Archiv der Kategorie: Miscl. Items of Interest

‚God particle‘: The Indian connection with Higgs boson

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The Times of India (4th July 2012) reports:

GENEVA: As all eyes today focus on the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, famously known as CERN, Indian scientific and technological contributions are among the many that keeps the world’s biggest particle physics laboratory buzzing.

In a ‚quantum‘ leap in physics, CERN scientists today claimed to have spotted a sub-atomic particle „consistent“ with the Higgs boson or ‚God particle‘, believed to be a crucial building block that led to the formation of the universe.

There is an intrinsic Indian connection to what is happening at CERN – Satyendra Nath Bose. It is Bose after whom the sub-atomic particle ‚boson‘ is named.

His study changed the way Particle Physics has been studied ever since. The Higgs boson is a particle that is theoretically the reason why all matter in the Universe has mass.

The name Higgs boson came from a British scientist Peter Higgs and Bose. The work done by Bose and Albert Einstein, later added by Higgs, lead to this pioneering day.

„India is like a historic father of the project,“ Paolo Giubellino, CERN spokesperson had said back in October last year when PTI visited the facility.

At the core of the CERN, spread over two countries as it is situated near the Swiss-Franco border, is the 27-km long tunnel, over 70 metres beneath the ground, where the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) or commonly referred to as the Big Bang experiment was conducted last year.

The experiment had aimed to recreate the conditions of the Big Bang, when the universe is thought to have exploded into existence about 14 billion years ago.

The CERN runs a number of experimental projects and over 100 Indian scientists are working round the clock.

Also see: Satyendra Nath Bose towers over Higgs in world of physics (Times of India, 6th July 2012)

Interview mit Michael Wendt: „Ich habe in Indien viel Freundlichkeit erlebt!“

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(Quelle: Fix International Services / mit freundlicher Genehmigung reproduziert. Das Interview als PDF herunterladen.)

Newsletter April 2012

Ich habe in Indien viel Freundlichkeit erlebt!

Michael Wendt, Newsletter Fix International Servces, Interkulturelle KompetenzMichael Wendt (Jahrgang 1947) wuchs im Hamburger Stadtteil Rotherbaum auf, wo er 1968 für rund 30 Jahre die legendäre Tanzschule Wendt seiner Eltern übernahm. Generationen von Hamburgern lernten dort Walzer, Rumba und Foxtrott. „Irgendwann hatte ich genug vom Tanzlehrerdasein und startete 1993 mit meinen eigenen Tanzveranstaltungen“, sagt Michael Wendt, Geschäftsführer der Eventagentur EwendtS GmbH. Das Unternehmen hat sich auf die Organisation von Spezial-Veranstaltungen spezialisiert. Hierzu gehören Länder- und Landespräsentationen. Darüber hinaus organisiert EwendtS Bälle, Galas, Jubiläen, Parties, Firmen-Events, Get togethers, Konzerte und arbeitet national und international mit renommierten Caterern, Hotels, Ausstattern, Konzertdirektionen und Spezial-Agenturen zusammen. 2012 ist das „Indienjahr“ in Deutschland, eingeläutet wird das Indienjahr „Days of India – Connecting Cultures“ auf dem größten norddeutschen Volksfest, dem 823. HAFENGEBURTSTAG HAMBURG 2012. Michael Wendt hat das offizielle Programm der Länderpartnerschaft im Auftrag der Stadt Hamburg organisiert.

Rubrik: Interview mit Michael Wendt

Herr Wendt, Sie organisieren seit vielen Jahren das Programm der Länderpartnerschaften des Hamburger Hafengeburtstags. 2012 ist Indien das Partnerland. Worauf können sich die Besucher freuen?

Michael Wendt: Es wird ein farbenfrohes Spektakel! Es gibt Tanzvorführungen, die Besucher können im gastronomischen Bereich die facettenreiche indische Küche kennen lernen und schließlich wird vor ihren Augen wertvolles Kunsthandwerk gefertigt. Aber auch das indische Gesundheitswesen stellt sich vor, mit Yoga-Darbietungen und Ayurveda–Demonstrationen, bei denen das Publikum das Wesen der traditionellen indischen Heilkunst kennen lernen.

