PRESS RELEASE

'Calling Sehmat unveiled'

~A true story of a Kashmiri woman who averted 
key Pakistani offensives ~
 

Mumbai, 10 May  2008: Admiral Sureesh Mehta, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff, today unveiled a book, ‘Calling Sehmat’, in the presence of Mr. T.K.A. Nair, Principal Secretary to the Honourable Prime Minister, at a function held on board IMS Vikrant, docked at Mumbai harbour. The book is authored by Commander (Retd.) Harinder Sikka, Director, Corporate Affairs, Piramal Group.

‘Calling Sehmat’ is a novel that highlights the role of a Kashmiri woman who became a spy in Pakistan during the last Indo-Pakistan war. The priceless intelligence she provided helped to stop an attack on Indian warships like IMS Vikrant based in Mumbai harbour, and saved the lives of thousands of our brave sailors manning our Navy.

At the book launch, Dr. Swati Piramal, Director – Strategic Alliances & Communications, Piramal Healthcare, stated, “We within the Piramal Group encourage and laud actions that bear out our Group’s values – knowledge, action and care. We extend unequivocal support to individuals – also within the organisation – who are attuned to creativity and the dissemination of knowledge – such as is the case here. The value of action comes across most strongly in the valour and dynamism shown by Sehmat, while the concept of care is embodied in the alignment to a higher purpose, namely devotion to the service of the nation.”

About the author:

Commander (Retd.) Harinder Sikka’s career began when he was commissioned in the Indian Navy soon after graduating from Delhi University in 1979. He took premature retirement in 1993 and joined the Piramal Group, where he presently serves as Director, Corporate Affairs.

A man of enormous courage and conviction, he went to Kargil in 1999: this novel was conceived there. Subsequently, Commander (Retd.) Sikka began his campaign against spurious drug manufacturers, demanding that stricter laws be enforced to combat the menace. An expert on Intellectual Property Rights, he is a prolific writer and has written over 100 articles in leading English dailies covering numerous sensitive issues ranging from Health to National Security. He continues to lead the campaign against the fake drugs mafia and enjoys the complete backing of his company.

Priced at Rs. 400, ‘Calling Sehmat’ is available at all leading bookstores.

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Notes to Editors:

About the Piramal Group
Spanning a broad spectrum of industries and formats, the Piramal Group is committed to achieving excellence and leadership by adhering to ethically sound, innovative and value-driven practices in its diverse, yet focused, business ventures and initiatives. The Group’s turnover exceeded US $ 900 million in FY2008.

The names of specific Group Companies are to be changed subject to shareholders’ and Central Government’s approval

For further information, visit www.nicholaspiramal.com