Ie december 2016

Cover Story: IntervIew wIth top overSeaS IndIan

Interview with Tan Sri Dato’ Dr R Palan Executive Chairman, SMR Group, Malaysia

“Always thought of being an entrepreneur, never getting employed” Tan Sri Dato’ Dr R Palan is the Executive Chairman of the SMR Group in Malaysia.

The Group specializes in education, technology and HR professional services.

It runs the vastly popular Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences (CUCMS), and has developed several software and applications in human capital management, and business intelligence dashboards, among others. Dr Palan is also a renowned and sought-after speaker, but these days limits his speaking assignments for raising charity funds. He speaks to Editor Sayantan Chakravarty at his office in Cyberjaya in Selangor, Malaysia Please tell us something about the SMR Group that you founded…

Many times people ask me what it stands for. It is Specialist Management Resources. When we started out we wanted to create a hub of specialist resources and professional services that would help large organizations, MNCs. We put together a network of special management resources, best in each area. In the area of human resource development we wanted to skill businesses and scale up. We developed a training software product, commonly known as competency management system. It became quite popular and we went public with it. Subsequently we went into education. So all these years, we’ve been in the business of education and learning. Today we have a training software company, a training professional services company, and a university. We have about a thousand people working. We also do English language training projects for the Government that has brought in about 150 resources from 25 countries across the world. The Asia HRD Congress Conference and Awards is another event that has been a defining moment in my entrepreneurial journey. The event is run by an independent committee, having been chaired by eminent personalities such as His Excellency Fidel Ramos, former President of the Republic of Philippines. It is a celebration of excellence in People Development. The event has been rotated to several Asian capitals and Awardees have included several eminent personalities from around the world. The acquisition of Asia Metropolitan University is another significant milestone as the University has six campuses around the country. That is a quick overview.

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You have studied in four continents—Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. Please take us through the journey of your student days…was it nomadic in some ways, or was it planned…

So yes, as you look at my CV and some of my books, I always say I am nomadic, wandering around, searching for something. My father is Malaysian, but my mother is Indian, and we’ve lots of family in India. They were in the leather business.

So for most diaspora families, it is safe to be a doctor, it gives you a tremendous sense of security. My parents, of course, wanted me to become a doctor. My mother wanted me to go to India. I went on to try and become a doctor, but my father passed away, and I decided that studying for seven years was going to be too long and strenuous. I did a bachelor’s programme and went on to get a master’s degree in social sciences.

The original idea was to get a graduate degree, come back to Malaysia, work in a bank, or become a teacher. It was the fastest way to replace the breadwinner in the family. But eventually I ended up with masters, and was too overqualified. So I taught, which was the easiest to do, worked in HR, and then wanted to be an entrepreneur. I specialized and went on to study in the UK at Leicester and completed my doctorate in USA, and then an Advanced Management Programme in Harvard. From there I progressed on to another doctorate in Australia. In other words it is about life-long learning. It is not about accumulating a degree or anything like that. So sometimes what I studied in the university and what I do really in life may not look related, but fortunately, I think there is a lot of learning, because it gives

Tan Sri Dato’ Dr R Palan

you a lot of reference, you pick up new ideas, new concepts, and you apply these ideas in whatever you do. I would classify myself as a social entrepreneur. Being in entrepreneurship creating value for shareholders is one, but I think at the end of the day it is what you do with what you gain, and that is giving back to society in some form or other. To me there is tremendous joy when I see thousands of people graduating from the University.

So why do you call yourself as a Mixed Up Kid? One of the challenges is that my father was a highly westernized man, and my mother was a highly conservative Indian vegetarian, and I studied in a Roman Catholic boarding school.

Then I went to a Muslim college in India—New College, Madras. And then I went to the west. So I find when you look at things rationally, the western concept is very logical. But when you go home and your mother tells you to do something, you find that it is perfectly logical. I have largely stayed true to my roots here, you have the influence of multiple cultures, that’s why I have described myself as a mixed up kid, with an experience of multiple nationalities, multiple ethnicities.

Were you always cut out for entrepreneurship?

My father died at the age of 51, and I went and studied

in all these different universities, different cultures. I think what universities teach you is to be risk averse, and what life teaches you when you lose your sole bread winner when you are very young is don’t take any risks. On the other extreme entrepreneurship is all about taking risks. But I have been a very prudent entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is exciting, it is interesting, it is full of challenges, it is full of headaches, you get it right sometimes, you get it wrong sometimes, and hopefully when you add it all up together, it is an opportunity to make a contribution. You can actually contribute to charities that you like. Because you have done well, it helps you to employ people, it helps you do many things. It empowers you in different directions. If you ask me whether I knew where I will be 35 years ago, I had no clue. But I did visualize that I did want to be where I am. I started out as an entrepreneur when I was 24-25. It helped that the family had the background it did have. I don’t think we ever thought of going and getting employed, and it was never in our idea. At the age of 15-16, I was always thinking of being an entrepreneur. In the worst case scenario I would have become a professional. But again I would have never thought of getting employed, always wanted to be an employer, rather than be an employee. december 2016 | india empire

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Cover Story: IntervIew wIth top overSeaS IndIan

You are also an international speaker…

I enjoy speaking because it gets you to touch many people’s hearts, very quickly. I enjoy training because it is based on a simple philosophy—you give me a fish and I eat for a day, you teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime. I have actually toned down by speaking, which I used to do a lot. The last time I spoke was in Delhi during the launch of the Vistara Airlines that is a combined initiative of Singapore Airlines and Tata Airlines. I delivered the keynote. I had done work with Singapore Airlines for a long time. But nowadays I speak for charity. I feel it is a very nice way of raising money for charity. Somebody calls, you just say okay give me X amount of dollars, but pay it to a preferred charity.

Since time is at a premium, it gets me to spend time for the cause that I want to support.

What is the work that you do in the Palan Foundation?

We largely support people who aspire to learn and get educated but find that there is a lack of opportunity. In Malaysia we have a student loan fund which used to pay out 100 per cent. But they don’t any longer, they now pay about 60 per cent. So there’s a gap of 40 per cent. Some pay 50, some 70, and we step in to breach that gap. Look at it this way, the guy has done everything, he has to put in another three months but has got into some serious financial trouble.

So we try to support, and breach that gap, and help them get over that last hurdle. Largely it is an educational support system. But we also support Indian culture and Indian literature. So somebody wants to come and speak, some famous author from India, or UK, we support those kind of initiatives. I am one of those who feels that we haven’t done enough on the cultural side. Because of my own background where I feel we are very westernized, even though we are very conservative, I just support Indian culture. It’s not a huge fund or anything. It’s a little bit of money we keep aside at the moment. It’s just my wife and both my sons who are on the board with three independent directors. So we try to fund whatever we can in the field of education, culture and literature in Malaysia and in the Chennai area.

There is one line that seems to have impacted you a lot which goes like this… “As you look back on your life, you will often realize that many of the times you thought you were being rejected from something good, you were in fact being redirected to something better.”

Is it something you have lived in your own life?

If you look at some of the scriptures from India, they always say that everything that happens, happens for a reason. I get many proposals for acquisitions, and mergers, and new ideas. One day I went through about 5 or 6 emails and rejected five, and didn’t want to read the sixth. But still I ending up reading it, and here you have the university in which we are sitting now. And then when we were going through the process, everyone said don’t buy it. Don’t even touch it, it is a problem. I said no, something tells me it will work well. So we did everything, and my lawyer asked me if I got a good night’s sleep out of it. I answered in the affirmative. So we took it over. There were, of course, many challenges. Today the Cyberjaya University College of Med8

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ical Sciences is one of the premier medical institutions in the country. Having said that, we have also bought things that have not been successful. So we always believe that when something happens, it happens for a good reason. But it does not mean you go in and jump into something stupid, one must have a calculated approach.

Someone in your friend’s circle has commented that “you preach best what you need most.” Is it something you feel you do while giving speeches across the world?

I always think that sometimes psychologists tell people what not to do, and what to do, and then they don’t follow that themselves. So I think, it is one of the things we need to be aware. We end up preaching, but we don’t live it. Sometimes people say we need to spend more time with family, but then they remain busy. I think it is important to do things in moderation. Don’t over exercise, don’t under-exercise, don’t overeat, don’t under eat. It is also important to be contended, to know when enough is truly enough. If we understand that, then the world is a better place to live in.

