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Hate crimes have gone up by over 70% in just over a year, 60% of victims being women, wearing headscarf or hijab, a report has suggested.

Records from UK's first national antiMuslim helpline has revealed that there were 816 Islamophobia offences recorded across the city in the last 12 months upto July 2015, compared with 478 for the previous 12 months.

In some localities such as Merton, attacks have seen a 250% increase. In Richmond-uponThames, compared with just one for the previous year, nine hate crimes were reported this year.

The London Met Police has engaged more than 900 specialist officers across London working in Community Safety Units who are dedicated to investigating hate crime. They have also started talking to local mosques, synagogues and other faith communities to better access hate crimes.

The police reportedly said "We believe an increase in recorded Islamophobic offences in London is due to a range of factors. This includes a growing willingness of victims to Continued on page 30

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LONG LIVE HER MAJESTY

BRIT-INDIAN GIRL BEATS EINSTEIN AND HAWKING AT MENSA IQ TEST

UK witnesses rise of Islamophobia

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Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

HONOURING THE LATE DR A P J ABDUL KALAM AT NEASDEN TEMPLE

Reshma Trilochun

Becoming the Queen of the United Kingdom on 6th February 1952, and coronated on 2nd June 1953, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, will officially become the longest reigning monarch in Britain on Wednesday 9th September 2015, overtaking Queen Victoria, her great-grandmother, to set a new record.

On 9th September, the Queen would have surpassed Queen Victoria's record of 63 years and 217 days. She would have spent a total of 23,226 days as the reigning monarch, on 9th September.

Born as Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on 21st April 1926, to Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Prince Albert, Duke of York, who later became King George VI. Looking back at the celebrations of the Queen's Coronation in 1953, no doubt, it was no small affair. It was for the first time that the ceremony, which took place in Westminster Abbey, was broadcast on television to a global audience. It is said that a staggering 27 million or more Britons had gathered around theirs or their

P05 AYLESBURY SEX RING SENTENCED FOR GROOMING VULNERABLE UNDER-AGE GIRLS

Priti Patel: Modi visit to boost Indo-UK 'special relationship'

Business Secretary Sajid Javid and Lord Maude, Minister of State for Trade and Investment visiting India

Priti Patel MP meeting PM Narendra Modi

neighbours' television to watch a never-seen before coronation ceremony.

Televising the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was idea that was outrightly rejected initially by Buckingham Palace, as well as the Prime Minister of Britain during that era, Winston Churchill.

However, due to the unanimous public opinion, they were forced to changed their decision.

Many Britons, as well as admirers of the Queen will be rejoicing this great achievement. However, the Queen herself has no

intention of celebrating on 9th September, as she does not find this to be respectful towards the late Queen Victoria. As quoted in the Daily Mail newspaper, one source revealed, “The Queen has no intention of celebrating on the actual day. She would see that as very disrespectful to one of her ancestors.�

However, Royal aides has given an indication that bigger celebrations are to take place in next June, when the Queen will be celebrating her 90th birthday.

Continued on page 30

Prime Minister David Cameron's Indian Diaspora Champion, MP Priti Patel, the Minister of State and Employment has said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK in November will give India

and UK 'an opportunity to take their relationship into the modern context'.

Ms Patel will be the driving force during PM Modi's much anticipated visit between November 12-14.

Continued on page 17

Headteacher apologises to Sikh girls who are asked to remove turban in school

A school headteacher has apologised to two Sikh girls after they were asked to remove their turbans on the first day of school. The incident infuriated the community, which demanded 'cultural awareness' among broader British society about Sikhism.

Continued on page 5

Prasimran and Simranjot

2

ONE ONE with Keith Vaz, MP

www.asian-voice.com

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

to

Diane Abbott

Diane was born in London in 1953. She attended the grammar school Harrow County and then went on to Newnham College Cambridge where she obtained a Masters degree in history.

In 1987 Diane made history by becoming the first black woman ever elected to the British Parliament as the member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington. Since then she has built a distinguished career as a parliamentarian, broadcaster and commentator, holding her seat for the last twenty-eight years.

In June 2010, she made the ballot for the Labour leadership contest and took part in the summer long campaign to elect the next Labour leader. Although her campaign did not yield the leadership position, she was nonetheless propelled to the front benches as shadow Public Health Minister, a position that she held for three years.

Diane is currently a front-runner in the race to be selected as the Labour Party’s candidate for Mayor of London in 2016.

1) What is your current position?

Member of Parliament for Hackney North and Stoke Newington

2) What are your proudest achievements?

Working with the Labour Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone and with a Labour Government and seeing mil-

lions of pounds poured into schools, public transport and hospitals in Hackney.

3) What inspires you?

I am inspired by our younger generation and the desire to leave a better world for them.

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

The largest and most prevalent obstacle I have faced throughout my career has been prejudice.

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

Tony Benn 6) What is the best aspect about your current role?

Being able to help people and having the ability to speak up on issues that I care most about.

AsianVoiceNews

8) What are your long-term goals?

To leave Hackney North and Stoke Newington a better place than when I was elected in 1987.

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

time with and why?

Martin Luther King because he is such a deeply spiritual and philosophical figure, I feel that I could learn a lot from him.

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

I would urgently undertake a mass programme of house building.

10) If you w e r e marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend y o u r

7) And the worst?

The pressure that my role places on my immediate family.

Indian Gymkhana honours its President Prof Nathu Ram Puri Indian Gymkhana Club London hoisted a Reception for their President Professor Nathu Ram Puri on Friday 28th August 2015 for receiving a CBE (commander of British Empire) from Her Majesty the Queen for his services to business and to charities in UK and abroad.

This award comes within months after Professor Puri received Pravasi Bharatiya Saman

Award 2015 on 9th January 2015 from the Vice President of India Shree Mohammmed Hamid Ansari Mr Puri is a philanthropist and an activist who work towards bringing education to the poor people in India.

The Reception was attended by the Deputy High Commissioner Dr Varinder Sharma, and by leaders of business community and members of

the club.

Mr Rami Ranger, Chairman of Sunmark Ltd and the Vice Chairman of Indian Gymkhana Club welcomed the guests on behalf of the club and spoke of Professor Puri’s achievements both in business and for his charitable work in India and UK. Dr Rami Ranger also spoke about Professor Puri involving him both with the club and London South Bank University Mr Joginder Sanger Chairman of Trustees of the Indian Gymkhana Club also spoke about Professor Puri’s achievement and about their earlier days in UK The Deputy High Commissioner of India Dr Varinder Sharma spoke of Professor Puri’s involvement with the poor people in India and his contribution to the society He spoke about Professor Puri’s involvement with Independence Day which has become an annual event for the Indian community Mr Sutantar Soni, Hon. Secretary of Indian Gymkhana Club spoke of Professor Puri’s involvement with the club and informed those present that Indian Gymkhana Club was on the brink of bankruptcy and was saved by the generosity of

become a vocal point for hockey, cricket, football and Keep Fit classes for Over 50s.

W h e n H o u n s l o w Council stopped grants towards running Keep Fit classes, Professor Puri informed the committee that they should not let these 250 people be left Kishore Parmar, Joginder Sanger, Prof Nat Puri, Gareth Davis, C B Patel, without exercise Manoj Ladwa and a guest and agreed that meeting for 2 hours and go Professor Puri and Lord the club will meet the cost Noon. He not only conback. That is what he of these classes which were classed as dedication by tributed towards improvein the region of £30,000 Professor Puri. ments of the club but also and the club is still continuing providing these facilities to the resident of Hounslow.

An successful appeal for donations toward building 14 residential rooms for visiting sports personnel was made by Anil Puri, Chairman of Purico and the club hopes to complete this Prof Nat Puri, CB Patel, Dr Rami Ranger and other dignitaries work by early next year.

During Professor Puri’s as the President of the club tenure as President for the comes all the way from Continued on page 17 last 16 years the club has Nottingham to attend the

COMMENTS

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Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

3

Global scene clouded by menacing uncertainty It is the worst of times, the best a distant prospect beyond the horizon. Scenes of the human catastrophe of dispossessed and distraught humanity clamouring for asylum in Europe, are daily entering secure homes across the world on television sets. Having endured the perils of the deep in makeshift craft, old and young, men, women, children and infants keep arriving, as thousands lie in watery graves at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. What we are witnessing before our eyes is a tragedy beyond imagining and seemingly beyond satisfactory solution. Those of us fortunate to escape this harrowing experience must meditate on the unfolding hell, on the glib, arrogant political leaders, with their falsehoods and smug assurances of the human betterment to come in the wake of their murderous military inventions in hapless lands. What ho, George W. Bush, Dick Cheyne, Donald Rumsfeld, Tony Blair, Jack Straw, Nobel Peace laureate Barack Obama, David Cameron, Nikolas Sarkozy, Francois Hollande, Laurant Fabius and the rest of their motley crew of accessories to the crimes? Alas, the International War Crimes Tribunal at the Hague is content on orders to restrict its proceedings to African dictators. The master race is beyond justice, this being the world in which we live.

Crimes against humanity, beginning with Harry Truman’s decision to atom bomb the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the last days of World War II, when Japan was suing for peace, have escaped critical scrutiny. Also, take the following example from the past which casts a menacing shadow over the present.

The genocidal massacres in East Bengal, in 1971, by the Pakistani military regime of Yahyha Khan, led to an exodus of 10 million refugees into India with scant concern from the Nixon-Kissinger administration in Washington. Instead, the US President and his National Security Advisor directed their bile at Indira Gandhi and Mujibur Rahman, prime minister of Bangladesh, whose creation they disapproved. In

August 1974, Sheikh Mujib and his entire family, save his two daughters, Hasina and Rehana (who were abroad) were massacred in an army coup. The present Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has issued the following statement: “I do not know why America and Canada, being civilized countries, sheltered the killers.” (See Hindu September 4). Her government was attempting to extradite them, “But whatever the reason we are not getting support from those countries”, she told Parliament in Dhaka. They would spill the beans in a court of law. Those in the United States are Colonel Abdur Rashid Chowdhury and Major Shariful Haque. “Dalim is now in Pakistan,” revealed the Prime Minister. The answer to the apparent mystery requires no consultation with Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot. An ordinary police subinspector’s skill will do very well: America was the likely orchestrator of the army coup. Canada and Pakistan were accessories to the crime.

What are the destabilizing challenges confronting India today? Surely China’s rise. China’s financial turbulence is creating waves abroad, including India, where the impact is less serious than elsewhere, such as Latin America. The chemical explosion which blew apart whole sections of the Chinese city of Tianjin constitute China’s Time of Troubles, which cannot be concealed by the massively impressive military parade in Beijing, exhibiting the country’s latest and most formidable weaponry. Foreign adventures are sometimes seen as useful remedies for a domestic crisis. President Xi jinping’s bland assurances of China’s non-hegemonic intent are all very well, but developments in the South China Sea, in Japanese waters and territorial claims to India’s Arunachal Pradesh tell a less assuring story. Japan and Vietnam, for a start, will take President Xi’s bromides with a large dosage of salts.

India would be wise to do likewise. All three should keep their powder dry. German diplomacy in the 1930s is where a history tutorial should begin.

Fanaticism violates Indian ethos Hindi writer and academic, Uday Prakash, decided to return his Sahitya Academy award as a mark of protest at the murder in Dharwad of the iconic M.M.Kalburgi, Kannada scholar, writer, academic and promoter of the rationalist cause. He had received death threats from purported Hindu zealots angered and aggrieved by his questions on the existence of a supreme deity. Two gunmen arrived at his flat and shot him dead when he opened the door, leaving his wife, children, others of the family and his many friends and admirers numbed and distraught. As befitted his stature, Kalburgi was given a state funeral, which was attended by thousands of people, foremost among them a multitude of students whom he taught, but the story cannot end here. Crack squads from the Karnataka police have joined detectives from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) - which has been given the responsibility of running the killers to ground. Teams travelled to Maharashtra, where Hindu extremists had previously murdered eminent intellectual activists such as Narendra Dhabolkar (August 2013) and Govind Pansare earlier this year for their contrarian views on religion. That said, investigative sources had said that they are looking at the case with an open mind – which is the right way to uphold

the rule of law. However, certain pointers have surfaced, among them the arrest of Prasad Attawar, former leader of the styled “Hindu Sene” and a one-time member of the notorious Bajrang Dal. The Hindu Sene, which had once assaulted a group of girls in Mangalore for wearing jeans, had spread its wings in Goa, where they were given to baiting the local Catholic community. The menace was tackled firmly by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar (now Defence Minister) who clamped down hard on Sene activities.

Mr Prakash said the time had come for artists, writers, scientists and thinkers to stand up and be counted.

Silence, he averred, would embolden the forces of darkness to extinguish the light of India. Bloggers in Bangladesh have been hacked to death by Islamist fanatics for questioning Islamic dogmas. The much respected former Attorney General of India, Soli Sorabjee, in an impassioned appeal on television, said the scourge of intolerance must be nipped in the bud before it got of hand. It was van apt and timely warning.

Otherwise, it would mean the end of the India her sons and daughters have loved and cherished down the years through myriad trials and tribulations. A Hindu Pakistan is not what India deserves.

Australian historian censures UK, US doctors Greg Jeffreys, 61, an Australian historian and author flew into Chennai recently in search of a cure for a life-threatening Hepatitis-C condition. It was his last chance to live.

He had been told that the drug Sofosbuvir would be available at 100th the cost - $1000 - of the patented version in the US or UK. In a conversation with a local reporter, he referred scathingly to the insensate greed of big western pharmaceutical companies and their patent regimes which placed life-saving medicines beyond the reach or ordinary patients. Having exhausted almost his savings on the patented drug, he lacked the money to carry on with the treatment. “India has some the largest and best pharmaceutical manufacturers in the world. I actually got very angry when doctors in the UK or the US refuse to prescribe life-saving drugs because they are made in India. It reeks of racism or post-colonial arrogance.” Not one of all the GPs he had approached in the UK would agree to pre-

scribe the India-made Sofosbuvir. Eventually, two agreed to do so. The first, because he had Hepatitis-C himself, the second, because a close friend was a Hepatitis-C sufferer.

“It astounds me that tens of thousands of people in the UK are suffering and dying simply because their GPs refuse to write them a prescription for Indian generic medicines,” said Mr Jeffreys. He continued: “At the moment, there is an extensive campaign in Australia, the UK, the US to instil fear of Indian generics in both doctors and the general public. This is done by whispers, cleverly placed press releases and out and out bribery.”

This will come as no surprise to those aware of the unremitting struggle of Dr Yusuf Hamied, Managing Director of Mumbai-based Cipla to get anti-HIV drugs put on the international market at affordable prices. His heroism has given him deserved legendary status. It is one most inspiring stories of our time.

Life is the greatest bargain - we get it for nothing - Yiddish proverb

The India Story –

Stronger Than Ever I write to you about to board a flight for Chennai. Some 6 years ago, I wrote about investing in India, just as my Private Equity fund commenced. Now 6 years later, as we exit our last Indian investment, it is clear that what I said 6 years ago about investing in India was correct.

Never before has any country outside the US had as many of its corporate leaders in the Forbes Rich List top 10 as India has today. Not even Japan in its heyday or China matches the feat. To make the case for opportunities in India would seem self-evident then. After all, if a nation’s own people, who know the country the best, can make fortunes to compete with the world’s largest economy, then surely outside investors too can do very well there. Yet, misperception still obstructs many investment decisions concerning India. Let’s eradicate them.

Meeting a California Silicon Valley billionaire who has re-emigrated back to India is perhaps one of the more striking proofs of India’s potential. These, the most successful of Indians, who moved to the US in the 1960s from an opportunity-shorn India, return today with their millionaire colleagues, to capture the types of opportunities few, if any places on earth can match.

After, all, no other major capitalist economy will even come close to matching India’s growth for decades.

Consider during the last century, the Dow advanced from 66 to 11,497. This gain, though it appears huge, shrinks to 5.3% when compounded annually. And that nevertheless was the American century – the century when the US became a super power.

Consider that that growth rate transformed a backward nation from the horse and carriage to one which freely sent man to the moon. Yet India today exceeds and is projected to exceed for our working life times that return-rate of 5%. The baton of Rockefeller and Getty is truly carried by Ambani and Tata.

If your investment options were binary: US, the world’s largest economy, or India, think now about this century. For investors to merely match that 5.3% market-value gain, the Dow – recently below 10,000 – would need to close at about 2,000,000 on December 31, 2099. We are nearly a decade into this century, and we have racked up none of the 1,990,000 Dow points the market needed to travel in this hundred years to equal the 5.3% of the last.

Whereas, India, with the real economy targeting 8% for the foreseeable future is far more likely to provide the types of returns to match the transformation the United States had since 1900. Where would you invest?

India has among the higher returns on foreign investment than China according to the US Department of Commerce. India, although the seventh largest country in the world, has the second largest area of arable land in the world – it feeds the world – as the world’s largest producer of milk, sugarcane and tea and the second largest producer of fruit, wheat, rice, vegetables. Comparisons to the US are obvious.

An economic superpower needs not just persevering and innovative peoples, but abundant natural resources and an openness to the capitalist ideal – India, like the US of last century, fits the bill.

As Dan Sheinman of Cisco put it, ‘ We came to India for the costs, stayed for the quality and are now investing for innovation.’ Indeed one fifth of Fortune 500 companies have set up R&D centres in India and India is among only 6 countries in the world to have satellite launch capabilities.

Little wonder then this nation had the greatest GDP of any country on the eve of the formation of the British East India Company. There is nothing to suggest her people will not return to resume their destiny.

4

UK

Delivery driver to stand trial for careless driving Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

A Birmingham delivery driver is to stand trial after his parked-up van rolled across a pub car park and onto a pavement, killing a passing pensioner.

Matheeb Iqbal, 20, is accused of causing the death of Susan Collins, 65, by careless driving after allegedly failing to put his handbrake on properly.

Iqbal, of Lime Grove, Lozells, pleaded not guilty to causing the death of the mother-of-two when he

Matheeb Iqbal

appeared at Warwick Crown Court. He had parked his Mercedes

On Friday 28th August 2015, a woman in her late 20s was dragged out of her car in John Lewis car park, and was pulled into the bushes and raped.

The attack took place at 7pm, in Cheadle, Greater Manchester. The police are appealing for witnesses to come forward with information.

Detective Inspector Richard Ennis said, “This young lady has suffered a deeply traumatic ordeal and we are working to try and identify the man that did this to her.”

The police are in search of the man and have issued an E-fit. He is described as Asian, around the age of 40, medium build with black hair, a thick black mono-brow, heavily pockmarked face and wearing black jogging bottoms.

Photo courtesy: Greater Manchester Police

Woman raped outside John Lewis

E-fit of suspect

“The description I very distinctive and I am hoping that this may jog someone's memory so we can take him off our streets”, Det. Insp. Ennis said.

John Lewis has also said that it will be doing everything it could in order to support the police investigation.

Sprinter van at the Bowling Green Inn in Coventry Street, Southam, on December 30 to make a delivery to the pub.

It is alleged while he was away from the vehicle, it rolled backwards over a kerb and onto the pavement where it struck the passing Mrs Collins. The pensioner,

from Southam, died on January 8.

The court heard CCTV cameras had recorded the collision. The case was adjourned for trial next year and Iqbal was granted bail.

Told that Iqbal’s trial could not take place before April next year, and that there has still not been an inquest into the death of Mrs Collins, Judge Griffith-Jones said: “The family are still being held in limbo.”

Vigils held all over Midlands for Syrian Refugees All over the midlands from Bradford to Birmingham there has been protests in a desperate plea to the government to let the Syrian refugees into the country.

This massive movement had been sparked by the picture of the drowned toddler Aylan Kurdi.

In Birmingham around 200 people had attended a rally and a candle lit vigil in Victoria Square as the crowd wrote messages of support on a banner, lit candles, listened to speeches and observed a minute's silence.

In Bradford, a small group called the Syrian Association of Yorkshire held their own protests as well.

They too urged the gov-

ernment for more to be done about the crisis and follow the lead that Germany had taken.

Dr Mohammad Isreb, a Syrian living and working in Bradford, said: "We wanted to remind the world that those are desperate refugees running out of a war zone, not economic migrants looking for a better life. We all want our children to grow in a safe place. The only way you risk your child's life in the sea is when you are certain that your land is even more dangerous."

In Manchester, one of the city's MP says that the community in Manchester should also play their part by welcoming in the refugees from Syria.

Restaurant in Leicester named best curry takeaway

Family pays tribute to best friends killed in a car crash

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Man jailed for trying to meet under-age girl for sex after overstaying student visa

HINCKLEY: A man who tried to meet an under-age girl in Hinckley for sex after overstaying his student visa has been jailed. In fact the girl did not exist, and her online profile had been created by a Leicestershire-based vigilante group which snared Quisar Yousaf when he turned up expecting to meet her.

Yousaf (25) was jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty at Warwick Crown Court to attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years following his release – although it is expected he will be deported as soon as he has served his sentence.

Prosecutor Andrew Jackson said Yousaf came to this country from Pakistan on a student visa in 2012 and "overstayed" after it expired last year.

Alleged charge of gross negligence following death of co-worker

LEICESTER: Faruk Patel, aged 39 from Leicester, appeared in Leicester Crown Court charged with alleged gross negligence and manslaughter following the death of a worker on a building site. The victim Tasadaq UrRehman, age 40 who also lived in Leicester had suffered fatal injuries after falling from the roof of a house under construction. Following the death of Ur-Rehman, Patel also faces two counts of alleged contravening a health and safety at work prohibition.

The prohibition had specifically disallowed him from continuing to let people work at the height the deceased was working at. Patel did not offer any pleas during the brief preliminary hearing and was released on conditional bail, so the case was adjourned for a later time.

Ranjit Singh charity to be launched in his memory

WOLVERHAMPTON: The family of the hotelier Ranjit Singh Power, who was killed on a business trip to India, have set up a charity in his name. The charity will support a variety of people from the vulnerable children to the elderly all across the world.

The Ranjit Singh Power Foundation Trust was launched on the day that Ranjit Singh Power would have been Mr. Singh Power's 55th birthday. The event will also be taking place at the Ramada Park Hall in Wolverhampton. No cause is too small for the Trust as the organisation plans to support children with cancer and young carers in the UK as well as orphanages and poor families in India.

All his close family and friends say that this is what Mr Singh Power had always wanted because he felt that he had been lucky enough in his business life to have a commitment to give back the community and support important causes. Ms Bir states, “Now that Ranj is no longer here, I want to continue his dream and do as much as I can in his name, not just with our community in our city but also in India where we have roots and poverty blights lives.”

Bradford shop owner slashed in the face

Tosief Ahmed and Asad Majeed

Tosief Ahmed and Asad Majeed from Oldham died in the collision near Gretna Green on Sunday morning in Scotland, August 30.

To pay their respects to the pair family and friends gathered at the Al-Madina Jamia mosque in Goldwick.

Jamiel, Tosief's brother, stated that they had been visiting family in Scotland and the pair had been on their way home

when the crash had occurred. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene but the police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, they are still calling for witnesses. Both their families are devastated by the event as they stated that both the boys were hard working and lovable characters, they will be missed by their communities.

Masalas, a Leicester Indian restaurant and takeaway has won the prize at the English Curry Awards 2015, naming it the best curry takeaway in the country. Abdul Khaled, Rafique Miah and Shafiq Miah run Masalas express their joy at the good news.

Abdul said: "We were overwhelmed just to get nominated in the final. So when they announced the overall winner, it didn't sink in for a few minutes.

The restaurant industry is very competitive. We opened in November - it's a short time for what we have achieved."

He says that the key to their success is to offer something unique and make the customers their top priority.

They strive to offer a different experience to customers as the put the food in a box with their own design and include hot towels and chocolates in their takeaway packs. Not only that but they call their online customers to confirm the orders and delivery time. Their hard work and care to their customers has been paying off as the good feedback keeps coming and their popularity growing.

BRADFORD: Ikhlaq Mahmood, 44, was attacked by a knifeman at his business in Bradford, suffering severe injuries to his face, hands and back during the incident at his halal meat and takeaway shop in Bradford Road, Frizinghall. He is now in a stable condition in the hospital and the investigations are still going on as there is no further information in this case. Neighbours expressed their shock by this incident as one recall that he had been a good man running the business for years so he was at a loss as to why he had been targeted.

Lethal skin bleach and hair tonic found

ASTON: A Birmingham market store has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 for allegedly stocking potentially dangerous cosmetics containing lead and mercury. The Birmingham Mail reported that the Trading standard officers took away more than 300 items in the Maaz Supermarket in Witton Road, Aston.

Tillman’s Skin Bleach Cream allegedly contained mercury while KalaKola Hair Tonic allegedly contained levels of lead and a range of other products – including Zubeda and Nandra Cone henna, Stillman’s Freckle Cream and Arche Pearl Cream – were seized for allegedly failing to comply with labelling requirements. In some cases ingredients were apparently not listed correctly or no use by dates were given.

UK

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Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

Sadiq Khan pledges to reduce stop and search

Charities admit fundraising "failed to live up" to high standards

Britain: Some of the biggest charities of Britain have admitted that fundraising process have “failed to live up” to high standards during concerns about the approach and scheme used on vulnerable donors.

The heads of 17 charities have signed an open letter in which they asserted that “no one should ever feel pressurised into giving”. These charities include Oxfam, RSPCA and the Royal British Legion.

