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Volume XXXII No. 6 November – December 2018

and the discussions pertained to politics, geo-strategy, India’s Relations with Central connectivity and measures to strengthen the cultural ties between India and Central Asian countries. Shri M. Asia Hamid Ansari gave the valedictory address. He said he CONFERENCE had no doubt that the conclave of scholars would add to the compendium of human knowledge that would India and Central Asia promote connectivity, freer movements of goods and COLLABORATION: International Research services, and mutually beneficial cooperation between Division and Institute of Indo–Persian Studies South and Central Asia. While chairing this session, 3–4 December 2018 Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan said that India had not done enough to connect itself to Central Asia. It is a very important President IIC, Shri. N. N. Vohra, set the tone for the region that connects different cultures and civilisations. conference by highlighting the fact that India’s relations Professor Syed Akhtar Husain concluded the conference with Central Asia go back 2,000 years, and the study of the with a comprehensive report of the proceedings. He then past and present culture is essential to carry forward our called upon Dr. Laura Yarekesheva and Professor Sanjay shared legacy. He spoke in detail on India’s engagement Kumar Pandey to express their frank remarks on the with the Central Asian region during and after Soviet rule. conference. In conclusion, Dr. Md. Arshadul Qadri thanked He was very appreciative of the efforts of the Chairperson Shri Hamid Ansari for delivering the valedictory address, of the International Research Division of the IIC, Dr. (Smt.) and expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Vatsyayan with an Kapila Vatsyayan, to promote amity and understanding, Urdu couplet: Ruke to barq, chale to, hawaoo jaisa hain and knowledge and discourse among people. Wo shakhash dhup me dhekho to chhauon jaisa hain.

Thirty-five participants from Central Asian countries, Iran ■ NADEEM AKHTAR and different parts of India discussed various aspects of language, literature, culture, art and geopolitics of Central Asia and India. Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar delivered the welcome address, and expressed his appreciation for Dr. Vatsyayan’s efforts to conceptualise the meaningful themes of the conference. Professor Syed Akhtar Husain spoke at length about the concept of the conference, also recognising the contributions of Ambassadors Shyam Saran, I.P. Khosla, Yogendra Kumar, Nalin Suri, Ashok Sajjanhar and Raghunath.

Eight academic sessions were held during the conference, during which the issues debated and discussed were the history, religion, language, literature, linguistic affinity, geography, art and architecture of India and Central Asia. The contemporary was given equal prominence, Delegates at the India and Central Asia Conference

1 Celebrating Raimundo Panikkar SYMPOSIUM Mysticism as a Universal Phenomenon SPEAKERS: Dr. (Smt.) Kapila Vatsyayan; Mario Aguilar; Anand Amaladass; Kala Acharya; Paulo Barone; Daniel Monodeep; Dr. Karan Singh; Come Carpentier de Gourdon; and Ashis Nandy COLLABORATION: Fundecio Vivarium Panikkar, Tavertet, Spain Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan with Milena Carrara Pavan 6 December 2018

This symposium celebrated Raimon Panikkar’s centenary briefly about Panikkar. The first session featured talks and marked the launch of the book, Mysticism and by Come Carpentier (World Affairs, India), Mario Aguilar Spirituality, one volume of the Collected Works of from the University of St Andrews (Scotland), and Anand Raimon Panikkar, by Milena Carrara Pavan, President, Amaladass from Loyola College, Chennai. International Cultural Centre Vivarium Panikkar, Tavertet, Kala Acharya, Director of the K.J. Somaiya Bhartiya Spain. Indo–Spanish philosopher, scholar, mystic and Samskrit Peetham, Mumbai; Paulo Barone, an analytical historian of religions, Raimundo (Raimon in Catalan) psychologist from Milan, Italy; and Daniel Monodeep, Dean Panikkar (1918–2010) wrote and lectured all over the world of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, gave talks in the second in Spanish, German, English, Italian, Catalan, and was session. During this session, Dr. Karan Singh announced well versed in Greek, Latin and Sanskrit. His erudition was the launch of the Raimon Panikkar International Prize to encyclopaedic, and his love for India and her civilisation be awarded to selected young students and researchers lifelong. Milena Carrara, his spiritual ‘trustee’, translated whose work is of similar depth as Panikkar’s. into English all his writings in other languages in order to present an exhaustive panorama of his research into and The symposium concluded with an audio-visual interview analysis of the ‘religious phenomenon’, mainly from the of Raimon Panikkar by Milena Carrara shortly before perspective of Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity. his demise. ■ COME CARPENTIER DE GOURDON After the release of the first three volumes by Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, who wrote the foreword to all, Carrara spoke

