India empire may 2016

CONteNts may 2016

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06 tRieD aND testeD indo-israel relations have gathered strategic momentum in the last one year

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tHe leGaCy OF sWami Rama First Convocation at the swami Rama Himalayan university

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DiPlOmaCy a comprehensive segment on the Netherlands, tunisia, mozambique and mongolia

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PataNJali sOaRs Baba Ramdev’s products storm indian consciousness

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Cover: DiplomatiC interview

H.E. DaniEl Carmon ambassaDor of israEl to inDia

“In 25 years, together, we’ve achieved a lot” Israel which has historical ties with India is now deepening and strengthening its relations on various fronts. In April, Israel was the Partner Country at the India Water Week which delegates taking up the urgent of issue of addressing drought-like conditions in India, water saving measures, and ensuring more crop for every drop of water spent. Relations received a big visibility boost when India’s President Hon’ble Mr Pranab Mukherjee visted Israel last year. India and Israel have deep cooperation in the field of security, defence, IT and related areas. Besides, more Indian students study in Israel than ever before.

Ambassador of Israel H.E. Daniel Carmon spoke to India Empire’s Editor and Publisher Sayantan Chakravarty on a range of issues at his office In April, Israel was a Country Partner for the India Water Week in New Delhi. We know how Israel has developed technology to create water from air, transforming sea water to drinking water, using the same drop of water twice. Please talk us through this phenomenal breakthrough pioneered by your scientists…

The India Water Week concluded with an impressive ceremony. But more than the ceremony we were impressed with the words spoken by the leadership of India. I was very impressed to hear what President of India said, by what the Water Resources Minister had to say, and what the Minister of Railways said. The Indian President congratulated the technologists and scientists of the Israeli Government for their achievement in the field of water, and their perennial quest to use water in a more efficient way. Our country does not enjoy plentiful of water resources, suffers from poor amount of annual rainfall, lacks underground water resources that many other countries have. When we got our independence, just like in other fields, out of necessity our country had to begin things from scratch. We had to raise a new health system, a modern education system, what we’d call our main development goals. But in a micro place called Israel, we were able to stay focused, and achieve our goals. We did so out of necessity. Our scientists took it as a priority to overcome our water scarcity, and pioneered many technological feats including in the treatment of water, its reuse, recycling, desalination, management. My generation was brought up with the dire need to save water. Every morning on radio we were reminded not to waste water at any cost. There was a lot of public awareness on using water sparingly and 6

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thoughtfully. It was a combination of science, policy and discipline that helped us overcome our shortage. But then, few years ago, a national water crisis hit us once more---it was the culmination of an ongoing crisis with several drought years taking their toll. All of a sudden, we had to fall back once again on technologies we had invented ourselves. These days, Israel is not suffering from any water scarcity. We have applied our technology to reuse, desalinate and recycle water. We use every drop thoughtfully and pioneered the concept of more crop per drop.

Ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations with India much progress has been made on the bilateral level. India is increasingly becoming central to Israel’s policy, politically, commercially, and in science and culture. Kindly elaborate on this…

For years Israel has been looking West. It wasn’t a mistake. The mistake was not looking East. Looking East implies looking at our potential friends, our potential markets, and our potential priorities on bilateral relations.

In the last 25 years since the establishment of our diplomatic relations we have found India to be a true friend, a reliable ally in various fields you’ve mentioned. Today, the areas of defence, agriculture, commerce, people-topeople contact combine to form the big puzzle called bilateral relations. We are relative newcomers to the Indian scene, after all 25 years isn’t a lot of time. But in these 25 years, together, we have achieved a lot, notwithstanding political impediments in the first few years. We have developed a very strong and reliable relationship. In the last about two years, the relationship has received an impor-

PhotograPhS © SiPra daS

DRIVING SEAT: Ambassador Daniel Carmon has been a driving force behind the deepening ties between Israel and India on several fronts

tant ingredient—visibility. So we have a relationship that has content, vibrant and growing in different fields, we are identifying more and more areas of cooperation. We have a free market so to speak which is bringing its own business. There are plenty of private sector initiatives. We bring what we can as Government to these relations. As two free, democratic nations, the idea is not only to identify new areas, but also give a political umbrella and encouragement to those relations. We are inclined towards more people to visit both sides, for more people to do be doing business with one another, and for the Governments to strengthen relations at political and other levels.

Talking of political exchanges, with the February 2015 visit of Defence Minister Ya’alon, is it correct to say that there is now deeper cooperation between Israel and India in the area of defence and civil aviation?

Yes. As I said before, the visibility of relations is a very important aspect. With the visit of the Minister of Defence and the visibility it achieved, the relationship has deepened. He became the first Minister of Defence on a visit to India while in office. It sent a very strong message, one that was part of a larger message of deepening IndoIsrael relations. His visit also came on the back of strong

ties in research and development, in exchange of technologies, in selling of systems and technologies. It also came at a crucial time coinciding with the beginning of new policy of the Indian Government, i.e. Make in India.

One of the strongest messages of our Minister of Defence when he came here, and that was a year ago, is that Israel will be very flexible in the programme of Make in India. He meant what he said. Israel is doing Make in India in the field of defence. He had come to participate at the Aero Show in Bengaluru. He followed it up with a visit to Delhi which was very significant. He met with the Indian Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Home Minister among others, and sent out a strong message that yes, Israel is interested in Make in India.

Israel’s expertise in cyber security is phenomenal.

Given that you yourself in a past assignment have served as Head of the Information and Internet Division in the Department of Public Affairs, what views do you hold on this subject, especially in view of Israel’s interest in Digital India programme?

There are a few elements in your question. When we look at the two countries, we find there are similarities.

There are inventors and innovators in IT, or what you may 2016 | india empire

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Cover: DiplomatiC interview

SMOOTH SAILING: While cooperation in defence, security and counter-terrorism has been an ongoing process, there is greater interest in Make in India, and taking relations to another level

refer to as cyber. I think there are a lot of possibilities for both countries to work together. Our entrepreneurs are in telecommunications, computer startups, digital technology, and I see a very positive future.

It is estimated that there are 85,000 Jews of Indian origin in Israel. What kind of proactive and positive role is the community playing in furthering and strengthening the historical Indo-Israel ties?

Indeed, a very positive role. A few months ago, I participated in a meeting that took place in Singapore between Prime Minister Modi and President of Israel. Both were attending the funeral of the former Singapore Prime Minister. PM Modi talked about the Jewish community of India, most of who are now living in Israel. It is the diaspora that has not forgotten its Indian homeland. PM Modi spoke about how this community has been, and always will be, a bridge between Israeli and Indian people. One also has to remember that the Jewish community in India has never suffered from any persecution in India. This is something that we, the Jewish people in India, do not want to forget.

We will always remember it, and always be grateful for this unique way in which Jews are treated here in India, ever since the first Jew came to this country. I was also gratified to hear that the new Indian ambassador to Israel had a meeting of representatives of the Jewish community of expatriate Indians who have immigrated to Israel. He sort of opened a new channel of communication, and started looking at ways in which to strengthen relations between himself and the Israelis of Indian origin in Israel.

As two knowledge-based economies, India and Is8

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rael have natural synergies in the field of education.

Please let us know about the bilateral cooperation in the area of education‌ Yes, if there are areas in which the potential has not been met yet, and I am saying this as an understatement, this is the field of education. On the one hand there is a very large percentage of Indian students that is studying in Israel. It is large compared to the overall number of foreign students studying in Israel. Ten per cent of foreign students studying in Israel are from India which is a lot, but the number is very small. That is because the capacity of Israeli Universities is small. But I can say in no uncertain terms that more and more of these Universities are trying to attract Indian students to come and study in Israel. During the last two important visits from India, first by the President, and then by the Foreign Minister, the issue of academic contacts, connections, channels were raised. This is because 12 different MoUs, mainly between Governments, but also among institutions, were signed when President of India was there. I remember the MoU signing event vividly, there were around 25 people from various universities in India that had accompanied the President.

Those MoUs are now to be implemented. More and more activity will be done through those universities.

There are funds, even if modest, available for joint research. More needs to be done, and ought to be done. I don’t want to say that this is the next big thing in our relation, but it is something that we should strengthen very much, and is one of our priorities to strengthen our relations through education, academics, science and technology. In Israel, every university has an affiliated

company, and it is a meeting point between academics and industry. Some of those companies are already in touch with Indian industry, and Indian academia, and we are confident that they will be working closely.

Major fields of interest for Indian students in Israel are agriculture, technology, IT, sciences with a specific interest in chemistry. Indian students obtain the highest number of post-docs in chemistry. A few years ago over 100 scholarships for post-doctoral studies were initiated, and most of them are in the grip of Indian students.

Has the quantum of investment of Israeli companies in India gone up? If so, is Make in India playing a part in that?

Yes, we are already Making in India because there are Israeli companies that are manufacturing in the field of agriculture. There is a modest but important trend of growing contacts between big Indian companies in the Israeli scene. Large Indian conglomerates like Tata, Mahindra, Birla, Reliance Group, Adani Group, have shown interest. There has been some acquisition of Israeli startups by the big Indian companies. We, therefore, have a situation where there is plenty of interest in the Startup nation that is Israel. We see more and more delegations from Indian companies to Israel. They are scouting, identifying, and helping grow what is today a Startup, and what tomorrow may well be an entire industry. Because when you catch them young, and small, it is a good start. These startups could be in the automotive sector, in defence, computers, management, and so many other fields. Israel is one of the biggest hotbeds for startups. I think one or two good success stories will give more appetite to investors.

