COVER: INTERVIEW WITH AMBASSADOR OF PANAMA TO INDIA
Interview with H.E. Dr. Gilberto Llerena Garcia Ambassador of Panama to India
“Panama is a great investment destination” Panama’s Ambassador to India, H.E. Dr. Gilberto Llerena Garcia, answers questions from Editor Sayantan Chakravarty
Panama was the first country in Central America where India opened a Resident Mission. This shows the significance of relations between the two countries. Your views please. The significance of that historic occurrence is a point of reference in our 54 years of diplomatic ties, since 1962. The relationship has evolved smoothly and steadily. In the broad context, it is important for Panama to have an Asian partner with global projection as important as India. Being one of the fastest growing and emerging economies, it is imperative for Panama to widen our cultural, economic, and commercial relations, and remain associated with this growing major economy. One of the major advantages of achieving this closeness and strengthening ties is that both countries believe in the UN universal principles and a system of democratic governance, with the main goal being to improve the quality of living of our people through sustainable development and economic growth. Over 120 Indian companies participated at Expocomer 2015. What are the major takeaways and positives from that event? After the Expocomer 2015, many Indian companies dealing in handicrafts, textiles, gemstones and the artificial jewelry got new business opportunities with Panamanian and foreign companies. In this context, EXPOCOMER is an ideal place to know the line of products at the local and regional level, to present new products to the market, evaluate competency, obtain representation of one’s products in Panama and use the Colon Free Zone as the link for re-exporting their products in the Caribbean, Central America and South America, as well as through the contacts made with the exhibitors and buyers of the participating countries. Each year the participation of Indian companies in Expocomer has increased. In 2014 there were 66 companies, in 2015 70 companies and for this year participation of more than 100 companies is estimated. This shows us the interest 6
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that year after year the different companies in India offer this event, above all in 2015, registered business transactions of USD 124 million: 7.8% more of USD 115 million in 2014. Having said this, India is a good example to learn from in the context of strategic policies with the aim to increase growth as an important factor of socio-political and economic development. By way of this model, the objectives are completely similar in our countries, having as a background the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Are businesses in Panama enthused by ideas such as Make in India, Digital India or even Smart Cities? Panama praises the “Make in India” Initiative as one that takes full advantage of all that India has to offer, particularly its talented human resources pool. We must recognize that the Government of Prime Minister Modi has been very active in designing and implementing strategic policy schemes towards sustainable development, economic growth and competitiveness. At the same time, as bilateral ties strengthen and companies from both countries become acquainted with each other’s markets, joint investment opportunities could easily emerge. However, I do have to admit that both governments must play an active role, based on political will in order to facilitate these initiatives. Today, what are the major investment opportunities for Indian companies in Panama? If you’re looking to invest in Panama, 2016 will be a great year to start. Economic growth at the average annual rate of 6% is picking up again, and foreign investment is a big part of that. Panama has a huge range of diversity when it comes to foreign direct investment, regardless of its size and budget. It’s a country on the rise, and growth is something that comes fast. This also means that competition can be strong, so getting in on the right investments at the right time is critical to a successful Panama financial strategy. Here are our top 4 picks for investments in Panama in
Pictures © india emPire
2016 that are good bets for strong returns: Real Estate: Investing in real estate is probably the most popular foreign investment in Panama, and for good reason. Panama is growing; not just economically, but physically. There is more new construction in Panama than practically any other country in the hemisphere and it’s showing no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Panama’s growing population and strong workforce demands new housing, and home/commercial real estate values have been steadily on the rise for years. This trend is looking to keep growing in 2016, so get in before you miss out on some great deals in the real estate sector. Ecotourism: Tourism as a whole is a huge growth market for investors in Panama. However, ecotourism, or “adventure tourism”, is one the hottest areas of the market right now. Tourists are targeting Panama specifically for its biodiversity, natural setting, and outdoor activities during colder months in the Northern Hemisphere. Investors are now creating companies that fill this need, or investing in existing ones that need to expand. This includes rainforest tours, eco lodges, rural transportation services, and even equipment rental services for diving, surfing, hiking, boating, and even motocross. English Language Education Centers: With all of the international business growth in Panama, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the demand for English language training is sky high. In fact, it’s so high that many English language education centers don’t have enough teachers to fill the demand of their students. This makes for a great opportunity for investment. Panama needs more training centers, more teachers, and better-organized curriculum for business-level training. Investing in English language education is an investment that will see immediate results, not to mention help bolster the business community in the process. Clean Energy: With a population that’s growing, and large growth in urban sectors, Panama’s demand for energy is sky high. But there’s a catch. Fossil fuel energy solutions won’t work long-term in Panama due to its environment and infrastructure. This means that for the future of Panama, in order to keep up with high-energy demands, the country needs clean, sustainable solutions. This is where clean energy investment becomes critical on the Isthmus. Some great investments in this area are hydroelectric plants, wind farms, solar panel development and distribution, and general renewable energy research. All of which are already in Panama, but need more funding for growth, and long-term sustainability.