the similarities and differences in the music, of the Dialogue and Demonstration cadence of the rhythm of tal, the feeling of bhava and the appropriateness of the melody in the raga, and its DISCUSSION synching with the time of the day. The moderator was In Conversation: Charumathi Raghuraman Justin McCarthy in conversation with violinist Charumathi and Anantha R. Krishnan in conversation with Raghuraman, mridangam artiste Anantha R. Krishnan, Shambhunath Bhattacharjee and Asghar tabla artiste Shambhunath Bhattacharjee, and violinist Hussain Asghar Hussain. Lively audience participation followed CHAIR: Justin McCarthy the musical demonstrations by each of the artistes, as they expanded on the merits of the issue being deliberated. 19 November 2018 ■ MEKHALA SENGUPTA

This programme was a unique workshop of dialogue, conversations and demonstrations between Carnatic and Hindustani music. The musicians deliberated on

2 Abbas’s story surpassed the limitations of geographical Epistolatory Exchange boundaries, and communicated the transcendence of love and language. Salma recounted her memoirs, PLAY reflecting on a collection of memories capturing Mussoorie, 1953 the transition of her life. Two particular memories of Allahabad, the patch on Professor Ahmed’s coat and the Dramatic reading of a short story by K.A. stitch in his head, juxtaposes the dawning and setting of Abbas their love and compassion. DIRECTION AND DESIGN: Danish Iqbal The magic of Abbas is in being able to capture social ON STAGE: Sunita Chowhan reality through his stories. The performance persistently COLLABORATION: Khwaja Ahmed Abbas conveyed the tensions of the Muslim community in India, Memorial Trust due to the territorial repositioning of Muslims to Pakistan, 4 December 2018 post-partition. The play stipulates the notion of the personal as political; Salma describes anecdotes where women, through men’s gaze, are reduced to objects Mussoorie, 1953: at a time when language has lost its of gratification. The underlying notion of patriarchy is fervour, humans their humanity, and emotions their warmth, present in the entire tale, as Salma is dismayed in love, this play rejuvenated the sublimity of the mountains, trees, relocated by her father, wooed by a superstar, dominated the serenity of Mussoorie, and the charisma of K.A. Abbas. by her brother. The play coherently articulated the The dramatic reading developed through a series of agency of women. letters between two college friends, Salma and Usha. The ■ STEVEN S. GEORGE sole narrator, Salma, played by Sunita Chowhan, faces a form of incarceration in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Environmental Film Festival FESTIVAL Quotes from the Earth COLLABORATION: Toxics Link; and Swedish Society for Nature Conservation 6 to 8 December

The eighth biennial edition of the environmental film festival aimed to bring attention to critical environmental issues, and to awaken the consciousness of people. It showcased 27 thought-provoking films on various environmental themes such as biodiversity, wildlife, climate change, Jairam Ramesh inaugurating the film festival pollution, among others. Award winning films likeGyamo: Queen of the Mountains; Irada; The Birdman of Chorao The event witnessed huge participation from schools from India, as well as some international films like Modified; such as South Delhi Public School, Kulachi Hansraj Model Smog Wars; PM 2.5; and The Can were screened. School, Shri Ram School Moulsari, St. Mary’s and Sister Nivedita Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalay, besides filmmakers, Speaking at the inauguration, Jairam Ramesh stated, ‘We participants from various NGOs, government agencies cannot deforest our way to prosperity. We need economic and colleges. growth but not at the cost of ecological imbalance.’ He further added, ‘Environment has emerged as a public The festival provided a premier platform for the filmmakers health issue like air pollution, water pollution, chemicals to showcase their films, and for the audience it was an and so on. Between 2000–2015, 8 per cent of all deaths opportunity to garner more knowledge and information in India were caused by pollution-related ailments.’ ‘Less about environment degradation and the need to act to than 10 per cent of plastics we use are recycled globally,’ save nature at an individual level. added Ravi Agarwal. ■ RUBY RANI

3 rendered his maiden playback song, Pehli Nazar. He went The Music of Mukesh on to illustrate Mukesh’s imitative period in the fashion of the legendary K.L. Saigal, and his masterful rendering of MUSIC APPRECIATION PROMOTION Dil Jalta Hai to Jalney Do.

