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Less than nine months after the December 16 brutal gang rape incident, a fast track Delhi court on Tuesday held all the five accused, including a man who died during the trial, guilty of rape and coldblooded murder of a "defenceless" 23-year-old girl “Nirbhaya” that can fetch them death.

The quantum of sentence to convicts Mukesh, Vinay Sharma, Pawan Gupta and Akshay Thakur - in the case that shook the nation's conscience will be argued later before additional sessions judge Yogesh Khanna, who delivered 237-page judgment.

"The facts of the case make all accused liable for Continued on page 26

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Abused Goddesses: Capturing India’s contradictions

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campaign to raise awareness about violence against women in India by combining images of violence and the country's venerated Hindu goddesses has won a number of awards for the advertising agency Taproot. The posters feature the Hindu goddesses Lakshmi, Durga and Saraswati in their traditional and easily recognizable postures but with each deity bearing the scars of physical violence - a black eye, cuts and bruises. The accompanying text reads: "Pray that we never see this day. More than 68 per cent of women in India are victims of domestic violence. Save Our Sisters – a charity organization- has given a phone number to report abuse and taken the initiative to prevent the trafficking of young girls and women for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Hundreds of thousands of crimes against women were reported in India in 2012. Last year alone 244,270 crimes against women were reported in India.

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the Post Work Study (PSW) visas for Non EU foreigners, the British Government seems to have realised that the steep decline in foreign

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

Keith Vazwith MP

John Tully

Keith Vaz MP cers within the Met and to be able to pick up the telephone and talk to the Deputy Mayor for Policing. I like to think that I am able to express the views of the rank and file members of the police service, and at least try to make a difference not only for my members, but also for the people they work to protect.

Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation

John Tully was born in rural Northumberland on 2 April 1959.

John first became involved in policing when he was recruited by Northumbria Police as a Special Constable in 1983 before joining the Metropolitan Police in 1986 as a regular Constable. He was a Constable in Stoke Newington and served variously at; the Diplomatic Protection Group, Barkingside Division and Redbridge Borough. In June 2012 John was elected as Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation. John has three grown up daughters and two step children as well as five grandchildren.

1) Please tell me about your current position?

I am the Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation. This is the statutory staff association for police officers of the rank of Constable, Sergeant, Inspector and Chief Inspector. Therefore I currently represent 30,209 officers, quite a daunting prospect, given that they all have a different perspective on how they would like to be represented depending on their rank and personal circumstances.

2) What are your proudest achievements?

My formative years in the Metropolitan Police were at Stoke Newington Division, part of the most deprived inner city borough in Europe. I had no idea what I had let myself in for by moving with my family to be part of the largest police force in the UK, or what the future held for me; having been born and bred in rural Northumberland I suppose I was quite naĂŻve in some

respects.

3) What inspires you?

Probably the bravery and resilience of the frontline officers I represent, they never cease to amaze me. They face danger, difficulty and adversity with an unwavering will to serve and protect the public, on occasions, thankfully very rarely, paying the ultimate sacrifice.

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

The principal purpose of the Police Federation is to represent, influence and negotiate in relation to the welfare of its membership and the efficiency of the police service. What I find extremely frustrating is the reticence of those with the power to make a difference, when they refuse to listen to a differing point of view to their own.

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

It may sound patronising but

Britain relaxes immigration rules

Continued from page 1 students coming to study in UK colleges and language schools is affecting the economy.

The UK government has therefore decided to relax immigration rules now giving greater flexibility to students and businesses that employ and sponsor international migrants, a move likely to benefit Indians. According to the new rules, visitors to the UK will be allowed a short period of study or training as part of their stay.

Multinational companies will be able to bring their own auditors to the UK on business visitor visas. Business visitors

will also be able to do a short course of study while they are here.

The changes, announced on Friday, will make UK more attractive to international students by allowing them to take up corporate internships after completing their degree and making it easier for graduate entrepreneurs to take up skilled jobs, an official statement said.

The last figures had revealed that there has been a 46% drop in student visas, a large chunk of whom go on to study degree courses at UK universities. The Office for National Statistics data showed that the net

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the first person I met when I walked in to Stoke Newington Police Station on my very first day after my initial training as a Constable. PC Steve Longhorn a police officer of many years standing welcomed me. I was the first of my intake to arrive at the station, there were about 12 of us; Steve showed me around and made me a cup of tea and as we waited for the others to arrive we chatted and it very quickly became apparent that he knew his stuff on policing and in particular the local community.

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

I am able as the Chairman of the MPF to meet so many influential individuals in the world of policing and to offer them an alternative view on how to tackle a difficult issue. I am fortunate to have fairly easy access to the very senior offi-

7) And the worst?

Definitely the political games played within the Federation. I try to carry out my role to the best of my ability and with impartiality, to use a famous phrase from the oath of a Constable, “without fear or favour�.

8) What are your long term goals?

When I joined the Met I had no particular career path in mind, I knew of course that there were many and varied options; the numerous specialist departments and the possibility of taking promotion up the ranks.

Promotion never really appealed to me, I have been content to remain a Constable for 26 years, although I did have one attempt at the Sergeants examination (and failed it!). I would like to continue as Chairman of the MPF for a little longer and help to see the Federation through what is probably its most challenging period since its estab-

migration to UK has fallen by more than a third. A net total of 153,000 migrants came to the UK in the year to September 2012, down from 242,000 in the previous year. But UK is still an attractive education destination for Indians, even after a 24% drop in Indian students coming to Britain was reported during the 201112 academic year.

The British Home Office has also made changes to the IntraCompany Transfer (ICT) visa system to enable employees to extend their stay without having to take a language test. The ICT route is already wellregarded with business customers describing it is "the most user-friendly in

the world", the Immigration minister Mark Harper said, "The changes will ensure that the UK continues to attract global talent to work for British businesses and study at our worldclass universities."

"Immigration reform is working; we have tightened immigration routes where abuse was rife, while still encouraging the brightest and the best to come to the UK." Minor changes have been made to the family rules to benefit UK citizens applying to bring their Non-European Economic Area spouses and children to the country as they will be given greater flexibility.

Changes to the general

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lishment in 1919.

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

With the state of the country as it is this is a tough question, so I better stick to the bit I know most about.

Policing has recently gone through and continues to face further rounds of financial cuts and as a result is terribly under-funded. One of the primary responsibilities of Government is to protect the citizens of the country. Due to the budget cuts we are faced with rapidly reducing police officer numbers and although there are some who would disagree, I believe numbers matter in the fight against crime. So I would make sure that the 20% cut in overall budgets was reversed and that going forward the Police budget would be ring fenced against any further cuts.

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

Dr David Livingstone who was perhaps one of the most popular national heroes of the late 19th century, Livingstone had a mythical status which operated on a number of interconnected levels; he was a Protestant missionary martyr, came from working class origins and developed a rags to riches inspirational story, he was a scientific investigator and explorer and an anti-slavery crusader. To have one to one time with Livingstone and being able to consider his achievements and discoveries first hand would be a wonderful experience.

visit visa will enable tourists to complete training courses in topics such as English and leisure activities, the statement said.

With the new rules, it will become easier for Arts Council-endorsed artists "with exceptional promise" to come to the UK to work rather than just those who have established themselves globally.

For the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, temporary immigration measures will be in place to enable athletes, coaches and officials to take part.

UK's move to relax visa rules was also welcomed by the education and business sectors in India

Educational consultants in India reportedly said that the decision will be beneficial for students and encourage more students to apply for visas to the UK. Students in different city colleges say the move will help them to put their academic skills to test after completing a course there.

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COMMENT

Delhi gang rape: India must examine her conscience

A court has pronounced a guilty verdict on the four accused men charged with the gang rape and murder of Nirbhaya, a young woman student in her early 20s, last December. Sentence will be passed after we have gone to press, but such was the nature of the case, and so telling was the evidence that the judgment is likely to be a life sentence with no remission or else a death penalty. There was outrage and raw anger across the country. The spreading molestation of women and the extreme violence they had to endure burst out into the open like an erupting volcano. Too many men and women had become complacent about this evil, men more than women. Some older women were inclined to resignation and acceptance of their lot. If one good has emerged from the Nirbhaya tragedy, it is that women are more energized and determined to stand up for their rights, although this is more an urban phenomenon. They have started fighting back everywhere, seizing the day and the night by combating patriarchy culture at its source – which is the family.

The evils committed against women in India (and some other countries) are daunting in scale, but the struggle to redress them must go on. Dowry deaths,

child marriages, abortions of the female foetus are continuing abominations that are India’s shame.

Governments, past and present, judges, lawyers, the police, school and university teachers, culpable parents, must shoulder their share of the blame. There must be collective introspection as a nation, and a look into our consciences as politically empowered citizens of a democratic state. We have, in lesser or greater measure, failed ourselves, our fellow citizens, and the country as a whole. Laws have been tightened, the judicial process cleared of bureaucratic obstacles to ensure speedy trials, the police are now more alert, but progress on the ground is much slower, thanks to ingrained attitudes. This will take more time and effort to eradicate. The present gives some hope for the future: time was when there were precious few women at the workplace, professions, politics, the judiciary, police, science and technology labs and in higher education. The presence of women in these areas was once a novelty.Not anymore. It is progress of a sort.

But the Nirbhaya case shows how much further India has to go before she attains an acceptable standard of public life.

Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal’s loquacious Chief Minister, is much given to whimpering that her State, is perilously close to bankruptcy, ergo, that it is in desperate need of cash injections from the Centre in Delhi.

One of her harebrained schemes to relieve the financial pressure was to invest political capital in Imams and Mullahs through monthly bursaries, calculating that the investment would buy peace in our time and ensure her grip on power. Alas, for the best laid plans of mice and men, and a fractious woman. The Calcutta High Court has shot down the scheme as unconstitutional on the ground that India, being a secular state, it was a violation of the law of the land to grant special privileges to any favoured religious group or organization.

Knowing that the lady is not for turning, Ms Banerjee’s cash-strapped government has lodge a forlorn appeal with the Supreme Court, with every likelihood that the appeal will be rejected. Not since the US military in Italy, during the closing stages of World War II, empowered the Mafia in its search for an ally against Mussolini’s regime, has there been a scheme so counter-productive, so bereft of political intelligence and vision, so wanting in moral courage. True, West Bengal and its metropolis Kolkata has largely escaped the jihadi terrorist outrages that have occurred in other parts of India. Not since 2002, when a Jihadi gang’s shooting spree near the entrance to the US Information Centre in the city, has a similar incident disturbed the public peace the city.

This is, however, small change, as the Kolkata and its environs, and strategic areas of West Bengal have turned into a jihadi hub, where terrorist operatives are incubated, funded and trained for bombings and assassinations at select targets across India. Bribery on the scale initiated by the West Bengal government simply increases the asking price of the blackmail. The ends have thus far not justified the means, with menacing cries from the self-same clergy for Muslim reservation (whatever the level of competence) in civil service jobs, higher education, and much else. Where this will all end is scarcely worth contemplating. A forewarning of the future that awaits the State and nation was set

out in a disturbing edit-page piece last April, in the Hindu newspaper, by a Bengali graduate student, Garga Chatterjee by name, at the famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He referred to a monster rally in Kolkata by Muslim organizations from across West Bengal voicing militant support of Muslim fundamentalist groups in neighbouring Bangladesh fighting for the imposition of sharia law in the country, Hindu homes and places of worship have been attacked and demolished by these groups. Participants in the Kolkata demonstration included such bodies as the All Bengal Minority Council, the All Bengal Minority Youth Federation, the Madrassa Students Union, the Muslim Think Tank, the All Bengal Imam Muezzin Association etc The local media, state administration and the political class responded with studied silence, as a result of which large numbers of Kolkata’s citizenry (who weren’t witnesses to the scene) remained blissfully ignorant of the event. It was to this silence that Garga Chatterjee turned his attention, warning of the likely perils that would confront ostriches with heads buried in the sand. Putting names to faces: Mohammed Jalaluddin alias Babu, who operated on the West Bengal-Bangladesh beat Bengal, was arrested in Lucknow and admitted to being the mastermind of the Varanasi bomb blast of 2005; he also confessed to transporting 100 kgs of RDX to different parts of India since 2003, the material being used in the 2006 bombings in Mumbai and the subsequent Jama Masjid Delhi attack. Seikh Sameer, posing as a Kolkata fruit merchant, was in charge of Harkat-ul-Jamaat Islami (HUJI) terror operations across eastern India, whilst the recently arrested Abdul Kasrim Tunda told interrogators of his close links with Indian Mujaheedin sleeper cells which, along with Laskar-e-Taiba agents, operated on the 1,400 mile porous India-Bangladesh border. Tunda’s accomplice, Mohammed Alauddin, who was arrested in the North Dinajpur district of West Bengal, ran a fake currency operation from his Rajshahi hideout in Bangladesh. Mamata Banerjee’s Imams and Mullahs are part of the problem rather than the solution.

It was to the G20 Summit in St Petersburg that Nobel Peace laureate Barack Obama turned in hope: he came; he saw; but failed, signally, to conquer enough hearts and minds among the assembled heads of state and government to follow him down the Damascene road, bombs and missiles in tow. The global economy should have held centre-stage, instead Syrian dramatics dominated the show. France, haunted by her defeat and surrender to Nazi Germany in 1940, has been attempting, ever since, to exculpate this historic humiliation with small wars against an obliging casts of the weak: Egypt over Suez in 1956, Libya more recently, plus a spate of conflicts in her former West African bailiwick.

There is no Napoleon in Paris now, only a ventriloquist’s dummy in the Elysee echoing his master’s voice.

Barack Obama, with his glib sales pitch, cleaves stubbornly to the well worn script of America’s Manifest Destiny: its divine right to chastise the lesser breeds without the law, as and when he, as American President, sees it fit to do so. US campaigns in the past opened with similar heraldic calls to action, with supportive choleric salvoes from corporate Citizen Kanes.

It was so in 1898, in the Spanish-American War, when Uncle Sam took possession of Spain’s Caribbean colonies and its Philippine archipelago; it was so in 2003, when the George W. Bush administration’s force

majeure against Saddam Hussein’s Ba’athist regime reduced Iraq to a murderous sectarian desolation.

Then Secretary of State Colin Powell’s prolix, spitfire UN address on the Iraqi dictator’s “weapons of mass destruction” would surely have been more engaging with this inclusion: “As I was going up the stair,/I met a man who wasn’t there./He wasn’t there again today./I do so wish he’d go away.” Today, it is Secretary of State John Kerry’s turn to perform the wretched pantomime. America’s press-button amnesia on the use of chemical weapons in Vietnam and Iraq is a sore subject: It violates the sanctified self-image of the city on a hill, and a light unto the nations, each a heart-beat of the American narrative. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has, doubtless, informed President Obama of the Indian people’s strong aversion to Washington’s Syrian project, and to its myriad other exercises in unlawful endeavour, including covert global internet espionage.

The UN Secretary General, the Pope and numerous other international luminaries have warned against the unforeseen consequences of a war in the Middle East, spotlighting also its unethical dimension. Their words of cautionary wisdom have, thus far, fallen on deaf ears. Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan: America’s Bourbons have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing. Nemesis looms menacingly over imperial hubris.

Perils of financing Imams and Mullahs

G20 fiasco over Syria

3

The real voyage of discovery begins not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

- Marcel Proust (1871-1922)

Just How Much India Needs Britain?

Two percent of India provides 60% of her food. That 2% is the Punjab, and that land mass is in dire difficulty due to water problems and climate change. India’s largest national security threat is this. Not Chinese incursions into its borders. Not the lack of security of its women. Not the nuclear threat of Pakistan.

I write to you from India following a week of 3 hours a night sleep and 21 hour days. In my Government capacity as Dealmaker responsible for India for UK Trade and Investment, I’ve been accompanying the Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Baroness Verma, on her exhausting, relentless itinerary.

Don’t take my word for the schedule – ask the Department!

Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Delhi, Lucknow, Delhi.

I missed Hyderabad on the final leg. We usually finish at midnight and resume again to head to the airport at 0330 for the next flight and the next city.

As the Parliamentarian and son of the Chief Minister Badal noted, it’s taken a British person, a British Punjabi Minister no less, to bring the Punjabi opposing political parties together at a roundtable in a conciliatory manner to focus on the issues facing Punjab and pledge to do their utmost. His words. Irony indeed. But also a reflection that British diplomacy done right, does not need to be patronising, hostile, difficult, embarrassing, counter-productive.

I have been coming to Indo-UK Government meetings since 1999 and have attended just under 100 of them in that time. This was the first time ever I have seen the Indian side treat the British as ‘one of the family’. Of course it helps if you can speak to your audience in their own language – it always has.

So what beyond a warm feeling does Britain offer?

Not just in Punjab, but also our visits in Delhi and Lucknow, there was a sense of Indians asking for help but as equals as mature business partners. And Britain of course keen through its companies to provide it.

Opportunities exist for capital investment of course, but also contracts which will solve problems of energy provision.

India is a willing business partner. It knows the opportunities provided by growth require it to reach out to those with specialist know-how.

But people of maturity see this only as a relationship of mutual benefit between friends. They do not seek immature labels or gloat in the difference in economic growth and global power. They just get on with business.

So what next? A Gujarati Minister in the Department for Business Innovation and Skills? The Prime Minister appointed Greg Barker as Minister for special responsibility for India. Given the PM’s own focus on this ‘enhanced’ relationship, it would make a lot of sense for Minister Barker to start sharing that responsibility with other British Indian Parliamentarian Ministers. Rapport is key. Britain has an asset in its British Indian Parliamentarians.

So does India need Britain? It’s the wrong question, we’ve moved beyond it. We’re just getting on with preventing climate change and saving the world.

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MIDLANDS VOICE

Dance group wins top prize in casino contest

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

Birmingham: Nachda Sansaar, one of Britain’s most popular Bhangra troupes, was crowned overall winner at a regional contest in Birmingham.

The judging panel, which included Dhiren Katwa, Asian Voice’s Senior News Editor, Adeline Sede, Editor of magazine Fabafrique, and Raj Raju, Manager, Grosvenor Casino Birmingham, unanimously agreed on the overall winner. The winner of the People’s Choice – act with the most money raised - was dancer Lax the Michael Jax, real name Lakan Singh Rathore.

The G’s Got Talent regional contest is an annual competition run between Walsall, Birmingham and Coventry Grosvenor G Casinos showcasing local talent whilst raising money for good causes, in this case it was for Marie

tainment agency, TED Entertainment.

The two-part evening was brilliantly MC’d by Luke Smithered, better known as Travelling Luke. Among the ten acts were dancer Peter Macko, magician Damon Conlan, singers Emma Street, Chamu Kane, Harry Ashby, Olivia Markantonakis and husband and wife team Jin and Seetal. Each act was unique and extraordinary Husband and wife Jin and Seetal on stage in their own ways, which made it a Curie Cancer Care. Each casino holds hugely difficult task for the judges. two heats, with a Judge’s choice winner In a joint statement David Cox and and a People’s choice winner going Paul Bradford, from Grosvenor G through to the final at Grosvenor G Casino in Broad Street, Birmingham, Casino in Coventry on October 4. said they were “hugely impressed” with The top act wins a cash prize and all the participants and said each was a work with Grosvenor Casino’s enterwinner and achiever in their own right.

Midlands: A large three-day festival will be take place this weekend at the Balaji Temple in the Midlands to mark the installation of a large statue of a Hindu God, Lord Ayyappan, which has been prepared in India.

The festival at The Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple, one of Britain’s landmark places of worship, is expected to attract people from all walks of life, reflecting the region’s multicultural make-up. The festival is being conducted by priests specially flown in from India and will give devotees an opportunity witness and take part in rituals that have been developed over centuries.

Swami Ayyappan, pictured, is the divine child born to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Vishnu is the second God in the Hindu triumvirate, or trimurti. The triumvirate, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are seen as three functional forms of god namely the creation, sustenance and termination of the universe. Vishnu’s role is also to manifest on earth in troubled times and to protect the virtues and triumph over evil. So far, Hindus believe that there have been nine incarnations and there will be the tenth, and final incarnation close to the end of the cur-

rent eon.

The Chair of the Trustees Dr Narayan Rao said the management team, volunteers and regular devotees to the temple were very excited about the festival. Dr Rao said: “For many, this will be a once-in-alifetime opportunity.” He added: “We feel honoured to host this remarkable event which will be an educational opportunity, but also one which will celebrate the rich culture and heritage of south India.”

The Balaji Temple, which this month celebrates its seventh anniversary, has attracted high-profile visitors including Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Paul Sabapathy CBE, former Archbishop of Canterbury The Right Reverend Dr Rowan Williams, the Hinduja brothers and several politicians.

The temple, a not-for-profit organisation, is run mainly by volunteers and receives funding from generous donors.

Throughout the year, the temple celebrates key Hindu festivals including Diwali and Shivratri. In addition, it hosts interfaith activities such as Health & Wellbeing Day and Interfaith Week. It acts as an ambassador of the Hindu

Lord Ayyapan statue to reside at popular Midland Temple

faith. Last year the temple was visited by more than 7,000 schoolchildren.

The festival from 13th to 15th September is being held at The Balaji Temple on Dudley Road East, Tividale, West Midlands, B69 3DU. The festival is free to attend and is open to everyone.

Witnesses needed after pregnant woman is killed when car mounts pavement

Police are appealing to witnesses after a pregnant Birmingham mum was killed when a car hit a group of pedestrians, just yards from her home.

Tahira Hussain, 27, was dropping her daughter off for her first day at nursery when she was struck by the vehicle in Heybarnes Road, Small Heath.

The mum, who was seven months pregnant with her third child, was hit along with three other pedestrians. Though she was taken to Heartlands Hospital, she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. The three other pedestrians, including two children, were also taken to hospital after being injured in the horror smash at 12.50pm on Friday, which saw a driveway wall demolished.

A 21-year-old man, from Small Heath, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and was later bailed.

Grieving mourners visited Mrs Hussain’s home, while passers-by also paused at the tragic scene – now marked by bou-

“We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen a white BMW in the area prior to this collision taking place to come forward.”

Ǖġ ȯ ȯ ǒ [ è Ö ȯ @ ǒ ç Ǖ ǔƤ è Ǖß Ȳ ȡ è ɍ ¢ è ȯ A Samudra-Vasane Devi Parvata-Stana-Mannddale I Vissnnu-Patni Namastubhyam Paada-sparsham Kssama-Svame II Meaning: (Oh Mother Earth) The Devi Who is having Ocean as Her Garments and Mountains as Her Bosom, Who is the Consort of Sri Vishnu, I Bow to You; Please Forgive Us for Touching You with Our Feet.

Shisha cafe owner jailed after setting fire to rival business The owner of a shisha cafe, Imtiyaz Patel, pictured, 28, has been jailed for seven years after he set fire to a rival business, the rooftop Cloud 9 cafe on Curzon Street, Leicester, causing £100,000 of damage.

Staff from the Curzonia Knitwear factory below had to be evacuated from the building in October last year. Patel, of Herschell Street, was found guilty of arson and being reckless over endangering life at Leicester Crown Court in July.

During the trial, the court heard that Patel had been friends with the owners of the cafe while his own venture had been in financial difficulties. He set fire to the rival business, with petrol, out of spite. Its owner, Afsha Sheikh, who has recently married, faces losses of more than £100,000 as a result of the blaze. It also caused an estimated £300,000 of damage to a firstfloor factory at the site.

More than 60 firefighters were needed to bring the flames under control and smoke from the incident could be seen 10 miles away.

Judge Philip Head told the court: "The substantial impact of the crime was in excess of £400,000.

"There were 38 people in one factory alone - what you did by setting fire and leaving the building ablaze posed the gravest risk of injury and death to those people."

He told Patel: "It is all the more astonishing that you did what you did, not in the spur of the moment, but with a substantial degree of planning."

Leicester off-licence rejected bid for sale of alcohol in early hours

quets of flowers. The victim was married to Zubair Hussain, 34, and was mother to girls Mominah, aged 7, and three-year-old Ruqayyah. Mr Hussain, a security manager, said on Saturday: “The whole family is just devastated.

My wife was such a lovely, caring lady. It was my youngest daughter Ruqayyah’s first day at nursery and both were very excited.

Mr Hussain said he had told his two daughters “that their mummy has gone to heaven”.

“My wife was seven

months pregnant – two lives have been taken from me and my family."

Local councillor Mohammed Aikhlaq (Lab) said: “Any incident like this is a tragedy, especially when they leave young children behind.

Our thoughts go out to the family and the children who will be brought up without a mother. I plan to visit the family to pay my respects in the next couple of days.”

Acting sergeant Craig Kirwan, from West Midlands Police collision investigation unit, said:

An off-licence has been rejected its bid to sell alcohol until 3am at weekends.

Bargain Booze, in Hinckley Road, in Leicester's West End, asked the city council to allow it to extend its opening hours – currently 8am until 11.30pm – seven days a week, but was refused the request.

It wanted to sell alcohol until 3am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and until midnight the rest of the week.

Police had objected to the application because the number of bars and offlicences in the neighbourhood, which includes Narborough Road and Braunstone Gate, is at "saturation" point.

They believed the extension would lead to alcohol-related disorder and noise for residents.

Licensee Harjinder Singh has indicated he might appeal to the magistrates' court. The area is a "cumulative impact zone" – meaning the city council and police believe there is no more room for any more alcohol licences.

New licences or extended opening hours can be granted only if the applicant can demonstrate the sale of alcohol will not add to alcohol-related problems such as street drinking or anti-social

behaviour.

Inspector Ant Dales, commander of Hinckley Road police station, said: "Usually, the onus is on police to prove an extension of a licence would have an impact on the community. In this instance, because of where the shop is, it was down to the applicant to prove there would not be an increase in crime and disorder. We believed there was a risk people walking home from the city centre would buy alcohol in this shop, despite having already consumed significant amounts."

Mr Singh, who recently took on the shop, said: "I am talking to my solicitor.

I am thinking about appealing. There are a lot of bars and off-licences in the area already. They could give me the extended opening hours and, if there are any problems, take it back."