STRONG RELATIONSHIP: Under the charge of Ambassador Llerena Garcia, Panama’s engagement with India is being taking to the next level with many opportunities opening up
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COVER: INTERVIEW WITH AMBASSADOR OF PANAMA TO INDIA
In this broad perspective, Panama offers India and the world the Expanded Panama Canal which just recently initiated operations this past June, as the most important world waterway for trade that allows the countries in the east a quick and rapid communication with the west. As Indian industry expands its reach into new markets, Panama is its logical nexus to Latin America. Panama’s advantages in logistics and connectivity can serve as a distribution hub for Indian products. As per the studies carried out by the Panama Canal Authority, it all points out that the Canal, its ports and the Free Zone, continue to be predominant in the future, with a growth of 6% corresponding to a period from 2015 to 2025, which can be fully availed by India. What are the opportunities in furthering tourism to Panama from India? Tourism has been increased in Panama after the announcement of the New Panamanian Decree-Law No.248 which states, irrespective of any nationality, if the applicant is holding a valid and at least once travelled multiple entries visa for the following countries USA, UK, Canada, Australia, European of Schengen states (should not be a transit visa). The applicant is entitled to take an on arrival visa by paying $30 at the Panama airport. There is an enormous potential for the growth of tourism between our countries, particularly given Panama’s geostrategic and historical position as a connection hub. Until relatively recently, in as well as out of Panama, the general social perception was that the Panama Canal is the main artery and heart of this big Latin-American metropolis which Panama has become. Tourism has converted as one of the main economic driving force of Panama, at least 2.5 million visitors entered in 2015, surpassing by 10.7% the record of 2014, contributing to the commercial and economic development of the country. The growing demand in the tourism sector during the last 10 years has led to the Panama Tourism Authority to develop a Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development for 2007-2020, with the aim to consolidate a multitude of visitors, to increase the time period of the stay of the international visitors and position tourism as a tool for sustainable development. In order to achieve these objectives, Panama uses all its natural, geographic, cultural, and commercial attractions, within which we can include: ❖ The Panama Canal as unique strategic location for world projection. ❖ The richness and diversity of natural resources with many protected areas. ❖ The cultural diversity (indigenous, urban, and rural) in a small geographic area. ❖ The strategic position of Panama: as an Isthmus, flanked by to oceans at a short distance, the extensive shore line, “the Caribbean location”, the position of connection between North and South America, the shores free of hurricanes. ❖ The revitalization and expansion of the Tocumen Airport as the main air international entrance and connection hub to the Americas. 8
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The geographic proximity to the important markets like the USA, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia. The excellent conditions in terms of competitiveness in terms of growth prospects, the level of spending by visitors, and a business environment (international financial center). Perception of the demand of Panama as a secure country in general. The growing involvement of the Government of Panama in the sustainable tourism development (a welldefined tourism planning, the grant of legal cover for the development of the sector, the impetus towards public and private investment for infrastructure and basic service).