Defence will be strengthened by Make in India, and so will the growing ingredient of R & D. Our relationship cannot, and will not, be based only on the element of buying and selling. It is much more profound. It has been tested, not once, and without going into too many details we are witness to what joint Israeli-India R & D has done in the field.

And I think we are all very satisfied.

You have mentioned that it has been like a climax in your diplomatic career to have come to India.

Please elaborate on why you say so?

Well that is a very personal appraisal of things. I have been stationed at many places. But from a certain perspective—and again it has to be my personal-professional view of looking at things—it is the importance of the Indian-Israeli relationship that makes it like you say, a climax. That relationship is paramount. Secondly, I feel as if I have prepared myself during my career, especially during the last 10 years, to come to this post. For I did a few posts that were important professionally and personally, for instance, working as an Ambassador to the United Nations, where not everything is only politics. There are also a lot of other ingredients connected to development, and positive things that the international community can do, like working for the International Development Cooperation.

But the biggest project is here in India. I felt that during those 10 years, I was preparing myself to come here, and

PEACE PLANS: One of the objectives of the Indo-Israel relations is to ensure peace and stability in the sub-continent as well as in West Asia

eventually being like a practitioner and implementer of something that I call is a new kind of diplomacy. This has ingredients from traditional diplomacy, and has a new language. This new language is something that India-Israel relations are enjoying very much.

In India we face the scourge of terrorism too.

Given the reality of our two countries, is the cooperation on counter-terrorism between Israel and India quite significant at the moment?

The cooperation on counter terrorism is an important ingredient in our bilateral relations. We have similar challenges. We can share with each other the methods, the systems, the capabilities and the tools that we have in our hands. We signed an important Homeland Security in Counter Terrorism agreement 2 years ago. This agreement should be implemented vigorously by both countries. And this is part of what we are doing here. To try and have it implemented.

Please describe some the most attractive business opportunities that lie for Indian businesses in Israel?

How about tourism opportunities?

I would say, if one thing is lacking, is satisfactory knowledge of each other. We do not know enough about India, India does not know enough about Israel. We should have more tourists, more flights, more Israelis coming to India, and more Indians going to Israel. When we look at the huge list of priorities that we have here at this embassy, developing this knowledge is definitely one of them, including tourism, including culture. Cultural bands are visiting each other, and performing. A few weeks ago I went to Nehru Park and witnessed a performance by an Israeli drummer. It was unbelievable to see the connect between this drummer from West Asia and â?? the Indian audience. may 2016 | india empire

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viewS oF top oFFiCialS

Mr Barak Granot

Mr Uri Schor

Head of Economic and Trade Department Embassy of Israel in India

Spokesperson Water Authority, Israel

On the significance of Israel’s participation at the India Water Week…

Israel has the knowledge, knowhow, expertise in combating drought situations, converting sea water to drinking water (desaliMr Barak granot nation), recycling waste water through advance STPs. We are a water scarce country and have been facing many challenges similar to India. We have been recycling 80 per cent of waste water, which is the highest in the world and we are keen to share our experience with our Indian friends.

On Israel’s techniques of water management…

The standard of life has increased, and, therefore, demand for water has increased. In the past 10 years we in Israel have managed to cope and deal with the Mr Uri Schor situation. More than half the water supply for all uses is manmade water, and not natural water, including potable water. We first cut down demand in households. We carried out sustained media campaigns, installed special devices on taps, showers, toilet tanks to conserve water. Through a concerted effort we managed to reduce domestic use in households by 18 per cent, which in absolute terms is a lot of water. We reduced leakages from pipes. We recycled sewage water from agriculture and provided good recycled water. We did desalination from sea and brackish water. We did face difficulties, people used to ask how by cutting down on their shower time they could save Israel’s water. But when you do so and cut down your shower time by 2 minutes, it saves 40 to 60 litres of water. If you double it, then the results are even better. When everyone starts doing it, the impact is significant and large. We quantified our saving of water, and put a cost to this conservation. Plenty of education and campaigning was required for this, but we did it. By saving 18 percent water, we were saving the cost of running two desalination plants, and it is a significant amount of money.

On the 2008 - 2009 water crisis in Israel…

It was so severe that there were commercials all over TV, radio, newspapers urging the people of Israel to stop watering lawns, gardens, and start conserving water. Twenty four municipal corporations were created, Israel’s public expenditure on water was increased, loss through leaking pipes during distribution was almost completely arrested. Large investments were made to improve infrastructure. It helped us overcome a variety of difficulties in the arena of sewage water, household water, agriculture water.

On diversion of recycled waste water…

Eighty per cent of it is diverted directly to agriculture fields and also for gardening. In Delhi’s neighbourhoods for instance, I see sewage water being used directly in gardens, it can create an issue of sanitation since you are growing things there. We would definitely treat that water and make it better, may not be potable, but certainly purer than sewage water before supplying it to the gardens.

On converting arid land into agricultural fields…

Sixty per cent of our land was desert. The average rainfall was less than that in Rajasthan. We have managed technology to increase waterfall. We have aircraft drop chemicals on clouds that are moving over Israel from the Mediterranean Sea. We turn them into rain, before the clouds move to other areas. Then we have huge containers and reservoirs for drinking water storage. We treat waste water coming out of factories, sewage canals, homes. We have STPs in every city. But the scale of our requirement cannot be compared with yours. Tel Aviv ❐ has a million people, Delhi has 22 million.

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On the revolutionary water out of air technique…

Yes, we are doing this by creating a drop in the cloud earlier than it is expected. And unlike electricity, water can be stored. We use chemicals for rains. We will be helping India in this matter as far as we can.

On the concept of more crop per drop…

Since our water crisis was severe, we had to use technology not only to save water, or increase its supply, but also on how to cope with minimum water. We continued to create new options. We created the drip irrigation system, and now it is being used in India increasingly. It ensures that every root gets the same amount of water as the other one. It gets the water exactly where it needs to receive it, not to its right, or to its left. This precision increases productivity. We don’t flood the area, and we do not allow the water to go deeper than the root, because then it is a wastage. So for every cubic litre of water, you get more crop. So it’s more crop per drop. ❐

Government, JuDiCiary, BuSineSS PictUreS By SiPra daS

MONTHLY SNAPSHOTS

Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi shares a quiet word with Chief Justice of India Mr T.S. Thakur at the start of the joint conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts

At the joint conference, Mr N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh greets fellow CMs—Mr Manohar Lal Khattar of Haryana, Ms Anandiben Patel of Gujarat, Mr Laxmikant Y Parsekar of Goa, and Mr Virbhadra Singh of Himachal Pradesh

At the joint conference, Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh greets fellow CMs—Mr M.L. Khattar of Haryana and Mr Virbhadra Singh of Himachal Pradesh

Mr Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (IC) and Parliamentary Affairs at the FICCI Ladies Organization meet 12 india empire | may 2016

DiplomatiC appointmentS

FOur PreSeNT

creDeNTIALS Envoys of Australia, Britain, Iraq, and Ukraine presented their credentials to President Pranab Mukherjee at a ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhavan in April.

New Australian High Commissioner Harinder Kaur Sidhu is of Indian origin, and has been a senior official in the foreign affairs and trade department while her British counterpart, Sir Dominic Anthony Gerard Asquith, is a senior diplomat who has earlier served as ambassador to Iraq, Egypt and Libya. Mr Fakhri Hassan Mahdi Al-Issa of Iraq, and Mr Igor Polikha of Ukraine also presented their credentials

The High Commissioner-designate of Britain, Sir Dominic Asquith, KCMG, presenting his Credential to the President, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on April 04, 2016

The Ambassador-designate of Ukraine, Mr Igor Polikha presenting his Credential to the President, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on April 04, 2016

The Ambassador-designate of Iraq, Mr Fakhri Hassan Mahdi Al-Issa presenting his Credential to the President, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on April 04, 2016

The High Commissioner-designate of Australia, Ms Harinder Kaur Sidhu presenting her Credential to the President, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on April 04, 2016

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DiplomatiC Feature

Indian-origin diplomats in New Delhi By rakesh ahuja Earlier in April, Harinder Sidhu presented her credentials to President Pranab Mukherjee as Australia's High Commissioner to India. She thus joins two other western Heads of Mission of Indian origin in New Delhi—Ambassador Richard R. Verma of the United States and High Commissioner Nadir Patel of Canada. It was not always like this. A western power being represented in India in any capacity by a non-Anglo Saxon/Celtic was unthinkable just 20 odd years ago—until the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs broke the mold by appointing me, India born, as Australia's Deputy High Commissioner to New Delhi. The mosaic of reactions both at home and in India to this path-breaking move gives some idea of the prevailing social climate then.

Reservations about my appointment were discernible enough in the corridors of foreign policy-related establishments in Canberra. But political correctness kept them muted.

