Vol: 22 | No. 8 | August 2014 | R20

www.opinionexpress.in A MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE

Cover Story Air-Borne Crisis The United Nations Security Council fails to adopt Resolution 2166 in response to the shoot-down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17

editorial UN fails to adopt RNI UP–ENG 70032/92, Volume 22, No 8 EDITOR PRASHANT TEWARI resolution to punish ASSOSIATE EDITOR DR RAHUL MISRA Malaysian aircraft crisis POLITICAL EDITOR PRAKHAR MISRA he UN Security Council has failed to adopt a resolution that would have es- BUREAU CHIEF tablished an international tribunal for the purpose of prosecuting persons GOPAL CHOPRA (DELHI), VEELAAS KENJALE responsible for crimes connected with the downing of Malaysia Airlines (MUMBAI), SOUMEN ACHARYA (KOLKATA), LAKSHMI T flight MH17 on 17 July 2014 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, following use of the veto DEVI ( BANGALORE ) DIVYASH BAJPAI (USA), KAPIL DUDAKIA (U.K.) RAJIV AGNIHOTRI (MAURITIUS), by the Russian Federation, a permanent member. ROMIL RAJ (DUBAI), HERMAN SILOCHAN (CANADA), The draft resolution, presented by the Minister for Trans- YASHWANT AMIN (AUS/NZ) port of Malaysia on behalf of the Joint Investigation Team

CONTENT PARTNER (Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, Netherlands and Ukraine), re- PRATHAM PRAVAKTA ceived 11 affirmative votes, three abstentions (Angola, China and Venezuela) and one negative vote (Russian Federation). LEGAL ADVISOR Had it passed, the Council, under Chapter VII of the Unit- ASHOKA KUMAR THAKUR ed Nations Charter, would have adopted the Statute of the MARKETING DIRECTOR International Criminal Tribunal for Malaysia Airlines flight DIWAKAR SHETTY MH17 and demanded that all States and other actors refrain

ADMINITRATION DIRECTOR from acts of violence against civilian aircraft. It would have called on all States and BAL MUKUND GAUR actors in the region to accord full cooperation in the conduct of the international investigation of the incident, as required by resolution 2166 (2014). By other terms, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION the Council would have requested the Joint Investigation Team to continue to keep SANJAY MENDIRATTA the Council fully and regularly informed of progress, and urged the earliest pos- GRAPHICS & DESIGN sible finalization of the international technical investigation into the cause of the GREY CELLS crash, and the criminal investigation.

ONLINE PRESENTATION The meeting, attended by five Government ministers, as well as representatives AMIT SONI of several countries whose nationals had perished on the flight, began with a mo- ment of silence in tribute to the victims. PHOTOGRAPHER Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, an Isis spokesman, defined the Islamic state’s ter- RATAN SHUKLA ritory as running from northern Syria to the Iraqi province of Diyala north-east of OVERSEAS MARKETING Baghdad, a vast stretch of land straddling the border that is already largely under OEMCL (MAURITIUS), OEHCL (DUBAI) Isis control. He also said that with the establishment of the caliphate, the group ADVERTISEMENT / PR / CIRCULATION DELHI / was changing its name to the Islamic State, dropping the mention of Iraq and the NCR: CAPT. VINAY GOYAL DHRUV JANAK & CO. R -51 Levant. Through his campaign, Mr Modi had vowed to reboot the economy and BASEMENT, RAMESH PARK,LAXMI NAGAR,DELHI-92 deliver efficient governance -he said today “development for all” would be his mis- TELE: +919871232631FAX: 011-22056817 sion. With its allies, the BJP now has over 300 of the 543 parliamentary seats. The MUMBAI: VIJAY KALANTRI - ADVISOR NEW EXCELSIOR BUILDING, 6TH FLOOR, A.K. NAYAK stunning numbers provide incontrovertible evidence of the “Modi wave” that the MARG, FORT, MUMBAI - 400 001 (INDIA). BJP name-dropped for months. The twin headline to Mr Modi’s phenomenal win is PHONE: 91 - 22 - 2201 9265 / 2201 9160 FAX : the colossal defeat that he has enforced upon the incumbent Congress. Headed by 91-22- 2201 9764 / 2201 9760 Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, the party has crashed to its worst performance with less The magazine is published and printed by Rajiv than 50 seats after 10 years in power. Agnihotri for Opinion Express Communications The multinational search effort for the aircraft is the largest and most expen- & Entertainments Pvt Ltd, from 2 Ashok Nagar, sive in aviation history.The search began in the Gulf of Thailand and the South Lucknow And printed at Kumpu Graphic Press China Sea, where the aircraft’s signal was last detected on secondary surveillance EDITORIAL & CORPORATE OFFICE: radar, and was soon extended to the Strait of Malacca and Andaman Sea. Analy- OPINION EXPRESS HOUSE 24 - A CLYDE ROAD, sis of satellite communications between the aircraft and Inmarsat’s satellite com- LUCKNOW-226001 (INDIA) PH: 91-522-4045728/4060880 FAX: 91-522- munications network concluded that the flight continued until at least 08:19 and 4060880 24X7 MOBILITY +91 9984437000 flew south into the southern Indian Ocean, although the precise location cannot Email: [email protected] be determined. Australia took charge of the search on 17 March when the search moved to the southern Indian Ocean. On 24 March, the Malaysian government All content published may be subject to copyright, seek written permission to re-produce. Opinion noted that the final location determined by the satellite communication is far from Express is trade mark brand of Opinion Express any possible landing sites, and concluded that “Flight MH370 ended in the south- Communications & Entertainment Private Limited ern Indian Ocean.” All disputes are subject to be under jurisdiction of courts in Delhi. —Prashant Tewari, Editor-in-Chief

Opinion Express August 2014 3 AUGUST 2014 COVER STORY: P6-22 INDIA UNDER ATTACK

AROUND US HILLARY CHECKS IN P23

ENTERTAINMENT SIZZLING SHOW, P30 NO SUBSTANCE EXCURSION P46 PARADISE ON EARTH

In News: Time to trap opportunities in Personality: Sania Nehwal is India’s P5 Africa P42new youth icon Budget 09: Lost chance: Pranab fails GOPIO World: Preparations launched P29to impress P48for 20th anniv celebrations Concerns: Is UID a panacea for all Postscript: Time magazine all praise P37our security concerns? P50 for India’s PM Manmohan Singh IN NEWS

he recent India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi is an effort of putting threads of friendship to both the countries with the plan of action focuses on furthering Tcooperation in areas like environment, health, education, energy and mining. Other issues also addresses broader ar- eas of cooperation and common views on regional and international issues, includ- ing fight against terrorism, climate change and WTO negotiations. The decision to strengthen relations be- tween India and Africa is not a new phe- nomenon. We have a common colonial past and in the post-colonial period we have worked together. India did not want to impose any pattern on Africa and it was for Africa to choose its own pattern of de- velopment. However, India would be privileged to be a partner in that process, headed. India's decision to expand unilateral duty free and preferential market access for ex- ports from all the 50 Least Developed Countries, 34 of which are in Africa, and its offer of lines of credit amounting to $5.4 billion are steps in this direction in making the bond stronger. The enhance- ment of India's budget, for technical as- India must track chances in Africa port liberation struggles in Africa. It sistance and training programmes and, worked closely with the Africans in the greater opportunities for African students India has also begun to de- fight against South Africa and Namibia; to pursue studies in India reflect the pri- velop cooperation with the not just at the UN but also at other multi- ority India attach to human resource de- lateral for a as NAM, and the velopment and capacity building. India Regional Economic Commonwealth. also offered its assistance in ushering in Communities of Africa and India had accorded diplomatic status to a Green Revolution in Africa through ho- with the African Union the African National Congress (ANC) in listic capacity building in agricultural pro- 1967 and SWAPO. India has been provid- duction, storage and transportation. (AU). Both India and Africa ing military training to officers and JCOs India has also begun to develop coop- had agreed had agreed that of the African defence forces. Most of the eration with the Regional Economic African countries lack military training in- Communities of Africa and with the Africa and India deserved stitutions and, therefore, the officers are African Union (AU). Both India and Africa permanent representation often sent abroad either to the military had agreed had agreed that Africa and colleges of the former colonial powers or India deserved permanent representation on the UNSC and would friendly countries in the developing world. on the UNSC and would support each oth- support each other. Since the 1960s India has provided mili- er. Both sides had been broadly working tary training to a number of Africans, pri- together for UN reforms and were now fresh initiatives. By the 1970s, India's marily from Anglophone Africa. Having ready to strive to make the UN more rep- stature had risen in African eyes; the Indo- gained a head start in Africa, observers resentative and democratic. Towards the Soviet Treaty (1971), the 1971 war, the stress, India should not allow itself to play end of Nehru's tenure, India's Africa re- Green Revolution, and the Peaceful second fiddle to China as a vigorously en- lation dipped to a low. By the mid-1960s Nuclear Explosion (PNE) in 1974 probably gaging ally of Africa. India undertook a serious reassessment contributed towards this change. In the of its Africa policy and adopted some 1970s and 1980s India continued to sup- — Rajiv Agnihotri from Mauritius

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 5 COVER STORY PITCHED BATTLE India seems to be a republic in a constant state of unrest...

PERENNIAL STRUGGLE: A SECURITYMAN TRYING TO DIFFUSE PROTESTERS IN SRINAGAR COVER STORY UPA MUST MOVE QUICKLY ON NATIONAL SECURITY

GET UP: NOT THE TIME TO BE COMPLACENT

GURMEET KANWAL

he performance of the United Progressive Alliance government in its first five years in power presented a mixed bag of a few spectacular achievements and many dismal failures on the national security front. The successfully concluded Indo-US nuclear deal was a shining exam- ple of the government's single-minded resoluteness in furthering na- tional interests in the face of stiff political opposition. The inability to Tspeedily conclude major defence contracts to enhance national security pre- paredness in the face of growing threats and challenges, exemplifies the UPA's reluctance to grapple with systemic flaws in the procurement procedures and processes. It is a national shame that the budgetary allocations earmarked on the capital account for the modernisation of the armed forces continue to be sur- rendered year after year with complete lack of accountability.

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 7 COVER STORY rising confidence. The Mumbai terror at- tacks [Images] of November 2008 added a new dimension to the threat of urban terrorism. While many decisions have been taken to enhance intelligence and post-strike investigative capabilities and it has been decided to gradually establish hubs for NSG commandos in various met- ros to increase responsiveness to terror attacks, the UPA government must work towards bringing about substantive im- provement in counter-terrorism capabili- ties. Effective defence planning cannot be undertaken in a policy void. The govern- ment must commit itself to supporting long-term defence plans or else defence modernisation will continue to lag and the growing military capabilities gap with China's PLA will assume ominous proportions...

Though the probability of conventional conflict has receded, defence prepared- ness must not be compromised as long as outstanding territorial and boundary disputes with China and Pakistan are not satisfactorily resolved. The armed forces are now in the third year of the 11th Defence Plan (2007-12); yet, it has not yet been approved by the government. The government has not approved the long-term integrated perspective plan (LTIPP 2007-22) either. Defence procure- ment is being undertaken through ad hoc annual procurement plans, rather than be- ing based on duly prioritised long term TAJ UNDER ATTACK: LEAST INDIA CAN AFFORD IS A REPEAT plans that are designed to systematically enhance India's combat potential. With explosive flashpoints around India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has These are serious lacunae as effective and an unstable internal security environ- declared several times that left wing ex- defence planning cannot be undertaken in ment, the new government has its work tremism or Maoist terrorism is India's a policy void. The government must com- cut out. Right on the top of its defence number one internal security threat. Yet, mit itself to supporting long-term defence and security agenda should be the formu- the central and state governments have plans or else defence modernisation will lation of a comprehensive National not been able to launch a coordinated continue to lag and the growing military Security Strategy, including internal secu- campaign to come to grips with the rapid- capabilities gap with China's People's rity. The NSS should be formulated after ly deteriorating situation in the Naxalite Liberation Army will assume ominous pro- carrying out an inter-departmental, inter- dominated areas that encompass 35 per portions. agency, multi-disciplinary strategic de- cent of India's population. This can be done only by reviving the fence review. Such a review must take The weaponry, equipment, training dormant National Security Council as de- into account current and future threats, standards and levels of junior leadership fence planning is in the domain of the challenges and vulnerabilities in the con- of the state and central police forces must NSC and not the Cabinet Committee on text of the emerging regional security en- be upgraded by an order of magnitude to Security, which deals with current and vironment in India's area of strategic in- enable them to face the growing chal- near term threats and challenges and re- terest. lenges with professional competence and acts to emergent situations.

