IP_April-June 09.indd - Embassy of India

54 Pages·2009·2.9 MB·English

by  Image & Imprint

Vol 23, No. 2 ISSN 0970 5074
India
APRIL-JUNE 2009
Perspectives
Editor
Vinod Kumar
Assistant Editor
Neelu Rohra
Consulting Editor
Newsline Publications Pvt. Ltd., C-15, Sector 6, Noida-201301
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Hon’ble Mr. S.M. Krishna
Minister for External Affairs
Born on 1 May 1932, Mr. S.M. Krishna graduated from Maharaja’s College,
Mysore, and went on to obtain a law degree from the Government Law
College, Bangalore. Later he studied at the Southern Methodist University,
Dallas, USA and also at George Washington University as a Fulbright scholar.
Back in India, he worked as a Professor of International Law in
Renukacharya Law College, Bangalore. He was elected to the Karnataka
Legislative Assembly in 1962 and made his debut in Parliament in 1968, to
become a Member of the fourth Lok Sabha (People’s House).
He was re-elected to the fi fth Lok Sabha, but preferred to return to
State Politics in 1972, when he was elected to the Legislative Council and
inducted as Minister for ‘Commerce, Industries and Parliamentary Affairs’,
a charge he held till 1977.
In 1980, he returned to the Lok Sabha and was made Minister of State for
Industry during 1983-84 and Minister of State for Finance during 1984-85.
He became the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in 1989,
and held the post till 1992, when he was elected as Deputy Chief Minister
of Karnataka.
He was elected to Rajya Sabha in 1996 (Upper House of Parliament),
and was a member till October 1999.
He was elected as the Chief Minister of Karnataka in October 1999 and
served till May 2004.
Mr. Krishna assumed offi ce of Governor of Maharashtra in December 2004
and remained in the post till March 2008. He was re-elected as Member of
the Rajya Sabha on 19 June 2008.
He assumed charge as the External Affairs Minister on 23 May 2009.
Widely travelled, Mr. Krishna was a Member of the Indian delegation to the
United Nations in 1982, and a delegate to the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Seminar at Westminster, UK in 1990.
He married Mrs. Prema on 29 April 1964. They have two daughters.
His hobbies include Tennis & Yoga.
Hon’ble Mrs. Preneet Kaur Hon’ble Dr. Shashi Tharoor
Minister of State for External Affairs Minister of State for External Affairs
Mrs. Preneet Kaur was born in Shimla on 3 October 1944, studied at Author, peace-keeper, refugee worker, human rights activist, Member
Chelsea and graduated from St. Bedes, Shimla with a BA degree and of Indian Parliament and now Minister of State for External Affairs,
Teachers Training Course degree. Dr. Shashi Tharoor straddles several worlds of experience. He was
India’s candidate to succeed United Nations Secretary-General
She is married to Capt. Amarinder Singh, former Chief Minister of
Kofi Annan in 2006, and fi nished a close second out of seven
Punjab. They have one daughter and one son.
contenders. An internationally known speaker and writer on India’s
She represents Patiala Parliamentary constituency, known as the hub of recent socio-economic transformations, the impact and reach of
Malwa and the capital of the erstwhile State of PEPSU. She was elected globalization, issues related to freedom of press, human rights, literacy,
to the Lok Sabha for three consecutive terms in 1999, 2004 and 2009. Indian culture and India’s present and potential infl uence in world
During her second term she was a Member of the Standing Committee politics, Shashi Tharoor’s eleven books and newspaper columns have
on Water Resources; Committee on Empowerment of Women; made him one of India’s best-known voices worldwide
Committee on Public Undertakings; Consultative Committee for
His UN career began in 1978 at the United Nations, where he joined
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and the Advisory Committee on
the staff of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Regional Direct Taxes.
(UNHCR) in Geneva. Over the years, he has held various key
Under the aegis of Inter-Parliamentary Union, she became a member responsibilities, including in Peace-Keeping after the Cold War, as a
of the Women’s Co-ordination Committee of the Asia Pacifi c Region for Senior Adviser to the Secretary-General, as well as the United Nations
two years and attended conferences in Cape Town and Geneva. Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information.
Dr Tharoor left the UN on 31 March 2007 and worked as the Chairman
She also served on various Committees in her fi rst tenure in the
of the Dubai-based Afras Ventures, a company that aims to promote
Lok Sabha and was Chairperson of the Patiala Polo and Riding Club.
socially-relevant investments in India. He assumed offi ce of Minister
She is the Chairperson of the Patiala Heritage Society and has been of State for External Affairs on 29 May 2009.
instrumental in starting Patiala Heritage Festival, which has become an
Born in London in 1956, Dr Tharoor was educated in India and
annual feature, aimed at revitalizing the glorious legacy of the Malwa
the United States, completing a PhD in 1978 at the Fletcher School
in general and Patiala in particular.
of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Dr Tharoor was also
She started her social work career with the Red Cross Hospital awarded an honorary D.Litt. by the University of Puget Sound. A
Welfare Section in late ’60s and continued there till 1980. She also did compelling and effective speaker, he is fl uent in English, French,
social work to ameliorate the lot of the downtrodden. She chaired Malayalam and Hindi.