Though New Delhi was nowhere near as sought after as Washington or London, the post-1991 reformist India was beginning to bud in official consciousness as a posting to make a mark in. My selection did not exactly endear me to other contenders. There was restrained amusement too at the Department's naivety in assuming that sending a 'native' to his original habitat would somehow improve bilateral diplomatic relations with a 'difficult' country. Overall, my selection was perceived at best as presenting a new visage of Australian diplomacy on the Asian stage and, at worst, as the Foreign Secretary currying favour with the ruling Labor Government, which was unequivocally committed to multiculturalism in public service.

On my part, I was just plain worried. It is one thing to have served in Beijing, Moscow and Hanoi among others, but quite another to be the first ethnic in the halls of western diplomacy in Delhi. After all, in the broader geo-political context, I had to work closely with other western missions there. And then there were the unknowns of working in the Indian environment. I sought counsel from both local and foreign observers of the local scene. The unanimous advice was to reject the appointment. Reason? Given the petitionary mores of Delhi's political, bureaucratic and business elite in a still closed economy, I would be inundated with demands for "assistance" with visas, foreign alcohol and other objects of desire, invitations to dinners and events. Why? Because I would be seen as one of them and expected to behave the Indian way—and all that it implied.

Still, reassured of support at the highest levels, off I went.

On the ground at the Australian High Commission, it was par for the course in working with Australian colleagues (apart from an Australian spouse who kept introducing me to Indians, well-meaningly but disconcertingly, as "believe it or not, this is our DHC"). The notable difference from serving in other Australian missions was the reaction of the local (Indian) staff, long used to taking orders from Caucasians. I learnt later of their anxieties at being saddled with 22 india empire | may 2016

an Indian-style babu, but these dissipated within weeks.

The reaction of the diplomatic community was tellingly a mixed bag. It was then de-rigueur for an incoming senior diplomat to call on his counterparts in missions of interest to Australia. I covered about thirty. Presenting myself for the appointment at the British High Commission, much confusion ensued: it had all been a "mistake" and the meeting was politely "postponed" (inevitably followed next day by profuse apologies and a sheepish call on me instead). The appointment with the US Embassy kept getting delayed until presumably they had 'cleared' me as a genuine article. New Zealanders and Canadians were warmly welcoming.

The Russians, fully aware of my six (Cold War) years in Moscow handling a portfolio quite unpalatable to the then Soviet Union, were downright suspicious, tinged with a hint of hostility. The Chinese evinced much wariness, for e.g., on working together on issues of mutual interest, the crass undiplomatic response was "we will do so with your colleagues", casting doubts on my credibility as a genuine Australian representative. Singapore apart, other Asian diplomats were visibly confounded, but once recovered, marveled at what they perceived to be a stealthy Australian diplomatic ploy. No sense of my professional merit entered their calculations! Outside the cloistered Chanakyapuri chanceries, and the Ministry of External Affairs whose staffers had known me or about me over the years in previous official reincarnations, it was uniformly a case of being greeted with undisguised disbelief by Indian bureaucrats. Instead of discussing the official matter at hand, invariably one had to first walk through a barrage of what we would deem personal questions -- the how and why of a "non-white" being the DHC. It was all inoffensive, but somewhat wearisome.

The indelible emotional footprint left on my mind after the six year posting was one of having received overwhelming warmth, blended with visible pride, and full working cooperation from Indians of all stations. While it is not for me to judge the value of my contribution to AustraliaIndia relations, I can confidently assert that my appointment as a senior Australian representative did much to undermine the then Indian elite's highly negative views of Australia, largely informed by still fresh memories of the White Australia policy.

And it served as a precedent for other western governments; today Indian origin diplomats abound in their missions in New Delhi. They would do well to give credit to the Australian Foreign Service for initiating a multicultural presence in the western diplomatic corps long before it be❐ came the norm in India (or elsewhere).

—Rakesh Ahuja is a former member of the Australian foreign service who served as a Australian Deputy High Commissioner in India. He can be reached at Rakesh.Ahuja@axessindia.com

raShtrapati Bhavan PictUreS By SiPra daS

PADMA AWArDS

Veteran thespian Mr Rajinikanth receives the Padma Vibhushan for Art-Cinema from President of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee

Playback singer Mr Udit Narayan Jha receives the Padma Bhushan

Tennis superstar Ms Sania Mirza receives the Padma Bhushan

Actress Ms Priyanka Chopra receives the Padma Shri

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DIASPORA NEWS

interview with eminent GloBal inDian

tan sri Datuk mohan swami Chancellor, swami rama Himalayan University and Executive Chairman, Perdana University, malaysia

“India is now recognized as a world leader” Tan Sri Datuk Dr Mohan Swami is the Chancellor of Swami Rama Himalayan University in Dehradun which held its first convocation in April, and is also the Executive Chairman of the Perdana University in Malaysia.

A world renowned medical doctor, and a deeply philosophical man, he dialogued with India Empire’s Sayantan Chakravarty on issues close to his heart As a PIO, how do you see India progressing?

The Government of India has taken some bold initiatives over the last two years. The blueprint for progress is indeed encouraging. The strong mandate given by the electorate has helped the leaders to plan efficiently and effectively. However we will only see the results of these initiatives in two or three years. The spirit, morale and of course the expectations of the ordinary Indian and those overseas have been lifted tremendously and is buoyant. India is now recognised as a world leader and superpower. The Prime Minister has through his actions brought honour and respect to Indians and OCIs globally. His policies have definitely brought an immense shift in the way we ourselves think and act. One can for sure witness progress on many fronts but this progress has to be swifter and sustainable.

Please let us know about your vision of the Swami Rama Himalayan university of which you are Chancellor…

As Chancellor of the Swami Rama Himalayan University, my vision is the same as that of my Gurudev, HH Swami Rama, the Founder of this Institution. He had a fire in him to bring progress to the Uttarakhand region where there were limited educational and healthcare opportunities for the people. Two decades ago they had to travel far to Delhi or Chandigarh for availing treatment. When he established the hospital in 1991 in the current site, it was with a prophesy to make it into an educational and healthcare hub. Now we have a state of the art hospital with more than 750 beds which provides quality care to the people of the region and beyond.

Our Cancer Research Institute is one its kind in the entire State. The University has grown steadily from offering medical undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to other programmes in the Schools of Nursing, Engineering, Management, Skills Training, and others. We also have an Alternate Medicine Treatment centre. In addition, he set up the 28 india empire | may 2016

Rural Development Institute (which has been granted mother NGO status) and does yeomen social service to the underserved mountain areas. Hundreds of scholarships are provided by the Himalayan Institute Trust annually to the children of this region to pursue their schooling. There are plans to commence other basic courses. The Vice Chancellor Dr Vijay Dhasmana and his team are doing an excellent work.

The work is still far from being complete. There is so much more that can be done. The members of the Board of Governors have a commitment. They support the Management, staff and faculty in their pursuit of excellence. I have requested everyone who works at our University to strive to enable it to become a premier institution in India and perhaps one day achieve global rankings. Though there are thousands of colleges and universities in India, only very few have achieved world rankings. In order for this to change, the Government must ensure quality of education and encourage research. For the quality to improve nationally, all the stakeholders must have similar zeal and ideals.

This can only be accomplished if there is a sense of selflessness in the leadership of the educational institutions and the politicians. HH Swami Rama exhibited this quality completely as a way of life and that is why SRHU is able to serve the needs of the people to the extent that we can without compromising on quality.

Please also let us know the vision of Perdana university where you are Executive Chairman of the Board of Governors…

Perdana University in Malaysia is relatively young. It was established as a Public Private Partnership project by the Government of Malaysia in 2011. The vision is also to make Perdana as a premier university. We emphasise a lot about quality. For a young establishment it has done reasonably well. The first cohort graduates this year. Our collaboration

Tan Sri Datuk Dr Mohan Swami, Chancellor, Swami Rama Himalayan University, delivers his speech at the 1st Convocation on April 1, 2016

with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has been an unique experience and proven to be successful. The degree that is offered is accredited by the Irish Medical Council. The University offers other programmes as well. The support from the Government of Malaysia for the project has been overwhelming and this has enabled us to grow steadily from strength to strength. Governments in developing countries must work closely with the private sector to deliver basic education, healthcare and other essential services. This will reduce their burden and make them focus on other important deliverables.

What kind of academic tie-ups have you recently concluded at Perdana?

At Perdana, we pay special attention to research. Research forms the backbone of innovation, creativity and progress. We have a collaboration agreement with another institution - University of California, San Diego, a top-rated US institution that has a strong research and academic background. The Malaysian Medical Council however is yet to accredit this four year graduate entry programme which is the first of its kind in the country. Sometimes one has to be bold to accept changes in systems. Most developed countries have adopted this four year American style medical programme as an alternate pathway. Malaysia, like India, is familiar only with the British style 5 year programme. I learnt from my Gurudev to be patient but to persevere.

Our home grown School of Bioinformatics and Data Sciences is highly rated. We are one of the few Universities to offer postgraduate courses in this area of specialisation.

It is said you have been inspired by Higher Living in the Himalayas. When did you make your first journey from Malaysia to the Indian mountains?

