April 2014 ` 50

volume 2 issue 7 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð ©

Indian Diaspora a force for good

Feedback Letters Matter BE BETTER FOCUSED ! If you intend to flatter the 'pravasi' and want him to spend on ads in your mag, it could be a non-starter I'm afraid, as the motel-owning Patels are now seeing their businesses pass into the hands of the nextgen, who are not so much obsessed with like their parents. Alternatively, if I may suggest, you can turn it into an excellent East-West magazine, with emphasis not just on VIPs but on ordinary day-to-day people. There are many newly mar- ried Indian couples in America's West coast, for example, who would like to know how to deal with their In-laws in India. Should they send tickets when they're planning to visit ? If so, is Economy class okay, or Premium Economy as both are arthritic ? Sumit Mitra , SOME POLITICS PLEASE ! I find NRI Achievers to be a good NRI PROFILES... Wish Fulfilled read as a monthly, and find several I had earlier written to you expressing the wish that you highlight the lives of NRIs, as a special feature. interesting articles but still nothing And imagine my surprise when I found you have done exactly that in your March edition of NRI much about the ups and downs in Achievers! Thanks a lot for being responsive to reader comments! And I find that all my favourite the Indian economy, or about Arvind topics are still there, and as interesting as ever. Heritage takes us into many nooks and crannies of our Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi and historical past, while your travelogue takes us on even more interesting journeys in the present. Bravo! Narendra Modi in it. Political news Kuljeet Singh Jalandhari, Toronto, Canada and analysis is an aspect which in my view, you should not neglect, as GOOD GOING ! Why limited pages? we Indians living overseas are always I am a regular reader of your magazine, and I I have just finished browsing through your looking for reliable information and find it eminently readable. Specific sections that March issue and consider it very informa- viewpoints on the political scenario interest me are the health and wellness section, tive and interestingly formatted. But I don’t in the homeland. Especially now, on which I make it a point to read first, as it gives understand why you keep it to limited pages, the run-up to the elections in 2014. I me insights on what I can make use of from my because I think you are producing first hand am sure there are many others like me kitchen itself. Keep that going ... for sometimes, material, and in order to introduce new who feel this way, so I am communi- I do find this section missing in some issues. In segments, you are sacrificing older segments cating this thought for your editorial fact, add recipes, beauty tips, and some women- that you have introduced us to earlier. For team to consider for inclusion in centric information too, it will be interesting to example, in this issue, your health/wellness future issues. Wishing you success! several housewives like me. segment is missing. Unni Menon, Sharjah Preeti Kakkar, Delhi Naval Dhandekar, , UAE

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 6 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Advertorial

TIMES NOW felicitates Indians across the world with ‘NRI of the Year’ Awards , March 24, 2014 - TIMES NOW, India’s No. 1 news channel with a presence in over 75 countries, celebrated the success and achievements of Indians across the world with the announcement of the winners of ‘NRI of the Year’ awards. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. , who was felicitated with India's 'Global Icon Award.' The event also marked the presence of Honorable Cabinet Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr. Vay- alar Ravi, as the chief guest. The first edition of the TIMES NOW ICICI BANK NRI OF THE YEAR AWARDS, powered by Global Indian International School (GIIS) awarded individuals under 6 different categories: Entrepreneur, Professional, Student, Arts, Entertainment, Philanthropy and Social Good, and Contribution to India. The achievers are contestants from USA, Canada, , UK, and the Middle East, including Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait. With their grit and perseverance, List of Winners Non Resident Indians have achieved tre- Categories Name of the Winner Country mendous success in various fields in the India’s Global Icon Amitabh Bachchan India countries they have chosen to adapt as Special Jury their homes. Many NRIs are accomplished Award Zubin Mehta USA politicians, scientists, sportspeople, busi- Popular Choice Yusuffali M.A. UAE nesspersons, professionals and academi- cians in various countries and the TIMES Entertainment Keertika Rawat UAE NOW ‘NRI OF THE YEAR’ AWARDS My India Kunal Shah USA recognizes the success of these achievers. Dr. Raminder Singh Ranger UK The TIMES NOW ICICI BANK NRI Rupesh Srivastava USA OF THE YEAR AWARDS is powered by Entrepreneur Global Indian International School (GIIS). Anand Kumar UAE Ducon Group, USA and Maharastra Tour- Nitish Jain Singapore ism are Associate sponsors of the event. Hussain Khaki UK Air India is the Singapore travel partner, Mala Kiran Talekar USA and Ernst & young are the process advi- Student Abdul Muqeet UAE sors. The Nominations process is sup- ported by various organisations around Aastha Chauhan Singapore the world including the Federation of In- Dr. Rameshbabu Chandrabhan Singh UK dian Associations, New York & Tri- State; Chandrashekar Natarajan USA Singapore India Chamber of Commerce Professional Y Sudhir Kumar Shetty UAE and Industry, Singapore; India Business Association (SIMDA), UK; India Business Venkatesha Murthy Singapore Council (UKIBC) , British Asian Physi- Suman Kapoor UK cians of Indian Origin (BAPIO), and TiE, Vijay Goradia USA Singapore. The India Club, Dubai, the In- Philanthropy Keshav Murleedharan UAE dian Business & professional Council, Du- bai are among other Indian regional lan- Dr. D Chandroo Singapore guage associations. About TIMES NOW TIMES NOW, India’s No. 1 English News channel from Times Television Network, is a part of India’s largest media conglomerate, The Times Group, the publishers of the World's largest english daily newspaper, . TIMES NOW delivers breaking news, analysis and debates with a credible and unbiased approach in bringing news and reportage to the viewers. Sharp, incisive and direct, it is considered the nation’s voice in news. It’s distinctive style and fearless approach makes it different from the others. TIMES NOW is available widely on leading DTH, Cable, IPTV and mobile platforms globally. ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð © RNI No. DELBIL/2012/45826 Volume 2 Issue 7 April 2014 CHIEF PATRON AJAY SINGH INSIDE (Former High Commissioner, Fiji) 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 LEGAL CONSULTANT DR. RAJA VOHRA COVER manager-MARKETING (Delhi/NCR) Rajni Dubey shyamal manager-MARKETING (MUMBAI) bHARAT SINGAL FEATURE Overseas co-ordinator rajkumar yadav North india co-ordinator Mohan mehra punjab co-ordinator shikha chopra South india Bureau r shaktivel (challenge) Indian ART DIRECTOR ar. vivek khurana chief graphic designer monika Diaspora GENERAL MANAGER (CIRCULATION) S.P. PANDEY DIGITAL STRATEGIST Suchi Dinesh WEB DEVELOPER RAKESH RAHUL a force Contact SLM MEDIA SOLUTIONS Pvt. Ltd. www.nriachievers.in for good 9911343081-83 [email protected] Cover Photo Ajay Sood

EDITOR: RAJEEV GUPTA VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THE ARTICLES 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 PRINTED AT ROLLERACT PRESS SERVICES, EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF C-163, GF NARAINA INDUSTRIAL AREA, COMPETENT COURT & FORUM IN DELHI. 16 PH-I -110 028 @ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Metaphysical Musings ÜÇU¸æ§üU Ìæð 'Ìê' ¥æñÚU '×ñ´' ·¤è ãñU 12 Vastu/Feng Shui even minute changes Can Play A BIG ROLE 34 15 Real Estate & Property Global events SENIOR HOUSING A NEW SME WORLD SUMMIT 2014 HARNESSING ASSET CLASS FOR INVESTMENT 36 SMALL & MEDIUM BUSINESSES FOR ACCELERATED GROWTH Sports IPL: CORROBORATION OF VIRTUE? 38

Silver Screen CINEMA : OUTLOOK FOR 30 april-june 44 SEASON Heritage Travelogue THE MESSALINA OF KILA RAIPUR: OLYMPICS… THE PUNJAB RURAL-INDIA STYLE…

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 8 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 42 Editorial

IS IT SPRING IN THE AIR OR AN INDIAN SUMMER? eja Vu time once again, the month of march has gone by, and the environment across the nation is supercharged with the election fever. Equations are being worked and reworked, opinion polls are doing the rounds, and hectic confabulations of political par- tiesD on electoral alliances and post-electoral alignments are the talk of the day. In this milieu, most other activity that is staple for us seems to have taken on a lower key profile, with Netas and netagiri grabbing media eyeballs on most television channels, and even dominating newspaper coverage. The malaysian airline MH370 is yet to be found, even as the sighting of some debris down under holds some hope for concrete information about the lost souls who bourded that fateful airliner. On the sporting front, the mega multi-million IPL has stormclouds overhanging its fate this season, what with the Supreme Court of India coming down strongly on the BCCI while adjudicating last season's betting scam. All told, an interesting melange of matters, with sugar, spice and what have you. Away from all the frenetic activity on that front, we at NRI Achievers chose to take some time off and go a bit off the beaten track, sticking to the refo- cus we began with our last issue. Diaspora reach continues, and we feature another set of achievers who are all of Indian origin in our cover story and special feature. Our various keystone themes like last time are once again wrapped in as attractive a way as possible all around this main feature. Continuing with the debate on Brain Drain and Brain Gain, we take a look at Diaspora endeavors in other quarters, and other economies. So much so that our team, currently at Dubai for the SMEWORLD summit, is busy forg- ing alliances for enlarging our reach to the Gulf and its large Indian com- munities. And so a new member joins our core team, Shantanu AP, himself a successful entrepreneur and NRI Achiever, about whom we talk more in our pages later. We have attempted here to chart some more life trajectories of diaspora achievers in our special feature. Though it may still be pointed out that those we are featuring may in many ways belong to an elite group and not the ubiquitous Indian NRI in the street, be rest assured that efforts are on to build a platform through which we may garner quality content from a larger footprint of the diaspora in the issues to come. And yes, the game is afoot, partner, on building up precisely that platform, which will serve as both a forum, resource, and knowledge bank that will cater to that large segment of overseas Indians. So it is that we repeat here our sincere request that you as the reader do make that little bit of effort and connect with us to share your life experi- ences, your aspirations, your problems and your prospects. If you are reti- cent to write about yourselves, you could perforce share the stories, trails and tribulations of those others who inspire you, and what they have achieved. Our editorial desk is open to you, just communicate and we would love to hear from you, about you and about your role models and your communities. Have a great day!

[email protected]

www.facebook.com/nriachievers

april 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 9 News & Views

NRIs REGISTER TO VOTE IN GENERAL ELECTIONS A total of 11,844 NRIs have enrolled so far by post, for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. But they will need to trav- el to their constituency in order to exercise their franchise on polling day. Interestingly, Kerala accounts for the bulk of NRI voters at 11,488, while Punjab with 138, and Tamil Nadu with 112, are way behind as a far second and third. NRI voter registration figures not only point to migration INDIANS IN RECKONING FOR patterns but also indicate levels of political awareness. Uttar Pradesh for instance, the state with the largest number of general voters, has no NRI voters. Smaller states TOP WORLD THINKERS seem to have more politically conscious citizens than larger ones. At least 56 citizens Five Indians, four of whom are economists, from Puducherry living in France have enrolled themselves, while 27 voters from are in the reckoning to be bestowed the title, Goa are on the rolls. New Delhi and have 13 NRI voters each, while "world's most important thinker 2014," as the rest of the states have just one each. part of a global poll that has been on for the past decade. A UK publication, 'The Pros- pect' magazine, has been inviting its readers INDIAN-ORIGIN SCIENTIST CHOSEN FOR UN'S and the public at large, to vote on its list of HIGHEST ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD influential thinkers since 2004, from it's list An Indian-origin scientist, who proved how cutting emissions of "black carbon" or soot can of the top 100 British public intellectuals. In significantly lessen the impact of climate change, has been selected for the United Nation's 2005, the magazine expanded its search to top environmental award. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) revealed the rest of the world, and asked readers to recently that Veerabhadran Ramanathan of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in vote online. The 2014 list has four Indian California is to receive the 2013 "Champions of the Earth economists — Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, award", the UN's highest environmental award. The prize is Kaushik Basu, Partha Dasgupta and Ra- awarded annually to leaders from government, civil society and ghuram Rajan. The one other non-econo- the private sector, whose actions have had a significant and mist entry from India is writer and Booker positive impact on the environment. "I am very honoured to prize winner Arundhati Roy. Other high- accept this prestigious award, which recognizes the critical role profile people in contention are Pope Fran- of science and research in addressing the major environmental cis, the only religious leader to make it to the challenges of our time," said Professor Ramanathan in response annual list, american philosopher Thomas to the UN honour. A major UNEP study in 2011 of which Nagel, and international lawyer and political Ramanathan acted as vice-chairman, presented 16 actions to cut black carbon and methane scientist Anne-Marie Slaughter, former di- emissions, which, if implemented, would save close to 2.5 million lives a year through re- rector of policy planning at US state and duced respiratory illnesses, avoid crop losses amounting to 32 million tonnes annually and former professor of politics and interna- deliver near-term climate protection of about 0.5 degree C by 2050. tional affairs at Princeton University.

