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Manmohan in Dhaka Landmark border pacts signed, but no Teesta deal

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina escorts Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after receiving him at the airport in Dhaka.

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For reports see pages 27

10th September to 16th September 2011

First turban-wearing Sikh peer in Lords Dr Indarjit Singh OBE CBE, a nationally known journalist and broadcaster has become the first Turban-wearing Sikh to be appointed a life peer in the House of Lords.

Dr Singh, who is the director of the Network of Sikh Organisations, will sit as an independent Lord.

He played a central role in the landmark case of Mandla v Dowell Lee in 1982, which established an important degree of protection for Sikhs to wear the symbols of their faith.

He also has played his part in promoting inter-faith understanding, having been a found-

ing member and current vice chair of the Inter Faith Network UK. Dr Singh, pictured, is also head of the Sikh Chaplaincy Service, which works for the pastoral care of Sikhs in prisons.

Continued on page 2

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Contact Mr. Mitesh Patel, Solicitor No Win No Fee

amicable arrangement for the sharing of the Teesta and Feni river waters".

Seeking to placate Dhaka, upset over the lastminute scrapping of the Teesta water-sharing pact, Singh announced a major trade sop allowing dutyfree access with immediate effect to 61 items from Bangladesh to Indian market and permitting 24hour access to Bangladeshis through Tin Bigha corridor. Of the 61 items, 46 are textile products for which Bangladesh had sought access into the Indian market.

Continued on page 26

A decade after the attack on the World Trade Center

0800 118899 Email: mpatel@levenes.co.uk Website: www.levenes.co.uk Ashley House, 235-239 High Road, Wood Green, London N22 8HF

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India and Bangladesh on Tuesday resolved a longstanding border problem, signing a historic agreement on demarcation of land boundary and exchange of 162 adverselyheld enclaves, but their failure to sign any deal on sharing of Teesta and Feni river waters cast a shadow on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's maiden visit to Dhaka.

However, Singh who met his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina, said the two countries had decided to continue discussions to reach "a mutually acceptable, fair and

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Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

one to one Keith Vaz MP with

Ranu Mehta-Radia, Services Co-ordinator, Larches Community & Founder of Sai School of Harrow.

Ranu Mehta-Radia, a well-known Community Champion has dedicated 30 years in making a difference in many areas including disability; interfaith relations, education and youth. She recently joined Larches Community to start new educational & vocational programmes for adults with learning disabilities (l/d) after a decade working at Community Link Up. She is well known as founder of the award winning Sai School of Harrow and its value based educational and citizenship programme where children and young people are encouraged to work hands-on with local organisations. A dedicated team of 40 volunteers run the free school. Ranu is also Creative Director of Diwali in London the largest crowd puller annually at Trafalgar Square working in partnership with Mayor of London and 11 organisations. She hails from the illustrious Mehta family who have set up many educational institutions, married to Atul Radia who have 2 children Devi & Rishi.

1) What inspired you to begin your career in working with and supporting adults with learning disabilities?

with the famous Gujarati warrior princess who always stood up for Dharma, so I need to live up to the name.

It’s genetic, my ancestors always supported the most disadvantaged in their communities.

Even as a child, I would stand up for the weak, my proper name Ranakdevi is associated

2) What is your proudest achievement?

Helping launch the 1st community radio station run by people with disabilities, a Nightclub run by disabled people and a

has the potential to become a Learner Centre for people with learning disabilities.

4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?

Beauty course for young ladies with facial disfigurements. Also being introduced to the Queen in Harrow, and promising HRH that Sai School would endeavour to produce the best citizens for her country.

3) Please tell us about your current position?

I have started working in partnership with Barnet College and we are optimistic that a long term partnership is possible providing we receive funding enabling us to prove that Larches Community

South Asians at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes Roanne Denton There are currently 2.5 million diabetics in the UK, and an estimated 1 million people suffering from the condition without knowing it. Among the many factors influencing whether a person develops diabetes or not is ethnicity. The chance of developing type 2 diabetes is 6 times higher in South Asians than in Europeans.

The prevalence of diabetes also varies between men and women. Taking a closer look at these variations between ethnic groups, 10.1% of Indian men have the condition, and 5.9% of Indian women; 10% of Black Caribbean men and 8.4% of Black Caribbean women and 7.3% of Pakistani men and 8.6% of Pakistani women have diabetes.

Among Bangladeshi men, 8.2% are diagnosed with diabetes and 5.2% of Bangladeshi women have the condition. Compare these to the prevalence of diabetes in the general population, 4.3% of men and 3.4% of women are diagnosed with diabetes.

The local charity Silver Star is an organisation focussed on providing cul-

turally sensitive health advice, campaigning for diabetes awareness and testing for diabetes in the community. As the number of diabetics in the world rises, identifying those who have diabetes and don’t know it is becoming increasingly important. Silver Star has bases in Leicester, London, Manchester and Goa, and from these bases they run a Mobile Diabetes Unit (MDU), which visits organisations, places of work or worship and schools. Silver Star has been testing people for diabetes since 2007, and last year, in 2010, 696 people out of 8464 (8.2%) who were tested for diabetes had an abnormally high blood sugar (a normal result is 4-8mmol/L).

Ramakanth Potnuru took the Silver Star diabetes test at the Belgrave Mela in Leicester, and had an especially high blood sugar reading of 29.0 mmol/L. Here’s what he’s got to say: “I have met my GP and got the investigations done. I have been diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2 - I am on Metmorfin tablets now.

Silver Star shows good initiative. Keeps people aware and educated on diabetes. Thanks for the concern!”

Also, Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield, was diagnosed with diabetes after taking the Silver Star Appeal test at the first Ethnic Minorities Diabetes Day in October 2010. The event was held to raise awareness of the

People with learning difficulties experience social discrimination and are undervalued and underestimated by society. Most are socially excluded, with few chances to develop their individuality or contribute their skills to the community. Most people with learning difficulties are unemployed, struggling to get by on benefits and reliant on their family carer or Care home.

5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

Sai Baba who gave selfless service from a young age and set up some of the finest educational and

medical institutions in India serving the poorest of the poor. My dedicated volunteer team and silent donors who fund my projects knowing that we will deliver the desired outcomes.

enterprises we have in mind are Valuable Jewellery and Space Crafts, which we hope to sell to local shops to generate income for our clients and lift them out of poverty traps.

6) What is the best thing about your current role?

9) If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you change?

As Services Coordinator I am working to make Larches House a hub for people with learning difficulties in accessing learning and social enterprises in the heart of a busy shopping centre. We are ready to roll out new educational & vocational programmes next week, and still needs lots of volunteers.

7) And the worst?

The current economic climate and axing of statutory funds has resulted in Trusts and Foundations being inundated with requests.

Charities are having to work harder at casting their funding nets wide and look at more creative ways to raise funds.

8) What are your longterm goals?

Larches Community wants to set up Social Enterprises to generate income as funding gets thin on the ground. New

The Big Society has always existed (it’s a Blast from the Past).

Every school should introduce the Human Values and Citizenship programme to ensure that future generations will grow up respecting the country they call home, and feel a sense of pride in looking after Britain regardless of where they come from.

10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figures would you like to spend your time with and why?

Charles Darwin, Father of Evolution whose theory is closely linked to DasAvatar (Ten incarnations of Vishnu), Bill Gates to teach me humility despite being a global figure & Obama whose father hails from Kisumu where I was born to shower me with his determination to become the most powerful leader.

First turban-wearing Sikh peer in Lords Continued from page 1 He is also the co-coordinator of pastoral care for Sikhs in hospitals and in the Armed Forces, and a trustee of the World Congress of Faiths.

Dr Singh, has represented the UK Sikh community on national occasions, including the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph and the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey. In 2008 he became the first Sikh to address a major dangers of undiagnosed diabetes in Britain’s Asian community, as part of the festivities of Diwali at Westminster.

He took the test by serendipity, and the abnormal result was confirmed by his GP the following week. “If I hadn’t visited the Silver Star reception that afternoon during my busy schedule I still would not know I had the illness! I would be one of the million individuals walking the streets of the UK completely unaware they were diabetic. Thank you, Silver Star. Your work is invaluable.”

The MDU can visit your organisation or place of work - contact Silver Star on 0845 094 9933 or email health@silverstaruk.org.

conference of at the Vatican, when he gave a keynote address on the need for respect and tolerance between world faiths.

Dr Singh said he was honoured to become a life peer and wanted to use his position to further promote harmony and tolerance between different communities.

He said, "I'm delighted to be the first turbaned Sikh in Parliament. It gives me a new opportunity, to do what I have always tried to do; to work with people of all beliefs to increase tolerance and understanding and work for greater social and political justice in society."

He also added, "As Sikhs we have a glorious history of commitment

and sacrifice for uplifting ideals. It is important that we see this as inspiration to work for a better present and future, not simply for ourselves, but for all people in line with our Gurus' teachings. The mantra of today's times to look after ourselves, because we are important, is creating a selfish and fragmented society. We saw the worst features of this in the recent riots. As Sikhs we see a wider society where the focus is away from an unhealthy obsession with self to the needs of wider society I would like, in my small way to work with likeminded people to reverse this trend. Sikh teachings are a unique blueprint of how to move in this direction."

Teenager jailed for seven years A teenage girl who lured two young white girls on a night out to be raped by three Asian men was jailed for seven years.

Stephanie Knight, then 17, told the 16-yearolds they were going for an 'exciting night' clubbing but instead plied them with vodka and drugs before forcing them to have sex with 'her boys'.

The three attackers, Amjad Hussain, 34, Shahid Hussain, 37, and Tanveer Butt, 39, were

jailed indefinitely at Preston Crown Court and ordered to serve at least seven-and-a-half years, a judge also sentenced Knight to seven years in a young offenders institute, saying she played a vital role.

Judge Beverley Lunt said the teenager, who had been in care most of her life, had distorted views on morality and knew exactly what she was doing when she led them into the trap.

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

COMMENT

Anniversary of 9/11, its lessons for the US and us The coming weekend will mark another anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack on New York and Washington and the events which flowed from this terrible event. America and the world have never been the same since. The US was traumatised by the scale of the attack, its stealth and the numbers of dead and injured in the destruction of New York's landmark Twin Towers. The barbarians were no longer at the gates, they had breached the walls of the citadel to become a shadowy and baleful menace in our midst. In every continent the malignant cells of terrorism were multiplying in a cancerous advance upon the vitals of civil societies The secular and democratic segments of the international community stood by America in her agony, political differences cast aside at this hour of shared suffering and solidarity. A new world order beckoned but its early promise has withered in the cross-winds and storms emanating from America's War on Terror.

The Bush administration in Washington calculated that this was the moment to reorder the world in the image of its neo-con global vision.

It turned out to be an act of folly. The world is too diverse culturally to be chastened into a common shape, especially one that was so utterly crude and supremacist at core.

So America launched her ill-conceived war on Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq on the specious plea that it was embarked on developing much trumpeted weapons of mass destruction, no evidence of which was ever discovered. The quicksands of Iraq mired the US military and reduced a once prosperous country to the febrile, confessional desolation it is today. The road to Iraq led

also to a wasting military experience in Afghanistan and Pakistan with no endgame firmly in view. A bonfire of the vanities is consuming the Middle East and North Africa. The cost to the US exchequer of these interventionist conflicts is proving astronomical. America is the largest debtor nation known to history and its failing economy, following the Wall Street crash of 2008, has debilitated the economies of its European allies. “The Decline of the West”, the title of Oswald Spengler's post-World War I tome, shows the dynamics of self-fulfilling prophecy at work: 20th century word has become contemporary flesh. Rivalries in other corners of the world are taking their toll of US influence. China's regional and global ambitions are increasingly refracted through its aggressive behaviour toward some of its principal neighbours. The country's rise is sending tremors through the Asia Pacific region and beyond. Nobody seems to have the answers since the questions lack coherence. Navigation with guesswork can be a hazardous undertaking.

America is a nation in search of a credible foreign policy, as it lurches from crisis to crisis, coming up with one solution only to discard it for another, the karmic wheel grinding remorselessly on. Barack Obama in the White House is a verbal conjuror but his actions reflect confusion worse confounded. It is fit and proper that we meditate on the karmic significance of 9/11 if we are to find a way out of our present woes and the labyrinth in which these are encased. The stark tragedy of 9/11 set in motion the continuing tragedy of its aftermath. Opportunities that were opened up disappeared when the wrong buttons were pressed. We remain in limbo.

Crime and prison: offending and reoffending The recent rioting in London and certain British cities in the midlands and further afield to the north and west have raised pertinent questions as to the true source of the violence and the breakdown of law and order. The involvement of sections of the black community provoked the historian and broadcaster David Starkey to pronounce on BBC Television's Newsnight programme that Enoch Powell was right after all in his infamous prognostication, decades ago, that the ethnic presence in Britain boded ill for the country's future.

This is to make a convenient scapegoat of a single community. Ministers Kenneth Clarke and Iain Duncan Smith have drawn attention to the existence of a feral underclass, which includes the black and white populations and straddles other communities as well, whose members are prone to reoffending and returning to prison time and again. Their needs have to be addressed to end this vicious cycle, said the aforesaid ministers.

Another cause behind black violence, said The Economist, was poverty and deprivation.

This is no doubt true, but it isn't the whole truth.

Not by a long chalk. Many in the Asian commu-

nity are similarly disadvantaged, yet relatively few participated in the recent inner city orgy of looting and plunder. Indeed, looking at the Home Office breakdown of inmates in Her Majesty's prisons, one is struck by how few are the numbers of Hindus, Jains and Sikhs and other groups of Indian origin in relation to their overall numbers in the country. The following issues are well worth our consideration. First, their family ties are strong, based on strong ethical and moral values which enhance codes of proper behaviour and discipline. This in turn breeds a spirit of selfhelp, self-improvement and thrift and a search for a better quality of life through good use of educational opportunities open to them. Few expect free lunches as they make their way through life's travails. Endurance stiffens resolve.

In the end, there are no easy answers. Many answers have to be reached through striving and effort. This may be akin to the labours of Hercules, not terribly slick or comforting and offering no instant panacea, but it should be the preferred route to a reasonable lifestyle of hope and satisfaction. Shortcuts are a temporary fix best avoided. Hard work and due diligence promise rewards beyond compare.

Shake up of education will release talent The state of education in England has long been a matter of public concern. Too many of our young people in the country's urban centres are leaving school with limited reading and writing skills, some even with no skills at all. In a organised and competitive society this is to be deaf, dumb and blind, with no future worth any trouble.

The Westminster Coalition is seized of the problem and its significance. Prime Minister David Cameron spoke passionately about the need to inculcate values of right and wrong, of the need for social discipline and respect for authority.

Before the general election of May 2010, the present Education Secretary Michael Gove, pledged a “superb new school in every community.” Margaret Thatcher's and Tony Blair's schemes of school reform fell short of fulfilment. The Conservative-Lib Dem Coalition has

set its shoulder to the wheel to get things moving in the right direction. The aim, said Nick Clegg, deputy prime minister, is “improving social mobility [as] the principal goal of the coalition government's social policy.” As the gates open to the first 24 of new free schools, they will surely be accompanied with expectations that this time the promised change will take off. The stakes are indeed high. A globalised world requires that Britain has best educated numbers possible since the country's competitors are also committed to the same goal and the marketplace will be crowded with an assortment of skills.

In the immediate context of the English scene, there is brave talk of free market competition, yet well thought out regulation is surely a vital ingredient to make the mix profitable for all concerned, not least the pupils. We await the results of the present scheme with interest.

www.abplgroup.com

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Thought for the Week It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again.

- Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919)

“Our London” CIIr Navin Shah AM London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow

Mahatma Gandhi = Independence Anna Hazre = Honesty & Hope During the celebrations of India’s independence, in Brent and Harrow, two issues were prominent wherever I went to participate and ruminate on the key significance to India of the independence. The first obvious factor being the true ‘meaning’ of India’s independence achieved 64 years ago in present day context and the other issue on everyone’s lips was Anna Hazare’s ‘zumbesh’ (struggle) to rid India of corruption. One cannot celebrate the independence without talking about Mahatma Gandhi, the architect of the independence. But, the vital question is has India achieved Gandhi’s vision of free India – by which I mean free of poverty and India as an icon of equality? I’m proud of India’s huge strides in becoming a global economic super-power but has this brought about equality and benefits across the country?

Whilst many successive Indian Governments have tried to address these issues, stark and honest answer is no. Villages and poorer communities still remain in the shadow of poverty and there is a lack of any significant development opportunities individually or benefits of development of physical and social infrastructure to common people of India particularly in those remote villages and under/un developed areas.

To this there is no simple solution.

But, social activist Anna Hazare provides a link, a hope, to increase and utilise our resources to the best effect through his vision of Jan Lokpal Bill to tackle corruption across India. I see the anti-corruption bill as a blueprint for addressing corruption on moral / ethical and economic grounds.

I’m pleased that Anna has broken his fast and both Houses of Indian Parliament have adopted a resolution accepting key demands on Citizen’s Charter and the values promoted by Jan Lokpal. In Anna Hazare’s words his fight is not against the Central government or individuals, he believes ”strong legislation to tack-

le corruption is needed … we trust the Indian Parliament – if Jan Lokpal Bill is not approved we would start another agitation.” I hope that the Indian government sees the sense in what is being promoted. This is truly a major step in the right direction to achieve the vision of Gandhi, and to build on the work started by him and the likes of Vinoba Bhave for a true equal India. I’m with this cause every step of the way.

Michhami Dukkaddum & Eid Mubarak Its celebration time!

Already this year our large communities have celebrated their annual religious faith events and I’m happy to say there are more to follow. Lat week the Jain community worlwide finished a period of fasting called “Paryushan” focussed on the principles of forgiveness and self-purification. This being a period to assess actions during the year and repent for any misdeeds. As a Jain myself, I convey to the readers Michhami Dukkaddum: meaning I ask for and seek forgiveness if in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, I have showed hostility to anyone through spoken words or deeds during the year.

During about the same time the Muslim community had its Ramadan and Eid. Ramadan, a "month of blessing" is marked by prayers, fasting, charity with a focus on self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah (God); Ramadan followed

by Eid al-Fitr (festival of breaking the fast) marks a sense of charity and good deeds.

I convey Eid Mubarak. Our Hindu community is also in celebration mode with Lord Krishna’s birthday ‘Janmasthami, and Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated recently - soon to be followed by Navratri, Vaisakhi and Diwali celebrations. Soon also the Jewish and Christian communities will join in with further faith celebrations.

It is the time to acknowledge the great spiritual values in the offing by the religious rainbow of our diverse faith communities making us stronger and united.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

Email: majithia.meera@gmail.com

Leicester Voice City welcomes Europe’s largest Lord Ganesh statue Thousands of devotees have been flocking to Leicester for the Ganesh Utsav (festival) to catch a glimpse of the 20ft statue of Lord Ganesh, making it the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world.

Taking shelter at the Soar Valley Community College, off Gleneagles Drive, the statue took over nine months to make in India and cost over £15,000 in total to build and ship to the UK. It was brought to Leicester as part of the 11-day Ganesh Utsav organised by the Sai Krupa Foundation. The festival is celebrated heavily in India and all across the globe.

Incidentally the world’s largest statue is in Mumbai, measuring a staggering 26ft.

Event organiser Vinod Patel said: “This is the 21st-year we have organised the festival. We have held it at every temple in the city, but with interest building up every year we had to find an alternative, bigger venue.”

This year’s festival began on 1st September and will end on 11th

Chetan Amliwala - www.cheten-amliwala.com

By Meera Majithia

September with the Ganesh statue in Leicester being taken to the sea at Merseyside via a ferry for the Ganesh Visarjan.

Between 9,000 and 10,000 visitors have been visiting the premises every day with organisers having to constantly monitor the number to ensure everyone gets a chance to

First free school opens its doors to pupils

The Krishna-Avanti Primary School in Leicester was one of 24 new free schools that opened its doors to pupils across the country.

Despite being based on the foundations of Hinduism with a strict vegetarian diet, there is a cross community admissions policy.

The 37 reception pupils are currently doing half-days to begin with and will engage in full time activity from the week commencing 12th September.

The idea of free schools is one that has been dismissed by some teachers, as they believe it forces schools to compete with one another.

They claim they will be socially divisive and the new schools will be cornered by the middle classes, leaving the poorer children in declining schools,

deprived of resources.

However KrishnaAvanti principal Christopher Spall (pictured) said: “This school will provide high quality school places for the local community and we look forward to working alongside other local schools and being part of the family of Leicester’s schools.”

Although the national curriculum will be adhered too, the school will not just focus on academic excellence, but will also focus on character development and spiritual experience.

Children will regularly do gardening, learn how to grow, nurture and harvest food, they will start the day with meditation and during the day take time out for yoga.

The school will grow year by year to a capacity of 420 children.

participate in the prayers.

A whopping 1108 ladoos will be fed to Ganesh and a team of 15 volunteers will also be making one big 900-kilo ladoo over two days, which they hope will set another world record.

The ground is open daily between 5.30-9.30pm during the week and from 8am – 9.30pm at the weekend.

Ganesh Chaturthi, which celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh usually falls between 20th August and 15th September every year, depending on the cycle of the moon. It falls on the fourth day of the new moon in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada.

The Ganesh is worshipped for 10 days from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to Ananta Chaturdashi, and then on the 11th day the idols are typically taken to the streets (in India) in a procession accompanied by singing and dancing before being immersed into the sea or river.

It is believed that this symbolises seeing-off the Lord in his journey to Kailash, while taking away with him the misfortunes of his devotees.

Naik in squad for Champions League He was the first Leicesterborn Asian to represent the county in 2006, and now cricketing all-rounder Jigar Naik has been shortlisted for the 15-man squad for the Nokia Champions League T20 tournament (clt20).

The 27-year-old Leicestershire Foxes squad member has gone from strength to strength and topped the national first class bowling averages list in 2010.

Last year’s clt20 tournament was held in South Africa, however this year’s tournament held in India, features more teams, more prize money and a new naming rights sponsor. It will include some of the world’s biggest cricket stars with the likes of MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Daniel Vettori, Chris Gayle, Jacques Kallis and Mike Hussey.

The 13-team tournament starts in Bangalore on Friday, 23rd September and ends with the final on Sunday, 9th October in Chennai.

This will be

Jigar Naik

Leicestershire’s first appearance in the clt20 and alongside Somerset they were one of the last two teams to qualify after both won thrilling oneover eliminators in their respective domestic T20 semi-finals.

Alongside Naik, the rest of the Leicestershire Foxes squad includes; Matthew Boyce, Nathan Buck, Josh Cobb, Jacques Du Toit, Harry Gurney, Claude Henderson, Matthew Hoggard, Will Jefferson, Andrew Mcdonald, Paul Nixon, Abdul Razzaq, Greg Smith, James Taylor and Wayne White.

Centre to mark 9/11 anniversary A remembrance event will take place at Leicester Cathedral on Sunday, 11th September at 4pm to mark the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the United States.

The multi-faith event

will give worshippers a chance to think about recent events in Leicester which have shown people of all faiths standing together – such as the aftermath of last month’s disturbances and last

In brief

Catch a glimpse of the Taj

Hathi Productions return to the Curve theatre this September with a beautiful, tragic and moving love story revealing the secrets of the Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal is one of the most recognisable structures in the world.

Every year, millions of people visit this beautiful mausoleum in Agra, India. It was built in the 17th Century by emperor Shah Jahan to commemorate the memory of his wife, ever since this spectacular monument has symoblised eternal love.

A truly remarkable fusion of dance, drama and music the real secrets behind this monument of love are revealed.

Two charged following serious explosion Police have charged two people and arrested a seventh person in connection with an explosion in Leicester where one man died.

Kams King of the Grill in Narborough Road was demolished during the explosion, which happened at approximately 2.23am on Bank Holiday Monday (August 29).

The body of 40-year-old shop employee Fiaz Ahmed Ansari was discovered during site clearance work at about 4.30pm later that same day.

A man and woman, both aged 24, have been charged with manslaughter and appeared at Leicester Magistrates Court, whilst a 28-year-old man has become the seventh person in connection with the incident to be arrested.

New appointment

Inspector Kam Mistry has taken over command of the Rutland local policing unit from Inspector Johnny Monks.

The father-of-two from Melton joined Leicestershire Constabulary 18 years ago and has held various posts, including Operation Command Inspector (OCI) for the Counties’ BCU covering nine local policing areas, before taking over at Rutland.

Commenting on his appointment, Inspector Kam Mistry said: “I am over whelmed and honoured to take this post as it is a privilege to head the police team in the county.

“I am looking forward to getting to know all our local partners and policing the needs of the community. I hope to build on the excellent work delivered under Johnny’s leadership and will continue to deliver high quality policing I want to be approachable and accessible to local people and ensure good police visibility in Rutland to give community reassurance.”

£6m boost for businesses

Following its pledge to support business and social enterprise, Leicester City Council has over £6m of new grant funding available.

It will be available to those organisations wishing to create projects that can provide much needed support and advice to help enterprises grow and also support the creation of new work spaces and business units.