It is only timely that Panama and India should draw closer ties. At the dawn of the 21st century, distances are far less of an obstacle to strengthening bilateral links than they were even a few decades ago. With expanding middle classes, diminished travel costs and readily available information, the structural reforms being undertaken by both our governments, all is in place for tourism and business to grow-up between both countries. Under the India-SICA cooperation, an IndiaPanama IT Education Centre of Excellence was established in the City of Knowledge. What has been the progress thus far in IT cooperation as a result of that Centre of Excellence? The technical, cultural and educative cooperation is defined as combination of action of international character oriented towards exchange of experience and resources between the developed countries and in process of development, as well as among the latter, to achieve common development goals based on principals of solidarity, equity, efficacy, mutual interests and sustainability. In this sense India has made an important contribution to the Republic of Panama through its policy of international cooperation in the framework of South-South development assistance, through its Program of Technical and Economic Cooperation known as ITEC. This program offers us training in India in different areas of knowledge, projects and activities related with projects such as feasibility study and consulting services, sending of Indian experts to our country, study tours (scholarships, training courses and vocational training). The importance of this international cooperation for our country and all SICA members is based on utilization of these programs as instruments to complement the efforts at national level to promote an efficient economic and social development which would permit to compensate the basic necessities of the population. In this respect, as noted above, Panama and Central America have much to learn from India’s decades-long lead as a knowledge-based economy. There are nearly 15,000 people of Indian origin in Panama. Is it playing a role in increasing bonds of commerce and friendship between India and Panama? The human dimension of our bilateral relationship is
EXUDING CONFIDENCE: Ambassador Llerena Garcia exudes confidence while speaking of a new robustness and synergy in ties between India and Panama
still the backbone of our ties to India. Most probable, at the present there are more than 15,000 people of Indian origin in Panama, including the ones born in our country, and constitute a major concentration of foreigners in Central America. This shows that in the past and at present all the nationals from India have been welcomed in our country, always and when, they comply by the requirements established by the Government of Panama. At present we have established with the Panamanian society of Indians an excellent relationship which has allowed us to work effectively in the betterment of these processes. They are employed in the shipping industry while others are mainly engaged in commerce. A majority is Hindu with a substantial Muslim minority and they maintain temples, Gurdwaras and mosques in Panama City and ColĂłn (main cities). Panama's Indian community originates from Gujarat or to Sindh (now a part of Pakistan). The first significant immigration was during the US phase of the building of the Panama Canal, and was primarily from the Caribbean (islands and British Guiana, now Guyana) under British rule. Many of the founders of the Colon Free Zone, the second largest in the world (after Hong Kong) were Indians. Since then, the Indian community has grown with a slow but steady stream of immigrants. To conclude, I reiterate myself: Yes, definitively, the human dimension of our bilateral relationship is still the backbone of our increasing ties to India. It seems Yoga diplomacy has been successful in bringing people of Panama and India closer. Your views please. The impressive participation around the world on In-
ternational Yoga Day is indeed a testimony to India’s immense reservoir of soft power in the field of cultural diplomacy. Panama, as a peace loving country, welcomes this development. Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to attract followers. As such, Panama, recognizing its universal appeal, adhered to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 69/13 which proclaimed 21 June as International Yoga Day. This is an important contribution of India to highlights the important role healthy living plays in the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted last year by all 193 United Nations Member States, with the concurrence of Panama as a strong supporter of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These are part of the development and foreign policy agenda of the Panamanian Government, which we share with India in the global context. What are the presence of Indian companies in Panama like, and also the presence of Panama companies in India? Panama is a country historically linked to the exchange between regions, with an economic structure focused on providing services and a clear perspective of strengthening capacities to provide new and better opportunities for international trade. The existence of the Canal and the expansion of its facilities is an important contribution to promoting exchanges between different regions of the world, with economic and environmental advantages. This, combined with a complementary multi-modal/multi-layered logistical infrastructure october 2016 | india empire
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COVER: INTERVIEW WITH AMBASSADOR OF PANAMA TO INDIA
