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INDIA VOL 26 NO. 8 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012 PERSPECTIVES HERITAGE India’s Rich Legacy of Handicrafts FESTIVAL A Christmas Card From Shimla GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES Unfurling the Asian Dream CINEMA Amitabh Bachchan TRAVEL Five reasons to visit Goa INSIDE

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INDIAVOL 26 NO. 8 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

PERSPECTIVES

HERITAGEIndia’s Rich Legacy of Handicrafts

FESTIVALA Christmas Card From Shimla

GLOBALPERSPECTIVESUnfurling the Asian Dream

CINEMAAmitabh Bachchan

TRAVELFive reasons to visit Goa

INSIDE

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December 2012-January 2013INDIATHISMONTH

December 25-January 25MAMALLAPURAM DANCE FESTIVALWatch Kuchipudi, Odissi,Bharatanatyam, Kathakaliand Kathak dancers fromacross India perform at thebackdrop of rocksculptures. Where: Mahablipuram,Tamil Nadu

December 29-31MOUNT ABU WINTERFESTIVALA tribute to Rajasthan’stribal life and culture, thethree-day festivity includesceremonial processions andfolk performances byartistes from Rajasthan,Gujarat, Punjab andHaryana. Poetry readingsessions, kite flying, hot airballooning, water sports andfireworks are its otherattractions. Where: Mount Abu,Rajasthan

December 23-29INTERNATIONAL ODISSI DANCE FESTIVALEnjoy a week of Indianclassical dance by renowneddancers like SonalMansingh, Gayatri Chandand Meera Das. Foreignartistes from Russia, France, Italy, Mexico, US,Japan and Peru will alsoentertain the audience.Where: Bhubaneswar,Odisha

December 27-31VISHNUPUR FESTIVALAlso known as the Poushmela, it has been given thestatus of national fair. The festival celebrates therich heritage of this templetown known for its terracottatemples and silk saris.Other highlights includelocal handicrafts, culturalmusic and dance. Where: Bankura district,West Bengal

January 8-9BIKANER CAMEL FESTIVALA procession of bedeckedcamels is the highlight ofthe two-day event. Theanimals decorated in typicalRajasthani attires danceand take part in variouscompetitions. Evenings are enlivened by folk musicand dances. Where: Bikaner, Rajasthan

January 9-12INTERNATIONAL KITEFESTIVALWatch 150 fliers fromacross the world as they flykites of different shapes andsizes along the banks ofSabarmati. A light andsound show, workshops andtraining on kite making areother events on its sidelines.Where: Ahmedabad

December 15-January 31KUTCH RANN UTSAV Watch artisans at work andexplore the rich craftslegacy during the fair. Shopfor textiles, shawls and rugsand go on camel safari orhop on to a hot air balloon.Food, music and culturalprogrammes are its otherhighlights.Where: Bhuj, Gujarat

December 27-29SUNBURN FESTIVALThe 6th edition of Asia’sbiggest dance music festivalwill feature artistes likeAudiogramme, Above andBeyond, Jalebee Cartel and Laughing Buddha. Where: Candolim Beach, Goa

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editorial note

The New Year is here and a fresh set of resolutions is in place as we makea sincere effort to make 2013 better than the last year. It’s winter in Delhiand the nation is getting ready to celebrate its 64th Republic Day thisJanuary. To celebrate the good tidings, we bring you a special double issue

that not just offers a list of gift ideas from India, but also assists you in planning avacation that you have been waiting for.

In our Heritage section, discover the rich handicraft tradition that is popularacross the globe for its functional and aesthetic appeal. The palette is varied andvibrant with myriad hues of silks and cotton from Bengal to south India, ornatewooden collectibles, handmade jewellery from Orissa, Jharkhand and Nagaland,and colourful Madhubani, Pithora and Warli paintings. This tradition is also a sourceof livelihood to millions.

Indian classical dance is creating a mark in the global arena. The art form hasfascinated foreigners so much so that the number of international students comingto India to learn classical dance is increasing by the day. In this issue, we take a lookat a few students who have followed their passion. What is more fascinating is thatthese foreign residents have built cultural bridges between nations, nationalities andpeople by propagating the Indian dance forms in their respective countries.

As we look back at the year gone by, India had many reasons to cheer about.Year 2012 should be specifically remembered as the year of sportspersons as theydominated the scene right from London Olympics, where India witnessed its highestmedal tally ever, to the field of cricket with Sachin Tendulkar’s 100th century andmega indoor sports such as billiards and chess, with Pankaj Advani andViswanathan Anand bagging their eighth and fifth world title, respectively. Thesection, Newsmakers 2012 also recognises the Indian business and thoughtleaders, entertainers and activists who left their imprint on the year gone by.

In Global Perspectives, we take a look at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visitto Cambodia, which has set the stage for the Summit that is expected to result inthe adoption of a Vision Statement which will chart the future direction of ASEAN-India relations.

With the hope that this magic spell of good tidings continue, here’s wishing youall a Happy 2013!

Riva Ganguly Das

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November-December 2012 � VOL 26 No. 8/2012

INDIAPERSPECTIVES

Editor: Riva Ganguly DasAssistant Editor: Ashish Arya

MEDIA TRANSASIA TEAM

Senior Assistant Editor: Urmila Marak

Creative Director: Bipin Kumar

Editorial Coordinator: Kanchan Rana

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Production: Sunil Dubey (DGM), Ri tesh Roy (Sr. Manager)Brijesh K. Juyal (Pre-Press Operator)

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President: Xavier Collaco

Financial Controller: Puneet Nanda

Send editorial contributions and letters to Media Transasia India Ltd.

323, Udyog Vihar, Phase IV, Gurgaon 122016

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India Perspectives is published every month in Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Bengali,English, French, German, Hindi, Italian,Pashto, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Sinhala, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu andVietnamese. Views expressed in the articles are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Ministry of External Affairs.

This edition is published for the Ministry ofExternal Affairs by Riva Ganguly Das, Joint Secretary, Public Diplomacy Division,New Delhi, 0145, 'A' Wing, Jawahar LalNehru Bhawan, New Delhi-110011Tel: 91-11-49015276 Fax: 91-11-49015277

Website: http://www.indiandiplomacy.in

Text may be reproduced with anacknowledgement to India Perspectives

For a copy of India Perspectives contact the nearest Indian diplomatic mission.

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NEWSMAKERS 2012

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COVER PHOTO: A FOREIGNER PERFORMING AN ODISSI DANCE COVER DESIGN: BIPIN KUMAR

India This Month 2

Heritage:Gifts From India 6

Festival:A Christmas Card from Shimla 18

Global Perspectives:Prime Minister ManmohanSingh’s Visit to Cambodia 24

Comments:Aung San Suu Kyi’s Speech on Jawaharlal Nehru’s 123rd Birth Anniversary 30

Campaign:India Is... 36

Newsmakers 2012:A Look Back at the Year That Was 40

Cinema:Amitabh Bachchan, India’s Most Enduring Superstar 52

Culture:Language of the Soul: Indian Classical Dance 58

Travel:Five Reasons to Visit Goa 64

Profile:S.B. Mujumdar, Founder and Chancellor of Symbiosis International University 76

Sports:History of Chess 78

Review:Power of Printed Picture 86

Verbatim:Anna M.M. Vetticad, Film Journalist, Writer and Teacher 90

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40

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

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giftsindia

from

HERITAGE

India’s rich tradition of handicrafts is not only popularin the country, but also in huge demand abroad.Whether it is the exquisite hand-printed textiles fromRajasthan, or the exclusive wall decor displaying theroyal culture, or the intricate wood crafts fromSrinagar, there is something special for everyone andthey make perfect gift items during the festive season.India Perspectives unwraps some of them thatrepresent the country’s cultural diversity...

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JUTTISpecific to Punjab and Rajasthan, this footwear isembellished with golden threads and colourful beads. Thepopular handcrafted jutti, made of different shades ofleather, is not only a part of the ceremonial attire but alsoused casually by both men and women. The shimmeringjuttis adorned the feet of kings and queens of India andwealthy landlords earlier.

MARBLE CRAFTJaipur and Agra are home to thisextraordinary art work where theartisans have been passing ontheir skills from generations.From furniture, sculptures,figurines to vases, candle standsand other decorative items,marble craft holds a timelessappeal. One of the SevenWonders of the World, the TajMahal, is the greatest exampleof marble architecture.

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WOODCRAFTDecorative carving and inlaywork with copper and brasswires, painting andlacquering are some uniquewoodcraft forms prevalent inIndia. Saharanpur in UttarPradesh is popular for itsintricate wooden work.Hoshiarpur in Punjab isfamous for its lacquer work.Mysore and Bengaluru areknown for handicrafts such asboxes, trays and key chainsmade from sandalwood.Kashmiri craftsmen arefamous for their interestingarray of wood work. Art piecesfrom Rajasthan are also ingreat demand.

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LEATHER CRAFTShoes, jackets, lampshades, pouches,handbags, leathergarments, gloves, belts,wallets and stuffed toysmade from leather areexported worldwide.Craftsmen fromRajasthan are knownfor their skilleddecorative saddles,beautiful lamp andlamp shades. Kashmiris also famous for itsornamental leatherproducts. MadhyaPradesh andSantiniketan in WestBengal are popular forits embroidered redleather items like shoes and bags.

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PAINTINGSIndia is known worldwidefor its court paintings andfolk styles. Miniaturepaintings in the Kangrastyle, Patachitra, folkpaintings of Madhubani,Pithora, Warli, have movedon from walls to canvas andother media. The scrollpaintings used by bards forstory telling also adorn thewalls be it the Phad fromRajasthan, Patta paintingsfrom Bengal or Cherial fromAndhra Pradesh.

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CREWELEMBROIDERYA fascinating needle artsimilar to chain stitch,called crewel or aariembroidery, is in greatdemand worldwide. Thebeautiful embroideredfabric done with wool orsilk thread on a closelywoven ground fabric,typically linen or cottonis a speciality fromKashmir. They makeexcellent householdfurnishings, wallhangings, bedspreads,rugs, cushion, pillow andduvet covers.

