C e - eoibudapest.gov.in Jun-July 2018 with...Editor: TPS Rawat Support team: Anna Simon, Anna Szabó, Eszter Berki Contributors: Anita Adamecz, Eszter Berki, N. Venkataraman,

4

Contents

Bilateral ....................................................................................................................................................... 3

Culture ......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Health Sector .............................................................................................................................................. 17

Economy ..................................................................................................................................................... 19

Yoga Corner ................................................................................................................................................. 21

Children’s Corner ....................................................................................................................................... 22

6

Editor in Chief: Rahul Chhabra

Editor: TPS Rawat

Support team: Anna Simon, Anna Szabó, Eszter Berki

Contributors: Anita Adamecz, Eszter Berki, N. Venkataraman,András Havas, Klaudia Kovács, Saya Nagasawa, Schaferné Földvári Ilona

Cover, Design and LayoutINDIA EMPIRE PublicationsN 126, II Floor, Greater Kailash Part-I,New Delhi – 110 048, IndiaM: +91-9899117477, Tel: +91-11-29231515E: [email protected] Web: www.indiaempire.com

AMRITVol. 5 Issue 6, June-July 2018

Bi-monthly Journal of the Embassy of India, Hungary

Amrit is a bi-monthly journalpublished by the Embassy of India,Budapest. It is available online on theMission’s websitewww.indianembassy.hu

The views expressed are those of theauthor and not necessarily of theEmbassy of India, Hungary.

Reproduction in any manner withoutprior permission of the Embassy isprohibited.

7

embassy of india, Hungary

BILATERAL

June-July 2018 | amrit | 3

Ambassador and Mrs.Chhabra attended thereception organised onthe occasion of the 100thAnniversary of Georgia’s

First Democratic Republic. Theauspicious event also served to bidfarewell to Ambassador Zaza Kandelakiof Georgia and his spouse, Mrs. NinoGogorishvili. The evening also featuredan enchanting piano recital of Georgianartist, Mr. Luka Okros, who at the ageof 27 is one of the most promisingartists of his generation. He startedlearning to play the piano at the age of4 and gave his first public performanceat the age of 5. He has won severalprestigious awards and has givenconcerts in many of the world’s mostfamous halls. �

Ambassador and Mrs. Chhabra with Ambassador Arian Spasse and Mrs. EldaSpasse (Albania), Ambassador Aliaksandr Khainouski and Mrs. Natallia

Khainouskaya (Belarus) with Mr. Luka Okros, acclaimed piano artist from Georgia

Reception at the Embassy of Georgia

On 14 June,Ambassador and Mrs.Chhabra receivedSister JayantiKirpalani, Director of

Brahma Kumaris Europe & MiddleEast and Sister Sophie. H.E. Ms. RasaKairiene, Ambassador of Lithuaniaand her spouse, Mr. Romas Kairys alsoattended the meeting. Sister Jayantiwho arrived from London is well-known as an emissary for peace with aglobal and deeply spiritual vision. Sheacts as the University’s mainrepresentative to the United Nations(UN) in Geneva, where she advocatesspiritual values in sustainability. Shehas attended many international, UNconferences and spoken most keenlyabout issues regarding climate change.Today, Brahma Kumaris is the biggestinstitute in India which uses solarthermal power. �

Visit of Sister Jayanti Kirpalani,Brahmakumaris

H.E. Ms. Rasa Kairiene, Ambassador of Lithuania, Mrs. Kavita Chhabra andAmbassador receiving Sister Jayanti Kirpalani and Sister Sophie of

Brahmakumaris at the entrance of the Chancery Building

embassy of india, Hungary4 | amrit | June-July 2018

BILATERAL

of SRF Group, announced thatpackaging materials will be produced on

the 15-hectare plant from 2019 usingthe latest technology. �

Mrs. Kavita Chhabra, spouse ofAmbassador with Mrs. NataliaKhainouskaya, spouse of theAmbassador of Belarus and Mrs.Elda Spasse, Spouse of the

Ambassador of Albania at the reception organised onthe occasion of the Statehood Day of Croatia. �

SRF Press Conference on 15 June, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary

(Left-right) Mrs. Márta Czeglédi Győriné, Mayor of Jászfényszaru, H.E. Mr. Rahul Chhabra, Mr. Róbert Ésik, President of HIPA, H.E. Mr. Péter

Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Ashish Bharat Ram, Managing Director of SRF Group

Ambassador Mr. RahulChhabra attended a pressconference along withMr. Sanjeev Manchanda,Second Secretary

(Pol&Com) on the occasion of theannouncement of the Indian SRFGroup investment in Jászfényszaru,Hungary. The investment costing EUR60 million will employ 100 workers. Mr.Ashish Bharat Ram, Managing Director

Press conference of SRF Group investment

Reception at the Embassy of Croatia

H.E. Mr. Péter Szijjártó, Minister ofForeign Affairs and Trade is greeting

H.E. Mr. Rahul Chhabra on theoccasion of the investment of the

Indian SRF Group. Mr. SanjeevManchanda, Second Secretary

(Pol&Com) can be seen in the back

The ladiesat the event


BILATERAL


The delegation visiting EU Commission Representation in Hungary

Visit of the Council of EU Chambers of Commerce of India

LEFT: Members of the delegation also paid a visit to the Hungarian Chamber of Engineers on 25 June, 2018.Mr. Ameet Nivsarkar, President of the Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India along with Mr. Gyula Nagy,

President of the Hungarian Chamber of Engineers. RIGHT: At the conclusion of the visit, the Council of EU Chambers of Commerce of India, represented by Mr. Ameet Nivsarkar, President signed an MoU with the Hungarian

Chamber of Commerce and Industry represented by Mr. József Gaál, Vice-President, Industrial Development and Innovation, Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Council of EUChambers of Commerceof India paid and officialand fruitful visit toHungary. The delegation

called on the European CommissionRepresentation in Hungary on 25June, 2018 and was received by Ms.Liliana Zúgó and Mr. Zoltán Gyeneseconomic analysts. �

Reception at the Embassy of Albania; Presidential visit

Ambassador andMrs. Chhabraattended thereception hostedby H.E. Mr.