Committees of Harijan Sewak Sangh and Citizens Welfare Council in
Patiala for about a decade. She received the President’s Award in 1970
for her work in the Red Cross Hospital Welfare Section.
She has travelled widely in India and abroad. She is an art enthusiast
and her hobbies include reading.
She assumed offi ce of Minister of State for External Affairs on
28 May 2009.
Opening up to a
New World
80
PROF RAJEEV LOCHAN
Editorial
India has been a democracy for over six decades since our
independence. Our readers must have followed the elections
for the Lok Sabha, or the House of the People, in India as the
world’s largest electorate voted to elect their 543 representatives.
With an electorate of over 714 million and over 828 thousand Baluchari Sarees
88
polling stations across the country, the Indian elections are CHITRA BALASUBRAMANIAM
indeed a mammoth democratic exercise. Following the elections,
Call of the Himalayas
the Government assumed offi ce in May 2009. We present brief 6
MANDIP SINGH SOIN
bio-profi les of our new Ministers – Hon. Minister of External Affairs
India’s Position on East or West
Mr. S.M. Krishna, and Hon. Ministers of State Mrs. Preneet Kaur
Climate Change Issues India is The Best
and Mr. Shashi Tharoor. 14 46
SHYAM SARAN ANUPAMA SUSHIL
The Public Diplomacy Division had commissioned a documentary
Falling for Mandakini
on the Indian elections by well known fi lmmaker Ms Laxmana 52
RUSKIN BOND
Dalmiya, which was released by the Chief Election Commissioner
Travancore
in May. In this issue, Mr. Inder Malhotra takes us on a journey
Evening
through the past elections. Brown Butterfly
56
SURESH ELAMON
The food was lovely!
As climate change remains at the center stage, Prime Minister’s
94
PUSHPESH PANT
Special Envoy Mr. Shyam Saran vividly enunciates India’s position Paradise Found
60
on climate change issues. We also bring to you articles from well RACHANA RANA BHATTACHARYA
National Institute of Fashion
The 15th
known personages on our economy which is growing bigger and Technology
General Elections 98
stronger, cars which are getting smaller, culture, arts, and tourism. RATHI VINAY JHA
26
INDER MALHOTRA
Our series on excellent institutions in India continues with the
National Institute of Fashion Technology. No Downturn
Blues Here
35
Hope you enjoy reading the issue. PARANJOY GUHA THAKURTA
Realising a Dream
42
PRAKASH NANDA
Go, Fly a Kite!
70
SATISH JACOB
Vinod Kumar
June 2009
World class The moonlit Neelkanth in the Garhwal
Himalayas (front cover); a tranquil scene,
and made in India
Kerala (inside front cover) and
74
Sat Tal, Uttarakhand (back cover).
R KRISHNAN
Photographs: Ashok Dilwali.
Call of the Ranging up to a height of about 29,000 feet and home to Mount
Everest, the world’s highest mountain, the Himalayas, have the most
Himalayas
challenging terrain that excites mountaineers, climbers and trekkers.
Being the tallest among mountains, an area which has a completely
unique culture or sometimes so remote that one believes that they
must be the fi rst to have travelled there along with the beautiful fl ora
Serene and peaceful, the mountain ranges in the north of and fauna, all these combine to make the Himalayas full of grandeur
and magic. And who would not want to explore such a place?
the country, provide wonderful opportunities for trekkers,
experienced or otherwise. A lover of peaks and an expert The variety of terrain that exists through the Himalayan ranges
provides a chance to all to make attempts and experience trekking
trekker, Mandip Singh Soin believes that one can begin by
and more serious climbing. Trekking essentially does not require
going on a ‘baby trek’.
professional training and thus involves lighter climbing, less
technical knowledge and could stretch across many days as climbing
expeditions do. One can choose from beginners or ‘baby treks’ in the
“…Because it is there”, said George Mallory when he was asked
lower Himalayas or the treks in the upper mountains.
why he wanted to climb the Mount Everest in 1924. These
four words became the most famous ever in the history of The Himalayan range is classically divided into two regions: the
mountaineering. western Himalayas and the eastern Himalayas. The mountain range in
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INDIA PERSPECTIVES APRIL-JUNE 2009 6 INDIA PERSPECTIVES APRIL-JUNE 2009 7
English Centre Gate Fold Final.i1 1 4/12/2008 11:59:42 AM
the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand eco-tourism initiatives in the area for conservation and protection by
belong to the western ranges while those in Sikkim and Arunachal the World Wildlife Fund, the Snow Leopard Conservancy and the State
Pradesh fall in the eastern range. Tourism Board.
