Asian Voice

SEE INSIDE ....

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

Health & Healing Natural remedies for athlete’s foot See Page - 18

Bolly Cat Katrina Kaif to seduce Hrithik Roshan See Page -21

VOL 38. ISSUE 48

VOICE

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

&68+=0+, +09*6;5:,+ (8,9 /(2( ;)(0 ,3/0 6( #80<(5+8;4

@ @ @ @ @

(8(*/0 (5.262 "05.(768, **8( (.69

@ @ @ @ @

"7,*0(3 7(*2(.,9 :6

80p

" "

6( ;)(0 (8,(9: 4,80*( ;867, >7,80,5*, :/, ),(;:? 6- )(*2=(:,89 6-

!

Face to face with Seema Malhotra See Page - 11 Naxal attack in Chattisgarh See Page - 24 Direct flight campaign continues See Page - 24 10th April to 16th April 2010

#! % (568 (82

" $! "# ! "

Pak cricketer’s passport in Hyderabad police custody

mighted be pushed back.

Sania Mirza, the would be bride has been on record

See Page - 8-9

" !"

"

77605:,+ .,5: -68 (33 4(168 (08305,9

A marriage of controversies!

in Hyderabad. Now, latest indications are that the date fixed – 15th of April

See Page - 2

Successful Question Time held by NCGO (UK)

'

A 6+B9 6=5 *6;5:8?B

Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza field questions from the media in Hyderabad on Monday

Your country, Your election, Your call !!!

"# !

,8(3(

Shoaib – Sania Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza - the two sport stars deciding to tie the knot has caused a controversy of an unprecedented proportions. Ayesha Siddiqui and her family members insist that the Pakistani cricketer did marry Ayesha, the two had also consummated the wedlock and Ayesha suffered a miscarriage. Shoaib Malik continues to come out with new tales of cheating.

Meanwhile, initially there were reports that the marriage venue will be shifted, though later the Mirzas and the Maliks said the marriage will just happen

SEE INSIDE ....

having said that she knew Shoaib is not guilty and she stands by him, will marry him come what may.

Shoaib Malik, the would be bride-groom was questioned at his in-laws house in Hyderabad, the capital city of Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. This followed a complaint by the Siddiqui family of cheating against the Pakistani cricketer. The police initially was reported to have seized his passport and have instructed him not to leave India until things are cleared.

Continued on page 24

# $!"

!64-68+ !6(+ 65+65

4(03 9(3,9 9(4:8(<,3 *6 ;2

=== 9(4:8(<,3 *64

Teenager murdered in East London Despite of innumerable precautionary measures by the Home Office, seminars and awareness programmes by MPs, Councillors and general case workers, honour killing still remains pretty much a part of the British life for the South Asians. It is believed at least upto 12 cases of honour killing happens every year within South Asians and Middle Eastern communities in Britain.

Aliza Mirza

Continued on page 7

mercedes-benzretailusedcars.co.uk Over 1,000 Approved Used models available nationally. From £4,999.

JHHQ8YE[ y 8~ 8 IJDQQQ

[y 8HPHHH8QIH8NQM8~ 8y8 } 8| }F

e} {}|} EZ} 8j} y 8m }|8[y 888 Zy y 8[ 8@f][A8 8Z y 8 8[y } y 8@_y { A8 8`} } 8`} }y|8 8c 8 8l y } 8 8ey { } } 8 8hy 8j y 8 8oy y 8[

222 /- 1(%*./3(" +)

-

4

- 1"( "##" /%1" #-+) /$ ,-%(

.0 &" / /+ 1 %( %(%/3

%-" / ,"* ! 3. 2""'

2

GENERAL ELECTION 2010

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Your country, Your election, Your call !!!

Following a meeting at Buckingham Palace with the Queen, Prime Minister Gordon Brown threw down the gauntlet to opposing leaders David Cameron and Nick Clegg, as he announced that May 6th will be the 2010 election date.

Gordon Brown started the race to become the next leader of the country, after a morning of high drama in Westminister. He first met with political

aides at Downing Street before being escorted to Buckingham Palace, where Her Majesty the Queen had flown in earlier by helicopter.

In what is anticipated to be a war based on class with his closest rival, Tory leader David Cameron, Gordon Brown announced the general election date adding that he was from an: “ordinary, middle-class family” in a clear effort to distance himself from the

privileged upbringing of Mr Cameron.

However, Mr Cameron beat Gordon Brown to the starting line by making the first speech following the election announcement, offering “hope” and “optimism” to voters.

Standing on a podium, surrounded by Tory activists and watched by Samantha (his pregnant wife), the Tory leader pledged to fight for the “great ignored’” defined as

those who work hard, pay their taxes and obey the law.

He said: “It is about the future of our economy, it’s about the future of our society, it’s about the future of our country. It’s the most important general election for a generation. It comes down to this. You don’t have to put up with another five years of Gordon Brown.”

LibDem leader, Nick Clegg, insisted that the

election is not a “twohorse race”. He said: “People have got a real choice this time and I think that’s why this election is wide open. All bets are off.”

The May 6 date, labelled “the worst kept secret of recent years”, has been expected for months but Labour are now entering the fiercest election campaign for almost 20 years with some of their worst poll ratings of the

year.

According to some opinion polls, the Conservatives have reclaimed the lead they enjoyed for much of last year, whilst others have the race much closer.

One thing’s for sure is that the next four weeks will see all party leaders interrogated like never before, thanks to the introduction of a series of live political debates. Who wins, you decide!

Key manifesto issues for the three main political parties Labour cent of its pupils achievEconomy * Giving a £145 tax ing 5 GCSEs at A*-C cut to 22 million grade including in basic rate taxpayers English and Maths by * Increasing the 2011 Pension Credit to a Tax minimum of £130 a week * Giving a £145 tax cut to * Increasing the threshold the 22 million who pay the basic rate of tax of Individual Savings * Increasing child benefit Accounts to over £10,000 and child tax credit * Extending the Stamp * Increasing the ISA Duty holiday for properthreshold to over £10,000 ties under £175,000 Environment Health * Reducing Britain's CO2 * Working to eliminate emissions by at least 20 mixed sex accommodaper cent by 2020 tion in hospitals * Make all new homes * Training 3,600 more new psychological therazero-carbon from 2016 pists to treat people with * Delivering reductions in depression and anxiety greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the numbers equivalent to at least 9.3 on sick leave and benefits. million tonnes of CO2 per Education year by 2020 * Ensuring that every Business child leaves primary * Allowing businesses to school confident in their spread out their tax payliteracy and numeracy ments * More cash to encourage skills employers to recruit peo* Ensuring that no school ple without jobs has fewer than 30 per

Conservative * Taking first-time Economy buyers out of Stamp * Capping public Duty sector pensions * Cutting the main * Stopping tax rate of Corporation credits to high Tax earners * Reducing tax on small * Reviewing the state penbusinesses sion age * Ensuring only million* Abolishing tax on new aires pay Inheritance Tax jobs Environment Health * Offering every household * Giving anyone the power a Green Deal to choose any healthcare * Transforming electricity provider that meets NHS networks standards * Expanding offshore, wind * Linking GPs' pay to the quality of results they delivand marine power er * Reforming the Post Office Education Card Account * Making it easier for teachBusiness ers to use reasonable force * Abolishing tax on new to combat violence in the jobs classroom * Cutting the main rate of * Establishing a simple Corporation Tax * Making Britain Europe's reading test at the age of six leading hi-tech exporter * Reforming the National * Simplifying employment Curriculum overhauling law Key Stage 2 tests * Increasing government Tax procurement from small * Freezing council tax for firms two years

Liberal Democrat income Economy tax to * Raising the £10,000 income tax thresh* Reducing the annuold to £10,000 al exemption of capi* Cutting the rate tal gains tax to of corporation tax £2,000 * Replacing air passenger * Replacing Air Passenger duty with a per-plane tax Duty with a per-plane tax Environment * Help for the unem* Pledging that at least 20 ployed from day one per cent of energy and 40 Health per cent of electricity will * Giving people control come from renewable over their local health sources by 2020 rising to services 100 per cent by 2050 * Universal care pay* Ensuring guaranteed ments for those over 65 fair prices for energy conwho require personal care sumers * More support for hos* Reforming OFGEM and pices Education create an absolute cap on * Spending an extra total carbon emissions £2.5bn on schools so that from household energy they can cut class sizes suppliers and offer more one-to-one Business tuition * Cutting the rate of cor* Scrap tuition fees for poration tax full and part-time stu* Cutting business rates dents on first degrees for smaller businesses Tax * Allowing small busi* Raising the threshold at nesses to choose to be taxed on cash flow which people start paying

Make up your mindit's either Brown or Cameron!

By Rupanjana Dutta The Indian Journalist Association organised a working lunch with Kenneth Clarke, Shadow Secretary of State Business on Thursday 1st April 2010 at St James's Court hotel. He told the journalists that the British Asians make a huge contribution to the society. Multi ethnic society makes Britain a much healthier place to live. He also added that it is wrong to ignore the problems we have due to multi culturalism, especially racial discriminations.

Kenneth Clarke, has been the Shadow Business Secretary and former Home Secretary (1992-93) and Chancellor of the Exchequer (199397). Clarke has for a log time been recognised as a "heavy hitter" in Westminster. He is also well known in India, having visited there on several occasions as a cabinet, MP and in a private capacity. In the event of a Conservative victory in

the next election, he is tipped to be either Business Secretary or Chancellor.

Kenneth said that this election will be dominated by the issues regarding the economy. “Different government has different issues to tackle, but if the Tories come to power, we will have to keep the tax low. It is a difficult time and we have to deliver whatever we can through least public spending.

Gordon Brown in a very large part contributed to the present economic catastrophe. He ignored my fiscal policies. Now nobody will believe him, if he says that he can lead through the recession with steady hands, since he partly caused it.”

The most interesting part of the press conference was the discussion on non doms. There have been recently certain controversies about the non dom status of people like Lord Ashcroft and Lord Swaraj Paul. Mr Clarke seemed to have been supportive of the non dom

status as a practice but criticised the mis representation of it.

Mr Kenneth Clarke, who came to the venue walking from the Parliament said, “I have at occasions defended the non doms.

Since 19th century there have been people who have not paid taxes on their international income but have paid taxes here or anywhere else. This has worked as a fine practice. This tax system has helped people to come and work in the UK. We do put an annual levy on the non doms and George Osborne has made it a good package.

However some non doms have a modest income and for them the status is more important than the money or the tax. The problem is the attention they have attracted. There have been certain controversies about them, but non dom status is perfectly reputable as a practice.”

Mr Clarke added, “India can be more confident now and open up

Ashis Ray, IJA President with Kenneth Clarke, MP at the working lunch

the markets. There was a great hostility towards outsiders but it has considerably reduced in Britain. We are much more open now and I welcome investments especially that of Tata.”

As the conversation drew to a close, Rt Hon Clarke made two very vital points, about terrorism in India and Indo Pak relations. He said, “Politics has been globalised. So terrorism anywhere makes it a global threat. Whatever is the interest of India and Britain, we can work together on it. Pakistan is a huge problem.

Pakistan can become a strong ally of Britain but we have to make sure

that it remains a stable and democratic country.

However alliance with Pakistan does not make us anti India or vice versa.”

About hung parliament Rt Hon Clarke made his final statement: “Labour will not win this election. Britain can work on coalition government but smaller parties will only support

the main party if it does a popular thing. If it does not, the smaller party always steps back.

However the other problem with hung parliament is that people think there will be a fresh election again.

There will be no such thing. People have to make up their mind- it's either Brown or Cameron.”

one to one Keith Vaz MP with

Rt Hon Keith Vaz has witheld his regular column as per the convention.

He will be back soon after the general elections are over.

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

COMMENT

May 6: date of the general election Prime Minister Gordon Brown called on Her Majesty the Queen on Tuesday morning (April 6) and asked that Parliament be dissolved and the expected general election be held on May 6. The suspense, if such it was, is over. For weeks past the rumour mills worked overtime, and fed by privileged sources, no doubt, they got the date spot on.

Public frisson will be much in evidence as May 6 draws nearer and party debates keep warming up. The Conservatives, according to most opinion polls, are in the lead, but the lead is narrow and the numbers, it would appear, will not guarantee them the right to govern alone.

Labour looked dead and buried not so long ago, but the wheel appears to have turned and they are well in the running, but without the required majority to form the government.

That leaves the LibDems as king makers in a likely hung parliament. The two major parties, over the past two decades, carry the most responsibility for the economic and social ills that presently burden the country, so Britain may well be more receptive to the LibDem message now than has been the case previously. Certainly, LibDem shadow chancellor Vince Cable has exuded authority and honesty in his lucid presentations on the economic downturn and the remedies that

are best suited to put it back on track. It will be a long haul, he has repeatedly warned.

Readers of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar must hope that the inevitable debate on immigration is conducted in such a manner as to throw light rather than ignite heat. Reason, common sense and humanity should cast its light on the subject.

The signs do not point to any great surprise in the final result. But you never know. This will be no run-of-the-mill election. The British economy has hit the buffers. So have the economies of France and Germany and the rest of European Union. The United States, as the main engine of global prosperity, was the place where the present economic crisis started, so it will need much good sense from the G20 nations and others to pull us out of our present black hole. Truth is that nobody is quite sure where we are heading. The cacophony around us betrays confusion rather than confidence.

As the election campaign proceeds a few solutions to the crisis may emerge. But the people must make known their preferences. That is their fundamental right. One that should make us proud. We live in hope that the common pool of wisdom will show us the light amid the general gloom.

IPL takes cricket to new heights The Indian Premier League (IPL) promises to take international cricket to newer heights of endeavour and achievement.. The new format may not enthuse the game's purists, but it is clearly delivering the goods. Cricket's finances are more robust now than they have been in living memory.

The 50 over one-day format, domestically and internationally, was a great leap forward and has taken hold with the public in every clime. The World Cup next year in the Indian subcontinent in 2011 tells a most successful story which began way back in the English summer of 1975. There has been no looking back.

The Twenty/20 is an even shorter form of cricket and the massive crowds that have attended every contest in the present tournament in India is surely proof that this format has also come to stay. At least for the forseeable future.

Has Test cricket lost its attraction? Surely not.

The stadium in Kolkata and its surrounds overflowed with excited humanity in February as India and South Africa fought it out till the last pulsating moments. The Ashes series between England and Australia have not lacked a large following.

The 50 over and Twenty/20 formats have added a new dimension to cricketing skills.

Batsmen are now more adventurous and innova-

tive, bowlers more exacting, more prone to experiment with their arts, while the catching and the ground fielding have reached pinnacles never seen before.

The experience has been of enormous benefit for cricket. That Twenty/20 cricket has come alive in India reflects well on Indian sport entrepreneurs and administrators. Their organisation and business acumen have made sterling contributions to a game they and their flock treasure.

Long may they endure.

The legendary Alec Bedser, who died recently aged 91, was one of the game's all-time greats, a fast medium bowler of rare distinction who troubled even the great Don Bradman. He was to become an English Test selector for many years before fading away from the scene. He was inseparable from his older twin Eric who died in 2006 aged 88. In his declining days, Alec Bedser was able to savour the talents of a later generation, although he never wholly approved all that he saw. He remained a man of the old school to the end.

Together with Sydney Barnes and Maurice Tate, Alec Bedser formed a 20th century trinity of English fast medium swing and seam that has no equal in the annals of cricket.

Jaw-jaw is preferable to war-war South Africa's white supremacist leader Eugene Terreblanche was killed by two of his black farm workers for non-payment of wages. Tensions rose as news of his death spread. There was some talk of revenge but this died away as President Jacob Zuma quickly intervened with his measured and calming words. The inflammatory poison was taken out of the situation and peace has prevailed. The South African liberation movement has much to teach us. Apartheid rule may have been an abomination, but it was dismantled without bloodshed. Mahatma Gandhi was an early pioneer of mass, non-violent protest in the country, yet his flame would not have endured without such magnificent specimens of humanity as Chief Albert Luthuli and Nelson Mandela and their close comrades in the struggle.

When liberation was achieved the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in which Archbishop Desmond Tutu, among others, played a hugely noble role, set the foundations of a civil society based on tolerance and the rule of law.

South Africa's myriad problems of poverty and social disadvantage have not disappeared.

Far from it. In some instances, they have become worse. But encouraging progress has been made and continues to be made. Every yard and mile on that road ensures a stabler and fairer society

for all. The continuing violence in the Middle East, bred in incendiary ideologies, has given none of the contending communities any hope for the future. This melancholic lesson is repeated elsewhere. Iraq remains a cauldron of death and destruction, as do Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In India, too, violence prevails in swathes of the country. Last weekend Maoist insurgents killed 10 members of the Indian security force in West Bengal and followed this with a more lethal attack in neighbouring Chattisgarh in which 70 paramilitaries perished. What have the Maoists achieved? Is their projected revolutionary state a cubit nearer fruition? Alas, no.

They have made a cult of force and are destined to suffer as the state bears down on them with even greater force.

Meanwhile, there will be much lamentation in the land as the numbers of dead and wounded mount. There are avenues for the peaceful resolution of conflict and these should be utilised while there is time. Political discourse in which men and women of good will can reason together are the best guarantees of future security and national well-being. It beggars belief in this day and age that some among us place their salvation in violence. Let sanity prevail. Let peace prevail and bring us true comfort.

www.abplgroup.com

3

Thought for the Week

There is always a little more toothpaste in the tube.

Think about it.

- Bill Bryson

NICE reveals its first ever Fellows and Scholars The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) which is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health on 29th March, has announced which health professionals have been awarded its first ever fellowships and scholarships.

NICE Fellows and Scholars have been appointed following a rigorous application and selection process. As a guide, Fellows will be expected to spend on average one day a month on their activities, while Scholars will be expected to spend approximately one day a week.

Appointees are not paid, although NICE will meet all reasonable expenses (such as travel and accommodation) incurred.

NICE has awarded its ten fellowships to senior health professionals across the NHS, primarily to those at consultant level.

Fellows will use their experience and reputation to represent the Institute within their local health and professional communities, as well as being involved in other activities such as clinical audit, education and policy development. They will hold their posts for fixed term periods of three years. NICE has also awarded ten scholarships to specialist registrars and other qualified health professionals, who will undertake a variety of projects in the twelve months that they are in post.

Dr Mahendra Patel a consultant pharmacist was among the ten. He is also one of only two appointed in Yorkshire and the only Asian in the region. All the appointments are for a three-year tenure through to 2013. Dr Mahendra Patel combines his high profile NHS work with his role as a senior lecturer in

pharmacy practice at the University of Huddersfield and honorary research fellow the Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation at the University of Bradford. In addition he responsible for helping to

Dr Mahendra Patel

develop research in Pharmacy Portfolio research that promises to bring wider benefits through his NHS role as Consultant Pharmacist for the Comprehensive Lead Research Network (CLRN) Group for Yorkshire and Humberside.

He has been involved with several important NHS initiatives, which revolve around the dissemination of best practice evidence based information about medicines and health and social care to everybody involved in health care including students.

Dr Patel, who lives in Wakefield, was overwhelmed by the award as there was a significant number of quality and high standard applications largely from the country’s very experienced senior managers and consultants of the healthcare sector: “This is one of the highest recognitions that one can get from this nationally and internationally recognised health Institute,” he said.

“I was both delighted and surprised to receive the Fellows award, surprised because the application process was very rigorous, even quite searching; as I would expect this to be an area mostly occupied by medical practitioners. It’s a real honour.”

ASIAN VOICE is published by Asian Business Publications Ltd Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080 Fax: 020 7749 4081 Email: aveditorial@abplgroup.com www: abplgroup.com © Asian Business Publications

YOUR VOICE

4

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Corruption in Gujarat

Mr Aiyar's book launch

I express my grave concerns about corrupt and rotten police force in India.

On our return journey from Diu, I had half a bottle of brandy on top of my handbag. My nephew, the driver of the car and myself did not know the consequences of carrying liquor without a permit. Obviously we had committed a crime and we deserved to be fined.

However instead of being stopped and searched, the police snatched the car keys and left all five passengers including a two years old baby stranded for an hour without any legal action or papers.

When the officer demanded Rs 20,000 for a quick hassle free relief, I was ready to go to the police station. To this he threatened to tow away the vehicle with us inside and keep us in remand for 24hrs.

At the end after a quick mobile conversation with a friend in Baroda, some 500kms from the spot of incident, who in turned liaised with someone from 'Gujarat Nashabandhi' office, relieved us without a charge.

We all know about CM Modi's clean and transparent administration.

Hundreds of gallons of alcohol is regularly consumed everyday in Gujarat. The government is losing millions on revenue and corruption.

Wake up Modiji, this is defeating the objectives, as liquor being freely distributed in every part of Gujarat and police force is milking money by regular instalments.

Referring to an article by Rupanjana Dutta in Asian Voice, about Mr Aiyar's launch of books (page 2, AV 3rd April), I would say that a local power for self sustenance in local government is already incorporated into Constitution of secular, diverse and unified India by Sardar Patel.

Since independence the progress of candidates with lower merits have been secured with reservation over the merits of people who are rightfully meant for those seats. Mr Aiyar is further blaming India for not entering into a dialogue with Pakistan but he has totally evaded the fact about politically imbalanced and unidentical division of former British India into a secular India and Pakistan based on Muslim religion.

Both the countries need to be politically Siamese twins rather than being so geographically. India has already gained a respectful status in the world. Who would say that the original founders of India were failures in politics?

Better let us hope that both the countries become one united secular state some day in the future.

Lallubhai Patel Gloucester

I’ll miss AV and GS I shall be going away on holidays to sunnier climes for the better part of the month of April. I must say that although I’ll be happy chasing the sun, I will sorely miss my favourite Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar while I am away.

I shall miss the crossword puzzles in both. But I shall particularly miss the “Your Voice” column of Asian voice and the views expressed there-in by my fellow contributors. I am sure they too will miss my views on the current political, economical and social issues that we face from time to time. But do not despair!

I shall be back in a jiffy and with a bang!

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Correspondents wanted If you live in Leeds, Manchester, Bradford or Edinburgh and are interested to be the Asian Voice 'Community News Correspondent’, please send your CV to Rupanjana at rupanjana@abplgroup.com.

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

VOICE 0

Page -13

Page -17

Page -18

Page -19-21

R N Patel Essex

Congress against Amitabh Bachchan After Amitabh Bachchan met Narendra Modi and agreed to become brand ambassador to promote tourism in Gujarat, there is a vicious campaign being carried out by the Congress party.

The latest episode is the presence of Amitabh Bachchan at the inauguration of second phase of the Bandra-Worli Sea link last week which has raised the heckles of many in the congress party and the NCP. Why are both the congress and NCP treating him as an untouchable?

Mr. Bachchan was officially invited by the Maharashtra government and has nothing to do with the congress party.

When Amitabh Bachchan was invited by to attend the All India Marathi conference, the Congress Chief Minister of Maharashtra refused to share platform with Mr. Bachchan.

The Congress party should realise that Gujarat is a part of India and Mr. Bachchan is working to promote the state and not working for an individual.

Arun Vaidyanathan Via Email

Disclaimer Asian Business Publications Ltd (ABPL) is not in any way responsible for the goods and services rendered by its advertisers. The ABPL management accepts all advertisements in good faith and it is entirely up to readers to verify advertisers’ products and services, should they feel the need to do so.

Please detach the form and send it with your payment or credit card instructions to address below

Launch of Muslim Faith Forum Workshop at Westminister I attended a workshop launched by Muslim Faith Forum at Westminster and was amazed that there was no representation from the Hindu communities accept me.And lots of Muslims and Christians told me that it is never possible to Unite all the Hindus Worshiping different Gods and Goddesses to come together like them and work on the Faiths' Project.

So I put up a bold face, smiled and told them, it was the same supreme power manifested in so many different forms of Gods and Goddesses, in Hindu communities, at different Eras. He definitely knows what is best for whom and will always keep on guiding us in miraculous ways.

Next, I came home and told Mr Vinaybhai Patel (Shirdi Saibaba's follower ,who gave his reference, for me to participate in the Millennium Award Scheme), that we need to Form a "Hindu" Forum. Miracle has happened, The Hindu Forum of Britain is formed. Now, hope we all will unite and Help sustain the Universe, helping the Creator with his Creation and then merge into its' Powers when time comes.

Urmila Tanna Via Email

Narendra Modi deposes before SIT

The Political Conference “Question Time” Your conference was timely (AV, 27 March, p7). The following questions could shape Britain’s future : 1. Should UK hold a Referendum on Alternative Vote System ? Historically 28% of those eligible to vote have formed majority government.

2. Tax burden. UK tax burden is 40%.

USA is 30%. Germany, France, Sweden etc is 50%. Should UK move towards EU or US model ?

3. In USA far more Asians are in senior posts compared to UK. When Bloomberg, the New York Mayor flew to congratulate the London Mayor, he advised Johnson to promote people on merit. Should Britain do more in this area ? Quality of senior managers is broadly lacking.

4. Britain ranks 23rd in production league internationally. There is over-supply of academic university education and shortage of vocational training. Should some universities be rebranded polytechnics ?

5. For better economic growth, should Britain rely less on financial and insurance services and more on manufacturing ?

6. Should Britain hold a Referendum on joining the Euro ? When ?

Nagindas Khajuria Via Email

Could ArcelorMittal Orbit rival Eiffel Tower?

Grilling Gujarat’s CM, Modi is a farce-in view of the fact that witnesses in 2002 were tutored by human rights activists to utter false and macabre allegations against Hindu rioters. These allegations are retracted before Special Investigating Team. In view of malicious misleading of Supreme Court by human right activists, they must be punished heavily, and Modi must be totally exonerated.

Modi is blamed for soft handling of 2002 riots but, he clamped curfew within 4 hours, allowed use of thousands of rounds of ammunition, tear gas and curbed situation, though riot was in larger area, than riot of 1985.

1969 riots were uncontrolled even after 5 days. 1989 riots lasted for 5 months.

Post-independence, worse communal riots under Congress rule have claimed more than 3000 Muslims’ lives. No punitive measures were implemented.

Massacre of Sikhs in 1984 to avenge assassination of Indira Gandhi, has gone unpunished too.

Hindus are persecuted in Jammu and Kashmir since 1947; pandits are expelled since 1989, yet no CM is grilled.

Riots during Congress regime were labelled as Gandhian legacy. Therefore post-Godhra riots should also be labelled as legacy. Modi, Amitabh, Abhishek etc must be returned to favourable limelight.

It is but natural that the latest architectural wonder to be built in the Olympic Park is compared with Eiffel Tower, built in 1889 to celebrate the opening of the Paris Exhibition. Yet the comparison is superfluous, as the Eiffel Tower is a masterpiece dominating Paris skyline while ArclorMittal Orbit will just be a dot on the horizon.

But at just £19:1 million, perhaps it is money well spent, as £16 million will come from a private donor, the billionaire steal magnet Laxmi Mittal. The Orbit, at 115 meter will be some 22m taller than New York’s Statue of Liberty which is also a gift to the people of America from the French people.

While revelling the plans, the energetic London Mayor Boris Johnson commented that Anish Kapoor’s inspired art work will truly encapsulate the energy and spirit of London during the games and as such will become the perfect iconic cultural legacy.

