INDIA & SERBIA
69th
INDEPENDENCE DAY OF INDIA 15TH AUGUST 2015
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA CELEBRATED IN 52 CITIES IN SERBIA ON
21ST JUNE 2015
INTERVIEW
H.E. NARINDER CHAUHAN AMBASSADOR OF INDIA
Relations at the
NEXT LEVEL We are sure that the Government of Serbia’s decision to liberalise visas for Indians will further encourage business and tourism.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NATIONAL DAY AND CELEBRATIONS The people of India proudly celebrate their Independence Day on 15th August, commemorating with great fervour the day when India gained independence from British Rule after a prolonged subjugation lasting about two centuries. India’s independence movement was noted for largely non-violence and civil disobedience led by Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation. On 15th August 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, who became the first Prime Minister of India that day, raised the Indian National Flag, known as the tricolour, above the Lahore Gate of the historic Red Fort in Delhi. This date is observed as a national holiday and the entire nation comes together to observe Indian independence with flag hoisting ceremonies, singing of patriotic songs, parades, and other cultural activities. There is no other country where more than a billion people, belonging to various cultures and religions, and speaking different languages, live together and celebrate every occasion with great enthusiasm. Hence, we also celebrate this bond of togetherness and brotherhood on 15th August.
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INDEPENDENCE DAY On each Independence Day, the Prime Minister has raised the flag at the Red Fort and addressed the nation.
BRICS Today the BRICS countries are among the most important engines of the world economy and, thus, BRICS has a bright future.
SUCCESS OF BRICS IN ACHIEVING ITS GOALS BRICS provides a platform for the five countries to undertake important external political and economic meetings. This holds special significance for India, as the next annual BRICS summit is scheduled to take place in India in 2016. At the 7th BRICS Summit in Ufa, Russia, on 8th-9th July, 2015, Indian PM Modi announced ten initiatives to improve people-to-people contacts and generate new knowledge and technologies for the good of the public. In 2014, the combined GDP of BRICS countries reached 30 per cent of world GDP.According to the International Monetary Fund, the combined GDP of the BRICS countries, by purchasing power parity, was $32.5 trillion in 2014, while that of the G7 was $34.7 trillion.
INDIAN FLAGSHIP PROJECTS ‘Make in India’, ‘Clean India’, ‘100 Smart Cities of India’, ‘Digital India’, ‘Skill Development of India’
in global development, as well as for the member countries’ own needs. It will generate competition among global financial institutions. The creation of the NDB is expected to strengthen the voice of developing economies in shaping the future direction of global development finance. The NDB can fill the existing gap in financing for infrastructure. In October 2014, India, along with several other countries, signed an agreement to become founding members of the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which is to aid infrastructure development in the Asian region and reduce dependence on the World Bank and IMF. It will have initial capital of $50 billion. In June 2015, India and 49 other founding members of the AIIB signed articles that determine each country’s share and the lender’s initial capital. The AIIB is expected to focus on infrastructure development in Asia and, unlike the existing International Monetary Fund and World Bank, is unlikely
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS FROM THE LAST BRICS SUMMIT: The formation of a 25-member BRICS Business Council; signing of the intra-BRICS economic cooperation agreement and memorandums of understanding (MOUs); creation of a pool of reserves with an initial size of $100 billion to provide financial support to the group’s member countries in the case need arises; setting up of the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) with an initial total of $200 million to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies; formulation of the BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy, with concrete measures proposed for multilateral cooperation in trade and investment, manufacturing, mineral processing, energy, agriculture, scientific innovation and information technology; formation of the Framework for BRICS E-commerce Cooperation, which will boost the intePresident of India Pranab Mukherjee, in a bilateral meeting with the President of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic gration of the BRICS market; ratification of two pacts covering a BRICS Multilateral Infrastructure Co-financing 15th August is observed as a National holiday and Agreement for Africa and a BRICS Multilateral the entire nation comes together to observe Indian Cooperation and Co-financing Agreement for Sustainable Development; Adoption of the SCO independence with flag hoisting ceremonies Development Strategy until 2025, which sets direction for cooperation in politics, security, economy and people- to restrict lending on the basis of political considerations. The to-people exchanges, comprising China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, AIIB is an example of constructive cooperation among emerging economies to increase the space available for infrastructure Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. financing. AIIB will be headquartered in Beijing, with initial INDIA’S EXPECTATIONS FROM NDB, AIIB, ETC. FORMED authorised capital stock of $100 billion. Reflecting the regional UNDER THE AUSPICES OF BRICS character of the bank, its regional members will be the majority The agreement on establishing the New Development Bank shareholders, holding around 75 per cent of shares. China’s shareholding is 30.34 per cent and it has retained 26.06 per cent of the (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), with an initial total of $200 million to finance infrastructure and sus- voting rights, with veto powers for certain key decisions. India is tainable development projects in emerging economies, was an its second largest shareholder, with a stake of 8.52 per cent and a important milestone for BRICS. The NDB is considered an impor- voting share of 7.5 per cent.The AIIB is expected to become operatant tool in increasing the role and the attractiveness of BRICS tional by the end of 2015.
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BRICS LEADERS: Dilma Rousseff, President of Brasil, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, and Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa
BILATERAL RELATIONS In May 2015 in Moscow, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Bilateral relations continue to be exceptional. The joint heri- in a bilateral meeting with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić, tage of the Non-Aligned Movement is an abiding bond. After on the sidelines of the Victory Parade, recalled the two countries’ India’s independence from colonial rule in 1947, Serbia played a traditional friendship and reiterated the need to accelerate ecosignificant role in India’s nation building, including in the areas nomic cooperation. I have personally met Serbian leaders, inof politics, defence, bio-medicine and agriculture. It is agreed by cluding Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, Foreign Minister Ivica the Serbian leadership that the relations are at the level of “mu- Dačić and Economy Minister Sertić to discuss proposals for bilattual respect, trust and sincere political friendship”. The popular- eral political and economic cooperation. ly elected new governments in both order to take cultural diplomaThe agreement on establishing cy toInthe next level, we have launched Serbia and India rapidly established the New Development Bank several initiatives in cooperation contacts at the highest levels, reiterating support to each other on issues with local cultural organisations, the (NDB) was an important of core interest. Serbia co-sponsored most recent among them being the milestone for BRICS PM Modi’s Resolution at the United joint celebration of the inaugural InNations to declare 21st June as the International Day of Yoga. Ser- ternational Day of Yoga in Serbia. Other initiatives during the bia also supported India’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat past year include India’s participation in the Belgrade Internain the UN Security Council in 2011-12. India has consistently tional Book Fair, Belgrade International Tourism Fair, Belgrade supported Serbia on the Kosovo issue whenever the matter has Fashion Week and Belgrade Design Week, as well as the screenbeen raised at the United Nations. India supported Serbia’s can- ing of award-winning Indian films ‘Barfi’ and ‘Queen’. Young didacy for ECOSOC for the 2014-16 term. Serbia supported the Indian director Tamhane’s maiden film ‘Court’ won the grand Indian candidates to the UN Board of Auditors, the Intergovern- prix at Serbia’s Auteur Film Festival. Indian performing arts remental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural ceived full houses including Papon Mahanta’s fusion music, Rta heritage for the term 2014-2018; the Human Rights Council for Kapur Chisti’s curated Sari Exhibition & Fashion Show, Digital 2015-17; Council of the International Telecommunication Union Art Works of Tagore, Dr. Jayanta Kumar Das’s Rudra Veena and (ITU) in Region E (Asia and Australia) for the term 2015-18, etc. “Katkatha” Puppet Group which was awarded the “Group Award In a significant development Serbia liberalised visa regime for for the Best Puppet Animation” and “Award for best Director and Indian passport holders. Preservation of Tradition” by the Subotica Children’s Festival.
