Prometheus Unbound

August 2014 ` 50

volume 2 issue 11 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð ©

Prometheus India Unbound

Feedback Letters Matter nothing ON EDUCATION ? I am a student of International Relations and a regular reader of your magazine. Your July issue was quite awesome. And it was different from past issues. I have few suggestions which may enhance the readership of your magazine as well as coverage of more things. You should cover education on regular basis as today 65% of the population is youth and they want to know more opportunities in India as well as abroad. Same way you can carry information on best universities in the world especially the countries where number of Indians is quite high, suggest various course options and what’s new that are being introduced. I would like to leave a request. Being a hot season of the new govt., I would like to know more on the the various budgets that were released. Deepak Knandekar, Pune, Maharashtra

MORE PAGES ! WHY WASN'T POLITICS THE COVER STORY ? I have received your e-copy by mail. I read your magazine rather regularly. The whole magazine is quite a bunch of readable material. As usual, from the time I started read- The cover story this time on Vishal Sikka was good though from my point of view the doings of ing, I couldn't stop reading unless I the new NDA Govt. Ought to have been the cover story. In this issue information on various reci- reached the last page, and found many pes of mangoes was interesting. Please do publish health-care tips in your magazine, it could be of things informative. I really appreciate good help for a wide range of your readers in personal health care. the efforts of the team and the editor of the magazine, but it will be really G. Sarthi, Ganngtok, Sikkim nicer if you increase the number of pages. Apart from that, the travelogue LESS ON COVER STORY, MORE ON OTHER SEGMENTS in particular makes us to feel India Its seems you have a fund crunch, because by ent recipes, fiction, sports, state issues, social almost firsthand even though we are the way you present content, pics and topics, responsibility, youth, etc. Your last issue looked far away from our homeland, and the they are at par with international magazines but a bit compromised, as the quality of photo- content and pictures are really good your publication is very thin. It compels me to graphs was not up to the mark. Please take care and breath-taking. One pain-point is think that you are perpetually short of funds. of these important things. There are so many that some columns are quite irregu- Mark my words, one day you will definitely get international organizations that are catering to lar in their appearance. Do ensure success. Another point, please do avoid making the needs of NRIs. You must coordinate with that you carry these columns more your cover stories so lengthy, they eat up a them to enhance material relating to NRIs. One regularly. lot of pages that otherwise could carry other such organization is NRI SABHA in Jalandhar, interesting segments. Add some fashion masala, which is controlled by Govt. of Punjab. Saloni Koli, Singapore stories on education, healthy eating and differ- Inderjit Singh Sandhu, Patiala, Punjab

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Volume 2 Issue 11 August 2014

ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð © RNI No. DELBIL/2012/45826 INSIDE

CHIEF PATRON AJAY SINGH (Former High Commissioner, Fiji) COVER FEATURE EDITOR RAJEEV GUPTA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER B.K. AGGARWAL ADVISORS Ch. Sunil Ohlyan SUSHIL TAYAL CONSULTING EDITOR CHAKRAVARTHI SUCHINDRAN BUREAU HEAD JYOTHI VENKATESH (MUMBAI) BUREAU SAnjay Kumar (Europe) VINOD GOEL (NEW YORK, USA) AJAY AGGARWAL (U K) PHOTO EDITOR AJAY SOOD SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER RAJEEV TYAGI Asst. VICE PRESIDENT (MARKETING) SUMIT SINGH India Prometheus manager-MARKETING shyamal (Delhi/NCR) Unbound manager-MARKETING bHARAT SINGAL, (MUMBAI) Aarti bagarka Overseas co-ordinator rajkumar yadav 18 North india co-ordinator Mohan mehra punjab co-ordinator shikha chopra South india Co-ordinator sai kiran. k South india Bureau r shaktivel ART DIRECTOR ar. vivek khurana graphic designer Vikas Kumar India Distributor Central news agency pvt. ltd. GENERAL MANAGER S.P. PANDEY (CIRCULATION) 16 44 DIGITAL STRATEGIST Suchi Realpolitik Travelogue Dinesh sharma MAHABALIPURAM: WEB DEVELOPER RAKESH RAHUL Âýßæâè ÖæÚUÌèØô´ ·Ô¤ çãÌô´ ·¤è FLASHBACKS OF A ÚUÿææ âßôü‘¿ ÂýæÍç×·¤Ìæ LEGAL CONSULTANT DR. RAJA VOHRA GLORIOUS PAST Contact SLM MEDIA SOLUTIONS Pvt. Ltd. Dossier 1/34, Old Rajender Nagar THERE IS A STORY BEHIND New Delhi - 110 060, India EVERY NRI WHO SUCCEEDS 12 www.nriachievers.in +91 9911343082 Metaphysical Musings +91 9650777721 [email protected] ...×æØæ Ìæð °·¤ Öý× ãñU 34 Cover Photo Ajay Sood Real Estate & Property BUDGET 2014 – POSITIVE FOR EDITOR: RAJEEV GUPTA VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THE ARTICLES INDIAN REAL ESTATE ? 36 PRINTED, PUBLISHED & OWNED BY ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS, & NOT RAJEEV GUPTA, PUBLISHED FROM TO BE CONSTRUED AS THOSE OF NRI A-208, WEAVERS COLONY, ASHOK ACHIEVERS OR ITS EDITORS. VIHAR PHASE-IV, DELHI-110 052 AND ALL DISPUTES ARE SUBJECT TO Silver Screen PRINTED AT ROLLERACT PRESS SERVICES, EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ON BRINGING THE BEST C-163, GF NARAINA INDUSTRIAL AREA, COMPETENT COURT & FORUM IN DELHI. PH-I NEW DELHI-110 028 @ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FROM ACROSS THE BORDER

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HOPE FLOATS ? he month of July saw the new NDA government revealing the broad outlines of its economic agenda for the year during the Budget Session of the Parliament, beginning with the Rail Budget and culminating in the union budget. Talk Tof bitter pills aside, one could perceive faint threads of fiscal prudence overshadowing populism, as major announcements were sans the usual populist takeouts bandied about in budget presentations of yore, marking a departure in approach from blatant populism to pragmatic realism. How much will come of it still remains to be seen, as implementation now comes centre stage, even as we understand that this budget is a mere levelling of the playing ground before the February 2015 budget. While the government took a cautiously soft approach on Railways by raising passenger fares and freight tariff a fortnight before the budget date instead of including it in the budget itself, populist concerns over some of the states going to the polls did force the government to pull-back hikes in suburban season tickets. Next came the Economic Survey, which set the tone and delineated a course for sustainable re- covery for the economy, followed by the maiden NDA union budget. Our Cover Feature in this edition charts the unravelling trajectory of India's new foreign policy that was initiated by PM Narendra Modi even as he took oath at Rashtrapathi Bhavan on the 26th of May 2014, now 60+ days distant in the past. We explore the regional confla- grations and powerplays and the emerging scenarios that will flavour and influence India's options in ensuring regional peace, stability, economic prosperity and growth in a relative tension free world. Other thematic segments continue, Dossier returns to its earlier avatar of diaspora connect and features a select few achievers, Heri- tage looks at the origins of 'Sunday' as a holy-day, Travelogue features Mahabalipuram and its rock-cut temples, while Real Estate makes an assessment of the budget's impact on the sector. Silver Screen brings you intel from the world of cinema, and news from across the board is patterned into Business Buzz, News Scan & Cineppets, while politics and satire find their due place as well. And we do hope you will like the blend of features, profiles and stories in your magazine, and pardon our limitations and constraints for skipping some of the popular segments. Please do remain in touch with us even as we strive to improve our outreach, and share your thoughts and experiences, talk to us, email us, like us on social media, and participate in making your magazine even better ! The NRI Achievers desk is at your service. Have a great August ahead...!

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august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 7 News & Views

INDIA STANDS ALONE AT WTO TALKS The world's top economies recently pushed India on the scheduled rollout of trade facilitation agreement (TFA), while merely assuring that its concerns over food subsidy would be addressed. The TFA, announced in the Bali declaration, was to be finalized by July 31, while the issue of subsidy caps and food security that India is pushing for has a 2017 deadline. India is keen that its food security concerns be addressed along with TFA, fearing that it may have to give more concessions later to get WTO to agree to its demands. But there appeared to be little support for India despite its threat to hold up talks. After a meeting of the G-20 trade ministers, Australian minister for trade and investment Andrew Robb said all the countries, including India, re-committed themselves to the Bali package and there was 'no dissent on the significance of TFA and the timelines.' The categorical statement from the host country are decided during the coming three years. The ministerial came in the backdrop of India's strong push that the trade gathering saw the US, EU and others announce major contri- agreement and the issue of food security be decided side by butions to help developing economies absorb the cost of putting side, betraying New Delhi's concerns that its 'aye' on TFA now in place the processes to improve efficiency for trade as part of may leave it without a 'bargaining chip' when food subsidies the TFA.

QUICK WORK PERMITS FOR NRI DOCS CITIZENS HAVE RIGHT TO GO ABROAD - HC Overseas doctors willing to contribute to India's Every citizen has a fundamental right to go abroad and have a passport healthcare system can now apply online, and the ap- issued in his name, the Delhi high court has observed, while directing plication will be processed within 15 days, including the Centre to reissue passport to a man permission to practise from the Medical Council of who had lost it thrice. A bench of Jus- India (MCI), according to health minister Dr Harsh tice Manmohan directed the Ministry Vardhan. 'The idea is to tap existing talent,' says Dr. of External Affairs and the regional of- Vardhan, who also briefed PM Narendra Modi about fice concerned to reissue the passport the plan. 'PM Modi is keen to encourage skills trans- in favour of petitioner A Vikash. The fer so that all parts bench, however, asked Vikash to pay of India get medi- Rs 50,000 to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash cal care at par with Narayan Hospital here, apparently as charity, observing he has been neg- international lev- ligent in taking care of his passport. els,' said the minister. The news was also welcomed A SEARCH FOR RESEARCHERS by the American To advance research in public health, Public Health Foundation of India Association of (PHFI) in partnership with a statutory body, launched 32 fellowships. Physicians of In- In association with the Science and Engineering Research Board, a body dian Origin under the Department of Science & (AAPI). AAPI Technology, Government of India, the represents around institute announced the Public Health 100,000 physi- Research Initiative (PHRI) fellowship, cians, including valued at INR 30,00,000 each, to build medical students, research capacity in public health in working in the US. 'There's a lot of interest in work- the country. Open to Indian nationals ing in India,' says AAPI ex-president Dr. Jayesh Shah. with post graduate degrees, the initia- 'AAPI has been requesting India to simplify proce- tive is meant to enable candidates to dures for four years now,' said Shah. 'We're preparing pursue research projects at a place of files of every physician member on when, where, their choice for up to 36 months. Says Dileep Mavalankar, director, how many days, and what they would like to work Indian Institute of Public Health -Gandhinagar (IIPH-G), a part of the for in India,' Shah said. The work permits could be PHFI institute network, 'Evidence from research papers has highlighted for a time period of a few weeks to a few years. the shortage of good public health research in India.

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SOON, CAR SEATS TO ALERT SLEEPY DRIVERS CAMEL MILK: CAN'T GET OVER THE HUMP The dangers of falling asleep Globally, camel milk is getting super food status. But back home, while driving may soon be- its sale is still illegal. Lifting the ban may be the only way to save come a thing of the past, the ship of the desert. During a malaria outbreak, members of thanks to new smart car seats Rajasthan's Rebari community have a unique remedy: camel which can detect when a milk. 'Ten to twelve days of camel milk cures the person,' says driver is beginning to nod off Anand Singh Bhati, a member of Ra- and alert them. These car jasthan's camel rearing community of seats are being developed by Rebaris who owns about 200 of the researchers at the Notting- ungainly animals. Even as the world ham Trent University, UK. gets pumped up about its health ben- Professor Tilak Dias and William Hurley of the university's efits (Time magazine recently reported Advanced Textile Research Group will be working with com- that packaged camel milk is now avail- pany Plessey on a feasibility study to investigate how to embed able at Whole Foods supermarket in a fabric-based sensor system within the seat which can detect the US, while Dubai has been market- the heart signals that indicate a driver is losing alertness. The ing everything from camel lattes to camel chocolates), the Ra- data would be used to send a warning to the driver to pull over. jasthan government has only now woken up to its potential. Should the warning be ignored, the vehicle could engage sys- After giving the camel the status of state animal, it is now trying tems such as active cruise control or lane departure technology to get the sale of its milk in India legalized. The Bikaner-based to prevent accidents. The information could also be sent over a National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC) has approached wireless network to a control centre to take further action. 'Ples- the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to sey has already demonstrated that cardiac signals can be meas- authorize its sale. Abhay Kumar, principal secretary, state animal ured unobtrusively using capacitive sensors mounted within husbandry department, says, 'We have decided to extend our the driver's seat; the requirement now is to improve the consist- support to NRCC so that camel milk is recognized by the law. ency and reliability of the data so that it can be used for the It is surprising that Rebaris have been consuming it for decades intended purpose,' Dias said. but it still hasn't been legitimized,' he adds

DELHI WORLD'S SECOND THE METRO-LINK EXPRESS FOR GANDHINAGAR MOST POPULOUS CITY AND AHMEDABAD This is one distinction that appropriately The Metro-Link Express for Gandhina- came on World Population Day. A United gar and Ahmedabad (MEGA) project Nations report mentioned that Delhi has moved forward after the Japan Interna- become the world's second most populous tional Co-operation Agency (JICA) city in 2014, after more than doubling its fixed the end of July for the second and population since 1990 to 25 million. And final assessment on various technical this is one tag that isn't going to go off any- and financial parameters. The MEGA time soon. The Capital is expected to retain has sought a loan of INR 5,900 Crore, the spot of the with tenure of 30 years at an interest world's second rate of 1.4% from JICA. The JICA team most populous city conducted the first round of project ap- through at least praisals on June 4. 'The JICA team was 2030 and its popu- assessing the detailed project report lation is expected (DPR) and checking the financial viabil- to rise swiftly to 36 ity of the project,' said a senior MEGA official. 'The team has experts from various fields million. The 2014 who are analyzing the project with due diligence prior to signing a contract with MEGA. revision of the This is standard procedure.' The recent Union Budget had allocated INR 100 crore for World Urbanisation Prospects also said that metro rail projects for Ahmedabad and Lucknow, which appeared piecemeal. Sources India was projected to add the highest in the urban development department say that Ahmedabad's share would be no more number of people to its urban population than INR 50 Crore. The metro rail project cost is slated to be INR 10,675 Crore. Sourc- by 2050, ahead of China. Tokyo topped the es in the MEGA say that a major portion of the funding will come from JICA, while the UN's ranking of the most populous cities in central government will extend exemptions worth INR 3,000 Crore. 'The Gujarat budg- 2014 with 38 million inhabitants. While the et this year had allocated INR 250 Crore for the metro project which has made our Japanese capital's population is projected to corpus INR 550 crore,' says the MEGA official. decline, it will remain the world's largest city in 2030 with 37 million people. NRI Achievers Desk

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 9 Business Buzz

WALMART BRINGS IN INR 623 CR MORE FOR EXPANSION Walmart Stores infused more funds into of our cash-and-carry business in India.' its Indian cash-and-carry operations in Now, Walmart says it's ready to roll out June to expand the network, taking the more stores in the coming months. Wal- world number one retailer's total invest- mart India also plans to expand the e- ment in the country to nearly INR 2,000 commerce initiative that is currently being Crore and underscoring its renewed opti- piloted in Lucknow and Hyderabad, which mism about business prospects in the involves existing wholesale members or- country. Funds amounting to INR 623 dering online and products being deliv- Crore were allotted as share application ered at their doorstep. 'We have received money by the parent company in June, ac- capital infusion by Walmart after its Oc- a very encouraging response for our pilot cording to a company resolution submit- tober 2013 separation from Bharti Wal- project on B2B e-commerce initiative in ted to the Registrar of Companies on July mart when the company acquired the 50% Lucknow and Hyderabad and we hope to 16. Walmart India, the local entity regis- stake held by the Indian partner to go solo extend this virtual shopping opportunity tered in January, had earlier raised a cu- with the cash-and-carry venture. Walmart to our members in all our stores in next mulative INR 1,328 Crore from its US said, 'The equity infusion is to fund our few months,' said Rajneesh Kumar, a based parent. This is the second large working capital and CAPEX requirements spokesperson for Walmart India.