Tooting MP and Labour mayoral candidate, Sadiq Khan, has pledged that if he is elected to City Hall, he will reduce the use of stop and search by the Metropolitan Police.

Sadiq Khan has also promised to strengthen rules that stops police officers stop and searching people on the basis of their skin colour.

He would pledge to make this illegal.

Stop and search in London decreased by 54% since 2010, however,

Grandparents saving parents £8,000 a year by babysitting

Britain: According to a new survey, parents are saving a staggering £8,000 a year, thanks to grandparents who babysit and drive the children around.

Nearly ¼ get to see their grandchildren once a month, but they usually end up “working” by babysitting them and being a taxi driver. The survey also revealed that approximately 14 million grandparents in he UK save British parents £56 billion per year. This is because they look after their grandchildren for an average 8 hours a day, 76 times a year, which saves British parents an outstanding £7,615.69 in annual costs.

Miliband to become backbench MP

Britain: Former Labour party leader, Ed Miliband is said to be quitting frontline politics, which dodges the chances of him becoming Jeremy Corbyn's shadow foreign secretary, if Corbyn wins the Labour leadership election. It is said that Miliband is to issue a statement where he will turn down offers of prominent political roles.

Rather, he will be campaigning on inequality and environmental issues as a backbench MP.

Headteacher apologises...

Continued from page 1

13 year old Simranjot Kaur and 11 year old Prasimran Kaur, returned to St Anne's Catholic in Southampton, in Hampshire wearing turbas, traditional religious headwears.

Newly enrolled student Prasimran, from year seven was told to take her turban off shortly after walking into school, while Simranjot, from year nine was spotted by a school teacher. The non-related girls who are baptised as Khalsa Sikhs, use mandatory female surname Kaur, refused to remove the turban, which can be worn by both sexes in Sikhism.

The Daily Mail reported that the school allegedly suggested they were wearing them for 'fashion' and that they should be replaced by headscarves usually worn by Muslim women.

Their furious families attacked the school for what they say are 'discriminatory' rules.

Simranjot's mother Sukhwinder Kaur, 38, reportedly said: 'They are in the correct uniform the only thing different is the

Shalini Ganesh-Ram (26), passes away being unable to recover from a major surgery

turban. If Muslims can wear hijabs then why can't Sikhs wear turbans?'

However, the school has said it was a 'misunderstanding' and apologised to both the families.

In a statement, head teacher Lyn Bourne said: 'I would like to apologise to students and parents for any offence caused by our enforcement of our uniform policy this morning.

'The situation that occurred was a misunderstanding and I can confirm that both girls involved now have permission to wear a turban to school.

'These should be plain navy blue or black until we are able to identify an appropriate supplier.

'St Anne's is an inclusive school community that respects all faiths. We are united by our shared values and do not allow ourselves to be divided by our differences.'

Southampton City Council cabinet member for communities Satvir Kaur, a former headgirl there and a practicing Sikh reportedly said: 'It hasn't been a great first day back but I'm pleased the situation has been resolved.’

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Sadiq Khan

thousands more have been arrested, due to the use of a more intelligent-led targeted approach.

Sadiq Khan said, “The last few years have shown what can be achieved when there's a concerted effort to reduce the overuse of stop and search. But there's still much more to be done, and if I'm Mayor I'll do all in my power to further cut its use.”

He continued, “Overuse of stop and search can have a dramatic effect on communities. It undermines public confidence in our police if Londoners are being stopped and searched for no good reason.” In 2012, the Metropolitan Police had excessively reduced the number of random stop and search, in attempt to improve and enhance relations with black and ethnic minority communities.

Aylesbury sex ring sentenced for grooming vulnerable under-age girls The six members of the Aylesbury child abuse ring were sentenced to their fate at the Old Bailey for the crimes they committed between 2006 and 2012. The group groomed vulnerable under-age girls and today was convicted of multiple rape of a child under 13, child prostitution and administering a substance to pacify the girls in order to engage in sexual activities. The six of them were jailed for a total of 82 years.

Vikram Singh, from Aylesbury was told by Judge Bevan that he bore a "heavy responsibility" for the "degradation" of Child A and was jailed for a total of 17 and a half years. Asif Hussain, from Milton Keynes, was convicted of three counts of rape was sentenced to 13 and a half years, Arshad Jani, Aylesbury, received 13 years for rape and conspiracy to rape, Mohammad Imran, from Bradford, was convicted of three counts of rape, one count of conspiracy to rape and one count of child prostitution was jailed for 19-and-a-half years.

Akbari Khan, from Aylesbury, was jailed for 16 years and Taimoor Khan, from Aylesbury,

Clockwise from top left, Vikram Singh, Asif Hussain, Arshad Jani, Taimoor Khan, Akbari Khan and Mohammed Imran

was sentenced to three years in prison for one count of sexual activity with a child.

There were two victims of the mens crimes and most of the offenses charged were related to child A, while three were related to child B. Both the girls had been vulnerable, coming from troubled backgrounds and befriended older Asian men who showered them with inexpensive presents in exchange for sexual

favours. The prosecutor Oliver Saxby QC said that the girls' ideas of what was right had been "completely distorted" and they thought thatwhat was happening was "normal" and "natural".

Judge John Bevan QC said: "She sought friendship amongst Asian males since their 20s and for the price of a McDonald's, a milkshake and cinema ticket, she became 'liked' by stall holders in Aylesbury market, taxi

and bus drivers. By the age of 13 she was sexually experienced, confusing sexual gratification for friendship and love."

After the sentencing Child B, who is also suing the Buckinghamshire County Council for negligence, issued a statement saying that “no sentence could put in right what had happened” but expressed that lessons could be learned from this case to prevent it from happening in the future.

Young mum passes away less than a week after giving birth

26-year-old mother, Shalini Ganesh-Ram, from Hainault, passed away less than a week after giving birth to her daughter. She was unable to recover from a major operation, becoming unwell after a caesarean section.

Shalini's mother, Nandini Dharmaseelan,

speaks in memory of her daughter. “She was such a homely girl and wore her heart on her sleeve. We will always remember her caring nature and infectious smile. She had the most beautiful smile which lit up any room and she always put everyone's needs before her own.”

Shalini was a psychology graduate from the University of East London, and worked as an alumni advancement officer at the university. She leaves behind her husband, Ganesh Ram Viswanathan, and children Aayush and Anjali Shalini.

Nandini reminisced, “He [Aayush] was her pride and joy and not a moment went past without her telling us how lucky she was to have hime and Ganesh in her life. She always said being a mother was her biggest achievement and spent every free moment she had

nurturing and loving him. Her beautiful baby, Anjali Shalini, was born and she couldn't wait to go home with her and start the next chapter in her life but that was not to be.”

Many families and friends paid tribute to the young mother on Facebook.

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AND THE NOMINEES FOR THE 15th ASIAN ACHIEVERS AWARDS ARE...

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Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

The nominations for the 15th annual Asian Achievers Awards have been unveiled. They include, cricket icon, Moeen Ali; fashion tycoons, Nitin Passi of Miss Guided and brothers, Nish and Sach Kukadia of Secret Sales; BBC’s Citizen Khan star Adil Ray; entrepreneur, Vanita Parti MBE of Blink Brow Bar; and international hotelier Surinder Arora of Arora Hotels.

Mr. CB Patel, Publisher /Editor, ABPL Group says: “We were overwhelmed with the calibre of entries for the Asian Achievers Awards this year, but our judges, led by Sir Vince Cable, have once again done a stellar job in shortlisting nominees. Each year we celebrate inspirational role models and pillars in our community, and our nominees this year represent this

ethos to perfection and I would like to send a sincere thanks to all those who took the time to nominate.

“In the landmark 15th year of the Asian Achievers Awards, it brings me much pride to pay special homage to British Asian men and women who help to both run our country and also protect it.

Their remarkable deeds can be life-changing, and even life-sav-

ASIAN ACHIEVERS AWARDS 2015 NOMINEES

Deeyah Khan - Human Rights Activist /Film Director

Iqbal Ahmed OBE - Seamark PLC

Jasminder Singh - The Mayfair Hotel Zameer Choudrey - Bestway Group

Adil Ray

Iqbal Ahmed

Nish & Sach Kukadia – Secret Sales

Deeyah Khan

Vanita Parti MBE – Blink Brow Bar Vanita Parti

Nitin Passi –Missguided

Karam Sethi & Jyotin Sethi – JKS Restaurants

Nitin Passi

Shehneela Ahmed - Sports Agent

Dr. Irene Khan

Ira Banerjee

Uniformed And Civil Services

Smruti Sriram

Jaswant Kaur

Imam Asim Hafiz OBE MA – British Armed Forces

Amir Cheema

Jaswant Kaur Narwal - Crown Prosecution Service

Twitter: @ABPL_GROUP

Dame Zarin Kharas DBE – Co-Founder, Just Giving Smruti Sriram – CEO, Supreme Creations Amir Cheema MBE - Community Service Arun Patel – Founder, Polio Children

Husna Parvin Ahmad OBE - Secretary General, World Muslim Leadership Forum Professional Of The Year

Husna Parvin Ahmad

Makhdum Ali Chishty - Metropolitan Police

Bindi Karia – Technology Startup Expert and Advisor

Jasvinder Sanghera CBE – Founder, Karma Nirvana

Lance Corporal Tuljung Gurung – The Royal Gurkha Rifles Makhdum Ali Chishty

Woman Of The Year

Achievement In Community Service

Moeen Ali – England Cricketer

Ira Banerjee – Badminton Player

Adil Ray - British Actor

Dr. Irene Khan - Lawyer

Sports Personality Of The Year

Rimla Akhtar – FA Council Member

Romesh Gunasekera - Author Asif Khan - Architect

Surinder Arora - Arora Hotels Entrepreneur Of The Year

Service.

Since launching, The Asian Achievers Awards has helped to raise millions of pounds for various charities and this year, the chosen charity partner is the Loomba Foundation, which works with widows and children.

The Asian Achievers Awards is also proud to have Sunrise Radio and Colors TV on board as Media Partners.

Media, Arts And Culture

Business Person Of The Year Zameer Choudrey

ing, and this is our opportunity to thank them.”

Taking place on September 18th at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, the Asian Achievers Awards celebrates the outstanding work of South Asian individuals from across a spectrum of backgrounds and professions. This year’s event is themed around the contribution of Asians in Uniformed and Civil

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Satvir Bungar

Satvir Bungar – Director, BDO

Anita Balchandani - Partner, OC&C Strategy Dr Farah Bhatti - Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Prof Venugopal K Nair OBE - Head Of Viral Oncogenesis Group

www.asianachieversawards.com

Instagram: @AsianAchieversAwards

Facebook: Asian Achievers Awards

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Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

Through our global Entrepreneur Of The YearTM program, EY has helped thousands of companies grow from local to global. eoy.co.uk #BetterQuestions

Š 2015 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. ED None.

What transforms around the corner to around the world?

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“RESERVATION”: A CATCH 22

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

Since 25th August, Patels and several other “high caste” Hindu's campaign about “reservation” has caused death, destruction and damage to the social fabric of India, especially Gujarat. Patels, Brahmins, Kshtriya, Goldsmiths, Bhrahmkshtriyas, Vaniks, Lohanas and others have launched an agitation which has sadly taken an ugly turn. The provision in the Indian Constitution supported by the Supreme Court decision gives “Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes and subsequently Other Backwards Castes” (OBC) certain preference in government educational institutes as well as government services.

It is well a known fact that the Dalits, the so called “untouchables”, were discriminated and exploited in the Indian society. Same was true, to a certain extent, the fate of the tribals. Together 22 percent of India's population (presently 1, 270 million) who where provided reservation to give them a sort of level playing field or “positive discrimination”. This was mooted by Mahatma Gandhi and supported by many leaders of the Independence movement including Sardar Patel, Nehru, Ambedkar and many others. In the Constitution Assembly, after serious deliberations, the provision was made for reservation policy for ten years from 1950.

Sadly an honourable and necessary intention became a political opportunity to create vote banks over the years. It is renewed every 10 years since then.

After the Mandal Report the opportunistic attitude of the politicians encouraged more castes under the label of OBC which now total some 27 percent in the policy of “reservation”. Supreme Court has ruled that optimum 50 percent limit will be available throughout India. The present policy of reservation does not include the upper castes Hindus (some of them mentioned above) as well as Muslims, Christians, Jains- mainly because the reservation is confined to the caste criteria and not based on religion.

The recent campaign under the banner of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) include many other so called high castes. The campaign is lead by the Patel community as it comprises of at least 15% of the population of the state of Gujarat (some say the percentage could be as high as 22 percent!). It is beyond doubt that younger members of the upper castes experience discrimination as almost half of the places in education and government jobs could be, in principle, preserved for the special category under the policy of reservation.

In 1950 those castes who were unwilling to be labelled “low castes” are now clambering to be included in the “reserve category” and that is catch number 1.

Patels and others want to take advantage for better education or jobs and are willing to be labelled as “low caste” but there is another snag, it is not possible because of the supreme court judgement.

The agitation of PAAS has brought again the inherent defect of the reservation policy. If every community is added to the quota of reservation then, according to some, the percentage could go up to 140 percent! That is also a very big and bothersome catch. The real fault line is the criteria for reservation. Rather that “caste” based it could be more preferable if it based on social, economic parameters. It is not easy to formulate or implement such a policy but “positive discrimination” has proved to be beneficial in some democratic nations. Though the option is available, the political system is, most naturally, unwilling to rock the boat and that is a real dilemma for all those who see the injustice of the present reservation policy and yet are helpless to rectify it. The agitation of PAAS and especially the pronouncements of its leader Hardik Patel

As I See It

has raised eyebrows if not anger of a large number of well meaning people.

A huge rally of up to 1 million, mainly young high caste persons, predominately Patels, in the heart of Ahmedabad was addressed for one and half hours by Hardik Patel in Hindi language throughout.

(1) If the audience was Gujarati then why did he choose to speak in Hindi? It raises questions about Hardik's motives too. In his address Hardik did not develop the various facets of the policy of reservation or dwell on the options available to correct the system.

(2) A substantial if not major part of his speech was devoted to denounce the government of Gujarat and also the central government of Prime Minister N. Modi. What was the political agenda?

(3) At one stage Hardik Patel screamed, “Hum log puri Hindustan ko apni Aukaat dikha denge”. Who are you?

Al Qaida Leader? Aren't you a fellow Hindustani too? How can you use such a provocative, a dreadful tone while addressing the rally of hundreds of thousands of young people?

(4) Hardik Patel challenged Anandiben Patel to come to the grounds and accept the statement. How can you order a Chief Minister in such an arrogant fashion?

(5) Hardik provoked, as several people claim, the rally towards violence by shouting “agar hamare mange nahin sweekari to lanka jala denge.” When you are leading a peaceful protest you do not make such statements which can provoke people towards violence.

In the recent days, Hardik Patel and Lalji Patel, who were closely involved in organising the huge rally of 25th August have revealed their own internal differences and disagreements. Public pronouncements of such leaders have created more confusion and divisions.

Hardik Patel announced a "reverse march" from Dandi to Sabarmati Ashram to begin on Sunday 6th September.

Several towns and villages on the route, predominantly with OBC population, called on the government to prohibit such a march which could end up in to confrontation, as it happened in Ahmedabad and some other places on 25th and 26th August. The authorities proclaimed a prohibition and such a delicate situation has been avoided.

Hardik Patel has also given the government ultimatum to grant the permission within one week or else? Such proclamation does not auger well.

Let's face the fact. Prima facie, the present reservation policy is imperfect, decisive and harmful to the interest of the majority population of India, simply because it is based on the criteria only of the caste. There are two other facts to consider. Firstly, due to the increase of education and employment opportunities, the caste itself is becoming less important in marriage, friendship, social exchanges and in business. Secondly, how can those who claimed to be of high caste, who waged campaigns to retain that privilege earlier, now demand to be considered as a low caste to enter in to the reservation quota.

This is both illogical and perhaps not acceptable to the majority members of the so called high caste communities themselves.

Social/economic criteria is most appropriate to alleviate the discrimination and disadvantage of those right at the bottom of the society who have been suffering for a very long time. But let's also look at the facts. In the last 65 years, some members of the two generation of those who benefitted under the reservation "quota" should themselves be studied carefully. Do their children deserve to be served by this present reservation policy? Naturally, no

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one likes to waver the privilege which they have acquired, but children and grandchildren of those who got themselves better educated or received well paid and privileged jobs in the government do not themselves now, presently need that benefit, do they?

Democracy is always dependent on the votes in the ultimate analysis. In India, though there is a long standing commitment to the democratic norms and the ballot, especially for power has been recognised,it is a fact that very often the votes are cast on the lines of caste or religion. Things are changing and gradually, more better value based politics will prevail, but when is a question.

For the leaders of PAAS and others, this is the fundamental issue to consider carefully. By and large, most sensible persons would accept that the present reservation policy is wrong or at least imperfect. What do you replace it with? And how? is the Himalayan question. It is not wise to attempt to change what is required by the protests on the high streets or any other mob response.

In my column, I have mentioned about the famous Bardoli campaign last week. In the late 1920s, the British power was not only so strong in India, but it was supreme all over the world, at least in the imperial domains. The collector, an Englishman of South Gujarat decided to increase the revenue on the farmers sadly when the region was suffering from lack of rain and scarcity of water. The helpless farmers were being forced by the administration to pay up, which was not possible for them. The farmers sent a delegation to Mahatma Gandhi, who was at the time at Sabarmati Ashram. He was, as we all know, a shrewd statesman. It was a very difficult situation and appropriate remedy was needed, but how to go about it was the question. He delegated Vallabhbhai Patel to look into the matter very closely. Vallabhbhai Patel went to Bardoli taluka of the then Surat district with some of his colleagues and over the next few weeks visited each village and made a detailed study of the farmers, their farms, their productivity and their economic plight. A very carefully and diligently prepared dossier was presented to the authorities for either waving the access revenue or differ the payment .

The imperial power, naturally, would not budge. Eventually, with Gandhiji's blessing, a peaceful and non violent campaign was launched, covering all the villages around Bardoli. Revenue tax was not paid. Subsequently, the farms, the dwellings and the cattle of the farmers were ordered to be auctioned. The whole situation is amply described in the famous biography of Vallabhbhai Patel called The Patel, by Rajmohan Gandhi- the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and C. Rajgopalachari. It is a 600 page volume written brilliantly without fear or favour on the life and work of the man who is now accepted as the unifier of the modern India from some 500 princely states.

Bardoli Satyagraha became long and painful but remained non violent and peaceful. Let me give one small example.

Most of the farmers were Patels. For a Patel, traditionally, a piece of land or a Patalani (Mrs Patel) that cattle is not only a source of livelihood, but is loved dearly as a family member. In one incident, a buffalo was auctioned just for a trivial sum and the purchaser was a non Patel, encouraged and inspired by a deputy collector (a fellow Indian but not a Gujarati).

While the auctions was taking place, there were scores of Patels and their family members watching in distress, but they were helpless. Normally, in the villages especially, a Patel could be violent at the slightest provocation, but all had pledged to be peaceful and non violent. Such was the discipline instilled by Vallabhai Patel

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and his team.

The Patalani was crying, hiding her face in the veil of her sari and nothing more. The purchaser moved away with the buffalo with some hesitancy and slightly fearful of the consequences. After a few hours, he came back with the buffalo and returned it to the farmer's wife saying, "I'm really impressed with your love for the animal and also, the non violent campaign of yours where you all suffer in silence so peacefully".

Eventually, that long and arduous Bardoli campaign forced the Governor of Bombay Presidency and instruction went from the Secretary of State for India, from London to compromise and settle the dispute. The Times of London coined a new word that the India was "BARDOLISED"

by Vallabhbhaai Patel and his devoted and determined peasants. Gandhiji gave Vallabhbhai Patel the title of SARDAR (the General/Leader).

If an imperial power can be forced to retract its addict, then there is no further to see for the PAAS leaders how to overcome this injustice of the present reservation and quota policy in India.

Patels have faced many a challenge. In 1946, the interim government brought in a law about private money lenders who were, to a certain extent Patels in Gujarat.

Many of them lost a lot of money.

In the first phase of the independence, tillers act provided ownership rights to the landless tillers. Again, the largest land loss was on the back of the small farmers- predominantly Patels. In 1973, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, brought in another act which reduced the ownership of large sect of agriculture land and again, Patels had to give in somewhat.

In the last 6-7 decades, the Patels have moved from rural areas to the towns and cities, from agriculture to professions and various business and industries. In Gujarat, today professions, pharmaceutical, constructions, diamonds, trading and several engineering industries are full of Patel presence.

Equally, in the UK, there are at least 200,000 Patels. In the USA, there are more than 300,000 and similarly, there are large number of Patels in Canada, Middle East, Africa, Australia and elsewhere. It is noteworthy that as an ill-effect of the reservation policy, some Patels who were not able to enter the college of their choice, migrated to the west and at least three have acquired businesses worth at least $400 million, in the USA. Such successes does not diminish the disadvantage to the Patels and other high caste Hindus who are excluded, to progress through education and government jobs. Two things are very clear, one, that the present system of reservation and quota is illogical, unsustainable, divisive and definitely an obstacle for the all round development of India. The sooner it is done with and at the same time, a more fair equitable system is installed aimed at the century's old deprivation disadvantage of untouchables and tribals, the better it is for all concerned. Secondly, Hardik Patel and his friends and supporters, have been conveyed a personal message by me already. Please cool off. You have a just cause but a completely wrong route. You have to choose a more appropriate path because you need to change the mindset of the majority of Indian people. Peace and non violence is the best option.

Confrontation could not give you the support of all other communities you so definitely require. Patels may be 15% of Gujarat, or 20%, as some claim. They may be in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh or all over India, but in a democratic set up, unless you have support of a vast majority, you can never win the fairness and justice which you crave about.

Continued on page 27

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Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

The Award- Winning Young British Asian Playwright On Screen and On Stage

29-year old Vinay Patel studied for an MA in Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. His dissertation play Ayodhya, produced under the mentorship of Ola Animashawun, an Associate at the Royal Court, received the highest mark awarded to a dissertation script on the course and he graduated top of his class, with a distinction, in late 2011.

Since then, he has won competitions run by Ideastap, the BBC, the National Youth Theatre, Shine Drama and the Brockley Jack Studio Theatre.

His debut full-length play, True Brits - written as part of his attachment to High Tide Festival Theatre and published by Methuen Drama - premiered at Assembly Hall, Edinburgh Fringe 2014. It went on to be part of the Bush Theatre's new writing season, Radar and ended

Vinay Patel

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015 with a three-week run at the Vault Festival in February 2015. The follow up, Free Fall, opened at the Pleasance Islington in October 2014 and was nominated for three Off West End awards.

He is currently developing projects for the BBC and Channel 4 as well as an historical political thriller,Sons of India, about the relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose and is also under commission to the Bush Theatre and Theatre503.

Vinay has an interesting explanation about the point at which he decided to pursue his chosen career.

“When I realised that if I became a doctor, I would end up killing lots of people. More precisely, when my tutor on my writing Masters told me to give it a go or I was giving up on myself. I pursued it by throwing myself into it completely for the last few years, taking on every opportunity I could. I’m only really now coming back up for air.”

Vinay said that the biggest challenge he faced in the early years of his life concerned one of his parents.

“My mum died when I was quite young and though I didn’t feel that loss too strongly due to the care of my grandparents, it

9

writer for theatre alone did create a bit of a cultural unless you’re very lucky or disconnect for me. (I still already quite established so find it hard to write two you need to do TV work as parent families in my well or work part-time.” scripts.) I was also a very For Vinay, financial shy child and writing gave viability is not likely to be a me a way to communicate problem in coming years. with the world on my own “My big historical piece terms. is still in the research So what was the biggest stages - it’s a play about the challenge of his career to relationship between date?

Subhas Chandra Bose and “Getting that initial Gandhi and their compettraction is what most peoing visions of India, so ple struggle with. It can be there’s a lot to dig through hard to get your work seen there. My plays for by the right people. Also, Theatre503 and the Bush early on, it’s difficult to are early drafts that I will watch your friends in more spend the next year conventional careers shoot developing and my ahead with their lives, BBC script is settle down etc. You shooting next always ask your“My BBC script month so self ‘is what I’m is shooting next that’s pretty doing worth it?’ intense The self-doubt month so that’s right now!” can be crippling pretty intense Vinay but it does also was identihelp make you right now!” fied to the good.”

Playwright Asian Voice Asian famiby Spread the lies and their progVinay Patel. Word, London’s eny often worry writer development about the financial organisation. On Saturday security of being in the 12 September it is holding arts. How soon did Vinay an event for writers at become financially viable Waterstones in Piccadilly. in his career?

Vinay said, “Their “Writing is tricky to upcoming workshops look make a living from. It’s like a good opportunity for only in the last year that writers to meet up and writing alone has given me feedback off each other enough to live on. It’s not which I think is the most impossible at all, but it useful thing you can have needs an understanding of people whose critical eye the financial environment. you can rely on and whose For example, you’re unlikeshoulders you can cry on.” ly to make a living as a

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Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

Fake Britain

Gujarat Upheaval

Unrest in Gujarat is a big blow to P.M.Modi, C.M. Anandiben Patel and BJP. It is sad that angry, frustrated youths of Gujarat supported by their elders are engaged into caste related issue in order to gain economic and other kind of benefits. It’s a lack of tolerance and disrespect on their part for a downtrodden Dalit community who has not only been disadvantaged socially and economically, but treated inhumanly for centuries.