You consider yourself as a nomadic wanderer with a lifelong mission to create value for people, organisations, communities and societies… What is that defining value that you seek to create?

I think it would be to help people being responsible for themselves. To make them use a skill that they have so that they can earn a living. Nobody in this world wants to be a parasite. So long as they have a skill, so long as they can earn a decent earning and a living, they can use that self esteem to do better and better. So they will try to make sure that the next generation is better and better… and that’s how we push the boundaries for them.

What is your idea of success?

So for many years, I had this poster, and this poster had this little parachute that goes up, and the saying is, when you have a dream, don’t let anything dim it, the sky is the limit. So a few years later when the younger people came, they actually threw away the poster, but now I got the poster back in my room. The reason is that I think it doesn’t mean if you are a driver, you have to be a driver all your life, you can be your own self-employed taxi driver, and you can be successful. Being successful does not mean everybody should be a Mukesh Ambani. That’s ridiculous. Excellence is always going to be a minority, and the number of people who are going to be average are going to be the majority. I remember many years ago, a friend of mine, an Englishman who used to work with us, observed that my son used to love gardening. He’d say that my son would become a gardener, not a doctor like we Indians preferred. And I remember my wife saying, yes he’s going to be one of the region’s leading landscape architects. It’s simple: you remove gardener, replace it with landscape architect. Or you find that a barber cuts your hair for 10-12 ringitts but the same man becomes a hair stylist and starts charging 200 ringitt.

Not everyone can become a Sachin Tendulkar, but we can ❐ all be successful in our own little ways.

InTERvIEw wITh Mr MohaMMaD SalEM oMaID PRESIDEnT anD ChIEf ExECuTIvE offICER, azIzI Bank

“We are the largest banking group in Afghanistan” Mr M Salem Omaid, CEO and President, Azizi Bank, Afghanistan speaks to India Empire Magazine on the bank’s growth story and its future expansion plans

Please let us know the history and background of Azizi Bank…

Azizi Bank is a commercial bank in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan set up in the year 2006. It has been the vision of Mr. Mirwais Azizi of the distinguished Azizi Hotak Group and Family to set up an establishment in the country providing services to all sectors of the population. The bank was initially set up with a capital of USD 5 Million and 25 employees. Today the bank has a statutory paid up capital of more than USD 80 Million with the Central Bank and employs more than 1,500 employees. The bank today stands as the largest banking group in Afghanistan with more than 145 branches spread across the country. Azizi Bank is the market leader in the Country in terms of absolute business, percentage share and network.

Please let us know about your own background in the banking industry…

I am associated with the bank since its inception. I have started my career with the bank as a teller and moved into various positions which included Credit and Finance before becoming the President and CEO of the bank in August this year. I have also served the bank as Deputy CEO for 5 years.

I am a doctorate in Financial Management from one of a leading Indian University and an MBA with specialization in Banking, Risk Management and Finance.

larger role to play in the economic development of Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan banks and the MFIs suffer from critical capacity shortages and have to depend heavily on foreign nationals to operate the financial institutions. AIBF have played a significant role in the development of the FIs on capacity building through its robust training on all parameters backed by international-level trainers. It conducts Certificate, Diploma and Distance learning level programs for the FIs. The Board of Directors of AIBF constitutes the Governor and the First Deputy Governor of Da Afghanistan Bank (The Central Bank of the Country) amongst other members. It clearly indicates the impulse AIBF has for the development of the national capacity in its endeavor to build strong financial institutions in Afghanistan.

The recent signing of a MOU between AIBF and the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF) along with the Afghanistan Banking Association (ABA) is an historic development which is aimed towards common objectives of supporting and improving the competencies and enhancing the capacity of financial sector professionals.

Azizi Bank has been proactive in nominating employees for AIBF courses apart from the bank having its own internal training department where regular training programs are conducted by experienced expatriates and external trainers.

We understand that the establishment of the Afghanistan Institute of Banking and Finance in 2009 was a milestone in the banking sector. Please take us through it...

The Afghanistan Institute of Banking and Finance (AIBF) was established in 2010 to provide education, training, and research to Afghanistan’s banking and financial sector. Since inception, the Institute has delivered training on a broad range of subjects. In addition, it has established various relationships with regional banking and other financial institutes.

It is quite evident that the financial institutions (FIs) have a

Also, when the Afghanistan Deposit Insurance Corporation (ADIC) was established it helped develop trust of Afghan people in banking and provided safety to their deposits. What is your view on this?

The Afghanistan Deposit Insurance Corporation (ADIC) was formed in 2009 to administer the national deposit insurance system in Afghanistan. ADIC insures deposits up to AFN 100,000 per depositor per member institution. The AFN 100,000 limit includes both the principal amount of a deposit and the interest. Yes, it has to an extent developed the trust of people over the banking system in Afghanistan. Since banking

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Mr Mohammad Salem Omaid, President and Chief Executive Officer, Azizi Bank

is still a new chapter in this country and knowing that their savings are protected against failure, will eventually help Afghans feel confident about keeping their savings in the banks and other financial institutions that are ADIC members. This will also help to keep the Afghan financial system strong, which will benefit all Afghans in the long run.

The “Trust� factor plays an important role in any business.

Banks will have to ensure superlative customer service, customer friendly products, robust due diligence and internal control procedures and the technology to support this and establishing its brand image amongst the mass to win the overall confidence of the people to come and do banking with you.

You have grown significantly in these 10 years. Such growth requires a lot of human resources. What is the source of your talent? Do you get trained manpower or do you train employees post-recruitment?

The Management Team at the Bank is a mix of youth and experience and ably supported by a young and well-trained operating team aimed at transforming the banking scenario in the country by offering a truly professional and delightful experience to the customers. The bank today has a 1500+ strong team of employees and with a 15% female work force, the bank is playing a quiet but effective role in women’s emanci-

pation and empowerment.

The Board of Supervisors and the Board of Management includes expatriates from the US, India and other countries with an average experience of more than 20 years. They are playing a significant role in the success of the bank utilizing all their experiences garnered over the years.

Similarly, the Chief Risk Officer and the Chief Internal Auditor have been inducted from India and Pakistan respectively with immense experience. The Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and other middle management staff are local Afghans only.

As mentioned earlier, the Bank has a strong in-house training program. Lots of emphasis is given on training including getting expert trainers from other Countries. The Bank also sends employees in batches to neighboring countries like India and the UAE for training courses on various topics to keep them updated in line with the rest of the world.

We also understand that the number of account holders and the quantum of deposits in banks have gone up substantially in Afghanistan. In this respect, how has Azizi Bank fared?

As per the figures from the Central Bank of the country, the total banking population constitutes to only 12% of the apdecember 2016 | india empire 17

proximate 31 million people of the country. They are 15 banks lines. The economic recession apart substantial quantum of incurrently prevalent in Afghanistan including 4 international vestments have been planned in the road infrastructure, power banks. The banking sector has seen quite an improvement post sector, power transmission lines, power generations, electricity the Taliban regime. The Central Bank of Afghanistan mission generation, agriculture sector, oil and gas sector, IT sector etc. is to foster price stability and build a robust financial system. which are estimated to be in the tune of more than USD 2 BN. We feel there is an untapped opportunity for banks to flourish The World Bank and ADB has emerged with stables plans for with robust technology and superior customer service. The local the country and with the change in the political structure in population is highly technology-oriented the United States, we are expecting a fawith more than 76% of the people using vorable condition for sustained growth. mobile phones. Azizi Bank with its enAfghanistan has made significant deAzizi bank will deavor of world class customer service has velopmental gains over the past decade. be focused on emerged to be the bank with the largest cusThe per capita income his increased more tomer base of close to a million. The dethan threefold between 2003 and 2013, risCapacity Building posits have seen an encouraging increase in ing from $198 to $678 as per the World through robust 2016 after the country witnessed a dip durBank Development Indicators data 2014. ing the period 2014 and the first 3 quarters Though the GDP numbers prima facie training of 2015. With enhanced marketing strateappears to be challenging ones, yet the gies, we have also witnessed a considerable Banks are determined to convert the chalincrease on the number of accounts this year. lenges into opportunities through its reach to a large section of We are also converting our 100% subsidiary bank – Bakhtar population which shall be facilitated by extensive use of the Bank into a full-fledged Islamic Bank by the first quarter of technology.

