No.49 December 2011 - February 2012Embassy of India, Tel Aviv

INDIA NEWSLETTER

Affairs of the State of Israel. The two Ministers reviewed ongoing bilateral cooperation and identified areas of cooperation for the future and signed an Agreement fo r Rec iproca l Extradition of each other's nationals; and an Agreement for Transfer of Sentenced Persons respectively. Minister Krishna and Minister Liberman, were Chief Guests at a reception hosted by the Ambassador of India during which they launched

commercial cooperation including status of the Free Trade Agreement, the proposal for a Joint R&D Fund, and other initiatives.The Minister visited the Cemetery for Indian Soldiers in Jerusalem which was used from July 1918 to June 1920

H.E. Mr. S.M. Krishna, the Minister of and contains graves of 79 Indian External Affairs of India paid an official servicemen of the First World War. The visit to Israel from January 9-10, 2012. Minister laid wreaths at the memorials The Minister called on H.E. Shimon for Indian Soldiers and signed the Peres, President of Israel and Visitors Book.celebrations of the 20th anniversary of discussed bilateral, regional and global In addition, Mr. Krishna visited the Yad establishment of diplomatic relations issues of mutual interest. Vashem Holocaust Memorial and between the two countries.The two leaders discussed issues such Museum as well as the Indian Hospice. A m o n g t h e i n v i t e e s w e r e as cooperation in science & technology, representatives water management, agriculture and f r o m t h e combating terrorism. K n e s s e t , Mr. Krishna also met H.E. Mr. G o v e r n m e n t , Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister corporate sector, to review the bilateral relationship and media, academia chart out areas of cooperation for the a n d I n d i a n future including energy, trade, community. agriculture and human resource Mr. Krishna also development. They also had the met Dr. Yuval opportunity to review regional and Steinitz, Minister international developments of mutual of Finance and interest. r e v i e w e d Mr. Krishna met his counterpart, Mr. b i l a t e r a l Avigdor Liberman, Minister of Foreign economic and

Minister Krishna's meeting with PrimeMinister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu

Minister Krishna's meeting withH.E. Mr. Shimon Peres, President of Israel

Exchange of agreements signed duringMinister Krishna's visit

Minister Krishna lays wreath in the Memorial of Indian soldiers in JerusalemIndian War Cemetery

Visit of External Affairs Minister ofIndia to Israel

H.E. Mr. Kamal Nath, Hon’ble Minister exchange in the field of water related infrastructure.

of Urban Development visited Israel t e c h n o l o g y. U n d e r t h e J o i n t The Minister spoke at a business

from 12-14 February 2012, on the Declaration, an India-Israel Working seminar on “India’s Urbanisation and

invitation of Mr. Shalom Simhon, Group will be created to enable long- In f ras t r uc ture Cha l l enges and

Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour t e r m p l a n n i n g , d e v e l o p m e n t , Opportunities” which was jointly

of Israel. i m p r o v e m e n t a n d s h a r i n g o f organised by the Embassy, the Israel

The visit was aimed at enhancing technology and other matters related Export & International Cooperation

cooperation between the two countries to water, waste water and sewage Institute and the Ministry of Industry,

management.

The Working Group will also discuss

t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f s e t t i n g u p

demonstration projects, pilot studies

a n d e s t a b l i s h i n g c o m m e r c i a l

demonstration centres, to present

innovative Israeli technologies to

address the challenges related to

drinking water, treatment of waste

water and re-use of treated waste

water. in the urban development sector such Trade and Labour, Israel.Minister Kamal Nath met Dr. Uzi as housing, urban planning, water N u m e r o u s I s r a e l i c o m p a n i e s Landau, Israel’s Minister for Energy supply, sewage management, water participated in the seminar.and Water Resources to discuss treatment, etc., through sharing of Mr. Kamal Nath also visited the possibilities of cooperation on energy.technology, experiences, and best Shafdan Wastewater Treatment Plant He also met Mr. Israel Katz, Minister of practices. in Rishon Le Zion, which is managed Transportation and Road Safety to During the visit the two sides signed a by Israeli National Water Company, discuss possible cooperation in Joint Declaration for cooperation and Mekorot. urbanization, town planning and

2

ECONOMIC NEWS

The Minister addresses the gathering duringbusiness seminar

Meeting with Mr. Shalom Simhon, Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor

(Cre

dit:

