Editor’s Desk
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ndia and Israel are ready to move into top gear insofar as bilateral ties are concerned with Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi headed to Tel Aviv in July 2017. This is the 25th year of establishment of full diplomatic relations between the two nations. PM Modi tweeted holiday greetings Khag Sameach Khaverim to his counterpart Prime Minister Mr Benjamin Netanyahu. The response from PM Netanyahu was immediate: “Thank you, my friend, for your kind holiday greeting. The people of Israel eagerly await your historic visit.” The engagement with Israel is multi-dimensional and wide-ranging. It includes enhancing agricultural productivity and efficiency, boosting research and innovation linkages, employing applications of science and technology for the benefit of the two societies, forging strong trade links and investment ties, building defence ties to secure people on either side, enhancing people-to-people ties through greater cultural and tourism linkages, promoting educational exchanges. Besides, the growing number of Indian students, going to study in Israel and vice versa will, no doubt, be an important bridge in strengthening the bilateral partnership. This is an issue which is power-packed with pictures. There is a four-page coverage of a book on Indian Americans in Greater Los Angeles Area published by India Empire Publications that was launched in Artesia, California. There is a two-page coverage of Odisha Parba 2017, a unique cultural event that took place in the heart of New Delhi at the India Gate lawns. The India Empire Diplomatic Night was held at The Metropolitan Hotel and Spa in New Delhi on April 7, 2017. In spite of being a busy diplomatic evening in the capital, several ambassadors and high commissioners, and members of the diplomatic corps were in attendance. Also attending were some Members of Parliament and those from the business community. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards by Chief Guest, the Editor Chakravarty welcomes Union Minister Union Minister of Steel of Steel Chaudhary Birender Singh Chaudhary Birender Singh, to members of the diplomatic community. Minister Singh said, “The awards received recognize the efforts of the diplomatic community in strengthening ties between India and the rest of the world. My heartiest congratulations to all awardees and I’m sure this will be a source of inspiration to others.” We have a 13-page coverage of the evening. I hope you enjoy reading.
Sayantan Chakravarty (sayantanc@gmail.com)
India-Diaspora, Political, Diplomatic and Business Connectivity
iNDiA
empire Volume 12 No. 12 May 2017 www.indiaempire.com RNI No.: DELENG/2005/16693
GLOBAL ADVISORY BOARD Mr Inder Singh, Dr Rami Ranger, Dr Kamalanathan Sappani, Mr Mridul Pathak, Ms Priya Tandon Editor Sayantan Chakravarty Consulting Editor Yogesh Sood (Business and Commerce) Sipra Das (Photography) Kul Bhushan Jayant Borkar (Mumbai Affairs) Sanjay Sharma (BJP Affairs) Paras Ramoutar (Caribbean Affairs) Vishnu Bisram (New York) Premchand Ramlochun (Mauritius) Liladhar J. Bharadia (Kenya) Jay Banerjei (Toronto) Head—Art and Print Jaydev Bisht Additional Contributions From K K Anand, Yogi Ashwini, Uttam Garg Registered Office: N-126, II Floor, Greater Kailash I, New Delhi - 110 048. Contact: +91.11.2923.3647, +91.11.2923.1515. Our Associate Offices: Hyderabad: Abhijit Bhattacharjee, Tel: +91.9848033874. Mauritius: 28, Cnr. Jasmins and Lataniers Avenue Résidence Sunsetville, La Caverne, Vacoas 73310 Republic of Mauritius Trinidad and Tobago: 61 Main Road, Caparo, Trinidad, W.I. Canada: Suite 209 885 Progess Ave, Toronto, ON M1H G3G Canada New York: 260, Madison Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10016 ADVERTISEMENT AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Email: contactindiaempire@gmail.com info@indiaempire.com sales@indiaempire.com M: +91.9899117477, +91.98116.27971, +91.9953824095 Printed, published, owned by Sayantan Chakravarty. Editor is Sayantan Chakravarty. Published from N -126, II Floor, Greater Kailash I, New Delhi 110 048, INDIA. Printed at Archana Advertising Pvt. Ltd., C-78, Okhla Industrial Area, Ph-1, New Delhi 110020. All rights reserved throughout the world. Any kind of reproduction in any media is prohibited. All disputes are subject to jurisdiction of courts in Delhi.
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Sayantan Chakravarty is in a select group of 12 writers chosen by Scholastic Education to promote advanced English literature for schools worldwide. Included in the group are Nobel Laureate William Butler Yeats, R K Narayan (Padma Vibushan and Sahitya Award winner), journalist and poet Walt Whitman, writer Saki (Hector Hugh Munro), poet Nissim Ezekiel (Sahitya Akademi Awardee), writer Jerome K Jerome (author of Three Men in a Boat), poet Edward Lear, Roald Dahl (16th on Time Magazine’s list of greatest British writers). Sayantan Chakravarty’s stories featured in Best of Indian Express of 25 years and among select stories in Best of India Today’s 25 years.