Applicants are being invited to bid for a share of £6.4m, which has been released as a first trance of ERDF grant funding. The remaining £1.9m will be released in the next few months to support projects focused on improving the city’s streets and public spaces.

Leicester City Council's head of economic regeneration, Mike Dalzell said: "If we can lay the groundwork now by investing these grant funds where they will create most business and employment benefits, the city as a whole will be able to reap the rewards as the economy picks up."

The deadline for expressions of interest in the money is 2pm on Friday, 7th October. Applicants will then need to put a full bid together in January 2012.

For more information visit www.leicester.gov.uk/regeneration call 0116 252 8654. year’s march by the English Defence League.

The Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire and the High Sheriff will attend

and part of the service will be led by young people form St Phillip’s Centre, a multi-faith charity in Evington.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

Price of Loyalty: Future of Gurkhas in doldrums?

By Spriha Srivastava

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated in London The famous Indian festival – “Ganesh Chaturthi” was celebrated in London last week at many different locations. Lord Ganesh, also known as Vinayagar in Tamil Nadu, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in the duration of this festival. It is the day Shiva declared his son Ganesha as superior to all the gods. Ganesha is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new venture or at the start of travel.

Traditional stories tell that Lord Ganesha was created by goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva. Parvati created Ganesha out of sandalwood paste that she used for her bath and breathed life into the figure. She then set him to stand guard at her door while she bathed.

However, while she bathed, Lord Shiva returned and as Ganesha didn't know him, he didn't allow him to enter.

Lord Shiva became enraged and severed the head of the child and entered his house. After realizing that he had beheaded his own son,

Lord Shiva fixed the head of an elephant in place of Ganesha's head.

In this way, Lord Ganesha came to be depicted as the elephantheaded God. The festival is celebrated across India but mainly in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra,

Karnataka and Goa. In the UK, the festival is always celebrated in a grand manner.

The Hindu culture and Heritage Society, UK - a Southall based organisation celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi for the first time in London in 2005 at The Vishwa Hindu Temple. The Idol was immersed in the river Thames at Putney Pier.

Another celebration organised by an Gujarati group has been celebrated in the Southend on Sea which attracts over 18000 devotees. Annual celebrations also take

place on the River Mersey at Liverpool.

This year, a number of celebrations took place across UK. I attended the celebrations at Shree Ganpathy Temple near Wimbledon.

A South-Indian temple, it celebrated Vinayagar Chaturthi in a very grand fashion. There were many people and the atmosphere was extremely electrifying. The priests carried the idol of Lord Ganesha around the temple while everyone followed them in a circle. There were modaks and laddos and not even for a moment it felt like I was in London.

Among others, the Maharashtra Mandal of UK also celebrated the festival.

The festival brought together different Indian communities in UK to celebrate and pray to their favourite God together. A number of non-Indians were also present at the function and were absolutely amazed to see the grand celebrations. One of the members said, "It's always an exciting atmosphere and I am very happy to be part of this festival".

Similar events have been reported from Birmingham, Harrow, Manchester and Glasgow.

Bodyguard is a Salman-film shadowing her in colbollywood love story.

There is a clear contrast lege, so she decides to Khan has a few fight between the story of the prank call Lovely Singh sequences reminding us film and it’s results. pretending to be a girl of Dabangg and his earliWhile news reports suger movies. The script gest that the film has is completely characbeen doing exceptionter driven and the ally well and has brodirector has given a ken some records. But chance for the actors when you sit through Salman and Kareena the movie, you can to genuinely emote easily spot the flaws well by paving the in the story line and way for knockout the fact that event the suspense in the cliscript writer was havmax. Apart from the ing trouble dragging it to the end. touching moments All in all, it’s a to savor, the film Salman Khan film never finds steam; again. It is the story of instead it leaps from Lovely Singh (Salman action oriented drama to a romantic Khan) a trusted and comedy set-up and loyal bodyguard that never manages to gets hired by Sartaj find some middle Rana (Raj babbar) – Salman Khan & Kareena Kapoor ground. one of those dhoti named Chayya to disIt is surely a one-time wearing rich dudes with tract him by making him watch but for those diea moustache- to protect hard fans of Salman his college going daughbelieve she is in love Khan, this is your film ter Divya (Kareena with him. They fall in because your favourite Kapoor). Divya feels her love, dance around the actor knows how to keep style is getting cramped trees and then comes a his character going, by having a bodyguard complication, like every

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at spriha@abplgroup.com

It is probably worth knowing that often loyalty comes with a price other than your life. The Gurkhas have been hit hard, as they learn that will be told that they have been selected for compulsory redundancy. The Air force personnel serving in Libya will also be told that they will lose their jobs as three services aim to cut 17,000 posts by 2015.

Guardian reports that the army will notify 920 people that they are being made redundant. It is believed that 660 people applied to leave, and 260 are compulsory job cuts.

Gurkha soldiers account for 140 of the enforced losses. No Gurkhas put in for voluntary redundancy, so the losses may prove to be especially provocative.

However, the MoD will argue that the disproportionate number of Gurkhas reflects the fact that the brigade is 800 over strength because its infantrymen now serve for longer.

The admission also suggests the Gurkhas could be hit hard again in future redundancy rounds, especially now the army has been told to slim down to 82,000 by 2020 – one fifth below its current strength.

A Whitehall source said, "The Gurkhas have managed to cut back some of their numbers since the changes to their terms and conditions, but there is still a large overstaffing because of over-recruit-

ment."

"There are some gaps in other infantry regiments so it is possible some Gurkhas could be found jobs in other regiments."

Major (Retd) Tikendra dal Dewan from British Gurkha Welfare Society (BGWS) told Asian Voice, “Every organisation has to live within its financial means, and the MoD is no exception – even though this unfortunately means that redundancies are considered necessary to balance the books."

“We’ve always been very clear that we want both serving and retired Gurkhas to be treated equally to their British colleagues. We’re not after special treatment, and when other areas of the Armed Forces are having to make financial savings it would be unreasonable for us to expect the Gurkhas should be immune. But this cuts both ways, and we would

expect redundancies within the Gurkhas to be proportionate to those elsewhere in the Armed Forces – and for any Gurkhas who lose their jobs to receive to same financial settlement as their British colleagues.

“We are concerned that any Gurkha who joined the Army before 1997 could receive a smaller pension to British soldiers in keeping with a long standing inequality that we are challenging in the European Court of Human Rights.

The Government will have questions to answer if it takes away the jobs of brave and dedicated soldiers, and leaves them in financial difficulty by giving them smaller pensions. However, if the Government makes a dispensation for these Gurkhas then they will owe the thousands of veterans already living in near poverty on reduced pensions a very good explanation.”

Further four jailed in £17 million VAT fraud

L to R: Gurjit Singh, Bharat Muriji Odedra, Muhammad Al-Numairy Raza & Shabir Anwar

Four men viz. Gurjit Singh, Shabir Anwar, Bharat Muriji Odedra, Muhammad Al-Numairy Raza have been jailed for their part in an organised crime gang who conspired to steal £17m of taxpayer’s money in a complicated ‘missing trader’ VAT fraud. Nine men were previously jailed for a total 21 years in January 2011 and December 2010. A further defendant has been charged and is due to stand trial next year.

Criminal investigators from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) smashed the multi million pound fraud, centred on the mobile phone industry, following a five-year inves-

tigation. VAT claims to steal a further £5m had been made, but these were stopped from being paid.

Paperwork recovered during house searches that the gang were planning on a further fraud to steal an additional £300m of VAT from the public purse this plot was foiled.

Gary Lampon, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for HMRC said: “This was a complex and lengthy investigation, over five years, to unravel this multi million pound fraud by an organised crime gang.

They used the money to fund extravagant lifestyles at the expense of the British taxpayer. ‘Missing

trader’ fraud is not merely a paper fraud, it funds other serious crime and we are determined to pursue and bring to justice the criminals behind this type of fraud. Assets of £8 million have so far been restrained and confiscation proceedings are underway to reclaim the proceeds.”

The gang used the proceeds of their crime to purchase high value items in cash including: several UK properties worth over £1m each, performance cars including a Rolls Royce Phantom for £250,000 and a Ferrari for £165,000, a property in Spain valued at over £1million.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

7

What has faith got to do with crime?

The London Riots have brought the attention back on crimes, especially whatever involves other races than whites. We are aware that the riots started when a black man was gunned down by police in Tottenham- that turned into a mass protest which evolved into mindless looting and rampage.

Reasons of such aggression- debated, discussed and inferred on.

The recent copy of Economist talks about the Black community wrestling with the causes of the riots. Black people make 3% of the British population. It has been suggested that poverty led to such furious attempts.

It is proven Asians such as Bangladeshis and Pakistanis are poorer still.

But there were hardly any disorder in areas with large Asian populations including London.

Though some of them were spotted looting on CCTVs, the abstinence from any such fallen act could be the result of Ramadan coinciding with the London riot time.

However this brings us to a common thought. We hear almost regularly that in Her Majesty's prison numbers of prisoners are increasing steadily. Asian Voice has made a study on the increasing percentage/numbers of foreign prisoners and numbers by faith.

Though the government has claimed that

Population in prison by nationality, as at 30th June 2011, England and Wales

immigration is bad for the UK due to various reasons- it is quite clear that foreigners are less involved in crimes and breaking laws.

Economist rightfully suggests in the 27th August issue "Immigration is on the whole is good for economies...right now rich countries can do with all the economic help they can get. Rather than sending immigrants home, with their skills, energy, ideas and willingness to work, governments should be encouraging them to come."

The prison service monitors the population in prison by nationality.

Below is a chart. As per a report by Gevin Berman in May 2011 for the House of Commons, it suggests that in March 2011, the number of prisoners in England and Wales has reduced by 390. Though in 2006 it had gone up by a 1200, from 2005, it has now in parity with the 2006 figure, in fact less by 133. But looking into the last decade it has gone up by 3819 only, whereas, the

Race and Riots: Penal system to blame?

Kenneth Clarke, the Justice Secretary has blamed the recent riots as a result of the 'broken penal system'. He said he was shocked to the core by the unrest. "What I found most disturbing was the sense that the hard core rioters came from a feral underclass, cut off from the main stream in everything but its materialism. Equally worrying was the instinctive criminal behaviour of apparently random passer-by."

However the cost of policing the London riots has spiraled to £34 million with Scotland Yard expecting the figure to rise even further, exceeding the total cost of policing all major public order events in the capital last year.

According to the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) the current estimate is set to rise significantly once the final bills from the other forces which were called in to help quell the disturbances are settled.

Some 1.027 people have been charged in connection with the London riots, while 190 have appeared before courts in Greater Manchester, 132 in

natives behave as they do? l The total number of prisoners of British origin has increased by 18,599 in HM Prisons in the last decade. What has led to such a growth?

ber of Christians over 10 years has increased by only 2591.

These bring us to the following questions: l British residence of Indian origin including Muslims appear to be much less in prison. Why are Hindus and Sikhs much less in the prisons despite of a fairly large population all over the UK? Are British Indians, Hindus and Sikhs much more law abiding citizens than others? l Immigrants (foreigners) are much less in the HM prisons. What leads to the

number of criminals who are of British origin have increased by 14,714- a remarkable jump.

The population of the Hindus in the UK is about a million. Jewish are around 300,000, almost same as the Sikhs.

Muslims are around 2mn.

But it is interesting to note that while the population of the Hindus in HM Prison has gone up by 168 in the last decade, it is 255 in case of Sikhs and 67 in case of the Jews. Muslims have had a growth of 5,555 in the prison over last decade and the num-

These subjects are worth studying and debating upon. We welcome your thoughts. Write to aveditorial@abplgroup.co m with your opinion. For more information see www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN04334.pdf.

You can also find details in the website of Ministry of Justice.

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West Midlands, 67 in Merseyside and 64 in Nottingham. They have been charged with offences including burglary, theft, violence and violent offences.

Last year £7.5 million was spent policing the student fees protests, £2.1 million providing security at the TUC anti-cuts demonstration, £1.9 million on the Pope's visit to Britain and £2.2 million on the general election campaign.

The figures were revealed as one chief constable said the rapid and robust justice dispensed in the wake of the riots has helped take the momentum out of the disorder.

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Dee Katwa

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

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

Curry connects the continents

Drug plants, man caught

A specialist business forum, the Indo British Trade Council, which aims to connect entrepreneurs, existing and emerging, in the food and drink sector in the UK and in India has been launched.

To mark this, a major three-day event, the first of its kind in Europe, took place in Leicester last week.

The reformed IBTC, part of Leicestershire Asian Business Association, or LABA, in partnership with Leicester University, aims to introduce specialist small-to-medium enterprises, or SMEs, in the Midlands with its counterparts in India, and vice versa. And by doing so, it aims to encourage efficient and effective bilateral trading in a bid to gain mutual economic prosperity.

Food and drink manufacturing is the single largest manufacturing sector in the country, accounting for almost 15% of the UK’s

total manufacturing output. In the West Midlands, the sector generates an annual turnover of £6.4 billion and employs around 34,000 people, of which 69% are male. The sector in the East Midlands employs an estimated 52,500 people, 65% of whom are male, and generates an annual turnover of £6.2 billion.

Nationally, there are over 6,000 food and drink manufacturing companies.

Asian forums from both regions supported the event and displayed a collaborative, as opposed to a historically competitive attitude.

Representing the Black Country Asian Business Association was its Chair, Ninder Johal, and from the Institute of

MSDUK: Helping to change the face of business in Britain Credit to Mayank Shah, pictured, director of Minority Supplier Development UK, and his “dynamic” team for hosting a remarkable reception at the House of Commons on Monday this week. Attended by around 80 businessmen and women, reflecting multicultural Britain, the event showcased success stories. Among them, Michelle Palmer who began her firm, Canary Wharf + City, in 2006 with £7,000 of her personal savings.

Today, its annual turnover is in seven figures. Also Dan Barber of Standout, ventured out with almost nothing, now employs 21 staff. MSDUK’s Chair Sara Todd described MSDUK “a small organisation with a big passion” and assured attendees “there has been no preferential treatment or relaxing of rules.

Contracts are won on a fair and competitive basis.”

The two-hour event, compered by Clive Lewis OBE, was hosted by Liz Kendall, MP for Leicester West.

There were brief appearances from Lib Dem MP for Solihull Lorely Burt, Lord Dolar Popat, Gareth Thomas MP, Baroness Shreela Flather and Stephen Timms MP. Considering MSDUK and LABA are working towards achieving similar goals, to some extent, and are both Leicester-based, it was interesting to observe that no representative from LABA was present. And vice versa at last week’s IBTC/LABA event. LABA, apparently, sees MSDUK “as a threat”, according to some insiders. To find out more about MSDUK, the UK’s leading supplier diversity advocacy, non-profit organisation, visit www.msduk.org.uk

News in Brief Abdul Quddos, the brother of Shahzad and Abdul, the two men killed during the Birmingham riots, is facing jail after admitting to growing cannabis.

Quddos, 33, who pleaded guilty to growing 30 cannabis plants, had borrowed around £3,000 to buy equipment to cultivate the drug, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

Keith visits Brum New start: The Indo British Trade Council Committee

Asian Businesses, it was committee member Jas Sansi. Also represented was Derby Asian Business Association.

The event began with the lighting of a lamp, a symbol of good luck, according to India tradition which was followed by a welcome address by Professor Nathuram Puri, IBTC’s President. Over the three days, a series of presentations were delivered by movers and shakers in the industry and by eminent speakers of both British and Indian origin.

Among them were C Gururaj Rao, the Midlands’ highest-ranking Indian diplomat, entrepreneur Rami Ranger of Sun Mark Limited, Peter Hogarth, Regional Director of UKTI East Midlands, Sarah Smith, Director, Local Better Regulation Office and Dr Samir Dani, from Loughborough University and IBTC’s deputy chief executive officer.

Other speakers included David Parsons, leader of Leicestershire County Council, Professor Paul Monk from Leicester University and the city’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Robert Wann. The programme on Tuesday and Wednesday (Aug 30, 31) included

breakfast, Q&A sessions, panel discussions and evening receptions followed by gala dinners, held at Leicester University’s Beaumont Hall. Both were facilitated by IBTC’s chief executive officer Baljit Singh and brought together a diverse mix of guests.

Tables, instead of numbers, were each given names of herbs and spices, including ginger, coriander and saffron.

On Tuesday, the keynote speaker at the lunch was Perween Warsi, boss at Derbybased S&A Foods. And on Wednesday, it was Hassan Mir, the Minister for Agriculture in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Both spoke with the aid of notes.

Whilst the latter managed to take his eyes off his script, nervously, without losing his place, just a couple of times, Perween won rapturous applause for her “inspirational” speech, one she, or her spin surgeon might want to re-write in the hope of disguising the fact that she has just the one script. Bless her. It was no wonder why one guest, sat next to me, smiled and whispered: “Oh God, not her again!”

Continued on page 14

Save our surgery petition More than 2,400 people have signed a petition to save Foleshill Medical Centre in Coventry from closure.

Bosses at NHS Coventry decided to shut the Centre after senior partner Dr Syed Alijah – who owns the practice – was banned by the GMC. They gave patients four weeks’ notice to find a new doctor. Instead, patients rallied behind the remaining GP Dr Syed Haider, who faced no allegations and ran the practice single-handedly while his colleague was suspended.

Tariq: Past is history

Blake: Life behind bars

Tariq Jahan, right, once worked as a bodyguard to Omar Bakri, left, the Islamist hate preacher, it has emerged. Tariq, 45, the heroic dad of Haroon Jahan, the 21-year-old who was murdered along with two friends during the recent riots, admits that had he still been involved in extremist circles, his reaction to his son’s murder might have been very different.

Former BBC Midlands Today presenter Ashley Blake, who was jailed for attacking a teenager with a wooden pole, is to publish his prison diaries.

Blake, 41, describes how prison tore apart his life and the chance to marry his then girlfriend Jessica Hayes.

Blake, who is currently on the dole and claiming benefits, was released last June after serving nine months of a two-year sentence for wounding and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Fellow columnist Keith Vaz was in Birmingham a fortnight ago as part of an enquiry into the recent riots. It was amusing to read straight-talking veteran reporter aunty Maureen’s column in the Birmingham Mail in which she described Keith “that old rogue known as “Oily” at Westminster for his talent in slithering around all obstacles”. Good heavens, how dare she!

Prayer plans The Afghan Community Centre in Brunswick Road, Sparkbrook in Birmingham has applied for planning permission to convert offices into a prayer and teaching room.

Foreign coins raise £1.5k Worshippers from Shri Balaji Temple in Oldbury, Birmingham, have raised £1,500 for St Mary’s Hospice, Selly Park, by donating 30 bags of foreign coins. Birmingham Coins, Hall Green, converted the 300,000 coins to sterling.

Gender pay gap Women managers in the Midlands earn an average of £11,346 less than their male counterparts. According to the Chartered Management Institute, female executives in the region are paid on average 27.5% less than their male counterparts - £29,969 as opposed to £41,315.

Laptop v Love A fifth (21%) of Brummies would rather log on to the net in their bedroom than snuggle up to someone special in bed, according to a poll by IKEA, the furniture giant, of 200,000 people in Birmingham.

Officially Obese The Midland town of Tamworth is the fattest in Britain, with almost a third of its adults now obese. And children in the town are fast becoming fatter than their parents, according to NHS figures. The area with the fattest children in Britain is London’s Westminster, where 28.6% of youngsters are clinically obese.

Head resigns over council ‘shambles’ Credit must be given to Liam Nolan, the head teacher of Perry Beeches in Birmingham, the UK’s most improved school, for his brevity in challenging the local authority. For far too long, the local authority has attempted to keep school heads happy by offering words of hope. Basically, lots of talk with little or no action. Thus, Mr Nolan, pictured, deserves applause for the step he has taken.

He’s resigned because he has “no faith” in the city’s ability to lead Birmingham’s schools. “From where we sit there is no honesty, transparency or ‘fair play’ in direct dealings with the strategic director,” said Mr Nolan, who was on a £64,000-a-year salary.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

Indian film music superstars perform in the UK for the first time ever This autumn, the sounds of India will fill the Royal Albert Hall, as Bollywood music royalty ShankarEhsaan-Loy appear in the UK for the very first time.

They appear in London's Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 18th September. The evening will begin with Karan Pangali & the KSPARK Dancers kicking off the show. Having already taken the UK’s Asian dance scene by storm, Karan & the KPSARK

Dancers are renowned for their culturally enriching, unforgettable, one-of-akind performances. This modern day interpretation, consisting of music, dance and poetry, cele-

brates the 150th anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore in 2011 and will set the scene perfectly for headliners ShankarEhsaan-Loy to return to the world-famous stage with their fantastic magic, bringing ASIA ROCKS! to a magnificent close.

Tickets on www.royalalberthall.com or 0845 401 5045.

HH Swami Satyamitrananda Giriji was honoured with a civic reception by the Nottinghamshire County and Nottingham City Councils at the County Hall, on Thursday 25th August 2011.His Holiness was welcomed by the Vice Chair of the Nottinghamshire County Council, Cllr Carol Pepper, the Mayor of Nottingham City Council- Cllr Michael Wildgust and the Chief Executive of Nottingham County Council, Mr Mick Burrows.

9

Inspirational leadership and development in Jammu and Kashmir

By Nikhil Gor Shri. Ghulam Hassan Mir Hon'ble Minister for Agriculture Production, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, India said "Where there's a will there's a way!"

The Honourable Minister was delighted to welcome Dr Shafi, Dr Ganju, Mr Vijay Dhar, Mr Yasin, Mr Taha, Mr Khalid Sofi, Mr Farooq Amin, Mr Irfan Qazi, Prof.Munshi's son, Mr Zulfiqar, Mr Tawfeeq Lone, Professor Raina, Mr Irshad Malik to promote and discuss the future of Business, Education and Culture of Kashmir, India on 4th September 2011, at Dallow Community Centre, Luton.

During the discussion the honourable minister, showed passion for Kashmir to develop innovative strategy for national and international investors, collaboration of

universities and opportunities for Kashmiri children and youth in various streams especially technology, agriculture and many more. He congratulated every Kashmiri family for their contribution so far to keep Kashmiri culture alive in UK despite of challenges faced in the process of establishing themselves under difficult circumstances in education and profession.

He insisted that together as a team they could contribute to the

development of the state of Kashmir.

He advised all help and assistance under his leadership will be provided to overcome the obstacles in the economical of Kashmir.

Each and every member who were present during the conference took pride in themselves for being a Kashmiri and showed immense satisfaction in working closely with the community in the UK as well as in India to achieve their goals.

Fine food fair scores a spicy hit

By Rudy Otter

Among the 600 food and drink suppliers exhibiting their culinary delights were Paresh Tejura and his wife Prett who own and run Curry Cuisine in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. "The busi-

Asians spiced up the annual Speciality & Fine Food Fair this year over three lip-smacking days at London's Olympia, ending on 6th September.

ness," Paresh told me, "started nearly five years ago as an Indian cookery school which attracts many white people, and we expanded into making chutneys and dessert

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sauces." He added: "We use local produce and give it a spicy twist." Their outlets include the local branch of Harvey Nichols as well as Asda, with ambitions to "keep growing".

Indian teas, ice creams, curries and snacks were also featured alongside a variety of chocolates.

A newly launched firm called Heavenly Curries of Gravesend, Kent, run by

Baljit Aujla and his wife Varminder, produce fiery mirchi, jeera, tharka and shahi sauces inspired by home-made recipes handed down from family members. "Cooking is our passion," said Varminder.

10

YOUR VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

The Pauper and the Dictators

Save Wealdstone Police Station

Who would have thought that a poor street vendor would be instrumental in the toppling from power of so many rulers? It all started on 17 December 2010 when a street vendor, twenty six year-old Tunisian Mohamed Bu Azizi, lit the fuse that ended his life and ignited the unrest which has swept the whole of the Arab world. Bu Azizi, set himself on fire in despair and in protest of his treatment at the hands of local authorities.

Earlier, officials had seized his wheelbarrow full of produce and beaten him in public. The tragic circumstances surrounding Bu Azizi's self-immolation sparked protests and violence in his hometown. The violence then migrated to Algeria, Egypt, Syria and finally to Libya. The momentum which took place in the Arab world following the death of the poor street vendor became instrumental in the downfall of many powerful men like Egypt’s Mubarak and now Colonel Gaddafi.

A powerful dictator who was enjoying the life of luxury with his own personal plane and a private Jacuzzi on board has bitten the dust and is hiding in places probably even more humbler than the abode of the poor street vendor. Iraq’s dictator, Saddam Hussain, who lived in a palace, was found in an underground hole. One wonders how and where Libya’s ruler, Gaddafi, would be hiding.

Had the Tunisian incident not taken place, these absolute rulers would probably be still be in power enjoying the life of comfort and luxury well beyond the reach of the likes of us.

Whilst the streets of Harrow did not witness the devastating scenes that other towns and cities across the Country faced during the August riots, there are nonetheless important lessons to be learnt. In particular, around policing and building stronger communities.

We pay tribute to the partnership and professionalism exhibited by police officers and Harrow Council staff, perhaps best exemplified by the way in which officers went on the beat with youth workers.

