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ELECTION SPECIAL Bumper harvest of ethnic MPs....................... Page 2 South Asian Council winners list.........Page 5,6 Why did the British Indians lose so many seats?..................Page 14 Labour representative and Lib Dem representative writes ........................ Page 20,21

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VOL 39. ISSUE 2

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India eases visa rules for tourists After strong reactions, objections and representations, the ministry of home affairs has revised the strong visa rules and guidelines that were made applicable last year. While there will be no restrictions for Indians settled abroad and holding People of Indian Origin (PIO) or Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards, the two months cooling period for those having tourist visas has been relaxed. People with 90 or 180 day visas will now be able to visit India three times during the validity of the visa, without having to wait for the cooling period. Indian missions abroad and immigration authorities in India have been issued instructions about the revised set of guidelines by the ministry of home affairs of the country in the last week of April. Tourism ministry, industry stakeholders and diplomatic channels had raised objections over the restrictions. As per those rules, a tourist was needed to wait for two months for re-entry into India, even if he had a valid visa. The revised rules authorise the immigration authorities in India to

allow tourists to re-enter up to three times, even if they do not carry authorisation by the Indian missions abroad. The tourists again need to show some documents supporting their travel plans and ticket bookings in different countries. The visa rules also say the total period of stay during the three entries cannot exceed the stipulated period of 180 days or 90 days, as the case maybe. Coming back to the cooling off period of two months, the guidelines say if the tourist has availed the three re-entry chances or has completed the visa term, then there has to be a gap of two months from the date of final exit. However, in emergency cases where the tourist needs to visit India within the cooling-off period, then he has to seek permission from the Indian missions abroad. The Indian missions can only issue visa in emergencies such as death, serious illness in the family, non-availability of connecting flights and on the basis of proper documentation. Even foreign regional registration offices can also allow entry in emergency situations.

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Gordon Brown leaves with dignity David Cameron is the PM

PM David Cameron MP David Cameron becomes Britain’s new and youngest Prime Minister (after Lord Liverpool in 1812) as Gordon Brown resigns after Labour talks with the Liberal Democrats collapsed. Gordon Brown’s desperate bid to cling on to power fell apart after his own MPs responded with fury to the prospect of a LibLab pact and there were

clashes on policy with Nick Clegg. After five days of high drama following the election ending in a hung parliament, the deadlock appears to be over. The British political landscape transformed as an unbridled bidding war for power led Gordon Brown submitted his resignation as the Prime Minister. Brown's surprise

Gordon Brown and Sarah Brown leaves 10 Downing Street with their children John and Fraser after the resignation

announcement on the steps of No 10 on Monday prompted an extraordinary Tory counter offer to the Lib Dems: a referendum on the alternative vote electoral system, and a coalition government with seats for Nick Clegg's party in the cabinet. In this general elec-

tion, out of 650 seats, 649 were declared. To win a Majority 326 seats had to be won. None of the parties won a majority. Out of 649 seats, 306 seats are won by the Tories, 258 by the Labour and 57 by the Lib Dem. Continued on page 19 - 1"( "##" /%1" #-+) /$ ,-%(

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ELECTION REPORT 2010

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

Bumper harvest of ethnic MPs The wheels of fortune turned for ethnic origin candidates as a total number of 27 MPs of British ethnic origin win the 2010 general election, out of which 18 are of British Asian origin, almost double since 2005, which had 15 MPs of ethnic origin out of which 8 were of British Asian origin. This year Conservative candidate Paul Uppal ousted his fancied rival, the sitting Labour MP Rob Marris, by a razor-thin margin of 691 votes to take the Wolverhampton Southwest seat. He was among a record eight Indian-origin candidates — half of them fresh faces — to make to the British parliament. Paul Uppal, a member of Parliament for Wolverhampton South West told the Asian Voice, “I'm deeply humbled and honoured to represent the constituency of

Shabana Mahmood

Yasmin Qureshi

Rushanara Ali

Wolverhampton South West. Given the difficult situation we face economically I think it is vital that we address the British public's needs immediately and try and govern with the message that we've been given by the general electorate. I am acutely aware of the deep trust and faith that the voters of Wolverhampton South West have placed in me and I intend to repay that trust by diligently and conscientiously represent-

ing their interests in Westminster.” The city of Wolverhampton, located in west-central England and home to one of the largest Sikhs communities in Britain, became notorious when the local Conservative MP, Enoch Powell, made an infamous speech on immigration on April 20, 1968. “As I look ahead,” said Powell, “I am filled with foreboding; like the Roman, I seem to see ‘the River Tiber foaming with much blood.’”

Powell was sacked as a member of the shadow cabinet after the speech prompted outrage around the world, but as recently as in 2007 a Conservative candidate in the region was forced to stand down after claiming Powell was “right” when he gave his anti-immigration speech. Also making their entry into the House of Commons were the first Indian-origin women — Valerie Vaz, Labour (sister of Britain’s longest serving MP of Indian origin Keith Vaz), Priti Patel, Conservative.

Winning South Asian MPs Area

Candidate

Party Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour

Votes 2010 21,142 21,748 19,950 18,782 18,401

Birmingham Perry Barr Bethnal Green & Bow Birmingham Ladywood Bolton South East Bradford West Cambridgeshire North South Ealing Southall Gillingham & Rainham Glasgow Central Leicester East Reading West Tooting Walsall South Wigan Witham South West Stratford-On-Avon Bromsgrove

Khalid Mahmood Rushanara Ali Shabana Mahmood Yasmin Qureshi Marsha Singh

2005 17,919 13,211 15,422 19,366 14,524

Sailesh Vara Virendra Sharma Rehman Chisti Anas Sarwar Keith Vaz Alok Sharma Sadiq Khan Valerie Vaz Lisa Nandy Priti Patel Paul Uppal Nadhim Zahawi Sajid Javid

Conservative Labour Conservative Labour Labour Conservative Labour Labour Labour Conservative Conservative Conservative Conservative

29,425 22,024 21,624 15,908 25,804 20,523 22,038 16,221 21,404 24,448 16,344 26,052 22,558

24,491 19,634 17,994 13,518 24,765 14,431 18,129 18,739 23,017 20,882 15,174 23,452 24,387

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Manish Sood loses his seat to Tories Labour candidate Manish Sood caused a bizarre scandal when he publicly stated that Gordon Brown was the worst prime minister ever. The candidate from Northwest Norfolk called on Brown to apologise to the Queen. Sood's mother Manjula Sood was ironically the first female British-Asian Lord Mayor and a lifelong Labour Supporter. “My Manish Sood late husband gave his life to Labour party and my loyalty lies is to the party and Gordon Brown. I'm very angry at my son.” Sood, 38 even declared his Tory-held seat as unwinnable. He was proven right as he stood third beaten by Conservative candidate Henry Billingham. Billingham received 25,916 votes. Sood received only 6353 votes.

Vaz Siblings to be the first siblings as MPs Long standing Labour MP Keith Vaz is back in parliament. This time his sister Valerie gives him company. They are the first brother-sister duo to have been elected to the House of Commons Keith was relected from Leicester East constituency for the sixth time while Valerie was elected from the Valsall South constituency. Keith even had Hindi film star Sanjay Dutt campaign for him.

Valerie Vaz

BNP candidate punches Asian men after a row

11,908 11,574 10,105 8,634 5,763 16,677 9,291 8,680 10,551 14,082 6,004 2,524 1,755 10,487 15,196 691 11,346 11,308

AN ATYPicAl VoTe

decade. Other winning candidates of Indian origin were the sitting MPs Keith Vaz (Labour, Leicester East), Shailesh Vara (Conservatives, Cambridgeshire northwest), Marsha Singh (Labour, Bradford west), and Virendra Sharma (Labour, Ealing Southall). Seven Pakistani origin candidates were also elected. Shabana

A BNP candidate was filmed punching a group of Asian men after they swore and spat at him. Bob Bailey, candidate for Romford, Barking fought with some Asian men as BNP party workers went campaigning in East London. Earlier some men swore at party leader Nick Griffin and threw fruit at him. He called this fight a “campaign of hatred and dehumanisation against any group of people, in this case us.”

Sharma tops an all Asian list in Southall With a 55% Asian population and 90% of it being Punjabi, the London suburb is bound to feature a few Asian candidates for its local elections. However the 2010 elections featured an all Asian candidate list. Current MP Virender Sharma was reelected with 22,024 votes with a 51% majority. The Labour candidate received more votes than his previous record- 15,118 votes in 2005. Gurcharan Singh from the Conservatives stood second at 12,113 votes. Mahmood and Yasmin Qureshi are the first women of Pakistani origin who have won the seats in House of Commons. Rushnara Ali, 35, became the first Bangladeshi woman to be make to the House of Commons. Of the 56 Hindus who stood as the candidate, 16 were from the Labour; 13 from the Conservatives and 7 from the Liberal Democrats. There were 6 independents and one from the Christian Peoples Alliance; 5 from the

Virendra Sharma, MP

Greens and 3 from the UKIP. 56 Hindus polled 383,845 votes. From the 56 candidates, 9 were successful in becoming members of parliament. Of the 6 Hindu members of the Parliament. 2 are from the Labour and 4 from the Conservatives. None from the Liberal Democrats. 98 Muslim candidates managed to get 650,297 votes and 9 of them became members of Parliament. 3 are from the Conservatives and 6 from the Labour.

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

COMMENT

Britain in search of a coalition The people of Britain spoke on May 6 and their voice must be respected. But it was a discordant voice that denied a victory to all three mainstream parties. The Conservatives with 306 seats in parliament (but 20 short of an outright majority) did best, Labour came second with 258 seats, while 57 seats guaranteed the Lib-Dems third place and the role of king makers. Britain, with its first-past-thepost electoral system isn't accustomed to the horse trading that comes with coalition government. The last such arrangement occurred in 1974, when David Streel's Liberal party opted to support Harold Wilson's Labour administration from the outside. There had been Liberal participation in the MacDonald-led and Baldwin-led National Governments between 1931-37. The experience signalled a steep decline in Liberal fortunes, with a recovery of sorts occurring in the 1960s and 70s and a firmer revival following the split in Labour in the early 80s and the emergence of a union of Liberals and Social Democrats, now known as the Lib Dems. The hung parliament reflects the voters' dissatisfaction with MPs' conduct over parliamentary allowances and much else including Britain's decision to follow America into a hugely unpopular war in Iraq, with all its tragic consequences for the peoples of Iraq and Britain. Prime Minister Tony Blair's methods in taking Britain into this conflict turned out to be a body blow to Labour's moral credibility. The economic crisis which affected Britain and the world resulted in a further erosion of public trust in Labour, especially as Gordon Brown had been chancellor of the exchequer in the Blair decade and

was thus held partly responsible for the country current economic woes, his efforts to achieve a global consensus to revive the domestic and world economy largely ignored. Recognizing this loss of public confidence, Mr Brown announced that he would be standing down as party leader at the next party conference this autumn. In so doing he injected a sliver of hope of a Lib Dem-Labour deal should the present talks between the Conservatives and the Lib Dems run into the sand. Numbers show that a Conservative-Lib Dem coalition would be the most stable and last the longest of all possible groupings. Yet the grassroots Lib Dem DNA inclines more to Labour as a radical party than the Conservatives. The Lib Dems have long been wedded to a proportional electoral system as the most democratic and hence the most appropriate for Britain. It would also guarantee the Lib Dems greater representation in the Commons and make them a truly significant power in the land. Both Conservativeses and Labour are prepared to concede ground on the issue to the Lib Dems. Beyond this are grave issues relating to the economy, spending cuts and Britain's future role in the world. This may lead to a re-examination of the under-water Trident missile system as a nuclear deterrent. Against whom, now that the cold war is over? At the time of going to press the talks between the Conservative and Lib Dems were proceeding well, Labour's hopes appear to be receding.

Kasab death penalty just reward for mass murder For Mumbai's citizens 26/11/2008 was a traumatic experience that will live forever in their collective memory. Nor will the rest of India forget or forgive. A team of 10 well armed Pakistani killers, having disembarked from a naval craft, following a journey from Karachi, slipped into the city and proceeded to massacre 166 innocent men, women and children. The exercise was as unsuspected as it was brutal. The whole of India watched shell shocked as the gunmen went on their murderous 60-hour spree, guided to their sites by Pakistani controllers back home working through a satellite positioning system. The assailants were pitiless. Nine of their number were killed in the shootout with Indian security forces, only Ajmal Arif Kasab was captured alive. The prisoner was tried under due process and a sentence of hanging was pronounced by Judge M.L. Tahaliyani, the verdict received with general acclaim, which included people normally opposed to the death penalty as a matter of principle. The Times of India wrote: “This paper is philosophically opposed to the death sentence – but ever so rarely there comes a crime that is so cold-blooded and heinous that it forces us to make an exception. The manner in which Kasab and his partner walked into one of the busiest railway stations in the world and gunned down defenceless men, women and children in plain sight left no room for even the shadow of a doubt about their guilt...keeping Kasab alive runs the risk of another Kandahar, when a plane was hijacked to extract the release of three dreaded terrorists.” This was the worst of the many terrorist crimes committed on Indian soil by individuals and groups from across the border. In July 2006, bombers struck a Mumbai surburban train, killing 206 passengers. On December 13, 2001an attempt to attack the Indian parliament and kill those inside was mercifully aborted, but the attacks keep coming. The writer V.S.Naipaul described Pakistan as a “criminal enterprise”since its birth. That may well

be, but it is something the great and good in America and Britain are reluctant to recognise for fear of offending a client long considered a vital piece on the West's international chessboard. Whether on clandestine nuclear commerce or the use of terrorism in its statecraft, Washington and London, in particular, have treated every regime in Islamabad with noticeable indulgence. The chickens are now coming home to roost, as the recent unsuccessful attempt to bomb New York's Times Square demonstrated only too well. US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton may have blown hot, but for her senior colleagues in the Obama administration, as The Times of India's man in Washington, Chidanand Rajghatta, pointed out it was very much business as usual with Pakistan, an indispensable ally in Uncle Sam's coalition of the willing in the war against al Qaeda and the Taliban. For India 26/11 was a wake-up call. New Delhi has to work most closely with countries that are unequivocally committed to fighting Islamist terrorism with both words and deeds. There is, alas, a frequent disconnect between the two, apropos of Pakistan, in the American and British capitals. The Daily Telegraph's Correspondent in Islamabad, Rob Crilly, writes: “American investigators believe rogue Pakistani intelligence agents could have been involved in the Times Square bomb plot. They are examining a possible connection between Faisal Shahzad and Pakistan's powerful military and intelligence establishment, a potentially devastating blow to the country's shaky anti-terrorism credentials.” Shahzad's background as the son of a senior Air Force officer and a nephew of an army major general underlines the possibility that he may had contacts with intelligent agents who have succoured the Afghan Taliban and homegrown jihadis. It's your move, President Obama.

Sri Lanka's elusive peace Truces are temporary, the value of peace is that it tends to endure. The Tamil Tiger insurgency in Sri Lanka has been broken and defeated, but the promised reconciliation between the minority Tamil community and the majority Sinhalese, without which no there can be no enduring peace in the country, is proving stubbornly elusive. President Rajapakse has done little to assuage Tamil fears for the future; he has not addressed Tamil grievances and his governance is far from inclusive. But he must be credited with briging to heel General

Sarathw Fonseca, some of whose actions in the war conflict were particularly brutal. The general is now under arrest, his political ambitions thwarted for the present. Constitutional reform involving devolution of power in Sri Lanka's Tamil- populated north has been rejected. Sinhalese tourists from the south visiting the northern Jaffna area in droves are carrying off fragments of memorials to the Tamil dead as victory trophies. The practice is ghoulish and it doesn't bode well for the country's future.

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Thought for the Week

"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world."

Political Question Seema Malhotra Labour activist and campaigner Director, Fabian Women's Network

The fruits of electoral reform: consensus government or unstable coalitions?

Gordon Brown

David Cameron

Nick Clegg

I’ve never been a die-hard first past the post advocate, but I do believe it’s important for a nation to have stable government. That doesn’t mean that stability only comes from a system anchored around a two horse race, but it does mean that parties forming coalitions should have a sensible common ground and are able to form a believable and realistic partnership. I have found some of the analysis of the election results somewhat misleading. Choose any of the top three parties, and you can use the results to prove that two thirds to three quarters of the population voted against them. Similarly you could say that no party won the election. Nick Clegg has found himself in the position of king maker. We may have got ourselves through the first week of a new Parliament, but we are still far off from knowing whether any coalition formed will have the Duracell factor. One of the key political debates this year will undoubtedly be on electoral reform. There is no perfect system. I would personally want to see Single Transferable Vote system introduced so that people are able to list their candidates in order of preference. It gives more choice to the electorate, but the outcome will still be a geographical link with a constituency. Direct proportionality will quite possibly mean top up lists which result in list members having no real accountability mechanisms back to the people whose votes elected them. I think it is clear that we will see some change to our voting system as the lasting legacy of this exciting period in British politics. But there is a big question we must consider – which is what we really value and want to keep in our political system, such as stability, and what we genuinely want to consign to the history books. Without clarity on what we think has worked and what hasn’t, in our rush to vote for an ill-thought through change we could end up with a system where rather than consensus government delivering a bit of what everyone might want, we get desperate coalitions delivering what no-body actually voted for.

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YOUR VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

Voters know the best

Kasab guilty

The general election of 6th May was very interesting and exciting. It is fair to assume that we all knew that it was going to produce a hung parliament. There are some interesting salient points:l The Labour has been in power since 1997. So since then voters have denied the Conservatives to form a government. Three times outright. l Even if David Cameron (Conservative) becomes prime minister following the election of 6th May 2010, this will not be so without taking help from another political party. l This is in spite of the fact that Lord Ashcroft (Conservative) spent over five million pounds in eight years in many marginal constituencies. l Because of the Iraq and Afghanistan situation and weapons of mass destructions (WMD) the going was against the Labour. l Nor was the economy and jobless situation in favour of the Labour. l Immigration was a big issue during the election, and yet it did not really help the Conservatives. Do not forget the “bigoted” faux pas by Gordon Brown of the Labour. l In all the three live television debates Gordon Brown (Labour) did not do well. Nick Clegg (LibDems) and David Cameron (Conservative) did very well. Even after taking the above points and many other into consideration, why did conservatives not win outright? Is it because electors do not trust the Conservatives? Is it because the Labour is good in managing our economy? Is it that recent immigrants have more faith in Labour than the Conservatives? But then LibDems proposed amnesty for the Illegal immigrants as did Conservative Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London. One thing is certain. Money is not all.Voters do know what is in their best interest in long term.

After prolonged judiciary circus, terrorist Kasab, of 26/11 raid on Mumbai, is announced guilty, sentenced to death. In spite of 101% foolproof evidence, India foolishly indulged in time wasting court procedure. India should have operated fast track trial and hanging a la America Vs Saddam and Pakistan Vs Z. A. Bhutto. Death sentence is announced to please countries whose citizens are killed. These countries would have hounded India and tarnished its image. To enhance international prestige, Azmal Kasab must be hanged immediately. While India goes euphoric, over killing small fish, big sharks laugh in their sleeves and will use - Kasab-to threaten security of India, to attack India repeatedly. Long winded judicial process and non-implementation of death sentence can embolden them. But, there are High Court and Supreme court hurdles before Kasab is hanged. Ultimately, case may be put up for President’s clemency where 52 cases going back to 20 years are pending. Kasab’s case for Presidential clemency would be 30th in the queue. Excess publicity-a difficult hurdle-has raised him to high profile level creating many sympathisers and meddlers who may impede rapid execution. Kasab will enjoy long life and perksbehind bars-due to folly and political correctness of timid India.

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Mahabharata Column I would just like to commend Mr Vakil on his Mahabharata columns. I very much enjoy reading them each week, and always look forward to the next story! I think the stories from the Mahabharata offer us useful insights, which can be applied to today's modern life. Not only this, but the Mahabharata stories are an excellent tool as a way of keeping children in touch with their religious and historic roots. I always try to share and talk about Mr Vakils Mahabharata column with my children and thankfully it is something that they enjoy learning about too! I look forward to next week's entry.

BNP tries to exploit Sikh and Muslim tensions

Canadian Sikh Woman, suspected infanticide

Reading about the BNPs exploitation of Sikh and Muslim tensions in order to promote Islamaphobia made me feel both frustrated but also relieved that these tensions are coming to surface. Even though in an ideal world we would like to see both Sikhs and Muslims rediscovering their shared cultural and historic identities, we cannot ignore that there are unfortunately many problems between both religions. These problems span from historical events to present day conflicts. Take for example the cases of Muslims boys converting Sikh girls to Khans. This obviously creates much anger and tension not only amongst families of people personally involved in these cases, but also the wider Sikh community. So even though the BNP is wrong in taking advantage of these tensions, maybe we should see it as an opportunity to address these problems.

It was most unfortunate that I read of the suspected infanticide of three female infants by a Sikh woman, considering Sikhism being one of the most gender neutral religions. Unfortunately we are now hearing of female infanticide in other parts of the world, not just India. Although female infanticide is completely unacceptable, in a developing country such as India where there is extreme poverty, and generations who have fixed cultural opinions, the reasons for these cases are apparent. However, living in a modern society, I don't know why some still hold such out of date opinions on women, especially in developed countries such as Canada. It is regrettable that we still have to argue the equality of men and women in today's day and age.

Sheetal Bhargav Via Email

Good Riddance! I simply can’t believe it! On return from my long and hectic tour of South Africa, Victoria Falls and Mauritius, I sent my letter entitled “Up to Speed” for publication on Tuesday morning, albeit, by e-mail. How could it get approved and published in a short period of just two days so that my copy of Asian Voice containing the letter arrived by post within two days on Thursday morning? Hats off to AV for being so very efficient! We Indians have sometimes been stereotyped as being lethargic and tardy. Remember the “Indian time” jibe about our time keeping? - But not so in the case of our own Asian Voice. It has always been on time with lots of goodies to feast our eyes and mind upon. On a different note, the results of the general election have started pouring in and I am glad to learn that some of those greedy MPs who made exorbitant expenses claims, and even those made trivial claims, have been booted out by the electorate. Good riddance!

Vikram Mann Via Email

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In year 2009, some 7000 pensioners lost the battle to stay afloat and plunged into insolvency that is so alien to their nature, their upbringing. A few have committed suicide rather than go through this humiliating procedure. This number is 44% higher than in 2008 and will rise significantly in 2010 unless the in-coming Government take some urgent measures to help these proud people who are caught in the economic bliss that is not of their making. They are the innocent victims of city greed, government laxity and debt culture who all have conspired against them. With base rate at mere 0:5% that has practically wiped out their income from savings and council tax, heating bills rocketing, there is not much OPAs can do to salvage their finances or their pride. It seems the year 2010 will be even worse with OAPs losing their universal benefits of DLA and DAA that was under discussion and perhaps be the part of Labour manifesto. As the Conservatives have promised not to abolish these benefits to OAPs, perhaps the change of government may be a blessing in disguise for OAPs. I would like to urge the incoming PM to help the OAPs by making interest tax free for all OAPs except those on higher tax bracket and not to abolish DAA for the pensioners. Bhupendra M Gandhi Via Email

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

(Off Coronet Street)

Cricket crazy Indians for the first time was seen so euphoric on Monday morning, as they expected a couple of Oscars. British Indians in the UK, Dharavi slums, the shanty township of Mumbai, a village in Uttar Pradesh and almost the entire Bollywood waited in expectation, glued to their TV sets. They burst into celebrations as one by one, their heroes, the actors of the British Indian film and the music maestro, A R Rahman bagged the top awards in the world of entertainment. British actress Kate Winslett also won the Oscar after having missed it almost five times earlier. ‘Smile Pinki’, a short documentary on a cleft-lipped Indian girl in Uttar Pradesh directed by American director Megan Mylan, won the Oscar for the Best Documentary (Short).