TATA MOTORS BATTLES PERCEPTION, GEARS ‘HONDA'S INDIA UNIT TO UP TO LAUNCH ‘ZEST’ ACCOUNT FOR 25% OF ASIA Tata Motors is accelerating its marketing when they were first showcased, analysts PACIFIC SALES BY MARCH 2017’ and promotional activities as it gets closer say its biggest battle is to change people's to launching its compact sedan perception of Tata branded cars, Zest, which is scheduled to hit which many feel are good enough the roads this month. Tata Mo- for taxis and are only diesel pow- tors hasn't had a new car launch ered. 'To change that, the com- for almost 4 years now and has pany has started sending out test lost market share and custom- drive offers to people and that has ers. In 2013-14, its total passen- got responses in thousands,' said ger vehicle sales slumped 38% to 1.38 lakh Ranjeet Yadav, president, passenger vehicle units. It is banking on the Zest and Bolt (to business unit, Tata Motors. Apart from The India unit of Honda Motor Co Ltd. will be launched soon after) to turnaround its journalists, it has showcased Zest among account for 25% of the Japanese carmaker's fortunes. While the cars got rave reviews the financial community. Asia Pacific sales target of 1.2 million units by March 2017, Managing Officer Yoshiyuki Matsumoto said. Honda plans to raise the NISSAN TO DRIVE IN INFINITI, PLANS TO ASSEMBLE IN INDIA number of dealers in India to 230 by March Infiniti, the luxury brand of Japanese car major Nissan, will assemble cars in India, look- 2015 from 179 now, said Hironori Kanayama, ing to tap into the growing appetite of Indians for luxury sedans. The brand, which president and chief executive officer, Honda competes globally with German makers such as BMW, Audi and Mercedes Benz, is look- Cars India Ltd. Honda recently launched a ing to start assembly operations at Nissan's Chennai seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle, Mobilio, factory, Nissan's chief planning officer Andy Palmer that will compete with similar vehicles from said. 'It is inevitable that Infiniti will come to India,' Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Motor Co and Nissan Palmer told media when asked whether the brand will Motor Co, among others. The ex-showroom enter this market. 'But it needs to be seen when we have price for the base grade petrol version of the got the right products and the bandwidth to be able to new car in Delhi will be INR 649,000 (US$ do it. So it is not immediately round the corner but I 10,800), said Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice am pretty sure that it will happen.' Nissan has been president, marketing and sales at Honda Cars looking at expansion of its product portfolio in India India Ltd. Honda's entry-level compact se- and this includes getting in its various brands in the dan Amaze and its top-selling sedan City market. Apart from the parent brand, the company launched its low-cost brand Datsun have increased the company's sales in India this year with the entry of the Go hatchback variant. Palmer said that Infiniti's Q30 by 40% to 40,516 units in the April-Jun quar- hatchback and the QX30 crossover - models whose concepts have been revealed - would ter from the year-ago period, according to be the suitable products for the Indian market. These models are expected to debut in industry data. 2015. Asked whether the models will be imported to India or built here, he said local assembly operation is the best option in view of the high import duty. NRI Achievers Desk

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Dossier THERE IS A STORY BEHIND EVERY NRI WHO SUCCEEDS D of Kalaari Capital, a landscape. Her passion for supporting company based out of entrepreneurs drew her from Silicon Bengaluru, India, Vani Valley to Bangalore in 2006, at a time Kola's leadership at Ka- when most observers were still skepti- laari centres around her commitment cal and unsure about the potential of Mto the development of entrepreneurs Indian entrepreneurs to create global and her conviction that Indian compa- firms. Since then, she has plunged nies are poised to become global play- deep into the Indian startup scenario ers. She brings 22 years of Silicon Val- and has been involved in enabling ley experience as a serial entrepreneur funding for more than 35 companies. and founder of successful companies Vani has the uncanny ability to to her role as mentor and enabler for identify visionary ideas at an early start ups in India. Vani may be called stage, and is deeply committed to the a pioneer in India’s venture capital VANI KOLA success of entrepreneurs in her company's portfolio as well as the larger entrepreneurial ecosystem that is meeting the needs of a newly vibrant Indian opportunity. She serves on the boards of HushBabies, Mettl, Urban- Ladder, Zivame, Myntra, OnwardMo- bility, LabelCorp, Snapdeal, and VIA. “It’s really exciting to be involved in the awakening of business creativity in India,” says Vani. “Kalaari Capital enables me to engage actively and de- liver on my commitment to empower entrepreneurs. I believe that the sin- gular opportunity for a country’s progress and growth is entrepreneur- ship, because it impacts the broader society through wealth creation and distribution.” As an active talent scout for new investments, Vani is often incisive to the point of being intrusive when it comes to understanding an entrepreneur’s core idea and passion. “In our first meeting, she asked us so many tough questions that I thought the meeting didn’t go well,” recalls Snap- deal CEO and co-founder Kunal Bahl, “I expected never to hear from her again — but she called back within a Vani was born and educated in Hyderabad. After couple of hours with more questions, completing her engineering degree, she went to saying, ‘I want to understand more.’” the United States for a master’s degree and That moment exemplifies Vani’s atti- worked in the technology sector, founding two tude when evaluating a company for successful companies in Silicon Valley its portfolio potential. “There’s a con-

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 12 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Dossier nection that I feel to each startup I work with, and to me the process be- gins with a continuous reminder to myself to be open-minded when I meet an entrepreneur to hear their story,” says Vani.“I like to have the rush where their stream of conscious- ness, their dreams and aspirations are put on the table. It doesn’t have to be the perfect powerpoint or even great English; it’s the clarity of thoughts at a kernel-of- truth level about the problem they’re addressing. If I get in synch with their convictions and core understanding of the market, then I’m willing to spend time learning more.” Vani is known for her straight forward style and commitment to transparency and clarity. As a board mem- NISHA PAHUJA ber, she also commits to a high level of engagement, making sure she's avail- isha Pahuja is a Delhi-born indie able to her entrepreneurs at any time. filmmaker and documentarist To maintain this level of access, she raisedN in Canada. She shuttles between supports just two or three new busi- Mumbai and Toronto on her filmmak- nesses per year. “Today the Indian ing endeavours, which has got her con- consumer is demanding innovative siderable acclaim. Her best known products and excellent service, which film, The World Before Her (2012), jux- leads to unprecedented opportunity taposes India's conservative right and for the entrepreneur. Everything I do the liberal capitalist clique through two is entrepreneur-centric — helping camps for women. The first, Durga them to fulfill their dreams and visions Vahini, is a never-before-filmed mili- so the company can summit.” tant Hindu fundamentalist camp for Vani was born and educated in Hy- girls; and the second a month-long derabad. After completing her engi- beauty camp for Miss India contenders. neering degree, she went to the United The film hit a number of the top ten States for a master’s degree and worked lists for 2012 and went on to win sev- in the technology sector, founding two eral awards. Nisha's earlier films in- successful companies in Silicon Valley. clude Bollywood Bound (2003) about After spending 22 years in the US, it Indo-Canadians travelling to India to took her a mere two months to decide make it big in Indian cinema; and Dia- I guess the reason I got access was the on coming back to India in 2006. She mond Road (2007), a series on the glo- fact that I am non-judgemental, and explains, “When the window of pos- bal diamond trade. people knew that I was not about to sibility opened up to support entrepre- Asked about whether she related to sensationalise the issues. So we built neurs in India, it was absolutely clear the two contrasting groups of women a relationship of mutual respect and that this is the next phase in the fulfill- in The World Before Her, she says: “I humanity despite the gulf between ment of my life’s purpose.” To clear related to both kinds ... In many ways our political beliefs ... “ and focus her mind, Vani meditates their struggles are my struggles as an Nisha got into documentary film- daily, runs — without music — and NRI in a conservative family in the making after studying English Litera- spends time with her husband, two West, not really belonging to either ture, working in social services and daughters, and two dogs. She is an avid world and carving out a space for my- then as a documentary researcher. hiker and runner who has tackled self that allowed me to be what I “For some reason,” after starting to marathons and climbed Mount Kili- am ...” On her experiences with Du- make films thirteen years ago, “I still manjaro. She practices yoga devotedly rga Vahini, she shares: “It took nearly make them -- finding people with in- and aspires to teach it one day. Vani two years to establish rapport, and I credible stories that reveal to us some- believes in sustainable living and grows got to know many in the movement. thing about the world we live in.” enough produce in her garden to meet her family’s daily kitchen needs. NRI Achievers Bureau

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 13 MAURITIUS: 180 years of indian arrival The 2nd of November 2014 marks the 180th anniversary of the arrival of the first indentured Indian immigrants on Mauritian soil. The day is celebrated as a public holiday of national com- memoration as a day of deep reflection upon the great toils and struggles of the indentured labourers and their contribution to the fashioning of modern day Mauritius. Through their hard labour and unstinting sacrifices of that period, these indentured labourers of Mauritius and their prog- eny have been able to play a major role in the lengthy process of transforming a rugged, little known island into a prosperous country that serves as a shining beacon to the rest of the world today. It is therefore that each year, on the 2nd of Novem- ber, their achievements and legacy is honoured by the the Mauritian people and the Government of Mauritius. NRI Achievers spoke to Mahyendrah Utchanah, an opinion leader from Mauritius who is playing a key role in organising the Arrival Day celebrations this year.

ahyendrah Utchanah is a senior Mauri- tian parliamentarian who has held numerous ministerial portfolios under various dispensations in the island na- through this Immigration Depot. tion. He is also the Chairperson of GOPIO Int'l, and the Chairman Mr. Mahyendrah Utchanah, speaking to the NRI Achievers edito- Mof the “Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund,” which is a central organiser of rial team, elaborated on the three-day long celebrations that would Arrival Day Celebrations every year. Mr. Utchanah was in India re- be organised by the Mauritian Govt., in close association with the cently to attend the First Baleshwar Agrawal Memorial Lecture on Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund to commemorate the 180th anniversary “India’s Diaspora Policy,” which was delivered by India's minister for of the arrival of indentured labourers in Mauritius. The landmark external affairs & overseas Indian affairs Smt Sushma Swaraj. Mr. event will begin on Friday the 31st of October and culminate on Utchanah was a special invitee for the event, especially so do to the Sunday the 2nd of November 2014 at the capital city, Port Louis. fact that he cherishes many fond memories of his association with late Ceremonies will be graced by the President of the Republic of Mau- Shri. Baleshwar Agrawal, who is quite well known for his work with ritius Mr. Rajkeswur Purryag, and the Prime Minister Dr. Navin- the Indian Diaspora. chandra Ramgoolam, among others. India's honorable minister for Mr. Utchanah's organisation, the Aapravasi Ghat Trust, has an in- external affairs & overseas Indian affairs Smt. Sushma Swaraj will be teresting background. It was set up by an Act of Parliament in 2001, the Chief Guest. A special delegation of 180 people will also be flying with the express mandate of establishing and promoting the Aap- down to Mauritius to participate in this event, who will also take part ravasi Ghat as a national, regional and international memorial site; in a conference on the Indentured labour project, under the banner set up a museum and create public awareness about the history of the of the Apravasi Ghat Trust Fund and the chairmanship of Mr. Utch- site; and depict the arrival, settlement and evolution of the immigrants anah. Other main activities will include several ritual ceremonies, in Mauritius. It also has the mandate of identifying and acquiring exhibitions, seminars and symposia, and a whole bouquet of cul- historical sites, buildings and structures connected with the the ar- tural programmes performed by troupes from India, Mauritius and rival of immigrants, and promote the social and cultural aspects of other Indian Diaspora countries. the Aapravasi Ghat. The name 'Aapravasi Ghat,' in use since 1987, is It is also quite likely that the Beekrumsing Ramlallah Interpretation a direct Hindi translation of "Immigration Depot." Aapravasi is the Centre, in the making for some time now, will be officially thrown Hindi word for "immigrant", while Ghat literally means "interface" open during the celebrations. It may be recalled that the Aapravasi — factually reflecting the structure's position between the land and Ghat, formerly 'Coolie Ghat,' was an immigration depot constructed sea, and symbolically marking a transition between the old life and in 1849 on the shore of Trou Fanfaron Bay in Port Louis harbour, to the new one for the arriving indentured immigrants. Alluding to its receive indentured immigrants who came mainly from India. Between function as a pit-stop to prospective plantation workers, alternatively 1849 and 1910, about half a million indentured labourers from various called 'coolies', the Immigration Depot has also been known by an parts of the Indian subcontinent transited through the Ghat. In 1987 older name, the 'Coolie Ghat'. Prominent use of the Hindi language the depot's name was changed from 'Coolie Ghat' to 'Aapravasi in Mauritian naming conventions, apropos, is based on social and Ghat' when it was decreed a national monument. ethnic demographics; over half the national population is of Indian ancestry, a direct result of the Indian labour diaspora that passed NRI Achievers Bureau

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 14 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Realpolitik

POLITICAL BEAT

JAITLEY'S BUDGET IN TUNE WITH POLL PLAN ? It seems the Narendra Modi-led NDA in Jammu & Kashmir is aspiring to- government's maiden Budget has ward winning more than 44 of the been finalised with an eye on upcom- state's 87 seats to form the next governing polls in states like Haryana, Ma- ment. Jaitley's Budget includes a pro- harashtra, Jharkhand and Jammu posal for setting up a new IIT in Jam- Kashmir as these states have been mu. Noting that the sporting talent in identified for the setting up of top J&K has been languishing due to inad- technical institutes such as AIIMS equate facilities, Jaitley has earmarked and IIMs. The Budget unveiled last INR 200 Crore for upgrading sports fortnight by Union Finance Minister stadia here to international standards. Arun Jaitley includes a proposal for A further allocation of INR 50 Crore setting up a premier medical institute for launching a Pashmina promotion like AIIMS in Maharashtra's Vidar- programme and a scheme for develop- bha region as well, even as the state ing other crafts is also part of the budg- is set to go to the polls later this year. et. Meanwhile, BJP leaders claim the The other crucial state is Haryana, party leadership in states like Mahar- where the BJP has not been in power ashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand will see for 15 years, and is leaving no stone unturned to win the As- changes with Amit Shah assuming the mantle of party presi- sembly elections. Haryana, 'a state of farmers', has been iden- dent. Though the Modi wave helped the party storm to power tified for the setting up of a horticulture university and three with a thumping victory at the centre, party insiders believe other institutes in other locations, with an initial sum of INR that local factors do play a key role in Assembly polls. 'We 100 Crore allocated for it. Jharkhand gets a top agricultural can't ignore local equations. Leadership in Maharashtra and institute. Two institutions of excellence on the pattern of the Haryana is crucial as the party has been out of power for 15 Indian Agricultural Research Institute at Pusa will be estab- years in these states. A special strategy is required as the par- lished in the Jharkhand and Assam, again with an initial out- ty has to struggle even though we have strong allies in these lay of INR 100 Crores for it. Meanwhile, the party leadership states,' averred a senior leader.

BERLIN GAFFE MESSES UP MODI VISIT KIDS' DAY IN ASSEMBLY PM Narendra Modi made his multilateral debut at the BRICS summit a Children of government fortnight ago, a visit that is triply significant -- his first meetings with the schools were invited to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Russian President Vladimir Putin, and watch proceedings of the how well he works the politics of keeping BRICS from becoming a China- Bihar Assembly during its dominated outfit. In fact, his visit would have been perfect if it wasn't for sessions. The purpose was some spectacular protocol bungling by his own officers about an aborted to educate them about the meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Even as Modi landed legislative business. During in Berlin on his stopover to Brazil, it highlighted his govern- the Monsoon Session of ment's ridiculous acceptance of a the House, students of Shaheed Ramanand Ram Govind hare-brained German plan for a meet Singh High School, Punpun and Kasturba Residential with Merkel. There was no way Mer- School, Danapur and Patna Sadar were given the oppor- kel could have been kept away from tunity to watch the Assembly proceedings. But the young Brazil if the Germans made the visitors got to see 'unruly scenes' in the House with the World Cup final. In the process, In- Opposition and Treasury Bench members locking horns dia seems to have also succeeded in over one issue or the other. The Assembly speaker ad- rubbing Japan up the wrong way. monished the warring legislators and reminded them Modi had earlier written a letter to about the presence of students but his appeals seemed to Shinzo Abe promising to make Japan fall on deaf ears. Many students admitted that they had his first bilateral summit. That will never expected the lawmakers to be so noisy. surely happen, but with some bad taste all around. NRI Achievers Desk

