Dinesh Kamath's column on animation film 'Sons of Ram - the Heroes will rise' that was published in Newsband

Renowned singer, Sunidhi Chauhan, has done the voiceover for the character of Sita, in the upcoming 3D animation movie Sons of Ram - the Heroes will rise, presented by Amar Chitra Katha. The movie will release along with a short film Shikari Shambhu - the man eater in 3D and 2D in over 400 theatres, across India on 2 November, 2012, right in time for the Diwali vacation.

  Inspired by late Anant Pai's famous comic Sons of Rama, the movie is a contemporary tale of brotherhood, courage and adventure, set in the backdrop of the epic Ramayana. The film narrates Luv and Kush's journey through enchanted forests into the revered land of Ayodhya, the home of their fabled heroes. Complete with a brand new gang of loveable characters, ACK's Sons of Ram is an epic coming-of-age adventure as never seen before.

Sunidhi has been offered two songs in this film. She agreed to do the voiceover for the character of Sita because she loves animation. Doing the voiceover for Sita was great fun for her. Doing a voiceover for an animated character is more difficult than singing as you don't have a ready reference. You need to understand the character and get into the role, that is when you can get your dialogues right. For Sunidhi, doing the voiceover for Sita was difficult. Sita is an idealistic woman and Sunidhi had to sound matured for the character. She read the dialogues then saw the film, and that is when she got it right. It was loads of fun and. She feels that now she can do any voiceover after recording for Sita.

The movie Sons of Ram boasts of four original musical songs. Children and adults will love the non-stop entertainment and strong story line full of thrilling twists and turns. Amar Chitra Katha's rich legacy of art is richly portrayed in this film. The company is set to release its first 3D animation movie, Sons of Ram - Heroes will rise, in collaboration with Cartoon Network across over 325 screens in the major cities.

For Sons of Ram, a Rs 5-6 crore budget movie, the company, in collaboration with Big Bazaar, will have its film-themed merchandise on sale in various categories, such as apparel, stationery and school products.

Poor turnover at the box office and disinterested audiences are not really causes to exult at the coming-of-age of animation films in the sub-continent but that doesn’t deter Jonathan Dotan, producer of the Sons of Ram — Heroes Will Rise that will see a wide release on 2 November, ’12.

The story of Luv and Kush is based on mythology but at its core, it is a wonderful adventure of brotherhood and camaraderie; of the trials and tribulations of what a family, particularly what a single mother goes through and since the inspiration came through from Pai’s comic, the story was used and contemporised.

The most successful films have always been about fables that talk about good values. The fact is that mythology works in India. Sons of Ram is one of the most popular comics by Amar Chitra Katha. The story is made in such a way that it is more believable to modern audiences without being preachy or stuffy.

Making an animation movie is an elaborate process. One that involves everything from creating background stories for the characters, storyboarding, then putting it into animation, editing the film and then getting the voice-over artistes to act the roles. One of the highlights of Sons of Ram is that both Jonathan and Kushal have done a great job. Kushal’s main focus is to make Sons of Ram the best animation film that’s been made so far. So do watch the film Sons of Ram.

Dinesh Kamath, Editor of Newsband, attends the event 'Chandra - Tujha Ni Majha' organized by Navi Mumbai Press Club at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium in Vashi, Navi Mumbai

(From Top Downwards)
First Picture: Dancer Gauri Jadhav performing 'Lavni' dance to the tune of Sampada Goswami's song
Second Picture: Manoj Jalnawalla, President of Navi Mumbai Press Club, rendering a number
Third Picture: Popular singer Sampada Goswami rendering a number
Fourth and Fifth Pictures: Dinesh Kamath, Editor of Newsband (Circled), seated among the audiences
The above photographs were clicked by Ashok Dhamija, Principal Photo Journalist of Newsband.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Don’t tamper with RTI Act) that was published in Newsband

Don’t tamper with RTI Act

One of the biggest achievements of our Parliament was its enactment of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. This act promoted greater accountability in our country. Information is after all power. This Act gave the people of India right to have information held by public authorities.

Countless Indians are now able to check the status of their ration cards, below poverty line (BPL) cards, passports, application for public schemes etc. The RTI has made the state machinery more accessible. The Act has effective and reasonably efficient implementation machinery consisting of the state and central chief information commissioners (CICs) who have the power to give effect to the provisions of this Act.

