Annual meeting highlights Indian community issues

Information is shared and grievances aired at the Indian High Commissioner’s annual community forum in Canberra

BY VIKAS VASHISHT

On December 17, 2011 Ms. Sujatha Singh, High Commissioner of India, organised the annual meeting to bring together the High Commission, Consulate Generals and members of the Indian community to discuss important issues that effect the community. This year the High Commissioner addressed a large gathering from the Indian community, attended by representatives from various Australian states. Feedback and suggestions on various issues including consular, passport, visa, OCI/PIO services were the hot topics of the forum which is fast becoming a significant year-end event in the community.

New Visa process arrangement (IVFRT)

The Government of India has scheduled implementation of a new tracking system for all immigrants visiting India which is titled the Immigration, Visas, Foreigners’ Registration and Tracking Project (IVFRT).

Within four years, there will be a massive centralized database where details about all immigrants visiting India will be continually updated to ensure that monitoring is easier for the Indian government. The first phase of this project will affect the embassies in Dhaka (Bangladesh) and London, as they account for the highest volume of visas. They are also planning a new visa sticker that will be much harder to duplicate. Also planned is the use of biometric profiling, starting with fingerprinting all visa applicants. Every foreign national will get a number (UCFID) and a virtual folder, which will be permanent. Every visit, with details, will be recorded, so that security agents can retrieve the information instantly.

This will all be monitored by the Home Ministry, which will also use the system for processing visas. The central system will be networked on a real-time basis with all the embassies and consulates, immigration checkpoints in India, and the seven FRROs (Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office.)

All visa applications will be online, and the watch list/blacklist created in coordination with various security agencies will be available on this centralized facility to quicken the visa clearance process for those who aren’t on those lists. For anyone on either of those lists, or whose application is suspect for any reason, processing will take at least a month while it goes through the system. In routine circumstances, the goal is to complete the entire process of accepting the application, scrutiny at Delhi and then relay back to the mission for issuance of visa within three working days. There is a clause for a new Photo Visa in future.

The Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) will also be linked to the database, which will enable airlines to provide the details of passengers travelling on a particular flight to authorities at the destination point. So for instance, the passenger record of a plane leaving London for Mumbai can be instantly provided to Mumbai Immigration even before the plane has left London. This system is currently in use at some major airports, but it will now be compulsory for all flights to and from India.

This system will, in theory, allow those monitoring the central facility to detect suspicious patterns that could help uncover terrorist activity. The problem now is that, although there are various systems already in place, there is no integration between them.

As of now, all hotels have to file c-forms on paper, but eventually they will have to provide the information online on the same day that a foreign national checks in. However, it is unclear as to how the smaller hotels and guest houses will comply with this requirement.

The complete plan is scheduled to be implemented by September 2014 at a cost of Rs 1103 crores (AUD 208 million). This will include implementation of an integrated online visa application system with appointment scheduling at Indian missions in Islamabad, Dhaka and London. By then, the centralized data centre and visa processing office should be established, and uniform systems would be in place at all missions, integrated check posts and FRROs, with secure private network connectivity between the various missions. This process is expected to ensure an integrated and secure delivery framework that will facilitate legitimate travellers while strengthening security.

VFS service update

Ajit Alexander and Harpreet Singh of VFS offered the following update regarding the VFS service:

* Additional counters have been installed during 2011 to assist the general public

* Next day service courier service arraignment charges have been re-negotiated and reduced from $16.50 to $13.50.

* SMS alert can now be selected to provide tracking status of the application.

Emergency Calls

The High Commissioner Mrs. Sujatha Singh had a request to the public regarding the use of the emergency calls facility. She noted that the mobile phone listed on the website of the Indian High Commission had been misused by the general public, and requested that after-hours calls relating to nonemergency issues should be restricted, to ensure correct use and timely management of real issues. The High Commission website does provide a list of emergency situations, she said.

Indian Community Welfare Fund

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has established the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) in 43 Indian Missions across the world in countries that have a significant overseas Indian population.

The ICWF is aimed at providing ‘on site’ welfare services on a means-tested basis in the most deserving cases including:

• Boarding and lodging for distressed overseas Indian workers in household / domestic sectors and unskilled labourers;

• Extending emergency medical care to the overseas Indians in need;

• Providing air passage to stranded overseas Indians in need; cremation/burial of deceased overseas Indians in such cases where a sponsor is unable or unwilling to do so as per the contract and the family is unable to meet the cost.

