Consul General visits Crown Prince of...

Consulate General of IndiaP.O. BOX 737, DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

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Embassy of India, Abu DhabiPlot No. 10, Sector W-59/02, Diplomatic Area, Off the Airport Road

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Email: [email protected]

Crown Prince of Ajman, HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, received newlyappointed Consul General of India in Dubai Sanjay Verma on April 26. Al Nuaimi wel-comed the Indian Consul, wishing him success in the performance of his duties. Duringthe meeting they discussed economic, trade and cultural relations and about the coopera-

tion between the two countries and ways to further promote them. The meeting wasattended by Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Noaimi, Chairman, Department of

Municiplaity and Planning, Salim Saif Al Mathrooshi, Deputy Director, Emeiri Court,Yousuf Al Noimi, Director (Protocol) and a number of other officials.

PUBLICATION OF THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA IN DUBAI

◆ India to log double digit growth,says Prime Minister

◆ After IT, it is infrastructure’s time,says Minister Kamal Nath

◆ Domestic BPO market to grow 25%◆ 3G auction may fetch Rs. 450

billion: Minister A. Raja

Consul General visits Crown Prince of Ajman

VOL. 2 ISSUE 4 APRIL 2010

Minister Salman Khurshid comeson four-day visit to UAE

PADMA SHRI for Dr. J.R. Gangaramani

“India matter is now back in a new way.... every Saturday 6 to 7 PM brought to you by the Consulate General of India, Dubai”

M.K. Lokesh is newAmbassador of Indiato UAE

|3APRIL 2010

INDIA MATTERSAPRIL 2010

2| INDIA MATTERS

Padma Shri for Dr. J.R. Gangaramani

Astrophysicists are looking everywhere orevidence of dark matter, which makes upabout 25 percent of the energy density of theuniverse.

India will log double-digit growth in themedium term, spending $1 trillion oninfrastructure from 2012 to 2017, according to Prime Minister ManmohanSingh.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Astrophysicists lookingfor dark matter

INDIA-UAE

Minister SalmanKhurshid visits UAE8

INDIA-UAE

Mulk Holdings signs twogreen energy JVs

10

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

India will log double-digitgrowth, says PM

16

15

20

TRAVEL: KHAJJIAR

Dr. J.R. Gangaramani has become the fifth person from the UAE in 56 years andthe sixth person from the Gulf Cooperation Council nations to be conferred theprestigious Padma Shri award by the Government of India

contents

4

India Mattersis a monthly publication of theConsulate General of India

(CGI) in Dubai. All rightsreserved. No part of this journal

may be produced, stored or transmitted in any form or by anymeans – electronic, mechanical,

photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the

permission of the CGI Dubai.

Editorial correspondence and manuscripts can be addressed to

[email protected]

Content and design by IANS(www.ianspublishing.com)

on behalf of Consulate General of India in Dubai.

FROM THE CONSUL GENERAL’S DESKApril’s highlight was the visit of Mr. Salman Khurshid, Minister of State for Corporate and Minority Affairs, to the

UAE. During his brief stay, Minister Khurshid was able to meet HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, CrownPrince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces and HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin MubarakAl Nahyan, Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research. He also took this opportunity to speak to Indianbusinessmen, professionals and members of various minority groups and address various topics pertaining to the bank-ing sector, the country’s development and how the diaspora has contributed to the Indian brand value. The main pur-pose of his visit was to attend the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) meeting during which he recog-nised and applauded the incredible contribution of the Indian accountants in the UAE.

April was also special because we welcomed Ambassador M.K. Lokesh, who arrived on April 10. We, at theConsulate, look forward to using his guidance and direction.

I also had the opportunity to meet HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and wediscussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Ajman.

This month, the Consulate in association with Indian Ladies Association, conducted yet another successful medicalcamp for the residents of Dubai. Our volunteer doctors did a commendable job and free medicines and follow-ups wereprovided to over the 800 people who attended the camp.

An important development in April was the re-launch of the India Matters radio programme. An all-new format ofthe show will give listeners information about the latest happenings in India and Consular services. We will also bebringing in experts from various fields to address queries.

I would also like to felicitate and congratulate Dr. J.R. Gangagramani for being conferred the Padma Shri on March31, 2010. It is a matter of pride that an Indian national from the UAE has received this prestigious honour from ourgovernment.

Do send us your views and comments on both, the magazine and the radio show.

Happy reading!

INDIA MATTERS ON AIRThe Consulate General of India in Dubai has re-launched its

weekly radio programme, India Matters, with the purpose ofinforming the public about various Consular services, events relat-ing to India and about what matters to Indians in the UAE.

India Matters will be aired every Saturday between 6 pm and 7pm on FM 105.4 Radio Spice and will be repeated every Fridaybetween 5 pm and 6 pm.

FM 105.4 Radio Spice caters to the South Asian community inthe UAE broadcasting mainly in Hindi and English.

CORRIGENDUMIn the text of the speech of HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister

of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the India Today Conclave in New Delhi on March 12, carried in the March 2010issue of India Matters, paragraphs 10-16 were inadvertently repeated. The error is deeply regretted.

Sanjay Verma

was bestowed the Pravasi BharatiyaSamman Award, which is given to notablepersons of Indian origin outside of India,by President Patil in Chennai.

The prestigious Padma Shri award,which was first conferred in 1954, is acivilian award given to honour any Indianfor outstanding contribution or achieve-ment in his or her chosen field. Dr.Gangaramani is the fifth UAE resident in56 years and the sixth person in the GCCto be awarded the Padma Shri.

Dr. Gangaramani completed his engi-neering degree in 1971 and after workingin India for three years, he emigrated tothe UAE in 1974 as a project engineer onthe Dubai World Trade Centre project.He was attracted by the challenge ofworking on what was at the time, thetallest ‘hi-tech’ building in the MiddleEast and a signal of things to come.

The UAE had been founded threeshort years earlier and had just com-menced its programme of acceleratedadvancement and transformation in sup-port of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin SultanAl Nahyan’s vision of full utilisation of theUAE’s resources to benefit its people.

After completion of the Dubai WorldTrade Centre, Dr. Gangaramani’s journeytook him to Al Ain, where he commencedhis life with his new bride and made hisinitial foray into the construction busi-ness. Using all his savings, Dr.Gangaramani opened the Al Fara’aConstruction Company in 1980.

As an unknown entrepreneur whoenjoyed a good rapport with the commu-nity, Dr. Gangaramani set out to prove hiscapabilities and crafted his life mission as“a conduit of knowledge, resources, stateof the art technology and investment intothe United Arab Emirates”.

Dr Gangaramani finds fulfillment ofhis life in the way others experience hisefforts. His personal motto of “service tomake others happy and put a smile ontheir faces” is reflected in the way he hasserved the UAE over the years.

Dr Gangaramani’s integrated approachto corporate social investment has includ-ed the benefaction of an array of charita-ble institutions that have achievedremarkable successes in caring for thosewith disabilities and subject to vulnerableeconomic circumstances.

Empowering through education and

network building initiatives, he has active-ly fostered in-house training programmesfor engineering students of the UAEUniversity across various Al Fara’a Groupbusiness units. Sporting sponsorships, net-working events and even hosting variouscultural events have formed part of Dr.Gangaramani’s extensive repertoire in hiscommitment to strengthening socio-eco-

nomic and cultural ties not only in therealm of India-UAE relations, but acrosscontinents. Among the organizations thathave benefited from Dr. Gangaramani’swork are the Special Care Centre in AbuDhabi, the Hope Centre in Al Ain and theZayed Higher Organisation forHumanitarian Care, Special Needs andMinor Affairs. v

|5APRIL 2010


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India confers Padma Shri onDR. J.R. GANGARAMANI

COVER STORY

UAE resident Dr. J.R.Gangaramani was conferred the prestigiousIndian civilian award inrecognition of his community work, businessachievements and his rolein furthering India-UAE relations

UAE-based expatriate Indianbusinessman Dr. J.R.Gangaramani was conferredthe Padma Shri, the presti-

gious civilian award of the Government ofIndia, by President Pratibha Patil at aninvestiture ceremony in the Indian capitalNew Delhi on March 31.

