A Publication of the Embassy of India, Washington, D.C. February 1, 2013 I India RevieI w Vol. 9 Issue 2 www.indianembassy.org (Above) IAF helicopters carrying the tricolor and three services flag, during the 64 th Republic Day Parade-2013, at Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26. ( Below) BSF marching contingent passing through the Rajpath during the Republic Day Parade. India celebrates 64 th Republic Day n 11 th Pravasi n First Indian apparel n 100 th Session of Bharatiya Divas trade show in New Indian Science held in Kerala York a success Congress in Kolkata Ambassador’s PAGE India will fight sexual violence After a horrific rape, Delhi has resolved to move beyond words to action. The people demand it... rime Minister Manmohan “The emergence of women in public Singh and India’s political spaces, which is an absolutely essential leadership, like all Indians, part of social emancipation, is accom - P expressed distress and sad - panied by growing threats to their safe - ness over the brutal rape of a 23-year- ty and security.” old woman in December in New Delhi. As I know well and personally, But our leaders were more than emo - women have a growing and important tional when the news broke. They were role in Indian society. We have had a and remain determined to change our fearless and charismatic woman prime nation’s laws — as well as the imple - minister (Indira Gandhi) and a woman mentation of those laws — to prevent president (Pratibha Patil). Today, we such heinous acts in the future. have our first woman speaker of the Media outlets have reported and re- Parliament in Meira Kumar, among reported the horrible facts of the events promising action. Nongovernmental many other senior positions in both that led to the young woman’s death. organizations, civic associations, media government and business. In my own But they have underemphasized an and motivated young people and family, I have seen how the nurturing important and incontrovertible fact: women have used the incident to encouragement of my parents encour - Mr. Singh has asked not only his redouble their efforts. They are making aged me and my sister, who is now an national government in New Delhi, but citizens aware not just of the problem admiral in the Indian Navy, to be inde - also governments at all levels in India, of rape, but also of violence in homes pendent women with dreams of our to find solutions and implement them and gender discrimination. own. as soon as possible. Many thousands of people took to But this progress, and there has been “Government has decided to review the streets spontaneously to express a lot of it, has not come without some the present laws and examine the levels their outrage after the New Delhi rape. growing pains. Although our society of punishments in cases of aggravated They were empowered by enhanced has steadily welcomed women as full sexual assault,” Mr. Singh said in late awareness, new technology and social partners in civil society and business December. “Women and girls repre - media — themselves offshoots of the — and progress on gender issues has sent half the population and our socie - economic and social progress taking been made — all-encompassing suc - ty has not been fair to this half.” place in India. cess takes time. These were not just words. The All of this energy and determination The government will not stop at Prime Minister quickly appointed a to improve, to bring about and demand changing laws. Solutions will need to commission of inquiry comprised of change, is good for India. It reflects the include changes to institutions, society eminent jurists and headed by the for - strong democratic experience and and mindsets, as well as updates to mer Chief Justice of India J.S. Verma institutions in the country. legal statutes. We know this is true in to conduct a wide-ranging examina - “Gender inequality is another aspect, India, just as it is true in other coun - tion of the facts. which deserves special attention,” Mr. tries that experience similar challenges The commission’s report came out Singh said in his remarks last month. — whether “honor killings,” domestic last week and is a concrete step in the violence or discrimination at the work - 2 direction of safeguarding women’s place. safety. It recommended an overhaul of Nongovernmental But what’s pivotal here is that the the legal system dealing with sexual organizations, civic tragic death of a young woman will not assault, including implementing speed - have been in vain. The true homage to ier trials and more severe punishment associations, media and her memory will be to channel legiti - for rape. In a letter thanking Mr. motivated young people mate emotions and energies into a con - Verma for the efforts made by the com - and women have used structive, effective course of action. mission, Mr. Singh has assured that We, the people