Zomato Goes Global - International Indian
Transcription
Zomato Goes Global - International Indian
2015• ISSUE 1 | VOL. 22.1 Winning in Diaspora! Jan 16, 2015 - Mar 15, 2015 www.tii.ae Deepinder Goyal, Founder & Chief Executive of Zomato Zomato Goes Global Are Indians Abroad Any Different? Why Do We Pine For India? What Do Young Indians Want Pankaj Chaddah (Left) Zomato Co-Founder with Rohin Thampi, UAE Country Manager, Zomato Kiran Shah: Chota Star of Hollywood Singles: Tough Mating Game Is Romance Overrated? BAHRAIN BD 1.25 • KUWAIT KD 1.25 • OMAN RO 1.25 • KSA SR 12.00 • UAE AED 12.00 • CANADA C$ 5.00 • UK £2.50 • USA $ 4.00 Indian THE INTERNATIONAL LETTERS TO THE EDITOR DON’T USE ‘MAKE MY TRIP’ FOR AIRTICKETS! This is the last time I will use ‘Make My Trip’ the online travel agency.I bought a ticket to travel within India and had to change my date of travel to the next day, due to unforseen circumstances. It took me about one hour on the phone before an operator came on the line. Then he cut me off and it took another half an hour. After that the customer service agent told me I have to contact the airline directly to make any cancellation or changes. He gave me a phone number that was incorrect and I had to call them again for the right information - another half an hour wait on the phone. I finally cancelled my ticket and bought a new one. The airline charged me Rs 1,500 for cancellation and told me that ‘Make My Trip’ will also charge me some additional amount before they give my refund in about a week. After a commission and service charge, this is highway robbery. Rajesh Mittal Dubai, UAE RECLAIMING HER LOST INDIAN HERITAGE Your story on Reena Tory in the last issue (TII 21.6) on her reclaiming her lost Indian heritage made me realise how spot on your magazine is when it comes to content pertaining to the Indian diaspora. There are so many Indians who have lost their heritage because they surrendered it for a foreign culture not realising the impact it would have on future generations. Only a few like Reena reclaim it and mine the wealth that it can bring. I hope your article will make people realise that wherever we live we must always cherish and pass on who we are. Satish Agarwal Dubai, UAE ARE MUSLIMS SAFE IN INDIA? The story on ‘Are Muslims Safe in India’ by Zenifer Khaleel in TII 21.6 was too tame - all your interviewees played it pretty safe by mostly trying to be positive. The stereotyping of terror by the Surat cops indicates a dangerous mindset against Muslims and the fact is there are still places in our country where Muslims cannot rent or buy property with areas considered unsafe for them in case of trouble. The Khans rule the roost in Bollywood but don’t forget Dilip Kumar of yesteryear could not use his real name Muhammed Yusuf Khan. With Mr Modi in the kursi, everyday we read about Sangh Parivar outfits openly flouting the law and enforcing their own policing. I wonder what we can expect on Valentine’s Day 2015. Sikander Ali Majeed Bahrain THE BEST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR WILL WIN EXQUISITE GIFTS FROM LIALI JEWELLERY. Email your letters to: frankraj08@gmail.com 4 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN EST: 1992 The Region’s Oldest, Authoritative Magazine of Gulf Indian Society & History ISSN 0964 8437 Publishers Prof. Prabhu Guptara Santosh Shetty Founder Editor & Publisher Frank Raj Contributing Editors Erik R. Hadden Prem Souri Kishore Benjamin H. Parker Vishal Mangalwadi Shamlal Puri Travel Editor Shana Raj Parker Manager PR Christine DeSouza Photographer Benjamin H. Parker International Correspondents Canada Rubina Jacob Singapore Amita Sarwal UK Anjali Guptara Khera Rudy Otter Shamlal Puri USA Prem Souri Kishore Middle East Hemu Gorde Bandana Jain Deepa Ballal South Africa Asma Ayob India Delhi Chennai Hyderabad Mumbai Bangalore Vishal Arora Aruna Srinivasan Shyamola Khanna Sarina Menezes Marianne de Nazareth Director Raina Raj Hadden Head Of Operations Manav Bhatia Designer Yet Santos TII Middle East & India Offices: Bahrain- Lloyd Rebello loydj@expat-group.comMob:+97339106690 Oman- Martin Wilson martinw@expat-group.comMob:+96893575165 Qatar- Merwyn Ferrao merwyn@expat-group.comMob:+9746115525 UAE- Manav Bhatia manavb@expat-group.comMob:+971558994259 EDITORIAL Frank Raj A RELIGIOUS RASHTRA OR A GLOBALISED INDIA: WHAT DO SRINIVAS, SALMAN, STEVEN AND SUKHBIR WANT? C hange is intriguing and radical transformation is especially fascinating. The way I see it, individuals, institutions and ideologies, all should have a go at regenerating India. After all who wouldn’t like to see the country transformed? If Shri Narendra Modi and his religious sidekicks can do the job - why not? But why do we see mostly goondagiri in the name of Dharma? Has any country been radically remade with concrete evidence of spiritual, political, social, economic and cultural transformation? Can a society be changed, or must people change before any change happens in society? After the recent Taliban massacre of 132 schoolchildren in Peshawar, Pak-istan (land of the pure) may be doing a rethink. I’m not holding my breath; they still haven’t figured out that religious ideology running amok is the main stumbling block to their progress. India is in the same boat if the so called ‘fringe elements’ (no different from Pakistan’s ‘non-state’ actors) are allowed to have their way by our strategically taciturn Prime Minister. I just hope he heeds U.S. President Barack Obama’s proactive advice on his recent visit, “India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along the lines of faith.” American troops will exit from Afghanistan at the end of 2016. Foolishly ignoring Afghan history over the past 2,300 years since the time of Alexander the Great, America disregarded the disastrous experiences of the British and Soviet empires. American generals thought they could turn Afghanistan into a stable, modern, pro-western democratic state. Historically, India too has known many attempts at remaking – each one added a unique aspect to our national character. The Mughals imposed Islam, the Portuguese enforced Roman Catholicism, the British (debatably) furthered Christianity and now (roll the drums) the most recent game changers to “Modi-fy” our country have arrived – the Sangh Parivar led by Shri Narendra Modi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Is their new ‘National Institution for Transforming India’, (NITI) a brilliant manoeuvre masking their ‘noble’ goal of a Hindu Rashtra? Siddharth Varadarajan a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Public Affairs and Critical Theory, Shiv Nadar University writes in Outlook (Jan 12, 2015) that Modiji’s biggest weakness is the mischief of his saffron outfits. Varadarajan points out, “…the advent of the Modi era means the chance to play social and cultural engineer with the soul of the nation, something their ideological ancestors never got to do given their virtual absence from the freedom struggle. 2014 for Hindutva zealots, then, is Year Zero, the date India began to reverse its tryst with a destiny they detest. They are waiting for the country to turn its back on the precepts, principles; politics and philosophy that had helped define its nationhood for decades if not centuries. For this section, governance is primarily about settling scores with the past – and with the phalanx of real and imagined enemies who have stood in the way of the greater glory of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’: Marxists, Muslims, and Macaulayputras.” Contrary to what the Sangh Parivar media manipulators may believe, the ultimate enemies of their saffron agenda are not the other religious groups that they routinely target – it is the Trojan horse of the media itself that has the most pervasive influence on society and the Goebbels’ inspired saffronwallahs understand this. Reactions to the Aamir Khan movie PK, Perumal Murugan’s novel etc., indicates the value they attach to media freedoms. Is banning of Internet free speech using the ISIS threat a taste of what’s in store? Varadarajan notes: “Many of the young women and men who voted for the BJP in 2014 may be ‘Ramzadeh’ – descendants of Ram, to use the infelicitous phrase popularized by the BJP MP Sadhvi Jyoti Niranjan – but they will not accept Ram as a substitute for Rozgari. They do not want to be told what to wear and eat and drink; what to read and watch; whom to love. “Modi spent the whole of 2014 cultivating a studied ambiguity towards Hindutva’s pet projects, first as a contender for power and then as Prime Minister. But if he continues in this mode, failing to clearly demarcate himself and his government from the divisive agenda of the Sangh, his Sarkar will run aground.” 250 million Indians are now connected to the Internet, with 100 million on Facebook and the 30 million smartphone owners in India are projected to zoom to about 600 million in three or four years. The Modi government’s Digital India mission is touted as one of the PM’s biggest achievements that integrates government departments and the people of India for effective governance. So far the initiative has linked bank accounts of 10 crore people with their Aadhaar card numbers. But if all Shri Narendra Modi delivers is a Religious Rashtra that aims to co-exist with Boardroom Baimani, Bollywood Badmashi and the Bajrang Dal barbarians, a saffron India won’t change society. Will citizens Srinivas, Salman, Steven, and Sukhbir agree that Hindutva should take priority over a globalised success motivated lifestyle that the Internet, Bollywood, satellite TV and the smartphone is increasingly getting them addicted to? Can the Sangh Parivar stop the media juggernaut that is remaking Hindusthan into the digitised, globalised and westernised United States of India? Frank Raj Founder-Editor & Publisher frankraj08@gmail.com The International Indian @frankraj08 @deshaurdiaspora Frank Raj blog.tii.ae THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 5 WHATS INSIDE TII 22.1 17 29 10 56 contents 04 Letters to the Editor 05 Editorial COVER STORY 10 Zomato Goes Global by Armenia Fernandes EDITOR’S PICK 07 Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum Relive the Ottoman Empire in Turkey by Frank Raj TRAVEL 15 Major Shift in GCC Travel Habits Younger, Wealthier, Family Oriented by Frank Raj 17 Why Do We Pine For India? by Dev Gupta SMALL BUSINESS 22 Right Selection Innovation At the Heart of the Company DIASPORA 24 Six Years in Fort McMurray Canada Takes Getting Used To by Mary Thomas 29 Are Indians Abroad Different? How Indians Change Overseas by Yashpal Rama 6 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 67 32 Moved to a New Country? Get Your Groove Back by Namrata Bhawnani 52 60 Aquaponics by Shyamola Khanna 52 Single Women Mating is a Big Challenge by Bandana Jain GUPTARA GARMAGARAM 63 Modification: Long, Short or Indifferent? by Prabhu Guptara 77 A Queen Bee in Media Uma Ghosh Deshpande by Zenifer Khaleel EDUCATION 65 The Greatest Missed Opportunity by Brandon Busteed 36 Making A Difference by Bandana jain BOLLYWOOD 70 Kickstarting Iconic Fashion Trends by Sumit Panwar INDIA HERITAGE 42 Five Fun Ways to Learn About India’s Heritage by Khursheed Dinshaw 45 Going Back to India India’s Reverse Brain Drain by Anusha Harish HOLLYWOOD 67 Kiran Shah Being Short is no problem in Hollywood 72 CA’s Advice Income & Wealth Tax Implications by Prem Karra 48 TII Hall of Fame 49 Watching India: Desi Media Bolder, Bad, Bakwaas by Nithin Belle 73 TII Photo Competition 74 An Englishman in Vasai Life in a Mumbai Suburb by Sam Northcote 82 WINNING Is Romance Overrated? Frank Raj 56 What Do Young Indians Want? by Feby Imthias 79 BUZZWORD Editor’s Pick Frank Raj Relive The Ottoman Empire With Muhteṣem Yüzyil (The Magnificent Century) Package At Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum, Turkey Mandarin Oriental M andarin Oriental, Bodrum brings Middle Eastern guests a historical journey of the Ottoman Empire to reimagine the powerful reign of Sultan Süleiman inspired by the popular Turkish TV Series Muhteṣem Yüzyil (The Magnificent Century). ‘The Magnificent Century Package’ will commence on Sunday 1st March 2015 and guests can indulge with Ottoman palace lifestyle through a luxurious accommodation, a gourmet cuisine tasting menu from Suleiman’s era served with Turkish grape on the side, authentic in-room amenities including nuts, dried fruits and Turkish sweets with Ottoman touches and experience a limited edition Tamarind sherbet after a revitalizing Hammam treatment. The Magnificent Century Package starts at 492 Euro and includes: • One night’s accommodation for two in a Sea View Room with panoramic view of Aegean seascape • In-room or a la carte breakfast for two at Sofra restaurant overlooking the sea • Exclusive Ottoman palace cuisine tasting menu for two including one bottle of Turkish grape • Authentic Ottoman in-room treats such as dried fruits, nuts and Turkish sweets • Sultan Suleiman-inspired 45-minute Hammam treatment for two followed by serving of limited edition Tamarind sherbet and fresh fruits *Only available for minimum of three night’s stay Mandarin Oriental Commenting on the special package, Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum General Manager, Nejat Sarp said, “We are delighted to launch a new package to treat our Middle Eastern guests with a once in a lifetime experience of the Ottoman Empire lifestyle to relive the extravagant life of Sultan Suleiman at Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum.” Ideally located on a 60 hectare waterfront site on the northern side of the peninsula, at Cennet Koyu (Paradise Bay), with panoramic views over the Aegean Sea, Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum offers the perfect retreat. The Sea View Rooms and Mediterranean Suites provide the most spacious accommodation in the Bodrum Peninsula, ranging from 72 to 145 square metres, and are flooded with natural light. Most rooms have terraces with private dining areas and sundecks. In addition, each suite features a plunge pool and outdoor shower set in private gardens with spectacular views over the Aegean Sea. CONTACT The package is valid from Sunday March 1st 2015 to Thursday 21st May 2015. Reservations are subject to availability, inclusive of VAT at 8%, subject to availability. Rates may change with further notice: For double occupancy during March 2015: 492 Euro per night, For double occupancy from 1st April to 21st May: 592 Euro per night. Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly on + 90 252 311 18 88, or through e-mail at mobod-reservations@mohg.com. THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 7 www.expat-group.com 9000+ CUSTOMERS 12000+ ACRES OF LAND TRANSACTED 8 COUNTRIES 13 OFFICES 550 CHANNEL PARTNERS COVER STORY Armenia Fernandes COVER STORY Zomato Goes Global Rohin Thampi, UAE Country Manager, Zomato, (second from left, back row) with the Zomato team in Dubai Zomato is an Indian success story exported to Dubai and far beyond. Buoyed by spectacular growth in the Indian market, Zomato set its sights on Dubai. It started the UAE office in Dubai in September 2012 and a month later, launched Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. In a two year period, the company has achieved a 2.5 million user traffic per month, on its website and the App, with a large chunk of this, close to 1.9 million, coming from Dubai alone. L ittle did IITians Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah know that the scanned menus they put up on the office intranet to help out hungry colleagues queuing up in the pantry during lunch time, would grow into the hugely popular online and mobile restaurant and nightlife search and discovery guide Zomato, which has emerged a formidable player on the international food and beverage arena within a short span of barely six years. Today, Zomato (which rhymes with tomato) is credited with being the first Indian internet product to have truly gone global, boasting a presence across 22 countries gained through an aggressive strategy of mergers and acquisitions. This has made the Gurgaonheadquartered internet start-up one of the world’s 10 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN leading online F&B search services with listings of nearly 330,000 restaurants in 130 cities, that is accessed monthly by an almost 35 million strong base of largely young users, across its web and mobile platforms. Zomato traces its origins to foodiebay.com. This was the first site that Goyal and Chaddah launched in New Delhi in July 2008, after seeing the popularity of their scanned menus on the intranet at Bain & Co’s office in India’s capital city, where the duo worked as consultants. Initially, what they did was to employ a full time person to just go out and collect menus from many Delhi restaurants which they put up on foodiebay. com. The service quickly caught on and spread to other Indian cities and beyond. Promising foray in Dubai Rechristened subsequently as Zomato.com, the website and mobile app not only display scanned menus today but has evolved into a sophisticated service that also features relevant information such as the venue’s location with GPS co-ordinates, timings, availability of wi-fi or alcohol, mode of payment, the type of cuisine and dining experience, price range as well as user-generated reviews and photos. Restaurants get to list for free. Buoyed by spectacular growth in the Indian market, Zomato then set its sights on Dubai. “We started the UAE office in Dubai in September 2012. A month later, we launched Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. We’ve completed two years in Dubai. In this period, we have grown to having a 2.5 million user traffic per month, on our website and the app, with a large chunk of this, of close to 1.9 million, coming from Dubai alone,” Rohin Thampi, Zomato’s UAE Country Manager based in Dubai, told TII. Dubai and the UAE marked Zomato’s maiden, and hugely promising, international foray. Rohin, who joined the Dubai office in February 2013, today presides over what is Zomato’s best-performing international operation with galloping revenues and a monthly traffic of over 2.5 million users to its popular portal. “We have 60 staff in Dubai and five in Abu Dhabi where we will be scaling up operations. The Dubai team takes care of Sharjah. We have an office at Dubai Internet City and will be shifting out of the World Trade Centre office to new spacious premises in Burj Al Salam tower on Sheikh Zayed Road in January,” he said, highlighting Zomato’s successful run in the UAE. Rohin, who grew up in Dubai’s bustling Karama locality, came to the UAE from Zomato’s Bangalore office where he was Business Head since joining the start up in January 2012. “I knew how the company worked in India, and having grown up in Dubai, it was easy for me to move to the UAE and adapt quickly. It Zomato Co-Founder Pankaj Chaddah (left) with Rohin Thampi, UAE Country Manager, Zomato Deepinder Goyal: first Indian Internet global success was a mix of knowing the city and the company very well that probably landed me the assignment,” explained the 29-year old, who was a regular Zomato user even prior to joining the company. Best performing market “Athulya (his wife) and I love trying out different restaurants and cuisines and would refer to Zomato often for information and reviews. So when I heard Zomato was looking for a head for Bangalore I jumped at the option. It was a product I believed in and used a lot. Also it was a bunch of young people trying to do something big. I‘d heard a lot about the work culture and environment and knew Zomato was poised for growth. It was a good time to get on board. As our founder says, ‘It’s like when you get a chance to ride on a rocket ship you don’t ask what seat you’re allotted.’ I got a chance to get in, so I jumped on.” Zomato makes money from advertising on its website and the recently-launched mobile apps for iOS, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry phones that now account for nearly half of its traffic. “The UAE, with 25 per cent month-on-month growth in revenue, is one of our best performing markets, one that has embraced Zomato really well,” pointed out Rohin who studied at Indian High School, Dubai. He left in 2002 for higher studies in India, where he completed his B. Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from Kerala University and then a post graduate diploma in Management from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management at Ahmedabad. After short stints at Elite Foods and Mantri Developers in Bangalore, he moved to Zomato. Because of this phenomenal growth and Dubai’s THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 11 COVER STORY Rohin Thampi with the UAE Zomato team reputation as a gastronomic hub, the city will have the honour of hosting the trial launch of Zomato’s new cashless mobile payment facility in February. “Settling your bill is a 10 to 15 minute process today. We want to cut that down to just one interaction. This mobile payment facility is another layer in the eating out value chain, right now we play in the discovery part of the restaurant and dining experience but we are ready to enter this new space. There’s lots of scope to build reward and loyalty programs around payments,” CoFounder Chaddah said recently. Mobile payments launch “Going cashless is where the future is. We want to be the solution for the F&B space which sees the highest spend. This is an important vertical for us,” added Rohin. Starting with selected customers and restaurants, the payments system will store users’ credit card details on their devices, allowing them to request the restaurant to charge them for their meal via the app, rather than going through the usual process of paying. A larger payments rollout, including trials in other international markets, is expected to follow in April or May. “We broke even within three months of launching Zomato in Dubai. We have 6,200 restaurant listings for Dubai alone, another 2,250 for Abu Dhabi and 1,600 for Sharjah. We try to list every F&B outlet in the city irrespective of whether it serves coffee or a full meal, is a cafeteria or a juice shop or a fine dining restaurant. The aim is to have every single bit of information one needs while deciding where to eat or get a takeaway from or order food delivery or nightlife venue,” he said. Menu 12 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN data is refreshed every three months by its teams, in a ‘feet on the street’ approach which helps Zomato score over rivals. Rohin attributes Zomato’s overwhelming success to a first-mover advantage in the UAE market coupled with Dubai’s vibrant F&B industry characterised by a high spending resident population, a strong dining out culture, big demand for home delivery, the ever increasing number of restaurants, new hotels and malls, diverse cuisines catering to a multicultural milieu and high internet penetration with widespread use of smartphones. He is optimistic that Expo2020 and ambitious new developments such as the Dubai Canal Project will only add to the city’s dining attractions. However, drawing users to the site and convincing restaurants to migrate to a new online format were initial hiccups Zomato faced in the Dubai market but word of mouth and advertising helped to create awareness and build credibility. Zomato too evolved for the local market, featuring filters for sheesha and alcohol and listings for iftars and suhours during Ramadan. It also helped that in the local market, Zomato “has no direct competition. We are solely about information and content. And there is no one who offers the cashless facility that we will soon introduce. There is no one who goes out and collects information directly from restaurants and puts it online. That is our core competency,” pointed out Rohin. In expansion overdrive Since its Dubai take-off, Zomato, has expanded across the Middle East launching its service in Qatar, Lebanon COVER STORY and Turkey. “The Middle East has been good for our growth and Zomato is investing in a full-fledged team for Qatar. We are also looking to launch in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in the next year,” Rohin disclosed. This expansion is in line with Zomato’s ambitious growth plans for the overseas market, buoyed by the tripling of its global revenue to US$4.8 million in 2013-14 and the US$60 million it raised in November by way of investor funding from shareholders Info Edge, Sequoia Capital and the Silicon Valley based Vy Capital. With fresh funds in the kitty, Zomato has embarked on a spree of mergers and acquisitions, adding five restaurant search players in New Zealand, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Italy, last year alone. In January, it spent US$50 million on its sixth and biggest acquisition, the US site Urbanspoon. This facilitates Zomato’s entry into the North American and Australian markets and pits it against Yelp, one of the world’s largest online food listings companies with a dominant share of the North American market and a presence across 28 countries. With the Urbanspoon deal, traffic to Zomato is expected to more than double to 80 million visits per month and the number of restaurants listed to triple to more than a million. “Zomato is well on its way to becoming the world’s local expert in dining out. From just restaurant discovery and menus, Zomato has now become a vast global community driven by social interactions. “Urbanspoon’s excellent reputation and foothold in North America, Australia and the UK provide the perfect opportunity for our global growth. We will soon be integrating the two platforms to bring the best of both products to all of our users,” said Goyal, Zomato’s Founder and Chief Executive, after finalising the acquisition with the portal’s owner, digital media company InterActive Corp. In December, Zomato acquired Cibando, one of Italy’s largest restaurant search services with 82,000 restaurant listings, with plans to scale up its teams in Rohin with wife Athulya and son Neil Rome and Milan and eventually in six other top cities in the country. Over the past year, it has boosted its international presence with the acquisitions of MenuMania in New Zealand, Lunchtime in the Czech Republic, Obedovat in Slovakia and Gastronauci in Poland, making waves on the Indian online foodscape. Zomato’s workforce of 950 employees drawn from 25 odd nationalities now mans its operations across the globe stretching from Brazil and Chile to Canada and the US in the Americas; the UK; Ireland, Portugal, Poland, Italy, the Czech Republic and Slovakia in Europe; South Africa; the Middle East; New Zealand; and Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines in Asia. And the company, which traditionally drew its talent from IITs and B-schools in India, continues to build on its largely youthful workforce, where the average age of an employee is 24. It plans to recruit staff in the UAE too as its activities spread beyond Dubai into the other emirates. “Dubai is a modern metropolis now,” says Rohin of the past decade’s transformation of the city that he grew up in. “Back then Emirates Towers was the end point of the city, today that’s where Dubai begins. Only Karama (where he now lives) is still recognisable. The number of people residing in the city has grown. Dubai has expanded and new retail and F&B promenades have come up such as The Walk at JBR and City Walk at Al Safa. These are great opportunities for us as a company.” TII Armenia Fernandes is a freelance writer based in Dubai. Rohin speaking at the Zomato UAE Restaurant Summit in 2013 14 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN Like this article? Scan for a free download You will need a QR code scanner application installed on your smartphone TRAVEL Staff Reporter Rapidly Changing Demographics To Fuel Major Shift In GCC Travel Over Next 15 Years The population in GCC countries is younger, wealthier and more family-oriented than other regions worldwide. T decision makers, traditional travel behaviours will ravel behaviour of the youth segment will force a shift to new technologies, according to the witness a transformation and become increasingly selfdirected. Amadeus-commissioned new report ‘Shaping the Future of Travel in the Gulf Cooperation Council As outlined in the Amadeus-commissioned (GCC): Big Travel Effects’ new report, Shaping the Future of Travel in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Big Travel The coming-of-age of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)’s young Effects, additional unfolding demographic factors such as steady