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Election News

VAISAKHI IN THE SQUARE

Page - 16-17

Modi’s Interview

Indian doctors:

Why so many struck off?

Hindu homes, temple attacked in Bangladesh

See Page - 23

The Changing Face of Britain

See Page - 8

Photo courtesy: Ben Broomfield

Page - 25

Thousands attended the free event of Vaisakhi at Trafalgar Square, organised by the Mayor of London to mark the holiest day in the Sikh calendar.

Vaisakhi symbolises the start of the harvest season and the beginning of the Sikh New Year, and London's celebrations are

an opportunity for people of all faiths and backgrounds to experience a festival that is celebrated by 20 million people across the world.

The square was filled with people of all faiths, especially Sikhs and Hindus of Punjabi origin who danced and clapped with the performers on the

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recruit at least 50 doctors from India in order to fight desperate shortages in the UK’s A&E departments and a delegation is going to India for this purpose.

NHS officials have set up an assessment centre in New Delhi and are currently considering 150 applications from Indian doctors, who are due to undergo interviews via video-link,

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The event had something for all families to enjoy, with a strong lineup of stage performances, including classical, Bhangra and popular music presented by Sony Entertainment Network.

In a shocking revelation the Indian community in Britain has learnt that doctors from India are four times as likely to be struck off the UK medical register than those trained in this country.

Doctors from overseas now make up one in three medics working in the UK. This finding was published amongst controversies as health officials in Britain are currently attempting to

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Keith Vazwith MP

Jagroop Singh Moore

Keith Vaz MP attracted me to it.

Jagroop Singh Moore was born and raised in Southall, West London. He opened his first shop at the age of 18 but sold it to concentrate on his degree. Jagroop spent two years with the University of London Officer Training Corp while at University. He graduated from the University of Westminster in 2010 and joined the family business full time straight after. The business has seen a year on year growth since. He enjoys long distance running and going to the gym. He got married in Leicester last year and is planning on opening another supermarket this year.

1. Please tell me about your current position?

I am currently a director at Mor Foods. My parents have been in the food retail business since I was 3 and since I have come on board we have started to expand the wholesale and distribution parts of our food business as well as expand the retail business.

2. What are your proudest achievements?

I have quite a few but I hope that my proudest achievement are yet to come so far it’s being happily married, graduating from University, passing off after completing my first year training with the University of London Officer Training Corp.

Completing my first marathon

a few years ago, and the year on year growth of our family business.

3. What inspires you?

I think my biggest inspiration is the success of other Asian business men and women especially of those in a similar field to me. The first generation of Asian business people in the UK had a much tougher job than we do as we already have a foundation to grow from.

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

By far the biggest obstacle in my career is the number of hours in a day, because I know the harder I and our team works the more successful we are.

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

The biggest influence on my career is my parents, they never wished for me to follow them into the business but I grew up in and around the business and the potential for its growth

6. What is the best aspect about your current role?

The best aspect is getting to meet people from all different walks of life, My job means that I get to talk to hundreds of different people every m o n t h because of the retail business. A lot of our wholesale customers and suppliers are bigger than we are and it’s great when I first get to know their business because all of them operate differently and we are in the unique position of learning from all of them.

Also getting into price wars, they're no good for our profit margins or our growth plans but both me and my dad enjoy the competitiveness.

7. And the worst?

That’s easy, the paper work.

8. What are your long term goals?

To open up a few big Asian supermarkets, and increase our wholesale and distribution business.

9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?

Well I think that everyone works too hard and complains a lot. So a mandatory day off every week for everyone would be good, I know we wouldn't close unless we had too and it’s not good for the economy.

But if everyone just had say Sunday off and knew that everything would be closed on Sunday it would give everyone time to spend with their family.

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

I would like to spend time with the losers of conflicts or wars.

Because History is written by the victors and it would be good to learn about the perspective that we don’t know about, we don’t need to speak to a victorious historical person because there are plenty of books about them that we can learn about them from.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

COMMENT

Indian CEOs in global business

The appointment of 46 year-old Rajeev Suri as CEO of $18 billion Finnish telecoms giant Nokia comes in the wake of Satya Nadella’s elevation as CEO of US IT behemoth Microsoft. Both men have been entrusted with arresting the decline in their respective companies’ market share and to take them to higher level of growth through innovation and restructuring. The two men share a common educational background as graduates of India’s technologically oriented Manipal University, before making their way to centres of excellence in the West, in their case the hallowed Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Both men share a passion for cricket and closely follow the fortunes of Team India. While they describe themselves as global citizens, they are not shy of proclaiming their Indian roots. They are not the only Indian-born executives to have attained these rarified heights, their eminence shared by a lengthening list of other high profile Indian CEOs and entrepreneurs for whom the world is their oyster. Four Indians at the Harvard Business School have just carried off the School’s top awards for business innovation. Sample this roll call of honour: Indra Nooyi (PepsiCo), Nitin Noharia (Harvard Business School), Rakesh Kapoor (Beckitt Benckiser), Anshu Jain ( (Deutsche Bank) and many more. So what is it that they bring to their jobs, apart from specialist skills and commitment? What makes them fit in so easily into the worlds of East and West, into their social mores and contrasting cultures?

Observers of the business scene attribute this phenomenon to the cultural diversity of India, to the comfort Indians usually feel with mobility; their ability to adapt to any challenge - for the educated fraternity of Indians in particular - to their command of the English language, their openness to new dietary experiences. “The ability of Indians to adapt seamlessly to the global business environment, their openness to experiment with international food and cuisine, an excellent balance of

analytical and creative minds, and the willingness to accept an assignment in a challenging geography from the political or climate standpoint have made Indians the preferred choice of compared to other nationalities,” said Arvind Aggarwal, President HR& Corporate Development, RPG Enterprises.

Frans Johansson, CEO of The Medical Group, remarked that India was an incredibly diverse country, and it was this diversity that powered a culture of innovation and agility. “Any manager aspiring to an executive leadership role in companies like Nokia, Microsoft or PepsiCo will need to be a workforce of diverse cultures, perspectives and backgrounds to innovate.” The Indian performance, however, is not without its ironies. Well into the 19th century Indian ventures across the “black water” was taboo. The German thinker Max Weber, who is widely credited as the father of sociology, opined that India’s caste system would be an impediment to Indians making a success in business. Put down the nullity of Indian social rigidity and Germanic theorizing and the Indian success thereof to Hegel’s “Cunning of Reason”!

To return to Rajeev Suri, an old Nokia hand, who, during his time with the company, says each job required new learning, hence, “I never want to be limited to what I know today, by what is familiar. I tend to gravitate to where the opportunities are, and where there is the most value to be created.” Mr Suri concludes: “Before the end of the next hundred days, I want to see us have clarity across the entire company about our values and desired culture……This is not the time for any of the [Nokia] businesses to miss their plan, as the world is watching us and trying to decide if we are up to the task ahead. Let’s deliver the excellent results that make the answer to that question resoundingly clear. ” The Nokia paradigm going forward has been well defined by a man who knows what it means to deliver success to those who expect nothing less.

On April 27, South Africa celebrated the anniversary of its first post-apartheid democratic election.

Two decades have passed since the curtain came down on the white supremacist political system and all its works. Multiracial life has expanded its reach into every corner of the land, from politics, sport, administration, the judiciary, administration, academe and the industrial shop floor. The press is free and voices its opinions without let or hindrance.

Civil society is alive and well. These are advances of which all South Africans should be proud as they go forward to the the future. But questions also need to be asked. Are the disadvantaged sections of society more upwardly mobile now than they were under apartheid? Yes, but not fast enough.

Liberation was the best of times, the present is the worst of times. South Africa must ask why. It is not so long that the iconic and revered Nelson Mandela died. He relinquished office at the end of his first term and the reins were taken up by his democratically elected successor Thabo Mbeki, then by Jacob Zuma, the present incumbent. Under their dispensations the economic, social and political situation has deteriorated so alarmingly that there is increasing talk of South Africa as a failing state. Forty per cent of the black population are unemployed, the rife cronyism spawning a black elite that is concerned only to retain their ill-gotten perks and

perquisites. The Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) programme that has been designed to give blacks priority in employment, ownership and procurement in the public and private sectors is falling grievously short of producing the desired results, as Moeletsi Mbeki (bother of the former president Thabo Mbeki) pointed out. According to him, the employment equity programme is deepening the rich-poor divide in the black community.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has spoken out boldly at the abuses of power perpetrated by the political hegemony of the ruling African National Congress (ANC); South African trade unions have locked horns with the government over increasing labour unrest and violence at the workplace. The spreading pandemic of crime has left citizens fearful and insecure. Alex Boraine – churchman, Parliamentarian and Deputy Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and friend of Nelson Mandela – has written a book “What’s Gone Wrong?”- a work he was reluctant to write – in which he addresses the growing concerns of the people at large. His own greatest concerns include the hegemonic tendencies within the governing ANC, once the engine of freedom, now seemingly rudderless. “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” pronounced the historian Lord Acton a century and more ago.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was in London recently to cement UK-Pakistan ties. His talks with David Cameron and Nick Clegg resulted in a considerable quantum of British aid for the teaching of English in Pakistan, which is to be welcomed. Following their discussions in Downing Street, both Prime Ministers issued, among other subjects, a statement calling for “closer cooperation” between their respective countries and next Indian government. The UK-India relationship, being free of road blocks, is set to prosper, especially on the trade and investment front. IndoPakistan relations are more problematic, despite Mr Sharif’s brave promises before and after taking office to free the India logjam. Trade was supposed to be the starting point of a new beginning, but the Pakistani starter’s gun is yet to fire. What has fired are jihadi bombs, most recently in a railway carriage in Chennai, which killed a young woman IT programmer on her way to Bangalore, and injured 14 innocent fellow passengers. Yasin

Bhatkal, the Indian Mujaheedin (IM) leader, now in police custody, has disclosed that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate provided the IM with Rs 26 crore funding; Mohammed Zakar, a Sri Lankan citizen has been arrested in Chennai for planning bomb attacks on foreign consulates (most notably those of Israel and the US), and also Indian installations, bringing to mind the work of David Coleman Headley’s reconnaissance trips to Mumbai prior to the 26/11 bombings there. Pakistani journalists are being routinely assassinated for their investigative reporting on ISI covert activities. One hopes Mr Cameron brought this to his visitor’s attention. The last word on the West’s relationship with Pakistan belongs surely to the French writer and historian Emmanuel Todd. He likened America’s role in Pakistan to that of an arsonist and fireman: provide Islamabad with all the incendiary devices it needs, then douse it with financial aid to contain the blaze.

South Africa’s balance sheet after apartheid

UK-Pakistan partnership: Deeds not words will tell

3 Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves: 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?'

Actually, who are you not to be?

- Nelson Mandela

Lord Dolar Popat of Harrow, Conservative peer

The European elections are too important to ignore Next month’s European elections are the most important in a generation. This is your chance to decide which Party is best placed to represent Britain’s national interest.

On May 22nd you have the chance to send a message that the EU has been heading in a direction that Britain never signed up to. These elections are the first time you’ve been able to have your say on Europe since the Eurozone crisis, and there is a clear choice between the positions of the different political parties.

Anyone who saw the debates between Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage will know the two extremes of the EU argument; the Lib Dems love the EU unconditionally, UKIP have an irrational hatred towards the EU and want to leave irrespective of what it costs.

Unfortunately the naivety of the Lib Dems and UKIP is matched by the Labour Party. They refuse to give the British people a say on our membership of the European Union, despite consistently signing over more power to the EU when in Government.

Only the Conservative Party have a clear strategy for reforming Europe, and we are the only Party committed to giving you a say on our continued membership.

The Prime Minister is committed to renegotiating our membership to get the best deal for Britain, and

then putting an ‘in or out’ question to the British people in a referendum in 2017 if we are the Party in Government.

David Cameron has a clear track record of standing up for Britain’s interest in Europe. He secured a cut in the EU budget to protect British taxpayers and he vetoed an EU Fiscal Treaty that didn’t guarantee a level playing field for British businesses.

But perhaps the most important thing we have done is ensure that no more powers can simply be given to Europe.

We have brought in a lock, so that a referendum will be needed before any more powers can be handed over. We have demonstrated that we are committed to protecting Britain’s interests, and trusting the British people.

The world is changing rapidly. Emerging economies like India are going to be competing for every job.

Britain –and Europeneed to be ready to compete; this Government have started to deliver the change we need at home, and now we have a plan to deliver the fundamental change that Europe has been crying out for.

On May 22nd you have a chance to support that change. A vote for the Conservatives is a vote for real change in Europe that works for you, for your family and for your business.

The Conservative Party is the only party which can deliver for you.

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

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MIDLANDS VOICE

LABA launches drive to promote Leicester as a major Banking and Financial Hub

Jon Ashworth MP, for Leicester South and a board member of LABA’s Indo British Trade Council recently hosted a dinner for overseas bankers based in Leicester.

Among the invited guests who were bankers included; Amardeep Chabra MBA from Santander bank, Prabhat Kiran from Canara Bank, Shailendra Singh from the Bank of Baroda, Ali Vania from the Islamic Bank of Britain and Nishad Shah from the State Bank of India.

Jon Ashworth MP took the opportunity to formally thank all the banks, “particularly the overseas banks for their investment in the city.” He said that he was grateful to LABA and the Indo British Trade Council for the tremendous effort they put into promoting the city, the county and the UK on the Indian sub-continent. He emphasised that under the able leadership of Jaspal Singh Minhas, the board of LABA have embarked upon a plan to enhance the business development of the County, create quality jobs and further enhance inward investment.

The President of LABA Mr Jaspal Singh Minhas announced that the banker’s dinner will be an annual event.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

Nishad Shah, Manager, SBI, Jaspal Singh Minhas, President, LABA, Jon Ashworth MP and Ashok Krishnan, Relationship Manager, SBI

He added, “At LABA we are keen to develop a strategy to promote Leicester as a European Financial Hub for the Asian communities around the world.

Under the banner of “Gate Way to Europe” the ambition is to promote Leicester as an investment and banking destination for the Asian Diasporas in Europe, East and Central Africa, the Middle East and the sub-continent...”

LABA aims to galvanise banking support to create a comprehensive webPortal presence for all the banks in the

city, with key contact information on individual banker and LABA’s International Private Equity Hub, promote the City in the media across the world, roll-out a programme for visitors and inward missions to the City and organise bilateral missions abroad to promote the city and its offerings. They have also decided to add a Best Bank/Banker category to their annual business awards to salute great work done by the banking fraternity in the City.

Members of Jain Samaj Manchester donate £15,000 to two charities

Honourable Lord mayor of Manchester Councillor Naeem Ul Hassan presented cheques worth £15,000 from funds raised by the members of Jain Samaj Manchester to the representatives of nominated charities.

The Jain samaj is a registered charity based in Stockport and has played an important role to promote culture and values in the UK. 2013 was the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Jain Samaj Manchester (JSM) temple and community centre. As part of numerous celebratory events throughout the year, members were encouraged to raise money for JSM’s two nominated charities: St Ann’s Hospice (a local Manchesterbased hospice caring for patients with life-limiting illnesses) and the National Kidney Foundation (a national organisation supporting kidney patients).

Over the past year JSM members have been involved in a number of exciting and innovative fundraising events, ranging from lighting candles as a remembrance for past members, to physical activities like the 10km Midnight walk and 10km run. Each of these events, however big or small, have all been crucial in helping JSM to raise much needed funds for the largest hospice in Greater Manchester and for National Kidney Federation.

Dushyant Mehta, the Charity Leader for JSM said

"We are proud of the fund raising efforts of our members and are pleased to support two incredible charities that truly improve the lives of hundreds of patients."

Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Naeem ul Hassan said: “It was an honour to present these cheques on behalf of Jain Samaj Manchester.

I’d like to commend all members of Jain Samaj Manchester for their hard work in raising this money and I am certain their contribution will help the lives of

people in Manchester and across the country” Alison Gilbody, Director of Income Generation & Communications of St Anns Hospice said, “we’re enormously grateful for all the hard work of Jain Samaj Manchester in fundraising for us. It’s a fantastic amount and equates roughly to just over a day’s running costs of our Heald Green hospice”.

Kirit Modi, Chairman of the NKF said: I am most grateful for the fantastic support from the Jain Samaj in Manchester to the NKF throughout this year. Your generous donation will enable the NKF to continue to provide direct support to thousands of kidney patients in the UK and we would be honoured to continue to work in partnership with you to help save lives by increasing the number of kidney transplants within the Jain community.

A Birmingham accountant of Asian origin suffered horrific injuries after been beaten with baseball bats and tyre irons outside a popular city restaurant, after his terrified family was ambushed Preet Panesar, pictured, suffered a shattered eye-socket and was left in a crumpled heap after being beaten by a gang of seven men on the car park of Akbar’s restaurant in Hagley Road, Edgbaston.

The 23-year-old’s friend, Jagdeep Sira, was also rushed to Edgbaston’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital after his kneecaps were smashed by the thugs in the attack.

Preet’s elder brother, 29year-old Hardep managed to

escape, leading his wife Shelly and Jagdeep’s sister, Jaspreet, to safety.

A local paper reported that Police say officers are currently trawling through CCTV from cameras in the area on Wednesday night as they try to track down the culprits.

Hardep reportedly said he had been left in shock by the attack, and called for the public’s help in snaring the thugs, described as Asian and aged between 18 and 25.

Speaking at his Handsworth home, the cleaning company boss told Birmingham Mail: “We are normal people who were simply out for a family meal. We

do not have an issue with anyone. What happened was totally unprovoked.

Nothing happened before, nothing happened on the road, we had never seen these people.

There was no argument. They simply got out of two cars and began hitting and kicking. My wife is now too scared to leave home.”

The five victims were getting into their Mercedes after enjoying a meal at Akbar’s restaurant, which shares TGI Friday’s car park, when the

thugs struck. Two vehicles, one a silver Ford Mondeo, pulled up and the armed gang stormed towards the group.

A spokesman for West Midland police reportedly confirmed officers responded to a 999 call at 11.13pm on Wednesday and immediately began a search for a silver vehicle, believed to be a Mondeo. He added: “We are currently studying CCTV and interviewing witnesses. We would appeal for anyone with information to contact us on 101.”

Asian accountant suffers savage attack outside popular restaurant

Takeaway owner fined £10,000 Owner of a Birmingham takeaway restaurant in Washwood Heath has been fined £10,000 after health inspectors reportedly found the Dixy Chicken franchise to be riddled with mouse droppings.

Nadim Hussain, pictured, who runs the franchise, was forced to shut the outlet and bring it up to scratch. He reportedly told Birmingham Magistrates’ Court that he had been stripped of his four star hygiene rating and his business had suffered as a result of the closure in February last year.

Hussain, 43, admitted five breaches of food hygiene regulations. Hussain was told by the bench that the offences were serious and could have been spotted by anyone, even without health and safety training. He was ordered to pay £2,000 for each of the five offences, as well as £1,137 costs and a £120 victim surcharge.

The fines were imposed after the Birmingham Mail exposed a man washing his feet in the kitchen at another city branch of Dixy Chicken. The Birmingham Mail reported that bosses at this branch played down the incident and said the sink was not used to prepare food. They insisted hygiene was taken seriously at the shop.

Islamist takeover plot spreads to cities across Britain Headteachers across Britain are warning that schools not only from Birmingham but also East London have been targeted in an alleged Islamist plot to take over classrooms. The National Association of Head Teachers reportedly said it had ‘serious concerns’ about attempts to ‘alter the character’ of at least six schools. It also warned that efforts to infiltrate classrooms were not limited to Birmingham and were likely to be affecting other major towns and cities.

The union said ‘concerted efforts’ had been made to infiltrate state schools and run them according to strict Islamic principles. While the body did not name the additional areas affected, there are concerns over schools in Bradford, Manchester and parts of East London, according to the Daily Telegraph.

A source from one of the schools affected reportedly said: ‘A lot of teachers who leave are being bullied and harassed. The threat of taking away a reference can be worse than a monetary threat as they are worried their career will be affected.’

Couple ordered to pay back nearly £400,000 in benefits claims

Syed Ahsan Yousuf and Jabin Bi

A husband and wife team who supplied illegal immigrants with fake documents to help them stay in the UK have been ordered to pay almost £400,000.

The visa fraud operation saw Syed Ahsan Yousuf, 40, and Jabin Bi, 49, jailed for a total of nearly seven years. They also fraudulently claimed benefits and had also submitted false mortgage applications.

The couple were jailed in March last year after they admitted charging immigrants thousands of pounds in return for forged documents.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

Kapil’s

Indian doctors: Why so many struck off?

Continued from page 1 The Telegraph reported last week. Health Education England said the programme hopes to recruit at least 50 trainee doctors, who will continue their specialist training in the UK before returning to India in four years’ time.

However, the disclosures of new figures that came on Monday night triggered concerns amongst the community settled here. Worrying statistics from the General Medical Council (GMC) disclose that in the past five years, 117 doctors trained in India and Pakistan have been barred from working here. Over the same period, 142 British doctors have been struck off. The figures also show that over the last five years, around 1 in 1,000 doctors who trained in Britain has been struck off. This compares with around 1 in 250 of those trained in India, and 1 in 350 of those who came here from Pakistan.

The GMC figures further show that in 2013, 75% of doctors who were struck off came here from abroad - a rise from 61% in 2009. In total, 458 doctors have been barred from working in the UK in the past five years.

The country with the largest number of doctors removed from the UK register is India, followed

by Pakistan, Egypt and Nigeria.

The figures show that between them, the four countries account for one in six medics working here, but 159 of those who have been struck off - far more than the 142 UK doctors who have been barred.

The study emerged after British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) brought a high court action against the GMC claiming it discriminated against overseas doctors who wanted to become GPs, which the judge ruled against. BAPIO said the new figures showed that Indian doctors are discriminated against at the GMC. In a statement BAPIO told Asian Voice that it is deeply disappointed with the timing of this story and for rehashing of a known and unaddressed problem.

Dr Ramesh Mehta,

KHICHADI

Jai Ho - Gujarat

by Kapil Dudakia - email: kapil@abplgroup.com Follow me on Twitter: @kdudakia

On 1st May I attended a function at the House of Commons (HoC) to celebrate the 54th Anniversary of Gujarat Foundation Day. The event was organised by the National Congress of Gujarati Organisations (NCGO) and hosted by the dynamic Gujarati Conservative MP, Priti Patel.

As always when attending such events you have the wonderful opportunity of meeting many friends from all corners of the UK. I have to say I was impressed with the speech given by Priti Patel, she skilfully balanced her ancestral bonds with Gujarat and India, with the opportunities afforded to us in Great Britain.

As the official Government Champion for the Indian Diaspora she is well equipped to look after our interest and also promote aspects that would benefit the ties that bind the UK to India.

Following on from Priti was none other than our own Alpesh Patel.

Alpesh does not need any introductions. Nursing a sore throat he walked to the podium with great determination.

You could sense that within his very essence, this son of Gujarat was going to explode with pride overflowing of his ancestral roots. We were not disappointed. He told the audience in no uncertain terms that enough is enough.

The time had come for Gujaratis to rise up and take their rightful place in society. Gujaratis have been at the very forefront of fighting for freedom from tyranny, dictatorships, empires and enslavement. Recent history shows that it was two Gujaratis who stood up to the great and mighty British Raj and bring it to its knees. Gujaratis helped proactively to give birth to the biggest and most comprehensive democracy in the world that is now known as India.

