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

April 1, 2012

I India RevieI w Vol. 8 Issue 4 www.indianembassy.org

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee arriving in Parliament to present the federal Budget, 2012-13, in New Delhi on March 16. Indian Budget seeks to drive growth recovery, stimulate investment

n Fourth BRICS n U.S. Secretary of n Ambassador Summit held in Commerce John Bryson Nirupama Rao meets New Delhi visits India Mayor Vincent Gray Cover STORY

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee at a photo-op before presenting the General Budget 2012-13 in Parliament in New Delhi on March 16. To his right is Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena. India to advance investment, cut subsidies, recast tax regime Federal Budget 2012-13 aims to improve macroeconomic environment and strengthen domestic growth drivers

ith an assurance that economic growth. The slowdown was and transparency and address the there were clear signs of primarily due to deceleration in indus - problem of black money and an economic recovery in trial growth, he said. While headline corruption in public life. W India, Finance Minister inflation had remained high for most Pranab Mukherjee on March 16 pre - part of the year, the Finance Minister REVENUE EXPENDITURE sented the Federal Budget for 2012- expressed hope that it would moderate Referring to the growth of revenue 13, with a promise to advance invest - in the next few months and remain sta - expenditure, particularly subsidies, the ment, cut subsidies and recast the ble thereafter. Minister said that from 2012-13, while entire tax regime. The `4,909,250 million ($300 bil - subsidies related to food and for “The global crisis has affected us. lion) federal budget identified five key administering the Food Security Act India’s gross domestic product (GDP) objectives: Focusing on domestic would be fully provided for, all other 2 is expected to grow at 6.9 percent in demand-driven growth recovery; cre - subsidies would be funded without 2011-12, after having grown at 8.4 per - ating conditions for rapid revival of adversely affecting the economy. The cent in each of the two preceding high growth in private investment; government would try to restrict years,” the Finance Minister said in his addressing supply bottlenecks in agri - expenditure on central subsidies to opening remarks in Parliament while culture, energy and transport sectors under 2 percent of the GDP in 2012- presenting the Budget. GDP growth (such as coal, power, highways, rail - 13 and over the next three years, bring was expected to be around 7.6 per cent ways and aviation); intervening deci - it down to 1.75 percent. A mobile- in 2012-13, he said. sively to address the problem of malnu - based Fertilizer Management System, The Finance Minister said though trition; expedite coordinated imple - to be introduced this year, has been the global crisis had affected India, the mentation of decisions being taken to designed to provide end-to-end infor - country remained a front runner in improve delivery systems, governance, mation on movement of fertilizers and

April 2012 India Review Cover STORY subsidies, he said. Subsidies would be bring it closer to central excise. A com - transferred to the retailer and eventual - mon simplified registration form and a ly to the farmers in subsequent phases, common return form are being intro - benefiting nearly 120 million families duced for central excise and service of farmers. taxes. All services will now attract serv - ice tax, except those in the negative list. TAXES The negative list has 17 heads and Tax Receipts: In the budget estimates includes specified services provided by for 2012-13, the gross tax receipts are government or local authorities, and estimated at `10,776.12 billion, an services in the fields of education, rent - increase of 15.6 percent over the esti - ing of residential dwellings, entertain - 3 mates and 19.5 percent over the ment and amusement, public trans - revised estimates for 2011-12. After portation, agriculture and animal hus - devolution to states, the net tax to the bandry. A number of other services, federal government in 2012-13 is esti - including healthcare and services pro - mated at `7,710.71 billion. The non- vided by charities, independent jour - tax revenue receipts are estimated at nalists, sportpersons, and performing `1,646.14 billion and non-debt capital Budget allows airlines to folk and classical artistes, are exempt receipts at `416.50 billion. The total from service tax. The film industry also expenditure for 2012-13 is budgeted at access foreign funds gets tax exemption on copyrights relat - `14,909.25 billion. o help address concerns of the Indian ing to recording of cinematographic The tax proposals are guided by the civil aviation sector, Finance Minister films. Service tax rate is being need to move towards the Direct Tax T Pranab Mukherjee has said domestic increased from 10 percent to 12 per - Code (DTC) in the case of direct taxes airlines could borrow up to $1 billion in exter - cent, with consequential change in and Goods & Services Tax (GST) in nal loans for a period of one year. He also cur - rates for services that have individual the case of indirect taxes. tailed customs duty on aircraft parts. “To tax rates. Income Tax: The Budget exempts address the immediate financing concerns of Net Tax Gain: While direct tax pro - individual income of up to `200,000 the civil aviation sector. I propose to permit posals in the budget will result in a net from income tax. In 2011-12, income external commercial borrowings (ECB) for revenue loss of `45 billion, indirect up to `180,000 was exempt from tax. working capital requirement for the airline taxes will result in a net revenue gain of Income above `500,000 and up to industry for a period of one year subject to a `459.40 billion. Thus, the tax propos - `1 million will now attract tax at the ceiling of $1 billion,” Minister Mukherjee said als will lead to a net gain of ` 414.40 rate of 20 percent. Senior citizens while presenting the Budget for 2012-13 in billion. without any income from business now Parliament. need not pay advance tax. ECB is a mode used by the government to AVIATION Corporate Tax: While no changes have help Indian corporations and public sector The Finance Minister proposed to been made in corporate taxes, the undertakings access foreign funds. permit external commercial borrowing Budget proposes several measures to Minister Mukherjee further proposed to for working capital requirements of the promote investment in specific sectors. exempt the maintenance, repair and overhaul airline industry for a period of one In order to provide low-cost funds to (MRO) sector from basic customs duty on air - year, subject to a total ceiling of $1 bil - some stressed infrastructure sectors, craft parts, tyres and testing equipment. lion. He said that a proposal to allow withholding tax on interest payments According to the Finance Minister, the gov - foreign airlines to participate up to 49 on external commercial borrowings ernment was considering the proposal for per cent in the equity of an air trans - (ECBs) is being reduced from 20 per - allowing foreign carriers to invest up to 49 port undertaking was under considera - cent to 5 percent for 3 years. These percent in the domestic carriers. tion. sectors include power, airlines, roads and bridges, ports and shipyards, will also be eligible for investment- AGRICULTURE affordable housing, fertilizers and linked deduction. The Budget proposed a `202.08 bil - dams. Investment-linked deduction of The budget also proposes weighted lion (an 18 percent increase) plan out - capital expenditure in some businesses deduction for research and develop - lay for the Department of Agriculture has been raised to 150 percent from ment expenditure, agri-extension serv - and Cooperation while the outlay for 100 percent. These sectors cover cold ices and expenditure on skill develop - the agricultural development plan has chain facilities, warehouses for storing ment in the manufacturing sector. been increased to `92.17 billion. The foodgrains, hospitals, fertilizers and Service Tax: The Finance Minister target for agricultural credit was raised affordable housing. Container freight also sought to widen the service tax to `5,750 billion, representing an and warehousing for storage of sugar base, strengthen its enforcement, and increase of `1,000 billion over the tar -