Overseas Indian workers duped by unscrupulous intermediaries in the host countries, runaway house maids, those who become victim of accidents, deserted spouses of overseas Indians or undocumented overseas Indian workers in need of emergency assistance, or any other overseas Indian citizens who are in distress are the main beneficiaries of the Fund. The Fund is also to be utilized to meet the expenditure for airlifting the mortal remains of overseas Indian citizens to India on a means tested basis, on the recommendation of respective Heads of Missions.

The ICWF would be funded through budgetary support from the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, funds raised by the Indian Missions by levying a nominal service charge on consular services and through voluntary contributions from the Indian community.

Approved associations that are linked with the High Commission of India can access these funds in line with policies and procedures stipulated by government of India.

General comments

Members of Indian Associations and the general public offered their feedback as follows:

• There is a need to work towards obtaining travel concessions for international students and seniors of the community holding bridging visas.

• Indian communities living in regional towns around Darwin are experiencing delays in getting Indian visas.

Ms. Singh responded by advising that the issue will be investigated and the Consulate General at Perth will address the issue. As the turnaround time is 3 days, delays could possibly be due to postal delivery issues for various Indian communities around regional areas.

• There is a need to work towards a Primary School Hindi language programme. Communities need to work together and with local governments to gain support as it will be a vital accomplishment for the benefits of future generation of NRI families.

Dinner with the Indian cricketers

Following tradition, the attendees were then invited to the High Commission for dinner. However with the Indian cricket team in town, warming up for their test series in Australia, the surprise for all those at dinner was the arrival of Dhoni and company at 6.30 pm to meet and mingle with the guests. Here is an excerpt of the speech given by Ms Singh in honour of the Indian cricket team.

“Since the last time the Indian cricket team was here, so much has happened. In cricket, and in the India-Australia relationship. India won the World Cup, edging out Australia. One of our great Captains, the Nawab of Pataudi returned to the Pavilion; Australia lost to England and we lost to England too, that common enemy, before winning the ODI series.

Both Bhajji and Andrew Symonds are in India; Symonds is in the Bigg Boss house and Bhajji outside. But even if you put them together in Bigg Boss, they’d be mates; they’ve played together in the same team in the IPL.

Over the last four years, there have been ups and there have been downs. But we have moved past that, in cricket as well as in diplomatic relations between India and Australia, and here I would like to quote from an oration I heard a few days ago: “………relations between the two teams are put to career diplomats:

“…is often said that cricketers are ambassadors for their country; when there’s a match to be won, sometimes we think that is an unreasonable demand. After all, what would career diplomats do if the result of a Test series depended on them, say, walking?”

Well, I’m not sure what other career diplomats would do, Rahul, but I tell you what this particular one would not do: she would not walk.

And I also quote: “But, as ties between India and Australia have strengthened and our contests have become more frequent, we realise that as Indian players, we stand for a vast, varied, often unfathomable and endlessly fascinating country…

In India, cricket is a buzzing, humming, living entity going through a most remarkable time, like no other in our cricketing history. In this last decade, the Indian team represents more than ever before, the country we come from - of people from vastly different cultures, who speak different languages, follow different religions, belong to all classes of society.

I went around our dressing room to work out how many languages could be spoken in there and the number I have arrived at is 15, including Shona and Akrikaans. Most foreign captains, I think, would baulk at the idea. But, when I led India, I enjoyed it, I marvelled at the range of difference and the ability of people from so many different backgrounds to share a dressing room, to accept, accommodate and respect that difference. In a world growing more insular, that is a precious quality to acquire, because it stays for life and helps you understand people better, understand the significance of the other.”

I ask you, could a professional diplomat have said it any better? Perhaps not even Duleepsinhji, who was a cricketer and the Indian High Commissioner in Canberra once upon a time; one of my very distinguished predecessors, but one who played for England, a little before Independence.

In conclusion, we stand at an exciting time today, both in cricket and in India Australia relations. They are both in transition, on the way up.

Both our teams are in transition too, and this series will play a critical role in that transition.

India honours 14 of diaspora for enhancing its global image

President Pratibha Patil conferred the “Pravasi Bharatiya Samman” awards to 14 eminent overseas Indians, including Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, and a Canadabased institution, for their outstanding contributions in enhancing India’s image globally.