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India Serbia photography contest and Exhibition launched with EXIT Foundation was well received. ‘Days of Indian Culture’ were organized by Leskovac and Zrenjanin Municipalities. Recently, Serbia’s famous cartoonist Toso Borkovic of daily ‘Vecernje Novosti’ won the first prize for his cartoon on the theme Education, which is so relevant to the current Indian society. More than 100 Serbian middle-level executives have availed of ITEC scholarships for capacity building in Indian institutions in cross-cutting sectors. Over 40 Indian and 38 Serbian students have benefitted from the student exchange programme under IAESTE. Additionally, Serbian high school students distinguished themselves at the 46th International Physics Olympiad recently held in Mumbai. Sporting links have been strengthened with the visit of Serbian Davis Cup team to Bangaluru in September 2014; visit of Grandmaster Pentala Harikrishna for participation in the Chess Simul held in Belgrade in October 2014; visit of Indian Boxing Team to Serbia to participate in the 4th Nations Cup held from 11-16 January 2015 in Subotica and participation by the Serbian tennis player Ms Nina Stojanović in the ITF Women’s tennis tournament held in Ahmadabad from 4th-14th April 2015. Shooting of the first India-Serbia co-production film ‘Dev Bhoomi’, by prominent Serbian Film Producer & Director Goran Paskaljević, was completed in the scenic Indian hill state of Uttarakhand. Bollywood has finally discovered Serbia for film shooting, which will not only open the door for other Indian film productions, but will also generate revenue and, above all, promote tourism.
hindra and Sonalika, participated in the Novi Sad International Agriculture Fair in May 2015. Both countries are also considering widening the bilateral Air Services Agreement to further promote tourism.
NEXT ACTIVITIES IN THE VIBRANT EXCHANGE BETWEEN INDIA AND SERBIA We invite Serbian businesses to participate in Indian flagship projects such as ‘Make in India’, ‘Clean India’, ‘100 Smart Cit-
OUTCOMES OF VISITS BY STATE AND BUSINESS ies of India’, ‘Digital India’, ‘Skill Development of India’, etc. DELEGATIONS In a significant development, the Federation of Indian ChamIndia-Serbia relations are developing in a multi-faceted man- bers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will be holding the ‘Second ner. Visits at the government and business levels are planned. India-Central Europe Business Forum (ICEBF)’ from 5-6 October, India-Serbia Joint Economic Committee (JEC) has been revived 2015 in Bengaluru (India). The focus areas will be IT & ITES; Serafter a gap of seven years and its second meeting was held in vices; Urban Infrastructure; Clean & Green Technologies; Life Sciences; Pharmaceutical; Environmental technologies; R&D; October 2014, wherein both sides agreed to boost cooperation in agriculture, automotive industry, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, Agri & Food Processing; Auto & Auto Components and Tourism, science, information technology, infrastructure and tourism. Serbia has expressed interest in Increased economic and business interaction is establishing cooperation in the areas of energy, expected as a result of these measures and visits mining, geological exploration. environmental protection, education, setting up of bilateral agricultural centres among others. Business leaders, CEOs, key policymakers, senior for development of technologies to increase production and ex- representative of investment promotion agencies, senior representachange of experience in the field of establishing public-private tives of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, representatives of sector-specific organisations, representatives of the state and regional partnerships. Bilateral Agreements on Cooperation in the fields of Culture, Arts, Sports, Youth and Mass Media and MOU on Coop- governments, thinks tanks, thought leaders, etc. have been invited. eration in Traditional Medicines are near finalization. We are expecting a robust participation by Serbian companies and Several Serbian companies have participated in sector-based PSUs in this important event. trade fairs in India over the past year, including Aero India, Home We also invite Serbian businesses to visit India particularly Expo, India Engineering Sourcing Show, India International during India International Trade Fair (IITF) (Nov. 2015), Vibrant Handwoven Fair, Gurjari etc. Delegations from top Indian com- Gujarat Summit (Jan. 2016), CII Partnership Summit (Jan. 2016), panies, such as Rail India Technical & Economic Services (RITES) Defexpo (Feb. 2016), etc. Ltd. and Tata Power, have visited Serbia in the recent past for the The Embassy looks forward to actively participating in the purposes of business collaboration. India Tourism, Frankfurt, forthcoming Belgrade Book Fair, Tourism Fair and Dance Week. participated in the Belgrade International Tourism Fair in Feb- We are sure that the Government of Serbia’s decision to liberalise ruary 2015. Indian agri-machinery companies, such as TAFE, Ma- visas for Indians will further encourage business and tourism. ■
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ABOUT
Independence Day
OF INDIA
ebrate the day by displaying the national flag on their attire, accessories, homes and vehicles; by listening to patriotic songs, watching patriotic movies, and bonding with family and friends. Books and films feature independence and partition in their narrative.
India celebrates its Independence Day each year on 15th August. India became an independent nation on that date in1947, so an official state holiday is held annually to remember this day
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ndian Independence Day, observed annually on 15th August, is a National Holiday in India commemorating the nation’s independence from the British Empire, granted on 15th August 1947. India gained independence following an Independence Movement noted for largely nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience. Independence coincided with the partition of India, in which the BritishIndian Empire was divided along religious lines into the Dominions of India and Pakistan. On 15th August 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, who had become the first Prime Minister of India that day, raised the Indian national flag above the Lahore Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi. On each subsequent Independence Day, the prime minister has raised the flag and given a speech. The holiday is observed throughout India, with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural events. Indians cel-
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WHAT DO PEOPLE DO? Independence Day is a day when India’s people pay homage to their leaders and those who fought for India’s freedom in the past. The period leading up to Independence Day is a time when major government buildings are illuminated with strings of lights and the tricolour flutters from homes and other buildings. Broadcast, print and online media may have special contests, programmes and articles to promote the day, while films about India’s freedom fighters are shown on TV. The president delivers his “Address to the Nation” on the eve of Independence Day, while the prime minister unfurls India’s flag and speaks at the Red Fort in Old Dehli. Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes are held in the state capitals and often involve many schools and organisations. Many people spend the day with family members or close friends. They may eat a picnic in a park or private garden, go to a film or eat lunch or dinner at home or in a restaurant. Other people go kite flying, sing or listen to patriotic songs. PUBLIC LIFE Independence Day is a gazetted holiday in India which takes place on 15th August each year. National, state and local government offices, post offices and banks are closed on this day. Shops and other businesses and organisations may be closed or have reduced opening hours.
HOLIDAY The national holiday is observed throughout India with flaghoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural events
LIGHT AND FLUTTERS The period leading up to Independence Day is a time when major government buildings are illuminated with strings of lights and the tricolor flutters from homes
Public transport is usually unaffected, as many locals travel for celebrations, but there may be heavy traffic and increased security in areas where there are celebrations. Independence Day flag raising ceremonies may cause some disruption to traffic, particularly in Dehli and the capital cities of India’s many states.
BACKGROUND India’s struggle for independence began in 1857,with the Sepoy Mutiny in Meerut. Later, in the 20th century, the Indian National Congress and other political organisations, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, launched a nationwide independence movement. Colonial powers were transferred to India on 15th August 1947. The Constituent Assembly, where power was to be transferred, met to celebrate India’s independence at 11pm on 14th August 1947. India gained its liberty and became a free country at midnight between 14th and 15th August, 1947. It was then that the free India’s first prime minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, gave his famous “Tryst with Destiny” speech. People across India are reminded of the meaning of this event - that it marked the start of a new era of deliverance from British colonialism that had held India for more than 200 years.