2017. This will be the first Islamic Bank in the country. Being Azizi Bank is proclaimed as the largest banking group in in the Islamic country, this strategic move will further increase the country with more than 145 branches across all provinces. the banking population and will play a pivotal role in the fi- It contributes to more than 32% of the commercial lending nancial inclusion program of the bank. portfolio. The bank’s capital adequacy ratio (CAR) is more than Recently, Azizi Bank has been honored with the following 21% against the regulated norm of 15%, which itself is an ininternational felicitations and achievements. dicative factor of its inherent strength. ● Best Bank – Customer Service 2016, Afghanistan by IFM, The Bank has initiated several measures aimed at vigorLondon ous marketing efforts especially branding of the Bank, co● Best Banking CEO, Afghanistan 2016 by IFM, London branding with other organizations, tie-ups, technological ● Best Social Impact Bank, 2016, Afghanistan by CFI.CO, innovations with an eye to cater to the emerging needs of the London clientele and partners. The Bank is getting engaged in ex● Best Corporate Governed Bank, 2016, Afghanistan by panding the business activities into other areas through crossQuest on the Frontier, Singapore sale of other products, i.e. Insurance products, acting as ● Best Retail Bank, 2016, Afghanistan from the World collection agents for bill collections to several service HRD Congress, South Asian Partnership Summit in Sri providers. The bank has already invested heavily to improve Lanka – A SAARC Country initiative. the technology as per the international standards and will place ● Only Afghanistan Bank to be invited at the London Stock additional 200 ATMs throughout the country to focus on Exchange for an exclusive interview on the economic, finan- branchless and technology-oriented banking. cial and banking reforms in Afghanistan Under its Vision 2020 initiative, the ● Only Afghanistan Bank to be invited at Bank expects to witness a significant As part of the strategic the BBC, London for a live coverage growth on all sectors thereby maintaining on the banking reforms in Afghanistan its position as clear market leaders and expansion plan, the bank catering to the customer requirements and will procure 200 new What is the potential that you see expectations. The bank very soon will open ATMs and have extensive for Afghanistan’s banking sector, and its first overseas representative offices in plans of coverage for your bank in particular, in coming Dubai and India by 2017, being the first times? from the country apart from exploring kabul and the Provincial Afghanistan’s economic growth got afother neighboring countries by 2018. locations by end of 2017 fected owing to various factors. Domestic Azizi Bank’s business philosophy is demand remained weak, with no signs of based on five core values: Operational Exa pick-up in private consumption and investment. The num- cellence, Customer Focus, Product Leadership, People and Susber of new firm registrations—as a proxy for business activ- tainability. ities—indicated only a small increase in new investment activities in 2015, however it remained significantly below the Which are the product lines being offered by Azizi levels of 2012 and 2013.

Bank that will spur individual and national growth in The economy is likely to remain stable in the next 2-3 years. Afghanistan?

There have been substantial investments through World bodAzizi Bank is currently offering all kinds of banking prodies in areas of road constructions and electrical transmission ucts as per customer needs and requirements. We open Current 18 india empire | december 2016

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bakhtar bank, which is Azizi bank’s 100% subsidiary, will be a full-fledged Islamic bank by the first quarter of 2017 and will play a pivotal role in the Financial Inclusion initiatives of the bank

]

and Savings accounts in 4 currencies – AFN, USD, Euro and Azizi Bank also emphasizes on campus recruitments from GBP. The following are the other products and services cur- the leading colleges and universities thus giving the young genrently being offered by Azizi Bank apart from the vanilla eration the opportunity to start their career from a strong founCASA. dation. The average age bracket of the employees in Azizi Bank a) Fixed Deposits with attractive rates in AFN and USD is an encouraging 27 years approximately. b) Salary Savings and Current accounts for corporates and institutions We understand that you have a special facility for INR c) Trade Finance products which includes – Bank Guaran- remittances for Indian and Afghan community in tees, Letter of Credit and Term Loans Afghanistan through special tie-ups with leading banks d) Business Loans in India. Please let us know about this… e) Treasury Products Afghanistan shares a very cordial and friendly relationship f) Domestic and International Remittances with India. This bonding of good friendship with Indian g) Master Credit and Debit Cards, ATM cards brothers and sisters has been since numerous decades. India h) Master Pre-paid Cards has contributed a lot towards the development of this country i) Western Union and SWIFT and still is doing so. Apart from the diplomatic friendship beThe bank by the first quarter of next year will increase its tween both these countries, the volume of export and import CASA variants by introducing products targeting the kids, stu- trade with India is approximately USD 250 Million and USD dents, women, senior citizens and high net-worth corporates. 430 Million respectively as per the latest figures. India is the The bank also offers the following 2nd largest export and 4th largest import services apart from the product offering destination for Afghanistan. With the latunder its Vision 2020 a) Internet and Mobile Banking est initiatives taken by both these countries, initiatives, Azizi bank will b) 24 hours call center facility the volume of business is going to triple. c) Instant account opening at branches We have INR correspondent relationships venture overseas markets d) Biometric finger print recognition at with major public and private sectors banks for its first off shore offices branches for enhanced security in India to cater to the growing demand of and is looking at India and all import and export trade activities. e) Green Channel at branches for fast Dubai by 2017 before and efficient cash dealings The majority of the Indian companies f) Dedicated Priority counters and operating on JV projects including the moving into other lounges for VIP customers Embassy of India in Afghanistan are neighboring countries g) Dedicated Relationship Managers for banking with Azizi Bank. We have highly VIP customers competitive rates for INR remittances h) ATMs from Afghanistan. i) Branch less banking through POS devices j) Extended branch business hours Kindly tell us about the promoters / promoting famThe bank is evaluating further digitalization process to en- ily behind the bank… hance the service level for the customers by introducing more The bank has been promoted in 2006 by Mr. Mirwais Azizi, innovative features and services in line with the best practices one of the distinguished and respected family business groups at the other international banks, thereby creating an impetus in Afghanistan. The parent company of this group – Azizi in the individual and national growth of the country.

Group is based out of Dubai, which was established more than 2 decades ago. More than 27 years later, Azizi Group has proWhen you started in 2006, the nation was taking the gressively achieved dominance in various sectors and internafirst steps towards democracy. How has the job market tional markets. The group is dedicated to success within changed in these 10 years? What additional job opportu- infrastructure, banking and energy sectors, and believes these nities are available for the youth today? are vital components to the growth of an economy.

The job market has seen quite an improvement over the Mr. Mirwais Azizi’s resilience and passion for pushing the last 10 years. Lots of employment opportunities have been cre- limits brought together a diverse and talented team. These reated by the Government. There are several international markable leaders and entrepreneurs brought his dreams to its NGOs working in the country who believe in taking the ener- present status as a respected professional organization with a getic and talented youth of the country. There are other major turnover of over USD 2 Billion and substantial presence in corporates, mobile operators who have opened employment banking, oil and gas, real estate and development in ❐ opportunities for the youth.

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Azizi Bank: Aiming for the Top Aiming to be the most preferred bank in Afghanistan, Azizi Bank adheres to a customer-centric approach to fulfill client needs and ensure maximum satisfaction.

The bank focuses on continuously developing business strategies to help improve its service products and operational processes. The bank placed strong emphasis on innovation. A robust IT system has been implemented to facilitate prompt and effective customer service. Equipped with modern technologies, Azizi Bank has been successful in transforming the banking experience in Afghanistan and is hereby committed to remain as the best Afghanistan bank with world class services

By Mohammad Salem Omaid President and Chief Executive Officer, Azizi Bank The Economic Scenario Performance of the Bank is dependent on various ecopolitical factors. Bank has seen a sustained growth during the period 2006-2013. Following certain economical downward trends, the economy has been going through recessionary trends. Bank has however performed creditably, notwithstanding the unfavorable trend in the economy. Although the profit margin in 2015 has reduced, as compared to the previous years, Bank is very hopeful that in the days to come, with ventures in other areas, the margins are set for improvements…

Economic growth in 2013 was estimated at 3.3% having fallen from 11.9% in 2012. For 2014 and 2015 GDP growth is expected to be 3.5% and 4.5%, respectively. The recent formation of a new government should remove some of the political uncertainties and support further expansion in industrial and services outputs. Real GDP growth is projected to increase to within 2.50% to 3.10% and 3.90 % in 2016 and 2017 respectively. A sustainable recovery is expected for 2016.

However, the World Bank estimates that growth—after the transition towards Afghan control of security—will be Afghanistan’s GDP growth, 2000-2015

around 5% a year under the baseline scenario in the period 2015-2018.