projecting Panama as a service platform and connection to the world (air, maritime, financial/banking, telecommunications; storage, re-exportation and distribution of goods, and others) The boom in India of technological development, its prodigious curve towards sustainable economic growth, its demographic growth, its importance in the software development and its low cost highly qualified manpower are reasons to consider India above other countries. This year, delegations including from Chemicals and Allied Products Export Promotion Council (CAPEXIL), Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), The Plastic Export Promotion Council, and Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL) have visited Panama. Also, dozens of Indian companies have had successful participation in “Made-in-India” Exhibition at Expocomer. In August, there was an information meeting of Government officials and the private sector with representatives of the Board of Export Promotion of Pharmaceutical Products (PHARMEXIL) of India. As you may know, India is the main sixth largest producer and exporter of medicines and leading export vaccines worldwide. In this realm, as a quality low cost source-provider, India is an optimal alternative in the global market for Panama. There are many Indian companies which have their operations in Panama like: ● Mann India Technologies ● Gammon India Ltd ● DS Constructions Ltd ● Apeejay Shipping Ltd ● Five Star Bulk Carriers ● Eleganza Jewelry On our side, being Panama a services-based economy, the dynamics of the presence of Panamanian companies in India, is more a matter of practicality in this globalized economy than the physical presence of them in situ, per se. Of course, this cannot preclude their establishment in India in the near future within the framework of a legal bilateral instrument to be negotiated. ❐ 10 india empire | october 2016
Panama at Glance Lying at the crossroads of the North and South American continents and the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Panama has always being of immense historical strategic importance. Panama, with a population of almost 4.0 million, has had the highest average growth in the region over the past decade and is expected to continue to have one of the strongest growth rates in Latin America, set against a backdrop of low inflation, a stable financial system, and a declining current account deficit. GDP grew by 5.8 percent in 2015, and growth is projected to remain around 5.6 percent in 2016 (IMF). Over the medium term, the increase in canal transit, a dynamic service sector, and investments in the energy, mining, and logistics sectors should help maintain vibrant growth. At the present, there are massive public investments in infrastructure projects such as the construction of the second Metro line, the third bridge over the Canal, expansion of logistic ports and facilities and expected additional traffic generated by the expanded Canal. Prospects for high growth in the coming years are also supported by emerging opportunities for private sector-led growth in key sectors, such as transport and logistics, mining, financial services, and tourism. As a nature reservoir, the country has the largest rainforest in the Western Hemisphere outside the Amazon Basin and its jungle is home to an abundance of tropical plants, animals and birds - some of them to be found nowhere else in the world. The Isthmus of Panama is also home to UNESCO designated world heritage historical places and monuments. Panama has made significant progress in reducing poverty in recent years. Between 2008 and 2014, a period including the global financial crisis, Panama managed to reduce poverty from 26.2 percent to 18.7 percent, and extreme poverty from 14.5 percent to 10.2 percent. This means that, of a population of about 3.9 million people, an additional 168,000 Panamanians overcame extreme poverty while close to 300,000 got out of poverty during that period. At the beginning of the present century, Panama is well positioned to continue making progress towards the twin goals, ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity, thanks to both growth prospects and the Government’s renewed attention to inclusion. To respond to these challenges, the country has prepared a Government Strategic Plan (PEG) for 20152019, with a focus on enhancing competitiveness and promoting social inclusion in the framework of a sustainable and inclusive development model, alongside the UN Development Goals 2030. Recently, Panama also signed the Paris Climate Agreement, an action consistent with its foreign pol❐ icy agenda for sustainable growth and development.
SPECIAl COluMN ON lAW & DIPlOMACy
JOInT VEnTUrE In InDIA By K K Anand
For the benefit of investors, particularly those from foreign nations in India, here’s an overview on the important subject of Joint Ventures INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Joint Venture (JV) represents a newly created business enterprise; its participants continue to exist as separate firms. A Joint Venture can be organized as a partnership firm, a corporation or any other form of business organization which the participating firms choose to select. Joint Ventures and Foreign Collaborations are two important business models which become model popular with the opening up of the economies in the contest of liberalization, competition and globalization in India. 1.2
There is no separate law for incorporation or registration of Joint Venture in India. It is incorporated or established like a private company or public company under the Indian Companies Act, 1956 & 2013. There are some other Indian laws which are applicable on JV: i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii)
Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 Partnership Act Competition Act, 2002 Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 Industrial Policy and Procedure Contract Act Policy for Foreign Investment SEBI Guidelines, Regulations, Notifications & Circulars
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1.3
Joint Ventures and Wholly Owned Subsidiary have been defined in the Foreign Exchange Management (Transfer and issue of Foreign Security) Regulations, 2000 as under:
1.4
Joint Ventures means a foreign entity formed, registered oral incorporated in accordance with the laws and regulations of the host country in which the Indian party makes a direct investment.
In recent years, the term Joint Venture has also been used interchangeably with a newer business called “strategic alliance”.
Mr K K Anand
REASONS FOR ENTERING INTO A JOINT VENTURE 2.1 A company may want to enter into a foreign market with which it is not familiar. 2.2
The joint venture allows the parties to the venture to undertake a potentially speculative and high risk endeavour without exposing assets unlimited liability.
2.3
The joint venturing parties can define at the outside of the project, the extent to which each shall be liable for costs and how the risks associated with the venture shall be allocated.
2.4
A joint venture may be entered into for competitive considerations for example a joint venture with a potential competitor may reduce or eliminate competition.
