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The swingin' at 60

The future is bright

Dr. B.R. SHETTY

MD and CEO, NMC Group and UAE Exchange.

India today has come a long way since the dawn of independence. The first three decades of independence saw an infant India taking unsteady but determined steps in her march towards becoming a self-reliant and developed nation. India has made rapid strides in agriculture, industrialisation and most notably, in the realm of technology. The Ruling Families in the UAE have always acknowledged the tremendous contribution of Indian expatriates to the development of this country.

As an Indian, I always look for opportunities to contribute something significant to my country. When India was facing a foreign exchange crisis, we initiated a Forex inflow of USD 6 billion to tide over the situation. I am grateful to the Government of India for the encouragement and support to us. It gives me immense satisfaction that, as an Indian, I have managed to create job opportunities for many of my countrymen and do my best to foster advanced trade opportunities between India and the UAE.

I dream of an India, self-reliant, confident, economically vibrant and teaming with the confidence and capabilities to establish itself as a global superpower. Our increasing expertise in various fields, our acceptance in various world forums including ASEAN and the prospective UN Security Council, speaks volumes about our increasing importance and only adds to my optimism of India’s global dominance in times to come. The India I envisage is an India where the huge gap between the haves and have-nots is bridged and every Indian rises above caste, creed, sex and religion, to peacefully co-exist and enjoy the fruits of the nation’s progress.

YUSUFFALI M.A.

Managing Director EMKE Group

India, as a nation, has made significant achievements over the last 60 years. Among these, the most significant has been its emergence as an economic power. In the fields of science, information technology, education and infrastructure India has made great strides and is already viewed with high esteem by others. Now, the whole world is eyeing India as the most preferred destination for their investments.

I am fortunate to provide employment to more than 12,000 Indians and their savings back home have definitely contributed to our nation’s economy. I consider this as my most significant contribution.

In the India of my dreams there will be no poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. People will coexist peacefully and harmoniously irrespective of the differences in their religion, creed and caste. Our India will be looked up to as a role model for development and progress by other nations.

ABBAS ALI MIRZA,

President, Indian Business & Professional Council, Dubai, Partner, Deloitte & Touche (ME)

Over the past 60 years India has made significant strides in many fields and is today a formidable force to reckon with on the global economic stage. India is widely regarded as a big economic success story with many outstanding indicators of resilience such as a world-class GDP growth rate of 9 per cent year after year. Having achieved such astonishing feats, India is now not only regarded as the world’s largest democracy but is also rated by the media as one of the most vibrant economies of the world.

I sincerely believe that if the educational foundation is strong, one exudes the right kind of confidence to be able to rub shoulders with top-notch professionals of the world. I am proud of having had my educational foundation in India followed by higher education from the USA. When I addressed the United Nations in Geneva for 5 consecutive days, as chair of ISAR/UNCTAD, I not only felt elated but also felt that, in my own humble manner, this was my contribution to my country.

While India has earned the adulation of masses the world over for her phenomenal economic success in recent years, I believe the untold story of India also lies in her contribution to ‘value systems’ and ‘culture’. This is what some have referred to as India’s ‘soft power’ over other countries. The India of my dreams is one where the masses in India would apply these great principles in their own day-to-day lives and other countries would follow them.

SYED M SALAHUDDIN

Managing Director, ETA Ascon and Star Group

India has a lot to be proud of as it celebrates its 60th Independence Day. Today, Indians all over the world are respected as much for their intellectual capital and spirit of entrepreneurship as they are for their rich culture and values. A vibrant democracy which has made great strides as a modern nation, India has a rare ability to accommodate and assimilate the best from other cultures and yet assert its strong identity.

It gives me immense satisfaction that we have been keenly involved in the economic and social spheres of India's development. Out of the 48,000 employees on our rolls, about 30,000 are from India. We are setting up clinics in remote areas of the country with video conferencing facility. Further, we attach great importance to education of youth, particularly girls. Accordingly, we are establishing educational institutions to cater to the needs of the under- privileged.

The hard-earned freedom that India won in 1947 set the country on a focused path of development and we have surely come a long way since then. I would like to see India become a fully developed nation in the next decade. For that to happen, poverty must be completely wiped out and economic progress should be broad-based and sustained. Adequate measures should also be taken to achieve 100 percent literacy. India's strength lies in its people and this strength must be harnessed appropriately.

ABDULLA AJMAL

Deputy General Manager, Ajmal Perfumes

As a nation I think India has achieved its self-consciousness in terms of forging ahead as a major power at the global level. Be it India’s overall growth as an economy, be it India as a voice among the nations, be it India as a major BPO source, be it India’s talent in IT & Space Research, or for that matter, be it India’s film and entertainment industry.