Arian Spasse, the Ambassadorof Albania and his spouse, Mrs.Elda Spasse on the occasion ofthe visit to Budapest of H.E.Mr. Ilir Meta, the President ofthe Republic of Albania. �

Ambassador and Mrs.Chhabra in the company of(from left to right): H.E. Mr.Arian Spasse, Ambassador ofAlbania, H.E. Mr. MaximilianoGregorio Cernadas,Ambassador of Argentina andhis spouse, Ms. Cecilia Scalisi,H.E. Mr. Ilir Meta, Presidentof Albania, Mrs. Elda Spasse(Albania) and PresidentMeta's daughter


BILATERAL

Meeting with the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

During the month of June, Ambassador traveled toIndia. During his official visit Ambassador Chhabra called

on H.E. Mr. Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Chief Minister ofTamil Nadu. �

Ambassador in discussion with the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

Minister Miklós Soltész received Shri Navin Chawla, former Chief Election Commissioner of India

Former Chief Election Commissioner calling onMinister of State for Church and Religious Affairs

Shri Navin Chawla, formerChief Election Commissionerof India, met Mr. MiklósSoltész, Minister of State forChurch and Religious Affairs,

in Prime Minister's Office of Hungaryon 25th June, 2018. He wasaccompanied by Shri T.P.S. Rawat,Charge d'Affaires a.i. from the Embassyfor the meeting.

Shri Chawla briefed the Minsterabout his 23-year long associationwith Mother Teresa and theconfidence she reposed in him till hervery end. Shri Chawla also presentedthe Minister his best-sellingbiography “Mother Teresa(Missionaries of Charity)”, translatedinto many languages, and also briefedhim about “The Lepra India Trust”set up by him in 2006 for leprosy anddisability related causes. �


BILATERAL


LEFT: Ambassador with Dr. László Palkovics, Minister of Innovation and Technology, patron of the 193rd Anna-ball who hasalready visited India 50 times. RIGHT: Mrs. Kavita Chhabra with Ms. Eszter Horgas, famous and acclaimed Hungarian flute

artist and her daughter, Ms. Lili Somogyi who currently studies at Liszt Ferenc Academy to become an opera singer

On 21 July Ambassador and Mrs. Chhabraattended the prestigious Anna-ball inBalatonfüred. Ever since it wasorganised for the first time in 1825, theAnna-ball has always been regarded as

one of the most elegant and refined social event of the

country, where the most prominent members of thepolitical community and the artistic world meet. Everyyear, the illustrious company of guests chooses the belleof the ball and her ladies-in-waiting who are all awardedwith exquisite vases made by the Herend PorcelainFactory. �

Anna-ball in Balatonfüred

LEFT: Mrs. Chhabra with H.E. Mrs. Karima Kabbaj, Ambassador of Morocco (middle) and Mrs. Maria Guadalupe Albert,spouse of the CDA of Switzerland. RIGHT: Ambassador with Dr. Ervin Gömbös, World Federation of UN Associations

A mbassador and Mrs.Chhabra a t tended thereception organised by the

Embassy of the Kingdom ofMorocco on the occasion of the19th Anniversar y of the

Access ion of His Majes ty theKing Mohammed VI to theThrone. �

Reception at the Embassy of Morocco


CULTURE

Indian Film Club

On first and third Friday of everymonth films are screened under theaegis of “Indian Cine Club” at theauditorium of Amrita Sher-GilCultural Centre in Embassy Premisesfor Hungarian fans. As Embassyorganized IDY & Ganga-DanubeFestival programmes in the end ofJune, only one film screening was heldin ASCC on 1 June, 2018: New York(Hindi. 2015). In July one film wasscreened due to the summer holidays:

Closing Ceremony of Hindi classes

7 June, 2018

The Closing ceremony for Hindi &Orientation Class was held in theAmrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre(ASCC) of Indian Embassy on 7thJune, 2018 in the Auditorium. Thestudents of the ASCC Hindi andOrientation courses were invited tothis event. Mr T. P. S. Rawat, theDirector of ASCC welcomed theguests.

The programme started with adance performance by the students ofMs Saumya Shukla, Kathak Teacher ofASCC. Saumya Shukla also performedon stage a Ghazal. Dr Mária Négyesi,Head of Department at Dept. of Indo-European Studies also greeted theaudience and conducted theprogramme of the evening. Students ofIndology Department recited poemsand sang Hindi songs.

There was a short thanksgiving bythe students of Hindi courses; theypresented bouquets for their teachersand to contacts. This was followed by

AMRITA SHER-GIL CULTURAL CENTRE

OCCASIONAL PROGRAMMES in ASCC

on 20 July, 2018 Hum Tum (Hindi,2004) was screened.

Around 15-35 persons attended the

screening respectively. Before thescreening documentaries were screenedwhich had been provided by XPDivision.