“Indian overseas community is not only large, but is becoming increasingly influential in the economic, professional and political fields in the country in which they are now living. We are proud of their accomplishments,” Patil said while addressing the valedictory function of the 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Jaipur.

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is the highest award conferred by the Indian government on Non-resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and institutions run by them for their contribution in serving the Indian diaspora and enhancing India’s image in different parts of the world.

Bissessar, a person of Indian origin who became the first female prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, is the most prominent among this year’s awardees. Congratulating Bissessar for her outstanding achievement, the president said the Indian community world-wide would applaud her achievements.

“I would like to congratulate all the winners... It is an extremely distinguished list and we are honoured by the presences of the awardees at this function,” Patil said after conferring the award.

The other Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awardees include: P.V Radhakrishna Pillai from Bahrain, Sachchidanand Sahai from Cambodia, Deepak Naraindas Shivdasani from Cote D’Ivoire, Victor Shahed Smetacek from Germany, Prakash Lohia, chairman of Indorama Corporation, Jose Parayanken from Mozambique, Kiran Navinchandra Asher from Oman, Hassan Abdulkarim Chougule from Qatar, S.R. Nathan from Singapore, Khorshed Noshir Ginwala Rustomjee from South Africa, Rajesh Kumar Saraiya from Ukraine, Surendra Kumar Kaushik from US and Kalpalatha Kummamuri Guntupalli from

The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce and Industry was also honoured for its contribution in bettering business and economic relations between the two countries.

So far, 133 NRI and PIOs and three institutions run by NRIs or persons of Indian origin have been conferred the

Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said the 10th edition of the annual diaspora meet saw the highest

Over 2,000 delegates from 59 countries participated at the three-day event. The closing day of the event marked the 97th anniversary of homecoming of Mahatma

The father of the nation had come back to India from South Africa Jan 9, 1915.

“Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a celebration of Indians living abroad. It is an occasion to welcome them to the land of their ancestors, to the country of their origin to interact with them and to reacquaint ourselves with each other,” the president

Overseas Indians welcome right to vote

Non-resident Indians have hailed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s announcement that the government would allow them to vote and participate in the election process, a long-standing demand

Inaugurating the annual diaspora conclave, the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, the prime minister said the government has issued notifications for registration of overseas electors under the Representation of People Act, 1950, to allow NRIs to vote in Indian elections.

“It was long overdue. I am very happy with the government’s decision,” said P.V. Pillai, a delegate from Dubai.

“I laud the government’s decision to grant voting rights to non-resident Indians. Though we are a small part and we cannot change anything by voting, but still I strongly feel that the right to vote is a basic right and it is a step in the right direction,” said Vasu Chanchlani from Canada.

Hiro N. Shivdasani from Ivory Coast said: “I am very happy with the decision. The Indian government has finally fulfilled its promise to Indian expatriates. It will give us an opportunity to participate in government formation.”

“I also request the government to allow dual citizenship. They should also do it soon,” he said.

However, there were a few who had apprehensions about the process.

Rajeev K. Jain, a US-based entrepreneur, said that how the NRIs will exercise the power to vote is still undecided.

“The Indian government should provide us clear guidelines on voting rights. I think that the process is still not clear. I strongly feel that the government should make it transparent and corruption free, the voting should be allowed electronically or through internet,” he said.

Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi had said that the objective was to further increase engagements with diaspora.

“Our objective is to raise the level of engagement to go beyond mere investment related issues and address a broader agenda,” he said in his address at the conclave recently.

Increase investment in India: Pranab urges diaspora

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee urged non-resident Indian (NRI) entrepreneurs to increase investment in India, saying the economic engagement of the diaspora was not been upto the potential so far. “We have not yet reaped the full benefits of India’s great diaspora. The most obvious area remains that of investment and entrepreneurship,” Mukherjee said while addressing the 10th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas annual diaspora meet in Jaipur between January 7-9.

The finance minister pointed out that flow of foreign direct investment in the countries like China had been mostly by the Chinese living overseas, while in case of India, it was not upto that level.

“I am aware that there have been large ticket investments by non-resident Indian entrepreneurs. But I think it is far less than the potential and perhaps too concentrated on the formal sector,” he said.

“Rather, we must pursue an alternative model. One that is more balanced and holistic in a socio-economic sense,” he added.

Mukherjee said the entrepreneurial skills of the Indian business community settled abroad were a matter of envy for other nations.

“Foreign firms are increasingly aware of the sharp business acumen of the Indian entrepreneur and managers. They have come to respect our business houses and practices,” he said.