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 15 Realpolitik Âýßæâè ÖæÚUÌèØô´ ·Ô¤ çãÌô´ ·¤è ÚUÿææ âßôü‘¿ ÂýæÍç×·¤ÌæÑ¤ âéá×æ SßÚUæÁ ‹Îè ·¤è ÂýÍ× â×æ¿æÚU °Áð´âè Òçã‹ÎéSÍæÙ â×æ¿æÚUÓ ·Ô¤ â´SÍæÂ·¤ ÌÍæ ¥‹ÌÚUæüCþèØ âãØô» ÂçÚUáÎ÷ ·Ô¤ Âêßüçã ×ãæâç¿ß Sß. ÕæÜðEÚU ¥»ýßæÜ ·¤è S×ëçÌ ×ð´ §´çÇØæ §´ÅUÚUÙðàæÙÜ âð´ÅUÚU, Ù§ü çÎ„è ×ð´ ãUæÜ ãUè ×ð´ ¥æØôçÁÌ ÂýÍ× ÕæÜðEÚU ¥»ýßæÜ ÃØæØæÙ×æÜæ ·¤ô â´ÕôçŠæÌ ·¤ÚUÌð ãé° ÖæÚUÌ ·¤è¤ çßÎðàæ °ß´ Âýßæâè ·¤æØü×´˜æè âéá×æ SßÚUæÁ Ùð ·¤ãæ ç·¤ çßÎðàæô´ ×ð´ ÚUãÙð ßæÜð Âýßæâè ÖæÚUÌèØô´ ·Ô¤ çãÌô´ ·¤è ÚUÿææ ·¤ô ÖæÚUÌ ·¤è ÙßçÙßæç¿üÌ âÚU·¤æÚU âßôü‘¿ ÂýæÍç×·¤Ìæ ÎðÌè ãñ ÌÍæ ©Ù·Ô¤ âæÍ çÙÚU´ÌÚU çÙ·¤ÅU â´ßæÎ °ß´ âÂ·¤ü ·¤æØ× ÚU¹Ùæ ¿æãÌè ãñ. ã×æÚUè âÚU·¤æÚU ©Ù·¤è ãÚU â×SØæ¥ô´ ·Ô¤ â×æŠææÙ ·Ô¤ çÜØð Öè âÎñß ÌˆÂÚU ÚUãð»è. Âýßæâè ÖæÚUÌèØ ÖæÚUÌ ·¤è Âý»çÌ âð ã×ðàææ Âýâóæ ¥õÚU »õÚUßæç‹ßÌ ãôÌð ãñ´ ¥õÚU ßð ã×æÚUð çß·¤æâ ·Ô¤ âæÛæðÎæÚU ãñ. ©‹ãô´Ùð ·¤ãæ ç·¤ Áãæ´ ÖæÚUÌß´çàæØæð´ ·¤æ ¥ÌèÌ âã×æ ãé¥æ ãñ, ÕæãÚU »° ãé° ÂãÜè ÂèÉ¸è ·Ô¤ ÖæÚUÌ ·¤ô ÌÕ ·¤ô§ü Ùãè´ ÁæÙÌæ Íæ, Üðç·¤Ù ¥æÁ ÖæÚUÌ çâÚU ª¤´¿æ ·¤ÚU·Ô¤ ¿ÜÌæ ãñ €UØô´ç·¤ ÖæÚUÌ °·¤ ¥æ§üÅUè ãÕ ÕÙ ¿é·¤æ ãñ. ã×æÚUè Áô Ù§ü âÚU·¤æÚU ¥æ§ü ãñ Øð Ò§Üð€àæÙ ¥æòÈ ãôÂÓ ·¤ð¤ ÂçÚU‡ææ× SßM¤Â ¥æ§ü ãñ ¥õÚU §âçÜ° ã×ð´ âÖè ·¤è Ù ·Ô¤ßÜ ¥Âðÿææ°´ ¥õÚU ©×èÎð´ ÂêÚUè ·¤ÚUÙè ãñ ¥çÂÌé ÕãéÌ ÁËÎè ÂêÚUè ·¤ÚUÙè ãñ, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤ãÌð ãñ´ ÒÁô ©×èÎ ·¤ÚUÌð ãñ´ ©Ù×ð´ ŠæñØü Ùãè´ ãôÌæ ¥õÚU ßð ÁËÎè ÏèÚUÁ ¹æð ÕñÆUÌð ãñ´U §UâçÜ° ãU×æÚUæ ×´˜ææÜØ â×ØÕh ÌÚUè·Ô¤ âð ·¤æ× ·¤ÚU ÚUãæ ãñ. âéá×æ SßÚUæÁ Ùð ·¤ãæ ç·¤ ÕæÜðEÚU Áè Ùð ¥ÂÙæ ÂêÚUæ ÁèßÙ Âýßæâè ÖæÚUÌèØô´ ·Ô¤ çãÌô´ ·¤è ÚUÿææ ¥õÚU ·¤ËØæ‡æ ·Ô¤ çÜØð â×çÂüÌ ·¤ÚU çÎØæ ÌÍæ çßÎðàæô´ ·Ô¤ ÖæÚUÌß´çàæØô´ ·Ô¤ Õè¿ Ÿæè ÕæÜðEÚU ¥»ýßæÜ ¥ˆØ´Ì âéÂçÚUç¿Ì ÃØçQ¤ ÕÙ »Øð Íð. ã×ð´ ©Ù·Ô¤ ·¤æØôü ·¤ô ¥æ»ð ÕÉ¸æÙæ ãñ. ©‹ãô´Ùð Âýßæâè ÖßÙ ·¤æ çÙ×æü‡æ ·¤ÚU °·¤ °ðçÌãæçâ·¤ ·¤æØü ç·¤Øæ. ©‹ãô´Ùð ÕÌæØæ ç·¤ ÖæÚUÌ âÚU·¤æÚU mæÚUæ ÂýSÌæçßÌ Âýßæâè ÖæÚUÌèØ ÖßÙ Öè §â ßáü ÕÙ·¤ÚU ÌñØæÚU ãô ÁæØð»æ çÁâ·¤æ ©UÎ÷ŠææÅUÙ ¥»Üð Âýßæâè ÖæÚUÌèØ çÎßâ â×æÚUôã ·Ô¤ â×Ø ãè ~ ÁÙßÚUè, w®vz ·¤ô ãô»æ. ~y ·¤ÚUôÇ¸ L¤ÂØð ·Ô¤ ¹¿ü âð çÙç×üÌ §â ÖßÙ ×ð´ Âýßæâè ÖæÚUÌèØô´ ·ð¤ ÆãÚUÙð ·Ô¤ ¥Üæßæ ¥‹Ø âéçßÏæØð´ Öè ©ÂÜŽÏ ÚUãð´»è. ©‹ãô´Ùð §â ÕæÌ ÂÚU ¹ðÎ ÃØQ¤ ç·¤Øæ ç·¤ Øê.Âè.°. âÚU·¤æÚU ·Ô¤ çÙ‡æüØ Ù ÜðÙð ·Ô¤ ·¤æÚU‡æ Âýßæâè ÖæÚUÌèØô´ ·Ô¤ çÜØð ç·¤Øð ÁæÙð ßæÜð ·¤æØôü ×ð´ ·¤æÈ¤è çßÜ´Õ ãô »Øæ. ×ñ´ ¥æÂ·¤ô çßEæâ çÎÜæÙæ ¿æãÌè ã¡ê ç·¤ Ù§ü âÚU·¤æÚU

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 16 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Realpolitik

ÚUæcÅþçãUÌæð´ ÌÍæ Âýßæâè ÖæÚUÌèØô´ ·Ô¤ çãÌ â´ßŠæüÙ Üæ ÚUãð ãñ´U. ÎêâÚUè ¥õÚU Áô S×æÅUü °Ù¥æÚU¥æ§ü çßÎðàæ ãé° ·¤ãæ ç·¤ ¥‹ÌÚUæüCþèØ âãØô» ÂçÚUáÎ â´âæÚU ÖÚU ·Ô¤ çÜØð çÙÚU´ÌÚU ·¤æØü ·¤ÚUÌè ÚUãð»è Ìæç·¤ ßð ÖæÚUÌ ×ð´ ÖæÚUÌ ·¤æ Ùæ× ÚUôàæÙ ·¤ÚU ÚUãð ãñ´, ã×ð´ ©Ù·¤ô Öè ×ð´ ÁÙÌæ âð ÁÙÌæ ·Ô¤ Õè¿ ·Ô¤ â´Õ´Ïæð´ ·¤ô âéÎëÉ¸ ·¤ÚU ·Ô¤ çß·¤æâ ×ð´ â·¤æÚUæˆ×·¤ Öêç×·¤æ ¥Îæ ·¤ÚU â·Ô¤´ çÎ¹æÙæ ãñ ç·¤ ßô ÖæÚUÌ ·Ô¤ çÙ×æü‡æ ¥õÚU çß·¤æâ ¥ÂÙè âæ×æçÁ·¤ °ß´ âæ´S·¤ëçÌ·¤ Öêç×·¤æ çÙÖæ ÌÍæ ÖæÚUÌ ©Ù·¤è çß·¤æâ ·¤è ·¤ãæÙè ×ð´ âæÛæðÎæÚUè ×ð´ ç·¤â ÌÚUã Øô»ÎæÙ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´ ¥õÚU ¥»ÚU §â ÚUãè ãñ ¥æñÚU ã×ð´ çßEæâ ãñ ç·¤ Ù§ü âÚU·¤æÚU ·Ô¤ çÙÖæ â·Ô¤. ©‹ãô´Ùð ·¤ãæ ç·¤ ÖæÚUÌ ¥æÁ °·¤ ·¤æ× ×ð´ ©‹ãð´ çÎP¤Ìð´ ¥æ ÚUãè ãñ Ìô ©‹ãð´ ÎêÚU ·¤ÚUÌð ãé° âãØô» âð ã× ÕæÜðEÚU ¥»ýßæÜ Áè ·Ô¤ â´·¤ËÂ çß·¤æâ ·¤è ¿æã ßæÜð ÕãéÌ ÕÇ¸ð ·Ô¤·¤ ·Ô¤ M¤Â ×ð´ ã×ð´ ÙèçÌØæ´ ¥õÚU ØôÁÙæ°´ ÕÙæÙè ãñ. ·¤ô ÂêÚUæ ·¤ÚU â·Ô¤´»ð. ÎéçÙØæ ·Ô¤ â×ÿæ ÂýSÌéÌ ãñ. ¥ÂÙð-¥ÂÙð È¤Ù ·¤ð ÃØæØæÙ×æÜæ ·¤è ¥ŠØÿæÌæ ·¤ÚUÌð ãéU° Âêßü ÂçÚUáÎ ·Ô¤ ×ãæâç¿ß Ÿæè àØæ× ÂÚUæ´Çð Ùð ×æçãÚU Üô»ô´ ·¤ô ã×æÚUæ ¥æ×´¸˜æ‡æ ãñ ç·¤ ßô ¥æ»ð ©Â-ÂýÏæÙ×´˜æè ÜæÜ·¤ëc‡æ ¥æÇßæ‡æè Ùð Ÿæè ÕæÜðEÚU v~|} ×ð´ SÍæçÂÌ ¥‹ÌÚUæüCþèØ âãØô» ÂçÚUáÎ ·¤è ¥æ°´ ¥õÚU §â×ð´ ¥ÂÙè Öæ»èÎæÚUè çÙÖæ°´, ¿æãð ßô ¥»ýßæÜ ·Ô¤ ·¤æØæðZ ·¤è âÚUæãÙæ ·¤ÚUÌð ãéØð ·¤ãæ ç·¤ »çÌçßçŠæØô´ ·¤æ â´çÿæ# ŽØôÚUæ ÂýSÌéÌ ·¤ÚUÌð ãéØð ·¤ãæ v®® Ù§ü S×æÅUü çâÅUè ·¤è ÕæÌ ãô, ¿æãð §´Èý¤æSÅþB¤ÚU ßð Âýßæâè ÖæÚUÌèØô´ ·Ô¤ çÜØð Âê‡æü â×Âü‡æ Öæß âð ç·¤ Øã â´SÍæ Âýßæâè ÖæÚUÌèØô´ ·Ô¤ çÜØð ·¤æØü ·¤ÚUÌè ·¤è Øæ çÈ¤ÚU ç·¤âè ·¤è Öè. ·¤æØü ·¤ÚUÌð ÚUãð. ¥Õ ã×æÚUæ Øã ·¤ÌüÃØ ãô ÁæÌæ ÚUãè ãñ. Øã â´SÍæ â×Ø-â×Ø ÂÚU ¥‹ÌÚUæüCþèØ SÌÚU ©‹ãô´Ùð Îé¹ ·Ô¤ âæÍ ·¤ãæ ç·¤ ¥æÁ Öè Áô ãñ ç·¤ Ù çâÈü ©‘¿ ÂÎ ÂÚU ÚUãÙð ßæÜð Âýßæâè ·Ô¤ ¥Ùð·¤ â×ðÜÙ ·¤ÚU ¿é·¤è ãñ ¥õÚU ÖçßcØ ×ð´ Öè ÖæÚUÌèØ ÕæãUÚU Õâð ãé° ãñ´ ©Ù×ð´ Ÿæç×·¤ô´ ·¤æ °·¤ ÖæÚUÌèØ ÕçË·¤ ©Ù ÖæÚUÌèØ ×ÁÎêÚUô´ ·¤è â×SØæ §âè Âý·¤æÚU ·Ô¤ â×ðÜÙô´ ·Ô¤ ¥æØôÁÙ ·¤æ ÂýSÌæß ÕÇ¸æ ÌÕ·¤æ ãñ ¥õÚU ßô âÕâð ’ØæÎæ çßÎðàæè ×éÎýæ ·¤æ Öè â×æÏÙ ·¤ÚUð´ Áô ¹êÙ ¥õÚU ÂâèÙæ Õãæ·¤ÚU ãñ. Âýßæâè ÖßÙ ×ð´ ÒÇæØâÂôÚUæ çÚUâ¿ü âð´ÅUÚUÓ ÖæÚUÌ ×ð´ ÖðÁ ÚUãð ãñ´, Üðç·¤Ù ©Ù·¤è çSÍçÌ ßãæ´ çßÎðàææ´ð ×ð´ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚU ÚUãð ãñ´. âÚU·¤æÚU ·¤æ Øã ·¤ÌüÃØ SÍæçÂÌ ·¤ÚU çßE ÖÚU ·Ô¤ ÖæÚUÌß´çàæØô´ ·Ô¤ ÕæÚUð ×ð´ ¥‘Àè Ùãè´ ãñ çÁâ·Ô¤ çÜ° Øãæ´ ·¤è §´ÂÜæØ×ð´ÅU ãñ ç·¤ ·¤ô§ü ÖæÚUÌèØ ¿æãð Îðàæ ×ð´ ÚUãÌæ ãUæð Øæ çßÎðàæ ¥ŠØØÙ ¥õÚU ¥Ùéâ´ÏæÙ ·¤ÚUÙð ·Ô¤ çÜØð ¥Ü» âð °Áð´ÅU çÁ×ðÎæÚU ãñ´U. ×ñ´ §â ×´¿ âð ¥æÂ·¤ô çßàßæâ ×ð´, ©Ù·Ô¤ çãÌô´ ·¤è ÚUÿææ ·¤è ÁæØð. °·¤ Âý·¤ôD ÕÙæØæ Áæ ÚUãæ ãñ. çÎÜæÌè ãê´ ç·¤ °ðâð °Áð´ÅUô ·¤ô ·¤Ç¸è âð ·¤Ç¸è âÁæ ¥‹ÌÚUæüCþèØ âãØô» ÂçÚUáÎ ·Ô¤ ¥ŠØÿæ ÌÍæ Âêßü ÃØæØæÙ×æÜæ ·Ô¤ ÂýæÚU´Ö ×ð´ ¥‹ÌÚUæüCþèØ âãØô» ç×Üð»è ¥õÚU §â·Ô¤ çÜ° ã× ÕãéÌ ÁËÎè °·¤ çÕÜ çßÎðàæ âç¿ß Ÿæè àæàææ´·¤ Ùð §â ×õ·Ô¤ ÂÚU ÕôÜÌð ÂçÚUáÎ ·Ô¤ ×æÙÎ çÙÎðàæ·¤ Ÿæè ÙæÚUæØ‡æ ·¤é×æÚU Ùð ·¤ãæ ç·¤ çßE ÖÚU ×ð´ Âýßæâè ÖæÚUÌèØô´ ·¤ô °·¤âê˜æ âéá×æ SßÚUæÁ Ùð ·¤ãæ ç·¤ "ÕæÜðEÚU Áè Ùð ¥ÂÙæ ÂêÚUæ ÁèßÙ Âýßæâè ×ð´ Õæ´ŠæÙð ×ð´ ÖæÚUÌèØ Öæáæ¥ô´ °ß´ ÖæÚUÌèØ â´S·¤ëçÌ ·¤è Öêç×·¤æ ×ãˆßÂê‡æü ÚUãè ãñ. Âýßæâè ÖæÚUÌèØ ÖæÚUÌ ÖæÚUÌèØô´ ·Ô¤ çãÌô´ ·¤è ÚUÿææ ¥õÚU ·¤ËØæ‡æ ·Ô¤ çÜØð â×çÂüÌ ·¤ÚU çÎØæ ·¤è â´S·¤ëçÌ ·¤ô çßE â´S·¤ëçÌ ·Ô¤ âæÍ ÁôÇ¸·¤ÚU ÌÍæ çßÎðàæô´ ·Ô¤ ÖæÚUÌß´çàæØô´ ·Ô¤ Õè¿ Ÿæè ÕæÜðEÚU ¥»ýßæÜ ¥ˆØ´Ì Îð¹Ìð ãñ´ ÌÍæ ©â·¤è ×ãæÙÌæ ÂÚU »ßü ·¤ÚUÌð ãñ´. âéÂçÚUç¿Ì ÃØçQ¤ ÕÙ »Øð Íð" NRI Achievers Bureau

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 17 India Prometheus Unbound

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 18 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð It's been sixty days now since the new NDA government with Narendra Modi at its reins took over from the outgoing UPA, after a massive electoral victory that gave it an absolute majority in the lower house of parliament. While sixty days is two short a period indeed to sit in judgement over the performance, under-performance or non performance of a government, altogether too much has transpired in this two month period, both on the domestic as well as on the interna- India tional front for political and economic commentators not to sit back and take notice. From spring cleaning the musty Prometheus Unbound government bastions of their lethargy to a rail and union budget that eschewed populism to get on the track of fiscal prudence, from a 100-day plan with a 10-point agenda for domestic resurgence to reshaping India's foreign policy, the man and his team has done all this and more. While “AcHhe Din” are yet to dawn on the vast Indian horizons, the country is indeed making its heft felt at international fora. NRI Achievers brings you a broad cross-section of opinion and analysis in the following pages...