It was the noble thought of Gandhi to create a fair and equal society and bring them in par with other class. His view was endorsed by Sardar Patel, Nehru and overwhelmingly approved by all concerned including Baba Ambedkar, Dalit himself and architect of Indian constitution, who later embraced Buddhism resulting into five lakhs of his followers following suit.

History is evident that caste system has caused immeasurable damage to the society in particular and country as a whole and is still haunting India.

Patidar is an affluent society at any standard. A sensitive issue related to caste is alarming as it can cause disintegration. A virtually nobody 21 old Hardik Patel’s aggressive approach is not the right way forward. This can be better dealt with dialogue by a level headed, matured person.

Modiji has been very proud that 65%of its country population is 35 or under which he believes is a driving force that can turn the country around.

Niranjan Vasant London

The BBC and Hindu History It’s really disappointing to read 'A Stain on India' in The Times (page 23) of the 29th August, as well as on page 5, which only reflects the mean and hateful mentality against India!

It picked an odd incident from a UP village of a Kumari family of two sisters and their brother who fled with a married woman. A small group of people warned that the sisters would be raped because of their brother's action. The Supreme Court has decided their threat is illegal and the family will be protected.

Nothing happened further.

But Times has dug out all the dirt from other incidents in India of 1,250 millions, which is upsetting all Indian MPs, Lords, companies like TATA, Mittal, Hinduja Bros. and all fellow Indians! They can in turn stop buying and selling The Times from all the Indian Newspapers shops or some Indian Billionaire may buy out The Times!

Instead it should worry about British Politicians, Leaders of Churches and care homes, radio, BBC and entertainment celebrities and Pakistani sexually abusing children and women all over Britain, daily stabbings, binge drinking, drugs, the NHS, African & Middle-east migration and IS not only beheading British, but converting, killing and raping Yazidi and Christian women and people in Iraq, Syria,Tunicia, etc.

Silly when Prime Minister Cameron and the Chancellor are trying hard to improve relations between Britain and India for Business and Investments and TATA, Mittal, Hinduja Bros. and others are creating Employment for thousands of British people here and PM Modi is visiting in November!

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The BBC recently relayed programs titled as above, following the deaths of two young individuals resulted from taking only the few doses of medicine ordered on line.

Government officers raided several premises and confiscated stocks of medicines which did not cure the illnesses they meant to but contained fetal components . Public must buy medicines from authentic pharmacists like Boots, rather than buy on line. Further more many old people have become victims of a scam which offers cash or discounts for purchases and have lost thousands of pounds.

The scam involved hundreds of thousands of pounds.

A similar situation was reported for products used for body and hair which lead to serious side effects,. Additives were used just to increase the quantity of the product, enhance the look or falsely claimed the benefits for using them.

The latest scam is even more alarming. The solicitor's and buyers of properties emails were hacked, their bank accounts details were replaced by the hackers' bank accounts and money to solicitors were diverted to hacker's accounts. One buyer lost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

We all, particularly, young old and vulnerable, must be vigilant to avoid being victims of these horrendous activities.

Ila Kapadia By email

Precisely

Thank you, Dhiraj R. Radia, for praising my short letters. A literary sage once said: “Writing gets more interesting as it acquires precision, not length.” Alas, I, a retired journalist aged 80, shall be absent for many years from this splendid page as I focus exclusively on writing humorous novels.

Good luck to all.

Upendra Kapadia By email

Asian Voice in UK for only £28.50 for one year

Rudy Otter By email

ASIAN VOICE

The BBC and Hindu History

I feel uneasy whenever the BBC decides to broadcast programs on Ancient India, two recent broadcasts reflect the general anti Hindu bias built into the BBC. Firstly "Genius of the Ancient World" by Bettany Hughes on the Buddha and "Treasures of the Indus" with Dr Sona Datta a History of Pakistan. Both avoid talking of the influence of the Sarasvati civilization which dates some 9000 years ago. I would use the term Aryan but that has problems with Europeans since WWII. Bettany does a whole episode on the Buddha without discussing the Hindu culture which produced the Buddha, though plenty Hindu imagery was used.

Dr Datta goes on to extol the virtues of the Buddha (him again) Greece and Islam in the 5000 year history of "Pakistan". No mention of the Mahabharat Vedas Sarawati or Aryans (Hindus). I made a similar point to Dr Miles Russell, Senior Lecturer In Archaeology at Bournemouth University, on his article about the Swastika for the BBC Magazine, he replied, he wasn't given the space, and suggested that I write to the BBC myself. I am very tempted to do just that.

Jayesh A Patel Wimbledon, Friends of India Society UK

Refugee crisis can be traced back to 1969 Colonel Muammar Gaddafi (born 1942) formed the Officers Movement in 1969 and overthrew King Idris and took over as commander-in-chief of the Libyan armed forces and became effective head of state. In 1971, he closed down British and US military bases. By 1971, he took over control of much of foreign oil companies that were operating there. In 1973, he master minded a four-fold increase in the price of crude oil throughout OPEC countries. He successfully ran his country and uplifted its people for forty years. The West classified him as a terrorist and did not rest until was assassinated recently on the excuse that he was about to commit genocide against his own people.

Saddam Hussein (born 1937) took a leading part in the 1968 revolution which ousted the civilian government and he became the vice-President of the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC). By 1979, he became RCC chairman and President of Iraq.

Again, on balance, Saddam Hussein kept Iraq united and relatively peaceful from 1968 to 2003, that is 35 years, when he was captured by U S troops and then executed by the pro-West new Iraqi government.

Both leaders were the lesser of two evils. What has happened to both countries after their demise is far worse than when they were in office.

Nagindas Khaujuria Via Email

Wembley welcome for Modi

It is unheard of when a politician needs Wembley Stadium with 80,000 capacity to address his supporters. Only other person who could fill Wembley is Pope. This will indeed be an historic event that will reverberate long after Modi’s departure from the political arena.

Political pundits will not fail to acknowledge that relations between these two great nations have improved by leaps and bounds since the Conservatives took power under David Cameron. It is heart warming to note that all British Indians of whatever political, religious persuasion are overjoyed and looking forward to attend this historic event. I would like to urge AV/GS to celebrate this event with a souvenir issue, an heirloom that we can treasure and cherish.

One quandary, especially for the elderly could be the unpredictable winter weather as well as long and tiring day, as security will be of paramount importance, resulting in long queues. As tickets are free, some may not turn-up, thus leaving many seats unoccupied. A nominal charge would result in expediting, better attendance of dedicated audience come hell or high water!

Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

The problem of immigration

Jatindra Saha is rightly worried about immigration problem and U.K. This is a massive exodus after second world war. Some are fleeing strife/terror. Some are economic migrants. Former need humanitarian aid. Latter are well off and throw back food and aid offered to them. They want to force their entry into U.K. Though this migration needs humanitarian aid, it is unfair to expect U.K. to give same quantity of aid as more affluent countries such as Germany. Even harboring 10,000 migrants is a tsunami for U.K. Please note that this migration is not one off affair. Millions more distressed persons are waiting to escape to Europe. They know which country offers maximum benefits. Such a continuous flow strains humanitarian feelings of some countries where economic situation is like Greece.

Jatindra Shaha has muddled history about Pilgrim Fathers who went to America.

They were not fleeing from war or terror but to ensure purity of religious teachings to children. Why are these migrants not flocking to nearer Islamic countries?

Ramesh Jhalla By email

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Brit-Indian girl beats Einstein and Hawking at Mensa IQ test AsianVoiceNews

Lydia 12 year old Sebastian, a student of Colchester County High School in Essex, has achieved the maximum score in the Mensa IQ test, outdoing Physicists Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. The IQs of both Hawking and Einstein are believed to be 160, while Lydia scored 162, the maximum score for under-18s.

In an interview with The Guardian, she reportedly said: "At first, I was really nervous but once I started, it was much easier than I expected it to be and then I relaxed." Lydia completed the paper with minutes to spare at Birkbeck College, London during her school holidays.

Arun Her father, Sebastian, a radiologist at Colchester general hospital, reportedly said: "Lydia had looked at the websites

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Lydia Sebastian

for the IQ tests herself and had shown an interest in them and talked to my wife Erika Kottiah, who is an Associate Director at barclays Bank, about them, so she said: 'Why don't you go ahead with them'?"

Mensa is the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world in which membership is open to

anyone who can demonstrate an IQ in the top 2% of the population, measured by a recognised or approved IQ testing process.

Lydia joins Nicole Barr, a 12-year-old from Harlow, Essex, as well as Aahil Jouher, a 10-yearold from Blackburn, in achieving perfect Mensa scores this year.

Private tuition very common in London A survey has suggested that private tutoring has become very common among schoolchildren in London, which has risen from 34% to 44% in ten years. It is said that more than two in every five children in the capital have

received private tuition.

The survey comprised of 2,488 children, aged between 11 and 16, in England and Wales, commissioned from Ipsos Mori by the Sutton Trust, an educational charity. The charity said that children

from poorer backgrounds were missing out as they were unable to afford a private tutor. The survey also revealed that Asian students were more likely to have a tutor; 54% of Asian pupils said they had private tuition.

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EDUCATION

11

Saraswati Sanman Asian Voice |12th September 2015

(Educational Awards)

A Levels- Best achievers awards

Article 13 of the United Nations' 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recognizes the right of everyone to an education.

Education began in prehistory, as adults trained the young in the knowledge and skills deemed necessary in their society It has been argued that high rates of education are essential for countries to be able to achieve high levels of economic growth. Empirical analyses tend to support the theoretical prediction that poor countries should grow faster than rich countries because they can adopt cutting edge technologies already tried and tested by rich countries.

In the Indian culture Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts, represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. Saraswati is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. It is believed that goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego.

A level Examination results have been declared and almost 400,000 students have received their grades.

Karma Yoga Foundation would like to honour and award a token of appreciation to the best achievers, irrespective of religion, caste or culture to students from the Indian sub-continent (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) settled in the UK.

The following cash awards would be given: £2500.00 to the best achiever (Total £2500.00) £1001.00 each to 3 achievers (Total £3003.00) and £501.00 each to 5 achievers (Total £2505.00) Together with Mr. Kanti Nagda, one of the Trustees of Karma Yoga Foundation, three eminent independent Judges will be appointed and their decision would be final.

You are requested to send in your nominations by 25.09.2015 to:Mr. Kanti Nagda Karma Yoga Foundation 12 Hoxton Market London N1 6HW

12

MEDIAWATCH

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

The nationwide general strike called by India’s trade unions caused the usual disruption in corners near and far, leading to a total loss to the exchequer of something in the region of Rs 25,0000 crore. The bulk of the stoppages occurred in the urban transport systems and national rail network. Some shops and business were closed, while pockets of violence took their usual toll in injured policemen and demonstrators. West Bengal, for long a hub of strikes and closures, was the worst hit. It still exceeds every other State in the country for level of such unrest.

been perilous travel for passengers as numbers of avoidable accidents mount.

Initiatives

Prabhu has initiated practical measures to make the railway network profitable, journeys comfortable, facilities at stations accessible and accidents impermissible. This requires better targeted investment through the introduction of the private sector to share the responsibility of proper track maintenance and the introduction of new advanced technologies in signaling equipment. Also, rail commuters can now book tickets on their cellphones (Hindu September 1)

Gas market opened up

Police detain Socialist Unity Centre of India-Communisty women activists blocking a street during the nationwide strike of Trade Union workers to protest against alleged anti-labour policies of the Central government, in Kolkata

The State treasury was set back by some Rs 1000 crore. Yet, the numbers working days lost to industrial action across India has come down exponentially, so imagine what Bengal was like during its 34 years of Communist-led Left Front misrule. Who gained from the strike?

Nobody worthy that one can think of, only social parasites and underclass hoodlums had a field day. Trade unions are a vital cog in any democracy. Ideally, they should stand up for the rights of working people when they have genuine grievances which require addressing and rectifying. Like any public or private institution, a trade union is as good or bad as the people who run it.

Toxin of power

Power without responsibility is no advertisement for any institution, public or private. In the once Communist stronghold of West Bengal, the recent strike call and the violence that followed in certain areas was seemingly predicated on the calculation that the public needed reminding the Communist party and its allies were alive and well, despite the memorable drubbing they received at the hands of the electorate four years ago. Yes, the Communists are indeed alive, but are they well intellectually and politically? Methinks not. Their litany investment in a litany of rancid bazaar slogans – ‘propoor’, ‘nationalization, not privatization,’ ‘welfare of the masses’ are scrambled with ritual denunciation of ‘liberal economics’.

What this abracadabra means in ordinary language remains a mystery. Few understand it, fewer still believe in its potency.

The good news is that strikes and lockout across India have declined by 75 per cent between 2003 and 20014 and by 90 per

cent for individuals absent from a day’s work . (Mint September 2, Times of India, Hindu, Telegraph September 3)

Adani Group big in Chhatisgarh

The Adani Group, among the world’s leading infrastructure conglomerates is to make an investment in two major projects worth Rs 25,000 crore. The projects involve a coal-fired power plant and a rice bran extraction plant and a packing refining plant. Chief Minister Raman Singh said the Adani Group presence in his State would stimulate economic growth and create jobs (Business Line August 25)

Delhi airport creating waves

Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has been ranked the world’s No 1 passenger airport in its category.

The state-of-the-art airport has a multitude of admirers at home and abroad. Airport authorities from the Middle East and South East Asia are coming in increasing numbers to study its mode of functioning.

The Airport Authority has been conducting residential courses for such visitors (Hindu August 24)

Railways zero accident mission

One of the better appointments at the Centre has been Suresh Prabhu as Railway Minister. As a management expert, he has taken charge of the ministry, determined to make it fit for 21st century purpose instead of treating it like a soap box for populist, votecatching, as has been the case for decades. Headlong expansion rather than consolidation and structural improvements became the watchword. The result has

In what is being seen as a precursor to further freeing-up of the oil and gas sector, the government has decided to auction 69 oil blocks, under the control of the state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Company (ONGC) and Oil India, with marketing and pricing freedom . Resources worth Rs 70,000 crore are expected to be earned thereof. Approximately 90 million tonnes of oil and gas are believed to be located in these fields, with an annual production worth Rs 3,500 crore (Business Line, Hindu September 3)

Maruti surge

Maruti Suzuki has been clocking up some phenomenal numbers.

Its share price has tripled in the last three years. So what’s driving the sales of Maruti Suzuki when other motorcar manufacturers are struggling in the marketplace? Product network, sales network and people who are involved in the business and high quality standards and close interaction with customers, answered CEO Kenchi Ayukawa (Business Line September 3)

Tata roll out of Discovery

Tata Motors-owned Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) launched its Discovery Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) in Mumbai last week. It will compete with well known German car manufacturers, but a confident President JLR India, Rohit Suri, told reporters that “This car is destined to chart new territory which would be difficult for our German friends to compete with.” The proof of the pudding will surely be in the eating (Business Line September 3)

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P r o m o t i o n Corporation of Tamil Nadu has allocated 3,050 acres of land to 384 units in its industrial estates (Business Line September 3)

Dharavi slum enterprises

Dharavi is Mumbai’s largest slum. It is also Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha honouring Air Asia’s largest.

Marshal (retd) Denzil Keeler for his Nearly half a milperformance in the 1965 war against Pakistan lion people live IAF veterans honoured there. They are a tough lot hell-bent on survival and Air Marshal (Retd) Denzil Keeler was preclimbing the ladder sented with a memento by Air Chief Marshal of economic securi- Arup Raha, Chief of the Air Staff, at a function ty as they beaver in La Martiniere College, Lucknow, to honor away in their little veterans of the 1965 war against Pakistan. workshops, lathes Speaking at the function, the Air chief said, and toolkits at the “The IAF has transformed into a multi-specready. A splendid trum strategic force. The growth of IAF is BBC TV documen- aligned with India’s growth and is aimed at tary showed how acquiring the requisite strategic footprint for the arrival of our expanding areas of interest.” sophisticated tablet in honour of her husband. smartphones had enabled these “The courage, valour and leaderentrepreneurs to access the globship displayed by the Keeler al market for their products. brothers and Flight Lieutenant Orders were streaming in, earnAlfred Trevor Cooke during the ings had surged, middlemen cut 1965 war are striking examples of out. Dharavi manufactures merthe decisive impact made by the chandise worth $600 million IAF in the conflict and is annually. (BBC World Service, acknowledged by the entire September 3) nation,” said Air Chief Marshal Raha.

Army inducts Akash

missiles

High tech weaponry takes long to design, manufacture, put on the production line and refined, when required. It was so with Akash, India’s medium range surface-to-air missile, which was a fair time coming, with US high tech sanction in force against India partly responsible. Every hurdle was surmounted by the skill, ingenuity and dedication of Indian scientists and engineers working at the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The missile’s radar is capable of spotting an enemy aircraft or missile at a distance of 120 km and 25km above earth.

Special Akash regiments have been formed, with the system inducted in stages. It adds teeth to India’s defence capability.

Plaque unveiled

Patricia Keeler, the widow of the late Wing Commander Trevor Keeler, unveiled the memorial

India win series against Sri Lanka

The media exulted in India’s Test series victory on Sri Lankan soil.

Having lost the opening match in Galle, the visitors came from behind to take next two Tests in Colombo. Man of the Series Ravichandran Ashwin and spin partner Amit Mishra bowled brilliantly in tandem, while Ishant Sharma provided the potent pace, lift and seam movement with the new ball. However, his abusive antics on the field led to a severe ICC fine and a one-match suspension in India’s next home series against South Africa in November - the punishment well merited. Finally, Virat Kohli’s leadership was outstanding, a welcome contrast to that of his much hyped predecessor, Mahinder Singh Dhoni, a poor Test captain with a dire record of failure on foreign fields.

Tamil Nadu to showcase strengths

Tamil Nadu is awaiting a forthcoming global investors meeting to showcase its strengths, among which are the ease of doing business in the State. Clearances are dealt with promptly and on time, and there are few administrative hassles along the way. More than 500 large investments worth between Rs 10 and 200 crore have been cleared in a grand total of investments worth Rs 400,000 crore. The State Industrial

Thousands of people take part in the funeral of scholar, writer and rationalist M M Kalburgi (insert) in Dharwad

UK

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13

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

Announcement

Jasvir Singh- Chair, City Sikhs Network

Welcome to our home The last few days have seen a growing humanitarian crisis in Europe, the likes of which have not been seen since the Second World War. Hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing persecution from Syria and seeking refuge in the safe havens of Western Europe, with the ideology of IS being largely to blame for this tragic situation we find ourselves in. Britain is once again being sought out by many of those refugees as a beacon of hope, even though our own Prime Minister has been criticised for describing the mass of people trying to get to the UK as 'swarms'.

For many of us, there will be a palpable sense of history repeating itself.

In August 1972, Idi Amin ordered the expulsion of Asians from Uganda. The ethnic cleansing of a country which had just a decade earlier been a British Protectorate meant that a significant number of those being forced to leave had British passports, and the

then PM Edward Heath recognised that Britain had “moral responsibility” towards those who were legally entitled to be here. However, that acknowledgement was not enough to stop the fear that many Brits had of the nation being 'swamped' by migrants.

Such xenophobic and racist attitudes were fanned by the mainstream media. Cartoon drawings of people in turbans and saris became shorthand for Ugandan Asians, despite the fact that the number of Sikhs amongst them were minimal at best. The 27,000 new arrivals were demonised by the press, and there was a public outcry about so many immigrants coming to the UK and stretching our resources.

One British local authority went as far as placing an advert in Ugandan newspapers to tell Asians not to head to their area as they simply couldn't take in any more people. Any of that sound familiar?

Since the 1970s, the

successes of Ugandan Asians have been immense. From medicine to manufacturing, and from retail to financial services, this group of displaced people has made a massive impact to British society as well as to the economy. The skills that the intrepid entrepreneurs brought with them drove Ugandan Asians to excel in ways that no-one in Britain could ever have predicted at the time.

We need to look towards the Syrian refugees at our borders with a similar mindset.

We have a moral duty to provide safety to those who have nowhere else to turn. Nobody is saying that we should open our borders up to everyone who wants to come here, and there are obvious concerns about the NHS and local authorities not having the necessary resources or funding to meet the needs of those who are allowed in.

There are also legitimate anxieties about our continuing relationship with

Study states watching more TV affects GCSE results A study has suggested that every hour that a teenager spends watching TV worsens their GCSE results by the equivalent of two grades spread out across their exams. Scientists at the University of Cambridge said that even if pupils are doing a normal amount of homework, the amount of time they spend watching TV, playing computer games or surfing the internet can harm their performances significantly. This was costing pupils 2.5% of the

average score for each hour.

The study also suggested that every hour spent on daily screen time was effecting grades to be dropping from an A to a B in two out of ten subjects. The researchers had analysed 845 teenagers at 18 secondary schools across Cambridgeshire, from age 14 to their GCSEs. Kirsten Corder led the research. She said, “What we found was that teenagers with higher screen time at 14 and a half got two grades

lower in their GCSEs for every hour [of screen time], even when we took account of the amount of reading and homework they did.”

On the other hand, Andrew Przybylski, a research fellow at the University of Oxford's Internet Institute, stated it would be inappropriate to blame screen time for worsening GCSE results as the authors of the research were not aware about the teenagers' academic ability at the start of the study.

RAF Syria strike kills two Britons PM David Cameron has announced that two British Islamic State jihadists were killed by an RAF drone strike.

Cardiff-born Reyaad Khan, 21, and Ruhul Amin, from Aberdeen, died last month in Raqqa, alongside another fighter, in the first targeted UK drone attack on a British citizen, Mr Cameron told Mps. Khan - the target - had been plotting "barbaric" attacks on UK soil, he said.

Two years ago MPs rejected possible UK mili-

tary action in Syria, but last September approved British participation in air

Reyaad and Ruhul

strikes against IS targets in Iraq only. The PM said that the "act of self defence" was lawful. Khan was killed in a precision strike on 21

August by a remotely piloted aircraft, "after meticulous planning", while he was travelling in a vehicle. Junaid Hussain, 21 and f r o m Birmingham, was killed in a separate air strike by US forces in Raqqa on 24 August.

The Prime Minister said that both Khan and Hussain had been involved in actively recruiting IS "sympathisers" and plotting to attack "high-profile public commemorations".

the EU and with immigration generally.

However, there are many changes that the Government can implement to ensure that these refugees are given the opportunity to start a fresh life for themselves as soon as possible, including the fast-tracking of immigration applications and reforming the asylum process entirely.

We could all potentially benefit from the presence of Syrian refugees in ways that we simply don't know yet.

Britain was willing to provide a home for our parents and grandparents, and the country has prospered from it. It's now our turn to pass this hospitality on to others and make these new arrivals feel welcome to our home.

Dear Readers, From 1st October 2015, our subscription prices are being revised to take account of increased postage and printing costs. We’ve endeavoured to keep these to an absolute minimum, so even though UK postage costs have increased over 4.5% our subscription prices have only increased 2%, representing excellent value for money.

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Mother-of-four arrested on suspicion of child abduction

LONDON: Zahera Tariq (33), who was feared of travelling to Syria with her four children and was detained in Turkey, has now been arrested at Luton Airport, as she entered the UK, on Thursday 3rd September, at approximately 7:45pm, on suspicion of child abduction.

Three boys, aged 4, 11, and 12, and a nine-yearold girl, have been taken into police protection.

Tariq and her four children were reported missing to the police from their home in Walthamstow, and were last seen on Tuesday 25th August, boarding a flight to Amsterdam from London. They were consequently detained in Turkey.

14

COMMUNITY

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

Feldman leads Janmashtami Celebrations Over 60,000 worshipers flocked to Watford’s Bhaktivedanta Manor over the weekend for their renowned Janmashtami celebrations.

Amongst the speakers at the Manor this weekend, was the Manor’s very own local Lord, Lord Andrew Feldman, the Chairman of the Conservative Party.

Lord Feldman - who became a Lord in 2010 - is one of Prime Minister David Cameron’s closest aides, having studied with him at University. He has been fundamental in helping revive the Conservative Party’s electoral fortunes.

Earlier this year Lord Feldman was sworn into Her Majesty’s Privy Council and made the Rt Hon Lord Feldman of Elstree.

Speaking at the festival, Lord Feldman paid tribute to the diversity of the Manor, “the manor is not just restricted to Hindus or Gujaratis, but all ethnicities. The acceptance and inclusivity of people of all backgrounds is truly the hallmark of the Hindu faith.”

Lord Feldman also commented on his experiences of his childhood in North London, “growing up in North London meant I had a lot of Hindu friends and it always struck me how much we had in common. I am Jewish by background and it was noticeable from an early age how the values and priorities of

Nehru Centre welcomes a new Director and Minister of Culture

Rupanjana Dutta

Oliver Dowden MP, Lord Dolar Popat, Srutidharma Das, Bhakticharu Swami, Lord Andrew Feldman, Zac Goldsmith MP and Gauri Das

our communities are so similar. We both care deeply about family, education, community and country.”

The festival was also a poignant opportunity for Lord Feldman to pay tribute to the tremendous contribution of the British Indian community and also on the Conservative Party’s journey in engaging with the Hindu community over the years.