KITE FLYING The sport of kite flying, of various styles, sizes and shades, symbolises Indian Independence Day
tions. They are also played alongside flag hoisting ceremonies. Patriotic films are screened. Over the decades, the number of such films broadcast has decreased, as channels report that audiences are oversaturated with patriotic films. The population cohort that belong to the Generation Next often combine nationalism with popular culture during celebrations. This blending is exemplified by outfits and savouries dyed with the tricolour and designer garments that represent India’s various cultural traditions. Retail outlets offer Independence Day sales promotions. The Indian Postal Service issues commemorative stamps depicting the leaders of the independence
SYMBOLS The sport of kite flying symbolises Indian On 15th August 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, who had Independence Day. The skies are dotted with become the first Prime Minister of India that day, countless kites flown from rooftops and fields to raised the Indian national flag above the Lahore Gate symbolise the free spirit of India. Kites of various styles, sizes and shades, including the tricolour, of the Red Fort in Delhi are available to buy in marketplaces. The Red Fort in Dehli is also an important Independence Day symbol in In- movement, national themes and defence-related themes. dia, as the site where PM Jawahar Lal Nehru unveiled India’s flag on Independence and partition inspired literary and other artistic that fateful day in 1947. creations mostly describe the human cost of partition, limiting the India’s national flag is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron at holiday to a small part of their narrative. Salman Rushdie’s novel the top, white in the middle and dark India green at the bottom, in Midnight’s Children (1980), which won the Booker Prize and the equal proportion. The ratio of the flag’s width to its length is two to Booker of Bookers, wove its narrative around children born with three. A navy-blue wheel in the centre of the white band represents magical abilities at midnight on 14th–15th August 1947. Freedom at the Ashoka Chakra. Its design is that of a wheel appearing on the Midnight (1975) is a non-fiction work by Larry Collins and Domiabacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Its diameter approxi- nique Lapierre that chronicled the events surrounding the first Inmates to the white band’s width and it has 24 spokes. dependence Day celebrations in 1947. A few films centre on the moment of independence, instead of highlighting the circumstances of IN POPULAR CULTURE partition and its aftermath. On the internet, Google has commemoOn Independence Day and Republic Day, patriotic songs in Hin- rated Independence Day since 2003, with a special doodle on its Indi and regional languages are broadcast on television and radio sta- dian homepage. ■
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MAKE IN INDIA: BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Developing India into an
INDUSTRIAL HUB
Make in India is an initiative programme of the Government of India to encourage companies to manufacture their products in India. It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25th September 2014.
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lowed 26% FDI and FDI was not allowed in railways.This was in the hope of reducing India’s military imports. Earlier, one Indian company would have held the 51% stake, but this was changed so that multiple companies could hold the 51%. In the 25 sectors - with the exceptions of Space (74%), Defence (49%) and News Media (26%) - 100% FDI is now permitted. In January 2015, the Spice Group said it would establish mobile phone manufacturing in Uttar Pradesh, with an investment of 500 crore. An MoU was signed between the Spice Group and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. In January 2015, HyunChil Hong, President & CEO of Samsung South West Asia, met with Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME), to discuss a joint initiative under which 10 “MSMESamsung Technical Schools” will be established in India. In February,Samsung invested in its plant in Noida.In February 2015, Hitachi said it was committed to the initiative. It said it would increase its employees in India from 10,000 to 13,000 and would try to increase its revenues from India from ¥100 billion in 2013 to ¥210 billion. It said that an auto-component plant will be set up in Chennai in 2016. In February 2015, Huawei opened a new research and development (R&D) campus in Bengaluru. The company invested $170 million to establish the R&D centre. Also in February, the Marine Products Export Development Author-
P
rime Minister Narendra Modi hinted towards the launch of this initiative in his 2014 Independence Day speech and it was launched on 25th September 2014 during a function at Vigyan Bhawan. A workshop was organised on 29th December 2014 by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion,which was attended by PM Modi, his Cabinet ministers,chief state secretaries and various industry leaders. The major objective behind the initiative is to focus on 25 sectors of the economy for job creation and skill enhancement. Some of these sectors include: automobiles, chemicals IT, pharmaceuticals, textiles, ports, aviation, leather, tourism and hospitality, wellness, rail- The initiative's major objective is to focus ways, auto components, design manufacturon job creation and skill enhancement in ing, renewable energy, mining, bio-technology, 25 sectors of the economy and electronics.The initiative hopes to increase GDP growth and tax revenue, as well as ensuring high quality said that it was interested in supplying shrimp eggs to shrimp farmers in India under the auspices of the initiative. ity standards and minimising environmental impact. The In June 2015, France-based LH Aviation signed a MoU with initiative hopes to attract capital and technological investOIS Advanced Tech to set up a manufacturing plant in India ment in India. Under the initiative, brochures on the 25 secto manufacture drones. tors and a web portal were released. Before the initiative was launched, foreign equity caps in various sectors had been re“Zero Defect Zero Effect” is a slogan coined by India’s PM to signify production mechanisms wherein products have no laxed.The application for licenses was made available online defects and the production process has zero adverse environand the validity of licenses was increased to three years.Various other norms and procedures were also eased. mental and ecological effects.The slogan also aims to prevent In August 2014, the Cabinet of India allowed 49% forproducts developed in India from being rejected by the global market under the initiative, while brochures on the 25 sectors eign direct investment (FDI) in the defence sector and 100% and a web portal have also been developed. ■ in railways infrastructure. The defence sector previously al-
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FORUM
India –Central Europe
BUSINESS FORUM 2015
transforming and resurgent Indian economy. The second edition of the Forum marks a continued endeavour to accelerate and enhance economic ties between India & CE countries for mutual gains in the years to come.
The second edition of the Forum marks a continued endeavour to accelerate and enhance economic ties between India & the CE countries
T
CONCEPT Under the over-arching effort of the forum, entrepreneurs of large, small and medium-sized enterprises would delve deep into the ways and means of enhancing collaboration in the field of technology transfer, research & innovation and skill development. There is a felt need for institutionalising the proposed engagement(s) by extending a platform to provide strategic collaborations between Indian and CE economies, hands-on understanding of business opportunities existing in both regions, and the building of new partnerships and the strengthening of existing ones.
he second edition of the India-Central Europe Business Forum (ICEBF), organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), will take place from 5th-6th October 2015 at Hotel Lalit in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The forum will focus on India’s multifaceted engage- PARTICIPANTS ments with Central European economies in a caliThe Forum invites the participation of business brated and structured format. leaders, CEOs, key policymakers, senior representatives The focus sectors would be IT & ITES, Services, of investment promotion agencies, senior representaUrban Infrastructure, Clean and Green technolo- tives of Chambers of Commerce and Industry repregies, Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical, Environmental sentatives of sector-specific organisations (both govtechnologies, R&D, Agri & Food Processing, Automo- ernment & private), senior managers, representatives tive and Autocomponents, Tourism The forum will focus on India’s multifaceted etc. The event will feature business forums, sector-specific sessions, engagements with CE economies in a partner country sessions and B2B calibrated and structured format meetings/networking opportuniof the state and regional governments, representatives ties over the two days. The first edition of ICEBF attracted over 100 of- of think-tanks, thought leaders and entrepreneurs ficials and business delegates from 14 Central Euro- from the SME sector. pean (CE) countries. Over 200 Indian industry representatives had detailed business engagements INVITED COUNTRIES Invited countries include: Albania, Austria, Boswith their CE counterparts. The forum established nia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech itself as an institutionalised platform to promote multifaceted engagements with promising CE Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithueconomies. Technological excellence and new innovations ania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Noracross sectors, coupled with the highly skilled work- way, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Sloforce in CE countries, is optimally matched by a fast venia, Sweden , Switzerland and Turkey. ■
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DIGITAL INDIA
Digital India -
POWER TO EMPOWER
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Digital India Week: Digital Locker, National Scholarship Portal, eHospital, eSignature, MyGov Mobile App, Swachh Bharat Mission App and others were launched by PM Narendra Modi at the inauguration of Digital India Week on 1st July 2015
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naugurating ‘Digital India Week’ on 1st July, InIT for Jobs and Early Harvest programmes. dian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for Digital India is the most comprehensive a digital revolution in the country, which he programme under implementation, designed said is necessary to deal with problems like corto harness the immense potential of digital to ruption, for transparent and efficient governance propel India forward. The Government of India’s and to bridge the rich-poor divide. Digital India Week launched Digital PM Modi said that there is a need to move from E-governance to Locker, National Scholarship Portal, M-governance. eHospital, eSignature, MyGov Mobile The Digital India Programme App, Swachh Bharat Mission App, Wi-Fi is a mission to prepare India for a knowledge-based future by making technolDigital India initiative focuses on transforming ogy central to enabling change. The Digital Inthe country into a digitally empowered economy. dia programme relies on nine pillars: Broadband The broader aim is to unite India on a common Highways, Universal Access to Mobile Connect, virtual platform, to bridge the ever-widening Public Internet Access Programme, e-Govergap between government departments and the nance – Reforming Government through Techpeople of India, to ensure effective governance, nology, e-Kranti – Electronic Delivery of Services, make available government services to citizens information for All, Electronics Manufacturing, electronically by minimising paperwork and
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integrating rural India under a highspeed network. The Digital India initiative comprises three components: digital infrastructure, digital service delivery and digital literacy, with a project deadline of 2019. Digital India plans to integrate and synchronise all digital initiatives, including the national broadband plan and domestic manufacturing policy, to ensure timely execution with maximum impact for a better future. The Digital India initiative is expected to create 17 million direct jobs and 85 million indirect jobs, considerably reducing Indian imports of electronic goods. The plan also envisages the creation of virtual infrastructure to connect every citizen with high-speed internet and a range of services, using a life-long digital identity, with mobile phones, bank accounts and shareable private space on a public “cloud”. All information will be available in Indian languages. One of the main plans is to connect two-and-a-half lakh village councils at a cost of 27,000 crore, likely to be completed by December 2016, with the national information infrastructure providing necessary e-governance services at 15,686 crore. It is likely to be ready by March 2017. The plan intends to ensure universal access to mobile phones to 42,311 unconnected villages in India by June 2015 at 16,000 crore. By the end of June last year, total tele-density in India was 75.8 per cent, with urban teledensity at 146.24 per cent and rural teledensity lagging behind, at 44.5 per cent. In January 2015, Idukki in Kerala became the first district in the country to be linked to the National Optic Fibre Network (NOFN), connecting eight block offices and 53 gram panchayats to the network under this ambitious plan. The Government expects to set up two semiconductor fabrication facilities at 12,419 crore, 23,347 crore and 1,400 crore, respectively, during the 12th, 13th and 14th Plan phases. The plan will create skill development centres to produce a workforce of four lakh for the electronics sector over next five years at 575 crore.
