1 EDITORIALAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017 | BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY

From the Editor’s Desk“The world is our playground! There’s always a new place to go; There’s always an adventure waiting; There’s always a new plan to make”. The lyrics of this song by Mikey Mccleary are reminiscent of the Sanskrit phrase “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” which believes that the world is one family. An exclusive interaction with Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju throws light on the importance of sports and becomes an important prelude to an article written by IG Personnel and Training, Seema Sashastra Bal, Renuka Mishra, IPS who gives us a snapshot of CAPF’s Oorja – an event that has encouraged football among the youth.In a true triumph of the spirit of togetherness, India and Israel joined hands to promote diplomacy and trade thus ushering in another exciting new chapter in bilateral relationships. Our cover story ‘Resurgent India’ captures these moments in a story which also celebrates 70 years of Independence! An interview with Foreign Affairs Department in charge, Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale helps us understand how India and the world are truly uniting.The launch of new flights by Air Canada was a wonderful way to pay tribute to 150 years of Canada which also saw a successful Indo-Canadian Business Chamber symposium. We are pleased to showcase highlights of the event and an exclusive interview with Vice President, Global Sales for Air Canada, Duncan Bureau. The issue is packed with interviews as seasoned professionals Anshu Budhraja, GM of Amway, highlights Amway’s entrepreneurship connections and Deepankar Tiwari reveals how UBER has transformed global mobility. Sanjoy Roy, Co-founder Teamwork Arts shares his love for Indian Arts while funnyman Sunil Grover reflects on his journey as a comedian. Former Chief Secretary of Gujarat, HK Khan looks back on a very fulfilling journey even as we add a sweet touch with an interview with Frenchman Kazem Samandari who brought authentic French baking to India. Finally, our column on business etiquette adds the touch of finesse to our Business & Economic Diplomacy initiatives.

CONSULTING EDITORMeenakshi Sharma

SENIOR CORRESPONDENTAnam Hamid

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT HEADRuchi Kohli

ruchi@corporatealliancegroup.com

ADMINISTRATION & ACCOUNTSKuldeep Mishra

kuldeep@eventzunlimited.com

DESIGNDesignbox

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BYKanika Kumria

Corporate Alliance GroupW-19, Greater Kailash Part II

New Delhi - 110048

Corporate Alliance Group is not responsible for the loss or damage to unsolicited material.

The writing, artwork or photos may not be re published without specific written permission of the publisher.

RNI No: DELENG / 2016 / 69193

BY MEENAKSHI SHARMAConsulting Editor

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Mind your Manners

Business Etiquette

Laughter, the Best Medicine

Sunil Grover

Exquisite & Delicieux

French Bakery in India

A Man for All Seasons

HK Khan

RESURGENT INDIA

Interview

Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale

Nothing but Upside

Duncan Bureau

Soaring to New Heights

ICBC Symposium

CAPF’s Oorja

A sporting extravaganza

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Contents

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AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017 | BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY

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Sports Serve Society

Kiren Rijiju

Celebrating the Arts

Sanjoy Roy

Transforming Global Mobility

Deepankar Tiwari

Entrepreneurship is India’s strength

Anshu Budhraja

INDIA - ISRAEL3AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017 | BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY | RESURGENT INDIA

RESURGENT INDIAIndia + Israel = Love was the title of the song sung by Bollywood singer Sukhwinder Singh before the two leaders arrived at an event in Israel.

India and Israel have maintained diplomatic relations and bilateral relationship since 1992 at the economic, military, agricultural and

political levels. This visit however was extraordinary as PM Narendra Modi was welcomed and personally accompanied by Israeli PM Netanyahu on July 4, 2017 and throughout his three-day visit, the two heads of nations attended various business and cultural events. Officials at the Israeli Foreign Ministry emphasized that Netanyahu’s level of participation in the visit was an indication of the crucial importance of the trip.

Singh, whose “Jai Ho” theme song of the 2008 film “Slumdog Millionaire” continues to charm people, evoked a wholehearted response from an

audience which was delighted to pay a lively tribute to the relations between the two nations. When images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in a warm embrace showed up all over the world, it established the genuine warmth of the relationship between the two nations.

Multiple collaborative agreements were signed between Indian and Israeli entities during Modi’s visit. Concluding his visit, Modi bid farewell to the people of Israel via a Twitter post in Hebrew and English that read “I thank the people and Government of Israel for their hospitality. This successful visit will add more energy to India-Israel relations”. Israeli prime Minister Netanyahu posted a message on Twitter in Hindi as well.

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For me the most fulfilling moment is when the big crowd of diaspora chant “Modi... Modi” as soon as PM Modiji arrives on a podium to address diaspora. Indian community worldwide is a big admirer of our PM and wherever he goes, he receives rousing reception. The number of people who attend PM’s diaspora event always exceed our expectations. That shows his popularity.

Every event of civic reception of PM has to be perfectly planned and executed in every aspect. Our diaspora is not very united. To bring them together is sometimes challenging. These kinds of events require coordination of several agencies and that can be challenging sometime. But due to tremendous goodwill for our PM, there was no challenge that could not have been overcome.

You have compared the Indian diaspora to informal ambassadors of the country. How do these regular events ensure that Indians all over the world stay connected?These events have gathered people of Indian origin in an unprecedented manner. It was a self-realization of sorts for the community itself. Also because of the magnitude of these events, the stature of community has gone up significantly in their own countries. Our embassies and consulates are now more pro-active in connecting with diaspora. EAM Sushamaji is addressing grievances of diaspora over twitter. All these have resulted in renewed connectivity between diaspora and India.

Singer Sukhwinder sang some touching songs during PM Modi’s Israel visit. How was the feedback of the Indian diaspora to this rendition?

Dr Chauthaiwale, you have been actively involved in forging better relations with the diaspora with the recent efforts in Israel being very successful. Please share some of the most fulfilling and challenging moments of your work?

Sukhwinder Singh was received very enthusiastically by the crowd and they were actually singing songs with Sukhwinder, especially songs like “Jai Ho”. It shows his popularity among NRI community.

Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale, Member, National Executive of the Bharatiya Janata Party & Foreign Affairs Department in-charge

‘‘It was a self-realization of sorts for the community”Says Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale, Member, National Executive of the Bharatiya Janata Party & Foreign Affairs Department in-charge.

RESURGENT INDIA

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On 15th August 2017, India celebrated 70 years of independence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech from the Red Fort highlighted many areas of India’s growth and development.• This is a special year as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Quit

India, the 100th anniversary of Champaran Satyagraha and the 125th anniversary of Ganesh Utsav.

• We remember the great women and men who worked hard for India’s freedom

• Our forces are prepared to face any challenge. Country’s security is our priority.

• We are taking India on a new track. We are fighting corruption for the bright future of India and the wellbeing of our people. We have to take the country ahead with the determination of creating a ‘New India’.

• We have to leave this ‘chalta hai’ attitude and think ‘badal sakta hai.’This attitude will help us as a nation.

Independence Day Special

RESURGENT INDIA

• 1st January 2018 will not be an ordinary day as those born in this century will start turning 18. They are Bhagya Vidhatas of our nation.

• In our nation, there is no one big or small...everybody is equal. Together we can bring a positive change in the nation.

4 DUNCAN BUREAUAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017 | BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY | NOTHING BUT UPSIDE: AIR CANADA’S COMMITMENT TO INDIA

Nothing but Upside: Air Canada’s commitment to IndiaIt’s hard not to be charmed by Duncan Bureau when you meet him. As Vice President of Global Sales for Air Canada, he could be a rather formidable

figure; instead he comes across as an affable, down-to-earth gentleman, ever ready to joke around with a permanent twinkle in his eye.