The orbit will commend a panoramic view of east London and river Thames. It could perhaps join other London attractions like Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden and London Eye to attract visitors to this deprived part of London.

I could not help but wonder whether any billionaire will donate just a million pound towards the Hindu aspiration to have our own secondary school, as so ably demonstrated by Kapil Dudakia in his popular and gusty column “Kapil’s Khichadi”

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

UK EUROPE WORLD 1 Year £25 £55 £70 2 Years £45 £100 £125 £225 £300 *5 Years £110 £450 £550 *10 Years £200

Visit our website: www.abplgroup.com

Health Watch

Page -30

3( %"14!16 3/ 3(

*Subscriptions paid will not be refunded *To Subscribe 5 ro 10 years please pay by cheque

!1#(

Karma Yoga House 12 Hoxton Market

‘Smile Pinky’ too gets the Oscar Boyle says Mumbai dwarfed the statuette

!

(Off Coronet Street)

Cricket crazy Indians for the first time was seen so euphoric on Monday morning, as they expected a couple of Oscars. British Indians in the UK, Dharavi slums, the shanty township of Mumbai, a village in Uttar Pradesh and almost the entire Bollywood waited in expectation, glued to their TV sets. They burst into celebrations as one by one, their heroes, the actors of the British Indian film and the music maestro, A R Rahman bagged the top awards in the world of entertainment.

British actress Kate Winslett also won the Oscar after having missed it almost five times earlier.

‘Smile Pinki’, a short documentary on a cleft-lipped Indian girl in Uttar Pradesh directed

by American director Megan Mylan, won the Oscar for the Best Documentary (Short).

London N1 6HW

-/1% /. 0!'%

!..6

&1/.3 642( !.%2( (%$%+!1 4").! ,) "!#+ 2(/3/2( /"/ !*)5!,! !.!6 %1-!.3 ((%$! !.$ !.') !.%2( /.+!1

!..6

/6,% !.$

4").! ,)

/6,%

E-mail: support@abplgroup.com

.+1,4- $57# 9 3 )0! .'0 0)9 $4 ,1($ +5 .9$0 .6 8)0/ 5$4 0++0$37 4 4 5 8)4 2 0)8 "2 !"0 .8+2 0)8 "2 !4'$37 *+0 ' &),4 &)4 4 !4 5$0 %4$8 .8 4 '4$8 '07 9 : * 0 $4 +,4 %0%!$2 0. $57# *4+2

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Future Generations Sai School Harrow

Sai School’s Non Violence Day Poetry Competition Winner, Shyam Mamtora, Age 8 years

We must be the change we wish to see To make a change in this world I believe that Gandhi was a revolutionary man But India’s independence was non-revolutionary In a gentle way he shook the world Through the change he wanted to see To make a change in this world believe that This is NOT due to nations, armies, governments But courage of and commitment of individuals Remember Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln and Mother Teresa?

These are, without question, the change makers To make a change in this world believe that Everything you do Every step you take Every sentence you write Every word you speak or DON’T speak – COUNTS Everything matters To make a change in this world believe that You don’t have to be loud You don’t have to be eloquent You don’t have to be elected You don’t have to be educated BUT you DO have to be COMMITTED To make a change in this world believe that Take personal responsibility Everything is your job not someone else’s There is no need for co-operation or permission Say to yourself, “If it’s to be, it up to me” To make a change in this world believe that Don’t get caught up in the HOW of things How comes from the want and why of the change Decision making come before problem solving To make a change in the world believe that YOU have to change We can’t change others When we change, it changes everything This changes the world we want to see

Peer who could not recall home address faces expenses inquiry The millionaire Lord Bhatia has become the fourth peer to be investigated over his expenses claims by a powerful Lords committee chaired by the former head of MI5.

Bhatia, a former Labour donor, had not even been able to remember the address of the “main home” he had used on his expenses forms when questioned by The Sunday Times last year.

He was referred to the subcommittee on Lords’ interests last week after an eight-month investigation by Michael Pownall, the clerk of the parliaments, who is the chief accounting officer in the Lords.

The subcommittee, chaired by Baroness Manningham Buller, the former head of MI5, is also looking into the expenses claims of Lord Paul and Baroness Uddin, who were referred to it by Pownall after criminal investigations were dropped.

Bhatia, a crossbencher who ran his own finance companies, has lived with his wife in a £1.5m family

Lord Bhatia

home in southwest London for 20 years. In 2007 he decided to “flip” the designation of his primary residence to a twobedroom flat in Reigate, Surrey, which was his brother’s home.

The town is a mile beyond the M25, a boundary used by peers to define whether they live outside London for expenses purposes. He told a daily newspaper that he had been renting the flat because he wished to move there permanently and had installed his brother as a caretaker in the meantime.

To make a change in this world believe that Increasing the habit of deliberately providing selfless service is good As this desire gets stronger inner happiness flows This is when we truly change the world we want to see

5

HSMP Forum launches campaign against UK Border Agency HSMP forum has launched yet another campaign against the UK Border Agency for changes being implemented on 6th April 2010. The changes are about tier 1 and tier 2 of the points based system and increase in the application fees for extensions and that of settlement.

Kapadia, Amit Executive Director of HSMP Forum said, we are concerned of the following new changes which are going to be enforced from 6th April 2010.

For Tier 1: We believe reducing the initial leave period to 2 years rather than the present 3 years will cause difficulties for highly skilled migrants in seeking suitable employment and to meet the required salaries threshold under tier 1.

Employers also do not tend to invest in training of individuals with short duration of visas and wherein the position concerned is of managerial level the employers may consider a shorter duration of visa to be a disadvantage.

For Tier 2: Intracompany transfers constitute a major share of

applicants under tier 2.

We are very concerned over the new rules under which right to settlement (permanent residence) will be denied for those coming under intra company transfers.

We believe such draconian measures will only lead to further exploitation of migrants in the UK. They are concerned with the timing of implementation of these changes which seem to be politically motivated rather than a real need for the British economy.

Mr Kapadia also said that the three times increase in the fees for settlement visas of dependent relatives is unjustified and very unfair.

The HSMP Forum at the same time acknowledged the reintroduction of points for those with Bachelors degree as a welcome change and also that the changes to intra company transfers won’t be applied to migrants who are in the UK retrospectively, which means those already in the UK on intra company transfers (established staff) sub category can continue their journey towards settlement.

6

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Kapil’s

Spriha’s

Corner

KHICHADI

By Spriha Srivastava

Where life rests on a signal As my car came to a halt at one of the traffic signals on way to south Delhi, a bunch of children dressed in the shabbiest of clothes came running towards me.

One of them was trying to sell a box of tissues to me while a teenage girl was holding an infant in her arms and was begging for some money for his food. I rolled up the window of my car and did not look at them. But I was baffled to see the same thing happen at every traffic signal till I reached my destination.

Although I must say, I was quite amazed by the level of their creativity in coming up with ideas to make money.

Before coming to the details of their survival strategies, it is important to get an idea of the grave situation India is facing with regard to street children.

We might be the biggest democracy in the world, but we are also home to twenty five million street children across the c o u n t r y .

According to a UNICEF report, almost 40,000 street children die every day in developing countries and twenty five per cent of them are Indians.

The children who work at various traffic signals across the country are often taught different strategies by their parents or elder brothers and sisters. A seven year old boy told me that he normally targets an expensive looking car because that’s where he gets some pocket change. He said he never wastes time on small and “middle class” cars.

Such is the mind of a seven year old boy who sells box of tissues in the afternoon and sleeps on the street every night in the hope that he will make more money the next day. However, nine year old Rashmi who sells coloured pens for ten rupees each said she normally goes to the cars where she can spot children. “It is easy to persuade children because they immediately start

crying for it and then their parents have to buy it,” she added.

Just as we are progressing everyday in our lives, these children don’t give up too. Every morning they get up with a hope to bring a small difference to their lives. Six year old Ankit who has a huge fascination for motorbikes said weekends; especially Saturdays are the best time to earn money. I frankly couldn’t understand what he meant by that and thus I decided to visit them on a Saturday. I reached the pavement where these children live along with their families. A bunch

of kids, who were dressed in the dirtiest of clothes yesterday, looked cleaner in comparison today. In their hands they held a small steel container filled with oil.

On the top of the container was a picture of Shani Dev or the Lord of Saturday, worshipped widely among Hindus.

Shani or the Lord of Saturday is considered to be a very powerful God. It is said that he gives us the results of one's deeds through one's life through appropriate punishments and rewards. And that is why more and more people believe in giving money on a Saturday to please the God. These children very well understand the significance of Shani Dev in the lives of Hindus and thus they make use of this religious belief to earn a living.

As I stood there to watch the Saturday Syndrome in action, I

realised many people falling prey to this. More and more women would struggle to find some coins in their purses and then put it into the container. I was very keen to know how much money the children make. Once the traffic signal was green, I walked to a girl who was busy adjusting the garland on her stainless steel container. I asked her how much money they normally make. She said each of them make about 70-80 rupees by the end of the day, sometimes even 100, (£1.45) depending on how many people respond to them. The amount might sound a lot as compared to what they earn on a daily basis but it is definitely not enough to survive in this city, especially after an entire day of hard work.

It was definitely not a great sight to watch. But I was impressed by the neversay-die attitude of these children.

The methods might be wrong, the act might be wrong but their attitude is not wrong. These children work from morning till evening, eat whatever they can gather from the garbage nearby; sometimes if they are lucky they can find a half eaten pizza, otherwise they live on dry bread. But the time they see the lights turn red they leave everything else and run to their work. Numerous non profit organisations are working in trying to impart education to these children so that they can improve their standard of living. The government has been sponsoring mid day meal schemes in schools for children so that they are tempted to come and study. But how unfortunate it is, that despite having both- the right material and the right facilities we have failed to blend the two together. Only when the creativity of these children is put to right places, can we hope for a better future for them.

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at spriha@abplgroup.com

by Kapil Dudakia - email: kapil@abplgroup.com You have the power As the Prime Minister announces the date for the next election, you and I should be mindful that for once we actually do have the power to affect the outcome of the general election.

The race to Number 10 has never been so close with both the main parties taking their gloves off in a fight to take power at all cost.

You have the power, so don’t allow apathy or ignorance to win on e l e c t i o n - d a y.

Communities and groups who have historically been neglected or had little influence on who governs them, have now got the golden opportunity to consider who they vote for and to perform their civic responsibility by casting that all important vote.

The elderly will play a central role as always.

In fact many have dubbed this the ‘grey vote’ meaning all those over 55 years of age.

Traditionally this vote has tended to be more in favour of the Tories, though over the past decade or so Labour have managed to convince a few to cross the line and come over to them.

The BAME groups potentially have the greatest possibility of affecting the outcome of the election. They estimate that as many as 100 seats could be affected by the votes cast the BAME community. However this can only happen if they register to vote and also take the time to get out on the big day. If the various groups that make up the BAME communities get organised and vote with a level of unity, they can garner power beyond their numbers. Alas if only that was true. Our communities are sucker to MPs who say one thing to their face, and do something totally different when they are in power. I know of community leaders who have been given clear proof of how badly some of the MPs have behaved, yet they have sold their sampradya to secure for themselves a photo in the House of Commons, an invite to Buckingham Palace or being invited to some VIP events.

Beware these community leaders for they are in this to get their OBEs or some other privilege.

Younger any better?

‘Demos’ a self appointed think tank came up with a barmy suggestion that lowering the voting age to 16 would somehow transform politics with greater public participation.

They have got it all wrong of course since until you sort out the very basics of why people are disenfranchised – it makes no difference by trying to add more voters onto an already disaffected electoral role. Their own research shows that the younger the voter, the less likely they are to vote. So why would you then conclude that by lowering the age limit even further that suddenly the ills of elections and governance will be resolved?

The reason why people are fed up is because they perceive their votes to count for so little. The voting system has been designed so a party with even a minority of votes can find itself to be in power - a sort of a ‘democratic dictatorship.’ No wonder most people are dissatisfied most of the time, after all at any given time the government in power is not the one they wanted or voted for.

The first action must be to change the very basis on which we elect our MPs and therefore put a government in power. The ‘Alternative Voting’ system still remains in my view the best way forward. It will revolutionise the impact of our vote. It will force the MPs to work together so that the extremes in policy that do so much damage to our country can be tempered through good old fashioned bartering.

Add to this the possibility that we could also make voting compulsory as in many countries around the world. This can be done in two ways.

If you don’t vote then you can be fined. Or, if you do vote then you are given a monetary reward. The bottom line, money is the key and it works. If we can increase voter participation to say over 80% and introduce the AV system – we will then have a system that gives power back to the public. Will this happen? Of course not, the MPs have too much to lose to allow the likes of you and I that level of control over them.

If the underlying system is corrected and voter participation increases – that is the time to reconsider if the voting age should be lowered or not.

Tories on the march This week we have seen the Tory publicity machinery in action. Of all the things they have tried, it was the NI issue that suddenly gave them the most advantage to date. As it happens – the NI issue in the scheme of government spend and taxation is relatively minor. The dozens of business leaders that queued up to sign the letter of support for NI not to go up - actually signed up only for that one particular element of the Tory policy. What the Tories managed to do was hood wink the media in reporting the story as if the majority of business leaders supported their fiscal policies. In politics as they, everything is fair game. We will see each of the parties make claim and counter claim. The media will have a massive role to play with many commentators unfortunately too lazy to ask some of the hard questions.

So this round clearly goes to the Tories who have extended their lead in the polls to around 10%. The magic number required for a small majority.

)# &! " #( + !! ( ,$)& %$ ( # &# $+# ( # # ! " & (' $ ( & $( $& $#' &* ( * $& $)& &(, $ #$( + '( ,$)& *$( , *$( # $& #$( & &(,

! % $# ! +'!$# $#

$(" ! $"

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Teenager murdered in East London Continued from page 1 The story of Aliza Mirza is believed to be yet another of such cases where she lost her life at the age of only 18, probably after being discovered that she had a secret ex boyfriend whom she met through Facebook. Aliza, aware of her family's take on the issue, had kept the relationship from her strict Muslim parents as she feared they would disapprove, friends have said.

However the case complicates further as Aliza's ex boy friend, a strict and pious Muslim also seem to have been one of the perpetrators who could have caused the death! Reason though unknown, 17-year-old Yahya Gul (believed to be the ex-boyfriend), is also being questioned on suspicion of the murder by the police besides several other members of his family. Aliza was knifed in the neck and left to die on a pavement, last Saturday evening.

On Facebook Gul called himself 'Geeneral Yahya' and listed his religious views as 'Muslim till I die and here after'.

Friends said he had become extremely religious since dropping out of school because of nonattendance. He had started wearing traditional robes and grew a beard.

Ali Razza 18, told a national daily, 18: 'I was friends with both of them, I got to know him through her.

'They met through Facebook and carried on from there. Her family were very strict, so the relationship was a secret.'

Aliza's distraught family paid tribute to the 'diamond daughter' who would do anything for them, but insisted she 'never had a boyfriend'.

Breaking down at the family home in Ilford, East London, her father Munir Mirza said: 'She was pretty, intelligent, she had very bright future.

She was very interested in the media. She wanted to be a journalist.

'She was a brilliant girl and she had all the qualities that a daughter should have.'

The last time Mr Mirza saw his daughter was when she asked to borrow some money to buy her friend a present ahead of the party.

'She left here to go to the party at 5pm,' he said.

'At 8.30pm the police came here and said she was in hospital and we should go there.

'Then ten minutes later they phoned and said she was dead. We were too late.'

He added: 'We never heard anything about her having a boyfriend. We didn't know anything like that, nothing at all. She

never had a boyfriend.

'She was a diamond to me and my family. She was everything to me, to her uncles, aunts, the whole family. Everyone loved her so much.

'We are not going to touch her room, her laptop, nothing. It will all stay as it is.

'We want to do that for her. Whoever did this should get punishment from the courts.'

Aliza's uncle, Waqar Ahmed, 43, said: 'I just can't imagine why anyone would want to kill her.

'She's not someone who could harm anyone, she was very petite, very small. She was really funloving. ' Aliza, who had two brothers and two sisters, was studying ICT, English, government and politics and media at Canon Palmer School in Ilford.

Yahya Gul's 45-yearold father Ilham is also being questioned on suspicion of murder.

Gul's mother Suraya and his 20-year-old sister Sara are being held on suspicion of assisting an

offender, along with another man aged 42.

Neighbours said Sara

Gul was due to be married this week and relatives started arriving at the fam-

ily home oblivious to the arrests.

Detectives have recovered a weapon which they believe was used to carry out the stabbing.

They spent searching the Victorian house rented by the Guls.

Police is appealing for witnesses. Any one with information should call the incident room on 020 8345 3775 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

NOT ENOUGH SPECIALITY CHEFS OR RESTAURANT MANAGERS......... to even think of the broth! Then you should be talking to WHIZZGROUP OF COMPANIES! • Industry experienced recruitment consultants dealing with a wide variety of client portfolios ranging from hotels to restaurant groups, areas that we cover, LONDON, BIRMINGHAM, BRISTOL, CARDIFF, LEICESTER, LEEDS, MANCHESTER AND SCOTLAND. • Candidates are readily available at all levels from the UK and Overseas.

• Our Sister company Whizzpermits, who deal withTier 1,Tier2 work permit applications and sponsorship license assistance and maintance of Sponsorship licenses, having achieved band A License for a high portfolio of clients is headed by founder Bobby Karia, immigration lawyer.

• Trusted by the worlds best known companies in the hospitality industry

• NEW OFFICES OPENING IN BIRMINGHAM, LEEDS and SCOTLAND For a no obligation quote and hassle free recruitment or legal services contact Bobby Karia.

Te l : 0 2 0 8 4 4 6 9 5 7 7

Te l : 0 8 4 4 8 8 4 3 0 8 8

Fa x : 0 8 4 4 8 8 4 3 1 8 3

Email: bobby@whizzworkers.com Or you can visit us at www.whizzworkers.com

7

8

NCGO

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Successful 'Question Time' held It is very important that in a democracy people's conscience remains awake. That government is the best government which gives equal opportunity to all and believes in fair play. Britain has displayed its full faith in multiculturalism and election is the correct time to ask for what you rightfully deserve. eople of Indian origin are steadily gaining recognition in this country’s political field, like in medicine, law and many other fields. All the major political parties in the UK – the Conservatives, the Labour and the Liberal Democrats are nominating candidates from different Indian communities for the parliamentary elections. Keeping that in mind the National Congress of Gujarati Organisations – NCGO (UK) in association with Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar had organised a political conference, titled ‘Question Time’ on Sunday 28th March at the Kadwa Patidar Centre.

The conference was chaired

by Mr C B Patel, with well known broadcaster and columnist Mr Alpesh Patel as the moderator, represented by Dominic Grieve, the Shadow Justice Minister from the Conservatives, Rt Hon Keith Vaz, Leicester East MP and Tony McNulty representing the ruling Labour party and Ms. Sarah Teather, Brent East MP representing the Lib Dems.

Initiating the conference, Ms. Anita Ruparelia, Secretary of the NCGO (UK) introduced and invited the leaders of the three major political parties to speak.

NCGO (UK) Chairman and Publisher and Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, Mr CB Patel opened the discussion with a wonderful speech. He said, NCGO is not a political organisation, but it is a very reputed and old institution that represents and works towards the alleviation of problems amongst Indian and Gujarati British nationals. Be it the Iskcon temple or the Neasden Swaminarayan temple issue, the army coup in Fiji or problems regarding the functioning of the Indian High Commission in UK, the NCGO (UK) has always campaigned for the benefit of the people. Even at present, the NCGO is busy with the issue of resumption of direct flights between London and Ahmedabad and expects that the campaign will bring in positive results within next two months.

The organisation will also be holding business conference, women’s conference and youth conference in the forthcoming months. Last month, NCGO (UK) and the Sangat Community Centre organised a meeting with the foreign students to discuss their problems in the UK. He added, NCGO will undertake an awareness campaign amongst the Indian and Gujaratis here, emphasising the importance of voting and explaining the increased political importance that they are gaining as a community. The awareness is also important as the commu-

P

nity should get acquaintance with the political leaders from their area and know them personally. Gujaratis and Indians should remember – ‘You remember us and we will remember you’.

Alpesh Patel took over the proceedings as a moderator, explaining the wider goal of the conference and calling upon the representatives of the parties to come forward and spell out their poll manifestos.

Shadow justice minister and Conservative MP Dominic

children remains bright, the value of the pensioners’ income is maintained. We wish to bring in drastic changes in the education system and are committed to move ahead giving equal chances to people of all faiths and communities.”

Ms. Sarah Teather, the youngest British MP from Brent Central, representing the Lib Dems, said she was brought up in Leicester, a city that has a sizeable population of Gujaratis.

Leicester city has been transformed by the British Gujaratis

C B Patel, Chairman NCGO (UK)

Rt Hon Keith Vaz, Leicester East MP, Labour party

bare necessities of the days to come. Unemployment in the UK has gone up, the country is facing a difficult situation. In Harlesden area, children die ten years earlier as compared to those in Kensington, while both the leading parties want to shirk their responsibilities on the issue of Non-dom status. Good education is the passport for a quality life.

We therefore accord top priority

budget allocations need not be reduced.

Leicester MP and chairman of the Home office Select Committee, Rt Hon Keith Vaz, representing the Labour Party, said, “I have come here not to condemn other parties. I don’t know much Gujarati also. Yet, remembering the first Gujarati sentence that CB helped him learn when he started his political life, he said “Tamane shu taklif chhe (what’s your problem)” is a phrase that helps me to know people. I am working as an MP for 23 years now and I have been a witness to the fact that the Gujarati community has always backed this party with money and votes. The landscape of North West London has been transformed by British Gujaratis and Indians. Your children are capable of changing the future of the UK. If I am to talk of education, I would like to state that we have allocated maximum funds for the education sector. We have sanctioned £10 million for a Hindu school.”

He added, “Had the government not helped the Llyods Bank, it would have gone into liquidation, while if Northern Rock was not bailed out, many more banks would have failed.

The conditions of the Banks today are 100 times better than what they were about 20 years ago. We have been able to mobilise about £200 billion with new taxes. We have spent the highest amount for the healthcare sector. When my mother died five years ago, the waiting lists at the hospitals were for more than one and a half hour.

L-R: Dominic Grieve, MP, Shadow Justice Secretary, CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, Alpesh Patel, Sarah Teather, MP and Keith Vaz, MP

Grieve greeted the audience with ‘Namaste’. He also thanked NCGO for inviting their party and giving them the opportunity to put forth the ideology of the party before the British Indian and Gujarati community.

According to him, the Parliament is in shambles, the country is facing a host of issues and problems.

The political establishment is embroiled in controversies of all kinds. The flow of immigrants is creating many new problems. He said many people who meet him say that the country has no future now, while many others have expressed concerns about the economic and financial future of Britain. The country is indebted to the tune of £1.4 trillion, while the public sector still needs more money worth £167 billion.

The economic challenges are huge and the ruling party seems to have no clue of what to do.

Mr. Grieve also added, “In the current scenario, if the Labour party gets elected again, they will bring the credit rating of UK further down. The British Pound will become cheaper. The rate of inflation is going up and following that, even the interest rates as well as the defence budget will go up further. The quality of education has gone down. It is very important in the present circumstance that the future of the

in their own style. She expects that the forthcoming elections will be a turning point on the political horizon. It promises to be an exciting event. In the recent couple of years, we faced a huge economic slowdown.

Against that background, very appropriate taxes, the right quality of education, a strong economy and quality politics are the

to education, with a goal for having classrooms for 20 students and aim to provide extra coaching to those who are weak in studies.

She agreed with the view of the Conservative MP on the weak economic situation of the UK and added that even though the economy is in shambles,

NCGO

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

9

to ensure fair Britain for all Mr Alpesh Patel

Barack Obama has been able to become the US president, but possibly I would not be able to become the Prime Minister of UK. But I definitely hope that at some point of time, a black or a brown will become the prime minister of UK. The veteran MP went on to say, “We will have to decide for the development of our country.

You and me are all going to stay here, not going to migrate out of the UK. That’s why I appeal all of you that we all need to be first class contributors and not just

Ms Anita Ruparelia

Dominic Grieve, MP Shadow Justice Minister, Tory party

Ms. Sarah Teather, Brent East MP Liberal Democratic party

is a difference between legal and illegal immigrants. As Borris said, there should be an amnesty for illegal immigrants. If you are given a work permit and you do not qualify as a citizen at the end of it, you have to leave. The Home Office should not make applicants wait for years and then give a situation which is irreversible while the applicants are already settled in a UK life.

Gordon Brown said British life for British people. It does not mean British Indians are ignored.

out that in the audience was Tony McNulty, the sitting MP was Harrow East and that we should ask the question directly to him.

Tony came forward and gave his total commitment that should his party get in power than a Hindu Secondary School in the area within the first term was assured.

Keith brought a lot of humour to the debate, and the audience was rightly confused as to whether he was Labour, or was he a closet Tory.

Dominic Grieve the official

Cllr Veena Mithani

second class citizens of the UK.” With end of this speech the floor opened to questions. Amit Patel asked the MPs about the caps on immigration especially when it helps Britain to flourish.

To that Dominic Grieve said that while immigrants are important, an open door policy is harmful.

Sarah Teathers added, “the way the government plans services, is ridiculous. Such problems need tackling and we cannot provide services for people who are not here. We first must target people who need to be removed and then tackle the rest. She also insisted that the government has very limited notion of specialised skills. There are areas in this country which crying for applicants like chefs, pujaris (priests).

Fulfill such specialised skills and not let anybody and everybody come in.” Keith Vaz said, “there

Cllr Anjana Patel

They are British too. We will not slam doors on asylum seekers too. It means first all British whatever be the race or religion get a job and then come the immigrants.”

CB Patel here asked if the government has any statistics of the people who have emigrated.

To which all party representatives openly said that they were not aware of a proper statistics.

Kapil Dudakia, an ex Of-sted officer and columnist asked, ‘If elected, could the parties confirm that we will have a Hindu Secondary School in North West London within the term of one parliament?’ Dominic Grieve was quick to confirm that having a Hindu Secondary School in the area was mandatory and his party would ensure that it happened.

Keith was clear – yes, we must have a Hindu Secondary School in NW London. He then pointed

Cllr Kanta Mistry

Tory representative was often left with shock and surprise on his face as his thunder was taken away by Keith who put the knife into the NHS before he could.

There is no doubt that huge amounts of money have rightly gone into the NHS, and for this the Labour Government deserves a commendation. However, how the money has been used, and in particular, some managers and PCT boards all came in for a firing for their laziness and sheer incompetence. The bottom line being that even in areas where we have a high concentration of ethnic minorities – the people who are appointed to represent us on these PCT boards still tend to be wholly ‘white’. How is that possible? And this has happened with a Labour Government in power for more than a decade.

Cllr Kanta Mistry and Cllr Veena Mithani also raised similar ques-

Tony McNulty, Harrow East MP

Kapil Dudakia

tions.

Also the condition of elderly care was questioned as participants like Prakash Gandecha spoke about the bad services.