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ELECTION REPORT 2010

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

SOUTH ASIAN COUNCIL ELECTION WINNERS- LONDON BOROUGHS Hillingdon Sukhpal Kaur Brar Jasvinder Singh Dhillon Mohammed Khursheed Kuldeep Kaur Lakhmana Avtar Singh Sandhu Roshan Lal Ghei Sidharath Garg Southwark Abdul Mohamed Sunil Chopra Westminster Suhail Rahuja Ahmed Gharib Abdel-Hamid Abdul Aziz Toki Nilavra Mukerji Papya Rebya Qureshi Richmond Upon Thames Ben Khosa Wandsworth Ravindra Pragji Govindia Newham Ayesha Chowdhury Riaz Ahmed Mirza Unmesh Desai Firoza Ahmed Nekiwala Paul Duraisamy Sathianesan Lakmini Sewwandi Shah Shama S. M. Ahmad Rohima Rahman Sharaf Mahmood Nirmal Chadha Rustam Hasan Talati Harvinder Singh Virdee Mukesh Patel Khalil Kazi Farah Nazeer Salim Patel Amarjit Singh Forhad Hussain Omana Gangadharan Merton Laxmi Attawar Tariq Mahmood Ahmad Redbridge Gurdial Bhamra Zulfi Hussain Muhammed Javed Mushtaq Ahmed Mahboob Chaudhary Ashok Kumar Taifur Rashid Virendra Tewari Jas Athwal Ayodhiya Parkash Thavathuray Jeyaranjan Sharma, Dev Saund, Balvinder Choudhury, Aziz Patel, Shoaib Hounslow Dhillon, Poonam Sohan Singh Sangha Mohinder S Gill Gopal S Dhillon Kamaljit Kaur Armit Mann Gurmail Lal Ajmer Grewal Pritam Grewal Darshan Grewal Ajmer Dhillon Jagdish Sharma Balvir Sond Kingston upon Thames Shiraz Mirza Priyen Patel Yogan Yoganathan Umesh Parekh Islington Jilani Chowdhury Barking and Dagenham Laila Butt Manzoor Hussain Tariq Saeed Hardial Singh Rai Saima Ashraf Abdul Aziz Nirmal Gill Inder Singh Jamu Amardeep Singh Jamu Brent Bhagwani Hari Chohan Mohammed Shafique Ahmad Choudhury Javaid Ashraf Krupesh Jadavji Hirani Mohammad Aslam Choudhry Harihar Manibhai Patel

Conservative Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour

Heathrow villages Pinkwell Botwell Pinkwell Pinkwell Barnhill Yeading

Labour Labour

Faraday Nunhead

Conservative Labour Labour Labour Labour

Bayswater Church Street Church Street Harrow Road Westbourne Road

Liberal Democrats

St Margaret's and North Twickenham

Conservative

East Putney

Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour

Beckton Boleyn East Ham Central East Ham North East Ham North East Ham South Forest Gate North Green Street East Green Street East Green Street East Green Street West Green Street West Green Street West Little Ilford Little Ilford Manor Park Manor Park Plaistow North Wall End

Labour Conservative

Colliers Wood Wimbledon Park

Labour Labour Labour Labour Conservative Conservative Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Liberal Democrats

Clayhall Clayhall Clayhall Cranbrook Cranbrook Cranbrook Loxford Loxford Mayfield Mayfield Newbury Newbury Seven Kings Valentine Valentine

Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour

Cranford Cranford Heston Central Heston Central Heston East Heston East Heston East Hounslow Central Hounslow Central Hounslow Heath Hounslow South Hounslow South Hounslow South

Liberal Democrats Conservative Liberal Democrat Liberal Democrat

Chessington South St James St Marks Surbiton Hill

Labour

Barnsbury

Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour

Abbey Abbey Abbey Eastbury Gascoigne Gascoigne Longbridge River Whalebone

Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Conservative

Alperton Barnhill Dollis Hill Dudden Hill Dudden Hill Northwick Park

Bhikubhai Mani Patel Ayaz Noor Khan Thambimuthu Selvaratnam Ramesh Chandra Patel Kanapathipillai Naheerathan Sandra Mostafa Kabir Chandubhai Jiwanbhai Patel Ketan Sheth Muhammed Butt Harbhajan Singh Jayesh Mistry Croydon Raj Rajendran Manju Shahul-Hameed Jeet Bains Vidhi Mohan Sherwan Chowdhury Shafi Khan Badsha Quadir Richard Rishi Chatterjee Humayun Kabir Bernadette Khan Ealing Abdullah Ahmed Gulaid Tej Bagha Tejinder Singh Dhami Ranjit Lal Dheer Attallah Saleh Said Hitesh Tailor Nigel Bakhai Anita Kapoor Harbhajan Kaur Mohinder Kaur Midha Karam Chand Mohan Swaran Singh Padda Shahbaz Ahmed Shital Ved Manro Bassam Mahfouz Mohammad Aslam Gurmit Mann Rajinder Mann Sitarah Anjum Shahid M. Kausar Zahida Abbas Noori Surinder Nath Varma Jasbir Kaur Anand Kamaljit Singh Dhindsa Swarn Singh Kang Ashok Kumar Kapoor Enfield Ali Bakir Ahmet Hassan Rohini Simbodyal Ahmet Oykener Chaudhury Anwar Ayfer Orhan Tashin Ibrahim Greenwich Radha Rabadia Sajid Jawaid Jagir Kaur Sekhon Rajwant Sidhu Harry Singh Mohammed Jabbar Iqbal Hackney Dawood Ebrahim Akhoon Saleem Siddiqui Rita Krishna Haringey Kaushika Amin Dhiren Basu Gmmh Rahman Khan Havering Osman Ali Dervish Lambeth Niranjan Romano Francis Neeraj Patil Sutton Sunita Gordon Waltham Forest Naheed Qureshi Naheed Asghar Shameem Highfield Khevyn Limbajee Shabana Qadir Farooq Qureshi Darshan Singh Sunger Abu Samih Liaquat Ali Haroon Khan Ahsan Khan Saima Mahmud Masood Ahmed Afzal Akram Mohammad Asghar Asim Mahmood Nadeem Ali Raja Anwar

Conservative Liberal Democrats Labour Labour Labour Labour Liberal Democrats Labour Labour Labour Labour

Kenton Fryent Preston Queensbury Queensbury Queensbury Sudbury Tokyngton Tokyngton Welsh Harp Wembley Central

Labour Labour Conservative Conservative Labour Labour Conservative Conservative Labour Labour

Bensham Manor Broad Green Coulsdon West Fairfield Norbury Norbury Purley Shirley West Thornton West Thornton

Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Lib Dem Conservative Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Conservative

Acton Central Dormers Well Dormers Well Dormers Well East Acton East Acton Elthorne Elthorne Greenford Broadway Lady Margaret Lady Margaret Lady Margaret North Greenford North Greenford Northolt West End Norwood Green Norwood Green Norwood Green Perivale Southall Broadway Southall Broadway Southall Broadway Southall Green Southall Green Southall Green Walpole

Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour

Haselbury Ward Jubilee Jubilee Lower Edmonton Ponders End Ponders End Turkey Street

Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour

Glyndon Plumstead Shooters Hill Woolwich Common Woolwich Common Woolwich Riverside

Lib Dem Labour Labour

Cazenove Kings Park Stoke Newington Central

Labour Labour Labour

Northumberland Park Seven Sisters West Green

Conservative

Mawneys

Labour Labour

Gipsy Hill Larkhall

Lib Dem

Wallington North

Lib Dem Labour Labour Labour Labour Lib Dem Conservative Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour

Leyton Cathall Cathall Grove Green Forest Forest Hale End and Higams Park Chapel End High Street Higham Hill Hoe Street Hoe Street Lea Bridge Lea Bridge Markhouse Markhouse William Morris William Morris Continued on page 6

ELECTION REPORT 2010

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

Kapil’s

SOUTH ASIAN COUNCIL ELECTION WINNERS- LONDON BOROUGHS Tower Hamlets Zenith Rahman Mizanur Rahman Chaudhury Sirajul Islam Ahmed Adam Omer Anwar Khan Khales Uddin Ahmed Rania Khan Helal Uddin Abul Monsur Ohid Ahmed Rajib Ahmed Shirla Katun Lufta Begum Rofique Uddin Ahmed Korsu Uddin Motin Uz-Zaman Malum Miah Alibor Choudhury Rabina Khan Harun Miah Helal Uddin Abbas Shelina Akhtar Lutfur Rahman Oliur Rahman Abdal Ullah Shafiqul Haque Kabir Ahmed Abdul Chunu Mukit Shahed Ali Abdul Asad Aminur Khan Barnet Zakia Zubairi Sury Khatri Sachin Rajput Ansuya Sodha Bexley Munir Malik Camden Abdul Quadir Abdul Hai Tulip Siddiq Samata Khatoon

Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Conservative Labour Labour Respect Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour

Bethnal Green North Bethnal Green South Bethnal Green South Bow East Bow West Bromley By Bow Bromley By Bow Bromley By Bow East India and Lansbury East India and Lansbury East India and Lansbury Limehouse Mile End and Globetown Mile End East Mile End East Millwall Shadwell Shadwell Shadwell Spitalfields & Banglatown Spitalfields & Banglatown Spitalfields & Banglatown St Dunstan's & Stepney Green St Dunstan's & Stepney Green St Katharine's & Wapping Weavers Weavers Whitechapel Whitechapel Whitechapel

Labour Conservative Conservative Labour

Colindale Mill Hill Oakleigh West Hendon

Labour

Thamesmead East

Labour Labour Labour Labour

Bloomsbury King's Cross Regent's Park St Pancras & Somers Town

Joseph Johnson, a Brit journo with Indian connection elected as a Tory MP Winning elections in UK for people of Indian origin is not something new anymore. But in a case of India connection of a different kind, Joseph Johnson, elected from Orpington in South east London is a Briton who has worked in India as a journalist and even won one of the most prestigious awards in Journalism in India, the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award from the Indian Express Group. It would also be interesting to know that he is brother of London Mayor and Tory leader Boris Johnson. Joseph Johnson worked as the South Asia Bureau Chief of Financial Times from 2005 to 2008. He was based in New Delhi during the FT sting. He also wrote an online column called Engaging India. He studied the status of Indian Muslims in the context of the Sachar Committee report and that won him the Ramnath Goenka Award in the Best Foreign Correspondent covering India for the year 200708. His story brought the complex environment in which the Indian mus-

Joseph Johnson

lims find themselves – riots, terrorism, poverty and occasional stardom. His wife, Amelia Gentleman also won the same award a year before Joseph got it. She was working with the International Herald Tribune while she honoured. At present, she is with the Guardian. He later became Associate Editor of FT at the London head quarters. Ununtil recently, Johnson was the head of Lex, FT’s daily business and financial column. Johnson is the brother of Boris Johnson, the Conservative Mayor of London.

Johnson’s web site says about his India connection, “Jo has always been passionate about India, a country of huge importance to the UK. Before university he taught English in a school in Ajmer, Rajasthan, and then specialised in Indian history during his undergraduate degree in Modern History. “As the FT’s South Asia Bureau Chief between 2005 and 2008, he wrote extensively about India’s emergence on the world stage.” Continued on page 19

KHICHADI by Kapil Dudakia - email: kapil@abplgroup.com Confused Electorate? May 6th 2010 will certainly go down as history making given the outcome of the General Election. Broadly speaking the outcome was in keeping with what was published in KK last week – so the crystal ball gazing turned out to be more effective than one had anticipated. The electorate spoke, but one wonders if it was in a language known to our politicians or the media. The Tories did break the 300 seat barrier, slightly better than I had anticipated but certainly well short of what one would expect of a would be government in waiting. Labour one must concede did much better than anticipated. Only 6 months ago one would have expected them to lose heavily, in fact getting more than 200 seats looked rather remote. The biggest losers had to be the LibDem’s, exactly as predicted in KK last week. The quaint nature of the electoral system became an embarrassment when you consider that a party securing 23% of the popular votes ended up with less than 9% of the seats. Increasingly the majority of the population are concluding that this just does not stand up to scrutiny and represents a democratic deficit that needs addressing through political and electoral reform. Some politicians and many in the media seem to be suggesting that the outcome is that of a confused electorate. I must say I do not concur. The electorate in my view gave the only outcome possible, that of banging the collective heads of our political masters to start putting the country first before party politics.

Harrow East lessons In KK I had raised some very important issues relating to how some politicians were treating the Hindu community (and other ethnic communities as well). For example, when I challenged Tony McNulty to come clean

and apologise to the voters, there was a deafening silence. I asked him and Abhay Lakhani to stop using the terminology, ‘Parliamentary Adviser on Community Issues’ yet week after week they refused to come clean. It seems the community made up their minds and showed their displeasure in the only way possible – to vote him out. I assume there is now no reason whatsoever for Abhay Lakhani to continue calling himself ‘Parliamentary Adviser on Community Issues’ or for those very silly community leaders who fell for it, hook, line and sinker and succumbed to such pronouncements. The message that should go out to each and every MP is simple; do not take our vote for granted. As a community we are still not united or well organised, however, can you imagine what we can do if only we put aside our petty differences and voted strategically? Let us hope that some of our community leaders who were willing to sell up for an honour, a photo opportunity or an invite to a garden party will now recognise that the good of the community should surely come first before their own selfish motives. We should galvanise our community and work in a politically enlightened manner. It is time a greater proportion registers to vote, and more importantly, a greater proportion actually votes. If we cannot even be bothered to do this simple act of civic responsibility once every 5 years, is it any wonder that we so often get treated as second class citizens and with such contempt by some of the MPs?

Electoral Reform and the BNP It is now becoming increasingly likely that we will have electoral reform given that even the Tories were willing to offer this to the LibDem to consummate a governing partnership. There are many variations to how we could elect our MPs in the future. LibDem

would like us to adopt a full Proportional Representation (PR) model whereas Labour has opted for the Alternative Voting (AV) system. There are serious dangers with PR since its main aim is to share the number of available seats proportionate to the votes secured. Therefore if we had this system in place today then the BNP with their 1.9% of the popular vote would have secured 12 seats. In France, the ultra right party known as ‘Le Pen’ received 23% - can you imagine what would happen if the BNP got anything close to that here in the UK? The AV system might actually be better since it ensures the positive part of the ‘First Past The Post’ system with the added requirement for candidates having to secure more than 50% of the vote. Voting is based on the preferential method so you rank the candidates in the order of your choice. Of course what this would mean is that in almost all cases the BNP candidate would almost certainly never be able to secure the majority of the vote. If they don’t get a clear majority then they don’t get a seat. Changing the voting system is a positive way forward for British democracy. However in pursuit of such a system one must be mindful not to introduce any system that allows those with extremist views to highjack democracy for their own fascist dreams.

Congratulations Finally, my congratulation to all the BAME candidates who took part in the elections, and to those who were victorious. Many stood in seats where they had no chance, but I hope their valiant efforts will be recognised by their respective parties and that on the next occasion they may secure winnable seats. For our community, surely we must now discuss how we should be supporting these champions from our community, more strategically.

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

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Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

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Fundraising to help build a brighter future for Ugandan kids An adventurous undergraduate from the Midlands is same year, he spent a gap preparing to jet off on a self-funded charity mission to period in parts of India, Uganda next month with a group of 35 fellow learners. including Amritsar, Nikunj Lukka, aged 22, hopes to raise £500, every Bangalore and Himanchal penny of which will go towards supporting educationdoing voluntary activities. al projects. When asked about why Uganda, Last Summer Nikunj, in “my entire collaboration with Soft family origiPower Education, a nated from British charity which East Africa, works towards improving with all my the quality and standard father’s side of primary school educacoming from tion in Uganda, was Uganda,” said involved in the building of Nikunj. “It is two new schools near for this reason Jinja. Jinja, which has that this trip been twinned with has a very perFinchley, London, since The Lukka's: (left to right) Reena, Nikunj, sonal signifi1963, is a city in eastern Narendra, Neha, Pratibha, aka Neela cance.” On Uganda with an estimated funding, at Aston University in population of 83,000, and Nikunj and his friends Birmingham is due to fly is the second busiest comwill pay for their airfare, out with his 35-strong mercial centre in the other travel costs and any team, all from the same country, after the boarding and lodging university, on June 16 for Ugandan capital costs whilst in Uganda. just over a month. In Kampala. A well-wisher, among 2006, Nikunj was one of Nikunj, who is curmany, of Nikunj and his ten young British Hindus rently in his second year student entourage, is selected to shadow a of a BSc degree in Professor Helen Higson, British parliamentarian Business and Public Pro-Vice Chancellor for for six months. In the Policy and Management External Relations at Aston University. She said: “At Aston, we are extremely proud of our A rare exhibition featuring women students and their comin football is currently being hosted by mitment to volunteering the Public Art Gallery in West and to intercultural relaBromwich. The free exhibition, titled

Female footie in pictures

State of Play, which is on until July 11, is the brainchild of Jaskirt Dhaliwal, an upcoming photographer and visual artist from Birmingham. To find out more visit www.jaskirtdhaliwal.co.uk

What do u get if u x a boxer and model? Bolton lad Amir Khan, pictured, reportedly sent a naughty picture of himself to would-be model Leanne Crow while he trained in America for his world title fight against Paulie Malignaggi later this month. In one text, the 23-year-old WBA light welterweight champion allegedly suggested she bring a friend along to his hotel room, romantically asking: “U wan 3 sum wid ur mate or me n u alone?” Now Leanne has got the hump (or hasn’t, perhaps) that he fancied her mate. “I may be a topless model,” she fumed to a reporter at the Birmingham Mail, “but I don’t just get them out for anybody.”

Dementia at 19 Teenager Claire Perkins from Birmingham is suffering from dementia and has been given just two years to live. Claire, 19, pictured, who developed dementia through a rare genetic condition at the age of 10, can no longer walk, talk or feed herself. Her parents, instead of looking ahead to her 21st birthday party, have quietly arranged her funeral.

Gay man to fight union Mohammed Bhyat, a gay Muslim bus driver from Walsall, has been given the green light by Birmingham Employment Tribunal to claim compensation against his trade union – after complaining they failed to help him combat alleged bullying and harassment over his sexuality. The hearing is to take place later this year.

tions. They tell me that they gain more than they give, and this shows how beneficial such an initiative is to individual students, Aston University and the Ugandan people.” Another of Nikunj’s staunch supporters is his former radio presenter uncle Pravinbhai Lukka, from Leicester, whose intensely eloquent shows in Gujarati are still remembered by many. He feels his nephew’s fundraising target of £500 is “very modest” and is urging readers to dig deep into their pockets. On returning from Uganda in July, Nikunj will be going to Brussels where he has already secured, as part of his degree, a placement at an advertising firm working in its finance department. His parents, Narendra and Pratibha, alias Neela, live in Oadby, Leicester. The couple also have two daughters, Reena and Neha. To offer your support or to donate online please visit www.justgiving.com/nikunj-lukka or contact him on 07809 674 190.

Job cuts at airport

Voluntary redundancy packages have been offered to 46 security guards at Birmingham Airport. News of this comes after it emerged that the airport lost up to £2 million in last month’s volcanic ash chaos, in addition, seeing a dip in passenger volumes because of the recession.

Booze sell ban Solihull newsagent Avtar Mahal, who runs Newsflow Express in Poplar Road, has been suspended from selling alcohol in the town centre after a series of licence breaches at his ‘hotch potch’ premises. The newsagents is the only facility of its kind to hold a 24-hour licence in Solihull town centre. Among breaches, officials found during the random spot check that the staff working on the night were not legally permitted to sell alcohol, the CCTV was not working correctly, a refusal record book was not available and the correct signage was not promoted.

Gap year sacrifice for a good cause A good samaritan from Gloucestershire has given up her university gap year to volunteer for Christian Aid in the West Midlands. Imogen Sackett, 20, was inspired to dedicate her gap year to charity work after witnessing the “heartbreaking” scandal of poverty in the urban slums of Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. Imogen, pictured right, who is studying for a BA in Development Studies at Sussex University, currently lives in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Dozing off at desk One in ten Brummies have fallen asleep at their desks, a survey reveals. One in three city workers quizzed also said they made mistakes at work.

News in Brief Victory for Paul Uppal Asian businessman Paul Uppal has won the battle for Wolverhampton South West, the seat once famously held by Enoch Powell. Paul, pictured, ended the nine-year reign of Labour's Rob Marris. The Conservative candidate, a graduate of Warwick University who lives in Halesowen, gained 16,344 votes compared to Rob's 15,653 votes to claim his seat in the House of Commons.

Legal ‘marriage’ Two of Birmingham’s best-known law firms, Shakespeare Putsman and Needham & James, are on the verge of a merger. Between them, the two companies employ nearly 400 people. In 2009, the former had a turnover in the region of £18.3 million, and the latter, £7.3 million.

Adil leaving Asian Network BBC Asian Network presenter Adil Ray, pictured, is exiting the Birmingham-based station after nine years to take a “creative risk” to focus on other projects in development. The head-in-the-sky DJ, plans to build on his Mr Khan character, a self-appointed Muslim community leader, as has appeared in Bellamy’s People, the BBC Two comedy show. Mr Ray, who leaves on June 4, will be replaced by Tommy Sandhu, who currently presents the station’s drivetime show.

Pink Premier On the same theme, Britain is ready for an openly lesbian, gay or bisexual Prime Minister, according to the gay equality charity Stonewall. In a recent poll of 1073 responses, 59 per cent voted in favour, 41 per cent gave the thumbs down. But, “we’re still no closer to getting one,” says Ben Summerskill, the charity’s chief executive.

New legal leader Congratulations to Dean Parnell who has been named as the new president of Birmingham Law Society. He replaces Bernard Shepherd. Mr Parnell, pictured, a Welshman by birth, and a partner at law firm Sydney Mitchell, has become the 191st president at the organisation since its inception in 1818.

School to turn into temple The site of Handsworth Wood Girls School in Church Lane, Birmingham, which has been empty since the 1990s, has been taken over by the Shri Guru Ravidass Cultural Association. The Association, established in 1971, has been granted planning permission to turn it into a community centre which will include classrooms, library, nursery, craft room, a community hall, quiet room and refreshment area.

24/7 surveillance in ‘ghetto’ Big Brother-style covert cameras erected around Sparkbrook in Birmingham have been greeted with anger from local residents. They claim that the hightech equipment, featuring CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), hidden in lampposts, will turn their suburb into a ghetto. Sparkbrook has the second highest non-white population (78%) in Birmingham.

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

Pregnant woman was murdered, suicide note ruled fake A pregnant woman who was found dead with a rope around her neck after apparently killing herself had been murdered, a coroner ruled last week. The Birmingham coroner, Aidan Cotter, said Kuldeep Kaur Sidhu had been strangled, but an attempt had been made to make it look like she had taken her own life. Recording a verdict of unlawful killing after a three-day inquest, Cotter expressed confidence that the 25-year-old's killer or killers would be caught. The inquest heard that Sidhu's body and a note were found after a fire at her marital home in the Quinton area of the city in May 2008. She was the early stages of pregnancy and had been married for six months at the time of her death. A fake suicide note, believed to be written by her killer or killers, was found near her body and

accused her husband of having an affair according to reports. Birmingham Coroner’s Court heard that her husband’s Sikh family was unhappy about their marriage six months earlier because Mrs Sidhu was from a lower caste. But husband Baljinder Sidhu denied any affair and insisted they were a happy couple who were trying for a baby. The handwritten note found beside her charred body claimed Mrs Sidhu faced "living hell" because of her husband's alleged infidelity. "I can’t take it anymore. I am having this letter written for my mum and dad. My friend is writing it for me," the note read. The writer has not been traced but experts rule out Mrs Sidhu or her husband. Mrs Sidhu was strangled before being hung from a rope attached to a stair railing near the

entrance to her house, the court heard. A fire was then started inside. Mr Sidhu was arrested over the murder in October 2008 and his mother was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill in November 2007. Both were released without charge. A pathologist told the court that although Sidhu had been found with a rope around her neck, there were no discernible ligature marks. The coroner said: "In my view, the evidence shows clearly this was not murder by a stranger. An attempt was made to destroy the evidence by burning her body to make it look as if Kuldeep had taken her own life by hanging. She had not." He added: "I am confident that with the evidence that has been obtained and secured, that sooner or later the murder will be solved."

Acid attacker jailed for 30 years

House where Kuldeep was found by firefighters Victim: Kuldeep Kaur Sidhu

Speaking after the inquest, the police said the investigation remained open and officers were still seeking information about the murder. Detective Sergeant Andrew Houston, of West Midlands police, said: "There has been a wideranging, painstaking inquiry into the death of Kuldeep Sidhu. It is clear from our investigation and from the comments made during the course of this inquest by Mr Cotter that

Fake suicide note found next to Kuldeep’s body

the answer to whoever has committed this murder lies closely around the scene and around those known to Kuldeep. Mr Cotter emphasised this was not, in his opinion, murder by a stranger and we believe the evidence points strongly to emphasise this fact."

Houston appealed for witnesses who were in Quinton or the wider Birmingham area on 13 and 14 May 2008. "In particular we would like to hear from persons who could help us piece together the last movements of Kuldeep," he said.

Auction 27th May 2010

Mohammed Vakas jailed for acid attack that left Akram severely disfigured

An acid attacker who left a 25-year-old man severely disfigured in a horrific plot to avenge his family's "dishonour" has been jailed for 30 years. Mohammed Vakas was found guilty by an Old Bailey jury of plotting to murder Awais Akram. The victim was targeted because of his intimate relationship with Sadia Khatoon, 24, a married businesswoman he had met on Facebook, the court heard. When her husband, Shakeel Abassi, and Vakas, her brother, found out about it, they got her to lure Mr Akram out of his flat to the scene of the attack. There the victim was beaten and stabbed before Vakas poured concentrated sulphuric acid over his head, leaving him with 47% burns and fighting for his life. Vakas, 26, of Walthamstow, was found

An artist's impression of Awais Akram (centre) at the Old Bailey where he was giving evidence of the acid attack which left him badly disfigured

guilty of conspiring with Khatoon and her husband to murder Mr Akram. Fellow attackers Mohammed Adeel, 20, also of Walthamstow, and a 17-year-old youth, who can now be named as Fabion Kuci, of Harlesden, north-west London, were convicted of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm. Adeel was jailed for 14 years and the youth was locked up for eight years. Mr Akram, who survived the attack but continues to undergo treatment for his injuries, has

Norwich

Leicester

Hardwick House, Agricultural Hall Plain, Norfolk

Life Nightclub & Fitness First Health Club/Gym, Humberstone Gate

Office investment Let to Savills (L&P) Limited until 2023 (subject to option)

Leisure investment Let to Atmosphere Bars and Clubs Limited until 2037 (subject to option)

Producing £130,000 per annum

London UB4

described how he was in so much pain at the time that he wanted to die. Judge Brian Barker, the Common Serjeant of London, said: "The facts of this case are horrifying. This was a remorseless and a heartless plan. It was to punish and kill Mr Akram in the most cruel and sadistic way. The reason can be deduced as being an unacceptable relationship with Sadia Khatoon and Awais Akram. This was deemed to bring dishonour to her husband and to both families."