Details of the activities of the Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre, Budapest, during the month of June and July, 2018 are as under:

Dr Mária Négyesi & T.P.S. Rawat,Director of ASCC

Kathak performance by Ms Saumya Shukla

Audience listening to the speeches Kathak performance by students


CULTURE


Dr Dileep Shakya being greeted

Rajesh Gangani & Andrea Jánosiplaying music

Group photo

LEFT: Audience applauding. RIGHT: Audience watching the show on screen

LEFT: Kathak group performing. RIGHT: Indian fusion music performance

Group photo

Bharatanatyam dancers with amember of the audience

recitation of Prof Dilip Shakya,Visiting Professor of Hindi Chair atELTE University. Mr Gábor Hevesisang a Hindi Bhajan on Harmoniumaccompanied by Andrea Jánosi.Certificates were presented to thesuccessful students by Director. PtRajesh Gangani closed the event withhis Tabla performance, accompanied byAndrea. At the end of the event Indianrefreshment was served. The event wasattended by around 70 guests.

Cultural programme at Old People’s

Home in 17th district

14 June, 2018

On 14 June, 2018 Amrita Sher-GilCultural Centre participated in“Juniális” event of Old People’s Homeof Pesti Street (17th distr. Budapest).The „Pesti Street Old People’s Homeof the Capital City of Pest County”was handed over in 1974; with 544

residents and more than 250employees, it is the largest institution inBudapest on the Pest side. Theirinhabitants are not only residents ofBudapest, but they also board a largenumber of elderly people who comefrom rural areas.


CULTURE

In their colorful program range,they regularly offer music and danceprogrammes for the residents, alsoliterary and theatrical performances.For the whole-day event held on 14June, 2018, they wanted to entertaintheir nurselings (residents) with specialprogrammes and renownedperformers, as these residents canhardly or completely cannot leave theinstitution's field, but are enthusiasticaudiences for cultural programmes. Forthe majority of the residents thecolours and joy of Indian culture was areally special spot in their lives,moreover, this event was unique in thehistory of the institution. The mediarecordings of the „Junial” event werepublished on their website, and thephotos of the event decorate the wallsof the institution throughout the year.

During the Indian programmeSzabolcs Tóth Sitar player with PtRajesh Gangani on Tabla entertainedthe residents, giving a tempestuousperformance. They were followed byAIPA Kathak group with 10 dancerswho enchanted people with theirgraceful dance. The audience was verygrateful and sensitive for theperformances, and the artists received ahuge applause after their performance.

4th International Day of Yoga and

3rd edition of “Ganga-Danube:

Cultural Festival of India”

celebrated together in 22 cities of

Hungary

22-24 June, 2018

Embassy of India Budapestcelebrated 4th International Day ofYoga (IDY) with 3rd edition of “Ganga-Danube: Cultural Festival of India” in22 cities of Hungary, i.e. Alsóörs,Balatonfured, Bekescsaba, Budapest,Debrecen, Eger, Esztergom, Győr,Kecskemet, Krishna Valley, Miskolc,Nagykanizsa, Nagykőrös, Nyiregyhaza,Pecs, Sarvar, Sopron, Szeged,Szentendre, Vasvar, Veszprem andZalakaros from 22-24th June, 2018. Thecelebration showcased Yoga, workshopson Yoga and Ayurveda, Indian culturalperformances, henna painting, Indianfolkart, Indian cuisines and Indian films.

The three day event was formallyinaugurated on 22nd June, 2018 inprestigious Urania Theatre, in a two-hour glittering ceremony which was fullof Yoga and Indian culturalextravaganza. Mr. Márton Schőberl,Deputy State Secretary for CulturalDiplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairsand Trade of Hungary andAmbassador Rahul Chhabra formallyinaugurated the event. Around 400guests including dignitaries fromHungarian political leaders, seniorbureaucrats, diplomats, mediapersonnel, Indian and Hungarianbusiness leaders and prominentmembers of Indian diaspora attendedthe event.

Indian Council for CulturalRelations (ICCR) sent two culturaltroupes for this Festival; 10-memberNamame Gange Bharatnatyam troupeand (ii) 10-member Manipuri Folkdance group. These troupes performedin five cities each of Hungary. NamameGange Bharatnatyam troupe presenteda dance drama highlighting theimportance of river Ganga which is thecultural life line of India. The theme ofthe presentation by Namame Gangealso showcased the integration ofculture of India and Hungary throughsymbolic confluence of holy Gangaand historic Danube River.

Manipuri folk dance groupperformed Pung Cholom and variousmartial art forms, which was a greatartistic creation considered to be therarest of the rare art forms speciallydesigned and choreographed for stageperformances in Hungary. This is thefirst time any folk-dance troupe fromNorth-East region of India performedin Hungary.

Apart from above two troupes,Embassy also utilized another 7cultural troupes/performers from Indiaduring the festival. Another 10Hungarian cultural troupes/artistswhich are proficient in Indian art formsare also performed during the Festival.A total of 75 artists performed duringthe festival.

Ministry of Ayush sent four YogaExperts for IDY who conductedCommon Yoga Protocol in 10 cities.Newly ICCR appointed Indian Yogateacher at the Embassy and localHungarian yoga teachers alsoconducted yoga classes in various citiesduring the celebrations of IDY.

On 21st June, a special yoga sessionwas held at Semmelweiss University,Budapest by Ms. Melinda Irtl, yogateacher at Embassy at AnatomyDepartment of the University. Shegave a special presentation on thehistory of yoga in Hungary. Universityalso organized mindfulness/nidra yogapractice for the students to mark thecelebrations of IDY.

