India empire september 2016

CONteNts 10

september 2016

17

40 MISSION TO SKILL ............................................. 10 Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy is incharge of skilling 400 million youth by 2022

COUNTRY SECTION ........................................... 21 Guatemala, Zambia, Mongolia and Ukraine

DIPLOMAT SPEAK .............................................. 06 Global diplomats talk to India Empire

DIASPORA COMMUNITY LEADER .................... 40 Focus on Inder Singh from Los Angeles

BEST PLACES ON EARTH .................................. 17 The world’s tourism hotspots

BUSINESS AND GOVERNANCE .......................... 47 Focus on products, and strategies

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Cover Story

“Our mission is to skill 40.2 crore youth by 2022” “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”

–Yoda, Jedi Master

In today’s India, skilling has becoming absolutely imperative. The possibility of lagging behind the giant economies insofar as skilling of millions of workers is concerned no longer exists. Enterprises will head where the skills are.

Mr Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge) is tasked with implementing the National Skill Mission, a programme overseen by Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi. One of the top-priority programmes of the Government of India, Skill India is now a buzzword, having caught the imagination of the world’s industry and enterprises. It is an initiative that has been launched to empower youth with skill sets that make them far more employable, more productive, more empowered for the benefit of Indian and foreign companies. With 65 per cent of India’s youth in the working age group, the task before Mr Rudy is challenging.

The minister backs himself to deliver on this Mission Mode programme, and opens up with Editor and Publisher Sayantan Chakravarty on a broad range of issues

What is the long term vision of the Government in skilling India?

India currently has a demographic in which 65% of its population is below the age of 35 years which is the working age group. In that context, we are the youngest country currently with a lot of energy which if guided in the right direction can be a dividend that can change the country’s economy and bring immense growth to its industries. Our long term vision is to make India the Skilled nation which is not only self-reliant but one that can also provide human resource support to other nations.

Our mission is to skill 40.2 crore youth in India by the year 2022 so that we have a young skilled India when the country celebrates its 75th independence anniversary. Our endeavors and plans under Skill India are towards training, assessing and certifying as many youth as possible so that they add to not only their personal growth but also the country’s growing economy.

Please talk us through the major points of focus in the national policy for skill development and entrepreneurship.

The objective of the National Policy on Skill Develop10 india empire | september 2016

ment and Entrepreneurship, 2015, is to meet the challenge of skilling at scale with speed and standard (quality). It will aim to provide an umbrella framework to all skilling activities being carried out within the country, to align them to common standards and link the skilling with demand centers. In addition to laying down the objectives and expected outcomes, the effort will also be to identify the various institutional frameworks which can act as the vehicle to reach the expected outcomes. The national policy will also provide clarity and coherence on how skill development efforts across the country can be aligned within the existing institutional arrangements. This policy will link skills development to improved employability and productivity.

What are salient actionable points under the national skill development mission?

The National Skill Development Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2015, and officially launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day. The Mission has been developed to create convergence across sectors and States in terms of skill training activities.

SKILLING INDIA: Minister Rudy is tasked with fast-tracking India’s flagship skilling programme, the National Skill Mission. He has taken several steps to ensure that the country’s young workforce is skilled before 75 years of independence are completed

August 2016 | indiA empire

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Cover Story

Key institutional mechanisms for achieving the objectives of the Mission have been divided into three tiers, which will consist of a Governing Council for policy guidance at an apex level, a Steering Committee and a Mission Directorate (along with an Executive Committee) as the executive arm of the Mission. Mission Directorate will be supported by three other institutions: National Skill Development Agency (NSDA), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), and Directorate General of Training (DGT) – all of which will have horizontal linkages with Mission Directorate to facilitate smooth functioning of the national institutional mechanism. Seven sub-missions have been proposed initially to act as building blocks for achieving overall objectives of the Mission. They are: (i) Institutional Training, (ii) Infrastructure, (iii) Convergence, (iv) Trainers, (v) Overseas Employment, (vi) Sustainable Livelihoods, (vii) Leveraging Public Infrastructure.

The mission clearly states that we have to skill 40.2 crore youth by the end of 2022.

We understand that most ministries and department in the central government today have been empowered with skilling desks. Is this helping you to expand your outreach across sectors?

Yes certainly. To have a dedicated team that ensures skill development across Ministries, States, Districts and Organization reflects how seriously the Government is ensuring that we deliver on the skills agenda for the country. The implementation of common norms is ensuring that there is standardization to all initiatives undertaken for skill development and all are aligned to the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).

We have partnered with more than 15 Ministries so far and our collaboration is seeing some great contributions from each in terms of infrastructure for skill development, training youth as per the identified curriculum and then hiring them, monetary contribution to promote skill development in certain regions and segments. All in all, there is great convergence across all and great coordination. It is easier to expand when we know their exact requirement and what they can contribute to us and then plan how we can address the skill gaps in the sectors.

In a similar way several state governments are tying up/ready to tie with the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship for skilling. Kindly elaborate on this?

There has been a great contribution from the States on the skills agenda. Our policy interventions have helped streamline and standardize the skill initiatives across States and they are now able to deliver standardized trainings.

A National Board for Skills Assessment and Certification will be established to ensure quality and consistency of skill training qualifications. The Board will combine industry-led SSC certification processes and government authorized NCVT certification and will act as a one-stop shop for examinations, assessments and awarding national level certificates in compliance with NSQF, for skill development courses in the country. This board will bring uniformity in assessments across all schemes being implemented in the States.

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As part of the Ministry’s plan to up-grade, re-establish and re-energize the ITIs in the country and at the same time link them to global markets, MSDE in conjunction with the respective State Governments has initiated the process of ISO 29990:2010 certification of all government ITIs across all States. The initiative has been taken in line with the objective of having a certain standard for vocational training which can be recognized globally and also gives merit by industry, to students while being screened and selected for jobs. MSDE will also create Model Skill Development Centres called Pradhan Mantri Kaushik Kendras (PMKK) under the PMKVY scheme, in every Parliamentary Constituency, so as to strengthen the ITI ecosystem at every State level.

There have been comprehensive amendments made to Apprentices Act 1961, as well where it has been made more responsive to industry and youth. Employers will now have to engage apprentices to the strength of 2.5% minimum to up to 10% of their total work force. To bring respect and dignity to youth engaged as apprentices and support them in covering basic necessities, the stipend payable has been directly linked to minimum wages at the state level. The revised stipend would be 70% of the minimum wages in the first year, followed by 80% and 90% in the second and third years, respectively. Industry should be free to pay higher stipend to apprentices.

A single window platform has been launched to aggregate supply and demand trends in the skill ecosystem, referred to as the National Labour Market Information System (LMIS).

Two new World Bank Projects have been approved to scale up skill development in the country. This includes the Skills Strengthening For Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) project to revitalize the ITI ecosystem in the States and Skill Training for Employability leveraging Public Private Partnership (STEPPP), which will be implemented in mission mode through World Bank support to achieve the objectives laid down in the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM). A substantial amount of this fund has been allocated to strengthen the State Skill Development Mission.

Entrepreneurship goes hand and hand with the talk of skilling India. It also helps the economy grow.

Which is that segment that you are targeting to convert into India`s new entrepreneurs?

Our focus through our entrepreneurship scheme will be to educate and equip potential and early age entrepreneurs across the country right at the lower segment of the society.

The definition of entrepreneurship is not limited to just new app developers or e-commerce platform creators, but it is actually for young people of the country who have a certain skill set but do not have the art to bring their skills to market and earn a livelihood from it.

For example, a young girl in her village who does a skill development course in beauty and wellness is given a beautician kit to help begin her set-up can actually become an entrepreneur in her vicinity and can actually urge many like her to set their own venture and earn a living for themselves or can actually hire or partner with others who have the same

(Left) Minister Rudy speaks on World Youth Skills Day on July 15, and (right) stands next to Prime Minister Modi for the release of the National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (2015)

interest to make her venture bigger and more successful.

Entrepreneurship is a mandatory module integrated into every curriculum so that the youth can make up his / her mind to decide whether they want to search for a job in the same skill set or wish to set up their own venture.

Please talk us through the E-Hubs that you are creating. What are they likely to offer a budding entrepreneur?

To extend support to entrepreneurs, including coordinated delivery of national and state government entrepreneurship programs and access to enabling resources, a national network of Entrepreneurship Hubs (E-Hubs) will be established. One national, 30 state, 50 Nodal and 3,000 college based E-Hubs will be set up to deliver support.

These E-Hubs will, collectively, cover the entire nation.

These E-Hubs will create a strong talent pool of entrepreneurs by creating a robust entrepreneurship education and training system that encourages entrepreneurial culture and thereafter connects potential entrepreneurs to peers, mentors, investors, finance and business services. These are endeavors to catalyze a culture shift to encourage entrepreneurship.

Is the focus of your entrepreneurship drive primarily on youth? Or are people who have retired after holding top management positions in public sector firms and have a lot left in them to offer society also included in your target audience?