April 2012 India Review Cover STORY

Key highlights of Budget 2012-13 expected to go up to `50 trillion (approximately $1,112 billion) with half n Budget identifies five objectives related to growth, investment supply bottlenecks, of this expected to come from the private governance and removing malnutrition sector. In March, the country also n Fiscal deficit targeted at 5.1 percent of GDP, as against 5.9 percent in revised estimates for launched its First Infrastructure Debt 2011-12 Fund with an initial size of `80 billion. In n Federal government debt at 45.5 percent of GDP as compared to 13th Finance Commission addition, tax-free bonds of `600 billion target of 50.5 percent will be allowed for financing infrastruc - n Central subsidies to be kept under 2 percent of GDP, to be further brought down to 1.75 ture projects in 2012-13. The govern - percent of GDP over the next three years ment has also approved a harmonized n `300 billion to be raised through disinvestments master list for the infrastructure sector. n Efforts to reach a broad-based consensus on FDI in multi-brand retail n Investment in 12th plan in infrastructure to go up to `50 trillion, half of which is expected CUSTOMS DUTY from private sector The budget offers relief to different n Target for agricultural credit raised to `57.50 trillion sectors of economy, especially those n Income tax exemption limit raised from `180,000 to `200,000; upper limit of 20 per cent tax under stress. Import of equipment for slab raised from `800,000 to ` 1 million fertilizer projects are fully exempted n Standard rate of excise duty raised from 10 per cent to 12 per cent; service tax rates raised from basic customs duty of 5 per cent from 10 percent to 12 percent for 3 years. Basic customs duty is also lowered for a number of equipment used in agriculture and related areas. get for the current year. In order to management of CPSEs would remain In infrastructure, customs relief is improve the outreach of the food-pro - with the government. being given to power, coal and rail - cessing sector, a new centrally spon - ways sectors. While steam coal gets sored scheme, National Mission on BONDS AND SHARES full customs duty exemption for 2 Food Processing, would be started in The Finance Minister proposed to years (with the concessional counter- cooperation with the states, the allow Qualified Foreign Investors veiling duty of 1 per cent), natural gas, Minister added. (QFIs) access to the Indian corporate liquid natural gas and certain uranium bond market. He also proposed simpli - fuel get full duty exemption this year. DEFENSE fying the process of Initial Public Different levels of duty concessions The Budget has expanded military Offers (IPOs). The minister proposed are provided to help mining, railways, spending by over 17 percent to to provide `158.88 billion for capital - roads, civil aviation, manufacturing, `1,934.07 billion. In real terms, this ization of public sector banks, regional health and nutrition and environment. increase amounts to `289.92 billion in rural banks and other financial institu - To help modernize the textile industry, the total outlay for defense for 2012- tions including NABARD. a number of equipment are fully 13 compared to `1,644.15 billion for exempted from basic customs duty. the previous year. The Finance INFRASTRUCTURE Customs duty is raised for gold bars Minister also announced a raise in the During the Twelfth Five-Year Plan and coins of certain categories, plat - capital expenditure of the armed forces period, investment in infrastructure is inum and gold ore. to `795.79 billion, a 15.7 percent hike from the previous year’s capital alloca - tion of `691.99 billion.

DISINVESTMENT The Finance Minister said the 4 Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) were being given a level-play - ing field vis-à-vis the private sector in practices such as buybacks and listing on stock exchanges. Stating that in 2011-12, the government would raise about `140 billion from disinvestment as against a target of `400 billion, he proposed to raise `300 billion through disinvestment in 2012-13. He said that A view of one of the lounges of the Delhi International Airport, one of the world’s top international at least 51 percent ownership and airports. The Budget envisages over $1,000 billion worth investment during the 12th Five-Year Plan.

April 2012 India Review Cover STORY India to grow at 7.6 percent, play active global role: Economic Survey Challenges include raising infrastructure and building human capital

production is likely to improve in the coming financial year. The Survey also called for allowing foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail and 5 reducing subsidies, especially on diesel. As the country enters the 12th Five-Year Plan from April 1, the Survey observed that the challenges before it included laying a sound foundation with major initiatives for building infrastructure, building Chief Economic Adviser Dr. Kaushik Basu addressing a press conference after the Economic Survey was human capital, and eradicating presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Parliament in New Delhi on March 15. poverty and malnutrition. A flagship annual document of the ndia’s economic growth would almost 7 percent in February. The Ministry of Finance, the Economic rebound to 7.6 percent in Survey, however, said fiscal consoli - Survey reviews the developments in the 2012-13 on the back of soften - dation was the only way to keep Indian economy over the previous 12 I ing inflation and better indus - inflation down. “But despite the low months, summarizes the performance trial production, enabling it to play an growth figure of 6.9 percent, India on major development programs, and active role on the world stage and remains one of the fastest growing highlights the policy initiatives of the influencing international trade, economies of the world as all major government and the prospects of the capital flows and governance of glob - countries including the fast growing economy in the short to medium term. al financial institutions, the Economic emerging economies are seeing a sig - The Economic Survey is presented to Survey 2011-12 has said. nificant slowdown,” the Survey noted. both houses of Parliament during the The Survey, tabled by Finance According to the Survey, industrial Budget Session. Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Parliament on March 15, projected Railway Budget focusses on upgrade of infrastructure 8.6 percent expansion in the coun - try’s gross domestic product (GDP) he Railway Budget, presented in Parliament on March 14, sought to raise investment in in 2013-14. modernization and upgrade of rail infrastructure. The budget, with the highest-ever plan “Economic growth is expected to T outlay of `601 billion, provides `68,720 million for new railway lines and significant remain at 7.6 percent, plus or minus funds for passengers safety, security and amenities. 0.25 percent, in 2012-13 and it will The budget focussed on five important fields: safety; consolidation; decongestion & capacity improve further to 8.6 percent in augmentation; modernization; and bringing down operating ratio from 95 percent to 84.9 2013-14,” said Chief Economic percent in 2012-13. Advisor Dr. Kaushik Basu. The economy is estimated to expand Key highlights of Railway budget 2012-13 6.9 percent in the current financial n 75 new express trains, 21 new passenger services trains proposed year ending March 31, he added. n 137 new sub-urban services to come up in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata The Survey said inflation would n 725 km new railway lines to be introduced remain in the range of 6.5-7 percent by n A green train and 200 Green Energy Stations proposed the end of March. It projected a further n Special coaches for differently-abled persons moderation in inflationary pressure in n Emphasis on infrastructure development — 5 focus areas identified 2012-13. n 19,000 km rail tracks to be modernized Inflation in the current fiscal has n Mission-mode approach for rail modernization largely been driven by high food n Minor increase in passenger fares prices. It had slipped to a low of 6.6 n A slew of passenger amenities being introduced percent in January, but rebounded to

April 2012 India Review BRICS SUMMIT

Heads of the BRICS countries (L to R) President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, President Dimitry Medvedev of Russia, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, President Hu Jintao of China and President Jacob Zuma of South Africa pose prior to the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on March 29. BRICS to set up joint bank, promote investment At the fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi, the leaders of the five-nation group called for measures to promote sustained and balanced global economic growth

he BRICS nations — Brazil, reforming global governance institu - and increasing representation of devel - Russia, India, China and tions and closer coordination on global oping countries,” said President Hu South Africa — at a summit issues. The BRICS nations comprise Jintao while calling for enhancing polit - T held in New Delhi on March nearly half the world’s population and a ical trust through increased dialogue. 29 have resolved to explore the setting growing share of global GDP. Stressing BRICS includes two veto-wielding up of a joint development bank to pro - on the need to restructure the world members of the UN Security Council mote mutual investment in infrastruc - order to accommodate emerging — Russia and China — and three ture, primarily in emerging economies economies and developing countries, members aspiring for a permanent seat and developing economies. This, along the five leaders called for a sustained — India, Brazil and South Africa. 6 with the pact they signed to spur trade and balanced global economic growth. The BRICS leaders also called for in their local currencies, was a major “While some progress has been greater voting rights for developing outcome of the BRICS Summit made in international financial institu - countries in the IMF. themed “BRICS Partnership for Global tions, there is lack of movement on the In a renewed assertion, BRICS Stability, Security and Prosperity”. political side. BRICS should speak called for implementation of the 2010 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan with one voice on important issues governance and quota reform before Singh and Presidents Hu Jintao such as the reform of the UN Security the 2012 IMF/World Bank annual (China), Dmitry Medvedev (Russia), Council,” said Prime Minister Singh. meeting as well as a comprehensive Dilma Rousseff (Brazil) and Jacob “We are committed to stepping up review of the quota formula to better Zuma (South Africa) ended the fourth exchanges with other countries on reflect economic weightages. BRICS summit by renewing the call for global economic governance reforms The BRICS nations decided to

April 2012 India Review BRICS SUMMIT explore the possibility of creating its merit-based process” for the selection stand ready to work with others, devel - first institution in the form of a South- of the World Bank and IMF heads. oped and developing countries togeth - South Development Bank that would Pledging support for the United er, on the basis of universally recog - mobilize “resources for infrastructure Nations system the Delhi Declaration nized norms of international law and and sustainable development projects noted, “Considering UNCTAD to be multilateral decision making, to deal in BRICS and other emerging the focal point in the UN system for the with the challenges and the opportuni - economies and developing countries”, treatment of trade and development ties before the world today.” the BRICS’ Delhi Declaration said. issues, we intend to invest in improving Marking the emergence of the BRICS The leaders directed their finance its traditional activities of consensus- as a powerful pressure group for devel - ministers “to examine the feasibility building, technical cooperation and oping countries in global politics, the and viability of such an initiative, set up research on issues of economic devel - BRICS leaders called for speedier reso - 7 a joint working group for further study opment and trade. We reiterate our lution of the Arab-Israeli conflict and and report back by the next summit”. willingness to actively contribute to the the creation of an independent Palestine The development banks of the five achievement of a successful UNCTAD co-existing with Israel and backed countries signed two pacts, including a XIII, in April 2012.” greater regional and international coop - master agreement on extending credit The five countries said dialogue was eration for the stabilization of facility in local currency and a BRICS the only way to resolve the Iranian and Afghanistan. The summit adopted an multilateral letter of credit confirma - Syria issues. “We agreed that a lasting ambitious multi-layered action plan and tion facility agreement, which could solution in Syria and Iran can only be identified new areas of cooperation that help scale up bilateral trade from $230 found through dialogue,” Prime include multilateral energy cooperation billion to $500 billion by 2015. Minister Singh said. within the BRICS framework, a general The BRICS leaders welcomed candi - The Delhi Declaration added, “We academic evaluation and future long- datures from the developing world for envision a future marked by global term strategy for BRICS, a BRICS the position of the President of the peace, economic and social progress Youth Policy Dialogue, and cooperation World Bank and backed “an open and and enlightened scientific temper. We in population-related issues.