“My good friend, Lord Dolar Popat, who many of you will know, has been instrumental with this cause and has spent nearly 40 years trying to strengthen the bridge between the British Indian community and the Conservative Party, and together we launched

the Conservative Friends of India with the Prime Minister in 2012.

“So many British Indians share the same vision we in the Conservative Party have for this great country. Building a strong economy, making sure our children have a good education, supporting families and ensuring that our elderly citizens are looked after.

“These same values are what has underpinned the Jewish community for many years, as well as the Hindu and Sikh communities, and David Cameron’s Government works tireless to ensure they become a reality."

Lord Feldman’s speech echoes news after the elec-

tion that the Conservative Party doubled their ethnic minority support at the General Election. But within those figures, an even more surprising statistic appeared: for the first time ever, more British Indians voted Conservative than Labour.

Other speakers at the Manor, included the hopeful Conservative Mayoral candidate for London Zac Goldsmith MP who said “The British Indian Diaspora are a great asset to our country and particularly to this great city of London; a community that works hard, has integrated brilliantly and prides itself on upholding British values and who love this country.”

Spectacular festival for Krishna Janmashtami at Watford Temple On 5th and 6th September 2015, thousands of people from all across the UK visited Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple, in Watford, to attend the biggest and most s p e c t a c u l a r Janmashtami festival outside of India.

The festival celebrated the birth of Lord Krishna.

Every year, Bhaktivedanta Manor's serene and peaceful

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grounds are transformed into a magnificent festival for all the family, and brought to life with the sound of music, interac-

tive multimedia displays, traditional dance performances, thought-provoking dramas, the opportunity to try Japa mediation, learn more about the philosophy, as well as a Krishnaland for children.

Visitors also had the opportunity to explore bazaars selling a vibrant array of books, fresh organic produce, jewellery, musical instruments and CDs. For those that worked up an appetite, a vast selection of exquisite free vegetarian food was available in abundance.

There were around 1,500 volunteers aged between 16-90 who volunteered their time throughout the weekend.

There were many highlights of the festival and one of the was the

recreation of the beautiful forests of Vrindavan, in India, where Lord Krishna played when he was growing up.

Temple President of Bhaktivedanta Manor, Srutidharma Dasa said, “Tens of thousands of visitors and volunteers give up their time every year to help transform Bhaktivedanta Manor for this wonderful festival - it

Mr Srinivas Gotru has taken over as the Minister of Culture at the Indian High commission and the new Director of the Nehru Centre after Ms Sangeeta Bahadur returned to Delhi, once her tenure finished.

Mr Gotru has arrived from Vietnam, where he served as the Deputy High Commissioner in Hanoi.

He has also been part of the Ministry of External Affiars, as the Hyderabad Regional Passport Officer.

He was behind the initiative of opening Passport Seva Kendras in Andhra Pradesh, India, to ease out the application process. An Engineer by profession, he has also dealt with IndiaUK bilateral relations as a Director from the MEA headquarters in Delhi.

Mr Gotru is here in London for 3 years deputation and is accompanied by his wife and 5 year old son.

Speaking to the press in

Mr Srinivas Gotru and Mr Prashant Pise at Gandhi Hall, India House

a lunch event at Gandhi Hall, India House, organised by Mr Prashant Pise, the Head of Chancery, Indian High Commission, Mr Gotru said, he is looking forward to promoting Indian culture and enhancing the relationship with diaspora in the UK.

Preeya Kalidas to host new show on BBC Asian Network The stunning stage and screen actress, Preeya Kalidas, who is also a vivacious singer will be hosting her very own radio show.

Starting from Saturday 28th Noverber 2015, you will be hearing her melodious voice on Saturdays, between 1- 3pm, on the extremely popular BBC Asian Network.

Preeya has been a part of the cast of EastEnders, Four Lions and Bombay Dreams. She is currently a lead in the West End musical Bend It Like Beckham, a stage adaptation of the popular film, by Gurinder Chadha.

She has also released a number of hit singles including 'Cross My Heart' (featuring Skepta), 'Love Between Us' and the chart smash 'Shakalaka Baby'.

Her radio show on the BBC Asian Network will feature a range of Asian

is an inspiring achievement and was a spectacular event.”

In 2016, the International Society for

Preeya Kalidas will be hosting a new music show on BBC Asian Network, starting from 28th November

and mainstream music and entertainment guests each week.

Preeya said, “I’m looking forward to spending my Saturday afternoons talking to the nation on the brilliant BBC Asian Network. I had my first ever interview on Asian Network and have grown up listening to great talent on the station. It’s an honour to be a part of the team.

My dad always said I had a perfect face for radio!”

Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) will be celebrating 50 years of the Hare Krishna movement in the West.

SP

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TLIGHT

15

Reena Ranger

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

Malala Documentary ready for release

Watching Over the Social Terrain

Sunetra Senior

“One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world,” said young Malala Yousafzai at the first ever Youth Takeover of the United Nations in 2013.

Yousafzai is no normal teenager. At the age of 15, she was targeted by the Taliban and took a bullet to the left side of her forehead for promoting girls' education. The attack triggered a global outcry, backfiring the terrorist group's intentions to silence her and her family.

After having survived the attack, Malala became an international figure, advo-

cating for girls' education worldwide and co-founding the Malala Fund. With the support of her father Zia Yousafzai, the 18 year old continues to voice her opinion and encourage girl education.

In his new documentary, 'He Named Me Malala', acclaimed documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim shows how Malala and her family stay committed to fight for education. Bringing us an inside glimpse into the extraordinary girl's life, the film will open in cinemas across UK on November 6, 2015.

Rodent infestations shut down businesses in Harrow In a case of serious health code violations, two businesses in Harrow were forced to shut down after they were discovered to be infested with rats and mice.

Harrow Council Environment Health officers discovered major infestations after visiting Peri Peri Original on Station Road and Best Foods on Rayners Lane.

Owner of Peri Peri, Wadir Hussain and Vaani Cash and Carry of Best, were ordered to pay fines totalling more than £ 3000 by Willesden Magistrates Court.

Councillor Graham Henson said, “These are serious and concerning cases and I am pleased our officers took action quickly before any harm was done to customers of the two food outlets. Every business has a duty of care for their customers however there are unfortunately a small minority who abuse this. We are committed to ensuring businesses operate safely in our borough and we will take tough action where businesses are found to put the public at risk.”

“Rats and mice carry diseases which pose a serious risk to public heath.

Reena is the Co-founder and Chairwoman of WomenEmpowered, a philanthropic, social initiatives group which provides networking opportunities and brings inspiring speakers to those who wish to hear them. She is also a Conservative Councillor for Three Rivers District Council. But what is the secret to such success? Well, as we soon saw, it was having the right attitude to progress, the ultimate goal of both her roles: “the people who attend WE events are drawn from all walks of life” Reena explained. “Some attendees go on to collaborate on business and community projects, or just come together for friendship.

WE have organised talks on topics such as ‘Shattering Glass Ceilings’ and ‘How to have your voice heard.” Involved in similar duties at the grass roots of government, we saw that a grounded spirit is the substance behind Reena’s actions. Positive and pragmatic, this is what makes superheroes in the modern day:

These two food outlets had no thought about the serious implications this could have on their customers. What’s more concerning is that despite a previous visit, Best Foods continued to operate with mice infestation. I am pleased with the outcome of these cases and hope that it serves as a reminder to other businesses who feel it is okay to operate in this way.”

Hussain was quick to claim that he had actioned a pest control report and there was no threat to public health. He was ordered to pay £1735 and owners of Best Foods who were absent in court were charged with £1560. The action was taken following a complaint by a customer, after which, council officers investigated Peri Peri original and uncovered a rat infestation together with poor hygiene practices.

Shutters were brought down on Best Foods after a revisit from officers found the premise covered with mice droppings, which were also found on food packets and shelves.

Further investigation revealed that food contents had been chewed and eaten.

What is your hope with Women Empowered?

WE as we like to call ourselves and feel we are, aims to empower women (and men) to make the best of their individual skills and talents and help them to achieve whatever personal and professional goals they might have. We ensure easy accessibility to all who would like to reach us.

How do you help women to support each other in the community?

WE has grown over the years and we now have a number of initiatives all run by women for women, one of which is our monthly blog GRIT. It is a place where the WE Community share their experiences and stories. It is a place to read about the things in life that aren’t discussed enough: less lifestyle, more life! We have covered a wide range of topics, from health issues; why women should be more financially savvy; what we should tell our daughters; entrepreneurship, to many others. It is edited

by Sunita Behl who gives her time as volunteer. The harmonious coming together of women to help other women (and men) each month is something that WE is very proud to be a part of.

Have you always been interested in politics and social rights issues?

It took a while for me to realise that every issue is a political or social issue.

I have always had an opinion or been interested in the world around me (smaller to wider) so without knowing the correct terminology for my interest, I guess yes I always have been.

If you could improve one area for women’s protection in the workplace, what might that be?

when we talk of the lack of women in certain sectors, we should also consider the lack of men in others' In a perfect world we would have equal opportunities regardless of gender. As a result, I feel that we should strive for discussion and actions which enable that goal. I am of the opinion that when we talk of the lack of women in certain sectors, we should also consider the lack of men in other sectors. This would set in motion full parity, as far as practically possible between men and women, in both the home and work environments.

What has been a highlight of your career?

Setting up Women Empowered, and running for local government and then being elected, were both something larger than myself and seeing the impact of our work on people and communities has been incredible.

How did you arrive at this point?

I have always been a part of my family business and was lucky enough to have attended many events through the course of my work and family life.

This involved hearing many inspiring speakers, and the wisdom they imparted has stayed on with me. After having

my children, as much as I loved being with them, I was looking to engage my mind in the way it once had been when I was in the office environment. With my new family, and the different way my mind was now occupied, I realised I was not alone in this feeling. Many of my friends wanted inspiration as to what to do now, what the possibilities were and how to get there. It seemed logical to bring the two worlds together: engaging, enabling and empowering others in whatever that meant to them.

Name one small thing that keeps you going, and able to juggle your workload?

I am lucky in that I am able to work flexibly. However that sometimes means I work when everyone else is asleep! I enjoy all aspects of my life immensely and find them together to be fulfilling so the juggle is more of a complementary dance!

Finally, what is a mantra you would give other enterprising women?

To do whatever you are doing well.

People will remember you and your attitude long after the job itself.

Reena’s Mentor Message

WE aims to: ENGAGE more women (and men) in discussion; ENCOURAGE fresh and varied thinking and perspective; EMPOWER women (and men) to find the inner confidence to take the next step; ENABLE and support them through the journey by putting them in touch with organisations that can nurture their ideas and mentors who can assist in achieving those goals.

W

www.womenempowered.co.uk

16

UK

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Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Honouring the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam at Neasden Temple Tanya Datta Launching the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's last book the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide community-based spiritual organisation, hosted a special memorial event at their temple in Neasden in his honour. This event was also one of many in the year long celebration that marks the Mandir's 20th anniversary. The BAPS goal is to attain peace through certain ideals and

HE Ranjan Mathai addressing the audience

joining together communities. The organisation is recognised internationally for its humanitarian services and is associated with the UN. In the UK, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is one of the largest Hindu organisations within the Indian community.

The former President's book Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji highlights the time that he spent with the late Pramukh Swamiji. Present for the ceremony was a gathering of senior BAPS swamis, including Sadguru Pujya Mahant Swami, Sadguru Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and Pujya Atmaswarup Swami, as well as His Excellency Ranjan Mathai, High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, and other highly

V H Patel, Vinu Bhattesa, Gauri Das, Anil Agrawal, Lord Dolar Popat, Dr Rami Ranger, Baba Mohinder Singh, Atma Swarup Swami, HE Ranjan Mathai, Mahant Swami, Ishwar Charan Swami, CB Patel, Manoj Ladwa, Jitu Patel, Atul Amin, Dheeraj Hinduja and Charles Patel

distinguished guests, civic leaders and community representatives.

As a young Hindu looking at the impressive architecture gave a sense of pride that such a temple has been built and accepted in the community outside of India. The hall the event was held at was as impressive on the inside as out as the wooden carvings in the entrance hall was a sight to behold. What surprised me however was that in a modern society it seemed to me slightly archaic that even in a public event such as this one the women and men were sat separately throughout the event, even during dining.

After the traditional lighting of the holy lamps to inaugurate the auspicious occasion, Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami introduced the work of the Mandir in London. He thanked the guests for their support and goodwill starting off the event with his speech.

Pujya Atmaswarup Swami, currently head of S w a m i n a r a y a n Akshardham in New Delhi, then introduced Transcendence. There were several videos that highlighted the work that BAPS do and introduced the 14 year relationship between Dr Kalam and Pramukh Swami. Dr Kalam explicitly cites the inspiration he obtained from Pramukh Swami’s leadership of BAPS, and shares his vision

for a society in which science and spirituality are fused. The influence that Pramukh Swami had on Dr Kalam was phenomenal as

and culture on British soil,” citing Dr Kalam’s description of it in Transcendence as “an incredible combination of heaven on earth.”

ment of lives and encouragement to the young has made you a living centre for the wider Indian community in the UK. Your

several passaged from the book. The book itself is not written for any specific religion but merely dictates a set of values one should live

Women dignitaries with the book

he asked the Swami for advice for important matters such as whether or not he should run for another term as President, he had that much faith in his Guru.

In his keynote address, the High Comissioner Mr Mathai paid tribute to both Dr Kalam as statesman, scientist and rishi, and the London Mandir, “the great jewel of Indian tradition

The High Commissioner praised the book and Dr Kalam's achievements went on to say: “You have provided a shining example of the greatness of India’s highest spiritual traditions in this foreign land. This extraordinary artistic achievement is a contribution to British and indeed world culture. Your commitment to social causes, better-

example has helped to build the image of Indians in this country, and much credit goes to you for being open to both Indian and British traditions.”

Concluding the ceremony they awarded special packs including a copy of the book to the distinguished members of the community and citied

their lives by. Pujya Mahant Swami describes the book as, “A universal book, for people of all faiths, nations, ethnicities and vocations, because it is about higher values such as peace, spirituality, tolerance, patience and service.”

This, he explained, would be the highest tribute to Dr Kalam’s life, work and legacy.

A minute's silence remembering Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

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Priti Patel: Modi visit to boost Indo-UK 'special relationship'

Continued from page 1 Speaking to PTI exclusively, she said that PM Modi's visit during Diwali will be one of biggest celebration in the UK, especially for the diaspora.

The Europe India Forum (EIF) has announced that it will be hosting a reception in honour of the Indian Prime Minister that will be attended by over 70,000 people. It will be the largest reception in foreign head of government has ever received in the UK or anywhere outside India. The reception themed “Two Great Nations, One Glorious Future.” will kick off with a specially produced cultural show featuring some of the very best British Indian artists.

Speaking about this upcoming event, Ms Patel said, “It is such a special and auspicious occasion for all Indians and the fact that we have the Prime Minister of India coming to the UK at that auspicious time to be among the largest Indian Diaspora communities in the world will absolutely make this a very exciting celebration and a very important illustration of the strength of the relationship of our two great

nations.”

“I am thrilled to be involved in supporting the official visit and also being involved in the community event at Wembley Stadium (November 13). We have an enormous, very successful Indian Diaspora in the UK. I think they are absolutely at the heart of this visit. It will be a tremendous celebration of the UK-Indian Diaspora,” she added.

“India as a global leader stands tall in the world and we can support India’s global aspirations, whether it’s on employment, on investment or on trade. As two nations we stand together, shoulder to shoulder to meet those shared objectives,” she said.

The Conservative party MP from Witham just returned from Turkey this week after her first G20 summit. Among her meetings included a bilateral with her Indian counterpart Bandaru Dattatreya and they collectively signed a pledge to bring down the number of young people “Not in Education, Employment or Training”, or NEETs, by 15 per cent.

She explained, “As we have the PM of India coming later this year, we want-

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

ed to build a dialogue at the G20 which will facilitate growth and investment in India. There is no doubt when it comes to Make in India, we absolutely are there to support the Indian government.

“Central to that is skills, training and education and we can support India in investing in people. So we see this as a natural collaboration, a natural partnership.”

The event website www.ukwelcomesmodi.org and the twitter handle is @ukwelcomesmodi. For more information or frequently asked questions one can go to www.ukwelcomesmodi.org/faq.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid and Lord Maude, Minister of State for Trade and Investment visiting India Prior to PM Modi's travel to India, Business Secretary Sajid Javid is making a trip to India on 11 September along with Lord Francis Maude, Britain's minister of state for trade and investment, who will visit Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi between September 8-11

September.

The ministers will be part of the India-UK Business Convention in Delhi, a gathering of major British and Indian CEOs including some of the top investors in India. In New Delhi, the minister will deliver the keynote address to the UK-India Business Convention extending his support for trade and investment between the two countries.

The ministers will release a landmark report which shows that UK has become the largest investor in India among all G20 countries with a combined revenue of more than $54 billion in India.

Between the year 2000 and 2015, UK's foreign direct investment (FDI) to India amounts to $22 billion - 9% of all FDI in the country.

As India's largest employer, UK companies currently employ around 691,000 people across the country - 5.5% of total organised private sector jobs in the country.

An official statement said, "Lord Maude will focus on deepening these commercial ties between the two countries and will highlight how the UK's

Indian Gymkhana honours its President Prof Nathu Ram Puri Continued from page 2 Seema Malhotra MP also spoke about knowing Professor Puri and his achievement in business and his contributions to the charities. She said Professor Puri is an iconic figure in the Asian community Ruth Cadbury, local MP thanked Professor Puri for his involvement with the club and praised him for his leadership to bring the club in forefront in the community Professor Puri in his speech thanked all those present honouring him and he spoke about his involvement with the club when Lord Noon and Rajesh Patel requested him to become the

President of the club. He is pleased that this unique Indian institute will be celebrating its centenary next year He has a vision to make Indian Gymkhana Club a world class sporting facility and socio cultural hub for the community Professor Duo from Nottingham University spoke about Professor Puri and his involvement in Nottingham with various charity works.

Speaking to Asian Voice, exclusively, Gareth Davis, the Chairman of three FTSE listed companies said, “It was a great pleasure for me to attend the Dinner at the Indian Gymkhana Club to celebrate the award of the CBE honour to my good friend Prof Nat Puri.

“I first met Nat in 1986 when he bought a paper business from the company for which I worked. I was working and living in Nottingham, quite close to Nat’s home and we became firm friends. We shared many evenings discussing our mutual interests of Cricket and Business, – usually with a few arguments along the way about the merits and otherwise of the various Test cricket teams, followed by a frame of snooker which I usually won!

“I was really very thrilled and delighted to learn of of Nat’s award of the CBE. He has been the deserving recipient of many honours and much recognition down the years and the CBE is a terrific

accolade and , again, so richly deserved.

“Nat has been a very successful businessman and entrepreneur over several decades and he has always demonstrated the desire to share that success with his many charitable contributions especially in the UK and India. His financial assistance and just as important, his intellectual contribution to Charities, Education, Disaster Relief and Sport have done enormous good at local, national and international levels.

“I was so pleased to congratulate him personally and it was a great pleasure to see Nat and his wonderful family enjoying this really special occasion.”

Lord Francis Maude

unique offer to India compliments Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aspirations for India."

After his stay in Bengaluru, Lord Maude will move to Mumbai where will meet key existing and potential investors in the UK, from Cyrus Mistry of Tata Sons, the UK's largest manufacturing employer, to new UK investor Indiabulls' Sameer Gehlaut. He will also visit Indian pharmaceutical giant Cipla's laboratory facility and deliver a lecture at IIT Bombay to students and start-ups on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Cipla is founded by Khwaja Abdul Hamied and is chaired by his son Indian scientist Yusuf Hamied.

Cambridge educated

In Brief

Sajid Javid

Hamied is best known outside India for defying large Western pharmaceutical companies in order to provide generic aids drugs and treatments for other ailments primarily affecting people in poor countries.

He was awarded Padma Bhushan by the Indian government in 2005.

Lord Maude will also unveil a limited edition portrait of Queen Elizabeth II taken by renowned British photographer David Bailey as part of the celebrations to commemorate the longest reign by a British Monarch.

The Minister will also strike a gold coin in the Royal Mint factory outside Delhi to highlight hightech, high-value collaborative manufacturing between the UK and India.

NHS hospitals to ban junk food retailers

Britain: NHS will be banning junk food retailers from their hospitals in attempt of tackling the obesity crisis in the UK. This move is part of a £5 million package, in order to make NHS staff healthier.

Nurses and doctors will be provided with yoga and Zumba dance classes, as well as help on quitting smoking and seminars on losing weight. There will also be a service to combat GP stress.

It is said that staff who are absent from work due to ill heath cost the NHS approximately £2.4 billion a year, £1 in every £40 of the overall budget.

Britain lags behind on education and wages

Britain: According to the think tank, the World Economic Forum, Britain is falling behind compared to other nations in terms of education and wages.

They said that Britain ranks 27th out of 30 advanced economies in providing access to learning. The UK's ranking of education and skills was 20th. Finland, the Netherlands and Switzerland were named as the top three countries.

Asian Achievers Awards is organised every year by UK’s leading news weeklies, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar to honour British Asian par excellence For table booking contact us on 020 7749 4085

18th September 2015 at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London

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Honouring the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam at Neasden Temple Tanya Datta Launching the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's last book the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide community-based spiritual organisation, hosted a special memorial event at their temple in Neasden in his honour. This event was also one of many in the year long celebration that marks the Mandir's 20th anniversary. The BAPS goal is to attain peace through certain ideals and

HE Ranjan Mathai addressing the audience

joining together communities. The organisation is recognised internationally for its humanitarian services and is associated with the UN. In the UK, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is one of the largest Hindu organisations within the Indian community.

The former President's book Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji highlights the time that he spent with the late Pramukh Swamiji. Present for the ceremony was a gathering of senior BAPS swamis, including Sadguru Pujya Mahant Swami, Sadguru Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and Pujya Atmaswarup Swami, as well as His Excellency Ranjan Mathai, High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, and other highly

V H Patel, Vinu Bhattesa, Gauri Das, Anil Agrawal, Lord Dolar Popat, Dr Rami Ranger, Baba Mohinder Singh, Atma Swarup Swami, HE Ranjan Mathai, Mahant Swami, Ishwar Charan Swami, CB Patel, Manoj Ladwa, Jitu Patel, Atul Amin, Dheeraj Hinduja and Charles Patel

distinguished guests, civic leaders and community representatives.

As a young Hindu looking at the impressive architecture gave a sense of pride that such a temple has been built and accepted in the community outside of India. The hall the event was held at was as impressive on the inside as out as the wooden carvings in the entrance hall was a sight to behold. What surprised me however was that in a modern society it seemed to me slightly archaic that even in a public event such as this one the women and men were sat separately throughout the event, even during dining.

After the traditional lighting of the holy lamps to inaugurate the auspicious occasion, Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami introduced the work of the Mandir in London. He thanked the guests for their support and goodwill starting off the event with his speech.

Pujya Atmaswarup Swami, currently head of S w a m i n a r a y a n Akshardham in New Delhi, then introduced Transcendence. There were several videos that highlighted the work that BAPS do and introduced the 14 year relationship between Dr Kalam and Pramukh Swami. Dr Kalam explicitly cites the inspiration he obtained from Pramukh Swami’s leadership of BAPS, and shares his vision

for a society in which science and spirituality are fused. The influence that Pramukh Swami had on Dr Kalam was phenomenal as

and culture on British soil,” citing Dr Kalam’s description of it in Transcendence as “an incredible combination of heaven on earth.”

ment of lives and encouragement to the young has made you a living centre for the wider Indian community in the UK. Your

several passaged from the book. The book itself is not written for any specific religion but merely dictates a set of values one should live

Women dignitaries with the book

he asked the Swami for advice for important matters such as whether or not he should run for another term as President, he had that much faith in his Guru.

In his keynote address, the High Comissioner Mr Mathai paid tribute to both Dr Kalam as statesman, scientist and rishi, and the London Mandir, “the great jewel of Indian tradition

The High Commissioner praised the book and Dr Kalam's achievements went on to say: “You have provided a shining example of the greatness of India’s highest spiritual traditions in this foreign land. This extraordinary artistic achievement is a contribution to British and indeed world culture. Your commitment to social causes, better-

example has helped to build the image of Indians in this country, and much credit goes to you for being open to both Indian and British traditions.”

Concluding the ceremony they awarded special packs including a copy of the book to the distinguished members of the community and citied

their lives by. Pujya Mahant Swami describes the book as, “A universal book, for people of all faiths, nations, ethnicities and vocations, because it is about higher values such as peace, spirituality, tolerance, patience and service.”

This, he explained, would be the highest tribute to Dr Kalam’s life, work and legacy.

A minute's silence remembering Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

PRESENTS

ASIAN ACHIEVERS

AWARDS

The people’s choice awards

I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H

UK

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Priti Patel: Modi visit to boost Indo-UK 'special relationship'

Continued from page 1 Speaking to PTI exclusively, she said that PM Modi's visit during Diwali will be one of biggest celebration in the UK, especially for the diaspora.

The Europe India Forum (EIF) has announced that it will be hosting a reception in honour of the Indian Prime Minister that will be attended by over 70,000 people. It will be the largest reception in foreign head of government has ever received in the UK or anywhere outside India. The reception themed “Two Great Nations, One Glorious Future.” will kick off with a specially produced cultural show featuring some of the very best British Indian artists.