Dr. Gangaramani was conferred theaward in recognition of his communitywork, business achievements and his rolein furthering India-UAE relations.

Dr. Gangaramani’s journey, which

began in 1980 when he founded the AlFara’a Integrated Construction Group,has culminated in a multi-faceted con-glomerate of 10 construction-relatedcompanies that collectively employ18,000 people and has a presence inDubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Sharjah.The group spans property development,construction and related services as well asmanufacturing and fabrication industriesacross the Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) countries and Asia.

Last year, in January, Dr. Gangaramani

President Pratibha Patil conferring thePadma Shri on Dr. J.R. Gangaramani atan investiture ceremony in New Delhi onMarch 31.

File photos of Dr. J.R. Gangaramani (above) and with Vice President and Prime Minister ofthe UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (below).

|7APRIL 2010


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IINNDDIIAA--UUAAEE

‘Made in India Show’in June to boostIndia-UAE trade and investment

The Ministry of Commerce andIndustry, the nodal ministry ofGovernment of India to pro-mote India’s international trade

and investment will bring for the first time,the prestigious ‘Made in India Show’ tradefair to Dubai.

The Made in India Show, to be held inDubai from June 8 to 10, will represent thedynamism of Indian entrepreneurs in theglobal market

The primary objective of the Made inIndia Show is to showcase the strength ofIndia in manufacturing and services andalso highlight India’s attractiveness as aninvestment destination. .

“The fair is also designed to help thenation diversify its trade basket,” saidSanjay Verma, Consul General of India inDubai.

“Made in India fair is expected to give afurther thrust to the existing strong traderelations between the UAE and India,” headded.

The event will also showcase India’s softpower like culture, cuisine and cinema.

The recent visit of the Vice Presidentand Prime Minister of the UAE and Rulerof Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed BinRashid Al Maktoum, to New Delhi hasgiven a tremendous boost to the tiesbetween two nations.

Indian Prime Minister Dr. ManmohanSingh warmly welcomed SheikhMohammed's visit, describing it as a con-tinuation of a series of meetings to deepenrelations between UAE and India.

During the meeting the leaders revieweda number of economic and political issues,as well as ways to bring about peace andstability in the region. The two also dis-cussed ways to enhance cooperationbetween the UAE and India in a numberof fields, including economics and culture,to strengthen the bonds of friendshipbetween their countries and people.

According due importance to this megaevent, it shall be inaugurated by the

Commerce and Industry Minister of India,Mr. Anand Sharma.

The unique event will be entirely dedi-cated to Indian products and services. Thefair aims to serve buyers in the greaterMiddle East North Africa (MENA) regionlooking for international-quality productsfrom India. The Made in India Show willprovide excellent opportunity for the visitorsand buyers to source thousands of innova-tive products and services from India.

The Federation of Indian ExportOrganisations (FIEO) has been appointed asthe lead agency by the Ministry of Commerceand Industry to organise the show.

“We want to display Indian entrepre-neurs’ dynamism in the global market,” A.Sakthivel, President of FIEO, said in astatement.

A trade exhibition will also be held onall the three days where buyers from UAE,Middle East and MENA countries shall beinvited to establish business tie-ups withIndian counterparts. !

Consul General of India in Dubai, Mr. Sanjay Verma (extreme right), addressing the media on the Made in India Show.

EDC to boost export opportunities in India

India is expected to emerge as the thirdlargest economy in the world by 2050,after China and the USA, according to

economic experts and reports, and capitalis-ing on this growth, the Dubai ExportDevelopment Corporation (EDC) organ-ised a seminar through the Dubai ExportAcademy on ‘Exporting Opportunities inIndia’.

Over 40 UAE companies attended theseminar in the presence of Consul Generalof India in Dubai, Sanjay Verma. Amongthe speakers were A.J. Vidyasagar, ChiefExecutive Officer of State Bank of IndiaDubai Branch, and Navin Kapoor,Managing Director of Xpertise Unlimited.

“Dubai and India have a very long trad-ing history going back many decades,” saidEngineer Saed Al Awadi, Chief ExecutiveOfficer of EDC in his opening speech.

“Therefore, it’s no surprise to find thatIndia is currently Dubai’s major tradingpartner with over 40 percent of the emi-rate’s exports going to the country. Theeconomic and entrepreneurial dynamismin India opens the door to our firms notonly to consider entering the market if theyhave not already done so, but also toextend their reach. In this regard the first

international exhibition held by EDC wasin India. Similarly, the first outward mis-sion was also to the country in the everimportant jewellery sector,” Al Awadi said.

He added that although EDC and itsmembers have been hugely successful inpenetrating the Indian market, “we haveseen that it is highly complex and full ofchallenges”.

“The country is vast, hence necessitating

multiple marketing efforts that address dif-fering regional opportunities, languages,cultural differences, and so on. Gainingaccess to India’s markets requires carefulanalysis of consumer preferences, existingsales channels, and changes in distributionand marketing practices, all of which arecontinually evolving. To help our membersnavigate these markets we are pleased todayto have experienced speakers each of whomwill provide us with a different aspect,” AlAwadi stated.

Vidyasagar presented the country’seconomic background while Kapoorspoke at length regarding the sectors bestsuited to meet the capabilities of Dubai’sfirms both in the manufacturing andservice sectors.

Indian entrepreneurs are widely invest-ing in expanding their manufacturing andservice sector capabilities. Among the sec-tors that have witnessed growth in includeconsumer goods, high level technology,industrial products, healthcare, financialservices and basic industries. In addition tothis, both the private and government sec-tors in India have committed to large-scaleinfrastructure projects that are aimed atdeveloping much of the country. !

The Dubai Export DevelopmentCorporation (EDC), an agency of

the Dubai Department of EconomicDevelopment, Government of Dubai,commenced operations in 2007.

The EDC has a very clear objective tobe a world-class export development andpromotion body by creating an enablingenvironment for Dubai’s exporters, withthe aim of enhancing the competitive-ness of Dubai as a preferred trading part-ner. The EDC has developed value-addedtrade support services for UAE-basedfirms exporting through Dubai.

About Dubai ExportDevelopment Corporation

New Ambassador of India presents credentials

Minister of State for ForeignAffairs HE Dr. AnwarMohamed Gargashreceived the copy of creden-

tials of the new Ambassador of India toUAE, Mr. M.K. Lokesh, on April 14.

At a meeting held at the ForeignMinistry, Dr. Gargash wished theAmbassador success in his mission forenhancing friendly relations and coopera-tion between UAE and India.

Ambassador Lokesh expressed happinessover representing India in the UAE andhailed UAE’s distinctive position on theregional and global levels and the prudentpolicies of President HH Sheikh Khalifabin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Assistant to Foreign Minister forPolitical Affairs Dr. Tareq Ahmed AlHaidan was present at the meeting.

Ambassador Lokesh, who hails from

Mysore in Karnataka state, wasthe deputy chief of mission at theIndian embassy in Brussels. A1977 batch Indian ForeignService officer, he served as India’sambassador to Slovakia earlier.

“Instead of identifying myselfas Kannadiga, I would like to berecognised as Indian first,”Ambassador Lokesh said.

“I am happy that UAE is amulticultural society and peopleof all regions of India are residing here. Iwill give equal importance to the welfare ofthe Indian community and to strengthendiplomatic relations with the UAE. Thepolitical and economic ties between theUAE and India have been excellent,” headded.

A postgraduate in botany and in militaryscience, Ambassador Lokesh is married to

Radhika Lokesh, who is also adiplomat, currently posted as India’sConsul General in Saint Petersburg,Russia. The couple has two daugh-ters.

Ambassador Lokesh has vastexperience in the diplomaticfield and served in differentpositions representing Indiaaround the world.

He started his mission asthird secretary at Kandy, Sri

Lanka, in 1979-80 and later was promotedto second secretary in 1980-81, becomingassistant high commissioner to Sri Lankafrom 1981 to 1983. He has rendered serv-ice in places such as Lagos, Nigeria,Washington, Durban in South Africa,Slovak Republic, and Brussels abroad andTamil Nadu, Mumbai and New Delhi inIndia. !