Another highlight of the event wasspecially created India show by FerencHopp museum, Budapest on 23rd June,2018, which included Indian culturalperformances, live painting by Mr.Abhishek Singh, ICCR sponsoredpainter, Indian puppetry show, Indianfolk art and Indian cuisines. Theprogramme started in the evening at 6pm and went on till midnight. Theevent was within the framework of the6- month long exhibition dedicated toIndia by the Ferenc Hopp museum,titled “GODDESS/ WOMAN DeviCults and the Traditional Female Rolesin India”.

Mayors inaugurated IDY on 23rdand 24th June, 2018 in their respectivecities and performed yoga sessions withthe participants. In all cities IDY wasorganized with the collaboration oflocal Mayor’s offices and attended byyoga enthusiasts and by commonHungarians. There was widespreadeuphoria and enthusiasm for theseevents among common Hungarianswhich has become a regular feature ofcultural calendar of Hungary.

For more information and videofootage of celebration of IDY pleasevisit our website atwww.indianembassy.hu and facebookpage at https://www.facebook.com/ICCBudapestHungary/


CULTURE


INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA & GANGA DANUBE CULTURAL FESTIVAL 2018, PICTURE SELECTION

OPENING CEREMONY AT URANIA, BUDAPEST-HUNGARY

FERENC HOPP MUSEUM


CULTURE

KRISHNA VALLEY, HUNGARY

VESZPREM, HUNGARY NAGYKŐRÖS, HUNGARY

ZALAKAROS, HUNGARY

June-July 2018 | amrit | 13embassy of india, Hungary

CULTURE

INDIAN MUSICAL CONCERT

EVERNESS FESTIVAL, ALSOORS-HUNGARY BALNA, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

MANIPUR DANCE GROUP AIPA GROUP

PADMABHUSHAN SAROJA VAIDYANATHANJI-BHARATNATYAM GROUP


CULTURE

IDY Celebration in Bosnia &

Herzegovina

16-17 June, 2018

Embassy of India Budapestcelebrated 4th International Day ofYoga (IDY in 7 cities of Bosnia &Herzegovina, i.e. Sarajevo, Banja Luka,Mostar, Foca, Zenica, Zavidovici, Tuzlafrom 16-17th June, 2018. Thecelebration showcased Yoga, Indiancultural performances, henna painting.

The two-day event was formallyinaugurated on 16th June, 2018 inprestigious Dom Mladih CulturalCentre in city centre of Sarajevo. Theevent was jointly inaugurated by Dr.Irena Hadziabdic, Chief ElectionCommissioner and H. E. Mr RahulChhabra, Ambassador of India forHungary and Bosnia &Herzegovina.The program in KJP Centar Skenderijad. o. o. Sarajevo started with an Indianfusion music concert by Pt RajeshGangani, highly respected Tabla artistand also Tabla teacher-cum-performerof ASCC and Mr Zoltán Lantos,worldwide known violinist. After thetwo musicians Ms NrityashriAlaknanda, a renowned Kathak dancerand her dance troupe 'AlaknandaSanskriti' among them Ms SaumyaShukla, Kathak teacher-cum-performerof ASCC were performing at the stage.

After the cultural programme H. E. MrRahul Chhabra Ambassador of Indiafor Hungary and Bosnia &Herzegovinagreeted the audience which wasfollowed by the welcoming speech ofDr. Irena Hadziabdic. As a closing theaudience participated in the CommonYoga Protocol session conducted byMs Ankita Sood, Yoga teacher andlifestyle expert of Embassy of India.Ms Razija Mujanovic and Ms SelmaMuhedinovic Yoga Ambassadors forBosnia & Herzegovina also participatedat the event. After the Yoga session theaudience had the chance to tastesamosa and halva provided by themembers of ISKCON BiH. On therequest of Dr. Irena Hadziabdic, ChiefElection Commissioner Embassy ofIndia, Budapest will conduct Yogaclasses for employees of CentralElection Commission for stressmanagement.

Embassy of India took three typesof cultural troupes for the celebrations;(i) 3-member Bharatnatyam troupe, (ii)7-member Kathak dance group and (iii)Music group (Zoltán Lantos on Violin,Rajesh Gangani on Tabla). Thesetroupes performed in seven cities. TheBharatnatyam troupe presented danceitems depicting Gods and Goddessesof India. The theme of the

presentation by AIPA Kathak groupshowcased interesting items on Indianwomen. The Indian fusion music ofthe Violinist and the Tabla playerenchanted the audience everywhere.

Apart from the above three troupes,Embassy also utilized the services ofAnkita Sood, yoga expert, who heldworkshop-cum-performances andCommon Yoga Protocol at 4 venues. At3 venues local yoga teachers heldclasses for audience.

Mayors of some of the citiesinaugurated IDY on 16 & 17 June. MrJasmin Imamović, Mayor of Tuzlagraced the Tuzla event with hispresence and performed yoga with theparticipants. Mayor of Zenica, Mr FuadKasumovic was also delighted by theprogramme and participated in theyoga class. In all cities IDY wasorganized with the collaboration oflocal Mayor’s offices and attended byyoga enthusiasts and by commonBosniaks.