FEATURES OF JOINT VENTURE A joint venture is a partnership through which two or more firm or entity create a separate entity to carry out a particular economic activity in which each partner takes an active role in decision making. Besides, the requirement that the joint venture must have a contractual basis, there are certain additional requisites for the successful existences of a joint ventures. Its existence, however, depends on the facts and circumstances of each particular case. STEPS TO FORM A JOINT VENTURE Before entering into a joint venture agreement, the parties should go to the following process: i) Recognize your options: identify different methods that can be used for entering into the joint venture ii) Selection and understanding of market iii) Determine the necessary resources you can commit
like; time money and people; iv) Selection of partner v) Determination of Joint Venture Strategy vi) Negotiation vii) Letter of Exchange viii) Determine the objective of the joint venture ix) Feasibility Study x) Agreement in Principle xi) Joint Venture Agreement xii) Staged implementation xiii) Full Operation xiv) Review xv) Expansion
FEATURES OF JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT Selection of good local partner is the key to the success of any joint venture. A joint venture agreement requires dexterous legal drafting and should incorporate clearly the relevant clause that specifies the mutual understanding arrived at between both parties as to the formation, registration and operation of the joint venture company. A brief checklist of important clause is as follow: i) Name of the parties of Joint Venture ii) Place of execution of agreement iii) The proportion of shareholding pattern in the Joint Venture iv) Specify nature of shares v) Composition of Board of Directors, appointment and changes in chairman, Quorum of meeting, casting vote provision in Board Meeting. vi) Appointment of CEO / CFO vii) General Meeting provision viii) Appointment of Management Committee ix) Dividend Policy x) Funding Provision xi) Access Condition xii) Change of Control / Exit Clause xiii) Anti Compete Clause xiv) Maintaining Confidentiality xv) Indemnity Clause xvi) Applicable Law xvii) Force Majeure xviii) Termination of Agreement It is sincerely hoped that this Article will give a bird’s eye view of the concept of joint venture in India and will help the parties desirous of entering into the same in many ways. ❐ —The author is Founding and Managing Partner of Anand Law Practice. He can be reached at Kamalkanand@anandlawpractice.com october 2016 | india empire 21
POlITICAl DIARy Pictures © siPra das
BJP President Mr Amit Shah arrives in Kozhikode for the party’s national council meet
(L – R) BJP’s national secretary Mr Shrikant Sharma, national general secretary Mr Ram Madhav and Kerala state president Kummanam Rajasekharan at the national council meet
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guARD OF HONOuR Pictures Š PiB
The State Counsellor of Myanmar, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi inspecting the Gourd of Honour, at the Ceremonial Reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi in October
The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr John Key inspecting the Gourd of Honour, at the Ceremonial Reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi in October
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PM SNAPSHOTS Pictures Š siPra das
Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi discusses archery at the National Tribal Carnival. To his right is Minister of Tribal Affairs Mr Jual Oram
PM Modi and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Mr John Key at Hyderabad House in October
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COluMN: yOgI ASHWINI
MIND AND BODy
CrEATIOn EXISTS In LAYErS By Yogi Ashwini yogi ashwini
W
e know that on the amavasya of the month of Kartik, Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya, which was marked by lighting of diyas in every house. This is the physical event. What happens in the physical creation is a reflection of that goes around in the world of energy. Creation exists in layers, physical creation that we see around us, is just one layer, which is also the grossest. The subtler layers reveal themselves in the form of colours, sounds, thought and pure energy, as per the state of evolution of being and development of senses. From energy point of view, the Kartik amavasya or Diwali, is the night of siddhis. It is the night of homecoming of one of the most powerful of forces in universe, the force of Vishnu. Ayodhya, in the case of a sadhak, is the body and lights are the various siddhis, which are ignited in different parts of the body through specific mantras and sadhnas in the sanidhya of a Guru, on the night of Diwali. On the night of Diwali, the force of Vishnu enables the sadhak to acquire the various siddhis of yoga and sanatan kriya easily. Anima is the siddhi of reducing the size of the body at will, mahima is ability to increasing its size infinitely. Garima is the siddhi to become infinitely heavy; Laghima is the siddhi to shed off all the weight in the body to become feather-light. Prapti is the siddhi through which one gains unrestricted access to all places in creation. Prakamya is the siddhi to manifest ones thoughts and desires. Ishtva is the lordship of creation. Vashitva is the control over others. All these eight siddhis can be attained even in this day and age, with the correct practices under guidance of a Guru. Sanatan Kriya details the technique of samyam, which is a combination of dharna dhyan and samadhi, for a complete merger, when there are no two bodies, everything becomes one whole, poorna…as goes the shloka, ‘om poornamadah poornamidam poornaat poornamudachhyate, poornasya poornamadayah poornameva va shishyate’. In
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the samyam kriya, a sadhak becomes aware of the name (naam), form (akaar) and energy (Shakti) of a specific object and fixes his/her gaze on it along with chanting of specific mantras, as prescribed by one’s guru. This results in the sadhak acquiring the siddhis associated with that entity. What that entity is, varies from individual to individual, depending on individual capacity and desire. To give an example of a Diwali practice, ‘ya devi sarvabhuteshu shakti roopen sansthitha, namastasyei, namastasyei, namastasyei namo namah’ is the mantra which when channelized by one’s Guru, and chanted while keeping awareness of the name, form and shakti of the devi while fixing the gaze on an object or image or thought (as prescribed by your Guru) endows the practitioner with phenomenal glow and radiance of the devi, such that he/she can attract whatever he/she desires in the physical or the world of energy. The mantra however must be given by and practiced under the supervision of your Guru. Diwali is the night of acquiring siddhis and powers, wealth and riches are siddhis of the physically manifested creation. With time, the sadhnas of Diwali distorted and people took to grosser forms, like gambling, for acquisition of wealth. In earlier times and for those who have a guru, if there is a desire for wealth, there is yogic process which has to be followed but unfortunately in modern times when most dont have gurus, a distortion has set in in the form of gambling to acquire money and power. Remember, Diwali is the night when Ram came to ❐ Ayodhya. It is the night to bring Vishnu to you.