And whilst we are the product of that lineage, why on earth should we ever be apologetic of our successes in the world? With resounding applause from the audience he concluded as defiantly as he had started. The lion of Gujarat roared in Alpesh, as it has doing in me for many years – it is now time that it roared in the whole Gujarati community.

The event had its low points also, but let’s say it might be better to put those to one side for the time being. I am sure the organisers will reflect whether some of the items on the programme did any justice to the integrity of Gujarat Foundation Day. Whilst the celebrations were taking place word came to me that Labour MP

Mike Wood had insulted the Gujarati community in the UK (and India) by hosting an event in the HoC which appears to have been used to spread anti Narendra Modi propaganda. The meeting, in Committee Room 14, even charged attendees £2 for a book entitled, 'Narendra Modi Exposed, Challenging the Myths Surrounding the BJP's Prime Ministerial Candidate'. I ask all Gujarati's - are you going to allow any Labour MP to facilitate such extremists so they can show disrespect to us on the very day we celebrate our Gujarat Day? I call upon Ed Miliband to denounce these extremists who in exhibiting anti-modi sentiments are also at the same time showing such disrespect to Hindus and Gujarati’s in the UK. In Kapil’s Khichadi I had previously raised these issues openly so the leader of the Labour Party would be well informed and hopefully take the right course of action. And now on Gujarat Day itself, we have yet again seen another Labour MP willing to undermine and disrespect the next Prime Minister of India. These MPs have full right to conduct themselves in any way they so choose. However with such behaviour they must also face the consequences. And I hope Hindus and Gujaratis will now wake up and smell the coffee. It is time each and every one of you understood your personal responsibility to your ancestors, your faith, your community and your family.

Blind allegiance is but for the fools in society. Do not allow your apathy to destroy the honour of your heritage; your children will never forgive you.

News coming in from India suggests that Narendrabhai Modi will indeed take the BJP and its partners to a victory in the Indian elections. The hopes and aspirations of all Indians rests with him becoming the Prime Minister and taking India forward on an upward trajectory, with honour, integrity and pride in the nation and its people. The antiModi western politicians and media have done everything to destroy him and it seems they have all failed. The role of these rogue agents who have steadfastly plotted to undermine Narendrabhai no doubt will not be forgotten. I am just glad that Britain with David Cameron was the first in 2010 to engage purposefully with Gujarat. This will bode well for us in the UK and no doubt the engagement between our two countries will increase significantly. Jai Hind, Jai Gujarat and Jai Ho to NaMo.

Immigration delays blamed on IT fault

An investigation has been launched by officials to find more about a computer glitch that left airline passengers queuing for up to four hours to clear immigration. The

Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, the Chairman of the Home Affairs Select committee, said security may have been compromised during the computer meltdown.

failure meant that passport control staff had to validate the identity of passengers manually, provoking disruption and even violence at the busiest airports.

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President of BAPIO said “Over the years we have repeatedly pointed out to the GMC that foreign doctors are treated harshly in disciplinary procedures; more referrals come from the management than from the public, with fewer local doctors being referred to the GMC who also get off lightly when caught. The NHS and the policymakers need to make up their minds since it is ironic that on the one hand Indian doctors are being criticised and on the other hand they are being courted”.

Professor Rajan Madhok, Chairman BAPIO, paraphrased Ambrose Bierce: “ We set our hopes on Indian doctors when ill, and our dogs when well”, and expressed deep concerns about blaming foreign doctors and constantly running them down, whilst relying on them to address our failings in adequate manpower planning and to save medical education and salary costs.

Dr Hemadri, member of the BAPIO council said “The issue triggers concern on the GMC's investigation processes and penalties imposed upon IMGs and BMEs. BAPIO is in the process of collating a database where for similar concerns IMGs and BMEs have suffered disproportionately harsh consequences. The quality of IMGs is not the only issue here.

It is believed that statistics have shown that cardiac surgeons with primary medical qualifications outside UK and outside EU who are known as IMGs have lower mortality rates than those with primary medical qualifications obtained in UK or EU. Studies carried out in the USA indicated that the International Medical Graduates (mostly Indian) have better clinical outcomes.

Commenting on this issue, Rt Hon Keith Vaz, told Asian Voice, “Anyone who practices in our NHS should be of the highest quality, whether they are trained at a university in Manchester or Mumbai. We must make sure that these people are not being struck off for discriminatory reasons.

Since the UK needs these

doctors, it is essential that the GMC provide people with sufficient support so that high standards are maintained and these valuable healthcare workers are not dismissed unfairly.”

Baroness Shreela Flather told the newspaper, “I do not know about statistics but I am very sad to hear that Indian doctors are more likely to be struck off. I was always under the impression that only doctors from certain medical colleges were accepted here and those colleges were inspected by senior doctors from United Kingdom. They were also tested for language skills.

I think that to focus only on Indian doctors is a little unfair when there are doctors from EU countries who do not speak English well enough to communicate with their patients. That too is very unfair to patients. If doctors are not well enough trained then clearly they should not be working in the NHS but if they do not speak English or do not understand the systems in this country then they too should not be working in the NHS.” Priti Patel, MP told the Asian Voice, “The success of the NHS depends on highly-qualified and highly-competent medical staff, regardless of their background.

I know that there are many hardworking people of ethnic origin that make very significant contributions to the NHS, but to ensure the highest possible health and safety standards, it is absolutely crucial that there are reasonably rigorous checks on everyone that works in our medical sector.”

Virendra Sharma MP said, “In the 1960s, thousands of doctors from Pakistan and India answered a call to work in the NHS in the UK, and have since provided a backbone for the National Health Service.

Over 30,000 doctors who work in the NHS are from India and Pakistan, helping the sick and elderly day in, day out.

The contribution of Asian doctors and consultants to the NHS is spectacular and in many communities has been instrumental in keeping the NHS running.”

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

Are you willing to let a poor widow suffer?

Who is abused by her own family Who is discriminated against by society Who is unable to feed her children Who is struggling to survive This is the reality for many women in India after they become widows. In India, there are estimated to be over 42 million widows who are social outcasts, and their children and family members suffer as a consequence. At the Loomba Foundation we take positive action to help widows change their lives. We do this by providing sewing machines and training for widows.

The Loomba Foundation is aiming to empower 10,000 impoverished widows in India, who will each receive a sewing machine and training to make garments. The cost of a sewing machine and training is only £50. Our projects have already started in Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Patna and Pondicherry.

We helped Rashida who was barely getting by on a dollar a day to earning 3000 Rupees per month, simply by providing a sewing machine and training.

You can make a positive impact by helping mothers like Rashida All you need to do is make a donation by sending a mobile text message to 70070 To donate £5 please text the following message:

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8

The Changing Face of Britain

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

A new survey which has proposed that ethnic minorities will make up almost a third of the UK population by 2050, has also revealed that the importance of ethnic minority communities has been 'ignored' by Britain's major political parties, owing to the tendency by politicians and the media to treat all of them as one homogenous group.

It further emphasised that political parties must start appealing to the varied political views and concerns of nonwhite Britons separately as there are "clear and meaningful differences between each of these communities, which need to be fully understood" by policymakers.

Currently eight million people, or 14% of the UK's population, belong to the ethnic minorities. Indians are the largest minority group in the UK, with 1,412,958 people accounting for 2.5% of the population. Britain is home to the second largest Indian population in the western world outside India, after only the US. There are 989,628 Black Africans in the UK. They are the fastest growing of the main ethnic groups, and also the most diverse, coming from countries both inside and outside the Commonwealth.

There are 1,124,511 Pakistanis in the UK, 447,201 Bangladeshis and 594,825 Black Caribbean.

In 'A Portrait of Modern Britain', released on Tuesday, think tank Policy Exchange also claim that, with the exception of those with an African heritage, a majority of non-white Britons describe themselves as "British-only" not English, which is, it finds, an identity primarily used by white people, and perhaps a symbol of true integration.

However, Bangladeshis are reportedly far more likely to identify as 'British' than any of their South Asian counterparts with Indians least likely to do so.

The survey has further suggested that Britain's Indian community enjoys the lowest level of unemployment and are the most integrated among all of the UK's South Asian communities.

But Pakistani and

Bangladeshi communities have unemployment rates double the national average of 7%. Nearly a quarter of all Pakistani men were "taxi drivers" whilst half of all Bangladeshi men work in restaurants.

More worryingly, a third of all Pakistani and Bangladeshi women in the UK had never worked.

The survey has been compiled by Indian-origin researchers Rishi Sunak and Saratha Rajeswaran and drew on data from the census, opinion polls, academic studies and the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Mr Sunak reportedly said: “The face of Britain has changed and will keep changing over the next 30 years. These communities will continue to become an ever more significant part of Britain, especially in future elections.”

The study also found that Pakistani and Bangladeshi households are the biggest in Britain, containing, on average, four or more people, a contributory factor in the recent "explosive" growth of ethnic minorities in Britain.

Over the past decade, the white population has remained roughly the same while the minority population has almost doubled, accounting for 80 per cent of population

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17% of all Indians identified with the Conservatives: compared with just 8% of Bangladeshis and 9% of Pakistanis.

What British Asian MPs and Peers have to say Baroness Shreela Flather: Ethnic minorities have already made a change in this country. I have to say that when I first came here in the 50s there was no colour, just black, brown, grey and navy!

We have brought colour and a lot of other things which the British now accept as their own. All cultures are dynamic and they change continuously.

Britain has been changing through the ages with the arrival of people from other countries. The difference now is that we are all recognisable because of our colour. But we have added vibrancy and extended the narrow view that the British originally had. But what I don't want to see is for minorities to create an enclave of their own and not become part of the wider society. This does not mean giving up ones culture or ones religion but it does mean that you participate in the life of the nation and you make every effort to contribute.

Vaz MP: Keith Britain’s ethnic minorities make a huge contribution to society and enhance British identity.

Britain is becoming a mirror of the world which is an image it should embrace, not be afraid of.

Leicester is an excellent example of this, as it has a hugely diverse population.

Alok Sharma MP: This is an important piece of research for anyone interested in community engagement and makes clear that those described collectively as ‘BME’ are not a homogenous grouping but represent diverse communities each with their own distinct identity.

A key finding of this research is that whilst ethnic minorities are not a homogeneous group, they are collectively much more likely than the white population to feel that ‘being British’ forms some part of their identity which does demonstrate a strong level of integration into the mainstream of British society.

Paul Uppal MP: The BME report suggests that the face of Britain is changing.

The important point is to combine traditional values of ethnicities with the British values. And with such cooperative system of values, we can always remain successful.

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Policy Exchange also found that whilst all ethnic minority communities, regardless of age and social class, strongly supported the Labour Party,

Priti Patel MP: Britain is a vibrant country thanks to the contributions made by our wideranging ethnic groups. As the ethnic diversity of Britain continues to

evolve, minority groups remain important for enriching British society.

However, while diversity should be celebrated across the country, it remains central to our country’s future that the interests of Britain come first where the population shares our values of wanting to contribute more to society than taking, and working hard for the benefit of our families and communities. There are some terrific examples where minority groups make such positive contributions to the UK, but tough controls are needed to prevent people from coming here to oppose our British way of life.

Seema Malhotra MP: Britain has always been an open and tolerant nation.

It is our diversity and our confidence and pride in it that won us the Olympics and is core to our success as a modern trading nation in a global economy. The relationships and cultural connections that diaspora communities bring help enrich our nation for the benefit of all. However we should always look to the needs and issues different communities face rather than seeing ethnic minorities as one group. We must ensure mechanisms are in place that enhance community cohesion, so that our increasing diversity contributes to a stronger nation in which all feel they are valued and have a stake.

Virendra Sharma MP: In a multicultural country such as the UK, ethnic minority communities are embraced, contribute to our sense of British identity and as such, being British and being from a BME background is not mutually exclusive. The growth of BME communities in the UK will only enrich this country, making it a more open, fair and inclusive nation.

There has been increasing talk of the growing role that BME voters will play in upcoming elections. It is important that the ethnic minority vote is gaining influence in this country as this will hopefully mean that many who have felt powerless and ignored in the past will be more involved in the political process in the future.

Lord Dolar Popat: The English identity is not based around race or the colour of people’s skin; it is based around a set of values that have helped to shape this country into one of the most tolerant places in the world.

Britain has a long-standing commitment to education, enterprise, faith, family and community; we are charitable and we are law-abiding. It is precisely these values that appealed to so many Indians when they chose to move here originally. So although Britain may look a more diverse place in 2050, it will still be a beacon for those who wish to live in a place where anybody can succeed, irrespective of background, so long as we continue to uphold Britain’s values.

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

Leading Lights

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

The Museum Curator Bringing us India’s Greatest Contemporary Artist Divia Patel is a curator in the Asian Department of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

She has an MA in South Asian History and Anthropology from the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies, London.

Her areas of expertise include contemporary art, popular culture and photography of South Asia, as well as the 19th century paintings of Ajanta. She has curated several exhibitions including the awardwinning, internationally touring show, Cinema India: The Art of Bollywood, The Photographers’ Pilgrimage: Exploring Buddhist Sites, and Indian life and Landscape, an exhibition of paintings by western artists in India from the 17-20th centuries, which toured extensively through India.

She has published widely on Indian cinema graphics, photography, contemporary art, design and Indian paintings.

She spoke to us exclusively while preparing for

Divia Patel

a special exhibition of M.F. Husain paintings that she is curating at the Victoria and Albert museum, called the Indian Civilization series.

For the first time, the final nine paintings by the celebrated Indian artist, M.F. Husain (1915-2011) will go on public display.

The Indian Civilization series comprises eight monumental triptych paintings, each

measuring 12 feet wide by six feet high, which represent Husain’s vision of the richness of Indian culture and history. They capture India’s vibrant cities, colourful Hindu festivals, iconic figures and historic events.

These imposing, largescale artworks will be presented alongside a single painting of Ganesha, which serves as the symbolic beginning of the

series.

“The Indian Civilization series, also known as Vision of India through Mohenje Daro to Mahatma Gandhi, was commissioned by the Mittal family in 2008 and have never previously been on public display.

Mrs Usha Mittal has lent the paintings to the V&A, where the artist completed a residency in 1990, to showcase the final works of this remarkable artist,” Divia told me.

“It was planned that there would be at least 30 works in the series, of which only nine were completed before the artist sadly died. But what we have in these nine paintings captures the rich culture of Indian life.”

The paintings were made in London, where Husain spent his final years immersing himself in books about Indian history, which fed into the varied themes of the paintings. Each panel explores a different theme, together creating a personal vision of India, which Husain called ‘a museum without walls’. Interweaving religious and symbolic iconography with historic figures and events, the paintings also incorporate memories from the artist’s own life Divia’s own areas of expertise include Contemporary Art and popular culture from

South Asia, Photography of India and 19th century copies of the Ajanta cave paintings. “My current research is focused on the forthcoming exhibition of Indian textiles which I will be co-curating with my colleague Rosemary Crill.

I will contribute the contemporary content for that exhibition.”

She has also just written a book.

“My new book is called India Contemporary Design: Fashion, Graphics, Interiors. It is about the rise in creative activity which emerged as a result of India’s post-liberalisation economic

“It was planned that there would be at least 30 works in the series, of which only nine were completed before the artist sadly died.

But what we have in these nine paintings captures the rich culture of Indian life.” growth and rising status on the world stage. The book explores the work of young designers in these three disciplines and documents how they are influenced by their own heritage, taking inspiration from India’s great craft traditions as well as its popular culture. They combine this with multiple global influences and create an exciting range of

9

work that reflects their cosmopolitan education and experiences.”

There was a very good reason for Divia’s choice to write this work.

“I found there was a lack of written information in this subject area.

India has a vast design history but very little is documented, so this book is an attempt to begin to fill a large a gap. It covers a brief moment but crucial moment in time, 2000 to the present day and highlights the current momentum in the field of Indian Design. It is the first ever study of the work of trained designers in the disciplines of fashion, graphics and interiors and is based on studio visits and personal interviews with the designers.”

This show will be the precursor to the V&A’s India Season in 2015 which starts with an exhibition on the 19th century photographer Linneaus Tripe and his beautiful photographs of South India and Burma. This will be followed by a major exhibition on Indian textiles in which the V & A will showcase textiles from the 9th century through to contemporary fashion. This is the first time such an extensive show has been attempted.

There will be a conference, debates and other events and activities associated with the exhibition.

10

YOUR VOICE

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

Perceptions and Reality

Our London

High Speed 2

There is a perception in the world that the west promotes democracies. The reality is quite the opposite as the following unfettered AV editorial (3 May: Global Turbulence: Whither Indo-US relations) quote succinctly demonstrates. “Visibly inebriated, US officials and their EU satraps made their infamous thrust into Kiev and brazenly oversaw the removal of an elected government...”.

There is not a single good example of active creation of successful democracy by them but there are several clear examples of removal of democratically elected governments like that of Allende of Chile, Morsi of Egypt and Yanukovich of Ukraine and propping up of dictators and autocratic kingdoms throughout the world.

If the NDA government comes to power in New Delhi on 21st May, as widely predicted, Modi does not have to worry for its survival and success for the five year term from internal opposition.

The biggest danger would come from the Maharaja(US) and Satraps(EU). They will not hesitate to remove him from power by covert or overt means if they perceive that their interest and ideology is not being served. In the process they will destroy Bharat and its most ancient Sanatan culture.

Statement by British Prime Minister, that Britain is a Christian country, deserves fullest support by all wise people. Luckily Britain is not a theocratic country. The statement means that Christianity is essence of British way of life and all citizens may adhere to it. Democracy demands freedom to follow other religions. Thus freedom is mixed with pragmatism without domination by any one religion. In a country with majority of Christians, religion is seen as national icon.

In spite of secular and plural ethos, it must be clear that religion/God of the majority must be religion/God of the state. Such ethos can be successfully protecting minority religions, its teachings and constructively harness fundamentalist fanaticism.

Thus multifaith/cultural/religions ethos of Britain promotes a harmonious collage.

Biased persons must realise that we cannot banish religion/ God from psyche of any nation. Total banishment of religion and God is a crime against faith and religious sentiments of the majority in Britain or India.

Yet in India secularism is modified to denounce /suppress Hindu religion, to pamper and allow proliferation of non Hindu religions. Such false secularism has polarised Indians..

In Germany, U.S.A., and down under nations, top politicians invoke Christian religion/God. So Britain is justified in its pro Christian stand. Anti Christian sentiments arise from false propaganda by secularists.

If one considers religious protection/freedom as ones right, one must reciprocate same sentiments towards religion /God of the majority. Christian ethos must be praised for encouraging multi religious practices by Non Christian peoples.

Nagin Khajuria’s letter [High Speed 2 project, 19th April 2014] suggested that the investment in HS2 could be better spent elsewhere. May I kindly suggest that he reconsider? Demand for rail travel has doubled in the last 20 years to 1.5 billion journeys a year. In addition, more and more freight is now being transported by rail. This means that parts of the West Coast Main Line –our nation’s most important rail artery- are now effectively full in terms of the number of trains it can carry during peak times. Those who use the line regularly will already know that these trains are very busy at peak times, and this will only get worse without more rail capacity.

The construction of the M25, the Jubilee Line and High Speed 1 faced similar opposition at the time of their construction, but it is inconceivable to think how we would survive without these infrastructure assets today. Essentially we rely on a Victorian railway and infrastructure investment is long overdue. The Government have looked at the alternatives; investment in electrification, extending platforms and lengthening trains is already happening. But these will not provide the massive increase in North-South rail capacity that our country desperately needs.

HS2 will link 8 out of Britain’s 10 largest cities and deliver improved rail services to more than 100 cities and towns. This isn’t just about London and Birmingham, but about delivering growth, jobs, connectivity and capacity across the country. Only HS2 can treble the number of seats leaving Euston at peak times. Yes it is an ambitious project, but it is also necessary to ensure we have a transport system suitable for the 21st century.

Narsibhai Patel New Malden

Blair’s words of wisdom

In recent statement, self-appointed Middle East envoy of peace and reconciliation stated that “The tyrant Bashar Assad may have to stay temporarily as President of Syria, lesser of two evils, even though the death-toll may have exceeded that of Iraq” But the problem is no one trusts or believes Blair. He has lost all creditability and many regard him as war criminal for leading West to an unnecessary, illegal war based on dodgy dossier to please his intellectually bankrupt and morally impingement buddy George Bush. Blair is one person crusade who has destroyed Britain’s reputation, made Britain laughing stock in Middle East. As famously said at Nuremberg war trial, war criminals always come from vanquished, never from the victors! Otherwise Blair and Bush have been in the dock long time ago.

Blair also urges West to accommodate Russia, stop hostilities between Russia and West, as terrorism rather than Russia poses real threat. This is indeed words of wisdom but difficult to associate with war-mongering Blair, akin to asking Satan for directions to the pearly Gates?

His oxygen tanks of decency and ideological renewal are almost empty. Blair’s philosophy was to fire first and ask questions later. He has always flirted with illusion rather than reality, held to ransom by his own capricious mentality. God save us from the likes of Blair, Bush and Putin!

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

Violence in Our Schools

What is the education in this country coming to when a 15 year old pupil walks up and stabs a teacher in the neck? This teacher in a Leeds school died for having given the student a detention in the previous week. This is the first time a teacher has been killed by student in the UK. We have heard of similar cases of violence in American schools but it is worrying if such things can take place here. If the teachers are not safe in schools, what about the childern, particularly our Asian children who want to study and progress? A pupil at the scene said that children were seen screaming and running from a classroom following the attack and that the victim received a number of stab wounds and a knife was recovered from the scene.

In plcaes like India and Africa where we went to school, the students were in awe of their teachers and would refrain from causing nuisance as, if caught, the sure answer was the strokes of a cane on the backside or for not too serious offenses, a beating with the ruler. It sems there

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Lord Dolar Popat Government Spokesman for Transport, House of Lords is need for similar corporal punishment in schools in this country. But then there will be an uproar from the do gooders who would not wake up until these cases start to become a norm. The other solution to the problem could be the fitting of metal detectors to stop pupils bringing weapons like knives to school.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Arjuna’s Chariot

“After 40 years of almost uninterrupted rule by the Congress Party, India was ruled by BJP-led coalition from 1998. In 1990, L K Advani, atop a chariot, made his way through the crowds lined on both sides of the street; they cheered him wildly and covered him in garlands of white and yellow flowers.

In retrospect, his journey in an airconditioned Toyota truck, decorated every inch as Arjuna’s Chariot, explains what Hindus are. Mahabharata is much more than a legend or myth; it is a source of true knowledge and wisdom. History for Indians is not like history for Westerners, long gone and dead.

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Modi is the change that most Indians would like to see

I strongly agree with Gideon Rachman (“India needs a jolt – and Modi is a risk worth taking”, FT, April 28). I was very pleased to read such a rational and balanced article on India’s future needs and on a leader who can make the dreams of millions of aspiring Indians come true.

Even Edward Luce (“Narendra Modi: India’s Jekyll and Hyde”, April 30) agrees that Indians hope Modi “can transpose Gujarat’s story to the national level”, though he also highlights religious undertones in the elections campaign. I believe it is advisable not to push India’s elections agenda inadvertently towards a Hindu-Muslim face-off.