MUKESH: The Singer who Lives On In his insightful research, Pankaj Rag was able to link the SPEAKER: Pankaj Rag contributions of music directors such as Anil Biswas in the CHAIR: Vidya Shah fashioning at the music forge during the malleable years of the Mukesh legend. The audience was privy to the 18 December 2018 fact that Mukesh had risen to become the musical voice of Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand, and, of course, the long This was a journey down memory lane with Mukesh. association that the artist had with R.K. Film Productions, The speaker, Pankaj Rag, made a detailed study of which one learnt coincided with his breaking away from this legendary singer, right from the age of 18, when he the Saigal musical influence.

Rag also touched upon the lean years when Mukesh had to borrow funds from his vegetable vendor to pay his children’s school fees. Also, the setback that he suffered with contractual engagements which helped co- performers forge ahead.

Rag went on to the evolution of Mukesh as ‘the singer of sad songs’, as also his initial disadvantage due to lack of classical training. With this plethora of incidents linked to each song, the audience fondly recalled the nostalgia of the Mukesh legend. Pankaj Rag and Vidya Shah ■ SUBHRA MAZUMDAR

Narayanan looked upon poetry as attempting to distance An Evening of Poetry itself and zooming out of the picture. Rao, on the other READINGS hand, demonstrated close observation, by zooming into the picture. She explored feelings as well as cherished Almost Island’s Poetry Readings them, enriching them with philosophy. POETS: Vivek Narayanan, Mani Rao and Ari South African poet, Ari Sita’s poetry engaged with protest Sitas music, working class movements, racial difference and COLLABORATION: Almost Island the life of the people on the street. His poems have 22 December 2018 boldness and the striking effect of theatre and activism, contemplating the ruthlessness of industries and the class The Almost Island Dialogues 2018 showcased a collection struggle. At the same time, it had the effect of an elegy of of vivid and intense poetry, featuring three renowned helplessness, like a maze of splintering glass. The poetry poets: Vivek Narayanan, Mani Rao and Ari Sitas. The integrated the pessimism of city life with the displacement 40-minute narration of poems by each poet presented a of nature, seasons and love. graphic illustration of the literary. ■ STEVEN S. GEORGE

Vivek Narayanan presented a critical conversation with a corpus text of Indian history, Valmiki’s Ramayana. The poem is an ongoing project which has been under development for six years, and has a recurrent theme of violence in poetry. Narayanan brought forth the idea of warfare in the modern context, juxtaposing it with the Ramayana.

With a sprinkling of words, Mani Rao scrutinised the everyday travails of modern life. She addressed the conception of home, love, trees, birds, skies and lands. Vivek Narayanan at the Poetry Reading

4 The festival ended with a Bharatanatyam performance Skill, Tradition and Maturity by Shreyasi Gopinath from Delhi. A young Bharatanatyam dancer and teacher based out of Delhi, she enthralled WINTER FESTIVAL OF DANCE AND MUSIC everyone with her performance. Trained under the An Evening of Dance guidance of Padma Shri Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan and at the renowned Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, she 28 December 2018 further went on to receive intensive training under Guru Jamuna Krishnan who has been her guide and mentor India International Centre is known to bring together ever since. Gopinath presented the audiences with the performers of great calibre in its festivals. The annual traditional Bharatanatayam repertoire and performed Winter Festival 2018 of IIC this year had many such with extraordinary ease. Her rigorous training and skills promising performers to offer to the Delhi audience. The were evident in her Pallavi and Abhinaya pieces. The second day of the festival was dedicated to dance. performance was a combination of skill and her tradition, The festival began with a Sattriya recital by Prateesha amalgamated with a maturity beyond her years. Suresh from Mumbai, followed by a Bharatanatyam ■ MEGHA SHIRODKAR recital by Shreyashi Gopinath from Delhi. Sattriya is a dance form that is rare and exquisite, therefore commonly unknown among audiences. Thus it was refreshing to see a lesser-known art form being presented with such finesse. Prateesha Suresh started her Sattriya training with late Roseswar Saikia Barbayan. Having performed at several prestigious festivals, her presence on stage was splendid and she was a sublime combination of grace and tradition. She presented traditional pieces depicting stories from ancient texts. The supremely talented bunch of musicians accompanying her left the audience spellbound. Bharatanatyam recital by Shreyasi Gopinath