The finance minister said India was emerging as a major player in global economic affairs and talents and entrepreneurship of its citizens were widely recognised.

“We are widely recognized as a major driver of global growth. India is a member of the G20 and, within the G20, it is considered a part of the systemically most important 7,” he said.

Mukherjee said migration of people should not be regarded as a “brain drain”.

“The movement of the diaspora is no longer unidirectional as it was in the past. What started as a brain drain, has now become a brain gain, not just for India but the world as a whole,” he said.

Almost 30 million Indian diaspora live in over 130 countries across the world. The finance minister said movement of people from India has helped in growth and development of the country.

“When in the 1970s a large number of highly qualified Indians were moving abroad, we were warned of the severe consequences of the brain drain. Contrary to conventional, and in hindsight myopic opinions, luckily we made no attempt to stop the flow. Today we are better off due to that,” he said.

Overseas Indian workers to get pension, life insurance

The Indian government launched a special pension and life insurance scheme that would benefit over 5 million unskilled and semi-skilled workers employed overseas mostly in Gulf countries on temporary contract visas.

The government has created a special fund called Pension and Life Insurance Fund which will be used to partly contribute to a pension and insurance cover to the low-paid workers, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said while launching the scheme recently in Jaipur.

The new scheme is launched on the occasion of the 10th annual diaspora meet, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

Almost 1,500 non-resident Indians and person of Indian origin from 54 countries have gathered on the occasion to discuss the issues concerning the overseas Indians and explore business opportunities here.

“The new scheme is entirely voluntary. It is only for those who want to take it,” Ravi said.

Under the scheme, the ministry of overseas Indian affairs will provide an annual co-contribution of up to Rs.3,000 for female workers and Rs.2,000 for male Indians working overseas.

Workers will be required to partly contribute for their pension and insurance cover.

Ravi said only those workers who take proper immigration clearance before going abroad would be covered under the scheme.

The scheme provides opportunity to low-paid workers to accumulate savings for resettlement when they return to India. It also provides life insurance cover for a specified period in case of natural death.

Unskilled and semi-skilled Indians employed mostly in Gulf countries on temporary contracts will benefit under the scheme.

Majority of workers in Gulf countries don’t get life insurance cover as under Islam, insurance against life is not allowed.

The union cabinet had given its approval to the new fund recently.

Space crunch keeps diaspora delegates out at PBD inaugural

A space crunch at the venue forced many delegates from abroad to miss Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s inaugural address at the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas in Jaipur, causing them deep disappointment.

The delegates were seen requesting police officials on duty at Birla Auditorium, the main venue of PBD, to let them enter and find a place to sit.

Over 1,700 delegates have registered for the Jan 7-9 event so far against a seating capacity of 1,200 at the Birla Auditorium.

“There were many delegates, around 200-250, who came to me and requested to let them inside the auditorium to attend the inaugural function. But we were not able to do so as the auditorium was full to capacity. We were helpless,” a junior police officer revealed, on condition of anonymity.

“I came here at 8.30 a.m. and was not able to find a seat. We had to stand outside. We were not able to watch the PM deliver the inaugural address. We came here to be part of this event, not to stand outside,” said H.R. Jangid, a delegate from Dubai.

Echoing similar views, Chandram Mookim from the US said the government should have organised the function at a bigger venue. “It does not make sense to come here and not attend the sessions or the inaugural address,” Mookim said.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, admitting space constraint and expressing his regret, said: “I am aware that there is limited space in the hall, which troubled some of the delegates. I assure you next time we will have these kind of events at much bigger venue.”

Investing in India tough, say NRIs

Many overseas Indians participating in the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas diaspora meet in Jaipur have complained that investing in the country was difficult due to lack of facilities and red tape.

Many delegates said that while the government promises all amenities to NRIs for investing in India, the implementation is lacking.

They added that permissions required to visit their home country are too complicated and need to be streamlined.

“The government has given us Overseas Indian Cards (OIC) but the process is very time consuming and too costly. If India wants to invite young entrepreneurs like me to invest here, then it should make things smoother and easier,” said Chandram Mookim, a US-based entrepreneur with business interests in India.

“It took me four months and $400 to get this OIC. Waiting for four months and sitting idle do not make any sense,” he added.

A.R. Jangid, who runs a furniture business in Dubai, said: “The Indian government should take up this card related issue seriously and resolve these as soon as possible if it wants us to be associated with the India growth story.”