Yoss

i Zam

ir)

Signing of Joint Declaration in the field of watertechnology

Visit of Mr. Kamal Nath, India’s Minister of Urban Development

Meeting with Mr. Israel Katz, Minister of Transportation and Road Safety

3

Republic Day Celebrations 2012CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

The event was attended by the members of the Indian origin Jewish c o m m u n i t y, I n d i a n b u s i n e s s community, Indian students, Embassy staff and their families. Six Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) from different states of India were also present on the occasion. These were Conrad Sangma, Vani Tripathi, Sanjay Kumar Jha, Krishna Byre Gowda, Sudhir Sharma and P.C Vishnunadh. on the eve of Republic Day.The event started with the hoisting of A cultural programme was also national flag by the Ambassador organized that included dance followed by recital of national anthem. performances by the Indian soldiers.Ambassador read out the address of These soldiers are the part of united The 63rd Republic Day of India was Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Nations Disengagement Observation celebrated at the Embassy residence Pratibha Devi Singh Patil to the nation Force.on January 26, 2012.

We are living in a world that is complex and challenging. Forces I strongly believe that women need to be drawn fully into the national mainstream. Empowerment of women will have a of globalization have created an interlinked and very big impact on creating social structures that are stable. interdependent world. No country exists in isolation; it is The National Mission on Empowerment of Women set up in continuously being influenced by external developments. 2010, should help in the co-coordinated delivery of women-There are growing aspirations of the people, coupled with their centric and women-related programmes. expectations of immediate solutions. We are observing, an

information explosion and ever-newer technological India’s foreign policy is aimed at the promotion of an environment that is conducive to its socio-economic inventions. These have altered lifestyles and there is also a transformation. We seek to build bridges of cooperation and growing quest for materialism. friendship with all countries of the world. We constructively For us in India, the discourse is about how an ancient engage with the international community to find responses to civilization and a young nation, will move ahead to take India global challenges. The role and stature of India, has been to its destiny. Our vision and our goals are clear. We look at growing and our nation has been scaling up in the ladder of

building our country, as one whose economy demonstrates a the comity of nations. India seeks an architecture for global

robustness to grow, so that we can become a developed nation. institutions that is more reflective of contemporary realities.

There is tremendous work to be done to move forward on our We are also proud of the contributions of the Indian Diaspora, social and economic agenda, if we are to achieve fast, inclusive spread over many countries and across continents, to the and sustainable growth. Our foremost priority is the removal economic, professional and political fields of the countries of poverty, hunger and malnutrition, disease and illiteracy. where they live.

Ambassador addresses the gathering

Hoisting of the National Flag

Bhangra performance at Republic Day Celebrations View of the gathering

Excerpts from Hon’ble President Smt. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil’s Address

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ECONOMIC NEWS

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Member of “ I n d i a ' s r o l e i n a w o r l d i n Parliament visited Israel from January Transformation”, which was organized 29 to February 1, to attend the 12th as a part of the 20th anniversary annual Inter-Disciplinary Center’s celebrations by the Embassy of India.Herzliya Conference 2012, where he spoke about "Can Asian powers play a role in the Middle East" and "The Strategic Implications of the Global Economic Crisis on the Rise of Asia". He gave a well-attended talk in Tel Aviv University about

Israel, India and China launch academiccooperation program

Dr. Shashi Tharoor addresses the gathering

A delegation of Members of They met Members of Knesset,

Legislative Assembly (MLAs) visited start-ups, commercial

consisting of Conrad Sangma entities and some Kibbutzs.

(NCP), Vani Tripathi (BJP), They also attended a seminar

Sanjay Kumar Jha (BJP), on ‘Nuclear Programme of Iran

Krishna Byre Gowda (INC), a n d M i d d l e E a s t ’ a n d

Sudhir Sharma (INC), P.C participated in the Republic

Vishnunadh (INC) visited Day reception at the Embassy

Israel on a familiarization tour Residence.

from January 23-27, 2012.

Visit of MLAs from India

Min i s t e r o f Educa t ion , The second program is designed to draw launched a programme hundreds of outstanding students to designed to boost research study in universities in Israel in cooperation with India (and combined programmes with Israeli China). Under the first students and to integrate them into p r o g r a m , o u t s t a n d i n g extra-academic programmes to researchers from India and familiarize themselves with the country.China will be given post- As part of these programmes, doctoral scholarships in Israeli scholarships will be awarded to students academic institutions to create and researchers from India and China to bonds with leading Israeli the research universities and to the researchers. Volcani Institute.This program will be put into These initiatives will be financed by an

On February 26, 2012, Dr. Yuval Steinitz, effect both in the universities and in the overall budgetary allocation of up to Minister of Finance and Mr. Gideon Saar, Vulcani Institute. some NIS 44 million per annum.