Tribute to Gandhi and Upanishads. Gandhi’s idea of truth was about experiencing suffering in order to understand the truth. MAHATMA GANDHI Devy cited another example by sharing a conversation 150 YEARS between a judge and Gandhi. On at least two occasions, when, in court, a judge said to Gandhi that he would TALK: Gandhi Matters: Truth from the sentence him to six months’ imprisonment, Gandhi said: ‘Sir, Beginning to the Mahatma please send me to jail for a little longer.’ Then, on another SPEAKER: Ganesh Devy occasion, the judge pronounced six years’ imprisonment. COLLABORATION: Raza Foundation And Gandhi again requested the judge, saying: ‘Please 20 November 2018 keep me there a little longer.’ And when the judge asked the reason, Gandhi replied, without hesitation, that more suffering would bring him closer to the truth. In a series of talks—‘Gandhi Matters’—on and around Mahatma Gandhi to commemorate his 150th birth At the end of his talk, Devy gave the example of the anniversary, cultural activist Ganesh Devy expressed struggle and failure of Gandhi in South Africa, and the his views most eloquently. At the beginning of his talk, strong support of his wife Kasturba Gandhi—he didn’t Devy said, ‘Gandhi has rained on me, and has immense forget to give her credit for making Gandhi a fearless influence on me with his ideas.’ He further mentioned that ‘Satyagrahi’. Gandhi’s journey towards truth was his Gandhi was not merely a great personality, but a living set personal realisation of God. But, with the help of Kasturba, of ideas and values flowing through India. it became more divine and fearless. His idea of truth is a full, three-dimensional idea. In the last 20 years of his He then spoke on ‘Truth’ from a very different perspective, life, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi became Mahatma by citing the examples of various philosophers and Gandhi because of this three-dimensional idea of truth. publishers from across the globe. While analysing the idea of Gandhi’s truth, he gave the example of the Vedas ■ M. SHAHID SIDDIQUI

5 When it came down to the discussion, it was pointed out Virtual Music that technology has not made significant inroads into music, and while satellite TV has heralded a cultural DISCUSSION invasion of popular programmes, we are still progressing Blending Music with Technology on the back of innovations by others. SPEAKERS: Nirali Karthik and Chintan Kalra Closer observation, the speakers reflected, pointed MODERATOR: Shankar Barua towards ‘hinterland’ music coming to the forefront, and adaptation of virtual teamwork that would affect all 27 November 2018 musicians. Stress was also laid on the need to orient Indian instruments into a 3D mould, which would drive The exchange of musical sounds, via the Internet, has technology to a purposeful goal in India. introduced infinite possibilities through virtual teamwork, In a final observation, the speakers noted that the mindset based on online collaborations with things musical, and must adapt to respecting the innovator instead of the otherwise. The blending, rearranging and refiguring of music accomplished, by establishing workshops for facilitating into digital creations was the subject of this discussion. technologically filtered sounds that would reach out to The introductory visual-cum-aural rearrangement, people, and encourage week-end music makers. The featuring clips and bytes of child prodigies, varied overall final blueprint suggested by them was to have rhythms, global locales and even the whirr of a washing intelligent instrumentation as the next breaking point, machine, engaged listeners with its lively beats, its thereby manipulating music to suit the individual, instead melodious combination of sounds, and visual impact of the masses. as shots featured iconic architectural backdrops, as ■ SUBHRA MAZUMDAR also street-corner concerts and home sing-a-longs from around the globe.

Remembering Octavio Paz EXHIBITION Re-imagining Octavio Paz BOOK LAUNCH: India Remembers Octavio Paz PANEL DISCUSSION: Remembering Paz COLLABORATION: The Raza Foundation, The

Embassy of Mexico, Instituto Cervantes and Panellists in discussion India International Centre 17 to 25 November and English by Paz’s friends: Mexican writer, Alberto Ruy Sanchez, and senior Indian painter, Krishen Khanna.