M.K. Lokesh

turmoil, Minister Khurshid said, “We havebeen conservative to allow banking to growslowly and steadily”.

Addressing a gathering of representativesof various minority groups on April 3evening, the Indian dignitary said thatsteps are being taken in light of the SacharCommittee report.

“As many as 90 districts have been cho-sen, 67 of them Muslim majority districtsand a sum of Rs 3,700 crore have beenallocated for development of these districts.The central government has already givenaway 30 lakh scholarships to studentsbelonging to the minority community,”the Minister said.

“Around 650 fellowships have beengranted to MPhil and PhD students and70 educational institutions have been ear-marked wherein entire fees for minoritystudents will be waived. That includes theIITs and the IIMs,” he added.

In order to set model colleges all over thecountry, his department is working closelywith the human resource developmentministry, Minister Khurshid said. He alsosaid that progress has been made on theproposed Equal OpportunitiesCommission.

Addressing the members of the IndianBusiness and Professional Council (IBPC)in Dubai during a special address at theCrowne Plaza Hotel on April 4, MinisterKhurshid said: “Reverse brain drain hasalready begun and it is a great sign of theworld's confidence in India and its recog-nition of India's potential.”

“Those who know that you cannot per-manently leave India have sensibly keptyour links with the country by educatingyour children in systems that are compati-ble to those of India so that they can goback to India either for higher studies orfor work. Many second-generation Indiansare coming back to the country. Top multi-nationals are sending their top Indianminds to head their companies in India. Sowhen we lose some, we win many back,"said Minister Khurshid.

On April 5, the Minister met with HHSheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and DeputySupreme Commander of UAE ArmedForces, and paid condolence on the suddendemise of Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed AlNahyan, younger brother of HH SheikhKhalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of

the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, andCrown Prince HH General SheikhMohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

On the same day, along with an Indiandelegation, Minister Khurshid met HHSheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan,Minister of Higher Education andScientific Research in Abu Dhabi andunderlined the need to develop bilateralrelations through increased trade and shar-ing of information.

The delegation urged Abu Dhabi topromote investments in the field of highereducation and explored possibilities forevolving accountancy courses and settingup such an institute keeping in view therequirements of the UAE where the ICAIcan provide the training and guidance.During the meeting, both the leadershailed the historic ties, especially in thefields of trade and investment due to freemarket policies pursued by the twonations.

The Minister and the delegation alsopaid a visit to Higher Colleges ofTechnology where he was received by Dr.Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of theHigher Colleges of Technology, and theheads of departments and academia. Hetoured the college and was given a detailedaccount of the programmes of the college.

The Minister also visited the newly con-structed premises of the India IslamicCentre (IIC), a registered Indian commu-nity association. The building was con-structed with full funding by theGovernment of Abu Dhabi. v

INDIA-UAE

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Minister of State for Corporate and Minority Affairs, Mr. Salman Khurshid, in Abu Dhabi.

Minister Khurshid with UAE’s Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Rsesearch,Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.

Salman Khurshid, Minister of State(Independent charge) forCorporate and Minority Affairs,was on a four-day official visit to

UAE from April 2 to 6. He was accompa-nied by Mr. R. Bandopadhyay, Secretary,Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Mr. AlokSingh, PS to the Minister, and Mr. AmarjitChopra, President, Institute of CharteredAccountants of India (ICAI).

On April 3, the Minister addressedmembers of the ICAI in Dubai in a semi-nar on ‘The Accountancy Profession in theNew Economic Order’.

“Indian professionals need support tomake their place in the global marketplace. Events such as these are the govern-ment’s step in this direction,” MinisterKhurshid said.

Paying glowing tribute to the contribu-tions of the diaspora, the Minister saidIndian professionals have worked behindthe scenes in all sectors catapulting the

Indian brand to the zenith of global popu-larity and was quick to remind the com-munity that there is no scope for compla-cency citing Dubai as an example.

“It is in recognition of what they havedone and to encourage them to what theycan do more is the main purpose of myvisit to Dubai,” the Minister said.

“When I came to Dubai a decade agoand saw the kind of development here, Ithought there is no scope for furtherimprovement. But I discovered that there isalways something that we can do betterand there is flight you can take still higher.That is the message that I get from Dubai,"he added.

Addressing the gathering, Sanjay Verma,Consul General of India in Dubai, urgedthe expatriate community to work evenharder and back the achievements withnew investments.

On the same day, in an interactive ses-sion with Indian businessmen and profes-

sionals at a luncheon hosted by Bank ofBaroda, the Minister said prospects werebright for more Indian companies gettinglisted on overseas bourses with India mov-ing closer to full currency convertibility oncapital account.

“It was good that it (full currency con-vertibility) did not happen before the cri-sis,” said the Minister.

He said only a fraction of the householdsavings in India has so far got capital mar-ket access. So, the potential for growth ishuge with the opening of more stockexchanges to help larger number of people,especially from rural areas, to invest.

Stressing on the need for financial inclu-sion in India’s growth story, he said thecountry of 1.2 billion people required mul-tiple exchanges to achieve penetration of100 million investors from around 15 mil-lion investors at present.

On India’s banking sector growth, andhow it could withstand the global financial

(From above) Minister Khurshid withHH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed AlNahyan; with IBPC Dubai PresidentParas Shahdadpuri; and speaking at theIBPC Dubai event.

Minister Khurshid visits UAE, speaks onpeople power, reverse brain drain

Consul General of India in Dubai,Mr. Sanjay Verma, inauguratedthe 11th Free Mega Health Camp

organised by Dubai Indian Islamic Centrein association with GMC Hospital,Ajman. Mr. Verma, who was the chiefguest in the event, was taken on a tour ofthe hospital campus along with DIICPresident Mr. Thumbay Moideen andDIIC Secretary Mr. Akbar Moideen byGMC Hospital's Medical Director Dr.Manvir Singh.

The Consul General also gifted a specialprize to the first of the 2,000 patients who

attended the campThe camp provided free consultation in

different areas of medicine, such as generalmedicine, gynaecology, cardiology, skin,eye, dental, surgery, urology, orthopedics,diabetes, pediatrics, and neurology. Apartfrom the free consultation, patients in needalso received free diabetic tests, ECGs,ultrasound and other laboratory tests.

The daylong programme was part of thecorporate social responsibilities of GMCHospital to reach out to the UAE residentsand address their health and medical careneeds.

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10|INDIA MATTERS

Consul General Sanjay Verma inauguratingthe free health camp at GMC Hospital,Ajman, in the presence of Mr. ThumbayMoideen, DIIC President.

Over 800 people turned up for afree medical camp organisedby the Indian LadiesAssociation (ILA), Dubai, at

the Indian Consulate auditorium in Dubaion April 16. The camp was held for resi-dents of the emirate who did not have anymedical insurance and earned less thanAED2,000 a month.

This was the eighth such camp organ-ised by ILA in association with the IndianConsulate and Getwell Clinic, Dubai.

"The ILA has a number of doctors onboard who have roped in other profession-als, community members, medical equip-ment companies and pharmaceutical firmsto hold these camps on a regular basis eachquarter in the premises of the IndianConsulate,” said Sangeeta Matta Verma,Patron, ILA, Dubai,

Doctors from Getwell Clinic were pres-ent to offer their services for free to those inneed. The team of general physicians, der-matologists, ophthalmologists,optometrists, orthopedic surgeons, den-tists, gynecologists, cardiologists and otherspecialists was led by Dr. Ashok Kapoorand Dr. Sarita Kapoor. Free medicines andfollow-ups were also provided.

“There will be follow-ups for peoplewho have serious health issues or injuries asmany doctors in the community are keento help out,” Verma said.

“For example, at one of the previouscamps, there was a man who lost his fingersin an accident and Dr. Ashok Gupta, who isa plastic surgeon, decided to help him out.”

ILA is a social and charity organisation,which has been empowering and nurturingladies of the Indian community since 1976.It conducts programmes to educate womenon important issues and provides a plat-form for women to express themselves.

It also has various clubs dedicated toreiki, cookery, gardening, photography andbooks. It participates in local charity andsocial campaigns like UAE Clean-Up Daywith Emirates Environmental Group,Children of Gaza with Dubai Cares,Funfair with Al Noor Training Centre forchildren with special needs, and awalkathon organised by the Gulf HeartAssociation. !