8 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS COVER STORY

CRACK TEAM: NSG COMMANDOS DURING A TRAINING SESSION

Major defence procurement decisions III missile and nuclear powered sub- that have been pending for long must be Major defence procure- marines with suitable ballistic missiles to expedited. The army is still without towed ment decisions that have acquire genuine deterrent capability. The and self-propelled 155mm howitzers for been pending for long armed forces do not have a truly integrat- the plains and the mountains and needs ed C4I2SR (Command, Control, to urgently acquire modern weapons and must be expedited. The Communications, Computers, equipment for counter-insurgency opera- army is still without towed Intelligence, Information, Surveillance, tions. The navy has been waiting for long and Reconnaissance) system for network- for the Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) and self-propelled 155mm centric warfare, which will allow them to aircraft carrier, which is being refurbished howitzers for the plains synergise their individual single-service in a Russian shipyard at exorbitant cost. and the mountains and capabilities into a cohesive whole. The plan of the air force to acquire 226 All of these high-priority acquisitions will multi-mission, medium-range combat air- needs to urgently acquire require extensive budgetary support. In craft in order to maintain its edge over the modern weapons and case the defence budget continues to lan- regional air forces is stuck in the procure- equipment for counter-in- guish at less than two per cent of India's ment quagmire. GDP -- compared with China's 3.5 per India's nuclear forces require the Agni- surgency operations... cent and Pakistan's 4.5 per cent plus US

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 9 COVER STORY

THINK TANK: THE PM AND HIS SECURITY ADVISOR military aid -- it will not be possible for the neighbourhood. it as a personal challenge to bridge this armed forces to undertake any meaning- The logical next step would be to con- gap quickly. The ex-servicemen too have ful modernisation. The funds available on stitute tri-service integrated theatre com- had a raw deal and have been holding the capital account are grossly inade- mands to synergise the capabilities of in- fasts for justice on their most legitimate quate to suffice even for the replacement dividual services. International experience demand of 'one rank-one pension'. Many of obsolete weapons systems and equip- shows that such reform has to be im- of them have taken the extreme step of ment that are still in service well beyond posed form the top down and can never returning their medals to the President. their useful life cycles. The central police work if the government keeps waiting for One rank-one pension is an idea whose and para-military forces also need to be it to come about from the bottom up. time has come and it must be imple- modernised as they are facing qualita- The softer issues that do not impinge mented without further delay and without tively greater threats while being equipped immediately on planning and preparation appointing any more committees of bu- with obsolescent weapons. for meeting national security challenges reaucrats to look into the issue. The government must also immediately must never be ignored as these can have While a department of ex-servicemen's appoint a Chief of Defence Staff or a per- adverse implications in the long term. The welfare has been created in the ministry manent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff numerous anomalies created by the im- of defence in keeping with the UPA's Committee to provide single-point advice plementation of the Sixth Pay Commission Common Minimum Programme, there is- to the CCS on military matters. Any fur- report must be speedily resolved so that n't a single ex-serviceman in it! Such ther dithering on this key structural reform the morale of the armed forces is not un- measures do not generate confidence in in higher defence management on the dermined and they are able to attract and the civilian leadership among serving sol- grounds of the lack of political consensus retain the right talent. In fact, the ham- diers and retired veterans. Finally, unbe- and the inability of the armed forces to handed handling of this issue has led to a lievably, India is still without a National agree on the issue will be extremely detri- dangerous 'them versus us' civil-military War Memorial! mental to India's interests in the light of divide. This does not augur well for the (Writer is Director, Centre for Land Warfare the dangerous developments in India's country and the prime minister must take Studies, New Delhi)

10 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS COVER STORY

TOUGH TASK: SECURITY PERSONNEL DURING A COMBING OPERATION AFTER LALGARH SIEGE ‘It’s high time to destroy the Naxalites’

Q: The Union government has imposed a ban on Naxalites. Brigadier Basant Kumar Ponwar, How effective will this be in tackling the problem? A: Very effective. Now, there will be one rule across the the army's counter-Naxalite country that will help the states reeling under the problem to coordinate better. Now, Naxalites have been bracketed with expert and director of Counter terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Tayiba . This will help the Terrorism and Jungle Warfare army (if required) to take action against Naxalites. Q: Chhattisgarh and a few other states had earlier banned College, tells R KRISHNA DAS Naxalites and their frontal organisations. But this did not yield results. that this is the right time to A: In Chhattisgarh, the Special Public Security Act helped authorities take action against the rebels' sympathisers. The destroy the rebels militarily and Naxalite movement cannot be seen only as an armed move- ment. A number of intellectuals, including experts from dif- dismantle their network... ferent fields, are associated with them. They may not be di-

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 11 COVER STORY

SCARY REMAINS: A HUGE CRATOR LEFT AFTER LANDMINE BLAST BY NAXALS IN BIJAPUR

rectly involved in operations but they help Naxalites one way or the other. Chhattisgarh was fighting alone as Naxalites used to slip into other states after committing crimes.

Q: You have been insisting that the government should not fall for the Naxalites' offer of peace talks. A: Yes. The offer of peace talks by Naxalites is a gimmick. They come out with such a formula when they are cordoned off or face pressure by security personnel. By offering peace talks, the rebels buy time to re-group and get away to neighbouring states. They applied the formula in West Bengal to help their leaders cross from Lalgarh to Jharkhand once security operations slowed.

Q: What actually went wrong in Lalgarh? A: The Lalgarh episode is part of the Naxalite ideology as they want to create 'liberated' zones. Today it is Lalgarh and tomor- row it will be 'Ramgarh' if lapses on the part of the authorities continue. Naxalites are now targeting Koraput to create another 'Lalgarh'.

Q: Do you mean more 'Lalgarhs' are in the offing? A: Absolutely. More Lalgarhs are in the offing if we don't es- tablish authority in remote and interior areas where Naxalites have established themselves. The rebels have been warning of creating more and more 'liberated' zones. We need to address MARTYRED: SLAIN RAJNANDGAON SP VINOD CHAUBEY the issue with strategy and seriousness.

12 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS COVER STORY

DIFFERENT VIEW: TRINAMOOL CONGRESS PROTEST AGAINST GOVERNMENT ACTION IN LALGARH

Q: Was the Lalgarh episode a failure of A: The Prime Minister had termed the and deliver the knockout punch. The gov- security personnel? Naxalite problem the biggest internal se- ernment should pump in more A: Had police and security personnel curity threat. I support the statement. In forces skilled in guerrilla warfare and patrolled the area regularly, Naxalites 2004, 55 districts were Naxal-infested. neutralise them forever. For this, they re- could not have established their base in This has now increased to 231. quire better weapons and the best possi- the village. Even in the operation to flush ble leadership. out Naxalites, no strategy was fashioned. Q: Will recent developments in Nepal Security personnel could have laid have any impact on the Naxal movement Q: In West Bengal, villagers are stand- siege to a 20-sq-km area to eliminate the in India? ing by Naxalites, while in Chhattisgarh, Naxalites holed up there by launching at- A: It is ideology that links Naxalites of they have raised arms against them. tacks from inner and outer cordons. For Nepal and India. Occasionally, when there How do you see this? this operation, only four-five companies of is ceasefire in one region, arms are sup- A: The people's movement against security personnel were required. Co-ordi- plied to the other war zone. But Naxalites Naxalites in Chhattisgarh - the Salwa nation by seniors was also required in the are very weak. Their entire operation is Judum - stands as an example in the operation as the left hand was not aware underground. A response mechanism country. what the right hand was doing. should be put in place with 'grid deploy- Other Naxal-infested states should fol- There was also fear among police per- ment' and 'constant dynamic deploy- low it as Naxalites came under heavy sonnel. There was not a single landmine ment' of security forces. pressure after the Salwa Judum started. blast in the Lalgarh area but security per- The centre of gravity in any warfare is sup- sonnel cited the excuse that the area had Q: Should security forces now go on port of local population. In West Bengal, been dotted with landmines to avoid en- the offensive against Naxalites? the population was with Naxalites. In tering the region. A: It is high time to destroy the Chhattisgarh, the rebels stand exposed Naxalites' arms and completely disman- before the people, who are now up in Q: How serious is the Naxalite problem tle their terror network. Security personnel arms against them. in the country? should fan out across the rebels' dens (Source: Business Standard )

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 13 DRAGON DREAD

ndian government is working on specific threat perception from China, yes on records. India India must government is wary of Chinese designs to establish take serious Istrategic link-up with Pakistan in parts of Jammu and Kashmir under occupation by both note of its the countries, saying this could have direct military implications. The Defence Ministry's Annual Report for 2008-09 tabled in security Rajya Sabha recently noted with concern the possibility of China "enhancing connectivity with Pakistan through the territory in needs. Jammu and Kashmir, illegally occupied" by both these nations. While China seized 38,000 sq km in Jammu and Kashmir dur- An ing the 1962 war with India, Pakistan unilaterally ceded another 5,120 sq km territory it had investigation occupied in 1947-48 to China under a pact in 1963. However, the Annual Report has failed to mention Chinese military posturing along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, of which Beijing claims about 90,000 sq km ter- ritory as its own, and has positioned 30 military divisions that indulged in frequent incursions across the LAC.The report also ex- pressed concern over the military assistance China was extend- ing to COVER STORY

Pakistan and other countries in the neigh- ture, reconnaissance and surveillance, fect on the overall military environment in bourhood. quick response and operational capabili- the neighbourhood of India," the report Seeking "greater transparency and ties in the border areas, will have an ef- said. openness" in China's defence policy and Stating that China's armed forces' posture in the backdrop of its fast grow- modernisation need to be "monitored ing military prowess, India also said it will Noting that Chinese carefully" for implications on India's de- "engage China, while taking all necessary defence expenditure (that fence and security, the Defence Ministry, measures to protect its national security, stood at seven per cent of however, struck a conciliatory note, say- territorial integrity and sovereignty." ing it enjoyed a strategic and cooperative Noting that Chinese defence expendi- its GDP) had grown by partnership with China, which had further ture (that stood at seven per cent of its double digits over the last progressed during high-level visits in GDP) had grown by double digits over the two decades, the report 2008-09. last two decades, the report referred to It observed with satisfaction Beijing's China's 2008 White Paper on Defence referred to China's 2008 stated policy in its White Paper "never to that outlined its policy on developing White Paper on Defence seek hegemony or engage in military ex- strategic missiles, space-based assets that outlined its policy on pansion in the future, no matter how de- and blue-water naval capabilities. veloped it became." "China's stated objectives, in their developing strategic The report said the two neighbours White Paper, of developing strategic mis- missiles, space-based were engaged in negotiations on the sile and space-based assets and of rap- assets and blue-water 4,500-km boundary dispute and have idly enhancing its blue-water navy to con- agreed to maintain peace through mutu- duct operations in distant waters, as well naval capabilities. ally agreed confidence building measures, as the systematic upgrading of infrastruc- pending final settlement.

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 15 COVER STORY

EXPERT’S VIEW China may attack India leading defence expert has pro- premacy in Asia in this century," Bharat ing internal dissent, Verma said in an ed- jected that China will attack Verma, editor of the Indian Defence itorial in the forthcoming issue of the pre- India by 2012 to divert the at- Review, has said. mier defence journal. tention of its own people from Verma said the recession has "shut the Fresh unrest has broken out in China's "unprecedented" internal dis- Chinese exports shop", creating an "un- restive northwestern region of Xinjiang, sent,A growing unemployment and financial precedented internal social unrest" which where over 156 people have died in the problems that are threatening the hold of in turn, was severely threatening the grip worst communal flare up in decades lead- Communists in that country. of the Communists over the society. ing to the arrest of over 1,400 people, in- "China will launch an attack on India be- Among other reasons for this assess- cluding 55 women, in a massive crack- fore 2012. There are multiple reasons for ment were rising unemployment, flight of down.In addition to this, "The growing ir- a desperate Beijing to teach India the final capital worth billions of dollars, depletion relevance of Pakistan, their right hand lesson, thereby ensuring Chinese su- of its foreign exchange reserves and grow- that operates against India on their be-

16 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS COVER STORY

ON VIGIL: THERE IS NO ROOM FOR SLIGHTEST OF LAXITY behest, is increasing the Chinese nerv- He said it would be "unwise" at this in the Northeast," Verma said. ousness," he said, adding that US point of time for a recession-hit China to But India is "least prepared" on ground President Barak Obama's Af-Pak policy move against the Western interests, in- to face the Chinese threat, he says and was primarily Pak-Af policy that has "in- cluding Japan. "Therefore, the most at- asks a series of questions on how will telligently set the thief to catch the thief". tractive option is to attack a soft target India respond to repulse the Chinese Verma said Beijing was "already rattled, like India and forcibly occupy its territory game plan or whether Indian leadership with its proxy Pakistan now literally em- would be able to "take the heat of war". broiled in a civil war, losing its sheen "Is Indian military equipped to face the against India." In view of the "imminent two-front wars by Beijing and Islamabad? "Above all, it is worried over the grow- threat" posed by China, Is the Indian civil administration geared to ing alliance of India with the US and the meet the internal security challenges that West, because the alliance has the po- "the quickest way to the external actors will sponsor simulta- tential to create a technologically superi- swing out of pacifism to a neously through their doctrine of unre- or counterpoise. stricted warfare? "All these three concerns of Chinese state of assertion is by "The answers are an unequivocal 'no'. Communists are best addressed by wag- injecting military thinking Pacifist India is not ready by a long shot ing a war against pacifist India to achieve either on the internal or the external multiple strategic objectives," he said. in the civil administration front," the defence journal editor says. While China "covertly allowed" North to build the sinews. In view of the "imminent threat" posed Korea to test underground nuclear explo- by China, "the quickest way to swing out sion and carry out missile trials, it was That will enormously of pacifism to a state of assertion is by in- also "increasing its naval presence in increase the deliverables jecting military thinking in the civil admin- South China Sea to coerce into submis- on ground -- from Lalgarh istration to build the sinews. That will sion those opposing its claim on the enormously increase the deliverables on Sprately Islands," the defence expert to Tawang," he says... ground -- from Lalgarh to Tawang," he said. says.

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 17 COVER STORY Bharat Verma

ew Delhi's portrayal of the humiliating defeat at the hands of Chinese in 1962 as 'betrayal' and 'sur- prise' is untrue. The paci- fist Indian leadership that wasN crying hoarse from rooftops for friend- ship at any cost remained blind to Communist China's repeated claims on Tibet and large part of Indian territories. Mao termed Tibet as the palm of a hand with its five fingers as Ladakh, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, and North East Frontier Agency. He claimed that these were Chinese territories that needed to be 'lib- erated'. Tibet was 'liberated' by force while New Delhi slept. The historical characteristics of the Chinese and the statements issued by the Communists from time to time clearly ex-

In view of the "imminent threat" posed by China, "the quickest way to swing out of pacifism to a state of assertion is by injecting military thinking in the civil administration to build the sinews. That will enormously increase the deliverables on ground -- from Lalgarh to Tawang," he says...