This programme commemorated 20 years of the passing The graphic poster exhibition was inaugurated with a away of this great Mexican Nobel laureate poet. It poetry reading in Spanish and English by Alberto Ruy commenced with the launch of the anthology, India Sanchez and Krishen Khanna. Remembers Octavio Paz (compiled and edited by art Another event was the seminar, ‘Exploring the Labyrinth’, writer Shruthi Issac), followed by a panel discussion, at which poets K. Satchidanandan and Udayan Vajpeyi, ‘Remembering Paz’, which explored various aspects of and academicians Minni Sawhney and Shyama Prasad Paz’s life in India. In his welcome address, Ashok Vajpeyi Ganguly explored Paz’s poetry and philosophy. said that Paz was in constant dialogue with many Indian artists, namely Ram Kumar, M.F. Husain, Satish Gujral, The documentary film,The Labyrinth of Octavio Paz, Krishen Khanna, J. Swaminathan, Gulammohammed was screened, marking the closing of the week-long Sheikh, Vivan Sundaram, among others. programme and the graphic poster exhibition.

The graphic poster exhibition, titled Re-imagining Octavio ■ SHRUTHI ISSAC Paz, was inaugurated with a poetry reading in Spanish

6 of sustained interaction with the ecosystem. Accelerating Nature and Culture climate and technological change is affecting lifestyles, and some tribes of this region already see youth preferring TALK to settle around townships.

Moving with the Seasons: Interconnectedness Animals, foliage, terrain and weather are important in of Nature and Culture in the Landscape of the the lives of nomadic cattle rearers. These find a place in Pastoral Nomadic Korzokpa of Changthang their songs, dance, myths and rituals, especially around SPEAKER: Tara Sharma migration schedules, ensuring continuity of sustainable 22 November 2018 ecosensitive living. All this is under threat today. If not for Sharma’s work over two decades, recently with Jungwa Foundation, this rich heritage could disappear without a trace.

The audience was treated to a feast of Korzokpa culture over an engrossing session, accompanied with photographs. Interesting was the interweaving of gods, men and lower beings with rearing of goat, sheep and yaks, making a pattern that fused the secular firmly with the sacred. Natural cooperation of the tangible with unseen forces is the norm, and discipline blossoms from within. Senior Rinpoche diktats and the local Karzok monastery have played a big role in strengthening this interdependence. Tara Sharma and Jahnwij Sharma Hundreds of tribes across India need many like Tara Tara Sharma spoke about a nomadic tribe of trans- Sharma to document their lifestyles and cultural wealth. Himalayan Ladakh which she has been documenting. The Korzokpa tradition evolved over hundreds of years ■ BHARATI MIRCHANDANI

required for their crafts. As each story was read out, the Nature, Craft and Children of attendees travelled with the children to share momentarily Imagination their lives, where they balanced hard work at school and hardship at home to keep their craft alive to gift India the AWARDS legacy of continuing traditional crafts.

Kamaladevi Puraskar 2018 The crowd showed their appreciation of the awardees’ CHIEF GUEST: Usha Malik diligence at such young ages. We were lucky to see samples of their expertise, showcased on tables around COLLABORATION: Delhi Crafts Council the Plaza. The stunning end products were the result of 24 November 2018 long hours spent gathering raw material from the forest, learning dyeing, weaving, leather tooling, etc. from their There could not have been a better pastoral setting to elders. The chief guest, Usha Malik, spoke at length on honour talented young craftspeople from across India the invaluable contribution of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay than the Gandhi–King Plaza, on a stage strategically to the revival of Indian crafts, and exhorted the young placed under a magnificent Ficus tree. awardees to read more about her life and work to understand why the Delhi Crafts Council had instituted The puppeteer group rendered a beautiful ‘Ganesh this award in her name. Vandana’ to initiate the proceedings. The children, aged between 14 and 18, were received by members of the Delhi ■ RIMA ZAHEER Crafts Council individually on stage, and ceremoniously given their certificates, which they collected with grace. The bestowing of each award was preceded by a fairly substantial account of the children’s lives, their personal ambition, and a detailed explanation of the skill and effort

7 marked by silence on the psychological scars caused by Trauma of Partition Partition. The trauma of the Holocaust provoked serious introspection in Europe, but there have been no studies of DISCUSSION the traumas caused by communal violence in India.