At the Herzliya Conference

Visit of Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament

Ambassador Sarna and the Members of the Legislative Assemblies

Ambassador Sarna with Dr. Yuval Steinitz, Israeli Minister ofFinance, Mr. Gideon Saar, Israeli Minister of Education and

the Chinese ambassador

5

Dr. Uzi Landau, Israeli Minister of Ahluwalia and Delhi Chief Minister, Energy and Water Resources visited Ms. Sheila Dikshit.India from February 20-24, 2012 to discuss cooperation in energy, water technologies and infrastructure. He met with Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr. Jaipal Reddy to discuss possibilities of cooperation in Energy. Minister Landau also met Minister of Urban Development Kamal N a t h a n d M i n i s t e r f o r R u r a l Development, Mr. Jairam Ramesh; Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mr. Montek Singh

Israeli Minister of Energy and WaterResources visits India

Minister Uzi Landau meets Delhi ChiefMinister Sheila Dikshit

Minister Uzi Landau meets Deputy Chairman of thePlanning Commission, Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia

Minister Landau meeting with Minister for RuralDevelopment, Mr. Jairam Ramesh

ECONOMIC NEWS

Mr. V. Srinivas, Joint Secretar y (Exports), Ministr y of Texti les, accompanied by Heads of Associations in India dealing with export of carpets, apparel, textiles and handlooms, visited Israel from January 28 – 31, 2012. They explored opportunities for bilateral trade in textile, during a business seminar held at the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute. They met senior government officials from the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as representatives of major Israeli trade organizations (e.g. Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute; Manufacturers Association of Israel and more). In cooperation with the Embassy, the Ministry of Textiles is planning a road show in Israel in September 2012 during which Israeli buyers of textiles, apparel, carpets and handlooms will have the opportunity to interact with leading Indian exporters.

Indian Textilesdelegation visits Israel

Meeting at the Israel Export & InternationalCooperation Institute

Delhi and agreed to establish a joint programme to bring 100 Indian post-d o c t o r a l s t u d e n t s t o I s r a e l i universities. Dr. Steinitz met with his Indian counterpart, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, and National Security Adviser, Mr. Shiv Shankar Menon. According to reports, during the visit Israel has offered to export natural gas

Dr. Yuval Steinitz, Israeli Minister of Finance visited India from December 14-16, 2011, the first by an Israeli finance minister to India in 15 years. Minister Steinitz met the Indian Communication and Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal in New

Israeli Minister of Finance visits India

Dr. Yuval Steinitz, Israeli Minister of Finance,meets his counterpart Mr. Pranab Mukherjee.

Dr. Yuval Steinitz, Israeli Minister of Financeaddressing the gathering at the Delhi Economics

Conclave

to India. Minister Steinitz was a key note speaker at the Delhi Economics Conclave.Dr. Steinitz discussed platforms for p r o m o t i n g m u t u a l R & D a n d collaboration in academic research.

ECONOMIC NEWS

Karnataka delegation visits Israel

The Karnataka delegation participates in a business seminar

A d e l e g a t i o n c o m p r i s i n g 1 5 representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture in Karnataka visited Israel from January 29 to February 3, 2012. The delegation was hosted by the Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce. The delegation attended a seminar titled "Karnataka offers plenty of opportunities in Agriculture", at the Manufacturers’ Association of Israel. They met officials from the Agriculture Department at the Israe l i Expor t & Internat iona l Cooperation Institute and the Agriculture Committee at the Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce.

BIRD Delegation visits Israel

The delegation meets Ambassador

officials from Bankers’ Institute of Rural Development,

India visited Israel from November 28- December 7, 2011.

The training cum exposure visit on “Regional Development,

High Tech Agriculture and Innovative Irrigation Solutions in

Israel", was organized by the WEITZ Center for Development

Studies in Rehovot.

The delegation visited various sites of interest including

NaanDanJain; Hishtil; Moshav Nir Banim, Volcani Center,

Ramat Hanegev and more.