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 19 Special Feature

INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY Modi : adventurist hawk or an insular dove? Nationalism is the backbone of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ideological approach to international relations. At the core of the new PM’s world-view is a deep belief that India must vigorously safeguard the country’s territorial integrity and security interests, and at the same time, seek a more assertive role in the global arena befitting India’s civilizational heritage. Let us see how he has gone about setting the tone for this approach of his government over the past 60 days that his team has now been in place ...

ver since Modi was elected to of foreign policy in either the BJP’s elec- power in May this year, many tion manifesto or his numerous election erudite analysts have attempted campaign speeches. Admittedly, even to speculate on the likely con- after two months of taking over the reins tours of India’s foreign policy of power, there is as yet no real clarity on under the new dispensation. Some have the content and direction of the new gov- Epointed to his limited exposure to global ernment’s global roadmap. The dramatic issues; others have wondered whether he invitations to leaders of neighbouring na- would turn out to be an adventurist hawk tions to attend his inauguration and the or an insular dove; while still others have public display of solidarity with four oth- noted the sparse and ambiguous mention er powerful global leaders at the BRICS forum are perhaps the only clues so far of Modi’s thinking and intentions. Based on such random straws in the wind, there is also a growing consensus that Modi will most likely follow a pragmatic, flexible policy of “enlightened national interest,” leveraging domestic strengths to carry forward foreign policy. The general impression that has gained ground is that India’s foreign policy will be driven by economic growth, with focus on the East and deep Southwards rather than fixating on the West and overtly re- maining Pakistan centric. Going by whatever verbal evidence that has been forth- coming, another assumption is that foreign policy will be dictated by increasing emphasis on international trade and commerce based on regional stability and strategic global alliances. Some diplomats and geo-strategic ex-

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 20 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Cover Story

perts believe that Japan is emerging as a have well felt justified in following a New Delhi to urgently make known its thrust area, though not at the cost of Chi- policy of continuity on external issues, stand on which side of the deepening di- na, which would also be accorded due at least for the time being. However, vide its ideological inclinations and per- importance. A fine balance, it is being India suddenly finds itself caught in the ceived long-term national interests lie. said, will be maintained while expanding powerful cross-currents of heightened For the Modi government, the balmy sum- relations with Japan and China; and the global instability. The dramatic and po- mer of 2014 during which it could feel same will be done with Israel and the Gulf tentially dangerous developments in justified in basking in the sweet glory of countries for the sake of energy security. West Asia and Eastern Europe over the electoral victory for at least a while, is rap- Had the new government been given past few weeks have drastically altered idly turning out to be a rude awakening to enough time and scope for experimenta- the dynamics of international relations. the harsh realities of global power play. tion and exploration, the size and shape The situation in other global hotspots The supposed shooting down of a Ma- of India’s new foreign policy may well like Syria, Iraq and Libya is also rapidly laysian passenger aircraft over the skies of have gradually evolved and matured deteriorating. strife-torn Ukraine has triggered a chain over the months and years ahead. Pre- As a consequence, India’s foreign policy reaction of consequences. Casting aside occupied as it is with major domestic finds itself at the crossroads much sooner all pretence of diplomatic doublespeak, challenges facing the country, ranging than the new government of Narendra President Barack Obama of the United from reviving the stagnant economy to Modi could have anticipated or liked. States has all but accused Russian Presi- restoring faith in democratic institu- Most, if not all, of such zones of strife and dent Vladimir Putin of direct involvement tions, resolving political disputes and conflict are in fact proxy wars being waged and criminal culpability. He has perforce delivering on its electoral promise of between the big nuclear powers of the also persuaded his allies in the European good governance, the government could Cold War era. Pressure is mounting on Union to impose severe economic sanc-

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 21 Special Feature

sultations can only be at the cost of consensus. A counter argument is that any sincere search for consensus could well lead to increasingly acrimonious debates which might slow down critical foreign policy decisions, or indeed even lead to policy paralysis. Given the diversity of views and ideologies between political parties and intellectuals within India it is probably true to say that genuine consensus on foreign policy may not be achievable in today's surcharged atmosphere. It is very likely that Indian foreign policy might remain contested and contentious for a considerable period in the foresee- able future. In a way, this might indeed be a good thing, because the old consensus was possible as India international positioning was relatively stable for decades, just as the world was tions against Russia. Even though India also relatively sta- has nothing whatsoever to do with either ble. Today the the deaths of the 298 innocent airline pas- world is witness- sengers, or the raging war on the ground ing a tectonic shift in Ukraine, it can least afford to remain in global relations, insulated or non-partisan. If the eyeball- particularly with to-eyeball confrontation between Wash- the rise of power- ington and Moscow escalates, Narendra ful non-State Modi will have to decide whether India’s players. Globali- interests lie with his BRICS partner Putin sation has also or with Obama. brought about a Simultaneously, India also finds itself paradigm shift in caught on the horns of a painful dilem- trade and com- ma with regard to the bloody, asym- merce. India’s metrical war in the Gaza Strip between global positioning Israel and the Hamas. It is no secret that is today much the BJP, the RSS and Modi himself lean more dynamic entirely towards Tel-Aviv. But the sheer than ever before ferocity of the Israeli attack that has A pragmatic vision would inevitably since the time of Independence. No- killed more than a thousand innocent challenge some of the key foundations of body ever calls India a 'Third World' citizens has virtually armtwisted the India’s traditional nationalist and left-of- country any more. Economists describe Modi government into joining the inter- center foreign policy. It would also dilute India as an “Emerging Economy”. For- national community in condemning the the prevailing consensus within the coun- eign policy pundits view India as an “As- inhuman and merciless massacre. try. But it could open up new possibili- piring Power”. These concepts are not The lack of time to formulate a clear ties and opportunities, especially for In- just a play of words from different pro- and nuanced foreign policy is proving a dia’s relations with the United States and fessional standpoints. They reflect the handicap, even outside global hotspots global nuclear arms control. Ideally, new historic changes taking place within the where military conflicts, wanton viola- foreign policy perspectives need to be world’s largest democracy at every level, tions of human rights and international discussed and debated threadbare at var- economic and political. Hence foreign terrorism are causing barbaric and mind- ious levels involving political parties, policy must be both flexible and less death and destruction. The task of think tanks and ministries. The views of pragmatic. Above all, it must be based deciding on bilateral trade ties and strik- important public intellectuals, policy on the solid bedrock of a coherent ing long-term strategic alliances is also analysts, academics, journalists, diplo- core philosophy. replete with complexities that India is mats, and government officials also ought RAMAN SWAMY finding burdensome, due to a lack of to be factored in. clarity on whether to adhere to continu- For a new government to deviate from The author is an astute veteran journalist ity or to strike a bold new path. traditional policy without such prior con- who writes on politics, foreign affairs & satire

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 22 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Cover Story BACK TO THE FUTURE

BeingCOL forgedD on theWA Anvil ofR Eastern II OEuropeN is THa new versionE H andORIZO flavour of the NCold ?War of yore, which rears its head once again out of the turbulent waters of political currents and cross currents there, stoked further by the myopic self-interests of a Western Europe and USA seeking to establish their control over the spaces vacated by the erstwhile Soviet Union. At a time when numerous conflicts are scorching the earth in West Asia, and the outlook is dim to the extent of fears of an impending armageddon, it is necessary for nations like India to take stock of their policies on the foreign affairs front, in order to cope with these developments. NRI Achievers reports... he Cold War is perhaps not even were proven wrong on the battlefield in and ordering mobilization — even as it remembered by this generation Georgia in 2008, the machinery of the loses control over some of the key cities in of youth, beyond dim and dis- West never stopped churning and expand- the country's east and south. The West torted traces. Yes, the power ing in it's blinkered world-vision. responding with suspension of prepara- alignments in the world have That the situation is indeed explosive tions for the G-8 summit in Sochi. Obama shifted, say for example, by the rise of the does not need re-iteration. And the run warning Russia will pay a high price for its TBRICS and their opposition to Western up to Cold War II has begun. In five years actions, and the subsequent slapping of finance capital. And yes, the rise of China from now it will be in full-bloom and we sanctions and other measures. does offset the demise of the old Soviet all shall be in the thick of it. All the por- Eventually, Russia did take back Crimea Union to a reasonable extent. The Vatican tents are already there: Warnings and by force, in an offensive that was entirely today is no longer battling “godless com- threats are gaining in momentum. Crimea predictable but seemed to shock the West- munism,” as communism itself is a mere de facto declaring its independence from ern mind. Ukraine was broken along his- spent force today. But no new global par- Kiev, and Russia intervening effectively to toric ethnic lines. For a brief moment, it adigm has come to dominance, and in that secure the new entity, Ukrainian police, appeared that a power-sharing arrange- vacuum it seems like the old Cold War security, and military forces on the penin- ment might be negotiated. There was no once again is rearing it's head out of the sula neutralized, many of them pledging reason for Putin to send Russian troops to troubled waters of political instability to allegiance to the Autonomous Republic of war over Eastern Ukraine if peaceful co- fuel the imagination of our media and Crimea. In Kiev, the new government existence was achievable. And Putin did provide grist for the windmill of our cul- raising the bogey of Russian aggression accept the ascension of a new pro-Western tural mentality. Ukraine is the anvil on which the new Cold War thinking is being het-up. It’s impossible to understand the roots of the current Ukraine crisis over the downed MH-17 Malaysian airliner without understanding the past, but the past is remembered as a cliché on all sides. We can agree, however, that the “new” Cold War began when Western strategists sought to expand their sphere of influence all the way eastward across the Ukraine to Russia’s border. That push, which seemed like the spoils of Cold War victory to the Western trium- phalists, ignored two salient realities. First, eastern Ukraine was inhabited by millions of people who identified with Russia’s language, culture and political orientation. Second, since it was believed that the So- viet Union was “defeated”, the assumption was that Russia lacked the will and capacity to fight back. Though both assumptions

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 23 Special Feature

elected president in Kiev, and called for a dling to near-vanishing-point. Ukraine was probably the proverbial cease-fire and political settlement. But as The United States, Britain, Germany “last straw” on the russian camel's back, it often transpires in proxy wars, the prox- and France, marched with glee into this and perhaps Russia is right in calling it ies drove the dynamics, and Ukraine’s vacuum created by the Kremlin's dimin- 'enough is enough.' Vladimir Vladimi- army marched east, claiming a sovereign- ishing influence, and to add insult to in- rovich Putin apropos has certainly ensured ty that the Russian-speakers refused to jury, almost all new nation states that came that the map of Ukraine is re-drawn sans accept. Putin’s allies — the so-called “pro- into being during this period were liter- Crimea. And do believe us when we say Russian separatists”— refused to surren- ally "carved out of the historical Russian that sooner than later, the entire former der and were vocal about Russia not giving Empire." Russia found itself utterly ne- Soviet Black Sea region from Moldova- them adequate support. glected and completely left out of the new Transnistria to Abkhazia-Georgia will Pithily, the emerging image is danger- geopolitical equation, and the new order look markedly different from how it is to- ous. The West-sponsored and West-sup- that was reshaping Europe, mostly the day. Georgia, once deemed too much of ported upheaval may have pruned Russia's eastern fringe and Eurasia. a pressure point on Kremlin's butt, will be influence in Ukraine; it was nevertheless Seen in retrospect, there is surely no back on the fast track for NATO's mem- an act of myopia which has resurrected gainsaying that the West's meddling in bership agenda, while Moldova might suc- Cold War, crushed all possibilities of reset- Ukraine has indeed put us at the brink of cumb to instability as the governing pro- ting relations between Russia and the West a new Cold War. Russian pride and inter- EU coalition faces a challenge from an and ended Russia's "post-Soviet passivity." ests was more than hurt, and certainly active pro-Russian opposition. As for And, most importantly, Putin's actions in more so than in 2008, when Georgian Transnistria, it probably will gravitate to- Crimea and his empowerment by the shelling on South Ossetia (provoked by ward Russian-speaking south-eastern duma (parliament) to use military force in the West), killed several Russian peace- Ukraine. Further north, one can safely Ukraine on discretion does make Mos- keepers. Russia fought that war and so it forecast pressure building for permanent, cow's intentions crystal clear — Russia It did again in Chechnya to protect ethnic if symbolic, US troop deployments in Po- is ready to re-emerge as a proactive player Russians living there who had become land and the Baltic states, as well as for in Europe once again after the downslide foreigners virtually overnight in 1991, like Finland's and Sweden's membership in the of 1989. For more than two and a half 25 million other ethnic Russians when NATO. decades now since the disintegration of "Russia agreed to the dismantlement of its Coming back to the Ukraine crisis and the USSR, and the end of the Cold War, historical empire and accepted the ex- the present imbroglio over the shooting Russia lost and lost again, with its power Soviet administrative lines as internation- down of the MH-17 airliner. In Western- and influence in Europe and Eurasia dwin- al borders." speak, the Russian-speakers in Ukraine

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 24 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Cover Story aren’t really Ukrainian at all, or they were West is more likely to grow, Moscow's re- 1960 US policy towards Cuba was to sev- Russians in disguise, or pawns of Moscow. lationship with Washington is likely to slip er the island from the Soviet sphere of That designation humiliated and angered back into yet another phase of deep-freeze, influence. Now, it is the United States them. In the Western PR offensive, the and uncertainty will loom over coopera- which is increasingly being isolated diplo- Russians trained them, advised them and tion on the Syrian front. If the United matically in its own “backyard,” while perhaps even directed them to shoot down States moves on with slapping sanctions Cuba is now more secure in a new Latin the airliner. And, of course, those alleged on Russia, bilateral trade and investment America with Russian support. So if Cold Russian agents were carrying out the or- will suffer, leading to a complete collapse War thinking prevails, the Obama admin- ders of the Kremlin. Putin is hardly wrong of the fledgling Russian equity market istration will continue funding illegal “de- when he says the catastrophe would not which is dominantly controlled by for- mocracy programs” aimed at subverting have happened if his calls for a cease-fire eigners. Cold War II will affect Russia the Cuban state. That could persuade were heeded. Instead, a ten-day cease-fire more than the West, and if it is excluded some in the Cuban leadership to resist was terminated by Kiev on June 10, surely from G-8 "Moscow will lose its unique normalisation with the US, continuing a with back-channel US support. What sur- position of being present in all major mul- Cold War standoff of many decades. prises us is, no one has so far questioned tilateral organizations, both Western and Hopefully, the new Cold War may not the US government whether it lobbied non-Western." be as bad as the old one, but there will still with Kiev to extend the cease-fire instead The inevitable tightening of Western be geopolitical competition which can of pressing their offensive eastward. The sanctions will push Russia to exploit the nevertheless be ruthless and not augur NYT had reported that “Ukraine’s Presi- economic contradictions between the well for the world at large. The growing dent, Petro O. Poroshenko, let trend of Anti-Americanism the latest cease-fire lapse and will soon turn into a veritable ordered his military to resume torrent, and against this back- efforts to crush the insurrection drop the new Cold War could by force.” Sad. If he had instead only worsen the situation fur- extended the cease-fire, the ther. Seen in retrospect, plane would not have been shot Washington's meddlesome down. finger-poking into Ukraine It is insane for anyone to be- seems pretty needless, as Rus- lieve that Putin would want to sia, contrary to whatever shoot down a plane carrying Washington might believe, over 200 hundred Europeans at cannot be isolated all that a time when the European Un- easily. At least not without a ion was debating whether to price, and the price will in- join the United States in impos- deed be very dear to the West, ing harsh sanctions on Moscow. whose myopic policies have What makes more sense is that succeeded in re-spawning no one in an official capacity version two of the Cold War. anywhere wants to take the Meanwhile, on the other blame for an unplanned moral, side of the planet, America’s political and diplomatic catas- heralded new “pivot” to Chi- trophe. If Putin bears respon- na is steeped and stuck in sibility for the chain of escala- deep contradictions. Lacking tion, so does Kiev and the West. any alternative to the Cold In the meantime, the West will War model, the US is danger- continue freezing its Cold War position United States and European nations like ously close to fighting two. The question and Ukraine’s armed forces will take their Germany, and push Moscow toward en- for progressive leaders of the world, espe- war towards the Russian border unless hancing its links with the BRICS, especially emerging economies like India is, higher authorities restrain them. In this cially the Chinese powerhouse. The por- how do we collectively act to construct a too, no one has asked if Western forces are tents for this trajectory was there for all to compelling alternative to the Cold War advising or embedded within the Ukrain- see this July just before the airliner shoot model, as much of the world slides to- ian military. Either which way, the Kiev down, when Putin visited Latin America, wards a new Dark Age of class struggle, fighters can advance all they desire, but where he promptly forgave 90% of Cuba’s climate crisis and religious fundamental- they cannot pacify the east or predict Rus- US$ 32 Billion debt to the Russians, end- ism appearing on many continents. sia’s next move. If they march into a trap, ing a two-decade dispute decisively. He Groupings like the BRICS, and their will the US feel obligated to dig them out then went on to tour six countries in the cohesive efficacy, become all the more ? region and sat down to dinner with four relevant in this context ... Even as events cascade reshaping Eu- Latin American presidents. The irony went rope, acrimony between Russia and the barely noticed. The very purpose of the NRI Achievers Bureau

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 25 Special Feature

BRICS BY BRICS?