inflow of expatriate population will reshape the travel industry in the region over the next 15 years, with the workers, robust natural population growth tech-savvy generation turning instinctively and a growing middle class will combine to drive a new and divergent set of travel to mobile technologies and social media to plan, book and manage travel. behaviours and needs in the region. Today, nearly 25 per cent of the GCC The report, researched and collated by Frost & Sullivan and Insights and commissioned by population is under 15 years of age, and Antoine Medawar as this demographic becomes tomorrow’s VP, MENA, Amadeus. Amadeus, examines and contextualises the THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 15 TRAVEL various ways a new travel landscape will develop in the Gulf region over the next 15 years. “The Gulf region is poised for a new era of travel as investment in infrastructure, new tourism sectors, and governmental initiatives to ease intra- and extra-regional movement and make the GCC more attractive to leisure and business travellers,” said Antoine Medawar, Vice President, MENA, Amadeus. He added, “Travel providers who address the nuanced needs of the region’s population are likely to thrive in the coming decades. At Amadeus our people, our technology and our innovation are dedicated to helping our customers and partners shape the future of travel in this region.” Further key findings include: Economies in the GCC are diversifying beyond oil, and specialist tourism sectors such as cruises, meetings and conferences and medical tourism play a prominent role in this diversification. As a result, the GCC countries have maintained an average GDP growth of over 5% in the past decade, with a greater increase expected in the future. Tourism will have a trickle-down effect into other sectors, furthering economic growth and diversification. Hospitality and construction in particular will benefit as the number of travellers entering or passing through the region increases – Qatar expects 3.7 million tourists in 2022 around the FIFA World Cup and is investing US$20 billion on tourism infrastructure and US$140 billion on transport. The GCC is working to make travel easier, both within the region and outbound. This is particularly relevant with 33 per cent of the respondents surveyed citing visa issues as a key reason for their inability to travel more often. Improved accessibility within the region and abroad is expected to increase the number of intra-regional travellers to four-fold by 2030. “Travel in the Gulf region is changing. Economic diversification and a move from oil is an important driver, but there are several subtle factors at play too. Changes in population and geopolitical pressure to open borders 16 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN and make movement easier are also impacting the future of travel here,” observed Mona Faraj, Managing Partner, Insights. The report was collated by surveying over 1,000 travellers from the region as well as through interviews with thought leaders in the travel industry. The study highlights the technologically savvy and growing population of the GCC and predicts the emergence of a travel landscape in the region that is highly connected, personalised, and sustainable. To download a free copy of the report ‘Shaping the future of Travel in the GCC: Big Travel Effects’ please visit: http://www.amadeus.com/blog/05/06/middle-eastreport/ TII In addition to a survey of some 1,000 travellers from the GCC, executives from the following companies contributed to the report: • Arab Air Carrier Organisation • Cleartrip • Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) • Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority • Expedia • Facebook • flydubai • Fursan Travel • Google • Jumeirah Group • Kanoo Travel • Mariott International • National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels • PATA • Qatar Airways • Qatar Tourism Authority • Rotana • Teal Hospitality NOSTALGIA Dev Gupta Why do We Pine for India? “Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts” - Oliver Wendell Holmes Sandip Paul: Every visit home refreshes the guilt and regrets for all he has missed while away B eing away from home is sometimes as searing as homelessness. Who would identify with this better than the random Indian expat who happens by chance on the “Swades” title track by A.R. Rahman, or one of the many other home-calling songs, messages, events, places and persons that beckon? The void that oceans leave between lands is indeed lwide and none would know more than the myriad non-resident Indians who strive, yearn and (at times) pay heavily to catch a glimpse of their motherland. India, like a generous mother, gives plenty of gifts to all her residents. This is perhaps what makes every Indian-out-of-India nostalgic about the nation, despite the many lacunae that the country has yet to fill. For NRIs, pining for the nation is comparable to that of a person who has all his teeth replaced with gold crowns. The following accounts of four natives living in four different continents across the measureless expanse of the globe communicate the sense of alienation and void of belongingness they experience amidst their life in the swanky places they call home. Pankaj Kishorbharti, Senthil Prabhu, Anirban Kundu and Sandip Paul might not be familiar with one another. But they all certainly miss the familiarity of home and share common sentiments, the warmest of which is a deep longing for India. Sandip Paul Doha, Qatar Working with Qatar Airways for about a year now, Sandip Paul has found Qatar quite representative of the Middle East as he expected. The magic and enchantment of the Orient is evident in Doha, but the grandeur is bleak in contrast to his home in the blissful suburbs of Kolkata, where his mother resides alone. Every visit home refreshes the guilt and regrets for all he has missed while away - the Raksha Bandhan that his sister has so eagerly waited for, the numberless mother-son moments of emotional exchange, back-tochildhood memories with his niece and nephew who grew up all so suddenly, friends’ hangouts, random road trips, street food experiences, kite-flying in summer, boat-rides on quiet evenings, and countless other things. The buzz of the city might have been deafening enough to keep the concentration adjusted to the speed of life, but the sudden unlatching of floodgates THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 17 NOSTALGIA NOSTALGIA brings back memories with a realization of so many things irreplaceable and irrevocable that he misses. Today, Indians in an inordinate count are scattered around the world in pursuit of academic, professional and personal fulfillment, caught between the foreignness of their locales and fraying ties with their motherland. Standing in a “no man’s land”, they strive to wear the ‘international personality’ armed with a global outlook, as they constantly struggle to forsake their own culture and adapt to a new one. Having spent the coming-ofage years in India, exploring the outer world is desirable, but in the close, home is where memories, happiness and belongingness find common ground Pankaj Kishorbharti Edmonton, Canada Currently the head chef with an Italian chain of restaurants named Sorrentions in the frosty town of Edmonton, Pankaj Kishorbharti sees himself exactly where he anticipated his life would be five years back in time. Doing well for himself beside lending a stable hand of support to his family back in India, Kishor is, doing well as the eldest of the children to Mr. and Mrs. Prasad of West Bengal, India. Living away from home since 2006, time has sailed in fast, rough and high tides for Kishor during the first few years of his flowering hotel career. Having graduated with Hospitality Management like many other aspiring dreamers of his time, he first signed up for a European cruise liner following a short service period at an Indian restaurant. Life took off after that, with him never having to look back. His job took him around continents, the whole of Europe and Australia, though with limited ports of call. Having lived offshore for the most of six years, Kishor finally landed in Alberta Canada, in 2013 after bagging a job with his current employer. Living a settled life for the first time since his departure from home, Kishor is beginning to feel distinctly the blank in his heart that has opened up between the person he is today and the youngster he was. Back in the suburbs of Bengal, he’d gaze at airplanes cutting through the sky, fantasizing in innocent wide-eyed wonder what it was to peer through the windows of an enclosed metal container flying high above the ground. Today, as he stands by his apartment window staring at the clear cloudless Canadian sky, one or two planes catch his eyes, but the ecstasy and awe that held his breath as a little boy has gone. A walk down less-treaded memory lane brings back flashes from his childhood, solitary escapades, sibling bonding, mischievous moments with friends, nonstop kibitzing with school friends over weekend sleepovers, mummy love, the rare fishing sashays with his father and above all, the picturesque landscape of his native place that 18 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN Pankaj Kishorbharti: a distinct blank in his heart for all things Indian Senthil Prabhu: electric with pain for home still remains vivid in his recollections. He misses home, and above that he misses his country. The nerve-wrecking journey in India’s trains had something incomprehensibly attractive about them that the Canadian Pacific railway and its sophisticated crowd cannot offer. His hands are now accustomed to the stylish Italian dishes for which he handles an unrelenting rush of orders every day at lunch and dinner hours, his olfactory senses now having learned to appreciate and evaluate the foreign tastes. But, back in his Canadian home, his little kitchen is a microcosm of the greater Indian rasois, the air reeking with the delicious and tantalizing smell of spices, with his taste buds never devoid of Indian preferences. He makes up for the difference in his eating habits by conjuring the little Indian cooking stage in his apartment to make up for his mother’s fingerlicking treats. Kishor misses the lavish Indian weddings that have so much food and fervor. Even though he has made friends with a few other natives like him living in and around his place and with some locals, it is hardly the same as hanging out with his friends in the crowdpacked streets of Esplanade in Kolkata or enjoying a group-movie at home or crashing at a friend’s over weekends. quick to articulate his love for highway rides back in India. He totally misses the wild freedom of Indian roads where he could stop to take a snap or two and resume his journey without violating traffic laws unlike the road trips he makes within the continental US. If it is anything that Prabhu yearns for the most, it is the childhood that he spent back in India. Scattered instances from childhood are still vivid in his memoryhis mother reading stories to him and his elder sister, the ecstatic welcome of his father on his much anticipated yearly homecomings, the painful departures, stories of valor of his grandpa as told by his mother, early morning temple visits after a freezing shower, home-made South-Indian yummies and the list goes on. Notwithstanding the feast of nostalgic memories, the regrets of missing his sister’s wedding and not being present with his family as he had promised, missing his grandmother’s funeral and other countless lessimportant occasions he would have sold gold to be at, has left him distraught and electric with pain. Senthil Prabhu Philadelphia, USA Born and brought up in Chennai, Senthil Prabhu has lived most of his childhood and teenage years away from home. He schooled as a boarder and moved out altogether from home when he got into college for an engineering degree. He presently works with a software firm in the US. Living in Philadelphia, USA, for the last five years, Prabhu is deeply in love with the rich greenery of Pennsylvania, something that has inspired the photographer in him to seriously pursue his hobby. Asked about why he yearns for home, Senthil is Anirban Kundu Upton Park, London London Heathrow, his first international trip over the brief English summer. Quite expectedly, his excitement and eagerness knew no bounds even as he endured the pain in his eardrums as the plane descended on one of the busiest airstrips of the world. Statistically almost every one out of five people in London is an Asian and many among them, like Anirban Kundu, are Software Engineers. Thanks to the wonderfully illustrated city map and the userfriendly London Tube, reaching his apartment and daily locomotion isn’t as unnerving as he had imagined. There is no dearth of Indians/Asians in the Upton Park side of London, a genetically modified version of an Indian metropolis. Stores selling Indian groceries, Indian products and Indian restaurants are ubiquitous throughout. However, the longing for home like for any other displaced individual started to manifest in him as soon as he settled down. Flashbacks of travel experiences back home while journeying in Indian trains was one of the first little nostalgic throw-backs. Anirban dived into all the facets of London cosmopolitanism with gusto, ambling through the streets, mingling with people of varied ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds. International brands, movie theaters, exuberance at the iconic Picadilly Circus, and the sinfully indulging nightlife of London was absorbing for some time. But soon he was missing the zing of real Indian cuisine, with tongue-stabs attacking his taste buds. The ambient streets of London couldn’t match the plethora of mouthwatering Indian street delicaciesrolls, kebabs, pani-puri, aloo-tikki, pao bhajis that India, so amply and proudly serves. Exploring the enormity of the city was not the same as the ‘lost in crowd’ feeling in India. There is a certain lack of ease that perhaps India alone can fulfill for her people. “The English Premier League is electrifying no doubt, but you frankly miss the sensation and tension of Anirban Kundu: Tongue stabs for real Indian cuisine India-Pak cricket matches,” Anirban reminisces. It wasn’t long before he started to sense that the typical Indian hustle and bustle is lacking in the business of even the biggest British festivities. The fervent Indianness in group celebration is another thing he pines for, not to mention the physical presence of family the only thing that can truly make home what it is. TII Dev Gupta takes interest in almost everything that’s essentially Indian and quintessentially ‘Desi’. A frequent traveller who has covered the length and breadth of the country, Dev loves meeting new people and understanding their perceptions about India, a country which has long been identified by westerners as the land of snakes and saints. Like this article? 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Invest today. 9000+ CUSTOMERS 12000+ ACRES OF LAND TRANSACTED 8 COUNTRIES 13 OFFICES 550 CHANNEL PARTNERS SMALL BIZ Ruqya Khan Right Selection “Technology wasn’t nearly as advanced then, as it is now; people still craved the interpersonal connection, the human interaction. So, instead of just retailing books we began to fly in the authors of those same books to the region. And so was born Right Selection Seminar Organisers in 1999,” recalls Gautam, Managing Director of Right Selection. Ram and Gautam Ganglani: a better idea R ight Selection stands 21 years strong and that is because they believe in change and growth. Over the years, the organisation has transformed from your corner bookstore to a leading seminar organiser, and from a seminar organiser to the region’s prominent Speakers Bureau. A lot has gone into its making and rise. Ram Ganglani, Chairman and founder looks back, “After spending nearly 30 years in the family business between Europe and West Africa, I was looking for a change. Relatives based here invited me to explore the opportunities in U.A.E. and I took it up. Dubai was evolving at the time. It struck me that there was a great potential to serve the professionals in the community while assisting them in their efforts at personal development. This service was totally aligned with my passion for self-development through a wide variety of learning tools - books/audios/videos. I was keen to make “learning and development” convenient for others also. I conceptualised the business as a family-owned bookstore (in Dubai) in 1993.” Fortunately, a couple of years later, Ram’s son, Gautam graduated from London in “Business & Finance” and decided to join the business. This proved to be a great boon. His energy and marketing skills put the business of selling books (somewhat) on autopilot. “Technology wasn’t nearly as advanced then, as it is now; people still craved the interpersonal connection, the human interaction. So, instead of just retailing books we thought of bettering the game. We began to fly in the authors of those same books to the region. And so was born Right Selection Seminar Organisers in 1999,” recalls Gautam, Managing Director of Right Selection. In its drive to sustain growth, what started off as a corner bookshop has now morphed into a customercentric, community-focused business and advocate 22 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN SMALL BIZ in enhanced learning culture within the region. Right Selection is now successfully serving the community by helping individuals and corporates dramatically and positively transform their results. “The challenges have been for us to grab the attention of busy decision makers in the space of “Human Capital Development,” to establish credibility for the services we are offering and also to drive home the importance of continuous learning. Most often the corporates are too pre-occupied with the pace of development in the country. For them “training” and “upgrading skills” of their people means moving busy executives away from their desks and the shop floor to attend programs on self development. Reaching out has therefore been a slow process, requiring a lot of patience, determination and persistence from our side. To our advantage, the regional and the global competition in the market place has given the thrust to local enterprises to start looking at our initiatives Team Right Selection celebrates their 20th anniversary Ram Ganglani, Ron Kaufman, Tony Buzan, Marshall Goldsmith, Jack Canfield, Gautam Ganglani:strategic partnerships more seriously and with greater readiness to commit to involving their teams in the education space,” explain the father-son duo. For any organisation to make a place for itself in the market, it has to be really innovative and always approach the challenge through thinking creatively and outside the box. Right Selection’s entire business model is proof that innovation is at the heart of this company. “While most companies would look for creative ways within their financial means, Right Selection looks for creative ways to expand their means in non-financial ways, which improve the bottom-line of the enterprise.” Stemming from the collaborative mind-set of the two Managing Partners, Right Selection has entered into strategic partnerships with suppliers/vendors with the arrangement of an exchange of services. “With Learning & Development as our core business we attract and work with like-minded, forward-thinking, customer-centric organisations who value the learning proponent of the seminars organised. Last year was an exceptionally innovative year for the company. We created a unique platform for other SME’s to showcase their brands with the use of exhibition space during our seminars. We wanted to encourage the notion of ‘our,’ rather than ‘my’,” pointed out Ram. It is no surprise then that organisations such as Executive Secretary LIVE, Business Marketing Association (BMA), Middle East Council of Shopping Centers (MECSC) and the International Coaches Federation (ICF), in turn look to them for marketing and event management support. “A highly efficient and effective team of eight people single-handedly ensures that we maintain a close relationship with our clients by constantly listening to their needs and responding with suitable recommendations. At our seminars, we provide enriching learning experiences for every delegate attending our seminars and workshops. From registration to networking introductions, from artwork creation to invoicing, this dream-team of eight epitomises the concept of teamwork with individual accountability,” says Gautam. “Our capacity to localise research, information and best-practices brought to the region by international Thought Leaders and local trainers distinctively creates the opportunity for Right Selection to enhance the quality of business done within the nation, creating more loyal consumers, more ethical selling, more creative marketing plans, more robust HR practices, a superior level of service quality and in turn, a higher standard of living within the region. As we look ahead we see our company as the most preferred training provider for regional companies providing top quality international thought leaders and training programs that transform individuals and hugely impact businesses.” Gautam and I have an excellent relationship as a father and son team. We complement each other in skill sets and experience. We act as friends, respect and appreciate each others’ strengths keeping in mind that we have a generation gap! It has been a rewarding journey. It is indeed a blessing to be at the right place at the right time and doing what we both love to do,” concludes Ram. TII Ruqya Khan is a freelance writer based in Dubai. i THE START UP: •Date of launch of the business: December 1993 •Total Investment at the onset of the firm: AED200,000 •Number of staff on the team: Total 8 (including Ram and Gautam) •License required for this business: started with a Commercial License and added a Professional License to conduct seminars •Location of office: Office#1603, The Citadel, Business Bay, Dubai – 04 420 5599 •Business projections for 2015: Expand business to the MENA region with new International thought leaders THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 23 IMMIGRANT Mary Thomas GOLDEN SANDS Hotel Apartments Six years in Fort McMurray: Canada Takes Getting Used To Chic, Comfortable, Affordable Feel relaxed at your home C GOLDEN SANDS 10 HOTEL APARTMENTS M Y CM MY CY Mary Thomas with her husband Sunny John, daughter Olivia and son Johaan: Life has lessons for those who are willing to learn. CMY K It took some time to sink in; the long arduous path to a great life I had imagined turned out to be illusionary wild rose bushes that had created a rosy picture. I found myself in a 10 year career regression phase. The cold did its bit to dampen the spirits, as we did our best to ignore the pain and isolation and kept moving. C anada has been an experience of a lifetime. I landed six years ago in Calgary feeling euphoric in anticipation of the great life the country promised. Our jet lag from 20 hours of flying between Mumbai- Franfurt- Calgary wore off overnight and next morning, we jumped onto a Westjet to fly to Fort McMurray. I was awe-struck by the immaculate picture post card look of the town with such a low population. Summer streets lined with flowers seemed to beckon us as did the cheerful people all around. we were finally in a first world country. Our mentors who welcomed us were so warm, putting us at ease immediately. The next week was spent getting accustomed to the place, the malls, the banks and the registry. The townhouse we were housed in was beautiful and we promptly invited other Indians we bumped into to our place. 24 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN Since we had no credit history to start with, we couldn’t get a mortgage. So we acquired a visa card, cell phone and a new habit: spend more to build credit. We then moved to a neat affordable basement suite in Timberlea. We set up a makeshift garage to prevent an avalanche of the northern snow covering the vehicle. The warm days grew progressively chillier, and we purchased snow gear to be armored for the impending winter. Life turned cold, not only the season but those we thought were friends seemed too busy. I had moved from one job to another and was getting accustomed to the Canadian work place when a rude shock awakened me. It took some time to sink in; the long arduous path to a great life I had imagined turned out to be illusionary wild rose bushes that had created a rosy picture. I found myself in a 10 year career regression phase. The cold Experience laid-back living at Golden Sands Hotel Apartments! Our well-appointed rooms, first-rate amenities and topnotch hospitality let you unwind and enjoy superb comfort and leisure all throughout your stay. Location: Centrally located in Bur Dubai • Close to major shopping malls, hypermarkets and public garden • Easy access to metro stations • 10 km drive from Dubai International Airport and with easy access to Sheikh Zayed Road BOOK ONLINE www.goldensandsdubai.com Tel: +971 4 3555553 | Fax: +971 4 3526903, P.O. Box: 9168, Dubai, U.A.E. Email: reservation@goldensands.ae www.goldensandsdubai.com IMMIGRANT Mary is involved in multicultural activities as Executive Director of Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo did its bit to dampen the spirits, as we did our best to ignore the pain and isolation and kept moving. Life always has its lessons for those who are willing to learn. Aerobics, a few friends, home making and kids’ activities took up most of my time while hubby immersed himself in his job. And soon we realised that six years vanished like sand through our hands. I needed to put things in perspective. So I went on to list a few of my favourite things: 1. Garage sales to which a Venezulean friend used to take me 2. The vast blue sky, bright summer days that seem to stretch to infinity, 3. Luscious cherries, blueberries, strawberries and Alberta beef 4. The Canadian Rockies 5. The cool relaxed life with so much family time 6. The ubiquitous pets: doggie, kitten, ferret, snake, parrots. If you happen to walk the innumerable trails that envelop our city, one can access the Boreal forests and five rivers very easily to be immersed in nature. People who passed seemed friendly and interested as they asked, “How are you?” Only they didn’t wait for your answer. If you asked someone whether he had kids, the most common answer would be, I have a dog, if that counts! Our kids had long forgotten their study ridden schedules and completely given themselves to the gay abandon of the extracurricular life. I saw them acquire some habits like reading and eating pizza and hot dogs which started showing on their waistlines especially in the winters. They made friends and loved school with the relaxed approach to study. No real disciplining, no uniforms, little homework and lots of fun...... wow... this is the way to live. Our family arguments centered on whether letting our children off the leash to let them find their destined professions was good or bad. They gained confidence and were able to make their presence felt. But I found the complete lack of competitiveness unreal. Don’t kids 26 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN IMMIGRANT need to be prepared for a tough world out there? They need to debate on topics and fight it out. They need not always be politically correct. They need to have their values in place and to be able to speak their minds. At home we speak the different Indian dialects we are used to, mixed with English as always. That we are Indians doesn’t change with the demographics. India can never be taken out of an Indian. I miss the colour, the vibrance of my crowded city, Mumbai, the flavours, the scents, the scenes, the constant chatter and high decibel voices heard over the crowds, the Kancheepuram sarees and the festival dances. But what I miss more than anything is the love I used to share with friends, fiends and family. Our bonds in India are beyond words. They are in the amused look across a table at a joke that some total stranger cracks, the nod of appreciation when someone sings a beautiful song, the antaksharis and the camaraderie. They are in the efforts of women who will slog all day at work and then return to cook and keep home and hearth with little support from their spouses with not so much as a sigh. They are in the grandmoms who take care of their little grand children with complete