Through the Digital India initiative, plans aim net-zero electronics import target by 2020 through a number of moves to incentivise, promote and develop manufacturing facilities.The incentives include a modified special incentive package scheme, tax rationalisation and preferential market access, costing around 24,000 crore. The initiative mentions creating five new electronic manufacturing facilities over the next five years, with the government spending 500 crore of the estimated cost of 1,500 crore. An electronic development fund may be set up to create Indian intellectual property for electronic goods. Meanwhile, considering India’s poor digital literacy, the Centre has embarked on a basic computer education programme, Disha, earmarking 95 crore to educate a million people initially. In the next three years, the Government intends not only to bring all depart-
ments across the country online, but also to ensure necessary storage of certificates, among others. The electronic delivery of services, including health, education, security, justice, financial inclusion and information to farmers, termed e-kranti, aims to provide broadband connectivity to over two-and-ahalf lakh schools, including free WiFi and massive online open courses. Meanwhile, e-healthcare aims to ensure access to online medical consultations, records, supplies and pan-India patient information. Farmers will get real-time access to price information, financial help and mobile banking. The plan will include a geographical information system-based social network for citizens, called MyGov. All companies from Serbia that would like to join to this project can contact the Inidan Embassy in Serbia to receive more information. ■
DIGITAL INDIA WEEK'S 13 LAUNCHES:
Products 1. Digital Locker: aimed at minimising the usage of physical documents and enabling sharing of e-documents across agencies and individuals 2. National Scholarship Portal: an unique login ID and password for all stakeholders 3. eHospital: Online Registration Services: Online Registration Services 4. eSign: eSign offers the functionality to authenticate signers and perform the digital signing of documents 5. Digitise India Platform: the government’s files and documents would be digitised through “crowd sourcing” and citizens can earn money by participating in this effort Portals/apps 6. MyGov Mobile App: the government encourages citizens to participate in policymaking by offering ideas and suggestions 7. Swachh Bharat Mission App: this mobile app will resolve the issues, while taking a cleanliness pledge and uploading responses in the Swachh Bharat campaign on MyGov 8. BharatNet: this is the world’s largest rural broadband connectivity project 9. Wi-Fi Hotspots: BSNL has launched WiFi services at 78 hotspots in over 17 locations across six cities, in order to provide affordable, anywhere and anytime, high-speed broadband services 10. Next Generation Network (NGN): NGN technology will merge the public switched telephone network, data network and wireless mobile network, thereby enabling high speed broadband Institutions 11. Centre for Flexible Electronics: the electronics emerging from this technology can be fabricated on substrates that include plastics, paper, textiles or metal foils 12.Centre of Excellence for Internet of Things (IoT): the IoT is the emerging technological advancement in the IT/ITeS sector,which is expected to swamp the connected digital world Policy 13. Electronics Development Fund Policy: this should fill the gap in the domains of early stage angel funding and venture funding in the areas of electronics, nano-electronics and IT
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MISSION TO MARS
After Mars, India now
EYES VENUS
India's maiden mission to Mars, the Mangalyaan, arrived in orbit after a 300day marathon covering over 670 million kilometres
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India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) - an indig- Mars lost its liquid water. These are important quesenously made unmanned robotic mission was tions that are essential for the long-term survival of launched from the rocket port at Sriharikota on human beings on Earth. the coast of the Bay of Bengal. On his visit to India’s In the sprint for the Martian marathon, India has rocket port, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: shown its technological capability and resilience to “The [making of the] Hollywood movie Gravity cost undertake arduous inter-planetary journeys. In real more than our Mars mission - this is a great India has shown its technological achievement.” India’s low-cost and quick turnaround satellite mission has been atcapability and resilience to undertake tracting a lot of global attention from the arduous inter-planetary journeys scientific community that seeks to better understand the mysterious red planet. terms, the Mangalyaan has cost India just about four Since 1960 there have been 51 global missions to rupees (seven cents; four pence) per person - which Mars and the overall success rate stands at 42%, so is chicken feed for a country of 1.2 billion people. the odds were stacked against the Indian Martian India is looking at many other planetary opportuentry. Within hours of its arrival in orbit, the space- nities: a revisit to Mars, for which there is no time craft relayed the first images taken by the Indian frame as of now, a visit possibly to Venus and, obvieye on the Red Planet to help decipher why and how ously, a revisit to the moon with Chandrayaan-2.
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After a hugely successful mission to Mars where India beat China in reaching the Red Planet’s orbit ISRO now seeks to foray more into the Solar System with missions being planned for exploring Venus, a revisit to Mars and trip to an asteroid. The planet Venus is considered a twin of Earth as it has similar features. Venus is a neighbour of Earth and it has the dense atmosphere mostly made up of carbon di-oxide. Till date, Russia, the United States and the European Space Agency have had missions to Venus. Meanwhile, ISRO also seeks to revisit Mars with a more ambitious Mangalyaan-2. “Overall capability we have demonstrated that we can go up to Mars with a minimal launcher and the next thing will be to look at the science portion and it can be more science driven,” Mr Kumar said. ISRO is charting a 10-year road map for planetary exploration in which it also wants to explore an asteroid.