INTERVIEWS
AMBASSADOR CARMON
IN THE MEDIA
Indo-Israel diplomatic relations are in its 25th year. H.E. Mr Daniel Carmon, Ambassador of Israel to India, has been a driving force behind the deepening ties between Israel and India on several fronts. His views which have appeared in a cross-section of the Indian Media in recent times are reproduced below:
LIVE MINT, MARCH 2017 ON LOOKING BACK AT 25 YEARS OF RELATIONS I think I would look at the past 25 years as a process. You can look at the milestones through specific junctions, but I would prefer to look at the relations as a crescendo that goes beyond the political. They encompass many fields in the lives of our peoples and the governments which are governing the peoples. Namely safety, security—safeguarding the security of the territory and safeguarding the safety of the people—developmental challenges, which include the need for food, the need for water, health, and education which I would say is the more strategic target of our countries. We have identified joint interests in these fields, and strengthened our relations in the traditional and the nontraditional ways. The traditional way is the general bilateral relations, there were some specific areas which received more attention—there was specific strengthening of relations in the defence sector—but it was not too visible which was part of the Indian policy at the time. In the last few years—and I am not talking specifically the past two or three years—the trend and the process of strengthening relations putting in more ingredients related to development has seen a rise. In the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of visits and high level political engagement, which hardly happened before. After a long time, there was a ministerial visit to Israel in 2013 but after 2014, there have been hardly any limits to the number of visits. The relations are very well positioned but we are still part of this trend which started very low key. PTI, SEPTEMBER 2016 ON DEALING WITH INTERNAL SECURITY ISSUES "Our message is, yes, Israel has the expertise, because it has been under threat. We do share similar challenges. We have the solutions. We can work together on the solution. 6
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We have shown in other areas that we can cooperate and this might and should be the case here as well. There is a need to confront terrorism. There is a tactical way to do this. There is an international, diplomatic way to do this and I am sure and confident that India knows exactly what it needs to do. INDIA EMPIRE, MAY 2016 On India becoming central to Israel’s policy over the years… 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-to-people 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 important 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
picture © sipra das relations at political and other levels. ECONOMIC TIMES, APRIL 2016 On Ganga Rejuvenation "In last decade we have suffered from seven years of drought. There was national scarcity of water in Israel. Some technologies were developed and some technologies were revived including desalination. There is no lack of water in Israel, which is unique for our region where we are the only one to have water... This is one thing we are offering to India." "Opportunities are endless. Companies can partner to purify water. In the Ganga rejuvenation project we can decide a certain area on the Ganga...where a plant or system can be used to purify or reuse or do something with water with Israeli capability. Water delegations have been visiting Israel. Just a month ago there was a delegation from Maharashtra that visited Israel. Our minister of agriculture was here in India and he was in Maharashtra, meeting with the chief minister. ON PM MODI’S VISIT “It will be historic as it will be the first time first Indian prime minister will visit us. In 2017 we are going to celebrate and it will be an historic moment as we will celebrate 25 years of our diplomatic relationship with India." DSA, AUGUST 2014 ON DEFENCE COOPERATION Throughout the years we have witnessed a steady growth in every field of cooperation, including defence. We have similar challenges and they are only becoming bigger and more complex. It is essential that we work together to overcome these challenges. The two defence establishments are working together for a long period and are familiar with each other. We have great appreciation to the capabilities, experience and dedication of our Indian counterparts. This is an equal partnership that both sides have much to gain from. In every field, but especially in defence, we see our joint work as a two-way-street that both sides have a lot to learn from each other. This cooperation is transforming into a real partnership. We face very similar problems, we think of solutions together, we plan how we can implement those solutions and even produce them jointly. We are also forthcoming with sharing the technology that we have. Therefore, we can expect a continuation of increase in cooperation in defence in the years to come.
H.E. Mr Daniel Carmon Ambassador of Israel to India
ON AGRICULTURAL COOPERATION The agriculture cooperation between Israel and India is unprecedented. It is the biggest agriculture project in which the Government of Israel is involved anywhere in the world and is done through MASHAV – Israel’s International Development Cooperation Agency. The Indo-Israel Agriculture Cooperation touches the lives and livelihood of millions of Indians and Israelis. The current work plan in which we are working on in 9 states together with the NHM, has proved itself to bring real increase in the productivity of many Indian farmers. In some places you see an increase of 5 times more produce in the same place using Israeli technology adapted to the Indian needs. In other places you see the rejuvenation of old mango trees that bring sweeter, bigger fruits and higher quantity of produce after using the methods developed by the Indian and Israeli farmers. The key here is the joint work and collaboration. It’s not enough to bring proven Israeli technology and knowledge. We have to adapt it to the requirements and needs of the Indian states and farmers and this is being done by both Indian and Israeli experts. Discussing the new work plan to begin in 2015, a process that began a short while back, is not merely a technical issue but it is an important step for creating the long-term vision of how and where we want this cooperation to lead us. Our success had proven we can even extend further this cooperation and focus on water facilities and water recycling as well as dairy industry. ❐ may 2017 | india empire
7
INDO-ISRAEL RELATIONS
25 YEARS OF BILATERAL TRADE
There has been a steady rise in bilateral trade and economic relations every since diplomatic relations between India and Israel were established in 1992. From USD 200 million in 1992 (comprising primarily of diamonds), merchandise trade diversified and reached USD 4.16 billion (excluding defence) in 2016