BLUE POTTERYBlue pottery of Jaipur is the most exquisite and bestknown ceramic craft of the world. It is called ‘blue pottery’as it is designed in vibrant blue. Various traditional andcontemporary articles like dinner sets, flower pots, soapdishes, trays, lamp shades and jars are much coveteditems. Delhi, Amritsar in Punjab and Rampur in UttarPradesh are other places to buy the glazed pottery from.

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METAL CRAFTUttar Pradesh is the largest brass and coppermaking state in India. Embossed, enamelled andburnished brass vessels, coffee tables, vases,candlesticks, beer mugs, statues, door knobs andknockers, drawer handles, and mirror frames areonly a fraction of what is produced here. Brassworkers in Varanasi, UP, specialise in engravingstylised flowers, vines, leaves, birds and geometricoctagons on polished brass.

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TRADITIONALJEWELLERYThe jewellers herespecialise in makinglightweight, hollow goldand silver ornaments.Kundankari and Meenakarijewellery from Rajasthan,temple jewellery fromTamil Nadu stand out fortheir uniqueness. Tribaljewellery made from beads,wood, clay, shells andcrude metal fromNagaland, Jharkhand,Bihar and Madhya Pradeshcan be found across thecountry. While Mysore isrenowned for gold filigree,silver filigree work standsout from Cuttack, Odisha,and Karimnagar in AndhraPradesh. The account isincomplete without areference to the exquisitesilver jewellery fromGujarat, Rajasthan,Himachal Pradesh andKashmir.

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CLAY CRAFTThe exquisitely crafted terracotta hanging lamps, hand-made diyas (lamps),figurines, pots, toys, wall hangings, candle stands have many internationalbuyers. Terracotta handmade designer decorative tiles have also gainedimmense popularity worldwide. West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh arefamous for making clay and terracotta idols of Hindu gods and goddesses.

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APPLIQUE WORKThe appliqué work ofOdisha is aninseparable part of thetemple tradition. It isused as canopiesduring the annual RathYatra or the ChariotFestival at Puri toprotect the chariots ofLord Jagannath. Thecolourful lamp shades,garden umbrellas, bedcovers, pillow covers,wall hangings and evenhandbags are populargift items. The motifsvary from beautifulanimals, birds, flowersand leaves.

TRADITIONAL TOYSThe handcrafted stringpuppets from Rajasthan,Maharashtra, WestBengal and Odisha arethe most popular andthey make perfect wallhangings. Banrutti inTamil Nadu is known forclay dolls. Wooden toysof Andhra Pradesh arealso very popular. Bridaldolls from West Bengal,Tripura and Manipur arein great demand.

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CANE AND BAMBOO CRAFTThe vast repertoire of bambooand cane products includefloor and tablemats, lampshades, trays, baskets,jewellery, handbags, furniture,mugs, musical instruments,dolls and toys. The best placesto buy these eco-friendlyproducts are from Assam,Meghalaya, West Bengal,Tripura, Kerala, Mizoram andArunachal Pradesh.

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WEAVES AND TEXTILESVaranasi in Uttar Pradesh remains most reputed for its silk brocade saris. Weavers create fiveyards of sheer poetry. Birds, flower motifs, all gorgeously worked in gold, silver and copper wirestrail all over as you drape the graceful fabric across. Kanjeevaram silk sari from the south withits beautiful swan borders and elaborate design, patola from Gujarat, paithani fromMaharashtra, Lucknow chikan, tussar from Bihar, eri and muga silk from Assam, bomkai fromOdisha, Kantha and Batik from West Bengal are much coveted. The intricate designs are foundnot only on saris but also on stoles, dress materials and shawls.

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A Christmas Card from

SHIMLAJohn Dayal travels back to his childhood to meetthe angels and shepherds on the white hills

FESTIVAL

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Nostalgia can always make it snow on theSimla hills on Christmas eve. That is how Iremember Simla, long before it changed itsname to Shimla and lost the white cover on

the most important morning of the year, December 25. Papa had been posted there in the early 1950s,

straight from Srinagar. It was a new country, revelling inits new-found freedom, and yet desperate to forget, thetrauma of Partition, which had spared neither the valleyof Kashmir nor the dales of New Shimla, heavy withrefugees seeking new homelands and new livings. Thiswas prime time for army pioneers, and men of theSurvey of India. The structure of the Forces made itcertain that men of the sea and the wide rivers wereseeing the High Ranges for the first time in their lives.And for the younger lot still on a belated honeymoon,their firstborns could legitimately claim the heritage of

the Himalayas, as to those heights-born. Not so easy on the young mothers, toting their first

or first two children in a strange land, no joint orextended families for support, not even really thecomfort of common languages. The melting and mixingmachine of the Forces ensured the neighbourhood,clinging to rented rooms and barracks on the hillsideoff the Mall Road, had a motley mix of tongues andcultures, food platters and grandma tales on how tobring up a family. It was fun and the weather and thecompany had much to do with it.

The mix ensured we would not be talking of aWestern Christmas-card Christmas, as perhapscelebrated in Bombay (now Mumbai) and Goa, if onlythey could buy the snow with their money. It was alsonot just the routinely festive appam (pancake madefrom rice), stew and sweets of the south, or the gujiyas

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(crescent-shaped fried pastries) and shakkar-paras(deep-fried sweet crackers) of the northern plains. Thecake could be bought from the few excellent shops onthe Mall as a universal equaliser, but the variety camefrom the cultural mix. That is where my mother learntto make kheer (milk-based dessert), the pulao (a ricedish), and the aforementioned chicken stew. Theshakkar-paras could be kept in the tin box long afterthe cake had been consumed, and the curry was justa memory. But of course I am getting ahead of mystory. Memories of food will always alter such memoirs.

As every child knows, Christmas begins long beforeChristmas, perhaps a month before, and it has nothingto do with the Lenten season of Advent or anything soreligious. It has to do with anticipation.

There is a sharp chill in the air, there are morningsand evenings of fog, or, rather, low clouds that either

rise from the valleys or descend from the peaks tostraddle the tall firs and the shrubs with bright redbunches of flowers in a nice game of hide-and-seek.The sharp slope down the Mall on either side, oneleading to the St Thomas school, where a few boyswere admitted to an all-girl establishment asconcession to the families of the Forces and Survey ofIndia, had always provided for some delectable, ifdangerous, slides with improvised wheeled boards, andthe young males were looking forward to do the runwithout wheels once the slope had turned white.

There was some carol singing to be had, or heard,and in multiple languages, but I now do not fullyremember if mother ever took us to a midnight service.

The morning service more than made up for it. Asalways during winter and even in summer, mother wouldgive us our thrice-a-week bath late in the evening, just

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CHRISTMAS BEGINS LONG, BEFORE CHRISTMAS,PERHAPS A MONTH BEFORE, AND IT HAS NOTHING TO

DO WITH THE LENTEN SEASON OF ADVENT OR ANYTHING SORELIGIOUS. IT HAS TO DO WITH ANTICIPATION

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CHRISTMAS DAY ALWAYS DAWNED BRIGHT AND AS CRISP AS OUR SHIRTS. ALLELUIA! IT HAD SNOWED THE PREVIOUS NIGHT AND CLEARED UP JUST INTIME FOR THE SERVICE

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before tucking us into bed. There was just not timeenough, or enough hot water, in the mornings for a bathbefore school or before church.

The flannels and sharply pressed shirts, the half-sleeve sweater and the blue-green school blazer — wewere either too poor or too staid to have more than onewoollen suit any winter, and anyway we were growing sofast that nothing would last us more than six months —were neatly folded by the bed, ready for the morning.

Christmas Day always dawned bright and as crispas our shirts. Alleluia! It had snowed the previous nightand cleared up just in time for the service. The Armythree-tonner, or perhaps two one-tonners, would rollalong, halting just to pick up the small family of four offthe barrack or the house, and trundle on. Mixed withthe aromas of rich cake and gujiyas, for me, is alwaysthe smell of freshly spilled petrol, leaking from the cap

of the high-placed fuel tank on the one-tonner. I canimagine why some people smell petrol to get a high.

Church services, I suppose, have not changed forcenturies, and perhaps never will. It is time of rejoicingand repentance, to be thankful to the Lord for givingus his only Son. It is the time and occasion to see Christas a vulnerable human being, a tiny babe just like yourown little brother, perhaps sobbing in his sleep orgurgling in delight, as we did, at the sight of the sheepand lambs the shepherds would be herding on themountainside. Shepherds for us were real things, veryreal. And if you lived in Simla, then, so were angels andchoirs in the heavens.

As I close my eyes on Advent this year, celebratingmy own 65 years, I can still smell the snow, the cake, andthe petrol. And imagine the shepherds and the angels onthe white hillside, playing peek-a-boo with the clouds. �

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UNFURLING THEASIAN DREAM

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (fifth from left) with other leaders at the 10th ASEAN-India Summit in Phnom Penh

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Cambodia has set the stage for the first-evercommemorative summit India will host with ASEAN leaders in New Delhi

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Animated by his vision of an arc of prosperityacross Asia and soaring dreams of an Asiancentury, Prime Minister Manmohan Singhtraveled to Cambodia from November 17-20. The

trip saw a distinct surge of India’s Look East Policy and aforceful re-affirmation of New Delhi’s growing bonds withthis dynamic region, home to tiger economies and cutting-edge innovation and enterprise. In a confluence of economicand strategic interests, Manmohan Singh participated in the10th ASEAN-India Summit and the 18-nation East AsiaSummit (EAS) that underlined India’s growing stakes in thisregion which has emerged as a repository of hope in gloom-and-doom times of the global slowdown. Besides multilateraldiplomacy, Dr Singh also held bilateral talks with a host ofleaders on the margins of the summit, including ChinesePremier Wen Jiabao, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Sinawatra

and Sultan of Brunei Darusssalam, Hassanal Bolkiah.At the summit, meeting with 10 leaders of ASEAN

(Association of Southeast Asian Nations), India pitchedcloser economic integration and connectivity as the twinfocus areas that have the potential to transform theinterlinked destinies of countries in the region. PhnomPenh, the historic and charming Cambodian capital, has aspecial resonance as it was here that India held its firstsummit with the ASEAN and began a win-win journey thatis crossing new milestones every year. “As we gather for our10th summit in the country that hosted the first such event,let me reaffirm that India attaches the highest strategicpriority to its relations with ASEAN,” Manmohan Singh said.Conjuring up a robust vision of a resurgent Asia and thelarger region, what he has famously enunciated as an arcof prosperity, the prime minister said: “A future of peace,

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (left) with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Phnom Penh

ENGAGING CHINA: A FAREWELL TO PREMIER WENIt was a meeting bristling with nostalgia, warm sentiments and mutual reaffirmation of taking India-China relations to new heights in thenext decade. This was the last meeting of Manmohan Singh with Wen, who makes way for the new Premier Le Keqiang in March. Thetwo leaders fondly recalled 14 meetings they had in the last seven years in Beijing and New Delhi as well as in world capitals on themargins of various multilateral summits.