Land off Uxbridge Road (A4020), Southall, Ealing UB4 Ground rent investment Let to Co-Operative Insurance Society Ltd for a further 959 years

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Retail investment Let to Sportswift Ltd (t/a Card Factory) until 2022 Next review 2012 and five yearly

Office investment Let to Countrywide Estate Agents FS Ltd and Jobson James Financial Services Ltd Imminent rent review in July 2010

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College House, 15 College Road, Middlesex

Wolverhampton On behalf of Joint LPA Receivers Two retail investments

Office investment On behalf of a major fund Let to Abbey National plc, now Santander UK plc

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Let to Peoples Phone Ltd, with guarantee, trading as Vodafone

Retail investment Let to Farmfoods and United Carpets (Northern) Ltd until 2030 and 2023

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ART & CULTURE

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

More to Indian music than sitar, tabla and Bollywood Priyal Sanghavi

By Spriha Srivastava

Southall: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Southall came into existence in as early as 19th century when in 1801, only 697 people lived and worked on the local farms in this area. It was later in the 1790s that the Grand Junction Canal was built and it linked London to the Midlands via Bull's Bridge, Southall, one branch going to the Thames and one to Paddington. Later in 1838, Western R a i l w a y C o m p a n y opened a railway line from London onwards that included a halt at Southall in 1839. T o d a y , Southall is a bustling neighbourhood with a multi-faceted culture. Today when the train stops at station, one can see Southall written in both English as well as Punjabi. This shows the niche that the community has created for itself. As part of the Alchemy festival at the Southbank Centre, an exhibition has been set up to explore the story of Southall. The exhibition starts from the early days of settlement in Southall in 1801 to the very present times which consist of the entire hustle bustle that takes place everyday. The Southall exhibition was quite an interesting one to see since we tend to take the place for granted and epitomize it with our food and shopping tastes. But little did I know that there is so much more than that. Even though it remains that Southall is known in the recent times as “Little India”, it is not just the Indian population that resides there. As much as I learnt at the exhibition, Southall has been a home for many from India, Pakistan, Ugandan Asians, and West Indians since the 1950’s and more recently for the Sikhs from Afghanistan and Somalians. These settlements have shaped the way Southall is today for us. The exhibition also shed light on issues of gender and race quoting

Southall Black Sisters group that has been established to defend the human rights of Asian and African women who are victims of Domestic Violence. A very interesting area that the exhibition brought out was the importance of Punjabi music in the community and how well the music grew from simple folklore to bhangra which is extremely famous in the UK now. The exhibition also explored the two sides of Southall – Old and New. As for the Old Southall, that is seen b

where, it not the difference of economic positions but of different generations and thus both sides of Southall are equally precious. It is true that Southall is referred to as “Little India” but this so-called Little India has a British colour to it. Assimilated with the British culture, Southall offers a variety for all. There is probably the only pub in Southall where you can buy a pint of beer in Indian Rupees. That brings out the uniqueness of the Southall culture. However in the past, there have been certain concerns over many homeless people who sleep either on the streets of Southall or are given shelter in the Gurudwaras. The exhibition failed to put any light on this issue. As reports suggest, there are man non profits that are helping these people with woollen wear and food from time to time. It would have been good to see this aspect of the community as well. All in all, it was an interesting exhibition that informed me as an individual about the history of Southall. Till now, Southall was about food and Indian gro-

man as “downmarket” there aren’t many posh shops or shops with décor. There is a clear difference in terms of economic positions. The new Southall is extremely vibrant, active with a sense of style and décor. I would say this difference can be seen every-

ceries, but now there is much more to it. It is home to so many people who are not just Indians but from other parts of the world. And this coexistence of so many nationalities together definitely makes the community very multifaceted and unique.

examples of the racist murder of teenager Gurdip Singh Chaggar in 1976 followed by the killing of teacher, Blair Peach in the Southall uprising in the 1979. These incidents spurred the community to act in defence to let others know that this community is not weak at any cost. Another group that has received wide recognition has been the

Let us know what you think. Email Spriha at spriha@abplgroup.com

With his booming voice, colourful lungi, ethnic jewellery and a guitar, Raghu Dixit has risen to be one of the topmost acts in Indian music. Bollywood music composers Vishal-Shekhar produced the Raghu Dixit Project's first album 2005. The band is now one of the leading groups in the Indian alternative music scene are currently on a UK tour. We attended one of their London gigs at Nehru Centre, Mayfair. As a small intimate venue, the five-member band decided to skip the percussion and base guitar and instead do a three piece acoustic gig featuring Vijay Joseph on lead guitar and Karthik Iyer on violins. Raghu is proficient in his mother-tongue Kannada, Hindi and English. Although his hits I'm in Mumbai and I'm Waiting For a Miracle and No man will Ever Love You do have an English sentence, he refused to sing either to a mostly non-Hindi speaking audience. He said: “My manager was so angry at me. They wanted me to sing atleast one sentence but its not me. “ Dixit wrote about 60-70 English song. “But it just wasn't me, “ he said, “hence I began digging deep in my roots18th century poetry of Kannada saints- thus establishing my music

Raghu Dixit

style.” One can term Raghu's music as a vibrant confluence of Indian ethnic folk, classical and Sufi with some compositions mixing jazz and blues. For the gig, Raghu settled on two Kannada numbers composed by poet-philosopher Sant Shishunala Shariff. Gudugudiya and Maniya Maligi are peppy bluesy folk ballads. He then proceded to his album producers' favourite number slow melodic Ambar. Vishal and Shekhar spotted him playing at a Mumbai bar and went on to create their own label in order to produce Raghu's debut album. After giving up microbiology and being rejected for not playing conventional Bollywood, Dixit's eight year long struggle finally bore fruit with his debut album. The last two songs are the most popular and are known to get everyone up on their feet. While some adopted the dignified approach, many started

clapping and bobbing their heads in appreciation. Hey Bhagwan, talking about second chances in life, is his first single and Mysore a cheerful ode to the women of Dixit's hometown are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. Dixit's ghunghroos (metallic bells tied the foot) provided the beat in faster paced numbers but as he agreed, the percussion was sorely needed for these tracks. An accomplished Bharat Natyam dancer and with no musical family lineage, Dixit has no idea where he got his talent from. He however believes Indian alternate music has a place. “The world needs to wake up to the fact there is something other than sitar, tabla and Bollywood to Indian music. There's something else happening in India which is neither and has become very popular.” To find out more about Raghu Dixit's tour dates, log onto www.raghudixit.com

BOOKWORM A Life Apart- Neel Mukherjee A young Indian man who is not accepted by England decides to invert his situation in the novel he writesan Englishwoman who is not accepted in India. It is certainly not simplistic as it sounds. Set in the 1980s, Oxford-educated Ritwik Ghosh is haunted by his past demons- a strict mother who unabashedly beats up her children in the name of discipline, an overworked father and the early burden of being the head of the family with their death. A scholarship to Oxford is “his escape route, the prison door that had been left miraculously ajar. He would walk straight out of that door and never return.” But this never comes true. Debutant novelist Neel Mukherjee adopts the novel-in-a-novel approach. Neel takes up Bengali novel Ghare Bhaire by Rabindranath Tagore and choses a minor character, Mrs Gilby as the main character of Ritwik's novel. Ritwik rewrites Ghare

Bhaire by choosing a minor character Mrs Gilby, and reflects his own issues of identity and unacceptance, from her point of view. Ritwik who aspired for a better life soon gets tangled with prostitution, fruit pickers, racists and even an arms dealer. It begins with recurrent nightmares of his mother, leading him to seek refuge in the toilets of Oxford, which with its vulgar but funny graffiti is a hotbed to illicit sex from other men. He is the exotic choice for most “Arab prince, your name is Hassan.” This continues later on when he is accosted by the suave mysterious older man Zafar bin Hashm. His only real relationship is his landlady,a 90-year-old English woman. Mukherjee has a parallel narrative going on as Miss Gilby recounts Bengal in 1900s. As an English teacher and compassionate to Indian women, she gets

embroiled in the violence of the Swadeshi movement and victimised inspite of all she has done to help Indians around her. While Mrs Gilby's narrative is structured easy to symphathise, one often gets entangled in Ritwik's story. Although it is deeply engrossing one cannot fathom Ritwik's constant self-destructing approach. Mukherjee fails to create a deep connection to his protagonist. A Life Apart's best feature is the constant overlapping of both tales which tackle displacement and adjustment. A favourite done-to-death post-colonial subject, Mukherjee breathes new life into it. About the author: Neel Mukherjee is born in Calcutta and educated in Oxford and Cambridge. He lives in London and reviews fiction for major newspapers. A Life Apart is the UK edition of his novel Past Continuous.

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

Terror charge Briton called for murder of Gordon Brown A man who called for the deaths of the prime minister and his predecessor on Monday admitted a string of terror offences. Ishaq Kanmi, 23, of Blackburn, posed as the leader of "al-Qaeda in Britain" and urged fellow Muslims to join the group and murder Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. Manchester Crown Court heard messages he posted on an extremist website in 2008 demanded the withdrawal of UK troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. Kanmi also called for the release of all Muslim inmates at Belmarsh prison. This latest plea hearing was not the first time Kanmi had been in court for these offences. Last June, he went on trial at Preston Crown Court, but the jury had to be discharged for legal reasons. At that hearing, details of one of the postings from January 2008 showed Kanmi calling for "the elimination of political leaders and top of the list Blair and Brown. As God said: 'Kill the non-believers.'"

Kanmi, posing as the leader of British al-Qaeda, called for the deaths of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown

He said another objective was "huge attacks, God willing, on centres and places of benefit to the crusaders". He went on to invite Muslims in Britain to prepare themselves for martyrdom operations and "not lose this golden chance". It was signed from the "leadership of alQaeda in Britain". Kanmi was arrested at Manchester airport in August 2008 carrying three electronic storage devices and a mobile phone, all containing terror-related information he

intended to distribute. He had been planning to board a flight to Helsinki, together with Abbas Iqbal, who is also from Blackburn. Iqbal, it can now be reported after restrictions were lifted, is one of two brothers who filmed alQaeda-style propaganda in a park and dubbed themselves "The Blackburn Resistance". He was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to three years in jail two months ago. Krenar Lusha - another man linked to Kanmi -

Kanmi, Abbas Iqbal, above, Ilyas Iqbal and Ali Ahmad dubbed themselves the 'Blackburn Resistance' and made videos of their military exercises in a Lancashire park

was convicted at Preston Crown Court in December last year of five counts of possessing terror-related articles. He was jailed for seven years. Kanmi had been in phone and internet contact with Lusha, who was found by police during a raid downloading a video on how to blow people up. At court, Kanmi plead-

Asians spice up The Real Food Festival By Rudy Otter

les. Like other Asian participants, her company has won various awards. Her pickles are sold in Co-op supermarkets supporting local businesses across Sussex and Hampshire as well as specialist stores all over the country.

Indian pickles, chutneys and sauces spiced up The Real Food Festival at Earls Court exhibition centre from 7th to 10th May. Independent food and drink professionals from all parts of the country and beyond took part, displaying their wares and networking with one another to find new markets. The four-day show focused on fresh, seasonal produce purchased locally at competitive prices. Celebrity Indian chef Cyrus Meher Salman pictured here with Todiwala OBE, a some of her award winning regular guest on chutneys television cookery programmes, told Asian Anila Vaghela's Voice: "I'm looking forhome-based recipes creward to demonstrating ated with her own seafood dishes using sauces cover everything scallops and crabs." He from sandwiches to curdid so with his usual ries. Based in Surrey and style and wit, with his Middlesex, Anila's proown range of sauces and duces 16 chutneys, pickspices. Afterwards specles and dips made with tators surged forward to fruits and vegetables. try his lip-smacking crePriya Lakhani, a ations and ask him for young Gujarati, gave up advice. The talented Mr her career as a newspaTodiwala runs London's per lawyer to start award-winning Cafe Masala Masala 18 Spice Namaste and also months ago because she produces pickles, chutwas disappointed at not neys and ice cream. being able to find Another entrepre"authentic Indian neur who made her sauces" in supermarkets mark at the festival was and decided to launch Meher Salman, managher own company to "fill ing director of The Spice the gap". She told Asian Shelf of Worthing, Voice: "Although I Sussex, with her ten enjoyed being a lawyer, I varieties of Indian pickfind this work equally

appealing." She won the Daily Mail's Enterprising Young Brit award in 2008 and other top awards. She attributes her love of fresh home cooking to her parents Praful and Dipa, and donates money after every pot she sells to buy underprivileged Indians a meal through charities in the subcontinent. She said: "Life is not just about thinking of yourself. We must also help people who Celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala need help. I passionMafazul Huda of ately believe that." Lincolnshire heard cusThree sisters started tomers moan that their a company called cooking "never comes Flavours and Spices up to restaurant stantwo years ago and dard". He told Asian operate from bases in Voice: "I decided to Surrey and launch Mr Huda's Hertfordshire. Sereena, authentic curry pastes Priya and Alexa Kaul which have won many wrote a cookery book awards." He exports to which they published Spain, Portugal and themselves. It sold Bulgaria and hopes 8,000 copies and soon to add France and attracted the attention the United States to his of major publisher list. He also produces Simon & Schuster who recipes for schools, took over the book and canteens, hotels and asked them to expand hospitals and has an it. "The Three Sisters online service featuring Indian Cookbook" will 60 recipes, changed be out later this year every three weeks to with 100 recipes. Alexa keep the site sizzling told Asian Voice: "We with interest. supply a container of Other Asian partic13 specially prepared ipants included top spices with the cookAsian cook Angela book which explains Malik who has a wellrecipes, ingredients known cookery school and shows a picture of in west London; and what the food should Karimix, a food compalook like when ny specialising in "arocooked." mas and flavours". Restaurant chef

ed guilty to professing to belong to al-Qaeda and inviting support for the group. He also admitted collecting or making a record of information likely to be useful to a terrorist and three counts of disseminating terrorist publications. Kanmi denied two

counts of soliciting to murder Mr Brown and Mr Blair. The Crown Prosecution Service said it was willing for those counts to lie on file. A date for sentencing will be fixed once psychiatric and psychological reports have been prepared.

Application for Sikh temple in Leicester withdrawn Plans for a Sikh temple have been withdrawn, days before they were expected to be rejected by councillors. Jaiantilal Gopal lodged an application with Leicester City Council to convert a two-storey industrial unit in Frisby Road into a temple, but withdrew it on last Wednesday. The factory has been empty for three years. Mr Gopal said there was a need for a Sikh place of worship in the area. However, two letters and a petition were sent to the council on behalf of residents, businesses and nearby Spinney Hill Social Club objecting to the plan, on the grounds of traffic and parking. One comment said there were already several places of worship in the area and more were not needed. Council officers had

recommended that the application be turned down. Councillor Abdul Osman, the cabinet member for regeneration, had backed the plan, believing it would improve the area. He said: "Whether it's a church, temple or mosque doesn't matter. If it is making use of a building which would otherwise be empty then I'm in favour of it." The area is one of the city's designated employment areas, which means changes can only be made to a commercial building if it can be proved it is no longer viable for employment or that redevelopment would significantly improve the area. Mr Gopal would have to have shown there were no other suitable sites in the area for a temple and that there was a need for the place of worship in the area.

Grandad dies after brutal attack A GRANDFATHER has died after he and his wife were brutally beaten and tied up by armed robbers while visiting family in Pakistan. Jameel Ahmed, aged 74 and from Green Avenue, Great Lever, was attacked by five men armed with metal bars and bats who broke into the house where he was staying with his wife Fatima, aged 73, in Islamabad. In Bolton, Mr Ahmed’s nephew, Abid Shakeel, aged 36, said:

“Everyone is in shock. It has not sunk in yet and it won’t until my aunt and my cousins come home. It’s just truly, truly horrific. It’s the manner in which everything happened.”

MEDIA WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

Scrutator’s The Bill Clinton operating principle for politicians - “It is the economy stupid”- has gone global. While most Europeans, Japanese and some Latin Americans, not to speak of the United States, struggle to restore a measure of health to their ailing economies, India is riding the wave of robust economic growth. The Times of India's Business pages (April 27) reported that the World Bank had “brought in a sea-change approach” to tackle to poverty across the globe by deciding to give greater say to developing nations in its running. This was done by giving these countries more voting rights in the management of the World Bank. As a result, India becomes the seventh-largest share-holder in the institution. Its voting power was increased from 2.77 per cent to 2.91 per cent, while China's quota was raised from 2.77 per cent to 4.42 per cent, thus making it the bank's third-largest share-holder. The hitherto dominant position of countries such as the UK, France, Germany, the Nordic and Benelux nations, Japan, Australia and Canada has been reduced. The increase in the institution's capital base will allow it to lend an additional $86 billion to the developing world, of which India will be entitled to borrow an additional $7-10 billion. A finance ministry statement in Delhi said: “These changes reflect the rapid growth of the Indian economy in the past decade and its rising economic weight in global affairs.” The EU's huge bailout of Greece and the possibility of the Greek contagion spreading through the continent is a stark contrast to India's confident performance. The altered template of global economics and its political consequences surely herald a new dawn on the international landscape.

Indian industry

as a high tech producer of defence systems for India's defence ministry, among other things, the company's true scale and reach soon becomes apparent.

The momentum of the Indian recovery after the global economic meltdown has been led by buoyant industrial growth. For instance, carmaker Maruti Ambani vs Ambani posted 105 per cent rise in its balance-sheet for the 2009-10 The Mukesh and Anil Ambani financial year. Maruti CEO rivalry took a fresh turn with the Ajay Seth pointed to higher Supreme Court judgment comprofits, higher sales volumes ing down firmly in favour of the and favourable foreign former. Wrote Dhananjay exchange rates, which had Mahapatra, The Times of India helped the company achieve reporter covering the story: “A exponential profit margins. The company planned to double the capacity at its Maneswar plant over the next two years to 550,000 units. Its Gurgaon factory produces 700,000 units annually. The future looks bright. Elsewhere, Godrej Consumer Product Ltd Anil and Mukesh Ambani (GCPL) reported a 56 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit in toxic, no holds-barred battle the fourth quarter ended March between two estranged brothers 31, 2010. Adi Godrej, chairthat sucked in the Indian govman, GCPL, said: “FY10 has ernment ended with the been a transformational year Supreme Court ruling in favour for GCPL. We've significantly of Mukesh Ambani's Reliance enhanced our domestic presIndustries (RIL). Terming natuence, especially in tier-II and ral gas a 'national resource', the tier-III towns. This has been court ruled that RIL cannot give accomplished by the launch of gas to Anil Ambani's Reliance several new consumer-centric Natural Resources Limited offerings and re-launch of some (RNRL) at a rate lower than the of our existing products with price fixed by the Centre support from focused and inno[Government of India]. It also vative marketing and promodirected RIL, by far India's tion strategies.” He continued: biggest company, and RNRL and “The macroeconomic environfinalise the new terms within ment is improving. We continue eight weeks. to initiate renegotito explore opportunities to ation of their gas supply master strengthen our presence and agreement within six weeks.” competitive position in the Citing comments by Mukesh home-care, personal wash and Ambani and his wife Nita, RIL hair-care space.” In soaps, lawyer Harish Salve said the GCPL continues to be the secway ahead “is very positive for ond-largest toilet soaps player both families” and that much of with 10.5 per cent market the acrimony of the past six share. years may perhaps be ending. When you consider Godrej The finality of the court's judg-

ment and its uncompromising tone could provide a 'healing touch' to an abrasive quarrel. Anil Ambani had accepted the court's judgement and was the first to congratulate Mr Salve on winning the case, which augured well for a reconciliations between the brothers, said Mukesh Ambani's counsel. Time to put the past behind them (Times of India, May 8).

Indo-US defence deal According to a Times of India report (April 27), India and the United were moving to clinch the biggest defence deal between the two countries. It involved

diversified group overcoming the land acquisition challenge that has laid low several companies in the past.” According to Videocon's top official in the state, Goutam Sengupta, the company had completed the acquisition of 52 acres for the proposed 10 MW solar power plant in Purulia, the land being bought directly from the owners. He said the group had faced no problems in the acquisition since the land was not in use for agriculture. Videcon had promised the first option for employment to locals. The solar plant in Bengal would be one of several that the group had planned for the country. “We will also set up solar power

C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlift aircraft

the sale of 10 C-17 GlobemasterIII strategic airlift aircraft to India. The deal was now before the US Congress for approval. The details of the contract are yet to be worked out in this government-to-government sale under the American Foreign Military Sales programme, but each of these Boeing-manufactured planes fetch $220 million on the market. If India exercises all the available options of equipment, spares, support, training and services for the C17s, the deal could amount to a massive $8 billion. “The potential sale of C-17s strengthens the growing partnership between our two countries, and demonstrates our commitment to sharing the world's best technology with India,” said US ambassador to India, Timothy Roemer. The giant four-engine C-17 aircraft dwarfs its global rivals. Capable of carrying a payload of 164,000 pounds after taking off from a mere 7,000 airstrip, it can transport tanks and troops over 2,400 nautical miles. With mid-air refuelling the C-17 can travel even farther. It can carry 100 paratroops and drop them battle ready at semiprepared forward bases for action. Acquisition of these giant aircraft would augment the fighting capability of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

plants in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra, for example, as part of the National Solar Mission, but the one in Bengal will be among the biggest,” Mr Sengupta said.

C.K. Prahalad News arguably business had died

that C.K.Prahalad, the foremost figure in management theory, in Michigan, where he

Stealth Shivalik inducted Reporter Rahul Singh told of the induction of INS Shivalik by the Indian Navy (Hindustan Times, 30 April), the country's first indigenously built stealth warship. “The Shivalik, which marks a shift in the design of warships, is the first of three stealth frigates being built at the Mazgaon Docks [near Mumbai], under a project codenamed P17. The other two – Satpura and Sahyadiri – will be inducted by the end of 2011,” he writes. The 143-metre-long and 17metre broad warship, has a crew of 250 including 35 officers and 6,000 tonne displacement. Its sensors and weapons are controlled through a Combat Management System designed and developed by an Indian Navy team and manufactured by Bharat Electronics. Its overall

Solar park Sumali Moitra's report on a new Videocon solar park in the Purulia district of West Bengal (The Times of India, April 27) was well worth a read. She writes: “Videocon has achieved a critical breakthrough in its plan to set up a solar power plant in Bengal with the

design owes much to Russia's Krivak class frigates, of which the Indian Navy already has three. These are now known as Talwar class warships. Three more are being built at the Yantar shipyards in Kaliningrad under a follow-on order worth $1.5 billion. The Shivalik's prime weapons includes the Russian Klub surface-to-surface missiles and the Russian radar-guided Shtil missile system and the Israeli Barak-1 air-defence missile system. It is also armed with indigenous sonars and anti-submarine warfare systems and two on-board helicopters. Shivalik is also equipped with state-of-theart defence against nuclear, biological and chemical attacks. The Atmospheric Control System filters removes any radioactive, chemical and biological impurities, thereby protecting the crew and the systems. Earlier, The Hindu (April 20 ) reported the launch of India's first anti submarine corvette at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers near Kolkata.More such P-28 Corvettes were to be launched up to 2015, said Minister of State for Defence M.M.Pallam Raju.

INS Shivalik

C.K.Prahalad

achieved world renown, was received with considerable sadness in Chennai, the city of his birth. His contemporaries there remembered him with affection and recalled his eminence with much pride (The Business Line, April 20).

www.abplgroup.com

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

Alpesh Patel

StanChart shares approved for India listing

Consultant Editor Financial Voice Dear Financial Voice Reader, The Greek problem is only reduces not removed. Now we recall national debts of the UK, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Ireland and we soon realise that there are reasons to be pessimistic and the FTSE starts falling again. The dollar will strengthen over the pound and euro because the US economy is stronger and will raise rates sooner. The US economy is also coming out of recession most strongly too. If you wanted stocks then you may want dividend yields (ie what percentage annual return you get from dividends alone from the stock). The highest yielding stocks include Man Group (the FTSE 100 hedge fund company) at 12% yield. Now this is an interesting one because they have had poor performance. But the most of their share price performance depends on how their main hedge fund performs and recently it has not had a great time. But since the trading methods the fund uses have been around for years and the slump is likely not to last the stock too could recover. I may buy some stock (I declare – based on this analysis). Also big on yields is Aviva and RSA Insurance around the 6-7% mark. The FTSE 100 is likely to continue showing weakness despite periods of occasional euphoria. It’s hard to be outlandishly bullish. Dividend yields tend to be better on FTSE 250 stocks over FTSE 100 and the best here are HMV and Cable and Wireless. If you are afraid of shopping for dividends at the expense of price falls then something combining yields and price performance with acceptable valuation is Beazley and it looks from a price momentum basis not too bad either. By the time you get to the FTSE Small Cap stocks, your risk increases. Best dividend yielders here include Wichford, Northern Foods, Chaucer and Interserve. But those combining yield and growth and valuation are Interserve, PayPoint and Telecom Plus and also NCC Group. As for the US. Those who hold Apple may like to know my take: it’s at an all time high – but a 12 month holding will see you making gains outpacing the risks involved. How about Google? Quite a bit of profit-taking here which will see buyers come in and give it support. Microsoft provides the safety of size and indeed will bob around giving the opportunity to earn at least 10% this year. And what about Goldman Sachs – the upside being it made money every single trading day last quarter? The downside that the US government want to prosecute the company for fraud. Personally I think it is a buying opportunity. (Again, I hold some stock in Goldman). And finally, the week I met Ferrari (don’t ask!) let’s look at Tata Motors. They flirt with their all time highs. My analysis is this is in my portfolio because of the obvious reasons: India – wealth – demand – diversified – Tata! And for the fans of Berkshire Hathaway – Warren Buffet’s trading vehicle – it has sold off and if it goes from $80 to $100 where it peaked in 2008 then you are making a 25% gain.

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For Standard Chartered Bank’s planned issue and listing in India, the stakeholders in the UK based bank have approved issuing shares, StanChart said last week. The bank is also

Qatar holding, the investment arm of Qatari royal family has now become the 5th owner of Harrods, the global iconic store in London. Mohammad Al Fayed, the previous owner

staff strength of 17,000 and a branch network of 94. It has plans for expansion across Asia after it was one of the least affected UK banks in the global meltdown.

sold it recently for £1.5 billion. The flamboyant yet controversial owners, Al Fayed acquired the iconic stores, located at London’s exclusive

Tata Tea to be rechristened as Tata Global Beverages

Knightsbridge in 1985 for £615 mn. Now, after 25 years, he has decided to retire, his investors said. The Harrods was set up in 1840.

Cognizant acquires PIPC Group of UK Cognizant Technology Solutions, the Nasdaqlisted US IT services major announced earlier this week that it has acquired PIPC Group, a UK-based consulting firm for a little over £23 million pounds. Cognizant, with a focus on strengthening its consultancy services, last year acquired Pepperweed Advisors, the IT consulting services division of US-based Pepperweed Consulting. The acquired UK com-

pany, the PIPC Group has a strength of more than 200 professionals worldwide, primarily in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the US. PIPC will extend and complement Cognizant's existing project management and consulting capabilities and further Cognizant's ability to provide integrated services across consulting, technology and business process outsourcing. President and CEO of Cognizant, Francisco

D’Souza said, “PIPC’s strategic programme management offerings will strengthen our ability to manage increasingly complex global projects while expanding our geographic footprint, particularly in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.” With 85,500 associates worldwide, Cognizant will provide the global delivery capability, experience and scale to enable PIPC to accelerate its growth ambitions, he said.

Building a strong, global brand being the ultimate goal, Tata Tea Limited, a part of the Tata group of India recently decided to rename the company as ‘Tata Global Beverages Limited’. Board of directors of the company has approved the decision for the change of the name. Though the various brands - Tata Tea, Tetley, Eight O’ Clock Coffee among others will figure under one corporate name — Tata Global Beverages, a statement issued by the company said. Following the operational integration of its five beverage businesses announced last year, Tata Global Beverages Limited will unite all these interests, marking another step towards becoming a global leader in ‘good for you’ drinks. However, the individual brand names will continue.

CitiBank to seek buyers for Corus plant in UK Corus, the second largest steel maker in Europe and a part of the India based Tata group is on a lookout for a suitable buyer for its beleaguered Teesside Cast Products factory. The company has appointed CitiBank to help find a buyer. Sahaviriya Steel Industries (SSI), a Bangkok based firm is believed to be one of the interested parties, though

Corus has refused to comment on the issue.

SSI is a company with a 950 strong workforce and has a capacity of four million tones per annum. Sources in the area also said representatives of SSI have already visited the plant. The Teesside plant has been in trouble since just over a year and has been closed for more than 2 months now. The plant has almost 1,700 jobs.

Vedanta wins all zinc business assets of Anglo American UK based Indian conglomerate buys Ireland, Africa business for US$1.34 bn Vedanta Resources, the UK based Indian metal giant announced the success of their bid for the entire zinc business of another London based firm, Anglo American for an all cash deal worth US$1.34 billion.

listed in Hong Kong apart from London. StanChart has plans to

raise upto US$ 750 million with the Indian issue, as the bank sees India emerging as its biggest market in near future. StanChart is present in India for 152 years, with a

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The two companies have already signed a definitive share purchase agreement. Hindustan Zinc, one of the Vedanta group company will acquire the zinc business of Anglo American, located in Ireland and

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Africa. Chine Metallurgical and Xstrata were also in the race for the acquisition. Vedanta Resources had cash, cash equivalents and liquid assets worth US$7.2 bn as on 31st March, 2010.

