Sheriff the Sikh community. “These would pave the way for Adrian Garcia at the 3 rd Annual Eid Milan school children in California to learn about various celebration at India House on September 1. religions, including the Sikh religion. The Bills augur Consul General Harish was the chief guest at the event. well for hard working and industrious people of 2. Consul General P. Harish called on Indian origin,” he said. Dr. Alexios Mar Eusebius, Metropolitan, Malankara Orthodox Church, diocese of South West America, Southern region, at his residence on September 27. He also congratulated NAPA, led by its President 3. From right, Sunil Kumar "Teng", Syed Perwaiz Jafri, Consul General P. Harish, Waseem Barelvi Satnam Singh Chahal and Chairman Dalwinder Singh and Shahida Hasan at Sir Syed International Mushaira 2012 organized on the occasion of Sir Syed Day by the Federation of Aligarh Alumni Associations on September 29. Consul General Harish Dhoot, for organizing the Peace and Unity Rally. was the chief guest at the event.

October 2012 India Review Labor of LOVE Lessons for the world What started as a fun activity in 2006, when Ashutosh Agrawal started teaching Hindi at George Washington University, has now taken shape into the Hindi university project that involves thousands of learners from across the world. It all began when Ashutosh started uploading his recorded lectures on Youtube . In a conversation with 17 Ashutosh Agrawal India Review (IR) , Ashutosh talks about his mission and future plans

IR: Please tell us about the Hindi university Project and how it was developed. AA: I started teaching Hindi in 2006 for the Global Language Network at George Washington University as a fun activity after work. I realized that the same effort could potentially teach thousands. With a vague idea of what I wanted to do and minimal resources, I bought a white board and started recording my lectures with a regular camera to upload on YouTube . As it turned out, Hindi enthusiasts across the globe had been waiting for some - thing like this that could immerse them Top: Ashutosh Agrawal with his students. in Hindi from the very beginning and Left: Nigel, a U.K. student, learns Hindi through Ashutosh Agrawal’s Hindi university YouTube didn’t demand knowledge of the script channel. or the alphabet to come along. (http://www.youtube.com/hindiuniver - IR: Who enrolls for your courses and sity ) why do they show interest in learning IR: What motivated you to teach Hindi? Hindi? AA: People from all walks of life enroll AA: Having grown up speaking for classes. These include travelers to Hindi, I had a longing to work for the India, young professionals working for language, even while in the US. The the U.S. government and other non - diversity of Washington, D.C. offered ‘Learning Hindi has been my dream for profit organizations, students of Indian the opportunity and the platform for quite a long time and now I can make literature and culture, as well as the teaching the language. I am a full-time it true.’ ones in love with a native speaker of software engineer, but my passion Such positive feedback adds more Hindi. drives me to squeeze in time for this energy to my passion. IR: What is your message through project. IR: How are you using YouTube and this work and what are your future IR: You are a one-man team with no other digital media for your classes? plans? external support, what keeps you AA: The Hindi university project is AA: To make India a developed nation, going? solely dependent on social media. My young leaders need to tend not only to AA: I feel rewarded when I get mes - courses are available on Youtube , their own interests but also to the inter - sages from unique places like Guam, Facebook , Twitter and Udemy . I also ests of the community and the country. Isle of Man, Martinique, Liechtenstein, regularly hold free live online classes I am working on organizing interest - etc. There are descendants of Indian using video conferences. Collaboration ing seminars/webinars to provide in- immigrants who take learning Hindi with other universities as well as com - depth understanding of Hindi in the very seriously, and are living in all parts munity efforts to promote Hindi is context of Indian history and culture. I of the world. A student in Bulgaria sent indeed important in the dynamic envi - am also working on a Hindi book me a message: ronment of online education. based on my teaching methods.