Duncan is a seasoned sales executive with over 20 years of experience in the airline industry, and specializes in business development, airline operations, marketing performance measurement, finance, revenue management and distribution. He joined Air Canada in the key role of leading the sales team in 2014, and is responsible for maintaining a competitive advantage for the airlines in the domestic Canadian market, all the while expanding on the international network as well.

Duncan is delighted to be back in India, this time for the launch of the direct Mumbai-Toronto Air Canada flight. This is their third direct flight from India into Canada over the last two years after the successful operation of the Delhi-Toronto and Delhi-Vancouver flights. Senior Correspondent Anam Hamid caught up with him for a quick tete-a-tete about these new developments.

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NOTHING BUT UPSIDE: AIR CANADA’S COMMITMENT TO INDIA

Last night was the launch of Air Canada’s direct flight from Mumbai to Toronto. How was the response and what is your personal reaction?The response has been fantastic, and the bookings look great already. The flight arrived full and on time- my two favourite things! The fact that we were able to put together this service shows the amount of demand coming into India, and the market is clearly telling us that they want us to fly more direct service to India. With Mumbai being India’s financial capital and Toronto playing a similar role for Canada, there is great connectivity taking place here. We’ve noticed that a lot of powerful Canadian banks have strong interests in India; and with large investments coming in from Canada there is a tremendous amount of growth and trade. So the timing for us was just right. We’ve developed brand-new airplanes, so the Boeing 787 allows us do things that historically we couldn’t do. It permits us to carry 300% more cargo than the 786 did, and has a great configuration in terms of business class, premier economy and economy. This efficiency allows us to operate in markets that were borderline in terms of profitability previously.

Equally important is the fact that our investment in Delhi has gone very well. We went into daily service from Delhi to Toronto very quickly. Our Vancouver-Delhi service did wonderfully, which in turn allowed us to invest in Mumbai. So we continue to look at markets across the world, and more so in India.

For a traveler’s understanding, how do you decide on your flight routes?We can tell what the demand is each way per day by the number of passengers that fly between different markets in the world. So it’s a combination of airport authorities and individual markets approaching Air Canada and saying there’s a great opportunity to be had.

But as you can imagine we’ve been researching India for a long time and our government and yours have wanted a lift between the two countries because it drives economic development and trade, not to mention incoming visiting friends and relatives, and it certainly drives tourism dollars for everybody. Consequently, it is really a combination of us doing our own research and looking at the market and realizing that we’re going to fly in a particular place because there are enough passengers from there per day. We’ve been flying people from Mumbai to Canada for many years but indirectly over Frankfurt or London, so we knew there was a demand here. With the growth in our fleet and replacement of our whitebody fleet, we now had the capability to fly directly.

Which markets are the busiest right now- business, tourism or students?All of the above, actually. In fact, lately there has been a tremendous amount of student growth. As other study markets across the world become less attractive, Canada because of its open culture is attracting a steady stream of students. We certainly are welcoming the world to Canada while other countries may not be. And we have some great institutions like McGill, Queens, University of Victoria, and University of Lethbridge where I went; lots of great schools that host many international students, with a significantly large number coming from India. There is also an encouragement of a back and forth flow of students between the two countries. So now we even have students, in addition to tourists and the business milieu.

Is India a promising market for Air Canada?We operated into India historically but didn’t have too big an aircraft at the time, or flew them via Europe. At present, what I would say is that we have the right product, right price and right timing and so now is the right time for us to be here.

What is your next target?I believe we’re getting a very important message looking into the last 24 months; we have added three new flights coming into Delhi. The capital investment required is well over 500 million dollars; so clearly these airplanes aren’t cheap. It requires a dedicated 2 and a half airplanes in order to fly that market, with each airplane worth a 175 million each, and the numbers add up very quickly.

The commitment and investment from Air Canada into India is significant. We are very bullish on the market, and definitely here for the long term. Air Canada has a great team in India run by Arun Pandeya and his group, and we think there is nothing but upside here. The trade imbalance is narrow with much trade between the two countries and new free trade discussions; the CIBC and ICBC are working well together to drive new business into both markets.

Duncan’s success at what he does is very evident in Air Canada’s expansion in India in the last three years. He seeks to develop and sustain relationships in the airline industry through a passion of finding opportunities at the right time and place. He travels to India very often these days and looks forward to having enduring relations with the country.

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5 ICBC MUMBAI

India-Canada Ties:Soaring to New Heights

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017 | BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY | INDIA-CANADA TIES: SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS

BY ANAM HAMID

A celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary on the occasion of the inaugural non-stop Toronto-Mumbai flight, across key business centers in India.

The 3rd of July proved to be a momentous day indeed, when India-Canada relations reached a new height in the city of Mumbai. Following the 150th anniversary of Canada on the 1st of July this year, the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber (ICBC) organized a Business Symposium that brought together

corporate leaders and government officials from the two countries, to explore and discuss potential business and investment opportunities. The Symposium was organized in association with the Toronto-based Canada-India Business Council (C-IBC) and with the support of the Canadian Consulate General in Mumbai.

The day began with a round table Breakfast Session at the Trident Hotel where a vibrant free-flowing discussion regarding bilateral trade took place. Key business asset points and growth points for India and Canada were identified, together with a present action plan for the two governing nations.

Amongst those present was the Canadian High Commissioner to India, His Excellency Nadir Patel, Canada’s Consul General in Mumbai, Jordan Reeves, and a number of corporate leaders from both India and Canada, which included Duncan Bureau from Air Canada, Peter Heidinger of Scotiabank, Sujoy Bose (National Investment and Infrastructure Fund),

ICBC Business SymposiumShibashish Roy (TATA Sons), Nadira Hamid (ICBC), Kasi Rao (C-IBC), Sridhar Rengan (Brookfield) and Harsh Dhingra of Bombardier amongst other notable names.

The fruitful morning session was followed by a symposium to discuss “India-Canada Economic Relations: A Turning Point”. It included two panel discussions that were attended by over 100 delegates, to reflect upon common ties, and further improve business relations between the two countries.

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INDIA-CANADA TIES: SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS

The session on ‘Attracting Investments: The Specifics’ was moderated by Pradip Shah of INDAsia Fund Advisors, and had an expert panel with Sanjay Sethi (MIDC), Sujoy Bose (NIIF) and Payal Koul (Invest India).Consul General Reeves spoke about collaborations being discussed with the Maharashtra government, such as an urban development action plan for which the Canadian Minister of Infrastructure flew down to meet local representatives in Mumbai. Canadian businesses are interested in being part of various urban initiatives in the state including smart cities, water front developments, remediation with the closure of waste dump sites, water drainage, e-government services like surveillance and emergency management, to name a few.

Sanjay Sethi, the CEO of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), brought in the government’s perspective into the session. He said that historically the state government of Maharashtra has focused on meeting the state’s basic infrastructure requirements such as water and electricity. Increasingly, it was focusing on designing and providing a structure of incentives in order to facilitate the ease of doing business in Maharashtra. The state, according to him, offered great investment opportunities and already attracts 50% of the country’s FDI. Maharashtra is keen to encourage the defense and aerospace sectors as well as Mumbai’s trans harbour link. Mr. Sethi said that he felt hopeful and believed that the tie-ups between India and other countries can now be formed in a systematic way to boost growth in both economies.