VEDIC PRACTICES TO REACH INDIAN ELECTION COMMISSION EXHORTS CITIZENS TO TAKE SOUTH AFRICAN SHORES PLEDGE OF ETHICAL VOTING Mesmerized by the exotic rituals and the Soon after the Indian EC put up posters considerations in mind' and to 'inspire and rhythmic chanting of the veda mantras, a urging voters to select pro-development encourage friends and family members' to South African of Indian origin is planning candidates and dump the criminal and the vote in this fashion. The commission had to hold the ancient vedic ritual in her corrupt, the Commission has in already put up posters and ban- home country. Anasuya Khoosal, who another first, urged voters to ners urging people to vote for was recently in Kozhikode, Kerala, to par- 'pledge' that they will vote ethi- candidates who are pro-develop- ticipate in a 'Somayagam' organized by the cally in the coming general elec- ment and well-educated, and Kashyapa Veda Research Centre, held dis- tions. The communique, writ- spurn those who will offer bribes, cussions with the Centre about modalities ten in Marathi for Maharashtra's as such candidates are most likely of organizing a similar ritual in Johannes- voters and in other regional lan- to indulge in corruption in future. burg, SA. "We will be soon forming a guages for people from other The posters say people should group in Johannesburg comprising mem- states, asks voters to elect candidates who also know about the assets and liabilities of bers of South African nationals in our bid will 'meet the aspirations of the people and candidates before voting for them. The let- to organize a Somayagam. We would miss the nation as a whole,' emphasising that ter also states that electing a candidate is no chance to spread the noble message of they should now look beyond narrow agen- not merely a citizen's right but his/her re- the Vedas to the people of South Africa, das. It also appeals to voters to cast their sponsibility towards the nation. which has a notable population of people vote 'without fail, without fear or greed, and of Indian origin" she averred. without keeping caste, religion and creed NRI Achievers Desk

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 10 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð

Metaphysical Musings

ÜÇU¸æ§üU Ìæð 'Ìê' ¥æñÚU '×ñ´' ·¤è ãñU

Á ÂêÚUæ â´âæÚU ×ñ´ ¥õÚU ÚUãÙð ßæÜè ¥æˆ×æ, Áô ÂÚU×æˆ×æ ·¤æ ãè ¥´àæ ·¤æØü ç·¤Øæ Íæ. Øð Šæ×üçÙÚUÂðÿæÌæ Ùãè´, Šæ×üçÙDæ Ìê ×ð´ ÕÅUæ ãé¥æ ãñ. §â ãñ ßô ·¤Öè Ùãè´ ÕÎÜÌè. »èÌæ ×ð´ Ö»ßæÙ Íè. ßãè´ ×ãæÚUæ‡ææ ÂýÌæ mæÚUæ ¥ÂÙè ÚUæÁß´àæè ×ñ´-×ñ´ ¥õÚU Ìê-Ìê ·Ô¤ Ùð ·¤ãæ ãñ ç·¤ ¥ÁéüÙ Áô Ìê ãñ ßãè Ìô ×ñ´ ãê¡. ¥æÙ-ÕæÙ-àææÙ ¥õÚU ÚUæCþ ·Ô¤ ×æÙ-â×æÙ ·Ô¤ ¿P¤ÚU ×ð´ ãè Öæ§ü-Öæ§ü ÌðÚUð ¥õÚU ×ðÚUð ¥Ùð·¤æð´ Á‹× ãô ¿é·Ô¤ ãñ´ ÂÚU §Ù çÜ° ƒææâ ·¤è ÚUôÅUè ¹æ·¤ÚU ×é»Üô´ âð Üôãæ ·¤è ÁæÙ ·¤æ àæ˜æé ÕÙ »Øæ ãñ. ƒæÚU ·¤æ ÕÅUßæÚUæ Á‹×ô´ ·¤ô Ìê Ùãè´ ÁæÙÌæ, Üðç·¤Ù ×ñ´ ÁæÙÌæ ÜðÙæ âæÂýÎæçØ·¤Ìæ Ùãè´, ÚUæCþ ·Ô¤ ÂýçÌ çÙDæ ¥æãô Øæ çȤÚU Îðàæ ·¤æ, §â ÕÅUßæÚUð ·¤è ×êÜ ãê¡. âëçC ·Ô¤ ¥æçÎ ×ð´ Øð ™ææÙ ×ñ´Ùð âêØü ·¤ô ·¤ãÜæ°»è. ¥æÁ Šæ×ü-çÙÚUÂðÿæÌæ ·¤ô ã×Ùð ßÁã ×ñ´ ¥õÚU Ìê ãè ãñ. Ö»ßÌ »èÌæ ÂɸÙð ·Ô¤ çÎØæ Íæ ¥õÚU Øãè ™ææÙ ×ñ´ ¥Õ ÌðÚUð ·¤ô Îð ×ÎæÚUè ·¤è Çé»Çé»è ¥õÚU âæÂýÎæçØ·¤Ìæ ·¤ô ÕæÎ ãè ×ñ´ ¥õÚU Ìê ·¤æ ¥‹ÌÚU ÂÌæ ¿ÜÌæ ãñ ÚUãæ ãê¡. ·¤æ×, ·ý¤ôÏ ¥õÚU ÜôÖ ·¤ô ÙÚU·¤ âÂðÚUð ·¤è ÕèÙ ÕÙæ çÜØæ ãñ. Áô ¿éÙæßè ¥õÚU çȤÚU ×ñ´ Ìê ×ð´ ¥õÚU Ìê ×ñ´ ×ð´ â×æ ÁæÌæ ãñ, ·¤æ mæÚU ØæçÙ Îé¹ô´ ·¤æ ƒæÚU ·¤ãæ »Øæ ãñ. ×æãõÜ ×ð´ ¥€UâÚU ã×ð´ Îð¹Ùð ·¤ô ç×ÜÌæ ãñ. ÁÕ °ðâè çSÍçÌ ©ˆÂóæ ãôÌè ãñ ÌÕ ¥çSÌˆß Îé¹ô´ ·Ô¤ §â â´âæÚU ×ð´ ¥»ÚU âé¹ âð ÚUãÙæ Šæ×ü âð ÕǸæ Îðàæ ¥õÚU Îðàæ âð ÕǸæ ÂÚU×æˆ×æ »æñ´‡æ ãô ÁæÌæ ãñ ¥ÍæüÌ ×ñ´ M¤Âè ¥´ã·¤æÚU ¿Üæ ãñ Ìô SßæÍü ÀôǸ·¤ÚU âðßæÍü ×ð´ Ü»Ùæ ãô»æ. ãôÌæ ãñ. §â ÂÚU×æˆ×æ âð ÁÕ ã× ™ææÙ Âýæ# ÁæÌæ ãñ ¥õÚU Âýð× ·¤è ÚUâÏÚUæ ÕãÙð Ü»Ìè ÂÚU×æˆ×æ ·Ô¤ ™ææÙ âð ×ÙécØ ©â ¥ßSÍæ ·¤ô ·¤ÚUð´»ð Ìô Ù çȤÚU ·¤ô§ü çã‹Îê ÚUãð»æ ¥õÚU Ù ãñ. ©â ÚUâÏÚUæ ×ð´ ç×Ü·¤ÚU ×ñ´ ¥õÚU Ìê ã× ×ð´ Âýæ# ·¤ÚU ÁæÌæ ãñ Áãæ´ Ù ·¤ô§ü ãáü Ù çßáæÎ, ãè ×éâÜ×æÙ Õâ Âýð× ãè Âýð× ãô»æ, ·¤ô§ü ÂçÚUßçÌüÌ ãô ÁæÌð ãñ´U ¥õÚU ÌÕ ÎêâÚUæ ·¤ô§ü Ùãè Ù ·¤ô§ü ¥ÂÙæ ¥õÚU Ùæ ·¤ô§ü ÂÚUæØæ ÚUã ÁæÌæ Öè ÂÚUæØæ ÙãUè´ ãô»æ. âæÂýÎæçØ·¤Ìæ ¥õÚU ÚUã ÁæÌæ. ¥æ¿æØü ÚUÁÙèàæ Ùð ·¤ãæ ãñ Ö»ßæÙ ãñ ç·¤‹Ìé ¥æÁ ·Ô¤ ×ÙécØ Ùð ¥æŠæéçÙ·¤Ìæ ·¤è Šæ×üçÙÚUÂðÿæÌæ ×ñ´ ¥õÚU Ìê ·¤è ãè ÜǸæ§ü ãñ. ·¤ô Âýæ# ·¤ÚUÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ç·¤âè Öè ÌñØæÚUè ·¤è ÎõǸ ×ð´ ÂÌÙ ·Ô¤ ×æ»ü ·¤ô ¿éÙ çÜØæ ãñ. ã×æÚUð Áô ÛæêÆ ¥õÚU SßæÍü ·¤æ ãè Âôá‡æ ·¤ÚUÌè ãñ. ¥æßàØ·¤Ìæ Ùãè´ ÂǸÌè, Áô çÕÙæ ÌñØæÚUè ·Ô¤ Îðàæ ·¤è ¥æÁ ·¤è ÚUæÁÙèçÌ ¥õÚU ãÁæÚUô´ âæÜ Îðàæ ·Ô¤ çß·¤æâ ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÛæêÆ ¥õÚU SßæÍü ·¤ô ©ÂÜŽÏ ãô ßãè Ö»ßæÙ ãñ ¥õÚU Áô ÌñØæÚUè âð ÂãÜð ·¤è ÚUæÁÙñçÌ·¤ çSÍçÌ ×ð´ ·¤ô§ü ’ØæÎæ ÀôǸ·¤ÚU ÚUæCþ çãÌ ·¤ô âßôüÂçÚU ÚU¹·¤ÚU ãè ç×Üð ©âè ·¤æ Ùæ× â´âæÚU ãñ. Ȥ·¤ü Ùãè´ ãñ. Áô ×êÜ È¤·¤ü ¥æØæ ãñ ßô ãñ ·¤æØü ·¤ÚUÙæ ãô»æÐ ÒÂý·¤ëçÌÓ ¥õÚU ÒÂÚU×æˆ×æÓ ¥æçÎ ãñ, ¥ÙæçÎ Šæ×üçÙÚUÂðÿæÌæ ¥õÚU âæÂýÎæçØ·¤Ìæ. §Ù ÎôÙô´ ãñ. Øð Âý·¤ëçÌ ÂçÚUßÌüÙàæèÜ ãñ Áô ã×ðàææ Ùð ÚUæÁÙèçÌ ·¤ô Âê‡æü L¤Â âð çßáæQ¤ ·¤ÚU çÎØæ ÚUôàæÙ ÜæÜ »ôÚU¹ÂéçÚUØæ ÕÎÜÌè ÚUãÌè ãñ. ÂÚU‹Ìé ÂÚU×æˆ×æ ¥ÅUÜ ãñ. ãñ. ÁÕç·¤ §çÌãæâ ã×ð´ §â·¤è §ÁæÁÌ Ùãè´ Áñâð Íð, ßñâð ãè ãñ´. §Ù×ð´ ·¤Öè ·¤ô§ü ÕÎÜæß ÎðÌæ. ¥·¤ÕÚU ·Ô¤ Ùõ ÚU%ô´ ·¤ô ã× Šæ×üçÙÚUÂðÿæ Üð¹·¤ Ù ·Ô¤ßÜ ÁæÙð-×æÙð ÃØßâæØè ãñ´ ¥çÂÌé, Ùãè´ ¥æØæ ãñ ¥õÚU Ù ãè ·¤Öè ¥æ°»æ. Âý·¤ëçÌ ·¤ãð´»ð Øæ çȤÚU âæÂýÎæçØ·¤? ¥·¤ÕÚU Ùð Ï×ü â´S·¤ëçÌ ¥õÚU ÚUæÁÙèçÌ ÂÚU Öè ¥‘Àè ·¤Ç¸ ÚU¹Ìð ãñ. ¥æ ̷¤ Âãé´¿Ùð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ×ðÜ ·¤ÚU âð ÕÙæ Øð â´âæÚU ¥õÚU â´âæÚU âð ÕÙæ Øð àæÚUèÚU, ·¤Öè ÁæÌ-ÂæÌ ¥õÚU ×Á¸ãÕ ·¤ô Ùãè´ ×æÙæ â·¤Ìð ãñÑ ã×ðàææ ÕÎÜÌæ ÚUãÌæ ãñ Üðç·¤Ù §â àæÚUèÚU ×ð´ ßÚUÙ÷ Øô‚ØÌæ ·Ô¤ ¥ÙéâæÚU âÕÙð ¥ÂÙæ-¥ÂÙæ [email protected]

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 12 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð

MAHILA SHAKTI-INSPIRING CHANGE... nternational Women's Day (IWD), also to their mothers and grandmothers. women usually celebrate on the night of called the International Working Wom- In Armenia, after the collapse of the So- March 8 in "women-only" dinners and par- en's Day, is celebrated on March 8 viet Union celebrations of IWD were aban- ties. In Pakistan, working women in formal every year. In different regions the fo- doned. Instead, April 7 was introduced as and informal sectors celebrate Internation- cus of the celebrations ranges from general a state holiday of 'Beauty and Motherhood'. al Women's Day every year to commemo- Icelebration of respect, appreciation and love The new holiday became spontaneously rate their ongoing struggle for due rights, towards women, to a celebration of women's popular among Armenians, as it commem- despite facing many cultural and religious economic, political, and social achieve- orates one of the main holidays of the Ar- restrictions. Some women working for ments. Started as a Socialist political event, menian Church, the Annunciation. How- change in society use IWM to help the the day blended in the culture of many ever, people still kept celebrating IWD on movement for women's rights. In Poland, countries, primarily in Europe, including March 8 as well. Public discussion held on for instance, every IWD includes large Russia. In some regions, the day has lost its the topic of the two ‘Women's Days’ in Ar- feminist demonstrations in major cities. political flavour, and instead become simply menia ultimately resulted in recognition of In 1975, which was designated as Inter- an occasion for men to express their love the period between March 8 and April 7 as national Women's Year, the United Nations for women in a way somewhat similar to a the so-called ‘Women's Month.’ gave official sanction to, and began spon- mixture of Mother's Day and Valentine's In Italy, men present women with bou- soring, International Women's Day. The Day. In other regions however, the political quets of yellow mimosas to celebrate the 2005 Congress (conference) of the British and human rights theme designated by the day. It was Teresa Mattei who chose the Trades Union Congress overwhelmingly United Nations runs approved a resolution strong. This is also a day calling for IWD to be which some people cel- designated a public holi- ebrate by wearing purple day in the United King- ribbons. dom. Since 2005, IWD Thousands of events has been celebrated in occur across the world Montevideo, either on to mark the economic, the principal street, 18 political and social de Julio, or alternatively achievements of women. through one of its neigh- Organisations, govern- bourhoods. The event ments, charities, educa- has attracted much pub- tional institutions, licity due to a group of women's groups, corpo- female drummers, La rations and the media Melaza, who have per- celebrate the day. Some formed each year. To- groups select their own day, many events are International Women's Day theme, spe- mimosa as the symbol of IWD in Italy be- held by women's groups around the world. cific to their local context. For example, the cause she felt that the French symbols of the Many governments and organizations European Parliament's 2013 theme was day, violets and lily-of-the-valley, were too around the world support IWD. "Women's response to the crisis" and their scarce and expensive to be used effectively In Taiwan, International Women's Day 2012 theme was "Equal pay for work of in Italy. Yellow mimosas and chocolate are is marked by the annual release of a govern- equal value". The UN theme, apropos, for also one of the most common March 8 ment survey on women's waist sizes, ac- International Women's Day 2014 was: presents in Russia and Albania. companied by warnings that weight gain "Equality for Women is Progress for All." In many countries, such as in Armenia, can pose a hazard to women's health. March 8th is an official holiday in numer- Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, In India too, IWD is celebrated muti- ous countries across the world, cutting Bulgaria, Croatia, Colombia, Estonia, Hun- variously, there are seminars and symposia, across political convictions, religion and gary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, functions and performances, that take place race. In some countries, though the day is Lithuania, Poland, Macedonia, Moldova, on March 8th. Rural India celebrates wom- not a public holiday, is widely observed. It Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slo- en's day as well, in the form of large pan- is customary for men to give the women in vakia, Slovenia and Ukraine the custom of chayat-samiti level “Mahila Melas” organ- their lives – friends, mothers, wives, girl- giving women flowers still prevails. Wom- ised and held by Non-Governmental Or- friends, daughters, colleagues, etc. – flowers en also sometimes get gifts from their em- ganisations and Women's organisations in and gifts on this day. In some countries it ployers, and schoolchildren often bring the region. is also observed as an equivalent of Mother's gifts for their teachers. Day, where children also give small presents In countries like Portugal groups of NRI Achievers Desk

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 14 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð SME WORLD SUMMIT 2014 HARNESSING SMALL & MEDIUM BUSINESSES FOR ACCELERATED GROWTH Photos: Ajay Sood Ajay Photos:

ME World 2014, celebrating the spirit of tive events and content platforms for businesses Dubai SME, one of the key organisers, said entrepreneurship and innovative minds, in the region. SME World validates UAE’s com- that it is currently in the process of mapping the showcased the best of SMEs, hi-tech mitment to encourage entrepreneurship and universe of angel investors in the UAE to help companies and quality service providers provide a strong supporting ecosystem for small connect these investors with viable startups that in the region, apart from offering matchless net- and medium businesses and enterprises, by show long term growth potential. This is being Sworking and investment opportunities. The showcasing the spirit of entrepreneurship in the embarked upon with a view “to promote equity event, which took place on the 26th and 27th UAE and the wider gulf region. In addition to financing and angel investing as a complemen- March, 2014 at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel at Panel Discussions with experts and industry lead- tary and alternative mode of funding for start- Dubai, was akin to a lodestone which attracted ers, the event also hosted several SME Work- ups and SMEs in various stages of growth in the luminaries like entrepreneurs, C-level execu- shops. More than a 100 top SMEs from across UAE,” according to Alexandar Williams, Direc- tives, financial institutions, trading houses, ven- the region participated, presenting their products tor of Strategy and Policy, Dubai SME, who was ture funds and angel investors, not to mention and services, sharing their success stories and speaking about alternatives for SME financing the world media. their growth plans with industry representatives, during the second day of Summit, during a It was to this audience of high profile par- governments, investors and the general public. panel discussion on “Access to finance for SMEs ticipants that the summit strove to appeal to, as in the UAE: opportunities and challenges.” the one true platform for SMEs from around the which was moderated by Dr. Ibrahim Elbadawi, globe to showcase their potential at the summit, Director, Macroeconomics and Forecasting, in the presence of such a participant profile. In Dubai Economic Council. The discussion ex- retrospect, the event did prove to be a corner- amined the various modes of SME financing in stone-event for entrepreneurs in and around the the UAE, their efficacy and their role in growing Middle Eastern and North African region. The the sector which accounts for a very large per- two-day high profile event boasted of hosting cent of all businesses in the UAE. Other pan- one of the largest gathering of innovative minds elists included Vikas Thapar, CEO, SME Busi- in the region. ness at Emirates NBD, Dr. Mohamed Trabelsi, On the morning of 26th March, the two-day Senior Economist at Dubai Economic Council, SME World 2014 opened its doors to investors, Richard Morrison, Regional Head of Corporate businesses and the general public, with the theme Direct and Intermediaries at AXA Insurance, ‘Enabling Global Ambitions.’ The conference was Chris Thomas, CEO of Eureeca, Amir Ahmed, held under the aegis of Dubai SME and Dubai Senior Associate at Pinsent Masons and Jean Economic Council (DEC), and organized by the Marc Paufique, COO of Zawya. SPI Group, well known in the UAE for their role in designing, developing and organizing innova- NRI Achievers Bureau

http://www.nriachievers.in april 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 15 Special Feature Indian Diaspora a force for good

Photo: Ajay Sood NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 16 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Cover Story

India's Diaspora today are present in almost every nook and cranny of the globe, from those who were part of the first Indian Diaspora wave of migration from Indian shores in the later nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to the present day new diaspora... the ubiquitous NRIs combing the globe seeking newer opportunities. The first wave in large part thanks to the British Empire of yore, and the second, to the newly renascent GCC countries, and the developed economies...

http://www.nriachievers.in april 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 17 Special Feature Lord

DLord DiljitIL RanaJI isT a successful RANA businessman in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is Chairman and Chief Executive of Andras House Group, Northern Ireland’s biggest ho- tels and hospitality organisation. Born at Sanghol in Punjab, Lord Rana has been living in Northern Ireland since 1966. He was awarded an MBE in 1996, for his contribution to the economic regeneration of the city of Belfast through the development of hotels, restaurants, fashion shops and modern office accommodation. He has also been instrumental in setting up a charitable trust of INR 50 million for a school and a college named Sanghol Education Complex in his native village Sang- hol, near the city of Chandigarh in India. The Ulster & Queens University, Belfast, have conferred upon him honorary doctorates. He has played a key and pivotal role in leading a delegation of academics from Irish uni- versities to India in order to explore educational part- nerships and help develop university to university links between India and Northern Ireland.

ord Rana has had to renovate and repair his property port- folio over 25 times during the troubles in Northern Ireland due to the frequent bombings and arson. Being Indian, any loyalty to Northern Ireland was not expected of him, but he did choose to stay fast in Belfast despite all the problems. Today, he is a successful property developer and hotelier, and past LPresident of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and In- dustry. He is a leading figure of the Indian community, and also serves as the Honorary Consul of India to Northern Ireland. Ac- exposure and experience in bureaucracy, i was reasonably sure that tively involved in promoting business links between India and North- I would be able to enter the civil service here in the UK. But the ern Ireland, he has led several trade missions of many Northern scenario was different, and ... un dino me, colour bar ke wajah se, Ireland based companies to India to explore business opportunities. chahe jitne bhi qualified ho, white collor job nahi milti thi ... so that NRI Achievers recently had occassion to converse with Lord Rana was disappointing, I did not know that ... and didn't fully realise the on his life and times, and we bring you here some excerpts from that problem of the colour bar in the UK ... if I had known, I wouldn't conversation. have gone. But then, once you go, to come back is a sort of defeat ... “My name is Diljit Singh Rana, I went from India in 1963, and have that you made a wrong decision, so I had to make it work. It was a been living in the UK since then. God has been good to me, and I very unhappy period for me, as I worked in various factories, in the have prospered. I have been made a Member of the British Empire post office, and then made my way to Northern Ireland, Belfast, and in 1996, a honour somewhat like what we have in India like the Bharat started my own business. I bought a going concern, a restaurant, it Ratna and Padma Bhushan, and ten years ago, I also entered the progressed pretty well, and we grew from one to four restaurants in House of Lords, the upper house of the British Parliament. Unlike four years ... and then came this period of political violence, sort of the Indian Rajya Sabha, under the British system, once you are made terrorism ... we suffered a lot, I lost all my restaurants in the city a Lord and enter the upper house, you are a member for life, you do centre due to bombings and arson, 26 times in all over a period of not have to be nominated or fight elections, or play to a constitu- about 20 years ... mostly businesses were targeted, and I do not think ency, the entire country is your constituency. we were particularly targeted, but later on, when I got more promi- “We have been living in the for 50 years now, and nent, and started taking a pro-government pro-business stance, I when I arrived here as an economics graduate from India with some began to be targeted in the 90s, but before that, it was just random

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 18 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Cover Story

I have been made a Member of the British Empire in 1996, a honour somewhat like what we have in India like the Bharat Ratna and Padma Bhushan, and ten years ago, I also entered the House of Lords, the upper house of the British

Photo: Ajay Sood Ajay Photo: Parliament bombing and arson. And then to my credit, and I am known for that ated, I should say. initiative ... to have started the peace talks. “Other than that, at a time when people were quite hesitant and “In Northern Ireland, the violence started from the late 60s, 69- afraid of putting their money into Northern Ireland, I continued with 70-71 there were street riots, then from 71 the bullets and the bomb- my investments despite all the uncertainty and violence, and am ing etc., started in a big way, and it went on upto 98, when the even- therefore known for my contribution to the economic regeneration tual settlement happened. So in varying degrees, the violence lasted of that region. I encouraged local businesses, even in those dark days for 30 years, sometimes intense, sometimes sporadic. And at a time of terrorism, talking hope, injecting positive attitudes ... me and some when nobody was hopeful of bringing the people together and end- of my friends also started an Indian Business Forum in 1984-85, ing the violence, I initiated the peace talks, and helped start a dia- which played an important role in enabling economic survival of logue, albeit cloaked in some secrecy, during the mid 80s. And over local businesses, and contributing to the economic resurgence of the years, I was successful in getting people from various walks of Northern Ireland. We were pretty successful in that, and what's more, life, political convictions, and of various alienations, sit together and the period also saw substantial inward investment flowing into interact. So a dialogue began, and later on, many other people start- Northern Ireland. Over the past 30 years or so, I have also led sev- ed participating, it was a gradual process, the church came in, from eral trade delegations from Northern Ireland to India, and that effort both sides when things got really bad they played a part ... then a has also paid off magnificently, so much so that India is today by far change of guard happened in the British government, as Margeret one of the largest investors in Northern Ireland. Indian tech majors Thatcher moved out and John Major came in ... and Major took a lot HCL, Tech Mahindra, Polaris Labs, Larsen & Toubro, etc., are all of initiatives, like opening a dialogue with the IRA and the Sinn Fein. there in Northern Ireland, largely due to my initiatives. On trade My role in kickstarting this process of peace talks is much appreci- balance, I can tell you offhand that about 40 Northern Ireland com-

http://www.nriachievers.in april 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 19 Special Feature Photo: Ajay Sood Ajay Photo:

panies are doing good business with India, and their investments and early 20th century to places like Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad To- would be in excess of GBP 200 million. bago. They are in their 4th to 5th generation now, having lived there “The Indian government has also been good enough to afford for more than 100 plus years. But they still cherish their roots in me some recognition in the form of the Pravasi Bharatiya Sanman India and still want to preserve their heritage. Say for example if you award in 2007, so the Indian government is well aware of my go to Mauritius, every house will have a little Shivji shrine outside, work, and I am in touch with several Indian political persona, I they have created a lake called 'Ganga Talav,” and they celebrate Shiv- come to India at least 6-7 times a year, whether it is to link up UK ratri more than any other community anywhere ... so this is the Universities with Indian Universities, research institutes, or to strength of Indian culture ... we want to preserve it, and it is a force promote trade relations. For example, my effort has seen a link- for good. The Indian Disapora itself is a force for good. age blossom between the National Institute of Immunology, In- “And I am glad you bring out this magazine and are interviewing dia's top cancer research institute in JNU, and the Belfast Univer- me for it, a magazine like yours is needed and fills a gap that exists sity Cancer research Dept. Likewise I have promoted linkages in the Disapora connect. Carrying stories of good encourages good. between Queens University, Ulster University and premier insti- Sharing great ideas will help them reach a larger audience and will tutions in India like IITs, Madras University, etc. ensure they flourish. So on all fronts, now that it is understood that “To tell you about my own business interests, we have six hotels we need more connectivity, a magazine like yours is a great contribu- in Northern Ireland, various brands like Holiday Inn, Ramada, Ibis, tion in broadening that connectivity and sharing ideas, opportunities and we have service apartments. We are also property developers, amoung diaspora, no matter whether they are NRIs, PIOs or OCIs. so between properties and hotels, and yes, an IT company as well, “Now, talking about myself and my family, we belong to the farm- that is our business. We employ about 350 people, and we have en- ing community and came from district Hoshiarpur. My father used couraged a lot of other indirect investments into Northern Ireland to work for the Punjab government, so early years I grew up in through our businesses. Lyallpur, which is today in Pakistan and known as Faizlabad. Later “Being established in the UK, I try and afford help to our Indian I grew up in Khanna, and went to the Punjab University. So I am a people there, in settling there, seeking gainful employment, integrat- Punjabi through and through ... and at this stage in my life, most of ing with society, etc., and now I have also funded this educational my time is spent on charitable work. My children are grown up and institution which started in 2001, the first classes began in 2005, and well established, I have passed the reins of business to them, and I there are more than 2500 students getting educated there ... see, we live along, my wife passed away some years ago, so I am focusing my live in a sort of very hi-tech world, a global village today. And con- energies on parliamentary work, social work, and community serv- nectivity is even easier now with the Indian Diaspora than it was ice, in Northern Ireland and in India. So my life commitment now some 30-40 years ago. The unique thing about Indian Diaspora is is to help others and to spend what wealth I have accumulated to the that people who were taken as indentured labour during the late 19th betterment of other's lives.”