selflessness. They are in the unconditional love of friends across the classes, religions, languages and social strata. They are in the common celebrations of different religious functions, in the chaat, the pavbhaji, vada-pav, the goan fish-curry and the vindaloo. The bandstand where college students spend a sunset eating roasted corn, the campuses where knowledge and values are eulogised to the extreme, the thought of what the neighbours will think if we did something wrong. There is a collectivisim that pervades everything that seems a rare commodity in Canada. That vacuum is palpable and now I know. Having lived in Iran and the UAE, I missed my family, intimate spontaneous relationships, the walks to buy veggies from the open market, the friendly chit chat with Mary Thomas at her home in Canada Mary Thomas with her mother Ponnama, husband Sunny and son Johaan neighbours, the newspaper man, the milk man and the dhobi and more than anything the maid! There are so many differences between my native country and my adopted one. One of the starkest is in the service levels. Having been used to having maids to take care of all your household chores and having petrol filled while you keep sitting in your car, having your groceries delivered when you are too tired to go to the store. The list is endless; the things you can get done just by paying a few bucks! When I took flight from a perceived third to a first world country, I assumed there would be more facilities and conveniences and life would be easier. In retrospect, I see some convenience but much inconvenience and I am not isolated in my experience. Hoardes of Indians who actually applied and were granted permanent residency, sold all they had to settle here. They worked in various menial positions and lived under trying circumstances before they found their foothold and this often took years. We fell into a small bracket of people who arrived on a work permit with even the airfare paid for by the company that recruited my husband, a mechanical engineer for his experience in oil and gas. I was also given a work permit and when we landed, we got a red carpet welcome by the HR Manager and his assistant. I was beaming all through the drive to our temporary townhouse well furnished and stocked with all that we would need for some time. The next day we were taken to the superstore to buy fruits and veggies and to the bank to create an account and other registries to get the formalities completed. To top it, we were given a rental car for three weeks — I couldn’t believe the opportunity. It was later that slowly but surely the monotony of living in a small town after life in big cities set in. The summer was whisked away by the bracing fall season and a long aching winter. Our second hand SUV, Suzuki Vitara served us well through hail and snowstorm over our many trips to Edmonton, Jasper, Kelowna and Victoria totalling 45,000 kms a year. Summer in BC is grand and lush as it is in Alberta. Three cars later, I own a Volvo XC60 2015 with all the bells and whistles and luxurious in any weather. I moved in and out of a few jobs slowly finding my niche. Working at the church as a secretary to the News Editor of the local newspaper, then as a workshop facilitator with the CMHA and the Y and then with Keyano Corporate Training, Leadership Wood Buffalo and the Family Crisis Society. As a Snapd Photographer, I had the opportunity to interact with people from all countries, sharing culinary secrets with them, learning about their culture and character as they did mine. While I was mulling at the lack of an Asian feel to the place, I was invited to partcipate in the development of a spring musical event for South East Asians. The radio station I used to love listening to invited me to be a member of the panel of directors to launch a prime time talk show on the multicultural landscape of Fort McMurray. A lot of volunteering and community work surely is not lost on the community. Now as the Executive Director of the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo I get to make the motto Unity in Diversity happen. I get to manage an amazing team of young ladies and a much invested board. I love my job and residing in a small city makes connecting easy and I should say I am blessed! We have programs, events and initiatives that the community is excited to be a part of. And we do research projects as well to build intelligence for the community to tap into. The 2000 family strong Indian community suddenly sees in me a leader they can look up to and I love the opportunity. It was our daughter Olivia’s birthday October 4, 2011 when we purchased our house overlooking her school on Comfree. Now we had friends, our Edmonton bible THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 27 IMMIGRANT study group, and Canadian and multinational friends. Work doesn’t go on forever like in India. Hubby leaves Life has moved out of the mundane and there are just home at 6.40am and returns at 5 pm everyday like too many things to do. There is no time to exercise or clockwork. Kids take the school bus at 7.45 and then I to keep a clean home. All the washing and cleaning go about my household jobs and leave food cooked for sometimes gets to me. them on the counter before I go to work. I realised one thing. Elaborate Indian cooking is not Corruption is unseen though heard of sometimes; possible here, but since nobody cooks much food is a drugs, scandals and growing marijuana in basements. great connector. If you have to go to work in the morning, At least the common man doesn’t have to contend with you can’t cook. You must complete the cooking the corruption like in India. The police never take a bribe night before, so your dress doesn’t smell like palak but they will ticket you for speeding or making a U turn paneer. Most people eat precooked or post cooked in the wrong place while they are exempted. There is food in a microwave. The apples look great when you so much paperwork for any transaction, it drains you. pick them from the store but when you come home But in the final count, life is pretty stress-free even with and soak them in warm suds, you find a white layer jammed roads, that can never compete with the traffic of wax peeling. People seem on the Bombay Pune less concerned about what highway. It is rare to see others think about them, someone lose his temper even the Indians who have and the way kids talk has lived here for some time. surely changed; they have Everyone is more connected acquired a less direct and to each other online, people better mannered lacquer stare into their handheld to their speech. devices as they queue up at But you better be a Tim Horton’s. handy man if you come to People don’t drop in on Canada since labour costs you, not even your friends are very steep and you will surprise you. They really have to weigh the are supposed to match repair guy in gold to pay calendars and find a free slot him. Cars, things around that works for both parties. the house, some plumbing More than anything I miss and drywalling, tackling my mother, nephews and small leaks and unseemly inlaws in Kerala. I miss the cracks, keeping the Mary Thomas and friends: residing in a small city makes warmth that we used to so connecting easy carpets clean.... everybody take for granted. I miss the learns the Canadian way aroma and the food, I miss of life and plants roots into sharing my lunch with my colleagues. I have begun to its soil. It grabs you and like Hotel California you can hate eating out like never before! never leave! Our kids miss their playmates from our familiar Again it is the service that’s really different. You are Indian apartment housing complex. Here they occupy just one of them..... no one is different and don’t expect themselves with innumerable extra curricular activities to be treated like a king.... I often question myself; why and interestingly I am not able to figure out which is do people move out of their comfort zones? better. I see in my son an undeniable surge of confidence A few reasons I can think of: to save face after taking I had never noticed before. such a big leap of faith returning will be to much of a The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) speak spectacle; children love this place and the democratic so sweetly like a meetti churi.... it slices fine even when school environment; it becomes difficult to drag them you are handed a ticket and have to pay a fat fine. back to India; some people invest their all, so there is Sometimes I wonder whether they actually target us hardly anything they can go back to, no one knows you dark skinned ones. Then the expiry of my year of driving here so you can do any job to survive; a hope of a better on an international license in Fort McMurray brings me life than what is available back home. to the Alberta driving test chapter which took well over Life unfolds....chill.... freeze! Surviving through seven a month to complete. It is October, the leaves are falling months of chilly winter is not bad; it’s just different! TII or have fallen and all around it is flaming yellow and Mary Thomas is a freelance writer based in Canada. orange and red.... picturesque. All said and done, the stress levels are quite low; everything seems to follow a schedule and discipline. Like this article? Scan for a free download 28 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN You will need a QR code scanner application installed on your smartphone INDIANS Yashpal Rama Are Indians Abroad Any Different? There’s an Indian saying “The guest is like God”. Sure - maybe when you’re visiting family or friends. But when you stay in a hotel or any other paid accommodation you are not (author’s italics) God – like. You are entering into a contract that guarantees you a certain service of an appropriate standard in exchange for money. Indians Behaving Badly During the Queen’s Birthday long weekend my wife and I drove down to the Southern Highlands which are about one hour’s drive south of Sydney. One of the big attractions of this area are the wine farms. If you’re a Merlot or Cab Sav fan you’ll love this place there are great boutique wineries and hotels here that I would happily recommend to anyone. But I digress… We were at one such winery indulging in one of our favourite weekend pastimes: wine tasting. The sommelier who was looking after us was also serving a group of well-dressed Indians. This bunch tried everything there was to drink on the wine list and when it came to picking up some bottles to buy they moved to the door faster than Inzamam Al Haq at a free buffet. That was downright embarrassing. How do people who are obviously well off behave like a bunch of misers? I thought long and hard about broaching this subject, so before I go any further I am going to put down a disclaimer – this is not a piece attacking Indians. This piece attacks inappropriate behaviour wherever and by whomever. That said, I did write this to take an axe to some very allegedly “Indian” behaviours. The Guest is like God There’s an Indian saying “The guest is like God”. Sure maybe when you’re visiting family or friends. But when you stay a hotel or any other paid accommodation you are not (author’s italics) God–like. You are entering into a contract that guarantees you a certain service of an appropriate standard in exchange for money. If this service is not provided then there’s a potential breach of contract and you have a legitimate grievance. Otherwise do not expect a 21 gun salute and the staff prostrating themselves when you arrive to check in (unless you paid for the privilege). I recall a particular incident when in Mauritius a while back – we were at the omelette station at our hotel when an Indian gent THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 29 INDIANS cut the queue to demand an omelette. The chef smiled, started the omelette and when the guy’s back was turned dumped a stack of extra chilli into the mixture. I feel sorry for anybody who shared a room with that guy. But here’s the point – treat people badly (especially in the hospitality and services industries) and they will find a way to make you pay. Indians love Freebies Wrong – everybody loves freebies. I look to my collection of hotel soaps and shampoos as proof of that. But here’s the point – there are no such things as freebies. My soap collection has already been factored into the hotel’s expenses. A freebie (such as free wine tasting) is something you get as a form of goodwill to ensure increased business; it is not given to anybody just for the sake of it. To be honest if Indians consider freebies the highlight of their trips then I truly despair for them. I’ll happily pay a fair price (or even the tourist price) for something if it helps me enjoy my hard earned holiday. Indian’s love Bargaining Everyone wants a bargain there’s no doubt about that. We were in a perfume shop in Berrima which had a sign in Mandarin and English saying “Fixed Price Shop” so looking for a bargain isn’t an Indian thing. But here’s the point – what is acceptable in China (or India for that matter) isn’t necessarily acceptable elsewhere. Let me ask you this – if you’re running a business would you be willing to bargain if your operating costs are already high? Would the promise of future business compensate for reduced profit margins? Worse, how would bargaining impact your ability to support your family? There’s a fine line between respecting Lakshmi and avarice. Let me give you an example – Europe has a big tipping culture, in fact, tips are an essential supplement to your average waiter’s salary. At Pompeii, my wife and I had a drink at this beautiful cliff-side restaurant and I ended up leaving a largish tip. As we walked out I overheard the waiter saying to this friend “I never expected an Indian to do that”. My ears were burning with embarrassment. You make the effort Take the time to learn about your destination’s culture and customs. When I go overseas I take the time to learn some basic phrases e.g. greetings so I can speak to the locals. This is basic courtesy and gets you a much better reaction and creates goodwill. Let me give you an example – talking loudly in public spaces in Australia is not considered inclusive behaviour – it’s absolutely annoying. If an Australian walks around the Jama Masjid or a temple in Varanasi in shorts would you find that acceptable? If a foreigner visits India would you 30 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN not expect them to respect and understand the local customs? Then there’s the concept of queuing, but let’s not go there otherwise we’ll be here all day…. As I said above, small things like saying “Hello” in the local dialect makes people willing to help you. In fact you don’t have to learn that even – there’s this great invention called Google translate which allows you to communicate in virtually in any known language (and a few I’ve never heard of). With the creation of the internet and other knowledge sharing systems there’s no excuse to plead ignorance. Before I wrap it up, my wife insisted on me putting this last one in – the Indian male habit of staring, especially at females. Now this one especially gets on her nerves and I agree with her. If she (or any other female for that matter) walks down the road she doesn’t expect people to stare or whistle at her (construction workers excepted). As she puts it ‘It’s like being raped with the eyes’ – seriously it’s not cool and it makes non-Indians think about Indian males as sleazy and disrespectful to women. We were on a flight from Brunei to Kuala Lampur which had a majority of sub-continental male passengers. One of them spent most of the flight checking out my wife. When we landed in KL my wife was walking ahead of me and sleazy tried to cut in between us. I just rammed him out of the way and kept going in full view of the cabin crew. If you want to stare at somebody do it on your own time, at your own risk. On a side note – that flight showed how differently brown people (and I don’t mean just Indians) from different parts of the world are treated. The sub-continentals got yelled at, pulled out of line and told to wait with no explanations given, had their food flung at them and forced to move seats without reason. We (i.e. us and several other brown couples) got the standard service: professional and courteous. Why? Was it racism? I don’t think so otherwise all of us would have been treated badly. Was it perception? Possibly – if Indians are seen as being difficult customers how do you expect your service providers to react? It’s unfair I know, but consider it. Conclusion The majority of tourists (Indians or otherwise) are generally law abiding, culturally sensitive people who really want to enjoy their hard-earned holidays without intentionally causing offence. It’s a minority of idiots who come in all colours who cause trouble for everyone. Let’s all remember to take a moment and remember that we’re part of a global village and what might be acceptable in say Mumbai is not necessarily acceptable in London, New York or Sydney. Bon voyage……. TII Yashpal Rama is a freelance writer based in Australia. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Make Golden Sands Apartments your home during your stay in the dazzling emirates of Dubai and Sharjah. Arenco, as an established icon in Real Estate will make sure you enjoy best amenities and facilities. Choose from three key locations including Bur Dubai and Al Barsha in Dubai, and Al Nahda in Sharjah. From affordable to luxurious, our apartments suit all individuals, from Executives to large Families. Our Apartments are of fine finishing and provide all premium facilities, a place to call Home. Studios, 1, 2, 3 & 4 Bedrooms Like this article? Scan for a free download You will need a QR code scanner application installed on your smartphone +971 4 352 8666 leasing@goldensands.ae www.arencore.com LONELINESS Namrata Bhawnani RELOCATION Negative emotions can be very damaging and can lead to the nobody-loves-me syndrome. You may feel like you’re a ‘loser’ or an ‘outcast’ but these are mere labels that you can shrug off and refuse to fall prey to. You are only as helpless as you allow yourself to be. Here are a few helpful ways that have proven to be effective to keep your chin up: Emotional promises-to-self: Yoga and meditation are excellent for lifting up your spirits and calming your mind (Credit: David Fulmer/ Flickr) MOVED TO A NEW COUNTRY? Get your groove back after marriage or relocation for a new job. The initial phase of starting over can be daunting but here’s how to deal with the resultant loneliness until you get your social life back on its feet T he lead-up to the big wedding day is always frantic and there is never a moment of peace until it’s all finally over. But after the wedding and the blissful honeymoon, if you’re migrating to a new country be prepared to have plenty of free time on your hands. Women, in particular, who get married to a partner who lives outside their home town or country, are prone to loneliness after moving. The feeling isn’t limited to married migrants, but loneliness is also a possible problem when you move countries for jobs. After you’ve settled in, the first few months fly by as you’re probably adjusting to a new partner or a new job and a new city. There are new sights to see, a home to create from scratch, a new lifestyle and culture to adjust to. It takes time to get to know your way around a city and become familiar with its landmarks and the customs of the people. But once that is done and if your spouse is working, time suddenly hangs heavy on your hands. If you have a visa that doesn’t allow you to work, you’re most susceptible to a feeling of increasing frustration. It’s worse when you see your friends back home putting 32 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN up happy pictures on social media and everyone seems to be having more fun than you. How do you deal with the sense of isolation and hollowness? How do you occupy your time other than the repetitive everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning? Where is the sense of stimulation and belonging? If you do have a visa that allows you to work, it always takes time to find a job. Networking is a big part of finding work and you’re on the back foot here as you don’t know enough or the right people. Employers tend to hire people they know or with a locally established reputation. So until you can get a break, it’s going to be slog work sending out cold applications. And it’s a lonely process. If you’re looking for a job in a new country, be prepared for the fact that you may have to start out a level or two below what you were accustomed to at home. Be prepared for rejection letters and to wait for interview calls that perhaps won’t come. This can seriously dent your confidence and make you doubt your abilities. Paired with being alone a lot of time, this is a lethal combination. Toughening up mentally is the first step to combating loneliness. A good way to meet new people is take up a hobby, join a class or attend a meet-up but all these involve making the effort towards new people and that can be exhausting after a point. But you cannot slack on this process as you will need a support system sooner or later. An easier way is to ask your friends and family back home to introduce you to people they know. It’s a small world and remember the theory about six degrees of separation. Get to know your spouse’s colleagues as well. Host a couple of drinks and dinner sessions in the familiar comfort of your home. The investment is worth it. It might also be tempting to give in to self-pity. Don’t allow yourself to wallow in that space. Take your mind off it by trying out a new sport or attempting any physical activity. The endorphins produced will lift your spirits greatly. Get online and connect with people via sites like Linkedin.com and Meetup.com to meet people in the same sphere of work or with similar interests. With all this wonderful technology on hand, it isn’t very difficult to reach out and connect. All it takes is a bit of effort. Do things alone Most people would be horrified at the thought of going to a movie or out to dinner alone. But try it out and don’t give up until you’re used to it, even if it feels odd at first. Experiment with new cuisines and dishes that you love in your free time Take a good book to keep you company at a coffee shop, explore an art gallery, read in the park. Nobody cares about why you are alone, it’s all in your head. Take the initiative It may not be the easiest thing to do, particularly after a certain age when you’re more set in your ways, but you have to muster up the courage to initiate conversations. Social anxiety is more common than you think, but it gets easier to interact with new people over time. In a social situation, make the first move towards people you don’t know and be prepared with a good opening line that is neutral but can encourage conversation. Say something pleasant and complimentary and follow it up with a question. For example, ‘Those are great shoes, where did you get them?’ will make your listener feel good and start a dialogue. Don’t feel timid to ask someone if they would like to hang out sometime soon or chat over a coffee. At the most, they will say yes but not mean it. Which is absolutely fine, there are many new people you will meet in a new country. But if you do strike up a friendship that has potential, make sure you’re not too dependent on the new people in your life as you might drive them away if you’re clingy. Meditation Cultivate a new hobby like learning arts and crafts which can be very rewarding Yoga and meditation are excellent remedies for mood swings and the feeling-low phases. It could be as simple as ten minutes of deep breathing, but it will make a world of difference. Yoga will keep you fit and supple, and if you think you look good, you will feel good about yourself. In particular, the Surya Namaskar is very effective in achieving a sense of well-being. You will also realise that there is a difference between loneliness and solitude and you will learn to enjoy the solitude better. You can even feel lonely in a crowd, so THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 33 RELOCATION Value, Trust & Convenience Pamper yourself with a massage or a facial as looking good helps attain a sense of well-being C it’s all about your frame of mind. Don’t neglect yourself Often, it’s easy to think that you’re sitting at home, so how does it matter how you look. This is a critical mistake as this can lead to a downward spiral in selfesteem. Take care of your appearance and focus on making yourself happy. Do your nails, get a massage or a facial, exercise to stay fit and buy yourself something nice. A word of caution here though - too much retail therapy can lead to feeling broke! Not a good thing to replace the feeling of loneliness with. Create a happy surrounding in terms of ambience and feel proud of it. Just because you’re going through a difficult phase, it doesn’t mean that it won’t pass. Pamper yourself without feeling guilty, know that you deserve it. Make a list When you had a job or were busy, you probably had thousands of things that you wanted to do but never found the time for. Make a list of these things, no matter how outlandish they sound. Learn a new instrument, experiment with a new dish, take up charity work or write a book. Think of a business idea. Perhaps even go back to university to study for an exciting new career. The possibilities are endless and you may even find something far more rewarding than what you were doing in the past. M Y CM MY CY CMY K Don’t be afraid to seek help If over time, you haven’t been dealing well with the sense of loneliness and feel that it may be a more deep rooted problem like depression, don’t be afraid to see a counsellor or a therapist. There is no stigma attached to seeking professional help and it can do wonders for your self-confidence. A mental health problem that is persistent can destroy relationships and your marriage and instead of wasting years struggling with your emotions, it’s much better to reach out and get help on time. Life’s too short to be wasted on negativity, so get out there and get your groove back. TII • Large fleet of over 13000 vehicles from BMW, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota & Volkswagen. • Cars, SUVs, Vans, Busses & Trucks available for Short term rentals & Long term leasing. • Present in over 45 locations in the UAE including all airports, major shopping malls, free trade zones, hotels & downtown. CALL: 8004770 800701 Dubai & Northern Emirates Namrata Bhawnani is a freelance writer based in London. Abu Dhabi & Al Ain Bonding over sports is a great way to start a conversation and break the ice while trying to meet new people 34 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN Like this article? Scan for a free download You will need a QR code scanner application installed on your smartphone www.thriftyuae.com IMPACT Bandana Jain IMPACT Life is About Making a Difference Gulshan Kavarana(center) with her students at Mawaheb Certain individuals strongly believe in giving back to the society they live in. Sometimes, they will even step out of their comfort zone for this. TII talks to a few Indian women, who apart from looking after their families are bringing about small, important changes where they live. Gulshan Kavarana Founder, Special Families Support group & Art Teacher at Mawaheb, an art studio for Adults with Special Needs. Gulshan’s younger daughter Zara played an integral part in conceiving the Special Families Support Group (SFS), which happens to be the region’s first support group for families who have children with special needs. When it was diagnosed that Zara was suffering from Dravet’s Syndrome, Gulshan went desperately seeking help and advice from other parents in similar situations, as she was a new resident of Dubai. She felt as though she was drowning in self- pity and felt she was the only one going through the stages of acceptance: guilt, denial, anger, hopelessness and finally, came the best stage of all - acceptance… Thus SFS was born. 36 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN Started in 1999 with the motive of uplifting children with Special Needs and most importantly their families, the endeavor started with just six families in Gulshan’s living room. “We came together as we were all sailing in the same boat, looking for support and we found it in each other. Today, SFS continues to grow, because we know together we are stronger and because we need someone