AllI Tacross TAK the worldES in July FI 2014,V billionsE T Oof football TAN loversGO had their attention glued to Brazil, and the FIFA World Cup. And as the victorious Germans took their hard-earned cup of joy home, the fever subsided and viewer attention receded from Brazil. But in the week after sans fans and fanfare, Brazil saw history being made – at the podia of the BRICS summit. Read on. n Fortaleza, it happens not quite so have succeeded in resolving all their stick- is to be Indian, after which the chairman- often that one major global event ing points, and have launched the long- ship will rotate every five years. segues into another. In recent weeks planned US$ 100 Billion BRICS Develop- Each of the five founding states has the city in northern Brazil was a ment Bank as counterpart to the World agreed to contribute ten billion dollars as venue for the FIFA World Cup. Bare- Bank, and also instituted an emergency the initial seed capital. This investment ly had most of the football lovers left for reserve fund known as Contingent Reserve will subsequently increase in value to 100 Itheir homes, that the city saw the arrival Arrangement (CRA). The new bank will Billion dollars. The money is to be used of some top-level politicos from across the be based in Shanghai, and its first president for financing projects in the BRICS coun- continents. Of the new world, that is. The heads of state of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) con- verged on Brazil to hold a summit meeting at this Brazilian port-city. What is a BRICS? BRICS is the acronym that stands for five of the major emerging national economies on the planet, viz., Brazil, Russia, India, China, & South Af- rica. The grouping initially went by the handle of "BRIC," before inclusion of South Africa in 2010. Though BRICS members are all developing or newly industrialised countries, all are characterised by large, fast-growing economies, and significant influence on regional and global affairs. All five, apropos, are G-20 members. The BRICS, representing three continents, ac- counts for more than a quarter of the world’s land area and 40% cent of its population. They have a combined GDP of US$ 24 Trillion, about 20% of global GDP. The BRICS had held series of annual sum- mits since 2009, and the theme of the just ended sixth summit was: “Inclusive Growth; Sustainable Development.” Even if not nearly as many people were excited by the meeting as were by the World Cup, the BRICS summit of For- taleza will go down in history. The emerging economic powers have made it clearer than ever that they want to cooperate, and that they are no longer prepared to accept the rules laid down by western institutions. The most important action emanating from the meeting was that the participants

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 26 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Cover Story tries, as well as in other developing countries and regions. An additional 100 billion dollars will be pooled in to form a new BRICS monetary fund (the CRA), to which China will contribute 41 Billion dollars. Brazil, Russia and India will each put in 18 billion dollars, while South Af- rica will add another 5 Billion dollars to the kitty. This new BRICS fund ever so uncannily resembles another institution from the "Old World", the IMF. Seen from an accidental or non-Western frame of mind, the source of the BRICS partners' institution-building enthusiasm seems quite obvious. For the attitude of the World Bank and the IMF have characteris- tically been one of 'heads I win tails you lose', having long failed their 'partners' from emerging markets, placing them on unequal terms. They've often been stingy on credit, and even if this be granted, so many strings were attached to it that bespoke conditions ulation its economy has been dosed with that corresponded to the values of the US in connection with the recently concluded and the West, having nothing at all in com- FIFA World Cup and the upcoming Rio mon with the aspirations of emerging econ- 2016 Olympics. But past experience tends omies. Yes, this yearning for newer trade to suggest that Brazil too is likely to expe- organisations has its origins in the ire over rience recessionary trends and a pinch of Western unreasonableness. economic depression post the games. For them, there was indeed no scope of While Russia, whose heavy economic reforming the old world institutions, or dependence on natural resources is an usher in any modicum of fairer play in Achilles' heel indeed, and may therefore their dealings with emerging nations. So, be said to be in a weaker position, not to taking the line of least resistance, they mention It's troubles arising out of the have simply created their own networks messy conflict in Ukraine; Africa's big-boy that will leave the West out in the cold. RSA is also still in the clutches of a long And mark my words, the BRICS Bank and drawn out period of slow growth, and is the BRICS Monetary Fund are just the grappling with a bout of economic weak- beginning of a trend that will soon trans- ness over the past few years. India's prob- late into a torrent ... we are already seeing lems are akin to those of Brazil -- poor how a plethora of new free-trade agree- infrastructure, stagflation, slow industrial ments are popping up across continents, growth, and the country is just now grap- and how an economic summit comparable pling with the task of putting It's economy to the World Economic Forum in Davos back on the rails, after a decade plus of a was established last year. And given the policy paralysis putting paid to reforms way the emerging markets are being both political and economic that have pushed around by the WTO time and been on the back-burner for too long. again, it is merely a question of time before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is cur- an alternative to the World Trade Organi- rently on probation, as he will first have to sation appears on the scene. prove to the world that he can get a grasp Underlying tensions, however, persist on these issues and raise India's banderol and the BRICS initiatives are surely not once again. Seen from this context, China portents for a new world economic order. does come out top-of-the-class. Not yet. Especially when their exist un- dercurrents beneath the seemingly placid chakravarthi suchindran waters of the BRICS partner economies. Three of the partner economies are still The writer is a technocrat who dabbles under stress, though Brazil might well be in journalism print & broadcast, an exception, what with the steroidal stim- photography & creative visual arts.

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 27 Special Feature NEW AMERICAN OVERTURE TOWARD AN INDO-US STRATEGIC COMPACT At a time when the United States and Russia are engaged in a poten- tially dangerous eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation over the Ukraine crisis, Washington seems to have launched a virtual “charm offensive” to tempt the new government in India to enter into a long-term strategic partnership. Top policy- makers of the Obama administration have been visiting New Delhi in recent weeks, and the US administration seems to be leaving no stone unturned to ensure India en- ters its fold. NRI Achievers reports on this late-breaking story ...

one other than John Kerry, bureaucrats and captains of industry. Im- In early August, the US Defense Sec- the globe-trotting US Secre- portantly, the Indian side came to know retary Chuck Hagel will be the next to tary of State arrived on a her better at a personal level, and to sense come calling. He too is no run-of-the- three-day mission in late July that there is something special about mill politician. The fact that he was given to establish personal rapport Penny Sue Pritzker. She has a personal the Defense portfolio by President with his Indian counterpart Sushma wealth of 2.4 Billion dollars. She is the Obama last year despite being a member NSwaraj, exchange pleasantries with PM Hyatt Hotel chain heiress, and one of the of the Republican Party tells its own Modi and also participate in a high-profile original Silicon Valley elites. She’s known story, especially since the Republicans conference where he made a persuasive as the “start-up queen” for the numerous fought tooth and nail to prevent him pitch for closer Indo-US ties. When the successful business ventures that she has joining the White House team. A war former presidential candidate decides to built from scratch. hero (two Purple Hearts from Vietnam), turn on the charm, he can be quite devas- At a personal level, there’s another side Hagel had a very successful career in tating. Here is an example of his way with to Ms Pritzker. She has had to fight every business before joining politics. Signifi- words, excerpted from a speech in Wash- step of the way up the ladder of success. cantly, he was the cofounder of a digital ington on the eve of his India visit: “Imag- Her entire family was against her when she technology company which went on to ine that you are in a room together with demanded a stake in the Hyatt business – become the world’s foremost manufac- the top hundred foreign policy thinkers in they felt a woman’s place was at home. Af- turer of Electronic Voting Machines, of America and you asked them to name the ter a bitter battle she won but forever lost the kind that was used in India’s recent most important relationships for the Unit- the love of her two younger brothers whom Lok Sabha elections that the BJP won by ed States, which will most affect the direc- she had brought up after their alcoholic an incredible victory margin. tion of the 21st century. I can guarantee mother died young. Her life has been full Charles Timothy “Chuck” Hagel, to you this: Every single one of them would of other hurdles and controversies as well. give his full name, has another claim to rank the US-India relationship right up But she has invariably came out on top fame – he never hesitates to speak his there in the top tier.” with a laser-sharp intellect, her Shakunta- mind. Despite being a Republican, he op- Also landing in New Delhi was US la Devi like mental math ability and her posed the Bush Administration’s War on Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker. Her tough-as-nails endurance. She has run Iraq policy in 2005 by declaring: “To official agenda was to address the Indo- eight marathon road races, always making question your government is not unpat- US Strategic Dialogue to boost commer- it to the finishing line even the time her riotic – to not question your government cial ties. She appears to made a deep im- foot was bleeding after stepping on a bro- is unpatriotic”. pact on those who met her, including top ken glass bottle. Again, in 2006, he criticized Bush’s han-

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 28 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Cover Story dling of the Lebanon War by saying: “The indication of the pro-India sentiment cial. This basic theme echoes what Nisha sickening slaughter on both sides must end within Washington is echoed in a televi- Biswal, US asst. secretary of state for South now. The President must call for an im- sion interview given by former Secretary Asia, stated while testifying before the US mediate cease-fire. Our relationship with of State Hillary Clinton, who is tipped Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Israel is special and historic, But it need to be a front-runner in the next presi- She quoted President Obama as having not and cannot be at the expense of our dential elections. It provided a glimpse said that the US-India relationship would Arab and Muslim relationships. That of the importance American leaders give be “one of the defining partnerships of the would be an irresponsible and dangerous to India in the geo-political context vis- 21st century.” She also quoted Narendra false choice”. In the context of the Modi à-vis China. “Look at the difference Modi having told William Burns last week government’s own policy dilemma over the between India and China”, she told the that the “whole world would benefit from Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, where interviewer, “China has this top- down, closer US-India ties”. over a thousand innocent civilians have so very clear, orderly approach toward eco- Nisha Biswal spoke at length on Indo- far been killed, there may be lessons to nomic development, and India has this US relations. She said: “Across the board draw from Hagel’s stand. massive subcontinent with all these dif- we have an opportunity to engage more These visits, and the ones earlier in July ferent people speaking all these different robustly with India”. She referred to by Kerry’s deputy William Burns and Re- languages. Each in its own way is a tri- planned joint military exercises involving publican Senator John McCain, are evi- umph. India is a triumph of a unified India, the United States and Japan, a dently intended to build up the tempo for political nation and China has been tri- country with a growing strategic rivalry Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to umphant in moving people out of pov- with China in East Asia. “We see oppor- the United States and a possible game- erty. But in the long run, who has the tunities for increasing the collaboration changing meeting with President Barack better system ? And if India can now get across Southeast Asia,” she said. “We are Obama in September. Indeed, of late its act together on the economy, it would engaging more frequently in consulta- there has been a flurry of activity among be an extraordinary accomplishment tions and dialogue with India on ASEAN US officials dealing with Asian and South because it would then be both politi- and look forward to increased and more Asian affairs. America is evidently keen cally and economically successful”. frequent consultations across the East to revitalize relations with India on all This is as clear an articulation of Amer- Asian sphere”. fronts – political, trade and defense. ica’s admiration for Indian democracy as Foreign policy mandarins in New Delhi Washington views India as a “crucial one can hope for, especially since Clinton have noted the subtle new dimension to counterbalance” in Asia to an increas- mentioned this in answer to a question Washington’s perspective. No longer are ingly assertive China. that had nothing to do with either India or the Americans only looking at India in the Apart from that, with Obama and China. In the event of Hillary Clinton get- South Asian context; they are talking of a Russian President Vladimir Putin at log- ting elected as the next US President in convergent strategic interest is “across the gerheads over Moscow’s role in the 2016, a possibility that nobody is ruling Asian landscape”. Interestingly, geo-strate- Ukrainian crisis, the US is looking to out, her positive views of India as a rising gic analysts in the United States are giving win over India’s new Prime Minister. An Asian power could prove mutually benefi- high marks to Modi for inviting regional SAARC leaders to his inauguration. This, they feel, demonstrates his commitment to strengthening India’s ties within its immediate region and beyond. As the State De- partment has stated, “we see a partnership with India that spans east, west, north, and south to advance our shared interests across the Indo-Pacific region. Our collaboration on counter-terrorism and homeland security has grown tremendously in the past several years”. It is the considered view of US policy makers that the new Indian Prime Minister has visions of emerging as a major Asian leader. The United States is getting set to give him all the support and encourage- ment he needs to fulfill that personal ambi- tion. The key question now is how warmly Narendra Modi responds to such overtures and whether he grasps the hand of friend- ship that is been offered to him.

RAMAN SWAMY

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 29 Special Feature EMERGING CONTOURS INDIA'S DOMESTIC CONCERNS & FOREIGN POLICY GOALS The very recent uncharacteristically tough stand taken by India on the trade facilitation agreement at the WTO has surprised Europe, Australia, the US and the West, especially more so when it comes immediately after the announcement of a BRICS bank headquar- tered in Shangai and the 100 Billion US$ Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) as al- ternatives to the World bank and the IMF. Other readings apart, we at NRI Achievers also see this reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's considered foreign policy goals to be in tune with his rather domestic concerns. Read on ... t the WTO negitiating tables, Bank-IMF hegemony not only goes well pact and the valuation issues of agricul- India has taken a tough stand with Modi's constituencies back home, tural products and public stockholding that may put paid to the ef- but it also succeeds in sending out a strong be put on record, following that up with forts of the world body to knit signal and an explicit message to the West a call to the Prime Minister apprising him together consensus on the and the US that whatever doubts they of all that happened. Trade Facilitation Agreement before clar- have had over Modi prior to the elections, "The very next day the PM called all Aity is achieved on the subject of subsidies and his ability to bite the bullet and take concerned secretaries and firmed up In- to the satisfaction of emerging economies hard decisions in a statesman-like manner dia's position for the WTO talks to be held like India. And according to usually reli- stand expelled. on in Geneva a few days hence. He also able sources within the government, the While in Brazil, where the BRICS sum- called a Cabinet meeting just as the min- PM today is the prime motivating force mit was held, the South African delega- ister herself flew in to Delhi, and ratified and the mover this tough stand of Nir- tion was surprised indeed to learn that the stance," says the same source who mala Sitaraman, India's Minister for Com- India's Commerce Minister Sitharaman refuses to be named. merce at the WTO. And this is perfectly had been tasked to attend the G-20 meet- While some have likened this to PM in resonance with India's thoughts on the ing in Sydney ahead of the WTO general Atal Bihari Vajpayee's masterstroke of an- BRICS bank as well, methinks. PM Modi council in Geneva. At Sydney, Sithara- nouncing India's arrival on the world stage did not kick up any fuss at Fortaleza during man made it clear that India's concerns as a global power by testing nuclear weap- the BRICS summit over where the bank just simply couldn't be wished away. She ons in 1998, some others feel that all this ought to be based, probably because he made a forceful intervention at the sum- may have been influenced more by mun- desired more that the initiative make a mation of the G-20 meet, asking that In- dane and prosaic domestic compulsions. much larger point to the powers that be. dia's problems with the trade facilitation Like for instance, the Prime Minister's To put it in the words of a top gov- promise to Indian farmers in the BJP ernment official who was part of the election mainfesto, assured them that delegation but does not want to be his government would take all needed named, "In the midst of the negotia- steps to ensure a 50% profit margin in tions over the headquarters, when agriculture. Could this be one reason other countries were demurring over why India is hardening its position at whether or not it should be Shanghai, the WTO ? Whatever be the motives it was the Indian prime minister who of the PM behind what is seen as ag- intervened and said that the demand gressive foreign and trade policy of the Chinese should be conceded, stances and moves, these signals being and the bank should be given a liftoff sent out worldwide do have the salu- at this meeting itself. He said that this tory effect of his upcoming visits to was the only way the rest of the world world capitals including Washington would get the message that it here a will be watched very, very carefully serious enterprise." indeed. The new BRICS bank and the CRA as an alternative to the World NRI Achievers Bureau

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 30 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð

Heritage

SOL DIE, THE DAY OF

In many parts of the world, every week hasTHE a day of rest fromSUN the most mundane task of living, namely, ekeing out a livelihood. That day of rest is also a day to congregate, to reflect upon one's life, to socialise, and to indulge in play, activities that entertain and amuse, and generally relax and recharge from a working week of labour. For some it is Friday, for others it is Saturday, and for many, it is Sunday. In this piece, we digress from our usual focus on art, architecture and heritage, and ponder upon this 'holy day' that finds a place in almost all cultures and civilisations. We look at the origins of 'Sunday' as a holiday, and hope you find it interesting ...

ll biblical religions believe that Christian origin. Very early in the Christian history records that “in the middle of the God created the universe over era, a new form of worship surfaced and third century, Mithraism seemed on the verge six days and then took rest on spread rapidly throughout the then Gentile of becoming the universal catholic religion,” the 7th day. While the oldest, world. Known as "Mithraism," it had to do and that it “became the greatest antagonist the Judaic faith (the Hebraic, with the worship of the Sun like many forms of Christianity.” or Jewish religion) honours Saturday as day of paganism/heathenism; but its philosophy ... Some of the peculiar doctrines enunci- Aof the Sabbath, Islamic belief avers that Fri- had much more depth and was more fasci- ated and advocated by Mithraic priests were day be more auspicious as it is believed that nating than the cruder underpinnings of “the immortality of the soul, the use of the this be the day when (Prophet) Adam and paganism, and it also held up high stand- bell and candle, holy water and commun- rest of the world was created, and also con- ards of morality. This new flavour of wor- ion, sanctification of 'Sunday,' and the 25th siders the day to be the day of doom, which ship soon captured the imagination of the of December.” -- Encyclopaedia Britannica is yet to come. The Christians, however, Caesars, and seeped into the Roman legions [11th ed.], article “Mithras.”... have come to believe that the Sabbath falls and the centres of learning, and was adopt- ... The devotees of Mithra held Sunday sa- on Sunday, and thus Sunday has come to be ed and embraced widely by the upper class- cred as Mithra was identified with the “in- predominantly regarded in popular parlance es of society. With Alexandria and Rome vincible sun.” -- The Smithsonian Institu- as the Lord’s Day in Christianity influenced soon becoming important centres, Mithra- tion, Washington D.C. ... parts of the world. For many of us in India ism spread, thrived and flourished. In fact, ... "They held Sunday sacred, and celebrated and abroad who have grown up with the no- the birth of the Sun on the 25th of Decem- tion that Sunday is the weekly off, a holiday ber." -- The Mysteries of Mithra [1910], pp. to be spent at one's leisure, it would indeed 190,191. ... be a surprise to know that it is not so for Competing for a large share of the laity, large swathes of people who belong to other there soon set in a vicious struggle be- faiths, beliefs and religions. So let’s explore tween Mithraism and Christianity, and this 'Sunday' story a bit for a change... with apostasy already rife in the Christian Research into dominant societal behav- church, it was but a short step further for iour seems to suggest that Sunday was not church leaders to agree upon a compro- a 'holy day' or festival in the early days of mise. With many church leaders having the Christian era. In the earliest days, there themselves come into the church from seems to have been no fixed day of rest, and Mithraism, they still held certain venera- separate communities divided by geogra- tion for the Sun and institutions sacred to phy had their own rules, and Sol Die, the it. Thus it was agreed that in order to fa- Day of the Sun, or 'Sunday' is not even of cilitate the conversion of the heathen and

