India Empire August 2015

CONtENts

august 2015

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sEasONED MINIstER Mr Ram Vilas Paswan is a political success who has held many ministerial berths

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tRaCtOR CELEB the incredible but true story of Mr L.D Mittal, Chairman of the sonalika group

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tOP MaNagEMENt Mr ajay sahai has taken the FIEO to new heights with some top class management skills attRaCtINg INDIaNs NZ opens doors for Indian immigration

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sLOVENIa CaLLINg Interview with ambassador Darja Bavdaz Kuret

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REMEMBERINg WIsCONsIN a day of sewa

DREaDLOCKs stORY unraveling the connect between Indian sadhus and Jamaican Rastas

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36 INDIaN ORIgIN ENVOY us appoints atul Keshap to sri Lanka

10 PEOPLE’s PREsIDENt Dr aPJ abdul Kalam—a tribute and remembrance

Cover Story—entrepreneurial SuCCeSS

“I am not what happened to me, I am what I chose to become” —Carl Gustav Jung

FARMING SUCCESS The incredible story of Sonalika Group, and how one man’s innovativeness and business acumen has successfully positioned Indian tractors on the world map

By Yogesh Sood

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choice born out of a single destiny-altering thought has made Mr L.D. Mittal, the respected and admired business magnate that he is today. We are all born with inherent talents, and yet we are forever required to dive deep into ourselves and tap into them. Mr Mittal certainly did not fail to tap into his talents, and the results have been astounding, perhaps even beyond his own wildest dreams, to say the least. Enterprise is a gift that Mr Mittal has clearly been blessed with, and pure, unbridled enterprise it is that has enabled him build a Rs 7,000 crore empire from a corpus of a mere, jaw-dropping, breath-holding, Rs 5,000!

How did he manage that? His sheer talent and broad vision, his ability to take a risk, helped him raise a magnificent mountain out of a nondescript molehill. Today, the Sonalika brand has presence and thriving markets in 80 countries across the world, they include the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Asia Pacific, apart from, of course, India and Punjab, from where the entrepreneurial stalwart’s success story incepted.

The destiny-altering choice was made in 1965, a time when the Sonalika Group was born. The fact is that Mr Mittal could have chosen to retire from his Government job, drawn a pension, and done the usual things that retired men do. Instead, he gave up his job of a deputy zonal manager at the Life Insurance Corporation, and chose to walk the 6

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road less travelled—setting up a business with practically no oil in the financial tank. Wholeheartedly and steadfastly he focused on his dream of producing world class agricultural machinery, and held on to it. “The future,” said Eleanor Roosevelt clairvoyantly, “belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Mr Mittal certainly believed in his dreams. His ability of letting go of the shore in order to realize the beauty of the ocean has helped him come a long way. The empire he has crafted is now a part of Punjabi folklore, and his name has found its way into the Forbes list of billionaires.

Farmers from across the globe, have a strong bond and passion for their soil which leads to nurturing of the land.

What they need is the support of high performing agricultural solutions, like farm equipment's and tractors. ‘Sonalika—the lines of Gold’ gave a new meaning to farming and revolutionized the way we till the soil. It all started with a humble beginning. Incorporated in 1969, at a time when India was fast becoming self-reliant in food grain, Sonalika seeds and agricultural implements became the weapon of victory, to accomplish newer heights of success.

The group diversified into tractor manufacturing in1995. The result was a masterpiece that transformed the way people across the globe do their farming. With the beginning of 21st century, Sonalika collaborated with Renault of France subsequently with Class Tractors of Germany and further collaborated with Yanmar of Japan

PhotograPhs Š sonalika grouP

FORMIDABLE GROUP: Mr. L.D. Mittal, Chairman, flanked by sons Mr Deepak Mittal, MD and Mr A S Mittal, Vice Chairman

august 2015 | india empire

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Cover Story—entrepreneurial SuCCeSS

Mr L D Mittal with the late former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, someone who continues to inspire the chairman of the Sonalika Group

in year 2005. This contributed to the technical know-how, with over 300 specialist engineers. The main thrust of the process control and fast growing technical expertise and R&D function is sustainability and economic benefit to soupgraded the group’s technology and system to offer ciety and to launch products that meet evolving customer world class products. World’s leading Private Equity part- needs consistency, leveraging the most relevant technoloner Blackstone believed in Sonalika’s growth story and in- gies in both products and processes. vested in the Company in Year 2012. This strengthened Sonalika has spread its wings in Global Markets under Sonalika’s ability to strategize better and get benefit from its popular brand names “Sonalika” and “Solis”. It is widely the global reach of Blackstone. accepted in over 80 countries across South & Central AmerToday, taking the voyage of ica, Africa, Europe, Asia and success further, Sonalika Group Oceania and has become a name sits on a strong platform with a to reckon with. turnover of USD 1 billion. The Speaking about the mission of We are looking at USA CAGR of 30% in the last decade Sonalika, Mr. L.D Mittal, Chairas a major market for is the testimony of our achieveman, Sonalika says: “In order to ments and makes us one of the achieve our mission of our farm exporting our tractors. fastest growing, debt free corpomechanization we have gone We commit to serve rate in the world. across the border. We have already As a complete agricultural soentered 80 countries where our farming community lution provider, Sonalika is into tractors are being sold, our implewith our best services production of farm machinery atments are being sold and we have tachments, auto components, imvery delighted, satisfied farmers. plements and combines and We are also establishing training Genset Engines. The group’s integrated state-of-the-art pro- centers for farmers to train them how to use the tractors and duction plant will be the World’s largest integrated tractor farm implements and how to increase their output by using plant with annual capacity of 2 lacs tractors. It is spread proper seeds and proper manures in proper time.” across many acres and is strategically established in a pollu“ITL is the proud manufacturer of the bestselling traction free zone in Punjab, India. Adhering to the highest tors between 20 HP to 120 HP. It offers special tractors to quality standards, where all the supplements and aggregates, meets the diverse needs of orchards, paddy, potato, sugarengine, axels, transmission and other products will be man- cane, cash crops and heavy trailers and earth moving. New ufactured in-house. products are being developed to meet future needs of the A well established and equipped R&D of ITL is staffed users. Its offerings are increasing to 180 HP as per market re-

“

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MUCH DECORATED: Encomiums and accolades, awards and honour badges have been Mr Mittal’s constant companions in life

quirement. The tractors manufactured by ITL bear testimony to greater performance, unmatched quality and higher reliability in the market because of their better pulling power, minimal fuel consumption and low emission. This is backed by an excellent and unmatched distribution network and service options.” Says Mr. A.S Mittal, Vice Chairman, Sonalika.

The quality of products and services are of great importance to ITL. The company is awarded with ISO 9001 & 14001, TS 16949 and EEC Certificates for adopting global standards in products, quality, safety and services.

Over 5000 employees are assets of the Group and play a crucial role in success of the organization. For them vision means thinking outside the box, finding new avenues and developing new ideas to meet the challenging demands of the future. Attention to details, understanding the basics, and trying it out in practice is hallmark of Sonalika’s success.

Talking about the key to success of Sonalika, Mr. Deepak Mittal, MD, Sonalika says, “Today Sonalika has become synonymous to prosperity, success and growth. With international technologies, state-of-the-art production units, experienced team and tailor-made solutions. Sonalika has always responded on time, to its customer’s needs not only in India but across the world. We understand the cultures of various countries and are able to customize our products to delight our diverse customers across the world. We are confident that, the coming years will bring greater results. With the trust and confidence of our associates, business partners and customers on our products and services.”

Sonalika is all set to address the coming challenge of food security. The team at Sonalika is all geared up to achieve operational excellence, highest customer satisfaction and su-

perior agricultural solution and to charter newer terrains.

SONALIKA: THE INTERNATIONAL BRAND International Tractors Limited (ITL), an Indian based company part of Sonalika Group has become the fastest growing tractor firm, exporting their tractors worldwide.

ITL has come a long way since 1995 from being Punjab borne company to global leader in exports.

International Tractors limited is providing its service in more than 75 countries across the globe. It is the leading company from India to export their tractors to service-oriented EU market. The tractors are renowned for their quality, reliability and after sales service. After entering Europe and Australia with Solis range of tractors and becoming leader in Africa and SAARC, they are now geared to launch their best products in US. It is worth mentioning that Company has 20 per cent tractor market share in Africa and is market leader in SAARC. Many milestone mark the incredible journey of ITL including its collaboration with Renault of France and Yanmar of Japan. Equity partner Blackstone imposed trust on Sonalika and further gave impetus to ITL’s growth story.

In order to stretch its wings in USA and serve people with best farming solution, company recently participated in WORLDAG EXPO’15 exhibition in Tulare, California and displayed their best products. ITL has come up with new brand “WORLDTRAC” exclusively for USA market. 2015 is the year for ITL to venture in USA with its most advanced products which are best suited to US farmland. ITL has plans to set up an office, training centre and assembly line in US. ❐ august 2015 | india empire

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Dr. a. p. J. abDul Kalam

REMEMBERING A LEGEND The author reminisces about an interaction with the late President of India

By Swami Anand Kul Bhushan PhotograPhs © siPra das

“The religious man is one-dimensional, just as the scientist is. Albert Einstein is one-dimensional, so is Gautama the Buddha. And between these two a few artists exist who have something of both the dimensions. The true man will be all three simultaneously: he will be a scientist, an artist, and religious. And I call the fourth man the spiritual man”, says Osho.

Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was a scientist who read spiritual books, wrote poetry, played the stringed instrument called Veena, and made his mission to teach and inspire the young generation for excellence.

Thus there could be no better person than the former President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam to whom Osho’s two-volume set, “Einstein The Buddha” published by my friend K. P. R. Nair of Konark should be gifted. His was my first thought when given the opportunity to meet him in 2006. When presented with Osho’s vision of Einstein The Buddha, he said, “Yes, I know about Osho and have read him. Thank you.” This happened at the meeting with some students and publishers following the publishing of one of his books that answered questions from students from all over India who interacted with him on his website.

Always smiling and listening intently to everyone, he responded almost instantly as expected from an outstanding person with a brilliant mind. After the formal presentations, we moved to another hall next door where tea was served. Now he was even 10 india empire | august 2015

more informal and came over to talk to almost everyone. When he came over, I asked him about Osho’s thinking and he said it was out of the ordinary and provided new understanding. Earlier, he met 14-year old student, Sudarkodi, from Kalapur, Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, who was brought in by Mr. K. P. R. Nair, the publisher of Kalam’s biography, Who is Kalam? In a Tamil monthly for children, she elicited the best response from Dr. Kalam to her question, ‘Please rank yourself among the following: Scientist, Tamilian, Human Being and Indian.” His answer was, “One can find all three in a Human Being.’

Earlier on 13 June 2003, she came to Delhi to receive the first copy of a biography, ‘Who is Kalam? A Good Human Being’ by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as she had helped to select its title with her question. When it came to be known that she needed help to complete her studies, a number of generous persons offered to finance her studies.