The Psychological Impact of the Partition of The panel dwelt on the ‘after life of Partition’, and how India. A discussion on the book edited by writers like Manto and Joginder Paul approached the Alok Sarin and Sanjeev Jain ghosts of Partition. They also spoke about the archival and PANELLISTS: Tarun Saint; Hina Nadrajog; historical amnesia around Partition; the different traumas Ayesha Kidwai; and Sanjeev Jain caused by Partition; and the strategies that refugees adopted to cope with displacement. A chapter titled ‘Are CHAIR: Urvashi Butalia we Women not Citizens?’ led to a discussion on social 26 November 2018 workers’ interventions for abducted women, and how these nationalists trod tricky ground as they campaigned The first of its kind, this book begins a dialogue between for the very state that creates patriarchy. psychiatry, social sciences, psychology and literature on ■ KAVITA CHARANJI the Partition.

At the discussion, Partition as a ‘metaphor for madness’ was a recurring theme. Mental health discourse in India is

enforcing the data protection law, heavy penalties for Data Privacy Issues violating this law, among others. RELEASE The issue of data security and protection arose in India The Data Privacy Report after Aadhar data requirements were forced upon all consumer transactions; the matter was then challenged SPEAKER: Justice (Retd.) Shri. B.N. Srikrishna at the Supreme Court. This forced the deliberation on the CHAIR: Shri. N.N. Vohra right to privacy with conflicting views even among experts. 19 November 2018 As people engage in greater online activity, greater volumes of personal data become available. Whatever At the launch of the Data Privacy Report, Justice the transaction when making an online purchase, there B.N. Srikrishna, Chairman of the Data Protection must be consent in specific or in implied terms of the data Committee, spoke on the challenges of data privacy principle to the data fiduciary. After consent, the laws deal and protection. This dealt with consent, storage, breach, with purpose limitation and time limitation, which spell out redressal, localisation, surveillance and finally about the limits to which this personal data can be used, and the developing the rules of engagement, the laws and code time during which the given consent is valid. of conduct and the appropriate institutional framework Justice Srikrishna went on to elaborate on what is data for data security law. and if data can be treated like property, with the rights India has the second-highest Internet user base in the assigned to property applied to data. This led to what world; the ramifications of a data security law can be far- is privacy, and defining what is data breach. The other reaching to revolutionise the Indian technology sector, issues addressed were what is data processing; the which until now has only used the Information Technology consequences of storage of big data; use by artificial Act, 2000, which provides norms for data collection and intelligence for future predictive interpretation; and its usage, but no guidelines for data storage techniques, the power of government espionage and ways to user consent or data processing. Technology companies, manage this. start-ups and industry bodies have been united in ■ MEKHALA SENGUPTA their stance for a strong data protection law to protect customer interests, while also helping accelerate India’s fast growing digital economy. The recommendations of the Committee include jurisdiction of processing personal data, setting up an independent regulatory body for

8 has been sluggish. The strengthened industrial base China’s Ascendency was directed towards mass production for the export market, and labour productivity gains got passed on to TALK the international market in the form of low-cost goods, China’s Rise and its Implications for the World at the expense of Chinese labour, whose wages have not grown much vis-à-vis the profits. This approach SPEAKER: Krishna G. Palepu integrated China into the global economic chain. CHAIR: Ashok Kantha The challenges to this approach of economic growth COLLABORATION: Institute of Chinese have started to emerge. Growth in human productivity Studies has stared declining, and because of the way capital has 13 December 2018 been mobilised through debt, the economy is showing signs of stress. Post the 2008 crisis, overall consumption fell in the West, thereby directly affecting Chinese export There is a need to take stock of how China ended up demand. China tried to offset it by turning towards tapping being the second-largest economy in the world in a the domestic market, but a high savings rate failed to span of 40 years. While massive investments in health generate much demand. The other driver is innovation, and elementary education prepared the base for this where Chinese investment has successfully gone into transformation, liberalising policies to make the value business model innovation. chain productive benefited the overall economy. From the international perspective, the Chinese model Despite the regime commandeering the capital in the differs from the Japan/South Korean model. The latter economy, the financial system is not market-driven focused on development at the expense of throwing their as China confiscates all the savings through banking weight behind the international system, and emerged as controls, and allocates this capital to its priority benign economic powers. The Chinese path differed as it sectors. This helped the growth of the indigenous used economic clout to consolidate its repressive political industrial base, but also laid the foundation for system, and positioned itself as a strategic rival to the US. inefficient use of capital. Labour productivity has risen close to 10 per cent per year, but capital productivity ■ PRATEEK JOSHI

the different internal problems faced by Asian countries, Terrorism and Insurgency which include terrorism and insurgency. TALK The second part of the speech focused on the counter- Islamism and Intelligence in South Asia terror and anti-insurgency strategies adopted by Asian countries. The speaker also elucidated on the SPEAKER: Prem Mahadevan Deflecting Strategy of Saudi Arabia, which has largely CHAIR: T.C.A. Raghavan worked towards deflecting internal terror to external 17 December 2018 bodies, but failed when adopted by Pakistan due to the financial crunch.