We have always tried to give back to the society where we originated from. Our multidisciplinary hospital - Haji Abdul Majid Memorial Hospital at Hojai in Assam - which was inaugurated by Mother Teresa, is one of the biggest charity health facilities in rural India. We also run orphan shelters and destitute homes in different parts of Assam as well as some parts of southern India.

Within the next decade I see India as a self-reliant economy without major ills and shortcomings such as corruption and bureaucratic attitudes. I also dream of a broad society where the moderates take a major role and extremists get wiped out in the interest of a peaceful, progressive nation. A refurbished political system which brings forth talented leaders and statesmen rather than criminal and tainted politicians to run the political system – though it sounds utopian, this is my wish. A self-reliant economy with strong infrastructure and bringing in global competitiveness through system reforms, is definitely a change I’d pray for. I also would like to invite all large corporates to act in terms of giving back to society by way of strengthening the grass root levels, especially the youth in rural India.

MOHAN VALRANI

Senior Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Al Shirawi Group of companies.

When you view our countrys' history of development against the backdrop of other nations new at that time to independence and see the tragic conditions to which most of them have come, one has to say that India has been a signal success story so far. Over the years, the institutions of government have taken firm root and a home-grown form of democracy has evolved in which the people, by and large, can feel confident.

I believe that one’s contribution to own country is by serving its people. One of the many services in which I personally played a major role is in providing employment in my Group companies to nearly 7500 Indians who have themselves successfully contributed to my Group’s development. I am one of the founder members of the India Club; similarly, I am one of the founder members of the Indian High School, which is rated as one of the top educational institutes in Dubai. I also regularly support registered charitable institutes/societies in India with financial contributions towards spastics schools, hospitals and so on.

In the India of my dreams, I should like to see prosperity, now present in pockets, spread to a wider population and some closing of the gap between the rich and the poor. Above all, I would like to see an India in which every individual has 'Hope' and 'Opportunity', a universal system of superlative education, an India at peace with her neighbours and a respected leader in the community of nations.

RAJEN KILACHAND

Chairman & President, Dodsal Engineering & Construction Pte. Ltd.

India has set an example to the world of how one billion people with different religions, races, cultures, languages, colour, cast and creed can live together by far and large, in peace and harmony, with equality and justice for all, not only guaranteed by the constitution, but also in day to day living.

I believe these attributes, which several regions in the post war period have been striving hard to achieve like the European Union, the ASEAN etc. are invaluable. Also, as a unique nation on this planet, we could help in advancing this concept so that there will truly be peace and tolerance among all mankind.

On my part, in a small way, I hope I have been able to impart self respect and dignity as an Indian going worldwide and standing up for all the good that civilisation on this land mass has created over thousands of years.

NILESH VED

CEO, Apparel Group of companies.

The entire 60 years journey has resulted in India becoming globally powerful in the spheres of technology, industrial development, education and progressive outlook; today, Indians are dictating terms to the global IT industry.

Very soon India would also dominate and compete globally in the retail market as the country is identified as a growing hub for this segment. We have been one of the pioneers in introducing international fashion labels to India and, as a company, we are investing in the capital market there thus generating employment for many. We have also initiated CSR activities in India by launching an AIDS campaign in coordination with Aldo Group International (AGI) Canada, in Maharashtra.

The India of my dreams would be a paradise with 100 per cent literacy, where every citizen would live above the poverty line and the 'Brain Drain' of the past would be a 'Brain Grain' of the future. We are proud to be Indians… we have the ability to survive and grow and the thirst to be self dependent.

Venu Rajamony, Consul General

I would like to convey my warm greetings to all my fellow-citizens on this occasion of 60th anniversary of India’s independence.

India is today the largest democracy in the world. It is home to millions of people who profess diverse religions and speak a large variety of languages. An extraordinarily vast range of cultures co-exist within India in harmony. India is widely recognized as a repository of scientific and technological skills. Bollywood, Yoga, Indian cuisine, fashion, music, dance and other facets of its soft power are winning for it increasing friends across the globe. Further, its economy logged 9.4 per cent growth in the last year and looks poised to grow from strength to strength.

The people and Government of India take particular pride and joy in the special relationship they enjoy with the people and Government of the United Arab Emirates. In economic terms as well as people-to-people relations, the two countries have always been and continue to be close partners.

It will be the endeavour of the Consulate General of India in Dubai to do its utmost to strengthen India-UAE relations and bring the people of our two countries even closer together.