Payal Koul, VP of Invest India, spoke about the substantial year on year growth for the country, with a record USD 161 billion of FDI into India in 2014 alone. According to her, this increase has been accelerated by a number of factors, the ‘Make in India’ campaign for one, which has allowed an ease in doing business with India and led the way for big and small changes like the introduction of the GST, the bankruptcy code, and the repeal of 1175 archaic laws.

Another positive development, Ms. Koul said, has been the focus on infrastructure like road, energy and smart cities, which has changed the business climate dramatically. The railway budget has increased from 5 to a whopping 20 billion from 2009 to 2017. She mentioned that the emphasis on innovation and change in India has been growing exponentially. A key example for her is Invest India that acts as a single window of contact for company policy requirements working with a bureaucracy that is becoming more transparent and user-friendly.

Sujoy Bose, CEO of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) added that he views Canada as a critical partnership for India. Returns on investment in India, according to him, are guaranteed by political and macro stability, as well as ongoing reforms. In that respect India has proven itself, with a directional set of reforms in currency regime, FDI regime and the tax regime. The current government has been clear that the economy will be driven by investment in infrastructure, and therefore there is an ability to invest in assets that are operating and assets that can be developed. Mr. Bose stated that India could potentially draw 1 trillion USD in investment since the country is one of the largest markets for investing at present.

In summation, the panel came to the conclusion that the government has shown a marked shift in attitude, and the change is percolating down to the last mile gradually.

Panel on Attracting Investments

Panel on Doing Business in India

The session on ‘Doing business in India: What works?’ was moderated by Gautam Radhakrishnan of TATA Capital, and featured a panel with Vikram Desai (CPP), Harsha Raghavan (Fairfax), Sridhar Rengan (Brookfield) and Harsh Dhingra (Bombardier). Mr. Raghavan, Head of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (an Indian company headquartered in Canada), said that India has always been a strategic decision for them. While “in the 90s we owned 10% of ICICI bank and set up many offices. Today its equity is valued at 5 billion.” Therefore, for him, India is very much the front and centre of Fairfax with a very diverse scope.

Mr. Harsh Dhingra, Chief Country Representative of Bombardier Transportation, mentioned the difference in growth rates around the world

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INDIA-CANADA TIES: SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS

with India leading at a rate of 20% whereas the global average is only a 3%. He stated that for anyone in the transport business such as metros and railways, “India is the place to be.”

Sridhar Rengan, CFO of Brookfield India spoke about how Brookfield started as a small joint venture and took small steps into India. Now, they are betting on a cyclical growth in GDP in the next 10-12 years. When asked about what makes the best partnerships, Mr. Dhingra felt that it was the knowledge of Indian companies and markets, and seeing that they can manage these kinds of contracts. For Mr. Rengan, having a cultural fit is very important. Mr. Sandeep Bhatt, Senior Regional Manager at Export Development Canada added, “developing partnerships and relationships is the key to business in India.”

The panel hoped that a local regulator could help invest in financial projects in India. There is a huge requirement for foreign investment in India, however, Indian companies are not complying with government regulations and so it’s hard to find legitimate companies to partner with.Mr. Dhingra also mentioned a dip in corruption levels citing the example of the railways. Earlier it took 80-270 days for any procurement to take place but now it takes a period of 30-90 days, he said. This has happened because the number of officials signing has now reduced from 50 to 5. ‘Lights, Camera, Fly’

A reception by Air Canada, hosted by His Excellency Nadir Patel, brought the packed day to a close. The event was a celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary on the occasion of the inaugural non-stop Toronto-Mumbai flight, closely linking the key business centers of the two economies.

The crowd turned up in their Bollywood finest in accordance with the dress code, and the evening proved to be a spectacular finish to a day of celebration with festivities that included choreographer Shiamak Davar’s troupe dancing to catchy beats and a lucky draw round that had everyone angling for a free trip to Canada.

The positive attitude of the two countries towards each other, the celebration of this mutual association, the ambitious plans for a stronger, better future- all point to an enduring relationship between India and Canada. Now India awaits a visit from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said to be sometime next year, to mark yet another milestone in their journey.

We would like to help India-Canada trade relations. India and Indians have been a big part of Canada’s dynamism and diversity. The strength of this country is that it presents great opportunities for bilateral trade and investment. We are positive and excited about the years to come.

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Canada’s commitment to India is very tangible through Canada’s commercial and cultural relationship. In the last five years, as a bank, we have seen India translate opportunities into real action. International investors are seeing that, with private companies and pension funds taking a lead. We can see more sustainable relationships with India in the future. We are most excited about India...

Mr. Raghavan spoke about how investing in manufacturing has always

been big in India, but only big banks and investors are profitable. The only constraint to manufacturing in India is the availability of raw materials. To him, the people and the know-how here are amongst the best in the world.

6 OORJAAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017 | BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY | CAPF’S OORJA

CAPF’s OorjaBY RENUKA MISHRA

20th March to 19th July. In a football extravaganza lasting 4 months, 1280 matches were played among 560 teams with over 12500 boys and girls under the age of 19 years, in all the states and union territories of the country, participating with Oorja in every inch of their being.

Oorja, the name clicked instantly, given the potent combination of abundant energy, youth, Central Armed Police Forces and football. Football is not only a game. It is a religion.

India hosting the FIFA U/17 World Cup this year in October was one such opportunity to be seized and the Hon’ble Prime Minister did just that. During one of his Mann ki Baat programmes last year he emphasized the need to capitalize on the opportunity that FIFA was according India. He said that it should not be reduced to a one-time event but must convert into a movement. Millions heard what the PM said and interpreted it in their own different ways creating some beautiful initiatives by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports like Mission XI Million, Slum Soccer, Grassroot soccer and the biggest initiative this year by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Oorja.

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Oorja drove us and defined us. So also did our mascot, the lion cub, Gabru, an epitome of unbridled enthusiasm, fitness, pride in oneself, self-esteem and courage, Gabru, in time, went around schools, public places and even was on television promoting and publicizing the initiative. The tag line of the tournament is from a quote from the Kathopanishad reiterated by Swami Vivekananda, ‘Arise, awake and stop not until the goal is reached.” Literally.

Mr PK Bhardwaj, Secretary All India Police Sports Control Board and I began the initial brainstorming, and as luck would have it, CEO of Corporate Alliance Group, Mr Kapil Kumria, joined in. Brand ambassador, signature tune, a tournament anthem, curtain raiser with celebrities at India Gate, kit for the players, felicitation of eminent sportspersons, a documentary film, ideas kept getting churned out and our wish list expanded. Kapil Kumria, who we cannot thank enough, was our Santa Claus and brought with him two more namesakes, in time. The iconic cricketer Kapil Dev became our brand ambassador and Sukhwinder agreed to not only create and sing a tournament anthem for us but also perform live. Sunil Grover the character actor and comedian par excellence agreed to get associated with our initiative Kapil of The Kapil Sharma Show fame, featured Oorja and highlighted the initiative as well as the indispensable role played by the CAPFs in securing the country. Padmashris, Bhaichung Bhutia (Football), Sushil Kumar (Wrestling), Anju Bobby George(Athletics) and Loveraj, Asst Commdt BSF and 6 times Everester readily agreed to lend their support to Oorja on the show. A Gala Curtain raiser of the Tournament was held at India Gate on 22nd April during which the Mascot, Logo, Signature tune and Anthem of the tournament were launched in the presence of a galaxy of VIPs

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The Home Secretary, Shri Rajiv Mehrishi, in a series of meetings with the Director Intelligence Bureau, also the Chairman of the All India Police Sports Control Board and all the DGs of the Central Armed Police Forces, provided the impetus, gave the vision a shape and tapping the widespread presence of the Central Armed Police Forces in all corners of the country, decided that the CAPFs would be best suited to take the vision forward and get the country abuzz with football fever as a prelude to FIFA U/17 World Cup being proudly hosted by India in October this year.