HH Swami Rama’s autobiography Living with the Himalayan Masters transformed my life. As soon as I completed the second reading on the same day, I knew what I wanted. On the same day on 1st September 1990, I went looking for him in Rishikesh. He brought me to the barren land four days later (in which stands the Education hub now) and said: “It is my Master’s wish that I build a hospital here and a medical school to serve the people of this region. It will become a medical city one day”. The prophesy has come true. He always advocated that one needs to do seva selflessly and the Divine Mother will look after the rest.

Who is your favourite author?

My favourite author kept changing as I grew from school through university to working life. From 1990 it has been Swami Rama. He has authored so many books and each of them signals a profound message. Besides Living with the Himalayan Masters, there is one—Enlightenment without God and another two books Path of fire and Light vol 1 and 2. He has many more and all his books convey the message and wisdom of the Himalayan Masters and ancient Sages in a very scientific yet basic and understandable form.

Who is that world leader that you have felt inspired by?

There is not one. There are many. From an early age, I admired Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi and Marx.

Later on it was Kennedy, Castro and briefly Indira Gandhi may 2016 | india empire 29

interview with eminent GloBal inDian

and Mahathir. In recent years it shifted to Obama and now Prime Minister Modi. I do hope Modi is able to deliver what he has promised the people and sustain it. He would then probably be the last of my heroes.

The Great Amma is hosted by you in Malaysia. What is the greatest life lesson she has imparted to you…

HH Amritanandamayi or Amma as everyone knows her permeates love and purity. Being in her presence is a divine experience. The greatest lesson I learnt is to surrender oneself to the Divinity within you. She is a great humanitarian soul who practices what she preaches selflessly just like my Gurudev. I consider myself blessed to be able serve Her. She does immense work to lift the masses from their suffering.

God knows where she derives so much energy to travel the globe and touch the lives of so many and create so much joy for so many.

Do you agree that we are Spiritual beings having a human experience?

My Gurudev taught me that all of God’s creation are part of the Divinity. He commenced all his speeches with “I pray to the Divinity in you”. He often told us “that God dwells in the

cave of your heart. Why do you look for him everywhere else?” When we are born, we come into this known world until we depart into the unknown. It is important therefore to understand and know about death so that there is no fear of it. The experience we have as humans in this world must be one of self-transformation for the better. We should not create new desires for ourselves which in turn create new karmas and samskaras. I believe in the philosophy of living in this world and yet being above it. If only mankind can understand the reasons why we have been born and who we are as individual souls; and then make an effort to lead our life accordingly, the whole world will be different. Can you imagine what an experience it would be to live in Sathya Yuga?

The Hindu scriptures and the Vedas contain so much detailed information on how we can conduct ourselves. On how to make our lives, and that of others, more meaningful through love. However the texts can take us only to a particular level. The most important point is to receive direct knowledge through contemplation. Proper breathing techniques, meditation and yoga are steps that take us in that direction. The Guru can guide and bless us. Ultimately it is between the individual and his creator. And that can only be achieved by our own actions and through contemplation. ❐

cONVOcATION AT SWAMI rAMA HIMALAYAN uNIVerSITY The 1st Convocation of the Swami Rama Himalayan University was held at the campus in Dehradun on April 1, 2016. At the invitation of the University’s Chancellor, Tan Sri Datuk Dr Mohan Swami, the President of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee was the chief guest. The other honoured guest was Dr K K Paul, the Governor of Uttarakhand, who presided as the Visitor. The President bestowed gold medals and certificates of merit to 30 toppers. A total of 288 undergraduate and postgraduate students were conferred degrees at the Convocation. Also present on dais was Dr Vijay Dhasmana, Vice Chancellor. In attendance were various former chief ministers, serving MPs and MLAs, senior Government functionaries, defence officials and distinguished businessmen. The University is a rich legacy of Swami Rama, a very high Spiritual leader from the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand

30 india empire | may 2016

Captions: Opposite Page—(From left, first row) Vice Chancellor Dr Vijay Dhasmana, Uttarakhand Governor Dr K K Paul, President of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee, Chancellor Tan Sri Datuk Dr Mohan Swami, and the Secretary, HIHT. (Clockwise from right): President Mukherjee lighting the inaugural lamp, President delivering his speech, President presenting a medal to a student, President arrives with Governor Paul, President being welcomed by Chancellor with a bouquet

may 2016 | india empire 31

DiaSpora in the uSa

Preet Bharara at Queens Civic Congress Biennial

P

rominent U.S. attorney for the southern district, New York, Mr Preet Bharara was the keynote speaker at a luncheon by the Queens Civic Congress. The capacity attendance event also featured Queens Borough President Melida Katz and several other notable elected officials. The event was sponsored by Queens Civic Congress Foundation and held at Antun’s in Queens Village. Mr Bharara was introduced by Vice President, QCC, Mr Ashook Ramsaran with a warm welcome of admiration and appreciation. Mr. Bharara recounted his family’s journey from India to USA and the many opportunities in the USA which contributed to his success as a notable and quite visible official in New York State and indeed the entire USA. Bharara reiterated determination and relentless pursuits of his office to enforce and encourage accountability in all sectors, and provide protection from predators and those who do not abide by the rule of law. He said that “fair and equitable treatment under the law applies to everyone regardless of position or standing and is a cornerstone of United States of America”.

Earlier, Mr Paul Kerzner, President, Queens Civic Congress Foundation, welcomed the guests, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by Hon. Melinda Katz. QCC president Mr Harbachan Singh welcomed members and guests, acknowledging the important role of members and officers for the successes of QCC activities focusing on improving the quality of life issues. Mr. Singh also expressed due gratitude and outlined several future plans, Presentation of various proclamations and resolutions to the 3 honorees was done

by Hon. Melinda Katz and NYS Senator Tony Avella.

In his remarks, State Sen. Tony Avella congratulated QCC and the honorees, citing the advocacy of QCC on community issues Kevin Forrestal, executive vice president of QCC, made presentations on behalf of several elected officials. In her speech, Hon. Melinda Katz thanked QCC for its issues oriented community efforts and remarked on the appeal, diversity and progress in Queens which is fast becoming the destination of visitors to New York.

QCC Civic Achievement Awards 2016 for high achievements in community service were presented to: James Gallagher, Jr. (President, Fresh Meadows Homeowners Civic Association) presented by QCC vice president Kim Ohanian; Warren Schreiber (President, Bay Terrace Community Alliance) presented by QCC vice president Tyler Cassell; Christina Wilkinson (President, Newtown Historical Society) presented by QCC treasurer James A. Trent.

Other elected officials in attendance included several NYC council members and NYS senators and assembly 32 india empire | may 2016

Keynote speaker Preet Bharara shown with officials of QCC in USA

members. NYS Assemblyman David Weprin congratulated QCC and the honorees for outstanding community work.

QCC vice president Richard Hellenbrecht made the concluding remarks, citing several QCC initiatives and support for many important community issues. Hellenbrecht also welcome the youth group of Civic Activism Network (CAN) and thanked Elmhurst United for supporting CAN’s participation. Music was provided by John Walters. ❐

Mr Ashook Ramsaran, Vice President, Queens Civic Congress, presents a copy of India Empire Publications “Global Indian Diaspora” to Consul General of India in New York, Ms Riva Ganguly Das

DiaSpora BoDy eleCtionS

NeW GOPIO TeAM

Mr Niraj Baxi

G

Mr Inder Singh

Mr Noel Lal

Mr Ram Gadhavi

Dr. Rajeev Mehta

Mr Rajendre Tiwari

Ms Suman Kapoor

Dr. Pradip Sewoke

lobal Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) elected a new international executive council at a warmly contested election, conducted electronically for the first time, where 208 of the 223 international delegates from 21 countries cast votes, electing Mr. Niraj Baxi of Silicon Valley (USA) as its President. Other elected officers are: Mr. Noel Lal (Sydney, Australia) as Executive Vice President, Mr. Ram Gadhavi (New Jersey, USA) Vice President, Dr. Rajeev Mehta (USA), Dr. Pradip Sewoke (France), Mrs. Suman Kapoor (New Zealand), and Mr. Rajidre Tiwari (The Netherlands) as International Coordinators.

The election process was supervised by GOPIO Chairman, Inder Singh who will continue in that position. Formed in 1989 at the First Global Convention of People of Indian Origin, GOPIO has now reached most countries with a sizable Indian Diaspora population. In the past, GOPIO elections were generally held at its biennial conventions, wherein only a fraction of the international delegates could participate. However, with new technologies being available, the present election was held electronically with a record participation by 93% of the international delegates. With India at the threshold of accepting new technologies and business investments, the new team has come up with a motto,

"GOPIO Means Business" so as to attract Indian Diaspora entrepreneurs and businessmen to take more interest in investing in India in all spheres, in business, philanthropy, education, healthcare and social causes.