The business environment in Afghanistan thus requires significant development in order to both allow domestic businesses to flourish and also to attract foreign direct investment. Attention should be focused on SMEs which employ 75% of Afghanistan’s workforce and contribute around 50% to the country’s GDP (Asia Foundation, 2013). Womenowned businesses can play a role, not only in empowering women but also in raising productivity more broadly.

Women’s entrepreneurship can make a particularly strong contribution to the economic well-being of the family and communities, poverty reduction and women’s empowerment.

In a country of Afghanistan’s stature with political insecurity, instability looming in the minds of all, large exodus, less capital inflow as donors are uncertain of the investment outcomes, it is difficult to predict the future outcomes. However given the present prevailing situations, and the World Bank survey reports, the optimism prevailing in selected infrastructural sectors of the economy there are prospects of substantial growth. There is promise for much Foreign Direct Investments, much scopes for developmental of mining, quarrying with one of the World’s richest resourceful countries, low inflation, improving education rates, more and more integration of the provinces with the capital, more sponsored infrastructure, more economic benefits trickling down owing to economic integration with other Countries etc.

The Recommendation Given the economic context of a potentially difficult transition period, it is imperative to integrate Afghanistan into regional economic networks. Actions are needed to realize the potential for increased domestic production and trade with Central Asia. Simultaneously, the country’s unique role as a land bridge between Central and Southern Asia means that Afghanistan will be integral to any successful regional development strategy encompassing transit trade, transport and energy.

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Expanded intra-regional exports can thus play a role in Afghanistan’s wider strategy of economic development and diversification. The following five priority themes can be worked upon to improve the economic scenario and build on the enormous potential lying within the country. ● ● ● ● ●

Improving trade policies Facilitating trade and transit Investing in infrastructure and connectivity Creating the right regional business environment Strengthening regional economic cooperation

The Azizi Bank Story Azizi Bank started its banking operations in 2006 promoted by Mr. Mirwais Azizi of the Azizi Hotak Group and Family. In the decade of 10 years, the bank is the largest banking group in Afghanistan in terms of overall business and market cap. The bank employs more than 1,500 employees and as a group has more than 145 branches along with its 100% subsidiary bank – Bakhtar Bank.

One of the major initiatives of the bank has been the focus on financial inclusion for the primarily unbanked population, which is 88% presently. The Bank is starting a fullfledged Islamic banking activity through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bakhtar Bank, scheduled by the first quarter of 2017. This would be the first Islamic Bank in Afghanistan.

Additionally, Azizi Bank is setting up detailed agent-based banking network to garner more deposits through branchless banking. Azizi Bank is the largest provider of salary distribution services, catering to more than 300,000 persons, in remote areas. With this backdrop, the Bank is tying up with numerous organizations, NGOs, World bodies for increased share in the segment, for augmented revenue earnings.

Azizi Bank has initiated several measures, aimed at vigorous marketing efforts specifically branding of the Bank, cobranding with other organizations, tie-ups, technological innovations with an eye to cater and partner all in the developmental cycle.

There is much scope for earning non-fund earnings. With the initiatives taken in the recent past and the proposed tieups, Bank is poised for a buoyant phase in the coming years.

Azizi Bank has invested heavily into technology on its endeavor for superior customer service. These initiatives are taken so that the bank becomes customer friendly and tech savvy. It is estimated that although 37% of the population lives below the poverty lines, a large segment is mobile savvy with compatible internet facility, especially amongst the young generation. With the introduction of M – Paisa and E-Wallets, it is expected that a large share of the money transaction in the country would be routed through the Bank.

As part of the strategic expansion plan, the bank will procure 200 new ATMs and have extensive plans of coverage for Kabul and the Provincial locations by end of 2017. We envisage looking at ourselves as clear market leaders in terms of the ATM network in the Country.

Bank has planned an aggressive growth strategy through reconstitution of the sales team and various marketing strategies i.e. tie-ups with Corporates, various Joint venture initiatives for investment in the Country etc. Accordingly, Azizi

Bank has drawn up the financial plan projecting strategies for growth. In its Vision 2020 initiative, the Bank will witness a significant growth in all sectors thereby maintaining its position as clear market leaders and catering to the customer requirements and expectations.

Bank has also introduced a novel concept ‘Green Channel’ in branches which facilitates cash withdrawal using POS devices. It is a quick, convenient and environment friendly method of transacting with no paper usage.

Azizi bank is also the shareholder of Afghanistan Payment Switch (APS), which is a project of national importance aiming to connect all member banks to ensure interoperability among banks for electronic payments. APS will act as national switch for the country giving impetus to interoperability, transparency and convenience to its member bank customers.

The Bank has sustained a very healthy capital adequacy ratio of over 30% of regulatory capital, which is an indicative factor of the inherent strength of the organization. It has improved considerably since the dip witnessed during the period 2011-2013 amidst the economic slowdown.

It follows a secure and effective policy for growth with maximization returns and cost effectiveness and minimization of risks. It is highly capitalized and offers to the depositors sound and effective banking options.

On these premises, Azizi Bank has developed its strategic plan with a keen eye for progress and development.

Corporate Governance The bank ensures responsible and value-driven management practices are adhered to throughout its system of corporate governance, which is built on key elements of discipline, transparency, independence and fairness. As it strengthens its presence, Azizi Bank continues to review compliance, risk management skills, systems & processes and where appropriate –it aims to enhance these further. The commitment applies to Azizi Bank relationship with its shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, regulators and the community in which it operates.

The main characteristics of Azizi Bank’s corporate governance policy includes ● Discipline: Employees & senior management members are committed to adhere to procedures, processes and december 2016 | india empire 21

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Adding value to all the stakeholders in the bank and specifically promoting Afghan talent and skills.

Mission ● To provide excellent professional services and financial products using latest technology to meet customer needs. ● To utilize and maintain committed and motivated national human resources. ● To fulfill corporate and social responsibilities towards all stake holders: customers, staff, and shareholders.

Vision ● Innovation, knowledge, quality, value and world class service.

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hierarchies established by the bank. These are recognized and deemed to be correct and proper.

Transparency: This is mentioned in almost every policy.

All actions implemented and the procedures that led to them will be available for inspection by authorized entities and stake holders.

Independence: Mechanisms and regulations have been put in place to minimize or avoid potential conflicts of interest such as undue dominance by Chairman, Chief Executive or other shareholders. This mechanism range from the composition of the board to committee appointments and involve external parties such as the auditors.

Responsibility: Azizi Bank believes that responsible management would whenever necessary take appropriate actions to set and keep the bank on the right path.

While the board is accountable to the bank, it must act responsively to and with the responsibility towards all stakeholders.

Accountability: At Azizi Bank, the individuals and committees who makes decisions and take actions are held accountable for their decisions and actions.

Fairness: Azizi Bank’s systems that exists within the bank are balanced and take into account all those that have an interest in the bank and its future. The rights of the various groups have to be acknowledged and respected.

Azizi Bank is fully aware of its social responsibility and will promptly respond to social issues, while placing a high priority on ethical standards and believing that a good corporate citizen is increasingly seen as one that is non-discriminatory, non-exploitive and responsible with regard to environmental and human rights issues.

Vision To become the best quality bank in Afghanistan. To evolve into a Bank that will be ● Professionally Managed, Techno Savvy, Strong and following International Best Practices. ● Extending world class and cost-effective services and contributing to the national economy by providing modern banking. ● Products and services in the country that spur national and individual growth.

22 india empire | december 2016

About the CEO Mr. Mohammad Salem Omaid is the President and CEO of Azizi Bank. Prior to this, Mr. Omaid has been the Deputy CEO of the Bank for more than 5 years since September 2011.

Mr. Omaid has been associated with the bank since 2006 and has been the part of the bank’s 10 years of illustrious growth. As a professional entrepreneur, he is progressively establishing a high quality, state-of-the- art private Afghanistan Bank with a vision of “Building the Best Quality Afghanistan Bank with World Class Services” by 2020. Under his leadership, Azizi Bank has steadily evolved as the “Professionals’ Bank of Afghanistan” with exemplary business and financial outcomes as evidenced in the results and performance since inception and thus building the largest banking group in Afghanistan.

He is a Doctorate in Financial Management from a leading Indian University. He is also a Post Graduate and an MBA with specialization in Banking, Risk Management and Finance.

He also possesses a Diploma in Information Technology.