CAPF’S OORJA

and celebrities from different walks of life. It was an event impeccably executed by Eventz Unlimited with their small bundle of energy, Ankita who orchestrated the entire show with her team, under the able and dignified guidance of Kanika Kumria. The Hon’ble Home Minister was the Chief Guest for the function. Shri Kapil Dev was present as the Brand Ambassador of the Tournament. Ministers of State for Home Affairs, Sports Minister, sports luminaries from all sporting backgrounds, Bhaichung Bhutia, IM Vijayan, Gopichand, Mary Kom, Sushil Kumar, Mary Kom, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, Kunjurani Devi, Babita Phogat alongwith 40 other Padmashri, Arjuna Awardees, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Tenzing Norgay Sports awardees of the CAPFs were felicitated on the occasion. Milind Soman was an added attraction at the event. Sunil Grover, the noted comedian entertained as the Master of Ceremonies. Shri Sukhwinder Singh sang and composed a tournament anthem for Oorja and true to his word, performed live to the song, injecting the entire India gate premises with his incredibly high Oorja. While Shri Rajnath Singh, Honble Home Minister kicked off the tournament at the Curtain Raiser at India Gate, Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs was the face and the voice of Oorja by CAPF throughout the tournament and graced ceremonies in both Phase I and Phase 2 and at all functions in Phase 3. He also hosted a magnificent and memorable Badakhana for all the participants during Phase 3. The Closing ceremony was presided over by the Honble Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley.OORJA is born out of concern for the well-being of our country’s youth and the recognition of the many problems affecting them. Oorja proposes to inspire children to come out and play.

The author is an IPS officer presently posted as IG Personnel and Training in Sashastra Seema Bal, a border guarding force. She is the Organising Secretary of ‘Oorja – CAPF Under 19 Football Talent Hunt Tournament, 2017’ and has recorded her impressions on the Oorja journey, in her personal capacity

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CAPF’S OORJA

As an active student leader who has not only participated in National Games but also was named the best athlete in school and college, how do you see the role and value of sports in the life of a young person?

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7 SHRI KIREN RIJIJUAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017 | BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY |SPORTS SERVE SOCIETY BY PROVIDING VIVID EXAMPLES OF EXCELLENCE

Sports Serve Society by Providing Examples of ExcellenceShri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Govt. of India shares his thoughts on the youth of India, importance of sports, the success of OOrja and the need to nurture the North East of India!

Sports are extremely important in our lives and it should be endeavour of every Government and progressive society and right minded individuals to promote sports among the people to the fullest possible means. Apart from keeping fit, Sports in early life shapes individual personalities, in youth fires the imagination/creativity and in middle and old age checks ailments. I believe in words of George F. Wills (Pulitzer Prize–winning

conservative political commentator) that “Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence.”Further, all who take up sports only one may eventually become a champion, but definitely all will be winners. Sports teach a person to develop the team spirit by working towards a common goal following; leadership skills; concept of fairplay by teaching that winning may be important but loss is also to be gracefully accepted. Sports also inculcate into a person the spirit perseverance, patience and persistence; earnestness and sincerity as every situation in sports is to be handled sincerely; observation and analytical skills in the form of strategy building. Sports help in developing the skills of planning ahead and being flexible in different situations; it helps in focussing on our strengths and abilities and helps in improving.

SPORTS SERVE SOCIETY BY PROVIDING VIVID EXAMPLES OF EXCELLENCE

To promote football, the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi-ji, is to nurture and promote a ‘Legacy Programme’ as a prelude to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup – “Mission XI Million” to take this beautiful game to at least 11 million school children. India will be hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time and the government wants to take the spirit of the wonderful game to every playground and door-step in every nook and corner of the country. And to this end by organizing Oorja 2017 CAPFs have contributed to promotion of this game which is one of the most popular in entire world. In pursuance of vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken up the responsibility of spreading the game far and wide in the country by involving all the CAPFs and State Police organizations with

Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Govt. of India

You have studied in Delhi University, earned a prestigious Law degree and are now in a very responsible position as MOS, how can students and professionals balance their life with adequate work and play?Striking a healthy work-life balance is a difficult challenge even in the best of times, but it is all the more daunting when you are holding an important official position or in public life. However, numerous studies have shown the most productive employees are well-rounded professionals with full and well-balanced lives - both in and out of the workplace. Achieving a healthy work-life balance requires managing our professional and personal life in sustainable ways that keep our energy flowing, our minds and bodies healthy and our whole selves happy and content.

active co-ordination with All India Police Sports Control Board to organize U-19 football tournaments in all the States and Union Territories, with active engagement of youth, students, so that a feeling of competition is instilled.

I am elated to be a part of Oorja: 2017, I had been part of this Endeavour since curtain raiser at India Gate, till finals at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. I am proud of the commitment of all the Forces in successful organization of Oorja, 2017 and creation of a positive environment for football even in those areas where it is not very popular. The tournament has positively created fervour for football among the young generation in India and helped in identifying young emerging footballers for Asian Championship and further nurturing by CAPFs.

It means giving due attention to all the things that enrich and fulfill us including work and career, health and fitness, family and relationships, spirituality, community service, hobbies and passions, intellectual stimulation, rest and recreation. For striking a balance, one has to set his priorities and schedule scrupulously.

As I said, Sports is very important in our life. Apart from physical fitness, sports carries with it psychological benefits as well, make our life comfortable and happy. So time-management is of essence - getting up early is one of the time-tested mode of creating more time for yourself and for your priorities.

You come from the beautiful state of Arunachal Pradesh. What are the most precious things about your home town that makes it must visit?Arunachal Pradesh, ‘the land of dawn lit mountains’ is one of the most beautiful States of India with one of the richest bio-geographical hotspot in India. The region is bountifully endowed with bio- diversity, hydro-potential, oil and gas, and forest wealth. The region is very much ideal to produce variety of fruit and vegetables, flowers and medicinal herbs, plantation crops, spices, much of which could be processed and exported to the rest of the country and worldwide. Its natural beauty, serenity and rich flora and fauna invite trekking and tourism. I belong to Nafra in West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh and continue to be enchanted by the beauty of the place, simplicity of the people, hospitality, and harmonious co-existence of various sections of society. However, I would like to add that North East in general and Arunachal in particular needs more efforts into development and our Govt. is trying to undo the damage done by the decades of negligence of previous Governments.

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Please share some thoughts on the CAPF’s Oorja (U-19 Football Talent Hunt) initiative? What has impressed you the most about the young talent?

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8 SANJOY ROYAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017 | BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY | CELEBRATING THE ARTS

Sanjoy Roy, Co-founder and Managing Director of Teamwork Arts

Celebrating the ArtsBringing India to the world and the world to India,” says the tagline of Teamwork Arts led by the dynamic Sanjoy Roy who has managed to give a fashionable twist to art and culture whilst making it affordable and viable!BY MEENAKSHI SHARMA

“Art is my life and my life is Art,” said Yoko Ono in a quote that could well be the truth for Sanjoy Roy, Co-founder and Managing Director of Teamwork Arts – a company that has successfully curated and organized International festivals like the ‘Jaipur Literature Festival’ (JLF), ‘Ishara Puppet Theater Festival’, ‘Kahaani festival of Storytelling’, ‘Friends of Music’ Concerts, ‘Kabira Music Festival’, ‘Pushkar – the sacred,’ and ‘Goa International Jazz Festival’ (GIJF) among many others.