Home to the unique landscape comprising Ladakh and the Zanskar One of the major reasons why doing the Himalayas is an ultimate
and the beautiful Kashmir Valleys, Jammu and Kashmir remains one of experience is simply the variety of the terrain that trekkers can
the most fascinating destinations for trekkers. There are several treks experience during short, long, simple and diffi cult treks.
in the Ladakh-Zanskar Valley region that beginners can take and more
Any trek allows a whole variety: the lower mountains, higher passes,
diffi cult ones that climbers often attempt.
straight treks, very high altitude passes – virtually offers everything that
The Frozen River trek in the Zanskar Valley in the winters is the most
challenges a trekker.
famous that takes trekkers on a trek across the frozen Zanskar river. It
is one of the most challenging and exciting experiences ever. One of Among the other western mountain ranges in Himachal Pradesh are
the ways to travel through the mountains is to take a jeep safari from the Kullu Valley, Kinnaur and Spiti and Lahaul. These areas offer lush
Manali to Leh, which helps in acclimatisation and prepares the trekker alpine forests, rugged terrain; high passes with treks to Chandratal
to deal better with the changing altitude and climate. The area that is Lake, Pin Parvati and the Kinner Kailash circuit. The home-stay scheme
most preferred by trekkers is the Kishtawar and Phalagam sector in the involving local people is doing well, and is an encouraging factor for
Kashmir Valley but is not conducive for treks currently. The Markha anyone interested in visiting the area.
Valley trek is one the most popular treks which is a ten-day circular
Housing the maximum number of open peaks in the Himalayan
trek beginning and ending in Leh. There are also short treks for two to
ranges (those not in any national park or similar outfi ts), Uttarakhand
three days that are less taxing.
has the Garhwal Valley which has a few high peaks, fl ower-fi lled and
The Kashmir Valley is becoming more accessible because of increasing thick green forest area. The terrain is a huge pull for trekkers with
air connectivity from the gateway of Delhi. There are also various the treks to the Stopanth and Trishul peaks being the most popular.
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INDIA PERSPECTIVES APRIL-JUNE 2009 8 INDIA PERSPECTIVES APRIL-JUNE 2009 9
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INDIA PERSPECTIVES APRIL-JUNE 2009 10 INDIA PERSPECTIVES APRIL-JUNE 2009 11
The area beyond Ranikhet and Munsiyari are best for treks along Kolkata in West Bengal. Sikkim is fascinating and, famous for the
with the well-known one to the mouth of the River Ganges. Meru, Goechala Trek that takes trekkers quite close to the base of the world’s
the mountain (according to Hindu mythology, the Meru mountain highest mountain, Kanchenjunga. Arunachal Pradesh offers short treks
is considered to be the centre of the Universe) and Shivling attract through its dense rain forests with a variety of fl ora and fauna. The
about 10 to 12 expeditions in a year. The Kumaon region has treks of forests also house tribes who now have started to welcome trekkers.
the famous Nanda Devi mountain and Panchuli ranges. The famous
To undertake treks one needs to devote time. It is not a quick job. To
treks, the Lord Curzon Trek, the Shiton Tillman Trek and others take
understand and cherish the experience, a trekker needs to commit his
you from lower to the upper mountains offering a staggering view of
time and most importantly explore the areas in an organized fashion.
the highest ranges. The state government is working to improve and
With a continuous increase in the number of trekkers coming into
build essential infrastructure. It has made the process of obtaining a
India, the Ministry of Tourism, the State Tourism bodies, tour operators
permit easier by shortening the time taken from three months to about
in the organized sector and the unorganized sector have started to
three weeks. Efforts to usher in eco tourism, building infrastructure,
work together to ensure easy access to these areas while maintaining
protection of the forests, opening up newer trails are the current
the highest standards in service. As all these areas are ecologically
initiatives for the state. The state tourism authority has declared
sensitive, it is essential to follow conservation guidelines and best
adventure tourism as the current focus and is working towards it.
practices.
◆
Offering a sense of remoteness and walks through the dense rain
The writer is a mountaineer, an explorer, eco tourism and adventure tourism specialist and
forests describes the treks of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the has been awarded the Ness Award by the Royal Geographical Society, UK, for mountaineering
north-east of the country. The gateway city to the eastern ranges is and polar expeditions and encouragement of youth exploration.
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INDIA PERSPECTIVES APRIL-JUNE 2009 12 INDIA PERSPECTIVES APRIL-JUNE 2009 13
What are India’s expectations with regard to the
Copenhagen outcome?