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

Virendra Sharma and Priti Patel to hold India Celebration with Minister Gregory Barker

MP Sarah Teather quits politics over Lib Dem Visa Bond

Virendra Sharma, the Labour Member of Parliament for Ealing Southall and Priti Patel, the Conservative Member for Witham, will jointly host a celebratory event to laud the relationship between India and the UK as part of the Indo-British All-Party Parliamentary Group. The event will be addressed by Gregory Barker, the UK Minister for Business Engagement with India. The exclusive event will be attended by representatives from the High Commission of India, KPMG, JCB, Standard Chartered and BNP Paribas – as well as a number of prominent Indian politicians and business people. A significant number of parliamentarians are due to attend the event, and organisers were inundated with responses with the event reaching full capacity in a short time frame. Event organiser Priti Patel, the

Sarah Teather

A British MP, who is well-known for being the youngest member of parliament at her time has decided to quit politics over her party, the Liberal Democrat's, increasingly toughening stance on immigration.

Sarah Teather has said she was unhappy with the Lib Dem support for Coalition curbs on welfare and immigration. She particularly was opposed to the benefits cap and plans for making some immigrants, including those from India, pay a financial “bond” of £1000 deposit before entering Britain, stating that this would harm the

most vulnerable members of society. Nick Clegg's support for the bond left Sarah feeling "desolate" and "catastrophically depressed".

Explaining her decision to step down from the House of Commons in 2015, she said: 'It was an absolutely black moment. I was so depressed I couldn't even be angry. I was desolate.'

Her decision to quit comes just a week before the Lib Dem annual conference and will come as a shock to Clegg.

"Of course we are disappointed by Sarah's decision," a party spokesperson said.

A 15 years old has made his mark in the community cricketing circles in Kent with an astounding season this year. Akhil, who plays for the Under 15 team of Frindsbury Cricket team ended the year with bagging the Batsman of The Year trophy. He scored five 50s,

Gregory Barker

Virendra Sharma

Priti Patel

vice chair of the IndoBritish All-Party Group, Parliamentary said: “I am delighted to cohost this prestigious event with Virendra Sharma. We have received an overwhelming response to the celebration by leading British Indians in the business and political spheres which truly reflects on the strong and growing special relationship between our two countries. I am immensely proud of the

British-Indian legacy here in the UK – especially the pioneering small business ethic and the achievement within the education sector.”

The event falls shortly after the 66th anniversary of the partition of India, and coincides with news of a large number of opportunities for UK companies to expand into Indian medical and energy markets. Since 2008, the value of UK-India research has rocketed from £1 mil-

lion to over £100 million, with the UK on track to double trade with India by 2015. Indeed, the Indian deregulation of the early 1990s led the value of Indian goods and services to the UK to increase by more than 800%. Today, India is the 5th largest investor in the UK, and George Osborne recently commended the links between Britain and India, as well as the role of the British Indian Community in the UK.

stronger by allowing the GMC to carry out checks on a national level before they start work in the UK and prevent doctors who do not have the necessary knowledge of English from treating patients.'

Complaints revealed the drastic impact of a language barrier. In 2008, German Dr Daniel Urbani killed Cambridge patient David Gray when he confused two drugs and gave him 10 times the recommended dose of diamor-

phine.

Under the Government's plans, the GMC would not be given the right to automatically test all EU doctors, but it would be able to carry out tests if concerns were raised when they registered to work.

The new plans would also allow the GMC to assess any doctor if language concerns arise during a fitness-to-practise investigation.

Chief executive of the GMC Niall Dickson said: 'We are delighted that the Government is consulting on changes to the Medical Act to give us new powers to check the English language skills of all doctors when we have concerns about them. This is an important move that will help protect patients and will be welcomed across the country.'

The new changes are expected to come into force next year.

Language tests compulsory for Foreign Doctors

Foreign doctors could be required to take language tests before they can work in hospitals, after several complaints were made about poor care. A new law to test a doctor's ability to speak English efficiently could be introduced after an investigation revealed that patient's lives were being put at risk. A total of 66 cases were investigated by senior NHS staff in 2011 after patients complained that they had received poor treatment from doctors who had a poor grasp of the English language.

To resolve the problem, the Government has proposed introducing language tests specifically for doctors arriving from EU countries. This would mean a change to the European Law to allow the General Medical Council (GMC) to test the language skills of doctors.

Though it can test doctors from non-EU countries, it

Indian student who went out swimming found dead

An Indian student studying in London who had gone swimming on last Monday along with his friends was found dead on W e d n e s d a y .

A r u n e s h k u m a r Manoharan, pictured, 25 student from Dharmapuri district (Tamil Nadu) was studying in Kensington college of BusinessLondon. He went out with his friends to West Wittering Beach, West Sussex on Monday. His friends found him missing on Monday evening, they started searching but no luck. Later that day they informed the local Police.

Because it was dark the

5

coast guard could not search on Monday night.

Tuesday police & the Coast Guard did an extensive search using helicopter and boats but only on Wednesday they found the body.

was banned from testing doctors who were from EU member countries.

Health minister Dr Dan Poulter said: 'Overseas doctors make a hugely valuable contribution to the NHS but it is clear that tougher checks are needed. We have already strengthened the way doctors' language skills are checked at a local level.'

'These new powers are an important step in making the system even

British Indian bags Batsman of the Year trophy youngsters a chance to make the transition from junior cricket into the senior ranks gave Akhil an opportunity to play for the senior team. Akhil fared well with the senior team by top scoring twice in the five

topped the runs aggregate and helped his club to win two Under 15 trophies this year which helped him to bag the Batsman of The Year title.

Frindsbury Cricket Club’s policy to give club’s

year 2013.

Akhil was also honoured with a trophy by the Medway Kerala Community in Kent during its Onam celebrations for his outstanding contribution towards sports and for upholding the community pride.

from the other end.

Akhil also starred for his school’s cricket team (Sir Joseph Williamson Mathematical School, Rochester, Kent) and ended up with the school honouring him with a Service Tie for outstanding contribution to school sports for the

senior league matches that he played. The highlight of his season for the senior cricket was when he scored 48 not out against Offham CC when Akhil was close to winning it for Frindsbury but ended without support

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

Spriha Srivastava

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated in London The famous Indian festival – “Ganesh Chaturthi� was celebrated in London at many different locations. Lord Ganesh, also known as Vinayagar in Tamil Nadu, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in the duration of this festival.

It is the day Shiva declared his son Ganesha as superior to all the gods.

Ganesha is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new venture or at the start of travel.

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

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

Lord Shiva became enraged and severed the head of the child and entered his house. After realizing that he had beheaded his own son, Lord Shiva fixed the head of an elephant in place of Ganesha's head.

In this way, Lord Ganesha came to be depicted as the elephantheaded God. The festival is celebrated across India but mainly in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa. In the UK, the festival is always celebrated in a grand manner.

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

Another celebration organised by a Gujarati group has been celebrated in the Southend on Sea which attracts over 18000 devotees. Annual celebrations also take place on the River Mersey at Liverpool.

This year, a number of celebrations took place across UK. The celebrations at Shree Ganpathy Temple near Wimbledon were extremely spectacular. A South-Indian tem-

ple, it celebrated Vinayagar Chaturthi in a very grand fashion. There were many people and the atmosphere was extremely electrifying.

The priests carried the idol of Lord Ganesha around the temple while everyone followed them in a circle. There were modaks and laddos and not even for a moment it felt like it was in London.

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

The festival brought together different Indian communities in UK to celebrate and pray to their favourite God. A number of non-Indians were also present at the function and were

sixth year running the festival, marking the anniversary of Lord Ganesha's birth, has been organised by the Hounslow Ganeshotsav Mandal. Close to 4000 took part last year.

This year’s celebrations began with the idol’s arrival and hymns and prayers, followed by children’s events including a fancy dress competition. There was music and stalls selling traditional Indian food before a procession leaving the temple. The immersion of the idol was done in Thames close to CHiswick Boat House.

The festival was also celebrated at the Mahalakshmi temple in East Ham where the South Indian community came together to offer their prayers on the auspicious day. One could hear the bells and the chants during the aarti at the temple.

Apart from temples and organizations, the festival was celebrated by lots of Indians in the UK at their homes and in groups. Many went to the Swaminarayan Temple in Wembley to offer prayers and celebrate the auspicious day.

According to an Indian in the UK, “Such auspicious days should definitely be celebrated because they remind you of your roots and the country you grew up in.�

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated in London

absolutely amazed to see the grand celebrations.

One of the members said, "It's always an exciting atmosphere and I am very happy to be part of this festival".

Similar events have been reported from Birmingham, Harrow, Manchester and Glasgow. At a temple in Hounslow, this is the

The festival also marks an auspicious start. In Hindu tradition, we pray to Lord Ganesha before starting any activity and hence this festival marks new beginnings and prosperity. London being the multi-cultural hub celebrates every festival in a grand manner and Ganesh Chaturthi is one of them.

Let us know what you think.

Email Spriha at aveditorial@abplgroup.com

Migrants influx fuels school diversity not school shortages A recent report suggests a rise in shortage of school places and overcrowding, due to the Labour party's failure to solve the effects of increased immigration. to the report, in the next two years, schools will d it extremely difficult to large amounts of pupils. blame has been placed on Gordon Brown's government, which the Tories have said ignored the warnings of rapid immigration and a baby boom.

The secret report issued by the Department for Education has laid bare the scale of the socalled ‘ticking timebomb’ caused by Labour’s lack of planning, adding that ministers have ‘faced fears of an impending shortage for some years’. But instead of solving the problem, the Labour’s Education Department advised councils to ‘close schools with consistently poor performance and/or excessive surplus places’.

Other reports counter these claims by highlighting the benefits of an increase in the number of

migrants. It is claimed that migrants add expansive diversity to the school population, by fuelling an international language programme taught in the schools and providing other children with the true competition they need to improve themselves.

Since the Coalition came into power, it has more than doubled spending on creating new school places, with ÂŁ5billion committed between 2011/12 and 2014/15.

Councils have also proposed setting up new schools that can accommodate 2000-plus pupils.

For example, as part of Harrow Council's ambitious expansion programme to meet the growing demand for school places, five schools are proposed for permanent expansion in 2014: Aylward Primary School, Stanmore, Belmont Primary School, Wealdstone, Grange Primary School, Harrow, Norbury School, Harrow and Pinner Wood School,

Pinner.

According to census data, 15,916 children aged under five were recorded in the 2011 Census for Harrow, compared to 12,015 in the 2001 Census – a rise of 32 per cent. This number is set to rise, with the number of children needing reception places set to peak in around 2018. The Council has a legal obligation to provide a school place for every child.

Harrow Council Leader Cllr Thaya Idaikkadar said: “These plans will mean change for schools and their communities, so it is vital that everyone has their say. The Council has a duty to provide school places for every child and must act to meet the unprecedented rise in children aged under five.

These plans will help us to continue leading the way in planning for the growing demand and providing the best possible opportunities for our young people.�

Retailers attacked on Rana Plaza snub Mango, Benetton fail to join compensation talks

Fashion chains Mango and Benetton have faced heavy criticism for shunning discussions on compensation for Bangladeshi victims of the Rana Plaza disaster, despite both retailers admitting to have recent orders or production in factories located in the building.

The charity War on Want slammed Mango and Benetton for their failure to take part in the negotiations, after reports that neither have met the deadline to confirm their attendance at the talks, which the International Labour Organisation will host tomorrow in the Swiss city Geneva.

It warns that injured workers, and families whose breadwinners died at Rana Plaza, face destitution unless they get full compensation from retailers that sourced from the factories in the block.

Over 1,100 people were killed and thousands more injured in April this year amid the collapse of a building which housed factories that made clothes for Mango, Benetton, Primark, BonmarchĂŠ, and Matalan. The majority of the victims were female garment workers.

More than four months since one of the world’s worst industrial calamities, Benetton, BonmarchÊ, Mango and Matalan have all so far failed to offer the victims compensation.

Many bereaved families and jobless ex-Rana Plaza workers, some of them disabled - struggling

to make ends meet on poverty wages before the tragedy - fear abject deprivation if the brands fail to provide adequate compensation.

War on Want says all the retailers that bought clothes made at Rana Plaza must address their responsibilities to ensure justice for the victims of a preventable disaster.

Though inspectors spotted cracks in the building, garment workers were forced to return.

Despite the eightstorey Rana Plaza being audited twice by western brands, the risks were never identified, and nothing was done to avoid the tragedy.

Amirul Haque Amin,

president of War on Want’s Bangladeshi partner, the National Garment Workers’ Federation, said: “Bereaved families and workers injured in the disaster have suffered terrible devastation and now further anguish over fears of a future in dire poverty. “Retailers who profited from the clothes made at Rana Plaza have a moral duty to ensure these families and workers receive full compensation to help them rebuild their lives. “And the brands which have not yet signed the Bangladesh Safety Accord must do so at once, as clear evidence of a commitment to prevent such a tragedy ever happening again.�

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UK

Sikh Temple gains Community support in petition against neighbouring Halal Meat Plant

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

One hundred MPs join the BMA’s GP practice visit scheme

Seema Malhotra

Paul Uppal

A hundred MPs across England have accepted an invitation from the BMA to see firsthand the day to day workings of a GP practice. Launched in June 2013, 100 MPs from across the political spectrum have signed up to the BMA’s GP practice visit scheme that allows them to see the pressures facing general practice. This includes British Asian MPs, Priti Patel, Paul Uppal, Seema Malhotra and Lisa Nandy.

Commenting on the success of the scheme, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, Chair of the BMA’s GP committee, said: “I am delighted that 100 MPs have taken up the BMA’s offer of spending time with a local GP practice and their staff since we launched the scheme in June.

“The future of general practice is a subject of intense debate as it faces a series of unique pressures that are placing many GP services under strain.

Patient demand continues to rise from an aging society and a patient population whose health needs are becoming more complex.

“GPs are working harder than ever before to

meet these challenges.

More than 340 million patient consultations are now estimated to be undertaken annually by GPs, up 40 million since 20081.

“It is vital that politicians get a real understanding not just of the pressures that many practices are facing, but how greater support from government would help general practice deliver even better care to patients.

Dr Mark Porter, Chair of BMA Council, added:“It is encouraging that MPs from all parties are positively engaging with the medical profession through the BMA’s practice visit scheme. The difficult funding and workload environment means that it is more important than ever before that policy makers gain a real understanding of how care is delivered on the ground.

“There is still time for those MPs who have not joined the scheme so far to arrange a visit through the BMA. I would strongly urge all Members of Parliament to take this important opportunity to see firsthand how general practice works.”

Sharma meets Rev Jesse Jackson at Operation Black Vote dinner

Sharma meets Rev Jesse Jackson at Operation Black Vote dinner Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, was invited by Operation Black Vote to attend a dinner with Reverend Jesse Jackson held on Wednesday 4th September, as part of the celebrations marking the fiftieth anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech.

Jesse Jackson, who is visiting Britain to help mobilise ethnic minority voters, is one of America’s foremost civil rights figures and former colleague of Dr Martin Luther King. The dinner was hosted by the House of Commons Speaker John Bercow and was held in the States Rooms of Speaker House in Parliament. Other guests included government ministers and cross-party MPs, as well as figures from industry, civil society and journalism.

Operation Black Vote (OBV) is a campaign

Rev Jesse Jackson with Alok Sharma

group which promotes equality of opportunity for all people, regardless of their ethnic background. OBV focuses its work on raising political awareness and understanding of the democratic process through political education, as well as improving political participation and political representation amongst ethnic minority communities.

Alok Sharma, who is also Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party, with responsibility for engagement with ethnic

Sikhs all over the UK are dismayed at Bradford Council for giving the go ahead to open a meat processing plant directly behind Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara (Sikh Temple), Leeds Road, Bradford, despite petitions against it. Bradford councillors gave the food company Pakeezah the permission to convert a car workshop in Percival Street into a wholesale meat plant, in order to expand its existing business in the area.

The meat plant is situated directly behind the Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara building, which faces Leeds Road, and hundreds of Sikhs, most of whom are vegetarians, have objected to the plan.

Sikhs regard the killing of living beings against their belief. If the plant goes ahead, Sikhs worry about the significant emotional distress it could cause to the larger local Sikh community due to the animal carcasses being delivered and stored next door to a holy place of worship. The smell from the dead animals would be highly offensive and seriously impact the ability of Sikhs to worship at the temple.

A group of Senior Sikhs have vowed to keep up its fight against a meat plant being created. They have already invited leaders of other faiths, such as the Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev Nick Baines and the Bradford Council for Mosques, to a specially-convened meeting to discuss the issue. They hope to get the backing of other faiths so they can get the decision overturned.

The Board of minority communities said: “It was a real honour to meet Reverend Jesse Jackson, who is an icon of the American Civil Rights movement and his message on the need for all communities to engage themselves in mainstream politics was very powerful.

Many thanks to Simon Wooley and his team at Operation Black Vote for organising and inviting me to this historic dinner.”

Simon Wooley, Director of Operation Black Vote said: “Both myself and the Reverend Jesse Jackson were grateful for Alok attending; we see him as aggressive in pursuing and encouraging greater political participation by ethnic minority communities. The Reverend is hopeful to meet Alok again in the USA, to forge stronger links between our nations and to keep that friendship alive.”

Representatives of Bradford Gurdwaras has said this issue has raised questions about whether planning permission could be granted for a pork processing plant next to a mosque or a synagogue, a beef processing plant next to a Hindu temple, or a lap-dancing club next to a church.

Nirmal Singh, chairman of the board, said they had found the Council’s decision “insensitive and very disappointing”. He said: 'The board supports Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara to seek further legal advice against the decision and

we urge the owners of Pakeezah to withdraw their application in recognition that their proposal is most disrespectful to the Gurdwara and thereby hurtful to Sikhs everywhere.'

Also condemning Bradford Council's approval of the plant, S w a m i n a t h a n Vaidyanathan, Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain, said: 'For people of Hindu, Sikh, Jain and large sections of Buddhist faith, vegetarianism is not about mere food choice but a fundamental religious virtue and a spiritual

7

value of considerable significance. It is shocking to know the council decided to set aside the objections raised by the congregation and instead chose to grant permission to develop a meat processing plant, which is nothing but a killing field with all the concomitant extreme suffering, just by the side of a place of worship where universal love and peace is invoked through constant chanting of prayers.

If this is not a mockery, an affront, a deliberate insult to the people’s sentiments, then what is?'

In response, Pakeezah director Tariq Haq, has defended the meat plant by saying: 'They just need to understand the fact that we’re only moving a few yards from where we are, it’s an existing business. They are not going to see what’s happening and it’s not going to affect the temple in any way, shape or form.'

8

UK

Two hour Parade marks 25th anniversary of East London Temple

The week of the 26th August marked the 25th anniversary of the SKS Swaminarayan Temple in East London, where many gathered for the seven day long extravaganza.

The week was packed full of cultural programmes, varying with dance and drama, music evenings, recitation of the scriptures and a two hour long procession at the end of the week.

way through the crowd.

Floats had been made to commemorate the procession and spirits were high.

To make the event more special Acharyashree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj along with many saints attended and showered their blessings. Thousands from all around the country had gathered to help make this occasion a memorable one. This includes those from all the

The cultural programmes that had taken place were like no other.

From traditional Indian dance to tribute acts for the Indian Army, men and women spent months dedicating their spare time to put on a great show. The procession was followed by a musical evening that was held in Eastham Town Hall. It was a live launch of a CD made by SKS Swaminarayan

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

Inquest into nurse Jacintha Saldanha's death is adjourned The inquest into the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha, who answered a prank call about the condition of the then-pregnant Duchess of Cambridge, has been adjourned for the second time.

Ms Saldanha was found dead in the hospital three days after she answered the call at central London's King Edward VII's Hospital, where Princess Kate was being treated for a rare form of pregnancy sickness in December. The mother of two from Bristol, answered the phone and put the callers two Australian radio presenters - through to a colleague who gave details of the Duchess's condition.

The inquest was scheduled to take place on Thursday and Friday this week at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London. But it has been adjourned to a date yet to be confirmed. This is the

second time it has been postponed after first being scheduled for early May. A spokesman for Westminster City Council, which handles media enquiries for Westminster coroner's court where the inquest was first opened, said the adjournment was because Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox was "seeking more information".

Ms Saldanha's death caused anger worldwide and a backlash against the 2Day FM DJs Michael Christian and Mel Greig, who made the prank call.

Ms Greig is set to give evidence at the inquest this year, when she comes to London.

The coroner has given anonymity to a duty nurse who is presumed to be one of the last people to speak with Ms Saldanha on the night of the call. The inquest is also set to hear from security staff and police who can give details about the scene of the death.

Jacintha Saldanha

Speaking on behalf of the nurse's family, Keith Vaz, MP said: “The family have been informed about the adjournment of the inquest. They were surprised to hear that the inquest has been adjourned just a few days before it was due to begin.

They are rather disappointed at the decision as they have been waiting for 9 months and this is the second time the inquest has been adjourned. For them the inquest represents closure. We very much hope we will have a new date set soon.”

At 70, still young at heart

A party was thrown to mark the 70th birthday of Ratilalbhai Mulji Katechia by his family at Luton’s Hindu Temple last Saturday. Bhajans were performed by Gopal Lal Bhajan Mandal, followed by a cake cutting ceremony. An overwhelmed Ratilalbhai, originally of Nairobi, was showered with hugs and kisses by all his grandchildren, most of whom independently sang and played instruments independently.

They were: Brothers Harish, who is studying Medicine at Brighton University, and Milan Nakum, aged 21 and 16, respectively, Vidhi and Manav Parmar, aged 8 and 3, and the Katechias - Krupa, 16, Arti, 12, Arjuna, 10, Jaikishan, 11, Keiron and Khush, both aged 8.

Ratilalbhaiand Bhanumatiben Katechia with their grandchildren

Naz Ali voted cycling hero The procession started from Wanstead Flats and went all the way to Green Street and was made up of over 5000 people. The roads were filled with colour and joy with flags and banners soaring high in the sky, dhol players and dancers greeting their

UK Swaminarayan Temples namely: Harrow, Willesden, Bolton, Cardiff, Oldham, Woolwich, Stanmore.

Devotees from other abroad such as Australia and Kenya attended to take part in the celebrations.

This week the paid subscribers of Asian Voice will receive a copy of Asian Achievers Awards 2013 magazine with their newspapers.

Temple, East London, which includes beautiful hymns of the religion.

With the help of hundreds of dedicated volunteers, this event was made possible, with children as young as seven taking part to make the occasion something to remember.

Teacher handed in by wife for drink-driving

Ravi Meneses, a teacher from Canterbury, has been locked up after his wife told Police he had been drink driving.

Meneses, 43, was almost four times the legal limit when he hopped into his Rover and sped off after an argument with his angry spouse. But when he returned to his home in Canterbury Road, Tyler Hill, he was met by the police, who were called by his wide. A breath test later showed he had 137 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Meneses must also do an alcohol treatment programme, 40 hours unpaid work and pay £85 costs with an £80 surcharge.

Naz Ali, who works for Bradford Council’s Youth Service, has won the British Cycling Yorkshire and North East region Local Cycling Hero award.

Naz is based at Toller Youth Café, and works both in his own time and as part of his job to promote cycling amongst young people and local communities.

Through this work the Youth Service has managed to build up a hub of over 50 bikes – including tandems and adapted cycles – to persuade people who don’t have wheels of their own to have a go at riding.

Naz organises trips in the UK and abroad for young people new to cycling, encouraging them to use it as a way to broaden their horizons.

He has also organised

numerous events for young people who are not traditionally drawn to cycling including community groups, women and girls, young people with disabilities or behavioural issues, and young people from less privileged backgrounds. Naz has also worked with these groups to use cycling to change the way people perceive them.

Naz said: "I’m delighted to win this award and

would like to say a big thank you to every one who has taken the time to vote for me.

"I’m passionate about helping under-represented groups get involved in cycling. It’s about fun, freedom and making a difference to your life.

"The great thing about the award is that everyone who was nominated has won recognition for doing the best they can to promote cycling.”

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

A film director using his childhood memories Amit Gupta has just directed Jadoo, a Britishmade film set in Leicester, about two brothers, Raja (Harish Patel – Run Fatboy Run) and Jagi (Kulvinder Ghir – Bend it Like Beckham). Both are chefs who fall out so badly that at the climax of their dispute they rip the family recipe book in half: one brother gets the starters and the other gets the main courses. They set up rival restaurants on opposite sides of the Belgrave Road in Leicester; one cooking starters and the other main courses, and refuse to talk to one another.

A foodie-comedy, JADOO’s secret ingredient is a romantic twist, in which Raja’s daughter Shalini (Amara Karan – The Darjeeling Limited), attempt to get the brothers talking again. She hatches a plan and asks them to work together to cook her a perfect Indian wedding banquet.

Director/screenwriter

Amit Gupta

Amit directed Resistance starring Andrea Riseborough and Michael Sheen. It was his debut feature film. Its Sharon Morgan won the BAFTA Cymru award for Best Actress and Amit was

nominated for the Best First Film award by the Writer's Guild of Great Britain. Amit’s last play, Campaign, was part of the Great Game at the Tricycle Theatre and was nominated for a 2010 Olivier

Alexander Aitken splits from Sikh warrior husband after 3 years

engaged and, within mention Inderjot, reportAlexandra Aitken, daughmonths, were married in a edly saying: “I consider ter of a Conservative ex4am ceremony witnessed Guru Gobind Singh my Cabinet Minister, who by 150 holy men from the true husband.” wed a devout Sikh man, Nihang sect on October Last year, having Inderjot Singh three years 28. changed her name to ago, has allegedly separatSpeaking in 2011 ed from her husband. about the moment she The former socialite met her husband, left her Western Alexandra is reported lifestyle to live in the to have said: ‘I was sitPunjab, India, with ting on the roof of the her Sikh warrior husGolden Temple at band. According to a about 3am, and the friend of Jonathan most beautiful man I’d Aitken’s family, ever seen in my whole Alexandra remains a life walked in. He 'devout follower of seemed 100 per cent Sikhism' but that man, gentle and intutheir marriage was in itive and poetic and 'trouble'. sensitive, but also 'The Aitkens told extraordinarily strong me that Alexandra and manly. And you then moved to Italy. don’t see many of these She was there by heraround. So I was like: self for some time and “Oh wow!”. is now back in India.