n Syria: BRICS voices “deep concern” over Syria and calls for “an immediate end to all violence and violations of human rights” and backs a Syrian-led political process. n Arab-Israeli conflict: Backs speedier resolu - tion of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the creation of an independent Palestine co-existing with Israel. n Doha Round: To step up joint efforts for successful conclusion of the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh speaking at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Also seen (L-R) are Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, Commerce Minister Anand n Climate change: Backs green economy Sharma and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India, Montek Singh Ahluwalia. and stands for closer coordination on global climate change negotiations. Highlights of the Delhi BRICS Summit n Action Plan: Adopts an all-encompassing action plan that includes, among other (As reflected in the Delhi Declaration) n Intra-BRICS trade: Results in Development things, meetings of foreign ministers on Banks of BRICS countries signing two pacts sidelines of the UN and meetings of n Global governance reforms: Pitches for for boosting intra-BRICS trade. BRICS to set Finance Ministers and Central Bank reform of global governance institutions, up Exchange Alliance, a joint initiative by Governors on sidelines of G-20 including the UN, the International related BRICS securities exchanges. meetings/other multilateral meetings. Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. n Development Bank: Agrees to explore the n Areas of Cooperation: To identify new n IMF, World Bank posts: Backs a “merit- setting up of a BRICS-led South-South areas of cooperation that includes based selection-process” for the heads of Development Bank. It will promote mutual multilateral energy cooperation within the IMF and the World Bank. investment and fund infrastructure projects BRICS framework, a general academic n Global economic recovery: Supports in BRICS and developing countries. evaluation and future long-term strategy for closer coordination for balanced and n Iran: Backs dialog to resolve the Iranian BRICS; BRICS Youth Policy Dialogue; and sustained global economic recovery. nuclear impasse. cooperation in population related issues.

April 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS Ambassador Nirupama Rao Indian IT Industry a key element of India-U.S. meets Mayor Vincent Gray relationship: Rao t an event at the Center for Strategic referred to the gamut of India’s com - and International Studies (CSIS), mercial relationship with the United A Washington, DC, Ambassador States, including investments made by Nirupama Rao and NASSCOM President Som Indian companies in 43 states of the Mittal launched a report, titled ‘India’s Tech United States and the consequent job- Industry in the U.S.’ on March 22. The report creation in those states. details the contributions of the Indian IT Welcoming the Ambassador, Mayor industry to the U.S. economy, such as creat - Gray expressed keen interest in deep - ing jobs in American states, enhancing the ening cooperation between the District competitiveness of U.S. businesses and carry - and India, and hoped that more Indian ing out corporate social responsibility tasks in Ambassador Nirupama Rao with Mayor of the companies would be drawn to the cooperation with local communities. District of Columbia Vincent Gray on March 8. District for their investment plans. In her remarks at the launch of the report, n a meeting with the Mayor of Ambassador Rao extended an invita - Ambassador Rao observed that the Indian IT the District of Columbia, Vincent tion to Mayor Gray to visit India during industry was one of the “key constituents and Gray, on March 8, Ambassador which the two sides could explore the stakeholders in the rapidly growing India-U.S. INirupama Rao said India and the possibility of establishing closer link - relationship, and was committed to seeking District could look to greater coopera - ages. The Mayor said he looked for - long-term technology partnerships with U.S. tion in the field of education in the ward to such a visit at a mutually con - businesses that were mutually beneficial”. larger context of the India-U.S. bilat - venient date. Present at the meeting With the growth of the India-U.S. Strategic eral relations, where both countries were Natwar Gandhi, Chief Financial Partnership, the willingness of the Indian IT had made “excellent progress” in Officer of the District of Columbia, and firms to imbue it with concrete commercial advancing their goals. Touching on Cynthia Brock-Smith, Secretary of the underpinnings had also grown, she added. business relations, the Ambassador District of Columbia. ‘Hispanic community an important partner’ elcoming a group of Congressional Hispanic W Caucus members to a dinner reception on March 20 at her resi - dence in Washington DC, Ambassador Nirupama Rao described America’s Hispanic community “as an important partner in India’s relations with the United States with the ties between the two countries becoming increasingly multifaceted and multidimensional”. In her remarks, partly delivered in 8 Spanish, Ambassador Rao highlighted the importance of the Congressional Ambassador Nirupama Rao with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on March 20. Hispanic Caucus as a “representative body for an important group of con - Ambassador Rao also gave the mem - Congressional Hispanic Caucus, stituents in the United States that bers of the Caucus a brief overview of Congressman Silvestre Reyes thanked showcased the plurality of American the present state of the global strategic Ambassador Rao for her hospitality society”. Those attending the reception partnership between India and the and for organizing the interaction included Congressmen Ruben United States, highlighting their between the Embassy of India and the Hinojosa and Silvestre Reyes from shared values and converging interests, Caucus. He echoed Ambassador Rao’s Texas, and Congresswoman Grace and referred to the vast canvas of bilat - observation that the India-U.S. strate - Napolitano and Congressman Jim eral cooperation. gic partnership “offered a pillar of sta - Costa from California. Speaking on behalf of the bility amidst many uncertainties”.

April 2012 India Review Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS ‘Foremost task of India’s foreign policy is to enable domestic transformation’ peaking at the Hudson foreign policy seeks security and converging interests. It is based on our Institute on ‘Indian Foreign support from the international fundamental belief that we have mutu - Policy in the 21st Century: community as we build and trans - ally beneficial stakes in each other’s SChallenges and Opportunities’ form our society and economy. success. We have in the last decade, set on March 22, Ambassador Nirupama In terms of geography, India’s for - up a comprehensive architecture of Rao pointed out that India’s strategic eign policy has always regarded the engagement based on broad political 9 goals were basically meant to enable a concept of neighborhood as one of support in each of our countries, qualitative transformation within by widening concentric circles, around a strong people-to-people linkages, and accelerating growth and pursuing a central axis of historical and cultural a growing habits of cooperation. Over mode of strategic autonomy that commonalties. From this point of view, the past ten years, the two govern - safeguarded the national interest at it has always given due priority to the ments have put in place a very robust all times. development of relations with the agenda of cooperation for our partner - countries of Asia. An article of stead - ship that is, to quote Prime Minister Excerpts from Ambassador Nirupama fast faith in our foreign policy, has Dr. Manmohan Singh, founded on Rao’s speech on the occasion: been to ensure a peaceful, secure and both ‘principles and pragmatism’. “The foremost task of India’s for - stable neighborhood, so as to safe - The overseas Indian communities eign policy is to enable the domestic guard peace, security and development have been natural partners in India’s transformation of India. And by this within our own borders, and it is with growth and development.” we mean making possible the trans - this perspective that India is developing The full text of Ambassador formation of India’s economy and a mutually beneficial relationship with Nirupama Rao’s speech can be society while promoting our values of all her neighbors. viewed at: http://www.indianem - pluralism, democracy and secular - Looking beyond Asia, we have tried bassy.org/prdetail1892/address-by- ism. This requires us to work for a to build mutually beneficial ties with all ambassador-nirupama-rao-at-the- supportive external environment that the major powers, foremost among hudson-institute-on-andquot%3 is peaceful, thus enabling us to which is the United States. Our rela - Bindian-foreign-policy-in-the-21st- concentrate on our growth and devel - tionship with the United States is in century%3A-challenges-and-opportu - opment. At the broadest level, our fact built on our shared values and nitiesandquot%3B Ambassador congratulates YouTube Space Lab winner he winner of the YouTube Space and interests in the specialized area of Lab 2012 from the Asia-Pacific aerospace engineering and wished him T region, and one of the six global a bright future. winners of this competition, Sachin S. Sachin’s experiment explores the Kukke, called on Ambassador transfer of heat in ferrofluid — a spe - Nirupama Rao on March 23 and cial liquid that is magnetized when shared his experience of conceptualiz - subjected to a magnetic field. ing and carrying out innovative scientif - The study can benefit development ic experiments. At the meeting, Sachin, of advanced cooling and heat transfer a student of mechanical engineering at systems. the BMS College for Engineering in Ambassador Rao was delighted to Bangalore (India), was accompanied learn that nearly 40 percent of the total by Lee Hunter, Head of Brand number of entries came from India Marketing for YouTube, and Claudio alone. Lilienfeld, Senior Policy Manager for YouTube and Lenovo, in cooperation Ambassador Nirupama Rao with Sachin S. Kukke, Asia Pacific at Google. the winner of YouTube Space Lab 2012. with Space Adventures, NASA, ESA Warmly congratulating Sachin for (European Space Agency), and JAXA his achievement, Ambassador Rao potential of a dynamic, resurgent India (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) remarked that in India “students like and it’s young population”. She had announced YouTube Space Lab Sachin symbolize the hopes and the encouraged Sachin to pursue his goals challenge in October 2011.