For more information and videofootage of celebration of IDY pleasevisit our website atwww.indianembassy.hu and facebookpage at https://www.facebook.com/InternationalDayOfYogaBiH/

FOCA CITY

embassy of india, Hungary June-July 2018 | amrit | 15

CULTURE

ZAVIDOVICI CITY

SARAJEVO CITY

BANJA LUKA CITY

TUZLA CITY ZENICA CITY


CULTURE

Programmes in JulyBabel Sound Festival

16-22 July, 2018

ASCC had been approached byorganizers from Babel Sound Festivalregarding a week-long culturalprogramme to be held inBalatonboglár, Várdomb from 16-22July, 2018. The festival is a culturalgathering on the banks of BalatonLake including music and danceprogrammes, artistic workshops,lectures etc. held every year. Theorganizers set up an India-tent as well,marking Friday (20 July) a special IndiaDay.

ASCC contributed to theprogramme with Kathak danceperformance on the stage by SaumyaShukla and her group and workshopsnear the tent. Also we sent decorationitems to make the atmosphere moreIndian. Mr Akash Bhatt, Tabla playerfrom India also participated in theprogramme.

Krishna-valley “Búcsú”

22 July, 2018

Krishna-valley “Búcsú” is a yearlySummer Festival of ISKCON, one ofthe biggest events of Krishna followersin Hungary. This year ASCC wasapproached to contribute to the festivalwith Indian cultural programme. The

two-day programme is full of interestingevents like Indian wedding, gastronomy,music, dance, bio-farm visiting etc.People can enjoy theatre performances,children can immerse in games. Thisyear people also could have a look athouses of ISKCON devotees and have aguided tour introducing them to

normal-day life of the devotees.

Ms Virág Túri, Odissi teacher ofASCC went to perform at the eventwith her group. She prepared aprogramme which contained itemsabout Krishna, the God. She enchantedpeople with her graceful dance. �


HEALTH SECTOR


The Wilson Center ispartnering with Apolitical,a global network ofgovernment professionals,to share stories—like this

one by Miranda Hall—about caregivingand women’s economic prosperity. Paststories in the series highlighted womenin New Zealand fighting to secureequal pay, the value of unpaid carework, and new technology that may bechanging the field of caregiving.

In 1971, the wives of textileworkers in Ahmedabad, western India,became the main earners in theirfamilies overnight, after several largetextile mills closed down.

They were part of the 94 percent ofIndia’s female labor force working inthe informal sector—recycling waste,embroidering fabric, and sellingvegetables. As a result, they remainedlargely invisible to the government andto formal labor unions.

In response, Ela Bhatt, a younglawyer, held a meeting with 100 of thewomen in a public park. Theyestablished the Self-EmployedWomen’s Association (SEWA), whichwould later register as a trade union andswell to the two million members itboasts today.

The union’s main goals involvedorganizing workers once deemed“impossible to organize” and fightingfor better working conditions. But oneof the main achievements of SEWAover the past 40 years has been thecreation of a network of crechesproviding childcare for its members.

This grassroots initiative isaffordable and flexible, community-led,and controlled by members. It also

offers skills training and otheropportunities, and insists on decentwages and protections for full-timeemployees.

The informal economy is still farsmaller in places like Europe (25percent) than in India (81 percent).However, where workers faceprecarious conditions, governmentswill need to put affordable, flexiblechildcare at the forefront of their plansfor social security. Laura Alfers, whoheads the childcare campaign atWomen in Informal Employment:Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO),said that the SEWA model, with itscooperative structure, can “teachgovernments a lot about inclusion andthe importance of communityparticipation in childcare.”

A Childcare Solution For Informal

Workers

One of the main barriers to genderequality in the labor market is the lackof childcare services—UN Womennotes that across 31 countries in theglobal South, less than 1 percent ofwomen living in poverty have access tochildcare services.

Research from WIEGO highlightshow without access to maternityentitlements and quality childcare,women in the informal economy takeup more insecure work. Since the1990s, organizations like UNICEF, theInternational Labor Organization(ILO), and the World Bank haveidentified childcare as a crucial priorityfor policymakers thinking about genderand the future of work.

However, by listening to theconcerns of its members, SEWAidentified this barrier long before. Theunion established the Sangini Child

Care Cooperative in Ahmedabad in1986. It has since grown and is nowresponsible for 13 centers, each caringfor 130-400 children.

The cooperative has emphasized acommunity- and parent-led approach.Members of the local community whoare underemployed and keen to gainnew skills are offered free trainingcourses to become a Bal Sevika(childcare worker). Decent workingconditions for these Bal Sevikas are apriority and all the centers offer a livingwage and access to social protection.

Affordability and flexibility havebeen crucial to the success of thecenters. The creches are run accordingto the timings of mothers’ workinghours. For example, in places wheremothers are vegetable vendors, thecreches open early to help increaseworking hours and enhance householdincome.

Women interact differently with thecenters depending on their profession.Street vendors will usually need to leavetheir children in the centre the wholeday, while agricultural workers who maywork nearer to the center will come induring the day to breastfeed.

As a result, 64 percent of workingmothers have been able to increasetheir number of working days due tosupport from the childcare center.They have reported an increase in theirincomes ranging from Rs 500 to 1,000 (to ) per month.

Laileshbai Kishora moved toAhmedabad to earn money as adomestic worker. However, taking onpaid care responsibilities for elderlyemployers—from helping them batheto serving food—made it hard to find

This Indian women’s union

invented a flexible childcare model


HEALTH SECTOR

the time or energy to care for her ownchildren.

