Dr. Navjit Singh Anand - International Indian

43 Pages·2014·10.27 MB·English

Winning in Diaspora!
2014• ISSUE 2| VOL. 21.2 Mar 16, 2014 - May 15, 2014
www.tii.ae
Dr. Navjit Singh Anand with his wife Jasmine
UAE DISASTER TO ACHIEVEMENT:
Education
Special! Dr. Navjit Singh Anand
EUROPE is Best By Train
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF COMMUNITY?
Can You Retire in Dubai?
Growing Up in America:
TAKING GIFTS TO INDIA SHAAN SAVARIRAYAN
BAHRAIN BD 1.25 • KUWAIT KD 1.25 • OMAN RO 1.25 • KSA SR 12.00 • UAE AED 12.00 • CANADA C$ 5.00 • UK £2.50 • USA $ 4.00
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THE INTERNATIONAL
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Indian
EST: 1992 The Region’s Oldest,
Useful article on banks Authoritative Magazine of Gulf Indian Society & History
You article ‘Is Your Bank Cheating You’ (TII 21.1) was very useful and
interesting. I have been through the same situation as Mangelal Sharma but I ISSN 0964 8437
am not as fortunate as he was to get a refund, I am stuck in the ULIP scheme
for another two years.
Publishers
I am seriously considering whether I should go to the branch of the bank
Prof. Prabhu Guptara
that cheated me and sing and dance and lecture other customers about what
Santosh Shetty
they did to me. Unfortunately I am based in the Gulf where such activity may
get me into trouble. Founder Editor & Publisher
I am very glad that TII highlighted the issue of such unscrupulous banks. Frank Raj
Contributing Editors
Harish Bijlani Erik R. Hadden
Bahrain Prem Souri Kishore
Benjamin H. Parker
Vishal Mangalwadi
Shamlal Puri
‘What Is It People Don’t Like About Indians?’
Travel Editor
With regard to your article (TII 21.1) on the above issue by Deepa Ballal, it Shana Raj Parker
is high time that Indians developed a regard to their own different cultures
and that of others, especially if you are living overseas. Tolerance stems from Manager PR
understanding and being aware of ‘the other’ but this is where many Indians Christine DeSouza
are woefully ignorant or unwilling to change. This kind of understanding should Photographer
happen from the very start – in families and at the school level. Our children Benjamin H. Parker
must learn to grow up not just understanding the differences between people,
International
but also truly appreciating them. This cannot happen if they are raised with a
Correspondents
superiority complex due to caste or status etc. India’s diversity, should prepare
us for a diverse world outside its shores, unfortunately many Indians carry Canada Rubina Jacob
their baggage with them when they come abroad and as a result all of us are Singapore Amita Sarwal
stereotyped. UK Anjali Guptara Khera
Rudy Otter
Jagdeep Srivastav Shamlal Puri
Dubai
USA Prem Souri Kishore
Middle East Hemu Gorde
Bandana Jain
Deepa Ballal
Should Indian Diplomat’s Kids Acquire Foreign Citizenship? South Africa Asma Ayob
I am not sure if former Deputy Consul General in New York, Devyani India
Khobragade’s children were born in India or America, but in any case that Delhi Vishal Arora
does not guarantee they are Indian citizens. Apparently Ms. Khobragade’s
Chennai Aruna Srinivasan
husband is a US citizen and children of US citizens are automatically eligible
Hyderabad Shyamola Khanna
for US citizenship even if they are born abroad. India does not allow dual
citizenship. In all likelihood after Ms. Khobragade’s children were born in India Mumbai Sarina Menezes
she would have applied to the US consulate for their US passports as they Bangalore Marianne de Nazareth
were eligible due to their American father.