In a recent judgment, information commission was equated with judicial tribunal. Now how is this possible? The only issue to be decided before the commission is whether information, which is already available with the authorities, should be disclosed or not. The commission does not therefore dispense justice (like a court), it merely deals with disclosure of information. Also the Act already provides certain qualifications for appointments to the post of information commissioners ("persons of eminence" and "knowledge and experience" in particular fields).

The position of the current incumbents to the post of CICs has become precarious as they cannot continue to work as per the SC decision. It is completely unclear whether they would resign or be removed — and if so, under what provision?

There is no doubt that reforms are necessary in the process of appointments of information commissioners to make it more transparent. But the result of the SC's judgment is bad. Information commissions are not manned by judges in any other country.

Another thing is there are some people who say that RTI Act is a "Brahmastra" for the poor people who are deprived of the vital information. But in India, only influential people have access to legal recourses to amend and redress their grievances to their advantage.

Over and above that our Indian Constitution is amended times without number losing its original efficacy. Such a wonderful act like RTI should not be tampered with.

Video: Dinesh Kamath, Editor of Newsband, speaks about Madhur Bhandarkar's film 'Heroine'

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Toilets for all) that was published in Newsband

Toilets for all

Jairam Ramesh has done the right thing by starting a debate on toilets. But when he pitched temples against toilets he was misunderstood by many. He didn’t mean to insult the temples. He just tried to emphasize on the needs of the toilets even within the premises of a holy place like temple.

There are many individual and communities interested in building toilets everywhere. But the issue is what can be a viable business model for building toilets, which serve individuals or small groups. It's here that the government needs to step in.

Interestingly, the most active intervention in this field of sanitation has come from Sulabh International, an NGO which launched a movement in the 1970s to liberate scavengers. Using low-cost and hygienic technology Sulabh has, over the last three decades, devised 26 toilet designs of varying budgets, with the help of local materials, factoring in existing water scarcity.

Its partnerships with governments, private companies, religious institutions and railways have generated viable non-profit business models, based on communication and motivation. The most successful of these include residential and pay-per-use toilets in highly populated areas, building toilets on land and funds provided by the clients. Since then more private players, like the Society for Promotion of Area Resource Centres, have entered the toilets market. But at the end of the day, the onus of ensuring universal access to toilets rests primarily on governments and not on NGOs or religious trusts.

Personal hygiene can not be government's responsibility. It is all our responsibility to learn and teach others not to defecate in the open. Providing toilets for 300 to 600 million people is a must and important task that the government is facing.

In India Dr Bindeswari Pathak revolutionized sanitation through Sulbh Shauchalay which is available in most of the public places. If Jairam Ramesh was really concerned about public hygine he could have done the same. Instead of connecting temples with toilets and make the issue sensational, he can always help the poor and common men through government resources. Jairam Ramesh could have reworded what he said. Perhaps he should have said toilets are as necessary as saying our prayers.

It is high time that government considered imposing a Sanitation cess like they do with Education and then build toilets that are clean and well maintained. Government should also consider ensuring that toilets in Government schools are in working order. Allow public especially the women from the weaker section to use the toilet facilities in Government schools (if possible private schools should also be asked to share resources) early morning and after school hours. That way we can rid India of a lot of open defecation.

Jairam Ramesh is absolutely right about his toilet remarks. The toilets are that essential for everybody.

Dinesh Kamath presents picture which depicts film actress Kareena Kapoor with her make-up man

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'India can learn a lot from Singapore' that was published in Newsband

India can learn a lot from Singapore

Singapore is the 8th largest source of investment in India and the largest amongst ASEAN member nations. It is also India's 9th biggest trading partner as of 2005-06. Its cumulative investment in India totals USD 3 billion as of 2006 and rose to US 5 billion in 2010 and is expected to rise to US 10 billion by 2015. India's economic liberalisation and its "Look East" policy have led to a major expansion in bilateral trade, which grew from USD 2.2 billion in 2001 to US 9-10 billion in 2006 - a 400% growth in span of five years - and to USD 50 billion by 2010. Singapore accounts for 38% of India's trade with ASEAN member nations and 3.4% of its total foreign trade. India’s main exports to Singapore in 2005 included petroleum, gemstones, jewellery, machinery and its imports from Singapore included electronic goods, organic chemicals and metals. More than half of Singapore’s exports to India are basically "re-exports" - items that had been imported from India.