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ndia-Israel two-way trade in 2016 remained almost unchanged compared to 2015 – it grew by a mere 0.85%. The balance of trade has tilted in favour of Israel with Israel exporting goods worth USD 2.4 billion as opposed to India’s exports of USD 1.76 billion. India continues to be a 'focus' country for Israeli Government’s increased trade efforts. Trade with India constituted 3.3% of Israel’s total trade in 2016. Major exports from India to Israel include pearls and precious stones, chemical and mineral products, machinery and electrical equipment, textile and textile articles, plastics, rubber, plants and vegetable products, mineral products, rubber and plastic products, base metals and transport equipment. Major exports from Israel to India include defence, pearls and precious stones, chemical and mineral products, machinery and electrical equipment, base metals, machinery, and transport equipment. Trade in diamonds constitutes almost 54% of the bilateral trade. Nearly 40 diamond dealers have opened offices at the Israeli Diamond Exchange in Ramat-Gan. Some of these dealers have been active in Israeli for nearly 30-40 years. Though bilateral trade is dominated mainly by diamonds and chemicals, recent years have witnessed an increase in trade in areas such as electronic machinery and high tech products; communications systems; medical equipment etc. INVESTMENT According to figures released by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, India, FDI inflows from Israel to India from April 2000 to September 2016 totaled USD 107.6 million. These figures may not accurately reflect FDI from Israel, as many Israeli companies invest in India through the US, Europe and Singapore. There are over 300 Israeli investments in India mainly in high-tech and agriculture. These investments are varied in nature - manufacturing plants; R&D centers; subsidiaries etc. 8
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There is a growing preference for Israeli companies in sectors such as water technologies, homeland security and real estate in addition to traditional areas such as agriculture, chemicals etc. Teva Pharmaceuticals, IDE, Netafim are among the leading Israeli companies which have notable investments in India. Indian companies are marking their presence in Israel through mergers and acquisitions and by opening branch offices. TCS started operations in Israel in 2005 and State Bank of India opened a branch in Tel Aviv in 2007. In 2012, Jain Irrigation fully acquired Naan-Dan, an Israeli irrigation equipment manufacturing company. Sun Pharma has 66.7% stake in Israel’s Taro Pharmaceutical Industries. Infosys, Tech Mahindra and Wipro Infrastructure Engineering have made notable acquisitions/investments in 2015 and 2016. Indian majors are also leveraging on the Israeli innovation eco-system. In 2013, Tata Group invested USD5 million in the Momentum Fund of Ramot, Technology Transfer Center at Tel Aviv University. In 2016, Tatas joined hands with several leading global players to set up a new technology incubator, called i3 Equity Partners (i3), which focuses on developing next-generation IoT technologies. Wipro has invested in TLV Partners, an Israel-based venture capital firm. Sun Pharma has collaborations with Weizmann Institute of Science and Technion Institute of Technology. COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE AND WATER TECHNOLOGIES Agriculture: Under a comprehensive Work Planfor cooperation in agriculture signed on 10 May 2006, bilateral projects are implemented through MASHAV (Center for International Cooperation of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and CINADCO (Centre for International Agricultural Development Cooperation of Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development). Agricultural cooperation was formalized through three year work plans. The Action Plan for 2012-2015 expanded cooperation
Israeli Prime Minister Mr Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Indian Foreign Minister Ms Sushma Swaraj deliver joint statements during their meeting in Jerusalem
to various States in India. Under this Action Plan, Israel agreed to set up 26 Centers of Excellence across 9 States. These Centers demonstrate an integrated and scientific approach to farming. These Centers were spread across different fields - in Maharashtra, Centers of Excellence was set-up for Mango at Ratnagiri; Citrus at Akola; and Pomegranate at Rahuri. A Center of Excellence for vegetables was set up in Karnal, Haryana. In Sirsa, Punjab the Center for fruits was established. 15 such Centers have already been commissioned. Third phase of agricultural work plan (2015-18) was signed in September, 2015. Under this plan, cooperation will be expanded into 6 more States. Indian officials receive training in Israel from time to time. Indian official and business delegations regularly attend Israel’s triennial international agricultural exhibition event Agritech, which showcases Israel’s achievements in agriculture. In Agritech 2015, India’s participation included the Chief Ministers from Maharashtra and Meghalaya and official delegations from Telangana, Mizoram and Punjab. MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, is active in India with many experimental and demonstration projects. MASHAV operates an agricultural demonstration farm in Pusa and regularly runs courses on developing small and medium sized businesses in rural areas. Naan Dan Jain Irrigation and Netafim have won major agricultural projects in India. Water: Ongoing cooperation between the two countries in the sector was formalized through a MOU on Water Resources Management and Development Cooperation which was signed in November 2016. India’s companies and official delegations regularly visit the biannual event WATEC in Israel which showcases Israel’s water and energy technologies.
Israeli company IDE has built several desalination plants in India. A 100 MLD per day desalination plant set up by IDE at Nemelli in Tamilnadu was commissioned in 2013, the second such plant in Chennai. Israel’s national water company Mekorot, is providing its expertise to concerned organizations in Greater Mumbai and West Bengal. Tahal group signed a USD 74 million deal with the Karnataka Government to design, construct and operate a water supply system to 131 villages in the State Industrial and R&D Cooperation: Under a bilateral agreement in May 2005 the India-Israel Initiative for Industrial R&D (i4RD) was set up to support joint industrial R&D projects, aimed at development of products or processes leading to commercialization in the global market. This cooperation agreement was signed between the Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Science and Technology (DST), India and the Ministry of Economy, Israel. i4RD provides partner matching services and funding for joint bilateral research and development (R&D) projects, involving at least one Indian and one Israeli company. The framework is jointly implemented by Global Innovation and Technology Alliance (GITA), and MATIMOP, Israeli Industry Centre for R&D. Currently funded projects are focused on the hi-tech sector, for development of both software and hardware technologies. In March 2013, under an MOU between MATIMOP, on behalf of the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) in Israel; and the Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS) and the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST), the Karnataka-Israel Industrial R&D program was set up to provide partner matching assistance and access to funding for industrial R&D by Israeli and Indian companies based in Karnataka. ❐ may 2017 | india empire