Director
Raina Raj Hadden
Khobgragade’s situation raises the question – should the children of Indian
diplomats be allowed to acquire foreign citizenship while the diplomat is in the
service of India? What does that do to their loyalty – it will certainly be divided. Head Of Operations
This clever lady has proved to be quite manipulative with the way she has Manav Bhatia
acquired several properties in India – but she is painting a picture of herself as
a patriot and an aggrieved mother pining for her children, but there is much
more here than meets the eye.
Designer
Meghna Patel Marshall Markley
Dubai
TII Middle East & India Offices:
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Audited Circulation
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Mar/Apr 2012
4 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN
www.bpaww.com
EDITORIAL Frank Raj
WHATS INSIDE
TII 21.2
Will The Aam Aadmi Party Win Or Lose Because Of The Aam Aadmi?
A final victory is an accumulation of many short term encounters. To lightly dismiss a success
because it does not usher in a complete order of justice is to fail to comprehend the process of
achieving full victory. - Martin Luther King Jr.
Railway authorities once steadfastly honest, the remaining British Raj to Indian Raj, neither
posted a sign that said: 50 per cent – more than half a life nor freedom can be taken for
“For the comfort of your billion people – are “borderline.” granted by the majority of citizens 18 25 45
fellow passengers, please keep Sinha is convinced corruption – certainly not the hapless Aam
the windows closed!” Nothing has gained “social acceptance.” Aadmi who remains bound in
happened; people didn’t bother, Despite the rise of whistle-blowers, superstition, exploitation, poverty
until the sign was altered to read: an assertive press and right-to- and illiteracy.
12 66
“For your comfort, please keep the information legislation, the Aam
windows closed.” Aadmi apparently cares more about So what are the Facts?
Just one word was changed, wealth than honesty. Compounding Thousands of devastated families
and automatically, people started the issue, India’s slow courts, live with unbearable pain in our
closing the windows. lengthy appeals process and liberal land, despairing of restitution and
Human psychology perhaps, bail policies, ensure that only four lusting for revenge. Yet it is the
but the point of the story is that per cent of those convicted for common man who favours two
small changes can indeed bring corruption serve a jail sentence. political parties with blood stained
about extraordinary results. Transparency International, still hands despite the shocking events 38
Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam ranks India close to African of 1984 and 2002. Disregarding
Aadmi Party is, either a game- countries such as Rwanda in the even more recent situations like the
changer in India – or the Aam global Corruption Perception Index. Muzaffarnagar riots, it is unlikely
Aadmi will ignore his efforts and So are the 2014 Lok Sabha the Aam Aadmi will give a political
nothing will change. Nonetheless elections about Faith, Freedom, rookie like Kejriwal a chance to
this solitary, unfamiliar Indian Farce or Fact? change the charade of Indian contents DEBATE
politician armed only with a trusted, Who will win – Jayalalita-ji or democracy. 49 TV Anchors: Who Do You Trust?
by Bandana Jain
old rifl e, not a shotgun, is calmly Mamata-ji, or Modi-ji or Rahul-ji? The Aam Aadmi Party cannot
taking aim at specifi c targets. He That’s the fi rst Farce – the suffi x sweep India clean with its CA’S ADVICE
doesn’t care whether he wins or used in political jargon and in trademark broom if the politically 04 Letters to the Editor DIASPORA
52 Tax Deducted at Source
loses – he is the one candidate Bollywood – the ‘ji’ carries no bamboozled, ill-advised Aam Aadmi 06 Editorial 12 Shaan Savarirayan: Procedures for Sale of Properties by
Indians should entrust with power real respect, it is classic Indian is willing to go on remaining a In Search Of An Identity NRI’s/PIO’s
COVER STORY by Frank Raj
because he is indifferent to it. hypocrisy widely practiced. Our third-class citizen on a dangerous by Premkumar Karra
18 Dr Navjit Singh Anand
On the other hand the namaste maybe a respectful, runaway train with the windows 70 : Britain’s Asians:
Fortune Favors The Brave EDUCATION
unfortunate, oft demonstrated unassuming gesture, but behind the wide open to a contaminated India. Speak Up For Better Race Relations
by Balan Iyer 25 UAE Education Special
character of India’s Aam Aadmi is folded hands of our politicians there Unless Kejriwal has sparked by Rudy Otter
by Netra Nair
such that he prefers to leave his is a knife hidden somewhere. off hopefully a bloodless version of TRAVEL 66 NRI Gifts
train window open to all kinds of Narender Modi choosing to fi ght the ten year revolution that France 38 Europe By Train Think Before Taking Gifts Back Home BOLLYWOOD
The Raghavan’s: Veteran Train travellers 57 Gen-Y Stars
toxic pollution. the elections from Varanasi shows experienced from 1789 to 1799. by Deepa Ballal
by Armenia Fernandes What is Their Future?