ISRO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES PSLV-C28 CARRYING 5 UK SATELLITES Indian Space Research Organization’s commercial launch capability reached a new high on when it successfully launched five satellites for the UK. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C28) lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. It was PSLV’s 30th flight and 29th consecutive successful one. For the ninth time, Isro used an XL version of the rocket with an additional strapon. The heaviest commercial mission undertaken by the space agency underlines Isro not only as a major player for space industries globally but also as a leading foreign exchange earner for the country. Till date, India has launched 40 satellites from 19 countries on a commercial basis.
include surveying Earth resources and managing urban infrastructure.They will also provide free satellite imagery during major natural disasters caused by tsunamis, hurricanes and floods The total lift-off mass of the five satellites was about 1.44 tonnes, making PSLV-C28 the heaviest commercial mission so far by ISRO. In June 2014, ISRO had sent aloft the French satellite SPOT-7 weighing 714 kilograms on the PSLV C-23. The last PSLV mission on 28 March placed the IRNSS-1D, a navigational satellite, in orbit. According to Sivan, when ISRO launches a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle in August, this too will be carrying out commercial services for international entities. In the following month ISRO will run trials of a demo reusable launch vehicle. The PSLV, which was developed by ISRO to launch a series of remote
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C28)
Ambitious mission involving complex technologies comprised releasing of an orbiter, a lander and a rover
INDIA BOOSTS COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCHES After successfully placing five UK satellites in orbit ON 10 July using its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), India’s space establishment is confident of increasing the number of its annual commercial launches. Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), A.S. Kiran Kumar, says India will execute an average of 30 launches over the next three years.“There is a terrific demand for launches using the PSLV and we are not fully able to manage all of them,” he tells SciDev.Net. ISRO’s latest mission, the PSLV-C28, delivered three disaster monitoring constellation DMC3 satellites built by Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) into orbit as well as two technology demonstrators — CBNT-1, an SSTL-built earth-observation microsatellite and DeorbitSail, a nanosatellite built by the Surrey Space Centre. Stationed in sun-synchronous orbits, the DMC satellites’ commercial applications
sensing satellites into sun-synchronous orbits, is also capable of placing small satellites into geostationary transfer orbit. The latest launch was the 30th of the expendable PSLV rockets used by ISRO, with 27 of them successfully reaching designated orbits.
CHANDRAYAAN-2 TO BE READY FOR LAUNCH BY 2017 Preparations for Chandrayaan-2, the second lunar exploration mission of the country, is progressing well and is expected to be ready for launch by 2017. Delivering the Technology Day address as part of the State-level inauguration of the National Technology Day celebrations at the Malabar Palace. Dr. Bhardwaj said that the ambitious mission involving complex technologies comprised releasing of an orbiter, a lander and a rover. ■
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SMART CITIES
Transforming Cities,
TRANSFORMING INDIA
The country is on the brink of an urban revolution, with its Smart Cities initiative targeting 100 cities
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TRANSFORMING CITIES he steady pace of global population With its urban population set to rise by more growth is corresponding to migration towards urban areas, leading experts to than 400 million to 814 million by 2050, India faces predict that the world’s urban population will the kind of mass urbanisation witnessed in China. Many of its cities are already bursting at the double by 2050. In India, the urban population is currently 31 per cent of the total global popu- seams.Ahead of the General Elections last May, Inlation and contributes over 60 per cent to the dian Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi promised GDP of the country. The cities are referred to as 100 Smart Cities by 2022 to accommodate rapid the drivers of economic growth. It is expected urbanisation. The Smart Cities should be able to that three- fourths of Indians will live India invites technology partners in cities by 2030. Large scale urbanisafrom Serbia tion means cities must be equipped provide good infrastructure such as water, sanitawith a coping mechanism to manage influx tion, reliable utility services, health care; attract from rural areas, increase productivity and efficiency, reduce strain on resources and im- investments; transparent processes that make it prove the quality of life. In short, cities must easy to run commercial activities; simple and online processes for obtaining approvals. become “smart”.
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS Smart Cities Council India has been formed to promote development of Smart Cities in the country. It is part of the USbased Smart Cities Council, a consortium of smart city practitioners and experts, with 100-plus members and advisor organisations operating in over 140 countries. The mission of building 100 Smart Cities intends to promote adoption of smart solutions for efficient use of available resources and infrastructure with the objective of enhancing the quality of urban life and providing a clean and sustainable environment. The initiative could get a boost with a template readied by the European Union. The Union Government plans to spend 48,000 crore on creating these Smart Cities over the next five years. For now, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT), the first such model city, has modern underground infrastructure and two office blocks and there is a plan in place for a planned metropolis, complete with highrises, drinking water, automated waste collection and dedicated power supply. GIFT promises to be a financial hub and aims to compete with India’s own financial capital of Mumbai and international cities. Technology helps maximise utilisation of resources by leveraging data collected from sensors, controls and real time data analytics. It can be used to improve key segments like buildings which consume 40 per cent of all energy in India as well as utilities, healthcare, governance, transportation and education. In fact, in cities such as Dholera and Surat in the west and Visakhapatnam in the east, aid from organisations such as Microsoft, IBM and Cisco has already started coming in to assist this massive makeover exercise. These Smart Cities will come up near Siliguri, near Gazol in Malda district, near Kalyani in Nadia district, near Bolpur in Birbhum district, near the industrial towns of Asansol-Durgapur covering Churulia, birthplace of Kazi Nazrul Islam, near Garia in the southern outskirts of Kolkata and the near the state secretariat Nabanna.Thus, Smart Cities and rejuvenation of cities will not only lay out the path for more livable cities but provide the required growth engine for the Indian economy. ■
BENCHMARKS FOR SMART CITIES TRANSPORT • Maximum travel time of 30 minutes in small and medium-sized cities and 45 minutes in metropolitan areas. • Dedicated bicycle tracks with a width of 2m or more, one in each direction, should be provided on all streets with a carriageway wider than 10m (not roW). • High quality and high frequency mass transport within 800m (10-15 minute walking distance) of all residences in areas over 175 persons/ha of built area. • Access to para-transit within 300m walking distance ELECTRICITY • 100% households have electricity connection. • 24x7 supply of electricity. • 100% metering of electricity supply. • 100% recovery of cost. • Tariff slabs that work towards minimising waste. HEALTH CARE FACILITIES • Availability of telemedicine facilities to 100% residents. • 30 minutes emergency response time. • 1 dispensary for every 15,000 residents. • Nursing home, child,welfare and maternity, centre - 25 to 30 beds per 100,000 residents. • Intermediate Hospital (Category B) - 80 beds per 100,000 residents. • Intermediate Hospital (Category A) - 200 beds per 100,000 residents. • Multi-Speciality Hospital - 200 beds per 100,000 residents. • General Hospital - 500 beds per 100,000 residents. TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS • 100% households have a telephone connection including mobiles. SPATIAL PLANNING • 95% of residences should have daily needs such as retail, parks, primary schools and recreational areas accessible within 400m walking distance. • 95% residences should have access to employment and public and institutional services by public transport or bicycle or walk SEWERAGE AND SANITATION • All households should have access to toilets. • All schools should have separate girls toilets. • All households should be connected to waste water network. • 100% efficiency in the collection and treatment of waste water.
• 100% efficiency in the collection of sewerage network.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT • 100% households are covered by daily doorstep collection system. • 1 00% collection of municipal solid waste. • 1 00% recycling of solid waste. EDUCATION PRE PRIMARY TO SECONDARY EDUCATION • P re-Primary/Nursery School for every 2,500 residents. • Primary School (class I to V) for every 5,000 residents. • Senior Secondary School (Cass VI to XII) for every 7,500 residents. • Integrated school (Class I to XII) per 100,000 residents. HIGHER EDUCATION •C ollege per 1.25 lakh population. • Technical education centre per million residents. • E ngineering college per million residents. •M edical college per million residents. • Other professional college per million residents. • Paramedical institute per million residents. WATER SUPPLY • 2 4 x 7 supply of water. • 100% household with direct water supply connections. • 1 35 litres of per capita supply of water. • 1 00% metering of water connections. STORM WATER DRAINAGE • 100% coverage of road network with storm water drainage network. • Aggregate number of incidents of water logging reported in a year = zero. • 1 00% rainwater harvesting. WI-FI CONNECTIVITY • 1 00% WiFi connectivity. • 1 00 Mbps internet speed. FIRE FIGHTING • 1 fire station per 200,000 residents / 5-7 km radius. • 1 sub-fire station with 3-4 km radius. OTHERS •U se of renewable energy in all sectors. • Rooftop solar panels on all public, institutional and commercial buildings as well as multi-storey residential housing. • Adherence to green building norms.