In 2005, both nations signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and have organised the India-Singapore Parliamentary Forum and the Singapore-India Partnership foundation with active support from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICC), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Singapore Business Federation to promote trade, economic development and partnerships. The CECA eliminated tariff barriers, double taxation, duplicate processes and regulations and provided unhindered access and cooperation between the banks and financial institutions of Singapore and India. The CECA also advanced bilateral cooperation over education, science and technology, intellectual property, aviation and relaxed visa regulations for Indian professionals in information technology, medicine, engineering and financial fields to emigrate and work in Singapore. Singapore has invested in projects to upgrade India's ports, airports and developing information technology parks and a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). India has become Singapore's 4th biggest tourist destination and more than 650,000 Indians visited Singapore in 2006. Both nations have worked to collaborate on aviation, aerospace engineering, space programmes, information technology, biotechnology and energy.

Thus Singapore is one of the most developed places in the East and it will be worthwhile for India to have very close relations with Singapore. In fact, India can learn a lot from Singapore.

Arundhati Roy is one of the favourite writers of Dinesh Kamath, Editor of Newsband

Dinesh Kamath, Editor of Newsband, photographed at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium at Vashi during one of the annual function of newspaper Newsband

Videos: Dinesh Kamath's sings the numbers 'Aap ke haseen rukh pe' and 'Koi hota jisko apna hum apna kehlete yaaron'

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Stop child marriages) that was published in Newsband

Stop child marriages

 There is alarmingly high prevalence of child marriages in India. According to UNICEF, girl child marriages in India stood at 43 per cent in 2007-2008; it was 54 per cent in 1992-1993. A recent report of the United National Population Fund (UNPFA) also underlines the magnitude of the problem. Forty-seven per cent of women between the ages 20 to 24 were married before they turned 18 during the period 2000-2011, it stated. In 2006 alone, 11 States had 40 to 61 per cent of women in the 20-24 age group who were married by age 18. No wonder that India accounts for over 40 per cent of the world’s child marriages.

The spectre of child marriage manifests itself in multiple ways — the abrupt termination of education and life-threatening health problems. The teenage girls are less aware of contraceptives, very often do not have access to them and lack the bargaining power to use them. Thus they end up with unwanted pregnancies at a very early stage. Complications from pregnancy and childbirth are the prime cause of death in teenage mothers and their babies in low-and middle-income countries. Lack of education, rural settings and poor economic status are some of the key determinants of teenage wedlock.

The girls below 18 years from rural areas in India are twice more likely to be married than urban girls. Those with nil education are thrice more likely to become victims compared to those with secondary or higher education. Minor girls from the poorest families have a 75 per cent possibility of being married.

Providing education, creating awareness and offering incentives linked to delayed marriages are more important for the lower strata. Changing social perceptions should be the priority in the case of rich parents.

Until the central government takes a bold stance in getting rid of this curse of child marriages, without looking at political stakes and votes, there is no hope. With village mukhias, sarpanchs, khaps etc. controlling the daily life of poor villagers in many parts of India - particularly in North India where this practice is much more prevalent, the central government has to boldly step in to take on these powerful people. If laws have to be changed for this intervention, so be it. These powerful people are the key players who deliver votes to the vested politicians, and there in lies the reluctance of political parties and the government to break the curse.

Some Kap Panchayat memebers of Haryana have strongly suggested resort to that age-old practice as an effective measure to end the heinous crime of rape. Strangely, the state Chief Minister has also toed this line. Nothing else would be a worse wrong step because child marriages invariably necessitate the abrupt stoppage of the girls' education, besides paving the path for many health problems for them. Creating proper awareness about the ill effects of child marriage and enforcing the provisions of relevant Act, should be accorded top priority. If proper measures are not taken to curb child marriages, India will continue to be a backward country.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (India–Singapore relations) that was published in Newsband

India–Singapore relations

The bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the Republic of Singapore have been traditionally strong, with both nations enjoying extensive cultural and commercial relations. In recent years, India and Singapore have signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to increase trade, investments and economic cooperation and expanded bilateral cooperation on maritime security, training forces, conducting joint exercises, developing military technology and fighting terrorism.