It all began with Roy’s personal interest and passion for theatre and art which led him to TV and film production where he managed to employ

friends from the Theatre Action Group (TAG) and their company and produced many successful shows. Somehow, Roy recalls, the monotony of doing the same thing became so unbearable that they decided to start afresh and this is when his love for music culminated in a ‘Friends of Music’ platform that heralded an alternative music festival of sorts. “Everyone came and enjoyed the music and the food and drinks and it was an incredible festival,” he remembers.

It was around the same time that Roy noticed how available talent in India had never been showcased correctly. “There are many challenges in showcasing Art and while in other parts of the world it is a government aided activity, we set up Team Work Arts as a company so that we could create tangible wealth”. He feels that while everyone does lip service to culture, it has to be sustainable and tangible and he has managed to do exactly this with a focus on the right infrastructure with a dollop of pure passion.

Scientific and Artistic“It was in 1999 -2000 that we presented our first platform of work at the Edinburgh Festival,” he remembers and there has been no looking back ever since. Today the numbers speak the story as they rise to 16 countries; 42 cities; 26 festivals and even though these figures keep changing, the reality of making ‘art’ affordable, available and viable does not.

Our success comes from our ability to understand what the corporate wants and how we can get this value for him.

CELEBRATING THE ARTS

Narrating how Harvard Business School is doing a case study on the JLF is proof of how well the model Roy believes in has evolved into becoming such a popular festival. And that is why Sanjoy insists on the need to make it economically feasible and tangible and yet not allow the essence of any festival to get subsumed by the whole commercial angle.

The Economics of ArtSanjoy believes that for any festival to be successful, location is a very critical factor. For starters, it should have easy and convenient access through an airport and with good road connectivity. “And yet a city like Delhi which has 21 million has just a dozen theatres which are blissfully inadequate,” he complains about the capital of the country. “A country’s culture is defined by the way their theatres and entertainment centres contribute to the economy as they become economic hubs.”

It is this ability of Sanjoy Roy to make the fine arts a viable proposition whilst building brand India which is thoroughly praiseworthy. He also manages to make it a mainstream event with his uncanny ability to visualize the big picture whilst curating mysriad experiences with food, drinks, retail and festivities around it.

Roy believes all cities are not necessarily a festival city and that is why Edinburgh is a better option than London. Combine this with historicity and a distinct culture and you have a great festival. He also gives due respect to the famed Indian hospitality which is another distinct advantage as it the big fat Indian wedding in all its pomp and show testifies to India’s love for the crowds and the magnificence! No wonder, says Roy, Jaipur fit the bill so perfectly and at the last count, no less than 450000 people enjoyed the JLF experience!

And yet, one can hardly undermine the importance of money, asserts Roy who explains the division between programming and commercials. “Our success comes from our ability to understand what the corporate wants and how we can get this value for him because no festival can happen without the sponsors. And yet we must create the messaging in such a way that it has to be subliminal without taking away or distracting from the meaning of the festival.”

He also insists that it is not formulaic. “We want art to go to the audience in the city through a prestigious venue and we make sure we are completely mainstream”. It also means that they end up promoting a country, its culture and its people. “We work with our embassies and high commissions in most parts of the world because our agenda is the same”

Free ExpressionRoy has often been in the news due to the numerous controversies that are an annual occurrence during the JLF. He explains this phenomenon quite simply. “Authors have great and incredible ideas and they don’t only write to entertain but also because they have a message to communicate. This can be interpreted in any way and while we cannot stop people from filing cases against us, this plethora of lawyers and legal fees is so unnecessary.”

Roy also believes India has a deep connect with the Arts which is akin to a spiritual connect. “India is one of the few countries where the classical arts have survived without any government support through traditions like the Ramlila and Durga Puja which are a combination of music, theatre, drama, literature.” In a sense, Sanjoy pays homage to this very spirit of India through the Kabira music festival at Varanasi in November and through Pushkar the Sacred in December.

His spiritual ties were evident when I observed his personal involvement during the interaction with His Holiness the Dalai Lama a few years ago at the JLF and with Sadhguru of Isha Foundation who also spoke about his book ‘Inner Engineering’ at the Jaipur Literature Festival. “All talent

connects with the universal energy and by tapping into our inner self, you feel that connection,” explains Roy who sums it up beautifully when he says, “When the curtains rise, your soul connects with the magic of that universal energy!”

We want art to go to the audience in the city through a prestigious venue and we make sure we are completely mainstream.

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Roy is very meticulous with arrangements at the much acclaimed Jaipur Literature Festival

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9 DEEPANKAR TIWARIAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017 | BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY | TRANSFORMING GLOBAL MOBILITY

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TransformingGlobal MobilityAn interaction with Deepankar Tiwari, Head, Vehicles Solutions & Business Development, India & South Asia, UBER helps us understand him better as well as how UBER has revolutionized commuting!BY MEENAKSHI SHARMA

The ease of booking a cab and the entire effortlessness of the experience of travelling without the worry of driving and parking

has definitely made life so much easier in a metro. In this context, it was indeed delightful to chat with UBER’s dynamic Head of Vehicles Solutions and Business Development of India and South East Asia, Deepankar Tiwari.

Uber has changed the way we travel. How do you see this change?Uber has transformed global mobility and it has been a complete paradigm shift to discover how innovation and new technology can lead to this unique model. It is more like a utility. Just as you have electricity and water, you need mobility, particularly in a place like India where public transportation is still not up to the mark in India and in that sense, it is very inspiring and very technology driven.

Innovation brings wealth and when the focus is on trying to do things differently, it brings value and creates wealth. The millennials are everywhere and it is a different world where concepts are changing. The whole concept of personal mobility and car ownership has changed as cars no longer define status. While high end cars are still being bought by enthusiasts, for the majority of professionals, it’s more about getting from point A to point B and UBER gives an excellent alternative to having a personal car and it gives you good quality travel where there is no need for maintenance or driver.

How does UBER handle the challenges of safety and security?

At UBER the focus on safety is very high and stringent steps are taken from the driver on boarding process to the rider experience. In fact safety for both the driver and the rider is imperative as there are reverse examples of drivers being kidnapped or some people hired a car and then hijacked the car.

Checks are being done at every level and only verified drivers are appointed. Then there are a whole bunch of trainings and rider education programmes where we interact with our riders and keep them updated. We have certain technology driven procedures like the emergency push buttons and so on to ensure safety. Of course, we don’t limit the number of hours a driver can drive, but we make sure they are in good health and the car is in good condition.

Deepankar Tiwari, Head, Vehicles Solutions & Business Development, India & South Asia, UBER

Tell us about your own background and your personal and professional journey?

My UBER journey began on 1st May after spending over two decades with the Tata Group as one of the founding members of the passenger car (Indigo and Indica). Since I started with Tata group which really grows on to you, a strong value system was inculcated and a sense of giving back to society are some attributes instilled in us.

I grew up in Australia where my dad was professor of Physics. I did my higher studies back in India and then joined Tata group in 1997. In 1998 when we had no exposure to cars, the Tata group put together some youngsters and by 2012 we were the 2nd largest company in terms of market share. At UBER also I am looking forward to Opportunities; Innovation; New People and the excitement of integrating in the global community.

Tell us about your travels and hobbies?I travel a lot for work and for pleasure. I have explored India very well and find the North East amazing, especially Arunachal Pradesh where point Zero, in terms of natural beauty can beat European capitals. The next is Leh Ladakh which I have loved, especially the Zanskar Valley and Lake Pangong. I have also enjoyed Port Blair and so I am a adventurous traveller to that extent. Internationally I have enjoyed Kenya and Masai Mara. I am also a photographer and a musician who plays the Tabla. As far as food is concerned, Awadhi and Lucknowi cuisine is my favourite along with the fact that people there are still very genteel and possess the Lucknowi ‘Tehzeeb’. In my younger days, I was also part of the state hockey team and continue to make a conscious effort towards work life balance and fitness.