Eighth ILA free health camp held in Dubai

Scenes from the eighth ILA free health camp health Indian Consulate auditorium inDubai on April 16.

2,000 patients attend GMC Hospital’s free health camp

Mulk Holdings signs green energy JVs

Mulk Holdingssigned twojoint ventureagreements in

a glittering function on April 6at its corporate office inHamriya Free Zone, Sharjah.

Mulk Renewable Energy(RE), a group company ofMulk Holdings, entered into ajoint venture agreement withBangalore, Karnataka-basedAditya Solar Power Industriesfor a 200 MW solar thermal project. MulkHoldings also entered into another joint ven-ture with City Interiors for a state-of-the-artinteriors contract manufacturing facility.

Consul General of India in Dubai, Mr.Sanjay Verma, was the chief guest in thefunction, which was attended by many localand international eminent businessmen.Saadullah Khan, Group Director (BusinessDevelopment) of Mulk Holdings, gave theinaugural address while the vote of thankswas given by O.Y. Ahmed Khan, Presidentof Indian Association, Ajman.

The joint venture agreement for thesupply and installation of solar thermalpower plants in India will be implementedin two phases. Phase one will see the exe-cution of a 40 MW plant by 2012 and thebalance of 160 MW by 2013. The totalproject value covering both phases is esti-mated to be over AED2 billion.

The major components will be manufac-tured in the UAE and exported to India forthe initial phase and a full-fledged manu-facturing facility of 500 MW capacity willbe established in India in the next phases.

Consul General Verma lauded MulkHoldings for their innovative approachand for the strides made in developingsolar technology and promised to give gov-ernment support in all their endeavours.

“India is moving ahead with a healthydouble digit growth and I see ‘The NewIndia’ spirit in Mulk Holdings and AdityaSolar Power Industries,” Mr. Verma said.

“The Government of India hasannounced the Jawaharlal Nehru SolarMission committing India to install 25,000MW before 2022 and this was done after athorough deliberation. India is now com-mitted to realising this and leading the wayin solar power deployment,” he added.

The Chairman of Mulk RE,Mr. Shaji Ul Mulk, stated:“We are all talking about glob-al warming and our socialresponsibility to do somethingabout it. The business com-munity is always looking foropportunities to increase theirassets base and bottom line.Solar energy is a unique mod-ule wherein business housescan not only have a healthyROE (return on investment)

but also contribute significantly to thesocial responsibility.”

Managing Partner of Aditya Solar PowerIndustries, Mr. R.T Mukunda, in his addressto the gathering, shared his support andenthusiasm to the project and said: “I amcommitted to developing minimum 200MW of solar power and confident of thegovernment’s support. In Mulk Holdings, Ihave found a partner who shares my passionand the drive to make this happen.”

Managing Partner of Mulk RE, Dr.Khurram Khan, gave a detailed presenta-tion of the technology used.

“This journey to the joint venture agree-ment being signed today started in 2001with Dr. Melvin Preuitt approaching MulkHoldings to develop an aluminium mirrorto replace glass mirrors. I am pleased tohave contributed to this development,” Dr.Khan stated. !

Consul General Verma being taken around the Mulk Holdings facil-ity in Sharjah.

CCOOMMMMUUNNIITTYY

Sensors installed inside the building willdetect the presence or the absence ofhumans and will automatically switch the

lights and the air-conditioning system onand off thereby saving power.

Initial estimates savings in power con-sumption at around 20 percent as com-pared to other buildings of this size.

The next eco-friendly measure is thereduction of water consumption, particu-larly in a city where water is a preciouscommodity.

All the water is recycled through a250,000 litres-a-day sewage treatmentplant installed inside the premises.Landscaping areas have been planted withnative/adaptive species of vegetation,which require little or no irrigation afterfew years thereby reducing the waterrequirement significantly.

Besides, the makers have gone for air-cooled chillers instead of water-cooled ones.

Choosing water-efficient fixtures such aslow flow dual-flush toilets, sensor-basedurinals and hand washes and reusing treat-ed water for flushing the building hasreduced the overall water consumption byover 52 percent.

Measures have been taken to harvestrainwater to the maximum.

To get the green rating, Sathiaramexplained that the material used had to beeco-friendly too.

“Paints, adhesives, coatings and otheritems selected for use in the building haveless volatile organic compounds (VOC).You will not smell the fresh coat of paint,”she explained.

There is more – low ultra violet glass hasbeen used to allow only light and minimiseheat.

The composite wood products useddon’t contain urea formaldehyde that canbe potentially harmful for health. Only jutecarpets will be used inside the building.

The carbon footprint was reduced to alarge extent by sourcing materials nearbyand recycling construction debris insidethe site. Contracts were signed with wastermerchants to collect the segregated paper,glass, plastics and other wastes.

“On the construction side, cement usagewas largely reduced due to post-tensioningtechnology in beams and slabs instead ofconventional reinforced cement concrete,”explained S.A. Mohamed Mohideen,Director, East Coast Construction andIndustries Ltd.

Though the building has yet to be fullycompleted, the administration is lookingto going green with other projects as well.

“This building will create awarenessabout green building concept. We will nowkeenly look at the prospects of going greenwith our other buildings as well,” said P.Natarajan, Superintending Engineer,Public Works Department. v

FEATURE

|13APRIL 2010


12| INDIA MATTERS

By Venkatachari Jagannathan

It’s low on usage of water, power andactually reduces air-conditioningneeds by seven percent. The world’sfirst green legislative building in the

southern metropolis of Chennai, the capi-tal of Tamil Nadu state, has not compro-mised on tradition either, incorporating adome in its revolutionary design.

The new state assembly, costing almost$95 million and inaugurated early Marchby Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, isthe first legislative building to get the Goldrating by the Indian Green BuildingCouncil (IGBC) under the Leadership inEnergy and Environmental Design (LEED)Green Building Rating System developedby the US Green Building Rating Council.

The rating is for the energy saving meas-ures in design and construction of the six-storied structure in the Tamil Nadu capital.

Designed by the German architecturalfirm GMP, which won a global competi-tion, it is an elliptical structure with fourinternal circles and six external semi circleswith a covered driveway skirting it.

It was a race against time for all thoseinvolved in the project, with Tamil NaduChief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhiannouncing in January that the budget forfiscal 2010-11 would be presented in thenew complex.

“The structure is built for the 21st and22nd centuries. The design should be trulymodern and not pseudo modern,” saidRavinder Joshi, chairperson of Pune-basedArchivista Engineering Pvt Ltd, GMP'sIndian associate.

Discussing the majestic 100 ft dome, Joshisaid: “Domes are an inseparable part of leg-islative buildings – whether in India or out-side. So the dome has been incorporated inthe Tamil Nadu Assembly building as well.”

The design also incorporates local fea-tures like courtyards and carvings on thefacade and columns.

“The building’s shape and exteriorcladding has been designed as a smooth arcwhich gleams obliquely against the lineari-ty of the neighbourhood as against a stan-dard block construction, and helps reducethe direct heat radiation on the buildingthereby reducing energy consumption,”said Deepa Sathiaram, Executive Directorof green building consultant En3.

Interestingly, the building for the 21st

and 22nd centuries also adheres toVaastu, the traditional Indian buildingdesign science.

Special care was taken not to disturb theexisting structures and trees on the vastOmathoorar Estate where the building hascome up.

“Several trees were saved by transplantingthem. The entire site has been well plannedwith lots of open and landscaped spaces topromote bio-diversity. There is 340,000square feet of green space available inside theassembly complex,” said Sathiaram.

It has been designed to “harvest” naturallight and to reduce the heat to save on power.

Archivista’s Joshi said: “There is a good

amount of open space for harvesting natu-ral lighting and air. Sunlight is harvested inthe assembly hall through the dome. Theexternal building face is covered with struc-tural glazing and granite cladding to allownatural light and prevent heat. The publicarea before the assembly will have a bigfountain which will help to cool the areawhen there is breeze.”