Mr. Omaid served the bank in various categories including being the Chief Finance Officer. His vision to create a top-class bank in Afghanistan has resulted in the bank’s significant growth and its continuous endeavor to provide the best and effective world class customer service. He has been guiding and influencing the national policies in the diverse areas of financial sector regulation and supervision, development and regulation of financial markets, capital account management, management of government borrowings, forex reserves management and payment and settlement systems.

He has been also associated with maintaining International business relations with key corporates and stake holders.

Mr. Omaid has been a great influencer and motivator in structuring the bank and guiding the bank to its present zenith. He is a strong leader and a person with pioneering visionary skills. He has been widely responsible in developing the local human resources.

He is a highly distinguished person and well-respected cit❐ izen of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Pictures Š siPra das

PHOTO COrner

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Prime Minister of Qatar Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani at New Delhi’s Hyderabad House

Ms Roopa Ganguly, MP, in Parliament

26 india empire | december 2016

SpeCIal Column on law & dIplomaCy

OPenInG InDIAn brAnCH OFFICeS OF FOreIGn bAnkS As a background: hitherto to, allow foreign banks to operate a) At present, foreign banks have presence in India either through branch presence or in India only through branches. they can set up a wholly owned subsidiary b) The global financial crisis of 2008 has (WOS) with near national treatment. The shown that the growing complexity and foreign banks have to choose one of the interconnectedness of financial instituabove two modes of presence and shall be tions, coupled with the lack of effective governed by the principle of single mode cross-border resolution regimes, have of presence. compromised the ability of home and f) Having regard to the foregoing, Reserve host authorities to cope with the failure Bank, in terms of the powers conferred on of too big to fail (TBTF) and too conit under Section 35A read with Section nected to fail (TCTF) institutions. Glob44A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, ally a number of policy options have in the public interest and in the interest of been proposed to address this problem, banking policy hereby issues a ‘Scheme for including measures to contain the negaSetting up of Wholly Owned Subsidiaries Mr K K Anand tive externalities arising out of size and (WOS) by foreign banks in India’. interconnectedness, improving the capital and liquidity buffers held by such institutions, and enhancing their re- The Scheme solvability. The lessons learnt during the crisis lean in 2. Branch mode or wholly owned subsidiary favour of domestic incorporation of foreign banks. a) All foreign banks which are not carrying on banking busic) In general, following are the main advantages of local inness in India and which wish to do so in the future and to corporation: whom the matters referred to in paragraph 4 herein below i. It creates separate legal entities, having their own capital shall carry on banking business in India only through a base and local board of directors; wholly owned subsidiary. ii. It ensures that there is a clear delineation between the b) Foreign banks which are not carrying on banking business assets and liabilities of the domestic bank and those of its in India and which wish to do so in the future and to whom foreign parent and clearly provides for ring fenced capital the matters referred to in paragraph 4 herein below do not and assets within the host country; apply have the option to carry on banking business in India iii. It imparts clarity and certainty with respect to applicaeither through a wholly owned subsidiary or through the bility of the laws of country of incorporation on the locally branch mode. If they choose to carry on banking business incorporated subsidiary; through the branch mode, and in case at a later date they iv. A locally incorporated bank has its own board of direccome within the purview of paragraph 4 herein below, they tors and these directors are required to act in the best inshall convert their branches into WOS. terests of the bank, to prevent the bank from carrying on c) Foreign banks which commenced banking business in business in a manner likely to create a risk of serious loss India from August 2010 onwards were required to furnish to the bank’s creditors/depositors; an undertaking that they would convert their branches into v. Local incorporation provides effective control to the wholly owned subsidiaries if so required by RBI. Accordlocal regulators. ingly, such banks shall convert their branches into a wholly d) A number of jurisdictions, therefore, impose requirement owned subsidiary if the matters specified in paragraph 4 of local incorporation for foreign banks mainly for (i) proapply to them. tecting local retail depositors, (ii) easing the resolution d) Foreign banks which commenced banking business in India process, and (iii) affording greater regulatory comfort. before August 2010 shall have the option either to continue e) At present, foreign banks, if eligible, are allowed by the Retheir banking business through the branch mode or to conserve Bank of India (RBI) to set up business in India vert those branches into a wholly owned subsidiary. through a single mode of presence i.e. either branch mode e) The branch expansion of both the existing foreign banks or a wholly owned subsidiary (WOS) mode. In the afterand the new entrants present in the branch mode would math of the crisis and building on the lessons from the cribe subject to India’s WTO commitments. sis, the RBI issued a Discussion Paper in January 2011 on f) In respect of foreign banks which are presently carrying the mode of presence of foreign banks in India. Taking on banking business in India and which are required to into account the feedback received on the Discussion convert their branches into a wholly owned subsidiary or Paper, the Scheme for setting up of WOS by foreign banks opt to do so, the conversion shall only be in accordance in India has now been finalized. It has been decided, as with a scheme mandated in the public interest to be ap30 india empire | december 2016

proved by RBI under Section 44A of the Banking Regulation Act 1949 and which is in accordance with the conditions specified in paragraph 20.

3. Eligibility for setting up a wholly owned subsidiary a) Setting up of WOS by a foreign bank in India should have the approval of the home country regulator/supervisor. b) A foreign bank applying for setting up a WOS in India must satisfy RBI that it is subject to adequate prudential supervision as per internationally accepted standards, which includes consolidated supervision in its home country. c) The factors taken into account while considering applications for setting up WOS in India would include the following: i. Economic and political relations with the country of incorporation of the parent bank, ii. Reciprocity with home country of the parent bank, iii. Financial soundness, iv. Ownership pattern, v. International and home country ranking of the parent bank by a reputed agency, vi. Home country/parent bank rating by a rating agency of international repute such as Moody Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, vii. International presence of the bank, viii. Adequate risk management and internal control systems.

These criteria represent the minimum that an applicant will need to meet for applying to RBI for granting a licence under Section 22 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (to set up a bank as a WOS of the parent bank) and is not an exhaustive list. The final decision to grant licence will be that of RBI. 4. Conditions requiring presence as WOS only Foreign banks which have commenced banking business in India after August 2010 or foreign banks which are not at present carrying on banking business in India but wish to do so in the future shall carry on banking business in India only through a wholly owned subsidiary, if any of the matters as described hereunder are applicable: A. i. Banks incorporated in a jurisdiction having legislation giving a preferential claim to deposits of home country in a winding up proceedings; ii. Banks that do not have adequate disclosure requirements in their home jurisdiction; iii. Banks with complex structures; iv. Banks which are not widely held; v. Reserve Bank of India is not satisfied with the adequacy of supervisory arrangements (including disclosure arrangements) and market discipline in the country of their incorporation; and vi. For any other reason that the Reserve Bank of India considers necessary for subsidiary form of presence of the bank; or B. If a foreign bank, which has set up its presence in India through branch mode after August 2010, is considered by RBI as being systemically important by virtue of the size of its business.

5. National treatment a) Under the FDI policy as set out in the Government of India’s Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion

WOSs of the foreign banks, even though locally incorporated, being foreign owned and controlled companies, will be treated as “foreign banks” in terms of which a company owned by non-residents ‘means an Indian company where more than 50% of the capital in it is beneficially owned by non-residents and/or “controlled” by non-residents. The term ‘control’ has been defined as under: ‘Control’ shall include the right to appoint a majority of the directors or to control the management or policy decisions including by virtue of their shareholding or management rights or shareholders agreements or voting agreements.

Providing the extent of national treatment to WOS of foreign banks needs to be considered from the financial stability perspective. From financial stability perspective down side risk may arise if the foreign banks, i.e. WOSs of the foreign banks and foreign bank branches together come to dominate the domestic financial system. To address this risk, restrictions would be placed on further entry of new WOSs of foreign banks, when the capital and reserves of the foreign banks (i.e. WOSs and foreign bank branches) in India exceed 20% of the capital and reserves of the banking system. In such eventuality prior approval of RBI will be required for capital infusion into the existing WOSs of foreign banks. As regards foreign banks in branch mode of presence, as per the WTO commitments licences for new foreign banks may be denied when the maximum share of assets in India both on and off balance sheet of foreign banks’ branches to total assets both on and off balance sheet of the banking system exceeds 15 per cent.