The focus of our entrepreneurship program will primarily be on the youth, but yes there are other ways in which we are helping in the resettlement of those who retire from their services. There is a huge dearth of trainers in our country and those who have experience, are passionate, knowledgeable and have technical expertise as well, are being encouraged to be part of the skill ecosystem by opting to be trainers and in positions equivalent to their current capacity.

For example we have joined hands with the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs to train retired IAF and CRPF personnel respectively, recognizing and quanti-

fying their skills to create opportunities for gainful employment for them and are ensuring them ways in which they can continue to contribute to nation building.

We are likewise evaluating opportunities in other sectors as well, so that we can make extract the best from these experienced and knowledgeable professionals and seek their contribution in development of our country.

What steps are being taken to discuss skilling with foreign missions based in India—particularly those from nations with high skilled population—who can step to add value to various skill development programs here?

MSDE continues to collaborate with organizations and boards of skill development from other countries as well and is ensuring exchange of best practices, models and techniques that can be adapted from these skilled countries.

We are working with countries like US, UK, Germany, France, Canada, Australia to identify and map ourselves to transnational standards which have international recognition so that our youth can get trained into them and opens up avenues not only for related jobs in the country but even in other markets across the globe.

In your opinion, how can NRIs who are willing to invest in India, or already have invested in India, partner in the skilling programme?

MSDE has been closely working with the corporate sector to attract private sector investment in the skill development space. In this regard, large corporates like Mahindra, Kalyani Group, Future Group and others have already partnered NSDC to set-up skill development capacity across the country. Furthermore we are also working with the corporates to channelize their CSR funding in the skill development space through the National Skill Development Fund (NSDF). While a formal system has not been set-up to reach out to the NRIs, we would be keen to receive any help or support in order to make India the Skill Capital of the world. â?? september 2016 | india empire 13

SPeCIAL CoLuMn on LAW AnD DIPLoMACy

TaxaTion SySTem in india

By K K Anand

I

ndia has a well-developed tax structure with clearly demarcated authority between Central and State Governments and local bodies. Central Government levies taxes on income (except tax on agricultural income, which the State Governments can levy), customs duties, central excise and service tax. Value Added Tax (VAT), stamp duty, state excise, land revenue and profession tax are levied by the State Governments.

Local bodies are empowered to levy tax on properties, octroi and for utilities like water supply, drainage etc. Indian taxation system has undergone tremendous reforms during the last decade. The tax rates have been rationalized and tax laws have been simplified resulting in better compliance, ease of tax payment and better enforcement. The process of rationalization of tax administration is ongoing in India.

DIREct taxEs In case of direct taxes (income tax, wealth tax, etc.), the burden directly falls on the taxpayer.

Income tax: According to Income Tax Act 1961, every person, who is an assessee and whose total income exceeds the maximum exemption limit, shall be chargeable to the income tax at the rate or rates prescribed in the Finance Act. Such income tax shall be paid on the total income of the previous year in the relevant assessment year.

Resident: An individual is treated as resident in a year if present in India: 1. For 182 days during the year or 2. For 60 days during the year and 365 days during the preceding four years.

profession set up in India.

DIffERENt KINDs Of taxEs RElatING tO a cOmPaNy minimum alternative tax (mat): Normally, a company is liable to pay tax on the income computed in accordance with the provisions of the income tax Act, but the profit and loss account of the company is prepared as per provisions of the Companies Act. fringe Benefit tax (fBt): The Finance Act, 2005 introduced a new levy, namely Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) contained in Chapter XIIH (Sections 115W to 115WL) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) is an additional income tax payable by the employers on value of fringe benefits provided or deemed to have been provided to the employees.

Dividend Distribution tax (DDt): Under Section 115O of the Income Tax Act, any amount declared, distributed or paid by a domestic company by way of dividend shall be chargeable to dividend tax. Only a domestic company (not a foreign company) is liable for the tax.

Banking cash transaction tax (Bctt): The Finance Act 2005 introduced the Banking Cash Transaction Tax (BCTT) w.e.f. June 1, 2005 and applies to the whole of India except in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. securities transaction tax (stt): Securities Transaction Tax or turnover tax, as is generally known, is a tax that is leviable on taxable securities transaction.

Resident but not Ordinarily Resident: A resident who was not present in India for 730 days during the preceding seven years or who was nonresident in nine out of ten preceding years is treated as not ordinarily resident.

Wealth tax: Wealth tax, in India, is levied under Wealthtax Act, 1957. Wealth tax is a tax on the benefits derived from property ownership.

Non-Residents: Non-residents are taxed only on income that is received in India or arises or is deemed to arise in India. A person not ordinarily resident is taxed like a non-resident but is also liable to tax on income accruing abroad if it is from a business controlled in or a

capital Gains tax: A capital gain is income derived from the sale of an investment. A capital investment can be a home, a farm, a ranch, a family business, work of art etc.

The capital gain is the difference between the money received from selling the asset and the price paid for it.

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short term and long term capital Gains: Gains arising on transfer of a capital asset held for not more than 36 months (12 months in the case of a share held in a company or other security listed on recognized stock exchange in India or a unit of a mutual fund) prior to its transfer are "short-term". Capital gains arising on transfer of capital asset held for a period exceeding the aforesaid period are "long-term".

Double taxation Relief: Double Taxation means taxation of the same income of a person in more than one country. This results due to countries following different rules for income taxation. There are two main rules of income taxation i.e. (a) Source of income rule and (b) residence rule.

Bilateral Relief: The Governments of two countries can enter into Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to provide relief against such Double Taxation, worked out on the basis of mutual agreement between the two concerned sovereign states.

Unilateral relief: The above procedure for granting relief will not be sufficient to meet all cases. No country will be in a position to arrive at such agreement with all the countries of the world for all time.

Double taxation avoidance agreement (Dtaa): List of countries with which India has signed Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement: ●

●

● ●

● ●

DTAA Comprehensive Agreements - (With respect to taxes on income) DTAA Limited Agreements – With respect to income of airlines/ merchant shipping Limited Multilateral Agreement DTAA Other Agreements/Double Taxation Relief Rules Specified Associations Agreement Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA)

INDIREct taxatION central sales tax (cst): Central Sales tax is generally payable on the sale of all goods by a dealer in the course of inter-state trade or commerce or, outside a state or, in the course of import into or, export from India.

Value added tax (Vat): VAT is a multi-stage tax on goods that is levied across various stages of production and supply with credit given for tax paid at each stage of Value addition. Introduction of state level VAT is the most significant tax reform measure at state level. The state level VAT has replaced the existing State Sales Tax. Excise Duty: Central Excise duty is an indirect tax levied on goods manufactured in India. Excisable goods have been defined as those which have been specified in the

Mr K K Anand Central Excise Tariff Act as being subjected to the duty of excise. There are three types of Central Excise duties collected in India namely Basic Excise Duty: This is the duty charged under section 3 of the Central Excises and Salt Act,1944 on all excisable goods other than salt which are produced or manufactured in India at the rates set forth in the schedule to the Central Excise tariff Act,1985. additional Duty of Excise: Section 3 of the Additional duties of Excise (goods of special importance) Act, 1957 authorizes the levy and collection in respect of the goods described in the Schedule special Excise Duty: As per the Section 37 of the Finance Act, 1978 Special excise Duty was attracted on all excisable goods on which there is a levy of Basic excise Duty under the Central Excises and Salt Act,1944. Since then each year the relevant provisions of the Finance Act specifies that the Special Excise Duty shall be or shall not be levied and collected during the relevant financial year. customs Duty: Custom or import duties are levied by the Central Government of India on the goods imported into India. The rate at which customs duty is leviable on the goods depends on the classification of the goods determined under the Customs Tariff. service tax: There has been a steady increase in the rate of service tax. From a mere 5 per cent, service tax is now levied on specified taxable services at the rate of 14 per cent. ❐ —The author is Founding and Managing Partner of Anand Law Practice. He can be reached at Kamalkanand@anandlawpractice.com september 2016 | india empire 15