Can Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi how Faith is cleverly manipulated in
60 Why Do Indians Want To Retire by Rajiv Vijayakar
Party convince people otherwise? Indian politics and the Aam Aadmi SUCCESS
in Dubai?
Corruption, Communalism and falls for it hook, line and sinker. All 42 Gaurav Tandon by Roma Arora HUMOUR
Dynastic rule are the key areas of Indians, without any exception have Born To Entertain 78 You Can’t Buy Love
Kejriwal’s social revolution – but all yet to learn the difference between by Armenia Fernandes PROFILE by Melvin Durai
Frank Raj 54 Pankaj Shah:
these are issues the Aam Aadmi genuine faith in their Maker and the 74 Singh is King 77 TII Hall of Fame
Founder-Editor & Publisher Behind The Lens
has ignored or been unconcerned proven impotence of man-made Of Spicy Sauces in UK
about, divided by caste, gender religion. [email protected] by Shamlal Puri by Bandana Jain 77 TII Photo Competition
discrimination, sectarianism, and Freedom is a big question SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY 79 BUZZWORD
every kind of social inequality. mark in India. “At the stroke of the The International Indian 10 Only Success 45 What Is Your Idea of Community? 82 WINNING
Almost one in three Indians are midnight hour, when the world @frankraj08 Vidyashankar, the Founder and CEO of Young Indians Think Differently Retail Therapy Can Never Satisfy
“utterly corrupt,” is the damning sleeps, India will awake to life and @deshaurdiaspora OnlySuccess Learning by Netra Nair by Frank Raj
indictment by the country’s former freedom.” declared India’s fi rst Frank Raj by Ruqya Khan HEALTH
anti-corruption watchdog. Pratyush Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru blog.tii.ae 24 The ReLEx Smile Flapless, All
Sinha, earlier Central Vigilance on 15th August 1947. After Femtosecond, Single Step Laser Vision
Correction
Commissioner of India, declared more than six decades of Like this article? Scan for a free download
by Al Zahra Hospital
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6 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 7

SMALL BIZ
Ruqya Khan SMALL BIZ
the results were outstanding. The
Only Success
positive feedback and change gave
us the much needed encouragement
and confidence. Over a period the
children’s program became so
strong that it took over the adult
training demand!” asserted Vidya.
The biggest damage that a child suffers is when “In fact in UAE we started with the
children training program – ‘Be a
he is given a label (of being a slow leaner, an
Champ.’
In UAE, OS offers programs
untidy worker, poor at a particular subject, etc )
for children – ‘Be a Champ’ (it was
at a tender age. We then grow up believing and earlier called Superb Kids, Superb
Teens, SKST), Leadership Academy
applying that label to all other areas of life (a follow up support for children who
have done ‘Be a Champ’/SKST),
and are never able to shake off that
Superb Kids Superb Teens Mastery
The OS team with Vidyashankar, Founder and CEO
(a level up of advanced learning for
identity until someone with faith in businesses and support by local Another area of concern that
the children who have done ‘Be a
authorities was far better than in any OS has identified is the lack of
our capabilities comes along. Champ’/SKST), ‘I Love Exams’ (a
other country in the MENA sector. competence or open mindness
one day workshop for children to
Content approval was smooth and of teachers. Coming from that
deal with exam stress). Trainings
Vidyashankar, the Founder and CEO of Only Success for adults include ‘Born To Win’, we were able to begin work without perspective they have structured
Learning Technologies any delays,” said Vidya. “We deliver a ‘Train the Trainer’ module where
BTW (a 3-day personal excellence
and work on developing life skills. teachers are trained and certified.