to stand with us,” says Gulshan. She has been a vital part of so many people’s lives and has helped make them feel accepted, loved and comfortable. SFS has now grown to over 500 families and has chapters in Abu Dhabi and other GCC countries like Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and in Indian cities like Chennai and Mumbai. With her efforts, Gulshan is truly spreading the motto of SFS: respect, love and acceptance for special needs individuals far and wide. Over the years SFS has continued to change lives and make life a little easier for so many families. Gulshan realized early on, that by empowering mothers the whole family seems to benefit. “Once the mother accepts her child, everything just falls into place,” says the dedicated social worker. A recipient of several prestigious awards, like GR8 Woman Award, ‘Most Inspiring Woman’ Award from Arabian Business and nominated among the ‘Top 100 Most Powerful Indians in the GCC’ for four consecutive years (amongst many others) Gulshan is not the one to rest on her laurels. Continuing with her endeavour, Gulshan joined Mawaheb, an art studio for adults with special needs as an art teacher. “While I teach my students artists life skills through their art, I seem to be the one who ends up learning remarkable life lessons from them. My students have the best point of view and I am so grateful that I have been given this opportunity.” Gulshan, a true inspirer for people to serve the community firmly believes that one does not need incredible resources to impact another human being – one can and should make a difference by being conscious, by thinking of creative ways to make others feel good about themselves and to be a blessing in someone’s life, every day. “I try to ensure that my work impacts multiple lives, I try to live in the now and don’t worry about perfection, as it is an impossible feat,“ she admits. As she gets older and lets her mind unravel, she has discovered that compassion is her only passion and she would love to take advantage of every learning opportunity presented to her. Roshni Raimalwala Project Manager - Corporate Social Responsibility [Honorary], Medulla Events and Marketing DMCC In 2008, Roshni registered with Volunteer in Dubai [now Volunteer in UAE], an organization which supports local charities. It was then that Karama Kanteen, a nonprofitable charity project was formed with Roshni as its Project Manager. Its aim was to provide basic necessities like food and hygiene products to low income group workers. “Initially I supported a lady who provided food to the homeless, but a year later I decided to visit the camps personally and distribute the supplies to the blue collared men directly.” During her course of interaction with these workers Roshni realized that it wasn’t just the food that the men looked forward to. She found that they needed someone to speak with about their problems, some men would have tears in their eyes as they would talk about how lonely their life was. Roshni understood that just a few moments of being in their midst, wishing them during festivals and talking to them, listening to their woes, gives them a feeling that someone cares for them was enough to bring a smile on their faces and a little boost to look forward to another day with some fresh hope. “In 2013, I decide to move on from Karama Kanteen and start my own initiative. This is when I tied up with Medulla Events and Marketing DMCC in April 2014, as Project Manager for their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects. Medulla focuses on CSR, as a part of their primary service offerings and hence this collaboration with them. This gives me the opportunity to officially continue with our philanthropic work under the umbrella of Medulla.” Currently, Roshni spearheads two of their CSR initiatives – Care2Share and Care4Health. Care2Share supports and organizes food and relief related distribution events for the low income workers in various labour camps across Dubai and Sharjah while Care4Health targets at delivering health and fitness related support for the blue collared as well as needy individuals. “With my team of volunteers I scout various areas from time to time to identify new camp locations. Every Friday morning around 7 am, we proceed to the distribution site and cater to anywhere between 100 -500 workers.” Describing her area of operation, she explains, “Unless a specific camp is identified as being in dire need of relief, we generally stop by outside the camps and request the men to queue up and then distribute the packets to them. We distribute groceries, vegetables, fruits, toiletries, hygiene and care packages, clothes, linen, shoes, purses, watches, blankets, sweaters, caps, household items, travel bags, etc. On festive occasions like Eid, Diwali, Christmas, New Year, etc. we strive to get together special gift hampers for them. During the holy month of Ramadan, Iftaar meals are organised.” Roshni is supported by a dedicated team of twenty regular volunteers and many others who periodically join her. She is happy to see that many schools have also started supporting her charity initiatives. “The students, Roshni Raimalwala distributes food in labour camps THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 37 IMPACT under my guidance, get involved in the entire project, right from making fliers, to collection of groceries and hygiene items, to sorting, packing and finally distributing the hampers to the workers.” The initiative also tries to find sponsors for repatriating the workers who are either sick or not able to pay for their tickets, for education for special needs children and for medical expenses for low income group families. Immensely happy and grateful that she is able to give back to society in her small, special ways, Roshni is looking at another project. She is extensively involved in handling the operations and coordination of a charity book sale under a separate project of Medulla, called Books2Benefit, which is slated to take place in early 2015. She, along with the team of Books2Benefit, is hoping to make this too, a successful endeavor. Premi Mathew Founder and CEO, Protect Your Mom campaign and Hair for Hope. Premi Mathew (centre) is deeply involved in raising awareness about breast cancer Protect Your Mom (PYM) campaign creates awareness about early detection of breast cancer. The fact that awareness about self-examination is low inspired Premi to start he PYM campaign. Premi observes, “Mothers are usually too busy to check for lumps and early signs even if they are aware of the symptoms. Most of them ignore it till the cancer spreads and becomes fatal. The good news is that early detection can increase survival rates upto 98%.So we took an unusual route- through children. That is how ‘Protect Your Mom (PYM)’ came into being.” The idea behind PYM is to make kids as young as eight pester their moms to check for lumps and early signs of breast cancer. The aim is to raise awareness through music, dance and art -the languages of today’s 38 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN IMPACT youth. Premi is happy that these campaigns have helped instill leadership and organizational skills among students apart from raising them to be informed adults. Of course, the prime idea is that mothers are unlikely to screen out kids unlike doctors and official sources. Premi has been passionately working for this zerocost, zero staff cause which is run solely by volunteers (mostly students) connected through the social media of Facebook. These students, as young as seven year olds have held events in Indian Schools to promote PYM. Students have also held events in Trivandrum (Kerala), Bihar and Karnataka without any funds. Premi is proud to share that PYM has a strong presence in India and held two pink walkathons in 2011 and 2012 with over thousand students hitting the headlines in Kerala. “Something that started off as a dream, has spread its wings over various emirates in UAE and across cities in India like Kashmir, Bihar, Udupi, Bangalore, Kanyakumari, Thiruvananthapuram, Quilon, Kochi, etc. An endeavour that took off without funds and sponsors, now has 35 brand ambassadors in five countries,” says Premi, whose PYM campaign was nominated for the Emirates Woman Award in 2011. She has also been the proud recipient of Dhwani Women’s Excellence Award in UAE and has been the Runner- up in Western Union Women Icons 2014, UAE. Another noteworthy achievement of the PYM campaign is that it has been a part of the “67 inspiring stories”, a book presented to Nelson Mandela, (ex-President, South Africa) and that the campaign was converted into a case study in association with University of Wollongong and will shortly find a place in an international journal. Premi is in no mood to slow down, she has her eyes on a future project which would be a way to connect old people (on the verge of depression) with youngsters who struggle with families. She hopes to bring together grandpas and youngsters, “Old people could babysit from across the globe, tell stories... basically it is the idea of adopting a grandpa via skype,” explains the awe-inspiring social activist. Pooja Chhabria Mulani Founder, ‘Gift of Love’ campaign By profession, Pooja is a costume designer and stylist, but her passion lies in gathering resources for the benefit of the disadvantaged and underprivileged sections of the society and she has been pursuing this passion for almost three years now. One of her recent endeavours, which she proudly refers to as ‘Gift of Love’ pertains to the idea of arranging gifts for underprivileged children during the Christmas season. For this purpose, Pooja has teamed up with a friend, Dr Soroya Janmohamed in Nairobi, Kenya who co-ordinates and facilitates the distribution of the gifts someone might need or aspire to have in their lives,” urges Pooja. Amrita Singh Pooja Chhabria Mulani to poor children there. Pooja receives whole-hearted support from her husband Amit Mulani and her team of ten volunteers who help her in collecting and assorting the stuff to bring a smile on the faces of poor kids in Kenya. According to Pooja, “Gift wrapping just makes them feel special. It’s not just passing things that one does not need. Wrapping a gift makes the receiver feel special and happy, too.” Happy to see her project moving ahead successfully, she is thankful to the stupendous response from donors. “I’m always happy with this kind of work. Small or big, charity is always worth it. At the same time, I also know that the sky is the limit and we can always do more and enroll more people in the idea of making it special for the disadvantaged with what we already have.” Pooja firmly believes that UAE residents are blessed with plenty of luxuries, in most cases, much more than what they need and the surplus lies unused or ends in the trash bin. Simultaneously, there are millions who suffer from want of those resources. This fact inspired Pooja to channelise non-perishable items for the benefit of people who hardly get to see them. She further advocates that each individual should realize his social responsibility to care for their fellow human beings, just the way one is responsible for ones family, health and home. To take this idea to different parts of India and Pakistan where millions of children need help desperately Pooja knows her efforts are like a drop in the ocean, but she continues with her work. She also wishes to start a styling company wherein she can provide young girls with image consulting and corporate attire advice so that they present themselves confidently in a competitive world. “I really want readers to look at their life with gratitude and share their good fortune and count their blessings in life. At the same time, they should divert their unwanted stuff which they won’t miss in their wardrobes or homes, which could be things which Rescuer of abandoned and homeless animals Amrita is on a unique journey that of rescuing abandoned pets from the streets of Dubai. “My journey started in 2009, when I began rescuing pets back in India. I started feeding the old dogs near my apartment area in Shanti Nagar, Bangalore and before I knew it I was feeding and taking care of as many as twenty dogs in my locality.” As her attachment for these grew, Amrita saw herself taking the sick dogs to the vet in her car and paying for their bills without any community or local support in Bangalore and did it for four years until she moved to Dubai. Here too, she found herself following her passion and joined a group called the Bin Kitty Collective that is dedicated to saving and adopting abandoned cats and kittens. Amrita has a soft corner for animals and her main objective lies in fostering them and finding them Amrita Singh is deeply involved in rescuing abandoned animals permanent homes. She believes, “Animals have very strong spirits and they teach us that no matter how rough life is, it will pass by and happier days will come to stay.” ”They exude positive and happy vibes all the time and I so wish that human beings were the same. By being close to and working for these species, I have learnt to be more patient, happy and grateful for everything that I have been gifted with on a daily basis.” Amrita advocates that readers speak up against cruelty to animals as they have just as much a right to live as human beings on this planet. TII Bandana Jain is a freelance writer based in Dubai THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 39 INVEST IN A HOME AWAY FROM HOME. Expat Sparsh. A weekend getaway. An investment. It’s both. An investment that lets you get away every weekend. Benefits: Close to tourist destinations like Lonavla, Khandala, Matheran and Adlabs Imagica. Fully Furnished Studio Homes and Chalets. Expat takes care of the management and upkeep of the property. Located in a residential green zone Lots of amenities and activities Great weekend getaway destination A scenic drive of just 90 kms from Mumbai. Steadily increasing property prices in the area Well-connected by road, rail and air Expat Sparsh Chalet, Upgraded Chalet Interior View Contact us. Anil Kharat - + 971 558994262 | + 971 42522777 www.expat-group.com 9000+ CUSTOMERS 12000+ ACRES OF LAND TRANSACTED 8 COUNTRIES 13 OFFICES 550 CHANNEL PARTNERS Expat Sparsh, Swimming Pool Expat Sparsh, Landscape and Open Restaurant HERITAGE Khursheed Dinshaw HERITAGE Kalka Shimla railway passes through 102 tunnels, 988 bridges and 917 curves many of which are as sharp as 48 degrees. gardens or visit the town of Nagaur by either camel, on a horse or by car. The food at Ranvas is delicious with its garnish of local traditional recipes. Lal Maas is lamb cooked with onion and red chillies from the safaris of Rajasthan. While Panch Kutta is a dish made with five varieties of dry desert beans, Govind Gatta is gram flour dumplings in spicy yoghurt gravy. Rabori Kanda is home-made maize pasta sheets cooked in onion The menu also offers international cuisine and if you are missing your middle Eastern appetizers, then simple call for their popular Hummus platter. Ranvas also makes for a memorable venue for weddings, anniversaries and other events. And if you enjoy soulful music then Nagaur Fort plays host to the yearly World Sufi Spirit Festival which is not just musically healing but visually delightful with 1,000 lit candles. Combining music and dance, the festival is spiritually uplifting. Not to miss is the annual Nagaur cattle fair. TakE A rural safari in Rajasthan Five Fun Ways to Learn About India’s Heritage Heritage conjures up images of history, old stuff and situations of a bygone era, outdated, boring and something you may not relate to. But who says that our country’s heritage is boring? In this new series Khursheed Dinshaw brings you five fun ways of learning about India’s heritage. S omehow whenever I mention the word heritage, most people frown and seem disinterested. When I ask them why they reply that heritage is drab, there is nothing exciting about it. I beg to differ. It depends on what sort and how you learn and experience heritage. The following five have been my fun yet culturally rich experiences. Living at Ranvas in Nagaur Imagine living king size in the residences of queens. Ranvas, a beautifully maintained heritage property offers you exactly that. Here is where in the 18th century, the 16 queens of Maharaja Bakhat Singh of Jodhpur resided. Bakhat Singh desired to have a haven away from the constant pressures and troubles of war and politics. And that is why he constructed a pleasure palace which continues to remind visitors of splendour, 42 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN class and aristocracy even today. Get transported back to the royal era with peacocks walking beside you, gurgling fountains, fresco paintings and havelis. No wonder Ranvas is considered one of the most well preserved residences of queens in India and is an excellent way of combining legacy, regal living, luxury and exploration. And its location is inside Ahhichatragarh Fort or Nagaur Fort which got the UNESCO award of excellence for cultural heritage conservation in 2002. The 10 havelis of Ranvas have been named after the ranis and each haveli has 2-3 bedrooms, bathrooms and a private courtyard. Suites open to a private terrace. One can stroll in the property or enjoy a dip in the swimming pool or relax by it or in the lounge. Ranvas organizes guided tours of the fort which has temples, palaces and a museum. One can also stroll on the ramparts or Overlander India organizes a rural safari where you interact with local communities like Bishnoi and Pittal, get to see black bucks and migratory birds including demoiselle cranes, eat a meal prepared by the locals, see the cenotaphs of the Sar community and be a part of an opium ceremony. Did I not tell you that heritage can be fun? So as you drive in a gypsy crossing the countryside in this off roading experiential safari, a black buck looks at you and seems not to mind your human presence in his territory. Camels feeding or the Demoiselle Cranes who make the region their home in winters lazily let you gape in amazement as you click away. Uday Bhan Singh who conducts this safari Beypore has a 1500 year tradition of building Arab Dhows proudly showcases his rich heritage and answers your questions. The joy of eating a local berry from the tree or waving at kids as you drive by are experiences that make you smile. You get to learn that the Bishnoi community which literally translates into 29 are the followers of 29 rules. A 500 year old sect of Hinduism, Bishnoi was formed by a Rajput called Guru Jamboji. Bishnois live in hutments and their main occupation is agriculture. Self sufficient, they own land and protect nature in all its forms. Black bucks are worshipped as a re incarnation of Lord Krishna and live close to such settlements as they know they are protected. The community will not cut green trees and can be referred to as conservationist in a true sense. Hygiene and cleanliness is important to this vegetarian community. Their homes are made of thick mud walls which work as insulation and are plastered with cow dung and clay. The roof is made of agricultural waste. The Pittals keep a lot of cattle, don’t miss how their rural kitchen functions. Try your hand at making fresh hot millet rotis or churning buttermilk. ride in the Kalka-Shimla toy train Interact with Rajasthani communities like Bishnoi and Pittal This heritage train which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list awakens the child even in adults. The Kalka Shimla Railway (KSR) represents an exceptional technical achievement in the development of the Himalayan mountains because of its length, altitude and the difficulty of the terrain through which it runs in difficult climatic conditions. The 96 kms long railway line from Kalka to Shimla passes through 102 tunnels, 988 bridges and 917 curves many of which are as sharp as 48 degrees. The four storey stone arch and gallery bridge are engineering marvels. The train attains an altitude of 2075 m in its run from Kalka to Shimla. This enchanting journey rekindles the romance of mountain toy trains. The longest tunnel near Barog station is 1,143 metres and has an historic anecdote attached to it. THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 43 HERITAGE The place is named after a British engineer named Colonel Barog who was involved in building the tunnel. He initiated burrowing the tunnel from both the sides in order to save time. Unfortunately the ends of the tunnel didn’t meet. Against this the British government imposed a penalty of Rs1 upon him. Unable to endure this, he committed suicide and was buried here itself near the incomplete tunnel. The construction was completed under the guidance of a local sage Bhalku Ram and was supervised by engineer H. S. Harrington in the year 1903 with an investment of Rs 8,40,000. Catch fish using the Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi. Believed to have been introduced in the 14th century by the Chinese, the Chinese fishing nets are a landmark of Fort Kochi. Fixed to the shore with poles and having a wooden platform on which one can walk right up till them, fishing is done by lowering the net into the sea. A few minutes later, the net is pulled up using large stones which are tied at the other end and act as counter weights. The net is lowered frequently and it takes 5 men to pull up the large stones. The quantity of fish caught in this manner is quite little and at times none at all. The catch is sold to eager tourists. What is left is divided in the ratio of 30% to the owner and 70% between the five men who labourously haul the catch. Fort Kochi is a walker’s paradise with a number of heritage structures. There is the St. Francis Church which is one of the oldest European churches in Kerala. It was built in the 16th century A.D. The Santa Cruz Basilica is one of the eight basilicas in the country. Other heritage structures include Koder House, Bastion Bunglow, Cochin Club, David Hall, Delta Study, Dutch Cemetery, Thakur House and Vasco Da Gama House. See Arab dhows MADE AT Beypore. This is a 1,500 year old tradition of building these 14th century Chinese fishing nets are a landmark of Fort Kochi wooden dhows. In the olden days the Urus were tied together with ropes. Later copper nails were used which were replaced because of their rising costs. “The present nails which are used are iron nails dipped in zinc to galvanize them. They cannot be removed once they are fixed as they have thread like cuttings on them. Cotton is soaked in sardine oil and gum which is prepared from the wooden part of specific trees found in Kerala. The concoction is heated together and the cotton is dipped in this. The cotton is then jammed in between the planks to prevent water from seeping into the ship,” adds guide K. Mohan who was awarded the best tourist guide 2009-2010 by the Dept of Tourism, Govt. of Kerala. The wood used for the manufacture of Urus is teak from Nilambur which is believed to be the second best in the world. The first best is Mandalay teak from Myanmar. The trees are cut at Nilambur and floated down the river to Beypore. The three communities which are involved in the manufacture are Hindus, Muslims and Christians. The carpenters are generally Hindus, the iron nails and brackets are supplied by the Christians while the loading and unloading and the planks which are sent to the top using pulleys are operated by Muslims. TII Khursheed Dinshaw is a freelance lifestyle writer based in India. Santa Cruz Basilica-one of eight basilicas in the country 44 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN BACK TO INDIA Anusha Harish INDIA’S Reverse “Brain Drain” Phenomenon The early nineties saw a high number of professional migrating to Western shores in search of a fruitful career and a better lifestyle. However, the trend is on a reversal now with many Indians returning. With the Indian economy on a boom and the importance of familial ties on a high, more and more people are coming back and starting their lives afresh. With the country moving forward, it looks like this homecoming will continue. Fredrick with Priya And kids Fritz Isaac and Faina Sharon in London FREDRICK MANUEL, A very successful senior software professional with Capgemini Inc., was globe trotting from 2001 to 2011 living in Poland, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and the USA before moving to Nottingham, London in 2006. “I got married and shifted to London with my family. My kids even had a brief stint of schooling there before we moved back to India.” His wife Priya took charge of the home front and they lived there till 2011. “Everything is DIY there right from cleaning to painting to assembling furniture, which in India is just a paid help away.” After staying in India with constant help for all household chores, this may be tough for any immigrant. “It lacks the emotional security quotient that Indians are used to. There is hardly any scope for socialising and western society is so much more reserved. Eventually, we got fed up of doing everything on our own without any help in an alien land. Plus, the lack of family ties bogged us down. Loneliness THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 45 BACK TO INDIA crept in and we got back to India.” The move was simple for him however his kids, Fritz Isaac and Faina Sharon found the shift back to India pretty challenging. “Fritz took some time to adjust to the strict and monotonous system of education.” Relocation is initially tough on the kid’s and combined with the guilt on part of the parents, it seems more challenging. But, it definitely reaps fruits in the long run. Living abroad is like staying at a five star resort. It’s fabulous for the time that it lasts, but ultimately one has to return home. “I strongly believe that home is where the heart is, and mine is definitely in India. Given my bright career prospects here, I can never imagine leaving India to settle abroad,” he says before signing off. NISHA DUTTA is a media professional who migrated to the United Kingdom to pursue her masters and eventually worked there for six years. She says” I never wanted to settle there. My visa was still valid and I could have stayed on if I wanted to, but I missed my parents very much. I wanted them to migrate but they refused to do so.” She finally took a call and came back to India in 2011 after staying in UK for about six years. “Staying all alone in the United Kingdom is very expensive. After living in the lap of luxury in India, the stay abroad turned out to be pretty tough. I was totally dependent on public transport which created an unnecessary dependency. I had to manage everything single-handedly and loneliness would get the better of me.” However she met the love of her life Pratik Dutta here. With the same ideals, they moved back to India and are happily married now. The shift back to India may be a tough call for professionals who have a complete change of work culture scenario. There is a totally different work Nisha And Pratik Dutta On The Eve Of Their Wedding 46 Janani And Sridhar Kirthivasan At Home In Fairfax Va atmosphere in India as compared to other countries. Right from the employer employee equation to the timings to the attitude, everything undergoes a sea change in India and one should be prepared for this on relocation. Nisha is now settled in Mumbai and she loves the fact that everything is available right at her doorstep and life is definitely easier here with the best part that she is closer to home and family. After the initial hurdles, she is finally well settled and content. JANANI SRIDHAR, A full time homemaker now and erstwhile software professional, she migrated to the United States in the year 1998 and stayed for about a decade in Virginia. She did her Masters there and went on to pursue a highly rewarding career before taking a call to return to India and start afresh. “Life in the U.S.A was amazing for me. I never had to suffer any hardship as I lived with my cousin’s family there. So there was no question of missing home or other such issues that accompany migration. I was chauffeured to college, fed good food and lived happily. After I started working I moved out on my own too.” She however had a strong will to return to India once her work visa expired. She never had plans to settle down anywhere but in India. She met her husband Sridhar Kirthivasan over there who was working with her. The dotcom bubble was bursting during that time and many Indians took full advantage of the same. But, many of them like the Sridhars had a strong will to come back to