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 32 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Did You Know? advance the cause of Christ over Mithra, rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the not even among Christians. the church would absorb, adapt and incor- country, however, persons engaged in agri- In India, the interesting part is that Sun- porate many of the teachings and institu- culture may freely and lawfully continue day was never an official holiday. Just a tions of Mithraism into Christianity, and their pursuits; because it often happens that couple of years ago, Raman Sharma, an one among these was the Sunday festival. another day is not so suitable for grain- activist from Jammu, filed an RTI (Right Early Christians, who were mostly Ro- sowing or vine-planting; lest by neglecting to Information) petition at the Prime Min- mans, had differences of opinion as to the proper moment for such operations the ister's Office asking: "Is there any official whether the Sabbath should be observed bounty of heaven should be lost. order/notification issued by any ministry/ on a Saturday or a Sunday. Then one day, In 363, Canon 29 of the Council of department of the government declaring this debate of the Christian Sabbath was Laodicea prohibited observance of the Sunday as holiday?" settled via fiat, when Rome’s first Christian Jewish Sabbath (Saturday), and encour- The department of Personnel and Train- emperor, Constantine the First, decreed on aged Christians to work on Saturdays and ing, Government of India, in its reply dated the 7th of March, 321, that Sunday would rest on the Lord's Day (Sunday). The very 18th July, 2012, signed by B Bandopadhyay, be observed as the Roman day of rest: fact that the canon had to be issued at all Under-secretary, stated, "As per records On the venerable Day of the Sun let the is an indication that adoption of Constan- available in JCA section of the Department magistrates and people residing in cities tine's decree of 321 was still not universal, of Personnel & Training, there is no information regarding declaration of Sunday as a holiday." However the reply gave refer- ence to order no. 13/4/85-JCA dated 21st May, 1985, of the Department of Personnel and Training, which says that in order to improve the efficiency, "The Government of India is pleased to introduce a 5-day week in the civil administration offices of the Government of India with effect from 03rd June, 1985. Such Government offices would now work for five days a week from Monday to Friday, with all Saturdays as closed." Even this order has no explicit mention of “Sunday” (Ref: Hindustan Times dated July 26, 2012) Yet, Sunday was being observed as a holiday much before 1985. In the 1840s, the British government after a decade long deliberation decided that their Bombay office and all subdivisions under it, will have a weekly off, just as was the practice in Britain. However, in Bombay, the move was seen as an act of imposing Christian tradition. Also, there was a lot of talk over the impact of one day off on daily wages of labour. Officers were concerned that contractors would not like to pay labour full month salary for just 26 days of work. It was later decided that Sunday be an off and all the labour will be paid half day salary for these holidays. However, this was not forced upon and even till date, not everyone, except the government offices observe Sunday as a holiday. Only the emergency services operate, where the personnel get an alternate day off based on a rotating roster.

vikramjit singh rooprai

The writer is a self-made IT entrepreneur, who is also a passionate heritage & history buff

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 33 Metaphysical Musings ...×æØæ Ìæð °·¤ Öý× ãñU ¥€UâÚU Üô» ×æÙÌð ãñ ç·¤ â´âæÚU °·¤ ×æØæ ãñ. â´âæÚU ¥»ÚU ×æØæ ãñ Ìô â‹Øæâ ·¤è ÕæÌ ·¤ÚUÙæ Õð×æÙè ãô»è. â‹Øæâ ·¤æ ÎêâÚUæ Ùæ× ãñ ˆØæ». ˆØæ» ·Ô¤ çÜ° â´âæÚU ·¤æ ãôÙæ ÁM¤ÚUè ãñ. ÁÕ â´âæÚU ×æØæ ãñ çÈÚU ã× ˆØæ» ç·¤â·¤æ ·¤ÚUð´»ð? ×æØæ ·¤æ. ×æØæ Ìô °·¤ Öý× ãñ. Ìæ ×ð´ Ö»ßæÙ Ùð â‹Øæâ ¥õÚU ˆØæ» âéÛææß Ù ·¤æÙêÙ ãôÌæ ãñ ¥õÚU Ù ãè çÙØ×. âéÛææß Üô» ãè ©Ææ°´»ð. ¥»ÚU ã× §â ×æ×Üð ÂÚU çã‹Îê ·¤ô ÕÇ¸è ãè âÚUÜÌæ âð SÂC ç·¤Øæ ×æÙô Øæ Ù ×æÙô, §â ÂÚU ç·¤âè ·¤è ·¤ô§ü ÂæÕ´Îè ¥õÚU ×éâÜ×æÙ ·¤è ÕæÌ ·¤ÚUð´»ð Ìô çÈ¤ÚU Ï×ü ·¤ãæ¡ ãñ. ¥€UâÚU ƒæÚU ÕæÚU ÀôÇ¸·¤ÚU, ¥ÂÙè Ùãè´ ãôÌè. àæÚUèØÌ ·¤ô ã× Üÿ×‡æ ÚUð¹æ ·¤ã Áæ°»æ. Øð çÁ´Î»è ÕôÛæ ÕÙ·¤ÚU ã×ð´ ÁèÙð Ùãè´ çÁ×ðÎæçÚUØô´»è âð Öæ»·¤ÚU ÂÚU×æˆ×æ ·¤è ÌÚUÈ ¿ÜÙð â·¤Ìð ãñ´U, Áô ç·¤ °·¤ ·¤æÙêÙ ·¤è ÌÚUã ãñ. Üðç·¤Ù Îð»è. ×ÙécØ ÁèßÙ ¥Ù×ôÜ ãñ. ·¤ãæ ÁæÌæ ãñ ç·¤ ·¤ô ãè ã× â‹Øæâ ×æÙÌð ¥æ° ãñ. ÁÕç·¤ °ðâæ âçÎØô´ âð È¤Ìßð ·¤æ ÇÚU çÎ¹æ·¤ÚU °·¤ â×éÎæØ Âë‰ßè ·¤æ ¥æÖêá‡æ ×ÙécØ ãñ, ×ÙécØ ·¤æ ¥æÖêá‡æ Ùãè´ ãñ. ã×æÚUð Îðàæ ·Ô¤ ×ãæÙ â´Ì Ìé·¤æÚUæ×, °·¤ÙæÍ, ·Ô¤ ¥»ý‡æè Üô» ¥ÂÙæ çâP¤æ ¿ÜæÌð ¥æ° ãñ´. §âè ÏÙ ãñ ¥õÚU ÏÙ ·¤æ ¥æÖêá‡æ ãñ ÎæÙ. ÎæÙ ÁÕ ÚUñÎæâ ÌÍæ Îâ »éM¤, »ëãSÍ ãè Íð. Øã âÖè »ëãSÍ ÌÚUã ÌæÁæÌÚUèÙ ×éÁÈ¤ÚU Ù»ÚU ·¤æ´Ç ×ð´ âÚU·¤æÚU Ùð ç·¤âè ·Ô¤ ·¤ËØæ‡æ ·Ô¤ çÜ° ·¤ÚUð´»ð Ìô ã×æÚUæ Øð ×ð´ ÚUãÌð ãé° Öè â‹Øæâè Íð. §Ù âÖè â´Ìô´ Ùð ¥ÂÙð ÜÇ¸·¤è ·¤è àææÎè ·Ô¤ çÜ° °·¤ Üæ¹ M¤ÂØð ÎðÙð ÁèßÙ âÈ¤Ü ãô Áæ°»æ. ÁèßÙ ÎàæüÙ ·Ô¤ ×æŠØ× âð â‹Øæâ ·¤ô ÂçÚUÖæçáÌ ·¤è ƒæôá‡ææ ·¤è. §â °·¤ Üæ¹ M¤ÂØð ·¤ô ÂæÙð ×ÙécØ ·Ô¤ ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ÌèÙ ¿èÁô´ ·¤æ ©×ý ·Ô¤ âæÍ ç·¤Øæ ãñ. §Ù×ð´ âð »éM¤ »ôçß‹Î çâ´ã Áè Ùð â‹Øæâ ¥ÂÙæ ¥Ü»-¥Ü» ×ãˆß ãôÌæ ãñ´, çÁ¸Î, ÁéÙêÙ âð Öè ª¤ÂÚU ©Æ·¤ÚU ˆØæ» ·¤è °ðâè ç×âæÜ ¥õÚU ÁM¤ÚUÌ. çÁ¸Î ÕæÜ·¤ ·¤è ãôÌè ãñ. Îè Áô ¥çmÌèØ ãñ. §ââð ÂÌæ ¿ÜÌæ ãñ çÁ¸Î âð ÁÕ ßã ª¤ÂÚU ¥æÌæ ãñ Ìô ßãè ç·¤ â‹Øæâ ·¤×ô´ü âð Öæ»Ùð ·¤æ Ùæ× Ùãè´, çÁÎ ÁßæÙè ×ð´ ÁéÙêÙ ÕÙ ÁæÌè ãñ. çÁ¸Î â‹Øæâ Ìô ·¤×ô´ü ·¤ô ·¤ÚUÌð ãé° ÂÚU×æˆ×æ ¥õÚU ÁéÙêÙ ×ð´ ¥€UÜ ·¤æ ÎæÜ Ùãè´ ãôÌæ. ·Ô¤ çÙç×žæ ãô·¤ÚU Âý·¤ëçÌ ·¤æ ·¤Áü ¿é·¤æÙð ÁéÙêÙ ·¤è ©×ý ÂæÚU ãôÙð ÂÚU ÁÕ ßëhæßSÍæ ·¤æ Ùæ× ãñ. §âè Âý·¤æÚU çÁ´Î»è ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤è ¥ôÚU ÁæÌð ãñ´ Ìô ÁM¤ÚUÌð´ ÕÉ¸ ÁæÌè ãñ´, ·¤ô Öè ã× °·¤ ãè ×æÙ ÜðÌð ãñ´, ÁÕç·¤ Áô ßÌü×æÙ ·¤ô ÖêÜæ·¤ÚU ÖêÌ ·¤è »ÜçÌØô´ ¥‹ÌÚU çÎÙ-ÚUæÌ ·¤æ ãñ. ¥»ÚU »ãÚUæ§ü âð ·¤ô ÖçßcØ ·¤è ç¿´Ìæ¥ô´ ×ð´ ×ÙécØ ·¤ô Üð §â ÂÚU çß¿æÚU ·¤ÚUð´ Ìô ÎôÙô´ ·¤æ ¥Íü SÂC ÁæÌè ãñ´U. çÈ¤ÚU çÁ´¸Î»è Öè ÁóæÌ ·¤è ÌÚUÈ M¤Â âð ¥Ü»-¥Ü» çÙ·¤ÜÌæ ãñ. çÁ´Î»è Ù Áæ·¤ÚU Áãóæé× ·¤è ÌÚUÈ ¿Üè ÁæÌè ãñ. M¤·Ô¤ ãé° ÂæÙè ·¤è ÌÚUã ãñ ¥õÚU M¤·Ô¤ ãé° ÕæÜ·¤ ·¤è çÁ¸Î ·¤ô ¥»ÚU ã× ÏñØü ¥õÚU ÂæÙè ÂÚU ·¤æ§ü Á× ÁæÌè ãñ, ·¤æ§ü ¥ÍæüÌ÷ Õéçh×žææ âð âãè ÚUæSÌð ÂÚU Üð ¥æ°´ Ìô çÈ¤ÚU ¥™ææÙÌæ. ©â ÁßæÙè ·¤æ ÁéÙêÙ Îðàæ ¥õÚU Ï×ü ·Ô¤ ¥€UâÚU ç·¤âè ƒæÅUÙæ Øæ ÎéƒæüÅUÙæ ·Ô¤ ÕæÚUð ·¤æ× ¥æ°»æ, çÈ¤ÚU ÕéÉ¸æÂð ·¤è ÁM¤ÚUÌð´ ¥ÂÙð ×ð´ Øã ·¤ãæ ÁæÌæ ãñ ç·¤ Øð Ìô ÂÚU×æˆ×æ ¥æÂ ãè â×æ# ãô Áæ°´»è. Øãè ÁèßÙ çÈ¤ÚU ·¤è ×æØæ ãñ. §âè ¥™ææÙÌæ ·Ô¤ ·¤æÚU‡æ ã× Áãóæé× ·¤è ÕÁæ° ÁóæÌ ·¤è ÌÚUÈ ×éÉ¸ ÁèßÙ ·¤è ¥âÜè â‘¿æ§ü ·¤ô ÖêÜ ÁæÌð ãñ´. Áæ°»æ. Øã ÁèßÙ ÂÚU×æˆ×æ ·¤æ çÎØæ ãé¥æ ÁèßÙ Ìô ÕãÌè ÙÎè ·¤è ÌÚUã ·¤Ü-·¤Ü ãñ. â‹Øæâ ¥õÚU ˆØæ» ·Ô¤ ¥Íü ·¤ô â×Ûæ·¤ÚU ·¤ÚUÌè, çÙÚU‹ÌÚU ¥æ»ð ÕÉ¸Ìè ãé§ü ÏæÚUæ ·¤æ ¥ÂÙð ÁèßÙ ·¤ô ÂÚU×æˆ×æ ·Ô¤ ·¤æØô´ü ×ð´ Ùæ× ãñ. ÂÚU×æˆ×æ ·¤è Ìô ÜèÜæ ãôÌè ãñ, Ü»æ°´»ð Ìô ÂÚU×æˆ×æ Öè ¥æ»ð ÕÉ¸·¤ÚU ã×ð´ ×æØæ Ùãè´. §âè ÌÚUã Âý·¤ëçÌ ·Ô¤ çÙØ× ãôÌð ãñ´ ¥õÚU ·Ô¤ çÜ° Üô»ô´ Ùð ¥ÂÙè ÕðçÅUØô´ ·¤æ çÙ·¤æã ·¤ÚU ¥ÂÙð »Üð Ü»æ°´»ð. °ðâæ âé¹ ç·¤âè çßÚUÜð Ï×ü ·¤è ×ØæüÎæ. ÁÕ ã×ð´ §Ù·¤æ ™ææÙ ãô»æ, ÌÖè çÎØæ. ÁÕ °·¤ Üæ¹ M¤ÂØð ©‹ãð´ Ùãè´ çÎ° »° ·¤ô ãè ç×ÜÌæ ãñ. àææS˜æô´ ×ð´ çÜ¹ð ãé° ™ææÙ ·¤ô ã×ð´ ¥ÂÙð ÁèßÙ ·¤è Âã¿æÙ ãô»è. ¥»ÚU âçÎØô´ Ìô §Ù ÜÇ¸ç·¤Øô´ ·¤ô ÌÜæ·¤ Îð çÎØæ »Øæ. °ðâè ¥æˆ×æ ·Ô¤ mæÚUæ Âã¿æÙ ·¤ÚU ÂÚUçãÌ ×ð´ Ü» Áæ°´»ð ÂéÚUæÙè M¤çÉ¸ßæÎè ÂÚUÂÚUæ ·¤ô ¥æÁ wvßè´ âÎè ×ð´ ÜÇ¸ç·¤Øô´ ·Ô¤ çÜ° çÁ´Î»è ÕôÛæ ÕÙ·¤ÚU ÚUã »§ü. Ìô ÁèÌð Áè ã×ð´ ÁóæÌ ÙâèÕ ãô Áæ°»è. ã×ð´ ÁèßÙ Üð·¤ÚU ¿Üð´»ð Ìô ÁèßÙ ÆãÚU·¤ÚU °ðâè çÁ¸´Î»è ×ð´ ãçÚUØæ‡ææ ·Ô¤ °·¤ ÙðÌæ Ùð ãçÚUØæ‡ææ ·Ô¤ ¥çßßæçãÌ ·¤ô ÁèÙæ ãñ, çÁ´¸Î»è ·¤ô ÉôÙæ Ùãè´. ÕÎÜ Áæ°»æ Áô ÕôÛæ ÕÙ·¤ÚU ã×ð´ ¥æ»ð ÕÉ¸Ùð Ùãè´ Øéß·¤ô´ ·¤ô ßôÅU ÎðÙð ÂÚU çÕãæÚU âð ÜÇ¸ç·¤Øæ´ Îð»æ ¥õÚU çÈ¤ÚU §â ÂÚU M¤·Ô¤ ãé° ÂæÙè ·¤è ÌÚUã ÂÚUÌ ×´»ßæ·¤ÚU àææÎè ·¤ÚUÙð ·¤æ ÜæÜ¿ çÎØæ. Øð Öè ÚUôàæÙ ÜæÜ »ôÚU¹ÂéçÚUØæ ÎÚU ÂÚUÌ ¥™ææÙÌæ ·¤è ·¤æ§ü Á×Ìè ãè Áæ°»è. ç·¤âè Ù ç·¤âè M¤Â ×ð´ ÕðçÅUØô´ ·¤æ ¥Â×æÙ ãè »Ì â#æã ×æÙÙèØ âßôü‘¿ ‹ØæØæÜØ mæÚUæ ãñ. ÕðÅUè ç·¤âè ·¤è Öè ãô, ßã ÕðÅUè ãè ãôÌè ãñ. Üð¹·¤ Ù ·Ô¤ßÜ ÁæÙð-×æÙð ÃØßâæØè ãñ´ ¥çÂÌé, àæÚUèØÌ ÂÚU çÎØæ »Øæ Èñ¤âÜæ ¥ÂÙð ¥æÂ ×ð´ ×éâÜ×æÙ ·¤è ÕðÅUè ·Ô¤ âæÍ ·¤éÀ »ÜÌ ãôÙð ÂÚU Ï×ü â´S·¤ëçÌ ¥õÚU ÚUæÁÙèçÌ ÂÚU Öè ¥‘Àè Â·¤Ç¸ ÕãéÌ ·¤éÀ ·¤ãÌæ ãñ. àæÚUèØÌ ·Ô¤ ÌãÌ ×õÜßè ¥»ÚU çã‹Îê ¿éÂ ÕñÆ Áæ°´»ð ¥õÚU çã‹Îê ·¤è ÕðÅUè ÚU¹Ìð ãñ. ¥æÂ Ì·¤ Âãé´¿Ùð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ×ðÜ ·¤ÚU mæÚUæ È¤Ìßæ ÁæÚUè ç·¤Øæ ÁæÌæ ãñ. ¥ÚUÕè Öæáæ ×ð´ ·Ô¤ âæÍ ·¤éÀ ãôÙð ÂÚU ×éâÜ×æÙ ¿éÂ ÕñÆ Áæ°´»ð â·¤Ìð ãñÑ È¤Ìßð ·¤æ ×ÌÜÕ âéÛææß ãôÌæ ãñ Ùæ ç·¤ ¥æÎðàæ. Ìô §â·¤æ È¤æØÎæ â×æÁ ·Ô¤ çÙçãÌ SßæÍü ·Ô¤ [email protected]