9
INDO-ISRAEL RELATIONS
PM REACHES OUT TO ISRAEL As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to visit Israel in July 2017, it is worthwhile recalling the major points he made when Israeli President Reuven Rivlin was in India in November 2016
“E
Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi with the President of Israel Mr Reuven Rivlin, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on November 15, 2016
xcellency, your visit will provide crucial push to our efforts to build new pillars in our partnership. It will also carry forward the momentum generated by the first ever visit of President of India to Israel last year. Next year, both countries will be celebrating 25 years of the establishment of full diplomatic relations. As we approach this big milestone, we are both committed to advance our engagement on several fronts. And, build on convergences and commonalities in our interests and concerns on regional and global issues. 10 india empire | may 2017
Our engagement is multi-dimensional and wideranging.We are partnering in: ● enhancing agricultural productivity and efficiency; ● boosting research and innovation linkages; ● employing applications of science and technology for the benefit of our societies; ● forging strong trade links and investment ties; ● building defence ties to secure our people; and ● enhancing people to people ties through greater cultural and tourism linkages. ● promoting educational exchanges. The growing number
INDO-ISRAEL RELATIONS
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the President of Israel, Mr. Reuven Rivlin witnessing the exchange of agreements, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on November 15, 2016
of Indian students, going to study in Israel and vice versa can be an important bridge in our bilateral partnership. President Rivlin and I agreed that there are several strong areas of ongoing cooperation between our countries. We are familiar with Israel’s advances in agriculture, and its expertise in micro-irrigation in drought-prone areas and water management. We have identified water management and conservation, and collaboration in scientific research and development as two areas of priority engagement. We both agreed that the current trajectory of the Indian economy opens up many promising opportunities for Israeli companies. Our economic initiatives and programmes, and emphasis on innovation, research and technological development match well with Israel’s strengths and capacities. Israeli companies can scale up their tie-ups with our flagship schemes of Make in India, Digital India, Skill India, and Smart Cities. I would encourage the private sector stakeholders on both sides to take lead in utilizing this perfect opportunity to build business ties of commerce and investment between our two countries in these areas. Indian and Israeli companies can also work together in hightechnology manufacturing, and services sectors. Make in India and as President Rivlin told me in our discussion, Make with India can generate jobs and benefit both geographies. Our partnership can generate jobs and benefit both geographies. IT services is an area where our partnership can make a difference for both our economies. President Rivlin and I deeply value our strong and growing partnership to secure our societies. Our people are constantly threatened by forces of terrorism and extremism. We recognize that terrorism is a global challenge, knows no 12 india empire | may 2017
boundaries and has extensive links with other forms of organized crime. Regrettably, one of the countries of its origin and spread is in India’s neighbourhood. We agreed that the international community must act with resolve and determination against terror networks and States that harbour them. Failure to act and silence of speech only encourages the terrorists. We,agreed to intensify our cooperation to combat the forces of extremism and radicalization that threaten all peace-loving nations. We also prioritized practical and specific engagement such as in the cyber domain. We noted the strength of our growing defence partnership. And, agreed on the need to make it more broad-based through production and manufacturing partnerships. India is also grateful to Israel for its clear support to India’s permanent candidature in a reformed UN Security Council. As fellow democracies, our people are our biggest strength and the biggest beneficiaries of a strong IndiaIsrael partnership. The 2000-year old Jewish community in India represents a thriving link to this past. Today, it is a vital part of our composite cultural mosaic that continues to thrive in their traditions. We are proud of the Jewish community in India. President and I agreed that promoting people-to-people contacts, which has a long shared history, is our shared priority. Two and a half decades of our friendship has brought rich dividends for both our nations. It has also strengthened voices of peace, stability and democracy globally. Your visit provides an opportunity to break new ground and shape new contours of our partnership. With these words, I once again welcome President Rivlin on his first State visit to India, and wish him a productive and ❐ enjoyable stay in India.
”
PHOTO GALLERY pictures Š sipra das
SwAchh SuRvEkShAN 2017 Union Minister for Urban Development Mr M Venkaiah Naidu (third from left) with Mr Rajiv Gauba, Secretary in the MoUD (second from left), Mr Praveen Prakash, Joint Secretary in the MoUD (left) and Mr A.P. Frank Noronha, Principal Director General (M and C), Government of India, releasing the Swachh Survekshan 2017 report that carries rankings of India’s cleanest cities and towns
Representatives of various award-winning municipalities with Minister Naidu and officials of the MoUD. Also seen is Mr Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman, Quality Council of India, who joined the Government after retiring as Chairman, McKinsey India
NATIONAL FILm AwARDS
LEFT: President Pranab Mukherjee gives the Best Actor award to Akshay Kumar at the 64th National Film Awards. Akshay won the award for Rustom. Present alongside are Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mr M Venkaiah Naidu (left) and Minister of State (I and B) Mr Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore RIGHT: Actress Sonam Kapoor receives a Special Mention from President Mukherjee for her role as Neerja in the eponymous movie that won the National Award for Best Hindi Film
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cOLumN
NEw FDI ROAD TO
mAkE IN INDIA
A