Sathiaram adds that reflective paint hasbeen used on the roof. “Now 80 percent ofthe heat will be reflected back thereby lower-ing the air conditioning by nearly 7 percent.”

In addition, a large portion of the openterrace will be covered by roof gardens andair chillers.

WORLD’S FIRST GREENLEGISLATIVE BUILDING

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugu-rates the new Tamil Nadu LegislativeAssembly-Secretariat complex in Chennaion March 13, 2010.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi taking Prime Minister Manmohan Singhand UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on a tour of the new building.

The world’s first green legislative buildingin the southern metropolis of Chennai, thecapital of Tamil Nadu state.

Astrophysicists are looking every-where – inside the LargeHadron Collider, in deep minesand far out into space – for evi-

dence of dark matter, which makes upabout 25 percent of the energy density ofthe universe.

Despite the recent tantalising observa-tion of excess high-energy positrons –thought to be due to dark matter,University of California-Irvine (UC-I)researchers say we’re not quite there yet.

Positron is an elementary particle havingthe same mass and magnitude of charge asan electron but exhibiting a positive charge.

Worldwide and at the UC-I, the huntfor dark matter is in full swing. In the 17-mile-long tunnel of the Large HadronCollider near Geneva, Switzerland, scien-tists are smashing together subatomic particles at nearly light speed in a quest forinsight into the nature of the universe.

In dark mine shafts, researchers areregistering faint hints of subatomic parti-cles that they surmise could be dark mat-ter. Scientists working on a satellite

experiment called PAMELA recentlyidentified a large excess of positrons,causing a flurry of excitement about hav-ing detected dark matter. Kaplinghat –working with Jonathan Feng, UC-Iphysics and astronomy professor, andHai-Bo Yu, postdoctoral researcher –evaluated the dark-matter explanation forthe PAMELA finding.

“What we concluded is that the detec-tion of so many positrons makes it unlike-ly they’re all from dark matter,” Kaplinghatadded.

The UC-I study sharpens predictions ofwhat scientists can expect to detect fromthe annihilation of dark-matter particles inour galaxy.

Success in these multipronged effortswould bring astronomers closer to identify-ing the invisible material that constitutes aquarter of the world and determines thearchitecture of the visible universe. v

India is preparing to launch anadvanced remote sensing earth obser-vation satellite in May, undeterred bythe failure of its cryogenic rocket

mission, says a senior space official.“We are going ahead with the schedule of

launching the remote sensing Cartosat-2Bsatellite in the sun-synchronous polar orbitin May second week (8-10) by using a small-er rocket from our spaceport at Sriharikota,”Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)Director S. Satish said.

Sriharikota is an oval-shaped island offthe Andhra Pradesh coast and about 80 kmnortheast of Chennai in south India.

The 300-tonne polar satellite launchvehicle (PSLV-C15) will inject the 690-kgCartosat-2B in the earth’s lower orbit at analtitude of 630 km.

“Cartosat-2B will have a sophisticatedpanchromatic camera on board to takehigher (0.8 metre) spatial resolutionimageries with a swath of 9.6 km of specif-ic spots for cartographic applications such

as mapping, land information and geo-graphical information system,” Satish said.

The Rs.1 billion rocket will also carry anAlgerian satellite (Alsat), two nano satellitesfrom Canada and a satellite — Studsat —built by college students from Bangaloreand Hyderabad.

The Alsat communication satellite will bea commercial launch of the space agency’scommercial arm, Antrix Corporation.

As the PSLV will be fired from the firstlaunch pad, its preparations have not beenhindered by the activity associated with theaborted heavier rocket that carried theGSAT-4 from the second launch pad.

India’s attempt to test flight the indige-nous super-cooled cryogenic upper stageengine failed nearly eight minutes after the416-tonne geo-synchronous satellite launchvehicle (GSLV-D3) deviated from the flightpath at about 60 km and spun out of con-trol to plunge into the Bay of Bengal alongwith the 2.2-tonne GSAT-4 on board .

“The failure of the cryo engine, thoughdisappointing, has not affected the launchschedule of Cartosat-2B or subsequent

launches of GSAT-5 and GSAT-6 later thisyear. The setback has resolved us to pursueother missions as vigorously as before,”Satish added.

As part of the earth observation system,Cartosat-2B will augment the remote sens-ing capability of providing scene-specificspot imagery of its earlier versions such asCartosat-2A, launched in April 2008,Cartosat-2, launched in January 2007, andCartosat-1 that was launched in May 2005.

“The other three Cartosat satellites havebeen functioning well, providing operational services to the user community.The data from the satellites is being used for urban and rural infrastructuredevelopment and management as well asapplications in land information system,”Satish said.

The one-kg Studsat (student satellite) isdesigned to operate in low-earth orbit. Itspayload consists of a camera capable ofcapturing images with a ground resolutionof 90 metre. v

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

|15APRIL 2010


14| INDIA MATTERS

GSLV-D3 takes off from the ISRO facility in Sriharikota, some 100

km from Chennai, on April 15.

Failed GSLV mission not toimpact May satellite launch

India successfully conducted the flighttest of its new generation, high-

performance sounding rocket from thespaceport at Sriharikota in AndhraPradesh, Indian Space ResearchOrganisation (ISRO) said on March 4.

The test was successfully conducted atthe Satish Dhawan Space Centre atSriharikota, about 80 km north-east ofChennai.

Weighing three tonnes at lift-off, theadvanced sounding rocket is the heaviestdeveloped by ISRO, carrying a scramjetengine combustor module to demonstrate air-breathing propulsiontechnology. “During the flight, the rocketremained for seven seconds in the desiredconditions of Mach number (6+0.5) anddynamic pressure (80+35 kPa). Theseconditions are required for a stable igni-tion of active scramjet engine combustormodule,” the statement noted.

A sounding rocket carries an instru-ment to take measurements and performs scientific experiments during itssub-orbital flight. It is used to take read-ings in space at a distance of 50-1,500 kmabove the surface of the earth whereweather balloons float and satellites orbit.

A scramjet consists of a constrictedtube through which inlet air is com-pressed by the high speed of the vehicle,a combustion chamber where fuel iscombusted, and a nozzle through whichthe exhaust jet leaves at higher speed thanthe inlet air.

India tests advancedsounding rocket

Astrophysicists looking for dark matter

Lunar craters buzzing with life?

Polar lunar craters may be live withhundreds of volts of electrical energy,potentially triggered by solar winds

blowing over natural obstructions. Lunarcraters are of interest because of resources,including water ice, which exist there.

The moon’s orientation to the sun keepsthe bottoms of polar craters in permanentshadow, allowing temperatures there toplunge below minus 400 degrees

Fahrenheit, cold enough to store volatilematerial like water for billions of years.

“However, our research suggests that,explorers and robots at the bottoms ofpolar lunar craters may have to contendwith a complex electrical environment aswell, which can affect surface chemistry,”said William Farrell of NASA’s GoddardSpace Flight Centre, Greenbelt, Md.

“This important work by Dr. Farrell andhis team is further evidence that our viewon the moon has changed dramatically inrecent years,” said Gregory Schmidt,Deputy Director of the NASA LunarScience Institute at NASA’s Ames ResearchCentre, Moffett Field, California.

“It has a dynamic and fascinating envi-ronment that we are only beginning tounderstand,” added Schmidt. Solar windinflow into craters can erode the surface,which affects recently discovered watermolecules.

The solar wind is a thin gas of electrical-ly charged components of atoms — nega-tively charged electrons and positivelycharged ions — that is constantly blowingfrom the surface of the sun into space. v

The lunar crater Daedalus, about 93 kmin diametre, has water ice on its surface.

Space shuttle Discovery touched downat the Kennedy Space Centre in

Florida, completing a 15-day mission tothe International Space Station (ISS) thismonth.

The landing was about 90 minuteslater than planned because of fog andrain at Kennedy. The United States spaceagency NASA had to delay its plannedlanding because of bad weather.

Discovery undocked from the ISSafter installing a new ammonia tank anddelivering experiments and other gear.

It delivered more than six tonnes ofgear, including earth observation equip-ment and exercise equipment to preventand study astronaut muscle atrophy.