Seven in 10 Indians are dissatisfied with the way things are going in India today, according to a new Pew Research Centre survey. They want economic growth, they want jobs, they want a corruption-free country. These are the issues that matter to India and to Indians of all religious backgrounds. Mr Modi is the man of the hour. He can deliver where others have failed. I have known Mr Modi for more than 15 years and have led several British and Commonwealth business delegations to the “Vibrant Gujarat” event that he hosts. Where he succeeded in attracting foreign investors and businesses, other chief ministers have struggled.

What I find most admirable about him is that he has stuck to the agenda of development and governance during the election campaign. Even in Benares, where political messages inevitably sink into religious stereotypes, he talked about getting technology to the local weavers, largely Muslims, so that they can compete against Chinese competition. He is the change that most Indians and British Indians, like me, would like to see in India, and the world has every reason to be excited and hopeful.

Dr Mohan Kaul, Emeritus Chairman, Commonwealth Business Council (Please refer to ‘As I See It’ column on page 8, AV 3 May 2014) Hindutva is an all-embracing conception of India, which includes religion. nationalism and culture” [The Genius of India by Guy Sorman, MacMillan India Ltd 2001]. Time may be near for L K Advanii to ride on such a chariot in 2014, 24 years later. “India is a nation of billion people. A nation’s progress depends on how it’s people think. It is thoughts which are transformed into actions” [India 2020 - A Vision for the New Millennium by A p J Abdul Kalam with Y s Rajan]. Thus India has to think now as a one nation of 1.3 billion people.

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Indian High Commissioner takes up student work visa issue

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UK

Gurkhas set up own energy provider

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Rupanjana Dutta

HE Ranjan Mathai, the Indian High Commissioner in Britain, told the Indian students and the media present at Gandhi Hall, India House, on Friday 2 May, that he has taken up the key issue of closing the post-study work visa (PSW) for students in Britain, which allowed Indians, amongst other non EU students to work in England for 2 years after completing their studies.

This was discussed during an interaction with the Indian students in the UK representing 18 Universities, including some from Scotland attended the evening get together over tea and samosa. Until the 1980s, gathering of Indian students was an annual practice for the High Commissioner to meet newly-arrived Indian students. The high commission has now revived the practice by holding similar interaction with students in other towns in Britain.

At this gathering, on being questioned by Asian Voice regarding his initiatives to revive the PSW visa scheme for Indian students, HE Mathai told the audience, “The number of Indian students have gone down in Britain, and in a sense it worries me. I would like citizens of my country to have opportunities that are opening up. That being said there are immigration laws in every country, that are sovereign decisions. But the point is you do not withdraw facilities on the basis of which some students have taken their parents and come to study so far.

I have raised this issue with British authorities and will continue to do so.

Several local MPs have also done so. I hope it will be reviewed. We value your presence here and your contribution to the UK-India relationship. I am setting up a meeting with authorities. As of now it seems to be a fixed policy.

Also, some of the checks they give during student visa they apply in such a rigid way that students who are otherwise perfectly qualified, find themselves on some technical grounds failing, and are not able to extend their visa. I have sent letters to the officials here and will continue to do so.”

Deputy High Commissioner Dr Virander Paul added, there was a continuing dialogue between the University Grants

Commission and counterpart British organisations on the issue of recognition and equivalence of British Masters degrees in India (Most Masters courses in the UK are of 1-year duration, while Masters courses in India are of two years).

Amidst some issues

that were discussed included allegations against high commission being unresponsive and even rude in its dealings.

Mr Mathai promised a closer engagement with the Indian students, and introduced some of his key officers to the gathering, who promised prompt

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response to their queries in the future.

A group of 200 former Gurkhas in F a r n b o r o u g h , Hampshire, have come together to invest £600,000 to set up their own energy provider called Gnergy.

The communityowned company, that was set up in December, has currently got only 250 customers but will launch nationwide this month.

The Times reported that initially targeting the 80,000strong Nepalese commu-

nity living in the UK, it claims to offer 5% cheaper tariffs than the rest of the market. Tikendra Dal Dewan, a retired major and chief executive of Gnergy, told The Times: “We have got the green light to take it across the UK and open it to anyone. There will not be any small print or obligations. People can come to our offices.”

A detailed story will be published in the future issues of Asian Voice.

Man charged under FGM laws A Clayhall man who is the first in the UK to be charged under female genital mutilation (FGM) laws appeared at the Old Bailey last week.

At least 66,000 girls and women in the UK are believed to be victims of FGM. Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena, 31, pictured, of Rushden

Gardens, is accused of carrying out the procedure on a woman after she gave birth at Whittington Hospital in Archway, north London, on 24 November 2012.

The alleged victim’s husband, Hasan Mohamed, 40, will also face trial for allegedly encouraging FGM

r e s t o r a t i o n .

Dharmasena, who was suspended by the General Medical Council last month, is charged with an offence contrary to the Female Genital Mutilation Act.

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MEDIA WATCH

India’s election fever may have produced the Modi wave in its time, but another such wave - less spectacular perhaps appears to be cresting even as the electoral process passes its median. The Times of India’s front-page headline (April 29) captured the moment with an appropriate cricketing metaphor: “In slog overs, Priyanka steps out of crease.”

Priyanka Gandhi

Narendra Modi

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the younger sibling by a year of Rahul Gandhi is making the impact that her brother, thus far, had failed to do, claimed the Times report. Describing her visit to her mother Sonia’s Rae Bareli constituency in Uttar Pradesh, it said: “In her sevenminute address, Priyanka has every onlooker floored……It would appear that she has achieved in her eight-day stint in her mother and brother’s constituencies of Rae Bareli and Amethi what [brother] Rahul has been able to do in numerous meetings across states. She has had the nation hanging on to her every word, and the media follows her daily. BJP too seems to be taking her challenge seriously.” Business Line (April 30) dismissed the Congress campaign as lacklustre, “But enter Priyanka, even in limited appearances confined to Amethi and Rae Bareily, and there is a sudden life in the Congress campaign. Proving once again that she [Priyanka] has inherited [grandmother] Indira’s mystique, magic and charisma, Priyanka is breezing through election meetings here.” Her smaller meetings were a contrast to Narendra Modi’s mega rallies, said the report.

Union Minister Jairam Ramesh said:. “Irrespective of whether it wins or loses, there would be a generational change in Congress after the Lok Sabha elections. We have to nurture youth….. whatever the result of 2014, the face of Congress is bound to change.”

Uddhav Thackeray, told the Hindu (April 25) that he was fully committed to Narendra Modi as India’s next prime minister, but that this support did not include the BJP. Asked about the “Modi wave, ” Raj Thackeray replied: “I have never seen an election like this…..If there is a Modi wave in Maharashtra, why has a senior BJP politician like Gopinath Munde been confined to his constituency? You cannot judge just yet how this election will turn out.”

Modi, not BJP: Raj Thackeray

Raj Thackeray, leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, a breakaway faction of the Shiv Sena, led by Raj’s cousin

Raj Thackeray

Sen’s reservation, Bhagwati’s support

Two eminent Indian economists, Amartya Sen and Jagdish Bhagwati have taken opposed positions on Narendra Modi.

The former expressed his reservations on Modi’s candidature as Indian prime minister, saying that his elevation to high office would intensify the anxieties of the country’s Muslim minority,

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reforms during Singh’s early tenure in office (Times of India, Hindu April 30).

Honda targets rural markets

Japanese motorcycle and scooter manufacturer Honda has created a group to focus on India’s rural markets, having previously concentrated on its cities.

Honda already gets 30-32 per cent of its sales from India’s rural markets but plans to increase this to 40-42 per cent.

The company’s new 15-man group will strategize ways and means to meet its new objectives.. As part of its rural expansion, seven out of every 10 dealerships Honda plans to open by March 2015 will be in smaller towns and villages across India.”We need to expand our network further,” said Keita Muramatsu, President and CEO of Honda India. In 2013-14, Honda sold 3.7 million twowheelers and hopes to increase this to 4.5 million in 2014-15. As of now Honda (March 31) had 2,800 dealer outlets (Mint April 29).

the world’s top 30 economies, but the McKinsey report predicts that the region could its growth traction over the next decade. It says South India’s GDP would reach $500 billion by 2016 and move close to $650 billion by 2020. Sample some revealing statistics. Chennai, in Tamil Nadu, accounts for a staggering 60 per cent of India’s automotive exports. Every third car on India’s roads is manufactured here, earning it the sobriquet of “Detroit of India.” India is the second-fastest growing automotive market in the world: manufacturing more than 4.2 million passenger vehicles and more than 1.5 million cars.

Healthcare

At the current rate of growth the country’s automotive industry is expected to top the world by 2050 with the projected volumes growing up to 611 million vehicles. Infrastructure development including roads, highways and industrial corridors is work in

Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Bone Marrow transplants et al (Mint April 30)

India third-largest economy: World Bank

May Day was no distress call, instead it brought glad tidings for India. A World Bank report states that India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s third-largest economy after the US and China, a jump from the tenth position India occupied in in 2005. The Bank used the purchasing power parity (PPP) method in its calculations – the theory that a bundle of goods will cost the same in different countries if the exchange is taken into account. For example, a bar of soap in India that costs Rs 60,in the US will be $1, as the US dollar has an exchange value of Rs 60. Hence GDP calculated on the basis of purchasing power parity takes the cost of living into account. US economist and former Harvard University President, Lawrence Summers,

Exponential jump in Airtel profit

Bharti Airtel’s fourth quarter ending March 31 surged 89 per cent, the second straight quarter increase, reversing the previous cycle of declining growth.

India’s biggest mobile company is back on track, with net profit rising to Rs 962 crore in the recent quarter as compared to the Rs 509 crore achieved during the same quarter of the previous financial year.

South Indian growth

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), citing a commissioned McKinsey report, stated that South India as a unit has been the mainstay of India’s e c o n o m i c growth. So what are the factors behind the reality? To begin with, it has been the rapid pace of industrialization and urbanization that has led to the South Indian states Jagdish Bhagwati Amartya Sen achieving a top that Modi had a case to answer 10 ranking in every aspect of on the Gujarat communal riots economic endeavour. This led to of March 2002. However, the high balance of overall Professor Sen dismissed the growth for the entire region. If statements of certain anti-Modi Karnataka has developed IT and militants that they would leave ITES and Aerospace, Andhra India if Modi were to become Pradesh has developed IT and prime minister. The democratic pharmaceuticals, Tamil Nadu will of the electorate had to be has become the hub of the counrespected, he said. try’s automotive industry, while Professor Bhagwati, on the Kerala and Pondicherry have other hand, lauded Modi’s role created a solid base for the as a clean, effective and visiontourism industry. These states ary administrator in Gujarat. As contribute 22 per cent of India’s its Chief Minister, Modi had current GDP and generate 28 made the Gujarat model of per cent of national employdevelopment worthy of emulament. The South has a sixth of tion in the rest of India.

India’s population.

Bhagwati said he would welcome an advisory role should Global standing Modi come to power. He recalled the paper he had subSouth India’s current $300 bilmitted to Prime Minister lion GDP places it just outside Manmohan Singh on India’s

Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad

progress. A further plus point is the progress in healthcare, where healthcare providers Apollo, Wockhardt are already prime players in medical tourism. Disciplines in which South India has established a global reputation are: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Pediatric

was source of the PPP principle.

The Congress party lauded the role played by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (an economist himself) in the management of the Indian economy, which his detractors rashly claim he had ruined (Hindu, Times of India, Telegraph May 1).

Interceptor missilehits target India ambitious anti-ballistic missile programme took a significant step forward with a successful test to intercept a hostile incoming projectile at an altitude of 120 kilometres. As the incoming missile carried no warhead there was no explosion on impact.

Avinash Chander, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Ministry and architect of India’s Agni missiles, told reporters that the infrared seeker in the interceptor tracked its target and hit it – which was the purpose of the test. The explosion was not part of the exercise, he said. G, Satheesh Reddy, Director Research Centre Immarat (RCI), in Hyderabad, said several new technologies were used.

“This is the first time that an imaging seeker was used…….The imaging seeker could see the incoming missile, track it and guide the interceptor towards its target.” The RCI also designed the inertial navigation and guidance system, Mr Reddy said. (Hindu April 28).

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

Stop treating Indians like garbage

Twits To Follow

Facebook and Twitter achieved something the CIA failed to do for decades. They were instrumental in political revolution in Egypt, Tunisia and now in Syria. Indian business and politics is often accused of corruption and the anti-corruption movement of Anna Hazare mobilised thanks to Facebook and Twitter. So when it comes to business who are my favourite Twits? @Lakshmipmittal One tweet! Clearly a man who believes actions are more important than words.

My scope: 0/10. Clearly this low score will trouble him and he shall do nothing about it in his disappointment.

Liklihood to reply: 0/10. He doesn’t even visit the site I don’t think. @shashitharoor Along with the rest of us cattle he tweets and tweets as you expect from a man of fine breeding.

Sample tweet: For Kerala history buffs, the story of the Dutch in Kerala (in Malayalam): www.dutchinkerala.com My score: 7/10 – for intellect and understanding of soft power. But also because his tweets land him in trouble – so like a soap opera, you never know when something explosive might happen.

Liklihood to reply: 5/10. He is after all man of the cattle…I mean people. @bdutt I WILL WRITE IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE BURKA DUTT ALWAYS SHOUTS AT EVERYONE. WHILST HER ABILITIES AS A JOURNALIST ARE IN MY OPINION UNDENIABLY POOR – (REMEMBER THE MUMBAI ATTACKS AND HOW SHE COVERED THAT?) – SHE IS INTERESTING TO FOLLOW AS SHE MEETS PEOPLE MORE INTERESTING AND IMPORTANT THAN HERSELF. Sample tweet: Ram Jethmalani is like an autonomous state within the BJP federation. Wonder what the party feels about him being Kanimozhi's lawyer :-)

My score: 6/10 : too parochial, like all India news (and you thought America was bad) to be a higher score but at least she knows the great and the good..and gets blasted for corrupt practices now and again.

Liklihood to reply: 2/10: She’ll be too busy cutting deals to reply. @thevijaymallya Our own Donald Trump but without the hair problem.

Sample tweet: This IPL is sure getting super competitive. Sad to see the new teams falter. There will be intense and entertaining cricket from now on.

My score: 10/10: Must read tweets if for no other reason than keeps you connected with the world of drinking and driving and flying – come what can possibly go wrong? And he has the good taste to laugh at my jokes – well Deeika does and he hangs out with us so it’s close enough.

Liklihood to reply: 0/10: Come on get real! @narendramodi Clearly the most business orientated state in India is Gujarat – I await feedback. And Narendrabhai Modi, like Chuck Norris, follows no one!

Sample Tweet: Launching 'Swarnim Gram E- Prasar Project'– A novel way to empower citizens through authentic & timely information.

My score: 10/10: If you want inspiration – this CM does 10 new things before breakfast.

What about Azim Premji, the Ambani twins, the Birla clan – clearly all are too good for twitter.

To be continued…

Telegraph opinion poll exposes UK's North-South political divide

An exclusive poll carried out The Telegraph last week has found a clear political divide between the North and the South has emerged with only one year to go until the next general election.

In the South the poll put the Conservatives in front with the Labour Party extending its advantage in the North, according to the latest ICM survey of 2,000 people. It also found that Labour’s overall lead has fallen to just one point, with the party now on 32 per cent to the Conservatives’ 31 per cent making this the narrowest

lead ever recorded for Ed Miliband since he became Labour leader in 2010.

The poll also showed a fall in support for the Liberal Democrats, on 15 per cent, and another boost for Nigel Farage’s UK Independence Party, who gained a point to 13 per cent, since the last poll was published in February.

It also suggests that the Conservatives have retained their advantage over Labour among the over-65 age group, who are among the most likely to turn out to vote.

The Conservatives have already started their

Angry families to sue NHS Trust over patient deaths Angry families of 5 patients who died after keyhole surgery are set to sue Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust in Kent. The Daily Telegraph reported that three NHS surgeons- Professor Amir Nisar, Haythem Ali and Ahmed Hamouda have been allegedly banned from using a keyhole technique to operate on cancer patients after the procedure led to at least five deaths. However, despite the ban, all three surgeons are still being allowed to carry out a wide range of other surgical procedures at NHS hospitals run by the trust. They are also working privately. Lawyers are also examining another 17 cases in which patients may have died or suffered complications as a result of botched operations by the three men. The General Medical Council, is now considering whether to investigate their fitness to practice.

13

political campaign for next year, while a promotional pamphlet has been dropped into most of the London households via post.

Polling in the marginal seats suggests that strong backing for Mr Farage would split the right-wing vote, taking enough support away from the Tories to allow Labour into power in next year’s election. Labour has installed candidates in 104 of its 106 target seats, while full-time, paid community organisers are also now at work in 102. All that’s required for Labour to be the largest party next year – a platform for a potential coalition with Nick Clegg - is a national swing of just 1.75 per cent.

The Conservatives have so far failed to choose candidates in almost one third of their top target seats with just 12 months left before polling day. While Mr Miliband has 98 per cent of his new parliamentary candidates already in place, the Conservatives have vacancies in up to 30 per cent of their most winnable marginal seats.

Indians in the UK have recently started a petition on Change.Org, against the treatment some have received at the Indian High Commission. It claims that the staffs at the Indian High Commission acted rudely with visitors. The petition, which is the brainchild of Arun Asokan, an IT professional, launched it after facing an unpleasant experience at the Indian High Commission.

The petition - which urges the Mission to 'stop treating Indians like garbage' - has now been signed by over 900 people online

(https://www.change.org /en-GB/petitions/indianhigh-commission-london-stop-treating-indians-like-garbage).

Commenting on his experience Mr Asokan told the NDTV, "I had gone there for the birth registration of my twomonth-old son. I was armed with all the documents mentioned on the website. When I finally reached the counter after waiting in the queue for four hours, from 6 am, I was told the information on the website was wrong and I needed to find the correct information from my sources," he said.

"I have been there

thrice and each time they were equally rude. No matter how many documents or photos you have, in accordance with the information available on the website, they will still be rude to you," said Mr Asokan.

When queried about the complaints against the mission, HE Ranjan Mathai, Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, reportedly said that he would be happy to take the suggestions provided by the petitioners. The High Commission has also updated its website and agreed to hold a dialogue with the petitioners.

allegedly paid them into accounts set up with similar names to the intended recipients. Jailing Budi, pictured, for eight and a

half years, Judge John Bevan said: “This appears to be one of the largest scales of theft of mail by a postman that the Royal Mail are aware of.”

There was no knowing its full extent, the judge said.

He wept uncontrollably as he was sentenced.

He denied theft, possession and fraud, all relating to April and May 2012, but was convicted on all charges by the jury.

Postman convicted for stealing millions meant for City firms

A postman has reportedly stole millions of pounds of cheques meant for City institutions in one of the biggest thefts from Royal Mail. Post for banks, solicitors and barristers was also targeted.

The Old Bailey heard that for three years, Ajaz Budi, 33, helped himself to hundreds of parcels from the Mount Pleasant sorting office in central London, containing cheques worth more than £2.3 million. The Daily Telegraph reported that he and his accomplices

14

UK

India Association hosts annual Vaisakhi dinner and dance fundraiser

On Saturday 26th April, the India Association held their annual Vaisakhi Dinner & Dance fundraiser, at the Riverside Venue in Cranford.

The India Association is a West London based charity that exists to ‘support other noble charitable causes wherever the need arises, in the UK or abroad’. Run by a committee of volunteers, (under the Chairmanship of Bobby Grewal since 2001), the India Association has raised over £300,000 for a wide range of charitable causes, including; Help for Heroes (£25,000), St. Mark’s Hospital, Harrow, (for Bowel Cancer research) and Northwick Park Research Hospital (£95,000) for Cancer and HIV research.

This year, the Vaisakhi event was raising funds for Bobby’s Walk Full Circle; a 2,600 mile charity trek across India that is being undertaken by 79-year old India Association Chairman, Balwant (Bobby) Grewal, in

December 2014. The aim of the five-month walk is to raise £1,500,000 for Save the Children and other worthy charities in the UK and abroad.

The Vaisakahi function was the official launch of Bobby’s Walk Full Circle and guests were treated to a three course Indian meal, dancing, an auction and raffle, as well as speeches from special guests, Mr Sukhdev S

S i d h u , (Minister of Coordination at India House) and Professor Colin Green of Northwick Park R e s e a r c h Hospital.

We were also delighted to be joined by CB Patel, Owner & Publisher of Asian Voice.

Bobby also made an emotional speech, where he talked about his reasons for doing the walk and how the support of the India Association, his friends and family have helped him prepare for the challenges ahead; “Where ever my gaze falls in this beautifully decorated banqueting hall, I see nothing but my very nearest and dearest friends. For many many years, I have wanted to thank you all by name, but I know I am bound to forget to name you all and

I do not want to miss a single one, so collectively, my deepest most affectionate thanks to all of you for your support, in the past, tonight and in times to come.”

There was an extremely positive response from guests, some of whom felt moved to make additional donations and offers of support at the event.

With the support of guests, sponsors and donors, the event has so far raised £11,000 for Bobby’s Walk Full Circle and donations are still coming in. You can find out more about Bobby’s Walk Full Circle, download a fundraising pack and make a donation to help the India Association reach their fundraising target of £1,500,000 online at www.indiaassociation.co.uk You can follow Bobby’s progress on the India Association’s facebook and twitter pages: www.facebook.com/In diaAssocUk T: @IndiaAssocUk

“Shivaji, the Real Hero” released at the Parliament

A book on Shivaji, the noted warrior King of India was released at the Parliament on 1st May in a function organized at the Churchill Hall. A short biopic on Shivaji was shown at the start of the event followed by a keynote address by Rt. Hon. Keith Vaz MP. Sushil Rapatwar, exPresident of Maharashtra Mandal London read out the message from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Cameron sent his best wishes to the Marathi Community living in Britain, and has also congratulated the successful convention of European

Rt.Hon. Keith Vaz receiving memento from Pravar Parkar, MD of Shri Ram Group of Companies, as historian Babasaheb Purandare and publisher Vivek Mehetre look on

Marathi Sneh Sammelan concluded in Aberdeen recently. Historian Shri S.G. Shevade addressed the attendees briefly after which Shri Babasaheb Purandare spoke on

Chhatrapati Shivaji which was very impactful. Babasaheb pointed out the original manuscripts of Shivaji being available at The Hague and British Museum

Family Businesses contest, now open

Entries for the 2014 Midlands Family Business Awards are now open.

The free-to-enter awards were officially launched at separate receptions in Derby and Birmingham last Thursday. Speaking at the latter event, our senior news editor Dhiren Katwa paid tribute to the team at The Wilson Organisation, which organises and underwrites the awards. Since their launch in 2010, the awards have raised around £20,000 for charities supporting young people and enterprise.

This year’s ten categories include International Development, Employer of the Year, Under 40 Director of the Year, Best Small Family Business and Fastest Growing Family Business. Entries

Entries for the 2014 Midlands Family Business Awards are now open following its launch at the Library of Birmingham (left to right): Dhiren Katwa (guest speaker and Awards judge), Jackie Hendley (Smith Cooper, Awards’ headline sponsor), Charlotte Perkins (MD, The Wilson Organisation), Hilary Campton (Awards’ Creative Director)

are open until 30 June.