DIPLoMAtIC LenS

HAPPInESS, THErE AnD HErE

By Malay Mishra I went in search of happiness, to the under resident economist Karma Ura and ‘Dragon Kingdom’ of Bhutan, which has a group of researchers, developed a soevolved to some perfection, the Gross phisticated survey instrument after a naNational Happiness (GNH) Index. Artiction-wide survey to measure the ulated in 1972 by the Fourth King, Jigme population’s well being under certain speSingye Wanchuk, GNH is based on the cially devised barometers in 9 domains 1729 code by Zhabdrung Rimpoche, based on 33 indicators, thus a painstaking widely regarded as the ‘unifier’ of the scientific assessment of the happiness mountain kingdom, who had incidentally quotient. This was conducted in order to fled from Tibet in the early part of the generate a holistic model of development 17th century to settle in western Bhutan. and thus prove to the world that a counThe 2008 Constitution, under which try of 750,000 people (even less than an Bhutan turned into a Constitutional average Indian town) could generate an Monarchy when royalty passed seamlessly alternative paradigm for its citizens. to the Fifth King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Besides discovering the basics of MaAmbassador Malay Mishra Wangchuk, the current monarch aged 21 hayana Buddhism in a myriad myths, lores, years then, under Article 9 directs the State ‘to promote those incantations and practices, nature with a perennial green cover conditions that will enable the pursuit of GNH’. (over 70% of the country being under forest cover, one of the The 10th Plan of Bhutan defined GNH by outlining four highest in the world) is an irresistible draw and together prostrategic areas, popularly known as the four pillars of GNH, duce a wonderful symphony of unadulterated life in the pristine namely, fostering sustainable and equitable socio-economic de- surroundings. The 7th edition of ‘Mountain Echoes’, the most velopment, ensuring environmental conservation, preserving prominent lit-fest event of the country with the participation of and promoting native culture and traditions, and instituting more number of local writers than Indians this year proved to good governance. This was well expressed by their first Prime be an added attraction. My short encounter with Amitabh Minister elected under the 2008 Constitution, Lyonchhen Ghosh who was invited to the fest, at the Folk Heritage MuJigme Thinley, in his opening address at a Seminar on ‘Educa- seum, provided further impetus to discover the country through tion for Happiness’ in 2009, where he distinguished ‘happiness’ its strong narrative and oral traditions, an added bonanza. both from the Western materialistic notion of physical gains as Finally, our driver said it all. Knowledgeable to the core dewell as the ‘feel good’ moods pedantically associated with hap- spite being a high school drop-out, he felt that there was an inpiness, defining the latter as a multi-dimensional, multi-levelled nate urge to be happy in all the citizens of the land though holistic view of overall enrichment and empowerment of the many of them may not be well endowed in the material sense. human being with due respect for the environment and the in- This perhaps gives the common folk the urge to better their lot, digenous culture and traditions These have derived from Bud- inspired by their king, the royal portraits being ubiquitous dhism, specifically from the Mahayana tradition, brought into throughout the length and breadth of the kingdom, a rare pheBhutan from Tibet sometime in the 7th century, later growing nomenon in today’s world of faster globalization, but more iminto Tantric Vajrayana. portantly to express their persona as an integral part of nature.

Thus the innumerable Chortens and Dzongs (monuments Just an hour’s flight away from Paro, the second largest and monasteries, which have also served as fortresses and abode town hosting the only international airport (there are three of local kings) dotting the landscape have proved to be the foun- other domestic airports in different parts of the country with tainhead of Buddhist teaching and practices, more and more es- a criss cross of hill roads to supplement their nascent infraoteric, exemplified by the likes of Guru Rimpoche, also known structure), our very own ‘City of Joy’ stands out as a humonas Guru Padmasambhava (it is believed that the Guru fled from gous depiction of quotidian living, combining aspiration with India to Tibet as part of the expulsion drive of Buddhism some- struggle and toil amidst a decadent urban structure with its time in the 5th-6th centuries), Guru Milarepa (a Tibetan Zen crumbling houses, rickety vehicles and a teeming populace, perMaster) and Guru Drupka Kuenley, otherwise known as the ‘Di- haps representing the angst of today’s India in its minutiae. vine Madman’ who instilled a distinct worldliness into his teachWonder if I could ever reach for the elusive happiness in ings by bringing forth the concept of the Phallus, etched even my own country, shorn of the spiritual shibboleths which have today on the walls of the houses in Ponakha where the iconic demented generations of egregious Indians, grown up in the ❐ Chimi Lhakhang is situated as a tribute to the Master. incomparable wealth accumulated over millennia!

Following Bhutan’s persistence and active advocacy since becoming a UN member in 1972, Resolution 65/309 was —The author, a former ambassador, has served in Senegal, adopted in July 2011 which placed ‘happiness’ on the global Mauritius, Seychelles, France, Germany, Iran, Trinidad, USA and Hungary. He can be reached at malay.mishra55@gmail.com development agenda. In 2010, the Centre for Bhutan Studies 16 india empire | september 2016

PoLItICAL Photo FrAMeS PictureS: PiB

rEMEMBErInG MAHATMA GAnDHI

The Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal paying floral tributes at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, at Rajghat, in Delhi in September

BrICS InAUGUrAL

The Minister of State for External Affairs, General (Retd.) V.K. Singh addressing at the inauguration of the BRICS Film Festival, in New Delhi in September

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PoLItICAL CoverAge PictureS © SiPra DaS

PM THrOUGH THE LEnS

H.E. Mr Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of Egypt and Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi address the Media at Hyderabad House, Delhi in September

PM Modi welcomes Nepal’s Prime Minister Mr Pushpa Kamal Dahal at a ceremonial reception at Hyderabad House, Delhi in September

H.E. Mr U Htin Kyaw, President of Myanmar, inspects the guard of honour at President’s House, Delhi 34 india empire | september 2016

PM Modi alighting from the red-carpeted stairs at Red Fort on Indian Independence Day

CoverAge oF MongoLIA—SPeCIAL to InDIA eMPIre

Key inTeRview wiTH SpiRiTuaL LeadeR

“The world has to move forward with compassion” At the time of the Naadam Festival, Editor and Publisher Sayantan Chakravarty met with the Supreme Head of Mongolian Buddhists, His Eminence Khamba Lama, at Khui Doloon Khudag on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia

Editor Chakravarty during his interview with His Eminence Khamba Lama, the Supreme Head of Mongolian Buddhists, at Khui Doloon Khudag, Mongolia. (Right) H.E. Khamba Lama gives Prime Minister Modi a guided tour of the historic Gandan Monastery during the latter’s visit to Mongolia in May 2015

Please tell us your thoughts on Nalanda University which is being rebuilt by the Indian Government…

The Nalanda University is very important for us. Many Buddhist teachings that we have today in Mongolia emanated in Nalanda almost a thousand years ago, and are very important for us. Its restoration is vital for India, Mongolia and the rest of the world. so, according to you, how did Buddhism initially arrive in mongolia…

Buddhism came to Mongolia in the 1st century around the time of the Hunnu Empire. Monks Monks from India who travelled across West Asia, mainly along the Silk Route which facilitated merchandise trading, introduced Buddhism to Mongolia. The second wave was brought forward by monks in Tibet who had studied in Nalanda. spirituality is an ongoing process. How do you keep the younger generation involved?

At the moment 500 monks, mostly young students are studying in India, the majority in the southern part of the country. There are lesser numbers studying in northern part of India. The teachings are very intensive, because of the traditions involved. Every word is debated, explained, and we go into their meaning deeply. Every word taught is im36 india empire | september 2016

portant. We are confident that these monks will keep the rich tradition of Buddhism in this country alive, and so will future generations.

Indian Prime minister mr Narendra modi had visited the historic Gandan monastery in may 2015, and you had taken him around, holding his hand. Please describe the moment…

It was a special moment. He handed over a sapling of the Mahabodhi tree as a token of friendship of the Indian people. He said India would provide a 6-metre high statue of Lord Buddha. And he announced that the Indian Government would finance the digitization of ancient scriptures and records.

Peace and compassion are the need of the hour in today’s conflict-ridden world. What is your world view on such issues?

Yes, compassion and peace are the only way forward. At the same time freedom is very important. Some countries are unwilling to provide complete freedom to their people. At the same time very developed countries are focused too much on the material world. Instead of peace, that becomes the greatest cause of stress. Accumulation of wealth can be stressful.

It should be supported by spirituality and philosophy. ❐

New RAilwAy PROjeCT

T

he development of railway infrastructure re- Sainshand, and further connecting to several export routes mains one of the most pressing issues in the leading to target seaborne markets.

Mongolian economy. Lack of railway access and In June 2010, Parliament of Mongolia approved the capacity is the major challenge for the develop- State Policy on Railway Transportation, creating the framement of the Mongolian economy as a whole and work for developing integrated railway network in Mongothe mining sector in particular. The existing railway networks lia in 3 phases. In November 2011, the Government issued comprise only a few branch lines which are insufficient to the Cabinet Resolution # 121 to accelerate the implementransport Mongolia’s growing mining tation of the Railway Policy, recogoutput to its commodity markets: nizing the socio-economic there are about 1,905 km of railway importance of the phase 1 and Current Railway base structure in Mongolia of which phase 2 (New Railway Project), and Status in Mongolia approximately 1,807 km are owned therefore resolving to consolidate and operated by Ulaanbaatar Railway them into unified railway project to ● As of today, there are 1,905 km of Joint Stock Company (UBTZ), an enbe managed and implemented under railway base structure in Mongolia of tity jointly owned by Mongolian and Government authority and financwhich 1,807 km is owned and opRussian Governments on a 50:50 ing with participation of domestic erated by Ulaanbaatar Tumur Zam sharing basis. and international investors.

