PUBLICaTION OF THE CONSULaTE GENERaL OF INDIa IN DUBaI VOL.4 ISSUE 5 | may 2012 PARLIAMENT AT 60 Parliamentarians express a keen desire to restore the old glory and decorum of the House, as both Houses celebrate its 60th anniversary C FROM THE CONSUL-GENERAL’S DESK 04 COVER STORY Introspection time O Dear Reader, We are the world’s biggest democracy. Parliament is As Parliament turns 60, MPs express a keen desire to restore central to our democracy. This month was special as the the original glory of the institution Indian parliament celebrated its 60th anniversary. On May 13, both the houses sat together to reflect on its history and N how to take the legacy of this temple of democracy forward. History says Chess was invented in India. But, history was rewritten, when Grand Master Vishwanathan Anand won the World Chess Championship title for the fifth time T in May this year. This issue carries an exclusive story on the tournament, which was a see-saw struggle till the very end, E and how Anand held his nerves to prevail. IN FOCUS This month, we observed the 21st death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, which is also observed as the Anti-Terrorism Trade on top in 06 N Day. Rajiv Gandhi’s foresight and views laid the foundations Myanmar of our telecommunications infrastructure, which is the base for our world-class IT industry. Our homage to him will be Dr. Manmohan Sing’s visit to the eastern neighbour signalled a new to use science and technology as tools for development. departure in relations Our 10 Questions in this issue are being answered by T ECONOMY Thumbay Moideen, a multifaceted entrepreneur and a pio - neer in healthcare education in the region. He reveals his 08 Back to basics mantra for success in venturing into new opportunities. Focus is again on key infrastructure sec - S Happy reading! tors, in order to rev up economy Sanjay Verma CINEMA RADIO MATTERS 14 Awaara, an all-time The Consulate General of India in Dubai brings to you its weekly great radio programme ‘India Matters’ on Suno 102.4 FM. The purpose of Time ranks it among greatest films; the show is to highlight the services provided by the Consulate and talk 10 QUESTIONS Devdas is among millenium’s Top 10 about the events and news related to India and the Indian community in UAE. 10 ‘No patient denied India Matters is aired every Friday between 5 and 6 pm on Suno 102.4 FM and repeated every Saturday between 12 and 1 pm. treatment’ For more details visit www.cgidubai.com and www.suno1024.com Thumbay Moideen, the founder of Thumbay BOOKS Group, discusses his business growth with 16 Of Mumbai and Manto India Matters On his centenary year, Urdu scholars and book lovers remember the legendary storywriter, who spent a few years in Mumbai 12 FEATURE Anand, the chess king SUPERBRANDS Vishwanathan Anand clinches his fifth 18 Edelweiss Winner of the March 2012 monthly quiz contest is crown, after a tough ‘battle’ Kanhaiya Rathi India Matters is a monthly publication of the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Dubai . All rights reserved. No part of this journal may be produced, stored ratulations! The winner gets a gift hamper. or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of the CGI Dubai . Cong Editorial correspondence and manuscripts can be addressed to [email protected] Content and design by IANS (www.ianspublishing.com) on behalf of Consulate General of India in Dubai. Editorial Coordinator: Zarin Amrolia, Dubai 2 SEPTIEnMdBEia R M200a9 tters| May 2012 May 2012 |India Matters 3 COVER STORY THE JOURNEY IN STATISTICS NUMBER OF SITTINGS: According to MPs had gone up. There are fewer figures collated by PRS Legislative under-matriculates and more post- Research, an independent think tank, graduates in the Lok Sabha now. The in the 1950s the Lok Sabha met for percentage of MPs without second - an average of 127 days every year ary education decreased from 23 per - and the Rajya Sabha for 93 days. cent in 1952 to 3 percent in 2009. This decreased to 73 days for both The percentage of graduates houses in 2011, according to the increased from 58 percent in 1952 to PRS document on the changing 79 percent in 2009. trends in the working of Parliament The percentage of post-graduates over the past 60 years. has increased from 18 percent in BILLS PASSED: The number of laws 1952 to 29 percent in 2009. passed by Parliament have also AGE PROFILE: There has also been a declined over the years. The first Lok noticeable shift in the age profile of Sabha passed an average of 72 bills MPs in the Lok Sabha. The percent - each year. This decreased to 40 bills age of older MPs has increased sig - a year in the 15th Lok Sabha. nificantly. In 1952, only 20 percent of Parliament passed 118 bills in MPs were 56 years or