As a married She loves her life out Alexandra Aitken with Inderjot Singh woman, she spent her Uttrang Kaur Khalsam, there, but Inderjot seems days praying, meditating, the girl who once posed out of the picture.' practising yoga and helpnaked for GQ magazine, Alexandra shocked her ing local women scrub the was photographed walkparents by announcing in temple floors with holy ing barefoot in her Indian 2010 that she was getting water. She quickly adopthometown, dressed in married to Inderjot and ed Sikh traditions, refuslong, traditional robes. moving away from her ing to cut her hair or even She held a spear whilst lisparty lifestyle to the vilwax her eyebrows, using tening to music. lage of Anandpur Sahib in only a wooden comb and Alexandra met her northern India. She still carrying a ceremonial law-graduate husband at follows the teachings of knife. the Golden Temple in Guru Gobind Singh strictThere is little informaAmritsar while she was on ly, which includes not cuttion about her husband, a yoga retreat. Though she ting your hair, using a who was simply described had not spoken to him, wooden comb and carryby Alexandra as a 'pious' she returned six weeks ing a ceremonial spear and man, dedicated to helping later and declared her dagger. When asked about the poor. love. The couple became her marriage, she failed to

“For me food, family and film have always been inextricably linked. I didn’t want the film to be about problems with a mixed marriage as I feel we’ve moved on from that.”

Making Jadoo was a joyous experience for everyone involved and I hope some of that feeling is apparent in the film we’ve made

Jadoo was filmed in Leicester over five weeks in Spring 2012. Amit wrote the screenplay with specific Belgrave locations in mind.

He had a feeling early on in the process that Harish Patel and Kulvinder Ghir would work well together. Whilst he wanted them to be similar in their stubbornness and attitudes to cooking, he had scripted a reasonably significant age gap.

As a result he wanted the worlds in which they grew up to be subtly different.

“Raja spent most of his childhood in India, Jagi didn’t, and this is reflected in the way the actors play their roles, their mannerisms, even their Hindi accents. Raja, the less bad tempered of the two, plays the slightly more father figure role, which again

comes from personal history.” Amit explained.

Felix from Basement Jaxx responded positively to the script and came up with a new track for the film - Princess in a Bhindi.

The score was composed by Stephen Warbeck. When he agreed to work on the film, Amit explained what he wanted and played him lots of Indian tracks that he felt worked emotionally. Amit then go to would Stephen’s house where he would watch the film while Stephen would play out his musical ideas behind Amit on the piano or accordion.

“When it came to the recording of the score at Studios, I felt Air Stephen’s ideas lifted and soared off the page.

Making Jadoo was a joyous experience for everyone involved and I hope some of that feeling is apparent in the film we’ve made. For me personally it also was a journey into my own past and possibly the only time I’ll make a film where for some nights of the production I sleep in my childhood bedroom and for most days ate my mother’s food for lunch. I hope that’s led to us capturing some of the authenticity and feeling we were looking to instill into this film, as well as perhaps making the audience hungry.”

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Leading Lights

Award. After the London run, The Great Game toured US theatres like The Shakespeare in Washington, The Guthrie in Minneapolis, Berkeley Repertory Theatre and The Public in New York.

In February 2010 the play was performed at The Pentagon.

Amit’s family opened ‘The Chaat House Restaurant’ in Leicester in 1976. His mother and aunt continued to run it until principal photography on Jadoo was completed in April 2012. A largely Asian population, many refugees fleeing Idi Amin’s Uganda, transformed Belgrave Road from a rundown area made up of Victorian terraced houses into ‘The Golden Mile‘.

“We lived above the restaurant before moving to a house around the corner - the backyard of which joined up to the kitchen of the restaurant.

The food in the restaurant was made up of dishes from my mother’s side of the family and the business was run by my father.

His passion for cinema was something he gave to me. He bought one of the first VCRs and every Saturday we’d have a movie night,” Amit said.

As both parents were running the restaurant together Amit spent most of his early childhood there.

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YOUR VOICE

Do not mix politics with arts

It was reported that Anish Kapoor of the Orbit sculpture fame objects to an invitation given to Shri Narendra Modi to speak at the Commons now that UK have lifted a ban on granting him a visa in line with rest of the EU. The reason cited is that Mr Modi did not stop or apologise for the killing of 2000 Muslim men women and children during the communal riots following the Godhra train burning of some 60 Hindus. Of course the highest court of India has absolved Mr Modi hence there is no case to answer.

I did not come across any media reportage of Mr Kapoor who has lived here since seventies likewise expressing his horror over the continuing mistreating and forced conversion of minority Hindus in Pakistan and the disappearance of some 900,000 Hindus over a decade from Bangladesh neither the plight of the Kashmiri Hindus. Where were his comments condemning the terrorists who murdered innocent people in Mumbai? I would also await his comments about the good work the Sikh Awareness Society is doing in bringing to justice the mainly Muslim culprits in the recent grooming case. Instead of becoming a mouthpiece for anti Modi brigade, he should stick to the Arts which is his forte, not that I will be rushing to see the metal folly in Stratford.

Jai Hind Bharat Parmar

Gender abortions

It was indeed disturbing to read in national newspapers that two doctors who were willing to facilitate abortions solely based on the gender of the babies were let off the hook as far as facing legal prosecution, as Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) feels that it is not in the public interest, although there is enough evidence for a successful prosecution.

GMC may yet take some action on professional level but it has no power to bring criminal proceedings.

Gender abortions may be common in Indian subcontinent and especially in China, mainly due to its strict one child policy with the result that there is a severe shortage of girls of marrying age, fetching a huge dowry for the parents of suitable girls but it is unheard off in the West. It is not only illegal, immoral, cruel but a crime against humanity. If we, in the West do not want such practice to creep into our society through back-door, then CPS could not afford to take a back seat. If such abortions are classified as manslaughter, then no one will dare to get involved in such malpractice.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is rightly concerned to ask the Attorney general for an explanation and perhaps CPS mind change. Could media take leading role, name and shame these medical professionals to put them out of business?

Syria reminds me of King Asoka and Kautilya

In the 3rd century BC King Asoka argued against intolerance and in favour of understanding that even when one social or religious sect of people find themselves opposed to other ones, ‘other sects should be duly honoured in every way on all occasions’.

He went on to say: ‘he who does reverence to his own sect while disparaging the sects of others wholly from attachment to his own sect, in reality, inflicts, by such conduct, the severest injury to his own sect’.

Asoka strongly believed in promoting voluntary good behaviour without the use of force and promoted such ideas through inscriptions throughout India.

On the other hand, Kautilya, who was the principal advisor to Asoka’s grandfather Chandragupta (the Mauryan emperor who established the dynasty and was the first king to rule over nearly all of India) and author of the celebrated 4th century BC treatise Arthashastra (broadly translatable as ‘Politics and Economies’), put his emphasis on building up and making use of institutions, rules, restrictions and prohibitions as major contributors to good behaviour.

Modern Western philosophy on fairness and justice is broadly the latter while for a better definition of justice it is important to give more emphasis as to how people behave in real life.

The aim should not just be to prevent injustice, it should also be to enhance justice. Here US and France’s proposal to fire surface to air ballistic (SAM) missiles and air to surface guided (ASM) missiles fails totally.

Nagindas Khajuria Via Email

Closer cooperation and coordination required

Syed Kamall Conservative MEP for London

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ASIAN VOICE

Ayodhya Mandir

Michchami Dukkadam

Since the general election in India is taking place next year, the question of building Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has come back. The Indian Television channel NDTV and pseudo- secularists are trying to undermine the importance of the historic Ram temple.

Ayodhya represents Hindu history where Ramayana originated from. When Muslim invaders came to India they wanted to destroy Hindu culture and civilisation to remove all Hindu/Indian identity and replace with their identity.

When Muslims took over Afghanistan they destroyed all Buddhists statues and artefacts to prove Buddhists never ruled Afghanistan and nobody talks about Buddhists/ Hindu kingdom in Afghanistan.

Taj Mahal is nothing but a Muslim burial ground for one person and Humayun tomb is also a burial ground.

There are thousands of Muslim burial grounds in India and nobody talks about it.

Taj Mahal and Humayun tomb represent Islamic rule and culture in India. In the same way Ayodhya and Ram temple through Ramayana link North, central and South India. Panjavadi is in Maharashtra and Ramashwaram and Sethu Samudram are in the South. By destroying Ayodhya temple Muslim rulers wanted to show that Ram Rajya never existed and now the UPA government and Sonia Gandhi wanted to destroy Sethusamudram since the government wanted to dig deep in the sea in order to improve shipping in this area.

Thanks to Subramanian Swami and others they saved the place. The sad thing is that some renegade Congress Ministers and DMK deny the birth of Rama and there by Ramayana itself.

Hindus abroad should unite together to make sure that the temple is built.

Last week, 2 September to 9 September, marked the most auspicious period in the Jain calendar. Jains all over the world celebrated Paryushana - the eight day period of fasting and religious activities. The word Paryusana is derived from two words meaning “a year” and “coming back”: it is a period of repentance for the acts of the previous year and of austerities to help shed the accumulated karma. During Paryushana, most Jains fast and participate in religious activities like performing Samayik (a ritual practice during which we try to come closer to our soul) and Pratikraman (During Pratikraman we repent for our non-meritorious activities on a daily basis. We realize our mistakes and ask for forgiveness, which helps us to minimize the intensity of the “karmas” as well as it helps to get rid of the karmic bondage). We, members of Shree Jain Sangh East London and Essex celebrated Paryusahana in the halls of Oaks Park School, in Newbury Park, Ilford.

On the last day of Paryushana, called Samvatsari, it is obligatory on Jains to fast and perform an extended version of Pratikraman. At the end of Samvatsari, Jains beg forgiveness from all by greeting them with the words “Michchami Dukkadam”. Michcha = become fruitless (miththya); Mi = mine (by me) Dukkadam = bad deeds. ‘may the bad deeds (dushkrutya) done by me become fruitless’. This bad deed may be in any way by man (thought), vachan (words) or kaya (action). In other words, forgive me for all the bad deeds, actions, thoughts, or words that may have directly, indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally hurt your feelings. I too would like to take this opportunity to say “Michchami Dukkadam” to all readers of AV and GS.

Arun Vaidyanathan Via Email

At a time of coalition government in Westminster, voters sometimes complain that it is harder to tell the difference between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, but in the European Parliament the differences could not be more stark.

The latest idea from the Liberal Democrats is for the European Union to have its own FBI-style law-enforcement agency - with sweeping powers to intervene in criminal investigations across the continent. This would be yet another step in turning the EU into a European super state with all the trappings of statehood president, foreign policy, diplomatic service, army and police force.

Imagine how the Met would react to a Euro-FBI barging in with powers to overrule them, to interfere in their work or even take over their investigations! The best way to tackle cross-border crime is to encourage closer co-operation and coordination between national forces, and more-sophisticated sharing of intelligence. We do not need another unaccountable European quango.

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

Making a comeback

We Asian Voice readers have recently been enjoying a fascinating exchange of views on reincarnation. If regular correspondent Ramesh Jhalla is right, it takes a living entity 8,400,000 incarnations of various types before it can achieve human status, after which it will return solely in human form in incarnation after incarnation until eventually (presumably many more millions of years later?) it is fortunate enough to attain moksha or enlightenment.

What, I wonder, can we do to be sure we are moving steadily towards enlightenment?A useful tip came from reader Bharat Raithatha who wrote here commenting that there is “no need to change one’s life” while striving for better incarnations in future.

“All that needs to be changed is the quality of your thoughts for your karmic account to be in credit.” This splendid view is echoed by Asian Voice every week under its front-page title, reminding readers to “let noble thoughts come to us from every side”.

Excellent advice for everybody but I

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Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford would add: “Noble thoughts backed by noble deeds” to give ourselves an even better life next time round.

Rudy Otter Via Email

Smart Phones v/s Bhajans

I have been to a Bhajan-Sandhya last Sunday which was great as it is a means to network with the community while praying to God as well. What a better way can it be to spend a laid-back & quiet Sunday evening together with familyfriends!

While clapping with the Bhajan bits, I noticed something worrying. A little boy sitting in the next row was given a smart phone by his parents in order to keep him quiet while everyone enjoyed Bhajans.

Funny enough, the little-one sat there without saying a word playing various games like Temple Run, Star Wars, Talking Tom, etc. One bloke, roughly into early 30s, kept chatting on Whatsapp and iMessage from his iPhone while Bhajans were being sung. Adding some salt to the Continued on page 13

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LEGAL VOICE

Change Makers

I Will Now Tell You How Much Fun I Had at Sai Baba’s Ashram. Sriya, 7 years I have been fortunate to take part in this year’s National Pilgrimage Sai Anandam. I will now tell you how much fun I had.

Brindavan, located on the outskirts of Bangalore.

My favorite part of the trip was to Brindavan. I was extremely lucky because the number of the room we were given was 108. I really loved the dog in the ashram, which I think was called ‘Boxy’.

Even the design of the College and the colour scheme seemed interesting. When we were taken to the cricket ground, the Principal of the Brindavan college,told us the way the ground was inaugurated. The story was Sai Baba threw the ball six times and got six wickets. In one turn, he threw the ball and it was coming slowly towards a student who thought it would be an easy hit. But just as he was about to hit the ball, the ball shifted direction and hit the wicket. After that we went to Sai Ramesh Hall where Sai Baba used to give Darshans whislt he visited Bangalore and it now boasts a lovely big picture of

Swami.

Then we went to see the Super Specialty hospital which was a giant building. The staff told us that some people who come there ask if it is really free as it is such a wellequipped hospital. My best part was when we went in to Trayee Brindavan where Sai Baba used to reside during his visits. I can’t believe we went there. There was a clock there sounding like cuckoo, which I loved.

Prashanthi, His Main Ashram: I also liked Darshan time at Prasanti as we were allowed to sit in the front. When we went to the Maha Samadhi I would offer a flower and pray. I also liked the peace of the smaller Mandir. The life size pictures of Sai Baba and Shirdi Baba there are very real. A life size sculpture of Krishna as the charioteer and Arjun on the battlefield is situated at the back of the Mandir.

Puttaparthi, the village: Even though Puttaparthi is a small village it has grown like a town.

Besides Banks/restaurants/hotels,

SOLICITORS

Mitesh Patel

Ms Carey was killed when she was knocked down by a left turning lorry at the junction of Abbey Street and Tower Bridge Road.

Injuries / damage Fatal What happened?

CCTV images from a bus behind the lorry showed Ms. Carey approaching the traffic lights to the rear of the HGV. The driver of the bus described how Ms. Carey didn’t realise the HGV was turning left until she saw the lorry getting closer and closer. Ms. Carey tried to wave to get the driver’s attention, but was then knocked off her bike. The HGV driver remained unaware of her presence, didn't stop immediately and continued to creep forwards. Ms. Carey died instantly.

The HGV driver was investigated by police for causing death by careless driving, but died of cancer before a decision could be made about charging him. He had received three texts on his BlackBerry four to five minutes before the crash. Levenes Solicitor, Levenes representing Ms. Carey’s family, suggested at the inquest that the first moment he would have had to look at them was when he stopped at the lights which may have explained why the driver did not see Ms. Carey in the mirrors.

The coroner returned a verdict of death by road traffic collision.

The officer who investigated the collision said Ms. Carey had a clear view of the lorry ahead of her and should have been aware it was indicating left. She should not have moved along its nearside but waited behind it for him to complete the turn. She may have been listening to the radio while cycling and if she was, that might have been a distraction to her.

He also mentioned that Ms. Carey would have been visible in at least one of the lorry’s nearside mirrors for seven seconds. “I have not found a reason why (the driver) failed to see her during the seven seconds.”

Levenes goes on to comment on the safety of these large vehicles in relation to more vulnerable road users, "This tragic case highlights how HGV's need more than just mirrors. At a minimum, an audible alarm on the outside of the vehicle when turning left for pedestrians and cyclists. Sensors that trigger an alarm inside the cab for the driver also need to be in place to make these vehicles safer for cyclists."

Sriya Moparthi, Year 2 pupil

alongside are bullock carts, rickshaws and cars. There are many temples in the village. There are also many apartments blocks around, some as high as 9 floors.

There are lots of shops around and green fields as well as fruit sellers and flower sellers.

Planetarium: I was fascinated by the planetarium. They showed a video about Outer Space. They showed pictures that looked like you could touch them. They showed rockets going on to the moon and also a super spotter similar to Australia’s telescope which can see things in space.

Overall Sai Anandam was a fantastic pilgrimage for me and I am looking forward to next year’s pilgrimage.

Sikh, social justice campaigner awarded degree by University

Rajinder Mann, a social justice campaigner, has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Wolverhampton. She is the chief executive of the Network for Black Professionals – a UK-wide group which supports black, Asian and minority ethnic people in their professional lives.

Rajinder has been awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Social Science, in recognition of her significant contribution to equality and diversity and social justice in the West Midlands.

The degree was presented by the University’s School of Law, Social Sciences and Communications, at a ceremony held on Friday, September 6.

On receiving the award, Rajinder said: “It is

a great privilege to be awarded an honorary degree from the University of Wolverhampton in recognition of my work in equality and diversity at a local and national level.

“More importantly, it is the positive message

this sends to the black, Asian, minority and ethnic communities and students in that they are represented and they too can achieve.

“On a personal note, although my dad is no longer with us, he would have been delighted at this honour and my mum and children are proud of this achievement. For me this is a tribute to their hard work, commitment and support.”

Rajinder, who was conferred an OBE in 2011, has over thirty years experience in further education, adult, youth and c o m m u n i t y education. She was director of community education at Bilston Community College, then principal officer for lifelong learning at the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

She is highly experienced in policy development which she gained while working at Birmingham City Council and Wolverhampton City Council, and has served on a number of boards including Women of Wolverhampton.

Rajinder also worked as a Race Equality Officer at the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, developing strategies and policies aimed at community cohesion and, prior to taking the top role with the Network for Black Professionals, was the executive director of the Black Leadership Initiative.

She was appointed an OBE in 2011 for her services to black, Asian and minority ethnic people in the community.

Council seeks comments on how much claimants should pay towards bills Residents from Loughborough, who were forced to pay at least 8.5% of their Council Tax bill, are set to face another rise.

Charnwood Borough Council says that it is facing a further reduction in Government funding and that residents are being asked to consider three potential rises – 10 per cent, 15 per cent or 20 per cent.

Last years, residents who were previously in receipt of Council Tax benefit were informed

that they would no longer be entitled to it unless they were pensioners.

Residents, who had never paid Council Tax before, were asked to contribute at least 8.5 per cent. In June, the council said the 8.5 per cent cap had created difficulties – with the amount of people failing to pay their Council Tax bill in Charnwood more than doubling from 390 cases to 800.

Coun Jenny Bokor, cabinet member for revenues, benefits and cus-

11

tomer services, said: “The council has some tough decisions to make around welfare reform.

We were able to limit the amount people contributed towards their Council Tax bills to 8.5 per cent because of an additional Government subsidy. At the minute it looks as though we will not have that buffer but we want to continue to be as fair as possible to all residents and that is why we are asking for comments about Council Tax Support.

“It is important to stress that we haven’t made any decisions on the 2014 scheme and will use residents’ views and ideas to help us make the most informed decision we can.”

The Council Tax Support Scheme consultation will run online until September 20. To voice your opinion, visit: www.charnwood.gov.uk/ currentconsultations, collect a paper form from the council offices or ring 01509 263151 to request a copy.

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MEDIA WATCH

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

Dr Raghuram Rajan’s’s arrival as the new Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) gave rise to a fever of media expectation. Front page pictures of Dr Rajan receiving a warm embrace from his predecessor D. Subbarao were supplemented by headlines which told their own story. “Raghuram Rajan starts with a bang,” proclaimed the Hindu; “Rajan hits the ground running.” screamed the Telegraph; “Rajan’s inaugural speech gives confidence, clarity and direction,” said Mint, while the Times of India set the scene in its opening paragraph: “In a big bang entry, new Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan opened the door wide open to dollars from non-Resident Indians and foreign borrowings by banks by subsidizing the cost locally.” He “also reversed some of the capital controls, promised new bank licences by January and reversed some of the liquidity tightening measures” of the previous regime. Departing Governor Subbarao in a farewell speech hoped Dr Rajan would play Arjuna and find a way to take the economy out of its restrictive Chakravyuha (Ref Mahabharata).

The G8 leaders (L to R) Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso; Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe; Angela Merkel; Vladimir Putin; David Cameron; Barack Obama; Francois Hollande; Canada's PM Stephen Harper; Italy's PM Enrico Letta and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy See comment page 3

pletion. The Project Monitoring Group in the Cabinet secretariat fast-tracked these delayed projects (Times of India September 5)

Pension, Vendors Bills cleared

Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) newly appointed governor Raghuram Rajan, left is greeted by outgoing governor Duvvuri Subbarao after taking charge, at the RBI headquarters in Mumbai

By the weekend, the Sensex had risen 1,000 points in three days trading, while the rupee ended 66.1 to the US dollar, all attributable to the Rajan effect. His Usain Bolt-start off the blocks is as good as it gets. Hope has replaced despair, if only for now. The new mood music will surely endure, provided the economic fruits ripen quickly for plucking.

Clarity, Certainty Transparency

Dr Rajan’s first message was that he would work towards removing much of the uncertainty that had seemingly characterized RBI actions, thus putting markets at ease; second he promised to address the falling value of the rupee and its consequent loss of purchasing power; third, he also outlined a raft of measures which reaffirmed his commitment to economic liberalization and reform. He accepted that much needed to be done to put the Indian economy back on the trajectory of higher growth, for which difficult decisions would have to be made. Some of these might be painful and unpopular, he said, but he would take full responsibility for their framing.

That said, Dr Rajan emphasized that the Indian economy was sound in its fundamentals and would be able to withstand the changes that were presently on the anvil and others that were likely to follow. He said he had no illusions about the possibility of the welcome accorded him turning sour. He was prepared to face criticism and censure should these come his way.

Taking the rough with the smooth came with the job (Mint, Hindu, Times of India September 5)

Economic signals

India’s core sector grew by 3.1 per cent in July, a modest upward shift from the 0.1 per cent growth of June. Microsoft struck a $7 billion deal to acquire Nokia’s struggling cellphone business and catch up with high flyers Samsung and Apple in the mobile market share. Significantly, Nokia is a big player in India, so the Microsoft move may turn out to be a shrewd move (Hindu, Times of India, Mint September 4). India and Japan have agreed to a currency trade swap worth $50 billion that should strengthen the rupee (Telegraph September 6)

The Lok Sabha cleared the decade-old Pension Bill, paving the way for individuals to plan for their post-retirement needs and allows foreign investors to acquire an upper limit 26 per cent stake in the sector. The government agreed to stipulate that the pension regulator would ensure fund managers offer at least one product with an assured minimum return to protect investors from market volatility (Times of India September 5) Also cleared is the Street Vendors Protection bill.

(Telegraph September 6)

US firm eyes Kolkata property market

Manhattan-based real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield, betting on the Kolkata property development,

Russia-India warplane a learning curve

The Indian version of the fifthgeneration developed with Russia will be lighter, more powerful and less visible to enemy radars than the original Russian version, according to an executive of the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Bangalore.

Attending the Russian Air show in Moscow, Mr S. Subrahmanyan told the Hindu’s Moscow Correspondent Vladimir Radyuhin (August 31) that, “While the Russian version of the aircraft is all-metal, ours will have empennage [vertical and horizontal] stabilizers made of composite materials.” As Managing Director of MIG complex HAL, Mr Subrahmanyan explained: “The use of composites will reduce the plane’s weight and give it a lower signature. Our version will also have more advanced Indian-made avionics. Thanks to these improvements, we will get a better and more powerful platform.”

Joint venture

Indo-US space project on anvil

It was the return of the native, as NASA scientist Alok Chatterjee, who cut his teeth at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), dropped by his native Kolkata, where he was interviewed by the Telegraph (September 2). He works at NASA’s world beating Jet Propulsion Laboratory at Passadena, California, and is helping to put in place an ISRONASA joint venture called DESDynl – Deformation, Ecosystem Structure and Dynamics of ice – designed to study long-term changes in the Earth’s climate. “This will monitor the Earth’s surface deformation and forecast earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides,” he said. Alok Chatterjee again: “Having worked in ISRO between 1973 and 1982, I had always wanted to to initiate significant collaboration between the two countries.” Switching to Chandrayan-1, he said it had achieved 80 per cent of its scientific objectives before it was aborted a year ahead of schedule.

Wonder kids

Hurdles removed

The government has removed 34 hurdles affecting infrastructure development involving a total investment of Rs 1.4 lakh crore.

The list includes 17 power projects, which are expected to start generating electricity from the next quarter. Unclogging investments is key to getting the economy moving again. Next on the target is steel, where holdups prevented promoters from mining coal. A number of stalled steel projects will now be able push ahead with available stocks of coal as fuel. An aluminium belonging to the Aditya Birla Group can now progress to com-

Rights are jointly held by the parties involved.” He pointed out that India supplied avionics for the SU 30s Russia is currently building for Malaysia and Indonesia. (Hindu August 31)

Prototype of Russia-India T 50 warplane at Moscow Air show

and build an outreach into India’s eastern region, hopes to acquire 25 per cent of the city’s realty transactions, pegged at a yearly Rs 100 crores, over the next three years. To achieve its ambitious target, the firm has hired a local consultancy firm NK Realtors and Pioneer Properties consultancy to supply one of its expert teams to oversee operations in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Assam and Bangladesh.

The Indo-Russian fifth generation warplane deal will be India’s biggest defence project and the largest joint venture with Russia. It takes Indian expertise in the field to a new level. Mr Subrahmanyan said: “We’ve moved from licensed production and technology transfer to co-design and codevelopment. Co-design offers far greater scope for knowledge sharing compared with licensed production. In co-design projects all Intellectual Property

Thirteen year-old Sushma Verma has enrolled for a Master’s degree in microbiology at Lucknow University. This was made possible by enabling donors, including, among others, music composer Javed Akhtar, who paid her fees and met her living expenses. Life hasn’t been easy for Sushma.