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HISTORY
A bouquet of
WAR MEMOIRS
India played a significant part in World War One. However, India’s part in the war is frequently overlooked as a result of the horrors experienced in trench warfare and by Europe’s tendency to home in on battles such as those fought at the Somme and Verdun, which many assume only Europeans fought in
Photo of Royal Pavilion Indian Hospital, 1915
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n the First World War (1914-1918) or the Great War for Civilisation, as it was known at the time, was a watershed event in modern world history. The events of that conflict changed the social and political map of the world forever. Its repercussions reverberate through time and many contemporary conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, trace their roots directly to the
fallout of that war. Though a colony at the time, India actively supported the war effort in its bid to gain Dominion status. The overwhelming majority of mainstream political opinion in 1914 was united in the view that if India desired greater responsibility and political autonomy, it must also be willing to share in the burden of Imperial defence. As a result, India contributed immensely to the war effort in terms of both men and material. Her soldiers served with credit and honour in numerous battlefields around the globe: in France and Belgium, in Aden, Arabia, East Africa, Gallipoli, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Palestine, Persia,
AN OVERVIEW (Rana T.S. Chhina), FRANCE AND FLANDERS (Tom Donovan), EGYPT AND PALESTINE (Harry Fecitt), MESOPOTAMIA (Harry Fecitt)
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Salonica, Russia, and even in China. By the end of the war 1,100,000 problems that caused quite a few avoidable causalities due to poor Indians had served overseas at the cost of 60,000 dead.They earned communication and shortage of men and arms. Indian State Forces over 9,200 decorations for gallantry including 11 Victoria Crosses. relates the account of Indian princely states that entered into an understanding with the British to lend their troops for the defence These figures include the contribution of over 26,000 Imperial Service troops who were a part of the Indian States Forces. of national borders. As soon as the World War I broke, despite their India and the Great War, a collection of seven attractive inefficiency at handling modern arms and machine guns, these booklets chronicling the country’s contributions to World War I, troops were offered to the British government to be employed overmakes for a fascinating read with maps, photograph and paint- seas.The book goes on to list several maharajahs and their cavalries ings. The tale of India’s share in the Great War would form no on imperial service in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. unworthy page in her glorious annals. Her sons have fought not Indian VCs 1914-1918 describes the valour of the highly decowithout glory, on every front,” commented Lord Chelmsford, the rated Indian soldiers in WW I. Out of the total 18 Victoria Crosses Viceroy of India at the time of World War I, on India’s contribu- bestowed upon the Indian Army, 11 were given to Indian soldiers. tion in the Great War during his official address in 1921. The back- The army personnel were honoured with gallantry medals (a todrop was laying of the foundation stone of an All India War Memorial by the visiting Duke of Connaught. The India and the Great War, a collection of seven memorial to be erected, still in the nascent stage, was Inattractive booklets chronicling the country’s dia Gate – designed and executed to stand robust as one contributions to World War I of India’s most iconic structures in future. It stands to commemorate the sacrifice of thousands of Indian soldiers for the British Indian Army with the names of 13,300 sol- tal of 9,200), acres of land and pensions. It is a picked collection of diers inscribed on its walls. information from a bulk of colonial documents and archives, now India and the Great War serves as the untold chronicle of itself a segment of Indian history. As a part of the joint USI-MEA these men who died and battalions that left their homeland to India and the Great War Centenary Commemoration Project, this travel the world to fight for their masters in WWI. The story, that collection of booklets anticipates the history of the subcontinent somehow lost its glamour to Lutyen’s architecture, finds a voice that soon followed the end of war – the fierce form of Freedom in this collection. Divided into seven booklets, the title archives Struggle, culminating in India’s Independence in 1947. strategies, struggles, setbacks and victories the Indian soldiers The Joint USI-MEA Centenary Commemoration project highharboured in the course of the war. Each volume contains maps, lights the oft-forgotten role of India in the First World War and commemorates those soldiers who served during the War.The project is photographs and paintings and facts about martial operations. France & Flanders becomes essentially the first book in the aimed at exploring India’s engagement in the war from a variety of series, after An Overview, as the Indian Corps, despite being ini- perspectives. In revisiting ideas and interpretations regarding Intially commissioned for Egypt, were sent to France only a few dia’s involvement, the project examines dimensions as diverse as days post the declaration of war in 1914. The narrative takes sim- strategy and tactics, race and gender, filmography, visual represenilar course in most books with a list of State Forces Units sta- tation, and the intercultural aspects of the conflict. Planned comtioned in an area, a list of gallantry awards and battle honours memorative activities are spread across a period of four years and bestowed on the soldiers, and also the list of casualties. range from international conferences to the launch of publications Volumes titled Egypt and Palestine, Mesopotamia and East and documentaries. The project is functioning under the direction Africa, respectively overlap in the relevance of time period and of a joint United Service Institution (USI) - Ministry of External Afcontribution by Indian soldiers. The Khilafat Movement was an fairs (MEA) Steering Committee comprising Additional Secretary international agenda that was feared to affect the loyalty of Mus- (Political), Joint Secretary (CT, PP & R), Director (USI), and Secretary lims back in India.This finds a mention in Gallipoli besides tactical (USI - Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research). ■
EAST AFRICA (Harry Fecitt), GALLIPOLI (Rana T.S. Chhina), INDIAN VCs 1914-1918 (Adil Chhina), INDIAN STATE FORCES (Tony McClenaghan)
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SKILL INDIA: YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
Enabling an Ambitious
GENERATION
The Indian government launched Skill India on the occasion of the first ever world youth skills day
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piring trainees. During the function, Shri Narendra Modi awarded Skill Cards and Skill Certificates to trainees who had recently completed training through the Pilot Phase of PMKVY, which started in May 2015. Such Skill Cards and Skill Certificates will allow trainees to share their skill identity with employers. The Prime Minister addressed the audience, articulating a clear overarching vision for Skill India. He highlighted the centrality of skills to India’s development and called on government, private sector and India’s youth to work together to make this vision a reality. The Prime Minister also highlighted the potential for skilled Indian youth to be recognized around the world.Across the country, 233,000 youth were awarded certificates from ITIs, and 18,000 plus graduating students received job offer letters on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day. The Prime Minister personally presented industry job offer letters to five female ITI graduates at the event. Five eminent persons shared their vision for Skill India. India’s first Container School was set up in Ambala by Safeducate by refurbishing discarded containers and using them for skill training in logistics. 189 students per month will be trained using four such containers under PMKVY with a view to scale up skill initiatives quickly in areas with low
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rime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was the Chief Guest for the event, which was held in the Plenary Hall of Vigyan Bhavan. The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy was the Guest of Honor on this occasion. During the event, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi unveiled the Skill India logo and launched four landmark initiatives of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: National Skill Development India is ready to share its experiences Mission, National Policy for Skill Developwith Serbia ment and Entrepreneurship 2015, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) scheme and the levels of infrastructure. At the exhibition, the Prime MinSkill Loan scheme. The tagline, “Kaushal Bharat, Kushal ister interacted with students across the country through a distance learning tool being used to deliver training of Bharat” suggests that skilling Indians (“Kaushal Bharat”) will result in a happy, healthy, prosperous and strong na- trainers at 200 ITIs, with plans to deliver training directly tion (‘Kushal Bharat.’) A short film unveiling the logo was to students. shown, which featured the Sanskrit chant “SarvadaVigyHe launched the Apprenticeship portal, a one stop ataVijaya” meaning “Skill Always Wins”. shop for apprenticeship related issues, which can be used Over the next year, PMKVY will skill 24 lakh youth, by industry, students and trainers alike.World Youth Skills across India. For the first time, the skills of young people Day and the launch of SKILL INDIA were celebrated nawho lack formal certification, such as workers in India’s tion- wide.State Governments organized events to emphavast unorganized sector, will be recognized. Through an size the importance of skill development for the youth in initiative known as “Recognition of Prior Learning” (RPL), their states, mobilizing candidates, launching fresh train10 lakh youth will be assessed and certified for the skills ing programs and felicitating successful trainees. ITIs that they already possess. Prime Minister also launched across the country also participated in the event through a the Skill Loan scheme. Sanction letters for the first ever live feed of the event.Across India, special PMKVY mobiliSkill Loans were handed out by the Prime Minister to as- zation camps are being organized at 100 locations. ■
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HEALTH
GORDANA CVEJIĆ, HOMEOPATH
HAHNEMANN ASSOCIATION FOR CLASSICAL HOMEOPATHY, NOVI SAD
Homeopathy as a
PATH TO HEALING
Healing is reaching a state of harmony and unity of the soul, mind and body. In this state, we have the freedom to perform the higher purpose for our existence – which is the homeopathic definition of health