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The acquisition, when completed will catapult Vedanta to the no. 1 spot globally in zinc and lead production, according to Anil Agarwal, chairman of Vedanta. The deal is expected to be completed in 12 months.

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ELECTION REPORT 2010

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

Why did the British Indians lose so many seats in this May general election? By Rupanjana Dutta The May 2010 general election, like that of 1974, has brought no clear result. It is just not the hung parliament, that is an issue, there being other contentious development as well. While the total number of ethnic MPs in this election has almost doubled, it is also the case that many Asians, especially Indian candidates lost their seats even in areas where predominantly Indians reside, to their white and Pakistani or Bangladeshi rivals. Harshadbhai Patel from Brent North, which is a thoroughly populated area with Gujaratis and many other ethnic minorities of Indian origin, lost his seat to Barry Gardiner. Same happened with Paramjit Singh Gill of Leicester South, where essentially Gujaratis and Punjabis reside, lost his seat to Sir Peter Soulsby. These are a few of many instances we can state. So, the question arises- why have we lost so many seats? It could be that we are less than corporative or not fully supportive of our community representatives. But it also makes one wonder if our candidates really understand the way to reach out to all sections of our community- through vigorous campaigns and the right publicity.

Asian Voice interviewed its readers, numerous organisations and community leaders for their opinions on the reasons why potential seats were lost to members of other ethnicities. While most of the people to whom we spoke referred to our lack of interest in politics, some said that the political picture looks in Britain better for us in 2010. Kanti Nagda, social worker and founder of Sangat Community Centre said,"It is very sad that the British Indians have yet not come out of the old habit of pulling other Indians down. We still believe that the Raj still exists. The white Britishers are fully aware of our habits' and do not take us seriously. We are still politically a total naive community, very much involved in caste, religious fractions and petty politics. We are not honest to ourselves let alone others. We need to take a stand and be counted. SuryaPrasad Upadhyay from British Gurkha Welfare Society said, "A British MP once said, the problem with you Hindus is that we think you do not have a problem. You are too quiet. When a car is running smoothly, the driver doesn't take notice of any problem. Only when it starts to screech he notices. You must make a little noise. With one million Hindus in UK and the likely proportional representation system on the card I would strongly urge all hindus to come together and form a separate party to serve the interest of the Hindus." Sanjay Jagatia, Secretary General of the National Council of Hindu Temples UK (NCHT) said, "It was widely assumed that electors from the Asian community could be vital for this General Election. However, I was disheartened to see that many of our people chose not to come out and use their vote. I hope that the Asian silence does not mean that no one cares about the importance of Elections? There were more Asian candidates standing for the main parties than ever before - 89 compared to 68 in 2005. In particular, it was pleasing to note that a record 22 Asian women were running to become Labour, Liberal Democrat and

Conservative MPs in England and Scotland, of which 6 were successful. In addition, many Asians candidates were successful in being nominated as local Councillors across the country. This for me is a great start for our community I feel that over the last 12 years, the Asian community have built strong links with the Labour Government, who in turn made great strides to interact, involve and realise the aspirations of our community through their legislations and policies. It is evident that our community has had a greater say over these last 12 years than ever before. The fact remains however that the biggest issues bothering Asian voters today are immigration, the economy, NHS, education, crime, anti social behaviour, foreign policy and electoral reform. The Asian community needs to build on this election by getting more leaders involved in the political system. All Asian Organisations and Places of worship need to regroup and unite behind Asian candidates and support these candidates, economically, with volunteers, contacts and influence. The high profile campaign by anti- BNP campaigners successfully mobilised a high number of voters to keep them out." Bharti Tailor, secretary general of the Hindu Forum of Britain said, "As long as we get stability this could be an opportunity for consensus politics and more joint working which can only be good for the country and the electors who will feel their votes can make a genuine difference. A hung parliament provides a great opportunity to break the established confrontational approach in government which currently exists in the UK. With regard to Indian candidates, we know from our own survey that generalities such as being Indian does not make as much of a difference as if the candidate was Hindu, and that

country I’ve seen Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities campaign ceaselessly for their candidates as well as their party more widely. I do believe British Indians can and must do more to be more prominent players in the British political system, as well as in business and community. Political success comes only with participation." Ramesh Vala OBE told the AV, "6th May was a very poor advertisement for a country which introduced modern democracy. The election did not remove Asians in high places who have tainted with the expenses scandal. Fortunately for them, they are in House of Lords. There is no morality and no shame and they will not resign! Question marks remain about the quality of the people who enter British public life. From within the Asian community, most of those who claim to represent us do not have any sort of mandate and are not recognised community leaders. Most good and able people will not stand for Parliament as they do not wish to face the constant scrutiny of the Press which

booths for the whole day and I saw many Indians who remained aloof. Those who have voted, have not voted right. Any coalition with David Cameron is better than one with Gordon Brown. Tories have always been good to the Asian community since the days of Margaret Thatcher. The Lib-Lab coalition are like an odd couple who are marrying for money, rather than considering the people. We are a 'thinking' community." Ramanbhai Balsara from Birmingham City Council said, "The British Asians do want a change. For the last 13 years, we have been suffering financial troubles and immigration problems. Labour promises so much. We have been campaigning for more Hindu schools but there is only one in Harrow. We also have been trying to get more Hindu priests to UK but Labour government demands that they speak English which is ridiculous. I feel sorry that more candidates have not won. Its shameful that we did not vote for our own people. It was our responsibility to vote for them. Local organisations should help candidates. We should learn from the Muslim community who staunchly supports Muslim candidates. We need our voice in the Parliament." Chunilal Chavda, a Liberal Democrat activist and ex councillor from Brent did not agree to the question we raised. He said, "Of the 56 Hindus 16 were from the Labour; 13 from the Conservatives and 7 from the Liberal Democrats. There were 6 independents and one from the Gordon Brown and Sarah Brown with members of ethnic community Christian Peoples Alliance; 5 from the Greens and is the most effective and domisaid, “Irrespective of the out3 from the UKIP. nant political force in this councome I believe there is and will The rest from the mixed bag. try. Yet, we make no attempt to continue to be a good awareness rid ourselves of those who serve within the political community Between themselves the 56 themselves but not the wider of the issues facing the Gurkhas Hindus polled 383,845 votes community. In that sense, we and the need to rectify the probFrom the 56 candidates, 6 deserve the people who claim to lems they face. were successful in becoming speak on our behalf." The British Gurkha Welfare members of parliament. Of the Dilip Joshi, a management Society will continue to high6 Hindu members of parliament consultant said, "It is excellent light these problems to both our 2 are from the Labour and 4 that Tories won the most seats. longstanding supporters in from the Conservatives. None Cameron will bring fresh change Parliament and the newly electfrom the Liberal Democrats. to the government. Also it is ed MPs. We are firmly of the Now if we look at the very good for Asians that BNP belief that pension equality for Muslim candidates the story is has not been elected. British Gurkha veterans is not only as below. morally right, but will ultimately 98 Muslim candidates manpeople have voted sensibly. aged to get 650,297 votes and 9 Political parties need to work prove less costly to the public of them became members of with Hindus to not make them purse than the current situation parliament. feel marginalised. We are some under which many Gurkhas are of the highest taxpayers in the forced to relocate to the UK out 3 are from the country.The big issues for our of financial desperation.” Conservatives and 6 from the community are economic poliSeema Malhotra, a Labour Labour. Again none from the cies and immigration. activist and Director of Fabian Liberal Democrats. People need to be convinced Women's Network said, "This From the above its clear that to vote. We are more educated election has shown how imporHindus are more oriented than other minorities and hence tant it is for minority communitowards the Conservatives and do not discriminate against canties to be involved in British polMuslims towards the Labour. didates and may not always vote itics, including joining the politiHowever, the most important based one ethnicity." cal party you support, and camfactor I would is that more and Venilal Vaghela a member of more Hindus and Muslims are paigning for selected candidates. now getting involved into fabIt is good news for our democraHindu Council UK and Brent rics of the host society and this cy that 27 ethnic minority MPs Multifaith Forum added, "I am can be good all round." were elected, double the previdisappointed that people have ous number. In seats across the not voted. I have been at polling one of the major voting influences is the community elders and the Temple/Gurus. There are still too few Indian MP’s and as a community we need to take our civic duties more seriously. It is also important that the Hindu community engages with all politicians to air and get their concerns addressed." Deepti V Patel, a lawyer in the city said, "T’is the season for engaging with ethnic minorities – that is when votes are to be won. In the last few years I’ve been to a number of pre election meetings where the candidate du jour asks what are the community issues, grabs his right hand man to take notes, so he can follow this up. When the fan fare fades and office is taken, we are sent around the houses on those campaign promises and before you know it you are at another pre election breakfast meeting. The individualistic approach generations before us adopted to survive is stunting our communal growth. We need to change our strategy before we see change – and fast." Major Tikendra Dal Dewan (retired), Chairman of the British Gurkha Welfare Society,

fINaNcIal voice

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

PNB opens its 5th branch in UK at Ilford Maria Fernandes maria@abplgroup.com Points based system challenged The introduction of the points based system was hasty and not well thought out. It has also resulted in a number of trivial refusals which have caused unnecessary problems for a wide categories of applicants. Furthermore the guidance which is supposedly there merely to flesh out the Immigration Rules appears at times to create new powers which are unlawful. Points based System challenges The Court of Appeal will hear 5 linked cases challenging the very rigid approach under the Points Based System where applications have been refused for trivial reasons. There is also a High Court challenge on the arbitrary introduction of the Points Bases system and the rules relating to Tier 1 (General). This case is due to be heard on the 25th May. Case on Evidence of funds under the Points Based System A recent case established that the requirement to show evidence of funds for the previous 3 months at the time of the application requires approval of Parliament as it is an important change. The Policy which established this rule was not in existence at the time Parliament approved the Rules therefore the condition is unlawful and was disregarded in a recent case. Tier 4 Students There is a high court challenge against the decision to increase the minimum level of English language courses which can be taken. The result of this is that students must be at level B1 which is equivalent to an A* in a foreign language GCSE!! The absurd result of this is that people wanting to study English must already be proficient in the language! The case is due to be heard before the summer recess. Volcanic Ash arrangements out of country applicants British and EEA/EU Nationals Any British and EEA/EU nationals holding expired documents (together with any family dependents) should be referred to your local Immigration Liaison Manager (ILM) or Port of Arrival for authority to carry to the UK. UK Visa Nationals Holding Expired Visas UK visa nationals will continue to require a valid visa for travel to the UK including any that have expired since 15 April 2010.

Maria Fernandes is a principal of Fernandes Vaz solicitors who specialise in immigration and nationality law. She has substantial experience of immigration and is an accredited member of the Immigration Law Panel.

Punjab National Bank (International) Ltd, a UK based wholly owned subsidiary of Punjab National Bank (PNB), India, has opened its 5th branch in UK at Ilford (East London). The branch was inaugurated on 29th April, 2010 by H.E. Mr Nalin Surie, High Commissioner of India in UK, in the presence of H.H. Sir Mota Singh QC, Retd Judge (first Asian Judge in UK), Mr. K. R. Kamath, Chairman & Managing Director, Punjab National Bank, India, dignitaries including Mr. Ranjit Singh, President of The Sikh Forum, Mr. Raj Loomba of Loomba Trust, Mr. Gurdip Singh Sandhu of Punjab Mail, Councillor T. S. Bhogal , Chief Executives of other Indian Banks, Directors of PNBIL and around 170 dignitaries of the area. Punjab National Bank is the 2nd largest bank in India, with more than 5000 branches, 56 million customers and total business of Rs. 4.37 lac crores. Besides pan-India operations, it has presence in 9 countries including UK, Hong Kong, UAE( Dubai), China, Norway,

Kazakhastan, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghainstan. PNBIL, which started its operations with two branches in London and Southall in May 2007, had already added two more branches at Leicester and Birmingham during 2009 and has plans to add two more branches, at Wembley and Wolverhampton, during 2010 to take its total no of branches in UK to seven. This expansion, despite challenging times, is aimed at positioning the Bank at right places so as to reap the benefits of

Retaining the position of a leader in the world tourism map, Kerala Tourism incorporates a few value added strategies that solidifies its image as one of the world’s most preferred destination. A fantastic achievement this year is the initiation of Logon.Kerala which indeed is a one-stop travel website for billions of netizens worldwide who plan to visit Kerala. The site engages fea-

accumulate the occupancy details of tourists from these 4300 plus properties. Another online promotion initiative was the tie-up with Google for search marketing and workshops for the trade to benefit from online marketing. Besides many other initiatives, 2009 also saw an aggressive strategy being followed by Kerala Tourism to overcome recession and to increase

to a four wheeler are the basic cost plus the monthly cost of ownership – fuel and maintenance. The car was orginally scheduled to hit the roads this year, but the company postponed it to 2012 to conjure up a version that can be low on cost of ownership, fuel efficient and priced similarly to the Nano.

response is the ‘Dream Season’ Holiday package that is wooing both international and domestic guests. Further plumping up the scene are several alluring holiday packages unveiled by tour operators, hoteliers and travel agents who are looking out for an equally cushioned season from April to September. Kerala tourism also formulated several innovative strategies that promise to take ‘Brand Kerala’ miles across its borders. One such is Jet 2 Kerala

where the department has partnered with Jet Airways to keep a reserve of 20 seats at a discounted tariff in every Jet Airways carrier that flies in to the state. Yet another initiative is the strategic tie-up with the popular video sharing website YouTube to stage ‘Kerala’ on an international platform. The records suggest a straggering viewership of 1.2 millions in just 12 months. To promote Kerala as a ‘destination within reach’ a blog community was created.

In the picture, from 2nd to 5th (from left) Mr. K R Kamath, Chairman and Managing Director of PNB, Mr. S R Sharma, MD of PNBIL, H. E. Mr. Nalin Surie, High Commissioner of India in UK and Mr. S Nayak, Executive Director of PNBIL.

Logon.Kerala: one-stop travel website for destination Kerala

Bajaj Renault car will be cheap in running too Bajaj Auto last week announced that the cheap car from the company will not only be cheap on initial costs, it will be easy on the pocket in running costs too. Bajaj Renault Nissan said the car would be priced at around $2,500 and will be in the market in 2012. Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj auto has said the engine for the car is ready and it is built to deliver a mileage of 30 km per litre of fuel. He said the things to be kept in mind to facilitate a two wheeler owner to move up

recovery when the economy starts growing. PNBIL’s account base has increased from 5500 as on 31/03/09 to around 18,000 as on 31.03.2010. During this period, customer deposits have more than doubled from USD 146 million to USD 405 million, thus registering a growth of 177%. Simultaneously customer advances have increased from USD 373 million to USD 569 million. Total business of PNBIL has gone up from USD 519 million to USD 974 million during the year,

recording impressive growth of 88%. With a capital base of USD 106 million and balance sheet size of USD 800 million, the Bank has posted an operating profit of USD 6.68 million during the year. These results were reviewed by Mr. Kamath at the time of his visit to London on 30/04/2010, in the presence of Mr. S. R. Sharma MD and Directors of PNBIL. Mr. Sharma added that this healthy growth has been possible on the strength of strong brand equity of its parent, PNBIL’s technology based products (like Chip & PIN based Debit Card and Internet Banking), competitive interest rates and customer centric approach. PNBIL has followed the concept of Relationship Banking, which has enabled it to expand its customer base in such a short span of time. Remittances to India remain a major attraction for NRIs due to attractive exchange rates, low remittance charges (free transfer of funds to PNB accounts) and same day transfer facility.

tures like Online Hotel Finder and Online room Reservation that helps the tourist identify packages that suit his choice and wallet. The number of properties, whose details are available on the Kerala Tourism website has increased from a mere 262 to an impressive 4300 nos., approx. The provision of submitting the Cform online will trim the tediousness of having to submit the forms every time a foreign tourist stays with him. This also enables Kerala Tourism to

domestic tourist’s inflow. The initiative was an 11 city Partnership Meet to expand its reach and find new domestic trade partners. The cities selected for the meet were Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nagpur, Kolkata, Pune, Mumbai, Chandigarh and New Delhi. The initiative found over 250 new and promising domestic trade partners who marketed Kerala aggressively during the year. Earning overwhelming

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fInAnCIAl voice

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

SC rules against Anil Ambani in the gas dispute RIL – RNRL to renegotiate the MOU; Anil not to seek review Giving verdict in one of the most hyped corporate litigation in India, the Supreme Court of India said natural gas is a national asset, hence the Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and his younger brother Reliance Natural Resources Limited (RNRL) should renegotiate the MOU the two had signed in 2005. Anil Ambani, reacting to the verdict said last week that he would not seek a review of the apex court verdict. Elder brother Mukesh and his wife Neeta Ambani also said they would like to leave all the unpleasantness behind and move ahead. Their response is significant in view of the high decibel acrimony that was out in the open between the two brothers and their corporate empire those days. Under the deal, Mukesh Ambani had agreed that RIL shall supply 28 million cubic metres of natural gas per day from the KG basin to RNRL at US$2.34 per mmBtu. The supply was to be provided for a period of 17 years. That price ultimately turned out to be 44% lower than the rates approved by the Government of India. Later, as there was dispute over the gas pricing and allocation, Anil Ambani approached the Mumbai High Court, which ruled in his favour. Later, Mukesh Ambani challenged the order in the Supreme Court. A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan with Justice Sathasivam and Justice Reddy being the other two, also laid down that RIL and RNRL should renegotiate the MOU that they had reached in 2005. However, the price of nat-

The Difference Between Majoritarianism and Democracy

Mukesh Ambani

Anil Ambani

ural gas would be as decided by the govt. of India. The verdict was a 2 – 1 majority amidst reports that as the two judges differed, the chief justice had to give his casting vote. RIL and RNRL were given a time of six weeks to renegotiate the deal and approach the Bombay High Court with the same. RIL has indicated that subject to allocation by the government, RIL would supply gas to RNRL, but for a shorter duration than the 17 year period as mentioned in the MOU. The apex court has endorsed the stand taken by RIL that the family MOU between Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani is not binding on RIL. ADAG not to seek review of SC verdict "RNRL looks forward to an expeditious and successful renegotiations with RIL to secure gas supply for the group's power plants in line with the Supreme Court order," Anil Ambani said. "RNRL has currently no plans to file a review petition in the Supreme Court," he added. Anil Ambani said that the court has safeguarded the interests of 25 lakh shareholders of RNRL by issuing guidelines for expeditious finalisation of gas supply agreement.

Ambani said that the apex court has also acknowledged that the June 18, 2005 MoU was basis for the business reorganisation of RIL. "The court has also directed that suitable arrangements for gas supply should not only be suitable to RIL but also the shareholders of RNRL, whose interests have to be fully protected," he said. Mukesh, Nita want to end unpleasantness, says team Mukesh Mukesh Ambani and more importantly, Nita Ambani, have said, “we want to put all unpleasantness and unhappiness behind us.... we hope this is a turning point, will bring healing touch." Team Mukesh Ambani, through its lawyer Harish Salve, expressed a gentler side on Friday evening, the day when the judgment was pronounced. The Supreme Court ruled on Friday morning that only the government has the right to decide the price of gas. The government had too had objected, stating that gas does not belong to private parties, and that pricing and supply have to follow government policies. Salve went on to say, "Ambani brothers are national assets. When they fight, it's a waste of national assets."

BA employees plan fresh strike for 20 days Cabin crew at British Airways PLC announced plans to strike for a total of 20 days in May and June, threatening yet more chaos for tens of thousands of travellers just weeks after an Icelandic volcanic ash cloud shut down European air space. BA warned that the unprecedented scale of the walkouts over a 23-day period would cause "extensive disruption for potentially hundreds of thousands of customers over a busy period." The strike action, due to begin early next week, will also add to mounting costs for the struggling British flagship carrier in the wake of the volcano

Alpesh Patel’s Political Sketchbook:

disruption and walkouts by BA staff last month. Unite, which represents around 90% of BA's 12,000 cabin crew, said it was forced to ramp up its actions in a long-running and increasingly bitter dispute over pay and conditions after BA turned down an approach by the union over the weekend. The strike dates are May 18-22, May 24-28, May 30-June 3 and June 59, leaving just a day's

breather in between each five-day walkout. That includes a long weekend and summer school vacation period in Britain and could also affect travellers to South Africa for the month long football World Cup, which kicks off on June 11. "Regardless of the reasons behind these strikes, the people who are going to suffer the most are BA's customers," said Bob Atkinson, of travel website travelsupermarket.com. "Thousands of families will have booked their trips well in advance to and will have little flexibility, minimal realistic alternatives and will be left disappointed."

Economic growth needs stability. A nation needs stability. By the time you read this there may be a new Prime Minister, or the old Prime Minister being caretaker. The issues and problems are these. First there is the possibility of Con-Lib pact. The problem is there are few areas of policy overlap. So to find a common minimum programme soon ends. Equally, the tougher economic measures would mean either Liberals abstain or those measures get voted down. Either way, there is a lack of stability. Second is a Lib-Lab pact. But surely this lacks legitimacy. Added to which is the notion that the leader of Labour in such a scenario would not be Brown going forward so we would have a Government of the two losing parties plus a PM we did not consider being a PM – lacks legitimacy. Now with the second option, you can couch it as all three parties were losers and at least with Lib-Lab you would have more seats and votes than Conservatives alone – but still quite frankly it sniffs of illegitimacy. So you are left with option three: another election. The voters seeing the calamitous state we are in may decide to vote more decisively for the Conservatives to ensure a majority. Unlikely. And we get another hung Parliament.

This option happens as soon as the above two options collapse anyway. Option four – we get some kind of electoral reform. The problem is every other system is even more guaranteed to produce a coalition government. So we may as well get on with a Conservative-Liberal alliance of some kind of common minimum programme and some redmark non-negotiable areas such as defence with the opposition parties respecting the fact that the Tories have more seats than any other party and abstaining from causing another election. Option four requires a degree of leadership from all parties and discipline which they are not used to. But what is in the national interest? In a way, all four options have their national interest arguments in their favour. Con-Lib provides the largest seats and aggregate votes. Lab-Lib does too over Conservative alone. Another election allows us the people to have a choice in light of seeing recent events. Electoral reform is more proportionate, but leads to a totally different type of government. So how do you balance the national interest in light of all of the above? No one option wins, but in my view the national interest calls for stability and considered

thought, not rushed choices. So you have a Conservative-Lib pact (formal or informal) to allow some economic management and stability for a few months then have an election in October. All the while ensure there is a report on electoral reform and what is best for the nation so a referendum can be offered. The problem with national interest is that there are in fact many national interests. Paramount is also legitimacy over economic policy in the interests of all the people. One good thing with all these complications is that for the first time in a long time all politicians are having to think about all other parties and the whole electorate not just a clear four years to legislate what they want when they want. You see that is real democracy – because democracy is not majoritarianism, nor are elections a pre-requisite (although people think majoritarian elections equal democracy – they are wrong) it is the protection of all the people, including minorities. It is not something that is rubber stamped by an ‘X’ but has to be lived and acted. And at the moment it is being so acted. The problem is such democracy is not conducive to good economics – majoritarianism is – just ask the Chinese!

Air India gets $475 mn bridge loan form StanChart

Rich lists do not matter to me, says Lakshmi Mittal

India’s national carrier Air India has got a ‘bridge loan’ of $ 475 million from Standard Chartered Bank of England for induction of three Boeing 777 aircraft. The interest rate on the loan is 375 basis points over libor. This will be a short term arrangement as the management is seeking a ‘letter of comfort’ from the government of India according to an Air India official. After receiving the ‘letter of comfort’ the airline will convert this short term debt into a long term one through a ‘refinanced loan’ as that will help the airline in bringing down the interest cost. Air India got the first delivery of the Boeing 777-300 ER on 30th April.

Numerous rankings of the rich frequently brought out by publications such as Forbes and The Sunday Times do not matter to steel magnate Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, a permanent fixture on such charts. “For me, this is not the news I focus on. These are all the valuations...It's good that people see me in a positive light...But these things do not really matter in your [my] life,” Mr Mittal, 59, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the world's largest steel maker ArcelorMittal, said in New Delhi. Mr Mittal said he would rather prefer his company to be in the news for its growth programmes and creation of value for shareholders.

The next two deliveries are scheduled for end of May and July. Air India’s current long term debt for aircraft acquisition is a massive pound 3.33 billion. Its current working capital loan is pound 2.51 billion. Air India already has a wide-body fleet of 35 aircraft, including 17 Boeing 777s owned by the carrier and four leased. It is also expecting the delivery of over two dozen newly launched Boeing 787 aircraft from next year.

FINANCIAL VOICE

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

Property Focus Suresh Vagjiani Managing Director of Sow & Reap, a Property Investment & Financing company.

The Tide is turning

In the past, the term "money laundering" was applied only to financial transactions related to organized crime. Today its definition is often expanded by government and international regulators to mean any financial transaction which generates an asset or a value as the result of an illegal act, which may involve actions such as tax evasion or false accounting. In the UK, it does not even need to involve money, but any economic good. Courts involve money laundering committed by private individuals, drug dealers, businesses, corrupt officials, members of criminal organization. So how does this translate for Mr Patel who has been self employed in this country and has diligently saved up so his family ten generations down does not have to suffer financial hardship? The regulations mean not only will it become increasingly difficult to obtain credit in the current climate with out proper accounts or proof of income. Gone are the days when a hefty deposit will be sufficient to ensure you are able to qualify for a mortgage. You may think the alternative is to buy cash still remains – not so. Any cash you have which has been building up over the years will need to be traced right to its source, each transfer and deposit must be identified. These money laundering checks are

now being implemented, through solicitors, Mortgage brokers and many other professions involved dealing with a client finances. It is crucial as we head to what will ultimately become a cash less society you start to tidy and organise your finances. Recently this was this was highlighted when i took a long term client of ours to purchase a property in central London, she was originally from Lebanon and her family has been in business in this country for over 20 years. The questions being asked by the solicitor for the source of the income became intimidating for our client, to the point where she would rather have not gone through with the purchase. It took allot of persuasion and a conversation with an Arab speaking member of the solicitors firm to finally resolve the issue. Not that she was a terrorist or had done anything illegal in the slightest. Simply the interrogation involved by firms now is enough to frighten many clients off. As the regulatory net is tightening and the property market is tightening now would be a good time to tidy our finances up. Too understand the current criteria from lenders and discuss how Sow & Reap can help you to invest call us now.