ASHA BHOSLE

Artiste

Since 1947, Hindustan has taken giant leaps and strides - from being a dependent nation, we are now an independent nation. There's great expectations from the Indian economy and a period of boom and prosperity is predicted by economists the world over. Indian movies and music are being highly appreciated all over the globe. The scheme of compulsory education is bearing fruit, with Indians becoming the largest educated work force seeking all sorts of jobs all over the world.

As an artiste, I have contributed through my art. I have personally helped many charities and my concerts abroad have earned much foreign exchange for India over the years, when it was most needed. More importantly, in my own humble way, I have managed to popularise Indian popular music in the west.

I think we are doing very well. Sure, there are some things lacking, but we are getting there. Sometimes, there are setbacks, but we learn by our mistakes and slowly but surely, we are getting where we rightfully belong. In 5 years time, we are expected to be one of the top 5 economies in the world, at par with economies of European countries and USA. I am happy to see that Indians are respected the world over. Nuclear power has given us strength, which is being used for peace and progress, instead of death and destruction. We are setting an ideal for countries, showing them how so many of us with different religious backgrounds, cultures, etc. can live in peace and harmony and that is The India of My Dreams !

-Compiled by Poonam Mohandas

The following events have been scheduled for the celebration of India's 60th Independence Day

August 15

Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi

Flag hoisting ceremony at 8am by Ambassador of India Talmiz Ahmad. This will be followed by reading of the Indian President's message marking the special occasion, singing of patriotic songs by school children and refreshments.

August 16

Consulate of India, Dubai

'Tiranga' at Shaikh Rashid Hall, World Trade Centre - a musical interpretation of literature inspired by the Indian flag. 'Tiranga' is now scheduled for August 16 as most of the artistes have been honoured with performing before the President and Prime Minister of India at Parliament House, New Delhi, on the actual glorious occasion of Independence Day on August 15. The event is being brought to Dubai under the patronage of the Indian Consulate in collaboration with Emirates Techno Casting.

'Tiranga' is part of a six month long celebration that will start with commemorating India's hard won independence and culminate on January 26, 2008 - Republic Day. India's classical music maestros namely Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pandit Vidhwan U. Srinivas, Pandit Bhawani Shankar Kathak, Pandit Vijay Ghate, Shri S.V. Ramani and Durga Jasraj, will take turns in rendering their interpretation of renowned poet Javed Akhtar's verses about the Indian flag.

August 15

Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC)

A performance by Sonali and Roop Kumar Rathod, open to IBPC members and their spouses only. Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research will be the chief guest at the event.

August 15

India Club

Independence Day party for kids with DJ, music and lots of gifts. Age group 5 - 14 years, entry complimentary. Members' children only. Also, poster competition for children with the theme 'My India in the 21st century'.

August 22

Ladies coffee evening. Ladies are encouraged to come proudly dressed in the colours of India - orange, green or white sarees. They will also be taught the different traditional styles of draping a saree, such as Gujarati, Maharashtrian etc. There will also be a cinematic dance performance at this function.

August 15

Indian Association, Sharjah

Flag hoisting at the premises at 8am, with the Honorary Consul Mr Kesavan, in attendance. Cultural programme is at 8pm; Venu Rajamony, Consul General of India, Dubai, will be the chief guest.

August 15

Indian Association, Ajman

Flag hoisting ceremony at the premises at 8am, followed by the consulate officer reading an extract from the Indian President's address to the nation. All members and Indian citizens cordially invited.

August 15

Indian Association, Ras Al Khaimah

Flag hoisting ceremony at the premises at 8am, followed by Mr Tikkaram, Consul from the Indian Consulate, Dubai, reading the Indian President's address to the nation. All Indian citizens cordially invited.

August 16

Visions Corporation

Indo-Pak mushaira at Sheikh Rashid Auditorium of Indian High School Campus, 8:30pm. Poets from India (Sharyar, Nida Fazali, Saghar Khayyammi, Rahat Indori, Munwwar Rana, Manzar Bhopali, Sheen Kaaf Nizam, Rafiq Sadani, Haidar Zaidi, Nizam Naqvi, Shabina Adeeb, Annu Rizvi) along with Pakistani artistes (Saleem Kausar, Azm Behzad, Humaira Rahman, Saeed Agha), come together in a spirit of harmony and unity. Tickets priced at Dh250, 150, 75 and 40, available at Al Mansoor Video, Dubai and Sharjah, Karachi Durbar, Dubai, Connection Office, Dubai. For free passes, email details on info@visionsme.com

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