They met Ambassador Navtej Sarna who briefed them on

various aspects of India-Israel relations and the potential for

increasing bilateral cooperation. An 11-member delegation comprising executives and

India participates in IMTM 2012

Counsellor Vani Rao (second from right) visiting the Indian booth at IMTM 2012.

The 18th International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM 2012) Exhibition took place in the Israel Trade Fairs and Convention Center in Tel Aviv on February 14-15, 2012.IMTM is the largest annual professional tourism fair of its kind in the Eastern Mediterranean and serves to promote incoming and outgoing tourism as well as domestic tourism.Frankfurt the regional office of Ministry of Tourism, India participated in the exhibition.

6

ECONOMIC NEWS

A delegation from the State of Agriculture & Animal Husbandry; Mr. for In ternat iona l Deve lopment Rajasthan, which included three Murari Lal Meena, State Technical Cooperation) and CINADCO (The Ministers and senior officials, visited Education Minister; and Mr. Vinod Center for International Agricultural Israel from January 24 to February 3, Kumar, State Agriculture Minister, met Development Cooperation).2012 for a study tour focused on dairy the Director General of the Israeli The delegation also met Ambassador and agriculture. Ministry of Agriculture, and senior Navtej Sarna. Mr. Harji Ram Burdak, Minister of officials from MASHAV (Israel's Agency

High level delegation from Rajasthan visits Israel

To mark the occasion of 20th anniversary of India- Israel diplomatic relations, the Recanati Business school of the Tel Aviv University held a seminar on January 25th, 2012, called ”India: Land of Opportunities”. The seminar was co-sponsored by the Israel-Asia Center and the Sofaer International MBA program at the Tel Aviv University.

“India Land of Opportunities” Seminar

Counsellor Vani Rao addressing the gathering

At the seminar

Key note speakers at the seminar were Ms. Vani Rao, Counsellor in the Embassy of India; Ms. Anat Bernstein Reich, Vice-President, Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Eli Belotsercovsky, Director, Economic Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. A. Purushothaman, CEO, State Bank of India, Tel Aviv. The seminar was attended by MBA students of the Tel Aviv University and Israeli businessmen exploring business opportunities with India.

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INDIAN BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC NEWS

Daimler sets up truck factory

in Tamil Nadu

Suzuki to construct new

motorcycle plant in Haryana

company launched the facility in trucks in the 7-49-tonne range and is

Oragadam. It will manufacture the meant for both domest ic and

BharatBenz trucks and all commercial international markets, including German auto maker Daimler AG has vehicles there. The Oragadam facility Asean and Africa. decided to consolidate its truck can roll out one heavy duty vehicle manufacturing operations in India. As every 11 minutes and one light duty part of the plan, it will shift the vehicle every 22 minutes. The new production of Actros from Pune to plant will make light and heavy duty Oragadam in Tamil Nadu. The Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), a

(Continued on page 8)

8

s u b s i d i a r y o f S u z u k i M o t o r

Corporation, Japan has decided to

build a new two wheeler plant at boost to power firms with plans to set Rohtak in state of Haryana, India. The up units in Special Economic Zones Haryana chief minister Bhupinder ( S E Z ) , t h e G o v e r n m e n t h a s Singh Hooda laid the foundation stone exempted them from the positive net at the planned site. Two wheeler foreign exchange (NFE) obligation market in India has been expanding applicable to regular units in such and crossed 13.4 million units in the enclaves. According to the new last f inancial year 2011-2012. guidelines, power plants can be set Planned production capacity of this up by developers and co-developers plant is 5 lakh units, and the plant is in the processing area (where export expected to be completed in the year units are present) as well as in the 2014. Further expansion of the plant non-processing area with social will be planned according to the infrastructure, including houses, expansion of the two wheeler market schools and hospitals. in India.