s a part of economic Policy with prior approval of Govliberalization, India ernment of India if the investment brought forth ecois through Government route and nomic reforms during with the prior approval of RBI if 1966 and 1985 in the the investment is through Autocrude form and 1991 in relatively rematic route. fined form. But due to various factors 4. NRI owned and controlled comthe venture did not have desired results. pany, trust and partnership firms. Later in 1997 the Government 5. Foreign Institutional Investor allowed foreign investment but with (FII) and partnership firms. restrictions. From 2006 the nation 6. Registered FIIs / and NRI, can saw the restrictions being relaxed. invest / trade through a registered The permission to invest in India broker in the capital of Indian was increased up to 51% of investcompanies on recognized India ment. This has changed the lives of stock exchanges. India in general. The Government 7. A SEBI registered Foreign did not hesitate to increase the inVenture investor (FVCI) vestment to 100% in few sectors. 8. A non-resident Indian may inThis has given a strong economic vest after subscribing National Penbase for India in the world market. sion System administered by Mr K K Anand In 2017, the focus of present the Pension Fund Regulatory and develPrime Minister though shifted to Make in India, significant opment Authority. changes have been brought in the FDI policy, those which Another peculiar feature of FDI policy is downstream India has never witnessed. investment. The critics of Foreign Investment generally An overview on FDI with reference to Make in India state that foreign investment will have negative impact will be helpful for an aspirant who intent to invest in India. on the investing country and its domestic investment and The new Foreign Direct Investment Policy can be sum- dim the opportunity of investors in host country. marized hereunder:But the new FDI Policy provides for investment by an eligible Indian entity into another Indian company / WHO CAN INVEST UNDER THE NEW FDI POLICY LLP by way of subscription or acquisition. This is called FDI Policy of June, 2016 para 3.1 explains the eligible indirect foreign investment or downstream investment. investors. 1. Any non-resident entity can invest in India, subject to INVESTEE UNDER NEW FDI POLICY JULY 2017 DRI Policy except the sectors are prohibited the citizen 1) Indian Company of Pakistan, Bangladesh can invest only under Govern- 2) Partnership firm / Proprietary concerns ment route. The citizen of Pakistan can invest in all sec- 3) Trust tors / activities other than hour defence, space and 4) Limited Liability Partnerships atomic energy. 5) Investment vehicle 2. Non-resident Indian resides in Nepal and Bhutan as well as citizen of Nepal and Bhutan can invest on repa- PROCEDURE FOR INVESTMENT triation basis, subject to the condition that the Investment by the investor can be done through autoamount of reconsideration shall be paid only by way matic route or through Government Route. of inward remittances in free foreign exchange Automatic Route: For investing through Automatic through normal banking channels. route without prior approval of the Government or the 3. Erstwhile Overseas Corporate Body (OCB) incorpo- Reserve Bank of India in all activities / sectors as specirated outside India and are not under the adverse no- fied in Annexure –B of Schedule 1 to Notification No: tice of RBI can make fresh investment under FDI FEMA. 20. 28 india empire | may 2017
Investment through Government Route: Investment through government require prior approval and are considered by Foreign Investment Promotion Board. Application for all FDI cases except non-resident India Investment, 100% Export Oriented Units (EOUs) should be submitted to FIPB unit Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance. Now resident Indian and 100% EOUs, can submit their application to Secretariat for Industrial Assistance (SIA) in Department of Industrial Policy and Promotions (DIPP). Although the new FDI policy allows 100% investment in many sectors but has restricted in few sector. These sectors are detailed under. Sectors which allow 100% investments through Automatic Routes: The new Foreign Policy which introduced in July, 2016, introduced sector which allow 100% investment through automatic route. They are the following: 1) Agriculture & Animal Husbandry 2) Plantation Sector 3) Mining and Petroleum and Natural Gas excluding Titanium 4) Petroleum and Natural Gas (Conditions apply) 5) Broadcasting content services (conditions apply) 6) Airports (Conditions apply) 7) Air Kansas port Services 8) Other services under Civil Aviation Sector 9) Construction Development, Townships, housing, built up infrastructure 10) Industrial Parks 11) Trading 12) E-Commerce Activities 13) Duty free shops 14) Railway Infrastructure 15) Asset Reconstruction Companies 16) Credit information Companies 17) White level ATM Operations 18) Non-banking Finance Companies 19) Pharmaceuticals Sectors which are below 100% investment and through automatic route and 100% investment are: 1) Broadcasting content Services 2) Print Media 3) Telecom Services 4) Mutti Brand Retail Trading 5) Private security Agencies 6) Defence 7) Banking Private Sector 8) Banking Public Sector 9) Infrastructure Company in Securities Market 10) Insurance 11) Pension Sector 12) Power Exchanges Prohibited Sector: The following are the sector on which FDI is prohibited a) Lottery Business including Government/private lottery,
online, lotteries, etc. Gambling and betting including casinos etc. Chit Funds Nidhi Company Trading in Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) Real Estate Business or Construction of Farm Houses Manufacturing of cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes, of Tobacco or or tobacco substitutes. h) Activities / sectors not open to private sector investment i.e. (i) atomic Energy and (ii) Railway operations (other than permitted in para 5.2.)
b) c) d) e) f) g)
KIND OF INVESTMENT Following are the instruments in which an investor can invest in India. 1) Equity Shares 2) Preference Shares / debentures 3) Acquisition of Warrant 4) Partly Paid shares 5) Foreign Currency convertible Bond Depository Receipts. CONDITIONS FOR INVESTMENT OTHER THAN ROUTE AND CAPS 1) Entry to the investment can be through automatic route or Government route. Apart from this conditions, the new Policy require some entry condition like norms for minimum capitalization, Lock and period etc apart from other condition like to comply with all relevant sectoral laws regulation, rules security condition and state / local / laws and regulations in India. 2) Foreign investment into an Indian company which is engaged is the activity of investing in capital of other company/companies / LLP, will require prior government / FIPB approved, regardless of the amount or extent of foreign investment. 3) Those companies which are core investment companies will have to follow RBI’s Regulatory framework too. It is to be noted that Foreign Investment into other Indian Companies /LLPs would be in accordance /compliance with the relevant sectoral conditions on entry route, conditionalIties and caps. CONDITIONS TO BE FULFILLED IN DOWN STREAM INVESTMENTS The eligible Indian entities / LLPs need to notify SIA, DIPP and FIPB of its downstream investment along with other requirements like the resolution of Board of directors, issue / transfer / pricing / valuation of capital shall be in accordance with applicable SEBI/RBI guidelines, have to bring the fund from abroad and not the leverage find from the domestic market. This does not preclude down streams companies / LLPs from raising debt in the ❐ domestic market, eternal accruals. —The author is Founding and Managing Partner of Anand Law Practice. He can be reached at KamalKAnand@yahoo.com, kkanand_6@yahoo.co.in may 2017 | india empire 29
cOLumN: YOGI ASHWINI