The awards, now in their fifth year, look to reward the most successful family businesses in the East and West Midlands.

Winners will be

announced at a prestigious ceremony in Nottingham in November. For more information and how to enter visit www.familybusinessawards.co.uk

Library. The first copy of the book “Shivaji- the Real Hero” published by Udveli Books, was presented to Rt. Hon. Keith Vaz. Abhijeet Patil, Chairman of Raja Rani Travels facilitated the event. Publisher Vivek Mehetre, Mr Brijesh Mogare, Mr Dhananjay Gokhale and Mr Pravir Parkar were all given mementos.

Sheena Bhattesa of Its PR concluded the event with a closing note.

The book was also released at a similar ceremony at Maharashtra Mandal London on Saturday, 3rd May.

Help the Homeless On Thursday 27 March, John Athwal, Managing Director of Premier Decorations Ltd took part in the Action For Children CEO Sleep Out in Paternoster Square in the City of London. By spending the night under the stars he wanted to raise awareness of youth homelessness in the UK and to help change the direction of vulnerable young people’s lives.

Speaking to Asian Voice John said, “Over 100,000 young people are homeless in the UK today, either living on the street, in temporary accommodation, or Sofa Surfing. Of these 100,000 young people 1 in 7 will experience a form of sexual or physical abuse, 1 in 3 will attempt to take their own life and only 1 in 10 are reported as missing by parents or

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Dealing with the challenges of an ageing population

Deena Mistry The ageing population is one of the biggest health and social care challenges that our generation will encounter and the increasing rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia and cancer across the Asian elderly population exacerbate the impact of an ageing population on the Asian community.

A recent report by centre-left think tank, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), found that, by 2017, there will not be enough relatives to care for the rising number of elderly people. The report also estimated that by 2032, 1.1million older people in England will require care from their families, representing an increase of 60% on current figures.

From the point of view of a community organisation such as CHN, in order to effectively respond to the challenges of a growing Asian population suffering from long-term conditions, one must view this challenge as an opportunity to strengthen partnerships across Asian community organisations. The key question must be to consider how the Asian community can work together to ensure that our elderly population are receiving the support and care that they require, in particular based on their religious and cultural needs.

As it is widely known, evidence suggests that investing in keeping older people healthy and socially

carers. Young people today have borne the brunt of the economic downturn, experiencing increased unemployment, increasing rents and a dramatic increase in the cost of living. Unless something is done to help these young people homelessness will remain high.”

active can delay the need for professional care and contain the rising costs of health and social care.

The IPPR report has demonstrated that community-based schemes can save money by preventing the avoidable use of NHS services, as well as delaying entry into formal care, are too often relegated to ‘special project’ status and fail to become a part of mainstream spending on elderly care.

CHN is also aware that a number of projects that the elderly population in the Asian community rely upon are too often provided through local cultural or religious organisations. To integrate the needs of the elderly Asian population, we must all play an active role in seeking to form community based networks which will enable our elderly people to remain active and healthy.

In October 2013, the Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt made a speech which advised British families that they should follow the examples of people in Asian cultures. Hunt commented that he was struck by the “reverence and respect” for older people in Asian cultures, where it is expected that young people take in and care for their elderly relatives, instead of letting them enter a care home.

From CHN’s point of view, there is a need to highlight that even though this is a general stereotype of Asian cultures, there is a reason why this stereotype exists and there is a reason why Hunt made this suggestion.

However, although there is a lot of truth in this stereotype, we must not forget that this respect should continue throughout our lives, and caring for our elders should not be restricted to just our own family, but should also extend to the wider community.

Action for Children provides services across the UK for young people who simply have nowhere else to turn. The charity supports over 300,000 children, parents & carers each year, helping vulnerable families, children with disabilities, young carers and care leavers.

Donations helped John to raise well over an incredible £11,500 for this charity and he urges those who can and haven’t donated as yet, to come forward to give generously at http://www.justgiving.co m/JohnAthwal.

‘My Name Is ... ’ a worth watch Review

Charusmita

A faithful representation of a love story gone wrong, ‘My Name Is...’ seeks answers to questions that have plagued generations of British and Scottish Asians. Touted as a verbatim piece, written by Sudha Bhuchar, this play is based on the story that went viral a few years ago in the international media circuit. The original newspaper cuttings that are used in the play go on to show how media twisted and broached an incident‘A fundamentalist Pakistani father kidnapped his 12 year old daughter from her mother in Scotland, taking her to Pakistan’. ‘My Name Is...’ tells the story of how it was Gaby, the daughter, who went of her own accord to live in Pakistan, changing her name to Ghazala, much to the shock of her mother. So who was behind Gaby’s decision to embrace Islam and live in Pakistan? This is the idea that media had toyed with and the play goes on to show how it affected the three lives which were torn apart.

Questions of identity, culture and religion are age-old, yet they manage to wreck people’s lives generation after generation. This play propounds that this story is neither the first of its kind nor the last but how we need to

were able to highlight the dilemmas and concerns of Gaby’s father, Farhan. The play does not attempt to project him as the villain or the hero.

He is shown to be merely a victim of circumstances and belief, just like his wife and daughter.

Umar Ahmed, who plays Farhan’s character, was touched by the gesture of the real mother and daughter who Karen Bartke and Umar Ahmed watched the play and gave him a warm hug. delve deeper in order to “That”, he said, “was the understand its nature and most heartfelt compliment origin. that I could ever get”.

Karen Bartke as Suzy The setting couldn’t (or Sajida, her preferred have been more apt for name after her marriage) this sort of a powerful perbrings tears to your eyes formance. Director Philip through her moving perOsment and designer formance and enlivened Miriam Nabarro created the character’s dilemmas an intimate set with a and her love for her husScottish style-sofa on one band and family. The end and typical wooden daughter, played by the chair with a table for talented Kiran Sonia ‘Chai’ on the other.

Sawar, had a catchphraseThe three characters “In school, all the tell their story, often in an Pakistani kids mock meoverlapping way, but it is a “Your mom’s a Gori and part of the narrative and the others say, “Your dad’s the direction by Osment a Paki”.” Infused with doesn’t disappoint in perhumour and Urdu phrasfecting the format. It is an es, Gaby’s dialogues pro80 minute performance vided the dose of innowith no interval but you cence which was characwon’t feel the minutes teristic to this play. ticking. ‘My Name Is...’ is The most heartening definitely worth a watch part of the performance for its intensity, direction was the fact that both the and performances. writer and the director

The UK welcomed a first of its kind entry on the fashion calendar on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd May at the Mayfair Hotel, when Faisana: Fashion Weekend curated for the first time together on one international platform three of India and three of Pakistan’s most celebrated designers – Anita Dongre, Rina Dhaka and Bhairavi Jaikishan (India); and Umar Sayeed, Nida Azwer and Sania Maskatiya (Pakistan).

The two-day event, hosted by South Asian fashion influencers, Radhika Hasan and Aamna & Aisha, launched with an exclusive Champagne, Canapés and Couture evening on 2nd May in Mayfair Hotel’s Crystal Room, where influencers, VIP’s and celebrities such as singing sensation Kanika Kapoor; former Bollywood actress Madhoo; actress, comedian, writer and singer Meera Syal MBE; and one of India’s original supermodels, host and VJ Nina Manuel were privy to a runway show featuring the latest collections from all participating designers, presented by the designers themselves. The evening

also featured a classical dance performance by celebrated Kathak dancer Fasih ur Rahman of the Akademi institute. A free to attend, open exhibition, The Grand Trunk Show, took place on 3rd May, showcasing a wide range of the designers’ pret and couture collections for the general public.

Faisana: Fashion Weekend marked the first event to combine Indian

Faisana: Fashion Weekend wows UK audience

Madhoo, Nina Manuel and guests

and Pakistani fashion from the respective countries’ most lauded fashion houses, showcasing the high end of South Asian fashion.

The participating designers are fashion icons in India and Pakistan respectively.

Their unique designs transcend the contemporary, the young and hip, hence a perfect fit for the London and wider UK market.

UK

Vaisakhi in the square

Continued from page 1 Visitors were able to learn to dance Bhangra Boogie Woogie style, or peruse the Asian Bazaar for an exotic trinket shopping extravaganza.

There were opportunities to have your make up done Asian Wedding style and have pictures taken on a Punjab backdrop. Also there were chances to join in have-a-go sporting activities, or simply to enjoy the impromptu Bollywood dancing and Dhol drumming across the square.

Variety of tasty vegetarian traditional food (no egg) and drink, storytelling, turban dressing and a range of other festive children's activities, including arts and crafts, face-painting and henna artists were also available.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson in a message said: 'Vaisakhi is a joyous occasion for Sikhs

15

Photo courtesy: Ben Broomfield

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

around the world, tracing its roots back to the very birth of a religion which teaches respect and generosity to people of all cultures and creeds, a relevant message for our great city.

In that spirit, this is an opportunity for all Londoners to revel in the jollity and festivity of our event in Trafalgar Square and I hope everyone visiting has a wonderful day.

Happy Vaisakhi.'

Artists performing

included, pioneering Bhangra legend Jassi Sidhu; award-winning PBN Team; Heera Group, the recently reformed Apna Sangeet; and Premi Group, one of the original leading lights of the Bhangra movement, Juggy D, aka 'the Panjabi Rockstar', world music star Sonia Panesar, multi-genre singer-songwriter San2, and the popular dancers Asli Baharan Punjab Diyan.

16

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

BJP-SAD combination expecting better results in 2014

Mayuri Dave

I am Rajiv Gandh Modi’s interview to Doordarshan amid talk that parts of it, including the remark about Priyanka, were edited out before it was aired.

“As a measure of abundant caution it was decided to edit out the part where Modi refused to attack Priyanka Gandhi in response to a question, saying she was like his daughter and not a political rival like her mother,

1947 to 1966, INC was the dominant party in GENERAL undivided Punjab. In ELECTION 2014 1967, following the division of Punjab, SAD came to power and remained in office till 1971. In the elecANALYSIS tions held in 1972, INC led by Zail Singh obtained majority and came back to power. In the 1977 elections, SAD led by Prakash Singh Badal emerged victorious. Since then INC has won the 1980, 1992 Captain Amrinder Singh Congress and 2002 elections while SAD has formed government after the 1985, 1997, 2007 and 2012 elecArun Jaitley Vinod Khannna tions.

BJP BJP

Veteran politician and Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is one of the oldest ally of BJP. In the last Lok Sabha elections BJP-SAD combination could win only five seats out of 13.

However, with Modi wave around supported by strong anti-incumbency factor against the Congress led UPA government at the centre, the two NDA allies are expected to do much better compared to 2009 general elections.

Though Punjab is a small state, it is strategically considered very important. Due to its location and ferKiron Kher tile land.

BJP It became Harsimarat Singh Badal a part of SAD India in 1947 but was divided in 1966 to form two more states of Himachal Pradesh and (INC), Bharatiya Janata Haryana. It is the only Party (BJP) Bahujan state with Sikh majority in Samaj Party (BSP), the country. It is one of Communist party of India the leading states of India (CPI), Communist party in terms of agricultural of India (Marxist) [CPI production and has the (M)], Nationalist best infrastructure in the Congress Party (NCP) and country.

Aam Adami Party. Among Punjab has 13 Lok the regional players are Sabha constituencies of Shiromani Akali Dal which the constituencies (SAD), Shiromani Akali of Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Dal (Simranjit Singh Fatehgarh Sahib and Mann) [SAD(M)], Lok Faridkot are reserved for Jan Shakti Party and Scheduled Caste (SC) Rashtriya Janata Dal candidates. No seats are (RJD). reserved for candidates The election history of belonging to the the state suggests that in Scheduled Tribes (ST). All Punjab, the two main the major political parties political parties are the are active here apart from Indian National Congress regional parties. The (INC) and Shiromani national players are Akali Dal (SAD). From Indian National Congress

Punjab has also been under the President rule on eight occasions.

In elections to the Lok Sabha, INC was the leading party till 1971 elections. But in the 1977 elections, it failed to win a single seat. SAD emerged as the largest party in this election. The 1984 elections were delayed in Punjab due to internal disturbances, and were held in 1985 in which INC emerged as the winning party. In 1989, SAD (M) was the leading party.

Elections to the 10th Lok Sabha were held in 1992 in Punjab and INC won 12 seats. Since then SAD has been the leading party in 1996, 1998 and 2004 elections while INC was victorious in 1999 and 2009 general elections. Poll surveys also suggest that BJPSAD will have advantage over their rival Congress.

Modi symbolizes RSS ideology: Rahul Gandhi

Bilaspur: BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi represents the ideology of the RSS, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said.

Referring to MS Golwalkar, the second "Sarsanghchalak" (Supreme Chief) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Gandhi said Golwalkar believed India made a huge mistake by giving voting rights to women.

He also slammed Modi over his alleged links with the Adani industrial group and questioned how the business house grew to Rs 40,000 crore during his tenure as the Gujarat chief minister. “You ask

that businessman how much employment he has given,” Gandhi said.

Speaking in the presence of chief minister Virbhadra Singh and state party chief Sukhvinder Sukhu, Gandhi promised to provide the right to free medical treatment if the Congress was voted to power. Bilaspur is part of

the Hamirpur Lok Sabha constituency where the Congress has fielded Bharatiya Janata Party rebel Rajinder Rana against BJP's outgoing MP Anurag Thakur. A total of 38 candidates will be in the fray for the four Lok Sabha seats in the hill state that will go to polls May 7.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi.”

Barely hours before Priyanka’s retort, Union

BJP says, interview was ‘distorted’

PUNJAB

Gul Panang AAP

Narendra Modi

New Delhi: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has brushed aside Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s reported description of her as like his daughter.

“I am Rajiv Gandhi’s daughter,” Priyanka said. The brush-off came amid reports that Gujarat chief minister Modi had made his remark during an interview to state broadcaster Doordarshan.

Controversy engulfed

Varanasi: As a controversy raged over Narendra Modi's interview to Doordarshan, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Gujarat chief minister had never said that Priyanka Gandhi was like his daughter and the interview aired on the public broadcaster was deliberately "distorted".

A probe must be ordered to find out under whose pressure the contents of the interview were edited, he said while addressing a press conference here.

“For nearly last 10 years Doordarshan has boycotted Modi in Gujarat. We are extremely hurt that the contents of the interview were deliberately distorted. When

Ravi Shankar Prasad

Modi had never said that Priyanka was his daughter, how come the news came in newspapers? Modi only said it is natural for a daughter to defend her mother and brother. It should be probed under whose pressure the

Rajnath projecting himself as PM candidate: Lalu

Patna: A day after BJP president accused him of being afraid of Congress, RJD President Lalu Prasad hit back at Rajnath Singh saying that he was trying to portray himself and not Narendra Modi as the real candidate for the top post.

Singh was telling his fellow Rajput caste-men that it was not Narendra Modi but he was the “real” candidate for the top post to sway them to vote for BJP, Prasad told reporters here.

But, neither he nor Modi

would be able to ‘befool’ the people of Bihar who were intelligent enough to teach them the ‘ABCD of politics,’ he said.

The RJD chief also said ‘Rajnath Singh is a parrot tutored by RSS.’ Prasad was,

however, soft on Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and his BSP counterpart Mayawati saying both were genuinely working for the welfare of dalits.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain returned the barbs on Prasad and termed him as "parrot of Congress." "Congress sent him to jail and got him released on bail for campaigning in the polls and this is the reason he is speaking Congress language as a parrot," Hussain said.

Amethi: Narendra Modi dished out his most caustic comments on the Gandhis at the fag end of campaigning for the penultimate phase of the LS elections. Challenging the Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi to name 10 villages in Amethi, Modi said his “younger sister” and BJP candidate Smriti Irani could name a hundred villages in the Gandhi pocket-borough.

In a burst of volleys directed at the Congress, Modi alleged the Congress was even making desperate attempts to buy votes realizing it had become vulnerable in its own

backyard. He mocked the Gandhi family’s bid for votes by eulogizing their relationship with the people of Amethi from the time their father represented the constituency, and made jagged rebuttals to every jibe Rahul, Priyanka and their mother Sonia have taken at him in recent weeks.

“Instead of speaking on price rise, corruption, and Amethi’s development or giving an account of their work, they are attacking me,” Modi said. “When they’re asked about development in Amethi, they blame the state government. This is such rubbish.

The Congress and SP have great understanding between them. In fact it’s so good that SP hasn’t bothered to put up a candidate against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi. And then the Gandhis talk about the state government’s non-cooperation,” said Modi, to applause from the crowd, numbering around 1.5 lakh according to district administration sources. Saying that the EC needed to watch out for Congress’s transgressions, Modi charged that the party, in the 24 hours before the elections, was desperately trying to buy votes.

Lalu Prasad Yadav

Narendra Modi storms in Amethi

SPECIAL

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

hi’s daughter: Priyanka finance minister P Chidambaram said, “I am happy that Modi considers Priyanka Gandhi as his daughter, but am not sure if she will be happy to consider Modi a father figure.”

Priyanka’s father, Rajiv Gandhi, was India’s prime minister from 1984-89. He was assassinated in 1991 when he has leading the Congress campaign to return to power at the Centre.

deliberately

interview was deliberately distorted,” Prasad said.

However, the BJP leader said the main issue was the development of the country and not a probe into the interview. On Congress deciding to seek the services of a sitting judge to probe the snoopgate scandal, Prasad said, "The Congress had conceded defeat and is disturbed by the growing popularity of Narendra Modi, who is going to be the next Prime Minister of the country.

"So with a motivated and malafide intention they are approaching the judges of Allahabad high court for the probe on snoopgate case when only 10 days are left for a change of government at the Centre," he said.

I was never a friend of Modi : Ahmed Patel

Ahmed Patel

New Delhi: The controversy over Narendra Modi's interview to Doordarshan intensified with Sonia Gandhi's political aide Ahmed Patel refuting the BJP's PM candidate's claims of closeness between them, saying the remarks were "baseless" and "a complete lie".

He said Modi's "ridiculous" claims of their meeting or the two sharing a friendship were a "political stunt" to create "confusion" in the midst of election and offered to quit public life if there was any proof of him having taken favours from the Gujarat chief minister.

"This is a political stunt to create confusion and create a cloud of doubt in the midst of elections. How can

Modi be able to make friendship with me when he has never been able to strike a friendship within his own party?", he said.

Insisting that he never had any meeting with Modi either in his office or at his residence nor had he taken any favour from the Gujarat chief minister, Patel said that Modi did come to his place for lunch when he was BJP general secretary in the eighties.

Besides that, “I never had any one-to-one meeting with Modi before or after the communal riots in Gujarat in 2002.”

The BJP's prime ministerial candidate, in an interview to Doordarshan, had said: “I used to go to his residence to dine with him. It was a good friendship and I believe that personal friendship should remain,” he said.

“We never used to call him Ahmedbhai. For years, we used to call him Babubhai. This is not known outside. For us Ahmedbhai was Babubhai.

But in public life he has to be given respect. It will not look good if I call him Babubhai.

Gujarat politicians are making beeline for Varanasi

Supporters of major political parties in Gujarat are literally making beeline for the holy town! Irrespective of their political alignments, they are thronging to Kashi for one common factor – Narendra Modi, BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, who is contesting from Varanasi constituency.

Albeit, purposes are different – some are going to campaign for Modi and rest are against him. With polling in Gujarat concluded on April 30, BJP cadres political opted for 2-3 days rest and many of them decided to camp at Varanasi to ensure Modi’s victory with huge margin.

Gujarat Congress leaders are also on a mission and started heading travelling to ‘Kashi’ to counter the Gujarat Chief Minister.

Even Aam Aadami Party (AAP) workers have gone there to support their leader – Arvind Kejriwal, who is contesting against Modi.

“Air-fare from Ahmedabad to Varanasi has touched to Rs. 25000. Generally it hovers around Rs. 4000 to Rs. 8000 for Ahmedabad-DelhiVaranasi flight. But unprecedented demand led to spurt in air-fare. Elections coupled with vacation period, train tickets are not available,” says

Ahmedabad based travel agent Dipak Shah.

Top Gujarat BJP leaders including general secretary Vijay Rupani, Rajya Sabha MP Parshotam Rupala, organisational general secretary Bhikhu Dalasania, Gujarat BJP spokesman IK Jadeja and others are already involved in campaigning activities in the Uttar Pradesh town.

“At least 300 selected booth-managers, who did excellent work during polling in Gujarat, are in the process to reach Kashi. Road-map pertaining to work allotment to BJP workers from Gujarat has also been prepared. They are supposed to do campaign in those areas where Gujarati population is situated and also identify locals who have Gujarat connections,” said Rupani.

There are many BJP sup-

porters, not only from Gujarat but also hailing from the state and settled in different countries are camping in Varanasi since the past one month.

Many are going on their own cost too, says Raju Dhruv, a BJP spokesman for Saurashtra region. Dhruv himself will fly from Rajkot to Varanasi.

Congress candidate from Vadodara and All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Madhusudan Mistry has also decided to fly in UP. Mistry is also his party’s in-charge for Uttar Pradesh. He has handpicked nearly two dozen Congress workers to campaign against Modi in Varanasi. Nearly 250 AAP workers including Gujarat incharge and Ahmedabad East Lok Sabha candidate Dinesh Vaghela have reached to Varanasi.

17

Vadodara recorded highest jump in voting

Modi ‘factor’ led people of Gujarat’s cultural capital – Vadodara – for bumper voting. Of the 26 Lok Sabha constituencies in the State, Vadodara recorded highest jump of 21.55 per cent over the 2009 figure of 49.02 per cent voting.

This meteoric jump in voting is apparently due to presence of Modi and awareness campaign of Election Commission (EC).

Besides, BJP’s organisational wing also put in extra efforts who involved civil society at large along with BJP cadres, in order to mobilize votes. Sources say that this spectacular jump in voting pattern would definitely impact on the victory margin in favour of Narendra Modi.

Meanwhile, EC declared final figures of voter turnout for the 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat, which went to

polls on Wednesday.

According to EC polling percentage was 63.31 percentages, which is 15.41 percentages higher compared to 2009 Lok Sabha polls (47.90 %).

Interestingly, four tribal dominated seats witnessed bumper voting. All these seats recorded more than 70 per cent voting, higher than even Modi’s Vadodara constituency – with Bardoli leading at 74.59%. This is followed

by Bharuch (74.54%), Valsad (74.09%) and Chhota Udepur (71.15%).

Unlike Vadodara, it is difficult to assess that, which party would get benefit of

higher voting in the tribal belt. At the moment, leaders of both – Congress as well as BJP are claiming that the high voter turnout in tribal areas would be an advantage for their parties.

However, in rest of the seats, the highest turnout on other seats is being interpreted as being advantageous to BJP. All the 26 seats have recorded higher turnout than last time.

Porbandar recorded the lowest voting at 52.31%.

The seats which witnessed between 50-60% polling are Patan, Surendranagar, Jamnagar, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Kheda and Panchmahals.

Kutch, Mehsana, S a b a r k a n t h a , Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad (East), Ahmedabad (West), Rajkot, Junagadh, Anand, Dahod, Surat and Navsari recorded between 60% and 70% polling.

Narendra Modi disbelief.

The Indian general election is not only biggest in history, it is one of the most gruelling.