Alluding to Wen’s two visits to India in 2005 and 2010, Manmohan Singh lauded the Chinese leader’s personal endeavour to makethe bilateral relationship “stronger, wider and deeper.” “We established good working relationship and friendship between us. This is areflection of friendship between our two great nations,” said Wen.

The two leaders decided to build on concrete achievements of the last few years which saw bilateral trade soaring to US $75 billion,and a host of confidence building measures, including the border mechanism to maintain peace and tranquility on the frontiers. TheChinese premier described his experience of working with Dr Singh as “memorable” and voiced confidence that the new leadership,which takes charge next year, will give greater importance to ties with New Delhi. Manmohan Singh conveyed his sense of satisfactionat the multi-faceted architecture of bilateral engagement that has been firmed up, including multiple meetings between foreign ministersand new initiatives such as maritime dialogue, setting up of media forum and dialogue on west and central Asia. Pitching for greaterChinese investment in India’s infrastructure sector, Manmohan Singh also pushed for greater market access to Indian pharmaceutical,IT and service sectors to bridge the widening trade deficit. The Chinese leader promised to address issues related to trade deficit whichis estimated to be around US$ 27 billion in Beijing’s favour.

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stability and prosperity in the Asia Pacific requiresincreased cooperation and integration in the region. ASEANhas shown the way in this regard.” He pitched for theASEAN’s centrality in the ongoing project of renaissanceand renewal in the region. “We support the objectives of anASEAN Community by 2015, the Initiative for ASEANIntegration and the ASEAN Master Plan on Connectivity,”he said, encapsulating the three pillars that underpin thefuture of India-ASEAN cooperation.

Nothing illustrates the growing India-ASEAN synergymore than the blossoming of trade, business and investmentties. The free trade agreement, which was sealed in 2009and became fully operational in August 2011, has bornerich fruits. Bilateral trade has breached the target and hasspiralled to US$ 80 billion. The two sides are looking toconclude an agreement on trade in services and investmentpromotion before the December 20-21 CommemorativeSummit in New Delhi. This landmark pact, as ManmohanSingh has said, will be “a springboard for rapid expansion ineconomic relations” between the two sides.

Connectivity, physical, institutional, mental and spiritual,was the reigning mantra and the way to go. A web of rail,road and sea links has the potential to integrate India’s 1.2billion population, with its overwhelmingly young workforce,with ASEAN’s 600 million people and entwine the regionthat boasts the combined Gross Domestic Product of US$3.8 trillion. The dream of a road trip from India to Bangkok

and onwards is inching incrementally to fruition. Thesummit saw the leaders pushing the showpiece project ofthe Trilateral Highway linking Thailand and Myanmar withIndia, also called the Friendship Road. India has built asignificant chunk of its stretch of the 1,400 km TrilateralHighway, which seeks to connect Moreh in Manipur,northeast India, to Mae Sot in Thailand. The proposed newhighway is expected to be completed by 2016.

Increased connectivity seeks to position people at theheart of this burgeoning relationship. The Cambodiasummit gave a thumbs-up to a host of initiatives India hasundertaken in the run-up to the Commemorative Summitthat promises to connect the hearts and minds of nearly 2billion people of the two regions. A car rally has been kickedoff from Yogakarta in Indonesia and will culminate in India’snortheast. INS Sudarshini, an Indian naval ship, is dockingat ports of the ASEAN countries, reviving and building on anancient sea route link with the region.

Moving beyond commerce and connectivity, India hasalso firmed up a multi-faceted partnership with the ASEAN.The growing engagement in areas such as defence,maritime security and counter-terrorism bear testament toa relationship that has acquired greater strategic heft.

This identity of perspectives and shared imperatives wasalso reflected in the 18-member EAS, an evolving forumthat is emerging as a premier institution for crafting anopen, balanced and inclusive security architecture in the

Nothing illustrates the growing India-ASEAN synergymore than the blossoming of trade, business andinvestment ties. The free trade agreement, which

was sealed in 2009 and became fully operational inAugust 2011, has borne rich fruits

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Dr Singh (right) with US President Barack Obama (fourth from left) and other leaders at the 7th East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh

India has pitched for greater economic integration with the larger East Asia Summit (EAS)region that also includes the US and Russia.Speaking at the EAS summit, Dr Singh welcomed thelaunch of the Regional Comprehensive EconomicPartnership negotiations

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Dr Singh with the Sultan of Brunei Darusssalam, Hassanal Bolkiah D

region. In this context, Dr Singh made it clear that in viewof proliferation of other initiatives like the ASEAN RegionalForum, India sees ASEAN as “the bridge to the East.” “Wecan create an open, balanced, inclusive and rule-basedarchitecture in the region for our collective security, stabilityand prosperity,” said the Prime Minister. Building upon itscloser engagement with ASEAN, India has pitched forgreater economic integration with the larger EAS region thatalso includes the US and Russia. Speaking at the EASsummit, Dr Singh welcomed the launch of the RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership negotiations.

In his interactions, India’s proactive and affirmative role inthe ASEAN and in the larger region came in for appreciationfrom all leaders. “As you know, the ASEAN group hasdecided on greater integration in creation of an ASEANcommunity by 2015,” said Sanjay Singh, Secretary (East) in

India’s External Affairs Ministry. “India has been supportive,especially through projects and programmes focused on theCLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) countries.These are programmes which deal with English learning,vocational training and entrepreneurship development,basically programmes for developing capacities,” he added.

The Cambodia meet has set the stage for the first-everCommemorative Summit India will host with ASEAN leadersin New Delhi from December 20, which will celebrate 20years of the country’s ties with the bloc and the 10thanniversary of ASEAN-India Summit-level partnership. Thebest is yet to come, as Manmohan Singh said memorablyin Phnom Penh after his meeting with Sultan HassanalBolkiah of Brunei, which is to take over as chair of theASEAN for 2013.

—Manish Chand is a senior editor at IANS

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COMMENT

“Our movement for democracy inBurma is firmly rooted in Gandhi’s

principle of non-violence”

There can be few occasions in life more fulfillingthan those on which debts of kindness andfriendship can be repaid. These past few monthshave furnished me with many opportunities to

thank people and organisations and governments for theirstaunch support for the democratic cause in Burma andfor me personally. The sympathy and understanding wereceived from around the world enabled us to continue withrenewed vigour along our chosen course in the face ofimmense difficulties. Words of thanks alone are barely anadequate return for encouragement and help given ingenerous measure when we were most in need.

Today, I wish to thank you for the Jawaharlal NehruMemorial Prize that was awarded to me in 1995, the year Iwas released from my first term of house arrest. The linksbetween the independence movements of our two countriesand my personal ties to India imbued the prize with aspecial meaning for me. The thoughts and actions of theleaders of the Indian independence movement provided mewith ideas and inspiration. Our movement for democracyin Burma is firmly rooted in the principle of non-violencethat Gandhi made into an effective political force evenagainst the most powerful opponents. His influence on mypolitical thinking is widely recognised. The influence ofJawaharlal Nehru on my life in politics is less well known.

“Panditji” was a name known to me since I was little pastthe toddler stage. My mother spoke of him as a reveredfriend, almost a father figure, both to her and to my father. Ihad little idea of his importance as a statesman beyond thefact that he was the Prime Minister of India. To my infantmind he was the kindly old man who had provided my fatherwith two sets of uniform, the smartest he ever possessed…

After my father’s death, Nehru continued to keep anavuncular eye on my mother from afar. Whenever she went

to India or whenever he came on official visits to Burma, hemade her feel his concern for her well-being and the well-being of her children...

The year I went to Oxford, 1964, was one of the mostsignificant turning points in my life. It was also the yearNehru died. Next to the overwhelming grief of the peoplenot just in India but in all parts of the world, I remembermost vividly reports of the poem by Robert Frost found onhis desk. Oxford did not take me away from India for I mademany Indian friends there. After my marriage, myhusband’s work in Himalayan studies took our familyfrequently to the north of the country. My last sojourn inIndia was spent as a research fellow in the Indian Instituteof Advanced Studies in Shimla from 1987 to 1988.

The year of Nehru’s birth centenary, 1989, was the yearI was placed under house arrest for the first time. It couldbe said to be the year of my political coming of age. WhenI joined the movement for democracy in 1988 the wholecountry was in a state of upheaval and my major concernwas to try to unite the myriad political groups that hademerged from the cracks in totalitarian rule into a strong,coherent force for democracy. Each day was more thaneventful: discussions, debates, public meetings, foundingthe National League for Democracy (NLD), touring thecountry to explain the aims of our party to the people.