India and Singapore share long-standing cultural, commercial and strategic relations, with Singapore being a part of the "Greater India" cultural and commercial region. More than 300,000 people of Indian origin live in Singapore. Following its independence in 1965, Singapore was concerned with China-backed communist threats as well as domination from Malaysia and Indonesia and sought a close strategic relationship with India, which it saw as a counterbalance to Chinese influence and a partner in achieving regional security. Singapore had always been an important strategic trading post, giving India trade access to the Malay archipelago and the Far East. Although the rival positions of both nations over the Vietnam War and the Cold War caused consternation between India and Singapore, their relationship expanded significantly in the 1990s; Singapore was one of the first to respond to India's "Look East" Policy of expanding its economic, cultural and strategic ties in Southeast Asia to strengthen its standing as a regional power.

Ever since Singapore's independence, both nations have maintained high-level contacts. Between 1966 and 1971 the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew visited India three times (1966, 1970 and 1971). The then-Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Singapore in 1968, as did Indian leader Morarji Desai. Singapore supported India's bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and expand its role and influence in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Singapore also supported India in its war against Pakistan in 1965 and the Kashmir conflict.

Military cooperation between the two nations had been hampered by their policy differences in the Cold War era. In 2003, India and Singapore signed a bilateral agreement on expanding military cooperation, conducting joint military training, developing military technology and achieving maritime security. The Singaporean Navy and the Indian Navy have conducted joint naval exercises and training since 1993 such as SIMBEX and MILAN near India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands. India and Singapore have also expanded their cooperation in fighting terrorism.

Thus India is pursuing the right policy of having very close relations with Singapore.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Indo-US relationship is improving day by day) that was published in Newsband

Indo-US relationship is improving day by day

 There is tremendous improvement in Indo-US relationship today. The two countries should continue with their bilateral strategic dialogues till they arrive at the most positive conclusion. The two should come up with joint declaration that will lay out a wide array of initiatives in areas like strategic cooperation, counterterrorism, intelligence, energy and climate change, education and development, trade, agriculture, science and technology, and health and innovation.

The importance of trade ties in our collective economic trajectories cannot be denied. India should keep sending missions to the US to discuss issues relating to bilateral trade. Meetings should be held with key policymakers, administrators and thought leaders in Washington. The objective behind the mission should be to make both the US and India benefit considerably by pursuing bilateral trade. The US engagements and investment in our burgeoning economy should be welcomed. India should not hesitate to be supportive of a strong economic and strategic partnership with the US, which will benefit both countries in the long run.

This partnership can assume a critical dimension in the backdrop of the steady rise of China, a fractious geostrategic environment in West Asia and South Asia and the recent economic developments in Europe.

In the past interactions with the US, Indians have witnessed a common thread - there is deep concern over India's economic future and how it affects the bilateral relationship with the US as a whole.  There is a lot of angst about the stalling of the reforms agenda and about some of the policy moves undertaken recently, which have dampened investor confidence in the Indian growth story. Our effort should be to reinforce faith in India's democratic economic system. We should convince the Americans about Indian industry's deep commitment to bilateral trade ties, which is of critical importance.

Overall trade between the US and India has reached a figure that should make Indians celebrate. The US is India's third-largest trading partner, the second most important export market, and the fifth most important source of imports. India was the US's 12th largest goods export market in 2010. Total American foreign direct investment (FDI) into India in 2010-2011 was $9.52 billion, while India has emerged as one of the fastest growing sources of FDI into the US, with $6.6 billion invested between 2000 and 2010. Both Indian and American companies are, thus, creating jobs and value systems in each other's countries, along with their own.

There are tremendous opportunities for greater engagement in sectors like defence, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture supply chain and clean energy, which can further boost this bilateral partnership. India's lead in providing products and services to the 'bottom of the pyramid' through frugal innovation, combined with American technical and managerial know-how and leadership, will make for a win-win situation for businesses on both sides.

The potential for collaboration between India and the US still remains largely untapped. Business can help revitalise this critical relationship. Let's hope that governments on both sides will supplement industry's efforts through policies which are stable, consistent and transparent.