We are proud of that cooperation because it also extends to the wider community – thousands of Harrow residents, for example, working with the police by getting involved in Safer Neighbourhood Panels, becoming Neighbourhood Champions or serving as Special Constables.

This sort of community spirit and voluntary action contributes to making Harrow a safer place, in fact one of the safest boroughs in London.

Unfortunately, despite recent events, David Cameron has chosen to continue with his plans to cut the police budget by 20%. The Tory-led Government is simply going too far and too fast with spending cuts – threatening both the economic recovery and the safety of our neighbourhoods.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary has confirmed that over 16,000 police officers will be axed as a result.

The Tory Mayor of London Boris Johnson is also continuing with his plans to cut police numbers risking London’s safety.

In Harrow, we are already seeing the consequences of these cuts. Boris Johnson has earmarked Wealdstone Police Station for closure and pushed through the merging of Safer Neighbourhood Teams in Pinner, North Harrow and Kenton. We are also set to lose 5 police sergeants.

At the last General Election Labour pledged a much smaller reduction in police budgets, which would have been delivered through efficiency savings rather than axing frontline officers. We had a responsible plan for deficit reduction which would have ensured we paid down our debt whilst protecting our public services, such as the police.

We are urging David Cameron and Boris Johnson to think again on 20% cuts to frontline policing, the break up Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the closure of Wealdstone Police Station.

AV says NO to Magic Healing Astronomy as a science was developed many centuries ago in India. Aryabhatt discovered 'the laws of gravity' almost 1000 years before Newton. Astrology also essentially is based on some scientific study. But off late astrological forecast and allied commercialisation like charm, magic, some stones or several so called previous lives factors are blatantly exploited by opportunists.

Claims of quick fix solution to the problem of health, divorce, business and family issues as advertised in publications, or tv channels are surely a fraud which makes people more fearful and easily exploitable. Such advertisements are a lucrative business. The advertisers make a killing of the innocent victims and are willing to spend large amounts. Much more than financial exploitation some of the so called 'problem solvers', 'healers' and 'instant magicians' are alleged to be engaged in even sexual exploitation of vulnerable people especially women.

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have recently stopped taking any such advertisements. We are inundated with large number of letters who appreciate our decision to forego huge amounts of revenue in the service of our readers.

- Editor

Good work AV

Must get facts right

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have become interesting reads, especially your weekly columns on all relevant subjects with insights of historical facts and datas that affect us all.

You have done a good job in stopping the 'Jantar Mantar' adverts. I am sure you will make up that loss of revenue by making up with increased readership. Alpesh Patel is always very articulate and very interesting to read. May be a career in politics beacons for him.

Dr. Murthy’ views on Rahul Gandhi under the heading ‘why not Christian PM' shows his political ignorance. In my letter under ‘corruption and nationality', I stated that ‘Rahul Gandhi who has been designated as the future Prime Minister of India is crying foul of corruption in India and he is attacking Mayawathi for running a corrupt government.

Dr. Murthy and the renegade Congress politicians should know how corrupt Sonia Gandhi’s family is. Rahul Gandhi’s family and their Italian friends were involved in Bofors scandal costing Indian Taxpayers' cores of rupees and they were let off by the corrupt Indian judges and CBI controlled by congress politicians.

The family claims that they do not have property and any big bank balance.

How did Rahul Gandhi manage to go to America for higher studies? Where does Sonia Gandhi get money for medical and other expenses in America?

Rahul Gandhi tried to smuggle thousands of dollars to USA sometime ago and was detained at the airport in America and the the Prime Minister at that time Vajpayee came to his rescue.

There is no difference between political looters families of Lalloo, Kumaraswami and Sonia Gandhi.

India is a pseudo secular country.

More than 80 per cent of the population in India are Hindus. They cannot find one Indian to become the Congress president and they have to choose an Italian with no qualification and experience apart from being married to ex-Prime Minster of India.

A recent survey in Facebook rejects Rahul Gandhi becoming future Prime Minister by a wide majority and the UPA government under Sonia Gandhi is the most corrupt government in recent years.

Jagdish S Vaghela Neasden

Could Sanand be Detroit of Asia?

Since Narendra Modi, the dynamic, incorruptible CM of Gujarat snatched the Tata Nano project from the jaws of West Bengal; Gujarat, in particular the little known town of Sanand has become a honeycomb for motor industry.

In ten years time, Gujarat will be manufacturing and exporting more cars than any other state in India, thanks to Ford Motors that has just announced a massive investment programme to produce their seven new models, mainly small family saloon cars to meet the massive expected increase in sales in India.

According to dynamic Ford MD India, Michael Boneham, Asia will provide up to 70% of Ford’s world-wide growth and India will be in the forefront. So to produce Ford cars locally is a wise and essential step in the right direction.

Gujarat has facilitated Ford 460 acres of land to build car and engine plants which will initially produce quarter of a million cars creating some thirty thousand direct and indirect jobs by the year 2014 when the plant will churn out automobiles for home market as well as for export.

Gujarat government’s ability to attract such massive inward investment is no longer a state secret, although the intricacies of direct and indirect incentives offered is kept under lock and key.

But the main attractions are almost corruption free administration, lack of red tape that hinders such progress in other states and CM taking personal interest, only a text message away to resolve any

Arun Vaidyanathan Via Email unexpected problem that may arise.

CM Modi has assured Ford a wholehearted support every step of the way and to make Gujarat an auto hub, to be the Detroit of India, if not Asia.

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Team Anna Those celebrating victory of Anna ji, must be squirming as Government victimises campaigners, by hounding Acharya Balkrishna, Swami Ramdev, Sri Kejrival.

Team Anna must be grateful to sadhus, RSS/VHP and BJP for tilting decision in its favour even though team had snubbed Hindu organisations.

In spite of attempts to please seculars and communalists, by removing picture of Bharat Mata and frantic efforts to placate Imam of Jama Mosque-Annaji had to rely on Hindu team.

Thus Hindus must go alone in future, with communalists/seculars tagging behind.

Government- guilty and rattled- has exposed mean-mindedness. Future campaigns must be fought ruthlessly. As Annaji’s resolve was to fast unto death, we could not insist on him to be adamant about terms.

All future “fast unto death” must be deterred, for strictness, and fight to finish. Bigots denounced campaign but not corruption. Stating the campaign as Anti Islamic was an acknowledgement that corruption can be tolerated but reverence to mother India-'madre vatan'- is a taboo.

Some critics appear to be traitors paid by ISI! Rahul Gandhi exposed his aspiration to replace Hon. Manmohan Singh.

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

E-mail: support@abplgroup.com

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).

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Annaji’s Satyagraha was not impeccable but was much needed- First blacksmith-hammer blow - against corruption in 64 years of independence.

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email More on page 11

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Health Watch

Gareth Thomas MP, Harrow West Cllr Bill Stephenson, Leader of Harrow Council Cllr Navin Shah, GLA Member for Harrow and Brent

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EDUCATION / UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

National Hindu Students Forum (UK)

By Avnish Thakar, Sixth Form Team Coordinator

Sixth Form Internship Programme Six weeks of holiday?

Got nothing to do? ‘I’m bored’ is probably the phrase most uttered by our youth during their summer holidays. This summer, the National Hindu Student Forum (NHSF (UK)) embarked on their first ever Sixth Form Internship Programme. For four weeks, three sixth formers dedicated their time in carrying out projects of interest to them.

Darshita Rabadia had the task of researching The Role of Women in Hindu Dharma; Deepa Lad studied deep into the Origins of Hindu Philosophy and Rulank Kotecha explored The History of NHSF (UK).

Alongside these projects, there were a number of overall aims which NHSF (UK) encouraged these three students to gain: to learn more about

their Hindu Dharma; gain skills which were valuable at university such as time management; independence; research and presentation skills.

During the four week period, the Sixth Form Team of NHSF (UK) held an overnight skills session. For two days the students took part in a variety of activities ranging from workshops on yoga; Dharma and leadership to reading and silent reflection time.

One of the more exciting challenges was the ‘£5 challenge’ where the three interns had only two hours to buy ingredients, cook a three course meal for six people and clean up.

The ethos of the two days was to ‘leave any place in a better condition than you found it’ and it was hoped that the

students would then apply this philosophy in their day-today practices at home. The innovative skills sessions were well received and it was emphasised that daily reading; yoga; helping around the house and trying to practice Dharma in our daily lives by being more selfless rather than selfish are things that we should all strive to do.

This is the first time NHSF (UK) has held such an initiative and it is hoped that the Sixth Form Internship Programme will continue and expand in the future.

NHSF (UK) firmly believes that young people have the desire to learn more about their religion and culture.

Given the right guidance and structure, the youth of today have the potential to achieve anything.

11

YOUR VOICE Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Article 334 of the Constitution of India stated that reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Anglo-Indian community in the House of the People and in the Legislative Assemblies of the States shall cease sixty years from the commencement of the Constitution. The words “sixty years” were substituted by Constitution (79th Amendment) Act 1999 to “fifty years” w.e.f. 25th January 2000.

The Constitution was adopted on 26st January 1950 and fifty years elapsed on 25st January 2000. I presume that there has not been any reservation of seats since then. I stand to be corrected

by Asian Voice readers on this.

Article 46 called the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people; in particular the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes who would be protected from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.

Since independence, India’s literacy rate and income demographics have improved substantially.

In rural India, the per cent of each income group improved from upper 2.1%, upper middle 3.1%, middle 8.6%, lower middle 29% and lower 57.2% to 8.1%, 6.5%, 22.3%, 42.5% and 20.6% respec-

Punjabi magazine Congratulations for the brilliant Punjabi Magazine. The report in Asian Voice was also very interesting. Now that you have done for Sikhs and Hindu punjabis, perhaps you can do for the Muslim Punjabis.

Latif Shah London The Punjabi magazine was meant to be for the whole community. Not just Sikhs or Hindus. However we will take in account your suggestion and would try to incorporate the Muslim Punjabis equally in our next year's issue.

- AV tively between 1995 and 2000.

In urban India, which is the other 50% of the population, from upper 7.3%, upper middle 9.6%, middle 20.3%, lower middle 34.8% and lower 27.9% to 35.9%, 16.3%, 21.7%, 21.4% and 4.7% respectively between 1995 and 2000.

Therefore, the time is ripe to abolish the reservation system altogether and replace it by bursaries and scholarships on merit to any student in need and means tested welfare benefits to the weaker sections of the community not in kind or currency but by a voucher system.

N M Khajuria, FCCA Via Email

State schools 'ignoring assembly' despite legal requirement The majority of state schools in England are not holding traditional morning assemblies despite legislation making group worship a requirement, a survey has found.

The Bishop of Oxford said the survey's conclusions were worrying and added that schools must do more to teach religion in the classroom.

But teaching unions questioned how much teachers and parents wanted daily worship, considering the vast number of schools flouting the law.

Almost two thirds of parents questioned said their child did not attend a form of communal worship at school, such as a Christian assembly.

That is despite the

Department of Education stating that all maintained schools in England must provide a daily act of collective worship which reflects the traditions of this country.

The Comres survey for the BBC questioned 1,743 adults, including 500 parents. Of those parents 64 per cent said their child did not attend daily acts of group worship.

Mothers spend more on their clothes as children return to school?

With just days until children go back to school, mothers all over the country are busy ironing shirts and booking haircuts – and that's just for themselves.

For while millions of parents will be getting their children's uniforms ready, many will be taking as much care over their own appearance at the school gate.

According to a Sainsbury's poll of 2,000 women, the average mother spends up to 25 min-

utes getting ready for the first day of term, seven minutes longer than it takes for her to sort out her children. Two-thirds admitted to boasting about some aspect of their child's precocious development, from classroom achievements to the more basic skills of walking and talking as well competing over more personal matters such as weight loss after childbirth, organisational skills and having a successful husband.

Celebrity mom Angelina takes son to school

Pupils return to tough GCSEs The number of children studying tough subjects at school is to double following a Government crackdown on “soft” GCSEs, The Daily Telegraph has reported.

Just days before the new academic year, it emerged that pupils are flocking back to traditional academic disciplines

that are seen as vital to the workplace and further study.

Research shows that almost 50 per cent of children starting GCSEs for the first time this autumn will take separate courses in maths, English, the sciences, a foreign language and either history or geography.

This compares with less than a quarter of pupils who took GCSE exams last summer.

The rise move follows the introduction of the controversial English Baccalaureate – a new school leaving certificate that rewards pupils who achieve good grades in five traditional subject areas.

Walk for Heart and Stroke’ is a 5km/10km sponsored walk raising funds for research at Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research (NPIMR), a registered charity based at Northwick Park Hospital.

This year, both the Mayors of Brent and Harrow are seeing the walkers off.Last year, ‘Walk for Heart and Stroke’ took place in Hyde Park and attracted nearly 300 walkers, raising almost £20,000 for research at NPIMR. ‘I really enjoyed the walk and feel it’s a great way to support a fantastic cause and get fit at the same time’ said Teresa, from Neasden, who took part last year.

‘There are so many people I know who have suffered from heart attacks, some very young, so I am really pleased to take part and support ‘Walk for Heart and Stroke’ and will do so this year’ said Bhavni from

Hayes, who took part last year with her daughter Rhea.

‘It would be good to see lots of people at the Walk this year – it’s local and with a choice of distance 5km or 10km any-

one can take part’ added Sheena who is part of the organising team.

The Director, Professor HomerVanniasinkam, a renowned vascular surgeon, and her team of researchers at the institute is developing a new and exciting area of medical research called ‘proteomics’ - looking at the protein profile of diseases and exploring how this information can be used to develop better diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The

Institute has invested heavily in this new research and hopes to establish itself as a world class centre of excellence in this exciting area.

Dr Somaiya, who is the Proteomics Developmental Lead at the Institute, said ‘I am confident that with the right support we will be at the forefront of proteomics research’.

He added, ‘the Walk is a great of engaging from people from different backgrounds to support the Heart and Stroke Research Campaign – I am really looking forward to it. Heart and stroke diseases are the biggest killer globally accounting for over 200,000 deaths each year in the UK alone, so we need lots of people to get involved!’.

To take part simply visit: http://www.heartandstrokeresearch.org/walk-hsrc or contact Jay Shah on 020 8869 3284.

Email: info@heartandstrokeresearch.org

12

MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

Scrutator’s Two Indian scientists at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have done something remarkable: Pune-born Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering Rahul Sarpeshkar and his graduate student Kolkata-born Soumyajit Mandal, who took his first degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, West Bengal, have created new technology based on one of Nature's greatest feats of engineering – the human mind-body structure. Their invention, the Radio Frequency Cochlea, will enable a new generation of wireless Internet and communication technologies.

The pair have harnessed human evolution to 21st century technology to produce a high-speed, ultra broadband, lowpower radio chip that works on the same principles as the inner ear of humans, the cochlea.

Rahul Sarpeshkar and Soumyajit Mandal

The invention, filed for patent as the Radio Frequency Cochlea, will usher in in the next generation of wireless Internet, cell phone, radio and TV devices, and is certain to impact a $2 trillion global media and entertainment industry with more advanced sound devices including an evolving technology of cognitive and smart radios – vital instruments that automatically make better use of unused frequencies in our increasingly bandwidth-crowded world.

Professor Sarpeshkar cautioned: “Humans have a long way to go before their architectures will successfully compete with those in Nature, especially in situations where ultra-energy efficient or ultra-low-power operations are paramount.

Nevertheless, we can mine the intellectual resources of Nature to create devices useful to humans, just as we have mined her physical resources in the past.” (Raja Murthy in Asian Times online, June 18)

Rare cancer operation A 99-year-old great-great grandmother, Dorothy Affleck, has become the oldest person in the UK to have undergone surgery for breast cancer at Tameside Hospital, Manchester.

Ms Affleck, a former hairdresser from Manchester. was oper-

Dorothy Affleck

ated upon by Mr Pradeep Arora, an Indian-born surgeon.

It lasted two hours and was carried out under local anaesthetic instead of the more commonly used general anaesthetic because of her age.

Ms Affleck said: “When I

was told 'you've got cancer' I couldn't believe it. I was horrified. But Mr Arora was absolutely marvellous. After the operation, he visited me every day. I used to give him a big hug. I think it is unique because I came through at that age. I was 99-and-a-half and people didn't think they should operate at that age. But Mr Arora did. And he and the whole hospital looked after me. If I'd gone private, and paid a thousand pounds a week. I couldn't have had better treatment.”

Mr Arora, an experienced surgeon, said he was pleased with his patient's progress. He found her 'inspiring.' Ms Affleck has since celebrated her 100th birthday. All's well that ends well, we might say (Daily Mail September 1).

Water alarm Brahma Chellaney's alarmist piece in the Financial Times (August 31, he also spoke on the BBC World Services,

September 3), on China's alleged endeavours to divert the waters of the major rivers of South and South East Asian riparian states, which originate in Tibet. Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand are the affecte countires of South East Asia. The avowed aim of China is to construct mega-dam projects on its own territory; this has set the cat among the pigeons. The rivers concerning South Asia are the Indus and Brahmaputra, the Mekong and Salween involve South East Asia. Mr Chellaney says Beijing was doing the same with the Amur and Ili rivers, which affect Russia and Kazakhstan respectively.

This is indeed a serious matter, which the title of his article - “Water is the new weapon in Beijing's armoury”- makes abundantly clear. The challenge is to sift fact from fiction.

Few would deny the seriousness of the issue, if true.

Certainly, there have been testy exchanges between the riparian states of South East Asia and Beijing over the latter's dambuilding activities on the Mekong.. Whether anything similar has occurred with Russia and Kazakhstan, as Mr Chellaney avers, is less clear.

There is no mention of this in the Russian media. SinoRussian relations at present are tranquil and friendly, better than they have been for decades. Mr Chellaney writes that a large dam is al so under construction on the Brahmaputra, not far from the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, to which Beijing has laid claim. When the subject was first raised by the Indian press earlier this year, China's foreign ministry spokesman, at a press conference in Beijing, denied the reports, saying that China was aware of its responsibilities to other riparian states downstream and had no intention of interrupting the flow of the Brahmaputra's headwaters in Tibet into the Subcontinent..

The Government of India accepted these assurances, clearly on the evidence available to it, and there the matter has rested.

Until now.

Underestimating China's power would be a mistake, but exaggerating its reach is no improvement either.The safest bet is to remain engaged with facts that matter. Fanciful chatter is no substitute, even as it invites attention.

Scaring India Truth is that the Financial Times and The Times have been running something that looks suspiciously like a scare campaign on a Chinese threat to India, encapsulated in the catch penny Pentagon-coined phrase “a string of pearls.” These pearls supposedly constitute Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, not to speak of Nepal

and Pakistan. A cursory look at a map would show the foolishness of the concept. These countries abut India and serious mischief from there could be handled effectively at very short notice. Furthermore, except for Pakistan, none of the above mentioned countries has shown any interest in harboring a Chinese military presence on their territory.

Methinks these scare tactics are aimed to put the frighteners on India, to persuade Delhi to seek diplomatic and military succour from America and its Western allies through multibillion arms contracts. The disinformation campaign, it would appear, is directed at painting a picture of a feeble, dysfunctional India cowering before the Chinese dragon (Ref James Lamont and Amy Kazmin, the Financial Times, July 13). Such psychological warfare, for want of a better term, bring its practitioners into contempt. India has the capability to defend its interests.

Cautionary good sense Consider this sobering line from Richard Lowry - “India v in the National China” Review (June 6, 2005). “There are really no bad [US] scenarios with India. They can destroy anybody that may mess with

The French agency AFP, quoting the Financial Times, referred to an alleged confrontation between an Indian warship INS Airavat and a Chinese vessel in the South China Sea, not far from Vietnam where the former had paid a courtesy call.

New Delhi and Beijing issued separate denials on such a confrontation.

An Indian spokesman in New Delhi said: “There was no confrontation involving the INS Airavat. India supports freedom of navigation in international waters, including in the South China Sea, and the right of passage in accordance with international law.”

Beware of the Greeks bearing gifts, was the wisdom of the ancients. Contemporary wisdom would surely place the FT in a similar category. Sections of the British media have turned into toxic liabilities.

Lessons of 9/11 The tenth anniversary of 9/11, the jehadi assault on the United States, are a few days away.

That dreadful event and its aftermath have scarred America and haunts the rest of the world, particularly its non-Islamic parts. The debate on whether the US over-reacted through its War on Terror rumbles on and will be a talking point for the Tenth anniversary of 9/11

them and are almost too diverse to degenerate into a civil war or hyper nationalistic state.” Read also the following paragraph from Michael Sheridan's report - “Bullish China tries to test Obama's nerves” - date lined Beijing in The Sunday Times (August 28, 2011) – “A bankrupt America and a dead dollar are China's nightmares, for what of its savings, who is to buy the products of its factories, whose navy will guard the sea trade lanes, whose might will hold its rival powers, such as India, in check?” Clearly, India will be no pushover in any trial of strength to which Beijing may wish to subject it.

rest of this century and beyond.

An American military presence prevails in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Gulf and no credible endgame, it would appear, is in sight. 9/11 continues to cast its baleful shadow over the international community. The Economist's reviews of two recently published works on the subject (September 3) are well worth a read.

US self-confidence took a serious hit that September day, which the present economic crisis has done nothing to restore.

There is unlikely to be an economic recovery on either side of the Atlantic anytime soon. The pain has to be endured.

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel’s

The Politics of 9/11 Dear Osama, 10 years on, a few words from a man called Hussein…Barack Hussein Obama. He said this when they gave him the Noble Peace Prize. You may find that ironic, given he’s the man that killed you.

“Evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies.

Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda's leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism - it is a recognition of history; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason.

Whatever mistakes we have made, the plain fact is this: the United States of America has helped underwrite global security for more than six decades with the blood of our citizens and the strength of our arms. The service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform has promoted peace and prosperity from Germany to Korea, and enabled democracy to take hold in places like the Balkans. We have borne this burden not because we seek to impose our will. We have done so out of enlightened self-interest - because we seek a better future for our children and grandchildren, and we believe that their lives will be better if other peoples' children and

grandchildren can live in freedom and prosperity.”

So Osama, I want to tell you the story of the praying Jew in the Nazi concentration camp in the Second World War. The Nazi guard laughs and says, "What are you doing?" The Jew said he was thanking God. And the Nazi said, "What could you possibly be thanking God for – you are in a concentration camp, your family is dead and you will die here." The Jew said, "I'm thanking God for not making me like you."

So it is on this 10th anniversary of 9/11 I thank Allah for not making me like you. But this will really kill you…I also thank Krishna and Jesus too. Ouch. That’s my twin towers collapsing on your head.

By the way, don’t give me that old rubbish about one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter – as your brethren claim in Kashmir.

Freedom fighters do not purposely and repeatedly and consistently target women and children. Terrorists do. Simple. You were a terrorist not a freedom fighter. Wanna see a freedom fighter? Gandhi.

After 9/11 the US show, the West Wing explained things thus, ‘So you know what strikes me the most about terrorism? It's 100% failure rate. Not only do terrorists always fail at what they're after, they pretty much always succeed in

strengthening whatever it is they're against. What about the IRA? The Brits are still there. The Protestants are still there. Basque extremists have been staging terrorist attacks in Spain for decades with no result.

Left Wing Red Brigades from the 60s and 70s, from the BaderMeinhoff gang in Germany.”

As for the work of intelligence agencies, well the same show put it best, “We're going to have to tap some phones and we're going to have to partner with some people who are the lesser of evils. I'm sorry but terrorists don't have armies and navies. They don't have capitals. Some of these guys we're going to have to walk up to them and shoot them. Yeah, we can root terrorist nests but some of these guys aren't going to be taken by the 105th armored tank division. Some of these guys are going to be taken by a busboy with a silencer. So it's time to give the intelligence agencies the money and the manpower they need. We don't hear about their successes.

Guess what? The Soviets never crossed the Elbe. The North Koreans stayed behind the 38th parallel. During the Millennium? Not one incident. Do you think that's because the terrorists decided that'd be a good day to take off?

Not much action that day?” End of song.l

Thousands of immigration legal aid cases reported invalid A review of a governmentbacked charity that was Britain’s largest adviser to immigrants and asylum seekers has confirmed that almost a third of claimants should not have been receiving legal aid, reported The Times.

The Legal Services Commission, which funds legal aid, said on Monday that 2,528 of the 8,000 cases handled by the charity at the time of its closure should not have received taxpayer funding or were ready to be closed.

The remaining 5,612 open cases have already been transferred to alternative immigration advisers. The Times reported earlier this month that the charity closed after 31 per cent of its legal aid cases in the year to last September had been ruled invalid. It was estimated that the charity had misspent of £4.4 million during the period. The closure led to delays in deporting unsuccessful claimants who lost access to their legal advisers.

Happy Birthday Dear Freddie!!

A host of celebrity friends and fans joined Queen's Roger Taylor and Brian May in London on Monday night to celebrate what would have been late bandmate Freddie Mercury's 65th birthday.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie rubbed shoulders with the likes of Nicola Roberts, Fearne Cotton and Tara PalmerTomkinson to mark the legendary singer's life at a glitzy party at the Savoy Hotel.