October 2012 India Review Economy NEWS Government opens retail, aviation to FDI he government announced its approval for 51 percent Key highlights of FDI foreign investment in decisions T multi-brand retail and also opened up the aviation sector on FDI IN MULTI-BRAND RETAIL September 14. n 51 percent FDI allowed in multi-brand retail The government clarified that states n States given discretionary powers of which did not favor 51 percent FDI in opting for it or not multi-brand retail — which opens up n Government expects to generate funds, India’s estimated $450 billion retail jobs and stimulus for economy market to foreign supermarkets like n Government also expects to tame inflation Walmart and Carrefour — were free from the move to not implement the policy. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh n Farmers expected to get healthy returns for Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan produce Singh was the prime mover behind FDI in broadcasting n Consumer to benefit with more choices this significant policy decision. and competitive prices The government also approved FDI sector raised in aviation and gave its nod for disin - he government on September 14 decided FDI IN SINGLE-BRAND RETAIL vestment in four Public Sector Units T to raise the cap on foreign investment n 100 percent single brand FDI allowed (PSUs). from 49 percent to 74 percent in broadcast - n 30 percent local sourcing mandatory Soon after the decisions were made ing but has decided to retain the 26 percent known, the Prime Minister appealed cap in the TV news channels and FM radio. FDI IN AVIATION to the people to support the govern - The Cabinet Committee on Economic n Foreign carriers can now pick up 49 per - ment’s steps that were “taken in Affairs gave its nod to the proposal of the cent stake in India airlines national interest. Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion. n Transactions will be governed by SEBI “I believe that these steps will help According to the proposal, FDI has been norms strengthen our growth process and raised for broadcast service providers like n Key positions in the airline will be held by generate employment in these difficult teleports, direct to home (DTH) and cable net - Indian citizens times,” the Prime Minister was quoted works (multi-system-operators that are n Foreign nationals and equipment under as saying. undertaking upgrade of networks toward the stake sale will be scrutinized The cabinet also decided that over - digitalization and addressability) as well as seas retailers setting up a single brand for Mobile TVs. FDI IN BROADCAST store in India must source at least 30 Up to 49 percent would be permitted n Government decides to raise FDI cap to 74 percent of their goods from Indian under the automatic route and beyond that percent companies, preferably from micro, up to 74 percent would be permitted under n FDI not hiked in TV news channels and FM small and medium enterprises the government route. radio (MSMEs). Corporate America, media hail India’s ‘big bang’ reforms orporate America and the U.S. media The reforms “are a welcome signal to “Bringing in big foreign brands, like Walmart 18 have hailed India’s economic reforms as investors everywhere,” said Ajay Banga, which can now open stores in India in partner - C a welcome signal to investors and a dra - Chairman of the trade body made up of about ship with a local company, is expected to help,” matic move to reverse the nation’s economic 400 top U.S. and a score of Indian companies The New York Times said on India’s “biggest slowdown. New Delhi’s “courageous resolve to interested in boosting trade with India. economic reforms in two decades”. The move on these complex reforms”, opening the “Government’s bold actions (that) will help Washington Post said the changes opening the door to foreign investment in retail, aviation, create a predictable investment and business door to foreign investment in retail, aviation, broadcast and power exchanges “serves as an climate,” added Banga. broadcast and power exchanges “are the assurance to investors that its economic liberal - “These big bang reforms send a crystal clear biggest and arguably toughest economic ization agenda is back on track,” said the U.S.- signal that India is open for business,” said reforms since Prime Minister Manmohan Singh India Business Council (USIBC). Ronald Somers, President of USIBC. took over in 2004.”

