SALAAM BAHRAIN REPUBLIC DAY ISSUE 2025

BD 1.500

JANUARY 2025 - VOLUME 13, ISSUE 11

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DAY ISSUE LIC

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HM KING HAMAD HONOURS DR. RAVI PILLAI WITH MEDAL OF EFFICIENCY ON NATIONAL DAY

INDIAN SEMICONDUCTOR MAKER POLYMATECH PICK BAHRAIN BASE

Plan No. 274

ON THE OCCASION OF THE 76TH REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA

is proud to greet the Indian community and celebrate the friendship between India and the Kingdom of Bahrain

Eswara Rao Nandam, Polymatech Managing Director & CEO with H.E. Noor bint Ali AlKhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of Bahrain Economic Development Board at the Polymatech factory in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu. Also present was Ali Al Mudaifa, Chief Business Development Officer at Bahrain EDB

We stand for true transfer of technology and are the first company to manufacture semiconductors in the GCC region.

Together, let the people of India and Bahrain welcome the future and plan a glorious partnership that will celebrate our timeless bond of friendship and commercial co-operation.

Plot No. OZ 13, SIPCOT Hi-Tech SEZ, Oragadam Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu 602105, India

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HIGHLIGHTS January 2025 Celebrating Youth Power on Indian Republic Day

PRIDE OF COMMUNITY

HM KING HAMAD HONOURS DR. RAVI PILLAI The ‘Medal of Efficiency’ was presented to Dr. Pillai for his role in implementing one of the largest strategic development projects in the Kingdom’s history, which will add to its economic and social prosperity – the BAPCO Modernisation Project. We explore Dr. Pillai’s role in strengthening India-GCC bilateral relations and his community compassion.

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CUISINE

LIFESTYLE

SPORTING SPIRIT

Three stews to celebrate India’s dominance

Local resources to RE-SET YOUR

Exclusive insights from GRAND MASTER

LIFE WITH MEDITATION

SRINATH ON THE BOOMING INDIAN CHESS SCENE

of the TASTE ATLAS RANKINGS

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FASHION North-eastern fashion designers take

CATWALK

BY STORM

CELEBRATING BAHRAIN’S MARITIME HERITAGE

APM TERMINALS scripts KBSP success story Alliance sets sail with home-grown expertise

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INDIAN REPUBLIC DAY FOCUS

09 INDIA-BAHRAIN BUSINESS BOOST 14 BAHRAIN’S PBS WINNERS 29 YOUTH KI AWAAZ 39 JUBILEE NEWS 28 AMBASSADOR’S INTERVIEW

Youth Press Corps talk to Ambassador Jacob

Polymatech’s Bahrain base for semiconductor manufacture is a winner

How the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman changed the trajectory of service for Bahrain winners

Essays on India and youth power

Plus

The Indian School turns 75

u n Ja

y r a

86 CELEB CHAKKAR

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SALAAM SOCIETY

SalaamBahrain

Happy Republic Day Proud to celebrate the glory of India with you

Dr. Ravi Pillai

ACCOLADES

Dr. Ravi Pillai brings pride, honour to enduring India-Bahrain ties The only foreign businessman to be awarded Bahrain’s prestigious Medal of Efficiency for service to Bahrain, Dr. Pillai is a pillar of bilateral strength

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n December 19, 2024, as part of the historic 53rd National Day and the Silver Jubilee of King Hamad’s accession, commemorating 25 years of progress and development, His Majesty himself inaugurated the Bapco Modernisation Project (BMP), the largest strategic undertaking in the Kingdom’s history and a pivotal development in the energy sector.

The inauguration was also attended by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty’s Representative for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bapco Energies and the Board of Directors and top management of Bapco Energies and Bapco Refining.

HONOUR TO INDIA More than 18,000 people worked under the visionary leadership of Dr. Ravi Pillai on the BMP project which set many standards: notably the 100 million-plus safe manhours without lost-time injury which indicates a very high regard for worker well-being and an uncompromising care for worker safety; the on-time delivery of the state-of-the-art project which was designated the “Oil & Gas Project of the Year”.

It was therefore a matter of double pride for the Indian community when, on December 16, His Majesty King Hamad conferred upon Dr. Ravi Pillai the prestigious Medal of Efficiency (First Class).

In a royal proclamation, His Majesty the King stated, “We appreciate Dr. Ravi Pillai for his exceptional service and contributions to the Kingdom, and we are honored to present him with this distinguished award as a sign of our deep gratitude.”

In particular, His Majesty praised Dr. Pillai's dedication to the Kingdom’s prosperity and his unwavering commitment to excellence, which have been instrumental in shaping Bahrain's growth across multiple sectors.

Dr. Pillai is the only foreign businessman to receive this esteemed title from His Majesty the King.

CHAMPION OF GOODWILL Dr. Pillai's outstanding contributions span service to the Kingdom, particularly in the fields of refinery operations, as well as local community development, and the strengthening of Bahrain’s global position.

As always, Dr. Pillai placed the honour firmly in the hands of the leadership of Bahrain, saying that His Majesty’s vision 6

This landmark project, the largest capital investment in the history of the Kingdom of Bahrain, comprises of 15 sub-stations and 21 new processing units. It is a matter of pride to the entire Indian community that Dr. Ravi Pillai’s RP Group played a major role as part of the global consortium which executed the project.

SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

Medal of Efficiency 2024

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman 2008

and the Kingdom’s unique work-culture and ability to embrace all nationalities in a network of efficiency made such achievements possible. He thanked His Majesty the King and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister and HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bapco Energies for the opportunity accorded to RP Group in the BMP work. He also accepted the award in the name of his 150,000 -plus employees and their families.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this recognition from His Majesty the King of Bahrain.

This award is a reflection of the collective efforts of my team, the support of the people of Bahrain, and the unwavering trust of the Kingdom. I dedicate this recognition to Bahrain and its people,” he said.

He added, “This award is also dedicated to my over 150,000 dearest employees and their families, whose hard work, dedication, and commitment have played a pivotal role in all our achievements.

Additionally, I dedicate this honor to all the Indians, especially the expats in the Gulf region, whose Padma Shri 2010 contributions have been instrumental in the growth and prosperity of this region.”

Dr. Pillai’s tryst with destiny began in 1978, when, as an ambitious young man eager to build his own business, he reached Saudi Arabia, a land of opportunity. Starting with a small company of just over 50 employees, his commitment to quality and his far-sighted ability to scale up his company’s potential and take on important large projects made him a sought-after industrial construction giant.

BAHRAIN JOURNEY The RP Group entered Bahrain in 2008 when Dr. Pillai and Mrs. Gita Pillai ventured into the education sector with the renowned New Millennium School. True to his vision and commitment, NMS has been recently adjudged as ‘OUTSTANDING’ by the Bahrain Quality Authority (BQA), the only CBSE school in Bahrain to achieve this status. The group entered the construction field in Bahrain through its industrial construction arm NSH and GAC with the Alba Potline 6 project in 2017. This venture was one of the most prestigious projects undertaken in the Kingdom, marking the Group's commitment to contributing to the Kingdom’s growth. Going forward, RP Group also delivered other high-profile projects such as Banagas CGPA3 and the Aldur Power Plant Project.

A soft-spoken business genius with an acclaimed focus to shape the fortunes of all the communities where his work has a footprint, Dr. Ravi Pillai is also the recipient of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya 7

SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

Samman (2008) which is the highest civilian award presented by the Government of India to a non-resident Indian as well as the Padma Shri in 2010, one of the top civilian honours for all Indians.

These awards speak not just of his business success in India and around the world where the RP Group today dominates in areas as diverse as industrial construction, oil and gas industry’s specialized construction, hospitality, travel and tourism, education and healthcare to name a few. Rather, they are in recognition of his consistent commitment to every community that his employees and stakeholders are from – and that spans many countries.

Through his community-strengthening and his business success, Dr. Ravi Pillai stands as a stalwart and a bridge builder between the GCC and India, a powerful advocate of PM Modi’s West Asia policy and champion of bilateral ties.

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SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

REPUBLIC DAY SPECIAL INTERVIEW

AMBASSADOR VINOD JACOB MEETS STUDENT PRESS CORPS

W

hen you hear talk of the promise of India, the first mention is of the country’s youthful demographics – more than 65% of the 1.4 billion Indians are under 35 years of age.

But often, young people in their teens and twenties hardly get to have a say in shaping their world. In the Bahrain Indian community, we only see youngsters when they present music and dance events or participate in the many annual school and club ‘cultural fests’.

Indian Ambassador Vinod Jacob, himself one of the youngest diplomats to serve the community, had a plan to change that. Early in his term, the Ambassador instituted a practise of inviting schools to send batches of senior students on a tour of the embassy and interaction with officials, including himself, so that they would have more of a three-dimensional understanding of how the embassy connects with the community.

For this special Republic Day issue, we took up this idea and requested that the usual official interview be conducted by a Salaam Bahrain Junior Press Corps made up of four students nominated by four Indian schools in the Kingdom. To our delight, Ambassador Jacob was game to try the new format and our student interviewers vied to present questions which would not just tap the more serious aspects of India-Bahrain relations but also stuff that interested their age group.

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SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

The resulting interview was a sparky mix of interesting ideas exchanged and informal chatting and we believe that our youngsters got a real insight into how an articulate and focussed diplomat can serve the community and further bilateral ties.

P.S. The best part of the interaction took place when Ambassador Jacob and the students walked through the Kargil exhibition at the embassy and through the embassy garden. The mics were off and the mood casual – but the Ambassador spoke so passionately about the Indian valour which won the war, the diplomatic restraint that accompanied it and how it shaped his choice of a career in the foreign service, that it left the students spellbound.

(They also learnt a valuable journalistic lesson: that often, the best moments come unstructured and when the mic’s off!)

SALAAM BAHRAIN JUNIOR PRESS CORPS Student Shan Diamond Louis of The Indian School Bahrain

Student Mohammed Rakib of Ibn Al Hytham School

Student Thanishka Chakkarayan of New Indian School

Student Sagar Mohan Asnani of New Millennium School

Sagar Mohan Asnani (NMS School): Sir, as a UPSC aspirant myself, it was quite fascinating to know that you stood fifth in the All India Civil Services Examination.

Who inspired you to take up this journey and what were the challenges that you faced throughout?

AMBASSADOR: At the outset, let me wish you all the very best for your attempts at UPSC. I can tell you it’s a wonderful career, joining the government service. By the time you join the UPSC, the challenges of today will be long past, and the way in which diplomacy is conducted will be different. So first and foremost, I would advise you to look at the changes so that you are familiar with that because every exam has its own methodology of preparing for it. But I can tell you, there is not one single person who inspired me to join diplomacy, but rather, there was a specific instance or an incident which encouraged me to make the choice. That was the Kargil War. If you go back, it was fought and won under very difficult circumstances. And Indian diplomacy also played a very important role in supporting the Indian Army in this India war and ensure that Indian national security was protected. I was in college at the time preparing for the UPSC and that sort of clinched my decision to go into the foreign service and my choice of subjects also were similar to that.

Shan Diamond Louis (Indian School Bahrain): Your Excellency, do you believe that we young people have the power to shape relations between countries, Indian-Bahrain, for example, or are we pigeon-holed just as students who study, write a few exams, win a few medals, but do not have any significant impact in the larger picture? Do you believe or how can we Indian students contribute towards improving India’s relations with Bahrain, with the GCC and with the world?

AMBASSADOR: I think that’s a very useful question and dovetails entirely into the work - part of the work - that the embassy is doing. You must be aware that ever since I took charge here, I have been actively engaging with the schools. We started off with the Indian schools and now even Bahraini schools. We are engaging with them under what is called the Visit Embassy Programme, where groups of 15 to 20 students from each school, from grades 9 to 12, visit the embassy, have interactions with my colleagues who are dealing with various responsibilities in the embassy. They learn about the consular work, they learn about the outreach activities, and in the end of their two-and-a-half-hour stay, they spend around 45 minutes with me, talking about international relations, India-Bahrain bilateral relations. We have had, I think, 17 such visits till now.

I believe that students contribute to the future of the relationship. The whole idea behind the Visit Embassy Program is to prepare the ground for India-Bahrain relations to go to the next level in 10 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

the coming decades or so, because school students today are going to lead the India-Bahrain relationship 15-20 years down the line. And I hope that such an approach will be very useful to be applied in other countries and other continents as well.

This, I would say, is a direct way in which we are engaging the students. Apart from this, students have participated in various other initiatives of the Embassy of India.

Thanishka Chakkarayan: Your Excellency, as a civil officer, how do you think we can build diversity and inclusivity in public service? And, sir, what is your approach to this? And also, do you think our generation is in a better place to understand the importance of these essential qualities?

AMBASSADOR: One of the big advantages that I have as a representative of the Government of India, is that we have a very vibrant constitutional ethos, we have a very vibrant constitution, the constitutional provisions which deal with employment opportunities in the Government of India provide for these diversity and inclusivity initiatives that are there. This has been there since the adoption of the constitution in the 1950s and it has grown from strength to strength.

There are also many pronouncements of the Supreme Court of India, High Courts of India for improving this system and we are constantly fine-tuning it to make sure that every able and capable member of Indian society is able to contribute to public service to the extent that he or she wants.

Mohammed Rakib (Ibn Al Hytham School): Your Excellency, Artificial intelligence is becoming a big part of our lives. Is India ready for this new wave of technology?

How will it impact people-to-people relations on a global level?

AMBASSADOR: I think it’s a very pertinent question - India ticks the boxes in respect of both data as well as algorithms. When I was looking at the latest information in respect of our strength in this field, I was amazed by the progress that we have made. When we look at the data usage, it is 21.3 gigabyte per month per subscriber. That is one of the highest (rates of) data usage anywhere in the world. At the same time, the data tariff is amongst the lowest $0.16 per gigabyte. The speed is moderate. It is 100 Mbps - medium mobile broadband speed.

At this point of time, India is the second largest telecom base in the world, with 1.2 billion telecom subscribers, 960 million internet users, 940 million broadband users. And we are the second largest smartphone market in the world. Even in terms of 5G rollout, we are doing quite well. We have already covered more than 200,000 gram panchayat or village units. So, I think we’re doing quite well in respect to both data as well as algorithms. And I would put a lot of emphasis on the ability of Indians in the spheres of mathematics and logic, which naturally translates into certain specific advantages in areas such as artificial intelligence.

Sagar Mohan Asnani: Your Excellency, being a successful diplomat, what in your opinion is the most important, economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy or helping the community and why?

AMBASSADOR: I am very clear in my mind that the protection of the interests of the Indian diaspora, Indian community here is my most important responsibility and that is the mandate that has been given. There are other mandates as well which include economic diplomacy, people to people relations, science and technology cooperation, cultural diplomacy, political relations, but all of them are aimed at strengthening, protecting the interests of the Indian community.

In this regard I must place on record my gratitude to the leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain for their generous hospitality to the Indians here in all their initiatives, in their day to day life, in their work and in their various activities that they are undertaking. The leadership has protected the Indian community here, they have ensured that there is a spirit of cooperation and they have also been very kind in ensuring that the rule of law is applied in a non-discriminatory manner and it ensures that the interests of Indian citizens and Indian nationals are protected.

Mohammed Rakib: Your Excellency, what motivates you to learn new languages?

We believe that you are fluent in Mandarin, has it been advantageous to you in the era of Google Translator and many other AI apps - do you think it’s still important to learn languages?