BHAI-BHAI?: INDIAN PM MANMOHAN SINGH WITH CHIENESE PREMIER WEN JIABAO posed their expansionist ambitions in Asia that spelt out a direct threat to India's well being. Despite such overt in- dications, if we could not prepare our- Learn lesson selves to meet those challenges, the fault lies with us. Instead of pretending to be surprised or betrayed, it is time we face the truth for the fiasco in 1962 and pre- pare our military for the serious threat from history: posed by the Chinese. To Mao and the Chinese what singular- ly mattered was achieving the final goal. The means whether fair or foul to win were irrelevant. If New Delhi had deciphered Policy-makers what Mao was advocating in 1946 and studied the historical Chinese character- istics, alarm bells should have clearly rung in the South Block. Mao repeatedly said from 1950 on- listening? wards that Taiwan, Tibet, and Hainan Islands were Chinese territories and they will be re-possessed. The predominant

18 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS COVER STORY

LAST POINT: THE NATHULA POINT ON INDIA-CHINA BORDER

trait in this claim is the Chinese attrac- wavered. Chinese of their obsession to dominate tion for acquiring new territories. On the Further Mao often quoted a famous other nations in their vicinity. If Nepal in take over of China by the Communists, Chinese saying, "?If the east wind does history paid tribute ever as a vassal state maps depicting large parts of Korea, Indo- not prevail over the west wind, then east to the Chinese Emperor, than whenever China, Mongolia, Burma, Malaysia, wind will prevail over the east wind." This the regime in Beijing [Images] was power- Eastern Turkestan, India, Tibet, Nepal, clearly indicates another trait of the Han ful, it would ensure Nepal accepts its or- Sikkim, and Bhutan as Chinese territories bit of influence. With Maoists taking over were produced. Despite such demands, Tibet and China that were Nepal, the designs of the Communists in New Delhi always overlooked the basic China have succeeded and pacifists in fact that Communists inherited both, the part of Mongolian Empire New Delhi stand compromised on our geo- traditional Chinese expansionism as well at one point in history now political interests. as imperialism. While Indians were bending backwards Tibet and China that were part of became part of the to force their friendship in the last 58 Mongolian Empire at one point in history Chinese Empire under years, China was busy consolidating its now became part of the Chinese Empire Mao, in reverse order. hold on Tibet and other occupied territo- under Mao, in reverse order. Strangely, ries. It extended its influence in Asia from this it follows that since Tawang or Strangely, from this it through economic and military power, un- Sikkim which have been closely related to follows that since Tawang precedented development of logistic in- Tibet in the past, needed to be 'liberat- or Sikkim which have been frastructure and demographic invasion. ed' and made part of the new Chinese By 1987 it poured in 75 million Han empire. If the leadership of independent closely related to Tibet in Chinese into Manchuria, 7 million in India had bothered to study and under- the past, needed to be 'lib- Eastern Turkestan (Xinjiang), 8.5 million stand the British mantle that was inherit- into Inner Mongolia, and 7.5 million into ed, Chinese aims would become crystal erated' and made part of Tibet. Similarly it bolstered itself against clear -- Mao the great strategist, always the new Chinese empire. India militarily by building roads up to the announced his goals publicly and never borders in Tibet and connecting its

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 19 COVER STORY ther boost its hatred against India. Of course, we all know how preoccupied Pakistan has kept our national security managers and resources, while Chinese developed a free run in Asia. Similarly Maoists in Nepal supported clandestinely by the Chinese are in ca- hoots with the Indian Maoists who now control 40 percent of India's territory. If you think that's not smart enough for war- riors of Sun Tzu, than take a look at the borders from north to east --Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar are un- der the spell of Beijing, shrinking India's influence in its vicinity without recourse to war. It's a matter of time before the Chinese upstage Bhutan and Sri Lanka

Despite the invasion of Tibet, New Delhi did not understand the signifi- cance of the Chinese Communists growing up as a military organisation, unlike other movements. Their core competency lay in the Peoples Liberation Army and military virtues were promoted throughout the cadres.

Sinkiang province by cutting a road Asia could be engulfed in its sphere of in- due to our inaptitude. through Indian Territory Aksai Chin. Yet we fluence. China, over a period of time, has clev- were not alarmed as a nation and contin- Despite the invasion of Tibet, New Delhi erly managed to deploy two authoritarian ue to swim in the euphoria of five princi- did not understand the significance of the streams of threats against India to break pals of Indo-Chinese friendship termed Chinese Communists growing up as a mil- its will and the territorial integrity. Panchsheel! itary organisation, unlike other move- Foremost is the Communist threat that Historically Indian and Chinese influ- ments. Their core competency lay in the originates from Beijing and the second is ences in Asia have coexisted. However, Peoples Liberation Army and military the Islamic fundamentalist threat from its possibly for the first time in history, India virtues were promoted throughout the proxies. Besides other threats like Nepal and China were rising almost simultane- cadres. If China today dares to claim Maoists or getting the Indo-US Nuclear ously. This produced two contenders for Arunachal Pradesh and piece of Sikkim, it deal blocked by their comrades in India. the leadership of Asia. On the chess- is primarily based on its military prowess. Today for China to threaten Arunachal board, while Nehru took the initiative to On the other hand, the fine Indian military Pradesh and demand a slice of Sikkim af- lead Asia -- without developing military machine built by the British continues to ter assured of its vice-like grip on India, is sinews and powerful international al- be degraded and demoralised by the a natural progression even as New Delhi liances -- through The Asian Relations Indian civil leadership ? it's like axing the continues its slumber. Conference in 1947 and a second branch one sits on. In 1999 the Dalai Lama in hindsight ad- Conference on Indonesia in 1949, a year Traditionally Chinese leadership leans mitted, " When Tibet was free, we took later, Mao's army executed the liberation on teachings of Master Sun Tzu. Mao in our freedom for granted? In former times of Tibet in one masterstroke. particular was highly influenced by Sun Tibetans were a war-like nation whose in- Mao, thus demonstrated to the world Tzu, who said, "?To fight and conquer in fluence spread far and wide. With the ad- that China was the actual leader of Asia all your battles is not supreme excellence; vent of Buddhism our military prowess de- and India merely a paper tiger, good for supreme excellence consists in breaking clined?" The Dalai Lama could easily have holding conferences but incapable of de- the enemy's resistance without fighting." said the same for India. fending a small country in its vicinity. He Therefore, a willing proxy was found in Pacifist philosophies may be good for also understood strategic importance of Pakistan. For the first time in history, nu- the individual's soul but are definitely bad Tibet, which provided the base in the clear weapons and missile technology for nation's security. Himalayas, from where a large part of were transferred to countervail and fur- (The writer is editor, Indian Defence Review)

20 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS COVER STORY

WATER FRONT: INDIAN COAST GUARDS PATROLLING THE BANGLADESH BORDER Even sea route is unsafe now: What should be India response? Srikanth Kondapalli powerful military body, the Central aim in developing the new Jin SSBN is not Military Commission decided in 1999 that to target India but the United States, in oogle Earth's pictures of a the nuclear-powered ballistic missile sub- the Chinese quest to become a great new strategic submarine marine patrols be made a matter of rou- power in the world. base in Hainan Province of tine in the early 21st century. However, as However, as the Cabinet Committee on China alerted several coun- the only other SSBN, the Xia-class, is re- Security is seized with the matter and is tries, including India, on the portedly docked frequently at homeports, to hold a session, counter-measures are upcoming security chal- and as the Jin SSBN development pro- expected to be unveiled in the near future. lengesG in 21st century. longed due to cost and time overruns, in Primary considerations appear to be four, The pictures and news about the Type addition to technological challenges, this viz., deployment of the new SSBN in a fu- 094 'Jin' submarine are not new, howev- patrolling could not be enforced so far. turistic scenario of South Asian nuclear er. From at least late 1990s and more At a cursory look, the development of a conflict; positioning of the SSBN in Indian concretely from 2004, these develop- new strategic submarine by China appear Ocean with the intent of controlling the ments have been reported widely, includ- to be of marginal impact on India as Straits of Malacca's; Chinese inroads ing the three tests of 8,000 km range, Sanya base is far away from Indian into the Indian Ocean through the "string solid-propellant and MIRV-ed Julang 2 shores and as such ground-based mis- of pearls" concept; and SLBM deployment submarine launched ballistic missile and siles in China could be deployed in the in anti-satellite missions. the building of infrastructure at Sanya. event of skirmishes between the two ris- To counter these challenges, current Also, it was widely reported that the all- ing countries in Asia. Besides, the avowed Indian options point towards matching

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 21 COVER STORY Romeo-class (under decommissioning process), Ming, Song, 4 Han-class nuclear attack and one Xia-class SSBN. In addi- tion, China acquired Kilo-class sub- marines from Russia -- with an estimate of about 18 in all joining the Chinese inven- tory by the next decade. Yuan class sub- marines are expected to be opera- tionalised by the Chinese Navy in the near future. More importantly, China builds on its own at least one submarine a year in sev- eral of its shipyards at Shanghai, Wuhan, Huludao and other places. These indige- nous efforts contribute to China's strate- gic autonomy. China, however, is also in the process of upgrading the equipment and systems of these vessels through im- ports from Russia, Israel, France [Images], Italy [Images], US and other countries. Qualitatively, areas of improve- ments in submarine technology and func- China with a similar indigenous plat- tioning included enhancing endurance lev- form, leasing such vessels from Russia The Chinese submarine els, firepower, production of specialized [Images] (as India did in the 1980s and steel following reports of leakages, weld- 1990s), or collaborating with the United activity in the Sea of ing technologies, propulsion system, States on such projects. A fourth option sonars, fire-control and acoustic suppres- of concluding a nuclear de-targeting Japan was stepped up as sion. The anti-submarine warfare capabil- agreement with China is currently unavail- ity of China was also enhanced with able due to the intransigent attitude of the 'research' activities till the French support through Super Frelon heli- Chinese government, which signed such flare up between China copters and its variants and Ka-series of an agreement with Russia during the visit helicopters from Russia. of then President Boris Yeltsin in 1994, and Japan when the Certain recent submarine activities of while preferring to sign a 'non-targeting' China indicate its forays into the high nuclear agreement with President Bill Chinese Han-class nuclear seas. However, the initial efforts were Clinton [Images] in 1998. This indicates largely dubbed as a part of the "learning to the upcoming arms race between submarine, which intruded curve'. In October 1994, for instance, China, India (to be followed by Pakistan). when the USS Kittyhawk's S-3 antisub- The significance of the Jin SSBN is in its into Japanese controlled marine aircraft tracked China's Han-class ability to provide credible second strike areas in late 2004. SSN through sonobuoys in the Yellow Sea, capability for China, which the previous and despite scrambling of two Chinese J- version, the Xia-class of SSBN was only 6 aircraft from the Qingdao naval bases, able to provide notionally at best. It is be- about the Soviet-supplied Romeo-class submarines surfacing in the Bay of Bengal the Chinese Navy finally backed out. lieved that in the India-China match-up, Later, in a decade's time, the Chinese while India enjoys conventional superiori- during the 1962 skirmishes between the two countries. navy inflicted a "sweet revenge" on the ty, China has an overwhelming strategic US when the Song-class submarine fol- superiority over India. However, in those times, war was not multidimensional but confined to the lowed, without detection, the USS With an estimated 50 intercontinental Kittyhawk in October 2006. ballistic missiles, and thousands of other ground forces. 21st Century warfare trends increasingly exhibit full-spectrum The Chinese submarine activity in the series of missiles, China clearly has an Sea of Japan was stepped up as 're- edge over India, while the latter needs and multi-dimensional engagements (on land, sea, air, space, electromagnetic search' activities till the flare up between ages to bridge the gap. The test of Agni-III China and Japan when the Chinese Han- could provide some succour but only mar- spectrums). Jin SSBN entry in the Chinese inventory could provide China class nuclear submarine, which intruded ginally. A few years ago the ministry of de- into Japanese controlled areas in late fence, in its annual reports, estimated with several options. China's convention- al submarines reportedly visited Bay of 2004. The intention appeared to master that several (possibly 50-60) Indian cities submarine routes into the Pacific. The are targeted from Greater Tibet [Images] Bengal for testing marine temperature pa- rameters useful for combat times. Chinese government reportedly apolo- areas in China. The Jin SSBN provides gised to the Japanese government for the China with another route to counter India As such the submarine activity of China was enhanced in the last decade with sig- first time in its history after Empress -- through the Indian Ocean. Dowager Cixi in late 19th century. These The Chinese submarine activity, howev- nificant achievements. Despite the crash of the Ming-class submarine No. 361 at are pointers towards India as well in near er, is not new. While the Ming Dynasty ex- future. peditions through the Indian Ocean in the Neichangshan in 2003 killing 70 sailors, China's submarine build-up is the largest (The writer is author of China's Naval 15th Century to African shores was a sur- Power, 2001. He is Chairman of Centre for face vessel activity, accounts in the offi- in Asia today. Currently China has more East Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru cial history of the Indian Navy mention than 50 submarines -- a majority of them University)

22 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS AROUND US

India yearns for more

SAGA OF US-INDIAN TIES REMAINS SEAMLESS M K Bhadrakumar India partnership whereas Indian strate- orities. The world, too, has changed fol- gists schooled in the eight-year cherished lowing the global downturn and things are merican Secretary of State belief that the future of the US-India part- not the same. To be sure, Clinton is on a Hillary Clinton's visit was the nership lies in the two countries striding formidable diplomatic mission as the har- Obama administration's first "shoulder to shoulder" in terms of a binger of startling tidings to Delhi. Her high-level political consultation shared "vision". repertoire lacked rhetoric. with India since assuming office From the Indian end, the "vision" meant Her irrepressible predecessor, inA January. Clinton had no pressing en- that the US recognised India's primacy as Condoleeza Rice, would have seized the gagements in Mumbai, but took her time the number one military power in the moment with her school-girlish enthusi- to reach Delhi on Sunday. She may have Indian Ocean region and built it up as an asm and brilliant smile to insist that her underscored that the Obama administra- Asian counterweight to China. The "vi- messianic mission aimed at making India tion looks forward to a broad-based rela- sion" had a dream run during the Bush a world-class power. Indians anxiously tionship with India that goes beyond the era. India held something like 50 military scoured the weekend papers and sorely highly militarised "strategic partnership" exercises with the US during the past five- missed Rice's rhetoric. that the George W Bush administration year period. Of course, Clinton was not lacking in sought and Delhi got used to. But Obama's priorities lie elsewhere. charm or enthusiasm as she walked Obama seeks a "greening" of the US- The America he inherited has different pri- around rain-swept Mumbai observing the