October 2012 India Review Science NEWS Indian space agency scores a perfect 100! n Indian rocket successful - pleted its 100 th mission since the ly launched into orbit two launch of first satellite Aryabhata in foreign satellites on 1975 by a Russian rocket. September 9, marking At around 18 minutes into the flight, A th Indian space agency ISRO’s 100 PSLV-C21 delivered SPOT 6 and a mission in the presence of Prime few seconds later Proiteres into a 655 Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. km polar orbit inclined at an angle of “As ISRO’s 100 th space mission, 98.23 degree to the equator. 19 today’s launch is a milestone in our ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan nation’s space capabilities,” the Prime thanked the scientists and engineers Minister said after the launch. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing after the launch. At 9.51 a.m., the Polar Satellite the audience after the successful launch of the SPOT 6 is the heaviest foreign satel - Launch Vehicle-C21 (PSLV-C21), PSLV-C21 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre lite to be carried by a PSLV rocket in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on September 9. standing around 44 meters tall and since 1999 when ISRO started launch - weighing around 230 ton, with a one- The PSLV blasted off from the ing satellites owned by foreign agen - way ticket, hurtled itself toward the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in cies. Proiteres, the Japanese satellite, skies ferrying the two satellites — Sriharikota, around 80 km from Tamil intends to study powered flight of a SPOT 6, a French earth observation Nadu capital Chennai. small satellite by an electric thruster satellite weighing 712 kg, and a 15 kg The Indian Space Research and observe Japan’s Kansai district micro satellite Proiteres from Japan. Organization (ISRO) has now com - with a high-resolution camera.

Sunita Williams takes over Tripura to build space station command science village science village is set to come up in ndian-American astronaut Sunita A Tripura to popularize scientific concepts Williams has taken over command in rural areas of the northeastern region. I of the International Space Station The project at Nimbark village, 10 km from (ISS), yet another feather in her cap as the capital Agartala, will have a planetarium, she already holds three records for a botanical garden, a bird sanctuary, heritage female space travelers. and theme parks, a laboratory, a museum Expedition 32 Commander and a library. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Gennady Padalka ceremonially handed Sarkar said 13 acres had been allotted for the over control of the space station to project and work would start soon. Expedition 33 Commander Sunita Astronaut Sunita Williams and Russian cosmonaut “Without spreading modern science, how Williams in the Destiny laboratory dur - Yuri Malenchenko at an onboard training session in can the new generation be familiar with the ing the traditional Change-of- the International Space Station’s Zvezda Service world?” he asked. Module, NASA. (Photo: NASA) Command Ceremony on September The project’s nodal authority is the Tripura 15, NASA reported. Astronaut brush fashioned out of a spare cable to State Council for Science and Technology Williams, Russian cosmonaut Yury restore power to the International (TSCST), a part of the Science, Technology Malenchenko and Japan’s Akihiko Space Station. and Environment Department. Hoshide remain on the ISS. The spacewalk lasted 6 hours 28 TSCST will manage the science village and On September 6, Williams set the minutes. Williams has now worked turn it into a regional science hub. The new record for total cumulative space - outside the station for a total of 44 National Council of Science Museums under walk time by a female astronaut with hours and 2 minutes, overtaking the Ministry of Culture is supporting the proj - her sixth space walk to repair a faulty Whitson who worked outside for 39 ect. The project will be completed over four power distribution unit. hours and 46 minutes over the course years in two phases. “The project seeks to Williams surpassed Peggy Whitson’s of six spacewalks. She is the second develop scientific awareness among the peo - record during her excursion as she and woman of Indian origin to have been ple,” Science and Environment Minister Joy her Japanese counterpart Akihiko selected by NASA for a space mission Gobinda Deb Roy said. Hoshide used a toothbrush and a wire after Kalpana Chawla.

October 2012 India Review Diaspora NEWS Wadhwani to be Trustee at the Kennedy Center

