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County Council Election results shock UK's ethnic population see page 2

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VOL 42. ISSUE 2

Yet another scam rocks UPA govt

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11th May to 17th May 2013

London celebrates Vaisakhi

Sarabjit Singh given a hero’s farewell

After series of scams like 2G, CWG, Adarsh, Coalgate and chopper, the latest one to hit the Manmohan Singh government is the railway bribery scam in which railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal’s nephew

Railway minister’s nephew arrested for fixing top post for Rs 100 mn bribe

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has been arrested for taking bribes for fixing a key appointment in the Railway Board. Bansal has washed his hands off his nephew and key political aide. But he failed to secure an ‘all clear” from the Congress leadership reeling under a spate of scams and controversies.

Continued on page 26

Sizzling music from Punjabi and Bhangra artists kicked off the Vaisakhi Festival in Trafalgar Square on Sunday 5 May. A highlight of the capital's celebrations for the Sikh New Year, all Londoners were

invited to the free event, which included live music and entertainment.

Vaisakhi is celebrated by 20 million people across the world and is the holiest day in the Sikh calendar. Backed by the Mayor of London, the cel-

ebrations in Trafalgar Square are an opportunity for people of all faiths and backgrounds to experience Sikh culture, which practises equality and respect for all religions.

Continued on page 7

The mortal remains of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh, who died after being brutally assaulted in a Pakistani jail, were consigned to flames in his village Bhikhiwind with full state honours amid emotional scenes. Even as

Sarabjit was virtually proclaimed a martyr, with the Punjab government deciding to accord him a funeral with “full state honours” and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declaring him a Continued on page 26

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

Keith Vazwith MP

Keith Vaz MP

Lyn Brown MP

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

I think the number of obstacles you face and overcome make you a stronger and wiser politician.

Lyn has been the Member of Parliament for the West Ham constituency in Newham, East London since 2005. Lyn grew up in Newham and went on to study English Literature and Religion at what is now Roehampton University. After three years studying and a year as President of the Student Union, Lyn returned to Newham where she still lives.

Before her election as Member of Parliament for West Ham, Lyn had a long career in local government. She worked for the London Borough of Waltham Forest for a number of years and, in 1988, was elected as a local councillor in the London Borough of Newham, continuing to sit on Newham Council until her election as Member of Parliament. She was re-elected as Member of Parliament for West Ham in the 2010 General Election.

1) What inspired you to stand for Parliament?

Tony Banks announced his retirement in 2004 and, having served the community of Newham for 18 years as a councillor, I hoped I would be well placed to understand the needs and aspirations of the community and serve them well as their MP. 2) What are your proudest achievements in politics?

As a Councillor I was “hands on” with responsibility for new and award winning libraries, leisure and arts centres, sports activity – all very tangible services. It’s not the same as an MP. I get my greatest joy from solving problems for constituents, but my most proud moment was the Sustainable Communities Bill, which would not have become law without me.

3) Please tell me about your current position?

I am a Senior Whip for the Opposition. The job of Whip is mainly an HR and political organisation role, a job I love.

7) And the worst?

When I am finding it very difficult to help someone who is in desperate need.

8) What are your long term goals?

I would like to serve the community of West Ham and continue to play an active part in the political life of Westminster.

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

John Denham, an MP who gave up his Ministerial post to vote against the Iraq war and who, when he came back into a front bench position, took me as his PPS – he taught me loads (but don’t tell him!).

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

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

The satisfaction I get when we have a win for a constituent.

Desmond Tutu: not only is he a wise and educated man, but he has a wicked sense of humour!

9) If you were Secretary General of the United Nations, what one aspect would you change?

If I were Secretary General of the UN I would do all I could to see the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals.

County Council Election results shock UK's ethnic population by everybody, attacked by the entire establishment who did their best to stop ordinary decent people going out and voting UKIP, and they have done in big, big numbers”. In a poll that questioned 800 Conservative members shortly following the elections on Friday, 34 percent said that they would “seek to form a pact with the UKIP at the next general election” in fear of losing to Labour, and another third said they would wait

Anti immigration party gains public confidence Sunetra Senior The most interesting trend in the recent county council elections, was the shocking amount of Conservative votes that were lost to the unlikely suspect of the UKIP, a party which Cameron had previously dismissed as “fruitcakes” and Kenneth Clarke had called “clowns”.

The UKIP gained 131 seats across the 34 councils, while the

.

Conservatives lost 247 councillors- one of the most devastating exchanges of power being the loss of nine seats to Farage's party in the Tory's traditional homestead of Essex. UKIP also accomplished notable triumphs in Gloucestershire and Lincolnshire.

Nigel Farage himself was surprised- none the less delightfully- at the electoral turn-out. He stated "We've been abused

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to see how Cameron would act.

A particularly contentious example of this political rift, came in the form of Sushil Patel, father of Conservative MP Priti Patel, who recently announced that he was running as a UKIP candidate. He said “UKIP is not a racist party – it is daylight coming through the darkness hours of this country … UKIP is not racist — they are trying to make progress." To which Priti simply said, “he is my dad and I love him.”

Farage has commented that next year's European Parliament elections and Cameron's decisions regarding immigration would have a huge impact on the allegiance of both the average individual and the politicians.

On the other hand, Ed Miliband expressed contentment with what he perceived to be steady progress for his party.

Labour aimed to gain 200 seats, and emerged with 11 more votes above their target at 211. In East Sussex, where Labour made gains, Miliband said: "I'm pleased with the gains that we made in Hastings

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and across the South, and indeed in other parts of the country, including Derbyshire and elsewhere” and also stated that it was not just about the UKIP “Part of Labour's challenge at the next election campaign is not the Tories, or the Lib Dems or even UKIP, it's the idea that nobody can really change the country, and that mainstream parties can't change the country”.

Apart from the significant by-election win ahead of Labour, the Tories and UKIP, in the heart of their Sheffield Hallam constituency in South Yorkshire, the Liberal Democrats were, for the most part, trailing behind.

However, party leader Nick Clegg made the commendable statement "I have always said it is understandable why it is that people might be attracted to the simple answers that the UK Independence Party is offering to deal with this country's complex problems. But I do not think they do have the answers to the dilemmas we face as a country”.

A sobered, but level-

headed Cameron, rightly illustrated that the problem does not just lie with immigration- EU or otherwise- with his response “ We need to do more to help with the cost of living, more to turn the economy round, more to get immigration down, to sort out the welfare system. They will be our focus, they are our focus.

It is no good insulting a political party that people have chosen to vote for. Of course they should be subject and they will be subject to proper scrutiny of their policies and their plans. We need to show respect for people who have taken the choice to support this party and we are going to work really hard to win them back.” It does seem that the voting issue is more about the government's weakness in being able to communicate their policies and the reasons behind them, to their supporters and the public as a whole, and not so much their bureaucratic inefficiencyas Conservative Chairman Grant Shapps pointed out "we have cut the deficit by a third and net immigration by a third.”

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Comment

Sarabjit Singh murder a wake-up call for India The one person to emerge with moral credit and dignity intact is Sarabjit Singh’s sister Dalbir Kaur. Her appeal to India’s political parties to put behind their differences in the face of her brother’s tragic death and come together in the national interest fell on deaf ears, with BJP spokesman Rudi Prasad attempting to extract the maximum political capital from the event. In power, the BJP’s gesture politics towards Pakistan, with then prime minister Atal Bihari’s peace journey to Lahore and the Kargil aftermath conveniently forgotten, securely locked and frozen in the vault of Mr Prasad’s memory box.

Truth is that no party has much to boast about when it comes to Pakistan. The common denominator on Pakistan is based on the assumption that it is a normal, if difficult, state lodged in a broadly normal, if difficult society. The rest of the international community might accept this as a first principle and get away with it. India, next door, doesn’t have that luxury, having been targeted for extinction by militant Islam’s earthly executioner, Pakistan. The country in the round is best likened to Broadmoor, the British detention centre for the criminally insane. How else can one understand the circumstances of Sarabjit Singh’s death at the hands of his fellow prisoners in his Lahore jail?

None of the prison guards came to his help, presumably because they were instructed not to do so. What rational explanation can there be for the assassination of Pakistan’s Punjab province governor Salman Taseer’s by his security guard, outraged that his master should have appealed for a more lenient application of the country’s blasphemy laws whose principal victims have been (and continue to be) members of the country’s minority Christian community? And what does one say to the spectacle of Pakistan’s legal fraternity extolling the assassin? To cap it all, Pakistan prosecutor Chaudhuri Zulfiqar Ali, who was leading the investigations into the 26/11 Mumbai terror-

ist attack masterminded from his country, and the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, was gunned down in his car in Islamabad at the weekend by two men driving by on a motorcycle. The killing surely bears the signature of an organized practitioner on call.

V.S. Naipaul, with the insight of a great writer, described Pakistan as a “criminal enterprise” from its birth, but such wisdom seems to elude India’s great and good, not to speak of movers and shakers in the West. The Pakistan cricket tour of India a few months back went ahead to the accompaniment of the usual litanies of media and government pieties, that sport would bring the countries together in a brotherly relationship.

Among normal nation, sport can indeed be a facilitator of change. But for Pakistan sport, any sport, is simply a manifestation of a divinely ordained jihad by other means. That includes cricket, most of all.

Sarabjit Singh was given a state funeral. But this cannot be the end of the story. Barring the barest diplomatic links, everything pertaining to Pakistan should be put on hold, including Most Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment for Pakistani goods and services entering India (still to be reciprocated by Islamabad), without further ado.

Cultural relations should also be put into deep freeze. Every form of pressure, short of war, should be put in place. Overwhelming Indian force should be visible at all times as a deterrent to any Pakistani military misadventure, with or without China’s aid. India cannot afford any longer to be afraid of its own shadow.

The embarrassing postscript to this tawdry affair has been the attack on a Pakistani prisoner in a Jammu jail by fellow prisoners. The seriously injured man was flown to a top hospital in Chandigarh. This appalling lapse in security has thrown a lifeline to Islamabad. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah surely has a case to answer.

Terrorist reach in Kashmir revealed Laskar-e-Taiba’s (LeT)top operative Qari Naveed alias Fahadullah Khan comes from the Pakistani city of Multan. Now in custody in India – he was captured at Sopore in northern Kashmir on April 17- he is singing like the proverbial canary. Fahadullah revealed that his Muttahida Jihad Council had planned to eliminate the senior-most Indian police official in the State for having successfully crushed the Valley’s turmoil in 2010. The fidayeen attack was entrusted to LeT, he said. The target was Additional Director General, Jammu & Kashmir Police, Shiv Murari Sahai, at his office in Srinagar sometime in 2012.

Mr Sahai had demolished the LeT nexus with political groups and key individuals in the valley, including members of the local police force.

It was a dire situation when Mr Sahai took charge and brought matters under control. His success aroused the ire of LeT, which set in motion its plan to assassinate him. Fahadullah told how a local Sopore man Muzamil Amin Dar was instructed to lead the operation, with prin-

cipal Pakistani aides, Abdullah Shaheen and Moosa, trained at the advanced training camp in Muzzafarabad, to help every step of the way.

The tentacles of the conspiracy extended far into India. The first setback came with the arrest in Delhi of a key conspirator, Etesham Malik, following which Muzamil Amin Dar went into hiding. Malik was charged with an attempt to bomb the city’s Chandni Chowk, a bazaar in Old Delhi, and the State Bank of India complex in Srinagar. Muzamil Amin Dar and Abdullah Shaheen were killed in a shootout with the police and army in October 2012 near Sopore.

Moosa died in a similar encounter in December.

The tale has a common theme with the thwarted terrorist attack in Birmingham, where the assailants were caught by the British police, brought to justice and received varying terms of imprisonment by the court: in both instances the guilty men were Pakistani, trained in Pakistan. The globalization of terror is no longer the exception but the rule. Its source has long ceased to be a surprise.

Britain’s multiple voices The UK Independence Party (UKIP) has performed sensationally well in local elections, capturing 25 per cent of the votes in the wards it contested, and achieving the best result of any fourth party in England since the end of the Second World War in 1945. Party leader Nigel Farage was understandably elated. UKIP appears to have broken the mould of the country’s three party system in which differences between Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem, on a number of critical national and international issues, are narrower now than they were in decades past. That certainly is the popular perception, and perception does translate into votes.

The Thatcher economic legacy, despite its heavy social and political toll over the years, continues to influence, in lesser or greater degree, the Whitehall establishment. Margaret Thatcher sought to revitalize Britain into a Great Power through its special relationship with America. Despite much high octane rhetoric the dream confronts the reality of the Iraq and Afghanistan disasters and others in the making. It brings to mind the prescient warning of Sir Henry Tizard, the British government’s

scientific adviser in 1940, the spirit behind the invention of radar that ensured his country’s victory in the Battle of Britain against the German air force: in a Memorandum to the Attlee government in 1947, Sir Henry, as its defence adviser, wrote: “We are not a Great Power and never will be again.

We are a great nation, but if we continue to behave like a Great Power we shall soon cease to be a great nation.”

The robust performance of UKIP reflects, surely, a deep disillusionment with mainstream politics and politicians. UKIP’s outlandish policies on Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union and its five year cap on all immigration into the UK were taken on board in a protest vote. Buffeted by a near near-triple dip recession, a year-long study

by Chris Worrell reveals that 30 per cent of all Britons say that their economic prospects would have been enhanced if they were born in India.

Brazil comes second in order of preference, with 29 per cent, Russia third, with 28 per cent and America fifth, with 26 per cent. Truly astonishing and much to ponder.

3

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it - Buonarroti Michelangelo (1475-1564)

“Our London” Navin Shah

GLA Member for Brent and Harrow

FUTURE GROWTH OF LONDON It’s been a vivid journey since 2008 when I first wrote a column for the Asian Voice and this is my 100th piece. I’d like to thank first and foremost the readers who’ve responded well to a range of issues I’ve chosen to address. I express my thanks to CB and his publication team for persevering with me! Asian Voice did a strong coverage on immigration matters a couple of weeks ago and I was keen to address the issue this week but instead I’ve chosen to put to you the challenges facing London’s future.

Someone asked me if why don’t I cover Bolywood’s century of its existence? Not a good idea - as I’m no fan of Bolywood. I think it would be more productive to address the challenges facing London’s future over many decades to come.

According to the lateast Census figures London’s population rose by more than one million in the decade to 2011 and the projected population rise is 9.33 million by 2035 and 10.5 million by year 2041. To give you some idea of what the magnitude of this growth – the increase would be that of the size of Birmingham, or Manchester and Sheffield combined.

By year 2036 the population growth may mean estimated 1.25 million more homes; 655,000 more jobs; 223 more primary schools; 59 more secondary schools; 27,300 more child day care places; 772 more doctors and 648 more dentists etc.

Planning policies in the Mayor’s ‘London Plan’ are currently based

on forecast for demand and London’s capacity to accommodate the demand till 2021.

However, in the light of the Census projections the Mayor will need to produce radically revised data, approach and policies in his London Plan to meet the future challenges faced by London.

To date approach of “compact city” has been adopted in London Plans over the years to accommodate London’s growth within London’s own boundaries. This would mean planning the projected growth without encroaching on London’s open and green spaces. This would require making the most efficient use of existing brownfield spaces / sites in London and promoting intensified development in appropriate areas in London. What are other approaches to meet the growth projections? There are ‘historical precedents’ to this – for instance displacement of population and jobs to new suburbs, existing rural towns and new towns.

More recently effects of building on London’s green belt has been debated – an approach I totally reject. Within M25 London has 110,000 hectares of open land and let alone the projections for the next 25 years – already there are moves from the Government to promote building on open land nationally. This would in my view destroy both the rural and urban environment brutalising the green and open character that we are proud of.

Planning Committee of the Assembly, of which I’m a member, Continued on page 30

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

4

Midlands Voice

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 11th May 2013

Leicester enjoys city's first ever mango festival Leicester: After the great excitement and success of the Alphonso Mango festival in Trafalgar square on May 5th, Leicestershire also celebrated the city’s first ever mango festival on bank holiday Monday, as it coincided with the hottest day of the summer so far.

Hundreds of people visited Belgrave’s Cossington Park to enjoy the unique event.

Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, host of the hit Indian Masterchef TV show, was star attraction at the festival.

Greeted on stage to cheers and applause from the crowds, he reportedly said: “It’s a beautiful day to join you all here in Leicester. The reason we are here is because of the city’s hospitality – and the great taste of mangos!

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be here with you.”This event recreated the world-famous International Mango Festival, which is held in Delhi every June.

Sanjeev treated festival goers to a cooking master class focusing on dishes using mangos. He was joined on stage

by Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar and Bollywood movie art director and set designer Nitin Desai.

The decision to bring the festival here was made just 10 days ago after organisers approached Leicester East MP Vaz. Mr Keith Abhijeet Patil Chairman, Raja Rani Travels Private Ltd one of the main organisers brought this unique festival to the UK from India.

Rt Hon Vaz said: “It has taken a lot of hard work and organSanjeev Kapoor, Keith Vaz MP and Bhai Jagtap at the isation to put this fesmango festival tival together, but we Other attractions included live did it in just 10 days. music, dancing and children’s competi“I’d like to thank the City Mayor, Sir tions.

Peter Soulsby, the city council, memThe festival’s centrepiece was four bers of the Belgrave Traders Association ornately carved and decorated life-size and everyone else for making this hapwooden elephants – symbols of luck and pen.” prosperity in the subcontinent.

Mr Vaz reportedly told the crowd: Thousands of delicious Alphonso “These elephants will bring a great deal mangos from the Kokan region of of luck to the city and in particular Maharashtra state were supplied courLeicester City FC, who play a very tesy of Indian producers who organised important match on Thursday.” a similar festival in London on Sunday.

Bollywood superstar celebrates Indian cinema’s 100th birthday Bradford: The National Media Museum and Bradford, UNESCO City of Film celebrated the centenary of Indian cinema on May 3 by welcoming Bollywood superstar Jackie Shroff.

Shroff, star of more than 150 films, marked 100 years since the first public screening of the first Indian feature film Raja Harishchandra on May 3, 1913.

During his visit, part of Bradford’s 100 Years of Indian Cinema celebrations, Shroff was welcomed to the National Media Museum and the exhibition Bollywood Icons: 100 Years of Indian Cinema. He was interviewed by exhibition curator Irna Qureshi before chatting to Bradford College students about filmmaking. He also visited City Hall, meeting the Lord Mayor of Bradford.

He said: “I am delighted to be visiting Bradford, the world’s first UNESCO City of Film, and the National Media Museum, to join their celebrations around 100 years of

Jackie Shroff

Indian cinema.”

“I know the city of Bradford has organised many events to mark this anniversary and it will be a pleasure to attend some myself, to talk about the significance of Indian cinema and see the impact it has made elsewhere in the world. I would also like

to say thank you to the Asian Express newspaper for supporting my visit.”

Shroff took part in a sold-out BBC Asian Network In Conversation event in the National Media Museum’s Pictureville Cinema, before a screening of his own breakthrough film, Hero, which was released 30 years ago.

Head of the National Media Museum, Jo Quinton-Tulloch, said: “We are delighted and honoured to welcome Jackie Shroff to the Museum as part of Bradford’s celebrations around this important anniversary. Our city is ideally placed to promote and celebrate film culture from around the world, and this is another wonderful opportunity to do just that.”

Other 100 Years of Indian Cinema events taking place in Bradford include BOLLYWOOD LIVE, a unique live Bollywood update of Bizet’s

classic opera ‘Carmen’ takes place in Bradford City Centre on June 9 with a simultaneous broadcast on BBC THREE. September sees the official opening of the new Whistling Woods International Bradford College Film School. From autumn 2013, Bradford College students will be able to study BA (Hons) Film and BA (Hons) Animation, and get the opportunity to study at the Whistling Woods campus in Mumbai to experience the Indian Film industry first hand.

Whistling Woods International – Asia’s premier film, television, animation and media arts institute is rated amongst the 10 best film-schools in the world by ‘The Hollywood Reporter’.

The National Media Museum exhibition Bollywood Icons: 100 Years of Indian Cinema runs to June 16, 2013.

Entry to the Museum is free. www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk.

Kind hearted dad killed in Edgbaston Birmingham: Devasted relatives have claimed that a kind-hearted dad was killed in a Birmingham street on Thursday around midday after going to the aid of an exemployee.

Businessman Amarjit Singh Rai, 41, had been trying to help a former staff member when he was attacked in Edgbaston.

The Birmingham Mail reported that the 'good samaritan' was stabbed after meeting the man who had a history of self-harming and had previously worked at his shop in Kingshurst, Solihull.

A 27-year-old man, arrested within minutes of the attack, has since been assessed by mental health

Amarjit Singh Rai

experts who deemed him mentally unfit to continue being questioned by police.

The suspect has been transferred to a secure mental health facility, where psychia-

trists are re-assessing his condition.

Close relatives were too distraught to speak, but devastated community members described him as “an amazing

man” who was “loved by everyone”.

The dad, whose brother owns the Pushkar restaurant in Broad Street, had run the Tanda’s convenience store for more than 20 years, according to locals.

More than 100 floral tributes have been left at the front of the shop in Silver Birch Road, many with touching messages from locals.

Police were due to receive the post mortem results on Tuesday 7 May, as Asian Voice went to press.

Anyone with information is asked to contact local police on 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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In Brief Sex attacker pounces on victim while delivering pizza leaflets door-to-door

Manchester: A 39 years old woman was subjected to a terrifying sex attack when she answered the door to a man delivering flyers for a pizza parlour.

The victim, 22, had her top ripped off and was allegedly grabbed around the waist by Anjum Tahir before he repeatedly tried to kiss her neck, the Manchester Evening News has reported.

The attack happened when the woman spotted a man at the door of the house in Gorton.

When she opened the door Tahir told her ‘you’re beautiful you are’.

The woman said ‘thanks’, and turned her back on him, but Tahir followed into the house, closed the door behind him, and asked ‘are you alone?’

Over the next few minutes Tahir subjected her to an alarming ordeal in the hallway.

Ignoring her desperate pleas to stop, he repeated ‘Look, I offer you pounds, I offer you five pounds’.

The attack was only interrupted when the woman’s boyfriend returned.

Tahir, pictured, an illegal overstayer, has been now jailed for two years and served with deportation papers after admitting sexual assault.

He had originally denied the offence to police – claiming he didn’t understand ‘English ways of doing things’ and ‘misunderstood’ the terrified woman’s reaction, Philip Dobson, prosecuting, told Manchester Crown Court.

Police issue warning following telephone scam Leicester: Leicestershire Police has received reports of residents receiving a telephone call from British Telecom (BT) informing them that they were being disconnected because of an unpaid bill.

The caller who is reported to have an ‘African’ accent, demands a payment immediately or it would increase at a later date to reconnect your telephone.

One resident told the caller her line rental was with another company, at which point the man offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. He went on to apparently ‘disconnect’ the resident’s telephone to prevent her making another call.

The man stated he wanted payment by credit card, there and then, but the resident refused to pay as she didn’t believe his name or that he worked for BT. The resident dialled 1471 which showed that the number the male had called from was withheld and the number the male gave as BT was incorrect.

This scam is all about getting credit card details which include the security number, to be used for future larger purchases.

Police and Trading Standards always advises residents never to confirm personal details over the telephone, even if the caller seems to have some knowledge of them or their personal circumstances.

If you receive any reports of similar activity or callers please contact, Trading Standards on 08454 040506 or telltradingstandards@leics.gov.uk

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

UK

EXCLUSIVE

5

Face to Face: Kenneth Clarke speaks about his healthcare delegation to India Rupanjana Dutta & Sunetra Senior On May 1st we met with Mr Kenneth Clarke, MP, the British Cabinet Minister and the Prime Minister's Trade Envoy. In the fitting setting of a bright sunny office, we discussed his upcoming business trip to the Indian subcontinent on behalf of the government. This trip is aimed to be first of the kind he makes to the BRIC countries, including China and Brazil later in the year.

Despite of Gujarat providing with 45% of the pharmaceutical products in India, it came as a surprise as Mr Clarke revealed he would not be visiting the state at all during this visit.

He talked with us in detail about the plans for expanding the British healthcare system into India, strengthening IndoBritish economic ties and, even Bollywood and twenty-twenty cricket for good measure!

not just modern medical equipments like digital patient record systems, but also the training of doctors and nurses. Also designing and constructing hospitals and clinics.

All the logistics- organisation of primary healthcare in particular.

Every doctor knows how to prescribe pharmaceuticals but proper distribution and control is important. You do need to keep control over the cost, and get more out every rupee spent. The range of British companies involved, cover just about everything, from a patient being able to come in and see a doctor in the surgery, to supplying hospital beds.

Q: How did you select the companies for this delegation?

A: Well, they selected themselves. All the ones who had an interest in India or had established bonds already just came forward wanting to open

up their own primary care practices.