of India, are commit - the government will be prompt in pur - the incident to redouble ted to bringing about this change. suing its recommendations. their efforts (Published in Wall Street Journal, But the government is not alone in January 31, 2013). February 2013 India Review Cover STORY 3 Vignettes from India’s 64 th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26. India celebrates 64 th Republic Day The country showcased its indigenous military hardware and rich cultural diversity at the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi ith millions taking part, that stretches three kilometers from famous ‘Lathmar’ Holi, which is India celebrated its 64 th Vijay Chowk at the foot of the Raisina observed before the Holi festival and Republic Day on January Hill that houses the Rashtrapati entails women hitting men with sticks. W 26 with pomp and pride. Bhavan. The West Bengal’s tableau paid a Men, women and children partici - There was a perfect blend of indige - tribute to Swami Vivekananda, whose pated enthusiastically in numerous nous military hardware and rich cultur - 150 th birth anniversary was celebrated events across the length and breadth al diversity as the country showcased this year. of the world’s most populous democ - its military strides as well as its roots The Meghalaya tableau had its har - racy which was declared a Republic with the past. vest festival ‘Hundred Drums on January 26 in 1950. The smartly attired marching contin - Wangala’, while Odisha had the It was the first Republic Day for gents came from the armed forces, the ‘Chandan Yatra (sandalwood voyage) President Pranab Mukherjee, and the paramilitary forces, the National Cadet of Lord Jagannath’. chief guest at the main event in the Corps and school students in their col - Karnataka displayed its kinnal art — capital was King Jigme Khesar orful best. colorful wooden handicrafts, while Namgyel Wangchuk of Bhutan. There were also tableaux from 19 Bihar had ‘sikki’ art — making of mats In the national capital, the states and government departments. and baskets of a special grass, which is celebrations began on a clear and The Information and Broadcasting harvested once in a year. sunny morning with Prime Minister Ministry paid a tribute to 100 years of Jammu and Kashmir presented a Dr. Manmohan Singh paying hom - Indian cinema. With posters of tableaux showcasing its famous age to the unknown soldier at the prominent artists and stills from Pashmina wool shawls. India Gate war memorial in the heart classic movies, the tableau also had The parade was split almost equally of the capital. artists dressed as famous Hindi film between the military and cultural ele - The President’s Bodyguard, resplen - characters. ments, the latter bringing up the rear. dent in their red tunics, white breeches Equally eye-catching was the tableau A flypast by the air force provided the and black boots, red and white pen - from the Ministry of Social Justice, grand finale with the piece de resist - nants fluttering from their lances held which had physically challenged people ance being a lone Sukhoi Su-30MKI high, presented the National Salute. on wheel chairs, giving a message of streaking into the wild blue yonder in a The National Anthem was played their strength and aspirations. Vertical Charlie maneuvre. and a 21-gun salute boomed out. Festivals and different art forms Republic Day celebrations were held That was the signal for the parade to dominated the state tableaux. in state capitals and district headquar - roll down Rajpath, the grand boulevard Uttar Pradesh showcased the ters with patriotic zeal. February 2013 India Review Cover STORY India’s enduring vitality is at work: President Lauding India’s rapid progress in achieving high economic growth and social stability over the last six decades, President Pranab Mukherjee said the country would progress more in the next ten years than it had in the last sixty President Pranab Mukherjee addressing the Nation on the eve of India’s 64 th Republic Day, in New Delhi on January 25. (Right) A bird’s eye view of Rajpath, during the Republic Day Parade-2013, in New Delhi on January 26. (Photo AFP) n his maiden Republic Day eve “The energy of youth has to be had occupied... The spirit of India is speech, President Pranab channelized toward change with written in stone.” Mukherjee hailed the spirit of speed, dignity and order.” I the Indian youth and predicted He spoke of India’s many success - Excerpts from the President’s a bright future for India. es over the past six decades, the address to the Nation: 4 In a crisp speech laced with his vision of India’s founding leaders and “On the eve of our 64 th Republic trademark intellect, the President asked the civil society and the gov - Day, I extend warm greetings to all of said, “On our 64 th Republic Day, ernment to work together for the you in India and abroad.