Ties between India and the Sultanate of Oman are getting strengthened. India has had trade and people-to-people ties for several millennia with Oman. In the words of H.E. Mr Hamed Saif Al-Rawahi, Ambassador of Oman, India has been a preferred place for the Royalty of his country that has come to study, interact, recreate and rejuvenate. The Royals of Oman have felt at home while in India, with H.M. Sultan Qaboos Bin Said receiving part of his early education in the pleasant and agreeable climes of Pune. There’s also the presence of a very strong Indian expatriate population that helps strengthen Oman’s engagement with India. We have a wide-ranging and insightful interview with H.E. Al-Rawahi as part of our cover package.

I have just published a book titled Journey with a Himalayan Master Swami Rama. In the book, the author, Dr Mohan Swami, a Malaysian PIO, has chronicled his spiritual journey and deeply divine experiences. He is a disciple of Swami Rama whom he met in Rishikesh in 1990, soon after he had finished reading the book Living with the Himalayan Masters written by his Master and Gurudev. Journey with a Himalayan Master Swami Rama was launched by Baba Ramdev in Dehradun just before Dr Mohan Swami left his business empire in November and retreated into the lap of the high Himalayas. The foreword has been written by Mr Rajinikanth, the superstar of Indian cinema. You can write to us to order a copy of this book which will be a fulfilling read. Some pictures from the launch are being carried in this issue.

Elsewhere in the book you will find a strong diaspora section, along with a diplomatic one. The usual columns are there.

Hopefully you will enjoy going through this edition of India Empire.

Happy reading.

(sayantanc@gmail.com)