resident Barack Obama has performances for audiences totaling appointed Romesh nearly two million. Wadhwani, an Indian According to a White House P American founder of several announcement, Wadhwani, who software and IT companies, on board received a BA from the Indian Institute of trustees of the John F. Kennedy of Technology in Bombay and an MS Center for the Performing Arts. and Ph.D. from Carnegie-Mellon Announcing his intent to appoint University, is the founder, Chairman, Wadhwani and nine other general and CEO of Symphony Technology trustees of the center, President Group. Obama said, “These dedicated men He is actively involved in Kennedy and women bring a wealth of experi - Center initiatives, having served as Co- ence and talent to their new roles and I Chair of the Maximum India Festival in am proud to have them serve in this 2011 and as a supporter of the 2010 Administration.” Honors Gala. He is the founder and “I look forward to working with Romesh Wadhwani Chairperson of the Wadhwani them in the months and years to Foundation, and serves on the Board come,” added President Obama, Set up in 1971 as a living memorial of Trustees of the Center for Strategic whose administration has more Indian- to former President John F. Kennedy, and International Studies. Americans serving in senior positions, the center is the busiest performing Wadhwani is the founder of several more than any other previous adminis - arts facility in the United States and software and IT companies, including tration. annually hosts approximately 2,000 Aspect Development, Inc. Bollywood singer Ghosal charms AAPI audience ith a view to raising funds for its charitable activities, the American W Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) along with the local AAPI chapters organized multi-city educational-cum-musical programs across the US. The chief attraction of the musical programs, renowned Bollywood Dr. Freemu Varghese, Dr. Nik Nikam, and Dr. singer Shreya Ghosal, toured nine cities from Shreya Ghoshal performing at the Orange Kulwant Bajwa (organizers of the Houston County Convention Center Linda Chapin September 21 to October 7 and enthralled the Concert) along with Shreya Ghoshal. AAPI Theater, Orlando, Florida, on September 28. President Dr. Narendra Kumar is also seen. audience with her string of melodies. The programs organized with an aim to put Dr. PK Natrajan gave the CME talk followed by together mini seminars in different major cities Dr. Samir Kapadia from Cleveland Clinic, who and to have 2-3 hour continuing medical edu - spoke about recent advances in cardiology. Dr. cation (CME)/Non CME sponsored lectures, Mahindra Shah deliberated on psychiatry. exhibits/booths, sponsored dinner talks, etc. During the GAPI board meeting, GAPI presi - along with a gala musical event attracted the dent Dr. Abhishek Gaur informed the board 20 desired response to the satisfaction of the Ajit Kumar, India’s Consul General in Atlanta, about the activities initiated by GAPI during the organizers. recognizing concert title sponsor Price Holding past few months. The Bollywood singer entertained the audi - Chairman Sebastian Joseph. The Shreya Ghoshal concert began with ence at Orlando, Florida, on September 28; at (GAPI) on September 30, AAPI President India’s Consul General in Atlanta Ajit Kumar University of Houston, Texas, on September 29 Dr. Narendra Kumar said the AAPI musical recognizing the local team. and at Atlanta, Georgia, on September 30. event proved helpful in bringing all the local AAPI is a forum to facilitate and enable Commending the hard work of all its mem - associations closer. Indian American Physicians and fellows to excel bers in making the AAPI events a success dur - The silver jubilee celebrations of GAPI start - in patient care, teaching and research and to ing the silver jubilee celebration of Georgia ed with educational CME program attended by pursue their aspirations in professional and Association of Physicians of Indian heritage over a hundred physicians. AAPI CME Chair community affairs.

October 2012 India Review Trends IN SOCIETY Fibers of progress Driven by heavy investments in manufacturing plants, innovation and strategic market expansion, Indian man- made fibers are set to take center stage in the global arena