Amrish Patel, from the audience asked, ‘In light of the positive court ruling on open pyre cremations, why is it that with a population of 100 000 Hindus in Harrow, Brent and Barnet that the community still does not have access to a dedicated and culturally sensitive crematorium?’

Dominic saw no reason why there should be any delays in this

give a clear answer, Dominic Grieve, said he would speak to William Hague. To that Keith Vaz added, “Narendra Modi is most welcome in Britain. We will be delighted to have him in Leicester too.”

The question answer session was followed with a short speech

by Cllr Anjana Patel and Cllr Navin Shah AM who debated about the credibility and possibility of a State Secondary Hindu school and a better education system. Cllr Anjana Patel said, “due to Labours, as a portfolio holder

Cllr Navin Shah AM

C J Rabheru, Convenor NCGO (UK)

happening and wants it to happen as soon as possible. Keith could not understand why with such a large community nothing had happened to date. He went on to remind the audience that in Leicester they have even got a site designated but because the communities are not united sufficiently, nothing has happened to take this forward. If the people and the various organisations in Harrow, Brent and Barnet came together and demanded with one voice, surely no council would be so fool hardy and say no!

NCGO here asked a very crucial question. Lalubhai Parekh asked all the party members if Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat will be allowed to come into Britain and the government will ensure his protection. To that while Sarah Teather did not really

Dr Rachel Joyce, PPC

she is ashamed to see Britain falling to the 38th position from 8th in world education level.” Cllr Navin Shah, AM said he and Tony McNulty, MP have worked to get a £10mn fund for the primary Hindu school in Harrow and promised to improve the elderly care and also called upon people to sign petitions for direct flights to India.

The event was attended by almost 250 people including Cllr Lorber, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Brent, Dr Rachel Joyce (PPC Conservatives from Harrow), Amreet Jogia, PPC for Conservatives from Harrow on the Hill, Former Cllr Harshadbhai Patel, PPC The event drew to a close with a vote of thanks from C J Rabheru, Convenor of NCGO (UK).

NCGO (UK) AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS Anand Overseas Brotherhood (UK) Arti Society Asian Foundation for Help Audichya Gadhya & Kharedi Brahma Samaj Society Baj Khedawal (Brahmin) Association UK Bexley Gujarati Samaj Bhadran Bandhu Samaj UK Bhartiya Mandal - Bradford Bhartiya Sanskar Kendra Brahm Samaj Manchester Chandaria Foundation Changa Europe Society Charotar Ladies Group (Brent) Chha Gam Nagrik Mandal (UK) Chovis Gam Patidar Samaj Darji Mitra Mandal of the UK Dharmaj Society of London East Anglian Indian association East London & Essex Brahma Samaj Federation of Patidar Associations Gita Foundation

Greenwich Gujarati Samaj Gujarati Literary Academy Hindu Cultural Association Wales UK Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh UK I K Foundation Jain Sangh (Europe) Jan Kshatriya Sevak Mandal UK Kala Niketan Karamsad Samaj Kutch Leva Patel Community UK Kutch Madhapar Katyalaya UK Lohana Community North London Lohana Community South London Lohana Community West London London Indian Elders Group Mahatma Gandhi Foundation UK Mahelav Overseas Association Malawi Hindu Association UK Mandhata Youth and Community Association Medway Hindu Centre Mewada Community UK

(Education Scholarship Fund committee) Nadiad Nagrik Mandal Nar Nagar Union UK National Assoc of Patidar Samaj-South London National Association of Patidar Samaj National Association of Patidar Samaj East London National Association of Patidar Samaj (Wembley Branch) Navnat Vanik Association Ode Gam Union (UK) Omkara Nanda Mission (Shiv Shakti Pith) Oshwal Centre Palana Europe Society UK Parajiya Pattni Association UK Pij Union UK Posum (UK) Posun Women Association (UK) Raghuvanshi Mahajan (RAMA) Rajput Samaj UK

Rajya Purohit Association UK Ranoli Overseas Patidar Samaj Samnvay Parivar Sardar Patel Memorial Society UK Sat Kaival Circle Shree Aden Depala Mitra Mandal Shree Bavis Gam Patidar Samaj Shree Bavis Gam Patidar Samaj (U.K) Shree Gaud Brahm Samaj Shree Jalaram Prathna Mandal Shree Kadwa Patidar Samaj UK Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community (SKLPC) Shree Limbachia Ghnati Mandal Shree Lohana Mahajan Bolton Shree Prajapati Association (UK) Shree Sanatan Seva Samaj Shree Sattar Gam Patidar Samaj UK Shree Sattavis Gam Patidar Samaj (Europe) Shree Vallabh Nidhi - UK Shree Vis Gam Patel Samaj UK

Sojitra Samaj Sunav Samaj (UK) Surrey Gujarati Hindu Society The Brahmin Society North London The Federation of Brahmin Associations of Europe The Gujarati Hindu Society The Lohana Mahajan (UK) Trust The Swaminarayan Hindu Mission The Vanza community of South London The Vanza Society of London The Wanza Samaj U.K UK Asian Women Conference, South London Branch Uttersanda Union (UK) Vanik Professional Group Vanik Samaj (UK) Vaso Nagrik Mandal U.K Virsad Union (UK) Watford Hindu Group Wellingborough District Hindu Association Wembley & Harrow Association

10

www.abplgroup.com

Dee Katwa

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Midland Voice Contact: Dhiren on 07970 911 386 or dhiren.katwa@abplgroup.com

New promising platform for aspiring Bangladeshis Entrepreneurs, existing and emerging, from Britain’s Bangladeshi community came together in Birmingham last week for the inception of FYSHnet, a networking organisation that aims to help and support aspiring Bangladeshis, of all ages, anywhere and everywhere.

Attended by around 600 people of all ages, mainly British B a n g l a d e s h i s “Britladeshis” the Celebrating Success inaugural annual banquet was held at Warwickshire County Cricket Club in Edgbaston. Speakers at the remarkable roundtable event included: FYSHnet’s chairman, Shihab Hossain; Seamark Group chairman Iqbal Ahmed OBE; Enam Ali MBE, editor of Spice Business Magazine and founder of the British Curry Awards; Anita Bhalla, A former BBC political correspondent who only last week was installed as West Midlands’ High Sheriff; the UK’s best local restaurant Lasan’s celebrity chef, 29-year-old Aktar Islam and Syed Ahmed, whose popularity rose after appearing on

The Apprentice.

The fact that the host, Konnie Huq, the longest running female presenter in Blue Peter’s history, made a few minor slipups, suggested her unfamiliarity with her script.

Bless her. As for millionnaire Iqbal Ahmed, he soon realised, it seemed, a dozing-off audience, paused, then told a joke which resulted in mass laughter attention.

My pride as a Brummie was given a boost to see, sat together with their wives, Vijith Randeniya and Anil Patani, Britain’s most senior Asian fire and police officers, respectively.

Jabbar Khan, 34, the modest owner of Lasan, the multi award-winning restaurant, is an executive member of FYSHnet.

He said: “The importance of events like this is that

it gives people the confidence to push into sectors they may never have considered. It is an organisation that looks to highlight the opportunities and celebrate the variety of possibilities.”

Another executive member of FYSHnet, Bilal Ahmed, said: “While FYSHnet is a Bangladeshi organisation, its principles are not about politics, race or creed – its focus is business relations. It is time for British Bangladeshi businesses to stand up and be counted.”

Of the 12,000 restaurants across the UK assumed to be serving Indian cuisine, at least 80 per cent of them are owned and managed by Bangladeshis. In the UK, the Bangladeshi population stands at just over 283,000, of which almost 23 per cent live in the London borough of Tower Hamlets.

Outside London, the largest Bangladeshi communities live in Birmingham, Oldham, Luton and

Bradford. Birmingham has an estimated 25,000 Bangladeshi population.

In the city, the Bangladeshi community suffers the most severe housing problems of any large community. One quarter live in overcrowded housing, with this rising to more than one third in some inner city neighbourhoods.

The community is also relatively young with two thirds of the children under 16 years. In addition, only 44 per cent of Bangladeshis own their homes compared to the Birmingham norm of 60 per cent and contrasting with other Asian groups – for example, 67 per cent of Pakistanis and 77 per cent of Indians are homeowners. Bangladeshis are the most likely Asian group to be renting from the city council – at about 22 per cent – and housing associations – at just over 14 per cent.

To register, or to find out more about FYSHnet visit www.fyshnet.co.uk

Kalita to receive award

Dad leaves daughter on bus

A Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award will be bestowed on Kalita Patel this week for her dedication to mountaineering, martial arts and for mastering the keyboard. Kalita, 19, of Kinloch Drive, spent 18 months working towards the award before the gruelling four-day expedition in the Lake District – including a climb up Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England. A former Bishop Milner Catholic School pupil, Kalita, who got three grade A’s at A’Level, is currently studying chemical engineering at the University of Birmingham.

A dozy Birmingham man who left his five-year-old daughter sleeping on a bus after forgetting she was with him has been given an 18-month community order. The man, 27, from Great Barr, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted a charge of child cruelty. The youngster woke up alone and, in tears, alerted the bus driver.

Marking the legacy of Mahavir The life of Mahavir, who established the central tenets of Jainism, an ancient religion from India, was celebrated at a vibrant function in Birmingham. Held at the Jain Ashram in Handsworth Wood on Sunday a fortnight ago the event was attended by around 250 people, including representatives from the Arya Samaj, Vegan Group, Brahma Kumaris, Friends of the Earth and Young Jains of West Midlands. Special guests included Kartar Singh from the Indian Embassy and Nitin Mehta, founder and president of the Young Indian Vegetarian Society. Arvinder Jain, president of the International Mahavir Jain Mission in Birmingham, encouraged all to focus on the values of Jainism, which include compassion and non-violence. He stressed that we, collectively, must limit our needs and desires to relieve the burden on the natural environment, which is a key teaching of Jainism. The Jain symbol, a wheel on the palm of a hand, represents the teaching of harmlessness. According to Jain tradition, Mahavir was the 24th and last Tirthankara, or a teacher who shows the way. In Britain, there are around 15,000 Jains who believe that the way to liberation and bliss is to follow lives of harmlessness and renunciation. Pictured: Guests taking part in the aarti, a sacred offering in the form of lamps.

Ballot fraud Walsall Conservative Councillor Mohammad Munir has been suspended from his party over allegations of electoral fraud. Munir, pictured, is facing criminal charges of providing false information to the register of electors and falsely applying for proxy votes. Munir, 57, who is abroad, has been issued with a court summons from Birmingham magistrates, along with his 30-year-old son, Ali Munir.

Youth volunteers’ training weekend

News in Brief Muslim officer to visit school The highest ranking Muslim officer in the British forces, Rear Admiral Amjad Hussain, will visit Washwood Heath Technology College on April 26 to talk about career opportunities. The Bristolbased officer, pictured, aged 52, joined the Navy in 1976 and worked his way up his rank. He is married to Wendy and the couple have three children, Sam, Zara and Hannah.

Creative arts challenge Primary schools in the Midlands are being invited to take part in an Indian art, rangoli, competition.

The challenge is to produce a collective patchwork which represents the school, or portrays festivals, hobbies or school life. The competition runs between April and July. To find out more call Ranbir Kaur on 0121 515 2988 or visit www.rangoli-arts.com

New GP practice With four new GPs, access to a female doctor or nurse, and extended opening hours including some evening appointments and Saturday mornings, new patients are being invited to register at the new Finch Road Surgery, pictured, in Lozells, Birmingham.

Midlands Media Awards The annual Midlands Media Awards will take place at the ICC in Birmingham next month. Once again it will be hosted by Birmingham Press Club which prides itself on being the world’s oldest press club. It has about 400 members of which around 10 are from a BME background. Of its 12 board members, three female, nine male, non are from a BME background, as is the case with its 73 honorary life members.

Credit, however, to the Press Club for admitting to the ethnicity and gender imbalance of its membership at all levels, but showing commitment and willingness to address this. The Club’s chairman, John Lamb, pictured, said: The Club is run entirely on a voluntary basis and is open to anyone, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or career and all members are entitled to stand for election to the board at the annual meeting.”

New Children’s Centre

A group of young people are now better informed about how to run their own campaigns in their local communities to tackle homophobia and homophobic bullying in schools, thanks to Stonewall, the gay equality charity. The youngsters, aged between 16 and 21, took part in the V-funded weekend workshop which included sessions on campaigning, public speaking, coaching and team-building. “There were a few tears when people said goodbye at the end of the weekend, “ said Laurie Kay, Stonewall’s youth coordinator.

Birmingham’s Lord Mayor Councillor Michael Wilkes received a glowing welcome from staff, children and parents as he officially opened the Job Marston Children’s Centre in Hall Green, Birmingham. The new centre in School Road is one of three run by Barnardo’s in Birmingham. Facilities and support include a nursery, stay and play sessions, parenting workshops, kids health clinics as well as individual family support and advice.

Barnardo’s works with over 100,000 children, young people and their families in 415 specialised projects in local communities across the UK.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Face to face with Seema Malhotra Labour activist, campaigner and Director, Fabian Women's Network 'British jobs for British people' can actually have a 'Future fair for all'- as its current motto?

1. Tell us a little bit about the Seema whom nobody knows I started out as a community volunteer, spending school holidays through my teenage years working with children with disabilities. I’ve also tried to raise money for charities in unusual ways.

I once helped pull a jumbo jet for charity – which was hard for the first few minutes, but when it started to move we had to run out of the way!

2. What is your exact role as a Director of the Fabian Women's Network? How does the Fabian Society work?

Based in Westminster and founded in 1884, the Fabian Society has a membership today of over 7000 people across the country and abroad. The Fabians have also had strong links with India particularly at the time of Jawarharlal Nehru. The Society organizes high profile events and seminars, as well as commissioning research and publications arguing for new policies in a range of areas, and in particular around tackling poverty and inequality.

I co-founded the Fabian Women's Network

Seema Malhotra

in 2005 which exists to contribute to debate about tackling gender inequality and to provide new ways in which women from all backgrounds can engage in topical political debate.

There are over 2000 women members of the Society, including about 70 Fabian Women MPs and Peers. I have led campaigns that have, for example. improved the rights of women and carers. I speak at events and seminars and in the media.

3. Do you think Labour with an ideology

For me the philosophy underpinning Labour’s intent is right. The longer-term unemployed in Britain, which does include ethnic minorities also, should have better access the jobs but this needs state investment in adult education and training. There is an alternative choice, which is to see people stay on welfare, often written off aged 50 whilst our companies and public services advertise abroad for skilled staff. It is an example of a political choice, one that sees the Government as needing to play a part in shaping social outcomes. When you see it this way, it is fundamental to ensuring a future fair for all.

4. Were you to have stood as a Labour MP and Labour had won, which side of the government

would you have looked into and tried to change first?

One area I would shine a spotlight on is public health and preventing illness. I feel very lucky to have Swami Ram Dev yoga in my life – simple ways to keep in shape and keep your body balanced. But too much of what we see in society – excessive drinking and alcohol related illnesses, poor food education and understanding of good diets – could be dealt with much more by a national food and diet campaign.

Most faiths say our bodies are a living temple – so why not keep them healthy!

5. What is your take on the hung parliament and what do you think will be the consequences of this coming election?

I think the greatest risk is that smaller political forces can become much more powerful than their democratic mandate.

Political instability could also result in uncertainty for the economy – at a time when we need to keep both business and consumer confidence high. That’s why every vote is going to matter.

Gujarati girl selected as finalist for Miss Universe GB Reena Patel Miss Bollywood UK 2009 has been selected as a finalist for Miss Universe GB 2010. We will publish a more detailed interview of Reena in the coming issues of AV. Please vote for Reena on 0901 293 799734 or sending sms message stating Reena Patel to 81118. Voting lines close 12pm on Friday 30th April.

Successful Leicester Asian Carnival wins many hearts Leicester got its first own prestigious Asian event which they can be always proud of. Leicester Asian Carnival (www.asiancarnival.co.uk) took place successfully over the Easter weekend at Parkland, Oadby, Leicester. The main sponsor was Lyca Mobile and co-sponsors were Shaadi.com, Shazans, Air India and the British Heart Foundation.

Official charity was Silver star. The Media partners were Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, Zee Network, NDTV 247 & BBC Asian Network.

The event was inaugurated by Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP, Edward Gariner (Local MP), Mayor of Oadby and Wigston and C B Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar.

Over 4 days the event attracted more than 9000 visitors. LAC was a family event where the main categories were fashion, food and entertainment. A wide range of stage entertainment was presented for children, youngsters and for older generation too.

Malkit Singh performed old golden bollywood tunes to entertain the first generation of Asian community who live in Leicester. It was hosted by Tomy Sandhu, Murtz & Jayna Shah of BBC Asian Network The Fashion show was a major attraction amongst younger generations and so is Magic Singh, (www.magicsingh.com) who mesmerised crowd for all three days on stage and off stage with his jaw dropping card tricks.

Roof repair work UK Health and Safety Law protects you even if you are not working here legally n Almost all domestic roof work needs scaffolding – fit edge protection to stop people and materials from falling from eaves and gable ends.

Rhaynukaa Soni Outreach Executive

What you need to know as a busy builder Want to stay on top as a roof worker on a busy building site? These are the essential health and safety top tips you should follow, even if you don’t directly employ the people working on your site.

n On terraced properties make sure you provide scaffolding at the front and back of the property. n Use scaffolding around chimneys and roof windows. n Do not throw materials from the roof or the scaffold (‘bombing’) – use a chute or similar. n Stop materialsfalling on to the street, and people – for example, use debris netting sheeting and/or close fitting scaffold boards.

n Keep people away from the area below the roof work. n Do not go on to fragile roof surfaces such as cement sheets or those with skylights.

Work from underneath, reach from an access platform or cover fragile areas on the roof. n Ladders can be usedto access the work place but working from ladders is allowed only as a last resort. n Make sure your roofworkers are properly trained and competent to do the work safely.

This is just a summary – you can find out what else you need to know about health and safety by visiting

11

www.hse.gov.uk/construction/ index.htm What can happen if health and safety is ignored?

A 20-year-old worker repairing a factory roof fell through a skylight and died. His employer had provided only two crawling boards and had not trained him properly. The company owner was convicted of manslaughter and health and safety offences, sentenced to 12 months in prison and banned from being a company director for three years.

See over for examples of good practice...

Helpline: 0207 556 2181 e-mail: desi@hse.gsi.gov.uk Website: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/gujarati

12

MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Scrutator’s The Washington Times and the United Press International editor-at-large, Arnaud de Borchgrave, (March 19) helped set the cat among the pigeons with his article, “Success on the subcontinent.” He was in fact summarising the findings of Pakistani journalist Farrukh Saleem. Mr Borchgrave opened thus: “India's two Ambani brothers could buy 100 per cent of every company listed on Pakistan's Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) and still be left with $30 to spare. That was one of many comparative conclusions about the two countries by Farrukh Saleem, a Pakistani writer, with a tinge of envy, on the giant neighbour next door. The four richest Indians, he (Saleem) writes, could buy up all the goods and services produced over a year by 169 million Pakistanis and still be left with $60 billion to spare....As the US Stock Exchange was bottom-fishing, MukeshAmbani's Reliance Industries became a $100 billion company (dwarfing the entire KSE, which is capitalized at $65 billion)..... Mr Saleem then marvels at India's penetration of America's domestic scene. Imagine, he says, 12 per cent of all American scientists are of Indian origin, 38 per cent of doctors, 36 per cent of NASA scientists, 34 per cent of Microsoft employees, 28 per cent of IBM's payroll. And there is much more to come, he says.” Mr Borchgrave continues: “Sabeer Bhatia created and founded Hotmail; Vinoid Khosla, Sun Microsystems,; Vinod Dham fathered the Intel Pentium processor that runs 90 per cent of all computers; Rajiv Gupta co-invented Hewlett Packard's E-speak project: Indians run an average of four out of 10 Silicon Valley start-ups....and Bollywood produces 800 movies a year....More important, India is the second-fastest-growing investor in the United States after the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Robert D. Hormats, undersecretary of state for economic, energy and agricultural affairs.”

Why is this so? What explains India's galloping lead over Pakistan? Over to Mr Saleem: “Indians elect their leaders; they don't focus on religion; neither do they spend time and money devising ways to kill their own and everyone else over religion.” This is an encouraging start, but there's surely more to ponder.

India, China trade James Lamont's piece in the Financial Times (April 1) on Sino-Indian trade in the context of a troubled political relationship was thoughtful if visibly weighted in China's favour. That is how the West views the world. Strategic interests, not democracy or human rights is what counts most.

SinoIndian trade may be burgeoning, but its huge imbalance against India simply deepens Indian suspicions of China's commercial practices.

According to Mr Lamont, China was for long indifferent to India's concerns, but now it was listening.

Which, presumably, for India, should be enough. China and Mr Lamont's controllers can surely do better. The parties are wedded to Pakistan, so they can counsel their client on the counter-productive follies of cross-border terrorism. The FT guru plucked Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh out of

his hat as one who favours constant consultation with Beijing on

matters regional and global. However the Indian government is the sum of its parts and Mr Ramesh's preferences will have to blend with those of his cabinet colleagues.

Forward step James Lamont in New Delhi and Katherin Hill in Beijing did an FT update (April 4) on India-China trade ties.

They write: “China has offered to accelerate talks with India aimed at negotiating a bilateral trade trade deal in an attempt to balance a burgeoning commercial relationship between two of Asia's largest economies that is now skewed in heavily Beijing's favour. China's officials expect trade between the two to rise to $60 billion (£39bn) this year as the two fastest growing economies recover from the global crisis. Yet Indian officials describe a trade deficit that last year was about $16 billion in Beijing's favour as “politically unsustainable” and identify it

Mukesh Ambani

India takes Delivery of an AWACS aircraft from Israel

as a point of friction in a relationship key to Asia's stability.”

Zhang Yan, Beijing's ambassador to New Delhi, said China was preparing for a deal “similar to a free trade agreement. The two countries should endeavour to reach a regional trade arrangement and take effective measures to remove trade and investment barriers,” opined Mr Zhang. Steps were needed to “improve the trade configuration” and remedy the trade imbalance across the Himalayas, he said.

The two FT reporters returned to their narrative, saying that “trade between has been growing at more than 30 per cent a year in recent years, but the bulk of Indian exports consisted raw materials.

“India has appealed for China to open up its market to Indian goods and companies, complaining that they face non-tariff barriers....

New Delhi wants Beijing to end restrictions on Indian exports of IT, films and fresh food. It also wants greater opportunities in sectors such as energy and pharmaceuticals.”

India has bilateral trade deals with South Korea and Asean and were in talks with Israel and the European Union for similar arrangements. China had signed bilateral agreements with Asean, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore and Peru.

“The offer to accelerate efforts to liberalise trade between India and its larger trading partner in goods comes on the eve of a visit by S.M.Krishna, India's foreign minister, to Beijing,”concluded the FT report.

US pressure on India

Mukesh Ambani’s Mumbai mansion in the making

Mayank Chhaya, reporting for the Times of India from Chicago (April 6) tells of a Wall Street Journal piece, which claimed that

President Barack Obama had issued a “a secret directive in December to intensify diplomacy American aimed at easing tensions between India and Pakistan, asserting that without detente between the two rivals, the administration's efforts to win Pakistani co-operation in Afghanistan would suffer.”

The Times of India reporter referred to a statement from the then Obama, in Senator 2007, calling for US intervention in resolving Indo-Pakistan disputes, especially the one concerning Kashmir. The reporter hinted at India was scaling down its economic involvement in Afghanistan in response to Pakistani concerns and US pressure on India to respond sympathetically to them, but Kashmir would be a step too far for the stability of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government verred Mayank Chhaya, who writes: “It

US consulate attacked Meanwhile, things look bleaker still in Pakistan, where Taliban bombers attempted to storm the fortified US consulate in Peshawar and came within a whisker of achieving their goal.

Reports Zahid Hussain from Islamabad for the The Times in London (April 6): “Islamic militants tried to storm the US consulate in Peshawar yesterday and suicide bomber wreaked carnage at a political rally as fresh violence claimed at least 50 lives in northwest Pakistan.

The attack on the consulate was claimed by the Pakistan Taleban, who said it was in revenge for US drone strikes on insurgents in Pakistan's lawless tribal belt....The attackers [disguised as paramilitary soldiers] rammed two vehicles full of explosives into the fortified US mission and det-

Bloodied: An injured man is helped after the attack on the US consulate in Peshawar

is not surprising at the pressure to lean on India is coming from the Pentagon which needs greater co-operation from Pakistan in the short-term and more quickly, unlike the State Department which necessarily takes a longterm view of the situation.” Troubled times lie ahead for Indo-US relations.

onated them.” They also opened fire with automatic weapons. Five security personnel were killed in the cross-fire.

Not for the first time and not, presumably, the last the US is locked into a costly misadventure. It is not India's job to pull its chestnuts out of the fire since no Indian advice was sought on Iraq and Afghanistan.

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Alpesh Patel Consultant Editor Financial Voice Dear Financial Voice Reader, As British Airways are on strike, I thought I would try AirIndia (Tebitt cricket test and all that). WHAT A MISTAKE. Here is a chronology of the disaster (by the way I have a Russian PA, and given she can’t understand my accent, it was pointless asking her to do the booking!).

Now, it’s hard enough running an airline. I mean they go bust, their share prices plummet.

But the way Air India takes bookings – no wonder State money is wasted on them. India needs to reconsider why it provides State funding to this basket case.

First I call their booking line. They tell me that I have to call the UK City booking office because I want to make take advantage of their Free Companion offer (don’t get excited...read on). So I call the first number they give me. Its constantly engaged. So I call them back. They give me another number. It just rings and rings.

Hang in there.

So I go to their website. We live in an age of the internet. Everyone says how amazing Indian IT is. You can’t book the offer via the web! Okay, call them using the website page. I call the first number for their London office. That’s a prerecorded message only. I call the next number at their London office. That rings and rings. Oh, it was 3pm on a weekday...no midnight. So I call the booking office reservation number, that tells me to call the City office. I explain I tried that.

He says he cant transfer the call or take the booking or tell his supervisor.

Okay, so I call the sales office (whose number is written wrongly on the website). It just rings and rings. I then call the second booking office number. It just rings. The third sales office number...just rings and rings. I call the fourth sales office number...it just rings.

I call their London Airport office number – engaged – all the time on numerous attempts. I call the second London Airport office number. It just rings. Presumably because Shilpa’s on the other line? I call the Birmingham office. Two lucky numbers here. One is engaged and the other just rings. Maybe they need an Indian call centre?

I call the third London Airport number. Oh my god someone picks up. Then tells me he’s trying to put me through to the booking office. He then gives me all the same numbers, I explain my problem, he looks for more numbers. Perhaps he should give me the number for Kingfisher? He gives me a number I’ve not tried (not the Samaritans, but I wish he did).

How did that number go? It just rang and rang. I thought there were a shortage of 0208 numbers. Now I know why. They have them all.

Oh, I got through. On 0208 7451020. He told me the website was wrong about the offer! One hour and numerous calls later. Hmmmm...anyway Kingfisher is a lot better anyway!