Q: Are there many doctors of Indian origins involved?

A: Yes, definitely. We don't chart ethnicity that way, but I'd say about half are British-Asians, give or take. Quite a number with their own practices in the country.

Q: It has been said that this delegation's main aim is to boost the Indian health market. How will the UK benefit in this delegation?

A: We want economic recovery; to produce a more balanced economy by improving our export performance. Britain is an export world leader in healthcare and life-sciences. We can go to India where many local and national leaders are proposing to invest huge sums, and offer global quality contributions in the healthcare system.

Exports are a combination of goods and services and British quality healthcare products are the best. The role of the government is to help marshal the British offer. In the end though Indian purchasers decide whether or not they want contracts with British providers.

lished. The companies involved are from different parts of India. It may seem difficult to tackle such a big country with a large number of people, but we have a very good body of British experts and professionals.

Q: And how has the Indian interest been so far in receiving those delegations?

A: Pretty good. We only organised this properly about six months ago.

We are going to places where contacts are estab-

Q: Given the controversies surrounding the NHS, do you think that India could actually adopt the system properly?

A: I doubt it will be exactly the same. All places adapt according to their own culture and the

Q: How does it feel to go back to India compared to your last visits?

A: I've visited India in a number roles before it was in healthcare. So I'm accustomed. I'm rather looking forward to it as I am fond of India. It's a fascinating and enjoyable country. It is also a global giant that is important for Cameron's government.

Q: Why did you choose to visit Maharashtra and Chennai, as opposed to say India's capital Delhi or the fastest growing state Gujarat?

A: Gujarat is developing fast but we are visiting Maharashtra and Chennai, because they are geared toward investment and healthcare. British doctors, royal colleges and British companies have contacts in those states.

They were therefore chosen in terms of the most rapid progress. It's actually the first time for years that I'm not going through Delhi, but you don't have to go through the capital every time!

Q: What areas are you trying to promote through this delegation?

A: British participation in the development of healthcare in India.

Obviously there is a lot of private healthcare in India and British companies seek to sell them medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, logistics and also to trade staff.

Particular emphasis is on the public healthcare systems in Maharashtra and Chennai because we believe, that those states are developing and improving further this way.

There may be some controversy around British healthcare, but it is respectable. There is a whole lot we can offer:

!

! !

Q: Why did you choose Kerala as the pilot state for the PCT project?

A: The Royal College of general practitioners decided that. There have been studies done on the primary state of healthcare in Kerala, and it was somewhere we could go.

We are doing similar studies elsewhere. In terms of export activity, it really is Maharashtra and Chennai we are focusing on.

healthcare systems tend to evolve that way too. On the other hand, the principles of the Indian government are likely to be similar to British healthcare: the universality. Every citizen is entitled to it; as near as we can get regardless of income or means, and the Indian government will probably want the same. The biggest weakness is the gap between the quality of healthcare for the richest and that available to the urban and the rural poor.

Q: PM Cameron met Amir Khan during his trip to India. Do you plan to meet any Bollywood stars?

A: (laughing) No, but I wouldn't recognise any Indian actors or actresses anyway. My mitigating claim is that I can't recognise many Hollywood actors either! If I do meet one it'll be by accident.

But I am quite excited as I am going to an IPL cricket match in Chennai.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

A story of a brand failure Spriha Srivastava

Shreya Ghoshal electrifies Royal Albert Hall day was a full house and I have been in London Shreya created an electrifor close to five years fying atmosphere and now and have done all made the crowd sing, the touristy things. As a dance, scream, yell and Londoner, I have spent a clap on her famous numlot of time soaking in the bers like Dola re multi-faceted culture of (Devdas), Ooh lala Britain. But there’s been (Dirty Picture), Chikni one thing I had always Chameli (Agneepath) wanted to do but someamong others. Dressed in how never found the a light blue flowing right opportunity. Any gown, she looked beautiguesses on what that ful and sizzling. She was was? Well, it was attendconstantly interacting ing a concert at the very with the audience and famous Royal Albert Hall. And it happened!

When I came to know Shreya Ghoshal is coming to London to perform at the famous Royal Albert Hall, I could think of nothing else but to grab some tickets and book my seat at the famous hall.

S h r e y a Ghoshal has been one of my favourite singers ever since her famous number, “Jaadu hai nasha hai” from the film Jism. She deliv- Shreya Ghoshal ered hits after hits and took their requests in the carved a niche for herself second half of the show. in the giant bollywood Shreya has always industry. been absolutely magnifiHer grand entry into cent, be it on the stage or the world of Bollywood in her songs in films. I have always grown up was made in the year admiring actors and 2000 when she caught actresses for their work, the attention of director for the glamour, for the Sanjay Leela Bhansali at fame but lately I have Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. In 2000, realised that we tend to Bhansali offered her the love a lot of these actors opportunity to be the for the dialogues they voice of Paro, the lead say, for the songs they female character of the sing but in reality it’s the film Devdas, that was dialogue writers, the lyriportrayed by Aishwarya cist, the singers that we Rai. Ghoshal sang five should admire equally. songs in the film. Her There’s a lot of new performance won the Filmfare Award for Best talent in the Bollywood Female Playback Singer, these days and we saw as well as Filmfare's RD some at the Royal Albert Burman Award for New Hall too. Accompanying Shreya in her tour to UK Music Talent. She also and Europe, was young won the National Film and talented Rishikesh Award for the song "Bairi Karmerkar who sang Piya" some of the most famous She has been recogsongs of Bollywood. His nised with multiple voice was like a breath of awards and nominations fresh air and he complefor her work in music. mented Shreya in many She won the National of the duet numbers.

Film Award for Best Another new and Female Playback Singer fresh talent that stole the four times. She has won show at the Royal Albert five Filmfare Awards, Hall was Jeffrey Iqbal. from 15 nominations, and seven Filmfare From being selected by Awards South from 20 Academy award, Golden nominations.

Globe award, and The concert at the Grammy award winner Royal Albert Hall yesterfor "Slum Dog

Millionaire" AR Rahman during a televised talent search, to being the first American born to represent the USA on Zee Tv's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Jeffrey Iqbal is the new age talent to watch out for.

Whether it’s Punjabi or AR Rahman’s famous Tere bina from Guru to the more and very famous Mohd Rafi’s Purdah, Jeffrey knows it all. He sang, danced and like a pied piper pepped up the audiences for a fun-filled evening ahead.

However, the best part of the entire evening was held for the second half when Shreya and Rishikesh came together to celebrate 100 years of bollywood.

They started with a song from 1940 and then went on to sing the famous numbers from every decade. Famous numbers by KL Saigal, Geeta Dutt, Lata Mangeshkar and so on.

There was something for everyone in that medley.

Be it the older or the younger generations, they all hummed and sang along with the singers and the acoustics and the lighting at the Royal Albert Hall also danced to the tunes of bollywood.

I particularly liked the way Shreya ended her concert and I thought it was extremely apt.

After getting a nudge from the organizers to bring the show to the end, Shreya quickly took some requests from the audience and then ended with Lata Mangeshkar’s famous number – “Lag jaa gale.” It was indeed an honour and a privilege to attend this concert. It not only brought the famous Shreya Ghoshal but also a number of fresh new talents who tend to overlook in our love and affection for the more established ones.

People my generation have missed the living legend Lata Mangeshkar’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall, but as Lataji rightly said she finds Shreya Ghoshal's voice closest to her own.

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at aveditorial@abplgroup.com

Mo Luthra Branding Consultant www.moluthra.com They say 17 out of 20 small businesses fail, why is that? There are certainly many factors that attribute to business failure but generally it boils down to the fact that a new business entity cannot generate the footfall, volume, or sales that are required to keep running.

This fundamental problem stems from two things, the ability to create desire and relevance in the market place.

This was highlighted when I was out walking the other day in Harrow.

I noticed a rather large cafe that had unfortunately shut down, which had only quite recently

opened.

I recall walking into that exact same cafe a few months prior and although it was nice and clean, well organised, and you could see good money had been spent on it; it really failed to leave a lasting impression.

For starters just a few doors down there was a Costa cafe. Here the competition is a strong one and pitches itself about being for ‘Coffee Lovers.’ This was in essence the same concept this brand had tried, ‘The Italian Coffee House.’

The first lesson here is that pitching your brand and business is of

utmost importance. If you are another ‘me too’ business, the question emerges why would I go to you over an established brand?

Look at the proposition that you are offering

to the customer. Price cannot be the reason someone would choose you, neither can quality in itself. Try and do something which has a slight angle on the norm.

Be a little more specialist and niche. The last thing a high street needs is another brand that is doing the same thing as a big player. The chances of survival drop dramatically.

The next lesson is that the retail environment is a powerful tool to create an impression and an emotional feeling.

This is the heart of really being different. Costa can’t copy your retail space, and you can’t copy theirs. So create an environment which is unique to you and from that you can build attraction.

Money is going to be spent on these things anyway. Why not do it in a way that makes someone go ‘wow that’s cool.’

Many small businesses are scared to actually create a brand and shy away from it, feeling it is only something the big boy’s do.

However, if you get your brand right you can avoid many of the mistakes small businesses fall into.

India, Pakistan & Bangladesh to fight for Glory at the Craven Cottage “Fulham” during 1st – 8th June This summer, the Neighbours from the Indian sub-continent will clash in an unique International Football Series at London. The barbed wires along the borders in the Indian subcontinent is all set to be removed across the Atlantic. For the winds of friendship will blow over Craven Cottage at Fulham on June 1 that marks the beginning of the ‘Neighbour’s Series’ featuring the national Football teams of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Conceived and Promoted by the leading Soccer Management company of South Asia, Celebrity Management Group (CMG), the matches among the national teams of these three neighbours of the Indian subcontinent will take place at the picturesque Craven Cottage – the home of Fulham FC. Talking about the series Mr. Bhaswar Goswami, Executive Director of CMG, said: “It is a dream come true. It would not have happened without the cooperations from English FA, FIFA and Fulham along with the National football federations of the three countries.”

“Football is widely followed and loved in all three countries and in

India and Bangladesh, Football is the 2nd most popular sport with very large fan base. Also, these three Neighbours have a long and elaborate history of Sports rivalry among them and I am sure that Neighbour’s Series will be aggressively followed by the billions of fans across three countries as well as by the large Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities in England,” he added.

Speaking about the series, Mr. Subrata Dutta – the Sr. Vice President of the All India Football Federation said: “Neighbour’s Series is an unique concept where the arch rivals India, Pakistan and Bangladesh will compete for Footballing glory at London. I congratulate both CMG and Fulham for this great initative and express my sincere gratitude to English FA and FIFA for extending their support to this exciting event”.

The President of Pakistan Football Federation, Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat is very excited about the proposed Series. He said, “These matches will open new opportunities for the players to showcase their talent in UK.” He thanked the English FA for extending its support for this series

to take place in their territory. He is also appreciative of the fact that Fulham FC has joined hands with CMG Kolkata to organize such a great event. “I am sure that Millions of Asian residing in UK will experience exciting non- cricket clash as the very first time” he added.

Kazi Salahuddin, the Greatest Footballer ever from Bangladesh and the current President of Bangladesh Football Federation was equally excited about the Series.

He said: “I am eagerly looking forward to the Neighbour’s Series in London. I am certain that all 3 matches will be fiercely contested between the three National teams and the large communities of these three nations residing in UK will passionately cheer their National Soccer heroes at the Craven Cottage”.

The schedule of the Neighbour’s Series is as follows: l Saturday, 1st June 2013: India vs Bangladesh; Kick off at 15:00 hrs; l Tuesday, 4th June 2013: India vs Pakistan; Kick off at 20:00 hrs; l Saturday, 8th June 2013: Bangladesh vs Pakistan; Kick of at 18:00 hrs.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

London celebrates Vaisakhi on the Square Continued from page 1 The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'Our Vaisakhi Festival in Trafalgar Square is an opportunity for all Londoners to celebrate together. It is a festival celebrated by millions of Sikhs around the world and the values of respect and generosity for people of all faiths and creeds is one that is very relevant to our great city. To everyone heading to the square this year, have a wonderful day. Happy Vaisakhi.'

The day offered fun for all with music, dance, food and children’s activities, such as arts and crafts and face painting. The musical line up line-up featured Channi Singh of Alaap, Shin from UK Bhangra legends DCS and Navin Kundra, who has achieved

activity.

This vibrant event was free for all to attend and was organised by the Mayor of London, working with Sony Entertainment Network and sponsor Lebara. photo courtesy: Hayley Madden and Raj D Bakrania

Navin Kundra performing at the Vaisakhi festival

six UK Asian chart toppers. Also performing is Juggy D, aka the 'Punjabi Rockstar', Foji, Bhangra superstar of the UK Asian download chart, and Phat Kat, presented the sound of London's Asian youth.

The talented Heera

Group, who helped pioneer British Bhangra, played, as well as Kishan Amin, tipped as the next big Bollywood star. With top musical artists and DJs also performing, Trafalgar Square will be buzzing with dance and

First ever Alphonso Mango festival reaches the square On Sunday 5th May, the London Mayor’s Office welcomed the State of Maharashtra, providing a global platform for Alphonso Mangoes in what was, the first ever Alphonso Mango festival at Trafagar Square.

Initiated by Chairman of Raja Rani Travels Abhijeet Patil, the State brought thousands of mangoes from Maharashtra and offered free mango lassi shots. Not only was the footfall estimated at over 30,000, but within the first hour, the first batch of Alfonso mangoes were completely sold out!

The Mango festival in London was graced by eminent personalities such as Chief Shef Sanjeev Kapoor to popular acclaim by all the visitors to the Festival. He also gave out signed copies of his cookbook. Nitin Desai attended (Creative Art Director for films such as Lagaan, Jodha akbar, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and others) and had decorated the 20ft elephants that were dis-

played with traditional Indian. Shiamak Davar was present and many others from the political arena including Ashok Jagtap (Spokesperson of Congress and Principal Promoter of Global Konkan), Rajeev Patil, Mayor of Vasai Virar, Vinod Tawde (Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra). With great applause, mango growers, politicians and celebrities stood behind the counters to sell mangoes to the public.

On the 6th May, Mango Mania headed to Leicester for a full day programme promoting mangoes and mango delicacies.

Now with data

International Sim

Mobile

Landline

Texts

1.5p

1.5p

10p

Order your free sim from o2.co.uk/flag or visit any ø shop Exclusions apply. International rates are for calls made from the UK. UK data only. Internet enabled phones. Excessive usage policy and terms apply. Minimum top-up £10. Rates correct as of 08.05.13 and subject to change. See o2.co.uk/internationalsim for details and latest rates.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

As I See It

Fear or Safety in Numbers!

TRUE or FALSE?

LILY Foundation is the sponsored charity of Asian Achievers Awards 2013

Manju A different Life Lady Mohini Kent Noon

Manju, 36, is a successful businesswoman and an active member of her community. She lives with her husband and four children in a small village outside Bharatpur, where the LILY Foundation supports the Gram Niyojan Kendra (GNK) project.

Manju

Manju benefitted from GNK’s education programme and studied up to Class XII. Soon after, she got married but her education stood her in good stead; she became a teacher at the local government school and gave private tuitions.

She also became an active member of GNK’s Self Help Group. That opened up new horizons: she took a bank loan to purchase a sec-

ond-hand auto rickshaw for her husband, thus setting him up in the trade.

When that debt was repaid she took a second loan and opened a shop selling cosmetics and artificial jewellery, for which there is much demand in the village.

Manju’s four children, two girls and two boys, all go to school.

After decades in rented premises, the GNK dedicated school opened its doors last June with the help of the LILY Foundation.

Life could have worked out so differently for Manju. When she was born, her apparent destiny was to become a prostitute, like her mother, Indramani.

Indramani is a native of the same village where Manju now lives and was put into prostitution by her family at an early age.

The vile practise of pubescent girls being sent to brothels by their own fathers is commonly accepted amongst the Bhedia tribe living around Bharatpur in Rajasthan. Fathers and brothers live off their earnings.

Indramani ended up in a brothel in Bhagalpur (Bihar), a notorious

name in political annals where innocent victims were deliberately blinded in the incessant caste/communal wars raging in India.

Indramani had no choice but to suffer the daily humiliations and sexual assaults of truckdrivers and daily wage labourers. In the brothel, she gave birth to three daughters and two sons, fathers unknown.

Manjuspent the first 13 years of her life there, but her mother was determined to get them away.

She sent her eldest girl to Allahabadto be married.

Manju and her two brothers were sent back to Indramani’snative villageto attend school.

Later, Indramani’s eldest daughter rescued her mother from the brothel.

Thousands of other Manjus need our help.

GNK’s a dedicated school in Bharatpur, supported by the LILY Foundation, provides an invaluable alternative to prostitution.

For more information go to http://www.ipartnerindia.org/lily-foundation.php OR contact us at info@ipartnerindia.org/ +44 20 7841 8919

Lions Club of Enfield hosts their gala charity dinner

In the Daily Telegraph of Monday 6th May (p8), there is a big story headlined “White Retreat creating Ethnic Ghettoes, warns Think Tank.”

The Daily Telegraph's Home Affairs Correspondent David Barrett writes that a “RETREAT” of white Britons from areas where ethnic minorities live, is creating cultural ghettoes according to research by the Think Tank Demos.

“Analysis of the 2011 Census figures show that 45% of ethnic minorities in England and Wales live in areas where less than half the population is whiteBritish”. The article further states that according to experts, Britain was “sleep-walking into segregation”. Trevor Phillips, a former Chairman of the Equality Commission and a Demos associate, said it was alarming that white Britons were choosing not to live in areas where ethnic minorities were prevalent.

In my view this need not be entirely true. Economic reasons as well as the preference of the ethnic minorities themselves play a very pivotal role in such a decision.

The article further mentions-quoting Demos-that as a consequence of this type of internal migration, ethnic minorities were becoming more isolated rather than more integrated into a “multicultural Britain”.

4.6 million of ethnic minority Britons- about 45% of the country's black national population- live in areas where whites are in the minority. Ten years ago that figure was 1 million, or 25%.

The Daily Telegraph comments in their editorial on Tuesday 7th May within the banner headline: “Mass Immigration has left an Alarming Legacy”. Other British print media have spent several column centimetres on this subject, more in line with their policy or perhaps the preference of their readership.

Perhaps in the aftermath of the 24% vote for the UKIP in the last six local elections, the pressure will mount on the Prime Minister and the Tory party to tighten immigration, or, at least to denounce the former 'labour' government's 'open-door policy.'

No one needs to look at the cause and the consequence. No one is concerned about the stress and strain such pronouncements create on the fabric of society. Let me look at another story pertaining to India, published on 2nd March. It is another British publication, The Economist, dated 2nd March 2013.

This relates to the situation of the Muslims in India at the moment. In several aspects like education, professions, self-employment, per-capita income etc, Muslims in India are lagging behind others e.g Hindus, Sikhs etc. It is sad but true.

Again, the reasons for the present situation of Muslims in India are very complex and I do not have the adequate space today to elaborate further.

But, let me talk about some numbers. The aforementioned article in The Economist, clearly states that the population of Muslims is rising rapidly in India compared to other communities.

The Economist also says clearly, that in the case of terrorism, most of the people involved are the so-called Muslims. The Economist further adds that perhaps the Indian government has deliberately not yet published the statistics of the 2011 Census because the rapid growth of the Muslim population has been phenomenal and could create some adverse reactions.

The Economist did not hesitate to say clearly that the Hindu moderation is responsible for the lack of violent reactions to Islamic terrorism. The word 'moderation' for Hindus is not mine, it is that of The Economist. All the same I am glad as a British-Hindu that the magazine has opined so clearly on this subject.

Let's look at the statistics of the followers of Islam in India. The Economist has referred to the report by Pew Research Centre and the figures are like this: in an Indian population of 1.2 billion, the Muslims are 177 million which comes to 14.6% of the Indian population.

At the time of partition when India was divided along 'faith lines', the population of Muslims was 9.3%. According to The Economist quoting Pew Research Centre, the population of Muslims will rise to 236 million (20%) in the next two decades.

If the white-British are so concerned about the non-white compatriots in their midst, it is not very difficult to speculate the reaction of the Hindus vis-a-vis the growth of the Muslim population in India over the last sixty-five years, and further growth in the next twenty years.

I await the response from the readers but suffice to say, at the moment, whether it is whites or non-whites in Britain or Hindus and Muslims in india we 'swim together or sink together.'

- CB

'A drop of Bapu's blood' to be auctioned

Arun and Nishtha Mishra, Sajid and Laura Javid, David and Janet Burrowes with other top table guests

On Saturday 27 April, President Arun K Mishra and First Lady Mrs Nishtha Mishra, Lions Club of Enfield had their Gala Charity event at Marriott Hotel, Kensington London. The charities supported were North London Hospice, Enfield Good Samaritan Network from UK, Swami Vivekanand Shikshan Sanstha, India and also a couple of charities from East Africa.

The event was graced

by Economic Secretary to the Treasury Mr Sajid Javid MP and his wife Mrs Laura Javid as well as Mr David Burrowes MP (EnfieldSouthgate) and his wife Mrs Janet Burrowes and also Mrs Christine Edmundson the Head Teacher of Palmers Green High School. The event was very well attended by Lion members and supported by dignitaries like Dr and Mrs Vijay Patel, Mr

and Mrs Aslam Merchant.

The evening raised in excess of 55,000 pounds with an anonymous donor giving a generous 20,000 pounds for the good causes, disadvantage people and communities. Well wishes were also received by the Prime Minister Mr. David Cameron. The whole event was very well organised by the Gala Charity Committee Chairmen Mr BK Patel and his team.

The largest collection of memorabilia belonging to Mahatma Gandhi — including his personal prayer beads which he never parted with, will, power of attorney to his son and a personal copy of the Ramayana — will soon be up for sale.

The TOI reported that London-based auctioneers Mullocks will put up 50 objects belonging to Gandhi for auction on May 21. The list includes "a fragment of Gandhi's blood — on a sliver of a microscope slide".

Donated by Gandhi, when he was in convalescence after an operation for appendicitis, to Sumati Morarjee in 1924, it is expected to fetch £15,000.

"This is by far the largest collection of memorabilia relating to

Mahatma Gandhi ever to be offered for sale," Mullocks' historical documents expert Richard Westwood-Brookes told TOI. "We expect the 50 objects belonging to Gandhi to fetch at least a quarter of a million pounds. The items have come from all over the world."

Other objects that will be included in this auction list include Gandhi's trademark leather sandals, his favourite shawl, made from linen thread he spun himself, his bed sheet, his personal bowl with fork and spoon, and his personal drinking cup.

Gandhi's power of attorney to his son — signed by him in November 1920 and written on four pages along with various Bank of

Baroda and Bank of India stamps as well as the seal of the sub-registrar of Ahmedabad — will also be sold. It is expected to fetch a minimum of £40,000.

Several important letters written by Gandhi, too, will be available for auction.

It will include a rare British Parliament paper declaring Gandhi a "terrorist" in 1932. The paper devotes considerable discussion to the Civil Disobedience Movement and Gandhi, and refers to the campaign as a "terrorist movement".

In February Mullocks had sold a letter by Gandhi — "a plea for freedom" when he was detained by British forces in 1943 — for a record £115,000.

Continued on page 30

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

Leading Lights

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

Subekchya K.C. – at 27, The Youngest Female Radio Chief in Nepal Subekchya K.C. is the Chief Executive of Radio Kantipur in Nepal and a role model for media aspirants everywhere.

Radio Kantipur is a part of the Kantipur Media Group, the largest media group in Nepal.

The company has its own print media, television, and FM radio with coverage all over the country.

Subekchya’s parents are both from the mid western region of Nepal.

Her father is from Surkhet, and her mother, Sarmistha K.C. is from Nepalgunj . She has a younger brother, and says that being the older one in her family taught her a great deal. She feels that she inherited her management skills from her father, Nirak K.C. Subekchya went to Modern Indian School in Kathmandu and like many upper middle class Nepalis, went to Pune University, where she studied at the Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce. After that she acquired a diploma course in event management and started working for a company at the same time.

Subekchya continued to work while studying a long distance learning course from Symbiosis college and completed a post graduate diploma in business administration.

She was always a leader; whether it was at school or in her working life. She is vocal about her thoughts and feelings. She told us; “I am kind of a fighter so at 27, I can say proudly that I am not scared of any sort of conspiracy or hurdle that comes my way. I have full faith in me and god and I consider myself a blessed child.”

Subekchya always envisioned a career in the media. She felt that the media was a great platform for someone with credibility to reach out to people. She started her industry career in an advertising agency and after that she got an opportunity to work for Radio Kantipur. “I started my job as business development executive and just after two years I got promoted to my current position and got the biggest opportunity; to lead one of the biggest radio stations in Nepal. Radio Kantipur is a 24- hour infotainment radio channel. We have the quickest and the most reliable news bulletins along with enlivening and strongly

Asian Voice journalists went to the Grand Design Live exhibition at the London Excel and paid a visit to the beautiful Kings Kitchen stalls.