—Yogi Ashwini is the Guiding Light of Dhyan Foundation and an authority on the Vedic Sciences. His book, ‘Sanatan Kriya, The Ageless Dimension’ is an acclaimed thesis on anti-ageing. Log onto to www.dhyanfoundation.com or mail to dhyan@dhyanfoundation.com for more information
DIASPORA NEWS
SPECIAl COluMN
DIWALI STAMP, AT LOng LAST By Inder Singh
O
ctober 5, 2016 will go community and many thousands signed down in the history of the electronic version of the petition. Indian American Some U.S Congressmen wholeheartedly community as the day supported the demand of the Indian when the United States Americans and sent letters to the Postal Service (USPS) released Diwali Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee. In stamp. At long last, the Citizen’s Stamp 2015, U.S Senate Resolution 113 was Advisory Committee fulfilled the long introduced “Expressing the sense of the standing demand of Indian Americans Senate that the Citizens’ Stamp and announced on August 23, 2016 the Advisory Committee should issuance of postage stamp recommend the issuance of, and the commemorating the festival of Diwali. United States Postal Service should The dedication ceremony took place at issue, a commemorative stamp in honor the Consulate General of India, New of the holiday of Diwali.” It was thus a York, on October 5, 2016, the first day of moment of pride that the relentless issue of the Forever postage stamp in the pursuit for the issuance of a Diwali Mr Inder Singh presence of Consul General Ambassador stamp culminated in USPS Riva Ganguly Das, Representative Carolyn Maloney, Diwali announcement to release the stamp on October 5, 2016 to Stamp Project Chair Ranju Batra, USPS Vice President for commemorate the Hindu festival of Diwali, also known as Mail Entry and Payment Technology Pritha Mehra, India’s the Festival of Lights. former Permanent Representative to the United Nations The Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) is Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri and many members of the appointed by the Postmaster General to evaluate all stamp local Indian American community. proposals and recommend stamp subjects to the Postmaster It was in 2004, that Dr. Shailendra Kumar, Chairman, General, who makes the final decision. One of the Diwali Postage Stamp Committee of Association of Indians important functions of the CSAC is to ensure that every in America and its president Dr. Piyush Agrawal jointly proposal is given the same level of consideration, wrote to the Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee “regardless of any professional lobbying efforts, letterrequesting the issuance of a postage stamp for Hindu writing campaigns, petitions, and/or appeals to influential Festival of Diwali. Since then, several Indian national & politicians.” In spite of the stated role of the CSAC, Indian local organizations in America have been pursuing American community activists continued to educate those relentlessly with the Stamp Advisory Committee for Diwali who have the power to change old rules to accommodate stamp. They reminded the Committee that they have already new realities to achieve their goal. issued Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Eid stamps. Diwali is celebrated by over one billion people in the They urged them to respect diversity and equality, and issue world including over 2 million Indian Americans. Hindus Diwali stamp also. Diwali Stamp Project Chair Ranju Batra celebrate Diwali as it commemorates the return of Lord of New York, M.R. Rangswami of Indiaspora and several Rama with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, from his Indian organizations all over the United States collected 14-year exile after killing the demon king Ravana. Thus, it thousands of petitions from the members of the symbolizes the victory of good over evil and is celebrated
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with great fervor by one and all. The Sikhs celebrate Diwali as it marks the release of the sixth Guru, Hargobind Rai in October, 1619 from the fort of Gwalior where he was imprisoned by Emperor Jahangir, along with 52 Hindu Kings. The Guru also managed to get all the Hindu kings freed at the same time. In Jainism, the occasion celebrates the attainment of Nirvana by Lord Mahavir. In 2003, the President of the United States agreed to the request of Republican activist Dr. Piyush Agrawal of Florida to host Diwali celebration at the White House. On October 23, 2003, Diwali was celebrated for the first time at the White House in the presence of several invited Indian community leaders. Since then, Diwali festivities at the White House have become an annual tradition. The US Senate and the House of Representatives in October 2007 unanimously passed Resolutions 299 and 747 respectively, recognizing the “religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali.” The passage of the resolutions may have been symbolic, but it is a testament to the increased awareness of the Indian community in America. In 2009, President Barack Obama became the first US president to light a "diya" oil lamp in a White House ceremony for the festival of lights. In communicating his warm greetings at the occasion, he remarked that Diwali marked the return of the Lord Ram from exile when small