$

' ! #)( , )

www.abplgroup.com

PTS of UK acquired by Crompton Greaves of India Avantha Group also owns a host of US, European companies Power Technology Solutions (PTS), an electrical engineering company was acquired by Crompton Greaves (CG) of the Avantha Group based in India. The value of the PTS deal for CG is approximately £30 million (Rs. 2.04 billion).

Acquiring PTS would help Crompton Greaves to gain significant consolidation in the engineering, procurement & maintenance (EPM) segment in UK. CG would also be able to have access to newer

markets.

CG is India’s one of the highly globalised companies. It has acquired five companies prior to the UK deal during last five years.

Pauwels of Belgium, Ganz of Hungary, Microsol Holdings and other group companies of Ireland, Societe Nouvelle de M a i n t e n a n c e Tr a n s f o r m a t e u r s (Sonomatra) of France as well as MSE Power Systems and two other firms of the group of USA are the other acquisitions.

Crompton Greaves at present has 50 per cent of its assests outside India and more than half of the company’s sales come from abroad. Avantha’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gautam Thapar, said the strategic investment would contribute to the company’s product portfolio and overall growth plans. CG, claims Thapar, is one of the country’s most globalised companies, with half of its assets and more than 50 per cent of sales coming

from abroad. This is CG’s sixth acquisition in the last five years. It first acquired Pauwels, a Belgium-based power transformer maker, for Rs 180 crore and in 2006, it acquired Hungarybased Ganz, a leading manufacturer of extra high voltage transformers, gas insulated switchgear and other related components.

In 2007, it acquired Ireland-based transmission and distribution company Microsol Holdings and other group companies for $14.1 million.

Wharton School board has Aditya Mittal Son of Steelking LN Mittal and CFO of ArcelorMittal, Aditya Mittal has been inducted into the board of Overseers of the Wharton School.

Silas K F Chou, cochairman of Michael Kors LLC in New York and Traci J Shanbrun Lerner, founding partner of Chesapeake Partners Management company in Baltimore — have also joined the Wharton board. Board members here not only serve as counsellors to the school, but also act as ambassa-

dors for Wharton in Philadelphia and the world. They facilitate dia-

logue between the school and its stakeholders, including alumni, other

universities, corporations, governments, and prospective applicants.

Shell Gas (LPG) India is now a subsidiary of Aegis Logistics Aegis Logistics, a company in the business of providing supply chain management services in India has announced the completion of the process of acquisition of Shell Gas (LGP) India.

Shell has facilities in Gujarat which include a gas infrastructure at Pipavav Port and an LPG filling plant.

Aegis Logistics has acquired 3.23 crore equity shares of Shell Gas (LPG) India.

The value of the deal was however not declared. The deal was completed pursuant to the share purchase agreement entered into by both the companies on 31st December, 2009. Shell Gas is also into the business of import and marketing of wholesale LPG.

%'$ (( $# ! ( '+

#

$

! ( $#) ) $' !! $"" '

13

)

( ! ) ! $# ! %'$% '). ' &* ' " #) !

!

''$, +(

! %'

! ( + ,%'$% ') ( $ *

14

fInAnCIAL voice

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Rolls-Royce ropes in L&T for nuclear business jv Westinghouse-Toshiba, GE-Hitachi, AEC of Canada and Rosatom of Russia have partnerships with the Gujarat based industrial giant for nuke infrastructure components, in-service reactor support and waste management. The UK company provides advice and technical engineering support to governments and reactor operators in the USA and Europe. All the 58 operators in France are clients for Rolls-Royce.

L&T is currently the only Indian company that is globally-certified for manufacturing nuclear power generation equipment, having obtained the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ nuclear-stamp.

RollsRoyce’s existing presence in the international nuclear industry would offer L&T the marketing partnership for supplying nuclear plants outside India.

The expertise in heavy engineering sector of L&T, a professionally managed Gujarat based infrastructure major has made it a most sought after partner for multinationals in the field of creating nuclear infrastructure in India.

With an eye on the Indian market, Industry leaders and multinationals like Westinghouse – Toshiba, GE – Hitachi of the USA; AEC of Canada and Rosatom of Russia have already signed MoUs for partnership with the Indian entity for building nuclear reactors in the country.

Now, it is the RollsRoyce of the UK. The collaboration between them is for nuclear instrumentation and controls, reactor

Singapore grants full banking status to ICICI Bank was the ICICI Bank's first overseas outlet which became operational in August 1, 2003. Currently, the Singapore branch offers international loan syndication, trade finance and services to support India’s growing trade with Singapore and the ASEAN. The permission from Singapore regulator follows signing of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperative agreement between India and Singapore. Under CECA, the two countries had agreed to open up the financial sector.

Under the pact Indian authorities will allow Singapore banks to expand their operations in the country. As per the current international agreement, India allows restricted expansion of foreign banks in the country.

ICICI Bank is the second Indian entity to get the status of Qualified Full Banking (QFB) status in Singapore after the government-owned State Bank of India. Monetary Authority of Singapore recently approved the status for Singapore branch of ICICI Bank. The status would enable ICICI Bank to have full-scale business in the region and establish up to 25 branches over a period of time.

ICICI Bank’s CEO and managing director Chanda Kochhar said: “This approval will further strengthen our footprint in the corporate, commercial, wealth management and direct banking services in Singapore. We expect to see significant increase in our client-base in the region having strong India connections.”

The Singapore branch

ˆuù aAp ivl bnAvvA ivcArI rHAA Ae? ‘aeˆ ivLs’ aApnA œre aAvI, aApnI anuk u tAae, aApnI A¿AAmAù smÀvIne VyAjbI wre ivl bnAvI aApˆe. aApnA pirvArjnAenI surxAA mAqe aAje j ivl bnAvAe.

sùpk#: mnu „Kkr - 020 8998 0888.

Thinking of Making A Will?

‘Ash Wills’ can prepare one for you 1. At a fixed fee 2. In the comfort of your home.

For the security of your loved ones - make a will today.

Contact: Manu Thakkar 020 8998 0888 / 020 8248 5785

%" #(' % & ('

*$& $&

! ' ! & #

!4756)(

'

&0)

(

Jaspal Minhas says the Association will support only the govt. that supports small businesses Leicestershire Asian Business Association (LABA) has urged political parties to have a relook at the recent Health Act passed by the government which, among other things bans the display of tobacco products, including cigarettes in stores.

Jaspal Minhas, president of LABA has said in a press release that the move will hurt the small businesses, the corner shops as cigarettes are one of the mainstay products for sale at the corner shops.

He has gone to the extent of exhorting the parties to reconsider the

pressure to stay in business. The British Asian business communities have been totally bypassed by Regional Development Agencies in term of business support, opportunities and diversification. LABA will support the political party that supports our members, the corner shops, small businesses and local communities. We will not give up in our quest to change this regulation or any other that unduly hurts our members interests.

We urge the future government to review this regulation as a matter of urgency.

shop.

The cigarettes are normally stored at the back wall behind the counter where will they go?

Implementing the display ban is costly as shops will need to be refitted to stock cigarettes in a place not visible to customers.

Which bank nowadays is going to lend the corner shop thousands of pounds to refit their store when there is no return on the investment? I think we all know the answer!

He added that there are many more issues about the Act. Our members are already under enough

North Indian market will be crowded by the time HEML goes on stream next year HEML (HPCL -Mittal Energy) would have to consider exporting fuels produced from the 9 million tonne oil refinery to Pakistan, as there is little possibility for them to market the products in North Indian markets.

Those would be almost saturated by the time the Mittal jv goes on stream in 2011.

Indian Oil

Corporation (IOC), the country’s retail giant in the petroleum sector has two refineries in the region, at Mathura and Panipat. They have plans to raise the capacity of the Panipat refinery from 12 mn tonne to 15 mn tonne by September this year. This situation will make it difficult for HMEL to sell fuels in the vicinity of the facility.

Tyring to sell products at far off locations in the Indian market is not an attractive business proposition, hence the option for exploring the Pakistan possibility.

Both the partners in the project are aware of the political sensitivity linked to the possibility.

A senior official from the ArcelorMittal, Sudhir Maheshwari opined that

Pakistan is a natural export market is it is in proximity to the refinery.

Though, the company is still in very early stages of looking at various marketing options.

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited – HPCL and ArcelorMittal hold 49% each, while rest 2% stake is with Indian financial institutions in this joint venture.

Tata – Tesco, other wholesale trade JVs in trouble Revised Indian FDI norms likely to derail plans for all players India spelt new norms for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) recently for wholesale trade. The norms have spelt trouble for major plans that were in the pipeline. Bharti group of Sunil Mittal owned had plans to start a jv with WalMart, Future group of Kishore Biyani was moving ahead to partner French major Carrefour, while the Tata group had plans to set up business in collaboration with Tesco of UK. The companies are now seeking help, interpretation of lawyers and consultants to try and fully understand the implications of the new norms, while there are a section of lawyers who feel that the revised norms will definitely create uncertainty for investors in the retail sector.

The new rules, issued by the industry ministry

$

%

move and said small business owners will support, endorse on that party which will help and support the small businesses.

Minhas said, “Our future government needs to support the corner shop, to help them and other small businesses grow. Regulations should not make life more difficult – they should make it easier.

One topic the future government needs to consider is cigarettes, a controversial product and LABA condemns smoking, but a product that is important for the livelihoods of every corner

Pakistan likely to benefit from HPCL-Mittal’s Bathinda refinery

,

)'($" &'

(

LABA wants the Government to have a relook at the cigarette ban issue

" "

on March 31, say sales to 'group companies' should not exceed 25% of a cash & carry company’s turnover and should only be for 'internal use'.

But the main irritant is the 25% cap on sales to group companies because some agreements had been structured so that cash & carry companies owned by foreign investors sell the bulk of their goods to Indian-owned retailers selling to consumers.

India allows foreigners to own 100% in companies carrying out wholesale trade but prohibits FDI in retailers selling to consumers.

Foreignowned wholesale traders can sell to shops and restaurants or other retailers but not to individual buyers.

According to a senior official in the department of industrial promotion &

$& !! ,$)&

#

#

policy (Dipp), the new guidelines are clear and will not be changed.

“There will be no exceptions. A wholesale/cash & carry business will not be allowed to supply more than 25% to its group company. This has been done to ensure front-end retail doesn’t come in the garb of the wholesale business,” the official said.

The Tata Group has contractual arrangements with British retail giant Tesco and Australian company Woolworths.

The detailed guidelines follow apprehensions expressed by the consumer affairs ministry and a parliamentary committee that 100% FDI in wholesale trade could give foreign retailers a foothold in the domestic retail market in the garb of wholesale. The parliamentary standing committee on commerce

$24/(8-() ! $24/(8-()

9

"

9 ! "

$)& &

had sought a total ban on foreign investment in the retail segment.

FDI in LLP may be facilitated Commerce and Industry minister Anand Sharma, recently also said the government may make some changes in FDI norms in relation to investments in Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) entities. The aim behind the proposed move is aimed at improving flow of FDI in India.

LLPs are a fast emerging new form of business structure - a hybrid of companies and partnership firms, which allow unlimited number of partners in an entity with liabilities are restricted to the extent of the stakes held by them.

Since it is a new form of ownership, the government is yet to form guidelines for this structure.

& $#

'

#( $)#'!$* )' # '' , $)#'!$* ! ' +

!

$#(

(

&

!)/

4&1',

**-')

%($# $# $#

#

$& '(

!)/ 0&-/ 7.5&/)5 *-456*/-+,6 1)6 888 *-456*/-+,6)7423) '20

(

finAnciAl voice

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

15

Anish Kapoor to design iconic visitor attraction for Olympic Park The Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Lakshmi Mittal, Chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal, unveiled the artist and design chosen to create a spectacular new visitor attraction in the Olympic Park.

Award winning London-based artist Anish Kapoor has been given the commission of a lifetime to design the spectacular new public attraction in the Olympic Park. The stunning artwork, to be entitled ‘The ArcelorMittal Orbit’, will ensure the Park remains an unrivalled visitor destination following the 2012 Games, providing the key Olympic legacy Mayor of London Boris Johnson envisaged for the East End. The breathtaking sculpture – thought to be the tallest in the UK - will consist of a continuous looping lattice of tubular steel. Standing at a gigantic 115m, it will be 22m taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York and offer unparalleled views of the entire 250 acres of the Olympic Park and London’s skyline from a special viewing platform.

Visitors will be able to take a trip up the statuesque structure in a huge lift and will have the option of walking down the spiralling staircase.

One of the world's most distinguished contemporary artists, Turner Prize winning Anish Kapoor studied in London, where he is now based. He is well known for his use of rich pigment and imposing, yet popular works, such as the vast, fleshy and trumpet-like Marsyas, which filled the Tate's Turbine Hall as part of the Unilever Series, the giant reflecting, pod like sculpture Cloud Gate in Chicago's Millennium Park and his recent record Boris Johnson, Lakshmi Mittal, breaking show at the Royal Academy, the most successful exhirenowned for their ambibition ever presented by a tious, large-scale public art contemporary artist in projects.

London.

ArcelorMittal will fund Anish Kapoor’s proup to £16million of the posal has been developed £19.1million project with in collaboration with one the outstanding £3.1 milof the world’s leading lion provided by the structural designers, Cecil London Development Balmond of Arup.

Agency. The unveiling Balmond, who trained and also marks ArcelorMittal’s lives in London, is known announcement to become for his innovative work on a tier two sponsor of the some of the greatest conOlympic and Paralympic temporary buildings in the Games, to support the world, such as the CCTV infrastructure and success building in Beijing, as well of 2012. as numerous Serpentine The Mayor of London Gallery pavilion commisBoris Johnson and the sions. The two began Olympics Minister Tessa working together on the Jowell agreed the commisMarsyas project in 2002 sion in partnership with and have become Mr Mittal after bringing

spectacle in east London that will be recognised around the world. I’m thrilled that when visitors from every corner of the globe plan trips to our must see attractions they will now eagerly include the ArcelorMittal Orbit! It will be an internationally acclaimed family attraction and I would like to thank Mr Mittal for his generous support.

Anish Kapoor's inspired art work will truly encapsuAnish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond photo courtesy: James O. Jenkins late the energy and spirit of London during the Games together a panel from the and as such will become art and design world to the perfect iconic cultural advise on a long list of prolegacy.” posals. Anish Kapoor’s Lakshmi Mittal, CEO team made an outstanding of ArcelorMittal, comproposal that would be mented: “The Olympic accessible and leave a fitGames are one of the few ting 2012 legacy. truly iconic global events.

Anish Kapoor said: 'I I was immediately excited am deeply honoured to be by the prospect of invited to undertake this ArcelorMittal becoming challenging commission. I involved because am particularly attracted ArcelorMittal is a global to it because of the opporcompany with operations tunity to involve members in more than 60 countries. of the public in a particuAnd as someone who lives larly close and personal in this great city, I rememway. It is the commission ber the great excitement of a lifetime.' felt when it was London Mayor Boris announced that London Johnson said: ''Long after had been selected to host the Games are over our the 2012 Olympic and aim is to have a stunning

THINK AGAIN You might not have considered a career with the Prison Service before, but now is the time to think about what you could do for our organisation and what we could do for you. We’re committed to being a truly inclusive employer.

We champion diversity and recognise the heritage of our people.

Discover an opportunity worth thinking about. www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/av We are committed to promoting the benefits of a diverse workforce

Paralympic Games. We set out to create a transformational piece of art that will be an iconic symbol for the Olympics and also a new landmark that will endure long after the Games themselves. Everyone at ArcelorMittal is delighted with the outcome of the ArcelorMittal Orbit.

London will have a bold, beautiful and magnificent sculpture that also showcases the great versatility of steel.”

The attraction will stand in the southern part of the Olympic Park between the Stadium and Aquatics Centre and will open in time for the 2012 Games. After completion, the Olympic Park Legacy Company will take ownership and run the visitor attraction.

Minister for the Olympics and London Tessa Jowell said: “This stunning structure will become a new iconic London landmark towering 115 metres into the London skyline. Alongside the Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre, Anish Kapoor’s brilliant design will be like to honey to bees for the millions of tourists that visit London each year. Having been involved in this project from the outset, I’m now looking forward to seeing it go from a great idea into a brilliant reality.”

16

fInanCIal voice

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Alpesh Patel’s Political Sketchbook: Of Immigration, Innovation and Inspiration ‘We need more jobs and fewer immigrants’ – that pretty much summarises the view of the three main political parties.

Sounds logical.

Well they’ve got a big problem then, because that’s impossible.

“Between 1980 and 2005, virtually all net new jobs created in the US were created by firms that were 5 years old or less. That is about 40 million jobs. Established firms created no new net jobs during that period”.

This is a quote from an outstanding piece in the New York Times this week by Friedman, who wrote the book The World is Flat which talks much of India and outsourcing.

The point: If you want to create jobs then bank bailouts ain’t the way to go. You need new companies. And you need them now. You need them so they can pay taxes, to pay down our national debt, to pay pension contributions.

But jobs come from new companies. From start-ups. And where are these start-ups going to come from? They come from entrepreneurs. And you can either grow entrepreneurs through our schooling (we haven’t got the time), or you import them – immigrants.

And you don’t attract risk-taking entrepreneurial job-creating entrepreneurs by taxing them to death and bashing immigrants.

‘Britain’s borders are open – open to talented proven risk-taking entrepreneurs’ should be the

political message.

Because long-after May 6th when the domestic audience is no longer listening, the rest of the world will remember the words which will be spoken by our political masters this month. And if those words are purely for winning the election by immigrant bashing, then they will inherit the short-term prize and lose the long-term reward.

Why do immigrants so often succeed? The readers of this paper for instance? Because you do not travel 7000 miles only to fail. Immigration self-selects risk-takers.

Risk-taking entrepreneurs create new companies which create jobs.

But you know what else creates jobs with immigration? Foreign students studying at our Universities. So what’s the last thing you want to do? Kill University funding. It’s almost as if periodically Britain decides to write a suicide note. Things get a little good and it’s time for a death-wish. The late 70s were one period, as were the early 90s.

Friedman notes the ‘job-creators’ visa – create a certain number of jobs, and you get leave to remain in the country. I visit India every two months to look for high growth intellectual property rich Indian companies to establish in the UK to go global from here. It’s a tough job because India has growth approaching 10%. Why would they want to go global from here? Because we still in the UK have a competi-

Pallonji Mistry of India is Ireland’s richest man

An important stake holder in the Tata group, Pallonji Mistry, a veteran Indian businessman is at the top of Ireland’s rich list with assets worth £ 3.9 billion.

P a l l o n j i Mistry became a citizen of Ireland as he married an Irish lady in 2003.

The Septuagenarian has other business interests in India, particularly in real estate, heavy industries, tea, cars and hotel business also.

Mistry is believed to be

Pallonji Mistry

holding an 18.4% stake in Tata Sons, the holding company of the well known Tata group of India.

tive advantage; research facilities, access to the EU, skilled employees, access to capital. Each of those advantages is vanishing fast.

Get the entrepreneurial immigrants in here quick; keep up University funding, slash the cost of new jobs in new companies.

Raise NI if you want.

But for god’s sake don’t raise it on new companies. Make it cheap to employ people. If they earn a wage, they will spend a wage. Combat illegal immigration, but flood the country with entrepreneurs, open the floodgates, let them pour in and let prosperity reign.

Remember: ‘Britain’s borders are open – open to talented proven risk-taking entrepreneurs who will create companies and jobs.’

The columnist hails from Karamsad and is a former Visiting Fellow at Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

He read Philosophy, Politics, Economics at St Anne’s College, Oxford when he also interned in the US Congress during the Clinton administration, read Law at King’s College, London, qualifying as a barrister. He is a former Bloomberg TV presenter and Financial Times columnist with 250+ columns published in the FT and author of 13 books on business and the markets.

He is the founder Praefinium Partners – a global Asset Management company.

A.patel@praefinium.com

Rising demand in West pushes Indian exports Indian exports registered a sharp spurt in exports in February, as demand in western countries witnessed a revival.

Following the rise, the government also decided to give a special incentive for 200 items for their exports to the USA and the Europe. Such items include electronics, engineering, agro products and apparels.

R S Gujaral, India’s DGFT said exports from the country are expected at a level of US$ 169 billion for the year 2009-10 (April to March), as against exports worth US$ 185 billion a year ago.

Quality for Community Mayank S. Rawal, FCQI CQP

Outsourcing Outsourcing is a way of moving or delegating an organization’s operations to a third party, in order to realize better benefits and services. It is basically about obtaining a service from an external source under agreed contractual terms and conditions (E.g.

Service level agreement), a service which may not be feasible to achieve inhouse. Outsourcing has over recent years become a buzz word linked with outsourced services such as Call centers etc.

A Community organization outsourcing operations would be known as the Customer, and the third party providing the Outsourced service would be known as the Supplier. Some of the typical activities which could be Outsourced include; finance operations, administration duties, community centre maintenance services, catering services, Information technology.

Normally core activities are retained, and non-core activities are Outsourced.

Some of the benefits of Outsourcing include; More availability of

M a n a g e m e n t Committee’s time to allow them to focus on core objectives of the organization. Reduced administration costs, in order to obtain further funding, and gaining access to new capabilities which may not be available internally.

The other side of the outsourcing coin, in terms of handing over responsibility, is the risk of loosing control which needs to be carefully monitored by the community organization.

In selecting an appropriate outsourced supplier, there are various consideration factors or act as a criteria to control the final decision ; Nature of the activity: If the activity is critical to an organizations core values, the organization will prefer to outsource as little as possible.

Cost: The Supplier’s prices should be effective enough to allow the organization a reasonable cost saving.

Previous Experience: The Supplier should have previous experience in working with similar projects and activities, and have delivered satis-

factory results. Verifying references help the Community organization understand the Supplier’s competency and capability.

Resources: The Supplier should have the resource capability and competency that are not available to the Community organization.

Contract terms: The Suppliers terms and conditions should be flexible to allow the Community organization to make allowable adjustments.

In any case the Supplier’s commitment to deliver should remain strong.

Location: The Supplier’s location should be conveniently placed to deliver the desired activity.

Cultural alignment: The Supplier should be aware and understand the cultural values and working practices of the organization, and be able to respect relevant faith principles.

All knowledge and experience gained from the Supplier should feed into the Community Organization’s Continuous improvement process.

Codemasters of UK to sell stake to Reliance Indian gaming major decides to acquire 50% shares Reliance Big Entertainment, an ADAG group company and owners of Zapak, India’s biggest gaming brand has announced that it will acquire a 50% stake in Codemasters, a UK based company, also in the gaming business. Though the companies have not disclosed the amount involved in the deal, sources close to the companies say Codemasters currently has a valuation of US$ 200 to 300 million.

Codemasters has revenue of over $150 million and holds major franchises in cricket and racing games, among others. The remaining 50 per cent stake is with European venture capital firm Balderton Capital, which had first invested in Codemasters in 2005.

Reliance Big's gaming division Zapak Digital Entertainment will oversee the said investment in Codemasters, the state-

ment added.

Zapak's strength in mobile gaming will enhance Codemasters' ability to fully leverage its attractive franchises such as its racing and cricket games, he added.

"The opportunities arising from this partnership are truly exciting.

Reliance and Zapak have immense resources and will help us realise the full potential of our game coding and online excellence and especially in the world's fastest growing markets," Codemasters Chief Executive Rod Cousens said.

The Warwickshireh e a d q u a r t e r e d Codemasters has presence in Germany, France,

Spain, and the Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) markets. The company currently employs over 450 people across the world.

In the US, Codemasters has a tie-up with Warner Brothers which distributes the England-based firm's products in the North American nations.

With over 100 gaming cafes under the brand-Zapak GamePlex--Zapak is one of the largest chains of online gaming in India.

It also has over 5,000 retail outlets for its licensing and merchandising arm.

Zapak's global publishing and online entertainment developing division-Jump Games-- has distribution networks in 40 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America.

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

17

Property Focus Suresh Vagjiani Managing Director of Sow & Reap, a Property Investment & Financing company.

Use your kids to invest The recent budget announcement for a stamp duty holiday for first time buyers for purchases up to £250,000 is a welcome boost to the housing market.

The time is now ripe for picking properties.

For the first time after many years you can purchase positive cash flow properties.

Although this incentive should not be the reason to invest, it certainly is a cherry on the pie.

It is important to note this is only a two year holiday and is not permanent. It is unclear how this would be monitored, how do you know who is a first time buyer and who is not?

The Council of Mortgage Lenders warned that the stamp duty concession "looks like a tax loophole waiting to happen" due to the difficulties in monitoring which buyers are new to the property market.

This concession is

being balanced by a rise in the level of stamp duty payable for £1m properties which has risen to 5%.

This information is currently not mentioned on the HMRC website, only the old scales exist.

Potentially each property if bought in the correct way will save up to £2,500.

Many are not aware of the guarantor mortgages available on the market which means the property can be in one name but the mortgage can be held in another.

These are designed specifically to help first time buyers on to the ladder. The person who is purchasing the property can be a student without any income what so ever.

This is perfect for those whose children are going to university and save money on rent as well as cashing in on the student rental sector which has not been so affected by the recent events. If this

does not fit we even have buy to let mortgages available for first time buyers.

We have recently sourced a rental property for one of our clients for £245,000 which is currently producing an income of £370pw and has the potential to be converted to a two bedroom and be producing £495pw post conversion . So there are good deals to be had in this market which are in strong locations AND produce positive cash flow.

The property guru also knows of some great insider tips especially for stamp duty saving for properties over £500,000.

So this may be a great way for families to take the plunge and start their kids on the property ladder.

Back from the dead We are currently working on a deal described in one of my previous articles which I thought was dead and gone. But now has been reincarnated back into our lives again.

The reason was it had been exchanged by someone else two days before we were due to complete. It is rare when a property has been exchanged that you get another bite at the apple, but that is exactly what has happened. When contracts are exchanged normally a 10% deposit is put across to the seller’s solicitor and this sale becomes legally binding. Hence it is rare someone would put down such a large sum of money and not be in a position to complete. But this is what seems to have happened.

The back ground was very convoluted to begin with.

It all started when I meet a Jewish property developer who in the course of his dealings amassed a property portfolio worth £90million. This was at the height of the property bubble and now he is bankrupt, a product of the credit crunch.

He was in the middle of a few developments in prime sites around London when he was threatened with bankruptcy from a seller whose deal he exchanged but failed to complete due to lack of funding.

He thought he would save them the trouble and instead bankrupted himself.

The properties we were interested in are a row of four freehold mews houses with an end value of £3m and a purchase price of £1.5m with a refurbishment cost of £350,000. The properties were in the hands of the receivers; not wanting to approach the receivers we decided the safest route to ensure we get these properties would be to come in as mortgagees.

This means we would act in the same way as a bank and the person who owns the property would be paying everything back

to his lenders and taking us on as his new lenders. Simply he would be remortgaging. This means we do not have to make an offer for the property nor will we be paying any stamp duty as this is not a purchase.

However the lender knowing the lucrative nature of the site opted to instead use it to offset another development they had also lent money on to the same borrower. The lender had taken cross guarantees. The other site had more variables as it is a block of flats without planning permission and not as lucrative as the mews houses. So any loss in selling the other site would be offset on the gains on the mews houses.