"With an investment and business-friendly government in India, we see a lot of opportunity for the Indian Diaspora to invest and actively participate in India's development," said President NirajBaxi. GOPIO Executive Vice President Noel Lal said that GOPIO would reach out to all countries where we have the Diaspora presence. Vice President Ram Gadhavi, who has brought Gujarati Diaspora writers on a common platform in the US, plans to extend it to all Indian writers on a global GOPIO forum. GOPIO Founder President, Dr. Thomas Abraham, who also serves as the Executive Trustee of GOPIO Foundation said that GOPIO will increase its social and philanthropic activities in India, as well as in countries with a large Indian Diaspora population. Baxi further said that he would work towards making GOPIO the voice of any and all NRIs and PIOs and would take initiatives in growing GOPIO in all countries and regions of the world. "In all our internal and external activities, we want to bring about fairness, transparency and accountability; there are many challenges that lie ahead of us and we need good wishes and continued hard work from â?? everyone," Baxi continued. may 2016 | india empire 33

inDianS in uK

Indians honoured in London

B

By anasudhin azeez

ritish Parliament Speaker John Bercow urged the Indian diaspora in Britain to engage more with mainstream politics and get proper representation in Parliament. "The community makes a huge contribution to British life, and I hope its members will continue to build on its successes, both in terms of representation in Parliament and more widely across our national life," the Asian Lite daily quoted Bercow as saying. He made the speech in April while presenting the Asian Lite Pranam Awards to seven prominent members of the British Indian community. The award recipients were economist Lord Meghnad Desai, British-Indian politician Shreela Flather, BBC's former sports editor Mihir Bose, refugeeturned-multi-millionaire Rami Ranger, Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan Executive Director Mattur N. Nandakumara, rights activist and writer Zerbanoo Gifford, and T. Ramachandran, CEO and MD of Bristol Laboratories.

The event, held at Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, was attended by several prominent members of the Indian community and British MPs including Bob Blackman. The Pranam Awards were instituted by the Asian Lite daily to honour members of the Indian community for their contribution to British culture, economy, business, media and sport sectors. Seven members of the third generation British Asians—poetess Divya Mathur, media personality Rafeek Ravuther, London junior chamber former president Nahas Abdul Jaleel, Here and Now 365 MD Manish Tiwari, and journalists Dhiren Katwa and Navdeep Singh—paid tributes to the award winners. Flather was the first Asian woman to receive a peerage and the first from the ethnic minorities in the House of Lords. She has worked for several humanitarian causes, fighting for social justice, refugees, community, race relations and those in prisons.

Meghnad Desai is a Labour Peer and spearheaded the campaign to install the Mahatma Gandhi Statue at Parliament Square in London. Desai, an ardent supporter of the Labour Party, wrote several books on economics. He was a former professor at the London School of Economics (LSE). Rami Ranger is one of the most successful Indianorigin businessmen in Britain. His firm Sun Mark Ltd won six Queen's Award. Ranger, the youngest son of Indian freedom fighter Nanak Singh, began his life as a refugee boy in Delhi and now runs a $280 million turn worth company.

T. Ramachandran helped Bristol Laboratories to grow from a company with one person and one product in 2001 to the one that employs over 600 people across Britain now.

Mihir Bose, who came to England to study engineering but was trained in accountancy, became one of the most respected journalists. He has worked with Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph and became the first sports editor for BBC. Mattur Nandakumara is a Sanskrit scholar who teached at Cambridge and Eton. He hails from the only Sanskrit speaking village of Mattur in Karnataka and holds a PhD in 34 india empire | may 2016

Lord Meghnad Desai

Ms Shreela Flather

Mr Mihir Bose

Dr Rami Ranger

Ms Zerbanoo Gifford

Mr T. Ramachandran

devotional literature from School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

Zerbanoo Gifford was the first non-white woman to stand for British Parliament in 1982. She won several recognitions for her involvement in national and international humanitarian activities. Zerbanoo was elected to the Liberal Party's Federal Executive, again the first non-white to be elected onto any governing body of a British political party. â??

DiaSpora newS

Amrinder cancels rallies Mr Amrinder Singh

Former Chief Minister and Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh has been forced to cancel his political rallies in Canada following objections raised within the Canadian Government.

"On the request of the Foreign Ministry of Canada, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) President and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha,

Capt. Amarinder Singh, has cancelled his plans to hold political rallies in Toronto and Vancouver," Amarinder's spokesman announced in April.

Amarinder Singh was informed by Foreign Secretary S. Jaishanker that the Canadian rules, under Global Affairs Policy, prevent foreign governments and individuals from conducting election campaigns in Canada.

"Since his political conference could have violated the rules of the host country, he has decided to cancel them," the spokesman said. Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a human rights advocacy group, had lodged a complaint with the Canadian government against the election activities planned by Amarinder Singh. "By targeting Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) living in Canada, canvassing for their votes and holding fundraising events in Toronto and Vancouver, Amarinder Singh would be in violation of Canadian government policy," the SFJ said. "Since the host country does not allow such events, I thought it was better to cancel them," his statement said. "I would, however, look forward to meeting my fellow Punjabis in their homes and small groups to ensure the compliance of the host country's laws," it added.

Subhash Chandra feted Zee TV and Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra received the $50,000 Global Indian Award from the Canada-India Foundation in Toronto in April. The award was presented by Canada's Investment Minister Navdeep Bains at a glittering gala attended by top leaders.

In his acceptance speech, Chandra said it was "really a humbling experience". He said he was accepting this award from the Indian diaspora despite his decision 10 years ago to reject the Indian Government's Padma award for promoting Indian culture worldwide.

The TV mogul said: "I was just doing my duty to my motherland to take Indian culture around the globe." He said "Vasudhaiva kutumbakam -- the world is one family" was his motto behind promoting Indian culture by launching channels to cater to Arabic, Russian, German, Portuguese, French and Spanish speakers around the world.

Welcoming Chandra to Canada, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said the Canadian award for him was an indication of deepening ties between the two countries. Canada-India Foundation chairman Ajit Someshward said: "This award is open to any Indian who has made us global Indians proud. Subhash Chandra has made us proud by taking Indian culture

globally through his TV network."

The Canada-India Foundation, which promotes participation by Indian-Canadians in public policy and politics, has given this award in the past to late former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, telecom pioneer Sam Pitroda, Ratan Tata and Deepak Chopra.

Chandra donated his award money to Eklavya schools which provide education to India's poor in far-flung areas of the country.

may 2016 | india empire 35

DiaSpora newS

PArsis lAuded

H.E. Mr Navtej Sarna

Indian High Commissioner Navtej Sarna lauded the Parsi community for its role in India's freedom struggle as well as in post-independence nation-building.

Sarna was speaking at an event held under the aegis of the Zoroastrian All Party Parliamentary Group, in association with the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Eu-

rope (ZTFE), in the committee hall of the British Parliament in April.

The envoy recalled that a handful of people from Iran had landed on Indian shores more than a thousand years ago seeking a place where they could freely profess and pursue their religion. The Zoroastrians, or Parsis as they came to be known, had been absorbed into India's patchwork quilt of religions and ethnicities. Maintaining their strong sense of identity and culture, the Parsis had contributed to India richly over the centuries. The high commissioner recalled personalities like Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Dr Homi Bhaba, Field Marshall Sam Maneckshaw and Maestro Zubin Mehta who had all played a great role in various fields in modern Indian history, said an official statement from the Indian high commission on Tuesday.

Sarna was the special guest speaker along with two others, David Landsman, Head of TATA in the UK, and Sir Mominic Cadbury, former chairman of Cadbur y and Schweppes, on the topic 'Faith-based ethics in Business: The Cadbury and The Tata Way'. The event was chaired by Lord Karan Bilimoria.

Cabinet approves MoU The union cabinet in April gave its approval for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on skill development with US-based NGO Wadhwani Operating Foundation (WOF).

The trilateral MoU is to be between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), and the Wadhwani Operating Foundation. "The MoU will assist in facilitating and supporting skill development initiatives in the country through multi-skill institutes and skill universities along with promotion and creation of an eco-system for skill development," a government statement said.

The statement said that over the span of three years, Wadhwani Operating Foundation would contribute $30 million to $40 Million to promote mutually-agreed skill and entrepreneurship development initiatives. "The MSDE would provide support to integrate skill development initiatives in schools and institutions of higher education in a more organised and structured manner by pooling resources and setting up state programme management units as required," the statement said. It said that the MSDE would set up multi-skill insti-

36 india empire | may 2016

Mr Rajiv Pratap Rudy

tutes and skill universities with the help of sector skill councils and the NSDC.

DiaSpora newS

Apology for Komagata Maru

Mr Justin Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that he will offer a full apology for a government decision in 1914 to deny entry of Sikhs in the country.

"As a nation, we should never forget the prejudice suffered by the Sikh community at the hands of the Canadian government of the day. We should not and we will not," Xinhua quoted Trudeau as saying. "That is why on May 18 I will stand in the House of Commons and offer a full apology for the Komagata Maru incident," he said.

The chartered Japanese ship Komagata Maru sailed into the Vancouver harbor on May 23, 1914, with 376 people from Punjab. Most of them were Sikhs. The Canadian government refused to allow the passengers to disembark and Komagata Maru sat in the harbor for two months. On July 23, 1914, the Komagata Maru was escorted out to sea by a Canadian naval cruiser and returned to India, where 20 people were killed as they tried to disembark and the others were jailed.

Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan, who was the first Sikh-Canadian to command a Canadian army reserve regiment, has tweeted that he is "truly honoured" by Trudeau's commitment to a formal apology.