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likes to eat, how the person thinks, perceives things, reacts; not everyone reacts equally to certain types of trauma; two survivors of a war will be in two different states. Homeopathic preparation, selected according to the law of similarity, causes a slightly stronger artificial disease and thereby provides information to vital force in order to restore balance. The natural law is that the organism cannot survive two similar diseases, as a stronger disease eliminates a weaker one.The healing potential of the vital force is enormous and immeasurable for our conditions. This is proven by numerous cases of miraculous healing (not only by homeopathy) that go beyond what humanity considers reasonably possible. Homeopathy is based on three fundamental laws: the law of similars, the law of potentization and the law of healing. The law of similars means that a substance which causes certain symptoms in healthy people is used for the same symptoms in a sick person. The law of potentization means that the original substance is gradually diluted by succession and thus the concentration of the substance in the remedy is reduced,while its effectiveness is increased. The healing power of a remedy is based on the energy signature of the substance. This energy signature corresponds to the pattern of the disease. The law of healing means that every function in our bodily processes flows according to the established laws of nature, not by chance or chaos. Our inner balance keeps
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omeopathy as a method of treatment approaches the human being holistically, finding the causes of disease. These causes can be explained as a state of imbalance that occurs deep within our being and causes symptoms (disease). This imbalance manifests at all levels: through dreams, emotions, state of mind etc., and eventually materialises in physical pathology.The totality of symptoms is an indicator that helps the homeopath select the right remedy to return the patient to a state of good health. In homeopathy a person is not observed as the summation of organs or a body which is separated from mind and soul. Homeopathy is shaped by the laws Government of India has created a new Ministry and principles that respect the natural of AYUSH with a separate Minister for Ayurveda, structure of our being.The concept of vital force is specific for homeopathy. The vital Yoga, Homeopathy which are also recognised in force keeps us alive and healthy, with its Serbian law. Active exchanges will now take place presence or absence determining the difbetween Indian and Serbian practitioners ference between living and non-living. Disturbances in the vital force are what we call “disease” and disturbances away from vital organs as much as possible, the condition of this force varies throughout life. The vital thereby ensuring our survival. The best and most gentle treatment is when our natural force is influenced by many factors – from genetic to environmental factors and the stresses a person is sensitive to, healing power is stimulated. A healing process at the level which overwhelm an individual and thrown them off bal- of the entire being brings us many benefits: higher energy ance.This is how disease is produced. level,tranquil and qualitative sleep,a good mood,an ability to Each person has their own specific state of dis-ease: better understand ourselves and everything that surrounds how the person reacts to heat and cold; what the person us.This is a path on which we approach the purpose of life. ■
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HEALTH
DR GORDANA MARKOVIĆ PETROVIĆ
Auyrveda –
SCIENCE OF LIFE
Over time, owing to its effectiveness, Ayurveda has found its place beyond the borders of India
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natural capability to recover from trauma or disease. When the three Doshas are in balance and each coordinates its own functions, people are healthy, happy, benevolent, wise... When that balance is lost, natural processes change course, bodily functions change and that gradually leads to disturbance of sleep, causing discontent, greed, mental dullness. An Ayurvedic examination enables the individual to find out the following relevant information: the first is related to the relationship of the Doshas given to every person by birth, or the basic constitution, upon which the individual has developed physical, emotional and mental characteristics. From this relationship we find out an individual’s predispositions and “weak points”. These characteristics represent the starting point for a recommendation of adequate preventative measures. Other information obtained through an Ayurvedic examination presents the current characteristics of the individual, determining how it was influenced by various life occurrences. This information is the starting point for individual treatment which needs to be applied, in order to correct any existing imbalance. The most important method for the detection of an inter-relation and individual quality of the Doshas is pulse diagnostics, through which an Ayurvedic doc-
eople in India have for centuries been applying the exquisite Ayurvedic knowledge as a healing method, which helped them adjust their lifestyle to nature and related cycles,The essence of Ayurveda is actually not fighting against disease, but raising the human body’s defensive capacities to a level enabling it to remain immune to different harmful agents. This is possible only by continuous efforts to establish deep harmony between mind, body and emotions, and by achieving inner balance. According to Ayurveda, all living Ayurveda is the greatest gift to humanity and inanimate things are composed that India has unselfishly provided, it is a of three basic principles/Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The act of establishpathway leading to perfect health ing diagnosis and therapy, as well as the individual selection of preventative measures for each tor obtains information about the condition of the body. Through analysis of certain physical, mental and emoperson, are based on the characteristics of these concepts. VATA DOSHA was introduced to the human body tional characteristics it is also possible to gain insight on through the locomotive system, controlling movement, the state of the individual’s body and recommend appropriate treatment. Serbia today has a team of doctors who blood circulation, respiration, bowel peristalsis, nervous have completed Ayurvedic educational training and are system activities, as well as the most subtle processes at successfully applying this wonderful knowledge in their the genetic material level. In nature, Vata is represented as daily work with patients. wind, water movement etc. Ayurveda is the greatest gift to humanity that India PITTA DOSHA governs metabolism and exchange of energy and is also responsible for digestion, production of has unselfishly provided. It is a pathway leading to perhormones and glandular functioning. In nature, Pitta per- fect health, teaching every individual how to take care tains to summer, sunshine, fire etc. of the mental, physical and social aspect of their perKAPHA DOSHA is responsible for quality body struc- sonality, as well as the aspect of time and space, thereby ture, biological strength of the individual and the body’s achieving harmony. ■
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WIMBLEDON 2015
Rich Playing Field for
INDIA AND SERBIA
Veteran champion Leander Paes and world no. 1 Sania Mirza were joined by 17-yearold Sumit Nagal
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Australian, French and U.S. Opens to her credit. “Usually you’re lucky to win it once,” Hingis said. “It’s above my expectations.” Their victory also resulted in some controversy on Indian social media,with British broadcaster BBC’s India edition leaving Mirza out of its tweet regarding the result. “Hingis wins Wimbledon doubles final,” the now-deleted tweet read, prompting angry reactions from several Indian netizens. BBC India later issued a corrected tweet and apologized for excluding Mirza’s name. While Paes and Hingis were steamrolling their way to the crown on Centre Court, 17-year-old Sumit Nagal was on one of the smaller courts giving the South Asian nation a cherry on its tennis cake. Nagal and his partner, Vietnam’s Nam Hoang Ly, defeated American-Japanese pair Reilly Opelka and Akira Santillan to win the boys’ doubles title. “I never thought I would do anything like this ever,” Nagal said, in an interview with Indian
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t was a big weekend for India at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, with the country’s tennis stars (both established and upcoming) winning three Wimbledon doubles titles at the sport’s iconic grass court tournament. While Swiss maestro Roger Federer fell just short of becoming the oldest-ever Wimbledon singles champion — a month before his 34th birthday — in his four-set loss to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, 42-year-old Indian veteran Leander Paes had little resistance strolling to his fifth Wimbledon doubles title alongside Federer’s compatriot Martina Hingis. The duo crushed Austria’s Alexander Peya and Hungary’s Timea Babos 6-1, 6-1 in just 40 minutes in Sunday’s mixed doubles final. It was the second title in as The country has happily awoken to sporting many days for 1997 Wimbledon singles chamhistory, as Sania Mirza, 28, its top female pion Hingis, who captured the women’s doubles tennis player, won her first Wimbledon crown with India’s world No. 1 Sania Mirza with a hard-earned victory against Elena Vesnina and title, claiming the women's doubles crown Ekaterina Makarova. with her legendary partner, Martina Hingis Mirza and Hingis overcame a 5-2 deficit in the third set against the Russian pair to win 5-7, 7-6, 7-5. news channel NDTV. “Coming from such a big country like “Every kid that picks up a tennis racquet talks about win- India, it’s even more special.” If you think India only tunes ning Wimbledon or playing at Wimbledon one day, and I into cricket,you’d be very much mistaken.The pair beat Rusthink I’m speaking for both of us: we feel privileged to be sian duo Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina, trailing 5-2 here,” said Mirza, who also has mixed-doubles titles at the in the third set, before winning 5-7 7-6 7-5 Saturday. ■
INDIA & SERBIA
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CUISINE
Indian
BUTTER CHICKEN INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons peanut oil 1 kg boneless skinless chicken breast,cut in large chunks 50 g butter 2 teaspoons garam masala 2 teaspoons sweet paprika 2 teaspoons ground coriander 1 tablespoon grated fresh green ginger 1⁄2 teaspoon chili powder (more or less to taste) 1 cinnamon stick 6 cardamom pods, bruised 1 (400 g) can tomato puree 1 tablespoon sugar 1⁄4 cup plain yogurt 1⁄2 cup cream 1 tablespoon lemon juice
DIRECTIONS Heat a wok until really hot, add 1 Tbsp oil. Add half the chicken and stir-fry for about 4 minutes or until chicken is a nice colour. Remove to plate. Add extra oil and cook remaining chicken. Remove from wok. Reduce heat and add the butter.When melted add all of the spices and stir-fry until fragrant- about 1 minute. Return chicken to wok and stir to coat with the spices.Add the tomato and sugar and simmer for 15 minutes- stir occasionally. Add the yogurt, cream and lemon juice and simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens a bit. Serve over rice.