(UBTZ), an entity jointly owned by In order to maximize revenue Early 2013, the GOM granted Mongolian and Russian Governgeneration from its mineral rethe BOT concession right for the ments on a 50:50 sharingbasis sources, Mongolia requires a signifNew Railway Project to Mongolian icant expansion of its railway Railway State Owned Shareholding ● Operations in Mongolia railway network, an extension of its railway Company (MTZ), a 100% statetransportation sector have been capacity and an increase in border owned company established in 2008 self-regulated by UBTZ since its crossings with Russia and China. to create a national railway company establishment up until today, and The aim of the Government of in connection with the development UBTZ remains in a monopoly Mongolia (GOM) is to link to eastof the mining sector and to fulfill position owning almost all the railern railways directly to the sea ports the need for an efficient railway inway infrastructure in Mongolia in China and in Russia to increase frastructure in Mongolia. access to international markets. In All of the pre-development order to achieve its aim, the GOM is extending the railway studies have been completed for the New Railway Project. system to major mining areas as well as opening trade cor- As of December 2014, Front End Engineering Design ridors and export routes to neighboring Russia and China. (FEED) on the Tavan Tolgoi-Sainshand-Khuut-BichigtThe New Railway Project encompasses the develop- Ereentsav line (East Line) has been completed by Nippon ment, financing, construction, and operation of approxi- Koei of Japan. On the Tavan Tolgoi-Gashuun Sukhait line mately 1,800 km of railway infrastructure connecting key (South Line), Samsung C&T of Korea has been awarded strategic mining deposits in the southern region of Mon- the EPC contract and the construction is ongoing with ❐ golia with value-added downstream processing plants at 52% progress.

The Trans Siberian Railway, the world’s longest rail passage, runs from Russia to China, and cuts across Mongolia

september 2016 | india empire 37

PoLItICAL CoverAge PictureS © SiPra DaS

BJP COrE GrOUP MEET

Mr Amit Shah welcomes Mr Modi with a flower bouquet

PM Modi and Finance Minister Mr Arun Jaitley during the meet in Delhi in August

BJP President Mr Amit Shah briefs Prime Minister Modi

Union Ministers Mr Ananth Kumar, Mrs Sushma Swaraj and Mr Nitin Gadkari confabulate during the meet

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DIASPORA NEWS

DIASPorA CoMMunIty LeADerShIP—Mr InDer SIngh

RECOGNISING YOUNG INDIANS “No man is an island” —John Donne

It was in April 2016 that the Indian American Heritage Foundation organized its 30th annual awards function. For three decades the IAHF has recognized, honoured and rewarded the best and brightest students graduating from high schools from within the Indian American community.

Thirty years, by no stretch of imagination, is a small time for dedicating and committing to raise funds to reward children. But Inder Singh, with help from some equally committed people, has organized the award function with a passion since 1987. As John Dunne says, no man is an island.

Inder Singh worked wholeheartedly with the community, starting with Prof Rajen Anand, an equally committed person. He then worked with Dr Syal as his chief co-worker. Currently, the key people in the IAHF team include Kewal Kanda and Ashok Madan. Inder Singh is a past president of the National Federation of Indian American Associations, current executive trustee of the GOPIO Foundation (as well as former president and chairman, GOPIO International). He chaired the committee that organized the Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas in Los Angeles in November 2015. A well known author, he lives with his wife, Mrs Deepi Singh, in Tarzana, a suburb of Los Angeles, California. He speaks to Editor Sayantan Chakravarty

Please tell us how the story of recognizing and rewarding excellence among Indian american school students unfolded?

In 1986, we organized a convention in Los Angeles under the banner of National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) – a nation-wide umbrella body of Indian American organizations. A large majority of us at the time were first generation Indians in America. There were several settlement issues our community was facing.

Our young children were also experiencing many issues of growing up in two cultures. As part of the convention programme, we included some seminars where speakers and young people discussed issues important to the Indian American youth. The overwhelming participation of young people in the seminars led to the formation of the Indian American Cultural and Educational Foundation in 1987.

The Foundation started programmes where the youth could openly participate and discuss issues of a contemporary nature freely.

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High school graduation is an important milestone in the life of a student. For some, it can be an end of the formal education; for others, it may be a time to join a university for higher education leading to their chosen career. One of the objectives of the new organization was to recognize, reward and honor Indian community’s brilliant students graduating from high schools. In 1987, we organized a gala event celebrating achievements of our youth and also gave scholarships to qualified applicants graduating from high schools in Southern California. Since then, the Foundation has been sponsoring the annual awards event to celebrate the accomplishments of high school graduates of Indian descent.

The Foundation is at the forefront among Indian American organizations in USA to publicly recognize, reward and celebrate excellence of the community’s best and brightest graduating students, who have excelled in their academic studies and extra-curricular activities.

During the last thirty years, we have seen enormous wealth of talent in our high school graduates. These young

ROLL OF HONOUR: Mr Inder Singh (centre, red tie) with organizing team members and awardees at the 29th Indian American Heritage Foundation function in April 2015

people are the pride of our community, stars of the schools they graduate from, and shining examples for other students to follow. They have tremendous potential and would make our community proud.

What has been the source of funding over the past 30 years?

I met with Professor Frank Chookolingo who had donated substantial amount of money to the University of Southern California for the promotion of Indian culture.

Generally, scholarships are He was a PIO from Trinidad, yet given to students who need fiagreed to give seed money of $5000 Raising funds for the nancial help. What made you for recognizing brilliant and the scholarship program has choose academic excellence as a brightest among Indian students always been an uphill task. major criterion? graduating from high school.

First-generation Indian parents The Indian American commuNevertheless, the Foundawith high levels of educational atnity is perceived to rank amongst tion has succeeded to raise tainment saw the value in educating the most affluent in America. This funds for scholarships from their children. They knew that acais evident in the lavish manner in well-meaning and committed demic success was a ticket for a prowhich marriage functions are staged members of the community fessional degree and a good job. or funds are collected for various in greater Los Angeles area.

They had the immigrant’s hunger India based non-profits or building The annual award function for success and emphasized the imtemples and other places of woris acknowledgment of the portance of academic achievement ship. However, when it comes to continued generosity of the to their children. They encouraged honoring excellence in the youth of sponsors who have steadtheir children to follow their footthe community in America, Indian steps, do hard work in school and American community has not paid fastly supported the cause get top grades, which could ensure much attention. So, raising funds admission in a good college or unifor the scholarship program has alversity. ways been an uphill task. Nevertheless, the Foundation has Most of us had come at that time for higher education succeeded to raise funds for scholarships from well-meanand had experienced that good education produced a great ing and committed members of the community in greater return on investment of time and money. So one of the Los Angeles area. The annual award function is acknowlmajor objectives of the Foundation was to recognize and edgment of the continued generosity of the sponsors who reward hard work and excellence among Indian American have steadfastly supported the cause. high school graduates. Academic excellence, therefore, was We started with eight scholarship awards ranging chosen as a major criterion for the awards. from $200 to $1000. Over the years, the number has been september 2016 | india empire 41

DIASPorA CoMMunIty LeADerShIP—Mr InDer SIngh

SPONSORS CORNER: Award sponsors V.J. Singh and Simi Singh (first and second from left) with Varun Mandi and Tejal Gala who received the Science trophy at the April 2016 function. Mr Inder Singh is on the right

increased to twenty-four while the amount for high school graduates ranges from $750 to $2000. In addition to giving scholarships for academic excellence, four awards are given for outstanding achievements in Math and Science, sports, visual and performing arts and community service.

Every award comes with a rider—who are judging the awardees? In order to make the event credible you must have a system of selection of judges. Please elaborate?

SAT score and GPA require no judging. But we require an independent panel of three to five judges to evaluate extracurricular activities of the applicants. Judges’ score for each applicant is fed into the computer and then average score for each applicant is worked out. The judges also verify the accuracy of the quiz grading and computer data entry for final computation to computer-select the winners.

Based on the number of applicants, we need three to five groups of judges who spend four to six hours grading the applicants.

Judges exercise complete independence in grading the applicants and have generally not been part of the organizing committee. We have recruited judges from parents of past winners, academia, and community leaders. Grading applicants is a gruelling task, so, at times, we have not been able to get required number of judges from known sources.

In case we have faced a shortage of judges, we have taken the help of some members of the organizing committee.

We have tried to make our selection criteria as transparent as we can.

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If one of the objectives has been to force-teach applicants to learn about India and the struggle and contributions of Indian community in Usa, why have the scholarships been limited to Indians only.

Why has it not been opened to all students who would learn about India and Indian community history in Usa? The awards are not need based, so a criterion has been developed to select the top Indian American students for the awards. In addition to grading applicants for academic achievements, we also included a test for applicants’ knowledge about India and Indian Americans for which material is supplied in advance.

Indians have been in the USA since 1899. They started India Independence movement in 1913, now known as the Gadar Movement, have made many sacrifices, and went through many hardships in the course of settlement in this country. They have also made many contributions to America and played a role in the resurgence of India. So, we have a history as a contributing community and we made it a part of the selection criteria for the awards. We developed material for the applicants who use it to prepare for the test for the award.

In the beginning, India was uppermost in our minds, hence the scholarships were restricted to students of Indian origin. For various reasons, voices are being raised to allow all high school graduating students to apply. The logic is that we will encourage applicants from other communities to learn about India and Indians’ contributions to America.