AMBASSADOR: Yes, I think it’s important to learn new languages, and I think it’s important to learn new contemporary features. Language, is one which bridges both the traditional as well as the contemporary. The Mandarin language that I studied is very similar to the language that 11 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

I have been used to, which is Tamil. The reason why these two languages are similar is because they are very active and alive languages. They pick up new words, they adjust to the evolving contemporary usage. I do not think at the current stage at which we are, these AI tools or apps will replace these languages. AI tools may help us only to enable us to pick up basic sentences and structure and communicate more effectively. Let me give you an example, Chinese, for instance, has multiple tones, Vietnamese has much many more tones than Chinese, so an app that captures the precise tonal usage is still far in the future. You may be able to create an app which helps you maybe in the decades to come and then we may not need but you know the jury is out on that.

Shan Diamond Louis: Sir, how can we Indian students gain access to certain internships or mentorship programmes related to diplomacy or international relations in Bahrain?

AMBASSADOR: We have a programme for internships, but it is not a very active engagement that we think will yield results. The more active engagement is what we have seen in the case of the Visit Embassy programme because school students are able to have a real life experience, have conversations with my colleagues, go around the embassy to understand what the type of work is happening in the Indian embassy. I think the Visit Embassy programme more or less takes care of these requirements.

Mentorship is something that I am definitely open to. We can work out the way in which a mentorship program can be arranged and if there is interest from amongst the Indian students and Bahraini students, I’m willing to look at it.

Thanishka Chakkarayan (New Indian School): Your Excellency, in today’s rapidly changing global economy, fostering a spirit of creativity, problem solving and entrepreneurial thinking are essential for us young people. How can educational institutions in Bahrain and India collaborate to equip students with these essential skills for a paradigm shift from job ready youth to job providers?

AMBASSADOR: In my view, these qualities have to be provided by the schools themselves. It has to be provided by the environment in the schools, in the various interactions that they have amongst the teachers and the students and also through engagement between students of different schools among themselves and engagement with the industry bodies etc.

Now when you come to collaborations between schools from India and Bahrain, I am given to understand that there is already some sort of informal arrangements by which groups of school students do travel to India. On the government to government level, what we do is facilitate the visit of youth delegations. This is done by the Ministry of Youth Affairs in the Government of India. It is a very old programme which has been going on for many decades. We have arranged such programmes for Bahraini school students and Bahraini youth as well. We are open to newer methods of engagement through virtual interactions.

(For would-be entrepreneurs) There are a lot of Government of India programmes like Skill India. There are others for start-ups. There are facilities provided to come up with new solutions because the way the Government of India approaches this is to find out new solutions to new age challenges. These are essentially development challenges, empirical based solutions. The Government of India is always ready to share these with the Government of Bahrain. That is what we can do on the government to government level and I am open to collaboration with the Ministry of Youth of the Government of Bahrain.

Please watch this interview also on our Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels.

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Together We Celebrate the Spirit of India! iWorld Connect extends its warmest wishes to the Government of India, the Embassy of India in Bahrain, and the Indian community in Bahrain on the occasion of Indian Republic Day. May this day inspire progress, unity, and prosperity for all.

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BUSINESS NEWS

INDIAN SEMICONDUCTOR GIANT MAKES BAHRAIN GLOBAL ANCHOR Polymatech founder Eswara Rao Nandam has business vision as crystal-clear as his semiconductor chips – and says setting up base in Bahrain is his best idea.

BY MEERA RAVI

Eswara Rao says Polymatech is committed to PM Modi’s ‘Atmanirbhar’ policy for semiconductor manufacture and R&D

B

ahrain will soon anchor an ambitious plan by Indian IT tycoon Eswara Rao Nandam for global expansion of his semiconductor manufacturing business, Polymatech Electronics. In a deal inked in September 2024 and led by the Bahrain Economic Development Board, a facility named ‘Atri’ shall be set up in the Bahrain Industrial Area in Hidd and would play a critical role in producing essential 5G and 6G components to the world market. It marks Polymatech Electronic’s first step in expanding its global footprint.

Eswara Rao noted that Bahrain’s strategic location and easy access to regional markets align with the company’s global growth goals. He added that the new facility will meet growing international demand while contributing to innovation in Bahrain and the wider region.

During a visit to the Polymatech manufacturing hub in the SIPCOT Hi-Tech Special Economic Zone in the ancient temple town of Kancheepuram, I was excited to see semiconductor manufacturing machines packed in polyfilm and bearing the giant labels “Machines for Bahrain” on them.

I also met the company Founder CEO and Managing Director Eswar Rao Nandam and CFO, Manoj Kumar Bajaj.

Standing at the cutting edge of the opto-semiconductor chip manufacturing business, Nandam is a confident businessman, 14 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

“Bahrain has excellent pro-active approach to attracting FDI,” says Eswara Rao Nandam of Polymatech, seen here with Noor bint Ali AlKhulaif, Minister for Sustainable Development and CEO of the Bahrain Economic Development Board and Ali Al Mudaifa, EDB’s Chief Business Development Officer

driven by his vision for the future of the semiconductors industry. A graduate of BITS-Pilani, a premium Indian institute for engineering tech, he says his dreams are shaped by his business research (“Before setting up the semiconductor manufacturing business, I thoroughly scanned the data on imports – I embarked on the business when I saw that there was a huge demand for semiconductors but no local manufacturing” he told me) and by his belief in continuing R&D to maintain Polymatech’s superior lead.

A crore in hand..

The company primarily focuses on opto-semiconductors used in applications such as lighting, medical, and food sanitization. Polymatech’s business model leverages advanced compound semiconductor technologies to serve high-growth markets, including IoT. When I sat down to interview him, Eswara Rao Nandam handed me a cylindrical ingot of white opaque material, the size and shape of a coffee mug. As I cupped my hands around the surprisingly heavy item, he said, “What you are now holding is worth about Rupees 200 million (about BD 900,000) – it is the sapphire core manufactured by us for our semiconductors. This is sliced into thin wafer discs and the tiny semiconductor chips (measured in nanometers) are stamped on them and wired according to their use.” (*For clarity, a nanometer is a unit that equals one billionth of a meter.)

Eswara Rao believes that the Bahrain operation will be especially suited to his “fab(rication) to floor” vision for Polymatech – right from the manufacturing of the ingots which will provide the base for the semiconductors to final finished products.

“Our Bahrain operation is attractive because the Kingdom offers a continuous, uninterrupted power supply and the availability of certain gases essential for our processes, which ensures zero downtime in our operations. We are looking at an investment of about $100 million eventually, but in the first phase, we shall invest over $16 million in Bahrain. “Our focus in the Middle East is primarily on two areas: medical electronics and horticulture electronics. We will be manufacturing chips related to these segments. For medical electronics, we need to have production facilities in different regions, and Bahrain will serve as one of these locations.

The opto-semiconductors for the horticultural industry is a developing area which came into focus as countries sought food security in the pandemic times.

These enable the re-creation of the sun’s exact UV rays which enable growth of crops and can allow industrial quantities of crop harvesting in extremely controlled circumstances, protected from the GCC’s harsh temperatures and desert sun.”

He added, “This will be our first manufacturing unit outside For the Bahrain project, Polymatech plans to focus on horticultural and medical use India and we are excited at this semiconductors.

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BUSINESS NEWS

national-level collaboration which is truly an example of tech transfer.

Semiconductors are crucial in powering modern devices, from smartphones to electric vehicles and the new unit will position Bahrain as a key player in the global semiconductor value chain.”

Bahrain first Eswara Rao says he is very impressed with the proactive The entrance to the sprawling Polymatech factory in the special economic a p p ro a c h o f t h e B a h r a i n zone in the ancient temple town of Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu. government and the support of the EDB. Polymatech’s association with Bahrain was born from a visit to the Kancheepuram factory by Noor bint Ali AlKhulaif, Minister for Sustainable Development and CEO of the Bahrain Economic Development Board.

“We do have a trading office in the UAE but although the world talks of semiconductors being the future, nobody before this sought to partner with us in a manufacturing venture,” he said, “Moreover, the kind of single-window clearance channel that EDB offered us made Bahrain an easy place to start our first manufacturing unit outside India. After all, this move represents Polymatech’s first step in expanding its global presence, in line with its commitment to sustainable, research-led development.”

Bahrain sees Polymatech’s investment as a shot in the arm for the Kingdom’s efforts to develop a smart economy focused on digital transformation and advanced manufacturing. Minister Noor AlKhulaif said, “Polymatech’s decision to set up a semiconductor facility in Bahrain marks a milestone in our digital transformation journey and will drive innovation and technological progress across multiple sectors, significantly benefiting the national economy,” The industry is, of course, heavily computer and robotics-driven but Eswara Rao says the unit will be almost 90% Bahraini managed.

“We are a 21st century business and what we need is strong electronic engineering skills. I think Bahrainis are well-educated and have the qualifications to complement our needs,” he said.

A personal journey Easwara Rao Nandam’s personal entrepreneurial narrative speaks of managing opportunities, changing course with confidence and taking enormous calculated risks. With a sweep of his hand he indicated the SIPCOT industrial estate outside his office and said, “When we first started here in 2007, our plan was to manufacture keypads for mobile phones – NOKIA, Samsung, Motorola were all down the road so our market was practically at our doorstep. But then, the technology changed and smartphones no longer needed the external keypads. They were all inbuilt. We were left with the factory space – one by one, my partners withdrew and moved on to other projects. “ By then, Eswara Rao had been checking stats – he saw that the I.T. industry pretty much ran every process and that these needed semiconductors. There were no manufacturers of semiconductors in India then and import figures were huge. But when he put together a proposal for a semiconductor manufacturing unit, he recalls that banks and investors were cold to the idea.

“They did not believe that an Indian company or team could come up with a world-class semiconductor. Everybody I went to for finance first asked me where my technology was from?

Italy? Korea? Japan? When I said India, even government doors shut on me.”

Not one to give up, he says he sold or mortgaged all his property and started the manufacturing unit. His perseverance and emphasis on strict quality control paid off and soon Polymatech blossomed into a multi-million company.

“Today, the same banks which refused to lend me funding, come to my office to make business offers,” he smiled, “The government too is more supportive and the world has woken to the power of semiconductors to change the way we As is to be expected the making of semiconductor chips is a highly automated manage our lives. And Polymatech has firstprocess but still requires skilled electronics engineers. mover advantage.”

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Future integrated Going forward, Eswara Rao says the world will welcome even more semiconductor-enabled technology. Trends to watch for will be low-latency optical networks and 5G integration which will transform communication, ushering in high-speed wireless connectivity. These innovations bring forth increased efficiency, precision, and sustainability across industries. He said that Polymatech is incorporating advances in LiFi Technology which will be a paradigm shift in data transmission. Such a proactive approach to staying ahead of the curve is what India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscores in his ‘Atmanirbhar’ theme.

“Indeed, PM Modiji has made semiconductor manufacture front and Centre of the drive to a made-in-India I.T. wave,” Eswara Rao said, “And Polymatech is right at the forefront of the industry because we have effectively combined Indian and foreign R&D. We recently acquired US company, Nisene Technology Group and are setting up a joint venture with ECM in France for the production of silicon, silicon carbide, and sapphire ingots and wafers. I am proud of our Indian R&D capabilities and shall always put that in the Centre of our development.”

Ali Al Mudaifa, Chief Business Development Officer at Bahrain EDB, attributed the success of attracting such investments to the collaborative efforts of Team Bahrain, which brings together public and private sectors to maintain an attractive business environment. He emphasised that Bahrain’s strategic location and advanced regulatory framework make it competitive in the global market.

Eswara Rao’s Polymatech success story is a perfect blend of sci-fi, adventurous risk-taking and calculated research-driven action. It is a narrative we can all embrace for future growth and development, whether corporate or personal.

Polymatech’s ‘fab to floor’ approach In the words of Eswara Rao Nandam, “Within the semiconductor industry, there are four main verticals: producing ingots and wafers, building (manufacturing) semiconductors, packaging semiconductors, and the final products. Polymatech has the capability and capacity to handle each of these verticals.

For the first step, we will produce silicon, silicon carbide, and sapphire ingots and wafers. This technology is licensed through a partnership with ECM in France, where we are setting up a joint venture in Grenoble, along with a unit in India. For semiconductor manufacturing, we will utilize our recently acquired US company, Nisene Group, for production, with another plant planned in India.

As for packaging, we have been doing this for the past seven to eight years in Chennai, and will continue in Bahrain, the US, and the UK. Final products will be produced in Bahrain for medical and horticulture purposes, while other applications, like field-effect transistors and silicon-controlled rectifiers, will be manufactured in Singapore, US and India.”

Kuchipudi & Bharatanatyam debut performers shine Six talented disciples of Guru Chitralekha Ajith performed their Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi Arangetrams at the Indian Club, Bahrain . The Chief Guest of the event named Noopura Dwani 2024 was Shri Ravi Kumar Jain, Second Secretary of the Indian Embassy in Bahrain and Smt. Meera Ravi, Editor of Salaam Bahrain was the Guest of Honour. The event was attended by over 350 guests and marked the Kuchipudi Arangetram for Akanksha Shaji, Harshada Nair and Rhithvi Ramesh Rao and Bharatanatyam Arangetram for Avanthika Harikumar, Dhisha Dhinesh and Srinidhi Harihar.

Smt Chitralekha, a highly accomplished c l a s s i c a l d a n c e r, has dedicated over four decades to the world of dance. She has been teaching Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi for over 21 years while serving as a dedicated faculty at the Indian School Bahrain.

17 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

YOUNGISTAN

INDIASPEAK

Zahraa puts forward bilateral agenda

B

ahrain-India Society’s SecretaryGeneral, Zahraa Taher made a powerful presentation at The Kochi Dialogue 2025, a premier Track 1.5 diplomacy conference which saw government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and policy experts from India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations share ideas on one platform.

Organised by the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the mid-January dialogue focused on strengthening India-GCC relations under the theme “India’s Look West Policy in Action: People, Prosperity and Progress.” Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, made a special address in the forum highlighting the India-GCC cooperation as a catalyst of global peace, innovation and economic growth.

Representing Bahrain-India Society, Zahraa Taher, Managing Director of FinMark Communications and Secretary General of the Bahrain-India Society, spoke at the session titled “India & the GCC: Leveraging the Diaspora Connect.”

She highlighted the strategic significance of the Indian diaspora in enhancing trade, investment, and cultural ties between Bahrain and India. Speaking at the

session, she stressed the importance of the Indian diaspora in Bahrain’s economy, noting their contributions across finance, trade, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.

She called for stronger business networks and policy frameworks to ensure Bahrain remains a key hub for Indian businesses looking to expand in the GCC. The session, moderated by Ambassador Venu Rajamony, included senior figures from the Indian and GCC business and policy sectors, including Dr. Suresh Kumar, Joint Secretary (WANA), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India; Thaha Muhammed Abdul Kareem, President of IBPC Qatar; Ajith Kolassery, CEO, NORKA Roots; James Mathew, CEO & Managing Partner of UHY James; and Shihab Kottukad, a distinguished Indian social worker.

Commenting on her participation, Zahraa Taher stated, “Bahrain has long been a thriving center for the Indian diaspora, playing a pivotal role in business, trade, and cultural exchange.

Strengthening these connections through structured policies and initiatives can unlock new economic opportunities for both regions. Through dialogues like these, we can explore new opportunities to advance economic and cultural partnerships while fostering mutual growth and prosperity.”

The conference concluded with a special address by Vice Admiral V. Srinivas, AVSM, NM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, emphasizing the strategic importance of India-GCC partnerships.

The Chairman & Board of Directors of the

‫اﻟﺠﻤﻌﻴﺔ اﻟﺒﺤﺮﻳﻨﻴﺔ اﻟﻬﻨﺪﻳﺔ‬ Bahrain India Society extend warm greetings to all Indians and to Friends of India on the occasion of the

Indian Republic Day

For Membership Information, Please Call 3679 0785

18 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

INDIASPEAK

Indian tech and manufacturing will strengthen bilateral economic ties ABDUL RAHMAN JUMA Chairman, Bahrain-India Society

A

t the outset, let me wish all my Indian friends a Happy Republic Day and a wonderful and productive 2025. The concept of celebrating the creation of the Constitution of one’s nation which enshrines democratic values, is a great way to look forward to the journey of freedom and progress which India stands for.