Her father, Tej Bahadur, is a daily wage labourer, without the means to support his daughter’s talent for science. Ms Verma passed her Class 10 (High School) examination from St Meera’s College at 7, and Intermediate at 10, following which she took her B.Sc in Zoology. Her brother Shailendra holds the distinction of being the youngest Computer Science graduate at 11. Phew!

UK

India and the UK team Sex groomers target 'easy prey' Muslim girls up to combat Cancer

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

Following the recent focus on underground sexgrooming cases of young Sikh girls, a report has revealed that the same gangs of men are grooming underage Muslim girls as well, by offering them alcohol and drugs whilst giving them the false hope of marriage.

Gangs of Asian men who groom and sexually exploit children have been targeting Muslims within their own communities, a Muslim Women's Network UK report stated, relying on the Asian and Muslim culture of honour and shame to hide their horrific crimes.

The study follows several high-profile cases about gangs of Asian men who have targeted white girls. It exposes the reality that the majority of cases often take place on victims who share the same culture as the groomer. By forcing the girls to consume alcohol and take drugs, they conceal the sexual abuse by promising marriage to the victims.

Many of the victims were found to be extremely vulnerable because they only had limited knowledge of sex, suffered from disabilities, or were seeking to escape a harsh background.

The Muslim Women's Network UK claims it is the Muslim culture of honour and shame which stops victims from seeking help and informing someone about the sexual abuse they have faced.

It also blames the traditional values embedded in the Muslim culture which gives a man the authority and say over a woman's life. Thus female victims will stay silent about their experience for fear of not being believed by society.

Honorary president and MWNUK's co-founding member Baroness Haleh Afshar OBE said: 'These case studies indicate that, contrary to media studies that accuse Muslim men of grooming non-Muslim girls, the

majority of the abusers were from the same ethnic /faith background as the victims and perpetrators targeted girls that were most vulnerable and accessible to them.

'Like their non-Muslim counterparts some of the victims were silenced by fear of violence against them or their family, others had an emotional attachment to their attackers and others feared that they would not be believed by their own family and others.

'In addition, the attackers relied on the deep sense of honour and shame in their family and community to silence and control their victims.'

The problem of sex grooming cases has mostly gone unnoticed up until now because the majority of victims would not be conscious when the sexual abuse would take place. The report found that gangs would rape the victim, beat them, burn them with cigarettes and film the attack. The victim, heavily drugged up, would not know the extent of her abuse or how many men took advantage of her. Even those who are aware of the abuse would be blackmailed and forced to keep silent.

Baroness Sayeeda

YOUR VOICE

Smart Phones v/s Bhajans

Continued from page 10 wound, I notice an adult who kept checking and answering his emails through his smart phone.

Now this is what I had noticed around me. There were more than 100 persons attending the Bhajans. So I am sure there were far more than 3 persons using their smart phones to pass their time during the Bhajans. My worry is that if those parents will not get their son involved in the Bhajans, how will he understand the meaning of any Bhajan? Also what will happen to his next generation?

I believe the smart phones have given us fast & convenient access to so many things with a touch of a finger in a palm; and they are taking so much away from us with the same rate that we can not even imagine.

Devang Bhatt, Ilford, London

Warsi, Senior Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Minister for Faith and Communities, said: 'The case studies are finally shining much needed spotlight on a problem

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi

that has largely, and tragically, gone unnoticed in the past. The cases of Asian and Muslim female victims make for hard reading, but this report, and other research like it, is necessary if we are to take the action needed to stamp out these abhorrent crimes.'

The Sex grooming issue came to light after five men were jailed for life in June for horrific crimes on a young victim in Oxford.

The deadly disease, which is responsible for over 15% of deaths worldwide, is prevalent in both India and the UK. Recent initiatives have attempted to combine the efforts of both countries in order to fight the disease.

Medical experts from both the UK and India will examine the possibilities of working together to create cancer registries, undertaking basic, transnational and clinical research, and evolving protocols for diagnosing and treating common Indian cancers.

The Indo-British Health Initiative and British Deputy High commission also organised the Indo-UK Oncology Summit on Friday, 6th September 2013. The

summit focused on the 16 most common cancers and latest treatment protocols.

“The two nations share similar challenges with cancer. Considering that the UK has advanced treatment modules we could learn from their expertise,” said Dr Prithvi Mohandas, founder of Indo-British Health Initiative.

“When it comes to cancer, all countries are facing the same challenges,” Lord Kakkar, Professor of Surgery, University College London, who led a healthcare delegation to India from the U.K. The summit highlighted the importance of having appropriate screening programmes, and be relentless and vigilant in

raising awareness among the public – on risk factors and screening facilities.

Lord Kakkar stressed the need to have proper baseline data in order to launch interventions, and hoped that joint ventures would emerge in the fields of establishing cancer registries in India. One of the main problems the country faces at the moment is the lack of accurate data on incidence, more so in rural areas.

Prithvi Mohandas said that one of the big advantages of combining efforts with the United Kingdom was that India could learn from the nation’s experiences in fighting cancer.

Nations have already proved to do much better at treating the condition by sharing information.

Police have exhumed the body of a mum-of-four whose Bradford husband is being held in police custody in Pakistan on suspicion of her murder.

Rashid Ashraf is accused of killing his 31-year-old wife and staging a car crash to try to make it look like an accident.

Sara Rani’s body was exhumed after her family raised concerns with police that her death was not accidental.

They are believed to have discovered marks on her body which suggest she had been beaten and strangled. Ashraf, believed to be aged in his 30s, of Girlington, was arrested at the weekend in Muaffarabad alongside his uncle Aslam Chaudhry as police stepped up their inquiry. The couple are believed to have a fourmonth-old child and Mrs Rani is said to have three other children from a previous relationship.

A source told the Telegraph & Argus that police were investigating allegations that Mrs Rani, also a Bradford resident, had been beaten to death and strangled on August 29. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has confirmed that Mrs Rani had died in Pakistan and arrests had been made.

Mrs Rani is believed to have travelled from Bradford to Pakistan, via Dubai, arriving on August 27. In Pakistan it has been reported that she was killed two days later near the Dina-Jhelum bypass road.

It is understood that her husband has been accused by police of deliberately damaging the car they were travel-

ling in to try to explain the cause of his wife’s death.

Mrs Rani has been described as a naturalised British citizen, originally from Islamgarh, Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), who had recently married Rashid Ashraf, also from Mirpuri and a naturalised British citizen.

Husband accused of killing wife

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Pride of the Asian Community honoured

14

ASIAN ACHIEVERS AWARDS 2013

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

at Asian Achievers Awards 2013 - the ‘People’s Awards’

Winners of the coveted Asian Achievers Awards 2013 were announced at the esteemed award ceremony on Friday 6th September amid the fitting grandeur of Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London W1. The awards recognise the outstanding work of individuals from across all businesses and professions, and acknowledge the accomplishments of the finest of the UK’s Asian community. This year’s event paid particular homage to the achievements of women from Asian communities and across all spheres of professional life.

Hosted by Asian Business Publications Ltd (ABPL), publishers of respected newspapers, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, Asian Achievers Awards 2013 welcomed a who’s who of high profile dignitaries, cross party politicians, celebrities and high achievers from the Asian community. Among them were Chief Guest, Cherie Blair CBE, QC; Special Guest, American civil rights leader, Rev Jesse Jackson; and Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP. This year’s panel of judges was chaired by Rt Hon, Lord Dholakia OBE DL, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Chief Guest, Cherie Blair, CBE, QC

which spans prevention, rescue and rehabilitation, education and livelihoods

all are aware of the manifold roles of a woman. The most unique and the greatest being that of a mother.

She is also a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend, and every bit of her role has its unique significance in a man's life. In a way, it is a happy occasion for me but at the same time, I feel very unhappy that women in every part of the world, including in Britain, suffer gruesome and unfortunate experiences – they are

murdered in the name of honour, beaten up, trafficked and the nightmare is unbelievable. Even in the professional world, many of the women suffer endless obstacles, the lack of exposure and equal rights- the 'invisible' glass ceiling we have heard about.

Tonight we are celebrating the achievements, might and bravery of all those women who have not only dealt with the

This year’s winners are

Winners of the Asian Achievers Awards 2013 are:

AAA Gold Award for Achievement in Media, Arts and Culture: Seeta Indrani, Actress and Performer

AAA Gold Award for Achievement in Community Service: Professor Naina Patel OBE, Founder, Policy Research Institute on Community and Inter-faith Relations (PRIAE) in the UK Rev Jesse Jackson and Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP

The esteemed award ceremony, presented by Sky News presenter, Ashish Joshi, and comedian Shazia Mirza, was

through to advocacy, campaigning and legislation, with the ultimate aim of ending the trafficking of women and children.

AAA Gold Award for Sports Personality of the Year: Ruqsana Begum, Kickboxer, British Champion, European Gold Medallist, World Bronze Medallist AAA Gold Award for Uniformed and Civil Service: Surjeet Manku, Chief Superintendent

AAA Gold Award for Professional of the Year: Nandita Parshad, Director, Power & Energy Utilities Team at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD); AAA Gold Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Rajeeb Dey, Founder and CEO, Enternships

AAA Platinum Award for Business Person of the Year: Firoz Tejani, Chief Executive of the Lenlyn Group

Srichand Hinduja and Gopichand Hinduja, winners of Lifetime Achievement Awards category with Chief Guest Cherie Blair, Subashkaran Allirajah and CB Patel

interspersed with a line-up of world-class entertainment, a sumptuous dinner and charity auction in aid of the LILY Foundation.

The NGO works to raise funds and awareness for its anti- trafficking work

In his opening speech, Mr. CB Patel, Publisher/Editor, Asian Business Publications Ltd. (ABPL) and Chairman, AAA said, “The theme of this year's awards is solely dedicated to women. We

AAA Platinum Award for Woman of the Year: Farida Gibbs, CEO of GibbsS3, a globally certified, woman-owned business empire

AAA Platinum Award for Lifetime Achievement: Hinduja Brothers, industrialists and philanthropists Editor’s Award for Lawyer of the Year: Mitesh Patel, Partner, Levenes Solicitors

Editor's Award for Philanthropist of the Year: Anita Choudrie, Founder of Path to Success charity

odds in their lives, but have fought for equal opportunities and have made significant contributions, sometimes more than men in this society.”

Col Pickles Sodhi, Managing Director, Alpha G Corp – the Main Sponsor for the event – said, “At the outset, on behalf of our company, I would like to offer my congratulations to all nominees tonight. I would like to thank Mr CB Patel for giving us the opportunity to recognize and acknowledge excellence. From Alpha G Corp, always expect the finest.”

Chief Guest, Cherie Blair, CBE, QC said, “Part of the reason for us being here tonight is to celebrate the British Asian community, and I consider myself very much an honorary member of that, not least because it gives me the great opportunity to wear the fantastic Indian dress.

We're also of course celebrating Asian women here tonight and guys if you had to get dressed in this every day, you would realise that their achievements are even more extraordinary.

We've seen women triumphing to the top in education, the workforce and politics. I was privileged to see that on my table was a woman officer in the RAF. That would have been impossible 30 or 40 years ago. That is something that we need to celebrate.

We will see this from many of the people we'll hear about tonight, from business, finance to my own field, the law... Women are making huge contributions in our country and in the world and tonight we're celebrating that particular mark that Asian women have made. So let’s now look forward to hearing about incredible stories of achievement and thank the event organisers for once again putting on

an incredible evening.”

In his address to guests, Rev Jesse Jackson said, “I am delighted to be here to celebrate the 13th AAA. You should all give yourselves a big round of applause. In this past week, we celebrated Martin Luther King in Washington and everything he did in 1963. He never gave up. I thank you for the joy, the hope and let’s keep fighting together. There is too much hate in the world, too much violence, too much war.

We, as civilised people, must go another way. War is attractive, but peace has more benefit. We've tried war, it does not work.

Instead, let's give hope a chance, and keep hope alive. Give peace a chance, give peace a chance.”

Please see full Winners’ Biogs in accompanying document.

The Asian Achievers Awards salute individuals who are singularly responsible for bringing the Asian community to the centre stage of British life, and celebrate the exceptional and exemplary achievements of community members that are truly inspirational. The coveted Awards were first envisioned as a standard of excellence that would create role models and encourage younger generations to follow in their footsteps.

UK

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

MUSIC

Tanveer Mann

Arjun releases new single ‘Take It Back’ British singer, songwriter and producer Arjun returns with his brand new single ‘Take It Back’, releasing on 16th September. The track showcases the award winning UK R&B / pop sensation Arjun with one of the most contagious chorus hooks of the summer, along with his own ultra-slick production and ever smooth vocals.

Arjun follows up from a set of hugely successful songs including his unique R&B remixes to popular international film hits such as ‘Why This Kolaveri Di’, ‘Chammak Chalo’ and ‘Tum Hi Ho’, which has seen the British star amass over an incredible 24 million hits on YouTube. One of the UK’s biggest DIY success stories & internet phenomena of recent years, Arjun’s staggering YouTube views and an army of 70,000 Facebook fans has paved the way for more success with his latest single ‘Take It Back’.

Arjun stamped his mark on the UK music scene when he was voted ‘Best Urban Act’ at the UK Asian Music Awards 2012, where he also performed at the ceremony at Wembley Arena, and was also a Top 20 unsigned finalist in the MTV Brand New contest the same year.

Track is a perfectly sculpted dance floor

smash, overflowing with Arjun’s signature swagger and Urban grooves. Lyrically, Arjun cleverly cites a roll-call of R&B legends, some of his own personal musical influences, paying homage to the feel-good rhythm & bass of the 90’s, seamlessly weaving lines and showcasing true lyrical prowess.

‘Take It Back’ will be available to download from iTunes on 16th September and is available to pre-order now: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/ album/take-it-back-single/id690191347

Did you know..?

Each year Disneyland uses over 5,000 gallons of paint to maintain the clean appearance of the park.

Word of the Week:

Panurgic – skilled in all kinds of work

TRAVEL Mykonos Nightlife As the sun withers away in the UK, you can still cling on to your hopes of a tan by visiting the gorgeous Greek island of Mykonos. The island's breathtaking views of the glistening sea is an added bonus to the famous cube-shaped, white houses that the island boasts. A number of boutique hotels are scattered along the beachfront, which means you only have a few steps to go before you can dine in style or relax on the

beach.

Relaxation is, of course, a must in Mykonos because nightlife does not start until the early hours of the morning.

Considered to be one of the top clubbing destinations in the Mediteranean, Mykonos has truly earned the title of the most 'hip' island of Greece, with many celebs choosing it as their holiday destination. The island boasts a hub of diverse bars and clubs which are open to every-

one, but most well known globally is the Super Paradise club situated on Paradise beach, which has attracted internationally famous DJs. If you are looking for some chic bars, Little Venice is the place to be.

Having just returned from Mykonos myself, I would definitely recommended grabbing a bunch of friends and experiencing the Greek scene the Mykonos way!

Below is a list of my favourite clubs on the island:

Space

Cavo Paradiso

Astra Skandinavian Bar

Down Under

15

If you have any particular topics you would like covered on my page, please let me know.

www.punjabeeblonde.wordpress.com tanveer.mann@abplgroup.com

HEALTH

An App which has become a part of my daily routine, MyFitnessPal is truly the 'pal' that you've always been looking for. She travels with you everywhere so you are never alone, she takes an interest in your life, she makes sure you eat healthily, she accompanies you to the gym and she even provides the motivation you desperately need when you are having a 'low' moment.

In such a fast paced society, it is easy to get caught up with eating a lot of fast food. My FitnessPal encourages a healthy lifestyle by helping you track calories and activity levels, set weight-loss goals and monitor your progress.

It is free to install and free to register and is available on all smart phones. Once you've installed it, the instructions are simple – you'll be on your way to losing weight in no time!

CAREERS

Jobs Opportunities at Harrow recruitment fair

The Xcite Employment fair – 17th September, 11am-3pm Harrow Civic Centre, Station road, Harrow, HA1 2XY A great job opportunity is just around the corner as a new designer outlet shopping centre will be hiring at the next Xcite Job Fair.

The brand new London Designer Outlet, which is due to open its doors in Wembley this Autumn, will be the first of its type in the capital.

With an impressive 85 shops, restaurants and cafés, as well as a 9screen Cineworld complex, there are many retail, catering and hospitality jobs waiting to be filled.

Jobseekers can apply for work and speak to local companies at a job fair organised by Harrow Council on Tuesday 17th September.

The Xcite Employment & Training Fair takes place at the Civic Centre from 11am to 3pm and puts Harrow residents searching for jobs in direct contact with recruiting companies and training

providers.

Training providers will also be there to advise you on how to improve or gain new skills, and help and advice on interview skills and CV writing will also be on hand at the event.

Councillor Will Stoodley, Harrow Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration, said: “The London Designer Outlet is just a stone’s throw away and will provide our residents with an exciting opportunity to find a job nearby.

The Council is here to help residents looking for work and the Xcite fair aims to do just that, by putting them in direct contact with local employers.

“For anyone looking for a job or change in career this is a great opportunity to get expert advice on training and to speak directly to companies who are looking for staff right now.”

For more information, please contact Charan Gurdev tel 020 8416 8192

Ha Ha.....

He He.... :P

My mother-in-law fell down a wishing well, I was amazed, I never knew they worked.

I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.

Police arrested two kids yesterday, one was drinking battery acid, the other was eating fireworks. They charged one - and let the other one off.

16

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

I am tired of dating heroines: Shahid Shahid Kapoor, 32, doesn't like complications in life. He feels he could have done with being less emotional, but is extremely sensitive and feels protective about his mother and half-brother Ishaan.

He has had a tough life. His parents were separated, he shifted cities, could not make friends and needed to find direction in life. Films gave him both. He did not know how to deal with all the attention he got as a star initially, and would not reveal his true self to people, but he is himself today and appreciates the love that comes his way. Ahead of his film “Phata Poster Nikhla Hero,” he opens about his life and why he would not like to date a heroine again.

Ajith's ‘A screens f

Nazriya Nazim happy and scared

While Ajith's film with Siruthai Siva was announced as a Pongal 2014 release, the latest is that Ajith’s much awaited “Arrambam” directed by Vishnuvardhan has been officially announced as a Diwali 2013 release. It's usually a festival for Ajith fans when his films release, and with his next two, both slated to release on a festival day, it's going to be well celebrated by his fans. “Arrambam” has Ajith, Nayanthara, Arya and Taapsee in the lead with handsome hunk Rana Daggubati playing an important role. While the music for the film is composed by Yuvanshankar Raja, the cinematography is handled jointly by PS Vinod and Om Prakash.

Konkona in Mumbai Film Festival jury Heading the International Competition jury of the 15th Mumbai Film Festival organized under the auspices of the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) will be acclaimed film director Bruce Beresford, whose 1989 film “Driving Miss Daisy” won the Academy Award for the Best Film. He was also nominated for the Best Director in 1984 for “Tender Mercies.” This jury also has the French actress Nathalie Baye, multi-faceted artist, who has worked with the likes of “Godard” and “Truffaut.” Masato Harada, renowned Japanese actor - director of “The Last Ssamurai” and Konkana Sen Sharma, who's given us memorable films such as “Mr and Mrs Iyer” and “Omkara” are part of the Jury as well.

Amitabh Bachchan creates new e-mail ID for fans!

Amitabh Bachchan lovingly calls his fans EF or the extended family. He has now created an e-mail ID, asking for the details of his fans, so that he can wish them on their special days. This has sent his fans across the globe into raptures. "I asked my Ef for a database...

Request you to kindly invite the EF community to send their details to this email address so that we will compile the entire data at our end of all the EF's etc. I am also working on a system which will assign an EF number which will be unique and mapped to the email address and birth date. This will be like a unique id which will have all the EF data."

Sunny Leone to play a matchmaker The adult film actress Sunny Leone to help Mallika Sherawat find her soul mate in her new show - the desi version of the American series 'The Bachelorette' It looks like Mallika Sherawat needs some help in choosing a soul mate as she is a bit confused about choosing her Mr Right. To help her out, Sunny Leone will feature in the show as a friend and confidante. Sunny Leone will guide Mallika so that she makes the right choice. The shoot of the show is presently on in Udaipur. There are about 30 contestants vying for the attention of Mallika.

Akshara Bollywoo

Nazriya Nazim seems to have become of the heartthrobs in the industry with her good looks and effortless acting. The anchorturned-actress found success with “Neram” and is now busy with “Naiyaandi” opposite Dhanush and in “Raja Rani” opposite Jai. Interestingly she was spotted by director Aness and was cast as the female lead in “Thirumanam Ennum Nikkah” opposite Jai. There is a good demand for the actress in the industry and she is quite happy with the way things have turned out. But at the same time she is scared that there are high expectations riding on her and that she wants to do her best.

Alia Bhatt warns against fake 'Highway' pictures Actress Alia Bhatt has warned her fans against "random" pictures of her forthcoming film 'Highway', which are doing the rounds on internet. Alia, who made her debut with Karan Johar's 2012 movie “Student Of The Year,” will star opposite Randeep Hooda in the Imtiaz Ali film. "There's some random image doing around from Highway that isn't authentic at all! That is not me or Randeep in that picture," Alia posted on Twitter. "Stills from the film will be out closer to the release probably. So please don't fall for these fake images," she added.

There's been a steady buzz about Kamal Haasan's youn daughter Akshara, following the footsteps of her sister Sruthi Haasan into filmdom Looks like the younger Haa is likely to make her onscre debut soon in Bollywood.

While the buzz is that Aksh would be doing a Balki film there is no official confirmation. Shruti seems be grooming her sister for Bollywood and is also said t be the one who has advised Akshara to consider acting career. It is known that Shr and Akshara are often seen together in most film events and also during the Celebrit Cricket league.

Priyanka wants to balance life like Beyonce!

Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra admires international pop starcum-actress Beyonce Knowles for the balance that she has struck in personal and professional life. "I admire Beyonce a lot because she is an amazing performer and more than anything, she balances her personal and professional life very well," Priyanka said. "She has a child, and at the same time, her professional life also, which is amazing!

That's the kind of a person I would like to be - who can balance both personal and professional life together," she added.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

Arrambam’ to hit for Diwali

Freida Pinto replaces Aishwarya, Sonam? hile Aishwarya Rai Bachchan W is considered as one of the most beautiful women in the

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Katrina wins the sexiest woman poll, beats Deepika, Priyanka Katrina Kaif has been voted as the sexiest woman of India 2013 in a poll conducted by FHM magazine. The actress, who even appears on the cover of the latest issue of the magazine, beat actresses like Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor and got the maximum votes. At number two was Priyanka Chopra and Deepika came third in the poll. Dressed in a tank top and black track pants, Katrina looked fit and fabulous on the cover of the magazine.

world and Sonam Kapoor the ultimate style diva, the beauties were apparently in shock when they seemed to be unceremoniously dropped from an ad of an international cosmetic brand.

What is surprising is that while these two apparently have failed to feature in the ad, Freida Pinto is very much present among the likes of Eva Longoria, Jane Fonda and Julianne Moore.

According to sources, Ash shot for her portions when she visited Cannes this year and the ad was shot beautifully. The film industry is surprised by Ash and Sonam's absence while Frieda seems to have been retained by the brand. The question everyone seems to be asking is whether the two leading beauties of Bollywood have made it to the final cut. The brand spokesperson has refused to comment on the issue and has said that the whole campaign of the cosm e t i c brand has d i ff e r e n t versions of ads that also feature both.

17

I am not getting engaged or married: Ranbir B

ollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has denied reports of engagement with rumoured girlfriend Katrina Kaif. There were reports in a section of media that Ranbir would make a formal proposal on his birthday (September 28). "There was a report that I am getting engaged on my birthday and there is no truth in it... I am not getting engaged or married," Ranbir told reporters at the promotional event of his upcoming film 'Besharam'. Ranbir feels scrutiny of his personal life is a part and parcel of showbiz but he would try to protect his personal space. "When I was new in the industry I spoke openly about my relationship. I feel when you do this the spotlight is more on personal life than work. I want to protect my life. I don't want my life to become a reality show," he said. However, Ranbir refused to clarify his relationship with Katrina. "I am single till I get married, I think I believe in that saying. I am going very strong with this movie ('Besharam'), I am very excited about it. That is the only excitement I have in my life right now," he said. "I am very happy with the work I am doing. I am happy in my personal life with family, friends, everything. I am not bothered with all this. I am not here to make or break an image. I am arrogant enough to know that I am a good actor and people will like me for my work," Ranbir said.

Sushant Singh Rajput is the new serial kisser A

former TV actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who received acclaim for his performance in “Kai Po Che” has done as many as 27 kissing scenes in his second release “Shuddh Desi Romance.”

Sushant will be romancing “Ishaqzaade” actress Parineeti Chopra and newcomer Vaani Kapoor in the Maneesh Sharma romantic comedy. Looks like this number will surely take the film to the top of the list as far as locking lips is concerned. Since the film tells the tale of young romance, attraction and commitment, looks like kissing scenes were inevitable. Sushant will essay the role of a tourist guide in the film, while Parineeti will be seen playing a more bold mature character.

During the film's promotions on various reality shows Sushant was bombarded with questions on his kissing sequences with the two ladies.

Parineeti came to Sushant's rescue saying that with two actresses to romance, kissing scenes would have been inevitable. On Comedy Nights With Kapil, a fan asked Sushant how his girlfriend Ankita Lokhande reacts to the scene to which he replied, "She understands that it is a part of the role."

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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

Financial Voice Dear Financial Voice Reader,

I write to you from Lucknow from where I have just conducted a interview on trading. I want to share it with you. Should you not understand any of the terms, I recommend www.investopedia.com.

T - Hi Alpesh, thanks for taking the time to talk to us about your trading. To begin with can you tell me what your preferred products and markets for trading are?

A – Nowadays it tends to be Forex. But it used to be stocks in the 80s when I was in my teens, moving on to penny shares (those under gbp1) because of the large rises, and then options trading because again of large potential gains and then onto futures, then spreadbetting for convenience. Today it is FX and indices because of leverage (bang for buck) and also ease of trading and long trading hours and liquidity making my trading strategies easier to deploy.

T - Do you consider yourself a day trader, swing trader or position trader?