TRANSFORMING GLOBAL MOBILITY

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10 ANSHU BUDHRAJAAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017 | BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY | ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS INDIA STRENGTH

Entrepreneurship is India’s strengthBelieves Anshu Budhraja, General Manager of Amway India who shares the journey of the direct selling model of Amway which is driving entrepreneurship.Anshu Budhraja completed Business Administration from Thunderbird School of Global Management (Arizona - USA) and holds a post-graduate degree in accounting from Delhi University. He sspecializes in setting up and expanding Business Operations, Strategic Business Planning, Corporate Finance and Operations, Manufacturing Start Up, P & L Management and Business Excellence. B&ED spoke to him about the Amway journey and the unique mix of products and people that make it a brand to reckon with.

Please share the highlights of Amway’s India journeyAmway India is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amway which is one of the largest Direct Selling companies in the world with presence in over 100 countries & territories. With its headquarters located in Ada, Michigan, USA.

India is one of the key markets for Amway and ranks amongst top 10 markets globally. The company is focusing on four main components to drive business growth in India - New Preferred Customer program to create additional ways for individuals to secure quality Amway products, Express Pick

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS INDIA STRENGTH

& Pay stores to provide easy access and great experience to Amway consumers, Exciting Product Portfolio to cater to the market needs and Enhanced Training to the Amway direct sellers to equip them with the necessary skills to sell the products.

Amway India is also aggressively driving innovation by entering into newer categories. Most notable among these is the launch of a Weight Management Program called ‘W.O.W.’ (Will over Weight) which has received an overwhelming response and welcomed by the consumers in India. Recently, Amway forayed into the consumer durables segment with the launch of a premium cookware range Amway Queen and now, Amway India has also added a promising range of products focused on the young adult to its portfolio such as the Energy Drink (XS) and Whey Protein (XS) in the Sports Nutrition segment.

How did the Amway model manage to morph ordinary women into successful entrepreneurs?We have recognized that entrepreneurial spirit is the strength of India. In fact, our research shows that a majority of Indians dream of starting a business of their own and 70 percent of the nation’s population has a positive attitude toward entrepreneurship.

Amway offers an unparalleled opportunity to those who want to own and operate their own business to sell more than 130 distinctive quality consumer products. The direct selling industry has contributed significantly in the area of women empowerment. Providing them flexibility to work part-time or full-time and earn good income, and the business skills and acumen we provide, has further helped to create

more successful women entrepreneurs. At a FICCI event in Guwahati recently, there were women direct sellers (not just from Amway, but also other direct selling companies) with support groups ranging between 25-30,000 individuals. It clearly shows that this industry actually has the potential and ability to offer gainful self-employment for women. Our products are backed by a money back guarantee for 100% satisfaction of use* which allows our direct sellers to ‘try’ the business and their customers also to ‘try’ the product. Amway India does not charge any entry fee or deposit. The direct sellers are free to exit anytime.

Share some inspiring and empowering stories of Amway products and customersNutrilite has a history that dates back to the early decades of the 20th century when a man by the name Carl Rehnborg, set out on a mission. He realized that plant based compounds played a crucial role in nutrition. His work led to the development of a unique food supplement which could fill the nutritional gaps in a person’s diet. Today the Nutrilite brand offers a complete range of food/health supplements and other products designed to address the nutritional needs of different age groups and has a presence in more than 60 countries across the world.

Artistry with a legacy that unites nature and science is a premium skincare brand to offer some of the most scientifically advanced anti-aging and beauty solutions. Artistry is the world’s #1 direct selling premium beauty brand ***. All product formulations are developed by a global network of nearly 1,000 scientists and a handpicked consortium of international leading skin health experts who research and discover new breakthrough technologies from around the world.

Amway Queen is a premium range of cookware that allows healthy cooking of delicious dishes with almost no oil and less water. The range has been created especially for the Indian market keeping in view the culinary methods, palate preferences and eating habits of Indians.

XS brand is Amway’s recent introduction in India to capture the young adult market. XS brand was founded by David Vanderveen and Scott Coon in California, to deliver positive energy via great-tasting, sugar-free drinks. In India, too, XS is positioned as a brand for those, who want to lead an active and fun-filled lifestyle and get more out of the day.

Artistry from Amway

Amway Queen

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11 BUSINESS ETIQUETTEAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017 | BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY | GRACE UNDER PRESSURE

Grace under PressureWe all love to be spontaneous but there are some delicate situations where we cannot afford to be oblivious to the rules of business etiquette as these establish our reputation as a socially graceful and professionally dependable person with the right cultural exposure!BY MEENAKSHI SHARMA

We all love to talk to our family even while munching on food and often speak freely in a no holds barred discussion where everything from politics to religion comes under the scanner. There are days when a relaxing Sunday simply translates into lounging around in nightclothes simply because we are comfortable and at home.

I am sure most of you agree that the sheer joy of expressing oneself freely and spontaneously in the most natural style makes us both happy and comfortable. After all, it is a free world and each one of us should be allowed to present our unique personality in a way that we are most comfortable with? And yet, we enjoy being liked, being admired, and especially being considered worthy of leadership roles even as we look up to those who are well turned out, display immaculate manners and know the right way to do things.

While the dictionary meaning of ‘Etiquette’ is ‘the right way to do things,’ thus becoming an accepted norm for social graces and good manners, etiquette is about good old common sense with a healthy dose of concern and sensitivity. Unfortunately, most people associate etiquette with artificial and controlled behavior where they cannot express their true personality and are forced to conform to society’s rules of behavior. While that may sound true, the real test of etiquette is not in the artifice commonly associated with it but in understanding why it is important to put your best foot forward in a social or business situation.

And for those who feel etiquette is an outdated concept that imposes restrictions, please understand that while there is no right or wrong way to do things, it is essential to be equipped with the tools that will give us that ability to conduct ourself in the most effective way possible. Our manners indeed make us stand out as sensible and considerate people who respect others as much as they respect themselves.

The truth is that while we each have freedom of speech and expression, we also live in a society where courtesy and consideration is a demonstration of being sensitized to our surroundings. From social media etiquette to gym etiquette; office cubicle etiquette to email etiquette, dining etiquette to grooming rules – there is an endless list of places and situations where we cannot afford to be completely natural and spontaneous and need to know the right way to do things. Etiquette can be best defined as an effective way to live our life based on the most basic values of kindness and empathy which duly respects not just our own freedom but that of others. Indeed, these social graces go a long way in building positivity and giving you that extra edge at the workplace. Suffice to say that Business Etiquette today is no longer restricted to being a Victorian concept of social behavior and can easily be adapted to our personal value system.

In the coming columns we will explore business and social etiquette in different situations.

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12 SUNIL GROVERAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017 | BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY | LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

Laughter, the Best MedicineWell known TV star & comedian Sunil Grover bares his heart in a candid and forthright interview with Meenakshi Sharma as he talks about his journey, his life philosophy and his desire to give back through social initiatives.Sunil Grover narrates his life story which began at Mandi Dabwali in Haryana from where he moved to neighbouring Rajasthan and finally did his studies in Chandigarh in Punjab. “ I am a Punjabi who was born in Haryana, studied in Punjab and picknicked in Rajasthan!” he smiles as he adds that his father’s transferable job brought them to Delhi where he remembers how he was forever mimicking school teachers and relatives and was thrilled to find people laughing at these acts. “This attention kept me interested and when I participated in a histrionic competition and people started laughing, the attention I was getting and the impact of what I was doing created more interest.”