Freddie Mercury or Farrokh Bulsara was born on 5 September 1946. He was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. He died of bronchopneumonia brought on

by AIDS on 24 November 1991, only one day after publicly acknowledging he had the disease.

Mercury, who was a Parsi born in Zanzibar and grew up there and in India until his mid-teens, has been referred to as "Britain's first Asian rock star".

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COMMUNITY

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

India Connect Celebrations for conquering Mt Kilimanjaro Q & A: Visa to India What are the normal processing times?

Normal processing times are a minimum of 2-3 working days depending upon the visa category applied for and the application itself.

How do I withdraw my application and will I get a refund?

If you wish to withdraw your Jiten Vyas, VFS Global application you are required to visit the application centre and submit your withdrawal request. VFS will not be able to provide you any definite timelines to get your passport back. You are requested to wait and check the status of your passport on our website Can I send my application directly to the High Commission? Where does it go if I have done so?

All applications should be submitted at the specified visa application centres. If you have already dispatched your application to the High Commission of India (London) – your application will be redelivered to our Visa Centre on India Visa Application Centre, 142-148, Goswell Road, London EC1V 7DU. But please keep in mind that there will be a delay in the processing of your documents until they reach the Visa Centre from the High Commission.

Where can I get the correct specifications of photographs?

Each Visa Application Centre (except for Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester) have in-house photo booths that will provide you with the required 50x50 size photographs for your application. The cost is £4 for a set of 2.

I get a message of ‘No Record Found’ on my postal application. What is the processing timelines?

Postal applications must be scrutinised before we can begin to process them. In case there are further details required to have been submitted by you or for example, the photographs given were not up to the specification – your application will be posted back to you. In this case, since we are unable to enter your details through our system, there will not be a record to track. In such cases, you can address your concern info.inuk@vfshelpline.com. It is always strongly advised to be ensure that you have read all requirements for an application before it is dispatched through the post.

How do I track my application?

You can track your application through the website by entering data required under the tab ‘Track your Application’ found on the left hand side of the homepage.

How do I withdraw my application and will I get a refund?

If you wish to withdraw your application you are required to visit the application centre and submit your withdrawal request. VFS will not be able to provide you any definite timelines to get your passport back. You are requested to wait and check the status of your passport on our website.

What if I have lost my ICR for collection of passport?

If you have lost your receipt, we will be unable to provide you with your passport without photographic proof of identification.

If I need to offer a compliment for good service or a complaint for service not up to mark – to where can I address this?

You can address all such feedback, including application queries to info.inuk@vfshelpline.com. Complete information is given under the tab ‘Contact Us’ found on the left hand side of the homepage.

For more information regarding any quires about Indian Visa please contact by email or post: Email: info.inuk@vfshelpline.com Customer Relations Department.

India Visa Application Center, 60-62 Wilton Road, London SW1V 1DE

India Connect - your questions answered on India visas” a service offered by

Friends of Kera (UK) celebrated the victory of their challenge to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro “Roof of Africa” the highest mountain in Africa by the 14 individuals, at SKLPC(UK) on Saturday, 3 September 2011. The program for the evening included a presentation of their 7

Curry connects the continents Continued from page 8 Readers wishing to hear Perween’s speech can do so at the World Curry Festival in Leeds later this month.

Keynote speaker at the dinner was Mr CB Patel, editor and publisher of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, an event supporter. In his humorous, but powerful, as ever, speech Mr Patel congratulated LABA’s president Jaspal Minhas and his team for organising the conference. He reminded guests that it was in Leicester that leading names in ethnic food products, such as Tilda, Pathaks and Rubicon, had been established. In addition, he said how Oadby was once a “foreign territory” was today home to a large number of successful British Indian entrepreneurs.

The vote of thanks was given by LABA and IBTC’s Chairman, Uday K Dholakia. Also at the end, considering Baroness Verma is usually on the receiving end, it was a rare sight to see her present, on request, a bouquet of flowers to IBTC’s manager Lata Dattani, a tireless, hardworking and dedicated team member.

This week a delegation of business leaders from Gujarat, one of the fastest-growing states of India, were on a UK tour and met with representatives from IBTC and LABA, which has over 900 members. Separately, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is urging young people to consider apprenticeships and encouraging food manufacturers to look at where they could make these opportunities available in their companies. The UK government is committed to delivering an extra 250,000 apprenticeship places by 2015 and the FDF is determined to capitalise on this pledge by increasing the number of apprenticeships available in the food and drink sector.

To find out more about IBTC visit www.ibtc.org.uk

day experience (Lemosho Route) on Mount Kilimanjaro. The event was attended by donors, Chris Parsons, a Senior Partner at Herbert Smith - an International Law Firm, has set off to bicycle from London to Gibraltar on 3rd September, a distance of 2500 kms, to raise money for the education of children of poor widows in India. He hopes to reach Gibraltar by 23rd September where the Mayor of Gibraltar will

family members, friends and invited guests.

This challenge was taken up by the 14 in

host a civic reception in his honour.

Chris is 50 this year and he wanted to celebrate his milestone birth-

order to raise money for the annual event of Friends of Kera (UK) for the disadvantaged children in Gujarat which would be utilised to providing transport for the disadvantaged children, their helpers, overnight accommodation in Gurkul, entertainment for the children in Kera, Gujarat on 17 and 18 December. In addition, the funds will be utilised to purchase a dialysis machine to be installed at the MMPJ Hospital & Research Centre in Bhuj for the sole use.

They successfully completed this task 14 on 12 August 2011 when 10 of the team members reached the highest Uhuru Peak standing at a magnificent 5895m and 4 reached the second highest Stella Point at 5756m. day by doing something good for a worthy cause. He aims to raise US$ 250,000 which he will donate to the Loomba Foundation to help widows and their children in India.

He has already raised over US$ 170,000 and if you wish to help Chris reach his target please visit www.theloombafoundation.org

Celebrating the life of a loved one…

The Rach Parivar made sure the tenth remembrance anniversary of their beloved father Odhavji Narsidas Rach was celebrated in style!

Some six hundred family and friends gathered at the VHP Hall in Ilford, on the warm evening of Saturday 9th July 2011, to remember a soul that helped and touched many hearts both in East Africa and the UK. With a sea of pink & blue setting the theme; guests were greeted with a traditional swagatum welcome by the grandchildren, a shower of kankum, rice and flower petals adorned their arrival.

Odhuvjibhai’s life long ethos of feeding all who ever entered his home, was truly accomplished. All worshippers enjoyed freshly prepared food from some of his favourite cuisines around the world.

With hot piping rotlis & rotlas from the traditional gujrati thali corner, garam pata gathya and jalabi’s made while you waited along with South Indian’s special-

ity of dosa’s and idli sambar combined with made to order pizza’s, garlic bread and a range of salads from the Italian corner – guests truly were spoilt for choice!

In a moving tribute to Odhuvjibhai, guests enjoyed bhajans and dyro programme entertained by distinguished performer, Nitinbhai Karia, who flew in from Los Angeles, America.

Following the family aarti & prashad ritual, Rach Parivar marked this poignant day by giving memorabilia gifts of a musical ganesh mandir and a book of bhajans in English and Gujrati for all to enjoy and remember a truly dignified human being!

UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

by Shree

f ashionista

Be a Fashionista, Be You! If you have any questions or a story or a new style to share with us, please write to Shree at aveditorial@abplgroup.com

Brand slaves What I bought last week: A pair of Vivienne Westwood ballet flats, smoke coloured and vegan to boot.

What I’m saving for by not buying my daily Starbucks: A Burberry trench. Enough said.

What I would buy if I had a sugar-daddy: The ‘Victoria’ bag designed by our very own Posh. She may not smile very much, but the woman is funny and she knows what works.

Bottomline: When did British brands become so lust-worthy?

I mean. Let’s face the facts, The Italians are good at making pretty (and expensive) stuff.

The French are good at wearing pretty (and expensive) stuff. The Spanish don’t care because they look good even in olive sacks.

Across the channel… what do the British do... love elbow patches and try to catch a sun ray or none. Whatever it is, the Brits have never exactly been known for their excellent sartorial sense.

But all that is about to change. Actually, it’s already started to change, subtly, quietly, without any pomp and ceremony, in true British style.

Is it the Kate effect?

The Duchess is known to favour British designers on her official appearances. And she has done much to steer the style taste of British women the way of home-grown properness. While there is much to be said for Kate’s mid-heel L.K Bennetts and Reiss dresses, Brit fashion isn’t stuck in the land of middle-brow primness i.e where creativity dies.

London street-fashion, in particular, is famous for it cool edge, it’s individuality and tendency to test the rules. Black polonecks are not a staple of Topshop, the store almost symbolising British youth, and steadily making its mark across the pond. The aforementioned, and much loved by your truly, Reiss, flies the flag in the up-market high street sector, strengthened by a supporting cast of Hobbs and Karen Millen. And of course there is the mascot of the young and the penniless, Primark in all it’s disposable glory.

The sweetness even spreads beyond fast fashion. Take Burberry for instance. The grandmaster of the old-school, her-

itage designer houses, it almost collapsed a few years ago thanks to the rampant replicas of its trademark checks. Faced with a million baseball caps bearing its design, the house had to sit up and stave off a decline into chav-dom. Buoyed up by extraordinary demands in Asian markets, luxury British brands like Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney are riding a wave of success. Even heritage fabrics and patterns like tweed and cashmere , argyle jumpers and (may-Godbe-with-us!) elbow patches are being seen all over the runways and shelves.

Maybe it’s the effect of the unexpected and astonishing coolness of the Royal Family; even Queen Lizzie in her bright coats and brighter smiles seems to be working the colour-block trend, the structured handbag trend and the perfectly set hair trend.

Or maybe British fashion has really and truly come into its own just by sheer talent and in defiance of the recession. So if you haven’t already, buy into this wave of patriotism and get yourself an angora jumper or McQueen skull scarf for winter. In other words, keep calm and carry on. Carry on shopping that is.

Couples create 15 embryos to save son A couple who created a “saviour sibling” in the hope of saving their terminally ill child say they will now give the chance of life to the other 15 or so embryos they produced, reports a national daily.

Jay and Ami Bharvada, from Wapping, east London, are fertile but went through four cycles of IVF to screen the embryos and find one that was not only free from the fatal condition that afflicts their son, Jivan, but also a tissue match so the resulting baby could give him a life-saving bone marrow transplant. A transplant is the only hope of a cure for four-year-old Jivan.

The case highlights the ethical dilemmas families face in creating saviour siblings a treatment which is life-saving but involves the creation of surplus embryos which may later be destroyed.

nine months old.

T h e Bharvadas follow Jainism, a religion that teaches nonv i o l e n c e towards all living beings, and say it would be against their faith to destroy the surplus embryos, of Jivan Bharvada, with his parents which there are Not all the embryos between 15 and 20. Once will survive and implant in Jivan has had his transthe womb, but the couple plant and begins to get still expect to end up with better, the couple plan to about five new babies. give the remaining The couple eventually embryos a chance of life. found a suitable embryo Chance To Live and their daughter, Jaya, (chanceto live.org), aims was born in May. Stem to double the number of cells from Jaya’s umbilical people on bone-marrow cord will be used to treat registries worldwide to Jivan and the couple hope 37m. It will highlight easishe will be able to give her er ways of donating bone brother a bone-marrow marrow. transplant once she is

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For more stories visit www.scribbledesk.com

Short Story by Neha Garg

Sky Gets In Trouble Sky took a deep breath. It had been ages since she had been out in the fresh air.

Sky was a Faery and Faeries did not have the luxury of roaming the countryside freely like they used to.

You see, Humans did not believe in Faeries and magic anymore. What's more they had taken to cutting down entire forests to make space for their cities. Since the only way into FaerieRealm was through magical knots in certain trees, this seriously undermined Faerie-Human relations.

As a result, Faeries had been forced into hiding. It was very occasionally that a Faerie like Sky was allowed out to gather ingredients (like flowers) needed to make faeriedust.

Sky looked around her with interest. The garden had a wooden wall running around it. and the grass wasn't as tall as what she was used to seeing in human gardens. It tickled her toes as she walked along lost in thought when suddenly, she heard two loud bangs.

She looked up to see a bright red something whoosh past her.

She looked around her, terrified.

She heard laughter.

'Humans!' thought Sky, scared.

She had to hide!

She looked around frantically, trying to find a place to hide. She spotted a big black boulder, almost 3 times as big as herself. It looked oddly smooth for a rock this size.

Pondering this, Sky ran over to it and crouched in its shadow. She looked around to see if she could spot the humans but they didn't seem to be anywhere about. She heaved a sigh of relief. She was just about to creep out and fly off home when, she heard a voice.

'What's the matter Tony?'

Sky cowered, the voices sounded awfully close.

'I thought I saw something run behind the number 8 ball,' same the voice of another man that Sky assumed was Tony.

The first man laughed, 'You need some sleep, mate.'

Sky was scared. A few feet away, she could see a wall. Once over it, she will be able to fly the rest of the way home without being seen.

With a careful look to make sure the humans were nowhere about, Sky made a run for it. She had almost reached the wall when she saw something that stopped her dead in her tracks. A human's face loomed over the wall and he was looking straight at her! Sky could see the confusion

etched in his face as he tried to make sense of what he was looking at.

Well, she certainly wasn't going to hang around and let him figure that out, specially since he had a stick in hand that was almost as tall as himself. It was now or never.

She unfurled her wings and took off. Up and up she flew, trying to gain as much height as she possibly could.

After a few minutes, she decided it was safe to to look down. The garden, from this height, looked as big as a postage stamp. The two humans were standing on either side of it, sticks in hand, looking down upon it.

Sky was confused. This didn't seem right. Why would the humans be bigger than the garden? She could see more of those big, round, smooth boulders scattered around. One of the humans bent over the garden, pointing his stick at a white rock. He hit it and it rolled over and hit another rock which bounced off of the garden wall.

Even more confused, Sky hung in mid-air, watching when someone tapped her on the shoulder. Sky spun around to find Silky, her friend, gently rising up and down in time with the beating of her wings.

'Where have you been, Sky?'asked Silky. 'All of FaerieRealm is out looking for you.'

I stopped to take a look at that garden,' said Sky, pointing at the green patch below her.

Silky started laughing.

'That's not a garden, you silly goose. It's a pool table. Its a game that humans play.'

Sky watched Silky laughing.Everything suddenly started to make sense. The big smooth boulders, the humans being larger than the garden, the neatly cut grass.

Sky started to laugh too. How could she have been so silly?

Chortling, she and Silky flew off in the direction of FaerieRealm.

Learn something new As most people head back to school, university or their jobs after the summer break, many will be hoping to add that extra dimension to their lives.

Around this time of year, one of the largest institutes for Indian culture in the UK introduces hundreds of people to the magical world of Indian music and dance, as the academic year starts once again. The Bhavan Centre in London offers over 20 courses in Indian music, dance, languages, art and

archaeology, plus yoga – so there is quite literally something for everyone.

Students of all ages and from all walks of life are taught by some of the best teachers in the business, through the Bhavan’s diploma, postdiploma and advanced classes. Courses are split into North Indian and South Indian disciplines, where you can learn Hindustani and Karnatic singing, instruments like the sitar, tabla, vina, mridangam, violin along with

Bharatanatyam, kathak and odissi dancing. The institute also holds outreach classes in two centres in Wembley and Edgware.

The Bhavan will be holding a registration day on Saturday 10th September from 10:30am – 4:30pm for anyone wishing to enrol on a course.

All teachers will be present on the day, if anyone has questions they want answered.

For more details see www.bhavan.net

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BoLLyWood

Asian Voice Saturday 10th September 2011

I miss Anushka a lot: Ranveer Amy Jackson joins Kamal Haasan’s ‘Viswaroopam’

British beauty Amy Jackson has landed the plump offer to showcase her skills in another Kollywood movie.

Amy will play the lead role in Kamal Haasan’s upcoming project “Viswaroopam.”

Amy made her Tamil debut with director Vijay’s “Madrasapattinam.”

Kamal’s “Viswaroopam” went on floors recently.

Kamal seems to be more than content getting Amy on board, as he was in search of a foreign face as per the script demanded.

His big budget trilingual (Tamil, Telugu and Hindi) will also have Rahul Bose playing the anti-hero with Bollywood trio Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy providing some delightful music.

Prakash Raj dropped from ‘Maatraan’

Versatile actor Prakash Raj has been dropped from Surya’s upcoming film “Maatraan.” The differences with director KV Anand has made the filmmaker not to include him in the cast. Source say that Prakash Raj’s starry air is the cause behind his sacking. The actor, who partici-

pated in the shoots recently, delayed the shoots claiming that he was not happy with the make-up. He also raised issue to don a wig, a source said. KV Anand tried to convince him, but the actor was not willing to accept his reasoning. So the filmmaker has finally dropped the actor.

Naga Chaitanya in Kollywood!

After being seen in a cameo in Gautham Menon's “Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa,” Tollywood actor Naga Chaitanya is all set to do a full-fledged lead in director Radhamohan's next.

The film is touted to be a bilingual and will have Naga playing the lead in both the Tamil and Telugu version.

When we contacted Radhamohan, he declined to reveal details about the proj-

ect, but said that talks were on with Naga Chaitanya.

"It's true that I'm in talks with Naga Chaitanya for my film, but details haven't been finalized. I'm still deciding on the cast of the film. It's too early to talk about the project," he said.

Sources say that this film, like Radhamohan's earlier outings, will be rooted in reality and will appeal to all sections of the audience.

Forget the bespectacled Radhika of the "Hum Paanch" series, the demure Lalita of "Parineeta" or even the rustic Krishna of "Ishqiya"!

An evolved Vidya Balan paints "The Dirty Picture" red with her killer pout, sultry dance, deep cleavage and her bold stance, leaving you sighing and singing "Ooh la la! Ooh la la".

The story of southern sex siren Silk Smitha - her rise as a glamour girl thanks to her bold and semi-nude roles in movies, and her gradual fall owing to new entrants in the market, her financial crisis and personal problems - "The Dirty Picture" is set to have Vidya at her glamorous, boldest and sultry best.

If the first poster of the film, with Vidya showing off her cleavage in an itsy bitsy red blouse, didn't spell fire, the one minute 30-second trailer sure makes you go "Ooh la la" - in tune with disco king Bappi Lahiri's spicy rendition of a song which says "Tu hai meri fantasy...".

The Munnis and the Sheilas of Bollywood can take a backseat for a while because the 33-year-old Vidya, even with her not so washboard abs, might just become every man's fantasy with her titillating moves, curvaceous frame, playfulness, and sensuous ways in her scenes with Naseeruddin Shah, Tusshar Kapoor and Bollywood's very own serial kisser Emraan Hashmi.

After months of speculation about a relationship and now that inevitable break-up, Ranveer Singh sets the record straight. The man has nothing but nice things to say about Anushka Sharma. "I miss her a lot. Anushka is the kind of girl you'll always miss, especially if she's been a part of your life and then suddenly isn't. You feel a void...," he said and added “We have drifted because we don't get to see each other as much as we used to. I think circumstances drove us apart. Over a period of time we made common friends and hung out together going for dinners and movies. Now that our work is over, Anushka has forged her own path and signed on lots of movies. Now we don't meet each other at all," said Ranveer.

He admits to have developed strong feelings towards his “Band Bajaa Baarat” co-star. "I was very attracted to her. I don't know if I've ever been in love. I don't know what love means. I have felt strong and deep emotions for people who are not related to me by blood. I don't know if that's love but yes, I've felt attraction and affection for Anushka." He seems to be still stuck with Anushka.

For those taking notes, here's the 26-year-old actor about his ideal woman...

"I have a few criteria I want in a girlfriend... good diction, personal hygiene and aesthetics. Her dressing sense and grooming should be nice and she should have radiant skin."

Rakhi Sawant wants to insure her ‘assets’

Queen of controversies, Rakhi Sawant is back in news once again! The sleazy item girl is up to a new antic this time around. She wants to insure her body parts!

The motor mouth is highly inspired by Hollywood beauties who have insured their body parts. And she wants to ardently follow in the foot steps of the American hotties.

“I want to insure my body parts like all those Hollywood stars. I have been insured for life and against accident, but now I want to safeguard my face, my hair, my cleavage and my butt,” Rakhi said while talking to a daily.

However, she has little knowledge if any company in India can help her insure her body.

“But, I`m not aware if any of the Indian insurance companies can help me in this. I don`t mind contacting foreign insurance firms, but I have to go ahead with this now,” said Rakhi.

On being asked why she wants to insure her body, the drama queen said, “My face, hair and other body parts are my rozi roti (livelihood) and have given me a glam image, and I want to safeguard my assets to have a hassle-free career and life. Sharir ka Insurance karake main tension-free hona chahati hoon!

(I want to free myself of all tensions by insuring my body).”

Hats off to you Rakhi. We wonder what makes you come up with unique ideas to make headlines time and again!!!

Madhuri Dixit supports elephants!

Actress Madhuri Dixit has joined hands to lend her support as the Indian Brand Ambassador for a project titled 'Emeralds for Elephants'. This project has been designed to create awareness and raise vital funds for the protection of Asian elephant.

Ethical Zambian Emerald p r o d u c e r s , Gemfields, who have a strong focus on environmental conservation and social initiatives has collaborated with International conservation charity the World Land Trust & Wildlife Trust of India along with 10 world-class Indian Jewelers to create a bespoke Zambian Emerald Jewellery Collection.

Shamita Shetty hunting for her life partner Buzz is that post her retirement from Bollywood, Shamita Shetty is now keen to follow in her elder sister Shilpa Shetty's footsteps and settle down. And insiders reveal that the Shettys' are already looking out for a suitable boy for Shamita.

Shilpa too admits to the marriage bit. She, however, dismisses all the groomhunting talk. "Of course, Shamita will get married someday and we are waiting for her big day too, but first there should be a guy na," smiles Shilpa, revealing that the family isn't exactly playing match-maker. "We are not looking out for a groom for Shamita, she will find her own guy," she says.

How simpleton Vidya becomes to Sexy Siren

Lady Gaga goes Indian for SRK Lady Gaga is planning to go to India for Shah Rukh Khan.

Buzz is that the international super-star might do a song for SRK in his next production “RA.One.” Shah Rukh was introduced to Gaga by his good friend and co-star Priyanka Chopra. There are discussions about incorporating a song which will be used to promote the film at a later stage. A source reveals, "Gaga is hugely inspired by India. She loves the fashion sense and the ethnic and traditional look. Her manager is discussing the possibility of her appearing a desi avatar for the music video which might also feature Shah Rukh." Even though talks are in the initial stage, sources confirm that Gaga has already given the go ahead and plans to come down to India to discuss the project soon.

Shilpa Shetty, who is playing an Oddisi dancer in her next film “The Desire: A Journey of A Woman,” has apparently indulged in some seriously bold sequences with her Chinese costar Xia Yu in the film. "I had no qualms in doing these scenes as these sequences are an integral part of the film, and have been aesthetically shot," says Shilpa. Says a source, "In the film, a world famous Chinese painter is madly in love with Shilpa's character Gautami, but she does not really respond to him. These sequences are a part of the story building up to how far their friendship goes."

Karisma gets superstitious Karisma Kapoor, who was slated to begin shooting for Vikram Bhatt's “Dangerous Ishq” on September 15, has requested it be preponed as it falls during the shradh period, considered inauspicious by many. Confirms Bhatt, "The shradh period is considered inauspicious to begin anything new. I am superstitious and so is Karisma. We didn't want the first day of the shoot to fall during that period. So we mutually decided to shoot earlier." Lolo, who essays a supermodel in the film, has been styled by Manish Malhotra in it. After motherhood, she has taken a while to say yes to a project.

The simmering Imran Khan-Ranbir Kapoor rivalry may flare up once again and set the mercury soaring in B-Town, as the 'Delhi Belly' actor has now entered the RK scion's domain.

Imran has made it to the cover of a gay magazine apparently making him the first actor to feature in one. So far, it was Ranbir who was looked upon as the ultimate gay icon, apart from John Abraham in his 'Dostana' avatar. But this development may tilt the scales in Imran's favour as now it's he who's being pitched as the next gay icon, what was originally Ranbir's card.

And like Ranbir, Imran too has admitted that he takes it as a compliment and such tags are flattering. As for beating Ranbir on what was so far considered his turf, a source says that Imran has never looked at it as competition.

Incidentally, both Ranbir and Imran have admitted to being supporters of the gay rights.

As for their own chemistry, while the two actors have always laughed off their blow-hot-blow-cold vibes, insiders reveal that it's always been a friends-by-far situation. "Sure they are most cordial when they meet up or rather run into each other at public events, but to be honest neither is particularly fond of each other. But it's understandable. They are professional rivals after all and it's very difficult to keep personal relationships friendly then," says an insider.

First look of Soha Ali Khan's “Soundtrack” is out and one of the punch-lines flashed proudly goes as What The F! While there are no prizes for guessing what does the expression really stand for, a few are wondering if this would go down well with the Khan family. "Soha's mom Sharmila Tagore was the chief of Censor Board till early this year which still makes it relatively easier for the film to be cleared as per its merits. Since the punch-line doesn't leave much to imagination, it would have been interesting to see if a few detractors out there would have been too amused had it made it as is to the final cut of the film's promotional material as well," says a fellow actor.