The shuttle also arrived home withnearly two tonnes of used equipmentand completed experiments stored insidethe Italian-made Leonardo module.

The mission for the first time sawfour women and two Japanese astronautsaboard the ISS with the combined crewsof Discovery and ISS.

Space shuttle Discovery returns

The Hadron Collider.

India will log double-digit growth inthe medium term, spending $1 trillion on infrastructure from 2012-17, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan

Singh said on March 25. Presiding over ameeting of the full Planning Commissionin New Delhi, the Prime Minister said thepast two fiscal years were difficult for theIndian economy due to the sharp global

slowdown and lower food output last yeardue to the failure of monsoon.

“Yet, we have been able to maintain agrowth rate of 7 percent during the last twoyears,” Prime Minister Singh said, addingthat the target now would be to movetowards 10-percent expansion in the medi-um term.

“But restoration of high growth cannot

be taken for granted,” the Prime Ministersaid, laying emphasis on infrastructuredevelopment with greater participation bythe private sector to spruce up the networkof roads, ports, airports and energy.

“We can also expect a strong rebound inagricultural production if we can ensure thatthe various schemes supporting agricultural production, expanding agricul-tural credit and rural infrastructure areimplemented,” Prime Minister Singh added.

Finance Minister Mr. PranabMukherjee, Agriculture Minister Mr.Sharad Pawar, Road Transport andHighways Minister Mr. Kamal Nath,Power Minister Mr. Sushil Kumar Shindeand Planning Commission DeputyChairman Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwaliawere among those who attended thePlanning Commission meeting.

During the meeting, the PlanningCommission placed the draft mid-termappraisal before the members, which saidthat the average rate of growth during the11th Five Year Plan will be 8.1 percent.

“The economy would be well-posi-tioned for the transition to a growth ratehigher than 9 percent in the 12th Planperiod,” added the document.

Earlier, addressing a conference on‘Building Infrastructure: Challenges andOpportunities’ in New Delhi, also organ-ised by the Planning Commission, thePrime Minister promised a renewed focuson infrastructure and said, in the next FiveYear Plan (2012-17), India would need todouble the investment of $500 billion thatwill go into infrastructure development incurrent plan period. v

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

|17APRIL 2010


16|INDIA MATTERS

Bharti signs $10.7-bn deal with Zain

After IT, it’s infrastructure’stime: Minister Kamal Nath

Union Minister for Roads andTransport Kamal Nath hassaid that the next decade willbe the “decade of infrastruc-

ture” in India and invited Canadianinvestors to participate in it.

“If the last decade was the decade of ITin India, the new decade will be the decadeof infrastructure. India faces the biggestdeficit in infrastructure, with national high-ways accounting for just two percent of ourtotal road network,” Minister Nath said.

Speaking at a dinner gala organised bythe Canada-India Business Council inToronto on March 28, the Minister saidthat today, infrastructure is the buzzwordglobally and India offers great opportuni-ties for investors. “Whether you look atEast Asia, the United States or Africa, the

stress is on reinvestment in infrastructure.”Highlighting the government’s plans to

construct 20 km of roads every day, theMinister Nath said India has “embarked onthe biggest infrastructure” project whichwould need $500 billion in investment. “Itis a huge challenge, but we have embarkedon it. We have to transform the country.”

Massive investments in rural roads areneeded as 70 percent of its people live inrural areas, he added. “That is where (ruralareas) India’s future growth will come from.”

Referring to India’s high growth ratedespite the global downturn, he said,“There was no collapse of the system inIndia unlike other countries... our bankshave given money to the government whilegovernments in other countries gavemoney to banks.” v

n IN SHORT n

Buoyed by increased demand fromthe corporate sector, sales of

personal computers (PC), includingnetbooks, rose 42 percent in the thirdquarter of fiscal 2009-10 at two millionunits, an industry forum said in NewDelhi on March 22. Desktop salesincreased 27 percent at 1.35 millionunits. Netbooks and notebooks togeth-er recorded a sale of 660,000 units,growing 90 percent compared to thelike period in the previous fiscal, theManufacturers’ Association forInformation Technology (MAIT) saidin its quarterly report.

PC sales up 42% in thirdquarter of fiscal 2009-10

Value added services (VAS) of thetelecom sector are expected to

touch Rs. 200 billion by 2015 from thecurrent Rs. 650 million after the intro-duction of 3G services, an Airtel officialsaid recently.

Shivan Bhargava, Airtel Gujarat circle chief, said: “VAS revenues con-tributed 10 percent of total revenues forany operator and this was expected totouch 20 percent in the near future ledby growth of the youth segment andinternet-based applications.”

Telecom VAS to touchRs. 200 bn by 2015

The Indian economy could growclose to 8 percent in the last

quarter of the current fiscal, while theoverall growth for the year could bebetween 7.2-7.4 percent, according toan industry lobby. “The GDP growthfigure could be close to 8 percent forthe fourth quarter in view of sustainedeconomic activities in manufacturing,exports showing recoveries and indus-try intensifying capacity utilisation,”said the Associated Chambers ofCommerce and Industry of India.

Economy may growclose to 8 pc: Assocham

India will log double-digitgrowth: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh being welcomed by Deputy Chairman of PlanningCommission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and Minister of State of Planning andParliamentary Affairs, V. Narayanasamy, in New Delhi on March 23.

India will add about 120 million peo-ple to its working population by 2020,constituting 28 percent of the world’s

workforce, according to Deputy Governorof the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), SubirGokarn. “In the decade of 2010-20, Indiawill add 120 million people in the work-ing age-group looking for employmentwhich will make India’s working popula-tion 28 percent of the global force,”Gokarn said during a Confederation ofIndian Industry (CII) conference recently.

India is poised to have an upper handcompared to any other nation in terms ofworking population in the coming years.

Speaking about the need for trainedand skilled manpower, the deputy gover-nor said if India were to achieve a doubledigit growth, it would have to effectivelyemploy the increasing workforce. Gokarnadded that during 2020-2030, India willadd another 100 million people to itswork force against China which, duringthe period, will see a 62 million drop.

28% of world’s workforce in India by 2020 India’s top private tele-com company BhartiAirtel on March 30

signed a $10.7-billiondeal to acquire theAfrican assets of Kuwait’sZain, in what will makethe combined entity the world’s fifthlargest mobile telephony firm.

This is the largest overseas acquisition ofassets in Africa by an Indian company, eventhough it does not cover the assets of Zainin Sudan and Morocco. The deal wassigned in Zain’s headquarters inAmsterdam. Chairman Sunil Mittal, onbehalf of Bharti and his counterpart from

Zain, Asaad Al Banwan,signed the legally-bindingdefinitive agreement.

“This agreement is alandmark for the globaltelecom industry and agame changer for Bharti.

More importantly, this transaction is a pio-neering step towards South-South cooper-ation and strengthening of ties betweenIndia and Africa. With this acquisition,Bharti Airtel will be transformed into atruly global telecom company with opera-tions across 18 countries fulfilling ourvision of building a world-class multina-tional,” Mittal said. v

RBI Deputy Governor Subir Gokarn

The Government hopes to netaround Rs. 450 billion from theongoing auctions to awardradio frequency spectrum for

third generation (3G) telecom services andfor rolling out broadband wireless internetservices, Communications Minister Mr. A.Raja said.

“The auction of 3G and BroadbandWireless Access (BWA) spectrum puttogether is likely to fetch Rs. 440-450bil-lion for the government,” Minister Rajasaid on the sidelines of an event organisedby an association of telecom operators.

This figure is much higher than the Rs.350 billion predicted by the Governmentas revenue from these auctions.

At the end of the ninth day of the auc-tion, which began April 9, the provisionalwinning price for a pan-India licence stoodat Rs. 63.55 billion, up 81.5 percent fromRs. 35 billion reserve price fixed by theGovernment.

On divestment of BSNL, the Ministersaid, “The Group of Ministers will lookinto the recommendations made by theSam Pitroda committee.”

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hadset up the Pitroda Panel with HDFCChairman Deepak Parekh and TelecomSecretary P.J. Thomas as members toreview the functioning of the company andsuggest ways to improve its financialhealth. v

3G auction may fetch Rs. 450billion: Minister A. Raja

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

|19APRIL 2010


18|INDIA MATTERS

Domestic BPO market to grow 25%

The Indian business process out-sourcing (BPO) market hasrebounded faster than its globalcounterparts.