“The government should make it less complicated,” he added.

Kamal Singh, a delegate from Canada, said: “Whenever I come to India, I face a problem at the time of departure. After staying in India for a few days, the authorities at Indian airports always ask me why did I stay in the country for so many days. There are lots of questions...it is my motherland and I should be allowed to stay here till the time I want.”

“You feel a complete stranger in your own country. We should be treated properly,” said Singh.

Lord Diljeet Singh from Britain said that getting a visa was a big problem.

“Some people who still do not have OIC or PIO (People of India Origin) cards apply for visas, but it is time consuming and cumbersome. Plus, people have complained to me the attitude at some of the embassies and high commissions is not appropriate, not polite. It should be improved,” he said.

Another delegate said that the process for clearing various projects should be made less complicated.

“Red-tapism is one of biggest problems for investment. Most of the time, bureaucrats run the show and they cause lot of hindrance in the clearance of projects in which NRIs want to invest,” he said, not wishing to be named.

Some NRIs also raised the issue of corruption.

“Corruption is everywhere. To get a project cleared, the investors have to bribe officials and politicians as a rule,” a delegate said.

Over 1,700 delegates from 65 countries took part in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

NRIs shop, soak in Rajasthani delights in Jaipur

Dal-bati-choorma, lak jewellery, bandhej textiles...Most overseas Indians participating in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) took time off from their busy schedule to shop, sightsee and soak in the rich culture of Rajasthan.

The state government spruced up Jaipur’s old city areas, known as the Walled City, for them. The pink-coloured buildings and shops sparkled with glittering lights and decorative items.

Many enthusiastic delegates, braving the winter cold, went for a ride of the Walled City after dinner at Sisodia Rani Garden.

“I really liked the rich heritage of the city. The Walled City is really beautiful. The outer part of the city has a sign of modern development, but the old city still has the old charm,” said A. Bhattacharya, a delegate from the US.

He said he was attracted the most to the small shops on both sides of the road in the Walled City selling traditional items.

The markets in Jaipur were crowded with delegates who were seen shopping. Traditional clothes and accessories, including lugadis, chunnis, bangles and handbags turned out to be a major draw.

“I’ve come with my family. So while I am attending the sessions here, my family is busy shopping. They bought lak bangles, bandhej and some jewellery,” said Mahaveer Singh from France.

Another delegate said apart from meeting businessmen from all over the world, getting an opportunity to observe Rajasthani culture had been a major advantage of his visit to Jaipur.

“I really enjoyed Rajasthani food like dal-bati-choorma, which I had at a place near the main bus station,” said Deepak Kumar from Canada.

However, he said, the traffic and encroachments seemed to be a major problem. “The authorities should do something about the traffic,” he said.

Rajasthan invites diaspora youth to come visiting

Youth from the Indian diaspora will be invited to visit Rajasthan and know the state better, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced recently.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 10th annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas diaspora meet here, Gehlot emphasized on the need for ensuring that the younger generation of the diaspora remained “connected” with India.

The chief minister stressed the need for regular interaction between the youth of the country and the youth of Indian origin living abroad.

He said that regular exchanges were necessary to connect the NRI youth with their motherland and to educate them about their heritage.

“It is with this objective that on this auspicious occasion, I declare Know Your Rajasthan Scheme,” Gehlot said.

Under this scheme every year 50 men in the age group of 18-28 years from the diaspora would be invited by the state government to visit and experience Rajasthan.

“Ninety percent of the cost of air fare will be borne by the Rajasthan government. Besides this, the expenses on their internal transport, boarding and lodging will also be borne by the Rajasthan government,” the chief minister said.

He said that the diaspora from Rajasthan was recognised for its entrepreneurship and hard work and had done the country proud. “The achievements of business houses like Birla, Bangur, Bajaj, Goenka, Singhania, Poddar and Mittal and others are well known,” said the chief minister.

Regional diaspora meet in Dubai this year: Ravi

The regional annual diaspora meet, the mini-Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, will be held in Dubai later this year, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said recently.

“I am happy to announce that the regional PBD for 2012 will be held in Dubai for the Gulf region,” Ravi said while addressing the valedictory function of the 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Jaipur.

Last year the regional diaspora meet took place in Toronto, Canada. It was organised by the overseas Indian affairs ministry in partnership with Indo Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

The Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been s one of the recipient of this year’s “Pravasi Bhartiya Samman” awards.