Price - Not the only consideration Last week we spoke about the importance of looking at the aesthetics when considering a property in central London. Coincidentally I came across a property which ticked all the boxes for a flat in Central London. The property was on the first floor over looking Kensington garden square in fact equidistance in the middle of the square. The ceilings were high with plenty of natural sunlight. The property also benefitted from a balcony which adds to the aspect over the square. It was a unadulterated 1 bedroom flat touching 600 Sq Ft in Area. Rare to get, and the icing was it a share of freehold. Prime address, perfect aspect and beautiful features. Clearly at the price of £460,000 this was not going to hang around for too long. Though £460,000

immediate exchange most is not willing to move this quickly. Given the features of the property and the current evidence it is clear this property will be a great investment. The property in Kensington garden Sq was outdated and required a designer’s touch to give it a good edge. The yield on this property would not be very high. The resell however will be. We estimate an achievable resell value of £625,000. There are other properties on the market on at this level to justify the estimate. The feature of this property are however superior to other currently on the market. The property achieved 4 offers on the first day, 3 from developers. This means there was clear margin for them to purchase develop and sell on, at least in these

may seem allot for a 1 bedroom property when you look at it relative to other properties sold nearby it puts the price into perspective. A close comparable is a studio, leasehold in the ground floor which went in the Savills auction on he 31st march for £401,000. The property was a ground floor studio flat situated on Newton Road w2 only a 1 minute walk away from the current property. This property happened to be extremely close and was sold only a short time ago, therefore can be considered a reasonable comparable. A second property also sold at the same auction was a lower ground 1 bedroom property inW11 a little further away. This property sold for £419,000. This gives you a indication of the kind of prices achievable in this area. In auction the price paid is normally cheaper then the open market due to the

3 developers minds. It is very difficult to find properties which are heavily discounted in central London. You cannot come into this market looking for deals which you may find in other parts of the UK. Such as the 40% discounts offered on some new build flats. There is no such thing as a free lunch there is a reason why these properties are being sold at these level of discounts. Simply no one will by them at the normal price. If a whole block is sold at this level this then becomes the actual market price. What you will find in central London is a solid market, resilience to economic decline and an international demand for this location. The property in the above example was cheap, but what sold it more was the aesthetic features this is were you will get the greater edge when investing.

n Mortgages n Commercial Finance n Property Sourcing n Gujarat Properties - Sale & Resale T: 0207 706 0187 F: 0203 014 8484

E: info@sowandreap.co.uk W: www.sowandreap.co.uk

31 Southwick Street, Paddington, W2 1JQ Registered in England No. 05083823

www.abplgroup.com

asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

Simple home remedies to soften a hard dry skin Dry skin has a low level of sebum and can be prone to sensitivity. The skin has a parched look caused by its inability to retain moisture. It usually feels "tight" and uncomfortable after washing unless some type of moisturizer or skin cream is applied. Chapping and cracking are signs of extremely dry, dehydrated skin. Dryness is exacerbated by wind, extremes of temperature and air-conditioning, all of which cause the skin to flake, chap and feel tight. This type of skin is tightly drawn over bones. It looks dull, especially on the cheeks and around the eyes. There may be tiny expression lines on these spots and at the comers of the mouth. Remedies for taking care of dry skin Avoid the use of tap water when cleansing dry skin. The deposits are too drying on the skin. And never, ever use hot water. Use mineral water to freshen your face. Don't use a washcloth-a rough texture can irritate. In the morning, apply a spray of mineral water on your skin misted on with a plant sprayer. (Do not use a sprayer that had been used for spraying insecticides.) Lightly pat dry. Dry skin needs plenty of thorough but gentle cleansing, regular stimulation with massage and generous quantities of oil and moisture. It also needs extra careful protection. Washing dry skin with soap and water not only removes grime but also the natural oils protecting the skin. A moisturizer increases the water content of the outer layers of the skin and gives it a soft, moist look. Avoid coming in contact with highly alkaline

soaps and detergents like washing sodas and powders which contain highly alkaline and drying ingredients. Moistening with water, then applying a thin film of air-excluding moisturizer, restores the suppleness of the dry skin. For early morning treatments • Every morning 15 minutes before taking your bath 1 egg yolk • 1 teaspoon orange juice, 1 teaspoon olive oil and few drops of rose water • few drops of lime juice. Mix the above ingredients together and apply on your skin. Night Moisturizing After cleaning and toning the skin, apply a splash of water or a

water-misting. Pat almost dry with a soft towel, then smooth moisturizer from bosom to hairline. Allow five minutes for immediate absorption (cover your face and throat with warm washcloths to hasten penetration), then blot off any excess moisturizer with a tissue.

Any que stio

SwatI Bhan

Men can skip the toner but should moisturize the delicate skin around the eye area. A recommended milk bath Once a week take a milk bath. It will nourish and smoothen your skin. Warm your bath water and put in 250 gram of

powdered milk, half tablespoon of almond oil and a few drops of your favorite perfume. Then just lie in it and let your mind wander while the wholesome foam works wonders on your dry skin. Moisturize your skin after cleansing to keep it from drying out. Use a liquid moisturizer or facial oil that contains nutrients and other natural ingredients. Avoid solid, waxy moisturizing creams. If your skin is chapped or cracked, increase your consumption of water and essential fatty acids. Keep any chapped areas well lubricated and protected from the elements. For cracked, dry skin on the fingers, use calendula cream or oil with comfrey, vitamin E oil, and aloe vera. Apply the mixture to hands at bedtime, then wear plastic gloves overnight.

Life style

ns wri te to mam ta@abplgroup.com

By Mamta Bhatia, Psychologist

When was the last time you did something for you? On April 10th I ran an intimate coaching session in London, all attendee’s were unique and magical in their own way. I was energized throughout knowing and sensing that the delegates had come with an open energy and attitude that would provide them with the many benefits attached to the development seminar. As we progressed through the day we explored various tools that were easy to understand and simple to apply (all the techniques created a positive impact that resulted in nothing but encouraging personal growth for all). The core learning was that we all possess the required tools we need to achieve whatever it is that we want in life. All we have to do is fine tune our mind to achieve our goals. Nothing is impossible and sometimes gentle direction can provide a way forward. Having this direction from an experienced professional helps to obtain clarity as situations can consume the human mind for long periods of time often burdening frequently with heavy emotion. We started the session assessing what was working and not working in life (you can do this at

home through meditation and simple reflection). Often in the chaos of our busy life’s we can push our thoughts down like a beach ball under water in the hope that these thoughts and emotions do not come back. What typically happens is that there are situations and pressures that build up one after another in our minds. These ultimately cause the beach ball (thoughts) to come up again, often in an aggressive way. This often results in a not so pretty way and makes up feel even heavier. Once you get into the discipline of recognizing what is going on in your mind, day to day, you are able to choose what you do with these situations and negative feelings. If you do not acknowledge your thoughts they will always linger in your subconscious until you decide to authentically let them go and move forward. Another technique we practiced during the development session was the art of writing things down. You could choose to write down all your feelings too, this is called a ‘brain dump’. By writing all your feelings you discharge that negative energy from yourself onto the paper, and you

realize what you are thinking. By doing this your self-awareness increases and you are then in a position to choose what you want to do going forward. Often we can overwork things in our minds to the point we feel paralyzed by our thoughts. Do something for yourself and start to acknowledge your internal energy. Ask yourself, am I positive or negative? You will feel happier when you start to control your thoughts. In late June I will be running another intimate session, contact me: mamta@thinkspalondon.com as soon as possible to secure your place and start working towards a happier future for you. Follow me also on www.twitter.com/thinksp alondon for frequent inspirational updates. Lastly, register your email address on www.thinkspalondon.com to receive helpful articles straight to your inbox. Good luck all, I send you peace and energy always. Written by Mamta Bhatia a London based Psychologist. Mamta fuses Eastern wisdom with Western application giving you easy to apply tools to live a happier fulfilled life everyday.

Chhole

Ingredient • 1 teacup kabuli channas • 2 chopped onions • 2 potatoes • 2 tomatoes • 2 tablespoons dhanajira powder • 2 tablespoons chilli powder • 1 tablespoon amchur power • 1 tablespoon garam masala • ½ teaspoon soda bicarb • ½ teaspoon black pepper powder • 3 tablespoons ghee • salt to taste

• Slices of tomatoes and ginger, chopped coriander and a few whole green chillies for decoration. Procedure • Soak the channas for at least 6 hours • Add ½ teaspoon of soda bi-carb and cook in a pressure cooker • Cut the potatoes and tomatoes into big pieces • Heat the ghee in a vessel and fry the potatoes until soft • Remove the potatoes. In the same ghee add the

onions and cook for a little time. • Add the dhana-jira and chilli powder and fry again. • Add the boiled channas and salt. • After 5 minutes, add the garam masala, amchur and black pepper powder and cook for 2 minutes. • Add the potatoes and tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes. • Decorate with coriander, chillies and slices of tomatoes and ginger.

ELECTION REPORT 2010

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

Gordon Brown leaves with dignity

Continued from page 1

Though there was a 65.1% of voters turn out this year, highest in the last 13 years, still none of the parties could form a majority. Brown's much awaited resignation came after. Usually the outgoing Prime Minister first goes to the Queen offering resignation and then publicly announces it but Brown preferred the other way round. He appeared at Downing Street with wife Sara. He said: "Only those who have held the office of prime minister can understand the full weight of its responsibilities. In this hour I want to thank all my colleagues, ministers, members of parliament, my staff." In a rare appearance, Brown's sons John and Fraser appeared as well. He said: "As I leave the second most important job I could ever hold, I cherish even more the first, as a husband and father." Brothers David and Ed Miliband and Alan Johnson are top contenders for Labour party leader. The proposed coalition deal by the Tories, and offers made by Cameron, outside the party ideology left many

of the party member shocked. Cameron said he would whip a vote in parliament to ensure there was a referendum on the alternative vote, but the Tories would then be free to campaign to keep first past the post in the referendum itself. A deal with Labour, would need the support of smaller parties to command a Commons majority. Clegg had said privately he intended to use his unprecedented moment holding balance of power single-mindedly, to achieve electoral reform, but even he could not have expected the other parties to go to such lengths to win his support. The Tories have offered the Lib Dems: l Referendum, on alternative vote for elections to Commons, though the Conservatives would reserve the right to campaign against it. l Cabinet seats and other ministerial jobs for Liberal Democrat MPs l Agreement on 'pupil premium' idea for schools, plus deals on the environment and possibly taxa-

tion The Labour offered the Lib Dems: l Guaranteed alternative vote for elections to Commons l Possible future referendum on 'full PR' of single transferable vote l Full coalition with cabinet seats for Liberal Democrat MPs l Broad agreement on deficit reduction l New leadership for Labour once binding deal with Lib Dems agreed. If a coalition government is not successful, then October 14 has been pencilled down as a possible date of re-election, as reported by a daily newspaper. The Queen and a hung Parliament The Queen does not have any say over the choice of prime minister. The Queen is the only person who can invite someone to form a government and to become prime minister. But that does not mean that the monarch can exercise any personal discretion over the choice of No 10's occupant. After a general elec-

Entrepreneur is Nunhead councillor Sunil Chopra, an entrepreneur and General Secretary of the Indian Overseas Congress has been elected a councillor

for Nunhead Ward in S o u t h w a r k , London. Chopra, a Labour nominee, secured 2,698 votes

against his nearest Liberal Democrat candidate who secured 1,144 votes.

Priti Patel wins Witham seat Once termed as the most probable Asian MP, Priti Patel lived up to all the hype and is now a Member of Parliament. She contested as a Tory candidate in Witham, Essex which is believed to be a winnable seat. Priti defeated Liberal Democrat candidate Margaret phelps by an astounding 15,196 votes. A historic six Asian women Mps have been elected this time while 24 stood for election. Patel is elated with the results. She says: “Everyone has fought a clean, honest and good campaign, one that shows parliamentary democracy in a good

Labour

light.” Patel, 34 was a former press secretary for former Tory leader William Hague. Her parents lived in North London and were joined by their whole family from Uganda. A second generation British-Asian, she surprised her family by

Graphic chart- Final Scoreboard Total Total Total Total Total Total Total

seats- 650 declared- 649 British South Asian MPs- 18 British South Asian women MPs- 6 British Indian MPs- 9 British Pakistani/Bangladeshi MPs- 9 representation in election- 65% (highest in last 13 years)

Other BAME MPs Constituency

Diane Abbott

Hackney North & Stoke Newington Newcastle Upon Tyne Central Streatham Preston Tottenham

Chuka Umunna Mark Hendrick David Lammy

Conservative

Kwasi Kwarteng Samuel Gyimah Helen Grant Adam Afriyie

pursuing Economics and Governmental Policies instead of the traditionally-accepted medical or engineering profession. She says: “It is always difficult to break the convention, but to be successful one must follow what she or he has a strong liking for.”

Facts about 2010 election

Name

Chinyelu Onwurah

Spelthorne East Surrey Maidstone and the Weald Windsor

Vote 2010

2005

Lead

25,553

15,138

14,461

15,694 20,037 15,668 24,128

16,466 17,699 14,663 18,343

8,634 3,259 7,773 16,931

22,261 31,007 23,491 30,172

21,620 27,659 23,088 21,284

10,019 16,874 5,889 19,054

tion, the Queen is obliged, by long-established convention, to invite the person who seems most likely to command the confidence of the House of Commons to become prime minister and to form a government. If the outcome of that election is inconclusive, it is for the political parties to determine who that person is, and to communicate that choice to Buckingham Palace. Only then will the LIVE ELECTIONS RESULTS 326 seats needed to win 649 of 650 seats declared

Queen receive any outgoing prime minister to accept a resignation and, a short time later, to invite someone else to take the role. The Palace has also been consulting several leading academics who specialise in constitutional law. They have assisted the Palace in preparing for any eventuality, and they will be on hand over coming days to offer further advice if called upon. The Queen watches 306

how things unfold. Her senior advisers are in close contact with the cabinet secretary who, under the most recent Civil Service protocols, is permitted to assist the political parties to come to a decision about how to proceed. Once they have done that, the motorcade(s) make their way to the Palace and Elizabeth II will invite someone to form a government.

Conservative 306 + 97

258

Labour 57

CON LAB

Top 5 Labour Votes Liverpool Walton- 71.96% Knowsley- 70.87% East Ham- 70.42% Glasgow North East- 68.35% Coatbridhe, Chryston & Bellshill- 66.6% Top 5 Tory votes Richmond (Yorks)- 62.8% Beaconsfield- 61.06% Windsor- 60.85% hampshire North East- 60.59% Chealsea and Fulham- 60.45% Top 5 Lib Dem votes Orkney and Shetland- 61.97% Westmortland & Lonsdale- 60.01%

258 - 91 Liberal Democrat 57 - 5 Bath- 56.6% Yeovil- 55.71% Norfolk North- 55.48% Top 5 BNP votes Barking- 14.6% Dagenham & Rainham- 11.2% Rotherham- 10.41% Stoke-on-Trent South- 9.44% West Bromwich West- 9.38% Top turnouts Warwick & Leamington- 84.49% Kenilworth & Southam- 81.22% Renfrewshire East- 77.26% Richmond Park- 76.91% Somerset North East- 75.58%

SOUTH ASIAN PARLIAMENRTARY CONTESTANTS Hindu Muslim Other Candidates Candidates Candidates Votes Votes Votes

Candidates

Party

Constituency

Ashique Hussein Sanjay Samani Seema Kennedy Rushanara Ali Ajmal Masroor Abjal Miah Zakir Khan Farid Bakht Hasib Hikmat Ahmad Malik Salma Yaqoob Tariq Khan Shailesh Parekh Waheed Rafiq Shabana Mahmood Ayoub Khan Nusrat Ghani Khalid Mahmood Bushra Irfanullah Bobby Anwar Shafiq-Uz Zaman Yasmin Querishi Navaid Syed Sohail Querishi Mohammed Riaz Marsha Singh Zahid Iqbal Arshad Ali Sachin Rajput Shahar Ali Abdi Duale Aamir Bhatti Evangeline Pillai Harshadbhai Patel Sunita Webb Jannen Vamadeva Arvind Tailor Soraya Kara Adeela Shafi Sajid Javid Richard Ali Maryam Khan Sailesh Vara Tariq Sadiq Farida Aslam Mohammed Sarul Islam Shafi Khan Harkirtan Singh-Raud Anthony Gajadharsingh William Sidhu Arshad Khan Shasha Khan Mohammad Sheikh Mohamed Seyed Hardyal Dhindsa Junab Ali Shahid Malik Khizar Iqbal Bassam Mahfouz Virendra Sharma Gurcharan Singh Nigel Bakhai Suneil Basu Mehboob Anil Sati Chaggar Johar Khan Asit Mukhopadhyay Samad Billoo Ashok Rehal Munira Wilson Vasundhara Kamble Rehman Chishti Anas Sarwar Osama Saeed Hamira Khan Shabnum Mustapha Paramjit Dhanda Harrish Bisnauthsingh Onay Kasab Mazhar Mansoor Dave Raval Nusret Sen Jay Sangha Zuffar Haq Nahid Boethe Abhijit Pandya Satnam Khalsa Aneel Shahzad Neil Sabharwal Harinder Mann Arjuna Krishna-Das Rohen Kapur Anood Al-Samerai Ashgar Ali Zahra-Melan Ebrahim Aqila Choudhry Keith Vaz

Labour LD Tory Labour LD Respect Tory Green Voice Ind Respect LD Tory UKIP Labour LD Tory Labour BIB UKIP Ch P Labour CPA Tory Tory Labour Tory Respect Tory Green Respect Ch P CPA Tory UKIP Ind Eng Dem R and E Tory Tory Tory Labour Tory Labour Plaid Cymru Plaid Cymru Labour Labour Labour Ch M JP Green Respect Ind Labour Labour Labour Ind Labour Labour Tory LD Green Ch P Eng Dem LD Ind Respect Labour LD Alliance Tory Labour SNP Tory LD Labour LD TUSC UKIP LD DDP UKIP LD LD UKIP LD Ch P Labour Labour Green Ind LD LD Green LD Labour

Aldridge-Brwonhills Angus 4,090 Ashton Under Lyne 9,510 Bethnal Green & Bow Bethnal Green & Bow Bethnal Green & Bow Bethnal Green & Bow Bethnal Green & Bow Bethnal Green & Bow Bethnal Green & Bow Birmingham Hall Green Birmingham Hodge Hill Birmingham Hodge Hill 4,936 Birmingham Hodge Hill Birmingham Ladywood Birmingham Ladywood Birmingham Ladywood Birmingham Perry Bar Blackburn Blackburn Blackley & Broughton Bolton South East Bolton South East Bootle Bradford East Bradford West 18,401 Bradford West Bradford West Brent Central 5,068 Brent Central Brent Central Brentford & Isleworth Brentford & Isleworth Brent North 16,486 Brent North 380 Brent North 333 Brent North 247 Brighton Pavillion Bristol East Bromsgrove Burnley Bury North Cambridgeshire North West29,425 Cambridgeshire South Cardiff South & Penarth Cardiff West Carshalton & Wallington Cheadle 4,920 Chesam & Amersham 2,942 Coventry North West 164 Crawley Croydon North Croydon North Croydon North Derbyshire Mid 11,585 Devizes Dewsbury Dewsbury Ealing Central & Acton Ealing Southall 22,024 Ealing Southall 12,733 Ealing Southall Ealing Southall 705 Ealing Southall Ealing Southall 408 Enfield Southgate Enfield Southgate 391 Enfield Southgate Faversham & Kent Mid 7,748 Feltham & Heston Fermanagh & South Tyrone Gillingham & Rainham Glasgow Central Glasgow Central Glasgow East Glasgow South Gloucester 17,847 Grantham & Stamford 11,726 Greenwich & Woolwich Guildford Hackney South & Shoreditch Hackney South & Shoreditch Halifax 654 Harborough Harrow East Harrow East 896 Hayes & Harlington 3,726 Hayes & Harlington Herefordshire North 3,373 Hertfordshire South West 6,526 Hertsmere 604 Hornsey & Wood Green 91 Ilford South Islwyn Kensington Leeds North East Leicester East

7,647 21,784 10,210 8,532 7,071 856 209 71 12,240 11,775 714 19,950 9,845 4,277 21,142 1,424 942 161 18,782 195 3,678 10,860 12,638 1,245 668 230 210

61 12,749 22,558 6,950 15,827 6,024 1,851 2,868 4,015

265 1,017 272 111 4,711 17,372 3,813 14,228 6,383 503 6,124 174 6,669 437 21,624 15,908 5,357 1,453 4,739 267 1,021 9,600

202

17,097 6,850 83

8,679 3,597 753 9,310

25,804

Position 2 4 2 1 Elected 2 3 4 6 9 11 2 2 3 5 1 Elected 2 3 1 Elected 5 6 7 1 Elected 7 3 3 1 Elected 2 5 3 4 6 8 9 2 6 7 8 7 2 1 Elected 3 2 1 Elected 3 4 4 3 3 3 9 7 4 7 9 2 3 2 4 2 1 Elected 2 3 4 5 6 3 6 7 3 3 4 1 Elected 1 Elected 2 4 3 2 2 8 4 2 8 6 2 3 4 3 8 3 3 6 6 3 4 5 3 1 Elected

Asian Voice Saturday 15th May 2010

LABOUR WRITES Immigration and racism have been detached after 60 years Political theorist Lord Bhikhu Parekh has written several books on multiculturism and multi-ethnic Britain. The Padma Bhushan awardee speaks to Asian Voice about the Asian community and Labour's performance in this election. How have the ethnic communities fared this election? The total number of Black and Asian MPs elected is 27 out of 650. Out of them there are three Muslim women MPs which means issues, demands and quality of life of Muslim women will be represented in the House of Commons and there is a real chance of progressive policies. With ethnic minorities comprising 9% of the population, we should have 60-70 MPs. We are currently on the halfway mark. I expect the next election to be in 2011, and that should see even more ethnic minorities MPs. How did this election benefit Asian community? Immigration and race earlier in all elections were always put together. You could not speak about immigration without being branded racist. In this election they were detached. Immigration now is spoken in regard to East Europeans, hence Asians are no longer singled out. It has taken 60 years for this remarkable change in British political life. The British National Party suffered a big loss which is good for ethnic population. Nick Griffin attempted to dislodge Margaret Hodge but came third, while Hodge was reelected with an even bigger majority in Barking. All 12 candidates standing for council elections there lost as well. Their only one assembly member Richard Barnbrook did not get reelected. This shows that BNP is not a political force as many had feared. Will be seeing the Liberal Democrats in the government this time? I don't expect the Liberal Democrats to join the government, they shouldn't. All parties would be looking at the next election and all their decisions would be made accordingly. In this scenario, a looser association might be a better option.

Lord Bhikhu Parekh

What do you think about Labour's performance this election? Labour secured 29% of the vote, the second lowest in its history. Its campaign was anti-Tory rather than based on constructive policies. It kept telling voters what would the Tory government do and not outlining constructive vision. It was politics of fear rather than hope. If Labour came to power, sane policies would have continued. Thanks to this defeat, it is forced to do some radial rethinking on where it should go. Brown is being blamed for Labour's loss. Brown put up a decent fight. He is not the most photogenic or a crowd pleaser. Labour could have come third but still managed 29% and 258 seats. For a party which had been 13 years in power, to go this far is not an insignificant achievement. Tories also won three elections but were wiped out in 1997. Labour did not meet that fate. Which coalition do you feel would be more conducive to national and Asian interest? Both. If Labour strikes a deal with Lib Dems, they still will have to woo other minority parties, and that might create problems. They will carry on with this coalition and also start preparing for the next election. With Brown having resigned, they will have to bring in a new leader who could be young, such as David or Ed Miliband or an older one Alan Johnson. Tory and Lib Dems are just two parties and as a coalition they have the majority to form a government. By Friday, we should know what is going on. With volatile markets, it is best for Lib Dems to decide soon otherwise they will be accused of holding the country to ransom.

Dolar Popat, from the Conservative Party will write about the Toryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stand on current politics in next weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AV.