The Performing Arts was a natural progression for this talented young man who did his graduation in commerce from Chandigarh and then followed it up with a Masters in Theater. “Fortunately my family supported me and one of the reasons they were so supportive could have been that when

my dad, as a young man, was selected as a radio announcer, my granddad didn’t allow him to follow the arts so he didn’t want me to give up on my dreams,” he says thoughtfully.

“I get to be so many different people”

His talent for comic timing became rather apparent from his radio stint itself as he played ‘Sud’ to perfection in the hilarious ‘Hansi ke Phuvaare.’ “I went on to do numerous voice overs in ad films and commercials and have thoroughly enjoyed this journey”, admits Grover who says he has learnt a lot from working with creative people. “There

are very different approaches to this craft and I have benefited from working with different people so I was earlier working in Delhi for 10 months in News channels as I wanted to get a feel of the office working and office life and even though I can’t do that for too long, yet I wanted to experience that part of life.”

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LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

When I ask if he was always into comedy, he explains those early days. “I have been acting in many tragedies like Hamlet and Oedipus Rex – a Greek tragedy and had a very contrast life where I worked really hard in the day and in the evening jammed with so many musicians.” He believes that the great teachers at his drama school helped him to get his craft right and that coupled with the attention he gained from the audience helped him move closer to his goal.”

Reflecting on the best part of his job he says, “The good part of my job is that I get to be so many people. As a child I wanted to become a doctor or maybe an IAS officer because it sounded so cool and recently when I was driving in my car, an autorickshaw driver called out “ Aye Doctor!” and I thought, yes, I have also become a doctor. (Grover played Dr Mashoor Gulati and many other characters in the hit ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’)

A Form of MeditationGrover has an explanation to his ability to play so many characters when he says, “ Maybe I am not very comfortable with myself and that is why I enjoy being so many different people. It’s also a form of meditation because you forget yourself and that’s the good part but you also tend to take on the worries of the other person”. Does he really take on the worries of the person he mimics? “Not so much because I mostly do comedy but yes, you have to get into the mannerisms of the person you are mimicking and that means being closely associated with them.”

For Grover, the journey of achieving is indeed beautiful as he believes that there is no destination as such in life. “I enjoy every moment of my craft. Since the impact is not in my hand, all I can do is try for it, enjoy the process and cherish the journey”.

Living in the MomentWhen complimented on being both a perfectionist as well as very methodical in his approach to comedy, his response is modest. “Actually, I am a slow learner as everything is a process for me and I go by the book. I will take steps to reach the first floor because I don’t like to take the elevator!”

His reflective style of communication is proof of his thought process and it is no surprise to learn that he is doing a lot of motivational talks that inspire people. His response to this revelation is full of humility as he quips, “Life offers this beautiful thing called experience which we can choose to learn or unlearn. Just as the mediums keep changing and the

audience’s interest keeps changing, in the same way, whatever amount of experience I have which benefits someone, makes it beautiful for me”.

His firm belief that “Unless you change yourself, you will be changed,” comes from the sheer experience of accepting the inevitability of changing times. As he puts it, “Just because something was working 5 years ago doesn’t mean it will work now. The way you say it, or portray it has to be in the relation of the time and we don’t really know what works because finally it is the audience who is the super judge. When one mind is trying to influence so many minds, we never really know if it will work and that is why we should leave it to the super-power to decide!”

Fan Moment“Yes, I will be back on TV soon as I know my fans haven’t forgotten me and if I can bring something fresh in the same frame, it will be worth the wait!” says the laughter doctor who is pleasantly surprised by the warmth of the response from his fans and attributes their love to his success. “Before I was popular, I would take 7-8 minutes to get the audience in the mood and then they would start clapping. Now they clap when I enter, but now I have to sustain it as they have high expectations”, he explains his relationship with his fans. At the same time he explains how challenging it is to cater to different age groups and different mind sets at different times of the day as sometimes your energy and their energy may not match so sometimes they feel it is fake and sometimes they feel he is not giving 100 %.! “

Supporting IndiaThe public may love Grover but Sunil Grover considers himself a fan of the nation and its sportspeople as he believes that the “mechanism of all great things is similar!” He reflects on how playing and winning for the team and the country is no mean achievement as one has to deal with the response of the whole country which is either applauding or bashing the last person standing (as in cricket) who has to deal with the pressure!

Grover is particularly grateful for the Oorja idea. “I like football and feel India should not lack in it. CAPF’s Oorja is a great initiative and I am happy to be a part of it because this talent should be tapped and we should be giving them opportunities as also providing them a platform so India comes on the global map of football”.

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13 EXQUISITE FRENCH BAKINGAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017 | BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY |EXQUISITÉ & DÉLICIEUX

Exquisite & DelicieuxDelhi & NCR gourmets get authentic Parisian flavours at a French bakeryBY MEENAKSHI SHARMA

The heady aroma of freshly baked bread, the decadent succulence of delicious chocolate éclairs, the light crackle of crème brulee, the crunchy airiness combined with a delightful sponginess of a macaroon, the buttery goodness of a perfectly layered croissant…all these gastronomically

pleasurable experiences are a daily occurrence at the original French bakery called L’Opera!

Executive Chairman Kazem Samandari talks to us at the brand new ‘Two Horizon’ outlet at Gurugram where a dazzling display of cakes and pastries vie for attention with the aesthetic interiors. The idea of this popular patisserie and boulangerie was born in 2008 out of the longing of his son Laurent Samandari for authentic French breads and pastries whilst in India for his higher studies.

Being a perfectionist, Samadari decided to do it right! “We weren’t just interested in making a quick buck and wanted our venture to live for future generations so on 31st Dec 2009 we placed an order for a state-of-the-art production center that suited the requirement for a high-end bakery and I still remember the rainy day on 14th July 2010 when the container arrived. A journalist wrote a half page article on our crazy

French family working in India and placed a big picture of my daughter Caroline and her son in front of hundreds of macaroons. This picture garnered so much publicity that we soon got a call from a prominent person who wanted 8000 macaroons for his daughter’s wedding. We did this task to perfection with 600 beautiful boxes of macaroons accompanying wedding invitations. Soon after, we received a call after a week from the Office of Mr KP Singh, Chairman of DLF Ltd who had received them and was impressed to learn that these macaroons were made in India. So our first outlet after the one at the French Embassy was at the DLF Golf Club followed by the flagship store at Khan market, an Airport outlet, at 9 B cyber city and now at 2 Horizon. With that we have 13 outlets with 12 of them in Delhi NCR and one in Dehradun,” explains Kazem Samandari.

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EXQUISITÉ & DÉLICIEUX

Authentic French CuisineKazem is glad to have brought the French cuisine in an informal way to India as he explains, “Eating is a cultural experience for the French so at a restaurant, they first eat bread and butter to assuage their hunger before enjoying the meal which is a true experience. Our meals are not just to fill your tummy but to truly enjoy the food since everything happens around the table.”

Despite the focus on food, Samandari himself is very fit, much like his family members and a majority of his countrymen. He explains this by saying, “It is about quality not quantity and a whole lot of conversations around the table. There is no rush with food and we believe we should linger and enjoy. In France, business is conducted over lunch and dinner and not just for expense accounts but for the sheer pleasure of eating and bonding.”

He illustrates the difference between Indian and French baking styles when he says that in India, a cake is bought by the kilo. “ The French cannot ever say 1 kg and 2 kg because we cannot judge a cake in Kilos. Instead we say this cake is meant for 4 persons or 6 persons or 8 persons because it is light.”