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 34 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Real Estate & Property

RAISING THE BAR IN BROKERAGE BUSINESS Real estate is not just about sales, it's more a business of trust that involves high value transactions with property con- sumers investing their life-long earnings to buy their dream home. And in this context, the role of brokers assumes considerable significance, as they are the interface between the developers and property buyers. All the more so when we observe that the profile of customers has undergone a sea-change. Today, a large number of property buyers comprise of youth who are well-educated, discerning, internet-friendly and tech-savvy. They want hassle-free, fair and transparent transactions. They look for tailor-made offerings that promise good property appreciation.Vinod Behl writes this time on the brokerage business in the Realty sector for NRI Achievers. Read on.

he real estate broking business raised the standard of brokerage but ers has further contributed to the real has made rapid strides in recent also brought in the much needed pro- estate marketing services becoming years by way of embracing pro- fessionalism and transparency. The more professional. A professional real- fessionalism. Significantly, bro- growing number of corporate occupi- tor or professionally well-managed brokerage business has been continuously kerage firm can help its clients reap Tevolving for the last few years, under- really rich dividends in property invest- going considerable transformation with Property brokers are ment. self- styled brokers giving way to edu- today no more just the Property brokers are today no more cated and well- trained professionals. go-between for property just the go-between for property buyers As industry bodies like NAR are taking buyers and sellers. In and sellers. In fact the new-age brokers initiatives to train brokers and equip fact the new-age are providing complete leasing, buying them with suitable skills, it is paving and selling services with customised so- way for the entry of high quality talent. brokers are providing lutions. Their comprehensive services The growing corporatisation of the sec- complete leasing, buying include investment advice with portfolio tor with the entry of IPCs, MNCs and and selling services with management, home-loan and due dili- global brokerage chains has not only customised solutions gence including the legal and taxation aspects of property sale and purchase. The increasing use of ICT tools and internet-based solutions has also made the property purchase/selling process much more easier, faster and transparent. At the click of a mouse, one can select property to suit one's budget and requirement. The expertise and knowledge gained by realtors has raised the level of brokerage and changed its image. And with the upcoming Real Estate Regulator set to govern realtors, brokerage business will gain further credibility and respect in the days to come. And it will improve the investment climate, and help enor- mously in realizing the high growth potential of real estate sector.

The author is a senior media professional, with long-standing experience in the real estate sector. He is Editor, Realty Plus - a leading real estate monthly. He may be reached at [email protected]

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 35 Real Estate & Property

BUDGET 2014 – POSITIVE FOR INDIAN REAL ESTATE ? The Union Budget 2014-15 was presented in parliament under economic circumstances requiring tax revenues to keep pace with targets. Considering the state of government finances and the current situation – weak mon- soons, Middle-East tensions leading to oil price volatility, depreciating currency, fiscal deficit, amidst other concerns does not leave much room for populism. However, considering the high inflation and curtailed savings, taxpayers still expected some good news from the new government, such as enhanced deductions, reduction in tax rates, interest subvention on home loans and tax incentives to affordable housing. The Finance Minister has taken a cautious yet courageous path with his budget announcements. Here is a snapshot: HOUSING: In terms of relief to the housing sector, the budget has allocated INR 4,000 Crores for low-cost housing schemes. Apart from this, the FM has also indicated that there will soon be a relaxation of FDI norms for the affordable housing sector. It is very positive that the government has taken note of the demand-supply mismatch in the LIG and EWS housing segments. However it still remains to be seen as to how fast these initiatives hit the ground in real time. Sig- nificantly, the budget has increased the income tax deduction limits under 80C for repayment of principal on housing loans from INR 1 Lakh to INR 1.5 Lakhs. Addi- tionally, the budget has also enhanced the deduction limit on interest payment for housing loans from INR 1.5 lakhs to INR 2 lakhs. These two factors alone will lead to a vastly improved sentiment for the housing ing the individual income tax exemption dividuals and would have further implica- markets. The budget gave further indirect limit from INR 2 Lakhs to INR 2.5 Lakhs. tions on their ability to service home loans. benefits for the residential sector by increas- This will increase disposable income of in- The FM has also announced further relaxa-

Reduction in personal income tax As per expert reports, there is a short- ceiling and the raising of home loan age of around 18.78 million houses in interest deduction will definitely the country, the allocation of Rs 4,000 boost demand for homes in metro- Cr. for low-cost housing alone apart politan and mini metropolitan cit- from Rs 50,000 Cr. for urban housing ies. And true to his promises, the by the finance minister is a positive FM has made singificant allocations move. The special emphasis of the towards infrastructure projects in present government on infrastructure the country. The allocation of Rs. is laudable as we all know that infra- 37,850 crore for the NHAI will result in vastly improved structure is one of the growth engines for uplifting the econ- road networks, which in turn will result in new vibrancy omy and once infrastructure development is put in place, the for the real estate sector. The National Housing Bank has economy is sure to grow. There has been no clear cut decision received an allocation of Rs. 8000 crore for this program, on FDI in multi brand retail sector which could have attract- which will have a salutary effect as well. I am especially ed investment in this sector. The real estate retail industry enthusiastic about the Rs. 7060 crore allocation towards could have been benefited immensely due to increase in de- the government's program for creating 100 smart cities. mand and increased investor confidence. Kishor Pate, CMD - Amit Enterprises Housing Ltd. Navneet Bhadla, Director, Brys Group

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 36 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Real Estate & Property

It is indeed a satisfactory budget with a lot of good implications for the languishing real estate sector. Significantly, the budget has in- cluded slum rehabilitation under the ambit of corporate social responsibility. We will now see great- er involvement by India Inc. in this very important sector, and give a boost to supply in the inner parts of our major cities. The FM has also given much-needed relief to individual tax payers by raising the income tax exemption limit by Rs. 50,000 and has also raised the limit of the interest part of home loans from Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh. The combined effect will definitely be renewed interest in home purchase by Indians. Arvind Jain, Managing Director - Pride Group tion of norms for residential projects in the ations. The development of 16 new ports vided any further benefits to the retail sec- affordable segment. This gives us hope that has been proposed at an outlay of INR tor, which is certainly a disappointment. the time is ripe for 'affordable housing' 11,000 Crores. Additionally, an allocation HOSPITALITY: The budget also brought projects to take-off in India. of INR 11,600 Crores has been made for cheer to the hospitality sector in two ma- CONSTRUCTION SECTOR: Construc- the development of outer harbour port jor ways. One, it has stipulated that election costs have been rising at the rate of 17% projects. The combined effect of all these tronic visa services will be introduced in over the last three to four years, and this will result in an increase in demand for nine international airports in India over budget has not provided enough measures commercial space at port cities. the next six months. Secondly, it has indi- to bring down these costs. Contrary to ex- SMART CITIES: As promised in the new cated major provisions for the creation of pectations, material costs involved in real government’s manifesto, the creation of world-class convention centres to be de- estate construction will remain high over 100 smart cities across India has been pro- veloped through the PPP model. Once the near-to-medium term, which is bound posed. The budget has allocated INR 7,060 these centres are created, they will bring to put pressure on developers’ margins. Crores towards this end, thereby giving a about an increase in corporate tourism INFRASTRUCTURE: The infrastructure financial sign-off for this concept. In order into the country. We expect the absorption and manufacturing sectors have been given to further encourage commitment towards of hotel-related real estate to rise. paramount importance, since these are job- this segment, FDI investment norms in REITs: The much-awaited clarity on taxation creating verticals. Banks will now be en- terms of minimum required area for de- of REITs was finally delivered in the budget. couraged to extend long-term loans for velopment have been lowered from 50,000 REITs will be allowed tax pass-through sta- infrastructure projects without any regula- square metres to 20,000 sq.m. This is a big tus, which means it will not be subject to tax, tory pre-emptions such as CRR, SLR and positive since a number of smaller cities provided all criteria for investments and priority sector lending norms. This will will also qualify for FDI investments, dividend distribution are followed. This has result in faster infrastructure creation and thereby enabling cheaper mobilisation of laid the final roadmap for REITs to start op- bring consequent benefits to real estate. funds. Smart cities, by definition, imply erating in India and has opened-up an at- The budget has allocated a total of INR considerable demand for technology-en- tractive avenue of raising funds. 37,880 Crores towards the NHAI for the abled services, which spells good news for IN CONCLUSION: The real estate sector’s construction of highways, and an addi- IT/ITeS companies. Significantly, as much comprehensive expectations have defi- tional INR 3000 Crores to boost road con- as one-third of the country’s demand for nitely not been met completely in this nectivity in the North-East. For the current office space emanates from this sector. budget. However, given the economic year, it has targeted the completion of 8,500 This will have positive implications for real situation prevailing in the country, this is kilometres of national highways, which are estate, across multiple asset classes. not really surprising. As such, we are glad a known real estate catalyst. Ahmedabad RETAIL: The country’s warehousing sec- that the consumer has been moderately and Lucknow have been singled out as spe- tor has received a boost with an allocation benefitted which will hopefully result in cial beneficiaries of this budget with the of INR 5,000 Crores. This exhibits positive the real estate sector moving in the right allocation of INR 100 Crores towards the implications for Retail real estate and spe- direction. deployment of Metro Rail systems in these cifically for E-Commerce, on account of a cities. The increased connectivity will raise strengthened supply chain, which has Anuj Puri the scope of their real estate development been a crucial requirement of this sector. The writer is the Chairman & Country and also have an impact of property valu- Apart from this, the budget has not pro- Head of Jones Lang LaSalle India, the Indian

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 37 Real Estate & Property REAL ESTATE - Q&A Does NRI require any type of permission residential properties that may be bought of RBI to acquire any type of property in by an NRI. However, repatriation (the India? process of converting a foreign currency abroad only through normal banking A. No, there is no permission required into the currency of one's own country) is channels, your Non-Resident (External) except agricultural and farm land. allowed only in respect of two such prop- [NR (E)] Account and /or Non-Resident erties. (Ordinary) [NR (O)] account and /or Does foreign citizen of Indian origin re- Non-Resident Special Rupee account quire permission of RBI to purchase im- Can NRI/ PIO's acquire or dispose resi- [NRSR] in India. movable property in India? dential property by way of gift? A. RBI has granted general permission A. Yes, NRIs and PIOs can freely ac- Can an NRI take loan against the secu- to foreign citizens of Indian origin, wheth- quire immovable property in India by way rity of immovable property in India? Is er resident in India or abroad, to purchase of gift either from there any restriction on use of loan immovable property in India for their a. person resident in India amount? bona fide residential purpose. Therefore b. NRI A. An NRI can borrow against the se- they are not required to obtain prior per- c. PIO curity of immovable property from Au- mission of RBI. However the property can only be com- thorized Dealer subject to following con- mercial or residential. ditions. Can NRI/PIO sell their purchased prop- Again NRIs and PIOs may gift residential/ a. The loan should be used for meeting the erty without the permission of Reserve commercial property to personal requirements or for borrower's Bank? a. person resident in India own business purposes; and A. Yes. Reserve Bank of India has grant- b. NRI b. loan should not be used for forbidden ed general permission for sale of such c. PIO activities, namely; (a) business of chit

property to the following categories:- (iv) Foreign national of non Indian origin fund, or (b) agriculture or plantation a. To a NRI - with approval of RBI activities or in real estate business, or b. To a PIO (If the seller is a PIO, then a construction of farm houses, or (c) trad- prior approval is required from RBI) Does RBI have any guideline for loans to ing in Transferable Development Rights c. To a person Resident of India NRI? (TDRs). a. The loan amount shall not exceed 85% c. the loan amount cannot be remitted Can NRI rent out the immovable proper- of the cost of the housing unit. outside India, repayment of loan shall ties if not required for immediate use? b. Own contribution, which is the cost of be made from out of remittances from A. NRI can without restraint rent out housing unit financed less the loan overseas or by debit to NRE/FCNR/ their immovable property, without seek- amount, can be met from direct remit- NRO account or out of the sale profits ing any consent from the RBI. The rental tances from abroad only through normal of shares or securities or immovable income being a current account transac- banking channels, your Non-Resident property against which such loan was tion is repatriable outside India, only if (External) [NR (E)] Account and /or granted. proper tax is paid or provided for. Non-Resident (Ordinary) [NR (O)] ac- Vikas Gupta count and /or Non-Resident Special Ru- Is there any limit on the number of hous- pee account [NRSR] in India. The writer is a joint Managing Director of ing properties that may be purchased by c. Reimbursement of the loan, comprising Earth infrastructure, who is a marketing an NRI? of the principal and interest including all expert in real estate. He may be reached at A. There are no limits on the number of the charges are to be remitted from [email protected]

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 38 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Vastu VASTU: Q&A Vastu. Paint the 'NW' and 'West' direction and then it will be possible to sell the in white color instead of the existing Blue, property. l I am settled in Virginia, USA, for the it will go in accordance with your date of l I am Rakesh Khanna, I have a small past 15 years. I now want to open my birth. If you want to expand your business business in the US and it is doing well, own insurance company. Please suggest to other countries, wait till your birthday and now my wife would like to join me lucky directions and placement of office in 2015. here. But for two years now, whenever furniture in order to make this effort a l I am Manvinder Singh, settled in she plans to come to the US, one or oth- success. Canada. My parents are in Moga, Pun- er obstacle crops up, and she is unable to According to your date of birth and jab. They have been trying to sell our make it. Are there any kind of vaastu KUA number, an 'East' facing office is property there for the past two years but and/or astrological solution for this? good for you. But for advice on the place- with no success. We would like a better Yes, it could happen due to doshas both ment of the furniture etc., you will need to home in a city area, but things are not of Vastu or astrology. We could check this send us the layout plan of your proposed trough customised vastu whether there office. any possibilities for her to go abroad. That l What modifications to the building of is the very first thing. Insofar as general my factory do I need to effect in order to vastu is concerned, it will work only for expand my business outside of India those things which are in your destiny. as well ? Even if a person is not destined to go The basement of your factory is in abroad according to astrology, vas- the 'West' zone which is totally tu can help to some extent. For against vastu principles, and hence coming to a conclusion, we will can cause harm to your business need the date of birth of your even in India. So, take steps to wife, and after doing our calcula- shift or rebuild this basement in tions we could suggest some the 'North East' zone to expand remedies. your business internationally. As l I have recently shifted to Lon- I am able to glean from customized don and want to set up my own vastu, you can earn well from for- showroom of cars. Tell me how eign shores as well by implementing to select the best location for the some remedies. showroom and color themes for the l The raw material for my business interiors and exteriors – Rohit Shah comes from China. But last shipment You should go for a rectangular or got stuck because of changing policies square plot. No L or irregular shapes. there. How can Vastu help me? Let me Color scheme can be decided only after know how I can solve this problem. working. Please suggest remedies which selecting the plot. We will need the ori- There exists a toilet in the 'South West' can help us sell it. entation of the plot in order to work out direction of your office which is not good, Yours is no general question. In your auspicious color combinations per feng also the placement of some equipment in case we will first need to have a look upon shui. In your business it is very impor- 'NNW' zone in not appropriate. Hang a the layout plan of the property in question. tant to maintain 'NW' direction as per painting of sailing ship on the north wall A site visit is also warranted. Generally, vastu and feng shui as this zone governs of your office, and paint a yellow stripe on such kind of problems occur due to the sales. You could choose 3-4 properties, the door. This will benefit you in a short 'SW' zone most of the time, but some then consult. Whichever plan is better period of time. other factors like law of vastu for slopes, may be finalized. l I want to sell my products in different ratio of plot size, and what is inside the Naresh Singal countries of world but the documenta- ground - like there could be a cremation tion is not getting through. Please tell ground etc., could all play a significant Apart from vastu, he is also a well-known me if any renovation at my factory can role. So in that case it will be really diffi- exponent of Feng Shui and Pyramidology. You help in this matter. cult to sell or rent out that property. You can contact him at: Renovation is not required, but the could hire a vaastu consultant who will [email protected] Color scheme of your office is not as per suggest the remedies for that Vastu Dosha www.vaastunaresh.com Author will provide free consultation for readers of NRI Achievers. But do send map of your premises and your date of birth.