The discussion commenced with a short introductory The last part of the speech exclusively focused on the speech by the Chair. This was followed by the main menace of terrorism faced by Pakistan and India. The speech on Pakistan’s policies and terrorism by speaker touched upon the criminal syndicate of Pakistan, Dr. Mahadevan. The speaker first highlighted the origins and explained the machinery and the ways it is facilitated. of Jihadi extremism, which dates back to the Ottoman In the discussion, it was also noted that most of the initial empire’s Holy War against Imperialism, and pointed out doctrine of Al-Qaeda was taken from Hezbollah. The its links with the Russian revolution of the early speaker also shed light on the strong yet secret links 20th century. between Lashkar-e-Taiba and Al-Qaeda. Interesting facts about Osama Bin Laden’s hand in the 2008 Mumbai The speaker then discussed the origins of Islamic attacks were also presented during the discussion. extremism in South Asia, and Pakistan in particular. Various topics such as the deep state of Pakistan, internal politics ■ KUSHAL SINHA and interference of the Pakistani Army in civil government were also touched upon. The speaker also commented on

9 The rupee may seem to have stabilised at around the £70 Uncertain Means in Uncertain to a dollar, but it is unclear whether that is good or bad for the economy. International rates of crude oil, India’s Times biggest item of import, have fallen sharply of late, and that REVIEW should help prop up the economy in the final months of the 2018–19 financial year. However, rate fluctuations are not Mid-Year Review of the Indian Economy ruled out, given the global factors and inconclusive talks COLLABORATION: NCAER of output cuts by key petroleum-producing nations. With 24 November 2018 the country’s political leadership already in electioneering mode, the economy is likely to face some impact.

‘This time, it’s all about uncertainties—both domestic and The NCAER report presented by Bhandari pegged India’s international’, said Bornali Bhandari as she presented the GDP growth (at market prices) at 7.4–7.7 per cent for 2018– IIC–NCAER Malcom Adiseshiah Mid-Year Review of the 19, depending on the movement of crude oil prices. Indian Economy. Her opening remarks, in fact, summed In the agricultural sector, the report estimated a slight up the present state of the economy, especially with the increase in the combined output of kharif and rabi food country’s agricultural sector still unsure of the benefits of grains over the previous year at about 290 million tonnes, a good monsoon because of high special variation. The but pointed out that overall food inflation had so far financial sector too has its share of problems, thanks to remained subdued this financial year. Its outlook for the the ballooning non-performing assets of banks, and the industrial sector remained mixed, and its assessment of RBI–government conflicts not helping. the services sector was one of subdued growth and mixed outlook.

The event also included a lecture by Lekha Chakraborty on ways of integrating gender perspectives into macroeconomic policies. She highlighted, among other things, the need to generate gender- disaggregated data in macroeconomic statistics.

Panellists at the Mid-Year Review ■ REETESH ANAND

Exhibition: ‘Gond views: From their Natural World to Visions of Delhi’ by Japani Shyam and Dilip Shyam Exhibition: Fidel and the Foreign Policy of the Cuban Revolution

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OBITUARY

L-0355 Shri Himanshu Joshi

M-0552 Shri S. Raghavan

M-2377 Dr. S.S. Sidhu

M-2828 Dr. Aparna Basu

M-3074 Shri Dharmamoy Guha

M-4068 Mohd. Kawkab Hameed

A-2010 Shri K.S. Dhillon

A-2675 Shri Nishi Kant Sinha

A-2818 Dr. Rajendra Prasad Jain

A-2934 Capt. V.P. Baveja (Retd.)