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 20 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Cover Story SHANTANU A P Shantanu Phansalkar is the Chief Executive of the SPI Group, based out of Dubai, UAE, which he established in 2007 to become a premier marketing company in the region. Prior to kickstarting SPI, Shantanu had worked with several publishing, advertising and PR companies. He has a yen for publishing, which is manifest in the fact that the publishing business of SPI is one of its fastest growing divisions, with several laurels to its credit like 'Dubai Maps,' 'Dragon Mart Retail Guide,' and more recently, 'The Intelligent SME.' SPI apropos, stands for 'Strategy, Planning & Implementation,' and today has more than 200 clients.

part from publishing, SPI also has its fingers in pies like branding, event management, real estate, and general trad- ing. NRI Achievers chanced upon Shantanu in the sidelines of the SME AWorld Summit that took place recently at Dubai, and what emerged from the en- counter was a synergy that will in future see both NRI Achievers and SPI group working towards mutually beneficial goals. We bring you here some excerpts from the interaction we had with Shantanu: “We are one of the fastest growing me- dia companies in this part of the world, and we function under the name and style of the SPI Group. We are into, we have different different licences and are in dif- ferent different businesses, and our aim is to bring thousands of entrepreneurs to- gether. We chose Dubai as a base for our- selves as Dubai is more or less the centre of the world for this part of the globe, but we are keen to expand to other parts of the Middle East as well in the near future. “We have been in this business for the past 5 years now, and we have managed over these years to build up a network of over 15,000 entrepreneurs, which is pretty big. While most of these entrepreneurs are from Dubai, of late we have seen that there are a lot of members coming in from Saudi, from Kuwait, and even from India, who are desirous of having a base in Du- bai. And as we have primarily charted out a role for us as being a platform, or rather the platform for entrepreneurs, and spe- cially the small and medium entrepre- neurs, our whole idea was that we needed to do something big, really big, so that it really creates that huge churn in the mar- ket. And as I have been to numerous events and have seen that they have a mere 50 people, 70 people a hundred people, so we thought that what if we multiply this Sood Ajay Photo:

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

by 10 times or 20 times ... “We are often asked by non- get two three thousand en- gulf media why we are focus- trepreneurs together. ing on SMEs and not big en- Which will mean that par- terprise. Let me answer that ticipants will get so much before we get ahead. Actually, more networking oppor- you see, small and medium tunities, gain so much businesses in Dubai and UAE more knowledge and in- account for almost 85% of all sight into markets they businesses, and account for may want to get into, and almost 45% of the economy. so on through panel dis- So it stands to logic that if I cussions and workshops. already have the lion's share, So the whole idea behind why do I need to make efforts this SME World Summit to look at the balance 15%, was born. which anyway can well look “We are quite happy after itself, given their vast re- with the way it has worked sources and access to exper- out, we have more than tise. However, we have been 3000 delegates attending getting feelers of late, and we this summit, we have 72 just might in the future get exhibitors, and for an event into some very large scale ac- that is being put up for the tivity, but right now, our focus very first time, it is pretty remains on small and medium encouraging. This will enterprise. now become an annual “Government's role is re- feature on the Dubai cal- stricted to the creation of a ender, and next year we positive environment for have plans of organising growth, and the putting in this in much bigger fash- place of appropriate policies ion, as every single par- that accelerate that growth. ticipant is very happy. I On that front, the vision of am sure it will be at least His Highness is amazing, and double in scale in the com- the motto of government ing year. Actually, con- seems to be that it should en- necting these people re- able everyone to reach their quires quite a bit of hard Photo: Ajay Sood highest potential, after all, work. Toward this end, we have estab- Dubai is all about making the impossible lished a very reputed brand, which is 'The On that front, the possible ... so he and his government has Intelligent SME.' This magazine is the made it a point to provide the best infra- number one magazine for entrepreneurs vision of His structure possible ... fantastic road con- here. So there is a huge amount of recall, Highness is nectivity, easy licencing regime, one-win- and added to that we have forged strategic dow clearances, et al. And then we have alliances with lots of government bodies, amazing, and the come in, as an institutionalised strategy business associations, councils, so it has partner for the SMEs, as a shared resource added value to the network by enabling motto of that can help them flourish in this ena- synergies where they are most needed. government seems bling environment. “To a large extent, the event has become “About myself, I am happily married, a roaring success primarily due to the un- to be that it should I have one son who is eight years old, compromising and meticuluous work we and we are all well settled here as NRIs. have put in tirelessly 24x7 over the past six enable everyone to But I come to India every three months, months, and the unflinching confidence reach their highest and I have my investments back home of our network partners and members as well. So my one step is in Dubai and who have been a guiding force in making potential, after all, my other step is in India. And now, after the event a success by their participation. this SME World, I will be taking a week The network building exercise we have Dubai is all about off from my business, and will be spend- been at for the past five years I would say making the ing time with my friends in . That's has borne fruit in setting the trend in this my way of getting myself refreshed and first mega event that we have organised. impossible possible... coming back.

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 22 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð

Special Feature ROHIT GUPTA FILMMAKER Acclaimed film-maker Rohit Gupta has been hon- oured by India's prestigious Limca Book of Records for his award-winning feature film “Life! Camera! Action ... .” he new record is for the first full- Sense' and 'Unbreaka- length motion picture shot by just a ble' by M Night two-member crew, these being pro- Shyamalan, 'Mississippi Tducer/director Rohit Gupta & Ravi Kumar Masala' and 'Namesake' R. It also is the first film by an Indian film- by Mira Nair, and 'Fire maker to go for a release via Facebook. & Earth' by Deepa Me- Since its release, “Life! Camera! Action hta. ...” has received wide critical acclaim, earn- This inspiring ninety-minute quasi- produced, directed, edited, written lyrics, ing over seventy international accolades autobiographical family drama features shared credits in music and photography, in various categories including the pres- the struggle of the protagonist Reina - marketed, branded and distributed his tigious Top Nine Most Popular and Board played by award winning actress Dipti work, commented that It has been a mar- of Directors' Special Awards, 28th Goldie Mehta - who sets off on a career in film- vellous journey and the road ahead looks Film Awards (USA), Orson Welles Award making against parental consent. Running equally interesting. New York-based - California International Film Awards, the risk of being disowned for going Gupta is an MBA graduate and an alumni Royal Reel Award - Canada International against the norm of pursuing a future in of the New York Film Academy. He first Film Festival, Grand Jury Award-Oregon engineering, medicine or architecture, the forayed into films with a four-minute Film Awards (USA), Best Feature Film- film celebrates the strength of the central American suspense-thriller film 'Another IFFPIE (Official World Peace Film Festi- character to challenge the rules regardless Day Another Life,' which also received val) (Indonesia) and many others around of the consequences. tremendous acclaim from around the the world. Renowned news producer Sili- Gupta's journey and the process of his world including an Official Selection at con India listed the film as 'One of the 10 work is widely considered a major source Cannes in 2009. He is currently working Outstanding Movies by Indian American of inspiration to aspiring film-makers, on the post-production of his American Film-makers.' The list includes Holly- students of cinema and youth at large the comedy feature titled 'Midnight Delight,' wood blockbusters such as 'The Sixth world over. Gupta who has co-written, due for release in 2014. SUNITA VISWANATH WOMEN'S RIGHTS ACTIVIST Sunita Viswanath is a Chennai-born New Yorker who is a co- founder of the NGO 'Women for Afghan Women (WAW)', an in- stitution that runs shelters and organises programmes for violence affected Afghan women. er brand of feminism aims to en- and girls who have the guts to assert their sure that everyone has access to the rights despite having been subjected to same opportunities and have the unspeakable oppression, abuse and torture Hsame rights, irrespective of whether they of both the physical as well as the mental are male or female. Asked about what kind, inspired her to get into activism. motivated her to get into social activism The wonder of how such women and and how it has changed her life, she says girl children have been able to heal them- that having been a daily witness to women selves, and more often than not advocate

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 24 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Cover Story for the human rights of others also hot sauces, is also an ardent fan of injected the much needed energy 's follies. Talking about for her to keep going, serving as an her bonding to India, she says that immense source of hope, optimism whenever she hears the strains of RAJAT PARR and courage to live in this unequal MS Subbulakshmi singing the Su- world with her children and raise prabatham, or Nusrat Fateh Ali them to be good citizens. Khan rendering 'Allah Moham- Rajat Parr grew up in Calcutta, spending Sunita, who loves Indian food mad Chaar Yaar,' her heart misses more time playing cricket, football and and finds no meal complete with- a beat and a feeling of nostalgia out the spice of green chillies or pervades the air. squash than studying. But hanging around his cousins' Delhi restaurants (the Moets Chain), kindled his love for food. ARUNA SETH SHOE DESIGNER Pippa Middleton's derriere caught the world's attention at the British royal wedding in 2011. But something else kept the Intenet fires aburn too: her dainty silver Lynn Svarovski butterfly sandals. The pair was designed by Aruna Seth, an Indian-ori- gin British shoe designer, who has since been called e then trained as a chef, but at 20, he tasted the next Tamara Mellon (of wine for the very first time and that first sip of the beverage opened up a whole new world Peter Choo fame) by UK's Hup for him. Rajat jumped right in, and got deeper . and deeper into wine-tasting. He took wine classes, worked his way up from busboy to Sommelier in eth's euphonymous label is fluence on the shoes she has crafted. San Francisco. He has now been wine director for known for shoes with snug While her creations are already several celebrated restaurants, has published award comfort and graceful elegance, available online, she intends to get winning books on wine, and has now turned win- Sand she's determined to convert them to the Indian markets soon... emaker in Santa Barbara. flats-loving girls into stiletto-flexing Responding to a quer about her According to him, one thing every wine should experts. Seth's father, Geoff, is the earliest memories of India, she is of have is ... balance. All aspects of the wine like acid- inventor of the famous line of Ascot the view that India is on its way to ity, fruit, tannins and alcohol, all must be in total trainers, but she says she didn't ven- becoming incredibly dynamic and harmony for a wine to be good enough for human ture into the market until she was fashion forward. Indian girls are consumption. This balance comes from the vine- certain that she could make wearing today amazing at looking glam and yard, so it is all the more important to pay attention heels almost as easy as Ascots. Her wearing colours, and that she just to the vine itself. It is good not to have any precon- label today is the rage in UK. loves coming to India for that extra cieved notion based on what is on the label. Asked about the bling in most of bit of inspiration, and that the jew- On his India connect, he says he visits India reg- her designs, she invoked the Indian els and colours are just what then ularly, to visit his parents every year. His family connection, saying that she does doc ordered for her shoes. “I have apropos is the only thing that connects him to India. take a lot of inspiration from Indian been coming to India since long, On how his host country reacts to him, he says that culture and is drawn to it, particu- from a very young age. We have most people tend to keep guessing where he is from, larly the bling on Indian sarees, not tons of family over there, so there whether he is an Italian, or Greek, or Middle East- to mention Indian jewellery. All the are always weddings galore... we ern. On his part, he is content to let them keep colour and sparkle of such Indian even have a family home on the out- guessing, and says he is proud to be Indian. ensembles certainly has had an in- skirts of Delhi,” she says.

http://www.nriachievers.in april 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 25 Special Feature WARIS AHLUWALIA JEWELLERY DESIGNER & ACTOR Waris, that dabber urbane turbanned man-about-town who's popped up in Gap Ads, 's films, TINA best dressed lists and ultra-hip NYC parties, is not re- SUGANDH ally your average Sikh. SINGER, MUSICIAN, PERFORMER Mumbai born Tina Sugandh is one of the world's few women tabla maestros and the next best thing in world music. he has given ex-beatle Ringo tabla lessons and col- laborated with him on an album in 2009. She, along with her husband Tarz, has starred in a reality show Scalled Newlyweds, and has recorded 60 songs. Tina start- his born designer of him, who took the first steps in his ed performing at age five with her musically inclined fam- exquisite hand-crafted jewel- life at the Golden Temple. In ily in New Jersey. It has given her an identity that is both lery has shown up in Indie America, the family had moved to global and Indian. Tfilms with and writ- an area that had no other Indian “Although I started playing drums and guitar first, ten for The Paris Review. He has families. So his culture came from tabla is my first love. Initially I played it because it made also offered advice on style.com home and visits to family. His par- my mom's eyes sparkle ... but the more I played it, the (How to be civil backstage after I've ents instilled in him strong values more I fell in love with it. It's so damn intricate ! Each hated the runway show? Should I that still guide his life, they spoke of your fingers is doing something individually, which is make a sex tape?). Punjabi at home, and ate home- rare for any instrument. I started playing at age eight. I And yet, he is no washed out cooked food every day. Even to- admit, I have loved proving everyone wrong. At perform- celeb. He is a teetotaller, has hip- day, he says that one of his favour- ances with my family when I was younger, I would sit at length hair under that ubiquitous ite meals is daal and rice. the tabla to tune it and everyone would think, 'oh that is turban, and takes buddies to his But how come jewellery design, so cute ... she is tuning the tabla for her daddy !' Then I mother's once a week to get their we asked him. He confessed to would bust out some intricate beat and their jaws would fill of Indian home cooking in NY. having no formal training in de- drop. I definitely loved showing people that it is not just Jewellery chose him, says Waris, sign, but that he trusts his instincts. a man's instrument ! “Growing up performing in seven who once made himself two 40- “The universe speaks to us all, we languages has taught me a ton about music, culture, as diamond rings while at Maxfields just have to listen. I spent six long well as Bollywood movies, which I am by the way ad- in Los Angeles, which caught the yeas searching the world for the dicted to. Then there is Indian food that I dig ! I love attention of the sales staff. He was best craftsmen to preserve hand- anything and everything multi-colour, with lots of se- the target of racism (not to men- craftsmanship not as museum rel- quins and glitter. Though I am not sure that's 'Bollywood' tion an outpouring of support) ics but as a way of life, and for mak- of just growing up in New Jersey. Speaking of Bollywood, when he modelled for Gap. Clear- ing living jewellery. So we ended my favourite movie is Namak Halaal coz I must have ly, publicity chose him too. From up making objects of beauty for a watched it eight billion times as a child. I love Jab se tere leaving Amritsar at age 5 to New clientele that appreciates some- naina from Saawariya and dancing to Agal bagal from York society today, that was indeed thing special.” Phata Poster Nikla Hero with my new baby boy. Right a huge leap ... And his connection to India, now my favourite actor is as I am a suck- His memory is quite fuzzy but it apart from his body and soul, is his er for great dancers, and he is absolutely adorable too ! still very much a strong part of turban ... always from Amritsar !