Leaders have to travel its 9,300 mile length and 1,800 mile breadth several times over the course of a two month, nine stage campaigns to 543 constituencies and their 800 million voters. Even travelling by executive jet and helicopter, they can barely address more than three rallies in a day.

However the use of

hologram technology had enabled Modi to reach voters he would not otherwise address in some of the country’s most inaccessible corners from studios in Delhi and Ahmedabad.

Many in BJP believe it has played a vital role in extending the ‘Modi wave’ – the appearance that he has unstoppable momentum in the campaign. So far he has given eight hologram speeches to 900 rallies, each drawing average crowds of 10,000. By the time voting finishes on May 12, he will have given a further six speeches at 1450 rallies and reached more than 14 million extra voters.

“In the 2009 general election the difference between the BJP and Congress was 17 million votes, it’s that small. Every single voter counts”, said a BJP leader connected with Modi’s hologram technology. At some remote locations, where illiteracy is low, audience members believed Modi had actually visited and were perplexed when the image simply disappeared at the end of the speech.

Modi had experimented with hologram technology for rallies during his 2012 state assembly elections in Gujarat, and had assembled a team of up to 40 technologists and more than 400 camera and sound staff in 120 truck-based teams.

Modi magic through hologram

BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s rallies through hologram technology helped him to reach out remote towns all over the country. Because of the technology he could address several rallies in different parts of the country simultaneously.

He is still eager to utilize this technology in the last two phases of India’s general elections.

It is believed to be the first time hologram technology has been used in a general election campaign – its most popular use to date has been for a posthumous performance by the rapper Tupac Shakur at Coachella in 2012. Now Modi plans to use the technology increasingly at his rally appearances to reach five million more voters in the last two weeks of the Indian election campaign.

He will appear live, in 3-D, at more than 90 rallies in small towns from Andhra Pradesh in the south, through Bihar in the east, north through Allahabad, his Congress rival Rahul Gandhi’s Amethi constituency and up into the Himalayan foothills at Nainital in Uttarakhand and Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh.

He has already addressed more than 800 rallies in hologram form where his lifelike performance has been greeted with a mix of awe and

18

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

Dear Financial Voice Reader,

I write to you before departing for India where I will mentor numerous entrepreneurs to help them set up their Indian businesses in the UK. Having spent much time last Saturday with my former mentee, I had some advice to share for those looking at the business and financial end. But, I wanted to give you advice to women entrepreneurs – as my last mentee was a woman: Mentors “I am an extreme optimist, while my husband likes to play the devil’s advocate. He wants to know the worst thing that can happen. I don’t even want to think about the worst case. I provide the discipline and stick-to-it-iveness.” – Jenny Craig Issue: Finding business mentors, especially other women, was still difficult who could advise and inspire.

Solution: Mentors do not need to be physical.

A selection of online websites can be your ‘mentor’. There are Government initiatives to offer mentoring. There are organisations like TIE and Women Empowered who can help. Look for several mentors. That way you have a second opinion and gain even more time from mentors.

Remember as well as mentors have a ‘brain trust’ people who may not be mentors but say, an accountant, a lawyer, etc who act as your friendly resources.

“It’s about creating a product or service so good that people will pay for it. Now 30 years on The Body Shop is a multi local business with over 2.045 stores serving over 77 million customers in 51 different markets in 25 different languages and across 12 time zones. And I haven’t a clue how we got here!” – Anita Roddick Getting business ideas "If this is empty (your heart), this doesn't matter (your head)." Jerry Maguire, 1996 Issue: Lacking business connections, getting business ideas, or testing them is pretty difficult.

Not knowing where to start.

Solution: Don’t expect a flash of lightening.

Sometimes a good idea is incremental. I like to look at what’s happening in the US, such as on Angel.co and then seeing what resources one may have in the UK to make it happen. Go for businesses where you have something unique to offer because of your resources, experiences. Or go for a franchise if you want a usually lower risk way to begin. Visit angel investment groups like Envestors.co.uk and London Business Angels to see what and how things get funded. Ie like all things of education – see how the good ones do it.

"He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much." - Bessie Anderson Stanley Funding "You cannot live your life to please others. The choice must be yours." Alice in Wonderland, 2010 "You lose balance, you lose power." Eat, Pray, Love, 2010 Issue: How to get it?

Solution: Although a non-gender issue, the solution can be gender based. Through Google searches there are at various times different awards, grants for women based busiensses as well as non-gender based angel funding networks like those mentioned already "Money is not the prime asset in life. Time is."

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, 2010 Alpesh Patel, author, ‘Our Turn: A guide for women entrepreneurs’

AstraZeneca rejects revised bid of $106bn from Pfizer

US drugmaker Pfizer Inc raised its offer for AstraZeneca Plc to 63 billion pounds ($106 billion), but the British company promptly rejected the proposal.

Pfizer’s pursuit of AstraZeneca, which would boost the American company’s pipeline of cancer drugs, cut its tax bill and create significant cost savings, comes amid a wave of deal-making in the healthcare sector.

AstraZeneca’s board said it had “no hesitation” in rejecting the proposals, which it believed “substantially undervalue” the company and were not an adequate basis on which to engage with its suitor.

The US group would much prefer an agreed deal with its rival, since hostile takeovers typically take longer, require a higher final price and carry

more risks because the bidder cannot access the target’s books to assess its business.

The 50 pounds ($84.47) a share indicative offer follows AstraZeneca’s decision to rebuff an earlier proposal that valued it at 58.8 billion pounds, or 46.61 pounds per share.

“Given where the shares have come from, this doesn’t look unreasonable,” said one fund manager whose institution is among the 10 biggest

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investors in AstraZeneca.

AstraZeneca shares were trading at around 30 pounds a year ago, but confidence in the company’s cancer drug pipeline has built up strongly since then. “We expect Pfizer ultimately to have to sweeten its offer based on discussions we have had with investors, many citing a price within the 5255 pounds range and some

Seminar on UK SMEs & their internationalisation

The transnational linkages of small business owners and entrepreneurs in the UK are rapidly being recognised as a crucial element of continued economic development. India and China are becoming attractive international destinations for many entrepreneurs, especially as the British government actively builds links with these countries. Against this backdrop, the Department of Management and King's India Institute at King’s College London, and The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have organised a seminar on ‘Knowledgeintensive Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs in the UK and Internationalisation to Emerging Economies: Drivers, Strategies and Prospects’; on Monday 12th May, at King’s College London, Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, followed by networking reception and dinner.

The seminar aims to gauge why entrepreneurs in the UK are

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above this, and our analysis of the EPS accretion for Pfizer,” said Mark Clark, an analyst at Deutsche Bank.

Investors had previously said they were looking for at least 50 pounds a share and also wanted more cash in the mix. The latest deal would offer 32% cash and 68% shares, little different from the 3070 split offered originally.

After the initial 46.61 pounds approach, made in January, was disclosed earlier this week, AstraZeneca said that offer fell “very significantly” short and the small cash component would leave investors exposed to the risks faced by Pfizer in executing an ambitious mega-merger.

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Speakers at the sessions will be Sunil Khilnani, Avantha Professor of Politics and Director, King’s India Institute, King’s College London; Sudip Roy, Head, Client Services Europe, Infosys BPO, UK; Saionton Basu, Partner and Co-Head Indian Group, Penningtons Manches, UK; Ash Verma, Chairperson, Harrow in Business and Gateway Asia, UK; Mike Wright, Professor of Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Research Centre, Imperial College London among others.

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19

The addiction of profit Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

Following my article some weeks ago regarding the pub we purchased on Milson Road, where we were exploring different options, it has now been agreed to proceed with a sale for £2m. However a deal is not done until it is done.

Therefore I have agreed the sale on the basis it is exchanged by Friday, within a four day period, whilst keeping another offer for the same level on the back burner. It’s amazing how sharp and efficient lawyers and buyers get when you threaten them with a deadline.

Here it is a genuine threat. There are two offers at the same level, I have gone with the one I know will move the fastest. One reason is they are using a law firm whom we have used before and will perform fast.

Th e p ro pe rt y was pu rc h ase d i n l at e S e pt e mb e r 2 013; we aim t o c o n c l u d e by t he e n d o f Ma y 20 14. W e wi l l h ave mad e £ 750k g r os s wi t h in a n e ig h t mo n t h pe ri o d o n an in v e st m en t o f £1 . 25m . A h an d so m e r e tu rn ; t h e p la n n in g fo r th re e f l at s o f c o u rse ad d e d v al u e bu t t h e pu b w as bo u g h t c h e ap to be g i n wi t h.

When we were purchasing it there was another offer on the pub at the same amount, we got to know about it and kept a close eye on the matter. When they failed to perform, we stepped in. It transpired the original purchaser was trying to resell the property without even exchanging on it themselves! A game some in the market like to play.

It yields handsome rewards if you can manage to pull this off, you make money with no money. But it does little for your reputation in the market and is a rare occurrence when you can pull this off, more often than not it falls flat on its face leaving a chain of annoyed people.

This investor that we are working with has a taste of the hit and run strategy we execute, and this is his third transaction with us.

Once we give them a taste of this level of return they tend to get hooked. The profit is like a drug, and we are one of the few pushers in a market who are offering it in such a high dosage administered in a short time period. Hence we have addicts who have not many places to go and return back to us for fix after fix.

I spoke to the partner of the firm we used to set up our fund back in December 2013 and asked him if he knew of a property fund who is offering the level of return we were expecting to return, he replied he did not and wished he could invest as well. Due to a conflict of interest he could not. He will however be investing in our next fund which should be launching shortly, as it will be listed on one of the exchanges.

The proceeds of thea sale of the pub will be rolled over into another deal we have just agreed this week, if of course it occurs.

It’s not always easy to synchronise deals. Property deals are lumpy in nature and each one is unique.

There was a time when frankly I felt embarrassed for the auctioneer as there was such little attendance in the auction room, this was during the credit crunch, it wisely amalgamated with two other auctioneers to ensure survival through these dark times.

There are some good lots coming up in the auctions over the next couple of months, but I'm loathed to go and put energy into them as properties currently are generally going for higher amounts in the auction than through the agents. Traders are even purchasing properties on the market and then reselling them at auction for higher prices. There are too many hungry buyers in the market place who have been indoctrinated by TV programs such as Homes Under The Hammer which comes on twice a day. Lenders are having trouble lending as the valuers cannot find any comparables for the prices which are paid; they are unprecedented.

There is a silver lining to this, properties which have issues attached to them, say the tenancy terms are unknown, or the council has placed an order on them, are going cheaper than they should.

This herd which is turning up at auctions, is on the whole a novice herd, they want everything on the plate and many are purchasing not because they are buying a deal in the current market, but they hope it will be a deal in the future; they purchase with the anticipation of a future price rise. A dangerous situation; this means a herd mentality is developing, people are buying on the basis everyone else is buying, its link to reality is broken.

C u rre n t l y t he a ct i vi t y in a u ct i o n s i s g o in g t h ro u g h t h e r o of , al l t he s t at is t ic s ar e ri si n g f ro m t h e av e rag e l o t si ze s t o t h e s al e ra te s . A u ct i o n H o u se Lo n d o n wh ic h st ar te d o n l y a f e w ye a rs ag o h as ju s t h ad it s h ig h e st au c t io n re su l t s to d at e ; i t rai se d £1 6m. £1m o f t h i s t o t al was d u e t o o u r l o t i n H am pst e ad , a t r ou bl e so m e pro p e rt y, pu r ch as e d f o r £8 50k a f e w we e k s pri o r.

The Real Deal Finchley Road, London, NW11 Purchase Price: £440k

On e sav in g g rac e wh ic h i s u n d e rpi n n in g t h e pr op e rt y val u e s w hi c h d i d n o t e xis t p rio r i s th e am ou n t o f f o re i g n mo n e y wh i ch i s c o mi n g in t o t h e UK . P o li t ic al an d e c o n om i c si t u at io n s ar o u n d t h e wo rl d ha ve co n t ri b u t ed t o th i s i n f l ow o f f u n d s. T h e f u n d s a re n o t c o mi n g t o m ak e mo n e y, th e y are co m i n g h e re b e c au se Lo n d o n p ro pe rt y is a g o o d s af e d e po s it bo x. Yo u r m o n e y i s k e pt sa f e o u t o f ha rm’ s way an d t h e r ise is a b o n u s.

l A large three bedroom first floor flat in a highly sought after location l Low service charges l Long lease of more than 100 years l Communal gardens l Close to shops, restaurants, bars and cafés of Finchley Road and West Hampstead l Excellent buy to let investment Call us now to secure this deal!

As sure as autumn follows summer the property market will take a turn, however the amount of foreign funds in the market will serve to cushion if not insulate completely the drop in price.

0207 993 0103

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now:

Specialists in

Central London Property Sourcing

info@sowandreap.co.uk

www.sowandreap.co.uk

55 Bryanston Street, Marble Arch Tower, London, W1H 7AA

Follow us online:

Sowandreapuk

SowandReapProperties

Tips of the Week l The speed with which you make decisions and commit to them will ensure you get deals time and time again.

l Always remember to see an investment from the markets’ eyes and not your own.

20

FINANCIAL VOICE

Mangoes ban, monetary policy and Cannes Film Festival

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

India invites US to discuss IP, market access after polls

India said it would hold trade talks on intellectual property rights with the United States after the general election, buying time to address friction over drug patents until a new government is formed.

Commerce Secretary Rajeev Kher praised a decision by the US Trade Representative not to label India with its worst offender tag in an annual scorecard on protecting US patents, copyrights and other intellectual property.

"It is a very sensible decision," Kher, India's chief trade negotiator, said, saying India was committed to protecting copyrights and reining in piracy.

"They know very well that India is in transition." But he defended India's right to overrule patents in special

cases - a bone of contention between the US drugs industry and New Delhi, which wants its 1.2 billion people to have access to affordable medicines.

India and the United States set great store by the economic potential of bilateral ties, but their relationship has been troubled by diplomatic and trade battles. Their $100 billion annual trade is seen as below its potential.

Washington says it should be five times that.

In 2012, India issued its first-ever "compulsory licence" to domestic drugmaker Natco Pharma Ltd on a kidney and liver cancer drug, Nexavar, patented by Germany's Bayer AG - allowing a generic version to be made before the

patent expired.

Compulsory licensing is compliant with the rules of the World Trade Organization and the deal on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), Kher said, emphasizing that such licences would be the exception and not the rule.

"That should not be construed to mean that India would be taking compulsory licence as a routine manner of importing technology into the country," Kher told a news conference.

India's drugmakers welcomed the easing of near-term US pressure: "There is always scope for improvement," said D G Shah, secretary general of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance.

French retail giant Carrefour SA which operates five wholesale cash and carry outlets in India is making plans to exit its India wholesale operations, reports said.

Carrefour set up the operations when India eased foreign investments rules in 2012. The company has seen senior-level exits from its India business recently and some employees may be asked to leave over the next few weeks, the reports said.

Another report, also

citing unamed sources, said the company has been working on an exit plan for India for the past two weeks and is expected to cut staff positions in the coming weeks.

A Carrefour spokesperson in Paris declined to comment.

So far only Britain's Tesco PLC has announced plans to invest in India after the federal government gave foreign supermarket chains the green light in 2012.

Global retailers have

maintained that India's retail regulations, including mandatory 30 per cent local sourcing from small and medium-sized enterprises, and the ability of states to enact their own legislation for foreign chains, will be difficult to comply with.

Last month, the Bhartiya Janata Party, widely expected to lead India's next government, said it would ban foreign supermarkets from the $500 billion retail sector if it comes to power.

Sajjan Jindal and Naveen Jindal Sajjan Jindal and his brothtion, ports and cement er Naveen Jindal are vying businesses. with each other to take Sajjan has set his eyes over Italy’s second-biggest on Lucchini, that would steel producer Lucchini. fulfil his dream of turning With $11 billion (£6.5 bilJSW into India’s next globlion) in sales last year, al steelmaker. But his brother Naveen, who conSajjan’s JSW conglomerate trols a rival steel group, remains a colossus comJindal Steel & Power is also prising India’s biggest prieyeing Lucchini. Unlike the vate steelmaker, JSW Steel, squabbling Ambani brothas well as power-generaers, Sajjan, 54, and his younger brother have managed to keep a lid on their Commercial Finance Mortgages Specialist Finance Protection personal rivalry. In no BusinessPurchase Residential Development Critical Illness/Life small part, that has been Property Purchase Buy to let Bridging Private Medical thanks to the intervention of their mother, Savitri, who has kept the pair apart We believe in honesty, integrity, professionalism and delivering great customer service. and reined in their squabContact us with your enquiry to see how we can help. bling. The two brothers T: 020 8459 7677 E: info@ramfs.co.uk W: www.ramfs.co.uk inherited different arms of the Jindal family’s steel Mortgages - Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. business after the death of 1Some buy to let mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority their father, Om Prakash 2Bridging Finance is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Jindal, in a helicopter crash RAM Financial Options Limited is an appointed representative of Intrinsic Financial Planning Limited and Intrinsic Mortgage Planning in 2005 - but there are signs Limited who are authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Address: 505 Pinner Road, Harrow, HA2 6EH. this cordial relationship Company Registration Number: 8203695 Place of Registration: England & Wales may now be under stress.

India’s manufacturing sector growth remained “steady” in April as a slowdown in export orders was countered by firmer domestic demand during the month, an HSBC survey said. The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), a measure of factory production, stood at 51.3 in April, unchanged from 51.3 in March, amid moderate expansion of incoming new business orders.

Activity in the sector expanded for the sixth consecutive month in March.

A PMI reading above 50 indicates growth while a lower reading means contraction. “The momentum in the manufacturing sector held broadly steady, with domestic demand countering a slowdown in export orders,” HSBC chief economist for India and ASEAN Leif Eskesen said.

Eskesen further said: “A build-up in finished goods inventories could weigh on output growth in coming months in the absence of a pick-up in demand.” During April, the momentum in manufacturing held broadly steady, but growth remainrd subdued.

The coming summer is a busy one for the FICCI here, from meetings to festivals, and briefings to trade shows.

A few weeks ago, the FICCI UK India Advisory Group had a fruitful, closed-door lunch with the Indian High Commission, HE Ranjan Mathai. We discussed a wide range of areas of collaboration, including building Brand India overseas, and closer sectoral partnerships that could complement the excellent work done by bodies such as UKTI, UK-India Business Council and the High Commission itself.

Alphonso mangoes The EU recently declared that it would ban Indian alphonso mangoes and four other vegetables including egg plants and gourds from May 1 on the grounds that they contained harmful organisms.

FICCI President Sidharth Birla said: "This is an unfortunate development. The way it has happened leaves open the question if this is the only measure or some more could be expected".

"We understand that this matter was under discussion for some time and it is therefore surprising that the EU side has taken such a decision unilaterally. This defies the spirit of cooperation that one would expect. This move would have a bearing on the farmers and exporters from India as well as impact trade and consumers in UK and other countries in the EU", he added.

"The entire ecosystem for exports in India is well geared to meet the quality and safety requirements of countries across the world.

Our farmers, packers and exporters supply agri-commodities to different countries. There may have been a few isolated cases in the past, but the way to deal with such a situation is through a discussion.

We would have arrived

at a constructive solution. What we have got now is a punitive solution that does not bode well for the larger economic relations between the two sides", said Sidharth Birla.

Monetary policy comments India's Wholesale Price Index (WPI) increased to 5.7% in March, based on higher fruit and vegetables prices. In response, Siddarth Birla said: "Straightening the kinks on the supply side and improving overall agriproductivity are the real solutions to food inflation. The central bank must take a more nuanced stand on its reading of the growth inflation dynamics."

Speaking about the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) monetary policy review in April, Birla said: "The Reserve Bank maintained status quo on key policy rates ...

FICCI feels tweaking policy rates downwards would help lift business sentiments."

He said that just relying on monetary policy for inflation management may not be a comprehensive approach because there are administrative fixes and fiscal measures which need to be adopted. This is all the more important because the inflation problem in India is largely the result of supply side factors.

Media focus: FRAMES, IIFA and Cannes Film Festival Media and entertainment is a sector which grew 12% in 2013 and one where FICCI is having an extremely busy few months. In March, FICCI organised India's biggest convention on media and technology in New Delhi. The delegation travelling from the UK was led by MIDAS, the Manchester development agency.

Last week, the University of South Florida has held the FICCI-IIFA Global Business Forum, alongside the IIFA Awards.

The forum brought together business leaders from India and America to explore new commercial opportunities. It provided a platform for IndianAmericans to engage in discussion and professional development.

Next month, the focus turns to the Cannes Film Festival, where FICCI is organising the India Pavilion on behalf of the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Besides arranging meetings for the registered Indian delegation with foreign participants, the Pavilion is also responsible for publishing the “India Film Guide.”

Many attendees from the UK come from across media channels, professional services and industry.

Education focus: University linkages with India We are particularly pleased that the UK is the country partner for the FICCI Higher Education Summit in November this year. We helped organise a partnership forum for the University of Wolverhampton just recently. Pragyat Singh, the Head of South Asia, said: "The main purpose is to showcase the University to prospective business partners in the region and FICCI has been forthcoming in this. I have found the FICCI team to be very cooperative."

About (FICCI): Established in 1927, FICCI is the largest and oldest apex business organisation in India.

Its history is closely interwoven with India’s struggle for independence, its industrialization, and its emergence as one of the most rapidly growing global economies. A non-government, not-for-profit organisation, FICCI is the voice of India’s business and industry.

More information can be found at www.ficci.com

Carrefour looking to exit India

Jindal brothers’ rivalry come to the front

India’s manufacturing PMI remains unchanged

CURRENCY VOICE

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

21

Foreign Exchange

Paresh Davdra is the Dealing Director of RationalFX, Currency Specialists.

Pound goes from strength to strength The pound continued to go from strength to strength as the fundamental picture for the UK continued to illustrate signs that the economy is improving.

Firstly, UK retail sales beat expectations showing growth of 0.1% instead of a fall of 1.4%, underscoring the fact that UK consumers are still spending.

Secondly, Britain's manufacturing recovery showed positive results with growth in the sector well ahead of expectations in April, pushing the pound to a near five-year high against the dollar.

A strong rise in output, new orders and employment demonstrated positivity in the sector, which accounts for about 10% of the UK economy. Also according to a PMI survey, results show that roughly 10,000 jobs are being created in the sector on a monthly basis.

Apart from manufacturing figures, separate data showed U.K. annual house-price growth accelerated last month to the most since before the financial crisis.

U.K. house prices increased 1.2% from March. Home values jumped 10.9% from a year earlier, the biggest annual gain since June 2007.

The main concern is the

momentum the housing market has got at the moment with many suggesting it could over heat and lead to a bubble, correspondingly mortgage approvals unexpectedly fell in March.

Lenders granted 67,135 loans for house purchase, compared with downwardly revised 69,592 in February.

Overall this let to data showing that UK economy grew rose in the first quarter at a slower pace than what analysts were expecting reaching 0.8% up from 0.7% only marginally missing growth of 0.9%.

The year-on-year growth rate was 3.1%, the fastest in six years, but again below forecasts for 3.2% growth. Whilst the economy is still smaller than it was before the recession in 2008; analysts are expecting the UK to be where it should be by mid-2014.