ndian textile industry plays a East was the largest 21 major role in the economy of the market and country. India earns about 27 accounted for I per cent of its total foreign nearly 25 per - mergers and acquisi - exchange through textile exports. cent of textile tions (M&A) deals Further, it contributes about 14 per - exports from worth $55 million in cent to industrial production, 4 percent India, while the month of July to the gross domestic product (GDP), Asia account - 2012. and 17 percent to the country’s export ed for 23 per - earnings. The sector is the second cent. Government largest provider of employment after In June 2012, Initiatives agriculture. It not only generates jobs the production of The Government of India in its own industry, but also opens up MMF registered a has promoted a number of scopes for other ancillary sectors. The growth of 18 percent, cotton export promotion policies for the industry currently employs more than yarn by 14 percent and total cloth pro - textile sector. This includes various 35 million people. duction saw an increase of five percent. incentives under Focus Market Indian textile and apparel industry is Scheme and Focus Product Scheme. It The Indian textile industry can be expected to reach $221 billion by broad-based the coverage of Market divided into following segments: 2021, according to Technopak’s Linked Focus Product Scheme for tex - n Cotton Textiles Textile and Apparel Compendium tile products and extension of Market n Silk Textiles 2012. Linked Focus Product Scheme, to n Woolen Textiles increase the Indian shares in the global n Readymade Garments Investments trade of textiles and clothing. It has n Hand-crafted Textiles The industry attracted foreign direct also allowed 100 percent FDI in tex - n Jute and Coir investments (FDI) worth $11.02 mil - tiles under the automatic route. The fiber and yarn produced in India lion in the month of May 2012 as com - is comparable to the best in the world. pared to $4.44 million during the cor - The Road Ahead Indian fabrics are known for their responding month in 2011. The textiles industry complements excellent workmanship, colors and The Indian textile industry saw three the growth of several industries and durability. Due to heavy investments in institutions such as the defense world-class manufacturing plants, forces, railways, and government continuous innovation, new product hospitals, which are the key institu - mix, and strategic market expansion, tional buyers of technical textiles. The Indian man-made fibers (MMF) are all market is expected to grow to $31 set to take center stage in the global billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 10 per - arena. cent. The industry includes produc - tion of flexible packaging material for Market Size industrial, agricultural and consumer Exports of Indian MMF textiles scaled goods. Among the other segments, an all-time high of $5,699 million in protech, oekotech, spotech and geot - 2011-12, as compared to $5,013 mil - ech have significant growth potential. lion in 2010-11, registering a year-on- India’s technical textile industry is an year growth of 14 percent. In 2011-12, emerging area for investments with fabrics were the largest product cate - good growth opportunities. gory accounting for 41 percent of total (Courtesy: India Brand Equity exports. During 2011-12, the Middle Foundation)

October 2012 India Review Cinema NEWS Barfi! is India’s choice for the Oscars he magic of Anurag Basu’s receive such amazing success is so Priyanka plays an autistic girl Barfi! has worked. The gratifying. This has been the toughest named Jhilmil opposite Ranbir heartwarming movie about character of my life and to see everyone Kapoor in the film which was T love between a deaf and mute loving Jhilmil is such a dream come released on September 14. boy and an autistic girl, has been cho - true. I am thrilled to be a part of such Actor Ileana D’Cruz, who began sen as India’s official entry for the a wonderful team who made this hap - her career in Bollywood with Barfi , Academy Awards in the Best Foreign pen,” Priyanka said. said she was proud to be part of the Language Film category. team and that it was an honor and The decision was taken at a Film Ranbir Kapoor and privilege and a matter of pride to get Ileana D’Cruz in a Federation of India (FFI) meeting in still from Barfi!. an official entry to the Oscars. Hyderabad on September 22. FFI sends some critically acclaimed “Barfi! has indeed been chosen as the and highly appreciated films from country’s official entry this year,” FFI the country to the jury of the Secretary-General Suparn Sen said. Academy Awards. While The movie starring Ranbir Kapoor many films including Paan as Murphy aka Barfi and Priyanka Singh Tomar , Kahaani Chopra as Jhilmil has been lauded in among others were short - film circles for its simplistic and listed, Barfi! was finally moving narrative that has managed selected to represent to tug at the heartstrings of India. audiences who equally enjoy com - So far, only three mercial potboilers. Bollywood films — Actor Priyanka Chopra is over - Mehboob Khan’s whelmed by the news and says the Mother India (1957), Mira film was a labor of love and it was Nair’s Salaam Bombay amazing to be a part of it. (1988) and Ashutosh “Congratulations Team Barfi! This Gowariker’s Lagaan (2001) is such amazing news. This film was a — have made it to the nomi - labor of love for all of us and to see it nation stage. Thilakan a constant in Kerala’s living rooms alayalam cinema’s much loved actor fraught with pain, and he would not divulge Thilakan may no longer be alive but much about his home. M he will forever remain a constant in His two sons, Shammi and Shobhi, work as Kerala’s living rooms for not a day passes with - dubbing artistes in films. Shammi has also out one of his films being telecast on one of the played the role of a villain in some films. numerous local TV channels. Thilakan is also survived by his daughter, Thilakan, 74, who passed away on Sophia. September 24 after spending a month in hos - The state government had borne the hospi - 22 pital, was first a stage actor who started his tal expenses of the actor since his hospitalisa - career in the mid-1950s. He took the tion nearly a month ago. Thilakan in a still from the movie Nagaram . Malayalam film industry by storm with his first Besides the Padma Shri in 2009, Thilakan film, Ulkadal (1979). He has since acted in Rupiah and Spirits , both directed by Renjith. won national awards in 1988 for best support - nearly 300 films in various south Indian lan - Thilakan was born in Ayroor in ing actor in the film Hrithubhedam and a spe - guages. Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. His father cial jury award in 2007 for his role in His recent film Uustad Hotel has done well worked on an estate in Idukki district, and that Ekantham . He was awarded by Kerala state in the box office, and Thilakan stars with super - is where he spent his early childhood. film awards on numerous occasions, including star Mammootty’s son, Dulqar Salman, in it. Although much success had come Thilakan’s for best actor in Grammam (1994) and Thilakan also appeared recently in Indian way early as an actor, his personal life was Preumthachan (1990).