The State Law and Order Restoration Council hadannounced that elections would be held in 1990 and theelection laws were made public in April 1989. The CentralCommittee of the NLD was divided over whether or not theparty should contest the elections. I pointed out that the lawsmade no provision for the transfer of power and that I did notbelieve the military regime would step down unless thewinner turned out to be the erstwhile Burma SocialistProgramme Party. We were still undecided with regard to the

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election issue when I was placed under house arrest in July...House arrest meant that external activities suddenly

came to a halt. It was also an indication that our strugglewould be difficult and long. I would have to decide how Iwould chart the course of my life for the foreseeable future.Among the ‘maps’ I used to see me through the years thatheaded into the unknown were Nehru’s autobiography andDiscovery of India…

There was, however, also much in Nehru’s books tomake me feel we had many things in common. I was struckby the fact that the very first fragment of poetry he quotedin Discovery of India was from one of my favourite poems,one that had lodged itself in my memory almost instantly atmy very first reading of it, Yeat’s An Irish Airman ForeseesHis Death... Yet even in our liking for the same lines therewas a difference. Nehru wrote of wanting to experienceagain ‘that lovely impulse of delight’ that ‘turns to risk anddanger and faces and mocks at death.’ I had rememberedthe words as ‘that lonely impulse of delight,’ and I could notcheck to see which version was correct as I did not have thepoem to hand. To me, ‘lovely’ changed the entire meaningof the poem. I wished I could have discussed the matterwith Nehru himself. Was it not essentially lonely, rather thanlovely, to delight in what would seem at least inexplicable ifnot outright undesirable, to most of those around us? When,after the years of house arrest, I managed to look up thepoem I found that ‘lonely’ was indeed the right word. Was‘lovely’ a misprint in my copy of Discovery of India or hadNehru misread the line?

To mull over the meaning of a word, to build a wholephilosophy on the interpretation of a poem, these arepastimes in which prisoners, particularly prisoners ofconscience, engage, not just to fill empty hours but from aneed to understand better, and perhaps to justify, theactions and decisions that have led them away from the

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PANDITJI WAS A NAME KNOWN TO ME SINCEI WAS LITTLE PAST THE TODDLER STAGE. MY MOTHER SPOKE OF HIM AS A REVEREDFRIEND, ALMOST A FATHER FIGURE, BOTH TOHER AND TO MY FATHER

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normal society of other human beings. To begin with, whatexactly is our conscience? My father once spoke about theneed to be able to stand confidently before the court of hisconscience. But this court, how broad is the range of itsjurisdiction? Did it restrict its mandate to our convictionsand our public commitments or would it also enquireimpartially into the love and care we owe in our privaterelations, our obligations to friends and families? This is aquestion that must surely trouble all who, regardless of thecondition of near and dear ones, accept distress anddanger in the name of a cause or a belief.

Nehru explores this dilemma in writing about his wifeKamala. In 1934, while serving one of his many terms ofimprisonment, it was suggested to him “through variousintermediaries” that if he were to give an assurance, evenan informal one, that he would keep away from politics forthe rest of the term to which he had been sentenced, hewould be released to tend to his ailing wife. This roused adeep indignation in the proud independence fighter.

“Politics was far enough from my thoughts just then, andthe politics I had seen during my eleven days outside haddisgusted me, but to give an assurance! And to be disloyal tomy pledges, to the cause, to my colleagues, to myself! It wasan impossible condition, whatever happened. To do so meantinflicting a mortal injury on the roots of my being, on almosteverything I held sacred. I was told that Kamala’s conditionwas becoming worse and worse and my presence by herside might make all the difference between life and death.Was my personal conceit and pride greater than my desire togive her this chance? It might have been a terriblepredicament for me, but fortunately that dilemma did notface me in that way at least. I knew that Kamala herself wouldstrongly disapprove of my giving any undertaking, and if I didanything of the kind it would shock her and harm her.”

“Early in October I was taken to see her. She was lying

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almost in a daze with a high temperature. She longed to haveme by her, but as I was leaving her, to go back to prison, shesmiled at me bravely and beckoned to me to bend down.When I did so, she whispered: ‘What is this about your givingan assurance to Government? Do not give it!’”

The above passages fascinated me. The monumentalegoism: ‘my pledges,’ ‘my colleagues,’ ‘myself,’ ‘the roots ofmy being,’ ‘everything I held sacred.’ The briefestappearance before an impartial court of conscience beforedeciding that he would be doing Kamala more harm thangood by doing what was repugnant to his principles. AndKamala’s own words put the seal of approval on his decision.

Yet in full awareness of the egoism and some possibleself-deception on the part of Nehru, I have to confess that Iwholly endorsed his stand on the matter. After my releasefrom my first term of house arrest, I made public speechesto supporters who gathered in the street outside my gardenat weekends. On one such occasion, I spoke of the aboveepisode and urged the families of democracy activists tocultivate Kamala’s fortitude and dedication. Such are theexigencies of dangerous causes. The lesson I really learnt,however, was not to deceive myself, or others, with the claimthat we are making self-sacrifices when we follow ourconscience; we are simply making a choice and possibly anegoistic one at that... The ones who make real sacrifices arethose who let us go free to keep our secret trysts with destiny.

Politics is about people and people are aboutrelationships, whether at a private or public level. The twoIndian leaders to whom I feel closest are undoubtedlyGandhi and Nehru because many of the challenges theyfaced along the path to independence are the ones we havebeen facing over the course of our struggle which will markits quarter century next year. The survival of theirrelationship, which was both personal and political, in spiteof their many differences is one of the triumphs of Indian

politics. When Gandhi decided to withdraw the CivilDisobedience movement, Nehru was deeply distressed. Herailed: “Why should we be tossed hither and thither for,what seemed to me, metaphysical and mystical reasons inwhich I was not interested? Was it conceivable to have anypolitical movement on this basis?” The doubts that arose inhis mind over Gandhi’s methods caused Nehru intenseagony. In his cell in Alipore Gaol, life appeared to him “adreary affair, a very wilderness of desolation. Of the manyhard lessons that I had learnt, the hardest and the mostpainful now faced me: that it is not possible in any vitalmatter to rely on any one. One must journey through lifealone; to rely on others is to invite heartbreak.”

The lesson Nehru learnt is one we have to learn andrelearn, again and again, along the long and difficult journeyto goals that can only be won through hard work andperseverance. At the same time, if our hearts cannot cleaveto our colleagues, if our loyalty to those who share ourvalues and aspirations becomes strained, or we havereason to doubt their loyalty, we are cast adrift into awilderness of uncertainty. During one of my periods ofisolation, I jotted down on a piece of paper that if I could besure of one, just one, totally trustworthy, totally reliable,totally understanding, totally committed friend andcolleague, who would keep faith with me and with the causein which we believed throughout the vicissitudes of thisexistence, I could challenge the combined forces of heavenand earth. In isolation, one tends towards melodrama.

When I heard on the radio, suddenly and unexpectedlyone day, that the Central Executive Committee had expelledme from the party for the simple reason that I happened tobe under detention, I felt myself to be in a curious no man’sland, far away from everything except my own volition. Irealised that pressure must have been exerted on the partyand that it must be going through a very difficult period.

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THE LESSON NEHRU LEARNT IS ONE WE HAVETO LEARN AND RELEARN, AGAIN AND AGAIN,ALONG THE LONG AND DIFFICULT JOURNEYTO GOALS THAT CAN ONLY BE WON THROUGHHARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE

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Finally, I decided that it was for me to keep faith with myparty as long as it kept faith with our cause, regardless oftheir official position with regard to me. I thought of Nehru’sability to keep true to Gandhi in spite of serious differencesbetween them and it strengthened my conviction that wehad to cleave to comrades and colleagues despitedissension and disagreement...

Gandhi once said that Motilal Nehru’s most strikingquality was love for his son: “Motilal’s love for India wasderived from his love for Jawaharlal.” This comment led meto wonder if my love for Burma derives from my love for myfather, whom I do not really remember. His image for me isinseparable from his part in the independence movementof our country, which often in my mind merges with ourpresent struggle for democracy that has not yet come to anend. In spite of the strong ties of love, temperament and

blood between his father and himself, or perhaps becauseof it, Jawaharlal Nehru was able to accept Gandhi as afather also, a political, spiritual father whom he could regardas the light of the people of India. The nature of suchpolitical, spiritual kinship binds us with a fastness difficultto put into words, as cold as calculation (“we fall unless westick together”) and warmer than any personal passion (“weneed one another to keep the core of our being intact”)…

Today, as I thank all of you for honouring me with theJawaharlal Nehru Memorial Prize, I would like to expressmy deep appreciation for the leaders of India who becamemy most precious friends because their lives helped me tofind my way through uncharted terrain. The discovery ofNehru was also a discovery of myself.

— Excerpts from Nobel Peace Laureate and Myanmar’s opposition leader AungSan Suu Kyi’s speech at Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial, New Delhi, on November 14,

2012, the 123rd birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister

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Visual Journey Continues

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More than a year ago, a global photography and videocampaign ‘India Is’ was launched. The idea was to inviteentries from people across the world on their impressionsof India and thereby, highlight the country’s soft power.

What was unique about the campaign was that it was online—achallenge that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was willing to take.A year later, the challenge has paid off beautifully.

In its first year, India Is has received over 245 video entries from 42countries across the world. The Global Video Challenge received 235eligible entries, 50 per cent of which were from international participants.Such an overwhelming response served as an impetus for the organisersto carry on with greater zeal. Akshay Tandon, a Mumbai-basedentrepreneur who is the brain behind the initiative, is “satisfied” withthe way it turned out. “The journey has been an incredible one becausewe created something focused around the country and pushed it onlythrough digital and online avenues and managed to receive a positiveresponse,” he says. “Overall, we were satisfied with the way the initiativewas received and how people from all across the world responded andinteracted with India Is,” he adds.