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 26 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Cover Story VAISHALY PATEL FACIALIST Vaishaly Patel came to London when she was just three, and she dreamt of a career in beauty. But her brothers thought otherwise, and wanted her to do something more stable, like business or law. So she pursued degrees in finance and business, while study- ing beauty on the side. oday, her Plan-B has made her literally an A-List favourite ! Gwyn- eth Paltrow, Rachel Weisz, Meg Ryan, Elle MacPhereson and Anush- ka Sharma are fans of her GBP 250 facials. There is a 90-day wait-list Tat her London clinic, which specialises in craniosacral work. Her skincare range, Vaishaly, is immensely popular too. “You can have a really good massage and feel extremely relaxed, but your mind is still at work. Even while sleeping, your mind works, you are thinking ... . My philosophy goes to the root of all body and skin problems – the mind. By switching off our minds, we can let go of the stress we hold in our body and our visage. Craniosacral work takes the facial to abso- lutely another level – it is the first time any client will have actually switched off so deeply. So when you awake, you really look younger, the lines on your face disappear, and your skin looks positively radiant. It rebalances your body and it sure is an amazing feeling, even for those who find it hard to switch off.” VIVEK MAHBUBANI STAND-UP COMIC All his life, Hong-Kong born Vivek Mahbubani's only ambition was to take up a job that would allow him to wake up after 9 am. He trained to be a web designer and developer, but enjoyed watching stand-up comedy so much, that he vowed to try it at least once. The rest, as they say, is a damn funny story. n 2007, Vivek participated in a stand-up heads at different frequencies, which means comedy contest and won the Chinese cat- you would have a country full of people egory. In 2008, he won the English round. speaking at different pitches – the higher the IAnd that is how it all began for him. And frequency of bobbing, the higher the pitch! Vivek probably has not had to wake up ear- “One of my fondest memories is when i ly without reason ever since. “My act is all was asked to perform for terminally ill pa- about life. I love observing the world and tients. One patient was too sick to attend, trying to bend reality so that I can see it from so he sent me a microphone sculpture using an entirely new perspective and retell a sto- beads and requested a photo of me with it. ry or situation based on an angle most peo- It reminded me that what I was doing was ple would normally ignore. For instance, it more powerful than merely telling jokes. It is common for people to joke about Indians was giving people laughter and happiness. bobbing their heads when we speak. But I I will never forget that moment.' take it one step further, suggesting that if that was the case, everyone would bob their NRI Achievers Bureau

http://www.nriachievers.in april 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 27 Legal Matters

NEW PUNJAB LAWS MILESTONES IN JURISPRUDENCE In the last issue, we had taken up the subject of the enactment of two landmark laws in the state of Punjab, and how it is a right step in resolving problems faced by the Punjabi diaspora community. In this issue, we continue this and will in future as well, bring you a series of reports on the legal framework in the state. While we focused on the Punjab Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act 2012 in the last issue, we bring you highlights taking up any employment (whether or not under of the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act 2012 in this issue. As mentioned an agreement or other arrangements to take up earlier, this new law too seeks to set a milestone in equitable justice, and makes Punjab such employment and whether with or without one of the first states in the country to enact a human trafficking legislation to provide for the assistance of a recruiting agent or a employer) the regulation of the travel trade, under the garb and guise of which some unscrupulous elements are even today indulging in illicit and/or fraudulent activities. in any country or place outside India. PUNJAB PREVENTION OF HUMAN SMUG- HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PUNJAB PREVEN- and arranging overseas travel for any purpose GLING RULES, 2013: KEY HIGHLIGHTS: TION OF HUMAN SMUGGLING ACT, 2012: whatsoever except for business of recruitment Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Rules, The Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act, governed by registration under provision of the 2013 for regulating the trade of travel agencies or 2012, which was passed by the state Assembly on Emigration Act, 1983. consultancies and ticketing agents were notified 21-12-2012 and implemented upon Notification Ø Dishonest misrepresentation with intention to on August 20, 2013 and provide for a licensing in the Punjab Government Gazette on 20-08- achieve wrongful gain for inducing, deception, regime through notified competent authorities. 2013, is now a law that provides for the regulation cheating or allurement for above activities and By notification dated September 3, 2013, District of the travel trade, with an explicit view to check cheating by personation is punishable under the Magistrates/Additional District Magistrates of and curb illegal, fraudulent activities, and mal- Act as having same meaning as IPC. If any travel each district have been designated as the “Com- practices involved in organized human smuggling agent wants to advertise or hold seminars, he will petent Authority” for issuing a licence to under- and for matters connected therewith or incidental have to notify competent authority in writing with take the profession of a travel agent. thereto. This law has nine noteworthy features. complete details of advertisement of seminars. Applications for licences to be accompanied by fee Ø It defines 'human smuggling' and 'travel agent.' The words “travel agent” and “human smug- of Rupees one lac for agents in existence for more Ø Provides for a licensing regime for travel gling” in the Punjab Act, find definition in the than years, Rs.25,000 for less than five years and agents. Debars persons from operating without following words: Rs.25,000 for ticketing agents. Records in elec- a license under the Act. Ø “Travel Agent” means a person doing the pro- tronic form and soft copies to be kept by agents. Ø Gives power of search, seizure and arrest to fession which involves arranging, managing or Residence certificates, proof of age, identity, pass- Magistrates and Police Officials. conducting affairs relating to sending persons port, PAN card, Income Tax Returns, bank state- Ø Prescribes investigation be completed within abroad or which arise out of the affairs of persons ments, satisfaction of credibility and no criminal 2 months and be verified by SP. SSP to be Nodal sent to a foreign country, and shall include a record to accompany applications. For NRI Officer for all investigations under the Act. range of activities covering diverse practices. agents, social security number, permission of Ø In addition to imposing penalties, provides Ø “Human Smuggling” shall mean and include foreign country of operations and RBI sanction award of reasonable compensation to be paid to illegally exporting, sending or transporting per- additionally to be furnished. aggrieved person by travel agent. sons out of India by receiving money from them Applicants must not be insolvent or bankrupt, Ø Identifies defined variable punishment for of- or their parents, relatives or any other persons should have no involvement in crimes as per fences under the Act. interested in their welfare, by inducing, alluring police records, should not hold office of profit, Ø Authorises Courts to decide whether any ille- or deceiving or cheating. should not be barred by Agents Associations, gally acquired property is liable to be confiscated. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EMIGRATION ACT, must have adequate space or accommodation Ø Provides for liability of Director, Manager, 1983: The Emigration Act, 1983, provides for and must maintain records and fee charged by Company Secretary responsible for the conduct checks, controls, balances by enacting a licensing them to be furnished to State Government. of business when negligence can be attributed. regime for “recruiting agents,” for “emigration” Licences to be issued for five years, renewable Ø Cheating to have the same meaning as under purposes which find definition in the following upon furnishing Income Tax Return and State- the Indian Penal Code. words in the said Act. ment of Bank Accounts. Refusal to grant or renew Travel agent is defined as a person in a profession Ø “Recruiting Agent” means a person engaged license appealable to Government. All activities that involves arranging, managing or conducting in India in the business of recruitment for an em- of agents to be monitored under the new rules. affairs related to sending people abroad. ployer and representing such employer with re- All illegally acquired property to be confiscated Ø Includes consultancy for permanent emigra- spect to any matter in relation to such recruit- upon trial of offences under the law tion, obtaining education, work, travel for tour- ment including dealings with persons so recruit- Anil Malhotra ism, cultural entertainment or musical shows, ed or desiring to be so recruited. Recruiting medical treatment, spreading or preaching reli- agents doing business of recruitment have to ob- The writer is a Chandigarh based practicing gion, participating in sport tournaments, issuing tain compulsory registration under the Emigra- lawyer and is reachable at anilmalhotra1960@ gmail.com. He is a LL.M from SOAS, Univer- advertisements for travel, holding seminars and tion Act, 1983. sity of London and a Fellow of the IAML. Be- lectures to promote emigration, arranging mat- Ø “Emigrate and Emigration” means the depar- sides, he is an Executive Member from India of rimonial alliances for purposes of emigration, ture out of India of any person with a view to the Family Law Committee of ILA

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 28 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð In Focus

http://www.nriachievers.in december 2013 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 29 Heritage THE MESSALINA

OF THE PUNJABQueen Valeria Messalina, Empress Consort of the Roman Empire was the notoriously famous wife of Emperor Claudius, to whom the British compared the Queen of Punjab. Although the Queen of Punjab and the Queen of had nothing in common, the informal title given by the British speaks volumes about how they trapped her and tried to spoil her royal and clean image so they could rule Punjab. e are talking about Maharani Jind Kaur (aka Rani Jinda’n), daughter of Sardar Manna Singh Aulakh, and mother of the last King of Punjab Maharaja . She was married at the age of 18 to Sarkar Khalsaji, Sher-e-Punjab, Maharaja Sardar in 1835 (who was 55 years old then). Maharaja Ranjit Singh passed away on June 27, 1839, leaving Wbehind the throne to his eldest son Kharak Singh, who within a month of his coronation, was taken prisoner and poisoned to death. Then came Kanwar Nau Nihal Singh, his 19 year old son, who while returning from his father’s cremation (and was supposed to be crowned the next day), had a gate he passed through falling on him, killing him on the spot. Many other such claimants to the throne all died mysteriously over a span of just a few months. The only person left was Duleep Singh, youngest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and Maharani Jind Kaur. In September 1843, at the age of 5, he was crowned and made the Maharaja of Punjab. Being a minor, his mother Ma- harani Jind Kaur, became the regent and de-facto ruler. She ruled over rough- ly 4 lakh square kilometres of land, called the “Punjab”. The British were unable to possess Punjab. So they decided to sign a treaty with Maharaja Ranjit Singh, according to which, they would keep trade relations with Punjab, and provide protection. In case of the Maharaja’s demise, his sons would be legal heir, but if there is no heir left, the British will take over. The seed of the insidious conspiracy was set. When Maha- raja Duleep Singh acceded to the throne, the Anglo-Sikh war broke out. It started as a small skirmish between Sikh forces, which was instigated by the British. After the British had bribed some chiefs and nobles in the Sikh army, they entered into the battle field. Long story cut short, the end result was that by December 1846, Maharaja Duleep Singh went on a hunting trip and never returned to . At same time, Maharani Jind Kaur was secretly arrested and sent on exile. The British brought serious charges against her, and proved in the Durbar of Lahore that Jind Kaur was the mastermind behind the Punjab mutiny. And since she was already kidnapped and imprisoned, she could not appear before the Khalsa Durbar to prove her innocence, and many wazirs of the Khalsa durbar had already sold themselves to the British. Hence, a resolution was passed declaring Queen Jinda’n guilty. The British, who were waiting for this day, declared the imprisonment of Jind Kaur. First she was kept under house arrest for 10 days in the Samman Burj of . Then