Zuma’s son resigns South African President Jacob Zuma's son Duduzane Zuma has resigned as the non-executive director of Oakbay Resources and Energy owned by the Indian Gupta family, a statement in April said.

Duduzane said he quit Oakbay in order to "depoliticise" his participation in business and to preserve jobs, Xinhua cited the statement as saying. This came after aspersions were "cast on me and my family", Duduzane said in the statement. The Gupta family, which reportedly has close ties with President Zuma, his family and the ruling African National Congress (ANC), has been under fire for exerting undue influence on the South African government by offering cabinet posts to ANC officials.

The family has denied the accusation, saying they had fallen victims to the political struggle in the country. As the scandal was unfolding, a number of South African financial companies, including First National Bank (FNB), Barclays Africa, KPMG and Sasfin, have closed the accounts of Oakbay Investments, the holding company for the Gupta family's businesses. In a related development, Atul Gupta and Varun Gupta, senior members of the family, also announced their resignations, respectively as non-executive chairman and chief executive officer at the Oakbay company.

"This decision follows a sustained political attack

Mr Duduzane Zuma

on the company, and the concern that the jobs and livelihoods of nearly one thousand employees would be at immediate risk as a result of the outgoing director's association with the company," Oakbay Resources said in a statement.

Representatives from Oakbay have contacted Zuma and three cabinet ministers over the closure of its bank account. The South African government has been silent on the report.

may 2016 | india empire 37

nri GrievanCe

Why the delay?

The infamous red tape has surfaced again to harass NRIs This time we are highlighting the case of M/s J.J. Consultants Private Limited headed

by NRI Mr Jaipal Gupta that has been knocking on the doors of Delhi’s top civic authorities for the last two years to get approvals for additional construction at their southwest Delhi farmhouse. What they are actually doing is knocking their heads against the wall, for in spite of numerous letters, visits and telephone calls to the offices of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Ministry of Urban Development (MuD) and others, the farmhouse approvals have not come through. It appears to be injustice because the company’s papers are in order, and huge Mr Jaipal Gupta deposits have been made which have been willfully accepted by the SDMC. In March 2014, J.J. Consultants deposited an amount of Rs 1.88 crore with the SDMC towards regularization of its 5-acre farmhouse in Bijwasan, in south-west Delhi. This was in compliance of rules, regulations and requirements applicable for low density residential areas issued by the SDMC, DDA and MuD. Post the deposit, J.J. Consultants submitted architectural plans in April 2014 for approval of increasing constructed area from the hitherto existing 1,602 sq. metres to 3,563 sq. metres. As per the regularization amount of Rs 1.88 crore deposited, J.J. Construction is allowed to construct up to 6,070 sq metres—equal to 30 per cent of the farm area of 20,234 sq. metres. While the SDMC has pocketed the money, it has not allowed J.J. Consultants to go ahead with the construction in what appears gross violation of fundamental right to property rebuilding as per law. Representatives from J.J. Consultants including its director, Mr Subodh C Jain, and the firm’s architect Mr Rohit Dayal, have been regularly calling on officials in SDMC, DDA and the office of the Minister for Urban Development. The MuD has written to the DDA to deal with the matter for taking appropriate action as per law, but things have not moved ahead. The president of the local RWA has also taken up the matter with the civic authorities, stating that farmhouse owners have been “running pillar to post” to get the sanctions for which due payments were made long back. The DDA has said that the matter lies within the jurisdiction of the SDMC, the body that continues to harass and ignore the repeated pleas of the NRI and the RWA. The point then is, are we really concerned about our NRIs? Is this how we expect them to be a part of Make in India, Skill India, Clean India, and Invest India? When we are not ready to listen to their “Mann Ki Baat” and treat them so shabbily, waste their precious time, take their money and then do not provide them the solutions, what is the larger message they will eventually give to their fellow NRIs? The capital needs to wake up, and shake up its sloth and lethargy if we are to really make a difference to the way NRIs perceive the real India. Merely holding PBDs and giving awards will not work. Change must be tangible, and fast. Else, the goodwill built by Prime Minister Modi will be lost in the ineptitude of bodies like the SDMC. ❐ —Empire Bureau

HIGHeST PAID ceOs Indian origin Indra Nooyi, Bhavesh Patel and Satya Nadella made it to the list of 100 highest-paid CEOs in the world compiled by compensation information provider Equilar. Lyondell Basell Industries CEO Patel was placed sixth on the list with a total compensation of $24.5 million while PepsiCo's India Nooyi was at eighth position with a pay cheque of $22.2 million. Nadella, the Microsoft CEO made the cut at 26th position in the 100 highest-paid CEOs list with a total compensation of $18.3 million. Oracle's Mark V. Hurd and Safra A. Catz topped the 100 highest paid global CEOs list with a total compensation of $53.2 million each. Robert A. Iger of Walt Disney ($43.5 million), David M. Cote of Honeywell

38 india empire | apriL 2016

Mr Bhavesh Patel

Ms Indra Nooyi

Mr Satya Nadella

International ($33.1 million), General Electric's Jeffrey R. Immelt ($26.4 million), Randall L. Stephenson of AT&T ($22.4 million), Rupert Murdoch of Twenty-First Century Fox ($22.2 million) and James P. Gorman of Morgan Stanley ($22 million) made up the top 10.

BUSINESS AND GOVERNANCE

BuSineSS anD GovernanCe

dlF’s rs 1,800 crore mall

EMirAtEs sEEs growth

Realty major DLF announced in April the launch of its biggest mall, built with an investment of Rs 1,800 crore in Noida. "DLF Mall of India is our largest in terms of area and investment both. Spread over two million square feet, the mall has been built with an investment of Rs.1,700-1,800 crore,” Sriram Khattar, CEO, DLF Rental Business, said. The mall had its soft launch in mid-December 2015. The DLF Group is expecting revenues to the tune of Rs.250 crore from the mall by 2017-18, a source in the company said on condition of anonymity.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates Airlines, said he expects a 10 percent passenger increase in 2016. He made the remarks at a media briefing of the ongoing, four-day tourism fair Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in April, Xinhua news agency reported. "We are still growing and we expect a 10 percent passenger increase yearon-year in 2016 which translates into over 55 million passengers," he said, adding that he is confident that the airlines will reach a seat load factor of over 80 percent in 2016, considered high in civil aviation.

Unlike Qatar Airways CEO, Akbar Albaker, said at a tourism fair that there was "definitely a negative impact on business travel due to declining oil prices," Sheikh Ahmed said Emirates Airlines will continue to grow as it constantly increases its destinations worldwide and offers a "unique service" inflight.

Walmart for Women

biZHUb moDEls Walmart India in April announced the launch of its entrepreneurship development programme for womenowned businesses aimed at enhancing their skills, capability and sustainability. "A total of 32 women-owned businesses have been selected under the 'Walmart Women Entrepreneurship Development Program'. The initiative is designed to help them achieve higher levels of business growth. We hope to create a pipeline of women suppliers for the industry as well as for us," said Walmart India president and CEO Krish Iyer. The programme was announced in January, which invited applications in different categories from Andhra Pradesh, Delhi NCR, Telangana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

During the nine-month programme, women entrepreneurs will undergo capacity building training, mentoring and technical support customized to the needs of their businesses.

40 india empire | may 2016

Adding to its existing product lines, Konica Minolta, renowned for its worldleading digital printing technology today announced the launch of bizhub 165e/185e, bizhub 206/226, bizhub 227/287/367, bizhub C227, bizhub C368 / C308/ C258 series of color and monochrome multi-functional products (MFP-print, copy, scan and fax all in one system). Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Yuji Nakata, MD, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Pvt Ltd said “Carrying the legacy of smart printing technology forward, in today's competitive business world Konica Minolta inducts ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ to their existing line of MFP and production printers. For competitive business world, MFPs and production printers are now part of packaged solution that facilitates value added services, in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, improved and optimization”.

BuSineSS anD GovernanCe

PATANjALI TArGeTS rS 10,000 crOre

P

atanjali Ayurved is eyeing over Rs.10,000 crore turnover in 2016-17, more than doubling it from the Rs.5,000 crore in the last fiscal, yoga guru Ramdev, its founder, has said.

"We are targeting to cross Rs.10,000 crore turnover in the current fiscal from Rs.5,000 crore in 2015-16," Ramdev told reporters at a press meet.

"The profit is minimal and would be around 8-10 percent," said managing director Acharya Balkrishna. He also said the company will be investing Rs.1,000 crore this year in setting up five to six new processing units of its various products in different states. "We will set up five to six processing units in Assam, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Out of these, four will be fully functional within this year," Balkrishna said.

"The water requirement by our processing units is very less, and the water can be recycled and used again. So our processing units in areas where there is water scarcity will be beneficial for farmers," he said. Ramdev said they currently take 1,000 tonnes of agricultural produce like wheat, peas, carrot, from farmers every day. "Our target is to increase it to 10,000 tonnes per day. Our amla and aloe vera produce is 500 tonnes per day, which we want to increase to 1,000 tonnes per day," he said. The Ayurveda-based FMCG company that has been growing exponentially in the last four years, plans to foray into exports and e-commerce this year. "E-commerce tie-ups with major players is on the cards this year. On the export front, we are expecting 5-10 percent revenues this year.