However, Soha isn't overly worried about way her film has been designed and is currently being marketed and promoted.

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Shilpa to do bold scenes with Chinese actor

Imran Khan takes over Ranbir's gay crown?

Soha isn't worried about the F word

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

Rishi, Ranbir in ‘Wake Up Sid’ sequel

When Shahid ‘stormed out’ of a concert Shahid Kapoor was to show off his dancing skills while paying a tribute to the King of Pop Michael Jackson.

But, Hurricane Irene came in between and the actor had to change his plans and the concert was cancelled. It was supposed to be the actor's biggest performance ever as it was to be held at Times Square, New York. "The producers of Mausam had gone to great pains to get the required permission for the actor's performance at Times Square. Flash mobs comprising of world-class male and female dancers, who were going to perform with Shahid, had been practicing for weeks. The entire event was kept under wraps in India," a source said. The organizers are now planning to set another date.

Rishi and Ranbir Kapoor have finally settled on a project for their first ever silver-screen collaboration. And it seems that Ranbir's good friend and director Ayaan Mukerjee has given the father and son the perfect platform in his sequel to “Wake Up Sid.” Reportedly, Ranbir always wanted to star alongside his father in a home production. However, RK Films has not been able to kick start their operations since 1999. And so, Rishi and Ranbir, who have been approached to star together in several films, have finally decided that Ayaan's film is the one. A source said that Rishi would essay the antagonist in the film.

Kalki's film banned in Middle East Anurag Kashyap and Kalki's film will not be released across the Middle East due to its adult content. His latest project with actress wife Kalki may have garnered strong reactions from film festivals across the globe, but looks like “That Girl In Yellow Boots” will not be stepping foot in Dubai or any other Middle-Eastern nation anytime soon. The film, which was denied permission to be screened at the Dubai International Film Festival last year, has still not managed to get the go-ahead to release within the Middle East due to its adult content.

The content of the film has been debated upon at length, and the makers themselves have not denied that the film is their boldest attempt to date.

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Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

Moody's pegs India’s GDP growth at 7.5-8% Dear Financial Voice Reader, Now you are scared. Scared because Alpesh said this was a buying opportunity and then the market rose, only to fall. And the journalists are scared. No, not the journalists, surely? It must be bad when the journalists are scared. But it is not just them, oh my god, the financial commentators and analysts are scared too. But wait, what is this? So too, no, it can’t be…so too are the TV presenters. Armageddon.

Replace Lakshmi with Durga. It is the end of the world.

Wait. Deep breath. Meditate. Have a cup of tea. Do some yoga. Be clear headed and read Alpesh’s column.

Uncle Alpesh’s column in Asian Voice.

First, I have no particular reason to wish the markets higher or lower. So clear headed from personal greed, I think the market is going to rise. Why? Because the profits being made by American companies means their share prices are cheap. Uh? A whole major British or American company is on average worth in total 10 times its profits from last year. Normally, it is worth as much as double that, sometimes on average more than 20 times.

But you may think so what? Okay, that statistical mumbo jumbo may not be your cup of chai. So have a ladoo and ponder this my little Ganesh. My little Newton. Put all your money into Apple. All of it. Every last penny you don’t need for three years. At any point in the next three years you get a 30% return – sell it and have another cup of chai.

Why Apple? I went to the store. It is heaving. The rest of the High Street is empty. Kids would rather not have the latest Adidas but they want an Apple fondlepad. And what about the stupid question of what will happen when Steve Jobs dies? Oh dear will Apple ever innovate ever again? Let’s put it this way: CocaCola. Same old frickin’ formula they had in 1880. Same.

They innovated in other ways of course. And to be sure – Steve Jobs is a genius. A creative genius. It all started when he used to go to the Hare Krishna mandir in San Fran as a student. The man had an open mind.

That mind saw things in a way others didn’t. That is why he is the man behind the world’s largest company.

He beat Bill Gates. Yes, he’s beaten Bill Gates. Steve Jobs retired not because he was ill. But he retired after his company became the largest in the world.

We don’t all want Microsoft office and Windows. But we do all want Apple products. On a train, child to adult – Iphone. In the store the husbands want to be with the wives. The wives like being there. The kids are there with grandparents. No one is bored.

So what next? Well there are a lot of people who don’t have one. But why am I mentioning Apple, surely mention in this paper can’t cause the price to rise.

No it can’t. Not unless Lakshmi Mittal realises Apple is better than Steel and announces a takeover of Apple.

No I mention it because if you were going to buy just one stock, one company in all this turmoil of the markets, all this fear and loathing, that would be the one. Oh and Tata Motors.

Asia to add 1.66 mn millionaires by 2015 Asia will add 1.66 million dollar-millionaires by 2015, taking the total number of wealthy to 2.82 million as the world's fastest-growing major economies of China and India continue to mint millionaires, a report from Julius Baer said.

The Swiss wealth manager forecast that the wealth of high networth individuals (HNIs), those with $1 million or more in investable assets, would nearly triple to $15.8 trillion in the five years to 2015.

China alone would be home to nearly half of the millionaires in Asia with

combined wealth of $8.8 trillion. The world's most populous nation had 502,000 million HNIs with investable assets totaling $2.6 trillion, the report said.

India would more than double the number of HNIs to 403,000 by 2015, while Indonesia would see the highest growth rate in the number of wealthy, up by a quarter to 99,000 the first such report from Julius Baer said.

The wealth manager forecast that China and India would collectively contribute 40 per cent to global growth for 2011 and 2012.

Keeping India's credit outlook unaltered, global rating agency Moody's on Monday projected the India’s GDP (gross domestic product) growth for the current fiscal at 7.5-8 per cent and cited high domestic interest rates coupled with the current global uncertainties as the near-term factors that could affect its economic expansion.

Pegging India's overall growth for 2011-12 at the same level as estimated by the Reserve Bank of India, Moody's noted in its annual sovereign credit update on India that the ‘cyclical slowdown' was unlikely to

alter its credit outlook.

On the inflation front too, Moody's analysis is in sync with the view held by the RBI in that inflation is likely to moderate to

around 7 per cent by the end of the fiscal in March, 2012.

Moody's, however, highlighted the concern over investment slow-

down, a major issue that India Inc. has also been citing for bringing about a pause in further rate hikes by the RBI. Alongside, the Moody's report also pointed to the limited room for further fiscal stimulus, given the fact that the government has targeted to cap the fiscal deficit at 4.6 per cent of GDP in 2011-12, down from 4.7 per cent last fiscal. Turning to the rating aspect, Moody's noted that its outlook on India's ‘Baa3' foreign currency government bond rating remained stable with a ‘Ba1' rating on the country's local currency debt.

Businessmen get expert guidance on bilateral trade between India, UK A two-day conference on UK-India food and drink was held at the University of Leicester on 30th Aug. The conference attracted 72 businesses from Midlands and speakers from UK and India had also come, they furnished with lot of expert guidance regarding bilateral trade and encouraged towards business opportunities.

The event provided the strategies for market entry and links with European buyers and the opportunity to hook up with IBTC and LABA programme of on-going network support and continued promotion via business events and bilateral trade missions between UK and India.

The event was launched as an annual food and drink showcase to be held at the University of Leicester.

Delegates from UK and India were welcomed by Prof Nathuram Puri DL, President of Indo British Trade Council (IBTC) and

by Prof: Kevin Schurer, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Research and Enterprise at the University.

The Economics Minister Amitabh Jain based at the Indian High Commission and Shri Gururaj Rao. The 1st evening gala dinner was marked with a speech by the chief guest Perween Warsi, founder and CEO of S&A Foods.

She said, “IBTC has given strong leadership in planning a major event for the Midland SME’s in the Food & Drink sector to interact with India and is a key contributor to inward investment and export drive”.

The Leicester Asian Business Association (LABA) hosted the “2nd evening dinner and were entertained by speeches from the chief guest, David Parsons CBE, Leader of the Leicestershire County Council and the inspirational speech by C.B.Patel, Editor and Publisher of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice.

Mr. Jaspal Minhas,

President of LABA said, “IBTC has provided the business platform and Leicester is set to become the Midlands business hub for trade with India through the International Trade Centre and the Enterprise Zones based in Leicester.”

Other speakers included Dr. Gunveena Chadha, Director and UK Head of CII, Peter Hogarth, UKTI Director of International Trade, East Midlands and Dr Rami Ranger MBE, Chairman of Sunmark Ltd.

Indian Delegates Left to Right (2nd Right) Chandresh Shah, CB Patel, Vinod Patel and Dhiren Katwa

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FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

19

Stepping Outside Of Your Comfort Zone

Suresh Vagjiani Managing Director Sow & Reap A Property Investment & Financing company.

This week we will be attending the auction for two properties. One being 98 Bravington Road, Maida Vale, described last week and the other an odd one we normally would not focus on. The latter is a freehold three bedroom house in Essex, miles away out of our comfort zone. So why are we attempting to go for it? Precisely because it is outside of our zone, it is also outside of the comforts of most investors who come to this auction which is held in St Johns wood.

When central London properties appear in auctions like Savilles or Allsops they sometimes go for more then they are supposed too.

Auctions were traditionally places for professional property investors, one of the main reasons this is not so any more is thanks to the likes of popular TV programmes like Homes Under The Hammer who have made the auction house familiar to the like of end users and novice want to be investors.

Because of renewed interest from this sector in auction houses, margins between buying and selling properties have disappeared. You only require two end users bidding against each other to destroy any margin in a property at auction.

Prime properties go for even more than they would with an Estate Agent. I remember a flat in Belgravia guided at £1.5m which went for £3m in the Allsops auction way above what one would expect.

The combination of end users driven by an emotional need to grab the property by any means necessary means this often happens with prime properties. As profit is not their object.

So what are the lessons to be drawn from this? One is if you have a prime property, auction may now be a better route to selling. Secondly properties outside of London in smaller auction houses in different geographical areas sometimes get missed.

A good recent example was Brockley, where we bought for £131,000 and was valued by the mortgage valuer going to value the flat for lending purposes at £178,000.

A visit was done at the Essex property on Saturday. I always feel seeing the property is not the most important and should not be at the top of the list. The main purpose of purchasing a property is for investment therefore the numbers are the most important factors. Questions like how much have previous properties been sold for, what’s currently on the market? and how long have these been on the market? Based on this how quickly and how much can I sell this property for? , These are the more important questions to be asked.

Seeing the property is a formality later on down the line, hence we decided to go for the property based on the numbers and then at the last point saw the property.

Our figures told us this property should resell for £180,000. On seeing the property physically the feedback was very positive. The area was very nice, there was a park close by and a station minutes away, always important whether we decide to rent or resell the property. The property had bay windows and high ceilings which are always a nice feature to have. It was being sold by Regis group. Generally when they

decide to sell it means they wish too dispose of the asset, meaning the reserve price is set realistically. Often it’s a case of the market will decide what price it should go for. Being guided at £130,000 there would be enough meat on the bone to purchase and resell in a short space of time even if it went for as high as £140,000 you’re looking at a reasonable margin.

With properties outside of prime locations the strategy is buy and sell not buy and hold. The money is made between the price you go in at to the market price. The future growth rate of these properties is not likely to be too strong. This point coupled with having a property so far out from a management perspective means we would rather dispose of it.

You should have always two exit plans, just in case thing do not work to plan. So there must be a process to rent and refinance to pull your capital out if the sale does not occur.

5 Grange Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 6RE The property comprises a three bedroom mid terrace house arranged over ground and first floors.

The property requires modernization. Grange Road is situated in the residential area of Grays a short walk from shops and restaurants in the town centre. Transport links are provided by Grays rail station and the M25 motorway (junction 31) is within easy reach.

Terrace House Two Floors 5 Room(s) Unmodernised Garden Vacant More info: Tenure: Freehold Accommodation: Ground Floor: Double Reception Room, Kitchen, Bathroom with WC and wash basin First Floor: Three Bedrooms Exterior: The property benefits from a Rear Garden Expected Purchase Price: £140,000Features:

Internal Pictures

Comparables:

Executive summary: This property stands out in the auction lots list as the one that is outside of the focus for most of the investors coming to this particular auction. Therefore, there is a high probability that there will be low interest and property can be picked up cheaply. The property was owner occupied until recently so it is in a reasonable condition.

Although it is outside Central London, it has good commuting (rail station and M25) links which ensures that the demand at the resell stage will be strong using right channels.

The guide price is £120,000+ with the maximum recommended purchase price is £140,000. There are possibilities of single storey rear extension. This property, in a good condition, can achieve £180,000 - £190,000 in the open market.

Sow & Reap will help to arrange and oversee the refurbishment works and ensure the right channels are used for resell.

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now: Specialists in: l Property Sourcing l Mortgages l Commercial Finance l India Properties

UK Sales 0207 313 4595 India Sales 0203 384 5323

Tips of the Week l When looking at auction properties always look for one which should not be in there, odd ones l Ensure you have done a through study of the legal pack prior to bidding

Westbourne House, 14-16 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5RH

20

financial voice

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

Amit Patel has over 15 years experience in the field of Leadership and Human Resource Management

Maria Fernandes

maria@abplgroup.com

Religious discrimination?

Recently the entrepreneur in this field, Sanjay Anand, laid bare his concerns about the lack of available Chefs which are severely affecting the growth plans of his business. Other entrepreneurs are also privately voicing their concerns about this issue but the lack of an effective lobby has left the industry without a voice. The people most affected by the restrictions are the ethnic population who have found a niche in the market for food and have made money and brought pleasure to the wider community.

So far the concerns have been isolated to the profit making industry and this could be easily dismissed as scare mongering by interested parties.

The Shree Jalaram Seva Trust is a renown Charity in existence since 1999 provides its devotees between 300-400 meals on a daily basis and around 34000 meals for events.

Free meals are provided for funerals and there is meals on wheels service for the elderly and the less abled as well as special meals for particular dietary needs.

Their branch of the religion forbids the use of garlic and onions in the cuisine and involves a particular style of cooking. The food must be prepared by Brahmins only and therefore there are restriction on who can touch the food.

The Trust relies on donations from its devotees and this can include money as well as ingredients with which to prepare the food. The cooking of the food has traditionally involved a Trustee responsible for managing and supervising a team of volunteers and this arrangement has

worked well for some years. However the person in question is unwell and unable to provide this service for much longer.

Times have changed and there is now a need to have a Head Chef. Efforts to recruit from within the congregation was unsuccessful.

The Trustees therefore resolved to bring in one person, a trained and experienced Head Chef with particular experience of this style of cooking to manage and control operations.

Applications were accordingly made for this member of staff. It has been resoundingly refused on several occasions. On one particular occasion it was suggested that the role is similar to pie makers where one chef can cater for several hundred people When considering Chefs the following regulations apply: •The minimum salary must be £28260 •The job must require at least 5 years of relevant experience •The outlet must not be a fast food outlet (ie prepared in bulk for speed of service rather than to individual order) standard fare outlet (where menu is designed for outlets in a chain or using ready made sauces) The Seva Trust offered the required salary.

The reason for the refusal is that the skill level is not considered to be high enough as the food is prepared in bulk, there is no menu planning and would consist of limited ingredients which would not necessarily be wide and varied. It went on to say that the work was done by volunteers and reading between the

lines it was encouraging the Trust to bring in unpaid volunteers to supervise the process.

The food involves a specific style of cuisine, caters for large numbers of the public (where a thorough understanding of food safety is a pre-requisite) and has religious restrictions in terms of the use of certain ingredients and the fact that the food must be handled by a Brahmin. The skills of the Chef in this case must also be more rather than less challenging because of the need to use available ingredients to feed its congregation on a daily basis. This is reminiscent of Jesus using 5 loaves and 2 fishes to feed the masses.

The Trust requires one person and one person only. They need a person employed fulltime with volunteers to continue to help.

There is deeper concern here. The refusal to acknowledge the need for a Chef of a particular religious leaning amounts to religious discrimination.

The Trust have approached their MP and the result is that the same arguments have been raised time and time again. The Trust are now looking to petition the Government and are also considering judicial review proceedings.

If you are interested in adding your name contact me so that I can pass it on to the Trust.

Maria Fernandes has been in practice exclusively in immigration for the past 25 years.

Fernandes Vaz is based at 87 Wembley Hill Road Wembley in Wembley and can be contacted by telephone on 02087330123, by email on info@fernandesvaz.com.

35 Indian cos in Forbes Asia's 'Best Under a Billion' list

Thirty-five Indian companies are ranked among the top 200 Asia-Pacific corporations in Forbes Asia's 'Best Under a Billion' list for this year. The number of Indian companies was second only to the 65 firms from both China and Hong Kong that found a place in the list.

Among the Indian companies that made the grade are SRF, which manufactures chemical-based industrial intermediates; Polyplex, which makes polyester film; and Glodyne Technoserve, an IT services company, Forbes Asia said.

However, India's largest storage-battery

producer, Exide Industries - which was present in the list last year - grew too big to be included in the 200company list for 2011, having breached the USD 1 billion sales mark in the past 12 months.

The Asia-Pacific list ranks public companies in the Asia-Pacific region with annual revenues between $5 million and $1 billion. The companies were also evaluated in terms of return on equity, said Forbes Asia.

Tim Ferguson, the Editor of Forbes Asia, said: "Essentially, these are our picks of the companies that have best managed through

the economic volatility that began in 2008. Most navigated the global credit crunch with little to no debt on their balance sheets. On average, the companies on the list have a 13 per cent debt-to-equity ratio and 67 of these companies carry no debt at all."

Pakistan has two companies on the list, namely Millat Tractors, which builds agricultural tractors, and software company Netsol Technologies. Sri Lanka has four companies on the list Asian Alliance Insurance, Ceylon Investment, Renuka Holdings and chicken processing company Bairaha Farm.

When It Is Our Fault ‘The man who can smile when things go wrong has thought of someone else he can blame it on.’

(Robert Bloch).

What do you do when you make a mistake?

When, after having used all manner of explanations and excuses, it becomes absolutely, totally and undeniably obvious that you are at fault?

Do you apologise profusely? Do you lay low for a while until things settle down and people begin to forget what you did? Do you openly accept blame, take responsibility and then work to remedy the consequences? Often by observing peoples reactions we can get an indication of whether or not people actually feel they really are at fault or are just ‘keeping up appearances’.

During the last week there have been a number of situations wherein leaders have reacted to events in which they may be implicated, either totally or even just a little.

James Murdoch refused a multi million pound bonus from News

International. He cited the ongoing controversy caused by the News of the World scandal as the reason behind his decision.

This was not an admittance of fault and he did say that he will be consulting with the compensation committee about how this bonus might be paid at a later date. It seems to be more of a PR exercise than genuine regret.

In a not so well known incident, Wolfgang Wagner, editor of Remote Sensing journal, resigned over the publication of a paper which was criticised for containing findings based on flawed theory. He did the honourable thing and stepped down.

An interesting situation arose when Halliburton announced that they are suing BP for defamation during the Gulf Oil spill crisis. They claim that they were not at fault in any way for the Oil Spill and that BP had actually tried to ‘spread’ the blame onto them.

This is after investigators found multiple parties

Peugeot signs deal for Rs 40 bn car plant in Sanand

French carmaker Peugeot announced on Thursday that it will invest Rs 40billion to set up an auto manufacturing plant in Sanand, next to Tata Nano factory and Ford India's proposed car unit.

"Today, a new lion is born in Gujarat," said Pillippe Varin, chairman of Peugeot Citroen Automobiles while referring to the company's logo at a ceremony to sign an agreement with the state government. Varin said the company preferred Sanand over Tamil Nadu because Gujarat offers a proactive business-friendly environment, excellent infrastructure and is geographically well-positioned to cater to passenger car markets across India.

The Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) has set aside 584 acres of prime land in Sanand for Peugeot. It has also set aside another 25 acres for ancillary industries to support the unit.

The facility will pro-

vide direct employment to 5,000 and indirect employment to 25,000 persons.

To initially manufacture 1.65 lakh vehicles, the manufacturing unit will start operating in 2014, and the company envisages export of 25 per cent of its vehicles.

Additionally, an engine and gearbox plant using latest power train technologies will help constitute a full-fledged modern industrial automotive facility.

It proposes to expand its capacity to 3.40 lakh vehicles, 3 lakh engines and 3 lakh gear boxes by 2020, it was announced.

"Peugeot's arrival after Nano and Ford suggests Gujarat has emerged as a global auto hub. More car manufacturing units are on their way," chief minister Narendra Modi said, adding, "The auto part supply facilities to be developed for them will make Gujarat as one of world's biggest auto part suppliers.”

By Amit Patel

were at fault to some degree. ‘If you blame others for your failures, do you credit them with your success?’

Finally, I must give mention Indian Politicians who, even if they are found to be at fault, can claim parliamentary privilege and escape any action against them. It seems that one cannot even accuse them of wrongdoing in public without courting a notice from the courts as was the fate of Kiran Bedi and Prashant Bhushan - two supporters of Anna Hazare.

Ultimately the question is about how we take responsibility for our mistakes. Responsibility is a long and deep meaning word. And how we deal with responsibility defines our character and achievements. Sadly, ‘The great thought, the great concern, the great anxiety of men is to restrict, as much as possible, the limits of their own responsibility.’ Giosué Borsi.

Indian economy grows 7.7% in Q1, slowest in 6 quarters

The Indian economy expanded at its slowest pace in six quarters as the impact of rising interest rates, high inflation and global uncertainty took its toll and economists said they expect further moderation in the quarters ahead as economic woes continue in large areas of the developed economies.

But while growth has moderated, India is still one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

This is the second successive quarter when growth has slowed below the 8% mark but still remains robust compared to other global economies. Data released by the Central Statistics Office showed growth in the April-June quarter of the current financial year stood at 7.7% compared to 8.8% in the same year-ago period. In the January-March quarter, the economy expanded 7.8%.

India’s finance minister Pranab Mukherjee said the data was disappointing but called for more hard work for robust expansion.

"There is no room for complacency. We shall have to work hard, government, industry and I am confident that our workers and farmers will contribute and ensure growth with inclusion,” Mukherjee told reporters. The manufacturing sector grew 7.2% in the April-June quarter below the 10.6% registered in the first quarter of 2010-11.

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

21

Foreign Exchange Rajesh Agrawal is the Chairman & CEO of RationalFX, Currency Specialists.

For any further information call 020 7220 8181 or e-mail info@rationalfx.com

Further Woes in the Market, causes USD to Strengthen The USD dominated the markets last week as further weak data was released from the largest economy in the world.

Along with this and the troubles with fresh EU debt worries saw USD strengthen across the board as investors looked to the safe haven currency.

The FOMC surprised the market as its members indicating that they were unhappy with any further QE being introduced in the market, so QE3 could now be out of the question.

Consumer Confidence came in far lower than its expected 49.2 figure, coming in at 44.5. The Euro has lost ground in the past week against the dollar, starting the week at 1.44 levels and now currently trading in the 1.41 levels with more than 2% movement downwards. The poor non-farm payrolls set the stage for this week for US services data; this may cause a re-assessment for QE3.

This week we have the US ISM forecast along with Jobless Claims. The main focus will however be on Barack Obama’s speech along with Bernanke’s speech on Thursday, which could see the US dollar strength-

ened further if more woes in the market are discussed.

We also had a lot of disappointing figures last week from the Eurozone.

Consumer Confidence dropped in May, which was the biggest plunge since December 2008. This clouded future growth prospects across Europe hence the Euro lost ground in early trading. The sluggish employment figures from both Germany and EU disappointed the market and failed

to support the Euro. PMI Manufacturing for August came in lower at 49 from an expected 49.7. On Friday, we had PPI YoY and MoM figures. Both came out in line with analysts’ expectations and caused the Euro to lose ground against all the majors. The main focus here will be on the main European economy, Germany, to see if they are struggling or if they come out with any surprising results. The ECB are expected to keep inter-

est rates unchanged but could surprise the market by decreasing them due to recent speculation. However the main focus will be on ECB president Trichet’s comments after their rate decision.

The British Pound came under pressure during last week with it trading as low as 1.61/1.62 against the US Dollar and 1.12 against the Euro as the statistics for August were released. UK PMI recorded its worst reading since June 2009, with a reading of 49 revealed on Thursday last week, falling well below the expected outcome.

Tensions caused by economic growth worries were highlighted as the figure failed to be above the benchmark of 50. This came as figures announced earlier in the week for Net lending, unexpectedly fell and mortgage approvals only grew by £0.07bn, whilst UK Nationwide Housing price data for August fell far below expectations. This week BoE are expected to keep their interest rates at 0.5%, but depending on the data results for the week, we could see the BoE looking to put QE back on the agenda.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 6th September 2011 @ 1pm GBP - INR = 74.14 USD - INR = 46.04 EUR - INR = 65.31 GBP - USD = 1.61 GBP - EUR = 1.14 EUR - USD = 1.42 GBP - AED = 5.91 GBP - CAD = 1.59 GBP - NZD = 1.93 GBP - AUD = 1.52 GBP - ZAR = 11.39 GBP - HUF = 312.93

www.rationalfx.com Information provided by RationalFX. None of the information on this page constitutes, nor should be construed as financial advice. The exchange rates used are the commercial foreign exchange rates provided by RationalFX. For a live quote or to find out more about how RationalFX can help you, call us on 0207 220 8181.