April 2012 India Review Embassy EVENTS Embassy hosts introduction of Sumit Ganguly’s ‘India since 1980’ he Embassy of India hosted a Prof. Sumit Ganguly, Rabindranath Bloomington, along with panelists T book introduction and discussion Tagore Chair in Indian Cultures and Gautam Adhikari and Jonah Blank on of India Since 1980 by its author Civilizations at Indiana University, March 22. 1 2 3 4

5

1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao addressing the audience. 2. Dr. Sumit Ganguly reading from his book. 3. Panelist Gautam Adhikari speaking on contemporary India. 4. Panelist Jonah Blank presenting his views on contemporary India. 5. Guests in attendance.

Columbia University Alumni Club briefing

he Embassy hosted a briefing March 23 for members of the D.C. bers of the federal and state govern - by Ambassador on India and based Columbia University Alumni ment, the administration, business T India-U.S. relations on club. The attendees included mem - professionals and scholars. 1 2 3

10 4 1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao addressing the gathering. 2. Sukumar Dwarkanath, President, Columbia University Club of DC, speaking on the occasion. 3. Sadanand Dhume, Columbia University Alumnus & Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, speaking on the occasion. 4. A cross-section of guests in attendance.

April 2012 India Review Anil Revri SPEAKS A journey in search of self... New Delhi-born Indian-American artist Anil Revri is well known for his expression of profound themes of philosophy of culture through images, employing geometric designs and abstractions. His exhibitions have traveled far and wide — to India, Europe and the United States. He enchanted art lovers in the Washington, DC area with Faith and Liberation through Abstraction — his interfaith project comprising 11 drawings, paintings and sculpture — at the American University Museum (Katzen Arts Center) from January through April, 2012.

Artist Anil Revri at the Embassy on January 28, 2012.

Excerpts from an interview with the thoughts on the tal band of text highlights noted artist: underlying themes scriptures related to peace of the exhibition? from the aforementioned Q: Your exhibition Faith and Liberation Anil Revri : The les - religions that scroll across Through Abstraction has attracted con - sons of secularism the entire surface of the siderable attention in the DC area. How that I learned during unit ad infinitum. did it come about and what was your my childhood in New Q: Describe in your vision while conceptualizing your art - Delhi ten years after words the response of the work and the exhibit itself? India’s Partition are larger American audi - Anil Revri : Jack Rasmussen, Director deeply ingrained in my ence to your exhibition. and Curator of the American psyche and find their How would you com - University Museum at the Katzen Arts way into my work. pare the reaction of the Center, offered me a show in 2009. Indian-origin audience, if At that time, I had just Left: Cultural Crossings 6, at all any different? Suite 1 1998–2001: Mixed started the Ram media on Arches paper Anil Revri : The overwhelming Darwaza series of (30.48 X 22.86 cm): response in favor of the exhibition by paintings. Our initial Collection of the Corcoran Indians, Americans, critics and the Gallery of Art; Above: Pages plan was to show ten from a Manuscript 4, 2011: audience in general has been hum - paintings from this Mixed media on handmade bling. Furthermore, it is reassuring to series along with eight - paper (30.48 X 22.86 cm); learn that the vast majority of people een smaller works on Faith and Liberation prefer non-violent and peaceful resolu - paper. However, it was - Through Abstraction tions to conflict. n’t until a year later, is designed to stimu - Q: You are an Indian-American artist. when I received Donald late interfaith dia - How has your affiliation to both cul - Kuspit’s essay Faith and logue at the grass- tures influenced your work? Liberation Through roots level. It compris - Anil Revri : The work is a visual Abstraction written for the occasion, es thirty-seven drawings, paintings, record of my journey in search of the that I began to rethink the exhibition in and sculpture created in the last fifteen self. The different phases and stylistic terms of a multi-disciplinary, site-spe - years. These contemporary composi - shifts may be considered as stops cific project. tions have been created using the word along the way. As 2011 also marked the tenth Ram in Devanagari script as well as Q: How would you rate the level of anniversary of the tragic events of scriptures in their native languages contemporary art in India and the res - September 11, 2001, the title and tim - from Buddhism, Christianity, onance it enjoys internationally? ing of the show provided a great Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Anil Revri : Indian artists have been opportunity to design a conceptual Sikhism. creating great works for a long time. exhibition that addressed the urgent Artistically, this exhibition also While it is certainly not the only rea - need for religious tolerance in pluralis - marks an important personal mile - son, it would be incorrect to discount tic societies within the framework of stone. It is the first time I have created the fact that the eyes of the world, for geometric abstraction. a site-specific conceptual sculpture now, are turned to India owing to its Q: Could you provide some more using LED technology. Each horizon - economic success.

April 2012 India Review Consulate EVENTS CGI New York hosts Holi celebrations

Consul-General Prabhu Dayal greeting the guests Consul-General of Trinidad & Tobago Rudrawatee The Permanent Representative of Mauritius to the on the occasion of Holi celebrations at the Indian Nan Ramgoolam addressing the gathering on the United Nations, Ambassador Milan Meetarbhan, Consulate, New York. occasion. speaking on the occasion.

oli, the festival of colors, Consulate celebrate all national festivals their remarks, said the festival was “an heralding the arrival of that bring about social cohesion, not indispensable event that brought about spring in India, was cele - only in India, but also the world over,” fraternity and cohesion amongst the H brated at the Consulate he said, adding that the Consulate had various sections of society”. General of India in New York on become a cultural hub for Indian- Holi signified the arrival of spring March 9. Nearly 150 guests from the Americans living in the Tri-State area. and rejuvenated people’s spirits, with Tri-state area graced the fun-filled The event was attended by Consul- the celebrations being marked by event. Among them were dignitaries, General of Trinidad and Tobago “spectacular color, music and dance”, artistes, academicians, members of Rudrawatee Nan Ramgoolam; Consul- they added. cultural associations, and mediaper - General of Guyana Brentnold F. R. The rituals and practices observed in sons. The event was held in the Evans; and the Permanent their respective countries and as Ballroom of New India House which Representative of Mauritius to the described by the speakers proved how resonated with traditional Holi songs. United Nations, Ambassador Milan “Indian traditions have been preserved Greeting the guests, Consul-General Meetarbhan. and nurtured amongst the diaspora Prabhu Dayal spoke about the secular Describing how Holi was celebrated through the course of time”, many traditions of India. “We at the in their countries, the dignitaries in guests observed.

‘India Pavilion’ at International Boston Seafood Show-2012 t the International Boston Seafood Show 2012 held at the Boston A Convention Center from March 11-13, India’s nodal seafood promotional Agency, Marine Products Export Development Authority 12 (MPEDA) displayed an array of seafood prod - ucts at the India Pavilion. MPEDA has been participating in the Show for the last 10 years. This year, MPEDA had six co-exhibitors: Dish Hospitality Pvt Ltd, West Coast Frozen Foods Pvt Ltd, Gadre Marine (L-R): The ‘Indian Pavilion’ at International Boston Seafood Show 2012; Consul-General Prabhu Dayal with MPEDA Chairman Leena Nair at the India Pavillion. Exports Pvt Ltd, Seven Seas Exports Pvt Ltd, Surya Mitra Exim Pvt Ltd and Shree Datt the second time in a row for their product Hospitality on their success, Consul-General Aquaculture Farms Pvt. Ltd. Dish Hospitality, ‘Oriental Shrimp Nest’ in the Best New Food Prabhu Dayal also assured support for Indian won the 2012 Seafood Excellence Award for Service category. Congratulating Dish seafood trade in the United States.