We will be exporting honey and cosmetics to 10-12 countries, including US, Britain, Canada, African and Arab countries," Balkrishna said. Patanjali will also be expanding into new con-

sumer lines like dairy products, and even yoga clothing.

"Patanjali curd, cheese and other dairy products will soon be in the market," Ramdev said while Balkrishna added that clothing made of natural fibres like jute is also on the anvil.

On being asked about reports of Patanjali cutting into the market share of multinational FMCG companies, Ramdev said: "We have created our own market. We have not eaten into other companies' share." "We are totally vegetarian," the yoga guru said, but added that Patanjali will overtake brands like Colgate, Nestle and Pantene in terms of sale this year.

"Our products like 'dant kanti', 'kesh kanti' and ghee are doing very well. We rely on quality, purity and low prices. We will be able to compete with Unilever in another 1-2 year," he added.

Asked the reason how Patanjali Ayurved is managing to grow exponentially at a time when other FMCG companies are fighting for market share, Ramdev said: "We do not have paid brand ambassadors. Wrestler Sushil Kumar, who features in Patanjali's ghee add, did the advertisement for free. I am brand ambassador of the company for free."

Patnajali intends to have 4,000 distributors, 10,000 Patanjali stores and 100 mega stores in the country this year.

The company's plans also include investing Rs.150 crore for setting up of an ayurveda clinical laboratory for animal and human trials, Balkrishna said. The 1,200 Patanjali clinics across the country will be linked to an online system to be able to collate the patient data effectively, which can be used for research, he said. Another Rs.500 crore will be invested on research and improvement of the indigenous breeds of cows in the country, he said. The company's bigger plans include foraying into the education sector with 500 schools â?? and a university. may 2016 | india empire 41

BuSineSS anD GovernanCe

Boeing contract for Bharat Forge

Global aircraft manufacturing giant Boeing in April awarded a titanium forging contract for its 777X aircraft to Bharat Forge, recognising the technical expertise of the Indian company. "They have demonstrated not only a high level of technical expertise, but also an understanding of the need to meet market requirements for affordability," said a statement from Boeing, citing its India president Pratyush Kumar. The Pune-headquartered Bharat Forge has already been supplying titanium forged flap tracks to Boeing Next Generation 737 aircraft. There is also an arrangement between the two companies to supply forgings for Boeing 737 Max aircraft scheduled to enter service in 2017, the statement said. Using a closed die forging process, Bharat Forge will develop and manufacture the titanium forgings, first two of which have

been scheduled to be shipped to Boeing late in 2016, followed by two more in early 2017, the statement said.

"This second contract is the result of our successful partnership with Boeing and brings to forefront our capabilities in precision manufacturing techniques to offer high end technology and value in the aerospace sector," the statement said, citing Subodh Tandale, executive director, Bharat Forge. Bharat Forge will be supplying critical wing components for one of the most advanced Boeing aircrafts, added Tandale. Committing to make India a part of its global aerospace supply chain, Boeing India, along with Bharat Forge, also wants to realise the full potential of 'Make in India' initiative. Operating in India for the past 75 years, Boeing has forging contracts with suppliers in Asia, Europe, Russia and North America.

IndIa may SurpaSS ChIna India may surpass China this year in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), as the gap in inflows between the two has been narrowing with the reforms being implemented by India, according to Japanese financial services firm Nomura. "We believe FDI inflows to India (as a percentage of GDP) can surpass those into China in 2016, as India already has large investment commitments from MNCs in sectors like electronics, solar energy, auto, defence and railways," Nomura said in a research report.

"They can also be viewed as early evidence that reforms in India are bearing fruit," it said. The trend of rising inflows to India and moderating inflows to China are likely driven by a mix of pull and push factors like divergent growth outlooks, ongoing FDI liberalisation and economic reforms in India, compared to rising labour costs in China, the report added. "We have had a record inflow of FDI in this country, more than $51 billion from April to February, and that is the highest ever," Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Secretary Ramesh Abhishek said here at an

42 india empire | may 2016

event hosted by FICCI. American credit rating agency Moody's Investors Service has also said earlier this month that India's rising FDI inflows help reduce the current account deficit and also the external financing needs. Net FDI inflows into India hit an all-time high in January 2016 at $3 billion, on a 12-month moving average basis.

BuSineSS anD GovernanCe

NILekANI INVeSTS IN APP Train travel solutions app RailYatri.in has said that Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has invested an undisclosed amount in it. "What excites me about RailYatri is the fact that this is a new-age product made by Indians for fellow Indians, which intelligently harnesses the power of smart phones, data and mobile payments, and has a huge opportunity of impacting the lives of millions of travelers," Nilekani said in a statement. Using deep analytics technology, RailYatri.in app makes intelligent predictions to make smart decision for an upcoming journey. The app uses a traveller's phone GPS to predict train delay and also gives information on platform number, coach position, speed of the train, personalised alerts, on-time history of a train and also checks out if a waitlisted ticket will get confirmed, the statement said. RailYatri.in also forayed into digital transactional marketplace, facilitating booking of onboard meals, bus tickets, budget rooms and other services.

"Our aspirations align with Nilekani and we believe his treasure trove of experience will help us in

Mr Nandan Nilekani

our endeavors," said RailYatri.in co-founder Kapil Raizada in the statement. Founded by Kapil Raizada, Sachin Saxena and Manish Rathi, RailYatri.in app is currently being used by two million users per month.

Other existing investors of the train travel app include Helion Ventures, Omidyar Networks and Blume Ventures.

Bullet traIn Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in the Lok Sabha in April defended the bullet train project and said it will usher in new technology in the country and lead to enhanced railway safety.

Cooperation with Japan will help India get technological know-how as Japan runs the world's most safe train services, the minister told the Lok Sabha members. "The technology to be used for bullet trains will help improve the services of normal trains and the integration of signalling system," Prabhu said. The Minister said the huge funds earmarked for the bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in Gujarat was actually based on the financial support from Japan and will not create hurdles in the running of "normal express trains" in the country. There is no conflict between the proposed launch of a bullet train and the normal functioning of the Indian Railways, the minister told the parliamentarians. "The bullet train between Ahmedabad and Mumbai is only a chhota sa hissa (small part) of the India-Japan cooperation on railways." He wondered if a "deliberate misinformation" campaign was going on in the country against the introduction of bullet trains.

The collaboration with the Japanese on railways has been strengthened after the present gov-

ernment came to power and the initiatives by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said. The minister said Mr Suresh Prabhu since the Allahabad-Mughal Sarai route was the country's most congested, it prevented the launch of high-speed train service between Delhi and Kolkata. "We are trying to improve the situation.

At present the route is being used more than its capacity," he said.

may 2016 | india empire 43

Column: yoGi aShwini

minD anD BoDy

eVOLVING

DIeTArY HABITS

By Yogi Ashwini yogi aShwini

B

efore coming into Yog, there was a time when I used to have every type of meat but when you are in Yog your body doesn’t accept certain things after a point. But then that it is a natural process not a forced process. Always remember that you should never have this attitude- “Now that I have become a ‘saint’… so all those who eat meat are bad people.” Food is never a point of discussion in Yog because everything is for a purpose.

You’ll be surprised if I tell you that in Ayurveda every type of meat is mentioned—black buck, buffalo meat etc and their benefits. In fact in Vriksha Ayurveda all types of blood are mentioned for their application in roots, so that trees grow faster. The vedic rishis were very highly scientific people. They had explanation of everything- how,when, and what.

I get mails from all over the world—“I am doing yoga and my haemoglobin has come down.” When I ask about their diet, the usual reply is- “khichdi (a mix of boiled rice and pulses) 3 times a day.” So then I tell them- “What you must realise is that your ancestors lived in jungles and they used to eat and even you have eaten every type of meat in your life. So if you leave it now all of a sudden your body will surely react to that because it has been used to a specific kind of diet." Leaving meat should be only when your body rejects it and not because “now I have become a saint so I will not even touch meat”, or “what will family say or society say”. Do remember, it is the thought which is important. If you feel like having it, if only a thought comes that’s enough, there is no suppression in Yog, you have to go over it. Also unnecessarily there is no wastage of life.

Recently, I got a mail from a top Delhi designer. She comes from “pure vegetarian” background, one of those families who do pujas 5 times in a day and keep their surroundings “clean”. So one day she asks me, “Can I start eating omega 3 fish oil capsules?” I enquired as to what has happened to her because this would amount to not less than a sin for her (in accordance with her beliefs in life so far).

She answered – “I am not feeling too well these days and the doctor has suggested it as a medicine, can I have it as a medicine?” Now what will you say to such people because the thought has come. (And for that 1 capsule do you know how many fishes are crushed?)

Be practical in life. Be sensible. Go as per what your body requires. Otherwise this is what will happen - when 44 india empire | may 2016

you fall ill, you will eat fish oils capsules. The whole life you haven’t eaten it but now that you have fallen ill, you start eating fish capsules. I have seen many such cases- whole life you have preached, but when it comes on you, then you start having fish soup, fish oil capsules and what not. If you ask them, the reason they give is self-survival. But I don’t buy this argument. It doesn’t make any sense. If it’s a no, then it means no-stick to it, let’s see what happens.