MRF has started production at its

new plant in Tiruchi (Tamil Nadu). The Government is formulating a The company has invested around special incentive package to encourage Rs 900 crore (about US$ 171 local manufacturing of electronic million) on the 200-acre plant, goods including mobile handsets, which will manufacture a full range semiconductor wafer fab, consumer of tyres, including truck tyres and electronics and telecom network radials. It will cater to both domestic equipment. The package includes and export requirements. The plant reimbursement of indirect taxes and a has just begun rolling out tyres, for subsidy of 20% on capital expenditure b o t h c o m m e r c i a l a n d n o n -made by high-tech manufacturers in commercial vehicles. This facility SEZ units. Investments made in non- was proposed as its existing six SEZ units could get a subsidy of 25%. manufacturing units were operating The Ministry of Finance has agreed to at full capacity. the proposal with a ceiling of Rs 10,000

crore (about US$ 2 billion) during the

12th Plan. The subsidy element may be

linked to the project outcome in a bid

to ensure that companies invest in

cutting edge technologies that's

marketable. For example, in the case

of semiconductor wafer fab, 75% of the

overall subsidy could be linked to

production milestones.

Norms eased for setting up

power units in SEZs

MRF starts production at Rs Rs 10,000-cr incentive 900-cr plant in Tamil Nadupackage for electronics

manufacture on the anvil

(Continued from page 7)

INDIAN BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC NEWS

World Renewable Energy Technology Congress & ExpoApril 25-27, 2012, New Delhi

Chemspec IndiaApril 26-27, 2012, Mumbai

Global Investor’s Meet (GIM) 2012June 7-8, 2012, Bangalore

ACMEE 2012Auto Components Exhibition June 14-18, 2012, Chennai

Tex-Trends India 2012July 16-18, 2012, New Delhi

Meditec Clinika 2012September 7-9, 2012, Bangalorehttp://www.meditec-clinika.com

IndiaChem 2012October 4-6, 2012, Mumbai

IFSEC India 2012 November 1-3, 2012

9th India International Textile Machinery Exhibition 2012December 2-7, 2012, Mumbai

www.biztradeshows.com

www.biztradeshows.com

www.advantagekarnataka.com

www.biztradeshows.com

www.textrendsindiafair.com

www.indiachem.in

http://www.ifsecindia.com

http://www.india-itme.com

FORTHCOMING EVENTSIN INDIA

Visit of delegations from CII and FICCI for Agritech 2012(15-17, May 2012).

Buyer-Seller Meet with Exporters of textiles, handlooms, apparel

and carpets from India –Hall 10 A, Exhibition Grounds, Tel Aviv, 5-6 September 2012.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN ISRAEL

CULTURAL ACTIVITIESth19 Know India Programme

Two Israeli youth (2 girls) of Indian origin participated in the 19th Know India Programme (KIP) held from December 20, 2011 to January 10, 2012 organized by the Ministry of Overseas Ind ian A f fa i rs , Government of India with partner state ‘Rajasthan’.They were joined by participants from all over the world. The participants were exposed to various facets of modern India and growth of Indian economy. They were also familiarized with

Indian history, culture and heritage.The participants attended the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, 2012 in Jaipur and got the opportunity to meet with high dignitaries including Hon’ble Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Shri Vayalar Ravi.The KIP provides a unique forum for youth of Indian origin to visit India.The tentative programmes for next KIPs during the year 2012 is given below:K I P participants at India Gate, Delhi

21st KIP22nd KIP

KIP Edition Tentative period Partner state Last date of receipt of nominations

29.08.12 – 18.09.1221.12.12 – 10.01.13

1st July, 20121st November, 2012

UttranchalKarnataka

The Embassy of India and Teamwork 2012. The Festival is a unique endeavor the 20th anniversary of establishment of Productions will be organizing second showcasing the wealth of India’s full diplomatic relations between India & edition of “Celebrating India in Israel”, a classical and contemporary cultural Israel.festival of visual and performing arts will heritage including dance, theatre, In the Festival’s premier year, we present be organized from 27th April to 18th May music, food, film and visual arts during the following:

The Magic of the violin by world renowned violinist Dr. L. Subramanium.

Folk Music from Rajasthan performed by Rajasthan Josh.

Bollywood Film Festival with a selection of Bollywood’s finest, recent and popular movies.

The theatrical production ‘Nothing like Lear’, a modern day satire on Shakespeare’s classic play staged in Gibberish.

Words on Water - A Literary Festival of Indian and Israeli writers in Israel. This will include Vikas Swarup (author of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’), Esther David and Upinder Singh.

‘Taste of India’ – Cuisine from South India.

The wellbeing experience through free Yoga Workshops. Dance to the tunes of the Bollywood with Gilles Chuyen in the free Bollywood Dance Workshops.