The rate of inflation was the main talk out of the Eurozone in the week ending 2nd May. Inflation across the euro area rate rose by 0.7% in April, on an annual basis, up from 0.5% in March. At just 0.7%, Eurozone is well below the European Central Bank's target of close to, but below 2% and lower than economists had expected.

Causing the Euro to weaken off

initially after the figures were released. The data will probably fuel concerns that Europe risks sinking into a deflationary slump. Falling energy costs continued to drag inflation down, while prices across the Service sector jumped this month.

The overriding theme in the Eurozone continues to be whether Mario Draghi and the ECB take any stimulus action to combat deflationary pressures.

The US dollar continues to be the markets whipping boy, with GBPUSD reaching new 5 year highs.

Fundamentally, data was mixed from the US with growth in their service sector slowing marginally to 54.2 when analysts were expecting further expansion to 56.2, consumer sentiment was on rise however jumping to 84.1 for the month of April.

Employment data was good with nonfarm payrolls data

showing that 288,000 new jobs were created in the economy in April, far above the 210,000 expected and is the biggest rise since January 2012. There were also more jobs created in previous months than were first calculated. March's nonfarm payrolls data has been revised upwards from 192,000 to 203,000, and February's has been increased to 220,000 from 197,000.

The unemployment rate also fell to 6.3%, the lowest level since September 2008. However, this data is slightly skewed due to the labour force participation rate (this measures the proportion of people either working or looking for work). This fell to 62.8% from 63.2% in March.

This has contributed to the large drop in the unemployment rate.

Overall the US economy barely grew at all in the first three months of this year. That GDP rose by just 0.1% in the first quarter. That’s the weakest reading since the last quarter of 2012, and much worse than economists had expected. The consensus was for growth was 0.3% on a quarterly basis.

The US dollar continues to be under selling pressure and we could see fresh 5 year lows for the US dollar against the pound.

Weekly Currencies

As of Tuesday 6th May 2014 @ 6pm

GBP - INR = 101.61 USD - INR = 59.85 EUR - INR = 83.32 GBP - USD = 1.70 GBP - EUR = 1.22

EUR - USD = 1.39 GBP - AED = 6.24

GBP - CAD = 1.85

GBP - NZD = 1.94

GBP - AUD = 1.81

GBP - ZAR = 17.81

GBP - HUF = 374.14

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.

UK - WORLD

Indian troops played crucial role during Second World War

22

Indian troops played crucial role during the Second World War and given the German troops a harrowing time. German nervousness was shown by persistent small-scale attacks all along the line. Indian troops of the Eighth Army, in the Adriatic sector, repulsed one of many reconnaissance patrols.

On this front there has been much movement of German road transport at night. Another heavy vehicular movement was observed a mile and a half south of San Angele and was bombarded by Allied artillery.

Typical of the numerous patrol clashes was an encounter two miles west of Ortona, in the coastal area not far from the Germanheld village of Tollo. This has already been the scene of several sharp engagements.

An enemy platoon which attempted to surprise one of Allied patrols was repulsed with the loss of two killed and several wounded. Near Orsogna, two enemy parties,

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

land" of slopes and valley, sometimes several miles wide. Cassino is an exception. There, Allied troops stationed in the gaol face Germans in a ruined house only 40 yards away.

Nazi spy-post bombed Allied troops in the Cassino sector had a grandstand view when Warhawk fighter-bombers knocked out an observation post just behind the German lines.

They saw the bombs score direct hits on the target.

Allied medium, light and fighter-bombers continued their attacks on communication in North Italy. Among the targets hit were the Brigges at Spoleto, Orvieto

one estimated at more than 100 strong, were engaged by Allied mortars and artillery and later on the same night Allied troops attacked an enemy patrol in the same area.

Another hostile patrol was driven off two miles north-east of Santa Elia, and a mile and a half south-east of Terelle a prisoner was taken from yet another patrol. In many places along this front the German forces did not attempt to gain every possible yard of ground, thus knitting the lines close together, but have contented themselves with occupying parallel ridges. Between them is a rough "no-man's

DG

à{

and Ficulle, all north of Rome.

United States and British fighter pilots have destroyed 233 enemy planes, shot down 20 and damaged 164 others in the defence of Anzio since the landing on Jan 22. The Allies lost 31 planes.

Gordons in Beachhead The Gordon Highlanders, who landed at Anzio with the first British troops, have played an outstanding part in stopping German assaults on the beachhead. Against enemy attacks at Carroceto on Feb. 3,9,12 and 16 their line was never pierced by the heaviest enemy assaults, pressed home with strong forces of armour.

Nazi "Suicide Wagon" The German' new but ineffective radio-controlled tank is regarded as a "suicide wagon," and those drivers who return are automatically awarded the Iron Cross, second class, it was stated at Allied H.Q.

In Brief

Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas part ways

London: Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas have ended their two-year-old relationship amicably.

There were speculations that the two would soon be getting engaged. "It's very, very sad that they have decided to split. It's very amicable but they have decided to go their separate ways," said an unnamed source.

No age bar to become drug or alcohol addicts

London: There is no age bar to become a drug or alcohol addicts. It has been revealed that children as young as four are being referred to drug and alcohol clinics after being tipped as future addicts. Andrew Brown, a director at charity Mentor UK, said schools needed to do more to help prevent addiction being an issue.

Error on birth register costs woman her marriage

London: The marriage of a woman has declared illegal because she was wrongly registered as a boy at birth. Kim Walmsley, 49, said her 23-year marriage was declared illegal and she was forced to return from Australia after she could not renew her passport. The mother of five says she noticed the mistake in 2003 after moving to Australia and applying for a full-time visa. She thought that it can be rectified immediately. But she was told the form could not be altered because it was a legal document. This made her marriage to Jack, 49, illegal.

NOMINATION FORM

The prestigious Asian Achievers Awards is hosted every year by UK’s leading news weeklies Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar to honour British Asians par excellence. If there is someone you know who has broken boundaries and deserves recognition for their unique contribution to the community and the nation then please nominate them for one of the awards listed below.

Make sure that you fill in this application form and send it on or before 14th July, 2014 by post, fax or email to Mr. L George, Tel: 020 7749 4013, Fax 020 7749 4081, Email: aaa@abplgroup.com. If you are sending it by post the address is Mr. L George, ABPL Group, Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, London N1 6HW.

Please tick the appropriate category Entrepreneur of the Year ....................................................

Uniformed and Civil Services ............................................

Awarded to an entrepreneur with a proven track record of operating a successful business enterprise.

For outstanding achievements in uniformed and civil services or contribution to the community through any of the above services.

Achievement in Media, Arts and Culture ....................

Professional of the Year ......................................................

Someone who has made a mark in media including print and broadcast media; cinema, art and culture.

Achievement in Community Service................................

Professionals in the field of medicine, law, education, banking, finance and others, who have scaled the heights of their chosen profession.

International Personality of the Year ............................

In recognition for an individuals service to community.

Awarded to those who have acclaimed popularity internationally for his/her contribution in any particular sector and is recognised for their timeless philanthropic activities.

Sports Personality of the Year............................................

Awarded for excellence in sports.

Woman of the Year ................................................................

The award will recognise and honour a woman who has made a significant mark in any chosen field.

Business Person of the Year ..............................................

Awarded to a business person who is a success in every sense of the word and can demonstrate a genuine passion for social issues.

Lifetime Achievement Award ............................................

To honour those individuals, who during their lifetime, have made immense contributions in any given field. This remarkable individual can be marked as an example for the younger generation.

Application Form

Name of the Person you are Nominating: __________________________________________________________________________

Contact Details of the Nominee (Tel & email):_______________________________________________________________________

Present Occupation of the Nominee:_______________________________________________________________________________

Please attach the Nominees's CV which includes the following information (Please do not exceed a limit of 1000 words)

(1) Personal background (2) Most important career achievements till date.

(3) Nominee's contribution to the community and nation.

(4) Future Plans, ambitions and visions.

(5) Any notable obstacles in the Nominee's career that has helped him/her to reach where they are today.

Summary- (Please include a summary in not more than 150 words why the nominee is worthy of winning the particular award in a separate sheet) Nominator’s name and contact details: ____________________________________________________________________________ Nominator’s current Occupation/Company: _________________________________________________________________________ Tel/Mobile: _________________________________ Email: __________________________________________________________

NOMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS This is a unique event where readers nominate and an independent panel of judges comprising of eminent personalities selects the winner. Judges’ decision is final. ABPL Group will not entertain any dialogue with members of the public regarding the judging process. In order to ensure a high degree of transparency and fairness, the management and members of the staff of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar will play no role in the nomination or judging process. You may use an additional sheet if the space provided is insufficient. The winners will be announced at the AAA Awards ceremony on 19th September, 2014. Asian Voice, Gujarat Samachar will publish the names of the short listed candidates and winners after the event. The winners names will also appear in our e-edition www.abplgroup.com You can nominate yourself if you wish to.

Nominations and entries must follow the prescribed format. All nomination forms must reach our offices on or before 14th July, 2014

Men more likely to divorce seriously ill wife

Michigan: A study by Amelia Karraker of the University of Michigan has found that men are more likely to divorce their seriously ill wife.

Women are better at sticking to their marriage promise.

The findings are based on 20 years of data on 2,717 marriages from the US Health and Retirement Study, in which at least one of the partners was over the age of 50 at the start of the study.

Govt plans cap on rent hike

London: Labour leader Ed Miliband said that his party would pass new laws to make renting more affordable and give tenants greater protection against rogue landlords.

The Conservatives said the policy had been tried unsuccessfully by Socialist governments in Venezuela and Vietnam, and would result in low quality accommodation and fewer homes being rented out.

Antibiotic crisis bigger than Aids

London: The World Health Organisation has warned that common infections will kill more people than Aides as antibiotics are becoming useless against new superbugs.

A child's scratched knee from falling off their bike, common bladder infections among the elderly in care homes and routine surgery to replace broken hips could all become fatal, WHO said.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

In Brief

Gas connection to Pakistan PM’s house cut off

Islamabad: Following his failure to clear the gas bill in time, gas connection to Pakistan prime minister’s house has been cut off. Gas company officials said they shut off supplies after sending a final demand to Nawaz Sharif’s office for arrears of more than £28,000.

Antidepressants do more harm than good

London: Researchers say that drugs given to millions of people to treat depression do more harm than good and must not be seen as a “quick fix” for psychological problems.

People with mild depression get little help from drugs such as Prozac and Seroxat but risk sexual problems, thoughts of suicide and debilitating withdrawal symptoms, says one of the world’s leading experts on medical evidence.

'Property millionaires club'

London: According to an analysis, the number of “property millionaires,” that is houses which costs over £1 million mark, will surpass 500,000 by the end of the year as almost 9,000 homes are added to the list every month. Nearly 35,000 home owners have become property millionaires already this year. The number of £1 million homes is now 50 per cent higher than it was in November 2007, when the financial crisis struck.

Max Clifford jailed for 8 years

London: Disgraced PR guru Max Clifford has been given an eight year jail term for a string of indecent assaults against young women.

The 71-year-old was convicted of eight counts of historic abuse, carried out between 1977 and 1984, using his celebrity connections to lure women. A spokesman for Scotland Yard confirmed that other people had since come forward with allegations following his conviction.

China destroys Christian statues

Beijing: In renewed offensive against Christianity, the Chinese authorities have either destroyed, removed or hidden statues depicting Biblical scenes including Jesus’ crucifixion in a city known as China’s Jerusalem. Government workers sealed off Wenzhou’s Longgang Hill, a site of Catholic pilgrimage, and used bricks to "hide" statues portraying moments from the Passion of Christ.

PAKISTAN - BANGLADESH - UK

Bhagat Singh's name not mentioned in FIR: Pak police

Lahore: Bhagat Singh's name was not mentioned in the FIR for the murder of a British police officer here in 1928, the Lahore police have found, in a major boost to prove the legendary freedom fighter's innocence in the case 83 years after his execution.

Petitioner Imtiaz Rashid Qureshi, chairman of the Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation, had filed a petition seeking an attested copy of the First Information Report (FIR) registered against Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru for allegedly killing then SSP John P Saunders.

Bhagat Singh was awarded the death sentence for killing Saunders and he was

23

subsequently hanged at Shadman Chowk in Lahore in 1931, aged just 23.

Over eight decades after his hanging, the Lahore police searched through the record of the Anarkali police station on the court's order and managed to find the FIR of the murder of Saunders.

Written in Urdu the FIR was registered with the Anarkali police station on December 17, 1928 at 4.30 pm against two 'unknown gunmen'. A police official of Anarkali police was the complainant of the case. The complainant-cum-eyewitness said the man he followed was "five feet 5 inch, had Hindu face, small moustache, having slim and strong body, wearing white trouser (pyjama) and grey shirt (kurta) and also wearing small black christi-like hat".

The case was registered under sections 302, 1201 and 109 of Indian Penal Code. An inspector of Lahore police's legal branch handed over the attested copy of the FIR in a sealed

envelope to additional district and sessions judge (Lahore) Tariq Mahmood Zargham. Qureshi said special judges of tribunal handling Bhagat Singh's case awarded death sentence to him without hearing 450 witnesses of the case.

Bhagat Singh's lawyers were not given the opportunity of cross-questioning them, he said. Qureshi has also filed a petition in the Lahore High Court seeking reopening of Bhagat Singh's case. "I want to establish Bhagat Singh's innocence in the Saunders case," he said.

The Lahore High Court has referred the case to the chief justice for constitution of a larger bench to hear the case.

Shikdar said.

He said suspected mastermind of the attack Nazrul Islam is still on the run. The local police chief said steps were under way to put the accused on trial on charges of attacking the Hindu households and the temple under a planned manner.

A makeshift police camp

was setup at the village where the incident took place on April 26 following rumours that two Hindu youths had allegedly insulted the prophet in a Facebook post.

Earlier reports said culprits mobilized attackers mostly belonging to fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami and several other ultra-right groups who ransacked the temple and the nearby households and looted some valuables.

"The attack continued for some 20 minutes but during the time, the culprits preferred not to injure anyone ...

our initial investigation found it was a pre-planned attack as they used loudspeakers and distributed leaflets to mobilize the attack," Shikdar said.

People at the neighbourhood said nearly 3,000 attackers, mostly from outside the locality, staged the attack as the village elders were set to hold a meeting to resolve the issue of the alleged defamation of the prophet.

Shikdar said police immediately rushed to the scene but reached the remote village only when the attackers had fled.

Bhagat Singh

Hindu homes, temple attacked in Bangladesh

Dhaka: Bangladeshi Muslims are getting inspiration from Pakistanis to attack minorities on flimsy grounds.

In Bangladesh, Hindus are the target of attack. A mob of nearly 3,000 fundamentalist Muslims attacked Hindu households and a temple in eastern Bangladesh after two youths from the community allegedly insulted the Prophet Muhammad on Facebook.

Police on Monday arrested 17 people, including the principal of Bagmara Madrasa, for the attack on the temple and over two dozen households at Homna in Comilla district, about 100 km south east of Dhaka, last week.

"We so far arrested 17 people and some of them made confessional statements regarding the attack. A manhunt is under way to arrest the rest of the culprits," police chief of Homna, Aslam

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INDIA

Empty chairs greet Sonia in Guntur

Guntur (Seemandhra): Indicating bleak poll prospects for the Congress in Seemandhra, empty chairs greeted Congress president Sonia Gandhi on her maiden visit to the state after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was proclaimed.

The poor turnout at the public meeting further dampened the spirits of party candidates in the region, coming as it did just a day after BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi addressed a huge rally here.

Sonia, however, made a spirited attempt to keep the party's prospects afloat as she tore into the BJP, TDP and YSRCP. She cautioned

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

Sonia Gandhi

people not to fall into the trap of the 'communal forces'.

"TDP and BJP are two sides of the same coin and they never bothered about the poor when in power," she said. "Now, they are again coming with the mask of development. Don't fall prey

Modi woos Seemandhra with Polavaram promise

to them." She promised to fulfil every assurance given to the region in the bifurcation bill. "Congress alone has the right to seek votes from you as we did not adopt double standards on the issue of bifurcation as others did," Sonia said. Explaining the developments that led to the formation of Telangana state, Sonia said the Congress had never overlooked the sentiments and apprehensions of Seemandhra people.

"Polavaram project is going to be a reality because of the creation of Telangana," she said. Sonia said her party had taken every care to protect the interests of Seemandhra farmers, youths

and students even while making an attempt to settle the long-pending issue of Telangana. "I understand your sentiments and feelings, particularly about Hyderabad," she said. "I promise to make your state prosperous in the coming days." The Congress president said Telangana was granted only after all parties including BJP, TDP, YSRCP and CPI - backed the proposal. She said the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had agreed to the proposal in 2009 itself. She said YSR was a Congressman till his death but his family parted ways only for the sake of power.

Rakesh Mishra said that 22year-old Swathi from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh lost her life and two of the 11 hurt have suffered serious injuries. The others injured are not in a serious condition.

A suspect found hiding on the train reportedly with explosives has been detained by the police. The injured have been shifted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General hospital.

Tamil Nadu govt. rejects NIA probe, seeks NSG help Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Government has rejected the central government's offer to order a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the twin blasts, and instead sought the help of National Security Guard (NSG) experts. As a result, the Union Home Ministry has ordered a team of NIA detectives not to leave for Chennai.

Jaiswal said the NSG experts would assist Tamil Nadu Police in the investigations.

State BJP leaders claimed if the party does exceptionally well, around a dozen MLAs could desert the ruling party.

However, Congress sources said there is no threat to the Hooda government and assembly elections will be held on time. "We have clear majority in the House. Since the assembly elections are drawing near, independent MLAs are preparing the ground," said a Congress leader.

Kanda also accused the Hooda government of phone-tapping. "As home minister, I knew my phones and that of ministers and some MLAs were being tapped, and I brought this to the notice of the CM since it was a sensitive matter, but nothing happened," he alleged.

He said when the Congress fell short of a majority in 2009, he was the first to extend support to it.

Chennai railway station blasts: 1 killed, 45 hurt

Guntur/Nellore: In an attempt to woo Seemandhra farmers, BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi said he would complete the Polavaram irrigation project without delay if voted to power. He also promised to interlink GangaCauvery to provide water to the parched Rayalaseema region.

Addressing large gatherings at Bhimavaram, Guntur, Nellore and Madanapalle, Modi tried to strike a chord with farmers by highlighting their sufferings in various districts. While he stressed changing the fortunes of cotton, turmeric and chilli farmers in Guntur, Modi also promised to address the grievances of Kolleru farmers in Bhimavaram. "The nation has already decided two things. One, to unseat the government headed by 'mother and son', and two, to bring NDA to power," claimed Modi.

He said he would put the imprint of farmers on exports of all agri products.

"I am one among you. You

are not alone. Do not get depressed with the bifurcation of the state. Congress has orphaned the state," Modi told farmers. He said the UPA had ruined the country with "policy paralysis". Guntur farmers produce world famous cotton, turmeric and chilli, he said, promising to set up processing plants in the region to help them. "We have hardworking people and talented youth in Seemandhra. The only thing we need is a government to take them forward," said Modi, adding that backing N Chandrababu Naidu will help people build a new state. Alleging that Congress had never respected Telugu people, he promised to restore the Telugu pride.

Chennai: A young woman was killed and 14 injured when twin blasts in quick succession tore through two coaches of an express train that had chugged into the Chennai station, authorities said.

The explosions triggered panic at the busy railway station, with the bloodied and wounded crying out in pain. The blasts came barely two days after a Sri Lankan, Mohammed Zakir Hussain, was arrested here on the charge of plotting to damage vital installations in the state and about a week after the state voted for all its 39 parliamentary constituencies on April 24. "The blasts occurred in two coaches of the Bangalore-Guwahati train around 7.15 a.m," Inspector General of Police (Railways) Seema Agarwal said.

She said the injured have been admitted to a government hospital and the two coaches have been separated from the train for investigations. Southern Railway General Manager

Chandigarh: Some age-old traditions are losing its grip in Haryana villages.

For the last four decades, Roshni Devi, 60, had seen the world outside her home only through many hues of her pallu. Purdah was second nature to this resident of Bir Pipli in Haryana’s Kurukshetra district, who never went to school.

But last week, she shed the purdah in public for the first time along with 30 other women, confirming the winds of change are blowing through khapland.

Their husbands lifted the purdah in the presence of other villagers at a special function. These women would now encourage others to follow suit.

This is the second major step of social reform in Haryana in a matter of days. On April 20, the Sartol Khap had allowed inter-caste marriages.

Many, however, believe fighting against purdah

may be even tougher as more than 90% of women in rural Haryana cover their face.

“I suffered various injuries as I fell down many times because of the chunari on my face,” Roshni Devi, who belongs to the Jat community, said.

“But my family never allowed me to open the veil. Whenever I tried to avoid it, elders snubbed me. Now, I have removed it so that my children don’t suffer like I did.”

Mamta Kumari, 47, had not even considered ridding herself of the purdah after she married 28 years ago.

This despite having finished her schooling.

Santosh Dahiya, president of Akhil Bharatiya Mahila Shakti Manch, who encouraged the women to end this regressive tradition, will soon launch a campaign across Haryana to end the purdah system.

New Delhi: The Congress government in Haryana seems to be on the edge, staring at a "number" crisis.

In the midst of speculation that many sitting MLAs, particularly independents, are waiting for the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls, the fireworks have already started. Close on the heels of two sitting Congress MLAs - Dharambir Singh and Venod Sharma - being suspended, Gopal Kanda withdrew support to the Bhupinder Singh Hooda government, alleging it didn't come to his rescue in the Geetika Sharma suicide case.

Kanda will to launch a new outfit, Haryana Lokhit Party. The party office will be located in the building that once housed Kanda's MDLR Airlines. Sources said some "unhappy" MLAs may desert the Congress after the Lok Sabha results are out and as the state gets closer to assembly polls.

Narendra Modi

Haryana village sheds its purdah

Uncertainty haunts Cong govt in Haryana

South Brief

Case against MMK candidate

Chennai: The Election Commission filed an FIR against Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) candidate from Mayiladuthurai, Hyder Ali, and two others for mentioning Ali as an MP in a marriage invitation. Hyder Ali's MMK is part of the DMK alliance. He is pitted against AIADMK's Bharathi Mohan and Congress' Mani Shankar Aiyar. Two days back, three people were arrested in Kancheepuram for putting up posters stating AIADMK candidate Maragatham Kumaravel, had won the LS poll by a margin of more than a lakh votes. The EC filed a case and police arrested three people. Congress' Kancheepuram MP P Viswanathan had approached the EC and sought action against Kumaravel.

Action sought against TN revenue minister

Chennai: Three years after the state assembly elections, a PIL wants the Madras high court to direct the chief electoral officer to take action against revenue minister B V Ramana for filing a false affidavit along with his nomination papers in 2011. In the PIL, K M Balaji said Ramana had suppressed facts about his first marriage. "Without solemnizing legal marriage with his present wife, he had disclosed her name as the legally wedded wife to the returning officer," he said.

Shop fined Rs 5000,000 for charging Rs 75 extra on drink

Chennai: The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has fined a vendor at the Chennai airport of Rs 5000,000 for charging Rs 75 extra for an energy drink. The consumer forum lambasted Snack Bar for having collected Rs150 for a can of Red Bull from Delhi resident D K Chopra, while the retail price was Rs 75. It also came down heavily on airport authorities who it said were "working in cahoots" with stall owners to obtain higher rates for licences. The commission directed the stall owner also to pay Rs10,000 to Chopra.