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 23 POWER LADIES HILLARY CLINTON WITH SONIA GANDHI AROUND US

HAIL HILLARY!: HILLARY CLINTON AT A FUNCTION DURING HER INDIA TRIP wonderful work done by social activists trust and understanding between us, and Indians will be wrong to take this who championed the emancipation of to be of assistance when asked by amiss. The heart of the matter is that the downtrodden Indian women, or as she Pakistan'. US cannot allow any third party interrupt- held the hands of movie stars who double Yet, she was proceeding to India first. ing the crucially important business of its up as educationists, and as she laughed The Indians are intrigued. They were hop- close collaboration with Islamabad to sta- and talked with the captains of Indian in- ing to present Clinton with a list of con- bilise Afghanistan through a dialogue with dustry who make India's economic vincing reasons why the US and India the Taliban, As the spokesman of the growth happen. In a manner of speaking, should collaborate as partners in pres- Pakistani military told the CNN in an in- it is symbolic Clinton chose Mumbai for terview recently, it is the Pakistani intelli- her first halt ? a city that insolently mocks gence that can bring hardcore Taliban at Delhi for its pretentious airs. Furthermore, as the great leaders like Mullah Omar and Jalaluddin The US-India relationship is a bit like a Haqqani to the negotiating table with the marriage where one partner simply needs game accelerates in US. some space. For the US, the centrality of Central Asia and if the Furthermore, as the great game accel- Pakistan in its regional policies in Central erates in Central Asia and if the situation Asia and the Persian Gulf in the coming situation around Iran around Iran assumes critical proportions, period is a compelling reality. Therefore, assumes critical Pakistan becomes a key partner. Clinton chose to give an interview to the Pakistan's brusque integration into the Pakistani media (even ahead of any Indian proportions, Pakistan North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is self- media interaction) so that Islamabad did becomes a key partner. evident. Indians, unfortunately, missed not need to fear the outcome of her India the plot. Up until last year, strategists in visit. Pakistan's brusque inte- Delhi even fancied notions of an Indian Clinton said: 'Well, I think if you go gration into the North military deployment in Afghanistan. back and look at the history between the The Indians' deeply-entrenched suspi- United States and Pakistan, we were not Atlantic Treaty cion about Chinese intentions corrode always as sensitive or understanding of Organisation is their judgment and prevent them from the needs of the Pakistani people. We self-evident. connecting the dots that separate the were not always constant in our support Hindu Kush and the Pamirs and the Silk and our friendship for Pakistan? So it's Road. They fail to comprehend the Great been, I would argue, a relationship that suring Pakistan to amend its record of Game. Over the weekend, a prominent hasn't been as constant and as effective breeding international terrorism and pro- Indian commentator showed incredible as we would want it to be? I mean, we are liferating nuclear technology. But Clinton naivety to argue New Delhi should use its just human beings; we know that. But we made it clear that Washington is pretty influence with the northern Afghan tribes want to be as honest in admitting them as pleased with Pakistan's performance in -- Tajiks, Uzbeks, Hazaras -- to quell Uighur possible, learning from them, and then the war on terror and that Pakistani nu- ethnic tension in Xinjiang. trying to move forward? Our goal is to be clear inventory was securely fastened, no What perturbs Indian strategists is how there as a constant friend and a country matter Islamabad's past behavior -- and Pakistan might take advantage of the US. that Pakistan can rely on to build up more that's all that mattered today. Kashmir is the spectre that haunts Indian

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 25 COVER STORY

THE K FACTOR: HILLARY HAD NO GOOD NEWS FOR INDIA ON KASHMIR FRONT strategists. Clinton came dangerously regional policies with the US's. Its re- great game in Central Asia for the US's close when the Pakistani interviewer sponse to the new Cold War has been to geo-strategy ? especially the role of probed her. 'I think that the disputes be- keep a calibrated distance from its tradi- Islamist elements. An extremely reward- tween India and Pakistan, which are his- tional ally Russia . Its response to the US- ing relationship followed since 2001, as torical and long-standing, should be Iran standoff has been to atrophy India's natural as daybreak. For a while, Pakistan looked at with fresh eyes? The United close and friendly ties with Iran. Its re- got worked up that Bush might be tilting States stands ready to support the toward India when he signed the nuclear steps? But it's not just the government, Clinton came dangerously deal. But as Clinton's visit shows, the nu- but the people? Well, Kashmir certainly clear deal has become controversial. should be on the agenda of discussion be- close when the Pakistani The Obama administration is deter- tween India and Pakistan'. interviewer probed her. 'I mined to bring the nuclear deal within an On the balance, however, India's testi- think that the disputes be- overall architecture of global nuclear non- ness as it awaited Clinton was of its own proliferation. As a first step, the US got its making. Its regional policy touches a low tween India and Pakistan, G-8 partners accept at the recent summit point today and its regional influence in which are historical and meeting in Italy that countries like India, Central Asia is almost negligible. The top long-standing, should be which reject the Nuclear Non-Proliferation items on Clinton's agenda are to secure Treaty, ought to be denied all enrichment an investment protection agreement and looked at with fresh eyes? and reprocessing technology. an end-use monitoring deal with Delhi that The United States stands Whereas Delhi estimated that the nu- met the US legislation making sure sales clear deal amounted to a tacit US accept- of military equipment are used for the pur- ready to support the steps? ance of its nuclear weapon status, the op- pose stated. But it's not just the gov- posite seems to be happening -- a tight- Meanwhile, the US signed a technology ernment, but the people... ening of screws. While India hoped that safeguards agreement that is a requisite the massive business opportunities in the first step (pending negotiation of a com- Indian nuclear market would prompt avari- mercial space launch agreement), to- sponse to the US's containment strategy cious Americans to jettison their non-pro- wards allowing India to launch US satel- toward China has been to identify with the liferation agenda, Washington shall have lites or third country satellites that have strange idea of a quadripartite alliance it both ways -- lucrative business as well US equipment on board. The US has a with the US, Japan and Australia . as a reinvigorated NPT regime. All is not similar agreement with China. In comparison, Pakistan zeroed in on lost even if Delhi's maximalist claims The irony is that New Delhi did all it the potentials of the US intervention in about the nuclear deal stand badly ex- could in the recent years to harmonise its Afghanistan and the implications of the posed. There is a net gain insofar as India

26 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS AROUND US can at least import nuclear fuel and re- Party , and its affiliates too are "pro- actors for its needs overcoming the 35- Where does the US-India US". The Left parties, which clamored year US embargo. for an "independent foreign policy", are Clinton sought fresh Indian reassur- relationship go from here? yet to recover from their huge defeat in ances to import US nuclear reactors The unveiling during the recent parliamentary poll. The Indian worth billions of dollars in the near term. Clinton's visit of a new corporate media and the middle class The Indians sound self-righteous by root for Amrika. claiming the US is rolling back the nu- strategic dialogue archi- En route to Delhi, Clinton thoughtfully clear deal. Actually, the Bush adminis- tecture intended to take interacted with the Indian corporate tration was transparent that the US czars in Mumbai who keenly await the hoped to bring India into the nuclear non- US-India relations to a end-user deal to break into weapons pro- proliferation regime. But Indian dis- higher level of 3.0 ? to use duction in collaboration with the US mil- courses almost uniformly pillory Obama Clinton's phrase ? covering itary-industrial complex. as the villain of the piece. No doubt, Washington knows a thing Where does the US-India relationship non-proliferation, security, or two about how India's political econ- go from here? The unveiling during education, health and de- omy works. Clinton's visit of a new strategic dia- Last, but not the least, the US can al- logue architecture intended to take US- velopment underscores the ways count on the umbilical chords of India relations to a higher level of 3.0 ? Obama administration's social kinship that tie Delhi elites to the to use Clinton's phrase ? covering non- commitment to the part- Indian diaspora in North America. Thus, proliferation, security, education, health the saga of US-Indian relationship re- and development underscores the nership with India. mains seamless. Differences over cli- Obama administration's commitment to mate change or the Doha round are tran- the partnership with India. Indeed, inclination to shift from its US-centric for- sient. Obama should know the US is ir- Washington has little reason to be ap- eign policy. India's political class is replaceable as 21st century India's prehensive about the prospects of US- largely 'pro-US', especially the ruling number one strategic partner. India relationship. Congress party's 'GenNext'. New Delhi has few options and less The main opposition, Bharatiya Janata (The writer is a former ambassador) Non-committal on all major issues

onsider that United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had only landed in Mumbai around 11 at night on Friday, When she arrived at the Poolside of the Taj Mahal Hotel Cat 11.40 am on Saturday for a press con- ference for which the media had been sum- moned at 8.45 am, she had not yet had a single meeting of substance with anyone -- her only real interaction till that point had been an informal breakfast discussion with prominent business leaders. t

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 27 AROUND US

GUN’S SHADOW: HAVE OUR SECURITY CONCERNS ADEQUATELY BEEN ADDRESSED? Stands to reason she was in no position the same thing: India and Pakistan were Yes, she did think Pakistan had over the to announce any major breakthroughs in sovereign nations; it was no part of US last six months -- "That is the period I can bilateral relations, any major policy deci- foreign policy to play bear leader to the speak of", she said, pointing at her own sions. It took the aplomb of a career politi- two nations and push them into an em- tenure as Secretary of State - shown cian to disguise that lack of substance up commitment towards rooting out terrorist in a whole lot of words. She thought there was a elements on its soil. The press conference itself was a She thought there was a new found de- stage-managed affair. A member of her new found determination termination in the government and the entourage called for questions from se- in the government and the military to end the scourge. How effective lected media persons; perhaps not coin- this commitment would prove to be, time cidentally, all those selected with one ex- military to end the would tell - but, she said, perhaps hinting ception were from the international media scourge. How effective this at some action behind the scenes, she corps that had flown down with her. had reason to think the next few days Three of the five questions asked at the commitment would prove would provide some revelations on this media conference -- and yes, five was the to be, time would tell - but, front. total number of questions permitted -- had The rest of it was window dressing. The to do with Pakistan. she said she had reason to US, she said, had stood in solidarity with Did she think Pakistan had done India over 26/11 just as India had stood enough about the war on terror? think the next few days in solidarity with America over 9/11. Would the US compel Pakistan to sur- would provide some reve- Having thus twinned two tragedies sep- render the terrorists on India's most arated by time, distance, perpetrator and wanted list? lations on this front. motivation, she said India and the US, Did she have a comment to make on common victims of the scourge of nihilis- the angst now sweeping India over the brace. Yes, the US would welcome, even tic extremism of the kind that had mani- government's decision to reopen dia- encourage, dialogue -- but what form it fested itself most lately in Jakarta yester- logue without the precondition of quantifi- should take, and when it should happen, day, would join forces in a battle to end it. able action on 26/11? was entirely the business of the two coun- To all of those, Clinton said pretty much tries concerned. — OEMCL News Services

28 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS BUDGET 09

OPEN SESAME: FINANCE MINISTER PRANAB MUKHERJEE BEFORE PRESENTING THE BUDGET A lost opportunity Much was expected from a veteran like Pranab Mukherjee, but his first budget after over two decades has prove to be a mixed bag

Rahul Misra 15,000 and Rs 10,000 for senior citizens and other individuals, respectively. Surcharge to be removed for all non-corporate as- he silver lining expected from budget 2009 was miss- sesses. ing which one can also see from the downslide of sen- ● No change in corporate tax rates. sex One can strongly feel that the budget lacks funda- ● MAT rate to be increased to 15% of book profits from 10%. mental growth plan. Two fundamental corners of growth ● Threshold limit for payment of wealth tax to be increased chart education and healthcare are missing, Ernst & to Rs 30 lakh TYoung on how Budget 2009 will impact businesses and individ- uals. EXTENSION OF SUNSET CLAUSE FOR STPI/EOUS DIRECT TAXES ● Benefit of tax holiday to export oriented units (EoUs) under Section 10A and Section 10B extended by one year. It would TAX RATES now be available up to assessment year 2011-12. ● Personal income tax exemption limit to be enhanced by Rs ● Tax holiday for SEZ units

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 29 BUDGET 09 SIMPLIFYING TAX ADMINISTRATION canned software, on the amount charged for transfer of right to ● Revenue authorities use such software for commercial exploitation. This exemption to allot and quote is only available if the importer is registered under service tax Document Identification law. Number for every notice, ● Full exemption from 4% special additional duty on parts/ac- letter, order, correspon- cessories imported for manufacture of mobile handsets re-in- dence. troduced for one year. ● Centralised Processing Centre to MEDIA, ENTERTAIN- be set-up at Bangalore MENT & SPORTS IN- to ensure faster pro- DUSTRY cessing of tax returns. ● Service of notice, ● Basic custom summon, requisition, duty (BCD) reduced order or any other from 10% to 5% on communication may be LCD panels for made in prescribed manner including elec- manufacture of tronic mode. LCD televisions. ● BCD exemp- ENHANCEMENT OF LIMIT FOR PAYMENT OF ADVANCE TAX tion on set-top ● Threshold limit for payment of advance tax increased from boxes (STBs) with- Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. drawn; these ● Taxation of Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) goods will attract ● Taxability of LLPs and their partners put on par with gener- BCD at the rate of al partnership firm, ie taxation in hands of the entity and exempt 5%. in hands of partners. ● BCD on specified water sports equipment RATIONALISATION OF TDS PROVISIONS exempted. ● TDS on rental payments for use of plant machinery or ● Five additional items ex- equipment and use of land building, furniture or fittings re- empted from BCD when im- duced to 2% and 10%, respectively. ported by a manufacturer-ex- ● TDS on contractual payments proposed at porter of sports goods. 1%, where payee is an individual/and 2% in oth- er cases. Lower rate of 1% in case of payments to sub-contractor/advertising contracts re- PHARMACEUTICALS AND moved. DRUGS INDUSTRY ● No TDS on payments to transporters who furnish PAN details to deductors. ● BCD on nine specified life saving ● Surcharge and cess not to be levied on drugs/bulk drugs and one vaccine reduced tax deducted from payments, other than from 10% to 5%. CVD on these goods also ex- salaries, made to residents (Effective empted. October 1, 2009 onwards). ● BCD on specified artificial heart device re- ● Time limits of two and four years pre- duced from 7.5% to 5%. scribed for passing verification orders in the ● BCD on patent ductus arteriosus/atrial sep- case of TDS matters. tal defect occlusion devices reduced from 7.5% to ● Failure to quote PAN shall 5%. CVD on these goods also exempted. result in tax de- duction at higher of rate specified under rele- vant provisions or 20%, with effect from April 1, 2010.