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 30 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Did You Know? she was moved to Fort. Then learned that his mother is still alive, and some there were other incidents of Mutiny, which Sikh soldier knew where she is. He then planned were all blamed on Maharani Jind Kaur in a journey to Calcutta. He wrote a letter to her prison. British proved that while she was still which reached her after one year. When the let- under tight security and heavy watch, she can ter was read to Jind Kaur, she became emo- still contact her loyal nobles, so must be taken tional and asked Maharana Jung Bahadur for away from Punjab so that the region can be in permission to meet her son. Rana said that if peace. Hence, she was taken to Chunar, 45 Kms she leaves Nepal, everyone will come to know away from . This fort was used by the that she was hiding here and it will become a British for political prisoners and it was said risk for him. So she will have to slip away se- that no prisoner left this fort alive. cretly and never to return to Nepal. She agreed By this time, Maharani Jind Kaur was and left Nepal forever, to meet her son Duleep stripped of all her jewellery and valuables. Even Singh in Spencer’s hotel in Calcutta. the Koh-i-Noor Diamond was taken away from The day Jind Kaur reached Calcutta, Duleep Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s treasury, which he was waiting for her. She could not see him be- willed to the Jagannath Temple of Odisha. Jind cause of her lost eyesight but when she placed Kaur, who was living with two of her servants her hand on his head, she was shocked to real- in a small prison room, dressed herself as a ise that he did not have a turban. Moreover, his servant one night, and somehow managed to British are trying to hunt down the loyal sol- hair were no longer like Sikhs. Her shock and reach the gates of fort. With help of a loyal diers of the Khalsa army. I am not in a position pain became worse when Duleep took her to soldier, she was able to step out of the fort and to fight for you because of my old age, but I will Britain, where Queen Victoria ordered her to ran for 3 miles upto the banks of River Ganga. do anything to fulfil my duty as your loyal serv- be kept in a separate exile and not let her son There she left her utensil and an extra cloth as ant.” That night, the cave was filled with emo- or anyone meet her. She was kept in a small a telltale clue to show she had died while bath- tions and painful memories of Lahore. Next house near Lancaster Gate and denied frequent ing. She then advanced to Varanasi, where ac- morning, these three disguised as Sadhu and meetings with her son. Then she was shifted to cording to plan her other servant who had Saadhvis started their journey to . Mulgrave Castle and later to Abingdon House, escaped few days ago was waiting for her. Both A little before Kathmandu the Sadhu got sick Kensington, where she died peacefully on 1st of them met in the free after so many years, but with double pneumonia and died, and the la- August 1863. Her final wish was: dressed as beggars. dies started crying. Suddenly, a cavalry unit No British shall touch my body and when I The British had raised an alarm of prisoner reached and asked them what happened. Jind die, my eyes should not be closed because when escape and search parties started looking for Kaur recognized the soldier’s uniform and told you close a dead body’s eyes, a drop of water- her, even as these two ladies started their trek them everything. The soldiers were guards of falls from eye and I don’t want my tears to fell towards Nepal. The king of Nepal, Shri Teen Maharana Jung Bahadur, who was hunting in on this sinful land. And make sure that I am Maharaja , used to be in the that forest. When news reached him, he sent cremated next to my husband in Lahore. court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh along with his for a palaki and Jind Kaur once again sat in the Duleep Singh tried very hard to get her body maternal uncle when he was young. Jind Kaur royal palaki to reach the tents of the Maharana. to Lahore. Till 1864, her body was kept in Dis- was of the hope that Jung Bahadur will help Though being the Queen of Punjab, she fell at senters’ Chapel in Kensal Green Cemetery. her. En route to Nepal, they were recognised the feet of Maharana and begged for shelter When Duleep got permission, he hurriedly by an agent who reported them to the police, and asylum. Maharana Jung Bahadur got very brought the body to Bombay, from where he but they were able to escape that situation. emotional and built her a small refuge-palace had arranged for travel to Lahore for the cre- Begging for food walking from village to vil- next to river Vishnumati. She spent next 11 mation. But when his ship reached the dock, lage, they made headway living under the open years in this palace, hiding from the outer he was handed over a telegram from Queen sky. Police search parties closed in on them as world. During this period, she lost her eyesight Victoria, stating that he should cremate his they reached the Himalayas. They tried hiding as well. mother in Bombay only and return to England themselves in a cave occupied by a sadhu. The Meanwhile, Maharaja Duleep Singh was put immediately. He cremated his mother at Pan- Sadhu quizzed them about who they are, be- under the care of Dr. John Login, who con- chvati, near Godavari River. Later, his daughter cause they did not look local and did not look verted him to Christianity at his exile palace Princess Bamba visited the place in 1924 and like beggars either. Jind Kaur asks the same ‘Fatehgarh’. The then Gov. Gen. Lord Dulhousie arranged for the remains to be shifted to La- question to the Sadhu, who looked like no later sent him to England in 1854. He was hore as per her last wish. Her remains now rest Nepali of Pahadi either. After a brief conversa- given exposure exclusively to English Literature in Lahore next to her husband. Her son, the tion, Jind Kaur decided to tell that Sadhu the and everything about Punjab was kept from last Maharaja of Punjab, died as a Christian in truth. She said… “I am Queen Jind Kaur, him. But after the 1857’s mutiny, his pension France on 22 October, 1893. Punjab was later daughter of Sardar Manna Singh and wife of was reduced and several restrictions were im- divided between Pakistan and India. Maharaja Ranjit Singh. I have been hiding from posed on him. He met a person from Surat who the British” was working in his residence at Reohampton, vikramjit singh rooprai At this, the Sadhu said: “Raajmata, I am a from whom he learned about his origin and his soldier of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and am hid- being a Sikh. He also learned that he was the The writer is a self-made IT entrepreneur, ing as a sadhu in this cave since his death. The rightful heir to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He also who is also a passionate heritage & history buff

http://www.nriachievers.in april 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 31 Wellness

TheJAGGERY manufacturing of sugar from sugar-cane juice is an industrial process that involves a cocktail of chemicals. Sul- phur dioxide, lime, phosphoric acid, formic acid, bleaching agents and viscosity reducers are just a few of these. More- over, as the processing of sugar is carried out in equipment and containers made out of mild-steel, it often leads to a high dosage of nickel in the mother liquor.

n contrast to this, Jaggery is a "natural" no wonder that Jaggery is regularly con- sweetener made by the concentration sumed in India as a home remedy by thou- of the same sugar-cane juice, but sands of industrial workers, traffic police- without the use of any chemicals or men and their like, who are exposed to synthetic additives or preservatives. Jag- high levels of pollution, as it does help it is an energy food that can "purify" the Igery is also sometimes made from the sap them breathe easier and counter pollution blood, regulate liver function, and overall of the date palm, and nowadays the sago naturally. Considering all this, it is well keep the body healthy. palm and coconut palm are tapped as well, worth replacing (at least partially if not Jaggery is quite easy to find, but it would for producing jaggery in southern India completely) the white sugar in our diets be best to buy from a reputed supplier. and Sri Lanka. The benefits of Jaggery (all with Jaggery. Here are some health facts Most speciality and organic stores, espe- flavours) include its ability to cleanse, de- about Jaggery that all of us ought to know cially the south Asian grocery kinds, stock toxify and decontaminate your body, act about: it. The jaggery should appear clean, and as a digestive agent, sweeten your food in Jaggery has high concentrations of pro- possess a unique sweet smell. If it is too a healthy manner, and provide good teins, minerals and vitamins, which are all dry and fine with a polished golden colour, amounts of minerals, as it contains a essential constituents for the body. It is avoid it, as it is likely that is has been treat- wealth of minerals/protein/vitamins with- also a potent source of Iron, and has high- ed with some chemicals. So prefer the in it. er iron and copper content than crystalline slightly stickier, darker coloured Jaggery. More importantly, Jaggery has great nu- white sugar. It is considered a most supe- Here are some recipes that include Jaggery tritive and medicinal Value. It has for long rior product among all natural sweeteners, to start you off on a culinary journey to been used as a medicinal sugar in the Ay- discover its goodness right in the kitch- urvedic and Sidda systems of en of your home: medicine. Ancient Paanagam – A Lemon, Ginger, Medical scriptures Cardamom & Jaggery Fla- dating back to voured Cool Drink: In 2500 years state South India, this drink is how Jaggery: called “Paanagam.” It is "purifies the used as an offering to the blood, prevents gods during festivals and rheumatic afflic- religious rituals. It is so deli- tions and disorders of cious that one sip is enough bile, and possesses nu- for you to understand why it is tritive properties of high fit for divinity. order." ... (Sushruta Samhita, Ingredients: 1 cup powdered Jaggery, Chapter 45, Sloka 146). 4 cups water, 3 to 4 pods powdered carda- Indigenous Indian medicine has for mom, 2 tsp grated dried ginger, the juice long known what western medical sci- of 1/2 a lime, leaves for garnishing. ence is learning today: that Jaggery Directions: In the 4 cups of water, dis- could enhance the translocation of dust solve the Jaggery powder and let it stand and coal particles from the lungs to tra- for a couple of minutes until the impuri- cheobronchial lymph nodes. And so it is ties settle down. Use a strainer to strain

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 32 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Wellness

the solution, add cardamom, dried ginger gos, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh coriander, and the lime juice, and stir. Taste it and ½ peeled and finely chopped red onion, 1 adjust quantities of ingredients based on red chilli. just how you like your beverage. Transfer For the lemon-Jaggery dressing: to the fridge for about 20 minutes so that Half small cup grated Jaggery, Juice of it is chilled. Pour into glasses, garnish with 1 lime, ½ tsp kalonji seeds, a pinch mint leaves and serve! of sea salt. Rasam – A Hot Light Lemon Soup Directions: Shave ribbons of the man- with Jaggery: Soups are comfort foods, goes with a potato peeler Into a bowl. and are rated among the most wholesome Add the onion, coriander, chilli and toss. comfort foods in almost all culinary cul- In a pan, heat the kalonji seeds until fra- tures. This lemon soup is magnificently grant. Add lime juice, Jaggery, salt and light and is a perfect blend of the sour, the whisk until heated. Cool the dressing sweet and the spicy. and drizzle on the salad. Serve as accom- Ingredients: 2 cups water, 1 tsp salt, 2 paniment. tsp crushed Jaggery, 1 fresh green chilli Dessert - Jaggery And Chocolate split into two, 1 lime. Fudge: Desserts are the crowning glory of For Tempering: ½ tsp oil, ¼ tsp black any meal, and this jaggery and chocolate mustard seeds, 1 sprig curry leaves. fudge recipe is sure to be spot-on as a hit. Directions: Take a large pot, add the Ingredients: 1 cup Jaggery, 1 cup grat- water, the Jaggery, the salt and split chilli, ed dark chocolate, 1 cup crushed cash- and bring to a boil. If you'd like to cut ewnuts & almonds, 1 tbsp white unsalt- down the spice in the soup, you may de- ed butter. seed the chilli. Once the decoction comes Directions: Use butter to grease an alu- to a boil, taste for seasoning and make minium tray. In a double boiler, melt the necessary adjustments according to pal- jaggery, add butter and mix well. When ate. Turn off the heat and squeeze lime everything is melted, add the chocolate juice into the soup. In another pan, heat and the crushed nuts and stir until well some oil and add mustard seeds when the blended. Transfer the mixture onto the oil starts to smoke. As mustards start aluminium tray and spread out. Allow it sputtering, add fresh curry leaves and to cool to room temperature for about 15- turn off the heat. Blend using a spoon for 20 minutes. Transfer to the refrigerator a few seconds and pour it over the soup. for 5 minutes. Cut into bite sized pieces Serve hot. and serve. Pacchadi - A Green Mango Salad with Stella George Lemon Jaggery Dressing: This is a refresh- ingly tangy salad that is a great way to The author is an educationist and a whet the palate before a traditional south pedagog, who also is a keen advocate of Indian meal. natural remedies, organic food and a holistic Ingredients: 2 or 3 peeled green man- approach to medicine, wellness and health.

http://www.nriachievers.in april 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 33 Vastu/Feng Shui even minute changes Can Play A BIG ROLE t is not necessary that all minute details the mind. People having some Vastu or Feng things at your place can be quite harmful at home be built or structured according Shui problem in this direction will think to you, and you will always stay unaware to Vastu or Feng Shui. If there are no something and will do something else. because at the outset no one will be able to Imajor flaws, making even minute changes Ø This also includes plants in the house. percieve how harmful it is, while it be- in the direction of the toilet, bedroom, office, Nature is always considered as the best rem- comes the reason for all bad happenings. etc., can be quite effective. There are many edy for Vastu Dosha, so having plants at Improper placement of waste material like important factors in Feng Shui which are home is considered as a good omen. Plants iron rods etc. on terrace can also cause equally crucial and need consideration, like act as a barrier against the flow of bad hurdles in various work. In office as well, the placement of the furniture, of electronic energy and also balance the effect of bad you should have only those furniture equipment and the like at home, and the energy. But not all plants are of such charac- which should be related to your work and placement of important they should be in placed documents and files at of- in the proper direction. fice, the direction and col- Ø Apart from this, shape our of the main door, etc. and size also matters. If These are some of the im- correct colour schemes portant factors to keep in of Feng Shui are fol- mind if we want to bring lowed, you will definitely excellent results. Many fetch better results. Prop- people usually complain er curtains are also quite that despite making many effective. changes at the house and Ø Placing a mirror in the in the office according to South West direction is Vastu, it has not helped also considered wrong. them in obtaining the de- as it will not allow you to sired result. The reason for complete your work suc- this is that just making cessfully. So, not only changes according to the rooms need to be in the directions is not enough, correct direction proper having a balance of all the placement of mirrors is 5 elements of Feng Shui is also very necessary. critical for good out- So as you see, all the comes. above mentioned as- Things one should fol- pects are the ones low to avoid any Vastu Dosha within one's ter. Many people use money plant at home which we often end up ignoring, and residence: as a decorative item which is not considered not pay any considerable amount of Ø Having some blue coloured elements in good. heed to. But the long term effects of the south direction eliminates goodwill fac- Ø Having pictures and images of scenery as each of these are drastic. Care should tor in a person’s life. No matter how big his wall hangings plays an important role. Pri- thus always be taken that such small empire is, the impact of that business on the marily, it should be designed in such a way things are paid proper attention and the market will be bad. If at all it is necessary to that it spreads positive energy at home. Im- home is customized according to Vastu, have some colour in that direction, it should ages of battle fields, barren landscapes or as far as possible. be a combination of green and red, or only houses, or fighting, may have a negative im- Naresh Singal red. pact on the environment of the house. Hav- Ø Placement of a dust-bin in the north-east ing colourful images and that too according Apart from vastu, he is also a well-known direction disturbs the thinking of a person to the requirement is good. If your home has exponent of Feng Shui and Pyramidology. You and increases negative attitudes. This is due any problem in the east direction, having a can contact him at: to the fact that this is an effective direction green shaded image of woods can be a quite [email protected] which controls our mind and keeping any- effective remedy. www.vaastunaresh.com thing bad in this direction may badly affect Ø Saving and storing broken and unusable