Wie lief die Vorbereitung ab? Waren Sie auch in Indien?

Michael Wendt: Selbstverständlich! Ich war dort in der Hauptstadt Delhi und in Mumbai, sowie in Rajasthan und habe mit vielen Ministerien gesprochen, die Veranstaltung und das Indienjahr 2012 werden dort sehr ernst genommen. Obwohl ich vor zwanzig Jahren schon mal in Indien war, betrat ich dieses Mal Neuland. Zwar klingt es merkwürdig, Indien hat sich in dieser Zeit völlig verändert – und ist andererseits so geblieben, wie ich es noch kannte. Denn dort, wo die Moderne noch nicht Einzug gehalten ist, ist alles so wie früher. Ganz anders sieht es in den Großstädten aus. Es gibt Clubs, Hotels und ein Großstadtfeeling wie in jeder anderen Metropole in der Welt.

Sie sind Vizepräsident und „Man of the Decade“ der International Dance Organisation (IDO). Die IDO ist der größte Welttanzverband für aktuelle und moderne Tänze mit 67 Mitgliedsländern. Wohin geht der Trend?

Michael Wendt: Bei den jungen Leuten in der Altersgruppe bis 20 ist immer noch Hip-Hop angesagt.  Insgesamt sind lateinamerikanische Tänze stark in Kommen, etwa Meringue oder Salsa. Und der Tango wird sich weiter durchsetzen. In Indien wird Bollywood getanzt, eine Mischung aus orientalischem Bauchtanz, regionalen Volkstänzen, Jazz und Modern Dance.

Hat die Globalisierung das Tanzen verändert?

Michael Wendt: Sicher! Die professionellen Tänzer messen sich jetzt häufiger mit denen aus anderen Nationen. Außerdem ist Fliegen günstiger geworden, die jungen Leute reisen heute viel mehr. Und auch das Ende der Blöcke nach dem Untergang der Sowjetunion hat die Tanzkultur verändert. Die ehemaligen Blockstaaten haben viel voneinander gelernt. Ich bin wirklich glücklich, in eine so geschichtsträchtige Zeit hineingeboren worden zu sein, in der ich so positive Entwicklungen miterleben durfte. Die Generation meiner Eltern hatte es in der Kriegs- und Nachkriegszeit viel schwerer.

Gab es Überraschungen, als Sie in Indien unterwegs waren, um den Hafengeburtstag vorzubereiten?

Michael Wendt: Eigentlich nicht. Weil ich in Asien bei der Kommunikation sehr genau darauf achte, nicht als Deutscher wahrgenommen zu werden, der Anderen den Lauf den Welt erklären will. Deshalb versuche ich, den Partner das Gespräch leiten zu lassen. So erfahre ich, worum es ihm geht. Auf diesem Weg baue ich Vertrauen auf – und das macht alles im Leben leichter. Bevor ich nach Indien gefahren bin, habe ich natürlich viel über das Land gelesen, die Kultur und seine Geschichte. Als ich dann unterwegs war, hatte ich immer Begleitung durch die deutsche Botschaft, auch das war hilfreich.

Manchmal wird im Zusammenhang mit Indien die Frage gestellt: Tiger oder Elefant? Was ist Ihre Meinung?

Michael Wendt: Der Tiger ist mir zu aggressiv. Ich habe in Indien viel Freundlichkeit erlebt. Die Menschen sind sehr aufmerksam, oft liebenswürdig.

Download Interview Michael Wendt, Ich habe in Indien viel Freundlichkeit erlebt, Fix International Services

Hamburg and India: Facts and Figures

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For a properly formatted and aligned copy please download as PDF: German / English
Status: 20.04.2012
Indian life in Hamburg

Population: Hamburg is the home to 2,666 persons of Indian nationality (figures from 31/12/2011); with an average of 50 Indian men and women obtaining German citizenship each year (source: Statistical Office North). In the year 2011, a total of 6,092 Indian tourists visited the Hanseatic City of Hamburg (19,676 overnight stays; source: Hamburg Tourismus GmbH.)