INDIRECT TAXES

CUSTOMS DUTY

IT/ELECTRONIC HARDWARE INDUS- TRY ● Exemption from OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY countervailing duty (CVD) provided on ● BCD on permanent magnets used for manufacture of PM packaged or synchronous generator above 500 Kw for use in wind-operated

30 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS BUDGET 09 electricity generators reduced from 7.5% to 5%. tion provided to aerial passenger ropeway ● BCD on bio-diesel reduced from 7.5% to 2.5%. projects withdrawn; imports by such projects will now be subject to appli- TEA, COFFEE & RUBBER cable CVD. PLANTATION INDUSTRY ● BCD exemption on concrete batching plants of capacity 50 ● BCD of 5% on specified machinery cum/hr or more withdrawn; used for tea, coffee and rubber plantations' such plants to attract BCD of re-introduced for one more year. 7.5%. ● BCD on 'mechanical harvester' for cof- ● BCD on un-worked coral fee plantation reduced from 7.5% to 5%. reduced from 5% to Nil.

GEMS AND JEWELLERY INDUSTRY KEY AMENDMENTS TO THE ● BCD on gold and silver increased as follows*: ACT, RULES etc ● Import duty to be refunded for im- ITEM PRESENT DUTY PROPOSED DUTY ported goods that are defective/not con- ● Gold bars (other than Rs. 100 Rs. 200 tola bars) and gold forming to the specifications agreed upon between coins per 10 gms per 10 gms Gold in any form Rs. 250 Rs. 500 the parties. including liquid gold per 10 gms per 10 gms and tola bars Silver ● Benefit of rebate can be claimed for goods locally procured in any form Rs. 500 per Kg Rs. 1,000 per Kg under the Duty Free Import Authorisation Scheme. ● Increase in duty rates also applicable to gold and silver or- ● The method of computation of eligible profits as a propor- naments (except those studded with stones or pearls) import- tion of export turnover to the total turnover of the taxpayer, in- ed as personal baggage by prescribed passengers. stead of the total turnover of the SEZ (special economic zone) undertaking, was discriminatory and is now sought to be cor- rected prospectively.

DISCONTINUATION OF FRINGE BENEFIT TAX (FBT) ● FBT to be abol- ished. Consequently, taxation in respect of following specified benefits would be levied in the hands of employee as perquisites: a) Allotment or transfer of specified security or sweat equity shares by an TEXTILE/ FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY employer to its em- ● BCD on cotton waste and wool waste reduced from 15% to ployees. Perquisite 10%. value shall be the ● Description changed for exempted specified difference be- machinery/equipment for tween Fair Market use in leather goods or Value (FMV) of the footwear manufacture. security/shares ● The list of exempt- on the date on ed goods imported by which the option manufacturers-ex- is exercised and the amount actually porters of leather gar- paid by/recovered from the employee. ments/textile gar- b) Contribution in excess of Rs 100,000 by an employer to an ments/leather approved superannuation fund for employees. goods/footwear etc, c) Other fringe benefits as prescribed. extended.

COMMODITIES TRANSACTION TAX MISCELLA- ● Commodity transaction tax abolished (Effective from as- NEOUS sessment year 2009-2010 onwards). ● BCD on rock phosphate reduced DEDUCTION OF INTEREST ON LOAN FOR HIGHER EDUCATION from 5% to 2%. ● Definition of higher education for deduction in respect of in- ● CVD exemp- terest paid on loan for purposes of higher education to be

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 31 BUDGET 09 widened to include any course of study pursued after passing to be enhanced. senior secondary examination or its equivalent from recognised institutions. FINCREASE IN LIMIT FOR DISALLOWANCE OF PAYMENTS MADE TO TRANSPORTERS DEDUCTION FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT OF ● Considering special circumstances of transport operators DEPENDENT RAISED for incurring expenditure on long-haul jour- ● Deduction to be enhanced in respect neys, limit for payments, otherwise than of maintenance of dependent with severe by an account payee cheque or account disability from Rs 75,000 to Rs 100,000. payee bank draft to be raised from Rs 20,000 to Rs 35,000 per transaction per EXTENSION FOR UNDERTAKINGS IN POW- day (Effective October 1, 2009 onwards). ER SECTOR ● Tax holiday available to an undertak- TRANSFER PRICING AMENDMENTS ing set up for purpose of reconstruction or ● Arm's length price is defined to mean revival of a power generating plant to be the arithmetical mean of prices determined extended to undertakings set-up by under the most appropriate method. It is March 31, 2011 (Effective assessment sought to be clarified that, where the said year 2009-10 onwards). arithmetical mean is not within 5% of the transfer price declared by the taxpayer, an EXTENSION OF WEIGHTED DEDUCTION adjustment to the extent of difference be- FOR IN-HOUSE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH tween the arithmetical mean and transfer AND DEVELOPMENT price adopted by the taxpayer would be made ● The scope of claiming a weighted (Effective in respect of TP assessments com- deduction of 150 per cent of the ex- pleted after October 1, 2009). penditure incurred on in-house scien- ● Safe harbour rules proposed to provide tific research and development ex- for circumstances in which the authorities will panded to include companies engaged accept the transfer price declared by the tax- in manufacture or production of any ar- payer (Effective assessment year 2009-10 on- ticle or thing, except those specified in wards). Schedule Eleven of the Income Tax Act. oCreation of Alternate Dispute Resolution panel to deal with disputes pertaining to DEDUCTION FOR UNDERTAKINGS EN- transfer pricing and taxation of foreign com- GAGED IN COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION panies proposed from October 1, 2009. OF MINERAL OIL AND NATURAL GAS ● Refineries in private sector which INVESTMENT-LINKED TAX INCENTIVE commence refining of mineral oil before SCHEME April 1 2012 are also eligible for tax hol- ● A deduction of 100% of capital expen- iday. diture (excluding land, goodwill, and finan- ● Tax holiday has also been extended cial instrument) proposed to incentivise set- to undertakings engaged in commercial ting up and operating following specified production of natural gas, provided the businesses: blocks are licensed under NELP-VIII and (a) cold chain facilities for specified prod- the production commences on or after ucts (should be set-up on or after April 1, April 1, 2009. 2009); (b) warehousing facilities for storage of SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR PRESUMPTIVE agricultural produce (should be set-up on TAXATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES or after April 1, 2009); ● Scheme of presumptive taxation made (c) cross-country natural gas or crude applicable to all businesses (except for ply- or petroleum oil pipeline network for dis- ing, hiring or leasing goods carriages or tribution, including storage facilities being those claiming specified tax benefits) hav- an integral part of such network (should ing total turnover/gross receipts of less be set-up on or after April 1, 2007). than Rs 40 lakh. Losses on account of aforesaid deduc- ● 8 percent of total turnover/gross re- tion can be set-off from profits of such ceipts will be deemed to be the taxable in- business only and can be carried forward come of the taxpayer and complete tax li- indefinitely. ability can be deposited by way of self as- sessment tax. Such tax payers also ex- TRANSACTIONS WITHOUT CONSIDERATION empted from maintaining audited ac- OR INADEQUATE CONSIDERATION CONSID- counts. ERED AS INCOME ● Presumptive tax regime available to ● Currently, gifts in kind are not subject individuals, HUF, partnership firm (not an to tax. It is proposed that, subject to certain LLP firm) who/which is a resident . exceptions, value of property received in ex- ● The presumptive income of truck cess of Rs 50,000 without consideration/in- owners covered under section 44AE sought adequate consideration shall be taxable as

32 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS BUDGET 09

CHEAPER: EXCISE ON VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN REDUCED 'Income from Other Sources' (this will be effective from ● Raw, tanned and dressed fur skins. October 1, 2009 onwards). ● Articles of wood, plywood, doors, etc. ● Articles of papers, paper board, folders, and other articles MINIMUM ALTERNATE TAX ('MAT') of stationary, etc. ● Provision for diminution in value of any asset to be added ● Goods containing more than 25% fly ash or phosphogyp- back for computing book profits for purposes of MAT (Effective sum. assessment year 1998-1999). ● Articles of mica. ● Period of availing MAT credit increased from seven to ten ● Concrete block and slabs. years. ● Ceramic tiles manufactured in a factory not using electric- ity for firing the kiln. CENTRAL EXCISE ● LPG gas stoves. ● Electronic milk fat tester/solid non-fat tester. RATE OF EXCISE DUTY ● Contact lenses. Duty rate on items currently attracting 4% excise duty in- ● Parts of drawing and mathematical instruments. creased to 8% with the following major exceptions: ● Playing cards. ● Specified food items. ● Paint brushes, shaving brush, tooth brush, etc. ● Drugs and pharmaceutical products. ● Slide fasteners and its parts. ● Medical equipment. ● Paper, paperboard and articles thereof. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/ELECTRONIC INDUSTRY ● Paraxylene. ● Duty exemption on 'recorded smart cards' and 'recorded ● Power driven pumps for handling water. proximity cards and tags' made optional. ● Footwear of maximum retail price (MRP) between Rs. 250 ● Duty exempted on packaged or canned software on the and Rs. 750 per pair. amount charged for transfer of right to use such software for ● Pressure cookers. commercial exploitation. This exemption is only available if the ● Vacuum and gas filled bulbs of MRP not exceeding Rs. 20 importer is registered under service tax law. per bulb. ● Duty increased from 4% to 8% on MP3/MP4 or MPEG 4 ● Compact Fluorescent Lamps. players with or without radio/video reception facility. ● Cars for physically handicapped persons. AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY Duty rate on the specified items of following types increased from 4% to 8%: Duty rate reduced on: ● Ink used in writing instruments. ● Specific component of duty on large cars/utility vehicles of ● Heat resistance latex rubber thread, tension tape. engine capacity exceeding 1,999cc from 20% + Rs. 20,000/-

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 33 BUDGET 09 per unit to 20% + Rs. 15,000 per unit. an amount equal to 5% (instead of 10%) on the total price of the ● Petrol-driven trucks/lorries from 20% to 8%. exempted goods. ● Chassis of petrol-driven trucks/lorries from '20%' + Rs. 10,000 per chasis to '8%' + Rs. 10,000 per chasis. SERVICE TAX NEW TAXABLE SERVICES PROPOSED TO BE INTRODUCED* TEXTILE/FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY ● Transport of goods by rail. ● The scheme of optional excise duty of 4% for textile goods ● Transport of coastal goods, goods through inland water in- made of pure cotton restored. cluding national waterways. ● Optional excise duty exemption on tops of ● Legal consultancy service. manmade fibre manufactured from duty ● Cosmetic and plastic surgery service. paid tow. ● Duty exempted on EVA compound SCOPE OF EXISTING TAXABLE SERVICES manufactured on job work for further use in PROPOSED TO BE EXPANDED* manufacture of footwear. ● Definition of information technology soft- ● Duty increased from 4% to 8% on: ware to be amended retrospectively from the — Specified manmade fibre and yarn; date of its introduction, so as to replace the — pure terephthalic acid (PTA) and di- word 'acquiring' with the word 'providing'. methylterephthalate (DMT); ● Definition of 'business auxiliary serv- — polyester chips; and acrylonitrile. ice' amended to provide that only the ● Duty increased from nil to 4% on goods processes resulting in the 'manufacture' of of cotton manufactured wholly out of indige- excisable goods (as defined in Central Excise nous raw material and cleared by export ori- Act) will be non-taxable. ented unit (EOU) in domestic tariff area (DTA). ● Definition of 'stock-broker service' amended, now sub-brokers will be outside OIL & GAS INDUSTRY the purview of service tax. ● Duty on special boiling point spirits re- duced to 14%. EXEMPTIONS FROM SERVICE TAX** ● Duty on naptha reduced to 14%. ● Services of inter-state or intra-state transportation of pas- ● High Speed Diesel blended with up to 20% bio-diesel fully sengers in a vehicle bearing 'contract carriage permit' exempt- exempted from duty. ed. ● Branded petrol would now attract duty of Rs. 14.50 per litre ● Services provided by Federation of Indian Export instead of '6% + Rs.13 per litre'. Organisation (FIEO) and certain other specified export promo- ● Branded diesel would now attract total duty tion councils exempted till 31 March 2010. of Rs. 4.75 per litre instead of '6% + Rs.3.25 ● Transactions between scheduled banks per litre'. for purchase and sale of foreign currency ex- ● Exemption from duty provided on Naphtha empted from service tax. or Natural Gasoline Liquid used in manufacture of fertilizer and ammonia. OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE ACT/ RULES ETC.** MISCELLANEOUS ● Service tax made applicable to installa- ● Duty increased from 4% to 8% on all tions, structures and vessels in the entire goods (other than cotton), which is manufac- Continental Shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone tured wholly out of indigenous raw material of India. and cleared by EOU in DTA. ● Provider of both taxable and exempted serv- ● Duty on branded jewellery reduced from ices not maintaining separate accounts to pay an 2% to Nil. amount equal to 6% (instead of 8%) of the value ● Appropriate classification provided for of exempted services. coffee or tea pre-mixes which are fully ex- ● Service provider to pay back amount of cred- empt from excise duty. it taken on inputs/capital goods if the same are ● Full exemption from duty provided on fully written off in the books of account. goods stones, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica, etc man- ● Benefit of optional composition scheme under ufactured at the site of construction for use in the construction the Works Contract Rules to be allowed only if entire value of work. goods and services used in the execution of the works contract ● Benefit of SSI exemption extended to printed laminated is declared as the 'gross value charged'. rolls bearing brand name of another person. ● Consequent to increase in duty rates from 4% to 8%, abate- REFUND SCHEME FOR EXPORTERS OF GOODS ment rates revised on items subject to MRP-based levy. ● Relief granted to exporters of goods by proposing a simpler mechanism for grant of refund of input tax credits. OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE ACT/ RULES, ETC (bold) I strongly recommend more comprehensive competition bill, ● Cenvat Credit Rules amended to clarify that 'inputs' shall serious role of Serious Fraud Office,privatization in Higher edu- not include cement, angles, channels, TMT bars and other items cation Governance in role of SEBI. for construction of shed, building or structure for support of cap- [* These changes will come into effect from a date to be notified, af- ital goods. ter the enactment of Finance (No 2) Bill, 2009. ** These changes will ● Manufacturer of both dutiable and exempted goods, but not come into effect immediately] maintaining separate accounts of inputs will now be liable to pay (Writer is Associate Editor of Opinion Express)