training programme for adults),
As he stands tall on the stage, – only because the region is more Training programmes at ‘Influence and Mastery’ (a level up As children we are conditioned “Educationists who have a strong
his voice booms and his acceptable to new ideas and the OS started with adult training of advanced learning for the adults such that we absorb content and desire to change lives not just for
eyes reel the audience into culture is conducive to this level of workshops – ‘Born To Win’ and who have done BTW) and one day reproduce it for our exams and themselves but also the many
his weave of words. The diction is learning,” says Vidyashankar. they branched into children training public speaking training for adults. grades. Life skills and personality children that they are responsible
simple, the affirmations are strong OS set up its office in Dubai. programmes at a later stage. “Our “OS made a name of repute in development begins to take a back for can come forward to take this
and the message that he carries They began with a core team of five biggest question at the time was if India and when we were ready we seat. At OS, we work to bring that to program forward and seed it in their
is that of self-empowerment and members – Vidyashankar, Praveen we can really train the children on began scanning the Middle East the fore. This includes relationship respective schools.
growth. It is surprising to know that Sherman, Nirmala Nandakumar, these life skills and if it was too early region for our growth. UAE was development, time management, The biggest damage that a
when Vidyashankar, the Founder Lakshmi Narayanan and Sendhil for them to understand these things. chosen as the hub because the goal setting and the fighting spirit.” child suffers is when he is given
and CEO of OnlySuccess Learning Annamalai. All the training content But once the decision was taken we community was open and willing to In 2014, OS aims to better its a label (of being a slow leaner, an
Technologies set foot into the career comes from otheir head office in did not turn back. We took action learn. Moreover, the climate for new existing programs and increase its untidy worker, poor at a particular
world he was a software engineer! Chennai, India. Abaya Murali is and developed the program. The outreach. “Success cannot give subject, etc ) at a tender age. We
He later did his Masters in Business Head of Business Operations in first camp with children had some you happiness, only growth can. then grow up believing and applying
Administration and gathered Dubai. 30-plus participants. Interestingly, Life skills are so critical in this era that label to all other areas of life
experience in various sectors of THE START UP: of competition yet not every child and are never able to shake off that
sales, marketing and management has been touched and tapped into identity until someone with faith in
• Date of launch:
across MNCs in India and abroad. Feb 01, 2007 this stream of thought. We want to our capabilities comes along.
“The work was good but there • Total Investment: take our programs to schools and OS wants to be that pat on the
was an intense passion towards AED 60,000 decision making bodies so that we back not just for young ones but
personal excellence training. I • Number of staff: 7 are able to work with more children also adults who have played small
began to better myself, attend • License required for this business: and change them for the better. A for long enough,” concludes Vidya.
training sessions to learn concepts Children’s Skill Development confident child has the power to TII
about human nature and behaviour Training & Human Resources. make a strong society for tomorrow.
• Location of office: 101, Platinum
patterns. But knowing it for myself Parents must understand this. We Ruqya Khan is a freelance writer based
Business Centre, Al Nahda
was not enough, I wanted to spread 2, Dubai / WS 4 , Block # 3, are working towards making life in UAE.
the word and coach people. Finally Knowledge Village, Dubai . skills a part of the school curriculum.
in September 2004 I began OS • 2014 projections: In India some schools have adopted
(OnlySuccess) and three years down OS aims to train 2,000 children this as part of their weekly timetable
the line we brought our business to and 400 adults in 2014. and OS wants to actively make an
the UAE. This was the first place attempt to reach local schools here
that we chose to work outside India OS in session - the Gulf region is more acceptable to new ideas so that every child benefits from it.”