22

PakiStan-BagLadeSh-SRi Lanka

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

Uncertainty lingers over lifting of emergency in Lanka In focUs Colombo: Sri Lanka has been under emergency rule on-and-off for nearly three decades. It has been under tremendous international pressure to lift the emergency ahead of a meeting in Geneva of the United Nations Human Rights Council from September 12th. So, at the end of a typically bombastic speech in parliament, president Mahinda Rajapaksa said he proposed not to extend emergency in the country.

Such befuddlement has been a feature of his presidency, which began in 2006. Disgruntled administrators lament that “only a handful of people” ever know what is going on.

They include the presi-

Mahinda Rajapaksa

dent’s 20-something son, who is a rising member of parliament, and three of his brothers, all senior politicians.

It was also unclear what would replace the emergency. This meant that the fate of hundreds detained under emergency regulations was uncertain.

It was not even clear if ordinary citizens would still have to carry identification everywhere in case

the army or police stopped and searched them.

Frustrated by the lack of information, activists insisted that the government should make public any measures it intended to take.

That did not happen.

But Mohan Peiris, the attorney-general, said in an interview that new regulations are to be promulgated under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to provide for the continued proscription of the Tigers and a fresh regime for holding detainees.

Worryingly, the rules also enable the president or the secretary of defence (the most powerful of those presidential siblings) to pass regulations “as it is

Pak building railway station close to Rajasthan border

Jaisalmer: Pakistan has started the process of construction of zero line railway station, which is just 10 m from the international border in Pakistan adjoining Munabao in Barmer district.

Construction material has been dumped at the spot and Pakistan has given the contract to a Chinese company.

According to international rules, there is a ban on any type of construction within 150 yards of an international border.

Despite this, Pakistan has started preparations for construction. India has objected to the preparations for construction and the Border Security Force (BSF) has submitted a protest letter to the Pakistani Rangers, according to Madho Singh Chauhan, deputy inspec-

Pak must end enforced disappearances: Amnesty London: A top human rights watchdog slammed the Pakistan government for its failure to resolve hundreds of cases of alleged disappearance in the country. "The Pakistan government has made little progress in resolving hundreds of cases of alleged disappearance, while new incidents are being reported around the country," said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International's (AI) Asia-Pacific director.

The London-based Amnesty called for immediate ending of the widespread practice of enforced disappearance in Pakistan and appealed to authorities in Islamabad to ensure, those detained have full access to lawyers and the courts.

"Despite three years of promises to resolve this crisis, hundreds of families are desperate to learn about the fates of their loved ones," Zarifi said.

tor general.

In case of a war, there is a possibility that Pakistan could use this railway station for launching operations against India.

Pakistan under the cover of the Thar Express, which started as a journey of friendship between India and Pakistan in 2006, had built a railway station just a few metres on zero line. When this railway station was being built in 2003, India had protested, but on not getting support from the Centre, the railway station was constructed.

Now Pakistan in a new move is upgrading the station and has dumped the construction material at the site.

A source said Pakistan is modernizing its railway station in an area just

opposite Munabao railway station in Barmer and the contract for construction has been given to a Chinese company.

Actually in 2003-04, Pakistan had started the construction of railway station for Thar Express that was to be started between Munabao and Khokharapaar.

At that time the construction was far away from the international border, but slowly, the construction work reached the border.

When the work was going on just 10-15 metres away from the border, security agencies and BSF had protested, but to no avail. Such violation by Pakistan was pointed out during the meetings at DIG and IG level, but again it did not have any effect on Pakistan.

deemed necessary.”

The evidence suggests that Mr Rajapaksa is not fond of relinquishing power. With so much left murky, the worry is that the president will sneak in through the back door what he shoved out of the front. Such fears may well be overblown. But, true to form, he and his government have done little to dispel them.

The emergency’s justification was the long war against the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, who pursued their demand for an independent homeland for Lanka’s Tamil minority. The emergency was retained even after the final rout of the Tigers in May 2009.

It will take time to better ties with US: Gilani Islamabad: It will take some time for Pakistan to improve relations with the US, seriously strained after the Osama bin Laden killing, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said. While Pakistan considers the US 'an important country' and seeks good relations with it, these should be based on mutual respect and equality, the Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Gilani as saying.

Speaking in Multan, Gilani cited two reasons why US-Pakistan relations soured.

One was the killing of two Pakistanis by US undercover agent Raymond Davis in Lahore in February.

The other was the May 2 killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad by US commandos.

Sri Lanka to probe human rights violations by its army personnel

Colombo: Over two years after Sri Lanka's war against the LTTE, the Mahinda Rajapakse government has for the first time indirectly admitted that some of its army personnel may have indulged in human rights violations in the final phase of the war. They add that these army personnel may therefore be indicted in coming months. According to Rajiva Wijesinha, Adviser on Reconciliation to the Lankan President, some of these army personnel have been found guilty of killing civilians during the final phase of the war against the LTTE, and accordingly action will be taken against them.

The Sri Lankan government has been under tremendous pressure from the international community for some time now for the alleged killing of killing of several thousand civilians during the civil war.

According to Wijesinha, the

88 killed in Pakistan floods

Islamabad: At least 88 people have died and around eight million affected by floods in Pakistan's southern Sindh province and eastern Punjab province, a top official said.

He said that most of the people who lost their homes in Sindh and Punjab have been provided accommodation at different relief camps set up by the government. Army, navy and UN agencies are involved in rescue and relief operations, he added. To prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases like malaria, the government has launched a campaign in the flood-hit areas. In 2010, Pakistan was hit by an unprecedented flood, which claimed over 2,000 lives and affected some 20 million people.

India, Pak troops exchange sweets, greetings on Eid Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged greetings and sweets along the Line of Control (LoC) at Chakan-DaBagh crossing point in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. The Pakistan army officials were led by Commandant of 11th Baloch Regiment, Colonel Umar Gul and Major Matloob, while the Indian side was led by Colonel D P Cristopher. The flag meeting, which lasted for an hour, was held in a cordial atmosphere. Similarly, BSF officers met Pak Chinab Rangers at Octerio border outpost along the international border in R S Pura sub-sector in Jammu district and exchanged greetings on the occasion.

Militants 'kidnap' Pakistani boys on Afghan border Islamabad: Militants have kidnapped about 30 Pakistani boys who mistakenly crossed the Afghan border. The boys, aged between 10 and 15, had been visiting a local beauty spot in Pakistan's Bajaur tribal region to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid. Securing the long, porous border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has long posed a major challenge. Some of the older children in the group managed to escape kidnap and run back to alert local tribal elders of the mass abduction. This is not the first mass kidnap of Pakistani boys in Pakistan's tribal areas.

Zardari's dream: Chinese visiting Pak without passport Beijing: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari dreams of a day when Chinese would travel to his country without the need for passports, and allow Pakistanis to do so. "We are looking at energy coming to China through us," he said. Zardari's decision to publicly air his hopes and dreams, obviously after consultation with Chinese officials, reflects his confidence about the success of his mission to the troubled province of Xinjiang bordering Pakistan. The Pakistani president said, "The region (Xinjiang) is the closest point to my border and it is where the future of Pakistan and China meets, so we are hoping that the region could act as the linking point of a communication network as well as a road and railway network between the two countries"

Sri Lanka to free 1,200 LTTE members Colombo: About 1,200 alleged Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka will be released, with the end of emergency rule imposed 28 years ago to deal with the separatist movement. As media quoted Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem as saying that the end of emergency rule, announced by President Mahinda Rajapakse last week, would lead to the immediate release of suspects detained under the regulations. "Twelve hundred former LTTE members will be released soon," Hakeem told the media without adding further details.

Pak 'incapable' of prosecuting terrorists: US

government is dealing with this by setting up the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) which is going to recommend changes to the government. He says the LLRC has already made some reports which calls for potential indictment of some army personnel. The final report is expected in November.

But Wijesinha also makes it clear the LLRC will not be a witchhunt.

"We are not going to run around asking everyone did you indulge in war crimes? If we have prima facie evidence that would be investigated."

He adds, "I think the

white flag incident needs to be investigated. I hope very much that the LLRC would recommend it. In the eastern province where there is impunity someone has been indicted. But we are not going to make the trial public. We are not going to make a song and dance of it.''

The white flag incident refers to an incident with Sri Lankan army troops allegedly gunned down LTTE forces who were surrendering, towards the end of the civil war. The incident attracted international condemnation, and is seen as one of the major reasons for the setting up of the government probe.

Washington: Asserting that anti-terrorism courts of Pakistan had an acquittal rate of 75%, the US has said that Islamabad's legal system is almost incapable of prosecuting suspected terrorists, including those involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. "The review, in conjunction with information provided by Pakistani law enforcement partners, painted a picture of a legal system almost incapable of prosecuting suspected terrorists," said the report. As such, the US does not appear to be have high hopes in the court case related to the Mumbai terrorist attack, which it is closely monitoring as six Americans were killed in this terrorist attack by Pakistan-based LeT terrorists.

Pak man held in US for supporting LeT Washington: A Pakistan-born man living on the outskirts of Washington has been charged with providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the Pakistan based terrorist group behind the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The FBI began investigating 24-year-old Jubair Ahmad about two years ago on a tip that he could be connected to LeT, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the US in 2001, prosecutors informed.

Ahmad, who was arrested at his apartment in Woodbridge, in northern Virginia, is also charged with making false statements in a terrorism investigation.

world

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

In focus After Irene, storm Lee lashes US New Orleans: Tropical storm Lee crawled onto southern Louisiana's coast as New Orleans prepared for one of the biggest tests of its flood defences since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city in 2005. The National Hurricane Center said Lee's center was about 200 km west-southwest of New Orleans, with maximum wind speed of 72 kph. Winds were expected to weaken gradually in the next couple of days and up to 20 inches (51 cm) of rain was expected to fall on southeast Louisiana, the Miami-based center said. In New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina had flooded 80% of the city, killed 1,500 people and caused over $80 billion in damage in 2005.

China honours Indian with highest literary award

Beijing: China has conferred its highest literary award on B.R. Deepak for his book, which is a translation of 88 classical Chinese poems into Hindi. Prof. Deepak, who is from Centre of Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, was the first Indian to receive the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Special Book Awardâ&#x20AC;? for his contribution to Chinese studies, translation, publication of Chinese books and cultural exchange. The award was presented by the State Counsellor, Liu Yandong, at an investiture held in National Theatre of Performing Arts and the awards were given away by the State Counselor Liu Yandong.

NY law lets Sikh staffers wear turban, grow beard

New York: Sikhs in the US will be allowed to wear turbans and grow beards in federal agencies like the police department and transit authority after New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed into law a bill that will ensure freedom for employees to practice religious beliefs at workplace. The 'Workplace Religious Freedom' bill was initiated by civil rights group Sikh Coalition and sponsored by Queens democrat council member Mark Weprin."This bill sends the message that people should not have to choose between serving our city and adhering to their religious beliefs. All Americans should receive the full embrace of our country's constitutional freedoms ," Weprin said.

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Thousands stranded after 41 die in Japan typhoon

Tokyo: Thousands of people remained stranded in western Japan after the death toll from a fierce typhoon rose to 41, heaping more misery on a nation recovering from the March earthquake and tsunami.

Torrential rain brought by powerful Typhoon Talas, which made landfall and was the deadliest in seven years, caused rivers to swell and triggered floods and landslides that swept away buildings, homes and roads. More than 50 people were still missing As police, firefighters and self-defense force troops continued their painstaking search for the missing, local authorities were planning to

air-drop more food and water to those isolated by the disaster.

In severely affected Wakayama, about 4,500 people remained stranded in communities that could not be reached due to collapsed roads, according to a local official.

In Totsukawa village in

Nara, more than 400 people were stranded in evacuation shelters as access routes have mostly been cut off and phone lines were down in most parts of the village, a local official said.

"After carrying 1,000 litres of drinking water by helicopter yesterday, we

are planning also to transport rice, instant noodles and drinks later today," the official said.

"The rescue work is expected to take time," the official said.

Talas, which moved away from Japan has since been downgraded to a tropical storm but the remnants of its weather system, together with the impact of new Typhoon Noru, continued to inflict heavy rains on northern Japan.

The storm came after new Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda was sworn in on replacing Naoto Kan, who was heavily criticised for the government's response in the aftermath of the March 11 disasters and nuclear crisis.

Lobbying begins for the next US envoy to India Washington: A prominent American lawmaker has proposed nominating his key supporter as the new US ambassador to New Delhi, bringing attention to a post that has fallen victim to what experts call Washington's "sclerotic" decision-making system.

California represenative Brad Sherman wants the Obama administration to nominate former California Lt Gov Cruz Bustamante, who recently endorsed him in a tough

upcoming Congressional race, as the next ambassador to India. The move, which has slim chance of success given the long drawn nomination process amid more urgent foreign policy concerns in Washington, will fill the New Delhi post which is currently being held on a interim basis by Charge d'Affaires A Peter Burliegh.

The fact that the Obama administration is yet to nominate a fullfledged ambassador after

the departure of Tim Roemer is seen as evidence that Washington has put ties with India on the backburner.

This is the second time that the hapless Burleigh, who is highly regarded in the administration , has been interim ambassador in New Delhi. He previously held fort after the departure of David Mulford , keeping the seat warm for appointee Tim Roemer.

In fact, Burliegh's career has been one of

missed opportunities thanks to a tortuous Washington process with many moving pieces, including the whims of individual lawmakers. He was once nominated as ambassador to Baghdad , but the confirmation hearing never happened amid the first Gulf War. Another time, he was named as a standin for Bill Richardson as acting permanent UN representative to keep the seat warm for Richard Holbrooke.

INDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

In divine light

Any quest ions writ e to m amta @thinkspalon

By Mamta Saha don.com

Psychologist

How to adjust your sails in order to avoid the storm

This week’s article is going to focus on how you can remain objective and calm regardless of any drama and politics that may surround you in life. Often in situations we may feel that we have no control, when I hear this as a Psychologist – it is something I always challenge. We have thousands of choices in life and deciding you ‘have no choice’ is also a choice. I encourage you to not give up or compromise your self respect, if you take the time to invest in your own development by reflection, meditation and contemplation, the points below can help you feel be in direct command of your life.

Firstly and most importantly, if you accept that you have control you quickly realise how many choices you have - this then enables you to be proactive and self-directed in life. If you are reactive, you limit your growth and any potential for a brighter, happier future. Take note of the points below to enable you to get into the driving seat of your life and feel in charge of you.

Any energy you spend worrying about the situation takes away any potential strength you could use to find your way out of it. People who play games gain much satisfaction when others are affected. Most of their malicious acts are triggered by the motivation to cause a stir or be controversial. When you choose not to react, they loose and you win. If you keep distant and consistent with this, your lack of reaction will eventual-

ly bore the trouble maker (s). Eventually they start scheming with somebody else as they quickly realise that they will not get a reaction from you.

If there are emotions involved and you care about the person causing you trouble – think about what you can proactively do to manage the situation. When you change the world changes around you. If you let this person get away with being difficult with you – your difficulties continue to grow.

However tempting it is you should not stoop down to the individuals’ level. If you decide to get even and play the aggressor at their own game you will simply frustrate yourself, compromise your own good values and again choose to waste your energy rather than conserve it for your own betterment. Remind yourself of the following mantra – ‘what goes around comes around’.

Eventually, the source of trouble will get what they deserve as proven by quantum physicists – like attracts like. I heard a beautiful German proverb: Silence is the fence around wisdom.

Also, related to the above point, do not consume your energy discussing the individual or drama negatively. This may give you short-term satisfaction and make you feel as though you are letting off steam, however, backstabbing conversations, moaning and complaining will not get you anywhere. When you engage in these sorts of activities you create and invite a higher frequency of dilemmas into

your life. Soon nothing seems good enough and potentially you can find yourself stuck in a rut of constant complaint, inevitably annoying yourself and everyone around you. You are also left with a negative residue that can be smelt a mile away – yuck!

Make sure you think before you speak or react. One impulsive, off the cuff statement or act can definitely damage your reputation and credibility. Not only will you embarrass yourself you may ultimately make the situation worse and then before you know you will start feeling even more helpless about the situation and more out of control. Remember silence is golden, especially when you are angry, tired or around people that do not make you feel great.

You will be thankful that you did not react.

Most importantly, speak to someone you trust and respect about your dilemma. If your situation is causing you to lose sleep you should ideally turn to someone professional. I am running a Creative Visualisation event on September 17th in London. To register your interest email: mamta@thinkspalondon.com.

Keep up to date by ‘liking’ the Think Spa London page on Facebook and following us on Twitter. Also register on www.thinkspalondon.com for free articles.

Remember you have all it takes to live happily and peacefully – so think twice before you allow anything negative to get the better of you. I send you all peace and energy.

Modern day Shravan For the last 15 years Kailashgiri Brahmachari has been carrying his blind mother Kirti Devi, 84, on his shoulders to different pilgrim centres in India. He carries a weight of 110 kg on his shoulders and travels to 7 to 8 km every day. Kailashgiri has started at the age of 22 from Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh and has completed Narmada Parikrama, Kashi, Ayodhya, Chitrakut, Allahabad, Rameshwar, Tirupati, Balaji, Jagannath Puri and Char Dham.

By Rajen Vakil

The Marriage of Rishyashringa As we know Rishyashringa had never sighted a woman. He still thought that the courtesan whom the king had sent to entice him was actually a young rishi. His father, the rishi Vibhandak, asked him who had come to the ashram that day. He answered that the person was handsome with long hair. His skin had a golden glow and his eyes were like lotuses in full bloom.

His lips were so full of juice and his body gave of a pleasing perfume. He was so attractive and pleasing and around his feet he wore necklaces with sweet sounding bells.

When he spoke the words had a ringing tone which filled me with joy. He would sway in different poses as if being swayed by the wind and he kept on touching and embracing me which made me feel so good. He fed me sweet and tasty fruits the like of which I had never seen before. My mind is full of thoughts of him and my body feels as if it is on fire. I want to go to him to practice the techniques which gave him so much beauty and power.

His father understood that some beautiful woman had seduced him.

He replied that these were demons in disguise that

lure young rishis away from their path of tapas.

They destroy the effort of many years. As a rishi his mind should be stable and he should not allow these demons to distract him.

Even though he was not convinced Rishyashringa decided to listen to his father.

Vibhandak spent the next three days searching the forest for the courtesan but he could not find anyone. Thinking she had gone away, the rishi went into the forest to gather fruit and wood for his yagnas in the forest.

The young courtesan was waiting and as soon as the rishi went into the forest she came to meet Rishyashringa.

Again Rishyashringa was so attracted to her that he forgot everything in her presence. He followed her to the boat on which she was living. The minute Rishyashringa came on

the boat she asked her people to take the boat to king Lomapada’s kingdom of Anga.

As soon as Rishyashringa set foot into the kingdom of Anga it started raining after four years. The king’s desire to bring Rishyashringa to force Indra to send rain was fulfilled. The king gave his daughter in marriage to the young rishi but he was still frightened of his father Vibhandak who could curse him for what he had done.

The king tactfully arranged people on the route Vibhandak would take to come to his capital. The rishi returned to the ashram and not seeing his son divined what could have happened. He set out for Lomapada’s capital hoping to curse him in his anger. On the way he was treated very well by the people the king had kept. By the time he reached the capital his anger had cooled off.

When he saw that his son had married the king’s daughter he was very happy. He told him to remain with his wife till he had a child and then return to him in the forest.

All past articles on the Mahabharata can be accessed from http://epaper.asianvoice.com or from http://www.3stepbreath.com/mahabharata.html

Mayawati – the ‘paranoid dictator’ UP Chief minister Mayawati is the self-proclaimed champion of the downtrodden. But when it comes to fulfill her fancies she never thinks twice in spending millions.

According to Wikileaks cables, Mayawati flew her private jet to Mumbai to collect a pair of her preferred brand of sandals.

She is said to employ nine cooks, “two to cook and the others to watch over them”, and two food tasters as well as a security entourage to rival a head of state.

Other reports said that the private road that she had built from her residence to her office “is cleaned immediately after her multiple vehicle convoy reaches its destination” and that she made a state minister do sit-ups in front of her as punishment for a minor error of protocol.

She and her BSP party first took power in Uttar Pradesh in 2002.

Mayawati heads the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which claims to represent people from castes once called “Untouchable” and now known as Dalit.

India’s poor and low-

est castes flock to her lavish birthday parties and have given her two terms as chief minister.

“Sycophantic party members, civil servants and business people” give her millions of dollars in gifts

while “officials vie for a chance to feed her cake”, says one of the cables, which were dated between 2007 and 2009. They described Mayawati as a “first-rate egomaniac” and a “paranoid dictator”.

(Courtesy: The Times of India)

24

event

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

25

With advanced medical infrastructure, Gujarat eyes wellness hub tag ‘Medical Tourism 2011 Destination India’ was launched by Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar in Ahmedabad With the motto of “Recover and Discover India,” a special issue on medical tourism was launched by ABPL group publications, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar. The special issue with 56 pages was launched at a grand function in Ahmedabad on 27th August. This special issue, the 5th one on this subject, was unveiled by Mr Rajiv Sharma, the CEO of Sterling Group of Hospitals, at Hotel Cambay Sapphire. A large number of dignitaries and well known medical practitioners attended the function.

Mr Rajiv Sharma is incharge of Sterling group of hospitals in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Mundra and Adipur. He enlightened the guests regarding the growing trend of medical tourism and the emergence of Gujarat as a wellness hub.

“We do get overseas patients who come for medical treatment to our different units in Gujarat.

Majority of the patients who are not NRGs and who come all the way to Gujarat is what I will call true medical tourists. Total health care revenue is 5 billion dollars as per our estimate and the amount Gujarat generates is 520 to 700 million. The significance is that it shows the immense capabilities of our doctors and infrastructure of health care in Gujarat.

For the last 5-6 years, Gujarat has progressed a lot in healthcare. Hospitals in the state have been getting accreditation from national accreditation board and it shows the high standard of medicare being developed in the state. This has helped us to bring infrastructure up to worldclass level. We always had world-class doctors. Thus over the time, we have developed the capabilities to cater to the need of each and every patient.

Now, majority of our patients are coming from African countries and the reason may be the cost effectiveness. But we as healthcare providers would like to see a situation where we can get patients from UK, USA and Europe, that is absolutely going to happen as we keep on graduating to higher level of quality offering. Every step forward is important in this journey. So this issue of medical tourism is a powerful media to send the message across the world that Gujarat has one of the best doctors and medical infrastructure. We can make the difference and that too at a very low cost,” says Mr Rajiv Sharma.

Rajiv Sharma congratulated Mr C B Patel, the Editor-Publisher of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, Chief Executive Director Kamlesh Amin and the marketing team

for publishing such an informative issue on medical tourism. He said that this publication was of utmost help to overseas patients and would encourage the medical fraternity in Gujarat.

Dermatologist Prof C.F Patel during his talk recalled how another special issue of Asian Voice/Gujarat Samachar helped him in getting enquiries from overseas patients. “As soon as this

Mr Rajiv Sharma

At the launch were present Chief guest CEO of Sterling Group Mr. Rajiv Sharma ( second right), Cancer Specialist Dr. Jayesh D Patel (first right), CED ABPL group Kamlesh Amin (second left) Editorial Co-ordinator Nilesh Parmar(first left)

CEO of Sterling Group of Hospitals

Dr Jayesh D Patel cancer specialist

issue came in the hands of readers, instantly one patient from Britain had called me on the phone to get guidance regarding his illness. In such way through this kind of special issues, Asian Voice /Gujarat Samachar plays a connecting link between patients and doctors,” he said.

The event showcased the story of how Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar took the first

step and to how it became the widely read newspaper in 24 countries. The welcome address was done by A B Publication India Private Limited CED Kamlesh Amin. During the event, information regarding the other activities of the publication, like the Asian Achiever’s Award that is organized every year was also given.

Guests were also informed about other special issues

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Grand launch party at Cambay Sapphire, Ahmedabad

Marketing, administrative and editorial team of Asian Voice / Gujarat Samachar

that are being brought out on a regular basis like, Issues on FinanceBanking and Insurance (FBI), Property Special, Asian Woman, British Punjabi, British Tamil, British Asian Woman, Diwali Special etc.

The whole program was anchored by wellknown cancer specialist Dr Jayesh D Patel. His inputs highlighted the parameters

of the growing trend of medical tourism with ever increasing expertise, advancement and facilities of medicare in Gujarat.

The event began with a prayer of Ganesh Stuti by marketing executive Keyur Amin. Vidhi Joshi thanked the medical fraternity, corporate executives and the staff members of the publication for their warm cooperation. She also thanked

Hotel Cambay Sapphire for their hospitality.