lamps lit his way home. In 2010, the Vice President led the commemoration. In 2011, President Obama again lit the White House Diya while a Hindu priest chanted Slokas, or prayers. The U.S. Congress celebrated Diwali, for the first time, on October 29, 2013, amidst chanting of Vedic mantras by a Hindu priest. Over two dozen influential lawmakers along with eminent IndianAmericans gathered at the Capitol Hill to lit the traditional “diyas”. The event was organized by the two Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, Congressmen Joe Crowley and Peter Roskam in recognition of increasing presence of the Indian American community. In 2015, Congressmen Ami Bera and George Holding, Democratic and Republican cochairs of the Caucus on India and Indian Americans organized the Diwali celebrations. More than 30 members of US Congress and about 1,000 people from the community participated at the annual Diwali event on Capitol Hill. In 2002, the Stamp Advisory Committee was requested to issue a commemorative stamp in honor of the first U.S. Congressman of Asian origin, the India born Dalip Singh Saund to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of Saund’s election to the Congress on November 6, 2006. A few thousand petitions were sent to the Committee. Some
Congressmen also sent letters to the CSAC. It was a date bound request and when the CSAC did not respond by November 6, 2006, the request was not pursued any further. In 1961, the Indian community was very small, not even 50,000 in the USA. No Indian American made any request for the issuance of any stamp with Indian personality or object. But the U.S. Postal Service issued two stamps on January 26, 1961, 4 cent first class postage stamp and 8 cent postage stamp to honor Mahatma Gandhi in the “Champion of Liberty” series. The stamp had picture of Gandhi Ji and carried the wording, “Mahatma Gandhi, Apostle of Non-Violence.” Four cent stamps were printed 113 millions and 8 ❐ cent stamps were printed 41,644,200. —Inder Singh regularly writes and speaks on Indian Diaspora. He is the author of The Gadar Heroics – life sketches of over 50 Gadar heroes. He is Exceutive Trustee of GOPIO Foundation, was chairman of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin from 2009-16 and president from 2004-2009, chairman of National Federation of Indian American Associations(NFIA) from 1992-96 and president from 1988-92. He was founding president of Federation of Indian Associations in Southern California. He can be reached at indersingh-usa@hotmail.com
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MIND AND BODy
Applied Creativity in Mental Health Know the Box, Think Outside it By Bethany E Halbreich and Professor Uriel Halbreich Bethany e halBreich
C
reativity and innovation. It is almost conventional to trumpet their importance, their utmost necessity for progress. However, applying creativity in the actual world necessitates creativity. Applied creativity in Mental Health is a process involving several stages. It starts from a mundane knowledge. What are the current concepts? How are they pertinent to the individual patient seeking our help? Specifically, what criteria does the patient meet? What treatments are recommended by the guidelines? The next step is understanding. How and why did the authoritative experts construct the diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines that are considered as evidence-based and good practice? Understanding is a thinking process that might lead to questions. For example, are symptoms and complaints of a white bank employee in Manhattan or a middle class sub-urbanite homemaker in Sydney representative of feelings and concerns of a homeless teenager in a slum of Mumbai? What is the impact of culture, day-to-day life, social structure and individual’s social standing, economy and the individual’s financial resources, the individual’s beliefs and state of content – on the individual’s state of well-being? We assume that the biology is the same, but everything else is diversified. Theory simplifies matter. As psychiatrists, we all know the rules of the game. We are familiar with the influential American DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – 5th Edition) and the World Health Organization (WHO), ICD10-11 (International Classification of Disorders). We know and can describe all the definitions and criteria of all Disorders. We can authoritatively describe a person as “not meeting criteria for any ICD nor DSM definitions. But what is “healthy”? The Academics and Thought Leaders among us have been writing scores of articles and books about the Biological – Psychological – Social aspects of psychiatry. Presumably, we all know our domain. We all know its magnitude. According to the WHO, the Public Health, and the economic impact of Mental Disorders are huge. They top the list. 52 india empire | october 2016
Prof. uriel halBreich