Today, she is Dr. Mrs. Sudarkodi Sukumar. Now 28 years old, she works at IIT Madras after her Ph.D. from National University Singapore. Focused on India 2020, as a real time futurist, Dr. Kalam always motivated the youth. In 20 years, he had personally met 16 million young Indians. Thousands of youngsters visited his site every day and he had a target of meeting many every week. Everyone who met him was given a small card with his photo and a quote by him. ❐

Key Ministerial interview

“A customer is the most important visitor to our premises. He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption of our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider to our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favour by serving him. He is doing us a favour by giving us the opportunity to do so.”

—Mahatma Gandhi in a speech in South Africa in the late 19th century

IntervIew wIth Mr raM vIlas Paswan, MInIster for ConsuMer affaIrs, food and PublIC dIstrIbutIon, GovernMent of IndIa

“We are becoming pro-consumer” A heavyweight with a formidable track record at the top levels of Indian politics, Mr Ram Vilas Paswan has been tasked with a challenging portfolio—Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. His job is to ensure that the tormented customer’s trust in the freemarket economy in restored. It is a market where with the daily advent of new brands and slick marketing, consumer complaints are constantly on the rise. Mr Paswan needs to ensure that Mahatma Gandhi’s noble words on the importance of the customer are practiced each day this country. In previous Governments, Mr Paswan held key federal ministerial positions in Labour and Welfare, Railways, Communication and Information Technology, Coal and Mines, Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Steel. A Member of Parliament for 38 years, Mr Paswan has been elected to the Lok Sabha eight times, and nominated to the Rajya Sabha once. In the 2014 elections, he entered the Lok Sabha for the eighth time from Hajipur, a largely Dalit constituency he has made very much his own. He spoke to India Empire’s Editor Sayantan Chakravarty at his Krishi Bhavan office in Lutyen’s New Delhi

You have said in the past that the NDA Government is committed to upholding and protecting the welfare of consumers, particularly rural consumers, women and children. What measures have you taken in this direction?

The Consumer Protection Act came about in 1986. In the last 29 years, things have changed completely. E-commerce has come into play in a major way, and consumer awareness has increased. But the old law is still in place.

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Keeping in tune with the times, we introduced a new bill in Parliament, known as the Consumer Protection Bill, 2015.

It has been passed by both Houses, and will soon become an Act. This will help address a range of issues related to the segment you mentioned, and assuage several grievances.

Are you satisfied with the cooperation of various stakeholders such as State Governments, NCDRC, State Consumer Forums, District Forums, BIS and Vol-

PhotograPhs © siPra das

ENDURING LEADERSHIP: Mr Paswan has been a Lok Sabha Member since 1977, about 70 per cent of Indians were not even born then

untary Consumer Organizations?

We are very thankful to all activists with whom we have held meetings for discussing consumer rights and consumer protection. They are all knowledgeable. We have had three meetings with the Consumer Affairs Ministers of state Governments in the past one year to discuss problems being faced by the consumers. We are continuously holding meetings with the secretaries which are creating a lot of awareness. We have also written letters to the Chief Ministers, after all in states, consumer courts exist at two levels—district and state. We seek their cooperation in this movement.

Usually at respective district, state and central levels the consumer forum is headed by a retired judge of a district court, a High Court, and Supreme Court. Members are appointed to each forum. As of now, unfortunately, consumer courts in our country are not functioning effectively. The reason is very basic—a lack of infrastructure and remaining headless.

Five state forums including those in Kerala, Nagaland, Rajasthan and Telangana do not have presidents, and 17 of them do not have members. At the district level, 102 forums do not have presidents, and 266 of them are without members. Members at many places at district and state levels do not have a place to even sit. In some states they are paid a nominal salary, in some they do not even receive that.

Our priority is to improve infrastructure and fill up vacan-

cies at the district level forums, because that is where 90 per cent of the cases are filed. We have also now mandated that if a case is not admitted within 21 days, it will automatically be considered an FIR so that the consumer does not suffer.

Also, there is another major change we have brought about—while earlier a consumer needed a lawyer to file a case in a consumer court, now we have announced that the consumer does not necessarily need a lawyer and can file on his own.

Is there a way that things can be settled out of court?

We have made a few other changes. In case a State Court gives a judgment in favour of the consumer, it cannot be appealed at the National Forum. We have introduced a system of mediation, and it can be opted at any level. We are trying to make all these courts pro-consumer. We have issued guidelines that courts need to give judgments within 90 days of a complaint being filed.

We understand that you have formed the Consumer Protection Authority?

Yes. We have also authorized courts to handle not just individual complaints but complaints pertaining to a batch of products. The courts earlier did not have such authority. august 2015 | india empire 13

Key Ministerial interview

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Mr Chirag Paswan, MP (left) has followed in the footsteps of his illustrious father and entered the hallowed portals of Indian Parliament by winning at the last Lok Sabha elections from the Jamui constituency of Bihar

For instance, if a bottle of water is poor in quality, chances are that the entire batch has poor quality water. Now the entire batch can be looked into. The CPA will have various departments to cater to the consumers. It will have wide ranging powers. For example if a builder promises you a ready-to-move-in house in 3 years, but fails to do so, the CPA will have powers to investigate. Investigation results will be submitted to the National Forum, but the CPA will be empowered to take action against the offender. Cases of unfair trade practice and false advertising will be addressed as well.

Improper services by hospitals, airlines and other organizations will also be investigated by the CPA. How do you enhance awareness among consumers about their rights and responsibilities?

Currently, we have a campaign “Jago Grahak Jago’ running but I feel there is great need for more aggressive campaigning at every level. For example, the gold and silver is brought by even the poor and people are unaware of the 14 india empire | august 2015

quality of gold in terms of carats. In some cases the consumer is given gold of 9 carats but is charged for 10 carat gold. Although there is hallmarking, it is not mandatory.

We have made modification in the BIS also; we have placed it in Parliament as well. The Bureau of Indian Standards Act 1986 has been completely changed. Prime Minister has introduced ‘Make in India’, how will it work if there are no proper standards, which is why the changes in BIS were necessary.

What is your personal vision and mission for the Department of Consumer Affairs?

I want this department to become the strongest it has ever been in its history. I have been very fortunate that until now wherever I have been, I have made a difference to that department and taken it to the top. While with the Labour and Welfare Ministry I had to handle at the time what are 6 different departments today. The workload was enormous, as you can imagine. It was a very important portfolio. While with the Ministry of Railways I introduced 6 new railway

zones, taking the number of railways zones to 10 in India.

While in the Communications and IT Ministry, I realized that consumers were being charged Rs 16 per minute for outgoing calls, and even incoming calls were being charged.

We strongly opposed this harsh tariff structure and introduced the WLL. While at the Coal and Mines Ministry we prevented the sale of Coal India. Today it is one of India’s Maharatna PSUs. In this Ministry, we are open to suggestions. I would like to sincerely thank Prime Minister Modi for his support and suggestions for making this department extremely effective.

How is the Government moving towards providing an effective, inexpensive and speedy redressal system for consumer disputes?

As an apex institution, the National Forum has parity with the Supreme Court when it comes to matters related to consumer affairs. We are ensuring that we have a National Forum that is moving around, not static, and goes to states to address issues. We are upgrading infrastructure at district and state forums. At present, a common man is made to wait even 3 years for judgments to come out. I will personally request PM to reach out to all CMs in this matter and make them understand the importance of consumer affairs. We are confident that once significant changes in infrastructure come about at the lower levels, marked improvements will show up in the system of delivery of justice.

How are you strengthening the PDS that will go a long way towards Food Security?

PDS is a state subject. Our job is to procure goods from the market, transport them, and store them in warehouses.

Once the state Governments pick them up, our jurisdiction ends. That is where we feel corruption begins, since we are unable to track if the goods are reaching the beneficiaries of the PDS system. We are implementing the Food Security Act to overcome this problem, it is already applicable in 13 states and will be enforced in many other states by end of September. CCTVs are being installed at several places to keep a watch over all warehouse activities. We are introducing doorstep delivery at the fair price shop for which 50 per cent of the cost is being borne by us. We are on a major computerization drive through which transport, warehousing and deliveries can be tracked online. We have plans to link the Aadhar card with the ration card, and question of duplications should come down and reduce corruption by 90 per cent. Some state Governments are hesitant about implementing this, but we are determined to have our way for the benefit of the poorer segments of our population. For instance in Bihar 7.07 crore people are benefiting from the PDS, but actually the figure should be 8.71 crore. We are determined to bridge the gap.

Are improvements being made in the Warehousing Sector?

In warehousing sections, we have plenty of land and space but the condition of majority of warehouses is not good. We have targeted to fix them within a time frame and

MEDIA SAVVY: Minister Paswan flips through a recent issue of India Empire

further transform them into cold storages. The cold storages will help us in storing the fruits and vegetables during the difficult months of July, August, September and October. During this period of the year, the prices of these commodities really hike up and this is not due to the lack of production but due to the panicking situation in the market. Thus, this step would help us in controlling this situation. We have issued guidelines that all warehouses that are not in the best of conditions need to be modernized. We have currently taken up modernization of one-third of the total warehouses across the country, the entire modernization of the warehousing system should take about three years. We are developing the silo structure for storage. Even though it is slightly costly, it is completely leakage proof.

And the silo structure development is being done on a priority basis.

Does the backward and Dalit community feel that enough is being done by this Government?

Our aim is Power to the Poor for which some key strategies of empowerment have been put in place. For instance, we have the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Yojna wherein a person is required to put in Re 1 per month in order to get an accident insurance cover worth Rs 2 lakh. Secondly, we have the Jan Dhan Yojna in which a person is required to put in Rs 330 per year, and Rs 2 lakh will be paid on death of the member concerned. We will not leave any stone unturned to â?? help and reach out to the have-nots. august 2015 | india empire 15

Key Business interview

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

—John Quincy Adams

IntervIew wIth Mr ajay sahaI, dIreCtor General and Ceo, federatIon of IndIan exPort orGanIzatIons

“Make in India should propel exports” For all those who regularly drive down towards the airport from south Delhi, the blue and greytinged Niryat Bhawan, an impressive edifice that houses the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), is not to be missed. On this glassy building’s top floor sits the organization’s sharp-thinking DG and CEO, Mr Ajay Sahai, a man whose decade-long tenure with FIEO has coincided with a marked growth in the fortunes of the Indian export industry. When he joined the FIEO in 2005, after serving a number of years at the Directorate General of Foreign Trade as a Joint DG, the organization’s membership base of exporters was around 7,000. It is a tribute to Mr Sahai’s leadership skills and organizational acumen that today that base has more than tripled to 22,000, positioning FIEO as a powerhouse, and placing it among the most sought after chambers in the country.