April 2012 India Review Consulate EVENTS ‘Friends of India’ Mission 2012 felicitated he Consulate General of she said the program India, New York, organized was designed to a reception on March 5 at build linkages T New India House in honor between women of the “Friends of India” Mission entrepreneurs of 2012, a delegation of 17 senior busi - both countries and nesswomen from the New Jersey demonstrate support area. The delegation visited India in for India. The February 2012 in a show of solidari - Mission has net - 13 ty to the Sheriff of Mumbai and their worked with 86 Indian sisters, representing diverse Indian business - professional and business interests. women. The delega - Prominent members of the Indian- tion facilitated Consul-General Prabhu Dayal with members of the ‘Friends of India’ American community, including Mission 2012 delegation. From L-R: Aleksandra Lacka, Poonam Khubani, exchanges between businessmen, professionals, commu - Daryl Rand and Jill Cohen. HR College of nity leaders, and media personalities Mumbai and New from the Tri-State area attended the Daryl Rand, the leader of the dele - Jersey City University and provided function. Introducing the “Friends of gation, thanked the Consul-General scholarships to needy students, Rand India” Mission members to the audi - for organizing the reception and spoke added. ence, Consul-General Prabhu Dayal about the objective of the delegation’s Poonam Khubani, convener of the said the Mission would bring the visit to India. Pointing out that it was “Friends of India” mission spoke people of the two countries closer to the fourth Mission aimed at building about the evolution of the organiza - each other. solidarity with Indian businesswomen, tion and its various activities. CGI New York announces ‘Open Day’ New website for

officer for the interaction. CGI San Francisco The Open Day sessions would go a long way in sorting out problems faced by Indian nationals on issues relating to consular matters, notably those relat - ed to immigration, Consul- General Dayal pointed out. Consul-General N. Parthasarathi interacting with Consul-General Prabhu Dayal addressing the Press at New Other outreach interven - the media following the launch of the website. India House on March 28. tions (already in place for Non-Resident Indians and o facilitate the large number of o help understand problems People of Indian Origin), such as people seeking information faced by Indian nationals and dedicated television programs and Trelated to visas, passports, T effectively address them, the telephonic and email redress of OCI/PIO cards and other consular Consulate General of India in New queries, would, however, simultane - services, the Consulate General of York has decided to have an ‘Open ously continue, he said. India in San Francisco launched a Day’ for a one-on-one interaction. The Consul-General also newly designed user-friendly website Starting the first week of April 2012, announced that starting April 16, the on March 14. Ariel Quintos, the the New York Consulate will meet passport services for the New York longest-serving employee of the Indian nationals every working Consulate would be taken care of by Consulate, launched the website. Thursday between 2 pm to 4 pm, VFS Global. The agency was selected The initiative is in line with the Consul-General Prabhu Dayal based on a tender to implement the Consulate’s efforts to improve the announced in a Press briefing at New outsourcing of consular services at the delivery of services provided by India House on March 28. Embassy of India and other the Consulate and through its out - The Consulate has designated an Consulates in the U.S. sourcing agency TRAVISA.

April 2012 India Review Consulate EVENTS Consul-General Arora calls on Governor of Texas anjiv Arora, Consul-General research, healthcare and other areas, of India in Houston, called the two officials agreed. on Rick Perry, Governor of Consul-General Arora pointed to S Texas, at the State Capitol in India’s distinctive advantages as a busi - Austin on March 14. The meeting was ness destination/partner and suggested marked by a useful exchange of views that Governor Perry consider leading a on a wide range of issues relating to business mission from Texas to India. cooperation between India and the Governor Perry responded positively to State of Texas. the suggestion of the Consul-General. Consul-General Arora thanked During their meeting, Governor Governor Perry for his “commitment Perry and Consul-General Arora hailed to promoting friendship and coopera - the achievements of the vibrant Indian- tion between India and Texas”. There American community in Texas and the was vast potential for expanding col - Consul-General Sanjiv Arora with Governor of important role they played in fostering laborations in business, education, Texas Rick Perry in Austin on March 14. cooperation between the two sides. Consul-General’s engagements

Consul-General Sanjiv Arora with Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant at a function organized by the India Association of Mississippi at Jackson, Consul-General Arora with the alumni of the Indian Institutes of Management in the U.S. at their first Mississippi, on March 24. Convention themed ‘Blazing New Trails’ at the University of St. Thomas in Houston on March 17.

Consul-General Arora with Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, who delivered a Keynote Address, highlighting the economic strengths and business potential of India, at the 14 Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) on March 26. Judge Ed Emmett's address was part of the Chamber’s Distinguished Lecture Series.

Consul-General Arora with Mayor of Galveston Joe Jaworski on March 7.

April 2012 India Review Economy NEWS India, U.S. reaffirm commitment to strengthen economic partnership ommerce, Industry and Textiles Minister Anand Sharma and United States C Commerce Secretary John Bryson on March 26 reaffirmed their governments’ commitment to further 15 strengthen the India-U.S. economic partnership as an important element of the strategic relationship between the two countries, as outlined by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama. In their talks, Minister Sharma and Secretary Bryson expressed satisfac - tion at the “signs of recovery in eco - nomic growth and momentum in India and the United States”. The two lead - ers emphasized the importance of a “sustained global economic recovery, a stable Euro Zone, stability in the inter - Minister for Commerce & Industry and Textiles Anand Sharma with U.S. Secretary of Commerce national commodity and energy mar - John Bryson at a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on March 26. kets, and an open international trade environment for accelerating economic India-U.S. Commercial Dialogue, to the significance of India’s National growth and enhancing prosperity in the admirable growth in bilateral eco - Manufacturing Policy which aims to their countries”. nomic ties in recent years. They hailed raise the share of manufacturing in the The two leaders noted with satisfac - the important role the Commercial Indian economy and create employ - tion that bilateral trade in goods and Dialogue and other bilateral mecha - ment opportunities. services had exceeded $100 billion, nisms had played in providing oppor - In addition, India plans to set up making the U.S. the largest trading tunities for exchange of views with the National Investment and partner for India, and India one of the private sector. Manufacturing Zones (NIMZ) “as fastest-growing markets for the United The two leaders welcomed the suc - greenfield integrated industrial town - States. They welcomed the double- cessful conclusion of the last round of ships, which will open up enormous digit growth in trade between the two the Commercial Dialogue, chaired by opportunities for technology collabora - countries during the past two years, the Commerce Secretary of India tion and assimilation and investment rising flow of investments in both Dr. Rahul Khullar and Under by U.S. companies”, he added. directions and the growing role of Secretary of Commerce for The two leaders also agreed to innovation in the India-U.S. partner - International Trade Francisco launch a dialogue on sustainable man - ship. The two leaders noted that grow - Sánchez, in November 2011. They ufacturing and another on enhancing ing ties in areas, such as infrastructure, also agreed to extend the Commercial cooperation in standards. aviation, defense, energy, higher edu - Dialogue until March 2014. They directed their delegations to cation, financial services and informa - Minister Sharma and Secretary use the Commercial Dialogue to help tion technology, had broadened bilat - Bryson agreed that the Commercial “stimulate trade and investment ties eral economic ties. They welcomed the Dialogue should “encourage and facil - across all areas, particularly in infra - launch of the $2-billion Infrastructure itate exchange of ideas, best practices structure, clean energy, agriculture and Debt Fund in India in March 2012, and experiences in commercial issues cold-supply chain”. with the participation of Indian and between the two countries”. This was Minister Sharma thanked Secretary U.S. financial institutions. especially relevant, “as both countries Bryson for his visit and for bringing Minister Sharma and Secretary were seeking to bolster their national with him a high-level delegation of Bryson commended the contributions manufacturing base, driven by innova - U.S. infrastructure companies. They of the bilateral institutional tions and advanced technology”. agreed to continue their dialogue later mechanisms, especially that of the Minister Sharma drew attention to in the year in Washington, DC.