A – Definitely swing trader. I use the MACD a lot and it takes time to deploy those moves. Day trading is fine, where you hold positions for a few hours but is time consuming for me so I use my own algorithms to give me buy and sell signals and for swing trading. The secret to all success is automation – ever since the industrial revolution – actually ever since the invention of slavery!

Now we use computers as slaves. My algos give me the buy and sell signals.

T - Information and reliable trading platforms are key to success for any trader, can you reveal which platforms you use and why?

A – I like spreadbetting platforms from big players – after bad experience using Worldspreads as a whitelable – I never ever ever use small firms ever again. You just can’t risk it. I’ve recently completed a series of TV commercials with BWin and like them of course and use MT4 for Fx trading on FXCM which is NYSE limited and a big hairy giant of a company. You can access accounts via www.alpeshpatel.com T - I´ve read many of your trading books over the years, and understand you started investing in shares as young as twelve years old – what, or who, originally inspired you to start investing at such a young age?

A – I lived opposite a Post Office and they had these free brochures which were for OAPs to understand so a 12 year old easily could about Government Gilts. So I borrowed gbp100 from my aunt because I wanted to pull my weight in my family who were working so hard.

T - Is this why you still devote your own time to teaching others to trade today? A way of giving back...of helping others achieve success too?

A – I love education and communication. When I was at school and I eventually became a straight-A student, I would teach other students who would ask and their parents would be so greatful. Today, people ask why I do it, and I explain that I just love teaching and seeing the lightbulb in others go on. But also because if you know something, and knowledge is godly, it’s a sin to let others stumble and not teach them. So I subsidise my free education with some paid private education – a bit like in Britain we have state schools which are free, paid for by private taxes on the few who want privileged education! So for instance I charge people for my algos and that pays for all the free education I give in places like AlpeshPatel.com

Rupee up 140 paise at 63.84 vs dollar

The Indian rupee on Tuesday closed above the 64 mark at 63.84 against the dollar, up 140 paise the biggest in two weeks as fears of a US military strike on Syria eased amid lower global oil prices.

Banks and exporters preferred to reduce their dollar positions on expectations of additional foreign fund flows into the equity market.

The rupee resumed higher at 64.40 a dollar from Friday's close of 65.24 and touched a low of 64.54 at the interbank foreign exchange market. It later bounced back to breach the 64 mark and touch a high of 63.78 before settling at 63.84, a rise of 140 paise

or 2.15 per cent. Tuesday's rise was the biggest since it added 225 paise on August 29. In four straight sessions, the local currency has flared up by 379 paise or 5.6 per cent.

Sensex closes 727 points up, its biggest one-day gain in 4 years Meanwhile, the sensex on Tuesday zoomed by 727 points, its biggest singleday gain in over 4 years, to end just a shade below 20,000-mark on heavy FII buying in bluechips on the back of positive factors like strong rupee, solid trade data and receding concerns about US military attack on Syria.

Upbeat Chinese economic data and lower oil prices.

JLR to invest £1.5bn in new tech, create 1,700 UK jobs

Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a major investment boost of £1.5 billion to introduce technologically advanced aluminium vehicle architecture in a new range of models.

The company will create as many as 1,700 new jobs at its advanced manufacturing facility in Solihull in the West Midlands region of England to meet the requirements of the enhanced product portfolio.

The latest additions will bring the total number of UK manufacturing jobs announced by JLR over the last three years to almost 11,000.

"Jaguar Land Rover is a business driven by design, technology and innovation and this investment and level of job creation is yet

further evidence of our commitment to advancing the capability of the UK automotive sector and its supply chain," JLR Chief Executive Officer Ralf Speth said at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

As part of a series of announcements at the automotive show in Germany, Speth revealed that the first new model to utilise the innovative new architecture will be a midsized sports sedan from Jaguar.

The new model, to be launched in 2015, is being billed as one of the most efficient, advanced and refined premium sports sedans in the segment.

It will also feature the first engine to be built at the iconic luxury car brands' new £500-million engine manufacturing centre near Wolverhampton.

Jaguar also revealed it's first-ever sports crossover concept vehicle - the CX17 - which was created as a design study to intro-

duce the aluminium monocoque architecture.

According to JLR, the inherent flexibility of the latest technology will enable the JLR business to not only enter but aggressively compete in exciting new segments and form the basis on which an exciting range of future Jaguars will be built.

"Jaguar Land Rover has been experiencing great success over the last couple of years but this ground-breaking project takes Jaguar onto the next level. This all aluminium architecture project typifies the type of innovative and high value R&D that the UK excels in, and the government is supporting through the automotive industrial strategy," said UK Business Secretary Vince Cable.

After the rapid slide in India's rupee this year, the message from the country's corporate titans to the government is clear: shape up and fix the problems or more companies will expand their business abroad and deprive the economy of investment.

Many, such as entrepreneur Kiran MazumdarShaw, are already doing just that.

Ranked by Forbes as one of the world's most powerful women, she is investing about $200 million in a manufacturing plant in Malaysia for her biotechnology firm Biocon Ltd to offset unreliable power and water supplies back home. It already makes more than half its

sales overseas.

"If India had better infrastructure and more availability of power I may not have gone abroad," said Shaw, who followed in her father's footsteps with a master's degree in brewing in Australia before setting up Biocon in her garage in Bangalore 35 years ago.

"We don't have enough power, we don't have enough water. So some of these projects where we need water and power, I will do it in Malaysia because that's where it is abundant," Shaw, who is ranked 92 in India's rich list with a net worth of $ 625 million, said in an interview.

She is one of many top

entrepreneurs voicing frustration that policymakers failed to keep economic reforms rolling over the past decade, which they contend would have prevented India from stumbling into its deepest economic crisis since 1991, when it was forced to pledge the country's gold reserves in exchange for international loans.

Economic growth has almost halved in pace to less than 5 per cent in the past six years, a flood of cash leaving the country has led to a record current account deficit and combined with a rout of emerging markets, has sent the rupee into a tail spin.

The economic cost is

underlined by Indian Inc's overseas direct investment. Including bank guarantees issued to overseas units, it stood at more than $21 billion in the first seven months of this year, up 38 per cent from the same period of 2012.

That is set to increase as companies see the advantages of diversifying globally.

In a bid to reduce its dependence on a slowing auto market and get a foothold in China and the United States, Apollo Tyres agreed in June to pay $2.5 billion for USbased Cooper Tire & Rubber Co, which was nearly three times its own market value at that time.

The arrival of Raghuram Rajan, the new governor at the Reserve Bank of India, has given the rupee a much-needed boost, but India’s economic woes show no sign of disappearing. This, however, could represent a golden opportunity for British investors in emerging markets.

Following report takes a look at what the rupee’s fall means for you and examines whether you should continue to invest in the country.

Where do things stand right now?

Chris Towner, director at HiFX, the foreign exchange brokers, says that as recently as March you could buy 81 rupees for a pound, but on August 28 the rupee hit 106.98 before rebounding to 101.32.

India’s trade deficit -

where imports are greater than exports - has been a major cause for concern. In the year ending March 2012 it was $185 billion (£118 billion), compared with an estimate of $160 billion.

Much of this was driven by Indian consumers’ appetite for gold. India imported 860 tonnes of the precious metal in 2012, and it is used in everything from religious festivals to Bollywood films.

The trade deficit has also worsened the country’s current account deficit, which is approaching the $90 billion mark.

That compares with $46 billion in 2010-11. But perhaps the biggest problem is investor worry over the tapering of bond buying by the US Federal Reserve. Worried that the flow of cheap money will dry up in the near future, investors have been mov-

ing away from emerging markets because they are starting to find good value in the West.

This has left India with GDP growth of just 4.4 per cent for the quarter to June, a far cry from the near 10 per cent figures during the heydays.

What is the Government doing about it?

The import duty on gold has been raised and P Chidambaram, India’s finance minister, also said that $27 billion of infrastructure projects had been fast-tracked in the hope of kick-starting the economy and attracting more foreign investment.

Raghuram Rajan, who took over as RBI governor last week, announced a slew of measures, promising to curb inflation and boost growth. The rupee rose by 2.3 per cent after

his statement. However, critics say that Rajan himself cannot solve the problems, and accuse the government of chasing populist measures instead of painful but necessary reforms. With elections due in May next year, there was little opposition to a recent food programme aimed at the poor, which will cost an estimated $24 billion - an expenditure that the country can ill afford at this time.

So it’s all doom and gloom then?

Quite the opposite, according to the experts.

Peter Elston, head of Asia Pacific strategy at Aberdeen Asset Management, says the rupee is now approaching what he considers to be fair value. If anything, he adds, the current crisis represents an opportunity for long-term investors.

India Inc tells govt to shape up, or we'll ship out

Best time for British business to invest in India

FINANCIAL VOICE

Take the cream and the cherry!

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

Last week we mentioned a deal in Harrow, it is an office block called Lowlands House, and today we exchanged on it. We had to move quickly in order to secure this property, as there was another contract out to another party who had also put in for planning. The property was exchanged for £2.825m, the aim will be to get planning for 28 residential units.

The block is only a minute from Harrow on the Hill station and will end up as excellent BTL investments for the eventual purchasers for the final end properties.

The location to be honest is not the best for an end user as some of the apartments are likely to face the train track and thereby be off putting for someone who wishes to live there permanently.

However the project is geared primarily to BTL investors rather than end users, simply due to its location. Harrow on the Hill has connectivity to Wembley Park Station and then only in 11 minutes you can be in the West End in Baker street. It is important to know who your target market is, there exist only two types of buyers in the market: one is the end user the other is the BTL investor. By knowing who your customer is you can tailor your end product accordingly. With the end user the price and rentability are not at the top of the list; here it is very important to play on the emotions and make the property emotionally appealing. Many developers who are looking to sell the property to end users give the impression they are buying into a dream, into a way of life, this is not simply a property they are purchasing, it’s a whole lifestyle they are buying into. Here we are clear our goal will be to sell to investors and therefore the end package will be geared to this goal.

So excellent transportation links are already at your doorstep, of course shopping is also at your fingertips only moments away with St Anns and St Georges shopping centres.

It is sometimes strange how perception in the property market works. When a property has been on the market for a long length of time no one wants this property, as the perception is ‘there must be something wrong with it’.

There have been times where for some reason or another decent good properties which stack up extremely well have not sold. Simply because they have had buyers in succession who couldn’t complete the sale due to say mortgage issues. This then has the effect of the property losing its edge and getting left on the shelf, as no one wants something which nobody else wants. This is apparent even in children, a child only wants a toy which another child is playing with – when they decide to play with it.

There have been properties fully on the market which when I came across them I wondered why they haven’t sold, they were good deals and should have gone ages ago.

One was a freehold HMO in Ivor Place which was priced at £700k, this was in 2006 and it was producing £63,000. It was a 10 room HMO building close to both Marylebone and Baker Street stations, and you couldn't purchase a freehold for this price in this area, it was sold in 5 years time for over £1m. This property was fully marketed but no one was snapping it up simply because it had passed its sell by date for being on the market for too long. In truth this was the time when finance for HMOs was a little problematic and therefore possibly even though it looked great at first glance the funding aspect may have put investors off. The client we sourced this property for ended up having the property financed at 85% Loan to Value which meant he only had to put £105k into the deal. The property gave him positive cash flow every month and he was making £70k per annum in capital appreciation.

Altho ugh we have exchanged on this d eal, t his was don e purely to lock it d own and prevent an other purchaser f rom doing the de al. We have le ft t he d oor open for o ther in ve st ors to come in on this deal and have agreed a long completion in o rde r t o allow e nou gh t ime fo r this to happen.

Any new investor will have the same terms as the original investors who closed the deal, there will be no preferential terms. This project gives you the option to come in as investors at this stage, as well as becoming BTL investors when the project has been completed. You get to take the cream and the cherry! Ordinarily the developer makes the bulk of the profit; here you may have the option to increase your deposit before you purchase the final product.

Harrow has the highest concentration of Indians in the UK, therefore this development will be targeted at this market as Indians do like to buy somewhere close to where they live. We are now planning to do a top end scheme, as this is where the market is heading. The block once developed will have a revised upward valuation of just under £9m.

The build cost will also be increased from what we had originally considered, and be in the region of £3m to reflect a higher quality. This is based on a resell figure of £450per sq ft which our research shows is achievable in the area.

So you can see there is margin in this deal, further more this is an area where both rents and house prices are rising. The resell figures are likely to be higher than this by the time the project has finished, which is envisaged to be 18 months from completion.

Of course this in truth can be a doubled edged sword; prices can fall, though it doesn’t seem likely given most commentators on the housing market are saying it's on the rise.

The re are also times whe n you see the angle and n o o ne else d oes, it tak es co nfide nce to move on a deal like this e ven th ough oth ers may no t see the angle .

Man y of ou r in vest ors have mod est amount s to invest, but wish to event ual ly have a BTL investment. This way the y can inc rease their deposit by in ve st in g mon ey in to this pro jec t and later co nvert in g it int o a deposit fo r the end pro perty.

The Real Deal

Another example is a property we purchased in 92 Shirland Road in Maida Vale, which comprised of 5 flats with all unknown tenancies.

This property was in the auction fully available for anyone to go and bid on, however the unknown tenancies scared most people off. The reason being they could all be regulated or life tenancies meaning you cannot get rid of them until they die; and whilst they are alive you get a paltry sum of rent. There are some who specialise in these types of investments. You basically profit on the death of your tenants; the quicker they die the more money you make. Of course a lot depends on the age of the tenant, the older they are the higher the value.

In reality in a building like this you are not likely to get more than one or two regulated tenants, however when there are unknowns most investors assume the worst and assume all the tenancies are regulated.

This has the effect of sometimes almost halving a property's value.

Consequently we were able to purchase the block of flats for only £1.1m where as the valuation based on normal tenancies would have been £1.8m minimum. This block was sold only three days later for £1.3m, straight after exchange.

It's not simply to purchase discounted deals that investors use us, but also for the perception and angle we have honed from experience; not just mine but also the team we work with, many of whom have been dealing in property whilst I was a toddler.

Pimlico, London, SW1V Purchase Price: £2.75m l l l l

A bright and airy four bedroom penthouse flat Stunning views over the River Thames Lift goes directly from basement car park into the flat Comparable properties on the market are priced at £1,450 sq ft and above l End value after works expected to be around £4.5m Call us now if you would like to have a piece of the pie!

0207 993 0103

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now:

Specialists in

Central London Property Sourcing

info@sowandreap.co.uk

www.sowandreap.co.uk

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

Follow us online:

Sowandreapuk

19

SowandReapProperties

Tips of the Week

l Always consider the projects which are happening in and around the borough you’re purchasing in; this will ensure strong capital growth into the future.

l Often people get carried away with terms like Below Market Value; remember this is not the main consideration, the potential for future growth needs to be there. A property may be cheap but that doesn’t mean it will increase in value in the future.

20

UK maria@abplgroup.com

Autumn brings new winds of change

Maria Fernandes

ara Teather, the MP for Brent, has always been S feisty in her views on

immigration and her decision to stand down in the next Parliament will be a great loss in Parliament and the immigration debate. She understood the plight of immigrants at the lower social scale of society and spoke with a deep understanding of the issues, something generally lacking in many of the Members of Parliament.

The relentless drive for new changes continues.

Here are some of them: Visitors: • Visitors can study for up to 30 days.

• Degree level students from abroad will qualify for entry for up to 6 months at the invitation of a University to undertake research as part of that course.

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) • Confirmation that an Entrepreneur team can consist of a maximum of 2 people.

• Clarification that funding can also be available to an applicant’s business.

Tier 2 • Tier 2 (ICT) – removal of the English language test for those extending their stay beyond 3 years.

• Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur), removal of need to advertise the job when switching from this category to Tier 2 (General).

• Those earning £152,100 or more are no longer prevented from owning over 10% of shares in the business.

• Tier 2 applicants who are applying for settlement will require their Sponsor to continue to hold a licence.

Tier 5 • Allow switching from Tier 4 to Tier 5 to undertake an internship for up to 12 months in the Tier 5 Government Exchange sub-category.

• Hong Kong is added to the list of Youth Mobility

Indian government okays investments worth `1,400 bn

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

countries allowed to enter the UK for employment between the ages of 18-31.

General: • Tier 1 (General) new test of “genuineness earnings” when applying for extensions and for Tier 5, Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) and Tier 5 subject to test of genuineness.

• Electronic bank statements to be allowed.

• Format of payslips to be easier and consistent for all categories.

Dependants Dependants can apply to switch status in-country providing they are not illegal migrants or visitors.

However the restriction on dependants switching to main applicants will remain.

Family rules • Improve flexibility where specified documents can be verified by other means.

• Allow cash savings to be used within 6 months if they are the result of proceeds of sale of property owned solely or jointly by either partner or jointly.

• Allow person who is coming to take up nonsalaried employment starting within 3 months to count as earnings.

General ground for refusal A stand-alone ground of refusal where offending has caused serious harm or is a persistent offender.

English language • Applicants will need to pass an English level exam. The previous rule of qualifying through other means will no longer be possible.

However those in the family route who cannot pass the test for 15 years will be exempt and the exemption for over 65s and those with disabilities will remain.

• The tests for Tier 4 students must achieve scores in all elements of the exam. If they previously passed the test at B1 or B2 they can continue to meet this level.

Amid a rush of bad news, the government of India has quietly removed hurdles for 34 infrastructure projects, involving investment of nearly Rs 1,400 billion. The list includes 17 power projects with investment of over Rs 950 billion, where fuel supply has been tied up and some of the generation units are expected to start producing electricity as early as next quarter.

The held-up projects, which have been cleared, are part of 217 projects with total investment of over Rs 10,000 billion and are being monitored on a weekly basis by the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) in the cabinet secretariat.

The group was set up under the Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) that is headed by PM Manmohan Singh.

Unclogging invest-

ments is a key component of the government's agenda to get the economy back on track and is seen as one of the initial building blocks for boosting business and investor sentiment.

So far, maximum progress has been made in case of power sector as PMG has brought the coal ministry and power project developers face to face to ensure that fuel supply does not hold up invest-

ments, said an official. It got the coal ministry to agree to meet the requirements of the Rs 100 billion Talwandi Power. "In 16 cases, FSAs (fuel supply agreements) have actually been signed and timelines fixed for power generation," said an officer.

Another seven projects have been identified where FSAs will be signed over the next few weeks.

Next on target is the

steel sector where several projects are held up as the go-no-go controversy meant that the promoters could not begin mining for coal. In the meantime, they went ahead with the construction of plants and now face a situation where there is no fuel available to manufacture steel. The steel ministry has circulated a note to allow some of the projects, including one

by Essar Steel, to access coal from neighbouring mines, when they can't meet the demand from captive mines. Sources said CCI is expected to take up these projects as well as an aluminium plant by the Aditya Birla group.

Sources said environmental clearances for another 10 projects, including oil, road and railway have been expedited. These involve an investment of nearly Rs 150 billion.

to the dollar.

"The issue of acquisition of shares under the FDI scheme by a non-resident on a recognised stock exchange has been reviewed and as a further measure of liberalization, it has been decided that a non-resident, including a non-resident Indian, may acquire shares of a listed Indian company on the stock exchange through a registered broker under the FDI scheme (given certain conditions)..." the RBI notification said.

ary investments via the stock market without prior RBI approval," said Harshal Kamdar, associate director, PwC India. "This increases the administrative facilitation for nonresident strategic investors and is indeed a welcome move," Kamdar said.

The RBI notification also said that the payment for acquiring shares through this route could be through inward remittance through the normal banking channels, debit to the NRE/FCNR account of the investor maintained with an authorized dealer or a bank, or debit to non-interest bearing Escrow account (in Indian rupees) maintained in India with a bank.

It could also be paid out of the "dividend payable by Indian investee company, in which the said non-resident holds control," the central bank said. The pricing of such acquisition should be in accordance with the pricing guidelines under FEMA, it said.

Market players said that a better move would have been to allow all foreign residents to come to the Indian market through similar routes and a move like that can attract more foreign exchange into the country.

Global economic growth hit a 2-1/2 year high last month, with bumper expansion in both services and manufacturing activity, a survey showed.

JP Morgan's Global All-Industry Output Index, compiled with Markit, rose to 55.2 in August from July's 54 holding above the 50 threshold for growth for over four years.

"Manufacturing is showing renewed signs of strengthening to support the recent solid upswing in the services sector," said David Hensley, director of global economics coordination at JP Morgan.

The global services PMI rose to 56.1 in August from 54.9, its best showing since early 2011.

The upturn in output remained broad-based, JP Morgan said, with the United States, Britain and Ireland recording the fastest growth rates of allindustry output of all the nations covered.

A survey showed global manufacturing activity grew at its fastest pace in over two years in August as new orders flooded in at a rate not seen since February 2011.

Foreign investors can now raise their stake in India without RBI's nod

Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan seems to be a man on a mission. Within days of announcing a host of measures to shore up the rupee, the RBI liberalized investment norms for foreign strategic investors holding substantial stake in Indian company to further increase their stakes in the same company without prior approval of the central bank.

The move aims to enhance dollar flows into India and reduce time taken by such investors in making investments in Indian stocks. Earlier, such investors had to seek prior permission from the RBI before increasing their stake in an Indian company. This created the risk of the news getting out early, thereby raising the stock's price, which in turn could make the acquisition more expensive for the investor.

The move by the RBI came in the wake of the country's efforts to bolster its foreign exchange reserves and get additional dollar flows as quickly as possible. The move is also expected to stem the weakness of the rupee, which had last week fallen to a lifetime low of 68.85

'RBI move in right direction': The first condition is that the non-resident investor should have already acquired and "continues to hold the control in accordance with Sebi (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeover) Regulations", it said.

Market players and practitioners of regulatory issues said that the RBI move was in the right direction. "This liberalization allows strategic acquirers to make second-

Global economic growth hits 2-1/2 year high in August

Bombay HC rejects Vodafone plea against `85 bn tax

The Bombay high court dismissed a petition filed by Vodafone India which questioned the jurisdiction of the Income Tax Department to slap an additional Rs 85 billion to its taxable income in a transfer pricing case. This is related to a 2007 sale of a call centre business in India by Vodafone, which the IT department held to be an "unreported international transaction".

The court, which heard the dispute, said the transfer pricing officer had the jurisdiction to

investigate the unreported crossborder transactions and declined to intervene as it held Vodafone had alternate remedies. In effect, it directed Vodafone to take up the case with the IT appellate authorities.

"Vodafone had an equal but more efficacious alternate remedy" under the income tax law. It could file objections before the Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) or appeal before Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). The DRP, said the HC, would "go

into all aspects of the matter factual and legal, while in a writ petition the court may decline interference when there are disputed questions of facts".

The transactions concerned a business transfer agreement for sale of Vodafone's call centre business and "assignment of call options" to Hutchison Whampoa Properties (HWP) (India).

Vodafone had moved the HC last February. It claimed that these were domestic, not international, transactions. It said "the Transfer Pricing Officer (TPO) had no jurisdiction to decide the Arm's Length price of non-reported transactions". The ALP is a price at which a willing

buyer and a willing unrelated seller would freely agree to transact a fair deal. Harish Salve, counsel for Vodafone, said all issues were "resolved" by the January 2012 judgment when the apex court held against a $2.2-billion tax demand by Indian tax authorities over a 2007 deal. Advocate general Darius Khambata and Beni Chaterjee for the IT department said that not every issue, including transfer pricing, was raised before the SC.

FINANCIAL VOICE

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

21

Foreign Exchange

Paresh Davdra is the Dealing Director of RationalFX,

Pound receives a boost Currency Specialists.

The markets were caught unawares on Friday 6th September as the latest job report caused investors to rethink how much the Federal Reserve will look to taper quantitative easing. The headline figure revealed that only 169,000 new jobs were added in August, less than the 180,000 the market was anticipating. The unemployment rate fell to the lowest since December 2008, 7.3%, but the participation rate fell to the lowest since August 1978, to 63.2%.

Overall, what this means is that more people have dropped out of America’s work and whilst the number of people who are unemployed has fallen, the number of additional jobs being added by firms isn’t increasing as much as investors would like.

From the United Kingdom, industrial and manufacturing production fell in July but the pound received a boost on Friday 6th September, after the National Institute of Economic and Social Research increased the estimates for GDP to 0.9% for the three months leading up to August. Thus we could well see a continuation of sterling’s recent outperformance. In fact,

over the last six months the pound has gained by 7.3%, the best performer amongst ten of the major currencies, when measured against a basket of other currencies.

The UK’s manufacturing, construction and service sectors all expanded further in August, providing evidence that the UK’s recovery is well under way. A separate report by property researcher Hometrack also added to the positive data, who confirmed that the average house value in both England and

Wales rose by 0.4% in August following a 0.3% gain in July.

Mario Draghi remained cautious over the state of the economic recovery in Europe stating that further risks to the downside remain. Draghi reiterated the ECB’s stance on forward guidance affirming the ECB’s plans to keep interest rates on hold for the foreseeable future. A slight revelation was the admission that some ECB members would still consider lowering interest rates further however the overall feeling was

that further rate cuts were unwarranted. The largest impact on the market can most likely be attributed to the ECB’s revised GDP forecasts. A contraction of the euro zone is now only expected at 0.4% for the year not 0.6% however they also revised the growth forecasts for 2014 to 1% growth down from 1.1%.

This led to the euro losing 0.7% against the pound and 1% against the dollar.

Canada’s labour market received a boost as the unemployment rate fell to 7.1% and the participation rate increased to 66.6%, lending support for the Canadian dollar. We also had some positive news from Asia, with Chinese trade balance figures coming in better than expected for August, and Japan’s GDP figures for the second quarter coming in at an annualised rate of 3.8%.

The Reserve Bank of Australia held their key interest rate at 2.5% as was expected but refrained from mentioning further scope to ease monetary policy. As a result we saw the Australian dollar regain some ground after 5 months of depreciation.