Speaking about this upcoming event, Ms Patel said, “It is such a special and auspicious occasion for all Indians and the fact that we have the Prime Minister of India coming to the UK at that auspicious time to be among the largest Indian Diaspora communities in the world will absolutely make this a very exciting celebration and a very important illustration of the strength of the relationship of our two great

nations.”

“I am thrilled to be involved in supporting the official visit and also being involved in the community event at Wembley Stadium (November 13). We have an enormous, very successful Indian Diaspora in the UK. I think they are absolutely at the heart of this visit. It will be a tremendous celebration of the UK-Indian Diaspora,” she added.

“India as a global leader stands tall in the world and we can support India’s global aspirations, whether it’s on employment, on investment or on trade. As two nations we stand together, shoulder to shoulder to meet those shared objectives,” she said.

The Conservative party MP from Witham just returned from Turkey this week after her first G20 summit. Among her meetings included a bilateral with her Indian counterpart Bandaru Dattatreya and they collectively signed a pledge to bring down the number of young people “Not in Education, Employment or Training”, or NEETs, by 15 per cent.

She explained, “As we have the PM of India coming later this year, we want-

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

ed to build a dialogue at the G20 which will facilitate growth and investment in India. There is no doubt when it comes to Make in India, we absolutely are there to support the Indian government.

“Central to that is skills, training and education and we can support India in investing in people. So we see this as a natural collaboration, a natural partnership.”

The event website www.ukwelcomesmodi.org and the twitter handle is @ukwelcomesmodi. For more information or frequently asked questions one can go to www.ukwelcomesmodi.org/faq.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid and Lord Maude, Minister of State for Trade and Investment visiting India Prior to PM Modi's travel to India, Business Secretary Sajid Javid is making a trip to India on 11 September along with Lord Francis Maude, Britain's minister of state for trade and investment, who will visit Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi between September 8-11

September.

The ministers will be part of the India-UK Business Convention in Delhi, a gathering of major British and Indian CEOs including some of the top investors in India. In New Delhi, the minister will deliver the keynote address to the UK-India Business Convention extending his support for trade and investment between the two countries.

The ministers will release a landmark report which shows that UK has become the largest investor in India among all G20 countries with a combined revenue of more than $54 billion in India.

Between the year 2000 and 2015, UK's foreign direct investment (FDI) to India amounts to $22 billion - 9% of all FDI in the country.

As India's largest employer, UK companies currently employ around 691,000 people across the country - 5.5% of total organised private sector jobs in the country.

An official statement said, "Lord Maude will focus on deepening these commercial ties between the two countries and will highlight how the UK's

Indian Gymkhana honours its President Prof Nathu Ram Puri Continued from page 2 Seema Malhotra MP also spoke about knowing Professor Puri and his achievement in business and his contributions to the charities. She said Professor Puri is an iconic figure in the Asian community Ruth Cadbury, local MP thanked Professor Puri for his involvement with the club and praised him for his leadership to bring the club in forefront in the community Professor Puri in his speech thanked all those present honouring him and he spoke about his involvement with the club when Lord Noon and Rajesh Patel requested him to become the

President of the club. He is pleased that this unique Indian institute will be celebrating its centenary next year He has a vision to make Indian Gymkhana Club a world class sporting facility and socio cultural hub for the community Professor Duo from Nottingham University spoke about Professor Puri and his involvement in Nottingham with various charity works.

Speaking to Asian Voice, exclusively, Gareth Davis, the Chairman of three FTSE listed companies said, “It was a great pleasure for me to attend the Dinner at the Indian Gymkhana Club to celebrate the award of the CBE honour to my good friend Prof Nat Puri.

“I first met Nat in 1986 when he bought a paper business from the company for which I worked. I was working and living in Nottingham, quite close to Nat’s home and we became firm friends. We shared many evenings discussing our mutual interests of Cricket and Business, – usually with a few arguments along the way about the merits and otherwise of the various Test cricket teams, followed by a frame of snooker which I usually won!

“I was really very thrilled and delighted to learn of of Nat’s award of the CBE. He has been the deserving recipient of many honours and much recognition down the years and the CBE is a terrific

accolade and , again, so richly deserved.

“Nat has been a very successful businessman and entrepreneur over several decades and he has always demonstrated the desire to share that success with his many charitable contributions especially in the UK and India. His financial assistance and just as important, his intellectual contribution to Charities, Education, Disaster Relief and Sport have done enormous good at local, national and international levels.

“I was so pleased to congratulate him personally and it was a great pleasure to see Nat and his wonderful family enjoying this really special occasion.”

Lord Francis Maude

unique offer to India compliments Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aspirations for India."

After his stay in Bengaluru, Lord Maude will move to Mumbai where will meet key existing and potential investors in the UK, from Cyrus Mistry of Tata Sons, the UK's largest manufacturing employer, to new UK investor Indiabulls' Sameer Gehlaut. He will also visit Indian pharmaceutical giant Cipla's laboratory facility and deliver a lecture at IIT Bombay to students and start-ups on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Cipla is founded by Khwaja Abdul Hamied and is chaired by his son Indian scientist Yusuf Hamied.

Cambridge educated

In Brief

Sajid Javid

Hamied is best known outside India for defying large Western pharmaceutical companies in order to provide generic aids drugs and treatments for other ailments primarily affecting people in poor countries.

He was awarded Padma Bhushan by the Indian government in 2005.

Lord Maude will also unveil a limited edition portrait of Queen Elizabeth II taken by renowned British photographer David Bailey as part of the celebrations to commemorate the longest reign by a British Monarch.

The Minister will also strike a gold coin in the Royal Mint factory outside Delhi to highlight hightech, high-value collaborative manufacturing between the UK and India.

NHS hospitals to ban junk food retailers

Britain: NHS will be banning junk food retailers from their hospitals in attempt of tackling the obesity crisis in the UK. This move is part of a £5 million package, in order to make NHS staff healthier.

Nurses and doctors will be provided with yoga and Zumba dance classes, as well as help on quitting smoking and seminars on losing weight. There will also be a service to combat GP stress.

It is said that staff who are absent from work due to ill heath cost the NHS approximately £2.4 billion a year, £1 in every £40 of the overall budget.

Britain lags behind on education and wages

Britain: According to the think tank, the World Economic Forum, Britain is falling behind compared to other nations in terms of education and wages.

They said that Britain ranks 27th out of 30 advanced economies in providing access to learning. The UK's ranking of education and skills was 20th. Finland, the Netherlands and Switzerland were named as the top three countries.

Asian Achievers Awards is organised every year by UK’s leading news weeklies, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar to honour British Asian par excellence For table booking contact us on 020 7749 4085

18th September 2015 at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London

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ASIANBUSINESS

India Connect

www.asian-voice.com

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

Consultant Editor Financial Voice

Alpesh Patel

Dear Financial Voice Reader, As the markets stay volatile, maybe we should look at some insider trading? – where the ‘insider’ is a director of a company.

Many investors like to buy shares in companies in which the directors themselves are buying stock. The theory is simple: directors should know more about their own companies than outsiders. Therefore, if the directors are buying shares this should signal the company is doing well and that the share price will rise. And if they’re selling shares, well surely it’s time to bail out.

The internet makes tracking such directors’ dealings easier than ever – easier to get the information, easier to track purchase or sale trends, and quicker and easier to react to these signals.

In fact, there’s only one problem with this theory: it doesn’t work.

My conclusion? If directors’ dealings do work as a signal, they don’t work in an obvious, easy or straightforward way. Which is a good reasons not to use it at all.

Closer inspection reveals why directors dealings don’t work as a signal. Directors could be buying shares not because of faith in a rising share price, but because the company expects new directors to do this (just as a new worker is expected to ‘volunteer’ overtime). It could also be that the share price has fallen sharply and they’re buying stock as a public statement of confidence in the company. Equally, it could be part of their estate planning, tax re-organisation, or an exercise of options. These purchases are hardly calculated moves based on the director’s belief in a share price rise.

But although directors’ purchases are not a good signal to buy their stock, perhaps their sales are a good reason to sell it. After all, isn’t the director saying his money is better off elsewhere?

Not so. Wharton’s Andrew Metrick and Harvard’s Leslie Jeng constructed a hypothetical portfolio of all ‘insider’ (the US term for high ranking corporate officers including directors) sales over a 10-year period ending in 1996. The portfolio merely performed in line with the market. You might as well have ignored directors’ sales altogether.

And Professor Josef Lakonishok, Illinois University, came to the same conclusion when he examined directors’ share sales. He found that executives are twice as likely to sell their company’s stock as buy it, simply because many receive their pay in options. And the timing is random, too – more likely prompted by the need to raise cash to make a down payment on a new car than doubts about the company’s future share performance.

So if neither directors’ buying nor their selling is a signal for the net trader to do the same, perhaps we should do the reverse - buy when they sell and sell when they buy? Evidence for this comes from a test

by Business 2.0 magazine, which found that a portfolio of 100 stocks with the most insider selling actually gained 40 percent over 12 months.

Morgan Stanley revises India’s growth outlook The Indian economy is expected to clock a 7.5 per cent GDP growth in this fiscal year, slightly lower than the previous estimate of 7.9 per cent largely because of bad weather and weak external demand, Morgan Stanley said in a report.

According to the global financial services firm, the continued weakness in external demand and slowdown in rural consumption spending with cuts in government’s redistribution policies are holding back the pace of recovery.

Moreover, the recent

weakness in rainfall trends has raised concerns on agriculture output growth and may affect rural consumption, it added.

“In this context, we are revising our growth estimates slightly for F2016 to 7.5 per cent (from 7.9 per cent earlier) and for F2017 to 8.1 per cent (from 8.4 per cent earlier),” Chetan Ahya, Chief Economist for Morgan Stanley in Asia said in a research note. The revision in growth estimate was mainly because of poor weather affecting agriculture output and weak external environment.

British telecom brand eyes India's northeast

One of Britain's fastest growing residential telecom service providers, New Call Telecom Ltd., has announced plans to invest in India's northeast to develop telecom connectivity through WiFi networks.

The company's group CEO Nigel Eastwood said they have plans of investment worth $ 300 million in the next 12-18 months in India.

“We are further planning to invest a good proportion of our investment in the northeastern region of India to develop telecom connectivity through WiFi networks,” Eastwood said.

He said New Call Telecom Ltd. was Britain's sixth largest internet service provider and recently acquired leading global mobile technology brand Nimbuzz. Nimbuzz's revenue has doubled every year for the last three years, while Ozone Networks doubled its growth in the last seven months, Eastwood said. “There is dearth of infrastructure without which we cannot tap all those resources available in the northeast.

And the most important infrastructure is connectivity and in regards to this, aside from road, rail, and air connectivity, tele-connectivity is most important.”

“We are keen to expand digital connectivity in the northeast which will give people access to varied services over the internet and make their lives easier.

The investment will result in providing affordable connectivity to the masses and also generate employment. There is huge opportunity for ICT players to use disruptive technologies to redefine paradigms for delivery of services like health, education and financial inclusion. ICT has the power to transform the very landscape of the northeast region, but this needs a tighter handshake between all stakeholders,” Eastwood added. New Call Telecom's group business has seen an growth in its customer base by 227 per cent, while its turnover has increased by around $210 million per annum.

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Card OCI Card is a multiple entry lifelong visa which enables the holder to have unlimited travel and stay in India.

What are the Benefits for an OCI card holder?

An OCI card holder gets the following benefits: A multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa for visiting India.

Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India.

Parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields, except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.

OCI can be used as identity proof for application of PAN Card and driving licence as well as for opening a bank account if the OCI card holder is residing in India.

How to apply for OCI: OCI is an online process. Applicant needs to fill up OCI Application Form Online. After filling up the online OCI application, applicant has to take out the print of the application and submit TWO SETS of application form with prescribed documents and fees to the designated VFS Centre. The time taken for issue of OCI Card is minimum 6-8 weeks, delay beyond the specific time frame cannot be ruled out owing to certain technical reasons.

All applicants are advised to book their travel plan only after obtaining the OCI. Who can apply for OCI? I who is a citizen of another country, but Was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after, the commencement of the Constitution; OR I who is a citizen of another country, but was eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of the commencement of the Constitution; OR I who is a citizen of another country, but belonged to a territory that became part of India after the 15th day of August, 1947; OR I who is a child or a grand-child or a great grandchild of such a citizen; OR I a person, who is a minor child of

a person mentioned in the above 4 criterion; OR I a person, who is a minor child, and whose both parents are citizens of India; OR I a person, who is a minor child, and whose one of the parents is a citizen of India; OR I Spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder registered under section 7A and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application under this section.

Exceptions: OCI is not granted to any citizen who is / was and / or if their parents, grandparents or great grandparents are / were citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, shall be eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India cardholder.

What benefits an OCI Card holder is not entitled to: The OCI Card holder is not entitled: I to vote, I to be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India, I to hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court etc.

I He/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government PIO to OCI I am a PIO Card holder, what should I do to obtain the OCI Card?

The date for application for conversion of valid PIO card to OCI card has been extended till 31 March 2016. The valid PIO card holders are advised to submit the applications by 31 March 2016. One can apply for OCI card in lieu of valid PIO card free of any charges.

However the applicant will have to pay the service charges for the outsourcing agency as well as postal charges.

For more information please contact us on our helpline numbers: +44 203 793 8629 / +44 203 695 9849 Monday – Friday 8:30 – 17:30 (except for Consular Holiday)

Alternatively applicants can also call : 09057 570 045* * Please note calls to this number will be chargeable at the rate of 95p per minutes plus a connection charge from a BT landline. Calls from mobile phones may cost considerably higher.

For Email inquirey please email us: OCI: info.ociuk@vfshelpline.com Visa: info.inuk@vfshelpline.com Consular & Passports: Info.ppt-Consularuk@vfshelpline.com

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

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Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

Undercurrents of a property deal

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

19

We finally exchanged on a property in Southwick Street, purchased for £3.7m and sold for £4.5m only 10 months later. The property was a freehold building consisting of 6,700 sq. ft., part residential and part commercial.

There were a lot of undercurrents which were going on whilst the sale was going through; some of which were created by me, others I was oblivious too until after the sale, and only then was I informed about them.

From my side whilst the sale was going through I was pushing to get a higher offer. This had to be done discreetly, so as not to disrupt the current sale.

I had contacted several agents, one which was one of London’s top three agents, another specialised in selling only commercial throughout the UK, and yet another was an independent old boy who was based close to the property. Everyone got me an offer, but they were far from the mark, they were all floating around the £4.2 - £4.3m mark.

I was actually surprised as I thought given the lack of freehold stock in this location this would be an easy sell, the market however thought differently.

After the deal was done the agent who brought the buyer to us told me there were many times the buyer wanted to pull out as he felt he was paying too much for the property, unsurprising as we had bought it for cheaper only months ago, but there again this is London and prices rise even as you breath. He was even contemplating ‘chipping’ the price at the point of exchange, this is an annoying thing to do, it means just as your lawyers are ready to exchange contracts the buyers reduce the price at the last minute, in the hope the seller compromises on the price they will accept. If this were to have been attempted we would have pulled out of the sale and maybe even increased the price as we were under no pressure to sell.

Luckily I wasn't exposed to any of this negativity as the agent managed to hold the deal together and categorically told the buyer a last minute attempt at chipping the price would not work and consequently he may lose the sale altogether. However judging from the feedback I got from the market it seems he did overpay for the property. Although in due course of time it will not matter.

There are some Mews houses which were bought in June 2010 for a client, for which we paid £1.65m through a Barnard Marcus Auction. At the time the price was driven up by an overzealous bidder sitting to the rear of the room. We had been tracking the deal for a number of years at a far lower price of £1.2m - £1.3m. This was one of those deals which had been floating around the market for a long time and therefore had gained a bad smell to it. Psychologically no one wants a deal which has been floating around the market for too long it gets stale.

One particular property was very lucrative, it was purchased for £237k. It was a large one bedroom duplex ex council property which therefore means low service charges. With less than £10,000 spent on the property it was transformed into a two bedroom flat and shot up in value almost overnight. The property would be worth currently £450k conservatively.

If the location is right, even if you have overpaid you will probably come out smelling of roses. However if the location is not correct even if you buy cheaply the growth will be stunted or even negative. This is something I have learnt firsthand, with an off plan purchase in Birmingham City Centre which was purchased with the benefit of a 15% discount from the market price of £165k. At the time we paid £140k for the property, this was over a decade ago. The current market price seems to be floating around the £125k level, so the property as gone down in value over the ten years it has been held; and this is no suburb location, it is right in the City Centre of Birmingham. Ordinarily many investors choose to purchase outside of London driven by the attractive yields you can obtain, so even though the capital growth is nonexistent - or even negative, double digit yields will ensure you get a regular monthly cash flow.

In this situation however even this was not forthcoming, after the service charge and mortgage payments were made this was an investment which was eating up money on a monthly basis. Not the best investment made, but a lesson to be learnt.

However I would estimate the price of each of these four units to be touching in the region of £1.5m, therefore the site would be worth around £6m now. The construction cost was in the region of £500k, therefore in the course of time paying a few hundred thousand is almost immaterial; although at the time it can be painful. Needless to say this investor has done well from this investment even though at the time it was perceived they overpaid for this site. They are not in the market to ever sell the properties they buy, they mainly gather stock. This was bought along with various properties they had purchased through us, some ex-local in prime locations and private properties too.

The Real Deal

Bayswater, London, W2 Purchase Price: £745k

Recently we have had several clients one after another who are specifically after deals in Central London to hold on a long term basis. The bar to purchase these kinds of properties has been raised higher now.

Five years ago you could purchase a two bedroom property in Central London for £300k ex council, now you would be looking at £500k plus.

l A three bedroom ground floor flat in a very nice location l Long lease l Period conversion l Close to restaurants, bars and boutiques of Notting Hill Gate and the green open spaces of Kensington Gardens l We expect the value of the property after refurbishment to be around £1m.

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They all need to extract equity from their current properties in order to fund their purchases. A couple of them having purchased previously in inner London boroughs have already tasted the growth these investments can achieve. A few realise without making this move they will not be able to progress financially, the amount the property will increase in value, they will not be able to save.

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SowandReapProperties

Tips of the Week

l Don’t make decisions based on a friend’s opinion or the influence of the press. Do your own research and with strong locations like Central London it is best to take an expert’s advice because in such locations the factors change every quarter of a mile.

l Don’t just walk into your bank and ask for a mortgage, you will just get a product but not necessarily the most suitable one. If you are looking for advice consider using a specialist mortgage broker. Remember interest rates are not the only point to consider, arrangement fees and exit fees are equally important

20

BUSINESS

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

Modi asks industry to take risk, step up investments

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked India Inc to take risks and step up investments even as industry leaders pressed for interest rate cut and more policy action to improve ease of doing business.

"Prime Minister has said that industry must take risk and increase investments...we must go out and invest. Industry has a role to play," CII president Sumit Mazumder told reporters after the meeting of Prime Minister with CEOs, bankers, economists and bureaucrats on the global economic slowdown.

Several industry leaders, meanwhile, pitched for interest rate cut saying it would help them take risks and scale up investments.

"Prime Minister said this is an opportunity for us to take advantage and invest...cost of capital is too high but I don't know how many people can go ahead to take risk and invest... many of us raised the issue of interest rate," Ficci president Jyotsna Suri said.

Assocham president Rana Kapoor said that

Prime Minister asked industry to "catalyse risk taking ability". He said the issue of capital requirement of banks to meet economic growth and the need to bifurcate bad assets of the banking system came up for discussion. As far as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation is concerned, finance minister Arun Jaitley expressed hope that it would by rolled out, Mazumder said, adding the land bill did not come up for discussion.

The industry leaders who attended the brain storming session with Modi on 'Recent global events: Opportunities for India' were Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, Tata Group head Cyrus P Mistry, Aditya Birla Group head Kumar Mangalam Birla, Sunil Bharti Mittal of Bharti Airtel and ITC chief Y C Deveshwar.

Reserve Bank governor Raghuram Rajan as well as road transport and highway minister Nitin Gadkari, power minister Piyush Goyal and oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan were also present.

India Inc urges RBI to cut rate As the first quarter of GDP data shows the growth rate slipping to 7 per cent, India Inc has asked for an interest rate cut from the Reserve Bank of India. “While the government stands committed to further the reforms agenda, we need to equally create conditions that provide capital at affordable cost to our entrepreneurs. FICCI hopes that RBI will usher in a deeper cut in policy rates in its September review of the monetary policy,” said Jyotsna Suri, president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Confederation of Indian Industry director general Chandrajit Banerjee said, “On the monetary side, the RBI should ease its monetary policy stance and cut interest rates in its forthcoming monetary policy review.” “Easing of monetary conditions would lead to a lower lending rate framework that would aid both consumption and

investment demand, therefore the RBI in its upcoming bi-monthly monetary policy must give due consideration to reviving the industrial growth in the country,” said Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India president Rana Kapoor.

According to the PMI report published by leading global diversified provider of financial information services Markit, the data showed a weaker improvement in the health of the manufacturing sector.

“Growth of Indian manufacturing production waned in August on the back of softer improvements in both domestic and foreign demand. This led firms to keep payroll numbers unchanged during month,” Pollyanna De Lima, economist at Markit, said.

Adding, “As inflation concerns fade and demand growth loses momentum, further accommodative policy should not be discounted.”

www.asian-voice.com

The World Hindu Economic Forum comes to London AsianVoiceNews

World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) comes to London during 11 -13 September 2015. Its mission is to make society prosperous through the generation and sharing of surplus wealth. The philosophy of WHEF is Dharmasya Moolam Arthah or sustaining through economic prosperity. So we caught up with the promoters who are behind this organisation.

The visionary behind WHEF is Swami Vigyananand, an energetic Swamiji. He has IIT Kharagpur engineering degree, travelled the world and unique personality. This Swamiji talks about business and economics and his vision to bring Hindu business people together with professionals and entrepreneurs to generate wealth.

Normally, one thinks of Swamis associated with religion, kathas and pujas. This Swamiji is totally different and he answered a few key questions on WHEF. WHY WHEF? This is the 4th annual conference to bring international business and professionals, bankers and investors, young entrepreneurs and mentors together from as many as 30 countries. The previous conferences were held in Hong Kong, Bangkok and New Delhi with other regional conferences in Malaysia, Fiji, South Africa, Kenya, USA, etc. We want to encourage Hindus to generate wealth for society's wellbeing. Our Hindu Vedas refer to 'Sat Hasta Samahara, Sahastra Hasta Sankira'. It literally means 'generate wealth with 100 hands and share it with 1000 hands'. We believe and practice Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam i.e. the whole world is one family.

WHY LONDON Well, London is the World's leading city and we have progressed from Hong Kong, Bangkok and New Delhi. We already have cities marked out for next few years. Next year we shall be in the US. Hindus are the only community who are spread around the globe and WHEF is all about connecting Hindu business people

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Swami Vigyananand Subhash Thakrar academician from the area of business and economy, professionals, bankers, investors, and successful practicing businessmen.

Prof Nat Puri in different geographies.

SO TELL US ABOUT THE LONDON TEAM. The patron of WHEF 2015 London is Prof. Nat Puri.

The Chairman is Shri Anil Puri, CEO of Purico Group and Vice Chairman is Sri Subhash Thakrar, Senior partner of CBW LLP and Vice President of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Other committee members are Kajal Valani Sheth, Hiten Sheth, Hasmukh Shah, Dr. Gautam Sen, Hardev Singh, Rosan Sapokota and Alpa Raja.

They are being supported by youth volunteers from the National Hindu Students Forum. Of course the central secretariat of WHEF from Bharat has also worked hard in support.

WHO WILL BE ATTENDING WHEF? Business people from around the World, we anticipate from over 30 countries. There will be professionals, investors, bankers

Anil Puri and young entrepreneurs.

We shall also encourage young Hindu youths to come on special concessionary fee level.

SO IS THIS A RELIGIOUS HINDU GET TOGETHER? Not at all! Apart from the ceremonial lighting of the diya, there will be nothing to do with religion. This conference is about business and economics but of course also highlighting Hindu principles of doing business.

The principles are honesty, fairness and taking care of environment as well as wealth creation for benefit of wider society.

WHERE IS THE CONFERENCE? At Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel 18 Albert Embankment London SE1 7 TJ This is in Westminster close to the river.

WHO ARE THE SPEAKERS? We have more than 36 eminent speakers from diverse background such as senior

WHAT ARE THE FEES TO ATTEND? $300 for the whole weekend package covering participation and all the meals.

For UK based business people, we have also created a daily rate of £50 to join the gala dinner on Friday and £100 each for Saturday and Sunday. Although all bookings are online, because we are getting lot of last minute bookings, we shall also have a cash desk at the venue to register and pay on the day.

For Youths, we have a special rate. Anyone can check be going to the web site www.wheflondon.com.

WHAT DO YOU AIM TO ACHIEVE? In the past WHEF, we have given delegates to learn about new emerging opportunities around the world, growing businesses, obtaining affordable capital, new technology applications and support for young entrepreneurs. Of course there will be active networking events, which have enabled business transactions to happen in the past. We hope to strengthen in all these areas.