mIND AND bODY
YOg AND ThE FLOw OF ThE
FOuR AShRAmS By Yogi Ashwini Yogi ashwini
T
he vedic culture is a very scientific and precise science, science of entire creation and the science of being as a microcosm of the macrocosm which is the physically manifested creation. It very clearly lays down the path and also how to walk on it and have the secrets of creation revealed to you so that the final merger happens with full consciousness in a disease-free body…at will. The reason why there are so many seekers and very few who achieve success is simple. Those who achieve success have three things in common – a Guru who has the traits of five yamas of ashtang yog, priority to the subject over other things in life and, regular practice along with service and charity. The above three things are tied into the framework of four ashrams – brahmcharya, grihasta, vaanprasth and sanyaas. Each of these ashrams naturally flows into the next, it is not forced, the right practice of yog under a guru ensures this. I will give a little insight into the vaanprastha stage for a yogguru. Normally people think that it is renunciation, but there is no such thing as renouncing the world. One goes through it like a ship goes through the ocean, it is on the water and crosses, the water is not in it and so it does not sink. Vaanprastha simply means to begin the process of limiting your interactions with the mundane aspects of life, and with people whose priority is not yog. In vaanprastha, teachings continue and interactions with sadhaks go on. It can be called that the ship is in the middle of the ocean and is moving towards its finality. Those on the ship are limited as only those who trust the ship fully are allowed. How long you have known the ship (guru) is of no consequence, your desire and other prerequisites are important. Having collected the force within for the onwards journey in the years of brahmcharya and having gone through the experiences of a worldly life as a grihasta, a being takes a step back from the physical world as he enters vaanprastha, because to reach the final destination, all this has to be left behind. For a rocket to break the pull of gravity, it has to leave its excess weight. Leaving does not imply running away, the thought of the physical has to go. Let me explain this with the help of the example of a rishi who left his family and house to do dhyan in Himalayas. The rishi followed a niyam of offering milk to the shivling every day. As he went to the Himalayas, commoners from nearby villages would bring him milk and he would carry on with his practice. Once no one came to give the milk. In the absence of milk, the rishi of-
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fered water to the shivling. However, it soon became a common occurring, the villagers would often forget to bring him milk. The rishi then decided to keep a cow so that he does not have to depend on the villagers. When he went to village to get the cow, the villagers advised him to also take a lady with him to take care of the cow as he would be in dhyan for long hours. The rishi agreed. Five years passed. The villagers then asked the rishi to marry the lady since no one else would take her. The rishi agreed. He married her and they had a family. So, whatever he had left, was created back again for him because of his one thought. That is why it is said, yogah chitt vritti nirodh. One needs to silence the modifications of the mind to access what lies beyond the five senses. Vaanprastha is preparatory stage which further leads to sanyas. After a stage a yogi needs to his/her limit interactions with normal people. There is a story in the Mandukya Upanishad about a group of rishis who used to live in Himalayas. One day these rishis suddenly realised that their bodies had started ageing. (A Yogi’s body does not age. He/she leaves the body in full consciousness and strength, being aware of where he/she is going.) The rishis then had a discussion on the possible reasons for ageing. They realised that this happened as they left their Himalayan abode to settle in the villages resulting in increased interactions with normal people. When you have interaction with normal people, there is intermingling of thoughts and energy patterns. And then the body begins to exhibit the symptoms of a normal human being - eat, drink & make merry. Vedic masters say, and modern science agrees that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. When you resort to pleasures of the five senses, as an equal and opposite reaction, the body begins to age. This ageing has to be held back to garner the energy to make the final journey beyond the five senses and also take the deserving shishyas beyond. So during the phase of vanprastha, you limit your interactions otherwise the body ages very fast. Now let me give you the traits of a guru – a guru is someone who does not charge you a fee because someone who is him/herself tied in maya cannot release you, he/she exudes the glow and attraction associated with yog, diseases disappear in his/her presence, whatever he/she says happens, and he/she is sthir in the five yams,. So my suggestion is look for a guru, give the subject priority and you will be called on board on this ❐ beautiful journey called yog. —For questions to Yogiji write to info@dhyanfoundation.com
mIND AND bODY
SpEAkINg TO A wIDER AuDIENcE ABOuT ThE pOSITIvE cONTRIBuTIONS OF pSYchIATRY dr uttam garg
T
he contemporary world is a complex and stressful place. Most people at some or the other point in their lives stand to benefit by psychiatry. There is however a very disturbing trend. Psychiatry arguably is the most criticized, scrutinized, stigmatized and even downright dismissed branch of medicine. There are also widespread misconceptions about the therapeutic practices and tools, for example the Electroconvulsive therapies, which while considered life saving in specific situations in the realm of psychiatry, is looked upon as barbaric in rest of the world. It is in no way helped by the grossly inaccurate depictions in popular films and media. While people may flaunt their utilization of cutting edge developments in healthcare, they tend to shy away from acknowledging same with psychiatry. And this trend is present in not just the common public but astonishingly, a large number of health care professionals also harbor several misconceptions and biases against psychiatry. It is thus necessary for both, the clients (service users) and the service providers to speak up against these fallacies. It is highly crucial that the positive aspects and contributions of psychiatry be conveyed to masses at large. One of the goals included in the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) Action Plan 2008-2011 was to strive to improve the image of psychiatry and psychiatrists in the eyes of the health professionals, the general public, health decision makers and students of health and allied professions. Studies on the topic have identified the positive impact of improving people’s knowledge about the mental disorders, in form of “mental health first aid course”, on the overall perception and service utility. Presentations given by psychiatrists in local high schools were found to improve mental health knowledge, help seeking attitudes and appreciation of psychiatry. A major area of action in this regard is fine-tuning the depiction of psychiatry in the mainstream media. This is a pre requisite for changing public opinion, particularly by promoting realistic depictions of psychiatric illnesses, psychiatric treatments and outcomes. It has been suggested 34 india empire | may 2017