We in the Bahrain India Society are very glad to note the quickening of economic and commercial ties between India and the Kingdom of Bahrain. An EDB report says that Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce lists close to 10,900 Indian companies and Indian joint ventures registered in Bahrain as of 2023 - that’s a growth of 62% since 2019. India is also Bahrain’s sixth-top investing country, with Indian FDI stock growing by 36.6% between 2019 and 2023, adding an average of USD 102 million each year and inward FDI stocks from India reaching USD 1.52 billion in 2023 and accounting for around 4% of Bahrain’s total FDI stock.

Now that Bahrain is pushing for a bigger slice of the ICT industry’s action, the news that Indian semiconductor chip manufacturer Polymatech will be setting up a factory to manufacture semiconductors in Bahrain is welcome news indeed. We already have many prominent Indian companies in Bahrain such as Tech Mahindra, Chemco, Electro Steel, Parle Biscuits, JBF Industries, Ultra Tech Cement, ICICI Bank, SBI Bank, and KIMS Health – as BIS underscores often through seminars and business meetings, it is a win-win formula because Bahrain is certainly business-friendly and Indian businesses can expand across the GCC and MENA region, using Bahrain as a base.

We are also glad that more and more Indian families are discovering the charms of Bahrain’s sunny beaches and unique culture as a backdrop for weddings – the arrival of the Big Indian Wedding to our shores has had a very positive impact on our tourism and on the image of Bahrain.

I urge the Indian business community to join hands with us and build a strong information channel for Bahraini as well as Indian businesses looking to invest in each other’s countries. We already have a long history of mutual admiration and friendship as well as close cultural and commercial ties – what better way to move into the second quarter of the 21st century than by strengthening this matrix of goodwill with even better economic relations?

19 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

CORPORATE INDIA NEWS

ICICI Bank is going places

New Bahrain HQ in Seef District Juffair service centre now at Oasis Mall

I

CICI Bank has relocated its Bahrain HQ to Seef District, moving its distinctive colours to an independent office building. The new branch is designed to provide improved convenience to customers with its convenient location, parking space and meeting rooms for customers. Further, it has a dedicated counter for the specially-abled customers.

The inauguration was presided over

by Vinod K. Jacob, Indian Ambassador to Bahrain and Mohamed A. Rahman Fakhro, Director- Retail Banking Supervision Directorate, Central Bank of Bahrain in the presence of Anil Dabke, Regional Head- West Asia and Africa, ICICI Bank and Raghvendra Shenoy, Country Head- Bahrain, ICICI Bank.

Speaking on the occasion, Anil Dabke said, "The new location of our branch at Seef District is strategically positioned to better serve our customers with enhanced accessibility and modern amenities.

We remain dedicated to continue providing a comprehensive range of banking solutions tailored to the needs of our customers. Our focus remains on

Indian Ambassador Vinod K. Jacob and Mohamed Fakhro, Director-Retail Banking Supervision Directorate, CBB, (second from left) and inaugurated ICICI Bank branch in Seef District, in the presence of senior officials of ICICI Bank.

ensuring that every interaction with us is efficient and supportive.”

The Seef branch remains open from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm from Sunday to Thursday as well as

Fatima A. Rahman, Head of the Retail Banking Supervision Directorate, Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), (centre) inaugurated the ICICI Bank service centre in Juffair district in the presence of Raghavendra Shenoy, Country Head- Bahrain, ICICI Bank (second from left).

20 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

on the first, third and fifth Saturdays of the month. It remains closed on Fridays.

The bank also relocated its Juffair service centre to Oasis Mall, with the intent of providing enhanced accessibility to customers across Manama due to its central location and availability of ample parking space.

The branch was inaugurated by Fatima A. Rahman, Head of the Retail Banking Supervision Directorate at the Central Bank of Bahrain, alongside Raghavendra Shenoy, Country Head- Bahrain, ICICI Bank.

At the inauguration ceremony, Shenoy said, "The new service centre of ICICI Bank at Oasis Mall is strategically located offering enhanced accessibility to the customers. The customers can now avail banking services conveniently during their busy schedules, while they visit the mall with their families. " The centre will continue to offer a comprehensive range of banking services, except for cash deposit and withdrawal. It will operate from Monday to Friday, from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., as well as on the first, third and fifth Saturdays of the month. It remains closed on Sundays.

MARITIME FOCUS

Managing our maritime pathways to the future We have a rich maritime history in the Kingdom of Bahrain, dating back to Dilmunic times when it served as a busy port for trade between distant points around the world. The fresh water springs, sheltered harbor, and abundance of dates and food made Bahrain a reliable stop for merchants.

As an island nation, we share an intrinsic bond with the sea. Bahrain was also a key migration center for people from Africa and the Indian subcontinent. The archway of Bab Al-Bahrain has witnessed many “Flying Ships” or seaplanes landing in its waters, with passengers disembarking, their eyes and hearts filled with dreams of success. As air travel became more common, passenger ships gradually diminished, leaving cargo as the primary maritime transport. Today, according to the International Maritime Organization, ninety percent of traded goods continue to be shipped by sea. Our strategic geographic location ensures that Bahrain’s ports play a vital role as a logistics hub.

In 1963, Mina Salman Port was inaugurated to meet the needs of our emerging modern nation. Nearly four decades later, the shipping industry underwent dramatic changes due to the growing size of vessels and the digitalization of marine communication, which enhanced safety and efficiency. By 2000, it became essential for Bahrain to develop a state-of-the-art port to meet these new requirements, leading to the establishment of Khalifa bin Salman Port (KBSP).

CAPT. MAHMOOD

Today, Bahrain has leveraged its ancient maritime heritage into a modern ports organization that accommodates some of the largest containers and serves as a safe harbor for cruise ships. It boasts a network of private and industrial jetties well-equipped to handle everything from luxury yachts to fishing vessels, and even passenger services to tourism destinations like the Hawar Islands.

The Ports & Maritime Affairs (PMA) is the modern face of Bahrain’s maritime operations, functioning under the Ministry of Transportation & Telecommunications.

It plays a pivotal role in regulating, developing, and promoting the ports and maritime industry, focusing on delivering state-of-the-art facilities, services, and operations that meet international standards.

However, maritime activities are not without risks. The dangers of accidents at sea and piracy loom large. We maintain a strong Coast Guard, and in addressing international threats, we collaborate with the Combined Task Force alongside other friendly nations to combat crimes at sea.

In this issue, we are pleased to take an insightful look at the KBSP, operated by global logistics and ports giant APM Terminals, and explore how the company has placed Bahrain’s National Vision 2030 at the forefront of its development of this multi-purpose port. We are also immensely proud of our home-grown smaller shipping companies, which play a vital role in our economic growth. One of them, Alliance Maritime, is featured in these pages as well.

As Bahrain develops its potential as a water sports tourism destination, we are sure to witness the rise of pleasure and leisure crafts, alongside the establishment of berthing and care facilities for them. The PMA will undoubtedly monitor these requirements, ensuring that our maritime history continues to sail into the future, navigating the seas of prosperity and progress.

CAPTAIN MAHMOOD AL MAHMOOD

21 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

MARITIME FOCUS

APM TERMINALS BAHRAIN: A 15-YEAR MILESTONE

BY MEERA RAVI

A In 2024, APM Terminals completed 15 years of service to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

s Bahrain marks the sixtieth year of the establishment of Mina Salman Port which was the first modern commercial port built for the Kingdom’s maritime commercial needs, it seems natural to look at the development of another port which was built to enhance facilities and logistics in the 21st century – the Khalifa bin Salman Port (KBSP) in Hidd. Operated by APM Terminals, a global leader and a part of A.P.Moller-Maersk, APM Terminals has been operating advanced ports and container terminals for over half a century (as an independent division since January 2001). Now, with 60+ strategically located ports and container terminals around the globe and several more in development we are lifting the standard of efficiency, responsibility, connectivity and proactivity in our industry.

Managing one of the few multi-purpose ports in the region, APM Terminals Bahrain provides a wide range of services at KBSP, through Container Terminal activities, General Cargo, RoRo, Cruise and related port services. The company serves shipping line and landside customers, seamlessly integrating land and sea to ensure supply chains are safe and undisrupted. APM Terminals Bahrain also offers a whole range of Value Added Services, that have been built around customer needs. The objective is to ensure that customers receive a seamless experience by reducing complexity for them when purchasing different services in the market.

In 2024, APM Terminals completed 15 years of service to the Kingdom of Bahrain. As it steps into its sixteenth year, Salaam Bahrain spoke to Managing Director, Matthew Luckhurst about the company’s growth and operations and its future plans. Luckhurst brings vast experience and expertise to his role, having worked in ports across the region – in Qatar and Saudi Arabia and also Mauritius, East Africa, Kenya, Indonesia, Korea and Japan.

a

SB: As APM Terminals reaches its 15-year mark, how do you feel it has shaped modern port facilities in Bahrain? What has APM Terminals’ contribution been to the development of Bahrain as a logistics hub in the Northern Gulf?

MATTHEW LUCKHURST: Since commencing operations at Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) in 2009, APM Terminals Bahrain has contributed significantly to modernising Bahrain’s port

22 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

Matthew Luckhurst

Shaping Bahrain’s commercial maritime and logistics role in the region, international terminals management company APM Terminals has contributed richly towards the National Vision 2030 goals

infrastructure. The port spans 900,000m2 and features a 1,800-metre quay, including a 900-metre container terminal, equipped with four 61-metre Post-Panamax cranes, facilitating the handling of large container vessels. This modernisation has enhanced Bahrain’s connectivity, enabling efficient trade routes across the Northern Gulf and establishing the Kingdom as a pivotal logistics hub in the region.

a

SB: How do you see APM Terminals aligning with Bahrain’s Vision 2030 development goals?

ML: APM Terminals Bahrain is committed to Bahrain’s Vision 2030, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and economic diversification. A notable initiative is the solar power project launched in 2023, representing an investment of approximately BHD 3.8 million (USD 10 million) and aimed at making KBSP energy self-sufficient by 2025. This innovative initiative is a cornerstone of APM Terminals’ wider efforts to reduce its environmental impact and is in line with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for a more prosperous and sustainable Bahrain and follows the carbon-neutral commitment made by Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to reduce the kingdom’s emissions by 30% by 2035 and achieve net zero by 2060 23 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

MARITIME FOCUS

APM Terminals Bahrain is committed to Bahrain’s Vision 2030, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and economic diversification.

This project, which involves the installation of over 25,000 photovoltaic solar panels across 71,000 square meters, will generate 18.6 Gigawatts of electricity annually. It is expected to reduce the port’s carbon emissions by 65%, aligning with the Kingdom’s sustainable development goals. It will also secure a reliable and sustainable source of energy, effectively making Khalifa Bin Salman Port the region’s first fully energysufficient seaport.

By the end of the project, APM Terminals will have installed 20,000 solar photovoltaic panels capable of generating 18.6 Gigawatts of electricity per year. This renewable energy source will produce clean and sustainable energy for powering various port operations, including container handling, crane operations, and lighting, setting an example for the entire maritime industry.

We are incredibly proud to lead the region in sustainable port operations. These efforts have propelled APM Terminals Bahrain to prestigious recognition - in 2024, we were named one of the top 10 companies in the transport and logistics sector on the prestigious 2024 Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders list.

With zero Lost Time Injury (LTI) incidents and two zones already completed, the project has received multiple awards and demonstrates the company’s commitment to safety, innovation, and environmental responsibility.

The project is part of APM Terminals’ global decarbonisation plans, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2040.

a

SB: Under APM Terminals’ management, the Khalifa Bin Salman Port has emerged as the only general commercial port facility in Bahrain. What has been the growth of KBSP over the past 5 years?

ML: Over the past five years, KBSP has demonstrated consistent growth in container throughput. For instance, in 2020, the port handled 464,010 TEUs, marking an increase from 418,973 TEUs in 2019. This upward trend underscores KBSP’s role in enhancing Bahrain’s trade capacity and its strategic importance in regional logistics.

a

SB: How did the pandemic affect maritime operations at KBSP, and how did APM structure the bounceback?

ML: The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges, including disruptions in global supply chains and fluctuating trade volumes. Despite these obstacles, KBSP maintained uninterrupted operations, ensuring the flow of essential goods into Bahrain. APM Terminals

24 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

Bahrain implemented stringent health and safety protocols and accelerated digital initiatives to minimise physical interactions, facilitating a resilient and efficient response to the crisis.

a

SB: In the coming years, AI will play a huge role in managing maritime operations in this region. How is APM preparing for the challenge of AI in the workplace?

ML: APM Terminals Bahrain recognises the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in maritime operations.

The company is investing in AI-driven predictive maintenance systems to enhance equipment reliability and operational efficiency. Furthermore, comprehensive training programmes are being implemented to equip employees with the necessary skills to effectively collaborate with advanced technologies, ensuring a harmonious integration of AI into the workplace.

a

SB: Please tell us about your employees – how many there are, how many nationalities they represent, and the training and career development opportunities for Bahrainis in the global APM network.

ML: APM Terminals Bahrain prides itself on a diverse workforce comprising over 400 employees from more than 15 nationalities. The company places a strong emphasis on the development of Bahraini nationals, offering tailored training programmes, leadership development initiatives, and opportunities for international assignments within the global APM network. This commitment not only enhances individual career growth but also contributes to the broader economic development of Bahrain.

Globally, we are committed to building a strong rapport with the local community which our stakeholders – employees and customers – are a part of. In Bahrain, since 2021 and in line with our efforts to support Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and the national employment programme for Bahrainis in private and public sectors, APM Terminals Bahrain, with the support of the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications (MTT) has run a twoyear programme Be‫ﻛﻦ‬, that aims to a twoyear programme that aims to support the training of potential logistics leaders into the market and bring maritime expertise to the new generation.

The two-year programme seeks to increase employment opportunities for Bahrainis, by providing them with an opportunity to be part of KBSP’s success story of transforming the nation’s maritime and logistics sector and contributing to Bahrain’s economic development. So far, it has proved inspiring to see how many Bahrainis have come to the front and who are the next cohort of maritime and logistics professionals in the Kingdom and region.

25 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

The company is investing in AI-driven predictive maintenance systems to enhance equipment reliability and operational efficiency.

MARITIME FOCUS

NAVIGATING A DECADE OF EXCELLENCE A Bahrain shipping company, Alliance Maritime Co. w.l.l. brings a collective expertise of over a century to its customers.

BY HINA ASAR

W

hen S. Sankaranarayan and Santosh Jagasia got together in November 2014 to set up a maritime company, they had a very clear vision in their mind - to leverage their collective experience in the maritime industry to provide comprehensive shipping and logistics solutions under one roof at an extremely cost-effective rate. This vision led to the birth of Alliance Maritime Company - an alliance of three seasoned professionals at the helm, with a combined work experience of more than 5 decades.

Sankaranarayan recalled that there were no apprehensions and anxiety about how the company would fare.

“We were confident that our combined expertise would make this a successful venture. Ofcourse there were challenges in the initial stages. We put in a lot of effort as all the facets of the business, like sales, payments, accounting etc. were looked after by just the three of us.

Over the years, we have been blessed with dedicated staff members, each of

whom has a minimum of 10 years of experience under his belt”.

CHALLENGES ACCEPTED What began as an ambitious entrepreneurial venture is now a resilient and reliable maritime solutions provider.