FIEO works closely and in conjunction with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in order to boost Indian exports, and helps earn valuable foreign exchange for the country. Significantly, over 70 per cent of all exports in the country are carried out by those who are members of FIEO. Mr Sahai, though, is particularly modest, almost to the point of being self-effacing, and dismisses the notion that the organization’s turnaround has anything to do with the particular chair he occupies. “It comes from the way you lead the people,” he says, adding philosophically, “you do not necessarily have to be a boss in order to be a leader.” To that extent, it his own inspiring conduct, his indefatigable energy and almost interminably long hours of hard work, and complete command over the export management and international trade terrain, that has made him stand tall, and lead from the front. Industry and Business Houses respect him, Government values his views—he has been on several prestigious Government committees and assignments—and the Media relentlessly seeks him out for his observations on the financial sector. And when your own colleagues in the organization speak well of you, something must be really right about the way you lead them. John Quincy Adams’ words on “actions inspiring others to dream more” particularly hold good for the tall Mr Sahai. What stands out during a conversation with him is his world view, clarity of thought, and deep global understanding of his field.

His world view and understanding come as no surprise because he is indeed very widely travelled. Except for having stepped on the icy shores of Antarctica, he has been to every other continent in the world, and across countless countries several times over, the nature of his job being such. He enjoys the challenge that comes with the demands of his work, where problems need attention in real time. In spite of his hectic work schedule—he attends an average of 3 meetings daily, addressing anywhere between 50 and 75 people in each, besides attending a minimum of 7–8 individual visitors a day, and, of course, carrying out regular office work—he squeezes time out to read up, occasionally catch up on a blockbuster movie, do an hour or so of Yoga every day, and embellish his intellect with the enduring wisdom of Chanakya. He speaks to India Empire’s Editor Sayantan Chakravarty at his office on subjects close to his heart

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You have been associated for long with the Export Industry. You have worked closely with Commodity Boards, Banks, EPCs, DGFT. You are widely travelled.

What is it that you love most about your work?

I think that the basic thing that I love about my work is the challenge that it brings. Every day you encounter a new problem, and you are required to evaluate the problem, find solutions, and somehow impress upon the other party—which may at times be the Government—to agree. I like the diversity that the job brings, because it is the diversity that keeps me on my heels. I have to be constantly updated on various developments that are happening across the globe. So mentally I have to be very active. That gives me a lot of satisfaction.

What is the forecast for exports in fiscal 2015 – 2016?

This will be a challenging year for Indian exports. First of all, global trade is forecasted to grow by less than 3 per cent, and any decline in global trade impacts India’s exports.

Secondly, we feel that prices of commodities, crude and metal will continue to be lower, and that will be translated into fin-

ished products resulting in less exports. Thirdly, we Mr Ajay Sahai feel that many of the Director General economies—not just the and CEO, FIEO advanced ones but also the emerging economies—are slowing down. And with uncertainty looming large, everybody is cutting on expenditure.

Economies, particularly in Latin America, CIS and the Middle East that were driving high on commodity prices have taken a hit. Globally we feel this trend may continue through 2015-16, though, of course, indications are that the situation may start looking better October onwards. At the moment, the order booking position of Indian corporate houses is not very promising. We did a survey for around 400 companies for the first 2 months of this fiscal, that is April and May, and found that while 15 per cent of companies had a better order booking position compared to last year, for 80 per cent the position was less than what it was last year. For the rest 5 per cent, a status quo was maintained. This is an indication that things may not be as bright as everybody expected them to be. But I would say that these kinds of cycles happen in international trade, I think we have to live with them. Our bigger challenge lies at the domestic front, and, therefore, while the global situation will improve, we have to make efforts to address domestic issues. Because ultimately when the global scenario improves and we have not been able to address our domestic issues, our competitiveness will be affected.

You have had a vast experience in the field of Export Management and International Trade. According to you what are the prime factors that determine a growth in exports, or conversely a dip in exports?

In the Indian context it is the manufacturing that drives exports, though, of course, people say that exchange rates play a very vital role. Exchange rate is one of the components in the competiveness of exports, but unless you generate surplus or produce quality products you will not be in the field of exports. There is a direct relationship between manufacturing growth and export growth. All the years that manuaugust 2015 | india empire 17

Key Business interview

availability of credit. Whatever Government figures may say, the fact is that small companies are not borrowing from the formal sector. Eighty per cent of the corpus comes from personal savings, balance is from informal sources. We have to bring them to the formal sector, to the banks, rather than allowing them to go NBFCs and money lenders. Banks have a little more proactive role to play. We talk about instructions from the Central Bank for collateral-free borrowing, but nobody gets such loans. The reason is that the insurance cover provided to banks against collateral-free loans is cumbersome and, therefore, banks are reluctant to walk that path.

facturing has done well, exports have picked up pace, barring a short period between 2008 and 2009 when there was a general global slowdown. Of course there is a time gap, for instance you may be manufacturing in July, and exporting in October or November. So for me the best will be to propel manufacturing. That is why we are pinning our hopes on Make in India, because if that succeeds, automatically exports will receive a push. We are of the view that we should not pursue Make in India merely as a strategy, but as a Mission.

Let us also look at things this way, Make in India on the one hand will help propel exports, but more importantly it will allow the country to move surplus agriculture workers into manufacturing as well. Only then can we be looking at inclusive growth. You cannot move agriculture workers to services, since services sector normally provide white collar jobs.

So, for meeting my broad objective of inclusive growth and social transformation, I want to employ these workers in manufacturing. Also land size is going down, productivity is on the decline and automation is taking over. I want to absorb these workers in the manufacturing sector.

What kind of support structures are in place from the Government to bolster exports?

Government has provided some support on manufacturing and exports. The major support from the Government has been on tax concessions, basically available to small and medium companies. They come with excise exemptions, but I am not sure how long it will continue the GST regime. In a way signals are being given that small and medium companies have to gear up to face challenges. At the same time we have to look at the kind of disabilities they have, and we have to find ways to address those. The single most important issue for such companies is the cost of credit, and then it is about 18 india empire | august 2015

Kindly elaborate on the cost-of-credit factor‌ First of all we have to ensure that credit is available, and available at a reasonable cost. I do agree that it may not be possible to bring cost to 5-6 per cent, which is currently the norm in South East Asia, and China. But somehow we have to bring credit cost to less than 10 per cent. At the moment small and medium companies are getting credit at 13-13.5 per cent, which is far too high. Secondly with the global situation turning grim, the entire cycle of exports has been elongated. So now you require credit for a longer period. Earlier when buyer was receiving the goods, he was remitting the money. Today the buyer is saying that only after he sells the goods he will remit the money. So if the credit rate is higher, and the exporter requires credit over a longer period than before, we are basically killing him. The Government needs to support on this issue. Thirdly, we find that there are marketing schemes, but the corpus of this scheme is so low that it hardly supports marketing expenditure. At present we are taking a Rs 300 crore support for an export base of Rs 20,00,000 crore which is absolutely miniscule. Even in advanced economies, they are providing a huge support to small and medium companies. We must remember that SMEs hardly have the resources to market their products.

And unless they market their products and package it in a nice way, customers will not be attracted. Besides, at tough times like these they are not going into the market, because they feel they will not get orders. The point is if you are not visible in the market, then when conditions improve you may not get orders. So the need of the hour is to be visible in the market, and contact the buyers. We may not get an order immediately, but the moment there is an improvement in the situation, I am sure those buyers will come back to you.

What kind of support system are you asking for to strengthen exports?

I am asking that for exports let us bring back the interest subvention scheme that was providing 3 per cent subvention to the export sector, and which was definitely helping the small companies in a big way. The scheme, unfortunately, lapsed on March 31, 2014. We are still awaiting its reintroduction. While industry wants its reintroduction from April 1, 2014, we are a little apprehensive. But we are hopeful that the scheme will be reintroduced with effect from April 1, 2015. Secondly I think Government should encourage enterprise to go for expansion and modernization. So whatever support Government can provide on these fronts will be welcome. It can either be by reducing the rate of interest for those who are borrowing or purchasing capital goods, or Government can provide tax concessions on the direct tax front. Lot of countries are doing

so at present. Developing countries like Singapore provide market deduction expenses wherein whatever expenditure you do on developing your market abroad, 200 per cent of that is allowed as tax deduction. So let us assume that I spend Rs 1 crore in developing market in Africa, Government gives me Rs 2 crore as tax deduction. So it is a great incentive that has been given. We have to look into that. We are talking of direct tax code, and we are talking about investment linked benefit, these are the investment linked benefits that are the need of the hour.

It may be in technology, it may be in marketing. But this kind of support has to be given. So that industry and export sector can thrive in difficult situation.

From the high of September 2014, export earnings have dipped considerably in the first three months of fiscal 2015. Your views on this…

In fact let me return to 2014. What has happened is that from July 2014, crude prices started declining. Crude prices were USD 100 a barrel in July, they came down sharply in September. I think in October and November it came down to USD 75 a barrel. So one of the reasons is that if exports in the petroleum sector declines by 50 per cent, and overall this sector contributes 20 per cent to my exports, automatically exports drop down by 10 per cent. This is what we have seen in the first three months. But I think there are other issues that need to be considered here. It is indeed worrying that even in sectors such as engineering, we are facing a stiff competition, and this will increase in years to come. The lesson for industry is that we have to look at cost cutting, and this can happen very effectively by applying IT in every area of operation. This will reduce cost, and increase productivity. There is also the important issue of skilling of labour. In China roughly 95 per cent of the labour is skilled on a regular basis, in India’s case it is only around 16 per cent. So unless we skill the worker we will not be able to get productivity. For a businessman, wages means per unit cost of production. So if I have a person whose wage is twice a normal person, and this person produces four times more than a normal person, his wages for me is less, for it is directly linked to production. That is why initiatives like Skill India by the Government in which we are talking of skilling 400 million workers by 2022 are very laudable. At the same time the mismatch between demand and availability has to be eliminated. It is strange that on one hand industry says there are no skilled workers available, while Government is skilling millions of people. What we have suggested to Secretary, MSME is that let us look at building a portal in which details of all those skilled are available, so that industry can directly approach them. Having said this, it is important also to remember that the skills imparted today may not be relevant two years down the line. So there is a need to continuously upgrade skills, and this is where we need to learn from the China story.

FIEO has widened the scope for exporters to participate in global fairs. Please talk us through the major gains out of these exposures…

What we have thought is that it is not necessary that we participate in all the exhibitions. With our stakeholders, that is our members, we take decisions on which kind of fairs to participate. Our internal research team also identifies markets and

products. So we work on a twin strategy—from the stakeholder we get information on international fairs and exhibitions of repute, while through our internal sources we decide upon the country, as well as the product profile. And then based on these two criteria we choose the exhibition we have to participate.

Many of the exhibitions are approved by the Department of Commerce also, where a different kind of thought process takes place, and we convince them to take it forward. I personally feel that in exhibitions it is not that the exhibitor is only displaying the products, it is more important that the exhibitor knows and understands the emerging trend in the globe. If you participate in an international exhibition you know what could be the trend next year also. It helps you in modifying your product, and developing your product accordingly. That is why I said that it is critical that small and medium companies receive that kind of exposure. The reason why Indian handicraft has taken a hit is simply because we have not invested in designing. We need to employ international designers, and may be at the cost of the Government. The international designer should tell the craftsmen what kind of designs they should weave and develop, so that you get the market. I am very sure that there is a huge demand for organic, and ethnic products, all that is required is that our design should be in line and tune with the changing international scenario.