Also, no one can challenge us that we discriminate against ❐ other communities.

DIASPorA

Prestigious awards Two Indo-American scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have been conferred with prestigious awards for their path-breaking inventions

n

asik-born Ramesh Raskar, an imaging scientist and inventor at MIT, has been awarded the $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize 2016, it was announced at Cambridge, in Massachusetts, in September.

Dinesh Bharadia, researcher at MIT, won the Paul Baran Young Scholar Award of the US-based Marconi Society.

Raskar, 46, is the co-inventor of radical imaging solutions including femto-photography—an ultra-fast imaging system that can see around corners—low-cost eye-care solutions for the developing world, and a camera that allows users to read pages of a book without opening the cover.

“We are thrilled to honour Ramesh Raskar, whose breakthrough research is impacting how we see the world,” said Dorothy Lemelson, chair of the Lemelson Foundation, in a statement. The technology, currently in development for commercialisation, uses ultrafast imaging to capture light at 1 trillion frames per second, allowing the camera to create slow motion videos of light in motion. “Ramesh’s femto-photography work not only has the potential to transform industries ranging from internal medicine to transportation safety, it is also helping to inspire a new generation of inventors to tackle the biggest problems of our time,” Lemelson added.

“Everyone has the power to solve problems and through peer-to-peer co-invention and purposeful collaboration, we can solve problems that will impact billions of lives,” observed Raskar, who is also Associate Professor at MIT. He plans to use a portion of the Lemelson-MIT Prize money to launch a new effort using peer-to-peer invention platforms that offer new approaches for helping young people in multiple countries to co-invent in a collaborative way, the statement read.

A doctorate from Stanford University in April 2015 and a graduate in electrical engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, Bharadia, 28, who hails from Ichalkarnji in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district, has been awarded for his contribution to radio waves.

“Bharadia has been chosen for the 2016 Paul Baran Young Scholar Award for his contribution to send and receive radio (wireless) signals, including mobile telephony and data on the same channel (wave),” the Marconi Society said in a statement. “Bharadia’s research disproved a longheld assumption that it is not possible for a radio to receive and transmit on the same frequency band because of the resulting interference,” the statement said.

The Marconi young scholar award includes $4,000 (Rs. 2,67,870) prize and expenses to attend its annual awards event. He will receive the award at a ceremony in Mountain

Imaging scientist and social impact inventor Ramesh Raskar of MIT is the 2016 recipient of the $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize

Dinesh Bharadia adjusting the antenna of the duplex radio setup that won him the Marconi Society’s Young Scholar Award 2016 in the US

View, California, on November 2. Bharadia’s technology can be used in India to build relays which can listen to signals from a cellular tower, transmit them instantly and extend the range across the country. It also has the potential for multiple applications such as building novel wireless imaging that can enable driverless cars ride in severe weather conditions and help blind people to navigate indoors.

According to his Stanford PhD guide Sachin Katti, Bharadia’s work enables a host of new applications, from low-power Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity to motion tracking. ❐ september 2016 | india empire 43

DIASPorA

“India to lead world” US Ambassador to India Richard R. Verma said in September that by 2030, India will lead the world in key categories, including by becoming the third largest economy.

“The great promise in our (India-US) partnership lies not only in our work together, but also in India’s rising influence and confidence on the global stage, which of course is generated from strength here at home,” Verma, who is of Indian origin, said while delivering the 17th Annual Justice Bodh Raj Sawhney Memorial Trust Oration at the National Law University in Delhi.

“By 2030 - less than 15 years from now - India will lead the world in key categories: it will be the most populous nation, with the largest middle class, the largest number of college graduates, the third largest economy, the most patent holders, and most mega-cities,” he said speaking on the theme of “Advancing our Shared Values”.

“You will lead the world in internet and smart phone users. Development and infrastructure growth will be phenomenal, just imagine how much will change given that twothirds of the infrastructure and cities of modern India are yet to be built”.

Speaking on India-US ties, he said that the relationship has been “on a strong trajectory for the past decade, has made great strides in the past two years in particular”. “Our two leaders, Prime Minister Modi and President Obama have met eight times, including last week in China and then again in Laos,” he stated. “We have well over 100 initiatives that were launched in three big bilateral summits and there are nearly 40 Government-to-Government working groups that meet regularly on everything from global health and defense to cyber security.” Citing the reasons for the growth in ties between the two sides, one was the “certain chemistry between our two leaders, that’s for sure”.

“Second, so many people of goodwill have been working on this relationship for decades - and it’s their hard work that has begun to pay off,” the Ambassador said. “And, third, our people-to-people ties have only grown stronger - there are now some three million Americans of Indian descent in the United States. They serve as a natural bridge for so much of what we do.” Verma described the Indian Constitution as a document that is the foundation for the shared values between India and the US. “The American and Indian Constitutions start with the same three words “we the people,” he said. “We are governed by the rule of law, by the people and for the people. We have complex systems for checking and 44 india empire | september 2016

H.E. Mr Richard R. Verma

balancing government excess,” he said.

He said both countries hold free and fair elections, both have federal systems, with strong and diverse states, with shared power between the central and state governments, both have bicameral parliaments, and the exceptional militaries of both countries are overseen by civilians. “We do not share these values with every other country. As we know, not all countries choose democracy, inclusiveness, equal rights or free elections,” the Ambassador said.

“Therefore, these are the roots of a special bond we share with India. The United States set out on this democratic path 240 years ago, while India shed its colonial rule some 70 years ago.” He said that when Obama visited India in January of 2015 as the chief guest for Republic Day celebrations, the US and India made their views clear in a joint agreement reached on the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific.

“It was not a long or complex document - it stands at just a bit more than a single page,” Verma said. “But its brevity belies the historic nature of the enterprise on which the United States and India agreed to embark together.” The Ambassador said that India’s rise not only presented opportunities for India, but can shape a brighter future for Asia and beyond. “That is why the United States unabashedly supports India’s rise as a great power on the world stage,” he said.

“India’s reach and influence reaches well beyond the In❐ dian Ocean and South Asia.”

DIASPorA

I

IndIA-MAurITIus collAborATIon

n the context of the Indian Ocean region, India and Mauritius in September called for greater collaboration in the area of defence and security. In a meeting with visiting Mauritian Finance Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that the long-standing partnership between India and Mauritius had played a critical role in ensuring peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region, according to sources here.

“In this context, both leaders called for greater collaboration in the area of defence and security,” a source said. “India offered to provide assistance in terms of hydrographic surveys.”

Mrs Sushma Swaraj also appreciated Mr Jugnauth’s giving priority to visiting India on his first tour abroad, “which was in keeping with the very special ‘blood relationship’ between India and Mauritius”.

Stating that India has always given full support to the development priorities of Mauritius, she said that both sides were finalising a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under which the Metro Express project and other projects announced by Jugnauth in his budget could begin to be implemented. “The long-standing request from Mauritius for restarting negotiations of CECPA (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement) and PTA (Preferential Trade Agreement) had also been met, with discussions yesterday (Monday) in Port Louis,” the source said.

Mrs Swaraj thanked Mr Jugnauth for the “forward looking decision” which had allowed the protocol on the amendment of the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) and said this has added to Mauritius’s financial credentials. On his part, Mr Jugnauth reiterated Mauritius’s con-

Foreign Minister Mrs Sushma Swaraj welcomes Mauritian Finance Minister Mr pravind Kumar Jugnauth

sistent support for India’s candidature as a member in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council (UNSC).

“In terms of people-to-people contacts, the two leaders discussed the construction of the World Hindi Secretariat in Mauritius,” a source said. “The External Affairs Minister invited significant participation from Mauritius in the forthcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2017 to be held in Bengaluru.” Mrs Swaraj said that India would be sending a delegation to Mauritius this month to examine the Girmitya records for giving them Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards. Girmityas are descendants of indentured Indian labourers who were taken to Mauritius during the ❐ British rule. september 2016 | india empire 45

MInD AnD boDy

The Integrative nature of Psychiatry

By Prof. Mario Maj Prof. Mario Maj

I

t has been often stated that we human beings live “in two worlds”: a world of biology and physical causes, to which our brain also belongs, and a world of meanings, symbols and interpersonal relationships. Each of these worlds has its own processes and laws, which can be studied separately and have indeed been studied separately for several centuries. On the one hand, there is the domain of neurosciences, in which the brain has frequently been studied as a “biological machine”, isolated from social influences. On the other, there is the domain of social sciences, in which the world of human relationships has usually been explored ignoring brain processes, as if they were totally irrelevant.

Psychiatry, and in general the issue of mental disorders, has been put in the middle by this dualism. Neurobiological and psychosocial views of mental disorders have confronted each other for many decades, not only in the scientific and lay literature, but also in the perception of people with those disorders, who often conceptualize their problems in either essentially biological or essentially psychosocial terms. The specificity of psychiatric expertise and the need for a specific psychopathological language have been often put in question, and psychiatry has recurrently been warned either to become a “clinical neuroscience”, replacing descriptive psychopathology by neurobiological and behavioral measures, because mental disorders are regarded as “brain diseases”, or to adopt a psychosocial paradigm, conceptualizing mental disorders in terms of understandable responses to adverse environmental situations or problematic interpersonal relationships.