34 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS BUDGET 09

DAMPENER: DALAL STREET REACTED `VIOLENTLY’ TO AN UNINSPIRING BUDGET A lacklustre show The finance minister has failed to rise to challenger, say experts

he Union Finance ets presented so far, the first was the Minister, Mr. Pranab “By disinvestment in pub- path breaking budget by Dr. Man Mohan Mukherjee has missed a Singh in 1990 -91 introducing economic golden opportunity to lic sector to the tune of reforms, then a dream budget by Dr. translate budget from Chidambaram, Former Finance Minister. "Tpoverty to prosperity which was an enor- only 5% would have This budget can be called as ritual exer- mous and challenging task before him by cise as it does not give any direction for putting disinvestment programme in right brought in the much need- future path the Government will take to- perspective, decontrol and deregulation of ed revenue for infrastruc- wards economic policies which will stimu- economy which would have given impetus late the industries in view of the reces- to growth", said Mr. Ramesh Damani, a ture sector and public pro- sionary trend, added Mr. Damani. leading Stock Market Analyst at a panel Mr. Damani further said that the DE- discussion on "Implications of Union grammes which would MAT accounts are in the ratio of 1:100 Budget 2009 -10' organized by the All which the budget could have given thrust India Association of Industries (AIAI) and have also resulted in ac- on disinvestment and other programmes World Trade Centre (WTC) at Mumbai. countability of public sec- which could have resulted in increasing Mr. Damani said by disinvestment in the ratio to 4:100 which is possible the public sector to the tune of only 5% would tor to their shareholders stock market earlier and what it is today have brought in the much needed revenue is an example. for infrastructure sector and public pro- resulting into better effi- Mr. Damani in a lighter way said if grammes which would have also resulted ciency and growth.” Disinvestment is a bad name then the in accountability of public sector to their Government could give it a name in mem- shareholders resulting into better effi- Ramesh Damani | Market Analyst ory of any heads as given to various ciency and growth. There were many budg- schemes existing today such as Rajiv

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 35 BUDGET 09 Gandhi Shram Shakti Programe and no one would object such a programme but instead support. Mr. Damani said we expected the Government to open up Insurance and Aviation sector. Because of this, I say there is a missed opportunity as the economy may not see higher growth which could have been possible if the Government would have given thrust to some of the important issues. Market would have rebounded and the world would look at the investment opportuni- ties over here who are fence sitters today. Today we could see growth in FMCG sector and rural sector but it could have been better if the Government could deregulate and make administration more efficient.

Government should have given some stimulus to the Small Scale Sector and Greenfield infrastructure projects such as road, highways and airport and not imposing service tax on railway and coastal Cargo component which the Government is pro- posing to levy... exemption given to individual could have been much higher rather than a meager rise Vijay Kalantari | AIAI presdient

Mr. Firoze B. Andhyaruyjina, leading tax consultant said that one may appreciate doing away with Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) SHOCK-N-AWE: INVESTORS REACT TO THE BUDGET DAY FALL and surcharge but education cess still re- mains. He said wealth tax provision intro- but not seen in Budget. So it can be called Government should have given some duced is nothing else but double taxation as Ritual affair. stimulus to the Small Scale Sector and through back door. Mr. Andhyaruyjina, fur- Mr. Vijay Kalantri, President , All India Greenfield infrastructure projects such as ther said Exemptions given are very mea- Association of Industries (AIAI) welcomed road, highways and airport and not im- ger and if the Finance Minister would have the increase in the budgetary allocations posing service tax on railway and coastal taken bold step by doubling the exemp- towards the development of Cargo component which the Government tion there would be more money in the Infrastructure, agricultural sector, the is proposing to levy. hands of middle class and consumers SMEs for export as well as the abolition Mr. Kalantri said that the exemption which would have resulted in growth. of Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) and Commodity given to individual could have been much Mr. Andhyaruyjina said the increase Transaction Tax (CTT). The higher alloca- higher rather than a meager rise. He said MAT from 10% to 15% which originally tion to Market Development Scheme and that Goods & Service Tax (GST) should be started from 7.5% will bring in many com- Rs. 4,000 crore Special Fund to be oper- implemented by 1st April 2010 as an- panies to rethink on investment and ated by Banks for SMEs and exports and nounced in the Budget and the various growth. The various sections introduced extending tax holiday to exporters until simplifications announced for Direct and are not keeping in tune with indexing. 2011 would certainly assist the SMEs to Indirect taxes should be implemented in Budget could have given various incen- revive from the recessionary trend. letter and spirit by the concerned tives to spur growth which was expected Mr. Kalantri expressed that the Department.

36 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS CONCERNS IS TERRORISM GROWING BECAUSE WE LACK A UID?

Prakhar Misra About illegal immigration, the suc- pably indifferent to this problem, so much cessive Central governments have so most Bengladeshi immigrants in Delhi and Kolkata have managed to get even ra- o establish my nationality as an been culpably indifferent to this India, we do have multiple ID cards tion cards and electoral identity cards! In issued by various government problem, so much so most some constituencies, the illegal immi- Tagencies like the election identity Bengladeshi immigrants in Delhi grant voters are said to be so strong as to card, driving license, passport, PAN and and Kolkata have managed to get determine the winner and the loser. If the what not. But the UPA-II government feels even ration cards and electoral illegal immigrants can manage to get ra- these cards are not enough and I, like all identity cards! In some constituen- tion cards and election ID cards from the other citizens of the country, must pos- cies, the illegal immigrant voters administration, why can't they get a UID? sess one more card, that's the Unique So the problem here is rampant corrup- Identification(UID) card. are said to be so strong as to deter- tion in administration, not the absence of The government seeks to achieve three- mine the winner and the loser. a citizen identification mechanism. fold objectives by issuing the UID cards: Why do the benefits of government 1. Enhance national security; 2. Check il- terror force, lack of aggressiveness in schemes not reach the targeted sec- legal immigration, particularly from India's policy towards Pakistan and, tions? Bangladesh; 3.Ensure that the benefits of above all, the overt support received by This is because the lion's share of the government welfare schemes reach the terror outfits from the Pakistani regime allocations for such schemes are si- targeted sections. Regarding the first ob- are some of the reasons why terrorism is phoned off by the corrupt politicians and jective, government thinks that UID will growing? All these factors were as clear bureaucrats. This politician-bureaucrat ensure identification of terrorists and thus as daylight in the recent Mumbai attacks. nexus is responsible for irregularities pre- curb the menace. But is cross-border ter- How can UID curb terrorism if these fac- vailing in the public distribution system. If rorism growing just because we don't tors are not addressed by the govern- the government cannot break this power- have a UID? ment? ful nexus and eliminate corruption, how The failure of the intelligence machin- About illegal immigration, the succes- can just a UID card ensure proper distri- ery in India, absence of a well-trained anti- sive Central governments have been cul- bution of government's welfare package?

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 37 CONCERNS

There are gross discrepancies in the is- sue of various identity cards in force now. It is no secret that a major portion of the BPL(Below the Poverty Line) cards issued to avail of subsidised food commodities through the PDS is bogus. A report states that there are 97 million BPL cards in the country whereas the number of BPL fami- lies come to only 58 million. Nandan Nilekani, who has been appointed chair- man of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), himself mentions in his celebrated book `Imagining India' that the number of BPL cards in his home state of Karnataka exceeds the total population of the state. This is because the cards are issued indiscriminately, thus denying the benefits of PDS to the really deserving. The story is the same as regards an esti- mated 65 million kisan credit cards in cir- culation in the country. How does the government propose to prevent similar fraud in the issue of na- tional ID card? Where is the guarantee that the same corrupt forces which took advantage of the BPL cards won't abuse the UID also? Is the government willing to give a public commitment that the issue of UID will be transparent and corruption- free? The entire ID card project is estimated to cost around Rs 1.5 lakh crore. No doubt, it will offer a multi-billion dollar business opportunity for the domestic technology players, with the first phase of the project — which will cover ultra urban, urban, and semi-urban populations — alone offering a Rs 6,500 crore business The necessity for a centrally-issued ID was accen- opportunity. But the business part apart, tuated by the growing problems of illegal immi- is such a mammoth spending justified? If this ambitious programme falters at the grants in various parts of the country. However, implementation level like other such ID the events of November 26 in Mumbai accelerated cards did, what will be the drain on the public exchequer? Rather than embarking the setting up of the UIDAI. The body was set up on a new identification card at such colos- sal cost, shouldn't the government have on January 27, 2009. The initial phase of the proj- made an honest attempt to plug the loop- ect is expected to cover nine states and four Union holes in the present system of issuing ID cards? Did the government set the right Territories. priority in taking up the UID project? Only time will tell. the aegis of the Planning Commission every citizen of the country. Nilekani will log on to in the with an initial core team of 115 officials However, the MNIC project was initiated and staff. The scheme will be implement- under the Vajpayee-led NDA government new ID project? ed in three years. (2002), which was continued by the cur- The Unique Identification Authority of The UID project, however, has been in rent UPA government under Prime Minister India (UIDAI), to be headed by Nandan the offing for over six years. For instance, Manmohan Singh. Nilekani — who has decided to step down in 2008, the government implemented a The necessity for a centrally-issued ID from the board of Infosys Technologies to pilot project for a ‘Multi-purpose National was accentuated by the growing problems head this body — will have the responsi- Identity Card (MNIC)’ in 13 districts of 12 of illegal immigrants in various parts of bility to lay down plans and policies to im- states and one Union Territory wherein the country. However, the events of plement the Unique Identity (UID) card more than 1.2 million identity cards were November 26 in Mumbai accelerated the scheme and shall own and operate the issued to people above 18 years of age. setting up of the UIDAI. The body was set UID database. Besides, to facilitate the project, Section up on January 27, 2009. The initial phase The authority was notified on January 14A was inserted in the Citizenship Act, of the project is expected to cover nine 28 this year as an attached office under 1955 to issue a national identity card to states and four Union Territories.

38 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS CONCERNS

The UID will be issued to people living Commission. TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, in the coastal villages of Gujarat, The unique ID will require creation of a along with smaller players like Spanco, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, database that links an individual to Bartronics, Gemini Traze and NXP Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and unique identifier that remains constant Semiconductors. West Bengal. The Union Territories of over his life-span, like parentage, date Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep, and place of birth. The card automatically All about MNIC Puducherry and Andaman & Nicobar gets activated as a voter identity card at The ‘Multi-purpose National Identity Islands shall also be covered in this first Card (MNIC)’ is a smartcard with 16KB of phase expected to deliver the identity The government has earmarked Rs memory, designed to be in line with spec- cards by early 2010. 100 crore in the interim budget to ifications laid out in ISO/IEC 7816 and The government has earmarked Rs 100 kickstart the UID project. This pi- Smart Card Operating System for crore in the interim budget to kickstart the lot is expected to be on the lines of Transport Applications (SCOSTA). The UID project. This pilot is expected to be on cards are designed to retain data for at the lines of the social security number in the social security number in the least 10 years. the US and will help in identifying and pro- US and will help in identifying and The identity card has a microprocessor viding better services to below-the-pover- providing better services to below- chip (imported) with a memory of 16 KB ty (BPL) line residents. Industry estimates the-poverty (BPL) line residents. which is a secure card. Besides having indicate the entire project will be worth at Industry estimates indicate the en- several physical features in the design of least Rs 10,000 crore. It’s a transforma- tire project will be worth at least the card, it is the cyber security using tional project for the country as it will over- Rs 10,000 crore. It’s a transforma- ‘asymmetric key cryptography’ and ‘sym- lay many underlying projects, creating tional project for the country as it metric key cryptography’ that has made huge efficiencies for the country leading will overlay many underlying proj- the card secure against tampering and to enhanced governance and reduced ects, creating huge efficiencies for cloning. The National Informatics Centre costs. the country leading to enhanced (NIC) has made a major contribution to- The project envisages assigning a wards developing the processes for data- unique identification (ID) number to each governance... base management and smartcard tech- resident in the country to eliminate the nology. need for multiple identification mecha- the age of 18. The identification will act “A 16KB card will not hold much if the nisms. Moreover, the project will eventu- as a check against illegal immigration into scope of data in the smartcard is hu- ally become the underpinning of the the country as it is a serious threat to na- mungous. An ideal memory would be Citizens Smart Card Project, which will en- tional security. The project lays special fo- around 64KB, which will help the govern- able citizens to avail subsidies on food, cus on the border areas of the country ment make the card have enough space energy, education, etc, depending on their with illegal immigration in mind. to accommodate all service links,” said entitlements, according to the 11th report Almost all the firms with an India focus Niju V, deputy director (Automation & of the Second Administrative Reforms will be eyeing this deal — players like Electronics), Frost & Sullivan.

Metro Railway, Kolkata, India, experiments with the Smart Card

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 39 EXCURSION Heavenly Paradise

o you are worn out from working Rising from the deep blue of the vast hard and want to take a vacation expanse of the Indian Ocean are more somewhere exotic, somewhere than a thousand islands and thousands Swith tall palm trees and beautiful more reefs that form the Maldives. beaches. There are not many places like What better place to relax and enjoy this which have been left relatively un- yourself than the romantic dunes that touched but there is one place which adorn these islands. Imagine a place that holds a strong timeless feeling. This is of is nothing but surf and sun; where para- course The Maldives, where resorts are dise meets reality. You can choose any of so natural that there are no cars, buses, the ninety resorts islands across the traffic, no high rise apartments. The Maldives for your honeymoon or holiday Maldives is actually a group of 1192 is- stay; allowing yourself the freedom to ex- lands and these are in small groups of plore everything is amazing tropical won- atolls. derland has to offer. Everything has been The total area of 90,000 square kilo- designed with the luxury and comfort of metres that is Maldives islands consists travellers in mind, which is why per capita of sparkling white beaches, palm-fringed it is the busiest tourist area in the world. islands, crystalline lagoons studded with Half a million people every year rediscov- colorful corals and warm, azure seas with er this paradise. exotic marine life - a mesmerizing mixture The Maldives Islands that remains the same throughout the es, tall palms lean on towards the sea, Sunny, unique and unspoiled, the year, continue to enthral visitors from far crystalline white sands giving way to crys- Maldives is an archipelago comprising and wide. tal clear waters, shades of turquoise 1,190 low-lying coral islands scattered Specks of emerald green enveloped by blend flawlessly with deeper hues of blue; across the equator, in groups of 26 natu- dazzling turquoise waters like scattered pristine coral reefs and some of the most rally occurring atolls which are divided into beads in the ocean; white powdery beach- incredible underwater life on our planet. 20 for administrative purposes.