ELECTION REPORT 2010

Asian Voice Saturday 15th May 2010

SOUTH ASIAN PARLIAMENRTARY CONTESTANTS Candidates Ali Ashgar Avtar Sadiq Aladdin Ayesh Parmjit Gill Shazia Awan Farooq Qureshi Sonika Bhatti Rabi Martins Qurban Hussain Rajendra Seeruthun Ifrat Ali Swatantra Nandanwar Suhail Rahuja Qassim Afzal Mohammed Zulfikar Anant Vyas Samarjit Roy Manish Sood Parvaiz Sardar Kashif Ali Gulzar Nazir Kamran Ghafoor Shahid Miah Sushila Dhall Ashay Ghai Afzal Anwar Krishna Tayya Alok Sharma Naz Sarkar Aktar Beg Ruby Akhtar Karrar Khan Reza Hossain Neil Mahapatra Sunil Chaudhary Norsheen Bhati Zulfiqar Ali Nadhim Zahawi Rahoul Bhansali Bhavna Joshi Abul Monsur Ahmed Victor Aggarwal Sadiq Khan Nasser Butt Shereen Paul Gagan Mohindra Sidharath Garg Nadia Fazal Babar Shakir Valerie Vaz Murli Sinha Gulzaman Khan Mohammed Mulia Farid Ahamed Ashar Mall Jasbir Parmar Shas Sheehan Rajeev Thacker Amanjit Singh Jhund Priti Patel Sudhir Handa Paul Uppal

Party LD UPS LD LD Tory LD Ch P LD LD Labour Tory Labour Tory LD Respect Ind Green Labour Ch P Tory Ch P Tory Respect Green LD LD Ind Tory Labour Labour Ch P LD Green Tory Ch P Tory LD Tory Tory Labour Labour Labour Labour LD Ch P Tory Labour LD Ch P Labour LD Ch P ND LD Ch P Tory LD Green Labour Tory Ind Tory

Hindu Muslim Other Candidates Candidates Candidates Constituency Votes Votes Votes Leicester East 6,817 Leicester East 494 Leicestershire South 11,476 Leicester South 12,671 Leigh 9,284 Leyton & Wanstead 11,095 Leyton & Wanstead 342 Luton North 4,784 Luton South 9,567 Maidstone & The Weald 4,769 Makerfield 8,210 Maldon 6,070 Manchester Central 4,704 Manchester Gorton 12,508 Manchester Gorton 337 Milton Keynes North 95 Mitcham & Morden 381 Norfolk North West 6,353 Nottingham East 125 Oldham East & Saddleworth 11,773 Oldham East & Saddleworth 212 Oldham West & Royton 10,151 Oldham West & Royton 627 Oxford East 1,238 Paisley & Renfrewshire 3,812 Pendle 9,095 Preston 108 Reading West 20,523 Reading West 14,519 Romsey & Southampton 3,116 Ruislip, Northwood & Pinner 198 Rushcliffe 11,659 Saffron Walden 735 Sedgefield 9,445 Slough 495 Stoke-on-Trent Central 6,833 Stoke-on-Trent South 6,323 Stratford-on-Avon 26,052 Streatham 8,578 Suffolk Cent-Ipswich North 8,636 Suffolk West 7,089 Swindon North 15,348 Tooting 22,038 Tooting 7,509 Tooting 171 Tyneside North 8,514 Uxbridege & Ruislip South 10,542 Walsall North 4,754 Walsall North 144 Walsall South 16,211 Walsall South 5,880 Walsall South 482 Walsall South 404 Walthamstow 11,774 Walthamstow 248 Warley 9,484 Wimbledon 11,849 Wimbledon 590 Windsor 4,910 Witham 24,448 Wolverhampton South East 338 Wolverhampton South West 16,344 Number of votes

383,845 650,297

61,859

Number of MPs

Candidates by party:Alliance BIB Ch M Ch P CPA DDP English Democratic Green Independent JP Labour Liberal Democrats ND Plaid Cymru R&E Respect SNP Tory TUSC UKIP UPS Voice Total

1 1 2 2 5 6 16 7

13 3

1 11 1 1 5 3 1 16 24 1 2 1 8 1 16 1 3 1 1 98

2 2

Position 3 7 2 2 2 2 7 3 3 3 2 3 3 2 6 9 6 3 6 3 6 2 6 4 4 3 6 1 Elected 2 3 7 2 6 2 6 3 3 1 Elected 3 3 3 2 1 Elected 3 7 3 2 3 7 1 Elected 3 5 6 2 7 2 2 5 3 1 Elected 5 1 Elected

LIB DEM WRITES A government where our efforts are recognised by Chunilal Chavda During the election campaign it became clear that the election would bring about a hung parliament.In its discussions with the Conservatives and the Labour, Liberal Democrats will not overlook certain things like the coalition should be in the national interest of the country and not of individuals or parties; the country needs new approach; demography has changed in no small way and hosts of other points. Whatever proposals and suggestions the Liberal Democrats make will be positive and concrete and for long term good of the nation. Subjects for discussion will include, amongst others, economy; employment; immigration; education patient care. These items have direct impact on all of us directly. It is fair to remember that during the credit crunch Dr Vincent Cable, Liberal Democrat shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, came into prominence due to his measured and pragmatic suggestions to meet the challenges the credit crunch created. It is in this same fashion the entire team of the Liberal Democrats will work in the government. Financial crisis of Greece and the impact of this that may have on other euro countries like Spain, Portugal, and Italy will be high in the thoughts of Vince Cable and his team in the exchequer. The Greece crisis could have impact on the British economy as well. Without creating more employment it will not be possible to tackle the poor economy. Having more unemployed means paying out more in welfare benefits and this could create false economy and black money.People will have to be motivated back into job market. The economy will need to be stimulated and stimulated fast. Immigration was central theme during the election campaign. In fact many of those who expressed their concern are immigrants themselves. All the three parties have totally different views in tackling this issue. View of the Liberal Democrats is that many of the immigrants have been in this country for a very long time. Some are employed legally and some are not. In many cases we do not know where they come from so even if we were to send them back where we send them to. Many are waiting for their applications for asylum seekers to be processed. Many have their children born in this country. How do we deal with this situation? What the Liberals are saying is that let us legalise those who are already here and device a system for would be immigrants. The new system should be such that it is not unfair to

Chunilal Chavda

those immigrants already here and the country as a whole could benefit from the skills of the prospective immigrants. And of such skills should be in short supply in this country. But more importantly, the new immigrants should not be a burden to the state. No doubt housing stock will have to be considered. Like the health of the nation, health of it population is also very important. Patients should be able to see their doctors on the day they are not well and not 48 hours latter. This means doctors surgeries should be open longer hours. GPs surgeries should be able allowed to do minor surgeries. This would help reduce pressure in the accident and emergency departments of the hospitals. We will need to employ more doctors and nurses in hospitals so that patients do not have to wait for months and months for their treatments. LibDms will aim to cut down on cancellations of surgeries due to shortage of staff or beds. We will have to train and produce more good quality doctors. Likewise, we will have to train and produce more nurses and stop going abroad to recruit nurses. Liberal Democrats can not side line education. We will need to improve the quality of education that is imparted to our children in schools. They will have to put emphasis on spelling, grammar, arithmetic, science, languages. Without good education our children will not be able to compete with children from other countries. Without quality education we could easily become a fourth world country. They will have to look at reducing class sizes. They will have to emphasize in parents playing their role in ensuring that children are not unduly rude and violent. All above things will entail reducing bureaucracy and red tape. Liberal Democrats are focused in providing a stable government. A government that is people friendly. A government where civil servants; business people; house wives; children are all valued. A government where our efforts are recognised. A government that we all can be justifiably is proud of. (Chunilal Chavda is a former councillor of London Borough of Brent. He is also a Liberal Democrat activist.)

INdIa

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

No ban on tourists visiting tiger reserves in India Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh says it will be strictly regulated There are no plans to ban tourists visiting tiger reserves in India, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said in a statement last week. He was reacting to some news reports about the ministry planning to ban tourists going into the tiger reserves. Ramesh said tourism is essential, but it will be strictly restricted. He repeated his concerns

about mushrooming of tourist lodges around the tiger reserves. This is a big

issue, atleast in the Corbett National Park. The environment ministry is working on d e t a i l e d guidelines for promotion of eco-tourism. They would be in line with the carrying capacity of particular reserves.

Prabhakaran’s mother gets conditional nod to visit Tamil Nadu Parvathi should only be in the hospital; she was earlier sent back to Malaysia Ms. Parvathi, ailing mother of slain LTTE supremo Prabhakaran has now been granted a conditional nod to visit India – Tamil Nadu. She is to remain in the hospital, as she wanted to visit the state for medical treatment. Earlier, she was sent back from the Chennai airport itself by the immigration officials last month.

Tamil Nadu chief minister K Karunanidhi said in a statement in the assembly last week that centre has given a conditional permission. She is also required to stay in the hospital only and at no other place. Ms. Parvathi can take treatment at a government hospital if she desired so. Tamil Nadu state will

make all necessary arrangements for her treatment, the chief minister added. There an express ban on her for getting in touch with any political party or any banned organisations. She is allowed to have interactions only with some close relatives that have been mentioned in her visa request.

Supporting Maoists will invite 10 year jail Those who speak in favour of Maoist guerrillas will face legal action and 10 years imprisonment, the government of India announced last week in a warning to civil society groups who raise voices in favour of Leftwing extremism. "Any person who commits the offence of supporting such a terrorist organisation (like Communist Party of India (CPI)-Maoist) with inter alia intention to further the activities of such terrorist organisations would be liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or with fine or with

both," a home ministry statement said. It said such action would be taken under Section 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The home ministry said the government has noticed that some Maoist leaders were directly contacting certain NGOs and intellectuals to propagate their ideology and "persuade them to take steps (and) support the CPIMaoist ideology". "General public are informed to be extremely vigilant of the propaganda of CPI-Maoist and not unwittingly become a victim of such propaganda,"

the statement warned. The Leftwing extremist group and all its front organizations have been designated as terrorist organisations by the government. According to the ministry, the sole aim of the CPI-Maoist is to overthrow the Indian state. It continues to kill innocent civilians including tribals in cold blood and destroy crucial infrastructure like roads, culverts, school buildings, gram panchayat buildings so as to prevent development from reaching these under-developed areas", the statement added.

Jairam Ramesh gets a snub from PM for his critical comment on Home ministry Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pulled up environment minister Jairam Ramesh for his critical comments against home ministry in relation to China as he asked him not to speak about functioning of other ministries. Singh spoke to Ramesh and emphatically told him that there was no confusion in the government over its approach towards China, even as it wanted to have constructive engagement with the neighbouring country. Singh told Ramesh that it was advisable for Cabinet colleagues not to make comments on the functioning of other ministries, especially with regard to relationship with impor-

tant neighbours like China. The Prime Minister's blunt message to the environment ministry came two days after Ramesh said in Beijing that the home ministry was over defensive and alarmist in its approach towards entry of Chinese companies in India. Ramesh, while talking about the India-China warmth developed during the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change, had suggested that the home ministry needed to be much more relaxed in its approach to Chinese investments in India. The home ministry also snubbed Ramesh for his comment, saying no discrimination was being

meted out to Chinese companies. "Chinese companies are already present in India in a big way. They are working in a variety of sectors, including in telecommunications sector. I don't think there is any discrimination happening from the government's side," he said. The Congress party is also unhappy over Ramesh's remarks, with a senior leader saying, "An adverse comment against the policy and functioning of a ministry as sensitive as home affairs, that, too in a foreign land, cannot be justified. If there are differences of opinion over an issue, these have to be resolved at party and government fora."

In divine light

By Rajen Vakil

Shakuntala’s Inner Growth We saw how Dushyanta was attracted to Shakuntala. He expressed his love by asking her to marry him immediately. Shakuntala requested him to wait for her father but Dushyanta asked her to decide immediately saying that she was the master of her own destiny. Shakuntala said, “If I am my own mistress, then listen oh great king, the son born of my womb will be the heir to the throne; if you accept this, then I am yours.” Dushyanta accepted her condition; they married in solitude, and thereafter consummated their marriage. The king then returned to the capital, promising to call Shakuntala later. Despite Dushyanta having experienced a very high state of consciousness, he accepted to play the drama of a normal life (lila) and h e n c e , allowed himself to fall and express his love to Shakuntala in totality. Proper c o n d u c t demanded for Dushyanta to wait for the rishi and seek his permission for the marriage. Instead, he asked Shakuntala to take the decision immediately, on her own. Dushyanta observed that Shakuntala had practiced austerities under the influence of the rishi for years; he wanted to free her from this influence and be a light for herself and was successful in doing so. When Rishi Kanva returned to the ashram, he noticed Shakuntala blushing and with his yogic powers divined all that had happened. He called upon Shakuntala and reassured her that he knew everything and blessed her saying that Dushyanta was a great king and that their son would rule the earth. Three years later, Shakuntala gave birth to a son who was full of lustre, fire, and generosity. His growth was very fast. At the age of six, he could overpower all the wild animals of the forest, such as lions, tigers, wild boars, buffaloes, and elephants; he would tie them to trees and ride on their backs. He was named Sarvadaman, the one who overpowers all, and was endowed with strength, victory and ojas. Sex energy has three parts – the physical part

(shukra), the psychic part (virya) contained within the physical part, and the spiritual essence (ojas). Among the many meanings of Shakuntala, one is potentiality. She married Dushyanta, meaning intense fervour. Every student of spirituality has the potentiality to flower within oneself and can realise this through hard work. Sarvadaman, the son born of this marriage symbolises flowering of potentiality and his three years in the womb depict that flowering from potentiality to actuality takes three years of gestation. Sarvadaman being the master of all animals shows that he has overpowered the lower (animal) psychic nature. He has freed his sex energy from the slavery of excitement and extracted its

the king with narrow sarcastic eyes, she said, “O king, your heart and soul, both, know the truth but still you act ignorant. Nothing is hidden from the inner spirit, the knower and seer of all; he is the oldest of all sages. You do not know him but you are lying in his presence. People remain content that they can lie and no one knows. I, the daughter of the pious rishi, tell you that the gods in the form of the Sun, Moon, Wind, Fire, Ether, Earth, Water, Heart, Yama, the days, the nights, both the twilights and Dharma all have knowledge of the acts of man.” Dushyanta acted ignorant because he spotted two aspects in the subconscious of Shakuntala and by acting

spiritual lustre. The rishi decided that it was time to send the boy to his father to be crowned prince. Dushyanta had promised to call Shakuntala; nine years had passed since but he had not. The rishi sent Shakuntala with her son to the capital so Dushyanta could now take care of his child. Shakuntala and her son went to the court of Dushyanta where she addressed him with words of respect, “King, this is your son, born through me when you had consummated your marriage to me in the ashram of the Rishi Kanva. Please accept him and make him the crown prince.” The king heard her words and even though he remembered everything, acted ignorant. He taunted her, “O fallen mendicant, whose wife are you that you claim to be mine, I don’t know who you are, please leave.” Shakuntala was stunned and losing her balance was on the verge of becoming unconscious. Even though her eyes were red, her lips quivered, and anger burned within her, she stood as if nothing had happened. She used the power of her austerities to control herself. Looking at

ignorant, he created a situation where these energies could manifest. He noticed a lot of hidden anger within her and wanted to free her of this. He also observed a lot of wisdom and allowed her to speak words of wisdom in the guise of anger. Here, Shakuntala unravelled the hidden laws of lying. She explained that lying is not the uttering of an untruth but of projecting an image which in reality is not. She mentioned the deeper energies which get affected and tainted by lying and how these energies are aware of every act we perform. She also added that these energies were the creators of our destiny and how by lying we invite pain because these energies then lose their purity. We also see that Dushyanta is beyond both lying and not lying, for he is using lying as a tool for Shakuntala’s growth. Next week, we shall see how Shakuntala talks of the different roles played by a wife, and we will try to understand their deeper meanings. (Edited by Chintu Gandhi. Illustration by Siddharth Ramanuj.) The author can be reached by emailing 3srb@live.com

IndIa

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

NCGO, UK hosts a Swarnim Gujarat event in Ahmedabad

Modi glitters, Morari Bapu graces the get together Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, minister for NRG affairs Jay Narayan Vyas, well known ‘Kathakar’ and a highly revered religious leader Morari Bapu, speaker of Gujarat Assembly Ashok Bhatt, former Gujarat minister Bhupendra Sinh Chudasama and a large number of Gujaratis settled abroad attended the special ‘Get together’ organised by the NCGO (National Congress of Gujarati Organisations) UK, in association with Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar at Hotel Cambay Grand in Ahmedabad on Sunday, May 02, 2010. “Gujaratna Krantitirtho”, a book on history penned jointly by Vishnu Pandya, a historian, veteran Gujarati journalist and a columnist with Gujarat Samachar and his wife Dr. Aarti Pandya was unveiled by Modi. Modi announced two important projects in the Golden jubilee year to attract more tourists to the state. The first is of setting

and social culture of the country. The function was a marked departure from the past. Instead of welcoming guests with ‘Bouquets’, the organisation greeted them with books, in line with the campaign initiated in Gujarat by Modi called ‘Vanche Gujarat’ (Gujarat reads). The evening started with a devotional recitation by Gujarati singer Mrs. Maya Deepak. She also rendered the song in praise of the state of Gujarat… ‘Jay Jay Garavi Gujarat’. In his welcome address, Chairman of NCGO, UK as well as Publisher and Editor of

‘Swarnim Kalash’ already in London, will travel through the country in special processions

C B Patel, Chairman of NCGO, UK and Manoj Ladva receiving the ‘Swarnim Kalash’ from Gujarat CM Narendra Modi during the special NRG meet at Ahmedabad on 30th April. BJP leader L K Advani (extreme left) and Kamlesh Amin, CEO of AB Publications (India) are also seen in the picture.

up a ‘Hanuman Trail’ in Dang district as it is believed to be the place of birth of Lord Hanuman, while the second is to establish a ‘Sant Nagari’ (a city of saints) in Gujarat, which will take visitors to a trip down the history and bring alive the ambience resembling the era of various saints that hailed from different parts of India who have made key contributions to the rich and varied religious

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, C B Patel said five important events of the ‘Swarnim Gujarat’ celebrations, including the NRG meet and the idea of Modi to build ‘Mahatma Mandir’ (A memorial for Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation (India), the man who led the historic non-violent struggle for independence of India from the British rule) have left an indelible mark on his mind.

Noted Ramayan preacher, kathakar Morari Bapu addressing the NRG get together, organised in Ahmedabad on Sunday, May 02, 2010.

He also hailed Modi’s visualisation of Swarnim Gujarat. Thanking him for involving Gujaratis across the globe in the celebrations, he said the ‘Swarnim Kalash’ (the Golden Pot), handed over by Modi to the NCGO would be taken out in processions in UK to places like Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds too, apart from London. We feel proud and privileged about our participation in the ‘Swarnim Kalash’ yatra. We are also very glad that the sacred soil from London (Tavistock square, the place where the statue of Mahatma Gandhi is installed in London) that we brought here has gone into the foundation of the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. A programme to celebrate ‘Swarnim Gujarat’ will also be organised at the House of Commons in London in the weeks to come. C B also informed the gathering that the ‘Swarnim Gujarat’ celebrations have already been kicked off in UK along with the celebrations in Gujarat. Seven MPs as well as 12 candidates of the British elections, representing all the three major political parties attended the function held in London on Saturday, May 01, 2010, organised by NCGO, UK.

Narendra Modi (centre) unveiled the book. (from left to right) Veteran journalist Bhupatrai Parekh, Jay Narayan Vyas, Vishnu Pandya (author of the book) and C B Patel, Chairman of NCGO, UK.

He praised the visionary leadership of Narendra Modi in taking Gujarat to no. 1 position in terms of development indices. Narendra Modi unveiled the book written by Vishnu Pandya and Dr. Aarti Pandya and he lauded the writers for rendering yeoman service to the history of Gujarat and India. Addressing the gathering, Modi thanked the Gujaratis from abroad who came to attend the ‘Swarnim Gujarat’ celebrations. He also thanked C B Patel for giving him a second chance to come face to face with the NRGs at this get together. At his wittiest and humorous best as he normally is, Modi said even Sri Lanka, the land of King Ravan was capitalising on the tourism opportunities and had drawn up a “Ramayan Trail” to attract tourists from India and elsewhere. It was only after the Sri Lanka govt. signed an MOU with Government of Gujarat for exchanging tourists with interest in Ramayan and Buddhism sites that we realised the potential of Dang district in Gujarat and decided to draw up a ‘Hanuman Trail’. On the ‘Sant Nagari’ idea, he said life was incomplete without cultural aspects. Hence, to make life complete and fulfilling, he is exploring the idea of ‘Sant Nagari’, which will be on a ‘Public Private Partnership’ model. He also expressed a wish that for the present generation – kids of the Indians and Gujaratis settled abroad, to arm them with knowledge about the rich heritage and culture, a ‘Quiz’ competitions should be held, which will enrich them. Noted preacher of Ramayana, Morari Bapu enthralled the gathering in his own distinct style, as he said that all creative endeavours should come via the heart of the artist. In case of writers, he said the writings originate in the brain and get transcripted in print. But only

when the heart is involved, the creative work becomes ‘Shaastras’ (ancient Indian scriptures), otherwise it could turn out as ‘Shastras’ (arms). He praised C B Patel as one who worships and lives by words. Morari Bapu added that such a person does not become old. He recollected his many years of association

minister Bhupendra Sinh Chudasama, veteran journalist and a columnist with Gujarat Samachar, Hari Desai also addressed the gathering. Vishnu Pandya, travelling back to the memory lane, said it was way back in 1980, when Atal Behari Vajpayee gave his first speech on “Kranti” (revolution) in Mumbai, he had said there were three Krantis – the Vishwa Kranti, the Indian Kranti and the Gujarati Kranti. It was on that occasion that he wondered what was Gujarat’s Kranti? That thought played the role of a seed which has today germinated into the book.

Soil from Tavistack square goes into the foundation of ‘Mahatma Mandir’ at Gandhinagar

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in his characteristic, witty and humurous mood, addressing the meet.

with C B and said he has never been able to see him aging. Gujarat Assembly speaker Ashok Bhatt, in his address said C B has always served as a bridge between Gujarat and Gujaratis settled in UK. In his distinct flavour, he said success is bound to follow whenever C B takes up issues, and he is a witness to many such success stories. He also praised Vishnu Pandya for his book, as he said today when history was increasingly being forgotten, the writer has done an outstanding job of bringing before us the hitherto unknown facts of history in so far as Gujarat and its contribution to the freedom struggle was concerned. Jay Narayan Vyas, minister for NRG affairs, tourism and health in Government of Gujarat said we all were here for a very interesting occasion. He praised Vishnu Pandya and said he was a fan of the writer, as he was impressed with his capacity to portray history in a very simple, lucid and unbiased fashion. Former agriculture

A member of the ABPL family and veteran journalist Bhupatrai Parekh proposed the vote of thanks. Well known compere Tushar Joshi and Gujarati singer Ms. Maya Deepak along with her team of musicians made the occasion more memorable. Among the other notable dignitaries who had attended the get together were NCGO UK trustee C J Rabheru, Chairman of Charutar Vidhya Mandal Dr. C L Patel, well known Gujarati writer Balwant Jani, President of All India Gujarati Samaj Balubhai Talati, Kutch University Vice Chancellor Dr. Shashi Ranjan Yadav, Dr. Gautam Patel, Salil Mehta, Pankaj Mudholkar, Jaysukhbhai Mehta, Dr. Dhruv Gadhavi from London as well as Dr. Bhavesh Parekh and Dr. Mrs. Urvi Parekh. C K Patel, Chairman of the National Federation of Indian Associations (NFIA) in the USA and other NRG leaders were also present at the meeting. Pics courtsey: Harshad Jahatakia & Jayendra Jahatakia, (Harshad Studio).

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

2002 Gujarat riots: Togadia appears before SIT VHP International General Secretary Praveen Togadia appeared for questioning before the Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the 2002 riots. Togadia was called for questioning by SIT on April 19 in connection with the complaint of Zakia Jaffery, wife of slain ex-MP Ehsan Jaffery, who was among the 69 killed in the Gulburg society

Narco-analysis, brain-mapping held illegal by apex court

The Supreme Court last week held investigation methods such as brain mapping, narco-analysis or lie detector tests unconstitutional, terming them an unwarranted intrusion on the individual's rights. A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said: "We are of the considered opinion that no individual can be forced and subjected to such techniques involuntarily." The apex court said these tests are violative of Article 23, which protects a person from being forced to give evidence against himself. The apex court also said that certain safeguards must be there for consented narco test. These intrusive tests violate a suspect's 'right to privacy' that forms part of right to life and liberty, a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21, they contend. Investigative agencies have been defending the use of these tests saying it is necessary to deal with organised crime and terrorism and to crack complicated cases. This move can come as a setback to several high profile cases, like the Arushi murder case, Ruchika Girhotra case etc.

riots on February 28, 2002. "Since the Supreme Court has set up the SIT and asked it to probe the complaint, I am going there as I respect the apex court," 53-year-old Togadia said. "In this country it has become a crime to be a Hindu," he said. The VHP leader also referred to Afzal Guru, the Parliament attack case convict, who is in the death row.

Krishna to carry forward Indo-Pak dialogue process Indian FM to visit Islamabad in July, Chidambaram going to Pakistan for SAARC Home Ministers meet in June After the Thimpu thaw, Indo – Pak dialogue process is likely to get further boost in next couple of months and Indian foreign minister will be on a visit to Islamabad on 15th July for talks with Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, while home minister P. Chidambaram will be in the Pakistan capital ahead of S M Krishna on 26th June. Chidambaram’s visit is not a bilateral one, as he will be attending the meeting of SAARC home minister, being held in

Islamabad. S M Krishna, Indian foreign minister told media in New Delhi on Monday that Qureshi had a telephonic talk with him and extended an invitation to him to come to Islamabad. “The Foreign Minister of Pakistan has invited me to visit Islamabad on July 15. So I am planning to visit Islamabad for my talks with Foreign Minister Qureshi. I am looking forward to these talks and let us hope that these talks will help in bringing our countries

closer together and bringing between the two countries the cordiality we desire and let us hope that our efforts will be fruitful,” he said. Krishna said he and Qureshi will work out the methodology to carry forward the dialogue between the two countries so that all outstanding issues could be discussed in an atmosphere of “mutual trust”. He said the Prime Ministers of both the countries had, after their meeting in Thimpu last month, asked the Foreign

Ministers and Foreign Secretaries to meet as soon as possible and discuss ways to reduce "trust deficit". Qureshi said he would be seeking guidance from Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on the substantive issues. He said the approach of Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Gilani was “very productive” and their interaction in Thimphu was "frank, cordial and forward looking".

Even as a Congress MP from Haryana, Navin Jindal came out openly in support of the Khap Panchayats of Haryana, the Congress and the Government ruled out any amendments to the Hindu Marriage to accommodate the views of the Khap Panchayats on same gotra marriages. The Khap

Panchayats of late have earned a lot of notoriety as they force couples to separate, order families to leave villages and even order death penalties for those who dare to marry against the customs. Having found support from Navin Jindal, son of former Haryana strong man Devilal and ex chief minister of the state, INLD (Indian National Lok Dal) leader Om Prakash Chautala on Tuesday called on Union home minister P Chidambaram and made a request for amendment to the Hindu Marriage Act to ban marriages in same gotras (lineage). He also handed over a memorandum in support of the party’s demand. On Party MP Naveen Jindal's stand vis-a-vis Khap panchayats, the Congress said it was an expression of opinion by an honourable member of the House and there was no change in the party's

stand on the matter. "The Congress's stand is crystal clear. No customary law or practice can possibly be excused or condoned in any manner if it involves killing of any kind in the name of honour, tradition or heritage," spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said. Not changing Hindu law: Law Minister Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily on Tuesday ruled out amending the Hindu Marriage Act in order to accommodate the Khap Panchayat's demands. "We have suggested to amend the simple marriage act, not the Hindu Marriage Act,” he added. Moily’s comment comes just a day after Congress MP and industrialist Navin Jindal said that he had never said anything to support the honour killings committed by the Khap Panchayats. Earlier, Jindal has reportedly come out in support of the Haryana

Khap Panchayats. It has been reported that Jindal, who is currently abroad, sent a letter to the Khap Panchayats on Sunday affirming his support to them on the issue. The self-styled Khap Panchayats gathered in Kurukshetra on April 13 and demanded a ban on marriages within the same ''gotra'' or sub caste. They also protested against a Karnal Sessions Court verdict that awarded death sentences to five accused and a life-term to the leader of a Khap Panchayat for the murder of a newly-married couple. Representatives of at least 20 Khap Panchayats from Haryana challenged the court ruling and said they would raise money to help the killers of the newly married couple. They said they wanted the ''Hindu Marriage Act'' to be amended, to include a law that bans marriages within same sub caste or the same village.