That the above two worlds do exist, that they can be studied separately, and that they cannot be reduced to each other, or fully explained each through the concepts that are specific to the other, there seems to be no doubt. But that they are independent from each other appears today implausible. The existence of the world of meanings, symbols and interpersonal relationships in which we human beings

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are immersed is only made possible by the complexity of our brains.

The brain processes involved in the implementation of several aspects of social behavior (for instance, the generation and reception of facial and non-facial social signals; the perception and understanding of others’ mental states; the self-regulation of emotions in social contexts; the development and maintenance of social bonds) are now being elucidated. Furthermore, it is now clear that, not only brain damage or dysfunction can affect social behavior, but early social experiences can affect the development, structure and functioning of the brain, thereby conditioning the individual’s subsequent response to social events.

Most mental disorders are likely to emerge from a dynamic interplay between the above “two worlds”, so that, not only neither neural dysfunctions nor problematic interpersonal relationships can fully “explain” those disorders, but even identifying what is “primary” and what is “secondary” may often be a useless and misleading exercise.

We human beings are “embodied subjects”, i.e. our existing as objects (or bodies, including brains) in a physical world and as subjects in an interpersonal world are inextricably interlinked. As a consequence, mental disorders require an interdisciplinary research frame and an integrative clinical expertise.

The fact that we are “embodied subjects” is of course relevant not only to psychiatry, but to the whole of medicine. Physical diseases, even if unequivocally located in the body, may often have an interpersonal component in their determination, manifestations and course. This component may need to be recognized in clinical assessment and taken into account in management, as well as in interpreting treatment response.

In this light, psychiatry may cease to represent an “exception” in the realm of medicine, and even represent a “model” on which to reflect and from which to learn. ❐ —The author is the Past President, World Psychiatric Association (WPA)

BUSINESS AND GOVERNANCE

key buSIneSS IntervIeW

inTeRview wiTH mR SauRabH SanyaL SecReTaRy GeneRaL, pHd cHambeR

“We have focused entrepreneurial development programmes” Mr Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General, PHD Chamber, speaks to Consulting Editor (Business and Commerce) Yogesh Sood Please tell us about the vision that you have for PHD chamber going forward…

PHD Chamber’s vision is to play a catalytic role in linking with multiple stakeholders across the country and the globe.

The Chamber acts on behalf of Indian Industry in making representations to the Government and access more markets for Indian Industry, and create B2B opportunities for members.

PHD maintains a unique worldwide network of partnerships with foreign governments and legislators, industry institutes, academia, think tanks, media and multilateral agencies. It has a vast network of counterpart organizations to help Indian Industry reach out to all parts of the globe. Meetings with Heads of State, decision makers and business delegations are coordinated for Indian business to develop meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships across the globe. PHD organizes missions of Indian business leaders and executives to various countries to facilitate bilateral business opportunities. India Exhibitions are organized in key markets to display Indian products abroad and this will be taken up at a very significant scale in near future. PHD undertakes research and brings out publications, reports and background papers pertaining to different industries for members and delegates. Much still remains to be accomplished as India journeys to ever greater economic might and prosperity. With its central aim of nation building, and to facilitate the States to sustain high economic growth, the PHD Chamber would effortlessly continue to promote India more on the global stage to guarantee growth and provide employment opportunities to the Indian people.

What are the thrust areas of engagement with industry for the chamber?

PHD Chamber’s thrust areas are in consonance with the Indian government’s economic policy: Industrial Development, Health, and Education & Skill development, Housing, Infrastructure, Agriculture & Agri-business and Digital India. PHD represents the interests of all local, national, regional, bilateral and transnational industry and provides a platform for exchange to better serve and promote SME members worldwide.

What are your views on skilling for global competitiveness?

Empowering the youth in terms of skill development and 48 india empire | september 2016

Mr Sourabh Sanyal

high quality education is a thrust area of PHD Chamber. The Chamber strongly believes that a skilled workforce would be an enabler for India’s growth story to come true and thus we have structured our slogan as “Skilling India for Global Competitiveness”. The Chamber is also working to facilitate the crossfertilization of industry and academia by bringing them on a common platform for understanding best practices in the area of skill development and entrepreneurship. In its endeavor towards capacity building, the Chamber has also been organizing focused entrepreneurial development training programs in cooperation with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung of Germany for the past two decades.

Is the chamber mentoring start ups?

Various ‘Startup Kick’ sessions are being organized by the Chamber in various states to encourage entrepreneurs, innovators and policy-makers to opt for startups in line with the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s initiative. For Intellectual Property Rights Awareness, PHD Chamber is not only handholding startups but also helping them in commercialization.

Besides, various workshops are being organized for mentoring start ups by Young Business Leaders Forum of the Chamber.

Also, CEO talks with eminent business leaders are organized from time-to-time for grooming the young entrepreneurs.

the national good and services tax will lower some of the statelevel taxes on internal trade and this will boost exports by taking advantage of opportunities that stem from stimulus programs implemented by Southeast Asian economies.

What are the key benefits of becoming a member of the chamber?

Membership of the Chamber helps clarify major policy issues and redress problems of members both at the Central and State Government levels from Ministers, Senior Officials and Advisers. A Member can voice his opinion on key issues through the Chamber’s campaigning, lobbying and representations. A Member can participate in Expert Committees and Task Forces set up by the Chamber. The Chamber renders expert advice to its members on issues relating to foreign exchange regulations, import /export, excise and customs, industrial relations, income tax, energy conservation, etc. The Chamber also provides an impetus to develop international businesses through 'Buyer Seller Fora'. The Chamber takes business delegations to different countries to explore possibilities for enhancing bilateral trade and joint ventures.

Have the Programmes such as make in India and Digital India initiated by the present Government help in taking our foreign trade to a higher trajectory? How are the major developed countries contributing to the success of these programs?

The Chamber is of the view that initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ have created a conducive investment climate that has increased FDI inflows into the country along with foreign trade. The recent FDI reforms has brought almost all sectors of the economy under the automatic approval route, making India the most open economy in the world for FDI inflows and foreign trade. The liberalization in the FDI policies would help exporters move up the value chain and help them gain scaling essential for the international markets.

What are the chamber's views on the new initiatives taken by modi Government?

PHD Chamber appreciates the investment friendly measures and incremental reforms initiated by the Modi Government. Programs like ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’, ‘Launch of Smart Cities’ and ‘Skill India’ would be extremely instrumental in uplifting the manufacturing sector and for job creation. As a result of these measures, India has substantially improved its recent ranking by 12 points to 130 out of 189 countries in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index.

India’s macro-economic management is sound. Inflation though not totally under check is in the positive zone. The current account deficit and also the fiscal deficit despite the Pay Commission hike and One-Rank, Pension payout remains under control. GDP growth is above 7 percent, making India possibly the fastest growth economy in the world at a time when the international environment remains far from conducive.

Do you think that recent initiatives by the modi Government such as ease of doing business led to improve bilateral trade with our neighboring countries?

Ease of doing business is a part of ‘Make in India.’ India now ranks 130 out of 189 countries in the ease of doing business, moving up four places from last year’s adjusted ranking of 134. The government has announced a number of steps over the last one year to reduce the time taken at ports and airports for necessary clearances for importers and exporters. As per the ease of doing business rankings, it took almost five days to receive a clearance from authorities in ports and borders for exporting goods and almost 11 days for importing goods into the country. India was ranked 133 in this sub-index in the 2016 rankings and I am sure will improve its ranking this year. These initiatives are likely to improve bilateral trade with countries in the nearby region. India attempts to be better placed in the global ranking. Even states are competing to get better ranking. Having said this, the recent move to implement

tell us about the various csR activities being undertaken by the PHDccI chamber?

To better discharge its social responsibilities, the Chamber has founded two voluntary Organizations, the PHD Family Welfare Foundation and PHD Rural Development Foundation (PHDRDF). These voluntary bodies have been working exclusively for socio-economic development, and uplifting the economically weaker sections of society for the past three decades.

PHD Family Welfare Foundation (PHDFWF) since its inception been actively engaged in executing community development projects for the underprivileged people living in slum and rural areas with a sharp focus on health and family welfare, skill development training program, self-help groups, mobile medical care, primary health centre, sanitation facilities for girls in village schools, target intervention on prevention of STD/HIV/AIDS, Polio eradication, support & care for people living with disabilities, free cancer screening camps, female foeticide, adult education, self-defense training, free English learning classes for poor youth, awareness generation on health & social issues etc.