10 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 11
Diaspora
Shaan Savarirayan
Growing Up In America
How do Indian children
raised in America resolve
their identity issues? The
American Born Confused
Desi (ABCD) dichotomy
is a challenge, as 18 year
old Shaan Savarirayan
found in his journey to
explore his roots. Any real
discovery was hindered by
years of stigma prominent
in his psyche. Shaan tells
how he rediscovered
Legal Maxims group offers investors interested in setting up business in Dubai an entire gamut of services ranging
his Indian heritage and
from legal, corporate, human resources, management and financial investment consultancies. The professional
reshaped his American
advice given by our international, talented and experienced pool of experts will give you the vital edge in competitive
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American.
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Shaan Savarirayan: ‘Ethnic identity achievement’ was the holy grail.
’m driving along one of many the strong, straightforward attitude the United States. I know that no
I
never-ending highways of the America prides itself with, painting matter how long I live and however
United States of America. It’s a romanticized image of the honest, ‘Americanized’ my friends say I
another typical road trip for me blue-collar worker whose only loves am, can I ever fully embody this
traversing the eastern seaboard are football, family and freedom. As aspect of truly American culture
with parents in our family sedan the southern cowboy twang rings that is so perfectly encapsulated in
to visit friends. Squinting against clear over radio, it momentarily stirs the country song that I’m listening
the midday sun, I decide my drive within me an overinflated sense of to? I may always be an outsider
needs an appropriate soundtrack to nationalism and I’m filled with pride, living on the inside, stuck in a weird
add drama, so I flick on the radio. To happy to be an American (whatever limbo between being a native-born,
my delight, a country song starts to that means). faithful citizen of the United States, Head Office: Corporate Office:
play over the car’s speakers. As the song progresses the only country I’ve ever called my
Admittedly, I’m quite fond of though, the moment passes and own, and being another child of the Legal Maxims Lawyers & Attorneys Pvt Ltd, 42/1558, P.O.Box. 39298, Suite #602, Damas Tower,
country music. To be sure, it is a I suddenly feel a bit conflicted. No great phenomenon known as the
Kallath Buidlings, Mathai Manjooran Road, Near High Court, Al Maktoum Street, Dubai, UAE.
formulaic genre that consists of matter how hard, I yearn to relate Indian diaspora.
Ernakulam, Kochi - 682018, India. Ph. [phone], Fax. [phone],
simplistic chord progressions and to the message of the song, I once My dichotomy, of course, is
even simpler themes of heartbreak, more have to confront a reality neither unique nor universal. I’m Ph: [phone], Fax: [phone] Mob. [phone],
a cold beer and pick-up trucks. that I’ve had to struggle with over sure it applies to immigrants and Mob: [phone], Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
But that’s the point. It speaks to the course of my 18-year life in children of immigrants of not only
12 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN
www.legalmaxims.com Facebook.com/legalmaxims maximslaw
DIASPORA
Indian descent, but of all races over
the course of history. On the flip side,
I wouldn’t presume to speak for the
entire Indian diaspora community
in America, let alone the world, for
our community’s experiences are as
varied as the colors of the biblical
Joseph’s multicolored cloak. I only
have my story, and the lessons it
has taught me.
First, a quick history lesson. I
was born in an upscale suburb of
Boston, Massachusetts where,
excluding a two-year hiatus in
the Netherlands when I was five,
Shaan with his parents Asha and Prakash Savarirayan
I have spent my childhood and
adolescence. My parents were suppose I should feel manipulated, such an identity I was trying to piece
both born in India and came to the I’m not complaining). There were together were completely scattered.