Ravi said the 10th edition of the annual diaspora meet saw the highest participation with over 2,000 delegates from 59 countries participating.

“This PBD also signals, a paradigm shift in the level, the range and the pace of our engagement. It is our conviction that the vast majority of overseas Indians have the ability and the willingness to partner in and benefit from India’s march towards progress and prosperity,” he said.

India, China reject confrontation, pitch for greater trust

Ahead of their boundary talks in midJanuary, India and China recently rejected an “adversarial relationship” amid recent irritants and called for greater all-round cooperation to scale up strategic trust that will enable them to shape the evolving international order.

In a bid to keep sensitive bilateral ties on an even keel, China’s Ambassador to India Zhang Yan acknowledged that there are “differences and challenges left over by history,” alluding to the decades-old boundary dispute, but pitched for greater trust and cooperation to resolve these issues.

Without naming anyone, the Chinese envoy said that “some are trying to create a wedge between the two countries” but asserted that “they will not succeed”.

The cooperation between India and China will benefit each other and the confrontation will hurt us, Zhang said.

Despite prophecies with evil intentions, India-China relations will take their own course and go where their national interests lie, the envoy said.

Underlining the need for “equilibrium” in relations between India and China, National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon pitched for a closer collaborative relationship so that the “potential for misunderstanding and miscalculation is limited.”

“It is in our mutual interest to work together, bilaterally and with other partners, to reduce uncertainty and create an international environment that is supportive to our domestic transformation efforts,” Menon said, speaking at a function organised by the Chinese embassy to celebrate an exhibition on the India-China Year of Exchanges in 2011.

“Relations between India and China and their new equilibrium hold an important key to the emerging economic and strategic landscape of Asia and, to a certain extent, the world,” Menon said.

“There is enough space for both India and China to realise their development aspirations,” he stressed.

Alluding to some “vocal experts” who argue that despite the numerous cooperative elements in our economic relations and approach to international issues, India and China are bound to be strategic adversaries, Menon said such determinism was “misplaced.”

“It ignores the successful experience and demonstrated expertise of both governments in managing differences and building on commonalities for over three decades and particularly since the Rajiv Gandhi visit to China in 1988,” he said.

“The issue is whether we can continue to manage the elements of competition within an agreed strategic framework which permits both of us to pursue our core interests. I see no reason why that should not be so,” he asserted.

Menon stressed that India and China will have “key roles to play in forging a new compact for common and collective security for Asia.”

Days before Menon will hold talks with Dai Bingguo, China’s special representative in New Delhi, likely Jan 16-17, to resolve the boundary dispute, he described it as “difficult issue” and stressed on efforts by both sides to keep the border peaceful.

“On the settlement itself, we are in the second stage of the three stage process of agreeing principles, a framework and finally a boundary line,” he said.

Menon’s comments came days after China recently denied visa to an Indian Air Force officer, who was to go as a member of the Indian military delegation to China, on grounds that he was from Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian northeastern state which is claimed by China.

This led to India scaling down its delegation from the original 30 to 15. The truncated military delegation has left for China.

To prevent this crucial relationship with China from skidding off the track, India went ahead with the annual defence dialogue in December 2011, despite the row over the Dalai Lama that led to the postponement of the boundary talks which were scheduled earlier in November.

Pranab launches web-based Tagore bibliography

A web-based bibliography of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s works was launched by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the capital New Delhi recently, to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the poet.

Apart from works by Tagore, literary criticism and other works on Tagore published in India or abroad have been included in the bibliography, the culture ministry said in a statement.

Speaking on the occasion, Mukherjee said: “The National Implementation Committee and the ministry of culture have undertaken several projects to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore.”

Mukherjee heads the committee set up to implement the programmes on the poet’s 150th birth anniversary.

“The projects focus on the multifaceted genius of Tagore, through cultural programmes, films, publications, workshops, research works, digitization programmes and seminars,” Mukherjee said. The compilation of the bibliography, a continuous process, has been taken up by the Raja Rammohun Roy Library in Kolkata.

“The work is a result of the compilation work supervised by Tagore experts and scholars, involving as many as 20 libraries across the country for titles. The result is that more than 9,000 books in 42 languages, both Indian and foreign, have been located so far. This is, indeed, the most comprehensive attempt undertaken for compiling the works by, and on Tagore, or, for that matter, any literary figure.