Laileshbai therefore joined SEWAso that she could enroll her youngestson in the local childcare center andcomplete her work knowing that he wasbeing cared for while being preparedfor school. This also meant that herolder children could go to school ratherthan staying at home to look after theirsiblings.

The mothers of the children who

attend the centers and the facilitatorswho run them are also shareholdersand manage the cooperative.According to an assessment by theILO, a democratic and transparentgovernance system is a key componentto ensuring the quality of the childcareprovided.

Alfers explained that “when parentshave a say in the management of thecenters, they trust that their childrenwill be well cared for and promote thecooperative within their community.”

Every three months, meetings are alsoheld with fathers, encouraging them toengage more in their wellbeing of theirchildren and the running of thecooperative.

S. Anandalakshmy, a childcaredevelopment specialist and authorbased in Chennai, has also observedthat support from other bodies underthe SEWA umbrella, such as its healthcooperative—which provides access toaffordable medicine and medicalfacilities—is crucial to its survival. �

India has become the world’ssixth-biggest economy, pushingFrance into seventh place,according to updated WorldBank figures for 2017.

India’s gross domestic product(GDP) amounted to trillion at the endof last year, against trillion for France.

The country’s economy reboundedstrongly from July 2017, after severalquarters of slowdown. India, with apopulation of around 1.34 billion, ispoised to become the world’s mostpopulous nation, whereas the Frenchpopulation stands at 67 million.

This means that India’s per capitaGDP continues to amount to just afraction of that of France which is stillroughly 20 times higher, according toWorld Bank figures.

Manufacturing and consumer spendingwere the main drivers of the Indianeconomy last year, after a stutter blamed ondemonetisation and implementation ofGoods and Services Tax (GST).

India has doubled its GDP within a

India’s becomes world’s sixth biggest economy, surpasses France

decade and is expected to power aheadas a key economic engine in Asia, evenas China slows down.

According to the InternationalMonetary Fund (IMF), India is projectedto generate growth of 7.4 per cent thisyear and 7.8 per cent in 2019, boosted byhousehold spending and a tax reform.

This compares to the world’sexpected average growth of 3.9 per

cent. The London-based Centre forEconomics and Business Research, aconsultancy, said at the end of last yearthat India would overtake both Britainand France this year in terms of GDP,and had a good chance to become theworld’s third-biggest economy by 2032.At the end of 2017, Britain was still theworld’s fifth-biggest economy with aGDP of trillion. The US is the world’stop economy, followed by China, Japanand Germany. �


ECONOMY


Asixteen member

delegation from theCouncil of EUChambers of Commerceof India (CEUCCI)

visited Budapest from 25-26 June,2018. The delegation was led by Mr.Ameet Nivsarkar, President ofCEUCCI & Dr. Renu Shome, Directorof the CEUCCI. The delegation paid avisit to the Hungarian Chamber ofEngineers, Hungarian Parliament,European Commission, HungarianInvestment Promotion Agency,Hungarian Chamber of Commerce andIndustry (HCCI) and Tata ConsultancyServices. During the meeting with theHCCI an MOU was signed betweenthe CEUCCI and the HCCI. �

Gurgaon-based multinational group SRF limited,announced setting up of a packaging plant inthe city of Jászfényszaru (approx. 70 kms fromBudapest). The company plans to invest Euro60 million (approx. Ft 18 billion) and will

employ 100 workers. Government of Hungary is providing acash incentive of Ft 1.8 billion. Speaking at the announcement

attended by Ambassador Rahul Chhabra and SS (Pol & Com),Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Mr. Peter Szijjártópraised the competitiveness of companies from Asia. Mr.Ashish Bharat Ram MD of the SRF Group, announced thatproduction on the 15- hectare site would commence from 2019using state of art technologies. Hungary’s corporate taxationrate of 9% is amongst the lowest in the EU region. �

SRF Press Conference on 15 June, 2018

LEFT: Ambassador Rahul Chhabra and Mr Ashish Bharat Ram Managing Director & Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Mr. Péter Szijjártó during Investment Announcement Ceremony. RIGHT: Ambassador Chhabra and Mr Ashish Bharat

Ram at the SRF Press Conference on 15 June, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary

Visit of Council of EU Chambers of Commerce of India to Hungary

The delegation paid a visit to the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 26 June, 2018


ECONOMY

Former Chief Election Commissioner of

India, met Minister of State for Church and

Religious Affairs of Hungary

Training Programme for Commercial

Representatives of India based in EU region

Shri Navin Chawla, formerChief Election Commi-ssioner of India, who was ona private visit to Budapest,met Mr. Miklós Soltész,

Minister of State for Church andReligious Affairs, in Prime Minister'sOffice of Hungary on 25th June, 2018.He was accompanied by Shri T.P.S.Rawat, Charge d'Affaires a.i. from theEmbassy for the meeting. Shri Chawlabriefed the Minster about his 23-yearlong association with Mother Teresaand the confidence she reposed in himtill her very end. Shri Chawla alsopresented the Minister his best-sellingbiography "Mother Teresa(Missionaries of Charity)", translatedinto many languages, and also briefedhim about "The Lepra India Trust" setup by him in 2006 for leprosy anddisability related causes. MinisterSoltész thanked Shri Chawla forpresenting him the book and assured

AT r a i n i n gProgramme forC o m m e r c i a lRepresentativesof India based

in EU region was conductedby the Foreign ServiceInstitute, MEA, New Delhi onJune 25-29, which wasattended by Shri SanjeevManchanda, SS (Pol &Com)/CR. A call onHonorable CIM, Shri SureshPrabhu was made at the endof the training programme.