United States like so many others even a few attempts to teach me I was verbally bullied with most of the
for college. When I was young my Hindi, but Tamil got in the way. taunts revolving around my Indian
parents sought to instill in me an As I started to form more heritage. I’ll admit, being bullied
international perspective. They did and more friends at my woefully isn’t anything special, and this was
this in two ways. The first was by homogeneous, suburban public by no means the great catastrophe
accepting my father’s overseas school, much of those Indian of my life. But the more I endured
assignment and spending those aspects of my upbringing fell the stereotypical insults against my
years traveling in Europe. The through the cracks. Thus, I was ethnicity, the more I believed them
second was by exposing me to the poised to enter the 6th grade of to be true. I transferred to a Boston
cultural gems of my Indian heritage. middle school with only surface- private school, Roxbury Latin, where
Much of my childhood was level knowledge of Indian culture I was accepted in no small measure
characterized by Sholay quotes, and no real interest or outlet to dig due to my parents’ strong emphasis
Shammi Kapoor mannerisms and deeper. on academics and extracurricular
biryani. Lots of biryani. (I honestly A critical aspect of ‘self-concept’ activities. Yet even there, where,
believe my parents used ‘cultural in psychology is what’s known as thanks to the social lessons I had
exposure’ as a mere excuse to ethnic identity. In middle school, previously learned, I was able to
satiate their own cravings. While I however, whatever fragments of thrive, I foolishly sought to distance
myself from my Indian identity, for I
knew all too well the damage it could
cause. It was an odd paradox, as
I did not fully belong to the Indian
culture I rejected or to the white,
American culture I craved.
During one of the many hours I
spent perusing the dusty volumes
of the Roxbury Latin library, I came
across Identity: Youth and Crisis by
Erik Erikson. I almost didn’t pick it
up, reluctant to confront or even
think about my conflicted persona,
but curiosity got the better of me.
Therein I found a treasure trove of
essays pertaining to developmental
psychology. Here, all my messy
emotions were scaled down and
compartmentalized into concrete
Shaan with his maternal grandparents William and Indra Paulraj, parents, and cousins terms—concepts I could grasp and
Sthuthi and Siddhu wrestle with. As it turns out, what
14 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN
GS (Internationa indian Mag AD) 20.2x26.3-2.pdf 1 3/6/14 12:23 PM
DIASPORA
GOLDEN SANDS
Hotel Apartments
bottom of American society. By that
standard the recent wave of Indian Chic, Comfortable, Affordable
expats into the US has been more
than lucky in that respect. Unlike
Feel relaxed at your home
those who came before via slave
ships or Ellis Island, we (Indians
from India) do not have to suffer the
near-eradication of our culture or be
forced to redefine ourselves in order
to assimilate. The world is such
that we have the unique freedom to
preserve our beloved Indian quirks
and traditions wherever we settle.
The trick is to figure out how best
to do so.
Shaan with his parents, grandfather Kanthi and uncle Uday In retrospect, I’m quite
convinced that the way I went about
I was experiencing was ‘identity have never have bothered to ask
it was not the optimal approach.
vs. role confusion,’ a critical period before; questions about our history,
Nor do I feel it is practical to try and
in development where a person background and culture. Taking a
segregate one’s Indian culture from
reconciles society’s imposed cue from Milkman, I expressed a
that of the country of residence,
identity with their own notions of desire to see our ancestral home in while trying to stay fully engaged C GOLDEN SANDS 10
who they are. India and managed to maneuver my
with both. For me, the solution now M
I dug deeper, spending months busy parents into making the trip. HOTEL APARTMENTS
has been to let my rediscovered
perusing works by Erikson as well At first, it was a heavy culture Y
Indian heritage shape my American
as James Marcia. Through their shock. But I nevertheless communed experience as an Indian-American CM
writings, I learned the psychological with distant relatives and probed
in the fullest sense. Rather than MY
dangers of existing in what Marcia for answers. By understanding my
struggling to find my place on either
referred to as ‘identity diffusion’ or family’s immigration, hearing the CY
side of the line dividing Indian and
the lack of both exploration and stories of our ancestral conversion
American identities, I have accepted CMY
commitment to one’s identity. I to Christianity, and witnessing our
my place straddling it. Every K
needed to resolve the paradoxical native culture, I finally understood
member of the Indian diaspora
divide within me and commence myself. Awareness of my family’s
brings to their new community a
the exploration process of ‘identity history with the Christian faith in India
unique perspective that in many
moratorium’. ‘Ethnic identity also made me realize the universality
cases is unprecedented, just as
achievement’: that was my holy of my religious identity, independent
the Indian upbringing of their youth
grail. of ethnicity, strengthening my self-
is augmented by their foreign
However, this was easier said confidence. All of this gave me a
environment. In every Indian expat’s
than done. Having completely cut comfortable sense of belonging
case, he or she has access to two
myself off, I was perhaps the most that transcended geographical and
valuable sources of culture, each
‘non-Indian’ Indian on both sides of racial boundaries. My self-loathing
with its own pros and cons (which is
the Atlantic, with no viable outlet to dissolved and I felt secure for the
a whole other article). I have found
explore my heritage. Furthermore, first time, having finally reached
that by letting them complement
any real discovery was hindered ‘ethnic identity achievement.’
