PUBLICATION OF THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA IN DUBAI ◆ India’s GDP touches 6.1% in Q1 of 2009-10 ◆ India to build 20 km of roads everyday ◆ Sharjah Indian School gets a new block VOL. 1 ISSUE 6 SEPTEMBER 2009 INDIAINDIA TURNSTURNS 6262 Celebrations in UAE FROM THE CONSUL GENERAL’S DESK India Matters is a monthly publication of the The 63rd Independence Day was celebrated with gaiety all across the UAE, with special functions held in the Consulate General of India Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai. People from all walks of life participated in the events, which are (CGI) in Dubai. All rights covered in this issue of the magazine. reserved. No part of this journal Both the Prime Minister and the President expressed optimism about the future of India in their address to the may be produced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any contents nation. Dr. Manmohan Singh reiterated his confidence in India’s political stability and economic strength. “It is only a means – electronic, mechanical, result of our policies that the global crisis has affected us to a lesser extent than many other countries,” he said. photocopying, recording or The Bank of Baroda in Dubai conducted a brainstorming session on investment opportunities in India. We hope to otherwise, without the encourage more investments from UAE into India, especially in the infrastructure sector. We welcome suggestions from permission of the CGI Dubai. our readers on how India should go about this task. The inside back-cover of this issue features the highlights of our for- eign direct investment policy. Editorial correspondence and I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my Ramadan greetings to all the readers. Indians, in general, are manuscripts can be addressed to familiar with Ramadan and Eid. There are 150 million Muslims living across the length and breadth of India. Members [email protected] of all communities greet their Muslim brothers and sisters during the holy month of Ramadan and also during Eid Content and design by IANS Milan celebrations.I would like to urge all Indians living in the UAE to use this holy month of Ramadan as an opportu- (www.ianspublishing.com) nity to reach out to their Emirati friends and join them in their Ramadan activities as well as Eid celebrations. on behalf of Consulate General of India in Dubai. Indians in UAE celebrate I-Day 4 As India turned 62 years old on August 15, 2009, Indians in the UAE, along with the rest of world, celebrated the occasion with LETTERS TO EDITOR daylong programmes. INDIA-UAE Please accept my hearty congratulations for the wonderful way of organising our Independence Day celebration in the Indian High School premises. Your message was very apt and inspiring. Even the entertainment programme was very appropriate 10 Brainstorming session on and was able to ignite patriotism. Thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to participate in the function. FDI opportunities in India Dr. S. Gurumadhva Rao Vice-Chancellor RAK Medical & Health Sciences University COMMUNITY This is in appreciation of the efforts by the Indian Consulate led by Consul General Venu Rajamony, in organising a wonder- 13 Sharjah Indian School gets ful gathering to celebrate our 63rd Independence Day. Most notable was that the event started at exactly 8 a.m. as planned and lasted precisely an hour. With good leadership, even with a significant gathering, it was demonstrated that time can be new block kept. The cultural programme by children was of good value and crisp. Great work by all concerned! Prakash Muthuswamy BUSINESS & ECONOMY Project Manager Parsons 17 India to build 20 km of roads a day I would like to thank the Consulate General of India, Dubai, and place on record my deep gratitude to Thomas Mathew (Vice The Government of India will spend $21 TRAVEL: CHIKHALDHARA Consul Labour) for the guidance and the counselling given to my mother whose passport was stolen after immigration at billion annually from this fiscal to build Dubai International Airport Terminal 2 on July 7, 2009. We were really tensed as she was alone without a family member 20 km of roads everyday. next to her and she was ill and running out of medicines. It was due to the quick process of paperwork, and help from 20 Thomas Mathew that she could board the next day’s flight. BUSINESS & ECONOMY Mohammed Zahmeer Operation Manager, 19 India’s growth touches Oryx Piping Associates FZCO Jebel Ali Free Zone (South) 6.1% in Q1 of 2009-10 This is just to acknowledge the wonderful experience I had in regards to renewing my passport with a jumbo booklet within India’s GDP hastened to 6.1 percent in three working days. The staff members at Karama branch for passport services were very helpful and the entire process was the first quarter of 2009-10 from 5.8 very smooth. percent for the quarter before due to Rajesh Bhatia strong showing by various services Expatriate Indian industries. 