Chief Election Commissioner of India, met Minister of State for Church and Religious Affairs of Hungary

Shri Sanjeev Manchanda, SS (Pol & Com)/CR along with Commercial Representatives of India based in EU region

him that he would take necessaryaction with regard to translation intoHungarian language. Hungary being a

predominantly catholic Christiancountry, finds a strong connect withthe works of Mother Teresa. �

embassy of india, Hungary June-July 2018 | amrit | 21

YOGA CORNER

Experiencing International Day of Yoga /Ganga-Danube: Cultural Festival of India

The International Day ofYoga 2018 and the 3rdedition of Ganga–Danube:Cultural Festival of Indiawas inaugurated at the

Uránia National Film Theatre byAmbassador Mr. Rahul Chabbrra. Bothof these festivals celebrate the closerelationship between India and Hungarywith the prospect of embracing India’sglobal soft power.

The birth of International Day ofYoga is a symbol of appreciation andkeen interest from the West towardsIndian ancient culture. Yoga goes farbeyond than physical and emotionalwell being which usually is the limit ofwhat is practiced in the westerncountries. The aim of Yoga practice isto overcome all kinds of sufferingsthat lead to a sense of freedom in everywalk of life with holistic health,happiness, and harmony. The annualcelebration of International Day ofYoga will elaborate the understandingof Yoga and India’s magnificentknowledge of uniting the body andmind.

The International Day of Yoga2018 contributes enormously to Indiaand Hungary’s bilateral relationship,especially in deepening the cultural tieof people of India and Hungary. Thisyear, the event took place in 22 cities inHungary and 7 cities in Bosnia &Herzegovina. Troupes of professionalperformers from India and Hungarytraveled across the nation and created avibrant mood and ambiance.

My experience in the Embassy ofIndia Budapest started with learningabout the past relationship betweenHungary and India. The book "Indo –Hungarian Ties: a Journey in Time " isan excellent introduction to a widerange of relations between the twocountries. Teaching us the political,

Ms Saya Nagasawa

cultural, educational and artisticinteraction cultivated through effortsof the local government, institutes, andpeople for decades.

The International Day of Yoga2018 and the 3rd edition ofGanga–Danube: Cultural Festival issomething that cherishes andrepresents the long-lasting culturalappreciation of Indian culture byHungarians. A very uniquecharacteristic of the cultural tiebetween India and Hungary is that theappreciation and demand for such anevent were developed from theHungarian citizens itself. In manycircumstances, cultural tie created bythe Ministry of Foreign Affairs beginsfrom a strong demand from the Indiancommunity wishing to recreate theexperience such as Diwali and Holiabroad, to feel closer to their roots andfamily. And as the beauty of Diwaliand the excitement of Holi have stolenIndians hearts forever, the package ofso-called India's soft power that travelsto the west such as cuisine, Bollywoodmovies, and dance steals the hearts ofwesterners. In Hungary, the populationof Indians living is still a fractioncompared to countries like the UnitedStates and England. However, thisdoesn't stop the growth of culturalexchange between the two countries

and the impact could be witnessedthroughout the nation during theweekend of 23-24 June 2018 at theInternational Day of Yoga 2018 andthe 3rd edition of Ganga–Danube:Cultural Festival.

I was lucky enough to be an internat the Embassy of India, Budapestduring the preparation of the event.Organizing this event is one of thebusiest times for the Embassy andevery work task needs preciseness inthe details. The list of partners forcoordination begins from translator,photographer, videographer, tech-specialist, artists and city officerepresentatives and so on.Reconfirming details and flexiblycorresponding to the on the spotchanges are also crucial to run theprogram smoothly. Thus, I had anintense and fruitful time experiencingbehind the scene of such a large-scaleevent. I especially feel grateful to beable to learn how the Indian diplomatsgreeted the local authorities andcommunicated with local media. At thecities that I joined, the city municipalpresident had joined to inaugurate theevent and make a speech about thestrong bond India and Hungary has.Such friendly gestures are fundamentalimportant milestones in bilateralrelationship building.

After the event was over and thepress release was out I had anotherspecial chance at the Embassy to jointhe yoga sessions held at the AmritaSher-Gil Cultural Centre. As I haveintroduced at the beginning of thisarticle, it is important to keep in mindthat yoga has benefits beyond keepingyour body fit and lean. That is why it isfor everyone and I highly recommendbeginning your own yoga journey withthe official instructors assigned to by theGovernment of India. Ms. Ankita Soodis our Yoga and Lifestyle expert,


YOGA CORNER

CHILDRENS CORNER

teaching yoga 5days a week at thecultural center and joins a variety ofevents in Hungary and Bosnia &Herzegovina. The yoga sessions at thecultural centers are suitable for beginnersand intermediate level students.