each other, I am uplifted to a higher
by years of stigma that were still The US has had a less than
sense of what it truly means to
prominent in my psyche. ideal history when it comes to
be a global citizen, recognizing
Enter Milkman, the protagonist immigration. From African slaves in
my position as an ambassador Experience laid-back living at Golden Sands Hotel Apartments! Our well-appointed rooms, first-rate amenities and
of Toni Morrison’s novel, Song of colonial times, to Chinese railroad
between two proud heritages. topnotch hospitality let you unwind and enjoy superb comfort and leisure all throughout your stay.
Solomon. Distanced from the workers in the 1850’s, to Irish and Suddenly, that country song is not
African American community and German families fleeing famine and Location: Centrally located in Bur Dubai • Close to major shopping malls, hypermarkets and public garden • Easy access
as disconcerting.
woefully ignorant of his roots, poverty in the early 20th century, TII to metro stations • 10 km drive from Dubai International Airport and with easy access to Sheikh Zayed Road
he journeys South down a path every group of newcomers has
Shaan Savarirayan is a freelance writer
of self-discovery as he retraces faced subjugation or ostracism, BOOK ONLINE
based in Boston.
his family history. Through him, I having been confronted by hate- www.goldensandsdubai.com
gained the understanding to ask fueled nativism and
my grandfather questions I would forced to start at the Tel: [phone] | Fax: [phone], P.O. Box: 9168, Dubai, U.A.E.
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16 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN installed on your smartphone
COVER STORY
Balan Iyer COVER STORY
to deal with what he calls, “All in a day’s work.”
Dr Navjit Singh Anand: By 6.30 P.M, all visitors are finally dealt with. We
finally had his undivided attention and took the plunge
with him, as he began his journey down memory lane.

Reclining his chair with a Strauss waltz playing in the
Fortune Favours The Brave
background, a hot cup of tea in his hand, and a twinkle
in his eye, Dr. Anand settles down to enlighten us, on
what he and The Goldline Group are all about.
The billionaire businessman’s rising three times from the ashes is an
THE EARLY YEARS
amazing testimony to his courage and convictions. TII presents the
“My father, Manmohan Singh crossed over from
Pakistan during the Partition, with only the shirt on his
amazing Goldline Group success story.