Celebrating India in Israel

For further details regarding the festival, please visit - the official website of the Festival.www.celebratingindiaisrael.com

The Festival of India provides audiences in Israel an occasion to engage with the cultural diversity of India’s heritage. This ambitious project co-produced by the Embassy of India in Israel and Teamwork productions will be staged from April 27 – May 31, 2012.

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10

INDIAN BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC NEWS

Number of telephone subscribers Consumer spending to grow four in India increased to 943.49 fold by 2020

million

TRAI sets quality norms for mobile banking services

India's web economy to touch Rs 11 trillion by 2016

Pharmaceutical and healthcare sector to dominate M&As in

2012: Grant Thornton

Caterpillar launches new production unit in Chennai

Franchise market growing at over 30% per annum

Lanco Infra completes 56 MW grid connected solar

photovoltaic power plants in Gujarat

India's Onshore Wind Energy potential is 3000 GW Indian handset market grows

14% in 2011

handset volume expected to reach 335 million units by 2017, according to ABI Research , a US -based marke t Consumer spending to rise four times intelligence company specialising in The number of telephone subscribers in by 2020, says a joint study by CII and global connectivity and emerging India reached 943.49 million as on Boston Consulting Group. Consumer technology. February 29, 2012. This includes spending in India is expected to grow

911.17 million wireless subscribers and nearly four times in a decade to US$ 3.6 32.33 million land line subscribers. trillion by 2020, driven by rising

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of Overall tele-density reached over 78.1%. incomes and aspirations, widespread India laid down ground-rules for Broadband subscription reached media proliferation and better physical telecom companies offering mobile almost 13.54 million by February 2012. reach across the country, according to a

joint report by Boston Consulting Group banking services. Under the new rules, and industrial body Confederation of mobile companies have to enable banks Indian Industry (CII). to complete a transaction within ten The Indian internet economy is

seconds. The regulations are aimed at projected to touch Rs 10.8 trillion (US$ ensuring that mobile operators offer 215.03 billion) by 2016, according to a good services to banks that launch report in the The Boston Consulting mobile banking services. Group’s Connected World Series study. India will see the largest number of

India ’s in ternet economy that merger and acquisitions (M&A) in the contributed Rs 3.2 trillion to the overall pharmaceutical and healthcare sector,

Caterpillar India announced the launch economy in 2010 represents 4.1% of the according to consulting firm Grant of the company’s new backbone loader Gross Domestic Product. It is driven Thornton. A survey conducted across manufacturing facility in Thirvallur, especially by exports of information 100 companies has revealed that a near Chennai. This will be the technology services — net exports fourth of the respondents were company’s fourth facility in India and make up 59% of the Indian Internet optimistic about acquisitions in the would strengthen its presence in the economy, while consumption is only pharmaceutical sector.country and would augment the 20%. India’s internet economy growth distribution channel for the earth-rate of 23% makes it the second fastest moving machine by bringing in across the G-20 countries and ahead of The country ’s franchise market, enhanced local production capabilities. many other developing nations in the G- estimated to be US$ 4 billion in 2011, is

20, which are growing at an average of growing at a healthy pace of over 30% 17.8%. Projected growth rates per annum with tier II and tier III cities elsewhere are: 24.3% in Argentina, gradually getting hooked to the network 18.3% in Russia and 15.6% in Mexico. of retailers and franchisers. If the In 2010, developed markets contributed education sector was in the forefront Lanco Infratech subsidiary Lanco 76% of the G-20's internet economy; by offering franchise options, it now Solar announced completion of 56 2016 that will fall to 66%. encompasses food and beverages and MW grid connected solar photovoltaic

other services sectors. power plants in Gujarat. It includes three plants of 35 MW owned by Lanco

A study is pegging Indian potential for Infra and additional 21 MW built as wind energy at 3,000 GW. It claims that turnkey EPC for Gujarat Power The Indian handset market witnessed a the potential for wind energy utilisation Corporat ion Ltd (GPCL), GSPC 14.1% growth in 2011 to touch a total with prevalent technologies is far in Pipavav Power Company Ltd, GHI volume of 182 million handsets. Nokia excess of earlier estimates by Center for Energy and Gujarat State Electricity continues its domination in spite of Wind Energy Technology (CWET). The Corporation. These power Plants will increased penetration of handsets Centre estimated Indian wind energy generate up to 90 million units of manufactured by other companies. The potential at 49,000 MW, which is green electricity annually resulting in Indian handset market is estimated to expected to increase to 100 GW reduction of CO2 emissions by 85,757 grow at a compounded annual growth subsequently. tonnes annually. rate of 10.7% during 2011-17, with total