April 2012 India Review Economy NEWS India formulating new air cargo promotion policy

Private airlines to have global traffic rights he government was considering plans to give traffic rights to private airlines T on global routes to help them tide over their financial problems, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh has said. “Increasing international traffic rights can help private carriers eliminate some of their financial problems as international routes are more profitable,” he said at the India Aviation (L-R) Boeing India President Dr. Dinesh A. Keskar, Petroleum Minister Jaipal Reddy, Civil Aviation Minister 2012. The minister said about 500 to 600 new Ajit Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.Kiran Kumar Reddy at the inauguration of the India international flights would be opened to pri - Aviation-2012 show at Begumpet airport in Hyderabad on March 14. vate carriers this year under bilateral agree - ments for new destinations such as he government was formu - industry in the region,” said Minister Uzbekistan, Egypt, Ethiopia and Vietnam. lating an economic regulato - Singh. These bilateral agreements allow nations to ry framework for future air - In order to attract foreign operate international commercial air services Tports as well as an air cargo investors, India was allowing 100 within their territories. promotion policy, Civil Aviation percent FDI in greenfield airports Air India has only been able to use 30-35 Minister Ajit Singh has said. under the automatic route to facilitate percent of the total bilateral traffic rights avail - Inaugurating ‘India Aviation 2012’ world-class airports, the minister able with India. “This year it will go up to 40 in Hyderabad on March 14, he said said. “An appropriate economic regu - percent,” said Minister Singh. domestic passenger traffic was latory framework for future airports He added that a note on allowing private expected to continue growing at 9-10 is also being worked out to attract airlines to seek foreign direct investment had percent in the coming years. investment and ensure their viability.” been moved and the Commerce Ministry was “India is the fastest-growing civil Minister Singh said the cargo han - looking into it. aviation market in the world and by dled at Indian airports had seen “an 2020 will be amongst the first three impressive compounded annual Over 200 companies from 18 markets with about 420 million pas - growth rate of 10.9 percent during countries participated in the third sengers being handled by the Indian the last five years, with international edition of the international confer - airport system as against 140 million cargo accounting for nearly two- ence and exhibition on civil aviation, in 2010,” he said. thirds of the total cargo”. He said the jointly organized by the Government “The Indian airspace will play host ministry was also formulating an air of India and Federation of Indian to nearly 3.2 million aircraft. This cargo promotion policy, which would Chambers of Commerce and growth in India will also create excit - soon be brought up for industry-wide Industry. ing opportunities for the aerospace consultations. “The growing interest in our flag - ship aviation event is a reflection of the fact that India is fast on its way to becoming an aviation hub in the near future with this air show,” the minis - 16 ter said. Minister Singh said India was uniquely placed to “offer enormous opportunities and potential for growth for aviation companies world - wide”. During the last decade, traffic car - ried by domestic airlines in India grew nearly six-fold from 13 million to around 60 million in 2011, he The Sukhoi ‘Superjet 100’ was showcased for the first time in India at India Aviation 2012 at Hyderabad. pointed out.

April 2012 India Review Science NEWS Indian-Americans win talent search contest

ndian-American teenager Nithin petition. All the finalists restoration effort for histor - Reddy Tumma has won a met with President ical and cultural landmarks. $100,000 award in the presti - Barack Obama at the Patel received a $25,000 Igious Intel Science Talent Search White House on award for studying how competition for his research in devis - March 13. non-speech patterns of ing a more effective and less toxic Tumma, 17, from sounds called sonifications breast cancer treatment. Michigan analyzed the convey information. His Two other Indian-American finalists molecular mechanisms research may lead to a com - 17 in the competition — Neel Patel from in cancer cells and found puter-user interface that Florida and Anirudh Prabhu from that by inhibiting certain could be as revolutionary as Indiana — were placed sixth and sev - proteins, the growth of the graphical interface when enth, respectively. cancer cells could be Nithin Reddy Tumma it was put to use 30 years The winners overcame tough com - slowed and their ago. petition from a group of 40 finalists, malignancy decreased. Prabhu received a $25,000 prize for seven of them Indian-Americans, in Tumma is a varsity tennis player and his investigation into the odd-perfect what has been described as one of the a volunteer for the Port Huron number problem. His research suggests toughest science talent search com - Museum, where he has started a that such numbers do not exist.

MIT scientists address Indian-run New Zealand firm EmTech India in Bangalore oted scientists and researchers from designs UAV for cloud seeding Massachusetts Institute of n Indian-promoted aviation eight months. It will then be flight N Technology (MIT), including two company in New Zealand is tested, Rao said. Indian-Americans, participated in the fourth A developing what it claims to The company will come out with dif - EmTech India, a conference on emerging be the world’s first unmanned aerial ferent variants of the UAV technologies organized by MIT Technology vehicle (UAV) for cloud seeding. that could also be used for intelligence Review at Bangalore on March 27 and 28. The Auckland-based Apeiron gathering, surveillance and reconnais - Over 500 innovators participated in the Aerospace claims that the UAV tacti - sance. The price of a UAV ranges event that covered areas such as digital cal system developed by it is quite between $500,000 and $750,000 transformation, network designs in the social safe, as the existing process for cloud depending on the customer need, world and the innovation ecosystem. seeding involving manned aircraft endurance, range and the propulsion. Keynote speakers on the first day of the endangers the lives of event included George Westerman of MIT’s pilots. Centre for Digital Business, Marie-Jose “There is a need for Montpetit of MIT Research Lab of Electronics UAVs for cloud seeding. and Shiladitya Sengupta of Harvard-MIT It is a question of the Division of Health Sciences and Technology. pilot’s life. It becomes On day two, discussions were held on the very difficult to control interplay between medical imaging, manu - the aircraft in high tur - facturing inspection and video analytics; bulence,” Apeiron energy efficient systems in biology, engineer - Aerospace Director Cloud seeding entails spraying small particles of silver iodide or dry ice into ing and medicine; and the emerging nervous Sanjeev Rao said. the sky in order to trigger precipitation. system of ubiquitous sensing. The speakers The firm, floated by included Brian Anthony of MIT’s Engineering Rao in 2011, exhibited its tactical sys - The Apeiron UAV system, which in Manufacturing Program, Rahul Sarpeshkar tem at India Aviation 2012 in includes both hand-launched and of MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering Hyderabad on March 14. According rapid response, can be used for appli - and Computer Science and Joseph Paradiso to Rao, the design exhibited at the air cations like pipeline and agriculture of MIT Media Laboratory. show was a robust one. monitoring, search and rescue, bor - A session on ‘Technology in Cricket’ was The design was prepared six der and maritime patrol besides mete - also held to showcase some of the new months ago, but a prototype is orological research and practice, and advances in the field of cricket. expected to be ready in another six to defense.

April 2012 India Review Diaspora NEWS More Indian-Americans named to key jobs

resident Barack Obama has Her key appointments include, BA and MA from Indore University, named two more persons of Executive Director of the Plymouth and her post-graduate certification in Indian origin to key posts in Community Arts Council from 2006 to archival, museum and editing studies Pthe U.S. administration. 2008; Curator at the Public Museum from Duquesne University. While Indore-educated Paula Ramaswamy is Dean of the Gangopadhyay was named Member, College of Agricultural Sciences at National Museum and Library Oregon State University and Services Board, Bangalore-educated Director of the Oregon Agricultural Sonny Ramaswamy was named Experiment Station. Previously, he Director, National Institute of Food was Associate Dean of the Purdue and Agriculture. University College of Agriculture and “These dedicated individuals bring directed the university’s research a wealth of experience and talent to programs from 2006 to 2009. their new roles and I am proud to Prior to joining Purdue, he was have them serve in this Head of the Department of Administration. I look forward to Entomology at Kansas State working with them in the months Paula Gangopadhyay Sonny Ramaswamy University from 1997 to 2006, where and years to come,” he said while he held the title of Distinguished announcing seven new appointments. of Grand Rapids from 2002 to 2006; Professor. Ramaswamy received a BS Paula is currently serving as the and Executive Director of the Great and an MS in Entomology from the Chief Learning Officer at The Henry Lakes Center for Education, Research University of Agricultural Sciences in Ford and has held a variety of positions and Practice from 2000 to 2001. Bangalore, and a PhD in Entomology in education and arts policy. Paula Gangopadhyay received her from Rutgers University. — IANS