Otherwise if sold the lender would not be allowed to keep the extra gains and would have to disperse them to the relevant creditors.

This borrower likes to do things back to front. So typically he converts properties and then applies for planning permission and fights it through to the end.

The property in question was a HMO in west Hampstead which had been converted from a single house to seven flats.

He then decided to apply for the planning. The council declined the application on the grounds it was a HMO and they wished to keep it as such to meet the needs of the borough. He appealed on the appeal, it was discovered it actually had been granted permission to have three flats and that this planning had been loosely implemented. Therefore it was not a HMO and had never been one. So the planning officer held it was indeed three flats.

The above deal has now been stripped as it has been sold and completed and now it’s just the mews houses for sale in isolation which always was the preferred option.

Call Sow & Reap now for guidance on how and where to purchase for optimum investment.

n Mortgages n Commercial Finance n Property Sourcing n Gujarat Properties - Sale & Resale T: 0207 706 0187 F: 0203 014 8484

E: info@sowandreap.co.uk W: www.sowandreap.co.uk

31 Southwick Street, Paddington, W2 1JQ Registered in England No. 05083823

18

www.abplgroup.com

asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

by

Any ques tions

SwatI bhan

Life style

write t o ma mta@abp lgroup.com

by Mamta bhatia, Psychologist

Natural remedies for athlete’s foot Moist and damp conditions are suitable for the growth of the fungus causing athlete’s foot.

They mostly occur on feet because shoes and commonly visited places like swimming pool, showers, bathrooms and so on provides the suitable environment for the fungus to grow. You can get infected by sharing socks or shoes with an infected person.

Sometimes you may get infected through pets because they carry the fungus on their fur.

• Prepare a solution of water and white vinegar – one part of white vinegar to four part of water; soak your feet for 20 to 30 minutes twice day. Sprinkle some baking soda between your toe fingers and rinse your feet after fifteen minutes. It is as effective as an expensive antifungal powder. Rub tea tree oil between your toe fingers, it has antifungal properties. For immediate relief from itching or burning, soak your feet in an antiseptic mouthwash like Listerine. Corn starch is effective in soaking moisture, so keep your toe fingers dry by sprinkling some corn

starch on them • Avoid eating baked products and products that have high yeast content in them. Avoid alcohol, sugar, cola drinks and grains. Eat a healthy and a balanced diet, avoid processed foods. Your diet must include fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables. Avoid fried and greasy food. Garlic

has a good antifungal property, eat raw garlic or include it in your diet.

• Always keep your feet dry. Use hair dryer to dry your feet rather than towels. Use some antiperspirant to keep your toe fingers dry.

Use antifungal powder rather than antifungal cream. Use cotton socks. Clean your shoes from inside using a paper or a cotton

cloth. Use only natural fiber footwear. Use mild soaps and avoid deodorant soap.

• It is very important to stop the progress and the spreading of the infection as it might create further severe problems. A natural

athletes foot remedy is to apply baking soda.

Take a tablespoon of baking soda apply it directly on the infected area. This practice should be done at least three times in a day for about two weeks.

• Another athletes foot remedy is the application of a garlic extract called Ajoene. This compound is considered to be very helpful in the speedy recovery of athlete's foot.

The extract can either be applied on the affected area or con-

sumed at least twice in a day by mixing it in the meals. Application of hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol on the infection is also an effective athletes foot home remedy.

Urinating on the infected area is considered to be one of the valuable athletes foot natural remedies. The compound present in the urine clears the fungus and alleviates the symptoms. The feet should not stay wet for a longer period of time as fungus usually grows in moist situations. The feet should remain dry at all times.

You can either use a dry towel or a hair dryer for drying the feet. Wear thin cotton socks instead of thick nylon. Thin socks will make your feet sweat less and also free from odor. These are considered to be some of the most effective athletes foot home remedies.

• Aromatherapy is also a surefire method of curbing athlete's foot.

Add two to three drops of thyme oil, geranium oil and tea tree oil on the affected area twice in a day. You can add three to four drops of these oils in a vessel of warm water and soak your feet in it for 15 to 20 minutes. The area will heal completely in a period of five to six days. Witch hazel is a well known herbal remedy for athletes foot.

Witch hazel should be added to your meals or beverages for at least four days and you will see a remarkable improvement. Homeopathy is also known to be very instrumental for the cure of athlete's foot. It is also very important to clear the dead skin, as the fungus might appear again. In case the infection rises to an intense level, it is highly recommended to consult a doctor immediately. Athlete's foot natural remedies are free from side effects and can be taken by people of all age groups.

Develop Confidence Today!

Everyone likes to feel good so why do we allow knocks to our confidence and what is the best way to bounce back? Read the tips below and have confidence, always.

You are born with two fears in life, falling over and loud noises. Every other fear you have is learnt and man made. So when you notice yourself stepping back for whatever insecurity, remember what you fear you have created, so erase it and step forward. When you lack confidence think of times you were strong go back to those times in your mind remember how good that felt as you visualise that moment again.

Experience the emotions you felt and let them come back to you. Know that thinking like this creates your pot of confidence that you can always come back to whenever you need.

Allow yourself to feel these emotions again.

Don’t feel bad or guilty

for wanting to feel good, this is your right and this is what you deserve.

Stop relying on the approval of others to justify who you are, what you are and how you choose to live your life.

When you use the opinion of others as a barometer of your self worth, you are at their mercy.

Humans have millions of opinions which mean they are prone to being fickle. No one knows you better then you.

Revise your strengths and stand up tall. No one is perfect, remember your strengths always.

List all the reasons why you are great and read this morning, day and night. See it and believe it. Develop a thick skin and start to send out positive vibes when you feel doubtful or negative.

All you need is a minute to close your eyes and think about the impact that you want to create, see yourself creating this impact and create a vision to aspire to.

Try to create this vision through pictures; this is called a vision board.

Google this concept, find out more and see examples. If you look at this everyday you will find that it gives you focus, meditate on this vision for no less then 10 minutes, soon your vision will become reality.

If you want to further develop your confidence, get in touch with me: Mamta at think spa London dot com. In June I will be running an intimate confidence building session to really help you develop your self worth so you can embrace your life and handle graciously any situation you are presented with. You will also develop the skills to deal with any type of person with any personality so that you can be strong and present in all situations. If you want a session in your town do express your interest.

Good luck and believe in yourself because if you don’t nobody else will.

Katirikka Rasavangi

into paste. Add a little water if blade gets stuck.

Remove from jar and wash it out with water and save this.

Ingredients • One Bhima eggplant (Brinjal) • 1/2 tbsp tamarind paste • 1 1/2 tspn coriander seeds • 1 tspn chana dal • 3-4 dried red chillies • 4 tbsp coconut (dry will do but fresh is better) • 1/2 cup cooked toovar dal (with turmeric) • 1/2 tspn mustard seeds • a pinch asafoetida • curry leaves • A little oil for roasting and seasoning • salt to taste

Preparation Cube eggplant. In about a cup of water dissolve the tamcon paste.

Set on stove, add eggplant to tamarind water, a little turmeric, salt and let cook until eggplant is done but has not lost its shape.

In a pan with very little oil roast red chillies, coriander seeds, chana dal and asafoetida. When you can get the aroma of roasted coriander or the red chillies have turned a dark, dark red remove from heat and let cool.

Throw into blender with coconut, add 3 tbsp water and grind slowly

Mash cooked dal with a spoon until blended and add to cooked eggplant. Now add the coconut paste and its water. Keep on low heat till it starts to simmer a little. Take off heat.

Season with spluttering mustard seeds and curry leaves.

Variations: You can throw in a handful of chick peas from a can into this, thin it out somewhat and have it as katirikka sambar.

Alternately, you can make the cooked dal with half toor and half chana dal, in which case you should not cook until mashed. Remove a trifle before it gets fully done.

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

www.abplgroup.com

19

Abhi reports to wife Ash on his activities

I’m the brand ambassador of India, says Aamir Bollywood star Aamir Khan steered clear of the controversy over superstar Amitabh Bachchan endorsing Gujarat, saying he is the brand ambassador of whole of India.

When asked whether he would become the ambassador of any state if he is asked to, the actor replied, "I endorse Incredible India, so I am the brand ambassador of the whole country.”

The actor has been a prominent face of the ''Incredible India'' campaign which promotes tourism in the country.

The actor was in New Delhi for an off-camera

interaction with the Broadcast Editor’'s Association, after which he spoke to the media where he was asked to comment on Bachchan being the ambassador of a state to promote its tourism.

"I don’t think I should comment on that," the actor told reporters. The 45-year-old actor also said he is not against the idea of Bollywood actors becoming politicians.

"An actor is a citizen of the country. He also has the right to the freedom of expression just like other people," he said.

Aamir said that the

interaction with the Broadcast Editors was an opportunity for him to understand the media and was a learning experience for him. "Perhaps I have been a bit judgmental about the media earlier.

When you go deep into a profession you understand its problems. There is a good and a bad to everything.

What is appreciable is the sincere effort to improve," said Aamir.

When asked whether he would make a film on the media ever, the actorturned filmmaker said," Why not?

Sanjay Dutt gets a court notice in ‘jhappi-pappi’ case

Hrithik Roshan faces the music for ‘Kites’ When the word was finally leaked out that Hrithik Roshan had crooned for his latest offering, “Kites,” the fans obviously were eager to hear him.

He admits that he had tried to improve his singing skills and was nervous when it came to singing. Apparently he is also worried by the audience

reaction!

"It was time to face the music, literally!" the actor says. "I have tried to sing for ‘Kites’ and the idea was to be honest to the grammar and hence there is no lip-syncing involved here. I was quite embarrassed and obviously nervous. I am hoping that I will not be judged by the telecast sound quality, " he adds.

The actor usually looks up to his director dad for

Riteish Deshmukh refuses to kiss Jacqueline Riteish Deshmukh recently refused to kiss his costar Jacqueline Fernandes while shooting for their upcoming flick ‘Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai’ as the actor follows the principles of Shah Rukh Khan and firmly believes in ‘nokissing policy’ in films.

A source said, "Riteish has always adopted a nokiss policy for all his films.

This time, too, for ‘Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai,’ he refused to kiss Jacqueline even for a crucial scene.

Director Milap Zaveri is one of Riteish`s closest friends and was beseeching him to kiss Jackie but Ritiesh remained adamant. It was the climax scene when Riteish

and Jackie realise their love for each other. The kiss was symbolic of taking their relationship further."

When quizzed Riteish Deshmukh on his no-kissing rule, the actor quipped, "It’s true that I

don`t like kissing in films.

I have been asked to kiss in many of my films but have always refused. I am a very shy person and kissing is too intimate and personal an act for me to do in front of millions of eyes. I am not comfortable doing it. I can’t be detached while kissing someone on screen."

"When Milap told me about kissing Jackie during the climax I told him that I won`t kiss and would rather avoid it completely. But somehow he didn`t believe what I said and throughout our shooting kept asking if I would do the scene and I kept telling him that I will think about it," he said.

Director Dibakar brings home a bundle of joy Saturday, 27 March was a very special and auspicious day in the life of the “Love Sex Aur Dhokha” director Dibakar Banerjee.

On that day Dibakar and his wife Richa brought home an adopted little daughter. Thus ended months of paper work, interviews and crosschecking before a reputed orphanage in Mumbai allowed the couple the right to adopt a child.

On Saturday as the couple bundled the little girl in their car. Dibakar said, “Yes today our adopted daughter is com-

ing home. We've named her Ira. We switched off completely from the world over the weekend to get to know our daughter.”

Dibakar has in fact been grappling with the

long and winding procedure for adoption while making the quirky and well received “Love Sex Aur Dhokha” (LSD).

He was in and out of the orphanage practically every day even while doing post-production work on his film during the night.

Incidentally Dibakar Banerjee is the second director to adopt a child. Two years ago Nikhil Advani adopted a baby girl Keya.

Subhash Ghai too has an adoptive daughter.

Abhishek Bachchan is the coolest husband in B-town.

Heard the actor gives his superstar wife, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a blow-by-blow account of how his day is progressing.

He not only calls her at lunch breaks and chai breaks, he also tells her the high points of his shoot. And, sources say that if he is doing media interviews... he even tells wifey dear which journalist he has just finished talking to. No wonder every other star wife is jealous of Ash. Some of their husbands just grunt when their wives call them.

opinions and acting advise. This time around he had his uncle there to guide and tutor him.

Music composer Rajesh Roshan is touted to be usually brutal with his opinion but before he could say anything postrelease the audience has already passed a judgment!

They have fallen for it hook, line and sinker and are praising Hrithik for his singing.

An Uttar Pradesh court has summoned Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt to appear before it on April 24 in the case filed against him for his "jadoo ki jhappi and pappi" (magical hug and kiss) remark on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati during last year’s Lok Sabha elections. Chief Judicial Magistrate Anirudh Kumar Tewari issued the summons for Dutt’s appearance when the chargesheet filed in the case came up before the court.

The sub-inspector of police, who had investigated the FIR lodged in this connection on April 16, 2009 at the Nagar Kotwali against the actor, had filed the chargesheet before the CJM on March 18, prosecution sources said. The police officer who was made the investigating officer had also gone to Mumbai to meet the actor but failed after which he prepared the chargesheet on the basis of the newspaper cuttings and statements of local people in February and it was filed in the court last month.

20

www.abplgroup.com

Shruti confirms role in Surya–Murugadoss film Shruti Hassan has confirmed her role in f o r t h c o m i n g Surya–Murugadoss film. She met director Murugadoss, hero Surya and music director Harris Jayaraj and discussed many things related to her role in this yet to be titled film.

According to the sources, Murgadoss gave her a narration of her role in the film which she was quite impressed.

Also the director wants her to sing all the songs that will be picturised on her.

Already she sang a super

hit song ‘Adiye Kolluthey…’ in Vaaranam Aayiram in Harris music. Now Harris also willing to give all the songs to Shruti in this film.

Trisha speaks on her future plans!

Tollywood Reigning actress Trisha is working hard on her Bollywood debut “Khatta Meetha” opposite Akshay Kumar directed by her mentor Priyadarshan.

We also hear that the actress has doled out innumerable dates for her B-town debut. “I spared 120 days for the film, since Priyadarshan works very fast in comparison to other Bollywood filmmakers. He has wrapped up most of the shooting; we only have a 15-day schedule left,” Trisha said to a leading English daily.

“Akshay’s known to have great comic timing, I think even my comic timing is good as I have done lots of Tamil and Telugu comeflicks. dy Besides c o m e d y, film the its has of share emotional moments too. Working Akshay with has been a pleasant experience, he has been good a teacher. I h a v e learnt a lot from him,” she added.

About her threedeal film with Akshay Kumar, she “Of revealed, course. I have to

for film another do production Akshay’s house, either with him or some other actor.”

Trisha Interestingly hasn’t signed a single Tollywood project in 2010.

Is she planning to give up Tollywood? She chirps in quickly, “Nothing of that sort. Tollywood has been treating me great, so I don’t need a break. I couldn’t do Ravi Teja’s film since it got postponed and my dates went unused in February and March. Now they want dates in April but I had already allotted those dates to my Hindi film Khatta Meetha and Kamal sir’s new Tamil film.” Trisha says she’s going to bounce back in Tollywood very soon with a big-ticket entertainer.

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

National award has not changed my life, says Priyanka Chopra Priyanka Chopra has won the top honour of the country but she insists that the accolade has not made much difference to her life.

“It has made me nervous, excited and happy, but changed my life? No, not really, ” Priyanka said in an interview.

The 27-year-old actress, who won the honour for her role in 'Fashion', is one of the youngest stars in the industry to have bagged a National award.

“I've reached this level on my own and when people say I am one of the youngest to get this award, that feels good. People generally win a National award after a lot of experience, but I have spent only a few years in the industry. It is a great sense of achievement and pride, ” she added.

Nervous and excited she might be, but the award has not put any burden on the actress.

Priyanka is not afraid that she would have to live up to the expectations of critics and fans now that she has won the award.

“I live life on my own terms and try to push the envelope by taking up different kinds of films. My forthcoming 'Anjana Anjaani' is a romantic film, 'Saat Khoon Maaf' is with Vishal Bhardwaj, then 'Don 2' will be an action flick. I like mixing up my roles, surprising people and myself, ” said Priyanka.

Vidya Balan speaks about Indian cinema at Wharton

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan, who was recently invited to the Wharton School in Pennsylvania to be part of the 14th Wharton India Economic Forum, showcased the high points of Indian cinema there.

The 32-year-old was invited to speak on globalization of mainstream Indian cinema.

'Vidya spoke on how mainstream Indian cinema is going global in every way possible as

international production houses including Warner Brothers and Disney are producing Indian films. And how Indian movies are being watched in over 90 countries and are consistently recognised across international film festivals,' said a source.

Vidya was part of a panel that dis-

cussed the achievements, shortcomings and future prospects of the Indian film industry as it scales new global heights.

Others on the panel included Anil Kapoor, Shankar Mahadevan and Namit Malhotra.

The actress, who has been part of successful films like 'Parineeta', 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' and 'Paa', is currently working on 'Chenab Gandhi' and 'No One Killed Jessica'.

Rakhi wins battle against Censor Board In a turnaround of sorts, Rakhi Sawant and IshQ Bector have emerged victorious in their battle against the Censor Board.

The jhagdes finally seem to have ended (hopefully) as the Board's Revising Committee has lifted the ban on the word 'kamine' in the duo's controversial music video 'Bhoot' from the album 'Jhagde', which they produced together.

It can be recalled that when the Board had asked the producers to bleep out the word 'kamine' from the video, Rakhi and IshQ had sent them a legal notice, questioning their decision.

Inspite of the victory over the issue, lyricist-singer-composer

IshQ Bector isn't quite happy. “The Censor Board is a whimsical body with outdated minds” he fumes, and adds, “They pass an entire film called 'Kaminey' and clear a hundred-and-fifty dialogues with the word. But when it comes to my lyrics, they throw a tantrum.”

“This is not the first time the Censor Board has shown this sort of silly bias, reflecting double standards. They did it with my video of 'Aye Hip Hopper' too. They suggest frivolous cuts almost every time I send a video for clearance.

In the past too, many producers have been victims of their

arbitrary diktats. Justice has prevailed this time, but I will not hesitate to take legal action again, if they unnecessarily trouble me in future, ” he threatens.

Vidya Malvade wants to be a hot item girl Vidya Malvade, who is playing a young professor-cum-author in Kabir Sadanand's upcoming film "Tum Milo Toh Sahi", is very keen to do an item number.

"Dancing is my first love and that's not just something I enjoy. But it also works like a stress buster for me.

However, I have never got a chance to dance

in any of my movies so far. In fact, I'd love to do a nice item number if an opportunity comes my way, " said Vidya.

She is a trained Kathak dancer. Apart from that she's also trained in tap-dancing, salsa, ballet, jive, chacha, waltz, rumba, samba, foxtrot and various forms of Italian dance. She says she is

keeping her fingers crossed and hoping for a musical to come her way. "Tum Milo Toh Sahi" which was released last week weaves together stories of three couples who connect with one another through a series of touching and funny moments. Vidya plays Suniel Shetty's wife in it.

www.abplgroup.com

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

21

BollyKats Katrina Kaif to seduce Hrithik Roshan

Thanks to Zoya Akhtar's next, Katrina Kaif and Hrithik Roshan will be sharing sizzling chemistry for the first time on silver screen. The buzz doing the round is that Zoya wants a steamy intimate scene between the lead pair and she has already told Kat about it before shooting.

The scene will shot in a bar where Katrina will be seen seducing the perfectionist hunk.

Zoya Akhtar's all-boy flick features Hrithik Roshan, her brother Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol but will have only hotties Katrina Kaif

and Kalki Koechlin.

Katrina's nod for the sensual scene comes as a complete contradiction to her earlier statement where she p r o claimed that she would sign all h e r

future films with no-exposure, nokissing clause only.

Her ‘no kiss, no exposure p a c t ’ forced

director Tarun Mansukhani and producer Karan Johar to spice up J o h n

Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan's chemistry in Dostana 2. It's learnt that they are confused about Kat's look for the sequel which shifts the story from Miami to London.

Designer Manish Malhotra along with Tarun and Karan are brainstorming to come up with an uber chic look for Katrina something which isn't very revealing, yet is sensuous.

Clearly it was Hrithik's magic that made Kat change her mind.

Bipasha turns the ultimate fantasy woman

An out of this world love story, ‘Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai’ is about a simple Gujarati boy, a young superstar and an alien young lady from Venus.

Rajesh Parekh, a simple Gujarati boy who’s been looking for love since he was a baby. Thoroughly unsuccessful in his endeavors, he nearly gives up till he meets Natasha, the girl of his dreams.

Desh is the youngest superstar in the country.

Mothers want to adopt him and their daughters want to marry him. But when will he find the girl of his dreams?

All of their worlds turn upside down when Tara, an alien from Venus, lands on Earth in the search of true love.

Produced by Mukesh Talreja and Nikhil Advani under the banner of People Tree Films and Warner Bros., the film is directed by Milap Zaveri. He has also written the story and the screenplay as well as the dialogues.

The lead cast of the film consists of Ritesh Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandez, Vishal Malhotra, Sonal Sehgal, Ruslaan Mumtaz, Farah Khan, Satish Shah, Supriya Pilgaonkar and Akshay Kumar.

Priyanka Chopra, Amrita Rao, Boman Irani and Sajid Khan have a guest appearance.

Sameer has penned the lyrics and Sajid – Wajid duo has scored the music. Playback has been rendered by Rashid Ali, Sonu Nigam, Soumya Raoh, Shaan and Sunidhi Chauhan.

New Hindi movies releasing this week 1. Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai 2. Prince 3. The Japanese Wife

Top 5 Bollywood movies for the week No. Film 1.

Love Sex Aur Dhokha

No. Last Week

Total weeks

1

2

2

Hum Tum Aur Ghost

New

1

3

Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?

2

3

4

Shaapit

3

2

5

My Name Is Khan

4

7

Bipasha Basu gets to do 9 different looks in her new film “Pankh.” She clarifies, “that it is not nine roles but about nine looks.

I play a character who doesn't really exist. I'm the young hero Maradona Rebeillo's fantasy figure.

Every look is a reflection on his mood.

When he's mellow I come out looking like an angel. He sees me the way he wants to see me. I loved the script and the director Sudipto Chattopadhyay's passion.” The director wanted to name the character Bipasha Basu.

Says the straight-laced actress, " Yes, he was very

keen that I be called Bipasha in ‘Pankh.’ But I'm not at all comfortable with my name being used for any character. I'd rather stick to the character's name Nandini.”

Belying the belief that she is not promoting the film, Bipasha enthuses, “Pankh is very special, and not just because it's my first so-called art film.

But the minute I heard the subject I was bowled over.

It deals with a very serious problem within the film industry. Let's not trivialize it by people speculating whether the character I play is based on me. That's exactly

what would have happened if my name was Bipasha in Pankh.”

In Priyadarshan's “Aakrosh” Bipasha plays a

refined school teacher, so she doesn't have to speak a dialectic Bihari.

Says Bipasha, “It's very small township. I'm dressed in simple saris for the role. It's a no-makeup look. But no makeup also means some makeup that the character uses when she goes out, etc. We're at this heritage bungalow called Bangla. Very nice but very basic. It's a very hot place with big mosquitoes.” Bipasha is completely new to Priyadarshan's cinema.

“So is Ajay. But Akshaye is not. He has worked repeatedly with Priyan.

He's his favourite.”

Hema says the dream girl title is still with her Hema Malini is very happy with the fact that the Dream Girl title is still with her. The actress who has received love and appreciation from her fans for more than three decades wonders why no other actress has received that title after her.

The title was given to her by her fans when she entered the industry in the late 60s. After that she became one of the reigning divas of Bollywood. Hema Malini said, “There are so many beautiful girls in the industry. If you ask me why they haven’t got the

Why do you ask me to name just one? Katrina is so good looking. Kareena is lovely. Aishwarya is a beautiful woman.”

This 62- year- old beautiful actress has maintained herself and is as

‘Dream Girl’ title, what can I say? I am surprised.”

When asked which actress is most deserving for this title, she generously shares, “There are so many dream girls in Bollywood.

Dimple wants Akshay to get a National Award Mother–in-law Dimple Kapadia believes that her son-in-law Akshay Kumar should be given a National Award.

Akki, who’s already been given a Padma Shri, deserves the National Award too because she believes he’s a great entertainer. “I think he deserves a National Award. Not for any movie

as such but he has really grown as an actor and he’s excellent in comedy. He’s a great entertainer,” said Dimple, a d d i n g , “ H o n e s t l y, awards are just luck. Some give brilliant performances but they never get awarded and someone else gets it. I don’t think an award is really important.”

charming as ever. Proud and confidant that the ‘Dream Girl’ title is and will be hers forever, Hema said, “All the girls are so beautiful but this title ‘Dream Girl’ is with me. It was given to me.”

THE BHAVAN CENTRE OF INDIAN ART AND CULTURE EVENTS AND INFORMATION Get ready for a special weekend of North and South Indian music and dance by some of the best musicians and dancers in the UK at the moment!

Saturday 10th April: 6.00pm Vani Fine Arts and Kalapremi present:KARNATIC VOCAL CONCERT A great opportunity to hear a scintillating display of vocal talent with Sanjay Subrahmanyan - vocal S. Varadarajan - Violin Neyveli Venkatesh – Mridangam Tickets- £10.00, £15.00, £20.00

Sunday 11th April 2010 at 3.00 pm.

SA RE GA MA A showcase of Indian Vocal Music Directed & Conducted by

ASHIT & HEMA DESAI

Featuring the renowned Duo with their workshop performers After programme Simple Vegetarian food.

Tickets: £15, £12 & £10

THE BHAVAN CENTRE 4a Castletown Road, West Kensington, London W14 9HE

Telephone - 020 7381 3086/4608 Log onto our website www.bhavan.net or e-mail: info@bhavan.net

22

InDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

India’s biggest ever head count begins The biggest census exercise ever to be attempted in human history to cover India's 1.2 billion population began with President Pratibha Patil being the first to be enumerated in the decennial exercise.

The 15th National Census exercise, which will see over 25 lakh officials capturing the socio-economic-cultural profile of its citizens, will also seek information for the creation of the National Population Register.

"My appeal to all brothers and sisters of the country is to wholeheartedly take part in the preparation of the first ever National Population

Register. It is important for the nation as well as you," President Patil said after a delegation of the census officials took down her information. "This exercise must succeed and will succeed. We will do everything to visit every village, every habitation in the country," she said appealing to the civil society, teachers, parents and authorities to take part in this exercise.

The census operation would cost around Rs 2209 million while the approved cost of the scheme for creation of NPR is Rs 35,392 million.

During the mammoth exercise, the enumerators

for the first time will collect information like ownership of mobile phones, computers, internet, having treated or untreated drinking water facility.

The delegation included Registrar General and Census Commissioner C Chandramouli and Deputy Director General, National Population Register, S K Chakraborty.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, who was also present at the Rashtrapati Bhavan said, it was for the first time in human history that 1.2 billion people are being provided I-cards after being identified, counted and enumerated.