Manubhai S Ramji, Chairman started from a humble beginning and has now created a great empire of an extremely trustworthy brand. Present with son Deepak, wife Kanta and daughter Hema, the whole family was busy on Saturday May 4th 2013 showing around guests, clients and interested parties their modular kitchen model, wardrobe, cabinets, tiles etc and discussing the exclusivity of their designs.

Kings Kitchen are perhaps the only British Indians to have a stall at the Grand Design Live show in Excel. So if you are visiting this exhibition (running till the 12th of May), don't forget to visit

Team Kings Kitchen-Deepak, Hema, Manubhai and Kanta Ramji

their stall (no K395).

For more details on Kings Kitchen see http://www.kingskitchens.co.uk/index. php. For more details on the exhibition, please see http://www.granddesignslive.com/.

Subekchya K.C.

public- oriented programmes. The station has programmes targeting various sectors like children, youth, older people, females and others.”

Radio Kantipur is one of the leading private FM radio stations in Nepal. It has the largest operating network, covering 59 districts, and its surrounding areas – “including our neighboring countries.

Radio Kantipur is the most popular radio station in Nepal with 75% radio listeners in our favor,” beams Subekchya.

We make sure that we disseminate our news in a credible, accurate and balanced way In a country of 30 million, that’s substantial.

Subekchya points out that Nepal has been through different political scenarios. After a mass movement in 2006, the monarchy was overthrown. After 2006, Nepal was declared a democratic republic. “A lot of things have altered over the years. Now we can criticize government if they aren’t going the right way.

Not only that , now we can actually raise our voice against injustice in the country without getting into a crisis or being smashed by a reigning group or top bodies of our nation. However, we still have to battle constant political inference. But we make sure that we disseminate our news in a credible, accurate and balanced way.”

Subekchya’s head of engineering, Anup Sharma, has lots of experience in the radio broadcasting field. I had the privilege of working with both Subekchya and Anup and found them far superior to many I have met and worked with in terms of skills, technique, ability to train, guide and professionalism.

Anup has been involved in the industry for 13 years.

During his long career he has been a part of various training courses and seminars organized by the Voice of America, USA; and China Radio Interantiona, China; to name a couple. “It is his continuous involvement in this field, upgrading his knowledge with various international organizations which keeps him and our radio station technologically advanced,” comments his chief in her office.

Subekchya’s radio station has 24 hour online streaming, “so anyone in the world can listen to our radio at www.radiokantipur.com .”

Subekchya find that almost everyone she meets is older than she isand most of those in her industry are men. “Yes it’s tough to deal with their mindset but I do have my ways of tackling them. I get my way, whether they like it or not, and they give me full dignity and respect. And I’m still in the learning phase of my life - my life has only just started and I’ve a long way to go!”

Lord Navnit and Lady Ann Dholakia visiting Kings Kitchen stall with Manubhai

photo courtesy: Sharad Raval

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

Proud to be British

What’s the big idea?

Narendra Modi

Ignorance is bliss

There are some misconceptions in Dineshji’s letter. While loyalty to Britain is commendable, it is not a licence to bash India. He is correct that we are prosperous in UK, but his suggestion that we would not have prospered in India is wrong. Our parents migrated to East Africa, we migrated to Britain. But he must accept that our relatives / colleagues in India have prospered in India.

He must accept that he has prospered due to his professional qualification vide U.K.’s economical framework.

Past generation graduated professionally and prospered; next generation is following footsteps of parents by graduating with modern / post modern degrees, to continue prospering in 21st century.

Professionals prosper globally, including India and within its economic parameters.

Britain is teetering on brink of triple dip recession, giving mere 1% interest and maximum with 2.75% in ISA. Mr.Sheth must compare this with incredible 5.7% GDP in India vide “Scrutator” page 12 and “Financial Voice” page 18.

Corruption is passing phase in India’s history, just like Mogul dynasty and British empire.

Mr Sheth, while NRIs talk in millions, six zeros after one, present generation in India talks in crores, seven zeros after one. Minimum count is lakhs, five zeros after one. Considering rapid prosperity of India’s current generation, NRI may be looked down as poor relative.

Our children might complete the migratory circle and might emigrate back to roots. Thus we must instil love for India by deterring negativity and inferiority complex.

Readers with long memories will know that my journalistic association with this newspaper group began way back in the 1970s when I wrote news, features and personal columns for Abpl’s former New Life weekly newspaper, followed by a 12-year spell writing a column called “Shop Talk” (entire page, with pictures) for the group’s former Asian Business fortnightly magazine aimed at independent retailers.

Several years ago I suggested, in one of my Shop Talk columns, that a good way to deter shoplifting might be to have an image of a uniformed policeman with helmet and those “follow-me-around” eyes sited among the shelves. Now I see that a version of my idea has been adopted in Newcastle to scare off bicycle thieves.

Okay, Mr Smarty Pants, you say, so what’s your next big idea? I would say mobile computer-operated closed-circuit tv cameras continuously circulating high overhead, ready to take off instantly in any direction as programmed to pursue fleeing criminals and pinpoint their whereabouts for police to move in and arrest them.

Too far-fetched? Your views, please.

In your weekly of 20th April I was very happy to see how you have summarised the case of Shri Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat. This goes without saying how the Indian media has very largely demonised his character.

Congress leaders have called him ‘maut ka saudagar’, Hitler, Assasin, and one Congress spokesperson also said that Modi should be put on a buffalo and taken around the city. Such language is highly uncultured. How can you expect civilised behaviour from some of the Congress maniacs?

All this apart, I wish to submit my plea in this case. I would ask the readers if fifty Muslim pilgrims were returning from Haj and were burnt to death on a train, what would have happened?

There would have been riots, not only in India but also all over the world.

Cartoon pf prophet Mohammed is in point. Moving a bit further the total number of Muslim deaths are being exxaherated. At least one third of the deaths were Hindus. Nobody brings into the equation the number of Hindus slaughtered in Kashmir. Three thousand killed and quarter million Hindus thrown out of the valley, rotting in camps in Gujarat.

Congresswalas want to be forgiven for the deaths of Sikhs caused by them in 2004. The UPA government has specialised in the use of CBI for their own evil purpose. They have been sent out against Baba Ramdev, Anna Hazare, Kejriwal and so on.

Even today in India Hindu temples are the target of religious fanatics.

Jehadists have a hayday. With our ‘disunity’ we stand terribly exposed. Our people should think who to vote next.

Caste legislation is “The Topic of Discussion” at our dinner tables, thanks to AV for articulate coverage. Caste issue that was dead and buried until now has infuriated Indian community as never before, uniting us, with the possibility of harnessing Hindu votes in time of adversity. Our resolves are only tested in time of adversity. Ignorance among politicians is worry, as it was mischief making opportunity, trying to impose their politically correct prejudices on others, creating den of inequality in the sea of peaceful co-existence. In the land of blind, one eyed Jack (HOL) is the king. Let us not give an opportunity to these clueless politicians to destroy our unity out of jealousy, ignorance or sheer spitefulness.

While every politician bar one who spoke in HOC admitted never encountering such scenario, pantomime season continues unabated! Barry, in his informative article, compared it with sending 12 year old children down coal mines, sums it all. It is mind over matter, akin to reincarnation of extinct bird Dodo, flogging dead horse, shutting stable doors after horse has bolted; white elephant legislation without merit. Could ignorance be bliss? Could Tribal, Cultural, Sectarian discrimination more relevant than caste?

Are we turning into nation of hypocrites, fermenting witch-hunt, guardian of self-imposed morality without merit, without meritocracy with holier than thou attitude, politicians going on odyssey of self-enlightenment at our expense?

BBC could not find single believable case, putting forward two incidents, one 25 years old, which at best were personal altercations and at worse put-up jobs.

P C Aggarwal Middlesex (abridged version)

Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

Ramesh Jhalla Via Email

UKIP’s success UKIP’s success in the recent council elections outside London largely reflects people’s frustration that the economy has not bounced back as quickly as we might have hoped. It is perfectly understandable that voters would want to send this message back to the established political parties at Westminster.

Whatever we may think about UKIP, their ability to win a few council seats underlines two additional points that the governing parties should not ignore. We have to make sure that we create a fair immigration system and address fears over so-called “benefits tourism” by not allowing our health service and benefits system to be used by the small number of people who come from abroad to use our system for free.

And we do want a referendum on this country’s future relationship with the European Union. David Cameron should put in place the legislation needed for a referendum before the next election, so that when he has completed his negotiations in Brussels as the next Prime Minister of a Conservative Government, he can ask the British people whether they wish to remain in the EU or not.

Syed Kamall Conservative MEP for London

Rudy Otter Via Email

Caste discrimination In one of the last issues of Asian Voice, Alpesh Patel thoroughly exposed the caste discrimination. I support and congratulate him for his views.

Let us face the facts that even in Bhagavad Gita caste discrimination is evident. Though the Indian government is trying its best to eliminate this scourge, this senseless practice is yet prevalent, resulting in blood shed and murders in some states, most of our Hindu temples practice it, either direrctly or indirectly.

Our forefathers so called “aryans’ labelled indigenous people of the land as lowest caste and oushed them into the dirtiest jobs with no human rights at all.

Though the times have changed, not only in India, but abroad as well, we have not become broad minded enough to discard these divisions and subdivisions in various castes.

Not only that, but, we hindus are religiously divided in so many panths, sects etc. I think we are the only ones on surface of this earth, who practice polytheism with myriads of deities; some with multiple heads and hands and some riding animals and birds.

These divisive and discriminatory tendencies are largely detrimental to Hindu unity. In name of culture, why are we sweeping our dirt under the carpet and desire favours.

It’s high time to step this rot and establish justice, truth, morals and ethics to be worthy of respect and importance; and earn our legitimate representation and participation in interfaith seminars and government programs and functions; that we seek for.

Dr Naginbhai P Patel London

Big Questions

Visa Bytes

For some time I have been watching Big Question every Sunday morning on BBC1, presented by Nick Campbell. The programme is an open discussion and debate on a whole spectrum of controversial topics, some which are faith based, but intellectually stimulating.

It’s a great platform for aiming one’s views and opinions and is viewed by a high profile for airing one’s views and opinions and is viewed by a high percentage of the populace. I have observed that the audience comprises of a good cultural mix. The front rows are invariably occupied by representatives from Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Sikh communities but the Hindus are conspicuous by their absence.

So it was really refreshing to see Mr Pratik Dattani of the City Hindus Network and also another Hindu lady who both spoke very eloquently and did us proud.

Congratulation to both of them. We have so many Hindu organisations with young, impressionable and articulate members who could represent the Hindus at these popular programmes. In religious matters, reference is always made of major religions as being Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Sikhism and

I think Maria Fernandes’s column “Visa Bites” should be translated into Gujarati for the benefit of your readers of Gujarat Samachar. I have always found it useful.

About fake Rudrakhshas and other items- The item about sale of fake Rudraksha should be similarly given wider publicity in light of lot of such fake con artists appearing on other TV media and other publications. I am glad your publications have bravely steered away from such con artists even at the loss of advertising revenue.

The sadhus- I believe that sadhus and swamis coming to preach 2000 year old remedy for modern ills have caused more problems than solved them.It is known that Mental health problems among Asian Community is widespread.

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G Mistry Via Email yet Hinduism is practiced by more than a billion people through out the world- is rarely mentioned. It just gets side lined.

So let’s see more Hindu faces to represent in and fight our corner.

A P Chohan Bromley

EducAtion/council Voice

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

Change Makers Sai School of Harrow are the winners of the 'Most Proactive Organisation' competition in Asian Voice Youth Conference, held on 23 March 2013. They sent 17 students to take part in this year's Youth Conference. As a reward, they have won this column space in Asian Voice for the coming six months, to promote activities and accomplishments of the youngsters and the Sai school. Mostly this column will be written by the school students and youngsters.

Yakult Invests in Sai School

A competition was arranged by Yakult UK Ltd to work in partnership with Sai School of Harrow, the free award winning Saturday School which delivers a multi faith and citizenship programme to Hindu children. Sai School operates from Stanburn School in Stanmore, Middlesex and is now run and managed by their ex pupils and Youth

Team who teach children from Reception Class right through to Year 10 and prepare them to sit their GCSE Hinduism exams.

Yakult drink was founded by the Japanese scientist Dr Shirota, who

in 1935 discovered the Lactobacillus casei strain of bacteria. He believed that mind, body and community were of equal importance for true happiness. Yakult companies around the world are involved in cultural, academic and community project and representatives from their head office in South Ruislip visited Sai School in March to distribute their bottles to all classes to decorate their bottles based around Human Values, an educational programme inspired by Sai Baba.

Year 3 pupils chose Respect Cows as their theme, 1 pupil made a model Green Town calling it Yakultshire and Year 6 pupils chose Non Violence as their theme.

The overall winner was a group entry by Year 8 girls who created a spectacular creation of World Peace with every bottle

decorated as children from different parts of the world.

If you wish to register your child for their September 2013 intake, please log onto www.saishool.com or email Tejal Patel on info@saischool.com to request an application form.

Well done boys!

Pranav Patel, a pupil at the Swaminarayan School has been selected at the Middlesex County Cricket, U11 Squad. To be selected to represent Middlesex at any level is a tremendous achievement. The U11 squad also includes other Asian boys like Rishi Wijeratne. Shaariq Sheikh, Shirase Rasool and Zayn Hussain. The boys will now be seen as Middlesex County players.

Ex-Middlesex and England player Angus Fraser presenting Panav with his cap

Olympic spirit lives in Enfield’s schools Primary schools across Enfield are determined to keep the Olympic spirit alive as 30 pupils from each school prepare to take part in a series of sports events, called ‘Inspire a Generation’, in seven of the borough’s parks.

Organised by Enfield Council’s school sports service, children are being encouraged to wave flags representing a country of their choice, wear the colours of that nation and bring mascots along too.

Cllr Ayfer Orhan, Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, said, “The spirit of last year is set to continue. Our parks are wonderful places and the success of our own school torch relay has set a precedent for more competitive sports activities across the borough.”

Children aged 10 and 11 have also been trained as young games makers learning to set up equipment, direct groups to the right part of the park and to help with tag rugby, dodge ball and the growing bowls type game, boccia, popular at the Paralympics.

They are also helping to referee and to make the events a huge success.

Students from Middlesex University are organising fencing and boxing sessions and local sports clubs are expected to support the park events helping with training, judging and refereeing.

Schools are also running linked events in the mornings so that all pupils can enjoy and take part in some way – even if they are not actually going to the parks.

11

FA Youth Cup player believes 'education is as important as his football career' Dylan Lall who has played against some top premiership teams in the FA youth cup and has aspirations to be the first fully Indian player to play professionally for Brighton has balanced his education with being an elite athlete and has gained 10 A*- A at GCSE whilst being on a full scholarship for Brighton.

Dylan Singh Lall is a British Sikh born is currently a first year scholar at Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club.

After gaining 10 GCSE’s, all of which were A-A*, he decided to continue with A levels (Economics & Business Studies) at a Private school as he is believes education, at this stage of my career, is just as important as trying to carve out a career in professional football.

It has been hard work juggling both facets to the best of his ability but he knows that hard work is fundamental to achieving his aspiration of becoming the first ever Indian First Team Player at Brighton and Hove Albion.

He started playing football for a local team called Crawley Down FC at the age of 6 where he won Manager’s Player of the year three years running whilst being awarded the captaincy. After three years at Crawley Down, he decided to move to another local side Saint Hill Blues, where he first experienced eleven-a-side football and again captained the side.

At the age of 15 he won the Manager’s Player of the Year Award and Top Goal Scorer Award for the U18 Worth School Football Team, being the youngest ever player to

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12

Media Watch

The Times of India front-page headline (April 29) made sombre reading: “This Lok Sabha could be the least productive in history.” After four years, it has recorded just 1157 hours of sittings. Legislators, paid handsomely for their time, are elected to perform the nation’s business, yet prefer to publicize their skills in brawling and free-style wrestling in the well of Parliament. The principal opposition party in any democracy has to convince voters that it is a government in waiting.

Habitual cracks at Congress Party President’s Italian birth may go down well with the BJP faithful, but this overcooked dish is hardly an appetizer for the broader public.

Newspaper craze A centre-spread photo feature in Mint (April 27) on the Indian public’s craze for reading newspapers is a sign of the times and, maybe, a warning to the country’s public figures not to underestimate the ordinary citizen’s thirst for knowledge and the sharpened intelligence and

awareness of national and local issues that come with it.The newly literate masses seem to be ahead of the game.

Reviewing 36 year-old worldtravelled, Delhi-based freelance photographer Sanjay Austa’s volume of compelling images, Pooja Chaturvedi writes that wherever he went in India, his camera “found people [of all ages, shapes and sizes] in rural and urban areas devouring the daily newspaper….And over four years, Austa has travelled through cities like Madurai, Nagpur and Hyderabad, as well as hamlets in Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh) and Pushkar (Rajasthan) to capture the Indian reading habit. The result is more than 1,000 pictures,” from shoppers, sadhus (holy men ), a taxi driver caught reading in a traffic jam and others involved in the business of living, with eyes glued to a newspaper. It carries a telling message of a transitional society on the move.

Event Manager, who has taken charge of Lok Satta (s small local party) candidate Bharath Damle; Software consultant Bhusan Nag, the Congress Party candidate; and Yogendra Manjunath, a professional scientist, who is standing in the colours of the Am Admi party.

The Citizens Collective, which includes Mohandas Pai and Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, the CEO of biotechnology major Biocon, is putting its weight behind a whole range of worthy hopefuls from conBangalore stituencies.

Bangalore today, India tomorrow?

Maruti bonanza “Maruti Profit Zooms Like Gayle’s Strike Rate” (a reference to the thunderous IPL exploits of West Indian superstar batting Chris Gayle) was the Economic Times front-page headline to the report that carmaker Maruti Suzuki India Ltd posted a record net profit that surged to 80 per cent in the fourth quarter of the 2012-13 fiscal ending

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 11th May 2013

Tata’s new team in place The king is dead, long live the king. Such were the words, centuries ago, announcing the changing of the guard. Cyrus Mistry, 44, Chairman of the Tata group, has formed a core team to take the 145 conglomerate to the next level of growth. The men around Ratan Tata, the previous chairman, are now into the midsixties and seventies and Mr Mistry decided rightly that the Group Executive Council (GEC)

Cyrus Mistry

needed new faces and fresh thinking to build on the $100 billion global brand created by his illustrious predecessor.

The company vision statement reads as follows: “The agenda of the GEC includes, inter alia, return on investment with a long-term perspective…..preserving and enhancing the reputation of the Tata name, defining and driving a Tata way of working for group companies and playing a proactive role so that the group fulfils

Bangalore shows how Karnataka is holding its State assembly elections and one of its features is the number of professionals from Bangalore, who are standing as candidates or are playing key managerial roles in the election campaigns. The voice of India’s emergent middle will surely be heard in ever growing decibels hereon. That is what T.V.Mohandas Pai, a former director and chief financial officer at Infosys and now Chairman of Manipal Global Education thinks. “They are in a position to bring about change and are creating critical mass,” he says.

Profiles Mint (April 30) has snapshots and profiles of three such people: Victoria D’Souza,32, an

Chairman Maruti Suzuki India limited R.C.Bhargava poses with their new car model 'A-star

March 31. The astonishing figure exceeded market expectations by bucking the trend that witnessed a 6.69 per cent shrinkage in the car sales.

India’s largest carmaker cut discounts, raised prices, trimmed costs, and was helped by yen depreciation. The company’s previous best figure was in the December quarter of 2009.

Suzuki’s net profit for the year 2012-13 rose by 41 per cent. The stock market soared. Analysts expect healthy figures for the June quarter as well.(Mint, Economic Times, Times of India, Hindu, Telegraph)

its responsibility as a global corporate citizen.”

Mr Mistry’s reorganization is to ensure the transition works smoothly, according to management writer Morgen Witzel, author of “Tata: The Evolution of a Corporate Brand” (Mint, Hindu, Times of India, Telegraph May 1)

India, Russia, Afghan talks “India and Russia have a strong convergence of perceptions of how to move forward for

protest from Beijing. Resourcedeficit Japan has long looked at Siberia for its huge natural wealth in oil, gas and minerals. Japan-Russia industrial and technological collaboration for mutual benefit would make an excellent fit, especially in these difficult economic

Shri Salman Khurshid

Afghanistan,” said Salman Khurshid, India’s Minister of External Affairs in Moscow on his arrival from Almaty, Kazakhstan. He went on to say that “India and Russia agree that the process of peace and reconciliation must be Afghan-owned and Afghandriven …..Solutions have to come from within Afghanistan.”

Russia’s top diplomat Zamir Kabulov agreed. “We support the process of reconciliation.

But it must be led by Afghans and conducted by Afghans,” he said.

Both sides were in agreement that the Nato-led military presence in Afghanistan was winding down too abruptly. Russia was concerned that the presence of US military bases in Afghanistan well into the future could be a source of mischiefmaking in Iran and Central Asia, while India’s attention was focused more on Pakistan’s jihadi activity in the war-torn Afghan region after the Nato pullout.

India for Russia in Central Asia Whatever the differences of emphasis, India made clear its firm support for a higher Russian profile in Central Asia, for which Delhi was prepared to work closely with Moscow.

Minister Khurshid explained: “If Central Asia moves in the right direction and continues its strong association with Russia, it will become a very solid link between India and Russia. We need to ensure that Central Asia becomes a very strong bridge between ourselves and Russia.”

Mr Khurshid was in the Russian capital for a meeting of the Indo-Russian InterGovernmental Commission.

Among other things, he said he hoped to enhance Indo-Russian defence cooperation (Hindu April 29)

New Great Game?

Are we witnessing the 21st century permutation of Kipling’s 19th century Great Game?

Possibly. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held talks in Moscow with President Vladimir Putin to resolve their countries’ territorial dispute over the Kurile Islands, which has prevented Russia and Japan from signing a peace treaty 67 years after the Second World War. The two leaders have called on their respective foreign ministries to draw up proposals for a mutually acceptable compromise on the issue. The ShinzoPutin talks, hailed as a “breakthrough,” have provoked a

times.

Indo-Japan partnership Prime Minister Abe is the driver of a close Indo-Japan strategic partnership, whose core will be Japanese investment in Indian infrastructure. So, is India the fulcrum of a trilateral understanding between three key players in the Asia Pacific region? Good question. China’s needling of India and Japan is reminiscent of the German Kaiser’s behavior in the decade prior to the First World War. Prussian arrogance proved counter-productive then, just as Han arrogance is proving to be now.

India in global science venture India is developing the heaviest and largest parts of Tokamak, the machine behind the biggest and most ambitious scientific collaboration on the planet to produce unlimited supplies of cheap, clean, safe and commercial energy from nuclear fusion.

This project, known as ITER, (Latin “for way”) is based on the Tokamak concept of magnetic confinement, in which plasma is contained in a vacuum doughnut-like contraption.

Key fuel The fuel – a mixture of deuterium and tritium, two isotopes of hydrogen – is heated to a temperature in excess of 150 million degree Celsius, forming a hot plasma, ten times hotter than the Sun’s core. The Tokamak Building in southern France will be slightly taller than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, its platform constructed over 42 hectares will be 1 kilometre long and 400 metres wide. Beginning in December 2015, the first of ITER’s cryostat segments, 54 in all, will be arriving from India.

They will be preassembled into four sections before transported to the Assembly building. The workshop will be built and operated by the Indian Domestic Agency (Times of India April 29). India’s post-Independence vision is word becoming flesh.

Petrol prices Petrol prices in India have come down by Rs 2-3, reflecting their fall on the global oil market. So will the “pro-people” parties recompense the national exchequer for the revenue it lost because of their nationwide strike of February 23? Ask no questions and you’ll be told no lies.

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

13

The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust hosts reception at Coutts

The Ingredients of Social Action

Mr Ashok Rabheru, his daughter Nikita and Sir John

On Wednesday 17th April was a busy day in London with many people observing the funeral of Lady Thatcher. Later on that day Sir John Major, Chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, and Mr Ashok J. Rabheru, Chairman of the Genysis Group, hosted a Reception at Coutts on The Strand.

Mr Rabheru thanked all guests for overcoming the day’s travel challenges to hear Sir John’s moving words about the Trust cause.

The Trust’s purpose is to create a lasting legacy for the Commonwealth to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s remarkable sixty years of service. In doing so, support is invited from

all walks of life and across the Commonwealth. The purpose of the evening was to introduce the Avoidable Blindness Programme in South Asia a new audience, many of whom have Asian interests.