PHD Rural Development Foundation (PHDRDF) pursues activities to enable the poor to achieve self reliance and improve quality of life through integrated socio-economic development. PHDRDF with its expertise has impacted lives of over 20 lakh people across 9 States with support of different Corporates’, Government organizations and PSUs. PHDRDF conducts itself by considering thoughtful and committed programs for all-round development of the communities in priority areas through different social development projects and programs like health care initiatives (organized 2500+ health camps), water harvesting (constructed 175+ water reservoir/ check dams), Training & Skill Development (conducted 20+ centers), Sanitation (constructed 100+ toilets) and other need based community welfare activities. PHDRDF has its presence in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, New Delhi, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and ❐ Himachal Pradesh. september 2016 | india empire 49

buSIneSS AnD governAnCe

SamSung VC meetS Pm

Mr Jay Y. Lee, Vice Chairman, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., meets Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi in New Delhi Mr Jay Y. Lee, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics, met Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi in September. Mr Lee told Mr Modi that Samsung is working in synchrony with “Make in India” and “Digital India” initiatives to grow India as an important production base and central R and D hub.

He said Samsung’s ultimate goal is just not to be a foreign investor but a local business, where the company would work with local communities to build a better future.

Mr Lee noted that Samsung’s “Make for India” initiative is already creating meaningful local innovations for the Indian consumers. In India, “Samsung Smart Class” programme is helping over 200,000 students from low-income families to experience e-learning at 376 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya schools, he said. In addition, 18 Samsung Technical Schools are imparting skills to youth to enable their employability.

Harman lifeStyle ProduCtS US-based Harman International Industries, a connected technologies company for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, on Friday announced the opening of its first Centre of Competence(CoC) for its lifestyle audio division here. The new CoC, led by Srinidhi Kadagattur, will focus on developing robust and scalable software solutions for the company’s consumer and car audio business. “India is a powerhouse of innovation and home to Harman’s largest pool of software engineers and architects and our teams here are focused on developing solutions that leverage cloud, data, app design and analytics to advance the connected lifestyle,” said Armin Prommersberger, Senior Vice President, Harman Lifestyle Audio Division, in a statement. The company already has Indian R and D centres for their other three business units -- connected cars, professional audio and connected services.

fanS beeline for iPHone 7

SamSung galaxy a9 Pro Extending its Galaxy A series in India, South Korean technology giant Samsung Electronics in September launched Galaxy A9 Pro smartphone with glass and metal body for Rs 32,490. “The 6-inch sAMOLED display on Galaxy A9 Pro enhances the content experience. Fitted with high memory and advanced processor, the device is made for lag-free multitasking,” said Manu Sharma, Vice President of Mobiles Business at Samsung India Electronics, in a statement.

The unified combination of glass and metal gives Galaxy A9 a luxurious look. Protected by Gorilla Glass 4, the Full HD display has a narrow bezel of 2.7mm. The Galaxy A9 Pro comes with a 5,000mAh battery which charges from 0 to 100 in 160 minutes. The device comes with 4GB RAM and a Snapdragon 64 bit Octa-core processor and provides the users high flexibility with two SIM card slots and additional MicroSD card slot (upto 256GB).

50 india empire | september 2016

Customers throng the Apple Store in Roosevelt Field, Garden City in Long Island, New York Apple enthusiasts are known to swarm company stores and form long queues in the hours before any big launch and the scene at retail stores across the US with the availability of stunning iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2 was no different in September in Long Island, New York. The iPhone 7 was launched in 28 countries in September—the biggest launch of an Apple device yet. “We are very excited. The atmosphere is amazing and the response is huge,” said Andrews who works at Apple Store at Garden City. It will be available for sale in India from October 7. At the stroke of 8 a.m. amid clapping from Apple employees and cheers from iPhone 7 wannabes on a sunny morning, the craze to catch hold of a handset was visible from the word go. To get an iPhone 7, one had to register first and then, be part of the growing queue. The scene at Apple Store in Roosevelt Field, Garden City in Long Island was similar to the flagship ones at Fifth Avenue near Times Square, Apple Grand Central and Apple SoHo which were swamped by long queues.

—Nishant Arora

buSIneSS AnD governAnCe

PrADHAn EnTHUSED Addressing institutional investors in Singapore at an event organised by Indian firm ICICI Securities, Indian Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in September highlighted the potential of the huge Indian market and said he was happy with the interest shown by foreign investors. “Addressed Institutional Equity Investors, organised by ICICI Securities, in Singapore,” Pradhan tweeted. “Had an interactive meeting with potential investors from Singapore; many of them have experience of working in India,” he said in a separate tweet. “Addressed Media about ‘Destination India’; happy to see their interest in Indian energy sphere and big market,” he added in another tweet. Pradhan arrived here to lead the country’s road shows to attract foreign investors in exploiting its discovered small oil and gas fields. “Addressed road show on small discovered blocks in Singapore. About 200 delegates and potential investors participated in it,” Pradhan tweeted, on what was

Mr Dharmendra Pradhan addressing the gathering at Singapore his first engagement. He will go to the UK later.

“Singapore is a global hub for trading of petroleum, petrochemical products and oil service equipments. There can be good synergy between the two countries. It is also a major financial centre in Asia from where FDI and foreign equity investors can invest in Indian oil and gas sector.”

Highlighting how with its huge market India is a great destination for investors, the minister also tweeted: “Will also meet investors and technology companies in Oil and Gas sector.”

nO SEGMEnTED fIGHTS Without naming Pakistan, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said in September that there cannot be a segmented fight against terrorism by differentiating between state and non-state actors. “The state cannot escape responsibility by saying it is non-state,” Jaishankar said while speaking at the International Media Conference organised by the East West Center, a US-based institution for public diplomacy. “We have always maintained the view that acting against some groups is not a justification for giving a free pass, leave alone active support, for other groups,” he said.

“So, you can’t have a segmented, differentiated fight against terrorists.” Jaishankar’s comments come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated “strongest action” against state sponsors of terrorism at the annual India-Asean Summit and the East Asia Summit held in Vientiane, Laos, in September.

India-Pakistan relations have soured in recent times following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in Jammu and Kashmir in July. Pakistan described Wani as a “martyr”. Over 70 people have died in large-scale

violence in the state since then. The Foreign Secretary also said that India and China should partner in the fight against terrorism. “There is an expectation in India that a partner like China would be appreciative of India’s interests, especially when they are not in conflict with those of China,” he said. “Combating terrorism is one such area and sanctioning of well-known terrorist leaders and organisations should not emerge as an issue of difference,” he stated.

Mr S. Jaishankar In March this year, China vetoed India’s request to the UN Security Council sanctions committee to include the name of Masood Azhar, the head of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohamed, in its list of terrorists. India has accused the JeM of being the perpetrator of the January 2 cross-border terror attack on the Indian Air Force base at Pathankot in which seven Indian security personnel lost their lives.

Jaishankar also said that China should not have reservations about India in connection with developmental issues “such as India’s predictable access to international cooperation and investments in the field of civil nuclear energy”.

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buSIneSS AnD governAnCe

MOTO EnErGy DrInk TO HIT InDIAn MArkET Moto, the Made in UAE energy drink, launched in India in September. The launch venue was the ITC Maurya in New Delhi. Currently the product is available in 33 countries. India will be the 34th international market.

Moto is a unique beverage product that combines all the elements that create an energy drink that delivers great taste and a simple, yet, astonishing look and feel.

Moto is made up of the highest quality ingredients available for the category using the best food engineering techniques. The level of success versus the short amount of time that Moto has been introduced to the global market has been due to a combination of a finely tuned product, backed-up with a strong marketing-communications strategy that advocates adopting a positive energy and a positive lifestyle, with a positive outlook in the sports sector.

The UAE is a country of great value to the world and by adopting the positive strategy the country is an added value to any brand born from the region.

Moto is owned by Foodco Food Trading company, an organization focused on distributing food and beverage products across a wide variety of international markets.

Foodco Food Trading is owned by His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, chairman of Total Support Holding. The launch in India represents a major milestone in the product’s ambitions, and it highlights the continued acceptability and demand for moto

across the world. Moto’s ambition is to represent the UAE’s heritage, lifestyle and values to the consumer.

In order to reach to the consumers of India, Moto is partnered with M/S Aish Adventures Pvt Ltd with its head office in Delhi. Moto is poised to reach out to pan-India consumers with a wide distribution channel consisting of 20 expert and professional super stockists, and 200 experienced distributors. In the first year Moto will be made available across 200,000 point of sales across India and all set to establish an ambitious market share of 20 % backed by extensive marketing activities. Moto has a detailed plan to be an active brand in the on-trade sector as well.

COMPLAInAnTS MISLEADInG: VATIkA GrOUP A fews days after a case of cheating and fraud was registered against real estate developer Vatika Group’s Managing Director and three others, senior officials of the group have said that they were being implicated in a false case.

The group’s Managing Director Gautam Bhalla, Directors Anil Bhalla and Gaurav Bhalla and the company’s sales and client service head Ankit Nagpal were booked on the basis of a complaint by Delhi’s Santpura resident Suman Preet Kaur and her husband Surender Pal Singh on September 7. The FIR was registered under Sections 406 (breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code at the Sector 29 police station in Gurgaon.