An eating joint for monkeys An eating joint for monkeys (Vanar Bhojnalaya), perhaps first of its kind in India, will be constructed at Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh), one of the 12 Jyotirlings.

On the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti on March 30, a temporary eating joint was launched on a plot situated on the 'Parikrama Path' (circling stretch) of the Omkareshwar temple, where a large number of monkeys enjoyed the inaugural feast.

The idea to establish such a joint came in the minds of two Indore-based social workers Anil Khandelwal and Harish Gehlot when they saw monkeys confronting pilgrims for food causing inconvenience to the visitors. After laying the foun-

dation stone for the joint, Khandelwal said that monkeys would be served food and fruits of their liking at the place. The primates face difficulty in getting food and in the process create trouble for the visitors, he said.

There are nearly 5,000 monkeys in the temple town and initially food

will be served to at least 1,000-1,500 of them daily.

Depending upon the response, the facility will be extended to as many monkeys as possible, Khandelwal added.

People can serve food to monkeys on their own and can also contribute for running Vanar Bhojnalaya.

And now, a Mayawati temple If all goes well, Uttar Pradesh will soon get a temple dedicated to the chief minister and Dalit icon Mayawati, whose statues already dot the sprawling state.

The temple is proposed to be erected in the poverty-stricken Mahoba district in Bundelkhand, economically the most backward region in the state.

It will come up in Natpura village, about 300 km from Lucknow. “Of course, we are planning to install her idol in the temple that will come up on my private land,” Kanaihya Lal, a Mahobabased lawyer, said.

Lal is not a functionary of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) but a Dalit. He says he got pro-

voked by the hue and cry over a garland of currency notes gifted to Mayawati on her birthday last month.

“If her critics take exception to a garland of currency notes, I wish to say that we are all set to build a temple where her followers will be free to offer such garlands every day,” he said.

Death sentence for five in Haryana honour killings In a landmark judgment in a Haryana honour killing case, a court in Karnal last week awarded capital punishment to five persons and life sentence to one for murdering a couple on the diktats of a self-styled community panchayat for marrying against societal norms.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Vani Gopal Sharma pronounced the sentence.

The prosecution had termed the case as the "rarest of the rare" and pleaded for capital punishment to the six convicts for killing Manoj (23) and

Babli (19), who hailed from Karora village in Kaithal district and had got married on May 18, 2007.

The court had convicted them for murdering the couple of the same 'gotra' (sub-caste) in 2007.

Another person was held guilty of abduction and the quantum of punishment was reserved.

It is the first case in which the boy's family had moved court against the honour killing after the 'khap' panchayat (castebased council) had ruled against the couple's marriage.

Those sentenced are the girl's brother Suresh, uncles Rajender and Baru Ram and her cousins Gurdev and Satish besides leader of the panchayat Ganga Raj. A driver Mandeep Singh was convicted of kidnapping and awarded a seven year prison term.

Public prosecutor Sunil Rana described the court verdict as landmark judgment as khap panchayats "are acting against the law. They are taking law into their own hands and despite protection of the courts, innocent couples are being murdered".

In divine light

By Rajen Vakil

Deeper aspects of anger The Mahabharata talks of the evolution of anger.

The energy of anger in its instinctive form was present even before man came to earth. An angry lion would protect its territory from other lions.

This signifies the beginning of egoism and anger, which later in man became ego and psychological anger. Let us first see what anger is and understand its very behaviour.

My teacher used to say “Do not lose your anger, it is very precious.” Anger is the highest form of negativity; it is energy vibrating at a very high frequency. It is akin to high voltage electricity, flowing from the positive to the negative pole (or from inside to outside).

Simply put, we are losing, not gaining energy.

According to us, the fault always lies outside of us, either in a person or in a situation. Never for a moment do we pause to see that this anger had always been within our unconscious.

The fault that we see in a person or a situation is just an instrumental cause that brings the anger from our unconscious to our conscious mind; and we say ‘he made me angry’. If we can learn to switch the negative pole from outside to inside, then this very powerful energy reverses and flows back into the body-brain system.

How do we bring about this change? For that, we must first understand the very basic rule of spirituality – If I am angry, the fault lies within me, nowhere else.

Until a student reaches an inner state where he/she can live this rule of spirituality, this would be very difficult to practice. In the state of anger, normally, we are totally hypnotised by the circumstances; unless we learn to pause a little and wake up from this spell of anger, we cannot go further. Secondly, we need to understand that whenever we are angry, it is because there is a strong dislike for some event or person. Once we realise that only we are at fault, there is no longer any dislike for anything outside; we dislike ourselves for still getting angry. This shifting of dislike from out to in switches the

poles.

The very intense (or high frequency) energy, which was negative up until now, becomes positive. When the energy of anger reverses its flow from out to in, it comes back with some added energy. This very precious energy, added by nature, m y

teacher called the ‘energy of the essence of consciousnesses’. It is this energy which allows holding the conscious state, when experienced.

Nature is interested in us getting angry; she wants to use this highly volatile psychic energy for a specific purpose.

This energy can only be created in a human being, and every time we express anger, we are serving nature’s purpose.

There is a small gap between the impulse to get angry and the actual manifestation of anger. A special energy is needed to bridge this gap, which normally, man does not have. Hence, this is provided by nature.

A yogi, through many years of meditative practice, can gather only a small amount of this energy. To hold the higher states of consciousness in normal life situations, this may not be enough.

Suppose that I sit in meditation for an hour in the morning and experience some very beautiful states, but at the bus stop I get irritated easily hearing an announcement that the bus I am waiting for would be late. Here, nature adds the energy that allows me to let my anger manifest as irritation, and I start blaming the inefficiency of the system. I could not remember at the right

time that the fault lies inside, not outside. This shows that I do not have enough of the energy of essence of consciousness to hold the awareness at the right time. This is the energy which is the bridge to the divine.

A disciple on the path wants to collect this energy in great amounts, and fast too. He knows that this is not possible through normal techniques, so the guru teaches him how to steal it from nature. This very advanced technique takes years of hard practice, because the student has to allow the anger to express right up to the point when it is about to manifest, without becoming hypnotised by it.

Gurdjieff calls this the second conscious shock. At this point, nature adds the energy of essence of consciousness to the anger before it can actually manifest. The moment this is done, the disciple pauses, not allowing the anger to manifest, but changes the negative pole from out to in and the energy of anger flows back to him, along with the added energy of the essence of consciousness.

To create a finished product, raw material is needed and in this case the raw material is anger. The more anger we have lying in our unconscious minds, the faster our progress can be if we practice this technique.

Many spiritual teachers make the students practice catharsis to get rid of pent up anger, seldom realising the valuable raw material they are throwing away.

The Mahabharata shows how the energy of anger manifests in nine different forms. If, as students, we can identify and study these nine different manifestations of anger, it would become easy to work with anger.

When anger is expressed in nine different ways, we become aware of the leela or cosmic play of life and then our journey on the spiritual path brings about a joy and happiness as if we were watching a beautiful play.

(Edited by Chintu Gandhi. Illustration by Siddharth Ramanuj.)

The author can be reached by emailing 3srb@live.com

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

23

No Kasab, Ansari for Pakistan India on Sunday ruled out handing over Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist caught during the 26/11 strikes, or his associate Fahim Ansari to Pakistan, saying “justice” was taking its course in the case. “We are trying Kasab and others here in India following the Mumbai attacks,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said, when asked about Pakistan approaching Interpol for arresting Kasab and Ansari for trial there. “The case against Kasab has proceeded over the past few months. The verdict is expected by May 3 in all likelihood,” she said.

Another Chinese cyber attack on Indian defence ministry systems Canadian and US researchers have detected the ‘Shadow Network’ operating from China Canadian and American researchers at the University of Toronto have reported another Chinese cyber attack on the Indian defence establishment. In a new report titled “Shadow in the Clouds”, they have said that a ‘Shadow Network’ based out of China has tapped into top secret files of the Indian government.

Major Indian missile and armament systems may have been compromised in the latest instance as Chinese hackers have reportedly broken into top secret files of the Indian Defence Ministry and embassies around the world.

Among the systems leaked out could be

Shakti, the just introduced advanced artillery combat and control system of the Indian Army and the country's new mobile missile defence system called the Iron Dome.

In the investigations conducted over eight months, the report claimed that systematic cyber espionage was carried out from servers located in China that "compromised" government, business, academic and other computer network systems in India.

The report finds that Indian government related entities, both in India and throughout the world, had been thoroughly compromised.

These included com-

puters at Indian embassies in Belgium, Serbia, Germany, Italy, Kuwait, the United States, Zimbabwe, and the High Commissions of India in Cyprus and the United Kingdom.

"These include documents from the Offices of the Dalai Lama and agencies of the Indian national security establishment," the report said.

"Data containing sensitive information on citizens of numerous thirdparty countries, as well as personal, financial, and business information, were also exfiltrated and recovered during the course of the investigation," it said.

These documents contain sensitive information

taken from a member of the National Security Council Secretariat concerning secret assessments of India's security situation in the states of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura, as well as concerning the Naxalites and Maoists.

They are also believed to be containing confidential information taken from Indian embassies regarding India's international relations with and assessments of activities in West Africa, Russia/Commonwealth of Independent States and the Middle East, as well as visa applications, passport office circulars and diplomatic correspondence.

Congress ceasefire against Big B! After raising a lot of hue and cry on Amitabh Bachchan being invited to a Mumbai function and later asking him to take a stand for or against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress last week finally asked the party spokespersons for a ceasefire against Big B. Jayanthi Natarajan had a tough time on Wednesday responding to questions on the party’s tirade against Amitabh Bachchan. The party’s sudden delicate handling of the issue strangely coincided with speculations of the Congress chief’s dictat to party spokespersons to cease their diatribe against the actor.

While the party denied desisting its spokespersons from further attacking the actor, Natarajan’s discomfort presented a different picture as she replied virtually to every question on Bachchan with a steady monotony: “The party has made its stand clear on the issue and I have nothing more to add to it.”

Bachchan had been at the receiving end of Congress’s criticism ever since he shared dais with Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan during the inauguration of the second carriageway of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

Later, Chavan was ostensibly pulled up by the Congress high command

for sharing a public platform with the actor whose relations with the NehruGandhi family have soured over the years.

The Congress had also criticised Bachchan’s decision to be the brand ambassador of Gujarat, an offer made by bête noire, chief minister Narendra Modi.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari had asked Bachchan on Monday to clarify whether, as a brand ambassador of Gujarat, he endorsed the 2002 riots in the state. According to a party source, the question is still relevant, but the party wouldn’t continue its diatribe against the actor.

Meanwhile, in an embarrassment to the Congress, its key ally at the Centre and in Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has gone all out too woo Bachchan.

While NCP leader and Maharashtra rural development minister Jayant Patil invited Bachchan to his constituency in Islampur to inaugurate a theatre, another NCP leader and state home minister RR Patil wrote a letter to the actor thanking him for his participation in a function.

“That is between the NCP and the actor,” Natarajan said when asked about this.

India, Bangladesh to launch joint efforts for saving Sundarbans India and Bangladesh will launch a joint effort to save the Sundarbans, a natural forest and mangroves area that is located across the borders of both the countries. A joint forum aimed at conservation of the ecologically vulnerable and sensitive forests will be launched in September this year, Jairam Ramesh, Indian minister for Environment said at Kolkata on Sunday.

“We have to recognise that the entire Sundarbans region is one single ecosystem, 40 percent of which is in India and the rest in

Plea against Padma Bhushan to Chatwal rejected A petition challenging the conferring of Padma Bhushan award to USA based hotelier of Indian origin Sant Singh Chatwal was dismissed by the Delhi High Court on Monday.

A Bench headed by acting Chief Justice Madan B Lokur, after going through the original documents placed before it by the Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, found no substance in the allegation that proper procedure was not followed in the case of Chatwal.

The High Court had

$4

(56$74$06

They have been daydreaming about winning corporation polls and pretending to be king and kingmakers. The voters have said that they are happy with the BJP,” Yeddyurappa said.

He claimed his government is finalising projects worth Rs 26,500 crore for Bangalore.

“This victory in the Greater Bangalore region has given us elephantine strength. We want to make Bangalore a model city for the whole country,” the Chief Minister said.

The polls to the BBMP

were the first to be held since the local corporation was recast from a 100ward municipality spread over 200 sq km to a Greater Bangalore spread over 800 sq km in January 2007.

“Now our focus will be on development which is speedy and inclusive.

Bangaloreans have entrusted us with a huge responsibility. We will give top priority to infrastructure development and basic amenities,” said senior BJP leader from Bangalore H N Ananth Kumar.

$037(6,0*

(0

!4,%76( 61

,&+($. $&-510 6+ 24,.

BJP gets a clean majority in the Bangalore Municipal Corporation poor third with just 15.

More pathetic was the JDS show, as the party ruled the body single handedly in the past.

An ecstatic chief minister B S Yeddyurappa — having a bit of a power resurgence after being in the political doldrums amidst dissidence last November — said it was his government’s development initiatives of the last 22 months that had given BJP the victory.

“The opposition parties have been continually hurling accusations against my government.

on March 25 asked the petitioner, S K Shah, to show by furnishing documents as to where has the selection committee failed to meet the guidelines while considering Chatwal's name for the prestigious award.

Appearing for the Government, Additional Solicitor General had submitted that following a Supreme Court ruling, a high-level committee was constituted to consider every aspect of all applicants before finalising their names. "You cannot level wild allegations....," the bench had said.

$037(6,0* $.. 5(6 18(4 691 ).1145 $8$,.$%.( )14 $.. )70&6,105 ,0&.7',0* .$4*( 14 5/$.. 2$4,6(5 9,6+ $ &$2$&,6: 1) 72 61 2(12.(

After Karnataka, now Bangalore wears the saffron colours The B S Yeddyurappa government in Karnataka scored another major victory, as the BJP won a clear majority in the elections for the newly constituted Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike or the Bangalore Municipal Corporation.

All attempts by the former prime minister and JDS leader H D Devegowda to divide the voters on the caste lines, BJP captured 112 of the total 198 seats in the city.

Congress had to settle with 64 seats, while the JDS was relegated to a

Bangladesh, and we must pool in our experiences and working plans for conservation,” Ramesh said. “Climate change is the theme of the Saarc summit to be held in Bhutan next month and we are looking at a convention for environmental cooperation among the Saarc countries,” he added. The forum, which will include NGOs and civil society groups of the two countries, could be a part of the overall process of cooperation among South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation countries, he said.

(0 5,0*5 (06,4(.: .,8( 064$0&( 9,6+ &1745( /($. ; $037(6,0* $.. 064$0&( ;

#('',0* (4(/10: ,46+'$: 00,8(45$4: 14214$6( 152,6$.,6: 4,8$6( ,00(45 #('',0* (&(26,10

0*$*(/(06 $46: (6914-,0* 8(065 0*$*(/(06 75,0(55 ((6,0*5 10)(4(0&(

14 )746+(4 ,0)14/$6,10 $0' 61 +(.2 :17 2.$0 :174 (8(06 914- 9,6+ :17 10 (8(4: %(521-( '(6$,. 1) :174 2$46: 14 /((6,0* 2.($5( &106$&6

"

!(.

999 )75+,$7- &1/ 7..: ,&(05(' 706,.

$/

,4

10',6,10('

24

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Mind your language, Buddha tells Chidambaram Upset over Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram’s public remark that “the buck stops with the Chief Minister” on law and order in the state, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Sunday hit back, asking him to “mind his language” and “let me do my job”. During a visit to Lalgarh on Sunday, Chidambaram said he had spoken to Bhattacharjee on the Maoist problem and “we have differences of perception... I have told him that the buck stops with the Chief Minister and it is the failure of the administration if the buck stops somewhere else”.

Kuldip Nayar supports the resumption of Ahmedabad – London direct flight Dinsha Patel urges civil aviation minister on early action in the matter India’s former High Commissioner to UK and a veteran journalist, Kuldip Nayar has supported the campaign for resumption of Air India’s direct flight between Ahmedabad and London.

Nayar, who was in Ahmedabad on Sunday, 4th April, came to know of the campaign from journalists. He later on gathered the details of the campaign and spoke on phone with CB Patel, his old friend the Publisher – Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar. He expressed his support and wished success for the

Kuldip Nayar

cause.

Meanwhile, another minister of the current UPA government in New Delhi and Kheda MP,

દિનશા પટેલ DINSHA PATEL

Dinsha Patel also worte a letter to the civil aviation minister Praful Patel, asking him to do the needful for resumption of the Ahmedabad – London Air India flight as early as possible. The letter is published here.

Mr. Nayar, also a former MP in India, invited CB Patel and other leaders of the campaign to visit New Delhi if needed for the purpose. He promised that he would accompany them for all representations that may be needed on the issue.

રાજ્ય મંત્રી (સ્વતંત્ર હવાલો) સૂક્ષ્મ, લઘુ અને મધ્યમ ઉદ્યોગ ભારત સરકાર ઉદ્યોગ ભવન, નવી દિલ્હી-૧૧૦૦૧૧

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) MICRO, SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES GOVERNMENT OF INDIA UDYOG BHAWAN, NEW DELHI-110011 March 27, 2010 To, Hon. Shri Prafulbhai Patel Minister of State for Civil Aviation Govt. of India New Delhi

Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh, 75 CRPF men killed In the bloodiest attack on security forces, Naxals trapped and gunned down 75 personnel during a joint "Operation Green Hunt" offensive against the ultras in the thick forests of Mukrana in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, one of the strongholds of the Maoists.

The incident occurred between 6 am and 7 am when nearly 100 personnel comprising CRPF and state police were returning after opening a road for the troops to begin an operation against the Naxals.

While 74 of those killed were CRPF personnel, including a deputy and an assistant commandant, one was a head constable of the district police.

Dantewada Superintendent of Police Amresh Mishra said the Naxals first blew up a vehicle carrying the CRPF personnel near ChintalnarTarmetla village in the district.

Immediately after the blast, the CRPF personnel and a few police personnel tried to take cover when they came under heavy fire from hundreds of Naxals, well entrenched on the

I am sending you the copy of the letter from Mr. C.B. Patel, the chairman, National Congress of Gujarati Organisations (UK). The letter is a request to me to help them result the direct AI flight to Heathrow from Amdavad. The AI stopped it on the ground that the traffic was inadequate. The letter also relates that there has been no response from you even though the matter was discussed personally with you on January 23, 2010 in Amdavad. Please do the needful as early as possible. An average traffic of 2500 passengers every week should not be inadequate for 2-3 flights; should it?

Very Sincerely Yours, (D. J. Patel)

The war of succession in ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu continued with Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's elder son and Union Minister M K Alagiri sticking to his stand that he would not accept anybody other than his father as the party leader.

"I spoke what I wanted to a Tamil magazine. I accept Karunanidhi's view that leaders should be elected democratically. I will only accept a democratically elected leader. I spoke according to my conscience. I have the right to say whatever I want to," he said.

"If there is a democrat-

Shoaib – Sania: a marriage of controversies!

Police later clarified that they are not empowered to seize the passport; they just took it into their custody for investigations.

They have alerted all immigration points in India not to allow Shoaib Malik leave the country.

The cricketer in turn made a public statement that he will be in India till the mater is cleared.

The government of

Sania firmly with Shoaib; Siddiquis say they just want a formal divorce Pakistan, meanwhile has said it will support Shoaib Malik. The cricketer has changed his stand many a times, as he first said he was never married to Ayesha, than said he was cheated with a fake identity. When the Siddiquis produced a ‘Nikahnama’ of the marriage that was

adjacent hillock. The CRPF team had been camping in the interiors of Tarmetla jungles for the last three days as part of a combing operation and area domination exercise, Mishra said. The attack shook the Centre and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called Home Minister P Chidambaram over telephone to make an assessment of the situation.

Both of them expressed shock over the attack and grief over the loss of lives.

The National Security Council met under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister and is understood to have discussed the deadliest Maoist strike.

Chidambaram, some of his cabinet colleagues and the three service chiefs attended the meeting. While the Prime Minister called it a horrific

incident, Chidambaram said it showed the brutality and savagery of the Maoists.

Rattled by the casualty, Chidambaram said something must have gone wrong in the joint operation as the personnel seemed to have walked into a trap. Bodies of the 75 personnel have been recovered from the site of the attack suspected to have been carried out by about 1000 Naxals, Inspector General R K Vij said. The Naxals had planted IEDs which blew up an anti-mine vehicle killing the lone occupant, the driver. This was followed by heavy exchange of fire between the remaining CRPF personnel and the Maoists.

Seven of the injured CRPF men have been evacuated for treatment from the forest area, he said.

Alagiri throws down gauntlet before Stalin

Hon. Shri Prafulbhai,

Continued from page 1

The anti-landmine vehicle which was blown up by Maoists in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

solemnised in Pakistan, Shoaib claimed it is not valid as was done on phone. Later, he said he was forced into the marriage.

Ayesha Siddiqui, the lady claims that she and her family want nothing from the cricketer, they just want a formal divorce.

Shoaib Malik since the marriage itself is not valid, he would not oblige.

Meanwhile, the controversy has drawn reaction from a wide section of Indian and Pakistani society, some supporting the cricketer, while others backing Ayesha, the lady who says she was left alone just because she had gained a lot of weight and Shoaib faced some funny criticism from his cricketer colleagues.

ic election, I will also contest. Why do we need to talk about all this when Karunanidhi is alive," Alagiri, who returned here last night from an overseas trip, told reporters before emplaning for Madurai, a Lok Sabha seat which he represents.

Karunanidhi, in a bid to put an end to the succession war, had said that only the party had the powers to name a leader and even he could not do so. Before embarking on his foreign tour, Alagiri had stated in an interview last week that Karunanidhi was the only leader capable of leading

the party.

Alagiri's remarks in the interview had reignited the succession war that seemed to have settled with the promotion of his younger brother M K Stalin as deputy chief minister last year by Karunanidhi.

Alagiri himself was promoted to national politics after being inducted into the Union Cabinet.

In the interview, Alagiri had said none other than Karunanidhi was acceptable to him as leader and that barring the 86-year-old party chief, none else had the capacity to lead the Dravidian party.

Right to Education comes into force in India

The historic Right to Education came into force providing free and compulsory schooling to children in the 6-14 year age bracket with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking the states to join in this national effort with full resolve and determination.

The new statute makes it obligatory on part of the state governments and local bodies to ensure that

every child gets education in a school in the neighbourhood. Its implementation will directly benefit close to 10 million children who do not go to schools at present.

Addressing the nation, Manmohan Singh said, "The government is committed to ensuring that all children irrespective of gender and social category, have access to education.”

25

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Court martial proceedings against Fonseka postponed Colombo: The hearing of court martial proceedings against Gen Sarath Fonseka was on Tuesday postponed following restrictions by the Supreme Court's court of appeal, two days before parliamentary elections in which the former army chief is a candidate. Fonseka was to appear before the two court martials appointed to look into charges against him on Tuesday, but proceedings of both the panels were postponed. "The hearing was postponed as the appeal court had said no forward movement could be made in this case," general secretary of the Fonseka-led Democratic National Alliance Vijitha Herath said.

Afghan president Karzai threatens to join Taliban He finds outside pressure to reform unbearable Kabul: Afghan President Hamid Karzai threatened to quit the political process and join the Taliban if he continued to come under outside pressure to reform, according to several members of parliament.

They said on Monday that Karzai made the unusual statement at a closed-door meeting on Saturday with selected lawmakers - just days after kicking up a diplomatic controversy with remarks alleging foreigners were behind fraud in last year's disputed elections.

Lawmakers dismissed the latest comment as hyperbole, but it will add

Australia not to supply uranium to India Melbourne: Australia on Tuesday ruled out changing its policy and said it would not supply uranium to India, which is seeking fuel for its nuclear energy programme, a media report said.

Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean told reporters in Canberra: "There is no prospect for a change. We have consistently said, made this clear to India that we, because of our policy, cannot supply to countries that are non-signatories to the non-proliferation treaty," the Australian Financial Review quoted him as saying.

In August 2007, the government of John Howard agreed to sell uranium to India subject to the finalisation of a USIndia nuclear deal and the conclusion of a bilateral Australia-India nuclear safeguards agreement.

But Kevin Rudd's government overturned the decision after taking power in December that year.

Hamid Karzai

to the impression the president - who relies on tens of thousands of US and NATO forces to fight the insurgency and prop up his government - is growing increasingly erratic and unable to exert authority without attack-

ing his foreign backers.

“He said that 'if I come under foreign pressure, I might join the Taliban','' said Farooq Marenai, who represents the eastern province of Nangarhar.

“He said rebelling would change to resistance,'' Marenai said -apparently suggesting that the militant movement would then be redefined as one of resistance against a foreign occupation rather than a rebellion against an elected government.

Marenai said Karzai appeared nervous and repeatedly demanded to know why parliament last week had rejected legal reforms that would have

strengthened the president's authority over the country's electoral institutions.

Two other lawmakers said Karzai twice raised the threat to join the insurgency.

The lawmakers, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of political repercussions, said Karzai also dismissed concerns over possible damage his comments last week had caused to relations with the United States. He told them he had already explained himself in a telephone conversation on Saturday with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Malaysia’s beer drinking woman’s caning sentence commuted Kuala Lumpur: A Malaysian woman sentenced to be caned for drinking beer has had her punishment commuted.

Kartika Sari Dewa Shukarno had pleaded guilty to the offence under Malaysia's Islamic law and was to have received six strokes of a rattan cane.

But her family said religious officials had overturned the ruling, ordering her to carry out community service instead.

Ms Kartika's original

sentence, which had been delayed several times, had provoked fierce debate.

While drinking alcohol is forbidden for Muslims, prosecutions are rare.

Ms Kartika's family was informed by letter that the sultan of Pahang state, where Ms Kartika was arrested for drinking beer in a beachfront hotel in December 2007, had overturned the ruling.

The religious leader has the power to rule on matters of Islamic law.

"The sultan has decid-

ed that the caning sentence will be substituted with a three-week community service at a children's home in Pahang from 2 April," Ms Kartika's father, Shukarno Mutalib, said.

"Kartika who was expecting a caning, is surprised by this development as she will be separated from her children for three weeks, but we respect the sultan's decision," he said.

"We will abide by the order. Kartika will go on with her life," he said.

More than 100 trapped Chinese miners rescued Beijing: More than 100 Chinese miners were pulled out alive on Monday after being trapped for more than a week in a flooded coal mine, sparking cheers among the hundreds of rescue workers who had raced to save them and almost given up hope.

A live state television broadcast counted off the number of survivors brought above ground 114 - as miners wrapped

in blankets were hurried to waiting ambulances to nearby hospitals.

Rescuers in tears hugged each other at the scene, which was broadcast on national television.

The sudden surge in rescues was a rare piece of good news for China's mining industry, the deadliest in the world.

"A miracle has finally happened," a rescue headquarters spokesman, Liu Dezheng, told reporters,

after the first nine miners were taken out initially.

"We believe that more miracles will happen."

"This is probably one of the most amazing rescues in the history of mining anywhere," said David Feickert, a coal mine safety adviser to the Chinese government.

