'Make in India' a hit with Japan - PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the 'Make in India' initiative has become a movement in Japan and the island nation has created a fund of about $12 billion for it.

”Today, there is a 'Make In India' movement in Japan. I have been told that $11-12 billion fund has been earmarked for it. This clearly indicates how both the countries can move forward,” he said while addressing the India-Japan Business Leaders Forum here.

'Make in India' is proceeding in mission mode, not just in India, but also in Japan, he said.

Modi also said that, for the first time, Japan would import cars from India.

”Maruti (Suzuki) will manufacture here... Japanese company will manufacture here and export it to Japan,” he said, adding that both India and Japan should move ahead together, not just in the sphere of high-speed trains, but also for “high-speed growth.”

Recalling his last visit to the country, Modi said Japan committed an investment of $35 billion.

”The figure had surprised many at that time, but today, within a short time-span, unimaginable progress had been made, and the contours of this investment were beginning to get visible on the ground,” he said.

Highlighting the improvement in economic indicators in both India and Japan, he said these were extremely encouraging, especially in the light of the global economic slowdown.

”It is clear that India is a land of possibilities,” he added.

Praising Modi's reforms programme, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, “Prime Minister Modi's speed of implementing policies and reforms is like Shinkansen (bullet train) and his reform agenda is as safe as Shinkansen.”

Abe also said that India has become a very attractive investment destination for Japan.

Bilateral trade between the two countries was $15.51 billion in 2014-15 as against $16.29 billion in 2013-14.

India received $19.16 billion FDI or foreign direct investment from Japan during April 2000 and September 2015.

Briefing media after the meeting, Maruti Suzuki chairman R.C. Bhargava said the company will export 'Baleno' at the moment.

When asked about the target, Bhargava said “we expect to export 20,000 to 30,000 in a year.”

However, he added that exporting automobiles to Japan is not an easy task.

Apollo Tyres chairman Onkar S. Kanwar said Japanese companies have committed investment in infrastructure sectors including power.

Cheers to the Naval Spirit! - Ghanshyam Sarda

Ghanshyam Sarda and Keshari Nath Tripath

Navy Day, observed annually to commemorate the glorious victory of Indian Navy in the 197 1 war with Pakistan was hosted by Commodore Ravi Ahluwalia and wife Manjula at the Navy House on Friday with invitees from all walks of life attending it. Huge installations of warships were put on display at the entrance of the lawn where the party was held. We spotted graceful ladies exchanging pleasantries over scrumptious delectable that were on offer.

Jasjeet Singh and Paramita Saha on the left and Irina K. Bashkirova on the right

The clear winner in the snacks department was the flavorful phuchkas shaped like submarines that were enjoyed by everyone. The chief guest of the evening, Governor of West Bengal Keshari Nath Tripathi said, "Its proud feeling to be here on Navy day today." Folk singer Debalina Bhowmick added the local flavor to the evening as Karaoke World Championship winner Faizan Khurshid entrailed one and all with his soulful singing.

Ghanshyam Sarda quoted " It was wonderful to interact with the Indian Navy Officers. The programme was very well organized "

PM Narendra Modi attends Shivani Sethia's dance at Wembley Stadium in the UK

Jaipur's Shivani Sethia, a kathak dancer, got to perform in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British PM David Cameron and his wife Samantha at a colorful event organized at the Wembley Stadium in London.

The programme also had UK artistes, who practise Indian art forms, presenting their act. And Shivani, who is currently based in London, was also selected to perform at the event. She began learning kathak at the age of seven, and has received her training in Jaipur and Lucknow gharana. On her performance at Wembley Stadium, she said, "The organizers knew me and had seen my previous performances. It was an honour when I got to know that I will be performing, too. It was really exciting performing in the presence of two prime ministers."

Shivani was part of a classical section where she was also in charge of putting 50 dancers together for presenting different styles of Indian classical dances. She presented kathak, amalgamating the nuances of both Jaipur and Lucknow gharanas.

Shivani also got an opportunity to speak to PM Modi. "I was one of the few artistes to have got the opportunity of welcoming both David Cameron and Narendra Modi backstage, with other artistes like Alisha Chinai and Jay Sean. I also got a chance to speak to both the prime ministers. Modi ji also commented on the kind of Indian talent that resides in other parts of the world. His words are still echoing in my ears," she added.