How crucial is the role of the banking sector in guiding and assisting exporters at a critical time such as this?

Banks have a very critical role to play. Normally what happens is that when a company is doing well, the bank is more than willing to lend. But when company faces tough time, bank becomes more than cautious. That needs to be avoided since every industry passes through a cycle. We have to identify the winners, the companies that are doing their best to survive in the market, and then go the whole hog to support them. That is why I shall request all the bankers not be guided by immediate developments. If the company has done well in exports for 30 years and has weathered some tough times and then emerged from them with flying colours, then banks need to hand hold them if the company is now going through a trying phase again. That is all. We are telling the Government that such a message should go out to the board of the banks.

What is the status of the Export Promotion Mission?

On this, Government has taken a lot of initiatives. Apart from Export Promotion Mission, Government has come up with the Council for Trade Development and Promotion.

We want to take states on board and remove their apprehensions on exports. Many of them feel that export entails loss of revenue since taxes are not collected on exported goods. So there is a kind of apathy. The bigger picture, of course, is that EOUs also produce for the domestic market and pay duty. Not all are 100 per cent export-oriented. Besides, EOUs help provide employment and thereby enable the Governments at state level to meet their social commitments. The EPM is providing a long term strategy for boosting export. We are looking at a target of USD 900 billion by 2010-2020. Of this, USD 600 billion is targeted for merchandize exports, the rest should come from the services. I ❐ am optimistic about these figures. august 2015 | india empire 19

spirituality

IntervIew wIth Ms lInda aInouChe doCuMentary fIlMMaker

“Practices of Indian Sadhus are seen in the Rasta way of life” Ms Linda Ainouche

This is fascinating, the connection between Rastafarian culture and Hindu traditions. Please elaborate on your findings…

Dreadlocks Story explores the never before seen history of Rastafari culture’s surprising roots in Hindu tradition. Jamaican and Indian people were oppressed by a common British colonial force, and they created a form of self-expression that grew from the very powers that persecuted them. I wanted to honor this symbol of strength.

Through it, I wanted to show people that in the face of adversity there is still hope, beauty, and the possibility of something new. By examining the diverse influences found in Rasta culture, Dreadlocks Story exhibits the strength and magnificence of a movement grounded in anti-slavery and anti-imperialist struggles. My findings also affirm the continued importance of Indian heritage in Jamaican society.

We find it in various aspects, including cuisine, language, agriculture and medicine, to name just a few. The Hindu way of life, especially of Sadhus, can be seen in the practices of the Rasta way of life.

20 india empire | august 2015

The Dreadlocks Story, an 83-minute documentary in English, French, Hindi and Jamaican Patois, with subtitles in English, French and Spanish is written, directed and produced by Linda Ainouche. It talks about Spiritual links between Jamaican Rastas and Indian Sadhus. It opens up the history of the Rastas in a new light. It talks about the dreadlocks hair-style, and the roots of the Rastafari culture which is entangled with Hindu tradition in Jamaica. Filmed in four countries including France, India, Jamaica and the USA, the film’s leitmotif traces ancient traditions in Africa and India.

Ms Ainouche speaks with India Empire

Please give our readers a background of the Rastafarian culture, its origins, its exponents, even through music…

For that, they utterly need to watch Dreadlocks Story!

But quickly in few words, the movement has emerged from Leonard Percival Howell, known today as ‘The First Rasta’ in Jamaica in the early 1930. He promoted the belief that everyone is divine and equal through the figure of the Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia against George V, who was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India,- and thus starting the Rasta movement. The political nature of Howell’s ideas had him jailed for two years by the Jamaican colonial government where he wrote a pamphlet, which showed elements of PanAfricanism and the anti-colonial struggle. Dreadlocks Story explores how Howell was influenced by another element present in Jamaican society - notably the lifestyles of Hindus. And for evidence, he took the pen name of Gangunguru Maharaj.

You have studied Jainism. Is there a link between

Jainism and Rastafari culture as well?

I would like to say that there is not direct connections between Jainism and Rastafari other than Jainism and Hinduism are stemmed from Vedic and Brahmanic philosophy, and Hinduism is one of the major spiritual influences to Rastafari. Therefore, the link between Jainism and Rastafari is indirectly based on the concept of Nature and even more in this central Jain doctrine of ahimsa.

Very little is documented on Indian indentureship in Jamaica that followed the abolition of slavery. Do you have any research material available on that?

Yes, Dreadlocks Story! And the amazing work by the Indian couple of pioneers researchers Professors Ajai and august 2015 | india empire 21

Spirituality

Laxmi Mansingh as well as some other independent researchers.

You seem to have come across similarities between the experiences of Africans in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and Indian indentured workers that were forced into servitude by the British colonial system. Can you tell us about some of these?

African emancipation in Jamaica happened in 1838 and Indian arrived in Jamaica from 1845. When Indians were in Jamaica, known as “indentured workers”, they essentially performed the same work that ex-African slaves were once forced to do, even if they did nominally have more freedom. So, in terms of work, the experiences were very similar, and in terms of bad treatments and oppressions also.

While it was made to seem like “indentured servitude” was voluntary labor, the reality is that it was enslavement under a different name.

As a movement is Rastafari prevalent mainly in Jamaica, or has a presence in other islands of the Caribbean as well?

Today, Rastafari is not confined to Jamaica but found throughout the Caribbean and Diasporas as well everywhere in the world, even in unexpected places such as Fiji, Iceland, Botswana, Malawi, Nicaragua, Japan. About dreadlocks, they reveal to be secondary to the vital role they are playing to mirror the state of mind of the minority Rasta communities influenced by Hinduism all over the world.

When did the idea of producing Dreadlocks Story come to you?

The idea of Dreadlocks Story is a convergence of many things: my relentless observation and awareness of what is surrounding me, my longing to become an ethnographic filmmaker, my interests for cross cultural, India and Jamaica culture as well as the goal to stress a conscious of criticizing the system of colonialism rather than any nation specifically. In conversations about oppression our rhetoric 22 india empire | august 2015

should reflect the belief that colonialism is an immoral system that is an atrocity and harmful for all.

I did live and travel extensively within India. And I am strongly tied to India and its spiritualities. On another hand, I don’t remember when I have started having acquaintances with Rastas and their lifestyle but it was a while ago. And, after staying in Jamaica, it was quite obvious to me that Indian influences were deeply rooted into the local culture, especially Rastafari even though the knowledge of it was lacked. Combining these elements together, it became clear to me that I had to do a documentary on the links between Rastafari and Hinduism to restore some thoughts and understanding of our world history.

I was inspired by the ignorance on Indian enslavement to the Caribbean basin, because Indians had never been nothing else than oppressed by the colonists. Plus, I feel that as an educated person with the means to express myself as I want through many mediums I must enlighten on what shocks me in this world, such as the many misconceptions and judgments people have of history and culture, such as the links between Hindu and Rasta culture. Few, however, have taken the time to understand their past and explore the powerful symbol of perseverance that these cultures represent. ❐

tHiNKEr’S COrNEr

Beyond the horizon

I

By Malay Mishra

took leave of my diplomatic career forever, about two weeks back. It was difficult to peel off the bureaucratic skin of mine and pretend that I was normal. Yet the memories of those thirty eight years of service which veritably transforms a normal individual to a machine, a ‘cog in the wheel’, were bitter sweet and a lot out of the ordinary.

That apart, life in the foreign service had its thrill moments, to discover cultures of the world and be a part of them without losing your own. Yet at the end of the day, rather at sunset point, one is apt to draw a comparison between the culture one represented and the cultures one absorbed.

I remember in the early 1980s as a young diplomat in Paris, I had to constantly navigate between the India where poverty abounded and the one which showed the way to robust orientalism. There was no midway, it was either too black or too white, and I hated the French for decrying my country for being in the dark ages while their’s was the fountainhead of liberty, equality and fraternity, cherished values of the Revolution. The centuries old struggle for freedom; standing up to imperialism and colonial rule with the iron clad sheath of peace, truth and non- violence mattered very little to the French. Gandhi was little known there except in intellectual circles. Attenborough had not yet burst upon the scene.

Times have changed. Today India still suffers from endemic poverty, despite decades of state- controlled economics followed by a tethering market capitalism, but the world looks at the emerging developed economy image with some awe and more curiosity. India’s age-old culture and heritage in that optic has got a face lift, with soft power instruments yoga, bollywood, cuisine, traditional medicine (Ayurveda), cricket getting farther, to touch new horizons. India has today become the dream destination for the western traveller, businessman, and researcher to look out for something different, something new, something incomparable.

This is the new India, of a new age whose sanctity we must preserve, whose ethics and values we must nourish.

For therein lie the recipe for a great civilization that India was, and continues to be. Thus for example, we saw the world come together in saluting India when 191 countries observed the International Day of Yoga on 21st June this year following a UN Resolution to this effect, put forth by India. It was a proud moment for the country when nearly 2 billion people were directly or indirectly participating in the yoga marathon throughout the day, and India notched a few records in the Guinness book. I saw 2,000 people in

the city of Budapest stream into the iconic Balna building on the banks of the Danube that day, so did many more come together to celebrate yoga as an ideal panacea for holistic living and India claimed the leadership to drive this health message forward.

We as Indians can send out such powerful messages only when we end the dichotomy of hyperbole in rhetoric and minimal result on this ground. For then our intentions will look genuine. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is an eloquent example. All the flagship projects today are crying out for implementation and that needs the total support of the citizenry. Admittedly there are continental discrepancies in our sub-continent but then Indians have risen to the occasion in times of crises, disaster and danger. Let normal times be considered crisis moments, as each of the failures in execution could end up in a disaster.

The India of today has admittedly a different image than what it had when I joined the service some 38 years back.

I harp on that as it could be a pointer to make ourselves conscious of our responsibilities, of what lies ahead if India has to take a certain trajectory of sustainable growth for her billion plus population within a secular democratic market capitalism set up, a jigsaw puzzle of ideologies and values.

A new sun is expanding its colours beyond the horizon.

I wish to touch it, hold it in my palm to feel the strength and energy of the Progenitor who lies within us all. The sun will forever rise from the east and there could not be a better amalgam of geography, history and culture in the East than India. Let us all realize our vast potential, as children of a land that will never perish, rather constantly renew and regenerate and generation more will surge out of the crevices to add beauty, divinity and a wonderful radiance of life, for all times.

Let that be a part our thinking, we stand on the cusp of change, to a new dawn that which we can mould to the contours of living a glorious future. The future is in our hands, ❐ as we look beyond the horizon.