By Dr Uttam Garg
that mental health professionals as well as patients should be more present in the media, in order to provide a more accurate picture of psychiatric treatments and their consumers. For example, The Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) ran a 5-year campaign ‘Changing Minds’. The aim was to reduce the stigma of mental illness through activities such as road shows, local events and a cinema trailer. The Royal College of Psychiatrists also has a network of Divisional Public Education Officers, whose role is to support the local media in presenting accurate information on mental health, writing articles, being a contact point for journalists, writing to complain about discrimination and supporting others in protesting. As national bodies, the Indian Psychiatric Society, Indian Association of Social Psychiatry and Indian Association of Private Psychiatry are actively seeking to establish and maintain sound working relationships with the media via special sessions for media personnel in major conferences. In collaboration with relevant academic institutions, the curricula for undergraduate and postgraduate medical training are being revised; establishing closer links and collaboration with other professional bodies, with patient and family associations, and with other organizations that can be involved in the provision of mental health care and rehabilitation of the mentally ill is also highly desirable. Reading about people’s own experience of mental illness can promote understanding. While significant public figures in the west have been vocal about their psychiatric problems in the past, recently a mainstream film actress in India spoke about her battle with depression and some films and television features have also treated the subject of mental health with the maturity and sensitivity it deserves. One should be able to stand up against mental health discrimination wherever it is encountered. This means challenging people who use disrespectful language or tell a ‘nutter on the bus’ joke. It means being willing to befriend and work with someone who has a history of mental illness. Most of all it means being honest about our own ■ experiences of Mental health issues. —Dr. U C Garg, M.D. is the Secretary, Preventive Psychiatry of WPA
DIASPORA NEWS
LOS ANGELES bOOk LAuNcH
lOS ANGElES B OOK l A uN C H PuBlISHED By: INDIA EMPIRE PuBlICATIONS Book: Indian Americans in Greater Los Angeles Area Project Chair: Inder Singh Project Editor: Sayantan Chakravarty Project Team Members: Kewal Kanda / Abdulgani (Ganibhai) Shaikh / Dilip Butani / Vasu Pawar Indian Americans in Greater Los Angeles Area, a 228-page colored coffee table book, has focused on the Indian presence in this special part of Southern California. Tracing the history of Indians in Southern California, giving an account of the major festivals and events that are held, taking a look at Little India in Artesia, highlighting major philanthropic contributions by Indian Americans in this part of the USA, talking about the rise of the Patels in the motels, resorts and hotels business, the book is rich in background and academic material. There are 83 profiles in all including those of 13 community bodies, nine businesses and 61 prominent Indian Americans in the Greater Los Angeles area in the book. It was launched in Artesia, Los Angeles on April 23, 2017
L-R: Navneet Chugh, Navin Doshi, Dr Satinder Swaroop, Project Chair and Book Launch Organizer Inder Singh, Dr R Narayanaswami, Chief Paul Husson, Dr Pammi Bevli, Dr Harvinder Sahota 36 india empire | may 2017
L-R: Bob Bawa (partially seen), Munish Makkar, Arun Bhumitra, Inder Singh, Ashok Madan, Deepi Singh, Aishveryaa Nidhi, Dr Harkeerat Singh Dhillon, Raman Chadha
L-R: Rashmi Shah, Dinesh Gala, Naresh Solanki, Dr Prakash Narain, Artesia Mayor Ali Taj, Dilip Butani, Inder Singh, Hark Vasa and Ramesh Ramnani
L-R: Dilip Butani, Vasu Pawar, Kewal Kanda, Inder Singh, Navin Gupta, Hark Vasa, Dr Vinod Abhasta, Umi Mukherjee, Vineet Puri
L-R: Suru Manek, Inder Singh, Vasu Pawar, Sudip Gorakshakar, Dr Manohar Shinde, Sunil Agarwal
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LOS ANGELES bOOk LAuNcH
L-R: Sunil Garg, Anju Garg, Harry Sidhu, Aparna Hande, Inder Singh, Kewal Kanda, Baljinder Tahim, Rajinder Dhunna, Navin Gupta, Anil Verma and Kamlesh ‘Gauri’ Chauhan
L-R: Nishat Ahmed, Qasim Nawab, Zahir Ahmed, Mohammad Yacoob, Indar Sethi, Dr Ramgopal Rao, Abdulgani Shaikh, Dr Anil Aggarwal, Chaitanya Dave, Asghar Vasanwala, Manubhai Shah, Amir Mahida, Maqbool Kadari
Sudip Gorakshakar speaks at the launch function. Also seen are Dr Sahota (left) and Nikky Kapadia (right)
Dr Harkeerat Singh Dhillon speaks at the launch. Also seen are Nikky Kapadia and Pat Patnaik
Harish Kakkar with Inder Singh
Inder Singh with Anshuman Sinha
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Inder Singh gives a detailed presentation on how the book project was conceived, planned and executed
Asha Kanda, Kailash Narang, Deepi Singh
A view of the audience
A view of the audience
may 2017 | india empire 39
DIASPORA NEWS
pm connects with Sri Lankan Tamils Invoking his famous chai pe charcha concept, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May sought to establish an instant rapport with the Indian origin Tamils of Sri Lanka, who dominate the plantation areas that produce the world famous Ceylon tea. Not just that, he also spoke a couple of sentences in Tamil saying how delighted he was to meet them and how he considered it a big honour to get an opportunity to talk to them. “I have a special association with tea,” he said as he began addressing the Indian origin Tamils, PM Modi at the Indian origin Tamil Community function, whose ancestors settled in this part at Norwood Grounds, Dickoya, in Sri Lanka on May 12, 2017. The President of Sri Lanka about 200 years ago. of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Maithripala Sirisena “Discussion over tea”, which he and the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, had introduced during the 2014 Lok Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe are also seen Sabha election campaign, “was not just a slogan but a mark of deep respect for dignity and in- the iconic MGR and famous cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan, tegrity of honest labour”, the Prime Minister said. This asser- which again was received with a round of applause. tion was received with thunderous clapping from the audience Modi, on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka primarily to attend which also lapped up his quotes from Tamil Saint Thiruvallu- the International Vesak Day celebrations, inaugurated a Rs var’s Thirukkural and scholar Kaniyan Poonkundranar to recall 150 crore super-speciality hospital built with Indian assistance how ancient was the Tamil race and their message for the in Dickoya, home to a large Tamil community who are of Inworld. He also said that the plantation area had given birth to dian-origin.