older. In 2009, 1976, the highest in a year. The low - this figure increased to 43 percent. est number of bills (18) passed was In the first Lok Sabha, there was Revisiting old decorum: in 2004. no MP over the age of 70. This num - Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing MPs EDUCATION: The analysis pointed out ber has risen to seven percent in the in Central Hall of Parliament House that the number of educated elected current Lok Sabha. Time to introspect on May 13 The Indian Parliament he Indian Parliament marked and the “stellar role” played by the Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the sense of dignity and decorum that that has made the country an exam - turned 60 on May 13. its 60th anniversary on May 13, founding fathers of India’s Constitution Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is expected of the Parliament and ple in the world despite problems like MPs and old-timers with both the Lok Sabha and in “mandating equality, fraternity, jus - were among those who attended the added it was “incumbent upon all of poverty and terrorism. Tthe Rajya Sabha resolving to tice, brotherhood of mankind and the meeting. us to respect the great institutions of Parliamentarians spoke of India’s marked the occasion to “uphold and maintain” its “dignity, uplift of under-privileged and down- our democracy and respect the spirit unflinching commitment to democ - suggest ways to bring sanctity and supremacy” to make the trodden sections of society”. Call to the conscience of what is expected from the elected racy. Participating in the debate, democratic institutions “an effective The members also acknowledged with During the debates in the two Houses, representatives”. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya back the old glory instrument of change” and to strengthen “satisfaction and pride, the maturity of speakers from both sides of the politi - Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Sabha Arun Jaitley hailed India’s the “democratic values and principles”. the people of India, who have cherished cal divide stressed that the supremacy who rarely speaks in the House, growth to the stature of the largest At the end of their special sitting to the democratic values and worked of the Indian Parliament must be pre - emphasised, “Our conduct must be democracy. mark the occasion, the two Houses, in ceaselessly for the unity and integrity of served, as Dr. Manmohan Singh according to the standards of the “Social justice, elimination of an identical resolution passed with una - the nation”. flagged concerns in his speech over founding fathers,” she said. poverty, healthcare, women’s nimity, said they will also “enhance the The resolution also noted that in the “the routine of disruptions” and mem - empowerment, these are all greater accountability of the Government” last 60 years, the Parliament has, bers’ “unwillingness” to discuss key Cause for praise challenges in the decades to come,” towards the people through through making laws, taken decisive issues in the forum of parliament. However, there were moments of Jaitley said. Parliament’s oversight mechanism. steps towards ensuring equity and jus - “The daily routine of disruptions, sharing pride on India’s democracy At the end of the day-long sitting Members of both Houses also dedi - tice in all matters and establishing an adjournments and shouting in the MPs resolved to uphold Parliament’s cated themselves “completely” to the inclusive society. “A lot more remains to house are leading many to question “dignity, sanctity and supremacy” to “sacred task” of nation building. be accomplished,” it read. the efficacy of this institution,” Dr. u First Chairman of Rajya Sabha: make it an effective instrument of The resolution, a culmination of the Members of both Houses met togeth - Singh said, addressing the Lok Sabha. S. Radhakrishnan. change. In a unanimously adopted day-long discussions, in which over 40 er in the Central Hall in the evening He urged MPs to think over their con - u First Speaker of Lok Sabha: resolution in the both Houses, they MPs from each house participated, was when President Pratibha Patil presented duct. “As we look ahead, this occasion G.V. Mavalankar. also vowed to enhance the read out in the Lok Sabha by Speaker mementoes to 92-year-old Rishang should also become the moment for u First Lok Sabha meeting was Government’s accountability through Meira Kumar and in the Rajya Sabha by Keshing, a Rajya Sabha member from some candid and serious introspec - on May 13, 1952. Parliament’s oversight mechanism Chairman M. Hamid Ansari. Manipur, who was a member of the first tion,” he said. u First Lok Sabha held 677 sit - and rededicate themselves “com - The two Houses remembered the Lok Sabha.