Malay Mishra

—The author retired as India’s Ambassador to Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina recently and is currently engaged in doctoral research august 2015 | india empire 23

KEy DiplOmatiC iNtErviEw H.E. Darja BavDaŽ KurEt amBassaDor of slovEnia to inDia

“We would like Indian investors to come to Slovenia” In an interview on bilateral relations, engagement policies and business opportunities, Ambassador of Slovenia to India, Ms Darja Bavdaž Kuret opens up with India Empire’s Assistant Editor Misha Singh.

Ms Darja has varied work experience of 34 years. She has worked at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia as Coordinator and Chair of the European Union—Capitals Working Group Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Belarus during Slovenia’s Presidency of the EU Council. She has also been Secretary General of the Bled Strategic Forum for 2 years Please let us know about Slovenia’s bilateral trade and economic relations with India…

The economic and bilateral trade between Slovenia and India is only 1 per cent of cooperation that we have. The political relations and Government to Government relations between the two countries are excellent. Slovenia is a relatively young country, it is only 24 years old but nevertheless we have managed to establish excellent political dialogue with India, both individually and as a member of the European Union. Last year the trade amounted to about 130 million Euros. However, Slovenia is a market of 2 million people but we have access to the 500 million people market as a member of the European Union. So you can see the strength of potential bilateral business to present Slovenia as a hub for Indian exports to European Union, especially Central European countries. Slovenia has a port of Koper, Capodistria which represents the shortest way from Indian Ocean to Central Europe, especially the land locked countries of Central Europe. So within a range of 500 km from Koper lie Vienna, Budapest, Munich and Brasschaat. Koper is an advantage as it makes the trip shorter by 7 sailing days, cheaper by half a million, and the environment is friendlier.

With this we would like to offer India, a hub for its exports and vice versa for India’s inputs.

Is Slovenia promoting Ljubljana as a tourist destination in India?

We are promoting Slovenia- the whole country as a tourist destination not just Ljubljana. Air India and Slovenia’s national carrier Adria Airways signed a Code-Share Agreement that became effective from March 2, 2015. With this agreement, the accessibility for the Indians that want to travel has become very convenient, so now the tourists can travel to Frankfurt and from there to Ljubljana. Also, they can use Thierry, Vienna, Istanbul and other European cities as a gateway to Slovenia. In a 20, 000 sq. km area of Slovenia, what we offer as a tourist destination is that in the same day, you can spend the morning in the Julian Alps which are very high mountains and within 90 minutes, you are down to the Mediterranean Sea. We have immense natural beauty as 60 per cent of Slovenia is covered and preserved by forests. We have a lot of culture in Slovenia and the people are extremely hospitable.

24 india empire | august 2015

There are attractions like Postojna Caves, protected by UNESCO. The lake of Bled is the most iconic places in Slovenia; it has an island with a Church in the middle and the Bled castle overlooking the lake. We have a very clean environment, excellent fresh air and the water can be drunk directly from the taps. The majority of people speak English which makes it easy for the tourists to communicate. Slovenia is also famous for the Lipizzan horses that are well known across world, the breed originated from the village Lipica which is why they are called Lipizzans. The incredible thing about these horses is that they are black in colour when they are born but as they grow up, they become white in colour. Slovenia also has a great cuisine and produces amazing wines.

What is the balance in trade between the two countries at present?

At present, the balance in trade is still in favour of India.

Last year, the exports from Slovenia to India were valued at 70 million Euros and the imports of Slovenia from India were valued at about 140 million Euros. Slovenia ranks 11th in the European Union and 25th in the world in the area of technology and innovations according to Bloomberg. We believe that there is a huge potential in this area as India really needs technology and Slovenia has them, be they for Make in India, Digital India or Clean Ganges. This is the area that needs to be explored. In 2013, Indian Government launched ‘Global Innovation Platform’ and Slovenia was one of the 8 countries that participated.

What is Slovenia’s engagement policy in the Make in India campaign?

As I said Slovenia’s engagement is the technology transfer. One is the JVs in Gurgaon is for the production of smart green boxes with use of Slovenian technology. There is also a JV with Kejriwal Exporters, coming up shortly.

Here products such as royal jelly, cosmetics and others will be made from honey.

Please outline for us the presence of Slovenia’s companies in India, and Indian companies in Slovenia…

There are hardly any Indian companies in Slovenia. The presence of Slovenian companies in India is also not very

H.E. Ms Darja Bavdaž Kuret, Ambassador of Slovenia to India

prominent. Few Slovenian companies operating in India are Adria Airways, Gorenje, Gostol, Krka, Premogovniki, Petra Zage, Kolektor, Robotina and Gensipping Pacific Line Pte Ltd, Singapore - Splosna Plova Portoroz.

An agreement on Gainful Occupation of Dependents of Members of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Posts was signed between Slovenia and India in April 2015. Kindly brief us about the same.

In diplomacy if there is not an agreement, the spouses of the diplomats cannot work for a salary, they can only engage in voluntary work. With the agreement, spouses get an opportunity to continue their occupation in a foreign country.

What is role of Balkan strategy in promotion of Slovenia’s national interests?

Historically, we were a part of Yugoslavia, which was also a Balkan country. When it comes to our geographic position, we are not a part of Balkans. But we have established comprehensive relations with Balkan as we were a part of the peace initiative in the European Union which aimed at finding solutions for the Balkans. Luckily, the situation in the Balkans is now stabilized. We have traditionally good economic and political relations with countries like Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, and even Bosnia and Herzegovina. Slovenia’s President Mr Borut Pahor also launched a dialogue called ‘Brdo Process’ where the leaders of area meet to strengthen the relations

amongst the Yugoslavian states. This is a comprehensive process to bring the countries that used to be in war, closer.

Please tell us about the role played by the chambers of commerce in enhancement of economic cooperation and strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries…

Well, the chambers are very important as they are the associations of business people. In Slovenia we practically have two chambers namely Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, and Chambers of Small and Micro Enterprises. Majority enterprises in Slovenia are either medium or small. The commerce chamber has established relation with all the big chambers in India such as CII, FICCI and PHD. These chambers in India have been very helpful in organising various events for promotion of business relations between the two countries.

What is the future of trade between Slovenia and India? Also, please tell us about the future of Slovenian exporters in India, and Indian exporters in Slovenia?

If India will discover Slovenia as a gateway to the European Union market, it will immediately boost the trade not directly to Slovenia but actually to the European Union. We would also like to invite Indian investors to come to Slovenia. The areas of interest for the investors can be pharmaceuticals, energy, hydraulic pumps and technology for waste management. ❐ august 2015 | india empire 25

PhotograPhs Š siPra das

INDEPENDENT MINDS The Prime Minister feels complete among children, the future of India, on India’s 69th Independence Day

NRIs’ coNstItutIoNal RecogNItIoN An Indian-origin legislator in Uganda has urged parliament to constitutionally recognise the Indian community as a tribe, a media report said. Mr Sanjay Tanna, a member of parliament from Tororo municipality, made the proposal as parliament debated a constitutional amendment bill recently, the Africa Report reported. "We the Indians, who have lived in Uganda since 1973, should be recognised as Ugandans in the constitution, as it was applied to Rwandans and Burundians," Mr Tanna said. Indians in Uganda are locally called Bayindi, and Tanna is urging the parliament to consider Bayindi as a tribe. While some MPs have rejected Tanna's plea, saying they should be only be recognised as citizens but not as a tribe, some other migrants threw weight behind Tanna's proposal.

"Some (Indians) were here as far back as 1926.

They should be recognised as a tribe," another MP echoed Mr Tanna's demand. The debate, which promises to attract a lot of attention, has been adjourned to a later date. Indians first came to Uganda in the late 1800s and early 1900s during the colonial era as con-

26 india empire | august 2015

Mr Sanjay Tanna, MP Tororo Municipality

struction labourers. The country's non-indigenous Rwandan and Burundian communities have been recognised in Uganda's constitution since 1995 as indigenous tribes. The Indian community had already presented their views on the subject without much success. The Indian diaspora has made tremendous contributions towards the social-economic development in Uganda.

DIASPoRA NEWS

Champion of Change

Book

Cante Jondo

Ms Sunita Viswanath

The White House has chosen Indian-American Sunita Viswanath among 12 faith leaders to be honoured as Champion of Change in July for their continuous efforts towards climate change. Ms Viswanath, who has worked in women's and human rights organisations for almost three decades, "is being honoured for her work to encourage Hindus in protecting environment and communities from the effects of climate change," the White House said in a statement. Ms Viswanath is co-founder and active board member of the 14-year old women's human rights organisation Women for Afghan Women (WAW). “Sunita is also co-founder and board member of Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, living and building a Hinduism that prioritizes social justice, and upholding the Hindu principles of ekatva (oneness), ahimsa (non-violence) and sadhana (faith in action),” the statement added.

Born in Chennai, Viswanath is known as a fierce leader whose passion for women's rights and faithbased activism has made her a beacon of hope for the people of New York City. A central component of Sadhana is Project Prithvi, which is an environmental initiative. As part of Project Prithvi, Sadhana is involved with cleaning up a beach in Jamaica Bay, Queens which is a place of worship for Hindus. Sadhana has officially adopted this beach, conducts regular clean-ups, and also does outreach through Hindu temples to advocate that Hindus worship in environmentally conscious ways, said the interfaithcenter.org. Ms Viswanath was a 2011 recipient of the “Feminist Majority Foundation's Global Women's Rights Award” for her work with WAW. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband Stephan Shaw, and their three sons—Gautama, Akash and Satya.

28 india empire | august 2015

The book is a Book: Spanish Gypsy’s Lo! Jacaranda Cante Jondo (deep Written by: song of the caves). Lo! Harry Freiermuth Jacaranda is a young, Spanish-Gypsy Publisher: Trafford Publishing woman in 1760s Spain.

As fate would have it, Number of Pages: 96 she is bron and raised as the daughter of a wealthy ranchdro owner. A beautiful life of prosperity and love stretches on before her as the day of her bethrothal approaches. Before the wedding, however, her gypsy heritage is revealed, and her joy melts away.

The Spanish Inquisition condemns her to be burnt at the stake, but always-resourceful Jacaranda escapes and disguises herself as a man.

She finds work on a slave ship headed to New Spain, but just when she gets comfortable, pirates seize her ship. To stay alive, she joins their motley crew, only to be sold as slave once they reach their destination.

INDo—BRAzIl muSIcAl coNNEct

From BrazIl,

WIth love

By Debaprio D. Choudhury

I

t was her parents' love for sitar exponent Pandit Ravi Shankar that introduced Paola Carraro to Indian art and music in Brazil. Carraro, who started learning sitar from Ravi Shankar's disciple Alberto Marsicano, says India was the biggest inspiration in her life and Indian culture continues to fascinate her. “Indian music has always been a part of my life. My parents listened to Ravi Shankar and I always liked that sound. Growing up, I developed interest in the Beatles and Ravi Shankar. I was gradually discovering more about Indian culture that now fascinates me,” the 32-year-old Carraro said in an interview from Sao Paulo. Ravi Shankar's music had a major influence on the Beatles—the rock band of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Ravi Shankar helped millions of classical, jazz and rock lovers in the West to discover the centuries-old traditions of Indian music through his sitar. He shared a close relationship with Harrison.