March 14 celebrated as Rise of Indian-Americans in US media Sikh Environment Day ith two governors, four bil - Called “the most influential foreign s many as 1,007 Sikh institutions lionaires and many holding policy advisor of his generation” by and gurdwaras around the world W key positions in government, Esquire magazine, Zakaria hosts one A celebrated March 14 as Sikh Indian-Americans have emerged as of the most influential shows on Environment Day. It was on this day that major players in the media. American TV, Fareed Zakaria GPS on nature and animal lover Guru Har Rai Take for instance, Indian-born CNN every Sunday. became the seventh Sikh Guru in 1644. Aparisim Bobby Ghosh, who was Equally ubiquitous is Sanjay Gupta, EcoSikh, a Washington-based Sikh recently named by Time magazine as the multiple Emmy-award winning organization, which had initiated the Editor-at-Large. In naming Ghosh, chief medical correspondent for CNN . celebrations last year had set the goal of Vinnie Malhotra, a former program development exec - utive at ESPN has enrolling more than 700 Sikh institutions just joined CNN as and gurdwaras to celebrate the day this Senior Vice- year as compared to 450 last year. This 18 President for year it also included schools and Sikh- owned businesses. (L-R) Aparism Ghosh, Fareed Zakaria, Sanjay Gupta, Rajiv Chandrasekaran Development and Acquisitions. Dr. Rajwant Singh, President of EcoSikh Managing Editor Richard Stengel Similarly, Rajiv Chandrasekaran is said: “It is perhaps the largest direct action called him “one of Time’s greatest National Editor of The Washington ever by Sikhs for the environment ever in assets”. Post , where he has worked since 1994. history. Guru Har Rai’s life has inspired so Then there is Fareed Zakaria, who Today, hundreds of Indian- many individuals to lead efforts at local too was introduced as Editor-at-Large Americans bring Americans their levels in India and all across the globe to of Time magazine in October 2010 daily news. Two decades ago, take meaningful actions dedicated to this after spending 10 years overseeing all however, only a few of them com - day.” — IANS of Newsweek’s editions abroad. manded bylines. — IANS

April 2012 India Review Trends IN SOCIETY

19

The East-West corridor of Bangalore Metro, also called Namma Metro, was inaugurated on October 20, 2011. Insights into Infrastructure

ith the development of for 65 per cent of freight and 80 per Railways urbanization and cent of passenger traffic, according to The Indian Railways have generated increased involvement of the National Highway Authority of US$8.1 billion of revenue earnings W foreign investments, dif - India (NHAI). from commodity-wise freight traffic ferent segments of infrastructure sec - The Government of India estimates during April-November 2011 as com - tor in India have witnessed rapid that approximately US$90 billion pared to US$7.5 billion during the cor - growth in recent time. The investment would be required during responding period in 2010, registering Government of India has taken various 2007-2012 financial years to improve a rise of 9 per cent. It carried 618 mil - steps to develop infrastructure in the the country’s road infrastructure. Plans lion tonnes of commodity traffic dur - country. Liberalization of Foreign have been announced by the govern - ing the six months as compared to 593 Direct Investment (FDI) regulations, ment to increase investments for the million tonnes carried during the cor - extended tax holiday periods and intro - development of road infrastructure in responding period in 2010, registering duction of Public Private Partnerships the country and the government would a rise of 4 per cent. (PPP) are some of the major factors increase funds from around US$15 The World Bank has signed a that have led to the growth of this sec - billion per year to over US$23 billion US$975 million loan agreement with tor in India. during 2011-12 for the same. the Government of India to set-up the Major Infrastructure development Recently, the Ministry of Finance Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor requires a substantial inflow of invest - approved six road proposals worth that will allow faster and more efficient ment capital. The policies of the gov - approximately US$1.8 billion under movement of raw materials and fin - ernment seek to encourage invest - public-private partnership (PPP). ished goods between the Northern and ments in domestic infrastructure from The Public Private Partnership Eastern parts of India. both local and foreign private capital. Approval Committee (PPPAC), Furthermore, the Delhi Metro is chaired by Economic Affairs finally moving towards eight-coach Roads Secretary R Gopalan, has granted trains. The Delhi Metro Rail India has the world’s second largest approval to the six proposals of the Corporation signed a deal to procure road network, aggregating over 3.34 Ministry of Road Transport and 76 coaches from Bombardier. The 76 million kilometers (km) and account Highways spread across five states. coaches will be used to operate the first

April 2012 India Review Trends IN SOCIETY

eight-coach trains on the HUDA city a system to run data centers on solar earned 49 per cent equity in center-Jehnagirpuri corridor in May power, and is making it commercially SunBorne’s 15 MW solar photovoltaic 2013. Additionally, the Asian available, perhaps the first such com - (PV) project in Gujarat. The overall Development Bank would extend loans mercial offering in the world. cost of the project is about US$ 42.80 of up to $500 million to Indian million. Railways to help improve its services Investment Gujarat-based Atlanta Transformers along some of the busiest freight and The Cabinet Committee on and Electricals has tied up with TWBB passenger transport routes. Infrastructure has approved the project of China for US$76.09 million project of four laning of Vijayawada- in order to produce high voltage power Ports Machilipatnam section of National transformers and reactors plant at Maritime Transport is critical for the Highway-9 in Andhra Pradesh under Vadodara in Gujarat, as per a State social and economic development of a the National Highway Development Government release. country. India enjoys a vibrant port Programme phase IV-A. According to sector comprising 12 major ports and a statement, the total cost of the proj - Government Initiatives 176 notified non-major ports. India ect is estimated at $140.01 million. In order to provide “Power for All” by ranks 16th among the maritime coun - Solar projects developer SunBorne 2012, the Government of India plans tries and has one of the largest mer - Energy has tied up with European to meet the country’s energy require - chant shipping fleet. company Eoxis Energy as a partner in ments by adding 78,000 mega watt its Gujarat project. With this, Eoxis has (MW) of installed generation capacity Power to the existing capacity by the end of The Central Electricity Regulatory 2012. Commission (CERC) has set up a To promote power To promote power generation from renewable energy fund (REF) to pro - generation from biomass, biomass, the Government of India is mote renewable energy projects in India is planning to set planning to set up a national bio-ener - India. This fund is meant for compen - gy mission for the 12th Five-Year-Plan, sating states in case they fail to meet up a national bio-energy which will require a suitable regulatory the target as per the renewable energy mission under the environment for large-scale capital (RE) projects schedule. 12th Five Year Plan investments in biomass-fired power IBM’s India Software Lab in stations. India has a surplus of 150 Bangalore has just contributed towards million tonnes of biomass, which could be utilised to produce 16 giga watts (GW) of power. The national bio- energy mission aims at the enhance - ment of biomass energy in industries besides offering logistics and infra - structural assistance to biomass pro - cessing plants in rural areas. The national bio-energy mission will also initiate a GIS-based National Biomass Resource Atlas to map potential bio - mass regions in the country.

Road Ahead The Infrastructure sector in India is evolving today. Government initia - 20 tives coupled with investments that are flowing into this sector provide a tremendous opportunity for growth. Apart from Government initiatives, PPP projects could also pave the way for the growth of this sector. It’s imperative that the nation prepares itself for the future and the next anticipated growth curve. Built at a cost of $ 31.5 billion, all the eight lanes of the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link in Mumbai was opened (Courtesy: India Brand Equity to traffic in 2010. Foundation)

April 2012 India Review Cinema NEWS

oining the growing list of Indian-American filmmakers, A DREAM coMES to lIght IT professional Kiran Meegada J together with Arun Rudra, recently released their first film, My Heart is Beating… Adola . Besides being the debut venture for the direc - tors and the lead cast, the film is also the first Telugu movie shot entirely in the U.S. and released in India. Written by Rudra, the film explores 21 how two individuals deal with life’s inhibitions while attempting to express their emotions to each other. The film was released in India on February 24, following an audio launch in January 2012 with renowned Telugu film industry producer D. Suresh Babu. Produced by K. Raj, My Heart is Beating… Adola was released at Worldgate Theatre in Herndon, Virginia, in March 2012 and since then has received requests for screening in various cities across the US. Telugu film industry producer D. Suresh Babu (left) with director Kiran Meegada at the film’s Co-director Kiran Meegada audio launch. expressed his satisfaction in complet - ing a “dream project”, noting that the hearts and heads in the U.S. to for new writers, technicians and actors movie might hopefully have had follow the path”, which he said was a to pursue their dreams and join the “paved way for many more creative good sign and could be the trend-setter Telugu film industry. Avoid pitfall of doing central parts: Shabana tells Vidya habana Azmi liked Vidya Balan’s per - paired with her,” said the formance in Sujoy Ghosh’s Kahaani so 61-year-old who faced simi - S much that she could see glimpses of lar situations when films herself in Vidya. At the same time, she feels featuring her in the central the young actress should avoid the pitfall of roles co-starred Vinod Mehra accepting only central parts. or Marc Zuber. “Somewhere I feel Vidya has made the dar - In Kahaani , Vidya found ing but right career choices. I see glimpses of the Bengali star Parambrata my own involvement with my roles in Vidya Chatterjee sportingly support - Balan,” said Shabana appreciatively after ing her heroine-centric pres - watching Balan in Kahaani . ence in the film. But would Shabana is currently busy playing a wily she run out of co-stars in her politician in Rajkot for Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru Shabana Azmi Vidya Balan future ventures? Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola . She took time off from her “Vidya should avoid the shooting schedule to watch Sujoy Ghosh’s Shabana, known for powerful performances in pitfall of only doing central parts. She should masterpiece. Arth , Masoom , Fire and Godmother . also enjoy doing peripheral parts as much as “I had to watch Kahaani because of Vidya. I But Shabana sounds a note of caution in the the pivotal ones. Being the center of attention was bowled over by her performance. As an euphoria surrounding Vidya’s rise to the top. could be addictive. She must also learn to be actor, I could see she was making all the right “If she continues to dominate her films, she part of a cinema that doesn’t focus on her but moves throughout the film. There was not a might very soon face a scarcity of co-stars. has something important to say,” suggested single artificial note in her performance,” said Heroes might be apprehensive about being Shabana.