Govt., Congress reject changes in Hindu Marriage Act for Khap Panchayats

Jain Acharya Mahapragya passes away Sonia Gandhi, Narendra Modi, Abdul Kalam attend last rites Acharya Mahapragya's cremation took place in Sardarshahar in Rajasthan on Monday amid the presence of a bevy of public personalities, statesmen and political heavyweights. Acharya had passed away on Sunday noon. He was the tenth Acharya of the Jain Shwetambar Terapanth group. Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and former President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam attended the last rites of the Acharya. A huge crowd of his devoted followers was present at the cremation site, which had to be cor-

Acharya Mahapragya

doned off by the police personnel to prevent unrest in the area. People from all parts of the country thronged the spot to pay homage to him before his final journey. Frenzied devotees tried to break through the police cordon in their eagerness to touch

the soil where the Acharya's feet rested, before the cremation. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former president of India, and UPA chairperson and AICC president Sonia Gandhi were also present for the last rites of the Acharya. In her condolence message, Sonia Gandhi said that the Acharya was a messiah of non violence. "My personal interaction with him would remain in my memory forever," she said in a written message. President Pratibha Patil and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi also paid their homage to the Jain spiritual leader.

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

Aquino set to be next Philippine president Manila: Benigno Aquino was set to be confirmed as the next Philippine president on Tuesday after steamrolling his rivals in national elections with a promise to fight corruption and reduce poverty. One of his main rivals, property magnate Manny Villar, conceded Tuesday and Aquino himself was expected to hold a news conference to claim victory after an automated count showed him

grabbing 40 per cent of the vote. "The Filipino people have decided," a glum-looking Villar told a news conference. "I congratulate Senator Noynoy Aquino for his victory." Millions of Filipinos turned out to vote on Monday in the country's first automated vote, which was rattled by deadly bouts of violence and complaints about problems with ballot-counting machines that led to long queues.

Lanka govt relaxes emergency laws Emergency regulations have been in force for 27 years Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has lifted parts of the country's tough emergency laws, nearly a year after troops defeated Tamil Tiger rebels. MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of the government proposals last week. They include lifting curbs on meetings and distributing certain literature. Other measures remain - such as the right to detain suspects without trial. The government says rebel remnants

must be contained but opponents say it wants to stifle opposition and the media. Emergency regulations have been in force in Sri Lanka for most of the past 27 years. They give the authorities powers to detain suspects indefinitely and without charge. Ministers say some of the emergency provisions are no longer required. About half of the more than 70 provisions in place under the state of emer-

gency are to be lifted, reports said. The military will no longer have the power to cordon and search premises. The time a suspect can be held in custody before being produced in court is to be cut from 18 months to three months. But correspondents say those already detained under the emergency regulations will be kept in custody - they include more than 11,000 rebel suspects still to be charged. The

Suu Kyi's party dissolved ahead of elections Yangon: Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi's party, which waged a two-decade long campaign against the ruling junta, has been dissolved ahead of elections scheduled for this year, officials said on Friday. The National League for Democracy (NLD) refused to meet a May 6 deadline to re-register - a move that would have forced it to expel its own leader - and boycotted the vote which will be the first in Myanmar in 20 years. "The NLD is not a

legal registered Myanmar's main party any more city Yangon. "The according to the authorities have law. That is for not informed us of sure now," a govanything yet but it ernment official will be according said on condition to the law," he said of anonymity. of the dissolution Under widely critiof the party. cised election laws "We will not Suu Kyi handed down by exist as a legally the ruling junta, the party registered party but our was officially abolished at headquarters will be open midnight on Thursday. as usual." Nyan Win, the NLD's Nyan Win has previlongtime spokesman, said ously said that some memthat former members bers would now focus their efforts on social and would continue operating development work. from their headquarters in

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Prevention of Terrorism Act, a draconian law separate from the emergency measures, is also to remain in force. "There cannot be a wholesale lifting of the emergency. It will be done part by part," External Affairs Minister G L Peiris told MPs. During the debate, Sri Lanka's exarmy chief and defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka called for the emergency regulations to be completely lifted.

100 killed in Iraqi attacks Baghdad: A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a textile factory on day in a crowd that gathered after two car bombings at the same spot in the worst of a series of attacks that killed at least 100 people across Iraq, the deadliest day this year. The violence added to fears that political uncertainty could further destabilize the country. More than two months after the March 7 elections, there is still no new government in sight.

US Senator Chris Dodd honoured as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Friend of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Dinesh Paliwal, Neesha Ramchandani also felicitated by GOPIO New York: The Connecticut unit of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has honoured a US senator, a corporate CEO and a young paediatric diabetes practitioner for their achievements and contributions to the community. The three, Senator Chris Dodd, Dinesh Paliwal, chairman, CEO and president of Harman International and Neesha Ramchandani, pediatric nurse coordinator at Maimonides were honoured on Sunday at a function at the Italian Centre in Stamford. Connecticut Senator Dodd, Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and Co-chairman of the Senate India Caucus, was honoured with a "Friend of India" award in recognition of his leadership in advancing economic and political cooperation between India and the United States. Dodd thanked the organization for this gesture and said, "It's great to

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be a friend of GOPIO Connecticut and India." "Americans of Indian descent have become part of the rich fabric of Connecticut and the United States and their contributions to our economy and our culture can be seen all across our state and our country," said Dodd. The 2010 "IndianAmerican Achiever Award" went to Paliwal for business building and turnaround successes at Harman and ABB. Rajat Gupta, Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey & Company who introduced Paliwal, called him a "builder of businesses and teams, a person with great personal qualities, and I am honored to be his friend." The "Young Person of the Year Award" went to Neesha Ramchandani, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Certified Diabetes Educator. She is coordinator of the pediatric diabetes programme at Maimonides Medical Centre in Brooklyn, New York.

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Asian Voice - Saturday Saturday 15th May 2010

IIT-M alumnus Nohria is the next dean of Harvard Boston: Professor Nitin Nohria, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai, has been named the first Indian-American dean of the prestigious Harvard Business School, a role he will take up from July 1. Currently the Richard P. Chapman Professor of Business Administration at the century-old institution and co-chair of its

Roundup Bolivian president’s car stolen La Paz: A car used by Bolivian President Evo Morales was stolen when the driver went to buy bread rolls for the president's breakfast, officials said. The robbery took place last week in San Pedro area here in the Bolivian capital, when the driver got out of the vehicle to go buy rolls. There is, however, still no information on the SUV's whereabouts, an official said. Eyewitnesses said a "bald male took the wheel and drove the car away". The Toyota Land Cruiser belongs to a group of 16 security vehicles donated by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to Morales and other officials on Nov 1, 2008.

Dubai court clears sex-in-car couple Dubai: A Dubai appeals court has thrown out a public indecency conviction and a month's prison sentence for a Pakistani couple accused of having sex in their car after the pair claimed they were together in a private place, their lawyer said last week. The newly-wed couple hailing from Pakistan had been sentenced to one month in prison and deportation for public indecency. Majid Al Kabban, the lawyer representing the husband and wife, said the ruling by the lower court was overturned last week. The couple were initially sentenced to a month in prison and deportation. The pair successfully argued their car should be treated like a private house. Their lawyers argued that because of the car's tinted windows, a policeman who had raised the charge could not have seen what the couple were doing inside.

Indian student killed in US car accident Washington: A 22-year-old student from Andhra Pradesh was killed and five others were injured in a major car accident in West Virginia in United States. Praneetha Devi Kasani was killed and five others were injured when she along with her five friends were driving back home to Ohio from West Virginia last week. According to preliminary reports, Puneeth Reddy Amarella, 22, who was driving lost control of his car and crashed it into another vehicle in the left lane. Praneetha got ejected from the car and died on the spot. All other passengers injured in the accident are out of danger. Praneetha came to the US in December 2009 after completing her B Tech from Hyderabad and enrolled in MS Electrical Engineering at Wright State University, Ohio. She is survived by one sister and parents who live in Hyderabad.

Re-instated Indian Canadian minister quits within a day Vancouver (British Columbia): In a bizarre turn of events, Indian Canadian minister Kash Heed, who was re-instated as solicitor-general of British Columbia province in Canada last week after his exoneration in poll-related allegations, quit once again. One of the three Indian Canadian ministers in Canada - the two others being federal parliamentary secretary Deepak Obhrai and Ontario province minister Harinder Takhar - Kash Heed had resigned last month after allegations of code violations during his May 2009 poll campaign. Even as investigators charged his three poll managers, Heed was cleared of any wrong-doing, leading to his re-instatement in the provincial government. Heed's second resignation was triggered after it came out that special investigator Terry Robertson, who cleared the Indian Canadian leader of any pollrelated fraud, belonged to a law firm which had donated $1,000 to his election campaign. The investigator quit just after giving clean chit to the Indian Canadian leader, citing a potential conflict of interest. With the resignation of the investigator putting him in an embarrassing situation, Kash Heed too quit his ministerial post. 'My resignation takes effect right now,'' said Heed. His boss Premier Gordon Campbell, who was away in Europe, expressed his surprise over the turn of events for his government.

Leadership Initiative, Nohria will serve as the 10th dean of Harvard Business School. 'I feel a profound sense of responsibility for continuing Harvard Business School's proud legacy of ground-breaking ideas and transformational educational experiences,' said the chemical engineer-turnedmanagement expert who has co-authored 16 books.

Biggest Swarnim Gujarat show by Diaspora in Canada Honours Paresh Rawal with Vishva Gujarati Pratibha Award Toronto: Describing Gujarat as India’s go-to state, Canadian leaders joined the Gujarati diaspora here in honouring Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal to mark the Swarnim Jayanti (golden jubilee) of the state. Thousands of Gujaratis, who had packed into the Toronto Congress Centre in the chilling weather on Saturday, cheered as the community conferred the Vishva Gujarati Pratibha Award on its most famous Bollywood son. Thanking them for the honour, Rawal said he was very grateful for their trust and love. He said he was proud to belong to a community that was leading India on the path of progress.

Thanks to its strides made by his native state, he said, everybody was making a beeline for Gujarat now. “Gujarat’s progress is India’s progress and the leadership needs to be lauded for it,” he said. Rawal, who has acted in comedy films like “Hera Pheri” and “Phir Hera Pheri”, took the Gujarati

diaspora back to its roots by reciting nostalgic poems highlighting their dilemma in their adopted land. At their biggest show in Canada to this date, Gujarati Canadians were also treated to some glimpses of the super-hit comedy “Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah”. Dilip Joshi, who plays the role of Jethalal Gada, and Disah Vakani, who plays Daya Gada in the comedy, had the audience in splits with barbs at each other. In his message to the community on this occa-

sion, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper lauded its role in India’s and Canada’s development. Their entrepreneurial skills have turned Gujarat into India’s leading state, the prime minister said. Emphasizing the deepening business ties between the two countries, Harper said his government opened three new trade offices in India to speed up the progress. The newly opened Ahmedabad office will also deepen Canada’s engagement with Gujarat, he said. Lauding the contribution of the community, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said the Gujaratis exemplify the pluralistic success story of Canada.

Pakistani-American charged for bombing attempt New York: A PakistaniAmerican who was arrested in the failed Times Square car bombing has been charged after he admitted to his role in the attempted attack and said he received explosives training in Pakistan, the authorities said last week. Faisal Shahzad, 30, was arrested as he tried to flee the country in a Dubai-bound jet. Hours later, there were reports that seven or eight people had been arrested in Pakistan, as officials in both countries sought to determine the origins and scope of the plot. The US officials, meanwhile, say

Faisal Shahzad

that they are convinced that a Pakistani Taliban group closely allied with al Qaeda was behind the attempted bombing. US Attorney General Eric Holder said Islamabad was cooperating in the ongoing investigation of the May 1 incident and the Obama administration will keep the pressure on for their

continued help. "We've now developed evidence that show the Pakistani Taliban was behind the attack," he said in an interview. Probe leads to Karachi mosque run by JeM Meanwhile, Pakistani intelligence officials are tracing links between Shahzad and the banned terror group Jaish-eMuhammadled by Maulana Masood Azhar. This search has led investigators to Batha Mosque and a religious school in a crowded neighbourhood of Karachi which was once provincial headquarters of the JeM

and which is visited at times by the elusive militant leader Maulana Masood Azhar. The mosque patronised by the JeM is under scrutiny and security and intelligence sources say there is a link being established between Faisal and the people running the mosque. Indian-American to lead prosecution India-born US Federal Attorney Preet Bharara, spearheading the prosecution of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed has now been entrusted with the prosecution of Shahzad.

Nepal strike called off as people stage a massive peace show Kathmandu: Life across Nepal began limping back to normal on Saturday, a day after opposition Maoists called off their indefinite strike that had crippled the Himalayan nation for six days. Shops and business establishments opened shutters and vehicles plied on roads. However, as Saturday is weekly holiday in Nepal, banks, schools and government offices remained closed. Citing sufferings faced by public and a government conspiracy to divide people as reasons, UCPN (Maoist) had withdrawn the strike aimed at removing the government and setting up of a national government. The Maoists have, however, vowed to contin-

People from all walks of life raise hands demanding an end to the culture of strikes.

ue their agitation in a different manner. On Saturday, the party took out rallies across Kathmandu and thousands converged for a mass gathering at Tundikhel. “The six day strike was just a rehearsal. If our

demands are not met within May 28, we will resort to another strike,” said UCPN (M) chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ in an emotionally charged address. Stressing that the strike was called off only due to sufferings faced by the people and not under

any pressure, he stated that the party would decide on the course for the next phase of agitation soon. “We have had enough talks in the past few days and will not take part in any talks now. The ball is in the government’s court now,” said Prachanda. Maoists are planning to picket outside Singha Darbar - the seat of Nepal government - and administrative offices. Prachanda stated that the agitation would continue to be peaceful. Welcoming the Maoist decision to call off the strike, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal hoped it would lead to consensus on completing the peace and constitution drafting processes soon.

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

2 officials given clean chit over hosing down of Bhutto murder site Islamabad: The three-member fact finding committee formed by Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to investigate the hosing down of the assassination site of former Prime Minister Benazir has given a clean chit to former Military Intelligence (MI) chief Major General Nadeem Ijaz. Interestingly, the committee has not fixed criminal

responsibility on any of the senior police officials, including former city police officer (CPO) of Rawalpindi, Saud Aziz, who was directly held responsible for washing off the crime scene by the UN commission's report. The committee's report contradicted the UN commission's findings.

Mush ready to fight the battle of ballots Islamabad: Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Friday unveiled his plans to return to active politics, saying he would contest the next general election in Pakistan whenever it is held. Musharraf, who has been living abroad for over a year, announced his future plans while addressing a gathering of his supporters in the Pakistani capital by teleconference. "I have decided to take part in Pakistan's politics and I will come forward in the next elections, irrespective of whether they are mid-term elections or end term elections.” "I will participate in them," he said in the brief address.

The former president resigned in August 2008 to avoid impeachment by the Pakistan People's Partyled government. A raft of civil and criminal cases were filed against him in courts across the country after the Supreme Court declared the emergency imposed by Musharraf in 2007 as unconstitutional and illegal.

Islamabad: Pakistan government last week informed the Supreme Court that graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari in Switzerland cannot be reopened in accordance with its verdict, drawing a strong reaction from a five-judge bench which said authorities seemed to be attaching no importance to its order. Appearing before the apex court bench hearing a suo motu case on implementation of a ruling which annulled a graft amnesty that benefited the President and thousands of others, Attorney General Anwarul-Haq said the government had made no contacts with Swiss authorities to revive the cases against

Zardari. Haq also submitted Law Secretary Aqil Mirza's official response to the apex court. He said the Law Secretary had made it clear that the cases in Switzerland were over and there was no need for any communication to reopen them. The Law Secretary had also made it clear that the cases against Zardari cannot be reopened, Haq said. The Supreme Court bench expressed its dissatisfaction with the government's stand. Justice Nasirul-Mulk, a member of the bench, said the government seemed to be attaching no importance to the court's verdict striking down the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) issued

by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf. The bench asked the Attorney General to name the person who was impeding the implementation of the court's verdict so that the bench could take action against him. The Attorney General replied that the govern-

ment's intentions are honourable and proper procedures are being adopted to implement the verdict. The NRO, which was issued by Musharraf as part of a secret understanding with Zardari's slain wife and former premier Benazir Bhutto, was struck down by the apex court last year. Tensions between Zardari's PPP-led government and Chief Justice Iftikhar M Chaudhry have increased since the apex court began pressuring authorities to implement its order to reopen graft cases against Zardari and his close aides. Senior PPP leaders have insisted that the President enjoys immunity from criminal prosecution.

Washington: The United States has finally warned Pakistan that if a terror operation like the Times Square bombing attempt were to be successful and traced back to the country, 'there would be very severe consequences'. The blunt warning came from US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton who acknowledged Pakistan's increased cooperation in the war on terror, but said the US wants and

expects even more from Islamabad. 'We've made it very clear that if, heavenforbid, an attack like this that we can trace back to Pakistan were to have been successful, there would be very severe consequences,' Clinton said in an interview to CBS' '60 Minutes' programme. Faisal Shahzad, a naturalised American citizen who was born in Pakistan and says he had terrorist training there, has confessed to planting the

car bomb that fizzled out in Time Square last week. Investigations have also uncovered his possible links to the Pakistani Taliban and a Kashmiri Islamist group. Pakistan's attitude toward fighting Islamic terrorists has changed remarkably, Clinton said suggesting Ialamabad was earlier playing a double game with lot of lip service but little action. 'We've gotten more

cooperation and it's been a real sea change in the commitment we've seen from the Pakistan Government. [But] We want more. We expect more,' she said in the interview. Since the relationship with Pakistan turned around, the results are encouraging she said. 'We also have a much better relationship, military to military, intelligence to intelligence, government to government than we had before.'

Pervez Musharraf

A confident-looking Musharraf said he was determined to return to Pakistan as he had received a lot of support from Pakistanis living abroad during his recent travels to various countries. "The Pakistanis I have met abroad have told me I should return to the country," he said. However, he was guarded about his plans for the future, saying: "My views on taking Pakistan towards progress will be revealed at an appropriate time. I will soon place my vision before the people". Musharraf thanked people who had extended support to him, including his fans on the social networking website Facebook. He noted that his fan

club on Facebook had rapidly grown to over 175,000 members and CNN had declared him "Connector of the day". "If you are with me, I will not let you down," he said. In a message posted on his Facebook page, Musharraf promoted a gathering of his supporters in Islamabad on Saturday. He said: "Sitting on the sidelines of history never changed anything, become a part of positive change in Pakistan by attending the 8th of May 2010 (Pasdar-e-Pakistan) gathering at Islamabad Press Club (at 3pm)". Musharraf's supporters have also launched a move to register a new party the All Pakistan Muslim League - to facilitate his return to active politics.

Graft cases against Zardari can't be reopened, SC told

Asif Ali Zardari

US warns Pakistan over terror attacks

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In focus Militants free ISI official, UK scribe Islamabad: Forty-one days after they were kidnapped by a militant group calling itself the Asian Tigers, a former ISI official Colonel Imam and a British journalist of Pakistani origin Asad Qureshi were released last week in North Waziristan. Both would be sent to their homes, sources disclosed. The two were kidnapped on March 26 along with former ISI official Khalid Khwaja, who was killed by the group, the Dawn newspaper reported. Khwaja’s body was found near a stream in Karam Kot, about 7 km south of North Waziristan’s main town of Mirali. Locals said they had seen Khwaja’s body, but did not pick it up for fear of attacks from the militants. A senior official said a jirga of residents and clerics deputed by the local administration finally retrieved Khwaja’s body. Officials said that Khwaja’s body was taken to Islamabad and handed over to his family. A note was found with his body which said that Khwaja was working for the Americans and anybody working for them would meet the same fate.

25 killed in US drone attack Peshawar: Twenty-five people, including 21 militants, were killed in Pakistan's northwest where a US drone targeted insurgent hideouts and the military stepped up ground attacks on militants in the region on Monday. Ten people, including six militants, were killed and several others injured when a drone strike in the restive North Waziristan tribal region in northwest Pakistan. The drones fired at least two missiles at a suspected militant hideout in Inzarkas village, located 50 km west of Miran Shah, the main town in North Waziristan Agency. “Local residents pulled 10 bodies from the rubble and some more people are said to be injured,” a source said. Sources said six of those killed were militants, while the rest were civilians.

A new insight into Taliban working Washington: Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the most senior Afghan Taliban leader in custody in Pakistan, is providing important information to American officials on the inner workings of the Taliban, pivotal insights as the United States looks ahead to negotiations to end the war in Afghanistan, according to senior American intelligence and military officials.Mullah Baradar, the second-ranking Taliban leader, was arrested in January near Karachi, in an operation by American and Pakistani intelligence agents. For now, officials say, Mullah Baradar is not revealing details of Taliban combat operations, yielding little that American commanders would like to know as they prepare for a military operation around Kandahar, the Taliban’s spiritual base and Afghanistan’s second largest city. But the officials said he had provided American interrogators with a much more nuanced understanding of the strategy that the Taliban’s supreme leader, Mullah Omar, is developing for negotiations with the government of President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, who is visiting Washington soon. Mullah Baradar is describing in detail how members of the Afghan Taliban’s leadership council, or shura, based in Pakistan, interact, and how senior members fit into the organization’s broader leadership, officials said. He is also offering a more detailed understanding of what prompted Omar to issue a new code of conduct for militants last year that directed fighters to avoid civilian casualties. American officials say the code was meant to project a softer image to the Afghan people. .

Nuclear capable ballistic missiles tested

Islamabad: : Pakistan on Saturday conducted successful test launches of two ballistic missiles capable of carrying conventional and nuclear warheads, the army said. 'Pakistan conducted successful training launches of a Short Range Ballistic Missile Hatf III (Ghaznavi) and a Medium Range Ballistic Missile Hatf IV (Shaheen 1),' an army statement said. Both missiles can carry conventional and nuclear warheads to a range of 290 km and 650 km respectively, it said. The two launches were conducted at the conclusion of the annual field training exercises of Army Strategic Force Command. The exercises were aimed at testing the operational readiness of Strategic Missile Groups equipped with Ghaznavi and Shaheen Missile Systems, the statement said. The launches were witnessed by Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and senior military officials.

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

This week CB will talk about the struggle for power in election. In the second half Jyotsnaben Shah will talk to Varshaben Vajir about Yoga and Beauty

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Coming Events l Director, the Nehru Centre cordially invites to an exclusive evening with Gurinder Chadha OBE with Alkarim Jivani, Saturday 29th May at 6:30pm. Nehru Centre, London W1K 1HF l Gurjar Hindu Union Celebrating Param Pujya Shri Rambaba's 90th birthday Dhamecha Suite, Sunday 23rd May, 1pm l Treasures from Budapest: European Masterpieces from Leonardo to Schiele Friday 14th May. 10am Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly Contact: 020 7300 5615 l The Merchants of Bollywood, Tuesday 18th May- Saturday 5th June Tue-Sunday at 7:30pm, Sat and Sun Mats at 2:30pm, Peacock Theatre, Holborn l The ARCC Classical Tent at Croydon Mela Sunday 1 August 2010, 1.30pm till 6.30pm, free Lloyd Park, CRO 5RD For more details visit www.croydonsummerfesti- val.org l Jeppe Hein Appearing Rooms May October 2010, Riverside Terrace, Southbank Centre l Samyoga-The Divine Union featuring Shijith Nambiar and Parvathy Menon in Bharat Natyam performance. Sunday May 30 at 7pm. Liverpool Hope University. l Britain's Got Bhangra musical showing the rise of Bhangra. May 24th- June 4th. Warwick Arts Centre, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry, West Midlands CV4 7AL 024 7652 4524

Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place London WC2H 0HE. Admission free l Spiritual discourse by Satgurudev Shri Satpalji Maharaj and Mata Shri Amritaji organized by Manav Dharam Society UK. Sunday May 16 from 2-5pm. Harrow High School and Sports College, Gayton Road, Harrow, HA1 2JG. l The Indian Portrait exhibition exploring Indian artists work over three centuries in depicting human form and changing role of portraiture today. Till June 20. National Portrait Gallery St Martin's Place London WC2H 0HE l Kriya Yoga by Swami Mangalananda. An introductory lecture will be held on Friday evening 21 May at 7pm followed by a weekend of initiation and meditation. Email Michael on kriyayogauk@btconnect.com or phone 020 7498 5929

WINNER The name of Barbara Mori in the film Kites is (a) Linda The winner of the competition is: Mitesh Patel

l Forever Foreign- drawings, sculpture and assemblage by Bengali-American artist Rina Banerjee. Saturday May 15 Haunch of Venison 6 Burlington Gardens London W1S 3ET 020 7495 5050

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 Relationships look great as Venus and Mars help to enhance your personal magnetism and put you in a gregarious mood. There are subtle transformations taking shape in you life and a feeling of helpful influences in the background. There is much to suggest that you are in tune with your inner self.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 Although there are very intense amorous energies indicated in your chart, the trouble is that these are likely to be marred by feelings of jealousy. Do not therefore dabble in anything that could harbour such negative potential, as it is bound to end in heartache. Existing emotional differences can be sorted out now. LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 Your attention turns to money and finance this week. You are satisfied with your love life, but now youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to get busy making cash. You have much professional territory yet to cover, with two planets in your work sector, there is not reason why you should not get there. Good period for communications. VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23 Your inborn drive to be always pushing ahead receives added impetus during this week. Your energy levels will be high and you will find much scope for taking fresh initiatives and getting fast results. Your communications are well lit up but you have to ensure that you do not upset people around you. LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23 Efforts to restructure and transform your lifestyle are more likely to meet with success. Experience you have built up in the past will now stand you in good stead. If you are thinking of investments, then this is an opportune time to go ahead with your plans. Co-operative ventures are likely to generate financial success. SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

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.

l Indian Noir- live Indian music by Asian music circuit, panel discussion about Indian Crime fiction, contemporary British artists Singh Twins talk about their work and Kathak performance. Friday May 14 at 6pm National

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Your attitude to material interests is likely to undergo some deep change. On a material level the trend favours establishing greater financial stability. Focus on essentials and establish a solid foundation, so that you feel secure. The outlook remains optimistic and bring you a sense of real achievement.

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SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 You will feel energetic and confident as the week begins. 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. CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 With Sun and Mercury in your 5th house of romance and creativity, 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 of your own calibre and pursue any romantic liaisons that might present themselves. AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 Either you or your partner have been going through a phase of inner doubts and uncertainties, and perhaps the main source of tension has simply been the need for breathing space in your relationship and a need to look at things more objectively. Wait before going full steam ahead with grand actions and gestures. PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 Get out as much as possible. Do not be misled by inconsequential issues as you will have better opportunities if you stick to your main objectives. The domestic scene may prove to be active and harmonious as long as you use tact and diplomacy. Mentally you will be in good form to make on-the-spot decisions.

time

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010 Down 1 Money for mendicants 2 Perfectly 3 Fairy-tale friend 4 Hammer part 5 Greek sun god 6 Nancy of “Access Hollywood” 7 Command to cujo 8 Caesar’s Penultimate words 9 Narrow and elongated 10 Coral isle 11 Stable stall? 12 Lagers’ cousins 13 Flag fabricator 18 Itchy skin woe 22 Acute 24 Had dinner 26 Faux pas 27 Of the ear 28 Horse’s blinders? 29 Racing sled 31 Lip 33 Stinks 34 Little hooter 36 Splder traps 37 Soon 39 Follows 41 Call to arms 44 Pompous fool 47 Really bother 48 Gordon____. aka Sting 50 Auarium favorite 52 Goldoni of “Shadows” 53 Turkish title 54 Dang! 55 Perods of note 57 Wash 58 Related 59 Look after 60 End of a switch? 63 Outer: pref.