Sir John stated “The Programme will have a catalytic input to tackle the problem of blindness linked to diabetes which is growing rapidly in the subcontinent. It will also address Retinopathy of Prematurity, blindness which affects pre-term babies, and through which Stevie Wonder and David Blunkett were made blind– entirely avoidable with the right training and equipment. Together with partners and donors the

Trust will help end Avoidable Blindness by 2020. Quite a legacy, quite an ambition.”

The event included guests like Ajay and Ketan Gokani (Elite Mobile Ltd), Mukund Jobanputra, Lord Noon (Chairman; Noon Group), Dinesh Dhamija (Delta Nature Resort), Julie Muraco (Managing Partner; Praeditis Group LLC), Lord Bilimoria (Chairman; Cobra Beer Partnership), Satish Chatwani (Director; Kanta Enterprises Group) amongst many others. The guests were moved to express a wish to support the initiative, where each pound given will be matched by government funding.

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He claims he was duped by his accountant into putting his money into the property deal, with a promised yield of 15% within 120 days.

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Create informal teams, and email people you are asking to be team captains. (psychology of titles and status).

Make sure the teams have interesting IPL type names, eg City Hindu Network Leaders (psychology of what is fun gets done) When you email the nominated team captain, ask them to find you nine others – and say you are writing on behalf of a Peer (find one – they’re always willing to help) and cc the Peer! (the psychology of Peer pressure).

In that email make sure you list all the other teams (whether or not they’ve confirmed) and put at the top the team whose captain you’re writing to (the psychology of being made to feel special) The subject of the email is ‘I need your help’ (the psychology of the power of vulnerability).

Follow up with emails asking how they are getting along, and that their competition (eg a Labour or Tory team, a team of a different faith or region) are putting a team together (the psychology of competitive tension) Mention they will meet various politicians and that could come in handy for their own causes (the psychology of power) Make sure you ask groups of young and old, the social benefit being they learn from each other by seeing others do it, create a sense of community and gain access to those they normally would not.

Done. Oh by the way – if you’d like to form a team and have great fun networking meeting members of the House of Lords and Parliament who may be useful for your own cause and have a fun time out – join us, form a team (not mandatory), www.theloombafoundation.org. And you’ll be helping widows and orphans in India too!

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Reading the emails on the caste debate, one struck me. It was about how people not helping were simply trying to keep their heads down so they could get a Peerage. This bothered me because it appears vast swathes of the British Indian community feel disengaged from, unable to access politics, helpless and frustrated.

They may well feel the rich and the influential have no time for them and their issues. And if people are as selfish and calculating as they are accused of being, then how do we use that, instead of whinging about it?

So how do you get young and old people alike involved in a social activity of international importance; those from Parliament and politics, with those regular folk like me from Yorkshire?

A friend of mine has a PhD in psychology. I used some of his techniques and a lot of my experience in motivating people to do things. It works. So I thought I better share: Lord Loomba told me about the 1,000 people he wants to walk or run around Hyde Park on International Widows Day – June 23. He enlisted my help as Co-Chair of the Loomba Trust Advisory Board.

Well emailing people a link so sign up won’t do it. We get hundreds of those daily. Everyone has better things to do, families to feed, to worry about widows and orphans in India – besides our community does so much already.

So here was the strategy and it seems to have worked. A 10 point plan for any social impact volunteer event to get results: Set up the admin online so it’s easy to monitor and that way people register themselves (the psychology of what’s easy gets done) and through social media get sponsors via JustGiving.

Set the fee small, in this case £20 (the psychology of what’s small gets done)

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Sathnam Sanghera

The literary world reportedly has been scandalised by its financial duping, with authors claiming they have been conned into investing in a fake £20m property deal.

Hanif Kureishi, whose best-known works include My Beautiful Laundrette and The Buddha of Suburbia, said he has lost his savings of £120,000.

Another alleged victim is believed to be Sathnam Sanghera, author of The Boy With the Top Knot, a book about growing up as a Sikh in Wolverhampton.

Kureishi reportedly said he was offered an

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14

finance, banking & insurance

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 11th May 2013

Corporate, Political and Community Leaders The 13th Annual Finance, Banking and Insurance (FBI 2013) magazine by Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar (AV & GS) newsweeklies was launched at the House of Commons by the Economic Secretary to Treasury, Sajid Javid, MP on 2 May, 2013. Other dignitaries present at the launch included Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee and Matthew Hancock, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for further education, skills and lifelong learning (a joint post between the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Education) in addition to around 250 professionals, business and community leaders. ooking at the significance of the event and the reputation of FBI magazine that has been built over the years, Member's Dining Room at the House of Commons was packed by 7pm when the proceedings of the evening began. The presence of so many, especially younger entrepreneurs was very impressive.

Guests were welcomed by hosts Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP, CB Patel, Publisher/Editor, George, Chief of Operations and his colleagues at the Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar. Canapés and drinks made the rounds which was enjoyed by all as they networked. The MOC of the evening was Viji Alles, Founder and Editor of UK Asian Online.

The Charity for the Evening was Silver Star and money was raised to bring awareness about diabetes in the South Asian community. A raffle draw was organised and the winner received a pair of tickets for the forthcoming Man U v/s Swansea City match on 12 May. The winner was Mr Ian Lee.

we try to do as much as we possibly can to support.

The small businesses community and I represent it across the government and I make sure that we listen to the needs and demands of the small businesses in particular, because as we know this is the root to our future prosperity. You as a magazine but also such a value path of our business community and wider community play a hugely important role. I welcome you all, hope you have a super reception and I want to thank you all for that you do and all your support for prosperity in this nation” Welcoming the guests, introducing the newspaper and the Chief Guest, Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP for Leicester East said, “When I was first elected 26 years ago, one newspaper that was there to support the cause of Asian business community like yours, and the through thick and thin may what be the problem the community has been CB has been there for the community and want to thank on behalf of us for the magnificent work you and

Economic Secretary to Treasury, Sajid Javid, MP addressing the guests

Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP giving a speech

Mr Vaz introduced Matthew Hancock, who said, “I wanted to say how much we value the work of the newspaper and the work of all of you. Because its only through supporting our businesses and our employers that we are going to build the future of this country that we desperately need to. It is those values of hard work and graph, and sticking it and perspiration that you represent and that are those values we cherish so much and in government

your team do.

Our Guest of Honour is someone who has achieved more in a space of two and a half years than many of us have achieved in all our 26 years in Parliament. It used to be the boast of every Asian mother and father that their kids become either doctors or doctors. But actually today if you talk to the parents, their proudest boast is when their children go and work in JP Morgan or Deutsche bank.

L

CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of ABPL, Deepak Kuntawala, Founder & Chairman of DVK Group Ltd, Economic Secretary to Treasury, Sajid Javid, MP and Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, launching the 13th Finance, Banking & Insurance Magazine

Our guest of honour has done all that and more. To look at his history, you really look at the history of our community. Father came to this country as a bus driver, with literally nothing in his pocket, like many of the people from the first generation, a son who has gone beyond the

launch of 13th edition of FBI magazine by Asian Voice.

What this magazine highlights and celebrates is the contribution that the British Asians are making to the country, and not just in business or finance but to every walk of lifewhether sport, art, music

Sponsors of FBI 2013

DVK Group Ltd wildest expectations and dreams of his parents and achieved so much in such a short period of time.

When I was first elected, I never thought I would see the day where someone from the Asian

or politics. I am extremely proud of this increasing contribution and so is the government and we want to see more of this.

Another thing that often gets forgotten, like the first generation of

Deepak Kuntawala, Founder & Chairman of DVK Group Ltd, introducing his company

Matthew Hancock, Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State addressing the guests

background will be standing out there with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, holding the famous red box, but Sajid has done this. And he has done it the only way Sajid should have done it- with merit..”

It is the sponsors that make an event of this stature possible and for FBI 2013 launch, the main sponsor was DVK Group.

Mr Javid in his official speech said, “Congratulation on the

Asians who came to this country and settled here.

Second generation have benefitted from living in Britain and taking advantages of all the opportunities to be given, owe a huge debt of gratitude to our parents that came to Britain. For many of them wherever they came from took big risks and started working in semi skilled and unskilled jobs and some of them eventually became businessmen like my father. That generation

I think, are the unsung heroes because without the risk they took in 1960s-70s, we would not be here or have had the success we have today without their contributions.

Many of you have seen the Olympics last year and the success Britain had in it. There is a huge beautiful tower in the middle of Olympic park, you could not miss it- that tower was designed by a British Asian, it was financed by a British Asian and it is something that I think for me, represents the towering achievements of the British Asians. A real symbol of what this community has achieved in all their British life and a long way to continue.”

Deepak Kuntawala, Founder of the DVK Group was invited upon stage. Explaining the vision of DVK, he said, “I am very pleased to be here today with you all on behalf of DVK and our chairman, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.

I am grateful to CB Patel, a cherished and respected family friend, George and all the ABPL team for inviting us to collaborate and for giving me the opportunity to be here tonight to speak to you in the mother of parliaments, where the rule of law is made and upheld, a principle that I respect enormously.

I am from this Asian community with both a father and a father in law who have deep roots in our society –some of you may know them – I too was brought up with a spirit of entrepreneurship.

But this 13th edition of the FBI magazine is part of something bigger and I want to widen the discussion to our approach to money.

There is another aspect to all of this, something I learnt a few years ago and which I practice on a daily basis wherever I am in the world. It is based on the law of attraction and can be found in a book called The Secret. It

was on the New York Times bestseller list for a long time, and is based on a film of the same name...

I believe that there are universal laws of money and that money itself has an energy. If you concentrate on giving rather than receiving, then money will come to you. We Asians often have a scrooge mentality and like to hold onto our savings. No, if you really focus hard on being abundant, I can promise you will find what I have found-that money comes back to you with multiple interest. The results that DVK is achieving across the world are only due to the fact that we come from a place of giving and are prepared to invest across many sectors. We have private equity, trading, real estate, commodities and aviation. We are known for many things rather than one specialty.

Because I don’t believe in limits.

Philanthropy is very important to DVK and we give to many charities.

Giving creates a circle of fortune; if you give to others unconditionally, then you receive too. But it requires letting go...”

We also have a vision at DVK; Positive thinking, self belief and faith. I know that that vision is shared by the ABPL group and by many of you here today so on that note I would like to say once again thank you very much for inviting me here tonight and congratulations on the launch of the FBI magazine” CB Patel in his usual humorous way added, “I have happened to see your career Mr Javid, you have a come a long way since being elected from Rochadale..

Keith only you can organise such an important event and seeing Asians succeeding in Politics, now I know Sajid, we can also have an Asian PM in the future.

If any of you present here are diabetic, don't be depressed and take care.

Silver Star is doing a very good job. Make sure to get yourself checked. ” The speeches were followed by the official launch of the FBI magazine by Chief Guest for the evening, Sajid Javid, alongside Rt Hon Keith Vaz, CB Patel and Deepak Kuntawala.

Business Development Manager, Rovin George gave the vote of thanks announcing that the AAA nominations are now available online and concluded the formal part of the evening as guests took the opportunity to continue networking and greet and meet with dignitaries.

Photo Courtesy: Raj Bakrania

finAnce, bAnking & insurAnce

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

15

s come together for the launch of FBI 2013

Viji Alles - Founder and Editor of UK Asia online MOC at the event

Rovin George, Business Development Manager giving Vote of Thanks

Meera Shah, Hash Shah of Neem tree Care Homes, Paresh Raja of MFS UK Ltd, Pratibha Dewan of MFS UK & Kiran Patel of Weston Kay

Balvant B Patel, Shewak Dansinghia, Vasanti Patel, Hirji Patel, Dilip Unarket of John Cumming Ross Ltd

Jazz Walia of W1 Magazine & Amit Jajodia of Telpack Mobile Ltd

Jacob Ravibalan of WTO, Siv Matchendran of British South Indians, Vedanthan Rambabu of UKTI, CB Patel of ABPL Group, Ramesh Kumar of Future Renewables Ltd, P Vijaya Kumar of Voyage Media Ltd, Bavanendran Maniccam of Saravanaas

Roni Raithatha, Kirpal Ubhoo, Nailesh Teraiya of Indigo FX and Rakesh Dua of Dua and Co

Surbhi Kansara, Reena Popat of Darlington Solicitors, Shalini Bhargva of Aschford Solicitors & Rushi Thakker of Jalaram Money Transfer & Parcel Service

Suraj Gokani of Currencies 4 you, Ian Kyle from Zurich Assurance, Ashok P Thakker of Openwork Ltd

Jayesh Patel, Yogesh Gopal of Everglade Window Ltd, Shashi Patel of Infinity Property Solution Ltd, Pritpal Manku of Mark & Co, Mitesh Vekaria of Vascroft Contractor Ltd, Kamlesh Padhra of Infinity Property Solution Ltd, Vijay Chandras of Mark & Co, Nilesh Pindoria of Infinity Property Solution Ltd, Kalyan Patel of Bhavna Sweet Mart, Sundeep Mistry, Satish Patel of Infinity Property Solution Ltd

Directors and Associates of The Prideview Group and Bircroft Insurance Services

Mansoor Popat of Edenplaza Hotel with Sajid Javid MP

Jas Johal and Omar Paul of DVK at their Stand

Stephen Plunkett of St. James’s Place Wealth Management, Rajay Vadher and Jay Vadher of Vadher & Co

Abijit Sen of DI5 Global & Paula Chattaraj of Air India

Deepak Kuntawala of DVK, Sumant Kuntawala, Jas Johal of DVK, Omar Paul of DVK and Vinay Kuntawala

Bambi Sidibe, Martina Moh, Catherines Wines of World Remit

16

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

Yami Gautham's bilingual

4th London Indian Film Festival in July

Yami Gautham who shot to fame with her performance in “Vicky Donor” will be next seen alongside Jai in “Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum.” The movie is being directed by Premsai who was an associate of Prabhu Deva. This movie is also being simultaneously shot in Telugu as well. Nitin will be reprising the role of Jai and almost 50% of this movie is already completed. Yami is playing the female lead character in both the versions as well. Music is to be composed by Karthik and cinematography by Om Prakash.

he 4th annual festival of Indian film will be held in London from 18 to T 25 July. This festival gives the UK

audience a rare selection of cuttingedge films from India. The festival presents a kaleidoscope of new films that challenge, shock, generate debate and present a more realistic view of the Indian subcontinent today.

The festival will stretch city wide, opening in the West End at the Cineworld Haymarket and continue at BFI Southbank, Cineworld Shaftesbury Avenue, Wood Green, Wandsworth, the O2 and ICA. For the second time the festival is also teaming up with the Tate Modern.

The festival also has films and events for a wide range of audiences and includes industry events at BAFTA, exploring Indian/UK coproduction and specially commissioned music and performance pieces.

The star attraction will Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan, one of the very few Indians to straddle Hollywood, British and Indian cinema. His memorable films include Oscar winners “Life of Pi,” “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Salaam Bombay,” BAFTA winner “The Warrior,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and Bollywood hits “Maqbool and Paan Singh Tomar.” The festival will be honouring this versatile actor with a dedicated evening at the BFI Southbank on Saturday, 20th July.

The details of the programme will declared on 18 June.

This year’s main sponsors include O2 International Sim and the festival is also supported for the first time with Lottery funding through the BFI’s Film Festival Fund.

Cary Rajinder Sawhney, Festival Director says: “It’s great to be working on the zeitgeist of new Indian cinema and we aren’t just showing Indian films for Indian audiences, but kicking open the door to the rich diversity of independent cinema emerging across the Indian subcontinent today.”

Akon to sing Love Anthem with Simbu

Internationally acclaimed hip hop recording artist, songwriter and album producer Akon, has arrived in Chennai.

He is going to record a song with Simbu for his Love Anthem. A beaming Simbu said, “I’m very happy that Akon has come down to Namma Chennai to record for the final version of the Love Anthem. We will be doing a shoot for the video of the song. The song is on unity and we have taken words from 96 languages.” The buzz is that the songs will talk about the difficult times Indians face outside the country. The song will spread love and unity.

Dhanush ropes in Nayanthara for item number Tamil film “Ethir Neechal” being the current buzz in Kollywood, there is no doubt that the expectations from the film are very high. Owing to his status in the industry, Dhanush has managed to rope in south actress Nayanthara for a special item number in the film. Both Dhanush and Nayanthara will be seen in a special appearance, dancing together in the Kuthu folk dance number named 'Sathiyama Nee Enakku'. It is said that her long friendship with the 'Kolaveri di...' hitmaker made her take up the assignment without giving it a second thought. Sources say that for the song, Nayanthara has herself delved into designing costumes.

The song was shot in Nagercoil at a Punjabi dhabha restaurant. Also for the film, Dhanush has signed up TV star Sivakarthikeyan and Priya Anand to portray the lead roles.

An Evening with Pacino

ollywood actor Al Pacino is bringing his H acclaimed event, “An

Evening with Pacino,” at the London Palladium on Sunday, 2nd June 2013.

The event will explore the highlights of his careers in acting history. The evening will include an on-stage interview, in which the audience can speak to Pacino.

He is one of the few actors to have won the Triple Crown in acting Oscar, Emmy and Tony awards - winning his first Tony in 1969 for “Does A Tiger Wear A Necktie.” He also won acclaim for his role as Michael Corleone in the “Godfather,” which also gave him his first of eight Academy Award nominations. His other major performances were in “Dog Day Afternoon,” “Serpico,” “Scarface,” “Sea of Love,” “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “Heat,” “Donnie Brasco” and “Scent of a Woman” for which he won the Best Actor award at the 1992 Oscars. He has also directed and produced several films.

The show is presented by event organisers Rocco Buonvino and Sterling Ent, founded by Teji Singh. Speaking about the event, Rocco Buonvino says, “I’ve had the pleasure to work with many major artists around the world but Pacino is quite special and I endeavour to serve him with flying colours. This historic night at the Palladium will be electrifying.”

Teji Singh says, “We are delighted to be hosting Al Pacino in London, a global icon and one of the greatest actors in the world. Seeing him in London this summer is going to be very much a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Tickets start from £55 (plus booking fee) and can be purchased from www.seatlive.com or www.seetickets.com For VIP tickets, please contact Sterling Media on 020 7801 0077 or 07503 231 715.

Alia Bhatt bags role in Anurag Kashyap's ‘Ugly’

Bollywood’s new entrant Alia Bhatt who made her debut with Karan Johar's “Student Of The Year,” movie seems to have bagged another big project now. According to sources she will be next seen in Anurag Kashyap's “Ugly,” which stars Ronit Roy and Tejaswini Kolhapure. Buzz has it that Alia will be seen playing the role of a younger Tejaswini in the film. “Ugly” revolves around the kidnapping of a young girl, which brings the victim's estranged parents together to search for her. Alia has already shot for her portion, it seems. Alia will also be seen opposite Arjun Kapoor in the film adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's best-selling novel 2 States, where she will essay the character of a Tamil Brahmin girl.

Akshay's son follows his father’s philanthropic footsteps “Like father like son” is the adage often used to outline the habits and similarities of father and his progeny.

Aarav, the 11-year-old son of mega star Akshay Kumar, following his father’s example has been recognised as being quite the philanthropist himself.

Aarav often visits charitable institutions and donates clothes and toys to underprivileged children. The youngster has an ear open for new social causes where his father and himself may be able to contribute.

Both father and son take the time to regularly clean up their cupboards together and gather all the things that they do not feel that they need, then Aarav visits the local orphanage in Andheri and delivers the goods to all the children.

Similarly, Aarav is extremely ecoconscious nudging everyone to plant trees, not to litter the streets and to recycle materials. When he heard about an initiative to educate poor children, he knew that his father would be interested and nudged Akshay to research more about this initiative so that he can make a contribution to fund the childrens’ education.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

17

Indian cinema completes 100 years on May 3, 2013. We will take you back to the golden era and showcase its evolution in a four part series. “Bollywood” is the name which defines art, talent and vision which has reached every nook and corners of the world today. The French might have introduced the concept of moving images, but India would in near future become the largest film producing country in the world. It's a miracle that Indian cinema has withstood the test of time despite the vast cultural differences.

ollywood films successful at the boxoffice are often referred as 'hits' or 'suB per-hits'. However 'blockbuster' is a title

not every successful film can enjoy.

Things might have changed today with every other film vying for getting into Rs 100-crore (1 billion) club. So while we have super successful films like Ek Tha Tiger, Dabangg, Agneepath, Bodyguard, Rowdy Rathore, Golmaal, Ghajini, Dhoom 2, and many more, the blockbuster title is given only to a select few.

If we go by cost to earnings Jai Santoshi Maa (1975) is by far the biggest blockbuster ever. The film was made on a Rs 400,000-500,000 budget and earned Rs 50 million, which is 100 times its costs. Next on the list would be “Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989) which returned around 15 times its cost. But the real mega blockbusters we believe are decided by the volume of public watching them in a particular era.

Mother India - India's first Oscar nomination: Not many might be aware that Mehboob Khan's Mother India (1957) was a remake of his earlier black-and-white film called Aurat (1940). As he added colours to Mother India narrating the basic turmoil of the Indian farmer, the film fascinated one and all with its touching drama and towering performances from the cast comprising Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Raj Kumar, all of who went on to become big stars. The film was a huge crowd-puller and was also the first Indian film nominated at the Oscars.

Mughal-e-Azam - 14 years in the making: This historical indeed created history in ways more than one. The film was in mak-

ing for as long as 14 years but despite that never lost its sheen when released in 1960.

The production values were grand with magnanimous war scenes and royal sets. It happens to be one of the few films that lived up to its hype. Word is that the current booking never opened for weeks since tickets were sold in advance. Cine-goers used to queue outside Bombay's Maratha Mandir theatre for weeks to catch this majestic movie. At times when film budgets would never hit the million mark, Mughal-E-Azam was made at a huge budget of Rs 15 million and went on to collect much more.

Sholay - 6 years uninterrupted run: The name Sholay is synonymous with super-success.

Almost anybody and everybody who has little knowledge about Bollywood would know the film Sholay and its success story. Ironically this blockbuster didn't get a big opening when released on 15 August 1975 but picked up soon and then there was no looking back. The dialogues of Sholay are still fresh in audience mind and so are the characters from the hero to even the villain's sidekick. The film ran for 4 uninterrupted years in Mumbai's Minerva theatre and continued for 2 more years in the matinee show.

Hum Aapke Hai Kaun...! - released only with 30 prints: It took a couple of decades for any film to come close to being a blockbuster success. Like Sholay, Hum Aapke Hai Kaun wasn't a huge opener since the film released only with 30

prints across India. But this is one of those rare films that picked up with positive word of mouth and whole families thronged to theatres with the comeback of the family drama. Even Sooraj Barjatya might not have estimated that his film would do such huge business at the boxoffice. Hum Aapke Hai Kaun...! ran for years at Mumbai's Liberty cinema.

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge - still playing in Mumbai: Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge handicapped Aditya Chopra in a way since he could never recreate the superlative success of the film with extreme expectations that he stirred up with the audiences.

Closely following on the footsteps of Sooraj Barjatya, Aditya Chopra employed the family setting with an NRI couple and the result was a runaway success. The film earns the record for being the longest running film and is still being run at Mumbai's Maratha Mandir theatre in the matinee show ever since it was released in 1995.

Gadar: Ek Prem Katha - had 6 am shows in Punjab: This partition love story starring Sunny Deol and Amisha Patel earned millions for its distributors. Gadar broke all box-office records, especially in the North territory where the Deol clan rules supreme.

Cinema-halls in Punjab had shows from 6 am in the morning to meet the extreme demand from the audiences. Interestingly Gadar is the only blockbuster film that released on the same day with another

blockbuster hit Lagaan.

Lagaan - housefull silver jubilee: Aamir Khan had the nerve to invest in an offbeat theme like Lagaan which was rejected by several producers. And his gamble paid off as Lagaan was an instant hit with the audience and brought back housefull board outside theatre halls. The film ran to packed houses for as long as silver jubilee, which was a rarity in times when shows didn't con-

tinue till the second week. The cricket theme in the film was kept suspense till its day of release which was a pleasant surprise for the audiences. Lagaan had audiences going berserk in the cinema halls with its global appeal. Irrespective of its uninterrupted run, the box-office collections might not reflect as positively for the fact that Lagaan was a 3 hour 40 minute film and could hardly manage 3 shows in a day.

3 Idiots - the 300 crore club: Rajkumar Hirani's 3 Idiots came at a time when the socalled 100-crore club had just been constituted in Bollywood with every other big star movie was claiming to make 100 crores.

However this film starring Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, Madhavan, Kareena Kapoor and Boman Irani broke all records collecting Rs 385 crore at the box-office. And this was not just any other masala flick but made its way into the audiences' heart for its meaningful content and brilliant performances.

Till date, any contemporary super-hit hasn't managed to break its record.