40 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS EXCURSION Maldives Islands are characterized by a unique coral nature and thus they posses unique tourism resources though in a one- sided way, namely in the submarine and lit- toral environment of the islands, lagoons and reefs, associated with the year-round tropical climate.

SBI aims to become

Maldives tourism dominant bank in Tourism in Maldives which was introduced in 1972 has successfully developed in the past years. Maldives tourism has been rapid- MAURITIUS ly growing the number of tourist arrivals and tate Bank of India, the country's petitive bid process from Agricultural resorts islands over the last ten year period. largest lender, plans to be a Development Bank. In 2008-09, SBI On the European market, Maldives today Sdominant foreign bank in select funded 22 outbound merger and ac- rank among the most attractive travel desti- nations, including Mauritius. quisition deals by Indian companies, nations in the tropics. Maldives offers large "Plans are in place to be the domi- compared to 21 in the previous fiscal. natural resources for tourism and encourages nant foreign bank in few identified At the same time, it plans to eco-tourism to protect the sensitive environ- countries such as Mauritius, Singapore strengthen its presence in countries in- ment and underwater life. and Nepal," a senior SBI official told cluding the UK and the UAE which have It is not only divers and snorkelers who en- PTI. SBI targets a major share in strong India links. joy the profuse underwater resources, but India-related business in high "Initiatives (are) under way also beach tourists are attracted by the na- potential markets world- to strengthen business in ture of the beaches and the climatic condi- wide. In tune with the ob- countries with a strong tions as well. This environment really guaran- jective, two of the bank's India linkage like the US, tees relaxation and recreation. subsidiaries in Mauritius the UK and the UAE," he were merged last fiscal to said. The Maldives honeymoon create a new entity called Currently, SBI has seven SBI (Mauritius) Ltd, he said. branches in the US and Celebrate your special honeymoon in The bank's two partly about six in the UK while the Maldives at the most beautiful and romantic owned subsidiaries in Mauritius bank has exchange services in the islands of Maldives. namely Indian Ocean International United Arab Emirates (UAE). You could enjoy the privacy and intimacy of Bank Ltd and SBI International SBI plans to become a major player a secluded, natural setting and a warm invit- (Mauritius) Ltd were merged during the for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), he ing atmosphere, where the sunsets are spec- year to create a new entity SBI said, adding the restructuring of the in- tacular! (Mauritius) Ltd. ternational business is under way to The Maldives resorts offer you not only the The scheme of merger has been enable new business model. crystal clear waters and azure blue lagoons, sanctioned by Bank of Mauritius from During 2008-09, the SBI internation- food is tasty and services are excellent. April 1, 2008, he said. al credit portfolio increased by 54 per As a welcome token, almost all Maldives Consequently, the SBI's stake in cent to Rs 86,267 crore from Rs resorts offers honeymooners fruit plates and SBI (Mauritius) Ltd has reduced from 56,196 crore in the previous year. flower decorated rooms on the arrival night - 98 per cent to 93.40 per cent after the There is significant credit growth de- a romantic promise of what lays ahead. On re- merger, he said. spite the global meltdown, he said. quest, resorts also arrange romantic candle- At the same time, SBI also in- At the same time, the bank last year lit dinners on the beach and also champagne creased its stake in the Nepal joint along with its subsidiaries and joint breakfast served. venture to 55 per cent from 50 per ventures abroad opened nine offices, cent earlier. SBI bought 5 per cent including full-fledged retail operations Featured Article: Source Maldives Tourism. stake of Nepal SBI Ltd through a com- in Singapore, last year.

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 41 PERSONALITY

flyingflying HIGHHIGH SAINA NEHWAL

42 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS PERSONALITY Saina Nehwal is a NEW YOUTH ICON aina Nehwal is an Indian bad- minton player. Currently ranked number 6 in the world by SBadminton World Federation, Saina is the first Indian woman to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Olympics and the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships. Saina Nehwal scripted history on June 21 2009, be- coming the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament after clinching the Indonesia Open with a stunning victory over higher-ranked Chinese Lin Wang in Jakarta. She is first Indian woman to win the Indonesian Open Super Series. Previously coached by S. M. Arif, a Dronacharya Award winner, Saina is the reigning Indian national junior champion and is currently coached by Indonesian badminton legend Atik Jauhari since August 2008.

his way to work. Saina would often fall GETTING PERSONAL asleep on these journeys which prompted her mother to accompany them for the DATE OF BIRTH next three months. March 17, 1990 Traveling nearly 50 km a day in order to accommodate the training schedule, PLACE OF BIRTH Singh eventually decided to move closer Hisar, Haryana, India to the stadium in 1999. This however did- n’t end the traveling ordeal as Saina was WOMEN'S SINGLES asked to attend evening training sessions ● Country India as well. With the extra training sessions, ● Handedness Right traveling expenditure rose phenomenally. ● Coach Pullela Gopichand Added to the cost of equipment including shuttles, rackets, shoes, gutting and ex- ● Highest Ranking 6 (July 9, 2009) penses rose to over Rs. 12,000 per ● Current Ranking 6[1] (July 9, 2009) month. In order to keep up with the rising cost Her professional career is managed by In December 1998, Saina's father took of her training, Saina’s father withdrew GloboSport. Saina was born in Hisar, her to meet Coach Nani Prasad at the Lal money from his savings and provident Haryana, India and spent her complete Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad. Seeing fund. The tight-rope walk continued until life in city of Hyderabad. Her foray into the potential in the girl, Prasad asked Singh 2002, when sports brand Yonex offered world of badminton was influenced by her to enroll Saina as a summer trainee. to sponsor Saina’s kit. As her status and father Dr. Harvir Singh, a scientist at the Harvir Singh and Saina, who was 8 yrs rankings improved, the sponsorships in- Directorate of Oilseeds Research, old at the time, would wake up at 6 every creased. In 2004, BPCL signed the rising Hyderabad and her mother Usha Nehwal, morning and head to the stadium which star onto their payroll, and in 2005 she both of whom were former badminton was 20 km away. After two hours of prac- was spotted by the Mittal Champions champions in Haryana. tice, Singh would drop Saina to school on Trust.

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 43 PERSONALITY

aina is the reigning Under-19 Wang Chen of Hong Kong in a three- national champion. Also a reg- game thriller. In the quarter-finals Sular in the senior circuit where HER CAREER Saina lost a nail biting 3-gamer to she lost to former India number one world number 16 Maria Kristin Aparna Popat, Saina created history Yulianti. In September 2008, she by the winning the prestigious Asian won the Yonex Chinese Taipei Open Satellite Badminton tournament IS A HIT 2008 beating Li Ya Lydia Cheah of (India Chapter) twice, becoming the Malaysia 21-8 21-19 [8]. Maria first player to do so. Yulianti had earlier lost her quarter- In 2006, Saina appeared on the final match to Pia Bernadet, global scene when she became the Saina's semi-final opponent, thus first Indian woman to win a 4-star denying Saina a rematch. tournament, the Philippines Saina has been named The Most Open[7]. Promising Player in 2008. She Entering the tournament as the reached the world super series 86th seed, Saina went on to stun semifinals in the month of several top seeded players including December 2008. number seed Huaiwen Xu before de- On 21st June, 2009, she be- feating Julia Xian Pei Wong of came the first Indian to win a BWF Malaysia for the title. The same year Super Series title, the most promi- also saw Saina as runner up at the nent badminton series of the world 2006 BWF World Junior by winning the Indonesia Open. She Championships, where she lost a beat Chinese Lin Wang in the final hard fought match against top seed 12-21, 21-18, 21-9. Saina on win- Chinese Wang Yihan. She did one ning the tournament said "I had better in the 2008 by becoming the been longing to win a super series first Indian to win the World Junior tournament since my quarter final Badminton Championships by de- appearance at the Olympics". Saina feating ninth seeded Japanese is on the par with the likes of Sayaka Sato 21-9, 21-18. Prakash Padukone and her mentor She became the first Indian Pullela Gopichand who both won the woman to reach the quarter finals at all England championships which the Olympic Games when she upset are of similar status to the super world number five and fourth seed series. Career HIGHlights Event Year Result Czechoslovakia Junior Open 2003 Winner 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games 2004 2 Silver Asian Satellite Badminton Tournament 2005 Winner World Junior Badminton Championships 2006 Runnerup 2006 Commonwealth Games 2006 3bronze Philippines Open (badminton) 2006 Winner Asian Satellite Badminton Tournament 2006 Winner Indian National Badminton Championships 2007 Winner National Games of India 2007 1 Gold Yonex Chinese Taipei Open 2008 Winner Indian National Badminton Championships 2008 Winner 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games 2008 1 Gold World Junior Badminton Championships 2008 Winner Indonesia Open 2009 Winner

44 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS HEALTH Aloe vera benefits dental health, say experts Dr Vivek Dubey

ransparent gel from the pulp of the meaty leaves of aloe vera has Tbeen used topically to treat wounds, skin infections, burns, and numerous other dermatological conditions. Now there is strong scientif- ic evidence that aloe vera as an active ingredient in tooth gel, can soothe pain fight cavi- ties and control mouth bacte- ria. However, the ability of aloe vera tooth gel as an effective cleanser to fight germs as op- posed to other commercial tooth pastes has been widely speculated. In order to understand the criterion better, experts com- pared the effect of aloe vera tooth gel with two other popu- lar pastes. Benefits of aloe The researchers observed that aloe vera vera tooth gel performs the same function as The researchers observed the popular toothpaste in destroying and that aloe vera tooth gel per- eliminating pathogenic oral microflora forms the same function as the popular toothpaste in de- (disease-causing bacteria) in the mouth. stroying and eliminating patho- They further noticed that it was just as genic oral microflora (disease- causing bacteria) in the mouth. effective, and in some cases more effec- They further noticed that it tive, at fighting germs than other was just as effective, and in brands. In addition, aloe vera reduces some cases more effective, at fighting germs than other pain because it contains anthraquinones, brands. an organic substance that produces an In addition, aloe vera re- duces pain because it contains anti-inflammatory effect. anthraquinones, an organic substance that produces an gel products contain the anti- Sciences, Tiruvallam, India, General Dentistry spokesper- anti-inflammatory effect. inflammatory compounds “Aloe must not be treated with son says, "Thankfully, con- Another benefit of the gel is needed to combat cavity-caus- excessive heat or filtered dur- sumers with sensitive teeth or that it is less abrasive on teeth ing germs. ing the manufacturing process, gums have a number of choic- than conventional toothpaste, Users should purchase the as this destroys or reduces the es when it comes to their oral because it does not contain products that contain the sta- effects of certain essential health, and aloe vera is one of abrasive elements and may bilized gel that is located in the compounds, such as enzymes them. prove to be a better alternative center of the aloe vera plant. and polysaccharides." "If they are interested in a for people with sensitive teeth Besides, it’s vital products Gels certified by the more alternative approach to and gums. must follow certain manufac- International Aloe Science oral hygiene, they should A word of caution from ex- turing standards. Council, Inc., certified for puri- speak with their dentist to en- perts According to the study’s co- ty and quality, are recommend- sure that it meets the stan- However, the researchers author Dilip George of ed. Eric Shapria, MS, DDS, dards of organized dentistry, cautioned that not all aloe vera Pushpagiri College of Dental MAGD, MA Academy of too."

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 45 ENTERTAINMENT

Sizzling show, no substance here’s no business like show-off stand each other. But none so engrossed business. And “Kambakkht Ishq” Kambakkht Ishq their own self-serving hemispheres. has plenty to show off. Fabulous Cast: Akshay Kumar, Kareena Seemingly rudderless and often risque, Hollywood locales, Hollywood Kapoor “Kambakkht Ishq” is a film that doesn’t icons like Sylvester Stallone and Director: Sabbir Khan endear itself with its plot. It’s all about the TBrandon Routh doing cameos and above styling often at the cost of what most all, crackling and smouldering chemistry groove effortlessly and convincingly. moviegoers think of as substance. between the film’s lead pair. For Akshay and Kareena it’s hate at But there is no real substance in Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor first sight. They pass sexist remarks “Kambakkht Ishq”. The storyline is wispy make a super glamorous couple. Even about the opposite sex loud enough for slim and the gasbag gags are as cheesy when they’re ready to bite off each others’ the other to hear. They continuously carp as the goofy grin that Akshay wears like heads, call each other names and scream about the vices of being of the opposite second skin. The veneer of vivacity sel- like a double-banshee delight at a horror sex in a world polluted by bigotry and gen- dom falls off, though admittedly some festival, there is just no way the compati- der bias. Goodness, these two despicable episodes wear us out with their svelte bility of the combo can be repeated … creatures deserve each other! jibes at that old and baffling thing called even by them. The battle of the sexes is loud and ag- the man-woman relationship. Indeed if the supreme silliness of the gressive, designed to create a cacophony The film is a no-holds-barred gender war plot in “Kambakkht Ishq” works it’s be- of conflicts that leave us reeling in stupe- - tangy, spicy and supremely smug in its cause of Akshay and Kareena’s glorious fied embarrassment. silliness. And Akshay’s character slowly goofiness. The lead pair, never in better Sure, we’ve seen other films about a realises that there’s more to love than form, gets into the grandly caricaturish goofy man and stuck-up woman who can’t scoring.