The mandate of the fi fteenth Conference of Parties (COP) in
Copenhagen is to enhance long-term cooperation on Climate
Change under the Bali Action Plan (BAP). It is not about re-
negotiating the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC).
The BAP adopted by consensus at the thirteenth COP, envisages
long-term cooperation in terms of enhanced action on reducing
greenhouse gas emissions (Mitigation), and increasing the capacity
to meet the consequences of climate change that has already taken
place and is likely to continue to take place (Adaptation). These
objectives must be supported by suffi cient fi nancial resources
(Finance) and technology transfers (Technology) from developed
to developing countries.
The Road to
Copenhagen
We expect that Copenhagen will result in an ambitious outcome,
representing a cooperative global response to the challenge of
Climate Change, but an outcome which is also fair and equitable.
It must be in accordance with the principle of common but
differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, a
INDIA’S POSITION ON CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES
principle that the entire international community has, by consensus,
C enshrined in the UNFCCC, concluded in 1992 at the historic Rio
limate Change has become an urgent and pervasive
Summit.
preoccupation across the globe. It is a global
India is a country which is and will continue to be severely
challenge which requires an ambitious global
impacted by Climate Change precisely at a time when it is
response. India and other developing countries would be
among those most seriously impacted by the consequences
of Climate Change. It is for this reason that India, along with
its G-77 + China partners, has been playing an active and
constructive role in the ongoing multilateral negotiations
under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change,
to ensure that the forthcoming 15th Conference of Parties in
Copenhagen in December this year, delivers an ambitious,
but also an equitable outcome.
Shyam Saran, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister for
Climate Change, explains India’s stand on a number of
issues being deliberated upon in the negotiations and
clears misconceptions so that there is mutual understanding
between countries and we can arrive at an outcome that
will be worthy of the expectations of a concerned global
citizenry.
INDIA PERSPECTIVES APRIL-JUNE 2009 14 INDIA PERSPECTIVES APRIL-JUNE 2009 15
confronted with huge in volume after the US and result of carbon-based industrial economic development by Thirdly, India can, by no stretch countries like India, the focus of
development imperatives. We China. How can an accord be activity in developed countries developing countries will result of imagination, be described Climate Change action cannot
would, therefore, expect that possible, if India and other over the past two centuries in an increase in their GHG as a so-called “major emitter”. just be current emissions.
the Copenhagen outcome not “major emitters” refuse to and more. It is for this reason emissions, for the foreseeable Our per capita CO emissions There is the equally important
2
only provides us with the space accept responsibility in this that the UNFCCC stipulates future. This is recognized in the are currently only 1.1 tonnes, issue of Adaptation to Climate
we require for accelerated social regard? deep and signifi cant cuts in the when compared to over 20 Change that has already taken
UNFCCC itself. Despite this,
and economic development, in emissions of the industrialized tonnes for the US and in excess place and will continue to take
India has already declared
order to eradicate widespread Firstly, Climate Change is taking countries as fulfi llment of their of 10 tonnes for most OECD place in the foreseeable future
that even as it pursues
poverty, but also create a global place not due to current level historic responsibility. countries. Furthermore, even even in the most favourable
its social and economic
regime which is supportive of GHG emissions, but as a if we are No. 3 in terms of mitigation scenarios. India is
development objectives, it
of our national endeavours result of the cumulative impact Secondly, the UNFCCC itself total volume of emissions, the already subject to high degree
will not allow its per capita
for ecologically sustainable of accumulated GHGs in the does not require developing gap with the fi rst and second- of climate variability resulting
GHG emissions to exceed the
development. planetary atmosphere. Current countries to take on any ranking countries is very large. in droughts, fl oods and other
average per capita emissions
emissions are, of course, adding commitments on reducing their The US and China account extreme weather events which
of the developed countries.
India is resisting calls by to the problem incrementally. GHG emissions. This was also for over 16% each of the total compels India to spend over
This effectively puts a cap on
developed countries to take Even if current emissions were, recognized in the subsequent global emissions, while India 2% of its GDP on Adaptation
on specifi c targets for the by some miracle, reduced to Kyoto Protocol which only our emissions, which will be trails with just 4%, despite its and this fi gure is likely to go
reduction of its Greenhouse zero tomorrow, Climate Change set targets for developed lower if our developed country very large population and its up signifi cantly. Therefore,
Gas (GHG) emissions despite will continue to take place. The countries, the so-called Annex partners choose to be more rapidly growing economy. the Copenhagen package
the fact that its total GHG accumulated stock of GHGs in I countries. It is inevitable ambitious in reducing their own must include global action
emissions are the 3rd largest the atmosphere is mainly the that the pursuit of social and emissions. Fourthly, for developing on Adaptation in addition to
INDIA PERSPECTIVES APRIL-JUNE 2009 16 INDIA PERSPECTIVES APRIL-JUNE 2009 17