The domestic BPO market is expected togrow at 25 percent in 2010 to touch $1.2billion by 2011, said a Gartner study.

The country’s domestic BPO servicesmarket grew by 7.3 percent year-on-year in2009, primarily due to the global econom-ic uncertainty, which led to some price andvolume pressures.

According to research and advisory firmGartner, the BPO market in India is esti-mated to grow 19 percent through 2013and grow to $1.8 billion by 2013.

“During the first half of 2009, we didsee some optimism about spending butmany firms did not decide on it, as theywere not sure how the economy in NorthAmerica and Europe would pick up. Buttowards the second half of 2009, therewere inquiries and we saw a 20 percentgrowth rate,” said Gartner Research

Director T.J. Singh.Singh added, “The deal sizes in the

domestic BPO segment range between $5-10 million and go up to $20 million. There

are the larger $50-million deals as well butthe percentage of these deals would be just10 per cent when compared to the smallerones.” v

FDI policy to simplify procedure

The Governmenthas unveiled acomprehens i ve

policy document that con-solidates all policies on for-eign direct investment(FDI), including as manyas 178 Press Notes issuedfrom time to time, in a bidto simplify procedures.

Commerce and Industry Minister Mr.Anand Sharma unveiled the document inNew Delhi, saying it would be updatedevery six months, with the help of theFederation of Indian Chambers ofCommerce and Industry .

“The Department of Industrial Policyand Promotion (DIPP) will ensure that thechanges are incorporated every sixmonths,” Minister Sharma said, adding theindustry lobby will also help and assistprospective foreign investors willing toinvest here.

Finance Minister Mr. PranabMukherjee had earlier announced about

the document in hisBudget speech onFebruary 26, saying allprior rules, regulationsand guidelines on foreigninvestment would be con-solidated so that there iscomplete transparency onthe matter. “This wouldenhance clarity and pre-

dictability of our foreign direct investmentpolicy to foreign investors,” the FinanceMinister had said.

So far, FDI into India was administeredprimarily through a series of Press Notes,rules and guidelines issued over the years.These Press Notes not only fix investmentcaps on sectors like telecommunication ormedia, but also specify how foreign equityinflows will be treated. After compiling theoperational Press Notes, the DIPP will putup the draft FDI rules for public comments.Moreover, the language and the wording inthe new rule book will be simpler for bettercomprehension of investors. v

Foreign tourists arriving in India regis-tered a growth of 12.9 percent in the

month of March compared to the corre-sponding period last year, said recent datareleased by the Tourism Ministry.

According to figures, foreign touristarrivals during March this year was472,000 compared to 418,000 duringthe corresponding period last year.Foreign tourist arrivals during this year(January-March) were 1,563,000 with agrowth rate of 12.8 percent, compared to1,386,000 during the first three monthslast year. The foreign exchange earningsfrom travel during March this year wereRs. 55.07 billion compared to Rs. 44.37billion in 2009.

Rise in foreign tourist arrivals

Commerce and IndustryMinister Mr. Anand Sharma

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hascalled upon state governments, teach-

ers, parents and guardians to help makethe Right to Education Act a success. The Right to Education Act,2009 has come into force from April 1this year making education a fundamentalright for all children aged 6 to 14 years.

Describing education as the ‘key tosuccess’ that empowers the individualand enables a nation, the Prime Ministersaid the implementation of the funda-mental right to education demonstratedthe government’s “national commitmentto the education of our children and tothe future of India”.

“To realise the Right to Education, thegovernment at the Centre, in the statesand union territories, and at the districtand village level, must work together aspart of a common national endeavour. Icall upon all the state governments tojoin in this national effort with fullresolve and determination,” PrimeMinister Singh said.

Emphasising the importance of educa-tion, he said it was education that hadhelped him travel the distance. “I wasborn to a family of modest means. In mychildhood, I had to walk a long distanceto go to school. I read under the dimlight of a kerosene lamp. I am what I amtoday because of education,” he said.

Make education a fundamentalright, says PM

IIP up 15.1% in February 2010

Asustained revivalin production ofcapital goods

and consumer durableshas powered a 15.1 per-cent growth in the offi-cial Index of IndustrialProduction (IIP) in February compared toa meagre 0.2 percent during the samemonth a year ago. February marks thefourth consecutive month of double-digitindustrial growth. The cumulative growthfor the April-February period was 10.1 per-cent, as against 3 percent for the corre-

sponding 11 months of2008-09.

Production of capitalgoods was up 44.4 per-cent in February year-on-year. Similarly, con-sumer durables output

rose 29.9 percent. The underlying trend,nevertheless, is clear: There is a revival ofconfidence among both consumers andcorporates, whether it pertains to job secu-rity or profit expectations and, in turn,translating into higher spending ondurables or plant and machinery. v

Khajjiar, a small scenic saucer-shaped flat terrain enclosed bydense pine and deodar forests,is one of the 160 places in the

world to have been designated a ‘MiniSwitzerland’. A spectacular tourist resortin Chamba, about 24 km fromDalhousie, in Himachal Pradesh, at analtitude of 6,500 feet above sea level,Khajjiar is set against the backdrop ofdense pines, deodars and lush greenmeadows.

Khajjiar has always been a favouritedestination of tourists thanks to its majes-tic deodars, rolling meadows, bubblystreams, and above all its sheer exuber-ance of natural beauty. Mother Naturewears all her finest drapery at Khajjiar.

On July 7, 1992, Willy T. Blazer, thenvice-counselor and head of chancery ofSwitzerland in India, brought this scenicspot on the world tourism map by chris-tening it ‘Mini Switzerland’. Blazer alsoput a signboard of a yellow Swiss hikingfootpath showing Khajjiar’s distancefrom the Swiss capital Berne – 6,194km.

The counselor carried back with him astone from Khajjiar which forms part ofa stone collage erected around the SwissParliament in Berne! Khajjar is the nearperfect destination for tourists seekingsolitude far from the hustle and bustle ofcity life.

The resort also provides a magnificentand breathtaking view of snowcapped

TRAVEL

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20|INDIA MATTERS

Situated at a height of 6,500 feet above sea level inHimachal Pradesh, Khajjiar, designated as ‘MiniSwitzerland’, is the perfect destination for those seeking toget away from the hustle and bustle of city life

By Air: The nearest airport fromKhajjar is Gaggal in Kangra, situatedat a distance of 180 km. By Rail: Pathankot is the nearest rail-head for travelling to Khajjar. Theplace is situated at a distance of 80 kmfrom the hill resort. Almost all themain railway stations are connectedwith this railway station. Buses andtaxis can be boarded to reach Khajjarfrom Pathankot. Chandigarh andDelhi are the two major cities nearKhajjar.By Road: Khajjar, well-connectedwith most of the cities of the state, iseasily accessible by road and is hardlyabout one-and-a-half hours drivingfrom Dalhousie and Chamba.Himachal Road TransportCorporation operates bus services,connecting Khajjar with the majorcities in and around the state.Best time to visit Khajjiar: BetweenMarch and June

HOW TO REACH

KHAJJI NAGA SHRINE: Khajjiar is famous for the popular Khajji Naga shrinededicated to the serpent god. The temple dates back to the 10th century AD and isadorned with magnificent patterns and images on its ceilings and wooden posts.The images of the five Pandavas – Yudhishtra, Bhim, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev –beautifully carved in wood stand in the corners of the mandapa of the temple.KALATOPE: Located between Dalhousie and Khajjiar, Kalatope is a beautifulforested area. Thick forest covers the hilltop – perhaps why the place is calledKalatope (literally meaning a black cap). From here, one can have a panoramic viewof the surrounding landscape: the lush greenery of the hills, snow-capped moun-tains, the valleys, the greenery and the ruggedness standing from the place. Whiletraveling to Khajjiar from Dalhousie, you will be tempted to halt at Kalatope whichhouses a sanctuary where you can watch wildlife in their natural habitat.KHAJJIAR LAKE: Khajjiar also has an islet surrounded by a small lake, calledKhajjiar Lake. Fed by tiny streams, this small lake rests in the centre of the largeglade of Khajjiar. With vast snow-line appearing above its lush woods, this beautifullake is fed by countless streams that crisscrossing the area. Regarded as holy, locallegend has it that the lake is fathomless and that few have been able to measure itsdepth so far. A delightful sight is that of a clump of reeds and grasses that has overtime morphed into a beautiful and much photographed floating ‘island’ on the lake!CHAMBA: Chamba town is 24 km from Khajjiar and this popular tourist spot islocated in a picturesque valley, amongst the Shivalik ranges. Some spectacularmedieval temples adorn the small city.DALHOUSIE: The hill station of Dalhousie is 22 km from Khajjiar and is a pop-ular summer retreat set amongst the lower Himalayan ranges. GOLF COURSE: There is a picturesque nine-hole golf course at Khajjiar, which isan added attarction for the golf aficionado.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

white mountain ranges. In fact, Khajjiarelegantly nestles in the foothills of theimposing Dhauladhar ranges of theWestern Himalayas. The dish-shapedKhajjiar provides a panoramic perspec-tive to visitors.