The WHEF is open for all business and professionals as well as budding entrepreneurs. Go to Web site at www.wheforum.org

India's chief economist fears deflation After GDP data showed a lower first quarter growth, chief economic advisor Arvind Subramaniam said Indian economy now faces a new challenge in deflation. The country's annual inflation rate based on wholesale prices continued in negative in June, falling to (-) 2.4 per cent from ()2.36 per cent in May,

prompting India Inc to urge the Reserve Bank to cut rate.

Subramaniam said, “One real challenge that looms ahead appears not to be the price inflation but the possible price deflation.”

Adding, “overall, economic growth is moving in the right direction,

although its pace is still below what the economy needs.”

The annual rate of inflation, as per the official wholesale price index, stood at 5.66 per cent in the corresponding month of the previous year, according to data released by the commerce and industry ministry.

Regarding the below-thanexpected first quarter growth figures released earlier this week, Subramanian said the GDP numbers suggest that the “economy is recovering” and is consistent with the other more high-frequency indicators such as revenue collection and real credit growth.

CURRENCYVOICE

www.asian-voice.com AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

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

UK manufacturing sector slows down A two-year spell of jobs growth across British factories came to an end last month as manufacturing activity expanded at a slower pace, suggesting the sector is unlikely to boost economic growth during this quarter. The UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell in August to 51.5 from 51.9 in July, confounding expectations for a rise to 52.0.

While still holding above the 50 threshold for growth, the survey underlined Britain's reliance on its services sector and big-spending consumers to drive the economy.

There were mixed signals for the manufacturing outlook. New orders came in at the fastest pace in five months but export orders continued to contract, while backlogs of work shrank at the fastest pace since March 2013. And the PMI's jobs index fell below 50 for the first time since April 2013, adding to recent signs Britain's labour market has cooled off after a two-year strong run.

Markit said prices paid by manufacturers for raw goods and energy plunged at the fastest pace since January, suggesting little sign of inflation pressure in the pipeline from British industry. Oil prices fell near a 6-1/2-year low

21

Foreign Exchange

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

last week, entrenching expectations of low inflation in advanced economies and pushing back market expectations for the first Bank of England interest rate hike from the Bank of England deep into next year..

Wednesday’s data showed a pick-up in house building helped growth in Britain's construction sector speed up slightly last month, but the expansion remained weaker than last year's robust rebound.

The Markit construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 57.3 in August from 57.1 in July, indicating solid growth but below the 57.5 forecast.

The survey showed construction firms were bullish about the future, with most firms expecting to be busier over the coming year, while only one in 20 expected a contraction. On the back of this Sterling lost ground against both the EUR and USD. Unemployment in the Eurozone fell to its lowest rate in July for more than three years.

European Union statistics agency Eurostat said the jobless rate in the currency union fell to 10.9% in July from 11.1% the month before.

The fall was helped by a sharp fall in unemployment in Italy, where

the jobless total fell by 143,000. It is the first time the unemployment rate in the Eurozone has been below 11% since February 2012.

With inflation still far from the ECB's target rate of just below 2%, and looking likely to stay there for the foreseeable future, speculation is growing the bank will have to extend its stimulus programme beyond the planned completion in September 2016.

ECB President, Mario Draghi, revised down GDP growth and inflation forecasts, citing concerns from recent emerging markets volatility (the recent stock market crash in China), taking the lead from BoE Governor Mark Carney.Euro Area Growth was marked down by 0.1% to 1.4% for 2015 and by 0.2% in 2016 and 2017. Inflation was revised materially downwards to 0.1% this year, 1.1% in 2016 and 1.7% in 2017.

Retail sales in the Eurozone rose again in August, although the pace of increase slowed down from the previous month, figures released on Friday showed. The index fell from to 51.4 in August from July's 54-month high of 54.2, but remained above the 50 threshold that signals expansion for the fourth consecutive month.

Germany the Eurozone's largest economy, saw sales rise solidly, albeit at a slower pace than in the previous month, as the headline PMI fell from 57.7 to 54.7. Meanwhile France fared much worse, falling back into contraction as sales fell both on monthly and annual rates.

On Friday the US released its headline non-farm payroll figure which showed employers added 173,000 workers in August and the jobless rate dropped to 5.1 percent, the lowest since April 2008 and a level that the Federal Reserve considers to be full employment. The gain in payrolls, while less than forecast, followed advances in July and June that were stronger than previously reported, the Labour Department said Friday.

Persistent hiring indicates employers were upbeat about America’s demand prospects leading up to mounting concerns of further deterioration in emerging economies. Fed policy makers meeting in less than two weeks will weigh resilient US employment conditions against the recent turmoil in world financial markets as they debate the timing of any interest-rate increase.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 8th September 2015 @ 6pm

GBP - INR = 101.88 USD - INR = 66.27 EUR - INR = 74.08 GBP - USD = 1.54 GBP - EUR = 1.38

EUR - USD = 1.12 GBP - AED = 5.65

GBP - CAD = 2.03

GBP - NZD = 2.42

GBP - AUD = 2.19

GBP - ZAR = 21.11

GBP - HUF = 431.37

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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.

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WORLD

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Former Pak cricketer driving taxi in Sydney

Britons enjoy the Zee London Mela in a sun kissed Gunnersbury park

11 Indians under detention in UAE for having ISIS links

Rani Singh

In Brief

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

SYDNEY: A post on Facebook has claimed that former Pakistan offspinner Arshad Khan now drives Uber Taxi around Sydney. “He was the driver of our cab and we started chatting, he told me that he is from Pakistan and lives in Sydney. Also that he has been to Hyderabad many times when he was playing for Lahore Badshahs something in ICL. After which I asked him his full name and then I was shocked to see his face which I could partially recognise. I shook his hand and left,” Ganesh Birle posted on his Facebook account. “He was avoiding the conversation all the time, but at the same time he couldn't help but talk about his India connection.” Khan had made his debut for Pakistan in 1997-98 against West Indies and has played 9 Tests and 58 ODIs.

NEW DELHI: Around 11 Indians are under detention in the UAE on charges of planning to join the Islamic State, and recruiting, financing and providing logistics to those who wish to join the Jihadi extremists. As per Intelligence sources, the UAE security services came across two groups of people hailing from India, based in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, involved in sharing and discussing ISIS related issues on the social media. They have also allegedly tried to establish contact with the ISIS leaders online. The groups also include a couple of Pakistanis and Bangladeshis.

Reports suggest that UAE authorities suspect those 13 Indians were planning to travel to Syria, possibly via Yemer or Turkey and were in the process of organising funds and logistics. The rising number of Indians joining the extremist group will once again become the topic of debate on how to deal with those returning after a short stint with the group. Meanwhile, the government and the security establishment will have to consider whether to prosecute the caught Indians or treat them as misguided youth and deradicalise them.

Drowned Syrian boys and their mother buried in home town Kobani

KOBANI (SYRIA): Their journey was supposed to take them to a new life in Europe. Instead, it ended in three dusty cemetery plots in Kobani, the bombed-out Syrian border town. Aylan Kurdi, three, whose lifeless image shook consciences worldwide, was buried in Kobani, the bombedout Syrian border town, along with his brother Galep, five, and mother Rehan, 35. Their bodies were sent back to their mainly Kurdish home town just days after they had washed up along the shore of the Turkish resort of Bodrum. The Syrian Kurds were among thousands of people, mostly Syrian, Iraqi and Afghani, trying to cross the sea from Turkey and begin the long trek to northern Europe. A photograph of Aylan’s tiny body in the sand, the waves lapping at his face, has come to symbolise the tragedy of Syria’s fiveyear war and the mass migration of people it had caused. It is also viewed widely as evidence of the world’s failure to help refugees who feel compelled to risk their lives in perilous journeys across the sea.

King Salman of Saudi Arabia makes first visit to US

WASHINGTON: King Salman of Saudi Arabia arrived in Washington with four aeroplanes carrying hundreds of officials for his first visit to the US since taking the helm of the oil-rich nation in January. As his entourage fans across the capital to meet politicians and officials, King Salman will meet Barack Obama in the Oval Office, just days after the US president clinched crucial support in Congress for the Iran nuclear deal, which Saudi Arabia has publicly supported despite private concerns. The two leaders will seek to reaffirm the historic importance of the Saudi-American partnership, despite complex shifts in regional dynamics resulting from the Iran deal and increasingly sectarian internal conflicts in Syria and Yemen. While Obama has secured enough congressional support for the Iran deal, he wants to retain Saudi support to help counter the backlash from opponents in Congress who will continue efforts to castigate the agreement.

Couple given 100 lashes for adultery

KABUL: An Afghan man and woman found guilty of adultery received 100 lashes in front of a crowd who filmed their punishment, TV footage showed. The footage, taken in the western province of Ghor, showed a woman in a veil and a man each receive the punishment from a man in a turban wielding a leather whip, watched by a group of mostly seated men. The sentencing was backed by the government in Ghor province, where the trial took place.

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LONDON: It was a fairly warm, sunny day Sunday 6th September 2015 in Gunnersbury Park, and it was time for the annual Zee London Mela again, with Asian Voice as the print media partner. Now firmly established on the UK calendar, local residents get used to road blocks to stop unnecessary parking and an influx of groups of people all heading in one direction on foot and by car. Not swarming; more jumping, hopping, skipping, running, or just plain walking with purpose.

There was definitely a relaxed atmosphere this year, and everything seemed highly organised. To the left as you looked at the main entrance was a line of fairground attractions; swirling wheels and rides designed to give a thrill.

But the items were nicely spaced out; there was loads of room to move and breathe, unlike some fairs.

There were stall galore; food, clothes, books, Asian media outlets, Sky selling its products, and a mesmerising mini massage area, with at least two masseurs toiling hard on pressure points for clients covered up for privacy and looking totally relaxed.

The biggest crowds were around the sound stages; the Asian Network just near the entrance and the larger, main stage, in the other corner of the arena.

The Dhol players and Raghav were two high points of the many headline performance acts.

In amongst the big tick-

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St John's Ambulance personnel on duty

Carom Board players Heetal and R to L Selima, Safdar and Mahvish Ahmed Rajesh There was a slight percepwere smiley. They said et numbers happening tion among one or two that they were enjoying the day around the stages there numbers were affected, but and were “Very happy.” were groups of people hapthis has yet to be verified Carla and Nigel, a coupily lolling on the grass or and may not be the case. ple who attend every year, strolling around.

The Artistic Director Ajay tried to scratch their memoCarom Board area was fun; Chhabra said, “We had ries about previous dates as several tables set out in a three choices; no event, or a they beamed at everyone. line attracted players who much smaller one, or to “It was more like an seemed absorbed by their charge. The enthusiasm for Indian summer with games.

Mela resulted in opting to warmer evenings- we seem Most of those on the continue.” to recall it started off in ground were enjoying food; From the energy and August, though it is still a containers of different rapt attention of the crowds lovely day today” they said, colours and cuisines were in on the ground, it certainly making an observation almost every hand. seemed that Zee Asian Mela while clearly enjoying themThe Hare Krishna group 2015 was as big a hit as ever, selves. They keep returning was playing their familiar with the spectacular firebecause they love the event, hand cymbals with a dancer works display visible and they said. and singer in their tent. audible for miles.

The organizers have had One young bubbly And a proud momenttheir funding cut somewhat Indian group was excited as Artistic Director Ajay so to make up the shortfall and spontaneously Chhabra said that while decided to charge for entry exclaimed the day was waiting for his first audition this year, Louise, head of “Amazing!” while declaring for my children’s theatre Press and PR, said. One it would be back next year company as a young actor, hopeful Bangladeshi for more. Anjli in the group he had sat in Gunnersbury attendee from the local was ecstatic at getting herPark nearby rehearsing his Jubraj restaurant said that self a selfie with her singerlines…and so the seeds of some flying in for the event pop idol, Arjun.

Asian Mela were sewn. Very from Europe may not have The necessary police well done Ajay and team! been aware of the charge. pairs keeping law and order

Pak army chief warns India against imposing war ISLAMABAD: In response to a statement made by Indian army chief General Dalbir Singh who said the Indian army was prepared for “swift, short nature of future wars”, Pakistan army chief General Raheel Sharif has warned India of “unbearable damage” if India tried to impose a war.

“Let me reiterate that our armed forces stand fully capable to defeat all

sorts of external aggression. If the enemy ever resorts to any misadventure, regardless of its size and scale – short or long – it will have to pay an unbearable cost,” he said in his address at a special event organised by army at its headquarters in Rawalpindi.

“Armed forces of Pakistan are fully capable of dealing with all types of internal and external threats, may it be

conventional or sub-conventional; whether it is cold start or hot start. We are ready.”

Promising to dismantle the entire networks of militants in the country, he said, “I reiterate the resolve that we shall not relent until all terrorists, their financiers, abettors, facilitators and sympathisers are brought to justice.”

He also assured Afghanistan of support in

creating peace and said that Pakistan made “concerted and sincere efforts for bringing peace in Afghanistan but certain inimical forces are bent upon undermining our efforts.”

Terming Kashmir as "unfinished agenda of partition", he said that it should be resolved according to UN resolution which calls for plebiscite to decide its future.

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EU draws quota to take asylum seekers

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Germany will take in more than 40,000 and France 30,000 of the total 160,000 asylum seekers BRUSSELS: The latest in what is the world's severemost migration crisis, the EU executive has drawn a new set of national quotas under which Germany will take in more than 40,000 and France 30,000 of the total 160,000 asylum seekers, it feels should relocate from Italy, Greece and Hungary. Countries that do not want to take part would be allowed to make financial contributions to temporarily buy their way out of the obligation.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is yet to unveil new proposals. EU officials said he would propose adding 120,000 people to be relocated on top of a group of 40,000 the Commission previously proposed relocating. The initial proposal to relocate refugees arriving in Italy and Greece would also be expanded to include refugees arriving in Hungary. This would be the EU's biggest move until now, as a whole to tackle the crisis which has seen hundreds of thousands of

refugees and economic migrant arrive on its southern shores and eastern borders. The redistribution program would be small as compared to the 800,000 asylum seekers Germany itself plans to receive this year. And Germany would still take a quarter of those redistributed.

However, Berlin says convincing its EU partners to do their share is a crucial part of maintaining European solidarity in the face of the continent's biggest migration

crisis since the Balkan wars of the 1990s. While Berlin and Paris have supported the scheme to oblige states to take in people to process their claims for refugee status, poorer eastern countries clearly opposed such schemes.

The asylum seekers would be distributed under a formula that will look at each EU country's size, economic strength and past history of taking in migrants. Britain, which has so far kept its doors compar-

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WORLD

In Brief

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

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Angry Jolie quit Diana charity

LONDON: According to reports, Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie has resigned from a charity made famous by Diana, Princess of Wales, in a dispute over trustees paying themselves up to £500 a day. Two trustees received more than £120,000 in the previous financial year at the Halo Trust, the charity that came to prominence when the late princess visited an Angolan minefield in 1997. This included tens of thousands of pounds for a review of the charity’s “structural, remuneration and governance arrangements”.

Kerry tells Putin to back off

WASHINGTON: The United States has formally warned Russia against military activity in Syria, saying it could lead to confrontation with the American-led coalition against Isis. Secretary of State John Kerry called Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and expressed concerns about “an imminent enhanced Russian military build up.” American officials had seen signs of preparations for a mass deployment of Russian military advisers and assets, including sending an advance Russian military team, prefabricated housing units for service personnel and a portable air traffic control station. As the refugee crisis worsens across Europe, more European countries are in plans of operations against Syria.

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atively tightly closed, has an exemption from European asylum policy and therefore would not be required to take any refugees, as do smaller Ireland and Denmark. The quota formula, or 'distribution key', is based 40-per cent on receiving countries' national income, 40 per cent on population, 10 per cent on the unemployment rate and 10 per cent on how many refugees each country was already accommodating before this year's crisis.

Bangladesh court rejects petition on state religion

DHAKA: Bangladesh High Court has rejected a petition questioning the declaration of Islam as the state religion in the constitution as legal. Justice Emdadul Haque and Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar scrapped the petition, said Deputy Attorney General Khorshedul Alam.

Supreme Court lawyer Samendra Nath Goswami, the petitioner, questioned the legality of declaring Islam the state religion through the 1988 constitutional amendment. He also asked for justification of retaining the clause after the 15th amendment restored secularism as a key pillar of the constitution. Goswami urged for a ruling from the court asking to be shown reasons for not declaring the clause as conflicting with the constitution. The law secretary was made the respondent.

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INDIA

Andhra to have State Disaster Response Force Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has given the green signal for a State Disaster Response Force to reinforce the state's disaster management systems. The force would start off with a group of 100 personnel who would be trained to handle disasters and would be brought in from various forces in the state.

At a review meeting, the CM asked officials to create an inventory of equipment that can be used by the government during disasters. “During Cyclone Hudhud, it was extremely difficult to mobilise equipment. We

help us mobilise resources need to avoid such situaquickly but also help us tions and have an inventorespond immediately to ry of equipment to respond local disasto disasters immediately,” ters.” he added.

During “Within 24 hours of any the meetmajor disaster, we should ing, the be able to begin restoration C h i e f and relief works. This can Minister happen only if the inventoa l s o ry of equipment is in place.” He further said, “We can train D W C R A (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas) groups on handling equipment.

This will Chandrababu Naidu not only

gave his nod to strengthen the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). “The SDMA of Andhra Pradesh should be the best in the country,” he said, adding Gujarat and Odisha currently have good disaster management systems.

“Disasters should not only include natural disasters but also any accidents which need preparedness and immediate help. Be it a chemical accident at a factory or accident at an industry or just a fire, we should be prepared to handle everything by ensuring zero human loss,” he summed up.

Child marriages remain Special status: YSR chief Kerala’s secret shame threatens indefinite fast M A L A P P U R A M (KERALA): Data from the last census of 2011, released by the Registrar General of India, show that over 23,183 married girls were below the age of 15 years in Kerala.

To put it in another way, 0.604 per cent of all girls in Kerala were married prematurely and illegally. To top it, it was shown that as many as 10,175 children were born to these child brides.

Malappuram recorded the highest number of married minors with 3,615. Child marriages still prove a major challenge to Child Marriage Prohibition Officers. The approval to these illegal marriages from local political and religious leaders remain a hurdle for these CMPOs. “We find it really diffi-

cult since family members, neighbours, local politicians and even the local community leaders refuse to cooperate, in most cases. In some instances, some CMPOs have even been made scapegoats for stepping in. In most cases it is tough to gather evidence strong enough to stand in court – so convictions, naturally, are very rare,” one of the 29 CMPOs working in Malappuram district said.

CMPOs in Malappuram could thwart only three child marriages in 2011, prevent as many as 37 in 2012, and 63 in 2013. The number of aborted child marriages touched 100 in 2014. “As of end-August this year, we have stopped 49 child marriages,” a CMPO official said.

HYDERABAD: YSR Congress president YS Jaganmohan Reddy has announced an indefinite fast from September 15, in demand of the promise of a special category status made to Andhra Pradesh during bifurcation.

“It has been 15 months since Chandrababu Naidu came to power (in AP). The promise of special status was given by the then Prime Minister and also opposition in Rajya Sabha.

It appears that it has gone into thin air. There is no answer when we asked when it would be implemented,” he said.

Jagan said he would take up the fast to mount pressure on the TDP government, warning them to act before the 15th. He has also asked them to withdraw their minister from

YS Jaganmohan Reddy the NDA government for “failing” to procure special status.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had promised special status during the bifurcation last year. The YSR Congress and other opposition parties in AP have been attacking the ruling TDPBJP combine for not honouring the promise even 15 months after coming to power. The issue gained momentum with some persons allegedly committing suicides in support for the cause of the special status for AP.

Modi inaugurates Delhi- Haryana to recruit 1,000 women constables Faridabad metro line

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged-off the Delhi-Faridabad Metro Line that would allow hassle free travel for around 200,000 daily commuters between the national capital and the industrial hub in Haryana.

The extension of the Delhi Metro connects Badarpur to Escorts Mujesar in Faridabad. The total cost of the project from Badarpur to Escorts Mujesar is nearly £250

million. Out of this, £155.7 million was borne by the Haryana government, the Centre contributed £53.7 million, while the Delhi Metro provided £40 million. The nine stations in this section include, Sarai, NHPC Chowk, Mewala Maharajpur, Sector 28, Badkal Mor, Old Faridabad, Neelam Chowk Ajronda, Bata Chowk and Escorts Mujesar. All these are elevated and located on either side of the DelhiMathura Road (NH-2).

CHANDIGARH: Haryana police department will soon be filled with 7,200 constables, including 1,000 women police. DGP Y P Singhal said a proposal to fill up 200 posts of women sub-inspectors have also been sent for approval to the state government.

Presently, women constitute six per cent of the total sanctioned strength of the police department and efforts were being made to increase it to 10 per cent, he told reporters.

There has been a decline in the number of crimes against women registered in the state during the last seven months as compared to corresponding period in 2014. He said that a total of 5,433 cases were registered during this period last year

whereas the figure has come down to 5,379 in 2015.

“The State Government is making efforts to encourage women to report crimes against them. Gender sensitization training was being given to police personnel and 2,306 police officers and employees had been provided this training in last three years,” he said.

He said at present 35 women PCRs have been deployed in the State and more would be added, if needed. The DGP also said that 126 vehicles were purchased for 21 women police stations, which will start functioning in 21 districts of Haryana from August 29, at a cost of £410,000. These vehicles would have female drivers, he added.

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Lightning kills 19 on a single day in Andhra

GUNTUR: In a freak case, 19 people were killed when lightning struck them on Sunday in Andhra Pradesh.

The women's cricket teams of Andhra Pradesh and Tripura had a narrow escape in Guntur where a fire-bolt struck a tree next to the ground they were having a practice match. This is the first time in the state's recent history that so many people have been killed by lightning on a single day. Nellore district bore the brunt of nature's fury with six deaths, followed by Prakasam and Krishna with four each. Three deaths were reported from Guntur and two from East Godavari as the southwest monsoon, which had been playing truant so far, turned vigorous because of low pressure, bringing heavy rains.

35 injured as three coaches of train derail in Tamil Nadu

MADURAI (TAMIL NADU): At least 35 passengers were injured when three coaches of Chennai Mangalore Express train derailed a few kilometres from Vriddhachalam, in Tamil Nadu. Railway officials and fire and rescue services personnel rushed to the spot and rescue operations were carried out. The injured were admitted to Government Hospital at Vriddhachalam.

Following accident, all Chennai-bound trains from south Tamil Nadu have been diverted to run via Thanjavur and Kumbakonam.

Telangana CM leaves for 10-day China visit

HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday left for a 10-day visit to China to attract investment and also to address a meeting of the World Economic Forum. The chief minister, some cabinet colleagues, presiding officers of state legislature, his political aides and senior officials left from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The delegation includes industry minister Jupally Krishna Rao, energy minister Jagdish Reddy, assembly speaker Madhusudhana Chary, council chairman Swamy Goud, Rajya Sabha member K Keshava Rao, legislators K Eshwar and G Balaraju, state's representative in Delhi Venugopala Chary, chief minister's political secretary S Subhash Reddy, senior officials in CMO and industrialists.

AAP blames Punjab ruling alliance for drug menace

CHANDIGARH: Punjab has become a drug haven due to the connivance of corrupt SAD-BJP ruling coalition, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Col C M Lakhanpal (retd) said. Earlier, Shiromani Akali Dal leaders were for being blamed for the drug mafia but the recent arrests have "proved" that BJP leaders were equally part of this menace, Lakhanpal said. Punjab's youth is getting destroyed due to the "highly criminal and nefarious activities of these so called leaders", he alleged. "It is the greatest misfortune of the state that those who were supposed to be caretakers have become the devils themselves who are devouring an entire generation of Punjabis for their insatiable greed," he said.

Man arrested for repeatedly raping step daughter

REWARI (HARYANA): A man has been arrested on charges of repeated rape of his 15 year old step daughter.

A case was registered against Pooran Mal Yadav under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, criminal intimidation and causing hurt. The minor's mother has alleged that when she opposed her husband from raping her daughter, he threatened her with dire consequences, and continued with the crime for several months. He was later produced in a local court and remanded in judicial custody.

The victim was medically examined in the local civil hospital.

Akali student wing to contest in Delhi University poll

LUDHIANA: After winning the Punjab University elections, Student Organisation of India (SOI), the student wing of Shiromani Akali Dal, is planning to contest the Delhi university elections. The team from the student wing will be visiting New Delhi in this connection. The Malwa zone team, led by Meetpal Singh Dugri met cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia at Chandigarh and discussed with him the strategy for DU elections. Dugri said that it was for the first time the SOI was contesting student elections at Delhi University.

INDIA

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Convener of the Patidar agitation, Hardik Patel, in a surprising move, announced a two-pronged strategy for the second phase of their demonstration. The members of the community were arranged to carry out a 'reverse Dandi march', i.e., from Dandi to Gandhi Ashram. They were also to visit the residence of every elected Patel leader and present them with a flower.

However, plans for the Dandi Yatra were dampened after the Gujarat government denied them permission. Hardik Patel in what now seems like a familiar pattern, has warned that he would go ahead with the protest programme if the government doesn't grant permission soon. “We have decided to postpone our Dandi Yatra from its scheduled date of September 6 to September 13 as the scared government did not give us permission to hold it on Sunday. But we see this as their defeat and our triumph.”