back. He struggled to find employment in those troubled
times and survived on two meals provided by the local
Dr Navjit Singh Anand with his wife Jasmine and Dr (Mrs) Rajni
gurudwara. He persisted in his efforts and never gave
group of companies straddling shipping, Dr. Anand, believes in an open door policy, and Kumar, Founder and Principal of Springdales
A up hope, even though it was many years later before his
logistics, transport, construction, metal personally attends to the stream of employees, bankers, abilities and education were finally recognised. It was in India. Using the free time that I now had in plenty,
trading, steel plants, plastics, demolition, lead consultants and business associates, stopping by his indeed a proud moment for the family, when he retired I was able to source the steel and ship it out to him
manufacturing and now education with a turnover offices, to discuss possible business opportunities and as Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India. within a few weeks. Sensing further opportunities in
expected to cross AED 2,500,000,000 in 2014, new ventures, or to reinforce commitments for current “My father had always wanted me to be a doctor this business, I studied the market for a few months
employing 4,000 employees, with representations in and on-going projects. and I shared his vision. I knew that I would be trained and then took the plunge by investing all my remaining
13 countries on six continents and all handled by one All are given a fair hearing, including the supplier to alleviate another human beings pain and I couldn’t wealth into acquiring additional metal lots, which helped
person as a matter of routine. who requested an urgent payment because of an think of a nobler profession, that also gave so much me complete a few more deals.”
Dr. Navjit Singh Anand, nominated Ambassador of emergency in his family and an injured employee who back to society.” “I learnt business the hard way and God was kind.
Madagascar in the UAE and Chairman of the Goldline pleaded for two months paid leave and a ticket in order “After completing my MBBS from the Armed Forces Here I was – with no understanding of how the banking
Group is indeed a hard man to pin down for a tete a-tete. to be treated and rehabilitated in his home country. Both Medical College ( AFMC ) Pune, which was ranked 2nd system functioned, no funding facilities and no support
Getting an appointment was easy enough, but receiving requests are granted and acted upon immediately and only to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, I took from any of my doctor friends and relatives, who all
his undivided attention for an interview is another matter one cannot help being awestruck, at the reservoir of on a house residency-ship at AIIMS.” thought I was mad to give up a lucrative career in
altogether. energy that Dr. Anand seems to constantly draw upon, “I was on duty that fateful day in May 1984, when medicine. Fortunately it seemed that my instincts were
Indira Gandhi was shot and brought in to AIIMS. On right, as I was gradually able to grow my ferrous metal
my way home that evening, I faced the full fury of a trading business, until disaster once again raised its
mob, getting stoned and beaten, before providentially ugly head in 1999.”
escaping and seeking refuge in a house in Defence “This time yet another turning point – my local
Colony. It was a great relief to be finally rescued by sponsor had a serious issue with the government, which
friends from the Army Hospital, four days later. I was resulted in the authorities freezing the bank accounts of
lucky to survive the mob violence, but my heart wept all the companies sponsored by him.”
in anguish, at the many Sikh brethren mercilessly and “I hit rock bottom once again. With no access to
brutally killed.” the money in my accounts, I had no choice but to dig
“This incident changed my life. I left India to pursue my heels in and keep faith in the Almighty, hoping that
my MD from New York Medical College, where I eventually the accounts would be unfrozen, once it
practiced medicine before going on to set up a polyclinic was realized that my sponsor was not a partner in my
in New York, employing doctors across seven different business.”
specialities.” “These accounts were finally released in 2003. I
had only God to thank for my survival and once again
coming to my rescue, since all my fair weather friends
LEARNING THE HARD WAY
had kept away, expecting me to abandon ship.”
“In 1989, lured by the tax free environment of the UAE, I
invested $3 million in a hotel project, which never got off
the ground. Since this amount was a significant part of THE PHOENIX RISES
my net worth at the time, I was forced to shift residence “I restarted my business with a renewed vigor to make
to the UAE to recover this money, but after months of up for lost time. Everything was going just fine, until
protracted negotiations, I realized my money had been the global recession of 2008 once again pulled the
lost for ever......it was a turning point, which once again ground from under my feet. The price of steel nose-
gave my life, a new direction …” dived from $800 to $200. In addition to the lost millions,
Dr Navjit Singh Anand with his wife Jasmine and daughters Sehej and Saakhi
“During this period, I received a chance enquiry investments made in real estate in Dubai, were now
from a friend wanting to purchase steel for his plants worth only a fraction of what had been paid and there
18 THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN 19