18

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

Financial Voice Dear Financial Voice Reader,

I am preparing a series of ‘brand ambassador’ adverts for a broker in conjunction with Bloomberg TV which will be shown a few hundred times until people get fed up of me. These are some top tips on trading from them: Markets, especially FX markets have their own language and strategies. Fading the market is one of them. In this strategy, you wait for the first minute after a market moving event – for instance the NonFarm Payrolls if trading the USD. Whatever the high or low in that period is your stop loss. Your entry is to then go in the opposite direction (ie fade) that trade.

The thinking is that the market over-reacts and then the orders fly in from those either expecting the market to fade or those spooked by the spike. This strategy works only for market moving events – not if the data is widely expected and the market barely moves. That is why you wait for the first minute before fading. The price should move 3-4 times more than the average typical one minute move.

One of the world’s leading FX traders, the Global Head of FX for a Major US Investment Bank when Warren Buffett was his Chairman, elucidated one the more important rules for profiting in trading. It’s a simple rule, that differentiates to this day professionals from amateur traders.

But there is no reason a private investor trading from home cannot apply the rule themselves. The rule is simple. ‘You can’t eat like a bird and poop like an elephant’. You cannot set a profit target smaller than your stop loss. At worst your profit target has to be more than 1.5 x your stop loss. If you expect cable to gain 300 pips, you simply cannot be willing to have a stop loss of more than 300 pips. If you expect that stop loss to be likely hit – then the trades not worth doing!

Simple. Focus on the loss not the profit. Always look to have the money to stay in the game The discipline with which private investors will accept this rule is directly proportional to the likelihood of their long term survival.

Simple things done right over and over again in trading lead to success. Position sizing, or how much to bet on each trade, is critical to this. Knowing how professional traders including those at hedge funds position size. Any professional manager will tell you that making sure you don’t lose more than 1-2% of your risk capital on any one trade is vital to long term success? Why such a small number? Imagine you are unlucky enough to be wrong 6 times in a row. You’d only be down 6%.

Most people do not understand the maths. If you were betting and risking bigger sums, you would be down maybe 33% after a string of losses. Then you would need to make 50% from the remaining capital.

50% from just a few losses. This is why limiting risk to 1-2% is vital.

Staying in the game, at the table, is all that matters in trading. No one is switching the markets off. So whenever you’ve set a stop loss, the amount you could lose when that stop loss is hit, should only be 1-2% of your total capital.

Sensex hits 3-month high as sentiments turn bullish The BSE benchmark Sensex on Tuesday rose over 215 points to close at three-month of 19,888.95 and Nifty regained 6,000point mark on sustained buying by FIIs in banking, FMCG, realty and auto sector stocks.

The Sensex rose by 215.31 points, or 1.09 per cent, to 19,888.95, a level last seen on January 31. The index had gained 98 points in the previous session. The gauge had touched the day's high of 19,917.88.

Similarly, the National Stock Exchange index, Nifty regained 6,000 points level by rising 72.50 points, or 1.21 per cent, to close at 6,043.55.

MCX-SX index SX40

rose 90.92 points, or 0.78 per cent, to close at 11,731.20 points.

Brokers said the buying activity gathered momentum, tracking a strong rally in global markets on the back of lower borrowing costs after Reserve Bank of Australia cut its benchmark interest rate, lifting bluechips further higher.

Besides, expectations of an encouraging IIP data for March to be released later this week, too generated buying activity, they said. "Broad based buying was seen and index heavyweights like Reliance, ITC, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank aided the index to move upwards.

Global rating agency Moody's said India's sovereign outlook is stable and does not warrant any action on the country's credit rating in the next 12-18 months.

"We feel the outlook (on India) is stable. We do not see ratings movement up or down in the next 1218 months," Moody's Sovereign Ratings V P and lead analyst (India) Atsi Sheth said on the sidelines of ADB annual meet.

Sheth said Moody's has already incorporated the possibility of an improvement in India's growth in its current rating outlook. In January, Moody's had reaffirmed sovereign credit rating of India at 'Baa3', which indi-

cates investment grade, with a stable outlook. It had, however, cautioned that a high fiscal deficit could pull down the growth in the coming years.

"We expect the downturn will be extended if that is what the world is going through right now.

But we do expect that as conditions globally improve, if the domestic situation improves, growth

too will see an upward trajectory," Sheth said.

Moody's representatives are slated to meet the finance ministry soon, where the ministry would be pitching for a ratings upgrade.

Moody's expects Indian economy to grow by 6 per cent in 2013-14.

In 2012-13, the economic growth is estimated to have slowed to a decade low of 5 per cent.

Finance minister P Chidambaram has pegged fiscal deficit for this fiscal at 4.8 per cent, lower than 5.2 per cent in the last financial year.

There are concerns on Current Account Deficit (CAD) which has touched a record high of 6.7 per

cent in the December quarter of 2012-13. For the entire fiscal, CAD is likely to be around 5 per cent. Despite global uncertainty, the Finance Minister expects the economic growth to be over 6 per cent in the current fiscal.

To boost growth, the government has taken several measures in the recent past, including liberalising FDI norms in various sectors like multi-brand retail and aviation.

Besides, it has also set up Cabinet Committee on Investment to accord fasttrack clearances to large projects. The CCI has cleared projects worth over USD 27 billion in the past four months.

Bharti Airtel to sell 5% stake to Boeing agrees to Qatar Foundation for $1.26 bn compensate Air India for grounding of Dreamliners

Bharti Airtel said it would divest a 5% stake in the company to Qatar Foundation Endowment (QFE) wherein 199.87 million new shares will be issued to the Doha-based investment fund for $1.26 billion. As per the agreement, QFE will subscribe to these new shares at a price of Rs 340 per share.

The investment will further strengthen the capital structure and provide further flexibility to the company to deliver on its growth strategy, Bharti said in a statement.

Earlier Bharti Airtel reported a 50% fall in quarterly profit which marked its third straight year of declining earnings in the backdrop of an unprofitable African business as well as unfavourable regulatory environment and heavy debts which have crippled the entire Indian

telecoms space.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti said, "I am delighted to welcome another high quality longterm institutional investor to our shareholder base.

This strategic partnership with QFE demonstrates the confidence they have in the company and our strategy for growth."

Goldman Sachs acted as sole financial advisor to QFE on this investment.

Rashid Al-Naimi, acting CEO, QFE, said, "We are excited to be making a significant investment in one of the leading telecommunications companies in the world. As a long-term global investor, our shareholding gives us exposure to a high growth sector in key emerging markets.

QFE looks forward to supporting Bharti in realising the full potential of this world class business."

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has agreed to compensate Air India for the grounding of the Dreamliner aircraft due to battery-fire incidents.

India’s minister of state for civil aviation K C Venugopal told parliament that the quantum of compensation could not be disclosed in accordance with the Purchase Agreement for the Boeing787 Dreamliners.

He said there was a warranty clause in the agreement which specified that Boeing would not be liable for any damages due to loss of use, revenue or profit due to any fault in the aircraft.

However when the agreement was signed, "the situation of grounding the entire fleet of the newly acquired aircraft (B-

787) and that too for a prolonged period was not foreseen or taken into account."

The issue of compensation for the loss incurred

by Air India due to the grounding of the B-787s was taken up with Boeing, Venugopal said.

The Dreamliners have remained grounded since mid-January following a fire in the lithium-ion batteries of a parked Dreamliner in Boston and a case of forced landing of another B-787 in Japan.

Unilever offers $5.4 bn to raise its stake in HUL Anglo Dutch consumer products giant Unilever Plc launched a $5.4 billion, or Rs 290 billion, voluntary open offer to buy shares from the public in India.

The offer, which is the largest in the country’s history, will see the parent raising its stake in Hindustan Unilever (HUL) to 75%.

Unilever, which currently holds 52.48% in HUL, is offering shareholders Rs 600 per share - a 26% premium to last one month’s average trading share price - to tender their shares.

HUL shares soared after the announcement. The move signifies Unilever’s conviction in the growth story of India, as HUL reported steady growth over the last two years and actively invested in categories driving future sales. But it also provided heft to a gathering

trend of market leading global companies delisting from Indian bourses, or limiting the local investor participation in one of their biggest growth engines worldwide.

“This represents a further step in Unilever’s strategy to invest in emerging markets and offers a liquidity opportunity at an attractive

premium for existing shareholders. The long heritage and great brands of Hindustan Unilever, and the significant growth potential of a country with 1.3 billion people makes India a strategic long term priority for the business,” said Unilever CEO Paul Polman in a statement.

Unilever currently garners 55% revenue from emerging markets, and a faster pace of growth could see them contribute almost 75% of the business by 2020. Unilever has accelerated momentum in markets like India to offset slowdown in the developed world. Unilever will acquire up to 487 million shares representing 22.52% of the total outstanding shares of HUL under the voluntary offer managed by HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India).

finAnciAl Voice

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

19

The need of experience

Suresh Vagjiani Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

One of our clients recently purchased a property in Weybridge, Surrey; the property consisted of 13 self contained flats. This is not an area we know intimately, but I do know there are many Russians and footballers living in large houses around this area. Another client of ours is selling a property currently through Hamptons at £7.2m which was purchased for £3.9m only a few years ago.

This is a very high end and in demand area, with very different dynamics controlling it than Central London. Only two things control the price of something, one is demand and the other is supply; in Central London the supply is finite and small in area, and the chances of expanding this square footage is very slim due to tight planning restrictions. The demand however comes from 63 different countries in the world, with a large portion of this demand coming from India. This level of demand both internationally and locally will ensure there is a variegated level of demand. This means should demand from one sector dampen, the other sectors are still there to ensure there is upward pressure on prices.

This property in Weybridge was purchased in the recent Allsops auction, and has been done up to a good standard. The rental value of the property is £132,000 and it has a break up value of £2.1m. So, on the surface it looks like an excellent deal, whether you purchase and resell, or buy to hold. There was actually very little information regarding the property, for example floor plans were never done or couldn’t be traced, this is very important as many lenders have a minimum Sq Ft requirement and if the Sq Ft is below this it may prove difficult to sell the individual flats and therefore the breakup value will not be there.

The property was purchased blind, i.e. it was never seen by the purchaser or by ourselves to date, one reason being it is difficult to coordinate with 13 different tenants to arrange one appointment. However this is a bricks and mortar investment, and therefore it is a very forgiving class of investment. There's a saying: buying a dud property is like having a bad haircut, if you wait long enough it will grow back again.

he meant the flats are not on long leases. Assuming this I sent him a further example from the government website again.

This is what I wrote in my email: By a separate flat I assume you mean long leases have been created?

No leases are required to be drawn as per this example from the government website, further more I have clarified this point with a partner in another firm.

SDLTM29970 - Relief for transfers involving multiple dwellings: Example 1 The freehold of a new block of 20 flats is purchased for £2.5 million. There is no headlease and none of the flats is subject to a long lease.

The transaction is a relevant transaction for the purposes of the relief as it involves the acquisition of more than one dwelling - i.e. the 20 flats. The chargeable consideration divided by the number of dwellings is £125,000. This is below the normal 0% SDLT threshold but the minimum rate of tax under the relief is 1%.

The tax due is therefore 1% of £2.5 million = £25,000.

Even if this was what the solicitor meant, there was still no duty payable.

So after this exchange he finally emailed back: Thanks for this. Subject to the valuation report confirming individual dwellings we will run with this.

Which is basically him saying, oh cr*p I got this wrong, how do I dig myself out without looking like an idiot!

There is no need for the valuation report to confirm the individual dwellings as the sales particulars confirm this as well as the individual tenancies.

This mistake would have cost the client 4% extra in stamp duty, which in this scenario translates to £44,000 extra. The client assumed a solicitor should know what he his doing. And the solicitor I'm sure didn't appreciate being corrected by a mere farm boy turned property dealer.

I d idn' t t hin k this was a dud pro pe rty, far f rom it, it t urn s ou t t his is a very lucrat ive deal wh ich has been missed in auction , perhaps d ue t o the lack of in formation and the low d ensity of the area. Tho ugh this is a d esirable loc ation , it 's mainl y so fo r large de tach ed family hou se s.

The client left the conveyancing for this property to his normal lawyer, which is a large well known and established firm in Harrow. In the course of looking at this deal I emailed the lawyer to reconfirm the stamp duty payable on this property, the lawyer emailed back and said it would be 5% as the freehold property is above £1m.

Not so I replied; as according to the government website and previous deals we have done like this only 1% is due on this transaction.

"Due to recent changes in stamp duty, there is now a relief in stamp duty for multiple dwellings.

Purchase of multiple dwellings Relief is available where a transaction or a number of linked transactions include freehold or leasehold interests in more than one dwelling.

Where relief is claimed, the rate of tax charged on the amount paid for the dwellings is set by dividing the amount paid by the number of dwellings. The minimum rate of tax under the relief is 1 per cent.

Example: I buy five houses for £1 million. £1 million divided by five is £200,000. The rate of tax on £200,000 is 1 per cent. The amount of tax due is therefore 1 per cent of £1 million, which is £10,000. " The information is from the government website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/sdlt/calculate/reliefs-exemptions.htm#16 I asked the solicitor to confirm only 1% will be payable; after a few days he replied and stated the client is not purchasing separate flats and is buying the freehold.

To be honest I didn’t quite understand what he meant so I assumed

This is the secon d time I have come across a solicito r who has missed t his leg islation and had to be co rrected , of co urse bo th times the y t ried to massage t hemse lves out of the situation. Imag in e h ow many t ime s this may have happene d withou t the solicitor or the clien t realising the sit uation.

The Real Deal Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 Purchase Price: £850,000

It pays to have the right advice and to be dealing with professionals who are on top of their game. Even then it's important to keep an eye on matters as unfortunately it's not their money which is lost, they get paid the same regardless of how much stamp duty the client pays.

The same can be said with valuers, they often make assumptions and state them to be facts; leaving anyone who challenges them to provide the proof to the contrary. They get paid regardless of whether the deal goes through or not.

Dealing with big firms is not always an insurance, as the service is only as good as the person you happen to be dealing with.

In the above scenario we did not even source this property, but merely guided the investment so that the investor could achieve maximum returns.

l A well-proportioned Edwardian terraced house l Garden l Can be converted into two flats, subject to planning permission l Value after conversion would be £1.1m l Prime Shepherd's Bush area l Strong location for future capital growth l Call us now to reserve!!

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now:

Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

0207 993 0103 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 Always consider the projects which are happening in and around the area you're investing in, council websites are a useful source of information; this will help to ensure strong capital growth in the future. l A property crash is not like a stock market crash, you won't lose all your money as the property is real, it cannot disappear.

In reality a crash is a temporary decrease in price.

20

UK

Maria Fernandes

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

maria@abplgroup.com

Settlement: the new changes

he 6th April changes have introduced new T guidance for calculating

absences for those seeking settlement . There has there has been some confusion about this and so it is worth examining them.

First of all, the changes cover specific categories. It includes Tier 1, (Exceptional) and includes Tier I (General) which is now closed. It does not include Tier 1 ( Entrepreneur) or ( Investor) although it does cover the pre-points based categories of investor and businessperson ; Tier 2 including the older categories of work permit holders. It does not cover family members who are covered under their own set of rules.

Also it is important to remember that the rules on nationality remain the same, permitted absences of 450 days.

The first important change is that the applicant must give reasons for all absences and attach supporting evidence for this.

The absences must be consistent with the purpose of the category. So for example, a Tier 2 applicant is in the UK as an employee and can be absent for the purposes of work or on annual paid leave. Where an employee changes jobs, he/she is permitted to count a short holiday before starting the new position providing that it is

within 60 days of concluding the previous employment. Absences outside the UK to take up other employment will not be counted as a permissible absence .

However absences are permitted for serious or compassionate reasons. These terms are not defined but examples are given of serious illness of close family members or natural disasters. The employee will be required provide supporting evidence of all absences.

The second change is that it is possible to be absent for 180 days in each consecutive 12 month period. However if more than 180 days is spent outside the UK , even by 1 day, continuity of residence is considered to be broken. There appears to be no discretion once 180 days is exceeded.

Those in Tier 1 Entrepreneur, Investor and Exceptional Talent and certain HSMP categories do not need to give reasons for their absences.

In March 2013, the new Life in the UK test was introduced.

From October 2013, there will be 2 English tests, the new Life in the UK test and another test for speaking and listening.

Those who have already passed the old Life in the UK test can use this test but will need to take the additional test.

Cyrus Mistry appoints new decision making body In the biggest structural change since taking over as chairman of Tata Sons, Cyrus Mistry has dismantled the two decision-making bodies set up a decade ago by predecessor Ratan Tata and replaced them with a new 'Group Executive Council'. The council, which will be part of holding company Tata Sons, will decide the future strategic direction of the $100-billion conglomerate.

To begin with, the apex policy making body comprises Mistry and three Tata Sons executives, N S Rajan, Mukund Govind Rajan and Madhu Kannan. The new structure comes into play at a time when Mistry faces tough challenges like turning around Corus, boosting Nano sales, and bringing greater clarity to the telecom business.

After a period of studying the various Tata businesses, he now appears ready to make his mark on

India's largest business house.

N S Rajan is a human resources veteran who will join Tata Sons from consulting firm Ernst & Young in the next couple of weeks. Mukund, who started his career with the Tatas, oversees the corporate brand as well as the CSR activities of the group.

And Kannan, who recently moved from BSE, heads business development and public affairs at Tata Sons.

The four-member team will be expanded in due course to include other Tata Group executives.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the government was taking steps to make India a more attractive investment destination with a view to achieve over 8% economic growth in the 12th Five Year Plan.

"We are initiating measures to spur investment and to make India more attractive to investors both at home and abroad. We have taken steps to fast track major infrastructure projects," he said while inaugurating the 46 Annual General Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at Greater Noida.

Singh also assured the international audience, comprising finance ministers and central bank governors of several countries, that India is taking strong measures to achieve fiscal consolidation and high economic growth.

"India has set itself a target of over 8% annual growth for the Twelfth Five Year Plan, which runs from 2012 to 2017. This is the rate of growth that the country achieved over the

past decade," he said.

In order to spur investment in mega projects, the government recently set up a Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) to accord approvals to projects of over Rs 10 billion, which were held up due to various regulatory nods.

Last year, the government unveiled a fiscal consolidation roadmap with an aim to bring fiscal deficit to the level of 3% of GDP by 2016-17.

Referring to steps to promote inclusive growth, Singh said the government has introduced legal entitlements to work, education and information from public authorities.

"We also plan to provide our people a legal entitlement to food at affordable cost. A legislation in this regard is before our Parliament," he said.

The Prime Minister said the direct benefits transfer (DBT) programme will make it simpler for the beneficiaries to have access to benefits besides eliminating corruption and wastage in the public distribution system.

ADB to continue with $2bn annual loan for India: The Asian Development Bank said that it would maintain its annual lending to India at around $2 billion for the next three years. "We are working on a

SBI, LIC also involved in money laundering: Cobrapost

Investigative website Cobrapost released fresh videos which alleged largescale wrongdoing by a host of financial sector entities,including giants such as State Bank of India and LIC and private players such as Yes Bank, Federal Bank, Reliance Life Insurance Tata, AIG and Birla Sunlife.

Executives of other public sector players including Bank of Baroda, Punjab

National Bank, Canara Bank, Indian Bank, Dena Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and IDBI Bank are also said to have flouted norms and accepted cash, according to videos aired by the Cobrapost.

An LIC agent is shown as willing to accept Rs 2500,000 cash. Cobrapost said its investigations were spread over six months and included several states

including Delhi, UP, Haryana, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. Banks and Insurance companies were not immediately available for comment.

An earlier expose had put three private sector lenders - ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank - in the dock as executives were seen promising facilities in violation of rules. The latest videos suggest that the alleged malpractices are not confined to the private sector bank only.

country partnership strategy," ADB president Takahiko Nakao told the meeting of the bank.

Over the past few days, concerns have been expressed over the Manilabased lender's ability to maintain its funding level given the capital crunch that it is facing. Nakao sought to assure stakeholders, saying that ADB will strive to maintain its overall annual lending at around $10 billion and was looking at ways to augment its capital base.

He, however, refused to share details. Asked about Indian finance minister P Chidambaram's suggestion of raising fresh capital, Nakao said that he did not want to comment on specifics but added that the last increase in 2009 followed 15 years of negotiations. "It is a complex issue... we must think about reinforcing resources but I don't want to specify ideas," he said.

Nakao acknowledged that raising fresh capital may be difficult given the resource crunch faced by countries.

Govt’s FDI policy gets SC nod

The Supreme Court of India upheld the Manmohan Singh government policy of allowing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, holding that as a policy, it did not suffer from any constitutional or statutory infirmity. The apex court bench headed by Justice R.M. Lodha, while dismissing the petition challenging FDI in multi-brand retail, said: "On matters affecting policy, this court does not interfere unless the policy is unconstitutional, contrary to statutory provisions, arbitrary."

RBI cuts rate; bankers find it too small to have any impact The Reserve Bank of India cut its key lending rate by 25 basis points but bankers said that it was too small to have any impact on retail lending rates immediately.

“There is no scope to cut rates. It will depend on the banks if they want to increase credit. As of now, each bank has to assess the competition and their standing. There is nothing to transmit,’’ said Pratip Chaudhuri Chairman, State Bank of India.

The RBI reduced the indicative policy rate (repo rate) from 7.50 to 7.25 per cent. However, it kept the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), the portion of total deposits banks are mandated to keep with the central bank, unchanged at 4 per cent. The RBI had cut the CRR in the last nearly one-and-half years by 200 basis points.

Including the latest one, the RBI has cut the repo rate by 125 basis points (one basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point) in the last one year. The hefty 50 basis points cut in April 2012 was followed by 25 basis point cuts each in January and March this year. Repo rate is the rate at which banks borrow funds from the central bank.

The market was disappointed with the policy announcement of the RBI as it was expecting a cut in CRR along with a cut in the repo rate. “The growth has decelerated continuously and steeply…….It is important to note that food price pressures persist, and supply constraints are endemic. These could lead to generalisation of

inflation and strains on the balance of payments,” said D. Subbarao, RBI governor, while addressing a press conference.

The RBI Governor said that the decision to further cut the repo rate carried forward the measures put in place since January last year towards supporting growth in the face of gradual moderation of headline inflation.

But he said that it alone “cannot revive growth ….

It needs to be supplemented by efforts towards easing the supply bottlenecks, improving governance and stepping up public investment, alongside continuing commitment to fiscal consolidation.”

“Monetary policy cannot afford to lower its guard against the possibility of

resurgence of inflation pressures. Monetary policy will also have to remain alert to the risks on account of the current account deficit (CAD) and its financing, which could warrant a swift reversal of the policy stance,” RBI warned.

He also said that the biggest risk to the economy stemmed from the CAD which, last year, was historically the highest, and well above the sustainable level of 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) as estimated by the central bank.

Dr. Subbarao said that the central bank’s assessment of the growth-inflation dynamic yielded “little space for further monetary easing.” However, he said that it would endeavour to actively manage liquidity to reinforce monetary transmission, but not through a cut in CRR.

finAnciAl voice

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

21

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

European Central Bank cut interest rates

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 7th May 2013 @ 5.30pm GBP - INR = 83.62

We have recently seen a vast amount of data being released from Europe, the UK and the US The European Central Bank cut interest rates in the Euro zone to 0.5% which was widely priced in and expected. This now brings it in line with the UK and indicates that growth in the euro zone is slowing; Draghi the president of the ECB also indicated that we could potentially see further rate cuts if data released continues to be disappointing. The question does spring to mind that are the actions of the ECB a little late and slow? It also completely contradicts what Draghi’s predecessor Trichet had stated and

put in place when he continued to insist that we will see growth from the euro zone and prematurely increased interest rates.

Again the woes of the troubled countries in the euro zone seem to have been postponed by throwing more money at a growing black hole... And is it too much of a gamble to think that Germany are strong enough to carry these countries to recovery? Given all of this the euro is still relatively strong against the US dollar and the pound.

Things were however looking a little more optimistic for the UK. After data showed that the UK avoided a triple dip recession two weeks ago, we have had the first round of data for the second quarter all come in better than expected, albeit marginally. However many Economists would say that it is too early to bring out the champagne as we are still tethering just above the 0% mark.

In the US the Federal Reserve decided to maintain its monthly bond purchasing program of US$85bn whilst also being ready to increase or decrease the purchases should economic conditions require it.

USD - INR = 54.04 EUR - INR = 70.72 GBP - USD = 1.55 GBP - EUR = 1.18 EUR - USD = 1.31 GBP - AED = 4.81 GBP - CAD = 1.56 GBP - NZD = 1.83 GBP - AUD = 1.52 The main take away from the news is the change from a few months ago when the Fed were readying themselves to decrease the monthly purchases by the end of the year to a stance now where they are more accommodative and thus we could see the current policy remain longer than initially anticipated. The Fed also kept interest rates at the record low of 0.25%. Of course if we can see growth from the US this will also have a pos-

0 8 0 8

$ 0 4 5

itive impact on other countries, so it is in everyone’s interests that the Fed continue to purchase bonds The unemployment rate dropped to 7.5% from 7.6% in April and non-farm payroll figures revealed that 165,000 new jobs were added in April surpassing expectations. This again is a positive sign but could potentially have an impact on the Fed’s decision regarding quantitative easing.