I am a healthy young student withno health issues what so ever but stillfelt the effect of yoga. In my case, yogahelped me gain awareness of my body

and mind. We tend to procrastinatetaking time for our selves and powerthrough the day. This can slowlyaccumulate stress and invade yourpeace of mind. A simple Om Shantimeditation and moment of simplyobserving your breath can make yourealize that your mind is occupied withthoughts. Loosening up your body andstretching your body can make yourealize that you are not using many

parts of your body during the day whilefollowing mandate work routine.Combination of Asanas like SuryaNamaskar can make you realize thateven a few rounds of slow movementsincrease the heat in your body andblood flow. Just like this, making it ahabit to communicate with your mindand body will make you feel muchbetter and I was very satisfied with theexperience. �

A borbélyból lett miniszter

Kérala egyik kicsiny állama Pratápavarsa.Réges-régen egy ostoba rádzsájának a borbélyvolt a legkedvesebb embere, akit Ajjappennekneveztek. Vele beszélte meg ügyes-bajosdolgait a rádzsa. Egy napon így fordult a

borbélyhoz, akivel folyton csevegett, ahelyett, hogy népegondjaival törődött volna: - Kérj tőlem bármit, mindenkívánságodat teljesítem. - Szeretnék miniszter lenniudvarodban, felséges uram! - felelte a borbély, aki szinténmeglehetősen butácska volt. Kívánsága teljesült. Arádzsának hatalmas hadserege volt, amely súlyosan terhelte azuralkodó kincstárát. A katonák zsoldja, fegyvere, ruhája,eledele sok-sok pénzt emésztett fel. Az új miniszter takarékosembernek bizonyult, és úgy vélte, teljesen felesleges ennyinaplopóra pénzt vesztegetni. Ha nincs háború, csakhaszontalanul emésztik a király vagyonát. - Sokkal okosabb,ha vad kutyákat vásárolunk az ország védelmére, és szélnekeresztjük a hadsereget - tanácsolta ostoba urának. Rengetegpénzt takarítunk meg, hiszen a kutyáknak nem kell fegyvert,ruhát, lovat, kaszárnyát biztosítanunk. A rádzsa egyetértettminiszterével, és szélnek eresztette hűséges harcosait, akutyákra bízva országa védelmét. Amint a szomszédosországok hírét vették a rádzsa újításának, szövetségetkötöttek egymással, és váratlanul megtámadták az országot, smáris hatalmas seregek léptei alatt dübörgött a föld. Aborbélyból lett miniszter azonnal szabadon engedte akutyákat, és rájuk parancsolt, hogy kergessék el az ellenséget.

A kutyák rá se hederítettek a parancsra, és az ellenség helyettegymással kezdtek marakodni. Így egyetlen puskalövés nélkülelfoglalhatta az ellenség az országot. Az ostoba rádzsa foglyulesett, felszólították, hogy tüstént mondjon le trónjáról. Csakakkor eresztik szabadon, és kímélik meg életét. A rádzsaengedelmeskedett. Ajjappen, a volt miniszter nem jöttzavarba. - Ne búsulj, uram, ne légy szomorú. Nemmaradunk munka nélkül. Még megvan a régi borotvám,felségednek pedig odaadom édesapám féltve őrzöttborotváját. Nagyon finomacélból készült. Borbélyüzletetnyitunk. Az embereknek mindig szükségük van hajvágásra ésborotválásra. Nem fogunk éhezni, meglesz a napi betevőfalatunk! Így lett a rádzsából borbély. Talán még ma is hajatnyír, borotvál, hacsak meg nem halt. �

Részletek

Gyűjtötte: Schäferné Földvári Ilona, Könyv címe: Mese a lótuszvirágról

June-July 2018 | amrit | 23embassy of india, Hungary

Some of the previous issues of Amrit

Somogyvámos is a village in Somogy county,

Hungary. It is about 25 km north of Kaposvár, and about 25

km south of Fonyód. The surrounding lands were inhabited

since the Avaric rule (6th/7th century). Its first written

mention is from 1237, as “Csopak”, which is now a name of

a different town about 80–100 km away. The village was

destroyed during the Ottoman rule and was inherited by

the neighbouring village “Vámos”, hence the current name,

with the “Somogy” prefix, to distinguish it from the other “-

vámos” named places. Vámos had slowly “moved” to the

current place it lies and sometime in history changed its

name to Somogyvámos. The beauty of the local

environment attracted the Hungarian “Hare Krishnas”, the

local branch of the International Society for Krishna

Consciousness and bought lands in the neighbouring

valley in the 1990s, where they built up the “Krishna Valley

Indian Cultural Centre and Biofarm” (Hungarian: Krisna-

völgy Indiai Kulturális Központ és Biofarm).

New Vraja Dhama, ISKCON’s 300 acre farm in Hungary

(Krishna valley) is the largest and most well organized

ecological community in Hungary, and also in central Europe.

It is situated in a small village in the southernmost part of the

country, 2 hours’ drive from Budapest. It was established in

1993 with the purpose of educating people about the values

of self-sufficiency, cow protection and a natural, God

centered lifestyle. Its aim is to put Srila Prabhupada’s motto,

“Simple living and high thinking” into practice.

25-30 thousand tourists visit Krishna valley yearly, and

if they wish guides can show them around the temple. A

vegetarian restaurant and an Indian gift shop are there to

facilitate the guests. The biggest annual festival is the

Búcsú, which attracts an average 7000 tourists each year.

Published byThe Embassy of India, Hungary

1025 Budapest Búzavirág utca 14, HungaryTelephone: 325-7742, 325-7743 Fax: 325-7745

Email: [email protected], [email protected] Website: www.indianembassy.hu Facebook: www.facebook.com/IndiaInHungary/,

www.facebook.com/ICCBudapestHungary/ Twitter: @IndiaInHungary

SOMOGYVÁMOS & KRISHNA-VALLEY

Documents

C e - eoibudapest.gov.in Jun-July 2018 with...Editor: TPS Rawat Support team: Anna Simon, Anna Szabó, Eszter Berki Contributors: Anita Adamecz, Eszter Berki, N. Venkataraman,