India and start afresh. After living abroad for a few years that definitely needs a lot of willpower. “After we came back, we started a family since we wanted our kids Adhavan and Sruthi to be bought up in India. India is home for us and we are not planning to go back since we are happily settled here.” About migration Janani says” You have to be independent to pursue a life abroad. Like this article? Scan for a free download THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN You will need a QR code scanner application installed on your smartphone BACK TO INDIA If you are a momma’s boy who is used to being spoon fed then life can be tough.” Her take on migration and relocation is the mantra of possessing a strong will power to come home, no matter what. The charm of staying in India cannot be replaced with anything else. Though she misses her friends and her idyllic life which she left behind, she still moves on happily. PRABHA SRINIVASAN, is highly successful finance professional who qualified as a Chartered Accountant and went on to pursue her MBA and CFA in the U.S. “My husband Satish and I lived in Los Angeles for twelve years and relocated to India in 2008. Our respective employers were branching out in India and asked us if we could take care of the Indian operations. We jumped at the opportunity.” She worked with her employer and then ventured out to start her own accounting firm “VENTURA PRANAS” catering to a niche clientele of NRI’s. “My kids were born there, but being young they adapted very easily and the shift did not affect them as much as it affected us. We were exposed to a totally different work culture and suffered a culture shock right here in our own country. However, with time we have gotten used to the culture here. We have spent considerable time with our parents which we missed when we were abroad.” Something that may be appreciated and respected here is that they have returned and started on their own and employ people under them, thus helping generate employment, giving back whatever they have received from the country. That is definitely laudable. “When you are abroad, you Prabha And Sathish are torn between home and a place where you are trying to create a home. India despite its challenges is home. The kids have developed a resistance and are slowly getting adjusted to life here. They are being exposed to our culture where they respect everyone and know their boundaries. We have a flourishing business here. We are U.S citizens and we can return any time. But, we are content here. Everything is comfortable and stable and we won’t uproot what we have over here and move back” She says before bidding adieu. TII Anusha is a full time homemaker and a freelance journalist based in India. HALL OF FAME The Superstition Of My Profession Demands I Raise A Laugh I have drawn cartoons for two decades and it is true that while the work of other cartoonists provoke laughter or a smile, mine doesn’t. Although the dominant superstition of my profession demands I raise a laugh, I cannot do that because I am a third-world cartoonist. The stark reality that I confront on a daily basis is nothing like what a first-world cartoonist has to deal with. The reality is so devastating that you cannot afford to laugh about anything. What has instigated my creativity over the years is the political situation, which is getting worse and yet there is no strong dissent in our country. When not caught in an illusory sense of well-being, we are occupied only with the surface O.V. VIJAYAN of things, whether it is women’s issues, equality, ecology, or anything else. writer and political cartoonist Cartoons are a very strong form of dissent and protest. The fact that the situation born Vilayanchathannoor village, remains unchanged after all these years has inspired me to put out my cartoons Kerala, 1930 in the form of a book and a travelling exhibition. Although many of the people and events depicted in this work are long gone, the larger issues raised in them remain unchanged.These are perennial issues and if you look at the events and not the issues, then its wider relevance is lost. To your question “Why do I see things this way?” my answer is that I am made this way. TII’s Hall of Fame features India’s elderly, great, interesting and unusual men and women. Excerpted from the book: THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN ‘Ageless Mind and Spirit,’ by Samar and Vijay Jodha. www. agelessmindandspirit. com 48 WATCHING INDIA Anand Kumar DESI MEDIA : BOLDER, BAD & BAKWAAS TV is the big daddy in the media and entertainment sector: Scenes from Bigg Boss, a popular reality show. Though giants straddled Indian media in the post-Independence years, the print media by and large was pro-establishment and timid in dealing with politicians. There was hardly any independent coverage of business news. And during the shameful, 21-month Emergency between 1975 and 1977, most newspapers – with the exception of The Indian Express and The Statesman – succumbed to government pressures. M any editors in Indian newspapers between the 1950s and 1990s were larger-thanlife individuals, men (there were hardly any women editors in the mainstream newspapers) who even as they were respected for their knowledge, were feared by their juniors. And considering the gravitas that was usually associated with the editor’s post (especially of English language newspapers), they were often clubbed together with other privileged members of the higher echelons of the government, the judiciary and the bureaucracy. One notable gentleman in the 1980s considered himself to be the second-most powerful individual in India after then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. An ownereditor in Calcutta (now Kolkata) considered himself to be the second-most important person in West Bengal after the then chief minister Jyoti Basu. In that respect, Indian media has not changed much over the past two to three decades. Many of the editoranchors of popular news channels – both English and Hindi – consider themselves to be at par with heads of governments, or perhaps chief justices of courts. They do not communicate with viewers, rather they “address the nation” (a standard phrase used by them while hectoring a hapless minister or bureaucrat is – “the nation wants to know,”), which they believe awaits their programmes with bated breath every night. In most other respects, however, the Indian media (mainly print and electronic, as digital and social are new phenomena) has undergone a sea-change over the past quarter century, in terms of not just editorial content and technology, but even with regard to ethics and professionalism (which I will address towards the end of this piece). It has indeed been a mixed bag, with THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 49 WATCHING INDIA dramatic progress in some areas, but sadly regression in other spheres. Though giants straddled the Indian media in the post-Independence years, newspapers were by and large pro-establishment and timid in dealing with politicians. There was hardly any independent coverage of business news. And during the shameful, 21-month Emergency between 1975 and 1977, most newspapers – with the exception of the Indian Express and the Statesman – succumbed to government pressures. The post-Emergency years saw the blossoming of the Indian print media, with a new crop of newspapers and magazines (The Telegraph, India Today, Sunday) providing vibrant coverage of political, business and increasingly lifestyle news. The new generation of editors and journalists were bolder, innovative and willing to take risks, and many of the publishers and owners were also keen to back them. There were technological changes with the switchover from the hot-metal press to newer techniques, even as newsrooms gradually dumped typewriters and acquired PCs. Salaries of journalists and photographers rose significantly and many of the newspapers and magazines spent money on their travels – both domestic and international – and encouraged them to pursue investigative stories. Radio and television of course was controlled by the central government and there were hardly any changes in their editorial coverage for almost 40 years after Independence. But the arrival of satellite television in the 1990s shook the staid world of Doordarshan, the state-owned TV network. As economic reforms unchained Indian businesses from the clutches of bureaucrats and the licence Raj, private television channels – both entertainment and news – began to proliferate. Millions of Indian viewers, fed on Doordarshan’s insipid programmes were wowed by the vibrancy of satellite TV. Sonam Kapoor Inside the Bigg Boss House 50 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN WATCHING INDIA The making of young champs: Dance and music academies and sports camps are mushrooming all over India as parents want their children to become celebrities and champs, influenced largely by television. Nita Ambani, founder and chairperson of Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), at the launch of a grassroots football movement at the Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai. Of course, just as the onslaught by western brands including Pepsi, Coke, McDonald’s and KFC was opposed by conservative segments of society and nationalists, the entry of MTV, Channel V, CNN, BBC, Sony and Star TV also raised the hackles of orthodox elements. They warned of Indian culture being swamped, nay swept away by this western blitzkrieg. The reality though is vastly different today. The multinationals – both in the fast food and media segments – have had to drastically alter their ‘products’ and ‘services’ to cater to Indian tastes and audiences. Western-origin TV channels are as adept as Indianowned ones in churning out schmaltzy ‘saasbahu’ (mother-in-law/daughter-in-law) soap operas, melodramatic mythological serials and tacky ‘reality’ shows. But Indian audiences apparently love the programming and hungrily lap up the meaningless serials that emerge from the idiot boxes every night. An average urban family has access to a mind-numbing 500 channels – covering general entertainment and news – through their set-top boxes in multiple languages. The television boom has also done wonders for the entertainment economy, generating tens of thousands of jobs to filmmakers, actors, writers, journalists, technicians, musicians, artistes and dancers. One may despise the inane comic shows or the glitzy dance or music programmes on television, but one can scarcely ignore the talent that has flowered in recent years. There has been an unfortunate downside as well to this kind of competition. Many parents across the country want their children to be the next Sachin Tendulkar or Sania Mirza, or even the dancer of the year (or the week) and the joker (sorry, comedian) of the month. There is undue pressure on kids to perform and 160 million households (which adds up to more than achieve ‘greatness,’ at least on the small screen. 800 million viewers), and there were nearly 215 million So you have dance and music academies, cricket internet users (towards the end of 2013), with 130 and tennis schools and camps mushrooming in our million accessing the net through mobiles. cities and smaller towns, where sleepy-eyed teenagers Television no doubt is the big daddy in the M&E are dragged early in the morning by their over-zealous sector, accounting for revenues of almost Rs. 500 billion. parents or grand-parents and made to undergo highPrint comes next at nearly Rs. 265 billion, followed by pressure training so that they can make it big in life. And digital (over Rs. 40 billion) and radio (Rs. 16.5 billion). if your kid can’t make it big on the small screen, they But the most significant growth is happening in can at least appear on television as cheer-leaders, for social media including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, which a few enterprising people have set up schools to WhatsApp, etc. Many celebrities on Twitter have more train kids. followers than the circulation of newspapers. Amitabh No doubt, satellite television has also done wonders Bachchan, for instance, has 12 million followers; Shah for the knowledge domain and channels such as Rukh Khan has 10.3 million and Aamir Khan almost 10 National Geography and Discovery are today widely million. patronised. The MNCs Young Indians (mainly operating these channels urban, but increasingly, have also gone in for Hindi also rural) are more likely to and other Indian language get their day’s news from versions to attract more social media instead of viewers. newspapers or television. Another major change The trend is cause for that has occurred is in radio. much concern among the All India Radio (Akashwani) established publications dominated the airwaves and television networks, for most of the second-half who are likely to see a of the 20th century. When sharp drop in advertising a spunky Radio Ceylon revenues over the coming began beaming Hindi film years. songs to India on the shortBut one tragic wave in the 1950s, AIR development that is slowly quickly came out with its TV is the big daddy in the media and entertainment sector: eroding the credibility of own Vividh Bharti to take Scenes from Bigg Boss, a popular reality show. Crowded the media is the lack of on the challenger. However, airwaves: An average Indian urban family has access to a mindethics and professionalism numbing 500 channels today. AIR could not compete with in the fourth estate (which BBC and Voice of America, should include social media both of which broadcast English, Hindi and other Indian as well). Concepts like ‘paid news’ are taking root and language programmes, to viewers across the country, many cynical readers and viewers believe that what who were desperate for independent news. they get to read and view on mainstream media is not The 1990s saw the government allow private the true version of news as it happens. operators to run FM channels in many cities. Today, there Social media on the other hand is more believable are hundreds of FM channels in multiple languages, and and credible for many young Indians, though the fact is though they are primarily focused on music, they have that it can be far more prejudiced and sensational than transformed the radio habits of ordinary Indians. the mainstream. India is one of the few countries in the So what is the state of the Indian media sector – world – more so in the developing world – to have a print, television, radio and digital – at present? According free and fair media. Its fiercely independent press has to global consultancy KPMG – which conducts a resisted attempts by governments in the past to impose comprehensive exercise every year, analysing the curbs on its functioning. media and entertainment business in India – the print Will the new media (mainstream, digital, social, sector continues to buck the global slowdown trend. etc), which will continue to face attacks in the future, The sector grew at a compound annual growth rate be able to offer such resistance? Attacks not just from (CAGR) of 8.5 per cent in 2013 to touch Rs. 243 billion. governments, but even from vested interests, business India has nearly 95,000 newspapers and magazines lobbies and bigoted groups? A tough call to make. TII (of which 12,500 are dailies), and many of them are Anand Kumar is a freelance writer based in Mumbai. doing well, despite the growing popularity of television and the internet. Television today reaches more than THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 51 SINGLE WOMEN Deepa Ballal Mating Challenges of Singles The importance of marriage is something deeply ingrained in the Indian psyche and daughters are a major concern to Indian parents. Living abroad doesn’t seem to help. Families with daughters go through the mill in India and overseas in equal proportions. The challenges for NRIs can be even more gruelling. D ilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) is the popular love story of Raj Malhotra (Shah Rukh Khan) and Simran Singh (Kajol) two NRIs living in London. The movie portrays a clash between conservative and liberal Indian families that control the destinies of their children when it comes to marriage. DDLJ begs the question: does every Simran living abroad find a knight in shining armour like Raj? Of the many worries that makes an average middle class Indian parent spend sleepless nights, the predominant one after property, cricket scores and gold prices, is the soaring marriageable age of their daughters. More so in the case of NRI parents, some even take a U turn to India, lest their daughters prefer to enjoy their independence rather than follow tradition in holy matrimony. Sandwiched between their traditional ethos and a modern outlook, NRIs nevertheless, remain steadfast. No doubt living abroad has its own merits especially for girls, who loathe being constantly scrutinized for the way they walk, what they wear and least for what they are, back in India. Freedom and liberation abroad is a far cry from the patriarchal and regressive society one must endure during those ritual “yearly” visits to India. Even for the families that raise their children abroad, not all is hunky dory. At expat community meetings 52 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN Anceeta Martis: will not marry an Indian man invariably the question pops up, “When are you getting your daughter married? When should a girl marry? Who decides? Society, her parents and lastly the girl? When does her status turn to “single” when all her life she has been staying with those whom she calls her family. Strangely this phenomenon never happens overnight. For some families the single status is bestowed on the girl the day she finishes her graduation, in some cases her post graduation and for others until she finds a job and becomes financially independent. Educating their daughters, giving them equal opportunities and then forcing them to conform in the matrimonial race where the clock ticks fast and loud to deprive them of all they strive for is unnerving for many. The importance of marriage is something deeply ingrained in the Indian psyche and daughters are a major concern to Indian parents. Living abroad doesn’t seem to help. Families with daughters go through the mill in India and overseas in equal proportions. The challenges for NRIs can be even more gruelling. Being single, can raise quite a few eyebrows and draw quite a few questions; The hows, whys and the why nots. Some avoid it. Some face it. For Dubai resident, Janet Rosario,* who believes marriage is more about finding a companion for life, her SINGLE WOMEN hunt for Mr Right began six years ago. she was given the opportunity to do so by her daughter, “I’m 30 now and been looking since I was 24. Initially the enthusiasm died down after a few months. because of the typical society hard wiring that when you “My daughter was keen that the horoscopes match hit 23/24 you need to start looking for a partner so that and she being a six footer post graduate, wanted you find one and get married by 25/26, later because an alliance that was on par with her height and her I indeed wanted to get married and start a family,” she educational qualifications,” she explains. She got her admits. registered in the various local matrimonial agencies Back in India the “Aunty brigade,” the various in Bangalore and enjoyed the first 5-6 months of matchmaking agencies in every nook and corner prospecting for alliances.” of town ensure that the day the daughter comes of But alas, when the proposals started trickling age, she finds the “suitable boy.” From being called a in, the checkbox never had tick marks on all the daughter (ghar ki beti) till 20, to being called a “single” criteria. Eventually when she decided “to give up on by 23 and being branded a “woman” by 30, they all something,” and a meeting was arranged, the boy was compete against time to tie a disappointment. Screenings the knot before it gets totally followed by meetings, entangled. and meetings followed by Ask Janet about her explanation for rejections, has experience in running this literally drained the energy race. “Terrible” is the word she levels of both mother and utters. “I never knew finding a daughter. “Now I am not going spouse can be so challenging,” to see anyone,” declares her she bemoans. “I’ve crossed daughter before leaving for many challenges in life right work. And every time Neeta from examinations in school/ wants to bail out, there is this college to various tests in life phone call with a new voice but I must admit personally the at the other end. “Yet another process of looking for a guy is alliance,” she fears. a crazy one. Especially when It is estimated that half you belong to an Indian family of UAE’s expat population and have certain criteria about are single and focused race, community, religion, etc.” on careers, with the main Indian arranged marriages reasons being work, cultural are more like a conditional differences or a lack of trust mathematical equation. X Bella De Paulo, social scientist, University of California, about a partner’s past. And Santa Barbara, author of ‘Singled Out.’ “Single women can can marry Y, only if certain pick up the check (cheque) at work and sperm at the bank,” Indians constitute nearly conditions are met. Wedding 42% of the UAE population. bells are heard the day this The Ministry of Interior, UAE, equation is solved. But then, it’s a tedious process, and published these results in the 999 Magazine, 2013 in the long run, one loses interest, for it may take not edition. just days, but years. And for those who choose to tie the knot, they indeed And Janet disdains this experience. “When you fall get choosy. Shaadi.com, India’s leading matrimonial in love naturally, none of it matters but when you try to website, states that over 92% of NRI women prefer to arrange one for yourself, all of these come into play. It’s marry NRI men… However, in the case of NRI men, just like a drama I go through every fortnight or a month. above 65% prefer to marry NRI women…and roughly Introducing myself to the many guys I meet (either 35% of NRI men prefer girls who are born and brought through references or through wedding websites). It up in India. gets extremely monotonous to do the same thing over Dodging these notions 25 year old Sharjah resident and over again. After a point, you are so confused, Seema Udupa,* somehow had a soft corner for alliances that you really don’t know where it’s all heading. The that had the NRI tag appended to it. “I always felt pressure of ending this search process is so high, that that having been brought up abroad an NRI spouse’s you really can’t do justice to yourself.” mentality would be different. They would know how to Dubai resident Neeta Bhat,* a mother who has been live by themselves, be more independent and would looking for alliances for her daughter for the past year encourage their wife to work,” she explains. and a half has one thing to say, “Its better they find their Though she was open to proposals coming from own.” Though the thought of finding a right match for Indian techies, one experience changed her perception. her daughter was quite “exciting” and she felt privileged “I really liked the boy, but then his family wanted me 54 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN SINGLEWOMEN to quit working after marriage,” recalls this marketing Post Graduate. A few days back she got hitched and is heading to the US with the “one” she enjoys conversing with, sharing her views on life and most importantly feels that this marriage would not act as an impediment but an impetus to her dreams and aspirations. “Yes, I will have to start life from scratch, though,” she says with a big smile. While for Janet, it is something she cannot think of and she says candidly, “I am living in Dubai, I want a guy from Dubai. One of the main reasons is that I don’t believe in starting a long distance relationship. It’s imperative that we spend time with each other to know where its heading. Any other country besides the one I live in doesn’t serve the purpose.” For 26-year-old Bhavita Rao, working for an MNC in Dubai, the location of her would-be has never been a concern and she considers this criteria to be a little “silly.” “I was not very picky, all I was looking for in a partner was a good education, good family background, some level of smartness, a potential to do well no matter where he goes and of course the feeling of “being connected” when I converse with him.” From experiencing awkward moments to overcoming those initial butterflies, she learnt to relax and keep her conversations casual. “My parents started looking out for one when I was 23, much to my annoyance. But when they convinced me that it is a long drawn process and for anything substantial to happen would take a couple of years, I agreed,” she says. Bhavita will start a new chapter in her life, in another six months, when she moves to Bangalore to be with the “one.” Her search has come to an end, but for many it seems endless. Janet suggests that being abroad is a disadvantage in many ways. “You have a lot of people in India. Abroad, the filters you keep reduces the amount of guys you meet unless you can go easy with your filters,” she feels. “For example, religion further broken to sub religion, community, well educated, well settled, all of this makes it tough to find a person in a smaller place.” For Anceeta Martis, blogger and 21-year-old Bahraini resident and business graduate, marriage is “more for the convenience while travelling and for the right to live together legally. But I will not marry for the sake of depending on my husband or for merging finances. It’s just something you do to make things easy for yourself.” And the filters for her are quite a few. “I would not marry an Indian man,” she says emphatically. Her blog anceeta.com, extensively documents the reasons for the same. “In a nutshell, I find Indian men too dominating, chauvinistic and very anti-feminist. They always blame the woman for whatever problems they have. They never give the woman in their life priority and Indian men do not like it when their wives are independent and free-thinking.” Single women somehow are often treated as the odd block that somehow doesn’t complete. Ironically, the way society treats single women is one interesting research topic. Widows, divorcees are on one end of the spectrum and unmarried single women on another. Theoretically they are all single, yet differential treatment exists. Strangely it is the same case in the so-called progressive thinking, nations like the US. “Yes, in American society, too, widows get more “credit” than people who have always been single. I think the reasoning is that at least they got married, and they are now unmarried through no fault of their own,” says renowned social scientist, Bella De Paulo, University of California, Santa Barbara. Her book Singled Out is a myth-busting, consciousnessraising, totally unapologetic take on singles and their place in contemporary American society. Drawing inferences from her research, De Paulo contends that many societies, including America, are organized around marriage and traditional families. “Marriage and family often have important places in religion, in the law, and in politics. I think it is also important that what people believe about marriage is more like an ideology than a set of dispassionate beliefs.” She feels that in general people want to believe that, “those who get married are better than people who stay single. They are invested in seeing marriage as central to their lives. When some people want to stay single – when they say they like being single – that is a threat to the way people want to understand their world.” To marry or not to marry is a choice that many women and to a certain extent even men don’t have in many cultures. And in India, if at all they decide to marry, there again are a set of screens, filters in the form of caste, creed and social standing. Its high time we let our daughters choose the lives they wish to lead. Neither has marriage solved societal maladies nor has being single threatened the delicate frame. Nevertheless parents fear for their daughters safety, as they believe a marriage provides the much-needed security and garners the respect and privileges that being single leaves them bereft of. De Paulo feels that the media can play a big role in changing mindsets, and says, “It would help to have more positive stories in the media, including on websites, and in magazines, books, and movies. We