Guests present: Dr Mala Kamdar (Saal Hospital), Dr Samir and Dr Ashit Sheth (Shalby), Dr Jignesh Shah (Reliance), Mr Shashi Patel (Shatayu Herbal), Dr. Hemal Shah (O Shriji Dental), Dr Hemang Jhala(dentist), Mr Manglesh Desai (CBCC Apollo) – Purvi Apurva Shah

26

InDIA

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

Gujarat’s new Lokayukta Bill to keep out governor In focus The Gujarat government is drafting an amendment Bill, to be put forth during the two-day session of the state assembly on September 26-27, entrusting powers to appoint a lokayukta to a five-member collegium headed by the chief minister, instead of the Gujarat governor.

The five-man collegium would comprise of the chief minister, home minister, assembly speaker, leader of opposition and the chief justice of Gujarat high court.

The amendment Bill, even if passed in the assembly, is unlikely to be ratified by Gujarat governor Dr Kamla, who rejected an ordinance on similar lines in August. This may only add to the long list of nine Bills pending before her for approval.

The proposal of the five-man collegium has been mooted by a highlevel committee appointed by the Cabinet under the chairmanship of Vajubhai

Vala. The committee was mandated to suggest amendment to the current Gujarat Lokayukta Act. A final decision on bringing the Bill in the Assembly will have to be taken in the Cabinet. The ordinance prepared by the state government had the five member collegium as its main provision. it was sent for approval to Dr Kamla on August 25. She returned it, and instead appointed RA Mehta, former judge of the Gujarat high court, as new Lokayukta, the same night.

Guj Lokayukta issue stalls Parliament Parliament proceedings were stalled for the third consecutive day with agitated BJP members, supported by the Left, creating uproar in both Houses over Gujarat Lokayukta’s appointment.

Both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha saw repeated adjournments as BJP members kept trooping into the well and shouting

slogans whenever the Houses convened.

M e a n w h i l e , Manmohan Singh and Pranab Mukherjee agree that Governor Kamla should not have appointed R A Mehta as lokayukta without taking Naredra Modi into confidence, but the state Congress unit is against Mehta’s removal The Union government seems to be coming around to considering BJP’s demand for removal of Gujarat Lokayukta who was appointed by the governor without taking the Narendra Modi government into confidence.

After disrupting Parliament for the third consecutive day over the ‘unconstitutional’ appointment of Justice (retired) R A Mehta as lokayukta by Governor Kamla, BJP has alleged that Justice Mehta is an activist who has spoken often against the Modi government.

Sources said Prime

Minister Manmohan Singh has himself conveyed to BJP Parliamentary Party Chief L K Advani, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and her Rajya Sabha counterpart Arun Jaitley that the government is mulling over removing Mehta from the lokayukta’s post.

While Singh and Leader of the House in Lok Sabha and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, among others, are in agreement that Governor Kamla should not have appointed the lokayukta without taking Modi into confidence, the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee is against Mehta’s removal.

Demanding immediate recall of Gujarat Governor on Lokayukta appointment issue, a delegation of BJP MPs led by L K Advani had met President Pratibha Patil, who informed them that the matter is sub-judice.

Amar Singh arrested, sent to Privilege notice slapped on Tihar jail in cash-for-votes scam Team Anna leaders Rajya Sabha MP and former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and two former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs were on Tuesday arrested and sent to judicial custody for alleged involvement in the cash-for-votes scandal during the July 2008 trust vote in Parliament. Special Judge Sangita Dhingra Sehgal sent Amar Singh as well as Fagan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Singh Bhagora to judicial custody till Sep 19.

Amar Singh, wearing a cream kurta pyjama, looked shocked when he heard the verdict. He was soon whisked away by policemen. Dismissing the interim bail plea, the judge said: "The application is at pre-

requisite stage to decide.

Therefore, let the prosecution file the replies."

The judge also observed that grounds for interim bail are similar to that of regular bail.

Within a couple of hours of pleading for exemption from personal appearance, Amar Singh presented himself before a Delhi court, which summoned him in the 2008 cash-for-vote scam, and sought interim bail.

Amar Singh, who had earlier through his counsel sought exemption from attending the court on medical grounds, appeared before Special Judge Sangita Dhingra Sehgal armed with all his medical reports.

Team Anna appears to be besieged. A week after activist Anna Hazare called off his fast for a strong anti-corruption law, close aides Prashant Bhushan, Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi received breach of privilege notices from Parliament.

The troika have been given time till September 14 to respond. Calling the move “foolish’’ on the part of the MPs, Bhushan said that this would only “increase public anger against politicians who are using their privileges to suppress uncomfortable truth”.

The preliminary notice sent to Bhushan says that he had made “derogatory’’ remarks against MPs accusing them of passing

laws by taking bribes.

“If speaking the fact or expressing justified comment on facts is treated to be a breach of privilege by Parliament or its members, then I think the time has come to reexamine as to what constitutes parliamentary privilege,” he said.

His notice has been moved by Independent Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh Mohammed Adeeb. Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi upped the ante saying that the notice had been sent by a Parliament that included 150 MPs with criminal records.

“Isn’t that a breach of privilege that 150 MPs who have criminal records are sitting in Parliament?’’ she asked.

Manmohan in Dhaka : Landmark border pacts signed, but no Teesta deal Continued from page 1 Aware of Bangladesh's sensitivities over the failure to reach an interim agreement on Teesta, Singh said "our common rivers need not be sources of discord, but can become the harbingers of prosperity to both our countries".

The two sides were scheduled to sign an agreement on water sharing during Singh's two-day visit, but strong objections

by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the draft of the agreement, led India to back off at the last minute.

"We have decided to continue discussions to reach a mutually acceptable, fair and amicable arrangement for the sharing of the Teesta and Feni river waters," Singh said.

Mamata has opposed

the water-sharing formula devised by the Centre which would have entailed a sharp drop in West Bengal's share of Teesta's waters which are crucial for four districts of North Bengal, as well as Siliguri town. While the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs cleared the 52:48 formula of sharing the river waters with Bangladesh despite opposition from her representative, railway minister Dinesh Trivedi, it had to baulk when the West Bengal CM pulled out of the PM's entourage for the Dhaka trip. She refused to relent despite a visit by national security advisor Shivshankar Menon and at least twice ignored calls from the PM. On the eve of his departure to Dhaka, Singh struck an optimistic note.

"My visit will provide and opportunity to review the progress achieved in the implementation of decisions taken during the historic visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in 2010. It is a matter of satisfaction that we have made concrete progress in several areas such as security, boundary issues, water resources, power connectivity, improvement of border infrastructure, trade facilitation and economic cooperation. Our endeavour will be to sustain and build upon this positive momentum," he said.

But the scrap with the West Bengal CM over Teesta has put a serious dent on the PM's big initiative with Bangladesh.

The water-sharing agreement would have been a centerpiece of the PM's trip. It may now have to

wait for another day.

Significantly, Congress seemed to appreciate Banerjee's resentment.

"She should have been taken into confidence," said a senior party source, reflecting the assessment that Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs should have been more sensitive to her dissent. The meeting saw senior members invoking Centre's prerogative to sign foreign agreements.

West Bengal currently gets 75% of Teesta waters flowing through North Bengal into Bangladesh.

The water provides sustenance to farmers in Cooch Behar, New Jalpaiguri, North and South Dinajpur.

Importantly, Trinamool did not fare well in the region in the last election and this could have been one of the goads for Banerjee to up the ante.

Baba Ramdev in ED net

Yoga guru Ramdev and his Haridwar-based trusts have been booked by the Enforcement Directorate in a case of alleged foreign exchange violation, official sources said. The ED registered the case on the basis of a report from the RBI and inputs from abroad on "suspicious" financial transactions done by Ramdev's trusts, they said. The ED had earlier allegedly found foreign remittances and inflow of certain funds during its discreet probe in the case and the action has now been taken under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), the sources said.

Manmohan team declared assets, Kamal Nath richest Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his cabinet ministers on declared their assets which were posted online. Urban development minister Kamal Nath is the richest cabinet minister with assets worth `2.63bn.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's assets amount to `50mn. Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee has assets worth `18mn. Home minister P Chidambaram has personal assets totalling `110mn. Among the poorest is defence minister AK Antony, with personal assets worth `180000. Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar has assets worth over `1.20bn.

Impeachment proceedings against Justice Sen dropped Lok Sabha was dropped impeachment proceedings against Justice Soumitra Sen, originally scheduled for Monday. The decision was taken at a meeting Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had with Law Minister Salman Khurshid and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal. Speaker Meira Kumar also consulted the government and political parties over the issue. “There will be no impeachment as the process has now become infructuous after Sen’s resignation was accepted,” a senior minister said.

Karnataka mining baron Janardhana Reddy sent to jail

Former Karnataka minister and mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy and managing director of Obulapuram Mining Company Srinivasa Reddy have been sent to jail. The court forwarded the two to 14-day judicial custody. The team led by CBI DIG Lakshminarayana, Andhra Pradesh, after conducting raid at the residence of Reddy also arrested Srinivasa Reddy, managing director of OMC. Another team of CBI conducted simultaneous raids on Parijatha, Reddy's residence in Bangalore. During the raid at Reddy's residence, the CBI team found `30mn in cash and 30 kgs of gold. At Srinivasa's house, the investigating team found `14.5mn cash and gold ornaments.

River race to collect funds for charity On the 17th September 2011, Shelain Lakhani and four colleagues from the Killik & Co Richmond Branch will be rowing 21 miles, taking part in “The Great River Race”.

The Great River Race is a gruelling and spectacular boat race up the River Thames from Millwall to Richmond that attracts hundreds of crews from all around the world.

Lakhani, a Private Client Broker at Killik & Co and his team will be hoping to raise much needed funds for the local hospice service, Shooting Star CHASE, Shooting Star CHASE is the children's hospice service, supporting local families with a child or teenager not expected to reach their 19th birthday.

Shooting Star CHASE currently helps over 500 families living in western London, Surrey and West Sussex.

Families receive support free of charge, 365 days a year in their own homes and communities or at their children’s hospices, Shooting Star House in Hampton and

Christopher’s in Guildford.

With no guaranteed Government funding, Shooting Star CHASE, relies heavily upon donations to continue with their vital services.

Over the past year the Killik & Co Richmond office has helped a number of charities by holding raffles, serving hot curries to passers-by and holding a ‘guess the close of the FTSE competition’.

Shelain Lakhani and all of the team at Killik & Co Richmond would be very grateful for the kind support that AV readers can extend to their cause and together we can help make a difference to the lives of many children and their families during a difficult and emotional time.

For those wishing to donate to their worthy cause, this can be done online by visiting the following website: www.justgiving.com/Killik-Richmond or please send cheques, made payable to ‘shooting star CHASE’ to Shelain Lakhani, Killik & Co, 2 Paradise Road, Richmond, TW9 1SE.

world

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

27

A decade after the attack on the World Trade Center

As the tenth anniversary of the 9 /11 approaches, it is a time for the people to come together in the spirit of service and remembrance, to pay tribute to all those innocent lives that were lost. It is the time to share the grief with the families of those whose loved ones were perished in the attack on the twin World Trade Center in New York on that fateful day 10 years ago. It is also the time to honour the heroic people who rushed to the scene and saved so many lives. We have to salute the army and other security personnel and all those who have served over the past 10 years to keep everyone safe and strong.

Abul K. Chowdhury

On the day to share the grief of the Sept. 11, Obama told his nation that on this 10th anniversary, “we still face great challenges as a nation. We’re emerging from the worst economic crisis in our lifetimes. We’re taking the fight to al Qaeda, ending the war in Iraq and starting to bring our troops home from Afghanistan. And we’re working to rebuild the foundation of our national strength here at home.

Alok Agarwal

“None of this will be easy. And it can’t be the work of government alone.

As we saw after 9/11, the strength of America has always been the character and compassion of our people. So as we mark this solemn anniversary, let’s summon that spirit once more and let’s show that the sense of common purpose that we need in America doesn’t have to be a fleeting moment; it can be a lasting virtue not just on one day, but every day.”

The biggest change is at the site itself. After years of construction delays and paralysis, One World Trade Center, formerly known as “Freedom Tower”, now tops 80 floors. It is begin-

Mohammed Salahuddin Chowdhury

ning to dominate the downtown skyline as the twin towers once did. Still two years from completion, when it will reach 104 stories, 1m square feet of it is already leased to Condé Nast, a publishing company. The 9/11 museum, meanwhile, will not open till next September; but visitors to the site will soon be able to see two of the steel trident-shaped supports from the original building, which survived and have now been enclosed in the museum’s glass atrium. Seeing them for the first time since they were salvaged from the pulverised buildings is powerfully impressive.

Visitors will also be able to see and touch the 70-foot (21.3-metre) underground wall that mercifully held back the Hudson River during the attacks.

The memorial, called “Reflecting Absence,” will open on September 11th.

Its main features are two pools on the footprints of the fallen towers with accompanying waterfalls.

The names of the dead are inscribed in the bronze that surrounds the pools.

They may appear jumbled, but people who worked together and died together are grouped together.

On 11th Sept 2001 everyone who was at their desk at Cantor Fitzgerald, on the 101st-105th floors of the World Trade Centre’s north tower, died.

Of the company’s 960 New York-based employees, 658 were killed. In all, the attacks took 2,752 lives from the city.

Lower Manhattan, like Cantor Fitzgerald, suffered a devastating loss on that day. Some 14m square feet (1.3m square metres) of office space was damaged or destroyed and 65,000 jobs were lost or relocated.

Hundreds of businesses closed, some permanently.

Yet 10 years on, the area is doing well. According to the Downtown Alliance, its vacancy rate is one of the lowest in the country.

The volume of apartment sales has increased by 151% since 2003. The resident population has more than doubled, to 56,000, since 2001. Six new schools have opened there since 2009. Last year almost 10m tourists visited. Many stay at one of the 18 hotels in Lower Manhattan, three times the number in 2001.

Though many companies fled in the first two years after the attacks, today there are more downtown than there were in 2001.

Almost 3,000 people were killed in the attacks that terrible day, and 46 of them were twins. 34 Indians were among the victims.

The number sounds extraordinarily high, but it is, in fact, in line with statistical probability.

The story of the surviving siblings had never been told and, given the fascinating nature of twin-

ship, the twins of the Twin Towers seemed both a powerful metaphor for loss and a useful prism through which to revisit

Mukul Agarwala

the events of that fateful day, and to commemorate the tenth anniversary.

As Lisa DeRienzo, 45, whose brother Michael died that day,

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other, and had daughters.

Overwhelming loss of Greg Hoffman, considered suicide after losing his twin brother Stephen in the attack. Others felt indivisible from their twins – two halves of a whole. Linda McGee, 50, a schoolteacher who lives in the Bronx, lost her identical twin, Brenda, who worked as a systems analyst on the 97th floor of the north tower. When they were growing up, Linda and Brenda were known collectively as ‘Brendalinda’. It was the

Lisa Derienzo and her twin Micheal had a special bond. Greg Hoffman and his identical twin Stephen were gregarious and energetic, entirely as one in their twinship, and very much defined by it. When Greg, then aged eight, broke his jaw, he cried all night because he thought the resultant scarring would mean that he’d broken his twinship. “I didn’t think Stephen and I were going to look alike any more,” he says. “I thought I’d done something irreparable and permanent.”

The pair met their future wives while they attended the same college, set up home near each

Shabbir Ahmed

same for 57-year-old Gary Guja, a physician’s assistant whose identical twin, Geoff, a firefighter, died when the south tower fell.

Dan D'Allara whose

twin was a policeman said he felt something amiss when the second tower fell, he just knew his brother had been killed

Swarna Chalasini

Zachary Fletcher, 47, a New York City firefighter who lost his twin Andre, also a firefighter, feels that half of him is missing too.

The Twin Towers was an ambitious building project, which rejuvenated New York’s financial district in Lower Manhattan.

Completed in 1973, the buildings dominated the Manhattan skyline and could be seen from 25 miles away.

“The Twins Of The Twin Towers,” produced and directed by Olivia Lichtenstein, has been shown on BBC-1 on Tuesday at 10.35 pm.

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28

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

EULOGY TO LATE KIRITBHAI RAOJIBHAI PATEL DELIVERED BY HIS CHILDHOOD FRIEND PRAFUL PATEL (Saturday 3rd Sep 2011) Dear friends - Jai Shree Krishna, Jai Siyaram and Jai Swaminarayan!

We gather here today, to bid farewell to our beloved Kiritbhai Raojibhai Patel. I am reminded that when his father Raojibhai Gordhanbhai Patel of Sunav in Gujarat, passed away in 1988, one of East Africa's illustrious leaders Sir Amar Maini spoke from this very podium. I feel priviledged therefore, to have been asked to offer this eulogy to Kirit, who has been a very close and dear friend of mine for over 50 years. There is so much one can say about Kirit, but what I found most praiseworthy in all the time I knew him, was his continuous ability to evoke a lot of love, friendship and devotion to whoever came in contact with him. In his youth, I remember him as a very mischievous person, but over the years, the one characteristic that we all probably know him for is that he always spoke bluntly and called a spade a spade. Kirit akho bolo, pan sacho bolo hato…!

In Uganda, at school and at annual inter school get togethers, he was tremendous fun to be with, and one will never forget his dominant dadagiri at such events. I recall during 1957 that all of us school friends would meet in Kampala in the gardens of the town hall buildings in the evenings, enjoying mogo and matoki savouries and soft drinks and Kirit would always be the centre of attraction – cracking jokes and all of us having fantastic laughs!

He had come to be known as Kirit Kapere (bathiyo), whilst his father Raojibhai was known as Kabaka – for Raojikaka loved living like a King. I cherish those evenings even today. Whenever we met we always

remember those wonderful times.

But I must say that beneath his bluntness and ‘akha boli’, he was a truly caring person who always inspired love and friendship amongst family, friends and colleagues across Uganda, UK, Middle East as well as India. Kirit was extremely popular amongst our people, and in particular, he will be remembered for his leadership and for playing a very active role in the UK in the Lion's Club and the Masonic Lodge. He was a kind hearted individual and in a true sense... a very happy-go-lucky fellow. Kirit made and got the best out of his life.

A little piece of history that some of you may not know is that Kirit’s father late Raojikaka and his mother Chanchalben, who passed away in 2004, lived in Kampala in a huge mansion at 12a Prince Charles Drive which was adjoining 12b Prince Charles Drive where Uganda’s Head of state lived. It was called the State House. Soon after the brutal dictator Idi Amin took over the helm of the Ugandan government and expelled the Indians, Raojikaka’s mansion was taken over by Idi Amin, who preferred to live there to conduct his private life whilst continuing to conduct the affairs of the State from the neighbouring State House.

Subsequently when Idi Amin was thrown out and I believe President Obote came to power, their Mansion was rented by the Ugandan Government to the North Korean Embassy. Kirit’s family endured this hurdle admirably.

Kirit never minced his words, he was always passionate about the issues of the day, and his family promoted many philanthropic causes by donating generously.

Amongst the many causes they

supported, some notable ones include an orphanage for children and a girls high school in Sunav.

They also donated a kidney dialysis machine in Kenya and their generous donations to the Patidar Samaj.

As far as I can remember, I don’t think he harmed anybody in his life and always aspired to be a true human being.

He was a successful businessman. He followed in his father’s footsteps and together the entire family became widely known to have run the most sucessful and thriving business empire of United Builders, in East Africa. Today United Builders is up and running and Kirit’s elder brother Bipinbhai is managing it.

Kirit’s father and my father, who incidentally was also called Raojibhai, were good friends in Uganda. And since then, me and my family became very close to Kirit and his devoted and lovely ‘other half’ Dhanuben, known to many as Dhanu Aunty! Kirit was most fortunate to have such a wonderful, resilient and devoted wife. But above all, what was so remarkable is that both of them were also very good friends to each other!

Today, our family ties with Kirit have moved onto the third generation. Along with Dhanu Aunty, Kirit is survived by two illustrious sons – Mihir Patel and Dr Rikin Patel. Both of whom are very successful businessmen in various walks of life. I have long admired their academic achievements and as part of a new generation of intellectuals both of them contribute considerably toward human development. I must say that both Mihir and Rikin have certainly

inspired me a lot and I am privileged that my friendship has extended toward them in equal measure if not more, over the three generations, which also includes Mihir’s wife Bijal, and son Aman, Rikin’s wife Sheena and their three lovely daughters – Jamini, Tia and Lara. It is always fun to be with them all whenever I visit Dubai, where both brothers operate their businesses.

And I know that in recent years, both Kirit and Dhanu Aunty visited Dubai frequently to spend precious time with their grand children.

Kirit’s true ‘happy-go-lucky’ nature was never more evident as when he would tell his sons that “after he passed away, he would want them to organise a huge party and rejoice and celebrate his life.”

True to his wish I am told, Kirit’s family will endeavour to organise such an event sometime next year with the help of his close friends as well as with the support of The Lions Club and the Masonic Lodge.

At that time, it is hoped that one of India’s leading artist, Falguni Pathak, will participate and perform on this occasion as she too has been a very close friend of the family for many many years.

Finally, it is wonderful to note that Kirit was devoted to Lord Shiva and how incredible to learn that he chose to depart to the heavans on a most auspicious day of Somvati Amas which happens to be the end of the holy month of Shravan. A rare and deserved blessing for such a unique person. He would have wanted it this way and has now got his way even at the end.

May God bless his soul and grant his family the courage and strength during this difficult time.

Om Shanti ! Om Shanti !!

Shanti !!!

This page appears with the compliments of Shri CB Patel and Family

HealtH WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

29

Earth Diet will harmonize your body Asian Voice chats with Miss Earth 2009 regarding her research on Earth Diet Hollywood actress and former Miss Earth 2009 Liana Werner Gray has created Earth Diet to give back to earth what it has given to us. She focused on the abundance of what the earth provides naturally. So she created a challenge to eat only food naturally provided by the earth for 365 days and shared her experience in a daily blog and called it ‘The Earth Diet’. Since then Liana has done immense research on the earth diet, have written books, recipes, demonstrates raw food classes and urged thousands from across the globe to take on the challenge and experience health and opened the very first Earth Diet cafe in New York. Her raw organic sugar less chocolate balls are in demand for sweet lovers everywhere.

She is also a well known film and theatre actress in Australia and USA. Earth Diet: She advocates eating 75 per cent food in row and 25 per cent in cooked. She believes that in that ratio our body can eliminate all or most of the toxins in the cooked portion of our diet.

It is said when we eat more cooked food we are eating toxins faster.

fat. The third principle is to cleanse the body by removing toxins to lose body fat and restore our body water naturally. The law of attraction suggest that in order to attract

Raw Cheesecake created with macadamia nuts, cashew nuts, dates, agave, vanilla bean, lime and coconut oil!

what we want in life, our body's vibration should be aligned with. The food that the earth provides is free from chemicals which strengthens our body and increases the frequency of our vibration. Eating food with chemical substances weakens our body and decreases our vibration frequency. Therefore, eat-

Raw Tacos created with flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, onion, garlic, avocado, lime, tomato, cashews, pine nuts, fresh herbs and more!

The earth diet is not a diet but a lifestyle transformation for everyone.

The first principle of the earth diet is to reduce intake and exposure of chemical toxins so that our liver can efficiently digest fat which makes our body more effective in performing its biochemical process and eventually, we lose fat. The second principle focuses on raw food.

Eating raw foods nourishes our body with digestive enzymes and nutrients that is delivered to every cell of our body which lessens the feeling of hunger and cravings for fatty and sugary food and that increases our metabolism of burning our body

Raw Lasagana!

ing food without chemicals makes our body feel good.

The earth diet encourages weight loss. One should practice natural and holistic lifestyle. A person should learn how to prepare their own meal and appreciate the food you prepare. Learn how to grow your own fruits and vegetables so that you know that what you're preparing is really natural with no chemicals involved. The earth diet encourages living a simple lifestyle; eat basic and simple mono foods. Eating

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Challenging Parents

foods that are less acidic makes the body alkaline; no disease can survive in an alkaline body. One should learn how to appreciate love and connect with the earth.

The following are sample recipes of Earth Diet For the meat eaters: Lime Salad with Salmon, Sesame Chicken, Scallops, and Green Thai Curry with Garlic Herb Sauce, Chicken with Peanut Sauce, Honey Glazed Salmon, Buckwheat , Caramel Prawns, Pancakes with Egg Omelette.

For the vegetarians: Veggie Cashew Rice,

Coconut Balls created with cashews, lime, agave and coconut!

Mexican Rice and Beans with Avocado Wedges with Avocado and Salsa, Roasted Sweet Potato Salad, Veggie Patties, Apple Crumble, and Buckwheat Pancakes with Maple Syrup.

For the raw eaters: Zucchini Pasta Pesto, Curry Lentil Sprout Salad, Raw Pizza, Spaghetti, Raw Ice Cream, Raw Donuts, Raw Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, Raw Mousse, Raw Brownies.

For the fruitarians: Fruit Cups, Fruit Salads, Recipes with Avocado, Fruit Smoothies, Mousse, Fruit Soups.

– Purvi Apurva Shah

am incapable of.