North Brief

Amarinder fails to vote in Lok Sabha poll

Patiala: At least three members of the Patiala royal family, including its scion and former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, failed to cast their votes in the Lok Sabha elections last week. Amarinder's wife Preneet Kaur is Congress candidate from Patiala. While Captain could not vote at Patiala as he was busy in Amritsar from where he is contesting as a Congress candidate, his brother Malwinder Singh was also with him in Amritsar and couldn't cast his vote.

Amarinder's mother Mohinder Kaur, who is in her 90s, went to the polling booth but could not cast the ballot due to long queues at the booth, said Amarinder's son Raninder Singh.

Stray cat mauls infant to death

Fatehabad (Haryana): A wild cat mauled a three-month-old boy to death in Bhuna town at Fatehabad district in Haryana. The cat entered the house when the child's mother Pramod Rani had gone to the entrance of their home to see off the nurse from health department who had come to check the baby. In between, the cat entered the room, jumped on the bed of the child and attacked him badly. Hearing the child's cry, Pramod ran back inside and found the baby badly injured.

The infant was rushed to the hospital, but later succumbed to his wounds.

Differently-abled Pak cricketers enthrall spectators

Bhiwani: A T20 cricket match was held at Bhim Stadium in Bhiwani where differentlyabled players from Pakistan played with their Indian counterparts leaving audience enthralled. The three-match series kicked on Sunday when Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. The guest team scored 116 runs in 19.5 overs. In an impressive chase, Indian players scored 117 runs in just 16 overs. While India won the first match, players from Pakistan vowed to triumph next two matches to clinch the series.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

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25

Modi predicts less than 100 seats for Congress

In an interview given to “The Times of India,” BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi predicted less than 100 Lok Sabha seats for Congress.

According to Modi, the Gandhis could face a serious challenge to their leadership of the Congress after the results. "The fight is now for the relevance of the Gandhi family as unquestioned leaders of Congress party. Their target is to somehow cross the hundred seat mark so that their leadership is not challenged. I see all possibility of Congress falling below hundred seats, and if that happens, there will be a serious churning within the Congress party over the issue of leadership," said the Gujarat Chief Minister.

On the possibility of Priyanka replacing Rahul, he said, “It is for the Congress to take these decisions post the election results. However, it seems odd that a national party like the Congress should not be able to think beyond the Gandhi family.”

Responding to a question about minorities being wary of him, Modi said Congress and some other parties had tried to resort to "fear-mongering", but expressed confidence that this would not work.

"Today, it is anachronistic to think that a community will not be interested in the theme of development and good governance. It is the politics of vote banks which has done maximum damage to our country in the last 60 years. Now, this type of politics has attained its expiry date," he said in an email interview.

Modi had tough words for law minister Kapil Sibal over 'Snoopgate', saying Sibal used his legal acumen to serve personal and party interests rather than national interest and had been trying for long to ensnare him.

"If Sibal were to have his way, not only would

Narendra Modi

he have found a judge, but he would have obtained the kind of report that he wants so badly," said Modi.

Referring to the law minister describing him as a "potential suspect" in the Tulsidas Pajapati case, he said only Sibal could coin a term like "potential accused" which gave away "his very old desire to somehow implicate me in some or the other false case".

Responding to questions about CBI's investigations against him, Modi said insulating CBI from political diktat ranks high on his agenda. "It will be our endeavour to ensure CBI is no longer an institution that can be manipulated to achieve political ends," he said. On the possibility of immunity for Robert Vadra, he said, "It would be absurd to even debate that anyone can be granted immunity from law, even if that person is me."

Modi explained his focus on the economy, saying India must prepare for a "jobs war" and stressed the need for a clearer view of the growth versus environment debate so that projects are not delayed due to manipulation of green norms.

"The problem arises when the procedure for

environment clearances is used in a malafide manner for rent-seeking. I am convinced that we can move towards a win-win situation wherein all environment concerns will be adequately addressed, but not at the cost of project delays," he said. He added that he would bring the focus back to infrastructure and manufacturing, seek to control inflation through supply side measures, and help revive investor sentiment.

Touching on foreign relations, Modi said ties with Pakistan could improve only if it took effective and demonstrable action against terror networks that operate from its soil. However, he added, "We should not be constrained by what has happened in the past if the present throws up a new possibility in terms of solutions."

He was more optimistic on ties with China, saying it was possible to solve bilateral problems and take the relationship to another level.

He denied that the US decision in not giving him a visa would affect bilateral ties, saying the two countries were natural partners and matters concerning one individual should not be allowed to influence relations.

Australia, for calling him to inaugurate the 11-day festival. "Thank you, the Governance of Victoria for this gesture, fructifying the bonds that exist between our two nations and lending unstinted support to our film industry in con-

ducting such events to acquaint the locals with our c i n e m a , " Amitabh posted.

"The warmth and graciousness shall be carried by us all to India, and in particular to our countrymen," he added. "And finally an award ceremony in the evening that shall decorate winners of selected films in categories ranging from short films to feature, with an Achievement Award for yours truly ..." he added.

Aussie scholarship after Big B

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who inaugurated the Indian Film Festival Melbourne (IFFM) along with the governor and his wife recently, is ecstatic to hear that the La Trobe University has named a scholarship after him.

"The La Trobe University names a scholarship after me, to be accorded to deserving students from all walks of life that will come and study media and entertainment courses here," the 71-year-old posted on his blog.

He took to the platform also to thank the governance of Victoria,

INDIA - WORLD Cong may scrap plan In Brief Michael Gove defends Jeremy Clarkson to probe Snoopgate London: Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, said

26

that Jeremy Clarkson, the presenter, should not be sacked after he appeared to use racist language on camera. Gove said that people “should leave the matter there.” Clarkson had been accused of saying the word “n-----” while reciting the rhyme “eeny, meeny, miney, mo”.

Men living life to the full than women

London: A study showed that despite having shorter life span than women, men are fit and active for a greater proportion of their lives. Although women in England live around four years longer than men on average, they also spend almost three years more struggling with ill health or disability.

Probe demanded over ‘pre-signed’ abortion forms

London: MPs sought a criminal investigation by police into evidence that dozens of doctors pre-signed abortion forms without knowing anything about the women concerned. Eleven MPs are supporting the call for a Scotland Yard inquiry after the General Medical Council, the doctors’ regulator, ruled out action against 67 physicians found to have been involved.

Good time to visit US

London: The pound hitting a new high of $ 1.68 against dollar is good news for people who wanted to visit US. Currently, British holidaymakers exchanging £500 with Travelex, for example, will get around $825 in return – up from $729 in 2013.

“This is a great time for UK holidaymakers to plan trips to the US," said Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money.

Mother escapes fine for taking children out of school for holiday

London: A court has ruled that a mother of two, who was prosecuted for taking her two children out of school for five days to go to a UK holiday camp, does not have to pay the fine because the children's education is 'well up to standard.' Parents usually have to pay a fine of up to £120 per child if they take them out of school without the head teacher's permission.

Record price for a London flat

London: A private buyer has paid a record price for a flat in Britain by paying more than £140 million for a penthouse. The eastern European, thought to be Russian or Ukrainian, bought the west London property in a transaction that will ultimately see the flat’s value rise from £160 million to £175 million, about £10,000 per sq ft.

Fanatic planned to blow up mosques

London: A Hitler-obsessed fanatic in his SS cap and calling himself Adolf plotted to blow up mosques in his neighbourhood. According to a court hearing, Ian Forman made a list of mosques near his home which he referred to as his 'target.' He sat in his bedroom writing racist rants on the internet and making explosives which he hid under his bed. He appeared a respectable man, but had a deep hatred for Muslims.

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New Delhi: After Union urban development minister Kamal Nath joined NCP and National Conference in protesting against the last-gasp attempt to operationalize the judicial inquiry against BJP’s PM nominee, Congress on Monday appeared to have dropped the controversial idea of finding a judge to probe the Snoopgate charge against Narendra Modi.

Sources said Kamal Nath expressed strong reservations about the move to get a judge to head the probe, saying it would not serve any purpose. “Even if you find a judge, nothing is going to come of it except unnecessary controversy because the probe will be scrapped by the BJP if it comes to power,” a senior source quoted Nath as saying.

Kamal Nath said, “The matter of the appointment of judge has not reached the Cabinet yet. I will express my views when it is put up before us.”

Sources said the resistance from allies and the fear of the political cost of activating the probe when barely 10 days are left for the result of LS elections will make it difficult for the section in the government which was insisting on appointing a judge even at this stage.

“Only those who are politically naïve can persist with this kind of amateurish stubbornness,” said a UPA functionary as reservations spiked in Congress about move which BJP has slammed as vindictive and lacking in morality.

This could be end of Snoopgate as a politically sensitive weapon that Congress acquired against Modi in run-up to polls.

Congress heir apparent Rahul Gandhi has been raking up Snoopgate in his poll rallies, asking how women could trust Modi who orders illegal tapping of young girls and sets police after them in Gujarat.

Barma (Assam): In a spate of attacks by suspected tribal militants as the week-long general election re-opens ethnic divisions, security forces found the bodies of 34 Muslims in Assam last week. The violence in Assam stems from the friction over migration.

The dead included women and children.

Security forces rescued three children found nearby hiding in forests close to the border with Bhutan.

"Shoot-on-sight orders were issued to troops deployed in troubled areas," L R Bishnoi, inspector general of Assam's police, said.

Assam has a history of sectarian violence and armed groups fighting for greater autonomy or seces-

sion from India. Police suspect militants from the Bodo tribe were behind the latest attacks in a region where tension between ethnic Bodo people and Muslim settlers has simmered for years.

In 2012, clashes erupted in which dozens of people were killed and 400,000 fled their homes. Bodo representatives say many of the Muslims in Assam are illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh who encroach on ancestral Bodo lands.

Soldiers in convoys of trucks mounted with rifles were patrolling in Baksa district where some of the attacks took place. The general election, has exacerbated friction over migration in Assam.

Kedarnath: More than 1,000 devotees attended the portal opening ceremony of the Kedarnath shrine on Sunday in U t t a r a k h a n d ' s Rudraprayag district, nearly a year after the June 2013 flash floods that wiped out hundreds of lives besides damaging the centuries-old temple.

The devastating monsoon disaster had turned Kedarnath into a ghost town. Strong water currents carrying rocks and boulders had descended on the Kedarnath town and washed away anything that stood on its path.

Bodies littered around the shrine had made it worse for relief workers, last year.

But on Sunday, the Mandakini Valley echoed with Vedic chants in praise of Lord Shiva at about 6 am after the portals of the Kedarnath shrine were thrown open to pilgrims.

Located at an altitude of 3,581 metres, Kedarnath is considered as one of the holiest shrines by the Hindus. Sunday's enthusiastic turnout also triggered the hope of an early recovery of religious tourism in Uttarakhand.

Divya Sheela: Apart from the usual rituals this time, the pilgrims also offered prayers to a huge boulder that had got stuck behind the Kedarnath shrine and protected it from the ravages of the flash flood.

34 killed in Assam sectarian attack

Kedarnath opens doors to pilgrims

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

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Peace process in N Ireland will continue: Gerry Adams

London: Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said that peace process in Northern Ireland would continue because the “past is past.”

Following his release on police bail after four days in custody, Adams said that

there would be no return to the troubles of the 1970s and 1980s. He said that he had never hidden his previous support for the IRA but it would never be reformed.

“The IRA has gone,” he said. “It’s finished.”

London: Scientists believe that transfusions of young blood could reverse the ageing process and even cure Alzheimer’s disease.

Now scientists have found that young blood actually ‘recharges’ the brain, forms new blood vessels

and improves memory and learning.

In parallel research, scientists at Harvard University also discovered that a ‘youth protein’ which circulates in the blood is responsible for keeping the brain and muscles young and strong.

London: Fertility expert Lord Winston has warned that a growing market for fertility treatments could "threaten our humanity," including if the rich were able to pay for so-called 'de-

signer babies'. Lord Winston who developed key advancements in IVF treatment told fellow academics at a conference "we have been carried away" by breakthroughs in reproduction.

London: The Ryelands Primary School in Norwood, south London, has asked the children to line up according to their skin colour as part of a primary school lesson – with one boy later picked

on because he was said to be the 'blackest'. Parents said they were shocked at this practice. Mother of one child said that the children would laugh at the child who was picked as the blackest.

London: Stephen Sutton, a teenager, who has raised more than £3 million after chronicling his cancer fight, has been attacked by internet users who accused him of exaggerating his illness. Sutton, 19, who has incurable bowel cancer, has raised almost £3.2 million for the

Teenage Cancer Trust after his plight touched the hearts of people around the world. But after he updated his Facebook page to tell followers that he felt ‘fortunate’ to have the chance to go home, he was attacked by internet users who accused him of exaggerating his illness.

London: The National Association of Head Teachers has warned that schools across Britain are likely to have been targeted in an alleged Islamist plot to take over classrooms. The association said it had found “concerted efforts” to infiltrate at least six schools in

Birmingham.

The acknowledgement came following a series of exposes which disclosed how a “Trojan Horse” plot in Birmingham had put schools under pressure illegally to segregate classrooms and change teaching to reflect radical Islamic beliefs.

London: A video on some Muslims singing and dancing through the streets to the tunes of Pharrell Williams has sparked a heated debate among the community.

Conservatives are outraged. The video, they fume, is haram (forbid-

den). Music is prohibited

by Islam, they say, as is the wanton mixing of men and women depicted in the video. A rival version claiming to be halal soon appeared, in which the women’s appearances were cut, though this has been taken down.

London: A report has revealed that many pensioners see their TV as their main form of company.

According to a survey, one in 10 people over the age of 65 often or always

feel lonely. One in eight said they felt cut off from society and 30% said they would like to go out more often. Of the 2,000 UK adults surveyed, 37% said their TV is their main form of company.

Young blood may reverse ageing

Warning against fertility treatments

Children told to line up according to skin colour

Youth attacked over collecting money for cancer treatment

Islamic bid to infiltrate schools in Britain

Video sparks heated debate among Muslims

TV giving company to pensioners

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

HEALTH STOP

Health & Wellness

Eat more green tomatoes for muscular body

ll of us love to eat red tomatoes, but green A tomatoes may hold the

answer to bigger, stronger muscles. Natural compound from green tomatoes stimulates muscle growth, improves muscle strength and endurance and protects against muscle wasting, research reveals.

A team of University of Iowa scientists has now discovered that tomatidine, a compound from green tomatoes, is even more potent for building muscle and protecting against muscle atrophy.

"Muscle atrophy causes many problems for people, their families, and the health care system in general. Exercise certainly helps, but it is not enough and not very possible for many people who are ill

or injured," said Christopher Adams, an associate professor of internal medicine and molecular physiology and biophysics.

Muscle atrophy, or wasting, is caused by aging and a variety of illnesses and injuries, including cancer, heart failure, and orthopaedic injuries, to name a few.

It makes people weak and fatigued, impairs physical activity and quality of life, and predisposes people to falls and fractures. Adams and his team zeroed in on tomatidine using a systems biology tool called the Connectivity Map. Adams discovered that tomatidine generates changes in gene expression that are essentially opposite to the changes that occur in muscle cells when people

5 reasons why you should eat pineapples

Pineapple is one of the most delicious fruits which also packs in quite a nutritional punch. Here are some of the benefits of pineapple: Improves your immunity: Eating pineapple can improve your immunity as it is highly rich in Vitamin C. A strong immune system will keep most diseases and infections at bay, ensuring that you don’t fall ill.

Strengthens your bones: Pineapple is extremely good for your bones as it contains manganese, an ingredient that is vital for the healthy development of your bones.

Good for diabetics: Diabetics who are frustrated about not being able to indulge in sweets can find some comfort in eating small amounts of

To Our Readers

We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement it. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

pineapple. It has a medium GI meaning that it does not cause a spike in your blood sugar levels quickly. That said, make sure you don’t eat too much of the fruit and indulge in healthier alternatives like peas and lentils.

Prevents acidity: Pineapple is a source of a digestive enzyme called bromelain which helps neutralize the acids in your stomach thus preventing acidity. It also contains some amount of fibre which helps clear the food stuck in your colon.

Gives you glowing skin: The antioxidants present in pineapple help prevent signs of ageing like wrinkles and fine lines. Additionally, it has Vitamin C which helps in the production collagen, a protein that helps grow new skin. Read about more foods you can eat for glowing skin.

You may also try these tasty recipes made using pineapple: Pineapple basundi; Apple and pineapple smoothie; Cabbage and pineapple salad.

are affected by muscle atrophy. After identifying tomatidine, Adams and his team tested its effects on skeletal muscle.

They first discovered that tomatidine stimulates growth of cultured muscle cells from humans.

Their next step was to add tomatidine to the diet of mice. They found that healthy mice supplemented with tomatidine grew bigger muscles, became stronger and could exercise longer. And, most importantly, they found that tomatidine prevented and treated muscle atrophy.

"Interestingly,

although mice fed tomatidine had larger muscles, their overall body weight did not change due to a corresponding loss of fat, suggesting that the compound may also have potential for treating obesity," Adams noted.

"Green tomatoes are safe to eat in moderation.

But we still do not know how many green tomatoes a person would need to eat to get a dose of tomatidine similar to what we gave the mice. We are working hard to answer this," Adam explained.

Sugar intake may raise your risk of heart attack

Here is some bad news for people who have a sweet tooth and are extremely fond of sugary items.

Researchers have suggested that high intake of sugar in any form be it soft drinks, candies or chocolates increases the chances of developing heart problems.

The research conducted by JAMA Internal Medicine, suggests that consuming foods that are rich in sugar like fizzy drinks, cakes, chocolates, juices etc. not just lead to weight gain but also puts you at the risk of developing heart problems.

The researchers undertook a study in which they studied sugar consumption of 10,000 people in the US and also rates of heart-related problems and death rates. The results depicted that the higher the sugar consumption by an individual, the more are

27

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Turn the clock back reverse the signs of aging?

Sushma Bhanot Pharmacist, Ayurvedic and Homeopathic Consultant, Lecturer and Author. Heads Research and Development at Coolherbals

Human beings have always strived to look and stay younger. The quest to remain youthful has been around for centuries, from using fruit extracts to the most up to date skincare containing items such as collagen and skin analysis.

No wonder the antiaging business is a multibillion pound business.

Irene, a retired 65 year old woman, wondered if there was anything that could be done for her dry wrinkled skin. She had used different skin products at home and facials but since the problem was under her skin, in the dermis, nothing was really working. We suggested she used the innovative Dermal Roller treatment. She could do this at a salon or use a home kit.

“It was nothing like I had ever had before. I rolled this roller device with 192 needles over my face. But the needles were tiny and when rolled over the skin I did not feel anything other than a bit of a tingling effect, “said Irene. After a few days, my skin was radiant and glowing, the lines looked much less, people wondered why I looked so well!”

In fact what happens is that the Dermal Roller causes pinpoint punctures. This pushes the pores to open temporarily.

This allows Ingredients to work under the skin. We recommend Collagen Serums in anti-aging or concentrated Neem Creams for people with problem or acne-prone

skin.

The body responds by initiating the healing process by releasing growth factors and triggering the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.

The body quickly regenerates and repairs the skin working below the dermis. It is possible for the skin to look red initially but this normally goes after a few hours.

You may have to use the treatment continuously for a few weeks to months.

The Dermal roller treatment can be used for skin rejuvenation, anti-wrinkle, sun damage, hyper pigmentation, scarring, stretch marks, hair loss and for anti-cellulite. More information is available for home and salon treatments at: www.coolherbals.com.

Before

After

Are there any anti-aging foods?

Yes in Ayurveda we call these the Super 8 antiaging foods.

Increase these foods to fight off aging free radicals: G Leafy greens and salads G Apricots G Berries G Olive oil G Salmon G Tomatoes G Avocado G Almonds Are there any natural anti-aging skincare products?

Yes. Ayurvedic and western herbs have been used for centuries in skin care. They have the advantage that harsh chemicals are not used.

Look out for ingredients such as Gopichand Clay, Neem, Brahmi, Apricot and Papaya.

To receive a free information guide on the Dermal Roller Treatment and other anti-aging treatments or for free tips on how to look younger email info@coolherbals.com.

Where can I find out about more about Anti-Aging?

Come and meet us at the Anti-Aging Show at Olympia May 11th/ 12th.

Visit the Coolherbals Stand No. D1- mention Asian Voice and receive a free luxury hand massager.

28

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

Good days are ahead for Rajinikanth's ‘Lingaa’ launched Dhansika T

amil actress Dhansika, who is desperately looking for a hit movie to resurrect her sagging career, believes the secret to success in film industry is personality and performance. She is confident that she has good days ahead of her. "I waited for meaty roles, had a hit-and-miss session in terms of films I've worked in, but my commitment nevertheless was the same. I'm sure my good days are ahead and I'm sure of succeeding," Dhansika said in a statement. Having been raved for her performances in films such as “Paradesi” and “Aravaan,” Dhansika is yet to register a hit in her career. When the Tamil girl was quizzed how does she keep herself motivated, her immediate response was, "I'm an ardent devotee of Baba and Vaishno Devi. Regular visits to these shrines infuse courage and confidence in me spiritually and morally."

L

T

amil superstar Rajinikanth starrer Kollywood's forthcoming film “Lingaa” has started its shooting in Chamundi Hills, Mysore, Karnataka. The whole set of Lingaa's team has graced the launch. The movie, directed by Tamil's maverick film maker KS Ravikumar will see Bollywood diva Sonakshi Sinha and South lass Anushka Shetty opposite Rajinikanth. AR Rahman is scoring the music for the film, which is touted be an out and out action entertainer.

Samantha celebrates birthday on the sets

I

t's 27th birthday celebration for South lass Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The actress, who is currently busy with the shooting of Tamil flick “Kaththi” celebrated her birthday on the movie's sets.

It was graced by the film's team including the director, lead actor and all the technicians. In Kaththi, Samanth is paired opposite Tamil superstar Ilayathalapathy Vijay. The movie, which is in its production stage is being directed by Kollywood's ace filmmaker AR Murugodoss.

We enjoy Rajini jokes, says his wife

atha Rajinikanth, a film producer, singer and philanthropist evidently has a lot more to her than just being superstar Rajinikanth’s wife. However, when you get the rare chance to meet the 54-year-old, you can’t stop thinking about all those epic jokes on the 63-year-old actor. Yes, she has heard them.

“We get to know of everything that happens around him on social media,” Latha smiles, adding, “I take it very positively. I don’t think those are jokes, those are tributes by his fans to his greatness. They attribute grandness and greatness to him, and it’s very kind of the people.” She further says that the “love we have got is divine blessing”.

And, the entire family enjoys the jokes over dinner. “People send something or the other to us on Rajini. We read it to each other and enjoy it and share laughs. It’s very creative and imaginative of people to treat him like that,” she says. Her favourite joke on him?

“I don’t remember, there are so many!”

‘Mastram’

Mastram is a "fictional biography" film directed by Akhilesh Jaiswal starring Kapil Dubey and Rahul Bagga.