6. Minimum capital requirement a) The initial minimum paid-up voting equity capital for a WOS shall be `5 billion. b) The newly set up WOS of the foreign bank would be required to bring in the entire amount of initial capital upfront, which should be funded by free foreign exchange remittance from its parent. c) In the case of an existing foreign bank having branch presence in India, which desires or is required to convert into a WOS: ● It should convert its branch capital into the capital of WOS. The components, elements and eligibility criteria of the regulatory capital instruments for the WOS would be as applicable to the other domestic banks. ● It shall have a minimum net worth of 5 billion. ● If the net worth upon conversion is less than the minimum capital prescribed under these guidelines, the shortfall shall have to be brought in, towards infusion of equity, upfront from its parent as inward remittance. d) The WOS shall meet the Basel III requirements on a continuous basis from the time of its entry / conversion. WOS shall, however, maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio, on a continuous basis for an initial period of 3 years from the commencement of its operations, at 10 per cent i.e. 1 per cent higher than that required under the phased implementation of Basel III6. In addition, WOS shall also maintain capital conservation buffer and other buffers as applicable under extant capital adequacy framework. ❐ —The author is Founding and Managing Partner of Anand Law Practice. He can be reached at kamalkanand@anandlawpractice.com december 2016 | india empire 31

Column: yogI aShwInI

mInd and body

AnTI-AGeInG -

Yogi ashwini

SukrA

O

ur body is composed of millions of cells, each of them vibrating at varying frequencies of prana. These cells divide, giving birth to newer cells, which are weaker than the previous cells. In the realm of prana, it is seen as change to grosser frequency, in the realm of the physical this translates as ageing of the body – shrivelling of skin, dulling of senses, weakening of joints, loss of hair and lustre, etc. While there is an age limit to every cell in the body, there are certain cells which do not age. These are the sperm cells - a manifestation of something called as sukra in the pranic body...the secret to anti-ageing lies herein.

A human being has merely seven drops of sukra in the body, and each of these drops is phenomenal energy…a rejuvenator par excellence and also the giver of new life.

This sukra when conserved in the body translates into phenomenal glow and attraction, lustrous hair and a strong and agile body. Sukra is the reason for the magnetic attraction exuded by saints and rishis. A normal person causes the sukra in the body to dry up in the course of day to day life through factors such as emotional congestion, excessive physical labor, anger and overindulgence in sexual activities. With the loss of sukra, there is inadequate lubrication in various parts of the body causing wear and tear and hence, faster ageing.

Through specific yogic and tantric techniques, sukra can be conserved in the body and transmuted into ojas, a subtler dhatu, responsible for the extraordinary radiance around a person. At an advanced stage, the ojas transforms into tej, which accounts for the mesmerizing magnetism exuded by yogis. An extremely powerful technique to preserve sukra in the body is the Amrit Visarga Kriya. In the course of normal life, the sukra is lost from the body flowing downwards and getting consumed at lower energy centers. Amrit Visarga Kriyareverses this flow of energy, directing it towards the higher centres and thus enabling a practitioner to hold on to the glow and radiance of the body. I detail here some of the secrets of the ancient rishis from this kriya for the readers, the complete practice can be found in the book, Sanatan Kriya The Ageless Dimension, along with some rare rasayans and diets to enhance longevity and glow of the body till the last breath.

Vipreetkarni - This asana has the reversing effect of channelizing the energy, holding it at the throat pit, the vissudhi chakra, and works wonders in dealing with grey hair, wrinkles

32 india empire | december 2016

By Yogi Ashwini

and sagging skin. For this, Lie on your back, legs straight, feet together. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Using the support of your hands, gently raise both the legs to an upright position while keeping them joined, toes pointing upwards. The lower spine is also lifted off floor. The legs are perpendicular to the ground while the spine is tilted at an angle of forty five degrees. The shoulders and head stay on the ground. The chin is partially tucked into the chest and hands support the body. Retain the posture while maintaining the awareness of the nectar at the throat pit.

This asana should not be practiced by people suffering from cervical spondylitis, slip disc, high blood pressure, during menstruation and pregnancy.

Mahabandha- Mahabandha causes the energy to reach the seat of Guru, the Agya Chakra. It helps arrest ageing and is a bestower of great siddhis. For Mahabandha, Sit with a straight spine. Bend the left knee, pressing the left heel into the perineum/vagina. Place the right heel on the left thigh. Inhale from the right nostril and perform the Shambhavi and Khechari Mudra. Holding your breath inside, perform Mool Bandha followed by Jalandhar Bandha. With your arms straight and hands on the knees, hold the posture for a count of seven. Gently release the bandhas, first Jalandhar and then Mool Bandha. Repeat on the other side.

It is important to have a Guru to practice the above or it can damage the body. After performing the mentioned asana and bandha, sit in Siddhasana and close your eyes. Take your awareness to the cross-section of the line joining your temples and that joining the center of your eyebrows to the back of the head. Be aware of the nectar dropping down from this point. Hold this nectar in your throat. Drop all awareness, let go. Whenever your awareness returns, pay salutations to the Guru, open your eyes look into the center of palms. Mail me your experiences.

It’s ok to have sex and yet maintain sukra, this is done by specific individualistic kriyas and mantras given by your guru.

While rapid breathing and strenuous asans or exercises deplete it as it is visible in the physical states of those who teach and ❐ practice these...

—Yogi Ashwini is the Guiding Light of Dhyan Foundation and can be reached at www.dhyanfoundation.com

DIASPORA NEWS

dIaSpora In uSa

Gabbard

meets trump By arul Louis

T

he first Hindu elected to Congress, Tulsi Gabbard, crossed her Democratic party line to meet Republican-elect Donald Trump in November to discuss Syria, terrorism and national security matters and warn of the risk of a nuclear confrontation with Russia amid speculation that he may be checking out the war veteran for a position in his administration.

On economic and social issues Gabbard belongs to the leftist wing of the Democratic Party, but she is closer to Trump’s policies on fighting terror while avoiding foreign interventions and this makes her a prime candidate for the president-elect’s efforts to reach out to his opposition.

Media reports said she may be under consideration for defence or foreign policy position in Trump’s Government.

A major in the Army National Guard, Gabbard has served two tours of duty in Iraq. “I saw firsthand the cost of war, and the lives lost due to the interventionist warmongering policies our country has pursued for far too long,” she said after the meeting with Trump who has criticised United States’ military entanglements abroad.

Trump’s outreach to Gabbard illustrates the complexity of United States politics, where Trump is a dove when it comes to foreign interventions while extremely tough on Islamic terrorism, whereas his Democratic Party rival Hillary Clinton is a hawk advocating interventions abroad and a confrontation with Russia.

Gabbard said she told Trump about her concerns with enforcing a no-fly zone over Syria that Clinton, along with Democratic and Republican hawks, advocates to counter Bashar al-Assad and Russia. “It would lead to more death and suffering, exacerbate the refugee crisis, strengthen ISIS (Islamic State) and al-Qaeda, and bring us into a direct conflict with Russia which could result in a nuclear war,” she said.

34 india empire | december 2016

Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat who is the first Hindu elected to United States Congress, met with Republican President-elect Donald Trump in November to discuss the fight against terrorism, Syria and national security.

(Credit: Gabbard’s office)

If the US were to enforce a no-fly zone it could be drawn into a direct confrontation with Russia, which conducts bombing raids over areas controlled by Islamic State terrorists. Though Gabbard, who represents a constituency in Hawaii, is not of Indian descent, she is a second-generation Hindu by religion. She is only 35-years-old and is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party.

“For years, the issue of ending interventionist, regime change warfare has been one of my top priorities,” she said in a veiled attack on Clinton who has promoted an agenda of overthrowing governments from Egypt to Ukraine with disastrous results.

Gabbard made a scathing attack on Republican neo-conservative hawks like Paul Wolfowitz, the planner of the deadly Iraq War, who had crossed over to Clinton’s side. She said it was important for her to meet the “President-elect now before the drumbeats of war that neocons have been

Trump Tower in mid-town Manhattan in New York City. President-elect Donald Trump has been working on shaping his administration by meeting various people there. Democrat Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu elected to United States Congress, met him there in November. Republican Nikki Haley, the Indian American governor of South Carolina, also met him there last week.

(Credit: IANS)

beating drag us into an escalation of the war to overthrow the Syrian government - a war which has already cost hundreds of thousands of lives and forced millions of refugees to flee their homes in search of safety for themselves and their families,” Gabbard said.

She has previously expressed support for Russian bombing of Islamic State-held territories in Syria. “While the rules of political expediency would say I should have refused to meet with President-elect Trump, I never have and never will play politics with American and Syrian lives,” she added.