Santosh Jagasia commented, “We work on the premise that to achieve customer satisfaction, no distance is too remote and no cargo is too challenging. The mode of transport is also selected based on the best interests of the client, be it by road, sea or air. We also provide professional packing of personal effects and door to door relocation services”.

Bahrain being an island nation has a rich and thriving marthreeitime history spanning centuries. The Mina Salman Port, which was officially opened in 1962, served as Bahrain’s primary cargo port and played a crucial role in the economic development of the Kingdom. With the opening of the Khalifa bin Salman Port in 2009, most of the commercial operations were transferred here and it 26 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

is now a major trans-shipment hub in the region. Sankaranarayan reminisced on how the port operations had evolved over the years. “Earlier, cargo handling was a labour-intensive manual process.

Vessels docking at the port used to stay for at least 8-10 days. With the introduction of mechanical cranes and development of containerisation, breakbulk loading has been introduced and now vessels come and go within a few hours. Technology like GPS is used to track local transportation while ships are equipped with satellite navigation.

AI applications are beneficial in supply chain management”.

PROACTIVE ROLE Queried about the impact of geopolitical challenges and war-time pressures on the shipping industry, Santosh stated, “Incidents which occur at sea, like oil spills or accidents are handled by the Naval Joint Command.

Shipping companies have no role to play here. Having said that, such incidents do

The Bahrain Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) has been in existence since the early 90s and was officially registered in 2016. Sankaranarayan, who is actively involved in the association noted, “The purpose of the Association is to interact with the authorities as a collective team on behalf of the shipping industry.

The Association aims to nurture the highest quality of service to the maritime industry through training and development initiatives for the benefit of the members”.

impact the industry and we have to be proactive to ensure minimal disruption.

Even during war-like scenarios, we went out of the way to ensure that our clients were not inconvenienced.

Competitive market forces are also something we take account of. Initially, our competitors were local agents acting as representatives of the MLOs. Over the

past few years, MLOs have established their own local offices and initiated direct contact with clients. On the other hand, former MLO representatives have also transitioned into independent operators.

To differentiate oneself in a crowded market, our motto has always been to honour the commitments we have made to our clients, whatever the situation.

Luckily, we have been blessed with a very supportive international network, and it is a great help when things get tough”.

As Alliance Maritime celebrates a decade of growth, the two professionals who started it are already charting the path ahead for achieving new milestones in the coming years.

Alliance Maritime Company WLL Celebrates 10 Successful Years of Service to the Kingdom of Bahrain d We are Freight Forwarding,

Logistics Experts & Offer Shipping Agency Services also to handle all your industry needs. d We offer total supply chain and costeffective solutions. d Our global network of associates and partner companies make us efficient and effective. d Our Speciality: the Oil & Gas Industry, Petrochem Industry, Telecoms Industry. d We also have a great track record in moving personal effects with care and speed.

Office 128, Building 322, Road 1910, Block 319, Off Exhibition Road Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain T : +973 13300800 D F : +973 13300399 www.alliancemaritime.net

27 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

ANNIVERSARY

COMMUNITY NEWS

ISB turns 75 Grand celebrations planned throughout the year

O

ne of the region’s largest community schools has turned platinum! The Indian School Bahrain’s Chairman Adv. Binu Mannil Varughese announced grand plans for the school’s sparkling 75th Anniversary Year stuffed with activities that will bring the school community, former and current students and faculty and the whole stakeholder group together in celebration.

At a colourful inaugural ceremony, the school unveiled the Platinum Jubilee Logo which will be the guiding light in the months ahead.

“The school’s historic milestone is a testament to the dedication of our founders, the hard work of our educators, and the unwavering support of parents

and the community,” Chairman Binu Varughese said, “The platinum jubilee celebrations are being organised by committees led by former chairman Prince S Natarajan and community leader Muhammed Hussain Malim who are working in close collaboration with the school’s leadership to ensure this milestone year is celebrated with grandeur, while upholding the values of unity, diversity, and excellence.”

He praised the efforts of the founding parents and their foresight, pointing out that the local school had blossomed into a hub of academic excellence and students had brought pride to the school in different careers and parts of the world.

“On the auspicious occasion of India’s Republic Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all. Just like our India, the school too has a student body past and present, which represents a rich diversity. Our students are not only academically successful but also deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of India, contributing to the diverse fabric of Bahrain,” he said.

The celebrations will be marked by a series of exciting events, each designed to honour the ISB’s history and its impact on the community. Throughout the year, a range of community events, including sports competitions, quiz contests, and a cultural fair, will engage students, teachers, and parents alike.

SALAAM SOCIETY

Bangladesh Festival success at LuLu A

s part of it ongoing celebration of the Golden Jubilee of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Bahrain, a grand Bangladesh Festival was organised at the LuLu Hypermarket in Dana Mall. The festival was organised under the careful supervision of Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy, Mr. A.K.M. Mohiuddin Kayes. It brought alive the culture and cuisine of Bahgladesh with cultural shows, beautifully curated specialty fabrics and sale of food items and sweets unique to Bangladesh.

The three-day event attracted many guests and offered a new perspective on Bangladeshi culture.

28 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

PRAVASI BHARATIYA SAMMAN

A SNAPSHOT OF BAHRAIN RECIPIENTS The January PBD is a jamboree for Indians and persons of Indian origin abroad and there is no equivalent managed by other countries to reconnect with their diaspora. And the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is the highest honour awarded to persons of the diaspora. We talk to the six Bahrain recipients of this award on how it influenced their lives and work.

IN CONVERSATION WITH MEERA RAVI & HINA ASAR

I

n the bright winter of the first week of January, India celebrates a modern historic milestone: the return of its best-known Pravasi from foreign shores to the Motherland – Mohandas K. Gandhi’s return to India on board the S.S. Arabia. The ship docked at Apollo Bunder, Mumbai on 9 January, 1915 and Gandhi was immediately swept into the Indian freedom struggle – and the rest, as the cliché goes, is history.

Since 2003, India has marked the return of the son who went on to become the Father of the Nation, with a thoughtfully designed platform called the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas where people of Indian origin from all over the world gather in India to network, assess their contribution to the Mother Country and build new bridges of emotional and material support with the land and its people.

One component of the PBD as it is called, is the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (PBS). Instituted in 2003 as an equivalent to the Padma Shri, it is one of the highest honours conferred by the Government of India upon non-resident Indians and individuals of Indian origin who have made significant contributions to the development of India and the Indian diaspora across the world. It recognizes the achievements of overseas Indians who have excelled in their respective fields, from business and science to culture, social work and public service.

Bahrain has the distinct honour of having six PBS Awardees nominated for their work that has raised the bar for the diaspora, not just in Bahrain but across the region.

29 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Dr. Ravi Pillai, the business tycoon and philanthropist made the diaspora proud recently when he was chosen for the prestigious Medal of Excellence awarded by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain. He has always been a moving force in community support – whether it is funds for building the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam Diamond Jubilee Hall or years of support to the cultural movement of the Soorya Bahrain Chapter and unannounced charitable donations to various causes.

Soman Baby, the well-known journalist who used the power of his pen to highlight the conditions of people and channel justice, support and even finances to them in their hour of need. He also was a moving force in the movement to raise funds and help mobilise support for the BKS Hall. Accessible and always ready to help, Soman’s sphere of influence extends beyond Bahrain’s shores and he is truly an international Indian, warmly liked across borders.

P. V. Radhakrishnan Pillai is recognised as an innovative crusader for promoting India’s soft power through culture and a committed community leader. Whether helming the oldest Indian social institution, the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam as its President or earlier, the venerable Indian School Bahrain as its Chairman, Radhakrishnan has won the reputation as the go-to person when people need to harness community resources.

Dr. Varghese Kurien is a noted business leader. The vast VKL & Al Namal Group which he heads, is one of the top investors and developers of Bahrain’s growing realty sector. Dr. Kurien is wellknown for his very effective gestures of charity, be it organising hundreds of homes for the very poor back in Kerala or mass weddings for young men and women from low-income families and even emergency medical aid for those in need about it.

V.K. Rajasekharan Pillai is a soft-spoken businessman who is well-known for channeling his considerable reservoir of goodwill and vast network of top-level contacts for the community’s good. He is also a firm advocate of more business support for Indian companies doing business in the GCC and speaks often to decision-makers like diplomats and Indian and Bahraini officials Babu Rajan’s story of success is an inspiring record of hard work and daring engineering innovation. Again, he is known for his strong commitment to supporting every section of the community and reaching out across religious boundaries to build a cohesiveness into the diaspora. Whether it is helping a small temple in Bahrain to build its premises or supporting the visit of former President Ram Nath Kovind or taking Bahrain’s message of peace and tolerance to His Holiness Pope Francis, he makes it his duty to build an infrastructure of prosperity and oneness.

As we celebrate the 76th Republic Day of India this year, let’s take a look how the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman amplified the work and influence of these six Bahrain awardees and how they have used the award to expand the scope of their community work – in their own words.

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SOMAN BABY Year of the Award - 2009 Category - Social Contributions

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he Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has provided an exceptional opportunity to unite NRIs from across the globe on a shared platform - to connect and engage with fellow compatriots from various corners of the world, fostering camaraderie and collaboration.

Upon receiving the award, I became acutely aware of the heightened responsibility I hold toward the welfare of the Indian community. My immediate reaction was one of deep gratitude to God for presenting me with this opportunity to make a meaningful difference. The prestigious award was not only a personal accolade, it also amplified my individual assistance to a more structured avenue for supporting the community. I am hopeful of igniting the spark of social service in the hearts of young Indians too. While currently no dedicated youth category exists, introducing it would undoubtedly enrich the overall ecosystem of participation and engagement.

I am very proud to be an Indian, as well as a part of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Royal Family and the people of Bahrain have great respect for Indians. I have accompanied the Late Amir, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on their respective visits to India. My book ‘Shukran Bahrain’ was released by HRH Shaikh Salman in New Delhi at the opening of Bahrain’s Embassy.

HM King Hamad graciously received my daughter Nisha after I showed him a picture of her holding a Bahrain flag at an event in her university in the US.

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AWARDS & ACCOLADES

P.V. RADHAKRISHNA PILLAI Year of the Award - 2012 Category - Social Service

T

he Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (PBS) Award, being the highest honour conferred by the President of India on an NRI/PIO, brings with it an enhanced sense of self-esteem and a self-imposed responsibility to serve the community better. I firmly believe that a PBS Awardee should stand out by demonstrating exceptional commitment to addressing social needs.

It is a rare and unique honour for the Bahrain Kerala Samajam (BKS) that all six PBS Awardees from Bahrain are its esteemed members – a distinction no other entity or organization in the world can claim. Little wonder that the BKS is seen as one of the largest and most vibrant organisations in the region. The personal dynamism and the prestige of these Bahrain-based PBS Awardees has certainly shaped the outreach of the BKS and lent credibility to our work. For instance, anyone documenting the challenges faced by the Indian community in Bahrain during the Covid -19 pandemic cannot overlook the pivotal role played

by BKS, for which I served as President.

The distribution of thousands of food kits, the operation of 30 chartered flights and the provision of financial relief to families who lost loved ones during the pandemic were made possible due to the unwavering support of the community.

The full credit for the social work done by the BKS, and the recognition received by its’ members, should be attributed to the wise leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The spirit of tolerance, pluralism and peaceful coexistence prevailing in Bahrain has enabled Indians and their associations to demonstrate an exceptional level of dynamism in rising to the challenges faced by the community.

And that is what the PBS Awards recognise.

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DR.VARGHESE KURIEN Year of the Award - 2014 Category - Business

T

his prestigious recognition holds immense significance for me as it celebrates the contributions of the Indian diaspora in strengthening India’s ties with the world. For me, it was not just an individual achievement but a reminder of the responsibility to uphold and promote the values that connect India and Bahrain. It inspired me to dedicate myself with even greater passion to fostering economic, cultural, and social ties, while encouraging the younger generation to aim high and give back to their community.

Bahrain and India share a long-standing relationship built on mutual respect and shared economic goals. I believe these ties can be further strengthened by focusing on emerging sectors like renewable energy, technology, and healthcare. Leveraging India’s pool of skilled professionals and Bahrain’s strategic position as a gateway to the Gulf region can create synergies in trade and investments.

At Al Namal Group, we are actively exploring opportunities in education and renewable energy. The potential we see for collaborative growth is immense. Both nations must continue fostering innovation, facilitating bilateral trade agreements, and encouraging entrepreneurship to realize this vision. As a leader in the business community, I have always believed that businesses can serve as powerful bridges between cultures and economies. Our diverse portfolio at Al Namal Group has not only created avenues for collaboration but also provided employment opportunities for Bahraini nationals and expatriates alike, fostering cultural integration within our workforce.

Looking ahead, I see tremendous opportunities for Indian businesses in Bahrain, particularly in sectors like technology, renewable energy, education, and healthcare. By leveraging Bahrain’s investor-friendly policies and India’s expertise in innovation, Indian businesses can position themselves as key players in the Gulf region.”

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AWARDS & ACCOLADES

RAJASEKHARAN PILLAI V.K. Year of the Award - 2017 Category - Business and Fostering the Interests of Overseas Indians

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eceiving this prestigious recognition has been truly transformative for my role within the community. As the highest civilian honour bestowed by the Indian government, it carries immense weight and significance. This honour not only acknowledges past contributions but also serves as a powerful motivator to further increase my efforts in supporting and uplifting our community.

I firmly believe that Indian diaspora leaders have a crucial role to play in community outreach and support. Our position of influence comes with a responsibility to actively engage with community members across all socio-economic levels, identify and address key challenges faced by the diaspora, facilitate programs that enhance the overall well-being of our community and serve as a bridge between the diaspora and local authorities or institutions.

By increasing our involvement, we can create a more cohesive, supportive, and thriving Indian community abroad.

Indian companies have played a pivotal role in elevating professional standards within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region by introducing innovative management practices, bringing technical expertise across various sectors and fostering a culture of learning and development. Navigating local rules and business practices and competing with wellestablished international firms is a challenge but having said that, there are myriad opportunities too. Indian companies can leverage their technological advancements and expand into emerging sectors. The Kingdom of Bahrain has been exceptionally welcoming to Indians, who play a vital and multifaceted role in Bahrain’s economy.

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K.G. Babu Rajan Year of the Award - 2021 Category - Business & Fostering the Interests of Overseas Indians

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have always taken my commitment to the community as seriously as I have worked for excellence and raising professionalism in my engineering circles. When I came to the Gulf, foundational engineering and geotechnical engineering was the domain of experts from the West. My first major project for which I was actually recruited was the King Fahad Causeway and after a stint in Saudi Arabia I moved to Bahrain. I am proud that I have been able to contribute to the shaping of the landscape of modern Bahrain. Whether the Saudi-Bahrain Causeway or the expansion of Bahrain Airport, whether Salmaniya Hospital or the Four Seasons Hotel and many arterial bridges my company, our opeople and my personal expertise could contribute to the successful emerging of a new Bahrain.

But what I find most satisfaction in and what I believe brought the award to me was that I have been able to find ways to help the more vulnerable amongst us grow, find success and a better life.

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SPORTING SPIRIT

MASTERING THE BOARD THE KING’S GAMBIT “Bahrain is at that stage where we are going to probably have the first international master grandmaster from the Kingdom soon!”

— GM Srinath

BY SONORITA CHAUHAN R Praggnanandhaa surpassed Viswanathan Anand to become the highest-ranked Indian in the live ratings while his sister Vaishali became the third Indian woman to earn the GM title after Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli, Koneru herself delivered a master performance winning her second World Rapid Chess world title, Arjun Erigaisi gained over 60 Elo points to breach the elusive 2800 rating mark, making him only the 16th player in history and the second Indian after Anand to achieve this feat. His relentless, high-risk approach propelled him to a peak rating of 2809.3, making him World No. 2 and the holder of the 14th-highest peak rating in chess history.