need to see portrayals of single people living their single lives fully, and not just trying to become unsingle.” After all, being single is enjoyable too. “Single women can pick up the check (cheque) at work and sperm at the bank,” she concludes. TII Deepa Ballal is a freelance writer based in Dubai. THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 55 YOUNG INDIANS Feby Imthias YOUNG INDIANS What do young Indians Want? India is changing… and its youth are the torch bearers of transformation. The upcoming generation is successful, motivated and willing to go the extra mile to realize their dreams. Feby Imthias looks at the aspirations of young Indians. “In today’s world, the obvious concern in an average person’s life is to get his finances right. The priority is to lead a peaceful debt free life. Credit cards and loans have given many youngsters’ sleepless nights,” says Adil Ibrahim, who is a Chemical engineer from BITS Pilani. He runs a media company in Dubai called Crea Media which offers branding and marketing solutions including TV commercial production and event management. Adil is not just any Chemical Engineer in an entrepreneur’s garb, he is a Dubai based Radio Jockey, model and actor. Media savvy, his popular shows include ‘You, Me and Dubai and Arabian Nights, ‘in Asianet Middle East and ‘Ramadan Nights’ in Radio Me. This dashing young man is all set to debut into mainstream Malayalam cinema through ‘Persiakaran’ (Persian Man), the story of three generations of expatriate Indians, directed by national award-winning filmmaker Ashok R. Nath. His character in the movie has similarities to his real life as he will be assuming the role of the character - Dubai-based RJ, Arvind. Sudheer Mohan, who is the Global Practice Head for Enterprise Mobility Testing Business for three world class IT companies observes, “The main concern of young Indians seems to be the right job and financial security. The average income bracket cannot afford to live a secure life, even in tier 2 cities with inflation hitting the roof and expenses sky rocketing. Apart from that, poor governance and corruption is worrying a lot of young people.” Settled in Kochi, Kerala, Mohan has worked extensively on wireless technologies and has experience in various industries such as Telecommunications, Banking, Manufacturing Hi-tech, Retail, Energy for Utilities, Global Media Telecom and Adil Ibrahim, chemical engineer from BITS Pilani runs a media company in Dubai A fifth of the world’s young people are in India. Gone are the days when they were bound by cultural stigmas and feelings of inferiority. Today, they are just as tech savvy and focused as their counterparts anywhere else in the world. Young India wants a good life which roughly translates to a well etched career, high disposable income and a quality lifestyle. But for a young country still stuck in hereditary dynastic politics and ruled mostly by geriatric politicians, is the future really bright? The demographic potential of youth, provides India with an extraordinary edge in economic performance, political understanding, lifestyle standards and educational options. “In about seven years, the median individual in India will be 29 years, very likely a city-dweller, making it the youngest country in the world,” according to the IRIS Knowledge Foundation in collaboration with UN-Habitat in its ‘State of the Urban Youth, India 2012: Employment, Livelihoods, Skills,’ report. Good jobs and a debt free life “Mere Naukri, Meri Chokri” is a phrase marketed by Chetan Bhagat, India’s best loved youth author. “Young India wants a good life, a good job and romance,” states Bhagat. Sudheer Mohan: Indian youth are in a dynamic transition 56 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN Adil Ibrahim with Mukesh from Malayalam Move Persiakkaran Health Care. Mohan thinks Indian youth is set to experience a dynamic transformation as the brashness attributed to them in the past turns into smart and fearless investments in terms of business, jobs, partners or finances and the benefits will be tempered by social and cultural equations. “I want to do something positive and beneficial for Indian society. I returned from the US to settle down in my home state to look for avenues wherein I can contribute to something bigger. I am still figuring out what is the best option for me in this regard. Helping youth by increasing their competency and exposure to opportunities is a major interest area for Mohan. Challenging the ways of Life Contemporary Indian youth are aware of the problems they face and are getting adept at finding solutions or being a part of the solution. They are willing to be the change that they wish to see in others. Ruchika Kalra is a 26 year old brand manager in Unilever who was crowned pageant winner of ‘Masala Magazine’s most eligible bachelorette’ in 2010. But what makes Ruchika truly beautiful is her initiative ‘Wings of Angelz’ which aims to make the world a disabled-friendly place. She locates places that are not wheel chair friendly and encourages the authorities to build a ramp. Kalra has a strong emotional raison d’être for being the harbinger of change for this cause. “My younger sister Shobhika Kalra was diagnosed with a terminal disease, Fredreichs Ataxia at the tender age of 13 and she is wheelchair bound. While travelling with her, we often face difficulties in public places which are not designed for wheelchair access. I used to speak to the managers of these places to request them to build a ramp. I often had to face rude and callous attitudes linked to their lack of awareness about the need and the number of disabled people in the world. As per the WHO website, close to 1 billion people are disabled. We THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 57 YOUNG INDIANS decided that it was time to raise awareness about the need to build ramps in public places. “I want to bring about a change in society. This cause of making the world a wheelchair friendly place, is close to my heart,” says Ruchika. Most developed countries have 100% wheelchair access in all public places. Dubai has decided to be 100% disabled friendly by 2020. There is a deliberate attempt to change the world by young Indians. “I spend a lot of time on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I believe in their effectiveness to bring about change.” Ruchika uses social media in her campaign for the disabled on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WingsOfAngelz. The fading lure of America With opportunities in the Gulf, the American dream is not that attractive and many Indian youth do not believe there is a better life in America. Mahak Mannan, a 22 year old journalist, and a graduate in journalism and communication, working with Sport 360 says, “I would certainly not come under that category of people who would migrate to the US, given the chance. I think most youngsters I know would not as well. The UAE offers equally good facilities and opportunities. Earlier people considered moving to the US to boost their career options. But many of us know the UAE inside out and have loved the country for the longest time, I see no reason why a move to the States would benefit us more than staying here. We are seeing people migrating from all over the world to the Emirates; it does not make sense to move out from here when so many are confident of building a future here.” INTRODUCING Malak Mannan: not interested in going to the U.S. “I work with a multi ethnic workforce and interact with many global citizens. I have worked in four continents and thereby developed a global understanding of business. It isn’t obligatory to settle in the US to have a global outlook!” quips Mohan. “I am fortunate to have friends from varied backgrounds. We discuss global developments, social issues, technology, politics, development, governance, articles, movies, sports and current affairs.” “I do not think anybody who has grown up in this day and age, especially in this region gets any less exposure than those in the West. I have been born and brought up in Abu Dhabi. This country has taught me that there are no boundaries or restrictions on how far you can go. The UAE has made amazing progress in the last 20 years, setting benchmarks for something new all the time. Living here and watching the growth and expansion of the country definitely inculcates the same thoughts in you,” says Manan. By 2020, India is set to become the world’s youngest country with 64 per cent of its population in the working age group. This youth has set its priorities on taking care of family and having loads of fun. Even if their day to day pursuits are tangled in a multitude of social causes, their heart is firmly grounded. Even while they seek to fly and be independent, they are committed to their jobs, families and roots. India is all set to reap the rewards of this youthful sense of industry. TII Feby Imthias is an independent newspaper correspondent. Navin and Alka Kalra, Ruchika, Shobikha Kalra 58 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN Like this article? Scan for a free download You will need a QR code scanner application installed on your smartphone AQUAPONICS Shyamola Khanna AQUAPONICS Growing vegetables out of thin air Aquaponics could be the ideal hobby for your retirement. so that the resident insects in the ground do not infest the seedlings. If any kind of airborne insects do happen to infect the fruit or the vegetable, then the best thing to do is to take some of the water from the fish tank and spray it on the fruit/ vegetable” Once the system is set up one realises the simplicity of it all. In theory it sounds very logical and when you see the healthy end-products — glossy lettuce, dark green healthy looking spinach and lovely juicy tomatoes it becomes truly real! The downside is that you have to watch out for extremes of temperatures. During the very hot summer months a green netting helps protect the plants; and since evaporation is higher, one has to replenish the water in the fish tank more frequently. And then like Mary in the nursery rhyme, you stand by and “watch your garden grow”! But then all those who love plants talk to their plants at least once in the day—so while you are at it, you may as well check for any anomalies. Bobo’s Aeroponics and Skyfarm Tomatoes from 7- liter setup Y A vegetable garden in your balcony aquaponics he is setting up for Milan and Nidhi. In essence he is a designer and calls himself a do-ityourself (DIY) specialist. While he works five days a week at an advertising studio, his weekends are dedicated to his ‘growing’ passion—yes growing healthy vegetables at home which are as organic as they come. He knows what he is talking about so I ask him to spell it out in lay terms — what is Hydroponics? Aquaponics? Aeroponics? What is the difference—after all ‘hydra’ and ‘aqua’ do mean water to my lay mind. “Aquaponics involves fish—any kind of small fish will do. They are kept in a small tank with a measured amount of a water. A small motorised pump is fitted in the water.The fish poop and pee and they generate a lot of ammonia. The water contains many bacteria— one of them is the nitrosomanos which eats the ammonia and converts it to nitrites. Then there is another bacteria called nitro bacter which converts these nitrites into nitrates. This nitrate enriched water is pumped up into the grow bed where the seedlings are resting on enriched pellets ( no regular heavy soil here). The enriched water starts Vinil’s Aquaponics working and the seedlings grow and begin Vinil Ratnakaran is up on the terrace Bobo Bhasin-Anyone can do it. to bear fruit. working on cutting and sawing wood “The grow bed is raised off the ground to make a stand for the drum system of ou no longer need clods of earth, pesticides, tedious, regular watering and the ubiquitous ‘maali’ to work on a garden to get lovely fresh vegetables at home! Bangalore is going organic and green in more ways than one. While Supriya Kini has been harvesting fresh greens and gourds regularly from her balcony garden, Devinder ‘Bobo’ Bakshi is collecting tomatoes and cauliflower by the dozens. At the same time, the creative maverick that he is, he is already planning to market his particular kind of aeroponic system within the next few months. Milan and Nidhi Cariappa were very happy and excited to set up their first aquaponic grow bed, but apparently something went wrong and it is not really taking off the way it should have. In essence they want to avoid pesticides and any chemicals of any kind along with being able to control the excessive use of water. I am told 70%of the water that we put into our plants goes into the soil and adds nothing to the plant or the produce. 60 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN Devinder ‘Bobo’ Bhasin is 72 and has lately discovered the joys of growing vegetables on his terrace. Originally from Lahore, Bobo grew up in Kolkata and worked in the badlands of Bihar’s coal belt, before he fled to Bangalore because the coal mafia were chasing him. Never one to despair, this creative maverick has tried his hand at various ventures including setting up India’s first and largest electronic screen in Bangalore and getting it smashed on police orders! He has a patent for a reusable matchstick which could light up 20,000 times, but which did not work commercially. Finally he set up a furniture manufacturing unit and worked hard to make it a success. His house in Sarjapur is really ‘far from the madding crowd’ and he and his Kashmiri Pandit wife like it like that. While she is working on getting the civic authorities to level out the approach roads, he is happy pottering around his ‘vertical’ vegetable garden or his ‘skyfarm’ Goldfish-Aquaponics involves any fish to generate ammonia Cauliflower in the 500 Liter Setup as he likes to call it. On a 150 sq ft terrace, he has some 15 pillars where tomatoes, cauliflower and brinjals are growing abundantly. Each pillar has some 40 odd pockets in which the seedlings are planted and then the growth begins. Under the green netting, there are water pipes on the beams, which spray a fine mist of nutrient enriched water at fixed hours. How and why did he come to this? He had handed over the reins of the furniture store to his son and was pottering around the house. On one of his trips to Thailand, he was fascinated with the vertical floral pillars at the airport, which seemed to reach up six floors high! On further close examination he discovered that the whole idea was quite simple and he could do it at home, all by himself. He did a lot of reading up on the topic and then the final clincher came from the NASA article which spoke of growing fresh vegetables on the Discovery spacecraft with the help of fresh air and nutrient enriched water. Bobo is working on a trial and error system, completely guided by instincts. “I do not have a green thumb and know nothing of how much water was required by each plant. So we have been taking one day at a time. My first phase is closed down, this particular one is the second phase where there are still points that need to be tweaked. In a week’s time I will be closing this one down too and starting the third and final phase up on the roof, where I hope to grow at least 500 plants. I want to ease off all the glitches that are there in my system so that I can start manufacturing it – the end product should be so easy and effective that people should look at me and say ‘if this senior citizen can do it then anyone can’!” Bobo, the maverick, at age 72, plans to become a manufacturer all over again. He does not want to sell his produce. What he does want to sell is his system of aeroponics and he wants every rooftop in Bangalore to have its own vegetable garden so that no family has to depend on any vegetable vendor or bhajiwali. THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 61 AQUAPONICS The Miniponics Supriya’s Terrace garden When Supriya and Arvind Kini came back from California to set up home in Bangalore, they had a few very clear pictures in their minds. They wanted a row house in a colony, a little far away from congested places. So they got Whitefields which caters to mostly people like them. The other thing that Supriya wanted was a terrace garden so that she could get fresh vegetables for the table. Once the first was done, then she set about organizing the second. Light wooden troughs were made, and rested on raised metal stands and lined with plastic sheets. Instead of regular soil with its lumps and what have you, coconut peat was filled in and seedlings planted. A sprinkler system was installed so that minimum water is used. Within six months she had her healthy ‘organic’ vegetables growing on her terrace garden. After having experimented with various combinations, she realised that the best thing for her to grow are the greens—spinach (palak), fresh fenugreek (methi), fresh coriander (dhania), mint, Vinil Ratnakaran- Miniponics (pudina). She has harvested a variety of gourds—bottle gourd (lauki), ridge grourd (turai) and cucumbers (kheera) and of course tomatoes by the kilos! According to her, “Growing tomatoes is the easiest and everyone should try it.” She planted lime trees in barrels on her terrace and got some fairly decent fruit. Nidhi and Milan Cariappa are just restarting their aquaponics herb garden on their terrace under Vinil Ratnakaran’s guidance, after their first venture failed. Meghna and her husband Mayur are starting to experiment with drip irrigation at their shared farm, outside the city limits. This rising awareness about healthy food and vegetables, water issues and others connected to it is very heartening indeed. So if high rises are growing higher and the rat race getting murkier by the day then these people and others of their ilk are doing their small bit to keep the balance. Way to go! TII Shyamola Khanna is a freelance writer based in Hyderabad. 70 Liter Aquarium AP 62 Like this article? Scan for a free download You will need a QR code scanner application installed on your smartphone THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN GUPTARA GARMAGARAM Prabhu Guptara Modification: long, short or indifferent? To assess Modi’s record, keep a key fact keep in mind: more criminals are in Parliament now than at any time in the past – one out of every three elected MPs. Of all the political parties, the highest proportion of people with criminal cases against them is in the BJP. F or many in India, as well as in other countries, Modi is still in his honeymoon period, even though he had asked for 100 days – and now it is more than 200. For those of us who are in the post-honeymoon mood and wish to assess the current government’s record, there is a key fact which must be kept in mind: one out of every three people who we have elected as MPs has one or more pending criminal cases against them. That means we have more criminals and alleged criminals in Parliament now than at any time in the past. Moreover, of all the political parties, the highest proportion of people with criminal cases against them is in the BJP. So the first thing that needs to be said is that, so far as can actually be seen, the Prime Minister has kept this mass of alleged or real criminals somehow in control – there has been no particular feeding frenzy on their part. Die-hard critics will say that the feeding frenzy will start as soon as there is any real action with business consequences on the part of the government. Perhaps the feeding frenzy will start if the government does indeed auction 100 coal blocks by the end of the current fiscal year, as it has in one of its many announcements said it will. But if we want to be objective and fair, then the proper retort to these die-hards is: we will have to wait till there is any feeding frenzy for us to criticise it. At present, there is nothing to criticise on this front. By contrast, the biggest achievement of the Modi government so far is hope for change and hope for development. Hope is indeed essential for countries as much as for individuals: without the rediscovery of the message of the Bible and the consequent rise of hope in Northern Europe, that part of the world would not THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 63 GUPTARA GARMAGARAM have arisen from being one of the poorest parts of the world to becoming one of the richest. However, if hope is to actually achieve anything, hope has to be in something more than hope itself: in other words, there is a distinction between real hope and mere dreams or fantasies. We can always have dreams or fantasies. But real hope has to have some solid basis in character, abilities, plans, willingness to commit energy and other resources to overcome obstacles, and so on. Just as any God is only worth worshipping if He or She deserves such adulation, so also political leaders are only worth following if they actually deserve to be followed. Gods are relatively easy to evaluate (for example, morally) but political leaders are more difficult to evaluate. That is why most Indians are still happy to give the current Prime Minister the benefit of the doubt. Particularly as the Finance Ministry’s Mid-Year Economic Analysis (MYEA) reminds us that, in July 2013, India had 9% inflation, a high and rising current account deficit, and a falling rupee. As a result of investor sentiment turning sour, consequent on the Fed’s decision to signal the apparent end of its quantitative easing, India was included in the Fragile Five alongside Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, and South Africa. By contrast, some 18 months on, the Indian stock market has increased in value by 33 percent since March (in dollar terms), benefitting from huge foreign capital inflows. India is now the only major country not to suffer a growth downgrade by the IMF. “From Fragile Five to Near-Solitary Spark of the global economy is the Indian narrative of the last year”. The question is: to what extent does this narrative result from government actions, and to what extent is it the result of unrelated factors? The external environment has turned in India’s favour, as a result of which prices for India’s major commodity imports have fallen (petroleum, gold, coal, vegetable oils, fertilizers, and silver - together constituting 51 percent of imports, amounting to a saving of something like 1.5% of GDP – which is huge!). So it is not surprising that inflation has come down. In addition, the monsoons failed to extract as much of a toll on growth as expected. On the other hand, tax receipts were weaker than expected – which will make it harder for the government to meet the fiscal targets for this financial year. So how is that gap to be closed? Apparently, by slashing provisions to those who are already poor. For example, India’s health budget, already one of the world’s lowest, is being cut by nearly 20 percent in 2014/15, putting at risk key disease control initiatives. 64 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN The full scale and shape of the cuts will not be clear till the Expenditure Management Commission, headed by former Reserve Bank of India government Bimal Jalan, produces its plan for “rationalising” the subsidy bill. However, even the most-headlined of the government’s initiatives, for example, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), is now to be severely restricted in the benefits attached to these accounts. There were, apparently, “over nine crore new bank accounts opened till December 11, 2014”. That is of course, not such a huge number in a country where at least 70 crore bank accounts need to be opened, but the real issue is that, even in the bank accounts which have been opened, 75% don’t have any money at all in them. Further, where there is money in the accounts, it is not clear whether those actually belong to poor people. In other words, how many of these accounts have been opened by people who are actually above the poverty line of merely Rs 32 a day in rural areas and Rs 47 a day in urban areas? So we may conclude, for the present, that this current government is not really any more relevant to development than the last. Moreover, all the promised “easy wins” (black money, IT cases, ED investigations) have failed to materialise, and very little has been done against the impact of corruption on the ground. Despite assurances that the Modi government would give us development, the national debate has been about everything from the spread of communalism to conversions to Hindutva. Make no mistake. Lots has changed. We no longer have new statues of Nehru and Gandhi going up. No longer are the new statues even of Phule and Ambedkar and Mayawati. Rather the statues are all of the icons revered by RSS/ BJP, such as Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse. Oh and the buzzwords have changed. Now we have “Ghar Wapsi” and “Love Jihad”. And “secularism” has been replaced by “development”. But, actually, come to think of it, perhaps even the vocabulary hasn’t changed that much. Was there not a well-known lady, several political generations ago, who became famous, not for any related activity, but for the mere slogan, of “Garibi Hatao”? TII Prof. Prabhu Guptara has written the above in an entirely private capacity, and none of the above should be related in any way to any of the companies or organisations with which he is now, or has been associated in the past. His personal website is www. prabhu.guptara.net He blogs at: www.prabhuguptara. blogspot.com EDUCATION Brandon Busteed The Biggest Blown Opportunity in Higher Ed History Colleges and universities must get serious about finding mentors for their students. H igher education has never tapped one of its greatest human capital assets -- its alumni -- to provide a service that its students might value most. A few months after Gallup released findings from the largest representative study of U.S. college graduates, there is much to ponder. The Gallup-Purdue Index surveyed more than 30,000 graduates to find out whether they are engaged in their work and thriving in their overall well-being. In simple terms, did they end up with great jobs and great lives? We learned some stunning things. But one of the most important is that where you went to college matters less to your work life and well-being after graduation than how you went to college. Feeling supported and having deep learning experiences during college means everything when it comes to long-term outcomes after college. Unfortunately, not many graduates receive a key element of that support while in college: having a mentor. And this is perhaps the biggest blown opportunity in the history of higher ed. Six critical elements during college jumped off the pages of our research as being strongly linked to longterm success in work and life after graduation. Three of these elements relate to experiential and deep learning: having an internship or job where students were able to apply what they were learning in the classroom, being actively involved in extracurricular activities and organizations, and working on projects that took a semester or more to complete. THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 65 EDUCATION But the three most potent elements linked to longterm success for college grads relate to emotional support: feeling that they had a professor who made them excited about learning, that the professors at their alma mater cared about them as a person, and that they had a mentor who encouraged them to pursue their goals and dreams. If graduates strongly agree with these three things, it doubles the odds that they are engaged in their work and thriving in their overall wellbeing. When we looked at these three elements individually, we found that about six in 10 college graduates strongly agree they had a professor who made them excited about learning (63%). Fewer than three in 10 strongly agree the professors at their alma mater cared about them as a person (27%). And only about two in 10 strongly agree they had a mentor who encouraged their goals and dreams (22%) -- which means that about eight in 10 college graduates lacked a mentor in college. Given how profound the impact of emotional support can be, it’s thoroughly depressing to learn how few college graduates receive it. A mere 14% of all college grads strongly agree that they experienced all three elements of emotional support. Is mentoring really too costly? Gallup has talked with many higher ed leaders about these findings, and it has been heartening to learn how many leaders are energized by having fresh insights about the importance and value of mentoring relationships in