Carraro was in India in 2011, and studied sitar with Pandit Bhuwan Chandra in Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. “It's a personal passion I have for India and its culture. That's what has driven me to know more and more about all its cultural manifestations, like music, art in general, dance and everything that involves culture,” says Carraro, who also learnt kathak and tanpura in Rishikesh. “I also found some Brazilian musicians who have dedicated themselves to the study of sitar. I bought my first sitar with the help of sitar player and multi-instrumentalist Marcus Santurys, who is now a close friend and with whom I usually play in recitals. Carraro who performs at major cultural events in Brazil, says “people-to-people contact between India and Brazil was growing gradually.”

Ms Paola Carraro

She gives credit to popular 2009 soap opera "Caminhos da India" (India - A Love Story) in Portuguese for sparking interest about India among Brazilians and also the opening of the Indian Cultural Centre in Sao Paulo on May 25, 2011.

“The cultural centre has played an important role in bringing to Brazil the opportunity of studying Indian art and culture, especially dance, yoga and Hindi language,” she said.

Interest about Bollywood is growing gradually among Brazilians, especially after the soap opera 'Caminhos da India' was telecast all over the country. The soap opera showed a bit of Indian dance, music, customs and religious values.

“Bollywood musicals and romances attract young Brazilians and they enjoy Indian movies. The joyful energy, the colours, the music and dance are too contagious," Carraro says. According to official records, Indian film weeks organised by the Indian embassy and consulates have always received good response from Brazilians. Encouraged by the response, film weeks were organized by the Indian mission in August-September 2013 to celebrate “100 years of Indian Cinema” in seven Brazilian cities. The Brazilian postal department reciprocated by issuing a commemorative stamp in May 2014 on “100 years of Indian Cinema”.

Carraro also feels India and Brazil have never been as close as they are today and hopes there will be greater connection, including in art and culture. She feels the BRICS— Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa—grouping will help in greater contact between the nations. “With the creation of the BRICS, I believe there will be a greater connection between India and Brazil, including in cultural and educational areas. I feel there is greater possibility to broaden the knowledge that Brazilians have of Bollywood movies and Indian culture in general.” ❐ august 2015 | india empire 29

DIASPoRA NEWS

nZ Wants indians The Indian diaspora in New Zealand welcomed the country's fresh migration plans aimed at rejuvenating the provinces that have a "massive skills mismatch", a report said. "Government measures to attract migrants, Indians in particular, to the regions are a good idea. It makes sense to give migrants the opportunity to use their skills to develop regional areas rather than adding to dense populations in big cities," New Zealand Herald quoted New Zealand Indian Central Association president Harshadbhai Patel as saying.

"The majority of those migrating to the country from India go to the big cities for the social life and job prospects. However, some students do study in regional areas such as Otago and Rotorua and can be given opportunity—if they have the skills those regions require,"

Mr Patel said. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key's government has announced immigration measures that are aimed at improving the country's economic growth by allowing migrants to work under cordial atmosphere so that they can provide skills, labour and capital, along with valuable cultural and business links. However, some people are less than optimistic about the new policies. "Economic opportunities first have to be created, and then people will come. Just having immigration policy on its own is not going to do very much," economist Shamubeel Eaqub was quoted as saying.

Mr Eaqub further said that the Government's measures to get migrants to the regions would not solve the provinces' underlying problem—the poverty trap.

Wisconsin victims remembered A US-based Sikh organisation observed an annual day of seva across 18 cities to commemorate the 2012 Wisconsin gurdwara shooting. Six people were shot dead at the Oak Creek city gurdwara in Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, on August 5, 2012. The gunman was later killed and the incident was deemed a hate crime. The Sikh Coalition—a communitybased organisation that works toward the realisation of civil and human rights—organised the commemoration in August. "When a tragedy like this occurs, the Sikh community feels the pain and suffering that comes from an attack born of hate. We want people to see that this type of attack is not just an attack against one community, it is an attack against all of us," said Ms Harjit Kaur, the seva coordinator. "The anguish we felt after the Oak Creek Massacre has since transformed into a call for action to end hate," she added.

The coalition organised the "Chardhi Kala 6K Memorial Walk and Run" in Oak Creek. "The Sikh spirit of chardi kala or eternal optimism inspires Sikhs to stay strong even in the face of hate," Mr Jasvir Singh, participant in Detroit's Day of Seva event, said. "It is what motivates us to combat hate with love and seva, to re-

30 india empire | august 2015

main positive and to keep working toward atomorrow that recognises all beings as one human race. This feeling is ingrained in our seva," Mr Singh added. The organisation also took up the annual Morning Side Park clean up in New York City.

"Our annual park clean up in New York has been an incredible pleasure over the past two years. It is always heartening to have bystanders stop and ask about our motivation for the 'Day of Seva' and strive to learn more about Sikhism," Ms Satjeet Kaur, director of development and communications for the Sikh Coalition, informed. "Seeing others' eagerness to join in the service we are doing demonstrates that seva is a great way to engage both Sikhs and non-Sikhs across the country," she noted.

DIASPoRA NEWS

Siddhartha’S book winS Emmy nomination A documentary based on Pulitzer Prize winner and Indian American doctor Siddhartha Mukherjee's book on cancer has been nominated for an Emmy Award that recognises excellence in the television industry.

Produced and co-written by US filmmaker Ken Burns, the documentary titled "Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies" is a six-hour series for American TV channel PBS and is based on Mukherjee's book "The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer", Emmy's official website stated.

The documentary tells the complete story of cancer, from its first description in an ancient Egyptian scroll to the gleaming laboratories of modern research institutions. It interweaves a sweeping historical narrative; with intimate stories about contemporary patients; and an investigation into the latest scientific breakthroughs that may have brought us, at long last, to the brink of lasting cures, the Emmy website further read. In 2010, Simon & Schuster published Mukherjee's book, detailing the evolution of diagnosis and treatment of human cancers from ancient times.

The Oprah magazine listed it in among "Top 10 Books of 2010". The book was also listed in "The 10 Best Books of 2010" by The New York Times and the "Top 10 Non-fiction Books" by Time. In 2011, the book was nominated as a "National Book Critics' Circle Award" finalist. In the same year, it won the annual Pulitzer Prize in the "General Non-fiction" category.

Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee

‘miss Universal’ Ms Pooja Priyanka

32 india empire | august 2015

Fiji-born Indian model Pooja Priyanka has been selected to represent Australia in the 2015 edition of "Miss Universal Peace and Humanity" pageant is to be held in Dubai from August 18 to 30, a media report said."I am both humbled and honoured to be representing my country Australia in the annual pageant in Dubai this 2015," Ms Priyanka posted on Facebook, the Fiji Times reported."I am looking forward to meet all the beautiful contestants from over 80 countries and can't wait to work with all of them to take on challenges we face in our world today," said Priyanka, who is also a dancer and actor. She was second runner-up in "Miss Face of Beauty" international pageant 2014.

"Miss Universal Peace and Humanity 2015" is an international beauty contest founded by the World Peace Mission Organisation under the patronage of the International Human Rights Commission (IGO). "The aim is to awaken, through the theme of peace, the peoples of all countries to create a peaceable, fraternal and harmonious world community," said the organisation's website. India-born model-turned-actress Ruhi Singh was crowned "Miss Universal Peace and Humanity" in the 2014 edition of the charity event.

INDIAN INvEStmENt ovERSEAS

INDIaNs INVEsT, CREaTE

jobs in usa

By Arun Kumar

India-based companies have invested over USD 15 billion across the US, creating an estimated 91,000 jobs, according to a new report released by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Grant Thornton (GT).New Jersey, California, Texas, Illinois and New York are home to the most Americans directly employed by Indian companies, according to the report, "Indian Roots, American Soil" released in July at an event on the Capitol Hill. Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New York, and New Jersey have the highest foreign direct investment (FDI) from Indian companies, says the report which for the first time provides a state-by-state breakdown of tangible investments made by Indian firms.

The event highlighting the contributions of Indian companies to the US economy was attended by several members of the US Congress and a delegation of CII member-company CEOs from India. "Today Indian companies are not just investing and creating jobs, they have also become significant stakeholders in the growth and prosperity of their local communities," said Indian Ambassador Arun. K. Singh.

"As India surges forward to become the fourth fastest growing source of FDI into the US, it is critical that we recognize the positive impact of Indian business investments in the country," said Senator Mark Warner, Democratic cochair of Senate India Caucus."I believe that growing the eco-

nomic partnership between India and the US will benefit both economies," said Ami Bera, the only Indian American currently serving in Congress and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. Highlights of the event are mentioned below: ✓ Together, 100 Indian companies employ more than 91,000 people across 35 states and the Washington DC, the American capital. ✓ The total value of tangible investments made by these 100 companies exceeds USD 15.3 billion. ✓ The top five states in which Indian companies have generated maximum employment are: New Jersey (9,278 jobs), California (8,937 jobs), Texas (6,230 jobs), Illinois (4,779 jobs) and New York (4,134 jobs). ✓ The top five states in which Indian companies have contributed the highest foreign direct investment are: Texas (USD 3.84 billion), Pennsylvania (USD 3.56 billion), Minnesota (USD 1.8 billion), New York (USD 1.01 billion) and New Jersey (USD 1 billion). ✓ The average amount of investment received from Indian companies per state is USD 443 million. ✓ 84.5 percent of the companies plan to make more investments in the US. ✓ 90 percent of the companies plan to hire more employees locally in the next five years. ❐ august 2015 | india empire 33

DIASPoRA NEWS

burger With a tWist A nine-year-old Indian American girl left the Obama couple awestruck when she served a 'garam masala' Quinoa Burger with 'raita' to them—and won a chance to dine with the First Lady at the White House. Hailing from Schaumburg, Illinois, Shreya Patel was among 55 young cooks who were given a red carpet welcome at the White House during the fourth annual "Kids' State Dinner" in July. The competition was to create a recipe for a healthy lunch, the Chicago Tribune reported.

President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle savoured her dish at the event and praised her effort, the daily said.

Patel's garam masala quinoa burger with raita was chosen as the winning recipe from Illinois. She was invited for the lunch with Michelle Obama at a flowerbedecked table in the East Room."I have watched my mom and grandma make all sort of delicious food in the kitchen with an Indian twist since I was born," Patel was quoted as saying on www.letsmove.gov."I have been helping them cook since I was three. I love to mix, measure, chop, and even clean up afterwards," she posted."My grandma and I came up with this recipe together because we both love sandwiches. We make this recipe often to take to school for lunch or even on picnics with friends," said Patel who aims to become a pharmacist like her father. Her Quinoa

Shreya Patel: Winning President’s heart

Burger dish was enhanced with garam masala, cumin, ginger and grated serranochillies. The "Kids' State Dinner" contest was open to children aged eight to 12 and nearly 1,000 recipes were submitted. The menu featured Mediterranean rockin' roasted vegetables, vegetable confetti spring rolls and a California rainbow taco—with that famous "Barack-amole" married with "Mic-kale Obama Slaw," the report added.

chemistry olympiad

French connection

Indian-origin Soorajnath Boominathan is part of a four-member team that represented the US in the annual 47th International Chemistry Olympiad held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from July 20 to 29. A resident of Oklahoma state, Boominathan has recently earned his graduation from Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics."I think representing my country is the most amazing part of this Mr Soorajnath whole experience. It is hard to put into Boominathan words what this means," the 16-year-old was quoted as saying in an India West report. Boominathan, who has lived in Oklahoma for the past 10 years, will be attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall.