As he orders a croissant, he points to the flaky pastry and comments on the science behind the umpteen layers! “You can cut it and check because for us the fluffy pastry is so important that we have hired a chef who specializes in it. There is so much science to it from how to knead the dough to how to put it together and at our production center in Noida, we can demonstrate how this is done,”he says confidently.

Innovation & the Indian palateWhile the majority of customers enjoy authentic French, does LOpera innovate for the Indian customer? “Authentic doesn’t mean we cannot innovate,” says Samandari who explains that there are dozens of new creations every month and enough scope for creativity and that they produce 50 new products per year according to traditional French cooking. “We do select items that suit the Indian palate because we sell it here but we don’t Indianize it as such. For instance, Indians love cupcakes but we don’t make them. What we serve is a combination of sweet and savoury items,” says Kazem.

He agrees that the prices are slightly higher than in Indian bakeries and the reason, as he explains is the unavailability of the raw material that they need!

“Almost everything is imported and we make sure we use the best ingredients to maintain the flavour,” says Kazem who also tells us that they have many B2B (Business to Business) deals with prominent hotels and restaurants in Delhi who use their products.

From classic delicacies like the Chocolate Éclair which is filled with rich chocolate cream and covered with melted chocolate icing to the most French of all desserts, the Mille Feuille to the Nutty Chocolate Treat – a seamless combination of eggless brownie, light-as-air dark chocolate mousse, caramel and crunchy caramelized peanuts, L’Opéra has replicated the authentic French dessert experience and wowed the Indian customer.

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14 H K KHANAUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2017 | BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY | A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

A Man for all SeasonsMuch has been said about Mr. H. K. Khan: A civil servant extraordinaire, an influential visionary, and a dynamic industrialist. Mr. Khan served as an IAS officer in the Gujarat cadre for nearly three decades and was the Chief Secretary of Gujarat from 1990 to 1992. Much of the industrial development seen in Gujarat today is attributed to his work and vision.

What made you want to become a civil servant at such a young age?To get anywhere, achieve any goal or objective, I believe you should have single-minded drive and confidence to realize it no matter what sphere of life it is in. I received my inspiration as a young schoolboy when I saw the Governor of Bombay come to preside a function at my father’s institute. I gazed at him and asked of my father later on: “I want to be a governor, so how do I become one?”

In those days governors were often retired and distinguished members of the civil service. When I learnt this, I decided at that very age that I would join the civil service. And this goal I pursued with a single-minded passion and conviction that I would make it.

When I was completing my education, various avenues of employment were open to me but I turned my face away because my goal was already set. Someone asked me what would happen if I didn’t succeed. For me, the question did not arise. I knew I had to succeed, which I did in my very first attempt.

Does any moment in your term as Chief Secretary stand out?

I’d have to say when I was promoting industries that were taking shape in front of my very eyes. I was part of a movement that transformed Gujarat from an agrarian state, whose only industry was a fragile textile industry, into a state that was a major manufacturer of chemicals, petro chemicals etc. The methods evolved by us, like the single window approach, were the envy of other states that tried to emulate them. This transformation

What was the highpoint of your careerin retrospect?

BY ANAM HAMID

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After his retirement, he remained a trusted advisor to the state government as well as to many private enterprises, helping them set up and run businesses that have since become household names.

To this day, those that have worked with him remember him fondly. Mr. Khan himself has many personal anecdotes to share of the dramatic stories of success of many industrialists, although he is quite modest about his role in making it all happen. On a rainy Sunday afternoon, we met up over a cup of coffee to reminisce about his past.

When General Motors were looking for a site in India around 1993, various states made offers to them, which were conditional on approvals at various levels. When they met me, I gave them a written offer with no strings attached. I did it on my own authority and what is interesting is that the cabinet and the CM endorsed this in less than a week. For me, this was a huge triumph.

Lastly, how much have you seen the state of Gujarat grow under your leadership?It has been stated in the media and said by many colleagues that I was responsible for Gujarat’s achievements. But the fact is that the business acumen of the people of Gujarat, the efforts of a team of officers, and above all a liberal and forward looking political leadership all contributed to Modern Gujarat.

Having had a whirlwind career in public service, Mr. Khan has finally decided to invest some time savouring the smaller things in life. While he occasionally consults for energy firms, he enjoys reading Grisham and Wodehouse and watching cricket, is a keen golfer, and takes great pleasure in going on family holidays.

A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

and more than that, the culture of development that shook Gujarat, was in my opinion one of the most significant developments in modern India and it was my privilege to be a part of this movement.

No doubt I was fortunate to be involved with the development of the petroleum industry in Gujarat and later on in the country. I was also part of an endeavor to bring in new technologies and new initiatives in the state, but for me the high-water mark were the exciting days in the 80s, when one can say that the industrial revolution really took shape in Gujarat.

Is that why you continued working in the same sector post retirement?I had the unique distinction of being associated with industrial development for a period of more than 20 years (mostly in the energy sector), which was rare in the administrative service. Naturally therefore, after retirement, I was on the board of directors or served as a consultant to companies engaged in this field. Initially I was very active, traveled a great deal, attended seminars and meetings all over the world. But later on decided to play a more passive role.

You’ve come across some challenging times and interesting figures in the past. Could you share some anecdotes with us?When floods took a heavy toll in Porbandar in 1984, I was sent there to control a situation that had defied some of the finest technical brains in the state. When asked how I would tackle it, I replied frankly that I didn’t know how. All I knew at the time was that we had to tackle it, which we did in record time. Situations like these were far removed from an officer’s daily routine. I had to stay without shelter, sometimes without food for days and nights so that I could gauge the tribulations of those affected.

What kind of industries did you go on to promote?My ambition was to create new entrepreneurs instead of merely being a part of major investing groups. I was Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the Gujarat Industrial Investment Corporation (GIIC) for four years. One of its functions was to finance new generation of entrepreneurs. One day in the early 80’s a gentleman came to me for financial assistance, seeking a loan for a detergent factory. My instinct prompted me to help him. But when I sent him to my finance director, who was a banker, and who later on became the Chairman of the largest bank in India, he told me not to risk a loan on the gentleman since he had no track record. I told him that our job was to not help established industrialists, but to create new ones. I then took the matter to the Board of Directors, and there some of the wisest minds in Gujarat advised me against it.

Nevertheless, I took the risk and gave him the loan. The person happened to be Karsonbhai Patel, and the product was Nirma, which went on to become a household name. I related this incident to the Chief Executive to UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) when he asked me the secret of Gujarat’s development. I felt that even if I was successful in 7 out of 10 cases, the risk was well worth it. And the record is impressive: Ambuja Cement, Apollo Tyres, and even the encouragement of Reliance in the petrochemical sector.

Are there any more such instances from your days at GIIC?When Mr. Pai, then chairman of IDBI, was in Lucknow, he met a person by the name of Mr. Neotia who was most frustrated because he had a license for a cement unit in U.P. and for three years couldn’t make any progress. Mr. Pai brought him down to Ahmedabad to see if I could help. Mr. Neotia went on to sign the MOU with GIIC the same day and within a year the cement factory, that became Gujarat Ambuja, took shape.

Another time, Mr. N.D. Tiwari when he was CM of U.P., invited me to Lucknow to give a few tips to his officers on industrial development. Similarly Mr. Biju Patnaik, former revered CM of Odisha, flew into Ahmedabad and asked for a breakfast meeting with me to get ideas on some of our new initiatives like the Bank of Gujarat.

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