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 34 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð

Real Estate & Property

SENIOR HOUSING A NEW ASSET CLASS FOR INVESTMENT This may still be a very new concept in real estate, but the niche segment of 'Senior Living,' that has a significant scope for growth and great potential for investment, is all set to change the dynamics of real estate markets in the coming years. NRI Achievers takes a look... writes Vinod Behl.

he concept of ‘Senior Liv- availability of cheaper ing’ seems to have caught land, and livability infra- the fancy of both devel- structure. opers and property buy- Today, there is a demand- ers of late. As many as 30 such supply mismatch in this Tprojects have been completed so niche real estate segment. far, with one-fourth of these in Currently, only 3000 dwell- Bengaluru, and another 30 are in ing units are available exclu- the pipeline. The growing interest sively for senior citizens of home buyers for integrated against a demand for ap- townships is giving further boost proximately three lakh units. to the concept of senior living, The growing high potential even as real estate companies are for this relatively new asset now developing exclusive en- class of senior living can be claves for elderly people within judged from the fact that to- their integrated township projects. end markets for retirement communi- day about 10 percent of our population is Developers have even gone beyond ties and there is a good demand from above 60 years of age. And going by the the concept of assisted living to intro- NRIs for this. Jones Lang LaSalle study, by 2025 there will duce continuing care for citizens who The growing potential of Tier-II cities 173 million people above the age of 60 are physically incapable of managing is prompting developers to expand their years, up from 76 million today. simple tasks of day-to-day living, though footprints beyond metros and across With high demand and low supply, their condition does not require hospi- the country. A study by ASSOCHAM this segment has good investment po- talisation. There are senior living ranks Chandigarh, Dehradun, Pune, tential, even though the investment in projects where developers are setting up Udaipur, Indore, Jabalpur and Ranchi senior homes is less liquid due to restric- geriatric and rehabilitation facilities. as top destinations among Tier-II cities tion of only senior citizens owning and They are also successfully tapping high- for post-retirement living given the renting out such property. But then, with developers offering rent and leasing services, such properties can generate up to 5 percent rental income. One could er- also put it on reverse mortgage through banks for generating a steady income flow. For good properties, capital appre- ciation can be as high as 100 per cent over a period of 5 years. Today, cities like Delhi NCR, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Goa, Haridwar, Vrindavan, Rishikesh, Jaipur have emerged as hot destinations with good investment op- portunities in senior living.

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]

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 36 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Business Buzz

VISITORS FROM HONG KONG AMOUNG TOP SPENDERS IN INDIA Visitors from Hong Kong have topped former up by 23% at INR 6,903 at and the the list of travellers paying the most for latter up by 17% at INR 7,115. Of the few hotel accommodation in India during countries whose spending declined, the 2013, parting with an average INR 8,061 Brazilians saw the hardest fall, parting per night, which is 6% more than what with 10% less during 2013 to INR 6,645, they paid in 2012, according to a report. followed by Japan with its own devalued Visitors from West Asia took the second currency deterring foreign travel, down place, paying INR 7,909 a night, followed 6% to INR 7,154. Other countries that by South Africans, who paid INR 7,594, spent less and were seen at the bottom of hotels.com said in their report. Many of the list includes Malaysia where travellers the highest increases were paid by visi- (22%) at INR 6,187 and Italy had the paid the least at INR 5,315 per night, reg- tors from Europe. Amoung European same percentage increase, taking its aver- istering a drop of 1%, followed by the nations, travellers from Belgium parted age to INR 6,098. Thailand and China Russians, down 2% to INR 5,510 and the with 25% more at INR 6,363, Finland were the fastest risers in Asia with the Taiwanese, down 5% to INR 5,517.

INDIA INC. GENERATES HONDA ANGLES FOR THIRD SPOT IN 81,000 JOBS IN THE US INDIAN AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR DURING 2013 Piggybacking on the immensely successful Indian companies have, through their mas- launches of their new and rejuvenated of- sive US$ 17 billion investment in the US ferings like the Amaze compact sedan and economy, collectively generated employ- the new City, Honda Cars India is all set to ment opportunities for more than 81,000 emerge as the third biggest passenger car people in the country, according to a CII maker in India head-to-head with SUV survey. The annual CII survey of 68 Indian major Mahindra & Mahindra this season. According to reliable sources in the auto financing circuit, Honda is among the few car companies that have managed to buck pany in India after Maruti and Hyundai." the slowdown in the automobile market. Honda sold 15,700 odd vehicles in January "We expect Honda to clock anywhere be- 2014 and around 14,300 units in February. tween 18,000-20,000 units in retail this Thanks to the excise reduction, year-end month," says the head of one of the top push, spectre of a price rise and March 31 three auto finance companies. "Given that being both Gudi Padwa in Maharastra and M&M also sells around 19,000 units a Ugadi in southern markets, march-april is companies in 40 American states for 2013, month, it would put Honda on par with expected to bring in good retail numbers made public about a week ago at an event at the third biggest passenger vehicle com- for the auto industry. Capitol Hill, showed that New Jersey, Cali- fornia, New York, Texas and Illinois have the largest concentration of Indian compa- INDIA IS STAR AMONG EMERGING MARKETS: CREDIT SUISSE nies. According to the survey, the collective Neelkanth Mishra, Head, which party comes to pow- investments amount to a whopping US$ 17 Equity Strategy (India), er post general elections. billion as of today and together they gener- Credit Suisse, is firmly of the Mishra also believes that a ate employment for more than 81,000 peo- belief that India warrants a 12-15 percent return for ple in the United States," the report 'Indian star rating amoung emerg- the broader index this year, Roots, American Soil: Story of Indian Com- ing markets in the world is not unthinkable and is panies, growing impact on the US economy,' economy. According to his quite possible. But if the had to say. It is a fact that in recent years, analysis, India looks much cyclicals overshoot, he India has emerged as one of the 10 fastest better than other Emerging would not be surprised by growing sources of Foreign Direct Invest- Markets from a relative per- a 15-20 percent return as ment into the US, according to data from spective, and on an absolute well. He is, however, con- the US Department of Commerce. Data basis, the economy is doing reasonably structive on the broader market until the from Reserve Bank of India further shows fine. However, Mishra is of the opinion end of the year. that the US features among the top five des- that the investment cycle is still weak and tinations of FDI from India. will continue to remain so, irrespective of NRI Achievers Desk

http://www.nriachievers.in april 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 37 Sports

CORROBORATIONIPL OF VIRTUE? While the Supreme Court intervention into the sleaze surrounding the betting scandal, the imminent upheavals in the BCCI, and the uncertainty surrounding the present IPL Season is grabbing headlines today across media, that for us is grist for another windmill, and the content for another upcoming issue. However, it would not be wrong to say that the IPL was probably the best thing that has happened to Indian Cricket. We open the innings here at NRI Achievers with the positive side of the IPL (the Indian Premier League), the billion dollar baby of the BCCI ... ix years ago this multi-city extrava- showcase their talent and rake in tons of get a thought that isn’t this cricket. This is ganza was planted as a seed in the money. It was also seen as a sign of upward “Cricketainment”. For 2 months in the nursery of Indian Cricket by Lalit mobility and a reiteration of the growth of year, every evening is fun and drama, not Modi. Now no more a part of IPL cricket in India. thanks to Saas Bahu soaps, but due to IPL, or BCCI, it looked like another B–grade IPL with all its glitz, glamour and mool- where the story is by no means clichéd, but SXerox of the NBA (National Basketball As- ah has not just been about the extravagant every game has thenpotential to give a high sociation) of the United States, or the Bar- razzmatazz. In the last 6 years, it has be- to any cricket fan. And the game of the clays Premier League from England. But come an integral part of the lives of Indian night before is usually the topic of discus- after six years of competition and the sev- public, and has its own share of fans and sion on the breakfast table the next day. enth one on the horizon early this summer, critics alike. IPL has now managed to be- Now we do understand what IPL has the seed has ostensibly grown into a full- come a household name in homes, offices, done to India, Indian cricket and the peo- fledged tree. Not only is the popularity of colonies, towns, et al. IPL like tournaments ple of this cricket-frenzied nation. The suc- the league at an all time high, but the mon- are being played at each and every level. cess of the league in India can also be put ies involved have also expanded geometri- With every tournament name and concept down to the fact that many Indians con- cally. Yuvraj Singh, for example, was inspired from the IPL, it has become the snagged by the Bangalore franchise for a flavour of the nation for the T20 version of staggering 14 Crore INR in the latest IPL the game. To give you an example of such auction recently. tournaments I did not have to look too far. Let’s go back to the start and trace the There is an IPL type premier league being trajectory of this IPL journey. When the played in my office within colleagues every league started in 2008, there were mixed year! thoughts as to what it is all about, whether IPL’s success and the windfall for the this league system will benefit anyone from players involved has given a turbo boost to the players, the mega-rich owners, the the millions of budding cricketing hopes in BCCI, and most importantly, the fans of the country. Now the ones who can’t dream the game. The idea was akin to that fol- of donning the Indian national cap may lowed in European football, but with the well afford to be a part of IPL. Being a part trend there is a century old, the question of IPL will, if nothing else, makes sure that cropped up whether Indian cricketers were the player will earn decent amounts of mature enough to play divided by teams money. Critics say IPL is not cricket but I pitted against each other, and still continue have a different opinion, IPL may not have to come together for the national team. the tenacity and passion of one day cricket This league was not just about Indian play- nor the technical brilliance of test cricket, ers, it was a global stage where the biggest but it sure4 offers you something else. 3 cricket names of the world were also part hours of pure entertainment. It offers you of the whole big money-minting idea. This the biggest sixes, the most brilliant catches, was the emergence of the new face of In- the fastest balls bowled, and edge of the dian sporting, a face of hope for the bud- seat finishes. By the end of all your nails ding cricketers where they got a stage to are history. So thinking on these lines I do

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 38 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Sports sider cricket almost a religion. The broad- er picture suggests that IPL has not only inspired Indians but has also inspired oth- er cricket playing nations to have a league of their own. The Bangladesh Premier league is one such example. The edition of IPL that was played in South Africa also helped the country in multiple ways – spurt in tourism was one beneficial side-effect. The game also garnered humungous amounts of money for the game in South Africa. Along with the boards and the countries, the number of foreign players who love IPL has also grown every year. IPL has given a different avenue to players from Indian and abroad alike. It has be- come a veritable melting pot of different cultures – you not only share the dressing- room with players from around the world, but you also share an important two months of the year. The exhaustive itiner- ary ensures that players and teammates spend a considerable amount of time to- This is the mindset that IPL has given to gether. It’s those unguarded moments youngsters who are vying for the exposure spent with each other that provide access to get into the eye of the selectors. to the personality behind the player. The franchises have also provided play- has managed to bridge this gap elegantly, it, because you either love it or you hate it, ers today with the best physios, the best albeit in the shorter forms of the game. but you sure can no longer ignore it. coaches, and playing along and against the Javagal Srinath, one of India's bowling Just one little word on the this season's world’s best, evolving into the best platform greats, has this to share with a budding as- IPL. It was to be played in phases, and had for any aspiring youngster out there. pirant: “Test cricket is the real test of your seen a sea-change in the outlook of the The gap between first-class and interna- character, temperament and technique, teams. The franchises from Punjab and tional cricket was huge in the past, and IPL Test is the ultimate honour… you know Delhi had made a strong point via some there are not even 300 players who have smart-buying that they are seen to mean represented India since we started playing serious business. The biggest gainers as Test cricket.” Srinath was trying to drive players were Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik, home the point of Test cricket’s importance and Mitchel Johnson who have raked in and relevance. “Exactly! If only 300 have multiple Crores as they change franchises. played in 80 years, what are the chances The auction is done, the venues have been that I’d get to play for India one day?” the decided, so come this April the rollercoast- youngster shot back. “More than 150 In- er ride is on the agenda once again. And dian cricketers get to play in the IPL every this ride is just about 3 things -- Cricketain- season and the money they earn is much ment, cricketainment and ... cricketain- more than Test cricketers make in a year.” ment. But as a cloud descends on the BCCI This is the mindset that IPL has given to and N. Srinivasan, and the Supreme Court youngsters who are vying for the exposure suggesting sweeping changes in the admin- to get into the eye of the selectors. istrative setup, not to mention it's recom- And when we throw in an eclectic mix mendation that both Chennai Super Kings of cheerleaders, starlets, stand-up comedi- and Royals be excluded from the ans and the like amidst all the players, the league, uncertainty does reign. Lets wait franchise owners, the money and the glitz, and watch... it has all the ingredients of a gala carnival, Anshul Gupta and justifies the label of “Cricketainment.” A one-stop-shop offering some heart-stop- The author is a software engineer by ping, amazing and scintillating sporting profession. A passionate and avid sports en- action that doesn’t cease to enthrall audi- thusiast, who follows a wide swath of sports, ences. So, perhaps its time for us to stop ranging from Cricket, Football, Hockey, NBA, punching the IPL bag and make peace with Tennis and more.