The chemistry competition consists of two exams that can last as long as five hours each and need to be attended on separate days. Subjects include organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry and biochemistry. Boominathan is studying as much as eight hours a day for the competition. According to his mentor Fazlur Rahman, chemistry professor at Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, Boominathan is one of the top chemistry students in the nation." Sooraj has much to celebrate. I think he has all the elements and ingredients to be a great scientist," Rahman was quoted as saying.

A statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh will soon be installed in a coastal town of France following years of efforts by a historian and descendant of a French officer who served under the Sikh king, a media report said. The statue will be installed at Saint Tropez along with the statue of General JeanFrancois Allard, who served as a military adviser to the king of Punjab from 1822 to 1839, Sikh24.com reported. Jean-Francois Allard was an officer in the Napoleon army before being exiled to India in 1822. Maharaja Ranjit Singh appointed him to train his royal brigade—Fauj-eKhas. The installation of the statue has been made possible by Henri Prevost Allard, who is the deputy mayor for tourism of Saint Tropeza and a direct descendant of Jean-Francois.

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DIASPoRA NEWS

US envoy to Sri lanka and maldives Indian-American Atul Keshap has been confirmed as ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, making him the second person of Indian decent to be posted to the region after Mr Richard Rahul Verma, the US ambassador to India. Currently working as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, a position he has held since 2013, Mr Keshap, 44, was confirmed by the Senate for his first ambassadorial posting. In his current role, Keshap works closely with Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal, the first Indian-American to lead the bureau, "to coordinate US Government policy toward India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives and Bhutan".

Now with Keshap's confirmation, Indian Americans would be serving as US envoys in three of eight SAARC nations. Another Indian American, Puneet Talwar, as the assistant secretary for political-military affairs, serves as a bridge between the State and Defence departments. And Arun Mr Madhavan Kumar, as assistant secretary of commerce and director general of the US and Foreign Commercial Service, is charged with boosting US trade abroad. Keshap's father, Mr Keshap Chander Sen, who hailed from Punjab, was working as a UN development economist in Nigeria when Mr Atul was born there on June 29, 1971.

His mother, Ms Zoe Calvert, a US Foreign Service official, met and married Mr Sen in London. Mr Keshap was one of four children who grew up in Lesotho, Zambia, Afghanistan and Austria. He previously served at the State Department as a US senior official for the Asia Pa-

HE Mr Atul Keshap

cific Economic Cooperation in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 2012 to 2013. From 2010 to 2012, he was the Director for India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. Prior to that, Mr Keshap was Director for UN Human Rights in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs (2008-10) and Deputy Political Counselor at the US Embassy in New Delhi (2005-08).

He served as Director for Near Eastern and North African Affairs in the National Security Council (200304) and as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs (2002-03). His earlier assignments with the State Department included postings in Morocco and Guinea. Mr Keshap received a BA and MA from the University of Virginia.

A Knight to remember The French government has knighted orders". While in prison, he obtained veteran South African freedom fighter four university degrees: BA (in History Ahmed Kathrada for his life-long service and Criminology), B Bibliography (in to the community, said a media report in African Politics and Library Science), BA July. Presenting the award on France's Honours (History) and BA Honours national Bastille Day this week, French (African Politics). In 1994, Mr Kathrada ambassador to South Africa Elisabeth was elected to Parliament and served as Barbier hailed Kathrada for his efforts in President Mandela's Parliamentary ensuring democracy in South Africa. The Counsellor. Mr Kathrada went on to beaward is part of the National Orders of come chairperson of the Robben Island the Legion of Honour established by Museum Council. In June 1999, Mr Napoleon Bonaparte in May 1802, the Kathrada left parliamentary politics but Mr Ahmed Kathrada Jacarandafm.com website reported. Mr still chairs the museum council. He also Kathrada, 85, became the confidante of founded the Ahmed Kathrada Foundaanti-apartheid icon and former South African president tion. Mr Kathrada has won "Isithwalandwe" —the highNelson Mandela. est award bestowed by the African National Congress During his struggle, Mr Kathrada spent over 26 (ANC).The French Chevalier (Knight) decoration is preyears in prison, 18 of which were on Robben Island. In sented to a person with minimum 20 years of public 1954, Mr Kathrada was placed under restrictions and service or 25 years of professional activity and "emiwas arrested several times for breaking his "banning nent merits".

36 india empire | august 2015

REcogNItIoN

o

Family Firms Crowned winners

n Friday 10 July 2015, over 300 family business guests descended upon Shakespeare’s Globe in London for the sixth annual Red Ribbon Awards – celebrating the achievements of Britain’s finest family-run businesses.

After months of searching, interviewing and filming, 11 family firms were crowned the winners of the UK’s most prestigious family business accolade. With over 3 million family firms in the UK as well as hundreds of entries for the Awards, the winners had to be exceptional.

Rami Ranger MBE, Chairman of Sun Mark was crowned winner of the Corbett Keeling ‘Lifetime Achievement’ Award. The judges commented, “As a young man Rami came to England to pursue a dream and in his single lifetime has risen to become one of the most inspiring and respected business leaders the UK has ever seen. Not only did he have the vision to see opportunities that other people missed, he worked harder than other people were willing to and fought hard for his place in British business society. On top of this, he has gone on to become a political reformist, a generous philanthropist and someone who is passionate that everyone in life, no matter their race or background, should have a

Dr Rami Ranger MBE, FRSA Chairman of Sun Mark Ltd.

chance to make a contribution. Add to this his decoration from Buckingham Palace and an unprecedented five consecutive Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and it’s not hard to see why Rami Ranger deserves to win the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award.” Rami was abroad and his award was collected on his behalf by his daughter, Reena.

Hosted by the Family Business Place, and now in their sixth year, the awards seek to recognise and honour some of the most exciting, innovative and longstanding family businesses around the UK. From 200 year old cheese makers in Yorkshire to second generation perfumers in London and sibling start-ups in Devon, the awards have become one of the most sough-after accolades in business.

Amalia Brightley-Gillott, Director of Family Business Place says, “Family businesses are the lifeblood of the British economy and the beating heart of our local communities, employing 1 in 3 people. Despite their impressive contribution, they are often modest and shy about publicising their achievements and so we founded the Red Ribbon Awards.

This year’s winners are a treasure trove of incredible companies who all excel in their field and are true beacons of British commerce.” ❐

Reena Ahuja (centre), daughter of Dr Rami Ranger MBE, FRSA, collected the Lifetime Achievement Award on his behalf

august 2015 | india empire 37

Caribbean Diaspora

NCIC Hall of Pioneers

By Paras Ramoutar in Port of Spain The National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) has inducted 11 prominent members of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago at Divali Nagar, Endeavour on Saturday night. In the words of Dr Deokienanan Sharma, president, told the gathering that the 11 persons selected are “models whom all of us and particularly our youth should try to emulate.” This is the eighth edition of the programme.

He added: “They have come up through humble beginnings as you would later hear and also read in their biographies which we have distributed. Success for them came through hard work, honest application of effort and perseverance in whatever they undertook to do.” This Hall of Pioneers is aimed at providing “where future generations can come and read and learn about their contributions to nation building”, he said. It was in 1964, July 19 to be exact that the NCIC was formed placing Indo-Trinidadian culture on a solid footing for the first time, and even then the organization struggled as Indo-Trinidadian culture was not recognized as a part of the culture of our country, Dr Sharma noted.

Dr Sharma pointed out that there has been a gradual change, however, as the NCIC grew in stature over the years and became the leading Indian cultural body. “The turning point came with the creation of Divali Nagar, that not only took the Indo-Trinidadian population by storm, but the entire country was literally forced to take stock of the presence of a very important culture that went largely ignored and unrecognized for upwards of 150 years.” “The NCIC is now a well-respected cultural organization that has in the 51 years of its existence grown into a formidable institution. This is due largely to the dedication, loyalty and tireless voluntary labour of its executive, who have not only ensured the growth of the NCIC but also preservation of Indo-Trinidadian culture in our country,” Dr Sharma said. Since the establishment of the Hall of Pioneers about 80 persons have been inducted, as he made an appeal to the public to submit recommendations of potential candidates.

Dr. Sharma said that within recent months the NCIC has completed the first phase of its Heritage Centre which will house an Indo-Caribbean archive, a diaspora library, a cultural research centre and an Indian diaspora museum. “Included in the centre will be the long-awaited Hall of Pioneers which will display one form or other all the biographies of our Pioneers which we have so far compiled and that those will be researched and compiled in the coming years.”

Those inducted in the Hall of Pioneers are: Helen Bhagwansingh (philanthropist and businesswoman), Sam Boodram (classical Indian singer and musician), Henry Tooloom Dindial (classical Indian singer and musician), Dr. Hansley Hanoomansingh (broadcaster, businessman, and former Member of Parliament who became the youngest Parliamentarian in the Commonwealth at the age of 24), Amral Khan (cultural figure 38 india empire | august 2015

Clockwise from top: NCIC president Deokienanan Sharma (off white Kurta in all the pictures) presents an induction scroll to businesswoman Helen Bhagwansingh; presents an induction scroll to broadcaster Hans Hanoomansingh; presents an induction scroll to comedian Ramjattan Ramdeen who goes by the stage name John Agitation, presents an induction scroll to travel pioneer Amral Khan

and business pioneer), Muhammad Khan (scouts) Seereeram Maharaj Pandey (businessman and entrepreneur), Ajeet Praimsingh (cultural icon, promoter), Ramdeen Ramjattan (comedian) Professor Brinsley Samaroo (historian, professor and former Government Minister), Jit Samaroo (steelband pannist).

Professor Samaroo who spoke on behalf of the inductees, recalled the dismal and inhumane days that the Indian diaspora faced during their arrival in Trinidad and Tobago between 1845 and 1917, when in excess of 148,000 East Indians were brought here from India, principally Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to work on enhancing the agricultural capacity of the then colony of Trinidad. They were not even allowed to vote in elections until 1946. He spoke of the rich philosophical, humanitarian and entrepreneurial capacity of the Indian diaspora, then and even today, where over 45 per cent of the population of 1.3 million people are of East Indian extraction. â??

