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The Indian retail market is going through a sea change with liberalisation having brought in its wake affluence, and the growing numbers in this affluent segment could be the envy of many a developed nation. As a result, the traditional mode of Indian retail is slowly but surely giving way to modern means with the entry of both international and large domestic players in this sector. Our cover story enumerates various dynamic aspects of this booming Indian retail scenario.
Ever since Joseph Nicéphore Niépce pioneering efforts in photography and the first ever long-lasting photograph clicked by him in 1826 that opened a whole new medium for graphic representation, photography has become inextricable from our lives. Holidays, occasions, events, festivals, etc., would be unimaginable without having photographs taken. Leaving aside the nostalgic element, the early 20th century saw the emergence of photography as an art form, and great photographers such as Man Ray shot the most exquisite artistic photographs, many of which still survive today in pristine condition either in museums or private collections. However, with the advent of other multimedia technology, interest in photography as an art form dwindled for a while, but there now appears to be a resurrection of sorts, especially in India, with galleries exclusively dedicated to photography springing up all over. Our article Photography: Re-emergence of an Old Art Form examines this renewed interest in this visual art form.
This year celebrates the 60th year of India’s independence, and the article India Dazzles at 60 encapsulates significant moments in India’s foreign relations, policies, and history of the last six decades. Recent years have witnessed a dramatic transformation in Indo-US relations as noted by American Ambassador to India David C. Mulford in his speech delivered at the 3rd Indo-US Economic Summit that stated: “President Bush’s India policy is premised on the belief that no other relationship [India-US] will be more important in shaping the world of the 21st Century.” 60 Years of Indo-US Relations summarises the recently held photo exhibition in the capital, which highlights 60 years of the Indo-US relationship that has culminated in this newfound bond between two countries that despite having much in common, such as democracy, pluralism, and the rule of law, were for decades polarised.
On the occasion of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s landmark visit to India in August 2007, our special focus is on The Land of the Rising Sun, which also carries an exclusive interview with Japanese Ambassador to India Yasukuni Enoki. Five New Foreign Missions for India details India’s plans to establish embassies in Reykjavik (Iceland), Guatemala (Guatemala), Niamey (Niger), and Bamako (Mali), and a consulate general in Guangzhou (China). Indonesia— the world’s largest archipelagic state—is the other focus country in this issue. Our travelogue features Dublin—well known for the eponymous dry stout that originated in Arthur Guinness’s St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin. Interestingly, as the birthplace of William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, and Samuel Beckett, Dublin has produced three literature Nobel Laureates—more than any other city in the world. One wonders whether Guinness had something to do with that; after all, the producers do claim in one of their slogans: “Guinness is Good for You”! |