GBP - ZAR = 13.94 GBP - HUF = 348.96

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.

PX XJ S F U S B OT G FS

G FFT

B OE OP IJ EEFO D PT U T

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world

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

In Focus 37 killed as police clash with Bangla Islamists

Dhaka: At least 37 people have died in street battles between Bangladeshi police and tens of thousands of Islamists, deepening the divide between the secular government and religious hardliners. In some of the fiercest violence to rock the capital since independence four decades ago, hundreds more people were reported to have been injured as riot police broke up a mass rally near a key commercial district.

Bilawal Bhutto leaves Pak, not to return before polls

Islamabad: Pakistan People's Party chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has left on a foreign trip and will not be present in the country when it goes to polls on May 11.

Bilawal, 24, will not address any rallies or meetings ahead of the general election due to threats to his life, Senior PPP leader Taj Haider confirmed that consensus had been reached within the party and Bilawal had been advised not to lead the poll campaign due to serious security threats.

Bangladesh building collapse toll nears 700

Dhaka: The death toll from the collapse of a garment factory complex in Bangladesh neared 700 after dozens more bodies were found in the rubble, nearly a fortnight after the disaster. Army spokesman Shahid Ahsan Bhuiyan said that the toll now stands at 693 but warned that it was likely to rise further as the recovery teams had only reached the fourth floor of the ninestorey building. Around 3,000 garment workers were on shift at the Rana Plaza complex at the time of the collapse on the morning of April 24.

Imran Khan falls off the stage, injured

Islamabad: Leader of Pakistan's political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan was injured on Tuesday as he fell off a platform during an election rally in Lahore.

According to Pakistani media, Imran was badly injured on his head and was immediately rushed to a hospital after the mishap.

He is now reportedly stable and conscious.

Imran Khan is a prime ministerial candidate in the upcoming May 11 general elections.

Blast at election rally kills 15 in Pakistan

Peshawar: A blast at a pre-election rally killed 15 people in northwest Pakistan. The attack at a gathering of members of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam religious party also wounded 40 people. Since April, the Taliban have killed more than 70 people in attacks targeting three major political parties, preventing many of their most prominent candidates from openly campaigning.

13 killed in Saudi Arabia floods

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia said that 13 people were killed and four others were missing in Riyadh, Baha, Hail and Quwayiyah due to recent rains and floods. Saudi Arabia witnessed medium and heavy rains in different regions resulting in the closure of schools in some districts.

Indian-origin man arrested in Canada in murder case

Toronto: An Indian-origin man has been arrested in Canada in connection with the 2012 murder of another Indian-origin man.

Dinesh Suntharalingam, 23, was arrested from his home at Markham in the Greater Toronto Area of the Canadian province of Ontario in connection with the killing of Sathiyaraj Mahindran, media reported.

N Korea sentences American to 15 years hard labour

Seoul: North Korea sentenced U.S. citizen Kenneth Bae to 15 years hard labour for committing crimes against the state, a move that will likely see him used as a bargaining chip in talks with Washington. Bae, 44, was born in South Korea but is a naturalised American citizen and attended the University of Oregon.

Johannesburg: South Africa's government announced the suspension of a slew of officials and military personnel, as it tried to limit the political and diplomatic fallout from a lavish Indian wedding.

A gaggle of top ministers appeared in public to explain how a rich Indian family with ties to President Jacob Zuma landed a Airbus A330 laden with wedding guests at a military base without permits.

The passengers were guests of the Gupta family, a major political donor to the ruling ANC and one of the country's richest families.

The scandal has rocked South Africa and left Zuma facing allegations of cronyism from political foes and rare public rebukes from his allies.

Attempting to defuse the crisis, minister after minister insisted "no executive authority" was granted for the plane to land at Waterkloof airforce base

Jacob Zuma

outside Pretoria last week.

Justice minister Jeffrey Radebe - flanked by the ministers of home affairs, foreign affairs, police and defence announced that five officials and military personnel had been suspended from duty.

He vowed to bring to justice those who "brought the country into disrepute" and said a full investigation will report within seven days.

Two police officers and one reservist have also been arrested in connection with a blue-light escort that took the

guests from the airport to the Sun City resort where the wedding took place.

It was claimed that most of the vehicles in the cavalcade were privately hired and illegally fitted with blue lights, although at least one police vehicle was present.

But the finger of blame was also pointed at India's high commissioner to South Africa, who appeared to have asked for landing rights.

"We have a diplomatic incident at hand," said foreign minister Maite NkoanaMashabane, vowing to use diplomatic channels to voice its displeasure.

Relations between South Africa and India are already strained following a BRICS summit in Durban in March, when Zuma failed to have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Zuma did manage bilateral meetings with his Chinese

and Russian counterparts.

The trade union umbrella group COSATU, which forms one pillar of the ANC's ruling "tripartite alliance" expressed its anger over the issue.

"We still await any proper explanation or justification for the decision to allow this invasion of a national security key-point by a bunch of private individuals," said secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi.

"We must demand the fullest possible investigation into the whole incident and the real culprits exposed - not scapegoats from among the officials, who surely could not have taken such an obviously politically sensitive decision."

Reflecting the ties between Zuma and the Gupta family, two of the president's children have served as directors of Gupta-owned firms, according to South Africa's companies' database.

Pak court allows police Fighting erupts in contested to interrogate Musharraf Afghan, Pakistan border area Islamabad: A Pakistani antiterrorism court allowed police officials to interrogate former President Pervez Musharraf over the killing of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti in a 2006 military operation.

Judge Chaudhry Habibur-Rehman of the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi accepted a request from Balochistan Police to include Musharraf in the probe into Bugti's death.

Musharraf was the army chief when the operation against Bugti was ordered.

Shortly after the court issued the order, a five-member team of Balochistan Police went to Musharraf's farmhouse, declared a subjail by authorities, to question him.

Musharraf is facing charges over the death of Bugti. A court in Balochistan

had issued a warrant for his arrest over the killing in 2011.

In a related development, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, who was Interior Minister in Musharraf's regime, appeared in an anti-terrorism court in Quetta for the hearing of a case over Bugti's killing.

Sherpao asked the court to excuse him from personal appearances in future hearings for security reasons.

The court adjourned the matter till May 16.

Musharraf, 69, has been held at his farmhouse on the outskirts of Islamabad since he was arrested over the sacking of judges during the 2007 emergency and the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto. He has been accused of providing inadequate security to Bhutto after she returned to Pakistan from self-exile in 2007.

Jalalabad (Afghanistan): A new bout of fighting erupted in a border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the latest indication of a sharp deterioration in relations between the important US allies.

Pakistan is seen as vital in bringing stability to Afghanistan as most Western forces prepare to withdraw by the end of next year. The United States and other powers involved in Afghanistan have been trying to promote cooperation between the Asian neighbors, who have a history of mistrust.

Afghan officials said the clash erupted after Pakistani troops tried to repair a gate on the border, in the Afghan district of Goshta, where last week an Afghan border policeman was killed in an exchange of fire. It is unclear if there were any casualties.

"This morning's clash began after the Pakistani side continued to repair the gate, which was damaged in the previous fighting," said Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, a spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province. Afghanistan says the gate at Pakistan's Gursal military post encroaches on its territory. The Nangarhar governor has spoken several times to Pakistani consular officials to tell them not to repair the gate, Abdulzai said.

Pakistani military spokesmen were not immediately available for comment.

Afghanistan and Pakistan have had testy relations since Pakistan was formed in 1947, at the end of British colonial rule over India. Afghanistan has never officially accepted the border between them.

Pakistan helped the Taliban take power in Afghanistan in the 1990s.

Nawaz Sharif poised to take over reign in Pakistan Lahore: After 14 years out of power, Nawaz Sharif is a man in a hurry.

According to opinion polls, his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is expected to win the May 11 general election after capitalising on the failures of the outgoing Pakistan People's Party (PPP), a left-leaning party.

The powerful military still calls the shots in Pakistan but it is the first time that an election is being held to decide on a transition between civilian governments. Nevertheless, the new prime minister will have to work with the generals, who control foreign policy and security.

The new civilian government will also have to play its part in Pakistan's difficult relationship with the United States. Washington has a deep alliance with Pakistan, but is troubled by elements in the country supporting Islamic militants fighting US troops in neighbouring Afghanistan.

In addition, the economy is stuttering. Chronic power cuts have infuriated Pakistanis and crippled key industries.

Corruption and poverty are rampant,

Nawaz Sharif

and infrastructure is crumbling. Sharif seems to have matured as a politician since he was toppled by former army chief and president Pervez Musharraf in a bloodless coup in 1999. As the main opposition leader, he has avoided antagonising Pakistan's powerful generals, or bringing down the unpopular PPP-led coalition government when it was in trouble.

Instead, he waited patiently for an opportunity to rule and now that his moment has come, he is in a hurry to fix Pakistan. Sharif however acknowledges that if he wins, the honeymoon will be short.

Need for reform: Pakistan needs billions of dollars from donors to avert a

balance of payments crisis but the cash may not flow to the South Asian nation unless politically sensitive economic reforms are implemented.

So far, one politician after another has failed to muster the courage to bring change. Sharif's background suggests he may have the stomach for it, based on his attempts in the past to reverse socialist policies and open up the economy.

"I think Nawaz Sharif will be very capable of making tough decisions," said Zaafar Abbas, editor of Pakistan's Dawn newspaper. "He has proven this before."

Now he says he is willing to again risk a backlash, and cut government expenditure by 30 per cent in order to secure international backing for the economy.

"You see privatisation, free market economy, deregulation - have been hallmarks of our party in government," Sharif said.

"We are going to pick up the threads from where we left off."

Despite his reform credentials, Sharif may raise concerns in the West because of his conservative Islamic values: in 1991 he tried to make Sharia the country's supreme law.

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Export of Gujarat’s Kanayalal Munshi’s 125th Kesar mango to birth anniversary celebration Europe go up G

Gujarat’s Kesar mangoes, famous for its taste, color and aroma, are also becoming popular in European market. The UK is the largest importer of this variety followed by other European countries such as Switzerland, France, Germany and Austria.

By Nayan Dave

G

ujarat chief minister Narendra Modi envisages his state to become a fruit and vegetable bowl of the world. Situated in the western part of India, Gujarat has lot to do to fulfill the dream of Modi.

However, a step towards his vision has already been taken as the aroma of Gujarat’s famous Kesar mangoes is spreading beyond geographical boundaries.

Known for taste and color also, this majestic fruit is already ruling Indian fruit market during summer along with some other famous Indian varieties of mangoes. Over the past few years, demands for Kesar mangoes from European, North American and Far Eastern countries are also increasing.

During last season export of Kesar mangoes from Ahmedabad Airport was nearly 300 metric tonnes (MT). This year the season started in April and major exporters in the state have orders worth 650 MT. “Of the total exports of Kesar mangoes from Ahmedabad Airport, more than 50 per cent are from importers of United Kingdom. Already consignments are being sent to importers based in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford, Bolton and Leicester,” said Jagdish Thakker of JK Horticulture, one of the largest exporters of Kesar mangoes in Gujarat.

“Five years ago there was only one packaging house in the state which was privately owned with limited facilities. Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation (GAIC), a Country

City

UK “ “ “ Switzerland France Germany Italy Austria Portugal Singapore Canada USA

London Manchester Birmingham Bradford Zurich Paris Frankfurt Milan Vienna Lisbon Singapore Ontario New Jersey Total

Gujarat government agency, began two integrated packaging houses three years ago and as result many traders and farmers came forward to export Kesar mangoes to different countries,” said Kaushik Davda, an exporter.

Over the period another five packaging houses started in the state by private players but the government owned packing houses are having all the facilities right from handling, sorting, grading, hot washing, pre-cooling, ripening and packaging under one roof.

Even nature is supporting heavy overseas demand of Kesar said Batuksinh Jadeja adding that generally flowering of Kesar mango happened once or twice in a season, but this year farmers are observing three stages of flowering, which means owners of mango orchards will have better yield than previous seasons.

Kesar mangoes are mainly grown in Junagadh, Jamnagar, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Porbander and Kutch areas of Gujarat.

“Mangoes are grown around 125,000 hectors in Gujarat and the total yield would be 1 million MT. Of these Kesar mangoes share would be 35 per cent,” said a senior government of India official involved in National Horticulture Mission (NHM).

Farmers in the area have become quality conscious due to good rates of their yield. In fact exporters are giving them vital inputs on importance of better quality to fetch high rates in the international markets.

Scientists of Gujarat- based agriculture universities are also working on enhancing quality and production of Kesar mangoes.

Last year’s This year’s export (MT) orders (MT) 103.5 202 36 84 12 36 12 36 18 49.5 18 49.5 18 15 18 49.5 18 49.5 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 301.5 619

ujarat Samachar and Asian Voice along with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan celebrated the 125th birth anniversary of famous literati, academician and politician Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi. He was the founder of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and the one who worked actively with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for the unification of Hyderabad, Junagadh and other states with the Indian union.

The function was held on Sunday, 28th April at the Vidya Bhavan. The function was started with warm welcome by Parvatiben while Bhavan’s director Dr Nandkumar Ved came up with the prayer and briefed about the programme. C B Patel, Editor-Publisher of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice and the organizer of the function, introduced Joginder Sendherji, Vidya Bhavan’s London Chairman.

Joginder Sendherji said, “Before 38 years, I was inspired and enrolled as lifetime member of Bhavans by Manek Dalal during his chairmanship in 1975. He encouraged me a lot for being active in Bhavans. Bhavans is not a religious or political organization but an organization promoting culture and art.

The best thing is that it promotes all religious traditions. We have been always celebrating Diwali festival for promoting Bhavans.

Today with the grace of well wishers like CB Patel and others, Bhavans has its own property as well as reserve fund. All of you strived hard to make Munshi’s dream come true, either by being member of Bhavans or by contributing fund or by admitting children in Bhavans for variety of education.

Later during the function, Executive Director Nandkumar said, “I am glad to work under the guidance of Manek Dalal earlier and now with Sendherji. We do not miss India as the activities that

we carry out here are very similar to the one happening in India. After initiating Bhavans in 1938 in Mumbai, it was started in London in 1972 with Munshiji’s efforts.”

further expanded to schools and colleges all around the globe.”

Nandkumar recited the Sanskrit shlok “Vidya Dhanam” which means that education is not something like property where we can give a share to our brother, neither can it be stolen, but it is something that increases with its very use. We will be able to give back to our society if and if our children can take part in such cultural activities and get educated.

Deviben Parekh

Dr Nandkumar Ved

CB Patel with Jagdishbhai Pathak

Parvatiben

Joginder Sendherji

“Munshiji was known particularly for his contribution in forming a Constitution, he has also written many books. In fact he made us realize the character of Krishna in simple

Popular solicitor and student of Bhavans Nayneshbhai Desai was to attend this function but due to the sad demise of his father, he was not able to make it.

View of the audience.

language through volume of Krishnavatar. Bhavans was started for promoting and spreading art and culture. Today Munshiji’s dream, Bhavans, has expanded a lot. Realizing the value of education, it is using the ‘right channel’ to extend education; it has

C B Patel gave a heartwarming speech, saying “Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is the one centre for promoting art, culture and love for our country and no other centre can be of this caliber. Today for whom we are celebrating the 125th birth anniversary, such

honourable man Munshi had given name ‘Asmita’ to us. Munshi had been brave and had brought solution during the time of freedom movement as well as when Nawab of Hyderabad had send his forces and opposed the unification of India.”

Munshiji’s second wife Kalavatiben’s nephew and Jagdishbhai Pathak remembered how they used to call Munshiji with the name ‘Bapuji’.

Literature lover Deviben Parekh talked about how Munshiji faced the communal riots in 1938 when he was home minister of Mumbai. There was one royal club in Mumbai, whose executives were all British. It was a moment when the license of this club was to be renewed and Munshiji had set a condition that it would be done only if half the executives were Indians. This gave the Indians a chance to join the administration of the club.

Gujarat Samachar Managing Editor Kokilaben Patel said that Munshiji was very much influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Bhulabhai Desai and Mohammed Ali Jinnah. He had enthusiastically participated in Sardar Patel’s Bardoli Satyagrah and Dandi march. He had made people aware of the importance of widow marriage and in order to set a good example, he himself had married a widow named Kalavati Sheth in 1926.

A drama was presented which was scripted by Munshiji and directed by well known London director Kiranbhai Purohit and his team.

Kamal Rao, news editor, Gujarat Samachar, thanked Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan drama committee chairman Suredrabhai Patel, Kirti Catering’s Jayaben, Gujarat Samachar graphic designer Ajay Kumar for showing the film, Bhavan’s technician Shankar and all other speakers and participants.

CBI to appeal against Sajjan Kumar's acquittal in riots case The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will challenge the acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case by a city court in the Delhi High Court as it has found "strong grounds" which could form the basis of its petition.

CBI sources have said that the agency is likely to wait till the court pronounces its verdict on the quantum of sentence for those found guilty in the case.

District and Sessions Judge JR Aryan had on April 30 acquitted Mr Kumar in the 29-year-old case in which he was accused of murder and of

instigating a riotous mob that killed five Sikhs in Delhi's cantonment area.

Five others -Balwan Khokkar, an ex-councillor, Mahender Yadav, an exMLA, Kishan Khokkar, Girdhari Lal and Captain Bhagmal -- were convicted for their involvement in the riots that had broken out after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.

Mr Kumar, a former Lok Sabha MP from Outer Delhi who was refused a Congress ticket for 2009

Lok Sabha elections, still face trial in another 1984 riot case. In a third case, the Delhi Police have filed a closure report, saying there was no evidence against Mr Kumar to implicate him.

Sikhs protest outside Sonia Gandhi's house against Sajjan Kumar's acquittal On the second day of protests, Sikh groups shouted slogans outside Congress president Sonia Gandhi's residence and the Congress office over the acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

"Over a thousand protesters marched towards Sonia Gandhi's residence, breaking two barricades.

But they were blocked by the policemen.

Protesters had blocked busy roads in the national capital. Metro services were also disrupted by the protests for a few hours.

The Sikh groups are angry at the acquittal of Sajjan Kumar by a city court in a case related to the killing of five people in the Delhi Cantonment area during violence against Sikhs following the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi Oct 31, 1984.

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South Drunken man beheads son to 'appease' goddess In a shocking incident, a 32-year-old drunken man sacrificed his son by beheading him at Sirpur village of Mallapur mandal in Karimnagar district. The man, Odala Ravi, told villagers that the village deity (Grama Devatha) had commanded him in dream to sacrifice his four-year-old son Sai Kumar. Ravi cut off Sai Kumar's head and chopped off his legs before throwing the body in the village well.

Government officer arrested for demanding bribe

A 58-year-old superintendent in the agriculture department was arrested just 28 days before his retirement, for demanding and accepting a bribe Rs 15,000 from a farmer who was seeking a job in the department on compassionate grounds. B Muthu was caught by a directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption team while accepting the bribe amount near his residence at Todd Hunter Nagar near Saidapet.

Cost of week-long violence

The week-long violence by PMK cadres angered by the arrest of the entire top brass of the party has resulted in damage to more than 500 state-owned buses, 100 private buses and uprooting of more than 160 trees across northern Tamil Nadu.

Violence erupted following the arrest of PMK founder S Ramadoss on April 30.

Court refuses to quash CBI case against IPS officer

Holding that an all-India service officer shall be considered a state government employee while serving in connection with the affairs of the state, the Madras high court has refused to quash the CBI case against suspended IPS officer, Pramod Kumar.Arrested on May 2, 2012 in connection with the Paazee Forex scam case.

Punjab ‘Shootout at Wadala’ banned in Punjab The local lad Sonu Sood starrer 'Shootout at Wadala' is mired in controversies in Punjab due to certain remarks made in the film about Lord Valmiki. The protesters night held protests at the Moga residence of Bollywood star Sonu Sood. The protests were also carried at a Mall in Bathinda where the film was being screened.

Man sets son-in-law on fire

A man killed his son-in-law by setting him on fire in Bhattu Kalan of Fatehabad district While the victim Sunil Kumar, 26, died on the spot, his father and brother, who were also attacked, have been hospitalized.

Police officers said that there was a dispute between Jagdish Kumar, the accused, and Sunil Kumar over the latter not treating his wife properly. The victim was a labourer by profession and a resident of Bhattu Kalan.

Clock bearing pic of Bhinderanwala removed

The clock bearing small photograph of Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwala which was displayed inside memorial to Operation Bluestar during its inauguration on April 27th has been removed. According to sources a devotee had donated a new clock which was replaced with the one having photograph of Bhinderanwala presumably to avoid further controversy over dedicating the memorial to Bhinderanwala.

Acid attack: Man gets life imprisonment

In the case relating to acid attack on a minor girl who had died, a district court in Sonipat sentenced the primary accused to life imprisonment, and imposed a fine of Rs 11,000 on him. The accused, identified as Sanjay Kumar, a resident of Shastri Colony in Sonipat, and two others who are minors had thrown acid on Kiran Devi, 17, on July 13 when she was standing outside her house in Delhi Camp Colony in Sonipat.

A unique scheme called 'Bangaru Thalli', unveiled by chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy for the welfare of the girl child belonging to poor families, having white ration cards is being implemented from Wednesday across the state. As per the details of the scheme that was announced

by Kiran Kumar Reddy during his Medak tour, the state government would take care of the education as well as marriage expenses of girls.

As per the 'Bangaru Thalli' scheme, the state will give Rs 1,000 per month to the woman from the time she conceives till the time of her child's birth. And if a girl child is born, the mother would be given Rs 2,500 at the time of delivery. From then on till the girl attains the

age of five, Rs 1,500 would be given each year to the family towards the girl's expenses.

At the time of admission to school, the family would be paid Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 every year for her studies from Class I to V. She will be paid Rs 2,500 each for the VI to the VIII standard and Rs 3,000 each for Class IX and X. For Intermediate, the girl will be paid Rs 3,500 per year and Rs 4,000 for each of the three years of graduation.

In case the girl stops her education after Intermediate, she will be paid Rs 50,000 towards the marriage expenses and Rs one lakh if she opts for marriage after graduation. In effect, the state would be spending about Rs 2.1 lakh towards the total education and marriage expenses of a girl.

N Kiran Kumar Reddy

State government officials said such a scheme does not exist anywhere else in the country.

The scheme will be applicable to two girl children of each family of white ration card holders. The benefits under this scheme will be provided irrespective of them being beneficiaries of the other schemes being implemented for the welfare of the

girl child in the state. The objective of the scheme is to ensure that every girl child born in the families of white card holders should become a graduate so that they can become a teacher or bank employee or even join the civil services. The government will come up with a legislation to give statutory status to the scheme soon.

Interestingly, three days before Kiran Kumar Reddy announced his 'Bangaru Thalli' scheme, TDP's Chandrababu Naidu also announced, as part of his woman declaration, that if the TDP comes back to power, his government would deposit Rs 25,000 for every girl child at the time of birth which would fetch her Rs 2 lakh by the time she grows up.

69 per cent turn out in Telangana within 100 days of peaceful Karnataka polls NDA regime: Sushma Swaraj An estimated 69% of the 43.5 million electorate voted in the assembly elections in Karnataka on Sunday amid projections that beleaguered ruling BJP was on a sticky wicket against a resurgent Congress.

The polling began on a brisk note in the 224-member House for which a total of 2,940 candidates were in the fray.

The election in Periyapatna seat in Mysore district has been put off to May 28 following the death of the BJP candidate.

Briefing reporters, Karnataka chief electoral officer Anil Kumar Jha said a turn out of 63.09% was reported till 5 PM. “Going by the trend we saw in the evening hours, we are estimating it should reach 69%.”

Counting of votes will be taken up on May 8.

Prominent candidates included chief minister

Thieves run off with ATM Unidentified miscreants stole an unguarded ATM machine on the Kalka-Shimla Express Highway on NH-22, around 1km from Chandimandir Toll Plaza near Pinjore.

The ATM, which belonged to State Bank of India (SBI), contained more than Rs 15 lakh. The bank authorities had deposited more than Rs 10 lakh in the machine on April 29.

Before breaking into the machine, the robbers covered the CCTV camera installed inside the booth with tapes.

More than four persons are expected to be involved in the late night heist on Monday.

The incident came to light when the owner of a roadside tea-shop, Bashir Khan, reported the ransacked ATM booth and found the machine missing on Tuesday. The ATM booth was unguarded.

Police sources said while broken finger prints were found on the camera.

Jagadish Shettar, leader of opposition in the assembly Siddaramaiah, president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee G Parameshwara, former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and JDS state unit president H D Kumaraswamy.