April 2012 India Review Cinema NEWS Indian-American filmmaker Naseer teams up with wins 2012 ‘Rising Star’ award son Vivaan for Mastaan Held in Vancouver, British Columbia, the festival brings the very best of World Cinema from over 90 countries around the world. It is dedi - cated to the creation of opportunities for the artistic interaction and exchange among independent filmmakers and the film-going community. Written and Directed by Katohora, 9 Eleven portrays the life of 10 people who belong to different walks of life. Though each individual has achieved a measure of success in their individual lives, their darkest secrets come out in the open when all of them are given Naseeruddin Shah some time for introspection, when they meet each other in a bizarre twist of eteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has events. teamed up with his younger son ndian American filmmaker The film 9 Eleven is a fast paced V Vivaan for Mastaan . While the former Manan Singh Katohora has thriller with undertones of terrorism. will play gangster Karim Lala, the latter will won the “2012 Rising Star Kashmera Shah features in an item feature as young Haji Mastan in the movie I Award” for his feature film number composed by Dilwaale going on the floors in May. 9 Eleven at the Canada International Dulhania Le Jaayenge fame music The $4 million budgeted Mastaan will be Film Festival. director Jatin Pandit. set in the 1980s. This is Naseer and Vivaan’s second film together after 7 Khoon Maaf though they didn’t share any screen space in Emraan wants action film with strong script the film. In Mastaan , however, the father-son have ctor Emraan Hashmi, who started his music launch of his next film Jannat 2 . Directed extremely critical dramatic scenes together. career with action film Footpath and by Kunal Deshmukh, Jannat 2 also features The film will be directed by first-timer Rocky A moved on to romance and drama films, Esha Gupta, Randeep Hooda and Imran Zahid. says he would love to go back to the genre, He will also be seen with his The Dirty Khanna. provided he gets a film with a strong story and Picture co-star Vidya Balan once again in a Producer Sunil Bohra said that it had to be character. comedy film titled Ghanchakkar . Emraan is Naseer for the older part and Vivaan for the “I would want a character-driven action confident that the film will break the mold younger role. film,” said Emraan. about the genre. “Rocky was clear on that. If we didn’t get “Generally action-driven films are low on “Ghanchakkar is a comedy film, but I want Naseer saab and his son we wouldn’t make story. I personally would like to do films where to call it just a comedy film because there are the film. Luckily they both agreed,” he said. from point A to point Z there is a well-etched certain pre-conceived notions about comedy Vivaan has begun preparations for his role character and a good script. Definitely if it’s an and this film will break all of action film, it has to be a good script,” he those. as Haji Mastan, however, he has been asked 22 added. “At the same time, not to watch Amitabh Bachchan in Deewaar The 32-year-old actor feels that it’s impor - you will be on the floor and Ajay Devgn in Once Upon A Time In tant for action filmmakers to strike the right in the film. It’s a Mumbaai . balance between the story and stunts. very funny film with The director doesn’t want Vivaan to bring “Action films are high on stunts, spectacle some thrilling moments any baggage into his part. and grandeur and that’s the way it should be. and suspense,” Emraan “The only thing I knew about Rocky But I would want the best of both worlds. I said. Khanna is that he had written the lyrics of a would want the grandeur, I would want the Besides Jannat 2 , spectacle in the action film and as well as a Emraan is currently film called Main Meri Patni Aur Woh . I had very good character-driven plot and a good busy with projects no clue he could write a script or direct a story,” he added. like Raaz 3D film. But when I heard the script of Mastaan , The actor spoke on the sidelines of the and Shanghai . I was blown away,“ Bohra said.

April 2012 India Review Travel & TOURISM WhERE thE SEA dISAppEARS

23

A view of Chandipur beach in Odisha

ave you seen the sea disap - among tourists who usually flock to the Chandipur is also well known for its pear in front of your eyes? nearby beaches at Puri or to those at proximity to the Defence Research and If not, then come to the temple destination of Konark. Development Organization’s (DRDO) HChandipur beach in the “My wife and I saw the sea disappear Integrated Test Range. A number of eastern Indian state of Odisha. Here before our eyes. We walked about four missiles have been launched from here, the sea recedes by as much as five kilo - kilometers into the sea and returned including Akash, Agni, Shaurya and meters every day offering an opportu - with the high tide,” Anirban Prithvi ballistic missiles. nity to the visitor to literally walk into Mukherjee, a tourist from the nearby To make a night halt, there are some the sea. state of West Bengal, said. small-budget hotels, with a One of nature’s many wonders, the “It was like returning with the sea. tariff range of $10-$49 per day, sea recedes massively from the beach The path we took was through the and a government guesthouse in when on the ebb and returns during massive void left behind by the reced - Chandipur. One can also opt to stay in high tide to fill the emptiness thus cre - ing waters, it was as if we had walked nearby Balasore. ated. Seeing the sea play hide-and- into the sea. This beach is not like the “The best time to visit Chandipur is seek twice a day is an unforgettable other beaches,” said his wife Arpita. during the winter, between experience. There are some who prefer riding a November and March, and most Chandipur is about 200 km from bike into the sea. tourists come during this time,” Dash Bhubaneshwar, the capital of the state. When asked if it was dangerous to said. A train connects Bhubaneshwar with ride a bike onto the sea bed with the The tourism department has also Balasore, the railhead closest to impending high tide, Dasarath Dash, been trying to promote Chandipur and Chandipur, at a distance of 10 km. who sells coconuts on the beach, other nearby spots as tourist destina - From there, one can travel by road that answered in the negative. tions. An elaborate beach festival, passes through a verdant landscape. “Depending on the moon, the tide’s showcasing the art and culture of the Adding to the peaceful ambiance are timings keep changing. It’s mostly the state, has become an annual affair and the swaying casuarina trees and the locals, familiar with the timings, who takes place every February. solitary sand dunes, with the constant take their bikes into the sea. The others “I hope a proper infrastructure can hum of the waves as they rise and fall are thrilled just to even walk that dis - be put in place so that the Chandipur gently. tance,” Dash said. beach attracts more tourists, it will be The beach supports a varied range of “In any case, the sea is not rough to the benefit of the local residents biodiversity. It’s not rare to find a here. The waves are gentle,” he said. and the economy. The number of for - horseshoe crab or red crab crawling Food is another plus point here. For eign tourists is still very low com - beside you. those who love seafood, the place pared to Puri,” said Ubachan The beach is not very well known offers plenty, especially fresh prawns. Mohanty, a local resident.

April 2012 India Review EMBASSY OF INDIA SS Pre-sort First Class A U.S. Postage 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW CL T Paid RS Washington, D.C. 20008 FI Silver Spring, MD Tel: 202-939-7000 RT Permit No. -SO Fax: 202-462-7276 PRE 3966

n Ushering in the New year

Women dressed up to celebrate ‘Gudi Padwa’, the Maharashtrian New Year, in Mumbai on March 23. (AFP Photo)

EMBASSY OF INDIA 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: 202-939-7000; Fax: 202-462-7276 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.indianembassy.org www.facebook.com/Indembassyusa

CONSULATES Consulate General of India Consulate General of India Consulate General of India Consulate General of India 3 East, 64th Street 540 Arguello Boulevard 455 North Cityfront Plaza Drive 4300 Scotland Street New York San Francisco (NBC Tower Building) Houston N.Y. 10065 CA 94118 Suite #850 Chicago, IL 60611 Texas 77007

Tel: 212-774-0600 Tel: 415-668-0662 Tel. 312-595-0405 to 0410 Tel. 713-626-2148/49 Fax: 212-861-3788 Fax: 415-668-2073 Fax. 312-595-0416 Fax. 713-626-2450 E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Website: Website: Website: Website: www.indiacgny.org www.cgisf.org www.chicago.indianconsulate.com www.cgihouston.org

Printed and Published by the Press & Information Office, Embassy of India, 2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, D.C., 20008 Content, design and production by IANS. www.ianspublishing.com