During the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination race Gabbard was aligned with Bernie Sanders, the independent socialist who defied the party leadership to run against Clinton. Gabbard resigned as vice chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee after clashing with the then-Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, whom she

accused of unfairly backing Clinton and working against Sanders.

This could make her a potential conduit to the discontented supporters of Sanders, who emerged a strong rival to Clinton with his populist platform appealing to the disempowered, the working class and foreign policy doves.

Underlining the differences with Trump on other matters, Gabbard said, “Where I disagree with President-elect Trump on issues, I will not hesitate to express that disagreement.”

Gabbard has criticised President Barack Obama for his reluctance to label as Islamic extremism terrorist attacks carried out by some Muslim, a criticism Trump has also voiced. She has advocated a tough line on Pakistan for its role in international terrorism and tried to get Congress to cut aid to Islamabad and increase pressure on it to stop this violence. ❐ december 2016 | india empire 35

dIaSpora newS

Haley makes History

P

By arul Louis

resident-elect Donald Trump announced in November that he will appoint Nikki Haley, “a great leader”, to be the United States ambassador to the United Nations, a cabinet-rank position, marking a historic breakthrough for Indian Americans in politics. Announcing the appointment, Trump said, “She will be a great leader representing us on the world stage.”

As the Permanent Representative to the UN, Haley will be the first woman and PIO appointed to a highlevel post in Trump’s incoming administration. In the US, the UN ambassadorship carries a cabinet rank, although the Permanent Representative does not figure in the line of succession to the presidency, where the Secretary of State takes precedence. “Governor Haley has a proven track record of bringing people together regardless of background or party affiliation to move critical policies forward for the betterment of her state and our country,” he added. “She is also a proven dealmaker, and we look to be making plenty of deals.”

Accepting the position, Haley said, “Our country faces enormous challenges here at home and internationally, and I am honoured that the President-elect has asked me to join his team and serve the country we love as the next Ambassador to the United Nations.”

Her appointment caps a year of political achievements for Indian Americans. Her full name is Nimrata Nikki Randhwa Haley and she is the daughter of Sikh immigrants from Amritsar. While Haley does not have direct foreign policy experience, she has travelled to India and Europe for developing businesses in her state. She also has well-honed diplomatic skills having manoeuvered her way through the politics of South Carolina, a conservative state, where she was opposed by a section of her own party. Trump alluded to this when he made the announcement calling her “a proven deal-maker.”.

Indian Americans made significant political headway this year in the US. For the first time an Indian American, Kamala Harris, was elected to the Senate, and the House of Representatives now has four from the community with the election of 36 india empire | december 2016

Pramila Jayapal, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Ro Khanna, who will join the reelected Ami Bera. The first Hindu elected to Congress, Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat from Hawaii, is also under consideration for a job in the Trump administration. A military veteran of Afghanistan, she has been critical of US military entanglements abroad, while taking a strong position against terrorism, which aligns her with Trump’s state policies. Gabbard was invited by Trump to meet with him and discussed the Syrian situation, terrorism and the department that deals with ex-service people.

By appointing Haley, Trump is reaching out the centrist sections of the Republican Party that had been critical of him. Haley had vehemently criticised Trump during his campaign for the Republican nomination, going to the extent of saying that he was everything she didn’t want to see in a president. When she gave her party’s response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address, she made an indirect criticism of Trump for fomenting a politics of anger.

However, Haley endorsed Trump after his nomination as the party candidate. She was in the first batch of potential candidates for positions in the Trump administration who were interviewed by him for possible positions.

Haley broke a glass ceiling in 2010 when she was elected governor becoming the first woman and first non-white to win the job in the southern state, which has had a reputation for racism and social conservatism. She had to overcome a gutter campaign of personal attacks from her opponents who even accused her of adultery. But she prevailed, getting the trust of the voters.

Although most Indian Americans - about 65 percent support the Democratic Party, members of the community have achieved breakthroughs in the Republican Party, which is called racist and anti-immigrant by its opponents.

After a gap of 48 years since the election of the first Indian American to Congress, Dalip Singh Saund in 1956, Republican Piyush Bobby Jindal broke the dry patch when he was elected to the House of Representative in 2004. He was then elected governor of Louisiana in 2007 and served two terms. He un❐ successfully ran against Trump for the party nomination.

Antonio Costa chief guest at PBD Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, who has an Indian origin, will be the chief guest at next year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the foremost conclave of the Indian diaspora, it has been announced.

“Antonio Costa, Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal, has accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to be the chief guest at the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention to be held from January 7 to 9, 2017, in Bengaluru,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. “He will participate in the inaugural session of the PBD convention on January 8 and address the delegates,” it stated.

Costa, born in 1961 in Lisbon, is the son of writer Orlando da Costa, who was of Goan, Portuguese, and French descent. His mother was Maria Antonia Palla, a Portuguese journalist.

Costa took charge as Prime Minister in November 2015 creating media headlines in India.

The ministry statement also said that 36-year-old Michael Ashwin Satyandre Adhin, Vice President of the South American nation of Suriname, will be the special guest at the Youth PBD to be held on January 7 in Bengaluru. “He will address the young overseas Indian delegates at the inaugural session of the

Mr Antonio Costa

Youth PBD, along with Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel,” the statement added.

According to the Indian embassy in Paramaribo, over 230,000 people of Indian origin hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and some 50 Sindhi families live in Suriname.

IndIans wIn Two young Indian social entrepreneurs have won a global competition aimed at empowering women and girls in the Asia-Pacific region at the Responsible Business Forum on Sustainable Development at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore in November.

‘Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World’ is a global social initiative aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged women and girls in Asia-Pacific, and was jointly organised by Singapore Committee for UN Women and MasterCard. Applicants to the global competition included 270 entrepreneurs, aged between 18 and 35, from across the world. Among these, ten were given a five-minute platform to pitch their inspired idea live at the grand finale.

Aditya Kulkarni, Co-founder and Executive Director at CareNx Innovations, based in Mumbai won

Mr Adiya Kulkarni

the first prize of $25,000 for their CareMother Mobile Pregnancy Care in the country. “With this grand prize, we wish to scale our mobile pregnancy care solution to reach out to at least 2,000 pregnant women and 20 women health workers in next one year. We aim to reach out to 2 million pregnant women in the next three years and this prize would get us started,” Kulkarni said in a statement. The second prize was won by Indian-origin Riyanka Ganguly, Executive at Village Volunteers, a US based organisation working in India.

december 2016 | india empire 37

dIaSpora In uSa—SarabjIt johl

Nice Nut to crack

By Karishma s. Kalita

W

The Indian connect to California walnuts

alnut farmer Sarabjit (Sarb) Johl was 13 when he migrated with his parents to the US in the early 1960s. Today, he presides over a 1,000 acre farm and a growers’ collective that recorded exports of $20 million last year. The icing on the cake, as it were, came earlier this year when he was named Agriculturist of the Year by the California State Fair. “My father came here with very little money in 1963 and he worked in the farms enough to buy himself a piece of land—and we haven’t stopped pretty much since then,” Johl, who founded Sacramento Valley Walnut Growers LLC collective in 2006, says.

The farm is located in Marysville, Yuba County, in the quaint countryside where the sky is blue and the land stretches for thousands of acres. The trees that are harvested are usually not more than seven years old. “The trees from which we harvest, we make sure they are of the same height so that they receive the same amount of sunshine so that the produce is the same,” Johl explained. The trees remain completely dormant in the winter and the fruit starts growing during March-April, giving it plenty of time before the early October harvest season.

“Sacramento Valley Walnut Growers export not only across the US but also globally, including India, Japan, China, Australia, South Korea and Turkey,” he said. The company exported about 4,500 tonnes of walnuts last year. The harvesting is done by machines that shake the trees, sweeps the fallen nuts and collects them for cleaning, after which they directly go into 38 india empire | december 2016

a modern processing facility which is the final step in a walnut’s journey from the orchard to the table -- “Farm to Fork”, as the growers put it. The facility processes about 20 million walnuts at a time and also takes care of packaging and distribution. Not only does the walnut taste great, it is a healthy nut that helps in fighting a number of diseases.

“As our research evolved, we learnt that walnuts are very helpful in decreasing diabetes, cancer and heart diseases and also in weight management,” Carol Sloan, a dietician with California Walnut Commission (CWC), said. “Walnuts contain the Omega 3 fatty acids which our bodies don’t produce on their own and making these nuts a part of our daily meals is a very healthy idea.”