Thumps up for Congress: Meanwhile, exit polls predicted that Congress is headed back for power while BJP could find itself fighting for a distant second spot with the Janata Dal (S). They also indicate that while the BS Yeddyurappa-led Karnataka Janata Paksha has severely dented the BJP from which it broke away, it will have little to show for itself.

Of three polls for which data was available, two suggested that the Congress may either garner a majority on its own or fall marginally short.

The third predicted a comfortable victory for the party.

Reiterating the BJP's stand on Telangana, party senior leader and leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, said the NDA government would announce the division of AP within hundred days of coming to power in the next elections.

Taking part in the TJAC's deeksha on its second day at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Sushma addressed a public gathering. "Sonai Gandhi and her Congress party have gone back on the word given on Telangana. The UPA government should immediately table a bill on Telangana in Parliament and if it does, the BJP would lend it unconditional support. If it does not do so, the Congress would be routed in Telangana. We are confident that the NDA would come to power, and once that happens, Telangana state would be announced within hundred days of the

formation of the government," she said.

BJP national leaders including Uma Bharati and Smrithi Irani, and CPI leader D Raja visited the venue and expressed their solidarity with the agitators. As the deeksha concluded in the evening, the TJAC leaders led by its chairman M Kodandaram attempted to take out a march to AICC office. They were stopped by the police.

of fluid, electrolytes and body water compartments in bacterial meningitis, pneumonia and newborns, and mechanisms of lung injury following fluid overload.

While professor Kanwar has been awarded the ICMR Lala Ram Chand Kandhari Award-2010 for his work on therapy and other aspects of vitiligo, professor Dhiman has been selected for the Basanti Devi Amir Chand Prize-2009 to recognize his contribution in the field of hepatology.

Professor Surjit has been awarded the ICMR Chaturvedi Kalawati Jagmohan Das Memorial Award-2010 for his exceptional and extensive research

work on Kawasaki disease over many years.

Dr Bikash Medhi has been honoured with Dr D N Prasad Memorial Oration Award. Dr Akshay has been awarded the National Young Scientist Award, also known as Shakuntala Amir Chand Award, for his outstanding contribution towards understanding molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration.

He was also runners up for prestigious NASI-Scopus award for biological sciences in 2012. Dr Agarwal has been awarded the prestigious ICMR Kamal Satbir Award2009. The award was given to Dr Agarwal for his outstanding research work on allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Dr Ahluwalia has been awarded the prestigious ICMR BGRC Silver Jubilee Oration Award-2010 for her outstanding research work in the field of thrombotic disorders and antiphospholipid syndrome.

Sushma Swaraj

ICMR honours 8 PGI medicos for research

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has selected eight doctors from the PGI faculty for its prestigious awards.

The awards have been won by department of paediatric medicine head Sunit Singhi, department of dermatology, venereology and leprology head A J Kanwar, department of hepatology head R K Dhiman, professor Surjit Singh of department of paediatric medicine, additional professor Dr Bikash Medhi of department of pharmacology, associate professor Dr Akshay Anand from department of neurology, associate professor Dr Ritesh Agarwal of department of pulmonary medicine and associate professor Jasmina Ahluwalia of department of hematology.

Professor Singhi has been awarded ICMR's Amrut Mody Unichem Prize- 2010 for research in child health.

He made original contributions in the understanding

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In Focus Airhostess sacked for being overweight

An airhostess whose contract was not renewed because of her being 'overweight' on Tuesday knocked the doors of the Supreme Court for getting her job back.

Salome Singsit, 39, approached the apex court challenging the decision of Airline Allied Services Ltd, a subsidiary of Air India, alleging that the airline had arbitrarily refused to renew her contract. The airline had said that she was not keeping well and had been overweight many times when she was serving as crew member.

36 houses set afire in Manipur

At least 36 houses were set on fire and property worth crores of rupees was destroyed by six unknown persons at Silent village in Imphal East district of Manipur, All the 36 houses were burnt down and the household property was destroyed apparently over a land dispute by six men coming from adjacent Saijang village yesterday.

Porter’s wife wins Rs.10mn in a reality show in Kerala

For 38-year-old Sanuja Rajan, the wife of a porter, life has come full circle after enduring hardships all through her life, winning Rs. 10mn in a TV reality show in Kerala. Ms. Rajan, an assistant at the Thiruvananthapuram Collector’s office, walked away with the prize money on reality show “Ningalkkumaakam Kodeeswaran” (NAK) aired on Asianet TV. The graduate answered all the 15 questions correctly and was the first person to win the prize money.

20 out of 36 Indian prisoners mentally ill in Lahore

Twenty out of 36 Indian prisoners lodged in Lahore's infamous Kot Lakhpat jail, where Sarabjit Singh was fatally attacked, have lost their mental balance and not been taken to any hospital for proper medical care, an India-Pakistan judicial panel has found. The Committee has recommended that serious and terminally ill, mentally challenged and deaf and mute prisoners be kept in appropriate hospitals or special institutions irrespective of confirmation of their national status and offence.

Mumbai Metro rail completes successful trial run

The Mumbai Metro train successfully conducted its first trial run on Wednesday morning. The trial run was conducted across a three-kilometer-stretch between the Versova car depot and the Azad Nagar metro station.The section is a part of the 11.40km Versova-Ghatkopar corridor which will provide a vital east-west link and drastically reduce travel time from the existing 90 minutes to barely 20 minutes. VersovaGhatkopar line will become operational by December.

Lalu Prasad Yadav injured in freak accident

RJD president Lalu Prasad sustained injuries on his head and face when the windshield of his car broke and shards of glass hit him when he was going to Vaishali district. The accident occurred at around 10 PM when his car was crossing a pantoon bridge near Kachchi Dargah on way to Raghopur. The vehicle got stuck in the middle of the bridge and due to a sudden jerk, the windshield brokeHis condition was stable.

Minor girl sold for Rs. 80,000, 8 held

The northwest Delhi Police have arrested eight people, including a local priest and two women, for allegedly selling a 15-yearold girl. The family to which the girl was "sold" had forced her to marry their 25year-old son. Police said the matter came to light after the girl's family members learnt that their daughter had bee sold for R80,000 and that they were kept in dark about the deal. A case was registered at the Ashok Vihar police station after the victim's mother lodged a complaint.

The CBI director admitted before the Supreme Court that certain changes were made in the Coalgate draft report on suggestions given by Union law minister Ashwani Kumar, Attorney General G E Vanahvati and the officials of PMO and coal ministry.

In its fresh nine-page affidavit filed before the apex court, CBI chief Ranjit Sinha gave details of the meetings which took place between the officials of the probe agency, the law minister, AG, then Additional Solicitor General Harin Raval and officials of PMO and coal ministry.

The submission made by Sinha contradicts the stand taken by the law minister and AG, who had refuted the allegation that they had suggested changes in the draft report. The affidavit also states some lines were deleted at the behest of the PMO and the law minister.

The affidavit said the changes made in the draft report on the suggestion of the law minister and Vanahvati have "neither altered the report nor shifted the focus of inquiries in any manner".

Sinha also said that "no names of suspects or accused were removed from the status report and also that no suspect or accused was let off in the process."

"Majority of these changes were done by my officers in order to refine the report either on their own or in consultation with the ASG (Raval) and his assisting advocate or by law minister.

Besides, a few changes were also done on the suggestion of AG and officials of PMO and coal ministry," Sinha said.

The CBI chief in his affidavit also referred to certain changes made in the final status report on the suggestion of the law minister, the AG,

India denies deal to end China standoff

India claims not to have offered any concessions to China on a platter to resolve the standoff in eastern Ladakh. “Our position was that the status quo of April 15 had to be restored, unconditionally,” insist Indian officials. But New Delhi is learnt to have assured Beijing that it will consider the northern neighbour’s concerns about Indian activities and infrastructure buildup along parts of the disputed border.

The details of the negotiations were largely left to the local commanders conducting the flag meetings between the two armies.

Government sources said India had not struck any deal with China to restore status quo ante in the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) sector as existed before the April 15 incursion. New Delhi, however, would negotiate a new border framework with Beijing as a step towards resolving the niggling border dispute that

has plagued bilateral ties.

The two countries could look at instituting such a framework during external affairs minister Salman Khurshid’s two-day visit to China, beginning May 9, the sources said. The 2005 border protocol has been found to be wanting as it bans construction of permanent structures in disputed areas, leading to disagreements on both sides that have the potential to become conflicts.

India is understood to have agreed to address China’s concerns in southeast Ladakh’s Chumar area where some construction activities have caused unease for the Chinese.

The army has set up forward observations posts, bunkers and deployed surveillance equipment in this area. It is unclear as to what length India would go to in order to accommodate Chinese concerns in this sensitive sector.

and the officials of PMO and coal ministry.

"The other tentative findings about non-preparation of broadsheet or chart by the screening committee to the best of my recollection was deleted by the law minister," the affidavit said.

Extending unconditional apology for any inadvertent omission or commission, Ranjit Sinha said there is nothing in the CBI manual to guide whether status reports in an ongoing investigation in a sub-judice matter are to be shared with others.

"The departmental circular and government instructions are also silent on this point," Sinha said, while answering a specific question posed by the apex court on the last hearing as to on what basis the law minister and officials were entitled to go through CBI status report.

He also said there are no

Bhullar's wife moves SC for suspending his execution Navneet Kaur, the wife of death row prisoner Devenderpal Singh Bhullar, moved the Supreme Court for immediate suspension of his execution following his conviction for the 1993 Delhi bomb blast that killed nine people.

But, the apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir, however, declined to pass any order as senior counsel Ram Jethmalani mentioned the matter before it.

Jethmalani told the court that preparations were being made to hang Bhullar like Mumbai attack terrorist Ajmal Kasab and parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

Navneet Kaur has contended that the rejection of her husband's mercy petition after an inordinate delay was based on "non-application of mind, non-consideration of relevant circumstances and presumably made on extraneous grounds and/or irrelevant facts".

Relatives of Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah arrive in India

Two relatives of Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjahy, 52, arrived in India via the Attari land border from Sialkot, Paksitan on Tuesday.

Sanaullah is currently admitted in PGI hospital, Chandigarh, for medical treatment where his condition is reported to be critical.

While talking, one of his relatives Mohammad Shehzad said that they had come to meet Sanaullah and look after him. However they were stopped from speaking to the media by accompanying first secretary press, Pakistah High Commission, Syed Sultan Hassan Naqvvi.

"We have instructions to not hold any media interac-

tion" said Hassan Naqvvi.

After persistent questioning, the nephew of Sanaullah Mohammad Asif said, "We appeal to Indian government to let Sanaullah accompany us to Pakistan."

Sanaullah was attacked in Jammu's high security Kot Bhalwal jail on May 3rd by a fellow inmate Vinod Kumar, a former army soldier who is also serving life imprisonment for murdering his colleague in Leh. He was rushed to Government Medical College Hospital and was later shifted to PGI, Chandigarh in an air ambulance where his condition is still reported to be critical.

According to reports

Ashwani Kumar

minutes of the meetings which took place with the law minister and officials of PMO and coal ministry and details of his affidavit "are based on best recollection of my memory and of my officers".

Significantly, the court on Tuesday vowed to go beyond the nature of changes in the status report to find out who carried those out and to what end: a resolve which seemed to heighten the sense of urgency in Congress about putting a lid on the politically haemorrhaging controversy.

Sanaullah entered into an argument with Vinod Kumar while working in the garden.

The argument turned violent following during which Vinod hit Sanaullah with bricks and a shovel on his head.

Sanaullah was arrested in 1999 and was serving life sentence for his involvement in terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. He was in the Kot Bhalwal jail for the past 17 years.

Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh was also attacked by fellow inmates of Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore on April 26th and died in the early hours of Thursday at Lahore's Jinnah Hospital.

Devenderpal Singh Bhullar

Dismissing Bhullar's his plea that challenged the rejection of his mercy plea by the president, the Supreme Court April 12 had refused to commute his death sentence to life imprisonment.

Bhullar had filed a mercy petition on Jan 14, 2003, which was rejected by the president May 25, 2011.

Bhullar was given capital punishment for the 1993 blast at the Youth Congress office, a stone's throw from Parliament House in Delhi, which left nine dead. The attack was targeted against then Youth Congress leader M.S. Bitta.

Ajmer priests not to help Pakistanis in prayers

Khadims (priests) at the dargah (shrine) of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer have decided not to assist Pakistani pilgrims in offering prayers at the shrine.

Several groups of khadims have decided to join the increasing protests against the killing of Sarabjit.

About 640 pilgrims from Pakistan will be visiting Rajasthan's Ajmer town later this week.

The pilgrims are expected to arrive in Ajmer May 12 to participate in the 801st Urs of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti.

Ahead of the Pakistanis' visit, various organisations -including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shiv Sena and the BJP -- have been staging demonstrations in Ajmer.

26

IndIa

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 11th May 2013

India tops world with most 1st-day deaths

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who has been under attack from the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, reached out to the BJP leader in Parliament on Tuesday and walked with one hand on her shoulder, in a bid to win support for the passage of crucial bills.

Soon after Lok Sabha was adjourned, Swaraj was walking towards central hall with BJP parliamentary party chief LK Advani and other MPs when Gandhi approached her and put her one arm on the leader of the opposition's shoulder.

Gandhi walked with Swaraj for some distance.

The MPs, who were witness to this new cama-

raderie between Gandhi and Swaraj, said the two leaders talked animatedly with each other. BJP leaders were, however, tightlipped about the subject of the conversation.

Gandhi's gesture appears as a bid for a rapprochement with the main

opposition as the ruling party wants the food security and the land acquisition bills passed in Parliament before the Budget session ends on May 10. BJP supports these bills in principle and would give its nod if certain amendments are incorporated.

The Congress president's move came as a surprise to many as on last Friday, Swaraj had accused Gandhi of instigating her MPs to disrupt her speech in Lok Sabha.

Swaraj had said it had been agreed that she will enumerate reasons for BJP's boycott of Parliament, following which BJP will stage a walkout to facilitate pas-

sage of the Finance Bill.

However, interruptions

by Union ministers had made Swaraj angry and she blamed Gandhi for it.

"I was disrupted 60 times in three minutes," Swaraj had said.

Gandhi is known for reaching out to other parties. Earlier in this session, she had surprised her own party colleagues when she walked upto SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in Lok Sabha and asked him with folded hands to give up his demand for steel minister Beni Prasad Verma's resignation.

Verma had accused Yadav of having sided with communal forces and that he took money to support the government from outside.

Yet another scam rocks UPA govt Continued from page 1 Bansal told both Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi that he never let Vijay Singla, son of his sister who looks after railway minister’s political and business interests in his home town Chandigarh, influence his official decisions.

The nephew and others have been accused of corruption for allegedly seeking bribes from senior railway official Mahesh Kumar for fixing appointments through the railway minister.

However, Congress’s core group, which discussed the fallout of the latest corruption scandal to have hit the UPA, deferred a decision on his continuation in the Cabinet signaling that it

was not ready to give the minister a benefit of doubt yet. There was no confirmation of reports that the minister had offered to resign even as he proclaimed himself innocent.

Opposition which scents blood demanded Bansal’s resignation along with that of law minister Ashwani Kumar, who is in the dock for “vetting” the CBI status report on Coalgate.

The Congress leadership grappled with the new crisis even as the CBI’s investigation threatened to move close to the Bansal. Sources revealed that the agency might be interested in seeking clarifications from the minister himself, his two sons Amit and Manish, and at least one more nephew in con-

nection with the bribery case.

Ajay Garg, one of the accused, is reportedly a close to Vijay Singla, who was arrested last week for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 9000,000 to help a senior railway official land a plum post in the Railway Board.

Sources in the CBI say Garg's name figures in the original FIR in the case.

Phone conversations intercepted by them establish Garg talking about the exchange of money in the case, the sources add.

Garg has already been named in the FIR CBI filed alleging that Mahesh Kumar, member (staff) of the Railway Board, agreed to pay Rs 100 million in exchange for his appointment as member (electri-

cal) in the Board. The money which was to go to Singla through a Chandigarh-based railway contractor Sandeep Goyal was to be raised by a group of fellow businessmen dealing with railways who were promised business from railways by Kumar.

The Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson also sought the prime minister's resignation.

"The BJP is duty bound to reiterate that you please resign as the PM of India because you do not have any moral right to govern because India is increasingly getting established as the most corrupt regime under you," Prasaid said.

The BJP described the Congress-led UPA regime as a government of "wheelers and dealers".

Sarabjit Singh given a hero’s farewell Continued from page 1 “brave son of India,” anger against Pakistan spiked with slogans like “Pakistan hai hai (down with Pakistan)” reverberating in Parliament. The Houses observed silence and passed resolutions mourning Sarabjit’s death in Lahore’s Jinnah Hospital last week, at once propelling him into the pantheon of patriots.

A contingent of Punjab police reversed their arms and then fired shots in the air as a mark of respect to 49-year-old Sarabjit, who died in a Lahore. The pyre was lit by Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur in the presence of his wife Sukhpreet Kaur, daughters Swapandeep and Poonam and son-in-law Sanjay. A large crowd comprising villagers and VIPs, including Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, bid a heartfelt adieu to Sarabjit, whose body was brought in his native village 23 years after he inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan.

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and Union minister of state for external affairs Preneet Kaur were among others present.

Badal had announced a state funeral and three-day state mourning besides financial aid to the family and government jobs for his daughters.

Badal also demanded an independent probe by an international agency into the circumstances leading to his death.

Others present included Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal, state Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa, vice chairman of National SC Commission Raj Kumar Verka, Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma and leaders representing various parties, including SAD, BJP and Congress.

Villagers consoled sobbing members of Sarabjit's family as the body was taken for the last rites. His distraught daughters felt unwell during the funeral and had to be helped by the locals.

Autopsy report says Sarabjit's vital organs missing: Refuting the theory put up by Pakistani authorities that Sarabjit was fatally injured in a "scuffle" of prisoners, Indian doctors who conducted a second autopsy on him said that the brutal assault was with the "motive to kill". "The main motive was to kill the person. The face of the skull was completely smashed.

Rather it was in two pieces. He died from massive head injuries," Gurjit Singh Mann, head of a medical panel of the Amritsar Medical College which conducted the second post-mortem said. He said that the injuries on Sarabjit were inflicted with "heavy blunt weapons", including bricks.

Mann said that Sarabjit's body had fractures on the skull, broken ribs and some other injuries.

He said that the Pakistani authorities had only sent a death certificate with Sarabjit's body.

"They have not sent any of

the medical reports or course of treatment. No provisional findings of their post-mortem report have been sent. We are awaiting those to give our final conclusive report," said Mann.

About reports that certain organs like heart and kidneys had been removed from Sarabjit's body before it was sent to India, Mann said: "We presume that these were removed as standard procedure to send the viscera for examination. We will try to find the exact cause of death."

Outrage in India: Earlier, India erupted in anger when the news about Sarabjit reached India with Prime Minister demanding justice from Pakistan and BJP calling for scaling down diplomatic ties with that country.

As an outraged government and political parties across the spectrum targeted Pakistan and showed solidarity Sarabjit's family, questions were also raised on future of India-Pakistan ties.

India tops the list of countries in the world with the most first-day deaths at 309,300 annually, according to “State of the World’s Mothers 2013” report released on May seven by London (UK) headquartered Save the Children International.

Nigeria trails behind India at second position in the world with only 89,700 first-day deaths. India’s share of global first-day deaths is 29%. In India, “economic growth has been impressive but the benefits have been shared unequally”, report states.

The report notes that India has more maternal deaths than any other country in the world (56,000 per year). “If all newborns in India experienced the same survival rates as newborns from the richest Indian families, nearly 360,000 more babies would survive each year”, it adds.

In this report, India ranked 142 out of 176 countries in 2013 Mothers' Index Rankings in the world; even lower than Ethiopia, Pakistan, Burundi, Nepal, Bhutan, Iraq and Sri Lanka. In India, lifetime risk of maternal death is one among 170, under-5 mortality rate per 1,000 live births is 61.3 and only 10.9 % seats are held by women in national government, report says.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that India needed to show commitment and

strong political will to save lives of mothers and newborns.

India needed to urgently address gender inequality, strengthen its health system, take maternal and child health and well-being seriously, invest in its women and girls, and treat its children and mothers better; Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed.

Rajan Zed argued that although India was on track to become a global power, but its new power and prosperity had remained evasive for many, especially women.

It was blight on a country, which prided itself on having joined the league of hottest growth economies.

Quoting scriptures, Zed pointed out that ancient Manusmriti said: “Where women are revered, there the gods are pleased; where they are not, no rite will yield any fruit.” Number of RigVeda (oldest existing scripture of Hinduism) hymns were said to be composed by women, and Aditi, who was sometimes referred as “mother of the gods”, found mention in Rig-Veda as a goddess. We needed to honor our mothers, Zed added.

Save the Children, whose history went back to 1919, claims to be “leading independent organization for children in need”.

Jasmine Whitbread is CEO while Charles Perrin is its Board Chair.

Ahmedabad’s own Kuldip Yadav languishing in Pak jail

AV Correspondent

The attack and murder of Sarabjit Singh in Kot Lakhpat jail in Pakistan has sent shock waves in the minds of a family in Ahmedabad. Such discomforting news only raises the heartbeat of the family in Ahmedabad since their son Kuldip Yadav too is lodged in Kot Lakhpat jail for the last 18 years and like Sarabjit, he too is charged with espionage.

“He was doing his LLB when he went to Pakistan in early nineties,” says his brother Dilip Yadav. “He was working for the Indian government, that’s all we know,” he adds. “We don’t know what went wrong and around 1994 we learnt that he was lodged in Kot Lakhpat jail, charged with espionage,” he adds.

The family since then has been running from pillar to post to get its son back but to no avail. “We

have written to everyone, the President, the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and everyone, but no one seems to care,” Dilip says.

“We have been trying to meet the chief minister, but that too is not working out. No one is talking to us,” he laments. The family got its last communication from Kuldip about a month and a half back. “He had written a letter to us and gave it to an Indian convict who was released from the prison. After reaching India, he posted the letter and that’s how we know that he is still all right there,” Dilip says.

“But these developments are extremely disturbing. The amount of distrust and mutual hatred being accumulated in both the sides is strangulating the process of dialogue. We are scared.

One can now only hope that we shall get to see our brother alive someday,” he adds.

indiA

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

I

ndia’s foreign minister Salman Khurshid paid rich tributes to Shaheed Nanak Singh, the great son of India who laid down his life for upholding India’s unity. While delivering the 6th Shaheed Nanak Singh Memorial Lecture in New Delhi on 24th April, the minister spoke about the necessity for peace in the world in order to progress. He said India has always been a catalyst for peace. India’s foreign policy was to foster good relationship with its neighbours for the greater good of mankind. He said India was often accused of being weak in her resolve.

However, he said it was easy to become violent but very difficult to be peaceful and India would never opt for the easy option.

He was particularly pleased to see that the Shaheed’s message was being carried forward by his Foundation. He praised the Shaheed’s youngest son Dr. Rami Ranger MBE for living up to the ideals of his illustrious father.

This year’s lecture was attended by over 200 elite guests including Nancy J Powell, US Ambassador to India, Gen J J Singh, Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Laimonas Talat-Kelpsa, Ambassador of Lithuania, Borislav Kostov, Ambassador of Bulgaria, Daniele Mancini, Ambassador of Italy, Prof. Piotr Klodkowski, Ambassador of Poland, Piotr Opalinski, Minister Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission, Poland, Raimund Magis, Ambassador for Austria, Mark Reynhardt, Counsellor for South African High Commission, Tariq A Karim, High Commissioner of Bangladesh, the representatives from Belgium and Honorary Consuls of Samoa and Moldova. Also present were Ambassador Rajesh Prasad, Ambassador Nalin Suri, former Indian

Dr Rami Ranger presents Salman Khurshid with the ‘Soul of India’ Award for his Services to Mother India.

High Commissioner to the UK, Tarlochan Singh, Former Head of Minority Commission and member of parliament, General SK Sinha, Former Vice Chief of the Indian Army and Governor J&K, Vivek Tankha, Former Additional Solicitor General of India, Vice Chief of Indian Navy, Admiral Robin Dhowan, Jassi Khangura MLA, Punjab and Surinder Singla, former finance minister, Punjab.

Mukesh Anand, Chairman of the Foundation, paid tribute to Shaheed Nanak Singh who was born on 11th September 1903 in Kuntrila, Rawalpindi district, now in Pakistan. He was a great freedom fighter who dedicated his entire life for freedom, communal harmony and the unity of India. He strongly opposed

the partition of India as he could foresee the consequences of breaking up India on the basis of religion. He delivered his last public speech on 4th March 1947 at Kup Mandi, Multan city, Pakistan along with Saifudin Kichlew, then president of the Punjab Congress. While trying to save 600 students of DAV school, Multan, he was caught in the communal riots and lost his life at the young age of 43. He left behind a young widow of 35 and 8 young children, the oldest being 14 years old.