college. But it has also been frustrating to hear how many believe it’s too costly or unreasonable to ensure that every college student receives mentoring. How is it possible that some leaders feel that this kind of experience is more expensive or less practical than building and maintaining multimillion-dollar athletic facilities or high-end residential complexes? Or that it’s more difficult to provide mentors for students than it is to commit significant amounts of human and financial resources to eke out a few extra students in their admissions yield or create a massive machine to raise funds from alumni? If your college or university wants to get serious about finding mentors for its students, it could start by looking at its own alumni base. Assuming your institution has been around for 10 years or more, your alumni are one of the greatest human capital assets it has -- not just as donors, but also as potential mentors. Do some quick math: How many undergraduate students are currently enrolled in your college or university? And how many living alumni does it have? The number of alumni is most likely many times that of the current undergrads. Let’s use my alma mater, Duke, as an example. Duke has 6,495 undergraduate students. There are more than 66 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 140,000 members of the alumni association. If just 10% of Duke’s alumni agreed to serve as mentors, it would have a pool of 14,000 alumni for its 6,500 undergrads. That’s more than a two-to-one mentor-to-student ratio. Imagine what would happen if your college applied just a portion of the staffing and budget for its development office toward recruiting alumni to mentor current undergraduates. This relationship doesn’t have to be complicated. All that’s required is two to three calls, Skype meetings, or Google Hangouts between an alumnus and an undergrad each year for one-toone coaching, plus some basic framework for how they engage one another. How many of your alumni might take you up on this offer if you made a concerted effort to recruit them? As an alumnus, would you be willing to mentor a current undergrad for a few hours a year? It’s completely conceivable that, within just one year, a college or university could strive for a 100% mentoring experience rate for its undergraduates. It’s simply a matter of valuing mentoring and making it happen. For example, in a recent study Gallup conducted of Western Governors University (WGU) alumni, 68% strongly agreed they had a mentor. That’s more than three times higher than the national average of college graduates surveyed -- and at a fully online, adult-learner institution. The WGU model, it turns out, includes direct mentoring for all students, from matriculation to graduation. It’s possible for all institutions to do this in many different ways, and it doesn’t have to be costly. And as a side benefit, imagine how much donations might rise among alumni who have a one-to-one relationship with a current undergrad. Higher education has never tapped one of its greatest human capital assets -- its alumni -- to provide a service that its students might value most. It could be one of the most important changes a college or university makes toward supporting the success of its future graduates -- or the biggest blown opportunity in its history. A version of this article originally appeared in Inside Higher Ed. TII Brandon Busteed is Executive Director, Gallup Education. HOLLYWOODWALLAH Shamlal Puri Dramatic moments….Kiran Shah’s favourite role as Ginarrbrik in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wadrobe. Little Kiran is a Big Hit in Hollywood Stuntman, actor, performer Kiran Shah is renowned in Hollywood for his roles in epic films such as the Lord of Rings, The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia. The fourfoot-one-inch star who holds Guinness World Record for being the smallest stuntman in the world has proved that height is no bar to reach the top in Hollywood, writes SHAMLAL PURI from London. W hen it comes to death-defying action on the Hollywood screen, it is hard to hold back the 58-year-old pint-sized stuntman Kiran Shah from reaching the top. The four-foot one-inch Londoner has won the hearts of millions of Hollywood film-buffs around the world with his hair-raising action in some household name blockbusters and epic films. “Little Kiran”, as he is fondly known, is also the darling of millions of children around the world for his roles in some great films and epics such as Superman One and Two, Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Dark Crystal, Star Wars Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, Braveheart and Titanic. His long list of successes includes The Hobbit, An Unexpected Journey, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion and the Witch and the much-loved dwarf Ginarrbrik in The Wardrobe. His latest film The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies was released last December to rave reviews. His biggest films so far have been The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy where he was a scale and stunt double for the Hobbits. Kiran Shah was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1956. From a very young age he knew that he was different from other children because he was smaller than them and at the age of nine had stopped growing. His parents took him to see a few doctors in Nairobi to find out what was wrong but they could not find anything leaving everyone baffled. As a child, he started imitating his uncle’s mannerisms much to the amusement of his siblings and friends. Little did he know he was building his future career! At the age of seven he knew that he wanted to become an actor but in his days there was no film industry as such in Kenya. In 1967, when he was eleven, his family decided to relocate to India due to his father’s ill health. The weather of Kenya had become unsuitable for Kiran’s father and the family reluctantly decided to move out THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 67 HOLLYWOODWALLAH Bound and gagged… Kiran Shah (right) in a tense scene from The Chronicles of Narnia. of East Africa. There were teething problems settling down in India because their life in India was different from Kenya. This prompted Kiran to write poems about different cultures and poverty. In India Kiran tried to get into Bollywood and his dream nearly came true, but his father’s health took a turn for the worse. His brother who was in Britain invited his father to join him in London and to see if the climate would suit him. Doing better in London after six months Kiran and his mother decided to join his father in London and his dream of working in Bollywood had to be left behind. Kiran started his schooling in London but his heart still lay in acting. He continued to dream of making acting a career and waited for an opportunity to knock on his door. The offer from Bollywood had instilled in him the confidence of facing the cameras and aiming to make it on the silver screen. He once again turned to creativity and started to write poems for pleasure. He was an avid reader of newspapers and periodicals. While in school, he bought Time Out magazine popular with the young people. His eye caught an advertisement for The Red Buddha Theatre Company looking for all sorts of people to appear on stage and do backstage work. He threw caution to the winds, applied and got an audition. After getting through the auditions he was given the part of a main character, a mime clown where he learnt about mime and mask. He toured Italy with the theatre company for three months. After the tour he went back to school and started to take classes in mime. Kiran completed his O’ levels and a few months later he finished school and went into experimental theatre learning more about mime, movement and masks. After working for four years in experimental theatre the itch to face cinematographers’ cameras returned. Kiran decided to try his luck in films. He auditioned for the part of the inside man R2D2 68 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN HOLLYWOODWALLAH for the film Star Wars and was chosen to replace the three-feet eight inches dwarf British actor Kenny Baker who had decided not to accept the offer but as luck had it Baker decided to return and take over the character of R2D2 that he had lost out to Kiran. The lack of a big break, however, did not dishearten Kiran. A couple of months later he was chosen to standin for a Chinese girl in a film called Candleshoe. While working on this film, the well-known Hollywood stunt coordinator Bob Anderson asked Kiran to do stunts for his character. His stunt life took off from here and he was trained by various stunt experts such as Vic Armstrong, Paul Weston, Danny Powell, among others. Since then Kiran has set himself on fire, skidded with a motorcycle, jumped off a bridge, jumped off a horse among many other stunts to his credit. Kiran says that while doing stunts he has had his share of misfortunes and injuries. “I have broken my legs, toes, nose, hands, fingers, and dislocated my shoulders.” He will never forget the biggest injury he suffered during filming. “I sustained a severe back injury during the Lord of the Rings while rehearsing a scene where I was fighting and fell off a horse! When I realised the horse had folded, I was in the air. I fell on my front and my back cracked.” He underwent physiotherapy treatment and much to the disbelief of doctors and nurses was back on his feet in six weeks. When asked if it was worth risking his life doing stunts, Kiran replied, “Actually not many people know that stuntmen are not dare-devils. We are trained to carry out stunts as safely as possible. All the stunts we perform – the high falls, motorbike stunts and setting ourselves on fire – are done so with almost 99 percent precaution and merely one percent risk. But yes, one can get addicted to the adrenaline rush!” Even stuntmen have their memorable moments. Adoring fans mob Kiran Shah at the opening of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Kiran Shah, poet and actor Kiran’s best moment was a stunt he did in Medaline a movie about the story of an American living in Paris. In that movie there was a mischievous character that often got into trouble with the nuns. “The stunt scene required the actor to take a stroll on a bridge before falling off it. I was contacted by the stunt co-ordinator, and after having a look at the scene agreed to throw myself into the water from a height of 27 feet. “On the day of the scene, I was asked to jump into the water on my back but refused to do so. Funny, enough that day the distance from the bridge to the water looked much higher than it did a few days ago! When I was mid-air, I opted to land on my back. I had no back protection on! I felt the water painfully slap my back – but thank God, I did not break anything!” Kiran however, cautions youngsters or members of the public who watch dare-devil stunts on the screen not to try these at home or on streets unless they are trained by professionals. On one occasion while at the Pinewood Studios he was spotted by producer John Dark. He asked Kiran to come into his office and meet his director Kevin O’ Connor for their fantasy-adventure film The People That Time Forgot which was a sequel to The Land That Time Forgot. “After my meeting and two auditions, I was in – that kick-started my acting career.” In 2011 Kiran once again was in New Zealand working on The Hobbit trilogy. He played the character of a Goblin called Scribe. He was also the Scale double for Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and did stunts for the various children. Also he was in Narnia - The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, where he played the character Ginarrbrik, and The White Witch’s sleigh driver. Like this article? Scan for a free download You will need a QR code scanner application installed on your smartphone After his presence and acclaim in Hollywood, Bollywood came knocking on Kiran’s doors. This time it was no less than the Bollywood icon himself – Amitabh Bachchan - who was looking for someone to play the role of his character Auro, the five to seven year old son of Vidya Balan in the acclaimed blockbuster Paa. Bachchan had heard of Kiran Shah and got in touch with him to offer the part in Paa. “They wanted an old man with a lot of makeup on to play the role of Amitabh Bachchan as a young boy. When Amitabh heard my name, he acknowledged it and asked if I could play the role. In that movie, my scenes did not require any dialogue.” In spite of busy and punishing schedules, Kiran has still found time to pen poetry. Since 1996 his poems have been published in many anthologies in the UK and USA. Kiran has also published his own poetry book called Small Voice Large Thoughts. He still continues to write poems. Since October 2003 Kiran is a Guinness World Record holder as the shortest professional stuntman currently working in films. In 2010, Kiran also became the proud holder of yet another Guinness World Record by being the shortest wing walker. This involved Kiran being strapped to the wing of a 1940s Boeing Spearman biplane travelling at the speed of 120 miles per hour at 300 metres (1,000 feet) in the air. In 2005 his photos appeared all over the World, dressed as superman with the tallest man in the world. The plight of small people is close to Kiran’s heart. He takes special interest in the plight of people who suffer from dwarfism. He returned to the country of his birth after 40 years to support and help launch The Association of People with Dwarfism in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. In 2014 Kiran was asked to be a voice for The Disability Network Television, (TDN) network based in Canada to support, promote, educate, employ and an information hub for disabled people. Kiran Shah is an inspiration to people who know and work with him. In spite of his height he has broken the barriers for other aspiring Asian actors in Britain. To follow Kiran on twitter: @littlekiranshah TII Shamlal Puri, TII’s Contributing Editor in London, is a veteran British journalist, broadcaster, author and press photographer. He has worked with the media in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. His novels ‘Dubai Dreams: The Rough Road to Riches’ and ‘Triangle of Terror’ are acclaimed bestsellers. His novel ‘The Illegals’ (Crownbird Publishers) has been published this year. He has travelled to more than 100 countries in an illustrious journalistic career spanning 40 years. His work has been published in more than 250 magazines, newspapers and journals around the world. THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 69 BOLLYWOOD Sumit Panwar BOLLYWOOD Iconic Fashion Trends Bollywood Kick-Started Bollywood has always been a trend-setter when it comes to fashion. Sumit Panwar recalls some of the trendiest, most iconic fashion trends Bollywood kick-started. O ne day I was going through an old family photoalbum and I found some photographs of a bunch of young looking men wearing colourful shirts, bell bottom trousers, long hair and prominent sideburns. It took me a good 2-3 minutes to recognize that one of the people in the pictures was my Dad. I said to myself, “Alright, Dad used to be quite fashionable! But from where did he acquire such a suave-looking style statement?” And then the thought struck me, “The look is inspired by Amitabh Bachchan’s 60s and 70s avatar.” Our parents, uncles and aunts used to follow Bollywood’s fashion trends and now we are stepping into their shoes by following our favourite stars’ style statements. When we see a hero romancing his ladylove, sporting a coollooking pair of shades or a very upmarket jacket, we start looking for that stuff in the malls. Bollywood has always been a trend-setter when it comes to fashion. Let’s recall some of the trendiest, most iconic fashion trends Bollywood kick-started. create the style by some of the current generation actresses as well, but no one could pull-off that wispy short fringe better than Sadhna herself. THE Sadhna Cut When Sadhna signed her first film, ‘Love in Shimla’, the director (RK Nayyar) was not happy with her look. He showed a picture of Audrey Hepburn to Sadhna’s hairstylist and rest as they say is history! The hairstyle became a rage in the country. There were attempts to re- 70 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN Aamir Khan is known for being a perfectionist. He likes to experiment with his looks every time he dons a new character. Aamir played a flamboyant, happy-go-lucky Aakash in Dil Chahta Hai and more than his effortless performance, people became fans of his spiked hair, goatee beard look. College students in particular, loved the look and donned it for several years to come. The look is popular even today. Rishi Kapoor‘s sweaters When someone talks about Mumtaz, a picture of her in a bright orange saree, dancing like a butterfly to the tunes of Mumtaz style saree ‘Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar ke Charche’ comes to my mind. It wasn’t the peppy song or her child-like innocence while performing it, that made the look popular, but the way she had draped that orange saree. The style became so popular afterwards that even today you can find ladies draped in Mumtaz style sarees in retro parties all around the country. Even Priyanka Chopra and Sonam Kapoor couldn’t resist trying out the style! If you think Ranbir Kapoor is great in the romance genre, watch some of the best works of his father. The talented, ever-so-effervescent Rishi Kapoor used to play the aristocratic, good-at-the-heart, romantic hero back in the early 80s. He started the trend of colourful sweaters that made him look every bit of a gentleman. The trend became a rage in the country, especially in north India. Amitabh Bachchan’s Hairstyle During the 70s, every other guy on the street started looking alike. What was happening? ‘Amitabhism’ was on the rise! The trend of Amitabh’s hairstyle with longer hair at the back and shorter on the front caught the Tere Naam Hairstyle attention of the common man like no other trend in the history of this country. Guys used to instruct the barbers to cut their hair exactly like Amitabh no matter what kind of face structure, features or hair texture they had. They just didn’t care about that. All they wanted was to look like Amitabh. Mumtaz Saree Wrap Rishi Kapoor’s Sweaters Sadhna’s haircut Aamir Khan’s Dil Chahta Hai Look Tere Naam look Sushmita in a Chiffon saree Chiffon Sarees Sridevi brought the trend of chiffon sarees to Bollywood in films like Chandni and Mr India. She looked absolutely stunning in those see-through blue, yellow, pink and white coloured chiffon sarees. It’s a known fact that after she appeared in Mr. India’s sensuous number ‘Kaate Nahi Kat Te’ wearing a transparent blue chiffon saree, husbands from all parts of the country bought similar sarees for their wives. The trend was later reinvented by Sushmita Sen when she wore a number of chiffon sarees in the film ‘Main Hoon Na’. Salman ‘Bhai’ Khan sported centre parted, straight hair look in ‘Tere Naam’ and after that we saw brigades of his replicas for the next 4-5 years, absolutely everywhere in the country. This look wasn’t the one to win style awards, but because it had a character of its own. It was loved especially by the masses who were either die-hard fans of Salman, aspiring models or had just started gyming. Deepika Padukone’s cocktail Deepika Padukone’s Cocktail Looks Deepika looked every bit of a diva in the movie, ‘Cocktail’ and that too by wearing simple casuals most of the time. But these ‘casuals’ redefined the meaning of ubercool and trendy forever. Her printed palazzos, crop tops, jumpsuits and tribal print dresses are here to stay for at least another 3-4 years. TII Aamir Khan’s different goatee Sumit Panwar is a freelance writer based in Mumbai THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 71 CA’s Advice Premkumar Karra CA’s ADVICE Income Tax and Wealth Tax implication on Properties owned by NRI’s in India There has been significant appreciation in the values of commercial & residential properties in India in the last decade. This article explains briefly the Income Tax and Wealth Tax implications of owning properties in India. of his choice will be considered as self-occupied and will not be subject to any tax at all. • However if the NRI has more than one property which is not fetching him/her any rent the second property is deemed to be let out. • The computation of the deemed income is based on the corporation/municipal valuation which is shown in the tax receipts. • This would be as per the computations prescribed involving Gross Annual Value and from that arriving at the Net Annual Value. • For the computation of taxable income as per the Net Annual Value method we can deduct the municipal taxes and also interest which is restricted to a maximum of Rs. 200,000 per year. Wealth tax Implication: Ownership The OWNERSHIP of property is of fundamental importance. The source for purchase of the property will be a key factor in establishing ownership. More often than not, NRI’s buy properties either in the name of their spouses or jointly. It will be imperative to note here that the source of funds for the purchase of the property should be clearly established. NRI’s should ensure to have copies of all the transfers made to the NRE account from where payments are made to purchase the property and also the payments made directly from abroad to the seller of the property. This will help in repatriation on sale, payment of Capital Gains Taxes and Claiming exemptions on sale. Taxation on Income from House Property: Rented • Rentals from both Commercial Properties & Residential properties are to be considered under this chapter. • Municipal Taxes Paid will be deductible. • Any interest paid on borrowings made to acquire the properties beside the amounts invested by the NRI will be deductible. • Interest paid during the construction period upto the time of renting can be aggregated and a deduction of 72 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 20% of this can be claimed every year for 5 years. • A flat 30% on the rental income minus the Municipal taxes paid is allowed as deduction towards repairs. • If the NRI has multiple properties each one individually whether residential or commercial will have to be taken and the deductions computed. • It would be better to have individual names for ownership as otherwise the splitting of the rental income will have to be made based on the amounts paid for the acquisition. • If bought in joint names the source for each payment should be established and if one of the joint owners does not have a source the issue of clubbing will come into play. • If the property is let out for part of the year only no occupancy allowance can be claimed. • If the Net Asset Valuation as per the prescribed method of computation is higher than the actual rent received the Net Annual Value rent has to be considered for tax purposes. Wealth tax is leviable in the hands of the owner of the house whether held for residential purpose or commercial purpose, including a guest house, residential house and a commercial building. For this purpose, house also includes a farm house situated within 25 km from local limits of any municipality or a cantonment board, but does not include: • Assets held as Stock in trade. • House held for business or profession. • Any property in nature of commercial complex, which is rented out. • House let out for more than 300 days in a year. Exemptions from wealth tax: In the case of an individual: i) One house or a part of house; or ii)A plot of land not exceeding 500 sq. meters in area. Deductions: From the value arrived at in respect of building and land, any loan borrowed for bringing the taxable asset into existence may be reduced for arriving at the taxable wealth tax. Value of house for wealth tax purpose is calculated every year by capitalizing the rental income or annual municipal valuation of the house, as per the Wealth Tax Act. Wealth tax is chargeable on the Net wealth in excess of Rs. 30 Lakhs at 1%. Disclaimer: The information contained in this write up is to provide a general guidance to the intended user. The information should not be used as a substitute for specific consultations. I recommend that professional advice is sought before taking any action on specific issues. TII Prem Karra is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India with 35 years in practice. He was a financial advisor to Ten Sports, and studied at Madras Christian College High School and Vivekananda College, Chennai. Email: prem@karra.in TII Amateur Photo Competition Ongoing Theme: Lavasa: The Pune rope in ce of Eu ambien magical ‘India Quaint’ Email your ONE Best India photo in high resolution ‘jpg’with the theme indicated to tiicompetitions@gmail.com WIN EXCITING PRIZES! Taxation on Income from House Property: Self occupied Properties owned by NRI’s not let out are termed as self occupied and have a special treatment: • If one owns more than one property, then one house For contest rules please visit: www.tii.ae The city by the lake-a vie w of Lavasa ’s apartmen ts THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 73 VIEWPOINT Sam Northcote VIEWPOINT Friendly locals make Vasai a good initiation into Mumbai An Englishman In a Mumbai Suburb “Check out that view,” Johnny prompted me. “Many Bombay locals have never seen this place, even though it’s right on their doorstep.” H is instruction was superfluous – I was already absorbed in the breathtaking scenery gliding past my window on the southbound Western Railway train. We were crossing the Ulhas River at the point where it feeds in to the Arabian Sea. The turgid murky waters of the estuary stretched out beneath us, bordered by green marshlands and, beyond that, palm fronds. The train passed over Panju Island, home to a monsoon-lashed fishing community. And overhead was the Wild Blue, strewn with lumbering rain clouds. “Looks like ‘Nam,” Johnny suggested. And indeed it seemed as if we were crossing an isolated section of the Mekong rather than rolling in to one of the world’s most populous cities. I had recently moved to Mumbai from Seoul, South Korea at the invitation of my high-school friend Johnny, a former non-resident Indian who decided this year to move back to his passport country. We had grown up together in an international boarding school in Tamil Nadu, but for both of us Mumbai was a completely new environment. Johnny, whose family hails from Bangalore, spent most of his formative years in Oman, 74 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN Dubai and the United States. I, meanwhile, had divided up the ten years since leaving school mainly between China and my home country, the United Kingdom. Johnny’s decision to move back to his homeland initially came as a shock to me. He’d grown up an expat and had found his spiritual home in New York. But latterly he’d been making a living as a design entrepreneur in Dubai where he’d begun to suffer from a sense of creative ennui. He’d been comfortable there but bemoaned a lack of culture. Looking for inspiration and a new set of challenges he decided to move to Mumbai, the famed ‘Gateway to India,’ theorizing that “if you can make it there you can make it anywhere.” India is a country beginning to assert itself on the world stage, he reflected, and Mumbai is one of the key economic powerhouses behind its growth. “It feels like a city that is gaining relevance in the modern world,” he said. At the time I was travelling around as a freelance writer and decided to join Johnny in Mumbai more or less on a whim. For me, the opportunity to get under the skin of a city like Mumbai with an old high school buddy was too good to miss. Due to a lack of forethought and the difficulty of securing a downtown apartment at short notice, the two of us began ‘Mumbai life’ not in the city itself but in the suburban town of Vasai, which lies to the north, cut off from the sprawling financial capital by the Ulhas River. A mosquito-ridden frontier town much disparaged and ridiculed by our friends in the more upmarket parts of South Mumbai. Eyebrows were raised; jaws were dropped. Invariably the follow-up question would be something like: “Why on earth would you live there?” But in many ways there is no better vantage point from which to observe a vast, manic, all-encompassing city like Mumbai than its outskirts. On a typical day we’d spend the afternoon hitting up the trendy cafes of Bandra, Lower Parel and Churchgate, and the