The two complainants said in their FIR that they had booked a flat in Vatika One Express City in July 2014 and had paid the money amounting to around Rs 22 lakh in instalments. However, in December 2015 when they visited the site, it was still a barren land, they said. Following this they wanted refund of the money, but one company official, Nagpal, told them that the project had been scrapped and that they should transfer the money to a new project after which the refund would be easier,

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the complainants said.

They transferred the booking to Vatika Seven Elements -- but they had not got their money back, the couple said.

However, Vatika officials said that the complainants had not talked at all about the “undertaking” by Kaur in March 2016 that she had got back as refund Rs 21.54 lakh which was transferred by them “voluntarily” to book a flat at Vatika Seven Elements. “Construction on the project is as per schedule and deliveries are expected likewise,” the company said in a statement.

An earlier report in IANS had quoted a police officer as saying that the complainant (Kaur) had invested the money in “an assured return scheme” of Vatika group. This is incorrect as the money had been invested in Vatika One Express City, a residential project. When contacted, Surinder Pal Singh, Kaur’s husband, said “there was a huge difference” in property promised and the property that was being offered to them.

“I paid my installment each time beforehand but after one year they told me that the project (Vatika One Express City) had been scrapped and no payment could be refunded. I kept calling them for a refund but they never gave any,” Singh told IANS.

buSIneSS AnD governAnCe

AAP ADS VIOLATE GUIDELInES

rITES’S PrOfIT UP 11%

A panel appointed by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in September ordered the Delhi Government to “reimburse to the state exchequer” the entire amount that the Aam Aadmi Party had spent on its advertisements. The committee on content regulation of government advertisements charged the AAP government in the national capital of violating Supreme Court guidelines. Its order said: “The Committee directs the Government of NCT of Delhi to get the entire expenditure so incurred on ... category ... reimbursed to the state exchequer from the Aam Aadmi Party.”

It was also critical of the advertisements carried out by AAP outside Delhi.

The panel said if some Chief Ministers thought they were “special” and their policies were vital to the entire nation, then such political parties should bear the expenditure of such publicity and not the concerned government, an official here said.

The three-member committee, was headed by former Chief Election Commissioner B. B. Tandon, and included Ogilvy and Mather India’s Piyush Pandey and journalist Rajat Sharma of India TV. The panel passed the order taking cognizance of complaints registered by Congress leader Ajay Maken. It found there had been violations in categories like outstation advertisements, false and misleading ones, and on self-glorification. AAP had also targeted political opponents, media, and even mentioned parties in power by name. It further added that the AAP government should not have issued advertisements on incidents occurring in other states.

As per the Supreme Court order of May 13, 2015, advertisements by state governments should not be “outside its boundaries”, but it should be for attracting investment, business and talent to the state.

The apex court had also clarified that such advertisements should be designed accordingly for the purpose, and released for specific target group, the panel said. The committee, however, rejected another complaint of the former Congress minister on advertisements celebrating anniversaries of parties in power, as the guidelines permits them.

It also directed that the AAP government should assess all expenditure made on advertorials -- advertisement in the form of editorial content -- mentioning AAP, along with those in which Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had tried to target the opposition.

The Information and Broadcasting ministry had in April constituted the content regulation committee. The panel members were chosen by a selection committee headed by Chairman of Press Council of India Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad (retd).

The apex court had in its May 2015 order laid down criteria as per which government advertisements could only carry pictures of certain dignitaries like the President, Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India. Later the court had issued a modified order, allowing Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, Governors and State Ministers to appear in government advertisements.

The two-year panel could also recommend corrective actions to the Government.

Engineering consultancy RITES in September reported an increase of 10.78 per cent in its net profit for the last fiscal. According to the company, its profit after tax stood at Rs 339 crore against Rs 306 crore in the previous year. The total income of the schedule ‘A’ Mini Ratna Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways grew by 11 per cent in 2015-16. The company’s total income for the last fiscal stood at Rs 1,294 crore.

“RITES achieved these results despite severe competition from domestic and foreign consultancy companies,” the company said in a statement. Rajeev Mehrotra, Chairman and Managing Director, RITES said that one of the key achievements of the company during the year was the export of broad gauge modern passenger coaches to Bangladesh Railways.

The company had secured an order to supply Bangladesh Railways with 120 broad gauge coaches during last year. Besides, the company has also bagged a contract for the supply of 18 MG diesel electric locomotives to Myanmar Railways, Mehrotra added. “In India, RITES has recently secured two major turnkey projects from the Ministry of Railways, for the third line in Pendra Road - Anuppur section of Bilaspur division of South East Central Railway and Gooty - Dharmavaram doubling works for South Central Railway,” the statement pointed out.

“RITES is also involved in mega transportation projects like dedicated freight corridors, metros, high speed rail studies, logistics parks, rail infrastructure and green energy etc.” The company gave a positive growth outlook.

“With positive scenario for investments in railways and other infrastructure sectors, the company sees high growth in the coming years,” the statement said.

The company announced a dividend payout of Rs 136 crore, which is 136 per cent of the paid up share capital of the company.

“This is the highest ever dividend paid so far by the company. The company has also announced issue of bonus shares to the existing shareholders in the ratio of 1 share for every 2 shares held,” the statement added.

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CoLuMn: yogI AShWInI

MInD AnD boDy

SELf-HEALInG THrOUGH

SAnATAn krIyA

By Yogi Ashwini Yogi aShwini

C

ut across the earth—you will find layers soil, rocks, minerals, magnetic substances, the molten lava etc. Cut across the bark of a tree, you will see concentric circles each for the various layers that make up a tree. Cut across any fruit, again you will find layers. Cut open a human body, once again you will find layers—three layers of skin, muscle, tissue, blood, bones etc. Creation exists in layers—each and every aspect of it.

Mentioned above are layers that are directly perceived by our five senses—them being composed of the five elements. These layers and elements are controlled by layers that exist beyond, which too can be perceived by us…through activation of other senses, a human being having a total of sixteen senses. In this particular article, I will discuss various techniques to touch the layer immediately next to the physical body (or five elements), often called the aura or the pranic layer, which controls the physical body by way of prana. Sanatan Kriya details the ancient and time-tested techniques to increase the efficiency of this layer and in turn of the physical body by way of prana of breath, colour, sound, touch, taste etc.

Activation of this sense through which you perceive this layer is real and is accessible to any normal person. Dr Prasan Prabhakar (Chennai), Dr. Pravina Gandhi (mumbai) and Dr Deepika Arora (Delhi) through practice have experienced this layer proving efficacy of the layer and its reality. Some of the by-products are a healthy disease free body, radiant complexion, glowing skin, youth, vigor, vitality etc.

Our physical body is a permutation and combination of the five elements. Sanatan kriya says that they are controlled by the dimension of colour. Everything in creation has a colour to it. Even the colourless is a colour and every colour has a specific frequency. Everything looks the way it does because it is in a state of balance as it is vibrating at a specific frequency.

Sanatan kriya further details that if there is an imbalance in any of these colours or energy, the manifestation happens in colours, which further effects the object which maybe the physical body that we are talking about in this case. That distortion is called a disease, also called imbal54 india empire | september 2016

ance in Ayurveda. To correct that imbalance, there are various powerful techniques given in Sanatan Kriya under the topic of self-healing. For example, if you have an upset stomach, the primary constituting colors of stomach are – green and light saffron. By introducing the right shade of these colors into the stomach in the prescribed quantities, the stomach will automatically resume its normal functioning. I have detailed such kriyas in my book ‘Sanatan Kriya, The Ageless Dimension’ which has been acclaimed as thesis on anti-ageing.

The science of colours is very closely linked with the science of sound. When creation began, first sound manifested and from it emerged various hues and colours, which finally took the form of the elements and physical body that normal eyes can see. Therefore to affect a change in the physical body, one utilizes the dimension of colours which in turn is governed by specific sounds and mantras. There is a specific mantra detailed in the sanatan kriya, ‘ram’. When it is chanted keeping awareness of the form of your Guru in front of you, you can see and access the colour and energy of saffron which then can be utilized for healing the stomach.

For this, sit in any comfortable position and keep your fingertips pointing towards the navel with palms and fingers on both sides of the stomach. Close your eyes and becoming aware of your guru figure in front of you, start with the slow, soft and deep chant of the mantra, Ram. After sometime your body will start heating up, continue with the chant, now internally, and redistribute the prana so generated into the affected areas of stomach.

Sanatan Kriya Self Healing Workshop addresses the various layers of the body in totality and touches and brings about changes in the various organs and chakras of body through the ancient sciences of colour, sound and specialized breathing techniques in a practical and experi❐ ential session.

—Yogi Ashwini is the Guiding Light of Dhyan Foundation and an authority on the Vedic Sciences. His book, ‘Sanatan Kriya, The Ageless Dimension’ is an acclaimed thesis on anti-ageing. Log onto to www.dhyanfoundation.com or mail to dhyan@dhyanfoundation.com for more information