From left Helen Bhagwansingh, Sam Boodram, Lennox Dindial (who collected the scroll for Henry Toolum Dindial), Hans Hanoomansingh, Sujatta Maharaj (who collected the scroll for Seeteeram Maharaj Pandey), Amral Khan, Muhammad Khan, Ramjattan Ramdeen, Savitri Praimsingh (who collected the scroll for her father Ajeet Praimsingh), Dr Brinsley Samaroo and Balmattie Samaroo (who collected the scroll for Jit Samaroo)

august 2015 | india empire 39

Column: Yogi ashwini

minD anD boDY

The GreaT SecreT

By Yogi Ashwini Yogi AShwini

Y

og begins and ends at the feet of your Guru.

Guru is the channel through which the gyan and experience of yog flows into the shishya.

And to get a Guru, you need to have the intent for the Guru. That is, whoever you are going to, you must want to access him completely, whatever he is, his positives as well as negatives, only then can you reach somewhere because his positives and negatives are not for you to judge and if you are judging your Guru, you might as well read a book. The path of yog first leads to the Guru and then your Guru carries you on the journey that lies ahead. So before going to anyone for yog, be sure that you want to be that, only then can you get any experience from him.

What is experience? When I ask people if they have had any experience of yog, they tell me, they saw certain shapes and colors when they sat with their eyes closed…even the mentally unsound see shapes and colors. The experience of yog is something else. Mentally sound and unsound, those with eyes and without, those with exceptional hearing abilities and those who are deaf, all those who are connected experience the same things.

There was an Asur Mali who did severe penance for many thousand years for Lord Shiv and finally was able to access him. But when he did, he asked him to be his bodyguard…that is what he wanted, to have Lord Shiv to guard his body. It pumped up his ego, but he did not realize that the body is perishable and can only be guarded till it exists, what after that?

Despite accessing the ultimate force, he chose to make him his bodyguard. The thought pattern of an average person is no different from that asur…you want to access the infinite energy of nuclear power, but only to light a bulb.

You can choose to access the Guru in particular aspect, but then you will only be able to reach till that aspect, and if that is a physical trait (which it most likely is, because with your limited five senses, you cannot think beyond the physical), just remember that physical is temporary and destructible, it will perish sooner or later. There are two elderly people in the Foundation, who have been diagnosed with brain tumor. One wanted to open a big law firm and the other wanted a big farm. But within a period of a half an hour, when the doctor looked at the MRI and said brain tumor, their desire changed. No matter what your desire, the minute circumstances change even slightly, that desire will change in40 india empire | august 2015

dicating perishable nature of desire linked to the perishable body, both redundant. Therefore it is best not think with your limited buddhi and access your Guru in totality.

Accessing your Guru means, you think of something and your Guru does it for you. No matter what that is. A Guru is ready to do anything for the shishya, but you need to have that connection, dedication and attraction that he cannot refuse you, even if it is something as frivolous as guarding your body. There are only two ways to access your Guru, bhakti – that nothing else exists for you or shakti – if you tie your Guru with shakti, he will get tied. You need to decide which category you fall in and then walk just that path.

But whatever you get, whether it is Guru’s shakti or bhakti, you will try to put it on display and show others how much ability you have. That is the time to exercise control and focus on just your path, otherwise you will get carried away. The shakti of bhakti and your own shakti, both are there only to light up the path for you, so that you pick up some speed and instead of 5 seconds you reach in one second. The path is just one.

People tell me they want to do yog but when I ask them if they are following the five yamas, they start looking here and there. You are at A and you have to reach B, the path is very small, all you need is to access your Guru. You can go straight and reach in five seconds or you can take zigzag routes of curing illness, mending relationships, to learn and understand, etc - for even a hundred years and still not make it. And you will take birth again on the route you had left and again keep wandering and again you will not reach your destination. I never asked for solutions from my teachers or my Guru, I never judged them, nor assessed them. I simply tried to access them completely in every aspect that they taught me. I know what I want and I want it completely, not even partially, because I just want that, nothing else. Unless you have this intensity, you will just keep going in circles searching for solution to your problems.

All your problems, big or small, are a result of your karmas. Your Guru has the capacity to remove those problems, but then you are taking your Guru as a means to solve your physical problems and wasting the phenomenal force that you ❐ have access to.

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

speCial Column

defininG God A VediC interpretAtion

By Gauri Shankar Gupta

(Continued from July 2015 issue) Based on the above writings and indicative examples taken from different Vedic texts let us try to put together the defining elements of Brahman/God.

HE Gauri Shankar Gupta High Commissioner of India to Trinidad and Tobago

He exists outside and inside of all living beings, the moving and the non-moving. Being most subtle, He is incomprehensible by sense organs. Although far, far away; He is near to all.

(13/15) Although, He appears to be divided among all beings, He is unified and one, like space. He alone is the creator, the sustainer and the destroyer of all.

(13/16) The earth, the water, the fire, the air, the ether, the mind, the intelligence and the ego – all together these eight constitute My (Brahman) separated material energies (apara).

(7/4) There is another superior energy (para) of Mine which comprises the living entities (soul) who are utilizing the material nature.

(7/5) All created beings have their source in these two energies. Know for certain that I am both the origin and dissolution of all that is material and spiritual in this world.

(7/6)

Beginning and End Brahman has neither beginning nor end. Anything infinite cannot have either beginning or end. The two are mutually exclusive. For a second, let us assume that the Brahman has a beginning. By the very nature of this assumption we are separating time and space from the Brahman because Brahman originated at X point in time and Y point in space. This assumption also implies that there was time and space even before Brahman since the Brahman originated at X point in time and Y point in space. This gives rise to the question as to who created them (time and space)? Was there another Brahman/God before? This will lead to an infinite chain of Gods back in time. Therefore, putting the origin of the Universe before that of Brahman/God is illogical and irrational. This is an assumption with inherent contradictions. Hence Brahman has neither a beginning nor an end. He is simply eternal.

INFINITY Brahman is infinite. Infinity has three elements; space, time and cause. Anything that has a place, a time or a cause of origin cannot be infinite. Since the very origin of time, space and cause lies in Brahman, He has to be beyond all these three.

Infinite can never be turned into finite no matter how much you take out. This is a mathematical reality. Similarly no matter how much goes out of Brahman, it remains undiluted and complete in every respect. Let us take the example of a candle. With a burning candle we could light millions and billions of candles, still the original flame remains undiluted. The same analogy applies to a compact disc in modren era.

Universal Consciousness There exists nothing but Brahman - one single reality encompassing the entire universe, also called as bodiless universal consciousness. Brahman is unbroken and irreducible pure consciousness giving rise to all diversity in the same way as millions of waves arise out of the ocean, innumerable thoughts arise out of mind and millions of sparks arise from the blazing fire. This irreducible pure consciousness with infinite potentiality is also known as Shiva. It is this irreducible pure consciousness that gives arise to mind and matter due to movement in the same way as thoughts arise due to moveaugust 2015 | india empire 41

speCial Column

ment in the mind and waves due to movemnt in the ocean.

Mind and matter on the other hand limit consciousness to a finite experience. For example human body limits individual consciousness to the boundary of that body. However once the body dies the consciousness becoms part of infinite consciousness in the same way as the space in a pot merges into infinte space once the pot is broken into pieces. In terms of degree, individual consciousness has been divided into four broad categories – mineral regime, plant regime, animal regime and human regime. Where there is no mind or matter there is no such variation. The power of movement leading to plurality is called Shakti. Thus plurality is a mere manifestation of this singular reality in the same way as millions of forms with different shapes and sizes could be made out of clay and millions of different ornaments could be made out of gold. In essence they are nothing but clay and gold.

Source of all Existence/Singularity Brahman is the source of all that exists. The five great elements (space/ether, air, fire, water and earth) and mind, intellect and ego arise out of Brahman’s external energy (apara Shakti) while what keeps living species alive arises out of His more powerful inner energy (para shakti). Vedic writings divide life into 8.4 million species living in water, on the Earth and those in space. Consciousness that exists in the form of soul in these living species is called jeevatma in Sanskrit. Everything that exists in any form anywhere is made-up of a combination of these two. On dissolution they all return back to the Brahman. Modern science also agrees that nothing can be created nor destroyed. What happens is, mere transformation. In this sense the entire Universe originates from one single source and dissolves back to the same source. While the physical universe keeps on transforming, the eternal universal consciousness remains static supporting the ceaseless change; as the ocean supporting the ever changing waves. Thus the Universe is one single unified entity with multiple manifestations.

colour, smell and taste. Since Brahman has no such attributes, How can He be perceived through our senses. On the contrary, the sense organs and the mind function because of His energy. He is the only power behind all sense perception. Once this energy (soul or consciousness) leaves the body all these faculties are rendered ineffective. Even the body starts decomposing instantly. Therefore any attempt to perceive Him through sense organs is futile.

Source of Knowledge and Bliss Brahman alone had been described as the source and culmination of all knowledge and infinite bliss (ananda in Sanskrit). We as humans also inherit these characteristics as part of our primeval nature for they are embedded in human soul. Precisely for this reason we have inherent curiosity to know and eternal desire for happiness. Can we find anyone who wishes to remain ignorant and is looking for distress? It is not possible because this is against the very nature of our Self. Matter and mind reduces these infinite attributes to finite and transcient pushing us into the cycle of pain and pleasure experienced in the material world.

While the physical universe keeps on transforming, the eternal universal consciousness remains static supporting the ceaseless change; as the ocean supporting the ever changing waves.

Thus the Universe is one single unified entity with multiple manifestations

Sans Attributes/Most Subtle Brahman has no attributes and form but at the same time He is the only source of all attributes and forms. Attributes limit functionality. For example the attribute of hearing of our ears limit their functions to hearing alone. They cannot see, smell or taste. Similarly the attributes of sunlight, water, sugar, salt, wood or iron limit their functionality to those defined attributes. Therefore anything that has attributes can never be infinite, all pervasive and source of all.

Moreover, since Brahman is sans attributes, naturally He cannot be perceived through our sense organs. Sense organs are designed to perceive attributes like sound, form, 42 india empire | august 2015

Contradictions On the face of it, description of the Brahman looks somewhat self-contradictory to human intellect. How can He be static and fastest of the fast at the same time? How could He be smallest of the small and largest of the large? Although without any attributes; how could He be the source of all attributes and forms?

In order to understand these contradictions better, let us have a brief look at time and its characteristics because time is closer to our thought process.

Time has no physical existence yet it is all-pervasive.

Since it has no form, no color, no sound, no smell and no taste, it is beyond the perception of our senses of hearing, touch, sight, taste or smell. We calculate time based on sunrise and sunset and change of seasons. However, time existed before the Sun came into existence and will exist even after the Sun vanishes. The Sun itself is subject to the vagaries of time. Therefore, although time has no tangible existence of its own, it forms an integral part of all that exists - a stone, a fly, an animal, a human being or a planet. The very definition of their life and existence is in terms of time. If we say that the Planet Earth is 4 billion years, Mount Everest 5 million years and John 50 years old, this is nothing but time. Hence time pervades and defines the entire creation sans existence of its own. These are contradictions but true. Similarly, Brahman has neither physical existence nor any attributes yet He is omnipresent and is the source of all attributes. —To be continued...