The bibliography is an endeavour to bring a ready reckoner to scholars and readers of Rabindranath Tagore,” he said.

Mukherjee said accessing a book on this web-bibliography has been made easy.

“A book can be located by its ‘Title’, ‘Author’, ‘Editor’ or ‘Genre’. A unique feature of the web-portal is its interactive character. Scholars and readers can interact with the site and provide supplementary information about respective publications. More titles will be added in the coming months and the portal is expected to become the most comprehensive web-portal on Tagore, attracting viewers from both India and abroad,” the finance minister said.

The Minister of Culture Kumari Selja was present on the occasion.

Research culture crying need of India: Kalam

Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam recetnly exhorted academic institutions and universities to foster research culture for finding innovative solutions to social problems.

“Applied and fundamental research is the crying need of the nation to foster research culture in our academia and universities for the basic needs of our growing population, especially, clean drinking water, food, healthcare, energy, housing, infrastructure and education,” Kalam said at an awards ceremony in Bangalore, the country’s tech hub.

Noting that the country would have to depend on technologies derived from Indian science to improve its innovativeness index, Kalam said the growth so far was achieved using technologies developed elsewhere and discoveries and patents generated over a decade ago.

“As latest technologies will not be available for us from developed countries at least for a decade, innovative research is very vital, particularly, in basic science to develop products and services required to meet global competitiveness by organisations, institutions and industry,” Kalam said, after presenting Infosys Prizes to six scientists.

He referring to the global innovation report for 2011, which ranked India 62 in the Global Innovation Index, while smaller countries such as Switzerland, Sweden, Singapore and Hong Kong among the top four countries.

“If India has to graduate from the present ranking in competitiveness index and become equal to economically developed nations (within the top 10), we have to depend on technologies derived from Indian science and improve its innovativeness index to better than five,” Kalam asserted.

The former president said when the entire planet was faced with the problem of climate change, there was a need for farmers, agricultural planners, educationists and researchers to intensify the quantum of organic farming.

Lauding the Infosys Science Foundation for instituting the six prizes in various research areas, Kalam said the government, industries, research laboratories and universities had to facilitate the award winners to participate in research.

The winners are Kanpur Genetic Algorithms Laboratory director Kalyanmoy Deb in category engineering and computer science, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology scientist Imran Siddiqi in life sciences, Stanford University professor Kannan Soundararajan in mathematical sciences and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) physics professor Sriram Ramaswamy. University of Chicago professor Raghuram G. Rajan and Centre for Policy Research chief executive Pratap Bhanu Mehta were awarded in social sciences (economics and political science and international relations).

Kalam honoured each of the winners with a prize money of Rs.50 lakh ($100,000), a 22-karat gold medallion and a citation.

Pedal your way to discovering the real India

Experience the real India on bicycle, with every spin of the wheel revealing a whole new world of adventure and mysticism. Pushing this philosophy and the accompanying thrill is a group of young men who have launched a novel bicycle-tour movement in India.

Pradeep Sharma and his two friends are engineers working for multi-national companies (MNCs) in Bangalore. But their quest for adventure and green concerns has driven them to launch cycle tours and encourage people to take to pedalling for fun.

Pradeep hails from Morena district of Madhya Pradesh, while his friends Pankaj Mangal and Gaurav Mehendiratta respectively are from Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Delhi. The three are aged 28 and studied together in an engineering college in Ahmedabad.

They use films, music, songs, poetry, painting, photography, creative writing, books and rides to popularise bicycle tours and have also started a store in BangaloreArt of Bicycle Trips.

The novel idea came to them during a cycle trip in July 2010. The trio went on a 120-km bicycle trip from Bangalore to a Cauvery fishing camp.

“After riding for around 60 km we sat under a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and started discussing our trip. We thought that for some bicycle is a utility and for others a revelation of human potential, but for us it was more of a new experience,” Sharma recalled.

“Through that experience, the idea of a bicycle movement and Art of Bicycle Trips emerged,” Sharma said recently from Bangalore.

“India’s beauty actually lies in its rural areas. And bicycle is the best medium to get connected with its nature and people, directly. So we offer a simple and unique way to experience the real India. Bicycling opens up a whole new world of adventure, freedom and mysticism on every spin,” Sharma said.

The firm designs unique bicycle trips from day-long tours of within a city to safaris to other states including Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh.

One day-long safari has been named after the 1970s Bollywood hit Sholay and is called Sholay Adventure. Under it, riders can tour the region where the blockbuster was shot.