2| INDIA MATTERS INDIA MATTERS|3 SEPTEMBER 2009 SEPTEMBER 2009 COVER STORY ‘Enlightened citizenry nation’s greatest asset’ resident Pratibha ical to change the lives of the Patil on August 14 people,” Patil added. Purged the people of Urging administrators to India to help the Government be “responsive” to the needs battle the drought and the of the people, she said: “Their swine flu virus, saying “an work is a public service – enlightened citizenry” is the commitment, dedication and “greatest asset” of a nation. honesty should be the hall- “This year, the monsoon has marks of their work.” Patil been less than normal impacting agricul- also spoke of the need to draw the mar- ture and availability of water. We have to ginalised sections of society into the be prepared to face the situation. The mainstream to ensure they reaped the Government is taking all possible steps to benefits of development. deal with it,” Patil said in her address to “There are weaker and vulnerable sec- the nation on the eve of Independence tions of society who are not full partners Day. in the growth and development process Noting that the Government was “tak- and remain on the sidelines. These sec- ing necessary measures” to handle the tions of society need to be drawn into swine flu outbreak, she said: “Citizens the national mainstream,” the President have to come forward to contribute to the said. Government’s efforts in these areas and in Noting that these sections of society other development initiatives through need to be given access to education, public-private partnerships, NGOs, com- health and skill-building – the tools of Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad (centre) along Consul General Venu Rajamony arrives for munity groups or self-help groups. empowerment – Patil said: “This will with former Union Minister Mani Shankar the Independence Day celebrations at the “An enlightened citizenry conscious of equip them with abilities and capabilities Aiyar (right) and Sunita Mainee Ahmad at Independence Day Indian High School in Dubai. its civic duties and social responsibilities, and generate confidence about their the I-Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi. maintaining discipline, following good future prospects. This will give them a lion),” he added. habits particularly about hygiene and sense of control over their destinies.” ndians in the UAE celebrated India’s celebrated across UAE Former Union Minister Mani Shankar cleanliness, respectful towards nature’s Holding that it was “within the realm of 63rd Independence Day on August Aiyar was the chief guest at the Embassy bounty and sensitive to environmental possibility to achieve this”, Patil said, “signs 15 with great fervour and pride. A function. Speaking on the occasion, he said concerns is the greatest asset of a nation,” of change are becoming visible”. “Today, large number of expatriates from all As India turned 62 years old on August 15, 2009, Indians could be proud of their country the President maintained. there are girls joining colleges, whose par- Iwalks of life attended functions at the expatriate Indians in the UAE celebrated the occasion only if they were able to eradicate poverty At the same time, Patil noted that the ents had never ever been to school. This is Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Indian with daylong programmes and preserve the inherent diverse culture of expectations of the people “are rising as a development that has happened within a High School in Dubai. India. they are becoming more aware of their generation. People are today realising the India’s Ambassador to the UAE Talmiz “Poverty eradication is another crucial rights and seek better opportunities”. advantages of being educated and are ready Ahmad hoisted the national flag at the task for Indians. What India requires is “Facilities, amenities and services meant to seize opportunities.” Embassy premises and read out President equitable growth – the benefits of high for them whether they are living in rural or In this context, she noted that the pas- Pratibha Patil’s message. growth that the country has been achieving urban areas can be delivered smoothly sage of the Right of Children to Free and Speaking on the sidelines of the event, in the recent years should percolate down,” only if there is an effective governance sys- Compulsory Education Bill was a “land- he said that the UAE acts as a bridge he added. tem that is less cumbersome but more mark legislation” for achieving the goal of between India and its neighbours. Aiyar said India had been immensely transparent and accountable,” she said. universal education. “Booming non-oil trade between the receptive to all divergent forms of culture Dwelling on the Government’s welfare This apart, the National Mission on countries means a huge quantity of Indian and faiths from various parts of the world schemes, the President said: “The flag- Empowerment of Women will “socially products are re-exported to Pakistan and throughout history.