The Global Public Interest is to reduce the magnitude of Mental Disorders and their impact. This is beyond the ethical responsibility of reducing individual suffering. This is for the sake of Society – each and every Society. Reducing the size of “the box of mental suffering” requires thinking outside the current box. The next step is doubt, not taking anything for granted, open-mindedness, tolerance to “crazy” ideas, mental and organizational flexibility, and acceptance of possible change as well as ability to depart from the conventional and explore new possibilities. Creativity and innovation must replace conventionality. So, why is it important? What is creativity and how can we affectively and efficiently apply it in Mental Health? IBM conducted a survey of more than 1500 CEO’s from 60 countries and 33 industries and found that creativity is valued as the most important skill for the modern world. It is of interest that The Torrance Test of Creative Thinking found that since 1990, creative thinking skills have been in sharp decline. Although creativity was not intentionally cultivated in the majority of school children studied, the correlation of lifetime accomplishment was more than three times stronger for children who thought creatively (as a result of cultivated opportunity for creativity), than for children with a high IQ. In “Creativity: The Psychology of Discovery and Invention,” Csikszentmihalyi writes that “creativity does not happen inside people’s heads, but in the interaction between a person’s thoughts and a sociocultural context. It is sys❐ tematic rather than an individual phenomenon.” —Bethany Halbreich is a Creativity and Innovation Consultant for PepsiCo, a TED Resident, and the Founder and CEO of Paint the World, an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the world’s creative capacity. —Professor Uriel Halbreich is Currently Professor of Psychiatry and Director of BioBehavioral Research at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo NY, USA. He is Chair of The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) Section on Interdisciplinary Collaboration.
BUSINESS AND GOVERNANCE
BuSINESS AND gOVERNANCE
“Wide ranging reforms have been undertaken in the last few months, that have led to improved investment climate as is evident from increased FDI inflows. Ease of doing business is key to competitiveness of a business and the approach adopted by the Government is in the right direction” said Mr. Harshavardhan Neotia, President, FICCI. “States need to deepen the reforms in specific areas for improving the rankings further. A regular feedback mechanism as suggested by the Government to implement the reforms shall help in achieving results faster and FICCI would be happy to support government in this regard” added Mr. Neotia.
Diamond studded or platinum jewellery is leading the trend this Diwali on the back of growing change in the mind set of women, particularly those working , away from their important role of homemakers, who take jewellery more as a daily wearable than buying gold as investment avenue, an ASSOCHAM survey based on jewellers' and consumer feedback has noted. High gold prices and innovations on the part of jewellery firms, especially the large houses, is driving the change in the fashion trend. Even within gold jewellery, the trend is seen on lower cost wearables, though more needs to be done to tempt consumers. Small items like earring, rings and light bangles see heavy demand. The survey, which comes on the eve of Dhanteras, found that 79 per cent jewellers are focusing on platinumbased diamond jewellery over traditional pure play gold and silver ornaments to tap the changing preferences of consumers. The demand for diamond jewellery is estimated to have grown by 30-35 per cent this season year on year Platinum too has seen an excellent growth of 25% this year, the survey said. The survey covered 350 jewellery-makers based in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Ahemdabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Dehradun.
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Rt. Hon John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand, emphasised that his country is keen on partnering with India, particularly through early conclusion of the bilateral free trade agreement. The Prime Minister was addressing a Business Session organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in New Delhi today. The Prime Minister stated that India is a strong dominant player in the world today and the reform measures being taken would further boost its growth. He stated that the two countries should look beyond traditional areas such as agriculture and food processing and explore areas like High Technology manufacturing, IT, and e-commerce, among others.
While appreciating the importance in Ease of Doing Business to the rank of 130 by the World Bank, Dr. Mahesh Gupta, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that lot of things at the ground level are becoming visible and the business community is enthusiastic to enhance its growth trajectory going forward. India is now ranked at 130th among 190 economies by the World Bank. Implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy code would improve the ranking further. It is also expected that the goods and services tax will help make significant improvement in India’s ranking next year, he said. Going ahead, President, PHD Chamber, Dr. Mahesh Gupta suggested that the Government must focus on the reforms in labour laws and decriminalization of businesses as stringent labour laws are a major roadblock to enhance production possibility frontiers and employment generation in the economy.