In fact I would go on to say that in today’s time everybody has non-veg extracts- I have given a whole description of various products from soap to oil, what their contents are and I have done a thorough study on this in my book“Sanatan Kriya- The ageless Dimension”…. go through it and then tell me if there is even one person who can claim to be a vegetarian.

Do you know what the casing of a capsule or tablet is made of ? It is made from cow- gelatine. The cauliflower you eat- do you know how many insects, snakes, lizards, scorpions are killed by the farmer? Can that be called sattvic? Don’t be foolish to think that I am a pure vegetarian. The cheese sandwich which you all have, thinking it to be veg, that cheese has cow’s rennet in it- it is foolish to think that you are vegetarian. If you go in a restaurant which prepares veg and nonveg, both meals- here again they use all kinds of fats. And if you have gone abroad and still you think you are veg then there is no bigger fool than you- because they prepare everything in pig fat and cow fat. I have experienced this personally.

Once we were in Germany and had trekked to a place high up in the mountains. It was really cold and all of us were hungry. So we went to a restaurant and asked for anything vegetarian. After a lot of confusion I finally thought of takin a only potato soup. After all what can they put in a potato soup? But as soon as I took the first spoon, immediately I got blisters in my mouth. I asked the chef if he had put anything special in it, to which he replied no. Then I noticed that in between the potato they had stuffed beef pieces. You see that they put beef even in potato! The point I’m trying to make here is this- There was a time when I used to have nonveg daily (in my 20’s) but now after decades of practicing yoga I have become so sensitive that even a spoonful has blis❐ ters. So gradually, through yog, you grow over it.

—The writer Yogi Ashwini Ji is the head of Dhyan Foundation, Delhi. For details contact: ashwiniyogi@yahoo.co.in

Column—minD anD BoDy

Involving Patients, carers & Families in the Treatment Programmes for the Mentally ill

D

dr afzal Javed

espite the general acknowledgement of the popular slogan that “there is no health without mental health”, mental health disorders continue to increase and cause considerable suffering all over the world. There is growing evidence that at least 20-25 % of the general population will have some type of mental health problems that may require help, support and management at any particular time. The public health impact of mental disorders is profound as the estimated disease burden and disability attributable to mental disorders have been very high.

However mental health problems not only affect the sufferers of mental illnesses alone, carers and family care givers also share the burden of these illnesses. The stress of caring for the mentally ill is quite challenging and living with someone with severe mental illness is equally stressful. Likewise many family members do not have the knowledge and skills necessary to take on the responsibilities of care giving and are thus unable to cope with the considerable amount of the caring roles and responsibilities.

The carer’s difficulties may vary from one country to another but it assumes a significant importance within the Asian culture where a strong emphasis is placed on family ties and family responsibilities.

Whereas most of the Asian families prefer taking care of their mentally ill relatives at home, caring may increase their negative experiences of care giving with additional burden of disruption of family routine and interference of their day-to-day functioning. Stigma likewise comes as an added burden and having a negative label of living with a mentally ill increase further emotional distress. At many places the majority of family care givers or family members who are involved with the treatment and management of the mentally ill are elderly members of the family. This certainly increases the level of burden with additional worries that no-one would take care of their patients when they are too old or after they die. Similarly there are reports that women are more likely to be the care givers in many parts of the world. World Federation of Mental Health in their report in 2010 estimated that globally around 80% of the care givers are women, they could be mother, wife

or daughter of the patient and are usually with low income support. These issues become even more important in countries where there are not enough state run facilities for the treatment of the mentally ill along with limited options for support to the family members.

While there is an increasing acceptance that family assumes the primary and long term care-giver role and an important resource for patient’s well being, there is a strong need for exploring ways and means to provide help and support to the families and carers. ●

●

●

A number of programmes are recommended for involving carers and families in the treatment programmes. Psycho-education, a strategy of teaching patients and families about mental disorders, their impact, their treatments and personal coping techniques and resources to overcome illness related difficulties, is highly recommended as a tool in supporting and helping the patients and the care givers.Psycho-education can have many descriptions including family therapy, family education programmes, family led support groups and individual consultation and specific psycho-education sessions Promoting the establishing of local carers groups is another way of supporting carers and families as there is ample evidence that working with carers and families is not only beneficial for short-term outcomes but may also lead to long-lasting improvements in service provisions.

Growing interest among professional organisations for supporting families and carers has also raised the profile of this aspect of care.World Psychiatric Association, the umbrella organisation of psychiatrists, has raised this particular issue by issuing guidelines to its member societies on developing partnership for best practice in working with service users and carers.

It is expected that civil society will also join professionals in their efforts supporting the carers & making a visible change for the care of mentally ill that certainly remains a neglected area in health and social care systems in many countries. ❐ —Dr Afzal Javed is a Consultant Psychiatrist working in UK and Executive Secretary for Scientific Sections of World Psychiatric Association. may 2016 | india empire 45

DiplomatiC Column

I

FrOM FAr AND NeAr: rADIcAL cHANGeS FOr A SOcIAL OrDer

By Malay Mishra

t has been a week since I returned from my personal visit to America, the promised land. ‘Promised’ is a loaded term and has many connotations. In this specific context, it alludes to a certain sense of discipline and organized behavior in social and inter-personal relations, denoting how life could be well ordered and citizens made to lead a decent and meaningful life.

Knowing that this letter will be read mostly by Overseas Indians, a good part of whom are ex-pat Indian-Americans, let me tell you that America is unlike any other country one would aspire to live. Not because of its mercantilist values in a Calvinist sense, nor even to adduce to the Protestant Ethic and the Rise of Capitalism of Max Weber, but to a certain tranquility and sense of order the country has. Having served in the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C. more than two decades ago, I can confidently say that the America then and the America now are two different entities. Quite!

Walking in the streets of Old Town Phoenix in the Scottsdale area at midnight, I was no less annoyed by the rumbustious music creeping out from every nook of that surreal space, but more, at the sight of languorous bodies seeming to talk to each other without even hyper-ventilating! Such is the power of the new America, of the new generation.

Bold, defiant and supremely in command, this generation is now rooting for a man called Donald John Trump to be the next President of the United States.

Unbelievable, it seems, when the much reviled real estate tycoon becomes the toast of America’s youth brigade. Yet if there is one single phenomenon, apart from the IS, which has taken the world literally by storm, it is Trump himself. Whether he trumps eventually to take oath as the next President of the US is an open question, though as of now, that situation could well happen if political trends run on predictable lines. An Independent candidate, for the first time in America’s democratic history, topping the primaries, beating top party contenders, Republicans and Democrats alike, beats even popular folklore by the sheer impossibility of the situation. But the impossible can be possible, only in America perhaps. For here, freedom of speech and expression have full play under the liberal shadows of democracy like nowhere else. Thus, while the whole world may stare agape at the churling of American politics at the Presidential hustings, here the political liturgy is not held happenstance.

Over my several encounters with the common folks, from a white American taxi driver to a svelte Mexican waitress, even to the middle class gentry and men in business, the answer was uniform, ‘let’s wait and watch’. Was it a providential determinism or a sceptic’s prognosis? Hard to guess.

But back to my part of the world… the recent Lahore park 46 india empire | may 2016

bombing to mark Easter Day celebrations by this brazen attack on the miniscule Christian community in an Islamic society where minorities run the risk of being exterminated, has once again laid bare the deep malaise which afflicts us all in this New Age, Terrorism with a capital ‘T’. The blood is still to dry in the airport and metro station of Brussels, where Europe’s combined might is powerfully represented in the EU and NATO, the killers are still on the rampage in these societies suffering the disastrous effects of their acceptance of the Islamic migrant flow from the East, South and Centre.

At home of course we are inured to such ghastly tragedies striking the body polity at regular intervals. In the cruel aftermath of the post-Pathankot tragedy, here comes our neighbour’s rebuff by closing the doors on a reciprocal visit by an Indian investigative agency. Thus again another jingoistic faux pas where the final sufferers are the people. How long will this go on, nobody can ever guess. Yet we pretend to live like decent nations in this highly disturbed neighbourhood of ours. The comic relief comes in the form of the great celebration of the 125th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, the great nationalist icon for whom total emancipation of the Dalits was an article of faith, where every political party and leader worth the name is desperately trying to own up his legacy in the name of nation building. The irony could not have been lost on the country!

This time in America, I learnt a new epithet, ‘ radical jihadism’, or rather it entered my vocabulary in a loud and clear manner, adding to the pantheon of other isms, militarism, extremism, radicalism and the like. Do we expect our world to be safe and secure ever for our children and their children, they who have started dreaming for a better future and those whose dreams are still incubating in the void? The answer to these near intractable questions is as good as mine as yours. But together we have to find a way out before the world around us crumbles to dust.

‘A tear to unite me with those of broken heart; a smile to be a sign of my joy in existence.

I would rather that I died in yearning and longing that I lived weary and despairing.

I want the hunger for love and beauty to be in the depths of my spirit, for I have seen those who are satisfied the most wretched of people.

I have heard the sigh of those in yearning and longing, and it is sweeter than the sweetest melody’.

(A Tear and a Smile, Kahlil Gibran) Cheer always.

—The writer is a former Ambassador.

He can be reached at malay.mishra55@gmail.com