Indian
CUCUMBER SALAD INGREDIENTS 3 medium cucumbers 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1⁄4-1⁄2 teaspoon sugar, to taste 1⁄2-1 teaspoon ground cumin, to taste 1⁄2-1 tablespoon chopped mint
DIRECTIONS Peel cucumbers; slice in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Dice the cucumbers and place in a bowl. Whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, sugar, cumin and mint. Pour over cucumbers and toss to coat.
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CUISINE
Cool treats
FOR SUMMER
Chilled yoghurt with fruits and a refreshing raw mango drink make for perfect meal accompaniments
Fruit in honey-yogurt Preparation time 20 minutes; Chilling 1 hour; Serves 4
Ingredients 2 cups thick yogurt, ½ cup honey, 4 cup diced fresh fruit, 11/2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp ginger preserved in sugar syrup, 1 tsp cinnamon powder to garnish
Method Put the yogurt in a bowl, add honey and stir till smooth and creamy. Put the fruit in another bowl, stir in the lemon juice and ginger. Make individual servings in dessert bowls, alternating layers of fruit and yogurt. Garnish with cinnamon powder and serve chilled.
Aam Panna Preparation 10 minutes; Cooking 10 minutes; Serves 4
Ingredients 400 g unripe mangoes, 1 litre (4 cups) water, 250 g sugar, 1 tsp dry-roasted cumin powder, 1 tsp dry mint, powdered, salt to taste, ¼ tsp black salt
Method Peel the mangoes, place in a pressure cooker along with 1 cup water and cook for 7-8 minutes, or boil till the mangoes are soft, cool, mash the pulp and discard the seeds. Pass the pulp through a sieve to get smooth consistency. Put the pulp in a jug, add the remaining water, sugar, cumin powder, mint, salt and black salt and stir if it is too thick, add water and serve chilled.
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INDIA AND SERBIA
FIRST INDIA-SERBIA FILM CO-PRODUCTION Filming of the first India-Serbia joint production feature film, entitled ‘Dev Bhoomi’ (Land of Gods), being directed by noted Serbian scriptwriter and director Goran Paskaljević and Indian film actor and director Victor Banerjee, has commenced in the Himalayan region of the State of Uttarakhand in India. The shooting of the film will take place in India and post-production will be completed in Serbia by November 2015. Paskaljević expressed hope that this endeavour will encourage other film directors and producers from both countries to engage in future cooperation, underscoring that India’s film industry is one of the world’s biggest.
SERBIA AWARDS INDIA’S “KATKATHA” The “Katkatha” Puppet Group from India has been awarded the “Group Award for the Best Puppet Animation” and “Award for best Director and Preservation of Tradition” for their performance ‘About Ram’ at the 22nd International Festival of Children’s Theatres in Subotica on 19th May 2015. The Group also gave performances at the CNESA Culture Centre, Kanjiža, on 20th May; the Novi Sad Youth Theatre on 21st May; Belgrade’s Zvezdara Theatre on 22nd May and at the Pinokio Theatre in New Belgrade on 23rd May, performing to full houses on each occasion. Their performances were highly appreciated by the Serbian public.
SERBIA IN PHYSICS OLYMPIAD IN INDIA Serbian students won three bronze medals and two certificates of achievement at the recent 46th International Physics Olympiad, held from 5th-12th July in Mumbai, India.The 46th International Physics Olympiad was supported by the Government of India through its Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD). Medals were won by Janko Šušteršič from Kragujevac High School, Marija Šindik from the Mathematics High School of Belgrade and Željko Arsić from the Electro Technical School of Pančevo. Certificates of achievement were awarded to Radojica Draškić from Šabac High School and Dušan Novičić from the Mathematics High School in Belgrade.
WEB CARTOON CONTEST Tošo Borković from Serbia won the recently concluded 7th P. C. Rath Memorial International Web Cartoon Contest organised in Bolangir, India, on the theme of education. Prominent cartoonist Tošo Borković has been working for daily ‘Večernje Novosti’ for 30 years, bringing home many top prizes from participation in a great number of international cartoon festivals. His winning cartoon, pictured here, shows children playing hopscotch and entering a new digital world as they progress in life.
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INDIAN COMPANIES IN AGRICULTURAL FAIR ‘MAHATMA GANDHI IN BELGRADE’ The Embassy of India invited eminent Indian speaker Birad Yajnik to deliver a lecture on Gandhi, who is widely described as the ‘Father of the Nation’ by Indians, at Belgrade’s Sava Centre on 16th March. After speaking in London, Johannesburg and New York, one of the worlds most preeminent experts on Gahndhi’s teaching and heritage, Birad Rajaram Yajnik, speaker, author and curator, came to Belgrade at the invitation of the Indian Embassy in Serbia to present his unique interactive multimedia presentation on Mahatma Gandhi. Visitors had a unique opportunity to join the interactive media discussion on the heritage and values of one of the noblest leaders in the history of mankind, Mahatma Gandhi, and gain the inspiration to find Gandhi within themselves.
‘COURT’ WINS DOUBLE AT AUTEUR FILM FESTIVAL The Indian film ‘Court’, written and directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, won two prizes at Serbia’s 20th Auteur Film Festival: The Aleksandar Saša Petrović Grand Prix for Best Film and the Slobodan Novaković Fipresci Prize of Serbia. ‘Court’ explores the Indian judiciary system through a court case where a folk singer is tried for abetting the suicide of a manhole worker with his inflammatory song. The film received the 2012 Hubert Bals fund for script and project development.
Several Indian companies participated at the 82nd International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad. This included prominent agrimachinery companies, namely, Indian tractor manufacturers Mahindra & Mahindra (represented by Agropanonka), Sonalika (represented by FPM Agromehanika) and TAFE (represented by Amalgamations Group), which presented their products. Indian agri-machinery companies enjoy a fine reputation in Serbia and the Balkans. In addition, Indian irrigation equipment manufacturer Jain Irrigation showed its products through local company Agrogas. Indian company Shreeji Protein also presented some of its food products, such as dehydrated onion & garlic, peanuts, dried fruits and spices.
INDIA-SERBIA PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST The Embassy of India, Exit Foundation and the Museum of Applied Arts opened the Exhibition of 50 best entries from the India-Serbia Photography Contest 2014.The exhibition showcased 25 prize-winning entries from India, and the same number from Serbia, aimed at bringing the two countries and their cultures closer together.The author of the best entry from Serbia won the Grand Prize and a trip to India, which he visited last month, while the author of the best entry from India visited Serbia this summer and attended the Exit Festival, together with other contest finalists.The ten-member jury panel was comprised of five prominent photographers from India and Serbia respectively, while more than 1,500 photographs were received.
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INDIA FROM A SERBIAN'S PERSPECTIVE
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