Weekly Currencies

As of Tuesday 3rd September 2013 @ 5.30pm GBP - INR = 100.10 USD - INR = 63.61 EUR - INR = 84.32 GBP - USD = 1.57 GBP - EUR = 1.19

EUR - USD = 1.33 GBP - AED = 5.78

GBP - CAD = 1.63

GBP - NZD = 1.95

GBP - AUD = 1.69

GBP - ZAR = 15.77

GBP - HUF = 355.28

www.rationalfx.com

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

22

PAKISTAN-BANGLADESH-SRI LANKA

In Focus

Mamnoon Hussain takes oath as Pak president

Islamabad: Agra-born Mamnoon Hussain was sworn in as Pakistan's new president on Monday at a ceremony marking the country's first democratic transition of power from one elected president to another. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry at the function attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari. Zardari's presidential term had ended on Sunday - making him the first elected president in Pakistan's history to complete a five-year term.

Malala Yousafzai receives Children’s Peace Prize

The Hague (Netherlands): Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, who survived a Taliban assassination attempt last year, was honored with the Children's Peace Prize for her work promoting education for girls in her homeland. The 16-year-old said she accepted the prize in the historic Knights' Hall in The Hague "on behalf of all of the children in the world who are trying to go to school, and all of those parents who are overcoming fear and intimidation – or cultural opposition – to give their sons and daughters the chance of an education."

AIR gives Pakistan Jinnah speech tapes

Islamabad: The All India Radio (AIR) has handed over to Pakistan the recordings of two important speeches by the country's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) is planning to broadcast these speeches, delivered on June 3 and Aug 11, 1947, after checking the quality and authenticity some time next week, local media reported. The AIR handed over the recordings after four years of efforts by the PBC. The Daily Times quoted sources in Radio Pakistan and PBC as saying that India has also agreed to hand over more recorded material of Jinnah. The speech has Jinnah declaring Pakistan as a secular state while addressing Pakistan's constituent assembly.

Hindus, Sikhs get one seat in Afghan parliament

New Delhi: Afghan President Hamid Karzai issued a legislative decree giving Hindus and Sikhs one seat in the country's lower house of parliament. With this, the Afghan parliament will now have 250 seats.

This follows Karzai's approval of cabinet amendments of Aug 26, a statement by the president's office said. Under Afghan law, the president can issue decrees when parliament is on vacation. The decree comes ahead of 2014 presidential election and parliamentary polls in 2015.

Drone kills Haqqani commander in Pakistan

Islamabad: A senior commander of Taliban-linked Haqqani militant network was killed along with his six associates when US drone missiles struck a compound in Pakistan's north-western tribal region.

According to intelligence sources, the unmanned drone aircraft fired two missiles on a house at a Darga Mandi village in Ghulam Khan tehsil of North Waziristan tribal region on the tip that Maulvi Sangeen Zadran, a senior commander of the Haqqani network who was put by US on its list of global terrorists in 2011, was inside the compound.

IMF approves $6.7 bn financial assistance to Pak

Washington: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a financial assistance package of $6.7 billion for Pakistan, boosting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's efforts to tackle an economic meltdown. The three-year arrangement approved by the IMF Executive Board under the extended fund facility (EFF) is to support the country's economic reform programme to promote inclusive growth, an official statement said. The executive board's approval enables an initial disbursement by the IMF of about $ 540 million.

Hafiz Saeed threatens India with 'Mumbai-like' attack

Islamabad: Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed has said he would continue his jihad against India until the disputed Kashmir area was completely in Pakistan's grasp.

Warning that India was at risk of facing a repeat of the November 2008 terror strike on Mumbai, Saeed told his supporters at a rally in Islamabad to mark Pakistan's Defence Day by denouncing India as a terrorist state.

The Daily Times said that over 10,000 people gathered to support Saeed and called for a 'holy war' against arch rival India. Saeed's support-

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

ers were left further agitated when told that the United States and India were angry with Pakistan, which he interpreted to mean that God was happy with them.

He further said that they would make every sacrifice for the liberation of Kashmir.

He also criticized New Delhi for giving state honours to Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh, who died in a Pakistani jail earlier this year.

Sarabjit, he said, was a terrorist.

India has accused Saeed of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai attack, where gunmen brutally killed 166 people and urged Pakistan to bring him to justice after handing over evidence against him.

However, Pakistan has not detained Saeed as yet and

has allowed him to live freely in the city of Lahore with police stationed outside his villa.

According to the report, the speakers at the rally openly declared their sympathy for the Taliban group fighting Western forces in Afghanistan. Hamid Gul, a former chief of the ISI intelligence service, during the rally threatened that there are lot of people in Pakistan who were waiting to conquer India.

Saeed's supporters chanted 'Whoever is a friend of India is a traitor,' the report added.

Washington: Pakistan-based al-Qaida engineers are making several efforts, including developing a laser warning system and shoulder-fired missiles, to counter American drones, according to a report.

Al-Qaida leadership is still active inside Pakistan and it has been seriously working to develop counter measures to the successful drones of the US, the Washington Post reported, citing classified documents it received from former CIA contractor Edward Snowden, who leaked some of America's most closely guarded secrets.

According to the Post, these classified documents indicate a growing sense of unease among US agencies about al-Qaida's determination to find a way to neutralize drones.

"Al-Qaida engineers in Pakistan continue development of laser-warning systems in effort to counter

UAV strikes," read the headline of one classified report in 2011, referring to the military acronym for unmanned aerial vehicles.

Beyond the threat that al-Qaida might figure out how to hack or shoot down a drone, however, US spy agencies worried that their drone campaign was becoming increasingly vulnerable to public opposition, it said.

Observing that al-Qaida leaders have become increasingly open about their anti-drone efforts, the daily said that in the absence of a high-tech silver bullet, al-Qaida affiliates around the world have taken to sharing hard-earned lessons about the importance of taking basic defensive measures.

The Post said that in January 2011, US spy agencies detected an unusual electronic signal emanating from near Miran Shah, a jihadist haven in North Waziristan, Pakistan.

Islamabad: Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ruled out deploying the army in Karachi to tackle rising violence. Sharif was speaking after chairing a cabinet meeting in Karachi to discuss the breakdown in law and order there. He said the government was considering using the Pakistan Rangers paramilitary force against criminals in Karachi.

Extortion, kidnappings for ransom, and drive-by shootings are on the rise in the commercial capital, which generates much of Pakistan's national revenue, the report added.

Sharif said anti-terrorism laws would be amended to effectively deal with the scourge of terrorism. Legal experts say the current antiterror laws have some lacunae and suspects are acquitted in view of weak cases. They are suggesting amendments to make the laws more effective to deal with terrorism.

Sharif hinted at amend-

ments to laws during his second day of visit to the violence-hit port city of Karachi where he is seeking support from political parties and business community for a targeted operation against the miscreants, Xinhua reported.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said nearly 1,800 people were killed in targeted attacks in Karachi in the first six months of this year. Sharif said the political parties have supported the suggestion to launch a "targeted campaign" against miscreants to be led by paramilitary forces.

However, he ruled out military operations in the city.

Colombo: Faced with the necessity of reviving an economy ravaged by two decades of civil war, Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa is poised to make a particularly large wager: that the world’s biggest gambling groups want to flock to the south Asian island to set up a series of new mega-casinos.

Rajapaksa is set to green light a $ 400 million casino in the capital Colombo, coowned by Australian tycoon James Packer’s Crown group – the first step in a plan to mimic Singapore’s success establishing a new regional gaming hub.

A second large-scale operation is being planned virtually next door, part of an approximately $ 700 million hotel-and-retail complex from the nation’s largest listed company by revenue, John Keels Holdings, in what is one of the largest investments ever made by a Sri Lankan business.

Casinos are booming across Asia, with Singapore showing especially striking

growth since legalising gaming in 2009. It now boasts two large facilities, run by US tycoon Sheldon Adelson and Malaysian gaming group Genting, with combined

reported gaming revenues of $ 38 billion in 2012, up 13.5 per cent on the previous year.

Sri Lanka is clear which model it plans to emulate. “We want to be a family destina-

annual revenues of about $ 6 billion.

This puts it roughly on par with the celebrated Las Vegas Strip. Yet both pale next to the enclave of Macau, the only place where gambling is legal in China, which

tion, like Singapore,” says Ravi Wijeratne, the head of Rank Holdings, the local company that will co-own the first planned property with Packer.

“We don’t want to be a new Macau or Vegas, no way.”

Family-friendly or not, it

Hafiz Saeed

Al-Qaida engineers in Pakistan Sharif rules out army deployment developing system to counter drones in Karachi to curb violence

Nawaz Sharif

Sri Lanka to relay on mega-casinos to revive economy

is a risky move, and one that will pay out only if the island can attract many more highend tourists. This means in particular tempting visitors from neighbouring India – whose numerous high-rollers are frustrated by widespread gambling bans – as well as from China and Europe.

The operator of John Keels’ casino is yet to be announced, but one person with direct knowledge of the matter says it is set to be run by another leading international gaming group. “All of the big players are interested, and talks are happening,” the person says.

Some analysts say Hong Kong-based gaming mogul Stanley Ho is also considering investment options on the island, while others reckon the government will eventually give permission for more mega-casinos – potentially creating one of the largest gaming clusters in Asia.

Beyond the two existing facilities, there may be “another couple more, not more than that”, says Wijeratne.

WORLD

Bullying of Asian- American students on the rise in New York

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

In Focus

Obama appoints IndianAmerican to key post

Washington: US President Barack Obama has appointed a top Indian-American fund raiser, who worked for his re-election campaign, to a key administration post. San Francisco philanthropist, Azita Raji, who reportedly raised more than $3 million in contributions in 2011-2012 re-election campaign of Obama, has been appointed as Member of the President's Commission on White House Fellowship. A Chartered financial analyst, Raji received a BA in Architecture and French from Barnard College and an MBA in finance from Columbia Business School.

Conservative Abbott is Australia’s new PM

Sydney/Canberra: Australia's conservative leader Tony Abbott swept into office in national elections on Saturday as voters punished the outgoing Labor government for six years of turbulent rule and for failing to maximise the benefits of a now fading mining boom. Abbott, a former boxer, Rhodes scholar and trainee priest, promised to restore political stability, cut taxes and crack down on asylum seekers arriving by boat. "From today I declare that Australia is under new management and Australia is once more open for business," Abbott told jubilant supporters in Sydney.

Indian-American is US state judge

Los Angeles: Sunil R Kulkarni, a prominent Indian-American lawyer, has been appointed as a state judge in Northern California, becoming the first South Asian to assume the position. Kulkarni, 41, who has served as a senior counsel in the litigation group at the University of California was appointed to Santa Clara County Superior Court by governor Jerry Brown, local ethnic newspaper India-West reported.

Two Indians shot dead in America

Washington: The local Indian American community was in shock as a vigil was held outside Saleh's Market in Elkhart, Indiana, where two Sikh men, Jagtar Bhatti and Pawan Preet Singh, running a grocery store were shot and killed during an attempted robbery. Both were natives of Punjab. Condemning the deadly attack, Satnam Singh Chahal, executive director of North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), said the Sikh community is living under the shadow of fear and insecurity.

NAPA in a statement urged the US government to take all necessary measures to protect the lives and property of Indians there.

Iran releases detained Indian oil tanker

New Delhi: Iran has released an Indian crude oil tanker that was detained last month over pollution concerns, an Indian shipping official said, ending a dispute between the countries that have historically had strong trade ties. The tanker, Desh Shanti, carrying 140,000 tonnes of Iraqi crude, sailed to India, said Captain Sunil Thapar, the director of bulk carriers and tankers at state-run Shipping Corp of India.

"She sailed after being finally released from detention," Thapar said, declining to say if any pollution damage claims were made.

The tanker is owned by the SCI and was carrying crude oil for Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd.

Egypt govt dissolves Muslim Brotherhood

Cairo: Egypt's army-backed government has dissolved the Muslim Brotherhood as a registered non-governmental organisation, the state-run Al-Akhbar newspaper reported, pressing a crackdown on deposed President Mohamed Morsi's movement.

The decision applies to the NGO registered by the Brotherhood in March in response to a lawsuit that argued the group had no legal status and marks a legal challenge to Morsi's movement as the police round up its leaders across the country.

23

New York: America is often referred to as the land of democracy, of which equality and liberty are key values. Yet a recent report by the Asian American Legal Defence and Education Fund (AALDEF) and The Sikh Coalition, revealed that New York’s 2008 bias-based harassment measure, Chancellor’s Regulation A-832, has not yet substantially diminished harassment faced by Asian American students in city public schools.

AALDEF and The Sikh Coalition have surveyed city students to evaluate Chancellor’s Regulation A832 since it was implemented five years ago as a response to several high-profile harassment incidents of Sikh students. On the surface, the city’s school bullying prevention regulation is generally strong. It provides clear guidance on defining, responding, tracking, and ultimately addressing bias-based harassment. However as per report and AALDEF’s and the

Coalition’s 2009 survey report of students and 2011 survey report of teachers makes clear, there are significant gaps in the regulation’s implementation. “Five years after the implementation of bias-based harassment legislation in New York City, reported harassment of Asian American students remains high,” says Khin Mai Aung, Educational Equity Director at AALDEF. “Asian Americans are the fastest growing population in New York City, and we must renew our commitment to preventing bias-based harassment from threatening their education.” One significant gap area highlighted by the report is the city’s refusal to publish the data it collects on school bullying incidents throughout the city. While the regulation mandates collection of such data, it does not require its publication.

The report analyzes the responses of 163 Asian American students in New York City, surveyed at after-

school programs, youth leadership meetings, and places of worship. The results capture the gap between the promise public schools have made to dramatically decrease bias-based harassment and the day-to-day reality for Asian American students. Most troubling, the percentage of Asian American students who reported incidents of harassment was at 50%. In addition, only 16% of survey respondents who reported bullying to their schools received a written report from their school, as required by the regulation. Less than half of the bullying victims surveyed reported that their school met the regulation’s requirement of parental notification of bullying incidents.

“I have both seen and experienced bullying in my school,” said Pawanpreet Singh, a Junior at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx and a student leader at the Junior Sikh Coalition, a youth empowerment group

for young Sikhs. “Teachers and students too often don’t know there are rules against bullying or don’t care. The adults in our lives need to create a better environment for students so that we can focus on our studies rather than worrying about the bully down the hall.” While pointing out gap areas, the report also makes clear that the city’s school bullying prevention regulation has had success in making the issue of bias-based harassment more visible. Almost two-thirds of students reported seeing the regulation-required “Respect for All” (RFA) posters in schools. This is a significant increase from the 27% of students who reported seeing these posters during the organizations’ 2009 survey of students. Similarly, while it is troubling that parents are notified of bullying incidents less than half the time, this is still double the number of students who reported parental notification during the 2009 survey.

Nairobi: More than a century ago, British engineers and their African and Indian labourers spent five years carving a railway line through what would become Kenya in a bid to open up East Africa's interior.

Along the way, close to 2,500 workers died, struck down by malaria, attacked by lions or overcome by exhaustion.

By the time the 660mile track reached the shores of Lake Victoria from Mombasa in 1901, the massively over-budget endeavour had been nicknamed “the lunatic express.”

Now, it is to be built all over again - but this time by China. A new standard gauge track will be constructed from Kenya’s coast on the Indian Ocean to its western border with Uganda.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has struck a £3.2 billion deal with Xi Jinping, his Chinese counterpart. This Chinese

funding includes an array of projects, including new hydro-electric dams and the expansion of Kenya’s ports, but the railway is expected to

swallow most of the money.

Its British-built predecessor was rendered almost derelict by decades of statesponsored looting of Kenya Railways, forcing almost all freight on to clogged and potholed roads.

Of the 1,700 miles of track that were operational under British rule in the Fifties, no more than 700 are used today. Trains rarely go faster than 20 mph even on

the best maintained sections.

Kenyatta describes the planned new railway as “important in the context of East Africa’s shared goal of ensuring quicker movement of peoples, goods and services”.

China’s new engagement with Africa was “very similar to the British engagement in the past: railways, roads, bridges, major infrastructure”, said Aly-Khan Satchu, a Kenyan economist. Today, big construction projects have fallen out of favour with Western donors. Meanwhile, Kenyatta is due to stand trial before the International Criminal Court in November for alleged crimes against humanity. All this has strained Kenya’s relations with traditional allies – Britain has nothing but “essential” contact with Kenyatta – and China has quickly stepped into the breach.

Washington: An influential group of Indian -American doctors have said they would approach the Congress seeking a say in the immigration reform, as they said the country was facing shortage of doctors with present mechanism. American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) - the largest ethnic association of physicians in the US - has also announced to hold a symposium on health care at the Capitol Hill on September 18, in which several members of the Congress are expected to attend.

"AAPI is once again in the forefront in bringing many burning health care issues facing the community at large and bringing this to the Capitol and to the US Congress," said Dr Sampat Shivangi, co-chair of AAPI Legislative Affairs Committee.

State John Kerry to fashion a new approach that could save face for all sides.

"My preference consistently has been a diplomatic resolution to this problem," Obama told NBC. He said an agreement for Assad to surrender his chemical weapons to international control would not solve the "underlying terrible conflict inside of Syria."

He added: "But if we can accomplish this limited goal without taking military

action, that would be my preference."

"It's possible that we can get a breakthrough," Obama said, although there was a risk that it was a further stalling tactic by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has presided over more than two years of civil war.

"We're going to run this to ground," he said. "John Kerry and the rest of my national security team will engage with the Russians and the international community to see, can we arrive at something that is enforceable and serious."

Obama has argued that Assad, fighting to continue his family's four-decade rule, must be punished for what Washington says was a poison gas attack on rebel areas

that killed over 1,400 people on August 21.

Human Rights Watch said evidence strongly suggested Syrian government forces were behind the attack. It said in a report issued in New York that the type of rockets and launchers used in these attacks suggested weapon systems only in the possession of the Syrian government's armed forces.

In Congress, Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid pushed back a Senate test vote on possible US strikes as lawmakers evaluate the Russian plan.

The vote is still expected this week, and a more contentious vote would later be held in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

China to rebuild Kenya’s derelict rail line

Indian-American doctors seek say in immigration reform

Obama sees possible breakthrough in Syria weapons proposal

Washington/London: US President Barack Obama said on Monday he saw a possible breakthrough in the crisis with Syria after Russia proposed that its ally Damascus hand over its chemical weapons for destruction, which could avert planned US military strikes.

But Obama, speaking in a series of television interviews, remained skeptical and pushed ahead to persuade a reluctant and divided Congress to back potential US action, saying the threat of force was needed to press Syria to make concessions.

In an extraordinary day of diplomacy over the warwracked Middle Eastern country, Russia seized on an apparently throwaway public remark by US Secretary of

24

INDIA

South

Manmohan promises to put Telangana process on fast track Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured a delegation of Telangana Congress MPs that his government would expedite the process of Andhra Pradesh division and that there was no question of going back on the decision to carve out a separate Telangana state. "The PM categorically assured us that the process of formation of Telangana was on and that the government would not backtrack. He even said he had told the Seemandhra leaders that they must co-operate with the government so that the process is smooth and speedy," said Peddapalli MP G Vivekananda, who was part of the delegation.

Childless couples seek miracles from MGR

A man in a saffron lungi, sitting crosslegged and singing old Tamil film songs might seem out of place at most temples.

But, this is not your usual temple. The deity here is matinee idol M G Ramachandran and the devotees are his ardent fans. Within two years, the MGR temple, with its sanctum sanctorum and a flagpole, has become popular for its religious rituals and tonsures. When L Kalaivanan built the temple in Nathamedu in Tiruvallur district for MGR in 2011, 26 years after the actor's death, all he desired was to build a memorial for his hero.

Today, childless couples visit the temple hoping for a miracle.

Many Andhra MLAs ready to leave 'doomed' Cong

Certain that the electoral prospects of the Congress is doomed in the Seemandhra region in view of the Centre's decision to bifurcate the state, at least 25 ruling party leaders including MPs, ministers in the Kiran cabinet, MLAs and MLCs are in talks with the YSR Congress with the intention of joining its ranks. According to the sources, all those Congress leaders in talks with the YSR Congress are bargaining for electoral tickets for themselves or their kin.

Punjab

Armed men attack police party, flee with 2 undertrials

A five-member gang attacked a police party and freed two undertrials near Faridkot modern jail. The gang also took away the mobile phones of cops. Two cops escorting the duo were injured in the attack and have been admitted at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College. According to eyewitnesses, the gang came in a car and attacked the police with sharp-edged weapons near the jail when they were heading towards the prison with undertrials.

Sukhbir re-elected Shiromani Akali Dal chief unopposed

Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was re-elected president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal). With no one from the party opposing his candidature, Sukhbir's election was a mere formality. His father Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal was also unanimously chosen as patron of the party. Name of Sukhbir was proposed as president by party's senior vice-president Ranjit Singh Brahmpura in the delegate session.

High court stays arrest of Haryana MLAs

Punjab and Haryana high court stayed the arrest of Haryana MLAs Om Prakash Jain and Zile Ram Sharma, who are accused in an abetment to suicide case. While giving relief to the accused, Justice Daya Chaudhary of the HC, however, directed both of them to appear in person before the high court. They were facing arrest in the case after a special CBI court had issued non-bailable warrants against them on August 29 to ensure their presence before the trial court. Both the MLAs are accused of abetting the suicide of a former sarpanch of Kamobura village in Karnal district.

10 fast-track courts to try atrocities against women in Karnataka

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

In a quiet and swift action, the Karnataka government has issued an order to set up 10 fast-track courts to try cases of crimes and atrocities against women. This comes close on the heels of a Bangalore fasttrack court convicting and sentencing the six accused in the law student gang-rape case within 11 months of the gruesome crime.

Bangalore city will house two of the 10 new fast-track courts. One each will be set up in Bangalore Rural, Belgaum, Dakshina Kannada, Gulbarga, Kodagu, Mandya, Mysore and Ramanagaram districts.

tary affairs minister T B Jayachandra said. Each court will have a district judge aided by 37-member staff.

The government decided to set up fast track courts following uproar over the alleged gangrape of a student of Manipal's Kasturba Medical College.

The legislature committee on women and child welfare looked into issues such as increasing incidents of rape, atrocity, domestic violence, dowry harassment, child marriage and exhibition of obscene films. The committee, in a report submitted to the House in June, has recom-

mended that those committing crimes against women must be brought under the Goonda Act and should be issued non-bailable warrant.

Committee chairperson and former MLA Seema Masuthi said: "Rape cases should be brought under the purview of the Goonda Act. The government should give compensation immediately, and provide full treatment to rape victims. Lack of coordination among police and prosecution departments, advocates and the court is a key reason for the delay in disposing of atrocity cases against women."

Sharing of waters of River Cauvery has been a bone of contention between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for over three decades.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said on June 2 that the state could not release Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu, as reservoirs across the river basin were nearly dry following a severe drought.

The Supreme Court had directed Karnataka to share waters of the Cauvery River with neighbouring Tamil Nadu in October 2012.

A civil and sessions court in Bangalore sentenced six persons to life term for gang-raping an undergraduate student of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) on October 13 last year on Bangalore University's Jnanabharathi campus.

One accused, Raja, 24, is absconding. The eighth accused is a minor whose case is before the juvenile justice court.

The quantum of sentence was pronounced by sessions judge Krishnamurthy B Sangannavar.

The convicted men are Maddura (20), Doddaeeraiah (19), Shivanna (20), Eeraiah (20), Yelayaiah (23) and Rama (50). They all belong to the Iruliga tribe and are residents of Dasegowdana Doddi in Ramanagaram taluk.

Public prosecutor Sanjay Kumar Venkataramana Bhat

said that the prosecution had appealed to the court to award maximum punishment to the accused and adequate compensation to the victim under the new scheme of Section 357(A) of the CrPC. "Defence counsel argued that his clients have families and urged the court to take a lenient view on the ground that they were sole breadwinners," he said.

The prosecution examined 31 witnesses during the trial, which commenced on June 28 and ended on August 2. None of them turned hostile.

month of which NRI woman is one of the patients. They come here as the cost of such surgeries is much less in Ludhiana (five times less) as compared to the cost in western countries".

"The women undergo such procedures for aesthetics. Also women want to enjoy sex to the fullest.

Vaginal tightening (vaginoplasty), labeoplasty (cutting of inner lip of labea minora which is considered no aesthetic due to huge hormone secretion), and fat grafting (filling of empty labea majora) ensure she and her partner could enjoy sex".

Flamboyant Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Amritsar, Navjot Singh Sidhu, was in for a major surprise when on arriving 'home' after a long gap as he was busy first with Big Boss and then the comedy shows found few takers.

His own party virtually shunted him and no senior leaders of the party went to receive him at the airport where only few of his supporters welcomed him, sending clear signals of divided Punjab BJP. Sidhu, who has been elected from Amritsar thrice, had promised a 'moon' to the residents when he stated that he would make Amritsar roads like the 'cheeks of Priety Zinta'. He had declared that he would make Amritsar Paris, but the city is today crying even for the basic amenities.

None of his promised projects of development has seen the light of the day and he has been blaming his own SAD-BJP Government for the same. The former cricketer had been absent from

"Only stringent law and speedy disposal of these cases can bring down the number of crimes against women and act as a deterrent. Therefore, our government decided to establish these fast-track courts," law and parliamen-

Jaya seeks Manmohan’s Gang-rape of Bangalore law intervention on Cauvery issue student: Six convicts get life term

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's immediate intervention on the Cauvery River water sharing issue.

In a letter to Singh, she has noted that the Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Limited which is an enterprise of the Karnataka government, should not proceed with any projects in the Cauvery Basin until the Cauvery Management Board was formed.

She has insisted that the Karnataka Government may be instructed appropriately on the issue and should immediately abstain from proceeding on the two projects in the Cauvery Basin.

She further expressed shock that disregarding the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, Karnataka is proceeding with new modernization schemes in the Cauvery basin.

Jayalalithaa

Indian expats prefer Ludhiana for genital rejuvenation

As the genital rejuvenation surgery in western countries is a costly affair, Ludhiana has become a popular destination among Indian origin women, who are visiting Ludhiana hospitals to undergo the same.

Major city hospitals perform at least 2 surgeries involving Diaspora patients each month. The genital rejuvenation procedure is a cosmetic surgery to give proper shape to genitals of females which grow lose due to age, cutting of inner lip of labea minora and filling of labea majora which grows empty with age.

The surgery which costs about 10,000 dollars in the US, it costs just Rs 60,000 to 100,000 in Ludhiana.