And the crowning glory was D Gukesh being crowned the youngest ever World Chess Champion. These wins come at a moment when young Indians across the world including Bahrain are sharpening their opening gambits and endgames to take over the world of chess. As we catch up with a former mentor of Arjun Erigaisi, Grand Master Srinath Narayanan, we also evaluate the importance of having a dedicated, well-qualified coach to guide us on that journey.

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hess is booming and how. The boom is usually attributed either to the pandemic, the dominance of Netflix’s runaway hit, Queen’s Gambit or the resurgence of Indian prodigies.

Perhaps it is a confluence of all three.

Whatever the case, there is no denying that millions that this ancient game rooted in strategy is riding high on the popularity wave. Indians are currently leading the momentum, with India dominating World Chess in 2024.

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SB: Grandmaster Srinath, tell us about your journey to become India’s youngest FIDE rated player.

How did you handle the pressure at such a young age?

GM SRINATH: It was actually a lot of fun. This was between the ages five and eight, I was completely absorbed in the present moment and I just had fun in whatever I did, wherever I went. It was a really busy time - I used to practice before going to school

and after coming back and travelled extensively within Tamil Nadu for tournaments. It was a very enjoyable journey. I go back to those carefree moments when I’m feeling low to remind myself of how to live life.

SB: And how far you’ve come.

What were the chess engines at the time and who did you play against in your beginning years?

GM SRINATH: That was already the beginning of the computer, there were computer programs, software, these big desktops, slow computers, Pentium 4 was a relatively new technology back then. So it was mostly real life, offline games that I played.

SB: In the women, who should we look out for?

GM SRINATH: Amongst the current talents, we have Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh and Vantika. I’ve recently seen a statistic, where among the top 10 chess talents in India, five are girls. And I’m talking about the open section. In the top 10 in India, under 10, there is Sharvaanica. She’s certainly one to watch out for. There’s also Charvi, who has won several international tournaments at a very young age.

SB: So how do you approach coaching at different skill levels, beginners, intermediate, advanced? And what are the most common mistakes you see players make at each of these levels?

GM SRINATH: At the absolute top level, it’s more of a supporting role, I think. And at lower levels, it becomes more of a hand-holding approach. You have to be involved a lot more. I think the amount of micromanagement also goes up at the lower level. There is also a lot more room and freedom to be able to shape the player, to strategize their growth and to have a vision on what kind of player they can become.

A young player is more like a start-up.

There’s a lot of room for flexibility, a lot of room to build something exciting.

SB: And you’ve seen some of the Indian talent in Bahrain when you played with some of them. What is your message to all the keen chess enthusiasts in Bahrain?

GM SRINATH: It was very exciting.

I loved the warm reception that I received from the chess fans, from the students, from the academy, from the parents in Bahrain. And I love the way they all paid attention. The two days

we had, it was spread over at around 11 to 12 hours of chess and constantly solving different problems. They did that fantastically well and tried really hard to give it all the different things that I was guiding them through. I believe, Bahrain is at that stage where we are going to probably have the first grandmaster based out of Bahrain pretty soon. And it can potentially be one of the players that I mentored in my time here!

GM Srinath’s pick of the best World Champion Gukesh: Very exciting talent. And I think goes beyond just being India’s pride. Gukesh is the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion, beating Kasparov’s record by four years. Now that’s a massive thing, a significant milestone and I think it’s going to be very tough to beat that records It’s the kind of Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar-esque record that’s going to stay for a really long time. So that tells you how special his achievement is.

R Praggnanandhaa: Absolutely one of the top players out there. He’s been having a few difficult months recently, but I think that’s temporary. I think this current set of Indian talents is going to have these cycles being on the top. A bit like this Federer-Djokovic rivalry in tennis.

Arjun Erigaisi: He’s India top-rated player, and world number four right now. In December 2024 he achieved his peak rating of 2801 which makes him the fifteenth-highest rated player in history and second Indian ever to cross the 2800 threshold after Viswanathan Anand - and the 2800 Club is a very exclusive club, even amongst the top players. People like Garry Kasparov, Magnus Carlsen, these legends are the only ones who have spent a lot of time in the 2800 bracket. So, Arjun reaching there was phenomenal, and he has had to overcome a few more challenges because he’s a little older than the rest of the prodigies at this level. He’s amazing and has made use of every single opportunity that has come his way.

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SALAAM SOCIETY

Mirabai fans cheer Olympian champ F

ans of the petite – yes, really – Mirabai Chanu, Olympian and Commonwealth weightlifter medalist and World Champion, were delighted to meet her at a community event arranged by LuLu. The no-fuss sporting star charmed everybody with her grounded attitude, her recollection of struggles and views on how women in sports are finding increasing success. She even giggled at the witty cake the LuLu presented to her with a chocolate and cream barbell across it.

Kudos to LuLu’s Juzer Rupawala, himself a dedicated fitness Joe, for inspiring so many in the community with this meet-up

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Students speak on India and youth power

TH U O

AAZ W

KI A

Y

How do young people connect with the idea of India's progress? Do they feel they have the power to change the trajectory of development? Are their voices heard?

Six bright students in Bahrain step up to have a say.

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YOUNG VOICES

A Letter to the PM of India Dear Shri Prime Minister, You are the helmsman of this vast and vibrant ship called India, navigating its course through the endless possibilities of tomorrow.

With 1.4 billion hearts beating in harmony, our nation is like a symphony, where every individual note contributes to a grand, melodious whole.

India is an embroidered tapestry of traditions and innovations, a beacon of hope and inspiration to the rest of the world. Our rich cultural heritage is like the roots of a majestic banyan tree, which firmly ground us as we strive for the skies. You, as the custodian of this legacy, hold the power to weave dreams into reality by stitching the threads of progress with wisdom and compassion.

Indian villages are the soul of the country, which is teeming with potential to lead the world in sustainable living. The hands that sow seeds in these fields nurture not only crops but the nation’s prosperity. With every initiative to empower rural India, you light a lamp that will shine for generations to come.

Sheema Tazeen New Millennium School

Our cities, seats of dynamism that spawn growth-throb with pulsating young energy, the entrepreneurs, dreamers of India, are the rivers engraving new topographies onto the chiseled faces of a future oozing with opportunities. With your support, they can become the milestones for a new era of global leadership.

Education and skill development act as the connecting bridges between aspirations and accomplishment, the stepping stones toward progress. Your steps towards ensuring quality education for each and every child are like the good soil that is just promising to bring into being a harvest of enlightened minds and enthusiastic citizenship.

From the majestic peaks of the Himalayas to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, India’s natural beauty is a treasure we proudly share with the world. Your dedication to sustainability plays a crucial role in preserving these gifts of nature, ensuring they remain a vibrant and timeless poem written in the ink of the earth.

With your leadership, India continues to shine as a beacon of culture, resilience, and innovation. We, the people of this great nation, stand united in our shared vision for a future that respects our past while embracing the limitless possibilities of tomorrow.

With warm regards & respect, SHEEMA TAZEEN A Proud Indian

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Do the Youth have a Voice in Shaping the Future?

As I gazed out of the train window watching the Austrian countryside streak colors of green and ochre across the tinted windows, I couldn’t help but ponder over the rhythm and course of today’s society, similar to that of a train ebbing through a rocky path. That was the thought I came up with whilst fervently trying to make a metaphorical connection between the course of a train and the human mind—to seem intellectual in the slightest sense.

Well, aren’t they more than just similar, though? The youth pose as a train full of speed, potential, and purpose traveling on a mucky, rocky road laid down by every generation in history. Armed with tools such as education, technology, and the knowledge to use it, we stand at crossroads trying to choose between carving our own path or following norms laid by ancestors, pulled towards the ‘road less taken.’ A period in history where suppressed voices never rose has been actively pacing towards its finish line.

Amrutavarshinee Murugan Bahrain Indian School

The resistance to tyranny in the struggle for independence across the world is now a trend the youth actively attempt to revive. Silence is far from feasible, with voices raised in unison challenging outdated norms and demanding justice. Grassroots student-led movements across nations prove the youth want to lead, not follow. Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg and Amanda Gorman are well-known changemakers who show what is possible when youth refuse to stay silent. Beyond them, compelling narratives of unsung heroes emerge from little towns, driving change.

Yet, the strength of their voices does not always translate into immediate change. Their ideals are often dismissed as naïve or unattainable, seen as threats to societal order. Decision-making remains chained to seniority, justified by claims of “better world knowledge,” sidelining those who will live with the consequences. Institutions in power sideline ‘fresh perspectives,’ despite preaching inclusivity.

Does that, however, stop the youth? The answer is a clear no. They have harnessed the power of technology, social media, and global networks to build the future. From climate change campaigns to peaceful protests, their hands reach realms longing to be transformed.

These protests are not mere cries into the void but forces breaking free from the shambles of bureaucracy, proving the youth’s unwavering resolve to shape tomorrow.

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YOUNG VOICES

How India’s new sporting focus (“Khelo India”) is shaping our national character The launch of the ‘Khelo India’ initiative has led to the discovery of many hidden talents in our country. This National Programme for the Development of Sports was introduced by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in 2017 and has become central to nurturing India’s emerging sportspeople. By providing unprecedented access to highquality sports infrastructure, sports academies, and sporting events, the Khelo India initiative is transforming the lives of underprivileged and talented athletes, especially those from rural, tribal backgrounds, and persons with disabilities.

In the last decade, India has made exceptional progress as a sporting competitor and carved a space for itself in the global sports arena. As a result, athletes from diverse backgrounds have gained recognition and popularity. To further this momentum, the Indian government launched the ‘Khelo India’ programme.

Sai Teja Reddy The Indian School Kingdom of Bahrain

Sports are an essential component of a country’s overall development.

It is a marker of good health and fitness, it helps develop team spirit and evokes patriotism in players and their audience. It is also part of a nation’s ‘soft power’ arsenal and can be used effectively to develop a good reputation for the country. With this in mind, the Khelo India programme works to bring out the tremendous potential of Indian athletes, helping them showcase their talents on the global stage.

The initiative inspires young talent by providing them with world-class infrastructure and top-tier training. It aims to inculcate a strong spirit of participation in sports, enabling athletes to reach their full potential.

To implement these goals, the Sports Authority of India has introduced various initiatives such as the Khelo India State Centres of Excellence, Annual Sports Competitions like Khelo India School Games, Youth Games, University Games, Para Games, and Winter Games, as well as Talent Search and Development programs. The initiative also focuses on promoting sports for women, supporting regional sports academies, and encouraging rural and indigenous games. Additionally, it promotes parasports and physical fitness among schoolchildren.

The Khelo India programme embraces the idea of “sports for all,” ensuring that sports facilities are accessible to everyone across the country. Indian para-athletes and women have been performing exceptionally well in international competitions, thanks to specialized sports infrastructure for athletes with disabilities and schemes offering financial assistance. The establishment of women-only leagues and financial support to host international competitions in India has provided a level playing field for female athletes. The number of elite female athletes identified through the Khelo India scheme has steadily increased.

The Khelo India initiative has turned the spotlight on the abundant talent in India and allowed India’s sporting spirit to be channelled – which is a huge plus for youth of the country and for India’s psychological well-being.

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India’s ‘green’ policies – how will they save the planet?

Every coin has two sides. The Indian environment is ranked third in air and water pollution, and is the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. At the same time, India is trying to pursue policies that promote renewable energy, water conservation, and protection of forests policies with a view to securing the future of its people and the environment.

When people fall ill, we often hear the term “lifestyle choices” like obesity, poor eating choices and lack of exercise: decisions which lead to dis-ease, right? But Planet Earth is suffering for no fault of its own. Pollution, deforestation, over-population, desertification, glacial melt, rising sea levels…you name it, we have thrown it at the planet.

Evana Rachel Binu The Indian School Kingdom of Bahrain

On the other hand, India has a constitutional mandate to protect and improve environmental conditions enshrined in the Indian Constitution. There are also laws, regulations, policies, and plans to give teeth to environment protection in India.

For instance, the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) has boosted renewable energy, reduced emissions, and improved air quality. The National Electric Mobility Mission Plan has decreased emissions and oil dependence. The 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification has improved project planning and reduced environmental damage.

Finally, the Solid Waste and Plastic Waste Management Rules and Emission Standards is helping to curb pollution, thereby improving public health change.

What can you and I do in this scenario? As Gandhi said, we can be the change we want to see around us. We can start small even though we are so far away from India – because every decimal of environmental improvement shall have a cascading effect on emissions globally. As we celebrate 78 years of India’s nationhood, let us pledge to embrace green habits. Ditch that habit of buying plastic bottles of water and bring your own brushed aluminium water bottle, for example. That’s not just eco-sensitive but cool too! . That would mean less climate change for all countres with cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Improved air quality would go a long way in enhancing the health of humans around the planet directly and thereby improving our home in space.

Let’s do this. A 15 day Green Pledge where we can take it one step at a time and adopt one change at a time. At the end, we can add another R to the 3R’s of environmental safety which are Reduce, Renew, Recycle. And our R can be Review.

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YOUNG VOICES

Ten Things that Will Make a Super India by 2030 India, as a country, has developed way beyond what it was a hundred years ago. India has the potential to go even further, towards becoming a global superpower. Here are ten points that I feel we should prioritise to boost India’s potential: 1. Eradicating Corruption: A vital step towards driving India forward is the eradication of corruption. Honesty, transparency, and accountability are simple measures to ensure government resources are used effectively. And with modern technology and e-governance, we have the tools to do this.

2. Development Goals: Three goals:  Universal Education which emphasizes quality and future technology  Universal Healthcare where access and affordability are the yardstick  Enhancing infrastructure so that good roads, ports and logistics hubs across the country are augmented by digital connectivity which can help bridge the urban-rural divide.

3. Youth Power: India has more than 50% of its population below the age of 25 and more than 65% below the age of 35. This powerful segment should be allowed to take part in political and social discourse, giving them a platform to voice their opinions.

Fareez Aynudeen Bahrain Indian School

4. Promoting Research & Development: India, for a country that produces a substantial amount of scientific progress, has very few patents registered.

India’s global technology hub status can be strengthened by promoting STEM education, investing in domestic startups, and subsidizing research in rapidly growing fields like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

5. Sustainability: Ensuring sustainability is an important factor towards industrialization. Securing accessibility of renewable power and making it inexpensive can address climate change and other environmental concerns while meeting the energy demands of a growing population.

6. Managing Climate Change: Green technologies can enhance climateresilience and reduce the risk of terrible natural disasters (which are really man-made) and protect the country’s environment.

7. Security And Defense: Integrating innovative systems and modernizing the military’s arsenal can make India secure in these unpredictable times. At the same time, creating strategic alliances can benefit India by furthering its global influence.

8. Employment And Job Opportunities: Creating employment for youth and increasing job opportunities can prevent brain drain and educated unemployment. Promoting vocational courses and the aforementioned STEM fields can be of great advantage in the future.

9. Bottom Up Prosperity: Bottom up prosperity promotes inclusive growth by collaborating with local communities, supporting small businesses, and encouraging participation, thereby reducing socio-economic inequality and enhancing economic resilience.

10. Promoting Diversity And Inclusion: Finally, to make sure these plans are successful, we need to rely on the people of India. Educating people on the different cultures that make our diverse country what it is, launching campaigns to inform those about their struggles, and creating policy reforms can propel India towards prosperity and global leadership.

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Youth The Artisans of Our Future “Youth have the power to be our future’s truth.”

Do youth have a strong voice in shaping our future? What a ludicrous question to ask! Of course, they do! Youth are the future of our country; it’s certain that they have the unmitigated zeal to mould our country’s future into a bright and powerful nation.