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

Cineppets

SALMAN & AKSHAY DANCE TOGETHER FOR FUGLY and are dancing to the title track of FUGLY along with , , Arfi Lamba and . The song was shot over 2 days at a stu- dio in Mumbai, on 4 different set ups with choreography by Mudassar Khan. Akshay and Salman were on the sets throughout the entire time, learning them slowly into the big bad world of and rehearsing the steps along with the corruption, politics and the real Delhi. newcomers. Produced by ‘Grazing This puts the best of friends through Goat Pictures’ and directed by Kabir the most bizarre life changing events. Sadanand, FUGLY is shot extensively The central characters are played by an in Delhi, Haryana and some breathtak- ensemble of some of the freshest faces ing locations of Leh, Ladakh. It is a to be launched which includes World story of four friends: Dev, Devi, Gaurav Champion Boxer Vijender Singh, Mo- and Aditya, and how this carefree hit Marwah, Kiara Advani, Arfi Lamba bunch at the threshold of their lives get and , who for the first KANGANA RANAUT’S REVOLVER caught in a ‘Fugly’ incident which sucks time plays a totally negative character. RANI ALL SET TO RELEASE ON 25TH APRIL 2014 SHERLYN CHOPRA SIGNS A The Wild Wild West Of India will come alive MULTI-LINGUAL FILM this April with REVOLVER RANI releasing on Sherlyn Chopra signs a multi-lingual film 25th April. Starring Kangana Ranaut, Vir Das "BAD GIRL" as its leading lady. Sources and Piyush Mishra, the movie is produced by confirm that Sherlyn has been signed for Wave Cinema and directed by Sai Kabir. Set the multi-lingual film at a whopping sum against the backdrop of politics in Chambal of INR One Crore and Ten Lakhs to play and Gwalior, Revolver Rani is an unusual love the protagonist. The film which is loosely story with Kangana Ranaut and Vir Das. Pop- based on Monica Bellucci's Oscar winner, ularly known as Revolver Rani, Kangana plays Malena, is to be directed by award win- a politically active local who talks easier with ning director Shajiyem, who has been a gun easier than with words. Manipulated by receiving rave reviews for his recent film, her uncle for his political motives, Vir Das also Ms LEKHA THAROOR KAANUN- tries to get his way into Bollywood by wooing NATHU. BAD GIRL is being produced Rani. Revolver Rani will see Kangana in an all by Shah Productions. new quirky avatar after her role as a simpleton in QUEEN. Mumbai Bureau

http://www.nriachievers.in april 2014 NRI ACHIEVERS ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð 41 Silver Screen CINEMA : OUTLOOK FOR april-june SEASON Gear up for multiple releases of the choicest films during the next quarter, i.e., between April and June this year! Films slated for release are David Dhawan’s MAIN TERA HERO, Kundan Shah’s P SE PM TAK, Ravi Chopra’s BHOOTHNATH RETURNS, Feroz Khan Abbas’s DEKH TAMASHA DEKH, the Rajanikant starrer KOCHADAIYYAN, the -Alia Bhat starrer 2 STATES,, Subhash Ghai’s KAANCHI, Rajshri Pictures SAMRAT & CO starring Rajeev Khandelwal, Inder Kumar’s Rekha starrer SUPER NANI, Amol Gupte’s HAWA HAWAAI, HEROPANTI, the Himesh Reshammiya starrer THE XPOSE, Anurag Kashyap’s UNGLI, The Ameesha Patel production DESI MAGIC, ’s CREATURE IN 3D, the Akshay Kumar starrer HOLIDAY, the Saif-Riteish starrer HUMSHAKALS directed by . Phew! Will these releases get affected by the IPL, examinations or the elections, or will they be able to conquer the hearts of the cine goers and make an impact in the box office? NRI Achievers delved into this topic by speaking to some leading film celebrities, and here's what they opine.

T P AGGARWAL, Producer FEROZ ABBAS KHAN, who has made DEKH TAMASHA DEKH, a cum Publisher of BLOCK- political satire, says: “Whether you release your film at the time of BUSTER, the film trade the examinations or IPL or the elections, what matters is not wheth- weekly, says: “IPL used to er your film is good or bad, but whether it is able to connect with affect the fate of the films the audiences instantly. I feel that good or bad are merely relative at the box office once upon terms. I am of the opinion that the really big star-studded films re- a time , but not today, be- leased during the IPL are always fool-proof because of the tremen- cause while the matches dous following that their stars command. IPL matches really affect were happening once in a to only a small extent that too in the latter stages when the knock-out blue moon at one time, portions of the matches become a problem for films. I do not think now there are far too many that the election period will affect the films which are released dur- cricket matches that you ing that period because the election period is synonymous with the even lose count of them. It youth for the holidays that they get during the elections. Take for is only when the semi fi- example films like BAND BAAJA BARAAT and QUEEN. Thanks to nals and the final matches the word of mouth publicity that the are being held when India films fetched, they went on to beat all the and Pakistan are battling it records of the other films which were out, there will be a slump released during the same period. In at the box office. While only the final year examinations April, when my film DEKH TAMASHA will make a dent at the box office collections, when the DEKH will be released, it will not be af- electioneering stars , it will affect the films a lot, because a fected because it is only the University vast majority of our youth will be weaned away by vested examinations which will be taking place interests with drinks and bribes and the atmosphere also then, not the school exams which will tends to become very dirty with the influx of dirty politics pose a problem for the grownups to keep and also instability sets in for some period till the new gov- their children away from the theaters ernment is formed”. and the TV sets at home”.

PRODUCER MUKESH BHATT is of the opinion that the exam season will definitely poke a span- ner into the works for films that are being released, as a large chunk of our audiences are youth and most of them will be preoccupied with exams. He adds, “Of course our youth also patron- ise the IPL but India is a very vast country and not every youngster is keen on cricket or for that matter IPL matches. The IPL matches will also affect the films but only on days when there are interesting matches. Today there is a big threat to films only if they are released at a time when India and Pakistan are pitted against each other in a cricket match, not when the IPL matches are on because there is no patriotism involved whenever in IPL. In fact, I am releasing my film CITYLIGHTS during the IPL and the elections because it is only the big budget film- makers who do not want to take any chance at the box office as far as the prospects of their films are concerned, not the small-budget film maker, who does not mind taking risk”.

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

PAHALAJ NIHALANI, Producer-Director-Exhibitor-Distributor whose film AVATAR is being readied for early release feels that the IPL will not affect the fate of films in India much these days because of the trend to hold matches outside India. “Even if IPL matches are held in India, if they are held at nights there is absolutely no chance of them affecting the collections at the box office, because the multiplexes run shows right from 8 am till 11.30 pm at night and anyone who wishes to see a film can watch it at any convenient time of his or her choice. As far as the elections are concerned, they will certainly make a dent because the people who flock to theatres to watch films will prefer to make money during elections instead fo spending the money on tickets. The months of April and May are not conducive to release films, because if there are ex- aminations in April, thanks to the extremely hot weather during May, people go out of Mumbai and most of the theatres wear a deserted look, and it is only when the colleges reopen in June that theatres start registering collections once again. I should know because I own the theatre Nishat in Mumbai”, he adds.

VIJAY SINGH, CEO, NANDU AHUJA, Senior Vice President, Theatri- Fox Star Studios as- cal, Eros International feels that the release date serts that the fact that is very crucial for any film today since it is actu- theatrical business ally the deciding factor after determining the has continued to ex- right release window keeping in mind the ex- hibit strong underly- aminations, festivals, long week ends, the IPL and ing growth definitely the elections, besides the other releases which augurs well for the will clash with your film. “The distribution strat- future. “More of the egy for any film is dependent on several factors same will no longer work for the Indian audi- such as the genre of the film, the content and the ences. It is the key lesson that we have learnt cost of the making of the film etc. I feel that it is in 2013. If you have a lot of strong content based mid-segment movies, it will perform well at the box office, whether they are released SUNEIL SHETTY, Actor cum Producer, during the IPL matches or the elections or for has the last word on this: “The bottom that matter the examination period. What line is that what matters is a good film, matters is not only good content but also the and if you have a film that boasts of very ways in which they are released. Growth in the good content, you do not have to bother digital theatrical distribution platform has about IPL, examinations or even the extremely important to gauge the target audience been a very important enabler in reaching a general elections. In the past, we have for a film and then develop a distribution strat- wider audience base through a substantial in- had films which have proved to be excel- egy for it, which will be conducive for it”. crease in the number of screens.” lent at the box office, whether they were released during the IPL or even the ex- TARUN CHOPRA, Producer- to cast his vote and aminations. The IPL, I concede, may af- Director, who had recently then enjoy watching fect the prospects of any film only in the made W, quips, “It is only any movie of his choice initial stages as well as in the final stages when the cricket matches of since the date on which of the matches, especially if India is pit- the IPL is in its last lap that the elections will be ted against any foreign country because the excitement starts mount- held have been de- at that time the excitement level will soar ing and people are tempted clared as holidays for high otherwise it will be a cake walk for to stay glued to their TV sets the public. If it is ex- a film because we are a population of 120 to watch the matches, or if amination time, then crores today, and not everyone is inter- you can afford go out to the the chances of families ested in elections or IPL. It is only when matches and watch them going out to watch a you churn out a bad film that you have personally. As far as elec- film are remote. But no other alternative but to blame the IPL tions are concerned, it is not the fact that QUEEN or examinations or for that matter the going to make any major dif- has clicked in such a election time as the reason for the failure ference to the fortunes of big way though it was of your film.” films which are being released because released during the examinations has if a person wants to see a film, he will proved that if you come up with a good Jyothi Venkatesh make it a point to go to the polling early film, sky is the limit”. The writer is a well-known & established film critic.

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

OLYMPICS… RURAL-INDIA STYLE… was perched precariously with How do they stop after the finish attended the globally famous Kila my camera gear on the crowded line?" He says: "They don't stop. They Raipur Rural Olympics, which have 4 feet by 7 feet roof of a guard just continue to run out of the stadi- been covered by BBC and National tower at the far end of the Kila um, into the fields, and stop when Geographic, besides multiple other Raipur Stadium. A videogra- their pace gradually reduces..." global channels and publications. pher, who had shot at Kila Raipur I am from Ludhiana, but, during This year, I was determined to correct Iearlier as well, had captured the lion's my entire Ludhiana life, I had never this anomaly. Upon checking the share of the available roof space. There were 8-10 other villagers stand- ing alongside. And the roof had no railing. Needless to say, it was not a very comfortable place to be, but it was a perfect vantage from a photog- rapher's point of view. I was asking a local a few questions about the bullock cart race which was yet to begin. He had pointed out the start line, the racetrack and the finish line for this race. The finish line was about 20 feet below and about 50 feet away from where I was located. I had incredulously looked at that line and had asked him - "These bullocks must be running at a fairly fast pace, and naturally, they don't have any brakes.

NRI ACHIEVERS april 2014 http://www.nriachievers.in 44 ÁèÌð ãñ´ àææÙ âð Travelogue

Photos & Text: Ajay Sood schedule, I realised that this unique sports meet was to happen on the weekend after Basant Pan- chami, in end-February. I planned this trip many weeks in advance. Even though I travel exten- sively, the excitement of visiting Kila Raipur far exceeded the excitement levels I had experienced lately for any of my other recent travels. We had made Hotel Sarovar Portico, a central- ly located, comfortable hotel in Ludhiana, our base for 2 days - the entire meet is a 4-day affair, but we had decided to be there on day 3 and 4, as the star events happen on these days. From there, the journey to Kila Raipur is normally about 35 minutes, traffic-permitting. Once we reached there, the programme sheet handed over to us listed some real strange events. Despite the bullock cart races being the star at- traction of the meet, the other events had a rustic charm of their own. Dog races, dancing ponies and camels, dare-devil Nihang riders, motorbike stunt riders, bare-back riders racing their stal- lions, tractor races, timed loading and unloading of trolleys, were some of the rural attractions, be- sides the standard hockey, athletics, Kabaddi, tug- of-war, etc. The entire atmosphere was mostly that of a large village fair. The parking lot was large and orderly; the stadium had a semi-finished look, and was surrounded by the lush-green fields that are so

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

typical of Punjab; most of the crowd there is no schedule being followed; the event; catering to the media and was the villagers in their ethnic attire the schedule gets determined minute its special needs from the make-shift - some had come to cheer their village by minute. But in its’ own way, the media centre; managing the crowds; sportsmen, others had just come to event is a hugely organised effort. organising VIP guests who also pro- watch the action; media persons were Some bits of organising that go on vide grants for the meet; are just some there in full force to cover the event; behind the scenes, and need to be ap- of the visible aspects. Lots more must loud and hilarious Punjabi commen- preciated are - inviting the partici- have been happening behind-the- tary informing the spectators about pants from far-flung villages across scenes and that's what makes this en- the action in the stadium was flowing the entire Punjab-Haryana belt where, tire mammoth effort a marvel. incessantly from the loud-speakers even in this telecom era, communica- Our two days were hectic since the sprinkled across the entire stadium. tion is still a challenge (in fact, this action was non-stop. For instance, as But what contrasted it from a typical year, there were some sportspersons soon as a race would get over, high- village fair was the presence of a large who had come all the way from Luc- jump or some other athletics event number of camera-wielding foreign know); arranging for funds to get this would start. While that was still going tourists thronging the stadium. event going year-after-year (this year on, a Kabaddi match would begin. To an avid sports fan, this event was the 78th edition of these games); Show riders would enthrall you, and may seem slightly unorganised, as getting the media to come and cover before you had a chance to share your amazement with your group, the trac- tors would go flying past as a part of the tractor race. On top of that, the bullock cart races, which punctuate the meet (since there are many heats, quarter finals, semi-finals and final), genuinely take the cake on adrena- line-quotient. But, despite the fre- netic action, the experience was awe- some. While you'll see some glimpses of the action in the images alongside, to take in the entire electric atmosphere and its thrill, it is recommended that you be there in person.

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

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

RNI No. DELBIL/2012/45826 Postal regd No. dn/297/2013-2015 Date of Publication: 5th of every Month Date of Posting: 8th & 9th of every Month