The highest international entries, interestingly, came from the US, atotal of 22. This was followed by France, which sent 10. The UK andCanada had eight entries each while Australia had six. Romania, too,sent five entries. One of the high points of the campaign was to receiveentries from countries such as Serbia, Peru, Armenia, Palestine,Panama, Mexico and Ethiopia. “Several of the entries displayed acreative spin on the themes given and used film beautifully to portraytheir points. The initiative showed that there are so many differentperceptions and experiences that visitors, as well as those who live in thecountry have about India. These differences and experiences camethrough beautifully in the short films received,” notes Tandon.Fortunately, the videos and photographs brought out interesting facetsof India rather than focusing on stereotypes.

In its second year, a Global Photography Challenge was launchedaround three themes: ‘India is Incredible’, ‘India Is Unforgettable, It StaysWith You’, and ‘India Is Wherever You Are’. The Photography Challengewas open for entries till November 30, 2012. From November 9, 2012 aVideo Challenge was launched based on the themes: ‘India Is Incredible’;‘India ls Unforgettable, It Stays With You’ and ‘India Is Wherever You Are’.The contest closes on February 9, 2013. India Is has tied up with YouTubefor this contest. For the winners, the prizes range from a stay at exoticgetaways across India courtesy Taj Holidays, a photo shoot for travelmagazine Condé Nast Traveller and an all-expenses paid trip to India foroutsiders. All details of the contest can be accessed at www.indiais.org.

So, let this incredible visual journey continue. �

TEXT: MEENAKSHI KUMAR

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NEWSMAKERS

TOTALRECALLT E X T : M A N N I K A C H O P R A

So what was 2012 like? It was after all the year India turned 65, Bihar 100, SMS’20 and the year summer Olympics were held in London. Was it a year of joy,hope, tears and treachery, a cloud with some assorted bronze, silver and golden linings? Or, as someone once suggested of 2008, it was a year that

need not be remembered.What ever the kind of year 2012 was, it was full of newsmakers that in every sense of

the word have impacted and influenced perceptions and people. A whole array ofbusiness and thought leaders, entertainers, sports stars, activists, who for good or for illleft their imprint on 2012. Some of our newsmakers were certainly controversial,despicable even, others maybe predictable but all of them were certainly worthy of beingtagged newsmakers.

So here is India Perspectives’ random, and self-admittedly, unscientific selection ofpeople who have had an effect on 2012. Next year, who knows, this inventory could lookcompletely different. As the great 21st century philosopher-newsmaker, Chetan Bhagatonce said in a speech, perhaps with a reference to instant headline heroes: “…we are likea pre-paid card with limited validity. If we are lucky, we may last another 50 years. And50 years is just 2,500 weekends. ”

While not recording in any pecking or chronological order, we have started with someillustrious newsmakers in the field of business. Such as Cyrus Pallonji Mistry who was

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CYRUS P. MISTRY, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF TATA SONS, WAS HANDEDTHE BATON OF THE TATA GROUP BY RATAN TATA

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CHANDA KOCCHAR, MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICEROF ICICI BANK, PROVED SHE IS A WORTHY SUCCESSOR TO M.V. KAMATH

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handed the baton of the Tata group by Ratan Tata. Chanda Kocchar, managing directorand chief executive officer of ICICI Bank, as a worthy successor to M.V. Kamath, deserveda special mention too. In the area of manufacturing, names like Yusuf Hamied, the mosttalked about man in the pharmaceutical circles, emerged. A scientist and chairperson ofCipla, Hamied was single-handedly responsible for taking on multinational companiesand bringing down the cost price of essential drugs, including those for cancer and HIV-AIDS. N. Chandrasekharan appeared in our Newsmakers’ Who’s Who for making TCS aforce to reckon with in the Information Technology sector.

A Catholic priest-turned-social worker, Kulandei Francis made headlines this yearwhen he was presented the highest civilian honour in Asia, the Ramon Magsaysay Award,for bringing a positive change in the lives of many living in the rural areas.

There were tears, mostly of joy, and some of sadness in the sports arena. First off, the

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London Olympics saw wrestler Sushil Kumar, the first Indian individual athlete to win twomedals in two consecutive Olympics — London and Beijing. Helped by Vijay Kumar, whoalso won a silver medal, they brought India its highest Olympic medal tally.

Shuttler Saina Nehwal won the country’s first medal in badminton, and boxer MC Mary Kom from Manipur received oodles of media attention when she won thebronze medal at the Olympics.

Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar made his hundredth international century inDhaka even as critics and carpers had said that he had passed his sell-by date. Nobodysaid it was going to be easy and yes, he did buckle under the pressure at times but hisnumerous fans, nerves frayed and raw, kept hoping. Finally, it happened: the MasterBlaster made another significant entry in the world’s cricketing statistics.

Still on cricket, 24-year-old Virat Kohli from Delhi sealed his place as a potential captain

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SACHIN TENDULKAR MADE HIS HUNDREDTHINTERNATIONAL CENTURY IN DHAKA

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THEORETICAL SCIENTIST ASHOKE SEN WON THE FIRST FUNDAMENTALPHYSICS PRIZE OF US$ 3 MILLION FOR HIS WORK ON STRING THEORY

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this year by his sterling performances, which were nothing short of amazing, in all thethree formats of cricket. He was also presented the International Cricket Council One DayInternational Player of the Year Award of 2012.

The year saw the mushrooming of other world titles and records: GrandmasterViswanathan Anand, who successfully defended his world championship for the fifth time,was once again the King of 64 squares. At twenty-seven, Pankaj Advani clinched theWorld Billiard Championships, making it his eighth world title.

In the field of science, the Indian Space Research Organisation launched its 100thmission into space with PSLV C21 rocket. Tessy Thomas, a key defence scientistoverseeing the Agni missiles series, established that it is possible for a woman to jugglehome, hearth and missile technology at the same time. Then we have theoretical scientistAshoke Sen, who became one of the richest professors of the world when he won the firstFundamental Physics prize of US$ 3 million for his work on string theory.

In the realm of entertainment, India celebrated 100 glorious years since the release

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of the country’s first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra. Also in the frame wasan action-thriller with the unlikely name of Ek Tha Tiger which became the second-highestgrossing Bollywood films of all times. Cinestar Aamir Khan was headline fixture when heshowed that television could be an instrument of social change through his weeklyprogramme Satyamev Jayate. And while songs floated in and out of Bollywood perhapsone that ruled the radio waves most consistently was the unaffected, Why this KolaveriDi? Translated loosely as, Why this Rage? the crossover Tamil-English song was officiallyreleased in the end of 2011 but it makes our list as the song went viral in 2012.

In the literary world, three Indians featured in the Man Asia Literary Prize list — AnjaliJoseph for her autobiographical work, Another Country, Jeet Thayil for his début book,Narcopolis and Malayalam author Benyamin for his novel, Goat Days. Thayil’s novel hasalso been shortlisted for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature (2013) and the 2012Man Booker Prize.

India’s first indigenously created low-cost tablet Aakash 2 grabbed headlines as United

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JEET THAYIL’S DEBUT NOVEL NARCOPOLIS WAS SHORTLISTEDFOR THE MAN ASIA LITERARY PRIZE

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UN SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON UNVEILED INDIA’S FIRST INDIGENOUSLY CREATED LOW-COST TABLET AAKASH 2 AT THE UN

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Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised India as a “super power” in the fieldof Information Technology as he unveiled the low-cost gadget at the UN.

Sadly, there were other, more solemn milestones. Former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral,the initiator of the Gujral Doctrine and perhaps a most reluctant newsmaker, passed awayin December. So did Shiv Sena’s Bal Thackeray, cartoonist and political leader. VergheseKurien, a social entrepreneur and the man behind India’s most successful dairycooperative also died leaving an intimidating legacy as did Homai Vyarawalla, India’s firstwoman photographer, who thorough her lens captured India’s greatest political leadersand events. Music lovers, crossing continents and cultures, were in a state of mourningwhen the virtuoso sitarist and composer Pandit Ravi Shankar passed away at the age of92. The iconic musician, labelled “the godfather of world music” by the Beatles' GeorgeHarrison, effortlessly transcended divisions between the East and the West, placing thesitar on the world map.

Now that this purely subjective list is done and dusted, despite Bhagat’s earthywisdom, with so many strong contenders maybe this year’s offerings will not fade away.Our A-list of newsmakers may remain etched in history for years, and years: it’s adaunting thought. �

LEGENDARY MUSICIAN PANDIT RAVI SHANKAR WASA PIONEER IN TAKING INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC TO AGLOBAL AUDIENCE. HOMAI VYARAWALLA, INDIA’SFIRST WOMAN PHOTOGRAPHER, HAD CAPTUREDINDIA’S GREATEST POLITICAL LEADERS AND EVENTSTHROUGH HER LENS

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BEINGBACHCHANAt 70, India’s most enduring superstar is both a youthicon and a role model for the elderly

f you believe that advancing years are a disqualification for being a youth icon, perhapsyou’ve not met Amitabh Bachchan. The actor who just turned 70 has an enviable bodyof work from the 1970s and ’80s that’s still alive in public memory, but there’s more tohis iconic status than just that. Other actors have had illustrious careers, but none in

India have had longevity in quite the way he has enjoyed it. His energy levels and packeddiary at this age are the stuff that Bollywood folklore is made of. But a better insight intohis continuing appeal may be gained from these comments he posted on the socialnetworking site Twitter in the very early morning hours of October 28, as hordes of fanswaited for a tweet from him the way they do every single day: � “T 914 - If you thought I was not going to come ... you have a thing coming ... backfrom work on KBC and another award for Best Host KBC !!”And then: � “T 914 - Must leave all of you now ! Still got to do Blog and FB ... and it’s already3:40 AM !! Love and GN ..”

“T914” is an indicator of the superstar’s uniquely ordered world, where posts arenumbered to indicate how many days he’s been tweeting. KBC is Kaun Banega Crorepati— the Hindi version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? — a TV show that revivedBachchan’s sagging career when he first began hosting it 12 years back. And yes, at3.40 am once he was done with tweeting that day, he did move on to write on his blogand stop by Facebook before retiring to bed.