The history of this picturesque place isassociated with the rulers of Chamba.Local Rajput rulers, a warrior class, ruledChamba Valley in the 6th century ADand made Khajjiar their capital. Duringthe medieval period, Khajjiar was subju-gated by the Mughal rulers. Later, theplace came under various Sikh kingdomsbefore its was taken over by the British.It became a part of the state of HimachalPradesh when India became an inde-pendent nation. v

KHAJJIAR:MINI SWITZERLANDOF INDIA

QUIZ

APRIL 201022|INDIA MATTERS

OVERVIEW

SIZEl Petroleum and natural gas constitutes

over 15% of GDP and includes trans-portation, refining and marketing ofpetroleum products and gas l Revenue of over $130 billion in FY 07

l India has a crude oil refining capacityof about 135 MMT

l Natural gas demand is estimated of159 MMSCMD (2007-08) withdomestic supply of about 80MMSCMD and import of about 18MMSCMD resulting in huge unmetdemand

l Production of petroleum productsexpected to grow at a CAGR of 9%per annum over the next five years

STRUCTUREl Public sector companies play a major

role in oil refineries, oil and gaspipelines and gasoline retail outlets l Indian Oil Corporation and its sub-sidiaries control over 40% of India’srefining capacity and own/franchisemost gasoline retail outlets l Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL)owns and operates a large gas grid

l Reliance Industries and Essar Group

are the major Indian private sectorparticipantsl Reliance Petroleum is setting aexport-oriented 27 MMTPA grassrootrefinery at Jamnagar - the singlelargest grassroot refinery in the world

l Shell has invested in refining andretail; British Gas has invested in citygas distribution

POLICYl 100% FDI is allowed in petroleum

refining, petroleum product and gaspipelines and marketing/retail throughthe automatic route

l Virtual administrative price control ofgovernment over most petroleumproducts

l Petroleum and Natural Gas RegulatoryBoard Bill has been enacted l A regulatory board has been con-stituted

l Natural Gas Pipeline Policy has beenconstituted to delineate policy andpromote competition

OPPORTUNITY

OUTLOOKl High GDP growth rate, rapidly grow-

ing vehicle population and better road

infrastructure will drive consumptionof petroleum products l Industry is expected to have CAGRof about 12% l Over 92 MMT of additional refiningcapacity planned by 2012

l Over 100 MMSCMD of additionaldemand for natural gas in the nextfour years l Recent gas finds and increaseduse of gas for power generation,petrochemicals, fertilisers and citygas distribution

POTENTIALl Several areas of unexploited poten-

tial, including: l City gas distribution l LNG (import) infrastructure – termi-nals, regassification, pipelines toindustrial consumers

l Growing demand-supply mismatchprovides opportunities for investmentin the entire value chain for petroleum(refining, product pipelines, storageand retail) and natural gas

l Investment need of $22 billion and$15 billion estimated in refining andthe marketing and gas transportationnetwork respectively by 2012

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIA’S PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS SECTOR

Source: www.investmentcommission.in

1. The name of which Himalayan mountainliterally translates into “the five treasuresof snows” as it has five peaks, four ofwhich are over 8,450 metres high?

2. The members of which Indian footballclub are nicknamed Mariners as theclub’s logo is a boat?

3. Established as the Canara Industrial andBanking Syndicate Ltd on November 10,1925, in Udupi, Karnataka, how is this bank,now a nationalised one, known as today?

4. What is the title of the 1978 ShyamBenegal film, starring Shashi Kapoor andNaseeruddin Shah that is based on thenovel The Flight of Pigeons by RuskinBond?

5. Which ethnic Indian cuisine gets its namefrom the name of a district in Karnataka?

6. Who is credited as the first science fic-tion writer in Bengali for the story,Niruddesher Kahini, he wrote that waspublished in 1896?

7. In sports, what is common to Surjeevani orSanjeevani, Gamini and Amar?

8. Which two zonal railways of the IndianRailways operate the vital Mumbai subur-ban railway system?

9. What was the full name of the Indian emperor of the Maurya dynasty, Ashoka the Great?

10. Parliamentarians for Global Action,UNICEF, Medicins Sans Frontiers and Billand Melinda Gates Foundation are theonly organisations till date to win whichinternational award instituted by India in1986?

11. Which university in India is Asia's largestresidential university?

12. What has Michael Foley, a graduate ofthe National School of Design,designed for the 2010 CommonwealthGames in New Delhi with technical helpfrom Bharat Electronics and TitanIndustries?

THE PICTURE QUESTION

Shown here is the logo of a major public sectorunit (PSU) under the Indian government. Canyou name the PSU?

(From this, the April 2010 issue of India Matters, indiQtive will be no longer be in the regular questionand answer format and is instead being turned into a contest. Readers are invited to answer thequestions given in the column which will make them eligible to win a prize to be given by theIndian Consulate in Dubai. Writing in the answers to claim a prize. All answers should be e-mailed to [email protected] and the first person to email the correct answer will win the prize. Pleasemention your postal address, mobile phone number and e-mail address clearly in the mail.)

Consulate General of IndiaP.O. BOX 737, DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Tel: +971 4 3971222/ +971 4 3971333, Fax: +971 4 3970453, Tlx.: 46061 CGIND EMEmail: [email protected]

CONSULATE HOTLINE NUMBERS: +971 50 9433111 (For women/housemaids in distress and counseling for stress and depression)

+971 50 7347676 (For death formalities on holidays and after office hours)600 522229 (Passport and Visa Services Centre)

Embassy of India, Abu DhabiPlot No. 10, Sector W-59/02, Diplomatic Area, Off the Airport Road

P.O. Box 4090, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesTel: +971 2 4492700, Fax: +971 2 4444685 / +971 2 4447768

Email: [email protected]

Crown Prince of Ajman, HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, received newlyappointed Consul General of India in Dubai Sanjay Verma on April 26. Al Nuaimi wel-comed the Indian Consul, wishing him success in the performance of his duties. Duringthe meeting they discussed economic, trade and cultural relations and about the coopera-

tion between the two countries and ways to further promote them. The meeting wasattended by Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Noaimi, Chairman, Department of

Municiplaity and Planning, Salim Saif Al Mathrooshi, Deputy Director, Emeiri Court,Yousuf Al Noimi, Director (Protocol) and a number of other officials.

PUBLICATION OF THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA IN DUBAI

◆ India to log double digit growth,says Prime Minister

◆ After IT, it is infrastructure’s time,says Minister Kamal Nath

◆ Domestic BPO market to grow 25%◆ 3G auction may fetch Rs. 450

billion: Minister A. Raja

Consul General visits Crown Prince of Ajman

VOL. 2 ISSUE 4 APRIL 2010

Minister Salman Khurshid comeson four-day visit to UAE

PADMA SHRI for Dr. J.R. Gangaramani

“India matter is now back in a new way.... every Saturday 6 to 7 PM brought to you by the Consulate General of India, Dubai”

M.K. Lokesh is newAmbassador of Indiato UAE

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