He said they would hold the march on September 13 even if they are denied permission. Navsari District Collector Remya Mohan Muthadath earlier, denied

Govt accepts veterans' one rank one pension demand Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

Patidars postpone DandiAhmedabad march

25

The ex-servicemen end fast-unto-death after assurance by Prime Minister Modi

Hardik Patel permission to hold the march and also deployed security personnel and paramilitary forces to deal with the situation. “As of now, we have followed all the laws, but if they will again deny permission to us, we will not follow the laws. The Dandi yatra will take place on September 13 whether or not they give us permission,” Hardik said.

“If violence takes place, or if law and order will be breached, then the state government and the police will be responsible for that,” he said. Hardik alleged that the state government wants to divide communities in Gujarat. “The government has been making attempts to divide the communities.

They want to instigate clash among communities. We do

not want to create any conflict with other communities. It is the state government's wish. We want peace, but it is the government who wants to create a chaotic situation in the society.”

Hardik pointed out that the agitation is only to seek reservation for the Patels and they are not against any other community. His close aide, Chirag Patel said state authorities have imposed Section 144 of CrPC to restrain the huge influx of Patels, as they feel intimidated by the solidarity of Patel. “They have denied us permission. Now we are determined to take out the march on September 13. If they give us permission or not, we will hold the march on that day,” Chirag said.

The Indian government finally accepted the long pending demand for 'One Rank One Pension', only to be rejected by the ex-servicemen, who have resolved to continue the fast-untodeath along with their 84day long stir. But they relented and ended the fastunto-death after Prime minister Narendra Modi assured them that those who opt for premature retirement will receive OROP benefits. “The bulk of the £1 billion of OROP will be for the jawans and soldiers who have served 15 years for this country. Don't be misled. There is no pay commission that has been set up. It is only a judicial commission to address any shortcomings, to see if any small changes are needed,” he said and urged ex-servicemen to allow a committee proposed along with the OROP award to resolve pending issues. “If there are some shortcomings, allow the committee to examine the issues,” he said.

Shortly after Modi's assurance, ex-servicemen called off their hunger

strike. “We've ended our fast-unto-death, but if govt does not fulfil its promise we are going to come back like a hurricane,” Major General (retd) Satbir Singh said. Colonel Pushpendra, Havildar Major Singh and Havildar Ashok Singh called off their hunger strike and were offered food.

“We are happy with the hunger strike been called off,” Colonel (retd) Pushpendra Singh said.

However, they decided to continue their protest till all the "sticky" issues are resolved. The ex-servicemen said revision of pension after a gap of five years as announced by the government is not at all acceptable to them, besides appointment of a one-man judicial

commission to examine various aspects of one rank-one pension (OROP).

Earlier, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said that the government would implement the OROP, under which pensions would be revised every five years as opposed to two years, demanded by the veterans. The base year would be 2013, and it would be implemented from July 2013, the minister said, making it apparent that those who have taken voluntary retirement won't be eligible for the scheme. He also said that the government would set up a onemember judicial committee to work out the details of the scheme which would file a report in 6 months.

VFS Centres are ready for OCI, Visa and Passport surrender and various services

10 years back, people had to go through lengthy procedures and a lot of trouble to apply for an OCI, surrendering their passport or getting visa. But the initiation of VFS Global in Britain put an end to all the inconveniences. With their airconditioned/ central heated centres, all applicants can take an appointment as per their convenient date and time for all services i.e OCI, PIO to OCI, visa, passport surrender, new passport, etc. All application centres (14) are centrally located and are available in 12 cities across UK, easily accessible by public transport.VFS Global's trained and experienced staff are always supportive and available to assist applicants in need. With the organisation's impeccable assistance, it sure seems 'achche din' are here.

To know more about the services offered

by VFS Global in the UK at these application centres, 'Gujarat Samachar' and 'Asian Voice' correspondents personally visited their London-based centre at Goswell Road and spoken to the applicants and visitors about their experience. VFS Global UK's General Manager - Operations Mr. Sandeep Rana said, “We are committed to serve all applicants/visitors with a smile and we ensure that they don't feel any inconvenience at our centres. The trained team members at all offices are eager to help applicants with a query. We work best to our abilities to minimise their troubles. As technology evolved, the Indian High Commission and VFS have had to make changes to enhance the processes for the convenience of the applicants/visitors, including making 'regis-

Goswell Road Centre

tration online forapplication' forms . Those not familiar with using a computer can seek assistance of their family members i.e children or relatives. Online Application form is easy to fill and in special cases, those who are struggling with that, can take a prior appointment for our applicationcentres for assistance/guidance with the application forms.

“To save applicant’s time, we have introduced and advanced appointment system, which provides flexibility of date selection along with time for taking an appointments.

So they can arrange for an appointment at their convenient time, at the centre they prefer.

These appointments are flexible and can be changed later if so wished. Appointments for visa applications are mostly allotted the very next day. The practice of taking appointments works in everybody's benefit and makes it easy for those who value their time.”

He further said, “Applicants can also visit directly for emergency visa and business visa, from 8:30 to 11:30 am. Those who haven't taken an appointment are also attended to at

Paddington Centre

the application centres, if there is time after all the prior appointment of applicants are attended to. If a person has brought all the required documents and papers, his/her work is done in no more than half an hour. Goswell Road, London centre has 18 application submission counters for various services, drinking water facility, toilets for the disabled, photo booth, photocopier and seating arrangements for 82 people. Most of the staff members are multilingual and are fluent in Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi and English, along with other Indian languages. All the applications are checked at the entrance and applicants are advised about various services i.e Photo booth, Photocopier, printing facility available in the office, if required.

Applicants available in the application centre was approached by correspondents 'Gujarat Samachar' and 'Asian Voice' at the application centre in London all of them were appreciative. A visually happy Britain-based Anna, who was accompanied by her young daughter in the pram said, “I had come to

apply for an OCI on my passport and can happily vouch for a delightful experience.

My work was done in no more than 5 minutes, and because I had my kid daughter with me, I was called in immediately.”

A Dr. Niranjan Patel from Wallington, Surrey said, “I came here to get my wife's OCI stickers transferred to her new passport and get myself a new booklet. Initially there was no appointment system. But granted, it indeed is convenient. The Indian website for OCI is slow and intricate, but here, all the VFS services are inexplicably better.”

Hasmukh Raichura said, “I was here today to transfer my PIO card to OCI, and had a good experience. My work was done in just 23 minutes. I had taken an appointment and had to wait for just 5 minutes. The staff here is friendly. We have to pay a service and postal charge, etc. but in exchange, our work was completed without any hassle.”

London-based Ajit Singh said, “The staff here is very helpful and what I came here for was done in mere 5 minutes. They have very nicely explained what to do on my next visit.”

Madhusudan Patel who had come to apply for his daughter's OCI said, “My appointment was for 12 in the noon, but I was called in early. The services you get here are really superior. The staff is polite and helpful.

These people take a service charge, but in return they take care of you very which is why the extra cost does not bother me.”

INDIA - WORLD

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Conning has become a talent There are no shortage of conmen in the current day and age who blatantly lie and fool gullible or vulnerable people into giving them access to their finances.

Money-laundering as well seems to have emerged as a common crime within Britain, where people try to dodge the law by doing illicit transactions underneath the garb of an honourable profession.

Take the story of father and son duo as an example who were alleged to have laundered over £1 million for a drug baron through their family currency exchange, Euro 1 Currency shop, in Paddington.

71-year-old Syed Abidi, and his 38-year-old son, Jamshed Abidi, are said to have used a “smokescreen of ghost or fictitious customers” at their currency exchange to launder “huge amounts of cash”.

Investigators had planted secret surveillance cameras and bugs which led to the duo to be caught.

Footage from the surveillance camera allegedly showed the cocaine baron, Florian Koxha (39), who is said to be part of an Albanian gang, had converted cash to smuggle

abroad between June 2011 and May 2012.

Koxho is said to have imported a minimum of 100kg of cocaine into Britain. He had smeared the drug packets with Vicks VapoRub to fool sniffer dogs.

Jamshed Abidi was jailed for seven years while his father received 30 months at Southwark Crown Court. Koxho was given 10 years imprisonment.

Another example of fraudulent treatment towards naïve people is when a conman pretended to be a trainee airline pilot on a dating site and lied to extract funds from women.

It is claimed that he would used to lie about his father or sister being severely unwell and needing money for treatment.

Ammar Haider (28), is said to have duped three women into giving him £120,000. He was jailed at

Birmingham Crown Court for three counts of fraud.

At court, Det Con Debra Phillips said, “Haider is a serial liar.”

You will get to meet several people from all walks of life who would make it a point to scam and cheat people. While some appear as blatant criminals, others may be hidden under a mask of nobleness.

There are several religious or spiritual healers who have also come under a lot of scrutiny. There have been many spiritual healers who have extorted huge amounts of money from victims who naively believed every word these “spiritual representatives” uttered. It is for this precise reason that Asian Voice/Gujarat Samachar does not accept adverts of spiritual healers, nor promote bogus organisations.

No doubt, like in many sectors, fields, religion and countries, you will find good and bad people. But there have been too many negativity and many examples which has left the victims distressed and defenceless. Therefore, we do not promote, advertise nor associate ourselves with spiritual healers black magic purveyors or such frauds.

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Refugee crisis: Is this government losing its humanity?

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Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

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Britain has finally taken action on the Syrian crisis by allowing 20,000 migrants into the country but as usual it comes with a catch. The Conservative government announced that this target will not only be met over the span of 5 years but will be accepted directly the Middle East and not from those who have travelled to Europe.

This reflects the government's subtle hostility towards immigrants and bring us face to face with our past. A similar tension was faced by the Asians who migrated to UK from Uganda on Idi Amin's expulsion. But over the years, one cannot deny the contribution they have made to the country and to the British society. There are even quite a few with rags to riches stories.

However, these new plans seems counterproductive. They do not tackle the urgent problem at hand and many from the Opposition have expressed that the these plans are not enough. 20,000 may sound like a large number but in comparison to other

European countries this is a small amount. France agreed to taking 24,000 refugees over the next two years and Germany accepted 18,000 people over this weekend alone.

A petition calling on the UK to accept more asylum seekers and refugees has secured more than 300,000 signatures are therefore eligible to be considered by MPs. This whole movement was sparked by the picture of a drowned three-year-old Syrian boy lying on a Turkish beach.

Ministers say that the UK has spent more than £900m on humanitarian aid to help with the Syrian crisis. But that does not excuse the Government to lose touch with its famous

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British compassion and humane nature.

We are actually famous for being inclusive and our tolerance.

The age old misconception and fear mongering by the government and main stream media that the migrants are only here to rake in the benefits are unprecedented.

Refugees are forced to leave their country, their home, seeking refuge because they are left with no other choice. They do not leave his country only to seek economic benefits abroad. They are also forced to leave their home country as they have suffered (or feared) persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, or political opinion; also because they are a member of a persecuted social category of persons, or because they are fleeing a war. They do not want to settle in a foreign country willingly.

One must remember no one puts their children in a boat, unless the water is safer than the land.

£1.3m claimed by Peers who’ve failed to speak in the past year The Electoral Reform Society has released a research showing that Peers who have failed to speak in the past year in the House of Lords have claimed nearly £1.3m in allowances and expenses.

As Parliament returns from summer recess, the Society has revealed that 30 Peers also failed to speak during the whole of the last Parliament – yet claimed over three quarters of a million pounds – while £830,418 has been claimed by those who’ve failed to speak since the start of the 2014 Parliamentary session.

The research follows David Cameron’s announcement of dozens of new Peers at the end of August, and a new report from the Electoral Reform Society showing the amount claimed by Peers who fail to vote in the Lords.

Key Findings include: • £1,262,670 has been claimed by Peers who have failed to speak in the past year • £772,719 was claimed in expenses and allowances by the 30 Peers who failed to speak during the whole of the last Parliament • 116 Peers in total have

failed to speak once since the start of the 2014 Parliamentary session • £830,418 has been claimed by those who’ve failed to speak since the start of the 2014 Parliamentary session • 55 Peers who failed to speak in the last session voted fewer than five times, claiming £92,075 • Eight Peers who failed both to speak and vote in the last Parliamentary session (2014-2015) claimed £29,812 Katie Ghose, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said: “These figures show that the House of Lords is well and truly bust. That Peers who failed to speak in the chamber during the whole of the last Parliamentary session claimed three quarters of a million pounds in expenses and allowances is a damning indictment on the ‘upper’ chamber.

“Almost £100,000 of that was claimed by Peers who voted fewer than five times, while just eight Peers claimed £30,000 - despite not voting or speaking at all in the last session. This is a national scandal, and the sooner we sort out this mess the better.

“The case is now

stronger than ever for serious reform of Britain’s unelected upper chamber a chamber that is spiralling out of control, both in terms of size and cost.

Rather than spending over a million pounds on Peers who fail to even speak up in Parliament, we need a fairly-elected upper House.

“The fact that Peers can claim thousands without even speaking or voting in the House highlights the reality that there is no accountability for Peers – the public can’t kick them out if they fail to serve the interests of citizens.

“We urgently need to fix this broken House before the situation gets any worse.

“David Cameron announced 45 new Peers at the end of August, swelling our already bloated upper chamber to over 800 members – an absolutely outrageous situation which will do nothing for people's faith in politics.

“The Prime Minister says he regrets not reforming the chamber in the last Parliament. Given these new findings, now is the time to act on that and get on with the vital work of ensuring we have a democratic upper House, where the public finally get a say.”

OATMEAL breakfast is best for dieters FOOD

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FITNESS

ating oatmeal for breakfast can make you feel fuller, with lower hunger ratings and fewer calories at lunch.

Scientists at Mount Sinai St. Luke's Hospital randomly assigned 36 (18 normal weight and 18 overweight) subjects to

each receive 3 different breakfasts. The breakfasts consisted of 350 calories of similar amounts of carbohydrates, fat and liquid from either quick-cook oatmeal or sugared corn flakes.

A third control breakfast was only 1.5 cups of

AsianVoiceNews

HEALTH&WELLNESS

AsianVoiceNewsweekly | Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

results, despite eating the same number of calories at breakfast, satiety values were significantly greater after consuming oatmeal compared to sugared corn flakes. After three hours, subjects reported the same level of hunger after having a corn flakes breakfast as they did when they consumed only water.

Interestingly, the results were more pronounced for the participants who were overweight, suggesting that overweight individuals may be more responsive to the satiety effects of the dietary fibre in oatmeal.

The results showed statistically significant higher ratings of fullness, lower ratings of hunger, and 31 per cent fewer calories consumed at lunch after consuming oatmeal compared to sugared corn flakes or water. The overall satiety effect was greater among overweight subjects, who consumed 50 per cent fewer calories at lunch after eating oatmeal.

“RESERVATION”: A CATCH 22

Continued from page 8 If you so frequently quote Sardar Patel's name or claim to be of the same community, please remember one more thing.

Sardar Patel could have been the best prime minister India did not have. He did not choose to sulk or to walk away. He performed so brilliantly in leaving behind him a permanent legacy of one India, United India.

That was achieved through his power of perseverance and patience, most importantly, politics with principles.

Dear reader, I took liberty to send previous two weeks as I see it column to the leaders of PAAS in Gujarat, with a covering letter in Gujarati.

Informed all of them about the public meeting on Sunday 13th September (details as followed) in London. I've invited five persons from PAAS and offered them hospitality in London for three days.

My message to India has been of some help, if I may say so. While Patels in England, especially London, assemble on Sunday at the Patidar House, 22 London Road, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 7EX, a larger group of Patels and others, a few hundred of them are going to meet at a Chintan Shibir (a think tank) meeting, at Umiya Campus in Ahmedabad to look ahead for a more peaceful and all inclusive approach to this thorny problem.

I'm also grateful to all those who wrote to me (some 29 persons) in the last ten days, giving me their views and advice on this subject. To those three persons who do not agree with me and who are "in a fighting mode", I would say thank you, but I cannot agree with you. As I said in the previous two weeks, dialogue is the only way ahead. To others, I really appreciate that broadly speaking, though they (like me) feel that the present quota reservation regime is wrong, violence is not the way ahead.

All those who could come are heartily invited to the premises of the Patidar House, who have provided the venue (the auditorium capacity of 240). I request all those who are con-

cerned about this subject, irrespective of caste, please come and let us deliberate calmly and constructively.

My friends in India are aware of our meeting here in London and they already know that we will convey them our message at the earliest. Patel is a global diaspora and we here in Great Britain, have some role and responsibility for out kith and kin, in Gujarat and India.

I have conveyed to our friends, Hardik Patel and Lalji Patel and others, in a long piece in Gujarati that please cool off. We are with you as long as you are peaceful, non violent and not involved in any activity which could dislodge us from the path of Prosperity, Peace and Harmony in India.

Let me end up with excerpts from a communication I received from one of my readers on 6th September. All such communications are quoted without their names.

PATIDAR UNREST IN GUJARAT Irving Kristol’s words published as a quote for the month of September 2015 (AV/GS calendar) ‘Democracy does not guarantee equality of conditions – it only guarantees equality of opportunity’ These words have relevance to what is happening in Gujarat.

The reservation/quota system in India is a positive discrimination policy. Positive discrimination attempts to create ‘equality of conditions’ and does not work because it defines a person’s identity and achievements from the perspective of a perceived weakness. It is detrimental to the very person it is supposed to help. Every single achievement is attributed to the fact that this person was given a special advantage because of a perceived weakness regardless of their natural ability and talent. Every single failure is attributed to a perceived weakness and hence excused. This only serves to stifle personal aspiration and creates a self-perpetuating trap.

The trigger for the boiling frustration of young people leading to the

Stay away from snacks after work, go for a healthy meal

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LIFESTYLE

water.

To evaluate appetite, ratings of hunger and fullness were obtained at frequent intervals before and after the breakfast until a lunch test meal 3 hours later.

Lead researcher Allan Geliebter, PhD, explained that according to their

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formation of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samity (PAAS) is that India the world’s largest democracy does not come anywhere near, never mind guarantee, ‘equality of opportunity’ and tap into the talents of this aspiring generation.

The aspiring generation of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samity (PAAS) need to be clear about what their goals are and exactly what they are asking for from the government. By demanding reservation status they have severely limited their chances of achieving a solution that will meet their aspirations; that is equality in opportunity in education and employment.

The government for their part should welcome the aspirations of this generation with open arms because it is their talent that will take India towards becoming a fully fledged democracy. Instead of wasting time effort and energy on telling these young people that their demands cannot be met because of legal and constitutional reasons, it is time to develop fresh initiatives to ensure ‘equality of opportunity’ in education and employment for everyone regardless of their birth, background, socio-economic status or whatever other category it is possible to invent. For any fresh initiatives to succeed, it would be essential to ensure that there are inbuilt systems for vigilance so that corruption does not take hold.

If the government succeeds in developing a system that ensures ‘equality of opportunity’ in education and employment for all its citizens regardless of background (or any other category) then the reservation/quota system will die a natural death as people will begin to see the advantages of being defined by one’s natural talents rather than any bureaucratic classification.

- CB Email Smita: Info@patidars.org or Kamal Rao: kamalrao@abplgroup.com for more information about the meeting on Sunday 13th September.

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vening is the time when hunger strikes the hardest and self control is at its weakest.

Whether it is physiological or psychological is hard to distinguish.

Eating inappropriate snacks in the evening and pushing dinner late into the night compounds the dietary mess. Not only does it increase the caloric intake, it also loads the system at the wrong time.

It is no wonder that almost every other urban Indian complains of hyper-acidity, gastritis, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, sleeping disturbances and expanding waistlines.

Unchecked, this eventually results in dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, increased uric acid, diabetes and even cardio-vascular disease.

After work, most urban Indians snack with tea or drinks between 6 and 8 pm. According to diet recalls, people report peak hunger at this time, but consume unhealthy food and extra calories. This is largely due to easy availability of oily, starchy and processed snacks coupled with poor planning. So extreme is the need to eat, that many grab the first thing they can reach.

Typical snacks include

To Our Readers

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

fried namkeen, chips, biscuits, samosas, kachoris, pakoras, pizzas, noodles and sandwiches. Worse still, this may be followed by a round of alcoholic drinks and end with a hearty dinner close to midnight.

Research says, eating late into the night can disturb hormonal balance and lead to developing obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Circadian rhythms are regular mental and physical changes that occur in the course of a day and influence hormones including insulin and leptin, associated with diabetes and obesity respectively.

Disturbed circadian rhythms also adversely affect blood pressure, gastro-intestinal function, immunity, mental alertness and concentration.

According to recent studies, even the obesity gene exhibits day-night variation, increasing after a meal at night.

According to traditional Indian wisdom and ayurvedic principles, eating large meals after sunset is undesirable. Changing meal timing and eating the last meal 3-4 hours before going to bed helps improving energy levels and resolving several digestive complaints. When you dine out, eating a light home cooked meal or snack like vegetables, yoghurt, nuts, seeds, dal or salad before leaving for a party can prevent excessive hunger as you reach the party.

Decrease your food intake as you progress into night.

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Mahesh Babu’s ‘Srimanthudu’ collects £1.54 mn in 25 days AsianVoiceNews

After 'Baahubali', Anushka Shetty back on screen

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

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ans of Anushka Shetty are in for a treat this October, as her latest, 'Rudhramadevi' will release on the 9th of October. The story revolves around a 3rd century queen in the Kakatiya dynasty with the actress playing the protagonist. The movie features Rana Daggubatti, who was also seen in 'Baahubali', and Allu Arjun.

Arjun plays a character similar to Robin Hood and Daggubatti will be play something he hasn't done before. The movie is directed by Gunashekar and released worldwide by Reliance Entertainment and Abhishek Pictures. It will come out in five languages; Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.

After Jigarthanda, Simhaa plays a gangster once again

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ational A w a r d winner Bobby Simhaa, who has been signing on quite a number of movies, will now be seen playing a negative role in upcoming 'Metro'. The film directed by Anand Krishna, has newcomer Sirish in the lead and Sendrayan in a crucial role. Anand Krishna said, “I narrated the character to Bobby Simhaa earlier this year.

Even though he was signing up hero roles by then, he liked my story very much and agreed to play a character with negative shades. We shot with him this April and May and his character will be seen throughout the second half of the film.” He adds, “The film is about how gold plays a vital role in a country's economy and will shine a light on the entire ecosystem of the gold market, which involves a lot of dirty secrets. Simhaa plays Guna, a gangster who does business with the underworld, who finds innovative ways to commit crimes in the gold market. His punchline,'The world is a slave before a man who has money. Do you want to live as a slave or make others a slave?' defines his character, and we have used it in the film's trailer as well.”

'Hero'

Remake of the 1983 movie of the same name, 'Hero' is a romantic action movie where Sooraj meets Radha and they defy odds for their love. Aditya Pancholi's son Sooraj and Suniel Shetty's daughter Athiya make their debut in this film directed by N i k h i l Advani.

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ahe s h Babu's 'Srimant hudu' has grossed £1.54 million in 25 days worldwide. It had earned £1.01 million in its first week, making it the second highest grossing Telugu release this year, after 'Baahubali'.

Written and directed by Koratala Siva, the film stars Mahesh Babu and Shruti Haasan in the lead. “It’s a proud moment to associate with Mahesh Babu once again

and Mythri Movie Makers for this family entertainer that has taken audiences by storm and reports across regions continue to be extremely encouraging. The Telugu industry holds great opportunity for us and we look forward to leverage its attractive film content to strengthen our operations in south,” Eros International managing director Sunil Lulla said in a statement.

Actor Dileep gives free hand to 'Drishyam' director

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fter the major success of 'Drishyam', director Jeethu Joseph felt the weight of expectations on his next, 'Life of Josutty', until actor Dileep helped him focus.

The director said Dileep's “No frills” attitude made working on the movie better.

“He told me he was coming as a white paper and I was free to draw as I like,” recounted the filmmaker, adding the actor wasn't worried about how he was presented in the film. Dileep has been lately trying to break out of his stereotypical roles. Jeethu said “You can't really blame them for taking up such typecast roles on a con-

Alia Bhatt turns cover girl!

A

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

lia Bhatt is currently soaring high on success, as she enjoys a great phase in her career. With movies like 'Shandaar' and 'Udta Punjab' on her list, Alia recently kept the media buzzing with her dazzling bikini shot. The chirpy Bhatt girl shared a link of her Instagram picture on Twitter, where she can be seen in a glamorous avatar for a magazine cover. The vintage look has the actress in shimmering maroon dress and dark red wine lip colour.

sistent basis because they are often only offered those.”

He said the superstar didn't hesitate for a moment when he was offered 'Life of Josutty'.

Jeethu stresses that similar to 'Drishyam,' this movie will also be a serious one and will have a message, which the audience could easily relate to.

The director has urged people not to compare his upcoming to the success of 'Drishyam.'

“My focus was to make a good film and not something that would com-

pete with the box office collection of Drishyam.

If that happens, it's only secondary. Both films are different and even with the tag line of 'no suspense, no twist' I have implied that.”

Hrithik evades question on closeness to Kangana

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he recent topic media has got its nose in is 'Dhoom 2' star Hrithik Roshan's personal life.

Everybody is obsessed with the star's claims of singledom and has now linked him with 'Krrish 3' costar Kangana Ranaut. When asked how he was taking the news, he said, “Oh my God... What should I say about it?” He was also asked whom he wanted to dedicate the song to. To which he replied, “As of now, there is no one in my life to whom I can dedicate this song to.