For lenging’ situations by stimChildren have a way of example, given the diverulating a fight or flight challenging their parents sion and uncertainty of response, neither of which in ways that you only whether we would reach are appropriate in most realise once you become our destination or be parenting situations. To a parent. On Recently, I asked to spend a night at avoid feeling stressed, try had an opportunity to witan alternative location, I to quieten the mind when ness several parents (on was finding it hard to dealing with challenging board a diverted flight) switch off and rest. situations. ‘Flex’ your roudeal with their overtired tines when travelling to children.

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Under excessive with Ria. I noticed the under stress, certain stress, we are pro‘mind chatter’ that was chemicals automatically grammed to demonstrate going on in my own head make being calm difficult a ‘fight or flight’ response. stopping me from being but remember, it is better It is natural to raise our able to switch off. This to walk away and take guards to ‘protect’ oursome time out than conselves or ‘flee’ a situation chatter was responsible tinue to make a challengthat might pose a threat. for lots of ‘what if’ scenaring situation worse.

Given we were at 30,000 ios in my mind.

Children will continue to feet, fleeing was not Of course, we know challenge their parents, it exactly an option available that human beings love is our job as parents to to anyone so sure enough, being in control. Not being tempers flared and many able to control how our stay calm and demonparents started to shout at children behave, whether strate to our children how their children asking them they eat, whether they they should deal with sleep at their ‘allocated’ stresses in life with reason to calm down when in bedtime, whether they and not rage. reality it is the parents behave the way we want Quote: that needed to take their etc can have an impact on own advice.

“The real menace of our mood. We have to be I started to examine dealing with a five year careful not to let elements my own behavior under old is that in no time at all we cannot control get to stress and sure enough, I you begin to sound like a us. Our brain is hardam guilty of asking Ria to five year old” do the exact thing that I wired to respond to ‘chal– Jean Kerr Should you have any comments or want to get in touch with me you can email on avmamaria@gmail.com

Indian spice turmeric to treat arthritis An international team of researchers has found that a derivative of a common culinary spice found in Indian curries could offer a new treatment hope for sufferers of the painful condition tendinitis. The researchers at The University of Nottingham and Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich have suggested that curcumin, which also gives the spice turmeric its trademark bright yellow colouring, can be used to suppress biological mechanisms that spark inflammation in tendon diseases.

Dr Ali Mobasheri of the University's School of

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Tel: 020 8889 9112 Mobile: 07985 404 942 E-mail: anupamcaterers@yahoo.co.uk www.anupamcaterer.com

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UK

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

CB Live is only a Gujarati programme in UK on MATV SKY 793 This week in CB Live, Alka Shah, Advertising Manager of ABPL and Producer of this show, will talk about the current problems associated with Hindu funeral services. She will be joined by Sharad Mistry - Asian Funeral Consultant, Bhagwanji Chohan - Asian Funeral Consultant and Chhayaben Gathani - Funeral Arranger of The Co-operative Funeral care for the discussion.

Mr Bharat Patel from a leading agency for Indian passport, OCI and PIOs in Gujarat, will also be present and talk about burning issues regarding OCI and PIOs.

Sneh Joshi - 020 8518 5500 ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

Saturn continues its journey through the sign Libra, lending its support for you to redefine your sense of self, in a way that will give you a greater understanding of yourself. You’re being prodded to live your life in a more fluid way. This may be welcoming to a fiery sign like yourself, especially as you love a challenge.

7pm to 8pm

If you do not have a SKY, go to www.tvunetworks.com and watch CB Live on TVU Player Channel 75203

For more information e-mail: cblive_matv@yahoo.co.uk

Successful Conference on Gujarati language held

R to L: Prabhakant Patel, Kantaben Patel, Dr Dave, CB Patel, Kokilaben Patel, Jyotsna Shah, Upendra Dave, Cllr Harshad Patel, one of the Gujarati school teachers

Teachers of Gujarati schools in London and pioneers of the language such as Dr Jagadishbhai Dave, Kantibhai Nagda, CB Patel and the team of Gujarat Samachar had a discussion about the richness, sustenance and future of Gujarati language.

Dr Jagdishbhai suggested modern techniques in accordance to surroundings in the UK to be applied to ignite interests

in youngsters. With the reducing number of Gujarati students new methods like music, poetry were proposed to attract younger and fresh audience. It was also suggested that young Gujarati teachers should come forward and take charge.

Two books in Gujarati: Kantaben Prabhakant Patel's 'Vinela Phool' and Late Popatlal's 'Hashyajharna' were also launched.

Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Freelance Correspondent: Rudy Otter Chief of Operations ABPL: Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 Email: george@abplgroup.com Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Tel: 020 7749 4093 - Mobile: 07875 229 220 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: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Media Consultant: Rovin John George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 - Mobile: 07875 229 219 Business Development Managers: Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Nikhil Gor - Email: nikhil.gor@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4009 - Mobile: 07875 229 200 Design and Layout: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Ragini Nayak Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Coming Events l Shree Jalaram Seva Trust presents Ganesh Visargen at Southend - on - Sea Sunday 11th September 2011 10.30am until 18.00pm, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS3 9AF Telephone: 020 8569 5710.

Email: jalaramjupadihounslow@hotmail.co.uk l Ram Katha- Vedic Festival. 8:15-5pm, New Bingley Hall, Birmingham B18 5Be. September 10.

Contact: 0121 5059 207 l Lions King of Kingsbury are holding a Mukesh & Rafi Night music by Muktar Shah on 16th Sept 2011 at Harrow Leisure Centre from 7.30pm to late night dinner provided. All proceeds from the event will go to building class rooms in Kakamegha School in Kenya. Contact: Dinesh on 0208 424 8686 l Open Forum and discussion: What is Hinduism Saturday 20th, 27th August & 3rd, 10th September 2011 from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, Shree Jalaram Mandir Greenford on 0208 578 8088 / 9285 l Shree Jalaram Mandir Greenford and The Board of Trustees welcome you all for Darshan forthcoming events - Navratri Festival: Wednesday 28th September to Thursday 6th October 2011 from 8pm to 10pm - Durga ashtami havan: Tuesday 4th October 2011 from 11am to 4pm, Contact: 0208 578 8088, Shree Jalaram Mandir, 39-45 Oldfield Lane South, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 9LB l Shraddhanjali Sabha: In the divine memory of Param Pujyapad Shree Jogi Swami, Shri Hariprakashdasji Swami, Sunday 11/9/2011, 5pm to 7pm, Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community Centre (SKLPC), West End Road, Northolt, UB5 6RE, UK

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 This week should see you at the peak of your creative powers and at the height of a romance. It’s an exciting, expansive time, when you should find it easier to be who you are and do what you want. This is a tremendously exciting time for you, in which you can embrace changes you might not even consider at other times.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 Domestic and family interests are likely to require lots of attention as the Sun remains in your solar fourth house.

With Venus and Mercury in this sector could produce auspicious results for those buying or selling property. There may be some sort of financial snag that impedes the free flow of funds - take expert advice.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 Sun, Mercury and Venus are transiting your solar third house. This congenial trio will emphasize all forms of communications, dealing with relatives and neighbours, and short trips and visitors. There are various limitations or upsets to deal with as the week progresses. Try to be diplomatic with your loved ones.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 The Sun, Mercury and Venus in your solar second house highlights your monetary interests and belongings. This week you will revel in exhilarating developments in career, business matters and moneymaking schemes. Take a positive stand on personal issues too, as you will be able to make an excellent impression on your loved ones.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23 This week you will make your best progress by focusing your mental and physical energies on what you want to achieve. Intense focus is what is needed now so do not let yourself be distracted by non-essentials. The underlying trend seems to be pulling you into a much wider social circle now. This is bound to enrich your life and give you a deeper sense of purpose.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23 Hard work and a disciplined approach will keep your head in the right place. You will continue to be in a restless mood for some time to come. This makes you impatient with restrictions and even more determined to cut your own path. Do not get over-anxious if everything seems to be in slow motion - it is time to pull a few strings.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 You could work with someone on a project that calls for clear communication and a high degree of cooperation. You may also find yourself thinking deeply about what it is you really want to do, and who you really want to be with. The decisions you make now will be important for the path you take.

207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad Tel/Fax: +91 79 2646 6061 Chief Executive Director: Kamlesh Amin Tel: +91 922 710 4308 Email: kamleshamin123@yahoo.co.in Editorial Co-Ordinator (BPO): Nilesh Parmar (M) +919426636912 Consulting Editor (BPO): Bhupatbhai Parekh, Ahmedabad, Gujarat Tel: +91 79 2630 4142 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

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 From a financial point of view take stock of where you’re at rather than to launch any ambitious new business plan.

Opportunities abound, professionally and socially, so make the right choices. There may be something to sort out with a partner, particularly of a joint financial nature.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 You’re likely to find yourself doing a lot of thinking about both new and existing partnerships, and maybe toing and froing in one relationship in particular. Home and family duties and responsibilities may weigh heavy on you. In effect, you’re building a new foundation, so the work you put in now will pay off in the future.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 Your career seems to take a new positive direction now. Opportunities for promotion and financial gain present themselves throughout this period. Self improvement and discipline with health and diet have just become easier. You have changed your habits and made it a new way of life now and inner growth continues.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 It is an excellent time for exercising your mental energies, clarifying your ideas and getting involved in discussion. Exercise caution when it comes to making financial decisions as being hasty will cost you ! Wait before going full steam ahead with grand actions and gestures. Focus on essentials and establish a solid foundation, so that you feel secure.

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

SPort WORLd

FIH withdraws Champions Trophy from India

India beat Leicestershire Foxes in T20 match

India's Olympic dreams may be over as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced on Tuesday that India will no longer host the 2011 Men's Champions Trophy due to ongoing problems with the governance of hockey in the country.

A replacement host for the event is expected to be named within a week.

The schedule and line-up of the 2011 Champions Trophy will be determined when the host is announced, however the event will take place during the same window of December 311. As a result of no longer hosting the Champions Trophy, India has been invited to play in the Champions Challenge to be held in South Africa in November.

"We regret that we have to move the Champions Trophy from India," said FIH president Leandro Negre. "It is difficult for the teams, the organizers and the fans. But we feel that this is the only way to maintain the integrity of our sport."

At issue is the governance structure of the sport of hockey in India. It is a fundamental and non-negotiable requirement of the Olympic Charter and the FIH Statutes that there is only

be one governing body for any one sport in any country with exclusive authority and responsibility to govern, organize national competitions and to enter national teams in international competitions.

Dr. Michael Green, two-time Olympian and Chairman of the FIH Athlete's Committee added: "The first priority has to be the athletes, and

while this was a tough decision for the FIH to make, I feel that they have ultimately made the choice that is best for the athletes involved."

The FIH has recognized Hockey India (HI) as India's governing body, responsible as a member of the FIH for running hockey in accordance with the objectives of and subject to the rules and regulations set out in the FIH Statutes.

The FIH is in the final stages of reviewing bids from other nations that are willing and able within the scheduled timeframe to host an event of the magnitude of the Champions Trophy.

The FIH will continue to monitor the governance structure in India and hopes that a resolution can be found before it begins to affect future events set to be held in India. The next event scheduled to be hosted in India is the Olympic Qualification Tournament in February.

New Delhi was set to host the Champions Trophy in December this year. Champions Trophy was being seen as a tournament in which the Indian players would get valuable exposure ahead of the Olympic Qualification Tournament to be held in February 2012.

Outrage over Nasser Pietersen won't play Hussain's 'donkey’ comment for rest of 2011 was wrong on the part of

Outrage has erupted over former England skipper Nasser Hussain's comparison of Indian players to 'donkeys', with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday slamming the commentator for his comments on Indian fielding.

BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla said that the board would look into the reported incident of commentator Nasser Hussain during the Twenty20 match between India and England in Manchester on Wednesday.

He added that he came to know about the incident through the media and it

Nasser Hussain. If he has done so then the BCCI would further look into the matter.

Shukla said, "Every player has to be respected and such comments should not be made. I do not think this comment was appropriate.

Commentators should not make such comments. We will definitely look into it."

Hussain's comments came after Parthiv Patel misjudged a catch which came from the top edge of Kevin Pietersen's bat off Munaf Patel's ball.

Hussain said: "I would say the difference between the two side is the fielding.

England are a good fielding side. I do believe that India have few...3 or 4 very good fielders and one or two donkeys in the field still."

Hussain comments have already evoked criticism from India media and some former players.

Earlier too, an altercation had broken out between Ravi Shastri and Hussain during commentary.

Ajay Maken

Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, who is also ICC president, set the ball rolling by saying the bill was unacceptable to him.

Seeking its withdrawal, the NCP boss said he would take up the matter with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi if the Cabinet insisted on

The much awaited match between world champion India and Friends Life T20 domestic champion Leicestershire Foxes was held at Leicestershire Cricket Count Club, Grace Road, Leicester on 29th August. The stadium was packed with 5,000 plus spectators. India won the match by 15 runs.

Star Indian players Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni also attended the event.

India’s largest bank, State Bank of India, was the sponsors of the match. State Bank of India Regional Head Mr Rajnish Kumar and President of Leicestershire Asian Business Association (LABA) Mr Jaspal Singh Minhas, handed Parthiv Patel the Man of the Match Trophy for his quick 40 off 31 balls at the match.

Mr Kumar and Mr Minhas felicitated both teams with bottles of champagne. Mr Minhas also spoke a few words in recognition of the players and SBI’s presence at the exciting event.

Mrs Noor, the lucky winner of the competition by State Bank of India and ZEE TV, got the chance to witness the coin toss by the captains of the Foxes and India on the pitch. Mr Gohil won the State Bank of India raffle and received the official match ball signed by the captains of both the teams.

Rafael Nadal collapses with cramp

Star English batsman Kevin Pietersen will not appear for either England or Surrey for the rest of the year, according to a British media report.

Pietersen's next appearance will come against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in the new year, Mail Online reports.

He was left out of the NatWest One-day International (ODI) series against India.

Surrey confirmed that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has

told them that Pietersen must not play for the rest of this campaign, even though they play a CB40 semi-final against Sussex on Sunday, the report added.

"Kevin's omission is part of our policy of monitoring the workload of players," England one-day captain Alastair Cook said.

"He also has a wrist injury that has to be sorted out. It gives a fantastic opportunity for someone else at four but Kevin is very much part of our one-day future," he added.

Cabinet shoots down bill to regulate sports bodies in India A proposal to regulate national sports federations in India was overwhelmingly rejected by the Union Cabinet with several ministers criticizing the sports development bill as deeply flawed and designed to vest sweeping powers in the sports ministry.

The resistance to the bill moved by sports minister Ajay Maken was almost unanimous, with opponents citing reasons ranging from its provisions being too intrusive and omnibus to poor timing when a fresh government foray into the domain of sports bodies would not be appreciated.

31

approving the bill.

"I will ask her to discuss it in the UPA coordination committee, and tell her to allow me to follow my party's decision during voting on the bill," Pawar is understood to have told the meeting. He argued that he would not have been able to take over as ICC chief under the proposed bill's clauses.

Pawar also mentioned that he had consulted with sports administrators in the opposition like BJP's Arun Jaitley and Yashwant Sinha and they had clearly indicated their inability to support the bill in Parliament.

There was a strong view

in the Cabinet that while the need to regulate sporting federations and check malpractices could not be denied, the bill attempted too much while seeking to bring powerful institutions like the Board of Control for Cricket in India within the law's purview.

Ministers belonging to Congress supported Pawar as well with urban development minister Kamal Nath observing that the bill's provisions were too sweeping.

The minister pointed out that it sought to cover sports disciplines as diverse as aero modelling, tennis ball cricket and tug of war.

Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal sent shockwaves through the US Open on Sunday when he collapsed during his postmatch news conference in New York because of severe cramping in his thigh. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Nadal received treatment in the tournament's main interview room, flat on his back behind the desk. "I just have cramping in my leg in front and behind, that's why I was so painful. I will train normally on Monday," the 25-year-old said later. "It was just a normal cramp that could have happened anywhere, but it happened in the press room.

Anywhere else, nobody would have noticed," he added. Nadal had spent two hours and 39 minutes under the blazing sun on Arthur Ashe Stadium, while taking down Argentine David Nalbandian 7-6(5), 6-1, 7-5, in the third round.

Serious illness grounds Venus Williams

The US Open witnessed a major shock without a ball being struck in anger on Wednesday when Venus Williams quit the tournament after revealing she was suffering from an illness that could threaten her tennis future. The two-time champion told officials of her withdrawal from the tournament less than an hour before she was due to face Germany’s Sabine Lisicki in the second round. Then she dropped the bombshell, revealing for the first time exactly what had kept her recent playing time down to a bare minimum.

“I have recently been diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome,” she said in a statement. “(I) wish I could continue but right now I am unable to.”

The disease drains victims of their energy and causes joint pain. For a professional tennis player, that spells trouble but Williams said she had no thoughts of retiring. “I am thankful I finally have a diagnosis and am now focused on getting better and returning to the court soon,” she said. Williams was not the only high-profile casualty at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday but her illness did overshadow most of the oncourt action.

32

Now, watch London Olympic in 3D format

London's 2012 Games will be the first Olympics to be broadcast live in a three dimensional format.

Olympic Broadcasting Services Director Manolo Romero said a pool of global broadcasters would be brought on board to give live coverage of 40 game venues, including the opening and closing ceremonies and over 12 sports with an extra dimension.

"We believe that this will be the most significant step in the sporting history of broadcasting", the BBC quoted Romero, as saying. The innovation is a result of a tieup between Panasonic, the Olympic Broadcasting Services and the International Olympic Committee.

"It is no doubt that the Olympic Games provides the best ever content for the 3D market and 3D will drastically change the way we enjoy the Games in the living room", Panasonic's corporate communications Managing Director Takumi Kajisha said.

"We believe that our partnership will provide a true end-to-end solution for the success of the first 3D live Olympic Games and a great new era for Olympic broadcasting," he added. The French Open tennis grand slam and the football World Cup have been good testing ground for 3D sports coverage but they only involve a single sport.

The challenge at London 2012 Olympics would be to cover a range of sports effectively and in an innovative way in the new format.

Asian Voice - Saturday 10th September 2011

No let-up in India's misery

By Premen Addy

India' nightmare tour of England shows no sign of disappearing anytime soon.

The Twenty/20 tie was yet another demolition of a sub-standard side. The visitors were cruising at 105 for 1, but ended with 165 all out, a total England passed for the loss of four wickets.

That done, the teams proceeded to lock horns in the first of the 50 over ODIs. At Durham in overcast conditions, England captain, Alastair Cook, gave India first use of the wicket, calculating, no doubt, that his pace attack would roll them over with swing and seam as they did consistently in the Tests. But it was not to be. Parthiv Patel and newcomer Ajinkya Rahane got off to a flier, hammering the short pitched English bowling to all corners of the ground. The lefthanded Patel made a pugnacious 95 before he fell to a wide delivery from James Anderson which he unsuccessfully attempted to steer through the slips.

Rahane, continuing the good form of the Twenty/20 game, where he hit 66, scored 40. Virat Kohli made a stylish 55, while useful 30s apiece from Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni helped India reach a respectable 274 for 7. The bad news was Rohit Sharma had broken his finger while facing the first ball from Stuart Broad. It drew the curtain on Sharma's further participation in the tour. Sachin Tendulkar, meanwhile, was out of contention with an injured big toe, for which he will consult a specialist in Southampton. With a full domestic season ahead of him, this has signalled the end of Tendulkar's English summer.

England's reply to India's challenging total got off to an unpropitious start with both openers falling cheaply to the telling seam and swing of Praveen Kumar, whose form throughout this testing season has been exemplary, especially his work with the new ball. Here, he bowled Cook for 4 and dispatched Craig Kieswetter lbw for 6. Kumar was in the middle of a terrific spell when the heav-

Parthiv Patel who made 95 against England in 1st ODI in Chester-le-Street on September 3

ens opened and the rain cascaded down with England 27 for 2. Play was eventually abandoned, a draw the result. India at last had broken the spell of five consecutive defeats to England (4 Tests and a solitary Twenty/29). They were in the driving seat when the weather intervened. Cricket's gods have showed them few favours all season.

Beyond the international arena, consider Pragyan Ohja's debut for Surrey.

The county took him on following the

enthusiastic recommendation of Anil Kumble who knows a thing or two about spin bowling. Kumble saw a rare talent, and the 24 -year-old left-arm bowler repaid his trust with devastating figures against Northamptonshire: 16.3 overs 12 maidens 8 runs for 6 wickets. They don't come any better. What say you, Krishnamachari Srikkanth? He who, as chairman of the Indian selectors, refused to break the mould with fresh faces richly endowed with skills. Seniority was all that mattered. It had to be the run-down Harbhajan Singh and his fabled doosra.

Clerical habits die hard.

Are Australia on the comeback trail?

To early to say for sure, but their convincing defeat of Sri Lanka by 125 runs in the Test match in Galle is certainly a promising start. Sri Lanka have never been pushovers at home, but the visitors had them by the throat early on and never let go.

Despite Mahela Jayawardene's elegant second innings century and Angelo Mathews's robust 95 it was all over bar the shouting by tea time on the penultimate day. The next Test in Colombo should reveal more.

Watch this space.

A tale of two Patels If the weather gods relent, the crowd at Hampshire's Rose Bowl will be able to savour the sight of two Patels on opposing sides of the cricketing divide as England and India face each other for the second ODI match of the current series.

Parthiv Patel made his international debut as a 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman on India's tour of England way back in 2002. His wicketkeeping skills, alas, have failed thus far to flower, but his batting has matured and he is well worth his place as India's left-handed opener in the oneday format as he showed in an accomplished innings of 95 at Durham. With Sachin Tendulkar returning home to nurse a recurring injury to the big toe of his right foot, Patel's place for the

rest of series is assured.

His namesake in the England side is Samit, a tubby allrounder who bowls offspin and bats well in the middle order for Nottinghamshire. The England selectors remained to be convinced that his fitness level was up to the desired standard. The message went home, and Samit Patel, with an altered diet is trimmer now; he could become one of the cogs in a team that is on the crest of wave and has set itself ambitious goals in all forms of the game. In the Twenty/20 game, he guided England to a 6 wicket victory with three resounding boundaries in the final over of the match and only two ball to go.

The tale of two Patels is set to be a sporting and social narrative for our time. Good luck to both!

Messi magic mesmerizes Kolkata as Argentina beat Venezuela 1-0 He danced and dazzled with his sublime skills, even powered his way through on a number of occasions as Argentina eked out a 1-0 victory over Venezuela under the floodlights at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Friday evening, helping coach Alejandro Sabella launch 'Mission Rio' on a positive note.

The scoreline hardly did justice to Argentina for whom Lionel Messi pulled all the strings, much like a master puppeteer throughout 90 minutes. He was unlucky not to score but gave full expression to his vast repertoire of tricks before curling in a corner kick that his teammate Nicolas Otamendi headed home the winner with consummate ease in the 67th minute.

Eighty-five thousand spectators, who had packed the stadium terraces on Friday went home delirious with joy, having watched the world's best player work his magic at the drop of a hat.

Well, it was supposed to be a Messi show and it was - from the first kick to the last. When so much talent is packed in a single human frame, football at times almost ceases to be a team game.

True to his style, Messi was elusive and crafty as he switched direction effortlessly, leaving in his wake a host of befud-

dled Venezuelans, whose attempts at stopping him invariably resulted in a foul. Operating mostly from the right, Messi conjured up defence-splitting passes for his teammates, Gonzalo Higuain, in particular, but they went abegging.

Venezuela survived, but was a matter of time before their citadel was breached.

It all started with Messi running down the right channel in the fifth minute when his agility and athleticism took him past three rivals before sending Di Maria clear inside the box. Only a nick-of-the-time intervention from Venezuela side-back Roberto Rosales

denied the Real Madrid player.

Messi came alive again, leaving his challengers in a trance with another mazy run but Di Maria was again off target. Then came another pin-point pass which set Higuain completely free, away from the last line of Venezuela's defence.

Higuain, however, failed to make the giltedged chance count.

On other occasions, Venezuelan custodian Rafael Romo remained the symbol of his team's resistance, producing some exceptional saves. Argentina's early ascendancy was a triumph of Sabella's tactics, which added more dynamism to

team when going forward. However, in the attacking triangle of Messi, Di Maria and Higuain, the latter at the tip of the set-up, was the least effective. It explained the narrow margin of victory.

Outplayed by Messi, Venezuela, however, showed why they remain a good bet for making their maiden appearance in the World Cup finals in Brazil. Drawing on their impressive show in the Copa America, they soldiered on, looking to provoke errors from the Argentine midfield and waiting for the chance to spring counter-attacks. Frank Feltscher missed a chance and Cesar Gonzalez scuppered another opportunity to play the partypooper as the contest paused for a breather on level terms.

The climax came midway through the second half. When Di Maria passed the ball to Messi on the edge of the box, the crowd throbbed in anticipation. First came the touch to bring it under control, then the combination of speed and strength to escape the clutches of his challengers but only Romo's outstanding intellect in reading the magician's work delayed the inevitable.

Messi took the resultant flag-kick and Otamendi, lurking at the first post, leapt up to head home.