While hailing the life of Shaheed, Gen JJ Singh said that Nanak Singh was a man whose love for his motherland proved greater than self or his family. His message of unity is relevant even today.

Nancy J Powell while thanking the organ-

isers for inviting her to this important event praised India for being a land of ideas and peace. She said her own country, America, valued India’s friendship.

Tarlochan Singh said that Nanak Singh tried desperately to stop the breakup of India. Just before his death, he called a peace conference and made a case to remain united. He thanked Dr. Rami Ranger for coming each year to pay tribute to his father and to remind us in India of the need for unity between religions, races and castes.

Vivek Tankha said that rarely only he got the opportunity to speak about a real patriot. He spoke about a family who for generations had dreamt and thought for Mother India, never flinched to offer the supreme sacrifice yet had never claimed credits or brownie points for what they did.

Gen S K Sinha said he had lived through the holocaust in 1947 as a young Major. He saw suffering on an unparallel scale. He fondly recalled the Shaheed Nanak Singh Lecture he delivered himself at the Punjabi University. He said during this time he came to know more about Nanak Singh and his son Dr Rami Ranger and became inspired by their lives.

Dr. Rami Ranger summed up his father’s vision and foresight in an evocative vote of thanks. He thanked all the speakers, the trustees and Shivani Mohan for conducting the proceedings most effectively and eloquently. He pointed out that India’s soul was its secular and democratic constitution where equality for all was enshrined regardless of race, religion or gender. He concluded by saying that if Nanak’s Singh’s legacy could unite India, then his father would not have died in vain and together we could make India great.

Please tick the appropriate category

13TH

ASIAN ACHIEVERS AWARDS 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 12th July, 2013 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.

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) (3) (4) (5) are

Most important career achievements till date.

Nominee's contribution to the community and nation.

Future Plans, ambitions and visions.

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Summary-

(Please include a summary in not more than 150 words why the nominee is worthy of win-

ning the particular award in a separate sheet)

Nominators name and contact details: __________________________________________ Nominators 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 6th September, 2013. 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 12th July, 2013

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

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

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

In recognition for an individuals service to community.

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

Awarded for excellence in sports.

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

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

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

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

Young Entrepreneur of the Year ..................................................

Awarded to an young entrepreneur (less than 35 years) with a proven track record of operating a successful business enterprise.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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travel & women

NYC, NYC (so good they named it twice!), much has been said (and sung) about this great city, but to truly be mesmerized by its magic – one has to cross the great big pond that is the Atlantic.

A true city break - the list of sightseeing is long, from the iconic Statue of Liberty to Central Park, Times Square & Broadway to the Empire State Building and the list goes on.

www.abplgroup.com - asian voice 11th may 2013

pit and look longingly into each others eyes. Then if you really want to “flash the cash” drop off at Tiffany’s and get a rock to remember this great city by. No wander there’s a heart in “I love New York”!

A long overdue holiday? Then New York is full of not only the excitement that girly weekends and romantic city breaks hold but there’s more – ohh so much more. There are the larger than life shows

Statue of Liberty

Spring in New York is where it’s at, with temperatures climbing to the mid ‘80’s al fresco dining is the order or the day, and what dining! From take out burgers, “dogs” and world famous Pizzas to gastro restaurants and deli’s, there’s something for everyone on every street corner!

The almighty portion sizes are sure to keep you well sustained as you explore this city famed for its towering skyscrapers.

Reasons (and excuses) abound as to why one should visit this great metropolis. A girly Hen weekend? Roll up ladies for a shopping spree like no other. From world famous department stores like Bloomingdales, Macey’s and Saks to Bargain shopping at Century 21, New York will entice you with fashion delights.

If you’ve already got the “something old, borrowed & blue” why not pick up the “something new” while you’re at it?

Central Park

Romantic City break? Hop on a plane and woo your loved one with a romantic carriage ride in Central Park then visit one of those uber cool roof top restaurants such as Four at Yotel and snag a private cabana with your very own fire

on Broadway with big name celebrities, and if its culture you crave – museums abound, there’s the “Met”, MoMa and the architectural delights of the Guggenheim.

Solomon R Guggenheim Museum

A choice of flights and hotels are available starting from just £610pp for a 3 night stay (B&B) staying right in the heart of Manhattan, this includes flights, accommodation and a good ‘ole “Have a Nice Day!” Yankee style. Call Brightsun Travel for this great deal on: 0208 819 0486.

When booking a holiday, we recommend using a long established travel agent who is well versed in delivering holidays with an ATOL certification, ensuring the security of your booking. When booking with an online agent, check there is a contact phone number – this ensures you will get service from an actual person and get your questions answered swiftly. Brightsun Travel is such an agent. Brightsun Travel also offers a price match promise on worldwide flights and holidays. To book your dream holiday, visit www.brightsun.co.uk or call Brightsun Travel on 0208 819 0486 and make a booking with an actual person – a refreshing way to book your next holiday!

Wall Street

seat of love and beauty AV Correspondent every religious place has a history and a myth Lto ike it, the Rukmini Temple

off Dwarka city is no exception. The temple known for its architectural beauty in the coastal area is thronged by visitors who go to the Dwarka temple the seat of Lord Krishna.

Rukmini is worshipped for her love and sacrifice for the Lord. It is known for the location and also for the beauty inside the temple.

This temple stands 2 km away from Dwarka city.

The local explanation given for this distance is an old legend. They say, once Lord Krishna and his wife Rukmini went to the sage Durvasha to invite him for dinner at Dwarka. He agreed on the condition that Krishna and Rukmini would have to pull his chariot instead of any animal. The couple happily obliged. While pulling the chariot, Rukmini became thirsty so Lord Krishna prodded his toe into the earth to draw a spring of the holy Ganga water.

Rukmini took a sip without offering Durvasha.

Annoyed by her impoliteness he cursed Rukmini that she would be separated from her beloved husband. Hence Rukmini temple is located 2 km away from Dwarka's Jagat Mandir. Maybe 2,500 years old, but its domed mandapa and stepped sanctuary cannot be older than the 12th century in its present form. The story behind the construction of Rukmini Temple at this site has also convinced followers about

the love of Rukmini for Lord Krishna.

The temple is also known for the architectural beauty on its walls and the visitors are attracted not only because of the sculptors on the wall but there are narrations that go behind every sculptor on the wall. The tales of Rukmini and Lord Krishna are not unknown to the believers of Krishna, but this temple also gives a narration on the life of Rukmini and the importance of being Rukmini in Lord Krishna’s life.

The exterior of the

Rukmini Temple is richly carved. It has a panel of sculpted naratharas (human figures) and a panel of sculpted gajatharas (elephants) at the base. The traditional spire of the main shrine contrasts strongly with the hemispherical dome of the pavilion. The garbhagriha (inner sanctum) has a recessed seat on which the present image of Rukmini was consecrated. The usual sculptures of god and goddesses, along with male and female figures, are seen on the exterior of the shrine.

Kele ki Barfi

A sweet dish with banana and coconut.

Ingredients: 4 large ripe banana (pake kele) 1/2 cup milk (doodh) 2 cup sugar 2 tblsp clarified butter (ghee) 75 gm coconut (nariyal) 1/2 cup crushed walnut (akhrot) Method: Peel banana and mash them. Now cook mashed banana along with milk in a pan until milk dries up. Now add butter and stir continuously till it turns brown in colour. Now add sugar, grated coconut and walnut and stir. Remove it from the flame. Grease a plate with butter and spread the mixture in the plate.

Its thickness should be 1/2”. When it settles to be cut in pieces,

cut barfi in desired shape.

Garnish with dry fruits and serve.

Health Benefits: Banana& Coconut helps you feel full faster and hence very beneficial for people who are trying to lose weight. If you feel full, you tend to eat less.

Morover bananas are a good source of potassium and magnesium which aid in maintaining normal blood pressure and are heart protective.

www.abplgroup.com - asian Voice 11th May 2013

CALCIUM + Magnesium + Vit. D3

SKIN, SKIN, HAIR, HAI NAILS

Why your teeth become yellow?

I

f you’re one of those who’s reminded of the ‘not-so-white’ teeth every time someone makes you laugh, it’s time you gave it a little more thought and figured out what’s causing the yellowing in the first place!

Genetic disposition: If it is that most of your family members have yellow teeth, it’s highly likely it is genetic. But what you should know is that it isn’t the colour which is genetically transmitted but the thickness of the outermost layer of the teeth. The thinner the enamel layer is, the more visible the yellow dentin layer will be.

Age: As one grows older, the outer layer of enamel wears away and becomes thinner. This causes the dentin’s yellow colour to show through and give your teeth a yellowish appearance.

Certain medicines: If you were given antibiotics tetracycline or doxycycline before the age of eight, chances are that your permanent teeth have striated or banded stains on them. And also, these antibiotics when given to a pregnant woman will cause yellow staining of her child’s teeth. This happens because the teeth are still developing before the age of eight and these antibiotics become incorporated into the mineral structure of the enamel causing the stains.

Other medicines which cause teeth discoloration are chlorhexidine (found in mouth rinses), antihistamines, antihypertensives and antipsychotic drugs.

Excess Fluoride: Excessive fluoride

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who are to negative including abuse, neglect and even overprotection, are at higher risk of experiencing bullying by their peers, a research has claimed.

The research - a metaanalysis of 70 studies of more than 200,000 children- led by the University of Warwick, found that the effects of poor parenting were stronger for kids who are both a victim and perpetrator of bulling (bullyvictims) than children who were solely victims.

Negative or harsh parenting was linked to a modest increase in the risk of being a "bully-victim" and a small increase in the risk of becoming a victim of bullying. In contrast, warm but firm parenting reduced the risk of being bullied by peers.

Study author, Professor

intake can occur due to high fluoride levels in water, a child swallowing excessive fluoride toothpaste or fluoride supplements taken by mouth. This can cause yellowish stains on the teeth.

Foods and drinks: Various foods and drinks are known to cause teeth discolouration. Foods like blueberries, cherries and drinks like coffee, tea, colas and wines are the obvious ones. Did you know that even apples and potatoes, the not so obvious ones, can cause teeth yellowing? The colouring molecules in these foods and drinks adhere to the enamel or penetrate the tubules of enamel to cause discoloration.

Tobacco: We all know that tobacco is hazardous to health. Well, it can be distressing to your smile too. Smoking or chewing tobacco can leave extrinsic stains on the enamel of the teeth. Tobacco contains many hard-to-remove staining elements that cause a gradual yellowing of teeth and mar the appearance of your teeth.

Poor oral hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential for your oral health and to maintain the colour of your teeth.

Inadequate brushing and flossing allow stains from coffee, tobacco, etc. to develop and calculus (tartar) to build up on teeth.

This will make your teeth appear yellow.

Tooth fillings: Dental restorative materials like amalgam (silver fillings) can leach out over time and get deposited in the enamel and cast a dark colour to teeth.

Certain diseases: Certain diseases and infections in pregnant mothers can affect the development of enamel and the underlying dentin causing tooth discoloration later in the child. Sometimes, treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation to the head and neck for cancers can also change the colour of teeth to a yellow shade.

Trauma: Trauma and discolouration – wondering what the connection is? When Tooth is injured due to trauma from sudden fall or accidents there may be bleeding in the innermost layer of the tooth (pulp chamber). Blood clot and remnants of decomposed pulp tissue may also get into the tubules of the dentin thereby staining the dentin and causing tooth discolouration. In children, the teeth are still developing. Trauma in such children can also disturb enamel formation and cause discoloration of their permanent teeth.

Dieter Wolke, said that the long shadow of bullying falls well beyond the school playground and has lasting and profound effects into adulthood.

He said that the team knew that victims and bully-victim s are more likely to develop physical health problems, suffer from anxiety and depression and are also at increased risk of self-harm and suicide.

He asserted that it is vital that people understand more about the factors linked to bullying in order to reduce the burden

it places on the affected children and society.

Negative parenting includes behaviours like abuse/neglect, maladaptive parenting and overprotection. .

The research also categorised authoritative parenting, parent-child communication, parental involvement and support, supervision and warmth and affection as positive parenting behaviours.

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Detox diet plan, Detoxification, Fruits, Indigestion, Neha Chandna, Veggies One must have heard about detox diet or detoxification. A common term for westerners where celebs as well as common people go on detox diets.

But what exactly is it and why is it so good for your system? Our expert nutritionist Neha Chandna throws some light on it.

Detox diet is one which consists of food and herbs that eliminate toxins from the body. It emphasises on foods which are high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants to prevent damage to the body and foods rich in fibre and water to clear the system by increasing the frequency of urination and stools.

In our daily life, we ingest a lot of toxins through air, food and water. The increasing use of pesticides, chemicals, preservatives, additives in food and drinks and pollution in the air cause deposits of toxins in our fat cells. If our diet is in inadequate in nutrients, it can lead to illness and health issues. Signs of this are include indigestion, headache, skin problems, tiredness, fatigue, poor concentration.

Here are a few benefits of detoxification: It helps improve digestion, A detox diet will result in your body having more energy, Your concentration will improve, It cleanses your system which means you will have clear skin, Since your digestion is in

place, you can sleep soundly, You will feel light and refreshed after a detox diet Below is a chart of foods that you should and shouldn’t have while on a detox diet.

Foods to be included, Foods to be excluded, Fruits and nuts, Fruit juices, Raw veggies, Veggie juices, Lemon juice, Coconut water, Thin dals, Buttermilk, Green tea.

Grains, Milk and milk products, Meat, fish, Chicken, Eggs, Restaurant food, Fried foods, Sweet foods and desserts, Processed and pack-

aged foods, Tea, coffee and aerated drinks Points to remember: You can opt for a 3-day detox diet every month.

On the first day, you might feel hunger pangs and tiredness but you will overcome this on the second and third day.

Pregnant and lactating women should avoid going on a detox programme.

Go for 30 minutes walk every day.

Do not stop or reduce medication dosage during this diet.

If detox diet does not suit you, stop it immediately.

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After the diet, get back to normal food slowly. Do not over eat. Introduce grains, milk and foods slowly and one at a time.

Along with the diet, you can take enema for clearing the digestive system.

When following a detox diet, you can make interesting blends to add some taste to your food.

Here are some recipes: Carrot beet mint (pudina) juice Ingredients: 2 carrots, 1 beet, 10g pudina, salt, Chaat masala Method: Blend all the ingredients in a blender.

Serve Pomegranate-grapesweetlime juice Ingredients: 1 pomegranate, 1 bunch grapes, Rock salt Method: Juice all the fruits. Add rock salt and serve.

A detox diet should not be continued for many days. Consult a nutritionist before you plan to undergo such a diet and inform her about any health problems you may be suffering from. While the diet plan will be similar to the above mentioned one, it will change slightly based on your health condition and fitness levels.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

Indian in Leveson panel comes out to reject committee's one of the most contentious conclusions A powerful activist of Indian origin and highprofile member of the Leveson Inquiry committee set up to probe Britain's phone hacking scandal has broken ranks to come out openly to reject one of the committee's most contentious conclusions: police should keep the arrests of criminal suspects secret.

The Times of India has reported that Sharmishta or Shami Chakrabarti, an adviser to the Leveson Inquiry has come out openly against the 'blanket policy of arresting people in secret'. Chakrabarti,

who is Chancellor of the Oxford Brookes University and director of the British civil liberties advocacy organisation Liberty said: "Police briefing against arrested individuals to pressure or punish is clearly abusive but it's equally chilling for officers to refuse to confirm names of those detained or charged.

Aggressively volunteering suspects' identities is one thing, a blanket policy of arresting people in secret, without the knowledge of press and public, is quite another."

'A drop of Bapu's blood' to be auctioned Continued from page 8 Also Mullocks would auction Adolf Hitler's belongings for the first time along with those Gandhi on the same day.

A marble block from Hitler's bunker, a Christmas card dated Berlin, December 24, 1936 and which bears Hitler's name and the Nazi swastika and eagle devices in gold, paintings and a postcard would be among the objects that would go under the hammer, the report further added.

FUTURE GROWTH OF LONDON Continued from page 3 undertook its first examination of this exciting issue a couple of weeks ago. The key areas of our investigation were about the magnitude and nature of London’s projected population growth and implications of that on the demand for housing, jobs and social infrastructure facilities like school and health provision and whether London has capacity to accommodate the growth. We also quizzed

the experts about options the Assembly and Mayor may have to meet the needs in a way the quality of life of Londoners for decades to come can be enhanced and also expand in a sustainable way to improve the quality of the environment, protect our green spaces and provide the necessary physical and social infrastructure. Any readers keen to follow this work is welcome to contact my office or check the GLA website.

Coming Events l One of Midlands’ most popular Hindu temples is to re-open later this month following a major facelift. Hundreds of worshippers from across the country are expected to attend the historic reopening of Shree Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Tyseley, Birmingham, on Sunday 26th May. Also gracing the occasion will be veteran spiritual leader Ram Bapa, aka Maganbhai Bhimjiani, and priest Ramnikbhai Dave. The all-day programme will begin at 10.00am.

The following day (May 27) will see a week-long spiritual festival, a reading of Hindu scriptures the Bhagwad Gita, led by priest Dave. The festival will culminate with a special fire ceremony, or havan, on June 2, in which several worshippers will take part. All welcome. To find out more contact Mukeshbhai Ladwa on 07976 178800 or email mukeshladwa@hotmail.co.uk l Shrimad Bhagvat Katha, 12-18 May, 2-6pm, Lambeth Asian centre Lonon, SW162PJ. Contact: 02086534451 l The Nehru centre: Tue 14 May, 6:15pm- Tribal art from Central India, Fri 17 May 5pm: Amit Chaudhuri on his novel The Immortals l Shri Ekant Shrivastava in association with the UK Hindi Samiti and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Sunday 19 May, London, 5pm onwards l Shri Vallabh Nidhi UK and Shri Sanatan Hindu Mandir presents Shrinath Chaitamrut Katha, 24 May-31 May, 3-6:30pm. Contact: 02089037737 l An Evening of Bollywood Melodies in aid of Bhadran Eye Hospital, Sunday 19 May, 5pm.

Watersmeet Auditorium. Ricksmansworth WD3 1EH. Contact: 07804492576 l Reliance Global Call- EXCLUSIVE offer for Asian Voice subscribers. Call 08003769636 l Asia House presents -British Asian Culture: Doomed to be 'Uncool'?10 May 2013 -Kids’ Connecting Cultures – South Asia 11 May 2013 -Atul Kochhar – Curries of the World 11 May 2013 63 New Cavendish St, W1G 7LP. 020 7307 5430

By nature you are a highly enterprising, gogetting type of person and these are qualities that will stand you in good stead in the coming weeks. Go easy on yourself though, especially if it's a question of financial loans. Don't be afraid to act forcefully if your instinct tells you it's time for change.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

The pace of your life may be a bit hectic now, and if you're not used to it, this could also be a time of mental restlessness. You are more inclined to seek a broad understanding of people and of your immediate environment. Concentrating on listening, connecting, communicating, and learning is your best bet now.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

There are subtle transformations taking shape in you life and a feeling of helpful influences in the background. There is much to suggest that you are in tune with your inner self and in touch with those hidden forces which often seem to take a guiding hand in one's life. Focus on essentials and establish a solid foundation, so that you feel secure.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

Social commitments are liable to increase considerably. At times this could lead to a conflict of loyalties and perhaps a degree of resentment that others are taking advantage of you. Make a very conscious attempt to stick to main priorities. Organise your time so that it is not taken up entirely by the demands of other people.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

Career-wise you cannot go wrong provided you do not act in a way that threatens other people's egos. An ambition that you have been striving for over the past year is likely to come to fruition which could mean promotion and a boost in status and reputation soon. Play your cards right and you can pull strings in you favour.

There will be increased scope for varying your activities, widening your network of contacts and getting out and about. It is an excellent time for exercising your mental energies, claryfying your and other people's ideas and getting involved in discussion.

Exercise caution when it comes to making financial decisions as being hasty will cost you !

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

It would be unwise to take any risks, particularly in regard to joint interests and investments. Expenses and outgoings are likely to become heavy. So be extra careful if you need to deal with complex legal matters and necessary red tape. Plan your spending and set sensible budgets to reach your financial goals.

Associate with people that you are comfortable with.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

It is a great week for seeing real results. You can accomplish more than usual with a little elbow grease - the keyword here is discipline. Your social graces will serve you well career-wise. Mixing business with pleasure will bring you benefits. You will achieve great success by being responsible and diplomatic.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

The prevailing pattern of planets gives you a marvellous opportunity. Take time out to strengthen close ties of affection, sort out emotional differences and proffer the olive branch to anyone who may have caused you pain in recent months. Venus throws an easy light on affairs of the heart - prime time for engagements and weddings.

The pace of everyday life will gather momentum and there may be times when you find it hard to keep your act together. Any obstacles that have stood in the way of your heart's desires should melt into the background soon. Your self-confidence will be extremely high and this will be helped by various encouraging events.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

Decision making will prove to be a bit of a bind because of your wavering mind - seek professional advice and then steam ahead.

Be careful with your expenditure as you have a tendency to be extravagant.

Relationships need to be scrutinised carefully. Try to stand back and get a more objective view of the pattern of your life.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

You will make your best progress by focusing your mental and physical energies on what you want to achieve. The underlying trend seems to be pulling you into a much wider social circle now. This is bound to enrich your life and give you a deeper sense of purpose. The prevailing pattern of planets gives you a marvellous opportunity - take advantage.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

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Mumbai Indians thrashed Kolkata Knight Riders by 65 runs after posting a massive 170/6, the hosts bundled out the visitors for just 105 in their IPL clash at the Wankhede stadium on Tuesday.

For Mumbai, Harbhajan Singh claimed three wickets while Pragyan Ojha and Mitchell Johnson dismissed two batsmen. Johnson gave Mumbai early breakthrough by bowling out skipper Gautam Gambhir in the first over. Pragyan Ojha gave Kolkata second blow in the seventh over by getting Manvinder Bisla stumped.

After getting rid of Bisla, Ojha struck again to bowl out Yusuf Pathan just after Kolkata crossed 50 mark.

Pathan scored 13 off 8 balls with the help of a six and a boundary before falling to Ojha at the score of 54.

Jacques Kallis became fourth Mumbai's victim after a steady knock of 24 off 26 balls. Kallis mistimed Harbhajan and offered a simple catch to Ahmed at long-off.

Eoin Morgan was the fifth man to fall after scoring just five. Morgan hit Ahmed's swinger straight at point only to be caught

by Rohit Sharma at the score of 77.

Harbhajan Singh gave Kolkata sixth blow by taking a stunning return catch of DB Das (23). Before the visitors could recover, McLaren got run out leaving the side reeling at 89/7.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 11th May 2013

Mumbai Indians remained unbeaten at home

Johnson claimed his second victim by getting Sunil Narine caught behind after Kolkata crossed 100.

Sachin Tendulkar used the field restrictions in the initial overs to hit eight fours in an attractive innings of 48 off 28 balls, while Dwayne Smith made 47 off 52 before both departed in close succession after putting on 93 for the first wicket after Mumbai opted to bat first.

Thereafter only Dinesh Karthik, who made an unbeaten 34 in 18 balls with 2

sixes and 3 fours, prospered while Mumbai lost wickets at regular intervals before adding 26 runs in the last nine balls through Karthik and Mitchell Johnson (10 not out).

Dravid, Rahane power Rajasthan Royals to 9-wicket victory over Delhi Daredevils: Earlier in the first match at Jaipur, Rahul Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane struck fluent half-centuries as Rajasthan Royals inched closer towards securing a play-off berth with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory against Delhi Daredevils in a Pepsi Indian Premier

League match on Tuesday.

Dravid led from the front with a classy 48-ball-53, his fourth half-century in this IPL edition, while Rahane played an equally impressive unbeaten knock of 63 as Royals maintained their impeccable record at home. They now have 16 points with eight wins and look like firm contenders for a berth in knock-out round.

Delhi Daredevils, whose season has gone from bad to worse stay put on eighth position with six points.

Royals registered their seventh win at home with 13 balls to spare, scoring 155 for one. Shane Watson remained unbeaten on 14-ball 28, laced with three fours and one six.

Dravid and Rahane added 108 runs for the opening-wicket partnership in just 13.4 overs with the former India captain playing the more aggressive knock of the two.

In the process, Royals also registered their highest opening-wicket partnership in this edition of the IPL, surpassing 98 runs against Pune Warriors last week.

For Daredevils, Rohrer hit a fine 39ball 63 under trying conditions while Mahela Jayawardene (34) and Kedar Jadhav (23 no) also chipped in with useful contributions to help their side post a competitive 154 for four but, in the end, the total did not prove to be enough.