The miners were in their eighth day underground when rescuers were finally able to reach them.

Christian militia indicted for planning war against US Detroit: Nine members of a Christian militia group were indicted on charges of conspiring to wage war against the US government, federal prosecutors said.

According to the grand jury indictment unsealed in US district court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the eight men and one woman were members of a group called the Hutaree that planned to kill a police officer in Michigan and then ambush the law enforcement officers who attended his funeral.

The indictment said the group believed the attacks would "serve as a catalyst for a more widespread uprising" against the government. Eight people were arrested by the FBI over the weekend in raids in Michigan, Ohio and Illinois.

The ninth member was arrested after the FBI played recorded messages from family and friends, who urged the man to give himself up, over loudspeakers outside a home in rural Michigan.

The arrests followed a federal grand jury indict-

ment handed down in Detroit charging them with seditious conspiracy, attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.

The weapons of mass destruction charge referred to improvised explosive devices with projectiles, the indictment said.

The group's website, hutaree.com, says the term Hutaree means "Christian warrior" and characterizes the group as "preparing for the end time battles to keep the testi-

mony of Jesus Christ alive". It also features a Bible quotation from John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

The indictment said the leader of the group is David Brian Stone Sr, 45, of Clayton, Michigan, who was among those arrested.

The arrests dealt "a severe blow to a dangerous organization that today stands accused of conspiring to levy war against the United States", attorney general Eric Holder said.

Roundup Uproar in China after 21 bodies of babies found in river Beijing: As many as 21 fetuses and bodies of babies, some with hospital tabs, were found discarded in a river in east China’s Jining City. Though exact details were not available, reports suggest most of the dead babies were female who had been dumped because parents wanted to keep the option open for a male child within the one-child system.

Human rights groups and international experts have for long voiced their protest against wide scale female foeticide in China but it was only now that specific instances of how it was being carried out came to the surface. The local government has reacted immediately suspending some of the staff at a hospital from service.

"The hospital medical staff involved have been suspended from their work during the investigation," Zhong Haitao, a spokesman at the Jining Health Bureau said. Local residents and firemen found 21 fetuses and dead bodies in the river but the actual number dumped in the water may be much larger.

25 killed in US mine blast Montcoal (West Virginia): An explosion at a remote coal mine in southern West Virginia killed 25 workers and at least four others were still missing early on Tuesday more than a thousand feet underground in the worst US mine disaster since 1984.

Rescuers had been making their way to the area where the miners were believed trapped at Massey Energy Co.'s sprawling Upper Big Branch mine, where the blast occurred on Monday. However, safety officials said at a news conference that the search was suspended because rising methane gas levels in the mine made it a high risk for another explosion.

Earlier, Kevin Stricklin, an administrator for the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, said officials hoped some of the missing had survived the initial blast and were able to reach airtight chambers stocked with food, water and enough oxygen for them to live for four days.

However, rescue teams made it to one of two nearby shelters and it was empty. The gas levels prevented them from reaching the second.

Unpaid air hostesses pose nude in protest Madrid: Flight attendants owed up to nine months' wages by a grounded Spanish airline have posed nude for a calendar to draw attention to their plight, one of the cabin crew turned models said last week.

The calendar, numerous excerpts of which appeared in the Spanish media, shows the Air Comet attendants, all female, posing provocatively in and outside airline cabins, and in one case on top of a jet turbine. "We are just demanding our rights to receive what is ours, we each have eight or nine months of unpaid salaries," attendant Adriana Ricardo, who appears in the calendar, said.

Air Comet, run by the embattled chairman of Spain's main employers' association CEOE, Gerardo Ferran, filed for administration in December after a British court impounded nine of its aircraft at the request of German bank HSH Nordbank.

Quebec bans veils in govt offices Montreal: The province of Quebec passed landmark legislation that stipulates Muslim women will need to uncover their faces when dealing with Quebec government services.

The bill says people obtaining or delivering services at places such as health or auto insurance offices will need to do so with their faces in plain view. The law covers all garments ranging from the face veil to the burqa.

It says people's face-coverings will not be tolerated if they hinder communication or visual identification. Premier Jean Charest said the province was drawing a line in defense of gender equality.

26

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Krishna seeks China's support against terror Beijing: India’s external affairs minister S M Krishna on Tuesday sought China's support for the convention against terrorism proposed by India at the UN, and said all nations should join hands to thwart the evil designs of terrorists. Ahead of his talks with the Chinese leadership, Krishna said in view of the multi-dimensional threats posed by terrorism it has become necessary to step up the fight against the menace under the aegis of the United Nations. "India has come out with a proposal for a comprehensive legislation or a convention in the UN to face terrorism as a universal thereat and every country should cooperate with each other in order to thwart the evil designs of terror and terrorists," he said.

Sikh youth stabbed to death in Canada Toronto: A 21-year-old Sikh youth was stabbed to death in Canada when a fight broke out between two neighbours over a noisy birthday party where he was a guest. Buta Singh Sangha was stabbed when a fight broke out between two neighbouring families over the birthday party celebrations last week, police said. Sangha was invited as a guest by the family celebrating the birthday of their baby when the dispute with the neighbours erupted.

He was stabbed as the dispute turned violent.

Others in the quiet residential neighbourhood called police. They arrived at the scene and found Sangha in severe medical distress. He died in hospital.

"This incident remains as an altercation between neighbours and does not have any links to gangs, drugs or organised crime," a report quoted Dale Carr, of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, as saying. Police later arrested a 32-year-old history-sheeter Adrian Skara and charged him with second-degree murder in the slaying of Sangha.

Iranian nuclear scientist ‘defects to US’ Washington: An Iranian nuclear scientist who has been missing since June has defected to the US, according to a US media report. ABC News said Shahram Amiri had been resettled in the US and was helping the CIA in its efforts to block Iran's nuclear programme. Mr Amiri disappeared in Saudi Arabia while on a Muslim pilgrimage. Iran accused the US of abducting him but Washington denied any knowledge of the scientist. The CIA has declined to comment on the latest report. Mr Amiri worked as a researcher at Tehran's Malek Ashtar University, according to Iran's state-run Press TV channel.

However, some reports said he had also been employed by Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, and had wanted to seek asylum abroad. The US and its Western allies suspect Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons - a claim denied by Tehran.

According to ABC, the scientist has been extensively debriefed, and has helped to confirm US intelligence assessments about the Iranian nuclear programme.

His defection was apparently the result of a wider operation, under which the US has been approaching Iranian scientists, sometimes through relatives living in America, to try to persuade them to defect. By making this defection public, it appears the Americans are putting more psychological pressure on the Iranian authorities. Iran's nuclear programme is the subject of extensive intelligence work in the West with the aims of gathering information on it, preventing Iran buying equipment for it and, reportedly, sabotaging the programme by selling Iran defective parts, sources said.

Pak cabbie indicted on terror charges in US Chicago: A Pakistani-American taxi driver in Chicago has been indicted on two counts of providing material support to al-Qaida by attempting to send funds to a terrorist leader in Pakistan linked with Pakistani-American terror suspect David Headley. Raja Lahrasib Khan, a naturalized US citizen from Pakistan, was arrested last week on charges of attempting to transfer funds to Ilyas Kashmiri, an alleged terrorist leader who tried to help organize an attack against Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten that published cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed, according to US officials. Justice department spokesman Randall Samborn said the indictment cancels a scheduled April 7 hearing before a US magistrate, and a formal arraignment will be scheduled shortly before a US district court judge.

Kashmiri is an alleged leader of Harakat-ul Jihad Islami, a group the US justice department said has “trained terrorists [and] executed attacks in the state of Jammu and Kashmir under Indian control.” Earlier this month, Headley, who officials say had ties to Kashmiri, pleaded guilty for his role in planning the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Authorities say Headley had planned the attack on the newspaper in coordination with Kashmiri.

The investigation leading to Khan’s arrest is unrelated to the investigation that resulted in the charges against Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana.

India to soon get access to Headley, says FBI Chicago: Indian investigators would soon get access to terror suspect David Headley as US authorities are working out logistics of where and when they can question the Pakistani-American in connection with the Mumbai attacks, an FBI official said on Tuesday.

"In the plea agreement, Headley did agree to meet with Indian authorities. I think right now we are just trying to work out the logistics and scheduling of that," a Chicago FBI spokesman said.

A request has been made by Indian authori-

ties to question 49-yearold Headley, he said, adding that the interrogation is expected to happen soon.

The FBI's involvement in the case is to facilitate the interview that Headley agreed to cooperate with and "I am sure that will happen in the near future," he said.

As to who all would be

present along with Headley when he is being interrogated, he said "all that is something that is going to be worked out".

"Headley has retained counsel, that counsel is still representing him and obviously he is a party to all of this. I think that is one of the things that are being worked out with him and his attorney and all the other people who know of this. Who is going to participate in the interview, where is it going to be done, when is it going to be done, lot of questions need to be answered," he said.

India is expected to get access to Headley within 30 days of sending a letter of request, which is being prepared. US Ambassador Timothy J Roemer told Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram in New Delhi that the issue of access to Headley was being dealt with at the highest level in the Obama administration.

India has been seeking access to Headley, a Pakistani-origin American, to unravel details of his activities regarding the 26/11 attacks and plans for further strikes in this country.

Canada set to see many more Indian MPs Indians to benefit as Parliament raises the number of seats by 30 Toronto: The fast increasing population of Indian and other immigrant communities has forced the Canadian government to raise the number of MPs from 308 to 338.

The Conservative Party government has introduced a bill in parliament to raise the number of its seats by 30. If the bill is passed, the new seats will come into effect from 2014.

Most of the new constituencies will be created in the areas dominated by south Asians and Chinese in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia

and Alberta.

While Ontario, which has a large presence of Indians in Toronto and its suburbs, will get 18 more seats, British Columbia with Punjabi-dominant Surrey, Abbotsford and other cities will get seven and Alberta five.

Most of Indians in Canada are settled in these three provinces. Since many of the new constituencies will be created out of the seats currently held by Indo-Canadian MPs, Canada is set to see many more Indian faces in its future Parliaments.

Currently, there are nine MPs of Indian-origin in the country's parliament or the House of Commons - including Ujjal Dosanjh, Deepak Obhrai and Ruby Dhalla.

According to the latest figures released by Statistics Canada, Indians, Chinese and Muslims will become dominant communities in the next two decades.

They will replace the whites as majority communities in major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.

Chinese and Indians are

Militants ask 30 US governors to resign their posts Carson City: A domestic extremist group has asked 30 US governors to resign from their posts. As a result security measures were being installed in state capitals in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI said in an intelligence note.

Deputy chief of staff Lynn Hettrick says the FBI told administration officials a few days ago that several governors have received letters from

what he described as a sovereign citizens group.

The letter reportedly tells governors to resign and take a new oath to a new order.

Hettrick said there was no specific threat of violence, but extra security was installed as a precaution. A metal detector and X-ray machines was placed at the building's main entrance, and other entrances have been closed.

While DHS has no

information that the removal refers to a specific plan for violence, law enforcement should be aware that this could be interpreted as a justification for violence or other criminal actions, the note said.

Other steps in the group's plan include establishing bogus courts, calling of 'de jure' grand juries, and issuing socalled 'legal orders' to gain control of the state, the note said.

the two top immigrant groups to come to Canada each year.

There are about 1.3 million Chinese, one million Indians and one million Muslims in the country's population of 34 million. While Indians and Chinese will more than double in numbers, the Muslims will triple in the next two decades.

Interestingly, Frenchspeaking Quebec province, which has witnessed two separatist referendums since the 1970s, will get no additional parliamentary seats.

Iraqi gunmen kill 25 in Sunni area Baghdad: Gunmen wearing Iraqi military uniforms raided homes in a Sunni village south of Baghdad, killing 25 people in execution-style, officials said on Saturday.

Seven people were found alive and bound with handcuffs, according to a statement from Baghdad's security spokesman, Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi. AlMoussawi said that 25 people were arrested in connection with the incident.

UK kissing couple’s jail sentence upheld Dubai: A Dubai appeals court on Sunday upheld a one-month prison sentence for a British couple convicted of kissing in a restaurant.

The pair landed in court after an Emirati woman complained about the public kiss, which the couple insisted was just a peck on the cheek. They were arrested in November and convicted of inappropriate behavior and illegal drinking.

Cosmopolitan Dubai has the most relaxed social codes in the conservative

Gulf, but authorities enforce strict decency laws and regularly crack down on people accused of pushing the limits, which can include everything from wearing a mini skirt to losing one's temper in traffic.

As recently as Sunday, though, a young ItalianIranian couple could be seen kissing among the visitors to the 127th floor observation deck of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper.

Last month an Indian couple was sentenced to

three months in jail for exchanging steamy text messages. In 2008, two Britons accused of having sex on the beach got three months in jail, though their sentences were later suspended.

Ayman Najafi and Charlotte Adams - both in their 20s - were arrested after an Emirati woman claimed they exchanged a passionate kiss in a restaurant where she and her daughter were having dinner.

Najafi and Adams attended Sunday's hear-

ing, but did not speak.

Their lawyer, Khalaf alHosany, told the court in a previous hearing that they kissed on the cheek as a greeting and "never intended to break the law."

Appeals court judge Iysar Fouad upheld the conviction, the jail time and a fine of 1,000 dirhams - about $270 each. They will be deported after serving their sentences.

The couple has 30 days to appeal Sunday's ruling in a higher court.

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

27

Musharraf ready to defend himself against five allegations Islamabad: Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who is set to launch his political party next month, has said he is ready to counter the allegations levelled against him in the media. "The former president (Musharraf) is ready to defend five allegations against him, including the Lal Masjid operation, murder of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, promulgation of the defunct National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) and removal of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry as the chief justice of Pakistan and imposition of dictatorial rule in the country," The News quoted Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Musharraf's lawyer and a close aide, as saying. "Musharraf is all set to launch his own political party next month," he added.

53 killed as Taliban unleash terror

In focus.........

US Consulate in Peshawar attacked Peshawar: Within hours of a deadly explosion that killed 43 people in a political rally near Peshawar, heavily armed terrorists in two vehicles hurled bombs and fired at security men near the tightly-guarded American consulate in Pakistan’s northwestern city, killing four people. In all, 53 people were killed and nearly 100 wounded, including the six Taliban attackers who were shot dead in the protracted gunfire that rattled Peshawar on Monday.

Police said the security forces held off terrorists and prevented them from storming the consulate.

“No one was wounded

inside the US complex but three of its Pakistani guards were killed,” said a police officer. “It was a well-planned suicide attack.” The blasts kicked up a thick plume of smoke into the sky, as the soldiers cordoned off the scene of explosion and helicopters hovered overhead. The assault was the first on a US mission in four years since the American consulate in Karachi was targeted in 2006.

Pakistan Taliban, who have frequently attacked Peshawar and its tribal areas, claimed responsibility and warned of more such assaults. “This is a

revenge for drone attacks,” Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq told media from an unknown location. “We have said we have around 3,000 suicide bombers.

We’ll carry out more such attacks and specifically target Americans,” he added.

The three explosions in Peshawar went off within a span of 15 minutes in the cantonment area, quite close to the American consulate. After the triple blasts, a gun battle between the security forces and the attackers erupted on Khyber road.

“The attackers came in two vehicles. They were well-armed and it was a

Trial of 5 American Muslims begin

well-organised attack,” said Bashir Ahmed Bilour, a senior minister in the NWFP government.

Shortly before the Peshawar explosions, a suicide bomber attacked an open-air rally in the northwest district of Lower Dir and killed 43 people and wounded more than 100 people.

The attack occurred during a celebration organised by the Awami National Party. The rally was organized to celebrate plans to rename North West Frontier Province as KhyberPakhtunkhwa, as laid out in a package of constitutional reform being debated in the federal parliament.

Zardari set to lose key powers

Constitutional reforms draft presented in Pakistani parliament Islamabad: The Pakistani government on Friday tabled a slew of constitutional reforms in parliament which will strip the president's office of key powers. The move is expected to strengthen parliamentary democracy in the country. Its draft was presented by chairman of the parliamentary committee on constitutional reforms, senator Mian Raza Rabbani, amid desk-thumping.

Constitutional amendments in Pakistan require a two-thirds majority both

Asif Ali Zardari

in the Senate and National Assembly. But, since all the major political parties have signed the draft of the 18th amendment, it's

Nawaz Sharif, toppled by General Pervez Musharraf in 1999, to become PM again.

The package will be debated by legislators and Zardari will address a joint session of parliament. It would be third such address by Zardari in the last one-and-a-half year. In his first annual address to parliament, Zardari had said that he wanted a package of constitutional reforms designed to restore the 1973 constitution to its original form.

expected to secure a twothirds majority in parliament. The 18th amendment will nullify the controversial 8th amendment introduced by Gen Zia-ul Haq in 1985.

Under the reforms, the president would no longer have the power to dismiss the PM, dissolve parliament or appoint the head of the country's armed forces. Prime ministers and chief ministers would no longer be barred from office after two terms, which will allow, for instance, PML(N) boss

Indian-American group asks US to declare Pak a terrorist state Washington: Arguing that Islamabad is using terrorism as a tool for its foreign policy, especially against India, an Indian-American group asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week to declare Pakistan as a terrorist state and seize all its nuclear weapons.

"Instead of penalizing Pakistan for its support to the notorious terrorists and spreading global terrorism, US, unfortunately, is rewarding this country with the deadly weapons and billions of dollars of hard cash," Narayan

Kataria, head of New York-based Indian American Intellectual Forum, said in a letter to Clinton.

Similar letters have also been written to several influential lawmakers.

"We should recognize in unambiguous terms that Pakistan is the root cause of terror and instability in that region. In order to win the war in Afghanistan it is essential that American war strategy should be focused on Pakistan. In the next 18 months, American troops will be leaving Af-Pak

Attorney general resigns, accuses law minister of ‘lack of cooperation’

Islamabad: Pakistan's Attorney General Anwar Mansoor resigned on Friday citing "lack of cooperation" from the Law Minister, a day after he accused him of obstructing efforts to implement the Supreme Court's order to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari in Switzerland. Khan, who sent his resignation to the President, told the media he was quitting due to "lack of cooperation" from the Law Minister Babar Awan and his ministry. He said the minister and the ministry were creating obstructions in his work. Khan earlier told an apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry that he was facing "obstacles" in reopening the cases in Switzerland and that he was not being allowed to work properly. Khan said he had not been provided many documents he required by the law ministry. On being asked by the judges who was creating the obstructions, Khan named the law ministry, Law Secretary Aqil Mirza and Law Minister Awan, a close aide of Zardari.

Pak, China sign civilian nuclear deal

Musharraf that Pakistan is modifying the arms, which are meant to fight the terrorists, for use against India," the letter said.

"Intelligence inputs received by Indian officials indicate that Pakistanbased terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba has acquired as many as 50 para-gliding equipment from China for the potential use to launch suicide attacks in India. This, obviously, could not be accomplished without Pakistan's active connivance, complicity and tactical support," it said.

region," Kataria said.

The letter said, Indian American Intellectual Forum believe that it is inappropriate for the US to prop up Pakistan and balance its strategic partnership with India by selling deadly F-16 to Pakistan Air Force together with other advanced weapons and avionics for air-to-air combat that appear to us unnecessary for counter-insurgency operations in mountainous area against Taliban.

"This is being done in spite of the admission by General (Pervez)

Lahore: Five American Muslim youths arrested for planning terror attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan acted in an unruly manner and claimed they had been falsely implicated by authorities as an anti-terror court began their trial last week. The youths yelled at police officials and used abusive language in the court as they alleged they had been framed for crimes they had not committed. The accused have been charged under the Pakistan Penal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Act and could face life imprisonment if they are convicted. After being taken from prison to the anti-terrorism court in Sargodha in Punjab province amidst tight security, the youths started shouting abuse at district police chief Usman Anwar and other police officials responsible for their arrest. Their counsel Tariq Asad then asked them to be calm. Five witnesses, including Anwar, recorded their statements in court. The other four witnesses were from Lahore, Karachi and Hyderabad, places which the youths had visited after travelling to Pakistan in December last year. Anwar said the five Americans Ramy Zamzam, 22, Waqar Hussain Khan, 22, Ahmed Abdullah Minni, 20, Iman Hasan Yemer, 17 and Omar Farooq, 24 - wanted to commit terror attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said they were not happy over the US government's policies in the Muslim world, especially in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine. "They used to post their feelings in this regard on Youtube and also developed a contact with an Arab Muslim named Qari Saifullah, believed to an Al Qaeda operative in Pakistan," Anwar said.

Islamabad: Pakistan has reportedly entered into a civilian nuclear deal with China which includes the construction of two nuclear power stations of 640 megawatts in Chashma. The federal government had approved an inter-government framework agreement on the financing of ‘Chashma Nuclear Power Project 3’ and ‘Chashma Nuclear Power Project 4’ with China, The Daily Times reports. According to sources, the deal under which Beijing has agreed to provide Islamabad financial and technical assistance for the project, was finalized ahead of the last week’s first ministerial level strategic dialogue between Pakistan and the United States. During the strategic dialogue Washington had turned down Pakistan’s demand of having an India-like civil nuclear deal. According to the deal, each 320megawatt unit would contain a nuclear steam supply system, a turbine-generator set and the associated auxiliary equipment and installations. Insiders said China would be providing 82% of the total $1.912 billion to Pakistan as a 20-year soft loan, with an eight-year grace period.

DIMPLE SELF DRIVE HIRE LTD

DIMPLE VANS - CARS - MINIBUS

Competitive prices No hidden extras Unlimited mileage 3 days & over Special weekend rates Minibuses 8, 12, 15 & 17 seaters Vans & estate cars

Mini Bus (8-17 Seater) 8 Seater from £60 12 Seater from £65 15 Seater from £70 17 Seater from £80 Small Cars from £25 Medium Cars from £30 Large Cars from £35 Large Vans from £40

Tel: 020 8205 1200 / 7898 Fax: 020 8200 7426 www.dimpleselfdrive.com Email:dimplemotors@aol.com 19 Varley Parade, Edgware Road, London NW9 6RR

$,

)( $.$)($("

/**&2 (-. && .$)( -$ (.$ & #)*). & &$' . ),

!,$" , .$)(

$(. ( ( -. /, (.-

)'!),. .#,)/"#)/. .# 2 +/). .$)( *#)(

&

1

000 #(

,

$

"

)(

),

$, )( ) /%

###

#

"

!

28

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

This week meet Dhruv Gadhvi of 'Out and About', Zee TV and Kirit Shah and Dinesh Patel of Bridge Property. Kiritbhai and Dineshbhai will talk about the current property scenario with CB Patel.

Sneh Joshi - 020 8518 5500

If you do not have a tv, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

Week commences 10th April 2010 ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

To ask questions please call on: 020 8963 1001

For more information e-mail:

cblive_matv@yahoo.co.uk

Don't miss !!!

Thursday 7pm to 8pm

Only on CB Live - MATV Sky 793 - Thursday 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Good openings for Asian chefs

By Rudy Otter Five thousand extra chefs will be needed to help fill battalions of hungry mouths during the 2012 London Olympics, said Dan Power of People 1st a government-recognised skills council.

"This is a great opportunity for qualified Asian and Oriental chefs" he told a meeting at Hotelympia, the biennial food service and hospitality event at London's ExCel Centre which ran from 28th February to 4th March.

The council's work spans hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism, and Mr Power, its ethnic chef project manager, urged those interested in moving into a catering career to set about it now, gaining the right qualifications and training to take advantage of the increased openings the London Olympics would bring in the Asian and Oriental cuisine market, which according to a 2008 Mintel report was worth £3.2 billion a year.

He reminded the audience that the Migration Advisory Committee's recommendation to stop bringing in foreign cooks and to hire staff from the UK workforce meant further opportunities for ethnics and non-ethnics to consider a career in Asian and Oriental cuisine which included Indian, Bangladeshi, Thai, Chinese and Japanese cooking.

One white man in the

audience said he gave up his law studies and qualified as an an Oriental cook, securing a job in a Thai restaurant.

Other white people were also doing well in the ethnic food sector.

Janice Burdock and her husband Philip (correct) co-founded The Curry Sauce Company 13 years ago in Horsham, west Sussex, exploiting their "passion" for spicy food.

Mrs Burdock told Asian Voice: "We prepare our sauces in a special way to appeal to English palates and supply outlets at home and overseas, everything from hotels and pubs to colleges and hospitals."

Laila's Fine Foods of Blackpool, specialising in ready-prepared spicy meals for retail outlets in the UK and overseas, was also at Hotelympia, busy handing out mouth-watering samples to visitors.

Also attracting attention in the vast hall was The New York Delhi (correct) Company of Barnes, south-west London.

Owner Nina Uppaltold Asian Voice: "We focus on VIPs - very important peanuts - in various flavours including hot chilli, masala and chilli lemon, and supply to hotels, theatres and supermarket chains. Our nuts, Mumbai mix and cashews are equally popular in the United States, Middle East and all over Europe. We'll soon be hitting the Far East and Australia as well."

Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Anne Hoose Deputy Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Tel: 020 7749 4093 Email: surendra.patel@abplgroup.com Accounts Executive: Akshay Desai Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email:accounts@abplgroup.com Advertising Managers: Alka Shah Tel: 020 7749 4002 - Mobile: 07944 151 893 Email: alka.shah@abplgroup.com Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07957 694 909 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Advertising Sales Executive: Nikhil Gor - Email: nikhil.gor@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4009 Media Consultant: Rovin John George Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 Business Development Managers: Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 - Email: george@abplgroup.com Design and Layout: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Saroj Patel Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd. 207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad Tel: +9179 2646 Fax: +9179 6061 Chief Executive Director: Kamlesh Amin Tel: +91 922 710 4308 Email: kamleshamin123@yahoo.co.in

Coming Events l St Luke’s Hospice Indian Mela (fair) is organised with lots of Indian themed stalls, selling products and offering taster sessions.

Saturday 24th April 2010 Venue: Claremont High School, HA3 0UH Time: 11am until 2pm.

Contact: Kate Gammell on 020 8382 8096 l Sophusion Spring Sale …..up to 50% off on selected items.

Sunday 11 April: 10 am - 6 pm at 104 Woodcock Hill, HA3 0JD, contact Krishna Shah: 07958 959104 / info@sophusion.com l 1. The Essence of Krishna featuring Hariprasad Chaurasia with Alarmel Valli Presented by the Lions of Moor Park in association with Asian Music Circuit in aid of The Chain of Hope. Saturday 17 April, 7.30pm, Cadogan Hall London, SW1X 9DQ 020 7730 4500 www.cadoganhall.com 2. The Asian Music Circuit Presents.... At Café Oto

Wednesday 28 April 2010, Café Oto, London, E8 3DL www.cafeoto.co.uk 3. Courtly Love- Indian poetry, music and dance from the palaces of the Maharajahs organised jointly with Poets in the City, Thursday 29 April, 7.00pm in the Ondaatje Wing Theatre at the National Portrait Gallery, London, WC2H 0HE, Tel: 020 7306 0055 /www.npg.org.uk/events l Lions Club of Hadley Wood in association with the Asian Foundation For Help organising a Charity Mehfil on Saturday 10 April 2010.