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 39 Cineppets

WHY ANERI HAD TO LET GO OFF HER LONG HAIR FOR HER CHARACTER IN ‘NISHA AUR USKE COUSINS’ STAR Plus’ new show ‘Nisha aur uske Cous- ins’ has a lot happening behind the scenes before the show goes on air. The actors have been undergoing rigorous training to get into the skin of their character. They have been working on their body language, voice modulation and dialogue delivery, all to make sure that they do their best onscreen. But the one person who has undergone complete transformation is Aneri Vajani who was last seen in ‘Crazy Stupid Ishq’. An- eri who essays the role of the main protago- SHASTRI SISTERS TO GO ON-AIR EVERY MONDAY TO nist Nisha, plays a very challenging role as SATURDAY AT 7.00 PM ON COLORS she essays the character of a tomboy. Aneri Ever since the first promo of COLORS’ upcoming fiction offering hit airwaves, audience anticipation has been at an all-time high to get a glimpse into the lives the Shastri Sisters. COLORS today announced the launch date and time slot for the show. The serial will be going on-air starting 21st July, and will air every Monday to Saturday at 7.00 PM on the channel. Shastri Sisters traces the journey of four sisters as they move from Kanpur to Delhi along with their father. The story speaks of the challenges faced by them on being uprooted from their childhood homes and their support for each other through life’s hard- ship and struggles. On the show, Neha Pednekar will be essaying the role of the oldest sister Alka, Ishita Ganguly will be seen portraying the character of second sister Anushka, Sonal Vengurlekar will portray the role of the third sister Devyani and Pragati Chourasiya will be essaying the character of the youngest sister Peeya. Shastri Sisters is produced by Shakunta- lam Telefilms of Na Aana Is Des Laado fame. TAARAK MEHTA KA OOLTAH CHASHMAH GOES TO HONGKONG DISNEY LAND ! Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is a popular TV series that focuses on the day to in fact feels that her character of a tomboy is day lives of the members of Gokuldham so- inspired somewhat from Anjali’s character ciety. After entertaining the audience with in ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ as except for being GPL 3 and a nail-biting thriller sequence a tomboy like Anjali, Nisha also sports a with adept C.I.D officers, Taarak Mehta Ka short hair do on the show. Aneri comments Ooltah Chashmah has now integrated with on her role saying, "When I got a call con- Disney India to take the entertainment to firming that I will be playing Nisha it was the next level. In the upcoming episodes, the like a dream. I have done a few shows till cast of Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashma now but this role is very different and a little will be seen enjoying at the Hong Kong Dis- We have previously shot in foreign locations challenging. I have been undergoing various neyland, an all-expenses paid trip that Ta- but this time, it was double the fun and workshops to get into the tomboy character. pusena wins by buying Disney branded masti as Tapu Sena was also visiting Hong From talking to even my walking style has products. Dilip Joshi aka Jethalal Gada said, Kong Disneyland with us. I too, had a won- changed. But what was most difficult was “We had an amazing time in Disneyland derful time as I got a chance to meet my letting go of my long locks and sporting a while enjoying the different rides and attrac- favourite Disney cartoon characters Minnie short hair do as once your hair is gone it tions of the park. We even got to witness the Mouse and Mickey Mouse.” The show is takes time to grow back and I didn’t want to stunningly beautiful fireworks display and produced by Neela Telefilms; conceived and regret my decision. But the short hair was be a part of the famous parade! Altogether designed by Asitkumarr Modi. Watch the necessary for the tomboy character por- we had a great experience and took some members of Gokuldham society have a gala trayed by Nisha so to do justice to it, I went fond memories back with us.”Disha Vakani time at Hong Kong Disney land. Tune into ahead with the decision to chop off my hair”. who plays Daya Gada said, “There was a lot Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah to catch Catch ‘Nisha aur uske Cousins’ soon on of excitement amongst the cast when we got all the fun and excitement from Monday to STAR Plus to know that we were going to Disneyland. Friday at 8.30pm only on SAB TV!

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 40 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Cineppets

KUSHAL PUNJABI THE NEW ENTRY IN ADITYA ROY KAPOOR TURNS CHEF JHALAK DIKHHLA JAA 7 FOR ZEE TV’S EID SPECIAL! Touted as one of the most good looking and talented actors, Kushal Punjabihas has not only carved a niche for himself in the telly world but has also spun his mag- ic in multiple movies essaying substantial roles. After all this, Kushal Punjabi further explores his limits and be- comes the newest entry in 7th edition of celebrity dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa - Dancing with the stars. Test- ing new waters Kushal Punjabi displayed his spectacular dancing movies as he opted for freestyle dance form and triumphed upon the hearts of the judges. Winning over the hearts of the audiences with his debut performance and winning applauds Kushal Punjabi is definitely here to stay and showcase his talent and flaunt his dancing He’s had women swoon over his chocolate boy good looks in Aashiqui 2 … movies. In keeping with the competition and standards Aditya Roy Kapoor now returns to the big screen opposite Parineeti Chopra in of the show Kushal definitely has plenty of surprises up his next movie – Dawaat-E-Ishq. The handsome actor was seen promoting his his sleeves. Reveling about his performance, he says “I movie at Zee TV’s Eid special – Dawaat-E-Eid. Playing the character of a ba- feel absolutely accolade to be a part of Jhalak Dikhhla warchi who cooks up a storm at the drop of a hat in the film, looks like Aditya Jaa and feel extremely elated to receive praises for my Roy Kapoor has mastered the art of cooking in real life too. Getting into the debut performance. The praises I received makes me skin of his character, Aditya was seen having a lot of fun cooking on the sets. want to work harder” further adding “Having Mohena As a part of the script, the female actors of Zee TV were asked to cook certain as my choreographer I promise that the judges and the authentic dishes for the evening. While the girls seemed to know it all, Aditya audience are in for a surprise. Leaving no stone Un- happened to overlook all that was being cooked. On understanding that the turned Kushal Punjabi gears up to give a tough compe- girls were however finding it a little difficult to follow the recipes to the tee, tition to the rest of the contestants. Aditya ended up using his newly acquired culinary skills. Helping the girls cook up a delight, Aditya enjoyed cooking with them to bits. While there were experts around, Aditya ended up giving some final touches to each of the dishes. Talk- ing about Aditya Roy Kapoor’s culinary skills, Sanam (played by Surbhi Jyoti) of Qubool Hai said, “When I was first asked to cook at the event, I was taken aback. While they promised us expert help, there were times when we would get stuck in between shots. At this time, Aditya was a blessing in disguise for us. We were shocked to see him give us suggestions with such perfection. At times, he would stop our shots to ensure that were adding the right ingredient to cook a dish. All in all, all of us had a fab time with him helping us.” While the stars seemed to have fun cooking up these delicious dishes, the audience is in for a visual as well as a gastronomical treat this Eid! Don’t miss, Dawaat-E-Eid on 2nd August, from 6 – 9 PM, Only on ZEE TV!

ACP PRADYUMAN SHAKES A LEG WITH SALMAN KHAN For the first time ever in the history of Sony TV’s popular crime series CID, ACP Pradyuman was seen dancing to the tunes of a bollywood number. And teaching him the tricks of the trade will be none other than superstar Salman Khan. Salman Khan was seen in CID promoting his movie KICK. During the shoot the playful Salman Khan made the ever serious ACP Pradyuman shake a leg with him. Salman along with ACP Pradyuman, Daya and Abhijeet danced to the latest chartbuster ‘Jumme Ki Raat’. Salman also taught the trio the signature step of his song. Talking about the experience of dancing with Salman Khan, an excited ACP Pradyuman a.k.a Shivaji Satam said, “I am extremely delighted that Salman Khan was here to promote his film. It’s always fun when he is around. It was really amazing to dance with Salman and I am sure the episode is going to be full of entertainment. The audience will surely enjoy it.”Sharing his experience on coming back on the sets of CID, Salman Khan said, “It’s really amazing to be back! Earlier, I had come for the promo- tions of Wanted and now I am here for KICK. I feel CID is the best platform to promote my movie as it is one of the most loved show on television. It was great fun to dance with Shivaji sir. The entire team is really sweet.” This special episode was directed by the producer of the show B.P. Singh himself.

Mumbai Bureau http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 41 Silver Screen

ON BRINGING THE BEST FROM ACROSS THE BORDER he Zee group is known to go me with another idea, when I sug- While in the past, our forte under this off the beaten track and do gested this idea to Bharat Rangaji (to column has always been personalities things daringly different from start a channel which will bring on from mainstream commercial cine- what the other channels have board select shows from across the ma, this time round, we are focusing been doing all these years. So after border), he was game and I was asked Tlaunching Zee Pictures and Zee An- to join Zee. on the small screen of the so-called mol last year, we have now launched “To tell you the truth, the idea for 'idiot box,' as it is mainly through tel- the new channel ZINDAGI. To quote this kind of programming came to me evision in their homes that our di- Subhashji, 'we should do eight times as a brainwave, when I had reached a better in the next twenty years instead stage where I was bored with the con- aspora keeps abreast of Indian cine- of just sitting back on our past laurels tent that I was creating over and over, ma. NRI Achievers spoke to Shailja and being smug,' which has resulted again and again. I feel that Zee is the Kejriwal, Chief Creative – Special in our raising the bar significantly. I only group which is suitable to start have always been a part and parcel of a channel like this, to beam shows Projects, ZEEL, who shares with you the TV industry in various capacities from neighboring countries like Pa- her plans to premiere Pakistani films with various channels for the last fif- kistan, Sri Lanka etc., because it is the and revive telefilms and teleplays teen years, and had always wanted to only India-based mega company through the latest new fiction-centric embark on some project which would which has its presence in various be challenging not only for me as an countries across the globe. The new channel to vie for the pie in the sky: individual but also for the channel. channel reinforces Zee's vision and 'ZINDAGI,' in her own words … Though the channel had approached corporate philosophy ‘Vasudhaiva

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 42 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Silver Screen

is that they will not be the regressing ‘saas bahu’ shows which go on ad nau- seum, but rather shows that will have a lot of diversity. You will get to see relat- able stories. What will set our channel apart from the other channels is the fact that focus will be on the storyline, and there is no need to alter it depending upon the kind of TRPs the shows will garner. In ZINDAGI, no show will be on air for more than twenty six episodes, and there will be a beginning, middle and an end to all the stories. The accent will be on family values which our elders used to teach the youngsters. You will get to see them in the shows from Pakistan. MERA NASEEB, ZIND- AGI GULZAR HAI, AUNN ZARA, KAASH MAIN TERI BETI NA HOTI and KITNI GIRHAIN BAAKI HAIN etc., are some of our popular shows from Pakistan that will be aired on ZINDAGI from monday to sunday. “Though initially we will bring shows from Pakistan, eventually we will also start shows from other countries like Bangadesh, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, with which we share the same culture and traditions. The revenue our channel will generate will come only from “To tell you the truth, the idea for this kind of program- India, because the channel will air ex- ming came to me as a brainwave, when I had reached a stage clusively in India. Our idea is to lead where I was bored with the content that I was creating over fragmentation rather than becoming its and over, again and again. I feel that Zee is the only group victims, since we are of the opinion that which is suitable to start a channel like this, to beam shows with digitization, the number of chan- from neighboring countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka etc., nels will also increase three-fold over because it is the only India-based mega company which has the next ten years. its presence in various countries across the globe “Ours is the only new GEC channel that conducted a successful first of its Kutumbakam’ and aims to unite people native. I have always subscribed to the kind simulcast Bloggers Meet across in India and abroad with shows pro- belief that mass entertainment should Delhi, Mumbai and Lahore as part of its duced overseas. Zee has 700 million plus not be boring but entertaining with a marketing initiatives with IndiBlogger. viewers in over 171 countries across the basic purpose. I went to Pakistan and It connected the bloggers across the two globe. ZINDAGI aims to showcase real, brought some shows from there to beam metro cities, Mumbai and Delhi and friendly, vibrant and premium stories on ZINDAGI channel. You see stories gave them an opportunity to converse from across the world that share similar do not need visas but human beings do. with prominent Television Producer cultural backgrounds, morals and values I realized happily that all our Indian and Director Sultana Siddiqui from La- that are also intrinsic to India. The chan- stars are very popular all over the world hore and actor Imran Abbas, the actor nel proposition ‘Jodey Dilon Ko’ is based including Pakistan. We at ZINDAGI who is not only part of the show MERA on the understanding that even if people also plan to revive the concept of tele- NASEEB but also plays the lead oppo- are culturally different, the life stories films, which was what made Zee differ- site Bipasha Basu in Vikram Bhatt’s are universal ... ent from the rest of the channels when CREATURE, a film in 3D. Instead of “Thanks to the era of digitization, to- it started way back. All the shows that depending only on the politicians, we day a channel does not have to cater to we will be airing on our channel will be should change ourselves if we want the all kinds of viewers. ZINDAGI will not contemporary. Since I believe that I am change.” cannibalise Zee and subsidiary channels also a viewer, my main idea was to look Jyothi Venkatesh because Zee has a dedicated audience, beyond the talent from India. and we are merely giving them an alter- “The USP of all shows in ZINDAGI The writer is a well-known & established film critic.

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 43 Travelogue

MAHABALIPURAM FLASHBACKS OF A GLORIOUS PAST e had left Chennai behind and were heading south on East Coast Road towards Mahabalipuram (District Kan- chipuram). The concrete clusters of Chennai were thinning down, and we were now driving past the cosy little coconut groves dotting the landscape, conspiratorially huddling with small clusters Wof low-rise housing and hutments. The hawkers along the road were selling fresh produce like mangoes, tender coconut, bananas of various va- rieties and tadgodas (fruits of a native palm that once peeled, resemble litchis in their texture and translucence and are refreshing when freshly peeled, but are intoxicating once allowed to ferment). Somehow, the drive was confusing. Even though we were on East Coast Road, we couldn't see any sea to our left – a trifle uncharacteristic for a coastal road, I would say ! What became even more perplexing after a while was that sometimes we would see the sea to our left while at other

august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 44 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Travelogue

excellent reputation. shared that after the disastrous Tsunami Photos & Text: Ajay Sood We then made our way towards the that hit the Indian shores 10 years back, famed World Heritage structures sprin- the seawater that had receded about a kil- kled haphazardly across the small town- ometer or so beyond the shore had re- times we would find the water on our right. ship of Mahabalipuram. Our first stop vealed 2 more temples (which are now I fished out the GPS app on my iPhone and was the famous Shore Temple. A Pallava submerged again) - one, about 500 metres figured out that the sea was on the left, but king built the temple in 7th century CE. into the sea, and the other approximately the water body on our right was the back- The construct of the temple is slabs of a kilometer into the sea. waters. granite placed one on top of the other Near the Mahabalipuram bus stand, Our hotel - Fisherman's Cove – was an cemented by a mixture of egg white, lime- there is another imposing work of art from hour and a half away from Chennai. This stone and palm sugar. The entire struc- the same era - Arjuna's Penance. This bas- property is about 20-kilometers short of ture had been beautifully carved post its relief work has scenes from Mahabharata Mahabalipuram (Chennai-Mahabalipuram construction, though these wondrous and from other ancient tales. Besides many total distance being 74 kilometers). We carvings are now eroded, thanks to the other scenes depicted here, you will be able then headed off for a much-recommended elements. Still, I couldn't help thinking to spot Arjuna standing on one leg - osten- seafood lunch at Moonrakers in Mahaba- about what would be the condition of my sibly doing penance for killing his near and lipuram. The place was modest in ambi- apartment block if someone were to look dear ones during the epic war. ence, but offered a wide range of seafood at it 14 centuries later ! Just about 200 metres away, on the slope - prawn, lobster, squid, molluscs and a va- It is said that this temple is one of the 7 of a granite hillock, lay a huge oval rock. riety of fish. To say the least, the food was that were built by the Pallava king. Though Despite being on a slope, it hasn't slipped delicious and did justice to the restaurant's the others have now vanished, locals down and apparently has stayed in the

http://www.nriachievers.in august 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 45 Travelogue

same position for centuries. This natural phenomenon has been christened as Krishna's Butter Ball. To give you an idea about the gradient of the slope, let me share that kids from Mahabalipuram use that incline as a slide provided by nature. Nearby, there's another remarkable heritage site - the 5 Rathas (5 Chariots). These seem like 5 distinctly different buildings with walls, chambers, verandahs, etc., but the fact is that all five have been carved out of the same rock. While Shore Temple is much more talked about and famous, in my view this carved marvel is the most ma- jestic of the various heritage sites in Ma- habalipuram. While you make your way up a hillock to approach the old and the new lighthouse, you will pass through the cave carvings referred to as Cave Temple. While a lot of these carvings are complete, there are many practical lessons to their mentees - hence minaret with a bright red dome - looks unfinished ones as well. Apparently, this the unfinished carvings. picturesque, the 7th century lighthouse is was the school where senior craftsmen gave While the modern lighthouse - a stone a real work of art. A 2-storey structure carved out of granite, the figurines on its façade are simply breathtaking. Every night, to warn the ships of the rocky shore- line, huge lamps were lit here using coconut oil. Even though this town today has dete- riorated to being an insignificant little place swarming with tourists and discard- ed polythene bags, the heritage it houses makes it still worth visiting. Also, while there, do remember not to venture out into the sea, as the beaches here are as dangerous as they are in Chennai, with sudden sheer drops.

The writer is an accomplished and avid travel photographer, relishing equally the challenges in capturing cityscapes and landscapes, heritage and architecture, wildlife and citylife, street and people.

NRI ACHIEVERS august 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 46 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð

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