Dinesh Kamath (circled in photograph below) with his dance troupe

Dinesh Kamath had performed Japanese Dance along with some other students during the Annual Day Celebration of his school, St Theresa's High School, Mangor Hill, Goa, at Vasco Da Gama, Goa. From Left to Right are Eric and Sheila (I think 'Machado'), Amul Lad and Rekha, Kenneth and Anita, Tony (Mascarenhas) and I think Elaine or Elena (can't recall properly), Dinesh Kamath (circled) and Linda, and Gavin and Gloria. The dance was taught to us by foreign Nuns.

Dinesh Kamath's photograph which was clicked somewhere in the 1990s when he was working for Indian Customs

Dinesh Kamath's cartoons based on Alooramji that were published in Newsband

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Power of songs) that was published in Newsband

Power of songs

Songs play an important role in an individual’s life. It gives an idea as to which culture a person belongs to. There are songs belonging to different genre. A certain song suits a certain mood of an individual. Songs have been made to suit all the moods. There are many Bollywood songs, in fact, that have swayed millions of people, provided succour to the suffering soul, and sometimes even transcended national boundaries.

Some people are of the opinion that songs are preferred by only emotional people. But that is not the case. There are many great thinkers too who fell in love with songs. They found songs as food for thought and philosophical expressions. Many Bollywood songs are thought provoking and have deep philosophical insights.

In one of the past films, Dev Anand had crooned “main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya, har fikr ko dhuen mein udata chala gaya” (I remain committed to life, I continue to cast my worries aside; Hum Dono: 1961). This song is loved by even the present generation. They not only love the tune of the song but also its meaning. The song creates a courageous feeling in the heart of the crooner.

Great Dilip Kumar and versatile Shammi Kapoor together had crooned the number “hathon ki chand lakeeron ka, sab khel hai bas taqdeeron ka” (life plays itself out through destiny foretold in the few lines on our palms; Vidhata: 1982). This number was another masterpiece penned by a brilliant song writer.

Thus songs are expressions of an array of human emotions that make our life bearable. Many songs based on philosophical themes prove to be our repositories of popular wisdom.

Some songs talk about the complex realities of life in a most lucid manner.  They are a formidable cultural heritage to have. Awareness of this heritage makes us love life and world. The songs not only appeal to our emotions but also make us undergo intellectual experience which we can always cherish.

Some Hindi film songs addressed to the lady love like 'Tumhari zulf ke saaye mein shaam kar loonga....' or 'Aap ki aankhon mein kuchh mahke hue se raaz hain, aap se bhi khoobsoorat aap ke andaaz hain' are beautiful words. And there are thousands of such lovely love lyrics which help lovers to express their sentiments. Thus songs form a big part of our lives.

Dinesh Kamath, Editor of Newsband, is an ex-custom officer

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Ex-Custom Officer Dinesh Kamath (circled) posing with the Custom Officers of his batch after he completed his training as Custom Officer at National Academy of Customs, Excise & Narcotics, Western Region, Bhandup (E), Mumbai.

Dinesh Kamath's news item 'Hindus in city react strongly against Jairam Ramesh’s statement' that was published in Newsband

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Report

Hindus in city react strongly against Jairam Ramesh’s statement

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: ‘Mandir and Dharmik Sanstha Mahasangh, Maharashtra’ located at Nerul, Navi Mumbai reacted strongly to the statement made by Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh. Jairam Ramesh had said ‘Toilets are more sacred than Temples’.

The Mandir Mahasangh issued a letter which said, “Jairam Ramesh has hurt the sentiments of Hindus. We are going to lodge a formal complaint against him. Why is Jairam Ramesh not given the same treatment as Aseem Trivedi for referring to toilets as more sacred than temples? Why did his government jail the cartoonist Aseem Trivedi who had in his cartoon depicted the corrupt parliament as akin to a toilet? Jairam Ramesh’s outburst is an insult to Hindu religion and Hindu society as a whole. We challenge Jairam Ramesh to criticize Mosques and Churches in similar manner. He will not dare do that since if he does it he won’t be spared.

This is a rotten opinion coming out of the brain of Jairam Ramesh. There are 64% citizens of India who answer the nature’s call in the open. They have no toilets, thanks to corrupt Congress government. When Congress’s Planning Commission comes up with projects of constructing toilets, they pocket a big portion of the money allotted for the project.