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It turns out then that there is no secret to being Amitabh Bachchan. It’s simple: He ishard-working and productive even today, more energetic than many teenagers, moreenthusiastic about technology and new media than most of his younger co-stars. He isin touch with reality enough to make course corrections where required. He is notsidelining the youth to take over jobs they deserve better; his age and experience are verymuch a part of his job profile. While his turn as a paternal host on KBC has been a hugesuccess and he’s had a handful of film hits since 2000, there have been many more filmsand performances that have been clobbered by critics and tossed out by audiences in thepast decade. However, through all these ups and downs, his professionalism andrelevance have never been in question.

None of this would have been possible if Bachchan was not so self-driven. Constantreminders of what might otherwise have been come from the lives of his industrycolleagues … A sad memory floats through my head, of watching the legendary DevAnand’s last film in an empty hall last year, knowing I would not have bothered if it wasnot compulsory research for my book. In the last couple of decades of his life, Anandproduced, directed and starred in film after film that drew almost no viewers and even lessmedia coverage. Bachchan, on the other hand, has kept his finger on the pulse of thepublic and the press despite his unparalleled success.

Back in the 1970s, Bachchan stormed the box office in every avatar possible: actionhero, tragic lover, brooding thinker. His on-screen clashes with those in authority mirroredoff-screen India’s disillusionment with the establishment, three decades after we had sentour colonisers packing. By the 1990s though, age and Bollywood clichés seemed to haverung the death knell on a remarkable career. The industry struggled to see beyond theAngry Young Man label that had been bestowed on him when he was … well … a youngman. And so he spent a decade fighting the same old fights in films, romancing heroines

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Today, Bachchan remains a giant among Indian moviestars with a fan base spanning generations, he has inspiredBollywood to write hero roles for elderly male characters andhe is currently one of India’s highest paid brand ambassadors

young enough to be his daughters in real life, and worse, playing roles of men muchyounger than his actual age. A once-adoring audience seemed to have moved on, andBachchan suffered repeated failures at the box-office. A lesser man would have beendevastated. Amitabh Bachchan was not that man.

The actor has often been accused of arrogance – in muted whispers by industrycolleagues, and more openly by the press – yet no one can deny that he learns from hismistakes. At the turn of the century he put an end to the pretence of youth, let the grey inhis hair show, stepped into the role of an elderly educationist in a film and took a risk thatany major Hindi film star would have baulked at back then: he became a TV host. Today,Bachchan remains a giant among Indian movie stars with a fan base spanning generations,he has inspired Bollywood to write hero roles for elderly male characters (not elderly actorspretending to be young) and he is currently one of India’s highest paid brand ambassadors.He does all this as he battles health problems that have dogged him since a near-fatalaccident in 1982 and as a survivor of myasthenia gravis, a rare and potentially incapacitatingauto-immune neuromuscular disease.

This is a man about whom a young colleague on KBC wrote on Facebook the otherday: “…not once did it occur to me that the most professional, hardworking, energetic,prepared, on the ball, charming, eloquent, courteous, witty, charismatic person on theKBC set was also perhaps the senior most person under the roof!!!! If at age 70 I’m onlyhalf these things, even for a few hours a day, a few days a month, I’ll think of myself as agoddess.” So to all the labels bestowed on the country’s most visibly robustseptuagenarian – The Big B, one-man industry, India’s biggest superstar – add thesetwo: youth icon and role model for the elderly in a nation that has very few.

(Anna MM Vetticad is the author of The Adventures of an Intrepid Film Critic. She is on Twitter as @annavetticad)

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CULTURE

LANGUAGE OF THE

Art knows no boundaries and the inclinationof foreigners towards Indian classical dance forms like Mohiniyattam, Kathak,Kathakali, Odissi, Bharatanatyam and

Chhau is testimony to the fact. These foreigners areno longer curious spectators, but they have masteredthe art to such precision that their perfect bodymovement, finesse and facial expressions have leftthe audience spellbound. What is more fascinating isthat the Russian, American, Japanese, German,Indonesian, Malaysian, Italian and Croatian dancershave built cultural bridges by propagating Indiandance forms in their respective countries, thusstrengthening the bond between nations, nationalitiesand people.

The number of foreign students coming to thecountry to learn Indian classical dance is growing bythe day. “Anyone who comes here for a couple ofyears is a serious student. All of them aspire to learnand use it in his or her profession,” says Jayalakshmi

SOUL

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Today Indian classical dance is an international integrator, as foreignersare not only learning the art form but also propagating it abroad

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Eshwar, a multi-faceted talented artiste and aBharatanatyam exponent, has a large number ofstudents from Russia, Canada, Poland and othercountries learning under her. She happily recallsmeeting one of her students in Beijing who hadtaught the Tillana piece of Bharatanatyam to 40 men.“They of course performed like a modernistic dancemovement. But it was set to the music of thetraditional Tillana. In India, it is difficult to get mento dance and she did it with nearly 40 of them inBeijing. I was surprised and honoured. I still have theDVD with me,” she says proudly.

As Asha Ponikiewska from Warsaw, Poland, aBharatanatyam Dancer says, “I have been learningunder Guru Jayalakshmi Eshwar for the last 10years. I was a student of Indology at WarsawUniversity and could speak Hindi and Sanskrit wellbefore coming here. The response today for Indianculture has changed a lot. People are more awareabout it.” She performs whenever she is in Warsawbesides conducting workshops for students. Asha,who loves Indian culture, also learns SeraikellaChhau and teaches the dance form. She adds, “I runa blog in Polish on Indian culture and dance. It is afascinating country. I want to change the image ofIndia from that of a country of elephants and tellpeople about its wonderful tradition of dance, music,theatre and yoga.”

Similarly, Shima Mahdavi from Tehran, Iran, hasbeen a student of Bharatanatyam under GeethaChandran and Kathakali under Rajendran Pillai.Kathakali with its theatrics appealed to herimmensely as she has a theatrical background. Hermantra is, “Any country I go to, I will definitely

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The Russian,American, Japanese,German, Indonesian,

Italian and Croatiandancers are building

cultural bridges bypromoting Indian

dance forms in theirrespective countries

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perform and of course teach and carry a part of allthat I have seen and learnt here... the rich culture,religion, history, people and dance.”

This seriousness in learning also transcendsunderstanding the art form in its entirety. From beingjust performers they delve into the depths of Hinduphilosophy and spirituality. Many of them also takeup yoga and learn other dance forms. Ileana Citaristifrom Italy has been learning Odissi in India fromSaswat Joshi. Anandini Dasi from Argentina isproficient in both Bharatanatyam and Odissi. Afterhaving learnt it for a long time, today she runs twoschools in Buenos Aires and another one in Uruguay,

where she, along with another visiting faculty fromIndia, teaches Bharatanatyam and Odissi. She is nowworking hard to set up a gurukul for Gotipura calledRasa Ambrit Natya Yoga. She adds, “Indiantraditional dance is the language of the soul. It is thebhakti (devotion) yoga. One just has to watch andlisten and the heart will understand. Today, danceand music are the only entertainment and Indiantraditional dance is for the soul.”

For many of these students, India seems to betheir karmabhoomi (the land where one works) andspreading the word about Indian culture is what theyhappily undertake. �

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GOAND

From beaches with water sports,

to the endlessheritage

monuments, to the colourful

carnivals and fleamarkets, Goa has it

all. Embark on an odyssey with

India Perspectivesand explore

the land of sandand sun

TOUCHTRAVEL

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carnival

FANCY DRESSCOMPETITIONS,STREET PLAYS, BOATAND CANOE RACES,KARAOKE PARTIESAND CARNIVALDANCES WITH TOPBANDS PLAYING ARETHE OTHERATTRACTIONS

To see Goa at the peak of its festivities is during the carnivalcelebrations. This festival is more like an extravaganza ofpageantry, music and colour as each of the main towns in the

state hosts its own impressive parade of beautiful floats. As the floatswind their way through the streets accompanied by lively dancersmoving in rhythm to the lilting music, the parade is a sight to behold.

The festival is a legacy of several hundred years of Portugueserule. While some consider it to be a relic of ancient pagan ritualshonouring the gods of fertility, nature and wine, others consider it afestival that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

The three-day festivities begin on the Saturday before AshWednesday which usually falls in late February or in the first fortnightof March. The carnival festivities have evolved over time and todaythe main attractions are its beautifully decorated and colourful floatparades. There are different categories of floats — from thetraditional to the funky — with attractive prizes for each category.

The first parade is held in Panjim followed by pageants in theother cities. Atop the main float is King Momo, the mock king ofrevelry and chaos who presides over the festivities. As King Momoand his entourage all attired in colourful costume pass by, they waveto the crowds who respond with enthusiastic cheers and shouts of‘Viva Carnaval!’ With many aspirants vying for the honour of beingselected as King Momo, entries are invited a month before the festivaland a selection committee chooses the brawniest and the best.

Beautifully attired dancers captivate the onlookers as they movein step to the beat of the music. The parade winds its way throughthe streets and comes to an end as King Momo reads aloud hisdecree — a joyous proclamation exhorting his subjects to enjoy threedays of merrymaking.

DAZZLING HUESAND MUSICThe streets come alive with processions, floats, dancesand non-stop music during the three-day festivity

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PALOLEM BEACHBORDERS GOA’SSOUTHERNMOSTTOWN, CANACONA.DESPITE THEPROFUSION OFSHACKS ANDHOTELS, IT IS ONEOF GOA’S MOSTBEAUTIFUL BEACHES

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Most Goan sojourns begin and end with ferry rides in Panjim.I was curious to explore Goa beyond this. So I headednorth, to the beaches that lay beyond the picturesque

Vagator. The northernmost cluster of beaches, from Keri to Morjim,can all be accessed through Siolim, a small town with big colonialhouses. Some of them, like the very upmarket Siolim House, havebeen converted into resorts. The ride from Siolim onwards isfantastic, and a small detour into the lush countryside is worth it.