Since time immemorial, youth have been pivotal in the nation’s development. For instance, in our country, India, during the freedom struggle, youngsters took it into their own hands to make a difference and break free from the chains of the British rule. Leaders such as Bhagat Singh, Sarojini Naidu, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Chandrashekhar Azad fill us with a sense of pride and patriotism towards our country just upon the mention of their names even today. They had firm beliefs and were not afraid to follow them relentlessly. If it weren’t for the youth then and their efforts to give our country a brighter future, we would have never broken free from British oppression.

Pritika Rai New Millennium School

Often the phrase ‘History repeats itself’ is inferred to be in negative light, but it is truly delightful that our current generation is not only continuing in our forefathers’ footsteps, but also formulating transformative changes by aiming to establish our nation’s power in the world. Besides having advanced further in every field, creating a stronger tertiary threshold, our military prowess is at par with influential countries like United States of America, Russia, and China; evolving expeditiously, it won’t be long till we surpass them.

Furthermore, our generation has taken the wheel to enhance our influence via culture and traditions, using social media. The current generation also acknowledges the significance of a sustainable world and has come up with innovations to tackle it. Due to this advancement, India has become a nation viewed by others as a diverse country with enriching culture and rapid development. Neeraj Chopra, Ananya Banerjee, and Advik Singh are just few examples of the inspiring revolutionary and influential young generation of India, who have secured India’s name globally while constantly voicing their opinions and aiding in national development.

In conclusion, the new generation is not afraid to expose flaws, and fight for justice, all the while paving the way to a more sustainable nation. They are proud of their roots and do not feel ashamed to promote their culture. Our youth are an empowering asset, turning our developing country into a developed country through new generational changes. I believe that we, the youth of today, can shape our cherished country, India, into a utopia through our bold opinions and actions.

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YOUNGISTAN

Prarthana wins hearts with graceful debut With immense stage presence and grace, Prarthana Praveen performed her stage debut in the Bharatanatyam style. The NMS School student, who had just wowed a different audience in her school as a Disney heroine, showed that teacher Hansul Gani’s rigorous training had landed right. Well done, Prarthana, here’s to many more great performances.

ILA-Sneha spreads love and sunshine T

he children of ILA-Sneha are special - each one has challenge that makes navigating everyday life extra difficult. But at the Indian Ladies Association's free recreation centre for these kids, they blossom into perky kids who bravely push the boundaries, learn new lifeskills - and teach us all the power of courage and affection. These qualities were very much evident in the ILA-Sneha Annual Day where the children and their dedicated volunteers were the stars, jointly celebrating life and their infections joie de vivre. They twirled to Bollywood music, sang soulfully to 'We Shall Overcome' and even did a spot of yoga.

It may have been an evening programme but we all came away with sunshine in our hearts.

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Milestone anniversary for Ishita-Rajesh

SALAAM SOCIETY

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his the season for silver bells – and we’re not talking Christmas. Among the couples celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in Bahrain was Ishita and Rajesh Khanna.

Having been residents of Bahrain for nearly three decades, the popular couple has a wide circle of friends who came together and joined children Ira and Akunth and visiting family, to celebrate in glamorous style. The couple wowed guests with a fun-filled entry and some romantic Bollywood dancing.

Here’s to the next milestone, Ishita and Rajesh!

Punjabi party-time with PUB Over 150 merry-makers attended the PUB (Punjabis United in Bahrain) Lohri celebrations at the picturesque Coral Bay. The festival is a classic example of the Punjabi party spirit and families enjoyed dancing, music and a traditional Lohri bonfire.

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SALAAM SOCIETY

Hema’s ‘glamotion’ to the Big Six-oh!

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legant Hema Raghavendra celebrated her promotion to sixtieth by looking not a day over a very charming decade younger. Surrounded by gal pals and her cricketing buddies (yes, she served Bahrain National Women’s Team ably as manager) it was an evening to remember for all!

ILA & THMC sign historic MoU P

romise of enhanced community engagement and empowerment for women entrepreneurs. Two of the oldest social organisations serving the Indian community have joined hands to enhance their co-operation. A historic Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Indian Ladies Association (ILA) and the Thattai Hindu Merchants Community (THMC), marking the beginning of a collaborative journey to foster community service, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The MoU was signed by Kiran Abhijit Mangle, Hon. President, ILA, and Mr. Mukesh T. Kavalani – Hon. President, of the THMC in the presence of former Presidents of both organisations and Board Members.

In many ways the MoU marks a return to roots for both organisations since the ILA was founded by a group of pioneering ladies of the Bhatia community, led by Leela Jashanmal.

Key Areas of Collaboration covered by the MoU include  Community Service Initiatives: Joint programs aimed at enhancing community welfare and supporting charitable activities.  Entrepreneurial Development: Special emphasis on empowering women entrepreneurs through workshops, networking opportunities, and trade exhibitions.  Cultural Exchange: Promoting bilateral cultural ties and fostering deeper integration between Indian communities in Bahrain.

In her address, Kiran Abhijit Mangle, Hon. President, ILA, emphasized, “This collaboration is a significant step towards strengthening our community ties and creating opportunities for cultural and economic empowerment.”

Mukesh T. Kavalani, Hon. President, THMC, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Together, we can build a stronger platform for mutual growth, cooperation, and shared success. The partnership between ILA and THMC underscores a shared vision for social responsibility, cultural harmony, and entrepreneurial growth, promising impactful contributions to the community.”

48 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

SALAAM SOCIETY

Silver bash for Deepak & Lakshmi I

t is not often that children get to recreate their parents' wedding but for Bahrain residents Deepak and Sree Lakshmi, their twentysomething kids Adwaith and Aaradhya got the community together and recreated some of the magic of the original ceremony for their 25th wedding anniversary. The whole community, especially the Telugu guests threw their energy into the fun and festivity and a great time was had by one and all.

The Management, Principal, Staff, Students and Parents of

Wish all Indians a Happy

TH

Republic Day

New Millennium School

Building 399, Road 3009, Block 330, Bughazal, P.O. Box: 26271, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain +973 17272700

www.nms.edu.bh

nmsbahrain

newmillenniumschoolbahrain

49 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

Nurturing Responsible Global Citizens

SALAAM SOCIETY

VidyaSree presents 9 gems in grand debut M

any newcomers to Bahrain from different parts of India are enchanted and mystified by the rite of passage called the Arangetram - the word means stage debut and is a graduation of sorts for students of classical Indian dance and music. This essentially South Indian focus on showcasing one's art study, is a regular feature in the performing arts landscape of Bahrain.

Renowned teacher VidyaSree added polish and well-executed finesse to the presentation of her nine debut students, 'Nava Nritya 2024'. VidyaSree is a choreographer, auteur, designer and mentor, and has enhanced Indian classical dance with her aesthetic and intellectual stage productions and dance dramas in Bahrain and India.

The students were Tianaoviya Anand, Ayana Gopinath, Tiara Manoj, Khyaati Mohapatra, Sriya Sivan, Ananya Abhilash,Prarthana Mahesh, Parvana Mahesh and Ariana Mohanty. They performed with vigour and had clearly absorbed their lessons in abhinaya or emotional depiction and nritya very well.

50 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

A toast to newlyweds Sushant & Roohi

SALAAM SOCIETY

C

offeepreneur Sushant Goel and Dr. Roohi tied the knot in royal style in Jaipur and Bahrain friends of the groom’s parents, Pallavi and Sandeep, made sure there was no shortage of colour and merry-making either in India or at the classy reception that followed here. Sushant is co-founder of the successful Third Wave Coffee chain in India and Dr. Roohi is a successful psychiatrist.

Swasti’s memorable milestone W

ith her genial laugh, quicksilver wit and big heart, Swasti Mehta has a large circle of friends. To celebrate her friendship with them all and her milestone birthday, she had a birthday bash. Meticulously planned by son Karthikeya and daughterin-law Minal (while hubby Dr. Bhartendu good-humouredly played affable host), it was a fun evening with equal parts of glamour and good spirits.

51 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

SASSY SHALINI PASSI’S POP CULTURE MOMENT

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op culture works according to its own unpredictable, crazy logic. An unlikely, overnight celebrity has become the talk of India. Everyone, especially on social media, is discussing, dissing, hissing and mimicking just one person—Shalini Passi.

Passi has smoothly replaced Orry as the most dissected media concoction, after stealing the show from rivals in a muchwatched OTT series—Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives, which showcases the impossibly opulent worlds of a bunch of women, whose sole purpose in life is to flaunt and taunt.

Enchantingly off-key In such a brittle world, one superlatively delicious, ever-smiling woman bathed

in all things luxe, from top to toe (think Cleopatra meets Padmavati), enchants and disarms viewers with her beatific presence, as she unselfconsciously sings off-key songs and effortlessly makes others look insecure and trashy.

She is even dressed in floaty designer gowns, which generously reveal an impressive cleavage.

Today, Passi is the most sought-after celebrity, with event managers and talent hunters breaking down the doors to her palatial Delhi mansion, to sign her up for shows, appearances and endorsements.

So, how does one decode the Passi phenomenon? Her pampered lifestyle is the envy of the less fortunate, as she hosts a ridiculously extravagant party and speaks softly about her family’s wealth and her own achievements as an art patron and philanthropist.

The staggering décor at Passi’s palace includes rare Flemish furniture, cheek by jowl with a Bharti Kher. Somehow, none of this sounds boastful or absurd—it is indeed the fantastical existence of a 49-year-old rich woman, who is not embarrassed or apologetic about any of her choices. Passi was married at age 20.

Talking about her early life and wedding, she casually mentions how M.F. Husain was commissioned by her husband to design the invitation cards. “But, first, I need to see the girl,” said Husain, before producing four cards for different functions, after declaring the couple a “Radha Krishna jodi”.

Passi’s radiant mien underlines her beliefs, which include daily meditation and a visit to the temple at 9pm. I can vouch for her religious commitments—I am on the privileged list of “prasad recipients” who get hand-delivered packages of offerings after Passi’s frequent pilgrimages that take her from Tirupati to Badrinath. The few times we have met at glittering social soirees, I have been struck by her calm beauty and peaceful expression.

A Netflix natural As the founder of MASH, Passi has positioned herself as a major patron of the arts, lending support to UNICEF and other prestigious organisations. Since 2018, Passi has worked relentlessly to establish her credentials as an important art collector (what with a 25-feet tall Subodh Gupta dominating her manicured lawns).

But it took a glitzy, shallow frou-frou show on Netflix to propel Passi into a cult figure in the fickle domain of popular culture. Even school children know her name and discuss her avidly during snack breaks. It is not about affluence and extravagance alone—there are far richer folks around.

What happens next will be fascinating to monitor. A film based on her life? A musical with her playing the diva? A web series of her own? Fashion label?

Anything is possible for Passi—the world is her oyster. As for her Mumbai rivals, Passi makes them passé. Passi has the ultimate put down—each time she flies to Maximum City, she brings her superior Delhi veggies with her! Take that, you wannabes, her Buddha like stance suggests, as she shrugs off their barbs and preps for the next publicity blitzkrieg.

52 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

THEATRE

‘Shambu Aur Mani’ speaks of the loneliness of the old

W

ith a wave of her magical creative wand, Anupam Ramesh Kinger, the founder of Khwabgaah did it again – she transported a chattering audience into the melancholic world of the flotsam of the human world – two elderly men bravely fighting their own demons in a shared room of an old age home. The play “Shambu Aur Mani’ is the work of Manav Kaul, adapted for the Bahrain stage by Anupam, who also directed it. Led by Arun Nagendra and Sandeep Singh as the lead characters, it was ably supported by Bhagirathi Pania, Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, Saptarshi Bhowmick and Prashant Kumar. The mood was emphasized with a live score by composer Chiradeep Ghosh.

The brand new hall of the Al Mahd Day Boarding School was lent as Venue Partner and provided spacious stage and good acoustics for the production. Sponsors included Carrefour, Jotun Paints Space & Style interiors, Almoayyed, City Mart, Sri Soukya Ayurvedic, Kewalram, DJ World, Cross World, Everest Electrical w.l.l., Al Hilal Healthcare, Creative Line and Projects Watercolours Interiors.

55 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

56 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

Jahnabi Phookan

New style from India’s littleexplored North East is sweeping global catwalks!

Trendy, tribal and with an undeniable elegance, North Eastern fashion designers have started a real conversation not just with India’s fashion-conscious followers but on the international stage as well. Which is why Dr. Rennie Joyy, Chairperson and MD of the Aalekh Foundation, which promotes sustainability and a raft of CSR causes, chose to turn the spotlight on this region. At the recent Anant Samagam multi-dimensional cultural event which brought together Kerala and North East culture, crafts and cuisine for the first time.

In the course of the two-day festival, Aalekh roped in top North-Eastern designers to show their style. It is a fact that North-Eastern fashion has blossomed into a stunning coming together of texture, colour, craft and incorporated many touches of Korean fashion as well, alongside an exploring of the tribal sense of colour combination. From the intricate Muga silk of Assam to the vibrant Naga shawls, these fabrics aren’t just clothes—they’re living, breathing stories of cultural identity and ancestral wisdom. The northeast’s textile heritage is as diverse as its landscape. Each state, each tribe boasts its own unique weaving techniques, motifs, and colour palettes.

So it is not surprising that designers from the North East are significantly sustaining the ethnic narrative by fusing the modern with the tribal.

North-Eastern designers are also working closely with women weavers because they are still the custodians of the handloom and textile industry in this region. The women, pass down their skills from mother to daughter, ensuring the continuation of this rich heritage. For the locals, weaving is not just a craft but also the cultural heartbeat of the region.

The intricate patterns and vibrant colours tell stories passed through generations, of ancient lore and sartorial solidarity between the tribes. In the age of sustainability, the weavers of these states utilise raw materials like cotton, silk, nettle, and kauna grass that are grown locally. They use both frame looms and back strap looms made of bamboo and wood locally available. Most of the dyes used are natural and sourced from indigenous plants and minerals. The remarkable design and skill of the weavers are unique and cannot be copied or produced by any other method—making these fabrics and garments truly unique.

We have chosen to showcase three North-Eastern designers from the Anant Samagam platform.

Daniel Syiem, a celebrated designer from Meghalaya, is renowned for promoting Northeast India’s rich handloom heritage, especially Ryndia, an organic silk native to the Khasi tribe. Known for his sustainable fashion ethos, he blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary designs. His collections have gained global recognition at events like London and Paris Fashion Weeks, spotlighting indigenous textiles. By empowering local artisans and preserving cultural traditions, Syiem has become a key advocate for ethical fashion and the global representation of Northeast India’s artistry.

Jahnabi Phookan, a prominent entrepreneur from Assam, is known for her work with lahe looms, focusing on promoting Assam’s exquisite silk heritage, including Muga, Eri, and Pat silk. Through her initiatives, she empowers local artisans, preserves traditional weaving techniques, and emphasizes sustainable practices. Jahnabi’s efforts not only celebrate Assam’s cultural legacy but also create livelihoods for women weavers, making her a key advocate for ethical and community-driven fashion. Jahnabi has hit the headlines because popular Kpop Korean singer Aoora as the Brand Ambassador for her clothing.

And finally, Bambi Kevichusa from Nagaland, who blends traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, highlighting the rich heritage of her state. Known for her commitment to sustainable fashion, she incorporates eco-friendly materials and ethical practices into her designs. Her work has gained international acclaim, showcasing at prestigious fashion events and bringing global attention to indigenous textiles. By collaborating with local artisans, Kevichusa not only preserves traditional skills but also empowers communities. Her designs serve as a powerful medium to represent and celebrate the cultural heritage of Nagaland while promoting responsible fashion.