Dr Ravindra Tah, senior consultant, plastic surgery at Mediways Hospital, said, "About a decade back, I used to do one such surgery in two months, but the number has grown significantly. Now I perform 2 such surgeries a

Sidhu finds few takers on arriving 'home'

Navjot Singh Sidhu

the constituency for the last over 10 months now. His critics have targeted him for that and even the posters were plastered about 'missing Sidhu' in the city and its surrounding areas by the opposition Congress recently. It was after this episode that Sidhu tried to repair the damage and came home, but found little support from the party or its alliance partner Sad (B).

RSS asks BJP to name Modi as PM nominee

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh has set the stage for Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi being named BJP's PM nominee with its chief Mohan Bhagwat making it clear that individual opinions cannot indefinitely hold up a decision endorsed by a broad majority.

At the conclusion of a meeting of Sangh organizations in New Delhi, Bhagwat indicated the time for consultations on Modi's suitability as a PM candidate was over and the party needs to get on with the task of challenging the incumbent UPA regime.

Bhagwat told the meeting that while there may be individual points of view, the main line arrived at after wide consultations must be accepted by one and all - a plain hint that dissenters, even influential

ones, could not expect to stall a decision on Modi.

BJP needs to gear up to meet "popular expectations" favoring change, the RSS chief said, amid strong indications that RSS wants to clinch the Gujarat chief minister's projection for PM. The two-day meeting is seen as the last step before BJP's parliamentary board announces Modi as its PM choice later this week.

Sources said the task of getting BJP poll-ready as outlined by Bhagwat includes ending the current speculation over Modi by turning the page on reservations expressed by veteran leader L K Advani and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj who have argued against a prime ministerial candidate being announced before the forthcoming assembly elections due in

November.

BJP president Rajnath Singh is now expected to convene a meeting of the parliamentary board soon to formalize Modi's candidature even if efforts to bring about unanimity do not bear fruit.

The parleys were intended to impart greater "ideological clarity" to BJP's campaign with the Gujarat chief minister as its poll spearhead. On his part, Modi is pressing ahead with a series of rallies intended to cement his first among equals stature.

Sources said BJP needs to consider how to incorporate the feedback of Sangh Parivar organizations on issues ranging from Ram temple, internal security to demands of farmers. "Although we are different organizations, people see us as linked," said a leader.

neither has publicly said they want the job, but the coming election has often been framed as a presidential-style race between the two men.

Indian business has in the past applauded Modi as an investor-friendly chief minister who has led Gujarat to double-digit economic growth.

And the results of the poll represent the

strongest recorded vote of confidence yet from industry for Modi, who is otherwise often seen as a polarising figure, due to his Hindu nationalist ideology and the deadly riots in Gujarat in 2002, when according to rights groups at least 2,000 Muslims were killed.

Gandhi, 43, has focused more on reviving the Congress party's political fortunes and, along with his mother Sonia, he been a vocal supporter of welfare programmes for the millions of poor. Otherwise, he rarely speaks in public and has said little about how to boost India's economic growth.

Poll shows top CEOs prefer Modi to Rahul as PM

Nearly three-quarters of Indian business leaders believe the government has mismanaged the economy and want Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narendra Modi to lead the country after an election due by May next year, according to an opinion poll.

With India's 80-year-old Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expected to step aside, only 7 per cent of 100 chief executive officers surveyed for the poll backed the ruling Congress party's Rahul Gandhi for the premiership.

Rahul represents the fourth generation of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that has led Congress, and India, for much of the time since independence from Britain in 1947. His late father, grandmother and great-grandfather were all prime ministers.

But after a decade in power, Congress is widely expected to struggle at the polls, as the economy is growing at its slowest rate in a decade, and the rupee's plunge to record lows has evoked bad memories of an economic crisis in 1991.

After a long policy drought, CEOs are impatient for strong leadership, intent, decisions and action. Modi they seem to think has more to show than Gandhi on all these counts.

The survey was conducted by Nielsen between August 1 and the beginning of September and covered the chief executive officers of companies worth more than Rs 5 billion across different industries.

Neither Modi nor Gandhi have been formally named as candidates and

INDIA

25

Debt trap killing farmers: Modi

Narendra Modi with Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal

Gujarat Chief minister Narendra Modi remembered the farmers during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Agriculture Summit-2013 where he touched upon several issues, from suicide to the non-availability of banking services for the farmers.

Modi, while inaugurating the summit, attacked the Central government on the issue of farmers’ suicides, stating that lack of easy bank credit for agriculture sector is forcing farmers to suicide.

“Because of the length of the banking processes, the farmers are forced to get money from moneylenders who charge exorbitant interest rates. Under this burden of debt, they are resorting to suicide and around 2,70,000 farmers have committed suicide in

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the past 20 years,” said Modi.

He further claimed that every day 2,500 farmers were leaving the field of agriculture and are joining other sectors. “The Central government is merely talking about banking sector, but it is very painful to state that even today less then 30% of farmers are able to avail of bank loans. Why can't we have farmer friendly banking process?” he asked.

Highlighting the need for research in Agriculture, Modi said: “Developing countries have higher yield rate per hectare than India. If the Centre pays attention to farmers and their issues, they can bring the country out of the economic crisis that it is facing by increasing exports,” he said.

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Attacking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said: “Couple of years ago I suggested that a legal provision should be introduced to make 5% natural juice content compulsory in every aerated drink. This will help our fruit-growing farmers. The suggestion was taken well, but nothing has been done following pressure of multinational companies.”

Earlier, speaking at the summit, Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal urged Modi not to limit his role to Gujarat and now focus on India.

Badal, whose party is the only ally of BJP so far to come out in support of Modi as a Prime Ministerial candidate, also announced that a similar summit would be held in Punjab next February.

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Subscription rate increases nominally to deal with the rising costs Dear readers,

We would like to inform you about our minor modifications to the subscription rates of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar newsweeklies. We have not increased these rate since 11 July 2002, inspite of the substantial increase in postage, printing & other costs.

If we take the increasing costs of all sorts into consideration, then the subscription rate by now should have ideally increased by 33%.

Keeping your convenience, budget and affordability in mind, we have JUST made SLIGHT changes. A minimal increase (of 10%) to the current rates of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar will be applicable, commensurating from 1 October 2013, including subscription rate for circulation outside Britain.

You are aware that we are not a commercial publishing firm, but a noble platform to empower, with a mission to serve its readers for their sole benefits & knowledge.

The current and the new subscribers, will be able to get the papers at our old rates upto 2 years, if they subscribe before 30 September 2013.

Along with the weeklies, we have been providing many theme based special issues, yearly calendar FREE of cost to our paid subscribers.

Yearly subscription can be a valuable gift on Diwali, birthday and anniversary of your acquaintances, friends and family.

Yours sincerely, Asian Voice Team

£2.50

per person per day

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26

INDIA

Taliban kill Indian writer Sushmita Banerjee in Afghanistan

Sushmita Banerjee, known for her memoir about her escape from the Taliban in 1995, was shot dead outside her home in Afghanistan's Paktika province by militants last week.

Banerjee's book, “A Kabuliwala's Bengali Wife,” had been turned into a film titled “Escape from Taliban,” starring Manisha Koirala, in 2003.

Police said that Taliban militants arrived at her home in the provincial capital Kharana, tied up her husband and other family members, took Banerjee out and shot her.

A senior police official said that Banerjee, who was also known as Sayed Kamala, was working as a health worker in the province and had been filming the lives of local women as part of her work.

Banerjee had moved to Afghanistan in 1989 after marrying Afghan businessman Jaanbaz Khan, whom she had met in Kolkata.

She wrote in an article 15

Violence claims 38 lives in Uttar Pradesh

Curfew remained in force in riot-hit areas of Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh with the Army patrolling troubled places as the death toll in the clashes in the district and adjoining towns rose to 38.

Over 360 people have been arrested in connection with the violence.

Ajmer clerics to honour Modi, BJP leaders

As part of the BJP's grand Muslim outreach strategy, clerics from Ajmer Sharif, in their traditional skullcap and sherwani, will be seen honouring Narendra Modi and senior party leaders during a rally in the Pink City. The ceremony has been carefully crafted by the BJP top brass which has asked its minority wing to ensure a visible and sizeable gathering of the community during the rally.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

years ago that in 1993, Taliban militants ordered her to close a dispensary she was running from her home and branded her a woman of poor morals.

She escaped in early 1994 but her brothers-inlaw tracked her down to Islamabad, where she had arrived to seek assistance from the Indian embassy, and took her back to Afghanistan to keep her under house arrest.

Shortly after, she tried to escape once again. "One

night I made a tunnel through the mud walls of the house and fled. Close to Kabul, I was arrested. A 15-member group of the Taliban interrogated me.

Many of them said that since I had fled my husband's home, I should be executed. But I was able to convince them that since I was an Indian, I had every right to go back to my country," Banerjee wrote.

She had recently moved back to Afghanistan to live with her husband.

Meanwhile, the Afghan police have arrested two militants in connection with the murder of Banerjee. Provincial officials in eastern Paktika said that both suspects were members of the Haqqani network, a Taliban affiliate, which has a strong presence in the volatile province.

Officials said the suspects confessed they were ordered to kill the author because the movie was "an insult to the Taliban."

India takes up writer's killing with Kabul: India has taken Banerjee’s killing with the Afghan government, minister of state for parliamentary affairs Rajeev Shukla said. "It is condemnable. The external affairs ministry is pursuing the matter,” Shukla told the Rajya Sabha. The issue was raised in the upper house by Trinamool Congress member Kunal Kumar Ghosh. The house later unanimously condemned the killing.

The rules of the game have changed for the political class, with the Supreme Court asking the government to enforce its order for immediate disqualification of sitting MPs, MLAs and MLCs convicted for an offence attracting a sentence of two years.

"Sitting Members of Parliament and state legislators are no longer protected by clause 4 of Section 8 of the Representation of People Act," a decree issued by the SC said, spelling the extinction of the law which allowed convicted lawmakers to hold on to their seats during pendency of their appeals. The Centre was in the process of relaying the new reality to all state capitals.

The blow to tainted legislators was compounded as the anticipated anti-

dote through a change in law to allow convicted MPs and MLAs to retain their membership pending an appeal failed to materialize in the face of BJP's last-minute resistance in Parliament.

This means that any lawmaker convicted from now for an offence punishable with a sentence of two years or more will be immediately unseated, and will be barred from contesting elections for at least six years. This could be longer, depending on the term of the sentence awarded.

In fact, the sting could be sharper for convicted MPs, MLAs and MLCs. For, while they lose their elected post on conviction, there will be no compensation for the years lost if they are acquitted. Further, those who get convicted

argument that the girl had died due to delayed medical aid and infection caught in the hospital during treatment, judge Khanna observed that "the important aspect of this trial is the manner in which both rods and hands were used for damaging the alimentary canal and pulling it out from the body (of the girl).

"This act of complete destruction of the most vital parts of the body can never be termed as intending to cause bodily injuries and rather it will be an act done with intention of causing death."

The judge said they had conspired to gang rape

her and the crime had been committed in a "premeditated manner". "The accused are also liable for gang rape committed with the prosecutrix in pursuance to their conspiracy," the court said.

The defence counsel asked, "Is it possible that an elder brother is asking to accompany his younger one to rape a girl?"

The defence council said that the court should not rely on the statement of the victim's friend, also the complainant in the case, alleging he has changed his stand on several occasions.

"The boy is untrustwor-

ARRIVAL

Baby Boy DOB 9/9/2013 Congratulations to Hiral Ankit Shah & Ankit Subodh Shah on the arrival of their new Baby Boy on 9th September 2013 at Ahmedabad Best Wishes and Blessings from: Dadi Vimlaben, & all from GM shah Family Gujarat Samachar & Asian Voice Parivar from Ahmedabad and London

1984 Sikh riots: US judge orders to deliver summons to Sonia

closer to election may have to sit out more than one election, given the slow pace of judiciary.

Public censure made parties change tune: The scuttling of the RP Act amendment is a second setback to the political class. Earlier amendments to the Right to Information Act designed to exclude political parties from the ambit of the transparency law had to be referred to a standing committee in the face of similar political opposition.

Just as in the case of the amendment to the RP Act crafted to nullify the SC order for disqualification of convicted lawmakers, the amendment to the RTI Act had seemed set to go through when the fear of popular opprobrium unravelled the consensus for preserving the status quo.

A Sikh rights group has obtained an order from a US federal judge for delivery of summons to Congress party president Sonia Gandhi, who is in New York for medical treatment, through hospital staff or security personnel assigned to her, including special agents of the US Secret Service and FBI. The order was handed out by judge Brain M Cogan in a class action suit against Sonia Gandhi filed on September 3 by US-based rights group Sikhs For Justice along with some victims of the November 1984 anti-Sikh massacre under the Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA) and Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA) for her role in shielding Congress leaders allegedly involved in inciting attacks on Sikhs in November 1984.

Earlier, the Eastern District Court of New York had served summons to Sonia Gandhi on September 3.

The group, which had 120 days to deliver the summons and complaint to Sonia Gandhi, on Monday obtained ex parte orders from Judge Cogan for service of summons to the Congress president through the staff of Memorial SloanKettering Cancer, where she is believed to be under medical care, or her security detail.

The fresh order from Judge Cogan came after the Sikh rights group filed an emergency motion with the judge for leave to effect alternative means of service because the process servers retained to serve Gandhi could not reach her due to her heavy security detail.

In the September 9 order, the judge directed that the summons and complaint on Sonia Gandhi be served by delivering a copy to the hospital administration or staff at the hospital where she is believed to be under treatment or to any of the security agents assigned to Sonia Gandhi during her stay in New York, including the US State Department detail, special agents of the Secret Service, special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, officers of the NY State Police, officers of NYPD and members of any private security details. The judge's order further directs the hospital and security staff to give summons and complaint to Sonia Gandhi.

thy. How can his statement be relied upon?" the counsel argued, adding that Mukesh was not aware of the incident happening in the back side of the bus as he was behind the wheels and the lights inside the bus had been turned off when the crime was being committed by others.

The victim's friend, a software engineer, had got a fracture during the scuffle in the bus. During the course of the trial, Ram Singh was found dead in Tihar Jail here on March 11 and court proceedings against him stand abated.

The trial proceedings came to an end, two days

after the juvenile offender in the case was sentenced to a three-year probation term after being held guilty by the juvenile justice board of gang rape and murder of the paramedic.

After the accused concluded their submissions, special public prosecutor Dayan Krishnan rebutted the claim of the defence counsel that the victim's dying declaration, the statement of her male friend, the DNA samples and other medical evidence had been fabricated by the probe agency.

Krishnan said the police had placed sufficient material before the

court to prove the guilt of each and every accused.

The prosecution had examined 85 witnesses to prove its case against the four adult accused. The accused had brought 17 defence witnesses.

Meanwhile, A P Singh, Vivek Sharma and Sadashiv Gupta, counsel for Vinay, Akshay and Pawan, have moved an application requesting the judge to see the bus in which the incident took place.

The counsel have also asked the judge to visit Ravi Das camp in south Delhi, where the accused resided.

The court will decide their plea on Wednesday.

From now, lawmakers who get two years in jail will lose seats

Delhi gang-rape: All 5 accused convicted

Continued from page 1

the cold-blooded murder of the defenceless prosecutrix and thus the offence under Section 302 (murder) read with Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC stands proved and the accused persons are thus convicted," the judge said. "... all the accused in pursuance of the conspiracy committed gang rape with the prosecutrix and thus are convicted under section 376(2)(g) (gangrape) of the IPC with the aide of section 120B IPC," the court said.

Rejecting the defence

INDIA

27

Indian govt should Gujarat Samachar & Asian Voice launch ‘Sanskar Nagari Vadodara’ focus on capacity building: Lord Bhikhu Parekh W

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

• More work should be done to preserve the culture of Vadodara: Lord Bhikhu Parekh • The person who will do some remarkable work for Vadodara will be awarded by Lord Parekh & ABPL group

“The Food Security Bill of Indian Government would not help poor people in India completely. There are chances that it would lead to enormous wastage of food and keep poor dependent. It is nothing but insult to hungry and shows enormous arrogance on the part of government.

Rather money should be spent on capacity building to get rid of dependency psychology” – Lord Parekh

By Mayuri Dave

N

oted economist and recipient of ‘ P a d m a Bhushan’ award, Lord Bhikhu Parekh, has criticised the Government of India’s Food Security Bill. The economist believes that Congress led U n i t e d Progressive Alliance (UPA) government wouldn’t able to solve the problem of poor by merely providing wheat and rice at subsidies rates.

According to the Lord Parekh, wheat and rice are not enough; they would also require houses to live. Besides, continuously rising prices of onions, cooking fuel and edible oils are making their lives miserable, opined Parekh, who is also associated with London School of Economics and University of Glasgow.

Talking to Asian Voice on the sidelines of a book release function at Vadodara city of Gujarat, he said that the Indian government should work on capacity building among underprivileged people so that they can live with self-esteem and pride.

“The bill would not help poor people in India completely. There are chances that it would lead enormous wastage of food. It shows the Government’s ‘Mai-Baap’ attitude by keeping poor dependent. It is nothing but insult to hungry and shows enormous arrogance on the part of government. Rather money should be spent on capacity building to get rid of dependency psychology,” he said.

Parekh who hails from South Gujarat and known for his frank opinion, had also criticized Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for organizing much talked about “Sadbhavana” fast a couple of years back.

However, a few months back, a Labour peer also spoke in support of him saying that the BJP leader (Modi) “deserve national

projection” and shouldn’t be singled out for “black mark” because of Godhra riots. BJP is on the verge of anointing Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for given his track record. Parekh said that every leader had his/her limitations. “You are never going to get a perfect Prime Minister. Every Prime Minister, whether Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi, everybody has some limitations. But you have to make a choice.”

On the constant devaluation of Indian rupee, the former ViceChancellor of Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) said that as per the law of economics deepness of any economy reflects in its currency.

“Falling rupee means costlier import of petroleum products, high level technology and related goods will also become dearer,” said an academic of repute, who was appointed a life peer as Baron Parekh in the year 2000, seven years before, the Indian government honored him with the Padma Bhushan.

He, however, sees positives in the devaluating Indian Rupee. According to him it is structural flow in Indian economy and not a casual flow. “It seems the government is letting it run its course.

Even RBI is not selling dollars. The message is clear, the government wants to correct fiscal deficit. It would discourage foreign travelling. The falling rupee would result into negative growth in import as well as availability of Indian goods at cheaper rates in international market.

ith vast global developments, it is highly appreciable that the local people are trying to preserve the culture of the cities in India. In the same way, efforts should be made to save and flourish the heritage of Vadodara.

Such keen desire was expressed by Lord Bhikhu Parekh who was the former Vice Chancellor of MS University and is now based in Britain.

The function to launch of “Sanskari Nagari Vadodara” was organized

by Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, the leading news weeklies of London being published by Asian Business Publication Limited (ABPL) group.

The function was held on 29th August at PM Banquet hall in Vadodara.

The special issue was launched by chief guest Lord Bhikhu Parekh, Narendra C Patel, Rajvi Jariwala (Haathee Group), Publisher-Editor CB Patel and Managing Editor Kokilaben Patel in the presence of large number of well wishers, sponsors and advertisers.

Programme anchor Tushar Joshi gave a detailed introduction of the two news weeklies published from London.

Gujarat Samachar managing editor Kokilaben Patel while welcoming the guests said that the sole aim of the weeklies were not profit-making but for the good of the society. It works on issues of migration, colour discrimination, religion, jobs and culture of Indian people and presents their views to the British government.

These are brave and honest newspapers that never compromise on their ethics. Its Editor-Publisher CB Patel is daring enough to bring the facts in light.

British Parliament, the MPs and even the British Prime Minister himself appreciate his true spirit and forthright journalism.

It was forthright with MP Enoch Powell in the past when the Ugandan Asians were troubled. It awakened Hindus and campaigned against closing Hare Krishna temple in Watford. It also raised its voice against hiking Indian visa fees and compelled the British government to decrease it.

Moreover it played a role in naming of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport in Ahmedabad. Kokilaben also talked about the longrunning fight of the weeklies for a direct LondonAhmedabad flight and also spoke about the positive action by the Vajpayee government. But after the change of government this facility was withdrawn

CB Patel, Rajvi Jariwala, Narendrabhai C. Patel, Lord Bhikhu Parekh and Kokilaben Patel

without any reason. In order to activate the direct flight campaign again, a petition signed by thousands of British- Indians was presented to Gujarat Chief minister Narendra Modi. Working for the good cause of Indians, these tabloids are appreciated and CB Patel is called ‘Gujarat’s unpaid ambassador,’ a name given by Modi himself.

Journalism with a service mission, ABPL Group organizes Asian Achievers Award (AAA) every year to cherish the achievements of talented Asians.

Best part of AAA is that every year it sponsors one service organization in

political field. Lord Parekh gave his three precious years of his life to Vadodara. This Amalsad common man in House of Lords is matter of pride, CB Patel said. Lord Parekh’s contribution is considered among the best ten in political philosophy.

He has worked hard for giving social status to Indians in UK. Lord Parekh does interesting discussion on varied subjects in House of Lords.

CB Patel said that one should not miss the chance to get knowledge from Lord Parekh. CB Patel also requested Lord Parekh to come up with such a programme to

India or London and helps them collect a huge fund as much as 100,000 pound through his programme.

CB Patel talked about how the ABPL group inspires the young generation living abroad to come and visit their homeland by publishing special issue of different states and cities and “Sanskar Nagari Vadodara” is launched with such an objective.

Previously “Asanjo Kutch,” “Rangilu Rajkot,”, “Charotar Sahsikoni Bhomka” have also been published for this purpose by giving a cultural view of different places in Gujarat.

CB Patel reminded the contribution of Lord Bhikhu Parekh in social-

evolve Vadodara now.

Responding, Lord Parekh said that it would be better to study how much Vadodara has changed. If the change is for good, then it should be preserved and if not then it should it be stopped. The city does not hold such glory as before. Vadodara always had two cultures, two languages. The King was Marathi and population was Gujarati. The cultures of Gujarat and Maharastra have been seen here. And still it is incomplete. As Gujaratis did not learn Marathi and Marathis learn little Gujarati which was required. Two societies are together in tune but lacks

Dignitaries present in the function are: Senior Journalist Bhupatbhai Parekh, Haathee Group’s Narendrabhai C Patel, Homeloan Limited’s Mahesh Pujara, Bharat Merchant, Pearl Heritage’s Nilamben Patel, Satyanarayan Pulse Mill’s Jagdishbhai and Suresh Agarwal, Shangar Jewellers’ Mahesh Soni, Savjibhai Vekaria (Surat), Popular Painter Jayant Parikh, Mastermoney Director Vijay Thakker, popular doctors Jayshreeben Mehta, Jaysukhbhai Mehta (Ahmedabad), Writer-Teacher Sushilaben Satishbhai Banker, Well-known RJ Shitij, Sardar Patel Educational Institute trustee Jitendra Patel, Ashwinbhai Sanghavi, Rameshbhai Patel, Dr J C Prajapati (Charuset University), Natubhai Amin, ‘Feelings’ magazine Publisher-editor Atul Shah, Jyotsnaben Shah (UK) and others.

creative synthesis and fusion of sensibility. The cosmopolitan culture is running well over here.

Countries of Europe should be taken as good example in order to revive the essence of this city.

There has to be sense of community among people as it is in European countries. Lord Parekh said that the new generation should have the civic consciousness. Each city has its own unique identity and usually the city is known by its typical festivals. Vadodara and its culture should be taken into consideration and we should arrange a get together of the two cultures.

Lord Parekh said that in order to progress, the schools should organize different activities. School should have civic and citizenship training. He said that one who does remarkable work for the city should be awarded annually. He showed readiness by making financial help for such an arrangement. CB Patel declared that ABPL group is ready to provide fund for the same. One who does some remarkable work for Vadodara will be awarded with Rs 100,000

by Lord Bhikhu Parekh and ABPL Group together, CB Patel announced.

At the end of function, there was a presentation

by Haathee group, which leads in real estate in Gujarat and popular among Indians settled abroad. Group marketing head Vinodbhai Bhatia gave information of real estate and its spread all over the state.

Vadodara singer Prabhatdev Bhojak said a prayer.

ABPL group Ahmedabad Bureau Chief Nilesh Parmar gave a detailed introduction of Lord Bhikhubhai Parekh.

The success story of CB Patel and the newspapers was also presented in the form of a documentary.

28

TRAVEL & WOMEN

jjain is situated at a distance of 56 km from Indore. The city of Ujjain is U one of the ancient cities of India. It is

considered to be one of the seven sacred places to attain “Moksha.” The city attracts a large number of pilgrims, as it is the abode of one of the Jyotirlingas.

The city is located on the banks of River Shipra and exists from the early days of the Indian civilization. It once used to serve as the capital of Avanti and a center of learning. It is also regarded as the Greenwich of Hindu astronomers and astrologers.

that Buddhism thrived here in the 4th century. A glut of these, along with ruined temples and old remnants of houses found in the district take the visitor to the historic reign of the Mauryan Empire. Ujjain’s relevance is not constrained to the small circle of a religious place. Apart from that, this city was a haven of astronomers, and great poets.

Besides this, Ujjain was ruled over by many greatest rulers who have given out their best to this historic city. The illustrious kings of the Gupta dynasty whose reign is considered as the golden era of

Ujjain - one of the sacred places to attain ‘Moksha’

According to Hindu mythology, Gods and demons churned the ocean to acquire Amrit (the immortal nectar).

Once the vessel of nectar was retrieved, Gods were chased by the demons and, in the process, some drops of the nectar fell on earth. Ujjain is considered to be one of those places. The city, therefore, became an important spot for major religious activities and finds mention in the Atharva Veda and the Skanda Purana. It also served as the host to many renowned historical figures, like King Vikramaditya, Raja Bhoj, Kalidasa, etc.

Ujjain is famous for its Mahakaleshwar Temple. The temple enshrines one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is situated near a lake and has five levels.

The lingam of the temple is considered as Swayabhu (itself born). Mahakaleshwar temple is located in a spacious courtyard, surrounded by massive walls. It has a finely sculptured tapering shikhara, which dominates the city. Brass lamps illuminate the underground sanctum.