A-5507 Smt. Sheila T. Mulchandani

11 Reg. No. 28936/77 Director’s Note

With the implementation of the electricity rates revised by NDMC, the Centre’s power bill has increased substantially. To reduce this cost it has been decided to explore the possibility of developing non-conventional sources, particularly solar and bio-mass, on the Centre’s premises. It has also been decided to have an Energy Audit done at the Centre and M/s Tata Power Limited (TPL) have been assigned the responsibility for this work, which has already begun. Their final report is expected by the middle of February. We are hopeful that the Centre would be able to significantly reduce its power consumption and costs by implementing measures advised by TPL. After several rounds of in-house discussions President Vohra has set up Planning Groups on Education and Health, comprising Members who are well known experts in their respective fields. It is envisaged that these groups shall enable programmes for discussing steps which are required to be taken for promoting growth and advancement in these two sectors, and also identify approaches for bolstering employment generation in these arenas. We are hopeful that the suggestions evolving from the projected discussions and debates would also be of some use to the policy-makers. President has taken meetings to also finalise a series of lectures on “Women Scientists in India”. As a part of this series, eminent women scientists, from within and outside the country, will be invited to deliver talks. Besides sharing their personal experiences, they will also be requested to speak on themes relating to their fields of specialisation. It is hoped that this programme series, which would also include exhibitions, would inter-alia, encourage budding women scientists and strengthen women’s empowerment. This lecture series has been planned to be organised in collaboration with Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India, Dr. Vijay Raghavan, and Secretary, Department of Bio-Technology, Government of India, Dr. (Smt.) Renu Swarup. In furtherance of its commitment to promote transparency, the Board of Trustees has decided that the forthcoming elections to the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee (2019-2021) will be conducted through E-Voting. Members shall be enabled to exercise their vote through electronic means; those who do not wish to do so will have the option to cast their votes at the voting booths to be set up at the Centre. We are addressing all voting Members to inform us about their convenience to participate in programmes we are organising at the Centre to facilitate Members in exercising their franchise through E-Voting. Details of the contesting candidates, the election schedule and related information may be seen at the Centre’s Website. New Appointments Before the end of 2018 the Centre bade farewell to Dr. S. Mazumdar, Chief Librarian, and Air Marshal Naresh Verma, Director, both of whom had completed their tenures. We welcome other new appointees, who joined the Centre in the past weeks. Shri Kanwal Wali joined as Secretary IIC on 1st December, 2018. He superannuated as Air Commodore, from Indian Air Force, in March 2018. In the arena of administration he has wide experience of over three decades in General Administration and Human Resource Management. He has held several important appointments in the Air Force, which have included Principal Director, Air Force Hqrs; Chief Administrative Officer and Commanding Officer of vital field units. He has been commended twice by Chief of Air Staff for excellence in executing his professional responsibilities. Dr. Usha Mujoo Munshi, a Fulbright Scholar, joined us as Chief Librarian on 1st January, 2019. Earlier, she has served in several prestigious organisations; has over 155 research publications and a number of books to her credit. Recipient of several national and international awards she was also awarded DEA (directeur d` etudes associe), an academic recognition given by Foundation Maison des sciences de l`homme, Paris. She has organised over 50 national and international conferences and workshops; is on the editorial board of several eminent journals. Shri K.N. Shrivastava, IAS (Retd.) took charge as Director of IIC on 1st January, 2019. Born in Karahia Village in Ghazipur District, UP, he concluded his education with a post graduate degree in Physics from Allahabad University. After brief stints in Indian Forest Service and Indian Revenue Service (IT) during 1976-78, he joined IAS in Karnataka in 1978. He worked as District Magistrate in four major Districts of Karnataka; served as Chief Executive of some of the most prestigious Public Sector Undertakings in the State’s Irrigation, Power, Mining and Dairy sectors. While on deputation to the Central Govt., he served as Joint Secretary successively in the Ministries of Culture and Civil Aviation; Director General, Archaeological Survey of India; Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor in the Ministry of External Affairs. He retired in December 2013 after serving as Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation. Till shortly, before joining the Centre, he had served for about four years as Member, Central Administrative Tribunal.

K.N. Shrivastava

This issue of the Diary has been assembled and edited by Omita Goyal, Chief Editor; Ritu Singh, Deputy Editor; Rachna Joshi, Senior Asstt. Editor. Published by Kanwal Wali, for the India International Centre, 40, Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi - 110003. Ph.: 24619431. Designed and printed by Niyogi Offset Pvt. Ltd., D-78, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase 1, New Delhi-110020; Phone: 49327000.

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