Tiracol Fort defines the northernmost extremity in Goa’s coastline,and offers fantastic views of the adjoining Keri and Arambol beaches.The road to Tiracol skirts the coastline, and one gets fleeting views ofthe Arabian Sea from the road bends. There’s a quiet serenity aboutArambol even when the main beach is full of day trippers.

A short stroll southwards will lead you to what many think to beGoa’s most spectacular beach, Mandrem. With almost no shacks,and a stunning backdrop of coconut trees and brown hillocks,Mandrem might well be one of the quietest places in Goa. Theadjacent beaches of Ashwem and Morjim are a continuation ofMandrem’s quiet laid-back atmosphere. Morjim beach is well knownfor its Oliver Ridley turtle population.

My next objective was to hit the southernmost beaches of SouthGoa. My friends advised me to ride farther down to the beaches ofPalolem and Agonda. The landscape here is greener. Palolem beachborders Goa’s southernmost town — Canacona. Despite theprofusion of shacks and hotels, the broad shallow beach and therocky outcrop/island at the northern end make Palolem one of Goa’smost beautiful beaches. Palolem’s backdrop is that of a thicklyforested hillside that frames the beach-crescent beautifully. Thesunset views from the Palolem beach are spectacular.

beaches

WAITING TO BE EXPLOREDHead for the beaches in the northern nook, if you havehad your fill with Panjim, Calangute and Baga

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adventure

PARASAILING ISONLY ONE OF THEMANY WATER-SPORTS OPTIONSAVAILABLE IN GOA.IT ALL STARTEDWHEN SOMEFOREIGNERS BEGANJET-SKIING INCALANGUTE

It is two in the afternoon and Calangute Beach is full of sand, witha swarm of people stamping over it. A group of curious bystandersare huddling around a muddle of patched-up, colourful and

synthetic cloth, which is actually a parachute on the ground. A mancomes up to me and asks, “Want to go parasailing?”

I am flashed an indemnity form for water sports that repeats,‘Entirely at my own risk’. I autograph the form, wear a life jacket andstep into a complicated network of straps. I am given a set ofinstructions before being strapped on to a parachute that is, in turn,strapped on to a long rope from the motorboat. The boat zips into thehorizon, and within a matter of seconds, I am off the sands ofCalangute. As the parachute soars higher, it is all slow motion. TheArabian Sea looks deeper and the horizon is pushed farther, as I keeprising. The boat twists and turns before I find myself hovering abovethe beach. The red flag goes up on the boat and I tug the rope to myright. The landing is near perfect.

Parasailing is only one of the many water-sports options availablein Goa. It all started when some foreigners began jet-skiing inCalangute. The scene picked up after more and more Goans got intothe sport, and the bigger hotels set up adventure sports facilities.The main water-sport hub in Goa is the Calangute-Baga stretch.

Jet skiing is the second most popular water sport in Goa. The skisin Calangute and Baga all look modern and funky. Most domestictourists, however, prefer speedboat rides, which allow as many assix passengers onboard. The rides are longer, but less exciting.

After a while I go jet skiing. As the sun dips into the sea, we zipthrough the first incoming wave and bob over the lesser ripples. Theraw exhilaration is as difficult to describe, as the after-effects areimpossible to comprehend.

THRILL TRAIL BYTHE SEASHOREThe beaches of Goa have transformed themselves intoan exciting zone for the adrenaline junkies

TEXT: ANSHUMAN SEN

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THE ANTIQUESHOPS IN MAPUSASTOCK VERYINTERESTING ANDVALUABLE ARTICLES.OLD PORTUGUESECOLONIALFURNITURE IS OFSPECIAL INTEREST

flea markets

Shopping in Goa’s flea markets is an experience in itself. TheWednesday market in Anjuna has everything that one couldeasily find in any of India’s metropolitan cities. “The best time

to shop is half-an-hour before six, when the market shuts,” saysJacqueline, a Canadian tourist. The market area next to the beach isalso the most interesting, since the wares are arranged in the midstof a palm grove. There’s a small restaurant in one corner that hostsa jazz band every market day.

There are tattoo artists vying for space with music CD sellers. Theflea market has its origins in the 1980s when hippies would sell offtheir disposable belongings for a longer stay in Goa. Over the years,however, the market has reinvented itself, with hippies havingvirtually vanished from the Goa scene.

The all-night Ingo’s Saturday market in Arpora is equally popularwith tourists. The Friday market in Mapusa caters mainly to thelocals, so it’s a different experience from the flea markets. This is agood place to look for local feni, sausages, spices and cashewnuts.

The antique shops in Mapusa and along the highways of NorthGoa stock very interesting and valuable articles. Old Portuguesecolonial furniture is of special interest. Goa is extremely wellrepresented in the national fashion scene, and there are someexquisite fashion boutiques in the old Portuguese quarters of Panaji.

Panaji is the place to shop for Goan jewellery, and there are lots of shops in the town centre. The government-owned CraftComplex in Panaji’s Neogi Nagar is a good place to buy authenticGoan handicrafts.

Every major beach in Goa also has a vast hinterland of curioshops, T-shirt vendors and music shops. If you miss the flea markets,these are the next best places to find the latest fashion accessory.

SPLURGE ONLOCAL ITEMSGoa’s Portuguese heritage and easy-going laid-back atmosphere make for an eclectic shopping experience

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architecture

GETTING THEREBy Air: Both international anddomestic flights operate to and fromthe Goa Airport at Dabolim. By Rail: Goa is served by the Konkanand South Western Railways, and isconnected by a large number oftrains from all over the country By Road: Goa is connected toMaharashtra, Karnataka and Keralaby National Highway 17.

The Portuguese heritage is evident in Goa along its coastlineand in the major towns of Margao, Panjim and Mapusa. Whatis now called Old Goa was one of Asia’s most legendary

medieval cities and most of Goa’s important heritage monuments liein its vicinity. An important port in the Portuguese spice trade, OldGoa’s past affluence is reflected in its grand monuments.

The cluster of churches in the town centre has been declaredWorld Heritage monuments. Built in 1594, the Basilica de BomJesus is perhaps Goa’s most important religious structure. Thischurch was elevated to the status of basilica 50 years ago, and ithouses the relics of St. Francis Xavier. The basalt façade of thebasilica is richly carved and built in the Renaissance style. Theimposing Se Cathedral, across the road, was built even earlier in1562 by Dominican missionaries.

The central Goa town of Verna, too, has its share of colonialhouses. A stroll down the road will give you an idea of the area’sarchitectural richness. The large market town of Margao has someimposing church architecture of its own. The Latin Quarter, adjoiningthe Holy Spirit Church, is full of old colonial houses, and a walkaround its winding streets is highly recommended.

The Fontainhas Quarter in Panjim is my favourite place to walkabout in Goa. It is full of narrow lanes with colourful old houses. Whatis amazing about Fontainhas is the sheer variety in colours that onefinds in every street corner. There are single houses that have beenpainted in five colours and yet their aesthetic charm remains intact.St. Sebastian Chapel is the main church of Fontainhas, and thenearby Immaculate Conception Church is situated on a high plinth.

The list of heritage monuments in Goa is virtually endless and thebest way to explore the built heritage is to just walk. �

WALK THROUGHPAST HERITAGEVisit the old churches, explore the forts and get a feelof the palatial houses to unravel a rich legacy

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PROFILE

THE VISIONARYS.B. Mujumdar has provided a ‘home awayfrom home’ to international students

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The plight of international students moved S.B. Mujumdar to set upthe Symbiosis International Cultural Centre in 1971. Mujumdar,then a professor of Botany and rector of a boys’ hostel atFergusson College, Pune, wanted to reach out to students,

especially from Afro-Asian countries, who faced numerous difficulties, be itin getting admissions to good colleges or facing indifference from cityresidents. He was driven by a passion to give the foreign students a ‘homeaway from home’, and to this day he is guided by the motto vasudhaivakutumbakam (the world is one family).

“The centre’s ethos of promoting international understanding and thewelfare of international students was inspired by the ideals of integrationand understanding of Visva Bharati, a university founded by Nobel LaureateRabindranath Tagore,” the soft-spoken Mujumdar says. “I believe qualityeducation has the power to transform society and mindsets. This led me toinitiate several need-based programmes.” As Pune had only one lawcollege, he started the Symbiosis Law School in 1977 with just 1,200students, the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management followed in 1978.

Primarily established to forge a relationship between foreign and Indianstudents, Symbiosis has steadily established institutions across levels fromkindergarten schools to postgraduate institutes. Today, Symbiosis has 43educational institutes, offering 200 different courses. Around 30,000 on-campus students from different parts of India and almost 75 countries studyat the institute’s Pune, Bengaluru, Nashik and Noida campuses.

“Courses at the institutes go beyond learning from books with anemphasis on being integrated with the real world. For instance, themanagement students get industry experience and law students getpractical training. Comprehensive distance learning courses have also beendeveloped, as I feel distance learning is one of the finest modes ofeducation being affordable and specially convenient for the employed”, saysMujumdar. The 77-year-old is an unassuming man and has never given uphis simplicity, his only vision is to make Symbiosis world-class in providingquality education.

His relentless efforts have not gone unnoticed. Mujumdar, who is nowChancellor of Symbiosis International University, recently was honoured withthe Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian awards. While Symbiosisspans a gamut of multi-lingual, multi-national, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary educational institutions, Mujumdar is not resting on his laurels.“My next endeavour is to establish institutes for vocational training as I feelIndia needs skilled manpower”. The vision of an educationalist, in tune withthe educational needs, has been a gift to students and their families. �

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WARGAMEVISHAL SAREEN TRACES THE HISTORY OF CHESS FROM THETIME OF THE MAHABHARATA TO MUGHAL INDIA

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Sixty-four squares. Two sets of sixteen pieces: eight pawns,two rooks, two knights, two bishops, a queen and a king. Itmight be just a game, but it is also a summation of man’sculture, society and intellectual advancement.