Unlike other shrines, prasada once offered here to the deity can be reoffered. On Shivratri, a huge fair is organized here and worshipping takes place throughout the night.

Ujjain is also one of the venues of the Kumbh Melas, the greatest fair that takes place in the country. The fair takes place once in every 12 years, in the month of Chaitra. Millions of people come here to take a holy dip in the waters of the River Shipra. It is believed that a dip in the river paves the way to the heaven. Apart from the Mahakaleshwar Temple, the other places worth visiting in Ujjain are Bhartrihari Caves, Sandipani (Shri Krishna's Guru) Ashram, Jai Singh observatory, etc.

One among the seven sacred places of the Hindus, Ujjain has been a high-flying center of spiritual activities for over 2,000 years. Ruined sculptures and monasteries have been found scattered around Ujjain, leading to the credence

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

India belonged to Ujjain.

Festive occasions and fairs play a significant role in the lives of people of Ujjain. Today the city presents a unique blend of glorious past with the vibrancy of modernity. Ujjain provides unlimited opportunities of exploration.

During the reign of Gupta Kings, Ujjain became an important trading capital. It became an immensely important center of astronomical and mathematical research in the 6th and 7th century. The famous mathematician Brahmagupta and Varahamihira were born here.

This hot seat of religion was raided by Iltutmish, the king of Delhi Sultanate in 1235, thus causing a lot of destruction to the temples. It became the capital of the Malwa region under the kingship of Akbar.

The city came under the rule of the Sindhia kings during the second half of the 18th century. However, they shifted their base to Gwalior and after the independence of India, it became a part of Madhya Pradesh. Traveling around Ujjain is very easy and you can opt for one of the various modes of transportation available within the city. There are buses, auto rickshaws and tongas available for local transport and opting for one among these can be a very good idea.

Indore is connected to places like Jaipur, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Bhopal and Chennai. International travellers can get connecting flights to Indore from Delhi (800 km) or Mumbai (655 km).

AV Correspondent

irti Mandir was built by Maharaja Sayajirao K Gaekwad III of the

Gaekwad dynasty of the Marathas to perpetuate the glorious memory of his beloved ancestors. The sun, the moon and the earth in bronze with the undivided map of India adorn the sikhara of the mandir. It was built in 1936 as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Maharaja.

The temple houses five wall paintings by artist Raja Ravi Varma showing various phases of battle of Mahabharata.

The city of Vadodara, also popularly known as Baroda, used to be the seat of the Gaekwad monarchs. It was formerly called by many names. The city was referred to as Chandravati, then Viravati, and Vadpatra due to the large number of banyan trees on the banks of River Vishwamitri.

It is a collection of temples built by Sayajirao Maharajah near the A sweet and sour preparation of bitter gourd from Andhra Pradesh Cooking Time: 20-30 minutes Servings: 4 Preparation Time: 1520 minutes Ingredients: Bitter gourd (karela) 4 - 5 medium, Salt to taste, Whole dry red chilli 4, Coriander seeds 1 tablespoon, Cumin seeds 1 teaspoon, White sesame seeds 1 teaspoon, Oil 1 1/2 teaspoons, Onions,chopped 2 medium, Garlic paste 2 teaspoons, Ginger paste 2 teaspoons, Tomato puree 1/4 cup, Jaggery (gur) 2 tablespoons, Tamarind pulp 2 tablespoons Method: First scrape the karela and then cut it in half, lengthwise. Seeds should be removed. Slice it and apply salt and leave aside for ten to fifteen minutes. It should be washed properly Roast whole red chillies, coriander seeds, cumin seeds and white

Vishwamitra Bridge of the city. It is believed that Sayajirao built this Mandir in the memory of deceased members of the royal family and the edifice is dedicated to Lord Mahadev.

Today it is a major tourist attraction in the city. The outstanding stone building is constructed in the shape of a letter “E” with terraces, balconies, domes and a central sikhara that rises to approximately 35 metres. The interiors of the Mandir are marble treated and brilliantly decorated with intricately carved murals. The walls of the central hall are adorned with many impressive murals such as the Gangavataran, Life of Meera, battle of Mahabharat and Natir Poojan which are all very well preserved works from the renowned Bengali artist Nandalal Bose.

Statues as well as precious photographs of eminent members of the Gaekwad family are also displayed for public viewing.

According to annals of

history, the golden era in the Maratha rule of Baroda commenced when Sayajirao came into power in 1875. He is well remembered by people even today for his work to establish primary education, a university, a library system, tile factories and model textile and thereby modernize Baroda, which resulted in building the image of Baroda as a modern industrial hub. In addition to the Kirti Mandir, Vadodara has a number of diverse attractions such as palaces, buildings, monuments, gardens, museums as well as modern entertainment.

For the tourist there are endless possibilities to indulge in sightseeing.

According to Sayajirao Gaekwad it was built to commemorate the benefactors of his state, irrespective of their race, caste or creed.

The Mandir which was built at a cost of Rs.50,000, preserves in its various rooms the statues and photographs of the members of the royal family.

Karela Andhra Style

sesame seeds on a medium hot tawa till light brown, stirring it continuously.

Cool the mixture and then grind to a fine powder.

Heat oil in a non-stick pan and add sliced karela and stir-fry for four to five minutes or till slightly browned. Add chopped onions and stir-fry for three to four minutes.

Put ginger paste, garlic paste and again stir-fry for one or two minutes.

Add tomato puree and cook further for a few minutes. Add ground powder, grated jaggery, tamarind pulp and salt.

Stir well and add one cup of water and bring to a boil. And cook at medium heat. Cover and simmer

for five minutes.

Health Benefits: Karela is a popular vegetable in some Asian countries, where the health benefits of the plant are well-known— particularly, its ability to lower blood glucose in diabetics. Karela has antihelminthic or anthelmintic compounds.

This property is used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and can kill parasitic worms inside our body.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

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Painful toothache: A little bit of a sting or pain while having an ice-cream or a chilled drink is okay, shooting pain is not. If you feel like your teeth are feeling extra sensitive, it's time you make a trip to the dentist. A bad toothache could mean that a nerve in the tooth has been damaged - a sign of rotting teeth. The more you keep postponing a visit to the dentist, the more the bacteria will spread in your mouth, leading to severe pain.

What to do: Book an appointment with your dentist at the earliest.

Pain in the chest: Certain foods cause heart-

burn or indigestion. You need to identify the difference between that and something that could be potentially more dangerous. Don't let the thought of a heart problem deter you from visiting the doctor. When you feel like there is a load on your chest - quite literally - or pain, it may just be one of the many signs of a heart attack.

What to do: Don't wait - get yourself checked immediately to find out how serious the problem is.

Unnatural hair growth: While all of us have hair on our bodies, if you notice thick, dark hair on your face, chest, stomach or near your breasts, it could indicate a gynaecological problem Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

This occurs when there is an imbalance of female hormones in the body.

Other symptoms include irregular periods and trou-

ble conceiving.

What to do: Your gynaecologist may ask you to do tests to determine the cause.

Sudden weight loss: Whether you're dieting and exercising or not, losing a lot more weight than you should or losing weight suddenly for no apparent reason, is a cause for concern. Unexplained weight loss could be pointing out towards an underlying illness, a sign of diabetes or several other health problems.

What to do: Don't procrastinate. Get a check-up done immediately.

Problem in the bedroom: One of the most common problems, erectile dysfunction happens to all men at some point in their lives. But if it is a recurring problem, you need to get it checked.

What to do: Visit a sexpert or a urologist who will ask you to do some tests.

Their alcohol consumption, mental health and lifestyles were followed for up to seven years through yearly visits,

repeated medical exams, interviews with dietitians and questionnaires.

The main alcoholic beverage drunk by the study participants was wine. When analysed, it was shown that those who drank moderate amounts of wine each week were less likely to suffer from depression.

The lowest rates of depression were seen in the group of individuals who drank two to seven small glasses of wine per week.

These results remained significant even when the group adjusted them for lifestyle and social factors, such as smoking, diet and marital status.

"Lower amounts of alcohol intake might exert protection in a similar way to what has been observed for coronary heart disease.

In fact, it is believed that depression and coronary heart disease share some common disease mechanisms," Professor Miguel A Martinez-Gonzalez, from the University of Navarra (Spain), senior author of the paper, said.

rinking wine in modGlass of wine a day may eration may be assoD ciated with a lower risk

of developing depression, a new study has claimed.

Moderate amounts of alcohol consumed may have similar protective effects on depression to those that have been observed for coronary heart disease, researchers said.

Few studies have looked at the relationship between mental health and moderate alcohol intake.

Study that followed over 5,500 light-to-moderate drinkers for up to seven years. The results show an inverse relationship between alcohol intake and incidence of depression.

The study participants were aged between 55 and 80 years old, and had never suffered from depression or had alcohol-related problems when the study started.

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5 lifestyle tips that can save you

he emergence of diabetes is turning out to T be debilitating day-by-day.

It is a common disease these days just like any other whacky flu or cough and cold. Mainly a result of modern erratic lifestyle, lack of physical activity, obesity, stress and consumption of junk and fast foods.

According to the World Health Organization, there are about 346 million people worldwide with diabetes, with more than 80% of deaths occurring in developing countries. India has nearly 63 million diabetic patients, with the situation becoming grimmer mainly because of the sedentary lifestyle prevailing across key metros and big cities aggravating the situation.

Studies show that a major chunk of Indian population suffers from Type 2 diabetes which is closely associated with obesity and consuming junk and fatty foods.

In order to put a check on diabetes in India, the Government of India has initiated a National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in 100 selected districts in 21 States.

This effort, however, is yet to show any major changes in the spread of the disease in the country.

But don’t worry, as by following simple healthy lifestyle habits, one can easily stay away from the fangs of the killer Diabetes.

• Be physically active: Yes, exercise is the key to say no to diabetes. It not just helps reduce weight, but also regulates blood sugar levels. Half an hour of exercise whether aerobic exercise, or activities like dancing, playing tennis, brisk walking etc. reduces risk of Type 2 diabetes by 30%. Also, while one is in office, a 15

minute walk after each meal helps in regulating blood sugar levels thereby reducing the risk of developing the disease.

• Healthy diet: Consuming a healthy diet is a must to keep diabetes at bay. Eating foods that are rich in fibre helps to naturally balance sugar levels in the body. Avoid the habit of overeating and instead divide your meals into 5-6 including snacks, juices etc. to stay healthy. Also, don’t do emotional eating as it leads to weight gain and eventually diabetes. Junk food is a strict no-no as they are a major reason of obesity and diabetes.

• Take proper sleep: Sleeping for at least 7-8 hours in a day is a must as proper sleep will make one feel energetic, put a check on cravings for high-calorie food and hence save one from being a victim of obesity and eventually diabetes.

• Manage stress: Stress is the major reason of why people fall prey to diabetes. Stress can actually play havoc on one’s health. As a result, the stressed out person tends to resort to unhealthy food habits like eating junk food, eating after long gaps, emotional eating etc.

Also one might start smoking, consuming alcohol etc. Besides that, stress hormones may alter blood glucose levels directly increasing the risk of the diabetes. So it is important to keep a check on one’s stress levels by adapting to yoga, meditation, exercising, listening music or anything that makes you happy and stress free.

• Regular check-ups: It is highly recommended for people above 45 years of age to go for blood glucose screening. But if you have known risk factors (like high blood pressure or obesity), discuss them with your doctor.

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UK

Kathak Dance in aid of Charity Food for Life Vrindavan

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

Guru accused of assaulting a woman A 'guru' accused of two offences is to stand trial next year. The Harrow Observer on September 5th has reported that Rajesh Parmar, 41, founder and a priest at the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre in Palmerston Road, Wealdstone, has been accused of assaulting a woman causing actual bodily harm on 24

September, 2006 and assaulting the same victim with the intention of committing sexual offence on March 26, 2013. The spiritual leader has denied both counts at Harrow Crown Court on July 19 and was released on bail. He reportedly returned to the Court on Monday when his trial date is set for February 3, 2014.

Coming Events

Janaki Mehta is a professional Kathak dancer who has completed her training at the Bhavan Centre, London. She will be performing a solo Kathak recital at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, in aid of a charity called Food for Life Vrindavan, on Sunday 20th October 2013. All the ticket money will be donated directly to the charity. The charity event will start at 5pm and tickets are £15 and £20.

The charity works in the poorest villages in Vrindavan, which is located south of Delhi. The services they provide include education, care for the elderly, food distribu-

tion etc. The website for the charity where you can read more about all the projects is http://fflvrindavan.org/en/.

Janaki Mehta visited FFL Vrindavan in Decemeber 2012 and spent a day with the children at the Sandipani Muni School. She performed a Kathak dance for them and then spent the afternoon teaching them Kathak. She says: ‘This was one of the most incredible and touching experiences of my entire life and I was determined to do something to help the children and the project which is doing such wonderful work.’

On the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, Maharashtra Mandal London and SV 150 are holding open elocution competitions nationally.

6yr to 19yr olds are grouped into three categories, each having different topics and time duration to speak.

Regional rounds in the North West, Wales, Midlands, Northern Ireland, Slough, Reading and London are held between the end of September and early

October. The finale is on 16 November at Maharashtra Mandal London 306 Dollis Hill Lane. "This is an opportunity for the youth to develop and display one of the most important skills of public speaking", says President of MML Sushil Rapatwar.

"We must encourage our young to learn about key figures of India who have made immense contributions to her philosophy and thought and placed her on the global pedestal" he adds.

Vivek: Countrywide Elocution Competition

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Tel / Fax: +91 79 2646 5960

l Tuesday 10th – Tuesday 17th September 2013 – Ganesh Mahotsav Daily Pooja at Shree Ram Mandir Leicester, off Ross Walk, Leicester, LE4 5GG – Contact: 0116-2664642 l Wednesday 12th September – Friday 27th September 2013 – An Afghan Video Art Installation by Assiya Majgan Amini from 10.00am – 8.00pm weekdays and Saturday 12pm-8pm at 1 Bradford Road, London WS 7SP. Contact: 0044 (0)208 7429911. l Friday 13th September 2013 – 100 Years of Bollywood at the Bhavan Centre from 7pm.

Contact: 0208 205 6124 l Wednesday 18th September 2013 – Shree Ganesh Visarjan by Shree Bharatiya Mandal Indian Association at Liverpool – Contact: 0794 282 0882 l Monday 16th September 2013 – Series of Seven evenin talks in English about Mahabharata

by Swami Swaroopananda of Chinmaya Mission from 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm at Byron Hall, Harrow Leisure centre, Christchurch Avenue, Harrow HA3 5BD – See: www.mahabharata.org.uk. l Tuesday 17th September 2013 – Exhibition: Parampara - living tradition of Odissi dance at 6.15pm at The Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London W1K 1HF. Contact 020 7491 3567. l Saturday 21st September 2013 – Sunidhi Chauhan Live in Concert at the Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley St, Manchester, M2 3WS from 7.30pm. Contact: 0161 425 8966.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

You should enjoy a very popular phase in your life where everyone wants to invite you to parties. This will give you a chance to meet people and pursue any romantic liaisons that might present themselves. Your communications are extremely high making it easy to close those lucrative deals.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

You will continue to be in a restless mood for some time to come. This makes you impatient with restrictions and even more determined to cut your own path. Do not get over-anxious if everything seems to be in slow motion - it is time to pull a few strings. You are likely to experience some tension in close relationships..

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

At work sometimes a little upheaval and chaos is exactly what you need to set things right again.

There’s no need to be complacent: the time is now.

Unpredictable energies continue to influence your health sector, bringing erratic highs and lows. The key for you as always is to remain calm and collected.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22

You have everything to gain by following creative inclinations. If you have new ideas, now is the time to put them into practice. Whatever your present interests you are likely to find that new doors open and the way ahead offers increased scope for expressing your real self. A great time to meet and interact with people.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

Developments during this week are likely to make you feel rather restless, perhaps because you have allowed yourself to fall into a routine that is now becoming jaded. If so, then the hint of change will be extremely welcome, even if it might entail an element of disruption. It is unlikely that even a major change will faze you.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

You know you’ve got no choice but to streamline and reassess your priorities before haphazardly saying yes to everything that smells like a potential opportunity. Try to create a balance between expansion and conservation. Jupiter in Cancer makes you feel invincible, base your decisions on facts.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

Anything or anyone that drains your time and energy should be re-evaluated. It’s time to use that creative imagination of yours to create grandeur in your life. Don't get too carried away and lose sight of little things that mean a lot to you.

There are a lot of opportunities around you.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

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An exchange of opinions ought to prove very enlivening at this time. An influence that should help to enjoy the 'nicer' side of others as bring out the best in friends, colleagues and partners alike. A wind of change may be in the air; attention should turn to the wider world and benefits come from broadening of horizons and mental stimuli.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

This is a good time to appreciate what you have already created in your life. Of course, there are still challenging issues on both a personal and practical level. To get here you may have overcome obstacles by making important decision and choices that set the direction of your life.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

Responsibility is your key word, especially at work. Set your own goals, rather than trying to meet those set by someone else. Your ability to manage what you have on your plate earns respect from others around you. You will benefit in every way if you learn to self-discipline and pace yourself wisely.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

The fiery planet Mars is the moving force in regard to amorous experience, giving more than just a hint that links between lovers will be rather intense and passionate. Your attitude to material interests is likely to undergo some deep change. On a material level the trend greatly favours anything geared towards establishing greater financial stability.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 If your ambitions have been undefined, don't worry as from now on, you understand exactly what kind of impact you need to make on the world. All those little details should run perfectly, without you constantly worrying. That means you can focus on matters that are important to you. Healthwise you will be feeling fit.

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

31

SPORT

32

www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 14th September 2013

Paes and Stepanek easily win US Open doubles

Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek were convincing winners over Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares in the men's doubles final at the US Open on Sunday. The veteran India-Czech pairing of Paes and Stepanek dominated the championship match to record a 6-1 6-3 victory over their Austria-Brazil rivals in one hour and 12 minutes in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Paes, 40, won his third US Open doubles title and the eighth major title of his career. It was Stepanek's second major doubles title after winning the 2012 Australian Open with Paes.

Peya and Soares had only two break points for the match and failed to convert either in their first final of a major championship.

Stepanek, 34, said he wanted their partnership to win the ATP World Tour Finals this year because it was the biggest trophy missing from Paes' collection.

"There is one thing we would like to achieve, and that's winning the world championships at the end of the year, because that's the trophy which is missing in Leander's showcase," Stepanek said.

"That's what I'm very focused on. That's what I would like to deliver to his showcase. Today with this win, we qualified for the Masters (Tour Finals).

"That's the first step. I'm very happy that the trophy is now in front of us and we are both enjoying it." Paes rated the victory above the 2012 Australian Open title that earned him the career grand slam.

"This one is actually really, really special," he said.

"For me, this one is probably even more special than the Australian Open win. "In Australia I was going for a

career slam, and that was something that Radek worked so hard to do. We achieved it. He did it for me.

"I have always said that tennis is such a blessed profession for us that you build friendships, you build camaraderie, you build a brotherhood."

Nadal beats Djokovic to win US Open title: Rafa Nadal crowned his brilliant year by defeating world number one Novak Djokovic to win the US Open title and earn his 13th grand slam singles crown. The Spaniard earned his second major championship this season following his French Open triumph, sealing the 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-1 win when Djokovic dumped a forehand into the net, sending Nadal down onto his back before rolling face down and sobbing in joy.

Nadal's career total of 13 grand slam wins moves him one ahead of Australian Roy Emerson and into third on the all-time list behind Roger Federer (17) and Pete Sampras (14).

Nadal, who won the 2010 US Open in a final against Djokovic and then lost their finals rematch in 2011, improved his hard court

record to a spotless 22-0 this year and his overall match record to a sensational 60-3.

"I never thought something like this could happen," said the 27-year-old, who watched last year's US Open on television at home during a seven-month absence from the Tour due to a knee injury.

Luck has accounted for a very small sliver of his remarkable season. Since rejoining the Tour in February, Nadal has reached the finals in 12 of his 13 tournaments, winning 10 of them.

The Spaniard said beating Djokovic made this victory even more meaningful.

"Playing against Novak is a very special feeling," he said at the trophy ceremony. "Probably no one brings my game to the level that Novak does."

The match was a Tourrecord setting 37th meeting between the two rivals, eclipsing the 36 clashes between John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl. Nadal improved his lead in their series to 22-15.

Serena Williams beats Azarenka: Serena Williams repeated as US Open women's champion by holding off a battling Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 7-5 67(6) 6-1 in a windblown final.

Williams bounded in a series of joyous jumping jack leaps after Azarenka's backhand sailed long on the second match point of a thrilling, two-hour 45-minute final that earned her a fifth US Open singles title that took her total to 17 grand slams.

The big-hitting American, who turns 32 later this month, became the oldest US Open women's winner since tennis turned professional 45 years ago, eclipsing Australian Margaret Court, who was 31 years and 55 days when she won the title in 1973.

The triumph moved Williams to within one grand slam singles crown of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova for a tie for fourth place on the all-time list behind Court (24), Steffi Graf (22) and Helen Wills Moody (19).

It had looked like it was going to be plain sailing for Williams after she won a difficult first set, boosted by a late break in the 11th game for a 6-5 lead and then served out a love game before racing to a 4-1 second-set lead.

Williams, who earlier looked confounded by the gusty wind that affected service tosses and the direction of bounces off groundstrokes and was muttering to herself between points, finally settled into a rhythm in the second set.

"The wind was unbelievable," said the champion.

"And it just got worse and worse and it never let up. But at this point you have to play under any circumstance."

She claimed the 4-1 lead after Azarenka double-faulted three times in the fifth and her US Open repeat looked a certainty as she begun to find her range on her imposing service game that saw her serve broken only twice in six previous matches.

BCCI to let Sachin choose venue for his 200th Test

With both Cricket Association of Bengal and Mumbai Cricket Association having put in a request with the BCCI to stage Sachin Tendulkar's 200th Test, the board has decided to leave it to the Little Master to decide the venue.

Though the dates of the series vs West Indies are out, BCCI will take a call on the venues, later after Sachin gets back to them. According to BCCI's rotation policy neither Eden Gardens nor Wankhede Stadium can host a Test.

Bangalore and Ahmedabad have their turns this time. However, Mumbai can be a 'sentimental' choice. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said that it would be a fitting tribute if the Mumbai batsman plays the milestone match at his home ground.

"It would be the biggest thing if Tendulkar gets to play the 200th Test in Mumbai purely on emotional grounds. He has all his friends and family members there," Ganguly said on Tendulkar.

Ritu Rani to lead Indian women's hockey in Asia Cup

Veteran midfielder Ritu Rani will lead an 18-member Indian women's hockey team in the eighth Asia Cup to be played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from September 21 to 27. "Hockey India Selectors B P Govinda, Surinder Kaur, Mamta Kharab, Chief Coach Neil Hawgood, Coach I S Gill and Scientific Advisor Matthew Tredrea along with Government Observer Harbinder Singh selected the 18 players and 6 standbys during the trials conducted in Patiala on August 30 and 31," HI said in a statement. Ritu has 157 India appearances to her credit. The 18-member squad will have another mid-fielder Chanchan Devi Thokchom (88 caps) as the vice-captain. The team's training camp has been underway in Patiala since August 8 as final preparations for the tournament. The team will depart for Malaysia on September 16. India are placed in Pool A with China, hosts Malaysia and Hong Kong China while Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei are placed in Pool B.

Sehwag, Gambhir, Zaheer named in India A team against West Indies A

Out-of-favour players Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Gautam Gambhir were on Tuesday handed a lifeline for staging a comeback to the national team as they were included in the India A squad for two four-day games against visiting West Indies A next month.

Yuvraj Singh, another player who find himself on the sidelines, was also given an opportunity to force his way back into the ODI team after being named captain for the three-match unofficial series and lone T20 match against West Indies A beginning September 15.

The squads were named by the BCCI senior selection panel which met on Tuesday.

All the four players have been out of the Indian team since early this year. They will play under Cheteshwar Pujara in the second and third four-day games at

Shimoga (October 2-5) and Hubli (October 9-12), the Cricket Board said in a release.

The trio of Zaheer, Sehwag and Gambhir were not named for the first four-day game that will be held at Mysore from September 25-28.

Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder Pervez Rasool has been picked for all the three matches for the unofficial Test series.

Yuvraj, who played his last international match in January in an ODI against England, will lead a 14-member one-day and T20 team which has the likes of Unmukt Chand, Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Jaydev Unadkat and Praveen Kumar.

All the three matches of the unofficial ODI series will be played in Bangalore on September 15, 17 and 19. The lone T20

match will also be played there on September 21.

The selectors also picked the India Red and Blue teams for the NKP Salve Challenger one-day series, scheduled at Indore from September 26-29. Vijay Hazare Trophy champions Delhi is the third team in the fray.

Yuvraj will also captain the India Blue side in the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy while Irfan Pathan will be the skipper of the India Red team.

Mohammad Kaif, who last played for India seven years back but still playing in the domestic circuit, was also named in the India A squad for the second and third four-day games.

The Squads: India A squad for three one-day games and T20 games against West Indies A: Yuvraj Singh (captain), Unmukt Chand, Robin Uthappa, Baba Aparajith,

Kedar Jadhav, Naman Ojha (wk), Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Jaydev Unadkat, Praveen Kumar, Sumit Narwal, Shahbaz Nadeem, Mandeep Singh, Rahul Sharma.

India A sqaud for the first four-day match against West Indies A: Cheteshwar Pujara (captain), Jiwanjot Singh, K L Rahul, Manpreet Juneja, Rajat Paliwal, Harshad Khadiwale, Parvez Rasool, Bhargav Bhatt, Ishwar Chand Pandey, Mohammed Shami, Ashoke Dinda, Rohit Motwani (wk), Dhawal Kulkarni, Paras Dogra.

India A sqaud for the second and third four-day match against West Indies A: Cheteshwar Pujara (captain), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Sheldon Jackson, Abhishek Nayar, Paras Dogra, Uday Kaul (wk), Parvez Rasool, Bhargav Bhatt. Dhawal Kulkarni, Zaheer Khan, Ishwar Chand Pandey, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Kaif.