57 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

Daniel Syiem FASHION

Kpop Aoora star is brand Ambassador for Jahnabi 58 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

BAMBI KEVICHUSA

59 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

Kpop Korean singer Aoora 60 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

WISHES YOU A HAPPY

76 th

REPUBLIC DAY

AL NOOR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

P.O. Box : 85, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel : 17 736773, Fax : 17 735650 • Email : roonlasc@batelco.com.bh www.alnoor.com.bh Indian Curriculum: CBSE KG to Class 12 | British Curriculum: KG to A level | Bahraini Curriculum: Grade 1 to Grade 12

A School with a Difference 61 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

SALAAM SOCIETY

Golden-hued 25th for Madhu-Sandip T

he thing about Madhu Sarda is that she proves that petite can pack a punch. The multi-talented artist, author, mountaineer and motivational speaker wanted a golden-hued sunset setting for her twenty-fifth wedding anniversary to charming husband Sandip Sarda. And that’s just what she orchestrated, ably supported by daughters Sumedha and Sejal. The setting at Sofitel Beach was perfect and romantic and in the presence of their extended families and friends, the couple uncorked some seriously fun times!

62 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

INDIAN STEWS REIGN SUPREME ON TASTE ATLAS’ RANKINGS Taste Atlas’s latest rankings unveil the globe’s finest stews, with 9 Indian dishes showcased. Keema ranks in the top 10, while korma and dal tadka secure positions in the top 30.

BY ADITI NAGAPPA

W

hat’s the real difference between a curry and a stew? To begin with it’s the texture – stews have more of a liquid base usually and curries can go over the fence and be dry too. In Indian cuisine the two terms are interchangeable really – that is, until Taste Atlas stepped in and gave the whole matter a brisk whisk. The culinary rankings guide which structures its popularity on an intensive survey of most-ordered dishes in restaurants around the world, noted in the summer of 2024, that Indian stews won nine top places in its listing of ‘Finest Stews Worldwide.’ That makes it the highest representation for one country.

The beloved keema, a dish of delectable minced meat, clinched the 6th spot in the prestigious top 10 rankings.

Representing Bengal, the flavorful Chingri Malai Curry secured the 18th position, while the aromatic korma earned the 22nd spot. Following closely, Vindaloo claimed the 26th position, with Dal Tadka closely behind at 30th.

Highlighting the culinary diversity of India, Saag Paneer

secured 32nd place, followed by Shahi Paneer at 34th, and Misal at 38th. Notably, the list culminates with the collective representation of Indian dal in the final spot. It’s fascinating to observe the geographical spread of these dishes, with representations from various corners of the country - spanning North, South, East, and West - making their mark on this esteemed list.

To celebrate the diversity of Indian food and the Taste Atlas rankings, we bring you a Republic Day collection of three stews – or curries as you may want to term them.

They are the aforementioned Chingri Malai from reader Nilanjan Chakraborty; the delicate Olan which Chithra Padmanabhan says helps to balance a heavy meal, especially for Sadhya or feasts; and the star of winter banquets, the Gujarati Undhiyu which is a semi-dry mix of bounteous winter vegetables and spices.

Like them, try them out and do tag us on Instagram with comments and pictures of your experiments with these recipes. All photos were taken at LuLu Hypermarket.

63 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

CUISINE

Ranjanben Vaya

“Undhiyu is a traditional Gujarati dish, rich in flavor and texture. It is made during winter festivals like Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) when you get the freshest vegetables for it. It's a mixed vegetable curry that's cooked in an earthen pot with a blend of spices, herbs, and fried dumplings. There are two ways of making Undhiyu – you can mix the masala with chopped coriander and many people use tender garlic leaves also in this mix and they stuff the vegetables.

But mine is Swaminarayan-style Undhiyu and it is different in that it does not include onion or garlic– and you’ll be amazed at how tasty it is.

64 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

For the vegetables  100 grams broad beans (surti papdi)  100 grams green pigeon peas shelled (tuver papdi)  250 grams small eggplant (whole with center slit cut)  100 grams green peas shelled (fresh or frozen)  250 grams potatoes (peeled and diced)  1 cup purple yam (kand) (peeled and diced)  For the muthiya (dumplings):  1 cup gram flour (besan)  1/2 cup fresh fenugreek leaves (methi)  2 tbsp cooking oil  1/2 tsp turmeric powder  1/2 tbsp red chili powder  Salt to taste  1 tsp sugar  1/2 lemon juice  3 tbsp chopped coriander leaves  1 tsp baking powder  Water, as needed to make a dough  Other ingredients:  Oil for frying dumplings  2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves (for garnishing)  2 tbsp grated coconut (for garnishing)

Cook the vegetables 1. Heat 3 tbsp oil in a large, wide pan or traditional clay pot (for the authentic flavor) over medium heat.

2. Add the cumin seeds, asafoetida, chili paste and ginger paste and sauté for two minutes until it releases a nice aroma.

3. Add the chopped vegetables. Stir gently to coat with the masala.

4. Cover and allow to cook.

5. After 5 minutes, add all the remaining spices prepared for the undhiyu masala.

6. Add 1 glass water and mix it.

7. Cover the pot and allow to cook for 15 minutes.

8. Add the cooked muthiya (dumplings) to the vegetables and mix gently.

9. Cover the pot and cook on low flame for about 10 minutes.

Garnish and serve 1. Once the vegetables are cooked and wellcoated in the spices, remove from heat.

2. Garnish with freshly grated coconut and chopped coriander leaves.

3. Serve hot with puris, roti, or steamed rice.

Instructions  Prepare the muthiya (dumplings):  In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients.  Add water gradually and knead into a stiff dough.  Shape the dough into small, oval dumplings (about 1-1.5 inches).  Heat oil in a pan, and deep fry the dumplings until golden brown.  Set them aside on kitchen paper to allow excess oil to drain.

Tips 1. You can cook Undhiyu in an earthen pot (matka) for a more traditional flavor.

2. Adjust the consistency of the gravy by adding water, but the final dish should be on the drier side.

3. Undhiyu tastes best when allowed to rest for a while as the flavors meld together.

65 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

‘Swaminarayan’ Undhiyu

 For the Undhiyu masala (spice paste):  2 tbsp ginger paste  2-3 green chilies, pounded to paste  1/2 tsp cumin seeds  1/2 tsp asafoetida (hing)  1/2 tsp turmeric powder  1 tbsp red chili powder  1 tbsp coriander powder  1 tbsp cumin powder  Salt to taste  3 tbsp oil  100 ml or 1 cup water

Ranjanben Vaya’s

Ingredients

CHITHRA PADMANABHAN

“Did you know there are many varieties of olan? The one I am giving the recipe for is the Palakkad style and in Kerala usually it is prepared with the freshest of ingredients, literally from the kitchen garden to stove to table! But where I grew up in Thiruvananthapuram, we have a more hearty olan. To it we add more veggies like tender brinjal and taro. The flavour is always fresh and delicate and it balances the other heavier and spicier items in the traditional Keralan meal so well.”

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 250 grams green ash gourd  250 grams yellow pumpkin  1/2 cup cow peas (can also use black eyes peas or string beans)  3 to 4 green chillies  250 ml thick Coconut milk  250 ml thin coconut milk  Curry leaves  1.25 tbsp coconut oil  Salt to taste

1. Wash and soak the cow peas overnight in 1.25 cups of water.

2. Cook the cowpeas in a pressure cooker with 1.5 cups water, ½ tsp. salt and the additional water in the overnight bowl. Since this has been soaked overnight it gets cooked easily. Cook for 1 whistle in high flame and then reduce the flame for 2 to 3 whistles of the cooker. Switch off the flame. Wait for some time before opening.

3. Chop the ash gourd and pumpkin into flat pieces of medium size.

4. Transfer the chopped vegetables to a pan and add 3 to 4 slit green chillies, curry leaves and salt as per requirement.

5. To this add one cup thin coconut milk and also any excess water left along with the cowpeas after cooking.

Coconut milk can either be prepared by mixing powdered coconut milk to warm water or using any good brand of canned coconut milk – remember to use the milk and not coconut cream. Alternately, blend fresh-grated coconut with water at high speed. Squeeze the milk out and filter it. This thick milk is the first extraction. The second time, you will need to add more water and get thinner milk.

6. Cover the pan and cook on high heat first and then on medium to low heat till the vegetables are soft and cooked to the right consistency.

7. Now add the cooked cowpeas and heat well.

8. Add 1 cup thick coconut milk ( around 250 ml), heat gently and switch off the flame. The olan should not boil after adding thick coconut milk 9. Add curry leaves and 1.5 tablespoons of coconut oil. The final consistency is of a light stew.

10. Mix well, cover and leave it for ten minutes so that the vegetables will absorb the flavours.

67 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

Classic Kerala Olan

PREPARATION

CHITHRA PADMANABHAN’s

Ingredients

BONNY & NILANJAN CHAKRABORTY

“Seafood – fish, to be exact, because Bengalis are very particular about what they eat and partial to riverine and freshwater fish – is a staple in Bengal. No special meal is complete without fish and Bengali people offer delicious fish dishes to their gods and goddesses too. Ancient texts, infact, allow local temple priests, otherwise strictly vegetarian in most of India, to eat certain varieties of local fish.

Chingri Malai really calls for juicy and fresh tiger prawn or bagda although large king prawns or chingri can be substituted at a pinch but not with the same taste. In Bahrain tiger prawns are readily available, mainly from India and Bangladesh so we can easily replicate the taste of this celebratory dish.”

— Bonny & Nilanjan Chakraborty

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 2 kg large Tiger prawn (12 pcs) with shell and large arm, deveined (stomach and intestine must be removed) and cleaned  2 nos Coconuts, freshly scraped or grated, without the brown inner ‘skin’ (the brown skin colours the extract – the coconut milk should be clear white)

Spices  6 bay leaves  6 pcs red chillis, dried  8 cloves  8 cardamom

 4 1inch sticks of cinnamon  2 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder  2 tsp Turmeric powder  Salt to taste  Half spoon sugar  1 tsp Garam Masala (Bengali style: roasted and ground cardamom, cloves, cinnamon)  400 gms onion paste  1 heaped tsp ginger paste  12 pcs green chillis, slitted  1 ladle-ful vegetable oil  4 tbsp ghee  1 cup sour yoghurt, beaten

Chingri Malai

INGREDIENTS

BONNY & NILANJAN CHAKRABORTY’S

A real treat in traditional Bengali cuisine, this dish is sure to tantalise your taste buds.

PREPARATION 1. To get 600 gms of first-flush coconut milk, put grated / scrapped coconut in a grinding bowl, add two cups of hot water, grind it, and squeeze it to extract thick milk. Filter it through a mesh cloth and set it aside.

2. To get second-flush coconut milk, re-use the squeezed coconut again in the grinding bowl, add one-half cup of hot water, grind, squeeze, and filter – this will give you 400 gms of second-flush coconut milk.

3. Take all large tiger prawns, complete with scales. Cut and remove their smaller legs, antennae, and eyes, but keep both the larger arms. Then, cut the scale along the back with a sharp pair of scissors.

Carefully devein the prawn, removing the black thread-like intestine with a needle or toothpick. In the same way, cut the top scale of the head, remove the stomach (the bluish/ black sack) and clean the prawns with fresh water. This is essential.

4. Spread one teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of turmeric powder over the prawns and coat with it. Leave for some time.

5. Heat 40 gms of oil in a pan and shallow-fry all the prawns in batches for 45 seconds on each side of the prawn, then set aside in a container.

6. Add the remaining oil and two tbsp of ghee to the frying pan and temper with dried chillies, bay leaves, cardamom,

cinnamon, and cloves. When the spices start giving off their aroma, add onion paste and sugar and saute on medium heat until brown; stir the mix frequently for around 10 minutes.

7. Add remaining turmeric powder and Kashmiri chilli powder, pour some of the second-flushed coconut milk over the spices, and saute.

8. Add ginger paste and saute on a medium heat for 5 minutes. Pour the second-flushed coconut milk as and when required, being careful not to let the paste go dry.

9. Add beaten yoghurt and stir vigorously. Add slit green chillies, salt, and the remaining second-flushed coconut milk. Saute and continue cooking until the oil separates – this will take 4 to 5 minutes.

10. Now add the first-flushed coconut milk and saute it. Then, place the fried prawns in the gravy, cover the pan, and cook on low flame for 6 minutes, being careful not to overcook them.

11. Sprinkle a pinch of Garam masala over it.

12. For garnishing, sprinkle one teaspoon of ghee and place one or two slit green chillies over the dish.

13. Serve the Chingri Malai with a bowl of hot, steamed basmati rice.

69 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

HEALTHWISE

10 nutrition hacks to de-stress

S

tress has become an increasingly prevalent issue in modern life, impacting millions of people worldwide. While many seek complex solutions, the answer might be simpler than we think – it could be sitting right in our kitchen, Dr Smitha Menon, a former resident of Bahrain and currently Senior Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator at Dr. Mumtaz Khalid Ismail’s Total Nutrition Plus, Cochin, emphasises the critical connection between diet and our body’s stress response. She is passionate about promoting evidencebased nutrition and empowering individuals to make informed choices about their health and wellbeing. Her expertise highlights how strategic food choices can transform our ability to cope with daily challenges.

Stress can disrupt your nutrient balance by increasing metabolism and depleting essential vitamins and minerals. A poor diet can aggravate this issue, leading to nutrient deficiencies. When stressed, people often lose their appetite or resort to unhealthy comfort foods, skipping meals or bingeing on junk food.

Here are 10 way to use nutrition and manage stress.

 Prioritize Complex Carbs These slow-digesting wonders stimulate serotonin production, keeping you feeling full, satisfied, and stress-free.

Incorporate whole-grain goodness into your diet with whole-grain

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breads, brown rice, parboiled rice, whole wheat flour, multigrain flour, rolled or steel cut oats, quinoa, millets, and red rice flakes etc.  A spectrum of colours and flavours Indulge in a vibrant array of fruits and vegetables, bursting with nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fibre! Aim for a daily rainbow plate with 4-5 types of veggies (think leafy greens, crunchy carrots, and juicy bell peppers) and 2-3 types of fruits (enjoy berries, citrus fruits, and apples).  Cut Back on Refined Foods Refined and processed foods like white bread, pasta, chocolate, biscuits, sweets, jams, pastries and other foods made from maida or foods with added sugars like aerated drinks and sweetened drinks can drain your energy and exacerbate stress.. Try to avoid processed or packaged foods or tinned foods as they contain hidden sugars, salt and trans-fat.  Start Your Day Right Begin with a balanced breakfast that includes protein from eggs, dairy, nuts, or seeds, combined with complex carbohydrates from whole grains.

This combination helps stabilize blood sugar levels and provides sustained energy.

 Power Up with Protein Ensure you consume the right amount of protein daily, as recommended by ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research). That’s 1.0g of protein per kg of body weight. Incorporate protein-rich foods into each meal to regulate blood sugar levels and boost mood and cognitive function.  Don’t skip meals Skipping meals can increase stress and cortisol levels. Eating small, frequent meals helps in maintaining blood sugar levels, thus reducing irritability and mood swings. Schedule mealtimes and prepare in advance to ensure you don’t miss out on nutrition.  Hydrate Consistently Staying hydrated is very important for maintaining physical and mental well-being, and it plays a crucial role in managing stress levels. When your body is dehydrated, it can lead to increased stress hormones. Stress can cause dehydration, and dehydration can cause stress. It’s a vicious cycle.

In addition to water, try to consume hydrating foods like fruits, vegetables, soups etc. to support your body’s fluid needs.

 Boost Antioxidant Intake Consume foods rich in antioxidants like tea, blueberries, beetroot, beans, tomatoes, and kale.