Jairam Ramesh should publicly apologize for making such an obscene statement about Hindu Temples. This statement will not be considered as just his personal opinion but also the opinion of his party which is Congress. Hence even the Congress chief Sonia Gandhi should apologize for insulting the Hindus. Otherwise our Mahasangh will organize a public awareness agitation and see to it that Congress gets defeated in the forthcoming elections.”     

Dinesh Kamath's column on film 'In the Name of Tai - Tai Ke Naam' that was published in Newsband

In The Name Of Tai - Tai Ke Naam is inspired by a factual tragedy of slain activist Navleen Kumar's heroic, short yet audacious life. Ujjwal Thengdi is adamant to keep her precious life in a cherished memory through his film Tai.

The film is a female orientated story inspired by a true story of a dedicated well educated village woman (lawyer), respectfully known as Tai (Tai means elder sister) who chooses a valiant but a perilous avenue. She unfortunately suffers sexually (not rape!) as well as psychologically in her personal life, yet altruistically battles for a common cause of protecting acres of land owned by the village farmers and deprived poverty-stricken village community from the clutches of the corridor of Power, Builders, (The land sharks) and of course not forgetting the voracious politicians.

This story is inspired by a real story - that of an ordinary woman who struggled for 20 years against the powerful lobby of land mafia.

Filmmaker Ujjwal Thengdi is well known for his hard hitting Award winning debut Marathi film Vazir (Vazir means a Queen in the chess of game).

Filmmaker Ujjwal Thengdi has now produced, directed, written with lyrics and music, coordinated the action sequences and also acted in the Hindi film In The Name Of Tai – Tai Ke Naam. The film has actors like Dr Nishiganda Wad, Asrani, Dr Vilas Ujawne, Mahesh Thakur, Suzanne (German Actress), Raquel Rebello, Kalpesh Mehta, Parag Ajgaonkar, Babita and Ujjwal Thengdi. Cinematography is by Ajay Arya and editing by Dilip Kotalgi.

As I told you earlier, Navleen Kumar was a human rights activist who was murdered in 2002 in her apartment. She had been working for more than a decade to protect and restore the lands of Adivasis in Thane district near Mumbai through legal interventions that land and property developers were grabbing from the locals through coercion and intimidation. The film got released on 12 October 2012. Do watch the film.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Two ways of tightening our national security) that was published in Newsband

Two ways of tightening our national security

India can tighten its national security first by improving defence trade with the US and second by encouraging private companies to manufacture advanced weapons.

India should deepen bilateral defence trade with the US. The move will be a good one and will strengthen India as a nation. There should be technology transfer and top strategic defence trade.

There was a time when Indian government would voice concerns about American reluctance to transfer technology. But now the significant paradigm shift has occurred within the US administration on technology transfers to India.

According to US Commerce Department statistics, well over 99% of licence requests for dual use technology were granted in fiscal year 2011 and the percentages were also quite similar for munitions licences. Where Indian dissatisfaction arises is when provisos, or conditions, are sometimes placed on certain systems which deny the most sensitive components or technological know-how.

Technology is a strategic, rather than a commercial commodity for the US and is not parted with lightly. It will take more time to build US confidence on transferring technology to India - but it will grow over the long term as the relationship deepens.

However, no amount of foreign tech transfer will ever make India self-reliant in defence production. To become self-reliant India should foster more competition for its Defence Public Sector Undertakings by allowing its own private sector to compete in the defence market. Private companies should be invited to compete against the public sector in making defence weapons like the Army’s Tactical Communications System. Private companies are indeed eager to contribute to Indian defence needs especially those companies who do have financial incentive to build the necessary infrastructure for defence production. They can come up with the best quality defence equipment through free and open competition.

India should encourage its private sector to engage in basic defence research. India is blessed with copious amounts of technical talents in the private sector and these talents just needs to be tapped.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) should speed up its decision making process and improve transparency.

India should consider increasing the rate of Foreign Direct Investment to a level above 50%. Doing so would help Indian firms gain greater exposure to American industrial practices, obtain more access to American technology, and help India towards its goal of industrial self-reliance in defence.

Lastly, it may be worth establishing a national commission to examine the most optimal way to use offset resources.

Thus there should be closer US-India defence trade and also private companies should be encouraged to manufacture defence equipments. This will help in improving India’s own indigenous capabilities and ultimately its national security.