C o n t a c t : ali@dewood.co.uk or call 07712-563254 l 108 Hanuman Chalisa Chanting at Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community Centre, Northolt UB5 6RE on Saturday 10th April 2010 from 10.30am till 4pm. Prashad will be served at 5pm.

Contact: Panna Vekaria 07971 773 460.

Amazing predictions

Sneh Joshi, the UK’s leading Vedic astrologer, writer and TV personality can answer questions on: Health Problems Investments Married Life

Marriage Compatibility Love Affairs Court Cases Any other problems

Call 020 8518 5500 and face your future with confidence!

Editorial Co-Ordinator (BPO): Suresh Samani (M) +91 9898441330 Email: sureshsamani@yahoo.com Dy. Editorial Co-Ordinator (BPO): Nilesh Parmar (M) +919426636912 Consulting Editor (BPO): Bhupatbhai Parekh, Ahmedabad, Gujarat Fax: +91 79 2550 9944 Mumbai: Kanti Bhatt, Hemraj Shah (Jumbo Advertiser) Horizon Advertising & Marketing: 205 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad Tel / Fax: +91 79 2646 5960 (M) +91 9913346487 Email: horizonadvt2009@yahoo.in Neeta Patel, (Advertising Manager) (M) +91 98255 11702 International Advertisement Representative: Jain Group(South India) Tel: +91 44 42041122/3/4 Fax: +91 44 25362973 Mumbai: +91 222471 4122 Email: jainmedia@eth.net

Asian Voice Main Office Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080, Fax: 020 7749 4081 www.abplgroup.com © Asian Business Publications

Asian Voice switchboard: 020 7749 4000 Gujarat Samachar switchboard: 020 7749 4080 Sales: 020 7749 4085

It is a favourable time for dealing with financial interests with a long-term basis and all jointly held resources. There may be a certain amount of unfinished business to be dealt with. Therefore you will need to adopt a fairly flexible policy in order to accommodate the odd twists and turns of everyday life.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

You will be pleased to see that your social life livens up during this week.

Lucky twist of events will provide you with a key to your heart's desire. There is a definite expansive trend where money is concerned, so do not be surprised if this turns out be a time of fortunate opportunities and lucky breaks.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

It seems that you will be in gregarious mood, intent on cultivating a wider circle of acquaintances. Mentally you will be in good form to make on-the-spot decisions and also get your ideas across to the right people. Ideas that you have been juggling with for quite some time will now be easily pulled into shape, allowing you to push ahead.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

As social life is likely to gather a pleasant momentum throughout this week, this is bound to present a better prospect, not only for striking up new friendships but more especially for romantic encounters. This is a time when insignificant events give rise to unexpected developments especially regarding work and health.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

This is an excellent time for developing and perfecting skills and simply discussing your ideas with friends. Do not kid yourself that emotional problems can always be solved by material means. This only covers the cracks and does nobody any good in the end. Be prepared to confront the issues.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

The fiery planet Mars is the moving force in regard to amorous experience, giving more than just a hint that links between lovers will be rather intense and passionate. Your attitude to material interests is likely to undergo some deep change. The trend favours greater financial stability.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23 The fiery planet Mars, continues to occupy your Solar 11th house for some time to come. Its influence will help you to maintain a high energy level and achieve positive results in anything that requires drive and initiative. If you are involved in a competitive field, you will be the one who comes out on top.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

You will feel energetic and confident as the week begins. New beginnings are favoured around now, as long as you do not bite off more than you can chew. This may be a time of expansion and improved opportunity and it would be unwise to let yourself become complacent. Affairs of the heart are likely to flourish.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

Expect everything to run smoothly and luck to attend your efforts.

However, underneath this positive surface you may be plagued by a feeling of restlessness, an uneasy feeling that something is not quite right. Try to srike a balance between material and emotional affairs !

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

There seems to be some pressure on financial affairs and maybe a problem to contend with in regard to a joint venture. If you feel that something has been hanging in the balance, whatever happens you will get a clearer picture of the situation eventually - therfore, allow matters to ride.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 Try to take things in your stride rather than anticipating what might happen. Keep calm as conflict and disagreement could be sparked off by your short-sightedness. Think carefully about the implications of your actions. Intense focus is what is needed now so do not let yourself be distracted by non-essentials.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 Your communications are at their peak and any initiatives you take now will be well received by people in authority. A tremendous amount of planetary activity in your chart signals a time of mixed emotions as well as personal issues to be dealt with. Practical affairs of life continue to be highlighted.

time

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

C R O s s W O R D - 82 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

14

15

17

18 20

23

24

21

25

8

9

10

34

35

36 39

42 47

50

51

52

53

45

63

64

54

56

59

60

61

66

67

68

69

70

Across

18 20 22 23

44

37

49

65

1 7 10 14 15 16 17

29

40

48

55 58

28

43

46

57

27 32

38 41

13

22

31

33

12

19

26

30

11

16

Horsedrawn carriage Time-line segment Meldives capital Take in liquids Greek letter Big name in norway “Wall Street” co-star James Start of a quip Whence Zeno Comic shal Part 2 of quip

62

30 Neighbor of Mont.

31 Stewart of “Swing Shift” 32 PGA Peg 33 Be much concerned 36 Polshes prose 38 Part 3 of quip 41 Hager’s dog 43 Heavy winter fall 46 Fell ill 47 Jeremy of “Damage” 49 Old airline letters 50 Part 4 of quip

S

I

L

O

M

A

R

C

H

S

C

O

T

O

P

E

C

A

L

O

H

A

P

A

V

E

M

O

N

T

E

G

O

B

A

Y

A

S

S

U

A

G

E

S

P

R

O

S

B

L

E

T

D

A

O

G

L

E

T

A

U

T

E

V

E

M

E

L

L

E

Worry is like a __ _____... It keeps you busy busy but gets you nowhere.(7,5)

A

L

O

T

W

O

B

O

E

solution of scramble - 51

S

E

N

D

Rearrange the letters in the four word jumbles, one letter to each square/circle, to make four ordinary words OsARR

How to play

Now arrange the letters in the circles to form the answer to the riddle or to fill in the missing word as indicated

DTIIO HILCCN IINGHK

Words: Galbe, lists, spotty, smudgy.

Singer Ocasek Nabokov novel Gym weight Bullfighter Not mel Fish catcher Some TV sets Musical gift Play Hamlet Psychic’s claim Primitive Pluto Actress Zellweger Paint a word Pouch Actress Long Be master of 1966 Musical Pour down upon Wary Plumbing joint Actress Georgia Perry’s secretary Concealed Questionnaire question Silver or Glass Sheep-ette Frequently, in verse Klondike find Barrett of Pink Floyd

Solution of Crossword-81

T

sCRAMBLE - 52

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 34 35 36 37 39 40 41 42 44 45 48 51 52 53 54 57 58 59 60 62 63 64

55 “The Time Machine” race 56 White-tailed eagle 57 End of quip 61 Ice houses?

65 Borodin opera, “Prince___” 66 Tony who played wally Cleaver 67 Bell Tower 68 Withhold 69 Individual 70 In high spirits Down 1 Towel word 2 Electric meas.

3 Hoops grp.

4 Marks on old manuscripts 6 Lop service 7 Airport info 8 Scrap collector 9 Goddess of dawn 10 Lip. in slang 11 Yodeler’s peak 12 “7 Faces of Doctor__” 13 Studio apt.

19 Tolkien daddle 21 Equally sad

R

Y

E

S

F

L

A

U

N

T

B

E

I

N

G

D

I

V

A

G

A

T

E

R

L

O

X

L

A

M

E

P

I

K

E

R

A

F

E

S

T

F

A

K

E

I

L

L

E

R

K

N

E

E

S

A

N

G

E

S

A

B

O

R

T

G

A

T

O

S C

U

T

E

C

A

R

E

S

S

E

D

A

L

D

E

N

P

O

N

D

T

W

E

E

T

A

L

D

A

H

E

F

T

Y

N

O

S

Y

pass

LOOP THE LOOP - 52 Rules Connect adjacent dots with vertical or horizontal lines, creating a single loop.

(Fig A).

Crossovers or branches are not allowed 2 3 1 1 (As shown by dotted lines in Fig B).

3 2 3 Numbers in the puzzle indicate the 1 2 1 3 number of lines that should 2 2 1 surround it, while empty cells may 1 2 0 3 be surrounded by any number of 3 3 lines.

You can’t draw lines arround 2 2 3 1 zeroes.

Each puzzle has just one unique solution.

How to begin: Example (Fig A) - Begin with the zero next to 3. Since no lines can be drawn around zero, mark crosses around it, as shown. Now there is a cross in one space around 3. So we know the three lines of 3 can only be drawn in the remaining three spaces. Next these lines can only be extended in one direction each. Continue, using the same Solution of LTL No. 51 logic. x x Hints: Keep elimi2 x2 2 x x x nating possibilix x x ties by marking 2 2 x 3 x crosses x x in x x x spaces between x x x 2 1 x 3 dots where a line x x x x isn’t possible, x x x 2 3 3 x i.e., if you have x x already complet3 x 2 x2 x0 x2 x1 x 3 ed required lines x or where a line x 2 x x x x x 2 2 extension may x create a branch x x x 1 x x x or cause a deadend (Fig B)

MINDBENDER - 82 Study this paaragraph and all things in it. What is vitally wrong with it? Actually, nothing it is wrong, but you must admit that it is most unusual. Don’t just zip through it quickly, but study it scrupulously. With luck

Answer: The greatest discovery is that a perosn can change their future by merely changing their attitude.

WHATZIT? - 82

solution of 81 :

sPELLATHON - 82

Find the familiar phrase, saying or name in this arrangement of letters.

sudoku-82

Today’s Ratings: 03-average | 05-good | 06-outstanding

U E C

C D

s E

How many words of four or more letters can you make from the letters shown in today’s puzzle? In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each word must contain the central letter. There should be at least one seven-letter word. Plurals, foreign words and proper names are not allowed. British English Dictionary is used as reference.

solution of spellathon - 81 :

1 2

7

Example

6 6

3

2

1 6

KAKURO - 82

12

5 8

1

6 3

4

9

7

solution of KAKURO - 81

8

2

7

The numbers in the pink squares refer to the sums of the digits that you must fill into the empty spaces directly below or to the right of the pink square containing the number. For instance, in the given example, the 2 boxes below 12 must contain 2 digits that add upto 12, whereas for 20, the 3 boxes places horizontally next to it must add upto 20.

No zeroes are used here, only the digits one through nine.

7

9

Home is where the heart is

jack, JACKPOT, jock 20

Into

6

Sollution-81

29

2 9

5

1

4 solution of sudoku-81

HOW TO PLAY Each row, column and square 3x3 box is a subgrid of 9 cells. Fill in the grid so that each sub-grid contains the digits 1 to 9.

Every puzzle has one solution.

Note:

A digit cannot appear more than once in any particular digit combination. For instance in the example, we cannot have the combination of 8+4+8 for 20.

8

2

5

4

1

9

7

6

3

7

1

6

2

8

3

9

5

4

9

4

3

7

6

5

1

8

2

5

7

8

1

2

6

4

3

9

1

9

2

3

4

8

6

7

5

6

3

4

9

5

7

8

2

1

3

5

1

8

7

4

2

9

6

4

6

7

5

9

2

3

1

8

2

8

9

6

3

1

5

4

7

30

HEALTH WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

How you can make the most of healthboosting alternatives to wheat With millet, buckwheat, quinoa and rye now available in supermarkets, wheat is no longer the main grain. These are nutrient-packed and have key health benefits.

Buckwheat can help manage diabetes according to researchers at the University of Manitoba in Canada, while the high fibre content in millet helps prevent gallstones.

So how can you make the most of these supergrains?

stews. Cook as an alternative to porridge adding cinnamon, honey and raisins. Use three parts water to one part grain and simmer for about 30 minutes.

Quinoa

Millet

Quinoa is unusually rich in amino acids

Millet contains nearly 15 per cent protein

With a mildly sweet flavour, millet contains nearly 15 per cent protein, B vitamins, a range of minerals, and is high in fibre.

'A cup of cooked millet will give you 26 per cent of the magnesium and 24 per cent of the phosphorus you need daily,' says Christine Bailey, nutrition consultant.

'Both phosphorus and magnesium are needed to strengthen bone, while phosphorus is an essential component of ATP, an energy molecule that powers cells.'

Who for? 'Millet is ideal for anyone who would benefit from a magnesium top-up,' says Bailey. 'This includes those with low energy, tight muscles or who are stressed.'

Millet is gluten-free so is ideal for coeliacs and those with a wheat intolerance.

How to get it? Millet is sold in most supermarkets and can be added as a cereal to soups and

This grain is an unusually rich source of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. 'Unlike other plants, it contains all nine of the essential aminoacids that we need to build both protein and muscle,' says Bailey.

Quinoa is packed with lysine, an amino acid needed for tissue growth and repair, as well as magnesium, a mineral that aids muscular relaxation.

Who for? Ideal for vegetarians and vegans who are concerned about their protein intake.

Eat quinoa, advises Bailey, if you are prone to cold sores - lysine inhibits the spread of the herpes virus that causes them.

How to get it? Use quinoa as an alternative to couscous, rice or porridge. Once cooked, it has a fluffy, slightly crunchy texture with a nutty flavour.

Buckwheat Packed with B vitamins, minerals and a range of flavonoids, this is a good all-round source of nutrients.

The study at the University of Manitoba found that buckwheat can improve blood-sugar control. It is also rich in rutin, a chemical that strengthens capillary and vein walls. It could also

There are now healithier alternatives to wheat

Buckwheat is a good allround source of nutrients

help those with vascular disease.

A study at Humboldt University, Berlin, found that a diet rich in buckwheat increased microcirculation in those with chronic poor circulation of the legs.

Who for? Buckwheat may significantly improve blood-sugar control in diabetics in the Canadian research, buckwheat was found to lower blood glucose by up to 19 per cent. This grain might be useful to strengthen blood vessels in those suffering hypertension and circulatory disorders.

How to get it?

Buckwheat can be used to make noodles, pasta, porridge and pancakes as a glutenfree alternative to wheat or oats. Cook buckwheat grain in a similar way to rice.

give a feeling of fullness, making it useful for anyone trying to lose weight, says Bailey.

It is also low on the glycaemic index - a study in the American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition found that eating rye leads to better bloodsugar control than eating wheat.

Who for? Women with PMS or who are menopausal might do well to eat rye as it is packed with phytoestrogens, plant molecules that improve hormonal balance in women.

Incorporate this as part of a healthy weight-loss regime, says Bailey. 'It is nutrient-rich, will give long-lasting energy, and promotes feelings of fullness,' she says.

How to get it? Rye is in pumpernickel and rye bread. Most health shops sell rye flakes which can be added to muesli or flapjacks.

Rye is useful for anyone trying to lose weight

Unintentional physical activity also helps Make physical activity a part of your daily life, even if it be unintentional.

"If you aren't in the habit of being physically active, you can run out of energy trying to force yourself to do it everyday," said David Conroy, associate professor of kinesiology and human development and family studies at Pennslyvania State University (PSU).

"But if you can make physical activity habitual, being active becomes a lot easier," he said. Efforts to increase physical activity

are at the forefront of public health research because the benefits of a healthy lifestyle go far beyond physical and mental wellbeing.

However, a majority of these efforts focus on explicit motivation -external factors that lead to a change in behaviour.

Explicit motivation can include 150 minutes of aerobic activity throughout the week, or making plans with a friend to start a weight-loss program.

But such processes are often unsuccessful in

causing changes that people can easily maintain long-term.

Conroy, along with Shawna Doerksen, assistant professor of recreation, park and tourism management, examined 200 college students for a connection between physical activity and level of unintentional activity.

"It wasn't the overall level of activity we focused on, it was specifically the unintentional activity -those little things that you don't even think about that help you burn those

Pop a pill to scare away headlice A new pill that kills headlice is not only easier to administer, but also more effective than a traditional lotion applied to the hair.

In a trial, more than 800 people infected with head lice were given malathion lotion, an insecticide applied directly to hair, or Ivermectin, given in tablet form.

After 15 days, 95 per cent of those treated with Ivermectin were free of head lice compared to 85 per cent of those treated with malathion.

The drug works by killing headlice when they ingest the drugfilled blood.

'There is a risk of side effects - such as fever which is why we'd recommend Ivermectin as a second option for people whose infestation does not clear up with other treatments,' says Professor Olivier Chosidow, a dermatologist who co-ordinated the French study.

It's hoped the pill may become available in a few years.

How red grape juice beats cholesterol Could a daily glass of red grape juice can lower levels of bad cholesterol.

The juice is thought to be full of natural antioxidants - in particular polyphenols - that help protect the body against disease.

During a Spanish trial, healthy volunteers were given 100ml of concentrated red grape juice every day for a fortnight.

Their blood was tested before, during and after.

Results showed their blood was not only lower in cholesterol, but also in compounds known to increase the risk of heart disease.

Blood tests six months after the trial found that levels were still low compared to a

control group who did not have the juice.

It's thought polyphenols help slow or prevent cell damage caused by free radicals, the potentially damaging molecules linked to disease.

They may also have other protective effects, including reducing abnormal heart rhythms.

New drug to end the misery of shingles

Rye Rich in molecules known as polysaccharides that bind to water in the gut to

HEALTH WATCH IN BRIEF

An anti-viral drug said to be 10,000 times more potent than other treatments may banish the agony of shingles.

The drug, developed at the University of Cardiff, could be available in three years.

Code-named FV-100, it works by dampening down nearly all of the symptoms caused by shingles, such as acute pain, rash and blisters.

Shingles is a notoriously painful condition that affects one in five people at some point in their lives. extra few calories," said Conroy, according to a PSU release.

Their results show a positive correlation between individuals who have a positive attitude about physical activity and those who performed more unintentional physical activity, such as climb-

It is caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After triggering the childhood disease, it can lurk in the spine before being reactivated and causing shingles.

Traditionally, doctors treat it with the drug acyclovir, which stops the virus from replicating, but this has to be given within the first 48 hours to have any impact.

But the new once-aday drug destroys the virus and could bring better relief to millions more sufferers. ing stairs instead of waiting for the elevator, or walking further to the store because of parking in the first available spot rather than searching for a closer space.

These findings were published in the April issue of Annals of Behavioural Medicine.

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

OZ wrap up New Zealand series 2 – 0

SL pick up a fresh face as WK for World T20

Mitchell Johnson scalped 10 wickets for Australia Mitchell Johnson wrapped up the Kiwi resistance on Wednesday, the last day of the second and final test match, as the hosts lost the series 0 – 2. The kangaroo speedster scalped his second ten wicket haul in test matches. He picked up three each on day for and five after having captured 4 for 59 in the New Zealand first innings.

Australia won the match by a huge margin of 176 runs.

The home team did give some good fight in both the innings, but were facing an improbable 479 run target in the second innings and had already

Mitchell Johnson accepts the praise on the way to 10 wickets for the match at Hamilton on March 31

lost the top half of the batting by the end of the fourth day.

On the last day, Guptill and McCullum kept up the

resistance for a while, but both fell after completing their half centuries.

Thereafter, Tim Southee did play with some bel-

ligerence.

It was though too brief to deny the Australians a victory.

The visitors wrapped up the innings before lunch.

Australia remained focused despite the early delays. Southee pulled a six to start a Bollinger over that went for 12 and slogged four boundaries in a row in Bollinger’s next over, which cost 17. It allowed New Zealand some smiles at the end of a difficult series. {Brief scores: OZ 231 & 511 for 8 dec beat NZ 264 & 302 (Guptill 58, McCullum 51, Johnson 673) by 176 runs}

Paes – Dlouhy beat Bhupathi – Mirnyi for Miami Open men’s doubles title Roddick takes men’s crown; Clijsters is women’s champion Even as American Andy Roddick took the men’s singles crown at Miami open on Sunday, Kim Clijsters had a day earlier defeated an American veteran and a ruthless opponent – Venus Williams to bag the women’s singles title, while for the men’s doubles, the rivals had an Indian each.

They were a formida-

Michael Lumb earns his T20 cap for England One of the England batsmen picked up by IPL team of Rajasthan Royals – Michael Lumb has made it to the national side to play the World T20. Ravi Bopara has earned a recall, while Craig Kieswetter will be the sole wicketkeeper, beating Matt Prior for the major tournament starting at the month end in the West Indies.

Lumb, the Hampshire batsman has earned his cap. Kieswetter made it on the strength of his performances in the recent tour, playing match winning innings against seniors in Abu Dhabi in February and also scoring a ton against Bangladesh.

England are placed alongside West Indies and Ireland in group D. Their first match against the hosts will be in Guyana on May 3.

England Team: Paul Collingwood (capt), James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Craig Kieswetter, Michael Lumb, Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, Ajmal Shahzad, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Luke Wright, Michael Yardy.

ble Indian pair when playing together. Now, they are formidable rivals after a split. Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathy battled it out in the Miami Open men’s doubles final with their partners to share the title and the runners’ up trophy.

Paes, playing with his Czech companion Lukas Dlouhy almost sailed

through with the title on Saturday. They won 6 – 2 and 7 – 5, as Bhupathy and his Belarussian partner Max Mirnyi were outplayed for a good part of the contest.

Clijsters crushes Venus Williams A 15 match winning streak for Venus Williams was interrupted by Kim Clijsters on Saturday. The

Belgian took just 58 minutes to beat the veteran American overwhelmingly by 6 – 2, 6 – 1.

Roddick sinks Berdych In the men’s event on Sunday, Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic fought hard before Andy Roddick beat him 7 – 5, 6 – 4 in the finals of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Theron gets SA call for World T20 Juan Theron, the South African pacer playing for the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL was picked up by the national selectors for the World T20 to be played in the West Indies. He is the only new face, while Rory Klienveldt makes a return to the T20 team after a long time – he last played against Bangladesh in 2008.

Wayne Parnell and Justin Kemp, both injured during the early phase of the IPL and back home have to miss the World T20, while the skipper Graeme Smith will be leading the side. He has recovered. Medium-pace bowler Juan Theron is the only uncapped player in South Africa's 15-member squad for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament.

The squad also marks a return for Cape Cobras' Rory Kleinveldt, who last

31

www.abplgroup.com

played for South Africa in a Twenty20 match against Bangladesh in 2008.

South Africa have warm-up games against Sri Lanka and England, both at the Kensington Oval. Their campaign starts against India in St. Lucia on May 2.

SA team: Graeme Smith (capt), Jacques Kallis (vice-capt), Loots Bosman, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher (wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Rory Kleinveldt, Charl Langeveldt, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Juan Theron and Roelof van der Merwe.

Taylor, Sarwan back; Hinds recalled for hosts West Indies Having recovered from their injuries, Jerome Taylor and Ramnaresh Sarwan are back in the West Indies squad for the

World T20, even as Wavell Hinds has been recalled after being dropped for the recent series against Zimbabwe.

Both Taylor and Sarwan have been out of action since the Test series in Australia late last year.

West Indies have a potentially explosive mix for T20 and Clyde Butts, the chairman of selectors, is confident of a strong showing from the team, now under coach Ottis Gibson.

West Indies team: Chris Gayle (capt), Sulieman Benn, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Andre Fletcher, Wavell Hinds, Nikita Miller, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Jerome Taylor.

Indian Premier League - Points table (for matches played upto Teams Mat Won Lost Mumbai Indians 8 7 1 Delhi Daredevils 9 6 3 Royal Challengers Bangalore 9 5 4 Rajasthan Royals 10 5 5 Chennai Super Kings 9 4 5 Kolkata Knight Riders 9 4 5 Deccan Chargers 9 3 6 Kings XI Punjab 9 2 7

5th April) Tied N/R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pts 14 12 10 10 8 8 6 4

Net RR +1.412 +0.397 +0.428 -0.394 +0.042 -0.444 -0.743 -0.504

Sri Lankan selectors went in for Dinesh Chandimal, a promising new player and wicketkeeper batsman to do the duty at the World T20, while allrounder Thissara Perera has made a comeback after having played a few ODIs. Dilhara Fernando, K Weeraratne and M Pushpakumara are the notable names that have been dropped. Sri Lanka play their first match against New Zealand on April 30.

Sri Lankan team: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Muttiah Muralitharan (vice-capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Thissara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Chanaka Welagedara, Chamara Kapugedara, Sanath Jayasuriya and Chinthaka Jayasinghe.

Bangladesh recall Ashraful for World T20 Bangladesh had to go for the veteran batsman Mohammad Ashraful. After having axed him completely from the home series against England recently, selectors recalled him for the World T20.

Bangladesh team: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim (vice captain and wicket keeper), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mohammad Ashraful, Aftab Ahmed, Mahmudullah, Naeem Islam, Mashrafe Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Syed Rasel, Suhrawadi Shuvo and Jahurul Islam.

English Premier League Matches Saturday, 10 April Hull v/s Burnley Kingston Comms Stadium West Ham v/s Sunderland Boleyn Ground Sunday, 11 April Blackburn v/s Man Utd Ewood Park Liverpool v/s Fulham Anfield Man City v/s Birmingham City of Mcr Stadium Wolverhampton v/s Stoke Molineux Tuesday, 13 April Chelsea v/s Bolton Stamford Bridge Wednesday, 14 April Aston Villa v/s Everton Villa Park Fulham v/s Stoke Craven Cottage Tottenham v/s Arsenal White Hart Lane Wigan v/s Portsmouth DW Stadium

15:00 15:00 13:30 15:00 16:00 12:00 20:00 19:45 20:00 20:00 19:45

IPL: Results of 9 matches played till Sunday, 4th April Match Date No. 35 04 April

34

33

32

31

30

29

28

26

Teams

DD v/s RCB at Delhi DD won by 37 runs Brief scores: DD 184/5 (20 overs); RCB 147/9 (20 overs) 04 April KKR v/s KXIP at Kolkata KXIP won by 8 wickets Brief scores: KKR 200/3 (20 overs); KXIP 204/2 (18.2 overs) 03 April MI v/s DC at Mumbai MI won by 63 runs Brief scores: MI 178/5 (20 overs); DC 115 (18.2 overs) 03 April CSK v/s RR at Chennai CSK won by 23 runs Brief scores: CSK 246/5 (20 overs); RR 223/5 (20 overs) 02 April KXIP v/s RCB at Mohali RCB won by 6 wickets Brief scores: KXIP 181/5 (20 overs); RCB 184/4 (19.1 overs) 01 April KKR v/s DC at Kolkata KKR won by 24 runs Brief scores: KKR 181/6 (20 overs); DC 157/5 (20 overs) 31 March DD v/s RR at Delhi DD won by 67 runs Brief scores: DD 188/6 (20 overs); RR 121 (17.4 overs) 31 March CSK v/s RCB at Chennai CSK won by 5 wickets Brief scores: RCB 161/4 (20 overs); CSK 162/5 (18.5 overs) 29 March DD v/s KKR at Delhi DD won by 40 runs Brief scores: DD 177/4 (20 overs); KKR 137/9 (20 overs)

32

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th April 2010

Tune into Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No.1 Hindi Entertainment Channel.