These help combat cell damage caused by stress. Add foods high in omega-3s such as fatty fish, nuts, flax, and chia seeds to your diet. These nutrients help fight inflammation, a common stress response  Probiotics for Gut Health Stress can disrupt gut flora. Include fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi in your diet. These probiotics help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which is linked to mood and stress levels.  Eat mindfully, not emotionally Stress eating, also known as emotional eating, is a reliance on food to bring comfort, happiness and distraction from feelings of anger, sadness, or stress. It typically results in overeating because it is the emotion that dictates

how much you eat, not your body. It is normal to feel hungry when you are stressed, because your body produces more cortisol which increases your appetite. Don’t let emotional eating hijack your health. Recognise your emotional triggers, practise mindful eating and nourish your body with nutrient-dense food.

SALAAM SOCIETY

Wedding bells for Ranjini & Karthik A

galaxy of political leaders, including the Chief Minister of Kerala, Governor of Goa, Assembly Speaker and movie stars, cultural celebs and many former and current Bahrain friends and family attended the wedding of Ranjini and Karthik in Thiruvananthapuram. The guest list is testimony to the popularity and respect that the bride’s parents, P.V. Radhakrishnan Pillai and Latha command in Bahrain and Kerala. As President of Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam and community leader, Radhakrishnan is known for stepping up to action in times of need and also for his mega cultural festivals.

The bride, Ranjini who grew up in Bahrain, is now a consultant with Accenture, Mumbai and the groom, Karthik is Area Sales Manager, Wipro in Coimbatore.

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WELLNESS

FINDING YOUR INNER CENTRE OF CALM The Art of Living’s Bahrain chapter led eager acolytes through the paces of finding inner peace through meditation on World Meditation Day.

F

Live Meditation with Gurudev @ Indian Embassy (4)

ollowing the success of International Day of Yoga on June 21, the UN General Assembly has marked December 21 as World Meditation Day, emphasising the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. And so, our inner well-being is bracketed between the summer solstice (June 21) and the winter solstice (December 21).

This is a powerful acknowledgement by world leaders, of the power of meditation to help bring peace in this world.

Admittedly the human mind is a monkey and leaps from one thought to the next with restless ease. Each person has a different way of taming the mind’s calisthenics and so there are many different forms of meditation. In Bahrain, the day was marked by group meditations and the Art of Living Foundation led the way with serene empowerment, bringing together people from all walks of life at various picturesque locales in the Kingdom as well as at the Indian Embassy.

Here’s a quick count of why and how we should make time for meditation: • Meditation reduces stress. Over time, physiological markers of stress, like increased cortisol and heart rate, can have wide-ranging impacts on everything from sleep to blood pressure. By meditating, you get a better control over your thoughts and anxieties and leads to overall health improvement.

72 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

• It also improves self-esteem and helps manage anxiety disorders • It lengthens attention span.

Focused attention meditation is like weightlifting for your attention span. It helps increase your attention span’s strength and endurance.

• Even meditating for a short period each day may benefit you.

Meditating for just 13 minutes daily enhances attention and memory after 8 weeks.

• It reduces age-related memory loss.

Improvements in attention and clarity of thinking may help keep your mind young.

• Meditation helps with substance and food addiction, sleep deprivation.

The mental discipline you can develop through meditation may help you break dependencies by increasing your self-control and awareness of triggers for addictive behaviors. In 14 studies, participants reported that mindfulness meditation helped participants reduce emotional stress and binge eating.

• Meditation promotes deeper sleep and irons out insomnia. Becoming skilled in meditation may help you control or redirect the racing or runaway thoughts that often lead to insomnia. Additionally, it can help relax your body, release tension, and ease you into a peaceful state

in which you’re more likely to fall asleep. It helps smooth out sleep cycles and promotes restfulness.

• Meditation helps in pain management. A large meta-analysis of studies enrolling nearly 3,500 participants linked meditation with decreased pain, better management of depression and improved quality of life.

• It can decrease blood pressure.

In part, meditation appears to control blood pressure by relaxing the nerve signals that coordinate heart function, blood vessel tension, and the “fight-or-flight” response that increases alertness in stressful situations.

• Now we come to the ‘How of meditation. People practice many different forms of meditation, most of which don’t require specialized equipment or space. You can practice with just a few minutes daily. If you want to start meditating, try choosing a form of meditation based on what you want to get out of it. There is no right or wrong approach because it should be centered around what feels most natural to you and what makes you feel connected to yourself.

T h e re a re t w o m a j o r s t y l e s of meditation: Focused-attention meditation. This style concentrates attention on a single object, thought, sound, or visualization.

It emphasizes ridding your mind of distractions. Meditation may focus on breathing, a mantra, or a calming sound.

Open-monitoring meditation. This style encourages broadened awareness of all aspects of your environment, train of thought, and sense of self. It may include becoming aware of suppressed thoughts, feelings, or impulses.

If your regular work and home environments do not allow for consistent, quiet alone time, consider participating in a class. This can also improve your chances of success by providing a supportive community.

Alternatively, consider setting your alarm a few minutes early to take advantage of quiet time in the morning.

This may help you develop a consistent habit and allow you to start the day positively.

Reach out to the Art of Living’s Bahrain corps of teachers for guidance (3982 9659) or Sahaja Yoga (3957 5301).

Meditation is something everyone can do to improve their mental and emotional health without special equipment or costly memberships.

73 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

BAMBI KEVICHUSA

74 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

Charity Begins at (Al Noor) School

W

YOUNGISTAN

hen it comes to learning compassion and giving back to society, nothing teaches better than doing the action oneself.

Students of the Al Noor International School’s AS/A Level, British Senior Section, and CBSE took their first steps towards valuing community work by organizing a Charity Bake Sale at school and selling their home-baked goodies to fellow students.

Proceeds from the sale were collected and donated to the Royal Humanitarian Foundation at a special event held at the School Multi-Purpose Hall. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Yusuf Abdullah Al Yaqoob, Assistant Secretary General for Planning and Charity Resources Development as the Chief Guest. Other distinguished guests included Mai Ahmed Al-Saie, Reem Yusuf Al-Omran and Dana Erekat from the RHF. The event was attended by the school’s Director, Dr. Muhammad Mashood and the Acting Principal, AbdulRahman AlKoheji.

Al Noor A-Day Lessons in Respect T

he CBSE Section of Al Noor International School celebrated its Annual Day over two days. Vinod K Jacob, the Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bahrain, was the Chief Guest for Day 2. School Chairman Ali Hasan, School Director Dr. Muhammad Mashood, Principal Abdul Hakim Al Shayer, officials from the Ministry of Education, VIPs and parents graced the occasion.

The show, conceptualized with the theme ‘RESPECT’, was filled with exuberance Students presented a resplendent pageant of artistic skills, such as ‘Day Zero' – Respect for water and nature, 'Ethnic Mosaic' – respect and tribute to Bahrain culture and traditions and MAA – an ode to mother nature and all mothers.

More than 75 students were awarded with trophies for their Academic excellence and success in Talent competitions, by H.E Mr Vinod K. Jacob in the presence of the School Chairman, Mr Ali Hasan and the esteemed parents.

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CELEB CHAKKAR

SUPERGIRL RASHMIKA TAKES ON RAKESH ROSHAN Let’s hear it for Rashmika Mandanna, who has quite unknowingly stepped into the cross-hairs of the age-old South vs.

Bollywood conflict. The Kannadiga actress, currently ruling the box office with top three hits (Pushpa in 2021, Animal in 2023 and Pushpa 2 in 2024) has become one of the highest-paid actresses and was featured in Forbes India’s 2024 list of “30 Under 30”. With all that packed under her curvy waist, Rashmika cemented her pan-India appeal by saying regional cinema should be given equal credit and space to be enjoyed India-wide.

a

“I think that it’s about time we start calling it the “Indian” film industry,” she said, “because we are all in the entertainment business and we are all one country. And its high time that we start acknowledging that all the (movie) industries in India are one.”

But wait! Veteran Bollywood director Rakesh Roshan has taken on Rashmika and the hugely successful South Indian industry by dismissing their content as repetitive and formulaic.

“South films are very grounded, they are carrying on pertinently, with oldschool format of song-action-dialogueemotions. They are not progressing.

Technically, there are but storytelling

wise, they are doing the same formulas that work. They are successful because they are not breaking any path,“ he said.

Roshan, who was being interviewed in the run-up to the much-anticipated Netflix docu series Roshan Family, remarked that, in contrast, Bollywood was experimenting, which is why some of the latest Bollywood films were not doing good business at the box office.

You can bet he got trolled for his comments and fans of Southern cinema quickly listed out a number of South Indian movies, which had actually succeeded, despite thinking out of the box.

…AND ANURAG KASHYAP AGREES WITH HER Meanwhile, director Anurag Kashyap seemed to support Rashmika, saying that the Hindi film industry prioritised profits over creativity, revealing that five of his films remain unreleased, including ‘Kennedy’, which premiered at Cannes in 2023. He announced plans to relocate from Mumbai and shared his growing admiration for Malayalam cinema, which he sees as a beacon of creativity and collaboration, in contrast to Bollywood’s perceived preoccupation with blockbusters and star culture.

Kashyap, whose latest Malayalam-language film Rifle Club premiered to critical acclaim, highlighted his experience at the International Film Festival of Kerala, where he felt overwhelmed by the camaraderie and creative freedom among filmmakers. “They [Malayalam filmmakers] take influences from around the world and localize them into something uniquely their own,” he noted, referencing works like Manjummel Boys.

a

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QUOTE OF THE MONTH

As women, it is not in our control. In contracts (of some senior actresses in Hollywood), they have those dates marked out so that they don’t do emotional scenes that day. Because already in a state of volatility, you know…We can apply it in some professions, but it is very difficult to apply it in cinema..

SHRUTI HAASAN DISCUSSES MENSTRUAL LEAVE The M word – menstruation, in case you thought it was MEN! is being demystified by movie stars and how! First Jaya Bachchan padded out the discourse on her grand-daughter Navya Naveli’s podcast, saying that even top heroines of her time were not given any concessions on those difficult days of the month and expected to even change their sanitary pads in fields during outdoor shoots and in draughty corners of cavernous studios which had little toilet or privacy facilities for even top women actresses, let alone supporting stars and extras.

Now, articulate and practical movie star and musician, Shruti Haasan, who has worked in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema, recently shared her thoughts on the challenges of implementing menstrual leave in the film industry.

“I do believe we can apply that in certain situations,” she said candidly, “(But) it is very difficult to apply that in cinema because when you set the dates of a shooting schedule, there are many who are involved. A single shot might involve 500 or 800 artists, and you cannot schedule it according to that. I have also heard that in Hollywood have those dates marked out so that senior actresses don’t do emotional scenes on those days. Because already in a state of volatility, you know, as women, it is not in our control. I feel that yes, we can apply it in some professions, and if it’s possible to implement it in other industries, great, really, really good.”

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77 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

MOVIE BUZZ

FROM SECRET SUPERSTAR TO MAHARAJA, INDIAN MOVIES TAKE OVER CHINESE BOX OFFICE In 2017, a movie set a box office record as the highest grossing Indian film – and it was not a romance or an action movie. What’s more, the film about a young Muslim girl who becomes a mystery popstar and breaks the stereotype, became a monster hit not so much in India but in China!

Secret Superstar a movie produced

by Aamir Khan, went on to collect a whopping ₹9.05 billion ($154 million) worldwide, becoming one of the most

a

profitable films of all time, grossing on a limited budget of ₹150 million (US$2.3 million), with over 6,000% return on investment. In India, the film was a modest hit, making about Rs. 82 crores.

Most of the collections were generated in China where the film took in a stunning Rs. 863 crores!

That success sparked a curiosity about Indian cinema in China and in 2024, Tamil film Maharaja became the highestgrossing Indian film in China since 2018, reaching (rupees) 91.55 crore ($10.6 78 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

million). Of course, there were earlier successes such as Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) and Andhadhun (2018) as well.

“Indian movies have sparked a fever in China,” Yu Jing, a Chinese official in the Chinese embassy in India, told the China Daily newspaper, “(Among Indian movies) Dangal tops the Chinese box office, earning nearly 1.3 billion yuan ($178.3 million), closely followed by Secret Superstar which earned $124.4 million in 2017-18. Tamil film Maharaja

has made a record-breaking debut in China,” Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots and PK were also hugely successful in China.

“Indian films resonate with Chinese audiences because they blend universal themes with emotionally rich narratives.

They focus on family bonds, personal struggles, and social issues – topics that strongly resonate in China, where family values and social narratives hold deep cultural significance,” said Hong Yanyan, a doctoral scholar at The University of Adelaide in Australia.

She believes that Aamir Khan has played a major role in building a cultural bridge between the two countries. His socially conscious and inspiring roles earned him an unprecedented following in China.

“Honestly, I’d say more people in China know Aamir Khan than … India’s prime minister…,” she said.

As a Chinese researcher and an Indian cinema aficionado, Hong has watched over 1,500 Indian films in the past 15 years.

According to Hong, Indian cinema has provided an extraordinary gateway for understanding the country’s culture, values and people. Since films provide a window into everyday life, emotions, and traditions, it becomes a perfect medium to connect the people of two nations.

“One can’t imagine how much mutual understanding could grow if Indian films were more accessible in China and Chinese films were more widely shared in India,” she said, “Although India and China share deep historical and cultural ties, we don’t know each other well enough. To bridge this gap, we should focus on joint film productions, cultural exchanges, and promote each other’s films through festivals and collaborations.”

we speak your Language

JANUARY 2025

THE EDITORIAL TEAM P.O. Box 50650, Arad Kingdom of Bahrain Published by

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“Aamir Khan has played a major role in building a cultural bridge between the two countries. I’d say more people in China know Aamir Khan than … India’s prime minister…,”

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79 SALAAM BAHRAIN | JANUARY 2025

EDiTOR'S ViEW

O MEERA RAVI

ften, I look around me and find my world flooded with grey. That’s because I’m not in a career where I work largely with young people and I probably gravitate unknowingly towards people of my age group.

Don’t get me wrong - we “new middle agers” are a lively bunch and at a good time in our lives where our disposable income is shared between our doctor and our travel agent.

However, when we need to get a handle on the future, we need to call in the experts - the youth. They are the people actually living in this time-space matrix and who better to advise us on how to tweak our lives to meet the second quarter of the 21st century head-on?

Unfortunately, we pay little heed to young people. To most parents, teachers and corporate bosses, children and youth are simply fodder in realising their own projections for the future.

Arrey baba, this vision we have of the future is so yesterday! Just like we don’t even know 60% of the potential of our smartphone capabilities, our imagination limits our vision of the future too and we are peddling a Version 2.0 of our own lives. What we should be doing is breaking free, entrusting future vision to youth and doing a Version Z.1 of what our future will be like.

That is why, in this signature of Salaam Bahrain, we have invited young people - students from local CBSE schools - to share their thoughts on a wide range of topics on remaining patriotism and their role in the world.

In August 2024, when we interviewed Ambassador Vinod Jacob, he had proudly mentioned his outreach programme for school students to enable them to connect with the Embassy. We have taken that statement one step further and put together a Press Corps of students to interview the articulate and affable Ambassador.

It has been a great year in 2024 for the Indian community with top business brands from India seriously investing in Bahraini-Indian commercial ties.

Indian companies already in Bahrain have also been expanding and making a significant mark in the Kingdom’s economic profile. Business tycoon Dr. Ravi Pillai crowned the year by receiving from His Majesty King Hamad himself the Bahrain Medal of Excellence on National Day. And, Bahrain is taking a leap into electronic industry manufacturing with Indian semiconductor giant Polymatech Electronics Ltd. We believe we are starting the year with winds of change blowing through our pages. Do join us to keep up this momentum!!

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