We all are dedicating this song to his (T-Series head Bhushan Kumar's) father.”

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AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Blazing Bajirao to be launched on ErosNow

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he highly-anticipated historical epic by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Bajirao Mastani, will be releasing on 18th December 2015.

The film is set in the period of Mughal history, and showcases the Peshwas and Marathas in 16th century India. The magnum opus stars Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra.

For those who are eagerly anticipating the release of the film are in for a surprise. They will not have to wait too long as the animated series, Blazing Bajirao, will be launched in September on ErosNow. Bajirao Movie Blazing Bajirao is designed to help audiences familiarise themselves with the characters, their histories and histrionics.

Conceptualised by the in-house creative team at ErosNow, the series encapsulates the lives of the three main protagonists – Bajirao, his first wife Kashibai and his second wife Mastani.

Vaibhav Vishal, Chief Creative Officer at ErosNow, speaks about the inspiration behind Blazing Bajirao.

“The majority of our audiences know the more common heroes and love stories that have been the backdrop of India’s history, but there is a period in Mughal history that has never really been picked up on – that of the Peshwas and Marathas in the 16th Century. Bajirao was in fact an inspirational and uber-cool leader, remaining undefeated in all 41 battles that he led, and said to have fought for the establishment of the Hindu Empire.”

Gujarati girl Avni Modi hits bullseye with 'Calendar Girls'

Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

From local theatre in Ahmedabad to Kollywood to the Hindi film industry, Gujarat-based Avni Modi followed her passion for acting until she hit bullseye with Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Calendar Girls' scheduled for release on September 25. In an exclusive with Asian Voice, she shared her transition from theatre to the big screen.

So, how did this industry happen to you? Did you always want to be an actor?

Yes, I always wanted to be an actor, from childhood. I come from a middle class family in Gandhinagar, which is why I was initially scared to tell the society I wanted to be an actor. But then I joined a theatre group in college and that is when my life took a Uturn. That was when I discovered the actress in me. I also started getting offers from local media, modelling assignments, and roles in serials. So, I spoke with my parents, decided to go to Mumbai. In Mumbai, I started with theatre because I had no contacts. I was basically doing any work that was coming my way. I was into theatre and modelling, and was in touch with a modelling agency.

The agency said they were casting for a south Indian film and asked me to try for the role as they found my personality suitable. I told them I am from Gujarat and not familiar with their language or culture. Still, they called me for audition and I got selected. It was just a try and 'Strawberry' happened. I gradually came to learn things. I was so much appreciated as an actor, meanwhile I did short film that won international awards. I just knew I had to do a Bollywood movie and was always looking for the right film. I then met Madhurji (Madhur Bhandarkar) through a common friend, he really liked my pictures, said he didn't just want good faces but also a good performer and called me for audition. I did, two rounds of auditions after, Madhurji short-listed few girls, and that is how 'Calendar Girls' happened to me.

Madhur Bhandarkar is known for glamorising negativity.

Calendar Girls, he has said is 75 per cent real and 25 per cent fiction. Do you agree?

I will say almost 80 per cent of what is

shown in the movie is true, based on what I have seen and heard so far in the industry. I have faced a lot of incidents, good and bad.

It is like a part and parcel of the field. See, what I feel is it depends on individual choices. You have to build you career and you have to rule your life. As long as you do what you feel you should do and take it further, then you won't have any regrets. I wanted my life a certain way and I chose it. And I am very happy with what has happened. It is a mixture of your destiny, hard work and choices. Madhurji took references from reality, from the society and adapted it in the movie. He doesn't copy anything. He adds his vision, his filmmaking and drama. If you have noticed, all his movies have a social message. He weaves the story in such a way that at the end of the film, the audience come out with a good social message.

Your character is broadly based on Veena Mallik and she is known to make some really bold moves. Were you comfortable doing them yourself, for the movie?

No no. My character is not based on just one person or on anybody's life. My character is based on different Pakistani actresses and references have been taken from many people. And a fresh story is made from all the references for my character Nazneen Malik.

People are merely speculating my role is based on Veena. I had no apprehensions about my bold scenes. I was not worried about what the society would say. I believe I am only answerable to my parents and my brother. They are so advanced, open minded and cool about it and they accepted me as an actress.

The kind of movies that are made now a

days, they knew the same kind of films will be made of their daughter. If I want to be an actress today, I have to compete with all the actresses in the field. I have to be at that level. From the film point of view, when you have a director like Madhur Bhandarkar, you don't have to worry about such scenes because you know it will be aesthetically correct. If there is an intimate scene in the movie, it won't be just for the sake of it. The entire film is so full of emotions and expressions. So every intimate scene in the film is full of emotions. Whatever you will see, it is a girl and her life. I surrendered myself to Madhurji, as I trusted him completely.

There was no doubt or nervousness.

How did you get along with all the other actresses in the movie?

All of us are very good friends. We started bonding from Day 1, when we started our workshop. We are very much in love with each other. We talk non-stop all day long, we pull each others' legs and make fun of each other. But in case someone else tries that, we unite to defend each other. I am very much close to Ruhi Singh.

We help each other with make up, hair and costumes for promotions. The entire shooting for the movie went pretty smoothly.

-Mitul Paniker

Imran Khan all praise for 'Katti Batti' director, co-stars

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ctor Imran Khan who will next be seen in the upcoming romantic thriller 'Katti Batti' was all praise for co-star Kangana Ranaut and director Nikhil Advani.

In an exclusive interview with 'Asian Voice,' Imran said, “though Nikhil is considered as a tough taskmaster, he is actually the most collaborative director I have ever worked with. I think I will attribute that to his lack of fear. Many filmmakers and directors have a fear of other people's opinion. They will not show the film till they are completely ready. Nikhil, is the first person to throw the edit room open, call people in, show them the film and ask, what did you like? What did you not like? Did you get bored? Did you not understand something? And while other people have answers

like yeah, it will be okay, don't worry, Nikhil is the one who looks for solutions. If you tell him you have a problem, rather than saying your problem is invalid, he will set about finding a solution. I have been amazed at how open he is to listening to everybody's point of view.”

Speaking about his respect for ' Q u e e n ' Kangana, Khan said, “I really really enjoyed work-

ing with her. Kangana is someone who feels so deeply about the craft, about how she can improve her character, and her performance. This is the kind of people I enjoy working with.

This is the kind of people that I respect.”

Nikhil's high regard for Aamir Khan's points of view are no secret, answering how Uncle Khan contributed to the movie, Imran asserted, “Aamir actually watched the film. It is an emotional film. The second half particularly.

Aamir had a feedback. I think Nikhil and I tend to think in an urban tone, a lot of the dialogues are in English, and Aamir said it was a

broad based story. It is one which will appeal to everyone, but by keeping all of the dialogues in English you are cutting out a large section of your audience, because they will not understand. If they understood the dialogues, they would love the film. But you are closing the door for them. So, this actually resonated a lot with us and we went about dubbing a lot of English lines into Hindi.”

The cast was in Ahmedabad to shoot several scenes of the movie. As someone who has memories of eating Gujarati food, Imran said, “I had quite a blast. When I travel to any place, my first and foremost agenda is food. I have always been a fan of Gujarati food. My best friend is a Gujarati, so I have fond memories of eating at his house. I have grown up on Gujarati food, so I have a taste for it.”

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LONG LIVE HER MAJESTY

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Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

Continued from page 1 A senior aide expressed, “We are not aware of any private plans [to celebrate on 9th September], the Queen made it clear she wanted no fuss.”

There was, however, a time where the British empire faced a downfall. It is said that between 1945 and 1965, the number of colonial people ruled by the British monarch decreased from 700 million to five million, a significant decline which demonstrated the downturn of power.

Queen Elizabeth II became the sixth female monarch since the Norman conquest and although she has become the longest reigning monarch in Britain, ruling for 63 years

running strongly, she is not the longest reigning monarch globally. Sobhuza II of Swaziland had ruled for 82 years, while in Europe, Sun King Louis XIV reigned in France for a strong 72 years and three months.

Yet, it is a matter of pride for those living in the United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II's reign is arguably instrumental in creating a multiethnic society, where people from different cultures, countries and religions live in cohesion in one nation, being British first and then representing their cultures and religions.

Asian Voice wishes Her Majesty for her outstanding achievement and her selfless contribution to the country.

Coming Events

l Three Navyug Jain Pragati Mandal: Paryushan Maha Parva.

Thursday 10th September- Thursday 17th September. St. Matthias Church Hall, Rush Grove Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 8QY. Contact Vinod R. Shah: 020 8459 4953. l Mahavir Foundation: Paryushan 2015. Sunday 13th September, 4pm onwards. Kingsbury High School, Stag Lane, London NW9 9AA. Contact Vinod Kapashi: 020 8206 1659. l Ganesh Chaturthi. Thursday 17th September, 7:30pm. Ganesh Visarjan. Saturday 26th September, 9:30am onwards. Gujarat Hindu Society, South Meadow Lane, Preston PR1 8JN. Contact: 01772 253 901. l Gujjubhai Gotaale Chadhya. Sunday 20th September, 2:30pm and 7pm. Winston /churchill Hall, Pinn Way, Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 7QL. Contact Jyoti Patel: 07817 691 050. Wednesday 23rd September, 5:30pm. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 4a Castletown Road, West Kensington, W14 9HE. Contact: 020 7381 3086. l Ganesh Chaturthi. Saturday 19th September, West Sussex.

Contact Chandubhai Nayee: 07440 744 098. l Gaata Rahe Mera Dil. Saturday 19th September, 6:30pm.

Harrow Arts Centre, 171 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End HA5 4EA. Contact: 020 8416 8989. l Chha Gam Nagrik Mandal (UK): Socialise with snacks and drinks. Sunday 13th September, 1pm- 4pm. Entry fee £10.

Cinnamon Function & Banqueting Suite, Raw Spice, 117- 125 W Hendon Broadway, London NW9 7BP. Contact Nilaben Bhadran: 07870 425 967.

Sensational Live Singing by Kiri-Pankaj & Veda. Saturday 19th September, 7pm. Cube Theatre, Bushey Academy, London Road, Bushey, /herts WD23 3AA. Contact: 07956 110 640. l Wembley High Technology College Open Evening. Tuesday 15th September, 5:30pm- 8:30pm. Contact: 020 8385 4800. l Twenty20 Cricket In Support Of Help For Heroes. Thursday 17th September, The Kia Oval. Visit: www.cricketforheroes.com Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Editorial Executive: Reshma Trilochun Tel: 020 7749 4010 - Email: reshma.trilochun@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Chief Operating Officer: Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 Email: george@abplgroup.com Advertising Manager: Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Business Development Managers: Rovin J George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 - Mobile: 07875 229 219 Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Graphic Designers: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Ragini Nayak Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com Leicester Distributors: Shabde Magazine, Shobhan Mehta Mob: 07846480220 (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd. 207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad.

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UK witnesses rise of Islamophobia Continued from page 1 report hate crime, an improved awareness of MPS staff in identifying these offences and work with partners to support victims".

Commander Mak Chishty, MPS hate crime officer said "We will not tolerate hate crime and take positive action to investigate all allegations, support victims and arrest offenders. Victims of hate crime must be assured that they will be taken seriously by the police. We are always seeking ways to increase reporting and work with a number of third party reporting sites so that victims who feel unable to approach police direct can report crime to non-police organisations and individuals".

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has made dealing with hate crime a priority and has pledged to develop a new strategy, working with key partners including the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), the Crown Prosecution Service and Ministry of Justice.

Commenting on the rise in Islamophobic hate crimes in London, Labour London Assembly Member for Andrew Dismore AM said: “The 70% increase in Islamophobic hate crime is a shameful blight on London’s reputation as a welcoming, inclusive and tolerant city. The situation is made even worse by the fact that 60% of attacks are

reported to be against women, at times in front of their children...

“These figures show the rocketing scale of the challenge. If, as the Met say, local policing is the answer, its time the Mayor of London recognises the importance of local neighbourhood policing and invests to ensure it is able to work effectively. The Mayor needs to take a lead and make clear that London will take a zero tolerance policy on such horrendous hate crimes.”

The Director of Tell MAMA, Fiyaz Mughal said: “Whilst the figures may show an increase in reporting in, we cannot close our eyes to the facts staring us in the face, that national and international issues such as the murder of Lee Rigby, the Rotherham grooming scandal, ISIS and the Charlie Hebdo murders, created a spike in antiMuslim hate reporting.

These incidents also changed the language of anti-Muslim hate and it is fundamental that we also address some key facts.

Schools and educational establishments need more work to be done in challenging intolerance and misunderstanding.

Without this, we may still continue to have problems.” Tell MAMA supports victims of antiMuslim hate and maps, measures and measures Islamophobic abuse across the United Kingdom.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 With Venus and Mars your

ruling planet traversing your sign of leisure, it will put you in the right mood to indulge in your pleasure-loving instincts. Venus, the planet of love and romance throws a pleasing light on affairs of the heart.

Existing emotional differences can be easily sorted out now. Your creativity is riding high and you should make the most of this phase.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

Although all kinds of opportunities are coming your way, there are many obstacles between you and the fulfilment of any of these. As you clear your path you will get closer to achieving your dreams. Relationships and romance are both under scrutiny by the presence of Saturn in your 7th house.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 The pattern of significant relationships in your life will continue to favour you. It seems that a great deal of mutual benefit will accrue because of various interactions. The underlying trend indicates that deep creative energies are stirring within you and that seemingly insignificant events will play a vital role in the future enrichment of life.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

Relationships are complex in the best of times, but Saturn's motion can make things even more complicated now. Misunderstandings can plague partnerships or potential romances - be more careful and forgiving. A good time for completing unfinished business and reassessing your future projects.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 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.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

It’s an exciting, expansive time, when you should find it easier to be who you are and do what you want. This is a tremendously exciting time for you, in which you can embrace changes you might not even consider at other times. You’re likely to find yourself weighing practical considerations with long–term goals.

This week 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 marvelous opportunity - take advantage.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

Urvashi Jagadeesan (India) Mumbai: Kanti Bhatt, Hemraj Shah (Jumbo Advertiser) Horizon Advertising & Marketing: 2012, Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad. Tel +91 79 2646 5960 Email: horizon.marketing@abplgroup.com Business Manager: Hardik Shah (M) +91 99250 42936 Email: hardik.shah@abplgroup.com Advertising Manager: Neeta Patel (Vadodara) M: +91 98255 11702 Email: neeta_abplgroup@yahoo.co.in Business Co-ordinator: Shrijit Rajan M: +91 98798 82312 Email: shrijit.rajan@abplgroup.com International Advertisement Representative: Jain Group (South India) Tel: +91 44 42041122/3/4 Fax: +91 44 25362973 Mumbai: +91 022 2471 4122 Email: jain@jaingroup.net Delhi Office: Tel: +91 9311581597

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Co-operative ventures are likely to generate financial success. So, if hoping to drum up support or backing, it would certainly do no harm to adopt a more pushy and outgoing approach to life. As social life will tend to draw you into a wider circle, the chances of meeting someone attractive are greatly increased.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

Much enthusiasm goes into professional ambitions right now, but you need to be your own boss in many ways. Circumstances will make you more determined to place your lifestyle on a foundation of greater security. Far-reaching change begins to gather momentum.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

Your horizons are most certainly expanding. Your philosophical thoughts will make your mind run wild. With Jupiter transiting your Solar 11th house, there will be many opportunities. Your financial affairs are looking up. Do not miss out on ways to better yourself in the coming weeks.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 There’s a sparkle to your social life and much enjoyment is to be had simply from being in touch with other people. You’re likely to receive insights into where everything is going in your life. Venus, the planet of love and romance throws a pleasing light on affairs of the heart. Existing emotional differences can be easily sorted out now.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 The prevailing cosmic pattern packs a powerful punch early this week. Having such potent energies, make you feel positive and confident in whatever you do. This is not the time to hold back or underestimate your potential if you wish to further an important aim. Some of you will try to get away from the routine chores.

INDIA

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UP village disputes rape diktat claim AsianVoiceNews

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Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

The village locals, however, claimed that no such khap was organised and no diktat was issued

The Indian media recently buzzed with news regarding a preposterous sentence issued by a khap panchayat from Uttar Pradesh.

Two Dalit sisters had approached the Apex Court seeking protection from an alleged khap diktat that said they should be raped as punishment for their brother's supposed elopement.

On August 17, the Supreme Court sought response from the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea from a Dalit woman from Baghpat district, who asked for protection for herself and her sister. She alleged that the khap had ruled the sisters be raped as punishment after their brother eloped with a married woman of the Jat community. However, in a twist

of turns, the village locals were surprised and shocked when questioned about the diktat. Sarpanch, Bala said, “Ours is a very peaceful village. Whenever there's an issue, we sit together and resolve it. The

news of a khap diktat has come as a shock to us. I am a Dalit and it is my responsibility to ensure their welfare and safety. Such extreme rumours are absolutely baseless.”

Baghpat SP Sharad

Sachan revealed that no khap was organised in the village. “The matter is now in the Supreme Court, so I do not want to comment on any allegations and counter-allegations. However, as far as khap is concerned, no

IIMs see threat to autonomy in draft govt legislation After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government issued a draft legislation that would finally permit independent business schools to award MBAs and PhDs, but also establish government control over them, the Indian Institutes of Management have scorned at the possible threat imposed at their cherished autonomy.

Professors and graduates have voiced protests saying such changes could undermine these bastions of educational excellence.

They have particularly presented their distaste with clauses in the bill that say the IIMs would need government approval for all important board decisions, which will distinctly take away their freedom to run operations. Academic dean of IIM-Calcutta Biju Paul Abraham said the board members “will always have to look over their shoulders and guess what the government wants.” “My sense is they will not interfere in everything, but they could ask, 'was this done with our approval?'” He argued, “If you have to request approval for each and every thing, things get delayed. It is unnecessarily constraining and will be a drag on decision-making and the ability to respond quickly.”

The first six IIMs established in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calicut, Indore, Kolkata and Lucknow were provided with financial support from the government along with considerable freedom to the board members. This independent structure retained the original IIMs' dynamism.

The management institutes have always been the epitome of business education in India. Students have always aspired for a diploma from the prestigious IIMs, a degree that has never really bothered top league Indian employers, but more often than not, posed hindrance to graduates seeking international jobs, promotions or further education. “IIMs have been demanding an act that would enable to offer degrees and PhDs,” says Ashok Banerjee, a pro-

fessor of finance and the former dean of external relations at IIM-Calcutta.

“We do get students from abroad, but they just do a term. If you want to truly internationalise you need this.”

The government proposal has also outraged and alarmed several alumni who have raised their concerns with the media. “The decision to award MBAs and PhDs is welcome as it will help the newer IIMs get a leg up as they start establishing their brands while not take away from the established ones.

However, a lot of autonomy is being taken away especially in matters of board and committee appointments and decisions, which is disturbing. What is even more alarming is that the draft bill doesn't seem to

reflect the discussions and consensus developed in late 2014, as per the reactions of the IIM-A and IIM-C chairpersons and directors.

While the case being discussed is of the IIMs, in general the government should lean towards more autonomy, not less, for all educational institutions under its purview. It anyway has separate mechanisms (UGC, AICTE) for ensuring whatever quality control it wants to implement,” says Ritwik Priya, an IIM Ahmedabad student of 2007-09 batch and now settled in London.

Following the response they have received, the administration officials have said that the bill’s language would be reviewed to remove the so-called inconsistencies before it is introduced in parliament.

such event was organised, so where does the question of any diktat arise?”

Head of the khap panchayat of a cluster of 360 villages, Jeetendra Singh rubbished the allegations saying, “If something has to happen, then a collective decision is taken. In recent times there was not even a gathering of the panchayat.

Where does the question of a diktat arise? Even if we assume that two representatives came from each village, then there will be more than 500 witnesses to the event. No such gathering has taken place. This is baseless and shocking.”

Some see a conspiracy by Amnesty International behind this campaign.

Meanwhile, a Jat woman has approached a local court against the

brother, charging him for molestation.

She has alleged that the boy lured her by offering her a job with the Delhi police. She said, “He had told me that he will get me a job in Delhi as his brother and sister-inlaw were employed there.

He then took my school certificates and told me that he will fill the job form. In February this year, he told me we will have to go to Delhi. There, he and his brother sexually harassed me.” When asked why she didn't file a complaint earlier, she said, “My first marriage was called off, after I informed the family about the incident.

My parents told me I would be an outcast and no one would marry me. That is why I did not inform the police.”

Twists and turns of Sheena Bora murder case Former TV CEO Indrani Mukerjea along with exhusband Sanjeev Khanna and driver Shyamvar Rai were arrested last month on charges of murder of daughter Sheena Bora who was missing from 2012.

Indrani was charged under sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) and 34 (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, and Khanna under sections 364 (kidnapping), 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) and 120B (conspiracy).

In a mix of high society, wealth, sex, family deceit and murder that took the police from Mumbai to Bristol only to end at former INX Media CEO, Indrani Mukerjea.

Mukerjea, 43, is accused, along with her ex-husband and driver, of strangling Sheena Bora, dousing the body in petrol, setting it alight and burying the remains in a forest outside Pune in 2012. While they returned to their normal lives, everything went south for Indrani and Khanna when the driver was caught on an unrelated case of possession of illegal arms on August 21, 2015.

During interrogations, Shyamvar Rai revealed details regarding Sheena Bora's murder. Later that month, Sheena's brother

Indrani Mukerjea Mikhail Bora disclosed that both, he and his sister Sheena were Indrani's children, much to the shock of everyone including Indrani's husband, Peter Mukerjea. While Sanjeev Khanna and driver Rai have already confessed to the murder, Indrani's lawyer argued she was “falsely implicated”.

The case is a classic example of honour killing as it was later found out that when Bora disappeared aged 22, she had been living with Peter Mukerjea’s son Rahul, his child from an earlier marriage. The two step-siblings were not blood relatives, but their parents were furious about the relationship. The Sheena Bora Murder Case has cooked up quite a storm in the media, not falling short on drama and twists, the latest being one Siddharth Das who has approached the media claiming to be the biological father of both, Sheena and Mikhail.

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SPORT

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Pujara powers into top 20

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Asian Voice | 12th September 2015

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The fifth-ranked Indian team has no batsman inside the top 10 India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has jostled into the top 20 of the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings for the first time following his man of the match performance in the third Test against Sri Lanka.

Pujara played a crucial role in the victory as his unbeaten knock of 145 runs was the cornerstone of India's first innings score of 312. It was the seventh Test century of Pujara's career.

The 27-year-old has jumped up four places, and is now in the 20th position.

Even though Pujara has made the climb, India's Test captain Virat Kohli has dropped a place and is now

in the 11th spot.

It leaves the fifthranked Indian team with no batsman inside the top 10.

Apart from Pujara, there were a few other middle-order batsmen who made significant contributions to India's cause at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground, which, in turn, have helped them to h e a d upwards in

Cheteshwar Pujara

the table. Rohit Sharma has moved up two places to 48th, Ravichandran Ashwin has gained five places and is now 50th, while Amit Mishra, who scored 59 in the first innings and featured in a 104-run eighth wicket partnership with Pujara, has vaulted 56 places to 91st. It was a disappointing Test for the Sri Lankan batsmen. However, skipper Angelo Mathews has retained his fifth rank following his seventh career century (110 in the second innings). He is now 11 points behind fourthranked batsman and South Africa captain Hashim Amla.

Meanwhile, there were no changes to the top 10 in the list for Test bowlers.

However, there were improvements for Indian pacer Ishant Sharma, who reached the 200-wicket mark after claiming match figures of 8/86.

As a result, he has moved up three places to 18th. Leg-spinner Amit Mishra's 3/72 has helped him climb two spots to a career high 37th. Fast bowler Umesh Yadav too has improved upon his ranking and is currently at 42nd.

Jeetan Patel wrecks Middlesex Off spinner Jeetan Patel took five-wickets as Warwickshire returned to form to dent Middlesex’s challenge for runners-up spot in Division One. Only Neil Dexter, with a half-century (53) from 123 balls, and Paul Stirling, with 41, resisted long.

After Keith Barker removed Stirling, Patel took advantage of the pitch to advance to 45 championship wickets this year.

Middlesex were pursuing a runners-up berth that would confer their highest finish for 20 seasons, but they started poorly in this game, falling foul of Jeetan Patel after washout earlier. The off spinner’s five for 59 was his best in 14 months, yet a total of 207 is deceptive: this is the pitch upon which 116.4 overs were bowled on T20 Finals Day and life is far from easy.

Although Paul Stirling made 41 from 51 balls, he

was the second of six to fall in under two hours for 62 either side of lunch, Patel striking with his second ball to have Nick Compton for 18. He then deceived James Franklin with his arm-ball on resumption. In a period during which 25 runs were scored from 17 overs, Keith Barker’s beautiful inswinger removed John Simpson and Middlesex were 114 for six. With Neil Dexter dropped on 26 off Patel, a limited recovery mustered 51 until, 15 minutes from tea, Ollie Rayner steered Chris Wright to the sole slip for 24 before Patel had Dexter held at leg slip for 53.

Patel left Warwickshire to face 10 overs after rain and Rayner, on as early as the fifth, claimed Ian Westwood.