C R O S S W O R D - 87 1

23 28

45 48

Across 1 On the peak of 5 Firefighter’s sprayer 9 Truman’s birthplace 14 Theater section 15 Splice film 16 Balbo or Calvino 17 City horse to be? 19 Canonical hour 20 Printing guide 21 Serving no purpose 23 “Nana” writer 25 Ring above the

collar? Some roof ends Winter Palace rular To’s partner Gold Have on Not many Destroyer escort Sporting dog Lose vitality Arab garments Empirical Philosopher 46 Corner pipe 47 Spy Alger 48 Least nuts? 26 30 32 35 36 37 38 40 42 43 45

49 51 53 56 61 62 64 65 66 67 68 69

Alternative to etc. Smear Contrary Strive to copy Garbo of films Equestrian leather worker? Filaments Rod between wheels In ____veritas “___Shrugged” Ride thermals Novelist shusaku

Solution of Crossword-86

Today’s Ratings: 01-average |02-good | 03-outstanding

How many words of four or more letters can you make from the letters shown in today’s puzzle? In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each word must contain the central letter. There N should be at least one N seven-letter word. N Plurals, foreign words U and proper names are R E not allowed. British English Dictionary is Y used as reference.

I D E A S

M A T C H

P L U T O

O P E C

P O L O

A S I A

S L A B

Solution of Spellathon - 86 lark, stalk, stark, STARKLY, talk, task

P A N E

A N T S

S I D E V W E A N L T Z A S T T I R T E E T

Sudoku-87 2

1 6

5 1

4 2

5 1

Solution of sudoku-86 HOW TO PLAY Each row, column and square 3x3 box is a sub-grid of 9 cells. Fill in the grid so that each subgrid contains the digits 1 to 9. Every puzzle has one solution.

P T B A R N U M

E R A S

E N A B A L D E A P S T A S W

S A R T E U T E S C A L A

O S C T T E A L L U S M E S N T S T H O O L M I A N S

T I E D

S U I T E D R E A M S

E A S T I B M

A C R E

A L A N

B A N D

C A T S

A M O S

R A N T

T O M E I

E W E R S

N E S T S

MINDBENDER- 87

SPELLATHON - 87

19 21

A man s wearing black. Black shoes, socks, trousers, jumper, gloves, and balaclava. He is walking down black street with all the street lamps off. A black car is coming toward him with its lights off too, but somehow manages to stop in time. How did the driver see the man?

pAss

By Dr Anil Mehta

Westminster Hall : A lone survivor Westminster Hall is the oldest surviving part of the original Palace of Westminster (where now stands the Houses of Parliament). It was erected by William Rufus, son of William the Conqueror in 1099 as an extension to his palace and is one of the most magnificent medieval halls in Europe. A devastating fire in 1834 destroyed the old palace leaving William’s great hall as the chief relic of the medieval palace. The new Westminster Palace (the present Houses of Parliament) was built in grand style after fire by the famous architect Charles Barry and his son Edward in 1867, in collaboration with the equally famous interior designer Augustus Pugin. The roof of the Westminster Hall was originally supported by two rows of pillars but in the 14th century during the reign of Richard II it was replaced by a massive unsupported timber roof (hammerbeam roof) providing the Hall a huge open space. Richard also embellished the Hall with great north and south windows and lifesize statues of Saxon kings in the niches. The Hall is 80 yds long and 22 yds wide with steps and a platform on the south side. The great south window was reglazed after bomb damage in the 2nd WW and contains memorials to members of both Houses who were killed in the

Solution of 86 :

A television remote control. (Often used by a “couch potato”. Channels are most often changed between programs, which end on the hour or halfhour. If you lose the bateries, the only way to control the TV is by hand.)

conflict. The We s t m i n s t e r Hall is almost dripping with history. It was designed originally as a place for feasting and entertaining but its very large size made it more than that. It has served numerous functions and has witnessed some of English history’s most dramatic movements including making and unmaking of

kings. No other place in Europe has been so continuously involved in the history of a nation. In medieval times the Hall was the meeting place of the King’s Council and also the site of the first true English Parliament to include elected representatives summoned by a powerful baron Simon de Montfort in 1265. This is seen as the origin of the modern parliament. For centuries the Hall was the home to law courts and the place of notable state trials for instance those of William ‘the Braveheart’ Wallace, King Charles I, and Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot conspirators, all of whom were sentenced to death. Here Warren Hastings the Governor General of British India was charged with oppressive regime in India. After lengthy trial he was acquitted but broken. The Hall was the traditional venue for the

coronation banquets until the reign of George IV (1821) honouring new monarchs. With many shops and stalls it was also the shopping centre and the meeting place for Londoners. After Civil War the investiture of Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector of England took place here in 1653. Also ceremonial addresses were held here periodically on important occasions such as Elizabeth II’s Silver and Golden jubilees in 1977 and 2002, 300th anniversary of the Glorious Revolution (1988) and the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the 2nd WW in 1995. Distinguished hads of state are sometimes invited to address both Houses here, such as President Mandela in 1996. The Hall is also the place where lying-instate of monarchs, their consorts, and very distinguished statesmen take place. For example, PMs Gladstone and Churchill, King George VI and his consort Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Jutting out towards St. Margaret Street (behind the statue of Oliver Cromwell), the Westminster Hall stands proudly after 900 years of continuous existence as a sole survivor of the long gone medieval palace. You can get its glimpse en route to public galleries from St. Stephan’s entrance or on your way out of the Houses of Parliament. Next time spare some moments in this ancient Hall itself and look around it. It’s a beautiful building in its own right.

WHATZIT? - 87 Find the familiar phrase, saying or name in this arrangement of letters. Solution of - 86 : Add insult to injury

Solution of KAKURO - 86

KAKURO - 87 20 12

The numbers in the pink squares refer to the

Example sums of the digits that you

must fill into the empty spaces directly below or to the right of the pink square containing the number. For instance, in the given example, the 2 boxes below 12 must contain 2 digits that add upto 12, whereas for 20, the 3 boxes places horizontally next to it must add upto 20. No zeroes are used here, only the digits one through nine. Note: A digit cannot appear more than once in any particular digit combination. For instance in the example, we cannot have the combination of 8+4+8 for 20.

HEALTH WATCH

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

Study: Broccoli component limits breast cancer stem cells A compound derived from broccoli could help prevent or treat breast cancer by targeting cancer stem cells -- the small number of cells that fuel a tumor's growth -according to a new study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. The study tested sulforaphane, a component of broccoli and broccoli sprouts, in both mice and cell cultures. Researchers found sulforaphane targeted and killed the cancer stem cells and prevented new tumors from growing. "Sulforaphane has been studied previously for its effects on cancer, but this study shows that its benefit is in inhibiting the breast cancer stem cells. This new insight suggests the potential of sulforaphane or broccoli extract to prevent or treat cancer by targeting the critical cancer stem cells," says study author Duxin Sun, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the U-M College of Pharmacy and a researcher with the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center. Results of the study

appear in the May 1 issue of Clinical Cancer Research. Current chemotherapies do not work against cancer stem cells, which is why cancer recurs and spreads. Researchers believe that eliminating the cancer stem cells is key to controlling cancer. In the current study, researchers took mice with breast cancer and injected varying concentrations of sulforaphane from the broccoli extract. Researchers then used several established methods to assess the number of cancer stem cells in the tumors. These measures showed a marked decrease in the cancer stem cell population after treatment with sulforaphane, with little effect on the normal cells. Further, cancer cells from mice treated with sulforaphane were unable to generate new tumors. The researchers then tested sulforaphane on human breast cancer cell cultures in the lab, finding similar decreases in the cancer stem cells. "This research suggests a potential new treatment that could be combined with other compounds to target breast cancer stem cells.

Developing treatments that effectively target the cancer stem cell population is essential for improving outcomes," says study author Max S. Wicha, M.D., Distinguished Professor of Oncology and director of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center. The concentrations of sulforaphane used in the study were higher than what can be achieved by eating broccoli or broccoli sprouts. Prior research suggests the concentrations needed to impact cancer can be absorbed by the body from the broccoli extract,

but side effects are not known. While the extract is available in capsule form as a supplement, concentrations are unregulated and will vary. This work has not been tested in patients, and patients are not encouraged to add sulforaphane supplements to their diet at this time. Researchers are currently developing a method to extract and preserve sulforaphane and will be developing a clinical trial to test sulforaphane as a prevention and treatment for breast cancer. No clinical trial is currently available.

UK gets its first curry slimming group

If you thought Indian curries were fattening, this menu will change your notion. Britain has got its first "curry slimming group" after a woman who dropped 19 kg on the diet decided to launch an exclusive centre. Suki Burai, a sales consultant, has come up with a menu of healthy Indian recipes for her members, reports dailystar.co.uk. The chilli-hot meals include tandoori fish curry, chapatis and tasty lentil dishes. Burai reckons the meals have the flavour for success. "I spent years on failed diets, but I started making my own recipes with different ingredients. I could enjoy curries on a regular basis and still lose weight. The recipes are quick and easy to make which suits a lot of women who work full-time," the 41-year-old said.

HEALTH WATCH IN BRIEF Stress at work raises heart disease risk in women High pressure jobs like nursing put young women at a higher risk of heart disease and younger women appear to be more vulnerable, suggests a new study. In industrialised countries, cardiovascular disease (CVD), including ischaemic heart disease (IHD), is the leading cause of death and affects as many women as men. During the last decades, several studies have examined the impact of work-related psychosocial factors on ischaemic heart disease. But previous research has largely focused on men. To investigate the effect of work pressure and job influence on the development of IHD in women, researchers from Denmark followed 12,116 nurses, aged between 45 and 64 years for 15 years. The participants were asked to fill a comprehensive selfadministered question-

naire on health and lifestyle, including occupational status and working conditions. During a 15 years follow-up, 580 participants were hospitalised with heart disease. It was found that those who said that their work pressures were a little too high were 25 percent more likely to develop heart disease in comparison to those who said that their work pressures were manageable and appropriate. Those who felt that their work stress was much too high were 35 percent more likely to have heart disease after other risk factors like smoking and lifestyle were taken into account. The above findings support already existing evidence suggesting harmful effects of excessive psychological demands at work on cardiac health but this study is among the very few that demonstrates this effect in women.

Use parasols to protect skin from sun exposure Cancer experts are encouraging women to be creative and use parasols to protect delicate skin from the sun. Parasols not only help keep women extra cool; they also protect their skin from early signs of ageing. “Opening a parasol, or umbrella, on a blazing hot day continues to be a stylish and effective way to prevent skin cancer in many countries. Sadly, not many people carry parasols in the US, but in other countries, it is a way of life,” said Susan Chon, assistant professor in dermatology at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre, University of Texas (UT). The word “parasol” comes from Latin roots meaning “shade” or “shadow,” meaning an umbrella. Women around the world have been using the parasol for centuries to protect their skin. “The amazing thing about parasols is that

they are portable and offer shade to the entire top portion of your body. They cover your face, neck, shoulders and even the tops of your arms. And, unlike hats, they don’t mess up your hair,” Chon says. Chon suggests everyone should seek shade between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are at their strongest. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US. More than one million skin cancer cases are caused by overexposure to the sun, according to the American Cancer Society.

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Sport world

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

Chelsea regain EPL crown, overwhelm Wigan Sunday’s final show also put Arsenal in third place, beating Fulham With an 8 – 0 thrashing, Chelsea regained English Premier League title as they overwhelmed Wigan. Manchester United missed the crown by a solitary point as the champions Chelsea had piled up a total of 103 goals. Had Chelsea missed, it would have been an unprecedented fourth consecutive title for Manchester United. The defending champions did their job by beating Stoke 4-0 at Old Trafford. The only other outstanding issue was resolved in Arsenal's favour. A 4-0 win over Fulham ensured Arsenel get another money-spinning season of Champions

League football at the Emirates. Liverpool was at

the 4th spot. Manchester City took

fifth place, while Aston Villa came next at sixth.

Scott Parker, Joe Cole, and Gareth Barry. Dawson joined by fellow defender Ledley King, midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Aaron Lennon, and strikers Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe. Darren Bent, who was third-top scorer in the Premier League last season with 24 goals, is also among the forwards bid-

ding to accompany first choice Wayne Rooney, who netted 26 league goals, but there is no place for Carlton Cole or Bobby Zamora. Capello, who will cut the squad for South Africa to 23 at the end of the month, will take his 30 players to a high-altitude training camp in Austria and has friendlies against

Mexico and Japan lined up to help him make his final decision. The experienced Carragher, 32, seems certain to be on the plane, having been persuaded by Capello to return to the fold. England's first game is against the United States on June 12, with Algeria and Slovenia making up a winnable Group C.

BCCI says sorry to Modi for some documents Suspended IPL boss wants proof of charges, board has very few! Ratnakar Shetty had said quite a few documents regarding the IPL deals were not traceable and had asked Lalit Modi to return all the papers that might be in his possession. Lalit Modi on the other hand, asked BCCI to for documents in support of charges that the Board has leveled against him. According to a report on CNN – IBN, in response to Modi’s demand for various documents, BCCI secretary S Srinivaan has said that

most of the charges against him were in verbal form and the Board did not have any documents supporting them. In one instance, when Modi sought names of corporates that were purportedly asked by him not to bid, Srinivasan has said that communication was confidential and privileged and the name shall not be disclosed. Ultimately, prima facie it appears that the BCCI charges against suspended IPL Commissioner Lalit

Modi were based on media reports and oral communication, without any documentary support or evidence. Later, it was disclosed that out of ten sought by Modi, BCCI could present him only four documents about charges leveled against him. On Monday, Modi’s advocate also said as far as his client is concerned, he has handed over all the documents that BCCI had sought from him.

India at the top in Azlan Shah hockey World champs Australia defeated on Monday 4 - 3 Title holders India gave a dazzling display of hockey on Monday as they beat World champions Australia 4 – 3 in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament, being played at Ipoh in Malaysia. Both the teams though have rested their key players from the tournament. With this win, India is at the top of the table, the only unbeaten team in the tournament till Monday. Tuesday is a rest day. India, the defending champions have 10 points from 4 games, while Australia have 6 from 3 matches. For India, this victory is also important as they have defeated the World Champions after seven years. In the Monday game, Tushar Khandker

Beating Veselin Topalov in the 12th and final game of the World Chess Championship, Vishwanathan Anand retained his title as the Champion at Sofia in Bulgaria on Tuesday. He won last game in 56 moves, taking the crown 6.5 to 5.5 against Topalov. Anand won the title in 2008. Indian Grandmaster lost the first game, but came back in the next one. Topalov again beat him in the eighth game. The Bulgarian challenger though was not in the lead despite the win. The 40-year-old became the undisputed World champion in 2007 and defended his title against Russian Vladimir Kramnik in 2008, thereby becoming thee first player in chess history to have won the world title in three different formats: knockout, tournament, and match.

Umesh Yadav is his replacement Chelsea players celebrate with the trophy after the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge on May 9, 2010 in London.

Adam Johnson, Michael Dawson named in 30

A report in one of the Indian news channels suggests that Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended Lalit Modi as the chairman of the IPL and served a chargesheet to him. Further, in an interesting turn of events, Modi was to respond to the chargesheet by Saturday, 8th May but he sought some more time. BCCI did give him one more week to respond to the charges. Meanwhile, COO

Anand holds the World Chess Crown

Injured Pacer Praveen Kumar out of T20 WC

England names Carragher for WC probables Fabio Capello has pulled out Jamie Carragher from his retirement form international football, while Adam Johnson and Michael Dawson are two uncapped players to have figured in the provisional 30 man team for England’s World Cup campaign. Announced on Monday, the 30 men squad includes midfielders

(19th and 32nd minute), captain Rajpal Singh (21st) and Shivendra Singh (61st) scored for India while Trent Milton (38th), Christopher Ciriello (40th) and Mark Paterson (70th) were the Australian marksmen. India play hosts

Malaysia on Wednesday and the last round-robin match against Egypt on May 15. Pakistan trounced 4 - 2 Earlier, on Friday, India showed flair and pumped in three second half goals to thump arch-rivals Pakistan 4-2. The winners

led 1-0 at half time with Sardar Singh scoring from a rebound off their second penalty corner. A day earlier, China held India to a draw. India now have four points from two outings and will next play Asian champions South Korea on Sunday.

ICC World T20 - Points table (This points table is only for Super Eight stage, for matches played upto Monday, 10 May) Team Group E England Pakistan New Zealand South Africa Group F Australia Sri Lanka West Indies India

Matches

Won

Lost

Tied

N/R

Pts

Net RR

3 3 3 3

3 1 1 1

0 2 2 2

0 0 0 0

6 2 2 2

+0.962 +0.041 -0.373 -0.617

2 2 2 2

2 1 1 0

0 1 1 2

0 0 0 0

4 2 2 0

+3.250 -0.600 -1.075 -1.575

Last week, India felt the pain as fast bowler Praveen Kumar suffered a side strain and was ruled out from any further play in the T20 World Cup. Umesh Yadav, the Nagpur lad who impressed a few during his IPL stint with Delhi Daredevils was rushed as his replacement. For Umesh, it was a surprise call, as he was not even among the 30 probables.

India, WI, OZ, NZ in Women’s T20 WC semi finals In the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup that is also being played simultaneously in the West Indies, the league stage is completed and four teams – England, South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been eased out of the competition. India, West Indies, Australia and New Zealand have reached the semi finals. The semi finals are to be played on Thursday and Friday, while the finals will be played on Sunday. In the first game on 13th, Australia will play India, while in the second game, It will be West Indies against New Zealand. Both the semi finals are to be played at Gros Islet and the final will be played at Bridgetown, Barbados.

Women’s T20 World Cup: Results Date Match No.Teams & Result 05 May 01 West Indies v/s South Africa WI won by 17 runs WI 175/5 (20 overs); SA 158/4 (20 overs) 05 May 02 Australia v/s England Match tied (Aus won in the oneover eliminator) Eng 104 (17.3 overs); Aus 104 (19.4 overs) 06 May 03 Pakistan v/s Sri Lanka SL won by 1 run, SL 108 (19.3 overs); Pak 107 (20 overs) 06 May 04 India v/s New Zealand NZ won by 10 runs NZ 139/8 (20 overs); India 129/8 (20 overs) 07 May 05 Australia v/s South Africa Aus won by 24 runs Aus 155 (19.3 overs); SA 131/7 (20 overs) 07 May 06 West Indies v/s England WI won by 2 runs WI 122/8 (20 overs); Eng 120/9 (20 overs) 08 May 07 India v/s Pakistan India won by 9 wickets Pak 104/6 (20 overs); India 106/1 (16.4 overs) 08 May 08 New Zealand v/s Sri Lanka NZ won by 47 runs NZ 154/7 (20 overs); SL 107/8 (20 overs) 09 May 09 England v/s SA England won by 56 runs Eng 141/6 (20 overs); SA 85 (17 overs) 09 May 10 West Indies v/s Australia Australia won by 9 runs Aus 133/7 (20 overs); WI 124/7 (20 overs) 10 May 11 New Zealand v/s Pakistan NZ won by 6 wickets Pak 65/9 (20 overs); NZ 71/4 (8.2 overs) 10 May 12 India v/s Sri Lanka India won by 71 runs India 144/3 (20 overs); SL 73/9 (20 overs)

Asian Voice - Saturday 15th May 2010

England in T20 WC semi finals NZ defeat ensure Pakistan a place in last 4

Maintaining their impressive winning momentum, England on Monday comprehensively beat New Zealand in their third Super Eight game in the T20 World Cup by three wickets on Monday. With this result, Pakistan also gained a place in the semi finals, though their hopes hinged in a lot of ifs and buts. Chasing 150 for victory, England finally achieved the target with a key contribution of 23 runs from just 11 runs from Tim Bresnan. In the New Zealand innings, it was another show of disciplined bowling by the England bowlers. Thanks to Pakistan's earlier victory over South Africa, England's progress was assured before the match began, but for New Zealand, the stakes were utterly black-and-white. A victory would have propelled them into the semifinals, but anything less would allow the defending champions, Pakistan, to come from nowhere in the Group and leap into the final four. In the end, that is exactly what happened, as England's superbly balanced outfit made light of the absence of Kevin Pietersen to turn in a thoroughly professional victory. At the end of the Powerplay, England had notched up 57 for 1, compared to New Zealand's 39 for 1. Introduction of slow bowlers did put brakes on England scoring. Daniel Vettori's first over had been swiped by Lumb for 11 runs, but he responded brilliantly. Bowling in tandem with Scott Styris's offcutters, they made England stumble to 66 for 4 after nine. Styris was the first to strike as Ravi Bopara standing in for the absent Kevin Pietersen - smashed uppishly into the covers, where Ross Taylor timed his vertical leap to perfection. Three balls later, Vettori suckered Lumb on the sweep with a loopy slower ball that rapped him plumb in front of middle for 32, before Paul Collingwood continued his poor run by hitting

Tim Bresnan and Graeme Swann embrace as England complete a comfortable three-wicket victory at St Lucia on Monday

another Styris cutter into Brendon McCullum's hands at midwicket. Eoin Morgan found a method to master the conditions, as he slapped Styris one-handed for a vast six, while Luke Wright tucked into the extra pace of Ian Butler by spanking two slog-swept fours in consecutive deliveries. Morgan in partnership with Wright ensured that England were cruising on 117 for 4 with seven overs to come. Vettori reintroduced Bond's extra venom, and the change did the trick as Wright immediately holed out to deep square leg to end a fifth-wicket stand of

52 in 38 balls. Bresnan had earlier set the tone for the performance with 1 for 20 in four overs. Brendon McCullum did his best to keep the runs flowing at the top of the order, but after a positive start, the England brought in the spinners to tie down the run flow. Swann and Michael Yardy limited McCullum shots, as he eventually stepped out to Swann and aimed a pull over midwicket, but Lumb on the boundary's edge steadied himself to send him on his way for 33 from 32 balls. By this stage, Aaron Redmond was already gone for 16 from 15 balls,

at the end of an eventful over for Stuart Broad manning the midwicket boundary. At 68 for 3 after 11 overs, New Zealand needed a positive response with their place in the last 4 at stake. Styris and Taylor added 62 in 41 balls to lift their side towards a competitive total. When Styris crunched the first ball of Sidebottom's penultimate over for six over long-on, the pressure was on England to keep their heads in the slog overs. To their credit, they did. Sidebottom responded to that indignity by conceding two runs from the remainder of his over, and one ball later, Styris was gone, as Wright called decisively at deep cover to slide into a well-judged catch (127 for 4). Gareth Hopkins, then lasted just two legitimate deliveries, as he was surprised by a glove-high beamer from the sixth delivery of the same over, before being bowled by the (non free-hit) seventh for 1. Taylor responded with one last six, a baseball slog off Sidebottom, to move to 44, only to fall to the very next delivery, as Bresnan at deep midwicket took a comfortable skier. {Brief scores: England 153 for 7 (Morgan 40) beat NZ 149 for 6 (Taylor 44) by 3 wickets}.

ECB, BCCI charge Modi with rebel league plans Counties, former IPL boss rubbish all the allegations Even as England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Giles Clarke said Lalit Modi had plotted alongwith some England counties to start an IPL style league in England, Colin Graves, head of Yorkshire denied anything as such. Even IMG, the sports management firm denied they were in any manner involved in planning any rebel leagues as charged by ECB or BCCI. BCCI last week served another show case notice to Lalit Modi, the suspended IPL boss after the board received a complaint from a worried Giles Clarke. Modi was asked to explain his role in the allegedly planned rebel league in England. Clarke had gone to the extent of charging Modi with plans that would divide the cricketing world as a whole. Srinivasan, secretary of the Indian cricket board said, “The BCCI has issued another Show Cause Notice to Lalit Modi, based on an email received from Mr Giles Clarke, Chairman, ECB, informing the President, BCCI, about the activities of Modi, which are detrimental to Indian Cricket, English Cricket and World cricket at large.” No ‘underhand’ deal says Yorkshire chairman Colin Graves Yorkshire chairman

Dottin scores the breeziest ever century in international cricket West Indies batswoman beats Gayle and McCullum with a 38 ball ton in T20 WC At just 18 years in age, West Indies batswoman stormed her way into cricket record books. Deandra Dottin notched up the fastest ever century in any form of international cricket last week, playing in the Women’s T20 World Cup at home in West Indies. It was just the opening game of the tournament and Dottin blasted South African bowling. Hailing from Barbados, she scored the century in

just 38 balls as she packed nine sixes and five fours in the innings. Her first fifty came in 25 balls, while the second half century came in almost half of that – 13 balls. Dottin, batting at number six, beat the record held by compatriot Chris Gayle and New Zealand's Brendon McCullum. Gayle made a hundred in 50 balls also against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2007 and

Deandra Dottin

McCullum did likewise against Australia in Christchurch earlier this year. Dottin's first 50 came off 25 balls, but her second 50 took just 13 deliveries. Her sixth-wicket partnership of 118 with Shanel Daley is also the highest in any male or female match, comfortably beating the record of 77 set by Australia's Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey in Auckland in 2005.

Lalit Modi

Colin Graves has denied the allegations that involve two other English counties of plans to start a rebel T20 league in the country on the lines of IPL. He conceded that they did meet Modi, but that was just to discuss some idea and ECB was duly informed it. He rubbished the allegations and said, “It was a fact-finding mission. Lalit Modi did not put a proposition on the table. There were no secret proposals, no secret agenda, nothing underhand.” "IPL has been extraordinarily successful and we can learn a lot from it. There was a proper business discussion about how things might develop in the future, the sort of discussions that can benefit the whole of English cricket. Stewart Regan took notes of the meeting and forwarded them to all the Test grounds.” “I then passed those notes to Giles Clarke. Lalit Modi invited all representatives of the Test grounds to be his personal guests at the IPL final. We did not accept invitation as we were not in a position to discuss anything in detail,” he added. IMG denies planning rebel T20 league in England Event management company IMG also denied charges that it was involved in planning a 'rebel' T20 league in England in conjunction with suspended IPL chairman Lalit Modi. A statement from the events management group, which was involved in running the IPL in the first three seasons, said in its 50-year existence it had always respected the authority and sovereignty of official sports federations.