GOPIO SYDNEY PHILANTHROPY IN INDIA GOPIO Sydney North West chapter team decided to financially support the needy students of Sainik Institute, Hoshiarpur, where children of retired Indian soldiers study and take vocational training for their future careers. GOPIO Sydney North West chapter has already provided basic amenities to disadvantaged school children of Punjab and Haryana for the last 7 years and around 4,000 students have benefitted. GOPIO Sydney North West chapter took another initiative to share the knowledge with Indian students and impart practical experience to them for their successful careers. Col. (Rtd) Dalvinder Singh, Campus Director and Prof. Parminder Kaur Saini organised a seminar on “Personality Development, Job Hunt & Interview Skills and Quality Education” at the Sainik Institute, Hoshiarpur on 20 February 2017. Harmohan 40 india empire | may 2017
Singh Walia, Life member of GOPIO Sydney North West chapter, shared his experience with students and staff, and delivered the seminar on the above topic. Notes were provided to students for their help. Mr Walia also provided financial help to seven needy students of the Sainik Institute on behalf of GOPIO Sydney NW chapter. Q&A session followed his presentation. Such seminars were conducted earlier also by Mr Walia with the students of Punjabi University, Patiala and Sainik Institute, Hoshiarpur.
INDIA GATE EVENT
ODISHA
PARBA
2017
R
esidents of the National Capital Region (NCR) came out in large numbers to celebrate the three-day Odisha Parba 2017, a mega event to celebrate Odisha’s Culture, Tradition, Heritage and Cuisine held between April 29 and May 1, 2017. It was organized by the Odia Samaj at the India Gate Lawns, New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Mr Arun Jaitley, Union Minister for Finance, Defence and Corporate Affairs. Justice Dipak Misra of the Supreme Court of India
“I am delighted see such a large gathering of visitors in this event. I am thankful to Delhi-ites for showing their love to celebrate occasions across cultures. I am also proud to see such a huge gathering of Odia people here, which shows their bonding with their roots, culture and traditions. This event will help in propagating the rich heritage of Odisha, the colorful cultural forms and vibrant sociocultural and political ethos of the state” —Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas (I/C)
and Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas (I/C) attended this mega event as the Guests of Honour. At the valedictory, Governor of Jharkhand Smt. Draupadi Murmu attended as Chief Guest. Among others, Member of Parliament from Kendrapada Mr Baijayant Panda, and Union Culture Secretary Mr N K Sinha graced the evening. Mr Jaitley said, “People of the Odisha were the first to cross the boundaries taking the tedious sea route to spread
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picture © sipra das
pictures © sanket communications
INDIA GATE EVENT
Indian culture in the outside world. This grand event provides a platform to non-Odia people to learn about the rich culture and traditions of Odisha. I am hopeful this event will be held regularly hereafter.” On the second day, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information and Broadcasting Mr M. Venkaiah Naidu addressing the gathering said, “India is incomplete without a culturally-enriched Odisha. The state’s glorious cultural legacy has immensely contributed to India. Odisha’s indomitable spirit is reflected in its spectacular gamut of cultural performances.” Governor Murmu said, “More than 10 lakhs Odias in Delhi and NCR have been celebrating our festivals regularly far from our home state, but there always remains a gap. I am thankful that an event such as this has been organized to fill that gap” On the inaugural day were seen enthralling folk dances of Odisha like Gotipua, Jhumar, Ranapa, Paika and Chhau. Bhajan and Chorus (Bande Utkal Janani) led by Shri Saroj Mohanty was another attraction of the evening. After that, “Jagannath Gopinath” (Odishi Dance) presented by Guru Shri Durga Charan Ranbir and Patitapaban Kala Niketan, New Delhi mesmerized the audience. “Bhava Sangam” (Odishi Dance) composed by Padma Shri Smt. Aruna Mohanty, Sambalpuri Folk dance by Sambalpur Tribal and Folk Art centre with Dr Krishna Patel from Sambalpur, Odisha and melodious musical performance by Ms Nazia Alam had the audience spell-bound. The replicas of the three colourful chariots of Jagannath Dham at the entrance gate of the event brought a divine feeling among the visitors who thronged to the abode of Odia culture. An exhibition titled Atma Shakti, captured the indomitable spirit of Odias through the enchanting history of its ancient civilization. A symbolic replica of the Mountain Caves of Udayagiri was erected at the site. The second evening witnessed enthralling folk dances of Odisha including Ghumura, Jodi Sankha, Sankirtana and Medha Nacha. Musical performance by leading Odia singer Ms Susmita Das was another attraction of the evening. After that, “Taala Badya” presented by Prof Dhaneswar Swain, “Bara
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Masa Tera Parba” (Chorus) by team Utkalini, “Jaganath Jatra” a festival dance by Pravat Kumar Swain and musical performance by Ms Kaveri Behera, “Espirangaa” musical performances by Hrushikesh Acharya with Tariq Ajij, Navya, Sarmistha, Kunu were well appreciated by the audience. On the third and final day, folk dances of Odisha by Bande Utkal Janani (Chorus) by Team Utkalini, New Delhi, Navakalebara (Odishi) by Chandrakant Sutar, New Delhi, “Desiyazz” Odisha Folk Fusion Music by Debashis Mahapatra and Pankaj Jal, “Shivaya”, contemporary style Chhau dance by Rajesh Sai Babu, New Delhi regaled the audience. Musical and dance performance by the famous Odia folk singer Jitendriya Haripal, Sambalpur was another attraction of the evening. “Kotie Mana Gotie Hrudaya” by leading singer of Odisha Mr. T Shourie and Fate Fighter Group, Puri mesmerized the audience. Bollywood singer Mr. Suresh Wadkar and Union Minister of State Babul Supriyo sange some melodious numbers. Hasta Shilpa Haat exhibition showcased Odisha’s authentic artifacts, sculptures and handcrafted textiles. The high points was the live demonstration of various art forms like pattachitra paintings, stone crafts, Pipili appliqué work, stone work, Sambalpuri saree weaving. A major attraction was the workshop by Padma Shri Sudarshan Patnaik that inspired upcoming talents in the NCR to learn about the globally ac❐ claimed art form of building structures on sand.