evening would be taken up shooting the breeze with Mumbai’s new generation of creatives and entertainers – fledgling actors, film producers, models, and TV anchors. But after midnight we’d head back to our humble suburban dwelling, an hour’s train ride away, winding through the less presentable parts of the city – festering shanty-towns and dystopian chawls – and skimming the edge of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, a broad swathe of protected jungle inhabited by leopards. While the majority of our friends scooted around the city in cabs or private cars with hired drivers, Johnny and I battled our way through the city’s notorious railway system. Few of those friends knew what it was like to spend an hour on those over-stuffed trains, which during peak hours bulge at the open doors with an overflow of commuters. The crammed carriages presented a microcosm of Mumbai life, encompassing the quirky and the prosaic – white-collar workers watching TV dramas on their smart-phones; dabbawalas carrying their tiffins; carriage-hopping hijras bestowing blessings in exchange for donations; university students clutching dog-eared textbooks; cancer research fundraisers rattling coin buckets; Muslim clerics and turbaned Sikhs dozing shoulder to shoulder; an off-duty policeman smugly cradling his walkie-talkie; a decrepit vagrant swaying precariously on his walking stick by the open door; and a businessman with a briefcase full of calling cards cleaning his ears with a cotton bud which he kept in his breast pocket. There seemed to be little regard for human life on the railway, which reportedly racked up an average of 17 fatalities every weekday during 2008. One night when we disembarked from the train we encountered a corpse on the platform, draped in a white cloth and bleeding profusely from a head wound. The macabre sight failed to elicit any kind of reaction from the other passengers, who carried on without batting an eyelid. We lived in a grim housing block beguilingly called ‘Evershine City,’ but which we affectionately referred to as ‘The Heart of Darkness’. It was located on the eastern edge of Vasai where a wide expanse of fetid flyblown water had emerged in the monsoon. Crumbling drab high-rises loomed apocalyptic on the brink of the flood-water. Urinating rickshaw drivers lined up at the water’s edge, backs to the road, like condemned men before a firing squad. The nearest train station was a fifteen minute autorickshaw ride away. We would normally take a shared auto for Rs15 a head. Even at midnight the queue for the auto stand snaked a good twenty meters down the road, usually under streaming umbrellas. The autos buzzed through the ceaseless monsoon downpours with windscreen wipers flicking like deranged metronomes, while passengers huddled four to a vehicle behind musty canvas rain covers. Our apartment consisted of a spartan living room, in Crowded railway station in Mumbai THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 75 VIEWPOINT which we slept on the floor, a kitchen, a squat toilet, and a shower-less washroom with a hole in the wall through which a jet of water inexplicably gushed at precisely six o’clock every morning. We took bucket baths, relishing the small luxury of hot water, until the socket powering the water heater exploded, nearly electrocuting me in the process. Power cuts were a daily occurrence, making a backup battery essential. Unfortunately our battery gave up after a few weeks, going the way of almost every other piece of electrical equipment in the place. The rented air-conditioning unit would only work in short bursts before overheating, and the impotent ceiling fan served only to circulate the air in warm currents; repairs were always short-lived. We slept with the windows and balcony door wide open to encourage a cool through-breeze. This meant we had to smother ourselves in mosquitorepellent before going to sleep, to ward off dengue fever. It also meant that the insect-eating geckoes that scurried over the walls were valuable allies. We lacked many of the comforts and conveniences which our pampered South Mumbai friends took for granted. But one thing we had, which most people living in urban areas can only dream of, was a covered balcony with a surface area nearly equal to all the rooms put together. On lazy evenings we would sit out there eating ordered-in biryani and chicken-65, while pigeons foraged among the potted plants for nest material. And the air would resound with the tinkling bells of worshippers performing puja at a nearby shrine and the ancient sonorous notes of a conch being blown by our neighbour to greet the coming dusk. Living in Vasai presented us with countless challenges, not least because we lacked local knowledge and Hindi proficiency. It was largely through trial and error that we navigated the local bureaucracy. But our stay was made easier by the kindness of a family living on the floor below us. The father was a teacher and the mother was a full-time housewife. They had a daughter in high school and a son who was preparing for a university entrance exam with the aim of studying aeronautical engineering. They were a genuine salt-of-the-earth family who had lived for several years in a chawl before upgrading to the modest but wellfurnished apartment in which they now resided. Their home was always open to us and they went out of their way to offer help when we ran into difficulties. 76 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN Eventually our time in Vasai came to an end, but not before we had managed to upset the local establishment. In Evershine the Gestapo-like administrative body overseeing our complex had decreed that apartments should not be leased to bachelors. We tried to keep a low profile in the neighbourhood (although we stood out like sore thumbs, of course), and we’d sneak past the sleeping guard at night, trying not to rattle the gate. One night I was apprehended by the watchman, who was unusually awake thanks to the persistent drumming of a Ganpati Festival street parade. He interrogated me in Hindi and I performed the traveller’s equivalent of ‘playing dead’ – shrugging my shoulders and idiotically babbling in Pidgin English, hoping he’d leave me alone. Unfortunately this time-worn strategy failed and the guy insisted on following me all the way back to the apartment, waiting until I had gone inside so that he could take note of where I was living, before returning to his post. This could only spell trouble, but fortunately we had already made arrangements to move to Churchgate and we were out of there in the next couple of days. Churchgate – another world. Here we got used to sleeping on proper mattresses, having hot showers, and even having domestic servants to cook, tidy up and do our laundry for us. Having access to these luxuries after the stripped-down existence in Vasai made us feel like maharajas. Mumbai has often been described as a city of contrasts, where the haves and have-nots exist in startling proximity. By starting in the outer suburbs and moving to the centre I was better able to appreciate the scale of the socio-economic divide than if I had spent the whole time in the central areas. In Vasai I felt privileged to the point of embarrassment (although I am by no means wealthy relative to the average per capita income in my home country). Yet, in Churchgate, surrounded by chic well-heeled urbanites, I sometimes felt like a pauper. Vasai had been a good initiation into Mumbai, a city in which tremendous opportunities are available to those who can afford to take them, but where, for the majority, social mobility – and indeed mere survival – requires an epic struggle. TII Sam Northcote is a freelance writer based in Mumbai. PROFILE Zennifer Khalil Uma Ghosh Deshpande: Inspired to live with poise, grace and dignity A Queen Bee in Media Uma Ghosh Deshpande is the owner of Queen Bee Productions which produces high quality shows on exciting lifestyle aspects of Dubai. Her impressive list of accolades includes one for the top five most powerful Indian Women in the Middle East by Arab Business Magazine; UAE’s 40 Most Influential Asians 2011, and Young Asian Achiever. Uma has also been voted as the Best TV Presenter (two years in a row) Gr8 Woman Award 2012, the Power Brand Award, and more recently in the Top UAE Indian Leaders ranked by Forbes Middle East. A s an anchor, media personality, writer, social worker and celebrity, Uma Ghosh Deshpande is one busy bee. She has redefined the role of women in the broadcasting industry by producing High Life Dubai; the show which created ripples in the airwaves for seven years. Uma aims to be an entrepreneur of change in the media industry by conceiving and creating programs which reflect the rich culture and heritage of India and the UAE. stepping stones “I grew up as an Air Force kid, moving to a new city every two to three years came with the territory. Having to prove myself repeatedly, making new friends, settling in new places - defined and molded me into the person I am today. I owe my disciplined lifestyle, strong survival instinct and outlook in life to this exposure.” says this style icon. Winning the Mrs Gladrags runners up title in 2005 was the stepping stone to her career in the media. The numerous offers she got for modeling after that set the foundation for her foray into the media industry. She started off by anchoring shows for the prestigious Dubai Shopping Festival. Uma launched her dream project called The Uma Show in 2013 (a clever connotation of her name and her ideals- Ultimate Modern Aspirational life). Her THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 77 PROFILE production house has launched several other popular shows broadcast across the Middle East including Propertyscape, Top Gun, Zee Connect, TOTT Show and Love 4 Food. The impressive list of celebrities she has interviewed includes big names from the film and fashion industry like Amitabh Bachchan, George Clooney, Jimmy Choo, Guiseppe Zanotti and many more. “Meeting and understanding the lifestyles of eminent personalities like the late Benazir Bhutto and Amitabh Bachchan has inspired me to live with poise, grace and dignity. The older I grow the more I understand and believe that everyone is a teacher if you are willing to learn. Every opportunity that has come my way and every one that I meet inspires me to be a better person than I was yesterday.” Ruling the hive Uma believes that every show she produces is a testimony to the fact that if you can dream it you can live it. All it takes is perseverance, dedication and hard work to make that dream come alive. “Every client and show is special and close to my heart so my team puts in a lot of research before the show is aired. This is a very sponsor driven market and as a production company we specialise in integrating brands seamlessly into the content of the show.”, She says. “I get a lot of emails about how people are inspired and motivated by our show. Ideas are the currency for success. At Queen Bee productions we know that engaging content comes from well-crafted ideas made into innovative media. We constantly strive to make fresh and original programming and we have always received compliments on the technical quality and content of our productions. We all learn by making mistakes, and learning how to deal with criticism positively is one way that we can improve our interpersonal relationships with others. I look at criticism as positive feedback and use it to my advantage to constantly improve myself.” The humanitarian Many more TV shows are in the pipeline for this Queen Bee. Eventually she would like to produce films and have her own television network. Recently she was appointed as a celebrity partner with the United Nations World Food Program. Her role has two aspects: raising awareness and raising funds to help WFP build a world with zero hunger. “More than 840 million people go hungry every day, 16 million of which are children.’ She states “WFP is fighting hunger worldwide through emergency operations and an integrated panel of development programmes. It reaches out to an average of 90 million people with food assistance each year.” “I chose to focus my advocacy efforts on one particular WFP programme which is school feeding. This benefits 25 million children around the globe. WFP’s daily school meals are crucial as they help children grow strong and healthy. WFP also provides take-home food rations to their family, as an additional incentive for poor parents to send their sons and daughters to school. My objective is to create awareness and raise funds from corporate entities, individuals and people in my network towards such causes through my show, mainstream media as well as social media. I recently visited the Zataari Refugee camp in Jordan and spent time with the refugees. I am right now working on an event to raise funds for them.” woman OF SUBSTANCE Uma is a self confessed fitness freak. “I passionately work towards keeping myself physically fit and strong. Other than that music keeps me sane and meditation and yoga keeps me grounded and centered.” “My values and my ethos in business and personal life are rock solid. As a responsible and successful Indian woman, I would like to send out a message of empowerment and strength in one’s own potential to every woman out there. I think inherently being a woman, gives me more patience and the humility to manage very diverse relationships.” TII Zennifer Khalil is a freelance writer based in Abu Dhabi. Uma is passionate about staying fit 78 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN BUZZWORD Tepper Treats and Red Roses At Pascal Tepper French Bakery On Valentine’s Day A rose for every lady on February 14 Everything is coming up roses at Pascal Tepper French bakery this Valentines’ Day as the romance of his native France proves all too much for Chef Pascal. Indeed, the word on the street is that every lady is in for a treat from the PT team in Abu Dhabi and Dubai - from a Rose through to French-inspired dining. Open from 7am ‘til late, call in Dubai on 04 454 2408 or Abu Dhabi on 02 444 4762 or get in touch with us online for more information at www.pascaltepperfrenchbakery.com. Travel Matrix, The New Entrant To Promote Cruises Across Middle East Travel Matrix appointed as the sole International Representative for Celebrity Cruises in the Middle East effective 01 Jan 2015. Lakshmi Durai, a cruise industry professional with 20 years of experience in the Middle East announced the establishment of her own company, Travel Matrix in Dubai. The new entrant will be engaged primarily in promoting cruise holidays to the Middle Eastern guests with the support of the travel trade partners. Launched by the industry specialist with an impressive track record, Travel Matrix is expected to make an indelible mark in promoting cruise holidays in the Middle East. “We are extremely excited to announce our newly established company. Our focus is on familiarizing cruising as the most preferred vacation choice for our guests. I would like to express our thanks to Celebrity Cruises for giving us the opportunity to represent them in the Middle East. With more ships in the pipeline, new and exciting itineraries in 2015 and, more importantly sailing out of Abu 79 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN CEL Eclipse Dhabi in 2016/17, we are confident of taking Celebrity Cruises to the next level” said Lakshmi Durai, Chief Executive Officer of Travel Matrix. Since the first sailing of Celebrity Cruises in 1990, it is recognized as an industry leader, praised for providing spacious, stylish and sophisticated interiors; dining experiences elevated to an art form; personalized service, with a guest-to-staff ratio of nearly 2:1 and unexpected, trendsetting onboard activities, all designed to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers’ precious time. The introduction of Celebrity Cruises’ stylish, widely heralded Solstice Class of ships has reinforced Celebrity’s position as an industry leader. Helen Beck, Regional Director, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Crises, EMEA said “In line with our global strategy of identifying key markets which really have a great fit with our award-winning cruise line, Celebrity Cruises, I’m pleased to be starting this new chapter for Celebrity in the region with Lakshmi Durai and her newly-formed company, Travel Matrix. Celebrity Cruises’ combination of cool sophistication, outstanding service and excellent family programs appeal greatly to this region and we’re looking forward to welcoming ever more Middle Eastern guests onboard.” Lakshmi Durai BUZZWORD BUZZWORD CITIZEN introduces unique models with Eco-Drive Technology Citizen introduces unique models with Eco-Drive technology. Unperturbed by passing trends, the fine collection is a modern fashion statement for youthful, authenticseeking individuals who seek a watch that may transcend their generation. Eco-Drive is a revolutionary technology that powers watches using any natural or artificial light, relieving the necessity of replacing batteries. Although the usage of solar power generation is common among automobile, housing and other industries today, Citizen had the foresight to start development of a light-driven watch more than 40 years ago, and launched the world’s first light-powered analogue quartz watch in 1976. Citizen’s inquisitive mind and determination toward the success of Eco- Drive technology have brought about numerous breakthroughs. Some outstanding examples include the recent renowned Concept Models and their production versions. Furthermore, cuttingedge discoveries which have been acquired through the development of these models are being adapted to high-end models, and eventually to lower-priced models targeting a wider audience. It is a principled theme for which Citizen emphasizes new possibilities of Eco-Drive, in order to bring joy and excitement to the world. Canadian University Dubai Canadian University Dubai (CUD) was established in 2006 to deliver high-quality tertiary education in the UAE and provide a gateway for students to pursue higher education opportunities in Canada. CUD is located in the heart of downtown Dubai and each of our academic programs is based on Canadian curriculum and education principles. This gives students the opportunity to obtain a Canadian education while experiencing the unique culture and values of the United Arab Emirates. All of our programs are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and as a portal to Canadian higher education, we offer many unique options for students to continue their studies or research in Canada. Students at our University are taught by world class faculty who are academic specialists and active researchers in their respective fields. Faculty members come from diverse, multicultural backgrounds, 80 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN WATCH: ALCATEL ONETOUCH Unveils a Full Line of Premium-Design Smartwatches — for All Uses • Slim, premium smartwatches that offer different styles to suit everyone • Packed with sensors and apps that allow users to monitor daily activity • Connect to Android and iOS smartphones to control music, receive notifications and more • Long battery life with built-in USB connector for easy charging It looks like a watch and feels like a watch but it’s much smarter than that. ALCATEL ONETOUCH introduces the SMART WATCH that puts a premium on elegant design at a very accessible price. In launching the SMART WATCH, ALCATEL ONETOUCH is not content just to make the latest connected technology available to the greatest number of consumers. Offering the SMART WATCH at a fraction of the cost of competitors, the smartphone brand has implemented its design expertise to offer a series of fine finishes that meet the demands of those looking for the same look and feel as a traditional watch. “Our emphasis has been on delivering incredibly wearable design, with an aesthetic quality that integrates perfectly with everyday life, all at the right price point. The SMART WATCH’s design has won a number of awards with premium quality that doesn’t break the bank. We’ve kept things fashion forward while also delivering on innovative features. The UI has been carefully honed and retooled so users in the Middle East can intuitively take the SMART WATCH’s multifunctional ability to work, gym, and even to sleep,” said Head of Middle East Zied Merichko. Available in a sporty black and red along with allwhite and all-metallic options, the SMART WATCH has been feted with a slew of design awards, including Reviewed.com’s Editors’ Choice Best of CES, Stuff Magazine’s Wearable Tech Award and Top Pick of CES from Tom’s Guide. While offering choice and style, the SMART WATCH also offers multiple fitness functions and connects to Android and iOS smartphones via Bluetooth. AVAILABILITY: It will be available in the market by March 2015. ANANTA, AT THE OBEROI, DUBAI WINS ‘BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT- FINE DINING’ AT THE BBC GOOD FOOD AWARDS MIDDLE EAST 2014 Students at our University are taught by world class faculty who are academic specialists and active researchers in their respective fields but have all earned their higher degrees from renowned universities in Canada, the United States, Australia or Europe, bringing their innovative teaching styles and philosophies to the classroom. We offer flexible learning schedules, with evening and weekend classes available for both undergraduate and graduate programs. With over 90 different nationalities that call our University home, our diverse student community is building bridges across cultures and continents. Our goal is to move each student forward as a well-rounded lifelong learner and good global citizen. To achieve this, emphasis is placed not just on academic achievement, but also on extracurricular involvement, and our vibrant student life provides something for everybody. Visit: www.cudubai.ac.ae The BBC Good Food Awards 2014 has awarded Ananta, at The Oberoi, Dubai the ‘Best Indian Restaurant- Fine Dining’ at the annual event held on 28th January 2015 in Dubai. Ananta welcomes diners on a gastronomic journey through the twenty eight states and 4700 miles of Indian coastline. Refreshed with courtyard views and dramatic with crimson furnishings and crisp white linen tables, Ananta is dominated by a magnificent show kitchen where guests can watch our masterchefs hand craft Indian delicacies in traditional coal-fired clay ovens. Ananta is open seven days a week for dinner from 7:00pm to 11:30 pm and for lunch on Fridays from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. The Oberoi, Dubai is part of the internationally famed Oberoi Group and represents its first property in the UAE, having successfully opened in June 2013. The title is the latest addition to the hotel’s increasingly expanding collection of awards including; the Middle East’s Leading Luxury City Hotel at the World Travel Awards, Best New Business Hotel by the readers of Business Traveller Middle East, number one ranked hotel worldwide for service by ReviewPro, one of the ‘Top Hotels for Exceptional Service’ in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2014 and ‘Favorite New Overseas Hotel’ by Conde Nast Traveller India. Mr. Karim Bizid, General Manager at The Oberoi, Dubai commented; “The Oberoi, Dubai brings an ethos of service without compromise to the UAE. This international recognition from the readers of BBC Good Food shows that we have consistently upheld the service promise for which the Oberoi brand is renowned worldwide. Such awards are a testament to the hard work of our team as we endeavor to ensure every guest’s experience is made truly memorable. We thank all our guests who have trusted and supported us since our opening; contributing to all these accolades and achievements.” THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 81 WINNING Frank Raj Is Romance Overrated? Do We Really Fall In Love? Love is many a splendored thing – only if it is authentic. P sychologists will tell you how almost daily they encounter people entangled in extramarital affairs that people describe as “falling out of love...and how they just love being in love again.” The cheating spouse has met someone and finds the “sparks” totally exciting. Invariably this is what they tell their shattered spouse: “I love you but I am not ‘in love’ with you anymore.” “The romance in our marriage is gone. I have found someone who really loves me.” “I don’t want to settle down, I need space. I have a lot of love to give.” “He or she treats me like no one else. I feel so special with this person I have met.” The hapless spouse generally responds desperately with increased or innovative romantic gestures. They merely fall flat, resulting only in humiliation. Our deeply ingrained belief is that “romance” is the saviour and the benchmark of a great marriage or wonderfully intimate relationship. Consider these reflections on romance: “Romance” has been exported from western culture mainly as the ultimate experience in an intimate relationship between man and woman – and lately even between homosexuals and lesbians. Idealized in movies and books, romance as communicated and idealised is seen as the ecstasy of forever being “in love.” Thanks to Hollywood tabloids the world can’t get enough news about which “stars” are currently “in love” with whom. And, in the West it often makes no difference if the couples are married – sheer bliss it appears. Romantic comedies aside, why do we have romantic tragedies like Romeo and Juliet or Heer Ranjha, or Saleem and Anarkali in Mughal – E- Azam? Why is it that in most of these movies the lovers can rarely resolve the emptiness in their lives? How do movies like ‘Dr Zhivago, Bridges of Madison County, Love Story etc, end? What would a “real” romantic movie be like? Psychologists say that the search for romance whether through an affair or within a marriage is a consequence of denying powerful personal needs and has little to do with love. People have strong needs: to be acknowledged, respected, adored, cared for and cherished. Another powerful need is to feel “special.” This is often the Freudian explanation for a man overindulged by his mother or a woman who though being the “apple of her father’s eye,” yet was emotionally 82 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN deprived in that relationship for some reason. Romance becomes the vehicle through which people try to meet these needs without realising they should specifically name their needs and discuss them. Instead people in love fantasise, thinking wow! My lover knows exactly what I want before I do – he/she is able to read my mind unlike my cold, indifferent spouse! Personal needs are so powerful that they can drive what we go after. Psychologists warn that if we do not consciously name them and get them met once and for all (and they assure us this can be done) our needs will continue to drive us and make us live perpetually in frustration, always wanting more, believing we are missing out on something. Only when we move beyond the demands of our personal needs can we discover our individual passion and purpose to uncover the essence of real joy and peace. Romance is for mating and sex (sexual union) is often the bottom line. The “chemistry” we think we have discovered in “romantic love” is truly that - raw chemistry. Studies indicate those “in love” have a high concentration of specific endorphins (chemicals) in their bodies – the same chemicals found in animals that are in “heat.” Psychologists believes that in the course of our lifetime we meet 2-3 people with this hard to resist “chemistry.” The attraction is based on several factors that stir up people’s juices - literally. It maybe fascinating but it doesn’t mean you should instinctively have sex with such a person who attracts you - animals do that. Romance seekers generally believe that something that feels good shouldn’t be passed up – the pill, the drug, the retreat, the experience etc., whatever will take away pain, emptiness, loneliness. But this is only temporary and the nagging pain emerges and their never ending search for quelling their craving will seek a new substance or attraction. Understand the fleeting nature of romance. We long and welcome (sometimes with apprehension) the declarations of love but authentic love moves beyond romance and knows what is true and long lasting. Frank Raj is TII’s founder editor & publisher, a motivational speaker, and author of ‘Desh Aur Diaspora.’ Like this article? 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