“We have 15 bicycles specially designed for different tours. So far 70 to 80 groups (comprising 5-6 people) have taken our service, mostly foreigners. Among them only 10-15 groups were Indian but we hope the number will increase in future,” Mehendiratta said.

The ambitious trio plans to open branches in Bhopal and Indore in Madhya Pradesh. While Mangal looks after the strategy and planning, Sharma manages the finance and operations and Mehendiratta looks after overseas marketing. Sharma and Mehendiratta hold B.Tech degrees, while Mangal has also done his MBA.

“In foreign countries there are many organisations promoting bicycle tours. And some foreign tour operators offer such tours in India too, but no Indian organisation is involved in such activities,” said Sharma.

“We would like to spread out across the country and make it a true movement,” he said.

The packages range from three-hour tours to day-long tours and three-day corporate safaris. The rate is 20 dollars for a three-hour tour, and can go up to $2,000depending on the tour. Food and lodging are in the package.

Art of Bicycle Trips run a website www. artofbicycletrip.com. They also have a page on a social networking site.

Switch to olive oil for better health: Cookery expert Nita Mehta Indian households should completely switch to olive oil as a cooking medium as its nutritional value is very high, it is rich in monounsaturated ‘good’ fats and, when used daily, can bring instant and easy wellness to a family’s diet, celebrity chef and noted cookery expert Nita Mehta says.

“Even though we have such a wide range of olive oils in our market, people don’t seem to use them because of their mental block that the flavour of olive oil doesn’t gel with Indian flavors,” Mehta said recently in New Delhi at the launch of her latest book, Indian Cooking With Olive Oil

“This is, in fact, a misconception because there is a grade known as olive pomace oil which is neutral in taste and so does not affect the spices and flavouring that Indian cooking is all about,” she added.

“Moreover, olive pomace oil is resistant to heat for long periods of time, so this is the grade to use when we need to cook masalas for long as the other olive grades do not have a very high smoking point and so ‘break’ and ruin the taste of food. Olive pomace oil gels well with tandoori dishes as well as curries.

Paranthas and biryanis cooked in olive oil are mouth watering. Even frying in olive pomace oil gives crisp, non-oily food,” Mehta noted.

The book was jointly released by V.N. Dalmia, chairman of Dalmia Continental, which owns Leonardo Olive Oil, the No.1 brand of olive oil in India in the edible segment and Ugo Astuto, the Italian embassy’s deputy chief of mission.

Published by SNAB Publishers, the cookbook features many exciting recipes, from innovative Broccoli Peanut Kebabs to traditional Bhagaare Baingan, from healthy Zucchini Oat Crunches to the decadent Gulab Jamun, all made healthier with olive oil.

“Most recipes in this book use pomace but since contemporary Indian cooking has so many varied flavours and aromas, we can also use the intermediate grade of olive oil, called “pure olive oil”, for light sauteing. This gives a different dimension to the food,” Mehta said.

Olive oil is universally acknowledged as the healthiest cooking medium and, increasingly, Indian kitchens too are switching over completely to this medium.

“It’s high time this happened, since lifestyle disease in India is fast becoming a national emergency. India ranks No.1 in the world for number of cardiac patients. Thirtyone percent of urban Indians are either overweight or obese. One hundred million people in India have high blood pressure. Over 40 percent of urban Indians have high lipid levels. India is the diabetic capital of the world,” Dalmia noted.

“The greatest benefit of olive oil is that it fights coronary heart disease. Olive oil has the highest content of monounsaturated “good” fats (no less than 80 percent) amongst all edible oils, which reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides.

“At only 10 percent, it has amongst the lowest percentage of saturated ‘bad’ fats, which increase bad cholesterol. High MUFA content in olive oil has been found to prevent high cholesterol, fight heart disease, and help in the prevention of diabetes as well as cancer,” he added.

Mehta has published over 400 cookbooks and sold over 6 million copies, making her one of the largest selling cookbook authors in Asia. Her books have been bestsellers in countries all over the world and she has won several international awards, including the Best Asian Cookbook Award at the World Cookbook Fair in Paris in 1999 for her book Flavours of Indian Cooking.

Her chain of cooking institutes has now been running successfully for over 25 years and she will soon be unveiling a chain of restaurants under her banner.

Launched in 2003, Leonardo Olive Oil pioneered the use of olive oil for Indian cooking.