Hamburg-based organisations and associations relating to India:

  • Consulate General of India, including department of trade
  • German-Indian Round Table (GIRT)
  • Deutsch-Indische Gesellschaft in Hamburg (DIG)
  • Kerala Samajam Hamburg
  • Indian Festival Committee Hamburg
  • Indisch-Deutsche Gemeinschaft
  • Bharatiya Kala Kendra Indische Vereinigung Hamburg
  • Naya Bharat Gemeinschaft Hamburg
  • Deutsch-Indisches Kulturforum
  • Institut für Klassische Indische Musik
  • Deutsch-Indische Marwari-Gesellschaft
  • Bhakti-Yoga-Zentrum
  • Dewi Saraswati (primarily involved in development co-operation)
  • H.E.L.G.O. (educational programmes regarding child labour in Kolkata)
  • Afghan Hindu temple in Hamburg Rothenburgsort
  • Cricket clubs in Hamburg: Alster Cricket Club, Hamburg International Cricket Club, Pak Alemi Cricket Club, Hansa Cricket Club, and the cricket division of HSV

Intercultural exchange
In the field of arts and cultural production, a whole range of connections and collaborations exist between Hamburg and India. Hamburg’s Ministry of Culture continually promotes intercultural exchange with India, e.g. by inviting Indian artists to the Hanseatic city. The Hamburg Cultural Authority is supported by partners and hosts, among them Hamburg-based associations such as Deutsch-Indische Gesellschaft, as well as other stakeholders from the cultural scene, such as Kampnagel, Metropolis cinema, as well as KinderKinder e.V. Since 2007, India Week Hamburg takes on the role of focussing these activities.

Economic and commercial relations with India
Trade relations between Hamburg and India can be traced back to the 16th century. Due to India’s dynamic economic growth, trade with India has increased considerably in the course of the last few decades. One of the major factors in this regard is the port of Hamburg. While Germany’s export to India increased by 160 percent between 2005 and 2011, the volume of export conducted via Hamburg increased by as much as 272 percent. Hamburg’s share of exports to India amounts to 4.3 percent; the city’s import share lies at 10.6 percent. The port trade volume increased from 240,000 standard containers (TEU) in 2010 to 275,000 standard containers 2011, which equals a growth of 14.5 percent
(Sources: Statistical Office Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein / Port of Hamburg Marketing market research)

Foreign trade between Hamburg and India
Volume Import Export
Volumen 2009: 1.483 bn Euro 2010: 1.260 bn Euro 2011: 1.260 bn Euro
Import 2009: 646.0 m Euro 2010: 815.1 m Euro 2011: 793.5 m Euro
Export 2009: 837.4 m Euro 2010: 45.2 m Euro 2011: 466.2 m Euro
(in 2012, export figures are due to rise considerably because of new orders for Airbus)
Indian enterprises in Hamburg
More than 35 Indian companies have branches in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region, among them renowned players such as Tata Consultancy Services Deutschland GmbH and Mahindra Satyam from the IT and engineering industry. Indian steel giant Laxmi Mittal acquired Hamburger Stahlwerke, and Suzlon Energy Ltd, Indian manufacturer of wind turbines, has a majority share in the Hamburg-based manufacturer Repower Systems. In addition to that, Hamburg is home to textile and spice importers such as Seth, BOOM and H.A.N.S. Spices.

Hamburg enterprises in India
More than 570 Hamburg companies are involved in foreign trade with India. Almost half of these companies run export businesses, the other half import goods from India. Approximately 120 companies from Hamburg have a representative office, a branch, a share or a production plant in India, among them Biesterfeld International GmbH, Mumbai, Eppendorf AG, Chennai, Evotec AG / Research Support International Pvt. Ltd (RSIPL), Thane/Mumbai, as well as C. Illies & Co.,Mumbai.
Industries
Aviation Airbus, Lufthansa Technik, et al.
Export trade Machinery, chemicals, iron/steel/metal goods
Import trade Textiles, machinery, chemicals, oil
Renewable energy Wind energy, solar power plants
Port, transport, logistics Export of services
IT / media Import of services
Water supply Export of services
Life sciences Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals

Points of contact for businesses from India and Hamburg

German Indian Round Table (GIRT): GIRT is an association of individuals who have business interests and a general interest in India. The overall aim is to promote economic relations between Germany and India. GIRT facilitates the exchange of information between German and Indian entrepreneurs, hosts events on economic topics and organises trips to India.
Hamburg Representation Mumbai: To strengthen relations between the two countries, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, and Hamburg Marketing e.V. have established an official representative office at the German-Indian Chamber of Commerce (IGCC). The Hamburg Representation Mumbai was opened in January 2011 and is managed by Mr Peter Deubet. www.hamburgmumbai.com
HamburgAmbassador: Mr Frank König, ILLIES Engineering (India) Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai, India. The aim of this honorary office is to set up an international network to promote the City of Hamburg in the respective country. HamburgAmbassadors are appointed by Hamburg’s First Mayor.
HWF Hamburg Business Development Corporation: Advisory services and support for Indian companies that settle in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region. HWF India representative is Mr Amal Mukhopadhyay (founder and director of ElGa Biotech), who is active in the field of life sciences.
Hamburg Chamber of Commerce: Responding to an increased interest in India, the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce launched an India Desk in 2007, a unit that closely collaborates with the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce. The main task is to advise Hamburg-based businesses and Indian businesses regarding import and export and on establishing branches and production plants. The India Desk also provides information on India’s economy and arranges business contacts.
Consulate General of India: Established in June 1952, the Consulate General of India in
Hamburg features its own commercial department. Consul General is Ms M. Subashini, who has been in office since 2010.
GIGA Institute of Asian Studies at the GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies: This research centre focusses on analysing political, economic and social developments in South East Asia, China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and India.
OAV German Asia-Pacific Business Association: For 111 years, OAV has been involved in
organising specialist seminars, public workshops and information events. OAV organises business trips to the Asia-Pacific region and offers advice and support to its member companies. Being one of the sponsor organisations of APA Asia-Pacific-Committee of German Business, OAV plays a major role in representing the concerns of German businesses that are active in region.
Service point for SME – market access India: Since October 2010, small and medium- sized enterprises from Hamburg can receive specialised support for accessing the Indian market. The service point is operated by the HWWI Hamburg Institute of International Economics in collaboration with the IGEP Indo-German Export Promotion Foundation. The project initially runs until 2013 and is funded by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and the European Social Fund (ESF).

Exchange in science and research
Several Hamburg universities and research centres offer scholarships for Indian students and maintain exchange programmes and joint projects with Indian universities and research bodies. In the winter semester of 2010/2011, a total of 125 Indian students were enrolled in one of Hamburg’s many universities and polytechnics. 88 of these students, i.e. approximately 70 percent, were enrolled in engineering degrees at the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH). The University of Hamburg, the TUHH, the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW), the GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, the GKSS Research Centre Geesthacht, and DESY Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron collaborate with India’s high- ranking Central Universities, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIM). Co-operation partners include the following:

  • University of Delhi Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
  • National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS), New Delhi
  • Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
  • Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai/Madras
  • Indira Gandhi Institute, Mumbai
  • Central University of Hyderabad
  • National Law School of India, Bangalore
  • Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
  • Filmschule Roopkala Kendro in Kolkata
  • Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, District Garhwal
  • Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar/Orissa
  • Institute for Defense Analysis and Studies (IDSA) Delhi
  • Observer Research Foundation, Delhi
  • National Institute of Oceanography, Goa.

The Institute for Technology and Innovation Management (TIM) at the TUHH in particular maintains a very close relationship with India. Current projects include the collaboration agreement between TUHH and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), as well as the “Global Innovation” project that addresses research and development in India. Many of the above mentioned Indian institutions are co-operation partners of TIM/TUHH.
South Asia Day at the University of Hamburg: Since 2003, the Department for Indian and Tibetan Culture and History at the Asia Africa Institute (AAI) hosts an annual South Asia Day. The event focusses on recent economic, political and cultural developments in the region. The South Asia day is frequented by diplomats from South-Asian countries, economists, political scientists, as well as media representatives; however the event is also open to a general audience.
Contact: Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH, Press and Public Relations
Saskia Jöhnk, Tel.: +49 40-3569-2445, e-mail: saskia.joehnk@hamburg-messe.de
Press texts, photos and poster motif for download, and current ship list at www.hamburg.de/hafengeburtstag