The way the chess board is set up and the use of the pieces is ahistory of man in miniature. The different chess pieces on the boardrepresent a cross-section of life with its many ceremonies, grandeurand wars — epitomising the interplay of the lives of ordinary peopleand the rich class.

There is ample historical evidence, native and foreign, indicatingthat the origin of chess can be traced to India. The Mahabharat hasone of the oldest references to the game in the form of chaupar, agambling game played with dice. It was played by two, three or fourplayers and although the pieces (infantry, cavalry, elephants,chariots) move in a similar way as the modern chess pieces, which

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piece you move is chosen by the roll of a dice, giving it a totallydifferent flavour to the game. It is believed that when such gamblinggames became a bit too popular, one Indian king was concerned andgave orders for a new game that would have the ability to enhancemental qualities. The replacement around that time was chaturanga.

Chaturanga was played on an 8 x 8 unchequered board, calledAshtapada. It is also believed the board had some special markers,the meaning of which is unknown today. These markers were notrelated to chaturanga, but were drawn on the board only by tradition.Great chess historian H.J.R. Murray has conjectured that theAshtapada was also used for some race-type dice game in whichthese markers had a meaning.

In India, the game was one of the important means of recreationamong maharajas (kings) and aristocrats. In the Mughal era,emperor Akbar was known to have played chess with human‘pieces’. The game reached the common man in the mid-19thcentury with the rich displaying expensively crafted pieces, while thepoor used rough wooden lumps, the height of the piecesdistinguishing one from the other.

The chess-boards used by the Indians were unicoloured, theblack squares being the European invention in the middle ages.Shatranj, as it was known in Persia, adopted much of the same rulesas chaturanga, and also the basic 16-piece structure. In some latervariants, the darker squares were engraved.

The game spread westwards after the Islamic conquest of

A child participates in a championship in Kashmir

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The chess boards used by theIndians were unicoloured, the black

squares being the Europeaninvention in the middle ages

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Chess has been often mentioned in Bollywood, but the greatest tribute to the game came in SatyajitRay’s film Shatranj ke Khiladi

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Persia and achieved great popularity. A considerable body ofliterature on game tactics and strategy was produced from the eighth century onwards.

Chess has been often mentioned in Bollywood, but the greatesttribute to the game came in Satyajit Ray’s film Shatranj ke Khiladi(The Chess Players, 1977). Based on a story by Munshi Premchand,it is set in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, in 1856, just before the IndianMutiny, and depicts the downfall of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah at thehands of the British with exquisite irony and pathos.

India has shown greater creativity than probably any other part ofthe world in the range and quality of its games-related artifacts. Sincethe game had a major role in Indian culture and people had a naturalflair for gaming, it resulted in brilliant aptitude for artistic design.

The black-and-white chequered floor design has been favouredsince the time of kings. It is also seen to give a different look tovarious artifacts like jewellery boxes, bed covers, saris and fabric bytextile industry.

Indian furniture also acquired the chess designs in the form oftabletops. Ornate chess boards are an item of decoration and areavailable in myriad variety. They are made of materials as diverse ascamel bone, wood, marble and glass. Antique chess sets arecollector’s items.

Miniature paintings also depicted the game of chess between theking and queen or his office-bearers. The paintings were also usedto explain the game to novices. �

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Master of the Game

The story of chess in India would be incompletewithout Viswanathan Anand, who claimed hisfifth world championship title in May 2012.Anand has not only succeeded in bringing

India’s name on the world map, but has also motivatedother Indians to follow in his footsteps.

The grandmaster, who turned 42 on December 11,however, is not sitting quietly with his laurels. He stillaims for perfection. Says his wife Aruna Anand: “Healways aims to better his games. He is a person who istrying to improve everyday.”

For a person who has ruled the chess world for thepast 25 years, he humbly said: “I simply hung on for dearlife,” after beating Boris Gelfand of Israel in the tie-breaker for the fifth title in Moscow.

The chess wizard, however, rates the 2012championship as the most difficult in terms of intensity.“For him, each championship is important. He has thefondest memory of each one of them, as all of themare played after intense preparations. But he rates therecent world championship as the most special,” saysAruna. “Definitely it was special. It was a close contest.Very few people have achieved what he has done. Ifeel proud to be a part of such a person’s life,” she adds.

Anand’s journey to the top began from his own home,when he was just six years old. He picked up the nuancesof the game from his mother Susheela, who sharpened hismind by making him solve puzzles. He won his first evertitle at the National Sub-Junior Chess Championship in1983. A year later, when he was 15, he went on to becomethe youngest Indian to win the title of International Master,followed by several feats, including the national chess title (thrice).

Thereafter, there was no dearth of laurels that camehis way. He was the first Indian to win the World JuniorChess Championship (1987) and became India’s first

grandmaster (1988). In the 1990s, he lived his dreamby playing at the World Chess Championship, though hecould not win the title. In 2000, he edged past Spain’sAlexei Shirov in the best-of-six game final in Teheran forthe world crown. Anand’s spell of magic continued withmany more international titles. At 28, he won the 2007World Chess Federation, FIDE World Championship.

Besides the world number 1 ranking to his credit, hisfeat has earned him some of the highest civilian awardsfrom the Indian government like the Padma Vibhushan,Padma Shri and India’s highest sports honour, the RajivGandhi Khel Ratna.

No wonder then why many youngsters draw inspirationfrom the grandmaster. India’s youngest grandmasterParimarjan Negi says: “I have always been motivated byhim. What he has achieved is incredible. As a seven-year-old, it was great to know that an Indian won the worldchampion in 2000. I just love to see him playing, and tryto imitate him in every possible way.”

India might have produced many promising talents inthe past but for now he is the undisputed king. �

Viswanathan Anand remains the undisputed world champion in the most cerebralgame mankind has ever invented, writes Keshada Madhukulya

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BESIDES THE WORLDNUMBER 1 RANKING TO HISCREDIT, HIS FEAT HASEARNED HIM SOME OF THEHIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARDSFROM THE INDIANGOVERNMENT

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EXHIBITION

POWER OF PRINTED PICTURETRACES PRINTMAKING’S EXCITING JOURNEY IN INDIA

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Print art came to India in the 16th century whenvisiting European Jesuits brought printingpresses to Goa, perhaps to print religious tomes.Thereafter, the printing industry grew under the

British. What followed later were the vernacular printingindustry and bazaar prints or calendar art.

Artist and scholar Dr Paula Sengupta, who has donecomprehensive research on the subject, curated anexhibition, The Printed Picture: Four Centuries of IndianPrintmaking at Delhi Art Gallery from October 13 toNovember 3. The show encapsulated the history ofprintmaking giving it its rightful place in the scheme ofthe art world and recognising the technique and craft thatgoes into producing printed works.

There were over 200 works of prints, lithographs,serigraphs, calendar art and advertorial posters displayedacross three levels taking the viewer from the early agesof print art to contemporary times. The curator felt the

need for such a show as there was no exhibition spanningthe history of printmaking in India.

The exhibition was a fascinating look into the world ofprintmaking: The process of transforming or copying anoriginal work of art using a plate, block of stone, stencil,wood to make limited impressions or prints for sale.

It showcased interesting works of various local schoolsof printmaking of Calcutta (now Kolkata), Bombay (nowMumbai), Mysore and Lahore. From various techniquesand individual styles of artists of Santiniketan, works ofpioneering printmakers like Somnath Hore, Jyoti Bhattand younger artists like R. Palaniappan and AnupamSood and almost 150 artists were on display.

An impressive two volume book on the exhibits andcurator’s thoughts were released on the occasion. Thiswas an exhibition with a socio-historical perspective thatshows the vibrancy and colourfulness of printmaking.

—Sudha G Tilak

89NOVEMBERDECEMBER 2012 � INDIA PERSPECTIVESI

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90 INDIA PERSPECTIVES � NOVEMBERDECEMBER 2012

ANNA M.M. VETTICAD is a prominent film journalist in India. Through 18 yearsin the profession, she has worked with several top media organisations andhosted her own television talk show. The Delhi-based writer-journalist-teacher spoke to Urmila Marak soon after the launch of her first book, The

Adventures of an Intrepid Film Critic (Om Books International):

How would you describe your book?The simplest way of describing it is that The Adventures of an Intrepid Film Critic isan overview of the Hindi film industry told through an account of a year in which Istuck to a New Year resolution to blog reviews of every single Bollywood film releasedin India’s National Capital Region, without missing a single one. Beyond that, the bookis a story of how every film industry mirrors the society it is drawn from, with all itspolitical and social prejudices.

You watched 121 films for the book. Any moment when you felt you couldn’t handle it?Quite to the contrary, as the months went by I became addicted. I was sitting alone intheatres watching films – good and bad – that no one else was watching, that otherswere not writing about. Equally addictive was the unprecedented challenge involvedin tracking down the teams of many obscure films.

As a critic, are you gentler on small films than big ones?Never. My reviews are always and only dictated by a film’s content. But yes, if Idiscover a beautiful small film that’s been poorly marketed, I feel driven to talk aboutit on the social media to help spread the word among the public.

Any thoughts on the occasion of 100 years of Indian cinema?We are the only country in the world that has thriving film industries in multiplelanguages which remain the primary choice of entertainment for domestic audiences.We have not been mowed down by Hollywood’s budgetary and marketing might. Wemust celebrate that.

Should Indian filmmakers work harder to get noticed at international awards?Yes, because a bigger platform helps. However, the solution should not lie in alteringour filmmaking sensibilities to cater to international tastes. The solution lies in investingin better scripts, not taking the intelligence of the domestic audience for granted, notfocusing on the lowest common denominator alone but on every layer of India’saudiences, and then marketing our films like hell in India and abroad! � ’’

“We are theonly country inthe world thathas thrivingfilm industriesin multiplelanguageswhich remainthe primarychoice ofentertainmentfor domesticaudiences

VERBATIM

“INDIA HAS NOT BEEN MOWEDDOWN BY HOLLYWOOD”

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