11

Popular IndianRecipes

Ingredients:

Method:

World Hindi Day Celebrations 2012

The Embassy was represented by Mr. Samir Kumar Jha, First Secretary, who delivered a speech in Hindi and appreciated the role played by Dr. Genady Shlomper for his efforts to promote Hindi among Israeli students. The programme presented by the students included short skits based on stories from Panchtantra, students giving voice to the Hindi movie clips in place of the actors and a quiz in Hindi. The Embassy presented Hindi books as prizes to the winners of the quiz. The programme concluded with Indian snacks.

The Embassy celebrated World Hindi Day in Israel on January 12, 2012 in association with the South East Asian Department of Tel Aviv University.The function was held at the auditorium in Gilman Building of Tel Aviv University. There was an attendance of between 150-175 including students from the University and other Hindi enthusiasts.

Ambassador Navtez Sarna visited Tzfat and met with Mayor Ilan Shochat.

Ambassador VisitsMayor of Tzaft

Ambassador with Mayor of Tzfat Mr. Ilan Shohat

MangoVanilla Barfi

4 cups full fat milk¾ cup sugara pinch alum powder4 tbsp mango juice¾ cup paneer3 tbsp sugar½ tsp vanilla essencefor decoration: chopped almonds andpistachios

Put the milk in a large vessel, preferably in a non-stick one and boil on a high flame.When it starts boiling, add ¾ cup sugar. Boil again for 3-4 min on a high flame.Add the alum powder and continue boiling and stirring until the mixture becomes thick.

First Secretary Samir Jha with Prof. Genady

Test by putting a little mixture on a small plate. If it forms a small ball, add the mango juice and continue cooking for at least 4 min.Test once again by putting a little mixture on a small plate. If it forms a soft ball remove from the heat and spread on a plate.Crumble the paneer and knead well for 1 minute. Add 3 tablespoons of sugar and cook in a pan on a low heat for 2-3 minutes. Cool slightly and add the vanilla essence.Spread this mixture over the mango mixture.Sprinkle chopped nuts on top. Store in refrigerator.

Cut into pieces and serve. (makes 10-12 Pieces)

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Students performing a play

12

Bihar is intimately linked to the Buddha’s life, resulting in a trail of pilgrimages which have come to be known as the Buddhist circuit.

The trail begins at the capital city, Patna, where a museum contains a collection of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures as well as a terracotta urn said to contain the ashes of Lord Buddha.

This landlocked State of Bihar is surrounded by Nepal, Bengal, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.

Rivers Kosi and Gandak from the north and Sone from the south, join the Ganga.

Bodhgaya, located in Bihar, is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center in the world.

India Calls - Bihar

Major attractions

How to reach

Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation, website: http://bstdc.bih.nic.inFor more information visit:

By Air:

By Rail:By Road:

Local Transport:By Bus:

The nearest airport is at Gaya 7 Kms and Patna 135 kms. Indian Airlines and Sahara Airlines connect Patna to Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Ranchi, Lucknow and various other cities.The nearest railway station is Gaya (17km).Bodhgaya is well connected by road to Gaya (17km), Nalanda (101 km), Rajgir (78 km), Patna (135km), Varanasi (252 km), Calcutta (495km) Taxis, Tongas, Auto Rickshaws, Cycle Rickshaws are available. Regular direct bus services are available from Gaya, Patna, Nalanda, Rajgir, Varanasi. Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation run buses from Patna- Bodhgaya route twice a day.

Mahabodhi Temple:

Bodhi Tree:

Chankramana:

The temple stands east to the Bodhi Tree and has superb architecture. Its basement rises in the form of a slender Pyramid till it reaches its neck, which is cylindrical in shape. The total height of the temple is 170 feet. On top of the temple are Chatras, which symbolize sovereignty of religion. Four towers rise gracefully giving the holy structure a poised balance.

The present Bodhi Tree is probably the fifth succession of the original tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment. Vajrasana, the seat of stability, is a stone platform on which the Buddha is supposed to have sat in meditation gazing east, under the Bodhi tree.

This marks the sacred spot of the Buddha's meditative perambulations during the third week after pious enlightenment. It is believed that wherever the Buddha put his feet lotus sprang up.