Men should consume at least 45 grams and women about 31 grams which will also contribute to the healthy eating index.

“Don’t get bored by consuming these nuts the same way. Walnuts are very soft and easy to blend, so one can add them to smoothies, or on top of salads, instead of the bread croutons, and also just munch them as a snack,” Sloan noted.

The CWC and California Walnut Board represents over 4,000 growers and more than 100 handlers who process, package and market walnuts across the state. The Board was established in 1948 to promote the consumption of walnuts across the US. It also provides funding for walnut production and post-harvest research. The CWC was launched in 1987 and is funded by the growers. It is mainly involved in health research and export market development. ❐

BUSINESS AND GOVERNANCE

buSIneSS and governanCe

Pune Metro Mr Narendra Modi

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the development of Pune Metro Rail Project Phase – 1. The Pune Metro Rail Corridor will be covering a length of 31.254 km comprising two corridors i.e. Corridor-1 {Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to Swargate} covering length of 16.589 km (11.57 km elevated and 5.019 km underground) and Corridor-2 (Vanaz to Ramwadi) covering 14.665 km (fully elevated). The total completion cost of the metro rail corridor will be Rs.11,420 crore. The population of approximately 50 lakh of Pune Metropolitan Area will be benefitted through this metro corridor. The project is scheduled to be completed in five years from the date of start of work as per the Detailed Project Report (DPR). The approved alignments are expected to provide the much needed connectivity to the commuters and would traverse through some of the densest and traffic congested routes in the Pune Metropolitan Area. It will considerably reduce the traffic congestion and will bring in fast, comfortable, safe, pollution-free and affordable mass transportation system in the city, which in turn will contribute to further development and prosperity of the area. Development and prosperity of Pune Metropolitan Area will also contribute to the prosperity and development of the nation.

Delhi Airport Expansion The revised Master Plan 2016 for IGI Airport Delhi proposes further development of landside, terminals and airside facilities to correspond to the projected traffic growth in next 20 years. It also proposes expansion of passenger handling capacity of IGI Airport from existing 62 MPPA to 109.3 MPPA in a phased manner.

As per Schedule 1 of Operation Management and Development Agreement signed between Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Delhi International Airport Ltd.(DIAL), the airport operator has to follow IATA Airport Development Reference Manual with regard to design of airport facilities.

DIAL has recently engaged NATS, a UK firm which is a global provider of air traffic management consulting services. As part of their engagement, NATS will collaborate with AAI, Air Navigation staff to identify procedures and air space enhancements to maximize the aircraft handling capacity of IGI Airport.

This engagement has recently commenced and is a multi-phased project which will be completed over the next 12 months.

40 india empire | december 2016

Mr Ashok Gajapathi Raju

buSIneSS and governanCe

Community radio stations

Complaints against cellular operators Mr Arun Jaitley

Mr Venkaiah Naidu

Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Minister for Information and Broadcasting has announced 90% subsidy for Nor th Eastern states and 75% subsidy for other states in setting up of community radio stations. The community radio station is an extraordinar y medium which disseminates information in localized content. He also mentioned that a new dedicated Doordarshan channel Arun Prabha would also be launched in the first par t of Januar y 2017. The channel would show richness, variety and diversity of local culture and would seamlessly integrate Nor th East with the entire countr y.

Mr Naidu mentioned that the Government of India would formulate National Information and Communication Policy in consultation with States for a comprehensive and integrated approach toward communication and information dissemination. Speaking about the Most Film Friendly State Award incorporated last year in the National Film Awards, Shri Naidu said that states should focus on this new initiative as it would not only enhance revenue but also boost tourism in the state. In this context, he also announced earlier today a cash component of Rs 1 crore for the Most Film Friendly State Award.

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The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has registered four cases against cellular service providers alleging violation of Section 3 and 4 of the Competition Act, 2002 as follows: ● Case No. 81/2016 filed by CA Ranjan Sardana against M/s Cellular Operator Association of India, M/s Bharti Airtel Limited and M/s Idea Cellular Limited. ● Case No. 83/2016 filed by Mr. Kantilal Ambala Puj against Cellular Operation Association of India, Vodafone India Limited, Bharti Airtel Limited, Idea Cellular Limited, Telenor (India) Communication Private Limited, Videocon Telecommunication Limited, Aircel Limited and Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited. ● Case No. 95/2016 filed by Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. against Cellular Operators Association of India, Vodafone India Limited, Vodafone Mobile Services Limited, Vodafone Group PIC, Bharti Airtel Limited, Bharti Hexacom Limited and Idea Cellular Limited. ● Case No.98/2016 filed by Shri C Shanmugam against Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, Department of Telecommunication, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and BSNL. Under the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002, the CCI is mandated, inter-alia, to impose penalties and/or issue cease and desist orders in cases of unethical practices such as anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance.

mInd and body

IMPlICATIOnS OF SPIrITuAlITy FOr MenTAl HeAlTH

By Dr Alexander Moreira-Almeida dr aLexander Moreira-aLMeida

T

here has been an increasing recognition of the important implications of religion/spirituality (R/S) to health, specially to mental health. Based on this, the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) has recently released a “Position Statement on Spirituality and Religion in Psychiatry”. Here we will discuss some aspects of the interface between R/S and mental health.

A negative view of R/S, considering it “primitive”, “superstitious”, “neurotic” and in inevitable conflict with science and medicine, prevailed in many intellectual circles during the last century. Several authors even foresaw R/S would disappear by the end on 20th Century. However, as we now know, R/S has changed but remains important for most humanity at the 21st Century. Given that, R/S has received much attention from medicine and science nowadays. Recent historical studies have found that interactions between R/S and medicine/science have been much more complex and usually positive than previously thought. In the last decades, more than 3,000 scientific studies have investigated the implications of R/S to health. These studies found that the several R/S dimensions (attendance to religious services, ways of framing life and its challenges, practices, experiences etc) are usually associated with better health outcomes such as lower mortality, depression, suicide, drug use/abuse and better quality of life.

Among the mechanism by which R/S impacts positively on health are: provision of social support, meaning to life and disease, healthy habits, and spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation. Some examples of positive religious coping strategies are: trying to put plans into action together with God or some higher power, to learn God’s lessons in the stressor, engaging in religious activities to shift focus from the stressor. On the other side, although less frequent, some forms of R/S may be related to worse health and quality of life: opposition to medical/psychological treatments, emphasis on guilt and other negative religious coping strategies such as feeling punished or abandoned by God or other spiritual entity, and passive deferral to God. In addition, faith-based health organizations have made major contributions to public health. Hospitals were initially created in Christian and Muslim religious contexts. Currently, 30 to 70% of the health infrastructure in Africa is 46 india empire | december 2016

owned by faith-based organizations. Religious institutions run most of the almost 2,000 ‘philanthropic hospitals’ in Brazil, a country where more than 250,000 volunteers of the Catholic Children’s Pastoral Care track monthly 1.8 million underserved children with positive impacts on child development, mortality and criminality.

Many patients seek support or treatment of R/S organizations or healers/leaders before seeing physicians or other conventional health care providers. Patients often have R/S treatments simultaneously, as a complement to orthodox treatments. Recent studies have also shown the positive impact of R/S intervention on mental health.

Given most Humanity has some form of R/S and it has implications for prevention, diagnosis (e.g., differentiation between spiritual experiences and mental disorders), treatment, and outcomes in mental health, R/S needs to be addressed whenever dealing with mental health. It follows bellow some topics of the WPA Position Statement on Spirituality and Religion in Psychiatry of interest to patients, relatives and the population as a whole: ● A tactful consideration of patients’ religious beliefs and practices as well as their spirituality should routinely be considered and will sometimes be an essential component of psychiatric history taking. ● The approach to religion and spirituality should be person-centered. Psychiatrists should not use their professional position for proselytizing for spiritual or secular worldviews. Psychiatrists should be expected always to respect and be sensitive to the spiritual/religious beliefs and practices of their patients, and of the families and carers of their patients. ● Psychiatrists, whatever their personal beliefs, should be willing to work with leaders/members of faith communities, chaplains and pastoral workers, and others in the community, in support of the well-being of their patients, and should encourage their multi-disciplinary colleagues to do likewise. ❐ —Dr. Alexander Moreira-Almeida, MD, PhD, is Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Brazil. Chair of the Section on Religion, Spirituality and Psychiatry of the World Psychiatric Association