46 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS ENTERTAINMENT

The farce fest miraculously manages to sustain the mood of zany fun most of the way. But some episodes like Boman Irani’s cameo appearance as a shrink fall flat. Clinton floors But as far as eye-catching locales and protagonists go, “Kambakkht Ishq” goes a long way. The Akshay-Kareena pair just makes you stare. And if you are into clothes and acces- students sories you could spend an evening with “Kambakkht Ishq” just checking out what Kareena wears and how well she carries it t was more than education, women empowerment and other off. such issues that the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke about when she visited the Delhi University Monday. From IHollywood-Bollywood, food and dieting to campaign tricks, Clinton shared quite a few light moments with the students. On a five-day visit to India, Clinton Monday met the student com- munity at the Convention Hall on Delhi University north campus here, talking about issues like climate change, agriculture, terror- ism and women empowerment and taking a number of queries from them, ranging on just as many issues. Among the scores of hands that shot up as soon as Clinton fin- ished her 20-minute address was that of a student of the Jamia Milia Islamia University who wanted to know if there was a point of convergence between India and the US, which are so different cul- turally. Literally conjuring up an image in response, Clinton said: If Hollywood and Bollywood was the way how we lived our lives, it would surprise me! And yet it’s often the way our cultures are con- veyed. People watching a Bollywood movie in some other part of Asia think everybody in India is beautiful and they have dramatic lives and happy endings. And if you were to watch American TV and our movies you’d think that we don’t wear clothes and we spend all our time fighting with each other!, Clinton said even as the crowd roared with laughter. We, therefore, have to break these stereotypes and student ex- changes are a way of cutting through the clutter and understanding that our hopes and values are similar, she added. Another student asked how did she reconcile her policy views with those of President Barack Obama which were so evident dur- ing the presidential race. To this Clinton replied: I think the campaign magnified the dif- ferences more than they actually are. “That’s what happens in campaigns. I’m sure you’ve noticed that. You draw differences and try to make them seem extremely large in order to convince people to vote for you rather than the oth- er person, she said as the crowd roared again. Expressing her fond- Akshay’s comic timing has now been honed to a fine art. He ness and great admiration for India, and Indian cuisine, Clinton invests his completely caddish character’s personality with a said, “I eat way too much food when I am here. I have to go on a frank and fearless arrogance that borders on megalomania but diet of carrots and celery when I go back home!” she said. finally settles on being plain outrageous. Kareena matches him step by step. Just because she looks (Courtesy BollyWoodWorld.com) like a million bucks doesn’t mean her performance is cosmetic too. Her satirical expressions as a man-hater are to die for. Debutant director Sabbir Khan knows how to bring out the beast in his characters and milks the outrageous situations for all their mirth. Somewhere in this jokey binge of gender wars, Sylvester Stallone pops up for two of the film’s most arresting sequences. But ‘Superman’ Brandon Routh is utterly wasted. Where else but in Bollywood would Routh come across such a farcical feast designed in a slick-flick format where the hero is operated on by a supermodel who moonlights as a surgeon and leaves a watch in the hero’s stomach? The watch chimes a Hindu mantra into Akshay Kumar’s ears ad nauseum. He’s of course maddeningly annoyed. We’re by then beyond that point. Applaud this film for its audacity, vivacity and energy. And please don’t look for a reason behind the comic chaos. Some things are not meant to mean anything beyond what they seem. This film is a marvel of packaging.

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 47 GOPIO WORLD GOPIO intl launches 20th anniv celebration effort he Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) Tand its chapters in the New York area inaugurated its 20th anniversary conven- tion effort at the World's Fair Marina Banquet Hall in Queens, New York on June 5th evening. The chief guest at the event was Indian Consul General Prabhu Dayal. The program started with a welcome by the convention convener and GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran. "This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the formation of GOPIO - 20 years of re- markable and unprecedented achieve- ments by GOPIO representing the inter- ests and concerns of over 25 million peo- ple living outside of India. We encourage Consul General Dayal, panelists and GOPIO Officials at the GOPIO 20th Anniversary launch, From L. to R.: Prof. Arvind Pangariya, Joydeep Mukherji, Sangeeta Ahuja, Sreedhar Menon, all of you to be part of this wonderful Consul General Dayal, Dr. Thomas Abraham event at GOPIO's 20th Anniversary Convention, to know about it, its signifi- A panel discussion titled "India and the not doing well similar to Chapter 11 in the cance and how it matters to every one of Global Economy: Prospects and US. us in the Indian Diaspora, to feel con- Challenges for the UPA II" followed the in- Mr. Menon on the hand said that the nected with a sense of belonging and to auguration. The panelists were Dr. Arvind new government needs an agenda to pro- participate fully," said Ramsaran. Panagariya, Professor of Economics and tect ourselves from terrorism as a high pri- GOPIO Chairman in his remarks said Jagdish Bhagwati Professor of Indian ority. He also felt that infrastructure has that GOPIO was formed at the First Global Political Economy, Columbia University to be improved and govt. has to work on Convention of People of Indian Origin in School of International & Public Affairs reducing the budget deficit. New York in August 1989 when there were and Mr. Sreedhar Menon, Former Deputy On a question on the relation with widespread violations of civic and human President of American Express Bank Ltd. Obama and Manmohan Singh administra- rights of NRIs/PIOs as well as the issue and currently Chairman, Viteos Fund tions, Dr. Pangariya said that the US has of Indians being outside the political main- Services, Inc. It was moderated by Mr. gone soft on Pakistan even though terror- stream. "In the last 20 years, there have Joydeep Mukherji, Former India Analyst ism threat has increased from that coun- been substantial improvements in civic and Currently Director, Latin American try. "There are other pressing issues such and human rights violations, although we Sovereign Ratings, Standard & Poor's. as climate treaty which are to be agreed have seen violence against Indian stu- In his opening remarks, Mukherji said and both countries have to look forward to dents in Australia recently, which GOPIO that the NRI/PIO economic output could some long term strategies of coopera- has condemn and call upon Australian be between $300 to $500 billion which is tion," Dr. Pangariya added. Government to take immediate action," a substantial number compared to the On the same question, Mr. Menon said said Dr. Abraham. GDP of India which is over trillion dollars. that it is still too early to know what is go- Consul General Dayal said that GOPIO However, India's GDP is growing much ing to happen. "However, there are many has made substantial contribution to sen- faster now than that of the NRI/PIO eco- strategic cooperation between the two sitize the Indian government on issues nomic output. countries emerging, in technology sharing such as the PIO Card and Overseas Indian On a question what can be expected such as biotechnology and nanotechnolo- Citizenship and that Govt. of India takes from Manmohan Singh administration, Dr. gy, in military and in trade." Mr. Menon seriously GOPIO's suggestions on various Pangariya said that after the elections, was bullish on the US-India relation. issues and common interest. "NRIs and the expectations are high from the new Dr. Maya Chadda, Professor of Political PIOs and particularly Indian Americans government. In terms of economic liberal- Science at William Paterson University in have contributed toward better relations ization, the govt. has to take series of her concluding remarks said that at the re- with India and the countries they live in, steps to liberalize insurance and banking cent Indian election, the two political as we saw the passage of US-India sector. Dr. Pangariya was also very posi- grouping have emerged in the center as Nuclear Deal through the US Congress tive on the selection of some of the min- well as in the states which would provide with the Indian American community," isters and noted the selection of Mr. Kapil political stability for the country. said Dayal. After the inaugural ceremony, Sibal as Minister for Human Resources Following the panel, audience partici- Ramsaran introduced his team. The Co- Development and Mr. Kamal Nath as pated in lively discussion. GOPIO-CT conveners are Sangeeta Ahuja, Darshan Minister of Infrastructure. Pangariya also President and a Co-Convener of the con- singh Bagga, Lal Motwani and Nohar felt that the Indian businesses have to vention Sangeeta Ahuja concluded the Singh. have exit policy when the businesses are evening meeting.

48 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS GOPIO WORLD Former Indian Prez delivers keynote address at GOPIO-FICCI conference Kalam highlights India’s powerful potential n June 9, 2009, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India delivered keynote address at GO- OPIO-FICCI joint conference, enti- tled "Is a New Global Order Emerging? The Potential Role of India." Dr Kalam, known as the 'People's President', spoke about the powerful potential of India, its role in the scientific and busi- ness communities and the launch of his own project - the World Knowledge Platform. Other speakers included Indian High Commissioner Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, GOPIO International President Inder Singh, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) President Harsh Pati Singhania, Former Indian President Kalam in Belfast. From L to R: GOPIO Executive Vice President Lord Diljit Rana, Lord Richard Newby, Lord and Honorary Consul of India for Northern Ireland Lord Diljit Rana, Dr Kalam, Deputy Meghnad Desai, FICCI Secretary General First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness and Indian High Commissioner Dr. Amit Mitra, and international human Shiv Shanker Mukherjee rights lawyer Dr. Bonita Meyersfeld. eradicate poverty at home and abroad. GOPIO organized luncheon in Belfast, The event, chaired by Lord Navnit Lord Desai concluded that there is a Northern Ireland where over 100 people Dholakia, considered the future role of pause in the economy, which Dr. Mitra including GOPIO Int'l president Inder India in the new global order. The confer- identified as an opportunity for upsurge in Singh and GOPIO Ireland president Dr. ence aimed to engage a select communi- meaningful development, sustainable Prabhu Kulkarni of Dublin had come to at- ty of business and political leaders to growth and, coupled with a motivated new tend the event. Lord Diljit Rana, GOPIO strategize both about the economic vitali- government in India, an empowered India Executive Vice President, and resident of ty of Indian commerce and its long-term in a new global order. Belfast was the host of the gala function. potential to enhance global income and The conference was held at the Nehru The former president was also given an eradicate national poverty. The panelists, Center, London and attracted members of honorary degree by Queens University including economists, business leaders the Indian community and many students Belfast, whose Vice Chancellor Peter and lawyers, provided commentary on the of Indian origin in the fields of politics, sci- Gregson noted that "Few people so clear- potential of political and economic lead- ence and international relations. ly personify the term 'Renaissance ership of India and its responsibility to On June 10, 2009, Dr. Kalam spoke at Man'." INDIA evening at science and tech conference in New York olumbia University in New York City University." Cwas the venue for a rare convergence "Being held in a city with a great di- of two international groups of colloid and versity, we organized entertainment each surface scientists from June 14 to June evenings with a theme with Korean drum 19, 2009 at its Morningside campus. dancers welcoming the delegates on the The triennial 13th International first day evening followed by American Conference on Surface and Colloid contemporary dances on Monday, Indian Science originating from the dancers on Tuesday and Brazilian International Association of Colloid and Photo below: Indian dancers of Kalashri dancers on Wednesday," said the Interface Scientists will occur jointly with School of Arts aliong with Irish and Hip Conference Executive Director Dr. the annual 83rd Colloid and Surface Hop dancers at the India Evening Thomas Abraham. Science Symposium originating from the The India Evening with Western Fusion American Chemical Society. This conflu- ing, papermaking, and energy and envi- was put together by Ms. Bina Menon, ence brought together top researchers ronmental stewardship. Director and Choreographer of Kalashri and technologists spanning the wide Conference General Chairman Prof. P School of Arts located Parsippany, New range of topics that come under the um- "Som" Somasundaran of Columbia Jersey. Over 35 Indian dancers were brella of colloid and surface science; University said "This was the Olympics joined by other Western dancers per- such as behaviors in particulate systems in Surface Science, the largest confer- forming Irish, Hip-Hop and Swing.The 40 and at interfaces, and the application of ence event in colloids and surfaces minutes program included Indian semi- this knowledge to a host of industrial since two major societies have joined to- classical dances followed by Western fu- technologies including: biomedical, ma- gether to organize the conference in the sion dances and ending in a grand finale terial science, nano-engineering, water greatest city, i.e. New York, in an aca- with everyone dancing to the tune of treatment, oil recovery, mineral process- demic environment of Columbia Slumdog Millionaire.

OPINION EXPRESS AUGUST 2014 I 49 POSTSCRIPT Singh is KING Manmohan Singh has changed millions of lives Time magazine

New York: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's speeches may not be winning him followers but his works do and his actions have Why prosperous India "changed tens of millions of lives for the better", Time magazine has said. is good for the US The American publication has said that Singh first as Finance s the world grappled to cope up with the Minister and then as Prime "worst global recession in a generation," Minister since 2004 has made the APresident Barack Obama said that pros- world's largest democracy one of perity in countries like India and China is good the fastest growing economies for the United States and West as it opens new through radical economic reforms. markets for them and pushes their businesses "... he won the vote and then a to innovate. sweeping victory in India's general "We meet in the midst of the worst global re- elections this year. It is not Singh's cession in a generation. I believe that the mar- speeches that win him followers; ket is the greatest force for creating and dis- it's the fact that first as Finance tributing wealth that the world has known," Minister and since 2004 as Prime Obama said addressing the 'New Economic Minister, he has led India through a School'. series of radical economic reforms However, he said that wherever the market US President Barack Obama, right, shares a word that have made the world's largest is allowed to run rampant -- through excessive with India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dur- democracy also one of its fastest- risk-taking, a lack of regulation or corruption -- ing a round table meeting at the G8 summit in growing economies -- and protected "then all are endangered, whether we live on L'Aquila, Italy on Friday, July 10, 2009 the poor too. the Mississippi or the Volga." "It is Singh's actions that have "And while this crisis has shown us the risk prosperity is created in India, that's a new changed tens of millions of lives for that comes with change, that risk is over- market for our goods; when new ideas take the better, not his words," Time whelmed by opportunity. Think of what's pos- hold in China, that pushes our businesses to said in an article published online. sible today that was unthinkable two decades innovate; when new connections are forged Singh-led United Progressive ago. A young woman with an Internet connec- among people, all of us are enriched," Obama Alliance was voted back to power in tion in Bangalore, India can compete with any- said. the general elections earlier this one, anywhere. An entrepreneur with a start-up He said the greatest resource of any nation year. Singh is also credited with in Beijing can take his business global," he in the 21st century is its people, and the coun- the economic reforms which he said. tries which tap that resource are the countries kicked off as Finance Minister in "That's good for all of us -- because when that will succeed. the early 1990s.

50 | AUGUST 2014 OPINION EXPRESS