The film is about a reluctant pornographic writer who aspires to be a litterateur, is inspired by the anonymous author of popular pulp fiction and sex stories in Hindi, only known as Mastram. These books sold at railway station stalls and small roadside and pavement shops in North India through the 1980s and 90s. Jaiswal who was the screenwriter for films like “Gangs of Wasseypur”, makes his directorial debut with the film.

‘Hawaa Hawaai’

It is a Bollywood film directed by Amole

‘Yeh Hai Bakrapur’

It is a social satire set against the back-

Gupte. The film features Partho Gupte and Saqib Saleem. The film is produced

by Fox Star Studios. The film is a commercial entertainer, and a tribute to people who dare to dream. Saqib Saleem is playing role of a skating coach in the film. The director Amol Gupte has composed and sung one song for the movie.

Rest of the songs were by Hitesh Sonik.

‘Koyelaanchal’

It is film produced and directed by Ashu Trikha, starring Vinod Khanna, Suniel Shetty, Vipinno and Roopali Krishnarao.

“Koyelaanchal” unveils itself through

Saryu Bhan Singh (Vinod Khanna), an ex-owner turned Mafioso of the region, who through his sheer brutality & blatant defiance of law of the land, forces the people & the authorities to acknowledge him as their ‘maalik’. Any protest, any voice of dissent against him is dealt with spine chilling violence of epic proportions. Things get a bit difficult for Saryu Bhan Singh when an upright district collector Nisheeth Kumar (Suniel Shetty) takes charge of the region and starts asking him questions that no one dared ask him before.

drop of rural India. A multi-layered film, it is based on the complex belief systems that prevail in Indian society and the conflicts that ensue thereon. The film's story revolves around the family of the Qureshis and their pet goat.

Circumstances result in the goat acquiring rock star status in his village and beyond. Soon enough, people are fighting for a piece of the live goat, named Shaik Asif. A rollicking climax ensues that provides the perfect finale to the mayhem that preceded.

29

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

Sangeeta Bijlani to make Priyanka charms a comeback Hollywood S heavyweights! angeeta Bijlani who left acting in 1997, will make a comeback with Onir’s ambitious project titled “Shab.” Confirming this, Onir, who will be directing a film after a gap of three years after “I AM,” says that Sangeeta Bijlani would be in one of the lead roles. “Rest of the cast will be finalised by the first week of May as presently I am in talks with the actors. I shall be introducing a new girl and a new boy in the film, which will also have a French actor and a known actor who will be paired opposite Bijlani,” says Onir, adding that the shooting of the film, set in Delhi, will start in June.

Talking about selecting Sangeeta, the director says, “I saw her at a fashion show and liked the way she carried herself. I was looking for someone like her, someone who is a fashion diva from Delhi, yet has a vulnerable look. And Sangeeta has both. I noticed that when she really dresses up, she can look cold and very proud. But when she removes her make up, she can look very vulnerable. When I told her that I want her in my film, she was actually very surprised. I told her ‘you read the script but I am serious’.”

ollywood actresssinger Priyanka B Chopra, who was recently

in Tampa, Florida for the IIFA event, managed to charm Hollywood heavyweights Kevin Spacey (of American Beauty fame), John Travolta (of Saturday Night Fever fame) and Heroes heart-throb Milo Ventimiglia, who will be seen in Priyanka's third single “I Can't Make You Love Me.” Milo, who just couldn't stop gushing about PeeCee, said, "I've always admired the vibrancy and depth of Bollywood films, so working with Priyanka was an amazing and enriching experience. She had such a clear and unique vision for the video, so it was really cool to see each of those moments come to life in the form of a mini movie. Her passion, talent, and beauty are inspiring, how could I not fall in love with her."

Both Travolta and Kevin Spacey seemed charmed by Priyanka and while the former claimed to be blown away by her second single 'Exotic', the latter declared that he would love to work with the actress in a film someday.

Priyanka, who had recently teamed up with Bryan Adams for a brand's photo-shoot and Adams, who seemed to be bowled over by the 'Desi Girl', gushed, "Priyanka is down to earth and funny and really made me laugh. We had a great time working together on the campaign. Collaborating with Priyanka would be interesting. I'd be happy to try and write a song for her.

Maybe for a Bollywood film...who knows."

Sunny Leone to star in sex comedy ‘Mastizaade’ unny Leone has signed Milap Zaveri's directorial venture S “Mastizaade.” Looks like, the title is

inspired by Masti and Ishaqzaade.

What's more? The adult star turned Bollywood actor is called Laila Lele in the film. So what's Mastizaade all about? The film is a 'mad, naughty, sex comedy', according to the production house.

Sunny is excited about the film. "I'm super happy about my character Laila Lele because this is an avatar that no one has seen me act in to date. Laila Lele is racy, sexy, sharp and knows exactly how to shake things up! I hope my fans are ready for me and the cast to make them laugh throughout this film," says Sunny.

The movie will have two male leads and will be co-written by Milap Zaveri and Mushtaq Sheikh of “Om Shanti Om” fame. “Mastizaade” goes on floors this August.

Deepika, Ranbir, Aamir, Kangana snapped together

eepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Aamir D Khan and Kangana Ranaut

were snapped together at the NDTV Indian of the Year awards.

Deepika, who will be seen sharing the screen space with superstar Rajinikanth in “Kochadaiiyaan,” said that she now knows what films to do and what actors to work with. “I didn’t expect that I will be winning so many awards for these films. I was never worried about my failures rather I

learnt from them. I realised my strength and weaknesses during the low phase of my career. I also understood what films to do and whom to work with,” Deepika said at the function where she won the Entertainer of the Year Award. The selfie taken at the function starred Ranbir Kapoor taking the photo, Deepika Padukone, Kangana Ranaut, Soundarya Rajinikanth, Aamir Khan, Prannoy Roy, Vikram Chandra and Nidhi Razdan.

Dia Mirza gets engaged to Sahil Sangha

B

ollywood actress Dia Mirza finally got engaged to her l o n g t i m e boyfriend and business partner Sahil Sangha. Dia, who along with Sahil was in Tampa Bay for the recently concluded IIFA awards, posted a photo of theirs on a microsite blogging declaring their engagement.

"Officially engaged :) #NYC," posted Mirza. The couple is likely to tie the knot later this year.

Actress strips due to Mumbai heat

N

i k i t a Gokhale, who will make her debut in the Marathi film industry, has not been able to tackle the heat it seems.

Presently residing in Mumbai, this model from Nagpur, is thinking about taking off her clothes before sleeping. The actress said, "Compared to Nagpur, Mumbai is not that hot. I actually, sleep with clothes on, but if it gets worse, I would have to think otherwise.

For now, I chill at a park if the electricity goes off. As I am not able to tolerate the heat." The actress had recently done a nude photoshoot to send pictures for 'Playboy' magazine of Hugh Heffner.

Sussanne gets custody of sons

T

h e final hearing o f Hrithik Roshan a n d Sussanne K h a n , who officially filed for divorce at a family court in Mumbai, will take place on October 31. And reports suggest that the custody of their children Hridaan and Hrehaan will be given to Sussanne. Lawyer Dipesh Mehta revealed that Hrithik and Sussanne have filed for divorce by mutual consent. The counsellor has submitted the report and the next hearing will take place on October 31. The custody of their kids has been awarded to Sussanne.

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Swaminarayan Skydivers raise £20,000 for local Hospice

Parents criticise school for 'inappropriate exercise' Teachers in a South East London school, Ryelands Primary School have been criticised for allegedly telling a class of 30 children to 'organise themselves from the darkest to the lightest'. The year six children between 10 and 11 and school bosses said the exercise which took place last Wednesday helped them learn about ethnic diversity.

But parents were shocked when they heard

The community at the newly established Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury continued its charity drive with 16 members taking to the skies in an adventurous sky dive at Hinton Airfield, Northants.

An incredible £20,000 has been raised in support of St Luke’s Hospice. The hospice is a local charity caring for residents and families in Brent and Harrow, whose illnesses are no longer curable, and has been serving society for over 65years. Bharat Pindoria, one of the skydivers, said “I would really like to thank all my friends and family who have donated to a great charity who are doing incredible work serving the local community”.

He went on to say: “It was a fantastic once in a lifetime experience. The

exhilaration when we jumped out of the aircraft at over 13,000 feet was exceptional. I would like to thank my son Kushil who encouraged me to do the jump” This is only one of the many charitable endeavours that has recently earned the Mandir a Civic Award from the London Borough of Barnet.

In the lead up to the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury Grand Opening festival taking place in August 2014, the community is aiming to inspire locals around their new home in Kingsbury to take part in a range of charity efforts that it is organising.

To find out more about the organisation, the festival in August or to sign up to one of the charity events, visit www.SwaminarayanGadi .com/london

about the day's lesson.

They criticised the exercise as 'highly inappropriate' and said one pupil ended up being picked on because of his skin colour.

Ryelands Primary School in South Norwood was inspected by Ofsted in February and placed in special measures after being rated as inadequate.

It was taken over by Oasis Community Learning and recently became an academy.

Coming Events

l Saturday 10 May, 7pm, Grooming for Abuse and Exploitation Seminar at Shree KS Swaminarayan Temple, St. Margaret's Grove, Plumstead, SE18 7RL. Contact: Ramesh Kanji, 07717750805 l 108 Satnarayan Katha, Sunday 18 May at Cardiff Sanatan Mandir. Coach available.

Contact: 0208 676 4411 l Sun 11th May 2014, 3pm, Bhajans by Shree Budhdevbhai and Shree Manubhai Kotak and visiting Artists at Adhya Shakti Mataji Temple, Cowley, UB8 2DZ. Contact: 07882 253 540 l Shri Bhuvneshwari Mahotsav on 18 May, 11am,

by Malawi Shiv satsamg Mandal UK at Ramgarhia Sikh Community Centre, Neville Road, London E7 9QN. Contact: 01708448259 l Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, W1K1HF. Friday 9 May: Dance Anubhava- a divine experience, Thursday 15 May 6:15- Indo-British Collaboration in Cinema in UK (1930-51).

Contact: 020 7491 3567 l Launch of CSN Midlands by City Hindus Network, 15 May, 6:30pm-10pm at Radisson Blu Hotel, The Lunar Suite, B'ham B11BT. http://www.citysikhs.org.uk

Missing terror suspect wins Court of Appeal battle Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed, 27, a missing terror suspect who fled in a burkha, who has won a significant Court of Appeal battle over the use of secret evidence in antiterrorism cases.

Mohammed's whereabouts are currently

unknown after he left a mosque in Acton, west London, disguised as a woman in a burqa last November. He gained his legal victory with the assistance of legal aid, but is said to have received al Qaida-linked terrorist training in 2008.

Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Editorial Executive: Tanveer Mann Tel: 020 7749 4010 - Email: tanveer.mann@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Freelance Correspondent: Rudy Otter Chief Operating Officer: 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 Chief Accountant: Akshay Desai Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email:accounts@abplgroup.com Business Manager: Alka Shah Tel: 020 7749 4002 - Mobile: 07944 151 893 Email: alka.shah@abplgroup.com Advertising Manager: Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Business Development Managers: Rovin J George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 - Mobile: 07875 229 219 Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Graphic Designers: 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. 207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad.

Tel / Fax: +91 79 2646 5960 Bureau Chief: Nilesh Parmar (M) +91 94266 36912 Email: nilesh.parmar@abplgroup.com

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

This week seems to be jam-packed with activity. The powerful Venus in your solar 1st house and Mars factor not only encourages amorous attachment but will bring luck and recognition to those involved in artistic endeavours and entertainments - this is a great time of opportunity.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

Amorous affairs continue to be highlighted whether or not this leads to a lasting relationship depends much on your own personal maturity and circumstances. Efforts to restructure and transform your lifestyle are more likely to meet with success.

Experience you have built up in the past will now stand you in good stead.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

Sun's transit of your 12th Solar House indicates that experience will put you in a deeply reflective mood. This is a good time to get away and seek a retreat for a few days. All the better if you are interested in such things as meditation, yoga and therapies that help you to get in closer touch with your inner self.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

You will feel energetic and confident as the week begins. 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. Professional and financial pressures will begin to ease.

You may find yourself hard at work behind the scenes, although that may not be apparent to others. You may find yourself caught up in a whirlwind of activity, with opportunities to advance on both the inner and outer level. There’s a sparkle to your social life simply by being in touch with other people.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

Life appears to be focusing your mind on practical matters. So you will need to organise your time carefully if you are to avoid an "all work and no play" situation. Resist making any hasty moves when it come to finances - this is a time to focus on consolidation of current assets rather than attempting to make any new investments.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

Your urge towards greater freedom and independence is very strongly accentuated. In intimate affairs, the prospect appears entirely favourable. In work matters you can expect a progressive phase. Efforts to bring about desirable changes in your working life are more likely to be positive.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

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Strengthen close ties of affection, sort out emotional differences and proffer the olive branch to your loved one. You often sabotage your emotional interests by keeping too much inside. However, your inner pressure builds up and manifests as irrational moods that others find hard to understand.

Although there are very intense amorous energies indicated in your chart, the trouble is that these are likely to be marred by feelings of jealousy.

Do not therefore dabble in anything that could harbour such negative potential, as it is bound to end in heartache. Existing emotional differences can be sorted out now.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

You will probably have little cause to complain this week. Expect everything to run smoothly and luck to attend your efforts. However, underneath this positive surface you may be plagued by a feeling of restlessness. Try to strike a balance between material and emotional affairs !

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

Jupiter's transit in your solar 6th house, you will find it easy to do well at work and rise to great heights. During this transit you will enjoy robust health and find physical activities very enjoyable.

Plan your spending and set sensible budgets to reach your financial goals.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

If you're currently romantically involved, your lover could well go from strength to strength in the area of passion. The work that you are involved with at this time is likely to demand a great deal of energy and initiative from you. This will also involve a lot of moving around and a need to establish a wider network of contacts.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

SPORT WORLD

31

Busy time for Leicestershire county cricket club

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

It is a busy time for Leicestershire CCC as the county season gets underway. There have been plenty of friendlies, including matches between players at the Club. Competition for places was strong and players prepared well for the first LV=CC game of the season at Kent. The first four-day game of the campaign was against Glamorgan on Sunday, April 27 which was drawn.

Jigar Naik, Shiv Thakor and Ramnaresh Sarwan: Leicestershire have the reputation of producing local cricketers and Jigar Naik and Shiv Thakor are special talents at the club. Jigar and Shiv are Leicester-born Asian cricketers who play a big

Jigar Naik role at Grace Road. Jigar is an off-spinner who trained with England Lions over the winter while Shiv is an all-rounder who has played for England under 19s.

West Indies star Ramnaresh Sarwan is again playing for Leicestershire. This is the

Shiv Thakor third season that Ramnaresh has been with Leicestershire. He had a distinguished career for the West Indies in which he averaged over 40 in test matches and ODIs. He is a respected cricketer and has made a big impact at Leicestershire CCC.

miles (130 km).

Kavita Ladwa, wife She will be of Vipun Ladwa and seeking support mother of two, will from everybody be undertaking a three –day bike ride so that she can from London to make a big conParis for a charity. tribution to the Solicitor Kavita will charity – Phase be the first Gujarati Wo r l d w i d e women to take up ( w w w. p h a s e this challenge from Kavita Ladwa worldwide.org), 23rd May. Earlier she did which works with isolated free fall from a plane above communities in Himalayan 32,000 feet and also ran areas of Nepal for supporthalf marathon in Sheffield. ing health, education and On the first day she will livelihood in some of the ride for 57 miles (or 117 remotest communities in km), second day 49 miles the world. Your contribu(78 km) and third day 81 tions can be made through

Virgin Money Giving.

Contributions worth £10 pays for a health education session such as safe water, sanitation, and nutrition; £15 buys the materials to build a toilet; £25 pays for the delivery of a baby to be attended by a skilled health worker; £100 buys a set of dental equipment for the health post and £250 pays the salary of a health worker for a month. Kavita seeks wholehearted support from all for this noble cause.

To contribute please go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KavitaLadva

India game: Indian team will be visiting England in 2014 and will play a three-day match with Leicestershire from June 26 to 28. The threeday game against India will be a fantastic exhibition of cricket. The tourists will field a strong side given that it is one of only two warm-up matches before the first test against England.

Tickets will be valued at £10 for Leicestershire Adult members and £5 for Charlie Fox members.

Non-members will be charged £25 and £20 for adults, and £12.50 and £10 for under 16s.

Tickets can be purchased online: https://ticketing-lccc.crm-

porium.com/match-tickets.aspx or by calling 0116 283 2128.

Natwest T20 Blast: Leicestershire Foxes have a proud T20 history and is only county to have won the competition three times! Derbyshire arrive at Grace Road for the first group game of the newlook Natwest T20 Blast tournament on May 16. It is one of seven home matches for Josh Cobb’s men in 2014, with five of them in the popular Friday night slot. With great food and drink available and a fantastic live band and late bar after the action finishes, you can enjoy a full evening’s entertainment at Grace Road.

Be part of the unique

atmosphere at Grace Road by securing your advance tickets for the reduced price of £15 for adults and just £1 for under 16s.

Adult tickets can be purchased online: https://ticketing-lccc.crmporium.com/match-tickets.aspx or by calling 0116 283 2128.

It's the best value sporting entertainment in Leicester and don't worry about the weather either, as although we can't guarantee sunshine, there is a full refund policy (less admin fee) in place for all of our games - just click here for more details: h t t p : / / w w w. l e i c e s t e r shireccc.co.uk/lc/Member s h i p -Ti c k e t s / Re f u n d Policy-2014

paw three times to earn one-sided scores of 117106, 119-104, 119-104 on the judges’ cards. The margin of the win reflect-

ed Khan’s utter dominance, with one of the three judges giving Collazo two rounds and the other two giving him none.

Battle over, the 27-year-old turned his attention to his career dream: f i g h t i n g Mayweather.

“Floyd should fight me next,” Khan, who earned $1.5 million (£890,000) for his night’s work, said.

Riding bike from London to Paris for charity Amir Khan seeks to fight with Mayweather

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Amir Khan demanded a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jnr, the world’s No 1 boxer, after the Briton scored a landslide 12round unanimous points victory over Luis Collazo at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Khan answered his critics with a performance of maturity, dropping the awkward south-

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SPORT

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IPL Results of 7 matches played from 30th April to 05thMay Match Date 1 30 April

2

2 May

3

3 May

4

3 May

5

4 May

6

5 May

7

5 May

Teams SRH v/s MI at Dubai SRH won by 15 runs Brief scores: SRH 172/5 (20 overs); MI 157/7 (20 overs) CSK v/s KKR at Ranchi CSK won by 34 runs Brief scores: CSK 148/3 (17 overs); KKR 114/9 (17 overs) KXIP v/s MI at Mumbai MI won by 5 wickets Brief scores: MI 170/5 (19.1 overs); KXIP 168/5 (20 overs) DD v/s RR at Delhi RR won by 7 wickets Brief scores: RR 156/3 (18.3 overs); DD 152/5 (20 overs) SRH v/s RCB at Bangalore RCB won by 4 wickets Brief scores: RCB 158/6 (19.5 overs); MI 155/6 (20 overs) RR v/s KKR at Ahmedabad RR won by 10 runs Brief scores: RR 170/6 (20 overs); KKR 160/6 (20 overs) DD v/s CSK at Abu Dhabi CSK won by 8 wickets Brief scores: CSK 181/2 (19.4 overs); DD 178/5 (20 overs)

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 10th May 2014

Victory for Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings scored an easy victory over Delhi Daredevils while Rajasthan Royals derailed Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL matches played at Ferozeshah Kotla in Delhi and Ahmedabad respectively.

Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Ahmedabad: Three wickets in one over by Shane Watson followed by a hattrick by Pravin Tambe in the next derailed Kolkata Knight Riders in their chase of 170 against Rajasthan Royals on Monday. From a winning position, KKR crashed to a 10-run loss which left the skipper Gautam Gambhir fuming.

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KKR’s best opening partnership in this IPL 121 in 14.1 overs between Gambhir and Robin Uthappa - took them to a position of strength. It was around this time that Watson came back to bowl his third over. Gambhir, who rode his luck on a couple of occasions, departed trying to be a bit more adventurous. Two balls later, Uthappa was deceived by a slower one and ended up flicking a simple catch to square leg.

And when Andre Russell played all over a slower one to be bowled in the same over, panic had set in the KKR camp. On the first ball of the next over, Tambe sent back Manish Pandey, stumped by keeper Sanju Samson off a wide down the leg. Tambe then held a sharp return catch offered

by Yusuf Pathan and then got Ryan ten Doeschate, playing his first match, plumb in front. Six wickets in eight deliveries left KKR reeling and despite Surya Kumar Yadav and Shakib Al Hasan’s fight, Watson’s brilliant last over won it for Teams CSK KXIP RR RCB KKR SRH DD MI

the Royals. KKR’s desperate attempts to put their wobbly campaign on track again received a jolt. They replaced Jacques Kallis with Doeschate and Piyush Chawla with Umesh Yadav but both failed miserably.

Earlier, Royals’ top four paced their innings so well that they consistently maintained a run rate of eight.

When Watson pressed on the pedal and plundered 19 runs in the 16th bowled by Vinay Kumar, they looked like nearing the 200-run mark.

But Sunil Narine sent back Sanju Samson and Watson in two overs to stem the flow. Kumar then picked up two during the closing stages to stop Royals at 170-6. Delhi Daredevils vs Chennai Super Kings at Delhi: The West Indian opener Dwayne Smith scored 79 runs with eight sixes on the small Kotla ground to set up an eightwicket win for Chennai Super Kings against Delhi Daredevils. Smith looked completely unflustered during the chase of 178

cruising to his fifty off 38 balls with two fours and six sixes - three of them in the same over off left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat.

CSK were once again given a brilliant start by Smith and Brendon McCullum (32, 35b, 5x4) and IPL-7’s most successful opening pair put on 82 this time around.

Although the run-rate was touching close to 11 an over by the time Suresh Raina (47 n.o., 27b, 6x4, 1x6) walked into the middle, there wasn’t a hint of concern. Raina and Smith raised the 50 of their second wicket stand in just 26 balls – keeping up the required run-rate as Delhi attack was helpless in front of the onslaught. Smith almost settled the game in the 18th over itself when he smashed 4,6,4 off Mohammad Shami’s last three balls.

Earlier, ill-luck just dogged the Daredevils through their entire batting innings, but a late onslaught by JP Duminy and Kedar Jadhav carried them to 178/5.

Indian Premier League 2014 Points Table (5 / 05 / 2014) Match 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6

Won 6 5 5 3 2 2 2 1

Lost 1 1 2 3 5 4 5 5

Tied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

NRR 1.06 1.04 0.48 -0.14 -0.21 -0.52 -0.96 -0.73

Points 12 10 10 6 4 4 4 2

Mark Ramprakash eyeing Graham Gooch’s post

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Mark Ramprakash, the England Lions batting coach on their successful tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year, has emerged as a prime candidate to succeed Graham Gooch, who was sacked last week.

Ramprakash, who has worked in the media and as Middlesex’s batting coach on a part-time basis

Mark Ramprakash

since retiring from Surrey in 2012, scored 114 firstclass centuries. In his 52 Tests, however, he averaged 27. The decision about Gooch’s successor will be made by England’s new head coach Peter Moores in consultation with Cook and the new assistant coach Paul Farbrace.