October 2012 India Review Travel & TOURISM In search of duality

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(Clockwise from left) The Mahatma Gandhi Statue; Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the French War Memorial.

uducherry is today a town white, which seems to have been Surguru and Jayaram, both of which with a dual personality: transported here from the offer authentic South Indian fare. there is two of everything, Mediterranean seafront. Nearby is And if it is North Indian vegetarian one French and the other the French War Memorial, where sol - you are looking for, the Punjabi P th Indian. For every stately 17 or diers who died in World War I are Dhabha on Mission street has been 18 th century church or building built honored in a ceremony on Bastille recommended by visitors. by the French in Puducherry, there Day every year (July 14). Continental cuisine is, however, is an equally ancient and specta- Other delights from Puducherry’s why you really are in Pondi. The cular temple. French past are the Light House built eatery at Auroville is a must-visit, not As for the people, the friendly locals in the early 19 th century and the colo - only for the serenity of its setting, but apart, the experimental township of nial structure that houses the French also for its authentic fare. Auroville (or the City of Dawn) is a Consulate which, not surprisingly, is And scores of visitors to the town place where you find people of the only diplomatic mission in a 150 have vouched for the food at the Don practically every nationality living km radius. Incidentally, most of the Giovanni, with some even going so together in harmony. And roaming Frenchmen and women who use the far as to contend that it is the best the well laid out avenues of the town, Consulate are residents of Auroville Italian restaurant in India. Other you will come upon a statue of — mostly disciples and followers of restaurants such as Rendezvous and Marquis Joseph Francois Dupleix, the Sri Aurobindo and The Mother — Seagulls offer French, continental governor of Puducherry from 1742 to and are Hindus. The French diaspora and seafood. 1754 — and it is matched, not too far here is majority Hindu. For a non-vegetarian foodie, away, by another: of Mahatma There are, of course, churches — though, the high point of the visit may Gandhi. ranging from the serene to the grand well be eating at the Appachi, a not-so- Once you arrive at Pondi via the — to visit, and other historical struc - fancy restaurant on Rangapillai street stunningly picturesque East Coast tures to gaze upon, but the way to offering excellent Chettinad cuisine. Road — if you are driving down from really enjoy the town is to walk around And while the mutton and chicken Chennai — and are in a mood for a the French Quarter, taking in names preparations are not to be missed, quick heritage tour, a visit is recom - like Dumas Street, Romain Rolland please make sure you do not leave mended to the local municipal office. Avenue and Suffren Street, and soak - without having the shark mince. The Yes, the headquarters of the ing in a distinctly European ambience. only problem is that it may not be on Puducherry Municipality. It is housed Now, the food. There are some the menu every day. If it is not, it’s a on Goubert Avenue in a building fac - really nice vegetarian eating joints in good enough reason to extend your ing the sea and painted a pristine Pondi. Locals strongly recommend stay by a day, or two.

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